USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 13
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That this is the Message now sent by those Indians dwelling with- in the sd. Mountains and in Friendship with Virginia, but that our Governour continues his Journey to Virginia to see the Governour of that Country who is his Great Friend, and the Governor of Mary- Land, in order to establish a firm peace amongst all the Indians in Friendship with the Subjects and People of the Great King of Eng- land, and this service to the Indians alone has led him so far from home from his Family and ffrds. in his own Province. In the mean time, 'tis expected that none of the Indians in Friendship with this Government shall go out to War against any Indians whatsoever who are in Friendship with the Subjects of England, but behave themselves peaceably and quietly to all their neighbours without giving any offence.
And John Cartlidge, of Conestogoe, is desired to deliver the said Belts of Wampum to the Chiefs of the Indians of Susquehannah, and to interpret this message from the Indians of Virginia and from this Government, and to return their answer to the Governour or to this Board by the first opportunity after.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, April the 20th, 1721.
PRESENT : Thomas Masters, James Logan, Secretary.
Richard Hill, Samuel Preston,
Jonathan Dickinson,
William Spafford, of Philadelphia, Mariner, appeared before the Board and made Oath, that the Sloop Sarah, Burthen, twenty two Tuns, himself Master, was built at Philadia., Anno 1721, and owned by his Maty's Subjects and no Foreigners, and had a Register for the said Sloop, Signed by the Secretary in the presence and by order of the Board.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, May the 11th, 1721.
PRESENT :
Richard Hill, Isaac Norris,
Thomas Masters,
Samuel Preston,
James Logan, Secretary.
Joseph Redman, of Philadelphia, mercht., appeared before the Board, and upon his solemn affirmation according to Law, declared that the Sloop Little Joseph, Burthen fifteen Tuns, Thomas Glent- worth, Master, was built in Rhode Island, Anno 1719, (as appears by a former Regr. now cancelled,) and wholly owned by himself and George Campion, of Philadelphia, And had a Regr. for said Sloop, signed by the Secretary in the presence and by Order of the Board.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, June the 3d, 1721.
PRESENT :
The Honourable Sir WILLIAM KEITH, Baronet, Governour.
Richard Hill,
Anthony Palmer,
William Trent,
Jonathan Dickinson,
Isaac Norris, Andrew Hamilton,
Samuel Preston,
James Logan, Secretary.
This being the first meeting of the Council since the Governours Return from Virginia, the Governour took occasion to thank the Board for their Services to the Government in his Absence, with some Expression of his satisfaction in meeting with his Council at this time, and finding the publick affairs of the province in perfect good order & Tranquility ; Whereupon all the members present very heartily and unanimously congratulated him upon his Arrival in his own Government, And several of them took this occasion particular- ly to acknowledge the Governours constant care and concern for the Interest, Honour and public Peace of the province, for whose Service he had undertaken and now happily accomplished so long and expen- sive a Journey. The Secretary reported the Minute of Council and
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Message to the Indians at Conestogoe, the 28th of March last, occa- sioned by the Governours Letter to him from Chester, with the Go- vernour of Virginia's Answer, to the Express concerning Indian affairs sent by Saml. Robins, last February.
The Governour acquainted the Board, that having formerly at several times declared to this Board the Reasons and Necessity of his Journey to Virginia and the same being undertaken with their Approbation, He needed only tell them, that he had several Con- ferences with Colonel Spotswood, Governour of that Province, con- cerning Indn. affairs, and had found him very ready and desirous to contribute all that he is able towards settling a firm Peace and Friendship between our Indians and those under the protection of that Government, and all the other Indians to the Southward in Alliance or Amity with them. That the Substance of his Negotia- tion with that Governour being contained in in a memorial which he had presented to him in Virginia, and in the said Governours answer thereto, He had caused both to be published for the satisfaction of the People of this province; Yet nevertheless, He thinks it proper that the same be read in the presence of the Council, and remain upon the Minutes of this Board.
Which said memorial & Answer thereto was read accordingly, and are as follows.
