hv_bacond_account_1794_042

10th Month 31st 1794: Four of the Sachems viz Clear Sky, Red Jacket, Sagnaresy and another (whose name we were not acquainted with) being a deputation from the general Counsil for Indians who for several Days past have been deliberating on the proposals made to them by Col: Pickering, waited on us at our Lodgings with Horatio Jones Interpreter, they desired that as they had something of a secret nature to communicate we would retire with them to some private place, which being complyed with, Red Jacket addressed us nearly as follows. Brothers, you see here four of us of the six Nations, who are assembled at this place in the will of the great Spirit to transact the Business of the Treaty, you have been waiting here a long time &; visited by our Chiefs &; as yet no marks of respect have been shown you. We understand you told Sagnaresy that you should not have come but at our request &; that you stood ready to afford us any assistance which lay in your power. Brothers we hope you will make you minds easy, as we who are now here are but Children, the Antients being deceased; we know that your &; our forefathers transacted business together, that you look to the great Spirit for his direction &; assistance, &; take no part in war. Brothers you all know the proposals made by us to Col: Pickering as well as the offers made by him to us, we are now all in the presence of the great Spirit &; we place more confidence in you than heretofore, as you expressed you desire for peace we now desire your help &; assistance, we hope you will not deceive us, if you should do so, we shall no more place any confidence in Mankind; we wish that if you know the will of Congress or the extent of the Commissioner's powers that you will candidly inform us. Brothers, we wish that what we are now communicating may be kept secret; we are willing to give up the four Mile path from Johnson's Landing place to Caynga Creek, the other part of it from thence to Buffaloe Creek we wish to reserve on account of the Fisheries &;c, which would correspond with the Treaty held with Sir Wm. Johnson. We desire to know if you can inform us why the Triangles on Lake Erie cannot be given up. Cornplanter &; Captain Brant who were only Warrior Chiefs were the persons who attended the Treaty at Fort Stanwix, &; they were to have sent forward the proposals for our more general consideration, at that time Old Sonoke was alive who was a Man of great Understanding; but they were threatned into a compliance in consequence of which Capt. Brant went of to Canada, desiring Cornplanter to do the best he could. They then presented seven strings of wampum &; withdrew, &; agreed to return to hear our answer at the 3rd hour this afternoon