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"We are become a small people and much lessened by the war. If
the people of Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania, the Jerseys, Connecticutt
and New-England who have all put their hand to the Covenant Chain
will joyn with the inhabitants of this place we are ready to go and root
out the French and all our enemyes out of Canada.... We renew the
covenant chain in behalfe of the whole House, the Mohaques, Oneydes,
Onondages Cayouges & Sinnekes." “You who are wise must know, that different Nations have different
conceptions.” “We heartily recommend Union and a good agreement between you, out
[English] bretheren … Our wise forefathers established union and
amity between the Five Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given
us great weight and authority in our neighboring nations. We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same methods
our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power.” “It would be a very strange Thing, if six Nations of ignorant Savages should be capable of forming a Scheme for such an Union, and be able to execute it in such a Manner, as that it has subsisted Ages, and appears indissoluble; and yet that a like Union should be impracticable for ten or a Dozen English Colonies, to whom it is more necessary, and must be more advantageous; and who cannot be supposed to want an equal Understanding of their Interests.” "We now entreat you to Join us in our Request to ye. Genrl.
and Govr. wh. is, that they Assist in keeping bright, and Strong
ye. Covenant Chain, which is to say [that] of late [the Covenant
Chain] seems to contract a great deal of rust." "As for the Six Nations having acknowledged themselves Subjects of the English, that I conclude must be a very gross Mistake and am well satisfied were they told so, they would not be well pleased. I know I would not venture to treat them as Subjects, unless there was a Resolution to make War upon them (Six Nations), which is not very likely to happen, but I believe they would on such an attempt, very soon resolve to cut our Throats."
"The Expedition you are appointed to command is to be directed against the hostile tribes of the Six Nations of Indians, with their associates and adherents. The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more. I would recommend, that some post in the center of the Indian Country, should be occupied with all expedition, with a sufficient quantity of provisions whence parties should be detached to lay waste all the settlements around, with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the country may not be merely overrun, but destroyed." "We moved, on the next day, crossing in our path a deep creek and the Little Seneca river, and after marching six miles we reached the castle, which consisted of 128 houses, mostly very large and elegant. The town was beautifully situated, almost encircled with a clear flat which extends for a number of miles, where the most extensive fields of corn were, and every kind of vegetable that can be conceived. The whole army was immediately engaged in destroying the crops. The corn was collected and burned in houses and kilns, that the enemy might not reap the least advantage from it, which method we have pursued in every other place... Every creek and river has been traced, and the whole country explored in search of Indian settlements; and I am well persuaded, that, except one... there is not a single town left in the country of the five nations." "To remove the animosities which have arisen during the late
war ... considering our (NYS) loses, the debts we have incurred and our
former friendship, it is reasonable that you make to us such a cession
of your lands as will aid us in repairing and discharging the same." "It gave me great pain to hear last year that some of our young
men had on their own accord and without our consent gone into your
country and purchased your lands ... They are disobedient children
who have violated the laws made by their fathers ..." "We did not expect that you, after advising us to shun private
treaties with individuals and avoid selling our lands to your disobedient
children, that you would yourself purchase lands from a few of our
wrong-headed young men, without the consent or knowledge of the chiefs." "When your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you Town Destroyer: and to this day when that name is heard our women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of their mothers. Our counsellors and warriors are men, and cannot be afraid; but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, and desire that it may be buried so deep as to be heard no more."
"I call upon you to point out a single instance in which we
have not acted fairly, openly and honestly with you, as brothers
should do with each other, or in which we have failed to fufill our
agreements with you." “If the Iroquois … want to become citizens of the United States they must renounce allegiance to their own people. . . . neither the state of New York nor the United States can break them [the reservations] up without the Indians' consent, or through conditions analogous to those of war. They have always been recognized as nations…. “The conclusion is irresistible that the Six Nations are nations by treaty and law, and have long since been recognized as such by the United States and the State of New York, and an enlightened public will surely hesitate before proceeding to divest these people of long-established rights without their consent – rights recognized and confirmed in some cases by the immortal Washington and by more than a hundred years of precedents and legislation.”
"This historic treaty, signed by President Washington, recognized the Six Nations and The United States as sovereign entities....Now more than two centries later, we continue to build on this relationship, living side by side, learning from one another, appreciating one another's culture, and celebrating the gift of democracy that we all cherish." "In this Land Rights Action we seek justice. Justice for the waters. Justice for the four legggeds and the wingeds, whose habitats have been taken. We justice, not just for ourselves, but justice for the whole creation. "
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