Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-08

you who have planted your homes near the
Oneota Stone,-the everlasting monument of
our people,-you are called to this council fire
to determine upon subject of great interest to
the future welfare of your nations. You have
heard the war whoop of our enemy; you have
seen the omens of great trouble, and alone you
will perish IN the contest, and your council
be put out forever united in our nation, you
can defy the enemies of your peace, and drive
them from your territory. Will you perish
Will you destroy each other in turmois and
quarrels, and render the beautiful land of the
great valley an easy prey to the enemy?"
Our father is old, and fears the war club, ;"
said Laogan; " he isafraid of the old women
lof the Algcaquns. The Mohawks have no
fear the cunning of their warriors will trap
their enemies. But the hunting grounds of the
great valley will be made desolate by the tread
of the Algonquins; he is great enemy; let us
unite to 60 to his lodge, and be revenged for the
blood of our kindred"
The Mohawk has said true the Algonquin
can neverharm our villages, nor put out our
council fires; but he will never stop stealing
our game and numbering our warriors, while we
seek not revenge" said Nagowa. Let therefore
the Onondagas light the peace pipe, and let the
smoke ascend toward the home of the Great
Spirit, and tho Senecas, the Cayugas, the Mo-
hawks and the Oneidas, let the smoke of your
peace pipes mingle with the halo rising above
the union of the Five Nations. Then the Great
Spirit shall smile upon us, and make our arrows
successful against the Algonquins. And this,
the great Oneota Stone, shall be the everlasting
monument of the union of the Five Nations. :"
The pipes were lighted amid the exortations
OF an hundred speakers, the smoke mingled and
curled upward together The Mohawk, the
Cayugas and Oneida joined their songs togeth-
er that war should be known no more among
them.
The council continued until the evening of
the third day, when great feast was prepared,
to which all were invited.
The wigwam was gaily decorated with wild
flowers and evergreens, while within, the tempt
ing abundance of food-hesh of fowl, fish and
beast, and the rice and maize, with the little
delicacies of barries-overloaded the bark dish
es, the waiting maidens dressed in their en-
broidered garments and decked with beads and
wreaths, made pleasing the feast fit for the
great chiefs, counsellors, priests and medicine
men of the now united Five Nations
To complete the union now formed, there
was still more pleasing ceremony which had
been arranged for the closing scene. The three
fair captives-Mameah, Laisowee and Pakota
who, freed from captivity at the assembling
of the great council had now chosen to enter
willing captives in bond more near, and with
them, more dear, than parental ties-to be
united In marriage with former friends of their
foes, and foes of their friends. Mameah res
tored to her Chief, they renewed their vows
Laogan had become enamoured of the fair
Laisowee, while captive at his village and she
had consented to return to be the light of his
lodge, while Pakota accepted the hand proffer-
ed by Wahontes, and the preparations were
hastened for the ceremony.
At the appointed hour, bridegroom and bride
each attended by their servants, entered the
presence of their priests. Nagowa, the tall
and stately Chief of the Oneidas, dressed in a
deer skin jacket, with leggins of the same ma
terial, beaded moccasins, and upon his head the
hawk feathers indicating twenty battles, with
Mameah, gentle as the dove, and adorned with
gay decorations and embroidered garments
Laogan, now the Chief of the Mohawks, with
the beautiful Swan of the Cayugas, Lasowee
and Wahontes, the Chief of the Cayugas, with
the fair flower of the Mohawks, while around
them were gathered the kindred and friends
and the old men of the council, as Witnesses
Each pronounced the marriage vows, and the
priests rehearsed the ceremony, doubly uniting
the nations thus represented in lasting friend
ship and peace.
When the ceremony was concluded, all gath
cred around the food prepared, after which
amid singing and dancing friend congratulated
friend, and the newly-made husbands and wives
received counsel from the more aged.
This was the last fond hope of the old war
rior of the Mohawks, and as morning broke
Amik, bowed with years, and covered with hon
or, was found too much exhausted, and toe
near the land of his fathers, to long survive
Calling his people around him, he said
Amik is going to the fair hunting grounds
of the great homeland 4; his dim eyes have opened
to look upon the peace and union of these, thu
Five nations, with much joy. His daughter ii
the wife of the Oneida Chief; his son is thu
Chief of his nation, and the husband of the
Swan of the Cayugas his lodge is desolated
; while the Senacas and Onondagas have gath.
cred together in our councils, as witnesses anC
allies of this great peace union. This grea
0noeta Stone, SO white, and so unlike the othel
stones of the land, is the silent monument tha
will tell you of this council forever Cherisl
this event; let peace and harmony reign ove
you all, and you shall become great nation
and the Great Spirit shall smile upon youi
councils, and you shall become the terror of al
the tribes of His possessions !"
Exhausted, the old man ceased, while thu
council bowed in silence, the peace pipe wa
again lighted, and as the sun shone through tn
branches of the Eastern forest, and the bird
carolled their morning hymns, the council di
vided, and each returned toward his wigwan
to preserve the quiet of his nation, and maxi
ready to defend their homes from the Algon
quins. But one seemed inclined to tarry tht
aged warrior could not leave the scenes of thu
council which had made his old heart 50 hap
'py His daughter entrcated him to allow the