348 



ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



to him. The aged are commonly treated with 

 much respect, which they consider, themselves 

 as entitled to claim. Should a young man behave 

 disrespectfully toward an old man, the aged will 

 refer him to his hoary head, and demand of him, 

 if he be not ashamed to insult his grey hairs. 

 In short, the aged of both sexes are generally 

 treated with kindness ; and are not suffered to 

 want any thing which they need, and which it is 

 in the power of their relations to procure for 

 them. 



The superior influence of the white people, 

 where they have, for a considerable time, resided 

 among the Indians, has very much diminished 

 their respect for their own chiefs; though there 

 are some among them, who bear this title. The 

 feasts are commonly made by the chiefs ; and they, 

 also, generally make the harangues, in behalf of 

 their bands, when they visit our forts. Their war 

 chiefs have considerable influence over the young 

 men, who accompany them, in their war parties. 



Murder and theft are considered as crimes; 

 and the former is always punished with death, un- 

 less the murderer makes his escape, which is gen- 

 erally the case. Theft, also, is frequently pun- 

 ished in a similar manner. Sometimes, the party 

 offended will be appeased, by the restoration of 

 the stolen property, or of an equivalent. 



