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. _Shickcalamy_, 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 bloody 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 assisted 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 Principal now in Custody. If it shall appear, upon their
Trial, that they were not advising, or any way assisting 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._