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Majesty's Servants, and have thought them as dangerous as they are difficult to prevent, and among other more important Reasons for my recommending the seat of Government, and the station of the Principal Body of the Troops, to be on the river Thames and its dependancies, in September 1793. I stated to Mr. Secretary Dundas "a strong settlement in the vicinity (Long Point) would effectually separate the Mohawks on the Grand River from the other Indian Nations and prevent what Brant once intimated to me in a letter," "the Six Nations becoming a barrier between the British and the Western Indians." But Sir, I never considered the Establishment of the Capital at the place, marked London on the forks of the Thames or La Tranche as the Capital not only of Upper Canada, but as the Mart of all the Independent Indian Nations; and in the present situation of Affairs the extension of the Settlement from it to Burlington Bay, on the one side, to Long Point and Chatham on the other, will in a short space effectually add the influence of Command over all the Nations within the British Territory, as I trust the King's Benevolence duly distributed, would preserve the foundations of affection and confidence which a long intercourse of benefits ought and I hope has established."

Brant is at present gone to meet the Indian Superintendant of the United States at Canandarque, as He informs me, on the Affairs of the Grand River Indians: It is probable He will visit me on his return, I shall then have great pleasure in acquainting him of your Lordship's kindness in respect to a pension for his Wife; which is not only an object that He constantly dwells upon but being reversionary may be a security for his remaining faithful to His Majesty's Government.

I enclose to your Lordship the Extract of a Letter from Captain Brant desiring that Mr Norton may be employed as an Interpreter of the Grand River Indians.1

I have the honour to be with the greatest respect,
My Lord, &c.

The Right Honourable

LORD DORCHESTER

&c. &c. &c.

(Signed)

J. G. SIMCOE.

ENDORSED: In M. Genl. Simcoe's No. 35 of the 22d. Decr. 1795.

'Not enclosed. [Marginal note appearing in original text.]

EXHIBIT 335.

Lord Dorchester to Joseph Chew.1

Copy No. 3.

"Extract of a Letter from Head Quarters wrote by His Excellency Lord Dorchester to Joseph Chew Secretary of Indian Affairs dated 15 Feby 1796.

"Be pleased to inform Captain Brant that the purchase of the Lands in Question, having been once made by the Commander in Chief from the Indians, the formallity of regranting it to the Six Nations depends upon the Civil Government, the Administration of which being at present in separate hands, Lord Dorchester has no concern therewith; But there can be no doubt but that all the Lands and Advantages given to the Indians by General Haldimand, tho' without the formalitys which the Law requires ought in equity to be made good; They may be enlarged, but not Contracted, unless by mutual Consent; and to this Effect Lord Dorchester has written to Lieutenant Governor Simcoe."

Montreal 19 Feby 1796
A true Extract

(Signed)

JOSEPH CHEW.

S. I. A.

ENDORSED: No. 3 Extract from a Letter from Head Quarters wrote by Lord Dorchesters orders to Joseph Chew Secretary of Indian Affairs dated 15 Feby 1796. In Mr. Prest. Russell's 14th Novr. 1796.

No. 37.

EXHIBIT 336.

J. G. Simcoe to the Duke of Portland."

YORK UPPER CANADA, Febr. 27th, 1796. MY LORD DUKE: I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's Dispatch No. 8-on the 18. of this month.

I have been informed by the Commander in Chief, Lord Dorchester, in a Letter which I received on the 18. of February, that his Lordship means to avail himself of his Majesty's per

1Canadian Archives, Q. 283, p. 37.
"Canadian Archives, Q. 282, p. 163.

mission to return to Europe on the Arrival of Lt. General Prescot, whom He expects early in the Spring at Quebec.

It is therefore with some little additional Surprize, as his Lordships Letter bears date on the 22d of Novr. that I have received his Orders to expedite the temporary Buildings which He has thought proper to Erect on the Banks of Niagara, & on the defenceless situation opposite to Bois blanc.

