Cherokee Phoenix

NEW ECHOTA

Published May, 21, 1828

Page 2 Column 5b

NEW ECHOTA

Wednesday, May 21, 1828

TO PATRONS

As applications are continually made for the first numbers of the Phoenix we would state for the information of our readers, that we are not in a situation to meet with such applications. The first three numbers are disposed of, and the present force connected with the printing establishment renders us unable to have a second addition struck off.

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At the last Circuit Court held in Hightower, three persons were convicted for stealing horses out of Carrol [sic] Co. ' were sentenced to receive fifty lashes each. These persons, we are told, stole upon the principle of rendering evil for evil. How backward some of our neighboring whites may be to do justice to the Indians, we confess we feel a pleasure in noticing this instance of the impartiality of our courts. It would be well if the authorities of Carrol [sic] County (Gov. Forsythe's [sic] Ministers) will look about and punish their offending citizens. It would be a sweeping work if they were to begin. So much 'for the success of the new Constitution.'

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It is the prevailing opinion here, that Col. Thomas L. McKenney will be one of the Commissioners who will be sent by the General Government to extinguish the Cherokee title to lands within the Chartered limits of Georgia. A few years ago this Gentleman would have been welcomed into this Country on any business, as a friend of the Indians, but now, we take the liberty to say, a more unpopular Commissioner could not well be sent. What is the reason? We hope when he comes to have a talk with us, his illiberal recommendations will not be verified-'the presence of a few troops.'

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For The Cherokee Phoenix

THE WEDDING.

Yesterday, being the last day of April, was a delightful day. Nature in a smile seemed to invite to a banquet of pleasing recreation; the birds mingled their charming melody with the breezes that gently agitated the leaves of the forest; and my soul glowed in harmony and rapture, as I surveyed the Oostanalee winding its silent course towards the South, apparently proud of its strength and value to man, who delights to live and labor on its refreshing banks. I was invited to a wedding on Amuchee creek [sic], six miles distant, which invitation I accepted, crossed the river, and, in company with a young lady, travelled in a path 12 inches wide through the wilderness. The spring had already exerted her power, and spread her rich carpet of green, white, red and yellow on the face of the earth. These blessings, are extended for the use and benefit of the Cherokee Indians, who for ages past have lived in ignorance and degradation, but now, no longer savages, are rising from ignorance to the standard of moral, intellectual, religious and political importance. We now can enjoy landscape scenery, and cherish the poetical effusions of Thompson as if he had addressed his 'seasons' to us:

'For you the roving spirit of the wind

Blows Spring abroad; for you the teeming clouds

Descend in gladsome plenty o're the world;

And the sun sheds his kindest rays for you,

Ye flow'r of human race. In these green-days

Reviving sickness lifts her languid head;

Life flows afresh; and youngeyed health exalts

The whole creation round.'

It was 12 o'clock when we reached the habitation of the Bride's parents, consisting of four log cabins, with a farm. Here were gathered a number of Cherokees, who, through my interpretation, heard an instructive discourse by the Rev. Greenberry Garrett of the Methodist church, on the 24th chapter of Luke, 45th, 46th and 47th verses. 'Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures; and said unto then, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.' At the close of the sermon *The Spirit, a Cherokee who does not speak English, delivered an address in support of the sermon, in a masterly and eloquent style. I esteem him the best speaker in this nation. He is to his country, what Cicero was to Rome. Prayer and singing were wholly conducted in Cherokee, and the audience, being mostly full-blooded Cherokees, and of the humbler class in life, afforded a specimen of handsome talent in church dress, and unexceptionable in deportment.

After a short intermission, and dinner, the nuptials were solemnized by the minister, and the service was interpreted into Indian by me. They were united agreeably to rules prescribed by the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Bride is a quarter white, possesses a fine figure, somewhat tall, beautiful complexion, with dark hair and eyes: her features bear the evidence of amiability and good nature; and on the whole she is an interesting woman. She is a member of the Methodist Church. The Bridegroom, a cousin of mine, is a full blooded Indian, of Aboriginal deep copper complexion, low in stature, fine figure, but does not possess a handsome face, though depicted upon it are the marks of honesty, fidelity and good nature.- He was dressed in a clean northern domestic suit, and his bride was in white cambric. After they were united, I congratulated them on the mode they had chosen to celebrate their nuptials- that it afforded me pleasure to reflect that we were advancing so rapidly in civil and religious improvement, as to banish our ignorant habits and customs, and that we were now adopting others which were more creditable ' decent, ' held in esteem by civilized nations;-that this wedding would be an example for others to improve to the world, that instead of being savages, we were enlightened.

I have been thus particular, to prove to your white readers, that, instead of the poorer class of our people being in servile chains and oppression, under the influence of Mitchel 'Nabobs,' they are in possession of religious and political freedom and rural happiness.

WATERHUNTER

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*The English name given to this man at his baptism is John Huss. He has been for some time employed as an itinerant exhorter by the American Board of Missions. Ed.

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Page 3 Col. 5b.

We are authorized to announce Richard Fields of Creek Path, a Candidate for the Committee, for Chattooga District.

We are authorized to announce Messrs. Walter Adair and John Ridge as Candidates for the Committee for Coosewattee District. Also Major Ridge, Tesahdaski, and James Foster, as Candidates for the Council for the same District.

We should like to receive the names of other Candidates.

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NOTICE

I HEREBY forewarn all persons against crediting my wife, DELILAH McCONNELL, on my account, as she has absconded without my consent. I am therefore determined to pay none of her contracts.

WILLIAM McCONNELL

May 15, 1828

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NOTICE

TAKEN up on Tarripin Creek, by Zachariah Simmons, on the 19th inst. a BAY HORSE, with a small white on his forehead, about six years old, and five feet and two inches high, and without any brand.

J. VANN.

April 30th 1828