The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-18

On the 10Th instant, Edward Seguin the vocalist,
was created and installed chief of the Hurons by
the name of Wdch- n-1naehn, signifying an aquatic
bird of passage, possessing strong and most harmo
NOUS note called the Great Diver" The ceremony
took place at the Indian village of Lorete, Que
bee.
From the Montreal Herald
On Wednesday last, the 10Th instant, witnessed
singular and interesting ceremony at the Indian vii
lage of Lorete, Quebec. MIR. Ed. Seguin, the
favorte vocalist, created chief of the Hurons
by the name of " Wdchn -,rdchn, slgnitying an
aquatic bird of passage possessing strong and most
harmonious note called +" The Great Direr." About
noon, the chiefs squaws and the entire village all
dressed IN their picturesque costume with their paint
ION, rings and feathers &c. WERE by the sound of
non, assembled in the Hal Of Council large square
room, rudey furnished. Mr.. Seguin was attired +" en-
Indien," and having been conducted to the seat
" dhonneur," the ceremonies commenced with the
Grand Chief Nicholas addressing the new member in
speech in the Huron tongue, interrupted occasion
ally by the words huntaw,' hear, hear" Of
the tribe. hcspecch concluded he shook hands and
then reseated himself; after long silence another
chief Sanisas advanced to the chief elect and spoke
in like manner and SO the third and fourth; during
the above You must imagine the Hall of Council to be
filed (by the village tribe, chiefs squas,s, with their
papooses strangers invited by Mr. scgun all in their
gayest holiday attrc) with the exception of large
circle where stood nm immense caudron Of soup
son in the village being compelled TO carry away some
portion of the soupnear this, and opposite To the
chiefs on q wooden tripod stood n rams head After
the foregoing the priest (and also interpreter advanced
and spoke with much dignity and solenniiy, The
subject of his speech that the rank of chief had
been conferred upon Mr. Seguin, in or .teul remem-
hrance of the kindness and hospitality by the princ
pal chiefs OF their village when in London in the year
1925, shown to them by himself and father. lie ad.
dcd that in the names of those very chiefs three of
whom were presently he was proud after fourteen years
10 be enabled, in their own village 10 give small
To him, who, in distant land had proflered the
hand of welcome and friendship. This Grafton
received with the utmost enthusiasm
The Grand Chef then again taking his hand, led
Mr. Scgun round the cauldron slowly dancing and
chanting wild but mclodious strain, with occasional
chorus this was repeated by each and every chief;
and then the diploma presented written first in
the Huron tongue read by the priest, in English
read by Hotsowati, and lastly, in French read by
relative of the priest Mr.. Segun then returned his
thanks in neat speech in French; and with Mrs
Scguin and Mr., Ilorncastle (who presently sang
I" God save the Queen, with the most thrilling and
oustirrng effect this over the soup distributed
and the company dispersed. The chiefs retired with
few select friends TO cold collation. furnished for
them by Mr.. Seguin at a comfortable House of enter
tainment near the village, where mirth and music
reigned paramount
After the rcptst the whole village in procession
came to conduct IN triumph their chief back to
the Council Chamber, where the warriors exhibited
their curious dances and ballet of action describing
the taking scalpine, and destruction Of a prisoner
At o'clock, we left, highly graiifed by ceremonies
at once so curious and imposing and seldom to be
seen as II y only occasions and for some ser
vices rendered them by the whine man that they (the
Hurons) confer this the highest honor they have
it in their power TO bestow,