Tooker] ETHNOGRAPHY OF THE HURON 49 



lected by means of little ends of reeds or straws (C 157; S 148-150)." 

 The decisions of this group were announced by the chief throughout 

 the village (cf. JK 10:233; 15: 157), as was the announcement that 

 an assembly was called ( JR 17 : 93) . 



Whenever any member of the council offered to do something for 

 the good of the village or to go elsewhere in the service of the village, 

 he was requested to present himself. If he was judged capable of 

 carrying out his proposal, council members encouraged him by 

 speeches to do his duty for the welfare of the others. Then he could ac- 

 cept or refuse the responsibility. Few refused, however, since by 

 acceptance they were held in good repute (C 158-159). 



Usually, long trips were made only with the permission of the 

 chiefs. Each year in a special council, the number of men who could 

 leave the village was determined, so that the village would not be 

 unprotected (C 166 ; S 99) . 



In addition to these councils, there were general assemblies which 

 included people from distant regions. Every year a representative 

 from each province came to the place appointed for the assembly. 

 For three weeks or a month, there were great feasts and dances, 

 mutual presents were given, friendships were renewed and plans 

 made as to how the enemy could be destroyed (C 159-160; S 150)/* 



If the council involved the nation, it usually met in the village of 

 the principal chief of the entire country and sometimes in the house of 

 this chief. His house was adorned with mats, or strewn with fir 

 branches, with several fires, according to the season of the year. In 

 the past, each brought his fagot to put on the fire.''^ At the time of 

 the Jesuits, however, the women assmned this responsibility and made 

 the fires but did not stay for the meeting. If it were summer, the 

 council was held in the middle of the village or, if there was need 

 for secrecy, in the forest. The meetings usually were held at night 

 and often the entire night was spent in these discussions (cf . JR 19 : 

 177). Decisions were made by a plurality of votes; the usual way 

 of arriving at these decisions was to say to the old men, "Do you 

 give advice; you are the masters" (JR 10: 251). 



These meetings were called in the following fashion. The chief, 

 after consulting in private with the other chiefs and old men of his 

 village, and after having decided that the matter warranted a public 



" It seems unlikely on the basis of what Is known about Iroquolan behavior and Indian 

 behavior, In general, that decisions were made by majority vote of the council. The 

 procedure was probably unanimous decision, the subject being discussed and compro- 

 mised until all agreed. The reeds or straws probably were used as a device for attaining 

 unanimity (William N. Fenton : personal communication). 



''* This statement implies that the Huron had League councils as did the Iroquois. 



75 Morgan (1901 (2); 231) said that the Iroquois chiefs brought fagots to League 

 meetings. 



