The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

The following is the Extract of a Letter, which came by Express on Saturday last; from a Chief of the Indians, living at the Great Island, in the West Branch of the Susquehanna, in answer to the Message sent them by Captain William Patterson.

Loving Brother! February 17, 1768.

Received your Speech by Gersham Hicks, and I have sent one of my Relations to you with a String of Wampum, and the following Answer.

Loving Brother,

I am glad to hear from you. I understand that you are very much grieved, and that the Tears run from your Eyes. With both my Hands I now wipe away those Tears; and, as I don't doubt but your Heart is disturbed, I remove all the Sorrow from it and make it easy as it was before. I will now sit down, and smoke my Pipe. I have taken fast hold of the Chain of Friendship; and when I give it a Pull, if I find my Brothers, the English, have let it go, it will then be time for me to let go too, and take Care of my Family. There are four of my Relations murdered by Stump; and all I desire is, that he may suffer for his wicked Action: I shall then, think that your People have the same Goodness in their Hearts as formerly, and intend to keep it there. As it was the Evil Spirit who caused Stump to commit this bad Action, I blame none of my Brothers the English but him. I desire that the People of Juniata may sit still on their Places, and not put themselves on any Hardships, by leaving their Habitations: when ever Danger is coming, they shall know it before it comes on them. I am
Your loving Brother,
To Captain William Patterson.
Shawana B