“We, the Six Nations, have heard the voice of a bird called Tskleleli, a news-carrier, that came among us. It has told us that the path at the western communication, by Fort Stanwix, would be shut up either by the one party or the other. Brothers, let it not be, and let the communication be open, for passing and repassing, and let not our country be stained with blood; and be always compassionate to the old women, and let the young ones grow up and enjoy the blessings of peace. Brothers, let not that passage be shut up by you, but confine yourselves to the dispute to the eastward, for this western communication lies near our council fire, and the consequences might be fatal. Indeed, brothers, your language and Colonel GuyJohnson’s coincides, in some things, with one another, and the party that applies to us to shut up that passage we will look upon as deceivers and transgressors; and we despise a double dealer from our hearts, and whom we look upon God Almighty will hereafter punish as such. And we hope that when you give your answer, you will speak from the integrity of your hearts, as we now have done.—(A belt of fifteen rows.)

“Brothers of ALBANY, attend: The Five Nations just now said they would open their minds in full to you; they would tell you every thing they brought with them. This belt respects the letter Guy Johnson received from Gen. Gage, concerning the removal of the ministers from among us. Our father, the minister who stands here, we love; we love him exceedingly. Perhaps, in a little time, he may be wrested from us, carried off like a prisoner. Our hearts tremble for him; we tremble greatly. He has been threatened, and should he be taken, it might overthrow the whole Five Nations. Our brothers, the while people, would perhaps say that the Oneida Nation had delivered up their minister, and that the Six Nations did not regard their missionaries. But truly we regard our father the minister, and missionaries; therefore we propose to your consideration whether it be not wise that the missionaries retire for a little while, particularly our father the minister, Mr. Kirkland, should reside a short space with his family, as we hope this quarrel cannot subsist long, because you are brothers, both of one nation and blood, and we hope it will soon be settled; and when a reconciliation takes place, let our missionaries immediately return to us. This, however, we refer to your consideration, and leave at your pleasure. Now, brethren, we have unburdened our minds and opened our bosoms, and delivered what we had to say.”

To which, at the request and by the approbation of the Commissioners, we made the following reply:

“Brothers of the SIX NATIONS: We thank you for your speech. The Commissioners appointed by the Twelve United Colonies, and with our consent, will first transact business with you; after they have done, we will answer your speech.”

At a treaty begun and held with the Indians of the Six United Nations at the City of Albany, on Friday, the 25th day of August, 1775, present: General Philip Schuyler, Colonel Oliver Wolcott, Col. Turbutt Francis, Volkert P. Douw, Esq., Commissioners; the Chairman and Committee, and principal inhabitants of the City of Albany.

Senghnagenrat, an Oneida Sachem, opened the treaty with the following speech:

“Brothers: We waited upon you yesterday evening, and acquainted you that we should first speak to our brothers the Committee of Albany; we have done so, and have opened our whole minds to them.

“Brothers: When we met two of your body at the German Flats, they presented these strings to us, and invited us to come down to Albany and kindle up a great council fire of peace, under the auspices of the Twelve United Colonies. Now, us these strings have never been changed, we return them to you again, and desire that the great council fire of peace may be kindled up.

Brothers: By this belt you desired us to shut our ears and fortify our minds against any evil reports that we might hear on our way down, and to pay no regard to what any liars and ill-disposed persons might say to us, as they would only mean to sow dissension between us and our brothers of the Twelve United Colonies. Brothers, our minds are proof against the attempts of such malicious and wicked persons.

“Now, brothers, let us give you advice on our parts. There are liars and mischief-makers among the Indians, as well as amongst the white people; therefore pay no regard to this or that, that any single Indian may say, but attend to what you hear from the mouth of the Great Council, for that will be the truth and the sense of all the Six United Nations.”

The Commissioners then addressed them in the following manner:

“Brothers, Sachems, and Warriours, of the SIX NATIONS:

“We return thanks to the great God, that he has permitted us to meet together this day in love, peace, and friendship; in token of which we will now sit down and smoke the pipe of peace together.”

Here the great pipe was lighted up, and went round; after which, the Commissioners proceeded:

“Brothers, &c.: We, the Deputies appointed by and in the name of the Twelve United Colonies, assisted by the descendants of your ancient friend Queder, and your Albany brethren, embrace this opportunity to rekindle the ancient council fire, which formerly burnt as bright ns the sun, in this place, and to heap on it so much fuel that it may never be extinguished; and also to renew the ancient covenant chain with you, which you know has always been kept bright and clean, without any stain or rust, and which, by this belt, we now strengthen, that forever hereafter you and we may have but one heart, one head, one eye, and one hand.—(A belt.)

“Brethren: Our business with you here, besides rekindling the ancient council fire, and renewing the covenant and brightening up every link of the chain, is in the first place to inform you of the advice that was given about thirty years ago, by your wise forefathers, in a great Council which they held at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego spoke to us, the white people, in these very words: ‘Brethren: We, the Six Nations, heartily recommend union and a good agreement between you, our brethren; never disagree, but preserve a strict friendship for one another, and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise forefathers established union and amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great weight and authority with our neighbouring Nations. We are a powerful confederacy; and if you observe the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power. Therefore, whatever befalls you, never fall out with one another.’ These were the words of Cannassateego.

“Brothers; Our forefathers rejoiced to hear Cannassateego speak these words. They sunk deep into their hearts. The advice was good; it was kind. They said to one another, The Six Nations are a wise people; let us hearken to their counsel, and teach our children to follow it. Our old men have done so. They have frequently taken a single arrow, and said, Children, see how easy it is broken. Then they have tied twelve together with strong cords, and our strongest men could not break them. ‘See,’ said they, ‘this is what the Six Nations mean. Divided, a single man may destroy you; united, you are a match for the whole world.’

“We thank the great God that we are all united; that we have a strong confederacy, composed of twelve Provinces—New-Hampshire, &c.

“These Provinces have lighted a great council fire at Philadelphia, and have sent sixty-five Counsellors to speak and act in the name of the whole, and to consult for the common good of the people, and of you, our brethren of the Six Nations, and your allies; and the talk of this great council we shall deliver to you to-morrow.”—(A belt.)

Albany, Saturday, August 26, 1775.

Present this day: General Schuyler, Colonel Francis, Colonel Wolcott, Mr. Douw, Commissioners; the Chairman and Committee of the City of Albany.