COUNCILS AND CEREMONIES OF ADOPTION OF NEW YORK INDIANS 347 



prior migrants or conquests and so had more clans. Those added 

 after the confederacy was formed long had no representation, the 

 number being made permanent in a measure. Most of these prin- 

 cipal chiefs had assistants, distinguished yet as those who stand 

 behind. In treating of this, Mr Hale was often perplexed by the 

 name of the Ball clan, which is but another for one division of the 

 Turtle tribe. In modern condolences one woman often has the sole 

 nomination of a chief, but where several are to be consulted the 

 subject may be canvassed up to the latest moment, and thus I have 

 seen them running from house to house. The passage of time has 

 brought some variation in representation. It is clear also that at 

 times there have been more than 50 Iroquois sachems, but the 

 additional ones probably had a somewhat different character and 

 may have been the result of temporary needs. They do not appear 

 in the condoling song, and may be classed as pine tree chiefs. 



Of the power of principal chiefs, commonly called sachems, we 

 have different accounts. Roger Williams said : 



Their Government is Monarchicall ... A Prince's house . . . 

 is farre different from the other house, both in capacity or receit; 

 and also the finenesse and quality of their Mats . . . Beside their 

 generall' subjection to the highest Sachims, to whom they carry 

 presents, and upon any injury received, and complaint made, their 

 Protectors will revenge it . . . The most usuall Custome amongst 

 them in executing punishments, is for the Sachim either to beat, or 

 whip, or put to death with his own hand, to which the common sort 

 most quietly submit ; though sometimes the Sachim sends a secret 

 Executioner, one of his chiefest Warriours to fetch of a head. 



This was among the Algonquins of New England, and the 

 Jesuits gave a similar account in Canada in 161 1. 



There is the Sagamo, who is the eldest of some powerful family, 

 who is also consequently the chief and conductor of this. All the 

 young people of the family are at the table and in the suite of this 

 one ; it is for him also to keep some dogs for the chase, and some 

 canoes for travelers, and provisions and reserves for bad times and 

 journeys. The young people wait upon him, hunt, and pass their 

 apprenticeship under him, unable to own anything before being 

 married. 



In southern New York many chiefs had little authority. A 



Dutch account says : 



In each village, indeed, is found a person who is somewhat above 

 the others, and commands absolutely when there is war and when 



