The Governor ofNew-York, ColonelSlaughter's Death, soon after his Arrival, was very prejudicial to the Affairs ofNew-York; for CaptainIngoldsby, who had no other Commission but that of Captain of one of the Independent Companies of Foot, took upon himself the Government of the Province, without any Authority; and he having likewise highly offended a great Number of the People, by the Share he took in the late Party Quarrels, it was not easy for him to prosecute any vigorous Measures. He was reckoned to be much more a Soldier than a Statesman.
CaptainIngoldsbymet the Five Nations atAlbany, the sixth ofJune1692. In his Speech, he told them of his vigorous Resolutions to prosecute the War, and then blamed them for not sending (according to their Promise) a Party downCadarackui River, to join them that went fromAlbanyagainstMontreal, and for their Carelesness in suffering themselves to be surprised last Winter in their Hunting. He desired them to keep the Enemy in perpetual Alarm, by the Incursions of their Parties into the Enemy's Country, and to give him timely Notice of all their Motions. He told them in the next Place, that he heard theFrenchwere still using their wonted Artifice, of amusing them with Offers of Peace; but the former Proceedings of theFrenchsufficiently demonstrates, said he to the Brethren, that while Peace is in their Mouths, War is in their Hearts, and the late horrid Murder of the Brethren, after Quarter given, sufficiently shews the Perfidy and Rancour of their Hearts. It is in vain, said he, to think of any Cessation of Arms, much less of a Peace, while the two Kings are at War at Home. He added,Virginiais ready to assist us, and only waits the King's Orders, which are daily expected, and then renewed the Chain forVirginia. In the last Place he told them, that he heard theDionondadashad sent two Prisoners Home, with a View thereby to procure Peace; and advised them by all Means to make Peace with that Nation.
TheFive Nationsanswered byCheda, anOneydo Sachem:
"BrotherCorlear,TheSachemsof theFive Nationshave with great Attention heardCorlearspeak; we shall make a short Recital, to shew you with what Care we have hearkened. After the Recital he continued.We heartily thankCorlear, for his coming to this Place to view the Strength thereof, for his bringing Forces with him, and for his Resolution of putting Garisons into the Frontier Places.Giving five Bevers and a Belt.BrotherCorlear, as to what you blame us for, let us not reproach one another, such Words do not favour well among Friends. They gave nothing with this Article.BrotherCorlear, be patient under the Loss of your Men, as we are of theMohawksour Brethren, that were killed at the same Time. You take no Notice of the great Losses we have suffered. We designed to have come to this Place to have condoled with you in your Loss, but the War took up all our Time, and employed all Hands. Theygave five Bevers, four Otters, and one Belt, as a Gift of Condolence.BrotherCorlear, we are all Subjects of one great King and Queen, we have one Head, one Heart, one Interest, and are all ingaged in the same War. You tell us, that we must expect no Peace while the Kings are at War on the other Side the great Water. We thank you for being so plain with us. We assure you we have no Thoughts of Peace. We are resolved to carry on the War, though we know we only are in danger of being Losers. Pray do you prosecute the War with the same Resolution. You are strong and have many People. You have a great King, who is able to hold out long. We are but a small People, and decline daily, by the Men we lose in this War, we do our utmost to destroy the Enemy; but how strange does it seem to us! How unaccountable! that while our great King is so inveterate against theFrench, and you are so earnest with us to carry on the War, that Powder is now sold dearer to us than ever? We are poor, and not able to buy while we neglect hunting; and we cannot hunt and carry on the War at the same Time: We expect, that this Evil we so justly complain of be immediately remedied.Giving nine Bevers.BrotherCorlear, you desire us to keep the Enemy in perpetual Alarm, that they may have no Rest, till they are in their Graves; Is it not to secure your own Frontiers? Why then not one Word of your People that are to join us? We assure you we shall continue to carry on the War into the Heart of the Enemies Country.Giving eight Bevers.We theFive Nations,Mohawks,Oneydoes,Onondagas,Cayugas, andSenekas, renew the Silver Chain whereby we are linked fast with our Brethren ofAssarigoa(Virginia) and we promise to preserve it as long as the Sun shall shine in the Heavens.Giving ten Bevers.But BrotherCorlear, How comes it, that none of our Brethren fastened in the same Chain with us, offer their helping Hand in this general War, in which our great King is engaged against theFrench? PrayCorlear, how comeMaryland,Delaware River, andNew-England, to be disengaged from this War? You have always told us, that they are our Brethren, Subjects of the same great King. Has our King sold them? Or do they fail in their Obedience? Or do they draw their Arms out of our Chain? Or has the great King commanded, that the few Subjects he has in this Place, should make War against theFrenchalone? Pray make plain to us this Mystery? How can they and we be Brethren, and make different Families? How can they and we be Subjects of the same great King, and not be engaged in the same War? How can they and we have the same Heart, the same Head, and the same Interest, as you tell us, and not have the same Thoughts? How comes it, that the Enemy burns and destroys the Towns inNew-England, and they make no Resistance? How comes our great King to make War, and not to destroy his Enemies? When, if he would only command his Subjects on this Side the great Lake to joyn, the Destruction of the Enemy would not make one Summer's Work.You need not warn us of the Deceit and Treachery of theFrench, who would probably insinuate Thoughts of Peace; but Brethren, you need not fear us, we will never hearken to them: Tho' at the same Time, we must own, that we have not been without Thoughts of your being inclined to Peace, by Reason of the Brethren's Backwardness in pushing on the War. TheFrenchspread Reports among us to this Purpose, and say, that they had in a Manner concluded the Matter with you. We rejoice to be now assured of this Falshood. We shall never desist fighting theFrenchas long as we shall live. Andgave a Belt of Wampum.We now renew the old Chain, and here plant the Tree of Prosperity and Peace. May it grow and thrive, and spread its Roots even beyondCanada.Giving a Belt.We make the House clean, where all our Affairs of Importance are transacted with these five Otters.We return you Thanks for the Powder and Lead given us; but what shall we do with them without Guns, shall we throw them at the Enemy? We doubt they will not hurt them so. Before this we always had Guns given us. It is no Wonder the Governor ofCanadagains upon us, for he supplies hisIndianswith Guns as well as Powder; he supplies them plentifully with every Thing that can hurt us.Giving five Otters.As to theDionondadassetting two of our Nation at Liberty, we must tell you, that it was not the Act of that Nation, but the private Act of one Person: We are desirous to make Peace with that Nation as soon as we can, upon honourable Terms. Andgave a Belt.
