The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-26
r4,' 81 ~
From the Pennsylvania.
AIN INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE IN CON
0RESS

A paragraph has lately been going the rounds of
the newspapers, stating that the Choctaw Indians
had elected Pchynn, Of the tribe as their repre-
sentative at Washington, as if this was new and
important movement. As early as l776, by treaty
with the Delawares, it was agreed that that tribe,
united with others, might have representative in
Congress-, In the treaty of Hopewell, made with
the Cherokees in 11s5 il was also agreed that they
shall have the right whenever they may think At, to
send deputy of their choice to Congress- And in the
treaty with the Choetaws in 1890, they request the
privilege OF sending delegate I'd Congress- How
far these treaty provisions were ever carried out WE
have not the means of knowing. In 1893, however,
bill was introduced into both branches of Con-
gress; providing for the organization Of territorial
government over various Indian tribes 10 the num-
Der Of some thirty, and intended ultimately to in
cude over one hundred and thirty thousand indi-
viduals, and embracing an extent Of territory Of
typo hundred miles in width, and six hundred in
length. This bill provided for the establishment Of
all the various departments of an Indian government
Ito be composed of persons elected or appointed
by the Indians themselves, and to have agent at
Washington. The bill was ably discussed in the
Senate, and passed by vote Of 80 yeas to 6 nays;
but not taken up in the House, in consequence,
as is believed, of an ndsposition manifested by the
Indians at that time to the contemplated government;
nor has the question been agitated since.
What may be the consequences of the late move.
ment of the Choctaws II 10 difficult to predict. The
plan of forming the more civilized tribes of which the
Choctaws stand ut the head, into an independent
government, looking ultimately to its admission
into the Union as State has many advocates in
and out of Congress. Nor is this disposition con-
fined to any one or more portions Of the Union,
but spreads itself over the whole country, as well in
the South and West DIS in the Middle and East
and perhaps in the former more than in the latter.
An attempt was made, when the bill just alluded to
was before the Senate, by a northern member, to
IN th1 I..,. L..
dian with the negro race but the attempt stern
ly rebuked by the southern MEMBERS and indig-
Dantly voted down; and since that period some of
the Indian tribes within our borders have been, by
unanimous acts Of Congress acknowledgements cit
liens, with all the privileges of the white raceone
tribe as late as l64l and l642 in Wisconsin II will
be seen, therefore, there is great ihsurmounta
BILE barrier to the formation Of Indian States, to
having an Indian as member of Congress, or even
President of the United States We freely say
that we think the scheme we have alluded to COM
mends itself to the feeling Of every philanthropc
heart, and every patriotic judgment, as the most
effective means Of improving and elevating the race,
and maintaining peace and quiet on our western
borders. The decided vote of the United States
Senate in its favor, in l638-embracing thst vote
did, the names Of many of the most eminent Of both
political parties-shows that it only wants the con-
sent Of the Indians themselves to insure its final
success.
Several Of the tribes embraced within the limits Of
the proposed Territorial government far adj
vanced in civilization. As early as 1893, the Choc-
laws, Cherokees, Creeks, Weas, Shawnees, Della
wares, Pottawaiomies, 0uoes, loways, and Osages,
had books printed in their own languages; and, III
we are not mistaken, the Shawnees, Choctaws, and
Cherokees bad established newspapers. Pitchlynn--
or Major Pitchlynn, as he is usually called-the
Choctaw delegate, is well known at Washington,
and not unknown in New York and Philadelphia,
both OF which cities he visited in lS4l. II was our
privilege to become acquainted with him at that
time; and we are satisfied from that acquaintance,
that the interests Of his tribe and could not have
been intrusted TO safer or more capable hands.
Pitchlynn, though only halfbreed, is ell Indian;
every pulse Of his heart is with that race; and when
ever speaking of them and their destiny, his other
wise rather languid eyes always shone with true In
dian fire. His dress and appearance, when we saw
him, was that Of plain gentleman; his manner and
address easy and dgni6cd He spoke English hu-
entity and correctly; and seemed as well informed
upon all the subjects and matters Of general interest
to society, as other intelligent and well-educated
men. We wish him God speed in his new mission.