Chapter D: E L A W A R E S from the Forks (2)

At a Treaty, held by me two Years ago, in Behalf of the Government of _Pensylvania_, with a Number of the Chiefs of the _Indians_ of the _Six Nations_, I was desired by them to write to the Governor of _Maryland_ concerning some Lands in the back Parts of that Province, which they claim a Right to from their Conquests over the ancient Possessors, and which have been settled by some of the Inhabitants of that Government, without their Consent, or any Purchase made from them. It was at that time understood that the Claim was upon _Maryland_ only; but it has since appeared, by some Letters formerly wrote by Mr. President _Logan_ to the late Governor of _Maryland_, that it related likewise to some Lands in the back Parts of _Virginia_. The Governors of those Colonies soon manifested a truly equitable Disposition to come to any reasonable Terms with the _Six Nations_ on account of those Lands, and desired, that for that End a Time and Place might be fixed for a Treaty with them; but before this could be effected, an unfortunate Skirmish happened in the back Parts of _Virginia_, between some of the Militia there, and a Party of the _Indian_ Warriors of the _Six Nations_, with some Loss on both Sides. Who were the Aggressors is not at this time to be discussed, both Parties having agreed to bury that Affair in Oblivion, and the Government of _Virginia_ having, in Token of the Continuance of their Friendship, presented the _Six Nations_, through my Hands, with Goods to the Value of One Hundred Pounds Sterling. To prevent further Hostilities, and to heal this Breach, I had, before the Present was given, made a Tender of my good Office; which both Parties accepted, and consented, on my Instances, to lay down their Arms: Since which the Faith pledged to me has been mutually preserved, and a Time and Place has been agreed upon, through my Intervention, for accommodating all Differences, and for settling a firm Peace, Union and Friendship, as well between the Government of _Virginia_ as that of _Maryland_, and the _Indians_ of the _Six Nations_[3]. The honourable the Commissioners for these two Governments, and the Deputies of the _Six Nations_, are now met at the Place appointed for the Treaty. It only remains therefore for me to say, that if my further good Offices shall be thought useful for the Accomplishment of this Work, you may rely most assuredly upon them.

But I hope, honourable Gentlemen Commissioners, it will not be taken amiss if I go a little further, and briefly represent to you, how especially necessary it is at this Juncture, for his Majesty's Service, and the Good of all his Colonies in this Part of his Dominions, that Peace and Friendship be established between your Governments and the _Indians_ of the _Six Nations_.

These _Indians_, by their Situation, are a Frontier to some of them; and, from thence, if Friends, are capable of defending their Settlements; if Enemies, of making cruel Ravages upon them; if Neuters, they may deny the _French_ a Passage through their Country, and give us timely Notice of their Designs. These are but some of the Motives for cultivating a Good Understanding with them; but from hence the Disadvantages of a Rupture are abundantly evident. Every Advantage you gain over them in War will be a weakening of the Barrier of those Colonies, and consequently be, in effect, Victories over yourselves and your Fellow Subjects. Some Allowances for their Prejudices and Passions, and a Present now and then for the Relief of their Necessities, which have, in some Measure, been brought upon them by their Intercourse with us, and by our yearly extending our Settlements, will probably tie them more closely to the _British_ Interest. This has been the Method of _New-York_ and _Pensylvania_, and will not put you to so much Expence in twenty Years, as the carrying on a War against them will do in one. The _French_ very well know the Importance of these Nations to us, and will not fail by Presents, and their other usual Arts, to take Advantage of any Misunderstanding we may have with them[4]. But I will detain you, Gentlemen, no longer. Your own superior Knowledge will suggest to you more than I can say on this Subject.

_Friends and Brethren, Sachems, or Chiefs of the_ Indians _of the_ Six Nations:

These, your Brethren of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, are come to enlarge the Fire, which was almost gone out, and to make it burn clearer; to brighten the Chain which had contracted some Rust, and to renew their Friendship with you; which it is their Desire may last so long as the Sun, the Moon and the Stars, shall give Light. Their Powers are derived from the _Great King_ of England, your Father; and whatever Conclusions they shall come to with you, will be as firm and binding as if the Governors of these Provinces were themselves here. I am your Brother, and, which is more, I am your true Friend. As you know, from Experience, that I am so, I will now give you a few Words of Advice. Receive these your Brethren with open Arms; unite yourselves to them in the Covenant Chain, and be you with them as one Body, and one Soul. I make no doubt but the Governor of _Canada_ has been taking Pains to widen the Breach between these your Brethren of _Virginia_ and you; but as you cannot have forgot the Hatred the _French_ have always borne to your Nations, and how kindly, on the contrary, you have been treated, how faithfully you have been protected by the _Great King_ of England and his Subjects, you will not be at a Loss to see into the Designs of that Governor. He wants to divide you from us, in order the more easily to destroy you, which he will most certainly do, if you suffer yourselves to be deluded by him.

As to what relates to the Friendship established between the Government of _Pensylvania_ and your Nations, I will take another Day to speak to you upon it.

