They had chief and subordinate Their sachem was rulers, and general as well as local councils. their local ruler and representative.

Their general councils were

composed of the sachems of different

families or

clans.

But

these councils assembled only in case of war, or other matters

In all other respects the tribes or requiring concerted action. clans acted independently, and declared war and made peace without reference to their neighbors, unless the contest was such that assistance was desirable, in which case invitations to alliance were sent out by messengers.

All obligations acquired

their force from the acceptance of presents.

ments or sending messages they took

as

In making agree

many little sticks as

there were conditions or parties in their proposals. 1

If the con

tracting parties agreed on

all, each party, at the conclusion, laid his presents at the feet of, the other. If the presents be

mutually accepted, the negotiation

is

firmly concluded, but if

not, no further proceedings were had unless the applicant On occasions of im changed the conditions and the presents. a at held the was house of the chief portance, general assembly eve of engaging in expeditions of war or When taken prisoners and hunting. about to suffer torture, they asked permisdance the kintc-kaye. sion to The first dance witnessed by the Europeans was by the savages assembled on the point of land just above Newburgh, which still bears the name of Dans hammer^ or dance chamber. 1 " As to the information which you observe I formerly transmitted to the