time for peaceable Negotiation had not yet arrived, and they effected nothing towards procuring the Cession of Lands, or even towards a Cessation of Hostilities. Many of the Oneidas were induced to remove to Schenectady, where they were supported at the Expense of the State, during the latter Part of the War.

In 1783, the first effectual Step was taken towards this Object, by the Appointment of Agents to settle the Indian Boundaries, and obtain such Cessions of Land as might be deemed proper, granting to the Native Owners such Annuities and Payments as would satisfy their Claims, and leaving them in Possession of certain Reservations, for their own Residence and Cultivation.

The Transfer of Title to large Areas of Land, is of itself always an important Era in the Civil History of a Country, because it involves a Change of Policy with regard to Settlements, and may determine the future. Character of the Population through long Periods of Time. But when the Change has in express View the Substitution of Civilization for Barbarism—a dense agricultural Population in the Place of a thinly scattered and half starved Race of Savages, earning a precarious Subsistence by the Chase or by Fishing, the Event becomes one of unusual Importance, and claims of the Historian a full and ample Record.

The Deeds of Cession procured from the Native Owners, under the Negotiation of the Commissioners appointed by State Authority, have at various Times

ERRATA.

Page 198, Note 1 is accidentally attached to the Onondaga Treaty. It belongs to the Oneida Treaty, Page 241.

In several Instances the Initial K, in the Names of Indians, has been mistaken for H, or R, by the Compositors, and the Error was not observed until the Edition was printed off. The latter were very unusual at the beginning of Iroquois Names, and among the Seneca and Cayuga Tribes, G was usually substituted for K.

An Act to Appoint His Excellency the Governor of this State or Person Administering the Government thereof for the Time Being, and the Commissioners therein designated to Superintend Indian Affairs, passed the Sixth Day of April, 1784.1

HE following Message was by Advice of the Commissioners sent by his Excellency Governor Clinton to the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca Nations of Indians, vizt :

Sachems and Warriors of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas,

Attend! I am appointed, as Governor of this State, to preside at a Board of Commissioners instituted for the Purpose of conferring with You, in order to accommodate the

1 An Act passed March 25, 1783 (Folio Laws, 6th Sess., p. 29c), directed the Council of Appointment to appoint three Commissioners of Indian Affairs with Power to superintend and conduct the Affairs of the Indians and perform such other Duties as might be

B

required by Law. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were to be secured in their Rights from their Attachment to the Cause of the Colonies during the War, and the Acts of the Commissioners were to be submitted to the Legislature for Confirmation before they could become Valid.

Differences which have unhappily arisen between You and Us, in the Course of the late War between Great Britain and America. This Appointment has been made expressly, lest You should object to the Impropriety of treating with any others than those You have always (until the late Troubles) considered as your immediate Brethren, and who have always, until then, considered You as such, and who now wish to renew the ancient Covenant which subsisted between Us. In Order therefore to promote this salutary Business, which is the Object of this Message, it appears to us necessary that the Path of Communication between You and Us should be immediately opened, and We do accordingly hereby remove all the Obstacles which lay in it and pluck up by the Roots all the Briars and Brambles with which it is overgrown, that We may freely pass and repass to and from each other. A String of six Rows. Sachems and Warriors aforesaid. We are persuaded, from the Communication made by General Schuyler, that You are heartily inclined to renew that ancient Friendship which heretofore subsisted between You and Us, and between your Forefathers and ours; That your Intentions are honest, generous and sincere. We are glad to hear it, because We wish that all Animosity should be buried in eternal Oblivion; and a future friendly Intercourse should prevail between Us, to the Benefit of Us both. To this End, We now invite You to meet Us in Council at the German Flatts, where You will also find the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, and where We hope all Differences will be amicably adjusted, and that We may part from each other reconciled Brethren.

We do not fix on a Day for the Meeting, as your Distance and other Circumstances might render it impossible, or very

The Council appointed Abraham Cuyler, Peter Schuyler and Henry Glen, June 27, 1783.

By the Act of April 6, 1784, the Governor, with these Commissioners, was authorized to associate them such other Persons as might be deemed expedient, and to enter into such Compacts

and Agreements with the Indians within the State as might be for the Interest of the Public and to stipulate the Ratification of such Agreements by Law. The Governor and two of the Commissioners were constituted a Quorum for the Transaction of Business.

inconvenient for You then to attend; but We wish You should be at the appointed Place as early in the next Month as you can. You will probably be able to determine on the precise Time whilst the Bearer is with You; and inform Us thereof by him. If not, it is our Desire that You will dispatch Runners to Us with a Message written in English previous to your setting out, that no unnecessary Delays may intervene in a Business so important to both. Direct your Letters to Henry Glenn' Schenectady, who will immediately give me and the other Commissioners Notice when to attend. A large White Belt.

Sachems and Warriors! We have sent Mr. Peter Ryckman2 with this Message because many of You are well acquainted with him, and We trust You will afford him all the Assistance in your Power on his Return to Us. If Sickness or any Accident should prevent his Return, We desire You to send your Answer by those who accompany him or by Messengers of A String. GEO. CLINTON.

your own.

City of New York, April 12th, 1784.

Instructions for Mr. Peter Ryckman.

Sir. You will convey the Message herewith delivered You, to the Indians to whom it is directed, and take with You two or three Oneidas or Tuscaroras; and if any Accident should prevent You from proceeding, either in going or returning, You will forward the Dispatches by those who may accompany You.

Whilst at Niagara,3 You will mix as much as possible

1 HENRY GLEN was a Member of the Provincial Congress, and was three Years in Assembly subsequent to this Treaty. He resided near Schenectady, it is believed, in the present Village of Scotia.

2 PETER RYCKMAN spent the principal Part of his Life in Business connected with Indian Affairs, residing many Years in the Cayuga Country. He died at Albany, January 15, 1811, aged 80

Years. He was prominently concerned in the Leasee Company.

3 The Fort at Niagara, although within. the Territory of New York, was not surrendered until June, 1796. At this Period it was the Head Quarters of the British in that Region, and the Seat of an active Fur Trade with the Western Tribes. Its Possession gave the effectual Control of this Trade to the English.