Part 12 (1/2)
We had not been long in the Use of this new Road before your People came, like Flocks of Birds, and sat down on both Sides of it, and yet we never made a Complaint to you, tho' you must be sensible those Things must have been done by your People in manifest Breach of your own Proposal made at _Albany_; and therefore, as we are now opening our Hearts to you, we cannot avoid complaining, and desire all these Affairs may be settled, and that you may be stronger induced to do us Justice for what is past, and to come to a thorough Settlement for the future, we, in the Presence of the Governor of _Maryland_, and Brother Onas, present you with this Belt of Wampum.
_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.
_Then_ Tachanoontia _added_:
That he forgot to say, that the Affair of the Road must be looked upon as a Preliminary to be settled before the Grant of Lands; and, said he, either the _Virginia_ People must be obliged to remove more Easterly, or, if they are permitted to stay, our Warriors, marching that Way to the Southward, shall go Sharers with them in what they plant.
In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, June_ 28, 1744. _A. M._
P R E S E N T,
The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Governor, &c.
The Honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_.
The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_.
The Deputies of the _Six Nations_.
_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
The Governor spoke as follows.
_Friends and Brethren of the_ Six Nations,
I am always sorry when any thing happens that may create the least Uneasiness between us; but as we are mutually engaged to keep the Road between us clear and open, and to remove every Obstruction that may lie in the Way, I must inform you, that three of the _Delaware Indians_ lately murdered _John Armstrong_, an _Indian_ Trader, and his two Men, in a most barbarous Manner, as he was travelling to _Allegheny_, and stole his Goods of a considerable Value. _s.h.i.+ckcalamy_, and the _Indians_ settled at _Shamokin_, did well; they seized two of the Murderers, and sent them down to our Settlements; but the _Indians_, who had the Charge of them, afterwards suffered one of them to escape, on a Pretence that he was not concerned in the b.l.o.o.d.y Deed; the other is now in _Philadelphia_ Goal. By our Law all the Accessaries to a Murder are to be tried, and put to Death, as well as the Person who gave the deadly Wound. If they consented to it, encouraged it, or any ways a.s.sisted in it, they are to be put to Death, and it is just it should be so. If, upon Trial, the Persons present at the Murder are found not to have done any of these Things, they are set at Liberty. Two of our People were, not many Years ago, publickly put to Death for killing two _Indians_; we therefore expect you will take the most effectual Measures to seize and deliver up to us the other two _Indians_ present at these Murders, to be tried with the Princ.i.p.al now in Custody. If it shall appear, upon their Trial, that they were not advising, or any way a.s.sisting in this horrid Fact, they will be acquitted, and sent home to their Towns. And that you may be satisfied no Injustice will be done to them, I do now invite you to depute three or four _Indians_ to be present at their Trials. I do likewise expect that you will order strict Search to be made for the Remainder of the stolen Goods, that they may be restored to the Wife and Children of the Deceased. That what I have said may have its due Weight with you, I give you this String of Wampum.
_Which was accepted with the_ Yo-hah.
The Governor afterwards ordered the Interpreter to tell them, he expected a very full Answer from them, and that they might take their own Time to give it; for he did not desire to interfere with the Business of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_.
They said they would take it into Consideration, and give a full Answer.
Then the Commissioners of _Virginia_ let them know, by the Interpreter, that they would speak to them in the Afternoon.
In the C o u r t-H o u s e Chamber at _Lancaster_, _June_ 28, 1744, _P. M._
P R E S E N T,
The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_.
The Deputies of the _Six Nations_.
_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
_The Commissioners desired the Interpreter to tell the_ Indians _they were going to speak to them_. _Mr._ Weiser _acquainted them herewith_.
_After which the said Commissioners spoke as follows_:
_Our good Friends and Brethren, the_ Six _united_ Nations,
We have considered what you said concerning your t.i.tle to some Lands now in our Province, and also of the Place where they lie. Altho' we cannot admit your Right, yet we are so resolved to live in Brotherly Love and Affection with the _Six Nations_, that upon your giving us a Release in Writing of all your Claim to any Lands in _Maryland_, we shall make you a Compensation to the Value of Three Hundred Pounds Currency, for the Payment of Part whereof we have brought some Goods, and shall make up the rest in what Manner you think fit.
As we intend to say something to you about our Chain of Friends.h.i.+p after this Affair of the Land is settled, we desire you will now examine the Goods, and make an End of this Matter.