Iroquois Chiefs visit England

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Speech of the Iroquois Chiefs
The speech of the five Iroquois chiefs,[*] who visited England in the reign of Queen Anne. The following excellent address was delivered by them before her majesty:

"Great Queen. -- We have undertaken a long and tedious. voyage, which none of our predecessors could be prevailed upon to undertake. The motive that induced us was, that we might see our great queen, and relate to her those things we thought absolutely necessary, for the good of her, and us, her allies, on the other side the great water. We doubt not but our great queen has been acquainted with our long and tedious war, in conjunction with her children, against her enemies the French; and that we have been as a strong wall for their security, even to the loss of our best men. The truth of which our brother Queder, Colonel (Peter) Schuyler, and Anadagarjaux, Colonel Nicholson, can testify; they having all our proposals in writing. We were mightly rejoiced when we heard by Anadagarjaux, that our great queen had resolved to send an army to reduce Canada from whose mouth we readily embraced our great queen's instruction; and, in token of our friendship, we hung up the kettle, and took up the hatchet; and with one consent joined our brother Queder, and Anadagarjaux, in making preparations on this side the lake, by building forts, stone houses, canoes, and batteaux; whilst Aundiasia, Colonel Vetch, at the same time raised an army at Boston, of which we were informed by our ambassadors, when we sent thither for that purpose, we waited long in expectation of the fleet from England, to join Aundiasia, to go against Quebec by sea, whilst Anadagarjaux, Queder, and we, went to Port Royal by land; but at last we were told, that our great queen, by
some important affair was prevented in her design for that season. This made us extremely sorrowful, lest the French, who had hitherto dreaded us, should now think us unable to make war against them. The reduction of Canada is of such weight, that after the effecting thereof, we should have free hunting, and a great trade with our great queen's children; and as a token of the sincerity of the Six Nations, we do here, in the name of all, present our great queen, with the belts of wampum. We need not urge to our great queen more than the necessity we really labour under obliges us, that in case our great queen should not be mindful of us, we must, with our families, forsake our country, and seek other habitation, or stand neuter; either of which will be much against our inclinations. Since we have been in alliance with our great queen's children we have had some knowledge of the Saviour of the world; and have often been importuned by the French, both by the insinuations of their priests, but have always esteemed them men of falsehood; but if our great queen will be pleased to send over some person to instruct us, they shall find a hearty welcome; we now close, with hopes of our great queen's favour, and leave it to her most gracious consideration."

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Logan-Warrior

Speech of Logan
"I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed and said, 'Logan is the friend of the white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature.

"This called on me for revenge, I have sought it; I have killed many: I have glutted my vengeance; for my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbour a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one!"

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Narrative to Logan & his people

Narrative
The following is an extract from "Jefferson's Notes on Virginia." and speaks highly of the Indian character, so far as moral courage and national abilities are concerned.

"Of their bravery and address in war," he says, "we have multiplied proofs, because we have been the subjects on which they were exercised. Of their eminence in oratory, we have fewer examples, because it is displayed chiefly in their own councils. Some we have, however, of very superior lustre.

"I may challenge the whole orations of Demosthenes and Cicero, and of many more eminent orators (if Europe has furnished more eminent,) to produce a single passage superior to the speech of Logan, a Mingo chief, to Lord Dunmore, when Governor of Virginia; and as a testimony of their talents in this line, I beg leave to introduce it, first stating the incidents necessary for understanding it.

"In the spring of the year 1774, a robbery was committed by some Indians on certain land adventurers on the River Ohio. The whites in that quarter, according to their custom, undertook to punish this outrage in a summary way. Captain Michael Cresap, and a certain Daniel Greathouse, leading on these parties, surprised, at different times, travelling and hunting parties of the Indians, having their women and children with them, and murdered many. Among these were unfortunately the family of Logan; a chief, celebrated

in peace and war, and long distinguished as the friend of the whites. This unworthy return provoked his vengeance: he accordingly signalized himself in the war which ensued. In the autumn of the same year, a decisive battle was fought at the mouth of the great Kenhawa, between the collected forces of the Shawanese, Mingoes, and Delawares, and a detachment of the Virginia militia; the Indians were defeated and sued for peace

"Logan, however, disdained to be seen among the supplicants. But, lest the sincerity of a treaty should be disturbed from which so distinguished a chief absented himself, he sent, by a messenger, the following speech, to be delivered to Lord Dunmore:"