The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-27
CHEROKEE INDIANS IN NORTH CARO-

Erom khe HighLand ~. a. Mas

From the Highland ". CO Messenger.
We lately spent few days among that portion of
those Indians who, under different treaties have been
citizenzed, and now living in the bounds of this
State.
There are two settlements or towns in this State,
the waters of Oconee Luity river, in Haywood
county, and the other is we think in Cherokee coun-
ty on creek called Cheoee. The former, (the
we vsted) contains about hundred people, and
the latter, from four to five hundred. OF the seven
hundred in Haywood saw at least five hundred.
More than four hundred together at religious
| meeting, and without single exception they were
all comfortably clad, and had every appearance of
being as well fed and healthy would expect to
find the number of people of any nation, or IN
any country Their clothing all plain, not to say
coarse but il such would make them altogether
comfortabe-in most cases it was clean and what
much TO their praise 1t was mostly of their own manu-
acture. Their cabins presented to be sure but little
neaness what the civilized and refined would
call comfort, but they, with theI fields, potatoe
and bean patches, presented that their
like for the ensuing year at least, to have
abundance of the necessaries of life and to be able
enjoy them under full protection from the inclemen
ces Of the In reference to their situation
il regards sustenance, we confess we were
agreeably disappointed in our lives.
They still retain many of the ancient customs of
their fathers though were informed that many had
been lost. Very few of them speak or understand
the English language and we much inclined to the
opinion that it will be well for them to remain So at
least for considerable time to come, as knowledge
of that language would bring them into association
with class of the whites, from whom they would be
like to learn many vices, and perhaps virtues AT
present they proverbialy sober, and for the
part industrious. They have temperance society to
which With five six individual exceptions, they all
belong, and no people earth, adhere here more III
gidly to their pledge. The principal chief informed
us that there but three four individuals among
them who drank spirits at ALL and these he added,
neper drink here-they Arrays go among the ,chiteS
10 get drunkt" fact that must be looked upon by
all ar any thing else han credsble to the " bite
We are satisfied ourselves, that the true cause why
the Indian has always been found to decline and
in tribes to become extinct when surrounded in
their settlements by the whites is to be sought for in
this very fact, they go among the irlites 10 get
drunkr' BY INDUCING in this propensity, they neg
lect to make the necessary exertons TO procure sus
tenance and in consequence live great portion Of the
summer season, on weeds and -oots, which naturally,
prepared they are by them induce disease, parcu
larry among the children, and exterminating death
ensues In place Of declining have sort of doubt
but that they will prosper and do well though entirely
surrounded by settlements of whites If they can be
kept sober And we have as little doubt Of their being
kept sobeI if proper exertons be made the part Of
those whites who act as their agents and otherwise
have influence among them
Those of whom we have been speaking have rigid
laws against Drunkenness sabbath-breakng, and
other prominent vices, which they most vigor-
ously enforce From eighty to hundred among
them are members of the church. and at present they
are favored with the constant services OF minister,
sent among them missionary, by the Methodist
church.
We particularly interested with some speci-
of their mechanical skill. In one instance, at
his request, the agent had supplied sprghtly young
Indian with set of black-smlthing tools who went
Immediately to work. and in a few months presented
his benefacter with percussion pistol lock, stock,
and barrel-entirely Of his own manufacture. The
pistol is in possession, ready at any time ior
the inspection Of the curious Finding that we were
Interested in their work they kindly promised that at
future day they would furnish us with variety of
specimens done up in their best sly