and one third to the attorney-general." No doubt the | our countrymen have established shops, in which office of attorney-general was very profitable and they keep a variety of goods, which are given in eagerly sought after. Taxes were imposed on exchange for the different articles brought in by the cattle called hooru gelt, and on land, called morgan natives. Here, too, they have erected large slaughtal, besides there were other taxes on property ter-houses, in which bullocks are killed, and the which produced a handsome revenue to the city. beef packed and prepared for shipping.d Heavy duties were also laid on tobacco, of which large quantities were raised for exportation on Manhattan island, and of a quality, according to the letters from the Dutch West India Company, "equal, if not superiour, to the best Virginia." Goats were likewise taxed, animals that were in great abundance in the colony. Yet, under all these exactions and taxes, the colony flourished and increased in population and resources, owing, no doubt among other causes, to the extravagant profits derived from the fur-trade."

AMONG the many avenues which American enterprise has opened for American manfactures, the island of Madagascar deserves attention Here,

A morgan of land contained two and one seventh English acres, so that seven morgans are equal to fifteen English acres.

The engraving represents a native of Madagascar, in the costume of his country, His dress consists of a large white garment of native manufacture, ornamented with seven black streaks near the edges, and one across the middle; this is secured round the waist, a small part hanging down and forming a sort of hilt, while the rest is thrown gracefully over the shoulders. Round the neck is suspended a string of beads, and drops of cut glass of various sizes and colours. On the wrists are bungles of silver, and the long black hair is plaited into small tails, with a knot at the end. These are trimmed so as not to hang below an imaginary line above the eyebrow and across the ear: while from one in the centre of the forehead is suspended a circular piece of neatly-turned ivory, about an inch and a half in diameter.

Madagascar contains many different tribes; among them the Ovahs are justly regarded as an interesting people, and may possibly claim our attention at another time. We shall conclude this article, however, with some account of the Kimoes, a race of pigmies, inhabiting the interiour of the island. The following details in regard to them, are published in Hosack and Francis's American Medical and Philosophical Register, vol. ii. The communication is from Dr. Chisholm. He remarks:

"During a few months' residence in the island of St. Croix, in 1796, I met at the house of one of my friends, a French gentleman of respectability, of Martinico, but last from the island of St. Thomas. From this gentleman, Mr. Baudin, I received the following very curious and interesting narrative. Mr. Baudin stated to me, that his brother, also a native of Martinico, who had been bred to science, and had made natural history and medicine his more immediate pursuit, was employed by the late emperour of Germany on a voyage which had, in part, for its object, the discovery of a singular race of men in the island of Madagascar, of small stature, or pigmies. He proceeded on this voyage, from the port of Trieste, in the year 1792 or 1793. The interesting object of it was completely obtained, for Mr. Baudin received such information, and such assistance from the natives, as enabled him to penetrate into the interiour parts of Madagascar, where the nation of these singular people was established. He resided fifty days among them, and gained their confidence so entirely, that one man, thirty-five years old, was induced to embark with him, and he was permitted to take away a child of a year old. Mr. Baudin gave the following particulars of the Kimoes: They are never of larger stature, when fully grown, than from thirty-two to thirty-six inches; they are of a tawny, or very light copper colour; they are very active and intelligent, and use, as offensive weapons, the bow and arrow; they are remarkably well-proportioned, and possess very handsome features, with long black hair; and the community Mr. Baudin resided among amounted to eight thousand; but the whole nation was very numerous. The man and child died some time after

