Chapter D: E L A W A R E S from the Forks (3)

This Dispute is not between _Virginia_ and you; it is setting up your Right against the Great King, under whose Grants the People you complain of are settled. Nothing but a Command from the Great King can remove them; they are too powerful to be removed by any Force of you, our Brethren; and the Great King, as our common Father, will do equal Justice to all his Children; wherefore we do believe they will be confirmed in their Possessions.

As to the Road you mention, we intended to prevent any Occasion for it, by making a Peace between you and the Southern _Indians_, a few Years since, at a considerable Expence to our Great King, which you confirmed at _Albany_. It seems, by your being at War with the _Catawbas_, that it has not been long kept between you.

However, if you desire a Road, we will agree to one on the Terms of the Treaty you made with Colonel _Spotswood_, and your People, behaving themselves orderly like Friends and Brethren, shall be used in their Passage through _Virginia_ with the same Kindness as they are when they pass through the Lands of your Brother _Onas_. This we hope, will be agreed to by you our Brethren, and we will abide by the Promise made to you Yesterday.

We may proceed to settle what we are to give you for any Right you may have, or have had to all the Lands to the Southward and Westward of the Lands of your Brother the Governor of _Maryland_, and of your Brother Onas; tho' we are informed that the Southern _Indians_ claim these very Lands that you do.

We are desirous to live with you, our Brethren, according to the old Chain of Friendship, to settle all these Matters fairly and honestly; and, as a Pledge of our Sincerity, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e Chamber at _Lancaster_, _June_ 29, 1744,
_A. M._

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_.

The Deputies of the _Six Nations_.

_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.

_Mr._ Weiser _informed the honourable Commissioners_, _that the_ Indians _were ready to give their Answer to the Speech made to them here Yesterday Morning by the Commissioners_; _whereupon_ Canassatego _spoke as follows, looking on a Deal-board, where were some black Lines, describing the Courses of_ Potowmack _and_ Sasquahanna:

_Brethren_,

Yesterday you spoke to us concerning the Lands on this Side _Potowmack_ River, and as we have deliberately considered what you said to us on that Matter, we are now very ready to settle the Bounds of such Lands, and release our Right and Claim thereto.

We are willing to renounce all Right to Lord _Baltimore_ of all those Lands lying two Miles above the uppermost Fork of _Potowmack_ or _Cohongoruton_ River, near which _Thomas Cressap_ has a hunting or trading Cabin, by a North-line, to the Bounds of _Pensylvania_. But in case such Limits shall not include every Settlement or Inhabitant of _Maryland_, then such other Lines and Courses, from the said two Miles above the Forks, to the outermost Inhabitants or Settlements, as shall include every Settlement and Inhabitant in _Maryland_, and from thence, by a North-line, to the Bounds of _Pensylvannia_, shall be the Limits. And further, If any People already have, or shall settle beyond the Lands now described and bounded, they shall enjoy the same free from any Disturbance whatever, and we do, and shall accept these people for our Brethren, and as such always treat them.

We earnestly desire to live with you as Brethren, and hope you will shew us all Brotherly Kindness; in Token whereof, we present you with a Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

Soon after the Commissioners and _Indians_ departed from the Court-House Chamber.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e Chamber at _Lancaster_, _June_ 30, 1744,
_A. M._

P R E S E N T,

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

Gachradodow, _Speaker for the_ Indians, _in answer to the Commissioners Speech at the last Meeting_, _with a strong Voice, and proper Action, spoke as follows_:

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

The World at the first was made on the other Side of the Great Water different from what it is on this Side, as may be known from the different Colours of our Skin, and of our Flesh, and that which you call Justice may not be so amongst us; you have your Laws and Customs, and so have we. The Great King might send you over to conquer the _Indians_, but it looks to us that God did not approve of it; if he had, he would not have placed the Sea where it is, as the Limits between us and you.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

Tho' great Things are well remembered among us, yet we don't remember that we were ever conquered by the Great King, or that we have been employed by that Great King to conquer others; if it was so, it is beyond our Memory. We do remember we were employed by _Maryland_ to conquer the _Conestogoes_, and that the second time we were at War with them, we carried them all off.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

You charge us with not acting agreeable to our Peace with the _Catawbas_, we will repeat to you truly what was done. The Governor of _New-York_, at _Albany_, in Behalf of _Assaragoa_, gave us several Belts of Wampum from the _Cherikees_ and _Catawbas_, and we agreed to a Peace, if those Nations would send some of their great Men to us to confirm it Face to Face, and that they would trade with us; and desired that they would appoint a Time to meet at _Albany_ for that Purpose, but they never came.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

We then desired a Letter might be sent to the _Catawbas_ and _Cherikees_, to desire them to come and confirm the Peace. It was long before an Answer came; but we met the _Cherikees_, and confirmed the Peace, and sent some of our People to take care of them, until they returned to their own Country.

