Chronicles of Oklahoma
|
| Pine Ridge | ---------------------------- | 134 members |
| Mayhew | ---------------------------- | 36 members |
| Chickasaw | ---------------------------- | 125 members |
| —— | ||
| 295 members |
Of the above, 84 were added the present year.
With gratitude, we acknowledge the goodness of the Lord in preserving us from wasting and fatal sickness, whilst others have been cut down in the midst of their labors. We are also grateful for the encouragement granted to our efforts for the improvement of the Choctaws.
I am, &c.,
C. KINGSBURY.
To Captain William Armstrong,
Superintendent Indian Affairs.
Providence, C. N., August 31, 1843.
Sir: The accompanying documents are the reports of the school under my charge for the year ending August 31, 1843. In no former year have the students made greater proficiency than the past. So far as my own knowledge extends, there appears to be a greater desire on the part of parents for the education of their children than heretofore. The studies pursued (as you will see by report) have been grammar, geography, arithmetic, &c. Their aptitude to learn has been satisfactorily tested the past year, and would compare well with any schools in a civilized land, when we take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages under which they live. I will give a few examples, that you may know what an Indian youth can do when he and she will apply themselves.
Colbert Carter’s acquirements when he commenced school were only reading, writing, and a very limited knowledge of the first four rules of arithmetic. He began with the multiplication table, and has done every sum in Smiley’s Arithmetic, with the exception of a few in the promiscuous questions. In addition to this, he has obtained a good knowledge of grammar and geography, and in the last month he attended to bookkeeping, and obtained a good knowledge of simple entry, and has made considerable progress in sacred history.
Mat Coyl has obtained during the past year a very correct knowledge of grammar, geography, and arithmetic, and would do honor to any school even in a civilized land.
Rosanna Coyl and Patsy Going commenced the study of grammar and geography last fall, and have acquired
a very correct knowledge of them, in addition to attending to other studies.
You will perceive by the report that thirty-nine students have attended the school during the past year, nineteen of whom left previous to the vacation, some of whom it is expected will return during the fall.
You will also see that twenty-three lived in my family during the year, nine of whom I boarded gratuitously, and clothed partly. For the board of the residue I am to receive $4 per month, to be paid in any kind of produce they may have to spare.
In addition to the school, I have endeavored to teach the Indians the principles of religion; and I am happy to say that it has not been in vain, as many of them have become, I trust, devout Christians.
The cause of temperance has taken deep hold upon the feelings of the people, and many of the most influential men in the nation have enlisted under the banner of temperance.
Habits of industry are more prevalent than formerly, and, though the season has been very unfavorable, I think a sufficiency will be raised for their consumption.
Respectfully submitted:
RAMSAY D. POTTS.
Captain Vim. Armstrong.
Pine Ridge, July 30, 1843.
Sir: By the foregoing report, you will find that the whole number of children who have been under my instruction is 36. Of this number, 19 were mixed blood, only 6 of whom spoke English; the remainder were full Choctaws. The average daily attendance was 19. There was a very great want of suitable books. A good supply will be provided for the next session.
The improvement of the scholars has been in proportion to the regularity of their attendance. A very com-
mendable desire is manifested by most of the parents for the improvement of their children.
Very respectfully, & c.,
J. P. KINGSBURY.
Captain William Armstrong,
Acting Superintendent Indian Affairs.
Stockbridge, (Near Eagletown,)
September 22, 1843.
Dear Sir: This letter has been due for some time; and I commenced a letter to you some weeks since, but I was called away to be with the sick, and since then have had distressing sickness in my own family. Mrs. Byington is now slowly recovering from an attack of fever, which brought her down very low. But we have great reason to be thankful that we are all spared.
We have prosecuted our usual missionary labors during the year past. I have preached in four different places in the nation, besides preaching regularly once in two months at Ultima Thule, in Arkansas. Last year I prepared, with the aid of others, an almanac in Choctaw and English for the current year. Three hundred copies were printed. I have also, so far as I have been able, attended to the translation of the Scriptures from the Old Testament. By an arrangement made with Rev. A. Wright, in our efforts at translating, he will give his attention more particularly to the New Testament, while I devote my time to the Old. Much study is required in making myself well acquainted with the original language of the Old Testament, as well as with the Choctaw.
We hope our labors among this people are not in vain. Of the school taught at this place, I presume Mr. C. C. Copeland, the teacher, has forwarded you a report. Five of the scholars were boarded in my family—in a majority of the instances, gratuitously.
