,^ v'.^^il^-V'^ f^' .Z' %. ^»"^ >p ^^. ' .■^ U V 4^ t.0^ ^°-;^. ^ ^°-:^. V- I „ f " o. <^. : ^.. A'^ .'J^^^o ^^. > .^>?/z^% ^.. .^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/papersrelatingto06ocal — ' M XV PAPERS RMATIKO TO ^[it |nsquf|iDnna[i %m. 1683-1757. [From the Dutch Records entitled " Proceedings of the Justices of the Peace from 1680 to 1685," in the County Clerk's Office, Albany.] Extraordinary Meeting holden in Albany on the 7 Sepiemh'' 1683. Present — Marte Gerritse, Cornelis Van Dyck, Dirck Wessels, Joh: Provoost, J. Janse Bleker. Two Cayugas, Aekontjaekon and Kaejaegoeke by name, and a Susquehanne being questioned in the Court house relative to the situation of the Susquehanne River which M"". W™ Haig and M"". James Graham, Gov: W"^ Penn's Agents, propose to purchase, Report as follows: — That it is one day's journey from the Mohawk Castles to the Lake whence the Susquehanne River rises, and then 10 day's jour- ney from the River to the Susquehanne Castles — in all 11 days: One day and a half's journey by land from Oneida to the kill which falls into the Susquehanne River, and one day from the kill unto the Susquehanne River, and then 7 days unto the Sus- quehanne Castle — in all 9^ days' journey: Haifa days journey by land and one by Water from Onnondage before we arrive at the River, and then 6 days from the River: From Cayuga one day and a half by Land and by water before arriving at the River and then 5 days from the River: From Sinnekes' four Castles 3 days by Land and 2 days by water ere arriving at the River and then 5 days from the River — in all 10 days which is very easy, they conveying their packs in Canoes from the River: — The Indians demand wherefore such particular information relative to the Susquehanne River is sought after from them, and whether people are about to come there 1 The Indians are asked if it would be agreeable to them if folks should settle there 1 The Indians answer, that they would be very glad if people came to settle there, as it is nigher than this place and more convenient 394 PAPERS RELATING TO to transport themselves and packs by water inasmuch as they must bring every thing hither on their backs ; say further, that people must go from here and dwell there. Those there should be pleased on that account — they will come to trade there. N. B. The ascending the Susquehannah River is one week longer than the descending. A Map of the Susqehannah River is sent to the Governour with this letter : — Albany W^ of Sef 1683. Right Hon'^'^ — Wee have according to your hon*"^ Commands taken Informacon, both off Christians and Indians concerning y« situation of Susquehannes River, and how near it Lyes to y^ severall Nations off Indians Westwards, that Live in his R: highnesse Territories and from whence y^ trade is brought to these Parts, and after that we caused Twoo Cajouges Indians and a Susquehanne Indian demonstrate to us all y^ Rivers and Creeks Relateing thereunto, doe finde, that they that setle upon said River, will be much nearer to y^ Indians then this Place, and conse- quently y^ Indians more Inclinable to goe there, where y^ accom- modation of a River is to be had, then come by Land here, as the said Indians did expresse, soe y* by that meanss your hon"^ may easily conjeecture, how advantageous it will be to his Royall high- nesse Intrest, and since your hour was desyreous to know our opinions of y^ bussinesse, wee cannot juge, but that it will be Prejudicial! to his Royall highnesse Government but y^ Expedi- ent that is to be found for Preventing j^ same, is Left to your hon"" Consideracon Wee have ordered our Secretary to draw a draught of y^ River, and how y^ fores'^ five Nations of Indians Lie, as near as y^ fores'^ Indians could demonstrate, which we are apt to beleeve is not much amisse, and have sent it here Inclosed, we shall p' y^ first conveniency expect your hone's Comands how to act and Proceed in y"^ Bussinesse. In y° meantime shall break off and Remain Your hon'"s most humble & most obedient Servants Ye Commissaries of Albany &c* THE SUSQUEHANNAH RIVER. 3^ THE MAGISTRATES OF ALBANY TO GOV. DONGAN. Right honbie Last niglit Arnout y^ Interpreter arrived here from y® Indians Westward and brings us news y^ y^ four Nations viz* Cajouges, Onnondages, Oneydes & Maquase are upon there way hither and may be expected her tomorrow, Wee are credibly Inform'd of there willingnesse to dispose of y^ Susquehanne River, being verry glad to hear off Christians intending to come and Live there, it being much nearer them then this Place and much easier to get thither with there bever, The River being navigable w^ Canoes till hard by there Castles, soe y^ if W™ Penn buys said River, it will tend to y^ utter Ruine off y^ BeV Trade, as y^ Indians them- selfs doe acknowlege and Consequently to y^ great Prejudice off his Royall highnesse Revenue's and his whole Territory es in gene- ral, all which we doe humbly offer to your hon''s serious Consi- deracon. Wee presume that there hath not any thing Ever been mooved or agitated from y^ first settleing of these Parts, more Prejudicial! to his Royal highnesse Intrest, and y^ Inhabitants of this his govern* then this businesse of y^ Susquehanne River, The french its true have endevoured to take away our trade, by Peace mealls but this will cutt it all off at once; The day after your hon*" departed, wee sent a draught of y^ River and how near there Castles lie to it, drawne by our Secr^ as near as y^ Indians could deskribe, a copy Whereof we have kept here, and Arnout y® Interpreter says that he is also informed by diverse Indians, that ye Castles are situate as near y^ Susquehanne River as y® draught demonstrates, if not nearer ; and in his Private discourse with them, did Perceive there joy of People comeing to live there ; Wee did Expect an ansW of our Letter w* y^ Last Sloops with absolute orders Concerning this bussinesse, In the meantime shall Putt a Stopp to all Proceedings till wee have Rec-. S. V. Cortland The Indians being asked if they were only for the Maquas, they answered, yes ; and came from the three castles of the Maquas ******* Speech of the Sachem Odianah. That ossoone as they received the Message, they came hither and are very gladd to be so well received and that his Mat'y hath so great a kindness for them ; os for the Indians that are gone to Canada, they are very gladd his bono'" speaks of it and they will endeavour to get them