Then they open it (the assembly); the wigwam is called "everyone
speaks." Then at length they begin to consider. Every councillor relates
what had been done and how they had continued to fight; how every one
had suffered through the long wars; (they advise) that now it is time
that they should consider and that we take pity on their women and
children and on the maimed. These had always suffered just like the
strong men and warriors. Then when all had spoken, then they decide that
they should make a big fence and then that they should put in the
middle, a big wigwam, in the enclosure. Then they make a stick; they put
their father there; then whoever disobeys he punishes (him), the one who
is his child in the enclosure. Everyone obeys him and he always keeps up
that big fire so that it shall not go out. After this begin the Wampum
Laws.
Those fences which they set up that is a general treaty of peace for all
nations of Indians, fourteen tribes, but many clans. All these Indians
must go and live in the enclosure. If anyone does anything evil, he must
be punished; his parent will punish him with that stick. After they are
civilized, then whoever lives in the enclosure must obey whatever are
the laws, or be punished. That wigwam which is set in the enclosure
means that all sorts of Indians whatsoever must live peacefully. Not
again shall they quarrel; they must live like brothers (and) sisters
with one parent. Then the big fire which they put in the wigwam means
that everyone there who live together, the Indians there who are by the
fire shall act well; not any more ever(?) shall they sin. Now their
parent who is in this wigwam, that is the great chief at Caughnawauga.
That fence and stick mean the Wampum Laws. Those who disobey must all
suffer together according to what is decreed. This is everything which
they did.
Then again they begin to arrange; they make their lesser laws. All these
laws must be recorded in wampum, so that they may be read whenever they
make ceremonials; everything also can be given in wampum. There is
wampum which makes chiefs and warriors and marriages; ceremonies,
whenever a chief dies and when he is buried; all the Indians mourn him;
salutation wampum; visiting wampum, etc.
* * * * *