Addendum

to

Answer of the United States.

Comments Upon Certain Statements Appearing in the Memorial of His Britannic Majesty's Government and in the Index to the Annexes to the Memorial.

109

ADDENDUM

TO ANSWER OF THE UNITED STATES

Comments upon Certain Statements Appearing in the Memorial of His Britannic Majesty's Government and in the Index to the Annexes to the Memorial.

THE MEMORIAL.

Page 3 (par. 1). "The settlements and villages of the league were then found planted within the territory which became the State of New York, where the confederated nations continued to reside in undisturbed possession until the time of the Revolutionary War, shortly after which they migrated to lands lying upon the Grand River in Canada,' where they have ever since been domiciled and established, maintaining their cohesion, ancient constitution and method of government."

Comment. The apparent inference to be drawn from this statement is that the entire League of the Iroquois migrated in a body to the Grand River. As a matter of fact, only the Mohawks went as a nation. The other Indians, who migrated, went over at different times as individuals, and not as tribes, and were allowed by the Canadian Government to settle on certain lands, which were given to the Mohawks "and others of the Six Nations who have either lost their settlement within the territory of the American States or wish to retire from them to the British" (Memorial, page 258). In migrating these departing Indians left behind them organized nations and the ancient Iroquois Confederacy, which lacked only the Mohawk tribe. With the League and the separate nations the Governments of the United States and the State of New York continued to deal.

Page 4 (par. 3). "This treaty [of. 1789] was not in fact, however, executed by any sachem, or competent Indian authority." Comment. This statement assumes that a document conveying national or tribal rights in land required execution by a sachem. The assumption is without supporting evidence. National action

'The italics used in this and subsequent quotations do not appear in the original text

ADDENDUM

TO ANSWER OF THE UNITED STATES

Comments upon Certain Statements Appearing in the Memorial of His Britannic Majesty's Government and in the Index to the Annexes to the Memorial.

THE MEMORIAL.

Page 3 (par. 1). "The settlements and villages of the league were then found planted within the territory which became the State of New York, where the confederated nations continued to reside in undisturbed possession until the time of the Revolutionary War, shortly after which they migrated to lands lying upon the Grand River in Canada,' where they have ever since been domiciled and established, maintaining their cohesion, ancient constitution and method of government."

Comment. The apparent inference to be drawn from this statement is that the entire League of the Iroquois migrated in a body to the Grand River. As a matter of fact, only the Mohawks went as a nation. The other Indians, who migrated, went over at different times as individuals, and not as tribes, and were allowed by the Canadian Government to settle on certain lands, which were given to the Mohawks "and others of the Six Nations who have either lost their settlement within the territory of the American States or wish to retire from them to the British" (Memorial, page 258). In migrating these departing Indians left behind them organized nations and the ancient Iroquois Confederacy, which lacked only the Mohawk tribe. With the League and the separate nations the Governments of the United States and the State of New York continued to deal.

Page 4 (par. 3). "This treaty [of. 1789] was not in fact, however, executed by any sachem, or competent Indian authority." Comment. This statement assumes that a document conveying national or tribal rights in land required execution by a sachem. The assumption is without supporting evidence. National action 'The italics used in this and subsequent quotations do not appear in the original text