THE GREAT LAW OF PEACEArticle 24
The chiefs of the League of Five Nations shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans, which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will, and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the League. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.
As translated in Akwesasne Notes, 1977
The following is a complete on-line reproduction, and is reprinted here with permission of the author. We are very grateful to Bruce Johansen for his generosity of spirit in allowing us to replicate this book. Hardcopy is available as a trade paperback for $9.95 from Harvard Common Press, 535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.
F O R G O T T E NF O U N D E R S
By Bruce E. Johansen
Benjamin Franklin, the Iroquois
and the Rationale for the
American Revolution1 9 8 2
G a m b i t I N C O R P O R A T E D, PublishersO F I P S W I C H M A S S A C H U S E T T S
First Printing
Copyright 1982 by Bruce E. Johansen
All rights reserved including the right to
reproduce this book or parts thereof in any form.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Johansen, Bruce E. (Bruce Elliott), 1950-
Forgotten foundersBibliography
Includes Index
1. Iroquois Indians — Tribal government 2. Indians of North America — Tribal government 3. Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790. 4. United States — Politics and government — Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775. 5. United States — Politics and government — Revolution, 1775-1783.
I. Title.
E99.I7J63 323.1’197 81-23726
ISBN 0-87645-111-3 AACR2Printed in the United States of America.
For my parents,and
for John Crazy Bear, a Seneca who breathed
life into the Iroquois’ Great Law of Peace for me
C O N T E N T SCHAPTER ONE A Composite Culture
CHAPTER TWO The Pre-Columbian Republic
CHAPTER THREE “Our Indians Have Outdone the Romans”
CHAPTER FOUR Such an Union
CHAPTER FIVE Philosopher as Savage
CHAPTER SIX Self-Evident Truths
FROM THE BACK COVER:
THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE
Article 24*
The chiefs of the League of Five Nations shall be mentors of the people for all time. The thickness of their skin shall be seven spans, which is to say that they shall be proof against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good will, and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the League. With endless patience, they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.* As translated in Akwesasne Notes, 1977
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