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Conference between Governor Burnet and the Indians.
[New-York Papers, Cc., 97–101.]
Propositions made by His Excellency William Burnet Esq^r Captain General & Governor in Chief of the Provinces of New York, New Jerseys & Territories thereon depending in America & Vice Admiral of the same &c to the five Nations to wit the Mohogs, Oneydes Onondages, Cayauges & Sinnekees in Albany 27 day of August 1722

PRESENT— His Excellency William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ General & Gov^r in Cheif &c Of His Mat^ys Council of y^e Province of New York
Rip Van Dam
James Alexander
John Barbary
LewisMorris
Cadwallader Colden

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Col P^r Schuijler
John Collins
Johannes Cuyler
Ph: Livingstone
P^rV Brugh
Joh^s Wendel
Evert Banker
Joh^s Becker

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese being first translated into Dutch by Robert Livingstone

Brethren
Our last meeting ended with so happy an Agreement & such firmassurances and hearty resolutions on both sides, that if they arefaithfully observ^d we shall always meet with joyful countenances

You then promised me solemnly not to have any correspondence with theFrench, but to depend entirely on the English & cleave close tothem

That you would keep the Path open for the Farr Indians to come totrade with this Province

That you would never molest Virginia nor any other of the KingsProvinces for the future & that you allowed it was in vain topromise any thing unless you resolve to perform [it]

I begin therefore by demanding of you a solemn assurance that youwill continue firm to what you then engaged, that you will inform metruly of your principal late Transactions &

   
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designs & advice with me upon them so that I may be convincedthat you have an entire confidence in me & observe an exactSincerity in your whole Conduct towards me which will be thestrongest Tyes of a lasting Friendship between us — Give a Belt of Wampum

I must now particularly thank the Brethren, for their refusing to goout a fighting in Company with some French Indians, who invited themlately to it, this a very promising token of your good disposition,& makes me hope that you will satisfie me that the preparationsyou are making for going out to War are not contrary to your Promisemade last year, give a Belt of Wampum

Because the renewing the Covenant Chain with you in the name of mygreat & good Master y^e King of Great Britain & your loving Father in the behalf of all His Mat^ys Provinces in North America, is the most solemn Act which we have together, I think it proper that it may be firstdiligently searched that there may be no spots or stains left uponit

For that Purpose I have first desired the Brethren to let me know howclean it has been kept with regard to this Province, and to the sameend the Governors of Virginia & Pensilvania are come hither atthe desire of the Brethren and with the advice and consent of thisGovernment to treat of some matters on the behalf of their Provincesthat may remove all spotts that may remain on the Covenant Chain withRelation to them & as they are one nation and under the same Kingwith us I doubt not but the Brethren will hear them with greatattention and answer them with that regard which is their due &when these particular Points are firmly settled, the General CovenantChain will then be made so clean & bright that I shall then beable to renew it with the greatest Satisfaction & with a Strongconfidence that it will shine with new Lustre as long as the sun& moon shall endure

A True Copy, examined
P^r PH LIVINGSTON, Sec^y
for the Indian Affairs

Answer made by the five Nations of Indians viz. the Maquase, Oneydes,Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekees to His Excell^cy William Burnet Esq^re Capⁿ General & Governor in Cheif of theProvinces of New York, New Jerseys, and Territories thereon dependingin America & Viceadmiral of y^e same inAlbany y^e first day of Sept^r 1722

PRESENT — His Excell^cy William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ Gen^l & Gov^r in Cheif &c
Of His Majestys Council
Rip Van Dam
JamesAlexander
John Barbery
Coll Lewis Morris J^r
D^r Colden

Commissioners of Indian Affairs
Peter Van Brugh
PhilipLivingston
Johannes Cuyler
Joh^sWendel
Evert Banker.

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese into Dutch & rendred into Englishby Rob^t Livingston

Brother Corlaer
You made Propositions to us some days ago, which we are now some toanswer, but since divers of our Sachims are not yet arrived, we shallnot be able to answer so well as if those

   
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wise men were present with us and that we had consulted with them sothat we hope your Excell^cy will excuse us if weanswer not so fully & distinctly as otherwise we would if we hadtheir assistance

Brother Corlaer
You told us that we in our last conference about a year ago hadrenewed the Covenant Chain & was desirous to know how the samehas been kept by us in respect to this Province, it is so latelysince that was done that the Sun is scarcely gone down since so thatthe Renovation is fresh in our Memory & we can assure you that wehave kept the Covenant Chain inviolable on our Parts according to ourPromise & engage to continue to do the same faithfully

It is now a year ago since you forbid us to have any correspondencewith the French but to cleave to the English and we did then promiseto obey your commands in that matter as we have actually done &do further promise solemnly that [henceforth] we will not correspondwith the French of Canada but adhere & cleave strongly to theEnglish

You told us the same time that we should give a free Passage to theFar Indians to come to this Place to Trade which we have done &give them all the encouragement & assistance that lays in ourPower, & not only so but sent Agents to those Far Indians whotrade with the French to invite them to come here to Albany, but ourAgents are not yet returned & as soon as they come back shallgive your Excellency an account of their answer

Brother Corlaer
We have told you that we have not only permitted y^e Farr Indians to come through our Country to tradein this Town but sent our agents thither to invite them &required them to tell the Far Indians that they should have goodsvery cheap. We therefore desire that the Traders may be ordered tolet the Far Indians have good Penny worths, rather cheaper than we ofthe 5 Nations have it ourselves, which will be the only means to drawthem and to induce them to come hither

Brother Corlaer
You did last year likewise charge & command us not to go afighting towards Virginia, not to pass over the great River ofPatawmack, nor the Ridge of High Mountains that surround Virginia wehave observed your commands to the best of our knowledge in thatParticular Some of our People have been out a Warring against theFlatheads which of old have been our enemies, but they live to theWestward & Southward of Virginia & have not passed the Ridgeof the Mountains nor the said River, we remember you also told usthen, that it was in vain to make any promise, except we resolvedfirmly to keep it, which we have punctually done in this affairhitherto

Brother Corlaer
You likewise told us that if any matter of moment happened among us,that we should acquaint you therewith and take your advice whichwould be a sure token to show that we put our Trust & confidencein you which would be the strongest Tyes of a lasting Friendshipbetween us, which we will do sincerely & truly & repeat toyour Excell^cy again that we will communicate toyou all the Principal late Transactions & matters of consequencethat we are privy to both good & bad & thereupon gave a Beltof Wampum


   
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Brother Corlaer
We take notice that you thanked us for not suffering any of ourIndians to go a Warring with the French Indians of Canada, we resolveto do the same for the future & disuade any of our People to joinwith the French Indians to go to War, & if any of the FrenchIndians should happen to come through our Country to go a warring wewill endeavor to stop them, bnt if they cannot be persuadedthen we will warn them not to go over the Great Ridge of Mountainsthat surround Virginia, nor to pass over the Great River calledPotowmack

Brother Corlaer
You say that you are informed that there was a warlike Preparationmaking among the Five Nations which we acknowledge to be true but weknow not as yet ourselves where they intend to go. Two years ago TwoTuskarores brought a Belt of Wampum from the Governor of Virginia (asthey said) and thereby in the name of the Governor of Virginiadesired the five Nations to make War & destroy theTadirighrones,^[1] but being informed that theGovernor of Virginia was to be at Albany we deferred any resolutionabout that affair, till we had spoken with him ourselves

Here they stopped, being late and growing dark desired that they maymake their further answer on Munday which was agreed to but ithappened to rain all Munday so that they did not meet together tillTuesday the 4^th of September 1722, when theSachims of the Five Nations proceeded to make their answer &said

