My literary triumph in an original theme of History, gives me power, and authority, thus to reply to its detractors. Worldly prudence, perhaps, would have made me pause,—as another Volume (embracing more than one branch of intellect) is thus presented for public opinion;-but, as I shall not obtain justice from the past Reviewers, who were resolved to condemn, I thus preserve my natural freedom of mind,—by shewing boldly their past malevolence, and thus extract the poison that might otherwise be the effect of their future injustice. To that portion of the Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly Press, that sustained me throughout these attacks, I thus publicly offer my most sincere obligations,for they have felt with me, that By Truth alone, doth Justice e'er prevail ! The courteous reader, in tracing the fate of Tecumseh, as depicted in the following pages, will not fail to observe the strong analogy between the Religious sentiments of the Chief of the Forest, and those of the Ancient Hebrews. The language, as uttered by Tecumseh, while it may be attributed to the brain of the Author, yet are the religious ideas, not written by the pen of fiction, to uphold a visionary theory, but they are gathered from the Archives of a People's History, to support a theory of apparent truth and reality. From mature, and conscientious reflection, I cannot yield to any man in my firm belief, that the Aborigines of North America, and the ancient Israelites, are identical, unless controverted by the stern authority of superior historical deductions; for that belief is founded upon the features of form and physiognomy, as well as of religion, customs, and language. I have introduced in several parts of the Tragedy the mention of those more solemn customs, which are in direct analogy with those of the ancient Israelites. The reader of the Bible will instantly detect them, for it would be an insult to a Christian community, were I to point them out in detail. All knowledge of THE SAVIOUR by the Aborigines is derived from the Missionaries; and the former often allude to Christ, in order, in their eloquence, to impress their arguments with additional force upon the Anglo-Saxon race. I have for some years regarded the character of Tecumseh as peculiarly suited for the illustration of Patriotism, uninfluenced by any considerations but those of Honour and Native land. And in no portion of History can there be found a character more worthy of the admiration of a free people, for— possessed of virtue, courage, filial affection, and generosity; skill for the battle-field; judgment for the council; and with an oratory rarely equalled in any age, he brings to our view all that can be worthy of admiration in man;-to these incidents of worth, are added those misfortunes attendant upon a lost country, which, together with his noble death, must ever rank his name among the Heroes of Nations. If I should have succeeded in securing his Statue in the Temple of the Muses, or of History, I shall be content to have my humble name traced his mantle. even upon - As the characters of the Tragedy are essentially dramatic, the incidents no less so, and the entire production new and original, I look forward with interest to its representation; for the scenes are written and arranged for that result. I make this brief statement in all candour; for it is a mere mockery to say, that a Tragedy has ever been written (excepting the Scriptural drama) with no thought to its representation; this has been a very convenient mask to conceal deformities in dramatic knowledge; for, if naturally written, a Tragedy must be possessed of the essential of success; of course, supposing the necessary ingredients of plot and ideas. The quality and number of those ideas, and the language in which those ideas may be clothed, constitute the quality and character of the Poet. The success of a Tragedy in representation, or its failure, does not increase, or decrease, the actual character of a Poet, his character is upon the pages of his volume; but, success proves the intellectual perception of the audience, as, also, that their natural sympathies have been aroused by the misfortunes which they pity, or the virtue and patriotism which they admire; thus, stamping themselves as the inheritors of those great principles, upon which, the Anglo-Saxon family sor. have reared their lasting fame. Degraded to the lowest depths of bondage must that People be, who could witness the patriotism, and parental anguish of "William Tell," or "Virginius," with no sympathy or emotion. Such Tragedies not only teach us to avoid Tyrants from base and usurping authority, but they instruct us as to the means employed by those Scorpions of the human family, to obtain their envenomed and poisonous power; and having thus gained the secrets of the Cause, made manifest by words and actions, the Effects of Tyranny should never obtain in a Nation having claims upon the exercise of freedom. As a consequence, an absolute Monarchy, as Prussia, Austria, and Russia, governed with Parental care, would not fear the dramatic representations of the overthrow of Tyranny. To check such representations would be a self-conviction that a Tyrant was on the Throne; for, being absolute, he has instant power to prevent even a first performance, upon an intimation from his dramatic CenSuch fear of popular fury does not exist, however, in Prussia; for, during my recent visit at Berlin, I witnessed a