44G History of Methodism 



witnessing some debasing scenes of amusement among 

 the females and one of those Indian plays, which was 

 conducted with a rude exhibition of (Indian) dexterity, 

 he obtained an introduction to General Mcintosh, the 

 celebrated half-breed warrior, and principal man of 

 the nation. This chief prided himself on having 

 fought the battles of his country, as an officer in the 

 ranks of the Indian allies, under the command of 

 General Jackson, at New Orleans, and assuming all 

 the etiquette of a stately prince in the reception of an 

 embassador, refused to converse with Mr. Capers, al- 

 though he perfectly understood the English language, 

 except through the medium of an interpreter. The 

 interview, however, resulted in an agreement between 

 the parties for the establishment of the mission, with 

 liberty to use so much land as should be found nec- 

 essary to raise provision for the mission family, and 

 for building the needful houses. But, notwithstand- 

 ing this favorable beginning, difficulties of a formida- 

 ble character soon made their appearance. Some of 

 the chiefs, who were not present at the council when 

 the above agreement was ratified, raised objections, 

 and created so many jarring sentiments in the nation 

 that the enterprise for a time was seriously imperiled. 

 The school was allowed to be opened, but the mis- 

 sionary was forbidden, through the influence of the 

 opposing chiefs, to preach the gospel to the adult 

 Indians. It was strongly suspected that the United 

 States agent lent the weight of his influence against 

 the mission, though an investigation of his conduct 

 resulted in his justification by the government. The 

 officers generally took a lively interest in the objects 

 of the mission. The Secretary of War, the Honorable 

 John C. Calhoun, in letters of - instruction to Colonel 



