Newspaper Page Text
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1A1HWS,
Prom tlic Now York American.
Alabama, July
You have probably seen in the pub
lic prints that the Government have
been making another fruitless elFort to
conclude a Treaty with the Creek In
dians, for the final cession of their
lands in this State, (Alabama) with the
benevolent object of removing them to
Arkansas, beyond the sphere of State
jurisdiction and the operation of those
laws which already press very heavily
upon them, and will undoubtedly, in
the course of a very few years reduce
this once powerful tribe to a state of
utter misery and destitution, The
manner in w hich the views of the Gene
ral Government have been thwarted, is
described below, in a letter supposed
dropped on the Concil Ground by one
of the numerous throng of sharpers* and
speculators that were in attendance:
the facts selected may be relied on as
authentic. Tknow of no medium through
which this information may be convey
ed, preferable to the columns of your
cxcellont paper. Alpha.
Some suggestions as to the best and
most speedy modes of acquiring pro
perty upon the Indian frontier, having
especial reference to the Creek Na
tion, whose territory was lately (1832)
ceded to the United States.
imprimis, Organize companies or as
sociations, as numerous as possible, to
purchase lands or other property from
the ignorant savages, appoint agents,
or managers', and let them have stores
ip the Indian country. 2d, Then let
the company plaeii their joint hinds in
the hands of these agent, with power
to make all contracts, and pay the In-
dian^ in goods at high prices, say horn
80 to 100 per cent, above cost Allow
these agents tef give their own notes,
(in their own names, not in that oj the
Company) for part or the whole price
of the property they may purchaste, and
have other emissaries, (inferior, be
cause less paid than the first-mentioned)
at hand, to depreciate and undervalue
the agents’ note, as upon as convenient
oiler they are received by the Indain
vender, and to purhase them at the
lowest possible price. The lowest heard
of is a note purporting to be for $100,
and which \yas purchased of the Indian
holder for 12 1-2 cont!* 3d, Take a
receipt for (as the Indian believes) a
small . s l* ,n advanced, as part payment
for his re.’ iCrve > ^ ut n ‘ n ke include the
whole consideration stipulated to be
paid for it A*? example of this mode
of acquiring lands, > 8 as fo»]ows:-a
person was to pay an Indian $1 >0 tor
a half section, (320 a.2iC s 0 He paid
^,3, and took the Indian’# Receipt for
$180.1 4, Another good inoi.‘ ; 18 to
take an Indian’s bond to make over nis
reserve to you: let the bond be inaue a* 4
binding as possible on the Indian • to
perform his part of the contract, but be
careful not to inform him of its condi
tions, or the ready means (through the
Stqte laws) for enforcing it. Next pro
ceed to purchase as many Reservations
of laud as possible at a high average
price, say $600 the half section, (a high
price must be pretended to be given,
in order to impress the Government or
its agents with the idea that the trans
acting is perfectly lair) and give your
note, if any thing, for the consideration
money. But when the purchaser has
and character to lose, let the contract
be made in another’s name, who is in
solvent both in character and purse,
and let it be a condition in the note,
that if the Reservation be granted to
the Indian, and the land should be
worth it, the price stipulated shall be
paid; but if not, that the land shall be
valued. The consequence is evident;
in any case the land will be valued at a
very low price by your white friends,
and you will have to pay but little for
it; or should you think it proper not to
pay the Indian any thing, either plead
insolvency or say that the nptc has
tae i paid; be under no fears fo£ the
as the Indians are incompetent
’ i agninst the whites.
^ c , ; ,, other plan is to raise claims
cy them, as if an Indian sbvage could
have any rights! But to recur to the levy
ing system. I will relate tin instance
which I witnessed the other day. A
white man had a note, good or bad,
against an Indian man, for some 10
or 20 dollars* The Imliin was absent,
and had inf property. Did the Consta
ble return empty handed? By nomonns:
he seized a cow belonging to an Indian
woman, and drove it off" and sold it.
To be sure ’twas all the property the
girl possessed; but it mattcrcs not—she
could not prove her property by while
testimony—and therefore had to put up
with her loss.
