The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-24


LEQtAli, me CArirAL Efc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
left Fort Smith. Arkansas the Goth Of March, and
accomplished tho long journey this city in sghtco
dsys inclusive Of numerous delays caused by routes not
always connecting which invariably results in the
wsranable detention Of the traveller and to the benefit
Of the hotel keepers Although do not wish to east any
reflections place unchartable construction the
conduct Ct these latter yet st havo been frequently
induced TO believe from my rience that in some
ctions u the South and West these respectable gentry
enter into league with steamboat stage proprctors
who arrange it between Them that the unfortunate
and vict;mzed traveller is detained over some
three nights, route which Is advertised to carry
him through in a certain number of hours without
stopping
When left the Cherokee Nation great confusion and
excitement prevailed in reference to the proper dstrbu-
ton Of the money appropriated to them by recent
zion Of Congress The question at issue to be
whether in the per capita division of the oney the heirs
legal repre- those who dead shall share
equally with the living This subject has given rise to
endless argument and discussion and is tho chief and
prominent topic Of conversation among all classes either
interested dsinterestcd The majority Of the Indians
believe in Of excluding the dead their rep
resentativcs from receiving share the money alto
ecther contending that the living only entitled to it
according to their laws and that they will accept it
other terms.
Col Dr.nncn the Superintendent Of Indian Affairs in
hopes t settling matters, convoked grand council Of
the nation which met the 18th of March for the pur
poe OF taking into consideration and adopting such
measures would reconcile all parties. and lead
speedy and a,n.cablc settlement of ell the difficulties
The council however met and dissolved without having
effected any important results. It partially decided
however, that they would be willing to take the
roll Of Judge Brown basis for the settlement Of their
difficulties; but have doubt that the whole matter
will have to be finally ierred to the Secretary Of the
interior who will, doubt after reviewing and examn
ing the points at issue give in his decision which will be
sbidei by.
When !e,s The country dispatches from our govern
mens bearing upon this "vexcd question" were mo-
nentary expected to arrive.
II does not require much shrcwdness penetration to
conjecture the origin If many Of the difficulties which
have been ensendcred to postpone and rcard the
Of this money So far maj GRITTY Of the Chcro
KEGS concerned implicitly believe that not single
obstacle would have been placed in the way Of mmc
date and AMIGA bic settlement Of the difficulty; but as in
al involving the disbursement Of large Of
money there are always certain number Of interested
individuals manc uvring to get finger in the pie or
come in for a share Of the spoils.
Tho winters Of 1919 and 1850 proved disastrous years
20 the Chcrokccsher crops Of the previous fell
short, and protractcd drought destroyed nearly all
their the scarcity Of which has been severely felt
and proved the cause Of much priyaton and suffering
throughout the country The classes Of the Che
rokecs, therefore. suffering from want and destu
ton, while the money, which is justly due them and
With which they could furnish themselves food and
clothing, is withheld simply because to speak out tho
truth, there certain individuals who regardless Of
the immutshe principles Of right AMI justice basey
rce private ends the interest and welfare Of those
they arc placed to watch aud for whom they do
not even entertain the common feelings Of respect SYM
patty or regard.
gree Of weakness and imbecilty than that displayed in
the management Of these Indian diihcutes A waver.
ing vacillsng policy has been pursued which has led
TO the very ssble results and by which
nothing can ever he accomplished.
The Cherokess il may not perhaps be generally
known hold all their lands in common and only
titled to the privilege of selling the improvements they
make while the land according to their laws never
be disposed Of
Among the various tribes who have found home
west Of the Mississippi river, the Chcrokces unqucs
tonably the most intelligent and civilized They have
their churches and schools and observant of the
Sabbath and attentive to public worship The churches
are generally well filled and the congregation listen with
great degree Of interest and attention to the discourse
delivered by the officiating clergyman; being apparently
highly pleased nd edited by the sermon.
