"Brother: I would advise you, when you strike the man near where I sit, to go by water, as it will be the easiest and best way.
"Brother: If you intend to strike, one way is to go up the Allegheny, and by Presq' Isle; another way is to go down this river and up the Wabash.
"Brother: The reason why I mentioned the road up the river is, that there will be no danger of your being discovered until you are close upon them, but on the road down the river you will be spied.
"Brother: Now I have told you the way by Presq' Isle, and that it is the boundary between us and your enemies; if you go by the Wabash, your friends will not be surprised.
"Brother: You must not think that what I have said is only my own thoughts, but the opinion of all the Huron chiefs, and I speak in behalf of them all. If you grant what favors I have asked of you, all our friends and relations will be thankful and glad as far as they can hear all round.
"Brother: The reason why I have pointed out these two roads is, that when we hear you are in one of them, we will know your intentions without farther notice; and the Huron chiefs desired me particularly to mention it, that they may meet you in your walk, and tell you what they have done, who are your enemies, and who are your friends, and I, in their name, request a pair of colors to show that we have joined in friendship.
"Fourteen strings of black wampum.
"Brother: The chiefs desired me to tell you that they sent Montour before to tell you their intention, and they leave him to go with you, that when you meet your Brothers, you may consult together, and understand one another by his means."
On the 19th Colonel Brodhead addressed the Huron chief in reply, after the Indian form. He told him, distinctly, that fair words were no longer to be taken, unless their sincerity was attested by their deeds. In regard to the roads to Detroit, he said he should select whichever he pleased. As for the Shawanese, the Colonel told the chief that he had sent them a fair speech, which they had thrown into the fire, and he should not now recall Colonel Clarke. And in regard to the people of the chief himself, the Colonel demanded, as the basis of peace, that they should stipulate to restore all American prisoners in their hands; to kill, scalp, and take, as many of the English and their allies as they had killed and taken of the Americans; and on every occasion to join the Americans against their enemies. The Wyandots assented to the terms, and hostages were required for the faithful performance of their agreement.
The Delawares were at that time at peace with the United States, and a small body of their warriors had accompanied Colonel Brodhead on the expedition from which he had just returned. The business having been closed with the Huron chiefs the Delawares interposed in behalf of the Maquichee clan of the Shawanese. These Indians were now apparently very humble; but, apprehensive that they might not perhaps manage their own case very well, the Delawares had kept them back from the council, and undertaken their cause themselves. Kelleleman, a Delaware chief, informed Colonel Brodhead that on arriving there, their grand-children [FN] had addressed them thus:—