1775

Fathers, after the insinuations of the commandant of Detroit, I accepted your invitation with distrust, and measured my route with trembling feet toward this 'Council of Fire.'  Your reception proves his falsehood, and that my fears were groundless.  Truth and him have been a long time enemies.
As my younger brother of the New-England Indians, who have settled in our vicinity, are now going to visit their friends, and to move up part of their families that are left behind, we send this belt by them, to open the road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit their friends, and return to their settlements here in peace.

We Oneidas are induced to this measure, on account of the disagreeable situation of affairs that way, and we hope, by the help of God, they may go and return in peace.