USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Brookville > A pioneer history of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania and my first recollections of Brookville, Pennsylvania, 1840-1843, when my feet were bare and my cheeks were brown > Part 7
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" ' SACHEMS AND WARRIORS,-We now announce to you Colonel Atlee, Mr. McClay, and Colonel Johnston, three honorable gentlemen from the State of Pennsylvania, who have come, by the consent of Congress, as commissioners, to transact some affairs with you, on the part of their State, after the conclusion of the present treaty, should it be concluded in a manner satisfactory to the United States.'
" After which Colonel Atlee, in behalf of the Indian commissioners for the State of Pennsylvania, delivered the following speech,-viz. :
"' SACHEMS AND WARRIORS,-You have been now told by the honor- able commissioners from Congress that we attend as commissioners from your old friends of Pennsylvania to transact business with you on the part of that State. At a proper season we will produce to you our com- mission, and lay before you the business committed to our charge, and we doubt not but you will take it under immediate consideration and return a favorable answer.'
" (FOUR STRINGS.)
" IN CONFERENCE, FORT STANWIX, October 22, 1784.
" PRESENT :
The HON. SAMUEL F. ATLEE,
FRANCIS JOHNSTON, and WILLIAM MCCLAV, EsQs. GRIFFITH EVANS, Secretary. The REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND
2. Interpreters.
and MR. JAMES DEAN,
And the deputies of the Six Indian Nations.
" The commissioners, through Colonel Atlee, opened their business by addressing them as follows,-viz. :
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" ' BROTHERS OF THE SIX NATIONS,-It is probable that the business between you and the Continental commissioners will be settled this day in council. Previous to which we are desirous of meeting you this morning with a view of laying before you the particular objects of our mission, and which we have attended here so long to negotiate with you on the part of the State of Pennsylvania. It is not our wish to settle any matters finally until the conclusion of the Continental treaty. The design of our present interview is to prepare your minds for the introduc- tion of our business at a proper season, to discuss with freedom and seri- ously deliberate upon the subjects necessary to be taken into consideration, that we may fully and perfectly understand each other.
" We now inform you that we are commissioned, and sent from your old friends in Pennsylvania to purchase from you, according to ancient custom, the unpurchased lands within the acknowledged limits of the said State. This has been the invariable usage of our forefathers, and we, desirous of pursuing their good example, wish that our young men, who have become very numerous and require more lands, should settle and improve the same in quietness and peace ; for this desirable purpose we have brought with us a valuable cargo of goods, suited to your various wants and necessities, as a compensation for your right to these lands. But these lands being more remote and consequently less valuable than those our fathers have heretofore purchased, you ought not, therefore, to expect so great a consideration for them.'
" (The commissioners then produced a map of the State, pointing out to them the unpurchased land now intended to be purchased. )
" ' We here produce to you all the deeds of purchase made by our forefathers from their first coming into this country, which, if you require, shall be read and explained to you for your information and satisfaction, by which you will learn the extreme regard the people of Pennsylvania have ever shown the Six Confederated Nations.'
" To which Captain O'Bale,* a chief of the Seneca Nation, replied in behalf of the Six Nations :
"' BROTHERS OF PENNSYLVANIA,-We now call your attention to our reply to what you have said. We greatly rejoice in meeting our brothers of Pennsylvania once more in peace and friendship. Your language has been friendly and agreeable to us, as that of your forefathers always was. You have informed us of the business you are commissioned from the State of Pennsylvania to transact with us. We have seen the deeds given by our fathers to yours and understand you well. We will take up the matter, keep it in mind, and deliberate upon it till the close of the Continental business.'
* Captain O'Bale was more generally known as the great chief " Cornplanter," who lived on the Allegheny River, in what is now Warren County. He received two thou- sand acres of land from the State.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" The commissioners then thanked them, and proceeded as follows,- viz .:
" ' We come in the most peaceable and friendly manner, and do not wish to irritate your minds with a recapitulation of former grievances, but to make the road between us smooth and even. We are to inform you that one of our brothers present (pointing to Mr. McClay) is ap- pointed by the government of Pennsylvania to run the boundary line between you and us next spring, when we will expect some of you to ac- company him, in order to prevent all disputes in future touching the same.