back againe and they desire the Governor's assistance in it that they may goe hand in hand to promote it, and they doubt not to get them back againe. That when they were sent for hither they did not know what might be proposed to them ; and for Corlear's proposition to make peace with the Indians they war against, they say that ossoone as they com home they shall have a Generall meeting of all the Castles and will tell them what is here proposed and doubt not but it shall be effected j for the former Governor said the same and they obeyed and made peace and why should it not be allso at this time performed, for they have been allways obedient to this govermt that his Hono^" having told them to have an eye to the ffrenchmen, they give his Hono^^ their thanks, & will all- ways have an open eye to those people, and they desire if any thing happen to be informed for they are and have been allways belonging to this Governm*. and we expect no favo from the ffrench, but will put themselves under his Hono^ protection. That the Governor haveing wondred why they bring so little Beaver and formerly did bring so much, that it may be the Govern^ thinks they carry it to some other Governmt they answer no they do not They never had so firm a friendshipp with any, os with this Government but the true reason is they haveing a warre with THE SUSQTJEHANNAH RIVER. 399 Other Indians, those Indians would not dare to come on their hunting places ; but now they are all in peace ; the Indians catch away the Beaver so fast that ther be but very few left ; his Hono" hayeing told them they should harbour no fFrench but the Jesuits and each of them a man, they answer they will never suffer any straggling ffrenchmen amongst them, but those Jesuits who are very good men and very quiett ■ and yet if his Hono'' shall please, they will send them away all so ; and that none hath any land from them and they are resolved never to sell or give them any or any others except the people of this Governm^ that they were sent foi by the Govern'" of Canada who told them that they should make a peace with all the Indians and that the Govern'' took their axe and threw it into the water, but did not bury it because if it had bin buried it might have been taken up again ; and that nothing shall com to their ears but they will acquaint this Governm* with it, and expect the same from this Government. They all so say the Govern' of Canada promised them to have free passage upon all the Rivers and Creeks and said they should suffer all other Indians to have the same & the Govern"" took them OS his children and told them they should be all of the ffrench Religion. That all this land is under the Governm^ of his R^i High^s that there has been som Strangers at Albany to buy the Susquehannah River, but they have considered and will not sell it to them except by the particular leave of his Hono'". The Govern'" desired them to make up the differences amongst themselves about Susquehanna River in a civil and peaceable way, that being don to send word to the Governo"", and that then he will give them fuller orders about it. At a Council held Aprill 29^^, 1684. P'sent The Governo'' M"" Lucas Santen J. Spragg. Coll Lewis Morris. Mr. Will™ Welch said Govern'" Penn had a desire to treat w^^ the Indians of Susquehannah River by the consent of the Governo'" of New-York. 400 PAPERS RELATING TO Mr. Lloyd said that Govern' Penn complained of y- unkind usages and sinister dealings of the people of Albany who caused him to be put to a vast expence in bringing down the Indians and the desire of Govern- Penn was that hath already bin expended may be valued and som consideration had to the loss of time and monies. Governor Dongan replyed that as for the charges M'' Penn had bin at he had nothing to say to it, that they of Albany have sus- pilion it is only to get away their trade and that M''. Penn hath land allready more than he can people these many yeares that the Indians have long since given over their land to this Goverm^ and advised them to write over to the Duke about it. Mr Lloy & M^ Welch desired a letter from the Governo"^ to the Indians W^^ was not granted. FATHER LAMBERVILLE TO M. DE LA BARRE. [Paris Doc. II.] February 10, 1684. The man named Oreouake of Cayuga told me also that he would go to Montreal to see you. 'Tis he who caused Father de Carheil to withdraw and who treacherously brought the six Tionnontates to Cayuga. He is extremely proud. Sorennoa and he are the two most considerable Captains of Cayuga. It was of this Oreou- ake that the English of Albany (formerly Orange) made use to prevent Sieur Penn purchasing the Country of the Andastogn^s who have been conquered by the Iroquois and the English of Merilande. ABSTRACT OF THE PROPOSALLS OF THE ONOUNDAGES AND CAYOUGES SACHEMS AT NEW YORK, 2. August 1684. [Lond. Doc. IV.] That the English will protect them from the French otherwise they shall loose all the Beaver and hunting. That they have put themselves and their lands under the Pro- tection of the King and have given Susquehannah River to the THE SUSQUEHA^TKAH RIVEE.. 401 Govern tmnt of New York of which they desire it may be a Eranch. and under which they will shelter themselves frora the French. 'Jliat Penn's people may not settle und^r tiiC Susquehaunah Hiver. They have putt themselves under the King t;nd give two Deer Skins for the King to write upon tiiem, and put a great read Seale to ihem, that they put all their lands uniler His Ma^y and under no other Government then New Yorke. Tijey desire these proposalls may be sent to the King with a Belt of Vv'ampum peeg and another small Belt for the Duke of York. And they give Col. Dungan a Eeaver to send over this Pro- posal 1. And my Lord ESngham is desired to take notice that Penn's agents would have bought the SusqueTianna River of them, but they would not, but fastened it to the government of New York. That being a free peo])'e uniting themselves to the English, it may ht in their power to give their land to what Sachim they please. PEOPOSITIOA' OR OEATION OF t:;e cnc: dagoes and cayouges sachims mad:e ns" the towk HALL ALBAKY BEEOKE THE EIGHT E•0^'^^- THE L0B.D HOWARD OF EFFINGHAIvI. G0VEP.