The Lower House. 63

Brethren Warriors of the Six Nations. We the President and
Council of the Province of Pennsylvania, have taken what you Told
us into Consideration, and are now going to give you an Answer.
We are always glad to see our brethren, and are particularly pleased
at this Critical Time with your present Visit, you are Sensible of

L. H. J.
Liber No. 46
May 10

the constant Friendship this Government has always shewn to the
Indians of the Six Nations, and that from their first Settlement in
the Country, their Interest has been put on the same Foot with our
own and as long as you shall Act up to your Engagements you will
never want the most substantial proofs that we can give of our
Regard for your Nations. You tell us that at the beginning of the
war, you received a message from all the English to stand Neuter,
and to prevail with your Allies to do the same; that in Compliance
therewith you did stand Neuter, and all your Allies except the pray-
ing Indians, who promised, but broke their word; that the French
commencing Hostilities you received repeated Messages from the
English to continue Neuter no longer, but to take up their Hatchet
against the French, and that you and your allies have Accordingly
done this. Brethren, you did well to hearken to the Messages sent
by the English your Allies so readily Concurring with you shews you
keep up a good understanding with them for which you are to be
commended, You live in small Tribes at a Distance from one An-
other; separate you will be easily overcome; united it will be diffi-
cult if not impossible to hurt you, Like the strings on which you
put your Wampum A single Thread is soon snapped a few require
more strength; but if you weave them into a Belt, and fasten them
tight together, it must be a strong hand that can break it. We are
pleased to hear, that at the pressing Instances of the Governors of
New York and New England, you have taken up the Hatchet against
the French, who you know Notwithstanding their fair speeches, have
been from the beginning your inveterate Enemies, and in Confirma-
tion that we approve of what you have done, we give you this belt.
By your string of Wampum you tell us, that you observe the En-
glish Kettle does not boil high and you give the string to all the
English to encourage them to put more Fire under their Kettle. As
you address this to all the English, we shall send y^r string to the
other Governors; But to lessen your concern on this Account, we
are to apprize you that the French were sending Large forces in big
ships, well Armed with great Cannon, over the Seas to Canada, that
the English pursured them attack^d them took their men of war, killed
a Number of their men, and carryed the rest prisoners to England
This Victory put a stop for the present to the Expedition intended
against Canada, you are therefore not to Judge by the appearance
Things makes now that the English Fire is going out, but that is
only Accidental And it will soon blaze again. As this is the first
Visit paid us by our Brethren the Warriors, living on the Branches

P. 753