From necessity, I am called to be much employed for the relief of the sick, there being no physician nearer than Fort Towson.
I think I may safely report to you that the cause of temperance is honorably and successfully sustained on Mountain
Fork and Little River. There are, it is true, a few warriors yet among the Choctaws, who will run over the line to find the means of intoxication. But many of these are becoming ashamed of their conduct. It is proper for me to commend to you the captains in this neighborhood as strong temperance men; our educated warriors, and the white men among us, are all temperance men. It cannot be said of the educated Choctaws and white men near me, that they attempt to thwart the efforts of the temperance advocates.
The people here have attended to their farms with their usual diligence and quietness. There has been less of ball-playing on a large scale this year than usual. Some of my neighbors are making additional improvements, such as the erection of stone chimneys and the purchase of sheep. There are two cotton-gins among us, and a water-mill is now being erected. During the year there have been several removals from the vicinity—among them, two captains—and yet there is around me a large Choctaw population remaining.
I have a full share of labor for my strength and health. To provide for a family, and to act the part of a good neighbor, preacher and physician, in this sickly land, is as much as I am able to do.
I have been requested to have some care over the Iyanubbe female school, but have declined it on account of my many present and pressing cares, as well as the feeble state of health granted us—hoping, too, that some young, active, and faithful persons could be found who would do much better.
But may the Lord guide us. All good things come from Him. He has blessed this tribe much since you first knew us. I hope the next fifty years will be better still.
May your life be spared, and your efforts be blessed. And although this letter is called for as an official one, I do not forget you as a friend, and cherish this hope that you may again be with us under (our) roof. May the Lord be your shield and reward.
From yours, with much respect,
CYRUS BYINGTON.
Capt. William Armstrong,
Acting Superintendent Western Territory, Choctaw Agency.
Wheelock, July 3, 1843.
Dear Sir: I herewith send you the report of the state of the Wheelock female school for the year ending July 1, 1843. You are aware that the National Council, in November last, among other appropriations, made one for the support of a female seminary at this place. The intention of the Council has been carried into effect. The pupils have been selected, and were placed on the appropriation on the 1st day of May, 1843.
In order to give satisfaction, and to avoid the appearance of partiality, the selection was made from the several clans into which the people are divided. Seven were taken from each of the following clans, viz: the Ahepotukla, the Olilefeleia, the Oklahaneli; and three from the Urihesahe clan—making twenty-four in all, who were placed on the appropriation. The selection was made from a list of about fifty applications for the privileges of the school. Only one was taken from a family. Seven only of those who had previously belonged to the school were placed on the appropriation—the seventeen others, with very few exceptions, being entirely new scholars. The selection, I believe, has given satisfaction, and the school has commenced under favorable auspices.
Mr. H. K. Copeland and wife reside at Wheelock, and assist in boarding and taking care of the children. Mr. C’s house is about.40 rods from my own dwelling. The children are in our respective families, and are kept separate when out of school. This arrangement we deemed preferable to having all the children board at one place.
As a part of the buildings necessary for the school were already erected with funds of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and as a part of the necessary stock was on hand, belonging also to the American Board, I have engaged to put up the remaining buildings, and furnish what more stock may be needed, with funds of the same society, without encroaching upon the appropriation made by the nation. By this arrangement, the buildings and stock will be the sole property of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and the whole of the appropriation, from the first, be expended on the school. It was, also, further stipulated between the committee acting on be-
half of the nation, and myself, acting on the part of the American Board, that that body, in addition to the buildings and stock, aid in sustaining the school, and contribute yearly in the proportion the Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society are required to aid.
The Gospel, like the leaven hidden in the measure of meal, is exerting a silent but restraining and transforming influence. The day-spring from on high hath visited this people, giving light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guilding the feet of many into the ways of peace. The church at Wheelock consists of 116 members, 26 of whom were added during the last year. There is an increasing attention to the preaching of the word. There are five preaching places connected with this station. At two of these places, (Wheelock and Red River,) public worship is held every Sabbath. In the absence of the pastor, the services are conducted by the candidates for the ministry, or elders of the church. There are three natives under the care of the presbytery, studying for the ministry; and two of these are members of the Wheelock church, and one of them an elder. Two of them received a very respectable education in New England, and the other was several years at school in Marietta, Ohio. They are all pious, devoted men, and at no distant period will be licensed to preach the glad tidings of salvation.
