The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-11-11
The Chocktnw Indinus.

tnc NhOcktuw 1ndtnus.
We take the following from the Natchi!oches
Herald, the editor of which obtains his informa-
ton from the Hon, A. NJ. NJ. Upshaw, Creek
Agent. 1t is presumed its authenticity may be
relied upon:
Few of our citizens know that we live
nearer to civilized Indians than almost
any other section Of the United States.
The country owned by the Choctaws;
extends from the Arkansas 10 the Red
River, down Red River to where due
south line with Fort Smith, from the state
line of Arkansas, strikes Red River. The
Choctaws number about fifteen thousand,
aud are unquesiionably highly advanced
in civilization. The Constitution on
which their laws are based, has been
printed in English and Choctaw, and cir.
culatcd throughout the nation. Their
government is systematic, and regularly
organized by the people, in a democratic
form. 1t consists of council of forty
members. The territory being divided
into four districts, each district elects re-
representatives., as we do, in proportion TO
their population. Each Of the four dis
trcts has chief, who sits as body, for
The approval of such laws as are enacted
by the council. In the council, speaker
and clerk are annually chosen. The
members receive two dollars day and
their mileage. The council convenes an
nually on the first Monday of October,
and is in session generally about two
weeks. The house in which the assem-
bly, meets is a spacious and comfortable
building, erected by treaty s,ipulaiions,
with convenient rooms for committees
a gallery and seats prepared for spectators.
There are no laws among the Choc-
laws in regard TO debt, and the creditor
when he trusts, trusts TO the honor of the
debtor. Ii is curious how beautifully re-
publican this one fac! makes the govern
ment. The people are left with the larg-
est limit Of power, and it is their loss II
this power is not honestly exercised. For
the arbitration of civil matters, and the
trial OF criminals, there exists. in form,
Judiciary system; judges are appointed ty
the Legislature, and they hold their courts
at stated periods. The judicial system Is,
with some exceptions, very similar to 1
codes Of many of our States.
The cotton produced by the Choc,aw
planters on Red River will amount this
year to over one thousand bales. There
are seven cotton gins in the nation, with
a prospect of rapid increase; and on Red
River there are seven grst and saw-milis.
On Baggv, about fifteen miles from Red
River, very intelligent Choctaw, Gil.
David Folsom, has very excellent sals
Works, which supply even Texan plan
ters with large quantity Of salt. There
arc eight or ten blacksmiIh's shops, four
of which have blacksmiihs furnished un-
der treaty siipulalions, and the rest, open
principally in the ploughing season, arc
worked by natives.
The schools of the Choc,aws are very
well attended, and an ambitious rivalry
exists among their pupils. by our treaty
sllpulations, the United States have ex-
pended from the date of the first treaty
with them (Jan. 20th, ls25,) 10 tina, OF
the two last, (Sep. 29lh ls30.) the sum
of $50, 500; $500 Of this sum was ap-
propriaed to the general schools in the
nation, and the res, $4,000 dedicated TO
the Choctaw Academy.
The effect of education is visible at CT
cry step. The rude wigwain is gone. aud
in its stead, may be seen neat and COM
Portable frame aud log dwellings--,he \
mairons sewing, spinning and weas'
ALI ~. .A|' 81.