pences Property purchased under the Faith of the State of New York and Massachusetts, and of drawing into our flourishing County, People, that such iniquitous Measures would attract; recommend to the Persons above alluded to, to pursue some more laudable Mode of gratifying their Ambition, and to desist from Proceedings altogether Hostile to our Interest and Welfare.

Resolved also, That it is the Opinion of this Meeting, that the Proposed Meeting at Geneva ought not to be attended, as it was called by Strangers to the County, and that we will consider as Inimical to the County, such Persons belonging to it, who, at said Meeting shall consent to any of the Proposals before reprobated.

Resolved, That this Meeting expect, after having made this Public Declaration of their Situation, that those entrusted with the Administration of the State, will take the most vigorous Measures to suppress any of the Attempts made to destroy the Peace and Quiet of this County.

Resolved, That the Chairman of this Meeting, together with the Clerk thereof, be requested to sign the above Resolutions, and cause them to be printed in the different Newspapers printed in this State. By order of the Meeting.

A True Copy.

(Signed) TIMOTHY HOSMER, Chairman. NATH. GORHAM JUN., Clerk. -Turner's Phelps & Gorham's Purchase; Albany Gazette,

Nov. 25, 1793.

(Albany Gazette, Nov. 17, 1794.)

From WHITESTOWN, Nov. 5.

"And Satan came also among them."

A Gentleman directly from Canandarqua informs that 1600 Indians had come in to the Treaty on Monday se'enight, and also that Wm. Johnson a British Indian Agent and a Mr. Street, the Indian Interpreter from Niagara, was also there, and had found Means to collect 26 Chiefs in a Bye Place, and were harangueing them in the most eloquent and flattering Manner when discovered by the Inhabitants; they were using the most persuasive Arts, together with Offers of large Presents to induce the Indians to turn their Arms against the United States. The Meeting broke up in a disorderly Manner. The Inhabitants were greatly exasperated at this insolent Conduct of British Agents, and it is said they gave out that if Col. Pickering did not cause their Arrest they would inflict upon them the Yankee Punishment of Tar and Feathers.

TRANSACTIONS WITH THE CAYUGA AND

OTHER INDIANS.

EXHIBIT 250.

Petition to the Governor of New York.1

Brother Governor and Great Chief of the State of New York: We the Chief Sachems and Warriors of the Cayuga Nation of Indians are fully convinced and see the Necessity of John Harris and James Bennet being continued where they now live in order to keep and attend the Ferry across the Cayuga Lake for the Utility and advantage of the Publick and as they have always given genneral sattisfaction to the Publick-and have always Treated us Like Brothers-we do in the most Earnest manner request in presence of one of your Chiefs Colo. Colebreath your approbation for them to remain on our Lands and make such improvement as they may want for that purpos and for such a Term of Time as you may please to Grant-there paying yearly Sixty bushels of Indian Corn to us or the Value thereof in Cashand we pray that your Honnoreable body take it into your wise consideration and pass a Law for the purpos-and Your Petitioners in Duty Bound will every pray

I do Certify that the above petition were agreed on with the mutual Consent of all the Chiefs Sachems and warriors whose names are above written done in the presence of me

WM. COLBRATH.

April 17th 1792.

1Assembly Papers, New York, Vol. 40, p. 65.

Mr. Lush from the Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Steeltrap and other Indians of the Cayuga Nation report praying that John Harris and James Bennet may be permitted to reside and continue to Ferry over the Cayuga Lake report that in their opinion the Prayer of the Petition ought not to be granted. INDORSEMENT.

Nov. 14th 1792. No. 31.

A petition of Steeltrap and other Cayuga Indians praying That John Harris and James Bennet may be permitted to reside & continue a Ferry over the Cayuga Lake and improve Lands there. In Assembly Nov. 14th, 1792.

Read and referred to Mr. Lush, Mr. M. Patterson and Mr. Bevier.

Dec. 1st 1792.-Mr. Lush reported, that the prayer ought not to be granted.

