The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-09
Death and Burial Of a disting uished Cherokee

The death OF WILLIAM SHoREY CooDY or, in the Cher
okee vocabulary, " lau-u nee-tah" which occurred re-
Gently this city, has been announced in the public
journals An Indian custom requires upon the decease
of distinguished chief councillor that of their
orators should make known the causes OF his death
with the ceremonies attending his funeral and relate
such incidents of his life might afford information and
esteemed COUNCILLOR whose loss is depored depart
ed this life upwards of two thousand miles distant from
his nation, has been decreed by his friends here that
this sad memorial should be written and published in this
city, where he passed from this life into eternity and
where the last solemn tribute of respect paid to his
earthly remains consgnng them TO their mother earth
ms melancholy duiy has deVoived upon an DID, sincere,
and attached friend.
William S Cooiy was born in the Cherokee nation,
within the limits of Tennessee, in the year 1906. His
mother sister OF John Ross esq celebrated as the
chief OF the Cherokee nation. He educated princi
pally at Knoxville Tennessee. and left school finished
English scholar In literary attainmens. good
sense and sound Judgment he had no superior among
hls people; and none not OF their chiefs and
clos, devoted 10 their true interests with
greater self sacrificing energy and zeal entered the breach
between the several conending par,ies-counselllng
moderation apd Conference.-The restoration OF harmony
and kind feeling, which alone could preserve their
ona existence, and secure their permanent prosperity
and happiness people lie thus through all the fear
u strife which for several years threatened the exter
mnaon OF the tribe retained the respect and confidence
OF the intelligent and rejecting OF all parties He like
wise secured the confidence and esteem of the govern
ment of the United States Qhe spirit of whose policy
with regard to the Indians he well understood) on
count Of his well known successful exerons to allay
excemens, sometimes of serious character produced
by the supposed real failure neglect OF that govern
ment TO fulfil treaty stipulatons with the Cherokees.
In the winter of lS3l-'32 he sent delegate by
the Cherokee nation east of the Mississippi TO the city
OF Washington in connexon with the celebrated John
Ridge and John Martin, for the purpose Of settling
difficulties OccasOned by the operation OF the treaty
of 1885, negotiated with the western Cherokee nation
under construction put upon its provisions which was
repudated by the Indian contracting party and declared
by the eastern nation to be violation OF ITS most sacred
rights The correspondence between the conflicting par
ties on that occasion will show with what mness and
jah DELEGATIONS
the important duties confded to them.
| In the year 1895, when the far-famed New Echota
treaty IN embryo William 5. Cody, having then
joined the Cherokee nation west of the Mississippi
river" elected member of delegation instructed
proceed to the council ground of the eastern nation
for the purpose of solemny protesting against any inter-
ference with the country other property rights
viousy guaranteed by treaty the western Cherokees
should any be attempted in the contemplated negotiation
between the United States and the eastern nation. The
intention TO interfere had been communicated to their
chiefs by the government agent tor the western Chero
KEGS How the efforts OF this delegation parayzed
are matters of record in the public archives 1t might
have saved much blood and treasure to all parties con-
cerned, the voice of Cody and his delegation would
then have been listened to- and the treaty OF New Echoa
have been stifed in its conception The departments
and Congress have been engaged, without success for
than thirteen years in settling the difficulties created
by that unfortunate treaty.
In the irving scenes which followed the removal of the
eastern Cherokee naon in the fall OF 1898 and spring of
firm and manly stand occupied by Mr. Cody appauding
the right, and fearessy censuring the wrong, when
perperated by either party, secured for him the
ton and esteem OF all, and plainly marked him as pos
sessng the peculiar qualities necessary constitute the
chief who would at future day again unite them as
one people Whenever he consented to be candidate
he elected member OF their national Legislature,
and presided in the other House. In the year
S47 he served in this capacity for the last time, being
then President of the highest branch OF their National
Assembly; retiring in consequence of bad health which
| required change of habit AMI climate.
Of the numerous delegations sent to Washington since
the removal of the Cherokees under the treaty of
| COOlv
1885, when three delegations appeared as the representa-
lives of the Cherokee nation. designated the govern
ment party the sold Settlers" and the treaty party
he member OF the first and one OF the sgners
of the treaty of August 6, 1916.
Early in the winter OF ls47, after the adjournment OF
the national legislature the state of his health had be.
co ne so precarious TO admonsh him that it could no
longer with safety be neglected He had contracted the
disease of which he then complained whilst in company
with Col Pierce M Butler, then Cherokee agent his
petition the western prares in the fall and winter OF
1856, upon which he sent, under instructions
from the government, to make treaties OF peace and
friendship with the Comanches and other wild tribes OF
Indians He accompanied Col. Butler, not in the employ
rent Or under pay on, nus vi oS as
and the feeling reciprocal Alas those two bright
spsthen buoyant in life in health in that high hope
and excitement Characteristic of both men, and naturally
increased by the anticipation of excursion to the wild
haunts and hunting grounds OF the untamed Comanches-
have now passed beyond that unknown river" from
whence they return to their mourning friends
on earth In consequence OF great exposure on this
prairie expedition, Cody attacked with chlls and
feyefs, and when he returned home he was suffering
under bilious fever OF a serious character The seeds
of the disease thus sOwn, never were eradicated--hs
liver became seriously deranged-anl in this condition
he found himself when he closed his in the
Cherokee council, the fall of lS47; and, under the
advice of his physician, determined entire relaxa
ton from business and change of climate Early the
spring of ls4S he visited New Orleans and remained there
until the middle of June He then tried the sea voyage
in the steamer Crescent City New YORK, where he
rived in the latter part of that month and thence IN the
fall, he to Washington city, as well TO try the
changes of climate and scenery &C count OF his health
as to and consult with some OF his Cherokee and
other friends here concerning the affairs of his people.
The character OF the disease which carried him to the
grave, and Of which he had for time startling pre-
monory symptoms, now began fully to manifest Itself
it was pronounced dropsy of the chest and abdomen and
at length Frustrated him upon sick bed, at Coleman's
hotel He had already sent for his wife and children to
the Cherokee nation. She left home Immediately after
his message reached her. with her two young children
and female Servant in company with her father and
part of the Cherokee delegations appointed to represen
their people at Washington and arrived here on the goth
of January. brief notice OF this young, lovely and
afectonae wfe-now the disconsolae Widows due to
her numerous friends and herself She the daughter
of Major Richard Fields, distinguished citizen and
councillor of the Cherokee nation, well and avoably
known in this city. She educated at Keene, New
Hampshire where it is said she highly esteemed and
loved by her teachers and youthful associates who will
feel sorrow at her bereavement She left home upon
the OF her sick husband, in the dead OF winter