>'0B. OF VZKGIIs'IA AKD COL. THOMAS DU^^GAK GOV OF KEW YORK UPON THE 2^ DAY OF AUGUST 1684. [Load. Doe. T.] Brother Corlaer Your Sachim is a great Sachim and we are but a small peo- P'e, When the English came to Manhattans that is N. York, Aagiske which is now called Virginia, and to Jaquokranogare now called Zxlars'land, they were but a small people and we a gi eat people, and finding they were good people we gave them land and treated Ihem civilly, and now since you are a great peo- 26 402 - PAPERS RELATING TO pie and we but a small, you will protect us from the French, which if you do not, we shall loose all our hunting and Bevers, The French will have all :he Bevers, and are angry with us for bringing any to you. Brethren. Wee have putt all our land and our selfs under the Protection of the great Duke of York, the brother of your great Sachim; We have given the Susquehanne River which we wonn with the sword to this G overnment and desire that it may be a branch of that great tree that grows here. Whose topp reaches to the Sunn, under whose branches we shall shelter our selves from the French or any other people, and our fire burn in your houses and your fire burns with us, and we desire that it always may be so, and will not that any of your Penns people shall settle upon the Susquehanne River ; for all our folks or soldiers are like Wolfs in the Woods, as you Sachim of Virginia know, We having no other land to leave to our waves & Children. Wee have put ourselves under the Great Sachim Charles that lives over the Great Lake, and we do give you Two White Drest Dear Skins to be sent to the Great Sachim Charles That he may write upon them, and putt a great Redd Scale to them, Thatt we do putt the Susquehanne River above the Washinta or falls and all the rest of our land under the Great Duke of York and to nobody else. Our brethren his Servants were as fathers to our Wives and Children, and did give u«5 Bread when we were in need of it, and we will neither joyn our selves nor our Land to any other Governm^ then to this, and this Proposition we desire that Corlaer the Govrn' may send over to your Great Sachim Charles that dwells over the Gi eat Lake with this Belt of Wampum Peeg, and another Smaller Belt for the Duke of York his brother, and we give a Bever to the Corlaer to send over this Proposition. And you great Man of Virginia, meaning the Lod Effingham Govern'' of Virginia, we let you know that Great Penn did speak to us here in Corlaer's house by his agents, and desired to buy the Susquehanne River, but we would not hearken to him nor come under His Government, and therefore desire you to be wit- ness of what we now do and that we have already done and lett your friend that lives over the Great lake know that we are a ffree THE SU5QrZHA5nv-AH HITEB.. 403 people uiiiting our selves to wtat Sachem ^e please, and do s-lxe you one beavor skinn. This is a true Copy Translated, coinpared and Pi-eTised P me E-oB^^ LmKGSToy. SIS JOHX WEEL'EX TO Ciil. DOXGA^v'. JTrora same. Tol. IT.] [Ejn3_iCT.] Touchlrg Susquehannah RiTer or lands abo* it or t^j-de in it, ■w'^^ the Indians conre}" to yon or invite Ton to, we ihink yon will doe "B"tll to preserTe yo" interest there as much as possible that soe nothiag more may goe a%raTto M'Penn or ether Xew Jerseys. For it is apparent they are apt enough to stretch their privileges as well as the people of ISew Eigland have beene, vrho never probably will be reduced to reason by prosecution of the Quo Warranto ^-^^ is brought ag^* y™ JConneG Mimnes T.^ At a Coundl August the 30"^ 16S6. P'sent the Govern M. S. Y. Cortlandt M iS'. Bayard. Maj. Ger. Eaxter J. Spra^ge Arnold Interpreter. The Govern gave presents to the Indians for vr*^ they thanked him afttr t eir manner, and he said to them Brethren ***** I allso desire that neither 5rench nor English go 6c line £t the Snsq aehannah River; nor himt nor trade amongst the Brethren -svithout my passe and seale, the impression of vrhich I vrill giue them but if they doe that the Brethren bring them to Albany and deliver them at the Tovm house when care shall be taken for : unishing them (except the priests and one man w'*' each or either CI them) allthou^h any of them should be married to an Indian sqiia; ihey beiag^ only spies upon the Brethren. 404 PAPERS RELATING TO A-t a Council Seplemb' 1'' ]6S6. P'sent the Gov. IvL Slepb. v. Cortlandt M N. Eayard, Maior G, Ecxter J Spragge The Indians of the fiue Nations returned the followino; answer The Cayouges & Oneydes answered first & said Brother Coriear We are come hither at New York by y order although the appointeil place is at Albany. We have understood your propositions that we ^re no niort> Brothers but looked upon as Children of w*"'' we are gladd And what concerns tlie sending the prisoners back againe vshicb the Cayouges and Oneydes have no hand in taking them ; that concerns the Smequas What yourllono hath said about the Indians that are at Canada we will do our utmost endeauo to bring them from i hence & do desire that y ITono would write a letter to them, w*""' will have more influence upon them then our bare w^ords Concerning the Indians going to Cadaracqua that doth isol concern us but the Onondagos What yo Hono hath said of the Christian hunters & the traders that may come upon the Susquehanah River to hunt or trade w^''out your passe ; that we should take their goods from them & Iring their persons to Albany, we dare not meddle therev^fith; for a man whose goods is taken from him will defend himself w*""" may create trouble or warre, & therefor we deliver the scales to y Hono^ againe. ****** The Maquas stood up and said We desire that y^ Hono wnll order that lande & a priest maybe at Faraghtoge ; for they will be most Maquas that return from Canada ; & for the reasons given your Hono by the Cayouges & Oneydes we allso deliver your Hono' the Seals againe — upon that they gaue a present The Onondages stood up and said in Answer Brother Coriear * * * * \Ve are affraid the seals given us put us in a new trouble ; therefore we deliver them to your Honour againe, that we may liue wholly in peace. The Sinnequas said We came first to Albany Although we liuc the furthest off, THE SUSQUEHAKKAH iHVER. 