my heart the sentiments of all the Iroquois nations,
and my language is faithful to my heart.
Tell Onnontio four things,whichare the substance
of all our councils.
First, we will acknowledge him of whom you
have spoken, who is the master of our lives and
to Us unknown.
Second, our national tree is this day planted,
at Onondaga; henceforth it will be the place of
our councils, and treaties for peace;..
Third, We request;you td select, on the banks
of^our great lake, a convenient pïècé for a
French habitation. Place yourself in the heart
of oUr country, since you ' have possessed our
inmost affections*: * There jvve can go for instruction;
and from thènee you can spread yoursefvOS
everywhere i Have for tgf the cate of fathers,
and We will entertain for you the respect of
children^ ||
Fourth, we are engaged in * new - wars. Let
Onnontio animate Us. for the scene. For him
we will hate no thoughts but.peacW'^
Their most valuable presents Wvere^eserved
for the dast four speeches.
On the 15th of August we set but on our re*
turn, with a goodly company.
On the 16th We arrived at the entrance of a
small lake.* In a large basin, half dry, we tasted
the water 0 f a spring which the Indians are
afraid to drink, saying that it is inhabited by a
demon who renders it stinking. I found it to
* Onondaga lake.
be a fountain of salt water, from which we made
salt as natural as from the sea, some of which
we shall carry to Quebec. This lake abounds
in salmon, trout and other kinds of fish.
On the l7,th w.e entered the outlet of the lake
•and passed the river of the Senecas on the left,
the addition of which enlarges the stream. It
rises,'they: say, in two streams among the Cayu-
gas and Senecas. After three leagues more of
pleasant travelling we passed on our right the
river Oneida, whidf seemed quite deep. A
league, farther.. encountered some rapids,
whiph- gave the name to a village.-of fishermen.
v On the l'8fh my companions were engaged in
putting their canoes in Orderly
.Aug. 19th. We fourfiefed on; upon the same
river, which* is of fine width, and everywhere
deep, except some rapids, wherë. we found it
necessary to'get into" the water and draw the
canoe to prevent its being broken by the rocks.
-^Oth. We arrived' this day at the great Lake
Ontario, called the Lake of the-.Jroquois.
| 21st: The lake is rough tcpday hy reason of a
violent wind which succeeded a storm .of rain.
22d. Coasting pleasantly along the shore of
the lake, my companions shot a large stag. We
contented ourselves with seeing it broiled; it
being Saturday, a day of abstinence-with us.
23d. We arrived at a place they have destined
a French habitation, where there are beautiful
meadows, also fine fishing, and convenient access
for the different nations. .