Cherokee Phoenix

From the National Intelligencer

Published August, 13, 1828

Page 3 Column 2a

From the National Intelligencer.

CHOCTAW ACADEMY

This seat of instruction is so called from having been chosen by the Choctaws as the place of their preference, for the education of a portion of their children. It is situated at the Great Crossings, in Kentucky; is under the direction of the Baptist Board of Missions, and the regulations of the Department of War. The Creeks, hearing of the success which attended their brothers, the Choctaws, followed their example, and appointed, like them, a portion of their means for the benefit of some of their children, as have also the Pottowattamies.

The labors of the institution increasing, it was deemed best by the Secretary of War to lessen them by the introduction of the Lancasterian plan; besides it was believed that greater facilities in learning would result to the youths of the inferior classes. Mr. Ould, who had been selected, and sent over from England by Lancaster himself, for the opening and organizing the Lancasterian School in Georgetown, in this District, was sent to organize the Choctaw Academy, and for the first time, to give the nations of the forest the benefits of this new mode of instruction.

The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. Ould, to Col. McKenney, of the Indian Department, which is published because it so abundantly testifies to the advances of a portion of our red brothers, which will appear extraordinary to those who have thought them incapable of making them.

Many of these little foresters go from their wilderness home, with only their Indian names. To such names are given, and they like best the names of those whose names are most familiar to them; or are pleased in proportion as they are taught to believe (should they never have heard of them) that those after whom they are called are great men, Hence, among the Creek boys at the Choctaw Academy, we have Henry Clay, John c. Calhoun, Richard Rush, Thomas H. Benton, Richard M. Johnson, Andrew Jackson, James Barbour, 'c.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Ould to Col. McKenney, dated Great Crossings (Ky.) June 28, 1828.

'Deeming it not uninteresting, I have taken up the pen to inform you that I have arrived here, and am busily employed in re-organizing the Choctaw Academy.

'It consists of one hundred Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and other Indians, some of whom have made considerable progress, having advanced so far in their studies as to be well grounded in astronomy, moral philosophy, surveying, geography, history, use of the globes, 'c.-removing at once, and I hope forever, the musty idea that our sons of the forest are incapable of civilization. Moreover, many have made an open profession of religion-some Methodists, some Baptists, in short, I never before witnessed so interesting a spectacle, and which a letter is too short to describe.

'The Lancasterian plan is joyfully received, and will no doubt prove a powerful auxiliary.'