USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 22
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His Excellency, having consulted the Commissioners, offered them Eight Hundred Spanish Dollars for their claim in New Jersy as an extraordinary Price.
The Minisinks said they should be glad of the Opinion of their Uncles in the Matter.
The Mingoes, or United Nations, by Thomas King, said that it was a fair and honourable Offer, and that if it were their own Case, they would chearfully accept of it; but as there were a great many Persons to share in the Purchase Money, they recommended it to his Excellency to add Two Hundred Dollars more ; and if that was complied with, the Report of it would be carried to all the Nations' and would be a proof of the Affection and Generosity of their Brethren, the English, on this Occasion, and would be very agreeable to them.
His Excellency desired to know of the Minisinks, and other In -. dians, if they approved of the Proposal of their Uncles, and they informed him that they did.
The Governor, after Consulting the Commissioners, said it was more than he intended to give; but as the United Nations had given themselves the Trouble of being Mediators between them, he could not refuse their Recommendations, and was glad of the Opportunity he had of showing his regard to the United Nations,. and his Benevolence to the Minisinks, and other Indians who had!
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resided in the Province where he presided, and therefore complied with their Request.
His Excellency then desired them to remember that this Con> sideration Money was to be in full for the Claims of all the Mini sinks and Waping Indians, and all others who Claim any Lands in a Map, which was laid before them at the same Time, which ir; cluded all the Lands from the Line between the Provinces of Nev! York and New Jersey, and Down Hudson's river to the Mouth o .! Rariton ; up the same to Laametang Falls on the North Branch of Rariton River ; and thence on a Strait Line to Pacoqualin Moun tain, where it joins on Delaware River ; and thence up the Dela ware to Cushyhink ; and recommended it to them to have respect to this in the Division of the Consideration Money.
Then Tagashata, the Seneca Chief, arose, and addressing himself to the Minisink and other Indian Claimants, spoke as follows :
" My Nephews :
" I desire you will now give over all Thoughts of your Land, and that we may hear no more Complaints about it.
"Now You must remember the Friendship between you and your Brother, and transmit it to your Children, and make them acquainted with the actions of this Day. I recommend this to you, not from my Lips only, but from the Bottom of my Heart. I hope it will also make a deep impression in your Hearts.
"It seems as if your Grandfathers had not told you all of the Treaties they used to have with their Brethren, but carried them with them to the Grave. But we hope you will not do so, but carefully inform your Children of your Agreements. We have given you this Advice, and hope you will follow it. We also expect you will take Care of your Young Men, that they do no more Violence to their Brethren, the English."
Egohohowen then addressed himself to the Governor, and desired to be heard.
" Brother : -
" We are now thoroughly satisfied, and we still retain a Friend- ship for our Brethren, the English, and we desire that if we should come into your Province to see our Old Friends, and should have .Occasion for the Bark of a Tree to Cover a Cabbin, or a little Refreshment, that we should not be denied, but be treated as Brethren, and that your People may not look on the Wild Beasts of the Forests or Fish of the Waters as their sole property, but that we may be admitted to an equal Use of them."
The Governor answered, that as soon as he got home, he should issue a Proclamation, to Notify to the People of his Province that he had made Peace with them, and to order that, for the Future, they should be treated as Brethren, which he hoped would be done,
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but desired that they would not go into those parts where they had lately committed Hostilities till the People's Passions were cooled, for he could not be answerable for his People's Behaviour whilst their Losses were fresh upon their Minds.
On the 21st of October the Members of the Pennsylvania Council. received a Message from Mr. Weiser, that the Chiefs of the United Nations were met in Council with their Nephews, the Delawares, at the House of Nicholas Skull, and that the Delaware had something to say to their Uncles, which they desired some of the Members of that Council, and Commissioners, should be Witnesses of and hear.
Messieurs Growdon, Chew, and Mifflin attended accordingly, with Messieurs Galloway, Fox, and Hughes, Commissioners, and Israel Pemberton, Isaac Zane, and some other Quakers, who were present at this particular Request of the Delawares.
PRESENT :
All the Six Nation Chiefs.
Teedyuscung.
Tapiscawen, alias Samuel Davis,
Nowallkeeka, or Four Steps.
Compass. Awehela, alais James Davis.
Lappink.
Neccochoon, Munsey Chief.
Moses Tetamy.
Conrad Weiser, Andrew Montour, Isaac Still, Interpreters.
