The Arkansas banner., 1847-02-10
Foar SM,rH. Jan. l0tA, lS47.

DEsR SiR: send you ssCherokee Ad- yccate,n im which you will find very slly and impettinent editorial about the Us s. Marshal, and the Agent, in reference 10 the arrest of 1'homas Ragsdale, which ought to bc noticed, and the inForsnaiion which tha sapient editor pre,ends 10 want, furnished him. IL IS to be regretted that ,l,is paper has taken this course. and promulgates such senti-
 menss, for 1t will render it difiicnl, and per haps dangerous, to execute process in tie nation. IL has always been iavorise de- fusion of the dominant pariy, Of the Chero-
 kee,s, that the nation is independent, and
 that no U. S Officer, exeep. the agent has any jurisdiction over it's citizens. To ssde- nounee" the arrest of murderer by an of-
 ticer within his bailiwick as trash, unjust, and illberal," evidences any thing else but love Of good order, or desire to sec of lenders brought to punishment My object is to furnish you the facts in this case, hop ing that you will see proper 10 correct the impression sought 10 be made by the ssAd- v0cateo
 The evidence taken before the Magistrate, which is in the hands of Col. Hampstead, District Attorney, shows that this man Rags dale who Is an Indian, some two years ago murdered Richard Newland, white man, in the Cherokee Nation. In regard 10 his trial in the Nation the facts as have heard them from the prisoner himself, and from other sources, are these: That Ragsslale was kept out of the way until jury was picked, ready, and willing, a, ali hazards, to clear him; Una, the witnesses against were threatened with their lives, if they dared to appear against him, and were SO in;imidated that they failed 10 appear in court. After this Ragsdale gave himself up, confident of acquittai Thus, when ssci,ed to appear be- fore this high minded and intelligent jury' spoken of so..hcauiifulIy by ihe Advocate, no testimony, on either side, was taken, hence there was no s.investigaiion had, nor any thing for ihisn high minded and intelligent, jury to delibera, upon. No wonder a favorable verdict was retumcd.' Even if Cherokee court was competent to try this case, there has been no rial which would prevent his being tried again. The fact is, that this Ragstlale is paEiizan of Ross, and consequently the law loving and intelligent editor of the Advocate, comes before the
 public crying out that the poor Cherokees,
 who delight in obedience to the laws, are oppressed, and that by an officer in the legal execution of his duty. In regard to the authority of the Cherokee Agent in cases of 1 this kind, there seems to exist a difference Of opinion. He has never claimed, Il believe, tie exclusive right to make arrest in the ! alton. wish you would get the opinion of the District Attorney whether or not an officer (the Marshall has the right 10 make arrests in the nation without asking aid of the Agent, and publish is In this case, an application was made by the U. $. Marshal To the commanding General of this depart- ment, for the arrest of Ragsdale, by him to the Agent, and by the agent to the chief, (which was renewed once or twice. who answered that the man had been once tried, and they did not see proper to give him up. If the Marshal is 10 wait until an application goes through all these hands, before mur- derer can be arrested, the intercourse law is
 of little ava,l, and the Cherokee Nation
 ought io be stricken of from ihe District. Alter inc Chief had refused 10 deliver up | Ragsdale, he was arrested in obedience 10 a
 writ issued from L. $. Court, and directed to
 the Marshal, was tried before, and committed
 by magistrate, upon the plainest testimony. and is now in jail at Little Rock.
 1 II the Chief of the Cherokee NalIoa, is 10 judge whether man shall be given up for
 trial, many an offending partizan of his. will | go sunwhips of justiee,n and the laws of the
 United States, as far as Cherokees are con- { cerned, viii fall into tlisass.