( h ) t 



what this age is. The laft of all is that of the war- 

 riors ; this comprehends all who are able to bear 

 arms. This body has often at its head, the chief of 

 the nation or town ; but he muft firfl have dif- 

 tinguifhed himfelf by fome fignal action of brave- 

 ry ; if not, he is obliged to ferve as a fubakern, 

 that is, as a fingle centinel ; there being no degrees 

 in the militia of the Indians. 



In fac"t, a large body may have feveral chiefs, 

 this title being given to all who ever commanded ; 

 but they are not therefore the lefs fubject to 

 him who leads the party ; a kind of general, with- 

 out character or real authority, who has power 

 neither to reward nor punifh, whom his foldiers 

 are at liberty to abandon at pleafure arid with im- 

 punity, and whofe orders notwithftanding are fcarce 

 ever difputed : fo true it is, that amongft a people 

 who are guided by reafon, and infpired with fenti- 

 ments of honour and love for their country, in- 

 dependance is not deftructive of fubordination ; 

 and, that a free and voluntary obedience is that on 

 which we can always rely with the greateft cer- 

 tainty. Moreover, the qualities requisite are, that 

 he be fortunate, of undoubted courage, and per- 

 fectly difinterefted. It is no miracle, that a per- 

 fon poflelfed of fuch eminent qualities mould be 

 obeyed. 



The women have F the chief authority amongft 

 all the nations of the Huron language ; if we ex- 

 cept the Iroquois canton of Onneyouth, in which 

 it is in both fexes alternately. But if this be 

 their lawful conftitution, their practice is feldom 

 agreeable to it. In fact:, the men never tell the 

 women any thing they would have to be kept 

 fecretj and rarely any affair of confequence is com- 

 municated 



