The Treaty Held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Philadelphia Part 6

'The Judgment you have just now pa.s.s'd on your Cousins the _Delawares_, confirms the high Opinion we have ever entertained of the Justice of the _Six Nations_. This Part of your Character, for which you are deservedly famed, made us wave doing our selves Justice, in order to give you another Opportunity of convincing the World of your inviolable Attachment to your Engagements. These unhappy People might have always liv'd easy, having never receiv'd the least Injury from us; but we believe some of our own People were bad enough to impose on their Credulity, and engage them in these wrong Measures, which we wish, for their Sakes, they had avoided.

'We hoped, from what we have constantly given in Charge to the _Indian_ Traders, that they would have administred no just Cause of Complaint: If they do you Wrong, it is against our Inclinations, and contrary to our express Directions. As you have exhibited no particular Charge against them, we shall use our best Endeavours to persuade them to give you as much for your Skins as they can possibly afford; and to take Care that their Goods which they give in Exchange for Skins, be of the best Sort.

We will likewise order you some Rum to serve you on your Journey home, since you desire it.

'We wish there had been more Room and better Houses provided for your Entertainment; but not expecting so many of you, we did the best we could. 'Tis true there are a great many Houses in Town, but as they are the Property of other People, who have their own Families to take Care of, it is difficult to procure Lodgings for a large Number of People, especially if they come unexpectedly.

'We entertain the same Sentiments of the Abilities and Probity of the Interpreter as you have express'd. We were induc'd at first to make Use of him in this important Trust, from his being known to be agreeable to you, and one who had lived amongst you for some Years, in good Credit and Esteem with all your Nations; and have ever found him equally faithful to both. We are pleas'd with the Notice you have taken of him, and think he richly deserves it at your Hands. We shall not be wanting to make him a suitable Gratification, for the many good and faithful Services he hath done this Government.

'We have already given Orders for Waggons to carry your Goods, and for a Supply of Provisions to serve you on the Road in your Return home, where we heartily wish you may arrive in good Health.'

After the Governor had concluded [Transcriber's Note: original has "conclued"], Mr. _Logan_ return'd an Answer to that Part of _Cana.s.sateego's_ Speech which related to Him, and said, 'That not only upon the Account of his Lameness, of which the _Indians_ themselves were Witnesses; but on Account of another Indisposition which about three Years since had laid him under an Incapacity of expressing himself with his former usual Freedom, he had been obliged to live retired in the Country. But that our first Proprietor, the Honourable _William Penn_, who had ever been a Father and true Friend to all the _Indians_, having above Forty Years since recommended them to his particular Care, he had always, from his own Inclination, as well as from that strict Charge, endeavoured to convince all the _Indians_, that He was their true Friend; and was now well pleased, that after a Tract of so many Years, they were not insensible of it. He thanked them kindly for their Present, and heartily joined with them in their Desires, that this Government may always be furnished with Persons of equally good Inclinations, and not only with such, but also with better Abilities to serve them.'

And then _Cana.s.sateego_ said, he had forgot to mention, that _Shickalamy_ and _Caxhayn_, had been employ'd on several Messages to this Government, and desir'd that they might be consider'd on that Account.

At a COUNCIL held the 12th of _July, P.M._ 1742.

PRESENT,

The Hon'ble GEORGE THOMAS Esq; Lieut. Governor.

_James Logan_, _Samuel Preston_, } _Clement Plumsted_, _Thomas Lawrence_, } Esqrs; _Samuel Hasell_, _Abraham Taylor_, } _Robert Strettell_, }

Mr. _Richard Peters._

The Board taking into Consideration the Regulation of the necessary Expences of the _Indians_ Travelling down hither, and Returning; and upon an Estimate made by _Conrad Weiser_, amounting to about _One Hundred Pounds_, it appearing that the said Sum of 100. will be necessary to be advanced to _Conrad Weiser_ to defray those Expences, Mr. _Logan_ on the Proprietaries Behalf, proposes to advance 40_l._ and the Treasurer declaring he had no publick Money in his Hands, and that if he had, he would not advance Money without the a.s.sembly's Order; it is recommended to Mr. _Preston_ and Mr. _Lawrence_, to confer with Mr.

_Kinsey_, and know whether he, as Speaker of the a.s.sembly, and Trustee of the Loan-Office, will advance the other 60_l._

And the _Indians_ having requested that they might have a small Quant.i.ty of Rum, to be added to their Provisions, to comfort them on the Road: The Board is of Opinion, that there be added to the said Estimate ---- for Twenty Gallons of Rum for the aforesaid Use. And in Return for their Present of Skins, at Requesting that the _Indian_ Traders be enjoyn'd to sell their Goods cheaper, the Board directs that two Strouds be presented. And that _Five Pounds_ be given to _Caxhayn_ on the Account of the Province, for his Services; and to _Shickalamy_ the like Sum.

_A Just Copy; compared by_

_PATRICK BAIRD_, Secr'y.