[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1872)] hearken to, but will go to our father the French, who will assist and protect us."3 Thither they went, and to the commandant at Niagara declared : " Father — We are now at war with the English. When we first began, being very poor, we struck them with billets of wood." In reply, the commandant gave them a hatchet, and arms and ammunition, and lighted afresh the torch of war which they had waved along the borders. Not more successful were the direct appeals of Johnson's embassadors to Shingas. " Get sober," said they to him, in the metaphorical language of Indian speech; u Get sober — your actions are those of a drunken man." But the days of yore were gone, when the trembling Lenape stood cowering in the presence of the Mengwe. Unhesitating submission to the man dates of the tribes that had so long oppressed and insulted his nation, was no longer written on his heart. Of the old con federacy the most powerful part were now his friends, while around him had gathered his grandchildren in formidable num bers. To the words of the embassadors he returned scoff for scoff, and scorn for scorn. '* We are men," said he; " we are men and warriors. We will acknowledge no superiors upon 1 When speaking of themselves in of two Seneca villages who remained official transactions Five Nations only loyal to the English. As already stated, were recognized. The Tuscaroras had the great bulk of the Senecas were ac-no territorial rights or authority. tively aiding the French.