93 EXPEDITION TO THE 



the cabin, and placing these near the door of the hut, 

 they made a fire which, being afterwards seen by the Mia- 

 mi and his remaining guest, was understood to imply a 

 council fire in token of peace between the two nations. 

 From this circumstance the Miami called them in his 

 language, W^a-h^6-n^-h3., or the fire-makers, w^hich being 

 translated into the other language, produced the term by 

 which this nation has ever since been distinguished.* All 

 the Indians of this part of the country recognise their alliance 

 with the Delaware Indians, whom they seem to consider as 

 their forefathers, applying to them in councils the appellation 

 of" Grand Fathers," and recognising their right of interfer- 

 ing and of deciding in last resort in all their national con- 

 cerns. This right extends, however, only so far as to make 

 their approbation necessary to the adoption of any import- 

 ant measure. Should it be withheld, the matter is again 

 referred to the nations for consideration, in their separate 

 councils, and should they persevere in the measure, it 

 would bring on a separation of the alliance, and the nation 

 refusing to submit to the decision of their grandfathers 

 would be considered as strangers. No such instance is, 

 however, recorded, and it is a remarkable trait in the cha- 

 racter of all Indian institutions, as far as we have observed, 

 that the principle of the binding influence of the will of 

 the majority is unknown. In all their decisions, unanimity 

 must be obtained, and very seldom fails to be procured. 

 Firmness of purpose and an invincible perseverance in all 

 plans against national enemies, seems with them to be 



• This tradition, together with a considerable part of the circum- 

 stances which we shall embody in the following pages, was obtained 

 from the Agent's Interpreter, Mr. Joseph Barron, a man whose long 

 residence among the Indians, extensive acquaintance with their cha- 

 racter, together with his unimpeachable veracity, confer much value 

 upon all the information obtained from him. 