405 Puid do find Corlear to be a good brother to us, therefore did not delay. I shall speak first of the Seales ; We know the fi'rench by their Coats and the other Christians by iheir habitts ii. if v, e should take their goods from them, it would create trouble or wane &. therefor deliver the same asraine. EXTKACT OF A LETTEU FROM GOV^ DOiNGAN TO M. DE DENONYILLE, DATED 31 OCTOB^ 1687, [LoniL Doc. VI.] Sir, I doe not take the King my ]\T8ster's right to the five nations on this side of the lake from Mons- de la Barr, but from our records which demonstrates that these five nations has betn in a free and brotherly correspondence from the first Settlement of this towne, and further they have sub uitted themselves, there country and conquests to the Dutch in their time and to the Kinge of England since this Colonie came under His ^STajes"'^ obedience, so that the Eing haveing given a Pattent to M' W™ Penn of a tract of land in which there conquest land uppon the Susquehana River was included in the grant, Since all this they came to me in the, presents of the Lord Effingham now Gov^ of Virginia presentinge two dorst [dressed]] Deerskins desiringe me to send them to the Kinge that a red broade scale might bee affixed to them, thai, that part of Susquehanna river might be annexed to this Collony haveinge some of their fiiends livinge there. THE HUMBLE ADDEESS CF TlIE G0VEa>'0UR AXD COirCILL OF YOm MAJESTY'S PROriNCE CT KEW YORKE AXD DEPEKDENCYS. [6 ACG. 1691.] P^ond. Doc. Tin.] Most Gracious Sovereigne May it please Yo" Most Excel! Maj^ There being nothing so dear unto us as the prosperity of your Majesty the increase of your empire and the safety of your 406 PAPEES RELATING TO people planted in these remote parts of Ameiica, We therefore in all humble manner find it is our duty to represent unto your most sacred Majesty the Slate and Condicon of this your Majesty's Province, that by a view thereof /our Majesty may be truely informed of the advantages accruing to your Majesty and also of the great detriment and prejudice that threatens your Majesty's interest by the pretences of our Neighbours and the strength of the French your Majesty's declared enemys. Therefore Most Excel Sovereigne This your Maj^y^ Province was first settled and planted in the year of our Lord 1619. by the States General! of the United Provinces, who did extend the line of their dominion from this your Majesty's Citty of New Yorke to the Eastward so farr as Connecticut River and to the Westward along the Coast beyond the Delaware River, and to the Northward up Hudson'^ River so farr as Schenetady and from thence to the Lakes of Caniada, and from thence to the Westward so farr as the Sinnekes land or the Indian hunting reacheth. Since which time in the year of our Lord 1664. King Charles the Second did subdue and reduce to the allegiance of Your Majesty's Crowne all the Inhabitants and Territorys within the limitts aforesaid ; all which was granted by King Charles the Second unto His Royall Highness James Duke of Yorke in the same year together with the governm' of all that tract of land to the Westward of Delaware River unto Maryland. His Royall Highness was pleased out of the premises to grant a certain tract of land unto the Right Honorable John Lord Bar- clay and Sir George Carterett limited and bounded by Hudson and Delaware Rivers, as per the Deed of Conveyance relation being thereunto had may more fully appeare ; the remaining part continued in His Royall Highnesses possession untill the yeare of our Lord 1682, William Penn procured a Pattent from King Charles the Second for land to the Westward of Delaware River, now called Pensilvania, as per said pattent doth more largely appeare. His Royall Highness was also pleased to grant unto the said William Penn, New Castle upon Delaware River and twelve THE SUSQUEIIANKAH EIVEK. 407 m'lus round about and afierv/ards Le made another grant unto b'lm of all tlie land to the Southward of New Castle. N(;w, may it please your Majesty, all that been reserved out of the Territorys and dominion aforesaid is only Long Island and some other small Islands adjacent, New York, Zopus, Albany and the limitts thereof; for the preserving of which the Crowne hath been at great charge, and for the support of your Maj^^es governm' there is now in Generall Assembly a revenue established upon the trade thereof v,-hich is managed in manner followincr. New Yorke is the Metropolis, is scituate upon a barren island bounded by Hudson's River-and the East River that runs into the Sound, and hath nothing to support it but trade, which chiefly flows from flower and bread they make of the Corne the West end of Long Island and Zopus produceth ; which is sent to the West Indies, and there is brought in returne from thence amongst otlier things a liquor called Rumm, the duty whereof considerably encreaseth your Majesties revenue. Zopus is a place upon Hudson's River, 80 miles distant from New Yorke ; consists of five small towns whose inhabitants manage husbandry and have not above 3000 acres of manureable land ; all the rest being hills and mountains, not possible to be culti- vated. Albany lyes upon the same River distant from New Yorke 144 miles, only settled for Indian trade ; its commerce extends itself as far as the Lakes of Canada and theSinnekes Country in w^hich is the Susquehannah River ; their chiefe dependance is upon their traffick with the 5 Nations called Sinnekes Cayeugoes Oneydes Onondages and Maquase ; which Indians in the time of the Dutch did surrender themselves and their lands to the obedience & pro- teccn of Albany, and upon that place's reducccn to your Majes- ties Crowne of England they continued confirming the same successively to all the Governou;s of this Province, and hath now ratifyed and confirmed the same unto your Majesty; so that all that tract of land from the W^estermost extent of the Sinnekes Country xmto Albany hath been appropriated and did absolutely belong unto the Inhabitants of Albany, upwards of fourty yeares; T^t Indian inhabitants have always reckoned themselves subjects 408 PAPERS RELATING TO to your Majesties Cruvvne, and are not willing to submitt or liave any trade or Commerce with any of your Majesty's subjicls but those att Albany, your Majesty's forts of New Yorke and Albany had always an absolute dominion over all the IrKiian Nations adjacent to this Province but especially of all those to the Westward ; and they were accustomed annually to bring tribute to your Majesty's forts, acknowledging the same, but of late years the neighbouring Collonys have obstructed them which we conceive highly injurious to your Majesty's interest and that this royalty is not conveyed by any of the afore recited grants. Long Island is pleasantly scituated and well planted but bi ings little gain unto your Majesty, the East end being chiefly settled by New England people who have erected five towns. Their