I also forward you the report of the school taught by Miss A. Burnham, on Red River. This, with the two papers relating to the school at Wheelock, will, I trust, furnish you with the facts necessary to be embodied in your report to the War Department.
Respectfully, &c.,
ALFRED WRIGHT.
To Captain William Armstrong,
United States Agent.
Extract from the annual report of A. M. M. Upshaw, esq..
U. S. Agent for the Chickasaws.
“In the Chickasaw district there is no school; but some few of the half-breeds send some of their children to the missionaries, none of whom are in the Chickasaw district. I think there are not more than seven or eight children going
to school in the nation. The Chickasaws have some boys at Col. R. M. Johnson’s school in Kentucky, and from letters I have seen from the boys, show evident marks of improvement. But I am, and so are the Chickasaws, very much in favor of a school in their own district, on the manual-labor plan, which plan they hope the Secretary of War may make as soon as convenient. The boys went to Kentucky, because there was no school here, and the boys had arrived at an age when they had no time to spare. Those boys that have been there a few years, and returned to their nation, are very much improved—much more improved than could have been reasonably expected.”
Quapaw Mission,
September 18, 1843.
Dear Sir: Having obtained permission and received encouragement from you to proceed with our missionary operations, I take the liberty to repeat to you the state of the Indian school under my care in the Quapaw nation.
The school was opened on the 27th day of March last, with nine scholars, which soon increased to sixteen, and subsequently to twenty-three. The average number of scholars in constant attendance, from the commencement of the school until the present time, is about sixteen. The children all began with the alphabet, having (as some of the oldest boys informed me) never before seen a book. They could neither speak nor understand a word in the English language. They can now spell in one, two, and three syllables, and understand many things in common conversation, and are learning to speak the English language much faster than was anticipated. The school is conducted on the manual-labor plan. The children board at the mission, and are supported by the missionary society of the Methodist Episcopal Church and individual donations.
We hope to have means in a few months, that will enable us to make additional improvements, and to board, clothe, and instruct at least twenty or thirty children.
Very respectfully, &c.
S. G. PATTERSON.
Col. B. B. R. Barker, Sub-Agent.
Creek Agency, September 5, 1843.
Sir: In compliance with the regulations of the department, I have visited and inspected the school under the charge of Doctor Wm. N. Anderson, several times during the past year; and the school at the Cussita Square, under the charge of Mr. John R. Baylor, once since its establishment in July last. The reports from the principals of those schools will show the number of scholars (about 50, who are pretty regular in attendance) and the studies they have pursued. They both present in a strong light the difficulty of securing regular attendance in their pupils, owing to the impossibility, under the present mode of tuition, of furnishing meals for the scholars at mid-day, as the irregular mode of living of the Indians generally does not enable the children to take their meals with them.
From my own observation, I am decidedly of the opinion that two large schools in this nation—one at this agency, and the other at Tuckabatchee town on the Canadian—provided with a principal teacher of liberal education, who shall be at the same time a minister of the Gospel, with a competent number of sub-teachers under his supervision, and having means prepared for boarding the scholars, will do ten times the good that could be effected by a number of small establishments dispersed over the country. If the whole Creek fund were applied here, with the unexpended accumulation of it now in the treasury, it would be sufficient to erect buildings suitable for the accommodation of teachers and fifty boarders, and for defraying the whole expense of the establishment. A system of school discipline could then be enforced, especially as regards regular attendance, the greatest barrier to their advancement; and the scholars would insensibly fall into the habits and manners of the whites, from living constantly at the school; while, by the day-school system, they are exposed to the influence of the Indian habits, by spending so much of their time at home with their parents and playmates. To make proficiency in learning or civilization, it is necessary that they should be entirely taken away from their parents, which can only be done by the boarding-school system. In addition to the boarders, all the children of the neighborhood, that could not be accommodated as boarders, could go as day
scholars, who would doubtless profit by the examples of regularity and diligence which could be enforced on the boarders. I could enlarge very much on the subject, but only desire at the present time to set forth the advantage of a system by which large masses of scholars might be taught at boarding-schools, and to show the disadvantages of the day-school plan. In every point of view, a large establishment, especially among Indians, is better than a small one; there will always be found in it more emulation, system, spirit, and efficiency; and I shall be much pleased to find that the Commissioner takes the same view of the subject that I do, and (that he) will, in the event of the whole Creek fund being sent here, authorize such disposition of it as I have proposed.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. L. DAWSON, Creek Agent.
