Manuscript communication, from Colonel [Richard] Butler, the Mohawks, and the Oneidas to the Onandaga (by way of the Senecas and Cayugas). March 29, 1779. Great Britain Indian Department Collection.

Niagara March 29th 1779

After the usual Complements, and desiring them to open their Ears and be attentive to what we had to say to them, we deliver them the Message as follows.

Brothers!

We are very much alarmed at hearing that some of your People who are in the Interest of the Rebels, and the Oneydas have attempted to carry away Part of the Fire to Oneyda without our Leave.  The Fire belongs more properly to us than to them, and we have certainly the greatest Right to dispose of it, as we are three of the Parties concerned in kindling the Fire, and they but one, we are therefore the fittest Persons to remove it and appoint another Place for it and besides, all the western and Southern Nations have left their Hearts and Minds which are at that Fire, in our Care; we therefore desire all you of the Onandagoes who are still our Friends, carefully to gather up this Fire, and bring it away with you in your Pouch, which we cannot in the least doubt but you will do, as you have declared in every Village tho’ which you passed, that you were resolved to remove, and we know you will not break your Word.  It is become necessary to remove the Fire, as it is impossible to do Business at it where it now is from the many bad People there, who are in the Interest of our Enemies.  we therefore desire you to gather up immediately, all the Hearts & Minds that have been left there and bring them carefully wrapped up to our Brothers the Senecas and Cayougas who will fix upon some Proper Place for rekindling the Fire and depositing the Hearts and Minds of all our Friends and Allies that had before been left at Onandagoe.  We have it not in our Power to allot any Place for it, as the Rebels have taken all our Lands from us.  We also desire you to draw after you the Silver Chain of Friendship which bound and connected us together.  this you will find no Difficulty in doing, the End, beyond Onandagoe being intirely loose, and neither held

nor drawn by anyone.  The Reason is that we wish to extend it to our western Bretheren and Allies to bind them more closely and strongly to us.  By bringing away this Fire we do not intend that it should be for ever removed, but only till the present Troubles end, or till our Brothers, who are drunk, recover their Senses.  Whenever this happens we mean to settle the Fire again at the same Place in which our wise Forefathers first kindled it.
A large, black & white Belt.

We send this Message of our to our Brothers the Senecas and Cayougas that they may hear it, and make such Additions to it as they shall judge most proper.  we desire them to hasten the Messenger and charge him to deliver his Message carefully.