The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-17
Western Correspondence.
We,ooka, Seminole Nation, indian


Mr.. Editor Possibly letter from this
country, terra incognita" to most of
your readers, may present some points of
interest. 1t may or may not be known to
you that the Seminoles are one of the five
so called civilized tribes. This term, how
ever, is rather flattering one and must be
taken merely as expressing their condition
as compared with that of other tribes.
These five tribes, the Cherokees, Creeks,
Seminoles, Choctaws and Chickasaws oc-
cupy the eastern part of the Indian Terri
tory. They have been here now for many
years. and have long since abandoned their
aboriginal customs in great degree, and
have been engaged in the pursuits of agri-
culture and--I was going to say the peace
full arts, but, in fact, agriculture with its
concomitant craft. Stock-raising, alone
engages their care. The Seminoles, it
may be remembered, were brought here
from Florida about 1845, after their con-
quest, succeeding long, harrassing and
bloody war, by Gems. jackson, Taylor and
Jessup. The Seminole nation is a scion of
the great Creek or Muskokee nation, from
whom they seceded--the word Seminole
meaning rebel, or rather, rundwdys. The
two tribes are now on reservations adjoin-
ing each other, and the old inimical feeling
) originating in their separation, is now en-
HANGED by the occupancy of certain land
by the Seminoles to which the Creeks lay
claim. This bitter feeling is never display
ed in any overt act, but merely shows itself
in contemptuous way of speaking of the
other. The two nations speak the same
language and their customs, mode of life,
&C., are to all intents similar, so that de-
scription of the one gives fair representa-
tion Of the other, the only difference being
in their judicial and legislative proceed
ings. The Seminole tribe is small COM
pared with the Creeks, their numbers be-
ing, relatively, $500 and 13,500. If there
is any difference in the degree Of civiliza-
tion and culture attained by the two ma
.tions, the superiority is on the side of the
Seminoles This fact, (for my observation
leads me to think it is fact is owing to
the smaller nation being, by its size, SO
much more easily acted upon by the good
influences brought to bear upon it by the
officials sent among them. All the eastern
tribes have greatly improved by it, and
now exhibit the benefit of the introduction
of that policy by which the various relig-
ious bodies have the appointment of the
Indian agents. A different and better
class of men have been sent, who, both by
example and precept, have given the In
dams better opinion of white men and
acter themselves for probity and industry.
The Seminoles are under the auspices of
the Presbyterian church, and the agent
sent by them is in all respects eminently
adapted to his positions DIR. Breiner, was
formerly citizen of Perry county, and a
practitioner of Medicine near your town.
Old friends there may be glad to learn of
the good he has affected here. He is un-
qualifledly christian gentleman, and has
shown a disposition to faithfully perform
the duties entrusted him that wins the re-
spect of all. His energetic devotion to the
interests of the Indians and conscientious
management of their affairs show that he
has their welfare at heart.
The advent of good and honest men
among the Indians has been blessing to
them, carrying more benefits in its train be-
side the assurance Of a. just administration.
Too long has the name of Indian agents
been synonym for one who comes only to
despoil them of all their effects if he can.
With such men among them as Dr. B.,
they see that the Government is disposed
to treat them as in truth their "wards''
for whom..it has parents care, and not as
the barbarians whose very existence, after
being deprived Of their country, they wish
to terminate. In consequence they are
encouraged TO more earnestly endeavOr tc
effect their social improvement, and earn
by their progress the respect of the whole
country, and the gratitude that is inherent
even in an aboriginee, makes them desire
10 maintain peaceful relations with the
Government.
But the improvement spoken Of must
not lead you to suppose that the Indian,
are yet in very advanced state of civilIza,
tion. The progress Of a barbarous race Il
very slow. In any nation between the era
when the successes in war create for then
history, and that in which they are dis
tinguished in the arts, there is a long pc
riod and a slow march. It is hardly fair !,
say that agriculture is in primitive stat.