[...] 17. ON Thursday after Sun set his Excellency im­barqued at Gre [...]ch. On Tuesday mor [...] ­ing arrived at Albany.

This day his Excellency viewed the Fortifications of the City, and [...] to the Mayor & Aldermen for such Reparations [...] needful in the Block-houses, Platforms and [...].

The 27th. Sunday afternoon, The Sachims of One [...]d and [...] at Albany, in the Evening they supped with his E [...]llency giving great expressions of the Joy and Satis­facti [...] [...] had in meeting his Excellency.

[...] his Excellency sent Capt. James Wee [...]s to view [...] Sche [...]ectady, and bring report to his Excellency [...] Repairs are wanting. Which was [...].

[Page 2]This day the Sachims of the other three Nations arrived, an [...] desired time to rest themselves till to morrow.

The 29th, His Excellency called the Sachims together, an [...] spake.

• Present, His Excellency Coll. Benjamin Fletcher, &c.
• Coll Nicholas Bayard, of the Council.
• William Pinhorn, Esq of the Council.
• Major Peter Schuyler, of the Council.
• Matthew Clarkson, Esq Secretary.
• The Major, Recorder & Aldermen of Albany, &c.

His Excellency said, Brethren, It is an unexpressible Satis [...]faction to me that I see you here. I do heartily Condole▪ the loss our Brethren of the Onondages and Oneydes have sustained by the late Eruption of the French Army from Canada.

Upon the first certain Intelligence I had [...] in [...] with what Force I could hastily gather for your assistance.

And I am now here, and present you the Onondages an [...] Oneydes these two Belts of Wampum, as a Confirmation of m [...] Sincerity, and these Kettles to repair your loss in that kind.

Brethren, Two Moneths ago I received at New-York the fir [...] Intelligence that the French had made an Insult upon you [...] Country, I forth-with came up, as I said before, to your R [...]lief and Assistance. I had an account, before I did reach Alban [...] from some of your People, That the French Army were r [...]treated, and marched back towards Canada; I then sent E [...]presses desiring you all to meet me at this place. Some tim [...] after I received your Answer, That you would meet me a [...] this time in Albany. And I am now come up a second Time [...] Summer, in order to renew the Covenant Chain, and to co [...]sult [Page 3] with the Brethren what is most proper, and may be most conducing to the common good & safety of the whole House.

Brethren, I do acquaint you from my most Illustrous Master the King of Great Brittain, France and Ireland, that he will always extend his gracious Protection to you, and a [...] a Seal of it his Majesty has commanded me to deliver you these Presents to keep bright the Covenant Chain from all Rust, & to strengthen it in behalf of all his Majesties Subjects, not only of this Pro­vince, but these also of New-England, Connecticut, the Jarseys, Pennsilvania, Maryland and Virginia.

• 24 Blew Coats, laced with broad Lace,
• 24 laced Hats,
• 24 pair of Shoes with Buckles,
• 24 Shirts,
• 22 doz. of Hose,
• 30 Gun Barrels and Locks,
• 50 Brass Kettles,
• 1 Barrel of Powder,
• 4 C. weight of Lead,
• 1000 Flints,
• 1 groce of Tobacco Pipes, of Wood and Tin,
• 2 groce of Knives,
• 6 Pound of Vermillion.

Prime cost in England of the above goods 200 l. st [...]rl.

• 1 Piece of D [...]ffils,
• 2 Cask of Swan Shot,
• 7 Barrels of Powder,
• 14 large Kettles,
• 7 Pieces of white Hamils for shirts,
• 100 Hatchets,
• 54 pound & a half of Tobacco in Roll,
• 2 groce of Pipes,
• Wampum 3 l. 9 s.
• 28 Gallons of Rum,

• [Page 4]Present His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, &c:
• Coll. Nicholas Bayard,
• William Pinhorn, Esq of the Council.
• Major Peter Schuyler,
• Matthew Clarkson, Esq Secretary,
• The Mayor, Recorder & Aldermen of Albany, &c.

