494 
TRAVELS IN 
and a ftranger could npt diftinguifh the king's 
habitation, from that of any other citizen, by any 
fort of fplendour or magnificence ; yet he perceives 
they act as though their mico beheld them, him- 
felf invifible. In a word, their mico feems to 
them the reprefentative of Providence or the 
Great Spirit, whom they acknowledge to prefide 
over and influence their councils and public pro- 
ceedings. He perfonally prefides daily in their 
councils, either at the rocunda or public fquare : 
and even here his voice, in regard to bufmefs in 
hand, is regarded no more, than any other chief's 
or fenator's, no farther than his advice, as being 
the belt and wifeft man of the tribe, and not by 
virtue of regal prerogative. But whether their 
ultimate decifions require unanimity, or only a 
majority of voices, I am uncertain ; but probably 
where there is a majority, the minority volunta- 
rily accede. 
The mod: active part the mico takes is in the civil 
government of the town or tribe : here he has the 
power and prerogative of calling a council, to de- 
liberate on peace and war, or all public concerns, 
as inquiring into, and deciding upon complaints 
and differences ; but he has not the leaft fhadow of 
exclufive executive power. He is complimented 
with the firrl vifits^of Grangers, giving audience to 
ambafiadors, with prefents, and he has alfo the dif- 
pofal of the public granary. 
The next man in order of dignity and power, 
is the great war chief : he reprefents and exer- 
cifes the dignity of the mico, in his abfence, in 
council ; his voice is of the greateft weight, in 
military affairs ; his power and authority are en- 
tirely independent of the mico, though when a 
mico 
