sunshine, and keep together in strict union and friendship; then we shall become strong and nothing can hurt us.

live in bright

" Brethren

:

This

is

the ancient place of treaty, where the

of friendship always used to burn, and 'tis now three years 'Tts true since we have been called to any public treaty here. fire

there are commissioners here, but they have never invited us to

smoke with them

;

but the Indians of Canada

come frequently

and smoke here, which is for the sake of their beaver ; but we 'Tis your fault, brethren, that we are not strength ened by conquest, for we would have gone and taken Crown point, but you hindered us ; we had concluded to go and take

hate them.

it,

but we were told it was too late, and that the ice would not

bear us ; instead of this, you burnt your own fort at Saratoga

HUDSON RIVER INDIANS.

and run away from it, which was a shame and a scandal to you.

Look about your country and see ; you have no fortifications about you, no, not even to this city 'tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily come and turn you ;

out of your doors.

" Brethren

You desire us to speak from the bottom of our

:

hearts,

and we

houses

full

shall

do

it.

Look about you and see all these

of beaver, and the

money is

all

gone to Canada,