The Indians being informed that the Commissioners were ready to hear them, Abraham, a Mohawk Sachem, spoke as follows:

“Brothers, great men deputed by the Twelve United Colonies, attend:

“We are this day called to meet you in council, in order to reply to what you have said to us. We hope we need not recapitulate the whole of your discourse; we shall only touch upon each head.

“At our last conference in this house, we promised to return you our answer the day but one following. We did not do it, and we mean to make you an apology; we hope you have taken no offence. We were not prepared by that time, and that was the reason.

“Brothers: You informed us that there was a great council of sixty-five members convened at Philadelphia, and that you were appointed by them to deliver a talk to the Six Nations. It seems you, our brothers, having a desire to rekindle a council fire, took to your assistance the descendants of Queder, and have kindled up a council fire that shall never be extinguished. To which the Six Nations reply: This you have done by order of the Great Council at Philadelphia. We are glad to hear the news. It rejoices our hearts, and it gives exceeding joy through all the Six Nations.

“Brothers: As you desired your belts might not be returned, but be deposited at our central council house, we shall only make use of them to refresh our memories, and speak upon them as we go on with our answer.

“Brothers: We shall not recite every particular, as we before mentioned. You observed that when these commotions first began, a council of sixty-five members convened together at Philadelphia; and you put us in mind of what Cannassateego formerly said at Lancaster, respecting the necessity of a union among you. An old sachem, a brother of Cannassateego’s, is here present, and remembers the words of his brother. You illustrated the necessity and use of an union by one and twelve arrows. You said your grandfathers had inculcated this doctrine into their children. You said, that as the tree of peace was formerly planted at this place, you desired that the Six Nations might come down, and sit under it, and water its roots, till the branches should flourish and reach to heaven. This the Six Nations say shall be done.

“Brothers: We need only remind you of a few of the things you said to us, as you have them all written down. You informed us, that by an ancient covenant with the King of England, you were to enjoy the same privileges with the people on the other side of the great water. That for a long time you did enjoy these privileges, by which means you and your brethren over the water both became a great people. That lately, by advice of evil counsellors, you were much oppressed, and had heavier packs put upon you than you could bear. That you had frequently applied to be eased of your burden, but could obtain no redress. That finding this the case, you had thrown off your packs. The Six Nations thank you for acquainting them with your grievances and methods taken to obtain redress. You likewise informed them of what resolutions you had formed in consequence of these matters.

“Brothers: After stating your grievances, and telling us you had not been able to obtain redress, you desired us to take no part, but to bury the hatchet; you told us it was a family quarrel; therefore, said you, Indians, sit still, mind nothing but peace. Our great man, Colonel Johnson, did the same thing at Oswego; he desired us to sit still likewise; you likewise desired, that if application should be made to us by any of the King’s officers, we would not join them.

“Now, therefore, attend, and apply your ears closely. We have fully considered this matter. The resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be broken or altered; when they resolve, the matter is fixed. This, then, is the determination of the Six Nations: Not to take any part, but, as it is a family affair, to sit still and see you fight it out; we beg you will receive this as infallible, it being our full resolution; for we bear as much affection for the King of England’s subjects, upon the other side of the water, as we do for you, born upon this island. One thing more we request; which is, that you represent this in a true light to the Delegates from all the Colonies, and not vary; and that you observe the same regard for truth when you write to the King about these matters. For we have ears and shall hear if you represent any thing in a wrong point of light; we likewise desire you would inform our brothers at Boston of our determinations.

“Brothers: It is a long time since we came to this resolution; it is the result of mature deliberation. It was our declaration to Colonel Johnson. We told him we should take no part in the quarrel, and hoped neither side would desire it. Whoever applies first we shall think in the wrong. The resolutions of the Six Nations are not to be shaken; of the truth of this you have a late instance. You know what the Shawanese have lately been engaged in; they applied to us for assistance, but we refused them. Our love for you has induced us not to meddle; if we loved you less, we should have been less resolute.

“Brothers: You likewise informed us, that when you perceived this island began to tremble, and a black cloud to arise from beyond the great water, you kindled up a large fire at Philadelphia—a fire which shone bright and clear to your remotest settlements. That you sat around that fire, deliberating what measures to pursue for the common good. That while sitting around it, you recollected an ancient covenant made between your fathers and ours, when they first crossed the great water and settled here; which covenant they at first likened to a chain of iron, but when they considered that iron would rust, they made a silver chain, which they were always to rub and keep bright and clear of spots. This they made so strong that an evil spirit could not break it.

“This friendship chain you have now renewed, this covenant is to continue to future generations. We are glad you have thought proper to renew this covenant, and the whole Six Nations now thank you.

“This covenant belt you desire us to hang up at our central council house, that future generations may call to mind the covenant now made between us. And you may depend we shall send and inform all our neighbouring council fires of the matters now transacted.

"We close, with the whole Six Nations repeating their thanks that you have renewed the covenant made between their forefathers and yours.

“Brothers, attend: As you had renewed the ancient covenant, you thought proper to open the path, and have a free communication with this place. As the fire had been for some time put out, the path had got stopped up. You removed all obstructions out of the great roads and paths, all stone and briers, so that if any of us choose to travel the road, we should neither meet, with any obstructions nor hurt ourselves. Brothers, we thank you for opening the roads.

“You likewise informed us that you were determined to drive away, destroy, and kill all who appeared in arms against the peace of the Twelve United Colonies.

“Brothers, attend: We beg of you to take care what you do. You have just now made a good path; do not so soon defile it with blood. There are many around us at Caughnawaga, who are friends to the King; our path of peace reaches quite there. We beg all that distance may not be defiled with blood. As for your quarrels to the eastward, along the sea-coast, do as you please; but it would hurt us to see those brought up in our bosoms ill used. In particular, we would mention the son of Sir William Johnson. He was born among us, and is of Dutch extraction by his mother; he minds his own affairs, and does not intermeddle in publick disputes.

“We would likewise mention our father the Minister who resides among the Mohawks, and was sent them by the King. He does not meddle in civil affairs, but instructs them in the way to heaven. He absolutely refuses to attend to any political matters, and says they do not belong to him. They beg he may continue in peace among them. The Mohawks are frequently alarmed with reports that their Minister is to be torn away from them. It would occasion great disturbance, was he to be taken away. The King sent him to them, and they would Took upon it as taking away one of their own body. Therefore, they again request that he may continue to live in peace among them.

“Brothers: After having informed us of the situation of affairs, and having finished your business, you advise us to shut our ears against false reports, and that we should not attend to flying stories, but to what wise and good men

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