[Copy] Canandaigua Aug^t 19^th 1795 Sir, Immediately after I wrote you on the 21^st ult^o I proceeded to Onida, part of the Commissioners were there & the others came in a short time. I explained to them the Indians the contents of your letter, which they heard with attention. The Commissioners then made known to the Indians the business which brought them there, that they might make their lands more productive to them &c — they offered them four thousand dollars annually for the land they would wish to purchase, and reserve to the Indians Ninety eight thousand acres. The Indians conferred on the offer day after day without returning any answer, some were for selling as they wished to enjoy the money they should receive annually, for in a short time they would be off the Stage and it would be left for their posterity to enjoy; others for reasons I had impressed upon them did not incline to sell and on the nineth days confederation made their reply to the Commissioner in telling, Gen^d Schuyler what fine things he had promised them in the beginning of the War; that as they wished in in — — — hereafter they should never want for nothing and as they had formerly got their lands for a trifle and as they came out to do them good they wished they would pay them the just value, and the Sum they had offered them was not equal to the value of their land. The Indians insisted to know what they would give for six miles square, the Commissioner offered them $95 D^rs— The Ind^s asked $00 D^rs the Commissioner told them they had no authority to give them so much & if they would treat no other way the council fire must be covered— The Ind^s replied that if they would not come to their terms the fire must be covered & the business ended, as the fault was on their part and the blame lay upon them. The next morning I set off on my return to Canandaigua and left the Commissioner at Onida— Jacob Reed had informed me that the Commissioner stayed two days after and made further proposals, but to no effect and left them without doing any business. I am informed by the Indians they are invited to hold a General Council at Buffalo and I expect by the invitation originated from Fort Niagara as a party from thence — — — wanted to go to Niagara about three weeks ago & they tell me that Gov^t Simcoe told them that they ought to come oftener, & the reason they had not received more presents of late was their own fault as they did not come for them, but if they came this fall they should have clothing in abundance and what has not been made up to them for years past shall then be delivered, and that their minds must continue strong for their good State & the King, and not refuse to take what they can get from the Americans as presents. I wish you Sir to have the goodness to answer my letter I have written you and especially that part which mentions more money as my circumstances are such as will not of [strikethrough: surpassing] private interest too much, to that of the public. I have endeavored to make use of the strictest economy, but [strikethrough: neglect of] necessary supplies and various expenses which I am obliged to expend cannot be done without considerable cost. The Indians are all peaceable and contented— I hear by two Ind^s from Grand River that Capt: Brant has returned and part of the Hostile Nations have concluded a treaty of peace with Gen^t Wayne— The Ind^s have frequently heard Gen^d Wayne threatens an expedition against the Ind^s to the — — — I have told them to the contrary as they have no reason to believe such a report. I am Sir with great Respect & Esteem Your Ob^dt Serv^t I. Chapin Copy— [Copy of a letter to Col. McHenry Aug^t 19^th 1795]