The immigrants landed at a little
trading post called Beaverwick kept by one Tice Oesterhout, a pioneer
hunter, married to a Mohawk Squaw. In a few days a party of Indians,
probably Mohawks, waited on the newcomers and politely made inquiry as
to their object in entering upon Indian lands without notice or
permission; Tice Oesterhout and his wife acting as interpreters. Joris
replied that they came in peace and hoped to abide in peace on friendly
terms with the Indians. He was told that he and his people would be
welcome if they joined the universal peace union of the Iroquois, and
not otherwise. This proposition the settlers agreed to by acclamation.
In due course the General Council of the Five Nations accepted the
Colony as a member of the Iroquois Federation. Joris was recognized as
the Civil Chief of the little community, and, as he was a Walloon, his
people became the Walloon Nation of the Great Peace Alliance. The Great
Peace was the treaty forming the basis of the Iroquois Federation.
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