_To enforce what had been said, the_ Governor _laid down a Belt
of Wampum_; _upon which the_ Indians _gave the_ Yo-hah[5].

After a short Pause, the Governor ordered the Interpreter to tell the _Indians_, that as they had greatly exceeded their appointed Time for meeting the Commissioners, he recommended to them to use all the Expedition possible in giving their Answer to what had been said, that they might forthwith proceed to treat with the respective Commissioners on the Business they came about.

Then _Canassatego_ repeated to the Interpreter the Substance of what the Governor had spoke, in order to know if he had understood him right (a Method generally made use of by the _Indians_) and when the Interpreter told him he had taken the true Sense, _Canassatego_ proceeded to return the Thanks of the _Six Nations_ for the Governor's kind Advice, promising to follow it as far as lay in their Power; but as it was their Custom when a Belt was given to return another, they would take Time till the Afternoon to provide one, and would then give their Answer.

[Footnote 3: This was allowed, at a Conference had by the Governor with the Commissioners, to be a just State of the Transactions preceding the Treaty.]

[Footnote 4: The two preceding Paragraphs were allowed by the Commissioners of _Virginia_, whilst they were at _Philadelphia_, to be very proper to be spoken by the Governor of _Pensylvania_ at the Opening of the Treaty; but taking up an Opinion, from what passed at the first friendly Interview with the _Indians_, that they would not make any Claim upon Lands within the Government of _Virginia_, the Governor consented to decline speaking them in the Presence of the _Indians_.]

[Footnote 5: The _Yo-hah_ denotes Approbation, being a loud Shout or Cry, consisting of a few Notes pronounced by all the _Indians_ in a very musical Manner, in the Nature of our Huzza's.]

* * * * *

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

Canassatego's _Answer to the Governor's Speech delivered in the Morning_.

_Brother_ Onas,

You spoke in the Presence of _Assaragoa_ and the Governor of _Maryland_ to us, advising us to receive them as our Brethren, and to unite with them in the Covenant Chain as one Body, and one Soul. We have always considered them as our Brethren, and, as such, shall be willing to brighten the Chain of Friendship with them; but since there are some Disputes between us respecting the Lands possessed by them, which formerly belonged to us, we, according to our Custom, propose to have those Differences first adjusted, and then we shall proceed to confirm the Friendship subsisting between us, which will meet with no Obstruction after these Matters are settled.

_Here they presented the_ Governor _with a Belt of Wampum, in
return for the Belt given them in the Morning by the_ Governor;
_and the Interpreter was ordered to return the_ Yo-hah.

_Then the_ Governor, _in Reply, spoke as follows_:

I receive your Belt with great Kindness and Affection; and as to what relates to the Governments of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, the honourable Commissioners, now present, are ready to treat with you. I shall only add, that the Goods for the Hundred Pounds Sterling, put into my Hands by the Governor of _Virginia_, as a Token of his good Dispositions to preserve Friendship with you, are now in Town, and ready to be delivered, in consequence of what was told you by _Conrad Weiser_ when he was last at Onandago.

Then the Governor, turning to the Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, said, Gentlemen, I have now finished what was incumbent upon me to say by way of Introduction to the _Indians_; and as you have a full Authority from your respective Governments to treat with them, I shall leave the rest intirely to you, and either stay or withdraw, as you shall think most for your Service.

The Commissioners said, They were all of Opinion, it would be for their Advantage that the Governor should stay with them; and therefore they unanimously desired he would favour them with the Continuance of his Presence whilst they should be in Treaty with the _Indians_: Which his Honour said he would at their Instance very readily do, believing it might expedite their Business, and prevent any Jealousy the _Indians_ might conceive at his withdrawing.

_The Commissioners of_ Maryland _ordered the Interpreter to acquaint the_ Indians _that the Government of_ Maryland _was going to speak to them, and then spoke as follows_:

_Friends and Brethren of the united_ Six Nations,

We, who are deputed from the Government of _Maryland_ by a Commission under the Great Seal of that Province, now in our Hands (and which will be interpreted to you) bid you welcome; and in Token that we are very glad to see you here as Brethren, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Upon which the_ Indians _gave the_ Yo-hah.

When the Governor of _Maryland_ received the first Notice, about seven Years ago, of your Claim to some Lands in that Province, he thought our good Friends and Brethren of the _Six Nations_ had little Reason to complain of any Injury from _Maryland_, and that they would be so well convinced thereof, on farther Deliberation, as he should hear no more of it; but you spoke of that Matter again to the Governor of _Pensylvania_, about two Years since, as if you designed to terrify us.

It was very inconsiderately said by you, that you would do yourselves Justice, by going to take Payment yourselves: Such an Attempt would have intirely dissolved the Chain of Friendship subsisting, not only between us, but perhaps the other _English_ and you.

We assure you, our People, who are numerous, courageous, and have Arms ready in their Hands, will not suffer themselves to be hurt in their Lives and Estates.

