Cherokee Phoenix

GENERAL COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Published October, 28, 1829

Page 2 Column 5a

GENERAL COUNCIL COMMITTEE

Tuesday, Oct. 20.

It was resolved, on motion of D. Vann, in order to testify to the talented author of the series of essays now in a course of publication in the National Intelligencer, on ' the present crisis of the American Indians,' the respect and gratitude of the Cherokee people; and in order to insure a more extensive circulation of the same, and afford to the citizens of this nation the means of become more acquainted with the relation they sustain to the United States, to have those able essays published in a pamphlet form.

On motion of Joseph Vann, it was resolved to have those essays translated into the Cherokee language.

On motion of Mr. Gunter a resolution was passed, regulating the duties of the clerks of the several Courts, and requiring them to perform these duties under the sanction of an oath, and to give bonds with sufficient securities to the National Treasurer for their faithful performance, viz: The Clerk of the Supreme Court, in an bond of $1000; the Clerks of the Circuit Courts, each, in a bond of $500; and the Clerks of the District courts, each, in a bond of $200.

Wednesday Oct. 21.

On motion of J. Timpson, it was resolved, that in case of removal, death, resignation, or inability of the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the Assistant Principal Chief shall perform the duties of Principal Chief, until the vacancy or inability be removed by the General Council, and the president of the Committee shall then act as assistant Principal Chief; and if the Principal and assistant Principal chiefs shall not be able to discharge, respectively their duties in consequence of removal from office, resignation, death or other wise, the president of the Committee shall perform the duties of the Principal Chief and the Speaker of the council shall perform the duties of Assistant the Principal Chief, until the General Council in session shall fill the vacancies, or remove the disability.

A resolution was adopted, repealing the law passed 12th Nov. 1825, authorizing the issuing of permits for five years to mechanics, and making other regulations on the subject. By the resolution now adopted, it is made the duty of the person who wishes to introduce into the nation a mechanic, to petition the Treasurer for a permit, and to obtain three or more respectable signers in his neighborhood to the petition.

Thursday, Oct. 22.

The petition of John Duncan and William Rogers, praying for an amendment to the law passed 31st October, 1825, on the subject of mines, so that the discoverer may be allowed two years to make experiments, after which time to become the property of the nation, and subject to such regulations as the nation may deem proper, was presented. On motion of James Daniel, it was laid on the table.

The resolution of the Council appointing Edward Graves to take the Journals of the Legislative Council, and cause the same to be published in the Cherokee language, was received and agreed to.

Messrs. David Vann and Samuel Ward were appointed a committee, to examine the Treasurer's report on the state of the funds, and make a report to the House.

The bill adopted by the Council, making provision for suspending the circuit Judge, when connected with either of the parties, by affinity or consanguinity; and providing for the election of any necessary substitutes, when constitutional objections are made to any or all the Judges of the Supreme court, was read. After considerable discussion, the bill was rejected.

Friday Oct 23.

The Treasurer submitted a claim, on the nation, of one thousand dollars, in favor of William H. Standefer and Ephraim Hixon, for goods lost in the year 1818. It was rejected on the ground, that one of the partners, Thomas Wilson, was a citizen of the nation, and the said Standefer and Hixon were not acting under license from the United States, or from the Cherokee Nation.

The resolution submitted by the Council authorizing the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix to translate all the laws of the nation, which are not translated, into the Cherokee language, and to have the same published in a pamphlet form, was read and agreed to unanimously.

The select committee to whom was referred so much of the Principal Chief's message as relate to emigrants disposing their improvements to citizens of the United States, and the citizens selling to emigrants with a view of speculation; reported a bill, which was read, and, on motion of Mr. Baldridge, laid on the table until tomorrow.

Mr. Gunter moved to alter the pay of the members of the General Council, so as to make the pay of the members of the Committee and Council equal. The motion was rejected. For the motion, -- Baldridge, Bolen, Downing, Gunter, and Joseph Vann -- 5. Against the motion, Daniel, Foremen, Griffin, Hamilton, M'Daniel, Taylor, Timpson, and Sanders, -- 8.