The gentile chief appears before the chief of the council of the offender, and formally states the offense, explaining the picture-writing, which is then delivered.

A council of the offender’s gens is thereupon called and a trial is held.  It is the duty of this council to examine the evidence for themselves and to come to a conclusion without further presentation of the matter on the part of the person aggrieved.  Having decided the matter among themselves, they appear before the chief of the council of the aggrieved party to offer compensation.

If the gens of the offender fail to settle the matter with the gens of the aggrieved party, it is the duty of his nearest relative to avenge the wrong.  Either party may appeal to the council of the tribe.  The appeal must be made in due form, by the presentation of a tablet of accusation.

Inquiry into the effect of a failure to observe prescribed formalities developed an interesting fact.  In procedure against crime, failure in formality is not considered a violation of the rights of the accused, but proof of his innocence.  It is considered supernatural evidence that the charges are false.  In trials for all offenses forms of procedure are, therefore, likely to be earnestly questioned.

TREASON.

Treason consists in revealing the secrets of the medicine preparations or giving other information or assistance to enemies of the tribe, and is punished by death.  The trial is before the council of the tribe.

WITCHCRAFT.

Witchcraft is punished by death, stabbing, tomahawking, or burning.  Charges of witchcraft are investigated by the grand council of the tribe.  When the accused is adjudged guilty, he may appeal to supernatural judgment.  The test is by fire.  A circular fire is built on the ground, through which the accused must run from east and west and from north to south.  If no injury is received he is adjudged innocent; if he falls into the fire he is adjudged guilty.  Should a person accused of having the general reputation of practicing witchcraft become deaf, blind, or have sore eyes, earache, headache, or other diseases considered loathsome, he is supposed to have failed in practicing his arts upon others, and to have fallen a victim to them himself.  Such cases are most likely to be punished.

OUTLAWRY.

The institution of outlawry exists among the Wyandots in a peculiar form.  An outlaw is one who by his crimes has placed himself without the protection of his clan.  A man can be declared an outlaw by his own clan, who thus publish to the tribe that they will not defend him in case he is injured by another.  But usually outlawry is declared only after trial before the tribal council.

The method of procedure is analogous to that in case of murder.  When the person has been adjudged guilty and sentence of outlawry declared, it is the duty of the chief of the Wolf clan to make known the decision of the council.  This he does by appearing before each clan in the order of its encampment, and declaring in terms the crime of the outlaw and the sentence of outlawry, which may be either of two grades.