.NDE4.ODQ

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Chiefs & Nations. The letter we have just
Heard read tells us of the organization of a band
Called Hodenosonnee. That band proposes to assist
Us in our endeavors to rescue our lands from the
Grasp of the Ogden Land Company. We have not craved
Their assistance but they have offered is of their own will. They
Have assumed that name under which our Nations have
Existed for many years. We the Old Confederacy of
Iroquois, are upon the point of dissolution & extinction.
We exist now, only in name. Our power has been broken.
In our stead is springing up a new Confederacy. Thye
Are of a different color than we. But yet for one
I cannot do otherwise than to wish them success in their
Undertaking. And also I cannot believe, although we have many
Times been deceived by treacherous white men, that they will
Deceive us, if we confide in them & accept the assistance
They offer. I also am in favor of writing to them & giving
Them encouragement to prosecute the plan they have laid
Out
James Johnson having assumed his seat, Jesse
Spring [-] & [-] as follows Ha sque sa oh.
Chiefs & warriors, give
Strict attention to the worlds I may speak to day. You
May not assume that what I shall say is the [-]
Conviction of the heart. There are many men of good
Minds , who clothed in the mantle of sincerity, will utter
What they do not themselves believe for the sake of popularity
But I will not deceive you in what I say. I have take
Into close [-] the contents of the letter. I see no
Objection why we should not accept the proffered aid
& why the new Band of Hodenosonnee should not good
In their [-] work. I for one say let them go on
With the work they have communicated. But why a member of
White people banded together should style themselves Hodenoson[off page]
May be a mystery to some. I have before heard of the
existence of such a society. It was told me by La Fort