To His Excellency Colonel Spotswood, Governour of Virginia, &c. The memorial of Wm. Keith, Governour of Pensilvania. SIR,
Having duly considered your Letter of the 6th of last March in Answer to my Express, wherein you are pleased to say, That the Tributary Indians of Virginia have given solemn assurances unto your Govmt., that they will not for the future pass Patowmeck River nor the high Ridge of Mountains extending along the Back of Vir- ginia ; Provided that the Indians to the Northward of Patowmeck and to the Westward of those mountains will observe the same limits, and that this is the proposition signified to the Pennsylvania Indians seated upon Sasquehannah River, by the two Belts then sent from the aforesaid Virginia Tributaries, which I received.
Hereupon I take leave to inform you Sir, that the same Ridge which you call the Virginia or Appalachy mountains, extends itself Northward through the Province of Pennsylvania into the Govern- ment of New York, and that all our Indians upon the River Sas- quehannah are settled to the Eastward of these mountains ; Where- fore, the Condition you propose seems to be more applicable to the New York Indians, known by the name of the five Nations who live to the Westward of that Ridge, than it can be to ours who are seated amongst our own Settlements to the Eastward of it, and who seldom or never pass the River Patowmeck, unless it be when they go a hunting for Fishes towards the branches of the Wabash and Ohio, which they commonly do in the fall of the year, and do not return before the month of May following.
I would further represent to you Sir, that the Belts which I sent to you last August from the Sasquehannah Indians, did not only
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mean to secure a perfect Peace and good understanding between them and the Virginia Tributaries but also between them and all or any other Indian Nations to the Southward, who are in amity with the Virginia Tributaries and hold a friendly correspondence with your Government, So that as often as you have any opertunity either of renewing former Treaties, or of making new ones with the Cattaw- bras, Cherrykoes or any other Southern nation, if you will please par- ticularly to mention and include the Pensylvania Indians upon Sas- quehannah seated to the Eastward of the above Ridge of Mountains the Province of Pennsylvania will not only most greatfully acknow- ledge the favour of your Countenance & Protection, but also will readily concur to bear a reasonable proportion of the Charge which you may be at in accomplishing such Treaties.
You very well know Sir, That Pensilvania which is three degrees in breadth and extends five degrees West of the River Delaware, must border upon his Matys Dominion of Virginia to the Westward of Mary Land, and upon New York to the Northward of New Jersey. So that it is no less the interest of so small a Colony as Pensilvania, that it is unquestionably their duty to Cultivate a perfect friendship and constant agreement with two such powerful and rich neighbours, whose protection we are encouraged to hope for, not only as we are all dutiful and loyal subjects to the same most gracious Sovereign, but also as having the same end in view to maintain and promote as much as in us lies, the British Interest and his Majestys Dominion on this large Continent.
These Sentiments Sir, Joyn'd to a most perfect Regard and Es- teem for your pson and character, have brought me at this time to wait upon you here, and if I may be so happy to have my honest In- tentions for his Majestys Service, well received and approved by your Excellency and the Honorable Gentlemen of his Majestys Council of this ancient Colony and Dominion.
I shall return to Pensilvania with inexpressible Satisfaction to my- self, as well as a general contentment to the good People of that Province.
W. KEITH.
Williamsburg, April 22nd, 1721.
To his Excellency Sir William Keith, Baronet, Governour of the Province of Pensilvania.
The Answer of the Governour of Virginia to the Memorial in be- half of the Indians under the Government of Pensilvania. SIR.
After reading this day in Council the representation which I had the Honr, to receive Yesterday from your Hands, I take occasion to assure you that it contains nothing but what is entirely agreeable to this Government, and am glad to observe that a person of your penetration makes no other objection to the proposition sent hence, than the Mistake which I seen by the general words of my Letter to lay under as to the situation of your Sasquehanna Indians, how- ever, whether they be settled on the East or the West side of the Mountains, still I think the Bounds proposed may serve as proper
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- Limits, even between your and our Indians, for if neither of them cross Patowmeck River, they cannot in their several courses come at one another, without passing the high Ridge of Mountains which is to be their Boundary where that River ceases, and in this sense only you will be pleased to understand what I had the Honor to propose in my letter of the 6th of last month. As during my administration here, this Government has in all its Negociations with the Indians regarded equally with its own the safety of its neighbours ; So you will do us the Justice to be assured, than whenever a favorable op- portunity shall offer for future Treaties with the Cattawbras, Chiro- kees and other Southern Indians, this Governmt. will in a more par- ticular manner regard the interests of your province and the Security of the Indians settled under its Protection.
