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As you have said so it is, the Brethren from Bethlehem and the Brethren from Gnadenhütten are one. This will hold true as long as God lets the world go on. The Indian White took the Belt in his hand, and repeated the whole speech in the Nanticoke language and the Indians approved everything heartily with a loud sound at the end of each proposition. Then Brother Joseph stood up for the third time with a second Belt in his hand, which the Indians had given, and repeated the whole discourse that accompanied it. Afterwards he hung it over his arm and took that Belt, which would serve as an answer. He said: "Brothers! You, Chiefs of the Nanticokes and Shawnees, who are one. We the united Brethren of Bethlehem and Gnadenhütten want to preserve the chain steadfastly, not even one link shall be broken or eaten by rust. In addition, God (from whom all good comes) will give us his grace, that it should continue so for us and our children, as long as the world remains." At the end of the speech he handed over the Belt. The speech was repeated in Indian and concluded with a joyful outcry at every proposition. Brother Joseph stood up for the fourth time afterwards with a String of Wampum in his hand, which was presented by the Indians at their fourth word [i.e. speech]. At first he recited what they had said as they gave the Belt, then hung it over his arm. After that he took another String of Wampum in the name of the Brethren of Bethlehem and Gnadenhütten and said: "You, Chiefs of the Nanticokes and Shawnees, what you have said is agreeable with our hearts. It is a joy for us to serve our fellow men. Even if our enemies need our help, we will not refuse. If we can help our dear Brethren the Nanticokes and Shawnees we will do it with pleasure. Our children are of the same opinion." At that he handed over the String of Wampum. His speech was repeated in the Indian language and all the Indians attested their satisfaction with a loud sound. Brother Joseph stood up then for the fifth time, and had the String of Wampum in his hand, with which the Indians confirmed their fifth speech. He recited their speech and hung the String over his arm. Then he took another String of Wampum in confirmation of his answer and said: "Brothers! You the Chiefs of the Nanticokes and Shawnee, we thank you for wanting to tell us so much. We understood all your words and did not let any of them fall on the ground. It is very good that you want to visit us in Bethlehem in three months from now. When Brothers visit each other often some of the suspicion is averted. It also serves as a renewal of love. We are pleased that you have let it be known to the 6 Nations what we told you in the spring, namely that we very much want to make our God and Master known among you. It is good that everything is sent on the day. The 6 Nations have been our brothers for ten years now. We have also visited them couple of times in Onondago and there are two of us present here who were there (Tgergitonty1 and Ganouserachery2).

In the end, Brother Joseph in the name of the Brethren, gave them a prepared deerskin. They had to mend their children’s shoes, which probably were torn on the way here. They also told them that they had 60 bushels of flour and 80lb of tobacco as a present for them, which they could share among each other. They accepted the gifts with great acclamation. After that their food was placed at their feet. The Chiefs ordered some servants from their people to distribute the food. At first five kettles were set down for our people and one basket with meat and bread. But they [Indians] shared 12 small kettles among each other, along with a big basket of meat and 2 baskets of bread. Everything went extremely nicely and orderly with almost unbelievable quietude. At the Treaty there was an indescribable attentiveness. After the meal the Chief said: "We are very pleased and grateful and will rest very well tonight."

Before they dispersed, the Speaker stood up and held a speech for his people with following meaning: that they view all our Gnadenhütten and Bethlehem Brethren as their Brothersand had to help them whenever they could. The Shawnee Chief did the same with his people and so everyone went to their huts very pleased.

On Wednesday July 19th, Brother Joseph and his entourage traveled to Bethlehem. And the Nanticokes and Shawnee resolved to do the same.

1 Spangenberg received this name during a trip to Onondaga in 1745. It means a row of trees, and was the name of an old chief belonging to the Bear clan. Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pa. Box 331, folder 6, item 3.
2 Martin Mack’s name as given in April 1748 on a trip to the Five Nations, meaning the first in a company (of warriors). It is a name in the Turtle clan. Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pa. Box 331, folder 6, item 3.