performance ("The Isle of Love,") at the Royal Theatre, in which a King endeavoured to obtain, by force, a peasant girl; she is dragged to the Palace; and in the moment of her destruction, the People surround the Palace, drive out the King, Ministers, and Guards, and carry off the young Bride in triumph; and the music played was actually that of the triumph of Massaniello, from the Opera of that name, which piece has a similar plot. The reader may remember, that it was the performance of Massaniello at Brussels that caused the Revolution there, and finally placed King Leopold upon the Throne of Belgium. The performance alluded to at Berlin was applauded to "the very echo that should applaud again," by not only the People, but by members of the Royal Family, and the Court, several of whom were present nightly at its representation. And yet, some of the Anti-Prussian periodicals of the Continent have asserted, "that popular Tragedies, and Music, are not allowed to be performed in Northern Germany, especially in the capital of Prussia, for fear of results!" Falsehood more glaring, or more easy of conviction, was never uttered, as the previous incident will establish. The Prussians regard that Monarch in the light of a Parent, who has conferred upon them the liberty, and full exercise of Religious toleration; who has established intellect and talent as the only sure paths for public advancement. State preferment being open alike to the obscurely, as to the nobly-born; and the Cabinet of the present Monarch, at this time, is composed of both. The People view the entire Royal Family with deep affection; and they return that affection tenfold, by their amiable condescension, suavity of manners, and an abiding confidence; the latter is daily evinced by the King, and his noble Brothers, in passing through the public streets unguarded and unattended, except,—by the hearts and salutations of the People. The result of the late demoniac attempt upon his Majesty's life will for ever firmly establish this fact, for the regicidal attempt has called forth the spontaneous, and enthusiastic demonstration of a People's love and loyalty, which has risen, like a pure flame, upon the Heaven-guarded Altar of the Nation! My late esteemed friend, Thomas Campbell, Esq., has written, in his Poem of "Gertrude of Wyoming," that the Indian Chief was 66 a man without a tear!” I reasoned with the Poet, that the natural emotions of the Aborigines are as deep as ours; that they but conceal, from pride, those emotions from our race, and not from their own; that those tearful feelings are increased from the fact, that they are subdued before the European. I, therefore, convinced the Bard of Hope of his error; and he replied, ""Tis too late for me to correct it, other writers must do them justice. I am happy in being convinced, for I never could imagine that man to be a Patriot, who could not shed a tear' for his lost Country!" Worthily was the earth from Kosciusko's tomb cast by an exile upon Campbell's coffin! When it fell,-it seemed to find a voice within the grave! I shall rest in the belief that the characters of my Hero and Heroine, Tecumseh and Melindah, will at once present their own portraits by their language, that being spoken, or read, b with force, feeling, and dignity; but, the character of the Prophet is one, in addition to his language, which is pourtrayed as much by gesture, and action, as by words. by words. Availing himself of his power, created by superstition, he was imperative; to flatter the White-man in his presence was the result of his artful hypocrisy, which was illustrated, when required, by the yielding form, the downcast eye, and the music tones of his smooth language. His patriotism was over-clouded by personal ambition, which, like Cain's, was directed in envy against his Brother, whom, in every act (after their jointpower was created) he sought to compromise in the estimation of the Anglo-Americans, and, consequently, advance himself. The character of Winnemac is, also, one calling for superior powers in its representation. It is the portrait of an Aboriginal, who, by yielding to intemperance, in his intercourse with the Whites, has become their dupe and instrument; whereby knowledge is obtained from his own people, to the prejudice of their interest, and consequently a traitor in all his deportment as the Indian; and, by losing all the virtue and dignity of his own race, and by practising only the vices of ours, he presents himself, to the correct mind, as the most desolate and vile of human beings. Winnemac, therefore, forms the distant contrast of Tecumseh, while the Prophet, is the middle-ground in the Historical picture. The character of Harrison belongs to that exalted species of men, who, by their very dignity, ennoble the pen of the Biographer. I may be permitted to make a few observations regarding his language, as expressed in this Tragedy, that the reader may have an insight into the peculiar mind of a chief character in the Dramatis Personæ. This will be given in a few words, so as not to detract from any interest that may be derived, from a perusal of the subsequent pages devoted to his Life and History. Of all the Presidents of the United States, HARRISON, from his early education and natural taste, had the most perfect knowledge of classical literature; and which education, like WASHINGTON'S and TECUMSEH's, was directed by the Mother; the Father of each of these great men having died in the |