The _Catawbas_ refused to come, and sent us word, That we were but Women, that they were Men, and double Men, that they could make Women of us, and would be always at War with us. They are a deceitful People. Our Brother _Assaragoa_ is deceived by them; we don't blame him for it, but are sorry he is so deceived.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

We have confirmed the Peace with the _Cherikees_, but not with the _Catawbas_. They have been treacherous, and know it; so that the War must continue till one of us is destroyed. This we think proper to tell you, that you may not be troubled at what we do to the _Catawbas_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

We will now speak to the Point between us. You say you will agree with us as to the Road; we desire that may be the Road which was last made (the Waggon-Road.) It is always, a Custom among Brethren or Strangers to use each other kindly; you have some very ill-natured People living up there; so that we desire the Persons in Power may know that we are to have reasonable Victuals when we are in want.

You know very well, when the white People came first here they were poor; but now they have got our Lands, and are by them become rich, and we are now poor; what little we have had for the Land goes soon away, but the Land lasts for ever. You told us you had brought with you a Chest of Goods, and that you have the Key in your Pockets; but we have never seen the Chest, nor the Goods that are said to be in it; it may be small, and the Goods few; we want to see them, and are desirous to come to some Conclusion. We have been sleeping here these ten Days past, and have not done any thing to the Purpose.

The Commissioners told them they should see the Goods on _Monday_.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 30, 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 Commissioner of _Virginia_. The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_. The Deputies of the _Six Nations_. _Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.

The three Governments entertained the _Indians_, and all the Gentlemen in Town, with a handsome Dinner. The _Six Nations_, in their Order, having returned Thanks with the usual Solemnity of _Yo-ha-han_, the Interpreter informed the Governor and the Commissioners, that as the Lord Proprietor and Governor of _Maryland_ was not known to the _Indians_ by any particular Name, they had agreed, in Council, to take the first Opportunity of a large Company to present him with one; and as this with them is deemed a Matter of great Consequence, and attended with Abundance of Form, the several Nations had drawn Lots for the Performance of the Ceremony, and the Lot falling on the _Cayogo_ Nation, they had chosen _Gachradodow_, one of their Chiefs, to be their Speaker, and he desired Leave to begin; which being given, he, on an elevated Part of the Court-House, with all the Dignity of a Warrior, the Gesture of an Orator, and in a very graceful Posture, said that:

"As the Governor of _Maryland_ had invited them here to treat about their Lands, and brighten the Chain of Friendship, the united Nations thought themselves so much obliged to them, that they had come to a Resolution in Council to give to the great Man, who is Proprietor of _Maryland_, a particular Name, by which they might hereafter correspond with him; and as it had fallen to the _Cayogoes_ Lot in Council to consider of a proper Name for that chief Man, they had agreed to give him the Name of _Tocarry-hogan_, denoting Precedency, Excellency, or living in the middle or honourable Place betwixt _Assaragoa_ and their Brother _Onas_, by whom their Treaties might be better carried on." And then, addressing himself to his Honour the Governor of _Pensylvania_, the honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, and to the Gentlemen then present, he proceeded:

"As there is a Company of great Men now assembled, we take this Time and Opportunity to publish this Matter, that it may be known _Tocarry-hogan_ is our Friend, and that we are ready to honour him, and that by such Name he may be always called and known among us. And we hope he will ever act towards us according to the Excellency of the Name we have now given him, and enjoy a long and happy Life."

The honourable the Governor and Commissioners, and all the Company present, returned the Compliment with three Huzza's, and, after drinking Healths to our gracious King and the _Six Nations_, the Commissioners of _Maryland_ proceeded to Business in the Court-House Chamber with the _Indians_, where _Conrad Weiser_, the Interpreter, was present.

The honourable the Commissioners ordered Mr. _Weiser_ to tell the _Indians_, that a Deed, releasing all their Claim and Title to certain Lands lying in the Province of _Maryland_, which by them was agreed to be given and executed for the Use of the Lord Baron of _Baltimore_, Lord Proprietary of that Province, was now on the Table, and Seals ready fixed thereto. The Interpreter acquainted them therewith as desired, and then gave the Deed to _Canassatego_, the Speaker, who made his Mark, and put his Seal, and delivered it; after which, thirteen other Chiefs or Sachems of the _Six Nations_ executed it in the same Manner, in the Presence of the honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_, and divers other Gentlemen of that Colony, and of the Provinces of _Pensylvania_ and _Maryland_.

* * * * *

At the House of Mr. _George Sanderson_ in _Lancaster_, _July_ 2,
1744, _A. M._

P R E S E N T,

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

The several Chiefs of the _Indians_ of the _Six Nations_, who had not signed the Deed of Release of their Claim to some Lands in _Maryland_, tendered to them on _Saturday_ last, in the Chamber of the Court-House in this Town, did now readily execute the same, and caused Mr. _Weiser_ likewise to sign it, as well with his _Indian_, as with his own proper Name of _Weiser_, as a Witness and Interpreter.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, July_ 2, 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.