These works, will occasion an Expenditure of the Public Money equal at the least to what I believe would amply fortify the important Harbour of York, & that near Long Point.

The Commander in Chief has at length, transmitted a Deed which He thinks proper to be offered to Brant & the Six Nations, entitling them to lease their lands on the Ouse or Grand River— As under my limited means I acquiesce in the Expediency of the measure, I have informed his Lordship that I shall lose no time in carrying it into Execution. Applying to the Legislature of this Country or thro' Your Grace, for an Act of the British Parliament, as the case, in the Opinion of the Law Officers in this Province may require, to give validity to the Measure.

I am to observe to Your Grace, that the late Chief Justice Osgoode, thought such a power of leasing incompatible with the laws of England.

I have given information to the Civil Officers of Government, that York, for the present, is to become the seat of Government, & in consequence I am preparing to erect such Buildings as may be necessary for the future meeting of the Legislature; The plan I have adopted is, to consider a future Government House, as a Center, & to construct the wings as temporary Offices for the Legislature, purposing that so soon as the Province has sufficient funds to erect its own Public Buildings, that they may be removed elsewhere.

But should the seat of Government be ultimately established on the River Thames, as in my opinion every public consideration & the King's Service requires, the Wings now erecting together with the Lands appropriated for the Government House, may be hereafter sold, so as materially to lessen if not to liquidate the sums expended in their Construction.

The Legislature is to meet at Niagara on the 7. of May, & I propose to dissolve the House of Assembly, before the Fort is evacuated.

The Road from York to the Head Waters of Lake Huron has been opened by the Soldiers, & by these means, a very excellent Tract of Country is rendered accessible to future settlers & a ready communication afforded to the Post which the Public Interest demands should be removed from Michillimackinac to Pennatangushene or Gloucester.

The occupation of the three defensible Harbours of York, Long Point, & Gloucester appears to me to be the wisest & most necessary Measure that under every civil or Military View can possibly take place for the present or future Benefit of this Province.

I have the Honour to be with the utmost deference & Respect My Lord Duke,

Your Grace's most Obedient & most humble Servant,

J. G. SIMCOE.

His Grace The Duke of Portland, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, &c. &c. &c.

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SIR: I do not comprehend how any Difficulty can arise with the Indians concerning their Lands for not an Acre will be taken or accepted from them, whether the Troops are withdrawn or not, without their being perfectly satisfied.

1Canadian Archives, Q. 75, p. 476.

With regard to the Tract on the Grand River, if the Five Nations choose to Hold it under the Title given by General Haldimand, in preference to any that has since been offered, no other should be forced upon them; for it certainly would be very impolitic to enter into a serious dispute as to the Mode of Conveying Lands which have been given to them as a Reward for Services. I have already stated that a Purchase of Indian Territory having been once made by the Commander in Chief, for the King's Province of Upper Canada, the Policy and Formalities of distributing the same depend upon the Civil Government.

Having promised thus much, it seems only necessary to assure You, that upon application Made conformably to the established Regulations, I shall give every facility to the purchase of such Tracts in Upper Canada as you shall think the King's Service may require.

I am with Regard, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant. (Signed) DORCHESTER.

Major Genl. Simcoe, Lieut. Governor of Upper Canada.

ENDORSED. C.

In 'Lord Dorchester's, No. 97, To the Duke of Portland.

EXHIBIT 338.

Joseph Chase to Captain Joseph Brant.1

MONTREAL, June 1st, 1796.

MY GOOD FRIEND: I have just Time to say your letter of the 17th May was Received yesterday. I am Very Sorry that there should be any difficulty Respecting the Grant of the Lands on the grand River, after the Plain & Explicit namner that his Lordship gave his Opinion-I am Sure he wishes the Indians to have the whole and entire benefit and Every Emolument that can arise from it. I cannot conceive how any of the Six Nations Settled on the American Side can pretend to have the Smallest Claim to those Lands, or to any advantage from them. My Son had acquainted me of the death of or old Friend Colo. Butler which

1Archives of Wisconsin Historical Society, 20, F.

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