Speech
Brother Con-neh-sauty: Yesterday, when you made your proposals, the Oneidas accepted them, and
thanked you. They spoke for those Oneidas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras who all lie under one blanket.
We, the Senecas, have considered them, and are now going to speak.
Yesterday, when you proposed four establishments, and that there should be three men for each, you mentioned the rewards to be given to a certain number who should learn quickest — of the biggest nations, six — while those who could not learn fast must be miserable. If you do right, you will give to all something to work with as last as they learn, so that all may be supplied; otherwise a strife will arise. But if all are to be supplied, all will be encouraged to learn. Another thing: a great many of our people are poor women, who have no men in their families: now by supplying others in the manner we have suggested, the fields of the poor may be ploughed. This will rouse the minds of the whole nation to learn what the white people know.
You told us if we liked what you said we should say so: If it was deficient in any thing, we should tell what was wanting; if redundant, we should strike off. You mentioned the places for the establishments — one was at Geneseo, and one at Oneida. We have considered that at Oneida there are a great many people, Tuscaroras and Oneidas, who can help one another; and that at Geneseo there are also Oneidas and Tuscaroras, who, being numerous, will want one establishment for themselves. We wish you to use them as you do the Senecas, that their minds may be easy. Perhaps they will learn quicker, so as to desire two establishments at Geneseo.
You must not suppose that we slight any thing that you have offered. We accept of all. It is all good. But we hope that not think of making establishments at Buffalo creek, or Obeilstown, at present. For there is some shaking at the extremity of our house. There may be some danger to the persons who might be employed.
There is one thing which might be of great advantage to us, which you have not mentioned: that is a saw-mill. This would help us greatly. We know the cause of Mr. Allen's leaving our country. He told us the reason before he went away. And you and we all know that his mill is over the line agreed upon last summer before you, and he has gone away, he says, because he owns nothing. Allen told us if General Washington would buy the mill, paying him just what it cost, it might be ours, and be allowed to stand on our land. And we should rejoice exceedingly if we could become the proprietors of that mill. If General Washington would buy it and give it to us, the superintendent might see to the appraisement of it.
You mentioned that this provision was for those of our nations who live on this side of the lakes. But perhaps our brothers at Grand river, when they see those things introduced among us, may fall in love with them, and want to come and join us. We there fore wish that the plan may be so formed as to comprehend all. For our peace is in a weak, languid condition, just expiring, and we would avoid giving offence to any of our brothers. There are two roads: perhaps they on the other side of the water may take our road. Therefore we wish you to extend your invitation to the whole Six Nations, and press them to join us when peace shall take place. We shall desire the proposed establishments may be made at Buffalo and Alleghany.
It was the custom of our fathers, when they had finished any par ticular business, to talk over affairs of general concern. Now we wish congress to hasten to make peace with the hostile Indians who are alongside of us. We both have our eyes to the place where the trouble lies. This is all we have to say.
Yesterday, when you proposed four establishments, and that there should be three men for each, you mentioned the rewards to be given to a certain number who should learn quickest — of the biggest nations, six — while those who could not learn fast must be miserable. If you do right, you will give to all something to work with as last as they learn, so that all may be supplied; otherwise a strife will arise. But if all are to be supplied, all will be encouraged to learn. Another thing: a great many of our people are poor women, who have no men in their families: now by supplying others in the manner we have suggested, the fields of the poor may be ploughed. This will rouse the minds of the whole nation to learn what the white people know.
You told us if we liked what you said we should say so: If it was deficient in any thing, we should tell what was wanting; if redundant, we should strike off. You mentioned the places for the establishments — one was at Geneseo, and one at Oneida. We have considered that at Oneida there are a great many people, Tuscaroras and Oneidas, who can help one another; and that at Geneseo there are also Oneidas and Tuscaroras, who, being numerous, will want one establishment for themselves. We wish you to use them as you do the Senecas, that their minds may be easy. Perhaps they will learn quicker, so as to desire two establishments at Geneseo.
You must not suppose that we slight any thing that you have offered. We accept of all. It is all good. But we hope that not think of making establishments at Buffalo creek, or Obeilstown, at present. For there is some shaking at the extremity of our house. There may be some danger to the persons who might be employed.
There is one thing which might be of great advantage to us, which you have not mentioned: that is a saw-mill. This would help us greatly. We know the cause of Mr. Allen's leaving our country. He told us the reason before he went away. And you and we all know that his mill is over the line agreed upon last summer before you, and he has gone away, he says, because he owns nothing. Allen told us if General Washington would buy the mill, paying him just what it cost, it might be ours, and be allowed to stand on our land. And we should rejoice exceedingly if we could become the proprietors of that mill. If General Washington would buy it and give it to us, the superintendent might see to the appraisement of it.
You mentioned that this provision was for those of our nations who live on this side of the lakes. But perhaps our brothers at Grand river, when they see those things introduced among us, may fall in love with them, and want to come and join us. We there fore wish that the plan may be so formed as to comprehend all. For our peace is in a weak, languid condition, just expiring, and we would avoid giving offence to any of our brothers. There are two roads: perhaps they on the other side of the water may take our road. Therefore we wish you to extend your invitation to the whole Six Nations, and press them to join us when peace shall take place. We shall desire the proposed establishments may be made at Buffalo and Alleghany.
It was the custom of our fathers, when they had finished any par ticular business, to talk over affairs of general concern. Now we wish congress to hasten to make peace with the hostile Indians who are alongside of us. We both have our eyes to the place where the trouble lies. This is all we have to say.
Speech Location
39.9526025, -75.1672862
Page
179-182