The Governour of Virginia will always retain the like Sentiments with you, that the subjects of the same Sovereign however divided into distinct Governments ought still to be united in Affection to each other, and will therefore never be wanting in any offices of Friend- ship and Benevolence towards the Province of Pensilvania, being intirely satisfied that the same Principles of Duty and Loyalty to our Sovereign, and the same views to promote and extend the British In- terest & Dominion on this Continent will more and more increase the Bonds of mutual Friendship between these two Colonies, and that when the wish'd for time shall come that the settlements of both shall extend so far Westward as to border on each other, the Incli- nations of both Governments will still be proportioned to their power to assist one another.
It remains Sir, that I assure you on my part of the Pleasure I have in the occasion which has brought you hither at this time, whereby an opportunity is given me to renew to you the professions of a true Respect and Friendship, to testify my Readines to concur with you in promoting his Majestys Service, and to give you proofs of my sincere Inclinations to contribute whatever is in my power to the service of the province under your Government.
A. SPOTSWOOD.
Williamsburg, April 25th, 1721.
Samuel Robins accott. of Expenses in his Journey to Virginia, in February last, for the service of this Government, being £-, with -days Wages for himself and Horse, at 5s. per Day by agreement, making in all-, is now laid before the Board; Whereupon, it is ordered that the Treasurer do forthwith pay to the Secretary five pounds advanced by him to the said Robbins at his setting out for Virginia, and to the said Robbins so much more of his said accott. as the Secretary shall think reasonable to be allowed him.
The Governour acquainted the Board that He had yesterday re- ceived an Express from Conestogoe Indians, intimating that they were certainly informed of some Deputys from the five Nations be- ing on their Journey to Conestogoe, in order to treat with this Go- vernment.
Whereupon it is the opinion of the Board, that the Resolution to be taken upon this Message be deferred till the Governour is informed
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of the Arrival of the said Indians of the five Nations at Conestogoe. In the meantime, the Secretary is desired to prepare a proper Mes- sage to be sent to the Conestogoe Indians, to acquaint them of the Governour's Return from Virginia, and to inform them particularly of his Negociation wt. that Govmt. in their Behalf. The Governour communicated to the Board, some part of a Letter from his Excel- lency the Governour of New York, dated at Burlington, April 26th 1721, which with the Copy of the Instruction whereunto it relates were read, being as follows :
"BURLINGTON, April 26th, 1721.
DEAR SIR.
Inclosed I send you my last accounts from Albany, and the Copy of that Instruction by which I have Ground to make a circular De- mand for repairing and increasing the Fortifications of the ffrontier of New York. I have sent the same to Colonel Spotswood & Colo- nel Calvert, and must now recommend it to you to provide the three hundred and fifty pounds which the King has made the Quota of your Province, and to transmit it to New York, in Order to be ap- plied to that Service.
W. BURNET.
To his Excellency William Burnet, Esqr., Governour of the Pro- vince of New York.
INSTRUCTION 91. Whereas it has been thought requisite, that the general Security of our Plantations upon the Continent of America, be provided for by a Contribution in proportion to the respective Abilities of each Plantation; And whereas, the Northern Frontiers of the Province of New York being the most exposed to an Enemy, do require an extraordinary Charge for the erecting and maintaining of Forts necessary for the Defence thereof ; And whereas, Orders were given by King William the third for the advancing of ££500 Sterling towards a Fort in the Onondage Country, and of two thou- sand pounds Sterling towards the rebuilding of the Fort at Albany & Schenectady. And likewise, by Letters under his royal Sign manual directed to the Governours of divers of the Plantations, to recommend to the Councils and general Assemblies of the said Plantations, that they respectively furnish a proportionable Summ towards the Fortifications on the Northern Frontiers of our said pro- vince of New York, viz :
Rhode Island & Providence Plantation,-
£150
Conneticutt,
450
Pensilvania,
350
Mary Land,
650
Virginia,
900
And whereas, We thought fit to direct that you also signify to our Province of Nova Cesarea or New Jersey, that the Summs which we have at present thought fit to be contributed by them, (if not al- ready done,) in proportion to what has been directed to be supplyed by our other Plantations as aforesaid, are £250 Sterling for the Division of East New Jersey and &250 Sterling for the Division of
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West New Jersey, you are therefore to inform yourself what has been done therein and what remains further to be done, and to send an Account thereof to us and to our Commrs. for Trade & Planta- tions as aforesaid.