"' Having it in charge from the State, we must not omit to be in- formed by you the Indian name of Burnet's Hills, mentioned in our deed of 1768. And also which of the two streams, Lycoming or Pine Creek (both of which empty into the west branch of Susquehanna), is known among you by the name of TIADAGHTON.' (To which they answered : ) As to Burnet's Hills, they call them the Long Mountains, and knew them by no other name, and that TIADAGHTON was Pine Creek or the uppermost and largest of the two, but of this they would consider and return a more positive answer.
" The conference was then closed.
" October 23, 1784, IN CONFERENCE.
" PRESENT as before.
" The commissioners again produced the map of the State, pointing out the purchased and unpurchased lands within the same, particularly describing and explaining to them the forty-second degree or line of lati- tude (being the northern boundary of the State), and also mentioned the place where it was supposed it would pass. All which Captain Aaron Hill, a Mohock chief, who spoke English very well, perfectly understood and explained in a satisfactory manner to the other chiefs.
" Captain O'Bale then spoke, and informed the commissioners 'that it is not the wish of the Six Nations at present to part with so much of their hunting-grounds,' and pointed out a line on the map which he hoped would be agreeable to them.
" This being far short of the boundary of the State, was, therefore, deemed by the commissioners totally inadmissible.
" The commissioners then spoke to them as follows :
"' BROTHERS,-Though the lands that we are about to purchase are already ceded by the line of cession described in the Articles of Peace between the United States and Great Britain, yet we mean not to take advantage of you, but are desirous of paying you a valuable consideration for them, after the manner of our ancestors, your brothers of Pennsyl- vania. This consideration we have with us, and consists of an excellent assortment of goods, amounting in value to four thousand dollars, and
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
which you will find to be of the first quality, which will certainly con- vince you that many advantages will flow to you from a trade and corre- spondence with your brothers of Pennsylvania.
"' We now desire you would make up your minds on these important matters, that our business may be in such forwardness on the conclusion of the Continental treaty as to be ready to receive a public and final sanction, on the completion of which we will deliver you a belt.
" ' We wish once more to impress our brothers with an idea that our intention is to pursue the same method of obtaining lands from you that our forefathers did, with whose conduct we conceive you must be per- fectly satisfied, as they never wronged you, but have fulfilled all their engagements and paid you faithfully for all the lands they have from time to time purchased of you.
"' Least any doubts should arise respecting the quality of the goods, if such chiefs as are desirous of seeing them will attend at the stores, the several packages shall be opened and shown to them.
" ' It has been intimated by some of you that you are desirous of having a privilege of hunting on these lands. To this we have no objections, more especially as the Continental commissioners have granted you the same indulgence. This, in our opinions, will tend to our mutual advantage.
" ' Brothers, to-morrow being Sunday, on which we can transact no public business, being a great way from our respective families and winter approaching fast upon us, we must, therefore, again request you to come to a conclusion on these matters, and let us know your minds as soon as possible.'
" The commissioners then withdrew, the chiefs still remaining in con- sultation. After some time the Indians requested their attendance. They returned accordingly, when the chiefs present spoke by Captain O'Bale as follows :
"' BROTHERS OF PENNSYLVANIA,-You have communicated to us your business, you have pointed out the lands you are directed to purchase of us, and we understand you. You have likewise shown your authority, of which we are satisfied. And as we wish to keep the way between us smooth and even, and to brighten the chain of friendship and make it lasting, we have agreed that the lands you have described be granted to you in the same manner as you have requested. But as lands afford a lasting and rising profit, and as the Pennsylvanians have always been generous, we hope you will give us something next year as a farther consideration.'
" The commissioners, after consulting together, replied,-
'' We thank you for meeting us here, and are glad to find you so well disposed to peace and friendship. We expected we had brought you sufficient presents for the lands we are commissioned to purchase, but have nevertheless agreed to give you goods to the amount of one
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
thousand dollars more, which we will deliver to you or to any persons you may appoint to receive them at Tioga, the Ist day of next October. This cargo of goods shall be assorted in the best manner to serve you, for the performance of which we will obligate ourselves, if you think it necessary.'
