Chap. L] THE IROQUOIS. 9 



customs and religious observances, the Iroquois dis- 

 played, in full symmetry and matured strength, the 

 same characteristics which in other tribes are found 

 distorted, withered, decayed to the root, or, perhaps, 

 faintly visible in an imperfect germ. They con- 

 sisted of five tribes or nations — the Mohawks, the 

 Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the Sen- 

 ecas, to whom a sixth, the Tuscaroras. was after- 

 wards added.-^ To each of these tribes belonged 

 an organization of its own. Each had several 

 sachems, who, with the subordinate chiefs and 

 principal men, regulated all its internal affairs ; 

 but, when foreign powers were to be treated with, 

 or matters involving the whole confederacy re- 

 quired deliberation, all the sachems of the several 

 tribes convened in general assembly at the great 

 council-house, in the Valley of Onondaga. Here 

 ambassadors were received, aUiances were adjusted, 

 and all subjects of general interest discussed with 

 exemplary harmony.^ The order of debate was 



1 The following are synonymous names, gathered from various 

 writers : — 



MohaAvks, Anies, Agniers, Agnierrhonons, Sankhicans, Canungas, 

 Mauguawogs, Ganeagaonoh, 



Oneidas, Oneotas, Onoyats, Anoyints, Onneiouts, Oneyyotecaronoh, 

 Onoiochrhonons. 



Onondagas, Onnontagues, Onondagaonohs. 



Cayugas, Caiyoquos, Goiogoens, Gweugwehonoh. 



Senecas, Sinnikes, Chennessies, Genesees, Chenandoanes, Tsonnon- 

 touans, Jenontowauos, Nundawaronoh. 



2 " In the year 1745, August Gottlieb Spangenburg, a bishop of the 

 United Bretlu-en, spent several weeks in Onondaga, and frequently at- 

 tended tlie great council. The council-house was built of bark. On each 

 side six seats were placed, each containing six persons. No one was ad- 

 mitted besides the members of the council, except a few, who were par- 

 ticularly honored. If one rose to speak, aU the rest sat in profound 



