The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904 Page: 121
xvi, 340 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Cherokee Indians in Texas.
121
"My plan to extend the benefits of civil life to the Indians is to
settle in the vicinity of the Quapaws.1 . . They have not
yet assumed the habits of civilized life; their country yet abounds
in game, but it is fast disappearing before the ravages of the white
man. I own a tract of land near them. I wish to let them see my
improvements, my comfortable house, my rich meadows, my full
barn, my fine stock; in short, every comfort which industry
seconded by art can afford. Invite them frequently to see me; show
them my independence; let them see that I do not have to run
after the game, and expose my health in the wet and cold and my
life and my liberty to my enemies. This will appeal to his pride
and his honor, on which points they are extremely sensitive; emu-
lation would be the consequence for they hate to be outdone.
"I would not wholly abandon their habits; I would frequently
amuse myself at shooting, especially when they called to see me:
they think it a great mark of worth to excel in the use of the
rifle. I would indulge in many of their rural sports; I would use
the pipe as the sign of hospitality; I have experienced it, and I
know the habits which are hardest to part with or adopt, on enter-
ing the civilized life.
"The Indian, as well as the white man, clings with ardor to
early habits, and commonly resigns them at the expense of his
peace; but examples can do much, when we are in earnest and feel
what we are about. The great object will be to convert the rambler
over the forest to a domestic character. Nature has given him a
soul which disdains the chains of tyranny; convert his independence
from the ardor of war to the cultivation of peace with mankind.
Nature has taught his bosom to glow with the flame of love to the
softer sex; let domestic education turn the ardor into kindness and
attention, to an attention which shall elevate his burthened squaw
to his equal in society, to a companion of his toils and partner of
his joys. Nature has kindled the fires of parental solicitude in his
breast; let him teach his children industry, duty to their mother,
and all the innocent sports and amusements of life.
"It is easy to conceive what would be the result; the Indian wig-
'"He [Hunter], will soon revisit the great mother of waters, the Mis-
sissippi, and will carry with him the best wishes of all who have known
him for his personal prosperity, as well as for the success of his favorite
project." Monthly (London) Review, December, 1823, 381.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 7, July 1903 - April, 1904, periodical, 1904; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101030/m1/125/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.