Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/359

No. 115] the pustules appeared, they leaped naked into the cold water of the rivers, lakes, or fountains, and either dived over head into it, or poured it over their body in great abundance, in order to cool the heat of the fever. In the same manner they carry their children, when they have the small-pox, into the water and duck them. But brandy has killed most of the Indians. This liquor was likewise entirely unknown to them, before the Europeans came hither ; but after they had tasted it, they could never get enough of it. A man can hardly have a greater desire of a thing, than the Indians have of brandy. I have heard them say, that to die by drinking brandy, was a desirable and an honourable death ; and indeed tis no very uncommon thing to kill themselves by drinking this liquor to excess.



ERE follows what I said to the General Convention of the Six Nations at Onondaga spoke by Hendrick the Chief of the Mohawks.

Bretheren of the Six Nations.

The great concern I am under for the loss of our three great and beloved Brothers Caghniagarota, Onughsadego and Gahusquerowana, who in their time made your Assembly compleat, makes it incumbent on me to condole their death, and as it is a great loss to us in general, I do by these three Belts of Wampum dry up your tears that we may see each other, clear your throats that we may Speak together, and wash away their blood out of our sight, and cover their bones with these Strow'd Blankets

Here gave the three Belts of Wampum and three Blanketts of Strowd. Bretheren of the Six Nations

I am now to acquaint you that the indisposition of the present Governor and the expectation of the sudden arrival of a new one, has occasioned the interview, proposed at Albany between you and him this