it appeared, in truth, a mere matter of fact, related by the brother of the person who had resided among the Kimoes, and in whose possession specimens were preserved, which specimens I actually examined. Compare this with the account which M. Rochon has given, and principally from the information of M. De Modavi, the governour of Fort Dauphine, in 1769. This officer fully ascertained the existence of the Kimoes as a nation, by sending detachments into the country for that purpose. He concludes with this remarkable observation, that it is certainly nothing wonderful to meet with dwarfs in a country so vast and extensive as Madagascar, the surface of which contains various climates, and abounds with a multitude of different productions; but a real race of pigmies living in society, is a phenomenon that cannot well be passed over in silence.' As M. Baudin returned to New York, you may probably have heard of, or have known him, and where he at present resides; in either case, you may be enabled to obtain access to further and more circumstantial information on a point of physiology extremely useful and interesting. I am aware that in the only other account of Madagascar we have of modern date, viz., Drury's narrative, no mention is made of the Kimoes; and yet Flacient mentions them, although he disbelieves their existence. Flacient and Modavi were men in authority, governours of French settlements; Drury, a prisoner, and extremely ignorant."

the ship left Madagascar; the body of the former that here the authority seemed respectable, there was properly injected, and prepared by Mr. Baudin, was no inducement to impose, the information came and that of the latter preserved in spirits. These spontaneously, nor was there any theory to support; preparations, with other curious subjects of natural history, were sent to my informant by his brother, and, as a place of greater safety, he deposited the collection at Mr. Ekard's house in St. Thomas. This narrative recalled to my memory some account I had read in the Critical Review, 1792, of the Abbi Rochon's voyage to Madagascar, in which a nation of pigmies is mentioned, as actually existing in that island but to ascertain the point, I visited St. Thomas, in November, 1796, when I found unfortunately that Mr. Baudin had gone to North America; but his friend, Mr. Fletcher, furnished me with the means of gratifying my curiosity. I was very particular in my measurement, in which the late Mr. John Ryan, of St. Croix, an excellent naturalist, assisted me, and found the dimensions as follows:The whole length, thirty-two inches; circumference of the scull, eighteen and a half inches; from the coronal suture to the chin, six and a half inches; nasal bones, one and one fourth inches; length of chest, six and one fourth inches; of abdomen, seven inches; femur, six and a half inches; tibia, six and a half inches; foot, four and three eighths inches; humerus, five and a half inches; fore-arm five inches; hand, to extremity of the index, three and three eighths inches; teeth, dentes canini, two; incisores, four; molares, only four visible in each jaw, all fully formed, and beyond doubt adult. The preparation of the child measured one foot in length. forbear to make any remarks, further than to say,

THE SABLE-HUNTERS.

tains; its capture, during winter, and in the midst HARD is the lot of the sable-hunter; doomed by of eternal snow, is the most painful of human the edict of an unfeeling tyrant to chase that beau- labours. In former times, the hunting of these anitiful animal, the sable (M. zibellina), so much cele-mals was a task imposed on Siberian exiles; but as brated for the rich furs in which he is wrapred, and so admirably adapted to the cold regions of the farthest North. The sable inhabits hig1 frozen moun

that country became populous, the sables gradually retired into more lonely forests, and still higher mountains: yet even there, the unhappy exiles are

constrained to follow them. We are told that, when about to proceed on this hazardous undertaking, they form themselves into troops of from five to forty each; if more numerous, they subdivide into lesser parties, and each chooses a leader: one chief directs the expedition. An interpreter, and a small covered boat, laden with provisions, accompany the separate divisions, with a dog and net for every two men, and a vessel to bake their bread in. Thus equipped, the parties set forth on their assigned course. They ascend the rivers, and draw up their boats till they have arrived at the hunting-country, where they stop, erect their huts, and wait till the waters are frozen over, and the hunting-season commences. They then assemble, unite in prayer for success, and commence their arduous enterprise. More fully to appreciate the hardships to which these poor hunters are exposed, let us consider the general aspect of the country. High-peaked mountains, capped with ice, are conspicuous on every side; the earth, covered with snow during nine months of the year, is extremely barren, and every where encumbered with unwholesome marshes, and impenetrable thickets; the native region of black foxes, sables, and ermines, creatures invaluable to the inhabitants, as supplying both food and clothing.