Sononguirese, a Sachim of the Mohaques, was Speaker.

BRother Cajenquiragoe, We return you Thanks for what you have said the day before yesterday, in condoling of our loss, and for the Kettles which you gave us to boyl our Victuals, in the room of those that are lost by the Enemy, as also for the two Belts of Wampum, given us as a token of your Sincerity, by which our hearts are mightily rejoyced and sifted up in this our poor Condition.

Brother Cajenquiragoe, We are exceedingly rejoyced that the great King, over the Sea, has sent to us in this our low Condition, by which our hearts are lifted up. We were ready to sink in a miserable perishing state, and this makes us revive again. He laid down six Beaver Skins.

Brother Cajenquirago, We come to desire you to acquaint the great King, That the Enemy has brought us to a very low Condition, and has destroyed five of our Castles, one is now left, and if that be destroyed, we know not what to do, we know not what shall become of us next. Pray let the great King know this.

Brother Cajenquirago, We desire, that since the great King of England, &c. has Canows of seventy great Guns a piece, and many Forces, you may acquaint him, That its a great pity we should be so plagued with so small an Enemy a [...] [...]he French and [Page 5] [...]dians of Canada. We are not able of our selves to destroy them. [...]e are become a small People, and much lessened by the War the People of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsilvania, the Jarseys, [...]onnecticut and New-England, who have all put their hands to [...]e Covenant Chain, will joyn with the Inhabitants of this [...]ace, we are ready to go and root the French and all our Ene­mies out of Canada. He then laid down a bundle of [...] Beaver skins,Quebeck, Troy Rivier Mont Real. and upon the out-side thereof a [...]raught of the River of Canada, with the chief [...]laces thereof, marked, to shew the smallness of the [...]nemy, and how they are seated upon Canada River, which they desire may be sent over and shown to the [...]reat King.

Brother Cajenquiragoe, We again thank you for the Message [...]ou have brought us from the great King. And we pray you [...]o send again [...] him for us, with all vigou [...] and speed, and to [...] before the King what we have here said: fail not in writing, [...] not to let the King know it; we give these five Beavers to [...]he man that writes, to pay for Paper, Pen and Ink.

Brother Cajenquirago, We desire you to acquaint the great [...]ing, as before, That we are a small People, and he has a great People, and many Canows with great Guns. We desire [...]ou to write to him to know whether he will send them to [...]estroy Canada or not, against the next time the Trees grow [...]reen; and if he will not send Forces to subdue Canada, then [...]o send us word thereof, that we may make Peace for our selves [...]orever▪ or for some time. And we earnestly pray you will [...]esire the great King to send us an Answer by the next time the Trees gro [...] green. He laid down a bundle of six Beavers.

• [Page 6]Present His Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, &c.
• Coll. Nicholas Bayard, of the Council.
• William Pinhorn, Esq of the Council.
• Major Peter Schuyler, of the Council.
• Matthew Clarkson, Esq Secretary,
• The Mayor, Recorder & Aldermen of Albany, &c.

Dackashata, a Sachim of the Sinnekes, was Speaker.

Brother Cajenquirago,

WE come to condole the loss you daily receive, havin [...] daily Alarms of skulking Parties of the Enemy doin [...] mischief. Then laid down a Belt of Wampum.

Brother Cajenquirago, We come with the whole House to co [...]sider what tends to the common good of the whole House.

Brother Cajenquirago, We come here to quicken the fire, an [...] renew the Covenant Chain.

Brother Cajenquirago, We come to renew the Covenant Chai [...] with all the Brethren of New-England▪ Connecticut, New-Yor [...] the Jarseys, Pennsilvania, Maryland and Virginia, that the may pertake of the warmth of this fire.

Brother Cajenquirago, We recommend to all that are in th [...] Covenant Chain to be vigorous to keep it up.

