Cherokee Phoenix

In our last we stated that the General Council was organized on Monday, and the message read on Tues

Published October, 21, 1829

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In our last we stated that the General Council was organized on Monday, and the message read on Tuesday. The Message was not read on Tuesday, but on Wednesday.

We wish to give our readers a satisfactory account of the proceedings of the two houses during the present session. For this purpose the Clerk of the Council has kindly furnished us the abstract of the journal of that House which follows the doing of the committee for publication.

COMMITTEE

Tuesday, Oct. 15th

On motion of Mr. Gunter, a resolution was adopted, to which the council agreed suspending the law passed Nov. 8th, 1828 authorizing the Treasurer to issue permits for the introduction of white men into the nation.

Mr. Vann of Coosewatee introduced a bill for the relief of Edward Adair, George, and John, each of whom had a horse sold under the stray law of 1820, previous to the amendment of 1826, but had failed to recover said horses. After some discussion the bill was rejected.

A resolution was received from the Council on the subject of intermarriages, which was read and laid on the table.

Friday, Oct. 16th

On motion of D.Vann, the resolution from the lower House, on the subject of intermarriages, was taken up and read. After some inquiries and conversation it was laid over and made the order of the day for Saturday.

The Committee went into a consideration of so much of the Principal Chief's message as relates to the course of proceedings adopted by emigrants, in disposing of their improvements to citizens of the United States, and that part of the message which recommends some measures, under the Holston treaty of 1791, for the removal of such citizens of the United States out of the nation. After some discussion, the subject was deferred until Monday next for further consideration.

On motion of Jos. Vann, a resolution was adopted, requiring those persons who have buildings on the public square in Echota to remove them, and making it unlawful for any person hereafter to build upon the same, under the penalty of $100.

Monday, Oct. 20th.

On Motion of D. Vann, the resolution on the subject of intermarriages was again taken up. After considerable discussion, Mr. Jos. Vann withdrew the resolution he had offered to the house as a substitute for the one passed by the Council. The resolution as received from the Council was then adopted.

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COUNCIL

Monday, Oct. 12.

The National Council convened agreeably to adjournment, from the last session of 1828 for business.

The Clerk of the Council, Alexander McCoy, having taken his seat to attend to the duties of his appointment; it was, by motion of Mr. Charles Reece of Chickamauga, objected to his continuance in the discharge of his duties for the following reasons. 1st. In this, he had made it his personal interest in the acceptance of a promised reward, of a horse, to exert his influence in the Council, to effect the acknowledgement of the Elliots, as true descendants of Cherokee parents, and to have them admitted as citizens of this Nation with all the privileges of native born citizens.

2d. In this, that he, the said clerk, did suffer and permit, officers of the United States, during the recess of the Council to value his house and improvement,for the benefit of Edward Hicks, and Arkansas emigrant, and thereby committed violence to the feelings of his countrymen and afforded evidence of his disloyalty to the Nation, and consequently unworthy to possess the confidence of the Council. Therefore unanimously agreed, that he be discharged from the service of the Council, as no longer deserving the appointment of Clerk aforesaid.

The Speaker of the house, not having arrived, Sleeping Rabbit was called to the chair, and an election was held for a new Clerk of the Council, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the discission of A. McCoy. Three candidates being nominated, to wit: John Ridge, Stephen Foreman, and Elijah Hicks, the first, on counting the votes, was duly elected.

The House having appointed Messrs. Charles Reece and Archibald Campbell, a Committee to notify the Principal Chief, that they were now organized for business and prepared to receive any communication he may wish to make: adjourned to meet the next day at 9 o'clock.

Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The house convened, but did not proceed to business, until the arrival of the Clerk elect. at 11 o'clock, when on motion of Mr. Parris of Hickory Log, he was qualified agreeably to law as Clerk of the National Council by the Hon. Andrew Ross, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation.

The house then proceeded to the consideration of a memorial, submitted by Metey, claiming his seat as member of the Council, denying his removal out of Taquohee District, and objecting to the election of Choowahlooklee of said District to fill his place. The Council on inquiry, was convinced of his relinquishment of his plantation to his son, and that he had commenced another, in Amohee District, and was there settled, which was considered equivalent to a resignation; his memorial was therefore rejected.

Ordered by the Council, that a messenger be despatched to notify Choowahlookee of this decision and request his attendance in Council.

The Council then proceeded to adopt seven rules for their government, and after a little discussion agreed, to receive them. On motion of Mr. Parris, the House adjourned until to-morrow, 9 o'clock.

Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The National Council convened agreeable to adjournment. The Principal Chief read his message in presence of the Council and National Committee, and submitted other documents for their information, the perusal and explanation of which occupied the whole day. The house adjourned at 9 o'clock to-morrow.

Thursday, Oct. 15

On motion of James Bigbey a resolution was adopted and sent to the Committee for concurrence respecting intermarriages, defining the privilege of such as become citizens of the nation by marriage.

Friday, Oct. 16.

Chuwalooge of Dahquoee District was qualified and took his seat as member of the Council.

On motion of Mr. Reece of Chickamauga, the House took up a bill, providing for the appointment of a Ward, or keeper of the public buildings--which was passed and sent to the other House for concurrence.

Saturday, Oct.17

The House met at 9 o'clock agreeably to adjournment. The members of the National Committee having entered the Council room, the two branches of the Legislature, in Committee of the whole, proceeded to the election of executive Counsellors for the ensuing year. Major Ridge, William Hicks and Major Waters were reelected.

Monday, Oct. 19th.

At two o'clock Noochawee, a criminal, who had been condemned to die on that day by the circuit court of Aquohee District for the murder of Ahmahyouhah appeared before the table of the clerk, having a petition in his hand with upwards of fifty signatures, praying that he may be reprieved. The members of the National Committee entered the Council room ' took their seats. The petition was read and interpreted into the Cherokee language by the Clerk of the Council. After short addresses, the question was put, shall the prisoner be reprieved of not?--yeas 31 Nays.3 A resolution for the reprieve of the prisoner was then drawn and signed and sent to the principal Chief for his approval. He being absent, the Assistant principal Chief put his signature to the instrument. The prisoner was then set at liberty. [It appeared from the evidence by which he was convicted that the murder was not premeditated or willful. The criminal did the fatal deed under mitigating circumstances.]