G. The next, and perhaps most suc
cessful mode is, to sell goods on credit
at ten times the cost to any Indian you
can,and then present your accounts to
the Town Chiefs, and obtain notes
or drafts for the amount; next procue
an order from tho Chiefs to burn the
books and accounts. This they will
readily give, as all Indians have a sa
lutary horror and dread of any “ pa
per,” as they call it, made by white
men. At the time of paying the an
nuities, or of disbursing money by the
government among the Indians, present
your account: if it is not allowed by the
United States Agents you have a ready
remedy by having a writ prepared,
ready to enforce payment. It will not
be considered amiss to make the notes
or drrfts for many times the amount
stated to the Chiefs, as the sum for
which the note is made. The Indians
cannot read; and as you of course will
have none other than friends, if any
one, present, they will keep secret.
7. Another easv way is to pretend
great friendship towards the Red peo
ple, and procure what the Indian thinks
is a“ power of attorney,” to attend to
fered and died on the cnoss^or the sins
of mankind, and to teach them the way
of-salvation. Under-this commission,
they considered themselves as serving
the God of peace who himself had
promised a blessing on peace makers.”
I ho Uftitcd Brethren commenced-
their, missionary labours among the In
dians, A. D. I'll32, in Georgia; but in
consequence of the war between Great
Britain p.nd J*pahi,,A. D. 1739, they
were obliged to abandon this held of
labour.
On the 16th of July, A. D. 1740,
They thrcatcnpd.td destroy the town,
and endeavored to obtain a death war
rant for the whole congregation: until
at length, the poor people were obliged
to iiee for their lives to Bethlehem;
leaving their lands, improvements, Sic.
without tho least prospect of recom
pense.
ARKANSAS CHOCTAWS.
Extract from a letter of Mr. Williams,
dated at Betlialbara, April 4, 1833.
Meetings and Additions to the
Church.—Since January, 1 have been
Uicir missionary Christian Henry Ila-j occupied for the most part in. pastoral
uch, arrived at New York. His in- j labors. This work has greatly increas-
structions were, “not in any wise to in-I ... ....
torfere with the labours of other mis
sionaries or ministers, or cause any dis
turbance among them; but silently to
observe whether any of the heathen
were, by tin* grace of God, prepared to
receive and believe the word of life.—
That if even only one was to be found
desirous of bearing, to him the gospel
should be preached; for God must give
the heathen ears to hear the gospel,
and hearts’ll* receive it.” The mis
sionary, soon after his arrival, went to
the Indian town, Shti.omcko, and com
menced his labours among the Mahig-
ans; and on the 22d day of Feb. 1742,
ed on my hands since the arrival of the
new emigrants. The believers who
lately settled within my bounds have
felt the effects of their journey on their
own hearts; and an intercourse with;
them has had a chilling influence on !
the hearts of the church-members here; !
so that for nearly three months tho reli- j
gious prospects were not so flattering
as lor some time previous. It was but
too apparent that because iniquity a-
bounded the love of many had waxen
cold. But when the enemy came in
like a flood, the Spint of the Uord lift
ed a standard against him. Our poor
endeavors to stir up their pure minds
very active at this particular time
I am not only supported, but con
ed, and my confidence in God ig 3 i
er than ever. Our chief has n
come very friendly, and at our
ing assured his countrymen that jj
wholly in vain to oppose, or to ' a)
to obstruct the progress of the »,
It is an interesting fact th*
Christian females hold weekly n, ee
in different neighborhoods.
Clough generally meets with too,
the cast of the river, and Mr. tyj(
with those on the west side. Soi
their meetings are very solemn
As many as twelve prayers have
offered before they would separate
sides singing, reading the script,
and exhortation. Indeed there are
ny precious people under my char
dear to me as bearing the image o
sus. In view of the vast and i nC |
ing responsibility resting uponme
led to exclaim, “Who is. suilicicn
these things.”
