June 16, 1790 Speech of Mohawks to Committee of Corporation of Albany. gratz-4-4 [text at right edge of the page, toward the bottom] Brothers the Head Men of Albany We are happy to see you here at this Council fire, and hope that your Hearts dictates that friendship which you now shew to us, and we wish not only to assure you of our friendly intentions to towards you, but also to remind you of the Long friendship which has subsisted between your ancestors and ours – Brothers Your Knowledge of the Rise, and Progress of the Country you now Possess in perfect peace and ease, must Lead you at times , to reflect on that Chain of Friendship which was strengthened by time, and lengthen’d from age to age, between your ancestors and ours, till the Late separation between the King our Mutual Father, and you took Place. We then continued to follow the steps which we had Long been taught to tread, and which we thought was right, but you took a new Path which we had never seen before, which separated us for a time; but as Peace is again restor’d, we wish that our friendship may also be renew’d, that we may take each other by the hand and say with a sincere Heart that we remember with gratitude, the days that our ancestors told us to walk hand, in hand, in Confidence together – Brothers Brothers We wish you to Look back and view the Rivers of Blood which our ancesters have shed in protecting yours, and Keeping their Enemies from Disturbing them in their quiet Possessions, and remember that in return they promised to Protect our People against the encroachments of their Designing Neighbours, that we we their offspring might continue to enjoy our Village at Ft Hunter without interruption - the Great Spirit has however so directed our footsteps that we are separated and so disposd that we can no longer enjoy our Village in that happy manner which your ancesters and ours had pointed out for us; but you have it now in your power to enjoy it in Peace and we sincerely wish you may not be disturb’d [rt margin note: Fort st] Brothers We Make no demand of you, but Leave yourselves to Judge whether or not the battles fought by our Ancesters, to protect yours, and keep the Lands for us which you now enjoy merits an acknowledgment - and your gratitude at this Last revival of that business will convince us of the sincerity of your Hearts. Hearts, and by that we shall know what Idea’s to imprint on the minds of our growing offspring ~ till we receive your answer we are as usual your Brothers David Hill Karonghyonty Jos. Brant Fort Stanwix 15th June 1790 Tekanawitagh