gress; and the nation at this time exhibits the very interesting spectacle of society in several of its earlier stages. The hunter, who still spends much of his time in his favourite pursuit, is the possessor of perhaps several hundred head of cattle; and, if the warrior do not literally turn his tomahawk and scalping-knife into pruning-hooks, he is satisfied to regard them as mere articles of dress, till hostilities shall again call him into the field; and is ambitious to attain distinction in agricultural pursuits. I saw several neat and flourishing little farms, as I passed through the nation; but my pleasure was alloyed by observing, that the labour generally devolved on either the African negro, or the Indian wife. As few of the Creeks are rich enough to purchase many negroes, all the drudgery is performed by the women; and it is melancholy to meet them, as we continually did, with an infant hanging on their necks, bending under a heavy burden, and leading their husband's horse, while he walked before them, erect and graceful, apparently without a care. This servitude has an unfavourable effect on the appearance of the women; those above a certain age being generally bent and clumsy, with a scowl on their wrinkled foreheads, and an expression of countenance at once vacant and dejected.

We did not leave our little cabin at Irish Bainbridge, until the 28th of May, the 27th being Sunday. It is situated on the ridge which separates the waters of the Chatahouchy from those of the Coosa and Jallapoasa.. I was a little surprised to find there, the son of the owner of one of the principal inns in Preston in Lancashire, projecting the introduction of a woollen manufactory among the Creeks, under the sanction of the natives.

Soon after leaving our friends at Irish Bainbridge, we passed Caleebe and Cubahatchee Swamps; and, in the evening arrived at Lime Creek, which we were told forms, at that place, the present boundary line between the Creek Nation and Alabama.

Choctaw Indians.

In the morning of the third day after leaving Natchez, Mr. Hodgson entered the Choctaw Nation. He proceeded on what is called the "Natchez" or Kentucky Train; that is, the road by which the inhabitants of Kentucky or Tennessee return home from Natchez through

the Wilderness, when they have broken up the rude boats in which the produce of the Western Country is conveyed down the Mississippi. "Stands," as they are called, or houses of entertainment, are placed at the distance of thirty or forty miles from one another, throughout the Nation.

While resting at one of these places, on the first Sunday after he had entered the Nation, Mr. Hodgson says

We were visited by many Indians, some of whom were rather importunate for whiskey or tobacco. In the woods, about half-a-mile distant, 50 or 60 were collected to revenge the death of a woman, who had been murdered a few days before as a witch; but matters appeared likely to be compromised without bloodshed: we afterward saw, however, by the newspapers, that the dispute terminated in a bloody conflict.

Toward evening, ten or twelve travellers dropped ina noisy set. We all slept on bear-skins on the floor. Our host told me that there were not five nights in the year, in which some travellers did not sleep there, and that seventy or eighty occasionally called in a day. He removed from North Carolina about nine years ago, and has acquired considerable property.

Set off early on the 15th of May; and finding that at the cabin where we purposed to stop, they no longer received travellers, we had to go twenty-five miles to breakfast. Here we got some coffee in an Indian hut, where the inhabitants could not speak English.

As soon as it appeared to be twelve o'clock by the sun, three of the Indian women covered themselves with blankets, and approached a little spot in the garden, enclosed by six upright poles, on the highest of which were suspended several chaplets of vine leaves and tendrils: here they either sat or kneeled (the blankets preventing our seeing which) for about twenty minutes, uttering a low monotonous wailing. This mournful ceremony they repeat, at sun-rise, noon, and sun-set, for ninety days, or three moons, as the Egyptians mourned for Jacob threescore and ten days. I have since been informed, by a very intelligent Indian, that the period of mourning is sometimes extended to four or five moons, if the individual be deeply regretted, or of eminent rank; and that it is occasionally determined by the time occupied in killing the deer and other animals necessary for the great feast which is often given at the pulling up of the poles.

At the celebrated ceremony of the "pole-pulling," the family connexions assemble from a great distance; and, when they are particular in observing the ancient customs, they spend two or three days and nights in solemn preparation and previous rites. They then all endeavour to take hold of some part of the poles, which they pluck up and throw behind them without looking, moving backward toward the East. They then feast together, and disperse to their several homes. It was impossible to hear this simple recital without thinking of the account in Genesis, 1. 1-14.

Till within ten or fifteen years, the Choctaws generally killed the favourite horses or dogs of the deceased, and buried them, with his gun and hatchet, in his grave. They still sometimes bury the gun; but it is too frequently stolen; and they now satisfy themselves with believing that the spirits of the horses and dogs will rejoin that of their master at their death. The settlement of White people among them, and occasional intermarriages, have undermined many of their customs. The Choctaws formerly scaffolded their dead, in a house appropriated for the purpose, in their different towns; and in these houses, the various families were kept distinct. Sometimes they bury them in their dwellings, like the ancient Egyptians.

