Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/388

364 critical, alarming, and calamitous state" of the colonies, Congress recommended that the 20th of July be observed, by the inhabitants of all the English colonies, as a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer. The day was observed accordingly; and it was, as Holmes states, the first general fast ever kept on one day, since the settlement of the colonies. When the news of this recommendation reached the army, Lee, who was given to scoffing, spoke contemptuously of beseeching God's blessing upon the American arms; but Washington ordered the day to be exactly observed. All labor was suspended, and the officers and soldiers were required to divine service.

Besides their ill success with the Canadians, whom they could not persuade to arm against the Americans, the British ministry found the Indians rather impracticable. No reasoning seemed to make much impression upon the red men. They were, however, more disposed to listen to what was said on the other side. Congress set forth that the English had taken up arms to enslave, not only their countrymen in America, but the Indians also; and, if the latter should enable them to overcome the colonists, they themselves would soon be reduced to a state of slavery also. By arguments of this kind it was hoped that these savages might be engaged to remain neuter; and thus the colonists be freed from a most dangerous enemy. On this occasion it was thought proper to hold a solemn conference with the Six Nations, convened in council in Philadelphia. The speech made to them is curious in many respects. We give a specimen of it, as showing the ground taken in endeavoring to enlist the sympathy and support of the Indians: "Brothers, sachems, and warriors! We are the delegates from the Twelve United Provinces, now sitting in General Congress at Philadelphia, who have sent their talk to you, our brothers. Brothers and friends, now attend! When our fathers crossed the great water, and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk, assuring them that they and their children should be his children; and that, if they would leave their native country, and make settlements, and live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant-chain, and enjoy peace; and it was covenanted, that the fields, houses, goods, and possessions which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as their own, and be their children's for ever, and at their sole disposal. Brothers and friends, open a kind ear! We will now tell you of the quarrel betwixt the counsellors of King George and the inhabitants and colonies of America. Many of his counsellors have persuaded him to break the covenant-chain, and not to send us any more good talks. They have prevailed upon him to enter into a covenant against us; and have torn asunder, and cast behind their backs, the good old covenant which their ancestors and ours entered into, and took strong hold of. They now tell us they will put their hands into our pockets without asking, as though it were their