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sort which General Haldimand first promised to us, we hope the Council would not restrict us too much otherways we shall look look upon it not much better than a Yankee deed or grant to their Indian friends.

INDORSED

In Lord Dorchester's to Lord Grenville No. 84. of the 14. June 1791.

Copy.

EXHIBIT 331.

Henry Motz to Sir John Johnson.'

QUEBEC, 9th May, 1791.

SIR: On the Subject of Joseph Brandt's letter respecting the lands on the Grand River, I am to observe, that without doubt the Indians are entitled to the full accomplishment of Governor Haldimand's promise to them without any diminution, and it shall be carried into execution accordingly.

A Continuation of Settlements along the borders of Lake Erie, concerning which it seems the Indians have been spoke to, may be for the general convenience of the King's Subjects, but no parts of the lands promised to the Indians can be kept from them on that ground.

To leave their choice more free it should have been explained to them that this proposal did not come from Government, as from Government they may now be assured their acquiescence shall not be accepted, while they think it hard, that they should give it back after it has been given to them-They must have all that has been promised, and if they should afterwards consent to surrender any part of their tract, for the accommodation of the Kings subjects in general, they must have full and ample compensation for it to their entire satisfaction.

As to the nature of the deed it should be framed in every respect according to their own wishes, so as to secure the true interests of themselves and their posterity for ever in the most effectual

1Canadian Archives, Q. 50, p. 156.

manner-It will be very desirable that they should consider this matter fully among themselves, and bring forward the heads of the deed they wish to receive. You will be pleased to recommend this measure to Captain Brandt, and to acquaint him with His Lordship's sentiments, expressed in this letter, in general.

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant. (Signed) HENRY MOTZ.

Sir John Johnson Bart.

INDORSED.

24. In Lord Dorchester's to Lord Grenville No. 84. of the 14 June, 1791.

EXHIBIT 332.

Report of Council Meeting Relative to Grand River Lands.1

At the Council Chamber Navy Hall, in the County of LincolnTuesday, January 1st, 1793.

Present.

His Excellency John G. Simcoe Esqr. Lieut. Governor &c, &c, &c, The Honble. Wm. Osgoode, Chief Justice The Honble. Peter Russell.

His Excellency the Lieut. Governor was pleased to submit to the Honble. Council, The Report of the Committee on the Claims of certain Indians to Lands assigned them upon the Grand River, dated December 24th 1791, who having considered the said Report were pleased to concur in Opinion with the Committee of the 24th December 1791, and to direct, that a grant be made under the Great Seal of the Province, in favor of the principal Chiefs, on behalf of their Nations, or Persons in trust for them & their Heirs for ever of a Tract of Land on the Grand River, agreeably to the Survey reported by Mr. Jones, as promised to the Indians of the Six Nations and that the Attorney General be instructed to prepare a Conveyance accordingly, conformably to the Survey.

Adjourned.

1Canadian Archives, Q. 282, p. 278.

Copy.

No. 3.

EXHIBIT 333.

Lord Dorchester to Colonel Simcoe.1

QUEBEC, 27th January, 1794.

SIR: I am to return you thanks for the information contained in your letters of the 10th Novem' 2d, 3rd, and 6th December relative to the State of the Country, and regret much that all endeavours to conciliate matters between the Indians and the United States have proved ineffectual.

With respect to the Lands upon the Grand River promised to the Six Nations by Sir Frederick Haldimand, it was certainly judicious not to say anything to which an improper turn might be given, for it is of consequence to keep the Different Tribes in good humour, as many are on the Watch to pervert the King's benevolent intentions towards them. The intention of Government in giving these Lands was to make them as beneficial to the Indians as possible, and to do that it is necessary that the grant should contain restrictions that will put them out of the reach of imposition. It would be very improper to suffer this Tract to get into the hands of Land Jobbers, if it must be sold the Crown should repurchase it. It were much to be wished that Government possessed all the Lands along the Lakes, the want of which will interrupt the Communication of the Settlements. It is true that Brant did say we might have them but as it was not with that cordiality and good will that were to be wished, it was thought better to let the matter drop for the Moment, and I think it would not be advisable to press it at any time if disagreeable to them. In all negotiations of consequence with the Indians the Superintendant General, if possible should be present, and as Sir John Johnson is expected upon the opening of the Navigation, if the whole of this business can be put off till he comes it will be best.

