174 
THE SIX NATIONS. 
these people is Polygar. Their original institutions, for they live in 
distinct clans, is not very well understood. It probably took its rise 
from the municipal regulations relative to the destruction of tigers 
and other ferocious beasts. Certain tracts of woodland were indispu- 
tably allotted as rewards to those who should slay a certain number 
of those animals ; and those lands aj)proximating, probably laid the 
foundation of the several confederacies of Polygars. The pollams, or 
woods, from which is derived the word Polygar, lying in profusion 
through all the southern parts of Hindoostan, the ravages committed 
in the open countries by these adventurous clans, are both frequent 
and destructive. Cattle and grain are the constant booty of the Po- 
lygars. They often despoil travellers of their property, and sometimes 
murder, if they meet with opposition ; yet these very Polygars are 
the hands into which the aged and infirm, the wives, children, and 
treasure of both Hindoos and others, are entrusted, when the circum- 
jacent country unfortunately happens to be the seat of war. The 
protection they afford is paid for ; but the price is inconsiderable, 
when the helpless situation of those who fly to them for shelter is 
considered, and especially when their own very peculiar character is 
properly attended to. The native governments of Hindostan are under 
the necessity of tolerating these honourable banditti. Many of them 
are so formidable as to be able to bring 15,000 or 20,000 men into 
the field. There are actually laws among the Hindoos, regulating 
the shares of these robbers. Mr. Sullivan supposes that the tole- 
ration of these robbers is continued by the Hindoo legislature, for the 
purpose of suppressing the destructive civil wars and depredations, 
that were apt to take place among the various clans under the rajahs 
and zemindars. 
The Six Nations. 
These are Indians who live on the banks of the Niagara. The 
following information was communicated to the Royal Society of Lon- 
don by Mr. Richard M’Causland, surgeon to the eighth regiment 
of foot, who, writing from the best authority, informs us, that each 
nation is divided into three tribes, of which the principal are called 
the Turtle-tribe, the Wolf-tribe, and the Bear-tribe. Each tribe has 
two or more chiefs, called Sachems : and this distinction is always 
hereditary in the family, but descends along the female line; for 
instance, if a chief dies, one of his sister’s sons, or one of his own bro- 
thers, will be appointed to succeed him. Among these, no preference 
is given t< pri)ximity or promogeniture ; but the sachem, during his 
life-time, pitches upon one whom he supposes to have more abilities 
than the rest ; and in this choice he frequently consults the principal 
men of the tribe. If the successor happens to be a child, the offices 
of the post are performed by some of his friends until he is of suffi- 
cient age to act for himself. Each of these posts of sachem has a name 
peculiar to it, and which never changes, as it is always adopted by the 
successor ; nor does the order of the precedency of each of these 
names or titles ever vary. Nevertheless, any sachem, by abilities and 
activity, may acquire greater power and influence in the nation than 
those who rank before him in point of precedency ; but this is merely tern- 