Teedyuscung, on Behalf of the Delawares, arose and spoke 33 follows :
" Uncles :-
" I desire you will hear me ; We have gone so far at this Treaty, as to talk of Lands ; I, therefore, thought proper to meet you here, to let you know that I have Consulted with all my Brethren, your Cousins, here present, about the Deed you, our Uncles, Signed. to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, shewn to us Yesterday, for the Lands beyond the Kittocktinny Hills.
" We have seen the Deed, and know it well. Nutimus, one of our Chief Men, has signified it; and here sits one of our men, named Philip Compass, who was present when the sale was made ; and remembers that Nutimus, our Chief, received Forty-four Dollars as his Part, or Share of the Consideration Money. We agree to it, and acknowledge that the Land was fairly Sold. We give it up, and now confirm it. Let there be no difference, nor any thing
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more said about it. This is not the Land I have disputed with my Brethren, the English. That Land lies between Tohiccon Creek and the Kittochtinny Hills."
Gave a Belt.
Tokaaion, the Cayuga Chief, stood up and spoke as follows, ad- dressing himself to Tecdyuscung :
"Cousin :
"I thank you for your Openness and Honesty on this Occasion, freely to declare the Truth. We wish our Brethren, the English, naming the Governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Carolina, and Jersey, were so honest and precise.
" They have called us down to this Council Fire, which was kin- dled for Council Affairs, to renew Treaties of Friendship, and brighten the Chain of Friendship. But here we must hear a Dis- pute about Land, and our Time is taken up, but they don't come to the Chief point.
" The English first began to do Mischief; we told them so ; They only thanked us for our Openness and Advice, and said they would take Care for the future, but healed no wounds. In short, when they speak to us, they do it with a Shorter Belt or String than that which we spoke to them with; tho' they can make Wam- pum, and we cannot.
"They ought not thus to treat with Indians on Council Affairs. Several of our Strong Belts are lost in their Hands intirely. I fear they only speak from their Mouth, and not from their Heart."
On the Same Day, P. M., Pisquitomen and Thomas Hickman, came to take their leave of the Governor, accompanied with Cap- tain Bull, William Hayes, and Isaac Still, the Persons appointed to attend them to the Ohio, who were particularly recommended to their Care and Protection by a String of Wampum.
The Belts and Strings were numbered, as well in the written Paper containing the Message, as on Labels tied to each of them,' and delivered to Pisquitomen, and the Written Message was deliv- ered with the Passports, to Captain Bull.
The 22d of October, the Six Nation Chiefs held a private Coun- cil, and named Two of their People to send to the Ohio, Viz': To- jenontawly, Cayuga Chief, and the youngest Shick Calamy, who joined Pisquitomen, and set off this afternoon. As they were set- ting out, Mr. Frederick Post arrived with news from General Forbes, that a Large Body of French and Indians having attacked his advanced Post at Loyal Hanning, were repulsed with great Loss on their Side, which news he Communicated to the Indians.
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At noon the Governor being prepared for a Conference, proposed a meeting of the Indians, which they desired might be deferred till the Morning.
October the 23d, 1758.
This Morning one of the Seneca Chiefs died; Condolence Cere- monies, and Presents being made as usual, he was decently interred, a Number of the Inhabitants attending the Funeral. This took up the Forenoon.
At a Conference with the Indians the same Day, P. M. PRESENT :
The Governors, and the Gentlemen of their Councils, &cª-, as be- fore.
The Minutes were read, and approved, to the End of the Pub- lick Conference on Friday last, after which Governor Denny spoke: "Brethren :
" By this Belt we heal your Wounds, we remove your Grief; we take the Hatchet out of your Heads ; we make a deep hole in the Earth, and bury the Hatchet so low, that no Body shall be able to dig it up again."
A Belt.
" Brethren :
" Now we have healed your Wounds, we, by this Belt, renew all our Treaties ; we brighten the Chain of Friendship; we return to our first Affection ; we confirm our Antient Union; we put fresh Earth to the Roots of the Tree of Peace, that it may bear up against every Storm that can blow, and live and flourish to the End of Time, whilst the Sun Shines and the Rivers run. . And we desire you would publish it among your own, and all other Indian Nations who are your Friends and Allies, and engage them to join with you in a firm Peace with his Majesty, and all his Subjects, in whose be- half I give you this Belt."
A Large Peace Belt.
" Brethren :
" We now open a Road to the Old Council Fire, which was kin- dled by you and our Fathers in the City of Philadelphia.
" Be assured that you will always find this Road open, easy, and pleasant to travel in, and for the future, whenever Occasion Calls, we shall be glad to see you there."
A Belt.