his business with the whites; but let 1 ginning, they had represented the In-
the supposed power be his “ deed,” 1 dians to the missionaries, us a race ot
or “.bill of sale” for land or negroes. I savages, incapable of embracing chris-
This has been done with signal success j tianity, or of leading a Christian life;
in many instances. N. B, The best! and that it was next to madness to
and snfest agents to employ in this busi- think of living among them. But now,
ness arethe Indian negroes:
well* and they will work well
they ha?e no silly notions of
Sec. and (heir evidence is noi
law. And,
tire three lirst converts were baptized. ; |jy way of remembrance of former iner-
The same year twenty-six more were ' cies> h ave not been entirely .fruitless;
added to then number. More labour- though, alas! some of the church mein-
ers were sent, and another mission com- j her6 ha< | i u d et d left their first love.—
meiiced at Scallieok, on Kent river, in , Meetings were appointed and held in
Connect.cut; and a number more con- ; different neighoorhoods, but often thin-
verted, mostly of the Wampano tribe. ■ Jy attended when we hoped it would be
These settlements built themselves i otherwise. At length a sacramental
each a place of worship, in which they j meeting was appointed, which corn-
daily met for divine service. Scarcely ! mcncod on the 29th of March and clos-
three years had elapsed, before their I e d on the 1st inst ’ Three weeks pre
white neighbors bad began to trouble j vious to this meeting, however, increa-
and even persecute them. In the be-J sing feeling was Manifest under the
preaching of ttie word, and at evening
conference meetings. The still small
voice was hcai d, and some backsliders,
and a few others manifested a special
concern for their souls, and seem de
termined to sock the favor of God.—
. . ' , w »0 live within the ju-
against Indian. \ * Pa J e: ’
risdiction as a Ju. ,
witn cssCi
Still anchor p
11 »*TV TTIIM1M
Peace;
then lug him befor." . ^ p°s»*kle
let the Justice reside ^. ,ke or f . a *
county, Ala., no the min .oa> of theJ.ut
in-thoee counties have great ar 4 .
ed reputation for their skill' in ^ ea
matters. It is immaterial whethv" r
Indian is worth any thing or ifot; ot».
u“ judgment” in your ftfvpr. Thu
can he done very easily, as in one case
purporting to be for $49 75, thounright
Justice taxed the “ costs” at $38,| be
ing fourfold! Then send out a Consta
ble to levy, on the property of any In
dian he finds. I have before stated
thut luditins arc incompetent witnesses,
acid are seldom able to “ prove proper
ty,” which*, requires while testimony,
and therefore cannot redress their
wtong/us some squeamish people fan-
8. Another approved plan is to bribe
the Chiefs to make notes or drafts on
their people, and agree to give them a
part of the money when collected. I/ct
all those who are engaged in any of the
aforementioned practices keep a sharp
lookout, and if they discover any white
i jcrson about who is disposed tp put the
ndians on their guard agaii\st their I
philanthropic intentions, send out agents
(the Indian negroes make excellent
ones) and warn the red people to be-
were of him as he comes among them
to swindle them, Sec..
9. And lastly. Above all things,
inculcate strenuously upon the minds
of the Indians, that they must not emi
grate or sell their lands'to the United
fitaiPS, that the General Government
only wishes to cheat them and they
(the speculators) will take good cure
of them, and support them, Sic. Sic.
I had almost forgotten a very plea
sant and efficient way of facilitating
vour views: it is this: provide a dark
haired black-eyed dams')], to sohice
your leisure hours, and you acquire the
character of an “ Indian Countryman,”
and in right of your wife enn claim Re-
sarves from the State, and thus combine
profit and pleasure.
Jest my friend, you iray think any
of the above practicies at all illegal,
you have a salvo for your conscience,
(a foolish thing by the wuy) in consider
ing that you are borne out and encou
raged iu them by State enactments:
for, owing to the ignorance of the In
dians, their incompetency as witnesses
in any suit in which a white man is
concerned, and their consequent inabi
lity to assert their rights, these enact
ments must be considered as a legisla
tive sanction of speculations upon them.
The above suggestions point out the
most direct way to acquire forturnes
without labor, and without any silly
qualms of conscience; for, as tho red
man is our enemy, the sooner he is ex
terminated, or put out of tho pale of so
ciety no matter by what means, (for
the end sanctifies them,) the better for
all. Yours truly,
• John Wideawake.*
To Mr. Inexperience Shaper.
... i - a P tlve
to have these missionaries banished out eases of conversion, yet many were
ot the country. Some even offered li- i warmed, many harps were taken down
quor to any Indian who would kill J from the willows and timed anew,
them. The next step they took was to j The church session bad endeavored
charge the missionaries with being an i to prepare for ttie meeting, as far as
evil minded, designing people^ and dis- j practicable, by examining candidates
affected to the government. In conse
quence of which, they were taken
from ode place to another to be exam
ined, 'sometimes by a magistrate, and
at other times by ministers. Two of
them were kept for sometime at New
Milford, while the others were ordered
to Poughkeepsie, *and there mal-treat-
ed, until at length, being brought be
fore the Governor of Connecticut, were
declared innocent and discharged.—
They were then accused of being Pa
pists and traitors, in alliance with the
French, Sect. Therefore on the 15th
of Dec. 1744, a sheriff'and two justi
ce’s of the peace, came to Shekomcko,
and in the name of tho Governor and
Council of New York, forbade all
meetings of the Brethren, and com
manded them to appear at Poughkeep
sie on tho 7th of that month.
