rayers of their country, and their effects were
confiscated, while the very estates of the emigrants were seized, and
passed into the hands of the victors. It was a proud triumph for the
Americans. Congress, elated by it, passed a vote of thanks to Washington
and his army for their acquisition of Boston, and directed a gold medal
to be struck in commemoration of the event.

{GEORGE III. 1776-1777}

MISSION OF INDIAN CHIEFS.

Untutored as the savage is, many a lesson may be gathered from his lips
and his conduct. Before Boston was evacuated by the British troops, the
Oneidas and some other Indian tribes had sent to the provincial
assembly a deputation of their chiefs, on a mission which displayed
much practical humanity and good feeling. The purport of this mission
is disclosed in the address of these chiefs to the assembly. It reads
thus:--"Brothers, we have heard of the unhappy differences and great
contention between you and Old England. We wonder greatly and are
troubled in our minds. Brothers, possess your minds in peace respecting
us Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between brethren:
the quarrel seems to us so unnatural; and we bear an equal affection to
both. Should the great king apply to us for aid we shall deny him: if
the colonies apply we shall refuse. We Indians cannot find or recollect,
in the traditions of our ancestors, a case similar to this. Brothers, if
it were an alien that had struck you we should look into the matter. We
hope, through the wise government and good pleasure of the Great Spirit,
your distresses may be soon removed, and the dark clouds dispersed.
Brothers, as we have declared for peace, we desire you will not apply to
our Indian brethren for assistance. Let us Indians be all of one mind,
and you white people settle the disputes between yourselves." But
notwithstanding this wise policy of these Indian chiefs, many of the
savage tribes bordering on the great lakes and rivers were induced by
British agents to wield the tomahawk in behalf of "the great king,"
and committed ravages which brought a stain upon the fair fame of Great
Britain.

AFFAIRS OF CANADA.

At the close of the session of the British parliament good news had
arrived from Canada. Congress had voted nine regiments for service in
that colony, and General Schuyler was ordered to prepare a number of
batteaux to transport these troops down the lakes and the Sorel to
the scene of action. At this ju