[Robert Hunter was concerned that the Five Nations peoples could easily be manipulated by the French who planned to make settlements on the Mississippi River. The listening experience is part of his detailed account of the Indians’ social and political customs.] 

Governor Hunter to [? the Earl of Dartmouth]. [...] I think it my duty at this time to acquaint your Lordship that some new measure lately resolv'd upon in France for planting and establishing Colonies on the river Messasipe [sic] all along the backs of our settlements has given great umbrage and apprehensions in these parts least in time these settlements may deprive us of the trade and dependance [sic] of the Natives […] I humbly conceive you have been kept in the dark, to say no worse of it, as to the nature of the Government of the five Indian nations […] When at their own or my desire I have at any time met them the whole body hears what I have to propose, after which they retire and consult together […] Their wars are begun and carried on in this manner, one of them who has got the design in his head makes a feast and invites his canton to it and in the assembly he dances explaining in a song his intentions and reasons, such as approve of it dance one after another and all that eat at his feast are looked upon as listed for yt. [that] expedition[.]