1717/06/17

The 5 Nations

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the proposition of Governor Hunter regarding Virginia

The 5 Nations state that the Indians they attacked in Virginia are a "false and treacherous" people, but if they had known that they were friends of the English, they would never have attacked. They extend their apologies to Virginia, and ask that an agent be sent up to Albany so that the covenant between the 5 Nations and Virginia may be renewed. In his response, Governor Hunter demands that the 5 Nations find the prisoner they took and return her to Virginia. As a final remark, the 5 Nations note that despite rumors to the contrary, they have no intentions of destroying the [Sappone]…

GLC03107.02132

1718/09/03

Hunter, Robert, 1664-1734

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition to the Sachems of the 5 Nations [in Dutch]

GLC03107.02133

1719/10/06

Kataruksat & Itakampaas

Manuscript document signed

Title: Receipt of payment from Robert Livingston for the account of William White

Payment was made to Kataruksat and Itakampaas on account of the sale to William White of the land called Oyataak. Kataruksat and Itakampaas signed with their marks.

GLC03107.02134

1720

Schuyler, Pieter, 1657-1724

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, and Cayugas [rough draft]

Schuyler warns the Indians not to make war against the southern Indians, and to respect English property when their warriors travel to Virginia and Maryland. He also mentions the danger of the French building a fort at Onjagare. Marked as a rough draft on the docket.

GLC03107.02135

1720/08/25

River Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions made to Peter Schuyler

The River Indians apologize for breaking the custom of presenting the English with gifts, but explain that they are too poor to do so. They ask Schuyler to renew the covenant chain, and express their desire to learn English so that they may understand the minister and become Christians.

GLC03107.02136

1720/08/25

Schuyler, Pieter, 1657-1724

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the River Indians

Schuyler encourages the River Indians to send their men out hunting, but to keep them from fighting with the Southern Indians. He also warns them against entering into agreements with the French, and urges them to remain peaceful.

GLC03107.02137

1720/08/31

Schuyler, Pieter, 1657-1724

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the 5 Nations

Schuyler explains the French designs to make a settlement at Onjagore, and warns the Indians that they will be ruined if they allow such a settlement. He discusses the mischievous activity of the 5 Nations in the southern colonies, and advises them to send an embassy to acknowledge their breach of the covenant, and their desire to repair the damages. Schuyler also mentions a conflict regarding possession of the Susquehanna River, and the need for confirmation of when and to whom this land was sold. The docket states that the proposition was not approved.

GLC03107.02138

1720/09/01

Schuyler, Peter, 1657-1724

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, and Cayugas [delivered]

Schuyler proposes to renew the covenant chain on behalf of all of the King's colonies, and regrets the absence of the Senecas, who have entered into an agreement with the French. The 4 Nations are asked ot make peace with all English allies, and are commended for resisting French efforts to build a settlement at Onjagore.

GLC03107.02139

1720/09/01

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Manuscript document

Title: Private conference with the 4 Nations

Most of the document is illegible due to damage. Signed by Robert Livingston, Secretary of Indian Affairs.

GLC03107.02140

1720/09/03

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Manuscript document

Title: Meeting of Peter Schuyler and Commissioners of Indian Affairs.

The document proposes to lift the suspension of Hendrik the Mohawk, and to receive him as a Sachem once again. It then notes that Hendrik has requested that rum no longer be sold so freely in the Mohawk's country, as it keeps them from living peaceably.

GLC03107.02141

1720/09/03

Mohawk Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the propositions of Peter Schuyler

The speaker agrees to renew the covenant on behalf of all 5 Nations, and promises to stop traveling through the southern colonies and upsetting the Christians and Indians that live there. They also state that they will not allow the French Indians to pass through their country to trade. Docketed on p.4.

GLC03107.02142

January 1, 1721

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: possession of the land called Niagara

Burnet asks Livingston if the Senecas gave the land called Niagara to the English while Coll, Thomas Dongan was still in office, and before the French conquered that territory. He asks that either Livingston or his son look through the old records of Indian Affairs to see if such a proposition was ever made.

GLC03107.02143

1721/06/16

Holland, Henry, fl. 1721

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: unfair practices in trade with the Indians

Holland complains of unfair trading practices with the Indians, and asks that an act be passed requiring all suspected traders to exonerate themselves on oath. He notes that this is the only way to maintain fair and regulated trade.

