.MTAyNg.NjgzNjE

         1791

7no. whose kind friendly Disposition I shall not easily forget, after Dinner

                             we went to the Indian camp to hear good Peter the Onida Chief preach,
  good                   he appeared to be a much good Spirited Man, confessed he was a poor

Peter weak Indian, spoke of his Experiences, & of the light within, in such preacher a manner as to make me believe he was in a good Degree experimenting?

                            acquainted therewith, there was a large Audience of People, who came
                            out of Curiosity, which had such a deadning Tendency that I thought
                             made hard work for him, after he closed, they sang a hymn or something
                            like it, the Women's Voices intermixing with the Men, made their singing
                            very musical, after which we went to see old Gaashuster, an Ancient
                            Seneca Chief, who says he has attended 10 Treaties, appeared very glad
                            to see us,& after some conversation to mutual Satisfaction we
                            returned to our Quarters.
42                           We met at the Council Harbour, & I thought something Solemn
                            attended, my mind was brought into a Situation to breathe for the
                            Welfare of this People, Col. Pickering had his speech prepared,& through
                            Parrish the Interpreter delivered a considerable Part, & then agreeably
                            to the Indian Custom covered up the fire & adjourned till next Day to
                            to deliver the rest, what he said I thought was wise & well adopted in 
                            general, the Indians were exceeding attentive, & when he had done,
                             Red Jacket & several of the Old Men made remarks, he Col. then told?
                            them the Treaty was over unclearbut as it was a Day of festival thought out the
                              united States, on account of the Anniversary of Independence, he would
                             present them with an Ox & Rum, which I feared would do them harm

53 No Business entered the Indians feasting having disqualified them. 64 My Mind being closely exercised on account of the important Business

                            which engaged my serious Attention before I left home, I could see
                             no way for relief but to communicate to the Col: what had been
                             brought lively into my vien?, and to do it in writing appeared
                             most clear, after making a rough draft, I showed it to my Companion,
                             he assisted, & with some Alterations it was copied & delivered
                             as follows
                                           To Col:Timothy Pickering Commissioner
                                                       for Indian Affairs
                                    We came here from an Apprehension of Duty, & with the
                                Concurrence of our Friends of Philadelphia to attend the Treaty,
                                without any Intention to interfere or meddle with the publick Business