had very sorrowfully swept the Road; and desired them to inform the Governor of Pensilvania of their (the Twightwees) Grief; and how they had swept the Road clean.' Le Tort adds, on Behalf of the Shawanese, 'That they were much grieved at this unfortunate Accident; and prayed, as they had no Concern in it, more than by being Instruments to discover it, their Brethren would not blame them, nor suffer a Misunderstanding to arise between them on this Account: They would sweep the Road clean, and wipe all the Blood away; and desired their Brethren would be satisfied with this, and not weep too much for a Misfortune that might not happen again as long as the Sun and Moon shone.'

"The Person who delivered me Le Tort's Letter, brought this Bundle of Skins as a Present to me; but I told the Messenger, I would not meddle with it; he might leave it if he pleased: The Affair appear'd to me in a bad Light, and I would represent it to the Six Nations, who were

expected in Town Fact, as I have it

every Day. This is the from Le Tort: I desire to be inform'd if you know any thing of this Matter; and if you do not, that you will make diligent Enquiry who committed the Murder, and who are the unhappy Sufferers, and assist us to obtain Satisfaction, if it shall appear to be any, of

our Fellow-Subjects that have been treated in this Manner."

To inforce this Request, I present you with this String of Wampum.

The Onondago Chief, in Reply, said:

BRETHREN,

"We take this Information kindly at your Hands; we will take this String of Wampum home with us to our Lodgings, and there consult about the most regular and proper Steps to be taken by us to answer your Expectations, and when we have duly considered the Matter, we will return you an Answer."

Upon this the Governor put an End to the Conference; and calling for Wine, and other Liquors, according to the Indian Custom, after a decent and chearful Entertainment, the Indians withdrew.

At a COUNCIL held at the Proprietor's House, July 5, 1742.

PRESENT

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esq;

Lieutenant-Governor.

James Logan,

} Esqrs;

Clement Plumsted, S

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 Depu ties were then at Canada, and whether the French Governor was making any warlike Preparations. And on their answering Yes,

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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