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

governor of New York, concerning the belt and fifteen bloody sticks sent by the Missiosagaes, the like is very common, and the Indians use sticks as well to express the alliance of castles as the number of individuals in a party. These sticks are generally about six inches in length and very slender, and painted red if the subject is war, but without any peculiarity as

to

shape.

Documentary

Neiv York, iv, 437.

History

of

THE INDIAN TRIBES

sachem in order that a full explanation might be made. At these assemblies the will of the sachem was supreme, for al though permitting full debate, mutiny was punished by death. Lands held by them were obtained by conceded original If conquered, original right ceased occupation or by conquest. and vested in the conquerors ; if reconquered, the title returned to its original owners.

This rule they applied also to the

of lands to the Dutch.