wampum, into the war post in each village of
the league.[15]

To illustrate what we have said, we subjoin the following account of an
interview between Sir William Johnson, the noted Indian agent and the
Six Nations, among whom this ceremony survived even after their decline.
"At a meeting of the Six Nations and their allies at Fort Johnson, Feb.
18, 1756, Sir William Johnson said:

_Brethren of the Six Nations_,

I have heard with great concern that a war party of the Senecas, the
most remote nation of the confederacy, have had a considerable
misunderstanding with their brethren the English to the southward,
which has been fatal to some of that nation. I am extremely unable
to express my sorrow for that unhappy affair, and as the hatchet
remains fixed in your heads, I do with the greatest tenderness and
affection remove it thence.

A belt.

_Brethren_,

With this belt I cleanse and purify the beds of those who fell in
that unfortunate affair from the defilement they have contracted.

A belt.

_Brethren_,

I am informed that on that occasion you lost three of your powerful
warriors. I do with this belt cover their dead bodies that they may
not offend our sight any more and bury the whole affair in oblivion.

A belt.

ANSWER OF THE SIX NATIONS AND THEIR ALLIES.

_Brother Warraghiyagey_,

We the sachems and warriors of the Seneca nation return to you our
sincere thanks for your great affection in drying our tears and
driving sorrow from our hearts, and we in return perform the same
ceremony to you with the like hearty affection.

A string of wampum.

_Brother Warraghiyagey_,

We are sensible of your goodness expressed to us in removing the
cause of our grief and tenderly taking the axe out of our heads.

A belt.

After several more speeches and presentations by the Senecas, the
other nations in turn presented belts. In 1748, the general had
given them a large belt upon which was an emblem of the Six Nations
joined hand in hand with the English. This the speaker then took and
sai