Partial text. Assurances of U.S. strength as ally and encouragement to maintain peaceful relations with the white settlers. Appears to advise Indians not to listen to the French or Spaniards who might be encouraging them to go to war with the U.S. Says that a bounty of arms and ammunition will be paid to any Indian who takes a spy or their papers and turns them in to the U.S. Government.
Report, describes the state of affairs under the charge of the principal agent for Indian affairs south of the Ohio River. Mentions progress of civilization plans.
Chapin has been in Philadelphia attending the Seneca's business. Phelps will make his payment within a month and a half. Phelps and others plan to settle near Presque Isle, but Chapin told them they must meet with the Indians first. There are goods for the Indians ready to be taken. The Quakers in Philadelphia want to come to the Seneca and teach the children to read and write, teach agriculture, and other skills. Colonel Pickering sent a speech advising the Seneca to accept the proposal. One of the Quakers returned with Chapin to determine what the Seneca might want and to negotiate the mission.
This speech was made at Treaty Conference held at Albany New York in August 1775, attended by the Reverend Samuel Kirkland. "Brothers: this is all the Six Nations have to say at present. They would just mention one thing more before they break up. The Six Nations look upon this as a very good time to speak their minds, as here are the representatives of the twelve United Colonies. The dispute between the people of New England and Penn seems to us to become a serious affair, and therefore the Six Nations take upon them to speak their minds freely, as they address the inhabitants of the whole continent. Many years ago, at a council held in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego, that has been before mentioned, was present, Penn desired the Six Nations would sell him that piece of land known by the name of Scanandanani, or Susquehannah. The Indians of the Six Nations refused to sell it, saying, the great God would not permit them. Therefore they made him a present of that land, known by the name of Scanandanani. Penn received it, and made them valuable presents. After this, Colonel Lydius, a gentleman employed by the people of Boston, treated with some of the Indians to got that land from them. But he never kindled up a council-fire upon the occasion. He spoke to them whenever he met them; never with more than ten. From these he pretended to make a purchase of that tract. Governor Penn, also, at the great treaty at Fort Stanwix, in the year 1768, desired that the land might be his, and distributed among the Six Nations, Shawanese and Caughnawagas, ten thousand dollars, for which they gave him a writing. This is an affair with which all the Six Nations are acquainted, and any one would lie who said they knew nothing about it. We have taken an opportunity to speak of this matter now, as the mind of the whole continent is now here.
The following day, the commissioners responded by saying in dispute between Connecticut and Governor Penn they are not authorized to transact any business, but will represent matters to the grand congress in Philadelphia.
Mr. Parrish is at Cayuga. Chapin had sent a speech by Mr. Ransome to the Seneca along with whiskey to commemorate the death of Fish Carrier. Chapin wants to arrange a time and place to meet the Indians to distribute clothing as well as pass along the money owed them by Mr. Phelps. The Company making a settlement on Lake Erie will arrive soon, they are to meet with the Indians.
A statement of the measurements of the 44 gun frigate, including foremast perpend to foremast square timber and foremast perpend to square timber 43rd bung. This may be meant to correct the drafts at the War Department which are apparently wrong.
Samuel Hodgdon listed stores belonging to himself and noted that they are to be placed in the mess account. Items include plates, silverware, wine, brandy, coffee and cheese.
Williams declares that his anxiety was much relieved when he broke open the letter which enclosed one thousand dollars in post notes on account of the Armory. The letter was one day late because it was routed through Boston from the southward.
