CHICKASAW NATION, THE. With.... in certain limits established by Beaty be tween the United States; the Choctaw and toe Chiekasaw Indians, signed at Washing, ton, June 22, the Chickasaw nation has' exclusive control and jurisdiction.
The following treaties have been made, establish ing the rights .of this nation :—Betwocii the United States and the Chickasaws, concluded October 20, 1832, ratified Much 1, 1833; one concluded May 24, ratified July lc, 1834; one between the United States, the Choctaws, and the Chickasaws, concluded January 17, ratified March 24, 1837; one bt tweet the United Etates sod the Chick asaws, ocnotoclect June 22, 1852; ratified February 24, 1853; one I etween the United States, the flee tarts, and the Chickasaws, concluded June 22, 1855, ratified March 4, 1856: This nation has a printed constitution, prefaced by a declaration of rights, which is substantially as follows, viz.: that all po litioal power inheres in thepeople; that all men should be free to worship God according to the dice fates of their conscience, and not be cempelled to attend, erect, or support any Ministry against their Consent; that there should he freedom of ereech; that there should be security from unreasonable searches of property or person ; that every person accused' of crime should' have a speedy trial.
The more important provisions of the constitu tion are as follows: All free Males nineteen years' old or mere, who are Chickasaws by birth or adoption, may rate. But no or insane person, or person conrioted of an infamous crime, may vote.
The Legislative Power.
The Senate is to be composed' Of not MSS than one-third nor More than two third's number of representativeS, elected by the people for the term of two years. The present number of senators is twelve, elected in each of the four districts' of the state, each district a county. A senator must be thirty years of age at least, must ha a Chickasaw by birth or adoption, and must have been a resident of the nation for one year, and for the last sit months( a citizen' of the county froth which he is chosen.
The Haase of Representatives consists Of eighteen members, elected by the people of the counties far one year. representative must be twenty-one years old, and otherwise possess the same qualifi cations as a senator. Constitution, art. iv.
The Executive Power.
The Governor is elected for two years by the pea ple of the nation. He must be a Chickasaw by birth or adoption, thirty years of age, and must have resided in the nation for one year next befere his election. lIe is to execute the lows; may Con vene the lgialature at unusual times; is to give inforMatian and recommend measures to the legia lature; may adjourn the legislature in case of dis agreement as to the time of adjournment, not be yond the next session.
The Afflicted Power.
The Sulitenzi Cart is composed of one chief add two assintantljnsfices, elected by the legislature for the term of four years. A judge must be thirty years old. This court has appellate jurisdiction Only, coextensive with the limits of the nation. ft may lain° the writs necessary to enforce its ju risdiction, and compel any judge of the district court to proceed to trial: The Circuit Court id held in each of the fear counties of the nation. It has original jurisdiction. of all criminal cases, and exclusive jurisdiction of all primes amounting to felony, as well ns of all civil oases not cognizable by the oounty court, and has original jurisdiction of all notions of contract where the amount• involved is more than fifty col lars. One oircuit judge for the nation is elected by the legislature. He rides four circuits a year, bolting- court each time in each of the four Collin ties in the state.
A ()aunty. Count is held in each county by a., sin: gle judge, elected by the people of the county foe the term of two years. It has a civil jurisdiction in all actions where the amount involved more than fifty dollars. It has also jurisdiction of the probate of wills, the settlement of estates, of decedents, the appointment and control of guardians. A probate term is held each month.