Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-02
IMP'D. ORDER OF RED MEN
Annual Session of the Della
ware Great Council,
IN WILMINGTON LAST WEEK
About Two Hundred Repre-
SentativeS Present.


Inc annual session oil the Great Coun-
Gil of Delaware, Imp'd, o. r. NJ, began
Wednesday in this city. Great Sachem
Aubrey Vandever presided and about
200 representatives were present.
Thlrty.eight past sachems were ad-
mittcd.
Printed copies of the records of the
special council fires of the Great Coun.
Gil of Delaware were distributed.
The long talks of the great chiefs were
submitted and referred.
Great Sachem Aubrey Vandever said /:
The Great Spirit, by his Divine will, has
permitted me to bid YOU sincere and
hearty welcome to the 37th council fire of
the Great Council of Delaware and trust
our coming together may be highly bene
fetal to our beloved order.
When assuming the duties of the chief.
taincy Of great sachem | keenly felt my
responsibilities and knowing, as did, the
physical disabilities under which | had
been labOring | must admit drew back
with apprehension. and while the great
sun has in IL measure healed the body the
lost time cannot be recovered.
Notwithstanding the fearful stagnation
of the marts Of business in some parts OF
our reservation by which the membership
of some of the tribes has been reduced, vet
at other points tribes have added to their
numbers, so that no loss will be shown
either in tribes or members.
In this connection deem IL my duty to
say that the per capita tax basis has con-
siderably pruned our numb ers.
have visited the majority of the tribes
during the tenure of my office and found
the brethren almost unit IN favor of all
the principles and practices of our order;
especially is this so III regard TO exemplify-
ing the new adoption ceremonies, a num-
Der of tribes having procured the work
during the past twelve moons, and every
where visited there seemed to be n spirit
of emulation which is TO be commended.
1t would be an injustice if did not refer
to the noble work performed by the
deputy great sachems, whose reports at
tach, and members of the committees,
who have finished their duties. Especially
Is this so with the committee on constiti-
ton ana law; their work has been i'm
mense on account of general change of
laws and they have amply fulfilled my ex-
pectations.
He gave detailed account of his
official acts during the year and added :
l desire to call attention to the manner
Of bonding the great chief of records and
great keeper Of wampum. as it seems to be
understood that a bond has continued
life for Il fixed period of years, when, in
my opinion, it is only valid for the term
| for which the great chiefs are elected, viz
One great sun.
In this regard would recommend that
| u any great chief desires to give bond
through some security company satisfac-
tory to the Great Council or great sachem
that it be accepted and the premium be
paid by the Great Council.
In conclusion. as the time is approach
ing when | must give. up my chieftancy
and lay aside the weight of my position, |
| desire to again thank the brethren who
have aided me in the discharge of duty
and to ask that charity cover the acts left
undone, and the same mantle be thrown
around the duties performed. as feel that
| have not come up to the measure of sue
cess that l desire to see manifested by
| others.
Wishing my successor hearty and full
| support and praying that the Great Spirit
may shower His richest blessings upon the
| future of our beloved order, / remain
yours in the bonds of freedom, friendship
and charity.
Deputy Great Sachems @. w. Kern,
w. II. Coulbourn, M. A. Jones and
William @, G. Knowles gave detailed
accounts of their official acts.
The long talk of Great Chief OF
Records Thomas H. II. Messenger in.
cluded the following:
AMOUNT IN wAMPUM BELT COMMENCEMENT