Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-07-20
CHEROKEE INDIANS.

CHEHDhEE INDIANS.
Some curiosity having been expressed as to
the laws of the Cherokee nation, the following
eketch may not be unacceptable to our readers
They prohibit the introduction BY
white men of spifituous liquors into the
nation. They have laws establishing
and regulating turnpikes, prohibiting
stealing and rape, requiring white men
if they take Cherokee wife, to be lie
gally married to her; and then the
property Of the wife is not thrown into
the hands OF the husband, but it re-
mains at her own disposal, nor do they
permit one man to have more than wife.
The nation is laid off into eight iu,
dicial districts, and Judge and mar
shall appointed in each district in order
TO the due administration of justice.
They have their rangers in each dis
trict, whose duty it is TO post and ad
vertise stray horses. Their taxes are
regularly laid and collected by the
marshaIs. Nor do they overlook the
benefits Of tuition in their missionary
seminarics; they compel parents to pay
expenses of such children as leave the
schools without any just cause. They
hermit the lperintendent of those his
sionary stations, with the consent otthe
parents, to bind out children 10 such
trades as may be suitable for them, and
at the expiration OF their apprentice
ship, the nation is bound to procure
them tools.
Each district is entitled to be re.
presented in the National Council by
four members. The pay to each mem.
Der for his services is one dollar per
day, and to the Speaker one dollar and
fifty cents. The principal chief, the
Path Killer, gets $50 dollars per an
nun, and Charles r. Hicks, in consi.
Iteration of his extra services as inter
prefer and writer, 200 dollars. The
committee. men are allowed two dol.
lars per day, and the President three
dollars and fifty cents per day during
che sitting of the National Council.
For embezzling, intercepting, and
opening sealed letters, the punishment
is a fine OF one hundred dollars and one
hundred stripes on the bare back.
The business of the Council during
its session is suspended on the Sab
bath, and all the merchants, pedlars
and mechanics, at New Town, close
their doors during that day.
They have law declaring what
shall be lawful fence-they have also
q statute Of limitations, but it does not
operate on notes or liquidated accounts.
The Treasurer of the Cherokee nation
is authorized TO loan upon good secu-
rity, such surplus funds as may remain
after dIscharging the annuaIappropria.
ton.
4 marshal, sheriff, deputy sher-
III, and two constables are appointed in
each district. These officers have su.
perseded the companies Of light horse,
which, before the passage Of this regu-
lation, executed the DEGREES Of their
courts, and brought offenders to JUS
.tice. The marshals are elected by the
National Committee; the sheriffs and
"constables by the people in each dis
trlct. The duties OF these officers are
prescribed, and security taken for their
faithful performance. In pursuit OF
criminals they are allowed TO summon
as many men as may be necessary to
assist them.
A will, if found among The valuable
papers OF the deceased, although not
witnessed, is considered as establish
ed, if proved to be wrkten and signed
by the testator. A will TO be regular
according to law, should be signed by
the testator, attested by two witnesses.
and its validity proved to the satisfac.
ton of the cOurt Of the district. There
are also some regulations abou! nuncu
pative wills
1'he property Of any person dying
inIestate is divided equally amongst the