along its western line, to Missouri river; thence up Missouri river to Puncah river, thence westwardly as far as the country is habitable; thence southwardly, to the beginning.

"The scarcity of wood renders the remoter regions towards the Rocky Mountains uninhabitable. It is supposed that the quantity of timber within the Territory is sufficient to admit of settlement for an average width, from east to west, of two hundred miles; and the country, as described above, is, from north to south, about six hundred miles.

"There is a striking similarity between all parts of the Territory. In its general character, it is high and undulating, rather level than hilly, though small portions partly deserve the latter appellation. The soil is generally very fertile. It is thought that in no part of the world, so extensive a region of rich soil has been discovered as in this, of which the Indian Territory is a central portion. It is watered by numerous rivers, creeks, and rivulets. Its waters pass through it eastwardly, none of which are favorable to navigation. There is less marshy land, and stagnant water in it, than is usual in the western country. The atmosphere is salubrious, and the climate precisely such as is desirable, being about the same as that inhabited by the Indians, on the east of Mississippi. It contains much mineral coal and salt water, some lead, and some iron ore. Timber is too scarce, and that is a serious defect, but one which time will remedy, as has been demonstrated by the rapid growth of timber, in prairie countries which have been settled, where the grazing of stock, by diminishing the quantity of grass, renders the annual fires less destructive to the growth of wood. The prairie (i. e. land destitute of wood,) is covered with grass, Inuch of which is of suitable length for the scythe.

"The Choctaws, Creeks, Cherokees, Osages, Kauzaus and Delawares, are entitled to land westward, some, as far as the United States territories extend, and others as far as the Rocky Mountains. But we choose to limit our description of all to two hundred miles, because the average width of habitable country cannot be greater."

Mr. M'Coy adds a statement of the number of Indians within the country, here described:

Among these Indians, the Board have stations, of which some account will now be given.

SHAWANOE.

[Near the line of Missouri, and near the Kauzau or Kansas river.] Missionaries, Mr. JOHNSTON LYKINS, Mrs. LYKINS, Mr. ROBERT SIMERWELL, Mrs. SIMERWELL, Mr. JONATHAN MEEKER, preacher and printer, Mrs. MEEKER.

Of the concerns of the mission, Mr. Lykins makes the following statement:

"The church among the Shawanoes embraces the converts among the Delawares. The whole number of members is twenty, of whom eight are natives. In November last, Capt. Blackfeather, a respectable Shawanoe chief, informed us, that at his first interview with one of our missionaries, which was in 1830, his mind was impressed with the importance of the words spoken to him. Subsequent conversations, and particularly those made at the administration of baptism, deepened his impressions. At another time he said, 'I am determined to renounce all Indian ceremonies, and to become acquainted with your religion, and I now surrender myself to you, to be instructed in the truth.' He desired us to take him by the hand as evidence of his disposition to be instructed by us, and of our promise to instruct him. He encouraged six others to follow his example. We preach in his house every second Sabbath, and every Wednesday night; besides which, a Sabbath school is taught in his house. When our Sabbath services, at the residence of Indians, do not prevent, we preach at the mission house. Attention to religious worship has greatly increased, since the development of Capt. Blackfeather's views. The Lord alone can understand the hearts of men; but we, judging from appearances, believe that a considerable number are seriously seeking the religion of our blessed Lord Jesus.

"In the house of another chief, is a meeting one day in each week, for the purpose of receiving instruction, in reading, writing, and singing. The scholars are chiefly adults. Besides the above, instruction in letters, and religion, is imparted by visits from house to house. The English school at the mission house has been suspended, chiefly because our hands were too full of other business, to attend to it. There were causes, however, which greatly obstructed the operations of the school during its continuance. Few of the natives are prepared to appreciate the advantages of education.

"Since the suspension of the English school, instruction in reading and writing has been imparted in the Shawanoe language, upon the new system. Soon after my return from the south, last February, a second book was compiled in Shawanoe, which now contains 54 pages. The facility with which the natives, either old or young, could become capable of reading this print in their own language, gave a new impulse to their desire for education. About 30, most of whom are adults, have learned to read. The age of one who is a chief, is such as to confine him to the use of spectacles. A considerable number can write, among whom is a chief, who corresponds with several of his countrymen in writing.

"From the new system, we also derive much assistance in imparting religious instruction, not only on account of the Scriptural reading of the Indians, but because any of the missionaries, though ignorant of the language of the tribe, may, in a few hours, learn to read intelligibly to the natives. The Methodist missionaries among the Shawanoes have compiled a book, &c. upon the same plan, which they have introduced among those, who are more immediately under their charge. We trust the time is near, when the Shawanoes generally will be a reading people.

