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1793 W
5 mo. 26 D 1 We had a Meeting at J. Darlings to which many came, and the
Meeting ended I hope to pretty good Satisfaction, in the afternoon
we rode to Jeremiah Browns & lodged.
2 We went to Benjamin Hills to Breakfast, from thence about 1
Miles to the Landing, where the goods are transported from Lake
Ontario, above the Falls to Lake Erie, to a Landing called (???)
about 10 Miles, this carrying Place, is a place of great Trade at
the Landing the
7no. whose kind friendly Disposition I shall not easily forget, after Dinner
we went to the Indian camp to hear good Peter the Onida Chief preach, good he appeared to be a much good Spirited Man, confessed he was a poor
Peter weak Indian, spoke of his Experiences, & of the light within, in such preacher a manner as to make me believe he was in a good Degree experimenting?
acquainted therewith, there was a large Audience of People, who came
out of Curiosity, which had such a deadning Tendency that I thought
made hard work for him, after he closed, they sang a hymn or something
like it, the Women's Voices intermixing with the Men, made their singing
very musical, after which we went to see old Gaashuster, an Ancient
Seneca Chief, who says he has attended 10 Treaties, appeared very glad
to see us,& after some conversation to mutual Satisfaction we
returned to our Quarters.
42 We met at the Council Harbour, & I thought something Solemn
attended, my mind was brought into a Situation to breathe for the
Welfare of this People, Col. Pickering had his speech prepared,& through
Parrish the Interpreter delivered a considerable Part, & then agreeably
to the Indian Custom covered up the fire & adjourned till next Day to
to deliver the rest, what he said I thought was wise & well adopted in
general, the Indians were exceeding attentive, & when he had done,
Red Jacket & several of the Old Men made remarks, he Col. then told?
them the Treaty was over unclearbut as it was a Day of festival thought out the
united States, on account of the Anniversary of Independence, he would
present them with an Ox & Rum, which I feared would do them harm
53 No Business entered the Indians feasting having disqualified them. 64 My Mind being closely exercised on account of the important Business
which engaged my serious Attention before I left home, I could see
no way for relief but to communicate to the Col: what had been
brought lively into my vien?, and to do it in writing appeared
most clear, after making a rough draft, I showed it to my Companion,
he assisted, & with some Alterations it was copied & delivered
as follows
To Col:Timothy Pickering Commissioner
for Indian Affairs
We came here from an Apprehension of Duty, & with the
Concurrence of our Friends of Philadelphia to attend the Treaty,
without any Intention to interfere or meddle with the publick Business