they had said, but as it was then late, he should take the same into considerat" and give them

At a Congress with the same Indians Wednesday July 29th 1772.

His Excell the Govr delivered the following speech to the Conajohares: Brothers, the Chiefs and Warriors of the Conajohares.

I gave much attention to your speech yesterday received it with a very friendly regard, and now thank you for your hearty congratulations upon my arrival, and your favourable sentiments of my conduct in my former Govern'. I cannot however approve of your Sachems relinquishing the subject of their present grievances to the Young Warriors. I consider it very extraordinary and unbecoming in them to quit the care of public affairs to young men at a time when they are in strict friendship and alliance with King George, therefore, as I visit your Nation as his Maju's Civil Gov', I desire to treat with the Sachems, Officers of peace, Men of wisdom and experience.

Brothers, When I came up amongst you, I was quite a stranger to the grievances you had to lay before me, but now you told me the nature of them, and refer me to your Brother Sir W Johnson for the particulars, with the former proceedings that have been had to do you justice, which you say is not yet accomplished, I shall exert my utmost endeavors, to secure your title to that small Tract, which is the support of yourselves and families.

Brothers, it is very probable I shall be obliged not only to solicit His Maj" on your behalf, but the Legislative Body of this Provce in order to effect your apparent reasonable wishes. You must therefore wait patiently, in the assurance that I wish to serve you as soon as [it is] in my power.

His MajtJ'* express commands to me, are, that I should do you all possible justice, and to support you against the Frauds and oppression of those who are inclined to do you any injury, and it is as much my inclination as my duty to watch over your interest and security, as by so doing I shall only obey my Royal Master's commands.

You tell me, you are more than ordinary uneasy by persons lately attempting to make a particular Survey of the ancient possessions on which you now reside—they had no authority from Govern', consequently had no right to run that Survey; that I may be informed of the exact quantity of land you have had released to you and for your own immediate satisfaction, I shall order the Surveyor Gen1 or one of his Deputies forthwith to make a Survey of the Course and distances of the above mentioned lands—therefore desire some of your people will accompany, and be present at the said survey, a Copy of which, when furnished shall be sent to me, and another copy left with your Brother Sir William Johnson.

Brothers; long before I came into America, I heard of the warlike disposition of the Mohocks and the renown and glory of their Actions, as well as their steady and firm attachm' to His Majty cause, but upon this interview I am confirmed in those sentiments I before entertained of your Nation only from Report.

Brothers. I must repeat to you again, I cannot reconcile your relinquishing your affairs to the Young Men. In a state of war, I would treat with Warriors, but in time of profound peace, as is the present, I am to desire you will recommit your public concerns to the Sachems. Your

refusal to this just expectation of mine, I shall interpret as a want of a proper confidence on your part in the public justice of this Govern'. You have King George for your protector, and under him, his Representative, therefore you stand not in need of warriors to support your present cause, especially, while you are in the possession of the lands in question.

Brothers. Sincere in my declaration & upright in my intentions to serve you, I shall only add I would not have you make yourselves uneasy while a hunting, or suffer your spirits to be disturbed when sleeping, on the apprehension of losing the small Tract you occupy; for while you have the protection of Govern' in support of your ancient and equitable claims, you need not fear the avarice, fraud or injustice of Individuals.

The Conajohares answered as follows by their Speaker.

Brother. We give your Excell many thanks for your speech, which has been very acceptable to us, in as much, as we are inclined from your good words to place the greatest confidence in you for redress, beyond what we have ever done, as we have laid these complaints often before former Governors, but without effect. We shall now let our business go on in the old channel thro' our Sachems, and wait patiently the issue of Your Excell03" endeavours for the redress of our grievances. We should wish that our lands were Surveyed without delay, that no future mistakes may be made concerning our property; and as your Excelly has now afforded such ease to our minds, we trust in the continuance of your protection for the more effectual security of our just rights and property.

To which His Excelle answered, that as they appeared so impatient to have their lands surveyed he should order the same to be done immediately.

His Excelly the Gov' addressed the Mohock Indians of the lower village, as follows:

Brother the Chiefs, and Warriors of the Mohocks.