But, however, the old and wise People of _Maryland_ immediately met in Council, and upon considering very cooly your rash Expressions, agreed to invite their Brethren, the _Six Nations_, to this Place, that they might learn of them what Right they have to the Land in _Maryland_, and, if they had any, to make them some reasonable Compensation for it; therefore the Governor of _Maryland_ has sent us to meet and treat with you about this Affair, and the brightening and strengthening the Chain which hath long subsisted between us. And as an Earnest of our Sincerity and Good-will towards you, we present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_On which the_ Indians _gave the_ Yo-hah.

Our _Great King of_ England, and his Subjects, have always possessed the Province of _Maryland_ free and undisturbed from any Claim of the _Six Nations_ for above one hundred Years past, and your not saying any thing to us before, convinces us you thought you had no Pretence to any Lands in _Maryland_; nor can we yet find out to what Lands, or under what Title you make your Claim: For the _Sasquahannah Indians_, by a Treaty above ninety Years since (which is on the Table, and will be interpreted to you) give, and yield to the _English_ Nation, their Heirs and Assigns for ever, the greatest Part (if not all) of the Lands we possess, from _Patuxent_ River, on the Western, as well as from _Choptank_ River, on the Eastern Side of the Great Bay of _Chessapeak_. And, near Sixty Years ago, you acknowledged to the Governor of _New-York_ at _Albany_, "That you had given your Lands, and submitted yourselves to the King of _England_."

We are that Great King's Subjects, and we possess and enjoy the Province of _Maryland_ by Virtue of his Right and Sovereignty thereto; why, then, will you stir up any Quarrel between you and ourselves, who are as one Man, under the Protection of that Great King?

We need not put you in mind of the Treaty (which we suppose you have had from your Fathers) made with the Province of _Maryland_ near Seventy Years ago, and renewed and confirmed twice since that time.

By these Treaties we became Brethren; we have always lived as such, and hope always to continue so.

We have this further to say, that altho' we are not satisfied of the Justice of your Claim to any Lands in _Maryland_, yet we are desirous of shewing our Brotherly Kindness and Affection, and to prevent (by any reasonable Way) every Misunderstanding between the Province of _Maryland_ and you our Brethren of the _Six Nations_.

For this Purpose we have brought hither a Quantity of Goods for our Brethren the _Six Nations_, and which will be delivered you as soon as we shall have received your Answer, and made so bright and large a Fire as may burn pure and clear whilst the Sun and Moon shall shine.

We have now freely and openly laid our Bosoms bare to you; and that you may be the better confirmed of the Truth of our Hearts, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the_ Yo-hah.

_After a little Time_ Canassatego _spoke as follows:_

_Brother, the Governor_ of Maryland,

We have heard what you have said to us; and, as you have gone back to old Times, we cannot give you an Answer now, but shall take what you have said into Consideration, and, return you our Answer some Time to Morrow. He then sat down, and after some Time he spoke again.

_Brother, the Governor of_ Maryland,

If you have made any Enquiry into _Indian_ Affairs, you will know, that we have always had our Guns, Hatchets and Kettles mended when we came to see our Brethren. Brother _Onas_, and the Governor of _York_ always do this for us; and we give you this early Notice, that we may not thereby be delayed, being desirous, as well as you, to give all possible Dispatch to the Business to be transacted between us.

The Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_ said, since it was customary, they would give Orders to have every Thing belonging to them mended that should want it.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 26, 1744, _P. 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.

_C A N A S S A T E G O spoke as follows:_

_Brother, the Governor of_ Maryland,

When you invited us to kindle a Council Fire with you, _Conedogwainet_ was the Place agreed upon; but afterwards you, by Brother _Onas_, upon second Thoughts, considering that it would be difficult to get Provisions and other Accommodations where there were but few Houses or Inhabitants, desired we would meet our Brethren at _Lancaster_, and at his Instances we very readily agreed to meet you here, and are glad of the Change; for we have found Plenty of every thing; and as Yesterday you bid us welcome, and told us you were glad to see us, we likewise assure you we are as glad to see you; and, in Token of our Satisfaction, we present you with this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony._

_Brother, the Governor of_ Maryland,

You tell us, that when about Seven Years ago you heard, by our Brother _Onas_, of our Claim to some Lands in your Province, you took no Notice of it, believing, as you say, that when we should come to reconsider that Matter, we should find that we had no Right to make any Complaint of the Governor of _Maryland_, and would drop our Demand. And that when about two Years ago we mentioned it again to our Brother _Onas_, you say we did it in such Terms as looked like a Design to terrify you; and you tell us further, that we must be beside ourselves, in using such a rash Expression as to tell you, We know how to do ourselves Justice if you still refuse. It is true we did say so, but without any ill Design; for we must inform you, that when we first desired our Brother _Onas_ to use his Influence with you to procure us Satisfaction for our Lands, We, at the same time, desired him, in case you should disregard our Demand, to write to the Great King beyond the Seas, who would own us for his Children as well as you, to compel you to do us Justice: And, two years ago, when we found that you had paid no Regard to our just Demand, nor that Brother _Onas_ had convey'd our Complaint to the Great King over the Seas, we were resolved to use such Expressions as would make the greatest Impressions on your Minds, and we find it had its Effect; for you tell us, "That your wise Men held a Council together, and agreed to invite us, and to enquire of our Right to any of your Lands, and if it should be found that we had a Right, we were to have a Compensation made for them: And likewise you tell us, that our Brother, the Governor of _Maryland_, by the advice of these wise Men, has sent you to brighten the Chain, and to assure us of his Willingness to remove whatever impedes a good Understanding between us." This shews that your wise Men understood our Expressions in their true Sense. We had no Design to terrify you, but to put you on doing us the Justice you had so long delayed. Your wise Men have done well; and as there is no Obstacle to a good Understanding between us, except this Affair of our Land, we, on our Parts, do give you the strongest Assurances of our good Disposition towards you, and that we are as desirous as you to brighten the Chain, and to put away all Hindrances to a perfect good Understanding; and, in Token of our Sincerity, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received, and the Interpreter ordered to give the_
Yo-hah.

