76 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 73 
aides of their hunting grounds being carefully fixed, each tribe was tenacious of its 
possessions, and fired with resentmenl a1 the least encroachment on them. Every 
individual looked on himself as a proprietor of all the lands claimed by the whole 
tribe, and bound in honor to defend them. 1 
And farther on : 
With respect to internal government, these savages have also several customs and 
regulations to which the individuals of the same tribe conform. Personal wisdom 
and courage are the chief sources of distinction among them, and individuals obtain 
rank and influence in proportion as they excel in these qualifications. Natural 
reason suggests, that the man of the greatest abilities ought to be the leader of all 
possessed of inferior endowments; in him they place the greatest confidence, and fol- 
low him to war without envy or murmur. As this warrior arrives at honour and dis- 
tinction by the general consent, so, when chosen, he must be very circumspect in 
his conduct, and gentle in the exercise of his power. By the first unlucky or unpopu- 
lar step he forfeits the goodwill and confidence of his countrymen, upon which all 
his power is founded. Besides the head warrior, they have judges and conjurers, 
whom they call Beloved Men, who have great weight among them; none of whom 
have indeed any coercive authority, yet all are tolerably well obeyed. In this com- 
monwealth every man's voice is heard, and at their public demonstrations the best 
speakers generally prevail. When they consult together about important affairs, 
such as war or peace, they are serious and grave, and examine all the advantages and 
disadvantages of their situation with great coolness and deliberation, and nothing is 
determined but by the general consent. 2 
From the narratives of Hilton and Sandford we know that they 
had town houses, corresponding evidently to the tcokofas of the 
Creeks, and that there was an open space next to them in which the 
chunky game was played, 3 but they do not appear to have had the 
outdoor council ground or "square." 
The manner in which strangers of distinction were received is well 
illustrated by the entertainment accorded Capt. Sandford at Edisto. 4 
When the chiefs encountered strangers at a distance from their towns 
they had arbors constructed in the manner of the Florida Indians 
in which the conference could take place and in which the conferees 
could be screened from the sun. 5 When Captain Albert, the French 
officer in charge of Charlesfort, visited the chief Stalame the latter 
presented him on his arrival with a bow and arrows, "which is a sign 
and confirmation of alliance among them." He also presented him 
with deerskins. 6 
Regarding their customs in general and that .relating to war in 
particular Hewat says : 
Although in some particular customs the separate tribes of Indians differ from 
each other, yet in their general principles and mode of government they are 
very similar. All have general rules with respect to other independent tribes around 
them, which they carefully observe. The great concerns relating to war or peace 
are canvassed in assemblies of deputies from all the different towns. When injuries 
are committed, and Indians of one tribe happen to be killed by those of another, then 
i Carroll, Hist. Colls. S. Car., i, pp. 04-05. * See p. 64. 
2 Ibid., pp. 68-69. 6 Laudonniere, op. eit., p. 25. 
3 See pp. 02-05. 6 Ibid., p. 43. 
