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    To push on to the Muskingum at once, and settle    391

on the Land reserved for them by Congress; was the intentions of the Christian Indians, at the outset of their Journey; but we now saw, that a wise Providence had decreed otherwise. The honorable William Henry Esq. a Member of Congress at that time--and a Gentleman, who for many years past, had taken a particular interest, in the concession of the Indians of this Country; but who had witnessed, scenses the most shocking and cruel which had been committed on the harmless and inoffen sive Indians, by unprincipled vagabond White People, among which, was the murder of the unclear Indians: unclear congratulating us by Letter, on the good disposition of Congress, unclear unclear to the Christian Indians their former Town on the Muskingum, yet, gave it as his private opinion; that we would do well, not to be in too great a hurry in settling on these Lands, as he had a bad opinion of the frontier white Settlers, who had already murdered a great part of the Congregation, and probably would at any time when they had an Opportunity, be ready to do so again to others of the Comunity as these People sought to get the Country to themselves. He hoped, Congress would before long, pass and enforce such Laws, as would put an end to all future encroachment* on Indian Lands; for unless this was done, those intruders would keep the Country perpetually at War with the Indians.

                                                            Congress

• Tomohawk improvements (as they were called) made on Indi

an Lands were then customary. Numbers of these were made on the Christian Indian Lands, after these were murdered.