Indians of North- America, zjj 
by it, that it cannot by any means be confidered as the caufe ; 
nor is it looked upon as fuch either by Captain Brant or> 
Colonel Butler. 
I fhall here fubjoin a few particulars relative to the Indians 
of the Six-Nations, which, as they feem not to be well un- 
derftood even in America, are probably ftill lefs known in 
Europe. My authorities upon this fubjed, as well as upon, 
the former, are the Indian Captain Brant and Colonel 
Butler. 
Each nation is divided into three or more tribes ; the prin- 
cipal of which are called the Turtle-tribe, the Wolf-tribe, 
and the Bear-tribe. 
Each tribe has two, three, or more chiefs, called Sachems ; 
and this diftindion is always hereditary in the family, but de- 
fends along the female line : for inftance, if a chief dies, one 
"of his lifter’s fons, or one of his own brothers, will be ap- 
pointed to fucceed him. Among thefe no preference is given 
to proximity or primogeniture *; but the Sachem, during his 
life-time, pitches upon one whom he fuppofes to have more 
abilities than the reft ; and in this choice he frequently, though 
not always, confults the principal men of the tribe. If the 
Tucceflor happens to be a child, the offices of the poft are per- 
formed by fome of his friends until he is of fufficient age toad 
hftnfelf. 
Each of thefe pofts of Sachem has a name which is peculiar 
to it, and which never changes, as it is always adopted by the 
fucceffor ; nor does the order of precedency of each of thefe names 
or titles ever vary. Neverthelefs, any Sachem, by abilities and 
adivity, may acquire greater power and influence in the nation 
Vol. LXXVL W h than 
