Chitimacha to French, 1720

My heart laughs for joy on seeing myself before thee; we have all of us heard the word of peace which thou have sent us: the hearts of our whole nation laugh for joy on that occasion; the women, forgetting that instant all that passed, have danced; and the children have leapt like young roe-bucks.

Good Peter, Oneida Speech

Brother, Possess your mind in peace.  You are sensible that in affairs of importance, omissions may be made, and that a person is allowed afterwards to correct them.

You have greatly encouraged us, by promising to watch over our peace, and to provide for our welfare.  It is probable, that when we have completed our business here, some bad men may break over the fence you have set around us. There are, excuse us Brother, some bad men among the white people of this Island.

Good Peter Speaks About Unity, 1792

What is there more desirable than that we, who live within hearing of each other, should unite for the common good?  This is my wish.  It is the wish of my nation, although I am sorry I can't say so of every individual in it.  For there are differences of opinion among us, as well as among the white people.

Elder Women of the Seneca, 1791

Brother: The Great Spirit has spared us until a new day to talk together: for, since you came here from General Washington, you, and our uncles the sachems, have heen counselling together. Moreover, your sisters, the women, have taken the same into great consideration, because that you and our sachems have said so much about it.

Abenaki to the Governor of Quebec, 1766

We, the Mississauga Indians of St. Francis or Abenaki Tribe have inhabited that part of Lake Champlain known by the name of Misiskoui, Time unknown to any of us here present, without being molested or any one's claiming Right to it, to our Knowledge, except about eighteen years ago, the French Governor Mr. Vandeuil and Intendant came there, and viewed a spot convenient for a saw mill to facilitate the building of Vessels and Batteaus at St.

Illinois Sachem to Father Marquette, 1673

The following speech and communication was recorded in the mid 1670's be Father Marquette who was travelling through the upper Mississippi valley with a small group of men. The men were visiting a village of people from the Illinois nation. The men received many messages of welcome such as the following: "Well done, brothers, to visit us!" and "How beautiful is the sun, O Frenchman, when thou comest to visit us ! All our town awaits thee, and thou shalt enter all our cabins in peace."
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