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No. 47—You V.]
CONGRESS.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Who were instructed, by a resolution of tbe
House of Representatives, to ioqnire in
to the expediency of repealing the act
making provision for the civilization of
the Indian tribes adjoining the frontier
i, settlements of the United States, &c.
’ &c.
March 23, 1824. Read: ordered that it lie on the
table.
Mr. McLean, of Ohio, from tbe Commit
tee on Indian affairs, to whom was referred
the resolution of the 6th of January in
structing them to inquire into the expedien
cy of repealing an act, entitled “An act
malting provision for the civilization of the
Indian tribes adjoining the frontier settle
ments,” passed on tbe 3d of March, 1819,
made the following Report:
’ That they have examined the subject
embraced by tbe resolution, and beg leave
to submit the following statement :
The Committee have carefully examined
tbe measures which have been* adopted for
the disbursement of the annual allowance
made by Ibis law, and hud them very judi
cious and such as are best calculated to ef
fectuate the benevolent designs of the gov
ernment. Although the reports hereto
fore made by the Secretary at War,contain
ed the rules by which the sum granted was
to be apportioned and paid, the Committee
annex them to this report, and wish them
to be referred to as a part of it. The Com
mittee also submit a statement, showing the
different sums paid to the Indian schools
which have been organized, and the num
ber of scholars taught at each school.
From this statement it will appear, that
21 schools have been established, all, ex
cept three, since the passage of the above
Jaw, and, principally, by the means which
it affords. At these schools there are
taught more than 800 scholars, whose pro
gress in tbe acquisition of an English educa
tion, exceeds the most sanguine expecta
tions that had been formed.
Very comfortable school bouses have
been erected, for the accommodation of the
different schools ; and, inmost cases, con
venient dwellings for the teachers.
So far as the Committee have been able
to ascertain, the plan of education has been
very judicious, and no pains seem to bave
been spared, to extend to the Indians the
full benefit of the law.
All the schools are increasing; and so ur
gent are the Indians to have their children
educated, that numerous applications are
refused, from the limited means which the
schools possess. The time of the children
is not wholly devoted to their books, while
at school; the girls are instructed in such
arts as are suited to female industry in civ
ilized life, and the boys are required to de
vote a part of their time in acquiring a
knowledge of husbandry. The advances
of male and female in these branches are
most satisfactory, and have already had no
small influence in inducing their parents to
become less fond of an erratick life, and
more inclined to have fixed residences, and
rely for their support on tbe cultivation of
the ground. Such has been the effect of
the above circumstances, combined with
some others not more influential, that at
many of the places where school? have
been established, the Indians have already
constructed comfortable dwellings, and now
cultivate farms of considerable extent. —
They have become the owners of property
necessary to agricultural pursuits, and for
the conveniences of life.
The Committee are aware that very con
siderable aids have been given by different
Christian denominations, all of whom feel a
deep interest in the parental views of the
government. But tbe committee are well
persuaded, that had the government afford
ed no pecuniary aid, very few if any of the
benefits which ha been conferred, would
have been experienced by the Indians. The
annual appropriation of $ 10,000 has en
couraged the benevolent and pious in ma
ny parts of the country, to form associations
and collect donations, with the view of aid
ing the humane purposes of the govern
rnent. Hundreds of such associations are
now in active operation ; and they are
much cheered in their exertions, by ti e
rapid advances to civilization which the In
dians have made.
It requires but little research to convince
every candid mind, that the prospect of.civ
ilizing our Indians was never so promising
as at this time. Never were means for the
accomplishment of this object so judiciously
devised, and so faithfully applied as in the
above act, and tbe auxiliary aids which it
has encouraged. It is believed to be an es
sential part of any plan for Indian civiliza
tion, that with the rudiments of education,
the males should be taught the arts of hus
bandry, and the females to perform those
domestick duties which directly belong to
their stations in civilized life. The at
tempts which have heretofore been made,
many of which have failed, omitted this es
sential part. Many zealous but enthusias
tick persons, who have been most conspicu
ous in endeavouring to reclaim the Indians,
persuaded themselves to believe that to se-
THE MISSIONARY.
cure this object, it was only necessary to
send missionaries among them, to instruct
them in the Christian religion. Some of
their exertions failed, without producing
any salutary effect, because the agents em
ployed were wholly unfitted for the task.
