The native American., 1837-10-07

property tney might sell, and what
might not. aud with whom they should deal In
word we have in all respects controlled them nd the
affans, as far as we chose We have appointed o.
gents TO reside among them, to enforce the intercou
regulations which we had created If, therefore, v
should now introduce among them regulations resen
ping those by which Of territories is goveIn
though more simple, il would be in strict conformit
with the principle Of managing Indian affairs adopte
by all civilized powers We might pro pose somethin
~ its form, because Of its nexpedieDc,
out the principle would be thatupon which we alway
acted The constitUtionality of the act could no NOR
De called IN question than the CONSTITUTE onaly of al
our acts regulating trade and intercourse with the In
dams, ever since the existence of our government
Even were we to introduce code of laws, and compe
them 20 submit to them, would be no departure from
Iormer principles. We say again, that we have al
/ ready introduced precisely such regulations as v,
chose, and have required their submission 10 them y
what we have done has been no violation of the con
stsnton Of the United States, thea what we propose
70 do cannot possibly be violation Of that instrument
But rs not proposed use coercion in this matter
it's proposed merely to afford them an opportunity
accepting and adopting form of civil government
The overture is to be made, and if any tribe will re-
main IN the same relation to the government and to
other tribes as ii did before.
IL after exercising the power of controlling Indian
anars ever since we have been acquainted with them
scrupes should in this matter, and at this late day.
arse relative 10 the metal right of doing so and tbe
commended that the Indians mad right to choose for
Of regret Yes, it is desirable that the matter be left
TO their choce and let government make the overture,
ana we will warrant its acceptance. ,frt4 n
we repeatit, the time has fully come to act upon
this matter The Tribes within the territory are pre-
pared to live under the laws Of civilized nations More
than forty thousand of The present inhabitants Of the
territory at We include the late enigrant Creeks have
adopted written laws; which in general are based upon
republican principles, and are similar 10 those Of their
white neghbors; others have il in contemplation to do
Tho anna Iii rAL- - Il
expressed desire to form the confederacy and adopt
laws, as is proposed, viz: The Pawnees Omahas.
Otoes, Cickapoos, Kanvas, Potawatomies DeIawares
Shawanees, Weas and Piankashe, Peorias and Kaskas
kias, Ottowas and Osages.
they who are farhest advanced in civilizations will
necessarily take the lead in the affairs of civil and
general government. Their talents and requirements
VIII De rewarded with an ascendency among their less
informed countrymen The latter also understand this
ana rejoice that some Of their redskinned people
nave become capable Of managing their affairs, and
hope. TO profit by their superior endowments.
" is understood that the Cherokee, Choctaw, and
creek tribes will seveTay desire to establish ter
ritorlai government separately for themselves, and
as such become united to the government of tho Unit
cd States. That they should be thus inclined al The
hrst blush ofhe subject il surprising ii indicates
degree OF national pride, which augurs well for ting
success OF the experiment proposed. But, upon due
renecuon, the same reasons which induce the several
counties OF one Of our states to prefer unou in order
sssY Ps e HsDS ss
those tribes to prefer union.
ABoRIGINEs.
We Submit for the perusal Of our readers, few
additional extracts from the Indian Register in re-
ference TO the condition Of the aborgines in their new
territory west Of the mississippi We anticipate much
Improvement among these tribes, as Mr.. Harris the
gentleman at the head ofIndan AFFAIRS at Washington
is eminently qualified for the important and delicate
ontu fad IN nc han 4 ~
Chocta,cs
southern boundary the Choctaw country il Red river
south Of which is the province Of Texas On the east
they adoln the state Of Arkansas; are bounded north
ny Arkansas and Canadian rivers and the west by
the almost woodless prairie regions. The extent oil
their country from north south is about $50 miles;
and from east to west, the habitable portion Of about
2O8 miles. sq @ih
Their country is supplied with numerous springs Of
salt water, at two of which the natives preparing
to manufacture salt. ess.# ~ a5 t.a3 M
Their houses and fields Indicate good degree of in
dnstry. They considerable number of horses,
cattle sheep, and hogs wagons and ploughs. All live
I by their industry at their homes.
IF any engage in hunting, it is for pleasure and not
for livelihood. About six hundred bales of cotton
have been raised from their own fields for foreign
market the past year. ste e @ts
They have received from government SO LOOMS go
spinning weeels and 220 pairs of cards. and are vet to
receive 3l2 looms, 7aO spinning Wheels and 7s0 pairs
Of cards Making in all, 1000 spinning wheels, 1000
pairs Of cards and 400 looms. These, added to what
they possessed previously, will make the amount of
those articles very considerable In Red river district
are sets Of mills OF which is orshinc mill
the other fourishing saw mill; both owned by ma
tives.
They have eight native merchants, who brought in
to the country the past year abont $4,000 worth Of
goods. Some are mechanics. But large majority
agricnlturists. Within the tribe are about 600 me-
gro slaves.
For their government they have adopted written
constitution, upon republican principles with sIigh.
exceptions. tprovided for general council or legs-
ave body to consist Of the three principal Chiefs and
thirty counsellors chosen annually by the people that
is, ten in each district The legislative council meets
once year. tits supplied with speaker and clerk.
Two Of their chiefs have the veto prerogave, but when
act Is passed by two thirds Of the Legislative coun-
Gil, it becomes law. Eighteen light horsemen, en-
force the laws Of the nation.
They have enacted some wholesome laws relative
to the crime Of murder, theft, lost property, fences
widows and orphans witchcraft, &c. Legal counsel
and trial by jury are allowed to ALL Several laws
have been enacted against the introduction Of ardent
spirits; and these laws are enforced with becoming
ZEAL so that the evil Of intemperance which is so aw-
fully destructive to Indians generally, is now little
known in the Choctaw country.