THE DESTRUCTION OF SCHENECTADY.

PROPOSITIONS

Made by the Sachems of the three Maquas Castles, to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commanalty of the City of Albany, and Military Officers of the said City, and County in the City-Hall, February 25th, 16

Peiter Schuyler Mayor, with ten more Gentlemen, then present. Interpreted by Arnout & Hille.

The Names of the Sachims, Sinnonguiness Speaker, Rode, Sagoddiockquisax, Oguedagoa, Tosoquatho, Odagurasse, Anharenda, Jagogthera.

Brethren,

W

EE are Sorry and extreamly Griev'd for the Murther lately committed by the French upon our Brethren of Shennechtady, we esteem this Evil, as if done to our selves, being all in one CovenantChain; But what they have done is by way of stealth, by way of Robbery unawares; our Brethren of New-England will be sorry to hear of this sad Disaster, but we must not be discouraged. [They give a Belt of Wampom, according to their custome, to wipe off the Tears.

2. Brethren, We lament and condole the Death of so many of our Brethren so basely Murther'd at Shennechtady; we cannot account it a great Victory, for it is done by way of Deceit. He (meaning the Governour of Canada) comes to our Countrey by his Mes

sengers at Onnondage, and speaks of Peace, with the whole House quite hither: but War is in his heart, as you find by woful experience, but what shall we say ? it is the same as he did at Cadarachqui, and the Sinnakes Countrey. This is the third time that he has done so; he has broken open the Jewel of our House on both ends, the one end at Sinnondowanne, and the other here, But we hope to be Revenged. There is one hundred of our young men out still, who will pursue them to their Doors at Cannida; nay, the French shall not be able to cut a stick of Wood, we will lay so close Seige to them; We do now gather the Dead together in order to their Interment. A manner of speaking amongst. [They do give a Belt of Wampom.

3. We are come here from our Castles with Tears in our Eyes to Bemoan the Murther committed by the perfideous French at Shennechtady, our young Indians are gone out in Pursuit of them, and while we are now busie in burying the Dead that were Murthered there, we may have bad news that our people that are gone out, may be kill'd also; the same that is befallen you, may befal us: We do therefore come and bury our Brethren at Shennechtady. [They give a Belt of Wampom, according to their custome.

4. Great is the Mischief that is befallen us, it is come from the Heavens upon us, we are taught by our Fore-fathers, when any sad Accident or Disaster doth befal any of the Covenant, to go with all convenient speed to Bemoan their Death; [They give a Belt of Wampom, which they call a Belt of Vigilance, that is, not to have too much thoughts on what is done that cannot be Remedied, but to be watchful for the future; and they give Eye-water to make the Brethren sharpsighted.

5. We come to the house where we usually do Renew the Covenant, which House we find defiled with Blood, this is known to all the five Nations, and we are now come to wipe off the Blood and keep the House clean, and therefore pray that Corlaer and all they that

are in Office here in Albany, naming the Mayor whom they call Peiter, Mr. Vessels, and Mr. Livingstone may use all means and Direct all Affairs to be Revenged of the Enemy that hath done us this Evil [They give a Belt of Wampom.

6. Brethren: Do not be Discouraged, this is but a beginning of the War, we are strong enough, the whole house have their Eyes fixed upon you, and they only stay your motion, and will be ready to do whatever shall be Resolved upon by our Brethern, our Covenant is a firm Covenant it is a Silver Chain and cannot be broke, it must not be broke; we are Resolute and will Continue the War, we will not leave off, if there were but Thirty Men of us left, we will proceed, therefore pray take good heart, do not pack up and go away, if the Enemy should hear that, it would much encourage them, we are of the Race of the Bear, and a Bear doth not yield as long as there is a drop of Blood in its body we must all be so; [They give a Belt of Wampom.

7.-Brethren, Be Content, Look up to the Heavens ; from thence the Judgement is come now upon us, Be not Discouraged, the same hand that hath Chastized us can heal us; The Sun which now hath been Cloudy, and sent us this Disaster, will shine again, and with its pleasent Beams comfort us, Be Encouraged; [with many Repetitions. And they give a Bear-skin.

8. We were engaged in a Bloody War with the French, about three years ago, and were Encouraged to Proceed, and no sooner were we well Entred, and got several Prisoners, but a Cessation came, and Corlaer hindered us to proceed, and Demanded the Prisoners from us; we were Obedient and did deliver them, and laid down the Hatchet, which if we might have gone forward, then the French would not have been in that Capacity to do so much mischief as they do; But now we must dye; such Obstructions will Ruine us; if we might have had our wills, we would have prevented their Planting, Sowing, and Reaping, and brought them low and mean; Nevertheless let us be stedfast, and not take such meas

ures again, let us go on briskly with the War. [They give a Bear-skin.

9. We Recommend the Brethern to keep good Watch, and if any Enemies come, take care that Messengers be more speedily sent to us then lately was done, we would not advise the Brethern quite to Desert Sennechtady, but to make a Fort there, the Enemy would be too glorious to see it quite Desolate, and the Town here is not well Fortified, the Stockades are so short, the Indians can jump over them like a Dog. [They give a Bear-skin.

10. This mischief is done at Sennechtady, and it cannot be helped, but as soon as any Enemy comes, let nothing hinder your speedy sending to us the News by Posts, and Fyring great Guns, that all may be Alarm'd; and our Advise is that you get all the River Indians who are under your Subjection to to come and live near unto you, to be ready on all occasions, and send word to NewEngland of all what's done here; undoubtedly they will awake and lend us their helping hand; let us not be Discouraged, The French are not so many as People talk off; if we but mind our business, They can be subdued, with the assistance of our Neighbours of New-England, whose interest it is to drive on this War as much as ours, that it may be speedily ended.

We desire that the Brethern may Recommend the Smiths not to be too dear in Repairing our Arms, since Mony is so scarce, and we only go to Warring and not to Hunting, we shall take care to warn the the Sinnakes and the Nations living above us to be in Readiness; for we being one they hearken to us, and tell them of NewEngland that we shall take care that the upper Nations be Ready for our Security and Assistance, and Let them be Ready also with Ships and great Guns by Water, and we will Plague him by Land: We are Resolved not to go out a Hunting, but to mind the War, for the sooner the French be fallen upon the better, before they get Men and Provisions from France, as their usual Custome is. They give a Bear-Skin