"BrotherCorlear,
TheSachemsof theFive Nationshave with great Attention heardCorlearspeak; we shall make a short Recital, to shew you with what Care we have hearkened. After the Recital he continued.
We heartily thankCorlear, for his coming to this Place to view the Strength thereof, for his bringing Forces with him, and for his Resolution of putting Garisons into the Frontier Places.Giving five Bevers and a Belt.
BrotherCorlear, as to what you blame us for, let us not reproach one another, such Words do not favour well among Friends. They gave nothing with this Article.
BrotherCorlear, be patient under the Loss of your Men, as we are of theMohawksour Brethren, that were killed at the same Time. You take no Notice of the great Losses we have suffered. We designed to have come to this Place to have condoled with you in your Loss, but the War took up all our Time, and employed all Hands. Theygave five Bevers, four Otters, and one Belt, as a Gift of Condolence.
BrotherCorlear, we are all Subjects of one great King and Queen, we have one Head, one Heart, one Interest, and are all ingaged in the same War. You tell us, that we must expect no Peace while the Kings are at War on the other Side the great Water. We thank you for being so plain with us. We assure you we have no Thoughts of Peace. We are resolved to carry on the War, though we know we only are in danger of being Losers. Pray do you prosecute the War with the same Resolution. You are strong and have many People. You have a great King, who is able to hold out long. We are but a small People, and decline daily, by the Men we lose in this War, we do our utmost to destroy the Enemy; but how strange does it seem to us! How unaccountable! that while our great King is so inveterate against theFrench, and you are so earnest with us to carry on the War, that Powder is now sold dearer to us than ever? We are poor, and not able to buy while we neglect hunting; and we cannot hunt and carry on the War at the same Time: We expect, that this Evil we so justly complain of be immediately remedied.Giving nine Bevers.
BrotherCorlear, you desire us to keep the Enemy in perpetual Alarm, that they may have no Rest, till they are in their Graves; Is it not to secure your own Frontiers? Why then not one Word of your People that are to join us? We assure you we shall continue to carry on the War into the Heart of the Enemies Country.Giving eight Bevers.
We theFive Nations,Mohawks,Oneydoes,Onondagas,Cayugas, andSenekas, renew the Silver Chain whereby we are linked fast with our Brethren ofAssarigoa(Virginia) and we promise to preserve it as long as the Sun shall shine in the Heavens.Giving ten Bevers.
But BrotherCorlear, How comes it, that none of our Brethren fastened in the same Chain with us, offer their helping Hand in this general War, in which our great King is engaged against theFrench? PrayCorlear, how comeMaryland,Delaware River, andNew-England, to be disengaged from this War? You have always told us, that they are our Brethren, Subjects of the same great King. Has our King sold them? Or do they fail in their Obedience? Or do they draw their Arms out of our Chain? Or has the great King commanded, that the few Subjects he has in this Place, should make War against theFrenchalone? Pray make plain to us this Mystery? How can they and we be Brethren, and make different Families? How can they and we be Subjects of the same great King, and not be engaged in the same War? How can they and we have the same Heart, the same Head, and the same Interest, as you tell us, and not have the same Thoughts? How comes it, that the Enemy burns and destroys the Towns inNew-England, and they make no Resistance? How comes our great King to make War, and not to destroy his Enemies? When, if he would only command his Subjects on this Side the great Lake to joyn, the Destruction of the Enemy would not make one Summer's Work.
You need not warn us of the Deceit and Treachery of theFrench, who would probably insinuate Thoughts of Peace; but Brethren, you need not fear us, we will never hearken to them: Tho' at the same Time, we must own, that we have not been without Thoughts of your being inclined to Peace, by Reason of the Brethren's Backwardness in pushing on the War. TheFrenchspread Reports among us to this Purpose, and say, that they had in a Manner concluded the Matter with you. We rejoice to be now assured of this Falshood. We shall never desist fighting theFrenchas long as we shall live. Andgave a Belt of Wampum.
We now renew the old Chain, and here plant the Tree of Prosperity and Peace. May it grow and thrive, and spread its Roots even beyondCanada.Giving a Belt.
We make the House clean, where all our Affairs of Importance are transacted with these five Otters.
We return you Thanks for the Powder and Lead given us; but what shall we do with them without Guns, shall we throw them at the Enemy? We doubt they will not hurt them so. Before this we always had Guns given us. It is no Wonder the Governor ofCanadagains upon us, for he supplies hisIndianswith Guns as well as Powder; he supplies them plentifully with every Thing that can hurt us.Giving five Otters.
As to theDionondadassetting two of our Nation at Liberty, we must tell you, that it was not the Act of that Nation, but the private Act of one Person: We are desirous to make Peace with that Nation as soon as we can, upon honourable Terms. Andgave a Belt.
TheMohawks, before they left the Place, desired a private Conference with the Governor, and told him, that they were all exceedingly dissatisfied, that the otherEnglishColonies gave no Assistance, and that it might prove of ill Consequence. CaptainIngoldsbypromised to write to them, and hoped it would have a good Effect.
ThePraying Indianspromised their Endeavours to reconcile their Brethren theMohawksto theFrench, on whom theFrenchexpected they would have much Influence; but their Endeavours proving ineffectual, their Correspondence began to be suspected. TheFrenchthought they did more Hurt than Good, by the Intelligence the Enemy by their Means received. TheFrenchinCanadabegan to lose their Spirits, by being obliged to remain so long upon the defensive, as theFive Nationsgained more Courage by it. The Countde Frontenacthought it therefore absolutely necessary to undertake some bold Enterprize, to shew theFive Nations, that they had to do with an Enemy still able to act offensively: An Attack on theMohawkshe thought would be most effectual for this Purpose, because it would shew, at the same Time, that theEnglishwould not protect their nearest Neighbours. As this was designed to be done by Surprize, the Winter Season was chosen for this Purpose, as least to be suspected at such a Time; and when the Enemy could not, without great Hardship, keep Scouts abroad, to discover them or theEnglishgive any Assistance.
The Body of theFrenchdesigned for this Expedition was put under three Captains of the regular Troops, and thirty Subalterns, and consisted of picked Men of the regular Troops of the common Militia of the Country of thePraying Indians, theQuatoghiesofLoretto,Adirondacks, andSohokies, who live to the eastward ofBoston, making in all about six or seven hundred Men, so that a great Part of the Force ofCanadawas employed in it. They were well supplied with all Sorts of Ammunition, Provision, Snow-Shoes, and such Conveniencies for Carriage, as were practicable upon the Snow, and through such great Forests as they had to pass. TheFrenchatCanadahave a Kind of light Sledges made with Skins, and are drawn by large Dogs on the frozen Snow.
