"Brothers attend!—I have one addition to make to what passed between four of the Oneida Nation and you, when last at your Council Chamber. When you found from our conference with your brothers at the German Flats, that our sentiments of public affairs so much coincided with yours, you farther told us that all the governments of America on the sea-coasts were anxious to know whether we were disposed to peace, and that you, the Twelve United Colonies, were resolved to support your civil constitution and liberties, and you rejoiced to find that we all so firmly resolved to maintain peace.
"Brothers of Albany:—You farther observed. In the intercourse you had with four of the Oneida Nation, that you greatly rejoiced at the conference you had at the German Flats. You farther said that you was surprised about a letter Guy Johnson had received from the chief warrior, General Gage, about removing the ministers from among us. That you rejoiced that the Indians were instructed in the Christian religion, and that the ministers that were among us might continue.
"Brothers of Albany, attend!—We have something further yet to relate of your speech. You desired, at the intercourse you had with the four messengers, that we should acquaint the Six Nations with your speech, and that thereafter three or four of each Nation should come down. You farther said that you would have been glad to have attended at the council-fire at Guy Johnson's to hear what he should say to the Indians, and see if his sentiments and yours should coincide. But you then soon heard that he had removed from there to Fort Stanwix, from there to Oswego; that you despaired of hearing any thing from him, and therefore desired us that we would let you know what was done at that fire.
"Brothers, attend!—You made another proposal at the intercourse you had with four of our Nation, which was this:—that you had heard that there was to be a council of the whole of our Nation at the German Flats, you desired our people that they would let you know what passed between us and them. Our delegates, in our names, then told you that it would be more agreeable that two or more of your members should attend, and hear themselves what passed there. This, brethren, is the substance of what passed between you and the four of the Oneida Nation.
"Brothers of Albany, attend!—We now, upon this day, going through with what passed between some of your members and us, when the conference ended at German Flats. You said—Brothers, let us both endeavor to keep peace, that we may continue to enjoy its blessings. We desire not that you should trouble yourselves in the least with these disputes between us and those over the great waters; only exert yourselves in maintaining the covenant that was made between your and our forefathers, at this place of our council-fire. Your delegates told us at the German Flats, that, although you should be drove back from the sea-coast by your enemies, yet you would not ask our aid.
"Brothers of Albany, farther attend!—Two things more you delivered at the German Flats. The first was this;—That we, the Oneida Nation, should give a kind ear to your speech; you then produced two ancient belts of wampum,—one of twenty rows, which was the old covenant between the whole Oneida Nation and Quedar-Gorah; another that was given by the Six Nations, by the Indian called Kayinguaraghtoh, of the Seneca Nation; you also said that these belts should again be produced for the inspection of the whole Six Nations at the intended council-fire to be re-kindled at Albany.
"Brothers of Albany:—We have now finished the principal subjects that passed between you and us, the Oneida Nation; and we, all of us, the Six Nations, are here now present, to hear what has passed, and to prevent any false reports that may be propagated by news carriers.
"Brothers of Albany, now attend!—You, also, the commissioners who are here present, lend your ears and hear our voice. You, our brothers of Albany, have desired the sentiments of the Six Nations. We, the Six Nations and our allies, which extend to Detroit, Ohio, and Caughnawaga, upon our first hearing the bad news that circulated along the eastern shore of this island, assembled and resolved upon a union amongst us, Indians, and to maintain peace; and we rejoice that nothing more has been asked of us. There is nothing different in our minds than what we have now told. We shall not take notice of any hostile propositions that may be made to us, for we bear an equal proportion of love to you and the others over the great waters in the present dispute; and we shall remain at peace and smoke our pipes; and the Six Nations will always keep the path open, and we call God to witness to the truth of what we now say, and it proceeds from our hearts.
"[A belt of eight rows.]
"Brothers of Albany, now attend, and incline your ears to what we have now to say:—