'BRETHREN,'I thank you for this Piece of News; you have taken this Matter perfectly right. All Bargaining for Land within this Province, is, to be sure, a manifest Breach of your Contract with the Proprietors, and what we know you will not countenance. We have hitherto found theSix Nationsfaithful to their Engagements, and this is a fresh Instance of their Punctuality. You could not help these Mistakes of your young Men; they were not done in your Presence: But as several Inconveniencies may arise from these kind of clandestine Sales, or from any such loose Sales of Land by your People, we desire you will, on your Return home, give publick Notice to all your Warriors not to bargain for any Land; or if they do, that you will not confirm such Bargains; and that this very Affair, together with what you have done therein, may be particularly reported to all your Nation assembled in Council.'
'BRETHREN,
'I thank you for this Piece of News; you have taken this Matter perfectly right. All Bargaining for Land within this Province, is, to be sure, a manifest Breach of your Contract with the Proprietors, and what we know you will not countenance. We have hitherto found theSix Nationsfaithful to their Engagements, and this is a fresh Instance of their Punctuality. You could not help these Mistakes of your young Men; they were not done in your Presence: But as several Inconveniencies may arise from these kind of clandestine Sales, or from any such loose Sales of Land by your People, we desire you will, on your Return home, give publick Notice to all your Warriors not to bargain for any Land; or if they do, that you will not confirm such Bargains; and that this very Affair, together with what you have done therein, may be particularly reported to all your Nation assembled in Council.'
TheOnondagoChief promised to give such publick Notice; and desiring Liberty to mend his former Speech, he proceeded:
'BRETHREN,'I forgot one Circumstance: Our People, who pretended to sell the Land, demanded a Belt of Wampum of the Buyers to carry to their Chiefs; and on their declaring they had no Wampum, our Warriors said, they would not answer that their Chiefs would confirm this Bargain, since they never did any thing of this Nature without Wampum.'
'BRETHREN,
'I forgot one Circumstance: Our People, who pretended to sell the Land, demanded a Belt of Wampum of the Buyers to carry to their Chiefs; and on their declaring they had no Wampum, our Warriors said, they would not answer that their Chiefs would confirm this Bargain, since they never did any thing of this Nature without Wampum.'
The Governor, after a short Pause, spoke:
'BRETHRENof the Six Nations,'I take this Opportunity to relate to you a Piece of disagreeable News I received some Days ago in a Letter fromLe Tort, theIndianTrader, atAllegheny, who says, "That inMaylast someIndiansof theTawayNation, supposed by us to be theTwightwees, in their Return from War, called and staid some Time with theShawanese; who being asked, and denying they had brought either Scalps or Prisoners, theShawanesesuspecting them, had the Curiosity to search their Bags, and finding two Scalps in them, that by the Softness of the Hair did not feel likeIndianScalps, they wash'd them clean, and found them to be the Scalps of some Christians. On this Discovery, theTwightweeswere so much ashamed, that they stole away from their Town in the Night-time; and coming, as they afterwards understood, to a little Village belonging to theShawanese, they told our People that their Hearts were full of Grief; for, as they came along the Road, they found it all bloody; and having good Cause to believe it was made bloody with the Blood of some of the white Brethren, they had very sorrowfully swept the Road; and desired them to inform the Governor ofPensilvaniaof their (theTwightwees) Grief; and how they had swept the Road clean." 'Le Tortadds, on Behalf of theShawanese,' "That they were much grieved at this unfortunate Accident; and prayed, as they had no Concern in it, more than by being Instruments to discover it, their Brethren would not blame them, nor suffer a Misunderstanding to arise between them on this Account: They would sweep the Road clean, and wipe all the Blood away; and desired their Brethren would be satisfied with this, and not weep too much for a Misfortune that might not happen again as long as the Sun and Moon shone."'The Person who delivered meLe Tort's Letter, brought this Bundle of Skins as a Present to me; but I told the Messenger, I would not meddle with it; he might leave it if he pleased: The Affair appear'd to me in a bad Light, and I would represent it to theSix Nations, who were expected in Town every Day. This is the Fact, as I have it fromLe Tort: I desire to be inform'd if you know any thing of this Matter; and if you do not, that you will make diligent Enquiry who committed the Murder, and who are the unhappy Sufferers, and assist us to obtain Satisfaction, if it shall appear to be any, of our Fellow-Subjects that have been treated in this Manner.'To inforce this Request, I present you with this String of Wampum.
