[Endorsement on cover wrapper:] Preliminary Advertisement Niagara [undecipherable] January 1794 [Center label:] Copy of Col. Pickering's Speech to the Six Nations Assembled at a Council at Kanadasagua, he 25 October 1794 At a Council at Kanadasagua Saturday Nov. 25. 1794 Present, Colonels Pickering Commiss^r of the U. States Four Gentlemen of the Society of Quakers who had come from Philadelphia, to attend the treaty at the request of the Chiefs at Buffalo Creek. Other Citizens of the United States, and the Chiefs and Men of the Six Nations. Captains Chiefs, or the Com[manders?] rose and spoke. The following are Extracts from the Com[manders?] Speeches. — "I wonder what is the reason that "ever since the Peace, the British and American People "of one Colour, cannot sit side by side with the Indians. "We are requested to attend this treaty, by the "Sachems and Princes, requested that the Persons who had "the care of us [meaning Williams Johnston the British Superintendent] "should be present, to see what [passed]; and we are well "pleased to see him here." Then the Com[mander?] repeated the Speeches which Mr. Johnston had brought from Col. Brant, who had just returned from Councils with the Western hostile Indians. After this Col. Pickering arose and addressed the Six Nations in Substance as follows. Speech of Colonel Pickering to the Six Nations. Brothers. By the remarks you have made, I find that you suppose me to be displeased with the appearance of Mr. Johnston, as British Intruder at this Council; he is Invited by the U. States; you must have seen that displeasure in my countenance; but it is not easy for me to conceal my feelings, what lies in my heart appears on my face: but while you have discovered my dissatisfaction, you have wondered, what can be the cause, your wonder why the British and American People of one Colour, cannot sit side by side as we treat with the Indians. Brothers. I will tell you the reasons: and then you will cease to wonder. I wished to have seen this Yesterday, but the deaths of the leading Chiefs [obliged] to [Postpone] the business [till] to day; and I do not now regret the delay, for it would have been more difficult to have addressed my explanations at the admittance of a British Spy. To assure Mr. Johnston's admittance you have told me that he came by your invitation, and your report of him as having the care of you. Why then Brothers did he not come with you? [Was he the] Colonel, he was not ready? If he has the care of you, he ought to be ready at your call; or if [any] unforeseen accident [prevented] his coming with you, why did he not come forward with Mr. [Arnold?] who has been here many days? Brothers. I will tell you why he did not come before, notwithstanding his invitations, he would have staid at home; for he saw the impropriety of introducing himself into the Councils of the U. States, he had not [forwardness], he had not indolence enough to come without orders from his employer; he therefore waited [until] Governor [Simcoe's] returns from the Westward; and as soon as he received his orders and instructions, then he came forward. I was warranted therefore, in calling him a British Spy. — Brothers. . . Where it was proposed that a treaty should be held between you and the U. States, you requested that I might be appointed to handle the Council here; since I supposed that you had a confidence in me, grounded on your experience of my attentions to your interests. When you desired some Gentlemen of the Society of Quakers might be present. I supposed, it arose from the confidence you placed in them, [and] not the recommendations of their kindness to your noble Brothers, and a belief that they would be unwilling to [continue] any attempts to wrong you; nor Brothers when; and I have come forward under these circumstances, above your special invitations, what do you think must be our [sentiment?] on seeing [a] British Agents introduced to be as Spy on our conduct? Brothers. . . You have also intimated to me that it was [divided], which [prevented] the Americans from sitting side by side with the English, as [treated] with the Indians. Brothers. For myself, I confess that I am [here] [but mine is not the trade of Banks, mine is not much] elevated, not in army stations. I have considered and treated the [powers] and [hearts] of mankind as my Brothers; it is not the trade of wealth for I am not rich. It is not the trade of knowledge, for I have but little; it is not the [trade] of Understanding to [in- [is moderate]. It is not the trade of Eloquence for I am [a very] indifferent speaker; these [have] made me [find] conscious integrity and truth; [grounds] me to this, I will never deceive you; [grounds] me integrity I will never do you wrong. Brothers. You have told me that you invited Mr. Johnston to attend this Council; but did you ever invite any American Agents to attend your Councils with the British? or suppose you had given such an invitation, suppose the President had sent one of our Interpreters here [pointing] to Mr. [Pierre?] Jones to a Council you were holding with Governor Simcoe in Canada, how