Part 7
After the Governor had concluded, Mr. _Logan_ return'd an Answer to that Part of _Canassatego_'s Speech which related to him, and said, 'That not only upon the Account of his Lameness, of which the _Indians_ themselves were Witnesses; but on Account of another Indisposition, which about three Years since had laid him under an Incapacity of expressing himself with his former usual Freedom, he had been obliged to live retired in the Country. But that our first Proprietor, the Honourable _William Penn_, who had ever been a Father and true Friend to all the _Indians_, having above forty Years since recommended them to his particular Care, he had always, from his own Inclination, as well as from that strict Charge, endeavoured to convince all the _Indians_, that he was their true Friend; and was now well pleased, that after a Tract of so many Years, they were not insensible of it. He thanked them kindly for their Present, and heartily joined with them in their Desires, that this Government may always be furnished with Persons of equally good Inclinations, and not only with such, but also with better Abilities to serve them.'
And then _Canassatego_ said, he had forgot to mention, that _Shickcalamy_ and _Caxhayn_ had been employ'd on several Messages to this Government, and desir'd they might be consider'd on that Account.
* * * * *
At a C O U N C I L held the 12th of _July_, P. M. 1742.
P R E S E N T,
The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.
_James Logan_, } _Clement Plumsted_, } _Samuel Hasell_, } _Robert Strettell_, } Esqrs; _Samuel Preston_, } _Thomas Lawrence_, } _Abraham Taylor_, } Mr. _Richard Peters_.
The Board taking into Consideration the Regulation of the necessary Expences of the _Indians_ travelling down hither, and returning; and upon an Estimate made by _Conrad Weiser_, amounting to about _one hundred Pounds_, it appearing that the said Sum of 100 _l._ will be necessary to be advanced to _Conrad Weiser_ to defray those Expences, Mr. _Logan_, on the Proprietaries Behalf, proposes to advance 40 _l._ and the Treasurer declaring he had no publick Money in his Hands, and that if he had, he would not advance Money without the Assembly's Order; it is recommended to Mr. _Preston_ and Mr. _Lawrence_, to confer with Mr. _Kinsey_, and know whether he, as Speaker of the Assembly, and Trustee of the Loan-Office, will advance the other 60 _l._
And the _Indians_ having requested that they might have a small Quantity of Rum, to be added to their Provisions, to comfort them on the Road: The Board is of Opinion, that there be added to the said Estimate for twenty Gallons of Rum for the aforesaid Use. And in Return for their Present of Skins, at requesting that the _Indian_ Traders be enjoin'd to sell their Goods cheaper, the Board directs that two Strouds be presented. And that _five Pounds_ be given to _Caxhayn_ on the Account of the Province, for his Services; and to _Shickcalamy_ the like Sum.
_A just Copy, compared by_
_P A T R I C K B A I R D_, Secr.
A
=T R E A T Y=
Held at the Town of
_Lancaster_, in Pensylvania,
By the Honourable the
Lieutenant-Governor of the PROVINCE,
And the Honourable the
Commissioners for the PROVINCES
OF
Virginia _and_ Maryland,
with the
_I N D I A N S_
O F T H E
S I X N A T I O N S,
In _J U N E_, 1744.
A Treaty with the _I N D I A N S_ of the Six Nations.
* * * * *
In the C o u r t-H o u s e in the Town of _Lancaster_, on _Friday_ the Twenty-second of _June_, 1744,
P R E S E N T,
The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieut. Governor of the Province of _Pensylvania_, and Counties of _Newcastle, Kent_ and _Sussex_, on _Delaware_.
The Honourable _Thomas Lee_, Esq; } Commissioners Colonel _William Beverly_, } of _Virginia_.
The Honourable _Edm. Jennings_, Esq; } _Philip Thomas_, Esq; } Commissioners Colonel _Robert King_, } of _Maryland_. Colonel _Thomas Colville_, }
The Deputies of the _Onandagoes, Senecas, Cayogoes, Oneidas_ and _Tuscaroraes_.
_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
The Governor and the Commissioners took some of the _Indian_ Chiefs by the Hand, and, after they had seated themselves, the Governor bid them welcome into the Government; and there being Wine and Punch prepared for them, the Governor and the several Commissioners drank Health to the _Six Nations_; and _Canassatego, Tachanoontia_, and some other Chiefs, returned the Compliments, drinking the Healths of _Onas_[1], _Assaragoa_[2], and the Governor of _Maryland_.
After they were all served with Wine, Punch, Pipes and Tobacco, the Governor told the _Indians_, that as it was customary, and indeed necessary, they should have some Time to rest after so long a Journey, and as he thought three Days would be no more than sufficient for that Purpose, he proposed to speak to them on _Monday_ next; after which, the honourable Commissioners would take their own Time to deliver what they had to say.
_C A N A S S A T E G O_ answered the Governor: We thank you for giving us Time to rest; we are come to you, and shall leave it intirely to you to appoint the Time when we shall meet you again. We likewise leave it to the Governor of _Maryland_, by whose Invitation we came here, to appoint a Time when he will please to mention the Reason of his inviting us. As to our Brother _Assaragoa_, we have at this present Time nothing to say to him; not but we have a great deal to say to _Assaragoa_, which must be said at one Time or another; but not being satisfied whether he or we should begin first, we shall leave it wholly to our Brother _Onas_ to adjust this between us, and to say which shall begin first.
[Footnote 1: _Onas_, the Governor of _Pensylvania_.]
[Footnote 2: _Assaragoa_, the Governor of _Virginia_.]
* * * * *
In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 25, 1744. _A. M._
P R E S E N T,
The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Governor, &c. The Honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_. The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_. The Deputies of the _Six Nations_. _Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
The Governor spoke as follows.
_Honourable Gentlemen, Commissioners for the Governments of_ Virginia _and_ Maryland, _and Brethren, Sachims, or Chiefs of the_ Indians _of the_ Six Nations.
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,