'BRETHRENof the Six Nations,
'I take this Opportunity to relate to you a Piece of disagreeable News I received some Days ago in a Letter fromLe Tort, theIndianTrader, atAllegheny, who says, "That inMaylast someIndiansof theTawayNation, supposed by us to be theTwightwees, in their Return from War, called and staid some Time with theShawanese; who being asked, and denying they had brought either Scalps or Prisoners, theShawanesesuspecting them, had the Curiosity to search their Bags, and finding two Scalps in them, that by the Softness of the Hair did not feel likeIndianScalps, they wash'd them clean, and found them to be the Scalps of some Christians. On this Discovery, theTwightweeswere so much ashamed, that they stole away from their Town in the Night-time; and coming, as they afterwards understood, to a little Village belonging to theShawanese, they told our People that their Hearts were full of Grief; for, as they came along the Road, they found it all bloody; and having good Cause to believe it was made bloody with the Blood of some of the white Brethren, they had very sorrowfully swept the Road; and desired them to inform the Governor ofPensilvaniaof their (theTwightwees) Grief; and how they had swept the Road clean." 'Le Tortadds, on Behalf of theShawanese,' "That they were much grieved at this unfortunate Accident; and prayed, as they had no Concern in it, more than by being Instruments to discover it, their Brethren would not blame them, nor suffer a Misunderstanding to arise between them on this Account: They would sweep the Road clean, and wipe all the Blood away; and desired their Brethren would be satisfied with this, and not weep too much for a Misfortune that might not happen again as long as the Sun and Moon shone."
'The Person who delivered meLe Tort's Letter, brought this Bundle of Skins as a Present to me; but I told the Messenger, I would not meddle with it; he might leave it if he pleased: The Affair appear'd to me in a bad Light, and I would represent it to theSix Nations, who were expected in Town every Day. This is the Fact, as I have it fromLe Tort: I desire to be inform'd if you know any thing of this Matter; and if you do not, that you will make diligent Enquiry who committed the Murder, and who are the unhappy Sufferers, and assist us to obtain Satisfaction, if it shall appear to be any, of our Fellow-Subjects that have been treated in this Manner.'
To inforce this Request, I present you with this String of Wampum.
TheOnondagoChief, in Reply, said:
BRETHREN,'We take this Information kindly at your Hands; we will take this String of Wampum home with us to our Lodgings, and there consult about the most regular and proper Steps to be taken by us to answer your Expectations, and when we have duly considered the Matter, we will return you an Answer.'
BRETHREN,
'We take this Information kindly at your Hands; we will take this String of Wampum home with us to our Lodgings, and there consult about the most regular and proper Steps to be taken by us to answer your Expectations, and when we have duly considered the Matter, we will return you an Answer.'
Upon this the Governor put an End to the Conference; and calling for Wine, and other Liquors, according to theIndianCustom, after a decent and chearful Entertainment, theIndianswithdrew.
The Honourable
GEORGE THOMAS
, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.
James Logan
, }
Clement Plumsted
, } Esqrs;
With several Gentlemen of the Town.The Chiefs of the Six Nations.
