348 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



they are gathered from all the villages to go on the war path. But 

 the fight once ended, his superiority ceases . . . There is some re- 

 spect paid to those in authority amongst them, but these are no wise 

 richer than the others. There is always so much ado about them 

 that the chief is feared and obeyed as long as he is near, but he must 

 shift for himself. There is nothing seen in his house more than in 

 those of the rest. O'Callaghan. Doc. Hist. 3 130 



Later Dutch accounts are much the same, but give Algonquin 

 chiefs somewhat better houses and several wives. Records of 

 treaties and sales, however, show permanent and great authority. 

 Loskiel said that among the three tribes of the Delawares the chief 

 belonged to the tribe over which he presided, but was chosen by 

 chiefs of the other two. They installed him, condoling the mourn- 

 ers and giving his name. They also exhorted the young people, 

 addressed his wife, and charged him with the duties of his office, 

 singing the speeches and confirming them with belts. 



"A Captain is the Chief's right hand. He must undertake every- 

 thing committed to him by the Chief." There is a strong resem- 

 blance to the Iroquois condolence throughout. Among the latter 

 nations were those called Wa-ka-neh-do-deh, or pine tree chiefs, who 

 hold their office from their goodness or ability and can not be 

 deposed. " Their roots are in heaven." 



The Onondaga name for chief is Ah-go-ya-ne, closely resembling 

 Agouhanna, which Cartier gave as the chief's title at Hochelaga 

 (Montreal) in 1535. The Onondagas call a principal chief Ho- 

 yah-nah ha-sen-no-wah'-neh, good man with big name. A war chief 

 is Ho-sken-ah-ka-tah, big man with a load of bones on his back. 

 Morgan names the Seneca war chiefs in a similar way, Ha-seh-no- 

 wa'-neh, elevated name, like the second Onondaga word. The 

 sachems, as a class, were Ho-yar-na-go'-war, counselors of the 

 people, and a civil council was Ho-de-os'-seh, advising together. In 

 early days Agoianders were the nobility, and the space was wide 

 between chiefs and people in late colonial time. 



Charlevoix noted that chiefs were elected among the Algonquins, 

 but among the Hurons the office was hereditary in a sense, as it 

 still is 'among the Iroquois. This often caused inconvenience 

 through minors. 







