Mºcº sº
COLLECTIONS
OF THE
M A S S A C H U S E TT S
H IS TO RIC A. L SOC I ET Y.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held at Albany, in
1754. – f – - - - - - - - - -
B O S T O N :
JOHN H. EASTB U R N , PRINTER.
1836.
* wº


COLLECTIONS.
Journal of the PRoceedings of THE CoNGRESS HELD At
ALBANY, IN 1754.
[The following Journal of the Commissioners who met in Congress at
Albany, in 1754, for the purpose of treating with the Six Nations of In-
dians and concerting a scheme of general union of the British American
Colonies, is printed from a heretofore unpublished Manuscript deposited
in the Library of the Historical Society. Of this assembly Hutchinson,
in his History of Massachusetts, Vol. III. p. 20, justly remarks, that it
“was the most deserving of respect of any which had ever been conven-
ed in America, whether we consider the Colonies which were represented,
the rank and characters of the delegates, or the purposes for which it
was convened.”
Some use was made of this M.S. Journal by Mr. Minot, in his Con-
tinuation of the History of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Vol. I.
p. 188, where may be found “The Plan of Union” which was drawn up
by Dr. Franklin, and agreed to by the Convention. This Plan, with
reasons and motives for each article, is contained in the different editions
of Franklin’s Writings; and an imperfect form of the same instrument
has been inserted in the 7th volume of the First Series of our Collec-
tions, page 203.
This Convention assembled, as it appears by the Journal, in 1754, on the
19th of June, though it is stated in the 7th volume of the Collections, pp.
75 and 203, and in various other authorities, that it met on the 14th of
June ; and it was dissolved, as it is mentioned on the 77th page of the
same volume, on the 11th of July. But the Journal breaks off abruptly
on the 10th of July, without giving the Plan of Union that was agreed
u DOn.
". Sparks, in his edition of Franklin's Writings, has made, in rela-
tion to this Convention and Plan of Union, a statement of facts and some
remarks, from which we make the following extracts.
“The prospect of a French war, and the hostile attitude already as-
sumed by tribes of Indians on the frontiers, induced the British Govern-
ment to seek for the means of providing for a timely and efficient re-
1

6 Proceedings of the Congress
sistance in the Colonies. With a view to this end an order was sent
over by the Lords of Trade, directing that Commissioners should be ap-
pointed in several of the Provinces to assemble at Albany. The imme-
diate object was to conciliate the Six Nations, by giving them presents,
and renewing a treaty, by which they should be prevented from going
over to the French, or being drawn away by the Indians under their in-
fluence.
“The day appointed for the assembling of the Commissioners was the
14th of June, 1754, at Albany, but they did not meet till the 19th ; when
it was found that the following Colonies were represented, namely, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The whole number appointed was twenty-
five, who all attended.
“Before Franklin [one of the delegates from Pennsylvania] arrived in
Albany he had sketched the outline of a plan, which he had shown to
some of his friends in New York, particularly to James Alexander and
Mr. Kennedy, who he says were “gentlemen of great knowledge in pub-
lic affairs.” He obtained their remarks on his project, as well as those
of Cadwallader Colden, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of New York,
and celebrated for his talents and learning. When the members of the
Committee met, several plans were presented, but after consultation the
preference was given to Franklin's, which was reported to the Conven-
tion on the 28th of June. The debates on the various topics embraced
in the plan continued for twelve days. It was considered a question of
moment, whether an act of Parliament was not necessary to establish
such a union. This question was decided in the affirmative. The Con-
vention dissolved on the 11th of July, and the Plan of Union was adopt-
ed on that day or the day preceding.
“It is a singular fact, that Franklin and Hutchinson, who were mem-
bers of the Convention, and Pownall, who was in Albany at the time, all
say that the Plan was unanimously agreed to. Hutchinson's History of
Massachusetts, Vol. III, p. 23. Whereas it is affirmed by Dr. Trum-
bull, that the “Commissioners from Connecticut were wholly opposed to
the plan ; they imagined that it was dangerous to the liberties of the
Colonies, and that such a government would not act with that despatch
and energy, which might be reasonably expected by his Majesty.” His-
tory of Connecticut, Vol. II. p. 355. The same assertion is contained in
a paper published by the Assembly of Connecticut, assigning reasons for
not acceding to the Albany Plan of Union. It is not easy to explain
this discrepancy. As the Connecticut delegates voted at first, with the
others, that some plan of union was necessary, perhaps they did not

held at Albany, in 1754. 7
openly oppose the one that was adopted, but acquiesced, and hence it was
inferred that they approved it.”
“But whatever unanimity there was in the convention, the Plan of Un-
ion met with very little favor abroad. It was rejected by all the Colonial
Assemblies before which it was brought. In England it was so unac-
ceptable to the Board of Trade, that they did not even recommend it to
the notice of the King. Franklin says, “The Assemblies all thought
there was too much prerogative in it, and in England it was thought to
have too much of the democratic.” Considering this rejection by the two
parties for opposite reasons, it was his opinion thirty years afterwards,
that his plan was near the true medium. The British Government had
another scheme, by which the governors of the Provinces, and certain
members of the councils, were to assemble at stated times and transact
affairs relating to war and to general defence. This was carried into
partial effect in the case of General Braddock, and on one or two other
occasions.
“The governor of Virginia did not send delegates to the Albany Con-
vention. He was so much occupied with the French on the frontiers of
that Province, and with projects for Indian alliances, that he had no leis-
ure for other undertakings In a letter to Lieutenant-Governor Delan-
cey, dated March 21st, he says: “As to the concerting of measures with
the other governments, the time will not admit of it, as what is to be done
must be done immediately. I hope to see at least two of the Chiefs of
the Six Nations at Winchester in May, as the design of that meeting is
to make a peace between the Northern and Southern Indians; after
which to make a strict alliance between them and all the British sub-
jects on this continent.” Dinwiddie's MS. Letter-Books. The governor
failed, however, in this vast project. The meeting at Winchester was
attended by a few Indians only, of subordinate rank, who came chiefly
to receive his presents, and nothing was done. In truth he had a scheme
of his own, which stood in the way of his joining in a general union.
The year before he had recommended to the Board of Trade, that the
colonies should be divided into two parts, constituting a northern and
southern district, in each of which some kind of supervising power was
to be established. Similar views were entertained by other persons, and
were discussed in the Albany Convention.
“There are evidences that Franklin's thoughts had been for some time
turned to a union of the Colonies. He had thrown out hints to this
[* Gov. Livingston, (1 Hist. Coll. VII. 77) says that the Plan “was approved at the time
by every member of the Congress except Mr. Delancey;” and Smith, in his History of New
York, II, 183, says, “except Mr. Delancey, every member consented to this Plan, and he
made no great opposition.”—Publishing Committee.]

8 Proceedings of the Congress
effect in his newspaper. The Pennsylvania Gazette for May 9th, 1754,
contains an account of the capture by the French of Captain Trent’s
party, who were erecting a fort (afterwards Fort Duquesne) at the Fork of
the Ohio. The article was undoubtedly written by the editor. After nar-
rating the particulars, and urging union to resist aggression, he adds ;
“The confidence of the French in this undertaking seems well grounded
in the present disunited state of the British Colonies, and the extreme
difficulty of bringing so many different governments and assemblies to
agree in any speedy and effectual measures for our common defence and
security ; while our enemies have the great advantage of being under
one direction, with one council, and one purse.” At the end of the arti-
cle is a wood-cut, in which is the figure of a snake, separated into parts,
to each of which is affixed the initial of one of the Colonies, and at the
bottom in large capital letters the motto, Join or DIE. It is well known,
that this device was adopted with considerable effect at the beginning of
the Revolution. In some of the newspapers of that day the mutilated
snake makes a conspicuous head-piece, running across the page, and
accompanied with the same significant motto.”
[As the Plan of Union which has been inserted in the 7th volume of the
Collections above referred to, is imperfect, it is thought advisable to
reprint this document in an authentic form from the Writings of Franklin.
It will be found at the end of the Journal.—Publishing Committee.]

held at Albany, in 1754. 9
INSTRUctions To THE CoMMission ERs.
WILLIAM SHIRLEY, Esq. Captain General and
(L. S.) Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Proy-
ince of the Massachusetts Bay in New England,
To Samuel Welles, John Chandler, Thomas Hutchinson,
Oliver Partridge, and John Worthington, Esq’rs, Greeting.
Whereas, in pursuance of letters from the right honorable
the Lords Commissioners for Trade and the Plantations,
dated the 20th of August and 19th of September, 1753, to
the Governors of several of his Majesty’s Plantations in North
America, a General Convention of Commissioners for their
respective Governments is appointed to be held at the city of
Albany in the month of June next, for holding an interview
with the Indians of the Five Nations and making them presents
on the part of the said Governments usual upon such occa-
sions, in order to confirm and establish their ancient attach-
ment to his Majesty and their constant friendship to his Ma-
jesty’s subjects on this continent; and whereas the Great and
General Court or Assembly of the Province of the Massa-
chusetts Bay aforesaid, have elected and appointed you to
represent and appear for the said Province at the Conven-
tion aforesaid for the purposes abovementioned; as also for
entering into articles of Union and Confederation with the
aforesaid Governments for the general defence of his Majes-
ty's subjects and interests in North America, as well in time
of peace as of war:—
Now I do, by these presents, empower and commissionate
you, the said Samuel Welles, John Chandler, Thomas Hutch-
inson, Oliver Partridge, and John Worthington, as Commis-
sioners (or any three of you) to appear for and represent the
Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid, at the proposed
Convention of Commissioners to be held at the city of Albany
in the month of June next, then and there to concert with the

10 Proceedings of the Congress
Commissioners (from all or any of his Majesty’s British Govern-
ments) that may be there convened, such measures as may be
judged proper for the purposes aforesaid, and to agree upon
the same ; and herein you must observe such instructions as
are here with delivered you, or may from time to time be
given you by the Great and General Court or Assembly of
this Province.
Given under my hand and the public seal of the Province
of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid, the nineteenth day
of April, 1754, in the twenty-seventh year of his Ma-
jesty’s reign.
W. SHIRLEY.
By his Excellency’s command.
J. WILLARD, Secretary.
A true copy.
Attest, SAMUEL WELLEs,
John CHANDLER,
OL’R. PARTRIDGE,
Jo HN Wor THINGTON.
Province of New Hampshire.
GEORGE THE SECOND, by the grace of God of
§.) Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender
of the Faith, &c.
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.
Whereas we have ordered a sum of money to be issued for
presents to the Six Nations of Indians, and to direct our Gover-
nor of New York to hold an interview with them for delivering
those presents, for burying the hatchet, and for renewing the
covenant chain with them ; and inasmuch as the attempts
that have been made to withdraw them from our interest ap-
pear to us to make a general interview more particularly ne-
cessary at this time, and that all our Colonies whose interest
and security is connected with and depends upon those In-
dians, should be present at and join in such interview:—
Know ye therefore that we, reposing much trust and confi-
dence in the integrity and ability of the Hon. Theodore Atkin-
son, Esq. the Hon. Richard Wibird, Esq. two of our Council of

held at Albany, in 1754. 11
our said Province, the Hon. Meshech Weare, Esq., Speaker of
the General Assembly of our said Province, and Henry Sher-
burne, Jr., Esq., also a member of the said General Assembly,
have, by and with the advice of our trusty and well beloved
Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander in
Chief of our Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, named,
made, constituted and appointed, and we by these presents
name, make, constitute and appoint the said Theodore Atkin-
son, Esq., Richard Wibird, Esq., Meshech Weare, Esq., Henry
Sherburne, Esq., our true and undoubted Commissioners, here-
by giving unto them full power and authority as well as our
special command, to repair to our city of Albany, or other
place where the said interview may be held and carried
on, and there, by the whole or major part of those of them
that shall be present at the said interview, for us and in our
name, together with such other Commissioners as shall be
regularly appointed from our other Colonies and Provinces in
America to attend at the said interview, to agree upon, con-
sult and conclude what may be necessary for establishing a
sincere and lasting friendship and good harmony with the said
Six Nations of Indians, and, if necessary, for us and in our
name to sign every thing so agreed upon and concluded, and
to do and transact all matters and things that may appertain
to the finishing the abovesaid work.
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said
Province of New Hampshire to be hereunto affixed.
Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and
Commander in Chief of our said Province of New Hamp-
shire in New England, this third day of June, 1754, and
in the twenty-seventh year of our reign.
B. WENTWORTH.
By his Excellency’s command.
THEobore ATKINson, Secretary.
Copy examined per
- THEoDoRE ATKINson,
R. WIBIRD,
MESHECH WEARE,
HEN. SHERBURNE, JR.

12 Proceedings of the Congress
THOMAS FITCH, Esq., Governor and Com-
(º) mander in Chief of his Majesty’s English Colo-
cuttensis. ny of Connecticut in New England, in America,
To William Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, Jr., and Elisha Wil-
liams, Esq’rs, Greeting.
Whereas you are by the General Assembly of the said
Colony nominated and appointed to be Commissioners in be-
half of said Colony to meet such Commissioners as are or
shall be appointed by his Majesty's other Governments in
America, at a general interview at Albany, on the fourteenth
day of June next, and join with them in concerting proper
measures for the general defence and safety of his Majesty’s
subjects in said Governments and the Indians in alliance with
them, against the French and their Indians:—
Therefore, in pursuance of said Act of Assembly, you, the
said William Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, Jr., and Elisha Wil-
liams, Esquires, are commissioned, authorized and em-
powered in behalf of his Majesty's Colony of Connecticut,
to meet the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty’s other
Governments in America, at Albany on the fourteenth day of
June next, and in concert with such Commissioners from his
Majesty's other Governments as shall meet there, to consult
proper measures for the general defence and safety of his
Majesty’s subjects in said Governments and the Indians in his
alliance against the French and their Indians, and to use and
pursue proper measures in pursuance of your instructions from
the said General Assembly relating to the matters aforesaid.
Given under my hand and the public seal of the Colony of
Connecticut, in Hartford, this 30th day of May, Anno
regni Regis Georgij 2di: Magn: Brittan: &c. 27mo.
Annoq: Domini, 1754.
º
THOMAS FITCH.
By his Honor’s command.
GeoRGE WYLLys, Secretary.
True copy, examined per
WM. PITKIN,
Roger Wolcott, JR.
Elish A Will IAMS,
Commis-
sioners.

held at Albany, in 1754. 13
By the Honorable WILLIAM GREENE, Esq. Gov-
Locus ernor and Captain General of the English Colony
ºf) of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New
England, in America.
To Stephen Hopkins and Martin Howard, Jr., Esq’rs,
Greeting.
Whereas the General Assembly of this Colony have on their
part chosen and appointed you to meet with the Commis-
sioners of the other Governments at Albany, on the fourteenth
day of this instant June, and join with them in a treaty with
the Six Nations of Indians, in order to secure the interest of
his Majesty and his good subjects in those parts :-
I do therefore, by virtue of an Act of the General Assembly
of this Colony, authorize, empower and commissionate you, the
said Stephen Hopkins and Martin Howard, Jr., forthwith to
repair to Albany aforesaid, and there, in behalf of this Colony,
to meet and join with the other Commissioners in consulting
what methods are proper to be used to preserve the friend-
ship of the aforesaid Six Nations of Indians, and their attach-
ment to the British interest in America; and also what else
may be necessary to prohibit the French and their allies the
Indians from encroaching on the lands within the dominions
of his Majesty; and in general, as far as the abilities of this
Government will permit, to act in conjunction with the said
Commissioners in every thing necessary for the good of his
Majesty’s subjects in those parts, and to answer, as far as we
can, the designs of his Majesty’s instructions to this Colony
communicated to us by the Earl of Holderness.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and cause
the seal of the Colony aforesaid to be hereunto affixed,
this twelfth day of June, one thousand seven hundred
and fifty-four, and in the twenty-seventh year of the
reign of his most sacred Majesty George the Second, by
the Grace of God King of Great Britain, &c.
W. GREENE.
By his Honor’s command.
THo, WARD, Secretary.
A true copy, examined by STEPHEN Hopkins,
MAR. How ARD, JR.
2

14 Proceedings of the Congress
PENNsy LVANIA, ss.
GEORGE THE SECOND, by the Grace of God of Great
Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith,
and so forth,
To our trusty and well beloved John Penn, Richard Peters,
Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, of the city of Phila-
delphia, Esquires, Greeting.
Whereas the honorable James Delancey, Esq., our Lieuten-
ant Governor and Commander in Chief of our Province of New
York, has received our directions to hold an interview with our
loving and good allies the Six United Nations of Indians, at the
city of Albany within our said Province, for delivering to them
our presents and for renewing the covenant chain with them,
and has fixed upon the fourteenth day of June ensuing for
this purpose ; and it has been usual, when an interview has
been held with these Indians, for all his Majesty’s Colonies
whose interest and security is connected with and depends
upon them, to join in such interview ; and it appears to us that
the present disposition of those Indians and the attempts
which have been made to withdraw them from our interest,
do make such a general interview more particularly necessary
at this time, when the subjects of the French have actually
marched into, and erected forts, and committed hostilities
within the known limits of our dominions :-
Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in your
loyalty, abilities and prudence, we have thought fit to nomin-
ate and appoint you, the said John Penn, Richard Peters,
Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, and every of you, our
Commissioners on behalf of our Governor of our Province
of Pennsylvania aforesaid, in conjunction with our Lieutenant
Governor of New York, and with the Commissioners of the
the other Governments, to treat with the Six United Nations
of Indians at Albany, or with their or any or every of their
chiefs or delegates, and with them to renew, ratify and con-
firm the leagues of amity subsisting between us and the said
nations of Indians, and to make them the presents that have
been provided for them by the Governor and Assembly of our
said Province of Pennsylvania; and further to do, act, trans-
act and finally to conclude and agree with the Indians afore-
said, all and every other matter and thing, which to you shall

held at Albany, in 1754. 15
appear necessary for the engaging them heartily in our inter-
est and for frustrating any attempts which have been made to
withdraw them from it, as fully and amply to all intents, con-
structions and purposes, as our Governor of our Province of
Pennsylvania aforesaid might or could do, being personally
present; hereby ratifying, confirming and holding for firm and
effectual whatsoever you, the said John Penn, Richard Peters,
Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, or any of you, shall law-
fully do in and about the premises.
In testimony whereof we have caused the great seal of our
said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness, James
Hamilton, Esq., (by virtue of a commission from Thomas
Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute pro-
prietaries of the said Province, and with our royal appro-
bation) Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief
of the Province aforesaid, and counties of Newcas-
tle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware, at Philadelphia,
the thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and fifty-four, and in the twen-
ty-seventh year of our reign.
JAMES HAMILTON.
A true copy, examined. Richard PETERs,
Is. Nor Ris,
B. FRANKLIN.
WHERE As his Majesty has been pleased to order a sum of
money to be issued for presents to the Six Nations of Indians,
and to direct his Governor of New York to hold an interview
with them for delivering those presents, for burying the hatch-
et, and for renewing the covenant chain with them; and
whereas, in obedience to his Majesty’s pleasure signified to
them by the Lords of Trade, his Majesty's several Colonies on
this continent have resolved to join in such interview, and
have made a provision for sending each their Commissioners,
with such presents as have been usual on the like occasions
to the said Indian nations, as a means of securing more effec-
tually their affections to his Majesty and the British interest;
now, in dutiful compliance with his Majesty’s requisition, as
well as from a sense of the importance it must be of to us