It being judg'd proper, at this critical Time, when we are in daily Expectation of aFrenchWar, to sound theIndians, and discover what Dependance we might have on them, in case their Aid should be wanted, an handsome Dinner was provided for their Chiefs; and after they had made an hearty Meal, and drank his Majesty's Health, the Proprietors, and the Health of theSix Nations, the Chiefs gave the solemn Cry, in Testimony of their Thanks for the Honour done them. And soon after the Governor began, in a free Way, to enquire for what Reason theSenecaswere not come down, since they had an equal Share of the Goods with the other Nations.——Canassateego, their Speaker, said, 'TheSenecaswere in great Distress, on Account of a Famine that raged in their Country, which had reduced them to such Want, that a Father had been obliged to kill two of his Children to preserve his own, and the rest of his Family's Lives; and they could not now come down, but had given Directions about their Share of the Goods.'——The Governor express'd his Concern for the unhappy Circumstances of their Brethren of theSenecaNation; and, after a short Respite, enquired if any of their Deputies were then atCanada, and whether theFrenchGovernor was making any warlike Preparations. And on their answeringYes, the Governor said, with a smiling, pleasant Countenance, 'I suppose, if theFrenchshould go to War with us, you will join them.' TheIndiansconferr'd together for some Time, and thenCanassateego, in a chearful lively Manner, made answer.——'We assure you, the Governor ofCanadapays our Nations great Court at this Time, well knowing of what Consequence we are to theFrenchInterest: He has already told us, he was uncovering the Hatchet, and sharpening it, and hoped, if he should be obliged to lift it up against theEnglish, our Nations would remain neuter, and assist neither Side.——But we will now speak plainly to our Brethren: Why should we, who are one Flesh with you, refuse to help you, whenever you want our Assistance?——We have continued a long Time in the strictest League of Amity and Friendship with you, and we shall always be faithful and true to you our old and good Allies.——The Governor ofCanadatalks a great deal, but ten of his Words do not go so far as one of yours.——We do not look towards them; we look towards you; and you may depend on our Assistance.' Whilst theOnondagoChief made this open and hearty Declaration, all the otherIndiansmade frequently that particular Kind of Noise which is known to be a Mark of Approbation.——The Governor bid the Interpreter tellCanassateego, 'He did not set on foot this Enquiry from any Suspicion he had of theSix Nationswanting a due Regard for theEnglish.—Our Experience of their Honour and Faith, said he, would not permit us to think any other of them, than that they would esteem our Friends their Friends, and our Enemies their Enemies, agreeable to the strict Union which had ever subsisted between us.—As to the Governor ofCanada, he told them they need not mind what he said.—TheEnglish, on equal Terms, had beat theFrench, and could beat them again: And were they but to consider the Advantages which theEnglishhave, by possessing so many large and populous Countries, and so many good Ports on the Continent ofAmerica, they would soon see who had most Reason to fear a War, theFrenchor theEnglish.'
Here the Conversation dropped; and after another Glass of Wine, theIndiansresumed the Discourse, by asking whether their Brethren had not been for some Time engaged in a War with the King ofSpain, and what Successes they had met with.
The Governor told them, the King ofGreat-Britainlived in an Island, and being surrounded with the Sea, his chief Strength lay in his Ships; in which he was so much superior to his Enemies, that they were seldom to be met with on the broad Ocean, but sculk'd and hid themselves, only venturing out now and then; and whenever they did, they were almost sure to be taken; and that the King ofGreat-Britainhad with his Ships, beat down, or taken several of theSpaniardsgreat Forts inAmerica.—TheIndianssaid, they were pleased to hear their Brethren were an Over-match for their Enemies, and wish'd them good Success.
The Governor then enquired into the State and Condition of the Nations to the Westward of the Great Lakes, and whether they had any Warriors then in those Countries? Whether they had concluded Peace with the SouthernIndians? And whether they had heard what their Deputies had done atAlbany?
They made Answer: That they had always Abundance of their Men out amongst the Nations situate to the West of their Lakes.—That they had kindled a Fire with a vast many Nations, some whereof were Tributaries, and they had a good Understanding with all.—They set out from their own Country in Company with two Sets of Deputies, one going to hold a Treaty with the SouthernIndians, and they believed a Peace would be concluded: The other going to meet the Governor ofNew-York, atAlbany; but they could not tell what had been done at either Place.—On their return, they were to hold a General Council, and would inform their Brethren of these Particulars.
Then the Governor put an End to the Conference, by telling theIndiansthe Goods would be delivered to them at a Council to be held To-morrow Afternoon at the Meeting-House.
The Honourable
GEORGE THOMAS
, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.
James Logan
, }
Clement Plumsted
, }
Abraham Taylor
, } Esqrs;
Samuel Preston
, }
Ralph Asheton
, }
Robert Strettell
, }
CANASSATEEGO
, Chief of the
Onondagoes
, Speaker.
Shicalamy
, and a great Number of
Indians
, whose Names are as follows,
viz
.
ONONTOGOES
.
Sawegaty
, }
Caxhayion
, } Counsellors.
