384 THE SENECA NATION 



amongst their many captives, taken by their war parties in the 

 South, and to obtain this guide he had planned to visit them in 

 their homes. (*1) His party landed at Irondequoit, August 12, 

 1669. Here they met Indians who proved to be friendly, and 

 gave them berries and other wild fruit, in return for which the 

 visitors gave presents of knives, awls, needles and beads. The 

 same day La Salle, with Galinee and others of his party, escorted 

 by a large number of Senecas, set out for the great village of 

 the Senecas. 



The village was in the midst of a large clearing about two 

 leagues in circumference. It was situated on the brow of a 

 small hill. Outside the village were seated a large number of 

 old men, one of whom gave an animated speech of welcome. 

 The introducer of ambassadors then led them to the largest cabin 

 of the village which had previously been prepared for the use of 

 their distinguished guests. Here they were given over to the 

 care of the women of the cabin who were instructed to give them 

 every attention. 



The village was "a lot of cabins surrounded with palisades 

 of poles, 12 or 13 feet high, fastened together at the top and 

 planted in the ground, with great piles of wood the height of a 

 man behind these palisades, the curtains (cabins) being not other- 

 wise flanked, merely a simple enclosure, perfectly square". Evi- 

 dently it was some distance from a stream for as before mentioned 

 Galinee noted that Indian villages were usually so situated. 



The principal persons "of the other villages" arrived the 

 same day to attend council. This met in La Salle's cabin and 

 was composed of fifty or sixty of the principal persons of the 

 nation, who sat regardless of rank in any vacant place, and 

 smoked throughout the meeting. As interpreter they called 

 upon Father Fremin's man. 



The council being opened in due form La Salle made a 

 speech in Indian fashion, giving to emphasize his points three 

 presents. The first was a double barrelled pistol. The second, 

 of kettles, axes, knives and glass beads, was followed by the third 

 of two capotes, and more axes, knives and beads. The object 

 of the meeting was then introduced in his request for a Tou- 

 guanha (Shawnee) slave to guide him and his party to the Ohio 

 River. 



*l Narrative of de Frehant de Galinee, translation of J. H. Coyne. 