"The first number of a small periodical, of a quarter sheet, entitled the 'Shawanoe Sun,' is now in press, which such as have learned to read are anxiously waiting for. While this little paper may encourage the Shawanoe to seek for the knowledge which is necessary in common life, under the pleasant reflection that he, as well as the white man, is the reader of a newspaper, we trust that it will be made instructive in the better things of religion.

"We have been obliged to employ a native to assist in the compilation of books, to aid us as interpreter, in our religious and other services, and in teaching to read, &c. He is frequently sent alone on the errand of teaching."

The press has been in active operation, under the charge of Mr. Meeker, whose labors have been very creditable to his industry and skill. Since March 5, 1834, besides attending several meetings, and occasionally visitting the Delawares, and Ottawas, he has printed, without any assistant, nine Indian books, in four different languages, containing 254 pages, which, multiplied by the number of copies, make 81,000 pages. Besides these, some alphabets, hymns, prayers, &c. have been printed, and some printing has been done in the English language. Mr. Meeker says, "The amount of printing to be done is increasing, so that one person cannot possibly do it all. Two men could now be kept busily engaged, and the probability is, that the amount to be done will continue to increase." The Board will, therefore, send another printer to this station, as soon as one properly qualified can be found.

Mr. M'Coy resides, with his family, at this station; but he devotes his attention to the general concerns of the Indians, and derives his support from the government.

He published, on the 1st of January last, the first number of "The Annual Register of Indian Affairs within the Indian (or Western) Territory," containing many valuable facts. He proposes to publish a semi-monthly periodical, to be called "The Indian Advocate, devoted chiefly to Indian affairs."-No man better understands the condition of the Indians, or feels a more sincere desire for their welfare, than Mr. M'Coy. These publications will, undoubtedly, be useful. They will have no connection with the Board, but will be issued on the individual responsibility of the editor. Mr. and Mrs. Simerwell reside, for the present, at the Shawanoe station; but Mr. Simerwell visits the Putawatomies, and will establish his residence among them, when the tribe shall have taken possession of their lands.

DELAWARES.

[Near the junction of the Kauzau and Missouri rivers.]

Mr. IRA D. BLANCHARD, school teacher.

This station is near the Shawanoe station, and is under the superintendence of the missionaries there. A small comfortable dwelling has been erected, for the residence of the teacher. Besides those who occasionally attend to receive instruction at his residence, Mr. Blanchard attends at three other places, and gives lessons.

His instructions, at present, are in the Delaware language, upon Mr. Meeker's new system. Number of scholars, 44; many of whom are adults. Twenty can read tolerably well, and two can also write.

Mr. Lykins says, under date of February 20, 1835, "Among the Delawares, books, hymns, and prayers have been introduced similar to those among the Shawanoes, and with similar success.

"The hunting excursions of the Delawares called off many last autumn from their studies. This circumstance, with the press of other duties on the missionaries, has interrupted the business of teaching. But we have reason to hope, that upon the breaking up of winter, teaching upon the new system will be carried forward under circumstances still more auspicious than heretofore. Within the last year, some of the Delaware Chiefs have declared themselves decidedly in favor of education. With them and with the government of the United States, the necessary preliminaries have been arranged for the permanent establishment of an English school. They expect us to erect the necessary additional buildings early in the spring, and that as soon as practicable a school will be organized. In one settlement, Sabbath services, the past year, have been very iuteresting."

The sum of five hundred dollars has been appropriated by the Board, for the erection of buildings among the Delawares, and these buildings are probably now going up.

OTOES AND OMAHAS.

[At Bellevue, on the southwest bank of the Mississippi, six miles above its junction with the Great Platte.]

Missionaries, Rev. MOSES MERRILL, Mrs. MERRILL. Miss CYNTHIA BROWN, School teacher.

Mr. Merrill says, under date of January 8, 1835, "Thirteen months have passed since I arrived at Bellevue, the Upper Missouri Agency. Religious exercises in English for the benefit of the white residents, were commenced on the first Sabbath, and have been continued. A Sabbath school of nine children, most of whom are Indians, was commenced at the same time. It embraces all the children of the settlement. A Bible class of white adults was formed on the second Sabbath, consisting of six members. The exercises of this class have been, and still are, profitable to us. One member, a youth of twelve years, has given evidence of a change of heart, and was baptized in April. This youth holds on her way, although called to meet with much opposition from her nearest relatives. A day school, embracing the nine children above referred to, has been in constant operation. These children have been punctual in their attendance; and consequently have made good proficiency in reading, writing, spelling and singing.