_C A N A S S A T E G O spoke as follows_:

_Brother_ Onas,

The other Day you was pleased to tell us, you were always concerned whenever any thing happened that might give you or us Uneasiness, and that we were mutually engaged to preserve the Road open and clear between us; and you informed us of the Murder of _John Armstrong_, and his two Men, by some of the _Delaware Indians_, and of their stealing his Goods to a considerable Value. The _Delaware Indians_, as you suppose, are under our Power. We join with you in your Concern for such a vile Proceeding; and, to testify that we have the same Inclinations with you to keep the Road clear, free and open, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Brother_ Onas,

These Things happen frequently, and we desire you will consider them well, and not be too much concerned. Three _Indians_ have been killed at different Times at _Ohio_, and we never mentioned any of them to you, imagining it might have been occasioned by some unfortunate Quarrels, and being unwilling to create a Disturbance. We therefore desire you will consider these Things well, and, to take the Grief from your Heart, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremonies_.

_Brother_ Onas,

We have heard of the Murder of _John Armstrong_, and, in our Journey here, we had Conference with our Cousins the _Delawares_ about it, and reproved them severely for it, and charged them to go down to our Brother _Onas_, and make him Satisfaction, both for the Men that were killed, and for the Goods. We understood, by them, that the principal Actor in these Murders is in your Prison, and that he had done all the Mischief himself; but that besides him, you had required and demanded two others who were in his Company when the Murders were committed. We promise faithfully, in our Return, to renew our Reproofs, and to charge the _Delawares_ to send down some of their Chiefs with these two young Men (but not as Prisoners) to be examined by you; and as we think, upon Examination, you will not find them guilty, we rely on your Justice not to do them any Harm, but to permit them to return home in Safety.

We likewise understand, that Search has been made for the Goods belonging to the Deceased, and that some have been already returned to your People, but that some are still missing. You may depend upon our giving the strictest Charge to the _Delawares_ to search again with more Diligence for the Goods, and to return them, or the Value of them, in Skins. And, to confirm what we have said, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremonies_.

_Brother_ Onas,

The _Conoy Indians_ have informed us, that they sent you a Message, some Time ago, to advise you, that they were ill used by the white People in the Place where they had lived, and that they had come to a Resolution of removing to _Shamokin_, and requested some small Satisfaction for their Land; and as they never have received any Answer from you, they have desired us to speak for them; we heartily recommend their Case to your Generosity. And, to give Weight to our Recommendation, we present you with this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_The Governor having conferred a little Time with the honourable Commissioners of_ Virginia _and_ Maryland, _made the following Reply_:

_Brethren_,

I am glad to find that you agree with me in the Necessity of keeping the Road between us clear and open, and the Concern you have expressed on account of the barbarous Murders mentioned to you, is a Proof of your Brotherly Affection for us. If Crimes of this Nature be not strictly enquired into, and the Criminals severely punished, there will be an End of all Commerce between us and the _Indians_, and then you will be altogether in the Power of the _French_. They will set what Price they please on their own Goods, and give you what they think fit for your Skins; so it is for your own Interest that our Traders should be safe in their Persons and Goods when they travel to your Towns.

_Brethren_,

I considered this Matter well before I came from _Philadelphia_, and I advised with the Council there upon it, as I have done here with the honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_. I never heard before of the Murder of the three _Indians_ at _Ohio_; had Complaint been made to me of it, and it had appeared to have been committed by any of the People under my Government, they should have been put to Death, as two of them were, some Years ago, for killing two _Indians_. You are not to take your own Satisfaction, but to apply to me, and I will see that Justice be done you; and should any of the _Indians_ rob or murder any of our People, I do expect that you will deliver them up to be tried and punished in the same Manner as white People are. This is the Way to preserve Friendship between us, and will be for your Benefit as well as ours. I am well pleased with the Steps you have already taken, and the Reproofs you have given to your Cousins the _Delawares_, and do expect you will lay your Commands upon some of their Chiefs to bring down the two young Men that were present at the Murders; if they are not brought down, I shall look upon it as a Proof of their Guilt.

If, upon Examination, they shall be found not to have been concerned in the bloody Action, they shall be well used, and sent home in Safety: I will take it upon myself to see that they have no Injustice done them. An Inventory is taken of the Goods already restored, and I expect Satisfaction will be made for such as cannot be found, in Skins, according to Promise.

I well remember the coming down of one of the _Conoy Indians_ with a Paper, setting forth, That the _Conoys_ had come to a Resolution to leave the Land reserved for them by the Proprietors, but he made no Complaint to me of ill Usage from the white People. The Reason he gave for their Removal was, That the settling of the white People all round them had made Deer scarce, and that therefore they chose to remove to _Juniata_ for the Benefit of Hunting. I ordered what they said to be entered in the Council-Book. The old Man's Expences were born, and a Blanket given him at his Return home. I have not yet heard from the Proprietors on this Head; but you may be assured, from the Favour and Justice they have always shewn to the _Indians_, that they will do every thing that may be reasonably expected of them in this Case.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e Chamber at _Lancaster_, _July_ 2, 1744,
_P. M._

P R E S E N T,

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

_The_ Indians _being told, by the Interpreter, that their Brother_ Assaragoa _was going to speak to them, the Commissioners spoke as follows_:

_Sachems and Warriors, our Friends and Brethren_,

As we have already said enough to you on the Subject of the Title to the Lands you claim from _Virginia_, we have no Occasion to say any thing more to you on that head, but come directly to the Point.