improvements are most in pasturage and wdialeing. What is produced from their industry is frequently carried to Boston and notwithstand ng of the ir.any strict rules and laws made to confine them to this place they interlope that the revenue there is not able to defray the expence of looking after it. The middle of the Island [is] altogether barren ; the West end chiefly employed in tillage, which in a great measure supplys the traffiq of Ne\v Yorke All the rest of the Province, West Chester, Staten Island and Martin's Vineyard excepted, consist of barren mountains hills not improveable by humane industry. Now May it please Your Maj^J': The revenue that is established in this Province is in such a nature that if the encroachm*^ and pretences of our neighbours be removed, it will not only be sufllicieit to defiay the charge of your Majties Governm^ but also bring in profitt into .your Maj''«s Coffers. East Jersey is scituate on Hudsons River over ao;ainst Long Island Staten Island and New York, and they pretend by the aforementioned grant to be a free place and to have free ports to trade as they please, which if admitted must certainly destroy yo' Majt'es interest and revenue here ; for w'hat merchant will come to New York and trade and pay to yo"" Majty 2 and 10 p cent with the excise and yo^ Maj'^^s duties settled here, if they can at THE SUSQUEKAKKAH RIVER. 409 2 or 3 miles liislance over against the same place go and be free from any duty or imposition whatever. Conneticutt lyes lo the eastward of us & pretends to the like freedome as East Jersey, and doth in the same degree threaten Y-' Majestys interest with the like inconveniency and prejudice. Therefore may it please our Mr:j*y if Connecticutt East and We?t Jersey be not annexed to your Alajesty's Government of this Pro- vince it will be alltogether impossible to raise such a revenue to yo" Majesty here as will be sufficient to defray the charge of the government, and the annexing thereof cannot be injurious to tlie proprietors, but on the contrary advantageous to them, for it will ease them of the charge of governm'^ which haih allways exceeded the quitt Rents accrueing to them ; wheras if they were annexed the profits would be freed from that charge, retain their property^ and putt the Quilt llents clear in their pocque's. These inconveniences of Connecticutt East and West Jersey are not only prejudicial! to yo- Ai; j -■' intrest, but also the iritericcis of William Penn Esq' to the 3 lower Countys on Delaware River and to the Susquehanna Paver are equally if not more injuriousto your Majty and particulr^rly in this respect Susquehanna River is sciiuate in the middle of the Sinnekes Country which they gave unto your Majesty's Crowne and hath belonged as an appendix lo this your Majties Governm/- many years before Mr Penn had his pattent. Notwithstanding thereof Mr Penn endevors to disturb your Majesty in the peaceable and quiett possession of the premises ; endeavoring to tempt the Indians to sell it again to him, by that means not only to dispossess your Majesty of your antient rights, but also to pervert and draw away the trade of the Indians to his Province; which will be an irreparable loss to your Majesty, all the Nations with whom Albany hath their trade liveing at the head of Susque- hanna River. So the revenue of 10 p Cent, the impost upon powder, lead, alumn and furrs, quite lost, and if Mr Penn should attain his pretences to the Susquehanna Paver, it will not only destroy the best branch of your Maj^ies revenue, but it will like- wise depopulate your Province, the inhabitants of Albany haveing only seated themselves there and addicted their minds to the Indian lanfruage and the misleries of the said trade with purpose to 410 PAPERS RELATING TO manage it, that if it should be diverted from that channell they must follow it, haveing no other way or art to gett a livelyhood. The 3 Lower Countys were planted at the charge and expence of this your Maj'y^ citty of New Yoike and cheifly to encrease and preserve the navigacon of this port, being recommended to imploy their industry in planting of tobacco, which being a liulky comodity gave great encouragement to shipping as well as it brings great profitt to yo'' Maj*y Since we have mett with obstrucc'ns from that place by the pretences of M'' Penn, we have not been able to load so many ships as formerly ; all that yo'' Majesties province produceth suitable for Europe being only furrs, which are of great value and in small bulk, gives little encouragement to navigation. We were also accustomed to have considerable parcells of peltry from said Countys, which go now another way without paying yo Majesty any thing, and that which is a heavier presture upon us, they constrain us a penny p pound for the tobacco brought here, and send it to Pensilvania, a distinct Pro- vince, without paying any thing ; by that means diverting the trade of this port to Pensilvania : by all which your Majesty may perceive that the pretences of M Penn to the Susquehanna River are very injurious to your Maj '^s right and revenue; so that some care must be taken if your Maj y sees cause he shall remain a distinct governm that his line doth encroach upon your Majesties right noe further upon the Susquehanna River then the foil thereof; otherwise its scituation being so near the Sinnekcs Indians, if planted by him, must of necessity divert the whole trade of Albany. May it please Your Most Excel^- Maj^y. This is the state of your Majesties Province with relation to our neighbours your Majesty's subjects. There is likewise the French formerly under the pretence of propagating the Christian faith amongst the Indians, did thereby very much incroach upon yo' Majesties right on this side of the lake, and particularly did draw away many of our Indians into Canada, under the notion of supplying them with priests to instruct them in the Christian reli- gion ; by which means they lessened our hunting much, and has so weakened the Maquase nation that they are not capable to do THE SUSQrEHAK>'AH KITES. 