286 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



English colonies at the eastward, which bore «t 

 threatening aspect. It was understood by the 

 English, that there was not any alliance between 

 the Iroquoise and the eastern Indians ; but 

 rather, some remains of former hostilities and 

 jealousies : And it was hoped that the fierceness 

 of the savage temper and passions, might be 

 managed so as to draw them into a war with 

 the eastern tribes. To effect this purpose, 

 commissioners from the colonies of Massachu-* 

 setts, Plymouth and Connecticut, had a confer- 

 ence with the five nations at Albany, in Sep-^ 

 tember J689. When urged to engage in the 

 eastern ^var, the Indians replied that it was not 

 their custom to go to ■war with any people, from 

 whom they had not received any injury or in- 

 sult ; • that they were engaged already in a waf 

 with the French, the common enemy ; and that 

 they believed the best policy would be for the 

 English colonies first to assist them in subduing 

 the enemy, that was always ready to make war 

 against them both. The speech which their 

 orator made on tliis occasion, is an amusing 

 specimen of the Indian genius, policy and elo- 

 'i^uence. The English commissioners learnt 

 from it, but with t a^'prise, that the Indians well 

 understood their own interest and affairs ; and 

 were as much disposed and qualified to avail 

 themselves of policy in the management of war, 

 as the Europeans who had got possession of 

 their countrv. 



