Chapter D: E L A W A R E S from the Forks (1)

_Onutpe_, } _Lawye quohwon_, alias _Nutimus_, } Chiefs. _Toweghkappy_. _Cornel. Spring_, and others.

C o n r a d W e i s e r, C o r n e l i u s S p r i n g, _Interpreters_. And a great Number of the Inhabitants of _Philadelphia_.

The Governor having commanded Silence, spoke as follows:

'_Friends and Brethren of the Six Nations_,

'Six Years ago a Number of your Chiefs obliged us with a Visit,
when they agreed on Behalf of your Nations, to the Release of
certain Lands on both Sides the River _Sasquehannah_, to the
Southward of the _Endless-Mountains_, and within the Limits and
Bounds of the King's Grant of this Province. In Consideration of
which, a certain Quantity of Goods was agreed on, and delivered
as a full Satisfaction for the said Lands, lying on the Eastern
Side of the said River: And for the Lands on the Western Side of
the said River, you desired the Payment should be deferr'd till
another Opportunity. These Goods, which are exactly the same in
Quantity, as those you received the last Time the Chiefs of your
Nations were here, have been ready a considerable Time, and kept
in Expectation of your coming for them: And now you are come
down, fully impowered by your respective Councils to receive
them, we are well pleased to deliver them; leaving it to you to
make a fair and equal Division of them amongst yourselves. We
are sorry for the Absence of our Brethren the _Senecas_, and
much more so, that it should be owing to their Distress at Home
by a Famine that rages in their Country:--A Famine so great,
that you tell us a Father has been obliged to sacrifice one Part
of his Family, even his own Children, for the Support and
Preservation of himself, and the other Part.--We heartily
commiserate their Condition, and do not doubt but you will do
them fair and ample Justice in the Disposal of their Part of the
Goods, in such Manner as they have instructed you. You shall now
hear the List of the Goods read to you.'

Here, by the Governor's Order, the List of the Goods was read over, _viz_.

500 _Pounds of Powder_.
600 _Pounds of Lead_.
45 _Guns_.
60 _Strowd-Matchcoats_.
100 _Blankets_.
100 _Duffil Matchcoats_.
200 _Yards Half-thick_.
100 _Shirts_.
40 _Hats_.
40 _Pair Shoes & Buckles_.
40 _Pair Stockings_.
100 _Hatchets_.
500 _Knives_.
100 _Hoes_.
60 _Kettles_.
100 _Tobacco-Tongs_.
100 _Scissars_.
500 _Awl-Blades_.
120 _Combs_.
2000 _Needles_.
1000 _Flints_.
24 _Looking-Glasses_.
2 _Pounds of Vermilion_.
100 _Tin-Pots_.
1000 _Tobacco-Pipes_.
200 _Pounds of Tobacco_.
24 _Dozen of Gartering_, and
25 _Gallons of Rum_.

Then the Governor told them that the Goods, of which the Particulars had been just read to them, were in the Meeting-House, and would be sent to whatever Place they would direct.

The Governor then proceeded:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'You have often heard of the Care that your great and good
Friend and Brother _William Penn_, took at all Times to
cultivate a perfect good Harmony with all the _Indians_: Of
these your Nations have ever been fully sensible; but more
especially a Number of your Chiefs, about ten Years ago, when on
the Arrival of a Son of your said great Friend _William Penn_,
large and valuable Presents were exchanged by us with you; a new
Road was made and clear'd; a new Fire kindled; and the Chain of
Friendship made stronger, so as to last while the Sun and Moon
endure.

'And now we cannot but congratulate ourselves, that your coming
should happen at a Time, when we are in daily Expectation of a
War being declared between the King of _England_, and the
_French_ King, well knowing that should such a War happen, it
must very sensibly affect you, considering your Situation in the
Neighbourhood of _Canada_. Your coming at this Juncture is
particularly fortunate, since it gives us an Opportunity of
mentioning several Things that may be necessary to be settled,
between People so strictly and closely united as we are.--An
Union not to be expressed by any Thing less, than the
affectionate Regards which Children of the same Parents bear for
each other, as conceiving ourselves to be one Flesh and one
People.

'The utmost Care therefore ought mutually to be taken by us on
both Sides, that the Road between us be kept perfectly clear and
open, and no Lets nor the least Obstruction be suffered to lie
in the Way; or if any should by Accident be found, that may
hinder our free Intercourse and Correspondence, it must
forthwith be removed.

_To inforce this, we lay down a String of Wampum._

'In the next Place, we, on our Part, shall inlarge our Fire that
burns between us. We shall provide more Fewel to increase it,
and make it burn brighter and clearer, and give a stronger and
more lasting Light and Warmth.

_In Evidence of our sincere Intentions, we lay down this Belt of Wampum_.

'In the last Place, considering the Obligations we are mutually
under by our several Treaties, "That we should hear with our
Ears for you, and you hear with your Ears for us." We shall at
Times very willingly give you the earliest and best
Intelligence, of any Designs that may be form'd to your
Disadvantage.--And if you discover any Preparations that can
hurt us, we desire you will immediately dispatch some suitable
Person in whom we can place a Confidence, to give us a proper
Information.'

_To inforce this Request, as well as to brighten the Chain, we lay down this other Belt of Wampum._

On the Governor's concluding the Speech, the solemn Cry by Way of Approbation was repeated by the _Indians_, as many Times as there were Nations present; and then _Canassateego_ rose up and spoke.

