ANTHROP. PAP. ^jjg WAHNENAUHI MANUSCRIPT — KILPATRICK 209 



Had it not been that the Almighty had designs of mercy for the 

 People, and in His Providence placed at the Head of Government wise 

 and good men, the Nation would then undoubtedly have been 

 destroyed. 



A Constitution for the Government of the Cherokee Nation was 

 framed, and established subject to amendments by the National 

 Council. This Constitution stands an advantageous comparison with 

 that of the United States. [««] 



In 1828, the proceeds of a Sale of Land was vested in a permanent 

 School Fund; and the interest divided between the two Branches of 

 the Cherokee Family. 



After the Reunion, as payment was made for the Lands east of the 

 Mississippi, a part of the money was added to the original School 

 Fund ; more Public Schools were established, and also two High Schools 

 were located near Tahlequah, the Capital of the Nation. [^^] 



Provisions were made for an Orphan Asylum, which, later on was 

 firmly estabhshed, and has since continued in a prosperous condition. 

 Besides these schools, an Asylum for the Blind and other unfortunates 

 was founded, and is maintained by a National Fund appropriated 

 to that purpose. 



The barbarous practice of punishment by Public Whipping has 

 been long ago abolished, and confinement in Prison substituted. 



In closing these imperfect sketches, the reader will be interested 

 to know of the last days of the two men of whom I have made most 

 prominent mention. 



On account of Sequoyah's declining health, he was advised to 

 travel. 



He had thought much of the Legend of the Rockey Mountain 

 Cherokees, and the hope of satisfying his curiosity with regard to this 

 myth made him anxious to take a westward trip ; he was also very 

 desirous of seeing and exploring the western outlet belonging to the 

 Cherokees. These inducements led to his decision. 



On the early spring of 1842, he, with about twelve attendants, two 

 of whom were his sons, set out on the journey. 



Not caring to be needlessly burdened the Company carried with 

 them only a small amount of provision, expecting to supply their 

 immediate wants by killing the wild game with which they supposed 

 the Country to abound, for this purpose they were provided with a 

 sufficient stock of ammunition; 



" This is the Constitution of September 6, 1839. 



" The two seminaries were established by an act of the National Council on November 12, 1847 (Starr, 

 1921, p. 142). As early as November 16, 1841, the National Council created the posit ion of Superintendent 

 of Education and established 11 public schools. In 1845 there were 18 public schools; in 1867 there were 32; 

 by 1877 there were 75; there were over 120 at the time of the dissolution of the Cherokee Nation (ibid., pp. 

 22&-229). 