They set out fromla Prairie de Magdeleinethe 15th ofJanuary1692-3, after having endured what might have been thought unsurmountable Hardships; they passed bySchenectadyat some Distance from it, on the 8th ofFebruary, at which Time one that had been taken Prisoner, when that Place was sacked, made his Escape from them, and gave the People ofSchenectadyIntelligence of theFrench, who by an Express, immediately informed the Commandant ofAlbany. The Millitia was expeditiously raised, and a Lieutenant with fifty five Horse was immediately dispatched toSchenectady; but no Care was taken to give theMohawksNotice, which might have been done without much Danger, by sending up the South Side of the River, whilst theFrenchmarched on the North. TheFrench, on the 8th at Night, reached the firstMohawkCastle, where there were only five Men, and some Women and Children in great Security, their other Men being all abroad, these were all taken without Opposition. The next Fort not far from it was in like Manner surprized, without any Opposition, both of them were very small, and being next theEnglish, not fortified.
Schenectadybeing the nearestEnglishSettlement to theMohawks, and but a little Way from their nearest Castle, many of them are always there. TheMohawksthen in the Town were exceedingly enraged, that none went out to assist their Nation; some were sent therefore out the next Day, to gain Information of the Enemy, and to give theMohawksNotice; but they returned without doing their Duty.
TheFrenchwent on to the nextMohawkFort, which was the largest; and coming to that in the Night, they heard some Noise, and suspected they were discovered: But this Noise was only occasioned by a War Dance, forty of theIndiansdesigning to go next Day upon some Enterprize. TheFrenchapproached the Castle silently, and finding theIndiansno way on their Guard, opened the Gate, and entered before they were discovered; but notwithstanding this, and the Confusion theIndiansmust be in, this Conquest was not without Loss of Blood, theFrenchhaving lost thirty Men, before theIndiansentirely submitted: TheFrenchdesigned to have put them all to the Sword, but their ownIndianswould not suffer it, and gave Quarter: They took three hundred Prisoners, of whom one hundred were fighting Men. I have no Account of the Number ofMohawkskilled, but no Doubt it was very considerable.
When the Account came toAlbany, how much theMohawks, who were atSchenectady, were enraged, that no Assistance was sent to their Countrymen;Peter Schuylera Major of the Militia offered himself to go with what Force could be got ready for their Assistance. He went himself immediately toSchenectady, and sent out to discover the Enemy: His Scouts brought him Intelligence, first, that theFrenchwere in Possession of the two smallest Forts, afterwards, that they had heard great Firing at the largest Fort; and at last, that it was taken. Having received 200 Men, partly regular Troops, but most of the Militia, he began his March on the 12th in Quest of the Enemy; but hearing soon after, that six hundred Men of the upper Castles were on their March, 'tis probable he did not endeavour to be up with theFrenchso soon as he might; for I find by his Journal, that he was nearer them on the fourteenth, than he was two Days after. He had not sufficient Force to fight them: He sent therefore to the upperIndians, to hasten their March. On the 15th he was joined by theseIndians, in all two hundred and ninety Men and Boys, very ill armed. His Body then consisted of two hundred and fifty Christians, and two hundred and ninetyIndians, armed fighting Men. They had no other Provision but some Biscuit every Man had in his Pocket. On the 16th he was informed by anIndian, who pretended to be a Deserter, that theFrenchhad built a Fort, where they designed to wait for him, and fight him; whereupon he sent an Express to Coll.Ingoldesby, then Commandant atAlbany, to hasten more Men to join him, with sufficient Provision for the whole. He found afterwards, that thisIndianwas sent by the French, on purpose to persuade theIndiansto give over the Pursuit. MajorSchuylercame up to the Enemy on the 17th; when he came near them he did not go on streight towards them, for Fear of Ambuscades, but marched round. As soon as he came in Sight, he was saluted with three loud Shouts, which were answered with as much Noise. TheIndiansbegan in their Manner to secure themselves, by felling the Trees between them, and the Enemy sallied out to prevent them, but were soon beat back. TheIndiansfell to Work again, and desired the Christians to assist them, which was done, but in such Confusion, that they themselves were in Danger from the falling Trees. TheFrenchsallied a second Time with all their Force, crying out,They run, we'll cut them off, and get their Provisions; but they were warmly received, and beat back into their Fort. They sallied a third Time, and were beat back with considerable Loss, theIndiansbringing in several Heads and Scalps. As soon as the Skirmishing was over, the Major sent back an Express, to hasten the Men that were to reinforce him, and were to bring Provision, some of the Men having had no Provision for two Days. TheMajorthen secured himself, under the Cover of the fallen Trees, and kept out Watches to observe theFrench.
The 18th proving a cold stormy Day, with Snow, he was informed, by a Deserter, that theFrenchwere upon their March, it not being easy to follow their Tracks, or to discover them in such Weather. The Officers were commanded to pursue and retard their March, till the Reinforcement should come up, but the Men refused to march without Provision. The Officers, with about 60 Men, and a Body ofIndians, followed the Enemy till Night, when they began to secure themselves, by fortifying their Camp. The Officers wanting a sufficient Number to secure themselves in like Manner, or to sight the Enemy, returned, leaving about forty Christians, and one hundredIndians, to observe them. On the 19th the Provisions, with about 80 Men, arrived, under the Command of CaptainSimsof the regular Troops. Every Man, as he was served with Provision, marched towards the Enemy. The Van was commanded by CaptainPeter Matthewsof the regular Troops, who coming up with the Enemy's Rear, would have attacked them, to retard their March, but theMohawkswere averse to fighting. The French dropt on purpose several of their Prisoners, who told theMohawks, that theFrenchwere resolved to put all the Prisoners to the Sword, if they should be attacked. The Enemy passed the North Branch ofHudson's River upon a Cake of Ice, which, very opportunely for them, stuck there in one Place, while it was open by a late Thaw, both above and below. The Weather continuing very cold, and theIndiansaverse to fighting, MajorSchuylergave over the Pursuit on the 20th, having lost only four private Men, and as manyIndians, two Officers and twelve Men Christians andIndianswere wounded. TheFrenchlost thirty three Men (the Bodies of twenty seven were found) of whom four were Officers, and twenty-six wounded, as the Deserters told him. Between forty and fifty Prisoners were recovered. I have been told, that CaptainMatthewsdesired Coll.Schuyler, when he came first up with theFrench, to summon them to surrender; he said, theFrenchare in great Distress, and this will give them an Opinion of our Strength; but Coll.Schuylerrefused, tho' he was brave, he was no Soldier; and it is very probable, that theFrenchobserving the want of Conduct and Discipline, were encouraged. It is true, theEnglishwere in great Want of Provisions at that Time. TheIndianseat the Bodies of theFrenchthat they found. Coll.Schuyler(as he told me himself) going among theIndiansat that Time, was invited to eat Broth with them, which some of them had ready boiled, which he did, till they, putting the Ladle into the Kettle to take out more, brought out aFrenchMan's Hand, which put an End to his Appetite.