Others, though productive of some good
effect at first, eventually failed, because to
their missionary labours were not added
the institutes of education, and instruction
in agriculture. I'hese are combined in the
exertions now making; and from tbe good
which has been done, the most pleasing an
ticipations of success are confidently cher
ished. There are many Indian nations,
within our boundaries, who have experien
ced no aid from these efforts; being re
stricted in the means, the benefits are con
sequently limited. But the Committee are
assured, that the continuation of the appro-,
priation, seconded by the liberal and in
creasing aids which are afforded by volunta
ry contributions, will gradually and most
effectually extend the benefits of the law,
to the remotest tribes who inhabit our ex
tensive domain. This will be a work of
time ; and for its accomplishment great la
bonr and perseverance will be. necessary.
The progress, however, of this work may
be more rapid than any can now venture to
anticipate. The instruction and civiliza
tion of a few enterprizing youths, will have
an immense influence on the tribes to which
they belong. As the means are constantly
applied, the numbers reclaimed will in
crease ; and an increase of numbers will en
sure, in a geometrical proportion, success
for the future. It is difficult to say what
may not be accomplished, under such cir
cumstances. No one will be bold enough
to denounce him as a visionary enthusiast,
who, under such auspices will look with
great confidence to the entire accomplish
ment of the object. •
The civilization cf the Indians has been
viewed as a work of great national impor
tance by many whose talents, and publick
services, have rendered illustrious tbe an
nals of our country. This was an object of
great solicitude with Washington, and to all
who have succeeded him. Prior to the
passage of the above law, the attention of
Congress was invited to the subject, in al
most every annual message from the Exec
utive. If tbe policy of this measure were
considered merely as a question of pecuni
ary interest, it is believed that but few
would hesitate to sanction it. That it incul
cates the most friendly disposition, on the
part of the Indian 1 *, no one, well informed
on the subject, will venture to deny.
They understand the motive of the gov
ernment, and properly appreciate it. So
tar as the benefits of this policy are extend
ed, will this feeling be cherished, and it af
fords the safest guarantee against future
wars. To say nothing of tbe valuable lives
which have been lost, in (he Indian con
flicts we have had, how much treasure has
been expended in our defence. More mon
ey was expended, in protecting the exposed
parts of our couutry, from Indian depreda
tions, during the late wap, than would be re
quired, if judiciously applied, to secure the
great plan of Indian civilization.
Shall we, Irom recent, injuries, indulge a
spirit of hostility against these unfortunate
people ? Tbo principles of humanity, and
the dignity of our government, forbid it.
There is much in thpir condition to ex
cite our sympathies, as men, and our pro
tection, as legislators. They have been
driven trom this wide domain, to a territory
far less desirable, and of limited extent.
They are constantly receding, as we are
advancing.
The Indians are not now, what they ouc.e
were. They have partaken of our vices,
more than our virtues. Such is their con
dilion, at present, that they must be civiliz
ed, or exterminated; no other alternative
exists. He must be worse than savage,
who can view, with cold indifference, an
exterminating policy. All desire their
prosperity, and wish to see them brought
within the pale of civilization. The means
which have been adopted, and of which the
law’ in question is the foundation, seems the
most likely to obtain the desired result
They should not, therefore, be abandoned.
The passage of Ibis law wa9 called for
many of tbe people, in the most populous
and influential sections of our country.
Their wishes were made known in language
that evinced a deep interest—an interest
not produced by a momentary excitement,
but the result of much reflection, and a
high sense of moral duty. It may be said,
emphatically, that the passage of (bis law
was called fer by a religious community.
They were convinced of the correctness of
the policy, in a political point of view, and,
as Christians, they felt the full force of the
obligations which duty enjoined. Their
zeal was tempered by reason. No fanci
ful schemes of proselytism seem to have
been indulged. They formed a correct es
timate of the importance of their undertak
ing, and poioted to the most judicious means
for the accomplishment of their wishes.
Since the passage of the law, hundreds and
thousands, have been encouraged to con
tribute their mite, in aid ol the wise policy
of the government. However the various
denominations of professing Christians may
differ in their creeds, and general doctrines,
they all unite in their wishes, that our Indi-
Os all the dispositions and leadto nolittr f”* 3 prea ?, h tb D e ® o,pel toese y creature.— Jesus Christ.
wh,cb lead to poht,cal prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.- Washington.
JMOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) in iftod
ans may become civilized. That &e feel
ing almost universally prevails, has been
declared in language too unequivocal to ad
mit of doubt. It has been seen in their
words, and in their actions.
