298. HOUSES AND HOUSE-LIFE OF THE AMERICAN ABORIGINES. 
a subordinate place; but if a mythical person invoked for the occasion, 
then to the latter belongs the credit of planning the confederacy. 
The Iroquois affirm that the confederacy, as formed by this council, 
with its powers, functions, and mode of administration, has come down to 
them through many generations to the present time with scarcely a change 
in its internal organization. When the Tuscaroras were subsequently 
admitted, their sachems were allowed by courtesy to sit as equals in the 
general council, but the original number of sachems was not increased, and 
in strictness those of the Tuscaroras formed no part of the ruling body. 
The general features of the Iroquois Confederacy may be summarized 
in the following propositions : 
I. The Confederacy was a union of Five Tribes, composed of common 
gentes, under one government on the basis of equality ; each Tribe remaining 
independent in all matters pertaining to local self-government. 
IL. It created a General Council of Sachems, who were limited in number, 
equal in rank and authority, and invested with supreme powers ovgr all matters 
pertaining to the Confederacy. 
IIL. Fifty Sachemships were created and named in perpetuity in certain 
gentes of the several Tribes; with power in these gentes to fill vacancies, as often 
as they occurred, by election from among their respective members, and with the 
Jurther power to depose from office for cause ; but the right to invest these Sachems 
with office was reserved to the General Council. 
IV. The Sachems of the Confederacy were also Sachems in their respective 
Tribes, and with the Chiefs of these Tribes formed the Council of each, which 
was supreme over all matters pertaining to the Tribe exclusively. 
V. Unanimity in the Council of the Confederacy was made essential to every 
public act. 
VI. In the General Council the Sachems voted by Tribes, which gave to 
each Tribe a negative wpon the others. 
VIL. Lhe Council of each Tribe had power to convene the General Council ; 
but the latter had no power to convene itself. 
VILL. The General Council was open to the orators of the people for the 
discussion af public questions ; but the Council alone decided. 