Upon a full consideration of the matter, it was observed, That this Instruction appears to be grounded on those Letters from the late King William, directed about twenty five years agoe, under his Sign manual to the several Governours of the provinces or Colonies on this Continent mentioned in the said Instruction; And that an In- struction of the very same Tenour was given to the Lord Cornbury, together with his Commission from the said King William, for the Government of the Province of New York ; That the same Instruc- tion has ever since been continued (as the Board is informed) to the other succeeding Governours of that-Colony ; That it appears from the Instruction itself now laid before the Board, that the Intention of it is not that any Demand should be now made on this province, but only that it should be inquired into how far the aforesaid orders of King William have been complied with.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, June the 17th, 1721.
PRESENT :
The Honourable Sir WILLAM KEITH, Bart., Governour.
Richard Hill, Jonathan Dickinson,
Isaac Norris,
Thomas Masters,
Samuel Preston, James Logan, Secretary.
The Governour acquainted the Board, That at the last meeting of the Council, the Gentlemen then present may remember He commu- nicated them some Advices he had received from Conestogoe, that some deputies of the ffive Nations were on their Journey thither in order to treat with this Government ; That the same Day the Secre- tary, by the Governours order, had sent an Express to John Cart- lidge, requiring him to inform the Governour immediately upon the Arrival of the said Indians at Conestogoe, and likewise to endeavour to inform himself particularly of their Business with this Govern- ment, and in the Name and by order of the Governour & Council,
to invite them to treat with us at Philadelphia. In obedience where- unto John Cartledge, by an Express arrived here this morning, acquaints the Govt. of the Arrival of the said Deputies at Conesto- goe, "That He had entertained them at his House, and moved their Coming to treat with the Governour at Philadelphia, which they absolutely deny; That they seem very reserved in discovering any part of their Business with this Government, until they meet with the Governour himself at Conestogoe, whither they desire him to come with all convenient speed.
Whereupon the Governour declared his opinion, That seeing a Considerable number of the Chiefs & others of the said Indians of the ffive Nations were actually come to Conestogoe, and having been invited to Philadelphia had positively refused to come any nearer
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than Conestogoe, and therefore press to meet the Governour there in order to treat with him; He for his part thinks it necessary for the Service of the Colony, that this opportunity of treating with the said Indians should by all means be embraced ; Nevertheless, being resolved to be governed in this matter by the Advice and opinion of this Board, He proposes and leaves it wholy to their Consideration, Whether the Service which is reasonable to be expected from a treaty with those Nations at this time will be a sufficient Equivalent to compensate the Charge wherewith the Governours Journey to Cones- togoe, and the Gentlemen of the Council that must accompany him thither, will necessarily be attended.
Which being fully considered and largely debated by the Board, every member present having thereupon given his sentiments, It is resolved and declared to be the unanimous opinion of this Board, That seeing it is the Practice of the Government of New York to treat with Indians of those Nations at Albany, which lies at a greater Distance from New York than Conestogoe does from this place ; And that the said Indians cannot be perswaded to come down to Phila- delphia ; And considering likewise, that the Governours Zeal and Inclination to serve the Governmt. outweighs all the objections natu- rally arising from the extreme Heat of the Season and other Incon- veniencies of so fatiguing a Journey. These things being duly con- sidered, and the Board having returned the Governour their thanks for this Mark of his Care of the public affairs of the Province, do unanimously declare their opinion, That it will very much conduce to the service and peace of this Government, That the Governour and such and so many Members of this Board as he shall nominate do undertake a Journey to Conestogoe, in order to treat with the Deputies of the ffive Nations now there, as they have desired ; Whereupon, the Governour named Richard Hill, Jonathan Dickin- son, Colo. French and the Secretary, to accompany him in his Jour- ney and assist him in the said Treaty with the ffive Nations, And it is concluded that they begin their Journey on Monday Morning, being the 3d of July.