" Then the chiefs, by Captain O'Bale, spoke as follows,-viz. :
" ' We most cheerfully agree to this. We will make an obligation for the purpose of securing to us the privilege of hunting on the lands, and also for delivery of the goods, which will perfectly satisfy us. We wish that our brothers of Pennsylvania would send us a faithful gun- and black- smith to reside at or near Tioga, who would be of great advantage to us when we come down in hunting-parties ; and also that the government of Pennsylvania would establish trading-houses at the same place, that we may be conveniently and honestly supplied with such articles as we stand in need of.'
" The commissioners answered, ' We will make true report of these requests to the State, and make no doubt they will be complied with.'
" Two of the principal chiefs,-Captain Aaron Hill, of the Mohawks, and Captain O'Bale, of the Senecas,-desirous of having each a rifle of the manufacture of Pennsylvania, being informed they were very good, requested the commissioners to give them two of the best quality, to be delivered to them on the Ist day of April next, at the new store at New- town, near Tioga, which the commissioners complied with and gave their obligation for that purpose.
" The conference ended.
" The same day In Council. " PRESENT :
The HON. OLIVER WOLCOTT, - RICHARD BUTLER, and Commissioners on part of United States.
ARTHUR LEE, EsQs.,
The HON. SAMUEL F. ATLEE,
WILLIAM MCCLAY, and
Commissioners on part of the
FRANCIS JOHNSTON, EsQs., ) State of Pennsylvania.
The REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND
and MR. JAMES DEAN, 1 Interpreters. And a full representation of the Six Indian Nations.
" At the close of the Continental business, General Wolcott addressed the Indians as follows :
"'SACHEMS AND WARRIORS,-We informed you some time past that these gentlemen commissioners from the State of Pennsylvania had some
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
public business to transact with you on the part of the said State. If they are ready to bring it forward, now will be a proper time.'
" Upon which Colonel Atlee, in behalf of the Pennsylvania commis- sioners, delivered the following speech, prepared for the purpose :
" 'BROTHERS OF THE SIX NATIONS, -After a long separation of nine years, during which period the great Congress have been at war with and conquered their enemies from the other side of the great water, we, the commissioners from your old friends of Pennsylvania, with the con- sent of the United States in Congress assembled, are well pleased to meet you this day ; and from our hearts rejoice with you that peace and friendship are once more established by these honorable gentlemen, the commissioners of Congress.'
" (SIX STRINGS. )
"' BROTHERS,-Listen with great attention to what we are going to say to you. We come in the name and from the government of Penn- sylvania, of which you have already been informed ; our commission we here produce, which we will read to you publicly.'
" (The commission was read.)
" 'BROTHERS,-From the first coming of our fathers to this country, about one hundred years ago, to the time of the last treaty and purchase in 1768 at this place, which many of you now present must well remem- ber, your brothers of Pennsylvania, as they wanted lands for their young men to settle on, applied for and purchased from the natives from time to time such quantities within the bounds of their charter as they judged sufficient.
"' The several deeds for the different purchases we here produce, as authentic proofs of the justice of our conduct towards our brethren the Six Nations, and others claiming and possessing the country,-testimonies which cannot lie.'
" (Produced the deeds. )
" ' This last deed, brothers, with the map annexed, are descriptive of the purchase made sixteen years ago at this place ; one of the boundary lines calls for a creek by the name of Tyadoghton ; we wish our brothers the Six Nations to explain to us clearly which you call the Tyadoghton, as there are two creeks issuing from the Burnet's Hills, Pine and Lyco- ming.
" ' Brothers, you will observe by our commission just now read to you that our present business is to satisfy you, as was our ancient custom, for the lands lying within the acknowledged limits of Pennsylvania, for which you have not heretofore received any compensation.
"' This compensation has been mutually agreed to by you and us in conference this morning. It was also agreed that, in addition to the goods we have now on this ground for your use, we should give our obli- gation for the amount of one thousand dollars in such goods as will best
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
suit yourselves to be delivered at or near Tioga, on the Susquehanna, on the first day of October next. It now remains for us mutually to carry into execution our respective agreements, and that in the most solemn and public manner, as it is our fixed determination that they shall be inviolate for ever.
" ' Brothers, before we conclude we desire you to appoint some suit- able persons among yourselves to receive and distribute the goods with impartiality and justice, and that you will also nominate a fit person to. attend running the boundary between you and us, when due notice shall be given thereof.'