As the Brethren were conscientious
ly "scrupulous about taking an oath,
lietore hand. Much time was.spent
anil suuic guuil was aikicied by the
means, uii tending to prepare the minds
of the session, of the candidates, and
of the congregation which was present
at most of the examinations,’for the or
dinances of God’s house. I had the
aid of two Methodist brethren and Mr.
Hotchkin, in dispensing the word of
life to a very large congregation. On
the Sabbath, alter suitable instruction
on the subject, three new elders were
ordained, and forty-tour candidates
made a public profession of their faith
in Christ, and entered into covenant
with this church Nine of this number
being persons not belonging to the
church in the old nation, were baptiz
ed. The others lmd all been members
of the Mayhew church," but were not
received here without a careful exam
ination. Some who applied for admis
sion to the church were deferred; oth-
From the Albany Temperance Records
Mr.-Editor.—1 urn very happ
cast in my mite to aid the powerfu
cliinery which you are putting in
tion, though the light rhymes wlii
send are but as an insect on the cl
ot wheels, hastening, I trust, toy
T- . .
First gift to the Indians at Alban
Albany was. first visited by its
coverer, Capt. Hudson, on the
September, 1009. The frank and
erous natives, made his people,
where welcome, and they in rel
made their hearts gay with mint
aqua vitae, till some becumo into!
ted, and greatly astonished the ot)
—[ liaison's Historic Tales of the (
Times.]
They come!—They como!—tho palij race,
1 he.ro<t moil gather lrom the clinsc,
From forest-shade, and light canoe,
They throng that “water-bird” to view,
Whose mighty wings that near the shore,
Perchance their great Manitto bbro.
Frank is their welcome to tlip band,
The ready smile,—the open hand,
*Tne proli'er’d fruits, with gladness prest,
The purple plumb in downy vest,
The'clustejiiig (.rape,—die shcafofgold,
I ho untaught greeting, warm and bold.
Rut by what giils, what token'strong
Dip Jotiiope’s sons ret own’d in song,
Mark their first visit to tlm cii.wt
Of simple laah, and during wil /?
A cup!—a cup!—but who may tell
What deadly drcgs.within its swell!
The sickening eye,—the burning ehcik
The reeling tbrru, stiangc speak,
And on tho turf of verdant eye,
Iu brief and maddening trance they lie;—
Type of tho woes that soon must sweep .
Theirblastcd lace away,
Down to oblivion dark and deep,
With none their hopeless wrong to weop,
Or mourn tboir sad decay.
Yes, when the Old World hastening pros
Her friendship on its infant west,
The boon'sho thought, tho pledge she giy
Was poison and a drunkard’s grave.
But thou, fair city, thron’d in pride,
Queen of the Hudson’s silver tide,
Well hast thou by pie deed* ofliie’d
This stain upon thine annal trac’d,
Well hast thou by thy zeal to aid
Temperance, since early trespass paid:
And as the kneeling Ibrm that presi
A .Saviour’s tear-lav’d feet was blest,
So hast thou shown, with victor-sway,
That love which waslius si# away.
Hartford, June 20/h, 1833. I,
their accusers prevailed on the Go- | ers were providentially detained from
vernor of New York, to have them ex- . attending the meeting. 3 hree indeed
unfilled before him. This being done, j of those who had been accepted by the!
*A fact.
yThi* actually occurred.
■fcFact—and can be proved.
From the Maryville Intolligonoer.
THE UNITED BRETHREN.
Candy's Creek, May 13, 1833.
Dear Sir:—If you consider the fol-
*>wing brief notice from Mr. Heck-
’ ler’s narrative, worthy the attention
•r readers, they are at your dis-
Respectfully • yours,
D. S. B.
In bis introduv-'^ 011 ! ^ r '
“Tho course whici'.' , ^ lC l n ‘* ’
who dwelt with Indians' 1 .! t(> P n ,„, ’
was plainly marked out t«? thd*n. J ^
did not go ameng those people for the
wen.
of you
posul
pted by
they were discharged as innocent. Yet! session, were thus detained. About )
the senior missionary, Buttner, having : one hundred and fifteen persons sat;
been ordered to Poughkeepsie, was o- ; down together at the table of our Re- !
bliged to go, though in ill health from i deemer, and his presence made it a,
previous abuse. Here, after waiting feast of fut things to many who had
and suffering with cold for several days been almost famished. I suppose there
lie was discharged
In October of that year, the Assem
bly of Now York passed the two follow
ing acts, viz: one by which all suspi
cious persons were required to take the
oath of allegiance, or leave the Pro
vince: tho other positively forbidding
the brethren to instruct the Indians.—
The brethren, now like strangers in the
land, dare not meet with their Indian
congregation for divine service, nor c-
ven aoido with them where they were;
yet had to delay their departure on ac
count of the sickness of the senior mis
sionary. Gottlieh Buttner, who on the
23d of F<sb. 1746, departed this life.
