Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-22

Similar statements were made with regard
to other Indian missions. Who, after read
ing such high.wrougiit eucomiums, would
expect to see, prefixed to them, the following
| extraordinary sentence p" The Board is
NOW fully committed, wisely or unwiscly, TO
to the work of evargezng tho aborignes
of this country Two centuries have elnps-
cd since the purpose of giving the unsearcl-
able riches of Christ 10 the red man was
first conceived 1t has enjoyed the prestige
| of royal charters. Ii has had the cordial
support of some of the noblest men that
ever lived. II has been halowed 10y the
prayers aud tears of great company Of the
| faithful BUT WHERE ARE THE PRESENT
FRUITS? ALAsg THEY ARE vERY FEw."-
We shall be able 10 throw some light upon
this subject in the sequel, aud probably solve
the paradox. Far be 1t from US to under
value the labors of the missionaries among
the Chortaws and Chcrokees, or to deny
ilat good has been done at the mssions.-
Wherever, and 10y whomsoeyer souls are
converted, we "therein do rejoice, yea aud
will rcjuice." But II, as we can show, the
gospel has not been preached to these lnd-
aus in its fulncss il il has been partially
misrepresenlrd; ifthereby distractions have
been placed in the way Of the genuine con-
has been cast upon Christianity, we cannot
refrain from utcring tue truth on the subject,
while we earnestly call on the friends of
God aud man caudidly to examine the tdct',
and do all in their power to correct the evil.
In the paper already alluded to it is said {:
"Of the laws which relate TO slavery the
Committee have no occasion to speak, as
they were laid before the Board four years
ago. II is supposed, however, that the Choc-
,aw people entertain moEe enlightened views
on this whole subject than the adjacent
States" However this may he, we shall lay
before our readers some of those laws, taken
from Mr. Treats Report of 1913, and they
will he able to Judge how far the lawmakers,
who were influential members of tho mis-
sion churches, are entitled TO the praise be-
slowed upon them by the Committee.
Mr.. Treat reported in 1918 that there was
n statute Of the Cherokee Nation which de-
bars alike the free negro aud the slave from
all direct access to :" the lively oracles." #
i. is as iollows' "Be Il eadcied by The .Ndiiondl
Council That from aud after the passage Of
this Act, il shall not be lawful for any per-
son or persons whatever TO teach any free
negro or negroes not of Cherokee blood, or
any slave belonging TO any citizen or citizens
of the Nation, 10 read or write." The pen
atty annexed to violation of this enactment
is Il fine Of $lC0 TO $500, at the discretion of
the Court trying the offence. Mr.. Treat re-
marks: "This law is more TO be regretted,
as il must needs cmbarras the mission in its
efforts TO benefit this injured and neglected
portion of the community"
No tree negro or mululIo, not of Cherokee
blood may hold or own any improvement
in the Nation. Slaves are prohibited from
owning horses, cattle, hogs or firearms
Patrol companies m0y take up and bring
TO punishment any negro not having legal
pass thut who may be strol'ng about from
the premises of his master aud any negro
not entitled to Cherokee privileges, who may
be found carrying guns, butcher knives, &c,
is liable to the summary iutllclion, hy the
patrol companies, of forty stripes save one"
The legislation Of the Choctaws says Mr..
Treat, has been less enlightened and humane
than that of the Cherokees. So long ago as
October, 1886, the following law was passed
by this tribe.
"Be il enacted &c., That from and after the
passage of this Act, il any citizen of the
United States, acting as missionary, or a
preacher, or whatever his occupation may
be, is found to take an active part in iavoring
the principles aud notions of tho most fatal
aud destructive doctrines of AbOlitinuism,
he shall be compelled to leave the nation and
| forever stay out of it.
BE IL further endcied, &c., That teaching
slaves how TO read, TO write, or to sing in
meeIng-houses or schools, or any open plucc,
without the consent Of the owner, or allow
ing them TO sit at table with him, shall be
sufficient ground to convict persons Of favor
ing the principles and notions of Abolition
ISM"
"Less enlightened and humane" truly
II wns provided also that no slave should
"be in possession of any property or arms !"
that If any slave iniringed any Choctaw
! rights, he should "be driven out of compn-
ny, TO behave himsclf;" aud in cnsc of his
return aud further intrusion she should re-
ceive ten lashes." Four years later it was
enacted that all free negroes in the Nation,
unconnecied with the Choclaw or Chicka-
saw blood, "should leave the Nation by the
! first of March, lSiI," and forever keep out
Of it.D In cases OF their infringing this law,
they were 10 be seized aud sold TO the high
/ est bidder for life" Ii was also enacted
that If any citizen OF the Nation hired
concealed, or in any way protected any free
negro, TO evade the foregoing provisions; (did
our Congressional Legislators copy from these
Indians IN framing the Fugitive Slave Act p
he should forfeit from 5 $50 10 : 500, or it
unable to pay this fine, "receiye iihy lashes
Oh his bare back"
| In 1916 a law was passed. which prohib-
tied all negroes, whether they had papers"
or not, from entering and remaining in the
Choctaw Nation. Tho offenders were to
receive "not less than one hundred lashes
on the bare back" beside forfeiture Of all
property found in their possession, one third to
"goto the light horsemen," who apprehended
them, aud two thirds "to be applied 10 some
beneficial purpose"
The most Objectionable enactment, says MIR.
Treat, which he found, having any bearing