The Treaty Held with the Indians of the Six Nations at Philadelphia, in July 1742 | Page 3

have been
there, and all agree they have Three large Towns of 600, 800, and 1000
able Men.
[Footnote 7: Roanu signifies Nation or People, in the Language of the
Six Nations.]
4. The fourth, called Twightwis Roanu, Two large Towns, and about
200 Men in all, live at the Heads of Huakiky River, near the little
Lakes.
5. Oskiakikas, living on a Branch of Ohio, that heads near the Lake
Erie, Four large Towns, of about 1000 Warriours.
6. Oyachtawnuh Roanu, near Black-River, consisting of Four Towns,
and 1000 Warriours.
7. Keghetawkegh Roanu, upon the great River Missisippi, above the
Mouth of Ohio: Three Towns; the Number of People uncertain.
8. Kerhawguegh Roanu, several Savage Nations, as their Names signify,
(the People of the Wilderness) live on the North Side of Huron's Lake;
they neither plant Corn, nor any thing else, but live altogether upon
Flesh, Fish, Roots and Herbs; an infinite Number of People, of late
become Allies to the Iroquois.
Thus far proceeds CONRAD WEISER'S Account.
The Six Nations, as was observed above, border upon the Provinces of
Pensilvania and New-York: The Rest, which are mentioned as their
Dependents and Allies, lie near the French Settlements, some amidst,
and some beyond them. The Wisdom of the Chiefs in this Confederacy
hath gained them no less Reputation than their Courage; which indeed
has struck Terror into the remotest Indian
Nations of North America,

and forc'd them to court the Friendship and Protection of such a
formidable Power.
The Moderation and Equity of the first Proprietor of Pensilvania,
gained the absolute Confidence and Affection of this brave People:
They were convinced of his Tenderness for them, and in Return they
have erected him lasting Monuments in their grateful Hearts: They
revere this good Man's Memory, and his Praises will only cease with
the Nations themselves.
The following Clauses from a Collection of Charters, &c. printed at
Philadelphia 1740, are, amongst many others, strong Proofs of the
Proprietor's equitable Regard to these People.
"That no Man, says he, shall by any ways or means, in Word or Deed,
affront or wrong any Indian, but he shall incur the same Penalty of the
Law, as if he had committed it against his fellow Planter: And if any
Indian shall abuse, in Word or Deed, any Planter of this Province, that
he shall not be his own Judge upon the Indian, but he shall make his
Complaint to the Governor of the Province, or his Lieutenant or Deputy,
or some inferior Magistrate near him, who shall to the utmost of his
Power, take Care with the KING of the said Indian, that all reasonable
Satisfaction be made to the said injured Planter.
"That all Differences between the Planters and the Natives, shall also
be ended by Twelve Men, that is, by Six Planters and Six Natives, that
so we may live friendly together, as much as in us lieth, preventing all
Occasions of Heart-burnings and Mischief."
A Conduct regulated by such Principles of Love and Justice, could not
fail to influence this discerning People, and biass them in Favour of the
ENGLISH; a Continuance of the like Conduct must attach them
inviolably: And the present worthy Governor and Council seem so
sensible of the Necessity of cultivating a good Understanding with the
Six Nations,
as to be likely to omit no Opportunity of brightening the
Chain, or increasing the Fire of Friendship with them.
The Confidence which these Nations repose in their Interpreter, is a

Proof of his Industry, good Sense, and Address: Nothing could have
happened more favourably to the English Settlements, than that those
delicate Affairs should be in the Hands of a Person equally just and a
Friend to both.
The FRENCH are perpetually labouring to debauch their Faith to the
ENGLISH: Their Emissaries, the Priests, an indefatigable, artful,
insinuating Race, are constantly labouring to gain Admittance amongst
them. They assume all Shapes, try every Spring; they magnify the
Power and Grandeur of FRANCE; they study to render the ENGLISH
diminutive and contemptible; they foment every little Occasion of
Disgust, and leave no Stone unturned to prejudice us in their Esteem.
Hitherto the Honour of the Six Nations, and the experienced good
Intentions and Probity of the ENGLISH, have been a sufficient Barrier
against all their Intrigues: But it cannot be imprudent to countermine
the intended Mischief, by giving suitable Encouragement to proper
Persons, to converse with the Indians, and study their Genius. An
open-hearted Generosity wins them effectually: The Temper of the
ENGLISH is happily suited to this; and the additional Qualifications of
Integrity and Prudence must in Time pave the Way to an Ascendency in
their Councils, and by this Means the Subtilty of the FRENCH would
be utterly defeated.
One sees, in the following short Sketch of the