[Copy] M^r Johnson and General Chapin with sixteen chief Warriors proceeded to Fort leBoeuf where they arrived the 26^th June. 27^th The Speeches to the President as well as the request of the Six Nations were delivered in Council to M^r Ellicott and the Officer commanding there, to which they returned the following answer. Brothers of the Six Nations, Your Brothers of Pennsylvania have always [strikethrough: been] attentive to the Interest of the Indians especially to that of the Six Nations and are happy to meet them in peace and unity. Brothers, We have heard your Message by General Chapin and William Johnston and have considered the request. Brothers, By the peace of 1783, the King of great Britain ceded to your Brethren of Pennsylvania all the Lands which they claim but from a regard to Justice and considering you as the real Owners of the Soil could not consider themselves as entitled to it untill fairly purchased from yourselves. Brothers, The Lands which you have requested us to move off of, have for several years been purchased by your Brothers of Pennsylvania from the Six Nations and the lines bounding the same were opened and marked with their Consent and approbation. The Purchase North, of the North boundary of Pennsylvania, West of Caurewango River, Lake Chalogas and the path leading from thence to Lake Erie and south of the said was made of your Chiefs at Fort Harman by General Butler and General Gibson and the Money and Goods was punctually paid to them. Brothers, Your Brethren of Pennsylvania have fairly and openly made purchase of all the Lands to which they lay claim and having sold these lands to such People as chose to settle and work them they think it now their duty to protect such Settlers from the depredations of all such persons as may molest them. Brothers, The present Military preparations of your Brethren of Pennsylvania are intended to protect their Citizens against the Western Hostile Indians only, not supposing any protection necessary against the Six Nations whom they consider as their friends and allies. Brothers, The line which you have marked on the Map will take back from your Brothers of Pennsylvania a large tract of land which they have purchased from you. We cannot therefore consistently with our duty, remove from those Lands unless directed by the great Council of our People, to whom we shall immediately send your Message. Brothers We should be sorry that our continuing on the Lands which you have sold to your Brethren of Pennsylvania should be the Cause of any uneasiness or why we should not be considered by you as friends. Brothers, Your Brethren of Pennsylvania are a generous People — they have never wished for more than they were willing to pay for and have never attempted to take what did not [strikethrough: bel] belong to them. they will be glad to meet you at all times and afford relief to the weak and hungry of your people who may take the trouble to come and see them at this place, in the mean time as we are ordered here by the General Council your Brothers of Pennsylvania, we cannot consistent with our duty, remove from hence untill orders come from them for that purpose, your Message however shall be immediately forwarded by Express to them for their consideration. signed { And^w Ellicot C. Denny Capt. State Troops Fort Le Boeuf 26^th June 1794 (signed) Thomas Nisbitt Secretary General Chapin and M^r Johnson with the chief Warriors having returned to Buffaloe Creek, met the Chiefs in Council on the 4^th July, when after relating the Answer of the People at Fort Le Boeuf and the usual Compliments had passed, O'Bale a Principal Seneca Chief addressed the following Speech to General Washington. Brother, I now call you Friend; attend the Voice of the Six Nations, who have been united & loved each other since the beginning of the World. We have assembled here on account of the Transactions near Presque' Isle, and we have received an Answer to the Message we had sent, the answer from the People at Fort Le Boeuf hints upon every thing that has taken place since the peace, the greatest part of what they have told us is not true, they have related some of the former Deceptions, they have told me that they had given me Land, but to compleat my wishes I desire that all the Six Nations may have Lands. I depend upon you General Washington, to grant our request, and make our minds easy, for many reflections are thrown upon me by the Six Nations I am almost determined to rise from my Birth and die with them. Brother, We know what we have received from the United States from time to time, we fully considered the Boundary and we are determined it shall remain, if you establish this Line I think we will be about even. Brother, If you do not comply, we shall determine upon something else, You know that we are a free people, and that the Six Nations are able to defend themselves. We are determined to maintain our freedom. Brother, Do not imagine that our minds are corrupted by other people, the only thing that can corrupt them will be a refusal of our Demands. Brother, If our request is not granted, I wish that my Son may be sent with the Answer and tell me which side he means to join for he is at liberty to do so as he likes. Brother, We request that you will send a speedy answer to our Speeches, and that the Messenger may come to our council fire at this place. Eight strings Wampum black & white. The Speaker then addressed General Chapin. Brother, You who stand between the Indians and the United States we request that you will give every assistance in your power to forward this business, you find us as determined as ever upon the line between us and the United States, we put confidence in you and request that you will forward our Determination to the people at Fort le Boeuf and desire them not to move forward. General Chapin's Answer. Brothers, I am happy the great Spirit has preserved us to meet again in Council, I have heard with attention the Speeches you have made and have committed them to writing, they have since been explained to you that you might see there was no Deception. Brothers, I must give it as my opinion that General Washington is a firm friend to the Six Nations and that he will not by any means see them wronged. Brothers, I am happy to hear that you look upon yourselves as free and Independent people that is the case with the United States they are free and independant and wish to take you by the hand as Brothers. It seems now there is some disputes but the only way to have it settled is to come together face to face and talk the matter over candidly. Brothers, I shall now return home and will forward your Speeches to General Washington as soon as possible, in the meantime I hope you will set [strikethrough: keep] your seats until you hear General Washington's Voice. Brothers, I always consider myself accountable to the Indians as well as the United States, I aim at the good of both parties and you may rest assured that nothing in my power shall be wanting to assist. shall prepare a Copy of your determination to be sent on to le Boeuf, provided you send Runners for that purpose. [Endorsed:] [A.] In Lord Dorchester's N^o 42. to M^r Dundas of the 28 July 1794