Transcription

[indecipherable] fathers. I should do my feelings and duty an injustice, was I not to applaud you in open council for your advice given to our red brothers in council the 20th. instant, and I am sure my father will justify me in it, may they understand and take it shall be my wish - You have officially reported to me that Captain Prior did authorize you in the name of General Washington to invite and demand the Laques and other Indians to meet him at this place, in order to go with him, Captain Prior, to Philadelphia, to see their father, which I am induced to believe , but Captain Prior denies he authorized you to give such an invitation, but acknowledges he wrote you a letter, it would be well you could produce that letter, but you say you have left it at home: If he thus authorized you to give such an invitation, it was without my knowledge, and I believe without any authority. In this case, My Brother, I must request and demand that you and your companions do not return, until I send a letter by express to my father's big chief, General Wayne, that he may undeceive you and put you right By which I may be enabled to grant you such supplies as circumstances will admit of: there shall be no delay in getting an answer to give you on this head, and be assured I shall render you every service in my power, and shall use every effort to restore your sick brothers to perfect health, but should it be your wish to go forward immediately see my father General Washington, I will send you on under the [indecipherable] of an honest good man, who will take great care of you, and conduct you safe to Fort Washington, and from thence to see the big Chief General Wayne, who will grant you every reasonable request; this, my brothers, may be determined by yourselves, and your wish shall be complied with, but at the same time, my brothers, by all means determine either to continue with me until we hear from the Big Chief General Wayne, or if it is your wish to go forward to see him there: I conclude with my hearty wishes for your welfare, hoping you will take my advice, and not return with your eyes shut.


Ducoin's speech for himself & his companions on the breaking, up of the Council.

My Brother! Listen, well to me, and open your ears. My Brother! Here are your children that are come from the Mississippi, great way off. Prior has deceived them, and my heart is distressed. Brother! I have them, I have been the occasion of their coming from great distance, and two of them are now sick. Brothers! It is a great way to go to General Wayne. We are afraid.