There, through the prison of unbounded wilds, Barr'd by the hand of nature from escape, Wide roams the Russian exile. Nought around Strikes his sad eye, but deserts lost in snow, And heavy-loaded groves, and solid floods, That stretch, athwart the solitary vast, Their icy horrours to the frozen main; And cheerless towns far distant, never bless'd, Save when its annual course the caravan Bends to the golden coast of rich Cathay, With news of human kind. Yet there life glows; Yet cherished there, beneath the shining waste, The furry nations harbour; tipt with jet, Fair ermines, spotless as the snows they press; Sables of glossy black, and dark embrown'd, Or beauteous streak'd with many a mingled hue, Thousands besides, the costly pride of courts. Such of the sable-hunters as penetrate into the woods, mark the trees, in order to retrace their steps. In their hunting-quarters they form huts, and bank up the snow around them. Near these they place traps, then advance farther, and place others, still erecting huts as they go on, and returning from time to time, to take out and skin the game. While thus employed, they are supplied with provisions, which are brought on sledges from such magazines as they have formed on their route. When the sables become scarce, the hunters trace them over the new-fallen snow to their holes, place nets at the entrance, and sometimes watch the coming out of the animals for two or three days. Thus circumstanced, these hapless exiles are frequently so pinched with hunger, that in order to alleviate its intolerable cravings, they tie two thin boards, one to the pit of the stomach, another to the back, drawing them together by cords placed at the end. Such are the hardships which our fellow-creatures undergo, to supply the wantonness of luxury. When the season of the chase is over, the hunters reassemble, to report the number of sables they have taken, make complaints of offenders against their regulations, punish delinquents, and share the booty. They then continue at headquarters till the rivers are clear of ice, when they return home, and give to every church the dedicated furs.

BIOGRAPHY.

POCAHONTAS-Born, 1594-Died, 1617. INTIMATELY Connected with the history of Captain John Smith, by whose intrepidity and perseverance the colony at Virginia was permanently settled, is Pocahontas, the daughter of the chief Powhatan whose original Indian name was Wahansonacock. Her connexion with American history, commences when she was about fourteen years of age, and the occasion which called forth the energies of her character was the capture of Captain Smith in the year 1607. Captain Smith having refused while a prisoner, to assist in destroying Jamestown, he was led from place to place by the Indians and hav ing been shown to the different nations of the dominions of Powhatan, the Indians proceeded to the king. Here more than two hundred of those grim courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a monster, till Powhatan and his trayne had put themselves in their greatest braveries: the chief was seated before a fire, upon a seat like a bedstead, having on a robe of rackoon skins, "and all the tayles hanging by." On each side of him sat a young woman; and upon each side of the house two rows of men, and with as many women behind them. These last had their heads and shoulders painted red-some of whose heads were adorned with white down; and about their necks white beads. On Smith's being brought into the presence of Powhatan, all present joined in a great shout. "The queen of Apamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of feathers, instead of a towel, to dry them." Then, having feasted him again, “after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held, but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan-then as many as could lay hands on him, dragged him to them and thereon laid his head, and being ready, with their clubs, to beat out his brains, Pocahontas, the king's dearest daughter, when no entreaty could prevail, got his head in her armes, and laid her own upon his, to save him from death."

Powhatan was unable to resist the extraordinary solicitations and sympathetic entreaties of his kindhearted little daughter, and thus was saved the life of Captain Smith; a character, who, without this astonishing deliverance, was sufficiently renowned for escapes and adventures.

The old sachem, having set the sentence of death aside, made up his mind to employ Smith as an artisan; to make, for himself, robes, shoes, bows, arrows, and pots; and, for Pocahontas, bells, beads, and copper trinkets, but he was soon liberated.

