The Treaty Held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Philadelphia, in July 1742 - To which is Prefix'd an Account of the first Confederacy - of the Six Nations, their present Tributaries, Dependents, - and Allies by Various
page 34 of 57 (59%)
page 34 of 57 (59%)
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The Governor immediately replied:
'_BRETHREN_, We thank you for the many Declarations of Respect: you have given us in this solemn Renewal of our Treaties: We receive, and shall keep your String and Belts of _Wampum_, as Pledges of your Sincerity, and desire those we gave you may be carefully preserved, as Testimonies of ours. 'In Answer to what you say about the Proprietaries.--They are all absent, and have taken the Keys of their Chest along with them; so that we cannot, on their Behalf, enlarge the Quantity of Goods: Were they here, they might, perhaps, be more generous; but we cannot be liberal for them.--The Government will, however, take your Request into Consideration, and, in Regard to your Poverty, may perhaps, make you a Present. I but just mention this now, intending to refer this Part of your Speech to be answered at our next Meeting. 'The Number of Guns, as well as every Thing else, answers exactly with the Particulars specified in your Deed of Conveyance, which is more than was agreed to be given you. It was your own Sentiments, that the Lands on the West Side of _Susquehanna_ were not so Valuable as those on the East; and an Abatement was to be made, proportionable to the Difference in Value: But the Proprietor overlooked this, and ordered the full Quantity to be delivered, which you will look on as a Favour. 'It is very true, that Lands are of late become more Valuable; but what raises their Value? Is it not entirely owing to the Industry and Labour used by the white People in their Cultivation and Improvement? Had not they come amongst you, these Lands would have been of no Use to you, any |
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