350 The Natural Historg 



of Measure at present: for this purpose the Buyer always 

 makes choice of his Man who hath generally the widest 

 Mouth, whom he brings with him to the Place where it is 

 to be disposed of, with a Bowl to put it in. 



The Indian Merchant, or Seller, looks very narrowly to 

 the Man's Mouth that measures it, for fear he should swal- 

 low any down, either through wilfulness, or otherwise, which 

 if he should happen to do, the Merchant or some of his Party 

 do not scruple immediately to knock the fellow down, ex- 

 claiming at the same time against him for false Measure, so 

 that the Buyer is obliged to get another Mouth Piece to meas- 

 ure it by; most certain it is, that the Indians have not such 

 puny Palates (as many of the Europeans have) otherwise 

 they would find out some decent Method or other to measure 

 their Liquor. This way of Trading must not only seem 

 strange but very diverting, to the European Spectators, to 

 see so much Quarreling and Controversy, as frequently hap- 

 pens in this new and uncommon way of Dealing or measur- 

 ing Rum. 



The Indian King is the Buler of the I^ation he belongs 

 to, and has others under him to assist him, as his War Cap- 

 tains and Counsellors, who are chosen out of the most ancient 

 and wise Men of his Nation. These he consults in all gen- 

 eral Debates, concerning War or Peace, Trade, Hunting, and 

 all the Adventures and Accidents of human Affairs, that 

 appear or come within their Jurisdiction, where all these 

 Matters are discoursed of and argued pro and con very delib- 

 erately (without making any Parties or Divisions) with 

 the greatest Conduct and Prudence immaginable, having noth- 

 ing more at Heart than what may be intirely for the publick 

 Good and safety of their ^N^ation, always valuing that before 

 their own private Interest. After every IMan has given his 



Opinion 



