In accordance with this resolution,

the commissioners for the northern department 3 held a council with chiefs of the Six Nations at German Flats on the fifteenth

of August, but the attendance being limited, adjourned it to Albany, where, on the twenty- fourth, its proceedings were con At this conference the commissioners recited the cluded. grievances of which the colonists complained, and against which they had resolved to take up arms, and advised the Indians to

observe neutrality.

"This is a family quarrel between us and

old England," said they ;

u

you Indians are not concerned in

We don't wish you to take up the hatchet against the king's

it.

Colonial History, vm, 636. It was not until a year later that congress authorized the employment of Indians. Those who acted with the colonial forces prior to that time were enlisted by the colonies in their independent capacity.

The commissioners for the northern department were Gen. Philip Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Turbot Francis, Oliver Wolcott and Volkert P. Douw. The department included the Six Nations and all other tribes to the northward of them.

THE INDIAN TRIBES

troops ; we desire you to remain at home, and not join either In the name and behalf side, but keep the hatchet buried deep.

of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace and maintain it, and to love and sympathize with us in our trouble, that the path

may be kept open with all our people and yours,