CONESTOGOE, July the 5th, 1721.
The Governour arrived here this Day at Noon, and in the Evening went to Captn. Civility's Cabin, where four Deputies of the five Nations, and some few more of their People came to see the Gover- nour, who spake to them by an Interpreter to this purpose, viz :
That this being the first time that the five nations had thought fit to send any of their Chiefs to visit him ; He had come a great way from home to bid them welcome, That He hoped to be better ac- quainted and hold a further Discourse with them before he left the Place.
They answered, That they were come a long way on purpose to see the Governour and speak with him; That they had heard much of him and would have come here before now, but that the Faults or mistakes committed by some of their young Men had made them ashamed to shew their Faces, but now that they had seen the Go-
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vernours Face, they were well satisfied with their Journey whether any thing else was done or not.
The Governour told them, That to-morrow morning he designed to speak a few words to his Brothers & Children, the Indians of Co- nestogoe and their friends upon Sasquehanna, and desired that the Deputies of the five nations might be present in Council to hear what is said to them.
At a Council held at Conestogoe, July the 6th, 1721.
PRESENT :
The Honorable Sir WILLIAM KEITH, Bart., Govr. Richard Hill, Colonel John ffrench, Caleb Pusey, James Logan, Secretary.
Jonathan Dickinson,
The Governour Spoke to the Conestogoe Indians, as follows : My Brothers & Children,
So soon as you sent me Word That your near Friends and Rela- tions the Chiefs of the ffive Nations, were come to visit you, I made haste and am come up to see both you and them, and to assure all the Indians of the Continuance of my Love to them.
Your old Acquaintance and true Friend, the Great William Penn, was a wise man, and therefore he did not approve of Wars among the Indians whom he loved, because it wasted and destroyed their People, but always recommended Peace to the Indians as the surest way to make them rich and strong by increasing their Numbers.
Some of you can very well remember since William Penn and his Friends came first to settle amongst you in this Country; It is but a few years and like as yesterday to an old man, Nevertheless by following that Great Man's peaceable Councils this Government is now become wealthy and powerful in great Numbers of People, And tho' many of our Inhabitants are not accustomed to war and dislike the Practice of mens Killing one another, yet you cannot but know I am able to bring several thousand into the Field well armed, to defend both your People and ours from being hurt by any Enemy that durst attempt to invade us; However, We do not forget what William Penn often told us, That the Experience of old age, which is true Wisdom, advises Peace, and I say to you, that the wisest man is also the bravest man, for he safely depends on his Wisdom, and there is no true Courage without it. I have so great a Love for you, my dear Brothers, who live under the Protection of this Government that I cannot suffer you to be hurt no more than I would my own children ; I am but just now returned from Virginia, where I wearied myself in a long Journey both by Land and Water, only to make Peace for you my children, that you may safely hunt in the Woods without Danger from Virginia and them any Indian nations that are at Peace with that Government. But the Governor of Virginia ex- pects that you will not hunt within the Great Mountains on the other side of Patowmeck River, being it is a small Tract of Land which
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
he keeps for the Virginia Indians to hunt in, And He promises that his Indians shall not any more come on this side Patowmeck, or be- hind the Great Mountain this way to disturb your hunting; And this is the Condition I have made for you, which I expect you will firmly keep, and not break it on any Consideration whatsoever.
I desire that what I have now said to you may be interpreted to the Chiefs of the five Nations present, For as you are a part of them, There are in like manner one with us as you yourselves are, and therefore our Councils must agree and be made known to one another, For our Hearts should be open that we may perfectly see into one another's Breasts. And that your Friends may Speak to me freely, tell them I am willing to forget the mistakes which some of their young men were guilty of amongst our people; I hope They will grow wiser with age, any hearken to the grave counsels of their old men whose Valour we esteem because they are wise; But the Rashness of their young men is altogether Folly.
At a Council held at Conestogoe, July the 7th, 1721.
PRESENT :
The Honourable Sir WILLIAM KEITH, Bart., Governour.
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