Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

I met the Indians at the Tuscarora Creek in Oneida Lake, they were greatly affected at the death of a remarkable Chief of the Onondagas, and I was obliged to perform all the Ceremony on that occasion after which they told me of the various Reports & Injuries they had received, that their heads were quite turned with them, that they had in Vain waited the fullfilling of our promises, & that every agreable hope seemed now fled as the Nations to the Westward & would probably soon create disturbances & draw others in to retaliate the Injuries they had received, that they had received a very, large belt from an Officer on the Mississipi with a message to inform them that they need not longer be trifled with by the Inglish for that he (by which is meant the Gov*, to which he belonged) having sat down quietly for some time & being about to rise up, luckily discovered his Axe beside him & found that it was as Sharp as ever, therefore Exhorted them to take up theirs Likewise -- each Nation pretended seperately to be better disposed than their Neighbour, but upon the Whole I see nothing but a General tendency to a Rupture which lam at a loss how to prevent, as my Influence & Credit must decline in proportion, as they find that the promises made them prove abortive

I Should have sent Down my acct^by this opportimity but that 1 have not yet rec^ those from Niagara -- the present Method of payff off the department, is attended with the greatest inconveniency to me -- the Officers at the Outposts draw occasionally, I must ans^'. them or hurt their Credit & I have been often obliged to take up money for that purpose. I think it will be best to Give you an Estimate for the future of the Ann*.