422 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



songs of joy and peace. So, likewise, when ye were sat down, they 

 sang two or three songs of peace before they began ye treaty. 

 Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. ser. 4, 1 :io6 



A symbolic feature was added later, relating to the number of 

 the Iroquois nations. Their representatives came to Albany, August 

 24, 171 1. "About 2 O'clock in ye afternoon the 5 Nations came 

 all down from the Hill passed by Her Maj'tys Fort which fired 5 

 Gunns as they went by." These salutes were always expected in 

 Canada, and in 1757 it was said: "The Five Nations are the only 

 ones for whose reception there is an established etiquette. An 

 Interpreter is sent to meet them, who presents them with some 

 Strings of Wampum, and when they enter the town they are sa- 

 luted by. five discharges of cannon." 



Other quotations might be made, but these will suffice for early 

 usages. Until quite recently this reception has been maintained in 

 a modified form on great occasions, long processions meeting and 

 escorting distinguished visitors on the New York reservations. At 

 the last general council held with the United States at Canan- 

 daigua, in 1794, the Oneidas, Onondagas and Cayugas arrived 

 early. October 14 Farmer's Brother and his Senecas halted 4 miles 

 away, to dress and paint for their entrance. At 3 p.m. they were 

 welcomed by a long line of Oneidas, Cayugas and Onondagas, 

 mutual salutes being fired as they passed by. All afterward formed 

 a circle around the commissioners, who were addressed by the 

 Seneca chief. Two days later Cornplanter's band was received 

 with similar honors. At this treaty 1600 Indians were present. 

 Good cheer helped the attendance, but there were other reasons. 

 Sir William Johnson reported nearly 3000 Indians at the treaty of 

 1768 and 2320 at that of 1770. 



Ceremonies often varied in councils. Usually tears are wiped 

 away, good wishes exchanged, thorns taken out of the feet, the 

 sun restored to the sky, the chain of friendship brightened and 

 graves leveled or covered, but every council might have some pe- 

 culiar ceremony. Sometimes they were quite informal, but this 

 was rare. No speech was made without a belt, string, or other 

 present, and each of these was hung up in the sight of all. If the 

 speech or proposal was not accepted, the belt was returned. 

 Speeches were often intoned, and always when quoted. When 



