Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/360

332 summer, to be deferred, upon which I am commissioned to treat with you and at the same time to assure you that the succeeding Governor will meet you as soon as he conveniently can, with presents as usual. You will then have an opportunity of laying before him whatever is amiss, which will be redressed you may depend on, without any unnecessary delay ; till then I expect all of you will live in perfect harmony with yr Bretheren ye English. A Belt. Bretheren of the Six Nations.

It grieves me sorely to find the road hither so grown up with weeds for want of being used, & your fire almost expiring at Onondaga, where it was agreed by the wisdom of our Ancestors that it should never be extinguished : You know it was a saying among us that when the Fire was out here, you would be no longer a people ; I am now sent by Your Brother the Governor to clear the Road & make the fire with such wood as will never burn out, and I earnestly desire you would take care to keep it up, so as to be found always the same when he shall send among you. A Belt. Bretheren of the Six Nations.

I have now renewed the Fire, swept clean all your rooms with a new White Wing, and leave it hanging near the Fire place, that you may use it for cleaning all dust dirt &c which may have been brought in by Strangers, no friends to you or us. A string of Wampum. Bretheren of the Six Nations.

I am sorry to find on my arrival among you that the fine shady Tree which was planted by your forefathers for your ease and shelter, should be now leaning, being almost blown down by Northerly winds. I shall now endeavour to set it upright that it may flourish as formerly, while the roots spread abroad ; so that when we sitt or stand on them you will feel them shake should any storms blow, then should you be ready to secure it. A Belt. Bretheren of the Six Nations.

Your Fire now burns clearly at the old place, the Tree of Shelter and Protection is set up & flourishes ; I must now insist upon your quench ing that fire made with brambles at Swegachey, and recall those to their proper home who have deserted thither. I can not leave disswading you from going to Canada, the French are a delusive people, always endeavouring to divide you as much as they can, nor will they let slip any opportunity of making advantage of it. 'Tis formidable news we hear that the French & some Indians are making a descent upon Ohio ;