Norton's account of the Iroquois negotiations Norton's account of meeting Six Nations Iroquois at the Battle of Chippawa The Iroquois In 1814 The Iroquois at Queenston

It took up two days before an answer could be made for the Senecas, - in that time two of their most respectable Chiefs calling upon me, entered into conversation to this effect: "Friend, - We view you with apprehension & suspicion: - We think you so zealously disposed to serve the King that you are included to draw after you all these people without considering the difficulties in which you may thereby involve them. Perhaps you also imagine that we come here entirely under the influence of the American Agent, only prepared to rehearse the Lesson he may have given us. We may both be mistaken. To convince you that we act from a disinterested Love to our people, and to ensure their welfare and preservation, - We shall lay before you the reasons which induce us to recommend a neutrality. The gloomy Day, foretold by our ancients, has at last arrived; - the Independence and Glory of the Five Nations , who can crush us when they please. They are in the same in every respect, although they are now preparing to contend. We are ignorant of the real motives which urge them to arm, but we are well assured that we have no interest therein, and that neither one nor other have any affection towards us. We know that our Blood shed in their Battles will not even ensure their compassion to our Widows and Orphans, - nor respect to our Tribes weakened the English have been enraged, - since they first joined hands, (for then the English & Americans were one.) In Standing between them and the French, many a Valiant Warrior has fallen. But although we have thus been weakened, & deprived of our Independence, it has not been by the Victories of a Conqueror; - it has been the neglect of Unkindness of our Friends. Seeing therefore, that no good can be derived from War, we think we should only seek the surest means of averting its attendant Evils: - We are of opinion that we should follow the example of some of their people (The Quakers), who never bear arms in war, & deprecate the principle of hostility." I answered, "What you have now said is certainly applicable to you who remain on the side. The Americans have gained possession of all your Country, excepting the small part which you have reserved. They have enveloped you: - it is out of your power to assist us, - because in doing so, - you would hazard the Destruction of your families. You can however have no motive to assist them; - The King does not want to take your lands nor to injure you, and the Americans will not give you more for assisting them. Even should your actions or courage merit a glorious report, - they will hardly allow you that which they bargain themselves. It is therefore both your Interest and your duty to remain peaceable at home. Arosa of the New York Iroquois "Our Situation is very different. You know that the preferring to live under the protection of the King, rather than fall under the power or influence of the Americans, - inducted us to fix our habitations at this place. If the King is attacked, we must support him, we are sure that such conduct is honorable; - but how profitable it might be to submit to these Mighty Men without resistance, we can, by no means ascertain; - We know that We would feel it highly disgraceful, and we remember what has been the fate of those have thought that a passive inoffensive Demeanor would be a sufficient protection. Witness the peaceable People of Conestogue butchered at Lancaster, - the harmless Moravian Delawares, murdered at their our Village on Muskingum, - and many other instances that clearly demonstrate a manly resistance to be the strongest security against armed enemies like them, who invade us with their host of new made soldiers, only confident of awing by the pomp of military parade & numbers. We know them to have always been the Enemies of the Aboriginal Nations. Last autumn, they commenced their grand military achievements, & marched against the Village of Tippicanoe, - astonished at the resistance of a few Warriors whom they found there, they returned home, to meditate on a more easy method of conquering." "Brothers, - the People of the great King are our old friends, & the Americans are our Neighbors. We grieve to see them prepare to imbrue their hands in the blood of each other. We have determined not to interfere, for how could we spill the Blood of the English or of our Brethren? We entreat you therefore to imitate our Determination; - for, remember, we are in the power of the Americans, & perhaps when you shall have spread Destruction through their Ranks, they will change their Language, and insist upon us to join them: - they may compel our young Men to fight against their kindred, - and like devoted animals, - we shall be brought to destroy each other."