.OTY2.NjE3MDE

for the Tea, least, if we paid it, they would be encouraged to go on time after time, to lay duties upon a great many other things, which we are accustomed to purchase; in order that they may at last get from us, that great Sum of Money which they want, and which perhaps is all we have. [illegible word] which means, as your Brothers the White People will be obliged to give more money than usual, for those blankets, strouds, checks, linens, guns, power, paint & Rum with which you are supplied; so if money is thus taken out of our pockets without our consent, & against our agreement, it is plain and certain that you and your People, must pay two and three deer skins for those goods, which you used to purchase of the Tracers one deer skin. And thus you see, my Friends and Brother Warriors [5 words strike], that we do not quarrel only upon our own account; but that we have put on our shot pouches, not only to save [strike] preserve our money, but also to preserve your deer skins. Friends and Brother Warriors, I have now told you the causes of the [strike] our unhappy quarrel with the Men over the great water. I hope your Eyes are now opened and that you see plainly, that your interest is as much concerned in this quarrel as our interest, and that you also see, that we have put on our shot pouches and have taken up our rifles, only to defend our rights and privileges according to the agreement, and by doing so, to defend your deer skins against those who wish to rob you of them. Therefore, as a [strike] your people and our people were born upon and live in the same land__ as we are old acquaintances, and we [strike] have thereby contracted a regard for each other__ as our interest in this quarrel is the same, for the Men over the great water cannot take our money without [strike] against our consent without taking your deer skins also__ as you see that no agreement is kept with us, so you cannot expect to be better treated by Men who want all that you and ourselves have. I say, as

                                                                                    3                                                                    * box Ayer   MS 255