( 2 7 ) 



fefs, in the moil fovereign degree, the art of con- 

 cealing their real intentions : but generally fpeak- 

 ing, the glory of the nation and motive of ho- 

 nour, are the chief movers in all enterprizes. 

 What can never be excufed in them is, that they 

 often make honour confifl in fatiating a revenge 

 which knows no bounds a fault which Chrifti- 

 anity alone is able to correct, and in which all our 

 politenefs and religion are often unfuccefsful. 



Each tribe has an orator in every town, which 

 orators are the only perfons who have a liberty 

 to fpeak in the public councils and general affem- 

 blies : they always fpeak well and to the purpofe. 

 Befides this natural eloquence, and which none 

 who are acquainted with them will difpute, they 

 have a perfect knowledge of the interefts of their 

 employers, and an addrefs in placing the bed fide 

 of their own caufe in the moft advantageous light, 

 which nothing can exceed. On fome occafions, the 

 women have an orator, who fpeaks in their name, 

 or rather acts as their interpreter. 



Nations who may be faid to poffefs nothing, 

 neither public nor private, and who have no am- 

 bition to extend their territory, mould, in appear- 

 ance, have few affairs to fettle with one another. 

 But the mind of man, naturally reftlefs, is inca- 

 pable of remaining inactive, and is very fagacious 

 in cutting out bufinefs for itfelf. What is certain, 

 is, that our Indians are eternally negociating, and 

 have always fome affairs or other on the tapis : 

 fuch as the concluding or renewing of treaties, offers 

 of fervice, mutual civilities, making alliances, in- 

 vitations to become parties in a war, and laftly, 

 compliments of condolance on the death of fome 

 chief or confiderable perlbn. All this is perform - 



A AMERICAN ETHN0%C4^ 



isee 



LIBRA BY 