The committee believe, that such dem
onstrations are not to be regarded lightly;
that the National Legislature will treat
them with the highest respect. If * secta
rian zeal had had any agency to produce
this general interest, it would be less enti
tled to serious consideration. But such a
contracted feeling seems to have bad no in
fluence ; a more noble and Christian mo
tive seems to have been cherished. All
unite to second the views of the govern
ment, by ameliorating the condition of our
Indians. They are taught the first rudi
ments of education, the duties which apper
tain to man as a member of civil society,
and his accountability as a moral agent.
Repeal this law, and these exertions are
not only paralyzed, but destroyed. The
Indians will see, io such an act, that we feel
less for their prosperity, than our profes
sions have encouraged them to believe;
and such an impression cannot fail to pro
duce the most injurious consequences.
From the various lights in which the
committee have viewed the policy of this
law, they are convinced that it is founded
in justice, and should not be repealed.
They, therefore, submit to the House the
following resolution:
Resolved , That it is inexpedient to repeal
the law making an annual appropriation of
ten thousand dollars for the civilization of
the Indians.
RELIGIOUS.
FROM THE CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN.
IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
Men act in view of motives. It is in ex
pectation of future good that they perform
virtuous actions; remove this expectation,
and these actions cwse. Disbelieve tbe
immortality of the soul, and vice is without
restraint; preseot gratification becomes the
sole object of rational beings; tbeir lan
guage is, let us eat aud drink for tomorrow
we die, tomorrow we are nothing. And is
not the reasoning just? does the brute turn
away from present enjoyment, or restrain
at all his desires? And if like the brute be
perish, why should man endure self-denial,
and render miserable bis transient being?
for virtue ha 9 no charm for him if it offers
no reward; and that it does immediately,
or even in this life, always meet its reward,
is far from being true. Well may he con
clude he was not born to exist only for a
day, with propensities and desires not to be
gratified.
Hence the consistency of those who de
ny the immortality of the soul. They live
only for this world, and, consequently, give
themselves up to its enjoyments, regardless
of futurity ; and disbelieving the immortal
ity of the soul, would not every unregener
ate man do the same ?
“ Virtue with immortality expires.”
But is his situation enviable, who limits
bis prospects to this point of time, and smiles
at annihilation? Amidsl the scenes of mirth
and dissipation, he appears cheerful and
happy. Follow him to his solitary retreat,
and you see him restless and dejected.
Away from the bustle and gaiety of life, he
must be unhappy; for in the pleasures of
this world consists all bis enjoyment. And
what are his feelings when fortune frowns,
and affliction tears from him the objects on
which his heart is placed? A wound is then
inflicted which finds no balm in the “giddy
whirl of pleasure.” Eternal darkness gath
ers round the spot where rest all he once
held dear; nothing remains but the painful
remembrance of what they once were.
We do not envy his condition who be
lieves the present the only happiness he i9
ever to enjoy. He may, indeed, be cheer
ful, when wealth sparkles, friends smile,
pleasure invites; but these are uncertain
sources of happiness; tomorrow they are
gone, his prospects are changed, the cup of
bliss is dashed from his lips, he is wretched.
It is then he looks for something to calm
and soothe his troubled spirit, and be finds it
only in the near approach of nonexistence.
Let him enjoy this highest consolation.
Disappointed and weary of life, let him
welcome the cheering prospect of annihila
tion, aud fix his rapturous gaze on the prof
fered bliss, till lost in its sweet oblivion.
We will not envy his condition. There are
those who shrink from these bright visions
of the future, whose bosom* thrill with hor
rour at the thought of annihilation. Their
souls sicken amidst the fading pleasures and
illusive hopes of time, mount above the dull
scenes of mortality, and pant for purer day.
I’he reasonable man cannot open his
eyes upon the vast creation, and deny tbe
soul immortal. To him, all Dature elo
queutly proclaims a future state of beiDg.
He beholds every thing about him assuming
a different form. The insect, that sports in
the summer’s breeze, disappears for a sea
son, and comes forth transformed to enjoy a
new existence. The flower, which unfolds
its beauties to the rising day, and droops
beneath its increasing splendour, fades to
meet with fairer charms another vernal
morn.
“ He looks nature through, ’tis revolution all,
All chang^^TCeath.”
And shall all nature be ever bursting into
life anew, and man no change survive ?
Shall youth come forth fresh as the morn,
bloom for a day, and sink beneath the bur
den of life to sleep in everlasting forgetful
ness ? No ; a mild and joyous spring shall
succeed the dreary winter of death; its
vivifying beams shall penetrate the tomb,
and man shall wake while the creation
sleeps.
