Martinsburgh Gazette

The following letter is the production of a Choctaw Indian, living on the Military Road from Orleans-who, it is supposed, accidentally killed a white man, clerk at the store of Jack Pitchling. a half Indian, near to Columbus, in Mississippi. No one was present but the author of this letter and the man that was killed.

"Gentlemen of Columbus :-I lament very much that it fell to my lot to be the author of the death of a white man. I am the brother of the principal of the nation, (Mashulatubbee) and the son of the great chief Mingo-hoo-mastubbee. If such an idea as that of killing a white man had been in my heart. I have had all opportunities to have done it nearer home ; but, instead of that, it has always been my practice to assist the sick and lame white people on their way to their own land; I have loaned them horses, and even hired the young men of my own country to help them through the muddy part of the road, between my house and Columbus. I do not make this talk as a coward, or because I am afraid of coming to trial-I am willing to go to trial, because I know it is a disgrace to the name of my ancestors to run from the laws of my country: and I wish the white people to take the proper steps to obtain satisfaction for themselves. If they do this, they will meet me at the Agent's, on a day that he shall appoint for that purpose, where I will stand a trial, and if I am found guilty, I will surrender myself to pay for it; this I hope will satisfy the whites, and that they will not attempt to take satisfaction out of any other person. I know the Nation is friendly to the whites--they have proved themselves so; Jackson is witness. If any of your soldiers should cross the line and kill an Indian, the white people may content themselves that we will not attempt to obtain satisfaction of any other person but the one who may commit such crime; therefore, I hope the white people will not kill any of the innocent people on our side, for they may rest assured that I will come to trial. Mr. John Pitchling, Sen. will sign his name with me, as security for my appearance on the day that shall be appointed by the Agent for that purpose, and I wish every white man, who feels himself interested, to come to the trial, for his own satisfaction. This is my talk -I am firm. If the laws of my country say I must die, I shall submit ; you shall see it if you come-you shall see that I will die before I will become a disgrace to my relations or my country. It is contrary to the customs of our country, therefore be content : I will come, and do you come, as many as may think proper. I am not mad, I am not drunk. but I am your friend.

AHTOBAH, his mark.

JOHN PITCHLING,

U. S. Interpreter."