Brother Corlaer
You have told us since our last conference on Saturday that you wasinformed some of our Sachims had been at Canada & treated withthe Governor there, true it is that some of those Sachims y^t are now dayly expected with the Blawbek CheifSachim of y^e Sinnekees have been there & wewill discover to you the contents of their conference which they hadwith the Governor of Canada as soon as they arrive

We inform you also that 3 companies of our People are gone out tofight against the Flatheads that have been our enemies of a long timethere are also two French Indians that live at Cadarachqui that wentout a fighting 2 years ago towards Virginia by the way of Cayouge,& have their abode among the Tuskarores that live near Virginia& go backwards and Forwards

Brother Corlaer
We will now tell you the Resolution & Opinion of y^e 5 Nations that although diverse have endeavoredto raise jealousies & evil Reports among us, & so perswade usto have a bad opinion of our Brethren the English yet we never wouldgive ear nor hearken to them but have had from the first making ofthe Covenant Chain a firm Resolution to keep the same inviolable& we are resolved to persist in that Resolution always

Brother Corlaer
You have sent for us Sachims of the five nations to come here &told us that the Governors of Virginia & Pensilvania would be atAlbany for which Message we are thankful & in your Propositionsyou acquaint us that they are come to treat of matters of Publickconcern relating

   
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to Peace and Concord, we are come for the same purpose and have thesame Intentions and put away all evil things and embrace that whichis good & amicable did give Belt of Wampum

Brother Corlaer
We desire you not to be impatient because of the long stay of some ofthe Principal of the Sachims of the five Nations, which we hourlyexpect, but to be easy they are your bosom friend & we would fainhave them here present before we give our final answer because thematters are of importance & we would gladly have their advice andCouncil do give 3 Skins

As we have earnestly desired your Excell^cy tohave a little Patience so we beg the Honorable Coll: Alex.Spotswood, Governor of Virginia and the Hônble S^r William Keith Bart Governor of Pensilvania that they would be pleased to be easy & patient likewise, till these Cheif Sachims arrive being well assured that they will be extreamlyglad to see you & the said two Governors. Gave 3 Skins to each ofthe Governors of Virginia & Pensilvania

His Excellency told them he had staid a long time for them &desired to know if they had any advice whereabouts they were, whoanswered that they had certain advice that five days ago the Blawbeck& his Company arrived at Oneyde

His Excellency ordered them to send an express immediately for them,since his affairs required him to be at New York & could not stayabove 3 or 4 days more which the Sachims did accordingly

A True Copy, examined P^r
PH: LIVINGSTON Sec
for Indian Affairs

Propositions made to the River Indians as well the Skaghhook Indiansas those that live below Albany by His Excell^cyWilliam Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ Gen^l and commander in cheif&c in Albany the 30^th day of Aug^t 1722

PRESENT— His Excellency William BurnetEsq^r Capⁿ General &Gov^r in Cheif &c

Of His Majestys Council
Rip Van Dam
D^r Colden
John Barberie
JamesAlexander
Coll Morris Jun^r

Commissioners of Indian Affairs
Coll Schuyler
JohnCollins
Pet^r Van Brugh May^r
Phillip Livingston
Joh^s Cuyler
Joh^sBleecker
Evert Banker

Interpreted by Johannes Kickerbacker

Children
As often as we come to see y^eFrontiers, and to treat with the Indians, I send for my children theMahikanders to assure them of my fatherly care and affection & Iam glad to have this opportunity of renewing the ancient CovenantChain which I do in a solemn manner in the name of the Great King myMaster in the behalf of all His Subjects of North America, Which

   
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Chain of Friendship I am informed by the Inhabitants of this Placehas been kept inviolable by your Ancestors from the first time thatChristians settled here in this River & since you have alwaysbeen obedient children & observed the commands of my Predecessors& been protected by this Government, I do assure you of the sameProtection of the Great King, so long as you prove obedient children,which I do not in the least doubt, since you will always find it tobe your Interest & Advantage

I need not tell you how destructive your Intemperence has proved andhow much your people are diminish^d by yourexcessive drinking of Rum the Women as well as the men being guiltyof being often drunck, let me advise you to be more sober for thefuture, and not to spend what you get by Hunting on strong drink, butlay it out on clothing and other necessaries for your support &above all not squander your Indian Corn for Rum which you ought tokeep for your subsistence all the year

I shall conclude by telling you as long as you keep firm to your dutyat all times to come, as you have in times past, you may rest assurednot only of Protection but of all other good offices in the Power ofthose that are in Authority under the King our common Father &Protector, give a Belt

As soon as you have made your answer I will make you a Present ofsuch things as are of use to you

Answer of the Mahikanders or River Indians to His Excell^cy William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ Gen^l & Governorin Cheif of New York New Jersey &c in Albany y^e 31^st Aug 1722

PRESENT— His Excellency William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ Gen^l & Governor in Cheif &c

Of His Majestys Council
Rip Van Dam
D^r Colden
John Barberie
JamesAlexander
Coll Morris J^r

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Peter Van Brugh May^r
John Collins
John Cuyler
Phillip Livingston
Evert Banker
Joh^s Bleecker

Interpreted by Johannes Knickerbacker in Dutch & rendered intoEnglish by R^t Livingston

Father
We are glad to see our in Health and that he is come to see us. Weare come pursuant to your commands to hear what you are pleased torequire of us, we rejoice to hear that the Great King of GreatBritain both think of us & remember such a mean people as we areto renew the Covenant Chain with us

We are come now to renew the Covenant Chain that has been of oldbetween the Christians of this Government & us, At first it was aTye with our hands joined together, but afterwards we were joined bya Covenant Chain which we now brighten & make clear & clean,so y^t it can never be broken, Give a Belt ofWampum


   
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We now renewed & brighten^d the CovenantChain, but since a Chain is apt to rust, if it be not oiled orgreased we will grease it with Beavers grease or Fatt y^t the smell thereof will endure for a whole year dogive 2 Beaver Skins

Father
We look upon you as a great Tree under whose Branches we desire toshelter, and if there should happen any sudden Tempest or ThunderShower we hope we shall be admitted to take shelter under y^t great Tree & be shadowed by the leavesthereof, that no drops may fall on us but y^t wemay live in Peace and safety, Give a Belt of Wampum

We take you as a loving & tender Father & beg leave to informyou that some of our people that have been out a hunting to y^e Eastward have been taken Prisoners by y^e English of New England, but since his Excellencyour Fathers arrival here, we have rec^dintelligence that they are released. We know not whether that accountbe true but hope & wish it may be so, Gave 3 Beavers

Father
As you have been an affectionate & loving Father to us yourChildren, so we hope if any mischeif should befall us, you willresent it & protect your children, and not suffer them to beinjured we will not be rash to attempt any thing or too credulous tobeleive any stories but first acquaint your Excell^cy our father & follow your advice & obeyyour orders Give 3 Beavers

Father
We are sensible that you are much in the right, that Rum does a greatdeal of Harm, we approve of all that you said on that Point, but thematter is this, When our people come from Hunting to the Town orPlantations and acquaint the Traders & People that we want Powderand Shot & Clothing, they first give us a large cup of Rum, andafter we get the Taste of it crave for more so that in fine all theBeaver & Peltry we have hunted goes for drink, and we are leftdestitute either of Clothing or Ammunition, Therefore we desire ourfather to order the Tap or Crane to be shut & to prohibit y^e selling of Rum, for as long as the Christianswill sell Rum, our People will drink it, do give 3 Beavers

Father
We acknowledge that our Father is very much in the right to tell usthat we squander away our Indian Corn which should subsist our Wives& Children but one great cause of it is y^tmany of our People are obliged to hire Land of the Christians at avery dear Rate, to give half the Corn for Rent & the other halfthey are tempted by Rum to sell, & so the Corn goes, y^t y^e Poor women &children are left to shift as well as the can do give 3 Beavers

