[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1872)] 2 The Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas * Manuscripts of Sir William Johnson^ preferred neutrality, with the exception iv, 131. 226 THE INDIAN TRIBES earth. We are men, and are determined to be no longer ruled over by you as women. We are warriors, and are determined to cut off all the English save those that make their escape from us in ships. So say no more to us on that head, lest we make women of you as you have done of us." V At Otseningo the embassadors were more successful, the Lenapes and their allies there being more immediately under the influence of the Oneidas. From thence they returned, on the 27th of December, bearing with them the message that the offending chiefs there had promised to " stop and repent," but as a condition thereto the English must return the captives which they had taken; that they " must see every one of them returned again " or it " would not be well;" for this they would wait -two months, and if the captives were then returned, they would " corttrive to make up the matter and settle affairs, and not till then;" meanwhile they promised that their young men who were on the war path should be called back."2 In February, 1756, Johnson again called the attention of his allies to the matter, and reminded them that unless they exerted themselves to " maintain their superiority," they would " not only lose that authority " which had been hitherto acknowledged, but would have the Lenapes their enemies.