A Condolence held with the Six Nations

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May 5. At a Condolence held with the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawanese, Munsies, Mohegans, and Twightwees, who are the several Nations that have been sufferers in the late unfortunate disturbances,

Captain Conolly, Commandant, and a number of other gentlemen.

SIX NATION INDIANS. — Guyasutha, White Mingo, and the Six Nation Deputies as before mentioned, with a number of other Chiefs, and principal men.

DELAWARES. — Captains White Eyes, Pipe, Keykewenum, and Samuel Compass, with a number of other Indians of that Nation.

BRETHREN: It was with the deepest concern that we informed you two days ago of the late unhappy death of some of your friends, and it adds much to our grief upon this occasion, when we consider that some of our rash inconsiderate people have been accessory thereto. We condole with you, and bewail the misfortunes you have suffered, and as a testimony of our sincerity, we deliver you these strings of wampum. (A string to each Nation.)

BRETHREN: We wipe the tears from your eyes, and remove the grief which this melancholy circumstance may have impressed upon your hearts, that you may be enabled to look upon your brethren the (English) with the same friendship as usual, and listen to them with the like goodness of heart, as formerly, when no evil disturbed your minds. (A string to each Nation.)

BRETHREN: We now collect the bones of your deceased people, and wrap them up in those goods which we have prepared for that purpose, and we likewise inter them, that every remembrance of uneasiness upon this head, may be extinguished, and also buried in oblivion. (Delivered a condolence present.)

BRETHREN: We have now conformably to you custom, condoled with you in the usual manner upon such occasions; and we are to request some of your Chiefs present, who have the most influence with the distant tribes to proceed to them with the greatest expedition with what you have now heard, as it is highly necessary that we should be made acquainted without delay, with the result of their Councils upon the present circumstances of affairs, as well

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Captain Conolly then addressed the Indians as follows:

"BRETHREN: I am very sorry to find that a dispute has happened between our people and yours, which has been attended with bad consequences to both parties. You ought to be certain, brothers, that our wise men had no act or part in what has happened, and that it was entirely owing to the folly and indiscretion of our young people, which you know, like your own young men, are unwilling to listen to good advice. As to the particulars of what has happened, we yet do not know; we are sure, however, that people are killed on both sides, but we hope as the dispute happened only between the young and foolish people, that it will not engage our wise men in a quarrel in which none of us had a part. It is, however, brothers, very unlucky that any difference should have happened between us at this time, as the great Headman of Virginia and all his wise people are just going to meet together to counsel about the settling in this country, bought from you the Six Nations; and to give orders to their young men, which may come to be your neighbours, to be kind and friendly towards you. And, likewise, I expect they will buy goods to clothe your old people and children, to brighten the chain of friendship between us, and to convince you that we will be as friendly towards you as your late neighbours from Pennsylvania were. And, therefore, I desire you, brothers, not to listen to what some lying people may tell you to the contrary, for although we are always ready to fight our enemies, yet we will show our true and steady friendship upon every occasion, when necessary. (A string of wampum.)

Captain White Eyes, on behalf of the Indians present, made the following Answer:

"BRETHREN: (the English,) We have heard with satisfaction the several Speeches you have now delivered to us, and we return you our sincere thanks for the friendship and concern you have been pleased to express for us upon this occasion; we cannot doubt of your uprightness towards us, and that the mischief done to us, has been done contrary to your intent and desire, which we believe has arose entirely from the evil-minded persons who have been the perpetrators of it; therefore it is incumbent upon us to aid you with our best assistance. As the great and good work of peace has been established between us, by the labour and pains of our greatest and wisest men, it ought not to be disturbed by the folly or imprudence of any rash people whatever, who, hereafter, refusing to pay due obedience to good advice, or offering to slip their hands from the chain of friendship, it will be our duty to chastise, should not those examples of violence before their eyes have this effect. Brethren, I will carry your Messages to the other Nations: they are intended for myself, as it is a business too serious to be trifled with, or boys to be employed on; it is the happiness of ourselves, our women and children, and every thing dear to us, that we are endeavouring to preserve. Therefore there can be no doubt that I shall speak my sentiments fully and truly to all Nations upon it." (A large string of white wampum.)

Guyasutha then returned Captain White Eyes thanks on behalf of the Six Nations present, and told him as he had delivered their sentiments fully in the foregoing Speech, it was needless for them to say any thing more upon the subject, but desire him to be strong in restoring the tranquillity of the country, and that one of his people should accompany him in this good undertaking.