DOMESTIC.

I

Letter from Rev. Mr. Blackburn to Dr. Morse.

Rev. and Dear Sir,

Maryville, Jan 5, 1810.

THINK when I was with you in Charlestown, I stated the number of the Cherokee nation to be between 10 and 12,000 souls, though at that time the enumeration was not completed, and I could not therefore make the estimate with certainty. But now the persons em ployed having finished the business, I am able to give you the exact state of the nation in detail. Let it be remarked, that the enumeration is rather below than above the number in every particular; as the Indians, by some means, especially at the first of the business, thought there might be a design eventually to tax them according to that ratio.

In the nation there are 12,395 Indians. The number of females exceeds the males 200. The whites in the nation are 341. One third of those have Indian wives, 113. Of negro slaves there are 583. The number of their cattle, 19,500; do. of horses, 6,100. The number of hogs, 19,600; do. of sheep, 1,037.

They have now in actual operation, 13 grist mills; 3 saw-mills; 3 salt-petre works; and 1 powder mill. They have 30 waggons, between 480 and 500 ploughs, 1600 spinning wheels, 467 looms, and 49 silversmiths.

Circulating specie is supposed to be as plenty as is common amongst the white people. These advantages have been mostly obtained since the year 1796, and rapidly increased since the year 1803.

If we deduct from the year the number of Sabbaths it contains, and suppose that each spinning wheel turn off six cuts per day, the amount of 1600 will be 250,400 dozen of yarn in one year, this will make when wove into cloth, 292,133 yards.

If we should suppose each loom to put of 4 yards per day, the produce of 467 will be annually 584,684 yards. Allow 2 hands to a wheel, 3,200 women will be employed in carding and spinning, 467 engaged in weaving, and as many to fill the quills.

If each plough be allowed only ten acres, then 500 ploughs would cultivate 5,000 acres, and would employ 1000 hands, as one must use the hoe after the plough. There is also nearly as much land in the nation wrought without a plough as with it. Each acre will produce 50 bushels, which will be equal to 250,000, or 20 bushels to each person. The actual amount will double that

sum.

It is often asked, are they increasing, or on the decline? All I can say to this is, that both from my own observation, and that of those most conversant with them, it is evident that there is less space between the younger children of families than those more advanced, and that in nearly the proportion as the hunting life has yielded to the cultivation of the soil.

The number of Bibles and Testaments, circulated in the nation, including the children of the schools, is upwards of 600, and a variety of other books, as opportunity offered.

On their roads they have many public houses, and on their rivers are convenient ferries; there are many of them learning different trades as their inclination may lead them. But yet there is no church erected, and few feel the impressions of grace.

I have filled the sheet with details, and can only pray that the Lord may make your harvest of souls abundant in Charlestown. I am, &c.

GIDEON. BLACKBURN.

000

ANNUAL REPORT

Of the Board of Directors, to the New-York Missionary

Society;

Presented and Approved, April 3, 1810.

IN recounting to the brethren of the Society, at their an

nual meeting, the transactions of the past year, it would Vol. III.-No. V.

20

rejoice the hearts of the Directors, to be able with truth to announce the rapid progress of the Gospel in every quarter to which their labours have extended. But though they cannot boast of an event so grateful to the lovers of the precious Redeemer, they have cause to believe their efforts have not been altogether fruitless. The constant attendance, the serious and solemn attention visible among the Tuscaroras, and the earnest zeal and anxious solicitude for the conversion of the brethren, testified by the believing part of the nation, are favourable symptoms, and presages, we hope, of the eventual success of the Mission.

Notwithstanding the reluctance of the Missionary to trust in appearances, which frequently prove fallacious, he is constrained to acknowledge in a late communication, that the word of the living God has, in some instances, reached the hearts of both white people and Indians.

No additions, it is true, have been made to the church among the Tuscaroras, by baptism, during the ministration of Mr. Gray. Applications for admission to the ordinance, have not been wanting; but these were deservedly rejected, as arising from mistaken ideas of the ordinance, and of the subjects proper to receive it.

A willingness to accept of baptism at the hand of the Missionary, steady attendance at church, and a disposition to break off from gross sins, were deemed sufficient qualifications for the ordinance, by those ignorant or misguided persons. In a few individuals lately, a better spirit has discovered itself. As these appear to be actuated by better motives; by a deep sense of their undone condition, and a conviction of the necessity of a Saviour's righteousness, they have claims better authenticated; and after receiving the necessary instruction, and affording satisfactory evidence, by their life and conversation, of the reality of a saving work of grace on their hearts, will doubtless be admitted to a participation in the sacred ordinances of the Gospel, and contribute to the increase of the Church, among the Tuscaroras.. The erroneous spirit formerly prevalent among that people, the Missionary humbly trusts, the Lord has rebuked, and is now spreading sentiments more just, and more congenial to the nature of the Gospel of Christ.

