436 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



that is to say properly in the Latin tongue, Io, io triumphe: and 

 then, E, e, he, Gaiandere, gaiandere, O, 0, ho, Gaiandere, gaiandere. 

 He explained what he meant by his Gaiandere, which signifies 

 among them most excellent thing. He then said that what we 

 others called the Faith among ourselves, ought to be called Gaian- 

 dere among them, and in order to signify this better he made the 

 first present of wampum. 



The early French writers abound in accounts of the pantomime 

 common in Indian councils, especially those of the Iroquois. In 

 one in Canada, held with the Mohawks in 1645, the presents were 

 hung on a cord between two poles, and Kiotsaeton spoke. "After 

 a few words he began to sing and his comrades responded. He 

 promenaded in that great place as in a theater. He made a thou- 

 sand gestures, he looked at the sky, he faced the sun, he rubbed 

 his hands." At a later council that year, " This discourse finished, 

 the Iroquois set himself to sing and dance ; he took a Frenchman 

 on one side, an Algonquin and Huron on the other, and holding 

 themselves all bound with his arms, they danced in cadence and 

 sang with a strong voice a song of peace." 



The Relation of 1656 tells how Garakontie, the principal chief 

 of the Five Nations, expressed his feelings at an Onondaga council 

 that year. He " takes the Father by the hand, making him rise, 

 leads him into the midst of all present, throws himself on his neck, 

 embraces him, and holding in his hand the beautiful collar, makes a 

 belt of it for him, protesting in the face of heaven and earth that 

 he wishes to embrace the Faith as he embraces the Father." All 

 councils were not so pleasant. Lord Bellomont wrote of one held 

 in Albany, August, 1700: 



It lasted seven or eight days, and was the greatest fatigue I ever 

 underwent in my whole life. I was shut up in a close chamber with 

 50 Sachems, who besides the stink of bear's grease with which they 

 plentifully dawb'd themselves, were continually either smoaking 

 tobacco or drinking drams of rum. O'Callaghan, 4:714 



Many instances of this kind show that while Indian councils were 

 dignified they were not always solemn. Humorous and witty 

 speeches were greatly enjoyed and the Indian loved laughter as well 

 as the white man. A very broad hint they thought not incompatible 

 with serious business. In 1721 they said to George Burnet: 



Being informed that your Excellency is marryed at New York, 

 We beg leave to acquaint you, that We are glad of it, and wish you 



