THE RED MEN OF IOWA.

The Sacs in former times occupied the country about Saginaw, in Michigan; hence the term Sauk-i-nong, which was the original of the name Saginaw.

During the Revolutionary War the Sacs and Foxes were not in open hostility to the colonies, but maintained a sort of questionable neutrality. They were not relied upon by the Americans as fast friends.

Although the two tribes, after their union, resided together as one people, they still maintained some internal regulations to preserve their distinctive tribal names and lineage. Each tribe had its representative chiefs, though in later years the principal chief of the Sacs was recognized as the head chief of the united tribes. Their language, customs and traditions were similar, and would indicate a common origin. It is said that both tribes originally resided on the St. Lawrence, but La Houtan mentions a Sac village on Fox River as early as 1689, and Father Hennepin, in 1680, speaks of the Outagamies (Foxes) on the Bay of Puants, now known as Green Bay.

Prior to the final removal of the Sacs and Foxes to the Mississippi, in conjunction with the Kickapoos and some other tribes, they waged an exterminating war against the Illinois confederacy, having its origin, it is said, in revenge for the murder of the great chief Pontiac. In 1745, according to an enumeration made by the Jesuits, this Illinois confederacy numbered four thousand warriors. In

There was much similarity in the civil polity of the Algonquin tribes of the Northwest, and that of the Sacs and Foxes had but few features that were peculiar to them. Their chiefs were partly elective and partly hereditary. The son succeeded the father if he was considered worthy, but if not so considered, a chief was elected from a collateral branch of the family. The chiefs were of two classes, peace chiefs and war chiefs. The former presided in council, and in all public affairs he represented the nation. This office was hereditary, except in cases where the son was considered wholly unfit for the office. The office of war chief was never hereditary, but was attained by skill and bravery in battle, and usually held only so long as success rewarded intrepidity and prowess in war. There was a class of warriors among them known as braves, who exercised great influence, not only in matters of war, but in the civil affairs of the nation. Even the chiefs regarded their opinions and advice with deference. A few simple rules served as law among them for the settlement of individual rights or personal grievances. For the redress of injuries among themselves, it was the custom to abide the