The league of the Iroquois and other legends : from the Indian muse

ing to his standing and rank in the village."
H. R. SCHOOLCRAFT, Vol. II. p. 75.
XOTES. 313
Note 51. " The covenant and record holds, Page 181.
Deed of that noble Brotherhood."
Among the most sacred heir-looms and treasures still in possession ef the sachems
of the Iroquois, are those wampum-belts, into which the terms and conditions
of the League were " talked " at the time of its formation.
Although handed down from sachem to sachem, from generation to generation,
their mnemonic pages are still pregnant with meaning still hold in their
mystic symbols the story of the formation of this remarkable League ;
and are
the only repositories remaining of the laws and principles upon which it was
founded.
That these belts are wrought upon some uniform system of recording ideas is
evident from the fact that, while in the possession of widely separated tribes,
although differing as to certain details, their interpretations are all alike as to the
fundamental facts and principles of the alliance.
Note 52. "Into the wisest sachem'e hand Page 182.
He gave the mighty instrument"
"As the laws and usages of the Confederacy were intrusted to the guardianship
of such strings, one of the Unondaga sachems, Ilo-no-we-na-to, was constituted
"Keeper of the Wampum," and was required to be versed in its interpretation."
League of the Iroquois, p. 121.
Note 53. ";rs wide outspread the mighty feast Page 187.
To feed a thousand hungry DI< //."
" Some of their feasts were on a scale of extravagant profusion. A vain, ambitious
host threw all his substance into one entertainment, inviting a whole
village, and perhaps several neighboring villages also. In the winter of 1635,
there was a feast at the village of Contareea, where thirty kettles were on the
fire, and twenty deer and four bears were served up."
PARKMAN'S Jesuits in America.
Note 54. "Of nil Ihf, par/3 they chose the best Page 188.
And unto Hayo-went-ha bore."
When a great feast is given, all the adult members of a village are invited without
distinction.
" When the time arrives, each one, according to ancient custom, takes his dish
and spoon, and proceeds to the entertainer's lodge. The victuals are served up
with scrupulous attention that each receives a portion of the best parts, accord-