CHEROKEES. 15 



The National Authorities have established schools in every dis- 

 trict throughout the nation, and engaged competent teachers to take 

 charge of them. Missionaries of various denominations are assiduously 

 engaged among them, from whose pious and exemplary conduct they 

 are receiving lasting benefits. 



19. 



COO-WIS-COO-EE, OR JOHN ROSS. 



(Painted Sept. 1844.) 



Principal Chief of the Cherokees. Mr. Ross has been for a number 

 of years at the head of his people, which fact is sufficient evidence of 

 the high estimation in which they hold him as a man capable of 

 discharging the responsible duties devolving upon the office. Mr. R. 

 is a man of education, and as a statesman would do honour to the 

 legislative halls of any country. His hospitality is unbounded; 

 from his soft and bland manners, his guests are at once made to feel 

 at home, and forget that they are far from the busy scenes of civil- 

 ization, and surrounded by the red men of the forest. His house is 

 the refuge of the poor, starved, and naked Indian j when hungry, he 

 is sure to find at the abode of this exemplary man something where- 

 with to appease his hunger, and if naked, a garment to cover his 

 nakedness. Of his private and political history much might be said; 

 but we leave it to those who are more competent to the task, and 

 able to do him that justice due to so eminent a man. 



20. 



KEETH-LA, or DOG. 



(Painted 1844.) 



Commonly called Major George Lowery, Second or Assistant 

 Chief of the Cherokees; an office which he has filled for a num- 

 ber of years with much credit to himself and the entire satisfaction 

 of his people. He is about seventy years of age, speaks English 

 fluently, and is an exemplary Christian. 



He is painted in the attitude of explaining the wampum, a tradition 

 of the manner in which peace was first brought about among the 

 the various Indian tribes. (See No. 27.) 



