The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-10-23
THE CHERoKEEs.


We have received the first number Of the Chero-
kes Advocate, published at Tahlequah, aud edited by
William p. Ross and, from the prospectus, We learn
that II is intended 10 promote the physical moral and
intellectual improvement Of the Cherokee people.
Al appeal is made to the citizens OF the United
States for the friendly aid in this undertaking and
sanguine feeling is expressed that il will not be in
vain. The price of the paper is three dollars per
aanum, aud MIR. Franek Taylor is the agent for this
CITY
The following extract may prove of interest TO our
readers, viz;
The Government Of the Cherokee Nation is re-
pubiean--and Is composed of the Executive Legis-
auve, and Judicial departments.
The Executive Department consists of Principal
Chief, an Assistant Principal Chief and AN Extcu-
tive Council of five members.
The Principal and Assistant Chiefs are elected
once In every Jour years, by majority of the quail.
ned voters Of the Nation every sane male Cherokee
citizen, who has attained the age of eighteen years
being entitled To vote.
IL Is The duty of the Principal Chief [John Ross !
TO zee that the laws regularly enforced and u
discharge those functions usually vested an Execu
tive Head. He Is empowered with the Eio and the
power oil pardonng persons convicted and sentenced
TO punishment for capital crimes, under certain re-
stricuons.
al Committee and the Council each of The egh, dis
ticts into which the Nation is divided being repre-
sehteu oy Two members IN the former branch aud
Three IN the latter These members are elected in
Inc same manner as the Chiefs once every two yeas.
They meet annually al 1ahlequah, on the frat
Monday IN October, Ia National Council TO leg sa
upon The general affairs of the nation. No hill eau
bee me law until il has received the Concurrence Of
DO h branches of The National Council and the APP
prosa OF the Principal Chief In case the Prlacipa
Of Il e.
National Council, he it with his objections in
wrting, TO the body In which i; originated A vote
Of two-Ih'rds of the members of the National Coun
cal Is necessary TO make any bill law the pa sage Of
which has been objected To by The Principal Chief
The powers of the National Commitiee and the
Council are the same, except IN cases Of mpeac hmen
and appropriations of money. All appropriations
originate IN Council, but subject approval,
modfca,on, or rejection by the National Committee.
Impeachment for violation or neglect of duty may
be rendered by the Council against any public officer
of the nation. The National Committee then be-
comes specially constituted court for the trial Of
such cases.
Members of the National Council receive for THEN
services per diem of three dollars while they
session.
The Judiciary il divided into the Supreme, the
Circuit and the District Courts whose respective
duties and jurisdiction clearly defined by law.
The Supreme Court consists Of Chief Justice
and four Associates-the Circuit Court of Judge
for each of the two Judicial Circuits into which the
Nation is divided and the District Court of Judge
for each Of the eight Districts
All judges elected by joint vote Of the G ON
mtee and Council.
The Supreme Judges hold their seats for the term
Of four Circuit two years, and the District
one year. The first receive per diem of five dol
lars, while engaged in holding Court-the sec nd
two hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and the last
one hundred dollars.
T.. ar
for each district who elected by the voters Of his
district every two years, and who receives for his
services a salary Of two hundred dollars per an
mum.
| The right of trial by an impartial jury Of his coun-
'rymen, and of being confronted face to face by his
accusers and witnesses, and of legal advice is Sc.
cured TO every person amenable to and charged with
an inracton of the laws of the Cherokee nation.
| The laws of the Cherokees are not sangnnsry TOR
unnecessarily severe-murder and treason being the
only crimes punishable with death. Thefts, arson,
and similar offences with stripes.
| Debts recoverable by law The property of
the wife cannot be sold without her consent 10 salts
fly debts contracted by her husband and vice versa
| The Cherokees have system of taxation. All
expenses attending the administration Ct their public
affairs, betrayed out of annuites received from
/ the United States.
| The public funds of the nation are placed in The
hands Of a Nation Treasurer who gives bond and
good security for heir safekeeping ard disbursement
according to law. Before the National Treasurer
can pay out any funds entrusted TO iscare, any
account whatever, an appropriation auiboi zng him
to do so must be first made by the National Council,
by special enactment, and warrant be issued there
on by the Principal Chief
All persons holding Office under III, Executive,
l Legislative and Judicial Departments f the Gov
eminent Of this Nation, required before entering
upon the discharge Of their duties to tate oath to
support and defend IFS Constitution and Laws