294 RUIN OF THE INDIAN CAUSE. [1765. 



over the heads of the several tribes, and have 

 accepted them for your children, we hope you will 

 let us partake with them the light, that our women 

 and children may enjoy peace. We beg you to for- 

 get all that is past. By this belt we remove all evil 

 thoughts from your hearts. 



'• Fathers, when we formerly came to visit our 

 fathers the French, they always sent us home joy- 

 ful ; and we hope you, fathers, will have pity on 

 our women and young men, who are in great want 

 of necessaries, and not let us go home to our towns 

 ashamed." 



On the twenty-seventh of August, Croghan held 

 a meeting with the Ottawas, and the other tribes 

 of Detroit and Sandusky ; when, adopting their 

 own "figurative language, he addressed them in the 

 following speech, in which, as often happened 

 when white men borrowed the tongue of the forest 

 orator, he lavished a more unsparing profusion of 

 imagery than the Indians themselves : — - 



" Children, we are very glad to see so many of 

 you here present at your ancient council-fire, which 

 has been neglected for some time past ; since then, 

 high winds have blown, and raised heavy clouds 

 over your country. I now, by this belt, rekindle 

 your ancient fire, and throw dry wood upon it, that 

 the blaze may ascend to heaven, so that all nations 

 may see it, and know that you live in peace and 

 tranquillity with your fathers the English. 



" By this belt I disperse all the black clouds 

 from over your heads, that the- sun may shine clear 

 on your women and children, that those unborn 



