Indians.
Reading edition
As great efforts are making, by almost all classes of Christians to spread the benign influence of the gospel among the red men on our borders, it may not be amiss to state their locations, numbers, &c. &c.
Mr. McCoy, in his valuable “Annual Register of Indian Affairs,” published at Shawanoe, in the Indian Territory, makes many important statements respecting this highly-interesting people.
He says that the number of Indians north of Mexico may be fairly estimated at one million eight hundred thousand. He estimates the population of the tribes east and west of the Mississippi as follows:—
Tribes East Of Mississippi River.
Indians in New England and New York4,715
Indians from New York, at Green Bay725
Wyandots, in Ohio and Michigan623
Miamies1,200
Winnebagoes4,591
Chippewas6,793
Ottawas and Chippewas of Lake Michigan5,300
Chippewas, Ottawas, and Putawatomies8,000
Putawatomies1,400
Menominees4,200
Creeks23,668
Cherokees10,000
Chickasaws5,429
Choctaws3,500
Seminoles2,420
Appalachicolas340
Total81,904
Tribes West Of Mississippi River.
Sioux27,500
Iowas1,200
Sauks of Missouri500
Sauks and Foxes6,400
Assinaboines8,000
Crees3,000
Camanches7,000
Crows4,500
Arrepahas, Kiawas, &c.1,400
Caddoes800
Snake and other tribes within the Rocky Mountains 20,000
Gros-ventres3,000
Arrekaras3,000
Cheyennes2,000
Minatarees1,500
Mandans1,500
Black Feet30,000
Tribes west of Rocky Mountains80,000
Total201,300
[pg 349]
The above tribes, although within the territory of the United States, are not within what is commonly called the Indian Territory.
Mr. McCoy states the names and numbers of the indigenous and emigrant tribes within the Indian Territory, so called, as follow:—
Indigenous Tribes.
Osage5,510
Kauzau, or Kansas1,684
Otoe and Missouria1,600
Omaha1,400
Pawnee10,000
Puncah800
Quapau450
Total21,444
Emigrant Tribes.
Choctaw15,000
Cherokee4,000
Creek3,600
Seneca and Shawanoo of Neosho462
Wea225
Piankasha119
Peoria and Kaskaskias135
Ottawa81
Shawanoe of Kauzau River764
Delaware856
Kickapoo603
Putawatomie444
Emigrant26,289
Indigenous21,444
Total47,733
Among the population of the emigrant tribes are included thirteen hundred and fifty negro slaves.
Mr. McCoy estimates that, of the one million eight hundred thousand Indians in North America, about seventy thousand may be classed with civilized man, having in greater or less degrees advanced towards civilization.
By the Indian Territory is meant the country within the following limits, viz.: Beginning on Red River, on the Mexican boundary, and as far west of the state of Arkansas as the country is habitable; thence down Red River, eastwardly, along the Mexican boundary to Arkansas; thence northwardly, along the line of Arkansas, to the state of Missouri; thence north, along its western line, to Missouri River; thence up Missouri River to Puncah River; thence westerly as far as the country is habitable; thence southwardly to the place of beginning.
[pg 350]