_Brother, the Governor of_ Maryland,

When you mentioned the Affair of the Land Yesterday, you went back to old Times, and told us, you had been in Possession of the Province of _Maryland_ above One Hundred Years; but what is One Hundred Years in Comparison of the Length of Time since our Claim began? since we came out of this Ground? For we must tell you, that long before One Hundred Years our Ancestors came out of this very Ground, and their Children have remained here ever since. You came out of the Ground in a Country that lies beyond the Seas, there you may have a just Claim, but here you must allow us to be your elder Brethren, and the Lands to belong to us long before you knew any thing of them. It is true, that above One Hundred Years ago the _Dutch_ came here in a Ship, and brought with them several Goods; such as Awls, Knives, Hatchets, Guns, and many other Particulars, which they gave us; and when they had taught us how to use their Things, and we saw what sort of People they were, we were so well pleased with them, that we tied their Ship to the Bushes on the Shore; and afterwards, liking them still better the longer they staid with us, and thinking the Bushes too slender, we removed the Rope, and tied it to the Trees; and as the Trees were liable to be blown down by high Winds, or to decay of themselves, we, from the Affection we bore them, again removed the Rope, and tied it to a strong and big Rock [_here the Interpreter said, They mean the_ Oneido _Country_] and not content with this, for its further Security we removed the Rope to the big Mountain [_here the Interpreter says they mean the_ Onandago _Country_] and there we tied it very fast, and roll'd Wampum about it; and, to make it still more secure, we stood upon the Wampum, and sat down upon it, to defend it, and to prevent any Hurt coming to it, and did our best Endeavours that it might remain uninjured for ever. During all this Time the New-comers, the _Dutch_, acknowledged our Right to the Lands, and sollicited us, from Time to Time, to grant them Parts of our Country, and to enter into League and Covenant with us, and to become one people with us.

After this the _English_ came into the Country, and, as we were told, became one People with the _Dutch_. About two Years after the Arrival of the _English_, an _English_ Governor came to _Albany_, and finding what great Friendship subsisted between us and the _Dutch_, he approved it mightily, and desired to make as strong a League, and to be upon as good Terms with us as the _Dutch_ were, with whom he was united, and to become one People with us: And by his further Care in looking into what had passed between us, he found that the Rope which tied the Ship to the great Mountain was only fastened with Wampum, which was liable to break and rot, and to perish in a Course of Years; he therefore told us, he would give us a Silver Chain, which would be much stronger, and would last for ever. This we accepted, and fastened the Ship with it, and it has lasted ever since. Indeed we have had some small Differences with the _English_, and, during these Misunderstandings, some of their young Men would, by way of Reproach, be every now and then telling us, that we should have perished if they had not come into the Country and furnished us with Strowds and Hatchets, and Guns, and other Things necessary for the Support of Life; but we always gave them to understand that they were mistaken, that we lived before they came amongst us, and as well, or better, if we may believe what our Forefathers have told us. We had then Room enough, and Plenty of Deer, which was easily caught; and tho' we had not Knives, Hatchets, or Guns, such as we have now, yet we had Knives of Stone, and Hatchets of Stone, and Bows and Arrows, and those served our Uses as well then as the _English_ ones do now. We are now straitened, and sometimes in want of Deer, and liable to many other Inconveniencies since the _English_ came among us, and particularly from that Pen-and-Ink Work that is going on at the Table (_pointing to the Secretary_) and we will give you an Instance of this. Our Brother _Onas_, a great while ago, came to _Albany_ to buy the _Sasquahannah_ Lands of us, but our Brother the Governor of _New-York_, who, as we suppose, had not a good Understanding with our Brother _Onas_, advised us not to sell him any Land, for he would make an ill Use of it; and, pretending to be our good Friend, he advised us, in order to prevent _Onas_'s, or any other Person's imposing upon us, and that we might always have our Land when we should want it, to put it into his Hands; and told us, he would keep it for our Use, and never open his Hands, but keep them close shut, and not part with any of it, but at our Request. Accordingly we trusted him, and put our Land into his Hands, and charged him to keep it safe for our Use; but, some Time after, he went to _England_, and carried our Land with him, and there sold it to our Brother _Onas_ for a large Sum of Money; and when, at the Instance of our Brother _Onas_, we were minded to sell him some Lands, he told us we had sold the _Sasquahannah_ Lands already to the Governor of _New-York_, and that he had bought them from him in _England_; tho', when he came to understand how the Governor of _New-York_ had deceived us, he very generously paid us for our Lands over again.