Saguyassatha
,
Kayadoghratie
, alias
Slanaghquasy
,
Rotier-uwughton
,
Tokaughaah
,
Tiorughwaghthe
,
Tokano-ungoh
,
Aronty-oony
,
Tohanohawighton
,
Tioghwatoony
,
Auughrahysey
.
CAIYOQUOS
.
Sahugh-sowa
, }
Tohatgaghthus
, } Chiefs.
Tokany-esus
,
Runho-hihio
,
Kanadoghary
,
Zior-aghquaty
,
Sagu-iughwatha
, alias
Cadcaradasey
,
Sca-yenties
,
Tats-heghteh
,
Alligh-waheis
,
Tayo-quario
,
Hogh degh runtu
,
Rotehn Haghtyackon
, Captain.
Sawoalieselhohaa
,
Sagughsa-eck
,
Uwantakeraa
,
Horuhot
,
Osoghquaa
,
Tuyanoegon
.
ANOYIUTS
,
or
ONEIDAS
.
Saristaquoh
, }
Ungquaterughiathe, alias
Shikelimo
, } Chiefs.
Tottowakerha
,
Taraghkoerus
,
Onughkallydawwy
, a noted young Chief.
Onughnaxqua
, Chief.
Tawyiakaarat
,
Tohathuyongochtha
,
Sughnakaarat
,
Taghneghdoerus
,
Tokanyiadaroeyon
,
Sagogughyatha
,
Rahehius
,
Tokanusoegon
.
JENONTOWANOS
,
or
SENECAS
.
Karugh iagh Raghquy
, Captain.
Tahn heentus
,
Onontyiack
.
TUSCARROROS
.
Sawontka
, }
Ti-ieroes
, } Chiefs.
Cloghsytowax
, }
Tokaryhoegon
, Captain.
Oghioghseh
,
Tieleghweghson
,
Tougrotha
,
Yorughianego
,
Ot-quehig
,
Squaghky
,
Sayadyio
,
Onughsowûghton
,
Cherigh wâstho
,
Aghsûnteries
,
Tion ogh scôghtha
,
Saligh wanaghson
,
Ohn-wâasey
,
Tocar-eher
[died since at
Tulpehokin
.]
Tohanatâkqua
,
Kanyhâag
.
SHAWANOES
.
Wehwehlaky
, Chief.
Aset teywa
,
Asoghqua
,
Maya minickysy
,
Wawyia Beeseny
.
Canestogo
Indians that speak the
Onayiut's
Language
.
Tior Haasery
, Chief.
Tanigh wackerau
,
Karha Cawyiat
,
Kayen quily quo
.
CANOYIAS
,
or
NANTIKOKES
,
of
Canestogo.
Des-seheg
,
Ichqua que heck
,
Quesamaag
,
Ayiok-ius
.
DELAWARES
of
Shamokin.
Olumapies
, }
Lingehanoah
, } Chiefs.
Kelly macquan
,
Quitie-yquont
,
Pishquiton
,
Nena chy haut
.
DELAWARES
from the
Forks.
Onutpe
, }
Lawye quohwon
, alias
Nutimus
, } Chiefs.
Toweghkappy
.
Cornel. Spring
, and others.
Conrad Weiser
,
Cornelius Spring
,
Interpreters
.
And a great Number of the Inhabitants of
Philadelphia
.
The Governor having commanded Silence, spoke as follows:
'Friends and Brethren of the Six Nations,'Six Years ago a Number of your Chiefs obliged us with a Visit, when they agreed on Behalf of your Nations, to the Release of certain Lands on both Sides the RiverSasquehannah, to the Southward of theEndless-Mountains, and within the Limits and Bounds of the King's Grant of this Province. In Consideration of which, a certain Quantity of Goods was agreed on, and delivered as a full Satisfaction for the said Lands, lying on the Eastern Side of the said River: And for the Lands on the Western Side of the said River, you desired the Payment should be deferr'd till another Opportunity. These Goods, which are exactly the same in Quantity, as those you received the last Time the Chiefs of your Nations were here, have been ready a considerable Time, and kept in Expectation of your coming for them: And now you are come down, fully impowered by your respective Councils to receive them, we are well pleased to deliver them; leaving it to you to make a fair and equal Division of them amongst yourselves. We are sorry for the Absence of our Brethren theSenecas, and much more so, that it should be owing to their Distress at Home by a Famine that rages in their Country:—A Famine so great, that you tell us a Father has been obliged to sacrifice one Part of his Family, even his own Children, for the Support and Preservation of himself, and the other Part.—We heartily commiserate their Condition, and do not doubt but you will do them fair and ample Justice in the Disposal of their Part of the Goods, in such Manner as they have instructed you. You shall now hear the List of the Goods read to you.'
