45^ 
TRAVELS IN 
hand of the mico by a Have, and presented to the 
chief white man, and then to the great war chief, 
whence it circulates through the rank of head men 
and warriors, then returns to the king. After this 
each one fills his pipe from his own or his neigh- 
bour's ikin. 
The great or public fquare generally Hands 
ajone, in the centre and higher! part of the 
town : it confifts of foursquare or cubical build- 
ings, or houfes of one ftory, uniform, and of the 
fame dimensions, fo fituated as to form an exacl 
tetragon, encompafling an area of half an acre of 
ground, more or lefs, according to the firength 
or largenefs of the town, or will of the inhabi- 
tants : there is a paiTage or avenue at each corner 
of equal width : each building is confiructed of 
a wooden frame fixed ferongly in the earth, the 
walls filled in, and neatly plai tiered with clay 
mortar ; clofe on three fides, thai is the back and 
two ends, except within about two feet of the 
wall plate or eves, which is left open for the pur- 
pofe of a window and to admit a free paflage of 
the air j the front or fide next to the area is quite 
open like a piazza. One of thefe buildings is 
properly the council houfe, where the mico, 
chiefs, and warriors, with the citizens who have 
bufmefs, or choofe to repair thither, aiTemble 
every day in council, to hear, decide and rec~tify j 
all grievances, comolamts and contentions, arif- 
ing betwixt the citizens ; give audience to am- 
baiTadors, and flrangers ; hear news and talks 
.from confederate towns, allies or diflant nations ; 
confuk about the particular affairs of the town, 
as ereclino- habitations for new citizens, or efla- 
bjiihing young families, concerning agriculture, 
&c. This, building is 'fo me what different from 