411 yo" Majesty the service as formerly. Besides they are so affected to the French Yo' Majti*'^ enemys ihat while they are in being -vve cann have no safety. Since the war the French priests have retired from their castles, and the Dutch Minister at Alb-my hath been very successful] in converting many of them to the true religion, in which they are very devout and desirous to have a minis- try settled amongst them lor their pious comfort and instrucccn. This would be of great advantage to your Majesty not only in the increase of your revenue but also to endear the Indians to us, that they would continue to be the preservacon of this and the rest of your Majesty's adjacent Colonys ; these Nations being the strongest and most terrlb'e among the Indians are the only bul- warke and wall of defence both against other Indians and the French pretences, which we are daily threatened with, being in-' formed that they intend with a considerable force of themselves and the Ottawawes Indians to descend upon Albany and take it, which is not at present able (if attaqued) to resist, neither is the wbole Province as now narrowed, capable to secure that post, which hath occasioned an applicacon to our neighbours for assis- tance, but possitively denyed : the particulars whereof are more plainly expressed in letters to the Secretary of State and Planta- cons: by all which yo" Maj^^J may judge of the present state of this Province, and of the inconveniencys that dayly attend it. !N"ow may it please your mo3t Excell* Maj^y. The premises considered we humbly presume and represent unto y^ most sacred Majesty that there cann be nothing in America more conducive to yo Maj'^^^ subjects upon this continent then that Connecticut, East and West Jersey, Pensilvania and 3 Lower Countys be reannesed to this y Maj'^i-s Province which then will be a governm* of sufficient extent ; our late annexing to Boston haveing been evidently roinous and destructive to these parts and may be other waies prejudicial to yo^ Maj'^i-s interest for these reasons- Yo' Maj^^J hath already by tbe unanimous consent of the people, a revenue established of greater value then is any where else in jo'M.zj'^J^ Plantaeons and whoever are joyned to this Province submit to tbe Establishm'^ ; wheras it will be difficult to settle tbe like among our neighbours, and if settled, remain 412 PAPERS RELATING TO (liSlinct governments they are so weak as not capable to defend themselves, and the revenue will be eat up in looking after it, that they cannot be profitable to your Maj y. Whereas if they be an- nexed the cliatge will be no more to yo' Maj^y then now without them, and their conjunction must at least increase the Revenue 3 fold, besiiles will make this province not only capable to defend themselves but to anoy if not subdue the enemy May it please your Majesty - the small quantity of stores Govern Sloughter brought over are mostly disposed of in tlie several 1 small forts of Albany and Schenectady &« so that now we must begg the favor of a fresh supply. All which is humbly submitted RicH'^: Ingoldsby Fred: Phillips Stev: Cortlandt Nigh: Bayard Gab : Monviell A true Copy Chid: Brook M, Clarkson Secy. Will: Nicolls. KEMAUKS UPON THE observations OF THE PROPRIETORS OF PENSILVANIA ON A paragraph of sir WILLIAM JOHNSOn's LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS OF TRADE AND PLANTATIOKS BEARING DATE THE IOtH OF SEPTEMBER 1757. [Lond. Doc. XXIV.] 1757 22 Sept The whole paragraph of the above letter which gave birth to the Observations is as follows : — " I think I have before now hinted to your Lordships my opinion that the Hostilities which Pensilvania in particular has suffered from some of the Indians living on the Susquehanna did in some measure arise from the large purchase made by that Government iwo years ago at Albany. I have more reason every day from talking with the Indians to be confirmed in this Suspicion. I am inclined to believe that this purchase was publicly consented to at Albany, some of the Six Nations are disgusted at it, and others repent their consenting to it, and that part of them do underhand THE srsorzEAiiryAE hiteh.. 413 coDnive al lie Disturbance bet-?vefn the SusqueliEimali IndiEns & the Province of PensDrania "vriicse Thisincr forces and btnldinrr Forts on the S-a?q"ut:li?aia, tiio' it hath Terr plausible pretences is id the bott"!in bad polii-y and reallr intended to secure Lands which it "would be more for the true interest of the communirv- 1o gixe "up at least for the present. I conceire the most eSectnbl method of producing tranqnillity to that proTince "would be a to- luniary and open surrender of that Deed of Sale, fix -with the In- dians in the best manner they can the Eounds for their Settlements and 1! ate them Guarantees to it. •• The ProprieioTS are pleased to introduce their obserratioiis -vrith a challeEge to Sir William Johnson and all the World to shew any one Instance of their Conduct that has gixen dissatisfaction to iLe Six ISLtions and -vrhkh they say those Nations will readily acknowledge in any free Conference."' Tho' tr.e r£al Intent of the aboxe paragraph from Sir William Johnson's letter was. and its obxious meaning is, to assign a cause to which he suspected the Indians' Hostilities in Pensilxania were in a great m.easuTe o"wing. Yet upon Sir William John? on ssyrng he was inclined to believe &^^ The Proprietors are pleased to sound this unproroked challenge, which, th'j to answer as well as to hare giren is departing from the main argument, Yet Sir Wil- liam Johnson begs leaxe to say something in answer to it. First. Ee will now oresume to assert that from manv PriTate conxersatious he hath liadd with sexerall of the Chiefs of the Six Nations,. they are not satisfied with 'the con duct of tte GoTemment of Pensilxania in General, nor with the aforesaid purchase in par- ticular. ' SecDTidJy. He will adduce some facts public and uponllecord in support of the aboxe assertion. At the Treaty of Lancaster in the year 1744 the Six !^^^tion5 complained to Goxemour Thomas that the Connoge Indiaiis had not been saiisned for their Lands. The Goxernour promised re- dress. In the yeare 1749 the Six Nations renewed the aforesaid Complaint to Goxern or Hamilton. (ISB. It doth not appear upon E.eeord that the Conn oge Indians are to this day satisfied.) 