Brother Cajenquirago, When all is said, I drink all yo [...] Healths, and then I deliver you the Cup.

Brother Cajenquirago, There has been a Cloud, and we co [...] to remove it, as the Sun that comes in the Morning and remov [...] the darkness of the Night

Brother Cajenquirago, The Tree of Safety and Well [...] [...] here, we confirm it.

[Page 7] Brother Cajenquirago, As the Tree is planted here, and con­firmed, so we make fast all the Roots and Branches of it, all the Brethren of the five Nations, and the Brethren of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsilvania, the Jarseys, New [...]York, Connectic [...] and New-England.

Brother Cajenquirago, We wish we may rest in quietness under that Tree, we fill it with new Leaves, and wish that all that are in the Covenant Chain may have the benefit to sit down quiet under its shadow.

Brother Cajenquirago, I do hereby renew the Covenant Chain with all that have put their hands in it, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsilvania, the Jarseys, N York, Connecticut & N. England.

Brother Cajenquirago, We renew the Covenant Chain in behalf of the whole House, the Mohaques, Oneydes, Onondages, Cajonges and Sinnekes.

Brother Cajenquirago, We have lately had the loss of two Castles by the Enemy, we have concluded to do our best to assist them, and we desire Cajenquirago will do the same.

Brother Cajenquirago, We wish the Canows may go to and again in safety, that the great King may know what we have here said, and that we may have an answer. We have now made our word good, here is the Cup. Then laid down some small bundles of Beaver, saying, it is but small, but is, as it were, saved out of the fire.

His Excellency stood up, and said,

Brethren, I have heard what you have said, and have here renewed the Covenant Chain with all the five Nations, the Mohaques, Oneydes, Onondages, Cojonges and Sinnekes, in behalf of the Brethren of this Province, Virginia, Maryland, Penn­silvania, the Jarseys, Connecticut & New [...]England. And I do [...] the five Nations of his Majesties Protection. I have [Page 8] provided for you some Victuals, and Drink to drink the King [...] Health [...] ▪ and in Confirmation thereof, that it may last so long [...] the Sun and Moon endures, I give this Belt of Wampsum.

The principal Sachim of the Mohaques, called, Oheee.

The whole Assembly answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Oneydes, called, Oheee.

The whole Assembly answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Onondages, called, Oheee.

The whole Assembly answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Cajonges, called, Oheee.

The whole Assembly answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Sinnekes, called, Oheee.

The whole Assembly answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

Octob. 2. In the Evening his Excellency did appoint the prin­cipal Sachims to mee [...] him at a private Conference next morning.

• Present, His Excellency Coll. Benjamin Fletcher, &c.
• Coll. Nicholas Bayard, of the Council.
• William Pinhorn, Esq of the Council.
• Major Peter Schuyler, of the Council.
• Matthew Clarkson, Esq Secretary.

His Excellency said,

BRethren, It was proposed by the Speaker of the five Na­tions the first day, That I should write to my grea [...] Master▪ the King of England, &c. concerning the War that [...] between the five Nations, and the French and Indians of Canada [Page 9] [...]nd that I should g [...]t an Answer from the great King, to you, [...] Brethren, against the next time the Trees grow green.

Brethren, I must assure you, its utterly impossible in so short time to send over to my great Master, & to receive an answer, or Reasons which I shall now give you.

The way over the great Sea is long, the danger and hazards [...]e many, and in the Winter season happen many Storms and [...]ontrary Winds.

Brethren, I do promise you to use all the speediest means with the first opportunity, to write to the great King, and to get you an answer, which I am sure will be to your content and satisfaction, and so soon as it comes I shall communicate [...]t to you.

Brethren, In the mean time I have appointed Major Schuyler, Mr. Delli [...], Major Wessels, and the Mayor of the City of Albany [...]o receive your Propositions, upon any occasion that may offer [...] my absence.

