in the administration of the government at all. times during his continuance in office.

SEC. 13. Vacancies that may occur in offices, the appointment of which is vested in the National Council, shall be filled by the Principal Chief during the recess of the National Council by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of the next session thereof.

SEC. 14. Every bill which shall pass both branches of the National Council shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Principal Chief; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that branch in which it may have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journals, and proceed to re-consider it; if, after such re-consideration, two-thirds of that branch shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other branch, by which it shall likewise be re-considered, and, if approved by two-thirds of that branch, it shall become a law. If any bill shall not be returned by the Principal Chief within five days, (Sundays excepted), after the same has been presented to him, it shall become a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the National Council, by their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it shall be a law, unless sent back within three days after their next meeting.

SEC. 15.

Members of the National Council, and all officers, executive and judicial, shall be bound by oath

B

to support the constitution of this Nation, and to perform the duties of their respective offices with fidelity.

SEC. 16. In case of disagreement between the two branches of the National Council with respect to the time of adjournment, the Principal Chief shall have power to adjourn the same to such a time as he may deem proper; provided, it be not a period beyond the next constitutional meeting thereof.

SEC. 17. The Principal Chief shall, during the session of the National Council, attend at the seat of government.

SEC. 18. There shall be a council composed of five persons, to be appointed by the National Council, whom the Principal Chief shall have full power at his discretion to assemble; he, together with the Assistant Principal Chief and the counselors, or a majority of them, may, from time to time, hold and keep a council for ordering and directing the affairs of the Nation according to law; provided, the National Council shall have power to reduce the number, if deemed expedient, after the first term of service, to a number not less than three.

SEC. 19. The members of the executive council shall be chosen for the term of two years.

SEC. 20. The resolutions and advice of the council shall be recorded in a register, and signed by the members agreeing thereto, which may be called for by either branch of the National Council; and any counselor may enter his dissent to the majority.

SEC. 21. The treasurer of the Cherokee Nation shall be chosen by a joint vote of both branches of the National Council, for the term of four years.

SEC. 22. The treasurer shall, before entering on the duties of his office, give bond to the Nation, with sureties to the satisfaction of the National Council, for the faithful discharge of his trust.

SEC. 23. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but by warrant from the Principal Chief, and in consequence of appropriations made by law.

SEC. 24. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all public moneys, and to make a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public moneys at the annual session of the National Council.

ARTICLE V.

SEC. 1. The judicial powers shall be vested in a Supreme Court, and such circuit and inferior courts as the National Council may, from time to time, ordain and establish.

SEC. 2. The Judges of the Supreme and Circuit courts shall hold their commissions for the term of four years, but any of them may be removed from office on the address of two-thirds of each branch of the National Council to the Principal chief for that

purpose.

SEC. 3. The Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall, at stated times, receive a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance

in office, but they shall receive no fees or perquisites of office, nor hold any other office of profit or trust under the government of this Nation, or any other power.

SEC. 4. No person shall be appointed a judge of any of the courts, until he shall have attained the age of thirty years.

SEC. 5. The Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall be elected by the National Council, and there shall be appointed in each district as many justices of the peace as it may be deemed expedient for the public good, whose powers, duties and duration in office, shall be clearly designated by law.

SEC. 6. The Judges of the Supreme Court and of the Circuit Courts, shall have complete criminal jurisdiction in such cases, and in such manner, as may be pointed ⚫ out by law.

In case

SEC. 7. No judge shall sit on trial of any cause when the parties are connected [with him] by affinity or consanguinity, except by consent of the parties. all the judges of the Supreme Court shall be interested in the issue of any cause, or related to all or either of the parties, the National Council may provide by law for the selection of a suitable number of persons of good character and knowledge, for the determination thereof, and who shall be specially commissioned for the adjudication of such case by the Principal Chief.

SEC. 8. All writs and other process shall run "in the name of the Cherokee Nation," and bear test and be signed by the respective clerks.

SEC. 9. Indictments shall conclude-"against the peace and dignity of the Cherokee Nation.”

SEC. 10. The Supreme Court shall, after the present year, hold its session annually at the seat of government, to be convened on the first Monday of October in each year.

SEC. 11. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right of being heard; of demanding the nature and cause of the accusation; of meeting the witnesses face to face; of having compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his or their favor; and in prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the vicinage; nor shall the accused be compelled to give evidence against himself.

SEC. 12. The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions, from unreasonable seizures and searches, and no warrant to search any place, or to seize any person or things, shall issue, without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without good cause, supported by oath or affirmation.

SEC. 13. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient securities, unless for capital offenses, where the proof is evident or presumption great.

ARTICLE VI.

SEC. 1. No person who denies the being of a God, or future state of reward and punishment, shall hold any office in the civil department in this Nation.

SEC. 2. The free exercise of religious worship, and

serving

God without distinction, shall forever be