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Letter written by Joseph Brant Monday,
April 10th, 1780 on the Delaware near
present day Hobart. Letter written as a
warning to Bostonians (alias Americans)

  Letter image Transcription
 


    That you Bostonians (alias Americans) may be certified
of my conduct towards all those whom I have captured in
these Parts know that I have taken off with me but a small
number — Many have I released — Neither were the weak &
helpless subjected to Death, for it is a Shame to destroy those
who are defenceless— This has been uniformly my conduct
during the War—I have always been for saving and
releasing — These being my Sentiments — You have —
exceedingly angered Me by threatening and distressing
those who may be considered as Prisoners-Ye are (or once were)
brave Men — I shall certainly destroy without distinction
thoes the like Conduct take Place in future —

Translated by Samuel     {                  Joseph Brant
Kirkland Missionary                          on the Delaware April 10th
                                                                         1780

Notes:

This letter was written by Joseph Brant in the Mohawk language. He wrote this the day he captured the Brown's near present day Hobart. He had set the men to making canoes for the trip downstream. Two days later one of his warriors would tomahawk and kill David Brown.

Source:
Translation of Joseph Brant's letter -
History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925,
edited by Nelson Greene
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1925
Volume II, Chapter 68, page 972

 

 

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