Richmond Enquirer

INDIAN AFFAIRS.

Mount Zion (Georgia) June 30.—We regret to learn that the Creek Nation in Council, have refused their permission to the establishment of schools and a missionary station in their country. Their jealousy of the intentions of those who wish to benefit them. is not in this case unnatural, nor was it altogether unexpected They have heretofore been compelled to make larger cessions of territory than have been made by any other tribe and from being powerful in point of numbers - they are now reduced to comparative insignificance. A considerable part of the state of Georgia the whole of the State of Mississippi and Alabama formerly belonged to them, and they fear that the attempt will be made to annex the small portion that yet remains to them to one of these states.

We are indebted to the politeness of the Rev. Dr. Brown for the following extract of a letter addressed to him by the Rev. Messrs. Thomas C. Stewart and David Humphreys missionaries and agents, employed by the Missionary society of South Carolina and Georgia, to effect the establishment of a missionary station in the Creek Nation.

Fort Mitchell, C. N May 21, 1820.

Rev And Dear Sir—After four days constant attendance upon the Indian Council we have this day received an answer to our proposition. We presented the documents from the Secretary of War, with your address; explained the whole plan to them, and endeavored with all the ingenuity we possessed, to convince them of the pure and benevolent intentions, not only of government, but also of the society by whose appointment. and under whose direction we are acting ; holding forth at the same time, the great advantage arising from their acceding to the proposed measures. They heard us patiently, and after deliberating on the subject told us that our request could not be granted. They looked upon us with a jealous eye, and as the forerunners of some scheme of the white people, to get their lands. They alleged that should we obtain permission to establish a School on the proposed plan, after some years we might demand a compensation for our trouble and expense in educating their children, and as they have no money we could take their land for pay- ment. As to our proposition to teach them the art of agriculture, they said they knew enough of that to support themselves, and that was as much as they wished With regard to their religious instructions they observed, that the Great Spirit when he first made them did not give the means of instruction, and therefore it was his will that they remain as they now are. These and many other objections of a similar nature were brought forward. which we endeavored to answer, but it was in vain to argue with them The halfblood Indians are generally anxious to have their children educated but they were afraid to use their influence in our behalf. lest they should be considered as leaguing with the white people against the full-blooded Indians Gt. M'Intosh was at this Council, made commander in Chief of the Creek Nation He told us that at some future period he would give us permission to establish schools amongst them, whatever might be the consequence : We are apprehensive, however. that it will require a considerable lapse of time before establishments can be made on the plan which the society proposes. They are extremely jealous of the white people. and every attempt to obtain land from them will meet with opposition. We have therefore concluded to visit the Chickasaw Nation before we return We are both in good health. and although we have to encounter hardships. yet we feel no disposition to relinquish the work in which we are engaged. We must close this letter, as we have several correspondents in South Carolina. and but a short time to write. If we are spared you shall hear from us again in the Chickasaw country.

T. C. STEWART.

D. HUMPHREYS.