Life of Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea (Vol. I.) / Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution and Sketches of the Indian Campaigns of Generals Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne; And Other Matters Connected with the Indian Relations of the United States and Great Britain, from the Peace of 1783 to the Indian Peace of 1795

by William L. Stone

At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs for the northern department held at the city of Albany, on Tuesday, 25th of August, 1775. Present:

Gen. Schuyler, Col. Wolcott, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw.

The following message was sent to the committee of the city of Albany:—

Albany, 25th August, 1775.

Gentlemen,—The Commissioners of Indian affairs are to open the treaty with the Six Nations this morning, about eleven, at the Dutch church. They request the favor of your attendance, and that of the principal gentlemen of the town, and would wish, previous to the meeting, to be honored with your company at Cartwright's.

To Abraham Yates, Jr. Esq. Chairman of the committee of Albany.

The chairman and committee attended agreeable to invitation.

In the course of their interview with the Commissioners this day, the Indians stated that they had some business to transact with the people of Albany, with whom they were desirous of having an interview before proceeding with the main object for which the Council had been convened. They therefore requested a day for that purpose. The request was granted—a meeting of the citizens of Albany was held immediately, at which Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Renselaer, and Dr. Samuel Stringer were appointed a committee to hold the preliminary council with the Indians. The interview took place on the same evening, when Seaghnagerat, an Oneida sachem, opened the proceedings by the following speech:—

"Brothers of Albany:—We beg you will acquaint us when your body is complete.

"Brothers of Albany:—The day is now come that we have arrived in consequence of your invitation. When you saw four of the Oneida Nations, you said you was glad to see them at your Council Chamber. We are now here in consequence thereof. You told us you would be glad to see us again—that you rejoiced to see them, and that you would open the ashes, and rekindle the old council-fire at Albany. We are glad to see that some of the sparks of that old council-fire yet remain. We rejoice, even to excess, to find it so.