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SPEECH TO THE SIX NATIONS SENT BY MR˙ DEANE, JANUARY 21, 1776.
Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six-Nations:
When we had the pleasure of meeting you last at Albany, we promised to send our brother Deane to you, that when any thing happened he might inform you, that no false reports, contrived by wicked men, might come to your ears. He now carries you a belt with this speech; open your ears and listen attentively to what he shall say, for he repeals my words.
Brothers, oor great Council at Philadelphia have been informed that many wicked men, in the County of Tryon, were preparing themselves for war against us—that they had procured arms, and would attack us with the first favourable opportunity. They ordered me to inquire into the matter, and told me that I must carry up my warriors, that I might be able to secure some of the head men amongst them, and disarm the others.
Brothers, when I received this order from our Great Council-Fire, I said to myself, our brothers, the Mohawks, will be alarmed to see so many warriors march into the country in which they live; I must, therefore, send them a speech and belt, which I did by Mr˙ Bleecker, and I desired that our brothers, the Mohawks, would send it on to the end of the house of the Six Nations. When I had taken this precaution, that our brothers, the Mohawks, might not be offended, I marched my warriors up to Schenectady; from thence I sent a letter to Sir John Johnson, informing him that I would settle the matter without shedding blood if I could, and, therefore, invited him to meet me. He accordingly came, and we had an interview in a small house near by Colonel Johnson' s, and there I proposed terms of peace and reconciliation, and desired his, answer by the next night. When his answer came, it did hot please me, and I sent three of our counsellors to bring him to reason, for my warriors grew very impatient, and I did not want that his blood should be shed. He grew wise, at last, and consented that all the Scotch people should be disarmed, and that I should take six of them prisoners, and that he would not interfere if I disarmed his other friends, who had hostile designs against us.
Brothers, our brothers, the Mohawks, desired me to show some kindness to Sir John. I was glad that they
Brothers, I have thus opened the path of peace which we promised you last Summer should be kept open, and which these wicked men designed to stop up, that we might not any more eat, and drink, and smoke with our loving brothers, the Six Nations. It is now again clear, and no obstacles remain, and we can go to you and you can come to us.
Brothers, your brother, Mr˙ Deane, will inform you of my kind expressions and intentions towards all my brethren of the Six Nations; and I now again assure you, on the behalf of the Thirteen United Colonies, that they love and respect you, and will strictly abide by every agreement they have made, and they have not the least doubt but you will faithfully perform the same.
Farewell, brothers. May God keep you in his protection, and make you a happy people,
Speech from General Schuyler to the Six Nations
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asked the favour, because I knew that he had relations amongst them, and that I might have an opportunity of showing my respect to our Mohawk brethren, and I granted it. But, brothers, he did not deserve it, for we found out that he had given guns to the Scotch people, and to many others who were not our friends, and had prepared his great guns. I could hardly restrain my warriors when they found he had done this. The designs of which said military preparations, they judged, were intended against them. But as I had given my word that he should not be hurt, provided he delivered up the guns and cannon, my warriors did not touch him, and he is now safe at home, and I and my warriors are returning home.