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.

The Onondagas whose residence are 40. miles farther are somewhat better versed in the Customs of their ancestors, they call themselves people of the Great Mountain.

' me THE SIX NATIONS. 433

The Cayugas who are about the same distance beyond them, have for their Symbol a pipe.

The Senecas are the most numerous & most distant of the six Nats have sev! Towns & Symbols from wch however little can be understood. and leaving this Confederacy we shall find that the Nations to the North West tho they have their Symbols, _ they are not able to Explain to any degree of Satisfaction, for as they scatter more in quest of a livelyhood they have not the same _opportunitys or inclination to Cultivate & Explain oral Tradition. To the South West the Indians are better versed in those matters but this is a field too large for wt I now propose, tho' by other opportunitys I shall mdst willingly assist your Enquiries therein.