TRAVELS IK 
494 
and a ftranger could not didinguifli the king's 
habitation, from that of any other citizen, by any 
fort of fplendour or magnificence ; yet he perceives 
they a<S 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 rotunda or public fquare : 
and even here his voice, in regard to bulinefs in 
hand, is regarded no more, than any other chief's 
or fenator's, no farther than his advice, as being 
the bed and wifed 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 moil 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 coun- 
cil, to deliberate on peace and war, or all public 
concerns, as inquiring into, and deciding upon 
complaints and differences ; but he has not the 
lead fhadow of exclufive executive power. He 
is complimented with the fird vifits of drangers, 
giving audience toambafladors, withprefents, and 
he has alfo the difpofal 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 greated weight, in 
military affairs ; his power and authority are en- 
tirely independent of the mico, though when a 
mico 
