Wikitext

HTML

the consent of t he General Council was absolutely necessary to convey any par of their lands to the United States.

    The part of the lands which the United States now wish us to relinquish, and which you say are settled have been sold by the United States since that time.
    Brothers.  You say, " The United States wish to have confirmed all the lands ceded to them by the treat of Fort Harmer, and also a small tract at the rapids of the Ohio, claimed by General Clarke, for the use of himself and his Warriors.  And in consideration thereof the United States would give such a large sum of money or goods as was never given at any one time for any quantity of Indian lands since the white people first set their feet on this Island.  And because those lands did every year furnish you with skins and furs with which you bought clothing and other necessaries, the United States will now furnish the like constant supplies.  And therefore besides the great sum to be delivered at once, they will every year deliver you a large quantity of such goods as are best fitted to the wants of yourselves, your women and children."
    Brothers.  Money to us is of no value and to most of us unknown.  And as no consideration whatever can induce us to sell the lands on which we get sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point out a mode by which your settlers may be easily removed and peace thereby obtained.
    Brothers. We know that these settlers are poor, or they would never have ventured to live in a Country which has been in continual trouble ever since they crossed the Ohio.  Divide therefore the large sum of money which you have offered to us among these people.  Give to each a  [indecipherable] of proportion