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fon is allowed to ufe ; and there are even fome 

 which are coveted by certain families. 



After this previous meafure, which pafles in fome 

 remote place, and oftea in a ftove, the chief com- 

 municates his project to the council, who fit upon 

 it, without ever admitting him who is the author 

 of it, to be prefent. As foon as his project is ap- 

 proved of he makes a feaft ; at which the chief, 

 and fometimes the only, difh is a dog. Some 

 pretend that this animal is offered to the god of war, 

 before he is put in to the kettle, and poflibly this 

 may be the practice amongft fome nations. I am 

 glad, Madam, to have this opportunity of adver- 

 tifing you once for all, that I don't pretend to fay that 

 what I relate on this lubje6t, is abfolutely univerfa! 

 amongft all the nations. But it feems certain, that 

 on theoccafion I here fpeak of they make many in- 

 vocations to their genii, good and evil, and above 

 all to the god of war. 



All this takes up feveral days, or rather the fame 

 thing is repeated lor feveral days running : but tho* 

 every one feems wholly employed in thefe feftivals, 

 each family takes its meafures tor obtaining a marc 

 of the prifoners, either to replace their loffes, or to 

 revenge their dead. In this view they make prefents 

 to the chief, who on his fide gives both his promife 

 and pledges befides. In defauit of prifoners they 

 demand fcalps, which are more eafily obtained. In 

 fome places, as amongft the Iroquois, as foon as a 

 military expedition is refolved on they fet on the 

 war kettle, and advertife their allies to fend or bring 

 fomething to it, to (hew their approbation of the 

 enterprize, and their readinefs to take part in it. 



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