TheFrenchwent home as fast as they could carry their wounded Men with them; but coming to a Place, where they had hid Provisions for their Supply in their return, they found it all spoiled. This put them in great Distress, so that they were forced to eat their Shoes; they sent some of the nimblest Men forward toMontreal, that Provision might meet them. As soon as they came near the Settlements they dispersed, every Man running home to eat, so that they returned toCanadalike an Army routed. TheFrenchown they lost eighty Men, and had thirty three wounded in this Expedition.
One may wonder how it is possible for Men to march several hundred Miles in the Wilderness, while the Ground is every where covered with Snow, two or three Feet deep at least; but the foremost march on Snow Shoes, which beat a firm Track for those that follow. At Night, when they rest, they dig a Hole in the Snow, throwing the Snow up all round, but highest towards that Side from whence the Wind blows, so large, as to contain as many Men as can lye round a Fire: They make the Fire in the Middle, and cover the frozen Ground round it with the small Branches of the Fir-Trees. Thus they tell me a Man lyes much warmer, than one imagines that never tried it.
When the Information of theFrenchcame toSchenectady, an Express was sent toNew-Yorkto Coll.Fletcherthen Governor there; the Express reachedNew-York, an hundred and fifty Miles fromAlbany, the 12th at ten in the Night. The Governor got the City Regiment under Arms by eight the next Morning.
He called out to know who were willing to go with him to the Frontiers, they all immediately threw up their Hats, and answered one and all. Indeed the People of this Province have, upon all Occasions, shewn their Courage and Resolution in Defence of their Country; but the Misfortune is, they are under no Discipline, and have been seldom led by Men that knew their Duty. The Governor ordered an hundred and fifty Voluntiers for this Service, and as many more fromLong-Island. The River then happened to be open by a sudden Thaw, which does not, at that Time of the Year, happen once in twenty Years. He embarked three hundred Men in five Sloops, by four in the Afternoon of the 14th, and arrived atAlbanythe 17th at nine in the Morning. The same Day the Governor went toSchenectady, and ordered the Men to follow, but before they could get every Thing ready for their March into the Woods, they had an Account, that MajorSchuylerwas upon his Return. Several Gentlemen ofAlbany, particularly Mr.Lanslear, a Gentleman of the best Estate there, went out Voluntiers under MajorSchuyler, which I ought not to have forgot.
Coll.Fletchermade a Speech to theMohawksatAlbany, he blamed their supine Negligence, in suffering themselves to be surprised in the Manner they were in Time of War. He told them that they had Reason to be convinced, that theEnglishwere their Friends heartily, by the Number of Men he had marched to their Assistance in a very little Time, upon the first Notice. He promised to wipe away their Tears in the Spring, by considerable Presents; and that he would, in the mean while, take Care of their Subsistence, by providing Houses and Victuals for them. He told them, he doubted they had some false Brethren among them, that gave theFrenchInformation, and favoured their Designs; and in the last Place, advised them to convince theFrench, that they had not lost their Courage with this Misfortune.
TheMohawks, in their Answer, called Coll.Fletcherby the Name ofCayenguirago; and he was called so by theIndiansalways after this. It signifiesa great swift Arrow, as an Acknowledgement of the Speed he made to their Assistance. But they appeared, in their Answer, to be quite disheartned; they had not, in the Memory of any Man, received such a Blow. They said their Strength was quite broke, by the Continuance of the War; but they added, if all theEnglishColonies would join, they could still easily takeCanada: Their being so ill armed, was the Reason (they said) that theFrenchhad now escaped.
TheFrench, continued they, arm theirIndianscompleatly, and furnish them with every Thing necessary for War, as we find every Time we meet with them.
TheFrenchhad got a great Quantity of Furs, and other Peltry, atMissilimakinak, by their Trade with theIndians; but theFive Nationshad so effectually blocked up the Passage between that andCanada, that they had remained there useless to theFrenchfor several Years. The Countde Frontenac, after his Success against theMohawks, was in Hopes theFive Nationswould keep more at home in Defence of their own Castles, and with these Hopes sent a Lieutenant, with eighteenCanadians, and twentypraying Indians, to open the Passage toMissilimakinak; but this Party fell in with another of theFive Nations, who entirely routed them, so that a few escaped only, to give an Account of their Misfortune; at last 200 Canoes, loaded with Furs fromMissilimakinak, arrived atMontreal, which gave as universal a Joy toCanada, as the Arrival of theGalleonsgive inSpain.
As by this Time the Reader may be tired with the horrid Scenes of a barbarous War, it may be some Relief to observe theIndianGenius in the Arts of negotiating; and see how a barbarous People, without any of the Arts and Sciences in which we value our selves, manage their Interest with the most learned, most polite, and artificial Nation inEurope. TheFive Nationswere informed, that the Governor ofCanadahad received fromEuropea very considerable Recruit of Soldiers, and of all Sorts of Ammunition. This, with the great Loss theMohawkshad lately suffered, while they had been amused by theEnglishwith great Hopes, and very little real Assistance, made theOneydoes, at last yield to the Solicitations of the JesuitMilet, to send a Message to theFrenchfor Peace. It is probable he had the Art to influence the People atAlbanyto favour his Designs, by giving them Hopes of being included in the Peace, as may be conjectured, from what will appear in the Sequel.
Coll.Fletcherbeing informed, that theOneydoeshad sent a Messenger toCanada, sent for theFive NationstoAlbany. He spoke to them the third ofJuly1693.
He first excused his not meeting them as he had promised, at the Time the Sap begins to run in the Trees, by Reason of his having received a Commission to be Governor ofPensilvania, to which Place he was obliged at that Time to go. He put them in Mind with what Speed he came to their Assistance last Winter, and how effectual, in all Probability, it would have been, had they only retarded the Enemy's March till he could have reached them: He advised them to guard against being drunk, and shewed them the ill Consequences of it in Time of War.
