Watertown,[123] 24 January, 1776.
My Dear,--I am determined not to commit a fault which escaped me the
last time I set out for the southward. I waited on General Thomas at
Roxbury, this morning, and then went to Cambridge, where I dined at
Colonel Mifflin's with the General and lady, and a vast collection of
other company, among whom were six or seven sachems and warriors of the
French Caghnawaga Indians with several of their wives and children. A
savage feast they made of it, yet were very polite in the Indian style.
One of these sachems is an Englishman, a native of this colony, whose
name was Williams, captivated in infancy with his mother, and adopted by
some kind squaw; another, I think, is half French blood.
I was introduced to them by the General, as one of the grand council
fire at Philadelphia, which made them prick up their ears. They came and
shook hands with me, and made me low bows and scrapes, etc. In short, I
was much pleased with this day's entertainment.
The General is to make them presents in clothes and trinkets. They have
visited the lines at Cambridge, and are going to see those at Roxbury.