And indeed this humility is judged the best policy; for wanting coercive power, their commands would perhaps occasion assassination, which sometimes happens., The sachems of each tribe are usually Ghosen in a public assembly of the chiefs and warriors, whenever a vacancy happens by death 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 tacit consent, the consequence of his superior abilities and influence. The duration of his author- 'ity depends much on his own wisdom, the number and consequence of his relations, and the strength of his particular tribe. But even in those cases where it descends, should the successor appear unequal to the task, some other sachem is sure to possess himself of the power and the duties of. the office. I should

Vex. tv. 28

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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, the authority of a sovereign. This is now the fact among the most remote Indians. Butas, since the introduction of fire arms, they no longer fight in close bodies, but every man is his own general, T am inclined to think this has contributed to lessen the power -- of achief. This chief of a whole nation has 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.