The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

NEW-YORK, August 3.

To the Committee of Cherry Valley, to be communicated to the Inhabitants of the Butternuts.

A Speech of the Chiefs of the ONEIDAS, repeating the late Murder, committed in the Plantation of the Butternuts.

BROTHREN, we have heard of your alarming and distracting situation, by the unnatural and very inhuman murder of one in your place; we are very much surprised at the account, and feel for you in this your distress; both you & we, Shall likely soon discover the murderer-- You white people have some malicious evil minded persons amongst you, & we Indians have likewise the same: We have long resided hard by our brethren on Mohawk river, and never knew such an instance as has happened in your place, a man found dead and murdered in such a manner? --Brethren, quiet your minds, and indulge no fears nor jealousies respecting our friendship: don't leave your plantations, continue where you are, and follow your work; we don't think you would have suspected any of us Oneidas to have done such a thing were it not for the troubles and confusions that prevail in the Eastward, meaning New England: We Oneidas have made search, and can find no person of our nation that has been so lately hunting in the woods; nor any of the Onsheggwahs: We therefore intreat you to quiet your minds, and by no means indulge any fears respecting us; and when ever we meet again let it be in great friendship and brotherly love; or if any of our people should pass that way, treat them with your usual kindness, that peace may always continue, and be maintained between us. We have only further to remark, that had there been on our part, any design of mischief, or beginning a quarrel with the white people, and had an Indian committed the inhuman murder, he would never have come off & left the man unscalped; for which reason, and some other circumstances, we are of opinion that some other person, and not an Indian has been guilty of the murder: We hope you may never know the like again, but continue in peace, and prosper. Present, four of the Oneheggwahs, as interpreted and wrote by Samuel Kirkland, Missionary.