Capt. W. Armstrong,
Acting Supt., W. T., Choctaw Agency.
Creek Agency, September 5, 1843.
Sir: In compliance with your requisition, the following statement, respecting the school under the charge of myself and wife, has been prepared.
Little change in the number of scholars has occurred since our last annual report.
We have had thirty-eight scholars in all; of these, only about twenty have been regular in their attendance. Those who have been regular, have made good progress in all the branches to which they have attended; the others have learned comparatively little.
The following branches have been taught, viz: English grammar, arithmetic, reading, writing, and spelling. Of the above pupils, twenty-seven are males, and eleven females. I am every year more convinced of the inadequacy of the present system of education to the wants of this people, and the necessity of adopting some plan by which the scholars could be boarded at the school, and caused to attend regularly. If the intelligent part of the nation were compactly settled, good schools would be supported; but, unfortunately, this is not the case.
There is a large portion of the nation that has not en-
joyed the advantages of education, and have made little advancement in the arts of civilized life, and consequently do not prize the advantages of education properly; as such, when they are convenient enough to school, leave it entirely to their children’s choice to attend school or not.
I am pleased to be able to inform you that the cause of education is gaining rapidly; and if I had the means to board, our school would be full and well attended. I feel well assured that, if the children of the indigent could be furnished with dinner each day, (which could be provided at a small expense,) it would be a sufficient inducement for them to attend regularly. I think this plan worthy of trial, and, if it should prove ineffectual, it could be abandoned.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. N. ANDERSON.
Captain James L. Dawson,
Creek Agent.
School-house, Cussita Square,
September 5, 1843.
Sir: In obedience to your instructions, I came here on the first of July, to ascertain if the number of scholars which could be procured would justify the establishment of the school, in conformity to the wishes of the Creeks who applied for it. I found, on inquiry, that a school could be formed of about twenty scholars—since increased to thirty-five. Some of them half-breeds partially taught, but chiefly full-bloods. Since my arrival here, I have given close attention to their instructions; and their progress, though slow, has been such as to give hope and encouragement for the future. With those entirely ignorant of English, progress will necessarily be very slow; but a beginning has been made, and the first great object advanced—that of subjecting them to habits of attention and discipline. These secured, the final object must be accomplished in due season. It is exceedingly difficult to get regular attendance, especially as the scholars must eat in the middle of the day, and there is by the present system no provision made for them. The Indian habits are so irregular, that but few are enabled to bring provision with them. An arrangement by which one of the neighboring Indian fam-
ilies could give the children their noonday meal would be judicious. In the first outset, it is difficult to control Indian Children, at best. If they are punished, they will not come back to school; and their parents consent with an ill grace, if at all, to punishment. So that everything at the outset is to be done by conciliation and policy, through the agency of the chiefs of the town operating on the parents. I feel confident, however, of mastering these slight difficulties, and making the school efficient and useful.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. R. BAYLOR, Teacher C. N.
Captain J. L. Dawson,
Creek Agent.
Tah-le-quah, Cherokee Nation, June 16, 1843.
Respected Sir: By request, I write and address this communication to you, informing you of the state of the Methodist society in the Cherokee nation.
This nation lies within the bounds of the Arkansas annual conference; and it is divided into two circuits—the upper and lower. The last conference, which was held in November last, appointed twelve of its members (eight whites and four Cherokees) to labor in this nation for the benefit of the Cherokee people. Three of the white preachers were appointed with the view of being employed in the public schools in the nation, by the earnest solicitation of the members of the Methodist society; but, in consequence of the partiality and bias of the superintendent of public schools in the nation, their designs have been entirely frustrated, and the wishes of the people not realized. There are also fifteen local preachers in the nation—making, in the whole, twenty-seven. There are about one thousand four hundred members belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Cherokee nation at the present time, and the societies generally are in a prosperous condition. There are Sunday-schools in many of our societies, all in a flourishing condition. In some of these, the instruction is given in the Cherokee language, and in some the English. This is, probably, as correct information as I am able to give.
Yours, very respectfully,
J. F. COLLINS.
P. M. Butler, Esq., Agent.
Fairfield, June 19, 1843.
Dear Sir. In reply to your inquiries of the 17th instant, I would say, that at this mission station there reside, as missionaries, myself, Mrs. Butler, and Miss Esther Smith. Miss Smith is the teacher of the school. For the last two years, there have been forty different members; and the average number has been twenty-five. There are now almost daily eleven girls and fourteen boys in attendance.