We have opened the Chest, and the Goods are now here before you; they cost Two Hundred Pounds _Pensylvania_ Money, and were bought by a Person recommended to us by the Governor of _Pensylvania_ with ready Cash. We ordered them to be good in their Kinds, and we believe they are so. These Goods, and Two Hundred Pounds in Gold, which lie on the Table, we will give you, our Brethren of the _Six Nations_, upon Condition that you immediately make a Deed recognizing the King's Right to all the Lands that are, or shall be, by his Majesty's Appointment in the Colony of _Virginia_.

As to the Road, we agree you shall have one, and the Regulation is in Paper, which the Interpreter now has in his Custody to shew you. The People of _Virginia_ shall perform their Part, if you and your _Indians_ perform theirs; we are your Brethren, and will do no Hardships to you, but, on the contrary, all the Kindness we can.

The _Indians_ agreed to what was said, and _Canassatego_ desired they would represent their Case to the King, in order to have a further Consideration when the Settlement increased much further back. To which the Commissioners agreed, and promised they would make such a Representation faithfully and honestly; and, for their further Security that they would do so, they would give them a Writing, under their Hands and Seals, to that Purpose.

They desired that some Rum might be given them to drink on their Way home, which the Commissioners agreed to, and paid them in Gold for that Purpose, and the Carriage of their Goods from _Philadelphia_, Nine Pounds Thirteen Shillings, and Three-pence, _Pensylvania_ Money.

_Canassatego_ further said, That as their Brother _Tocarry-hogan_ sent them provision on the Road here, which kept them from starving, he hoped their Brother _Assaragoa_ would do the same for them back, and have the Goods he gave them carried to the usual Place; which the Commissioners agreed to, and ordered Provisions and Carriages to be provided accordingly.

After this Conference the Deed was produced, and the Interpreter explained it to them; and they, according to their Rank and Quality, put their Marks and Seals to it in the Presence of several Gentlemen of _Maryland, Pensylvania_ and _Virginia_; and when they delivered the Deed, _Canassatego_ delivered it for the Use of their Father, the Great King, and hoped he would consider them; on which the Gentlemen and _Indians_ then present gave three Shouts.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, Tuesday_, _July_ 3, 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,

At a Treaty held with many of the Chiefs of your Nations Two Years ago, the Road between us was made clearer and wider; our Fire was enlarged, and our Friendship confirmed by an Exchange of Presents, and many other mutual good Offices.

We think ourselves happy in having been instrumental to your meeting with our Brethren of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_; and we persuade ourselves, that you, on your Parts, will always remember it as an instance of our Good-will and Affection for you. This has given us an Opportunity of seeing you sooner than perhaps we should otherwise have done; and, as we are under mutual Obligations by Treaties, we to hear with our Ears for you, and you to hear with your Ears for us, we take this Opportunity to inform you of what very nearly concerns us both.

The _great King of_ England and the _French_ King have declared War against each other. Two Battles have been fought, one by Land, and the other by Sea. The _great King of_ England commanded the Land-Army in Person, and gained a compleat Victory. Numbers of the _French_ were killed and taken Prisoners, and the rest were forced to pass a River with Precipitation to save their Lives. The Great God covered the King's Head in that Battle, so that he did not receive the least Hurt; for which you, as well as we, have Reason to be very thankful.

The Engagement at Sea was likewise to the Advantage of the _English_. The _French_ and _Spaniards_ joined their Ships together, and came out to fight us. The brave _English_ Admiral burnt one of their largest Ships, and many others were so shattered, that they were glad to take the Opportunity of a very high Wind, and a dark Night, to run away, and to hide themselves again in their own Harbours. Had the Weather proved fair, he would, in all Probability, have taken or destroyed them all.

I need not put you in mind how much _William Penn_ and his Sons have been your Friends, and the Friends of all the _Indians_. You have long and often experienced their Friendship for you; nor need I repeat to you how kindly you were treated, and what valuable Presents were made to you two Years ago by the Governor, the Council, and the Assembly of _Pensylvania_. The Sons of _William Penn_ are all now in _England_, and have left me in their Place, well knowing how much I regard you and all the _Indians_. As a fresh Proof of this, I have left my House, and am come thus far to see you, to renew our Treaties, to brighten the Covenant-Chain, and to confirm our Friendship with you. In Testimony whereof, I present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the_ Yo-hah.

As your Nations have engaged themselves by Treaty to assist us, your Brethren of _Pensylvania_, in case of a War with the _French_, we do not doubt but you will punctually perform an Engagement so solemnly entered into. A War is now declared, and we expect that you will not suffer the _French_, or any of the _Indians_ in Alliance with them, to march through your Country to disturb any of our Settlements; and that you will give us the earliest and best Intelligence of any Designs that may be formed by them to our Disadvantage, as we promise to do of any that may be to yours. To enforce what I have now said to you in the strongest Manner, I present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the_ Yo-hah.

