05 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



against crime, failure in formality is not considered a viola- 

 tion of the rights of the accused, but proof of his innocence. 

 It is considered supernatural evidence that the charges are 

 false. In trials for all offences forms of procedure are, there- 

 fore, likely to be earnestly questioned. 



TREASON. 



Treason consists in revealing the secrets of the medicine 

 preparations or giving other information or assistance to 

 enemies of the tribe, and is punished by death. The trial 



is before the council of the tribe. 



« 



WITCHCRAFT. 



Witchcraft is punished by death, stabbing, tomahawking, 

 or burning. Charges of witchcraft are investigated by the 

 grand council of the tribe. When the accused is adjudged 

 guilty, he may appeal to supernatural judgment. The test 

 is by fire. A circular fire is built on the ground through 

 which the accused must run from east and west, and from 

 north to south. If no injury is received, he is adjudged 

 innocent ; if he falls into the fire, he is adjudged guilty. 

 Should a person accused or having the general reputation 

 of practising witchcraft become deaf, blind, or have sore 

 eyes, earache, headaches, or other diseases considered loath- 

 some, he is supposed to have failed in practising his arts 

 upon others and to have fallen a victim to them himself. 

 Such cases are most likely to be punished. 



OUTLAWRY. 



The institution of outlawry exists among the Wyandots 

 in a peculiar form. An outlaw is one who by his crimes 

 has placed himself without the protection of his clan. A 

 man can be declared an outlaw by his own clan, who thus 

 publish to the tribe that they will not defend him in case 

 he is injured by another. But usually outlawry is declared 

 only after trial before the tribal council. 



