their hands in it Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania the Jerseys, New Yorke, Connecticutt & New England Brother Cayenquiragoe. We renew the covenant chain in behalfe of the whole House, the Mohaques, Oneydes, Onondages Cayouges & Sinnekes Brother Cayenquiragoe. We have lately had the losse of two Castles by the enemy, we have concluded to do our best to assist them and we desire Cayenquiragoe will doe the same. Brother Cayenquiragoe We wish the Cannoes may go to and again in safety that the Great King may know what we have here said and that we may have an answer. We now have made our word good here is the cup. Then laid down some small bundles of bever saying-it is but small, but [it] is as it were saved out of the fire. His Excell: stood up and said Brethren I have heard what you have said, and have here renewed the Covenant Chain with all the Five Nations, the Mohaques, Oneydas, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes in behalf of the Brethren of this Province, Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connecticutt & New England and I assure the Five Nations of His Maties proteccôn. I have provided for you some victuals and drink to drink the King's health, and in confirmacon thereof that it may last as long as the Sun & Moon endures I give this Belt Wampum. The principle Sachim of the Mohaques called—Ohee. The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. The principle of Oneyde called-Ohee. The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. The principle Sachim of Onnondage called Ohee. The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh. The principle Sachim of Cayonge called Ohee. The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh The principle Sachim of Sinneke called-Ohee The whole Assembly answered Heeeeee Hogh In the evening His Excellency did appoint the principle Sachims to meet him at a private conference next morning. At a private Meeting of the Sachims of the Five Present His Excell. Coll. Benjamin Fletcher &c Coll. Nich. Bayard William Pinhorne Esq. Major Peter Schuyler } of the Council Matthew Clarkson Esq: Sect. His Excellency said : Brethren It was proposed by the Speaker of the Five Nations the first day that I should write to my Great Master the King of England &c concerning the warr that is between the Five Nations and the French & Indians of Canida and that I should get an answer from the Great King to you the brethren next spring. Brethren I must assure you its utterly impossible in so short a time to send over to my Great Master and to receive an answer for reasons which I shall now give you. The way over the great sea is long, the danger and hazards are many, and in the winter season many storms and contrary winds. Brethren, I do promise you to use all the speedyest means with the first opportunity to write to the Great King and to gett you an answer which I am sure will be to yor content and satisfaction and so soon as it comes I shall communicate it to you Brethren. In the mean time I have appointed Majr Schuyler Mr Dellius Major Wessells and the Mayor of the Citty of Albany, to receive yor propositions upon any occasions that may happen in my ab sence. Brethren I do heartily wish you home well to yo' own castles and that you may look out and be carefull not to be surprized; you can never be too watchfull. I now take my leave of you and give each of you a kegg of rumm for a dram to comfort you in the way home, and a coat to keep you warm in the winter. I shall see you again (God willing) next summer or sooner if yo affaires call, if it please God to continue my health. The Sachims offer to make some propositions. Sanongurese Sachim of the Mohagues Speaker. Brother Cayenquiragoe We have been a long time in the Covenant Chain with the brethren of New Yorke, in which afterwards at sundry times the brethren of Virginia Maryland Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connecticutt and New England came and linked themselves. They like'd the chain of peace, but where are they now; they do not like to take part with us in the war. They are all asleep; they came not to our assistance against the enemy; their hands hung down straight, and their arms are lame; we see none minde the warr but the brethren of New Yorke. We are now down upon one knee, but we are not quite down upon the ground; lett the Great King of England send the great Cannoes with seaventy gunns each, and let the brethren of Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connecticutt & New England awake, and we will stand up straight againe upon our feet; our heart is yet stout and good; we doubt not but to destroy the enemy. Then laid down a Belt of Wampum Brother Cayenquiragoe. We again desire you to write to the Great King and to gett us an answer against the next time the trees become green and that there be no delay. Let it not be said to us the cannoes are lost under water, or that the wind has carried them into another country, or the like excuse, but let us have the answer against the trees grow green, without faile, for we are in great need of it. Then laid down a Bever Skin. To which His Excell: made answer. Brethren. I shall be faithfull and exact to my promise to you I shall send to the Great King my Master by the first opportunity and be careful in sending you the Great Kings answer, as I told you before; but I cannot be positive to a time when the voyage depends upon winde and weather which are soe uncertaine. I wish you well to yor castles. The principle Sachim of the Mohaques called-Ohee The whole number of Sachims answered Heeeeee Hogh &c. EXTRACT OF GOV. FLETCHER'S SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF 4th SESS. 5th PROV: ASSEMBLY 16 OCTOB: 1696. [Council Min. VII.] Mr Speaker I am to acquaint you I have been necessitated twice this summer by advice and consent of the Council to visite Albany the ffrench Governor of Canida marched with so considerable a force into the Indian Countrey of Onnondage and Oneyde that I could not suppose his design would end there but expected that he would with that strength attempt Albany where I was ready to adjust my duty in defence of the place he contented himselfe with a poor insult over our naked Indians and retired Yet he destroyed the Castles and corne of those two Nations who must perish this winter if not relieved by us. You all know they have been true to His Matyes interest in joyning with this Province against our common Enemy the ffrench and unlesse encouraged may be compelled by poverty to make their peace with them. |