_After a little Pause his Honour, the_ Governor, _spoke again_:

_Friends and Brethren of the_ Six Nations,

What I have now said to you is in Conformity to Treaties subsisting between the Province of which I am Governor and your Nations. I now proceed, with the Consent of the honourable Commissioners for _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, to tell you, that all Differences having been adjusted, and the Roads between us and you made quite clear and open, we are ready to confirm our Treaties with your Nations, and establish a Friendship that is not to end, but with the World itself. And, in Behalf of the Province of _Pensylvania_, I do, by this fine Belt of Wampum, and a Present of Goods, to the Value of three hundred Pounds, confirm and establish the said Treaties of Peace, Union and Friendship, you on your Parts doing the same.

_Which was received with a loud_ Yo-hah.

The Governor further added, The Goods bought with the one hundred Pounds Sterling, put into my Hands by the Governor of _Virginia_, are ready to be delivered when you please. The Goods bought and sent up by the People of the Province of _Pensylvania_, according to the List which the Interpreter will explain, are laid by themselves, and are likewise ready to be delivered to you at your own time.

_After a little Pause the Commissioners of_ Virginia _spoke as follows_:

_Sachems and Warriors of the_ Six Nations,

The Way between us being made smooth by what passed Yesterday, we desire now to confirm all former Treaties made between _Virginia_ and you, our Brethren of the _Six Nations_, and to make our Chain of Union and Friendship as bright as the Sun, that it may not contract any more Rust for ever; that our Childrens Children may rejoice at, and confirm what we have done; and that you and your Children may not forget it, we give you one hundred Pounds in Gold, and this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Friends and Brethren_,

Altho' we have been disappointed in our Endeavours to bring about a Peace between you and the _Catawbas_, yet we desire to speak to you something more about them. We believe they have been unfaithful to you, and spoke of you with a foolish Contempt; but this may be only the Rashness of some of their young Men. In this Time of War with our common Enemies the _French_ and _Spaniards_, it will be the wisest way to be at Peace among ourselves. They, the _Catawbas_, are also Children of the great King, and therefore we desire you will agree, that we may endeavour to make a Peace between you and them, that we may be all united by one common Chain of Friendship. We give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Brethren_,

Our Friend, _Conrad Weiser_, when he is old, will go into the other World, as our Fathers have done, our Children will then want such a Friend to go between them and your Children, to reconcile any Differences that may happen to arise between them, that, like him, may have the Ears and Tongues of our Children and yours.

The Way to have such a Friend, is for you to send three or four of your Boys to _Virginia_, where we have a fine House for them to live in, and a Man on purpose to teach the Children of you, our Friends, the Religion, Language and Customs of the white People. To this Place we kindly invite you to send some of your Children; and we promise you they shall have the same Care taken of them, and be instructed in the same Manner as our own Children, and be returned to you again when you please; and, to confirm this, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Then the Commissioners of_ Maryland _spoke as follows_:

_Friends and Brethren, the Chiefs or Sachems of the_ Six _united_ Nations,

The Governor of _Maryland_ invited you hither, we have treated you as Friends, and agreed with you as Brethren.

As the Treaty now made concerning the Lands in _Maryland_ will, we hope, prevent effectually every future Misunderstanding between us on that Account, we will now bind faster the Links of our Chain of Friendship, by a Renewal of all our former Treaties; and that they may still be the better secured, we shall present you with one hundred Pounds in Gold.

What we have further to say to you is, Let not our Chain contract any Rust; whenever you perceive the least Speck, tell us of it, and we will make it clean. This we also expect of you, that it may always continue so bright as our Generations may see their Faces in it; and, in Pledge of the Truth of what we have now spoken, and our Affection to you, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony._

_C A N A S S A T E G O, in return, spoke as follows_:

_Brother_ Onas, Assaragoa, _and_ Tocarry-hogan,

We return you Thanks for your several Speeches, which are very agreeable to us. They contain Matters of such great Moment, that we propose to give them a very serious Consideration, and to answer them suitably to their Worth and Excellence; and this will take till to-morrow Morning, and when we are ready we will give you due Notice.

You tell us you beat the _French_; if so, you must have taken a great deal of Rum from them, and can the better spare us some of that Liquor to make us rejoice with you in the Victory.

The Governor and Commissioners ordered a Dram of Rum to be given to each in a small Glass, calling it, _A French Glass_.

* * * * *

In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, July 4, 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.