Tho' we mention this Instance of an Imposition put upon us by the Governor of _New-York_, yet we must do the _English_ the Justice to say, we have had their hearty Assistances in our Wars with the _French_, who were no sooner arrived amongst us than they began to render us uneasy, and to provoke us to War, and we had several Wars with them; during all which we constantly received Assistance from the _English_, and, by their Means, we have always been able to keep up our Heads against their Attacks.

We now come nearer home. We have had your Deeds interpreted to us, and we acknowledge them to be good and valid, and that the _Conestogoe_ or _Sasquahannah Indians_ had a Right to sell those Lands to you, for they were then theirs; but since that Time we have conquered them, and their Country now belongs to us, and the Lands we demanded Satisfaction for are no Part of the Lands comprized in those Deeds; they are the _Cohongorontas_[6] Lands; those, we are sure, you have not possessed One Hundred Years, no, nor above Ten Years, and we made our Demands so soon as we knew your People were settled in those Parts. These have never been sold, but remain still to be disposed of; and we are well pleased to hear you are provided with Goods, and do assure you of our Willingness to treat with you for those unpurchased Lands; in Confirmation whereof, we present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremonies._

_C A N A S S A T E G O_ added, that as the three Governors of _Virginia, Maryland_, and _Pensylvania_, had divided the Lands among them, they could not, for this Reason, tell how much each had got, nor were they concerned about it, so that they were paid by all the Governors for the several Parts each possessed, and this they left to their Honour and Justice.

[Footnote 6: _Cohongorontas_, i. e. _Potomack_.]

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 27, 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 Commissioners of_ Virginia _ordered the Interpreter to let the_ Indians _know the Government of_ Virginia _was going to speak to them, and then they spoke as follows:_

_Sachems and Warriors of the_ Six United Nations, _our Friends and Brethren,_

At our Desire the Governor of _Pensylvania_ invited you to this Council Fire; we have waited a long Time for you, but now you are come, you are heartily welcome; we are very glad to see you; we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with their usual Approbation._

_Brethren,_

In the Year 1736, four of your Sachems wrote a Letter to _James Logan_, Esq; then President of _Pensylvania_, to let the Governor of _Virginia_ know that you expected some Consideration for Lands in the Occupation of some of the People of _Virginia_. Upon seeing a Copy of this Letter, the Governor, with the Council of _Virginia_, took some Time to consider of it. They found, on looking into the old Treaties, that you had given up your Lands to the Great King, who has had Possession of _Virginia_ above One Hundred and Sixty Years, and under that Great King the Inhabitants of _Virginia_ hold their Land, so they thought there might be some Mistake.

Wherefore they desired the Governor of _New-York_ to enquire of you about it. He sent his Interpreter to you in _May,_ 1743, who laid this before you at a Council held at _Onandago_, to which you answer, "That if you had any Demand or Pretensions on the Governor of _Virginia_ any way, you would have made it known to the Governor of _New-York_." This corresponds with what you have said to Governor _Thomas,_ in the Treaty made with him at _Philadelphia_ in _July_, 1742; for then you only make your Claim to Lands in the Government of _Maryland_.

We are so well pleased with this good Faith of you our Brethren of the _Six Nations_, and your Regard to the Treaties made with _Virginia_, that we are ready to hear you on the Subject of your Message eight years since.

Tell us what Nations of _Indians_ you conquered any Lands from in _Virginia_, how long it is since, and what Possession you have had; and if it does appear, that there is any Land on the Borders of _Virginia_ that the _Six Nations_ have a Right to, we are willing to make you Satisfaction.

_Then laid down a String of Wampum, which was accepted with the usual
Ceremony, and then added,_

We have a Chest of new Goods, and the Key is in our Pockets. You are our Brethren; the Great King is our common Father, and we will live with you, as Children ought to do, in Peace and Love.

We will brighten the Chain, and strengthen the Union between us; so that we shall never be divided, but remain Friends and Brethren as long as the Sun gives Light; in Confirmation whereof, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_T A C H A N O O N T I A_ replied:

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

You have made a good Speech to us, which is very agreeable, and for which we return you our Thanks. We shall be able to give you an Answer to every Part of it some Time this Afternoon, and we will let you know when we are ready.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 27, 1744, _P. 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.

