The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-12


find scne very important Information from the
Choctaw nation They have met tbs religious en-
thusiasts constituting the American Board Of Aus
sons in the proper way. Ii will be rec0ected thai
since. they passed resolution requiring the Chic.
tsw Legislature to repeal law which they nad
passed, prohibiting the mission aries Of tbs beard
fo giving Instruction TO the slaves OF the Cioc-
taws, in the mission or Sunday schools. To shs
law the Prudential COMMITTEE, headed BY Rev. Mr..
Treat, objected, and threatened to withdra~ their
patronage from the Choctsw schools. The board,
BY their recent session at Hartford, approved the
decision Of the Prudential Committee, and thr res
friction was transmitted to the Council OF the ma
ticn Col. Harkins, the Chief. has met the threat
in manly manner. In recent communication to
the Council, he says
at seems that the American board. at recent
meeting, held at Hartford, Conn, had under con-
sderatiop the School act of the last session OF the
Choctaw General Council, and were 80 Offended st
1t that they at once passed resolutions to dissolve
their connection with the Choctaw schools. What
are we to infer from this, but that they have had
their secret Designs and greater feeling for the
welfare Of the slaves among us than for the In.
dams There Ii no State in the South that would
be willing for the aboiti0nists to teach their slaves
ard in fact, they dare not attempt 1t and H. 1t be-
cause we are Indians that they suppose they can
have this privilege among us II the abolitionsts
are not satisfed to teach our children alone, then
say for one, let the connection between US and the
American board be dissolved, and every aboh-
ZIONIST be driven out Of the nation at once We have
treated the missionaries, sent out to us by the Anne
rcan board, as well as ever missionaries were
treated by any unenlightened people.
1--WE placed our children in their hands. We gave
them lands to culiivate-and placed under their
management our school funds, thus showing on our
part, not ony reliance upon their labors, but our
open and confding spirit, apd never once have we
persecnted them. or attempted to drive Cut OF the
country even those whom We knew not to be good
men. We have not prevented them from preaching
IN rslo hach car tho n nv
the Choctaws towards the missionaries sent out
smong us but we had right to pass laws proh
biting them from teaching our slaves, because We
know them to be dangerous people, who neither
regard the law of God, or that of man, as binding
upon their conduct or conscience Because we
have done this the board looks upon it az an out.
rage, and declares her intention to withdraw her
teachers from our schools Let II be done, aud the
sooner the better. And now let Us look for mis-
sionares and teachers from such a. we can live in
peace and unity with, from whom we will have no
fears that they will rot teach any thing beyond
what the Apostles OF Jesus Christ taught in their
day; .,.. -. ..,..... 49, :. -,
repeal the act which has given so much offence to
the board, You viii see party spirit arise among
us, which will not ba put down until every adolf.
tionists Is made to leave the Nation.
"Repeal that act. and You may at once agree upon
your Council being dictated TO by the ab0litonists
Of the North.
"Our people need not fear that the schools will
cease on account OF the threatened withdrawal Of
the present teachers by the American Board, for
it was cur money that brought them hither, and
surely our money can again bring us as good, If not
better, teachers"
Upon another matter Colonel Harkins has taken
an equally important step. He approves the
bill INTRODUCED by Hon. Mr.. johnson into the
Senate, providing for the Establishment OF three
Territorial governments ont of the Indian territory
inhabited by the Choctaws, Cherokees, Creeks,
Chickasaws, and other Indians, with provision for
their ultimate admission into the Union as States.
The Cbsrokees, under the direction Of John Ross
ton; but Col. Harkins and the Choctaws take q
more rational view Of it, and are willing to accept
the terms of the bill.
In communication to the General Council COL
HarkiLs says
1.-THE Choctaws ought, in my opinion, at this
Council to give notice to the government of the
United States that they are willing to adopt John.
sons territorial bill and wish to see it pass Con-
gress in its present shape. That bill certainly gives
the Choctaws all they can ask fort secures them
In their ONES and places them on stronger foot.
ing than ever; snd not only that, it makes them 3
free people-citizens Of the United States--gives
them the same protection that an American would
have at home or in foreign country. It places
The Che, taWs on level with the white man. It
gvss tnem delegate in Cong ess, to represent
them on sll questions involving the interest Of the
people. We have sustained grea. losses by not
having delegate.
o Us to IA, anc are willing to receive as one of
the Territories Of the Union. without Interfering
with any " ire atty stipulatons." but securing more
strongly cur right TO tire county we DOW bold. CIV
ing &c he I,gat TO Cisposs of 1t as we please, we
c.n ether retain the lands, natioral pro oerty,
n can divide them among our citizens Is it right
wise In the Choctaws to reject kind and liberal
.fler. and follow the fate OF the Nebraska indians?
u ask, what is to become of tbs Choctaws. if they
reject this bill? Can they expect to remain dis
tinct people always? 1t cannot be ; but will even
fusl]y, ard that before many years, be swallowed
up. add perhaps reeardlees of their just rights.
1--WE Day depend uponit as being fixed fact, that
oar Indian days of peace are forever departed ron
US, and that ho opposition from us can stay the on
ward march Of the people Of the UIited States, in
their career to greatness and sae full occupancy of
the Amercsn continent. We have no power or
influence TO bear upon any movement of the gov
wards under her care and protection and that she
has the power TO do as she pleases with u.s. There
is nothing the Choctaws can do to change the
course Ct things.
"Their only chance to live and exist as people
will be to educate ard eivllize as fast as possible,
the rising gererssion. Ard surely now is the time
for Us to stand together unitedly. We should con-
ai0er well situation, aud the course about
to take at this time, for misstep may prove dis
astrcus aua fatal to our people. Irecommerd that
the Council take this mater into consideration and
appoint committee to report spd point out The adj
vantages ano disadvantages OF tire oil to tie Caoc
tawer
The committee, il il understood. had made re
port favorable to the bill, but the Council had taken
no hual aet,On IN the subject. All enlightened
Choctaws we're for 1.-THE missionaries are opposed
10 it, and will probably Influence Rl the cnutch
members TO go against IL. TIE Cnickassws are re-
press nted to be opposed TO the bill The Fort Smith
Herald says:-"Fom the present aspect OF affairs in
TIE Cho taw ration, we may ssfely conclude that
they will sooa become one OF u.s. aud hopes at some
future Gay, to see Col. Harkins ga member of Con-
aress from the Safe OF Chata"
Eurning OF the Virginia Penitentiary.
From the Richmond Wbig. Dec. o.
Tremendous FIRE took place at the Penitentiary,
between and 8 O'Clock, on Thursday light, winch
laid vase all the workshops Of the establishment.
II wss irst discovered IN room over tue engine
use1 for pickiDg the woo prep Ararory
TO the first process OF manufacture. Several parti-
cles OF thar cemmeoits beipg scattered about toe
PIT sumpftoa inst the fire was spilled to some of
tbs N The hands were about TO leave. Two OF the
Office who first oiscovs red the flames, en6eav0red
to xtir guish them With buckets of water but tntr
EFT RS p,ov'd utterly uuitess. The combustble
ms,,er IT the room wss too generally ofased, aud