408 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1773. 



and how he acquires his authority, &c. I am to acquaint you, that there 

 is, in every nation, a sachem, or chief; who appears to have some authority 

 over the rest, and it is greatest among the most distant nations. But in most 

 of those bordering on our settlements, his autliority is scarcely discernible, he 

 seldom assuming any power before his people. And indeed this humility is 

 judged the best policy; for, wanting coercive power, their commands would 

 perhaps occasion assassination, which sometimes happens. The sachems of 

 each tribe are usually chosen in a public assembly of the chiefs and warriors, 

 whenever a vacancy happens by death or othervvise; they are generally chosen 

 for their sense and bravery, from among tlie oldest warriors, and approved of by 

 all the tribe; on which they are saluted sachems. There are however several 

 exceptions; for some families have a kind of inheritance in the office, and are 

 called to this station in their infancy. 



The chief sachem, by some called the king, is so, either by inheritance, or by a 

 kind of tacit consent, the consequence of his superior abilities and influence. The 

 duration of his authority depends much on his own wisdom, the number and 

 consequence of his relations, and the strength of his particular tribe. But even 

 in those cases where it descends, should the successor appear unequal to the task, 

 some other sachem is sure to possess himself of the power and the duties of the 

 office. I should have observed, that military services are the chief recommendations 

 to this rank. And it appears pretty clearly, that heretofore the chief of a nation 

 had, in some small degree, the authority of a sovereign. This is now the fact 

 among the most remote Indians. But as, since the introduction of fire arms, 

 they no longer fight in close bodies, but every man is his own general, I am 

 inclined to think this has contributed to lessen the power of a chief. This chief 

 of a whole nation has the custody of the belts of wampum, &c. which are as 

 records of public transactions: he prompts the speakers at all treaties, and pro- 

 poses affairs of consequence. The chief sachems form the grand council; and 

 those of each tribe often deliberate on the affairs of their particular tribes. All 

 their deliberations are conducted with extraordinary regularity and decorum. 

 They never interrupt him who is speaking; nor use harsh language, whatever 

 may be their thoughts. The chiefs assume most authority in the field; but this 

 must be done, even there, with great caution; as a head warrior thinks himself 

 of most consequence in that place. 



The Indians believe in, and are much afraid of witchcraft: those suspected 

 of it are therefore often punished with death. Several nations are equally severe 

 on those guilty of theft, a crime indeed uncommon among them : but in cases 

 of murder, the relations are left to take what revenge they please. In general, 

 they are unwilling to inflict capital punishments, as these defeat their grand 

 political object, which is, to increase their numbers by all possible means. 