16 Proceedings of the Congress
and the several neighboring Provinces, that these nations be
retained in our alliance, more especially at this time, when
our enemies are endeavoring to withdraw them from our
friendship; we have thought fit to commission you, Col. Ben-
jamin Tasker and Major Abraham Barnes, fully trusting in
your known abilities and approved honor, to represent this
Province at the interview appointed to be held at Albany, the
fourteenth day of June next, and then and there to renew the
covenant chain, and enter into a league of amity with the
said Indian nations; and you shall deliver to them, with such
speeches as have been used on similar occasions, a present as
from his Majesty’s dutiful subjects of this Province of Maryland,
in money or goods (as to you shall appear most proper) to the
value of five hundred pounds, current money of this Province,
which money you will receive from the Treasurer of the
Western Shore; and for the better conducting yourselves in
regard to the manner and form of the treaty to be entered
into at Albany with the said Six Allied Nations, you shall re-
fer yourselves for directions to the honorable James Delancey,
Esq., his Majesty's Lieutenant Governor of New York.
And whereas I have had intimation that the Commissioners
from the several neighboring Colonies will receive instructions
from their respective Governments, to concert measures with
the Commisioners from the other Provinces for the better se-
curing these Indians for the future in our alliance, and pre-
vent their being alienated from our interests by the artifices
or insinuations of our enemies, as well as for the more easy
defence of his Majesty’s dominions on this continent; you
shall, if any propositions of that nature are made by the Com-
missioners in behalf of their respective Governments, let them
know that this Province is also disposed to contribute to the
execution of any general scheme to promote such desirable
ends; and you will take care to observe well what proposition
shall or may be made concerning such general scheme, and
commit the substance thereof to writing for my information,
and to be laid before the General Assembly for their consider-
ation. But you are to understand that you are not empow-
ered to stipulate or engage that this Province will advance
any sum of money or number of men toward erecting forts
or garrisoning them, or to any such purposes; but you shall
only well observe, what proposals are made by the other Com-
missioners, and endeavor to learn how far the execution of

held at Albany, in 1754. 17
what they may propose can be necessary or useful, and con-
sider well the reasonableness of any such propositions, and in-
form yourselves whether the other Commissioners are author-
ized to stipulate and agree thereon; and at your return you
shall inform me of these several particulars, and any other
things that may possibly occur to your notice; that I may not
be ignorant after what manner we can best contribute to the
success of any such scheme as shall be proposed at the afore-
said interview, for the defence or utility of his Majesty’s Ameri-
can dominions and subjects.
HOR2O. SHARPE.
Annapolis, June 30th, 1754.
A true copy, examined by BENJ. T.AsKER, Jr.
A, BARNes.

18 Proceedings of the Congress
Albany, 19th June, 1754.
PRoceedings of THE Cong Ress HELD At ALBANy. By the
HoNor ABLE JAMES DEL ANC EY, Esq., LIEUTENANT Gov-
ERNor AND CoMMANDER IN CHIEF of THE PRovince of
New York, AND THE CoMMission ERs of THE SEVERAL
PRovinces, Now MET IN THIS city.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Wednes-
day, the 19th June, 1754, A. M. Present,
The Honorable the Lieutenant Governor of New York,
Joseph Murray, William Johnson, John Chambers, William
Smith, Esquires, of his Majesty’s Council of this Province;—
Samuel Welles, John Chandler, Oliver Partridge, John
Worthington, Esquires, Commissioners for Massachusetts
Bay –
ºdore Atkinson, Richard Wibird, Meshech Weare, Hen-
ry Sherburne, Jr., Esquires, Commissioners for his Majesty's
Province of New Hampshire;—
William Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, Elisha Williams, Esquires,
Commissioners for the Colony of Connecticut;-
Stephen Hopkins, Martin Howard, Jr., Esquires, Commis-
sioners for the Colony of Rhode Island;—
John Penn, Richard Peters, Isaac Norris, Benjamin Frank-
lin, Esquires, Commissioners for the Government of Pennsyl-
Vamla 3–
Benjamin Tasker, Abraham Barnes, Esquires, Commission-
ers for the Government of Maryland.
His Honor the Lieutenant Governor of New York having
yesterday directed Mr. Banyar, Deputy Secretary of the said
Province, to wait upon the Commissioners of the several
Provinces above named, to acquaint them that his Honor de-
sired they would meet him in Council in the City Hall of
Albany this morning in order to produce their powers and
proceed upon business, -
The said Commissioners being now accordingly met, took
their seats and produced their respective commissions, which
were read.

held at Albany, in 1754. 19
His Honor then produced a letter from the right honorable
the Lords of Trade, bearing date the eighteenth of Septem-
ber last, out of which a paragraph was read. " ..
Afterwards were read two minutes of the proceedings of
the Commissioners of Indian affairs in this city, dated the
15th and 18th instant; also a remonstrance from the Oswego
traders to his Honor.
It was recommended as the first step necessary to be taken
at this Congress, that the Commissioners should consider
of the several matters they may judge proper to be proposed
to the Indians at the intended interview with them, and to
prepare the speech to be made on that occasion; for which
purpose his Honor acquainted the Commissioners he would
direct the Secretary or Agent for Indian affairs to attend
them with the records of that office, and the Commissioners
of Indian affairs to meet together as often as there should be
occasion, in order that they might give them all the informa-
tion relative to Indian affairs.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, Wednesday
afternoon, the 19th June, 1754, Present,
The Council of New York and all the Commissioners, as
particularly named in the minutes of this morning.
The Board proceeded to take into consideration the mat-
ters recommended by his Honor in the morning. The whole
letter from the Lords of Trade was read, and is as follows:
Whitehall, September 18th, 1753.
SIR,
A few days after you sailed from Portsmouth, we received
a letter from Mr. Clinton, enclosing minutes of the proceed-
ings between him and a deputation of the Mohawk Indians at
Fort George, in the city of New York, in June last, with the
Journals of the Assembly then sitting.
You will, without doubt, upon your arrival be fully inform-
ed of the particular circumstances of this affair, the resent-
ment expressed by the Indians, and the abrupt and hasty
manner in which they went away; and though, from the con-
fidence we have of your vigilant attention to whatever may
concern your Government, we are persuaded you will not

20 Proceedings of the Congress
have failed to have taken every necessary and prudent mea-
sure to obviate the fatal consequences which might attend
this affair, yet we think it no less our duty to embrace the
first opportunity of writing our sentiments to you upon it, and
of pointing out to you what appears to us necessary to be
done.
When we consider of how great consequence the friendship
and alliance of the Six Nations is to all his Majesty’s Colonies
and Plantations in America in general, as well as to New
York in particular; when we consider that this friendship and
alliance is only to be gained and preserved by making pre-
sents to them at proper times and upon proper occasions, and
by an inviolable observance of all our engagements with them;
and when we recollect the attempts which have lately been
made to withdraw them from the British interest, we cannot
but be greatly concerned and surprised that the Province of
New York should have been so inattentive to the general in-
terest of his Majesty’s subjects in America, as well as to their
own particular security, as to have given occasion to the com-
plaints made by the Indians. But we are still more surprised
at the manner in which these complaints were received, the
dissatisfactory answers given to the Indians, and at their be-
ing suffered to depart (though the Assembly was then sitting)
without any measures taken to bring them to temper or to
redress their complaints.
This being the light in which we see this affair, we think
it for his Majesty’s service that you should take the very first
opportunity of representing to the Council and Assembly, in
the strongest manner, of how great importance it is to the
Province of New York to preserve the friendship and affec-
tions of the Indians, and the fatal consequences which must
inevitably follow from a neglect of them; that you should
press them to join with and support you in every measure you
shall find it necessary to pursue in order to fix them in the
British interest, more especially by making proper provision
for presents for them; which, joined to the presents allowed
by his Majesty, and which you will receive by this convey-
ance, may serve to facilitate this great end and to wipe away
all remembrance of that neglect the Indians now complain of
As a speedy interview with the Indians is from their present
disposition become the more necessary, you will no doubt
think it proper to advise with the Council as to the time and

held at Albany, in 1754. 21
place of meeting the Indians, in which points we trust you
will have a due regard to their convenience; and as it ap-
pears from their complaints that Albany, which has been the
usual place of meeting, is obnoxious to them, you will, if you
find sufficient foundation for this complaint, appoint some
other place you shall think more for their ease and satisfac-
tion ; and we observe from a report of the Council and As-
sembly to Mr. Clinton, that Onondago is proposed as the most
proper place. We likewise hope that in the choice of the
persons who are to attend and assist you at this interview,
you will have a regard to such as are best acquainted with
the Indians and their affairs, and not obnoxious to them ; and
as a great deal depends upon the interpreters, we desire you
will be particularly careful to appoint such as are well ac-
quainted with the Indian language, and men of ability and
Integrity.
We hope that the threats of the Mohawk Indians, when
they left New York, have not been carried into execution;
but think it of absolute necessity, in order to obviate any ill
consequences which might attend these threats, that some
person of character and discretion should be immediately
sent amongst the Indians to acquaint them of your arrival,
of the presents his Majesty has ordered to be delivered to
them, and of your intention of holding an interview with
them for burying the hatchet and renewing the covenant
chain; that this person should be carefully instructed to en-
deavor to remove any prejudices which the Six Nations may
have imbibed from the representations of the Mohawks, to
obviate the ill effects which would attend a general disconteit
amongst them at so critical a conjuncture, and to put them
upon their guard against any attempts which may be made
to withdraw them from his Majesty’s interest. And that
nothing may be wanting to convince the Indians of the sin-
cerity of our intentions, you will do well to examine into the
complaints they have made of being defrauded of their lands,
to take all proper and legal methods to redress their com-
plaints, and to gratify them, by reasonable purchases, or in
such other matter as you shall find most proper and agreeable
to them, for such lands as have been unwarrantably taken
from them, or for such other as they may have a desire to
dispose of; and we recommend it to you to be particularly
careful for the future, that you do not make grants to any
cº-
so

22 Proceedings of the Congress
persons whatsoever of lands purchased by them of the Indians
upon their own account. Such practices have been found
in a neighboring Government to be attended with great mis-
chief and inconvenience. But when the Indians are disposed
to sell any of their lands, the purchase ought to be made in
his Majesty’s name and at the public charge.
As we find it has been usual upon former occasions when an
interview has been held with the Indians, for the other neigh-
boring Governments in alliance with them to send Commis-
sioners to be joined with those of New York; and as the
present wavering disposition of the Indians equally affects the
other Provinces, we have wrote to the Governors of Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Hampshire, Massachusetts
Bay and New Jersey, desiring them to represent to their re-
spective Assemblies the utility and necessity of this measure,
and to urge them to make proper provision for it; and there-
fore it will be necessary, that when you have settled the time
and place of meeting, you should give them early notice of
it; and this leads us to recommend one thing more to your
attention, and that is, to take care that all the Provinces be
(if practicable) comprised in one general treaty, to be made
in his Majesty’s name; it appearing to us that the practice of
each Province making a separate treaty for itself in its own
name is very improper, and may be attended with great in-
convenience to his Majesty’s service.
So we bid you heartily farewell, and are your very loving
friends and humble servants,
DUNK HALIFAx,
J. GRENVILLE,
DUPPLIN.
To Sir Danvers Osborn, Governor of New York.
Albany, June, 1754.
A true copy of the original,
Examined by GEo. BANYAR, D. Sec'y.
And also were read the following papers from the Commis-
sioners of Indian affairs at Albany, viz.
Albany, 15th June, 1754.
At a meeting of the Commissioners of Indian affairs at Mr.
Lutteridge’s, Present,

held at Albany, in 1754. 23
Col. Mynd’t. Schuyler, Robert Sanders, Esq., Mayor of
the City, Sylºt. Van Schaack, Recorder, Capt. Hubart Mar-
shall, Commander of the Fort, Cornelius Cuyler, John
Beekman, John Rensselaer, Jacob Coen't. Ten Eyck, Peter
Winne, Esquires, Peter Wraxall, Sec'y.
His Honor the Lieut. Governor, the Hon. James Delan-
cey, Esq. having directed Col. Mynd’t. Schuyler to convene
the Commissioners of Indian affairs, that they might consult
together if they had any matters in particular to recommend
to his Honor upon the approaching interview with the Six
Nations :-
In consequence hereof, the Commissioners are of opinion
that the Six Nations, who now live dispersed and confused,
should in the most earnest manner be exhorted to unite and
dwell together in their respective castles, and that the Mo-
hawk nation should live in one castle only.
That his Honor apply to the Onondago Indians in partic-
ular, to direct and exhort them to live together in one castle,
according to their ancient and prudent custom, and to cause
all their friends and relations wherever dispersed to join them,
particularly those who have separated themselves and live at
present at Oswegatchie, (on the south side of the river St.
Lawrence, to the eastward of Cadaraqui,) where the French
have lately fortified, have a garrison, and where a French
missionary constantly resides in order to draw them off from
our alliance. At this Oswegatchie the French have lately
made a settlement of Indians belonging to the Six Nations,
of which the greatest part are from Onondago and Cayuga.
That whereas the French have long been endeavoring to
prevail on the Senecas to come and settle at Irondequot, in
order to have them nearer to their settlements, the more easily
to effect their design of debauching them from the British in-
terest, the Commissioners are of opinion that his Honor should
insist on the Senecas, who at present live very remote from
one another, to make a general castle near the mouth of the
Senecas' river, where they have already begun to build a new
castle. This point has been several times recommended to
them by former Governors, and which they have faithfully
promised to do, but have not hitherto effected.
The Commissioners are of opinion that the most effectual
24 Proceedings of the Congress
method to retain and secure the Six Nations to the British
interest, will be to build two forts, one in Onondago, the
other in the Senecas’ country, and that each fort be supplied
with a proper missionary.
They are further of opinion that the carrying and selling
rum in the castles of the Six Nations is of most pernicious
consequence to the public interest of this Colony in particular,
and to the British interest in general, with respect to our
Indian connections.
The Commissioners are also of opinion that no Frenchman,
upon any pretence whatsoever, should be suffered to reside or
trade amongst the Six Nations ; and that the said Six Nations
should be directed to send those Frenchmen away who now
trade or reside amongst them, and to warn them not to return,
those French emissaries having always been of fatal conse-
quence to the British interest amongst the Six Nations.
A true copy from the records of Indian Affairs.
PETER WRAxALL, Sec'y.
Albany, 18th June, 1754.
At a meeting of the Commissioners of Indian affairs at
the house of Robert Lutteridge, Present,
Peter Winne, Sylvant. Van Schaack, Recorder, Mynd’t.
Schuyler, John Beekman, Jacob Coen't. Ten Eyck, Esquires.
His Honor the Lieut. Governor having sent to Col. Mynd’t.
Schuyler to know what he should do with regard to the river
Indians at the approaching interview, Col. Schuyler thought
proper to convene the Commissioners that they might answer
his Honor upon this point.
They are of opinion that after the Six Nations arrive in
town, it will be time enough to send a message to the said
river Indians.
Whereas divers complaints have been made to the Commis-
sioners of Indian affairs, that the Indians at Canajoharie
castle do forcibly take rum from the Oswego traders in their
passage by the said castle; and also that the Oneida Indians
obliged the traders to let them carry their goods over the car-
rying place, and to pay them double and something more than
double the customary price which the Germans are ready and
willing to take; it is the opinion therefore of this Board that



held at Albany, in 1754. 25
his Honor be pleased, at the approaching interview, to repre-
sent the injustice of these proceedings to the Six Nations, and
that it is a breach of their promises so solemnly made, and a
violation of their engagements entered into and frequently
renewed with former Governors.
A true copy from the records of Indian Affairs.
PETER WRAXALL, Sec'y.
A remonstrance was then read to the Board from the Os-
wego traders to his Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York,
of which the following is a copy.
To his Honor James Delancey, Esq., Lieutenant Governor
and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York,
&c. &c. &c.
We, the traders (or handlers) to Oswego, most humbly beg
leave to remonstrate to your Honor the many hazards and
difficulties we are subject to in our passage thither, from the
ill treatment we meet with from the Indians: i. e. in passing
the Mohawks' and Canajoharie castles they board our batteaux
with axes, knives, &c., and by force take what rum they think
proper, whooping and yelping as if they gloried in their de-
predations, and threatening murder to any that opposed them.
And on our arrival at the great carrying place, the Oneida
Indians force our goods from us at pleasure to carry over;
and not content with making us pay a most exorbitant price
for each freight, but rob us of our rum, stores and other
goods, with a great deal of invective, threatening language;
and are generally so numerous that we are obliged to submit
to those impositions, or run the risk of being murdered, and
robbed of every thing we have. And to put their schemes
the better in execution, they force away the High Germans,
who generally attend with their horses, that we may be under
a necessity of employing them and paying whatsoever they
please to demand.
We therefore humbly pray your Honor to take these our
most severe grievances under due consideration, and fall upon
such methods to redress them as to you in your great wisdom
shall seem most expedient.
Accept of our most fervent prayers for your welfare and
prosperity, as we ever remain with all due deference, grat-

26 Proceedings of the Congress
itude and esteem, Sir, your Honor’s most dutiful and most
humble servants.
To which forty-seven names were signed.
Oswego, June 1st, 1754. -
The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to
prepare the draught of a general speech to be made by his
Honor to the Indians, viz. William Johnson, Samuel Welles,
Theodore Atkinson, Elisha Williams, Martin Howard, Jr.
Isaac Norris, Benj. Tasker, Jr., Esquires, to whom were de-
livered the aforesaid papers.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning.
At a meeting at the Court House in Albany, on Thursday,
the 20th June, 1754, A. M. Present,
His Honor and the aforesaid Council of New York, and
several of the Commissioners.
The Committee appointed yesterday to prepare a draught
of a general speech to be made to the Indians, not being
ready to make their report, the Board adjourned till to-mor-
row morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Friday,
the 21st June, 1754, A. M. Present, -
His Honor the Lieut. Governor, the Council of New York.
aforesaid, all the Commissioners, and Thomas Hutchinson,
Esq., one of the Commissioners of Massachusetts Bay.
It was proposed by the Governor, that to avoid all disputes
about the precedency of the Colonies, they should be named
in the minutes according to their situation from north to south;
which was agreed to.
Peter Wraxall, Esq. was chosen Secretary to this Board.
The Committee delivered in their draught of the general
speech, which was read through, and afterwards paragraph
by paragraph. Objections were made to some parts. The
Board not coming to any conclusion on the same, they ad-
journed till to-morrow morning.

held at Albany, in 1754. 27
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Saturday,
the 22d June, 1754, A. M. Present, -
The Council of New York aforesaid, and all the Commis-
sioners, except John Chandler, Esq., one of the Commission-
ers for Massachusetts Bay.
The consideration of the draught of the general speech was
resumed, and one being agreed upon, Mr. Hutchinson and
Mr. Peters were desired to wait upon the Lieut. Governor
with the same. -
Adjourned to Monday morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Monday,
the 24th June, 1754, A. M. Present,
The Council of New York aforesaid, and all the Commis-
sioners.
A motion was made that the thanks of this Board be given
to the Rev. Mr. Peters, one of the Commissioners for Penn-
sylvania, for his sermon preached yesterday, and that he be
desired to suffer the same to be printed. Which was unani-
mously agreed to.
Mr. Chambers and Mr. Peters were desired to wait upon
his Honor to request him to administer an oath to Mr. Wrax-
all for the due and faithful discharge of his office of Secre-
tary to this Board.
Adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon.
-
At a meeting as aforesaid, Monday afternoon, the 24th
June, 1754. Present,
His Honor the Lieut. Governor and the Council aforesaid
of the Province of New York, and all the Commissioners.
Mr. Chambers and Mr. Peters reported to the Board that
Mr. Wraxall had been sworn into his office by his Honor,
conformable to their desire in the morning.
A motion was made that the Commissioners deliver their
opinion whether a Union of all the Colonies is not at present
absolutely necessary for their security and defence.
The question was accordingly put, and it passed in the aſ-
firmative unanimously.