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We thank you for your kind Speech: What you have said is very
agreeable to us; and To-morrow when we have deliberated on the
several Matters recommended to us, we will give you our Answer.
We desire, as our Time will be wholly taken up in Council, you
will order the Goods to be carried back to the Proprietaries to
prevent their being lost, and that they may continue there till
we call for them.'

* * * * *

At a C o u n c i l held in the Meeting-House, _July_ 7, 1742.

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, } Esqrs;
_Samuel Preston_, }
_Samuel Hasell_, }
_Robert Strettell_, }

_C A N A S S A T E E G O_'s Speech on Behalf of the _Six Nations_.

'_B R E T H R E N, the Governor and Council, and all present_,

'According to our Promise we now propose to return you an Answer
to the several Things mentioned to us Yesterday, and shall beg
Leave to speak to publick Affairs first, tho' they were what you
spoke to last. On this Head you Yesterday put us in Mind, first,
"Of _William Penn_'s early and constant Care to cultivate
Friendship with all the _Indians_; of the Treaty we held with
one of his Sons, about ten Years ago; and of the Necessity there
is at this Time of keeping the Roads between us clear and free
from all Obstructions." We are all very sensible of the kind
Regard that good Man _William Penn_ had for all the _Indians_,
and cannot but be pleased to find that his Children have the
same. We well remember the Treaty you mention held with his Son
on his Arrival here, by which we confirmed our League of
Friendship, that is to last as long as the Sun and Moon endure:
In Consequence of this, we, on our Part, shall preserve the Road
free from all Incumbrances; in Confirmation whereof we lay down
this String of Wampum.

'You in the next Place said you would enlarge the Fire and make
it burn brighter, which we are pleased to hear you mention; and
assure you, we shall do the same, by adding to it more Fewel,
that it may still flame out more strongly than ever: In the last
Place, you were pleased to say that we are bound by the
strictest Leagues, to watch for each others Preservation; that
we should hear with our Ears for you, and you hear with your
Ears for us: This is equally agreeable to us; and we shall not
fail to give you early Intelligence, whenever any Thing of
Consequence comes to our Knowledge: And to encourage you to do
the same, and to nourish in your Hearts what you have spoke to
us with your Tongues, about the Renewal of our Amity and the
Brightening of the Chain of Friendship; we confirm what we have
said with another Belt of Wampum.'

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We received from the Proprietors Yesterday, some Goods in
Consideration of our Release of the Lands on the West-side of
_Sasquehannah_. It is true, we have the full Quantity according
to Agreement; but if the Proprietor had been here himself, we
think, in Regard of our Numbers and Poverty, he would have made
an Addition to them.--If the Goods were only to be divided
amongst the _Indians_ present, a single Person would have but a
small Portion; but if you consider what Numbers are left behind,
equally entitled with us to a Share, there will be extremely
little. We therefore desire, if you have the Keys of the
Proprietor's Chest, you will open it, and take out a little more
for us.

'We know our Lands are now become more valuable: The white
People think we do not know their Value; but we are sensible
that the Land is everlasting, and the few Goods we receive for
it are soon worn out and gone. For the future, we will sell no
Lands but when Brother _Onas_ is in the Country; and we will
know beforehand, the Quantity of the Goods we are to receive.
Besides, we are not well used with respect to the Lands still
unsold by us. Your People daily settle on these Lands, and spoil
our Hunting.--We must insist on your removing them, as you know
they have no Right to settle to the Northward of
_Kittochtinny-Hills_.--In particular, we renew our Complaints
against some People who are settled at _Juniata_, a Branch of
_Sasquahannah_, and all along the Banks of that River, as far as
_Mahaniay_; and desire they may be forthwith made to go off the
Land, for they do great Damage to our Cousins the _Delawares_.

'We have further to observe, with respect to the Lands lying on
the West-side of _Sasquahannah_, that though Brother _Onas_
(meaning the Proprietor) has paid us for what his People
possess, yet some Parts of that Country have been taken up by
Persons, whose Place of Residence is to the South of this
Province, from whom we have never received any Consideration.
This Affair was recommended to you by our Chiefs at our last
Treaty; and you then, at our earnest Desire, promised to write a
Letter to that Person who has the Authority over those People,
and to procure us his Answer: As we have never heard from you on
this Head, we want to know what you have done in it. If you have
not done any Thing, we now renew our Request, and desire you
will inform the Person whose People are seated on our Lands,
that that Country belongs to us, in Right of Conquest; we having
bought it with our Blood, and taken it from our Enemies in fair
War; and we expect, as Owners of that Land, to receive such a
Consideration for it as the Land is worth. We desire you will
press him to send a positive Answer: Let him say _Yes_ or _No_:
If he says Yes, we will treat with him; if No, we are able to do
ourselves Justice; and we will do it, by going to take Payment
ourselves.

'It is customary with us to make a Present of Skins, whenever we
renew our Treaties. We are ashamed to offer our Brethren so few,
but your Horses and Cows have eat the Grass our Deer used to
feed on. This has made them scarce, and will, we hope, plead in
Excuse for our not bringing a larger Quantity. If we could have
spared more, we would have given more; but we are really poor;
and desire you'll not consider the Quantity, but few as they
are, accept them in Testimony of our Regard.'

_Here they gave the Governor a Bundle of Skins_.

The Governor immediately replied.

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We thank you for the many Declarations of Respect you have
given us, in this solemn Renewal of our Treaties: We receive,
and shall keep your String and Belts of Wampum, as Pledges of
your Sincerity, and desire those we gave you may be carefully
preserved, as Testimonies of ours.

'In Answer to what you say about the Proprietaries.--They are
all absent, and have taken the Keys of their Chest with them; so
that we cannot, on their Behalf, enlarge the Quantity of Goods:
Were they here, they might perhaps, be more generous; but we
cannot be liberal for them.--The Government will, however, take
your Request into Consideration; and in Regard to your Poverty,
may perhaps make you a Present. I but just mention this now,
intending to refer this Part of your Speech to be answered at
our next Meeting.

'The Number of Guns, as well as every Thing else, answers
exactly with the Particulars specified in your Deed of
Conveyance, which is more than was agreed to be given you. It
was your own Sentiments, that the Lands on the West-side of
_Sasquahannah_, were not so valuable as those on the East; and
an Abatement was to be made, proportionable to the Difference in
Value: But the Proprietor overlooked this, and ordered the full
Quantity to be delivered, which you will look on as a Favour.

'It is very true, that Lands are of late become more valuable;
but what raises their Value? Is it not entirely owing to the
Industry and Labour used by the white People, in their
Cultivation and Improvement? Had not they come amongst you,
these Lands would have been of no Use to you, any further than
to maintain you. And is there not, now you have sold so much,
enough left for all the Purposes of Living?--What you say of the
Goods, that they are soon worn out, is applicable to every
Thing; but you know very well, that they cost a great deal of
Money; and the Value of Land is no more, than it is worth in
Money.

'On your former Complaints against People's settling the Lands
on _Juniata_, and from thence all along on the River
_Sasquahannah_ as far as _Mahaniahy_, some Magistrates were sent
expresly to remove them, and we thought no Persons would presume
to stay after that.'

Here they interrupted the Governor, and said:--

"These Persons who were sent did not do their Duty: So far from
removing the People, they made Surveys for themselves, and they
are in League with the Trespassers. We desire more effectual
Methods may be used, and honester Persons employed."

Which the Governor promised, and then proceeded:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'According to the Promise made at our last Treaty with you, Mr.
_Logan_, who was at that Time President, did write to the
Governor of _Maryland_, that he might make you Satisfaction for
such of your Lands as his People had taken up, but did not
receive one Word from him upon that Head. I will write to him
again, and endeavour to procure you a satisfactory Answer. We do
not doubt but he will do you Justice: But we exhort you to be
careful not to exercise any Acts of Violence towards his People,
as they likewise are our Brethren, and Subjects of the same
great King; and therefore Violence towards them, must be
productive of very evil Consequences.

'I shall conclude what I have to say at this Time, with
Acknowledgments for your Present; which is very agreeable to us,
from the Expressions of Regard used by you in presenting it:
Gifts of this Nature receiving their Value from the Affection of
the Giver, and not from the Quantity or Price of the Thing
given.'

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held at _Philadelphia, July_ 8, 1742.

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Clement Plumsted_, }
_Samuel Hasell_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, }
_Samuel Preston_, } Esqrs;
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Ralph Asheton_, }
_Robert Strettell_, }

The Board taking into Consideration, whether it be proper or not at this Time, to make a Present to the _Indians_ of the Six Nations now in Town, in Return for their Present to this Government at Yesterday's Treaty;

_Resolved_,

That it is highly fit and proper that a Present be made to the said _Indians_ at this Time.

And it is the Opinion of this Board, that the said Present should be of the Value of 500 _l._ or at least 300 _l._

And it is recommended to Mr. _Logan_, Mr. _Preston_, and Mr. _Lawrence_, to acquaint Mr. _Kinsey_, the Speaker of the Assembly, with the Opinion of this Board; and that they request him to confer with such other Members of Assembly as are in Town, and report their Sentiments thereupon.

The Board taking into Consideration the Threats expressed by the _Indians_, at the Treaty Yesterday, against the Inhabitants of _Maryland_, settled on certain Lands on the West-side of _Sasquahannah_, which the _Indians_ claim, and for which they require Satisfaction; and considering, that should those Threats, in any Sort be put in Execution, not only the Inhabitants of _Maryland_, but of this Government, and all his Majesty's Subjects on the Northern Continent of _America_, may thereby be involved in much Trouble: It is the Opinion of this Board, that the Governor write to the Governor of _Maryland_ without Delay, to inform him of the _Indians_ Complaints and Threats, and to request a satisfactory Answer; and that his Letter be sent by a special Messenger, at the publick Expence.

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held _July_ 9, 1742.

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, Esq;
_Clement Plumsted_, Esq;
_Samuel Hasell_, Esq;
_Robert Strettell_, Esq;
_Samuel Preston_, Esq;
_Ralph Asheton_, Esq;
_Thomas Lawrence_, Esq;
Mr. _Peters_.

The Governor informed the Board, that the _Indian_ Chiefs dining with him Yesterday, after Dinner delivered their Answer to two Affairs of Consequence:

The first related to the violent Battery committed on _William Webb_, in the Forks of _Delaware_, whereby his Jaw-bone was broke, and his Life greatly endangered, by an unknown _Indian_. _Canassatego_ repeating the Message delivered to the _Six Nations_ by _Shickcalamy_, in the Year 1740, with a String of Wampum, said in Answer: 'The _Six Nations_ had made diligent Enquiry into the Affair, and had found out the _Indian_ who had committed the Fact; he lived near _Asopus_, and had been examined and severely reprov'd: And they hoped, as _William Webb_ was recovered, the Governor would not expect any further Punishment; and therefore they returned the String of Wampum received from their Brethren, by the Hand of _Shickcalamy_, in Token that they had fully complied with their Request.'

I thank'd them, said he, for their Care; but reminded them, that though the Man did not die, yet he lay a long Time in extreme Misery, and would never recover the free Use of his Speech, and was rendered less able to get his Livelihood; and in such Cases the _English_ Laws obliged the Assailant to make good all Damages, besides paying for the Pain endured.--But as the _Indian_ was, in all Probability, poor and unable to make Satisfaction, I told them, that for their Sake I would forgive him; adding, had _Webb_ died, I make no Doubt but you would have put the _Indian_ to Death, just as we did two of our People who had killed an _Indian_; we caused them to be hung on a Gallows, in the Presence of many Hundreds of our People, to deter all others from doing the like. _Canassatego_ made me this Reply: 'The _Indians_ know no Punishment but Death; they have no such Thing as pecuniary Mulcts; if a Man be guilty of a Crime, he is either put to Death, or the Fault is overlook'd. We have often heard of your Hanging-up those two Persons; but as none of our _Indians_ saw the Men die, many believe they were not hanged, but transported to some other Colony: And it would be satisfactory to the _Indians_, if, for the future, some of them be sent for, to be Witnesses of such Executions.' I assured them, that whoever gave them that Information, abused them; for the Persons certainly suffered Death, and in the Presence of all the People.

_Canassatego_ then proceeded to give an Answer to what was said to them the 2d Instant, relating to _Le Tort_'s Letter: 'That they had, in Council, considered in what Manner the Matter recommended to them ought to be conducted; and they were of Opinion, that as the _Shawanese_, not the _Twightwys_ (for they knew so much of it, that the People were of the _Twightwy_ Nation in whose Bags the Scalps were found) had sent me a Present of Skins, I should in return, send them a Blanket or a Kettle, and with it a very sharp Message, that tho' they had done well in sweeping the Road from Blood, yet that was but a small Part of their Duty; they ought not to have suffered the _Twightwys_, after their Lye and the Discovery of the Scalps, to have left them, 'till they had given a full and true Account how they came by them, whose Scalps they were, and in what Place, and for what Reason the Men were kill'd; and when they had been fully satisfied of all these Particulars, then it was their Duty to have given Information to the Government where the white People lived, that the Murderers might be complained against, and punished by the Nation they belonged to: And as the _Shawanese_ had omitted to perform the Part of Brethren, that I should reprove them for it, and charge them to make Amends for their Neglect, by using all possible Expedition to come at the Knowledge of these Things, and to aid their Brethren the white People in obtaining Justice.'

The Minutes of the preceding Council being read, Mr. _Logan_, in pursuance of the Board's Direction of Yesterday, reported, on behalf of himself, and the other Gentlemen to whom it was recommended, that they had confer'd with Mr. _Kinsey_, and requested him to consult the other Members of the Assembly concerning the making a Present to the _Indians_; and that Mr. _Kinsey_ having collected the Sentiments of several Members of the Assembly in Town, whom he had confer'd with on that Subject, found them generally of Opinion, that a Present should at this Time be made; but that they had declined nominating any Sum: However, that Mr. _Kinsey_ had given it as his own Opinion, that the Governor and Council might go as far as _three hundred Pounds_.

And accordingly it is refer'd to Mr. _Logan_, Mr. _Preston_, and Mr. _Lawrence_, to consider of, and prepare a proper List of the Goods whereof the Present should be composed, to the Value of _three hundred Pounds_, as aforesaid; advising with the Interpreter as to the Quantity and Quality.

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held at the Proprietor's, the 9th of _July_, P. M.
1742.

P R E S E N T

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Samuel Preston_, } Esqrs;
_Robert Strettell_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, }

The C H I E F S of the _Six Nations_.
_S A S S O O N A N_, and the _Delawares_.
_N U T I M U S_, and the _Fork-Indians_.
_C O N R A D W E I S E R_, Interpreter.

The Governor spoke to the Chiefs of the _Six Nations_, as follows:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'The last Time the Chiefs of the _Six Nations_ were here, they
were informed, that your Cousins, a Branch of the _Delawares_,
gave this Province some Disturbance about the Lands the
Proprietor purchased from them, and for which their Ancestors
had received a valuable Consideration above _fifty-five_ Years
ago, as appears by a Deed now lying on the Table.--Sometime
after this, _Conrad Weiser_ delivered to your Brother _Thomas
Penn_ your Letter, wherein you request of him, and _James
Logan_, that they would not buy Land, &c.--This has been shewn
to them and interpreted; notwithstanding which they have
continued their former Disturbances, and have had the Insolence
to write Letters to some of the Magistrates of this Government,
wherein they have abused your good Brethren, our worthy
Proprietaries, and treated them with the utmost Rudeness and
Ill-Manners. Being loth, from our Regard to you, to punish them
as they deserve, I sent two Messengers to inform them that you
were expected here, and should be acquainted with their
Behaviour.--As you, on all Occasions, apply to us to remove all
white People that are settled on Lands before they are purchased
from you, and we do our Endeavours to turn such People off; we
now expect from you, that you will cause these _Indians_ to
remove from the Lands in the Forks of Delaware, and not give any
further Disturbance to the Persons who are now in Possession.'

_To inforce this we lay down a String of Wampum_.

Then were read the several Conveyances, the Paragraph of the Letter wrote by the Chiefs of the _Six Nations_ relating to the _Delawares_; the Letters of the _Fork-Indians_ to the Governor and Mr. _Langhorne_, and a Draught of the Land; these were then delivered to _Conrad Weiser_, who was desired to interpret them to the Chiefs, when they should take this Affair into their Consideration.

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held _July_ 10, 1742.

P R E S E N T

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Clement Plumsted_, }
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, } Esqrs;
_Samuel Preston_, }
_Samuel Hasell_, }
_Robert Strettell_, }

The Governor laid before the Board an Extract from the Treaty held here the 7th Instant with the _Indians_ of the _Six Nations_, so far as it related to the Inhabitants of _Maryland_; as also a Letter he had prepared for the Governor of _Maryland_ upon that Subject; both of which being approved, were ordered to be transcribed fair, in order to be dispatch'd the following Morning. The Letter was as follows:

Philadelphia, July 10, 1742.
S I R,

_The inclosed Extract of the Speech made by the Chiefs of the_ Six Nations, _before a very numerous Audience, in this Place, with my Answer to it, is of so great Importance to all his Majesty's Colonies in this Part of his Dominions, and to your Government in particular, that I have employ'd a special Messenger to deliver it you. I hope you will enable me to send them a satisfactory Answer. It would be impertinent in me to say more to one so well informed as you are of those Nations, and of their absolute Authority over all the_ Indians _bordering upon us, or of the Advantages of maintaining a strict Friendship with them at all Times, but more especially at this critical Juncture._

I am, Yours, &c.

An Account exhibited by _Conrad Weiser_ of his Expences upon the _Indians_, and _Indian_ Affairs, from _February_ last to _July_ 1, 1742, amounting to 36 _l._ 18 _s._ 3 _d._ was laid before the Board, and examin'd, and allow'd to be a just and very moderate Account.

And the Board taking into Consideration the many signal Services performed by the said _Conrad Weiser_ to this Government, his Diligence and Labour in the Service thereof, and his Skill in the _Indian_ Languages and Methods of Business, are of Opinion, that the said _Conrad_ should be allowed, as a Reward from the Province at this Time, the Sum of _Thirty Pounds_, at least, besides Payment of his said Account.

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held at the Great Meeting-House, _July_ 10. _P. M._
1742.

P R E S E N T

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, } Esqrs;
_Samuel Preston_, }
_Samuel Hasell_, }
_Robert Strettell_, }

_C A N A S S A T E G O_, }
_S H I C K C A L A M Y_, } And other _Indian_ Chiefs.
_C O N R A D W E I S E R_, Interpreter.

And a great Number of the Inhabitants of _Philadelphia_.

The Governor spoke to the _Indians_ as follows:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'This Meeting will be short: It is in order to make you a
Present from the Governor, the Council, the Assembly, and all
our People. _William Penn_ was known to you to be a good and
faithful Friend to all the _Indians_: He made a League of
Friendship with you, by which we became one People. This League
has often since been renew'd by friendly Treaties; and as you
have declared that the Friendship shall always last on your
Parts, so we would have you believe that it shall remain
inviolable on ours while the Sun and Moon endure.

'I gave you some Expectation of a Present, and we have it now
ready to deliver to you. This Present is made you by the
Governor, Council, Assembly, and all our People, in
Consideration of the great Miseries and Distresses which you our
good Friends have lately suffered. This will be some Relief to
you for the present, and it's to be hoped your own Industry will
soon retrieve your Circumstances.

'It has sometimes happened, and may happen again, that idle and
untrue Stories are carried to you concerning us your Brethren;
but our Desire is, and we expect it from you, that you will give
no Credit to them; for we are, and always will be, your steady
and sincere Friends.

'It is a Custom when we renew our Treaties with our good Friends
the _Indians_, to clear the Road, and make our Fire burn bright:
We have done so upon this Occasion; and, in Token of our
Sincerity, we deliver you, as a Present from the Governor, the
Council, the Assembly, and all the People of _Pensylvania_, the
following Goods, _viz_.

24 _Guns_.
600 _Pounds of Lead_.
600 _Pounds of Powder_.
25 _Strowdes_ }
90 _Duffil_ } _Match-Coats_.
30 _Blankets_.
62 _Yards of Half-Thicks_.
60 _Ruffled Shirts_.
25 _Hats_.
1000 _Flints_.
50 _Hoes_.
50 _Hatchets_.
5 _Pounds of Vermilion_.
10 _Dozen of Knives_.
8 _Dozen of Gimblets_.
2 _Dozen of Tobacco-Tongs_.
25 _Pair of Shoes_.
25 _Pair of Stockings_.
25 _Pair of Buckles_.

Whereupon the Chiefs, and all the _Indians_, returned their solemn Thanks; and _Canassatego_ said, 'They had no more to say as to publick Business at present; but they had somewhat under Deliberation, which, when they had duly considered, they would communicate.'

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held at the Proprietor's, _July_ 12, 1742.

