350 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



nations the women name the counsellors, and often chuse persons 

 of their own sex," probably alluding to another established feature. 

 As a body they were entitled to representation in the council and 

 government of the nation. In New York the governesses several 

 times signed treaties, claiming a right in all land questions. 



July 17, 1742, a Seneca deputation was at Montreal and gave to 

 Governor Beauharnois " a present from the Women of the Council ; 

 they request you to endow their Tortoises with sound, so as to be 

 able to rouse themselves when they are performing their cere- 

 monies." In 1753 Duquesne said the Five Nations had sent " the 

 Ladies of their Council to Sieur Marin, to inquire of him, by a 

 Belt," whether his purpose was peace or war. 



Among the strange stories of the Iroquois which the Jesuits 

 credited before they knew them better, was one of the Oneidas in 

 1641 : 



The men and women there manage affairs alternately ; so that if 

 there is a man who governs them now, after his death it will be a 

 woman, who during her life time will govern them in her turn, 

 except in what belongs to war ; and after her death it will be a man 

 who takes anew the management of affairs. 



In later days, however, there were many instances of female 

 government among the emigrant Iroquois and Delawares, and the 

 sunk squaws, or queens are oftened mentioned in early colonial 

 documents, in New England and southern New York. 



Wampum in councils 



Councils were called by wampum belts or strings, and speeches 

 were made on these in the council itself. In a monograph on 

 wampum, these usages have been fully described, and will not be 

 recounted now. Figure 1, however, shows the 10 long strings of 

 white wampum used in the religious council, which is exposed 

 throughout the preaching. Figure 2 is the white wampum used to 

 call this council, and its tally stick attached. The notches, showing 

 the date of council, are removed daily till the time arrives. Then 

 the invited parties appear and return the wampum. Figure 3 is a 

 similar string of purple wampum, used in calling a mourning 

 council or condolence for raising a secondary or war chief. It is 

 looped and shows the customary- tally stick. Figure 4 has three 