" (A LARGE BELT.) " To which they replied by Captain Aaron Hill,-
" ' BROTHERS FROM PENNSYLVANIA,-We have heard what you have said, and are well pleased with the same. The consideration we have fully agreed on, which we are to receive for the lands, and agreeable to your request have appointed Captain Aaron Hill, Onequiandahonjo, and Honeghariko, of the Mohawk tribe ; Kayenthogkke, Thaghneghtanhari, and Teyagonendageghte, of the Seneca ; Obendirighton and Thoneeyade, of the Cayuga ; Sagoyahalongo and Otoghfelonegh, Ojestalale, Oneyanha, Gaghsawweda, and Odaghfeghte, of the Oneida ; and Onefaghweughte and Tharondawagon, of the Tuscarora, as suitable persons to receive the goods from you.
" ' With regard to the creek called Tyadoghton, mentioned in your deed of 1768, we have already answered you, and again repeat it, it is the same you call Pine Creek, being the largest emptying into the west branch of the Susquehannah.
"' Agreeable to your wish we have appointed Thaghneghtanhari to attend your surveyor in running the line between you and us.'
""' We do certify that the foregoing speech was this day made by Cap- tain Aaron Hill, on behalf of the Six Nations, to the Pennsylvania com- missioners.
" ' Witness our hands this twenty-third day of October, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four.
(Signed) "' SAMUEL KIRKLAND, Missionary. JAMES DEAN, Interpreter.'
" The deed was then produced and publicly read, when the chiefs of the respective nations sealed and delivered the same, saying, ' We deliver this as our grant and deed, and give up the land therein mentioned, according to the description thereof, to their brothers, the Pennsylva- nians, for their use forever.' After the same being witnessed, the com- missioners sealed and delivered the two obligations mentioned above, one for the delivery of the goods and the other for securing to them the privilege of hunting on the lands now purchased.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" The council arose.
" The foregoing is a true state of the proceedings of the Indian treaty at Fort Stanwix.
" GRIFFITH EVANS, Secretary. " October 23, 1784."
" The six Indian Nations, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DEED for lands purchased October 23, 1784.
" TO ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come, WE Anigwenda- honji and Teweghnitogon, Sachems or Chiefs of the Indian nation called the Mohocks. Kanonghgwenya, Atyatonenghtha, and Tatahonghteayon, Sachems or Chiefs of the Indian nation called the Oneidas. Obendarigh- ton and Keatarondyon, Sachems or Chiefs of the Indian nation called the Onondagoes. Oraghgwanentagon, Sachem of the Indian nation called the Cayogaes. Tayagoneatageghti, Tehonweeaghreyagi, Thaghnaghtanhari, Sachems or Chiefs of the Indian nation called the Senecas. And Onongh- sawanghti and Tharondawagon, Sachems or Chiefs of the Indian nation called the Tuscaroras, being met together in a general council of the Six Nations convened at Fort Stanwix, by the Honorable Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee, Esquires, commissioners of Indian affairs, duly appointed by the honorable the Congress of the United States, for the northern and middle districts, SEND GREETING. KNOW YE that WE the said Sachems or Chiefs, for and in consideration of the sum of five thousand dollars, to us in hand paid, before ensealing and delivery of these presents, by the honorable Samuel John Atlee, Esquire, and Wil- liam M'Clay, and Francis Johnson, Esquires, commissioners for and in behalf of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the receipt whereof WE do hereby acknowledge HAVE granted bargained, sold, released and con- firmed, and by these presents, for us and the said Six Nations, and their confederates and dependent tribes, all of whom we represent, and by whom we are thereunto authorized and impowered, Do grant, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said Commonwealth, all that part of the said Commonwealth not yet purchased of the Indians within the acknowledged limits of the same, BEGINNING on the south side of the river Ohio, where the western boundary of the state of Pennsylvania crosses the said river, near Shingo's old Town, at the mouth of Beaver creek, and thence by a due north line to the end of the forty second and beginning of the forty-third degrees of north latitude, thence by a due east line seperating the forty second and forty third degrees of north lati- tude, to the east side of the east branch of the river Susquehanna, thence by the bounds of the late purchase made at Fort Stanwix, the fifth day of November, anno domini, one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight, as follows : 'Down the said east branch of Susquehanna, on the east side thereof, till it comes opposite to the mouth of a creek called by the In-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
