18 



Inasmuch 



The Iroquo- 

 ian Stock 



Six Nation 

 Territory 



Derivation of 

 &quot;Iroquois&quot; 



Chiefs 



such as the Huron, Susquehannocks, and others 

 in addition to those which constituted the 

 Five Nation Confederacy. The latter was formed 

 about the fifteenth century and comprised the 

 Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas and 

 Mohawks. At a later date the Tuscaroras, driven 

 from North Carolina, sought the protection of the 

 Five Nations, as being of common origin, and 

 were admitted into the Confederacy, which then 

 became the &quot;Six Nations.&quot; 



Their territory extended, in a general way, from 

 Niagara Falls to Albany and the River St. Law 

 rence. Cartier s description, of the towns and 

 inhabitants of Stadacona and Hochelaga makes it 

 evident that the people of both these places were, 

 at that time, of the Iroquoian stock. This ex 

 tension of the race, never, apparently, included 

 in the Confederacy, was exterminated by the 

 Algonquins on the one side, and by the Mohawks 

 on the other. From that time Lake Champlain 

 became the eastern boundary of the family. 



Their name, Iroquois, was given them by the 

 Algonquins, and signified, it is supposed &quot;real 

 adders,&quot; that is &quot;bitter enemies.&quot; 



Their chiefs were of three grades. First, 

 Counsellors, or the civil heads of the tribe. This 

 office was, and is, hereditary through the female 

 line. On the death of such a chief the matrons 

 of the tribe nominated his successor, the selection 

 being confirmed by the tribal and federal councils. 

 Second, War chiefs, selected for their natural 

 qualities of fortitude and bravery, often de- 