Mr. Hodgson describes, at large, the Indian Dance and Ball Play. The game resembles cricket, and gives scope to such an exhibition of agility and strength, as would have been hailed with loud applause in an ancient amphitheatre.

All violence on these occasions is forgiven; and I was informed that it is the only case, in which life is not generally required for life.

The Law of Retaliation is still almost in full force among the Choctaws; the nearest relation of a fugitive murderer being liable to expiate the offence. An intelligent Indian told me, however, that the Choctaws are becoming more anxious than formerly, that the offender' himself should suffer; and that his family and that of the deceased generally unite, if necessary, to prevail on him to kill himself. He said, that three or four instances of this kind usually happen in a year, in the circle of his acquaintance; but that it is more common for an Indian, who has killed another by accident or design, to remain with the body till he is found, lest his relations should suffer. He men

tioned a circumstance of difficulty, which was then pending in the neighbourhood. A woman, being greatly insulted and defamed in the presence of her husband, and threatened with a blow from a knife, stabbed her assailant to the heart: doubts have arisen whether she is bound to kill herself, her family insisting that circumstances justified the deed.

We left the Indians in the middle of their game; and rejoiced to think of the blessings which missionary efforts are preparing for them. We slept about 18 miles distant.

The following morning we set off, as usual, about four o'clock; and breakfasted at the house of an Irishman, who left Waterford 30 years since, to carry on the Fur Trade, buying the furs from the Indians, and selling them at Mobile and Pensacola. The embargo interrupted his trade, and he is settled here with his Indian wife.

Mr. Hodgson here left the Kentucky Trace, with the intention of visiting the Missionary Settlement, among the Choctaws, at Elliot, about 60 miles from the road. Of this visit he gives the following narrative :

Our course was through the woods, along a blazed path about a foot broad; and, as it was necessary to procure a guide, our host rode with us till he had engaged an Indian, who, for a dollar, attended us 25 miles on his little horse. At night we reached the cabin of a half-breed, who took us in. We found him setting a trap for a wolf, which had attempted, a few hours before, to carry off a pig in sight of the family.

In the course of the evening, one of the missionary brethren arrived from Elliot, for some cattle, which were ranging in the woods; he promised us a hearty welcome at the establishment.

The following day we set off early, our friends having procured us an Indian to take us the first twelve miles: he could not speak English; but, having received his quarter of a dollar, and parted from us at the appointed place, he returned to draw our track in the sand, pointing out all the forks and little cross-paths, and again left us. After proceeding about a mile, where we were a little embarrassed, we were surprised to find him again at our side, making motions to direct our route. Again we shook hands and parted but being again puzzled by a diverging path, half a mile distant, we looked round almost instinctively, and there was our faithful fellow still watching our steps: he

then came up and set us right-made signs that our road now lay in the direction of the sun-and then finally disappeared; leaving us much affected by his disinterested solicitude.

We had a delightful ride along our Indian Path, through a forest of fine oaks; which, within ten or twelve miles of Yaloo Busha, was occasionally interspersed with small natural prairies, and assumed the appearance of an English park. I felt as if I was approaching consecrated ground; and the confidence which I had in the kindness of those on whom I was going to intrude myself (christian kindness is not capricious) relieved me from any awkwardness about my reception. If I had felt any, it would soon have been dismissed by the simple hospitality of the Missionaries.

Soon after my arrival, we proceeded to the school, just as a half-breed, who has taken great interest in it, was preparing to give the children "a talk," previous to returning home, 60 miles distant. He is a very influential Chief, and a man of comprehensive views: he first translated into Choctaw, a letter to the children, from some benevolent friends in the north, who had sent it with a present of a box of clothes: he then gave them a long address in Choctaw. When he took leave, he shook hands with me-said he was glad to hear that the white people in England were interested in the welfare of their red brethren-that the Choctaws were sensible of their want of instruction, and that their teachers were pleased to say that they were not incapable of it-that they were grateful for what had been done; and were aware that it was their duty to cooperate, to the utmost of their ability, with those who were exerting themselves on their behalf.

As soon as school was over, the boys repaired to their agricultural labours; their instructor working with them, and communicating information in the most affectionate manner: the girls proceeded to their sewing and domestic employments, under the missionary sisters. They were afterwards at liberty, till the supper-bell rang; when we all sat down together to bread and milk, and various preparations of Indian corn; the missionaries presiding at the different tables, and confining themselves, as is their custom except in case of sickness, to precisely the same food as the scholars. After supper, a chapter in the Bible was read, with Scott's Practical Observations. This was followed by singing and prayer; and then all retired to their little rooms, in their log cabins.