New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-23
SLAVERY AMONG the CnEROKEEs.

The agitation on the subject Of Slavery at pres
ent going on in Kansas appears TO have spread also
in the Cherokee territory, which bounds Kansas on
the SOUTH The Cherokees, it is well known, have
a few slaves-mostly the descendants of captiyes
taken ss spos in their former wars with the Geor-
gians, or of runaways from the plantations, who
sought refuge among them. Since the tribe has
taken exclusively to agriculture there has been a
disposition on the part of many Of the more wealthy
Indians to become Shareholders on large scale;
and in place Of the comparatively mild system Of
seiyitude hitherto existing among them, to intro
duce all the seventies usually practiced by white
Shareholders.
The Christian Missionaries established among
the Cherokees, and 10 whom they are mainly in.
debted for oil the progress they have made, have
looked with regret and sorrow on this attempted
extension of Slavery, as inevitably and fatally pju
rous to the interests, dignity, position and pros
poets Of the great mass Of the Indians who have
nothing but their own labor to depend upon; aud
they appear in their ministrations among the
Cherokees to have exerted their influence in a
quiet way, and chiefly through the religious sane
ton, to put what restraint they could upon the
increase Of this evil. At this interference on the
part of the Missionaries, the christian Patri-
srchs" among the Cherokees-tO use the favorite
phrase Of Mr. Mott in his recent work on a Rene
dial Slave-trade--appear to have taken huge Of
lenses aud in consequence have not only under
taken to declare, through the National Council Of
the Cherokee Nation that the Cherokees desire to
be ga slayebolding people in a Christianlike
spirit" but have further proceeded 10 make mani
fest their Christanlike spirit" by attempting TO
pass the following
ACT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF SLAVERY IN THE
CHEROKEE NATION.
Whereos, The Cherokee people are and have
been for many years, savehOldng people; and
rAereas the Constitution and laws Of the Cherokee
Nation recognize the Institution of Slavery introduced
and taught by their perceptions, the whites ard hr-
as of the missionary churches situate in this
nation have expelled some of Cherokee citizens
from the participation of church privileges because
they refused to emancipate ther slaves and others
have been threatened with expulsion; and wkcre,s
the Cherokee people deeply impressed with feeling
Of gratitude toward these missionaries for the
countless and manifold blessings they have bestowed
upon them, would not extend TO them any cvities
unbecomng TO Christian people but would rather as
they value the stability OF their LOCAL institutions in.
dEpenssbe TO then prosperity nation, extend 10
them the cordial hand Of friendship, consistent with
their own national interests; therefore,
"Be enacted bg the National Council, That the
Cherokees have claimed for many years past, and DO
claim at present, 10 be slavckolding people in a
Christanlke spirit.
fsrtker enacted, That the principal Chief be,
and he Is hereby, authorized to open communication
with The different Boards Of Missions having stations
In this Nation touching upon the Institution OF Slavery
as church principle, aud report the said commupca
ton 10 the next Council
"Be further enacted, That it shall be unlawful for
any missionary 70 counsel or adrtse siGrc any ray
der the penalty of being removed out of the limits OF
this Nation and is hereby made the duty of the 80
hctor Of each district to report all missionaries so Of
snding TO the agent, who hereby requested TO Mace
them Beyond the limits of our Nation.
"Be II further enacted That it shah not be law hnl
f any citizen Of this Nation TO advise counsel any
slave TO the prejudice of his owner or owners aud any
person so offending, upon conviction hefor any OF the
bsr.ct Courts, shall Be required to pay fuo Of no