The Honourable the Commissioners of _Virginia_.
The Deputies of the _Six Nations_.
_Conrad Weiser_, Interpreter.
_The_ Indians _being told, by the Interpreter, that their Brother_
Assaragoa _was going to speak to them, the Commissioners spoke as
follows_:
_Sachems and Warriors, our Friends and Brethren_,
As we have already said enough to you on the Subject of the Title to the
Lands you claim from _Virginia_, we have no Occasion to say any thing
more to you on that head, but come directly to the Point.
We have opened the Chest, and the Goods are now here before you; they
cost Two Hundred Pounds _Pensylvania_ Money, and were bought by a Person
recommended to us by the Governor of _Pensylvania_ with ready Cash. We
ordered them to be good in their Kinds, and we believe they are so.
These Goods, and Two Hundred Pounds in Gold, which lie on the Table, we
will give you, our Brethren of the _Six Nations_, upon Condition that
you immediately make a Deed recognizing the King's Right to all the
Lands that are, or shall be, by his Majesty's Appointment in the Colony
of _Virginia_.
As to the Road, we agree you shall have one, and the Regulation is in
Paper, which the Interpreter now has in his Custody to shew you. The
People of _Virginia_ shall perform their Part, if you and your _Indians_
perform theirs; we are your Brethren, and will do no Hardships to you,
but, on the contrary, all the Kindness we can.
The _Indians_ agreed to what was said, and _Canassatego_ desired they
would represent their Case to the King, in order to have a further
Consideration when the Settlement increased much further back. To which
the Commissioners agreed, and promised they would make such a
Representation faithfully and honestly; and, for their further Security
that they would do so, they would give them a Writing, under their Hands
and Seals, to that Purpose.
They desired that some Rum might be given them to drink on their Way
home, which the Commissioners agreed to, and paid them in Gold for that
Purpose, and the Carriage of their Goods from _Philadelphia_, Nine
Pounds Thirteen Shillings, and Three-pence, _Pensylvania_ Money.
_Canassatego_ further said, That as their Brother _Tocarry-hogan_ sent
them provision on the Road here, which kept them from starving, he hoped
their Brother _Assaragoa_ would do the same for them back, and have the
Goods he gave them carried to the usual Place; which the Commissioners
agreed to, and ordered Provisions and Carriages to be provided
accordingly.
After this Conference the Deed was produced, and the Interpreter
explained it to them; and they, according to their Rank and Quality,
put their Marks and Seals to it in the Presence of several Gentlemen of
_Maryland, Pensylvania_ and _Virginia_; and when they delivered the
Deed, _Canassatego_ delivered it for the Use of their Father, the Great
King, and hoped he would consider them; on which the Gentlemen and
_Indians_ then present gave three Shouts.
* * * * *
In the C o u r t-H o u s e at _Lancaster, Tuesday_, _July_ 3, 1744,
_A. M._