"Brothers:—When we met two of your body at the German Flats, they presented these strings to us, and invited us to come down to Albany, and kindle up a great council-fire of peace, under the auspices of the Twelve United Colonies. Now, as these strings have never been changed, we return them to you again, and desire that the great council-fire of peace may be kindled up.
"Brothers:—You desired us to shut our ears, and fortify our minds against any evil reports that we might hear on our way down, and to pay no regard to what any liars and ill-disposed persons might say to us, as they would only mean to sow dissension between us and our brothers of the Twelve United Colonies.
"Brothers:—Our minds are proof against the attempts of such wicked persons. Now, Brothers, let us give you a little advice on our parts. There are liars and mischief-makers among the Indians, as well as amongst the white people. Therefore pay no regard to this or that that any single Indian may say, but attend to what you may hear from the mouth of our great council; for that will be the truth, and the sense of all the Six United Nations."
The Commissioners then replied in the following words:—
"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations!—We return thanks to the Great God that has suffered us to meet together this day, in love, peace, and friendship. In token of which we will now sit down and smoke the pipe of peace together."
[Here the great calumet was lighted up, and went round; after which the Commissioners proceeded:—]
"Brothers:—We, the deputies appointed by and in the name of the Twelve United Colonies, assisted by the descendants of your ancient friend Quedar, and your Albany brethren, embrace this opportunity to rekindle the ancient council-fire, which formerly burnt as bright as the sun in this place, and to heap on it so much fuel that it may never be extinguished; and also to renew the ancient covenant chain with you, which you know has always been kept bright and clean, without any stain or rust; and which by this belt we now strengthen, that for ever hereafter you and we may have but one heart, one head, one eye, and one hand.
"[A belt.]
"Brethren:—Our business with you, besides kindling the ancient council-fire, and renewing the covenant and brightening up every link of the chain, is, in the first place, to inform you of the advice that was given, about thirty years ago, by your wise forefathers, in a great council which they held at Lancaster in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego spoke to us in these very words. [FN] 'Brethren, we, the Six Nations, heartily recommend unison and a good agreement between you, our brethren. Never disagree, but preserve a strict friendship for one another; and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise forefathers established unison and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us formidable; this has given us great weight and authority with our neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy; and if you observe the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power. Therefore, whatever befalls you, never fall out with one another.' These were the words of Cannassateego."