1897.] PRINCE — THE PASSAMAQUODDY WAMPUM RECORDS. 48S 



The Wampum Records in English. 



Many bloody fights had been fought, many men, women and 

 children had been tortured by constant and cruel wars until some 

 of the wise men among the Indians began to think that something 

 must be done, and that whatever was to be done should be done 

 quickly. They accordingly sent messengers to all parts of the 

 country, some going to the South, others to the East, and others to 

 the West and Northwest. Some even went as far as the Wabanaki} 

 It was many months before the messengers reached the farthest 

 tribes. When they arrived at each nation, they notified the people 

 that the great Indian nations of the Iroquois, Mohawks and others 

 had sent them to announce the tidings of a great Lagootwagon or 

 general council for a treaty of peace. Every Indian who heard the 

 news rejoiced, because they were all tired of the never-ending wars. 

 Every tribe, therefore, sent two or more of their cleverest men as 

 representatives to the great council. 



When all the delegates were assembled they began to deliberate 

 concerning what was best to do, as they all seemed tired of their 

 evil lives. The leading Chief then spoke as follows: ^' As we look 

 back upon our blood-stained trail, we see that many wrongs have 

 been done by all of our people. Our gory tomahawks, clubs, bows 

 and arrows must undoubtedly be buried for ever." It was decided, 

 therefore, by all concerned to make a general Lagootwagon or 

 treaty of peace, and a day was appointed when they should begin 

 the rites'. 



For seven days, from morning till night, a strict silence was 

 observed, during which each representative deliberated on the speech 

 he should make and tried to discover the best means for checking 

 the war. This was called the '' Wigwam of Silence." 



After this, they held another wigwam called m' sittakw-wen tle- 



1 According to Indian tradition, six Iroquoian tribes united in a confederation in 

 the interests of peace. This was the famous league of the six nations: Onondagas,. 

 Mohawks, Oneidas, Senecas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras. The first five of these com- 

 pleted their league as early as the middle of the fifteenth century under the Onon- 

 daga chief Hiawatha. The object of the federation was to abolish war altogether 

 (see Brinton, The American Race, pp. 82, 83). It is evident that the Passamaquoddy 

 tradition embodied in this part of the Wampum Records refers to these proposals- 

 made by their Iroquois neighbors. 



