The peace pipe
A pipe smoked by both sides as a token of friendship and peace; the Cherokee declared war by lifting a hatchet stained with blood and made peace by burying it.
Peace in the Town-House at Chota
Henry Timberlake, Memoirs (London, 1765): arrival among the Overhill Cherokee, December 1761 · events of December 1761; printed at London, 1765
They all seemed highly satisfied with the articles. The peace-pipe was smoaked, and Ostenaco made an harangue to the following effect:
They all seemed highly satisfied with the articles. The peace pipe was smoked, and Ostenaco made a speech to this effect:
As in this speech several allusions are made to the customs of the Indians, it may not be impertinent to acquaint the reader, that their way of declaring war, is by smoaking a pipe as a bond among themselves, and lifting up a hatchet stained in blood, as a menace to their enemies; in declaring peace this hatchet is buried, and a pipe smoaked by both parties, in token of friendship and reconciliation.
[Timberlake's note:] This speech alludes to several customs of the Indians, so it may be useful to explain them to the reader. Their way of declaring war is to smoke a pipe as a bond among themselves. Then they lift up a hatchet stained with blood as a threat to their enemies. In declaring peace, this hatchet is buried, and a pipe is smoked by both parties as a sign of friendship and reconciliation.