_We are pleas'd that you follow the Steps of our Fore-fathers, in wiping off the sorrowful Tears from our Eyes, by which the Stoppage of our Throats are opened, and the bloody Bed wash'd clean._ [Gave three Strings of Wampum.]
Brethren, _The first Time we met together, we only saluted each other by shaking of Hands; we afterwards made a Covenant Chain of Silver, which we mutually have held fast to this Day; should it now slip from either of our Hands, it would prove Destruction to both Sides, since our Enemies have drawn the Sword._ [Gave a Belt.]
Brother of _New-York_; _Last Year you gave us the Hatchet to be made Use of against your Enemies, the_ French, _which we accepted and promised to make use of it if they should commit any farther Hostilities upon the_ English, _which they have now done by destroying_ Saraghtoga, _and shedding a great deal of Blood: Hitherto we have made no use of the Hatchet; but as you now call upon us, we are ready, and do declare from the Bottom of our Hearts, that we will from this Day, make use of it against the_ French, _and their Children_, (meaning their _Indians_.)
[N. B. The Question was asked them by his Excellency, Whether by the Words _their Children_, they meant all the _Indians_ in Alliance with the _French_? to which they answered, _Yes_.]
[At the End of the foregoing Paragraph, the Speaker threw down a War-Belt of Wampum on the Ground, it being the _Indian_ Custom to deliver War-Belts, or make Declaration of War in this Manner: This he did with a remarkable Shew of Indignation, intending thereby to express their Resentment against the _French_ and their Allies, and their Zeal for the _English_.] [_Gave a Belt_.]
Brother of _New-York; According to your Exhortation in your Speech to us, we are firmly united together from this Time, to act as having one Heart; the_ Messesagues _are in the same Manner joined and united with us, likewise the Southern Nations bordering upon us; and we hope that you, and the other Governors on the Continent, will be in the same Manner joined and united together._ [Gave a Belt.]
[They repeated over his Excellency's Speech in Relation to the Conquest of _Cape-Breton_; and added, _We hope that our Fleet and Army will be also victorious in the present Expedition against_ Canada; _for the_ French _are a mischievous People_.] [Gave a Belt.]