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Extract The Speech of John Skenando principal Chief of the Oneida Nation

SW_NYYM_Skenando_Page_001

The Speech of John Scanada principal Chief of the Oneida Nation; at the time when they first discovered that their improvements the Castle had been sold to the State by the intrigue of some white men and unknown to the Indians all the Indians in the were crying &; lamenting on the occasion My warriors and my Children hear it is cruel it is very cruel a heavy burden lies on my heart and it is very sick this is a dark day the clouds are black and heavy over the Oneida Nation a strong arm lies heavy upon us, and our hearts grown under it- our fires are put out and our beds removed under us the graves of our Fathers are destroyed, and their Children are driven are driven away The Almighty God is angry with us for we have been wicked, therefore his arm doth not keep us Where are the Chiefs of the rising sun, white chiefs now kindle their ancient fires There no Indian sleeps, but those that are sleeping in their graves my house will soon be like theirs, soon will a white Chief here kindle this fire Scanada will soon be no more, and his village no more a village of Indians The news that was brought by our men last night from Albany hath made this a sick day in Oneida all our hearts are sick, and our eyes rain like