Seneca Nation of Indians

We salute our Father & our Brethren & return thanks to the Great Spirit who has been pleased to allow them to meet at this council.

General Harrison desires me to address the Chiefs, that having taken into consideration the long time the different nations have been separated has sent this deputation to speak with their Friends.

"Brothers...As you are once more assem- bled in council for the purpose of doing honor to yourselves, and justice to your country; we, your brothers, the sachems, chiefs and warriors, of the Seneca nation, request you to open your ears and give atten- tion to our voice and wishes.

What is there more desirable than that we, who live within hearing of each other, should unite for the common good?  This is my wish.  It is the wish of my nation, although I am sorry I can't say so of every individual in it.  For there are differences of opinion among us, as well as among the white people.

I now request the attention of the president of the United States, by his agent.  Colonel Pickering, now present.  A few days since, when the American chief had spoken to us, he gave us to understand that General Knox and Colonel Pickering should be the agents to negotiate with us, on things which concern our welfare.  Let me call for your compassion, as you can put all down upon paper, while we have to labor with our minds, to retain and digest what is spoken, to enable us to make an answer.

Brother Onas Governor: Open unprejudiced ears to what we have to say!  Some days since you addressed us, and what you said gave us great pleasure.  This day the Great Spirit has allowed us to meet you again in this council chamber.  We hope that your not receiving our immediate answer to your address will make no improper impression upon your mind.  We mention this lest you should suspect that your kind welcome and friendly address has not had a proper effect upon our hearts.  We assure you it is far other wise.

Brother from Pennsylvania: You that are sent from General Washington, and by the Thirteen Fires: you have been sitting side by side with us every day, and the Great Spirit has appointed us another pleasant day to meet again.

Now listen, Brother! You know what we have been doing so long, and what trouble we have been at; and you know that it has been the request of our head warrior, that we are left to answer for our women, who are to conclude what ought to be done by both sachems and warriors.  So hear what is their conclusion.

The following speech was an exchange of compliments, given by Corn Planter at the beginning of a counsel meeting, April 27th, 1791 at Buffalo Creek.

Brother Listen! It is usual for us to speak; and to you we do it as to a brother that has been absent a long time.  Now we all speak to you, and to our head warrior that left us last fall: — and we thank the Great Spirit for his and your safe arrival here, as you are together, hand in hand, from Honandaganius, upon great business.