28 Proceedings of the Congress
His Honor the Lieut. Governor made a proposal, as a branch
of Indian affairs under the consideration of this Board, to
build two forts in the Indian country to protect them, their
wives and children, as the best expedient to secure their
fidelity to his Majesty.
Which proposal the Board determined to proceed upon aſ-
ter they had considered some method of effecting the Union
between the Colonies.
On a motion that a committee be appointed to prepare and
receive plans or schemes for the Union of the Colonies, and
to digest them into one general plan, for the inspection of this
Board,
Resolved, That each Government choose one of their own
number to be of that committee.
Accordingly were appointed,
Thomas Hutchinson, Esq. for Massachusetts Bay,
Theodore Atkinson, Esq. for New Hampshire,
William Pitkin, Esq. for Connecticut,
Stephen Hopkins, Esq. for Rhode Island,
Benjamin Franklin, Esq. for Pennsylvania,
Benjamin Tasker, Esq. for Maryland.
It was left to his Honor to appoint one of his Majesty's
Council for the Government of New York; and he named
William Smith, Esq.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at eleven o’clock.
At a meeting at the Court House at Albany, on Tuesday,
the 25th June, 1754, A. M. Present, -
Joseph Murray, William Johnson, John Chambers, Esq’rs,
of the Council of New York; Samuel Welles, John Chandler,
Oliver Partridge, John Worthington, Esq’rs, Commissioners
for Massachusetts Bay; Richard Wibird, Meshech Weare,
Henry Sherburne, Esq’rs, Commissioners for New Hampshire;
Roger Wolcott, Elisha Williams, Esq’rs, Commissioners for
Connecticut; Martin Howard, Jun. Esq. Commissioner for
Rhode Island; John Penn, Isaac Norris, Esq’rs, Commis-
sioners for Pennsylvania; Abraham Barnes, Esq. Commis-
sioner for Maryland.
The draught of the general speech not being returned to
the Board from his Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York,
Adjourned to five o’clock this afternoon.

held at Albany, in 1754. 29
At a meeting as aforesaid, Tuesday, the 25th June, 1754,
P. M. Present,
All the gentlemen of the Council of New York, and all the
Commissioners. -
Mr. Murray delivered to the Board for their approbation his
Honor’s alterations and additions to the draught of the speech
presented to his Honor by Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Peters
the 22d instant; which were read to the Board by the Secre-
tary, and the further consideration thereof was deferred till
to-morrow morning.
Adjourned till eleven o’clock to-morrow morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Wednes-
day, the 26th June, 1754, A. M. Present,
William Johnson, John Chambers, Esq’rs, of the Council
of New York; Samuel Welles, John Chandler, Thomas
Hutchinson, and Oliver Partridge, Esq’rs, Commissioners for
Massachusetts Bay; William Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, and
Elisha Williams, Esq’rs, Commissioners for Connecticut;
Martin Howard, Jun. Esq. Commissioner for Rhode Island.
The draught of the general speech to the Six Nations was
further debated, but not being fully concluded upon, the
Board adjourned till ten o’clock to-morrow morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Thursday,
the 27th June, 1754, A. M. Present, -
The four gentlemen of the Council of New York, and all
the Commissioners.
The draught of the general speech was further debated,
and not being fully concluded upon, the Board adjourned till
five o’clock this afternoon.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Thursday,
the 27th June, 1754, P. M. Present,
The four gentlemen of the Council of New York, and all
the Commissioners.
A motion was made that the commissions or powers from

30 Proceedings of the Congress
the several Governments should be made part of the records
of this Congress.
It was unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be prefixed
to these records.
The draught of the general speech was settled, read, and
unanimously approved of ; and is as follows:
Brethren,
I have invited you here by the command of the great King,
our common Father, to receive a present from him, and in his
name to renew the ancient treaty between this and all his
other Governments, and you our brethren ; and I have the
pleasure to tell you, that by his special order, there are now
present Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay, New Hamp-
shire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Mary-
land. Virginia and Carolina likewise desire to be considered
as present, although some great affairs which those Gov-
ernments are engaged in, have prevented their sending Com-
missioners. We are glad to see our brethren here in health,
and heartily bid you welcome. A Belt.
Brethren,
We condole your and our loss in the death of some of
your people since the last interview in this place. We
wipe away all tears from your eyes, and take away sorrow
from your hearts, that you may speak freely.
Three Strings of Wampum.
Brethren,
We come to strengthen and brighten the chain of friend-
ship. It gives us great satisfaction that you have lately
added two links to the chain, the Shanihadaradighroones and
the Tedderighroones, as it will always give us pleasure to see
your strength increased. This chain hath remained firm and
unbroken from the beginning. This Belt will represent to
you our disposition to preserve it strong and bright, so long
as the sun and moon shall endure ; and in the name of the
great King our Father, and in the behalf of all his Majesty’s
Colonies, we now solemnly renew, brighten and strengthen
the ancient covenant chain, and promise to keep the same
inviolable and free from rust; and we expect the like confir-
mation and assurance on your part. A Chain Belt.
Brethren,
We are informed that you now live dispersed from each

held at Albany, in 1754. 31
other, contrary to the ancient and prudent custom of
your foreſathers; and as you are by this means exposed
to the attempts of your enemies, we therefore, in the most
earnest manner, recommend to and expect it from you, for
your own safety, to collect yourselves together, and dwell in
your national castles. We desire you, brethren of the On-
ondago Nation in particular, to call in your friends and rela-
tions to join you, especially those of your nation who now
live at Oswegatchie. A brave people, separated from each
other, may easily fall a sacrifice, whereas united, they may
live secure and uninjured. A Belt.
Brethren,
We have something to say to you of great importance.
The treaties subsisting between us and you our brethren,
as well as the great affection we bear towards you, oblige
us to mention it. The French profess to be in perfect
friendship with us, as well as you. Notwithstanding this,
they are making continual encroachments upon us both.
They have lately done so in the most insulting manner, both
to the northward and westward. Your fathers by their valor,
above one hundred years ago, gained a considerable country,
which they afterwards, of their own accord, put under the
protection of the Kings of Great Britain. The French are
endeavoring to possess themselves of this whole country, al-
though they have made the most express treaties with the
English to the contrary.
Brethren,
It appears to us that these measures of the French
must necessarily soon interrupt and destroy all trade and
intercourse between the English and the several Indian ma-
tions on the continent, and will block up and obstruct the
great roads, which have hitherto been open, between you and
your allies and friends who live at a distance. We want to
know whether these things appear to you in the same light
as they do to us, or whether the French taking possession of
the lands in your country, and building forts between the
lake Erie and the river Ohio, be done with your consent or
approbation. A Large Belt.
Brethren,
Open your hearts to us; deal with us as brethren. We
are ready to consult with you how to scatter these clouds
that hang over us. This is a matter of so great weight that

32 Proceedings of the Congress
we think it best to defer mentioning any other affairs till you
have considered this, lest they should take away part of that
attention which is necessary on so extraordinary an occasion.
A Belt.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock,
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Friday,
the 28th June, 1754, A. M. Present,
John Chandler, Oliver Partridge, and John Worthington,
Esquires, Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay; Richard
Wibird, Meshech Weare, and Henry Sherburne, Esquires,
Commissioners for New Hampshire; Roger Wolcott and
Elisha Williams, Esquires, Commissioners for Connecticut;
Martin Howard, Jr. Esq., a Commissioner for Rhode Island;
John Penn, Esq., one of the Commissioners for Pennsylvania.
The Board was adjourned till five o’clock this aſternoon.
At a meeting, &c. Friday afternoon, the 28th June, 1754.
Present,
The four gentlemen of the Council of New York; all
the Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay; all the Com-
missioners from New Hampshire; all the Commissioners from
Connecticut; Stephen Hopkins, one of the Commissioners
from Rhode Island; John Penn and Benj. Franklin, Esq’rs.
Commissioners from Pennsylvania; Benj. Tasker, Jr. Esq.,
one of the Commissioners from Maryland.
The Committee appointed the 24th inst to prepare and
receive plans or schemes for the Union of the Colonies, pre-
sented short hints of a scheme for that purpose, of which
copies were taken by the Commissioners of the respective
Provinces.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning at nine o’clock.
At a meeting at the Court House in Albany, on Saturday,
the 29th June, 1754, A. M. Present,

held at Albany, in 1754. 33
William Smith, Esq. one of the Council of New York, and
all the Commissioners.
His Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York having given
notice to this Board that he was going to speak to the Indians,
the Board adjourned till five o'clock this afternoon, and at-
tended his Honor whilst he delivered the speech.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany on Saturday,
the 29th June, 1754, P. M. Present,
Joseph Murray, John Chambers, and William Smith,
Esquires, of the Council of New York; all the Commis-
sioners from Massachusetts Bay; Theodore Atkinson and
Richard Wibird, Esquires, Commissioners for New Hamp-
shire; all the Commissioners from Connecticut; the Com-
missioners from Rhode Island; all the Commissioners from
Pennsylvania; the Commissioners from Maryland.
The Board being informed that a considerable number of
Indians from Stockbridge, being of the nation known by the
name of the River Indians, were in town, a motion was made
that his Honor the Lieut. Governor might be acquainted with
the circumstances of said Indians, and desired to give orders
for their support.
The said motion was agreed to, and Mr. Welles and Mr.
Franklin were appointed to wait on his Honor accordingly.
The hints of a scheme for the Union of the Colonies were
debated on, but came to no conclusion.
Adjourned to Monday morning at 9 o'clock.
At a meeting at the Court House at Albany, on Monday,
the 1st of July, 1754. Present,
The Lieut. Governor and the four gentlemen of the Council
of New York; all the Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay,
except John Chandler, Esq.; Theodore Atkinson and Henry
Sherburne, Esq’rs, Commissioners for New Hampshire; the
Commissioners for Connecticut; the Commissioners for Rhode
Island; all the Commissioners for Pennsylvania; the Com-
missioners for Maryland.
Mr. Franklin reported to the Board that he had, with Mr.

34. Proceedings of the Congress
Welles, (Mr. Welles was not then present,) waited on the
Lieut. Governor and delivered the message from the Board of
Saturday last relating to the River Indians, living near Stock-
bridge; and that his Honor was pleased to answer that he
had not sent for those Indians; that he had consulted his Coun-
cil, and inquired of the Commissioners of Indian affairs, and
was informed that it had never been usual to afford subsist-
ence to those Indians at any treaty in Albany; that it was a
great expense to New York to maintain the other Indians;
that these properly belonged to Massachusetts Bay Govern-
ment, and it appeared to him that they should be supported
by that Government.
Upon a motion, the records of Indian affairs of the Province
of New York were sent for ; and it appeared that the River
Indians have usually been present at the treaties with the Six
Nations, and that a speech has always been made to said
River Indians; and it was moved to the Lieut. Governor of
New York that he would now speak to them in the name of
the Commissioners from the several Colonies, and also give
orders for their support.
His Honor agreed to the proposal of speaking to them, and
offered to give orders for their support; but was pleased to
say that he expected the Commissioners for the several Prov-
inces would contribute to the charge of it.
His Honor delivered to the Board copies of two minutes of
Council, which are as follows.
At a Council held in the city of Albany, the 27th June,
1754, P. M. Present, -
The Honorable James Delancey, Esq. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Murray, Col. Johnson, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Smith.
His Honor being informed by the Indian interpreter that
the lower castle of the Mohawk Indians, now in this city, had
some business to lay before him, and desired to be admitted
to an audience, appointed them to attend at four o’clock this
afternoon in Council; and they attending accordingly were
introduced with the interpreter. The Governor told them he
was very glad to see them, that he was now met in Council,
and ready to hear what they had to say. Whereupon Cana-
dagaia, their speaker, addressing himself to his Honor, spoke
as follows.
Brother,
We are here this day by God's will and your Honor's or-

held at Albany, in 1754. 35
der, to which place you have led us as it were by the hand.
This is our old meeting place, where, if we have any griev-
ances, we can lay them open. You are lately come to the
administration, and we are glad to see you, to lay our com-
plaints before you. We take it very kind that you have given
us this opportunity to unfold our minds, and we will now pro-
ceed to declare our grievances.
Brother,
We shall now open our minds, and we beg you will take
time to consider what we shall say, and not give us too hasty
an answer, or in two or three words, and then turn your back
upon us. As you are a new Governor, we beg you will treat
us tenderly, and not as the former Governor did, who turned
his back upon us before we knew he intended to depart; so
that we had no opportunity to finish our business with him.
The reason we desire you would treat us in this tender man-
ner is, because this is the place where we are to expect a re-
dress of our grievances; and we hope all things will be set-
tled, that we may part good friends.
Brother,
We told you a little while ago that we had an uneasiness
on our minds, and we shall now tell you what it is ; it is con-
cerning our land. We understand there are writings for all
our lands, so that we shall have none left but the very spot
we live upon, and hardly that. We have examined amongst
the elderly people, who are now present, if they have sold
any of it; who deny that they ever have ; and we earnestly
desire you will take this into consideration, which will give
us great satisfaction, and convince us that you have a friend-
ship for us. We don’t complain of those who have honestly
bought the land they possess, or of those to whom we have
given any, but of some who have taken more than we have
given them. We find we are very poor. We thought we
had yet land round about us; but it is said there are writings
for it all. It is one condition of the ancient covenant chain,
that if there be any uneasiness on either side, or any request
to be made, that they shall be considered with a brotherly re-
gard ; and we hope you will ſulfil that condition upon your
side, as we shall be always ready to do on ours. We have
embraced this opportunity of unbosoming ourselves to you
with regard to our castle, and we are well assured that the
other castle of the Mohawks have complaints of the same na-

36 Proceedings of the Congress
ture to make when they come down. We have now declared
our own grievances and the Canajoharies will declare theirs;
but that we shall leave to them. By this Belt we desire you
to consider what we have said, and by the same we inform
you that the Five Nations have something to say to you be-
fore you speak to them. Gave a Belt.
The Governor said :
You have now unbosomed yourselves to me, and desire I
would seriously consider of what you have said, and not give
you a hasty answer. I will consider of it seriously, and you
shall always find me ready to redress any of your grievances,
as far as it may be in my power. But your complaints are
general. I must therefore desire you to tell me where those
lands lie, and the names of the persons of whom you complain.
To which the speaker answered :
Brother,
We are told a large tract of land has been taken up,
called Kayadarosseras, beginning at the half moon, and so
up along Hudson’s river to the third fall, and thence to the
Caghnawaga or Canada Creek, which is about four or five
miles above the Mohawks ; which, upon inquiry among our
old men, we cannot find was ever sold ; and as to the partic-
ular persons, many of them live in this town ; but there are
so great a number, we cannot name them.
The Governor said :
I will send for some of the patentees, or the persons claim-
ing that land, and hear what they have to say, and consider the
matter, and give you an answer before you leave this place. It
is agreeable to justice to hear both parties, before the judg-
ment is given; and to manifest my friendship for you, I will
do you all the justice in my power.
A true copy, examined by
Geo. BANYAR, D. Sec'y. of the Council.
At a Council held in the city of Albany, the 28th day
of June, 1754. Present,
The Hon. James Delancey, Esq. Lieut. Governor, &c.
Mr. Murray, Col. Johnson, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Smith.
His Honor being informed that the Canajoharie orthe upper
castle of the Mohawk Indians, and several Sachems of each
of the other Five Nations, attended without, and desired to
speak to him, they were introduced with the interpreter.

held at Albany, in 1754. 37
Hendrick, their speaker, spoke as follows:
Brother, -
We had a message from you some time ago to meet you at
this place, where the fire burns. We of Canajoharie met the
messenger you sent with a letter at Col. Johnson's ; and as
soon as we received it, we came down running, and the Six
Nations are now here complete. -
The Governor then said:
Brethren of the Six Nations,
You are welcome. I take this opportunity, now you are
all together, to condole the loss in the death of your friends
and relations since you last met here; and with this string
of wampum I wipe away your tears and take sorrow from
your hearts, that you may open your minds and speak freely.
A String of Wampum.
Hendrick replied:
Brother,
We thank you for condoling our loss and for wiping away
our tears, that we may speak freely; and as we do not doubt
but you have lost some of your great men and friends, we
give you this string of condolence in return, that it may
remove your sorrow, and that we may both speak freely.
Gave a String.
Then Hendrick, addressing himself to the Six Nations,
said, that last year he attended Col. Johnson to Onondago,
to do service to the King and their people ; that Col. John-
son told them a new Governor was expected soon, and
they would then have an opportunity of seeing him at Albany,
and laying their grievances before him ; that the new Gov-
ernor arrived soon after, and scarcely had they heard of his
arrival, but they had an account of his death;” and that now
he was glad to see his Honor, to whom he would declare his
grievances; and then proceeded :
Brother,
We thought you would wonder why we of Canajoharie
stayed so long. We shall now give you the reason. Last
summer, we of Canajoharie were down at New York, to make
our complaints; and we then thought the covenant chain was
[* The new Governor, who died so soon after his arrival, was Sir Danvers Osborn. He
superseded Gov. Clinton, arrived at New York Oct. 7th, and committed suicide by hang-
ing himself, Oct. 12th, 1753. See 1 Hist. Coll. VII. 80, 81, and Smith’s History of New
York, II, 153–Pub. Com.]

