44 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



who do not shall not object to what has been said nor strive to 

 undo the action. r63-LXII I, TLL). 



53 When the Royaneh women, holders of a Lordship title, select 

 one of their sons as a candidate, they shall select one who is trust- 

 worthy, of good character, of honest disposition, one who manages 

 his own affairs, supports his own family, if any, and who has 

 proven a faithful man to his Nation. (64-LXIV, TLL). 



54 When a Lordship title becomes vacant through death or 

 other cause, the Koyaneh women of the clan in which the title is 

 hereditary shall hold a council and shall choose one from among 

 their sons to fill the ofBce made vacant. Such a candidate shall not 

 be the father of any Confederate Lord. If the choice is unanimous 

 the name is referred to the men relatives of the clan. If they 

 should disapprove it shall be their duty to select a candidate from 

 among their own number. If then the men and women are unable 

 to decide which of the two candidates shall be named, then the 

 matter shall be referred to the Confederate Lords in the Clan. 

 They shall decide which candidate shall be named. If the men and 

 the women agree to a candidate his name shall be referred to the 

 sister clans for confirmation. If the sister clans confirm the choice, 

 they shall refer their action to their Confederate Lords who shall 

 ratify the choice and present it to their cousin Lords, and if the 

 cousin Lords confirm the name then the candidate shall be installed 

 by the proper ceremony for the conferring of Lordship titles. (65- 

 LXV, TLL). , 



Official symbolism 



55 A large bunch of shell strings, in the making of which the 

 Five Nations Confederate Lords have equally contributed, shall 

 symbolize the completeness of the union and certify the pledge of 

 the nations represented by the Confederate Lords of the Mohawk, 

 the Oneida, the Onondaga, the Cayuga and the Seneca, that all are 

 united and formed into one body or union called the Union of the 

 Great Law, which they have established. 



A bunch of shell strings is to be the symbol of the council fire of 

 the Five Nations Confederacy. And the Lord whom the Council 

 of Fii-e Keepers shall appoint to speak for them in opening the 

 council shall hold the strands of shells in his hands when speaking. 

 When he finishes speaking he shall deposit the strings on an ele- 

 vated place (or pole) so that all the assembled .Lords and the 

 people may see it and know that the council is open and in progress. 



When the council adjourns the Lord who has been appointed by 