The Rev. Robert Forrest, who at the special request of the Directors, visited the Tuscarora nation, in July, 1809, attended their council, and preached for them, gives ample testimony to the exemplary conduct, and growing attention to divine things, both among these Indians, and among the white people in their neighbourhood; as well as to the fi

delity of the Missionary, and his qualifications for the trust committed to him. And this testimony, in itself unexceptionable, is corroborated by the opinion of other respectable persons, both in the Western District, and in Canada.

Mr. Gray, in summer, preaches twice every Sabbath. His first sermon is specially addressed to the Indians; his second is more particularly adapted to the situation and circumstances of the white inhabitants; and their numbers frequently exceed the number of his Indian hearers. In winter he preaches but once, and that almost exclusively to the aborigines; but few of the whites attending. The number of his Indian hearers varies from fifty to seventy; the proportion of females being commonly the greatest. The general deportment in the house of God is grave and solemn.

Though the youth appear sometimes to listen with attention to the voice of instruction and reproof, at others, like too many of the youth among ourselves, they break through every restraint, and pursue their wicked practices with avidity. The chiefs of the nation, and persons of more advanced age, are friendly, sober, and honest. Indeed, temperance and honesty are prominent traits in the Tuscarora character. The conduct of the professors of the Gospel is irreproachable.

The seasons of catechising in the present state of things cannot be regular and fixed, but are necessarily accommodated to times and circumstances, wherever the Lord opens a door, either in visitation, or in private conversation. Afflictions, sickness, and death, are the special seasons of ministerial visitation.

The Board of Directors unite with Mr. Gray, in carnestly soliciting every member of the society, in his private supplications at the throne of grace, to remember the interests of the Redeemer among the heathen in general, and particularly among the people more immediately under the charge of the Society. The promises and declarations of scripture on this subject, give the greatest encouragement to the duty, and the Missionary views the personal blessings he has enjoyed in his present charge, as precious answers to the prayers of the Society.

The farm purchased for the use of the Mission is said to be valuable, but will still require some additional fencing to complete its improvement, and render it capable of yielding an increase proportioned to its value. Though the accounts with Mr. Holmes are not yet finally settled, some of the materials which were in his hands, have been delivered up by his agent, and applied to the repair of the house, or used in the erection of a barn on the farm. The real ex

pense of the buildings has, however, been little diminished by the materials recovered; but an immediate disbursement of money, equal to their value, has been saved.

The school erected in the Tuscarora village for the instruction of the Indian children, in the estimation of all, is an object of the highest importance. A knowledge of the English language, and the principles of divine truth imbibed in youth, frequently repeated, and seriously inculcated by a faithful teacher, would not only greatly facilitate the labour of the Missionary, but give direct access through the understanding to the conscience. This department, however, has during the last year languished, through the indisposition of the teacher, whose labours have been much interrupted by the prevalence of a nervous indisposition. Exercise has now, in a great measure, removed the complaint. The school is increasing, and is at present attended by twenty-four children; of whom eighteen are Indians, sixteen boys, and two girls; the remaining six whites. The Indian children have made but little progress. The most advanced class is only beginning to read. But their progress in manners, is greater than their progress in letters. The Lancaster plan of tuition has been attempted; but hitherto without success. The common mode of instruction has of course been adopted. The deportment of the teacher is becoming his Christian profession. He is now much encouraged, and able to give stated and regular attendance on his school. But by a statement of his necessary expenses, submitted to Mr. Gray, it appears that the allowance hitherto made him is insufficient. An augmentation of salary has been judged necessary to the continuance of the school.

Since the last annual meeting, a revival of correspondence with the different Missionary associations, with which an epistolary intercourse had formerly been maintained by this Society, has been attempted; but answers have been received only from the Northern Missionary Society of this state, and from the London Missionary Society.

From the Report transmitted by the former, it appears, they are prosecuting the Missionary cause among the Oneidas with spirit, and not without success. Mr. Jenkins, their missionary, was ordained to the work of the Gospelministry in April, 1809; and from that time to the 5th of September, in the same year, had baptized thirty children. He steadily officiates at Squasselow and Oneida. The whole number of Indians at Oneida, amounting to 450 or upwards, profess the Christian religion, excepting 3 or 4 persons; yet the number of communicants in May, 1809, did not ex