Enquiry has been made relative to the Purchase at Matchadosh Bay, a plan, (Copy of which I believe was given to you) has been found at the Surveyor General's Office to which is attached a blank Deed with the Names or devices of three Chiefs of the Missasaga Nation on separate pieces of Paper annexed thereto,

1Canadian Archives, Q. 71, p. 142.

and witnessed by Mr. Collins, Mr. Kotte a Surveyor since dead and Mr. Lines—Indian Interpreter, but not being filled up is of no validity, or may be applied to the grant of all the Lands they possess; no fraud has been committed, nor seems to have been intended, it has however been an Omission which will set aside the whole transaction and throw us entirely on the good faith of the Indians for just so much Land as they are willing to allow and what may be further necessary must be purchased anew, but it will be best not to press that matter or show any anxiety about it. I am with regard, Sir, Y. m. o. h. S.

(Signed)

DORCHESTER.

Colonel Simcoe.

ENDORSED. E.

In Lord Dorchester's No. 16. To the Duke of Portland of the I Jany. 1795.

Copy.
No. 80.

EXHIBIT 334.

J. G. Simcoe to Lord Dorchester.1

YORK, December 22d, 1795. MY LORD: On the sixth of this month I had the honour to receive your Lordships Letter No. 40.

I never wished Mr. Jones to be employed otherwise than as an Interpreter, should He now be willing to accept of that Office; the Communication between Him and me was confidential, in the Summer 1793. He coming to Niagara on the prospect of War, and no person but Major of Brigade Littlehales being acquainted with the transaction-He then proposed to dispose of His property in the Genesee's.

I hope that your Lordship will lose no time in forming some propositions or arrangement relative to the lands of the Grand River Indians. I have just received a Message from their Chieftains requesting an Answer to their Speech on that point. The Reply I gave to them was the repeating verbally, the Sentence in your Lordship's No. 40, where you express yourself on that subject.

I have already informed Your Lordship in No. 70 of the only motive that induced me to go to the Grand River, particularly

Canadian Archives, Q. 282, p. 140.

as upon the refusal of the Grant which this Government offered to the Indians settled there of their Lands; I acquainted Brant that I should not interfere in any of their affairs and that all such Transactions must pass through Colonel Butler.

There is no person more aware of the different circumstances that direct the Conduct of Captain Brant, than myself and of his unjustifiable Language in respect to Colonel McKee-The Indian Department is radically defective, nor can it by any means combine or regulate the Views of the several Indian Chiefs, and of the different Tribes.

It appears to me there can be little doubt, but that the withdrawing of the King's Forces will destroy all confidence in the King's Power, among the Indian Nations-without the pale of His Majesty's Dominions, and will render those within it most troublesome, and presumptious, particularly at the Grand River; to the prevention of all regular settlement in its Vicinity, and the encouragement of that which is clandestine, illegal and most dangerous-For the great Country between Lake Erie, the Grand River, and the Thames is too happily adapted for location to remain uncultivated.

Your Lordship has not thought proper to give me the directions which I felt it my duty to ask from you relative to the Murderer, Captain Brant's son-I consider it as a fortunate circumstance that in attempting to assasinate his Father this dangerous young man fell the victim of his own Atrocity.

I had determined to demand the Murderer, and meant in case of refusal, to have supported the Civil Power in his apprehension with the whole Military Force of the Country for which I had began preparations.

It seems therefore to me to be most necessary that previously to withdrawing the King's forces the Indian Agent should be instructed to make such terms with the Chiefs of the Grand River, as may ensure the delivery of all Murderers particularly as your Lordship will see in my Letter No. 4, not only the Contempt with which Brant refused the deed for the lands of the Grand River, but that He renovated the Indian Custom of covering the grave of the murdered person which had been rendered obsolete by Sir William Johnson's treaty, and is totally inadmissable.

I have long been acquainted with Brant's views of setting up an Indian Interest, separate from the controul or, influence of His

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