Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-06-28

The CHoCrAw INDIANs.-We take the following
from the Natchitoches Herald, the editor Of when
obtains his information from the Hon. \. VI. VI.
Upshaw, Creek Agent. II is presumed It's auihen-
ITCHY may be relied upon.
Few Of our citizens know that we live nearer 10
civilized Indians than almost any other section OF
the United States. The country owned By the
ChOctaws, extends from the Arkansas TO 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 mum
Der about fifteen thousand, and are unquesuonably
highly advanced in civilization. The Constitution
on which their laws are based, has been prin ed IN
English and Choctaw, and circulated throughout
the nation. Their government is systematic aud
. regularly organized by the people, IA a democratic
form. 1t cons sts of council OF forty members.
The territory being divided into four districts, each
district elects representatives,, we do, IN proper
ton the amount OF their population. Each OF the
four districts has a chief who sits : a body, for
the approval of such laws enacted 10y the
council. In the council, a speaker and clerk
annually chosen. The members receive two dol
lars a day and their mileage The council cOnyenes
annually on the first Monday of October, and Is IN
session generally about two weeks. The house m
which the assembly meets is 4 spacious and COM
Portable building, erected by treaty supulatious,
with convenient rooms for commlttces-a gallery
and seats prepared for spectators.
There are no laws among the Choctaws IN regard
to debt, and the creditor when he trusts, trusts 10
fully republican tins one fact makes the government.
The people left with the largest limit of power
and II is their loss If this power is not honestly
ercIsed. For the arbitration OF civil matters, and
the trial OF criminals there exists, IN form, a Judi.
cary system Judges appointed by the legIsia-
ture, aud they hold their courts at stated periods
The judicial system Is, with some exceptions, very
similar to the codes of many OF our States.
The cotton produced by the Choctaw planters on
Red River viii amount tins year 10 over one thou
sand bales. There cotton gins the
ton, with prospect of a rapid increase ; aud on
Red RIVER there are seven grist and mills On
Baggy, about fifteen miles from Red RIVER, a very
intelligent ChOctaw Col. David Folsom has very
excellent Salt Works. which supply Texan
planters with large quantity Of salt. There are
eight or ten blacksmith shops, four OF which have
backsmiths furnished under treaty stpulatiouS, and
the rest open principally IN the plOughing season,
are worked by natives.
The schools of the Choctaws very well at
tended, and ambitious rivalry exists among Their
pupils. BY our treaty stlpulatlons, the L. states
nave expended, from the date of the first treaty with
them Jan. 20th, lS2J) 10 that Of the two last,
fSept 2gth. Is3O,) the sum of so 800; $500 OF
this sum was appropriated to the general schools IN
the natlon and the rest S,OOo) dedicated TO the
IChoctaw Academy.
e, The effect of education is visible at every step.
The rude wigwam is gone, and in its stead, may
be seen neat and comtoi table frame and log dwell
hngS-the matrOnS sewing, spinning and weaving
and around them, large plantations, yielding corn
oats, pumpkins, potatoes, aud other vegetables.
There have been lately erected several splendid
mans ons. entirely by native mechanics and they arr
now filled and adorned with all fashionable fur
uiturc.
1t must be pleasing to all our citizens to behold
this advanced state of society among the indians
their border country. To every one. indeed, under
the American flag, it viii be highly interesting
We have been accused Of inJuring and piundcrn-
.I., III, tI.. In, ,l..fat,
The Choctaws Will greatly add to the trade OF
Red River. This season, they viii send dowu
one thousand bales, and next season they wall
double Il.