See report annexed.

EXHIBIT 251.

Moses DeWitt to Simon DeWitt.1

BLOOMING VALE, 30th December 1793.

DEAR SIR: I was this day informed by Major Paine from the Cayuga Lake that he learned from undoubted authority that the Cayuga Indians are to set out for the City of Albany this day week. From what I can learn they are anxiously disposed to sell their Reservation as well that part of the nation residing at Buffalo Creek as those on the Ground altho they are not to be of the party that are going down—I have advised with Major Paine to endeavor to detain and prevent the Indians from going, at least for a time-our reasons are, that from your representation the Legislature probably may think proper to send for the whole Nation in order to make this purchase in the course of the winter at Albany as was suggested by you when at this place- and as those Indians residing at Cayuga certainly will go down in the course of the winter & as the State will be obliged to defray the

1Assembly Papers, New York, Vol. 40, p. 67.

whole of this expence; and further, as their coming down will sound the alarm for evil disposed persons to prevent the rest of the Nation from being brought down; I would ask whether it would not be good policy for the Legislature to take them on supprise & send for the Whole Nation at once & that as soon as might be; I will obligate myself with the assistance of Major Paine & Danforth to bring them forward provided we can have notice any time between this time and the 20th of next month as about that time I expect otherwise to set out from here for Albany. I am Yours Sincerely

MR. SIMEON DEWITT.

MOSES DEWITT.

INDORSEMENT.

SIMEON DEWITT, Albany.

MOSES DEWITT, 30 Dec. 1793. No. 4.

EXHIBIT 252.

Governor Clinton to Major Dezeng.1

ALBANY, 24th January 1794.

SIR: You will be pleased to proceed with the Messages now delivered to you to the Oneida, Onondaga and Cayuga Nation, and when you deliver the same you will explain (with the assistance of an Interpreter their purport, and by every prudent Means, in your Power you will endeavour to effect a compliance on the Part of the Indians.

As you will naturally stop first at the Oneida Village it is probable from the information I have received that you will meet with the Cayuga Nation or a deputation of them on their way here. In this case you will deliver the Message directed to their Nation and if any of their principal Men are absent whose presence will be necessary to give validity to their Transactions & preserve harmony among them you will press the necessity of their immediately notifying to such absentees this Message by a Runner.

You will observe it is requested that not more than ten of the Chiefs & Warriors from each Nation attend the proposed Conference. This limitation has been dictated not only by

'Assembly Papers, New York, Vol. 40, p. 151.

economical consideration but also arises from a view to dispatch and to prevent the session of the Legislature from being prolonged if the Oneida Deputation should be ready to proceed at an earlier period than those of the other Nations you will appoint some trusty Person to conduct them-And in like manner with either of the other Nations. I do not however mean by this that you should make any delay among the Oneidas longer than may be necessary to explain to them this Communication as an early Delivery of the Message to each Nation is important.

Major Moses DeWitt and Asa Danforth live in the neighbourhood of the Onondagas and have considerable influence among them & the Cayugas. You may rely upon their readiness to afford you every assistance in their power.

I now advance you 150 Dollars to defray the expenses of this Mission. You will keep accurate accounts of your disbursements and I am persuaded that you will observe that prudential line of Conduct necessary to promote the Views of the State. I am etc.,

To Major Dezeng.

INDORSEMENT.

GEO. CLINTON.

Copy of Instructions to Major Dezeng charged with Messages to the Indians.

No. I.

EXHIBIT 253.

Governor Clinton to the Cayuga Chiefs and Warriors.1

BROTHERS: Open your ears and listen attentively to what I have to say to you.

Our great Council, the Legislature of this State, are now met at this place to deliberate upon our public affairs. They have been informed that you wish for their interposition in making arrangements relative to the lands reserved for your use and in order that this may be effected in the most satisfactory and advantageous manner to you, they have desired me to dispatch a

1Assembly Papers, New York, Vol. 40, p. 153.