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" Brethren of the United Nations, and all our other Brethren, your Cousins and Nephews :
" We thank you for the Care and Diligence with which you have attended to the several Matters recommended to you in these Con- ferences, which has yielded us Abundance of Satisfaction.
"This Treaty will convince all our Enemies that we are now united in the firmest Band of Amity, and whilst we join our Strength together, it will not be in their Power to hurt either you or us."
A Belt.
" Brethren :
" As a Token of the Love we, your Brethren of this Province, bear to you, I shall make a Present of a Quantity of Goods, which we have prepared for you, and desire your Acceptance of them ; sensible of the approaching Season, and of the many Difficulties you live under from the Present War, We give it with an hearty good will."
Here his Honour delivered a List of the Goods, and desired Mr. Weiser and Mr. Montour would interpret it to them at a proper Time.
Invoice of Indian Goods brought to Easton.
3 Groce of narrow-starred Gartering.
4 Ditto of Broad Star.
2 Ditto of Middle Star.
4 Ditto of Narrow Scotch.
2 Ditto of Middle Turkey.
2 Ditto of broad Turkey.
4 Ditto of best Scotch.
5 Ditto of mixed figured.
2 Ditto of narrow Calimancoe.
2 Ditto of broad Calimancoe.
2 Ditto of spotted.
2 Ditto of Leaf.
1 Ditto of London lettered.
2 Ditto of Plad.
3 Ditto of middle Scarlet.
4 Ditto of broad Scarlet.
3 Ditto of Superfine.
2 Ditto of Boys' lettered.
2 Ditto of broad white Lettered.
2 Ditto of Couloured pidgeon. .. .
2 Ditto of Camblet.
33 Painted Looking Glasses.
8 Pieces of Red Stroud.
4 Ditto.
14 Ditto of mazarine Blue.
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A Piece of mazarene Blue.
1 Ditto Black.
1 Ditto red and one blue.
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2 Pieces of 6 qrs. blue Duffil.
2 Ditto of 7-8ths Ditto.
1 Nap Ditto.
1 Piece of stamped Serge.
1 Piece of red Half thicks.
1 Piece of Brown Half thicks.
2 Ditto of white Ditto.
1 Piece of blue broad Cloth.
5 Laced Coats.
8 Plain Ditto.
50 Pair of Shoes.
3 Dozen and one pair of Womens' worsted Stockings.
1 Ditto of yarn Ditto.
4 Pieces and 2 Bandanoe Handkerfs.
1 Ditto Lungee Remals.
1 Ditto Cotton Romals.
4 Ditto of Nonsopretties.
8 Ib Coloured Thread.
3 Dozen and ten Worsted Caps.
2 Ditto of Knives.
1 Ditto of Tobacco Boxes.
1 Ditto of coarse Linnen Handker's.
4 Pieces of figured Gartering.
4 Ditto of blue and white flower'd Handkerchiefs.
3 Dozen and ten plain Hats.
2 Dozen of Tailors' Shears.
6 Gun Locks.
1 Bunch of black Beads.
3 Groce and an Half of Sleeve link Buttons ..
4 Dozen of Ivory Combs.
1 Groce of Women's Thimbles.
100 Blankets.
160 Matchcoats.
246 Plain Shirts.
187 Ruffled Ditto.
" Brother Teedyuscung :
" By this Belt you put me in mind that we formerly referred our Dispute about Lands to our Father, King George, and you desire to know if he has decided it-
4 Brother
" You should Consider the Circumstances of the affairs of your Father, King George. 'His Majesty lives at a very great Distance from us ; is now engaged in War with the French ; and the Business
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of War takes up a great deal of Time and Attention ; besides in Time of War we have but few Opportunities of hearing from him.
" As yet I have had no answer relative to your Affairs. You may depend upon it as soon as I receive one it shall be communi- cated to you ; And I can assure you the Proprietaries have pressed Dispatch, and will do every thing in their Power to bring it to a speedy Determination."
A Belt.
Then Governor Bernard, requesting the attention of the Indians, addressed them as follows :
"Brethren of the United Nations :
" By this String you spoke on Behalf of our Brethren, the Mini- sinks, & said that they were wronged in their Lands; that the English settled so fast that they continually were pushing them ; and when they asked for their Lands they were told that they had sold their Lands, and had got drunk and forgot it. If they had swallowed their Lands they must be content; but they did not. believe that they had swallowed all, but that some was left. They desired that I would enquire after their Lands that were left, and do them Justice.
" Brethren :
"I am glad I have an Opportunity, in the presence of so many Nations, to express the Desire I have of doing justice to every one. The Throne of the Great King is founded on Justice, and I should not be a faithful Servant to him if I neglected to give redress to all. Persons that have received Injuries from the People over whom the King has placed me.
