Then they addressed themselves to me, and said, “Brother, I suppose you know something about it; or has the Governor stopped your mouth, that you cannot tell us?”
Then I said, “Brothers, I am very sorry to see you so jealous. I am your own flesh and blood, and sooner than I would tell you any story that would be of hurt to you, or your children, I would suffer death: and if I did not know that it was the desire of the Governor, that we should renew our old brotherly love and friendship, that subsisted between our grandfathers, I would not have undertaken this journey. I do assure you of mine and the people’s honesty. If the French had not been here, the English would not have come; and consider, brothers, whether, in such a case, we can always sit still.”
Then they said, “It is a thousand pities we did not know this sooner; if we had, it would have been peace long before now.”
Then I said, “My brothers, I know you have been wrongly persuaded by many wicked people; for you must know, that there are a great many Papists in the country, in French interest, who appear like gentlemen, and have sent many runaway Irish papist servants[53] among you, who have put bad notions into your heads, and strengthened you against your brothers the English.
“Brothers, I beg that you would not believe every idle and false story, that ill-designing people may bring to you against us your brothers. Let us not hearken to what lying and foolish people may bring to you, against us your brothers. Let us not hearken to what lying and foolish people say, but let us hear what wise and good people say; they will tell us what is good for us and our children.”
Mem. There are a great number of Irish traders now among the Indians, who have always endeavoured to spirit up the Indians against the English; which made some, that I was acquainted with from their infancy, desire the chiefs to enquire of me, for that they were certain I would speak the truth.
Pisquetumen now told me, we could not go to the General, that it was very dangerous, the French having sent out several scouts to wait for me on the road. And further, Pisquetumen told me, it was a pity the Governor had no ear,[54] to bring him intelligence; that the French had three ears, whom they rewarded with great presents; and signified, that he and Shingas would be ears, at the service of his honour, if he pleased.
2d.—I bade Shingas to make haste and dispatch me, and once more desired to know of them, if it was possible for them to guide me to the General. Of all which they told me they would consider; and Shingas gave me his hand, and said, “Brother, the next time you come, I will return with you to Philadelphia, and will do all in my power to prevent any body’s coming to hurt the English more.”
3d.—To-day I found myself unwell, and made a little tea, which refreshed me: had many very pretty discourses with George. In the afternoon they called a council together, and gave me the following answer in council; the speaker addressing the Governor and people of Pennsylvania: