This article considers Haudenosaunee recitals of the history of the Covenant Chain as a powerful communicative mechanism to define and assert sovereign identity and rights in the context of intercultural diplomacy. It reflects initially on the metaphorical language used to structure these historical narratives and how it enabled the Haudenosaunee to articulate self-understandings of their sovereignty. Contending that the narrative’s main power stemmed from its application in specific diplomatic contexts, the article then examines three instances when the Haudenosaunee recounted the entire history of the Chain during mid-eighteenth century treaty councils with the British. It explores the reasons underpinning the narrative’s use on these occasions and its overall implications. Finally, the article discusses the adoption of the narrative by one British diplomat, Sir William Johnson, considering his motivations for using the Covenant Chain and its intended effects.

本文认为，《盟约》历史上的豪诺索索伊独奏会是一种在跨文化外交背景下界定和主张主权身份和权利的强有力的交流机制。它首先反映了用于构成这些历史叙事的隐喻语言，以及它如何使Haudenosaunee表达对主权的自我理解。文章主张叙事的主要力量源于其在特定外交语境中的运用，然后考察了豪德索纳（Haudenosaunee）在18世纪中叶与英国签订的条约委员会中重新叙述了《链条》的整个历史的三个实例。它探讨了在这些场合支持叙事使用的原因及其整体含义。最后，