P R E S E N T

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Robert Strettell_, } Esqrs;
_Clement Plumsted_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, }
Mr. _Richard Peters_.
_C A N A S S A T E G O_, } And sundry Chiefs of the _Six Nations_.
_S H I C K C A L A M Y_, }
_S A S S O O N A N_, and the _Delawares_.
_N U T T I M U S_, and the _Fork-Indians_.
_C O N R A D W E I S E R_, Interpreter.
_Pisquetoman_, }
_Cornelius Spring_, } Interpreters to the _Fork-Indians_.
_Nicholas Scull_, }

_C A N A S S A T E G O_ said:

'_B R E T H R E N, the Governor and Council_,

'The other Day you informed us of the Misbehaviour of our
Cousins the _Delawares_, with respect to their continuing to
claim, and refusing to remove from some Land on the River
_Delaware_, notwithstanding their Ancestors had sold it by a
Deed under their Hands and Seals to the Proprietaries, for a
valuable Consideration, upwards of _fifty_ Years ago; and
notwithstanding that, they themselves had also not many Years
ago, after a long and full Examination, ratified that Deed of
their Ancestors, and given a fresh one under their Hands and
Seals; and then you requested us to remove them, inforcing your
Request with a String of Wampum.--Afterwards we laid on the
Table our own Letters by _Conrad Weiser_; some of our Cousins
Letters, and the several Writings to prove the Charge against
our Cousins, with a Draught of the Land in Dispute.--We now tell
you, we have perused all these several Papers: We see with our
own Eyes, that they have been a very unruly People, and are
altogether in the Wrong in their Dealings with you.--We have
concluded to remove them, and oblige them to go over the River
_Delaware_, and quit all Claim to any Lands on this Side for the
future, since they have received Pay for them, and it is gone
thro' their Guts long ago.--To confirm to you that we will see
your Request executed, we lay down this String of Wampum in
return for yours.'

Then turning to the _Delawares_, holding a Belt of Wampum in his Hand, he spoke to them as follows:

'_C O U S I N S_,

'Let this Belt of Wampum serve to chastise you. You ought to be
taken by the Hair of the Head and shaked severely, till you
recover your Senses and become sober. You don't know what Ground
you stand on, nor what you are doing. Our Brother _Onas_'s Cause
is very just and plain, and his Intentions are to preserve
Friendship. On the other Hand, your Cause is bad; your Heart far
from being upright; and you are maliciously bent to break the
Chain of Friendship with our Brother _Onas_, and his People. We
have seen with our Eyes a Deed sign'd by nine of your Ancestors
above _fifty_ Years ago for this very Land, and a Release
sign'd, not many Years since, by some of yourselves and Chiefs
now living, to the Number of fifteen or upwards.--But how came
you to take upon you to sell Land at all? We conquered you; we
made Women of you; you know you are Women, and can no more sell
Land than Women; nor is it fit you should have the Power of
selling Lands, since you would abuse it. This Land that you
claim is gone thro' your Guts; you have been furnished with
Cloaths, Meat, and Drink, by the Goods paid you for it, and now
you want it again, like Children as you are.--But what makes you
sell Land in the Dark? Did you ever tell us that you had sold
this Land? Did we ever receive any Part, even the Value of a
Pipe-Shank, from you for it? You have told us a blind Story,
that you sent a Messenger to us to inform us of the Sale, but he
never came amongst us, nor we never heard any thing about
it.--This is acting in the Dark, and very different from the
Conduct our _Six_ Nations observe in the Sales of Land; on such
Occasions they give publick Notice, and invite all the _Indians_
of their united Nations, and give them all a Share of the
Present they receive for their Lands.--This is the Behaviour of
the wise united Nations.--But we find you are none of our Blood:
You act a dishonest Part, not only in this, but in other
Matters: Your Ears are ever open to slanderous Reports about our
Brethren; you receive them with as much Greediness as lewd Women
receive the Embraces of bad Men. And for all these Reasons we
charge you to remove instantly; we don't give you the Liberty to
think about it. You are Women. Take the Advice of a wise Man,
and remove immediately. You may return to the other Side of
_Delaware_ where you came from: But we do not know whether,
considering how you have demean'd yourselves, you will be
permitted to live there; or whether you have not swallowed that
Land down your Throats as well as the Land on this Side. We
therefore assign you two Places to go, either to _Wyomen_ or
_Shamokin_. You may go to either of these Places, and then we
shall have you more under our Eye, and shall see how you behave.
Don't deliberate; but remove away, and take this Belt of
Wampum.'

This being interpreted by _Conrad Weiser_ into _English_, and by _Cornelius Spring_ into the _Delaware_ Language, _Canassatego_ taking a String of Wampum, added further.

'After our just Reproof, and absolute Order to depart from the
Land, you are now to take Notice of what we have further to say
to you. This String of Wampum serves to forbid you, your
Children and Grand-Children, to the latest Posterity for ever,
meddling in Land-Affairs; neither you, nor any who shall descend
from you, are ever hereafter to presume to sell any Land: For
which purpose, you are to preserve this String, in Memory of
what your Uncles have this Day given you in Charge.--We have
some other Business to transact with our Brethren, and therefore
depart the Council, and consider what has been said to you.'

