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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, he appeared to be a meek good Spirited Man, confessed he was a poor weak Indian, spoke of his Experiences, & of the Light Within, in such a manner as to make me believe he was in a good Degree experimentally acquainted therewith, there was a large Audience of People, who came out of Curiosity, which had such a deadning Tendency that I thought it made hard work for him, after he closed, they sang an 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 Antient Seneca Chief, who says he has attended to Treaties, appear'd very glad to see us, & after some Conversation to mutual satisfaction we returned to our Quarters.

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 deliver'd a considerable Part, & then agreeably to the Indian Custom covered up the fire & adjourn'd till next Day to deliver the rest, what he said I thought was wis & well adopted in general, the Indians were exceedingly attentive, & when he had done, Red Jacket & several of the old Med made Remarks, the Col. then told them the Treaty was over ^prezantly but as it was a Day of festival throughout 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

No Business enter'd the Indians feasting having disqualified them. 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 View, and to do it in writing appear'd most clear, after making a rough draft, I shew'd it to my Companion, he assisted, & with some Alterations it was copied sign'd & deliver'd 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