10
Brethern, some of you have been in Philadelphia last fall
and acquainted us that you had taken up the English Hatchit and
that you had already made use of it against the french and
that they french men had very hard heads and your Country
afforded nothing but Grass and Sticks which was not sufficient
to break them you Desired your brethern would assist you with
some Weapons Sufficient to do it your brethern the President
and Counsel promised you then to send Something to you next
spring by Tharachiawagon, but as some other affairs
Prevented his Journey to ohio you Received a supply by George
Croghan sent to you by your said brethern. but before
George Croghan Came back from ohio news Came
from over the Great lake that the King of Great brittain
and the french king had agreed upon a Cessation of arms for 6
months and that a peace was very likely to follow it your Brethern
the President and Counsel was then in a manner at a loss what to
do it did not become them to act Contrary to the Command
King and the warr against the french,---but as your
brethern never mised in fullfilling Of their promises, they have
upon a second Consideration thought proper to turn they intented
Suply into a Civil and brotherly Present and have accordingly
sent me with it, and here are the goods before your Eyes which
I have by your bretherns order Divided them into 5 shares & layd
them in five Different heaps, one heap thereof your brother
assaryquoh sent to you to Remember his friendship and
unity with you, and as you are all of the same Nation with
whome we the English have been in League of friendship
nothing need be said more than only this that it is a present from
your brethern the president & Counsel and Assaryquoh
Shall serve to strengthen the Chain of friendship between us
the English and the several Nations of Indians to which you
belong. a french peace is a very uncertain one--they Keep
it no longer than their Interest permit then they break
it without provocation Given them. the French
Kings people have been most Starved in old frentch for
want of Provision, that made them wish and seek for