Then he said, "I have received Information, that some of the Brethren are wavering, and inclined to Peace with the Enemy; and am assured, that such Thoughts must arise from the Instigation of the JesuitMilet, whom some of the Brethren have suffered to live so long among them, and whose only Practice is to delude and betray them. Let me therefore advise you to remove that ill Person from among you."
In the End he condoled their Dead, and made them a very considerable Present of ninety Guns, eight hundred and ten Pound of Powder, eight hundred Bars of Lead, a Thousand Flints, eighty seven Hatchets, four Gross of Knives, besides a considerable Quantity of Cloathing and Provisions. This Present, he told them, their King and Queen had sent them, and renewed the Covenant for all theEnglishColonies.
The King usually sends them a considerable Present with every new Governor sent toNew-York, which is not always applied as it is designed. If this Present had been made sooner, it had been of much more Use to theEnglish, as well as to theFive Nations.
TheFive Nationsthe next Day spoke as follows.
BrotherCayenguirago,"We are involved in a bloody War, which makes us sit in Sorrow and Grief; and being about to speak of Matters of Importance, we, in the first Place, clear the Mouth and Throat of our Interpretess, bygiving her these three Bever Skins."
BrotherCayenguirago,
"We are involved in a bloody War, which makes us sit in Sorrow and Grief; and being about to speak of Matters of Importance, we, in the first Place, clear the Mouth and Throat of our Interpretess, bygiving her these three Bever Skins."
Then they repeated his Excellency's Speech, in Answer to which they said,
"BrotherCayenguirago, we rejoice, that the great King and Queen ofEnglandtake such Notice of us, as we find, by the large Present sent us; we return hearty Thanks for the Ammunition especially."We are glad that our BrotherCayenguiragorenews the Chain, not only between us and this Government, but likewise withNew-England,Virginia,MarylandandPensilvania; it shall be kept inviolable by us theFive Nations, as long as the Sun shines. We pray our BrotherCayenguiragoto have a watchful Eye, that none of the other Colonies keep any Correspondence with the Enemy, but use their Endeavours to destroy them. We heard nothing of what you told us of the PriestMilet, who lives atOneydo, till we came to this Town. We have enquired the Truth of our Brethren theOneydoes, who confess, that the Priest sent anIndiantoCanadawith Letters, which has surprised us very much."BrotherCayenguirago, you are our great Tree, whose Roots extend to the utmost Bounds of this Government; we desire you may not be disturbed when any of our Prisoners misbehave, for they are not countenanced by us; and all proper Methods shall be taken, to prevent the like for the future. In like Manner we beg you to take Care, that none of the Prisoners you have correspond with the Enemy, as we suspect the ChevalierD'O. did; and that he was sent with Letters toCanadaby some of our Brethren. (He made his Escape fromBoston.)"BrotherCayenguirago, In former Times our Propositions to one another were only Discourses of Peace and Friendship, and in giving Presents; but how much is the Case altered of late? Now we talk of nothing but War, and are continually prompting one another to it. As to our Parts, we will keep close to the War to the last Drop of our Blood; and tho' we be tossed to and fro with Storms, we will remain stedfast to the last Man, as it was resolved by both in the Beginning of the War."BrotherCayenguirago, we were told in our own Country, not only that the King had made you Governor ofPensilvania, but likewise that you were preparing a Fleet to takeCanada. O! what joyful News this was to our young Men.Sadagarus, the greatSenekaCaptain, was to command them. Now they said, we need only make one hearty Push, while the Fleet is beforeQuebeck. Now there will be an End to this bloody War, and all our Troubles; But alas, now we are come here, we hear not one Word of this Design."BrotherCayenguirago, you are that flourishing Tree that covers us; you keep the Chain bright; we have one Request to make to you, that you may stay with us, and not return toEngland; for you know our Ways and Manners. If you have any Thing to tell the King and Queen, write it to them, for the King knows you to be a wise Man, and will therefore believe you."BrotherCayenguirago, we are very glad to hear thatPensilvaniais come under your Government, bring their young Men here, with their Bows and Arrows and Hatchets in their Hands, for this is the Place of Action. We are pleased that theShowononsorSatanas, who are our Enemies, have applied to you for Protection; and that you sent them to us to endeavour a Peace, and that you sent Christians with them, to conduct them back again. We wish they were come to assist us against the common Enemy."BrotherCayenguirago, now we have done, but must tell you again, that we roll and wallow in Joy, by Reason of the great Favour the great King and Queen has done us, in sending us Arms and Ammunition, at a Time when we are in the greatest Need of them; and because there is such Unity among the Brethren."
"BrotherCayenguirago, we rejoice, that the great King and Queen ofEnglandtake such Notice of us, as we find, by the large Present sent us; we return hearty Thanks for the Ammunition especially.
"We are glad that our BrotherCayenguiragorenews the Chain, not only between us and this Government, but likewise withNew-England,Virginia,MarylandandPensilvania; it shall be kept inviolable by us theFive Nations, as long as the Sun shines. We pray our BrotherCayenguiragoto have a watchful Eye, that none of the other Colonies keep any Correspondence with the Enemy, but use their Endeavours to destroy them. We heard nothing of what you told us of the PriestMilet, who lives atOneydo, till we came to this Town. We have enquired the Truth of our Brethren theOneydoes, who confess, that the Priest sent anIndiantoCanadawith Letters, which has surprised us very much.
"BrotherCayenguirago, you are our great Tree, whose Roots extend to the utmost Bounds of this Government; we desire you may not be disturbed when any of our Prisoners misbehave, for they are not countenanced by us; and all proper Methods shall be taken, to prevent the like for the future. In like Manner we beg you to take Care, that none of the Prisoners you have correspond with the Enemy, as we suspect the ChevalierD'O. did; and that he was sent with Letters toCanadaby some of our Brethren. (He made his Escape fromBoston.)
"BrotherCayenguirago, In former Times our Propositions to one another were only Discourses of Peace and Friendship, and in giving Presents; but how much is the Case altered of late? Now we talk of nothing but War, and are continually prompting one another to it. As to our Parts, we will keep close to the War to the last Drop of our Blood; and tho' we be tossed to and fro with Storms, we will remain stedfast to the last Man, as it was resolved by both in the Beginning of the War.
