PAPERS RELATING TO THE SIX NATIONS.

271

strength of our Ind n Alliances I desired Each Nation to affix their Symbol to a Tree [to alarm] theFrench : the Oneydas put up a stone wch they painted Red.

The Onondagas whose residence are 40. miles farther are somewhat better versed in the Customsof their ancestors, they call themselves people of the Great Mountain.

The Cayugas who are about the same distance beyond them, have for their Symbol a pipe.

The Senecas are the most numerous & most distant of the six Nat s have sev 1 Towns & Symbolsfrom wch however little can be understood, and leaving this Confederacy we shall find that theNations to the North West tho they have their Symbols, they are not able to Explain to any degreeof Satisfaction, for as they scatter more in quest of a livelyhood they have not the same opportunitysor inclination to Cultivate & Explain oral Tradition . To the South West the Indians are betterversed in those matters but this is a field too large for w 4 1 now propose, tho’ by other opportunitysI shall most willingly assist your Enquiries therein.

[With respect to your questions concerning the chief magistrate, or sachem, and how he acquireshis authority, &c. I am to acquaint you, that there is in every nation, a sachem, or chief, who appearsto have some authority over the rest, and it is greatest among the most distant nations. But inmost of those bordering on our settlements, his authority is scarcely discernible, he seldom assumingany power before his people. And indeed this humility is judged the best policy; for wanting coer-cive power, their commands would perhaps occasion assassination, which sometimes happens. Thesachems of each tribe are usually chosen in a public assembly of the chiefs and warriors, whenevera vacancy happens by deatli or otherwise; they are generally chosen for their sense and bravery,from among the oldest warriors, and approved of by all the tribe; on which they are saluted sachems.There are however several exceptions; for some families have a kind of inheritance in the office,and are called to this station in their infancy.

The chief sachem, by some called the king, is so, either by inheritance, or by a kind of tacitconsent, the consequence of his superior abilities and influence. The duration of his authoritydepends much on his own wisdom, the number and consequence of his relations, and the strengthof his particular tribe. But even in those cases where it descends, should the successor appearUnequal to the task, some other sachem is sure to possess himself of the power and tire duties of theoffice. I should have observed, that military services are the chief recommendations to this rank.And it appears pretty clearly, that heretofore the chief of a nation had, in some small degree, theauthority of a sovereign. This is now the fact among the most remote Indians. But as, since theintroduction of fire arms, they no longer fight in close bodies, but every man is his own general,I am inclined to think this has contributed to lessen the power of a chief. This chief of a wholeDation lias the custody of the belts of wampum, &c. which are as records of public transactions :he prompts the speakers at all treaties, and proposes affairs of consequence. The chief sachemsform the grand council; and those of each tribe often deliberate on the affairs of their particulartribes. All their deliberations are conducted with extraordinary regularity and decorum. Theynever interrupt him who is speaking; nor use harsh language, whatever may be their thoughts.The chiefs assume most authority in the field, but this must be done, even there, with great caution;as a head warrior thinks himself of most consequence in that place.

The Indians believe in, and are much afraid of witchcraft: those suspected of it are thereforeoften punished with death. Several nations are equally severe on those guilty of theft, a crimeindeed uncommon among them; but in cases of murder, the relations are left to take what revengethey please. In general, they are unwilling to inflict capital punishments, as these defeat theirgi'and political object, which is, to increase their numbers by all possible means.

On their haunts, as on all other occasions, they are strict observers of meum and tuum; and this