stowed in translating for the adult, and
in torwarding by judiciouns means every
branch of civilization as cssential to
guard against a relapse, the succeeding
generation wiil, in my opinion, appear as
a new race of beings.”
From the Rev. Cyrus Kingshury to Tho
mas L. McKenney, Mayhew, Bih Feb
ruary, 1830,
Tuomas L. McKexyy, 1249
Q[fice of Indian Afjairs:
Sir: I take the liberty of transmitting
tothe War Department a few remarks
and statewents designed to show the pro
gress w hich has been made by the Choe
taws towards a state of civilization,
Such a statement will, 1 hope, be ac
ceptable to the government, and it is
certainly due to the Choctaws, who have
made such commendable exertions for
their own improvement. In turning their
attention to the arts of civilized life, to
the education of their children, and to
the precepts of the Gospel, they feel the
satistaction of having followed the ad
vice of their great Father, the President,
and of the Secretary of War, often re
peated both in written communications
and by those who have spoken in their
names, |
I «m aware that very different views'
arc entertained of the improvements re-|
ported to have been made by some of]|
the Indian tnibes. Those who are not|
atinately acquainted with the Indians,|
nd who form their estimate by compar-/
v them with the eitizens of our own
cighly favored country, will regard them
as still in a very degraded and wretched
condition,
Those who are the better acqlmintcd';
with them, and who are able to compare’
their present state with what it formerly
was, must admit that a great advance has
been made. Comparing the present
condition of the Choctaws in those paits
of the nation which have enjoyed the
advantages of instruction, with what it
was cight, or even five years ago, it may
be doubted whether any considerable
portions of the civilized world present
specimens of equal improvement accom
plished within the same space of time.—
In the statements which follow, I shall
confine myseclf’ principally to facts; that
the Department may be able to judge for
themselves as to the correctness of' the
above remark. Eight years ago intem
perance prevailed irom one end of the
land to the other. In the space of two
months, ten Indians in this district ulmu:?
lost their lives by whisky. At this time
intemperance within the nation is hardly
known. ‘
In July, 1828, T attended the distribu-|
tion of the annuity to wo districts, on|
which occasion there were present from!|
4,000 to 5,000 Indians—nen, wnm(‘n!
and children. They were together four’
days, and not an intoxicated one was seen
until after the business was closed.—
Some whisky had been secreted at a dis
tance from the place, and, as the law
prohibiting the introduction of it indo that
part of the nation was not to go into el
fect until fifteen days from that time,
gome, alter leaving the place, obtained
it, and become intoxicated, Since that
time, I am not aware that whisky has’
bheen used at any council or eollection of
Indians, held by order of the chiefs for
the transaction of business. l
The Choctaws, however, have not all
lost their appetite for whisky, nor is it/
supposed that a majority of them are re
strained from intemperance by the force
of moral prineiple; but so scusible had
they become of the destrnetive eflects of
this vice, that a law prohibiting entirely |
the introduction of whisky into the nation,
as an article of tratlie, was proposed by
the chiefs, and obtained an almost uni
versal support ina general council of the
warriors. There cannot be a question,
that less ardent spirit is now used in the
Choctaw nation, whether we consider
the extent of territory, or the amount of
pulation, than in any other part of the
Y?nitml States. It ks only when we go
to the borders of the surrounding settle
ments that we sec Indians intoxicated
There, a few unprincipled white men,/
equally regardiess of the laws of God
and of their country, continue, for filthy
lucre’s sake, to sell the deadly poison to
those Indians who resort thither |
Other evidences of inproveinent we'
have in the increase of industry, and a
consequent advance in dress, furniture,
and all the comforts and conveniences of
civilized life. It has been remarked by
many, that the fields of the Indians have
never been kept in so good order, and,
mavaged with so much industry, as l'nri
the two past years, At councils and nth-l
er lurge meetings, the Indians, especial-)
Iy inibe Northern and Western districts,!
appenr coinlortably and decently, and
some ol them nehly elad. A great de-!
