Edwardsville Spectator

The following extract of a letter from David Brown, a pious and well-educated Cherokee, contains a pleasing account of the advancement made by his countrymen in the science of government, and in the comforts and refinements of civilization. The letter is addressed to the editor of the Family Visitor, and is dated Willstown, Cherokee nation, September 2d, 1825.

Col. Starr.

The Cherokee nation—you know, is in about 35 north latitude; bounded on the north and west by the State of Tennessee, on the south by Alabama, and on the east by Georgia and North Carolina. The precise quantity of land over which the Cherokees claim sovereignty, is not yet ascertained, and consequently I cannot say, but this I can readily say, they have no more to spare. This country is well watered; abundant springs of pure water are found in every part. A range of majestic and lofty mountains stretch themselves across the nation. The northern part of the nation is hilly and mountainous. In the southern and western parts, there are extensive and fertile plains, covered partly with tall trees, through which beautiful streams of water glide. These plains furnish immense pasturage; and numberless herds of cattle are dispersed over them. Horses are plenty, and are used for servile purposes. Numerous flocks of sheep, goats, and swine, cover the valleys and hills. On Tennessee, Ustanala, and Coosa rivers, Cherokee commerce floats. The climate is delicious and healthy; the winters are mild. The spring clothes the ground with its richest scenery.—Cherokee flowers of exquisite beauty and variegated hues, meet and fascinate the eye in every direction. In the plains and valleys, the soil is generally rich; producing Indian corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, oats, indigo, sweet and Irish potatoes. The natives carry on considerable trade with the adjoining States; and some of them export cotton in boats down the Tennessee to the Mississippi, and down that river to New Orleans.—Apple and peach orchards are quite common; and gardens are cultivated and much attention paid to them. Butter and cheese are seen on Cherokee tables. There are many public roads in the nation, and houses of entertainment kept by natives. Numerous and flourishing villages are seen in every section of the country. Cotton and woolen cloths are manufactured here. Blankets of various dimensions, manufactured by Cherokee hands, are very common. Almost every family in the nation grows cotton for its own consumption, Industry and commercial enterprise are extending themselves in every part. Nearly all the merchants in the nation are native Cherokees. Agricultural pursuits, the most solid foundation of our national prosperity, engage the chief attention of the people. Different branches in mechanics are pursued. The population is rapidly increasing. In the year 1819, an estimate was made of all the Cherokees; those on the west were estimated at 5,000, and those on the east of the Mississippi, at 10,000 souls. The census of this division of the Cherokees has again been taken within the current year, and the returns are thus made: native citizens, 13,553; white men, married in the nation, 147; white women, do. 73; African slaves, 1,277. If this summary of Cherokee population from the census, is correct, to say nothing of those of foreign extract, we find that in six years the increase has been 3,563 souls. If we judge the future by the past, to what number will the Cherokee population swell in 1850? How vain then to talk of Cherokee deterioration!

White men in the nation enjoy all the immunities and privileges of the Cherokee people; except that they are not eligible to public offices. In the above computation of the present year, you perceive that some African slaves are among us. They have been, from time to time, brought in and sold by white men; they are, however, generally well treated, and they much prefer living in the nation to reside in the United States. There is hardly any intermixture of Cherokee and African blood.—The presumption is, that the Cherokees will at no distant day, co-operate with the humane efforts of those who are liberating and sending this proscribed race to the land of their fathers. National pride, patriotism, and a spirit of independence, mark the Cherokee character.

The Christian religion is the religion of the nation. Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and Moravians, are the most numerous sects. Some of the most influential characters are members of the church, and live consistently with their profession. The whole nation is penetrated with gratitude for the aid it has received from the United States' government, and from different religious societies. Schools are increasing every year; learning is encouraged and rewarded. The younger class acquire the English, and those of mature age the Cherokee system of learning. The female character is elevated and duly respected. Indolence is discountenanced. Our native language, in its philosophy, genius and symphony, is inferior to few if any in the world. Our relations with all nations, savage or civilized, are of the most friendly character. We are out of debt, and our public revenue is in a flourishing condition. Beside the amount arising from imports, a perpetual annuity is due from the United States, in consideration of lands ceded in former periods. Our system of government, founded on republican principles, by which justice is equally distributed, secures the respect of the people. Newtown, pleasantly situated in the centre of the nation, and at the junction of Coosa and Oostanala, two beautiful streams, is the seat of government. The legislative power is vested in, what is denominated in the native dialect, Tsalagi Tinilawigi, consisting of a national committee and council. Members of both branches are chosen by and from the people for a limited period. In Newtown, a printing press is soon to be established, and a National Library, and a Museum. An immense concourse of people frequent the seat of government when Tsalagi Tinilawigi is in session, which takes place once a year.