In my family, there are four children of my own; one Cherokee young woman, who received her education at Dwight; one orphan Cherokee girl, who has learned to read and write, but for several years has been afflicted with weak eyes, which, at times, renders her nearly blind; also, three Cherokee girls who attend the school.
I have a small farm of about thirty acres. The labor on this farm is done by Cherokees.
About a year since, we engaged in building a house for public worship. Some opposition to this was manifested by some white citizens in the neighborhood; but we have nearly completed a comfortable house for worship, fifty feet long by thirty wide. About four hundred gratuitous days’ labor has been done by the neighbors on the house, besides thirty days’ team work.
My own time is mostly spent in the practice of medicine, for which I received but little compensation. Our church here consists of seventy-four members, mostly Cherokees. We have, also, a Sabbath school of thirty members.
Very respectfully, &c.,
ELIZUR BUTLER.
Gov. P. M. Butler.
Park Hill, July 5, 1843.
Sir: In compliance with your request, I take pleasure in furnishing you with the following brief report relative to the establishment and progress of common schools in the Cherokee nation.
It is evident that a great deal cannot be said at present respecting the progress of education among us by common schools, because but eighteen months have yet elapsed since
our common-school system went into operation. I rejoice, however, that what little I can report (is) of a favorable and encouraging character.
Our law which authorizes the establishment of schools was passed in December, 1843, (1841?) . And as the nation is divided off into eight districts or counties, the schools are distributed according to the following ratio, viz: Delaware, Going Snake, and Flint districts, two schools each; Skin Bayou, Illinois, Canadian, Tah-le-quah, and Saline districts, one each; which make, in all, eleven schools that are supported out of the interest of the national school-fund due the nation.
During the last year, ten out of eleven schools were in successful operation; and something over four hundred children were collected, and received instruction in several of the elementary branches of education. This year, all the schools provided for are in operation; and the average attendance at the several schools is about the same as last year, which will swell the whole number of scholars to near five hundred. But these eleven schools thus established and supported by the nation, with the several mission and other neighborhood schools, do not more than half supply the demands for schools throughout the nation. The interest felt in schools, and in education generally, by the people, I think is rapidly increasing; and, no doubt, as this interest increases, efforts to add to the number of schools will be made by the people themselves. At present, everything is found, and the whole expense borne by the nation, in keeping up the several schools, with the exception of building and finishing off the school-houses, which is done by the people where any school may be established.
You will observe, that five hundred and thirty-five dollars are allowed each school for the support of teachers, the purchase of books, and to defray other contingent expenses; and; also, two hundred dollars for the support of orphan children while attending school; and from five to ten orphan children are thus supported at each of the several schools annually. Our school teachers are all white men, with the exception of two who are Cherokees. One of the white men is a citizen by marriage. The white teachers are nearly all from the northern states. The
branches taught are reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, English Grammar, history and, in some instances, bookkeeping.
I am your, in haste,
S. FOREMAN.
Superintendent of Common Schools in the Cherokee Nation.
P. M. Butler, Esq., Cherokee Agent.
The missionaries of the United Brethren’s Church have under their care a church of about eighty Cherokees, and two schools—one near Baittie’s prairie, in charge of Rev. M. Vogler and Mr. D. F. Smith, numbering from twenty to thirty scholars; the other on Spring Creek, in charge of Messrs. G. Bishop and H. Ruede, numbering from ten to fifteen scholars.
Dwight, Cherokee Nation,
June 24, 1843.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 17th, requesting information respecting our school, was duly received; and I now cheerfully hasten to answer it. During the last year, we have sustained an interesting school of from forty-seven to fifty girls. About forty-five have been regular boarding scholars. Two teachers (Mr. and Mrs. Day) are regularly employed in their instruction.
Yours, very respectfully,
JACOB HITCHCOCK.
Hon. P. M. Butler.
Mount Zion, July 18, 1843.
