If the matter of diplomacy concerned war, the ambassador or War Chief of a town or the tribe, would list the many acts of aggression of the offending tribe.  He would also point out the kindness his tribe had shown the other people, and how they had been rebuked and abused for their goodness.  When the ambassador felt he had gotten his points across and had done all the good possible, he would end his presentation by placing the war hatchet and black wampum belt in the center of the assembly.  His job was finished.  All he could do was seat himself and wait.
  The assembled chiefs considered whether they wished to lead their town or tribe to war or not.  If any chief wished to go to war, he would pick up the black war ax and black wompum.  No words were needed, the act saying it all.  Each chief wishing to go to war followed the chief with the black wompum.  Chiefs whose people voted against war remained seated.  If the entire tribe voted for war, the Great War Chief would take up the emblems of war.  If no one wished to take up the hatchet and wampum, the ambassador or War Chief retrieved his badges of authority and returned to his own tribe or town.