(Ampamit Speaker.)
Father
We have no more Land the Christians when they buy a small spot ofLand of us, ask us if we have no more Land & when we say yes theyenquire the name of the Land & take in a greater Bounds than wasintended to be sold them & the Indians not understanding what iswrit in the Deed or Bill of Sale sign it and are so deprived of Partof their Lands — Give 3 Beavers


   
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Father
In former days when the Christians came to settle this Country theycame with a ship & desired to fasten their Cable to the Hillsnear Hosak above Albany, which we readily granted & ever since wehave lived in Friendship & Amity together, which we hope willcontinue so long as Sun & Moon endure Gave 3 Beavers

His Excellency told the River Indians that he was well satisfied withtheir renewing the Covenant Chain & charged them to keep itinviolable to all the Subjects in North America & assured them ifthey behaved themselves well & did no injuries to the Christians,they needed not fear any harm done to them & if they suffered anyDamage by any private Person they should complain & justiceshould be done to them as well as to the Christians

The Governor sees that they look better & are better cloathedthan the other Indians that do not live among the Christians &therefore that they do well to stay among them He beleives they livebetter since the Christians bought & improved their Lands thanthey did before for then the Land lay waste & unimproved. HisExcellency order^d them to divide the Presentsthat shall now be given them One half for the Indians that live aboveAlbany & the other half for those that live below Albany

A true Copy, examin^d P^r
PHILIP LIVINGSTON, Sec^y
forthe Indian Affairs

Further Propositions of His Excell^cy WilliamBurnet Esq^re Captⁿ Gen^ll & Governor in Cheif of the Province of NewYork &c to the 5 Nations of Indians, viz The Mohogs, Oneydes,Onnondages Cayouges & Sinnekees in Albany the 13 day of September1722

PRESENT— HisExcellency William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ General & Gov^r in Cheif&c
The Honble Coll Alexander Spotswood Governor ofVirginia
The Honble Sir William Keith Governor ofPensylvania

Of His Majestys Council
Rip Van Dam
John Barberie
Cadwallader Colden

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Pet^rSchuyler
Evert Bancker
Hend^rHanse
Ph: Livingston
Joh^sCuyler
John Collins
P^r Van Brugh
Joh^s Blecker

Brethren
The hearty concurrance with which you have received what I latelyproposed to you in the behalf of this Province as well as thePropositions made to you by the Governors of Virginia &Pensilvania has given us all so entire satisfaction, that we nowappear together in the name of all the British Colonies, to shew youthat as we are all subjects of the Great & Good King George, sowe have all one heart & one mind, & that we are all jointlyconcerned in every thing that relates to one anothers security &happiness


   
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This brotherly love it is that is the peculiar distinguishing mark bywhich Men may know us to be Christians & by many expressions fromyou of the same strain I am inclined to hope you will deserve thathonorable name, if you act up to your Promises, but since you haveacknowledged that there is a God who will judge us accord^g to our Actions remember that he will punish usseverely if we say one thing & do the contrary, & that notonly in another life but in this we may expect that they who breaktheir Faith will have the Frowns of Heaven upon them & they whokeep it shall prosper and flourish & now since all Stains areentirely wiped off from the Covenant Chain and that you have resolvedto be sincere for the time to come which is the only way to keep itbright & clean in conjunction with these Governors I do nowsolemnly renew it with you in the name of all his Mat^ys Provinces in North America, Give a Belt

Brethren
Since you tell me that you are determined to cleave close to all theEnglish I doubt not of your being thoroughly incensed against theEastern Indians who have lately attacked your Brethren under theGovernment of Boston and contrary to all their repeated [and] solemnTreaties and Engagements & their frequent submission to thatGovernment have lately destroyed several of their EasternSettlements, by taking their vessels, burning their Houses Killingtheir Cattle & cruelly murdering several of y^e Inhabitants which Insults were grown sointolerable, that that Government has at last been obliged to declareWarr against them as Traitors & Rebells

The Governor of Boston did some time ago acquaint me with theInjuries they had received from those Indians & then sentCommissioners with a noble Present which is still in this Town toinform you of it & desire you to interpose your good advice withthose Indians in order to prevent a War. But as there was then no Waractually declared, it was hoped that it would not come to that heightas to require your interposing, and it was thought necessary that Ishould meet you first myself & know your intentions before anyproposalls of that kind should be made to you & now that I findby conferences with some of you that you have no Engagements withthose Indians & that you resent the outrage done to your Brethrenthe Christians as you ought to do, and since a War is now actuallydeclar^d I think it necessary that withoutwaiting for Commissioners from Boston, or any other delay you send afew Deputys from the 5 Nations to the Eastern Nations to let themknow that you have heard with indignation how perfidiously they havetreated your Brethren y^e English & that yourequire them forthwith to beg a cessation of arms of the Governmentof Boston in order to treat of a Peace which will be the only way forthem to avoid the Anger and resentment of y^efive Nations who cannot look on unconcerned when their Brethren theEnglish receive such barbarous Treatment, & because there is nowwar between them I have thought it the securest way for you to go bythe way of Boston with a Christian to accompany you who shall carry aletter from me to the Governor of Boston & have a Passport toshew upon the road thither The Governor of Boston will then send aparty to conduct you safely to the Eastern Indians by which means youwill be secure from any ill accident either through Malice or Mistakethroughout your whole journey, And I do engage for that Governmentthat they will give a handsome reward to the Messengers besides anoble Present to the 5 Nations when the Service is effected gave aBelt


   
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Brethren
We have made a new Law severer than that which was made last year toput an effectual Stop to the Trade from Canada for Indian Goods Ifany Indian can discover such Goods carrying to Canada he may seizeand bring them to the Commissioners & if he can inform who is theowner of them, that Owner may by this last Law be obliged to discoverthe truth himself, and then the Indian will be entituled to receiveone Hundred Pounds besides the goods — so that there issufficient encouragement to you to stop that Path yourselves as faras relates to Indian Goods which is all that is prejudicial to you inthe Canada Trade

I have for your further Encouragement and to carry on the Trade withthe Farr Indians through your Country despatched Major AbrahamSchuyler^[1] your old Friend to reside in theSinnekees Country whom I dont doubt you will embrace as a brother andreceive him in all your counsels especially when any French comeamong you that he may be ready to detect any false reports which theywould endeavor to infuse into your people

I do not insist on your telling me particularly who have been inCanada contrary to your promises last year, but I am willing to drawa cover over your Past faults of every sort But if for the future anyof your people go to Canada I will not look on those offenders anymore as Brethren and I forbid them possitively to come hither for Ihate to see any such double hearted Persons, & I expect that theynever have any share of my presents but if the will be Frenchmen, letthem go & be French men entirely, for they will but deceive andcorrupt the good Brethren of the 5 Nations, by living with them &now before I part with you I must observe the ill consequence ofbringing such a number of your young people hither whom youacknowledge that you cannot govern & who do great injuries to theInhabitants, which has occasioned quarrels & mischeif, andobliges me to order some soldiers to walk round the Town, to hinderany injury to be committed by the Indians on the Inhabitants or bythe Inhabitants on the Indians and that nothing like these desordersmay happen for the future I do positively command you not to bringabove 60 or 70 persons in all including Sachims Warriors young men& women when I send for you to meet at this Place I shall then beable to provide you plentifully with Provisions and such young peoplemay be found to come along with you for whose good behaviour you mayanswer & upon this I give a Belt

This has been is great & solemn meeting and I hope it will neverbe forgott & that the Covenant Chain will now endure as long asthe Rocks & mountains to which it is fastened