"BrotherCayenguirago, we were told in our own Country, not only that the King had made you Governor ofPensilvania, but likewise that you were preparing a Fleet to takeCanada. O! what joyful News this was to our young Men.Sadagarus, the greatSenekaCaptain, was to command them. Now they said, we need only make one hearty Push, while the Fleet is beforeQuebeck. Now there will be an End to this bloody War, and all our Troubles; But alas, now we are come here, we hear not one Word of this Design.
"BrotherCayenguirago, you are that flourishing Tree that covers us; you keep the Chain bright; we have one Request to make to you, that you may stay with us, and not return toEngland; for you know our Ways and Manners. If you have any Thing to tell the King and Queen, write it to them, for the King knows you to be a wise Man, and will therefore believe you.
"BrotherCayenguirago, we are very glad to hear thatPensilvaniais come under your Government, bring their young Men here, with their Bows and Arrows and Hatchets in their Hands, for this is the Place of Action. We are pleased that theShowononsorSatanas, who are our Enemies, have applied to you for Protection; and that you sent them to us to endeavour a Peace, and that you sent Christians with them, to conduct them back again. We wish they were come to assist us against the common Enemy.
"BrotherCayenguirago, now we have done, but must tell you again, that we roll and wallow in Joy, by Reason of the great Favour the great King and Queen has done us, in sending us Arms and Ammunition, at a Time when we are in the greatest Need of them; and because there is such Unity among the Brethren."
They made the Governor a considerable Present of Furs, to shew their Respect to his Person; but they did not give one Belt to confirm any one Article; so that the whole of it is, according to their Stile, only argumentative.
Coll.Fletchernot being satisfied with their Answer, concerning the JesuitMilet, made this further Proposal to them. "As toMiletthe Priest, whom the Brethren ofOneydostill harbour among them, I must tell you again, that he betrays you, and all your Councils; and that you may see I desire not to diminish your Number, I am willing to give you a prettyIndianBoy, in Lieu of the old Priest; and accordingly the Boy was brought and delivered to them."
In answer to this theOneydo Sachemsaid, "As soon as theIndianMessenger returns all his Papers shall be taken from him, and be forthwith brought to our BrotherCayenguirago, before the Priest shall see any of them: we are willing to take the Boy in Exchange for the Priest, but it is not safe to do it, while our Messenger is in the Power of the Enemy; let the Boy stay here till we bring the Priest, which shall be as soon as the Messenger shall return". But he gave no Belt, or other Present, to confirm this Promise. He added,
"BrotherCayenguirago, we now acquaint you that it is proposed by all theFive Nations, to make Peace with theDionondadies, a Nation ofIndiansnear in Alliance with theFrenchofCanada. This will both strengthen us and weaken the Enemy. TheSenekas, who live nearest them, have undertaken this Treaty, and take Belts of Wampum from the other Nations, to confirm the Peace. We desire your Approbation, that you would send your Belt in Concurrence, as our eldest Brother in our Chain."
The Governor approved of this, andgave them a Beltto carry in his Name.
Notwithstanding what the Speaker of theFive Nationshad promised to the Governor, to bring all the Papers theOneydoMessenger should bring fromCanada, before the JesuitMiletshould have Liberty to see them, it could not be difficult for the Jesuit, to persuade them to keep the Power of making Peace in their own Hands, and for that Purpose, to call a Meeting of theSachemsofOnondago, where all such Matters had been formerly transacted among themselves, and there to determine independently, rather than to submit themselves to another Nation atAlbany. They only invited theEnglishto assist at the general Council. TheEnglishused what Arguments they could to dissuade this Meeting, but rather to observe the Promise made to the Governor; and it seems used some Threatning. TheMohawkshad so much Regard to theEnglish, that they refused to assist at the Council. The other four, notwithstanding this, met, and resolved on an Answer to be sent to the Governor ofCanada; but at the same Time, to shew their Regard to theMohawksandEnglish, these Resolutions were not to be final, till they should first be communicated to theEnglishandMohawks, and their Advice received thereon; for which Purpose severalSachemswere sent toAlbany, of whomDecanesorawas the Principal and the Speaker.
Decanesorahad for many Years the greatest Reputation among theFive Nationsfor speaking, and was generally employed as their Speaker, in their Negotiations with bothFrenchandEnglish: He was grown old when I saw him, and heard him speak; he had a great Fluency in speaking, and a graceful Elocution, that would have pleased in any Part of the World. His Person was tall and well made, and his Features, to my thinking, resembled much the Bustos ofCicero. I shall give an Account of these Negotiations fromDecanesora's Mouth, because his Narration agrees in the main with the Account theFrenchgive of them, and carries along with it as strong Evidences of Truth, as that of theFrenchdo: but the chief Reason is, that I intend to give the Reader as perfect a Notion as I can of theIndianGenius; and here it will appear, what ArtDecanesorahad, to make an Account of an Affair less disagreeable toEnglishEars, which had been undertaken against their Advice, and contrary to their Interest.
Decanesoraspoke to MajorSchuyler(Quider) and the Magistrates ofAlbany, the second ofFebruary1693-4 as follows.
"BrotherCayenguirago[38], we are come to acquaint you, that our Children theOneydoeshaving of themselves sent a Messenger toCanada, he has brought back with him a Belt of Peace from the Governor ofCanada."As soon asTariha(the Messenger) arrived atCanada, he was asked, where the six hundred Men were that were to attackCanada, as they had been informed byCariokeseaMohawkDeserter? He assured them there was no such Design."He was carried toQuebeck, where he delivered his Belt, with the following Propositions.Onondio, if you would have Peace go toAlbany, and ask it there, for theFive Nationswill do nothing withoutCayenguirago. The Governor ofCanadawas angry at this, and said, he had nothing to do with the Governor ofNew-York, he would treat only with theFive Nations; the Peace between the Christians must be made on the other Side the great Lake. He added, he was sorry to see theFive Nationsso far degenerated, as to take a sixth Nation into their Chain, to rule over them. If you had desired me to come and treat in any of your Castles, I would have done it; but to tell me I must go toAlbany, is to desire of me what I can by no Means do. You have done very ill, to suffer the People ofNew-Yorkto govern you so far, that you dare do nothing without their Consent. I advise you to send two of each Nation to me, and letDecanesorabe one of them. I have Orders from the King my Master to grant you Peace, if you come in your proper Persons to ask it. The Governor ofCanadaafterwards said,"Children of theFive Nations, I have Compassion for your little Children, therefore come speedily, and speak of Peace to me, otherwise I'll stop my Ears for the future: By all Means letDecanesoracome; for if theMohawkscome alone, I will not hear them, some of all theFive Nationsmust come. NowTarihareturn home, and tell theFive Nations, that I will wait for their coming till the Trees bud, and the Bark can be parted from the Trees. I design forFrancein the Spring, and I leave a Gentleman to command here, to whom I have given Orders to raise Soldiers, if you do not come in that Time, and then what will become of you? I am truly grieved to see theFive Nationsso debauched and deceived byCayenguirago, who is lately come toNew-York, and byQuider. Formerly the chief Men of theFive Nationsused to converse with me; but this Governor ofNew-Yorkhas so deluded you, that you hearken to none but him; but take Care of what will follow, if you hearken to none but him."