<oe s motested to obtain furniture for
their Lovees o and some are already sup
plhicd “0 o 0 manner not inferior to that of
BeW ol lors inour own country, ‘
e vosuit of a eensus taken in 18‘28,'
in 10 Northeast district, was as follows,
viz: population, 56275 nett cattle, 11,
661 5 horses, 3,971 oxen, 112 ; hogs,
22,047 5 sheep, 136 5 spinning wheels,
5295 looms, 124; ploughs, 360, wagons,
32; blacksmiths’ shops, 75 coopers’ shops,
2; carpenters’ shops, 2; white men with
Choctaw families, 22; schools, 5; scho
lasr, in a courge of instruction, about 150,
In one clan, with a population of 313, |
who eight years ago were almost entirely
Jestitute of property, grossly intemperate
and roaming from place to place, there
are now lasugmrscs, 511 cattle, 853 hogs,
7 looms, 78 spinning wheels, 35 plouggs,‘.
7 oxen, 1 school, and 20 or 25 scholars.
Some of their mechanical shops, and
many of their tools, bear a poor compari-|
son with what we find in civilized lnnds,"
and would be ¢onsidered of little use by
those who have good ones; yct to these
'pm»plc they are ol'grent value, And it
must excite pity in every one who looks
into their circumstunces, to see them lu-{
boring to cultivate the soil, build houses, |
‘manufucture cloth, and struggling to rise |
from their deep poverty, by the aid of
such miserable toels as many of them are |
obliged to use, I
' The Northeast district, in 1828, appro-|
priated $1,500 of their annuity for the es
tablishment and support of 1,1n.(-l(s|l|itl|.~;’i
shops. 1n 1829, they appropriated their|
'whole annuity to similar objects. As an|
‘evidence of industry and public spirit, 1|
‘would mention that in one neighborhood
‘the natives have built a smiths’ shop, !
‘chopped wood for a large coal pit, and
‘carried it on their backs to the place of
'setting ;3 have built a house for their|
’blucl\smith, and cleared for him a field,
wl' twelve acres, all with their own humls;'
‘they have purchased with their annuity a
sct of tools, and iron and steel to the
amount of %200, and have engaged to
pay their smith %300 more annually for!
three years Similar provision has been
made for shops in other places. ‘
Another evidence of the progress of
improvement among the Choctaws, is the
organization of a eivil government. Inl
1826 a general couneil was convened, at
which a constitution was adopted, and,
legislative powers were delegated to a
national committee and council, whose |
acts, when approved by the chiefs, bc-l
came the supreme laws of the land. 1
‘have now before me a manuscript (‘odo,‘
lcontaining 22 laws, which have been
‘enacted by the constituted authorities, !
:nnd, so far as | know, carried into com-'
iplete exccution. Among the subjects
embraced by these laws, are thelt, mur-,
er, infanticide, marriage, polygamy, the
making of willg, and setthng of estates, |
trespass, false testimony, what shall be,
considered lawful enclosures around
fields, &e. &e. !
| Aunother evidence of improvement wci
‘have in the abalishing of ancient and in-|
Jurious customs: The erection of poles
iiu honor of the dead; crying at these|
'poles morning, noon and night, for weeks'
‘and months; large meetings for fi'nstin;.v,,l
‘dancing, and intemperance, when the
'poles are pulled down, have been fruitful
(sources of poverty and heentiousness to
‘the Choctaws. These practices, inter-|
(woven as they were with the strongest |
prejudices and superstitions of the pcuplct
have been abolished by an unanimous
| vote in a general council of the Western|
(district; and they are fast going out of;
'practice; or becoming greatly modified
liu the other parts of the nation. The!
killing of persons for witcheraft, by which'
‘innocent blood has been shed, is now|
hardly known, |
| A great desire for the education of|
‘their children furnishes another proof of
| the advancement of the Choctaws. ]’cti-l
{,tinns are frequently made, requesting the
|| establishment of new schools. Numbers,
’mem have applied for admission to the|
| boarding schools than could be rm-civcd.,
| Nothing is now wanting but suitable per- |
'sons and adequate means to extend the |
‘advantages of education to all parts of|
|the Choctaw nation. |
' The preaching of the Gospel has, with-lI
in the two past years, been attended with
;\'cry happy eficcts. To its influence!
(must be ascribed much of that impulsc;
'wlxi«:h has recently been given to the
progress of civilization in the more fa-|
vored parts of the nation. The light
‘which the Gospel has diffused, and the!
‘moral principles it has imparted to adult
Choctaws, have laid a foundation for|
'stability and permancncy in their im-i
‘provements, In this distriet, cighty-two|
‘natives, principally heads of families, are!
