Write very well, When therefore they subscribe an ordinary Deed, they frequently make use of a Cross, after the Example of the Iliterate amongst us & sometimes with their names; but in things of much Consequence they usually delineate a Steel, such as is used to strike fire out of Flint, which being the symbol of their Nation, This Steel they call Canntah--& themselves Canniungaes, but from hence, little can be deduced, as they had not the use of any instrument in that form before their Commerce with the Whites.

The Tuscaroras I omit as they are a south peeple not long introduced into the Alliance making the 6 natn.

The Oneidas who inhabit the Country a little beyond the settlements, are in the next Class for altho', some efforts have been made to Civilize and Christianize them, a great part are still in the primitive way, but being also reduced in numbers & their political system much changed, their Intercourse with the more remote Indians is lessened, and their knowledge of ancient usages decayed, They have in use [as] Symbols, a Tree, by which they w4 Express Stability. But their true Symbol is a Stone called Onoya, and they call themselves Onoyuts a particular Instee of weh I can give from an Expedtt I went on to Lake St. Sacrament in 1746, when to shew the Enemy the strength of our Ind» Alliances I desired Each Nation to affix their Symbol to a Tree [to alarm] the French : the Oneydas put up a stone weh they painted Red.