_T A C H A N O O N T I A spoke as follows_:

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

Since you have joined with the Governor of _Maryland_ and Brother _Onas_ in kindling this Fire, we gladly acknowledge the Pleasure we have in seeing you here, and observing your good Dispositions as well to confirm the Treaties of Friendship, as to enter into further Contracts about Land with us; and, in Token of our Satisfaction, we present you with this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremonies_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

In your Speech this Morning you were pleased to say we had wrote a Letter to _James Logan_, about seven Years ago, to demand a Consideration for our Lands in the Possession of some of the _Virginians_; that you held them under the Great King for upwards of One Hundred and Sixty Years, and that we had already given up our Right; and that therefore you had desired the Governor of _New-York_ to send his Interpreter to us last Year to _Onandago_, which he did; and, as you say, we in Council at _Onandago_ did declare, that we had no Demand upon you for Lands, and that if we had any Pretensions, we should have made them known to the Governor of _New-York_; and likewise you desire to know if we have any Right to the _Virginia_ Lands, and that we will make such Right appear, and tell you what Nations of _Indians_ we conquered those Lands from.

Now we answer, We have the Right of Conquest, a Right too dearly purchased, and which cost us too much Blood, to give up without any Reason at all, as you say we have done at _Albany_; but we should be obliged to you, if you would let us see the Letter, and inform us who was the Interpreter, and whose Names are put to that Letter; for as the whole Transaction cannot be above a Year's standing, it must be fresh in every Body's Memory, and some of our Council would easily remember it; but we assure you, and are well able to prove, that neither we, nor any Part of us, have ever relinquished our Right, or ever gave such an Answer as you say is mentioned in your Letter. Could we, so few Years ago, make a formal Demand, by _James Logan_, and not be sensible of our Right? And hath any thing happened since that Time to make us less sensible? No; and as this Matter can be easily cleared up, we are anxious it should be done; for we are positive no such thing was ever mentioned to us at _Onandago_, nor any where else. All the World knows we conquered the several Nations living on _Sasquahannah_, _Cohongoronta_, and on the Back of the Great Mountains in _Virginia_; the _Conoy-uch-such-roona_, _Coch-now-was-roonan, Tohoa-irough-roonan_, and _Connutskin-ough-roonaw_, feel the Effects of our Conquests, being now a Part of our Nations, and their Lands at our Disposal. We know very well, it hath often been said by the _Virginians_, that the _Great King_ of England, and the People of that Colony, conquered the _Indians_ who lived there, but it is not true. We will allow they have conquered the _Sachdagughroonaw_, and drove back the _Tuscarroraws_, and that they have, on that Account, a Right to some Part of _Virginia_; but as to what lies beyond the Mountains, we conquered the Nations residing there, and that Land, if the _Virginians_ ever get a good Right to it, it must be by us; and in Testimony of the Truth of our Answer to this Part of your Speech, we give you this String of Wampum

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

We have given you a full Answer to the first Part of your Speech, which we hope will be satisfactory. We are glad to hear you have brought with you a big Chest of new Goods, and that you have the Key in your Pockets. We do not doubt but we shall have a good Understanding in all Points, and come to an Agreement with you.

We shall open all our Hearts to you, that you may know every thing in them; we will hide nothing from you; and we hope, if there be any thing still remaining in your Breast that may occasion any Dispute between us, you will take the Opportunity to unbosom your Hearts, and lay them open to us, that henceforth there may be no Dirt, nor any other Obstacle in the Road between us; and in Token of our hearty Wishes to bring about so good an Harmony, we present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

We must now tell you what Mountains we mean that we say are the Boundaries between you and us. You may remember, that about twenty Years ago you had a Treaty with us at _Albany_, when you took a Belt of Wampum, and made a Fence with it on the Middle of the Hill, and told us, that if any of the Warriors of the _Six Nations_ came on your Side of the Middle of the Hill, you would hang them; and you gave us Liberty to do the same with any of your People who should be found on our Side of the Middle of the Hill. This is the Hill we mean; and we desire that Treaty may be now confirmed. After we left _Albany_, we brought our Road a great deal more to the West, that we might comply with your Proposal; but, tho' it was of your own making, your People never observed it, but came and lived on our Side of the Hill, which we don't blame you for, as you live at a great Distance, near the Seas, and cannot be thought to know what your People do in the Back-parts: And on their settling, contrary to your own Proposal, on our new Road, it fell out that our Warriors did some Hurt to your People's Cattle, of which a Complaint was made, and transmitted to us by our Brother _Onas_; and we, at his Request, altered the Road again, and brought it to the Foot of the Great Mountain, where it now is; and it is impossible for us to remove it any further to the West, those Parts of the Country being absolutely impassable by either Man or Beast.

We had not been long in the Use of this new Road before your People came, like Flocks of Birds, and sat down on both Sides of it, and yet we never made a Complaint to you, tho' you must be sensible those Things must have been done by your People in manifest Breach of your own Proposal made at _Albany_; and therefore, as we are now opening our Hearts to you, we cannot avoid complaining, and desire all these Affairs may be settled, and that you may be stronger induced to do us Justice for what is past, and to come to a thorough Settlement for the future, we, in the Presence of the Governor of _Maryland_, and Brother Onas, present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Then_ Tachanoontia _added_:

That he forgot to say, that the Affair of the Road must be looked upon as a Preliminary to be settled before the Grant of Lands; and, said he, either the _Virginia_ People must be obliged to remove more Easterly, or, if they are permitted to stay, our Warriors, marching that Way to the Southward, shall go Sharers with them in what they plant.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 28, 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.

