Canassatego's _Answer to the Governor's Speech delivered in the Morning_.
You spoke in the Presence of _Assaragoa_ and the Governor of _Maryland_ to us, advising us to receive them as our Brethren, and to unite with them in the Covenant Chain as one Body, and one Soul. We have always considered them as our Brethren, and, as such, shall be willing to brighten the Chain of Friendship with them; but since there are some Disputes between us respecting the Lands possessed by them, which formerly belonged to us, we, according to our Custom, propose to have those Differences first adjusted, and then we shall proceed to confirm the Friendship subsisting between us, which will meet with no Obstruction after these Matters are settled.
_Here they presented the_ Governor _with a Belt of Wampum, in return for the Belt given them in the Morning by the_ Governor; _and the Interpreter was ordered to return the_ Yo-hah.
_Then the_ Governor, _in Reply, spoke as follows_:
I receive your Belt with great Kindness and Affection; and as to what relates to the Governments of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, the honourable Commissioners, now present, are ready to treat with you. I shall only add, that the Goods for the Hundred Pounds Sterling, put into my Hands by the Governor of _Virginia_, as a Token of his good Dispositions to preserve Friendship with you, are now in Town, and ready to be delivered, in consequence of what was told you by _Conrad Weiser_ when he was last at Onandago.
Then the Governor, turning to the Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, said, Gentlemen, I have now finished what was incumbent upon me to say by way of Introduction to the _Indians_; and as you have a full Authority from your respective Governments to treat with them, I shall leave the rest intirely to you, and either stay or withdraw, as you shall think most for your Service.
The Commissioners said, They were all of Opinion, it would be for their Advantage that the Governor should stay with them; and therefore they unanimously desired he would favour them with the Continuance of his Presence whilst they should be in Treaty with the _Indians_: Which his Honour said he would at their Instance very readily do, believing it might expedite their Business, and prevent any Jealousy the _Indians_ might conceive at his withdrawing.