Indians & Cultural Encounters
Read what Ostenaco said about peace between the British and the Cherokee.
The Cherokee had requested an ambassador be sent back with them after the treaty at Long Island was signed. Henry Timberlake, a junior officer in the British Army, volunteered. It is from the memoirs written by Timberlake about his journeys in Cherokee lands that we get much information about 18th century Cherokee culture .
Timberlake recorded a speech supposedly made by Ostenaco in talking to the Cherokees about the treaty:
The bloody tomahawk, so long lifted against our brethren the English, must now be buried deep, deep in the ground, never to be raised again; and whoever shall act contrary to any of these articles, must expect a punishment equal to his offence.
Should a strict observance of them be neglected a war must necessarily follow, and a second peace may not be so easily obtained. I therefore once more recommend to you, to take particular care of your behavior towards the English whom we must now look upon as ourselves, they have the French and Spaniards to fight, and we enough of our own color, without meddling with either nation.
I desire likewise, that the white warrior, who has ventured himself here with us, may be well used and respected by all, wherever he goes amongst us.
The Memoirs of Lieut. Henry Timberlake by Henry Timberlake (London, 1765)
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