38 Proceedings of the Congress
broken, because we were neglected; and when you neglect
business, the French take advantage of it, for they are never
quiet. It seemed to us that the Governor had turned his
back upon the Five Nations, as if they were no more; whereas
the French are doing all in their power to draw us over to
them. We told the Governor last summer we blamed him
for the neglect of the Five Nations; and at the same time
we told him the French were drawing the Five Nations away
to Oswegatchie, owing to that neglect ; which might have
been prevented, if proper use had been made of that warn-
ing ; but now we are afraid it is too late. We remember
how it was in former times, when we were a strong and pow-
erful people. Col. Schuyler used frequently to come among
us, and by this means we were kept together.
Brother, -
We, the Mohawks, are in very difficult circumstances,
and are blamed for things behind our backs which we don’t
deserve. Last summer, when we went up with Col. John-
son to Onondago, and he made his speech to the Five Nations,
the Five Nations said they liked the speech very well, but
that the Mohawks had made it. We are looked upon by the
other nations as Col. Johnson’s counsellors, and supposed to
hear all news from him ; which is not the case, for Col. John-
son does not receive from, or impart much news to us. This
is our reason for staying behind; for if we had come first,
the other nations would have said that we made the Gover-
nor’s speech ; and therefore, though we were resolved to
come, we intended the other nations should go before us, that
they might hear the Governor's speech, which we could hear
afterwards.
There are some of our people who have large open ears,
and talk a little broken English and Dutch ; so that they
sometimes hear what is said by the Christian settlers near
them ; and by this means we came to understand that we
are looked upon to be a proud nation, and therefore stayed
behind. 'Tis true and known we are so, and that we, the
Mohawks, are the head of all the other nations. Here they
are, and they must own it. But it was not out of pride we
Canajoharies stayed behind, but for the reason we have
already given.
His Honor answered:
Brethren of Canajoharie, -
You have now told me the reason why you stayed behind.

held at Albany, in 1754. 39
because you would not be blamed by the other nations, as
you have been before. I am satisfied with what you say,
that your staying behind did not proceed from pride.
You tell me you have large open ears, and that some of
you understand a little of the language of the settlers about
you. But I must caution you not to hearken to common re-
ports, neither of us or your brethren of the other nations.
I desire that we may all speak freely, and open our hearts to
each other, and so remove any jealousies from amongst us.
I hope that at another interview you will all be more punc-
tual, and keep as near as you can to the time appointed.
You are sensible it must be very inconvenient to me and the
Commissioners from the other Governments to be detained so
long in this place, at so great a distance from our homes.
A true copy, examined by
GEo. BANYAR, Dep. Sec'y. of the Council.
A motion was made that a committee should be appointed
to draw up a representation of the present state of the Col-
onies; which was agreed to, and that the gentlemen who
were appointed to prepare and receive plans or schemes for
the Union of the Colonies the 24th ult, should be a com-
mittee for this purpose.
The plan for a Union of the Colonies was debated, but the
Board came to no resolves upon it.
Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Tuesday,
the 2d July, 1754, A. M. Present,
All the Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay, New
Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and
Maryland.
After debates held on the plan of a Union, it was moved it
the Board should proceed to form the plan of a Union of the
Colonies, to be established by an Act of Parliament.
Whereupon it was moved to put the previous question,
which passed in the negative.
The question was then put whether the Board should pro-
ceed to form the plan of a Union of the Colonies, to be estab-
lished by Act of Parliament; which passed in the affirmative.
Adjourned till three o'clock in the afternoon.

40 Proceedings of the Congress
At a meeting as aforesaid, on Tuesday, the 2d July, 1754,
P. M. Present,
The Lieut. Governor and the four gentlemen of the Coun-
cil of New York, and all the Commissioners from the several
Governments above mentioned.
The answer of the Six Nations to the general speech made
to them on Saturday last by his Honor the Lieut. Governor
of New York, in his Majesty’s name, and in the presence and
behalf of the several Governments on the continent therein
named, was read; and is as follows.
Abraham, sachem of the upper castle of the Mohawks, rose
up and said:
Brethren, you the Governor of New York, and the Com-
missioners of the other Governments, are you ready to hear
us?
The Governor replied they were all ready.
Then Hendrick, brother to the said Abraham, and a sachem
of the said castle, rose up and spake in behalf of the Six Na-
tions as follows:
Brethren,
Just now you told us you were ready to hear us. Hearken
to me. Brother Corlaer and brothers of the other Govern-
ments, Saturday last you told us that you came here by order
of the great King, our common father, and in his name to re-
new the ancient chain of friendship between this and the
other Governments on the continent and us the Six United
Nations; and you said also that there were then present
Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Maryland; and
that Virginia and Carolina desired to be considered also as
present. We rejoice that by the King’s orders we are all
met here this day, and are glad to see each other face to face.
We are very thankful for the same, and we look upon the
Governors of South Carolina and Virginia as also present.
Gave a Belt.
Brethren,
We thank you in the most hearty manner for your condo-
lence to us. We also condole all your friends and relations
who have died since our last meeting here.
Gave three Strings of Wampum,
Brethren,
(Holding the chain belt given by his Honor and the several
Governments in his hand,)

held at Albany, in 1754. - 41
We return you all our grateful acknowledgements for re-
newing and brightening the covenant chain: This chain belt
is of very great importance to our United Nations, and all our
allies. We will therefore take it to Onondago, where our
council fire always burns, and keep it so securely that neither
thunder nor lightning shall break it. There we will con-
sult over it; and as we have lately added two links to it, so
we will use our endeavors to add as many links more to it
as lies in our power; and we hope when we show you this
belt again, we shall give you reason to rejoice at it, by your
seeing the vacancies in it filled up, (referring to his Honor's
explanations of it in the general speech.) In the mean time
we desire that you will strengthen yourselves, and bring as
many into this covenant chain as you possibly can. We do
now solemnly renew and brighten the covenant chain with our
brethren here present, and all our other absent brethren on
the continent.
Brethren,
As to the accounts you have heard of our living dispersed
from each other, 'tis very true. We have several times en-
deavored to draw off those our brethren who are settled at
Oswegatchie; but in vain, for the Governor of Canada is
like a wicked deluding spirit. However, as you desire, we
shall persist in our endeavors.
You have asked us the reason of our living in this dispersed
manner. The reason is your neglecting us for these three
years past. (Then taking a stick and throwing it behind his
back,) you have thus thrown us behind your backs and disre-
garded us ; whereas the French are a subtile and vigilant peo-
ple, ever using their utmost endeavors to seduce and bring our
people over to them. Gave a Belt.
Brethren,
As to the encroachments of the French, and what you have
said to us on that article, on the behalf of the King our father;
as these matters were laid before us as of great importance,
so we have made a strict inquiry amongst all our people, if
any of them have either sold or given the French leave to
build the forts you mention; and we cannot find that either
any sale has been made, or leave has been given. But the
French have gone thither without our consent or approbation,
nor ever mentioned it to us.

42 Proceedings of the Congress
Brethren,
The Governor of Virginia and the Governor of Canada are
both quarrelling about lands which belong to us ; and such a
quarrel as this may end in our destruction. They fight who
shall have the land. The Governors of Virginia and Pennsyl-
vania have made paths through our country to trade, and built
houses, without acquainting us with it. They should first
have asked our consent to build there, as was done when
Oswego was built. Gave a Belt.
Brethren,
It is very true, as you told us, that the clouds hang heavy
over us, and it is not very pleasant to look up. But we give
you this belt (giving a belt) to clear away all clouds, that we
may all live in bright sunshine, and keep together in strict
union and friendship. Then we shall become strong, and
nothing can hurt us. -
Brethren,
This is the ancient place of treaty, where the fire of friend-
ship always used to burn; and ’tis now three years since we
have been called to any public treaty here. 'Tis true there
are Commissioners here, but they have never invited us to
smoke with them, (by which they mean the Commissioners
had never invited them to any conference.) But the Indians
of Canada come frequently and smoke here, which is for the
sake of their beaver. But we hate them, (meaning the
French Indians.) We have not as yet confirmed the peace
with them. 'Tis your fault, brethren, that we are not
strengthened by conquest; for we would have gone and taken
Crown Point, but you hindered us. We had concluded to go
and take it, but we were told it was too late, and that the
ice would not bear us. Instead of this, you burnt your own
fort at Saratoga, and ran away from it, which was a shame
and a scandal to you. Look about your country, and see,
you have no fortifications about you; no, not even to this city.
'Tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may
easily come and turn you out of your doors.
Brethren,
You desired us to speak from the bottom of our hearts, and
we shall do it. Look about you and see all these houses full
of beaver, and the money is all gone to Canada; likewise
powder, lead, and guns, which the French now make use of
at Ohio.

held at Albany, in 1754. 43
Brethren,
The goods which go from hence to Oswego, go from thence
to Ohio, which further enables the French to carry on their
designs at the Ohio.
Brethren,
You were desirous that we should open our minds and our
hearts to you, Look at the French : they are men; they are
fortifying every where. But, we are ashamed to say it, you
are all like women, bare and open, without any fortifications.
Here Hendrick ended his speech. His brother Abraham
then rose up and said:
Brethren,
We would let you know what was our desire three years
ago, when Col. Johnson laid down the management of Indian
affairs, which gave us great uneasiness. The Governor then
told us it was not in his power to continue him, but that he
would consult the Council at New York; that he was going
over to England, and promised to recommend our desire that
Col. Johnson should have the management of Indian affairs to
the King, that the new Governor might have power to rein-
state him. We long waited in expectation of this being
done; but hearing no more of it, we embrace this opportunity
of laying this belt (and gave a belt) before all our brethren here
present, and desire them that Col. Johnson may be reinstated
and have the management of Indian affairs; for we all lived
happy whilst they were under his management, for we love
him, and he us, and he has always been our good and trusty
friend.
Brethren,
I forgot something; we think our request about Col. John-
son, which Governor Clinton promised to carry to the King
our father, is drowned in the sea. The fire here is burnt out
and (turning his face to the New York Commissioners of In-
dian affairs at Albany, who were there present,) desired them
to take notice of what he said.
Which answer from the Indians was debated paragraph by
paragraph, and those gentlemen who were appointed a com-
mittee to prepare a general speech the 19th alt. were now ap-
pointed to draw up a reply.
Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 9 o'clock.

44. Proceedings of the Congress
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Wednes-
day, the 3d July, 1754, A. M. Present,
John Chambers and William Smith, Esq’rs, of the Council
of New York; Samuel Welles, John Chandler, and Oliver
Partridge, Esquires, Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay;
Theodore Atkinson and Richard Wibird, Esquires, Commis-
sioners from New Hampshire; the Commissioners from Con-
necticut; Martin Howard, Esq. a Commissioner from Rhode
Island; all the Commissioners from Pennsylvania; Benjamin
Tasker, Jun. Esq. one of the Commissioners from Maryland.
A draught of the reply proposed to be made to the speech
of the Six Nations of the 1st inst, which the committee
appointed yesterday afternoon had drawn up, was read. Mr.
Chambers desired to carry it to his Honor the Lieut. Gover-
nor for his opinion; which was agreed to.
Took their seats at the Board,
His Honor the Lieut. Governor, Joseph Murray and Wil-
liam Johnson, Esq’rs, of the Council of New York; Thomas
Hutchinson and John Worthington, Esq’rs, Commissioners
for Massachusetts Bay : Meshech Weare and Henry Sher-
burne, Esq’rs, Commissioners for New Hampshire; Stephen
Hopkins, Esq. one of the Commissioners from Rhode Island;
Abraham Barnes, Esq. one of the Commissioners from Ma-
ryland.
His Honor laid before the Board certain matters which he
proposed to be inserted in the reply to be made to the Six
Nations; which, together with the draught from the com-
mittee, was read and debated.
The Commissioners from Pennsylvania also laid before the
Board an addition in behalf of their Province, and proposed it
to be added to the reply. The Commissioners from Massa-
chusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut proposed also
some additions.
These several draughts being read and considered, the ſol-
lowing reply to the Six Nations was agreed upon by the
Board.
Brethren,
It gives us great pleasure to see you so ready to renew and
brighten the ancient chain of friendship. We wish the far-
ther extension of it, and shall not fail joining our utmost en-
deavors for that purpose.

held at Albany, in 1754. 45
Brethren,
We are sorry that any neglect has been shown to you, and
we hope that nothing of that kind will happen hereaſter.or
any misunderstanding arise between you and any of his Ma-
jesty's Governments. You are our old and steady friends.
We assure you not one thought has ever come into our minds
of rejecting you. Our hearts have ever been warm towards
you; and we now gladly meet, and open our hearts to you.
The covenant is renewed, the chain is brightened, the fire
burns clear, and we hope all things will be pleasant on both
sides for the future. A Belt.
Brethren, -
We gladly understand that you gave no countenance to the
French who went to Ohio and have entered on your lands.
They are always your and our open or secret enemies. You
did put this land under the King our father. He is now
taking care to preserve it for you. For this end, among others,
he has directed us to meet you here ; for although the land
is under the King’s government, yet the property or power
of selling it to any of his Majesty’s subjects, having author-
ity from him, we always consider as vested in you.
Brethren,
You say that the Governors of Virginia and Canada are
fighting about lands belonging to you, and that the Governors
of Virginia and Pennsylvania have opened new roads and
built houses at Ohio.
What you say is a great surprise to us. We all know that
for five years past, in the face of all the Six Nations, in open
daylight, the French have been marching troops into that
country, which we ever did and do still acknowledge to be-
long to you, though within your father the King of Great
Britain's dominions, and under his protection. And the
French did publish everywhere their designs to build forts
and drive away the English traders, and they did carry them
into execution by seizing the traders, and did last year actu-
ally build two forts in that country. But we never heard,
notwithstanding these open hostilities of the French, that
ever Virginia or Pennsylvania sent one soldier or built one
house for their or your protection till this present year.
It is fortunate that Mr. Weiser, who transacts the public
business of Virginia and Pennsylvania with your nations, and
is one of your council, and knows these matters well, is now

46 Proceedings of the Congress
º
present. Hear the account he gives, and that will set this
matter in a true light.
Brethren,
The road to Ohio is no new road; it is an old and frequent-
ed road. The Shawanese and Delawares removed thither
above thirty years ago from Pennsylvania: "ever since which
that road has been travelled by our traders at their invitation,
and always with safety, until within these few years that the
French, with their usual faithlessness, sent armies there,
threatened the Indians, and obstructed our trade with them.
The Governor of Virginia, observing these hostilities in time
of full peace, sent his Majesty an account of them. His
Majesty was pleased to order his Governor to hold an inter-
view with the Six Nations, to consult measures with them
how to put a stop to these French proceedings, equally inju-
rious to them as to his subjects; and that they might better
know them, it was thought the interview might best be held
at some place near the country where these hostile proceed-
ings were carried on. His Majesty likewise ordered a present
to the Six Nations, as a further token of his affection for
them. Accordingly Mr. Weiser in 1750 was sent to Onon-
dago by the Governor of Virginia, and invited the Indians to
come and treat at Fredericksburg, in that Province, and re-
ceive the King’s presents; but could not prevail. The Gover-
nor of Virginia, finding the French still continuing their
hostilities, sent Commissioners in 1751 to the Indians at
Ohio, and delivered them the King’s present; and by a belt
of wampum proposed that a strong house might be built
near the mouth of Monongahela for their mutual protection.
The Indians made answer that they were well pleased with
the proposal, and would send that belt to Onondago, and join
one of their own to it. Nothing was heard of this belt, and
the last year the French invaded the country of Ohio with a
strong hand. Whereupon the Indians residing there, your
flesh and blood, sent repeated messages to the Governor of
Virginia to send his young men to their assistance. Bus
he being a person of great forethought and prudence, still
forebore to do it; and instead thereof, sent two messages by
Mr. Andrew Montour to Onondago, for your advice how to
act. It happened that no council could be called at either
time. The chiefs of Onondago desired Mr. Montour to tell
their brother the Governor of Virginia to act cautiously, and
let the French strike the first blow.

held at Albany, in 1754. 47
The French then coming nearer and nearer, Tanacharisson,
(otherwise called the half king) was sent to them by the
United Nations at Ohio, together with the Shawanese and
Delawares, to forewarn them off their land. In the mean
time, other chiefs of these several nations came to Virginia
and Pennsylvania, and told us what they had agreed upon in
council, viz. that they, the rest of the chiefs, should come to
us and desire us to call our people from over the Alleghany
hills, to prevent bloodshed between the English and French.
But when these Indians returned, and found that the French
paid no regard to their warning, but told them positively that
if they opposed their taking possession of that country, they
would cut them off, they sent repeated messages to the
Governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia to apprize them of
their (the Indians’) immediate danger, telling them they would
find nothing but the ashes of their houses and their bones, if
they did not forthwith send warriors, and build them a house
to fly to ; having a late example before their eyes in that the
French had fallen upon their brethren the Twightwees on a
sudden, and killed them in their houses, as well as some Eng-
lish who were there trading with them.
On this melancholy account the Governor of Virginia,
agreeable to the request of the Indians, sent people to build
a house at the mouth of Monongahela. But before they had
finished it, the French came down the river with a thousand
men, and eighteen cannon, and told the people who were
building it, and were but forty-four in number, that they
must either fight or give up possession; which last they were
obliged to do, on account of the superior force of the French.
Brethren,
This is the truth, which we have thought proper to relate
so particularly, that the prudent and cautious conduct of
Virginia might be known to the Six Nations. As to Penn-
sylvania, they have never sent a warrior or built a fort at
Ohio. This belt is given to confirm what is said, and that
you may remember what has been now related to you.
A Belt.
Brethren,
You tell us we are open and defenceless. We are consult-
ing how far it will be necessary to fortify our frontiers. At
the same time we expect you will take care to keep your people
from going over to the French. We are able, when united

48 Proceedings of the Congress
with you, to resist any force the French and their allies can
bring against us.
The following paragraphs were to be spoken by the Gov-
ernor of New York in his own name.
Brethren,
You have told me that this is the place of treaty ; that it is
now three years ago since you were asked to smoke a pipe
here ; that there are Commissioners, but they have never
invited you to smoke with them. It was their duty, on their
appointment, to acquaint you with it, and to invite you to
smoke with them, and to rekindle the fire which was then
almost extinguished ; and if they had done it earlier, and
before I sent them directions, it would have been very agree-
able to me.
Brethren, -
You say the houses here are full of beaver. This is a
trading-place, and the merchants have a right to traffic for
beaver or other skins, which they sometimes pay for in goods,
and sometimes in money. But as to what you say about
guns and powder being sold to the French, I have made all
the inquiry I could into this matter, and am assured you are
misinformed, for that neither guns nor powder are sold by any
persons here to the French.
Brethren,
You tell me that whilst Col. Johnson had the management
of Indian affairs, you all lived happy; that you loved him, and
he you, and that he has always been your good and trusty
friend. I am very sensible you had good reason to look upon
him in this light, and fully convinced that he is still your
friend. But as this is the place where the ancient fire was
kindled which was nearly burnt out, and as Col. Johnson for
some reasons declined the management of Indian affairs, it
was thought proper to rekindle the fire here by appointing Com-
missioners; whom I shall direct to receive and consult with
you upon all business that may concern our mutual interests;
and I expect that you will for the future apply to them, ac-
cording to the custom of your forefathers, to tell your news,
and in return to receive from them what shall be thought
necessary to be imparted to you; and I will give them direc-
tions that they treat you with the affection due to you as
brethren. I will make trial of them another year; and if
you do not meet with the kind treatment you have a right to

held at Albany, in 1754. 49
expect, complain to this Government, and effectual measures
shall be taken for your satisfaction. Gave a Belt.
The following was to be spoke by Mr. Kellogg, interpreter
from Massachusetts Bay; which was accordingly done.
Brethren,
We have agreed to tell all news, and take council together.
We cannot part till we have told you the news from New
England, though at a considerable distance from you. The
French have the same bad designs there as well as at Ohio.
They are very fond to get Kennebeck river; we have news of
their beginning a ſort at the head of that river; a priest of
theirs has built a house a great way down that river. Gov-
ernor Shirley has raised eight hundred men and is gone down
to drive them away, and to build an English fort at the head
or far up the said river Kennebeck.
We have news also that the French are building a fort up
Connecticut river, northward of Coos. The Governor
of New Hampshire has now sent a company of men up that
river to inquire into that fact, and if true, to drive them im-
mediately off. In another part of the Government of New
Hampshire a number of the St. Francis' Indians have lately
taken a family, consisting of a man and his wife and three
children, and carried them into captivity, from an out settle-
ment on Merrimack river; and this contrary to their solemn
engagement at a treaty held with them.
We have also news that a number of Indians have mur-
dered twenty-one English fishermen at Canso, had carried
their scalps to Cape Breton, where they were well received,
and, it is said, rewarded.
The Board then adjourned till to-morrow morning at nine
o'clock.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Thursday,
the 4th July, 1754, A. M. Present,
The four gentlemen of the Council of New York, and all
the Commissioners for the several Governments.
The plan for a Union of the Colonies was debated, but
nothing finally determined on.
Adjourned to three o’clock this afternoon.