"members of the church, All these, with |
:ulm exception, have maintained a can-;
sistent christian character, and would do|
honor to any Christian community. i
| So far as relates to the suppression of|
Antemperance, and the salutary eficets of|
the laws generally, the preceding re
marks will apply, with tew exceptions, to,
(the whole nation. The direct influence
ofthe Gospel and of schools 15 more lim-!
Ated in its efiects, and, as yet, is princi-|
pally coniined to those parts of the nation
which have enjoyed the means of instruc-|
tion. But what has been effected in!
some parts of the nation, proves wlmt;
raay be effected in all parts of ity by an
‘application of the same means, |
I 'would not have it understood that!
there is no opposition among the Choe-|
taws to these measures of reform and
civilization, In all communitica, mnny|
are found; who, from ignorance, proju-l
dice, or natural depravity, are opposed |
to all efforts to reform or improve snciv-i
ty. Thisis especially to be looked for]
among a heathen people. All who are
slaves to whisky, and those who have’
lost their influence and authority by in
temperance, are ready on every occa-!
sion to encourage disturbances, and, if
possible, to bring about a revolution fa
vorable to their wishes, |
l There is, however, little doubt, if the
[Choctaws are permitted to carry on their!
‘plans of civilization and self-government,
‘that the change, so auspiciously com
‘menced, will, in due time, and as fast as
the means can be furnished, be extend
ed over the nation, and they at length
become a happy and enlightened peo
ple. '
- Welooked with trembling solicitude
to the measures now in contemplation,’
as in our apprehension the anmihilation
or salvation of the Choetaws will be in
volved in the issue, It is our carnest
prayer, that, as a pation, we may .ever
forget our high and peculiar responsibil
ity to'the Sovereign of the Universe, how
we discharge the trust committed to us,
HERALD OF THE TIMES,
'as the guardians of the Indians; and that
by our acts we may declare to the world,
in the language of the political Father of’
our Country, that it is “worthy of a free,
enlightened, and great nation, to give to
mankind the magnanimous and too nov
‘el example of a people always guided by
‘an exalted justice and benevolence.” |
| lam, rc'spcctfully, your obedient ser
'vant,
P. 8. The principal part of the pre
ceding communication was prepared some
time since for publication. I now regret
that a copy had not, at that time, been
forwarded to the War Department. Isce
no reason, after the lapse of nearly a year,
to make any material alteration in the
statements, 1 ought, however, to state,
that an unprincipled white man, antici
pating what he supposed would soon be
the unpretected state of the Indian coun
try, has recently introduced whiskey in-:
to the nation, and some mischief has been|
done by it. lam happy to learn that thci
agent is determined to put a stop to such
iniquitous proceedings. I
Letter from Samuel 4. Worcester, relating
to the condition and civilization | the
’ Indians. New Echota, C’herolcc, Na- |
~ tian, March 15, 1830. ‘
Mr. Wx. S. Gooney, Washington City,l
Dear Sir: I cheerfully comply with’
your request, that 1 would forward to you
a statement respecting the progress ofim—i
provement among your people, the Che-|
rokees. Whatever might be said of the
propriety or impropriety of missionaries,
discussing the question of the removal of
the Indians, it can hardly be doubted that
it is proper for any one to give a statement
of what passes under his observation, in
regard to the present condition of the
tribes interested in that question, 1 shall
not say any thing in this communication
which I shall be unwilling to have come
before the public, accompanicd with my |
proper signature, il occasion require, t
~ Whatever deficiencies there may be in
my statements, 1 shall use my utmost en
deavor, that nothing coloured—nothing |
‘which will not bear the strictest scrutiny— |
may find a place. ’
It may not be amiss to state, briefly,!
