Letter Signed

Pickering discusses Seneca Chief Little Billy with Captain Chapin

Letter, directs re lifetime annuity for Seneca War Chief, Little Billy; informs re money due Oneidas & Tuscaroras; mentions Treaty.

Ltr, dir re Little Billy annuity.

1795

05

22

War Office

Captain Israel Chapin

Timothy Pickering

Kirkland

Dean

Horatio Jones

Little Billy

War Office

Philadelphia

Konandaigua

assisted me in assorting the sums due to the individuals

make the distribution

inclose copies of the treaties

Six Nations

compensate their losses and services in the late war

give any other annuities to individual chiefs

sent the money due to the Oneidas

Tuscaroras

Stockbridge Indians

treaty made with them

importunate in his application for a certificate to evidence his right to demand that annuity

declined to give him one because an ill use might be made of it when known to some people

give umbrage to other chiefs who might deem themselves at least equally deserving

keep the matter to yourself

take such a mode of paying the annuity as may prevent it being made public

Horatio Jones may be cautioned not to divulge it

agreed that it would be expedient to allow him fifty dollars a year for life

reminded us of this at his late visit in Philadelphia

father informed me that he had authority from the late Secretary of War to stipulate such annuities to meritorious chiefs

consulted me when I was at Konandaigua

remember that your father agreed to allow the Seneka war chief Little Billy an annuity of fifty dollars

1795052200101

1

(Private)
War-Office May 22, 1795.
Sir,
You may remember that your father agreed to allow the Seneka War Chief Little Billy, an annuity of fifty dollars. Your father informed me that he had authority from the late Secretary of War to stipulate such annuities to meritorious chiefs. With regard to Little Billy, your father consulted me when I was at Konondaigua, and we agreed that it would be expedient to allow him fifty dollars a year for life. Billy reminded me of this at his late visit in Philadelphia, and was very [importunate] in his application for a certificate to evidence his right to demand that annuity: but I declined giving him one because an ill use might be made of it when known to some people; and because it would [caret/insert] give umbrage to other chiefs who might deem themselves at least equally deserving. You will therefore keep the matter to yourself, and take such a mode of paying the annuity as many prevent its being made public. Horatio Jones may be cautioned not to divulge it.
It does not appear to me necessary to give any other annuities to individual chiefs, and you therefore will make no agreement
must for such a purpose.
I have sent the money (5000 dollars)due to the Oneidas& their friends the Tuscaroras & Stockbridge Indians by the treaty made with them last December, to compensate their losses and services in the late war. Mr. Kirkland & Mr. Dean assisted me in assertaining the funds due to the individuals, and they will make the distribution.
I enclose copies of the treaties made with them and with the whole of the Six Nations last year, as you may have frequent occasion to recur to them.
I am Sir,
with great regard
your obt Servant
Timothy Pickering