The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-16
THE INDEPENDENT PAMUNKEYs.
An Indian Tribe Enjoying Special Privi-
leges Secured in Colonial Times.

From the Chicago Record
On the banks Of the Pamunkey River. in King
William county. Va. about twenty-five miles
from Richmond and a mile east Of the historic
white House. the home OF John cambridge,
whore George Washington married the lovely
Widow Custis dwells n community Of 40 In
dams. the lingering remnants OF the nation
which met the English colony with friendly
greetings when it arrived on the banks Of tho
Chesapeake Bay.
The records of those times refer TO Powhatan
rs tho Emperor OF the Potomac" and from
the relation" OF Capt. John Smith we may
judge that he had about 2,50O warriors under
his command. BY the last census they were
reduced to 3d. and since then the birth rate
has been so much greater than the death rate
tnat they have increased their total by II. The
,lace where they live is a, little peninsula. a
800 acres, OF which 300 acres are under culti-
walton. The remainder is thickly wooded
1t abounds in game. which Is one OF their chief
sources of subsistence. This tract is secured
70 the PamHn1key lnaSns by an act Of the
are proh bited from alternating the title and are
exempt from taxes, alt hOugh under an ancient
OF the Virginia colony annually with IA certain
amount Of wild game. This. practice still con-
and fall. they are in the habit now and then Of
sending the Governor, by the conductor OF the
tram Duhcn OF VITA DUCKS OF u nauncn OF
The Pamunkeys have no relation with the
lhlted states Government. They receive no
annuities; and their names are not upon the
rolls OF the Indian Onlcc, The State of Vr-
Ginia annually appoints five trustees to look
after their interests. but the Offices are sine
cures as the Indians are perfectly capable ~
ctand n council OF four, who exercise execu-
tive. Legislative and judicial functions. Every
member Of the tribe is allowed to vote
tn" council house, with usually two candidates
to choose from Those in favor ~ one in
dicate their choice by dropping a grain Of corn
into the ballot box Those who prefer the
same place These native officials take care NJ
tn" tribe. punish all offences except fclonics
over which III" state courts have jurisdiction,
and conduct cooperative merchandise store
which is patFOnized by white people in tho
nciGhDorhood aS well as the members OF the
tribe.
The Indians are temperate moral. pcaceabe
and INDUSTRIOUS. Very lew Of them are full
hlOOdcd. During the 300 wears OF contact
with he whites and negroes about them they
have been unable to preserve their racial in
trgrity. although the laws Of the tribe prohibit
cuhabitatiOn or marriag" with persons 81 Afri-
can descent. They are exceedingly proud OF
their lineage and while they would probably
acknowledge the white aristocracy of'Virginia
rs their equals. they decline to have anything
10 do with the blacks, and some years ago
raised miniature reb"l lon because a mulatto
woman was placed in charge OF a public school
upon their reservation.
Realizing that continual ntermarriaRe has
impaired the physical condition Of the tribe,
they have recently appointed committee to
trent with the remnant OF the (hernkee Indian
nation of Mort h Carolina on this subject.
, Tho lamunkeys are not only thoroughly civ
The best bull ling on their reservation Is
Bdntist church. AZ which nearly every mem Der
Of The tribe attends service twice on SUNDAY
under the administration OF native preacher.