284 Peter Tenet among the Oneida Indians. 



mucli stronger than those of any other tribe, of the Five 

 Nations, on account of their services in the revolution. 



In pointing out the boundaries they wished to have 

 reserved, they at first included all the lands on the north 

 side of "Wood creek and the Oneida lake, with a large 

 tract south ; but upon further consideration, they agreed 

 to cede all north of the lake and creek, excepting a narrow 

 reservation along its banks, upon condition, "that the 

 commissioners would agree to make a compensation to 

 Mr. Penet out of it, for his benevolence and services to 

 them/' 



In a speech made by Good Peter, an Oneida orator, 

 he alluded to his friend in the following; terms : 



"Brother 1 Governor! you know our minds. When our 

 business is completed, and we take leave of each other, 

 whatever we have to say to you, we will always communicate 

 to you through our father the French gentleman, (pointing 

 to Mr. Penet), and we request that you'll make him the 

 channel of communication of whatever you have to say 

 to us. He is a just and righteous man ; he will deceive 

 us in nothing, but will declare to us the very truth ; had 

 it not been for him, we should have been ruined. "We 

 know that you have entered into a firm covenant and 

 alliance with our father the French king, and that you 

 have one heart and one mind, which you have told us 

 often, and now we see it verified." 



A string of six rows of black wampum. 



" Brother, our chief, I now call for your attention, that 

 you will in very deed open your ears' and hear our speech. 

 I have already congratulated you with the thanks of all 

 the nation, that you, my brother of New York, with my 

 father, the French, took us hold by the hand, and drew us 

 out of the war, and now you see us settled here in peace. 



1 The Indians in addressing the French, always used the term Father, 

 and when speaking to the English called them Brothers. 



