HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 315 



over five Delaware nations and was but the messenger of the 

 Six Nations, of whom he always spoke as his uncles and super- 

 iors. The storm was averted, but the offense was not forgotten. 

 He had also proposed a sale of lands about Shamokin, Wyoming 

 etc. The Iroquois chiefs replied : *' We have no power to convey 

 Lands to any one, but will take your Request to the great Coun- 

 cil Fire for their Sentiments, as we never convey or sell Lands 

 before it be agreed in the great Council of the United Nations." 

 It is readily seen that this was but a convenient excuse. 



In April 1759 Johnson held a council at the Canajoharie castle, 

 stopping at Brant's house, where the Bunt, other Onondaga and 

 some Cayuga chiefs waited on him, some Cayugas, Senecas, Nan- 

 ticokes and Shawnees coming later. While they were waiting 

 for the Oneidas, Tuscaroras and Geneseo Senecas, their arms 

 were repaired, and he sent food to some on the way. 



When the council opened. Sir William, with the Mohawks, 

 Onondagas and Senecas, condoled the death of some of their 

 people since leaving home, and the usual general condolence fol- 

 lowed. He spoke of a murder by a Cayuga, and an Oneida chief 

 gave five white prisoners to him. Tuscarora spies told what they 

 had seen in Canada, where some Oswegatchie Indians wished to 

 return to Onondaga. Some western Indians had sent a belt to 

 the Six Nations, as they desired to pass through their country 

 to talk with Johnson. A sachem of each of the Six Nations 

 would come with them that year, and the Geneseo chiefs waited 

 to conduct them. 



Governor de Vaudreuil had told the Oneidas that the English, 

 having built a fort at their portage, were about to erect one at 

 each end of Oneida lake and another at the falls of the Onon- 

 daga (Oswego) river. However he got his news, this proved 

 correct. Though these would be strong, he said, the one at 

 I Oswego would be stronger ; and the English would then destroy 

 ; the Five Nations. He gave them a large hatchet belt of 6000 

 beads. The Nanticokes had also been sent for to Onondaga, 

 receiving a sharp French hatchet with a similar message, but they 

 I returned this by advice of the Oneidas, 



