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 Commissioners of_ Virginia _ordered the Interpreter to let the_
Indians _know the Government of_ Virginia _was going to speak to them,
and then they spoke as follows:_
_Sachems and Warriors of the_ Six United Nations, _our Friends and
Brethren,_
At our Desire the Governor of _Pensylvania_ invited you to this Council
Fire; we have waited a long Time for you, but now you are come, you are
heartily welcome; we are very glad to see you; we give you this String
of Wampum.
_Which was received with their usual Approbation._
_Brethren,_
In the Year 1736, four of your Sachems wrote a Letter to _James Logan_,
Esq; then President of _Pensylvania_, to let the Governor of _Virginia_
know that you expected some Consideration for Lands in the Occupation of
some of the People of _Virginia_. Upon seeing a Copy of this Letter, the
Governor, with the Council of _Virginia_, took some Time to consider of
it. They found, on looking into the old Treaties, that you had given up
your Lands to the Great King, who has had Possession of _Virginia_ above
One Hundred and Sixty Years, and under that Great King the Inhabitants
of _Virginia_ hold their Land, so they thought there might be some
Mistake.
Wherefore they desired the Governor of _New-York_ to enquire of you
about it. He sent his Interpreter to you in _May,_ 1743, who laid this
before you at a Council held at _Onandago_, to which you answer, "That
if you had any Demand or Pretensions on the Governor of _Virginia_ any
way, you would have made it known to the Governor of _New-York_." This
corresponds with what you have said to Governor _Thomas,_ in the Treaty
made with him at _Philadelphia_ in _July_, 1742; for then you only make
your Claim to Lands in the Government of _Maryland_.
We are so well pleased with this good Faith of you our Brethren of the
_Six Nations_, and your Regard to the Treaties made with _Virginia_,
that we are ready to hear you on the Subject of your Message eight years
since.
Tell us what Nations of _Indians_ you conquered any Lands from in
_Virginia_, how long it is since, and what Possession you have had; and
if it does appear, that there is any Land on the Borders of _Virginia_
that the _Six Nations_ have a Right to, we are willing to make you
Satisfaction.
_Then laid down a String of Wampum, which was accepted with the usual
Ceremony, and then added,_
We have a Chest of new Goods, and the Key is in our Pockets. You are our
Brethren; the Great King is our common Father, and we will live with
you, as Children ought to do, in Peace and Love.
We will brighten the Chain, and strengthen the Union between us; so that
we shall never be divided, but remain Friends and Brethren as long as
the Sun gives Light; in Confirmation whereof, we give you this Belt of
Wampum.
_Which was received with the usual Ceremony_.
_T A C H A N O O N T I A_ replied:
_Brother_ Assaragoa,
You have made a good Speech to us, which is very agreeable, and for
which we return you our Thanks. We shall be able to give you an Answer
to every Part of it some Time this Afternoon, and we will let you know
when we are ready.
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