_C A N A S S A T E G O Speaker._

_Brother_ Onas,

Yesterday you expressed your Satisfaction in having been instrumental to our meeting with our Brethren of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, we, in return, assure you, that we have great Pleasure in this Meeting, and thank you for the Part you have had in bringing us together, in order to create a good Understanding, and to clear the Road; and, in Token of our Gratitude, we present you with this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony._

_Brother_ Onas,

You was pleased Yesterday to inform us, "That War had been declared between _the great King of_ England and the _French_ King; that two great Battles had been fought, one by Land, and the other at Sea; with many other Particulars." We are glad to hear the Arms of the King of _England_ were successful, and take part with you in your Joy on this Occasion. You then came nearer Home, and told us, "You had left your House, and were come thus far on Behalf of the whole People of _Pensylvania_ to see us; to renew your Treaties, to brighten the Covenant-Chain, and to confirm your Friendship with us." We approve this Proposition, we thank you for it. We own, with Pleasure, that the Covenant-Chain between us and _Pensylvania_ is of old Standing, and has never contracted any Rust; we wish it may always continue as bright as it has done hitherto; and, in Token of the Sincerity of our Wishes, we present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the_ Yo-hah.

_Brother Onas_,

You was pleased Yesterday to remind us of our mutual Obligation to assist each other in case of a War with the _French_, and to repeat the Substance of what we ought to do by our Treaties with you; and that as a War had been already entered into with the _French_, you called upon us to assist you, and not to suffer the _French_ to march through our Country to disturb any of your Settlements.

In answer, we assure you we have all these Particulars in our Hearts, they are fresh in our Memory. We shall never forget that you and we have but one Heart, one Head, one Eye, one Ear, and one Hand. We shall have all your Country under our Eye, and take all the Care we can to prevent any Enemy from coming into it; and, in proof of our Care, we must inform you, that before we came here, we told _Onandio_[7], our Father, as he is called, that neither he, nor any of his People, should come through our Country, to hurt our Brethren the _English_, or any of the Settlements belonging to them; there was Room enough at Sea to fight, there he might do what he pleased, but he should not come upon our Land to do any Damage to our Brethren. And you may depend upon our using our utmost Care to see this effectually done; and, in Token of our Sincerity, we present you with this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony._

_After some little Time the Interpreter said_, Canassatego _had forgot something material, and desired to mend his Speech, and to do so as often as he should omit any thing of Moment, and thereupon he added:_

The _Six Nations_ have a great Authority and Influence over sundry Tribes of _Indians_ in Alliance with the _French_, and particularly over the _Praying Indians_, formerly a Part with ourselves, who stand in the very Gates of the _French_; and, to shew our further Care, we have engaged these very _Indians_, and other _Indian_ Allies of the _French_ for you. They will not join the _French_ against you. They have agreed with us before we set out. We have put the Spirit of Antipathy against the _French_ in those People. Our Interest is very considerable with them, and many other Nations, and as far as ever it extends, we shall use it for your Service.

The Governor said, _Canassatego_ did well to mend his Speech; he might always do it whenever his Memory should fail him in any Point of Consequence, and he thanked him for the very agreeable Addition.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

You told us Yesterday, that all Disputes with you being now at an end, you desired to confirm all former Treaties between _Virginia_ and us, and to make our Chain of Union as bright as the Sun.

We agree very heartily with you in these Propositions; we thank you for your good Inclinations; we desire you will pay no Regard to any idle Stories that may be told to our Prejudice. And, as the Dispute about the Land is now intirely over, and we perfectly reconciled, we hope, for the future, we shall not act towards each other but as becomes Brethren and hearty Friends.

We are very willing to renew the Friendship with you, and to make it as firm as possible, for us and our Children with you and your Children to the latest Generation, and we desire you will imprint these Engagements on your Hearts in the strongest Manner; and, in Confirmation that we shall do the same, we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_Which was received with_ Yo-hah _from the Interpreter, and all the
Nations_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

You did let us know Yesterday, that tho' you had been disappointed in your Endeavours to bring about a Peace between us and the _Catawbas_, yet you would still do the best to bring such a Thing about. We are well pleased with your Design, and the more so, as we hear you know what sort of People the _Catawbas_ are, that they are spiteful and offensive, and have treated us contemptuously. We are glad you know these Things of the _Catawbas_; we believe what you say to be true, that there are, notwithstanding, some amongst them who are wiser and better; and, as you say, they are your Brethren, and belong to the great King over the Water, we shall not be against a Peace on reasonable Terms, provided they will come to the Northward to treat about it. In Confirmation of what we say, and to encourage you in your Undertaking, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremonies_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

You told us likewise, you had a great House provided for the Education of Youth, and that there were several white People and _Indians_ Children there to learn Languages, and to write and read, and invited us to send some of our Children amongst you, &c.

We must let you know we love our Children too well to send them so great a Way, and the _Indians_ are not inclined to give their Children Learning. We allow it to be good, and we thank you for your Invitation; but our Customs differing from yours, you will be so good as to excuse us.

We hope _Tarachawagon_[8] will be preserved by the good Spirit to a good old Age; when he is gone under Ground, it will be then time enough to look out for another; and no doubt but amongst so many Thousands as there are in the World, one such Man may be found, who will serve both Parties with the same Fidelity as _Tarachawagon_ does; while he lives there is no Room to complain. In Token of our Thankfulness for your Invitation, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.