"I have therefore, had a Conference with the Minisinks, in the Presence of some of their Uncles, and have come to a full Agree- ment with them, the Proceedings of which are now ready to be read to you.
" Brethren :
" I have another Proofs to give you of the Uprightness and Jus- tice of our Province; We have come to an Agreement with the Delaware Indians, and other Indians, for the uncertain Claims they had on the southern Parts of our Province, I hereby produce the Deeds that have been executed on this Occasion, that the Subject of them may be explained to you and be had in perpetual Remem- brance by all the Nations present, and I desire that you may re- member that, by these two Agreements the Province of New Jersey is intirely freed and discharged from all Indian Claims. In Con- firmation of which I give you this Belt."
A Belt.
" Brother Teedyuscung :
"By this String you tell me, that after the killing the nine In-
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dians near Esopus, you carried three Belts to George Freeland who undertook to give them to the Governor, and you ask what is be- come of those Belts.
" Brother :
" I can only say that I never heard of those Belts before, nor do I know what Governor George Freeland undertook to carry those Belts to; The Proper Governor was the Governor of New York, for in his Province was this Mischief committed; And probably the Governor of New York had these Belts, for I have heard that he Issued a Proclamation for apprehending the Perpetrators of this Fact. This Fact has been blamed by all good and wise men, and I am glad that it was not done by the People of my Province ; I will acquaint the Governor of New York with what you have said upon this Occasion, and I will enquire after those Belts and give you an Answer."
A String.
Governor Denny being Obliged to return to Philadelphia on urgent Business, took his leave of the Indians.
"Brethren :
" It gives me great Pleasure that the Business of this Treaty has been carried on with so much Satisfaction.
"I am sorry I am now to inform you that I am obliged to leave you, having received last Night an Express from General Forbes, who is now near Ohio ; My Business calls me to Town; I shall, therefore, leave Mr. Logan and Mr. Peters to transact the remain- der of the Business, and doubt not but they will act to your Satis- faction.
" I assure you of my Affection for you, and wish you all manner of Happiness."
Teedyuscung arose, and desired to be heard on behalf of the Wapings or Wapinger Indians, called the River Indians, living near Esopus, and produced a Short, broad Belt of White Wampum, having in the Center two Hearts of a Reddish Colour, and in Figures, 1745, wrote after the following manner, 17 v ~ 45. The Belt had a round Circle Pendant, representing the Sun. He then produced two Certificates, one from Governor Clinton, and the other from Governor Hardy, both which were much in Favour of the Wapinger Tribe of Indians. He said the Belt was given them by the Government of New York, and represented their Union, which was to last as long as the Sun should continue in the Firmament.
Teedyuscung addressed Governor Bernard, desiring, by a String of Wampum, that he would extend his Protection to the Tribe of the Wapings, and, as their Chief was old and infirm, he requested the favour of a Horse to carry him Home, which was readily granted ..
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Takeaghsado, or Tagashata, made the same request to Governor Denny, which was likewise granted.
The Six Nation Chiefs consulted together, and in a little Time Nichas, in their. Behalf, returned an Answer to the Speeches of the Governers, laying the Belts and Strings upon the Table in ye order they were delivered, and repeating distinctly what was said on each of them. At the end of every Article he returned Thanks, and expressed the Highest Satisfaction, particularly on the ratifying the Peace, and the large Belt given thereupon, which he said should be sent to all the distant Nations, to whom it would be very agreeable: He likewise promised, that every thing transacted in these Conferences, which again he said had afforded him great Pleasure, should be laid before the great Council at Onondago, whose Answer should be carefully transmitted. He thanked the Governor, Bernard, for making up all Differences between the Gov- ernment and the Minisink Indians so much to their Satisfaction. He made an Apology for the want of Wampum, and the Exchange of other Belts, to give in Confirmation of their Performance of the several Things mentioned in the Governor's Speeches, agreeable to Indian Customs ; Then wished Governor Denny a good Journey.
October the 24th, 1758.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Weiser, the Proprietary Agents, held a private Conference with the Chiefs of the United Nations at the House of Adam Johe, in Easton, at which were present :
William Logan, Esqr., of the Council.
George Croghan, Esqr., Deputy Agent to Sir William Johnson.
Charles Swain, Esqr., Prothonotary of Northampton.
Mr. Henry Montour, Interpreter, and Mr. John Watson, Sur- veyor in the County of Bucks.
And there were present the following Indians :
Kuriahtaaty, Chief of the Mohocks.
