4l8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



An officer is mentioned among these Canadian chiefs who does 

 not appear on New York reservations. The Canadian Iroquois 

 have fire keepers^ representing the Onondagas, and their office is 

 pecuHar. It may partially appear in the writer's visit to the Six 

 Nations' council at Ohsweken, Canada, September 1899, asking per- 

 mission to photograph their few remaining belts. Chief J. S. John- 

 son introduced him to the secretary, and he was escorted to the 

 highest seat, and placed with the two interpreters. This was at 

 the end of the large council room and facing the audience. On the 

 platform before him sat the secretary, a step lower down, with the 

 speaker on his right. On still lower seats against the two side walls 

 were the chiefs of the two brotherhoods^ and in front of the speaker 

 and facing him were the Onondaga fire keepers. The petitioner 

 was introduced, rose and made his request, which was translated by 

 an interpreter as usual. The chiefs of two of the Elder Brothers, 

 the Mohawks and Senecas, quietly consulted, and then a Mohawk 

 chief gave a favorable opinion to those opposite. The Younger 

 Brothers, the Oneidas, Cayugas and Tuscaroras, did the same, and 

 an Oneida chief announced their concurrence. Had they not 

 agreed, the fire keepers would have had the decision. As it was, 

 they merely made a favorable report. Then the speaker announced 

 the full opinion, which was interpreted to the visitor in a dignified 

 and lengthy speech, and to which he made a suitable response. It 

 seems quite a long process, but, as there was no public debate or 

 voting, it really took no more time than many such things with 

 us. No wampum strings were used; for they had none left, and 

 this mode of holding a council is a modern innovation. 



Pres. AVashington gave a white belt to the Six Nations in 

 1792, with these words, "As an evidence of the sincerity of the 

 desire of the United States for perfect peace and friendship with 

 you, I deliver you this white belt of wampum, which I request you 

 will safely keep." In his speech, July 28, 181 2, Red Jacket said 

 that Washington had once presented a chain belt. " Upon this belt 

 of wampum he placed a silver seal. This belt we always have and 

 always wish to look upon as sacred." Red Jacket had this belt 

 identified by white men present, An eaglg was fngr^ved on the 