do you think our Interpreter would be received? [And now feeling myself the Height of British Spite.] I cannot briefly describe to you his reception; if he were only ordered instantly to quit the Council; and the [Governor] and [people?] [to being] held in [Horne?], he might think himself [lucky]. Brothers. . . This alone is a sufficient reason for excluding [a] British Agent from the Councils here [handled] by the U. States; but there are many other reasons some of which I will mention; — Brothers. We are or [are] Independent Nations; treating with the Six Nations, who also profess to be free, and independent; and whatever distinctions arise between us, we can meet and confer on the means of removing them, without the interference of any other Nations whatsoever; but especially Brothers the U. States have never [asked] the [Protection] of the British; and we never shall [ask] it, [until] they give some Proof of their sincerity. — Brothers. Since we have been at War with the Western Indians, the U. States have requested your assistance to bring about a peace between us and the People of your own Colour; we asked your Aid because we believe you to be our friends; and that your words [pass] with [sincerity]; you troubled us [in] our request [and] for more than two years you have been [straining] to [raise?] peace; we thank you for your exertions. [But] they have been unsuccessful; and why were they unsuccessful? What has prevented [a peace] between us and the Western Nations? I answer without hesitation: the British [commanded] it. — Brothers. . . And the Speeches from the Western Indians sent you by Cap^t. Brant, and which you have just returned to me, beg, say "that where you and they will both look tomorrow, the business "did not go on according to the desire of the meeting" [&] they subjoined the reasons of it, they were led astray." Now I ask, who led them astray; not the Six Nations, for they exerted themselves to [keep] them on the straight path that would have led to peace. Who then led them astray? [It is] the U. States, for you know we were not [authorized] to speak to them; so then, I [again] ask, who did [that]; [who] led them astray? I answer the British. Brothers. When you returned last year from the [West]; your committee made you [permitted?] to your Council here at Buffaloe Creek, and that General Chapin was [General?], at [that] time Captain Brant, Col. Butler, Cap^t. Bunbury, Major [Paschall?], Mr. [Blanchard?], Mr. [Glynn?] now being together one day, at Wawayasio, Col. Brant [asked] Gen^l. Chapin what [prevented] the [Treaty] taking place, between the Commissioners of the U. States, and the Nations. General Chapin answered he did not know; [that?] [probably] it was Col. Brant's middle [title]; upon [which?] Cap^t. Brant replied. I will tell you what [prevented] it; the British [prevented] it; and I say it here to their faces; the British were [asked?]. Brothers. . . I will not attempt to recount all the instances of British insolence [&] British Tricks that have produced the animosity between them and the Americans which you have noticed; but I will cite several of them. — Brothers. . . By the Treaty of Paris the King engaged to give up to us all the Forts on the Americans side of the Boundary line. King agreed [on]; yet he has [kept] possession of them to this day. I have therefore told you [that?] your treaty was [of] Lord Dorchester's explanations of [that] Treaty, "[the?] [beyond] of the King could not [extend] his interference." Yet he has not only kept possession of the Old Forts, but lately created [a] new one over the boundary in [error? on?]. You know that Governor Simcoe has lately built it, at [Forts] into the [heart] of the Rapids of the Miami; [stationed] even it [as] Garrison [of] British [Troops]. — I must now tell you of a noble [thing?] of British [problems?]; you all know that the Councils where we are [sitting] is within the U. States; your [Simcoe?] have [that] you sold this country to Mr. Phelps, and that it extended along these lines, [showing the Map] the to Lake Ontario; here [showing the Map] the Eastern line [runs] to Great Sodus Bay. This Lands was sold by Mr. Phelps, and now belongs to Cap^t. Williamson who has [a] Simcoe [began?] [a] settlement at that place; as soon as this came to Governor Simcoe's ears, he sent some of his Officers, with a letter to Cap^t. Williamson to desist from his attempts, and quit the Country; for he considered [himself] that settlement as one encroachment on the King's rights. Brothers. . . We had long patiently endured the insolence of the British; but we [could] bear it no longer; this gross insult was not to be borne. [A?] [evenings?] where Cap^t. Williamson had to [raise? write?] to Simcoe's [letters] to the President of the U. States, and the Governor of New York; there were sent home to stand [this] ground, and to [enforce?] force; and the Governor of New York sent orders to one of his Chief Warriors, to [get] his Warriors ready; and if the British [attempt] to disturb the settlement [below] at Sodus Bay, to [attack] and kill them or drive them into the