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OF THE CHICKASAWS. 
lailure ; by which our expenses of living are much increased, and 
comforts diminished. But we desire neither to murmur nor repine, 
but thank our kind Heavenly Father for his many unmerited favors 
so liberally bestowed upon us. 
We are still, though slowly, progressing in our general improve- 
ments, both as regards our farm and buildings. The brick addition 
we have been making to our mausicin is now wellnigh finished, which 
we regard as inferior to no other house, if not the best, in the Indian 
country. We think it our duty, in whatever improvements we make, 
to have them of the best kind, (we do not mean the most fanciful or 
gaudy,) that the people among whom we are placed as instructors may 
have something before them worthy of imitation, and yet within their 
reach and scope of design. 
And we are well assured that it is a fixed point with the Chicka- 
saws in all the elements of useful improvements, as they have just 
entered upon their independent national existence, to suffer no other 
Indian tribe or nation to go before them; to point at once their aim 
high, and walk up to it; to occupy no inferior place. Another point 
at which we desire to aim, in meeting our obligations among this 
people, is scientific agriculture. We think it not enough, in order to 
make a boy a good farmer, merely to teach him to hoe corn, chop 
wood, and make fence ; but to bring the subject before him, as requiring
also the full exercise of an enlightened and cultivated mind as a noble,
elevated calling, requiring a good understanding of the nature an4 
elements of the different vegetable productions ; of the quality and 
adaptation of soils; their wants, and how and with what to supply 
them; the best mode and time of culture, as derived from experience 
and observation, and the study of the best works on the subject withinL 
their reach ; in short, to make our youth (or a portion of them) as far 
as in us lies, enlightened agriculturists, thereby benefiting themselves
and their people beyond all we can estimate. But in all we desire to 
look to the Fountain of Good for his continued favor and blessing 
upon our efforts ; for without them we are assured no effort can succeed.
Yours, most respectfully, 
J. C. ROBINSON, 
Superintendent. 
Gen. D. H. CooPP 
United States  dian Agent. 
No. 67. 
CoTR INsTITU, C. N. 
DEAR SiR: The period of another school year having gone, it be- 
comes my duty to report to you the general condition of the Colbert 
Institute, under my charge. The past year has been one of affliction 
and prosperity with us. Sore eyes prevailed in our school, and nearly 
all of our scholars had an attack. Some of the children left school, 
being unable to pursue their studies; their places were, however, 
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