58 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
good natural abilities, and that he would, with the experience he must 
soon acquire, be able to fulfil the duties of the office properly, and become 
a useful member of the Council. Skanawati spoke in his ordinary tones, 
and in the manner of a sensible man of business addressing a public asso- 
ciation. At the close of his remarks, the chiefs of the younger nations 
responded by expressions of assent. 
A similar ceremony ensued with the successor of the Seneca chief, 
known in English as John Burnham (or Burning), who bore the title of 
Sadekaronhies (“ As Long as the Sky ”’)—the name of one of the six great 
leaders who framed the original League of the Five Nations. Then fol- 
lowed two proceedings which showed in a good light the practical working 
of their legislative system. The chief who held the eminent title of Tekari- 
hoken, the first on the Council roll, was unable or disinclined to perform 
any longer the duties of a councillor, and had declared his desire of retiring. 
Chief Skanawati now proposed that the Council should accept his resign- 
ation and appoint a successor. As it chanced, however, there was no 
member of the family to whom the title belonged old enough to under- 
take the duties of a councillor. Under these circumstances, it was neces- 
sary to appoint some person of another family, but of the same nation 
(the Mohawk), to hold the office temporarily. The choice being now 
comparatively unrestricted, it might be presumed that a well-qualified 
person would be selected. In fact, the candidate proposed as the locum 
tenens was a middle-aged man of very intelligent aspect—one who, 
judged merely by his appearance, would have been a desirable acquisition 
to any deliberative assembly. He was well received by the chiefs to 
whom he was presented. 
Skanawati then announced that the Council had found it necessary 
to exercise the right which it possessed of deposing an unworthy member. 
A chief had been proved guilty of selling intoxicating liquor on the 
Reserve. This was a breach of the law, and a public injury, and the 
Council had decided to degrade and expel him, and to appoint his assistant 
chief in his place. This announcement was received with the usual 
expressions of assent, and the leader of the administration—which is 
evidently Skanawati’s position—quietly returned to his seat. 
The leader on the other side, Hadwennine (Sheriff Wage), then rose 
and observed that it was the desire of the nations for whom he spoke, 
that he should welcome the newly received members and give them some 
instructions as to their duties. He requested them therefore to come for- 
ward. The three new members (the promoted chief not being apparently 
regarded in that light) advanced into the middle of the room, and stood 
there in a row, the two younger men looking rather sheepish under the 
concentrated gaze of the assemblage. The orator then addressed them in 
a speech of considerable length. They were told that as they were 
now members of the Great Council of the League, it would be their duty 
to learn-the rules and forms of the Council, and to conform to them. 
