used at all. The doggeries are close by us, where every inducement is made use of to induce our people to drink; but this subject is made one of the prominent subjects once in three months regularly, and it has a good effect.

Agriculture."-If we are anything, we are agriculturists; but our ploughs are too light; many fail in their crops by superficial ploughing, in the first place; and in the second place, for want of good attendance after planting. But still, the land being very good, many make good corn. A great many horses have been sold in this vicinity during this year. We are not "mechanics nor artists;" we cannot make watch springs, nor steel plates to counterfeit bank notes; but we can make a comfortable and honest support now, with a prospect of better things before us.

All of which is respectfully submitted by your humble servant, EBENEZER HOTCHKIN.

DOUGLAS H. COOPER, Esq.,

Choctaw and Chickasaw Agent.

No. 104.

WHEELOCK, CHOCTAW NATION,

August 17, 1857.

DEAR SIR: I have received your circular from Washington, dated July 14th. I would, in reply, send you the following report for the past year:

1. The institution under my charge is the Wheelock Female Seminary. Number of boarding scholars, 25; number of day scholars, 9; total, 34; average attendance, 32. The school was in session eight months during the past year :

Four of the day scholars are boys; the rest are all girls. Their ages vary from four to nineteen. Their studies are reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, spelling and defining, geography, ancient and modern, first lessons in philosophy, singing, the Bible, Scripture catechism, and Westminster Assembly's shorter catechism.

The school fund is $1,866 67, of which $1,600 is derived from the nation, and $266 67 from the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, under whose care the school is conducted. From this fund the scholars are boarded and the salaries of those who give their whole time to the school are paid.

2. Names, &c., of employées: Samuel T. Libby, steward, from Maine, salary $150; Mrs. H. E. Libby, matron, from New Jersey, salary $100; Miss H. E. Woodward, (returned,) salary $100; Miss Lucy E. Lovell, teacher, from Connecticut, salary $100; Miss Mary W. Lovell, teacher, from Connecticut, salary $100. The last two have but lately come. One teacher gives instruction in books, the other in sewing, knitting, &c.

The above derive their support from the school fund. You will readily perceive that the allowance is very limited, and that without

some higher motive than that which the compensation furnishes the school could not be supported by it.

In the absence of a teacher, Mrs. Edwards taught the school most of the year. The scholars made good progress.

Two colored servants are employed. The following derive their support entirely from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions: John Edwards, minister, from New York, $400; Mrs. Rosanna H. Edwards, from Pennsylvania; Miss Mercy Whitcomb, housekeeper, from Maine, $100.

3. About forty acres of ground were under cultivation last year, producing two hundred bushels of corn, twenty bushels wheat, five bushels rye, and also oats, sweet potatoes, and garden vegetables. These and much more were used in the school and my family. 4. I have care of Wheelock Presbyterian church.

Quite a number of these are not in good standing.

Sabbath schools within the bounds of Wheelock church seven, containing about one hundred scholars; all Choctaws.

Our last Presbyterial report to the general assembly, which met in Lexington, Kentucky, in May last, states the total contributions to the support and spread of the Gospel at $2,296. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions appropriates annually from $6,000 to $10,000 for the support of missions and schools here.

5. The people around us are gradually improving; still they are, in many respects, very far from what we would be glad to see them. But few know much of the English language. Religion is apparently making progress, though but gradually. Many are able to read, write and cipher in their own language. They are becoming more industrious. There is much intemperance still, though the temperance cause seems to be advancing. There is progress in agriculture, especially in wheat raising. Not much of our soil is rich. The climate and productions are much the same as in this latitude further

east.

Finally, the prospect is fair that the Choctaws will become an enlightened Christian people, if white men can be content with the wide domain which they already possess, and leave the Indian in the quiet possession of what is solemnly guarantied to him.

Respectfully, yours, &c.,

D. H. COOPER, Esq.,

JOHN EDWARDS,
Superintendent W. F. S.

U. S. Indian Agent for the Choctaws and Chickasaws.

No. 105.

SPENCER ACADEMY, August 20, 1857. RESPECTED SIR: The following is the report of Spencer Academy for the year ending July, 1857:

This is a boys' school. The whole number of boys connected with the institution during the session was one hundred and thirty-two. The number present at the final examination was one hundred and six. They were of all ages, from seven years up to twenty-three years of age.

A change was made in the school on the 1st day of January, 1857. The school was then divided into a high school and into a primary department. The high school includes what was formerly the first and second divisions. The primary school includes the third division. This arrangement has worked well. The pupils have made more rapid progress than under the old arrangement. The high school met in a study room with the superintendent, and learned their lessons, and then went and recited them to two teachers-the Rev. J. Wilson and Mr. R. J. Bustle. Each class was allowed half an hour for recitation. Most of the pupils in the high school have been four sessions, and a few have been eight and nine sessions. The studies pursued in the high school have been Latin Grammar and Latin Reader, geometry, surveying, algebra, Davies' Arithmetic, Natural History, Natural Philosophy, English Grammar, astronomy, geography, composition, reading, writing, and spelling, joined with giving the definition of words. Good progress has been made in all these studies. Every morning half an hour was devoted by the whole school to reading in the Bible. Most of these pupils have recited the Assembly's shorter catechism through, both in English and in Choctaw.