50 Proceedings of the Congress
At a meeting as above, Thursday, the 4th July, 1754,
P. M. Present, -
All the Commissioners for the several Governments.
The plan for a Union was further considered, but no re-
solves made thereupon.
The Board receiving a message from his Honor the Lieut.
Governor of New York, that the Indians were seated in order
to speak to his Honor and the Commissioners, the Board ad-
journed to nine o'clock to-morrow morning, and waited upon
the Governor.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Friday,
the 5th July, 1754, A. M. Present,
All the Commissioners for the several Governments.
The rejoinder of the Six Nations, spoke yesterday after-
moon, was read to the Board, and ordered to be minuted as
follows. (The following speech is chiefly a rejoinder to the
reply made to the Six Nations on the 3d inst.)
Brother of New York and brethren of the several Gov-
ernments,
We, on our side, are equally as much rejoiced as you have
expressed yourselves, on the renewing and brightening the
ancient covenant chain between all his Majesty’s Govern-
ments on the continent and us of the Six United Nations. As
to what the Governor of New York told us yesterday relat-
ing to the Commissioners of Indian affairs at Albany, we
are much obliged to him for his promise to direct them to
take due notice of us for the future ; that he will try them
for one year longer ; and for giving us leave to acquaint this
Government if they do not treat us as brethren.
Brethren,
We have told the Governor of New York how Col. John-
son has behaved to us, and our opinion of him, and the danger
we thought ourselves in by his leaving off the management of
Indian affairs. If he fails us, we die. However, we agree
to what the Governor has proposed to us. He is master of
all to do what he pleases, and we submit the whole affair to
him. Gave a Belt.
Brethren,
We are very thankful to the King our father for ordering

held at Albany, in 1754. 51
Commissioners from so many Governments to meet here, in
order to inquire into all matters relating to us, and to put
every thing upon a right footing. We rejoice that we have
opened our hearts to each other, and we return the Governor
and all the Commissioners from the several Governments our
thanks for the same.
Brethren,
Some time ago the King our father sent a present to the
Governor of Virginia, who sent a messenger to the Six Na-
tions that we should come down to Virginia and receive it;
but we could not come. We have since been informed that
the present was sent to Ohio. (The speaker then proceeded
to repeat the substance of what was said to them yesterday
on the part of the Government of Pennsylvania by their in-
terpreter, Mr. Weiser.) We allow that the road from Penn-
sylvania to Ohio is no new road, but has been travelled these
thirty years by the traders. We thank the Governor of Vir-
ginia for assisting the Indians at Ohio, who are our relations
and allies, and we approve of the Governor of Pennsylvania's
not having hitherto intermeddled in this affair. He is a wise
and prudent man, and will know his own time. We return
the Governor of New York and all the other Governments
our most hearty thanks (here the speaker made bows to
his Honor and all the Commissioners) for the promise of pro-
tection given us of our land, and the acknowledgment that
the right of selling it is in us. Gave a Belt.
Brethren,
We put you in mind in our former speech of the defence-
less state of your frontiers, particularly of this city of Sche-
nectady, and of the country of the Five Nations. You told
us yesterday you were consulting about securing both your-
selves and us. We beg you will resolve upon something
speedily ; you are not safe from danger one day; the French
have their hatchet in their hands both at Ohio and in two
places in New England; we don’t know but this very night
they may attack us.
One of the principal reasons why we desire you will be
speedy in these matters is, that since Col. Johnson has been
in this city, there has been a French Indian at his house, who
took measure of the wall round it and made very narrow
observation on everything thereabouts. We think him (Col.
Johnson) in very great danger, because the French will take

52 Proceedings of the Congress
more than ordinary pains either to kill him or take him pris-
oner, upon account of his great interest among us, and being
also one of the Five Nations. (Col. Johnson is one of their
sachems.) Upon this they gave four Strings of Wampum.
The Board then proceeded to consider the plan for a Union,
but did not go through with it.
Adjourned to 9 o'clock, to-morrow morning.
At a meeting held in the Court House at Albany, on Sat-
urday, the 6th July, 1754, A. M. Present, -
All the Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay; William
Pitkin and Roger Wolcott, Esq’rs, Commissioners for Con-
necticut; the Commissioners for Rhode Island; John Penn,
Isaac Norris, and Benj. Franklin, Esq’rs, Commissioners for
Pennsylvania; the Commissioners for Maryland.
His Honor the Lieut. Governor sent to the Board the
speech he proposes to make to the river Indians; which the
Board agreed to, with a small addition, which was sent in
writing to his Honor.
The Board having been informed by Mr. Peters that the
Lieut. Governor of New York sent for him last might, and
told him his provisions were expended and he could no longer
maintain the Indians, and expected the Commissioners would
maintain them, and gave him the list of what had been al-
lowed per day to the Five Nations, exclusive of the river
Indians,
The Board hereupon resolved, that they would take the
charge of supporting the Indians upon themselves.
Meshech Weare and Henry Sherburne, Esq’rs, Commis-
sioners for New Hampshire took their seats.
The committee appointed the 1st inst to draw up a rep-
resentation of the present state of the Colonies with relation
to the French, delivered the same to the Board; which was
read, and ordered to lie upon the table for the consideration
of the Commissioners.
The Secretary presented to the Board a draught of the
speech which his Honor proposed to deliver to the Six Na-
tions this afternoon, and also the following message from his
Honor, that the Board would please to send him any altera-

held at Albany, in 1754. 53
tions or additions which they might think proper to be made
to the said draught; that his Honor intended, when he made
the speech, to read to them the Act of the General Assem-
bly of New York concerning the sale of rum to the Indians;
and that he also recommended the request of the upper castle
of the Mohawks for a church to the Board. The Secretary
also brought back his Honor's approbation to the small addition
proposed to be made to the speech intended to be made to
the river Indians: which speech is as follows.
Brethren,
I have sent for you here to give you fresh assurances of
the great King your father's protection; and that we might,
with the Commissioners whom you now see assembled here
from the Governments of Massachusetts Bay, New Hamp-
shire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Mary-
land, strengthen and brighten the covenant chain.
We are glad to see you at this your old meeting-place,
and we do now, in his Majesty’s name, and behalf of all his
Colonies, renew the ancient covenant chain of friendship,
that it may be stronger and brighter than ever; which we
recommend to you to preserve clean and free from rust, by a
peaceable and affectionate behavior to all your brethren, and
especially to those who live near you; and you may then with
confidence rely on the favor of this and all his Majesty’s Gov-
ernments.
As a proof of the King your father's tender regard for
you, I shall deliver you a present he has sent over for you,
consisting of such necessaries as you may want. And the
Commissioners from each of the Governments have contrib-
uted towards a present for you also, all which presents shall
be here ready for you in the afternoon.
Elisha Williams, Esq. Commissioner for Connecticut, took
his seat.
On a motion made and seconded that a message be sent
to his Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York, relating
to the answer he proposes to make to the Six Nations, Mr.
Hutchinson and Mr. Franklin were appointed to prepare the
Same.
Theodore Atkinson and Richard Wibird, Esq’rs, Commis-
sioners for New Hampshire, took their seats; as did also
Richard Peters, Esq. one of the Commissioners for Penn-
sylvania.
7

54 Proceedings of the Congress
Mr. Hutchinson reported the following message.
May it please your Honor,
The Commissioners from the several Governments now
met at Albany observe, that in the speech your Honor pro-
poses to make this day to the Indians of the Six Nations, and
which you have caused to be communicated to the Board by
their Secretary, no notice is taken of the complaints of the
said Indians relating to their lands.
This complaint seems, by the letter from the right honor-
able the Lords of Trade, which your Honor has laid before
the Board, to have been the principal occasion of this unusual
and expensive meeting of Commissioners from so many Col-
onies; and it appears by the last answer from the Indians,
that their uneasiness still remains.
The Commissioners therefore think it incumbent on them
to pray your Honor, that they may be acquainted with the
particulars of the complaint, and that they may have an op-
portunity of consulting with your Honor proper measures for
removing the causes thereof.
Which was read, and unanimously agreed to ; and it was
thereupon ordered that Mr. Welles and Mr. Pitkin wait upon
his Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York with the same.
Adjourned to three o’clock this afternoon.
At a meeting, &c. on Saturday, the 6th July, 1754, P. M.
Present,
All the Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay; all the
Commissioners for New Hampshire; the Commissioners from
Connecticut; Stephen Hopkins, Esq. one of the Commis-
sioners from Rhode Island.
Mr. Welles reported to the Board, that he and Mr. Pitkin
had delivered the message they were appointed in the morn-
ing to deliver to his Honor the Lieut. Governor of New York.
The four gentlemen of the Council of New York, Martin
Howard, Esq. Benj. Franklin and Abraham Barnes, Esq’rs,
took their seats.
Mr. Murray delivered to the Board his Honor the Lieut.
Governor's answer in writing to the message delivered to his
Honor in the morning by Mr. Welles and Mr. Pitkin ; which
was read, and is as follows:

held at Albany, in 1754. 55
Gentlemen, - -
In answer to your message to me of this day, I acquaint
you that yesterday I had the Sachens of the Canajoharie
castle before me in Council, to conclude the matter in con-
troversy between some Germans and one Teady Magin, re-
lating to an Indian purchase, that had occasioned the greatest
uneasiness among the Indians of that castle ; which, after two
meetings, was then formally and finally settled, to the satis-
faction of all parties.
I then took occasion to observe to them, that at their meet-
ing on the 2d inst. I desired them to open their minds fully,
and that I expected they would then have laid all their com-
plaints before me; that as to what they had mentioned in
their public speech on the 4th inst. I was not acquainted with
any other particular complaints until I came to this place, being
abroad on the circuit at the time they made them at New
York; and then I promised, as soon as I returned thither, I
would look into them, and do them all the justice that lay in
my power; with which they declared themselves well satis-
fied, and thanked me.
- JAMES DELANCEy.
Albany, 6th July, 1754.
The Board being obliged to attend at the interview of the
Schaticook and River Indians, adjourned to Monday morning
at nine o’clock.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Monday,
the 8th July, 1754, A. M. Present,
William Johnson and William Smith, Esq’rs, two of the
Council of New York, and all the Commissioners.
The speech proposed by his Honor to be made to the
Indians of the Six Nations having been again read to the
Board, and the complaints of the Indians relative to their
lands coming under their consideration, the Board were ac-
quainted that Mr. William Livingston and Mr. William Alex-
ander, two of the heirs or devisees of Philip Livingston,
Esq. deceased, the proprietor or patentee of the lands on
which Canajoharie castle stands, had declared their readiness
to give up all right to said patents, or such parts as shall be

56 Proceedings of the Congress
thought necessary. It was ordered, that the said Mr. Liv-
ingston and Mr. Alexander be informed that the Board de-
sired to speak with them.
Mr. Livingston and Mr. Alexander, being present, informed
the Board that their father was one amongst other patentees
of the lands mentioned ; that they were interested one eighth
each of them in their father's right. The circumstances of his
title they had made no inquiry into, but were ready to make
any resignation which either justice or the public service re-
quired.
The Board being informed that his Honor the Lieut. Gov-
ernor desired a gentleman from each Government might be
appointed to be present with him in making inquiry of the
Indians of the Canajoharie castle how far they were satisfied
respecting their land, Mr. Peters and Mr. Howard were ap-
pointed to wait on his Honor and acquaint him that the
Board agreed to the proposal.
Accordingly, Mr. Hutchinson was appointed for Massachu-
setts Bay : Col. Atkinson for New Hampshire : Major Wol-
cott for Connecticut; Mr. Hopkins for Rhode Island; Mr.
Norris for Pennsylvania; Col. Tasker for Maryland.
Joseph Murray and John Chambers, Esq’rs, of the Council
of New York, took their seats.
His Honor’s draught of the speech he proposes to make to
the Six Nations, which was delivered to the Board the 6th
inst. was read, and after debate had thereon relative to the
sale of rum amongst them, and the Canajoharies’ desire about
a church, some alterations and additions to it were agreed to
be proposed to his Honor. -
The representation of the present state of the Colonies
was again read through, but no final resolution thereon
agreed to.
The answers of the Schaticook and River Indians to the
speech made them the 6th inst, were read, and are as follows.
The speech of the Schaticook Indians:
Father, -
We are glad that the Governor sees his children now before
him. We are small in number, but next time we hope we
shall be more. Your Honor may see that we are but young
and inexperienced, our ancient people being almost all dead,
so that we have nobody to give us any advice; but we will
do as our fathers have done before us. Gave a Belt.
held at Albany, in 1754. 57
Father, -
This belt came from our forefathers, and we will be true
and faithful to the King, as they were: Gave a Belt.
They gave also to the Governor a small bundle of skins,
and desired that the sale of rum might be stopped at Scha-
ticook; and that if they want it, they will come and buy it
at Albany.
The speech of the River Indians:
Fathers,
We are greatly rejoiced to see you all here. It is by the
will of Heaven that we are met here, and we thank you for
this opportunity of seeing you all together; as it is a long
while since we have had such a one.
Fathers who sit present here,
We will just give you a short relation of the long friend-
ship which has subsisted between the white people of this
country and us.
Our forefathers had a castle on this river. As one of them
walked out, he saw something on the river ; but was at a
loss to know what it was. He took it at first for a great
fish. He ran into the castle, and gave notice to the other
Indians. Two of our forefathers went to see what it was,
and found it a vessel with men in it. They immediately
joined hands with the people in the vessel, and became
friends. The white people told them they should not come
any further up the river at that time, and said to them they
would return back from whence they came, and come again
in a year's time. According to their promise they returned
back in a year's time, and came as far up the river as where
the old fort stood. Our forefathers invited them ashore, and
said to them, Here we will give you a place to make you a
town. It shall be from this place up to such a stream, (mean-
ing where the Patroon’s mill now stands) and from the river
back up to the hill. -
Our forefathers told them though they were now a small
people, they would in time multiply, and fill up the land they
had given them. After they were ashore some time, some
other Indians, who had not seen them before, looked fiercely
at them; and our forefathers observing it, and seeing the
white people so few in number, lest they should be destroyed,
took and sheltered them under their arms. But it turned
out that those Indians did not desire to destroy them, but


58 Proceedings of the Congress
wished also to have the said white people for their friends.
At this time which we have now spoken of the white people
were small, but we were very numerous and strong; we de-
fended them in that low state. But now the case is altered:
you are numerous and strong, we are ſew and weak. There-
fore we expect that you will act by us in these circumstances
as we did by you in those we have just now related. We
view you now as a very large tree, which has taken deep root
in the ground, whose branches are spread very wide. We
stand by the body of this tree, and we look round to see if
there be any who endeavor to hurt it ; and if it should so
happen that any are powerful enough to destroy it, we are
ready to fall with it. Gave a Belt.
Fathers, -
You see how early we made friendship with you. We
tied each other in a very strong chain. That chain has not
yet been broken. We now clean and rub that chain, to make
it brighter and stronger; and we determine, on our part, that
it never shall be broken ; and we hope you will take care that
neither you nor any one else shall break it. And we are
greatly rejoiced that peace and friendship have so long sub-
sisted between us. Gave a Belt.
Fathers,
Don’t think strange at what we are about to say. We
would say something respecting our lands. When the white
people purchased from time to time of us, they said they only
wanted to purchase the low lands. They told us the hilly land
was good for nothing, and that it was full of wood and stones.
But now we see people living all about the hills and woods,
although they have not purchased the lands. When we in-
quire of the people who live on the lands, what right they
have to them, they reply to us that we are not to be regarded,
and that these lands belong to the King. But we were the
first possessors of them ; and when the King has paid us
for them, then they may say they are his. Hunting now has
grown very scarce, and we are not like to get our livings that
way. Therefore we hope that our fathers will take care that
we are paid for our lands, that we may live. Gave a Belt.
Made a present of a bundle of skins.
The Board then adjourned to 3 o'clock this afternoon.

