"General Washington, attend! What gives us room for the making of so many speeches, is, because you relate all the former deceptions that have been used.
"General Washington: I depend upon you to gratify our request, and that will make my mind easy. Sometimes I hear that I am going to flee from my seat, for the injuries I have done. These reflections make me so unhappy, that I am almost tempted to die with the Six Nations.
"Brother: We are determined now, as we were before, that the line shall remain. We have fully considered on the boundary we have marked out. We know all that we have received from time to time, and we think if you establish this line, it will make us about even.
"Brother: If you do not comply with our request, we shall determine on something else, as we are a free people.
"Brother: We are determined to be a free people. You know, General Washington, that we, the Six Nations, have always been able to defend ourselves, and we are still determined to maintain our freedom.
"Brother: You must not suspect that any other nation corrupts our minds. The only thing that can corrupt our minds, is not to grant our request.
"Brother: If this favor is not granted, I wish that my son may be sent back with the answer, and tell me which side he means to join. If he wishes to join that side, he is at liberty."
Although the name of Brant does not often occur in the proceedings of the councils touching the movement of Pennsylvania upon Sandusky, yet he was by no means a passive spectator of passing events. There were no hours of idleness in his life, and when not engaged in the field, or in attendance upon councils, or upon foreign missions, his mind was occupied in the work of improving the minds and morals, and adding to the comforts, of his own people. In the Spring of the present year he was engaged in the erection of a council-house for his nation at Grand River. But the Sandusky affair called him again to the field; and while others were deliberating in council, and attempting to negotiate, the Chief was preparing to contest the disputed title by arms—directly aided, as will be seen from the following letter, by the Executive of Upper Canada:—
"Captain Brant to Colonel Smith—('for Governor Simcoe.' [FN])"