siOBX; - Smithsonian Institution

92 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY IBull.103
and divisional chiefs. Thus, in 1748, the chief of the eastern town
of Holihta asha is called head chief of the Choctaw, while Franchimastabe,
who occupied that position in 1787, belonged to West Yazoo.
At one time during the French regime the chief of the eastern divi-
sion lived at Ibetap ol^la, probably the larger town of the name, but
in a council held in 1787 the spokesman for this group was the chief
of Okalusa. During the early period of French intercourse the
leadership of the Sixtown section seems to have rested with the chief
of Chickasawhay, and upon his town the six towns proper are said
to have depended, but at another time the headship seems to have
been with Nashobawenya, while in 1784 it was in Oskelagna.
While some of our informants may have been mistaken, it is evi-
dent that the head chiefships were not definitely located in any one
town. Evidently merit and popularity determined leadership.
In spite of what has been said regarding the limited authority
of the national leader, it was not entirely negligible because, in 1731,
the "Considere" or Honored Man of Okalusa awaited his consent
before going out to fight the Chickasaw.^*
The institution of a second or vice chief seems to have been usual,
and this is said to be preserved in Mississippi down to the present
day. Plead and second chiefs are often mentioned in the documents.
In a Spanish letter written in 1792 the statement is made that the
head chief of the Choctaw, at that time Franchimastabe, had the
right " according to their laws to leave his position to the Indian who
pleased him best (quien segun sus leyes tiene el arritrio de dejar
su empleo al Indio que guste)," but undoubtedly this power could
be exercised only within certain limits set by public sentiment.
There were probably other officials and no doubt, as in the case of
the Creeks, usage varied between town and town. This lends interest
to the following list of chiefs to whom presents were made by
the French officer, Du Roullet, in 1729
Village of Koweh Cliito
Mingo teliito (Mi"ko chito), head chief [of the nation], capitan§.
Oulatimataha (Holahta imataha).
Soulouche oumastabe (Shulush hummastabe).
Atakabe mingo (Hatak abe mi°ko).
Pakanaoulacta (Pakna holahta).
Mingo tcito ouchi (Mi°ko chito ushi).
Eyachoumataha (lyasha imataha, or Yashu imataha).
Village of Boiiktoiikoulou
Atach§ mingo (Atashi mi"ko), the town chief.
Chikacha oulakta (Chikasha holahta).
Tascanangouchi (Tashka nanukachi).
" Du Roullet Ms. In the French archives.