held at Albany, in 1754. 59
At a meeting, &c. on Monday, 8th July, 1754, P. M.
Present,
All the Commissioners, except Col. Atkinson, Mr. Norris,
and the Commissioners from Maryland.
The Board proceeded in their consideration upon the plan
for a Union, but did not go through with it.
The speech proposed to be made to the Six Nations was
returned to the Board from his Honor, with the alterations
and additions proposed by the Board in the morning.
Ordered, that the said speech lay upon the table till some
further matters relating to it be agreed on by the Board.
The committee appointed in the morning to be present
with the Lieut. Governor of New York at a conference with
the Canajoharie Indians, returned from the same and reported
as follows:
That his Honor inquired of the Indians whether they had
not expressed themselves satisfied with the measures he had
taken concerning their lands, and the promise that he would
inquire further into the affair when he came to New York.
To which they replied, that they were sensible his Honor
was at Albany when they made their complaint at New York
last year; that he had told them he had now left the papers
there, but he would inquire into it when he came there ;
that they were willing to try one year more, and iſ matters
were not made up by the Governor whom they looked upon
as their elder brother, but neglected as they used to be, they
would send to all their other brothers (pointing to the Com-
missioners) for their assistance; and that they agreed to this
the rather, as there were French Indians in town, and they
did not think it convenient to have any difference before them.
Upon which his Honor again assured them he would inquire
into their affairs, in order to their being satisfied, especially as
he had the King's orders for it.
The Board receiving a message from his Honor that the
sachems of the Six Nations were attending to be spoke to,
the Board adjourned to 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, and
waited upon the Governor.
-
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany, on Tuesday,
the 9th July, 1754, A. M. Present,

60 Proceedings of the Congress
Joseph Murray and William Smith, Esq’rs, of the Council
of New York; all the Commissioners, except Col. Partridge
and Mr. Hopkins.
The public conference between his Honor the Lieut. Goy-
ernor of New York and the Commissioners of the several
Governments with the sachems of the Six Nations yesterday
evening was read, and ordered to be entered as follows.
Brethren,
You told me your hearts were deeply concerned at the sad
effects which may arise from selling rum in your respective
countries. I will give orders that the laws already made for
preventing the sale of this liquor among you shall be strictly
put in execution; and whatever further provision in the
law is necessary, I will endeavor it shall be made ; that you
may see I take care of your health and your peace, which are
hurt and disturbed by the use of this liquor among you of the
five upper nations. And as to what you of the Mohawks have
said, I shall consider how far it may be necessary to restrain
the people living round you from selling rum; and if I can
think of a proper remedy for this evil, I will endeavor to
apply it.
Brethren of the upper castle of the Mohawks,
I am well pleased with your earnest request to have a
church built amongst you, and shall do every thing in my
power to promote so good a work; and it is very agreeable
to me and the Commissioners from all the Governments
present, to find a disposition in you to receive the Christian
religion.
Brethren, -
As I have given you satisfaction with respect to one of
your complaints about your land, which lay heavy on your
minds, and have assured you that I shall endeavor to do you
justice as to the rest when I come to New York, I shall not
say any thing farther to you on that affair now.
The Governor being informed by the interpreter that they
chose to have the powder divided on the hill, told them it
was in his opinion better for them to have it sent to Sche-
nectady.
Hendrick answered for them, “Just as his Honor pleased;”
who told them he would order the powder to Schenectady,
and the rum above the settlements; with which they ex-
pressed themselves satisfied.

held at Albany, in 1754. 61
His Honor then said:
I have now done speaking to you. But before I cover up
the fire, I must recommend it to you to behave quietly and
peaceably to all your brethren and their cattle in your return
home.
Hendrick then replied:
Your Honor told us you now covered up the fires; and we
are highly pleased that all things have been so amicably set-
tled, and hope that all that has passed between us may be
strictly observed on both sides.
Brethren of the several Governments,
We hope that you will not fail in the covenant chain,
where with we have mutually bound ourselves, and now so
solemnly renewed and strengthened. If we don’t hold fast
by this chain of friendship, our enemies will laugh us to
SCOrn. -
Brethren,
We wish you would all contribute to provide some provis-
ion for us in our way home, which will effectually prevent
our people from killing the inhabitants' cattle; and we desire
you will provide some wagons for us to go to Schenectady.
We think this expense will fall too heavy upon one province,
as we have the presents from all to carry up.
We beg we may all take care of the fire of friendship, and
preserve it by our mutual attention from any injuries. We
will take care of it on our sides, and we hope our brethren
will do so on theirs. We wish this tree of friendship may
grow up to a great height, and then we shall be a powerful
people.
Brethren,
We, the United Nations, shall rejoice in the increase of
our strength, so that all other nations may stand in awe of us.
Brethren,
I will just tell you what a people we were formerly. If
any of our enemies rose against us, we had no occasion to
lift up our whole hand against them ; for our little finger was
sufficient. And as we have now made so strong a confed-
eracy, if we are truly earnest therein, we may retrieve the
ancient glory of the Five Nations.
Brethren,
We have now done ; but one word we must add. The
interpreter, if the French continue their hostilities, will want

62 Proceedings of the Congress
assistance, three or four to be joined with him; but this
matter we submit to the Governor. We have now finished
all that we have to say.
The Governor replied:
Brethren,
It gives me and all the Commissioners here present great
satisfaction, that this interview has concluded so amicably on
all sides. I have ordered thirty wagons to be provided for
your service, which I expect here to-morrow morning, and I
have ordered provisions for you to serve you on your journey.
I hope that by this present union we shall grow up to a
great height, and be as powerful and famous as you were of
old. As to the interpreter, when the circumstances of this
country require it, he shall have the necessary assistance;
and I assure you, in the name of this Government and all the
Governments here present, that we shall endeavor to extend
and preserve the covenant chain by every possible method in
our power.
They asked his Honor when himself and the Commis-
sioners proposed to return home. His Honor answered, that
they had some matters yet to settle about the Union, and
then they should set out for their respective habitations.
The Governor then, in his own name and that of the
Commissioners, wished them a good journey, and they re-
turned the compliment; and then the conferences broke up.
The answers of the Lieut. Governor and the Commission-
ers to the Schaticook and River Indians were next read, and
ordered to be entered as follows.
The answer to the Schaticook Indians.
Children,
We condole with you on the loss of your old and experi-
enced people. A String.
Children,
I and the Commissioners from the other Governments here
present are glad to see that although you are young and in-
experienced, yet you are willing to take advice, and are de-
termined to remain faithful to the King and friendly to all
his subjects. A Belt.
Answer to the River Indians.
Children, -
We are glad to find that you treasure up in your memories
the mutual instances of friendship between our ancestors and

held at Albany, in 1754. 63
yours. The remembrance of that friendship will descend to
our posterity, and we desire you to hand it down to yours;
and although there is a great alteration in circumstances since
our predecessors first came among you, yet we have not less
affection for you than they had. A Belt.
Children,
Your brightening and strengthening the covenant chain is
well-pleasing to me and the Commissioners. We acknowl-
edge you have never broken it. We have likewise preserved
it entire, and are determined to continue to do so. A Belt.
Children,
You complain that some of the people of this province are
in possession of your lands, which you never sold. This is
a complaint which affects persons who live at a distance. I
have ordered notice to be given them of it; and if, upon
inquiry into the affair, it shall appear that you have been
injured, I will endeavor to get you redressed. But I shall
observe to you, that the constant method of granting lands
in this Province is and has been by license from the Governor
to purchase from the Indians; and upon the purchase being
returned before him in Council, he with their advice orders a
patent ; and that most of these lands concerning which you
complain were patented when you were children; some before
any of you were born.
Ordered, that the following minutes be made. That the
last paragraph of the foregoing answer to the River Indians
about the manner of patenting lands in this Province, begin-
ning with the words, “I shall observe,” was an addition
made by his Honor to the draught sent him yesterday by this
Board. -
Col. Johnson, Mr. Chambers, Col. Partridge and Mr. Hop-
kins took their seats.
The plan of the Union was debated and agreed upon, and
Mr. Franklin was desired to make a draught of it as now
concluded upon.
Adjourned to 5 o'clock this evening.
At a meeting, &c. on Tuesday, the 9th July, 1754, P. M.
Present,
The Honorable the Lieut. Governor, and the four gentle-

64 Proceedings of the Congress
men of the Council of New York, and all the Commissioners,
except Mr. Franklin, absent by his appointment in the
morning.
The draught of the representation, &c. was read, and con-
sidered paragraph by paragraph, some amendments made,
and the whole was agreed to, and ordered to be minuted as
follows.
That his Majesty’s title to the northern continent of Amer-
ica appears to be founded on the discovery thereof first made
and the possession thereof first taken in 1497, under a com-
mission from Henry VII. of England to Sebastian Cabot.
That the French have possessed themselves of several parts
of this continent, which by treaties have been ceded and
confirmed to them.
That the right of the English to the whole seacoast from
Georgia on the south to the river St. Lawrence on the north,
excepting the island of Cape Breton and the islands in the
Bay of St. Lawrence, remains plain and indisputable. That
all the lands or countries westward, from the Atlantic Ocean
to the South Sea, between 48 and 34 degrees north latitude,
were expressly included in the grant of King James the
First, to divers of his subjects so long since as the year
1606, and afterwards confirmed in 1620; and under this grant
the Colony of Virginia claims extent as far west as the South
Sea; and the ancient Colonies of the Massachusetts Bay and
Connecticut were by their respective charters made to extend
to the said South Sea. So that not only the right to the sea-
coast, but to all the inland countries from sea to sea, has at
all times been asserted by the crown of England.
That the Province of Nova Scotia or Acadie hath known
and determinate bounds by the original grant from King James
the First; and that there is abundant evidence of the sense
which the French had of these bounds while they were in
possession of it; and that these bounds being thus known,
the said Province, by the treaty of Utrecht, according to its
ancient limits, was ceded to Great Britain, and remained in
possession thereof until the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, by
which it was confirmed. But by said treaty it is stipulated
that the bounds of the said Province shall be determined by
commissaries, &c.
That by the treaty of Utrecht the country of the Five
Cantons of the Iroquois is expressly acknowledged to be
under the dominion of the crown of Great Britain.

held at Albany, in 1754. 65
That the lake Champlain, formerly called lake Iroquois, and
the country southward of it as far as the Dutch or English
settlements, the lakes Ontario, Erie, and all the countries ad-
jacent, have by all ancient authors, French and English, been
allowed to belong to the Five Cantons or Nations; and the
whole of these countries, long before the said treaty of
Utrecht, were by the said nations put under the protection of
the crown of Great Britain.
That by the treaty of Utrecht there is reserved to the
French a liberty of frequenting the countries of the Five
Nations and other Indians in friendship with Great Britain,
for the sake of commerce ; as there is also to the English a
liberty of frequenting the countries of those in friendship with
France, for the same purpose.
That after the treaty of Utrecht the French built several
fortresses in the country of the Five Nations, and a very
strong one at a place called Crown Point, to the south of
lake Champlain.
That the French Court hath evidently, since the treaty of
Aix-la-Chapelle, made this northern continent more than ever
the object of its attention.
That the French have most unjustly taken possession of
part of the Province of Nova Scotia, and in the river St.
John’s and other parts of said Province they have built strong
fortresses; and from this river they will have during the win-
ter and spring season a much easier communication between
France and Canada than they have heretofore had, and will
be furnished with a harbor more commodiously situated for
the annoying the British Colonies by privateers and men of
war than Louisburg itself.
That they have taken possession of and begun a settle-
ment at the head of the river Kennebeck, within the bounds
of the Province of Maine, the most convenient situation for
affording support and safe retreat to the eastern Indians in any
of their attempts upon the Governments of New England.
That it appears, by information of the natives, the French
have been making preparations for another settlement at a
place called Coos, on Connecticut river, near the head there-
of, where it is but about ten miles distant from a branch of
Merrimack river, and from whence there is a very near and easy
communication with the Abenakis Indians, who are settled on
the river St. Francis, about forty miles from the river St.

66 Proceedings of the Congress
Lawrence ; and it is certain that the inhabitants of New
Hampshire, in which province this Coos is supposed to lie,
have been interrupted and impeded by the French Indians
from making any settlement there. -
That since the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the French have
increased the number of their forts in the country of the
great Lakes and of the rivers which run into the Mississippi,
and are securing a communication between the two Colonies
of Louisiana and Canada, and at the same time putting
themselves into a capacity of annoying the southern British
Colonies, and preventing any further settlement of his Ma-
jesty’s dominions.
That they have been gradually increasing their troops in
America, transporting them in their ships of war, which return
to France with a bare complement of men, leaving the rest in
their Colonies; and by this means they are less observed by
the powers of Europe than they would be if transports, as
usual heretofore, were provided for this purpose.
That they have taken prisoners, divers of his Majesty’s
subjects, trading in the country of the Iroquois and other
inland parts, and plundered such prisoners of several thousand
pounds sterling; and they are continually exciting the Indians
to destroy or make prisoners the inhabitants of the frontiers
of the British Colonies, which prisoners are carried to Can-
ada, and a price equal to what slaves are sold for in the plan-
tations is demanded for their redemption and release.
That they are continually drawing off the Indians from the
British interest, and have lately persuaded one half of the
Onondago tribe, with many from the other nations along
with them, to remove to a place called Oswegatchie, on the
river Cadaraqui, where they have built them a church and
fort; and many of the Senecas, the most numerous nation,
appear to be wavering, and rather incline to the French; and
it is a melancholy consideration, that not more than one hun-
dred and fifty men of all the several nations have attended
this treaty ; although they had notice that all the Govern-
ments would be here by their Commissioners, and that a large
present would be given.
That it is the evident design of the French to surround
the British Colonies, to fortify themselves on the back thereof,
to take and keep possession of all the important rivers, to
draw over the Indians to their interest, and with the help of

held at Albany, in 1754. 67
such Indians, added to such forces as are already arrived and
may hereafter be sent from Europe, to be in a capacity of
making a general attack on the several Governments; and if
at the same time a strong naval force be sent from France,
there is the utmost danger that the whole continent will be
subjected to that crown. And that the danger of such a
naval force is not merely imaginary, may be argued from past
experience; for if it had not been for the most extraordinary
interposition of Heaven, every seaport town on the continent,
in the year 1746, might have been ravaged and destroyed by
the squadron under the command of the Duke D'Anville,
notwithstanding the then declining state of the French, and
the very flourishing state of the British navy, and the further
advantage accruing to the English from the possession of Cape
Breton.
That the French find by experience they are able to make
greater and more sure advantages upon their neighbors in
peace than in war. What they unjustly possessed themselves
of after the peace of Utrecht, they now pretend to have a
right to hold, by virtue of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle,
until the true boundary between the English and the French
be settled by commissaries. But their conquests made dur-
ing the war they have been obliged to restore.
That the French affairs relative to this continent are under
one direction, and constantly regarded by the crown and min-
istry; who are not insensible how great a stride they would
make towards a universal monarchy, if the British Colonies
were added to their dominions, and consequently the whole
trade of North America engrossed by them.
That the said Colonies being in a divided, disunited state,
there has never been any joint exertion of their force or coun-
sels to repel or defeat the measures of the French, and par-
ticular Colonies are unable and unwilling to maintain the
cause of the whole. -
That there has been a very great neglect of the affairs of
the Iroquois, or, as they are commonly called, the Indians of
the Six Nations; and their friendship and alliance has been
improved to private purposes, for the sake of the trade with
them, and the purchase or acquisition of their lands, more
than to the public service.
That they are supplied with rum by the traders in vast and
almost incredible quantities; the laws of the Colonies now

68 Proceedings of the Congress
in force being insufficient to restrain the supply ; and the
Indians of every nation are frequently drunk, and abused in
their trade, and their affections thereby alienated from the
English. They often wound and murder one another in their
liquor, and to avoid revenge, flee to the French; and perhaps
more have been lost by these means than by the French
artifices.
That purchases of lands from the Indians by private per-
sons, for small trifling considerations, have been the cause of
great uneasiness and discontents; and if the Indians are not
in fact imposed on and injured, yet they are apt to think that
they have been ; and indeed they appear not fit to be intrusted
at large with the sale of their own lands; and the laws of
some of the Colonies, which makes such sales void unless
the allowance of the Government be first obtained, seem to
be well founded.
That the granting or patenting vast tracts of land to private
persons or companies, without conditions of speedy settle-
ment, has tended to prevent the strengthening the frontiers
of the particular Colony where such tracts lie, and been
prejudicial to the rest.
That it seems absolutely necessary that speedy and effec-
tual measures be taken to secure the Colonies from the sla-
very they are threatened with. That any further advances
of the French should be prevented, and the encroachments
already made removed. That the Indians in alliance or
friendship with the English be constantly regarded under
some wise direction or superintendency. That endeavors be
used for the recovery of those Indians who are lately gone
over to the French, and for securing those that remain. That
some discreet person or persons be appointed to reside con-
stantly with each nation of Indians; such person to have no
concern in trade, and duly to communicate all advices to the
superintendents.
That the trade with the said Indians be well regulated, and
made subservient to the public interest more than to private
ain.
That there be forts built for the security of each nation,
and the better carrying on the trade with them. That warlike
vessels be provided sufficient to maintain his Majesty's right
to a free navigation on the several lakes. That all future pur-
chases of lands from the Indians be void, unless made by the
held at Albany, in 1754. 69
Government where such lands lie, and from the Indians in a
body, in their public councils. That the patentees or pos-
sessors of large unsettled territories be enjoined to cause
them to be settled in a reasonable time, on pain of forfeiture.
That the complaints of the Indians relative to any grants
or possessions of their lands fraudulently obtained be inquired
into, and all injuries redressed ; that the bounds of those
Colonies which extend to the South Sea be contracted, and
limited by the Alleghany or Apalachian mountains ; and that
measures be taken for settling from time to time Colonies of
his Majesty’s Protestant subjects westward of said mountains,
in convenient cantons to be assigned for that purpose ; and
finally that there be a Union of his Majesty’s several Govern-
ments on the continent, that so their counsels, treasure and
strength may be employed in due proportion against their
common enemy. All which is submitted.
Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
At a meeting in the Court House at Albany on Wednesday,
the 10th July, 1754, A. M. Present,
All the Commissioners for Massachusetts Bay; all the
Commissioners for New Hampshire, except Mr. Sherburne;
all the Commissioners for Connecticut; the Commissioners
for Rhode Island; all the Commissioners for Pennsylvania.
Mr. Murray and Mr. Smith took their seats.
Mr Franklin reported the draught, in a new form, of a Plan
of a Union, agreeable to the determination of yesterday;
which was read paragraph by paragraph, and debated, and the
further consideration of it deferred to the afternoon.
Adjourned to 3 o'clock this afternoon.
At a meeting, &c. on Wednesday, the 10th July, 1754,
P. M. Present,
His Honor the Lieut. Governor and the four gentlemen
of the Council of New York, and all the Commissioners for
the respective Governments.
The consideration of the Plan of a Union was resumed ;
which Plan is as follows:
9


