"'Brothers and Friends!—We desire you will hear and receive what we have now told you, and that you will open a good ear and listen to what we are now going to say. This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. You, Indians, are not concerned in it. We don't wish you to take up the hatchet against the King's troops. We desire you to remain at home, and not join either side; but keep the hatchet buried deep. In the name and behalf of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace and maintain it, and love and sympathize with us in our troubles; that the path may be kept open with all our people and yours, to pass and re-pass without molestation.
"'Brothers!—We live on the same ground with you. The same island is our common birthplace. We desire to sit down under the same tree of peace with you; let us water its roots and cherish its growth, till the large leaves and nourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, and reach the skies.
"'Brothers, observe well!—What is it we have asked of you? Nothing but peace, notwithstanding our present disturbed situation; and if application should be made to you by any of the King's unwise and wicked ministers to join on their side, we only advise you to deliberate with great caution, and in your wisdom look forward to the consequences of a compliance. For if the King's troops take away our property, and destroy us who are of the same blood with themselves, what can you, who are Indians, expect from them afterwards?
"[A white belt.]
"'Brothers of the Six Nations!—When we perceived this island began to shake and tremble along the Eastern shore, and the sun darkened by a black cloud which arose from beyond the great water, we kindled up a great council-fire at Philadelphia; and we sat around it until it burnt clear, and so high that it illuminated this whole island. We renewed our hold upon the old covenant chain, which united and strengthened our ancestors, and which was near slipping out of our hands before we had kindled this great council-fire at Philadelphia. We have now taken fast hold, nor will we let it go without a mighty struggle, even unto death.
"'Brothers:—We are now Twelve Colonies, united as one man. We have but one heart and one hand. Brothers, this is our Union Belt. By this belt, we, the Twelve United Colonies, renew the old covenant chain by which our forefathers, in their great wisdom, thought proper to bind us and you, our brothers of the Six Nations, together, when they first landed at this place; and if any of the links of this great chain should have received any rust, we now brighten it, and make it shine like silver. As God has put it into our hearts to love the Six Nations and their allies, we now make the chain of friendship so strong, that nothing but an evil spirit can or will attempt to break it. But we hope, through the favor and mercy of the Good Spirit, that it will remain strong and bright while the sun shines and the water runs.
"[Delivered the Union belt.]
"'Brothers:—It is necessary, in order for the preservation of friendship between us and our brothers of the Six Nations, and their allies, that a free and mutual intercourse be kept up betwixt us. Therefore the Twelve United Colonies, by this belt, remove every difficulty that may lie in the great road that runs through the middle of our country; and we will also clear up and open all the small roads that lead into the great one. We will take out every thorn, briar, and stone, so that when any of our brothers of the Six Nations, or their allies, have an inclination to see and talk with any of their brethren of the Twelve United Colonies, they may pass safely without being scratched or bruised. Brothers, the road is now open for our brethren of the Six Nations and their allies, and they may now pass and repass as safely and freely as the Twelve United Colonies themselves; and we are further determined, by the assistance of God, to keep our roads open and free for the Six Nations and their allies, as long as this earth remains.
"[Path belt.]
"'Brothers!—We have said we wish you Indians may continue in peace with one another, and with us the white people. Let us be cautious in our behavior toward each other at this critical state of affairs. This island now trembles, the wind whistles from almost every quarter; let us fortify our minds, and shut our ears against false rumors; let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable should ever fall out between us the Twelve United Colonies, and you the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise and expedient to kindle up a small council-fire at Albany, where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds more fully to one another.