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No 8 38 40 Brainerd, May 10 -- 1836,

Dear Sir,  Yours of Feb Feb 24th was duly received, though various hindrances have prevented my answering it till now. This letter, sir, gave me peculiar joy, as affording an opportunity of making some remarks concerning my former communications, and of giving you the assurance that whatever I can do to unclear your enquiries relative to the Indians generally, and especially the Cherokees, I shall consider no burthen, but a part of my delightful employment, which calls for no other reward than the hope of pleasing one, devoted to the cause of humanity and virtue. But were it possible for me to oblige you, sir, by any means, so as to justify me in asking a reward, my request would only be, that the Indians of this continent might share a place in the affections of your heart. I say, "the Indians," because I have been somewhat acquainted with several tribes, and find them all the same kind of people, and to me, peculiarly lovely, when not despoiled of their national character by the oppression of others, as by foreign views introduced among them.  With regard to my former communications, please indulge me in a few remarks.  First, In writing by mail, if much time is devoted to apologies, reasons, explanations viz but little room is left for the subject matter of the communication.  On this account I did not state to you the reason why I withheld some information which you requested, and forwarded and some, perhaps, which you did not request.  Most of the ancient customs are confirmed by many of the old people, which others are remembered but by few.  For instance, the use of the war trumpets, made of a certain bone, and Buffalo horns, may be learned doubtless from many, but from one man only, have I learned the use of a trumpet made of longnecked gourds.  These are said to have been used only by the priests. Anciently they lived in towns, contiguous to each other. When the principal priest wished to collect the people of his town for any national, or religious purpose, he blew his trumpet, and his counsellors, or all the town, assembled, doubtless according to the signal.  Its in the principal town, so in all the other towns of any unclear.  Its inferior priest, with his right hand man, and seven counsellors, constituted the civil & religious tribunal in each town. Each priest had the same kind of a trumpet, for the same purpose, and no other persons, except the priests, were allowed the use of their trumpets. But before mentioning