CHAPTER V.

Meeting of the second Continental Congress--Measures of defence--Declaration--National fast--Organization of an Indian department--Address to the Six Nations--Council called at Albany--Preliminary consultation at German Flats--Speeches of the Oneidas and others--Adjourn to Albany--Brief interview with the commissioners--Conference and interchange of speeches with the Albanians--Proceedings of the grand council--Speeches of the commissioners--Replies of the Indians--Conclusion of the grand council--Resumption of the conference with the Albanians--Speech of the Albany Committee--Reply of the Indians--Disclosures of Guy Johnson's proceedings at Oswego--Close of the proceedings--Epidemic among the Indians--Small benefit resulting from the council--Proceedings in Tryon County resumed--Doubtful position of New-York--Symptoms of disaffection to the cause of the people--Sir John Johnson--Sheriff White deposed by the people--The royal authorities superseded by appointments from the people--Affray at Johnstown--First gun fired at Sampson Sammons--White recommissioned by Tryon--His flight--Labors of the Committee--Opposition of the Tories--Designs of Sir John Johnson and Sir Guy Carleton--Letter and deputation to Sir John--Prisoners for political offences sent to gaol--Letter from Provincial Congress--Mohawks commence fighting at St. Johns--Speech of the Canajoharies in explanation--Indians apply for release of prisoners--Review of the progress of the Revolution in other parts of the Colonies--Proceedings of Parliament--Burning of Falmouth--Descent upon Canada--Ethan Allen taken--Arnold's expedition--Siege of Quebec--Fall of Montgomery--Caughnawaga and Delaware Indians. 91