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

IOI u tlOuh. SlOuhS, IiOWCNCI, uiC DC-
coming common. There yet remains
room for Improvement in dress, but that
Improvement is making with surprising
rapidity.
The arts of spinning and weaving, the
Cherokee women, generally, put in prac-
tee. Most Of their garments are of their
own spinning and weaving, from cotton,
the produce OF their own fields; though
considerable Northern domestic, and
much calico is worn, nor is silk uncom-
mon. Numbers of the men wear import
ed cloths, broadcloths, sc. and many
wear mixed cotton and wool, the manu-
lacture of their wives; but the greater
part are clothed principally in cotton.
Except in the arts oisspinning and
weaving, but little progress has been
made in manufactures. A few Chero-
KEGS, however, are mechanics.
Agriculture is the principal employment
and support of the people. 1t is the de-
pendcncc of almost every family. AS
to the wandering part Of the people,
who live by the chase, if they are to be
found in the nation, l certainly have not
found them, nor even heard of them, ex-
ccpt from the floor of Congress, and 9TH
or distant sources of information. l do
not know single family who depend, in
any considerable degree, on game for
support. 1t is true that deer and turkeys
arc frequently killed, but not in sufficient
numbers to form any dependence as the
,,,o,n, oc .,bs;stonco Tho land ;s c,,l
tivated with very different degrees of in
dustry; but | believe that few fail of an
adequate supply of food. The ground is
uniformly cultivated by means of the
plough, and not as formerly, by the hoe
only.
The houses of the Cherokees are of all
sorts; from an elegant painted or brick
mansion, down to very mean log cabin.
If we speak, however, of the mass of the
people, they live in comfortable log hous-
es, generally one story high, but fire.
quently two; sometimes ofhewn logs, and
sometimes unhcwn; commonly with a
wooden chimney, & floor of puncheons,
or what New England man would call
slabs. Their houses are not generally
well furnished; many have scarcely any
furniture, though few are furnished even
elegantly, and many decently. Improve
mcnt in the furniture of their houses ap-
pears to follow after improvement in dress,
but at present is making rapid progress.
AS to education, the number who can
read and write English is considerable,
though it bears but moderate proportion
to the whole population. Among such,
the degree of Improvement and intelli-
gence is various. The Cherokee Ian
guage, as far as | can Judge, is read and
written by large majority of those be-
tween childhood and middle age. Only
a few who are much beyond middle age
have learned.
In regard to the progress of religion,
cannot, | suppose, do better than to state,
as nearly as / am able, the number OF
members in the churches of the several
denominations. The whole number OF
native members ofthe Presbyterian chur-
ches is not far from 1870. In the church.
es of the United Brethren are about "a.
In the Baptist churches | do not know
the number; probably as many as 80.
The Methodists, believe, reckon in So
ciety more than 800; of whom | suppose
the greater part are natives. Many of
the heathenish customs otthe people have
gone entirely, or almost entirely, into dis
use, and others are fast following their
steps. believe the greater part of the
people acknowledge the christian reli-
gion, although many who make this ac-
acknowledgement know very little of tha,
religion; and many others do not feel its
power. Through the blessing of our
God, however, religion is steadily gain
ing ground.
But it will be asked, is the improve
ment which has been described general
among the people, and are the full blood
ed Indians civilized, or only the half
breeds? l answer, that in the descrip-
ton which | have given, ] have spoken
of the mass of the people without distinc-
ton. Ifit be asked, however, what class
are most advanced answer, as a gen.
eral thing, those of mixed blood. They
have taken the lead, although some of
the full blood are as refined as any. But
though those of mixed blood are gene
rally in the van, asmight naturally be on
pccted, yet the whole mass ofthe people
is on the march.
There is one other subject, on which
! think it due to justice to give my testi-
mony, whatever it may be worth
Whether the Cherokees are wise in de-
string to remain here or not, | express nc
opinion. But it is certainly just, that il
should be known whether or not they do,
as body, wish to remain. 1t is not pos
siblc for a person to dwell among them
without hearing much on the subject
| have heard much. 1t is said abroad,