what opportunities I have enjoyed of
forming a judgment respecting the state,
of the Cherokee people. It was four
years last October since I came to the
nation, during which time I have made it
my home, having resided two years at
Brainerd, and the remainder of the time
at this place. Though I have not spent
very much of the time in travelling, yet
I have visited alimost every part of the
nation, except a section on the Northeast. '
Two annual sessions of the General
Council have passed while 1 have been
residing at the Seat of Government, at
which times a great number of the people
of all classes and from all parts are to be
seen. |
! The statistical information which has
been published respecting this nation 1
hope you have on hand, or will recewe
from gome other sourcej it goes far to
wards giving a correct view of the state
of the people. I have only to say, thet,
judging (rom what I see around me, 1 be
lieve that a similar enumeration made the
present year would show, by the comm
rison, a rapid improvement since the cea-
Sus was taken. |
The printed constitution and laws of
your nation, also, you doubtless have.—
They, show your progress in civil politr,
As far as my knowledge extends they ave
cxecuted with a degree of efficiency, and
their execution meets with not the lewst
hindrance from any thing like a spirit of
insurbordinationamong the people. Oatls
are constantly administered in the cours
of justice, and 1 believe I have never
heard of an instance of perjury. l
‘ It has been well observed by others,
that the progress of a people in civilize-!
tion isto be determined by comparing tle
present with the past. 1 can only con
pare what 1 see with what I am told hLes
been. l
, The present principal chief is abou
Horty years of'age. When he was a hoy,
lhis father procured him a good suit o
‘clothes, in the fashion of the sens of civie|
lized people; but he was so ridiculed by
(his mates as a white boy, that he took off
'his new suit, and refused to wearit. The
leditor of the Cherokee Pharnix istwenty
lsovon years old.* ITe well remembers
(that he felt awkward and ashamed of his
{.-:ingularity, when he began to wear the
dress of a white boy. Now every boy is
proud of a civilized suit, and those l'eel‘
tnwkwurd and ashamed of their singulari-|
'ty who are destitute of it, At the lasts
isossinn of the General Council, I scarcely|
recollect having seen any members who |
'wore not clothed in the same manner as
:thn white inhabitants of the m-ig_vhlmring;
‘Stntes; and those very few (I am in['urm-'
‘ed that the precise number was four) whe |
'were partially clothed in Indian style!
,'w(-ro, nevertheless, very decently attired. |
The dress of civilized people ir general
throughout the nation. I have seen, |
‘believe, only one Cherokee woman, and
‘she anaged woman, away from her home, |
'who was not clothed in at least a decent.
‘lnng gown. At home, only one, a very |
aged woman, who appeared willing to be
‘seen in original native dress; three or|
il'nur, only, who I}n(l at t.heir honses dress-|
‘ed themselves in Indian style, but hid
themselves with shame at the approach
‘ul' a stranger. lam thus particular, be-|
cause particularity gives more accurate
ideas than general statements, Among
the elderly men there is yet a considera
ble portion, I dare not say whether a ma
jority or a minority, who retain the In
dian dress in part. The younger men|
almost all dress like the whites around
C. KINGSBURY.
them, except that the greater number
'wear a turban instead of a hat, and in
‘cold weather a blanket frequently serves,
for a clouk, Cloaks, however, are be
‘coming common, There yet remains
room for improvement in dress, but that
jimprovement is making with surprising
rapidity, '
H The arts of spinning and weaving, the
Cherokee women, generally, put in prac-|
tice. Most of their garments are of their
‘own spinning and weaving, from cotton,
lthe produce of their own fields; though!
\considerable Northern domestie, and
'much calico is worn, nor is silk uncom-|
mon, Numbers of the men wear impnrt-‘
‘ed cloths, broadeloths, &ec. and mnny‘
‘wear mixed cotton and wool, the manu-|
facture of their wives; but the greater|
‘part are clothed principally in cotton, '}
' Except in the arts olsgpinning nnd“
|wcuving, but little progress has been
'made in manufactures. A few Chero
kees, however, are mechanics.
' Agriculture is the principal employment
‘and support of the people. It is the de-|
'pcndcncc of almost every family. Asl‘
to the wandering part of the ponple,l‘
who live by the chase, if they are to be;
found in the nation, I certainly have not!
found them, nor even heard O{thcm, cx-%
!(:cpt from the floor of Congress, and oth-l
ler distant sources of information. I do
“IIO( know a single family who depend, in‘
jany considerable degree, on game for|
'support. It istrue that deer and lurk('ys|
are frequently killed, but not in suflicient
'numbers to form any dependence as thcl
’mcans of subsistence. The land is cul-|
tivated with very dillerent degrees of in-!
