[figure description] Page 169.[end figure description]

OUR chevalier was now at his wits end, not being
able to conceive of any other place of amusement
in which Teague might be found; when all at once
it came into his head, (led to it, perhaps, from the
reference, in his late conversation, to the Indian
tribes,) that probably he might have fallen in with
the Indian treaty-man, and have been prevailed upon
to personate a chief. It appeared to him, therefore,
adviseable to go directly to the secretary at war, to
know if any party of Indians had been lately there
to negociate a treaty.

Being introduced, and after some ceremony, accosting
the secretary, he gave him to understand
why it was that he had the honour to wait upon him,
viz. that he had a servant of the name of Teague
O'Regan, an Irishman, who had been absent some
days, and that from a circumstance which happened
in the way to the city, he had reason to suspect, he
might have been picked up by a certain Indian treaty-man,
to supply the place of a Welch blacksmith,
who had died, and had passed for a chief of the
Kickapoos.

The secretary was a good deal chagrined, believing
the Captain to be some wag, that had come to

[figure description] Page 170.[end figure description]

make this enquiry by way of burlesque on the Indian
treaties; and with some irritation of mind, gave him
to understand, that there had been no Indian treaty-man,
or Kickapoo chief there; that no treaty had
been held with the Indians for above a month past,
since the king of the Togamogans had drawn goods;
but treaty or no treaty, it ill became him, in the appearance
of a gentleman, to throw a burlesque upon
government, by insinuating that his Irishman could
be imposed upon them for a chief.

I mean no burlesque, said the Captain, a little irritated
in his turn; I have had too much trouble to
keep him from the Indian treaty-man that was coming
here, to be disposed to jest with so serious an
affair. The hair-breadth escape of going to Congress,
or being licensed as a preacher, or being chosen
as a member of the philosophical society, was
nothing to this, as it was so difficult to guard against
it, the Indian recruiters imitating savages, not only
in their dress and painting, but in the dexterity to
way-lay and surprise.

I wish you to know, sir, said the secretary, that I
comprehend your burlesque very well. But though
you and others may misrepresent our policy in the
Indian treaties, it is base irony and ridicule, to insinuate
that the Indians we treat with are not chiefs.

Chiefs, or no chiefs, said the Captain, I am not
saying, nor care; but only wish to know if you have
been instituting any treaty with my Teague, who has
been absent some days.

I will be much obliged to you to withdraw from
my office, said the secretary.

I shall withdraw, said the Captain, and not with
that respect for your understanding and politeness
which I could have wished to entertain. I have

[figure description] Page 171.[end figure description]

addressed you with civility, and I was entitled to a civil
answer; but I see the “insolence of office,” is
well enumerated by the poet, amongst the evils that
make us sick of life. Your humble servant, Monsieur
Secretary, I shall trouble you no further.

Previous section

Next section