Dear Sir: I should have attended to your request by Mr. Duval sooner, but for ill health, though I have nothing of special interest to communicate. This was not designed for a large mission station, nor for a boarding school. My object was to teach a neighborhood school, with the assistance of Mrs. Butrick, a part of the year, and devote the other part to itinerating. A year last winter, we commenced school with favorable prospects. The whole number of
scholars was about fifty; though the average number, I presume, did not exceed thirty. Before the expiration of winter, however, I was attacked with a pulmonary complaint, from which I have not yet recovered. I employed a teacher to continue the school one term, at the rate of $20 per month. In September last, Mrs. Butrick and myself again attempted the care of the school, and continued till the middle of November, when I was again prostrated by a more severe attack, and am still a mere invalid; though I have lately commenced preaching and attending school with Mrs. Butrick, she performing most of the labor. We have not far from twenty scholars. In this vicinity, the children are peculiarly interesting and desirous of improvement.
Morality and religion have made some advances in the course of three years. Their ball-plays were frequent on the Sabbath; and whiskey, like a resistless torrent, seems to bear away the population before it. Now, a great part, I think, of the community live agreeably to the principles of total abstinence, and many of the citizens attend religious worship on the Lord’s day. It is, however, greatly to be lamented that this sacred day is by no means observed as it should be. Being the bulwark of religion, morality and good order, we must readily suppose that United States agents, and officers of every description, will lend their aid in promoting the sacred observance of this holy day in the private and public worship of God. That many of the Cherokees are making laudable improvement, I need not say is evident to every observer.
Respectfully, yours,
D. S. BUTRICK.
Gov. P. M. Butler,
Cherokee Agency.
Dwight, Cherokee Nation, July 3, 1843.
Sir: In answering your inquiries respecting the school and other missionary operations of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions among the Cherokees, it may not be amiss to repeat much of what I wrote last year, as that report did not reach you in season.
The board have, at present, four stations: Dwight,
Fairfield, Park Hill, and Mount Zion. Besides these, a native preacher is stationed at Honey Creek.
The missionaries and assistants now at these stations are:
At Dwight Mr. Jacob Hitchcock, superintendent, who joined the mission anno Domini 1820; Mrs. Hitchcock, 1821; Miss Ellen Stetson, 1821; Miss Hannah Moore, 1841; Mr. Kellog Day and Mrs. Day, teachers, 1841.
Fairfield, Rev. Elizur Butler, M. D., who joined the mission east of the Mississippi anno Domini 1820; west, 1839; Mrs. Butler, 1827, 1839; Miss Esther Smith, teacher, 1832.
Park Hill, Rev. S. A. Worcester, 1825, 1835; Mrs. Worcester, 1825, 1839; Miss Nancy Thompson, 1826, 1837; Miss Mary Avery, teacher, 1839.
Mount Zion, Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, 1818, 1839; Mrs. Butrick, 1826, 1839.
At each of these stations, except Mount Zion, a school has been taught the principal part of the year past; at Mount Zion only between two and three months. The only boarding-school is at Dwight; and only there is the school made the leading object of attention. At Fairfield and Mount Zion the leading object is the preaching of the Gospel. Medical practice also requires much of the time of the missionary at Fairfield. At Park Hill, besides the preaching of the Gospel, a leading object of attention is the preparation and publication of books in the Cherokee language.
The school at Dwight is, at present, a school for girls only. The whole number of scholars, within a year past, has been 61. Average attendance about 47—all Cherokees. Of the whole number, 56 have been boarded at the station, at the expense of the board. Five have boarded with their parents or elsewhere. Of the school at Fairfield, I suppose Dr. Butler will give you an account. At Park Hill the whole number of scholars has been 47, and the average attendance not far from 20—all Cherokees except five, who are my own children. At Mount Zion the attendance was very irregular; as many as 50 having attended more or less, while yet the average may not have exceeded 15.
Besides the missionaries, the board have under their care two native preachers, Rev. John Huss and Rev. Stephen
Foreman. Mr. Huss is supported by the board, and has the care of a church at Honey Creek. Mr. Foreman is my assistant in translating, and is supported partly by the board and partly by the Cherokee nation, in the capacity of superintendent of schools.