"BrotherCayenguirago[38], we are come to acquaint you, that our Children theOneydoeshaving of themselves sent a Messenger toCanada, he has brought back with him a Belt of Peace from the Governor ofCanada.
"As soon asTariha(the Messenger) arrived atCanada, he was asked, where the six hundred Men were that were to attackCanada, as they had been informed byCariokeseaMohawkDeserter? He assured them there was no such Design.
"He was carried toQuebeck, where he delivered his Belt, with the following Propositions.Onondio, if you would have Peace go toAlbany, and ask it there, for theFive Nationswill do nothing withoutCayenguirago. The Governor ofCanadawas angry at this, and said, he had nothing to do with the Governor ofNew-York, he would treat only with theFive Nations; the Peace between the Christians must be made on the other Side the great Lake. He added, he was sorry to see theFive Nationsso far degenerated, as to take a sixth Nation into their Chain, to rule over them. If you had desired me to come and treat in any of your Castles, I would have done it; but to tell me I must go toAlbany, is to desire of me what I can by no Means do. You have done very ill, to suffer the People ofNew-Yorkto govern you so far, that you dare do nothing without their Consent. I advise you to send two of each Nation to me, and letDecanesorabe one of them. I have Orders from the King my Master to grant you Peace, if you come in your proper Persons to ask it. The Governor ofCanadaafterwards said,
"Children of theFive Nations, I have Compassion for your little Children, therefore come speedily, and speak of Peace to me, otherwise I'll stop my Ears for the future: By all Means letDecanesoracome; for if theMohawkscome alone, I will not hear them, some of all theFive Nationsmust come. NowTarihareturn home, and tell theFive Nations, that I will wait for their coming till the Trees bud, and the Bark can be parted from the Trees. I design forFrancein the Spring, and I leave a Gentleman to command here, to whom I have given Orders to raise Soldiers, if you do not come in that Time, and then what will become of you? I am truly grieved to see theFive Nationsso debauched and deceived byCayenguirago, who is lately come toNew-York, and byQuider. Formerly the chief Men of theFive Nationsused to converse with me; but this Governor ofNew-Yorkhas so deluded you, that you hearken to none but him; but take Care of what will follow, if you hearken to none but him."
ThenDecanesoraexcused the not sending the Letters toAlbany, which came byTariha, as they had promised, saying, the other Nations trusted this to theOneydoes, because the Messenger was to return to them, and theOneydoesdeceived the others. He likewise excused their not coming toAlbanyas soon asTarihareturned, which was inNovember. He said the chiefSachemof theOnondagas, who was entrusted (as their Speaker) by theFive Nationswith their general Affairs, by the general Council ofOnondaga, had a sore Leg, and could not travel[39].
That in such Case he (Decanesora) did all that was in his Power, that is, he called a Council atOnondaga, to give Directions in this Affair; and that he invitedQuiderto this Council. He continued,
"The four Nations that met there resolved to send Deputies toCanada, and that IDecanesorawas to be one of them; but at the same Time ordered me, with some others, to communicate the Resolutions of the General Council to our Brethren atAlbany, and to theMohawks, to be farther advised by them."The Resolutions are, tosend three Beltsto the Governor ofCanada, with the following Propositions."I.Onondio, you have sent for me often, and as often asked, why I am afraid to come? The great Kettle of War that you have hung over the Fire is the Reason of it. Then laying down the first Belt, I am to ask his Consent to the other two Belts which I still keep in my Hand."II. We now not only throw down the Kettle, and thereby throw the boiling Water out of it, but likewise break it to Pieces, that it may never be hanged up again by this second Belt."III. Hearken,Onondio, you are sent from theFrenchKing, your Master, asCayenguiragois from the great King and Queen ofEngland. What I am now about to speak to you, is by Inspiration from the great God of Heaven. You say that you will have nothing to do with our Brethren ofCayenguirago, but I must tell you, that we are inseparable, we can have no Peace with you so long as you are at War with them; we must stand and fall with them; which I am to confirm, by laying down the third Belt."When this was concluded the JesuitMilet, and anotherFrenchGentleman (who had been taken Prisoner, and was taken into the Place of the chiefSachem of Onondaga, formerly lost in the War, and thereby became aSachem) desired Leave to add two Belts to the other three. By their beingSachemsthey had a Vote in the General Council, and a Right to propose any Thing. They wrote and read to us the Purports of their Belts, and we have brought their Papers with us, to shew to our Brethren."
"The four Nations that met there resolved to send Deputies toCanada, and that IDecanesorawas to be one of them; but at the same Time ordered me, with some others, to communicate the Resolutions of the General Council to our Brethren atAlbany, and to theMohawks, to be farther advised by them.
"The Resolutions are, tosend three Beltsto the Governor ofCanada, with the following Propositions.
"I.Onondio, you have sent for me often, and as often asked, why I am afraid to come? The great Kettle of War that you have hung over the Fire is the Reason of it. Then laying down the first Belt, I am to ask his Consent to the other two Belts which I still keep in my Hand.
"II. We now not only throw down the Kettle, and thereby throw the boiling Water out of it, but likewise break it to Pieces, that it may never be hanged up again by this second Belt.
"III. Hearken,Onondio, you are sent from theFrenchKing, your Master, asCayenguiragois from the great King and Queen ofEngland. What I am now about to speak to you, is by Inspiration from the great God of Heaven. You say that you will have nothing to do with our Brethren ofCayenguirago, but I must tell you, that we are inseparable, we can have no Peace with you so long as you are at War with them; we must stand and fall with them; which I am to confirm, by laying down the third Belt.