Soon after, the difficulties between Powhatan and the English having been adjusted, we find Pocahontas bringing provisions almost every other day to Jamestown. This state of things however did not continue long, and in 1608, Powhatan having been detected in a plot against the colonists, his daughter came with presents to excuse him, pretending that the mischief was done by his ungovernable chiefs. Smith accepted her mediation, released his prisoners and thus peace was again restored, but it was soon broken. Powhatan having been foiled in numerous artifices against the settlers, resolved to fall upon them in their cabins. But here again

Pocahontas saved the lives of Smith and his attend- succour, in case he sent for them, were among the ants. She came alone in a dismal and wintry night through the woods and informed Smith of her father's design. For this most signal favour he offered her such rich articles as he thought would please her: but she would accept of nothing and with tears standing in her eyes, said if her father should see her with any thing, he would suspect what she had done, and instant death would be her reward; she then retired by herself into the woods.

The following incidents in regard to the life of this heroick female are from Drake's Biography and History of the Indians of North America, a work of great value. Mr. Drake remarks:

number. Therefore, to prevent the failure of this expedition, somebody must be sent to apprize Smith of the catastrophe. None volunteered for the hazarddous service, but Mr. Richard Wuffin, who was obliged to undertake it alone. This was a time when Powhatan was very insolent, and urged daily the killing of Smith upon his men. Nevertheless, after many difficulties, he arrived at Werowocomoco. Here he found himself amid preparations for war, and in still greater danger than he had yet been. But Pocahontas appeared as his saviour. Knowing the intention of the warriours to kill him, she first secreted him in the woods, and then directed those who sought him in an opposite direction from that he had gone; so, by this means, he escaped, and got safe to Smith at Pamunkey. This was in the win

"We next hear of her saving the life of Henry Spilman, who, was one of thirty that went to trade, upon the confidence of Powhatan, but all of whom, except Spilman, were killed by his people.

"While Captain Smith was upon an expedition into the country, with an intention of surprising Powhatan, there happened a melancholy accident at home, to a boat's crew, which had been sent out inter of 1609. very severe weather, by one who was impatient to have the direction of matters. In the boat were Captain Waldo, Master Scrivener, the projector of the expedition, Mr. Anthony Gosnold, brother of the well-known Bartholomew Gosnold, and eight others. By the sinking of the boat, these all perished, and none knew what had become of them, until their bodies were found by the Indians. The very men on whom Smith depended to remain at the fort for his VOL. I.-47

"From 1609, the time Smith left the country, until 1611, Pocahontas was not seen at Jamestown. At this time, she was treacherously taken prisoner by Captain Argal, and kept by the English to prevent Powhatan from doing them injury, and to extort a

great ransom from him, and such terms of peace as took Pocahontas, and went, with a ship, up Powthey should dictate. At the time she was betrayed hatan's river to Werowocomoco, the residence of her father, in hopes to effect an exchange, and bring about a peace. Powhatan was not at home, and they met with nothing but bravadoes, and a disposition to fight, from all the Indians they saw. After burning many of their habitations, and giving out threats, some of the Indians came and made peace, as they called it, which opened the way for two of Pocahontas's brothers to come on board the ship. Their joy at seeing their sister may be imagined.

