THE COVENANT CHAIN

Continued from last week…

The Silver Covenant Chain, the emblem of the relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the Crown, contains many of the elements of the Kayanerekowa.

Even in its beginnings, it was linked to peace: at a conference between New York, Maryland, Virginia and representatives of four of the five nations of the Confederacy in 1677, Garakondie stated on behalf of the Haudenosaunee (after acknowledging “that we have killed of ye Christians & Indians formerly”, that we… so thank the gentlemen there that they do exhort us to peace, for we are so minded…we desire now that all that is past may be buried in oblivion, and so make now an absolute covenant of peace which we shall bind with a chain. For ye sealing of ye same do give a belt of 13 deep.

(Public Record Office, Kew, England, CO1/40, See also NYCD 13:510)

It is designed for expansion. Just as the Great White Roots of the Tree of Peace are to spread to the four directions, links can be added to the Covenant Chain as more nations join their arms into the compact. On June 4, 1691, in council with New York at Albany, the Haudenosaunee urged the Governor of New York, as the prime British participant in maintaining the Covenant Chain, to strengthen the participation of the other British colonies. They did so in words that link the Covenant Chain, to strengthen the participation of the other British colonies. They did so in words that link the Covenant Chain, the chiefs linking of arms in a circle around the Tree of Peace, and the Tree itself.

Brother Corlaer:

We have not much to give or say but return our hearty thanks for the good you do us, as we have always been in the Covenant Chain, but of late New England, Virginia, Maryland and adjacent Colonies did not put in their arms into the chain; pray animate them to make us strong, and assist us according to the covenant made between us, and endeavor to bite the chain in pieces with his teeth, yet we will keep it firm both in peace and war and do renew the Old Covenant, that so the Tree of Welfare may Flourish and that his roots may spread through all the Country. (NYCD London Docs III p. 779 June4, 1691)

The connection between the Tree of Peace and the Covenant Chain is clear and firm. At a council with Sir William Johnson on June 23, 1755, it was hoped that the Tree would be nourished by refreshing streams, that it may grow up as high as the Heaven and be proof against every envious wind; that its branches may be large & numerous enough to afford sufficient shelter for us & all our Brethren to come & consult under it; and that our Children’s Children may bless the hand that planted it.

(National Archives of Canada, RG10, Vol. 1822,pp.22-29)

In July, 1684 not many years after the creation of the Silver Covenant Chain, a Seneca speaker told the colonial governors: Let the Chain be Kept Clean and bright as Silver that the great tree that is cannot break if piece of it should fall upon it.

(The Livingston Indian Records, 1666-1723, Lawrence Leder, Ed., Gettysburg, Pa. 1956, pp. 80-81)

There is no difference between this and the provision of the Kayanerekowa: You, the Five Nations Confederate Lords, be firm so that if a tree falls upon your joined arms it shall no separate you or weaken your hold. So shall the strength of the union be preserved. (Gawasowane (Parker), Chiefs, 46)

Continued next week.