I now lay down my present that you may have no further occasion tokeep your young men whom I will not permitt to stay longer here sincethey were guilty of such insolent Practises last night and herewithcommand them to begin their march directly out of Town that nofurther disorder may happen & I expect you will send some of yourwise men with them, leaving a sufficient number to answer me

A true Copy Exam^d
P^r PHILIP LIVINGSTON
Sec^y forthe Indian Affairs




   
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The Second Answer of the five Nations of Indians viz the Maquase,Oneydes, Onnondagues Cayouges and Sinnekees, to His ExcellencyWilliam Burnet Esq^r Capⁿ General & Governor in Cheif of the Provinces of New York NewJerseys & Territories thereon depending in America & ViceAdmiral of the same in Albany the 14^th Sept^r 1722

PRESENT— His Excell^cy William Burnet Esq^re Captⁿ General & Governor in Cheif &c
The Hônble Coll Alexander Spotswood Governor of Virginia
TheHônble S^r William Keith Bart Governor ofPensilvania

Of His Majesty's Council
Rip Van Dam
John Barbery
D^r Colden

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Coll Peter Schuyler
Evert Banker
Peter Van Brugh
John Collins
Joh^s Cuyler
Joh^sBleeker
Hend Hanse
Ph Livingston

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese into Dutch and rendered into Englishby Rob^t Livingston

Brother Corlaer
You have made Proposals to us yesterday which we will now answer aswell as we are able you told us that this has been a great &solemn meeting, which we own having been made with Your Exell^cy the Governors of Virginia & Pensilvania& we acknowledge that if these Treaties now concluded, be wellobserved by both parties it will be a great Happiness to our children& Childrens Children as for our parts we are resolved to keep& maintain whatever has been concluded now, & stipulatedbetween us all & shall imprint it on our Posterity to be by themkept inviolable for ever

Brother Corlaer
We will answer the Principal Heads of your Propositions made to usyesterday you renewed the Covenant Chain in Conjunction with the twoother Governors of Virginia & Pensilvania, in y^e behalf of all the English Colonies of NorthAmerica all which we do in like manner in the behalf of the fiveNations & do resolve to keep and maintain the same for ever andif there be any spots or Stains thereon or any Rust come upon it [wedo now wipe off the same and brighten it that] it may be clear andlasting to all future ages

Brother Corlaer
When the Christians first came to this Country our Ancestors fastenedthe ship that brought them behind a Great Mountain with a Chain inorder to secure the same which mountain lyes behind the SinnekeesCountry, so that the one end of the Chain, being fastened there andthe other end at y^e Ship, if any body wouldsteal away & molest this ship the chain will jingle & make anoise & so alarm all the 5 Nations who are bound to defendthis ship & this is the foundation & original of the CovenantChain among the 5 Nations, which our ancestors made, which was topreserve this ship from any harm gave a Belt of Wampum

   
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Brother Corlaer
You acquainted us yesterday how villanously & barbarously theEastern Indians had fallen upon our Brethren the English of NewEngland & murdered y^e people for which weare much concerned and sorrowfull and according as you require inyour Proposition we have pitch^d upon an Indianof each nation to go to Boston & so to be conducted to theEastward & acquaint those Indians with what indignation we heardof their base Treatment of our Brethren & command them to begpeace of the English of New England and since we have not a Belt togive in return for that Belt you gave us upon this Proposition, weintend to make use of that Belt you gave us yesterday to the EasternIndians when we communicate to them our Intentions that we can notlook unconcerned when our Brethren of New England receive suchbarbarous Treatment

Brother Corlaer
You told us yesterday that we were not to go to Canada or have anycorrespondence with them, but those that would go thither, they mightstay there for altogether, and not return to deceive and corrupt the5 Nations, but we remember it has been recommended to us formerly tohave Peace & amity with all People, even the farr Indians thatare in Friendship with the French & to draw them to come &Trade in this Government and accordingly we have followed that advice& the French being in Alliance with the English & in Peace wehope it may not be of any ill consequence if at any time some of ourPeople went thither to retain that good understanding y^t is among us. As long as none goes thither tobetray their country nor their Allies, since it is Common & thePractice every where when Nations are in Peace & Amity with oneanother to go & visit each other for if we should wholly refrainfrom going thither, would it not be of bad consequence to us sometime or other therefore we hope it will not be ill taken if sometimessome of our People should go thither

Brother Corlaer
As to your Excellency's Proposals yesterday relating to the severeLaw made prohibiting the sending Indian goods to Canada, & whatencouragement is given to any person whatever who should discover thesame, in answer to which we say, that we will not concern ourselvesany ways in y^t affair. We are peaceable People& inclined to Peace & if we should intermeddle in any suchmatter, we should but create ourselves a great many enemies &therefore desire to be excused

As to the Proposition relating to our People coming in such greatnumbers here, when any publick affairs are to be transacted, we ownit is of bad consequence, as we find by experience, by mischeif doneby our ungovernable young men, both in Town & Country &therefore we accept very kindly & approve of what you propose ofsending no more in the whole but 60 or 70 Persons or such a number asthe Messenger shall acquaint us withall, when he comes to call downthe 5 Nations to treat here at Albany & thereupon gave a Belt ofWampum

Lastly say Brother Corlaer
We have told you at large the first settlement of the Christians here& how at first we traded together & afterwards made theCovenant Chain & how cheap we had goods at first & how muchdearer we pay for the same sort of Goods now & moreover that thePowder is not only dear but bad y^t we cannotkill the Peltry with [it] which is the Christians Dammage as well asours — We have heard that our Great King George is a very goodMan & our friend and sends

   
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that which is good but we are afraid that our Brethren the Christiansthat live here do abuse us when they Trade with us, hope there may besome method found out to prevent it

His Excellency the Governor made them a short Answer viz

Brethren
There is occasion to answer some things that you have said to me tho'the most Part is what I like very well

The reason why I have advised you against trading with the French isbecause they cheat you always & take advantages in time of Peacein order to weaken you by advising you to warr against the EnglishIndians, that when a war breaks out you may be an easy prey tothem

It is the Handlers or Traders that furnish you with Goods, and ifthey give you too little the Government can't help it, but you knowthat the French are still harder upon you, and sell goods much dearer& if you don't stop the Path to Canada as I advised you it isyour own faults that Goods are not cheaper for if that Trade bestopped there will be more goods to be sold to you and at morereasonable Rates

I insist upon it that those who go to Canada do not come hither orreceive any part of my Presents to you for y^efuture

NOTE The words in the preceding Conferencewithin [ ] are added fromNew-York CouncilMinutes, XIII. — ED.