into the hands of Captain Argal, she was in the neighbourhood of the chief of Potomack, whose name was Japazaws, a particular friend of the English, and an old acquaintance of Captain Smith. Whether she had taken up her residence here, or whether she was here only upon a visit, we are not informed. But some have conjectured, that she retired here soon after Smith's departure, that she might not witness the frequent murders of the illgoverned English, at Jamestown. Captain Argal was in the Potomack river, for the purpose of trade, with his ship, when he learned that Pocahontas was in the neighbourhood. Whether Japazaws had acquired his treachery from his intercourse with the English, or whether it were natural to his disposition, we will not undertake to decide here; but certain it is, that he was ready to practise it, at the instigation of Argal: and for a copper kettle for himself, and a few toys for his squaw, he enticed the innocent girl on board Argal's ship, and betrayed her into his hands. It was effected, however, without compulsion, by the aid of his squaw. The captain had previously promised that no hurt should befall her, and that she should be treated with all tenderness. This circumstance should go as far as it may to excuse Japazaws. The plot to get her on board was well contrived. Knowing that she had no curiosity to see a ship, having before seen many, Japazaws's wife pretended great anxiety to see one, but would not go on board unless Pocahontas would accompany her. To this she consented, but with some hesitation. The attention with which they were received on board soon dissipated all fears, and Pocahontas soon strayed from her betrayers into the gun-room. The captain, watching his opportunity, told her she was a prisoner. When her confinement was known to Japazaws and his wife, they feigned more lamentation than she did, to keep her in ignorance of the plot; and, after receiving the price of their perfidy, were sent ashore, and Argal, with his pearl of great price sailed for Jamestown. On being informed of the reason why she was thus captivated, her grief, by degrees subsided.

A particular friendship had some time existed be tween Pocahontas and a worthy young Englishman by the name of John Rolfe; which, at length, growing into a sincere attachment, and being mutual between them, he made known his desire to take her for his companion. This being highly approved of by Sir Thomas Dale, and other gentlemen of high standing and authority, a consummation was soon agreed upon. Acquainting her brothers with her determination, it soon came to the knowledge of her father also; who, as highly approving of it as the English, immediately sent Opachisco, her uncle, and two of his sons, to witness the performance, and to act as her servants upon the occasion: and, in the beginning of April, 1613, the marriage was solemnized according to appointment. Powhatan was now their friend in reality; and a friendly intercourse commenced, which was continued, without much interruption, until his death.

Pocahontas lived happily with her husband, and became a believer in the English religion, and expressed no desire to live again among those of her own nation. When Sir Thomas Dale returned to England, in 1616, Pocahontas accompanied him, with her husband, and several other young natives. They arrived at Plymouth on the twelfth of June of that year. She met with much attention in that country, being taken to court by the Lord and Lady Delaware, and others of distinction. She, was, at this time, called the Lady Rebecca. Her meeting with Captain Smith was affecting; more especially as she thought herself, and very justly, no doubt, too slightly noticed by him, which caused her much The first step of the English, was to inform Pow-grief. Owing to the barbarous nonsense of the times, hatan of the captivity of his daughter, and to de-Smith did not wish her to call him father, being afraid mand of him their men, guns and tools, which he of giving offence to royalty, by assuming to be father and his people had, from time to time, taken and of a king's daughter. Yet he did not intend any stolen from them. This unexpected news threw the old, stern, calculating chief into a great dilemma, and what course to take he knew not; hence it was three months before he returned any answer. At the end of this time, by the advice of his council, he sent back seven Englishmen, with each a gun which had been spoiled, and this answer: that when they should return his daughter, he would make full satisfaction, and give them five hundred bushels of corn, and be their friend for ever; that he had no more guns to return, the rest being lost. They sent him word, that they would not restore her, until he had complied with their demand; and that, as for the guns, they did not believe they were lost. Seeing the determination of the English, or his inability to satisfy them, was, we apprehend, the reason why they "heard no more from him for a long time after."

In the spring of the year 1613, Sir Thomas Dale

cause of offence, and did all in his power to make her happy.. At their first interview, after remaining silent some time, she said to him: "You promised my father, that what was yours should be his; and that you and he would be all one. Being a stranger in our country, you called Powhatan father; and I for the same reason, will now call you so. You were not afraid to come into my father's country, and strike fear into every body but myself; and are you here afraid to let me call you father? I tell you, then, I will call you father, and you shall call me child; and so I will for ever be of your kindred and country. They always told us that you were dead, and I knew not otherwise, till I came to Plymouth. But Powhatan commanded Tomocmo to seek you out, and know the truth, because your countrymen are much given to lying."

"The useful and worthy young Pocahontas, being about to embark for her native country, in the begin.