The Speech of Colonel George Morgan to the Delawares, Shawnese, & Cherokees at his first meeting them, at New Madrid the [undecipherable] day of April 1789 My Enfans Children Monsieur L’Aurimier & Monsieur Maurain, have already informed you by order of Don Manuel Peres his Majestys Governor at the Illinois, who I am & the Business I have come here upon- They have just now told you that I am sent here by the King of Spain to settle a Number of people whom you now see here & many other whom will soon be here, on his Lands from Cape St Comme to the River St Francis & from thence beck or Westward two Degrees of Longitude or about five days march West from the Mississippi - Your Friends the Delawares, Six Nations & Shawnese who have acompanied me to this Place will tell you all the News from your Wise Men up the Ohio River & at the Lakes - They well tell you all the good Business they come here for As I have now become your Father & all those the accompany me have become Subjects to the Kink of Spain, I will now tell you my mind freely to which I desire you to listen with attention — I have not come here to drive you the Delawares, Shawnese & Cherokkes away from here - on the Contrary I wish you all to sit down near to me that I may be usefull to you & to your Women & Children, & protect you & them from your Enemies should any offer to injure you — — I see that you hade seated yourselves in this Country to make Corn & to hunt for the Support of your Women & children For this, you are indebted to the King of Spain, & you may depend that you shall continue to enjoy this favour so long as you continue to deserve it. I will survey your Corn Fields & as sufficient Lands to your Use wherever you have settled, & you shall have Liberty to hunt & will all the same in the Country — Whilst you do this & live in Peace & take good Care of your Women & Children I & my people will improve the lands & plant Corn, Wheat Tobacco &c so that you may buy our Provisions & the Merchandize we bring here in Exchange for your Beaver, Deer Skins &c - I do not mean to allow any white men to hunt or chase away the Game. When I am hungry I will kill & eat, but I will not allow any white men to hunt here for the take of Skins of Furs. On your Part, my Children you must take good Care of your Women & Children & live in Peace with all nations - Should any come here to strike you I will take the Tomhawk from them — There is one thing I shall particularly insist upon - It is that you charge your young men to be civil to all my People & not on any Acct. to steal a Horse from them nor take any of their Property. I will promise that my People shall be kind to yours & not take any of your Property — My Children As I mean to kindle a Council Fire at this Place, I desire You to appoint some Wise Men to assist me in taking Care of it that your Women & Children may live without Fear & that we may forever keep a clear Fire for all Nations to come & smoke their Pipes at.

Speech of George Morgan to the Delawares Shawnees & Cherokees at New Madrid April 1789