_Friends and Brethren of the_ Six Nations,

I am always sorry when any thing happens that may create the least Uneasiness between us; but as we are mutually engaged to keep the Road between us clear and open, and to remove every Obstruction that may lie in the Way, I must inform you, that three of the _Delaware Indians_ lately murdered _John Armstrong_, an _Indian_ Trader, and his two Men, in a most barbarous Manner, as he was travelling to _Allegheny_, and stole his Goods of a considerable Value. _Shickcalamy_, and the _Indians_ settled at _Shamokin_, did well; they seized two of the Murderers, and sent them down to our Settlements; but the _Indians_, who had the Charge of them, afterwards suffered one of them to escape, on a Pretence that he was not concerned in the bloody Deed; the other is now in _Philadelphia_ Goal. By our Law all the Accessaries to a Murder are to be tried, and put to Death, as well as the Person who gave the deadly Wound. If they consented to it, encouraged it, or any ways assisted in it, they are to be put to Death, and it is just it should be so. If, upon Trial, the Persons present at the Murder are found not to have done any of these Things, they are set at Liberty. Two of our People were, not many Years ago, publickly put to Death for killing two _Indians_; we therefore expect you will take the most effectual Measures to seize and deliver up to us the other two _Indians_ present at these Murders, to be tried with the Principal now in Custody. If it shall appear, upon their Trial, that they were not advising, or any way assisting in this horrid Fact, they will be acquitted, and sent home to their Towns. And that you may be satisfied no Injustice will be done to them, I do now invite you to depute three or four _Indians_ to be present at their Trials. I do likewise expect that you will order strict Search to be made for the Remainder of the stolen Goods, that they may be restored to the Wife and Children of the Deceased. That what I have said may have its due Weight with you, I give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was accepted with the_ Yo-hah.

The Governor afterwards ordered the Interpreter to tell them, he expected a very full Answer from them, and that they might take their own Time to give it; for he did not desire to interfere with the Business of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_.

They said they would take it into Consideration, and give a full Answer.

Then the Commissioners of _Virginia_ let them know, by the Interpreter, that they would speak to them in the Afternoon.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e Chamber at _Lancaster_, _June_ 28, 1744,
_P. M._

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_. The Deputies of the _Six Nations_. _Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.

_The Commissioners desired the Interpreter to tell the_ Indians _they were going to speak to them_. _Mr._ Weiser _acquainted them herewith_. _After which the said Commissioners spoke as follows_:

_Our good Friends and Brethren, the_ Six _united_ Nations,

We have considered what you said concerning your Title to some Lands now in our Province, and also of the Place where they lie. Altho' we cannot admit your Right, yet we are so resolved to live in Brotherly Love and Affection with the _Six Nations_, that upon your giving us a Release in Writing of all your Claim to any Lands in _Maryland_, we shall make you a Compensation to the Value of Three Hundred Pounds Currency, for the Payment of Part whereof we have brought some Goods, and shall make up the rest in what Manner you think fit.

As we intend to say something to you about our Chain of Friendship after this Affair of the Land is settled, we desire you will now examine the Goods, and make an End of this Matter.

We will not omit acquainting our good Friends the _Six Nations_, that notwithstanding we are likely to come to an Agreement about your Claim of Lands, yet your Brethren of _Maryland_ look on you to be as one Soul and one Body with themselves; and as a broad Road will be made between us, we shall always be desirous of keeping it clear, that we may, from Time to Time, take care that the Links of our Friendship be not rusted. In Testimony that our Words and our Hearts agree, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_On presenting of which the_ Indians _gave the usual Cry of
Approbation_.

Mr. _Weiser_ acquainted the _Indians_, they might now look over the several Goods placed on a Table in the Chamber for that Purpose; and the honourable Commissioners bid him tell them, if they disliked any of the Goods, or, if they were damaged, the Commissioners would put a less Price on such as were either disliked or damnified.

The _Indians_ having viewed and examined the Goods, and seeming dissatisfied at the Price and Worth of them, required Time to go down into the Court-House, in order for a Consultation to be had by the Chiefs of them concerning the said Goods, and likewise that the Interpreter might retire with them, which he did. Accordingly they went down into the Court-House, and soon after returned again into the Chamber.

Mr. _Weiser_ sat down among the _Indians_, and discoursed them about the Goods, and in some short Time after they chose the following from among the others, and the Price agreed to be given for them by the _Six Nations_ was, _viz_.