The Indian brethren having taken the
burial duties and ceremonies’ upon
themselves since the white brethren,
(their teachers,) dare not officiate, pur
chased linins, dressed his corpse nice
ly in white, and - intered his remains
with Christian solemnity in the burying
ground at Shekomoko—watering his
grave with their tours. Soon after, the
remaining missionary Martin Mack,
his wifo and the widow of the deceas
ed, took a final farewell of their con
gregation, and set out for Bethlehem—
from whence the Indian congregation
frequently received visits, till they were
all removed. During the two last years
n ,''the brethren’s labouring at tins place,
?&»/. Tl ifr .* lo object w,» Jhal of .llty-Jwo per.01.. wer. b.|ai 2 ed. The
brtasiL them the pood lidinp. that departure- of.«■«; mie.ionar.es, however,
g g • • • ” world—,suf- i did not sqtjsty til© surrounding whites.
Christ bad come into this
were present at least a hundred per
sons who had never heard the gospel,
or witnessed any such scenes before.
The whole assembly could not con
sist of less than live hundred persons. In
the evening, although but few of those
not members or the church attended,
fifteen were found to come over to the
Lord’s side, after hearing a sermon
from the words of Moses, Exodus xxxi,
i, 26. Twelve infant children were
dedicated to the Lord by baptism on
tho same evening. Verily it is good to
be there. Many things conspired to
make the meeting and exercises deep
ly interesting. If ever 1 could have
wished the sun and moon to stand still,
that the day might be prolonged, it was
last Sabbath; bo that those multitudes '
who had never heard, and many more!
who, though they had often heard, had!
not embraced the gospel, might have 1
been particularly instructed, and as it'
were, compelled to come in. It is be
lieved that a number of those who retir
ed to their homes at sunset, were al
most persuaded to becoino Christians.
This meeting was held within one mile
and a half ot this station, at our new
meeting house, which was built by the
nativos, end was solemnly dedicated to
God on the Sabbbath previous to the
sacrameutal meeting.
Although 1 have inensioned these
fuvorable appearances, I would not
laiso expectation too high. Satan is
From Foultum’s Advertiser.
The Senca and Onondaga Iiulim
At the Annual council of tl.e
and head men of the Seneca and 0
dago nations of Indians, convene
the Council House, at Buffalo Ct
in tho State of New York, on th(
oi June, A. D. 1833, all the chieft
head men of the Seneca Reserval
in the state being present—Judge
kcr the Indian Agent, introduced
propositions heretofore made to
by the Secretury of War of the.l/i
States, in relation to sending a del
tion to witness the, survey and exai
lands at-Green Bay, and to accept
same lands if they should deem it
pedient. And after many d
cussion and debate, and after ma
deliberation, a large majority of
council passed the following top
tions:
Respired, That we, tbeichiefe
head men of the Seneca and Onoi
ga nations of Indians, are nowpoaa
ed of lands .within this state, amply*
cient for ourselves and our child
and that we have no inclination *
over to remove therefrom. •
Resolved, That we will not bo
the propositions made to us by tk e
cretary of War, through our agoo
appoint a delegation to witness*
vcy of lands at Green Bay, n®*
we in anywise interest ourselves'
cerning said proposition. ,
Signed—Com Planter, Gov* fil
snake, James Robinson, JobnP*®
White Seneca, Little Johnson,
Kettle, Israel Jemison, Jimmy
son, Charles O’Beal, William .P* 1
son, Jacob {M.adksnake, George,
buck, Long John, George
Samuel Gordon, Captain Snow
my Jimmy, Doxtator, John S«l°*
Cataraugus; Green Blanket, *
Hudspn, Blue Sky, Young Chief.* 1
Looke, Isaac Davis, Black »
Chief, John Sky, George KepjaW a
George Washington, Jesse Stick
Daniel Twoguns, Thompson S* *,
ris, jr., Mark Charles, Wliite d