Cherokee Phoenix

From the Mobile Commercial Register

Published January, 21, 1832

Page 4 Column 3b

From the Mobile Commercial Register.

Choctaw Emigration. George S. Gaines, Esq. the Agent of the United States for the removal of the Choctaw Indians, returned to this city on Friday last, having accomplished that portion of the duties assigned him for the present season.

We learn from Mr. Gaines, that owing to the bad state of the roads, he found the business attended with more expense than he had anticipated. The route through the swamps of the Mississippi were found so difficult that he was induced to dispatch about two thousand of the Emigrants by way of the Arkansas. They embarked about the 25th ult. in two steam boats, under the expectation of landing at Little Rock; but the water of the river was so low that they were compelled to debark at the Port of Arkansas, 110 miles below Little Rock, whence they took up the line of march to

Kiameche, the point of their destination, and three hundred miles distant, under the superintendence of Capt. Brown, of the U. S. Army. They were supplied with wagons and all the necessary facilities for a comfortable journey.

Two other steam boats with upwards of one thousand emigrants had chosen the route by Red River and the Washita. These were intended to be landed at Cote-Febre on the Washita, about 160 miles from Kiameche. Mr. Gaines had not learned whether they had had been able to reach that point. Another party of about 200 arrived at Vicksburg on the 8th inst. and were to embark on the 10th for the above destination.

On the 1st Instant another party of emigrants of about 500 in number, took passage in steam boats from Memphis, for White River. They are to locate in the vicinity of Fort Smith, on the Arkansas, about 120 miles north of the principal settlement at Ciameche.

Of these emigrants, about 2000 are from the Southeastern, 1200 from the Northeastern, and 800 from the western districts of the Nation .

About 1000 have been ticketed to remove themselves for the commutation of ten Dollars each-offered by the Government, most of whom have crossed the Mississippi. It is also expected that about 1000 more will remove in the same manner in the course of the present month.

After the Indians had separated themselves from their cabins and bid adieu to their long cherished hills, the good fare and kind treatment they experienced, soon restored them to cheerfulness, and they prosecuted their journey in excellent spirits, and high anticipations of future benefit from the exchange they had made. They were treated with the most humane attention by all the agents of the Government and were amply furnished with tents, hospital stores, and wholesome provisions.

It is Mr. Gaines' opinion from the information he obtained of the general feeling of the Indians, that the balance of the Nation will emigrate next season.

In closing this account we cannot refrain from remarking that the parental care of the Government over these helpless sons of the forest, as well as its judicious policy, have been amply exemplified in the selection of an agent chosen by the Indians themselves, who has long been regarded by them as their most valuable friend, and who has clothed with unrestricted authority to treat them in the manner his own benevolent feelings dictated.