THE MOHAWK LANGUAGE. 3 



all would be equal, lie rejected tliem, as lie was then more powerful 

 and had more influence than they, and by entering the alliance he 

 would be brought down to an equality with them. Determined, 

 however, to carry out the Confederation scheme, the Mohawk and 

 Oneida tendered the Onondaga the office of " Fire-keeper " in the 

 new Council they would form. This, giving him the sole authority 

 of opening or closing the Councils of the Five Nations, and a veto 

 power upon all transactions of the Confederate Chiefs, induced the 

 Onondaga to yield. The Gayugas and Senacas were subsequently 

 added, and thus completed the scheme of Confederation of the Five 

 Nations — a lasting evidence of their wisdom, and that they were 

 entitled to the name of statesmen much more than many "pale-faces" 

 of the present day. From the consummation of this scheme, the 

 "new nationality" steadily though slowly increased in prosperity 

 and power till about the time of the settlement of the English at 

 Jamestown, when they had reached the zenith of their power and 

 glory. Their hunting grounds extended from the great lakes upon 

 the north to the Cumbeiiaad River and Cherokee country upon the 

 south and east of the Mississippi. 



They subdued nation after nation, till their name was known and 

 their arms dreaded by nearly all Indian tribes east of the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



With what has occuiTed to us since we came in contact with the 

 pale-faces, most of you are familiar, and I need say but a few words. 

 At the time that New Amsterdam changed masters, was formed that 

 alliance with the English which has been kept inviolate by the 

 Mohawks unto this, day. The Indians were engaged in all the wars 

 that took place iipon this continent for the possession of Canada, 

 between the English and French, and to them England, most un- 

 doubtedly, owes her possessions in Amei-ica. Their fidelity and 

 the strength of their friendship will better appear when it is taken 

 into consideration that they had not only no personal interest to 

 serve, but also tempting ofiers were frequently made to them by the 

 foes of England, to remain at least neutral. But their invariable 

 reply was, " When my brother is glad we rejoice, when he weeps, we 

 also weep." 



At the close of the revolutionary war, the Mohawks, having 

 throughout fought for their brother the King, though the American 

 Government generously offered them the undisturbed possession of 