Conference between GovernorSpotswood and the Five Nations.
[New-York Papers., Cc., 102–104.]
Propositions made to the Five Nations of Indians to wit the Maquase,Oneydes, Onnondages Cayouges & Sinnekees, by His Excell^cy Alex: Spotswood Esq^reGovernor of His Maty^s Dominion of Virginia inAlbany y^e 29 Aug 1722

PRESENT— His Excell^cy Alex: Spotswood Esq^re Governor of Virginia
Coll Nathaniel Harrison Esq^re of His Majestys Council of Virginia
CollWilliam Robinson Esq^re a Member of the House ofBurgesses of Virginia

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese after it was translated into Dutch byRob^t Livingston

Sachims & Warriors of y^e 5 Nations

You often say that your Covenant Chain with Virginia is grown rusty,& have urged of late years, that some Commissioners from thatColony should be sent to this Place to brighten the same

This is an old Story which the People of Virginia remember to havebeen continually rung in their ears & are sensible that none ofthe many Treaties which they have made for near fifty years past haveever been long observed on the Part of the 5 Nations Wherefore I amnow come hither as Governor of Virginia accompanied by some membersof that Government in order to try if our Covenant Chain cannot be sopolished as never more to grow rusty & to endeavor atestablishing an everlasting Peace between your People and ourscomprehending not only the Christian Inhabitants of Virginia but alsothe several Nations of Indians belonging to and

   
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subject to that Government & according to the custom of thisPlace, I signify to you this Proposition by giving 2 Belts of Wampum,y^e one for the Government of Virginia & theother for all its tributary Indians

Nothing but your assuredly promising (as you did here last year toyour Governor) that you would agree to the Preliminary Articlesoffered by Virginia could have perswaded that Government to sendhither to treat with you and therefore before I enter upon any othermatter, I expect you to ratify & confirm that principle articlewhich you have declared that you will faithfully observe If I takecare that our Indians perform the same on their Part Viz "That thegreat River of Potowmak & the High Ridge of Mountains whichextend all along the Frontiers of Virginia to the Westward of thepresent Settlements of that Colony shall be for ever the establishedBoundaries between the Indians subject to the Dominion of Virginia& the Indians belonging to and depending on the 5 Nations: Sothat neither our Indians shall on any pretence whatsoever pass to theNorthward or Westward of the said Boundaries without having toproduce a Passport, under the Hand and Seal of the Governor orCommand^r in Cheif of Virginia nor your Indianspass to the Southward or Eastward of the said Boundaries without aPassport in like Manner from the Governor or Commander in Cheif ofNew York"

Now not only our Indians have given us solemn assurances of theirkeeping within the prescribed Limits but we have also by this act ofAssembly taken such measures for their due performance of the samethat the Government of Virginia undertakes and engages for theirnations in this Particular, so that nothing remains but that the 5Nations ratifie & confirm the said Article, which I expect shouldbe done in a Solemn manner not only by their Sachims but also by alltheir Warriors here present & for that purposeI offer you this fine Coronet as a singular Tokento be held up in the Presence of all who are upon this occasionassembled, by that Person whom you shall appoint to declare theGeneral Assent of the 5 Nations to this Proposition and let all yourPeople Present at the same time give a shout to be taken as a SignalTestimony of their Concurrence besides I will have it signed by yourSachims & myself before I will either propose or present you withany thing further on the part of Virginia

A True Copy examined
P^r P: LIVINGSTON
Secretary for the
Indianaffairs

Answer of the five Nations of Indians viz the Maquase Oneydes,Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes to His Excell^cy Alex^r Spotswood Governorof His Mat^ys Dominion of Virginia, in Albanyy^e 6^th day of Sept^r 1722

PRESENT— His Excellency AlexanderSpotswood Esq^r Governor of Virginia
Coll: Nathaniel Harrison a Member of His Maty'^sCouncil of Virginia
Coll William Robinson a Member of the Houseof Burgesses of Virginia

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese into y^e Dutchlanguage & rendered into English by Robert Livingston

BROTHER ASSARIGOEthe name of the Governors of Virginia, which signifys a Simeter orCutlas which was given to the Lord Howard, anno 1684. from the dutchword Hower, a Cutlas


   
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We the Sachims of the five Nations, The Mohogs, Oneydes, OnnondagesCayouges & Sinnekees, together with the Tuscarores are come hereupon His Excell^cy the Governor of New Yorksmessage

We have heard the Proposition of the Governor of Virginia with greatattention & considered it very maturely, but before we answer wemust impart what our ancestors have done with respect to thisGovernment

When the Christians first came here, they came in a great ship, &we were glad of their coming & fastened the Ship behind a greatTree & our business then was trading and Merchandize

And considering the benefit thereof & that the Tree to which theShip was fastn^d might rot, & so let theShip go we carried the Anchor behind a great Mountain, that so wemight keep it forever, and it was we that desired the Christians tocome to settle among us & not they

The third thing that was done by the Christians & our Ancestors,after they understood one an other was to enter into a Covenant ofFriendship which they called the Covenant Chain & to the best ofour Knowledge that Covenant has been kept by both parties from thattime to this, And both our Ancestors were so prudent that theystipulated and agreed that if any bad accidents or mischeif shouldhappen on either side it should be forgot & forgiven and not makea Breach in y^e Covenant Chain

Brother Assarigoe
When the neighbouring Governments of Virginia& Pensilvania and New England found how well we agreed they wereglad to link their Hands in the same Covenant Chain & there weretwo Places Viz Albany & Onnoudague appointed to meet at & tosettle a right understanding in case any mischief should happen ofeither side

Brother Assarigoe
We will not make any further mention of these old Stories of what OurAncestors did but will now come to the Point & answer yourPropositions & the hope if our answer should not be given withthat respect & regard which is your due you will excuse us

Brother Assarigoe
You told us some days ago that the five Nations say that y^e Covenant Chain which was made betwixt us, &Virginia fifty years ago is grown rusty & that we did not longkeep or observe the Condition of it & you have forbid us to passthe Southside of the Great River Kahongoronton which you callPotowmack or to the East side of the great Ridge of Mountains whichextend all along the Frontiers of Virginia

In the first place we agree to this Article & faithfully promisenot to pass over the great River Kahongoronton which the Englishcall Potowmack nor the great Rid[g]e of Mountains which extend alongyour Frontiers we are glad to find you are come here to renew thePeace as well in the behalf of the Christians as y^e Indians of Virginia We wish you had brought someof y^e Sachims of your Indians that they mighthave spoke to us face to face & have put their hands into theCovenant Chain, but since you are come here we agree to accept whatyou offer in their behalf in the same manner as if they were present,and tho' there is a Nation amongst you, the Toderechrones (ChristianIndians^[1]) against whom we have had soinveterate an enmity, that we thought it impossible it could beextinguished, but by a total


   
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Extirpation of them, yet since you desire it we are willing toreceive them into this Peace & to forgive all that is past

It has pleased God to make you Christians & us Heathens but wehope we shall both act according to our capacities & be faithfulto our respîve Promises & engagements, Some are placed in HighStations & some in low, but there is one above who rules andGoverns all & will judge us according to our Actions

We hope you will observe that your Indians which you have engagedfor, perform what you have promised for them That they shall not passto the Norward of the River Kahongaronton, nor to the Westward of theGreat Ridge of Mountains & as you gave us two Belts one from theChristians & the other from the Indians of Virginia so we giveyou two Belts one for your Christians & the other for yourIndians

It is some time agoe since you made this Proposition to us & youmust not take it amiss that we have not answered you before, It was athing of great importance & fit to be well considered, and it isnow agreed not only by all our Sachims, but also by all our Warriorsas well those which are absent as those which are present

You have told us that we may pass the great River Kahongoronton &the Great Ridge of Mountains provided we have a Passport from theGovernor of New York and we promise you again, not to pass to theSouthward or Eastward of the said Boundaries without such aPassport

You told us after this you had something further to propose, relatingto the General Peace which we hope you will now speak sincerelywithout Dissimulation

You told us you had a Coronet, which you would have held up by ourspeaker & that at the same time we should make a shout as a tokenof our consent to this Article which we are now ready to do

And we are now ready since you told us you were not satisfied withour words in this matter of consequence to sign your Propositions inthe most publick manner

All which was performed accordingly & the Speaker of the FiveNations holding up the Coronet they gave six Shouts five for the fiveNations & one for a castle of Tuscarores lately seated betweenOneyde & Onnondage

And a Memorandum was made under the Propositions of the Governor ofVirginia importing that one the sixth day of September 1722 theSachims & Warriors of the five Nations together with diverscheifs of the Tuscarores made their answer by Ondaghsighte a Sachimof Oneyde their Speaker Chosen for that purpose & did solemnlydeclare the assent of the whole 5 Nations including the Tuscarores& fully agreed to the said Propositions relating to the Peace& Boundaries & that in Testimony thereof they held up theCoronet & signed these Propositions

