The New York Packet

Translation of a letter sent by an Indian Chief to a Governor of Nova-Scotia.

Lieutenant of thy King,

"The place where thou art, the place thou lodgest in, the place thou dost fortify, the place thou thinkest to establish, the place thou desirest to make thyself master of, that place is mine. I sprung from this land like the grass. I who am a savage, was born here, and my fathers before me. This land is my inheritance. I wear it is the land which God gave to be my country for ever and ever. I here tell thee plainly the thoughts of my heart concerning thee. For know that the works thou makest at Chebucto, afford me matter for serious reflections. My King, and thy King over the great waters, have agreed amongst themselves on a certain distribution of lands, and therefore are at peace. For my own part, I can neither enter into alliance, nor make peace with thee. Shew me a place where thou wouldst that I take refuge. Thou hast possessed thyself of almost all this country, insomuch that Chebucto is my last refuge: Yet thou enviest me that spot, and wouldst drive me even from thence. This shews that thou wilt force me never to cease to make war against thee, and never to think of an alliance. Thou gloriest in thy great numbers, and in thy fortifications. For myself, who have but a small number of men, I cannot do better than trust in my God, who must judge between us. The worm which creeps knows how to defend itself when attacked. Surely I, savage as I am, am better than a worm, and must know how to defend myself when attacked. I shall come to see thee soon, yea, trust me, I will see thee, and hope that what I shall then hear of thine own mouth, will afford me some comfort. I greet thee well?"