[Speech from the Commissioner to the Indians — Sept 29^th] Brothers... I am now to Answer Your Speech of Yesterday— Brothers I join with you in thanks to the Great — Spirit that hath preserved us to meet again in Peace & Health — Brothers — When we first met you I Stated to you — that the only Intent of this Treaty was to know from you what Lands you claim within — this State, in order that the agents for the State might examine your claims — and if [strikethrough: it] should appear to be Valid — might endeavor to — adjust with you the Compensation to be made — to you by this State for the [strikethrough: its] Extinguish—ment. Brothers — You say [strikethrough: you] when you were in New York last Winter you requested that the Sto—:brudge Oneidas & Mohawk Indians should be present at this Treaty — I have examined your Speeches & the Answers from the Agents for [the] State at that time and it does not appear to either that [strikethrough: it] was the case but I am persuaded you will suffer no disadvantage from [strikethrough: their absence] — as the thorough knowledge of the subject which the Commissioners possess their integrity & good will lead [The Corresp[ondence of] Papers in Indian Treaty] Brothers I do not reply — to the other matters in your Speech because I am not authorised by the President of the United States to any Act but that of Holding a Treaty with you to afford to the State of New York an opportunity only to Negotiate with you on the subject of your claims and to adjust them [Marginalia, written on left margin opposite the boundary description: X [undecipherable] / [Fort] George / [and] Fort [Edward?] / [undecipherable] / from [undecipherable] / the half way / [undecipherable]] Brothers you have as I proposed described the Lands which you claim within this State and the Boundaries have been explained by Mr. Gray at your request Who as your friend and Interpreter has accompanied you to this Treaty — They are as follows — Beginning at a Creek called [undecipherable: probable reading Leg you Thanan] on the South side of the River St. Lawrence about ten Miles below Buck Island and supposed to be the Northern Boundary of the Lands ceded by the Oneidas, and thence by a direct Line to the nearest Branch of Hudsons River — thence down that River to the Shortest distance from the half way — Brook [and] Wood Creek to Lake Champlain thence through Lake Champlain to the Boundary Line between the United States and the King of Great Britain, thence along the said Boundary Line to the River St. Lawrence and thence up the River St. Lawrence to the place of beginning Brothers 5 The Agents for this State will now address you respecting your claim and reply to such part of your Speech as was addressed to them and relates to the subject of your Claim. [The Corresp[ondence of] Papers in Indian Treaty] Brothers The au[—] [D. Speech by the U.S. Commissioner — Sept. 29 1795 — Copy delivered] [2 Sheets] Brothers I am now to answer Your Speech to Me of yesterday — Brothers: [undecipherable] join with [undecipherable] to the Great Spirit that he has preserved Us to meet again in Peace & Health — [several heavily struck-through and corrected lines, largely illegible] Brothers — when we first meet you we — Stated to you that the only Intent of this Treaty was to know from you what Lands you claimed within this State in order that the Agents from the State might examine your claim and if it should appear to be valid that they might — endeavor to adjust with you the Compensation to be made to you by the — State for the Extingushment of it. Brothers — The authority to me from the President of the United States and [strikethrough: the Authority from] the Governor [strikethrough text] the State are confined to this Business only and [strikethrough text] with respect to the other matters which you have mentioned [Marginalia: X [undecipherable] / authority [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] I made / therefore to be / silent / the I proposed / X [undecipherable] as per] Brothers 4 You have [strikethrough: already?] described the Lands which you claim within this State and the Boundaries as they have at your Request been explained by Mr. Gray [strikethrough text] and Interpreter [undecipherable] accompanied you to this Treaty [*] Beginning at a Small [Creek] [Sept — [undecipherable]] [Marginalia, written on left margin: If you / used [leg you] — / the South side of [the River St. Lawrence]] [undecipherable] on the South Side of the River St. Lawrence — [undecipherable: probable reading Tha en law geo on tale] — about Ten miles below Buck Island and Supposed to be the Northern Boundary of the Lands ceded by the Oneidas and thence by a direct Line to the nearest — Branch of Hudsons River. Thence — down that River to the Shortest distance from the Half way Brook between Fort George [and] Fort Edward. Thence to the Half way Brook — Thence down the Half way Brook and Wood Creek to [strikethrough: undecipherable] Lake — Champlain — Thence [Through] Lake Champlain to the Boundary Line between the United States and the King of Great Britain — Thence along the said Boundary Line to the River St. Lawrence. and Thence up the River St. Lawrence to the place of Beginning — Brothers: The Agents for the State will now address You respecting of Your Claim — and reply to [such] [undecipherable] your speech as was addressed to them and relates to the subject — Lands claimed by the Indians of the seven Nations of Canada as lying within the State of New York. Beginning at a small Creek on the [strikethrough: undecipherable] south side of the River S^t. Lawrence called [undecipherable: probable reading Taghe ex tha en law geo on tale] about ten Miles below Buck Island and supposed to be the northern Boundary of the Lands ceded by the Oneidas and thence by a direct Line to the nearest Branch of Hudson's River thence down that River to the shortest distance from the Half way Brook between Fort George and Fort Edward thence to the half way Brook thence down the Half way Brook and Wood Creek to the other Waters communicating with Lake Champlain thence through Lake Champlain to the Boundary Line between the United States and the King of Great Britain thence along the said Boundary Line to the River S^t. Lawrence and thence up the River S^t. Lawrence to the Place of Beginning