“By midnight moons, o’er moistening dews,
In vestments for the chase arrayed,
The hunter still the deer pursues,
The hunter and the deer, a shade.”
A very important feature of conference with the Indians was an exchange of presents. The wily savages saw no sense in giving away valuables unless they received presents of equal value in return, and if their gifts were not reciprocated they quietly took them back, whence we get the phrase “Indian giver,” which we learn in childhood to call the playmate who gives us an apple or a stick of candy and later takes it back.
The conferences between the colonists and the Indians were attended with much formality and ceremony. At a conference held at Easton, Pennsylvania, October 16th, 1758, there were present the governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, gentlemen of their councils, Indians and interpreters.
Governor Francis Bernard of New Jersey spoke to the Indians, and said:
“Brethren of all the confederated nations:
As you proposed your questions concerning Teedyescung separately, I think proper to give you a separate answer thereto.
I know not who made Teedyescung so great a man; nor do I know that he is any greater than a chief of the Delaware Indians settled at Wyomink. The title of king could not be given him by an English governor; for we know very well that there is no such person among the Indians, as what we call a king. And if we call him so, we mean no more than sachem or chief. I observe in his treaties which he has held with the governor of Pennsylvania (which I have perused since our last meeting) that he says he was a woman, till you made him a man, by putting a tomahawk into his hand; and through all of those treaties, especially in the last, held at this town, he calls you his uncles, and professes that he is dependent on you; and I know not that anything has since happened to alter his relation to you. I therefore consider him still to be your nephew.
Brethren,
I am obliged to you for your kind promises, to return the captives which have been taken from us. I hope you will not only do so, but will also engage such of our allies and nephews, as have taken captives from us, to do the same. That you may be mindful of this I give you this belt.”
After the governor had done speaking, and his answers were interpreted in the united nations and Delaware languages, the Indian chiefs were asked if they had anything to say. On which Tagashata arose, and made a speech to his cousins the Delaware and Minisink Indians, directing his discourse to Teedyescung, and said: