The Hon'ble GEORGE THOMAS Esq; Lieut. Governor.
_James Logan_, }
_Clement Plumsted_, } Esqrs.
With several Gentlemen of the Town,
_The Chiefs of the Six Nations_
It being judg'd proper, at this critical Time, when we are in daily
Expectation of a _French_ War, to sound the _Indians_, and discover what
Dependence we might have on them, in case their Aid should be wanted; an
handsome Dinner was provided for their Chiefs; and after they had made
an hearty Meal, and drank his Majesty's Health, the Proprietor's, and
the Health of the _Six Nations_, the Chiefs gave the solemn Cry, in
Testimony of their Thanks, for the Honour done them. And soon after, the
Governor began, in a free Way, to enquire for what Reason the _Senecas_
were not come down, since they had an equal Right to a Share of the
Goods with the other Nations.--_Canassateego_, their Speaker, said, 'The
_Senecas_ were in great Distress, on Account of a Famine that raged in
their Country, which had reduced them to such Want, that a Father had
been obliged to kill two of his Children to preserve his own and the
rest of his Family's Lives; and they could not now come down, but had
given Directions about their Share of the Goods.'--The Governor
express'd his Concern for the unhappy Circumstances of their Brethren of
the _Seneca_ Nation; and, after a short Respite, enquired if any of
their Deputies were then at _Canada_, and whether the _French_ Governor
was making any warlike Preparations? And on their answering, _Yes_; the
Governor said, with a smiling, pleasant Countenance, 'I suppose if the
_French_ should go to War with us, you will join them.' The _Indians_
conferr'd together for some Time, and then _Canassateego_, in a chearful
lively Manner, made Answer.--'We assure you, the Governor of _Canada_
pays our Nations great Court at this Time, well knowing of what
Consequence we are to the _French_ Interest: He has already told us, he
was uncovering the Hatchet and sharpening it, and hoped, if he should be
obliged to lift it up against the _English_, their Nations would remain
neuter and assist neither Side.--But we will now speak plainly to our
Brethren: Why should we, who are one Flesh with you, refuse to help you,
whenever you want our Assistance?--We have continued a long Time in the
strictest League of Amity and Friendship with you, and we shall always
be faithful and true to you our old and good Allies.--The Governor of
_Canada_ talks a great deal, but ten of his Words do not go so far as
one of yours.--We do not look towards them; We look towards you; and you
may depend on our Assistance.' Whilst the _Onondago_ Chief made this
open and hearty Declaration, all the other _Indians_ made frequently
that particular Kind of Noise which is known to be a Mark of
Approbation.--The Governor bid the Interpreter tell _Canassateego_, 'He
did not set on foot this Inquiry from any Suspicion he had of the _Six
Nations_ wanting a due Regard for the _English_.--Our Experience of
their Honour and Faith would not permit us to think any other of them
than that they would esteem our Friends their Friends, and our Enemies
their Enemies, agreeable to the strict Union which had ever subsisted
between us.--As to the Governor of _Canada_, they need not mind what he
said.--The _English_, on equal Terms, had beat the _French_, and could
beat them again: And were they but to consider the Advantages which the
_English_ have, by possessing so many large and populous Countries, and
so many good Ports on the Continent of _America_, they would soon see
who had most Reason to fear a War, the _French_ or the _English_.'
Here the Conversation drop'd; and, after another Glass of Wine, the
_Indians_ resumed the Discourse, by asking, whether their Brethren had
not been for some Time engaged in a War with the King of _Spain_, and
what Successes they had met with?
The Governor told them, the King of _Great Britain_ lived in an Island,
and being surrounded with the Sea, his chief Strength lay in his Ships;
in which he was so much superior to his Enemies, that they were seldom
to be met with on the broad Ocean, but sculk'd and hid themselves, only
venturing out now and then; and whenever they did, they were almost sure
to be taken; and that the King of _Great Britain_ had, with his Ships,
beat down or taken several of the _Spaniards_ Great Forts in
_America_.--The _Indians_ said, they were pleased to hear their Brethren
were an Over-match for their Enemies, and wish'd them good Success.
The Governor then enquired into the State and Condition of the Nations
to the Westward of the Great Lakes, and whether they had any Warriours
then in those Countries? Whether they had concluded Peace with the
Southern _Indians_? And whether they had heard what their Deputies had
done at _Albany_?
They made Answer: That they had always Abundance of their Men out
amongst the Nations situate to the West of their Lakes.--That they had
kindled a Fire with a vast many Nations, some whereof where Tributaries,
and they had a good Understanding with all.--They set out from their own
Country in Company with two Sets of Deputies, one going to hold a Treaty
with the Southern _Indians_, and they believed a Peace would be
concluded: The other going to meet the Governor of _New-York_, at
_Albany_; but they could not tell what had been done at either
Place.--On their Return, they were to hold a General Council, and would
inform their Brethren of these Particulars.
Then the Governor put an End to the Conference, by telling the _Indians_
the Goods would be delivered to them at a Council to be held to morrow
Afternoon at the Meeting-House.
* * * * *
At a COUNCIL held in the Meeting-House, _Philadelphia_, _July_ 6. 1742.