The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Governor, &c.
The Honourable Commissioner of _Virginia_.
The Honourable the Commissioners of _Maryland_.
The Deputies of the _Six Nations_.
_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
The three Governments entertained the _Indians_, and all the Gentlemen
in Town, with a handsome Dinner. The _Six Nations_, in their Order,
having returned Thanks with the usual Solemnity of _Yo-ha-han_, the
Interpreter informed the Governor and the Commissioners, that as the
Lord Proprietor and Governor of _Maryland_ was not known to the
_Indians_ by any particular Name, they had agreed, in Council, to take
the first Opportunity of a large Company to present him with one; and as
this with them is deemed a Matter of great Consequence, and attended
with Abundance of Form, the several Nations had drawn Lots for the
Performance of the Ceremony, and the Lot falling on the _Cayogo_ Nation,
they had chosen _Gachradodow_, one of their Chiefs, to be their Speaker,
and he desired Leave to begin; which being given, he, on an elevated
Part of the Court-House, with all the Dignity of a Warrior, the Gesture
of an Orator, and in a very graceful Posture, said that:
"As the Governor of _Maryland_ had invited them here to treat about
their Lands, and brighten the Chain of Friendship, the united Nations
thought themselves so much obliged to them, that they had come to a
Resolution in Council to give to the great Man, who is Proprietor of
_Maryland_, a particular Name, by which they might hereafter correspond
with him; and as it had fallen to the _Cayogoes_ Lot in Council to
consider of a proper Name for that chief Man, they had agreed to give
him the Name of _Tocarry-hogan_, denoting Precedency, Excellency, or
living in the middle or honourable Place betwixt _Assaragoa_ and their
Brother _Onas_, by whom their Treaties might be better carried on." And
then, addressing himself to his Honour the Governor of _Pensylvania_,
the honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, and to
the Gentlemen then present, he proceeded:
"As there is a Company of great Men now assembled, we take this Time and
Opportunity to publish this Matter, that it may be known _Tocarry-hogan_
is our Friend, and that we are ready to honour him, and that by such
Name he may be always called and known among us. And we hope he will
ever act towards us according to the Excellency of the Name we have now
given him, and enjoy a long and happy Life."
The honourable the Governor and Commissioners, and all the Company
present, returned the Compliment with three Huzza's, and, after drinking
Healths to our gracious King and the _Six Nations_, the Commissioners of
_Maryland_ proceeded to Business in the Court-House Chamber with the
_Indians_, where _Conrad Weiser_, the Interpreter, was present.
The honourable the Commissioners ordered Mr. _Weiser_ to tell the
_Indians_, that a Deed, releasing all their Claim and Title to certain
Lands lying in the Province of _Maryland_, which by them was agreed to
be given and executed for the Use of the Lord Baron of _Baltimore_,
Lord Proprietary of that Province, was now on the Table, and Seals ready
fixed thereto. The Interpreter acquainted them therewith as desired, and
then gave the Deed to _Canassatego_, the Speaker, who made his Mark, and
put his Seal, and delivered it; after which, thirteen other Chiefs or
Sachems of the _Six Nations_ executed it in the same Manner, in the
Presence of the honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_, and divers
other Gentlemen of that Colony, and of the Provinces of _Pensylvania_
and _Maryland_.
* * * * *
At the House of Mr. _George Sanderson_ in _Lancaster_, _July_ 2,
1744, _A. M._