excerpt from the book..A few years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence ahostile Mohawk chief met in council a representative of the youngAmerican republics for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace. Therepresentative of young democracy was a soldier of France, the Marquisde Lafayette. Primitive America on the one hand, ancient Europe on theother! "Father," said the Indian, "we have heard thy voice and werejoice that thou hast visited thy children to give to them good andnecessary advice. Thou hast said that we have done wrong in opening ourears to wicked men, and closing our hearts to thy counsels. Father, itis all true; we have left the good path; we have wandered away from itand have been enveloped in a black cloud. We have now returned that thoumayest find in us good and faithful children. We rejoice to hear thyvoice among us. It seems that the Great Spirit has directed thyfootsteps to this council of friendship to smoke the calumet of peaceand fellowship with thy long-lost children."