132 THE LIFE OF

CHAPTER XVI.

OF late, the General Councils of the Christianized
Ojebwas have been convened, and conducted, in the
same manner as public and other business meetings are
conducted among the whites. The last General Coun-
cil, which consisted of Ojebwas and Ottawas, was held
at Saugeeng. The chiefs came from Lakes St. Clair,
Huron, Ontario, and Simcoe, and from Rice and Mud
Lakes. The object of this convention was to devise
plans by which the tract of land now owned byrthe
Saugeeng Indians, could be held for the sole benefit of
the Ojebwa Nation; to petition the Government for aid
in establishing a Manual Labor School; to ascertain
the views and feelings of the chiefs in relation to forming
one large settlement among themselves at Owen’s
Sound, there to live in future; and to attend to other
things of minor importance. There were forty-eight
chiefs present, from Canada VVest alone. Chief Sawyer

took the chair, and the writer had the honor of being
Vice President. Chief John Jones, of Owen Sound,

was selected to deliver the opening address, in which
he was to give an outline of the subjects to be discussed.
The meeting was now called to order; and after sing-
Lng, and an appropriate prayer by Chief John Sunday,
Chief Jones arose; all was silent, and every eye was
turned towards him. After rolling his small butpiercing
black eye over the vast assembly, he spoke as follows:

“ Brothers! You have been called from all parts of