Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-02-07
From THE CUNB Pres. MISSIONARY.
Report Of a visit to the ChOctaw Indians.
BY REV. DAVID LOWRY
Continued from Sunday Mornings Paper.)

stitution. The Church adds something to Ii
funds, but do not recollect the amount Thirty
live scholars are boarded and taught at the estat
llshment A favorable report was read to tn
legislature.
The Pine Ridge Female Seminary is under III,
care of the American Board of Missions. and re
ceives of the nation an annual appropriation O
$1,000, Twenty four pupils are supported ana
taught. The Rev. Mr.. Kingsberry is Supperin
tendent of this Academy, whose praise is in all thu
Churches. He was one Of the first Missionaries {,
to the Choctaws, and his abors have been mucl
blessed. 1 shared in his hospitality two nights
and had the pleasure of witnessing public exam
nation of the pupils, which did honor to them
selves aud teachers.
The Yanabo and Wheelack Female Semnaries
receive, each, of the nation annually $1,000. They
are in charge of the American Board, and support
and educate the same number of pupils taught at
Pine Ridge.
Coosha Female Academy is also under the
American Board, receives of the nation $780,,
| and boards and educates 40 scholars The Mis-
sionary Board contributes annually to the funds
afforded by the nation to these Institutions about
IN proportion as the Methodist Church do to the
| Fort Coffee Academy. l heard Mr.. Kingsberry
state publicly that the American Board were now
expanding in the Choctaw nation, about $4,000.
| The Chickasaw Manual Labor Academy is un-
der the control of the Methodist Church, South
The Chickasaws contribute annually $4,000 for
Its support, and the Church $780, One hundred
and twenty boys are boarded and taught at this
Institution.
Wapendia Female Academy receives an annual
appropriation of $4,000 from the Chickasaws and
$1,000 from the Assenlbly's Board, O. s.. and sup
ports and educates so scholars
Perryville Male Academy is also among the
Chlckasaws Tney give annually $4,000 to its
support and the AIethodsts under whose control if
is placed add one-sixth the amount afforded by the
nation. Each scholar is boarded and educated for
500.
The MethOdsts also have the Bloomfield Female
Seminary under their management. 1t receives
the same annual appropriation that the Perryville
institution does and boards and educates about the
same number of pupils.
1t Is estimated that there are still about COCO chill
dren OF the ChOctaw and Chickasaw nation with
out the means Of instruction. Efforts are being
made to supply this want by Sabbath Schools and
an appropriation has been made by the legislature
for this purpose but it is difficult to procure com
petent teachers The plan is to employ instructors
to itinerate and occupy Saturday and Sunday with
School at the same place, for which the teacher
receives one dollar per day One district reported
to the late legislature 6 Schools of this character
The instruction given is principally in the Choctaw
language. The promptness of the nation in coop
Grating with teachers in maintaining proper dscip-
line, may be seen in the fact, that when child runs
away from school, it is made the duty by law of
the military authority to it returned for punish
ment as the case may require
The PROBABLE FUTURE DESTINY OF THOSE INDIANS.
There seems TO be but one opinion among the
more intelligent of both nations relative to their
future destiny, which is they must become an in
tegral part of the United States At their late
legislature they petitoned for the privilege of send
ing delegate to Washington, to represent and
guard their interests during the session of Congress-
and 1t Is confidently expected that in a few wears
they will ask for the organization of territorial
| know there is disposition felt in certain Quar-
tiers to curl the lip at the idea of amalgamation
with the Indians, and this fastidiousness has in
some instances gone far as to make it question
whether. when they come nmOng US, they should be
allowed position in society above that of the
African race. | dare not allow myself to comment
upon such spirit, and will only say, when the In
dams were the Lords of this country and we the
weaker party it did not exist Our ancestors felt
no squeamishness in mingling with the red men in
their wigwams, and joining them in their humble
repaSts. In spite, however, of the repugnance in
question, the process of amalgamation between the
whites and Indians is going on, and cannot be ar
rested. About one half of the Choctaws are of
mixed blood, and doubt not the time will come
when white men will glory in the privilege of reck-
oning among their ancestry some tall and large
hearted Choctaw. Who does not know that many
a descendant of POcahOntas has been prouder Of
his lineage than if he had come from the white ars-
tOcracy of Virginia.
WHAT L DID FOR THE CHocTAws DURING MY LATE
VISIT
travelled several hundred miles through the ma
tIon and preached wherever opportunity offered
Bro S. Corley of Texas, was appointed to ride
and preach in this country one half of his time
His appointment and acceptance are herewith sub
mtted, marked A. l consider the Board most for
tunate in being able TO secure the services of this
! excellent man. He is well known to the Indians.
and no preacher could exert stronger influence
among Them He resides within thirty miles of
| their country, and his circuit will embrace few
congregations on the border of Texas, west of Red
River 1t became necessary thus to divide his time
in order to meet the pressing solictude of white
settlements in that region that had heretofore en-
joyed and knew how to appreciate his labors
In preaching to the Indians, brother Corley nay
have to employ occasionally an interpreter, and in
view of such contingency his appointment permits
him to draw on the Board for a sum not exceeding
fifty dollars.
In addition to the appointment of bro. Corley,
two native preachers of our Church (bro. Folsom
and Payson Williston) have been appointed to ride
and preach as extensively as their circumstances
will permit and report to the Board quarterly
There appointments are herewith submitted, mark
ed B. and c.. Brother Folsom is ordained preach
rwf -.