"When this was concluded the JesuitMilet, and anotherFrenchGentleman (who had been taken Prisoner, and was taken into the Place of the chiefSachem of Onondaga, formerly lost in the War, and thereby became aSachem) desired Leave to add two Belts to the other three. By their beingSachemsthey had a Vote in the General Council, and a Right to propose any Thing. They wrote and read to us the Purports of their Belts, and we have brought their Papers with us, to shew to our Brethren."
To shew the Necessity they were under of making Peace, speedily he added:
"That two Women, who were Prisoners atCanada, had made their Escape, on Purpose to inform them that theFrenchwere making great Preparations of Battoes, and other Necessaries for an Expedition; one said, she had informed one of theSachemsof thePraying Indiansof her Design, who sent anIndianwith her to advise theFive Nations, to prevent the great Danger they were threatened with by a speedy Conclusion of the Peace; and added, that they had sent one of their People back with thisPraying Indian, to assure them that Deputies would certainly go toCanadain the Spring to treat of Peace." I make no Doubt, this was only an Article to hasten theFive Nationsto conclude the Peace, lest theEnglish, if it were delayed, should find Means to prevent it. Then he shewed the Flag which the Governor ofCanadasent them to be carried by their Deputies, that theFrenchmight know them. Upon these Resolutions being taken, theFive Nationsrecalled six hundred Men, that they had placed alongCadarackui River, to intercept theFrench, as they passed to and fromMissilimakinak.
The Jesuit's Papers being read to them, several Things were found in them which he had not read to the General Council. To thisDecanesoraanswered; "We know that the Priest favours his own Nation, and deceives us in many Things; but it is not in his Power to alter our Affection to our Brethren, we wish you would bury all Misunderstandings that you have conceived on his Account; and we likewise wish you gave less Credit to the Rum-Carriers than you do."
Here we see, by this Appellation, what a contemptible Character the Traders have among theIndians, and yet the Government ofNew-Yorkhas almost perpetually trusted the Management of theIndianAffairs to these Traders.
Decanesoraended his Conference as follows:
"The Governor ofCanada's Words, and the Resolutions of the four Nations are now before you, consult therefore what is to be done, and if it be necessary for the Brethren to go to our Castles to advise us farther, be not unwilling; and then he laid down a large Belt eleven Rows deep, and seven Fathom of Wampum."
"The Governor ofCanada's Words, and the Resolutions of the four Nations are now before you, consult therefore what is to be done, and if it be necessary for the Brethren to go to our Castles to advise us farther, be not unwilling; and then he laid down a large Belt eleven Rows deep, and seven Fathom of Wampum."
The next Day MajorSchuylertold them that he could consent to no Treaty with theFrench; but proposed to them to meet the Governor here in seventy Days, and thatDecanesorain particular should return at that Time, and gave a Belt.
They agreed to meet the Governor at that Time;
"But as for myself (saysDecanesora) I cannot promise; I am now the Minister of the General Council, and cannot dispose of myself, but by their Directions; if they order me, I shall willingly return. We did not expect to hear such positive Prohibition of keeping any Correspondence with theFrench; seventy Days must pass before we meet again, if any Mischief be done by the Enemy in that Time, let us not blame one another. Consider again what is most for the publick Good, and let it be spoken before we part, and laid down a large Belt of fourteen deep."
"But as for myself (saysDecanesora) I cannot promise; I am now the Minister of the General Council, and cannot dispose of myself, but by their Directions; if they order me, I shall willingly return. We did not expect to hear such positive Prohibition of keeping any Correspondence with theFrench; seventy Days must pass before we meet again, if any Mischief be done by the Enemy in that Time, let us not blame one another. Consider again what is most for the publick Good, and let it be spoken before we part, and laid down a large Belt of fourteen deep."
MajorSchuylerthen asked them again, whether they promised to stop all Correspondence with theFrench, either by the Jesuit or otherwise, for seventy Days, and till they shall have his Excellency the Governor's Answer.
Decanesoraanswered to this, "I have no Authority to answer this Question. I shall lay the Belt down in every one of the Castles, and tell, that by it all Correspondence is desired to stop with theFrench; but I cannot promise that this will be complied with."
MajorSchuyleron the sixth called theIndiansagain together: He advised them not to submit to, nor trust such a perfidious Nation as theFrenchare, who have upon all Occasions proved themselves such. Be not discouraged, (says he,giving a Belt) Heaven begins again to favour us. This Day the Forerunners of theShawononsare come to Town, seven Nations are on their March following them, one Thousand in Number, including Men, Women and Children, as you may learn from their own Mouths. Take Courage, and be not afraid,giving five Fathom of Wampum. This seemed a lucky Incident, and accordingly it had more Influence than all other Arguments together.
Decanesora, the next Day, called the Magistrates together, and told them, you have at last shut up the Way toCanada, but we have one Thing to ask, after mature Deliberation, which we expect will not be refused us. MajorSchuylerassured them that every Thing should be granted, which was either for their Safety or Honour. We desire then, said he, that you send a Messenger along with ours to thePraying IndiansatCanada, to tell them that the Priest is false; that we are to meetCayenguiragoin the Spring, and therefore cannot go toCanadaat that Time; and that a further Cessation of Arms be agreed to, till such Time as we can go. We desire at least, that if you will not send a Messenger, that you put the Message in Writing, as a Token of your Assent to it. This last was agreed to, and the Message was put in Writing in the following Words, and translated intoFrench.
TheDispatch of three Belts, which two Messengers of theFive Nationscarry to theCaraguistsand CatholickIndians, according to what was resolved by theAgayandresorSachemsof theFive Nations, atAlbany,Februarythe ninth 1694.
TheAgayandresof theFive Nationscannot go toCanadain the Spring, as they gave Reason to expect by the last Message fromOnondaga, becauseCayenguiragohas called all theFive Nations, and otherIndians, to meet him atAlbany, in the Month ofAprilnext, to which theFive Nationshave agreed.
If theCaraguists, orFrench, have any Thing to propose to theFive Nations, they may safely come into our Country. This Belt opens the Path, and secures it to them both coming and going.
TheFive Nations, and their Friends, lay down the Hatchet till they shall have an Answer, which they expect in forty Days. Provided nevertheless, that theCaraguistsandFrenchtye their Hatchets down at the same Time.
These Belts were accordingly presented to thePraying IndiansofCahnuaga, who refused to receive them but in the Presence of Mr.de Callieres, Governor ofMontreal. Mr.de Callieresacquainted the Countde Frontenacwith the Contents. After which thePraying Indians, in Presence of Mr.de Callieres, gave the following Answer.