.MTAyNg.Njg0MTY
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
1793 W
D
8 mo 15 5 anxiety about the superabundance, It is not to be thought
strange, that the Indians are so reluctant to come into
what is called civilized life, as they see the Customs of
the white people are so corrupt, for it is asserted that the
Traders sell spirituous Liquors to the Indians, to take
advantage of them in trade, and through their insinuations
the young Women are debauched, and I heard it positively
asserted, that one trader of considerable note, had 40
Children, and near his close, he lamented his condition
and said it was his greatest concern, lest his children
should intermarry with each other.
16 6 Two young men came from the grand Council, and
stood for some time at a distance as if frighten'd, after
some time they went unto the Commissioners, & deliver'd
a letter with some strings of Wampum, containing an
explicit full Answer, that as they could not make the
Ohio the Boundary, they need not come forward, as to
their offers of Money, as a consideration for their Land, they
did not want it, they had their army that did not know
the use of it, and that the Money the Commissioners
proposed, it might be applied to the satisfying their
own people, who have settled & made improvements
on the Indian Lands &c. this Answer was marked
with the signature of the Tribes, with Turkies, Otters &
various kinds of birds, but the 5 nations were not
included, the Speech was long, sensible & well wrote,
and very mortifying to the Commissioners, but they
were obliged to return without an interview in council
with the Indians, & Orders were given to strike the
Tents.
17 7 We all embarked for fort Erie, and got under
way about 4 O'Clock; our Company was large, &
as I and my Companions had endeavour'd faithfully
in margin too Ans? from the Indian Council