g4 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1786. 



on their chins or upper lips, resembling those we see in different nations of the 

 old world. Fourthly, that several of the Mohocks, Delawares, and others, 

 who live among white people, sometimes shave with razors, and sometimes 

 pluck their beards out. These are facts which are notorious among the army, 

 the Indian-traders, &c. ; and which are never doubted in that part of the world 

 by any person in the least conversant with Indians. 



The following are a few particulars relative to the Indians of the six-nations, 

 which, as they seem not to be well understood even in America, are probably 

 still less known in Europe. Each nation is divided into 3 or more tribes ; the 

 principal of which -are called the turtle-tribe, the wolf tribe, and the bear-tribe. 

 Each tribe has 2, 3, or more chiefs, called Sachems ; and this distinction is 

 always hereditary in the family, but descends along the female line : for instance, 

 if a chief dies, one of his sister's sons, or one of his own brothers, will be ap- 

 pointed to succeed him. Among these no preference is given to proximity or 

 primogeniture ; but the Sachem, during his life-time, pitches on one whom he 

 supposes to have more abilities than the rest ; and in this choice he frequently, 

 though not always, consults the principal men of the tribe. If the successor 

 happens to be a child, the offices of the post are performed by some of his 

 friends till he be of sufficient age to act himself. 



Each of these posts of Sachem has a name which is peculiar to it, and which 

 never changes, as it is always adopted by the successor ; nor does the order of 

 precedency of each of these names or titles ever vary. Yet, any Sachem, by 

 abilities and activity, may acquire greater power and influence in the nation than 

 those who rank before him in point of precedency ; but this is merely temporary, 

 and dies with him. Each tribe has 1 or 2 chief warriors ; which dignity is also 

 hereditary, and has a peculiar name attached to it. These are the only titles of 

 distinction which are fixed and permanent in the nation ; for though any Indian 

 may, by superior talents, either as a counsellor or as a warrior, acquire influence 

 in the nation, yet it is not in his power to transmit this to his family. The 

 Indians have also their great women as well as their great men, to whose opinions 

 they pay great deference ; and this distinction is also hereditary in families. They 

 do not sit in council with the Sachems, but have separate ones of their own. 

 When war is declared, the Sachems and great women generally give up the 

 management of public affairs into the hands of the warriors. It may however 

 so happen, that a Sachem may at the same time be also a chief warrior. Friend- 

 ships seem to have been instituted with a view towards strengthening the union 

 between the several nations of the confederacy ; and hence friends are called the 

 sinews of the six-nations. An Indian has therefore generally one or more 

 friends in each nation. Besides the attachment which subsists during the life- 

 time of the two friends, whenever one of them happens to be killed, it is incum- 

 bent on the survivor to replace him, by presenting to his family either a scalp. 



