[332>US113]:10.27=[60x4+53] #0: "The Constitution of the Five Nations". Athenian Cnsttn, UStatesGun, Iraq, HPotter. Thanksgiving lunch.

Iraq flip-flop? http://tinyurl.com/dfrlp AthnianCnstttn: http://tinyurl.com/73pmc IroquoiCnstttn: > #0 USA States gun: http://www.packing.org/ "Harry Potter": http://tinyurl.com/9ejha Bits of sunshine disappearing cool, then clearing mild: Up 8:20, sons stay, Lung still a little cold, Mei back then 9:40 off, Jun computer also. Tried to have a new blog from [G] new member K., getting instead my "space on MSN Spaces": http://spaces.msn.com/members/bbcweb/ Off to delayed extended family Thanksgiving lunch next to Yungho, sons bed, Mei works. Now 12:24pm. 9 = 2 + Dju couple + Jung couple + Ting couple,London + Chyun, then Yungho, Long's inhaler not yet, o.h., home: supper all, computer. [N]D. "The Constitution of the Five Nations" >#0. Now 11:34pm, Jun computer, I in. Bed 1:05... #0: "The Constitution of the Five Nations" "" At little explanation is necessary for clarity. The following is translated from the language of the Mohawk to French and then English. It DOES NOT comprise the entire constitution. Each representative in council could speak, and many present were dubious about allowing the French missionary access to the talks. The dubious ones did not initally prevail, but eventual did, so the words of Dekanawiclah of the Mohawks to the Onondagas is all that survives to this day. It is this version that Benjamin Franklin praised. Also, certain terms are problematic in translating so Europeans tended to use the best word possible and leave it to the reader for correct interpretation of the nuances. Particularly problematic in this document is the term "lord". The essence of this document was passed down by oral tradition, but this is the only surviving "first hand" account. It is reasonable to assume that it correctly reflects the understanding of all five peoples. Article One - roughly analogous to our preamble. THE GREAT BINDING LAW, GAYANASHAGOWA I am Dekanawiclah and with the Five Nations' Confederate Lords I plant the tree of the Great Peace. I plant it in your territory, Adodarhoh, and the Onondaga Nation, in the territory of you who are Firekeepers. I name the tree the Tree of the Great Long Leaves. Under the shade of this Tree of the Great Peace we spread the soft white feathery down of the globe thistle as seats for you, Adodarcoh, and your cousin Lords, by the Confederate Lords of the Five Nations. Article Two Roots have spread out from the Tree of the Great Peace, one to the North, one to the East, one to the West, and one to the South. The name of these roots is the Great White Roots and their nature is Peace and Strength. If any man or any nation outside the Five Nations shall obey the laws of the Great Peace and make known their dispositon to the Lords of the Confederacy, they may trace the Roots to the Tree and if their minds are clean and if they are obedient and promise to obey the wishes of the Confederate Council, they shall be welcomed to take shade beneath the Tree of the Great Long Leaves. We place at the top of the Tree of the Great Long Leaves an Eagle who is able to see afar. If he sees in the distance any evil approaching or any danger threatening he will at once warn the people of the Confederacy. Article Three To you Adodarhoh, the Onondaga cousin Lords, I and the other Confederate Lords have entrusted the watching and caretaking of the Five Nation's Council Fires. {The Priestess Note One: This is the first actual power delegated. While any may be heard when the council was assembled, the power to assemble the council at odd times is vested soley in the Onondaga. A great honor and responsibility. A petitioner not passing their test for urgency had to wait.} When there is any business to be transacted and the Confederate Council is not in session, a messenger shall be dispatched either to Adodarhoh, Hononwirehtink or Skanawtih, Fire Keepers, or to their War Chiefs with a full statement of the case desired to be considered. Then shall Adodarhoh call his cousin Lords together and consider whether or not the case is of sufficient importance to demand the attention of the Confederate Council. If so, Adodarhoh shall dispatch messengers to summon all the Confederate Lords to assemble beneath the Tree of the Great Long Leaves. When the Council Lords are assembled the Council Fire shall be kindled, but not with the wood of the Chestnut, and Adodarhoh shall formerly open the Council. {The Priestess Note Two: Establishes the Onondaga as the "Speakers of the House". Chestnut wood fire is very hot and smokeless and was the traditional wood used for war council fires} Then shall Adodarhoh and his cousin Lords announce the subject for discussion. The smoke of the Confederate Council Fire shall ever ascend and pierce the sky so that other Nations who may be allies may see the Council Fire of the Great Peace. Adodarhoh and his cousin Lords are entrusted with the Keeping of the Council Fire. Article Four You, Adodarhoh, and your thirteen cousin Lords, shall faithfully keep the space about the Council Fire clean and you shall allow neither dust nor dirt to accumulate. I lay a long wing before you as a broom. As a weapon against a crawling creature I lay a staff with you so that you may thrust it away from the Council Fire. If you fail to caste it away then call the rest of the United Lords to your aid. {The Priestess note three. This is flowery language carrying far more imporance that may be gleaned from a literal reading. To carry a weapon to any council, even a war council, was an act of disrespect and war. By this passage the Onondaga are established as the "Sergeants at Arms" for the council and permission granted to be armed. It is ludicrous to imagine that a warrior would need aid in dealing with a literal crawling creature.} Article Five The Council of the Mohawk shall be divided into three parts as follows: Teharihoken, Ayonhwathah and Shadekariwade are the First Party; Sharenhowanch, Deyoenhegwanh and Oghrenghrehgowah are the Second Party; and Dedennakrineh, Aghstawenserenthah and Shoshoharowaneh are the Third Party. The Third Party is to listen only to the discussion of the First and Second Party and if an error is made or the proceeding is irregular they are to call attention to it, and when the case is right and properly decided they shall confirm the decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca Lords for their decision. When the Seneca Lords have decided in accord with the Mohawk Lords, the case shall be referred to the Cayuga and Oneida Lords on the opposite side of the house. {The Priestess note four. At first glance this might be seen as establishment of a bi-camel legislature and lend credence to the notion that it influenced the U.S. Constitution in some way, but it should be noted that this influence was well established in the English Parliament well before this document. It is more reasonable to assume that the culture having more in common with the American one (the English) would be the source of the Senate/House of Representatives concept (analogous to the House of Commons and House of Lords). The division of the Mohawk contingent is indeed similar to the "committee" rules of the house, but these rules are internal ones peculiar to that institution and not specified in the Constitution} Much much more to follow. I will continue if anyone is interested. So far, I believe it supports my contention that this is in essence a peace treaty and not the founding of a ruling body. Individual and tribal priviledges are established farther on however, but I need some indication that I am not wasting my time to continue. ""