_l. s. d._ Four Pieces of Strowds, at 7 _l._ 28 00 00 Two Pieces Ditto, 5 _l._ 10 00 00 Two Hundred Shirts, 63 12 00 Three Pieces Half-Thicks, 11 00 00 Three Pieces Duffle Blankets, at 7 _l._ 21 00 00 One Piece Ditto, 6 10 00 Forty Seven Guns, at 1 _l._ 6 _s._ 61 02 00 One Pound of Vermillion, 00 18 00 One Thousand Flints, 00 18 00 Four Dozen Jews Harps, 00 14 00 One Dozen Boxes, 00 1 00 One Hundred Two Quarters Bar-Lead, 3 00 00 Two Quarters Shot, 1 00 00 Two Half-Barrels of Gun-Powder, 13 00 00 _________ 220 15 00 _Pensylvannia Currency_.

When the _Indians_ had agreed to take these Goods at the Rates above specified, they informed the Interpreter, that they would give an Answer to the Speech made to them this Morning by the honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_, but did not express the Time when such Answer should be made. At 12 o'Clock the Commissioners departed the Chamber.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 28, 1744. _P. 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 Commissioners of_ Virginia _desired the Interpreter to let the_ Indians _know, that their Brother_ Assaragoa _was now going to give his Reply to their Answer to his first Speech, delivered them the Day before in the Forenoon_.

_Sachems and Warriors of the united_ Six Nations,

We are now come to answer what you said to us Yesterday, since what we said to you before on the Part of the Great King, our Father, has not been satisfactory. You have gone into old Times, and so must we. It is true that the Great King holds _Virginia_ by Right of Conquest, and the Bounds of that Conquest to the Westward is the Great Sea.

If the _Six Nations_ have made any Conquest over _Indians_ that may at any Time have lived on the West-side of the Great Mountains of _Virginia_, yet they never possessed any Lands there that we have ever heard of. That Part was altogether deserted, and free for any People to enter upon, as the People of _Virginia_ have done, by Order of the Great King, very justly, as well by ancient Right, as by its being freed from the Possession of any other, and from any Claim even of you the _Six Nations_, our Brethren, until within these eight Years. The first Treaty between the Great King, in Behalf of his Subjects of _Virginia_, and you, that we can find, was made at _Albany_, by Colonel _Henry Coursey_, Seventy Years since; this was a Treaty of Friendship, when the first Covenant Chain was made, when we and you became Brethren.

The next Treaty was also at _Albany_, above Fifty-eight Years ago, by the Lord _Howard_, Governor of _Virginia_; then you declared yourselves Subjects to the Great King, our Father, and gave up to him all your Lands for his Protection. This you own in a Treaty made by the Governor of _New-York_ with you at the same Place in the Year 1687, and you express yourself in these Words, "Brethren, you tell us the King of _England_ is a very great King, and why should not you join with us in a very just Cause, when the _French_ join with our Enemies in an unjust Cause? O Brethren, we see the Reason of this; for the _French_ would fain kill us all, and when that is done, they would carry all the Beaver Trade to _Canada_, and the _Great King of_ England would lose the Land likewise; and therefore, O Great Sachem, beyond the Great Lakes, awake, and suffer not those poor _Indians_, that have given themselves and their Lands under your Protection, to be destroyed by the _French_ without a Cause."

The last Treaty we shall speak to you about is that made at _Albany_ by Governor _Spotswood_, which you have not recited as it is: For the white People, your Brethren of _Virginia_, are, in no Article of that Treaty, prohibited to pass, and settle to the Westward of the Great Mountains. It is the _Indians_, tributary to _Virginia_, that are restrained, as you and your tributary _Indians_ are from passing to the Eastward of the same Mountains, or to the Southward of _Cohongorooton_, and you agree to this Article in these Words; "That the Great River of _Potowmack_, and the high Ridge of Mountains, which extend all along the Frontiers of _Virginia_ to the Westward of the present Settlements of that Colony, shall be for ever the established Boundaries between the _Indians_ subject to the Dominions of _Virginia_, and the _Indians_ belonging to and depending on the _Five Nations_; so that neither our _Indians_ shall on any Pretence whatsoever, pass to Northward or Westward of the said Boundaries, without having to produce a Passport under the Hand and Seal of the Governor or Commander in Chief of _Virginia_; nor your _Indians_ to pass to the Southward or Eastward of the said Boundaries, without a Passport in like Manner from the Governor or Commander in Chief of _New-York_."

And what Right can you have to Lands that you have no Right to walk upon, but upon certain Conditions? It is true, you have not observed this Part of the Treaty, and your Brethren of _Virginia_ have not insisted upon it with a due Strictness, which has occasioned some Mischief.

This Treaty has been sent to the Governor of _Virginia_ by Order of the Great King, and is what we must rely on, and, being in Writing, is more certain than your Memory. That is the Way the white People have of preserving Transactions of every Kind, and transmitting them down to their Childrens Children for ever, and all Disputes among them are settled by this faithful kind of Evidence, and must be the Rule between the Great King and you. This Treaty your Sachems and Warriors signed some Years after the same Governor _Spotswood_, in the Right of the Great King, had been, with some People of _Virginia_, in Possession of these very Lands, which you have set up your late Claim to.

The Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs at _Albany_ gave the Account we mentioned to you Yesterday to the Governor of _New-York_, and he sent it to the Governor of _Virginia_; their Names will be given you by the Interpreter.

_Brethren_,