414 PAPERS RELATING TO In the year 1750 Connageriwa a Sachim of the Six Nations living on the Ohio came at the head of a Deputation from thence to Mr. Croghan's house, and told Mr. Peters he was sent down from Ohio to enquire about the purchase they had heard the Governour had made on the East side of the Susquehannah the year before, from the Onondaga Council and said they were enti- tled to part of the goods paid for those Lands as well as the Onon- daga Councill, but they had received no part. That they were come down to desire the Governour to purchase no more Lands without giving them notice and desired the Gover- nour might send that Belt of Wampum to the Onondaga Council and let them know what the Ohio Indians had said on this head. Gave a large Belt. The Indians of the Six Nations who were settled on the Ohio were so dissatisfied with the Albany purchase made by the Pro- prietary Agents and saw such bad consequences arising from it that they left the Ohio and returned to their own Country. In a Speech of the Six Nations at a publick meeting with Sir William Johnson on the 3d July 1755 They said Brother, You desire us to unite and live together and draw all our allies near us, but we shall have no land left either for ourselves or them, for your people when they buy a small piece of land of us, by stealing they make it large We desire such things may not be done and that your people may not be suffered to buy any more of our lands. Sometimes its bought of two men, who are not the proper owners of it. The land which reaches down from Oswego to Schahandowana (Wyoming) we beg may not be settled by Christians. The Governour of Pensilvania bought a w^hole track and only paid for half, and desire you will let him know that we will not part with the other half but keep it. These things makes us constantly uneasie in our minds, and v.e desire you will take care that we may keep our land for our- selves. At a Meeting between Governour Denny George Croghan Esq"" Sir William Johnson's Deputy, and sundrey Six Nations and other Indians held at Lancaster in May 1757, a coppy of the proceed- ings of which lays before the Board of Trade. There is a speech THE SUSQUEHANNAH RIVER. 415 of the Six Nations bearing date Thursday 19*^ ^^ay from the whole letter and speech of which it appears that the Six Nations have been, and are very far from that satisfaction of mind, with the conduct of the Province of Pensilvania which the Proprietors boast of and found their challenge upon. The Proprietors are further pleased to add to their cha!leno-e this assertion, that the Six Nations will readily acknowledge the truth of it in any free conference. As the truth of this assertion can depend only upon a Contin- gent event. Sir William Johnson begs leave to be of a very different opinion, ami from a variety of circumstances is well perswaded. the Six Nations never will be reconciled to the conduct of the Proprietors, their Deputies and Agents unless the deed of the Albany purchase be surrendered and the claims founded there- upon in a great measure given up. The Proprietors say they cannot conceive that the last purchase made of land to the Westward of Susquehanna could possibly be the Cause of the hoslillties committed by the Indians living on that River &.c^. Sir W^illiam Johnson gave it as his opinion that the hostilities which Pensilvania had suffered from some of the Indians living on the Susquehanna did in some me?rsure arise from the large pur- chase made by the Governour two years ago. This is the point to be proved and more then this it is appre- hended will be proved by the following Quotations from autiien- tick Records & Papers. " Before the year 1742 the Delaware Indians complained that they were defrauded out of some lands or not paid for them. " It is well known that the purchase made at Albany in 1754 gave a great uneasiness to the Susqiiehana Indians and from the time the County Surveyor began to survey Juniatta, ami up the Susquehana : The Delewars, Shawanese and Nanticokes then settled on the River began to remove farther back, some to Tirjahoga some to Ohio. " The Ohio Indians at a Meeting with M"" W^iser (the Pensilvania Interpreter) at Aughwick, after the defeat of Col° Washington asked M"" W^iser how those Lands came to be sold. He said in 416 PAPERS RELATING TO answer that the Six Nations had only made over their right of .-^ale, and tiken an earnest piece, and that when the lands came lo be. settled, that they shoukl receive a C(msideration for them. At the same time John Schecelany, a Deleware Indian, burned some houses that were built on Penns creek (below Shamokin on the West side) and said there should be no plantations made on their hunting grountls, and all the Indians at Shamokin seemed very uneasie, and indeed obliged the Surveyor to come away, and quit surveying." In the Spring of 1750. Governour Morris sent several messages with Belts and strings of Wampum by an Onondaga Indian to the Five Nations, amongst which is the following just and remarkable Confession. " That he found by woful experience that making purchases of Lands was the cause of much blood having been shed, he was determined therefore to buy no more." As a Confirmation of Sir William Johnsons said opini. n he refers himself to the following extract from Margaret Williams deposition who was a prisoner amongst the Delaware Indian?, sworn before him the S''^ day of September 1756. " The said Margaret says she often heard the Indians say ?nd declare most solemnly they never would leave off killing the English as long as there was an Englishman living on their lands that they were determined to drive them all off their lands, naming Minisinck almost to the North River East, (in the provinces of New York & Jersey) also Bethlehem and the lands in parallel to it West which the English cheated them out of." In further support to his opinion Sir William Johnson refers himself to the Treaty Governour Denny held with Tedinscung the Delaware Chief at Easton last autumn, and which is before the Board of Trade Sir William Johnson also refers himself to the Extract from a Speech of the Six Nations to Gov Denny and M^ Croghan (before mentioned in these Remarks) in answer to their earnest call upon the Six Nations to assign if they knew the Cause of the hostilities and Discontents of the Susquehana Indians. THE SUSQUEHANNAII RIVER. 