Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

NEW-YORK: February 22.

IMPORTANT.

On monday arrived in town on their way to Congress, two Chiefs of the Caughnawaga Tribe of Canada Indians, with five other Northern-Tribe Chiefs. They inform that Col. Brandt, of the Six Nations, had sent out three Runners into the different Tribes to the North, for the purpose of inviting them to a confederated Council at the Fire-Place of the Mohawks. Among the rest, Messengers were sent to the Caughnawagas for this purpose, with a Black Wampum Belt, whose answer was, "If Col. Brandt, or the Mohawks, with a Council with us, they should have met us at our own Fire-Place, and not have called us from home." The Messengers went away with this answer, but returned again with the Black Belt, and procured a meeting of the middle-aged and younger Chiefs, when they "opened the top of the business," which, they say, appeared to be fraught with mischief against the United States. They proposed to the Caughnawagas, that they should sell their lands which they now possess near the territory of the United States, and move over the Lake further within the British territory. The Caughnawagas observed that they enjoyed peace and plenty round their own Fire-Places and that they would not take up the Hatchet against the United States. These Chiefs further say, had the Belt been mixed with white, or had it been wholly red, or altogether white, it would have indicated peaceable intentions, but being entirely black intimated mischief. They are now on their way to Philadelphia, to give information to Congress of the intended combination of the Indians. They say their nation consists of 200 Warriors, from 16 to 45 years of age. They have travelled 500 miles on foot, at their own expense, to communicate this information.

This was handed us by a gentleman who had several interviews with them, but it is probable this business will be more fully developed to the Executive, through which channel we may shortly expect it.