A True Copy Examined
P^r PH: LIVINGSTON Sec^y for
the Indian Affairs


   
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The Further Propositions of the Governor of Virginia made to the fiveNations on the 10^th Sept^r1723 immediately after the Indians had ended their answer to SirWilliam Keith Bart Governor of Pensylvania

PRESENT— His Excell^cy Alexander Spotswood Esq^reGovernor of Virginia
Coll Nathaniel Harrison one of His Maty'sCouncil of Virginia
Coll William Robinson a member of the Houseof Burgesses of Virginia

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Coll Peter Schuyler
Hend^r Hansen
Peter Van Brugh
JohnCollins
Ph: Livingston

Sachims & Warriors
Since the Bounds between your Indians & ours are firmly agreedupon tis necessary now to declare the names of the several Nations ofIndians which the Government of Virginia engages for, & those arethe Nottoways, Meherins, Nanemonds,^[1]Pamunkeys, Chichominys, & the Christanna Indians whom you call Todirichroones that wecomprehend under the name,^[2] the Saponies, Ochineeches, Stenkenocks,Meipontskys & Toteroes, all the forenamed Indians having theirpresent Settlements on the East Side of the high Ridge of Mountains& between the two Great Rivers of Potomack & Roanoke, whichyou call Kahongaronton & Konentcheneke & on the other hand itis fit at this time that you declare y^e namesof all those Indians whom you comprehend in the present Treaty &for whose Performance the five Nations will answer

And to mind you of this Proposition I lay down for our ten Nations ofIndians ten Guns

I have already told you y^t we have made a Lawin Virginia to oblige a due performance of y^tArticle of the Boundaries which you have ratified & it is highlyexpedient that I now particularly inform you thereof

If any Indians of the aforenamed Nations belonging to Virginia orthose whom you declare to be dependent on your five Nations shallhereafter transgress the said Boundaries without having the properPasseports already mentioned every such Indian is by that Law liableto be put to death or transported & sold for a slave & as theGovernment of Virginia will not demand satisfaction for whatever youshall do to any of their Indians whom you shall take on the NorthSide of Potowmack River & on the West Side of the high Ridge ofMountains so your people must not look upon it as any Breach of thePeace & Friendship which Virginia desires to preserve with thefive Nations, if that Government shall hang or transport any of yourIndians who shall hereafter be taken without a proper Passport on theSouth Side of the said River & on the east Side of the saidRidge, And I cannot but think that the wiser sort of your Peoplemust approve of a Law that will oblige your foolish &ungovernable young men to hearken (better than they always have done)to the sage Council of the Elders & to observe more punctually aTreaty which their Sachims have thought fit to make for them and inToken of your five Nations as well as our Ten Nations of Indiansbeing bound by this LawI give fifteen Guns& that you & your children May at all times to come trulyunderstand what is contained in it, I have brought it hither, underthe Seal of the Colony of Virginia & now lodge it in the hands ofthis Government


   
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Further Propositions of the Gov^r of Virginia made to the five Nations of Indians, Sept^r 11. 1722

Sachims & Warriors
It appears to be a method agreed upon by your five Nations to receiveno proposalls, nor have any manner of Treaty with any of the EnglishProvinces, than through the Government of New York to which youbelong, wherefore Virginia expects you should observe the same Rulewith Respect to that Government & that you should not at any timeoffer to treat with the Indians belonging to that Colony but throughthe Government there & if you should come to Virginia with anintent to treat with our Indians in any other manner, though youshould have Passport from the Government of New York, you must expectit will be held void, & you will be treated as if you camewithout it & with this Proposition I give you a Belt

You sent me last year a Belt of Wampum as a Testimony of yourPromise, that you would seize and carry to Virginia some RunawayNegroes, belonging to that Colony, whenever you did discover and meetwith them in the woods, Now I make a general Proposition to you onaccount of Runnaways & Slaves belonging to Virginia viz that ifany such Negroe or Slave shall hereafter fall into your hands youshall straigtway conduct them to Coll: George Masons House onPotowmack River & I do in behalf of that Colony engage that youshall there receive immediately upon the delivery of every suchRunaway one good Gun & two Blankets, or the value thereof, &in Token of this Proposition and EngagementI laydown 5 Guns & 500 flints

You sent this year to demand of Virginia four Indian boys to bedelivered up to you for four of your Messengers which you alledgedour Indians had poisoned Whereupon I must tell you that theGovernment has absolutely rejected your demands & is too strong& powerful to be scared by y^e threats ofthe five Nations into any unjust compliance & I am here ready tojustify not only our Indians against this charge, but also to answerfor the Colony of Virginia & give all due satisfaction if you canmake it appear that the^[1] people have ever broke the Covenant Chain with any of the 5 Nations

And to put you in mind of what I say on this Head I lay down fivebundles of Beds^[2]

On the other hand I came here to accuse the People of the fiveNations of divers hostilities, Robberies & Repeated Breeches oftheir Treaties but since you have declared your desire that all pastoffences should be forgiven & forgott & have now on your partreadily passed over an injury received from a Christian inPensylvania & more especially seeing you have so fully concurredin my Propositions of the Boundaries, which if duly observed musteffectually prevent all future disorders & Injuries to Virginia Ishall at this Juncture forbear all particular Charges against you,except only that I must say you have so greatly wronged the person( Captⁿ Robert Hicks) when you killed his Negrowith about seventy of his horses & plundered him of aconsiderable cargoe of Goods, that to shew the five nations have anysense of Justice they cannot but make him some amends &Reparation for his losses

And in Token of Virginia now burying all revenge & enmity foryour past misdeeds,I lay down a Belt

Above Six hundred miles have we from Virginia come hither to treatwith you nine days after the appointed time of our meeting did wewait before I could have an opportunity of speaking with you &nine days longer before you answered my first Proposition so thatseeing a Treaty at Albany occasions so much trouble & expense,you must not expect that the



   
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Government of Virginia will again agree to the renewing it after thismanner, in this place wherefore let not your young Warriors bepossessed with the foolish expectation of provoking (by theirIncursions) a Governor of Virginia to come hither again to persuadeyou to observe this Treaty, for be assured the people there areresolved henceforth to compell an observance thereof. And I hope yourfirm Intentions are to behave themselves so towards Virginia, as thatwe may for ever acknowledge the five Nations to be our friends &allies

And in Testimony of our Understanding this present Treaty to be madeupon the footing of what I have already declared in my foregoingPropositions I shall so soon as I have rec^d your Answer,lay down such a considerable Token as that not only y^r Sachims & Warriours but also your Women & Children bear some Remembrance of this Treaty

A true Copy Exam^d P. PH: LIVINGSTON
Sec^y for y^e Indianaffairs

Further Answer of y^e five Nations to HisExcellency Alex: Spotswood Esq^re Governor of Virginia. in Albany 12 Sept^r 1722

PRESENT— His Excellency Alex: Spotswood Esq^re Governor of Virginia
CollNathaniel Harrison one of His Matys Council of Virginia
CollWilliam Robinson a Member of the assembly of Burgesses of Virginia

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Coll Peter Schuyler
Peter V Brugh
Hend^r Hanse
Ph: Livingston
Joh^s Cuyler
JohnCollins
Joh^s Bleeker

