108 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



The English are a great people, and there are likewise wicked men 

 amongst them. I mourn for this misfortune, and will do all I can to 

 comfort the relations of the dead when I see them, which I hope will be 

 at Philadelphia with Sassoonan and Opekasset. 



"About eight months ago I received an account that an English man 

 was killed by some Indians, at the House of John Burt, in Snake town. 

 I heard John Burt was very abusive to the Indians, and I sent to appre- 

 hend him, but he fled; if he can be taken he will be punished. But 

 since there was a man killed, we expect the Indians will do us justice 

 by apprehending the murderers that they may be punished, for we must 

 be just and faithful to each other, that this spot may be wiped away and 

 the chain be kept bright and clean. 



"Yoii know, my brethren, that one link of the chain is, that when the 

 Indians are uneasy they should tell it to us, and when we are uneasy we 

 will tell it to them. I therefore desire your hearts may be open, that I 

 may know if you have any cause of grief which I will endeavor to 

 remove, for I am your brother. 



" I have issued a Proclamation requiring all our people to use you well, 

 which shall be read unto you before I go away. I will prevent any 

 hurt being done to our friends the Indians, because those who do not 

 behave themselves agreeable to what is therein commanded, will be 

 severely punished. 



At a Council held at the Indian Town of Conestogoe, May 27th, 1728. 



PRESENT : 



The Ilouble Patrick Gordon, Esqr., Lieut Governr. 



And the same as before. 



Tawenna, in the name and on the behalf of all the Indians present, 

 spoke to the Governor, which was rendered into English by John Scull, 

 interpreter, and is as follows : 



" Give ear my brethren of Philadelphia— the Conestogoe Indians, the 

 Shawanese, the Ganawese and DelaAvares have somewhat to say, which 

 they will speak presently. 



" They say they look upon the Governor as if William Peim himself 

 were present. They are four Nations and among them there are several 

 loohsh people, as if they were just sprung from the earth; but that since 

 their first friendship with William Penn, they never have received any 

 wrong or injury from him or any of his people. 



"That several foolish people among them committed follies and indis- 

 cretions, but they hope these will never interrupt the friendship which is 

 between their people and us, for that they and all William Penn's people 

 are as one people, that eat, as it were, with one mouth, and are one body 

 and one heart. 



