He had become so well acquainted with Indian customs, that he had resolved
upon another expedient, when his negotiations with the sachems had failed.
It is a rule among the Indians that their sachems shall have a right to
transact whatever business belongs to their nation, whether relating to
their lands, or anything else. But in transactions that concern their
lands, if their course is not satisfactory to the women and warriors, they
have a right to arrest the proceedings, and take the management into their
own hands. The reason they assign for this practice is,--that the land
belongs to the warriors, because they are the defense and strength of
their nation, and to the women, because they are mothers of the warriors.
In their polity therefore they recognize head or chief women, whose
privilege it is to select a speaker to represent their views.
Mr. Morris determined as a last resort, to refer his case to the chief
women and warriors. He accordingly sought and obtained such a meeting.
He made known to them his business, told them of the offer he had made
their sachems, portrayed to them in glowing colors, the advantages they
would receive from the annuity so large a sum would bring,--how it would
furnish them with food and clothing, without any anxiety or toil on their
part, and that they would thus be relieved of many hardships, which they
were now compelled to endure.--That the sachems, who were unwilling to
sell the land, always had enough to supply their wants.
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