The belief of the soul's immortality is a
prime source of our happiness, a solace for
our woes. When friends smile, and pro 9
perity sbed9 around us her blessings, it
points us to a world where every counte
nance shall brighten with joy, where no ad
verse wind 9ball blight pleasures which
bloom in unearthly beauty. When fortune
frowns and worldly enjoyments fail, it dis
closes to our view a state of being free from
the casualties ol time, where disappoint
ment is unknown, and happiness suffers no
diminution. When the unseen hand of
death tears from our bosoms, and consigns
to the dust, the dearest objects of our affec
tions; the belie! that tbe soul is immortal
administers to our wounded spirits a balm,
which all the pleasures of earth canuot im
part. It dispels the darkness that gathers
round the tomb, and discloses to us anew
existence, where the severed ties of friend
ship shall re unite, and affliction’s tear be
wiped away forever.
Let the infidel enjoy the pleasmg pros
pect of annihilation ; let him deride the be
lief of the soul’s immortality, and treat it as
an illusion. Grant it is, and we will say,
welcome that illusion, which cheats life ol
its cares and heightens all our enjoyments;
welcome that illusion, which robs death of
his prey, and restores us to the arms of
friendship. O! welcome that illusion,
which unfolds the gates of paradise, and
discloses to our enraptured view the glories
of immortality. AMANA.
A COMPEND OF
JEWISH ANTIQUITIES.
[To be continued'wcekly.]
HOLY PERSONS.
Q. Were the kings of Judah reckoned
holy persons ?
A. Being at first anointed by the com
mand of God, they thereby became types
of Christ; and therefore may be consider
ed a9 holy persons.
Q,. Was tbe office of sacrificing restrict
ed to any particular person bpfore the in
stitution of the Levitical priesthood?
A. It ha 9 been generally thought that
this was one of the privileges of the first
born, but the scriptures furnish no argument
for it; but on tbe contrary we find Abel
offering hi? sacrifice as well as Cam, (hough
he was not tbe first-born. It is probable
that the head of each family officiated as
priest, as we find Noah, Abraham, Isaac,
Job, &c. officiating at the altar.
Q. Who is the first person on record,
called a priest ?
A. Melchisedek, kiog of Salem, called
the priest of the Most High God. Proba
bly he received a special commission to ex
ercise the office of the priesthood, od which
account he was an eminent type of Christ.
Q. Had Melchisedek any successor in
the priestly office ?
A. Probably not, as none is on record;
and thus the comparison which the apostle
Paul institutes between him and Christ will
be more easily understood.
Q,. To what tribe of Israel was the priest
hood committed by the Mosaick Law ?
A. To the tribe of Levi, but confined to
tbe family of Aaron.
Q. What wa9 the office of tbe high
priest ?
A. He was the most sacred person in Is
rael, on whom the most sacred parts of
divine service devolved. Besides, he pre
sided over the ceremonial worship, and
was usually the president of the Sanhedrim.
It was his duty alone to enter the most holy
place, and to inquire of God by Urim and
Thummim.
Q,. Wa9 this office elective or heredi
tary ?
A. It was confined to the family of Aaron,
but not to any one branch of the family.
His two eldest sons died for tbeir presump
tion without children. Hence Eleazer suc
ceeded bis father, and the office continued
in his family until the Babylonish captivity.
Tbe high priest was elected by the other
priests; but iu the latter periods of the
Jewish history, he was frequently appoint
ed by tbe king who happened to have do
minion over the land. Sometimes ihe office
was set up for sale, and sometimes filled by
men who were not of the sacerdotal race.
Q. What ceremonies were to be obser
ved at the inauguration of the high priest ?
A. He was carefully purified by washing
with water—was clothed with the sacerdo
tal robes—was anointed with a precious oil
or composition, the imitation of which was
forbidden on the pain of death. The last
ceremony wa9 a sacrifice,the blood of which
Moses was ordered to take oo bis fingers
and apply to tbe horns of the altar, and tbe
remainder of it to pour out at the foot of
(he altar. The feet of the aoimal, with the
usual appendages, were burnt on the altar,
the rest of it without the camp. This sac-
[Price $3 50 per am.
rifice was a bullock and a sin offering.