'Friends and Brethren of the Six Nations,
'Six Years ago a Number of your Chiefs obliged us with a Visit, when they agreed on Behalf of your Nations, to the Release of certain Lands on both Sides the RiverSasquehannah, to the Southward of theEndless-Mountains, and within the Limits and Bounds of the King's Grant of this Province. In Consideration of which, a certain Quantity of Goods was agreed on, and delivered as a full Satisfaction for the said Lands, lying on the Eastern Side of the said River: And for the Lands on the Western Side of the said River, you desired the Payment should be deferr'd till another Opportunity. These Goods, which are exactly the same in Quantity, as those you received the last Time the Chiefs of your Nations were here, have been ready a considerable Time, and kept in Expectation of your coming for them: And now you are come down, fully impowered by your respective Councils to receive them, we are well pleased to deliver them; leaving it to you to make a fair and equal Division of them amongst yourselves. We are sorry for the Absence of our Brethren theSenecas, and much more so, that it should be owing to their Distress at Home by a Famine that rages in their Country:—A Famine so great, that you tell us a Father has been obliged to sacrifice one Part of his Family, even his own Children, for the Support and Preservation of himself, and the other Part.—We heartily commiserate their Condition, and do not doubt but you will do them fair and ample Justice in the Disposal of their Part of the Goods, in such Manner as they have instructed you. You shall now hear the List of the Goods read to you.'
Here, by the Governor's Order, the List of the Goods was read over,viz.
500Pounds of Powder.600Pounds of Lead.45Guns.60Strowd-Matchcoats.100Blankets.100Duffil Matchcoats.200Yards Half-thick.100Shirts.40Hats.40Pair Shoes & Buckles.40Pair Stockings.100Hatchets.500Knives.100Hoes.60Kettles.100Tobacco-Tongs.100Scissars.500Awl-Blades.120Combs.2000Needles.1000Flints.24Looking-Glasses.2Pounds of Vermilion.100Tin-Pots.1000Tobacco-Pipes.200Pounds of Tobacco.24Dozen of Gartering, and25Gallons of Rum.
500Pounds of Powder.600Pounds of Lead.45Guns.60Strowd-Matchcoats.100Blankets.100Duffil Matchcoats.200Yards Half-thick.100Shirts.40Hats.40Pair Shoes & Buckles.40Pair Stockings.100Hatchets.500Knives.100Hoes.60Kettles.100Tobacco-Tongs.100Scissars.500Awl-Blades.120Combs.2000Needles.1000Flints.24Looking-Glasses.2Pounds of Vermilion.100Tin-Pots.1000Tobacco-Pipes.200Pounds of Tobacco.24Dozen of Gartering, and25Gallons of Rum.
Then the Governor told them that the Goods, of which the Particulars had been just read to them, were in the Meeting-House, and would be sent to whatever Place they would direct.
The Governor then proceeded:
BRETHREN,'You have often heard of the Care that your great and good Friend and BrotherWilliam Penn, took at all Times to cultivate a perfect good Harmony with all theIndians: Of these your Nations have ever been fully sensible; but more especially a Number of your Chiefs, about ten Years ago, when on the Arrival of a Son of your said great FriendWilliam Penn, large and valuable Presents were exchanged by us with you; a new Road was made and clear'd; a new Fire kindled; and the Chain of Friendship made stronger, so as to last while the Sun and Moon endure.
BRETHREN,
'You have often heard of the Care that your great and good Friend and BrotherWilliam Penn, took at all Times to cultivate a perfect good Harmony with all theIndians: Of these your Nations have ever been fully sensible; but more especially a Number of your Chiefs, about ten Years ago, when on the Arrival of a Son of your said great FriendWilliam Penn, large and valuable Presents were exchanged by us with you; a new Road was made and clear'd; a new Fire kindled; and the Chain of Friendship made stronger, so as to last while the Sun and Moon endure.