Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-14
PAMUNKEY INDIANS.

III Mig Niildm county, ' d., nOC
more than twenty-five miles from
Richmond, there live the only re-
mains of once large aud powerful
tribe of Indians. When Pocahontas
saved John Smith from the club, the
Pamunkeys numbered some 10000,
and could raise an effective force of
5000 warriors. Less than one hun.
dred now are left, says the Cincinnati
Enquirer, and, although the birth rate
has in the last decade slightly exceed
cd the desth-rate, there is little pro-
liability that they can maintsin there
individuality another century. Yet
they waut for nothing, have more land
than they know what to do with. and
are all in all the richest of red aristo-
Gratis. They live on littlo peninsula
bottle-shaped neck OF land, compris-
ing some 500 acres, OF which 250 are
under cultivation. They are far more
wealthy, considered per capita, than
any nation in the world, aud far more
happy. Their tract abounds in game,
which is one of their chief sources of
subsistence. 1t is secured to them .by
an act of the colonial legislature. They
hold it in common, are prohibited from
alternating the title, and are exempt
from taxes, although, under an ancient
law, they are required to supply the
Governor Of Virginia colony with q
ce-tain amount Of wild game. This
practice still continues, and during
the shooting season. spring and fall,
hey are in the habit, now and then,
of send ng the Governor, by the con.
tuct1r of the train, ounch OF wild
ducks or hauDch OF venison.
The Pamunkeys have no relation
with the United States government
They receive no annuities, and their
names are not upon the rolls of the Iu-
dian office. The State of Virginia an
nually appoints five trustees TO look af.
ter their interests, but the offices are
sinecures, as the Indians are perfectly
capable OF looking after themselves.
They elect their chief and council of
four, who exercise executive, legisla-
tive and judicial functions. Every
member of the tribe is allowed to vote,
and on the day appointed they meet at
the council house, with usually two
candidates to choose from. Those in
favor of one indicate their choice by
dropping grain of corn into the ballot
box; those who prefer the other indi'
cate it by dropping bean in the same
place. These native officials take care
of the tribe, punish all otfenses except
felonies, over which the State courts
have jurisdiction, and conduct CO.
operatlve merchandise store, which is
patronized by white people in the
neighborhood, as well as the members
of the tribe. The Indians are temper
ate, moral, peaceable and indus
trious. Very few of them are full
blooded. During the 800 years OF
IN. tact with the whites and the ne
proes around them they have been un-
able TO preserve their racial integrity,
although the laws of the tribe prohibit
cohsbitation or marriage with persons
of African descent. They are exceed
ipgly proud of their lineage, and, while
they would probably acknowledge the
white aristocracy Of Virginia tneir
equals, they decline 10 nave ahytnlue
TO do with the blacks, and some years
ago raised miniature rebellion because
a mulatto woman Was placed in charge
of the public school upon their reserva-
ton. -
Realizing that continual intermar-
risge mas impaired the physical condi'
lion of the tribe, they have recently y APP
pointed committee to treat with ehe
remnant of the Cherokee Indian nation
of North Carolina on this subject.
The Pamunkeys are not only
thoroughly civilized, but are quite IN
clined to be religious. The best Dulio-
ing on their reservation ls bapt'st
church, at which nearly every MEMBER
of the tribe attends service twice on
Sunday, under the minisiration OF
native preacher.