[Endorsement: a Speech from the Indians / of the Five [undecipherable] at the — / Council at [undecipherable] — / July. 4^th 1793] Black River 4^th July 1791. [a Copy of a Speech Sent to Cahockt where the connees is held] • The chiefs [undecipherable] & the Sachems and war chiefs from [undecipherable] & this place their Speech to Colonel Pickering and their Brothers the chiefs and warriors of the 5 Nations now Supposed to be in connece — at the painted Post — Brothers our Brother M' [undecipherable] [undecipherable: Shawmas?] Big Fire was sent to us with a message from [undecipherable]. The letter was sent by Buffalo Creek and [undecipherable] Bucket was sent to Niagara. our Brothers are impatient to hear our determination whether we intend to get up and Join them to make peace with the western nations. Now I speak to my Brothers the Sachems of the five nations. it is our Maker would have it that the Sachems should speak to their Warriors and ill minded people. and to keep them appease [undecipherable] in their power and desire that the chiefs use [undecipherable] and give them an answer as soon as possible. Brothers the war Captain Brant that was sent to make peace with the western nations. And [undecipherable: in stead?] of peace has taken up the Tomahawk. it is our desire that you now will endeavour to take it out of his hands that we may enjoy a peace. Now head chiefs of the five nations, it is by you he was sent and As pointed to make peace, but much to the reverse and our great ruin. if your chiefs do not exert yourselfs and take the Tomahawk out of his hand before it is too late. Now consider that there is only five nations And your and yours are always at connece. and we [undecipherable] and warriors from this place. have [undecipherable] Silent for some time — we now ask it of you to do all lays in your power to give an answer, which may be for the good of us all and do not be long about it as every hour is a day to us at present — Now we Speak to our Brother Colonel Pickering who is [undecipherable] to Speak to us by the great chief of the Island. General Washington for him to ask the chiefs of the five Nations their minds, let it be [undecipherable] and not to hide and let him know whether they are inclined for peace and let us do it in time as for us here have already determined as our minds are clear and think of nothing but what we hope to before the God of our Selves our children and your children. And we are now ready to get up so that they may live after us. as our [undecipherable] lives are but so let us consider and to let them in peace before we leave them — we are [undecipherable: anxious?] to hear the news in connece which will make us entirely happy if we have only one of their coming & we hope that Col. Pickering our Brother will receive the bearer M' [undecipherable] our friend and we are convinced that he has a desire to do all the good he can for our nations & the United States. and we wait with anxiety for an answer from our Brother & chiefs of our nation & him to return to us to this place with the answer so that the chiefs & [undecipherable] Dr. [undecipherable] may return. [undecipherable] Ingerno John— [undecipherable] Big & Crow [undecipherable] Cana × [undecipherable], John × Dickers