dustry; but I believe that few fail of an
'udvqnutc supply of food. The ground is/
’,uuil'orml_v culivated by means of the
plough, and not as formerly, by the hoe |
only. |
‘ The houses of the Cherokees are of all
'sorts; from an elegant painted or brick
‘mansion, down to a very mean log cabin. |
If we speak, however, of the mass of the
‘people, they live in comfortable log hous
es, generally one story high, but fre
'quently two; sometimes of hewn logs, and’
'sometimes unhewn; commonly with a
;womlen chimney, & a floor of puncheons,’
‘or what a New England man would call
;slabs. Their houses are not generally
iwcll furnished; many have scarcely any |
Sfurniture, though a few are furnished even
‘elegantly, and many decently, Improve
‘ment in the furniture of their houses ap=
' pears to follow after improvement in dress, |
‘but at present is making rapid progress. |
' As to education, the number who can'
ircad and write English is considerable, !
though it bears but a moderate proportion
to the whole population. Among such, |
the degree of improvement and intelli
]gence is various. The Cherokee lan-.
|guage, as far as I can judge, is read and
|written by a large majority of those be
tween childhood and middle age. Only
'a few who are much beyond middle age
'have learned. |
’, In regard to the progress of religion, T,
‘r('ulmut, I suppose, do better than to state,’
as nearly as I am able, the number of’
‘members in the churches of the several
‘denominations, The whole number of
native members of the Presbyterian chur-:
.ches is not far from 180. Inthe church
es of the Usited Brethren are about .")-1.l
In the Baptist churches 1 do not know
‘the number; probably as many as 50, |
‘The Mecthodists, I believe, reckon in so-!
|cicty more than 800; of whom I suppose’
the greater part are natives. Many of
‘the heathenish customs of the people have
‘gone entirely, or almost entirely, into dis-|
use, and others are fast following their!
steps. I believe the greater part of the |
people acknowledge the christian reli-|
gion, although many who make this ac
knowledgment know very little of that
religion; and many others do not feel its
‘power. Through the blessing of our
God, however, religion is steadily gain-
Aing ground, T o AR (
l But it will be asked, is the improve
‘ment which has been deseribed general
ramong the people, and are the full blood
ed Indians civilized, or only the half
‘breeds? 1 answer, that in the deserip
(tion which I have given, I have spoken’
of the mass of the people without distine
tion. Ifitbe asked, however, what class
‘are most advanced—l answer, as a gen
‘eral thing, those of mixed blood. They
have taken the lead, although some of
‘the full blood are as refined as any. But
though those of mixed blood are gene
‘rally in the van, asmight naturally be ex
pected, yet the whole mass ofthe people
'l2 on the march, |
l There is one other subject, on which
I think it due to justice to give my testi
‘mony, whatever it may be worth,—
' Whether the Cherokees are wise in de
siring to remain here or not, I express no
:opininn. But it is certainly just, that it
should be known whether or not they do,
las a body, wish to remain. It is not pos
gsiblc for a person to dwell among them
(without hearing much on the subject,—
/I have heard much. It is said abroad,
‘that the common people would gladly re
move, but are deterred by the chiefs,
‘and a few other influential men. It is not
:so. Nothing is plainer than that it is the
‘earnest wish of the whole body of the
people to remain where they are. They
are not overawed by the chiets. Indivi
duals may be overawed by popular opi
nion, but not by the chiofs. On the other
Thand, if there were a chief in favor of
removal, he would be overawed by the
people. He would know that he could
not open his mouth in favor of such a pro
position, but on pain, not only of the fail
ure of his re-election, but of popular
odium and scorn, The whole tide of na
tional feeling sets; in one stiong and un
‘broken current, against a removal to the
West, [
Your sincere friend,
SAMUEL A. WORCESTER.,
NEWPORT,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1830,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The General Assembly of this State
adjourned in this town on Saturday last,
at 1 o’clock, after a session of four days.
The following is a summary of the most
important business transacted since Wed
nesday :
Petition of Giles Pearce, to have all
proceedings stayed against him for the
collection of debts for two years, so that
he may have two years to pay his debts;
it was objected toby Mr. Potter, and was
not received,
An act inamendment of the act, relat
ing to proceedings in Courts was read a
second time and passed. It amends the
37th section, so as that in certain cases,
the Supreme Judicial Court may allow
only single cost and single interest in
those cases where a trial shall be had.
