The Treaty Held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Philadelphia, in July 1742 | Page 8

Division of them amongst yourselves. We are sorry for the Absence of our Brethren the Senecas, and much more so that it should be owing to their Distress at Home by a Famine that rages in their Country:--A Famine so great, that you tell us a Father has been obliged to sacrifice one Part of his Family, even his own Children, for the Support and Preservation of himself and the other Part.--We heartily commiserate their Condition, and do not doubt but you will do them fair and ample Justice in the Disposal of their Part of the Goods in such Manner as they have instructed you. You shall now hear the List of the Goods read to you.'
Here, by the Governor's Order, the List of the Goods was read over, viz.
500 Pounds of Powder. 600 Pounds of Lead. 45 Guns. 60 Strowd-Matchcoats. 100 Blankets. 100 Duffil Matchcoats. 200 Yards Half-thick. 100 Shirts. 40 Hats. 40 Pair of Shoes & Buckles. 40 Pair of Stockings. 100 Hatchets. 500 Knives. 100 Hoes. 60 Kettles. 100 Tobacco-Tongs. 100 Scissars. 500 Awl-Blades. 120 Combs. 2000 Needles. 1000 Flints. 24 Looking-Glasses. 2 Pounds of Vermilion. 100 Tin Pots. 1000 Tobacco-Pipes. 200 Pounds of Tobacco. 24 Dozen of Gartering, & 25 Gallons of Rum.
Then the Governor told them that the Goods, of which the Particulars had been just Read to them, were in the Meeting-House, and would be sent to whatever Place they would direct.
The Governor then proceeded:
'BRETHREN,
'You have often heard of the Care that your great and good Friend and Brother William Penn took at all Times to cultivate a perfect good Harmony with all the Indians: Of this your Nations have ever been fully sensible; but more especially a Number of your Chiefs, about ten Years ago, when, on the Arrival of a Son of your said great Friend William Penn, large and valuable Presents were exchanged by us with you; a new Road was made and clear'd; a new Fire kindled; and the Chain of Friendship made stronger, so as to last while the Sun and Moon endure.
'And now we cannot but congratulate ourselves that your Coming should happen at a Time when we are in daily Expectation of a War being declared between the King of England, and the French King, well knowing, that should such a War happen, it must very sensibly affect you, considering your Situation in the Neighbourhood of Canada. Your Coming at this Juncture is particularly fortunate, since it gives us an Opportunity of mentioning several Things that may be necessary to be settled between People so strictly and closely united as we are.--An Union not to be express'd by any thing less than the affectionate Regards which Children of the same Parents bear for each other, as conceiving ourselves to be one Flesh and one People.
'The utmost Care therefore ought mutually to be taken by us on both Sides, that the Road between us be kept perfectly clear and open, and no Lets, nor the least Obstruction be suffered to lie in the Way; or if any should by Accident be found, that may hinder our free Intercourse and Correspondence, it must forthwith be removed.
To inforce this, We lay down a String of Wampum.
'In next Place, We, on our Part, shall inlarge our Fire that burns between us. We shall provide more Fewel to increase it and make it burn brighter and clearer, and give a stronger and more lasting Light and Warmth.
In Evidence of our sincere Intentions, We lay down this Belt of Wampum.
'In the last Place, considering the Obligations we are mutually under by our several Treaties, That we should hear with our Ears for you, and you hear with your Ears for us. We shall at all Times very willingly give you the earliest and best Intelligence of any Designs that may be form'd to your Disadvantage.--And if you discover any Preparations that can hurt us, we desire you will immediately dispatch some suitable Person in whom we can place a Confidence, to give us a proper Information.'
To inforce this Request, as well as to brighten the Chain, we lay down this other Belt of Wampum.
On the Governor's concluding the Speech, the solemn Cry, by way of Approbation, was repeated by the Indians, as many Times as there were Nations present; and then Canassateego rose up and spoke.
'BRETHREN, [Transcriber's Note: original has "BRRTHREN"]
'We thank you for your kind Speech: What you have said is very agreeable to us; and to-morrow when we have deliberated on the several Matters recommended to us, we will give you our Answer. We desire, as our Time will be wholly taken up in Council, you will order the Goods to be carried back to the Proprietaries to prevent their being lost, and that they may continue there till we