Lake. Brothers. Brothers. You [recollect] the violent inflammatory Speech of Lord Dorchester, which the British intended to [cause?] late Spring at Bay Horse Creek; he talked more like that of Governor Simcoe; he said that as War would probably take place between the British and Americans, and that the settlements in all this Country [here?] would be come [declared?] as encroachments; on the Rights of the King. — Brothers. That Speech of Lord Dorchester was so carefully distributed to you; in order to [for have?] your minds for war, and to take you this [to talk?] once more against the U. States. — Brothers. Regards it [should?] it was the intention of the King, and his Councillors, to make war on the U. States, and for what? as we have done them no injury; Brothers since we refused to subscribe to their tyranny, since we threw the King on his [back?] and established our independence; they have been [at us?] good will; they would gladly make another attempts to enslave us; and they [thought?] so their opportunities [presented]. I must tell you something about [the Nations] on the other side the [Great] Water. The French who you know, were Governed by the King; his Warriors assisted the Americans in their last war with the British; in America the French can have [managed?] our Affairs, that they were not divided by one man at his pleasure; but by wise Councillors, whom we ourselves chose for that purpose; the French being [an] intelligent People, some [have?] how we conducted our business, and were pleased with it; when they went home, they wished to have their business managed [in] a like manner, by wise Councillors of their own choosing; and would no longer submit to the tyranny of a King; they accordingly threw him down; and cut off his heads. This Brothers must [have?] all the Neighbouring [tyrannical] Kings, and they combined together, and raised great Armies of regular Soldiers to oblige the French Nation to submit to be Governed by a King; as [but] the [French] [expelled?] rapidly to enslave the French, and [prevent] their becoming a free People, and as the French were the only allied [of] the United States, the British King [his] Councillors [thought] that it could be a good time to attack us, and once more, subjected us to their tyranny. — And [General?] of [War?] Colonel Lord Dorchester made his inflammatory [Attacks] to the [Nations], to [prepare] them for a General War; and [Simcoe] builds his [Fort] at the Rapids of the Miami; and [tried] to [keep] into the [settlement] of the [great?] Irishmen; with the same once the [claimed] Vessels of the King [stole?] our [Liberty?] on the [Great] Water; having taken hundreds of our Vessels laden with Goods; to the Value of many hundred thousand dollars; and not content with [robbing] us of our property, they took our Seamen and [poor?] at their Armed [Islands] and compelled them to fight against our friends the French. These injuries were now too great to be borne any longer; so according to the Customs of the White Nations; our great Chief sent out his wise Councillors, to demand satisfaction; and it is probable he will succeed in obtaining satisfactions and [prevent] a War between the British and the U. States. As the minds of the King and his Councillors appeared to be changed; they seem to have dropped the ungenerous designs of making War against us; they have [agreed] that all the [tyrannical?] combined against the [friendly?] minds [of those?] them; they have seen that the French will remains upon their people; and that it will be no more [to?] attempts to deprive us Americans of our liberty; the French Brothers instead of being subdued are now overrunning the Countries of the [tyrannies?] who attacked them; the French are a very great People; and on this [occasion?] they have adopted the Customs of the [nations?], all their Young Men have become Warriors, and [marched] against their Enemies, and beaten them on all sides. — Brothers. I could [say?] by many instances of British [Pride?] [Patriots?]; but I must mention a few. You remember last year Col. Brant and [a] large [Deputations] of Western Indians came to Niagara, and desired to speak to the [American?] Commissioners in presence of the Governor; they asked, and we returned an Answer; in our answer, we told them clearly, that in order to make peace, something must be yielded on both sides; that the U. States were willing to run as our Line; [up?] to that it was impossible to make [this?] the Mountains; that the United States [sitting?] on the [Borough?] of [former?] [seated?], not [offered?] large [quantities?] of Land over the Ohio, and that these could not be given up. — Brothers. . . Our Answer appeared satisfactory to the Deputations, and they then look, as by the [hand?] to lead us to [Sandusky], at this time Brothers the People [noticed?] into the Conference, came the British; [and?] the Great Difficulty was removed; and that the Commissioners and the Indians would certainly agree in making peace; this it is well known was then the Common conversations at Niagara; the Deputations then returned; the Commissioners sailed to Detroit