Brother Assarigoe
You are come six hundred miles to treat with us & we are glad tosee you You have made your Propositions to us wherein you call usSachims & Warriors of the five Nations, & acquainted us sincewe had agreed not to pass the River Kahongoronton, nor the greatRidge of Mountains, that there is a Law in Virginia prohibiting us topass that River or those Mountains under the Penalty of beingtransported or sold for Slaves, or put to death We do assure you weare very well satisfied with that Law & desire that thoseBoundaries may be for ever observed, You have also told us that youwill engage for ten Nations of Indians in Virginia, that they shallnot Pass to the North side of the River Kahongoronton nor to theWestward of the Great Ridge of Mountains & that if we should meetwith any of them without those Boundaries, we might use them as wethought fit, without Breaking this Peace notwithstanding which weassure you if any of your Indians shall happen in our way we will nothurt them, but treat them as friends & give them victuals, sodesirous we are of being at Peace with them

Brother Assarigoe
As you engaged for Ten nations so do we viz for the five Nations[and] for the Tuskarores, Conestogoes,^[1]Chuanoes,^[2]Ochtaghquanawicroones,^[3]& Ostanghaes,^[4]which live upon Susquehana



   
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River you likewise told us, that we had made it a Rule not to treatwith any of the Neighbouring Governments but at Albany, so youexpected we should not treat with your Indians but through y^e Goverm^t of Virginia &that tho' we should come with a Pass we must not treat separatelywith those Indians for y^e Pass would be lookedupon as void if we should We agree to this Proposition & promise that we will not at any time make any Treaty with the Virginia Indians without first acquainting the Governor therewith & hereupon we give a Belt

Brother Assarigoe
You told us yesterday that you would not sum up any of our formerMisdeeds but would forgive all that is passed We acknowledge ourPeople have been guilty of a great many bad actions & heartilythank you that you are so good as to forgive them & as to thathonest man Captⁿ Hicks we own our people didrob him of a very considerable booty & did him a great deal ofMischeif, but by an accident that befel us afterwards it happened wegot very little by it for the woods being very dry by the negligenceof some of our own people took fire & thereby we lost the mostpart of what we had taken: Nevertheless when we are able we dopromise to make that poor man some reparation for his loss, but atthis juncture we are not in a capacity of doing it We have now made aPeace with you & we hope it will be kept by us & ourChildren's Children for ever & thereupon we give a Belt

Brother Assarigoe
As to the Proposition you made relating to Negroes We promise that ifany Runaway Negroes or slaves shall happen to fall into our hands wewill carry them to Coll: Masons on Potowmack River for y^e reward you proposed: But as to those Negroeswhich you said we promised last year to send home we hope you willexcuse us because they lye very much out of our way & may be hadmore easily by other Indians Yet if we can serve Virginia in anyother thing we shall be glad of an opportunity of doing it

Now Brother Assarigoe
Since we are resolved in case we should find any of your VirginiaIndians on the Westside of the Great Mountains or y^e North side of the River Kahongoronton not to dothem any hurt, we desire that you would tell them when they makefires beyond any of those Boundaries, to lay a stone in them whenthey leave their quarters & we will do y^esame, which will be a sign to us both y^t ourfriends have passed

And lastly we desire that this Peace may be kept by us & ourChildrens Children who will rejoice for the making and concludingthereof We have a small Present to make you & hope you willaccept of it tho' it is a small one & excuse us that we are notable to give more — And then they gave some furs & DearSkins

The Governor told them they had taken no notice of that Propositionwherein he mentioned their demand of four Indian boys to be deliveredup to them for four of their Messengers which they had charged theVirginia Indians with Poisoning and desired to know whether they weresatisfied that that accusation was not just — To which theyanswered that they were well assured it was not so that one of thePersons who went with those Indians to Virginia, was then present& they were satisfied they died natural deaths & had nothingto accuse Virginia of

The Governor thanked them for their Present, & said he did notlook upon it according to its value, but accepted it as if it hadbeen much more. He said he wished it had been greater

   
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only on account of Captain Hicks to whom he gave it as a smallSatisfaction of the damage he had sustained by the five Nations. Thenthey wished him a good voyage whom & told him they should be gladto hear of his safe arrival

Then the Governor told them he must take particular notice of theirspeaker &gave him a golden Horse Shoewhich he wore at his Breast & bid the Interpreter tell him therewas an inscription upon [it] which signified that it would help topass over the mountains & that when any of their People shouldcome to Virginia with a Pass they should bring it with them

And then the Gov^r Gave them His Presents

A True Copy examined
P^r PH: LIVINGSTONSec^y
for Indian Affairs

Conference between the Governorof Pennsylvania and the Five Nations.
[New-York Papers, Cc, 105.]
Propositions made to the five Nations, viz the Maquase, Oneydes,Onnondages Cayouges & Sinnekees by the Hônble Sir William KeithBart Governor of the Province of Pensilvania in Albany the 7^th day of Sep^br 1722

PRESENT— The Hônble Sir William Keith Bart Governor of Pensylvania

Members of the Council of Pensilvania
Richard Hill
IsaacNorris
Coll John French

Commissioners of the Indian Affairs
Peter Van Brugh
Ph: Livingston
Hend^r Hanse
JohnCollins

Interpreted by James Latort into the Delaware Indian Language to anIndian called Captain Smith, & by him into the Maquase Languageto the 5 Nations, Lawrence Claese Interpreter being present

Brethren
I have travelled a great way to see you & to hold some Discoursewith you the people of Pensylvania have always been friends to thefive Nations they have punctually observed all their former Treatiesw^t you. They expect that you do not forget them& therefore I am come to brighten the chain between us, you sentme word that you desired to see me and I have obtained leave of mybrother, the Governor of New York to renew our former Treaties [withyou] at this Place & I am glad he is present with us to hear& observe all that is spoken, Some of your ancient men can yetremember the first Settlement of the Province of Pensylvania, byWilliam Penn, he was a good man & had a great affection for allIndians, he entered into Leagues of Friendship with them as Brethren& he gave it in charge to his Governors whom he left in his Place& to all his people that they should continue to do the same,Divers great men from the five Nations have on several occasionsvisited us at Philadelphia and Conestogoe we were always glad to seethem and treated them kindly like Brethren they made firm

   
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leagues of friendship with us and frequently renewed and strengthenedthem we became as one People and hope always to continue so and asoften as the five Nations renewed their League with our great &good friends the Governors of New York it still united them morenearly to us as being subjects of one and the same great King. Lastsummer that wise and good man Ghesaont with some others of yourpeople came in the name of all the five Nations to visit us atConestogoe we received them with joy and opened our hearts to eachother he rejoiced to see us and our Indians live in so much Peacetogether We brightened the Chain that it might be clear strong andlasting as the Sun & Stars, but when we heard that Ghesaont diedin Virginia we were very sorry, yet I hope the five Nations receivedmy Words of Love & Friendship to their Sachims & to all yourpeople with the Golden Medal & the Presents then delivered it wasthen stipulated and agreed between us that we should all be onepeople y^t the five Nations should not do aninjury to any of us more than to themselves & that we should notdo an injury to any of the five Nations more than to our own peopleor if any person did such injury, they should be punished for it inthe same manner as if done to an Englishman