Then a ram was brought forward, on tbe
head of which Aaron and his sons placed
their hands; then it was slain and the blood
sprinkled round the altar, and tbe flesh, cut
in pieces, was placed on the altar and con
sumed for a burnt offering. Another ram
was then slaio, and some of the blood of
it was directed to be put on the tip of the
right ear of the priest, on the thumb of his
right hand, and on the great toe of his right
foot: the remainder of the blood was to be
sprinkled about the altar, and also upon the
priest and his garments. This was called
the ram of consecration, and was consumed
like the former, for a burnt offering, after
the breast and shoulder bad been heaved
and waved before the Lord.
Q,. Were tbe other priests consecrated
in the same way ?
A. Ii appears so, from tbe account which
Moses gives of this transaction.
Q. What was the official dress of the
priests ?
A. It consisted of four garments, I. Lin
en breeches , or drawers, not particularly de
scribed. 2. A coat, not described in scrip
ture, but the Jewish writers say it was a
garment reaching down to the knees, with
sleeves extending to the wrist and fastened
round the neck. It was made of fine linen.
3. The girdle , of fine twined linen; the
length and breadth of it not given in scrip
ture ; but Josephus and Maimonides have
both described it. yet differently. The lat
ter says it was thirty-two ells long and three
fingers broad. 4. The bonnet, or turban,
which the Rabbins say consisted of a slip of
linen sixteen ells long, wound round the
head. Josephus says it was in the shape of
a helmet, one wrsuth berng folded over
another, and over all was a thin cap suited
io its shape.
Q. What garments were suited to the
high priest ?
A. Besides those already described,
which were common to him with the other
priests, he had the blue robe which was worn
over the linen garments. This is called
the robe, of the ephod, not because it was
worn under it, but because it was girded
with it. Os what materials it was made, is
not certainly known; but probably of wool;
and concerning the colour there is some
doubt ; some suppose it was blue, others
think it was yellow. The Seventy render
the u word ’ hyacinth ; but this is ambigu
ous, for there i9 both a stone and flowers so
called ; tbe first of which is yellow, the
other, blue. 2. The ephod. Moses men
tions the materials, but not the 9hape of it.
It was made of blue, purple, and fine twin
ed linen, and of gold. Josephus says it was
a cubit in length. Maimonides says it
reached down to the feet. These two ac
counts can only be reconciled by supposing
that one speaks of its length before, and the
other of it behind. On the shoulder it was
fastened by two precious stones, on which
were engraven the twelve tribes of Israel.
To the ephod there belonged a curious gir
dle, of the same rich fabrick as the ephod
itself, which passed under the arms like a
sash, and was knotted on the breast. 3.
The breast plate of judgement, so called, bel
cause the high priest always wore it when
he consulted God, or entered the holy of
holies. It was made of the same rich ma
terials as the ephod, two spans long and
one broad. On the four corners it was fur
nished with golden rings, by which the up
per part was fastened by means of a golden
chain, to the shoulders, and the lower part
by blue ribbons to the girdle of the ephod.
io this breast plate were placed twelve
sockets io which were inserted twelve
stones in four orders. On these stones
were engraven the twelve patriarchs. In
the breast-plate also were tbe urim and
thummim (signifying lights and perfections)
by which the bigh priest consulted God and
received bis oracles; but respecting the
form and manner of using them, there are
many opinions. The tradition of the Jews
is, that the precious stones in the breast
plate constituted the urim and thummim ,
and that answers were given by the shin
ing of the letters so as to make words and
sentences. But here is a difficulty, for the
names of tbe twelve patriarchs did not con
tain all the alphabet. To remove this, the
Rabbins say, the names of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob were added, and under the name
Benjamin, the tribes of the Lord, by which
means the alphabet is completed.
Josephus thinks that when the stones
were resplendant (he answer was favoura
ble, and otherwise when dim. Some sup
pose the urim and thummim were distinct
from the precious stones in the breast
plate, and were-enclosed in its foldings.
Dr. Spencer suppose* there were two lit
tle images shut up in tbe breast-plate which
gave responses by an audible voice.
The most common opinion of Christian
writers is, that when the bigh priest stood
before the Lord with the breast-plate on,the
answer was given in an audible voice from
between tbe chernbitns. This is the most
probable opinion, but attended with one
difficulty—for David, when at Keilab, com
manded Abiathar the priest to bring the
ephod?, and then David inquired of tbe
Lord. He did the same when he return
ed to Ziglag, after it bad been burnt, and
his wives, bic. carried off. Now in both
cases, when the Lord was consulted by urim