Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-11-14
F+o,, he Cherokee .di56eGte.


..oo,,.l If The great mass Of the Cherokee
me Fero their beloved land" noSv partitia ned
'ls he states Of Georgia North Carolina, Al
ohsma and Tennessee, was forcibly effected by the
most unnaralleled hardships disease and suffering.
tn the succeeding year, they arrived in the pres
ant Cherokee country-entered into an Act Of I'm |
ion With those of their brothers who had preceded
them hither, some by many years, and mutually |
adopted, under the; style and title of the Chero-
See Nation" their mutual government. OF this
government, we present below q synopsis, intend |
ing to follow it shortly with the Constitution |
and Laws in full
The Government of the Cherokee Milton i Re-
Satiye, and the Judicial Departments.
The Executive Department consists Of a princi- |
pal Chief, an assistant principal Chief and an Ex-
ecutive Council Of five members.
The Principal and Assistant Chiefs are elected
once in every four years, BY majority ofthe quail I
ified voters Of the Nation; every sane mle Chero-
kee CITIZEN who has attained the age Of 10 years,
being entitled to vote.
It is the duty of the principal Chief to see That
the laws are regularly enforced, and to discharge
those functions usually vested in an Executive
Head. He is empowered with the UetO and the
power Of pardoning persons convicted and sen.
fenced to punishment for capital crimes, under
certain restrictions.
The Legislative Department consists Of the Ma.
4ional Committee and the Council-each of the
eight Districts into which the Nation is divided,
beinp represented by two members in the former
branch, and three in the latter. These members
are elected in the same manner as, the Chiefs, once
every two wears.
T6ey meet annually. At Tahleouah, on the first
Mon 'ay in October, in General Council, to legis.
late upon the general affairs of the Nation. No
bill can become law until it has received the
concurrence of both branches Of the National Conn
ell and the approval of the principal Chief. In
case the principal Chief disapproves Of any bin
which has passed the National Council, heretuEns
it with his Objections IN writing to the body in
which it originated. A vote Of two thirds Of the
members of the National Council is necessary to
make any biM alaw. the passage Of which has been
objected to by the principal Chief
The mowers If the National Committee and the
Council are the same except in cases Of impeach-
ment, and appropriations originate in the Council
but are subject to approval modification or reiec.
.tiod by the National COMMITTEE.
Impeachment for violation or neglect Of duty
NAV be tendered bv the G,onnc;l AGAINST anv nnh;c
officer of the Nation. The National COMMITTEES
then becomes special constituted court for the
trial of s,ch case
Memhsss of the Nat;ond, counc5l receive for their
Hervices Der item of three dollars while thew
are in session.
The Judiciary is divided into the Supreme. the
Circuit and the District Courts, whose respective
duties and jurisdictionare clearly defined by law.
The Supreme Court consists Of Chief Justice
and four Associates-the Circuit Court of Judge
fsr each of the two Judicial Circuits into which the
Nation is divided and the District Court Of Judge
for each ofthe eight Districts
All Judges are elected by joint vote Of the
Committee and Council.
The Sepreme Judges hold their seats for the
term of four years, the Circuit two years, and the
District one year. The first receive per diem 9:
five dollars, while engaged in holding Court the
the second two hundred and fifty dollars per annum
and the last one hundred dollars.
In addition to these officers, there is also Sher.
Cts
his district every two years, and who receives fol
his services salary OF two hundred dollars pei
annum.
'TheTight OF trial by an impartial jury OF his
counrymen, and OF being confronted face to face by
his accusers and witnesses, and Of legal advice Is
secured to every person s1nenabie to, ard charged
with an infraction OF tine laws OF the Cherokee
Nation. %8
The laws of the Cherokees are not sanguinary,
nor unnecessarily severe-murder and treason being
the only crimes punishable with death. Thetts,
arson and similar offences with stripes.
Debts are recoverable by law. The property Of
the wife cannot be sold without her consent, to
satisfy debts contracted bylher husband, and VicG
Uersn.
The Cherokees have no system OF taxation. All
Tic affairs, are betrayed out Of annuities received
srsrccn, the United States.
FTi,e pubic funds Of the Nation are placed in the
hands Of National Treasurer, who gives bond and
good security for their safe keeping and disburse
Inent according to law. Before the National Treas
nrer can nav out any funds entrusted TO his care.
on any account whatever, an appropriation author
;zine him te Ao-soJ rnastb first made by the Ma.