Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
Yet I had not neither have I any reason to suspect the rest of the Senecas, or any other of the Confederate Nations Besides I know it to have been before the practise of those Nations more remote from us, & who are apprehensive of the Six nations, to propagate Stories much to the disadvantage of the Latter with a View to Exasperate us against them, and thereby draw them into their associations, and I am confident that if an opportunity offered I could give a demonstrating proof of their fidelity from the part they would take in our quarrells If required so to do.
I have always been intirely of your Lordships Opinion with regard to the advantages we may Expect from the jealousies subsisting between one Nation & another, and I have more than once, observed the like to your Lordship, I have been also allways averse to entering into any of their private Concerns. -- It would therefore give me great pain could I have the least reason to accuse myself of deviateing from your Lordships sentiments, and ray own so repeatedly Expressed, and I am persuaded it can be sufficiently made to appear that no part of my proceedings If they have been Justly Expressed in my pacquets, could have a tendency so contrary to the Political practise 1 have allways adopted, -- Indeed it is extremely necessary & gives the Indians a favorable Idea of our justice & friendship to appear concerned at their private divisions & DiflFerences & desirous to see them composed, but I