417 The Indian proceedings this Summer which past at Easton between Governo'" Denny, M"- Croghan & the sundry Indians therein mentioned, & which Sir William Johnson transmits here- with to the Right Honourable the Lords of Trade puts beyond dispute and demonstrates the Truth of what Sir William Johnson gave as his opinion in his aforesaid letter to the Lords of Trade and he apprehends it doth very fully evidence the conclusions of belief he then drew from that opinion. Lastly Sir William Johnson refers himself to the following Extract from the examination of John Morris of Lancaster County, who was taken by, and made his escape fron., the Delaware Indians sworn before him 21^^ August 1757. The Examinant says he often heard the Delawares say that the reason of their quarrelling with and killing the English in that part of the country was on account of their lands which the people of Pensilvania Government cheated them out of, and drove them from their settlement at Shamokin by crowding upon them, and by that means spoiled their hunting and that the people of Mini- sinck used to make the Indians always drunk whenever they traded with them and then cheated them out of their furs and skins, also wronged them with regard to their lands. This he has heard from many of the chief and oldest men amongst them both in the English and the Delaware Language which he sufficiently understands. The Proprietors say, that as the Six Nations are not well satisfied with the sale of tho-e lands on the Ohio, they are willing to waive that part of the Treaty provided Scc^. As Sir William Johnson has never seen the deed of sale for the Albany purchase, 'he cannot to his knowledge tell how far the purchase extends, but he hath in his possession a Report of several Indian Transactions, relative to the Government of Pensilvania signed by George Croghan Esq"" "who was for several years em- ployed as an Indian Agent by that Government, in which Report Mr Croghan says as follows :■ — " I never understood from any of the Six Nations that they *eei»ed the Lands west of the Susquehana as a purchase, but 27 418 PAPERS RELATING TO rather as a deed of Trust and rec"^ lOOO Dollars as an Earnest Price and looked on it that when the lands came to be settled they should receive the Consideration and the Commissioners who were sent from Pensilvania to make that purchase at Albany in 1754, viz' M Norris & M Peters, with the Interpreter M' Wiser have repeatedly acknowledged to me, that the Land West of Allegany Mountains cross to Lake Erie was included in the deed of 1754, that it was neither purchased nor paid for^ and which will appear by a private Conference in Mr. Petersh hands at the time of signing." Certainly the proprietors are not apprized of the fact here asserted or they would not have made an offer to relinquish Land they have never purchased, nor allowed it to have been put in a deed of sale. In answer to Sir William Johnson's opinion about the Govern- ment of Pensilvania raising Forces and building Forts on the Susquehana River " The Proprietors say this Insinuation is without any sort of Foundation, as it never would have been attempted had not the Chiefs of the Indians living on the Susquehannah and Delaware River on their own Motion entirely desired they should be built at Shamokin and near Wyoming for their own security. " In this the Proprietors must certainly be misinformed for none of the Indians on Susquehanna or Delaware ever requested any Forts to be built there. Indeed after the defeat of General Braddock, Scarayade, Cayseuntenego, and two or three more Ohio Indians who had left their country on the first approach of the French in the year 1753 did desire the Government of PensiW to build a Fort at Shamokin, in order to protect their interest with the Susquehanna Indians, but the request of those four or five dispossessed Indians can never be fairly construed as an authority of application from the Six Nations, or any other Bodies of Indians. However this request for a Fort was not complied with at that time." In a Message which Sir William Johnson received the SS*^ May 1756 from the Onondaga Indians they say as follows: — THE SZS-ZiZEKASyAE EITrs. 419 '•' Tell our Broihei farther that smce we took the tatchet out of the hands of the Dela-^are and Sl^-franese they have told us there is an arniy of the English coming against them, (they mean the Provincial Troops of Pensilvania tmuer Colonel Clapham) and that they think it unreasonable and Tmnatnral for ns to hold them in our arms, and preventiiig them defending themselres ^hen Pecple are just on their backs to destroy them. '■ We are informed the English are building a Fort at Shamokin. We can't comprehend the method of makins' War ^hich is made use of by our Bretheren the English. When vre go to -wzt cur manner is to destroy a Nation and there's an End of it. But the English chieSy regard building Forts -which looks as if their only scheme was to take Possession of the Lands.'' Here is an evident Proof of the jeaiousy which the Pensil- vania levies ana Fort building occasioned and a strong hint -of the Ends intended by them, as it stood in tne minds of the Indians. Sir William Johnson well knowing how extreamly lender the Indians in general are. with regard to Forts, r.ear to their couctrj^ or hunting grounds and naturally judging a Body of Armed Men. to support as it were the building of those; at a time, and in places where he had many reasons to believe the neighbouring Indians (as it hath sicce fiilly appeared) were dissatisfied with the GoTemment on the score of Lp.nds. and Encroaching by their purchases on their hunting grounds, and crowding too near upon them by their extended settlements he judged this conduct in the Government of Pensilvania was imnolitick. and he must heg leave to be still of the same opinion, and as he looked upon those proceedings to he contrary to the true interest of the Community, he diji suspect they were pushed forward upon other motives. And to conclude, unless the Province of Pensilvania is both able and willing to maintain their land pretentions by force of Arms against the Indians. Sir William Johnson hath not altered his ODinion but doth with vet stronger dezjee of conviction than formerly, bombly cffer his conception of the matter in the same words as before. Xamely, "' that the most eaectual method of producing tranquility to that Province would be a Voluntary and 420 PAPERS RELATING TO THE SUSQUEHANNA!! RIVER. open Surrender of that Deed of Sale, to fix with the Indians in the best manner they can, the bounds for their settlements, and make them Guaranties to it." Note.— See further on this subject, The Susquehannah Title Stated and Examined in a Series of JVumbers first published in the Western Star and now Re-published, ^c Catskillj by Mackay Croswell. 1796. '." 4 o .G A C^' ' •-■ ■■^^ .~^' •- .^_ -^ -i « -r- r^ c- - y .-<^^ - .0' i> ^ '^■ v^- -^■■.'. 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