_Brother_ Tocarry-hogan,

You told us Yesterday, that since there was now nothing in Controversy between us, and the Affair of the Land was settled to your Satisfaction, you would now brighten the Chain of Friendship which hath subsisted between you and us ever since we became Brethren; we are well pleased with the Proposition, and we thank you for it; we also are inclined to renew all Treaties, and keep a good Correspondence with you. You told us further, if ever we should perceive the Chain had contracted any Rust, to let you know, and you would take care to take the Rust out, and preserve it bright. We agree with you in this, and shall, on our Parts, do every thing to preserve a good Understanding, and to live in the same Friendship with you as with our Brother _Onas_ and _Assaragoa_; in Confirmation whereof we give you this Belt of Wampum.

_On which the usual Cry of_ Yo-hah _was given_.

_Brethren_,

We have now finished our Answer to what you said to us Yesterday, and shall now proceed to _Indian_ Affairs, that are not of so general a Concern.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

There lives a Nation of _Indians_ on the other Side of your Country, the _Tuscaroraes_, who are our Friends, and with whom we hold Correspondence; but the Road between us and them has been stopped for some Time, on account of the Misbehaviour of some of our Warriors. We have opened a new Road for our Warriors, and they shall keep to that; but as that would be inconvenient for Messengers going to the _Tuscaroraes_, we desire they may go the old Road. We frequently send Messengers to one another, and shall have more Occasion to do so now that we have concluded a Peace with the _Cherikees_. To enforce our Request, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Cry of Approbation_.

_Brother_ Assaragoa,

Among these _Tuscaroraes_ there live a few Families of the _Conoy Indians_, who are desirous to leave them, and to remove to the rest of their Nation among us, and the strait Road from them to us lies through the Middle of your Country. We desire you will give them free Passage through _Virginia_, and furnish them with Passes; and, to enforce our Request, we give you this String of Wampum.

_Which was received with the usual Cry of Approbation_.

_Brother_ Onas, Assaragoa, _and_ Tocarry-hogan,

At the Close of your respective Speeches Yesterday, you made us very handsome Presents, and we should return you something suitable to your Generosity; but, alas! we are poor, and shall ever remain so, as long as there are so many _Indian_ Traders among us. Theirs and the white Peoples Cattle have eat up all the Grass, and make Deer scarce. However, we have provided a small Present for you, and though some of you gave us more than others, yet, as you are all equally our Brethren, we shall leave it to you to divide it as you please.--And then presented three Bundles of Skins, which were received with the usual Ceremony from the three Governments.

We have one Thing further to say; and that is, We heartily recommend Union and a good Agreement between you our Brethren. Never disagree, but preserve a strict Friendship for one another, and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger.

Our wise Forefathers established Union and Amity between the _Five Nations_; this has made us formidable; this has given us great Weight and Authority with our neighbouring Nations.

We are a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh Strength and Power; therefore whatever befals you, never fall out one with another.

The Governor replied:

The honourable Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_ have desired me to speak for them; therefore I, in Behalf of those Governments, as well as of the Province of _Pensylvania_, return you Thanks for the many Proofs you have given in your Speeches of your Zeal for the Service of your Brethren the _English_, and in particular for your having so early engaged in a Neutrality the several Tribes of _Indians_ in the _French_ Alliance. We do not doubt but you will faithfully discharge your Promises. As to your Presents, we never estimate these Things by their real Worth, but by the Disposition of the Giver. In this Light we accept them with great Pleasure, and put a high Value upon them. We are obliged to you for recommending Peace and good Agreement amongst ourselves. We are all Subjects, as well as you, of the great King beyond the Water; and, in Duty to his Majesty, and from the good Affection we bear to each other, as well as from a Regard to our own Interest, we shall always be inclined to live in Friendship.

Then the Commissioners of _Virginia_ presented the hundred Pounds in Gold, together with a Paper, containing a Promise to recommend the _Six Nations_ for further Favour to the King; which they received with _Yo-hah_, and the Paper was given by them to _Conrad Weiser_ to keep for them. The Commissioners likewise promised that their publick Messengers should not be molested in their Passage through _Virginia_, and that they would prepare Passes for such of the _Conoy Indians_ as were willing to remove to the Northward.

Then the Commissioners of _Maryland_ presented their hundred Pounds in Gold, which was likewise received with the _Yo-hah_.

_Canassatego_ said, We mentioned to you Yesterday the Booty you had taken from the _French_, and asked you for some of the Rum which we supposed to be Part of it, and you gave us some; but it turned out unfortunately that you gave it in _French_ Glasses, we now desire you will give us some in _English_ Glasses.

The Governor made answer, We are glad to hear you have such a Dislike for what is _French_. They cheat you in your Glasses, as well as in every thing else. You must consider we are at a Distance from _Williamsburg, Annapolis_, and _Philadelphia_, where our Rum Stores are, and that although we brought up a good Quantity with us, you have almost drunk it out; but, notwithstanding this, we have enough left to fill our _English_ Glasses, and will shew the Difference between the Narrowness of the _French_, and the Generosity of your Brethren the _English_ towards you.

