.OTg0.NjI5NDY

gain only a very few months service of the regiments above named.

         But dangers still surround us, this mad rebellion still exists & the Cherokees are still as willing & as anxious as ever to bear their full part in the work of crushing the rebellion & of conquer in an huma--strike out honorable & abiding peace. I therefore as the Acting Chief of the Cherokee Nation would very respectfully submit the following proposition. viz.
        1st That the Second & Third Regiments of Indian Home Guards, be mustered out of the service on the first day of M--strike out March next.
        2nd That the Cherokee auth--strike out National authorities be authorized to rise one mounted Regiment, on the following conditions:
               1st That said Regiment be enlisted into the military service of the United States to be subject to the order & discipline of the War Department.
               2nd That they be mounted, armed, equipped v-strike out paid & supported by the Government of the United States as other mounted troops.
       3rd That they act as Home Guards for the defense of the Indian country.
       4th That the Cherokee authorities have the selecting & commissioning of officers of these--strike out this regiment, just as the state authorities select & comission the officer of their respective Regiments.

         I would further propose that that portion of--strike out the people--strike out men of men--strike out of their Cherokee Nation who do not inlist in the Regiment above named now proposed--strike out be enrolled & organized as by the Chie--strike out by the Cherokee authorities--strike out]as a Cherokee National militia. That the U.S. government furnish them with arms & ammunition that they may be ready to be called out--strike out] into the service whenever the--strike out emergency may de--strike out render it necessary. That when in there-strike out in actual service they be paid & furnished with rations & forage as other troops.

Signed Lewis Downing Acting Principal Chief