Twenty dollars were allowed to the
committee who audited the General Trea
surer’s account,
A resolution passed directing the hooks
and papers of the late Farmers Exchange
Bunfi, now deposited in the Branch Bank,
to be deposited in the Seerctary’s offices
Mr. Haile from the committee appoint
ed at the last Session to repair the Court
House in Bristol, reported that it was ex
pedient to make certain repairs, additions
and alterations which would cost about
slloo.—The additions and ellerations
were objected to, which caused a desul
tory debate and the committee were final
ly authorized to repair only at an expense
of not exceeding the sum of s3oo—and
the same committee were authorized to
‘cause the same to be done.
The petition of Mehitable R. Anthony,
stating many grievances but asking for
no specific relief, was read and not re
ceived, !
The petition of the first Universalist
Society in Cumberland, for a Lottery to
raise the sum of $4OOO to build a meeting
haouse, was read and referred to a com
mittee.
The petition of Joshua lunt was
granted.
The petition of Richard M. Anthony
was continued with order of notice.
The petition of the first Universalist
Society at Woonsoket Falls for Lottery
to raise $3OOO to build a meeting house,
—referred to committee,
‘ The first Universalist Society in North
' Providence, had liberty to extend the
'time of completing their Lottery grant to
‘May 7, 1832,
‘ The committee to whom the petitions
for Lotterics was reforred, reported that
they could not recoinmend granting them
at present and referred the same to the
‘House. DMr. Potter moved, that all the
'petitions for Lotteries be postponed to the
next Session of the assembly, which pass
!ml without a division.
The petition of Samuel B. Harris, a
prisoncr for debt in jail in Providence,
praying to be liberated on bond with a
stay of procecding against his person un
til the sctting of the Supreme Judicial
Court in September, was heard by Coun
sel, for the petitioner and for the eredit
ors in opposition, and was rejected, no
member voting for it,
~ The petition of Abraham Wilkingon to!
be liberated from jail on bond and t'nr{
a stay of procecdings until the setting of
the Supreme Judicial Court in Septem
ber, was heard by counsel for the peti
tioner and opposed by counsel for credit
ors and was rejected, 13 only voting in
favor.—Mr. Potter and Mr. ]luzur(ll
spoke at considerable length in favor of|
the petition, and Mr. Haile spoke :Igninst]
it on general principles, in a neat and
conclusive argument,
Isaac Wilkinson withdrew his petition,
which was a similar application with the
last,
Petition of Nathaniel Smith and others
vs, the United Congregational Society in
Barrington. Mr. Whipple moved that
the Assembly appoint a committee to
hear and ascertain the rights of the par
ties, and report to the General Assembly
the result of such hearing and examina
tion. This motion was opposed by the
respondents, and after argument by cmm-l
sel, and the same being considered by
the House, it was resolved that such a
committee be appointed, and the two
Houses separated.
- The act relating to principals and
agents or factors, was passed without ob
jection,
~ Anact in amendmment of the school act
passed, so as to authorize the nppnintment‘
by the towns of a School Committee, of
not less than five or more than thirty,
The act to authorize the town of Pro
vidence to appoint a Harbor Muaster,
passed,
~ An act passed reviving the charter of
the Warwick Central Library Cnmnnny.!
~ Thomas Mann, ot Smithfield, l‘)dwnnl|
Barber, of' Exter, and Benjamin Wells,
of Foster, were appointed a Committee
to locate and establish the turnpike r«md,,
granted upon the petition of Duty Grccnc,‘
ard others,
. Petition of Maria Brinton, granted.
- The petition of George Jones Read,
]’.clwnr(rcl"itzgoruld, and Henry Lewis,
convicts, were granted, and they were
‘ordered to be discharged from jail,
E Petitions of George Fairfield, Joscph
Whipple and James Beil, granted, on
condition they leave the State within
twenty four hours afier they are discharg
ed, and to be recommitted if found in
the State afterwards.
. Petition of Benjamin Shearman grant
ed, and discharged on condition that
his prosecutors assent,
' Petition of John Cornell granted, and
he ordered to be discharged.
}; Petition of Sally Southwick granted,
to be discharged at the expiration of the
term of her imprisonment,
| Petitions of Alvin Jenks and others,
'who are confined in jail on executions
for debt, praying to de discharged on
bonds and a stay of proceedings, were
not granted, !
| Anactreviving the charterof ihe Cum
berland Light Dragoons and Kentish
Guards, was passed.