The Cherokces are most cxtraya2anty fond Of dress
and show and true to the Indian character prefer gay
and glazing coors to any Others red and scarrt gene
rally entering into the composition Of most Of their
tunes.
The Weather portion Of the nation, who form the
r:ocraey. dress and live in all respects citizens Of
the United States but the middng aud lower classes
tenaciouy cling To the old but fancifu aud picturesque
costume by their fathers; consisting simply of
turtan round the head blanket breech cloth hunting
shirt. aYd legyings. with sometimes, moccasins the
ieet, ana wnnpum belt encircng the waist There
some men OF excellent education and unloubtcd talent
among the Chcrokces who would be ornament to any
society and NIL any station with honor and credit and
m strong contrast 70 thee, there others whose cha
rsctr i forciblc illustration II ope's adage that
little learning il dangerous thing" The state Of
ce'y and morals in the Cherokee Nation Il susceptible OF
much improvement Bi9 how can expect the Indian
10 pay proper respect TO virtue morality, or religion
when the white men. with whom they in contact.
teach them by their example to regard neither There
are many respectable white men,, the indians term
them rho have married Cherokee women, which act
titles them to the rights Of citizenship and to the enjoy
meni o Ill the privileges and iamunitios which apper.
tain to Those who nntive born
Tahlequah the capital II the nation contains several
hn.ome stores church. the Council House. where the
Legislature holds its sttings and few other budings
all 81 which face the public square aud present neat
and uniform appearance indicative at least Of comfort
II not II elegance or taste.
Before conclude perhaps a few words concerning
Van Durcn and Fort smith two rouri-hin- towns near
the indian territory may not prove unintcrcsng TO
your numerous reaiers We will commence with Fort
smith. which not many years ago, ncousdcrablc
,ihgc, settled 10y few tracr. whoc wandering mode
q Inc would have induced them perhaps In shor;
time TO have abandoned the place entirely; and had not
the United state government selected il sui able
location for frontier f'rt such would mot probably
have been the and Fort smith would not have been
NJ this day IN existence. The place, however, has bccu
and = now improving with unprecedented rapidy and
tit doe, not meat With of thce unfortunate rc,crcs
TOO OFTEN the ultimate result ~ sudden growth and pros
pcri,y, We predict for PORT smith brilliant future
In strong contrast to this place Il the tuy of Van
Inien one 81 le most quiet, moral ard Respectable
tesns imaginable what IL lack ia hustle. animation.
and excitement make up In strength anl stability and
u u MT ?" taomy and otcniatiOus 81 is more brilliant
tivnl few mr above IL ccrtary hiss air Of IapTe
sclici'y, sui -taui. on fuuor btss
There !. sn tEteste whcsalc buioess transacted in
this .acc aud The traders from the hwe.tern part
60 e state, aud from Missouri repair hther 10 purchase
their guod. aui exchange tr com "a iticg Before
LETT thee fnc,s -''pGbl1t. from Cincinnati aud New
orcun, were bringing ia immrnc cargccs II every dcs
cfpttu q apcts ant the county, ly this time mi,-t be
thui -hly flooded wi'h murchaiisc Of all kiud- aud
qualities; ucycrthprs. there i room FOR uorr
a. ming down. the Arkansas river in tnl rnltc
beating ufir and lag" css getting M
"a. tar - Little kcck without any difficulty Napoleon.
~ thr mouth e the ryer entirely under water ant
Il W necessary to 20 from house 20 aalthrr In
boat; end yet the tutod states government In the
face u oil reason and ommon sense has commenced the
Ilctlun 81 Marine licspal UpDn this Low damp, AMI
unhf shy spr. subject 20 periodical iupndstinn. and
not Tiousy II the no- unhealthy and " aubrous
pieces On the Mississippi river. WoJDsfDE.
NEws From Observation-Disclosures were yes
tcrday received from Mr.. MeCurdy, L. :. CHARGE
at Vienna, OF the date Of March 2'th, stating that
the Aus ;riau government la refused the application