16 BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY. 



statute book. The tribe is not taxed, but they pay an annual tribute 

 to the State by presenting through their chief to the governor of Vir- 

 ginia a number of wild ducks or other game. 



As regards the internal government of the Pamuukey, the executive 

 power is vested in a chief, while the legislative and judicial functions 

 are performed by the chief together with a council composed of four men. 

 The chief was formerly elected for life, but now both chief and council 

 are elected every four years by vote of the male citizens. Their method 

 of balloting for their executive officer is unique. The council names 

 two candidates to be voted for. Those favoring the election of candi- 

 date number 1 must indicate their choice by depositing a grain of corn 

 in the ballot-box at the schoolhouse, while those who favor the election 

 of candidate number 2 must deposit a bean in the same place. The 

 former or the latter candidate is declared chosen according as the grains 

 of corn or the beans predominate. 



The chief and council are the judge and jury to try all who break 

 the law, and to settle disputes between citizens. Their jurisdiction is 

 supposed to extend to all cases arising on the reservation and which 

 concern only the residents thereon, with the exception of trial for homi- 

 cide, in which case the olfender would be arraigned before the county 

 court of King William county. The Indians claim, however, that it 

 would be their privilege to use the courts of tlie commonwealth of 

 Virginia to settle sucli difficulties as could not be efficiently dealt with 

 by their own courts, provided such difficulty arose from a breach of a 

 State law. The writer does not know on what this claim is based. 

 As may be seen from the printed transcript (verbatim et literatim) of 

 the written laws of the Pamunkey which follows, they impose only fine 

 or banishment as jDcnalties. There is no corporal punishment either by 

 chastisement or incarceration. 



TRIBAL LAWS. 



The ]^;i\vs of the I'amuukoy Indian Towu writtuu here in 8ept. 25 1887 



The following Laws made and approved l)y chief and council men Feb. 18tli 1886. 

 for the Ruling of the Pamunky Tribe of Indians. 



1st Res. No Member of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe shall intermarry with aiiuy 

 Nation except White or Indian under penalty of forfeiting their rights in Town. 



2nd No non-resident shall be allowed to be hired or sheltered more than 3 months — 

 and if anny person are known to hire or shelter anny sutch persons shall pay 50c pr. 

 day for every day over the above mentioned time. Amendment. Should sutch person 

 persons be quiet and agreeable they may be hire 30 or 60 day under good behavior. 



3rd Anny person slandering ant)ther without sufficient evidence shall be fined in 

 the 1st ofience $"> Second $10 and in the 3rd they are to be removed from the place 

 by the Trustees chief and councle men. 



4th No nun-resident shall be taught in our free school except the concen of chief 

 counclmen or any other Indian Tril)e. 



5th Anny party or person found guilty of stealing anuy thing be longing to anny 

 one else they shall iKiy the party for the amt. that are stolen from them and also 

 shall be fined from $1 to $5. 3rd time they are to be removed from the place. 



6th If anny person shall depridate or Trespass on another ons premises and shall 

 break down gates or destroy fences or auuy other property shall be made to pay or 



