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 Title 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 Friendship after
this Affair of the Land is settled, we desire you will now examine the
Goods, and make an End of this Matter.
We will not omit acquainting our good Friends the _Six Nations_, that
notwithstanding we are likely to come to an Agreement about your Claim
of Lands, yet your Brethren of _Maryland_ look on you to be as one Soul
and one Body with themselves; and as a broad Road will be made between
us, we shall always be desirous of keeping it clear, that we may, from
Time to Time, take care that the Links of our Friendship be not rusted.
In Testimony that our Words and our Hearts agree, we give you this Belt
of Wampum.
_On presenting of which the_ Indians _gave the usual Cry of
Approbation_.
Mr. _Weiser_ acquainted the _Indians_, they might now look over the
several Goods placed on a Table in the Chamber for that Purpose; and the
honourable Commissioners bid him tell them, if they disliked any of the
Goods, or, if they were damaged, the Commissioners would put a less
Price on such as were either disliked or damnified.
The _Indians_ having viewed and examined the Goods, and seeming
dissatisfied at the Price and Worth of them, required Time to go down
into the Court-House, in order for a Consultation to be had by the
Chiefs of them concerning the said Goods, and likewise that the
Interpreter might retire with them, which he did. Accordingly they went
down into the Court-House, and soon after returned again into the
Chamber.
Mr. _Weiser_ sat down among the _Indians_, and discoursed them about the
Goods, and in some short Time after they chose the following from among
the others, and the Price agreed to be given for them by the _Six
Nations_ was, _viz_.
_l. s. d._
Four Pieces of Strowds, at 7 _l._ 28 00 00
Two Pieces Ditto, 5 _l._ 10 00 00
Two Hundred Shirts, 63 12 00
Three Pieces Half-Thicks, 11 00 00
Three Pieces Duffle Blankets, at 7 _l._ 21 00 00
One Piece Ditto, 6 10 00
Forty Seven Guns, at 1 _l._ 6 _s._ 61 02 00
One Pound of Vermillion, 00 18 00
One Thousand Flints, 00 18 00
Four Dozen Jews Harps, 00 14 00
One Dozen Boxes, 00 1 00
One Hundred Two Quarters Bar-Lead, 3 00 00
Two Quarters Shot, 1 00 00
Two Half-Barrels of Gun-Powder, 13 00 00
_________
220 15 00
_Pensylvannia Currency_.
When the _Indians_ had agreed to take these Goods at the Rates above
specified, they informed the Interpreter, that they would give an Answer
to the Speech made to them this Morning by the honourable the
Commissioners of _Maryland_, but did not express the Time when such
Answer should be made. At 12 o'Clock the Commissioners departed the
Chamber.
* * * * *