The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-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
Dependance 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 Proprietors, 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 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_, our 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 Enquiry from any Suspicion he had of the
_Six Nations_ wanting a due Regard for the _English_.--Our Experience of
their Honour and Faith, said he, 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_, he told them 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 dropped; 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 Warriors
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 were 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.