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A Short Report on the Visit of the

Nanticokes and Shawnee in Bethlehem

On Thursday July 20th the Nanticokes and Shawnee sent a message to Bethlehem with a String of Wampum and the following words: "Brothers! I am close to Bethlehem and rejoice that I can visit. I come not to discuss affairs, but tosee you. Every one is looking forward to it, the Chiefs, young men, women, children and even children in their mothers’ wombs.

Meanwhile Brother Owen Rice, who just visited here, Brother Horsefield and Brother Burnside had casually met the whole company of Nanticokes and Shawnee by the Monacacy on the way from Gnadenhütten and refreshed them with some wine and water and a little bit of bread. Soon after that they came approaching over the mountain in a good order. The men had their weapons on their shoulders and an elderly Chief led them carrying a peace pipe, (a long tobacco pipe nicely decorated with ribbons, which among the Indians signifies much) and sang on the way there: "I am glad that I may visit the Brethren."

Right at the gates of Bethlehem Brother Joseph met them, shook the above-mentioned Chief’s hand, turned around after that and marched with whole company through Bethlehem. At the single Brethren’s house stood not only the Brethren but also boys from the little house and all were pleased to see them.

The music sounded in their trumpets. Men, women and every one else who was at hand came out in front of their doors to show their pleasure at the Indians’ arrival. So they moved into the tents of peace, for we built so many huts in the space of two to three hours, that they all could be properly lodged.

After that they were given something to eat, were visited in the course of the day in their huts and they rested a little again. (There was great heat, at the time of their journey.)

In the evening the Chiefs let us know that they had a speech for us, so we would have to determine a time and place, when and where they would be able to bring their speech forward.

On Friday July 21st there came together not only the Chiefs in our small hall, but also all the rest and after both sides exchanged friendly greetings, the Speaker stood up with a String of Wampum in his hand and said the following: "Brothers! I have come from Gnadenhütten to Bethlehem. I do not want to repeat what I have told you in Gnadenhütten, yet with this String of Wampum I want to clear your eyes, open your ears, dry your sweat, smooth out your throat and clean your insides, the way I have done in Gnadenhütten. At the same time I attest once again, that we are glad to see Bethlehem. It pleases us all, even the children in their mothers’ wombs.

After that he [the Speaker] handed over the String of Wampum, which Brother Joseph received and affirmed so much, that they were welcome, which they probably already have noticed themselves, that everyone was happy about their arrival.

The Speaker appeared for the second time with another String of Wampum and said: "Brothers! I have come from Wyoming to Gnadenhütten, from Gnadenhütten to Bethlehem and from Bethlehem to my quarters. I have cleared the whole path with great diligence, the rocks that scuffed one’s feet were removed from the way. I have wiped out sticks, chopped off the shrubs, raised the valleys and leveled the mountains, so that one can go without difficulty not only from Bethlehem to Gnadenhütten, but also from Bethlehem to Wyoming.

One can see without difficulty from Wyoming to Bethlehem and from Bethlehem to Wyoming, for there is nothing in the way anymore. I have swept everything clan for you in Bethlehem. One can go without difficulty from Bethlehem to our quarters and from our quarters to Bethlehem, and everything is smooth and level as here in this hall.