Digital History

Author:   A Speech of the Onondagas & Cajouga Sachems
Date:1684

Annotation: This excerpt describes the plea of the Iroquois to form an alliance with the English.

Document: You are a Mighty Sachem & we but a Small People. When the English first came to New York to Virginia & Maryland, they were but a small People & we a large Nation; & we finding they were good People gave them Land & dealt Civilly by them; Now that you are grown Numerous & we decreased, you must Protect us against the French, which if you don’t we shall loose all our Hunting & Bevers. The French want all the Beavers & are angry that we bring any to the English.