kind, owes much of its usefulness and high
standing to the efficient management of Prof. H. W. Spray (Wilsini'),
already mentioned, who combines the duties of superintendent and
agent for the band. His chief clerk, Mr James Blythe (Diskwa''m,
"Chestnut-bread"), a Cherokee by blood, at one time tilled the posi-
tion of agent, being perhaps the only Indian who has ever served in
such capacity.
The exact legal status of the East Cherokee is still a matter of dis-
pute, they being at once wards of the government, citizens of the
United States, and (in North Carolina) a corporate body under state
laws. They pay real estate taxes and road service, exercise the voting
privilege, 1 and are amenable to the local courts, but do not pay poll
tax or receive any pauper assistance from the counties; neither can
they makefree contracts or alienate their lands (19). Under their
tribal constitution they are governed by a principal and an assistant
chief, elected for a term of four years, with an executive council
appointed by the chief, and sixteen councilors elected by the various
settlements for a term of two years. The annual council is held in
October at Cherokee, on the reservation, the proceedings being in
the Cherokee language and recorded by their clerk in the Cherokee
alphabet, as well as in English. The present chief is Jesse Keid
(Tse'si-Ska'tsi, '-Scotch Jesse"), an intelligent mixed-blood, who tills
the office with dignity and ability. As a people they are peaceable and
law-abiding, kind and hospitable, providing for their simple wants by
their own industry without asking or expecting outside assistance.
Their fields, orchards, and fish traps, with some few domestic animals
and