[SCOTT] CONFEDERACY OF THE SIX NATIONS. 197 
There is not the slightest doubt that this belief (which is now only 
held by the pagans of this band) was brought about as a result of the 
labours and teachings of the Jesuit fathers amongst them. 
These precepts as taught and inculcated in the immature and 
untutored minds of these people by these Missionaries have been 
assimilated to some extent into their own crude (religious) belief, as 
well as into the story of the traditional nativity of this founder of the 
Troquois Confederacy. 
It was in recognition of the fact that all nations have a tradi- 
tional history which originated while they were yet in a savage state, 
that this small fragment of Indian traditional history was written by 
the Chiefs, so that they might preserve it as other nations have done 
theirs. 
It is only natural for a people undergoing transition from a state 
of paganism to that of civilization and christianity to evince a desire to 
have their past mythological legends and crude history preserved. 
It was, therefore, at the request of and by the authority of the Six 
Nations Council that that portion of the traditional history of this 
people relating to the formation of the League of the Five Nations 
(the Tuscaroras having been since conditionally added) together with 
the condolence ceremonies, now used in the creation and induction into 
office of new Chiefs as successors to deceased members of the Council, 
was written from dictation by the ceremonial Chiefs, as follows:— 
Chiefs Peter Powless (Mohawk), Nicodemus Porter (Oneida), William 
Wage, Abram Charles (Cayugas), John A. Gibson (Seneca), Thomas 
Wm. Echo (Onondaga), Josiah Hill (Tuscarora), and Chiefs Josiah Hill 
and J. W. M. Elliott were appointed to act as Secretaries. 
Sed. at Ohsweken Council House, Six Nations Reserve, Augt. 
17th, 1900. 
JostaH Hizz, Secy. Six Nations Council. 
J. W. M. Extiorr, Secretary of the Ceremonial Committee on 
Indian Rites and Customs. 
The traditional narrative of the formation of the Confederation 
of the Five Nations, commonly known as the Iroquois, together with an 
account of the ancient customs, usages and ceremonies in use by these 
Nations in the choice and installation into office of their Ro-de-ya-ner- 
sonh (Lords or Chiefs), including traditions relating to the lives and 
characters of De-ka-nah-wi-deh, the framer of the League, Hah-yonh- 
wa-tha (Hiawatha), Tha-do-dah-ho, (and other leaders.) 
The beginning of the Great Peace, or the formation of the Great 
League of the Confederacy of the Five Nations:— 