I am much obliged by your congratulations on my arrival at this place, and in return for your very civil compliments, I do assure you that I am strongly inclined to serve you, and that the character I have received of your fidelity and friendship to the English has already preposessed me in your favour; I have therefore given due attention to what you have said— I am very sorry that you should have any causes of complaint against any of his Maju" subjects, in this province, particularly with regard to so interesting a part of your property, but I am hopefull that you have been misinformed as to the present claims of the Corporation of Albany, which is the more probable, as it does not appear, that you have received your information from proper authority.

Brothers. As you have yourselves expressed a desire that the lands you mention should be properly laid out by a surveyor which I very much approve, I shall accordingly order the same to be done immediately, and on the return of the survey to me, I shall take such measures as are consistent with my athority, for the security of its contents to yourselves, and to your posterity, being heartily disposed to shew you all the favour, and afford you all the protection, which Govern' can give in return for your faithful attachment to his Maj"'* interest.

I am told, you are going to sell some lands to certain of His Maj'' subjects, who have obtained license from this Govern' to purchase the same. I wish therefore, what you are determined to sell, may be your own free and voluntary act, and I recommend it to you to take particular care, that the bounds and limits of the lands to be sold, may be so well fixed

and assertained, as to admit of no dispute hereafter, or to give you reason to complain of any unfairness in the purchase.

to us.

1

The Mohocks returned the following answer by Abraham their Speaker viz Brother. We give your Excell many thanks for your speech, which has been very acceptable We are particularly thankful for what you mention concerning the sales of lands now proposed to be perfected. As this is the first caution we have received of that nature from Govern', we are the more convinced of your rectitude and attention to our interests. We have been solicited by several persons to dispose of lands at this time, but before we proceed therein we think it necessary to acquaint your Excell, that some years since we sold a Tract to Mess Glen, Funda and Associates, for which we received a valuable consideration amounting to above 2000 Dollars, that on the Survey of this Tract it appeared to fall short of the quantity proposed to be purchased, owing to a Tract which was discovered to have been patented thereout, with which circumstance we were not, neither were the purchasers acquainted at the time of sale. Concerned thereat we then gave Mess" Glen & C° a promise that we should make him a compensation by a grant on the North side of the West Branch of Hudson's River, for which he now intends to solicit. We have likewise since that agreement engaged with Mr Jessup to sell him and associates a large tract in that Country, in which the lands proposed as a compensation are not included, but we have since heard, that another person who is interested in Mr Jessup's purchase insists on having the lands we so promised to Mr Glen; but we think this unreasonable, & not only contrary to our agreement with Mr Jessup, but to our promise to Mr Glen, whom we are bound in justice to fulfill our promise to. We therefore beg that your Excels will not desire us to act contrary to our engagements.

To which His Excell answered, that they might be assured that they were at liberty to dispose of their lands to such persons as they thought proper, and had first engaged with.

Thursday July the 30th

The Sachims and Chief Warriors of the Onejdas paid their respects to His Excell the Gov', giving thanks to the great spirit for the opportunity they had of seeing him, of whom they had received a very favourable character, and congratulating his Excelly on his arrival. To which His Excell was pleased to answer, that he was sensible of their compliments of congratulation, and much pleased to see so venerable a Body of Sachems and respectable a number of chiefs assembled. That he had heard they intended to dispose of some lands in bis presence, hoped that it was their own voluntary Act, and desired they would consider of it, and act therein so as to have no cause of complaint afterwards, and that on his part, he was determined to see them justly dealt with therein, & for that purpose, that the same should be Surveyed in their presence, and monuments placed to shew the limits to posterity. Conoghquieson Chief of Onejda addressed the Govr as follows:

Brother, We are much obliged to your Excell for the question you asked us, and for the attention you shew to our interests, as it is a proof of your justice and convinces us that wa shall be fairly dealt with. The Great Spirit gave us our lands and we love them so much that we never offered any to sale; but whenever our Brothers the English have appeared in want of Lands, and applied to us, we have always granted their desire, as we now purpose to do,

and we are so much convinced, by your conduct, of your Excell" love of justice, that we rely

