Brother — Honored Sir — We the Sachems of Oneida Nation, together with our young men — desire to lend our voice to your ears — we desire that you would open your ears & listen to us and exercise patience while we speak — we apt to lengthy — Brother As we well know that you are our true friend, and you have concern for the wellfare of Indians at heart — we therefore will acquaint you some thing of our Situation, concern — and desires — Our forefathers were for great length of time lived under clouds of ignorance — in which Situation they were contented — at length as we beheld the good compassionate people across the great waters — had knowledge of the deplorable Situation of our Sachems — and good Spirit inclined their hearts to extend their charity in this Island — have sent proper means for which natives of this land may have some knowledge of the true good Spirit — and the path which leads them to — the consequences of which — The common persons have felt the discoveries among us who proclaim good tidings to our ears — At length they had a man Richard and M^r Kirsley — by which means — number of our friends both male and female come to a resolution to forsake the old path and follow the new — But when the declaration of war hang over this Island — our father to their Policy, when permission of taking away as they were — to leave their Station — and taken them away after — and after the clouds dispersed — we then returned to our antient habitation and gather the road to kindle fire — while we were viewing the desolation of our Town with sorrow — Beheld our father the Land come to visit us — and inform us that he was very poor — had no salary — therefore could live among us — Brother — To conclude, we earnestly desire you would send few lines to us to let us know whether you have received this letter — and whether you would gratify our request — and in so doing we will ever acknowledge your kindness and friendship — We are your Brethren & friends In behalf of our Nation — John x Skannon dough Cornelius x Thots ha wat gen[g] Sachems { Lowrance x Agen tga hgen Augustus x Dea no yon deh Warriors { Peter x Oneyantha of Oneida { Peter x Ha na da rogh Nation { Czestean x Han ya ro don Lodwich x Tha da we da — Cornelius x Tha deh to ton John x De yah tha da ne John x Anon te yoh Oneida January 29^th 1794 Coll. S. Pickering [The Oneida Chiefs — Jany 29. 1794 — received — our compliments — Mister — Pickering]