Before they went, his Excellency sent to them, to desire them to leave their Sick, with a Promise to take all Care possible of them, and that he would order Physicians to attend them. They were very sensible of this Kindness, and acknowledged it; but not above two or three could be prevailed to stay, who were so ill that they could not be removed: All possible Care was taken of the other Sick, in the Waggons which carried them to _Schenectade_.
On the 26th of _September_, the Captains _Staats_ and _Vromen_, brought the _Indians_ living on the Branches of the _Susquehannah_ River; they came in the _Indian_ Order, marching in a single Line one after the other, and as they passed the Fort, saluted by a running Fire along the Line; which Salute the Governor ordered to be returned, by a Discharge of some Cannon from the Fort.
On _Monday_ the 8th of the same Month his Excellency spoke to them, telling them the Substance of what he had ordered to be said to the _Six Nations_, and their Answer; and as this has been set forth at Length before, it is needless to repeat what was then said. The Reason of his Excellency's speaking to them in this Manner was, because these Nations living on the _Susquehannah_ River and its Branches, are known to be Dependents on the _Six Nations_.
The next Day they gave their Answer; the Gentlemen of the Council, the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, the Corporation of _Albany_, the Officers of the four Independent Companies, and several Officers of the new Levies, and other Gentlemen being present, as they were when his Excellency spoke to the _Indians_: Their Answer was publickly interpreted as follows;
_We live at_ Ohguago; _what News you send to the_ Six Nations _is not truly reported to us, nor what the Governor of_ Canada _sends to them; we have not been properly taken Notice of, nor timely acquainted with your Design to treat with the_ Six Nations, _till near the Time that your Interview with them was over; otherwise we should have readily come along with them, to hear what our Brother had to propose to us; and if we had received earlier Notice, a much larger Number of our fighting Men would have come along with us: Our Settlements are scattering, and some of them at a great Distance from others, and many of our Men are from Home a hunting; we have, however, sent the Belt of Invitation forward to those who live at a greater Distance, that they may be able at the Time appointed, to come and join us in the War, as by your Belt we were desired._