70 Proceedings of the Congress
[Here the MS. breaks off abruptly. Whether the remainder of the
Journal is now in existence, we have not been able to ascertain. The
Plan of Union adopted by the Congress is inserted below, as copied from
the Writings of Franklin.—Pub. Com.]
PLAN OF UNION.
It is proposed that humble application be made for an Act
of Parliament of Great Britain, by virtue of which one gen-
eral government may be formed in America, including all the
said colonies, within and under which government each col-
ony may retain its present constitution, except in the partic-
ulars wherein a change may be directed by the said Act, as
hereafter follows.
President-General and Grand Council.
That the said general government be administered by a
President-General, to be appointed and supported by the
crown; and a Grand Council, to be chosen by the represen-
tatives of the people of the several colonies met in their
respective Assemblies.
Election of Members.
That within months after the passing such Act, the
House of Representatives, that happen to be sitting within
that time, or that shall be especially for that purpose con-
vened, may and shall choose members for the Grand Council,
in the following proportion, that is to say,
Massachusetts Bay, 7 | Pennsylvania, 6
New Hampshire, 2 Maryland, 4
Connecticut, 5 Virginia, 7
Rhode Island, 2 | North Carolina, 4.
New York, 4 | South Carolina, 4.
New Jersey, 3 -
48
Place of First Meeting.
Who shall meet for the first time at the city of Philadel-
phia in Pennsylvania, being called by the President-General
as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment.
New Election.
That there shall be a new election of the members of the

held at Albany, in 1754. 71
Grand Council every three years; and on the death or resig-
nation of any member, his place should be supplied by a new
choice at the next sitting of the Assembly of the colony he
represented. -
Proportion of Members after the first three years.
That after the first three years, when the proportion of
money arising out of each colony to the general treasury can
be known, the number of members to be chosen for each
colony shall from time to time, in all ensuing elections, be
regulated by that proportion, yet so as that the number to be
chosen by any one province be not more than seven, nor less
than two.
Meetings of the Grand Council, and Call.
That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year,
and oftener if occasion require, at such time and place as
they shall adjourn to at the last preceding meeting, or as they
shall be called to meet at by the President-General on any
emergency; he having first obtained in writing the consent
of seven of the members to such call, and sent due and timely
notice to the whole.
Continuance.
That the Grand Council have power to choose their speak-
er ; and shall neither be dissolved, prorogued, nor continued
sitting longer than six weeks at one time, without their own
consent or the special command of the crown.
Members’ Allowance.
That the members of the Grand Council shall be allowed
for their service ten shillings sterling per diem, during their
session and journey to and from the place of meeting; twenty
miles to be reckoned a day's journey.
Assent of President-General and his Duty.
That the assent of the President-General be requisite to
all acts of the Grand Council, and that it be his office and
duty to cause them to be carried into execution.
Power of President-General and Grand Council ; Treaties
of Peace and War.
That the President-General, with the advice of the Grand

72 Proceedings of the Congress
Council, hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the gen-
eral interest of the colonies may be concerned; and make
peace or declare war with Indian nations.
Indian Trade.
That they make such laws as they judge necessary for
regulating all Indian trade.
Indian Purchases.
That they make all purchases, from Indians for the crown,
of lands not now within the bounds of particular colonies, or
that shall not be within their bounds when some of them are
reduced to more convenient dimensions.
New Settlements.
That they make new settlements on such purchases, by
granting lands in the King’s name, reserving a quit-rent to
the crown for the use of the general treasury.
Laws to govern them.
That they make laws for regulating and governing such
new settlements, till the crown shall think fit to form them
into particular governments.
Raise Soldiers, and equip Vessels, &c.
That they raise and pay soldiers and build forts for the
defence of any of the colonies, and equip vessels of force to
uard the coasts and protect the trade on the ocean, lakes, or
great rivers ; but they shall not impress men in any colony,
without the consent of the Legislature. -
Power to make Laws, lay Duties, &c.
That for these purposes they have power to make laws,
and lay and levy such general duties, imposts, or taxes, as to
them shall appear most equal and just (considering the ability
and other circumstances of the inhabitants in the several
colonies), and such as may be collected with the least incon-
venience to the people ; rather discouraging luxury, than
loading industry with unnecessary burthens.
General Treasurer and Particular Treasurer.
That they may appoint a General Treasurer and Particular
Treasurer in each government, when necessary; and from

held at Albany, in 1754. 73
time to time may order the sums in the treasuries of each
government into the general treasury; or draw on them for
special payments, as they find most convenient.
Money, how to issue.
Yet no money to issue but by joint orders of the President-
General and Grand Council; except where sums have been
appropriated to particular purposes, and the President-Gen-
eral is previously empowered by an act to draw such sums.
Accounts.
That the general accounts shall be yearly settled and re-
ported to the several Assemblies.
Quorum.
That a quorum of the Grand Council, empowered to act
with the President-General, do consist of twenty-five mem-
bers; among whom there shall be one or more from a major-
ity of the colonies.
Laws to be Transmitted.
That the laws made by them for the purposes aforesaid
shall not be repugnant, but, as near as may be, agreeable to
the laws of England, and shall be transmitted to the King in
Council for approbation, as soon as may be after their pass-
ing ; and if not disapproved within three years after presen-
tation, to remain in force.
Death of the President-General.
That, in case of the death of the President-General, the
Speaker of the Grand Council for the time being shall suc-
ceed, and be vested with the same powers and authorities, to
continue till the King's pleasure be known.
Officers, how Appointed.
That all military commission officers, whether for land or
sea service, to act under this general constitution, shall be
nominated by the President-General; but the approbation
of the Grand Council is to be obtained, before they receive
their commissions. And all civil officers are to be nominated
by the Grand Council, and to receive the President-General’s
approbation before they officiate.

74. Proceedings of the Congress, &c.
Vacancies, how Supplied.
But, in case of vacancy by death or removal of any officer
civil or military under this constitution, the Governor of the
province in which such vacancy happens may appoint, till the
pleasure of the President-General and Grand Council can be
known.
Each Colony may defend itself on Emergency, &c.
That the particular military as well as civil establishments
in each colony remain in their present state, the general con-
stitution notwithstanding ; and that on sudden emergencies
any colony may defend itself, and lay the accounts of expense
thence arising before the President-General and General
Council, who may allow and order payment of the same, as
far as they judge such accounts just and reasonable.
DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUÈS
(No 1, page 43.)
pLAN D'UNIoN ENTRE LEs CoLoNIEs , pRoposÉ PAR FRANKLIN ET
A DopTÉ pAR LEs coMMIssAIREs RÉUNIs A ALBANY EN 1754.
La guerre de Sept ans était sur le point d'éclater ; les troupes
françaises du Canada menaçaient les provinces anglaises de l'Amé-
rique du Nord, et le gouvernement britannique cherchait à tirer
le plus grand parti possible des ressources que les colonies pou-
vaient fournir pour leur propre défense. En vertu d'un ordre des
lords du commerce, les commissaires des diverses provinces furent
convoqués à Albany, le 14 juin 1754, dans le but de se concerter
sur le renouvellement des traités avec les Six Nations, et sur les
sacrifices que les colonies auraient à faire pour arracher, par des
présents, les Indiens à l'alliance française. Le 19 juin, les repré-
sentants du New-Hampshire, du Massachusetts, du Rhode-Island,
du Connecticut, du New-York, de la Pensylvanie et du Maryland
étaient réunis, au nombre de vingt-cinq, à Albany. Franklin sié-
· geait parmi eux comme délégué de la Pensylvanie. Le gouverne-
ment de la Virginie, absorbé par les préparatifs de la guerre et
par des négociations particulières avec les Indiens, avait négligé
d'envoyer des représentants à la convention.
Bien que l'idée d'une union entre les colonies semble avoir assez
généralement préoccupé les esprits à cette époque, les délégués du
Massachusetts avaient seuls reçu des instructions au sujet de la
création d'un gouvernement général4. Outre leur mission relative
à des négociations communes avec les Indiens, ils étaient autorisés
« à conclure des articles d'union et de confédération pour la dé-
« fense générale des sujets et des intérêts de Sa Majesté dans
1 L'idée d'organiser en Amérique une confédération analogue
à celle des Provinces-Unies était fort ancienne dans les
colonies du Nord. Dès 1637, dix-sept ans après le débarquement
|
e , sa( . |


394 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES-
« l'Amérique du Nord, en temps de paix comme en temps de
« guerre. »
A la date du 24 juin, on trouve la mention suivante dans les pro-
cès-verbaux de la convention d'Albany : « On propose que les
commissaires donnent leur avis sur cette question : Une union
entre toutes les colonies n'est-elle pas absolument nécessaire à
« leur sécurité et à leur défense ? Adopté à l'unanimité.—Sur une
proposition de nommer un comité, pour préparer et recevoir des
plans d'union entre les colonies, et en tirer un plan général,
destiné à être soumis à ce conseil, il a été résolu que chaque
gouvernement choisirait un de ses membres pour le représenter
dans ce comité. En conséquence sont nommés : Thomas Hut-
chinson pour le Massachusetts, Théodore Atkinson pour le New-
Hampshire, William Pitkin pour le Connecticut, Stephen Hop-
kins pour le Rhode-Island, William Smith pour le New-York,
Benjamin Franklin pour la Pensylvanie, et Benjamin Tasker
pour le Maryland. »
Avant de se rendre à l'assemblée d'Albany, Franklin avait déjà
préparé et discuté avec ses amis un plan d'union, qui, de tous
ceux que le comité eut à examiner, parut le plus acceptable et
devint l'objet d'un rapport à la convention, le 28 juin. Le débat
dura douze jours. On hésita longtemps sur la question de savoir si
un acte du parlement était nécessaire à l'établissement définitif de
cette union. L'Assemblée se décida pour l'affirmative, et se sépara,
le 11 juillet 1754, après avoir enfin adopté le plan d'union en ces
termes 1 : -
-
((
((((
((
Il est proposé de s'adresser humblement au Parlement de la
Grande-Bretagne pour lui demander un acte en vertu duquel
il puisse être formé un gouvernement général en Amérique,
embrassant toutes les colonies, et sous lequel le gouvernement
de chaque colonie puisse conserver sa constitution présente,
des pèlerins du Mayflower au cap Cod, et un an après la
première colonisation du Connecticut, les magistrats de cette
province avaient proposé, mais sans succès, aux provinces
voisines de s'unir pour la défense de leurs intérêts communs.
Dès 1643, la nécessité de résister aux attaques des Indiens, des
Hollandais et des Français amena les colonies de Massachusetts,
New-Plymouth, Connecticut et New-Haven à former une
conféderation sous le nom de Colonies-Unies de la Nouvelle-
Angleterre. Cette confédération dura jusqu'à l'annulation de
la charte primitive du Massachusetts en 1685.
1 Nous supprimons les exposés des motifs placés par la con-
vention d'Albany en tête de chacune des clauses, et nous ne
citons que le texte du plan d'union.

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 395
sauf dans les points particuliers où des changements y seraient
apportés par ledit acte, comme il suit : . -
Ledit gouvernement général sera administré par un Prési-
dent général, que nommera et entretiendra la Couronne , et
par un Grand Conseil, qui sera choisi par les représentants
du peuple des diverses colonies, réunis dans leurs assemblées
respectives.
Dans les.... mois qui suivront l'adoption de cet acte, la
chambre des représentants qui sera en session à cette époque,
ou qui aura été convoquée pour cet objet , pourra et devra
choisir des membres pour le Grand Conseil, dans la proportion
suivante, à savoir :
Baie de Massachusetts. . . . , . 7
New-Hampshire . . . . . . . 2
Connecticut. , . . , . . . . 5
Rhode-Island . . , . . , . . 2
New-York . . .. . , . . . . 4
New-Jersey. . . . . . . . . 3
Pensylvanie . . . , . . . . 6
Maryland . . . . . , . . . 4
Virginie. . . , . . . . . . 7
Caroline du Nord . . , . . . . 4
Caroline du Sud . . . . . . 4
- 48
Lesquels membres se réuniront, pour la première fois, dans
la cité de Philadelphie, ayant été convoqués par le Président
général, aussi promptement après sa nomination que conve-
nablement faire se pourra.
Il y aura, tous les trois ans, une nouvelle élection des
membres du Grand Conseil ; et à la mort ou sur la démission
d'un membre, il sera remplacé à la plus prochaine session
de l'assemblée de la colonie qu'il représentait.
Les trois premières années révolues, quand la proportion
des subsides fournis par chaque colonie au trésor général
sera connue , le nombre des représentants de chaque colonie
sera, pour les élections suivantes, fixé, de temps en temps,
d'après cette proportion. Le nombre des membres pour
chaque province ne pourra, cependant, être de plus de sept
et de moins de deux. -
Le Grand Conseil se réunira une fois par an, et plus sou-

396 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
vent, s'il en est besoin, en tel temps et lieu qu'il aura désignés
dans sa dernière séance, ou que le Président général aura
indiqués, en le convoquant dans les cas d'urgence. Mais, pour
ce faire, il devra obtenir préalablement le consentement écrit
de sept membres, et le notifier à tous en temps opportun.
Le Grand Conseil aura le pouvoir de choisir son Président.
Il ne sera point dissous, ne sera point prorogé, et sa session
ne pourra être prolongée au delà de six semaines, si ce n'est
de son consentement, ou sur un ordre spécial de la Couronne.
Les membres du Grand Conseil recevront pour leurs ser-
vices dix schellings sterling par jour, pendant la session et le
voyage pour se rendre au lieu de convocation et en revenir,
vingt milles étant comptés comme un jour de voyage.
La sanction du Président général sera nécessaire à tous
les actes du Grand Conseil, et il aura pour devoir et fonction .
de les faire exécuter.
Le Président général pourra, de l'avis du Grand Conseil,
conclure et faire observer tous les traités avec les Indiens dans
lesquels l'intérêt général des colonies est engagé, et faire la
paix et déclarer la guerre aux nations indiennes.
Ils pourront, de concert, faire toutes les lois qui leur sem-
bleront convenables pour régler tout le commerce avec les
Indiens.
Ils pourront acheter des Indiens, au profit de la Couronne,
toutes les terres qui ne sont point aujourd'hui comprises dans
les limites d'une colonie particulière , ou qui n'y seront plus
comprises lorsque quelques-unes d'entre elles auront été
réduites à des dimensions plus convenables.
Ils pourront créer de nouveaux établissements sur ces
terres achetées , en concédant des terres au nom du Roi ,
réservant une redevance en argent à la Couronne, à l'usage
du trésor général.
Ils pourront faire des lois pour réglementer et gouverner
lesdits mouveaux établissements, jusqu'à ce qu'il plaise à la
Couronne de leur donner des gouvernements particuliers.
Ils lèveront et payeront des soldats, bâtiront des forts pour
la défense de l'une quelconque des colonies, équiperont des
vaisseaux pour garder les côtes et protéger le commerce sur
l'Océan, les lacs, et les grandes rivières; mais ils ne pourront
exercer la presse dans aucune colonie, sans le consentement
de sa législature. -

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 397
Pour pourvoir à ces divers objets, ils auront le pouvoir de
faire des lois, d'établir et de lever tels droits, taxes et impôts
généraux qui leur paraîtront les plus égaux et les plus justes
(eu égard aux ressources des habitants des diverses colonies),
et dont la perception sera le moins à charge au peuple ;
décourageant le luxe, plutôt que d'imposer à l'industrie des
fardeaux inutiles.
Ils nommeront un Trésorier général et, en cas de nécessité,
un Trésorier particulier dans chaque gouvernement ; et, de
temps en temps, ils pourront faire verser dans le trésor géné-
ral les sommes qui se trouveront dans les trésors de chaque
gouvernement; ou, s'ils le préfèrent, tirer sur eux des man-
dats spéciaux.
Mais aucun payement ne sera fait que sur l'ordre commun
du Président général et du Grand Conseil , sauf dans le cas
où une somme aurait été appliquée à une dépense particu-
lière, et où le Président général aurait été préalablement
autorisé par un acte à ordonnancer lesdites sommes.
Les comptes généraux seront arrêtés tous les ans et devien-
dront l'objet d'un rapport aux diverses assemblées.
Pour pouvoir expédier les affaires de concert avec le Pré-
sident général, le Grand Conseil devra réunir au moins
vingt-cinq membres , parmi lesquels au moins un membre
de la moitié plus une des colonies.
Les lois faites par eux pour pourvoir aux objets ci-dessus
indiqués ne seront point en opposition avec les lois de l'An-
gleterre , et y seront autant que possible conformes. Après
leur approbation, elles seront, aussitôt que faire se pourra,
transmises au Roi en son Conseil pour recevoir son appro-
bation. Si elles ne sont point désapprouvées dans les trois
ans qui suivront la présentation, elles resteront en vigueur.
En cas de mort du Président général, le président du
Grand Conseil lui succédera provisoirement jusqu'à ce que
le bon plaisir du Roi soit connu.
Tous les fonctionnaires commissionnés de l'armée de terre
ou de mer qui auront à agir sous l'empire de cette consti-
tution générale seront nommés par le Président général ;
mais l'approbation du Grand Conseil sera nécessaire avant de
leur délivrer leur commission. Tous les fonctionnaires civils
seront nommés par le Grand Conseil et auront à recevoir
l'approbation du Président général avant d'entrer en fonction.