I have had the honor to receive your Lordship's dispatches No 11, 12 and 13. It is matter of real concern to me to learn the consideration of the Canada Claims, has not undergone a final decision. Upon a more strict examination of the claims of the French grantees to lands within this Govern', I cannot be persuaded that the last Treaty of peace, or the articles of the Capitulation at the surrender of Canada gives any valid title to such claims. The territory southwards of S' Lawrence River, has been always acknowledged the property of the Five Nations, subjects or Allies of great Brittain, and as the French settlements, as well as grants within that district were made, not under the sanction of Cession, purchase or conquest, but by intrusion, the justice of the Title of those Claimants seems to rest on His Maj'*'' generosity which will operate, no doubt as powerfully in behalf of those officers and Soldiers, who now hold a great part of those disputed lands under grants from this prov** in consequence of His Majesty's proclamation in 1763.

Your Lord observes that it appear to be very necessary to take some effectual steps by Proclam or otherwise to prevent settlement on any part of the lands between Lake Champlain & Connecticut River until the Royal decision of the controversy. Your Lord is sensible, no Act of Govern' will prevent individuals from settling and improving those large Tracts, which are already granted to them under this Govern. Proclamations have often issued to prevent the Grantees under New Hampshire and others from making any settlements in those parts, all which have been treated with more or less neglect or contempt. I am under the firmest persuasion, no effectual measures at present, less than Military Force, can prevent the Eastern Colonies pouring in their Inhabitants between the River and the Lake, especially into Bennington and the adjacent Townships, in order to strengthen themselves, that they may be the better able to maintain their possessions. I have on a former correspondence candidly informed your Lordship with my sentiments, of the steps I conceived would be most likely to accommodate the subsisting differences between New Hampshire & New York Claimants; differences that alarm the public peace of this Country, a consideration serious and important. I assure your Lordp, the delicate situation of affairs in that Part of the Country greatly embarrass me, and unless Govern' will leave an extensive latitude to this Govern' to settle these matters, I am apprehensive, the wisest and most equitable decisions of the Crown, may not extend to all the intricacies of these disputes. As property, not mere delusive opinion, is

the object in dispute, it is natural to believe, the contest will be maintained with great obstinacy, unless prevented by his Majesty's speedy drawing some line determining their respective Rights, and for Govern' to act upon here.

I have the honor to transmit to your Lordship a copy of my letter to the Bennington people (to which as yet I have had no answer,) sent in consequence of the receipt of Coll. Reed's letter to me with Capt" Anstruther's1 inclosed, both whcb are herewith transmitted, also the minutes of the Inhabitants of Bennington and other Townships delivered to me, while at Albany by Mr Fay their Agent

I am will all possible respect & regard My Lord

The King having declared His Royal Intentions that a settlement should be formed upon the lands purchased by his Majesty in 1768 of the six Nations & their Confederates, inclosed I send you a Copy of His Majesty's order in Council on the 14th of last Month containing His Majesty's directions for carrying that measure into execution; and I am to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you do take an early opportunity of apprizing the six Nations & their Confederates of His Majesty's gracious intentions.

I am &ca

DARTMOUTH.

No 2.

Sir.

Earl of Dartmouth to Sir William Johnson.

[New York Papers (State Paper Office) CCLVIII. ]

Whitehall Sept. 27th. 1772

Your Dispatch of the 29th of June N° 18 has been received and laid before the King. The murders committed by Mr Ramsay are of so atrocious and inhuman a nature, and may in the present temper and disposition of the Indians have consequences so fatal to the public peace, that nothing ought to be omitted that can tend to bring that person to condign

'WILLIAM ANSTRUTHER obtained a commission as Lieutenant in the 26th Foot, 12th January, 1757, and a company in the same regiment in 1766. He was taken prisoner by the American forces under Montgomery at St, Johns, 3d Nov., 1775, and sent, with his regiment, to Reading, Pennsylvania, where they remained until exchanged. Government having formed a corps called Donken's Royal Garrison Battalion, Captain Anstruther was commissioned Major in it on 26th October, 1779. In 1790, he became Captain of one of the companies of Royal Invalids stationed in the Island of Jersey; Commandant in 1794, and Colonel in 1796. He died in 1807.- ED.