Since that time a very unhappy accident has fallen out which gave usgreat greif Last winter we heard that one of the five Nations hadlost his Life by means of some of our People & the very next dayafter the news came to me at Philadelphia, I sent two of my Councilto Conestogoe to enquire into [the matter and bring me]^[1] the truth,they found that the quarrel arose about Rum between a Brother of thefive Nations who hunted near Potowmack & two of our Traders theIndian was angry & went hastely & took his Gun to kill theEnglishmen, they in defence of themselves seized the Indian & instruggling gave him some blows & left him, We heard our Indianfriend and brother died the next day the men who did this action werebrought to Philadelphia & put in prison & they will be triedaccording to our Laws, in y^e same manner as ifthey had killed an Englishman & to prevent such mischeifs for thefuture we have made a severe law against selling Rum to the Indians.Though this misfortune gave us great greif yet we are perswaded theCheif Sachims of the five Nations are so wise as to know suchaccidents may happen without any ill design among the nearestBrethren & by this they will see how strictly we keep our Leagues& Treaties in punishing those who shall dare to offend &injure them or any of their people, I made haste to send a message toy^e five nations by Sachichoe to express ourSorrow & received their kind answer by the return of the sameMessenger, you received our message like true Brethren desiring us towipe away our Tears & invited me to come & see youimmediately I sent Sachiloe back with this answer that I would meetyou at Albany with my good friend [s] the Governor[s] of New York& Virginia & I sent some tokens to your Sachims which I hopethey received with a mourning Gold Ring of my own finger toSacaunkehaute, Sahichoe returned speedily & said you would beglad to see me at Albany he also told me you desired that JohnCartright^[2] might be released out of prison & y^t the injury done to your kinsman may be forgott.But Sachichoe brought no Belt nor other token to confirm his words& therefore I have brought him along with me that you may knowand tell me if he spoke Truth. Brethren you see I am come here withfour of my Councells to visit you I have left my family & People& have travelled a great way to take you by the hand to joinhearts & to rejoice in seeing each others faces for all clouds& darkness must be done away, that the flame of Love &Affection may burn clear in our Breasts. I have



   
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brought these goods with me to bind my words viz —five pieces of Strouds for clothing, five Casks ofPowder & 500 wg^t of Lead, to encourageyour hunting that you may grow rich & strong, & I desire thatyou will receive them as a pledge of our firm Resolution to live inperpetual Peace & under the strongest Tyes of friendship with thefive Nations, that you will ever remember us as your Brethren& not suffer any of your young men when the Travel to hurt any ofour Inhabitants, no more than they would their own or kill theircattle & stock, & that this visit & the Covenant Chainwhich is hereby renewed & brightened may be recorded ineverlasting remembrance to be sent down to your & our children& to our Childrens Children, to last as long as the mountains& Rivers & the sun & moon shall endureI also gave you these two pieces of Blankets towipe away & dry up the blood that has been spilt & to coverit so as that it may never be seen or heard of more

I live at a great distance from the Brethren & perhaps may neversee so many of your grave ancient men together again — I willtherefore like a true brother leave with you my best advice for thehappiness & welfare of your people & as often as youlook upon these two Belts Remember that this onesignifies the strength which a wise nation acquires & secures toits People, by peaceable counsells & increasing the number of itsfriends & this other Belt represents to you a bold firm trueheart that abhors falsehood but is ever faithful to its friends &punctually observes whatsoever it promises

A true Copy Exam^d
P^r PH: LIVINGSTON Sec^y
for the Indian Affairs

Answer made by the Indians of the five Nations viz the MaquaseOneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes to the Propositions madeby the Hônble Sir William Keith Bart Governor of Pensilvania, inAlbany y^e 10 day Sept^r A^o 1722

PRESENT— The Hônble Sir William KeithBart Governor of Pensylvania

Members of the Council of Pensilvania
Richard Hill
CollJohn French
Isaac Norris
And^rHamilton

Commissioners of Indian Affairs
Coll Peter Schuijler
Evert Banker
Peter V Brugh
Ph. Livingston
Joh^s Cuyler
Joh^sBleeker
Hend^r Hanse
John Collins

Interpreted by Lawrence Claese into Dutch & rendered into Englishby Robert Livingston

Brother Onas,
which signifies a Pen in the Language of the 5 Nations by which namethe call all the Governors of Pensylvania since it was first settledby William Penn

You told us in your Propositions some days agoe that you was come agreat way to see us of y^e 5 Nations We thankyou for your good Will to us & are very glad to see you here ingood health & we hope a good understanding & agreement willbe made & concluded between us


   
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You told us also that you was come to renew the Covenant Chain thathas been made between us so long agoe even at the first settling ofthe Province of Pensylvania & to brighten the Chain and remove& do away any Spott or Rust that may be grown upon it since ourlast meeting and Conference at Conestogoe.

Brother Onas
You have told us y^t at that time you brightenedthe Covenant Chain between us, that it might be clear & lastingas y^e Sun & Stars in Heaven, for which wethank you, & we being now all present do in y^e most solemn & publick manner renew y^e Covenant & brighten the Chain made betweenus, that the lustre thereof may never be obscured by any clouds ordarkness, but may shine as clear, & last as long as y^e Sun in the Firmament

Brother Onas
You have likewise told us how William Penn who was a good man did athis first Settlement of the Province of Pensylvania make leagues offriendship with the Indians & treated them like Brethren &that like the same good man he left it in charge to all hisGovernors who should succeed him & to all the People ofPensylvania that they should always keep the Covenant and treaties hehad made with y^e five Nations and treat themwith love & kindness we acknowledge that his Governors &People have always kept the same honestly & truly unto this day,so we on our parts always have kept & for ever shall keep firmPeace & Friendship with a good Heart to all the people ofPensylvania, We thankfully receive & approve of all the articlesin your Proposition to us & acknowledge them to be good &full of Love we receive & approve of the same with our wholehearts because we are not only made one People by the Covenant Chain,but we also are People united in one head one body & one Heart bythe strongest Tyes of Love & friendship

Brother Onas
You desire there may be a perpetual Peace & friendship betweenyou & the five Nations and between your children & ourchildren & that the same may be kept as long as the mountains& Rivers endure; all which we like well and on our Part desirethat the Covenant & Union made with a clean & true Heartbetween you and us may last as long as the sun & moon shallcontinue to give light & we will deliver this in charge to ourchildren that it may be kept in Remembrance with their children andchildrens children to the latest ages and we desire that the Peaceand Tranquillity that is now established between us, may be as clearas the sun shining in its Lustre without any cloud or darkness &that the same may continue for ever

Brother Onas
We have well considered all that you have spoken & like it well,because it is only renewing the former leagues & Treaties madebetween the Government of Pensylvania & us of the five Nationswhich we always beleived we were obliged to keep, And as to theaccident of one of our friends being killed by some of your peoplewhich has happened by Misfortune, & against your Will we say thatas we are all in Peace we think it hard the Person who killed ourfriend and brother should suffer & we do in the name of all thefive nations forgive that offence & desire you will likewiseforgive it & that the men who did it may be released from Prison& set a[t] liberty to go whither they please & we shallesteem that as a mark of your regard & friendship for ye liveNations & as a further confirmation of this Treaty


   
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Brother Onas
We say further we are glad to hear the former Treaties we have madewith William Penn repeated to us again and renewed by you, & weesteem & love you as if you were William Penn himself we are gladyou have wiped away and covered y^e blood of ourdead friend & brother & we desire the same may be forgott soas it may never be more mentioned or remembered

It is needless for us to answer every particular of your Proposition,because we acknowledge the whole to be good and acceptable to us,Especially your good advice which we will always remember and inTestimony thereof and as a full confirmation of our agreement consent& approbation & all that you have proposed & we have heresaid and promised we lay down a few Beaver Bear & drest DeerSkins and so concluded

Then the Governor expressd his Satisfaction with their answer &gave them thanks for their good will & love to him and y^e People of Pensylvania

The Indians then desired to know of the Governor if the men who werein Prison for killing their friend & brother were discharged towhich the Governor answered that they were let out upon Bails theythen desired that the men might be discharged to which the Governoranswered that as soon as he returned to Philadelphia he would givesuch orders in that affair as should fully answer the request of thefive nations in order to confirm the Friendship that is so happilyrenewed & established by this Treaty.

A True Copy, Examin^d
P^r PHILIP LIVINGSTON Sec^y for y^e Indian Affairs

University of Nebraska-Lincoln,Center for Digital Research in the Humanities