_Canassatego_ then spoke to the Governor and Council:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We called at our old Friend _James Logan_'s, in our Way to this
City, and to our Grief we found him hid in the Bushes, and
retired, thro' Infirmities, from publick Business. We press'd
him to leave his Retirement, and prevailed with him to assist
once more on our Account at your Councils. We hope,
notwithstanding his Age, and the Effects of a Fit of Sickness,
which we understand has hurt his Constitution, that he may yet
continue a long Time to assist this Province with his Counsels.
He is a wise Man, and a fast Friend to the _Indians_. And we
desire, when his Soul goes to G O D, you may chuse in his Room
just such another Person, of the same Prudence and Ability in
counselling, and of the same tender Disposition and Affection
for the _Indians_. In Testimony of our Gratitude for all his
Services, and because he was so good as to leave his
Country-House, and follow us to Town, and be at the Trouble, in
this his advanced Age, to attend the Council, we present him
with this Bundle of Skins.'

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'It is always our Way, at the Conclusion of a Treaty, to desire
you will use your Endeavours with the Traders, that they may
sell their Goods cheaper, and give us a better Price for our
Deer-Skins. Whenever any particular Sort of _Indian_ Goods is
scarce, they constantly make us pay the dearer on that Account.
We must now use the same Argument with them: Our Deer are killed
in such Quantities, and our Hunting-Countries grown less every
Day by the Settlement of white People, that Game is now
difficult to find, and we must go a great Way in quest of it;
they therefore ought to give us a better Price for our Skins;
and we desire you would speak to them to do so. We have been
stinted in the Article of Rum in Town. We desire you will open
the Rum-Bottle, and give it to us in greater Abundance on the
Road.'

_To inforce our Request, about the_ Indian _Traders_, _we present you
with this Bundle of Skins_.

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'When we first came to your Houses, we found them clean and in
Order; but we have staid so long as to dirty them; which is to
be imputed to our different Way of Living from the white People:
And therefore, as we cannot but have been disagreeable to you on
this Account, we present you with some Skins to make your Houses
clean, and put them into the same Condition they were in when we
came amongst you.'

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'The Business the _Five_ Nations transact with you is of great
Consequence, and requires a skilful and honest Person to go
between us; one in whom both you and we can place a
Confidence.--We esteem our present Interpreter to be such a
Person, equally faithful in the Interpretation of whatever is
said to him by either of us, equally allied to both; he is of
our Nation, and a Member of our Council, as well as of yours.
When we adopted him, we divided him into two equal Parts: One we
kept for ourselves, and one we left for you. He has had a great
deal of trouble with us, wore out his Shoes in our Messages, and
dirty'd his Clothes by being amongst us, so that he is become as
nasty as an _Indian_.

'In Return for these Services, we recommend him to your
Generosity; and on our own Behalf, we give him _Five Skins_ to
buy him Clothes and Shoes with.'

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We have still one more Favour to ask. Our Treaty, and all we
have to say about publick Business, is now over, and to-morrow
we design to leave you. We hope, as you have given us Plenty of
good Provision whilst in Town, that you will continue your
Goodness so far as to supply us with a little more to serve us
on the Road. And we likewise desire you will provide us with
Waggons, to carry our Goods to the Place where they are to be
conveyed by Water.'

To these several Points the Governor made the following Reply.

'_B R E T H R E N of the Six Nations_,

'The Judgment you have just now pass'd on your Cousins the
_Delawares_, confirms the high Opinion we have ever entertained
of the Justice of the _Six Nations_. This Part of your
Character, for which you are deservedly famed, made us wave
doing ourselves Justice, in order to give you another
Opportunity of convincing the World of your inviolable
Attachment to your Engagements. These unhappy People might have
always liv'd easy, having never receiv'd the least Injury from
us; but we believe some of our own People were bad enough to
impose on their Credulity, and engage them in these wrong
Measures, which we wish, for their Sakes, they had avoided.

'We hoped, from what we have constantly given in Charge to the
_Indian_ Traders, that they would have administred no just Cause
of Complaint: If they do you Wrong, it is against our
Inclinations, and contrary to our express Directions. As you
have exhibited no particular Charge against them, we shall use
our best Endeavours to persuade them to give you as much for
your Skins as they can possibly afford; and to take Care that
their Goods which they give in Exchange for Skins, be of the
best Sort. We will likewise order you some Rum to serve you on
your journey home, since you desire it.

'We wish there had been more Room and better Houses provided for
your Entertainment; but not expecting so many of you, we did the
best we could. 'Tis true, there are a great many Houses in
Town, but as they are the Property of other People, who have
their own Families to take care of, it is difficult to procure
Lodgings for a large Number of People, especially if they come
unexpectedly.

'We entertain the same Sentiments of the Abilities and Probity
of the Interpreter as you have express'd. We were induc'd at
first to make use of him in this important Trust, from his being
known to be agreeable to you, and one who had lived amongst you
for some Years, in good Credit and Esteem with all your Nations;
and have ever found him equally faithful to both. We are pleas'd
with the Notice you have taken of him, and think he richly
deserves it at your Hands. We shall not be wanting to make him a
suitable Gratification, for the many good and faithful Services
he hath done this Government.

'We have already given Orders for Waggons to carry your Goods,
and for a Supply of Provisions to serve you on the Road in your
Return home, where we heartily wish you may arrive in good
Health.'