"I have made several small translations on religious subjects, embracing hymns and prayers. My progress in the 'Otoe' language is slow, in consequence of not having a good interpreter. During the last seven months, I have occasionally had religious exercises in Otoe, on one part of the Sabbath. My translation is well received by the Otoes, particularly the hymns. I have recently visited three trading houses, two of which are more than a hundred miles distant. The traders of these houses informed me, that the 'Otoes' scarcely pass a night with them, without singing the hymns which they had learned at the Mission house.

"I have visited the Otoes at their village, and at their hunting ground, and am uniformly well received. The chiefs are among the most friendly, particularly the first chief, who, in some instances, as I was informed by a trader, has called the children around him and led in singing the hymns. These are some of the most favorable things connected with this Mission. There is also a dark side, which at times rises up, and threatens ruin to all that is good. The Indians are excessively fond of ardent spirits; and notwithstanding the laws of our land to the contrary, they are plentifully supplied. They take their best furs on horses one hundred miles, and pay an extravagant price for their liquor. At the same time, they are begging for food and complaining of starvation.

"Their drunkenness leads to contention, and sometimes to murder. At these seasons, (and they often occur,) it is unsafe to be with them without an interpreter. These Indians exchange not only their furs for liquor, but also their horses, guns and blankets. In view of the obstacles before us, and our own weakness, the Mission family have usually set apart the morning of every other Saturday for fasting and prayer. When ready to faint, these seasons have been greatly blessed to us; so that we have taken fresh courage to press onward."

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Mr. Lykins says, concerning this station, Arrangements have been commenced with the government of the United States, with the prospect of success, which, it is believed, will greatly facilitate the labors of Mr. Merrill among the Otoes, and for the establishment of a separate mission

among the Omahas with similar facilities. Mr. Merrill's school, consisting of ten scholars, is taught in English; but he has books printed in Otoe, upon the new system. This, we have no doubt, will succeed well, as soon as this people become somewhat stationary. A favorable change in the habits of both the Otoes and the Omahas, we trust, will be promoted by some recent government arrangements, by which these tribes are invited to locate on lands favorable to agriculture, and to accept of assistance in farming."

The sum of one thousand dollars has been appropriated by the Board, for the erection of buildings among the Otoes this Spring.

PUTAWATOMIES.

The Putawatomies, as a tribe, have not yet arrived. About two hundred and fifty of them now reside among the Kickapoos, near Cantonment Leavenworth, and not a great distance from Shawanoe station. Mr. Simerwell visits them, and endeavors to instruct them. He has compiled a book, hymns, &c., in their own language, which have been printed at Shawanoe. The government Agent for this tribe has declared himself favorable to the re-organization of the mission among them, and Mr. Simerwell will embrace the earliest opportunity to re-establish his residence among them. He says, under date of January 23, 1835,-

"I learn that the Putawatomies have their lands assigned them on the north side of the Missouri river, between the Notaway and the Boyer rivers. The Notaway empties into the Missouri, about eighty or ninety miles above this place, and the Boyer near the Big Platte.

"Their country will be bounded on the east by Notaway, on the southwest by Missouri, and on the northwest by Boyer, and running back from Missouri river for quantity. This country is said to be well timbered, and is considered healthy. I have been detained at home for some time, on account of the health of my family; but expect to return to the Putawatomies again in a few days. I have visited them during the fall and winter; but have not done much in the way of teaching. They promise to attend to my instructions in the spring. Quehqhita, (their chief,) I might say, is beginning to read. He applied himself closely to study, the last time I was up; and I hope he will soon be able to read fluently."

Mr. Lykins says,———

OTTAWAS.

[Not far south of Shawanoe.]

"A few Ottawas only have arrived. These have lately commenced settling upon their own lands. It is expected that they will receive accessions to their number from their kindred in the lake country. The approbation of the Indians, and the requisite authority from government, have been obtained for the establishment of a mission among them."

CREEKS.

[Not far from the junction of Arkansas and Verdigris rivers.] Missionaries, Rev. D. B. ROLLIN, Mrs. ROLLIN. Mr. John Davis, native preacher, Mrs. Davis. Miss MARY ANN COLBURN, MISS MARY RICE,

assistants.

Mr. Lewis, in consequence of the death of his wife, and his own ill health, removed from this station, during the last year. Mr. Davis continued to preach at several different places; and a number of persons were baptized before Mr. Lewis left the station. The church consisted, at the Last dates, of about 80. Mr. Rollin and family arrived at the station De