dians, Awandac, and across the river, and up the said creek on the south side thereof, and along the range of hills, called Burnett's Hills by the English, and by the Indians, ... on the north side of them to the head of a creek which runs into the west branch of Susquehannah, which creek is by the Indians called Tyadaghton, but by the Pennsylvanians Pine Creek, and down the said creek on the south side thereof, to the said west branch of Susquehanna, then crossing the said river, and run- ning up the same on the south side thereof, the several courses thereof, to the fork of the same river, which lies nearest to a place on the river Ohio called Kittaning. and from the fork by a straight line to Kittaning aforesaid, and then down the said river Ohio by the several courses thereof, to where the western bounds of the said state of Pennsylvania crosses the same river,' at the place of BEGINNING. Together with all lakes, rivers, creeks, rivulets, springs, waters, soils, lands, fields, woods, underwoods, mountains, hills, valleys, savannahs, fens, swamps, isles, in- lets, mines, minerals, quarries, rights, liberties, privileges, advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatsoever, to the said tract of land and country belonging or in any wise appertaining, and all the right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever, of us the said sachems or chiefs, and of the said Six Nations, and their confederates and depend- ent tribes, and every of them, To HAVE AND TO HOLD the said tract of land and country, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, unto the said commonwealth to the only proper use and behoof of the said commonwealth, FOR EVER, so that we, the said sachems or chiefs, nor any of us, nor the said Six Nations, nor their confederates and dependent tribes, nor any of them, nor any of our or their heirs, children or de- scendents, shall claim, demand or chalenge, any right, title, interest, or property, of, in, or to the said tract of land or country, but from the same shall be forever barred and excluded ; and the same tract of land and country, shall forever hereafter be peaceably and quietly possessed by the said commonwealth, and all persons, who shall settle thereon, under the authority of the same, without the let, hindrance, molestation, interruption, or denial of us the said sachems or chiefs, or the said Six Nations, or their confederates, and dependent tribes, or any of them, or of our or their heirs, children, or descendents. IN WITNESS Whereof, We the said sachems or chiefs, for ourselves and the rest of the Six Na- tions, and their confederates and dependent tribes, have hereunto set our hands and seals. Dated at Fort Stanwix aforesaid, this twenty third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty four.
"ORAGHGWANENTAGON, his X mark, L. S. TAYAGONEATAGEGHTI, his X mark, L. S. TEHONWEEAGHREYAGI, his X mark, L. S. THAGHNAGTANHARI, his X mark, L. S.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNA.
" ONONGHSAWANGHTI, his X mark, L S. THARONDAWAGON, his X mark, L. S. ANIGWENDAHONJI, his X mark, L. S. TEWEGHNITOGON, his X mark, L. S. KANONGHGWENYA, his X mark, L. S. ATYATONENGHTHA, his X mark, L. S. TATAHONGHTEAYON, his X mark, L. S. OBENDARIGHTON, his X mark, L. S. KEATARONDYON, his X mark, L. S.
" Sealed and delivered in the presence of us,
" OLIVER WOLCOTT, ARTHUR LEE, United States Commissioners.
RICHARD BUTLER,
AARON HILL,
SAMUEL KIRKLAND, Missionary.
" JAMES DEAN, Interpreter. ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Sec. Com. U. S. SAMUEL MONTGOMERY, Ag. & St. K. C. C. G. EVANS, Sec. Penns. Ind. Commis.
"' STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, S.S.
" BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the seventeenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five, and in the ninth year of the independence of the United States of America, came the honourable Arthur Lee, Esquire, LL.D. one of the commis- sioners of the United States of America for holding treaties with the Indian nations, and Griffith Evans, Esquire, Secretary to the commission- ers of the said State of Pennsylvania, for treating and purchasing, &c. of said Indians, before the honourable Thomas Mckean Esq., doctor of Laws, chief justice of the supreme court of the said state of Pennsyl- vania, and made oath on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that they were present and did see the thirteen Indian sachems or chiefs, in the above deed named as grantors, make the signatures or marks to their respective names adjoining, and seal and deliver the above conveyance, as and for their act and deed, that they severally subscribed their names as witnesses thereof, and also seen the other seven witnesses subscribe their names as witnesses to the same, and that the names Arthur Lee and G. Evans above subscribed, are of their respective hand writing.
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