Seguehsonyont, Chief of the Oneidoes.
Nichaquantaqueah, Chief of the Tuscaroras.
Assaradungua, Chicf of the Onondagoes.
Tagashata, Chief of the Senecas.
Tokaaio, Chief of the Cayugas.
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Conniack, Chief of the Conoys.
Robert White, Chief of the Nanticokes.
Several other Indians.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Weiser, in Virtue of a Power of Attorney from the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania to them, under the great
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Seal of the Said Province, having previously settled with the In- dian Chiefs, the Limits of the Lands to be released by the said Pro- prietarios, and of the Lands to be confirmed by the United Nations, the Proprietaries' relase, and the Indians' Deed of Confirmation were read and interpreted; and the Indians expressing their Satis- faction at every part thereof, and particularly with the Limits, as described in the Draught annexed to their Confirmation Deed, they were both executed in the Presence of William Logan, George Croghan, Henry Montour, Charles Swaine, and John Watson, who subscribed their Names, as Witnesses thereto. A Belt was given to the Indians at the Delivery of the Release ; and it was agreed that both Deeds should be produced at the next Pnblick Conference, in order to be acknowledged.
On the 25th of October, the Indians were employed all Day in dividing the Presents among their Several Tribes.
At a Conference held at Easton with the Indians, October the 26th, 1758.
PRESENT :
His Excellency, Governor BERNARD.
William Logan,
George Croghan,
Richard Peters,
Conrad Weiser, Charles Swaine,
Esquires.
Andrew Johnson,
Charles Read,
Major Orndt,
John Stephens.
The Sheriff and his Officers.
Mr. John Watson.
The Chiefs of the United Nations, and of the other Nations of Indians, Moses Tetamy, and James Davis, and several other Dela- wares.
The Secretary having observed to the Six Nation Chiefs, that the Governors were charged by Tokaaio, with having omitted some things in their Answers, and desired to know what they were ; Thomas King said they were afterwards supplied, and recommended some things to be more particularly mentioned than they had been ; and agreeable to this Advice the following Speech was spoke by the Members of the Pennsylvania Council :
" Brethren :
" As we have settled all Difficulties, and Confirmed the Antient Leagus of Amity, and brightened the Chain of Friendship, we now clean the Blood off your Council Seats, and put them in order, that
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when you hold Councils at Home, you may sit as you formerly used to do in your Seats, with the same Peace and Tranquility."
A String consisting of one Thousand grains of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" With this String of Wampum we condole with you for the loss of your Wise Men, and for the Warriors that have been killed these troublesome times, and likewise for your Women and Children ; and we cover their Graves decently, agreeable to the Custom of your Forefathers."
A String of one Thousand Grains of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" We disperse the dark Clouds that have hung over our Heads during these Troubles, that we may see the Sun Clear, and Look on each other with the Chearfulness our Forefathers did."
A String of One Thousand Grains of Wampum.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Weiser produced the Confirmation Deed, executed by the Chiefs of the United Nations, as before set forth, which the Indian Chiefs acknowledged to have been their voluntary Act and Deed, and that they clearly understood the Contents thereof, together with the Limits described in the Draught annexed to it, and the same being handed from Indian to Indian, it was re-deliv- ered to the Proprietaries' Agents.
After which the Indian Chiefs produced the proprietary Deed of release executed by Mr. Peters and Mr. Weiser, the Proprietary Agents, who acknowledged it to be their Act and Deed, in Behalf of their Constituents, and re-delivered it to the Indians, together with the Belt.
His Excellency, Governor Bernard, produced the following Deeds : one executed by five Indian Attorneys, appointed by a Council of the Delaware Nation, for all the Lands lying in New Jersey, South of a Line from Paoqualin Mountain, at Delaware River, to the Falls of Laometung, on the North Branch of Rariton River, and down that River to Sandy Hook, dated the 12th of September last, with Endorsements thereon, made by Teedyuscung, Anawalleckon, and Tepascouon, signifying their Agreement thereto, and acknowledge- ment of their having received Satisfaction thereon, witnessed by three chiefs of the United Nations, who, in Behalf of the United Nations, approved the Sale, and also by several English Witnesses.
Another Deed, dated the 23d of October Instant, at Easton, from the Chiefs of the Munseys and Wapings, or Pumptons, Sixteen in Number, and included all the remaining Lands in New Jersey, be- ginning at Cushetung, and down the Division Line between New Jersey and New York to the Mouth of Tappon Creek, at the North or Hudson's River, and down the same to Sandy Hook, then to the Mouth of Rariton, then up that River to Laometung Falls, then on
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