NEW ECHOTA

Wednesday July 29, 1829

In reference to the complimentary notice of Se-quo-yah in our first page, it may be proper to mention, that most of the incidents related, took place among the Cherokees of the Arkansas. He commenced his labors here, but removed to the west before the practicability of his invention was tested. Se-quo-yah certainly deserves to be held in remembrance by all who respect native genius, but more particularly, by his country-men, on whom he has conferred a lasting blessing-they are reaping a full harvest from his invention, which, for its simplicity, is unrivalled.- Its simplicity is fully demonstrated by its rapid extension since it was introduced.- Without the aid of a single schoolmaster, or a single book, it has been generally acquired in the nation, and now we venture to assert reading and writing are as common here as among the neighboring whites, and certainly those Cherokees who have attended to their Alphabet once week, write more correctly, than the English scholar who has been steadfast to his book two years.

P. S. The font of type now used in this place was not procured by the general government, but at the public expense of the Cherokee Nation, though it is true the U. States have appropriated (not however altogether gratuitously) one thousand dollars, for the establishment of a press among the Cherokees of the Arkansas.

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We have understood that quite a dissatisfaction prevails among the people of the upper Districts, founded on false reports circulated respecting the late Delegation. It is the policy of the whites to take advantage of the ignorance of many of the Cherokees, and we have not doubt they are now assiduous in attempting to create division and distrust among the people. A report has some how originated, that the Delegation, during their late visit to Washington, ceded to the United States a portion of the Country; and this report is strengthened, in the view of many who are easily led estray by credulity, by the protracted silence of the Delegation, ' the survey that has lately taken place. It may be well, and we recommend it to the delegation to make the result of their Mission as public as possible. It was the intention of the Principal Chief, with two others, to make a tour through the nation and report their doings, but the sickness of one of them has frustrated the design for the present. One thing however is certain- the common people are jealous of their rights, and are ready at all times, to bring their chiefs to an account. How does this accord with the assertion which has been frequently made, that the Cherokees are but slaves to their tyrannical chiefs?