THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FIVE NATIONS I49 



Thanking the Great Spirit in preserving the lives of all now 

 present & those who have come from abroad — 



The council therefore was ready to proceed to business. 

 John Cook again spoke 



saying his friends had now come from Canada as they were 

 to do by and by. 



It is this, that each tribe in N. Y. speak for themselves — to com- 

 mune in order. When after all have spoken a certain one will be 

 appointed to speak for the whole — 



Tonawandas to council first, then Alle. then Catt — They were 

 then ordered to take their accustomed seats 



Tonawandas 



Jubez Ground spoke as follows : 

 . That it was the duty in all such gatherings to exchange words of 

 thanks before proceeding to business. 



It was announced that we were the first to explain our troubles in 

 council — We have divided. Some of us thought we were not going 

 right — Blksmith and Jemmy Johnson were strait till their death 

 Had they been living it would not have been so — 



The other side tells us that we have erred because we would not 

 comply with the law. So we said to them 



Hence the party thought it best to have a council called to hear the 

 exposition of the law — Our party is strong in the faith of the law. 



You understand how we stand We are divided. We stand on 

 the Six Na law & will stand by it — This is the feeling of our party. 

 So you understand. 



They have firm reliance on the law — 



Now we tell how large our party is who will adher to the law 282. 



We were told that belt was left for repentance — We have none 

 to leave as they not believe they have erred. 



The above is the actual number who voluntarily wished to on our 

 side joined us without threats. Thus much we explain to you and 

 our position in brief 



Seneca Johnson said 



The No of your party as I understand is 282. Now I ask the 

 whole No at Ton 



Isaac Doctor said that we do not know exactly but the other side 

 has the majority — our party was once over 300 but fell off to the 

 other side by threats, such as you will have no more goods & money 

 if you keep the other side & you go to Kansas. 



Alle — 

 Isaac Half town — 