398 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
Mais, en cas de vacance par suite de mort ou de destitu-
tion d'un officier civil ou militaire, le Gouverneur de la pro-
vince dans laquelle la vacance se présentera pourray pourvoir,
jusqu'à ce que le bon plaisir du Président général et du
Grand Conseil soient connus.
Les établissements particuliers, civils et militaires, de cha-
que colonie resteront dans leur état présent, malgré cette
constitution générale. Dans les circonstances urgentes et cri-
tiques, toute colonie pourra se défendre elle-même, et placer
les comptes de la dépense occasionnée par sa défense devant le
Président général et le Conseil Général, qui pourront allouer
un créditet en ordonnerle payement, s'ils trouvent la dépense
juste et convenable.
Ce plan d'union eut peu de succès. Il fut rejeté par toutes les
assemblées provinciales auxquelles il fut présenté; et il parut si
peu acceptable au conseil du commerce (Board of trade) qu'il ne
fut même point recommandé à l'attention du roi. « Les assemblées
« trouvèrent toutes qu'il sentait trop la prérogative : en Angle-
« terre, on trouva qu'il sentait trop la démocratie, » dit Franklin.
A ce projet, le gouvernement britannique en substitua un nouveau,
en vertu duquel « les gouverneurs de toutes les colonies, accompa-
« gnés d'un ou deux membres de leurs conseils respectifs, devaient
s'assembler, concerter les mesures relatives à la défense com-
mune, élever des forts là où ils le jugeraient à propos, lever les
troupes qui leur sembleraient nécessaires, et tirer sur le Trésor
anglais des mandats pour le payement de ces dépenses, celui-ci
devant se rembourser au moyen d'une taxe établie dans les
colonies par acte du Parlement. »
Ce nouveau plan donnalieu aux trois lettres suivantes, adressées
par Franklin au gouverneur Shirley, qui lui avait communiqué
les projets du gouvernement britannique.
Elles sont un ingénieux exposé de la situation des provinces an-
glaises de l'Amérique du Nord, et un curieux symptôme des sen-
timents des colons à l'égard de la métropole et de l'idée qu'ils se
faisaient de leurs droits et de leurs forces, dix ans avant d'avoir
été provoqués à la lutte par le gouvernement de la Grande-Bre-
tagne.
((
((
((

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 399
LETTRE I.
SUR LE CONCOURS DU PEUPLE DANS LA NOMINATION DES
GoUvERNANTs CHARGÉs D'ÉTABLIR LEs IMPôTs.
- Mardi matin (l7 décembre 1754).
Monsieur, .
Je renvoie à Votre Excellence le projet qu'elle a bien voulu
me communiquer, et je la remercie de la confiance qu'elle
m'a témoignée.
Je crains qu'en voulant exclure la population coloniale de
toute part dans le choix des membres du Grand Conseil, et
faire taxer les colonies par acte du Parlement, où elles ne
sont point représentées, on n'amène un grand mécontente-
ment. Il se peut que le gouvernement général soit aussi fidè-
lement et habilement conduit sans l'intervention du peuple
qu'avec son concours ; mais toutes les fois qu'on a eu à lui
imposer de lourds fardeaux, on a toujours trouvé utile de le
rendre lui-même responsable de ces actes. Il les supporte
mieux quand il a, ou croit avoir, quelque influence sur la
direction des affaires; et lorsque des mesures d'intérêt public
trouvent la masse de la population irritée ou seulement même
mécontente, les ressorts du gouvernement fonctionnent péni-
blement.
LETTRE II.
sUR L'ÉTABLissEMENT DES IMPôTs DIRECTs sANs LE CoNsENTEMENT
DES COLONIES.
- Mercredi matin (18 décembre 1754).
Monsieur,
J'ai dit hier à Votre Excellence comment je craignais que
la mesure qui exclut la population coloniale de toute part
dans le choix des membres du Grand Conseil ne causât un
extrême mécontentement : il en sera de même, disais-je, si
on se décide à taxer les colonies par acte du Parlement, où
elles ne sont point représentées. Dans des questions d'intérêt
général, et lorsqu'il s'agit d'imposer au peuple de lourds

400 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
fardeaux , il est utile de considérer, mon-seulement ce que
devrait en penser la masse des citoyens, mais aussi ce qu'elle
pourra en penser et en dire. Je profiterai donc de la permis-
sion que m'accorde Votre Excellence pour lui communiquer
mes réflexions à ce sujet.
On dira d'abord, et peut-être avec raison : La population
des colonies est aussi loyalement et aussi fermement attachée
à la constitution du pays et à la famille royale que peuvent
l'être les autres sujets de Sa Majesté.
Il n'y a nul motif de douter de la bonne volonté des repré-
sentants choisis par les colonies à accorder, en cas de néces-
sité, et dans la mesure de leurs ressources financières , des
subsides pour la défense du pays.
Le peuple des colonies, sans cesse appelé à ressentir les
dangers d'une invasion ennemie qui lui enlèverait la fortune,
la vie, la liberté, est plus en état d'apprécier le nombre de
soldats qu'il faut entretenir et de forts qu'il faut construire,
et de connaître ses propres ressources pour subvenir à ces
dépenses, que le Parlement d'Angleterre, qui siége à une si
grande distance du pays. - -
Les gouverneurs qu'on envoie dans les colonies y viennent
souvent pour faire fortune, dans l'intention de retourner
ensuite en Angleterre : souvent ils sont peu capables ou peu
intègres; la plupart ne possèdent point de terres en cette
contrée; aucun lien naturel ne les porte à s'intéresser vive-
ment au bien-être des colonies; il se pourrait que, dans le but
d'augmenter leur revenu ou celui de leurs amis et de leurs
proches, les gouverneurs ordonnassent des levées de troupes
inutiles.
Dans la plupart des colonies, les conseillers choisis par la
Couronne sur la recommandation des gouverneurs sont des
hommes de peu de fortune, qui attendent des gouverneurs
leur avancement, et qui, par conséquent, sont trop peu indé-
pendants. . - - -
On aurait donc le droit de voir de mauvais œil abandonner
aux gouverneurs et aux conseils le pouvoir de se procurer
tout l'argent qu'ils voudront par de simples traites sur les
lords de la Trésorerie, destinées à être remboursées par le
peuple de ce pays, au moyen d'impôts établis par acte du
Parlement. En effet, ils pourraient en abuser, projeter des
expéditions inutiles, tourmenter la population, et la forcer

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 401
à quitter ses travaux pour exécuter leurs projets, dans
l'unique but de créer des places et des emplois qui seraient
distribués à leurs amis, et dont les bénéfices seraient partagés
entrê eux.
Le Parlement d'Angleterre siége à une telle distance de ce
pays qu'il serait exposé à être trompé par les gouverneurs et
les conseils, qui pourraient facilement s'entendre pour empê-
cher toutes les plaintes et les réclamations des colonies de
parvenir jusqu'au Parlement.
On a toujours considéré comme un droit incontestable de
tout sujet anglais de ne point être taxé sans avoir préalable-
ment donné son consentement à la mesure, par l'entremise
de ses représentants.
Les colonies n'ont point de représentants dans le Parle-
ment. -
En proposant de les faire taxer par le Parlement, en leur
refusant le droit de choisir un conseil représentatif siégeant
dans les colonies et chargé de décider de la nécessité ou de la
quotité des impôts, on témoigne des soupçons injustes contre
le peuple des colonies, un manque complet de confiance
dans son attachement à la Couronne , son patriotisme , son
bon sens et ses lumières.
Forcer les colonies à payer des impôts sans avoir obtenu
leur consentement, ce serait plutôt exiger une contribution
d'un peuple ennemi que taxer des sujets anglais dans leur
propre intérêt. -
Ce serait les traiter en peuple conquis, non en fidèles
sujets de la Grande-Bretagne. - -
Une taxe décrétée par les représentants des colonies pour-
rait facilement être allégée , si les circonstances le permet-
taient; mais une fois établis par le Parlement, sur la demande
des gouverneurs, les impôts seraient probablement continués
dans l'intérêt de ces derniers, au grand détriment et mécon-
| tentement des colonies, qui ne pourraient se livrer à leur
développement naturel.
Donner aux gouverneurs le droit de faire parcourir aux
habitants de ce pays tout le territoire des colonies anglaises et
françaises, territoire qui a au moins quinze cents milles de
long, et cela sans le consentement préalable des représentants
des colonies, ce serait accabler cruellement ce peuple, ce
serait l'assimiler aux sujets français du Canada, qui gémis-
26
402 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
sent depuis deux ans sous l'oppression d'un gouverneur qui
leur fait exécuter les expéditions les plus pénibles sur l'Ohio.
Si les colonies dans leur ensemble peuvent être bien gou-
vernées par des conseils et des gouverneurs choisis par la
Couronne, sans le contrôle de représentants, les colonies
particulières peuvent supporter le même mode de gouverne-
ment : un acte du Parlement peut leur imposer des taxes
destinées à subvenir aux besoins du pouvoir, et leurs assem-
blées, désormais inutiles, peuvent être dissoutes. -
Le pouvoir que le plan d'union d'Albany voudrait con-
fier aux mains d'un Grand Conseil, représentant la masse
de la population, n'est pas aussi étendu, même en ce qui
concerne les questions militaires, que celui qui a été conféré
par des chartes aux colonies de Rhode-Island et de Connec-
ticut : ces colonies n'en ont jamais abusé ; et cependant le
peuple y a le droit de choisir son gouverneur et ne lui accorde
aucun veto, tandis que, d'après le plan d'Albany , le Prési-
dent général est choisi par la Couronne et a le pouvoir de
tout contrôler par son droit de veto.
Les colonies anglaises situées sur la limite du territoire
français sont, à proprement parler, des frontières du royaume
de la Grande-Bretagne. Or, les frontières d'un empire sont
défendues aux frais communs de tout le peuple de cet empire.
On trouverait dur d'obliger par acte du Parlement les Cinque
Ports ou les côtes d'Angleterre à subvenir aux dépenses
totales de la marine, parce qu'elles ont un besoin urgent de
la marine pour les protéger, et de leur refuser en même
temps le droit d'envoyer des députés au Parlement Les
frontières américaines sont défendues aux frais des colonies ;
il semble donc injuste qu'elles n'aient aucune part au vote
des fonds, ni aux discussions sur la nécessité et sur l'opportu-
nité des mesures et sur les dépenses qu'elles occasionnent.
Outre les taxes nécessaires à la défense des frontières, les
colonies payent chaque année , sans qu'on s'en doute, des .
sommes considérables à la mère patrie :
1° Les taxes payées en Angleterre par les propriétaires ou
les ouvriers augmentant nécessairement le prix des pro-
duits du sol ou des objets manufacturés, cette augmentation
retombe en grande partie sur les consommateurs des colonies,
qui payent ainsi une part considérable des impôts anglais.
2º Nous n'avons pas la liberté du commerce avec les


DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 403
nations étrangères, et quand il nous serait facile de trouver
sur leurs marchés des produits à meilleur compte, nous
sommes forcés de nous approvisionner en Angleterre à un prix
plus élevé : la différence de prix est évidemment un impôt
que nous payons à l'Angleterre.
3o Nous sommes obligés de porter en Angleterre une por-
tion considérable de nos produits; souvent les droits qu'on
nous impose diminuent le bénéfice du planteur ; souvent
aussi nos produits se vendent à plus bas prix que sur les mar-
chés étrangers : la différence de prix est un impôt que nous
payons à l'Angleterre.
4o Il nous est défendu de manufacturer certains objets
qu'on nous force à acheter des producteurs anglais : le prix
total est un impôt que nous payons à l'Angleterre.
5° Grâce à la grande consommation faite aux colonies de
produits anglais, le prix de ces produits a considérablement
augmenté depuis quelques années : cette hausse de prix
est un bénéfice évident pour la Grande-Bretagne ; ses habi-
tants en deviennent plus capables de supporter de lourdsim-
pôts; nous en payons la plus grande partie : c'est donc un
impôt que nous payons à l'Angleterre.
6o Enfin, puisqu'il ne nous est pas permis de régler notre
commerce, et de restreindre l'importation ou la consomma-
tion des objets de luxe anglais comme l'Angleterre restreint
la consommation des objets de luxe étrangers, toutes nos
richesses finissent par se concentrer entre les mains des habi-
tants et des négociants de la Grande-Bretagne : si nous les
enrichissons, si nous leur facilitons le payement des im-
pôts , c'est pour ainsi dire être nous-mêmes taxés, et la
Couronne en retire le même bénéfice. -
Néanmoins nous ne nous plaignons pas de ces impôts
secondaires, quoiqu'on ne nous accorde aucune part dans le
vote etl'emploi de ces sommes; mais nous imposer des taxes
directes et énormes, que nous pouvons parfois trouver inu-
tiles et accablantes, sans nous permettre de concourir à les
voter, à les distribuer ou à les employer, voilà ce qui paraîtra
nécessairement bien dur à des Anglais qui ne peuvent con-
cevoir comment, en hasardant leurs vies et leurs fortunes
pour conquérir et civiliser des contrées nouvelles, en étendant
le pouvoir et en augmentant le commerce de la mère patrie,
ils ont pu perdre les droits traditionnels des Bretons : droits

404 | DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
qu'ils auraient mérité d'obtenir, si jadis ils n'avaient été que
des esclaves.
Voilà , je le crains, ce que diront et ce que penseront les
citoyens de ce pays, si on fait au plan d'Albany les amende-
ments que l'on propose. Une administration composée de
gouverneurs et de conseils ainsi choisis, et qui n'aura pas
l'appui des représentants du peuple pour l'aider dans son
œuvre et lui concilier le bon vouloir des masses , deviendra
vraisemblablement suspecte et odieuse : des rivalités et des
luttes dangereuses surgiront entre les gouvernants et les gou-
vernés : tout tombera dans un déplorable état de confusion.
Peut-être mes alarmes à ce sujet sont-elles excessives : je
fais part librement à Votre Excellence de mon opinion et des
raisons à l'appui de cette opinion. Elle jugera mieux que
moi du prix qu'elles peuvent avoir, et Elle daignera, en lisant
cette imparfaite esquisse, se rappeler la rapidité avec laquelle
j'ai dû la tracer.
J'ai l'honneur d'être, avec un respect et une fidélité sans
bornes,
De Votre Excellence,
Le très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur,
B. FRANKLIN.
LETTRE III.
SUR LE MOYEN DE RENDRE PLUS INTIME L'UNIoN DEs coLoNIEs
AVEC LA GRANDE-BRETAGNE , EN DONNANT AUX COLONIES DEs
REPRÉSENTANTs DANs LE PARLEMENT.
- Boston (22 décembre l754.)
Monsieur, -
Depuis que j'ai eu l'honneur d'entretenir Votre Excellence
sur la possibilité de rendre plus intime l'union des colonies avec
la Grande-Bretagne, en leur donnant des représentants dans
le Parlement, j'ai poussé plus loin mes réflexions à ce sujet, et
je suis d'avis qu'une telle union serait bien accueillie par les
colonies, pourvu qu'on leur accordât un nombre suffisant de
représentants. Il faudrait aussi que le Parlementabrogeât tous
les actes qui restreignent et étouffent l'industrie coloniale, et

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 405
qu'il établît une entière égalité entre les habitants de la
Grande-Bretagne et les citoyens anglais de ce côté de l'eau, juz-
qu'à ce qu'un nouveau Parlement, représentant tout l'empire
britannique, fût amené à voter une seconde fois ces lois, en to-
talité ou en partie, dans l'intérêt de l'empire entier. Ce n'est
pas que je me figure qu'on accorde aux colonies un nombre
assez grand de représentants, pour qu'ils puissent, par leur
nombre, peser fortement dans la balance, mais ils pourraient
du moins parvenir à faire étudier avec plus d'impartialité les
lois qui concernent les colonies, peut-être même réussir à
anéantir l'influence d'un parti, ou d'une classe d'ouvriers et
de négociants anglais, qu'on a souvent, je le crains, ménagé
davantage que toutes les colonies ensemble, et bien plus,
certainement, que ne le comportaient les intérêts généraux et
le bien de la nation. Je crois aussi que le gouvernement des
colonies serait beaucoup plus agréable à la population, s'il
était confié à un Parlement où elles seraient équitablement
représentées, que si l'on adoptait les mesures que propose la
Couronne. Un tel gouvernement serait plus conforme à la
nature de la Constitution anglaise et aux libertés britanniques;
alors on accepterait plus facilement, et on exécuterait de
meilleure grâce des lois que , dans les colonies, on trouve
maintenant dures et pénibles, - -
Au moyen d'une semblable union, le peuple de la Grande-
Bretagne et le peuple des colonies en viendraient, je l'espère,
à se regarder comme une seule nation unie par de communs
intérêts, au lieu de se regarder comme deux peuples que
séparent des intérêts divers : l'empire britannique tout en-
tier en serait, je crois, fortifié, et on n'aurait plus autant à
redouter une séparation dans l'avenir.
· Il est, je crois, reconnu qu'il est de l'intérêt général d'un
État que les sujets soient nombreux et riches; qu'il y ait assez
d'hommes pour défendre le pays, et assez d'argent pour sub-
venir à toutes les dépenses; car cela contribue puissamment
à affermir un Etat et à le protéger contre les ennemis du
dehors. Mais qu'importe que ce soit Jean ou Thomas qui
combatte, ou que l'impôt soit payé par Guillaume ou par
Charles? Les manufactures de fer emploient et enrichissent
une foule de sujets anglais : mais qu'importe au pays que le
producteur vive à Birmingham ou à Sheffield ? ces deux villes
sont sur le territoire anglais : les habitants et les richesses de
406 DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES.
tQutes deux sont également à la disposition du gouvernement.
Si l'on pouvait dessécher les sables de Goodwin, si l'on parve-
nait à en faire un nouveau territoire anglais et qu'on le peu-
plât de citoyens anglais, serait-il juste de priver ces citoyens
des priviléges qu'on accorde à tous les autres Anglais ? Leur
interdiriez-vous de vendre leurs produits dans les mêmes
ports, ou de faire eux-mêmes leurs souliers, uniquement
parce qu'un négociant ou un cordonnier qui habiterait l'an-
cien sol trouverait plus avantageux de faire leur commerce
ou de leur vendre des souliers ? Serait-ce juste, lors même
que le desséchement de ces sables aurait été exécuté aux frais
de l'Etat ? Ne serait-ce pas plus injuste encore, si les colons
avaient ajouté ce territoire à l'empire britannique par leur
propre industrie, et au prix de grandes souffrances? Enfin,
ne serait-il pas de la dernière injustice de refuser aux habi-
tants de cette nouvelle contrée le droit d'envoyer des repré-
sentants au Parlement qui leur imposerait de telles charges?
Pour moi, je considère les colonies comme autant de con-
trées ajoutées au territoire britannique : eiles lui sont plus
profitables que si elles avaient été conquises sur la mer qui
baigne ses côtes; par la variété des climats, les colonies four-
nissent une plus grande variété de produits et de matériaux
pour les manufactures; l'Océan les sépare de la mère patrie,
et, par là, elles augmentent l'importance de sa marine et le
nombre de ses matelots; et puisqu'elles sont toutes réunies à
l'empire britannique, qui s'est étendu par leur moyen, puisque
la force et la richesse des parties sont la force et la richesse
du tout , qu'importe à l'État que les négociants, les chape-
liers ou les forgerons s'enrichissent dans la nouvelle ou dans
la vieille Angleterre ? Et s'il arrive que, par suite de l'accrois-
sement du peuple, on ait besoin de deux forgerons pour un
que l'on employait autrefois, pourquoi ne point laisser le
nouveau forgeron vivre et faire fortune dans le nouveau pays,
comme l'ancien forgeron l'a fait dans l'ancien pays ? Enfin,
pourquoi me donner droit de cité qu'à une partie du peuple,
à moins que ce ne soit pour favoriser ceux qui méritent le
plus un tel privilége? Et si l'on peut établir à ce sujet quelque
distinction, il me semble que ceux qui ont droit à la préfé-
rence, ce sont ceux qui ont le plus contribué à étendre le
territoire et le commerce de la Grande-Bretagne, ceux qui
ont exposé leur vie et leur fortune dans des régions nouvelles
( . | v t . | | | | | | | o |
|
| |
- • ·
- | |
V * A | | | | \ | -

DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES. 407
et inconnues pour augmenter la puissance et la richesse de la
mère patrie et pour lui acquérir de nouveaux sujets.
J'ai l'honnèur d'être, avec un respect et une estime sans
| bornes,
De Votre Excellence,
Le très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur,
B. FRANKLIN.
(The Works of Benjamin Franklin with Notes and a Life of the
Author, by Jared Sparks Boston, 1836, t. III, p. 22-68.)
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DOCUMENTS HISTORIQUES






ºlº ſº. Alsº
WILLIAM LCLEMENTS
LIBRARY OF
AMERICAN HISTORY
UNIVERSITY/MICHIGAN


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