The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-08

. retary of the Missionary Society OF tnesh. L.
Church South, has recently visited the Chero-
kces. and writes to. the Nashville Advocate a
lonr sccount.of his visit. We make the fol-
lowing extract from the Dr.'s letter: :
T.LEoUAH, CHEROKEE NATION,
November 5th, 1852.
Tn nv last noticed my safe arrival at this
nlace. No one unacquainted with the country
can conceive of the beautiful scene which
breaks upon the eye of the traveller, as ne
ascends the mountain to the Illinois river.
The surrounding mountains, the clear and beau
tifal river, and broad plains, are alispread out
before him. .Es,z
The Illinois river is bold and rapid stream,
pure and clear. am told fish are found in it
in large quantities resembling ourmoun.
tain trout, perch and bass. Such as are fond OF
mud and live in muddy streams would not, l
think, seek as a home this pure and clear wa
ter. After crossing the river we enter upon
the plain on which Talequah is located. It's
four miles from the river to the town. One OF
the first objects seen is the large and well fin
ished Female Seminary, built by the nation I;
two miles farther is the Male Seminary, built
and finished in the same manner. y ...t
These are truly indicative Of the advance
mcnt of this,nation in regard to education and
religion. But of them more hereafter. we
soon approacha a most inviting looking man.
sion. From its tasteful architecture, the beau
tiful lawn, the large and tastefully laid out and
arranged garden, you can hardly believe you
are not approaching the suburbs of some one
of our richest cities in. the States. But, no,
YOU are in anf Indian territory, and this is, the
home and residence of the principal chief, John
Ross, Esq, swho has been so long known in
veal and woe in the history ofthis people. A
short distance beyond and another and equally
inviting home is before you. Here the large
ward, filled with the trees and shrubbery, the
large gardcn,J the beautiful orchard, thefine and
noble mansion, all things bring to mad our
homes aud country Mar away.
This is the residence, of my friend, Geo. M.
Murrell. Esq, formerly of Lynchburg, Va
His amiable and worthy wife is the daughter
of Lewis Ross, Esq, and niece OF the principal
chief Here is my home, the word here re:
ceiviug the fullest meaning. 1t isa home IN
deed for the Wearied preacher. And ifit were
not at once said were clannish, would Say.
and where all the hospitality of Virginia
nobleman awaits you. Brother and sister MUIR
Arell are both devoted members Of the church.
NOn Wednesday, the Sd instant, l preached
in the Court House, by special invitations The
National Council, then in session, adjourned,
and with the principal chief, were nearly all
present We had large, intelligent, and very
attentive congregation. My sermon was in
English, in which language all the business of
the Council is also carried on. The services
were closed by the Rev. Mr.. Downing, native
Cherokee Baptist preacher, and member OF
the Council. The reader will remember l
mentioned in my first letter. that | met with
him and travelled with him on the boat from
Louisville. Never shall the services of this
day be blotted from my memory. May God
grant that good may be the result In long
nd blessed eternity. -.
Taleqnah is beautiful place--about 500
inhabitants-a beautiful square inclosed, in
which they have their council house. The
court house is good, substantial building of
brick, two stories. There is large brick no.
tel, several fine stores, with well assorted and
large stock of goods. A good newspaper has
been printed here, called the Cherokee Advo-
cate. On my way to the town we called at
the Male Seminary, and were delighted to lind
in the superintendent, Rev. MIR. Vanhom, and
his good wife, friends from our old home in
Ohio. Truly this was 10 us most happy
meeting. Mr.. Vanhom is Baptist minister,
and is assisted by my young friend, Mr.. Lyons,
with whom1 had the pleasure to form an ac-
quaintance on my way to this country.
In this school they have about forty native
Cherokee young men receiving instruction.
kHe Greek and Latin languages, and all the
! branches of mathematics and good Enlish
ton are taught in the institution.
and the female school are national in
ions. The tuition and boarding is free
of chargeto the pupils, and the students all
board in the several buildings, having good
steward for each. This is truly feature in
the history of this people, worthy of imitation
by the States around them, who have for so
long time been in possession of all the ad.
vantages of the gospel of Christ.
These academies depend for their supply for
students upon the neighboring schools, which,
like the common schools with US, are spread
throughout their whole country. The prnc-
pal chief, John Ross, Esq, has given his most
devoted attention to the subject of education
in the nation. To his zeal and perseverance
are they mainly indebted for the origin, growth,
and present prosperity of their schools. He is
extremely anxious that the blessings of educa.
ton shall be widely difused aud fully secured
to his people. God grant success, full and
complete, to his efforts. What patriotic chris
tian and philanthropic heart, will not join in
the prayer!
For this purpose he is anxious to effect an