NYYM_scrapbook_209

complaints of the ill treatment of the white men, both before and since their removal. We feared there might be an outbreak by Wild Cat and his party, in thier present excited state. It was expecting that the Agents would soon remove them from the Cherokee coun- try to lands provided for them the General Govern- ment in the Creek nation; at which Wild Cat and Alligator appeared much offended. We conversed with several of the Agents and officers, and desired them to consider thier peculiar dispositions, and use all conciliatory measures in the removal of these unhappy and unfortunate beings. We also endeavoured to persuade these Seminoles to live peaceably with thier neighbors, and to break off from thier old habits and become farmers, like the Cherokees and other Indians around them. They are much given to drunkenness, stealing and other vices, and live like the wild Indians. They formerly belonged to the Creek Nation, and now speak the same language. Some of them hold slaves who serve for interpretors and sevants to them. We next visited the Creek Na- tion. They are situated south of the Chero- kees, on lands bordering on the Verdigris River, and number about Fifteen Thousand Indians, and Three or Four Thousand Slaves. We had an in- terview with Benjamin Marshall, a Native and very intelligent man, and one of the most wealthy and influential in the Nation. He informed us that every family of the Creek nation would raise enough produce the present season to supply thier wants throughout the year; they are fast improving in agriculture and domestic manu- facures, and in thier manner of living. They expect soon to manufacture all thier own clothing --many of them live in comfortable houses and dress like white people, but others still wear the blanket and are much given to dissipation They have a late become anxious that thier children should be educated, provided it could be done in thier own nation, but are generally averse to sending them abroad for this purpose. They have made application to our Government for thier school fund to be ap- propriated to education in thier nation, instead of its being spent at the Chactaw Accademy as hereto- fore. They have at this time but one school, and that is continued throughout the year. They have recently passed severe laws to prohibit the vending of ardent spirits among them; which took effect about six months ago, and those who had been opposed to the law have seen the good effects of it and become satisfied. Many of the slaves and Indians appear sober and religious--some of the slaves are approved preachers, and hold meeting regularly on first days; We attended one of these meetings, which was conducted in a moderate and becoming manner. It was composed of Indians, slaves and thier masters. Thier minister was an uneducated slave: all seemed interested in thier meeting, and several much effected, even unto tears. A slaveholder told us he was willing his slaves should go to these meetings, for it made them better men and women. The Creeks have long been slave holders, and appear insensible on the subject of this great evil. Thier laws respecting thier slaves and the Government of thier Tribe are similar to those of the Cherokees and Choctaws. Thier Country is good for agriculture, will watered and timbered, and we believe this Nation would soon become a prosperous and flourishing people, were it not for the injustice and de- structive influence of slavery within and around thier borders. A few days previous to our arriving there, about Five hundred slaves ran away from thier masters. They belonged in the Creek and Cherokee nations; this caused much excitement and a posse was sent after them from both nations. Both Church and State seemed aroused on account of these desertions, and ready to make every possible effort to recover them at all hazards; and in future to enact more