until the first division had embarked.  Some of the sentinels hearing a dog bark, fired one or two shots.  This created a terrible panic.  The citizens, whose ears had been pierced by the shrieks of their countrymen, whom the Indians had tortured at the stake, were so terror-stricken that they lost all self-possession.  “Many of them threw themselves into the water before they had seen an enemy.”

The most friendly relations existed between the Mohawks and the settlers in the vicinity of Albany.  A very extensive trade, equally lucrative to both parties, was there in operation.  The Indians, being treated justly, were as harmless as lambs.  When they heard of the troubles at Esopus they declared that they would take no part in the war.  They could not but feel that the Indians had been deeply outraged.  But with unexpected intelligence they decided that they would not retaliate by wreaking vengeance upon their long-tried friends.  To confirm their friendly alliance, the authorities at fort Orange sent an embassy of twenty-five of their principal inhabitants to the Indian settlement at Caughnawaga.  This was about forty miles west of Albany on the north bank of the Mohawk river and near the site of the present shire town of Montgomery county.

A large number of chiefs, from all the neighboring villages, attended.  The council fire was lighted, and the calumet of peace was smoked.  One of the Dutch delegation thus addressed the assembly!

“Brothers, sixteen years have now passed away, since friendship and fraternity were first established between you and the Hollanders.  Since then we have been bound to each other by an iron chain.  That chain has never been broken by us or by you.  We hope that the Mohawks will remain our brothers for all time.

“Our chiefs are very angry that the Dutch will sell brandy to your people.  They have always forbidden them to do so.  Forbid your people also.  Eighteen days ago you asked us not to sell any brandy to your people.  Brothers, if your people do not come to buy brandy of us, we shall not sell any to them.  Two days ago twenty or thirty kegs came to us, all to be filled with brandy.  Are you willing that we should take from your people their brandy and their kegs.  If so, say this before all here present.”

With this speech there was presented to the chiefs several bundles of wampum, seventy pounds of powder, a hundred pounds of lead, fifteen axes two beavers worth of knives.  The chiefs were highly pleased with the presents and eagerly gave their consent that the Dutch should seize the liquor kegs of the Indians.

The authorities at fort Orange, having secured the friendship of the Mohawks, endeavored to obtain an armistice with the Indians at Esopus, and a release of the captives they had taken.  Several Mohawk and Mohegan chiefs, as mediators, visited Esopus, on this mission of mercy.  They were partially successful.  An armistice was reluctantly assented to, and two captives were liberated.  The Indians, however, still retained a number of children, they having killed all the adults.  Those who had agreed to the armistice were not the principal chiefs, and the spirit of the war remained unbroken.