Part 17 (1/2)

Then, presenting them with another String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for theirs, praying him, that as they had taken away one Part of _Conrad Weiser_'s Beard, which frightened their Children, he would please to take away the other, which he had ordered to be done.

_The_ Indians _received these two Strings of Wampum with the usual Yo-hah_.

The Governor then asked them, what was the Reason that more of the _Shawanaes_, from their Town on _Hohio_, were not at the Treaty? But seeing that it would require a Council in Form, and perhaps another Day to give an Answer, he desired they would give an Answer to _Conrad Weiser_ upon the Road on their Return home, for he was to set out for _Philadelphia_ the next Morning.

_C A N A S S A T E G O in Conclusion spoke at follows:_

We have been hindered, by a great deal of Business, from waiting on you, to have some private Conversation with you, chiefly to enquire after the Healths of _Onas_ beyond the Water; we desire you will tell them, we have a grateful Sense of all their Kindnesses for the _Indians_. Brother _Onas_ told us, when he went away, he would not stay long from us; we think it is a great while, and want to know when we may expect him, and desire, when you write, you will recommend us heartily to him; which the Governor promised to do, and then took his Leave of them.

The Commissioners of _Virginia_ gave _Cana.s.satego_ a Scarlet Camblet Coat, and took their Leave of them in Form, and at the same time delivered the Pa.s.ses to them, according to their Request.

The Commissioners of _Maryland_ presented _Gachradodow_ with a broad Gold-laced Hat, and took their Leave of them in the same Manner.

_A true Copy, compared by_

Richard Peters, Secr.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Footnote 7: Onandio, the Governor of _Canada_.]

[Footnote 8: _Tarachawagon, Conrad Weiser_.]

A

=T R E A T Y=

BETWEEN

H I S E X C E L L E N C Y

The Honourable George Clinton,

Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the Province of _New-York_, and the Territories thereon depending in America, Vice-Admiral of the same, and Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet.

A N D

The Six United _Indian_ Nations, and other _Indian_ Nations, depending on the Province of _N E W-Y O R K_.

Held at _A L B A N Y_ in the Months of _August_ and _September_, 1746.

_A_ T R E A T Y _between his Excellency the Governor of the Province of_ New-York, _and the_ Six Nations, _and other_ Indian _Nations, depending on said Province._

It is well known in the Province of _New-York_, that the _Six Nations_ of _Indians_ depending on this Province, (called _Iroquois_ by the _French_) had lately on several Occasions, appear'd dissatisfied and wavering in their Fidelity to the _British_ Crown. No doubt, this was princ.i.p.ally occasion'd by the Artifices of the _French_ of _Canada_, who had constantly Emissaries among them: But at the same Time there is Reason to think, the suspicious Behaviour of these Nations, in Favour of their once inveterate Enemy the _French_, could not have arriv'd to the Pitch it did, otherwise than by some Neglects or Misconduct of those who were entrusted by the Government of _New-York_ with the Management of the _Indian_ Affairs.

His Excellency the Governor of _New-York_, having received his Majesty's Commands, to engage the _Indian_ Nations depending on his Government, to join in the Expedition then intended against _Canada_, and to make them the usual Presents on that Occasion; and being sensible of the great Use these _Nations_ might be to the Success of this Enterprize, and likewise of the Difficulties that probably might attend his Endeavours at this Time, was desirous to have had the a.s.sistance of as many of the Members of his Majesty's Council as the Circ.u.mstances of Affairs would permit; but they all declined to give their Attendance, except Mr. _Colden_ and Mr. _Livingston_. His Excellency was therefore obliged to act with the smallest Number of Members, which by his Majesty's Commission can form a Council, _viz_. Three; the above two Gentlemen and Capt. _Rutherford_, who was then at his Post in _Albany_.

As soon as his Excellency received his Majesty's Commands, he dispatched from _Albany_ such Persons as, by the best Information he could receive, had Influence among the _Six Nations_, to invite them severally to meet him at _Albany_, on the 20th of _July_. His Excellency arriv'd at _Albany_ the 21st of _July_, where having heard, that, besides the Small-Pox, (which his Excellency never had) many were sick of a contagious malignant Fever, he continued on board the Sloop which carried him up, to consider where to lodge with the least Danger to his Person from the Infection of these Distempers; and the next Morning resolved to go into the Fort. He was received at his Landing with the usual Marks of Respect from the Corporation, the independent Companies of regular Troops then in the Place, and the Militia, under a Discharge of the Cannon of the Fort and Town.