Canandaigua Feb.^y 6. 1797 Sir Capt. Brandt from Grand River and Upper Canada, and Capt. Abeel a Seneka Chief from Alleghana left this place this morning on their way to Philadelphia. Capt. Brandt is desirous to obtain an annuity from the [undecipherable] for that part of his Nation who reside about him. The Commissioner from Connecticut in going forward [strikethrough: to] him to to establish their settlement Lake Erie held a conference with the Six Nations at Buffalo Creek and to associate the [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] them a certain sum in goods and agreed to pay them a further sum in one year from that time — the Sum to be paid them next year I think is £1200 to be paid to the Inds who reside about Grand River or, to procure an annuity for them of [undecipherable] annually, this you will undoubtedly be advised of after his arrival. Capt Abeel has sundry matters to State to you, the importance of which you will be able to determine after he explains them. [strikethrough: undecipherable] It may not be improper to acquaint you that they have not gone forward by [undecipherable] my error, but by an invitation of M. [undecipherable] Morris who has in the [undecipherable] has provided for their [expense?] Owing to time mis-conduct [among?] the Seneka, Capt. Abeel has not some [undecipherable] one to return the money to satisfy the [undecipherable] of one of his Inds at [Senango?] two years ago — they did not inform him agreeable to their [undecipherable] to me, and have reflected on [undecipherable] and said his intention was to keep it himself; but these things I can better inform you as I shall see you soon in Phila. Nothing new from the west — Capt. Morris right [undecipherable] this evening on his way to [Presque?] he undoubtedly has letters — the letter [undecipherable] me from the War Office directed to Col. Brandt have been duly sent by him — Sir, I am with the most respect your [undecipherable] B. [Chapins?] [endorsement lower left: Copy of a letter / to [undecipherable] / Feb.^y 6. 1797]