“Brothers, our brother told us, our school was so thinly attended, he thought it would be best to drop it till winter, but we are unwilling it should stop, for fear our children will go back—we wish you to keep it going—some of us have been negligent in sending our children, but we will endeavour to be more diligent in the future, if we can be favoured with it.
“Brothers, our very tried brother is growing old, and through abundance of labour and fatigue has grown feeble, having been sick a good deal, and cannot do as he used to do, yet we are not willing to part with him, we want him to stay enough with us, to oversee our business, manage our affairs, and sit with us in council.
“Brothers, we still want to go on in improvement, and as our young man that has learned to work at smithing, has taken to farming in the summer season, we therefore want to get a sober goodly man, to come and set up his trade among us, and take some of our boys and learn them the trade. We also want a wagon maker, and a cooper of the above description, and for the same purpose, and we believe it might be done with very little expense to our brothers, if Oatnus stays with us a part of the time, and has the management of our affairs; for we have abundance of materials to carry on the two last mentioned trades, and part of the first; and our circumstances are very different now from what they were when he first came amongst us.
“Brothers, we have concluded to build a saw-mill this season, among ourselves.
“Brothers, it makes our hearts sick when we look abroad and see our Oneida and Seneca brethren, who have got the blackcoats and hungry mouths among them—for there is nothing but contention, spite, and animosity, and no business that is profitable—and we thank the Great Spirit that has sent us peace—sweet peace and no blackcoats.
“Brothers, may the Great Spirit preside over your councils—make you love one another, remember your real brethren and do much good. Farewell.”
Signed by the chiefs and some of the warriors.
To the foregoing speech the committee on Indian affairs made the following reply:
“Brothers, we have received by the hands of brother Oatnus your communication to us, and it has made our hearts glad; and, that our brothers and sisters of the Great council might hear it, we gave it to them to read, and it made their hearts glad also, and greatly to rejoice, to hear from you and to hear that Oatnus did well with you—and that you listened to his voice.