National councils were a duplication of tribal councils, except that they were composed of representatives selected by the chiefs and counselors of the tribes and their assemblage held at

In times of war the powers of the civil government

the capital.

were suspended. consent of his

A chief could not declare war without the

captains',

nor could he accept a war-belt except

to transmit it to them, and finally, the captains could not declare war was formally war unless by unanimous assent.

When

declared, the care of the people passed into the hands of the

When terms of peace were proposed, civil govern

captains.

ment was resumed

the chief again took his place ; the captains ; the proposals in his hands, and he had power to accept placed If he accepted the proposals, he took the or reject them.

hatchet

from the hands of the chief captain, and desired him This constituted a truce, and was followed by the

to sit down.

All the appointment of embassadors to conclude a treaty. the gravest demeanor, and proceedings were accompanied by

" the most impressive dignity. stranger could councils without a sensation of respec t."

No

visit their

x

Law and justice, as civilized nations understand those terms, were to them unknown, yet both they had in a degree

suited to

Assaults, murders, and other acts regarded as criminal offenses by all nations, were so regarded by them,

their

necessities.

was vested- in the injured constituted judges as well as executioners,