Brethren, I do heartily wish you well home to your Castles, [...]nd that you may look out, and be careful not to be surprized. You can never be too watchful. I now take my leave of you, and give each of you a Keg of Rum, for a Dram, to comfort you in the way home, and a Coat to keep you warm in the Winter. I shall see you again, God willing, next Summer, or sooner if your affairs call, if it please God to continue my health.

The Sachims offer to make some Propositions.

Sononguirese, Sachim of the Mohaques, was Speaker.

Brother Cajenquirago;

WE have been a long time in the Covenant Chain with the Brethren of New-York, in which afterwards, at [...], the Brethren of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsilvania, [Page 10] the Jarseys, Connecticut and New-England, came and linked them [...]selves▪ they liked the Chain of Peace▪ but where are the [...] now? They do not like to take part with us in the War. They are all asleep, They come not to our Assistance against the Ene [...]my, Their hands hang down [...]aight, and their Arms are [...]me▪ We see none to mind the War but the Brethren of New-York.

We are now down upon one knee, but we are not quit down upon the ground. Let the great King of England sen [...] the great Canows with 70 Guns each, and let the Brethren o [...] Virginia, Maryland, Pennsilvania, the Jarseys, Connecticut and New-England awake, and we will stand up straight again upo [...] both feet; our heart is yet stout and good; we doubt not bu [...] to destroy the Enemy. Then laid down a Belt of Wampum.

Brother Cajenquirago, We again desire you to write to the great King, and to get us an answer against the next time the Trees become green, and that there may be no delay.

Let it not be said to us, that the Canows are lost unde [...] water, or that the wind has carried them into anoth [...] Country or the like Excuse, but let us have the Answer against the Tree [...] become green without fail, for we are in great need of it. The [...] laid down a Beaver skin.

To which his Excellency made answer,

BRethren, I shall be faithful and exact to my Promi [...] to you, I shall send to the great King▪ my Maste [...] by the first Opportunity, and be careful in sending yo [...] the great Kings answer, as I told you before. But I ca [...] not be positive to a Time, when the Voyage depends upo [...] Wind and Weather, which are so uncertain. I wish you we [...] to your Castles.

The principal Sachim of the Mohaques, called, Oheee.

The whole Number of Sachims answered, Heeeeee Hogh ▪

[Page 11]The principal Sachim of the Oneydes, called, Oheee.

The whole Number of Sachims answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Onondages, called, Oheee.

The whole Number of Sachims answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Cajonges, called, Oheee.

The whole Number of Sachims answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

The principal Sachim of the Sinnekes, called, Oheee.

The whole Number of Sachims answered, Heeeeee Hogh.

October 4th. Cloaths were delivered out to the Companys, [...]eing the gratuity of the Assembly to those Souldiers that had [...]erved the preceeding Winter, being of the 500 l.

Oct. 5. The Companies were mustered by M. Clarkson, Esq [...]ecretary, and afterwards the Oaths administred to them, and [...]very man had two Dollars paid him of the 4 d. per day likewise [...]rante [...] by the Assembly. The Money was taken up upon [...]redit the Tax not being paid, nor the first Moyety payable [...]ll the 29th of September last.

His Excellency, on the Head of each Company, did en­ [...]ourage the Men, and told them not to believe the Reports of [...]ctious disaffected People, promising, That the 4 d. per Day [...]hould be paid into their own hands.

In the afternoon the same day, his Excellency imbarqued for New-York, being attended to the Shore by the Mayor, Recorder, [...]ldermen and Common Council, with the Souldiers and [...]rain-bands in Arms. And having recommended to the Ma­ [...]strates of the City and Officers to be vigilant and amicable, [...]d to unite in their Endeavours for the Defence of the place, [...]ok leave of them about three a Clock afternoon.

Oct. 9. Fryday Morning his Excellency arrived at New-York.