Arkansas intelligencer. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1842-1859, 1844-02-17

hum as brethren, tor he IS the God OF the uni
verse;" Some Of these preachers might deserve
special notice. 1t gives the undersigned pleasure
to bear testimony to the excellent character of
the present superintendent of common schools.
the Rev. Stephen Foreman, who is native Che
rokee, and both teacher and preacher; he may
be truly sad TO be a good and useful man,
From hints and expressions which ! have seen,
coming from official sources, and published in the
public prints, there seems to be an impression
that the Cherokees moro addicted to the
use of ardent spirits than their neighbours; and,
perhaps in connexion with this subject, it is prop
or to notice tho following remark, to be found in
the annual report of the late worthy Creek agent.
After speaking of the orderly habits of the
Creeks and their aversion to spill the blood Of
| the white man, he adds, "Whereas on the oppo-
| site side of the Arkansas, among the Cherokees,
(Who boast of their cvization,) murders and
| riots are Of weekly occurrence" 1t is not the
design Of the undersigned to speak ilH :dously of
other tribes, Compared with the Cherokees. On
the contrary, all have excited his interest and
sympathy, and it gives him pleasure to bear tes-
tinouy to the improving character of some of
these eghboring tribes, the object being the ex-
plantation only.
1t is known that, on the frontier or the Chero-
kee nation, there is military garrison of six
| companies of United States troops. and not far
from the same place reside the Creeks and Semi
| noes, who cannot well be approached without
passing through tho Cherokee territory; from
these causes, moro spirits sold and consumed
in the Cherokee country than among their neigh
bors out not much by themselves as by others.
They are no doubt tempted to carry on an Illicit
trade with tho soldiers of the garrison, with
whom thsy find greater ability 10 buy their
spirits, and equal disposition 10 indulge in the
cessive Of them. | will venture the remark.
that ten quarts consumed ut the garrison
where one is one is used among the Cherokees.
The causes alluded TO exercise a baneful infu-
ence on the habits of the Cherokees. by holding
out, both to their avarice and love of drink,
strong temptation.
So far as respects tho other topic alluded to- i,
comes within the knowledge Of the undersigned.
thai, within the last nine MONTHS four capital ex-
ecutions under the Cherokee laws and authority
have taken place for the murder Of white men;
and, of that number, throo were Creeks and one
Il Seminole.
There is one source Of irritation to the Che
rokccs which it becomes mo to notice, as they
made complaints to me on the subject. They en-
terrain apprehension that the military officers
in the neighboThood are disposed to treat them
with arbitrary control, and to interfere with their
internal concerns, to trespass upon ri ghts
sacred by treaty and the great principles Of the
common law. The Chcrokees a treaty abid-
ing people themselves, and view with adherence
any wanton violation Of national compacts.
They are Jealous Of foreign interference, and
resent any attempt to interfere with their own
counsels, which they keep with great wisdom and
ever-vigilant circumspection.
To these feelings the military mon n re general.
ly too Indifferent. They assume superiority
which Is frequently offensive 10 tho pride Of Tho
Indian, and treat with levity and aversion what
he regards important, and sucrcdly associated
al. L Al
in military point Of view, eIigibly situated; and
it is far from tho design of the undersigned to
fleet upon the conduct Of the officers; but he is
bound to say that, 50 far as it regards the In
dams, the garrison does not have beneficial in
huence. On the contrary, they would DO better
off if the garrison was one hundred miles distant
from them.
One Of the greatest evils Of which the Chero-
KEGS have cause to complain, and of which they
do complain, is the habit Of irresponsible and
transient white men intruding themselves upon
them. This is class of people that would be OF
little value any where, and exercise miscellaneous
influence on the more minimizing portion Of tho
Indians. On the contrary, useful anu laboring
mechanics and farmers are of great advantage.
There is another class of persons settled among
the Cherokees, whose situation desc rves to be no
ticed. As the department is already aware, there
| IRE about one thousand or twelve hundred Semi-
noles and Creeks settled among the Cherokees.--
They came here without the sanction of the Che.
rokee authority, and remain by sufferance' and
are not likely to become adopted citizens: AS
Aliens they cannot take patriotic interest IN the
prosperity of country in which they have no
recognized caste. 1t would DO better Tor all par
ties if they were removed to their own country
where thew would feel some interest in identify.
inc themselves with the fortunes of their own Peo'
4 pie.
In concluding this report, which is longer. and
which it may be thought embraces matters no,
usual in such papers, tho undersigned will odver'
to one topic of great interest," in political point
Of Wow, to the Cherokee nation. The seventh
article of the treaty of 1885 is in these words
The Cherokee nation having already made grea,
: : .:..:I:..,:., aud daominU IL IN nj