Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-30


as the guardians Of the Indians; and that
by our acts we may declare to the world,
in the language of the political Father OF
our Country, that it is "worthy of free,
enlightened, and great nation, to give to
mankind the magnanimous and too nov
cl example of a people always guided by
an exalted justice and benevolence."
/ l am, respectfully, your obedient SER
want.
/ c. KINGSBURY.
/ p. 8. The principal part Of the pre-
ceding communication was prepared some
time since for publication. Inow regret
that copy had not, at that time, been
forwarded to the War Department. Isce
no reason, after the lapse ofncarly year,
to make any material alteration in the
statements. ought, however, to state,
that an unprincipled white man, antci-
pating what he supposed would soon be
the unprotected state of the Indian coun-
try, has recently introduced whiskey in
to the nation, and some mischief has been
done by it. am happy to learn that the
agent is determined to put stop to such
iniquitous proceedings.
Letter from Samuel "A. Worcester, reltt'ng
to The condition and civilisation q Me
Indians. .New Echota, Cheroke Ma
tinn, March Is, 1880.
MIR. WIN. S. GooDEY, Washington City,
/ Dear Sir: l cheerfully comply with
your request, that | would forward to you
a statement respecting the progress ofim-
provcment among your people, the Che
rokecs. Whatever might be said of the
propriety or improperly of missionaries
discussing the question of the removal OF
the Indians, it can hardly be doubted that
it is proper for any one to give statement
of what passes under his observation, in
regard to the present condition of the
tribes interested in that question. | shall
not say any thing in this communicate
which | shall be unwilling to have come
before the public, accompanied with my
proper signature, if occasion require.
|, Whatever deficiencies there may be in
my statements, shall use my utmost en-
deavor, that nothing coloured-nothing
which will not bear the strictcst scrutiny
may find place.
1 1t may not be amiss to state, briefly,
what opportunities | have enjoyed of
forming a judgment respecting the state
of the Cherokee people. 1t was four
years last October since | came to the
nation, during which time / have made it
my home, having resided two years at
Braincrd, and the remainder of the time
at this place. Though l have not spent
very much of the time in travelling, yet
| have visited almost every part of the
nation, except section on the Northeast
Two annual sessions of the General
| Council have passed while | have been
! residing at the Seat of Government, al
| which times great number of the people
of all classes and from all parts are to be
seen.
!, The statistical information which has
been published respecting this nation |
hope you have on hand, or will receive
from some other source; it goes far to-
| wards giving q correct view of the state
of the people. | have only to say, that,
| Judging from what see around me, be-
licve that similar enumeration made the
present year would show, by the comm-
rison, Il rapid Improvement since the cen
sus was taken.
Il The printed constitution and laws Of
your nation, also, you doubtless have
They show your progress in civil polit'.
As far as my knowledge extends they a'e
executed with a degree Of efficiency, and
their execution meets with not the least
hindrance from any thing like a spirit Of
INSTRUMENTATION among the people. Oatls
are constantly administered in the couIs
of Justice, and | believe | have never
heard of an instance of perjury.
1t has been well observed by Others,
that the progress of a people in civlizi-
ton is to be determined by comparing tie
present with the past. | can only com
! pare what see with what | am told has
been.
| The present principal chief is abou
forty years of age. When he was boy,
his father procured him good suit Of
clothes, in the fashion of the sons of civi-
lizcd people; but he was SO ridiculcd BY
his mates as a whiie boy, that he took of
his new suit, and refused to wear it. The
editor ofthc Cherokee Phnnix is twenty
seven years old lie well remembers
that he felt awkward and ashamed of his
singularty, when he began to wear the
dress of a white boy. .Now every boy is
proud of civilized suit, and those feel
awkward and ashamed of their singuari-
| ty who are destitute of it, At the last
session ofthc General Council, scarcely
recollcct having seen any members who
waro not clothoJ in tho s,,p,o ,,o,.,o. - .