"Children,
"I am glad to meet you at this Time, as are likewise the Commissioners from the Massachusets-Bay, who are now come hither to concur with me upon the present Occasion; and I take this Opportunity to renew the ancient Covenant Chain with you, in Behalf of this and all his Majesty's Governments in America, which you know has always been kept bright and clean, without any of the least Stain or Rust, and which by this Belt I strengthen. [Gave a Belt.]
"Children, My meeting you here, besides renewing the Covenant Chain, is with Intention that you should join your Force with ours, by taking up the Hatchet against our and your common Enemies the French, and their Indians; who have in a very unmanly Manner, by sculking Parties, murdered in cold Blood, many of your Brethren in this and the Province of the Massachusets-Bay.
"This Behaviour lays us under a Necessity of making Reprisals on them in like Manner, in which I make no doubt of your Assistance; and we are resolved to take a thorough Revenge of our and your perpetual Enemies, by reducing the Country of Canada, that it may not be in the Power of these perfidious, deceitful, and cruel People, to do you or us any Injury for the future: For which Purpose all the neighbouring Colonies, together with many Ships of War and Soldiers from Great-Britain, are resolved to unite their Force, and to attack Canada in all Parts, both by Sea and Land; and I make no doubt, you will on this Occasion shew yourselves dutiful Children, in joining heartily with us and the Six Nations, in this glorious Enterprize; by which you will not only gain Honour and Renown, but also Safety and Prosperity to yourselves, your Wives, and Children for ever afterwards: And for which End I will furnish your fighting Men with Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing, Provisions, and every Thing necessary for the War." [Gave a War-Belt.]
On the 26th they gave their Answer, which was interpreted in the following Words; (the same Persons being present, that were when the Governor's Speech was delivered to them.)
Father,
We are glad to see you; and we are come to renew the Covenant Chain, and make it fast and bright as ever, and free from Rust, and as a Token thereof we give you this Belt. [Gave a Belt.]
Father, You have told us what Mischief the French have done, and what Murders upon the Christians they have committed; therefore we declare from our Hearts, and not from our Lips only, that as you have ordered us to shed the Enemies' Blood in Return for what they have done, we are resolved to live and die with you in the common Cause.
When you Christians are at War, you make Peace with one another, but it is not so with us, therefore we depend upon you to take Care of us; in Confidence of which, we now take up the Hatchet, and will make Use of it against the French, and their Indians. [Gave a Belt with a Hatchet.]
After their Answer they began the War-Dance, and his Excellency ordered a considerable Present in Goods to be publickly given them. None of these are suspected to be under French Influence.