THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FIVE NATIONS I29 



taking the place of the one moving forward, when all again move 

 onward, one-half of the whole, of course, being obliged to follow 

 on by advancing backward. 



One peculiarity in Indian dancing would probably strongly com- 

 mend itself to that class among pale-faced beaux and belles de- 

 nominated the bashful; though perhaps it would not suit others as 

 well. The men, or a number of them, usually begin the dance and 

 the women, or each of them, selecting the one with whom she 

 would like to dance, presents herself at his side as he approaches, 

 and is immediately received into the circle. Consequently, the 

 young Indian beau knows nothing of the tact required to hand- 

 somely invite and gallantly lead a lady to the dance ; and the young 

 Indian maiden presents her personage to the one she designs to 

 favor, and thus quietly engage herself in the dance. And, more- 

 over, while an Indian beau is not necessarily obliged to exhibit any 

 gallantry as toward a belle, till she has herself manifested her own 

 pleasure in the matter, so therefore the belle can not indulge her- 

 self in vacillant flirtations with any considerable number of beaux, 

 without being at once detected. 



On Tuesday the religious ceremonies commenced, and the council 

 from the time it assembled, which was about 11 o'clock a. m., till 

 3 or 4 o'clock p. m., gave the most serious attention to the preach- 

 ing of Jemmy Johnson, the great high priest, and the second in 

 the succession under the new revelation. Though there are some 

 evangelical believers among the Indians, the greater portion of them 

 cherish the religion of their fathers. This, as they say, has been 

 somewhat changed by the new revelation, which the Great Spirit 

 made to one of their prophets about 47 years ago, and which, as 

 they also believe, was approved by Washington. The profound 

 regard and veneration which the Indian has ever retained toward 

 the name and memory of Washington is most interesting evidence 

 of his universally appreciated worth ; and the fact that the red 

 men regard him not merely as one of the best, but as the very best 

 man that ever has existed, or that will ever exist, is beautifully 

 illustrated in a single credence which they maintain even to this 

 day, namely, that Washington is the only white man that has ever 

 entered heaven, and is the only one who will enter there, till the 

 end of the world. ^^ \ 



Among the Senecas, public religious exercises take place buLfince uPJl/p'jy^ 

 a year. At these times Jemmy Johnson preaches hour after hour, ' 



for three days; and then rests from any public discharge of ecclesi- 

 astical offices the remaining 362 days of the year. On this, an 