The primary department has been under the care of Mr. R. J. Young. With many of these boys this is their first session. Many of them did not know their letters at the commencement of the session, but at its close most of them could read in the English New Testament. In this department have been taught reading, writing, primary geography, and the arithmetical tables. They have also been taught Brewer's Catechism for Children, and some of them the Assembly's shorter catechism. There has been no difficulty in securing obedience to the rules of the school. The general deportment of the boys has been good. They deserve commendation for their diligent attention to study and their general good behavior.

There are one superintendent and ten assistant missionaries at Spencer. They are all appointed by the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian church in the United States. Five of them are males, and six females, and all, except the steward and his wife, natives of the United States. There is also one native helper, who acts as interpreter.

The session closed June 25 with an examination of all the pupils. Captain Joseph Dukes, one of the trustees, and many of the parents, were present. They expressed themselves greatly pleased with the

progress the boys had made in their studies, as well as with the change that had been made in the arrangements of the institution.

There is but one church connected with Spencer. It has now one hundred and thirty-six members. There are, however, seven preaching places in the congregation, at all of which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered. At each of these preaching places Saturday and Sabbath schools are held. The whole number of scholars connected with them is two hundred and thirty. There have been six additions to the church, and twenty hopeful conversions among the people since the first of last May. The attendance upon public worship is generally very good. Toward the close of the session there were a few cases of bilious dysentery; one promising boy of eight years of age died of it. With these exceptions, there was very little sickness among the boys, and no other death.

The land at Spencer is so poor that but little farming is done; some eight or ten acres are cultivated in garden vegetables, corn, and potatoes.

The people are evidently improving in civilization around Spencer. They live in better houses, cultivate more lands, and raise more corn, wheat, beans, and potatoes. Nearly all the corned beaf and pork used at Spencer is purchased from the Choctaw people. To those who have for any length of time been familiar with this people the marks of improvement are very many and very manifest. A brighter future seems to be opening before them.

Respectfully, yours, &c.,

D. H. COOPER, Esq.

No. 106.

GAYLORD L. MORE,

Superintendent.

ARMSTRONG ACADEMY, CHOCTAW NATION. DEAR SIR: In compliance with my duty as superintendent of Armrong Academy, I transmit the following report in reference to the

me:

Since my last report this institution has been received by the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Foreign and Domestic Missions, under contract bearing date February 2, 1857. It became necessary during the last session to make a change in teachers. The school closed with Rev. F. A. M. Williams as principal, and Mr. F. M. Chany as assistant.

The boys made commendable progress in their various branches of study, which were as follows: spelling, reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, English grammar, philosophy, and astronomy. Three full-blood boys, that knew nothing of the English language, learned to read tolerably well in Maguffy's First Reader during the session. I was prompt during the session in religious exercises; held a two days' meeting, embracing the last Sabbath in May, during

which the good Lord poured out his spirit in our midst, that resulted in the awakening of thirty of the boys, which they manifested by taking the anxious seat. The effect was marked in their conduct during the session, and I sincerely hope will be marked through their future lives. The Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad; to Him be all the praise.

The session closed on the first of July, in the presence of Captain Robert W. Nail, trustee, and a large audience of the parents and friends of the students. Their general satisfaction was expressed. Good order prevailed during the occasion. I commenced the present session on Monday last, under the instruction of Mr. James B. Ford, as principal, and Mr. Finis Pener, as assistant teacher; the school will be full in a few days, as the boys are coming in rapidly. I am progressing with my new brick building finely; shall complete the same during the winter.

I have about eighty acres in corn, which will make about twentyfive bushels per acre; have raised about sixty pork hogs; the stock of cattle are doing well. In addition to my labors at the academy, I have endeavored to impart religious instruction in several neighborhoods; have had about fifty accessions to the church.

The people are advancing in morals and industry, yet I have to regret that dissipation and vice are prevalent in many places, and especially near the river, as there are little grog shops up and down the same every few miles. Yet I trust, under the blessing of the merciful Creator, that he will interpose and arrest this the greatest of all evils, and which alone prevents the Choctaws from speedily becoming an enlightened and prosperous people.

Sir, I remain your obedient servant,

Gen. D. H. COOPER,

W. R. BAKER, Superintendent Armstrong Academy.

Agent for Choctaws and Chickasaws.

No. 107.

BLOOMFIELD ACADEMY, C. N.,

August 17, 1857.

DEAR SIR: Your circular of the 14th ultimo has just come to hand, and I proceed at once to give the various items of information for which you inquire, as far as I am able.

Ours is a female school of forty-five scholars, on the industrial plan, under the care and direction of the Missionary Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, supported by $3,000 from the Chickasaw nation, and $500 from the missionary board above named. This joint fund of $3,500 is supposed to meet every expense of the institution.

The course of instruction the past term has been reading, writing, Colburn's Mental and Adams' New Arithmetic, Miss Swift's Natural Philosophy, Wells' English Grammar, Goodrich's United States