River to be at hand to [proceed] to [Sandusky] as soon as the [great] Indian Councils would give us Notice that they were ready. We had now no right to expect to be called [without] delay to begin the [treaty]; but after [waiting] some time at Detroit River, another [Deputation] came to us [that]; and raised [great] difficulties. Telling us that their Chiefs and [great?] [Deputation] made no mistake; but Brothers this was all [a] [pretence]; suggested by the British to prevent [a] Peace [Treaty]; however we returned our Answer; but [great?] delays attending this mode of [questioning]; the Commiss[ioners] [resolved] to sail to the Mouths of the Miami River as to Communicate easily with the Indian Councils; and as we had been made to believe at Niagara, that the Vessels [assigned?] for our use, were to be under our direction; we [desired?] the Cap^t. to get ready to sail the next day; but to our surprise we were told he was directed to obey the orders of Col. [Turnbury?]; we then spoke to Col. [Turnbury?]; and he told us he had the Governor's Orders in writing, not to suffer the Commissioners to go to Miami River; but at the same time he would the Vessels should carry us to [Sandusky] if we desired it; in this manner Brothers we were [denied?] and insulted; when we desired to go nearer to the Indian Councils, by the Governor's Order we were [prevented]; at the same time we were told that if we pleased, the Vessels should carry us to [Sandusky] that is much farther from the [great?] Councils than [we] were then were; besides you know that the Western Indians had finally determined not to go to [Sandusky] at all; but being as themselves [inclined] for peace, in order to [prevent?] the loss of time they [proceeded], to meet the Commiss. on the Miami River a few miles below the place where they then were sitting. Sitting in Council; and you the Six Nations [were?] informed [actually?] moved down to the [Exchange?] place of meeting; you know whether or not this Commissioners at [one?] (the Former Brother [said?] and said it was [done?]) Now then I once more ask, who [prevented?] our [sealing?] in making peace with the Western Indians? I answer the British, the very ones who had [especially] wished it [as?] success. Yes Brothers, Governor Simcoe twice took us by the [hand?], where I was [having] Niagara to go to the Treaty with the Western Indians, and twice [invited?] us to [carry?] us all [till?] he had taken secret measures to [prevent] it. — Brothers. I will mention but one more [fact?] which the Western Indians sent removed to the [head?] Warrior of our Army, with offers of Peace; the Head Warrior answered that the U. States were [also?] willing to make peace, but that if the [Great Indians?] were now sincere in their proposals, they must give evidence of it, by collecting, and bringing to his quarters all the American Prisoners; the [next?] then returned; and the hostile Indians were so satisfied with the Answer that they actually began to collect the Prisoners, in order to deliver them to our Head Warrior; but as soon as the British Agents heard this, they interfered, & told the Indians they were [sold]; and that if they proceeded they would be destroyed, and cut off. Now Brothers I know the U. States were sincere in consenting at [that?] time to make Peace; for I had myself been desired to go to the Westward as [a] Commissioner, to join our Head Warrior in Negotiating the terms of the Treaty; and I had consented to go. And you see Brothers that where ever there was a prospect of making peace with the Western Indians the British had not failed to interfere and [prevent?] it. — Brothers. Brothers. These are my reasons for refusing to admit a British Agents into a Council here [handled] by the U. States. I could mention more but I am [convinced?] while speaking; as you must be [so.] Knowing, and surely you must think the reasons I have offered to be sufficient; the facts I have mentioned, I believe to be [true], and the Observations just; if there be any errors in any Statement they have arisen from mistake or misinformation, and not from designed. I have but one thing more to [Mention], it is this: I am instructed by the President, not to suffer a British Agent to attend this Councils here. — Brothers. You now have my reasons, and my actions; if indeed I wished that the differences between the United States and you should continue; if I wished that the important business for which this [present?] [treaty?] was [handled]; should be defeated; if I wished no claims of friendship should grow more [costly?]; if I wished it to become rotten and break off; then I would advise to retain this British [Spy?] Brothers. It now remains with you to determine, whether the Great business for which we here meet, shall go on; or whether the Council here, shall be extinguished; you are a free and independent People; and as such, you will determine this Question. —— Niagara 10^th Decem^r 1794 A true Copy from the Original Marks enclosed to Cap^t. Brant; one Col. Pickering's letter to him of the 17^th Nov. 1794 By [undecipherable] [from?] [Peter?] [undecipherable]