Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/92

88 date there is neither history nor tradition, but one of similar species, and of less than a third part of its diameter, having been cut down, revealed three hundred annual circles.

The neighboring aborigines were accustomed of old to regard it with veneration, as a sort of in intelligent or tutelary being.

Among the tribes who formerly inhabited the valley of the Geneseo, was a small one, which had made such progress in civilization, as to be able to speak a little English, to read imperfectly, and to sing psalms very well. They often conducted their simple worship under the spreading branches of the "Big Tree." In the summer of 1790, Mr. William Wadsworth (afterwards the General), received the appointment of Captain, and paraded his company of fifty or sixty men, collected from a space now equal to two or three counties, in front of the log-house then tenanted by himself and his brother. The chief of the before-mentioned tribe, who was a man of mild and friendly disposition, attended to witness the spectacle. His countenance was observed to be strongly marked with sadness. Mr. James Wadsworth inquired what was the cause of his depression. Pointing to the company of soldiers, and then turning to the remnant of his own people, he said mournfully, "You are the rising sun; but we are the setting sun;" and covering his head with his mantle, wept bitterly.