The _Indians_ gave, in their Order, five _Yo-hahs_; and the honourable Governor and Commissioners calling for some Rum, and some middle-sized Wine-Glasses, drank Health to the _great King of_ England, and the _Six Nations_, and put an end to the Treaty by three loud Huzza's, in which all the Company joined.

In the Evening the Governor went to take his Leave of the _Indians_, and, presenting them with a String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for one he had received of them, with a Message to desire the Governor of _Virginia_ to suffer their Warriors to go through _Virginia_ unmolested, which was rendered unnecessary by the present Treaty.

Then, presenting them with another String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for theirs, praying him, that as they had taken away one Part of _Conrad Weiser_'s Beard, which frightened their Children, he would please to take away the other, which he had ordered to be done.

_The_ Indians _received these two Strings of Wampum with the usual
Yo-hah_.

The Governor then asked them, what was the Reason that more of the _Shawanaes_, from their Town on _Hohio_, were not at the Treaty? But seeing that it would require a Council in Form, and perhaps another Day to give an Answer, he desired they would give an Answer to _Conrad Weiser_ upon the Road on their Return home, for he was to set out for _Philadelphia_ the next Morning.

_C A N A S S A T E G O in Conclusion spoke at follows:_

We have been hindered, by a great deal of Business, from waiting on you, to have some private Conversation with you, chiefly to enquire after the Healths of _Onas_ beyond the Water; we desire you will tell them, we have a grateful Sense of all their Kindnesses for the _Indians_. Brother _Onas_ told us, when he went away, he would not stay long from us; we think it is a great while, and want to know when we may expect him, and desire, when you write, you will recommend us heartily to him; which the Governor promised to do, and then took his Leave of them.

The Commissioners of _Virginia_ gave _Canassatego_ a Scarlet Camblet Coat, and took their Leave of them in Form, and at the same time delivered the Passes to them, according to their Request.

The Commissioners of _Maryland_ presented _Gachradodow_ with a broad Gold-laced Hat, and took their Leave of them in the same Manner.

_A true Copy, compared by_

Richard Peters, Secr.

[Footnote 7: Onandio, the Governor of _Canada_.]

[Footnote 8: _Tarachawagon, Conrad Weiser_.]

A

=T R E A T Y=

BETWEEN

H I S E X C E L L E N C Y

The Honourable George Clinton,

Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the Province of _New-York_, and the Territories thereon depending in America, Vice-Admiral of the same, and Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet.

A N D

The Six United _Indian_ Nations, and other _Indian_ Nations, depending on the Province of _N E W-Y O R K_.

Held at _A L B A N Y_ in the Months of _August_ and _September_, 1746.

_A_ T R E A T Y _between his Excellency the Governor of the Province of_ New-York, _and the_ Six Nations, _and other_ Indian _Nations, depending on said Province._

It is well known in the Province of _New-York_, that the _Six Nations_ of _Indians_ depending on this Province, (called _Iroquois_ by the _French_) had lately on several Occasions, appear'd dissatisfied and wavering in their Fidelity to the _British_ Crown. No doubt, this was principally occasion'd by the Artifices of the _French_ of _Canada_, who had constantly Emissaries among them: But at the same Time there is Reason to think, the suspicious Behaviour of these Nations, in Favour of their once inveterate Enemy the _French_, could not have arriv'd to the Pitch it did, otherwise than by some Neglects or Misconduct of those who were entrusted by the Government of _New-York_ with the Management of the _Indian_ Affairs.

His Excellency the Governor of _New-York_, having received his Majesty's Commands, to engage the _Indian_ Nations depending on his Government, to join in the Expedition then intended against _Canada_, and to make them the usual Presents on that Occasion; and being sensible of the great Use these _Nations_ might be to the Success of this Enterprize, and likewise of the Difficulties that probably might attend his Endeavours at this Time, was desirous to have had the Assistance of as many of the Members of his Majesty's Council as the Circumstances of Affairs would permit; but they all declined to give their Attendance, except Mr. _Colden_ and Mr. _Livingston_. His Excellency was therefore obliged to act with the smallest Number of Members, which by his Majesty's Commission can form a Council, _viz_. Three; the above two Gentlemen and Capt. _Rutherford_, who was then at his Post in _Albany_.

As soon as his Excellency received his Majesty's Commands, he dispatched from _Albany_ such Persons as, by the best Information he could receive, had Influence among the _Six Nations_, to invite them severally to meet him at _Albany_, on the 20th of _July_. His Excellency arriv'd at _Albany_ the 21st of _July_, where having heard, that, besides the Small-Pox, (which his Excellency never had) many were sick of a contagious malignant Fever, he continued on board the Sloop which carried him up, to consider where to lodge with the least Danger to his Person from the Infection of these Distempers; and the next Morning resolved to go into the Fort. He was received at his Landing with the usual Marks of Respect from the Corporation, the independent Companies of regular Troops then in the Place, and the Militia, under a Discharge of the Cannon of the Fort and Town.