Speech made to the Oneidas by Congress and the Board of War September 1781 and overdue claims for service during late Revolution made by Good Peter and Skenandoah: Page #1

Transcription

Philadelphia May 2nd 1792 Sir Yesterday Good Peter presented me the enclosed speech made to the Oneidas by Congress and the Board of War in September 1781. From Mr. Kirkland's account, they have not received the promised “rewards” or as to other “consequences”, and their attachment to us in the late war not been good unless it is good for them to lose almost all their lands for a trifle. I here mark in the second page the passage on which they make their claims. Good Peter, and his friend Skenandoa (who is also here) have particular claims not only on the gratitude but the justice of The United States. For it seems they were send of an early period in the late revolution, by the Indian Commissioners for the Northern Department, to Niagara. There they were seized and imprisoned many months, and when liberated, not suffered to return to their own country till the war was won. I consider Mr. Kirkland that compensation he thought they would expect. He says that a yoke of oxen and plow, a little cash, say to the amount of $60.00 in the hole, oxen, plow, in cash, for each would be satisfactory. I am Sir respectfully yours Thomas Pickering