The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-02-26
From The .NaichiioShes Herald.


fe" of our citizens know that we live
nearer to civilized Indians than Amos, any
other section Of the United States. The
country owned by the Choclaws extends
from the Arkansas to Red river cumnen-
eng at Fort Smith, and running up the
Arkansas to the Canadian, to the limits of
the United States, and with said limits tn
Red river to where due south line with
Fort Smith from the Safe line of Arkan-
sas strikes Red river. The Choctaws
number about fifteen thousand, and are
unqHestl"natny highly advanced in civiIl-
zaI'on. The constitution upon which
their laws are based has been printed in
Z glish and Chocaw. and circulated
through the ration. Their Government
Is systematic and regularly organized in
The Democratic form. 1t consists ot
council of forty members. The territory
being divided into four dislriris, each dis
trct elects rep esenta'lveS as we do in
proportion to The am ut OF their pnpus-
ton. Each of the four districts has
ch'el, who sits as body, for the approval
OF such laws as are enacted by the coun-
ell. In the council a speaker and clerk
are annually chnse". The members re-
ce've 81 day and their mileage. The
council convenes annually on the frs,
Monday IN October, and is in session
generally about two weeks.
The house in which the assembly
"Ieeis Is ii spacious and comfortable build
my, erec'edby treaty stipnIali MS. with
convenient rooms for committees, gaIle-
ry and sea for spectators,
There are no laws amo the Cboc.
'hwS III regard t. deb'; aud the cred tor
W lIch t,usIs to the NOR of he debtor,
1t is curious how beautifully Republican
this one Iacr mikes the Government. The
people are left with the largest limit of
power, and 1t is their loss If this power is
not honestly exercised. For the arbirra-
non "f civil matters. and The trial of GRIM
I'aI>,t lelc exists III form a judicial $, EN-,
Judges are appointed hv the LegiSlatu e,
and they hold their courts at static peri
DDS The jnd cial system is. with soma
exceptions, very sir liar to the codes Of
many of our ates.
The cotton produced bv the Choctaw
planters on Red River will amount, this
year t" over one III usand Ju|es. There
are seven cotton gins IN The nation wilma
prospect of IA rapid increase; and on Rel
kv'r, there are see ii gust and saw
mills. On Bagv about fifteen mile. from
Red River, ii very intelligent Cnoclaw of
The name Of Col. David Folsom has very
excellent salt works which supply even
eXaS planters with large q,,arlity of
salt There are eight or ten black smith
shops four of which have blacksuIiths
furnished under treaty stipuIations, and
the rest, open principally in the plough-
ing season, are worked by natives.
The schools Of the Chnclaws are well
attended and an ambitious rivalry exists
among their pupils. BY our treaty stip-
nIaiI"ns, the Uaiied States have exDens
red from the date of the first treaty with
them. January 20rh. 1925. to that of The
NV" lat. September 9Th $780, the sum
of : 20 500 $500 OF this sum was appro-
prIaed to the general schools in the ma.
lion, and $4,000 dedicated to the
"Ch"claw Academy"
The effect of education is visible a,
every step. The rude wigwam is gone,
and IN lis stead nav be seen neat and
comfortable frame and log dwellings; the
na'ro's sewing spinning and weaving;
I'D around 'h'm large plantations yield
ing corn, oats, pumpkins, potatoes and
great varieties of vegetables. There have
been lalely erected SPLENDID mansions
entirely by native mechanics. and they
are now filled and adorned with all fash
ltnable furniture.
1t must be pleasing to all ou citizens
TO behold this advanced state of society
among the indians of their border coun-
try TO every one indeed under the A.
merlcan flag. it will be highly interesting.
We have been accused f injuring and
pIundering the Indians let these facts be
"nr defence.
The Chnc'aws will greatly add to this
trade of Red River. Pbis season they
send down one thousand bales, and next
season. the5 will double it, OR interior
country is very large, and it becomes us
as citizens of a town. that in time NAV he
of vast extent, to take advantage of every
opportunity of securing trade around us,