After the Governor had concluded, Mr. _Logan_ return'd an Answer to that Part of _Canassatego_'s Speech which related to him, and said, 'That not only upon the Account of his Lameness, of which the _Indians_ themselves were Witnesses; but on Account of another Indisposition, which about three Years since had laid him under an Incapacity of expressing himself with his former usual Freedom, he had been obliged to live retired in the Country. But that our first Proprietor, the Honourable _William Penn_, who had ever been a Father and true Friend to all the _Indians_, having above forty Years since recommended them to his particular Care, he had always, from his own Inclination, as well as from that strict Charge, endeavoured to convince all the _Indians_, that he was their true Friend; and was now well pleased, that after a Tract of so many Years, they were not insensible of it. He thanked them kindly for their Present, and heartily joined with them in their Desires, that this Government may always be furnished with Persons of equally good Inclinations, and not only with such, but also with better Abilities to serve them.'

And then _Canassatego_ said, he had forgot to mention, that _Shickcalamy_ and _Caxhayn_ had been employ'd on several Messages to this Government, and desir'd they might be consider'd on that Account.

* * * * *

At a C O U N C I L held the 12th of _July_, P. M. 1742.

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, }
_Clement Plumsted_, }
_Samuel Hasell_, }
_Robert Strettell_, } Esqrs;
_Samuel Preston_, }
_Thomas Lawrence_, }
_Abraham Taylor_, }
Mr. _Richard Peters_.

The Board taking into Consideration the Regulation of the necessary Expences of the _Indians_ travelling down hither, and returning; and upon an Estimate made by _Conrad Weiser_, amounting to about _one hundred Pounds_, it appearing that the said Sum of 100 _l._ will be necessary to be advanced to _Conrad Weiser_ to defray those Expences, Mr. _Logan_, on the Proprietaries Behalf, proposes to advance 40 _l._ and the Treasurer declaring he had no publick Money in his Hands, and that if he had, he would not advance Money without the Assembly's Order; it is recommended to Mr. _Preston_ and Mr. _Lawrence_, to confer with Mr. _Kinsey_, and know whether he, as Speaker of the Assembly, and Trustee of the Loan-Office, will advance the other 60 _l._

And the _Indians_ having requested that they might have a small Quantity of Rum, to be added to their Provisions, to comfort them on the Road: The Board is of Opinion, that there be added to the said Estimate for twenty Gallons of Rum for the aforesaid Use. And in Return for their Present of Skins, at requesting that the _Indian_ Traders be enjoin'd to sell their Goods cheaper, the Board directs that two Strouds be presented. And that _five Pounds_ be given to _Caxhayn_ on the Account of the Province, for his Services; and to _Shickcalamy_ the like Sum.

_A just Copy, compared by_

_P A T R I C K B A I R D_, Secr.

A

=T R E A T Y=

Held at the Town of

_Lancaster_, in Pensylvania,

By the Honourable the

Lieutenant-Governor of the PROVINCE,

And the Honourable the

Commissioners for the PROVINCES

OF

Virginia _and_ Maryland,

with the

_I N D I A N S_

O F T H E

S I X N A T I O N S,

In _J U N E_, 1744.

A Treaty with the _I N D I A N S_ of the Six Nations.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e in the Town of _Lancaster_, on _Friday_
the Twenty-second of _June_, 1744,

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieut. Governor of the Province of _Pensylvania_, and Counties of _Newcastle, Kent_ and _Sussex_, on _Delaware_.

The Honourable _Thomas Lee_, Esq; } Commissioners
Colonel _William Beverly_, } of _Virginia_.

The Honourable _Edm. Jennings_, Esq; }
_Philip Thomas_, Esq; } Commissioners
Colonel _Robert King_, } of _Maryland_.
Colonel _Thomas Colville_, }

The Deputies of the _Onandagoes, Senecas, Cayogoes, Oneidas_ and _Tuscaroraes_.

_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.

The Governor and the Commissioners took some of the _Indian_ Chiefs by the Hand, and, after they had seated themselves, the Governor bid them welcome into the Government; and there being Wine and Punch prepared for them, the Governor and the several Commissioners drank Health to the _Six Nations_; and _Canassatego, Tachanoontia_, and some other Chiefs, returned the Compliments, drinking the Healths of _Onas_[1], _Assaragoa_[2], and the Governor of _Maryland_.

After they were all served with Wine, Punch, Pipes and Tobacco, the Governor told the _Indians_, that as it was customary, and indeed necessary, they should have some Time to rest after so long a Journey, and as he thought three Days would be no more than sufficient for that Purpose, he proposed to speak to them on _Monday_ next; after which, the honourable Commissioners would take their own Time to deliver what they had to say.

_C A N A S S A T E G O_ answered the Governor: We thank you for giving us Time to rest; we are come to you, and shall leave it intirely to you to appoint the Time when we shall meet you again. We likewise leave it to the Governor of _Maryland_, by whose Invitation we came here, to appoint a Time when he will please to mention the Reason of his inviting us. As to our Brother _Assaragoa_, we have at this present Time nothing to say to him; not but we have a great deal to say to _Assaragoa_, which must be said at one Time or another; but not being satisfied whether he or we should begin first, we shall leave it wholly to our Brother _Onas_ to adjust this between us, and to say which shall begin first.

[Footnote 1: _Onas_, the Governor of _Pensylvania_.]

[Footnote 2: _Assaragoa_, the Governor of _Virginia_.]

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 25, 1744. _A. M._

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Governor, &c. The Honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_. The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_. The Deputies of the _Six Nations_. _Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.

The Governor spoke as follows.

_Honourable Gentlemen, Commissioners for the Governments of_ Virginia _and_ Maryland, _and Brethren, Sachims, or Chiefs of the_ Indians _of the_ Six Nations.