GLC03107.02144

1722/08/30

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the River and Skachtkook Indians with an answer [in Dutch]

GLC03107.02145

1722/09/07

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the 5 Nations

William Burnet, the Governor of Pennsylvania, invites the 5 Nations to renew the covenant chain between them. He recalls an unhappy incident in which 2 men from Pennsylvania killed an Indian of the 5 Nations in the midst of an argument over the sale of rum. Burnet expresses his sorrow over the incident, and assures the Indians that the guilty men are in prison and will be tried as if they had killed a Christian man. A sizeable portion of the document is missing due to damage. Signed by Robert Livingston, Secretary of Indian Affairs.

GLC03107.02146

1722/09/07

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions to the 5 Nations [in Dutch]

GLC03107.02147

1722/09/08

Livingston, Robert, 1654-1728

Manuscript document

Title: Council meeting of Governors Burnet and Spotswood with Sachems of the 5 Nations

Governor Burnet explains that the Eastern Indians have attacked settlers in New England, and asks if the 5 Nations knew of any plans for this attack. The 5 Nations reply that a year ago the Mohawks received black wampum from the Onnagongues, who asked for their assistance in a war against the English of New England. Burnet then reprimands the 5 Nations for not taking action, and reminds them that they owe their loyalty to all British subjects, and therefore must travel to Boston to speak to the Governor.

GLC03107.02148

1722/09/08

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Letter

Title: to Lieut. Harme Vedder re: commission to travel to the Seneca's country

Burnet appoints Vedder to travel to the Seneca's country with Abraham Schuyler for a period of 12 months, during which time he is to follow all orders and directions given to him. Marked as a copy on the docket.

GLC03107.02149

1722/09/08

Manuscript

Title: "Instructions for Mayor Abraham Schuyler"

Abraham Schuyler is ordered to settle in the Seneca's country for 12 months in an effort to trade with the Far Nations, and invite them to Albany to trade with the English settlers. Schuyler is directed to tell the Far Nations that the English offer their goods at a significantly cheaper price, and he is to make sure that the 5 Nations do not hinder their passage. While in the Seneca's country, he is also supposed to purchase the nearest part of land around Lake Erie, build a trading house, and maintain correspondence with the Commissioner for Indians Affairs at Albany. Marked as a copy…

GLC03107.02150

1722/09/10

The 5 Nations

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the propositions of Governor Burnet

The 5 Nations receive and approve all articles of Burnet's proposition, and express their desire for an everlasting peace. They also state that they forgive the men responsible for killing one of their Indians, and ask that they be released from prison.

GLC03107.02151

1722/09/12

The 5 Nations

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the propositions of Governor Spotswood

The 5 Nations agree with the boundaries set around Virginia by Governor Spotswood, and promise not to ever cross them. They also agree to remain at peace with the Virginia Indians, but ask that they leave a stone in their fire as a sign of their passage through the country of the 5 Nations. The Indians thank Governor Spotswood for forgiving their mischievous behavior, and agree to return any runaway enslaved people that cross their path. Docketed on p.4.

GLC03107.02152

1722/09/13

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition to the 5 Nations

The Governor consents to renew the covenant chain with the 5 Nations, and hopes that the Indians will begin to convert to Christianity. He also expects that the 5 Nations voice resentment over the misdeeds of the Eastern Indians, and send out deputies to inquire why they have attacked the people of New England. Additionally, a final and severe warning is given against any trade or correspondence with the French in Canada.

GLC03107.02153

1722/09/14

The 5 Nations

Manuscript document

Title: Second answer to the propositions of Governor Burnet

The 5 Nations agree to travel to New England to express to the Eastern Indians their indignation for their barbaric actions against English settlers. With regard to their correspondence with Canada, the 5 Nations note that they are at peace with them, and therefore likely to trade and meet with them on occaision. They believe that severing all contact with Canada would ultimately be of ill consequence. As a final request, the 5 Nations point out the dramatic rise in the price of goods, and the decline in the quality of powder, and request that King George be informed of this so that the…

GLC03107.02154

1723/05/28

Tailer, William, 1675-1731

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by William Tailer, Spencer Phips, and John Stodder Esqr . . .

. . . Commissioners appointed by his Majes[ty] Governor of the Massachusets Bay to the Sachims of the five Nations to witt the Mohoggs, Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinnekes as also to those of Tusquarora." The Commissioners note that some time has passed since they made a covenant, and they have come to Albany to renew it. Signed by Philip Livingston, Secretary for Indian Affairs.

GLC03107.02155

1724/06/20

Burnet, William, 1688-1729

Letter

Title: to the Commissioners for Indian Affairs re: admission of new Commissioners

Burnet instructs the Commissioners to receive payment from Philip Livington for the transport of an enslaved person to Captain Hicks in Virginia. He also instructs them to admit Henry Renslaer and David van Dyck as new Commissioners for Indian Affairs. Signature is missing due to damage.

GLC03107.02156