Abraham, a Mohawk sachem, Address to Representatives from Congress

The Indians being informed that the Commissioners were ready to hear them, Abraham, a Mohawk sachem, spoke as follows at a meeting between representative from Congress and the Six Nations Tribe. August 28, 1775

Brothers, great men deputed by the Twelve United Colonies, attend.

We are this day called to meet you in council, in order to reply to what you have said to us. We hope we need not recapitulate the whole of your discourse .Brothers, you informed us that there was a great Council of sixtymembers convened at Philadelphia, and that you were appointed by them to deliver a talk to the Six Nations .To which the Six Nations reply: This you have done by order of the great Council at Philadelphia. We are glad to hear the news. It rejoices our hearts, and it gives exceeding joy through all the Six Nations.

Brothers,

As you desired your belts might not be returned, but be deposited at our central council house, we shall only make use of them to refresh our memories and speak upon them as we go on with our answer. Brothers, we shall not recite every particular, as we be sixtyat Lancaster respecting the necessity of a union among you. An old sachem, a brother of Cannassateego, is here present, and remembers the words of his brother. You illustrated the necessity and use of a union by one and twelve arrows. You said your grandfathers had inculcated this doctrine into their children. You said that as the tree of peace was formerly planted at this place, you desired that the Six Nations might come down and sit under it, Brothers, we need only remind you of a few of the things you said to us, as you have them all written down. You informed us that by an ancient covenant with the King of England, you were to enjoy the same privileges with the people on the other side the great water; that for a long time you did enjoy the same privileges, by which means you and your brethren over the water both became a great people; that lately, by advice of evil counsellors, you are much oppressed, and had heavier packs put upon you than you could bear; that you have frequently applied to The Six Nations thank you for acquainting them with your grievances and methods taken to obtain redress. You likewise informed them of what resolutions you had formed in consequence of these matters.

Brothers,

After stating your grievances, and telling us you had not been able to obtain redress, you desired us to take no part, but bury the hatchet. You told us it was a family quarrel; therefore said, "You Indians, sit still, and mind You likewise desired us that if application should be made to us by any of the King's officers, we would not join them. Now therefore attend, and apply your ears closely. We have fully considered this matter. The resolutions of then is the determination of the Six Nations, not to take any part, but as it is a family affair We beg you will receive this as infallible, it being our full resolution; for we bear as much affection for the King of request, which is, that you represent this in a true light to the delegates from all the Colonies, and not vary, and that you observe the same regard for truth when you write to the King about those matters; for we have ears, and shall hear, if you represent any thing in a wrong point of light. We likewise desire you would inform our brothers at Boston of our determination .

###Brother, attend.

As you had renewed the ancient covenant, you thought proper to open the path, and have a free communication with obstructions out of the great roads and paths, all stones and briars, so that if any of us choose to travel the road, we should neither meet with any obstruction or hurt ourselves. Brothers, we thank you for opening the road. You likewise informed us you were determined to drive away, destroy and kill all who appeared in arms against the peace of the Twelve United Colonies. Brothers, attend. We beg of you to take care what you do. You have just now As for your quarrels to the eastward, along the seacoasts, do as you please. But it would hurt us to see those brought up in our own bosoms ill used. In particular, we would mention the son of Sir William Johnson. He is born among us, and is of Dutch extraction by his mother. He minds his own affairs, and does not intermeddle in public disputes. We would likewise mention our father the minister who resides among the Mohawks, and was sent them by the King. He does not meddle in civil affairs, but instructs them in the way to heaven. He absolutely refuses to attend to any political matters, and says they do not belong to him. They beg he may continue in peace among them. The Mohawks are frequently alarmed with reports that their minister is to be torn away from them. It would occasion great disturbance, was he to be taken away. The King sent him to them, and they would look upon it as taking away one of their own body. Therefore they again request that he may continue to live in peace among them.

Brothers,

A ears against false reports, and that we should not attend to flying stories, but to what wise and good men should say; for which reason you ha know the truth of things . They thank you for this advice, and desire you would use the same precautions; that convened. The Six Nations desire you would always inform them fully of what respects them. We have for this purpose opened our ears an good and clean minds; and whenever we receive any important intelligence, we shall always bring it to this council fire.

In the course of your speech you observed, we of the Six Nations were a wise people, and saw a great way before us; and you asked us, if you upon this island were conquered, what would become of the Indians. You say you are uncertain of holding your possessions, and that you do not know who may enjoy the product of your labor. Now therefore, brothers, attend; you, particularly, our brothers of Albany; we address ourselves particularly to you. Our brothers of Albany have taken two pieces of land from us, without any reward, not so much as a single pipe. We therefore desire you will restore them, and put us into peaceable possession again. If you refuse to do this, we shall look upon the prospect to be bad; for if you conquer, you will take us by the arm, and pull us all off. Now therefore, as the Twelve United Colonies have renewed this covenant of peace, we beg that there may be no obstruction upon your part, but that you would restore our lands to us; for which, as we said before, you never paid us even a single pipe.

Brothers,

You have now finished your business, and we have made short replies. You have hindled up a council-fire of peace and have planted a tree of peace, according to ancient custom.

Source: Documents Relative to the Colonial History of the State of New-York Co., 1857. Vol. 8, p.621-624