THE SMALL POX.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 2, 29 February 1856, Page 20

THE SMALL POX.

Auckland, February, 1856. My Native Friends, Some of you have heard of a frightful and virulent disease, which is to be found in many parts of the world, and is so infectious that few countries in the present day can long be exempt from its ravages* Notwithstanding the precautionary measures which have been adopted, at ihe suggestion of skilful and benevolent men, and the wonderful discoveries which have been made in the science of medicine, there are few epidemics whose introduction amongst you could be more dreaded iban the Small-Pox. The rapidly increasing intercourse between New Zealand and other countries renders it highly probable that, ere long, some infected vessel may touch at our shores; and the seeds of the disease once introduced, it will spread through (he land, carrying death and terror to vo r homes greater ihan was experienced during the prevalence of the frightful Rewbarewha of old, which swept off so many of your countrymen. As one instance of its desolating ravages, I will give yon in a few words an account of its introduction amongst an aboriginal people like yourselves, in the hope that it may induce you to lay aside your foolish prejudices, and avail yourselves of the kindness and consideration of the Government in appointing a medical gentleman to vaccinate you free of any charge. On the banks of the Yellow-stone river, a tributary of the Mississippi, there once stood a picturesque village inhabited by a nume 9 rous and warlike tribe of Blackfeet Indians. The grassy plain which extended on either side as far as the eye could reach, was a favorite pasture ground of large herds of buffalo, the hunting of which employed much of the time and skill of that people. One morning, when all the hunters were enjoying the exciting pleasures of the chase, and the young men from time to time returning to the camp laden with meat, brought the pleasing intelligence of an unusually successful hunt. A strange object was descried approaching the village in the course of the river, which rolled its meandering tide through the interminable prairie* A dense volume of smoke, ever progressing onward, yet leaving no trace of devastation behind it y aroused ihe attention of the idlers about the camp; nor could the wise Sachems, after long consultation, explain the phenomenon. An European traveller, howeveiwho was passing through the village an?

nounced it to be an American steamer, strongly advising the Indians to keep aloof from its crew and passengers, because he had been informed that she had disease on board. Ere long the vessel anchored abreast of the village; but the chiefs, acting on the caution they had received, strictly prohibited any of their people from visiting her. One young man, however, whose curiosity and desire to obtain a supply of (ire-water overcame bis fear of infection, ventured alongside in the dusk of ihe evening, and seeing a beautiiul poncho hang over the taffrail snatched it down, and paddled ashore with his booty. The steamer proceeded on her way; but in a few days' time one and another of the people were attacked by some unknown disease, which spread with such fearful rapidity th.it, with very few exceptions, the whole tribe, numbering more than eight hundred persons fell victims to its ravages. The stolen poncbo bad been the property of a Mexican who died on board the steamer. His effects had been divided among the Enropean crew, who trusting to the efficacy of Vaccination, entertained but little fear of infection. That disease was the Small-Pox, and the result of its visitation was the almost entire extermination of the bravest and most powerful tribe of the North American Indians. From your true friend, JUVENI6.