'l Anact to prevent fraud in the weigh
ing of beef, was passed.
| Matthew Waile, Clerk ofthe Suveme
" Judicial Court, for the county of Wash
ington,was re-clected by a majority of one
| vote,
| An act passed authorizing the town of
’ Newport to appropriate a portion of their
school funds to build a school house.
| The petition of Smith Arnold and oth
‘ers, for an act to incorporate a religious
‘society, was granted,
| The petitions of the third and fifteenth
'school districts in Scituate to be author
‘ ized to levy and assess a tax in their sev
icrnl districts, sufficient to defray the ex
' pense of building school houses, were re-
Jected,
. John Mowatt, a colored man,in New
port, !)rvsentcd a petition, requesting that
‘the Town Council of Newport might be
authorized to grant him a license to sell
‘spiritous liquors, which was granted.—
(John had kept a grocery for about ten
‘ years, was respectable, conforming to
the law, and his petitton was recommend
i‘cd by some of the most respectable citi
zens, |
| The petition of Thomas Evans, late of
'London, but now of Newport, praying to
be authorized and empowered to pur
‘chase, hold, enjoy, convey and dispose
of and transmit to his heirs, real estate, in
the same manner as he could were he a
native citizen of this State, was granted.
| The Commissioners of the Farmers
and Mechanics Bank made a report of
‘their proceedings since May session,
‘which was merely of the sale of some
‘property belonging to the bank, by which
they will realize about $38,000. The re
port was read and received.
| The following gentlemen were ap
‘pointed committees to contract with phy
'sicians to attend to State prisoners con
fjned in the scveral jails, to wit:—
1 M. Chase, for Newport; Church, for
Providence; Updike, for Washington;
'Davis, for Bristol; D. Greene, for Kent.
| Mr. Updike, from the Committee on
the Ferries, reported “an act in amend
‘ment of an act regulating ferries,” which
‘was read a first time, and subsequently
postponed to the next session, on his mo
tion.
| The act exempting the members of
‘Hydraulion Company No. ¢ in Provi
‘dence, from military duty and serving as
jurymen, was passed.
| The act to prohibit the sale of lottery
tickets, nat authorized by the laws of this
State, the United States, or some one of
’:the States, was passed.
! The act to enforce the license acts re
‘ported by the Committee, and Mr. Bull’s
Jact to repeal the ten gallon act were call
ed up.
| Thisbill occupied the House until near
the close of the afternoon, and produced
‘o warm debate and was finally rejected
by a large majority.
| His Excellency the Governor commu
nicatedto the House aletter from Messrs.
Hilliard, Gray & Co. in which they state
that they had forwarded to his Excellen
¢y, by order of the Secretary of War,
492 copies of the abstract of Infantry
/Tactics, which was referred to a Com
mittee,
! Also a letter fromthe acting Governor
of Leuisiana, covering the 'resolution
of the Legislature of that State, approv
ing of the tarifl’ laws, which was commit
ted to Messrs. IHazard, Arnold, and
Bull.
| The following resolution was submit
ted for consideration by Elisha R. Potter:
“Resolred, That a committee be ap
pointed to take into consideration the ex
pediency of more effectually gurantying
the liberty of the press, in this State, and
protecting its citizens against its licen
tious abuse,”
He addressed the House in a speech
which occupied near half an hour: In
the couvrse of which he read several pas
sages from the American and Gazette,
and commented upon them with some se
verity. The resolution, on his motion
was laid on the table.
| A resolution was introduced, and advo
cated by Mr. King, to appoint a Com
mittee to revise and amend the several
"laws relating to the Narragansett In
dians, and report to next session The
agent for the Indians likewise wished
the appointment of a Committee on their
business, The whole subject was con
tinued to next session,
l The Committee to whom was referred
l,thc petition of Wi, P, Allen and others,
itn unite the two Pawtucket Turnpiko
"Corpnrutiulm, reported an act for that
purvose and to extend tho roads so as to
r.tuko in Pawtucket bridge.
’ After considerable debate the subject
‘was postponed to next gession, and Meg
sieurs Haile, Updike and Rhodes were
'nplmimml a Committee to examine the
books and papers of the old Corporation,
and report to the next session of the Gen
‘vnrnl Assembly. The Senate concurred
Iwith the addition of the Hon. N. Brown
to the Committee,
| Me. Rhodes, from the committee on