The printing-press at Park Hill was first set up at Union in the year 1835, and removed to Park Hill in 1837. Since it was first set up at Union, the following books and pamphlets have been printed:
| In the Cherokee Language | |||
| Title | No. of Pages | Size | No. of copies |
| Child’s Book | 8 | 18 mo. | 200 |
| Cherokee Primer (two editions) | 24 | 24 to. | 4,500 |
| Catechism (two editions) | 8 | 24 to. | 3,000 |
| Selected Passages of Scripture | 24 | 24 to. | 5,000 |
| Cherokee Hymns | 48 | 24 to. | 5,000 |
| 68 | 24 to. | 5,000 | |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1836 | 24 | 12 mo. | 450 |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1838 | 24 | 12 mo. | 500 |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1839 | 36 | 12 mo. | 2,000 |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1840 | 36 | 12 mo. | 1,800 |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1842 | 36 | 12 mo. | 1,000 |
| Cherokee Almanac for 1843 | 36 | 12 mo. | 1,000 |
| Tract on Marriage | 12 | 12 mo. | 1,500 |
| Tract on Temperance | 12 mo. | 1,500 | |
| Gospel of John (two editions) | 100 | 24 to. | 6,500 |
| Gospel of Matthew | 120 | 24 to. | 3,000 |
| Epistles of John (two editions) | 20 | 24 to. | 8,000 |
| Cherokee Laws | 54 | 12 mo. | 1,000 |
| Methodist Discipline | 45 | 24 to. | 1,000 |
| Address on Intoxicating Drink | 8 | 24 to. | 5,000 |
| Message of Principal Chief (in Cherokee and English) | 12 | 24 to. | 1,000 |
| Special Message of do, do | 8 | 24 to. | 1,000 |
| In the Creek Language | |||
| Child’s Guide | 24 | 16 mo. | |
| Muscogee Teacher | 54 | 18 mo. | |
| In Choctaw | |||
| Choctaw Friend | 190 | 12 mo. | 3,000 |
| Choctaw Reader | 126 | 12 mo. | |
| Choctaw Constitution and Laws | - | 12 mo. | |
| Methodist Discipline | 48 | 24 to. | |
| Epistles of John | 27 | 24 to. | 2,000 |
| Child’s Book on the Soul | 16 | 24 to. | 1,000 |
| Child’s Book on the Creation | 14 | 24 to. | 400 |
| Bible Stories | 23 | 24 to. | 400 |
| Choctaw Almanac for 1836 | 16 | 24 to. | |
| Choctaw Almanac for 1837 | 24 | 24 to. | |
| Choctaw Almanac for 1839 | 24 | 24 to. | |
| Choctaw Almanac for 1843 | 44 | 24 to. |
We have also printed a small Primer in the Wea language.
All these, except the Tract on Marriage, Cherokee and Choctaw Laws, Chiefs’ Messages, Methodist Discipline, in Cherokee and Choctaw, and the Wea Primer, have been published at the expense of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and by far the greater part for gratuitous distribution. Within the year past, I believe, we have only printed the later Cherokee Laws, Chiefs’ Messages, Choctaw and Cherokee Almanacs and the second edition of the Epistles of John. We are now printing 5,000 copies of the Acts of the Apostles.
The number of Cherokee members in the churches under the care of the Board, as nearly as I can ascertain, is as follows: Dwight, 29; Fairfield, 65; Park Hill, 22; Honey Creek, 47; Mount Zion, 28; 1991 in all.
Of the amount expended by the Board “for education purposes,” I really have not the means of forming even a tolerable estimate. The sum reported by the treasurer as expended for the Cherokee mission, for the year ending August, 1842, was nearly $8,200. Perhaps the sum for the current year may be nearly the same. But what part of this should be regarded as expended for the purpose of education, I dare not attempt to estimate.
Having the honor to be secretary of the Cherokee Temperance Society, I have better means than any other person to report the program of that important association. The society was organized, under its present constitution, in the autumn of 1836. Its members sign the following pledge:
“We hereby solemnly pledge ourselves that we will never use, nor buy, nor sell, nor give, nor receive, as a drink, any whiskey, brandy, rum, gin, wine, fermented cider, strong beer, or any kind of intoxicating liquor.”
On the list of signers to this pledge, I find the names of 1,752 persons, of whom I recognize about 160 as white or black persons; and we may, perhaps reckon about 25 or 30 more as such, whom I do not know, and cannot distinguish by their names. This will leave about 1,560 Cherokees who have signed the pledge. How many of these have broken the pledge I cannot tell. Certainly not a few. But if we allow one-third of the whole number, (which I take to be a very large allowance), it leaves more than a thousand Cherokees
who abstain entirely from the use of intoxicating drinks of all kinds, and from all traffic in them. And I suppose a considerable number more could be found who are equally abstinent, and who only lack opportunity to add their names. I may add, too, that I hear of violations of the pledge much less frequently within two years past than formerly; and that, though intemperance is still prevalent to an alarming degree, yet public sentiment seems to me more and more in favor of total abstinence.
