Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-18

We give below another OF the Documents coutain-
ed in he Appendix to Mr.. Frelinghuysen's speech,
the state of civilization among the Choc
taws.
From thc Rev. Cyrus KingsJwy 10 Thomas l.. JIG
Kenney
MATHEW, 9Th February, 1880.
THOMAS l.. McKENNrY, ESQ.
CGice i Indian Affairs:
Sir take the liberty of transmitting to the War
Department u few remarks and statements designed
to show the progress which has been made by the
Choctaws towards state of civilizations.
Such a statement will, hope, be acceptable to
the government, and it is certainly due to the Choc-
Jaws who have made such commcndabie eXert1ons
for their own Improvement. In turning their atten-
ton to the arts ofc'vlzed life, tn the education or
their children, and to the precepts of the Gospel
they feel the satisfaction of having follow ed the adj
vice OF their great Father the Presidents and OF the
Secretary of War, often repeated both III written
communications and by those who have spoken III
their names. M
am aware that very different views entertain
ed OF the improvements reported TO have been made
| by some of the Indian tribes. Those who not
intimately acquainted with the Indians, and who form
their estimate by comparing them with the citizens
OF our own highly favored counr, VIII regard them
still i'll very degraded and wretclIed condition.
Those who are better acquainted with them, and
who are able to compare their present state with what
it formerly was must admit that great advance has
been made. Comparing the present condition of
the Choctaws in those parts of the nation which have
enjoyed the advantages of instruction, with what it
was eight, five years ago, may he doubted
J whether any considerable portions of the civilized
world present specimens of equal improvement &C
complished within the same space of time. In the
statements which follow, shall conine myself prn-
cipaly to facts that the Department may be able to
Judge for themselves as 20 the correctness of the
bove remarks. Eight years ago intemperance pre-
vailed from end of the land the other. In the
space of two months ten Indians this district alone
lost their lives by whskey. At this time ntempcr.
no mi rS harI ly lpOr
In July, 1928 | attended the distribution of the
annuity to two districts, which occasion there
were present from 4 to 5000 Indians-lnen woiner
and children. They together four days ant
not an intoxicated one seen until after the bu
siness was closed. Some wfiskey had been secret
ed at distance from the place and as the law pro
kbing the introduction of it into that part of the
nation not TO go into effect until fifteen DAYS from
that time, after leaving the place. obi AIMED it
and became intoxicated. Since that time | am moi
aware that whiskey mas been used at any council OIL
collection of Indians, held by order of the chiefs fo
the transaction ofbuainess.
Tie Choctaws, however, have not al lost their ap
petite for whiskey, nor is II supposed that majors
81 ty CT them restrained from incompetence by thu
force Of moral principles but sensible had thew be
come of the destructive effects of this vice. that
law prohibiting entirely the Introduction Of wbske,
into the nation, as an article of traffic. was proposeC
by the chiefs, and obtained almost universal sup
port general council of the warriors There cal
not be question: that less ardent spirit is now uset
IN the Choctaw nation, whether consider the ex
tent OF territory, or the amount OF populations thar
in any other part of the U. States. 1t is only whel
go To the hordars of the surrounding settlements
e that we see Indians intoxicated. There, few un
pfncipcd white men, equally regardless of the, law
of God and OF their country continue. for filthy Iu
cres sake to sell the deadly poison to those Indian
. who resort 'lnther.
II Other evidences of Improvement we have in the in
crese or inaS'ry and consequent, advance in dress
furniture and all the comforts and convenences O
:, civilized life. Ii has been remarked bv MANY tha
fields ~ q have boo,
good order, and managed with much industry al
for the two past years at councils and other meet
lngs the Indians, especially in the northern s. west
ern districts, appear comfortably and decentlv an,
i some of them richly clad great desire is nantes
ted to obtain furniture for their houses; and some arr
, already supplied i'll manner not inferior TO that o
n new settlers in country.
The result of census taken in 1929 in ths
Northern district, follows, viz: population
5,627 neat cattle, ,G6i; horses 1914; oxen 1I2
hogs, 22,O47. sheep l5G; spinning wheels $50
looms, l24 poughs, $50; wagons 50, blacksEiiths
y shops, T. coopcrs' shops, Q; carpenters shops 9
4 white men with Choctaw families, %; schools. )
" scholars in course of instruction, about I5O I,
\ one clan, with q population of SI3 who eipht wear
ago were almost entirely destitute of property gross
y ly incorporate, and roaming from place to place
there are now 1873 horses, Sill cattle $50 hogs
v looms, 66 spinning wheels, 50 plouals, 6 oxen
, school, and 90 25 scholars.
! Some Of their mecna:..ical shops, and manv O
! their tools bear poor comparison wh what W.
\ find in civilized lands, and would be considered o
! little use by those who have good ones, vet Il
these people they are of great value. And It mus
excite pity In every one who looks into their cir
eunssances, to see them laborino tn cultivate h,
soil, build houses manufacture CLOTH and strurGlino
TO rise from their deep poverty, by the aid
OF such miserable tools as may ofthem are obliged
| to use.
The northeast district in 1913, appropriated $500
OF their annuity for the establish nent and support Of
backsmiths shops. in 1899 they appropriated tboir
wnoie annuity to similar objects. As an evidence
OF industry and public Spirit / would mention that in
one neighborhood the natives have built smiths
it on their backs to the place of setting have built
house for their blacksmith, and cleared for him field
OF twelve acres, a. with their hands; they have
purchased with their annuity set of tools ard iron
and stee TO the amount of 5000 and have engaged 10
pay their smith $500 more annually for three wears,
Similar provision has been made for sbops in otbor
places. ." ''''0'
Another evidence Of the progress of Improvement
among the Choctaws, is the organization of a civil
government. In sac general council was con