The Enquirer

IMPEACHMENT
A gentleman lately present at the council of the Cherokee nation has transmitted the following curious detail of the impeachment of their King and two Chiefs to a gentleman in this place.

I am just returned from the Garrison of Highwassee where in addition to the politeness I experienced from the officers, I was highly gratified by being present at the distribution of the annuity given to the Cherokee Indians, agreeably to the treaty with the United States—There were nearly one thousand of the chiefs and warriors assembled on this occasion, adorned with all the pomp of savage greatness, which gave me an opportunity of seeing their customs and manners; and afforded me the satisfaction of being present at some of their councils.

In one of those councils their King and two of the principal Chiefs were accused of treachery to the nation—and as I know you admire an oratorial display of the passions, I could have wished you to have been present The sachems and chiefs were all seated with solemn gravity, whilst the warriors stood with composure around; the charges were all read in English and repeated in sentences by an Indian interpreter who stood in the centre of the circle; the result was that after an animated debate the king and chiefs were deposed and declared unfit to hold any office in the nation hereafter.

When the sentence was pronounced he arose with the dignity of Aborigine majesty, and declared his acquiescence: with a force of expression and vehemence of gesture which astonished me—he concluded (as the interpreter informed me) by saying: I have led you to battle and to victory—I have grown old in your service & have now learned that ingratitude is not peculiar to the whites; & that the man is yet unborn, perhaps will never come into existence, who can give general satisfaction to the Cherokee nation.

(Clarion.)