The New York herald., 1869-01-22
INDIAN GOVERNMENTS.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1862
Mr.. L. N. Robinson, superintendent OF Indian
Affairs for the Southern Superintendency s In the
city on business connected with the tribes under
his control. The Southern Superintendcncy com
prises the territory now known as the Indian Ter
ritory, which Is made up almost entirely OF the
reservations or five tribes These tribes have all
abandoned the wild rowing life OF the savage Indian,
and have turned their attention In earnest manner
to the cultivation OF the SOIL the development OF
sciences and mechanics and the advancement OF
education and refinement. They are the Choctaws,
Chickasaws Semnoles, Creeks and Cherokees.
Very little Is known concerning che government
laws manners and customs OF these enlightened In
dlans, and detailed description, given by their
able superintendent, would occasion no little sur
prise at their rapid advancement in civilization and
could not fail to be interesting.
on or about the 1st OF June next these tribes will
hold their first congress- grand council. which was
provided for by the treaty made with them BY the
government in 1896, which treaty restored these
nations TO the same relations with the general
government that existed before tne rebellion. ~
DELEGATE at large, and one delegate for every thou
sand Indians and for every fractional number thereof
On this basis OF representation the Cherokees will he
entitled 10 sixteen delegates. the Choctaws and
Chickasaws to twenty-three the Greeks 10 thirteen
and the Seminoles to three
The council win be presided over by superintend.
ent Robinson, and the principal business that will
be brought before It II the arrangement OF laws for
international regulation. the establishment or q
system of education and the location OF normal
Schools the discussion OF railroad and other mutual
interests and other matters pending between the
several nations.
The tribes have decided TO name their new Terri
tory 0klahoma-which IN Cherokee for Red Mans
Land-and have determined TO locate the capital city
North Fork town. at the confluence OF the Canadian
river and the North Fork though they have not yet
selected name for their capital
All these nations have regularly organized govern
ments and their codes OF law, with properly consti-
tuted courts to enforce them. For certain crimes,
such as robbery, arson, burglary horsestealina &C.,
the penalty for the first offence ~ certain number
OF lashes laid on the bare back: for tue second
offence the number of ashes is frebled. ana Tor the
third offence the punishment u death by niiiginB.
The chief Of each OF these nations Is regularly or
dained minister OF some persuasion louis ImWn-
ing chief or the Chcrokees, Is bsptlst inlnistr'
Sam Checotee, chief OF the Creeks Is Metnouist
ministers John Chepco, CHIEF o. thc s%en,,noss % -
Chckasaws, ls Presbyterian minister anu tne cuiei
OF the Ch0ctaws Ia also minister.
These Indians are In considerable doubt anu per-
plexty 10 know how TO deal with the negroes VINO are
residing on these reservations y about oOO most ot
whom were slaves to these Indians before tue war.
The negroes have pettioned the Indians TO grant
them tract OF country to which they can retire and
rights and privileges enjoyed by the Indians,
including the right OF representation IN tue Grand
Councils OF the Territory.
The Cherokees have adopted the negroes dwelling
among them but while they willingly grant them
lie same rights and immunities possessed by them
selves they do not admit them into official authority.
nor do they generally receive them into the best
circles OF society. Tne Semnolcs and Greeks. who
have also adopted the negroes, treat them more on
footing OF equality In all respects, than the Chcro