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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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1684/08/02

Onondaga and Cayuga Sachems

Manuscript document

Title: "Proposition or oration of the Onnondages & Cayouges Sachims made in the . . .

. . . Town hall of Albany before the Right hon[or]able the Lord Effingham Govenor of Virginia and Coll. Thomas Dongan Gov[ernor] of New York" In their proposition, the Indians state that since the English now exceed the Indians in number, the English should protect them from French. They go on to express their sense of unity with the English, and their desire to give their land to whichever Sachim they please.

GLC03107.01935

1684/02/03

Maquase, Sachims, fl. 1684

Manuscript document

Title: "Proposition made by some messengers sent from the Maquase Sachims in the . . .

. . . Toune house of Albany." The Mohawk messengers offer belts of wampum in exchange for information regarding English designs to attack them. They English respond with an assurance of peace, and encourage the Indians to hunt freely and to be at ease.

GLC03107.01936

1684/02/03

Mohawk Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition of the Mohawks [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01937

1685/06/29

Seneca Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by four Sinnekes to the Commander & Justices of Peace"

The Senecas explain that they have heard rumors of Canada's plans to attack them, and ask the English for their protection. The English respond and ask the Senecas to ignore the rumors, and also to resist fighting with their Indian enemies.

GLC03107.01938

1685/07/01

Northern Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition of the northern Indians and an answer [in Dutch and English]

The proposal was written in Dutch and the answer was written in English. In the response, the Indians are welcomed to settle in Skachkook, where the English will protect them from the French.English translation GLC03107.01939

GLC03107.01939

1685/07/01

Northern Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by the north Indians that are come from Canada . . .

. . . being about 56 in number besides 100 women & children there Sachim is called Sadorikquis accompanyed with the Indians of Schaghkook" The northern Indians write that they have come from Canada to settle in Schaghkook with the Indians there. They submit to the authority of the British crown, and ask for protection against the French. In their response, the English welcome the Indians and promise them the protection they requested.

GLC03107.01940

1685/07/02

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the northern Indians

Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.01941

1685/08/03

Seneca Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "Proposition made by the Sakemaker of the Sinekes"

The Senecas inform the English that they have kept their promise to travel around, rather than through, Virginia and Maryland. They also assure the English of their intentions to keep peace with them. Docketed on verso.

GLC03107.01942

1685/08/03

Seneca Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition of the Sinnekes and an answer [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01943

1685/08/04

River Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition of the River Indians [in Dutch]

English translation GLC03107.01945

GLC03107.01944

1685/08/04

River Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by the River Indians that live at Skachkook"

The River Indians explain that they have invited some of their Indians from Pinnekook in New England to come and live with them in Skachkook. In their response, the English encourage the Indians to bring their friends and relations to Skachkook to settle, where they will receive the protection of the British government.

GLC03107.01945

1685/08/07

Maryland Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by three Mariland Indians to the Commander and . . .

commissaries of Albany" The Maryland Indians explain that they have traveled to Albany to speak with the Onondagas about the Convenant .

GLC03107.01946

1685/09/15

Byrd, William, fl. 1685

Manuscript document signed

Title: Propositions made to the Onondagas, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas

Byrd informs the Indians that they have broken their covenant with the people of Virginia and Maryland when they invaded their land, abducted their servants, and fought with their Indian allies. Rather than go to war over this, Byrd asks that the Indians return the people they abducted, and call back any men that they sent down to Virginia and Maryland.

GLC03107.01947

1685/09/15

Dongan, Thomas, 1634-1715

Manuscript document

Title: Proposition to the westward Indians

The document discusses a peace settlement that the westward Indians made with the 5 Nations, and why they should have consulted the Governor of New York before making this settlement. It is also asked that they continue to observe the peaceful covenant.

GLC03107.01948

1685/09/15

Byrd, William, fl. 1685

Manuscript document

Title: Propositions made to the Onondagas, Oneidas, Cayugas, and Senecas

Copy of GLC03107.01.01948.

GLC03107.01949

1685/09/15

Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, Cayuga, and Mohawk Indians

Manuscript document

Title: Answer to the Proposition of Coll. Thomas Dongan [in Dutch]

GLC03107.01950

1685/10/14

Mohawk Indians

Manuscript document

Title: "The Maquas & Cayouges answer to Arnout the Interpreter, after he had . . .

. . . Delivered the Governour Message to them." The Indians reply that they are not interested in warring with English settlers, and that they will pacify the Senecas in this matter. The document also includes a memorandum of what the Governor of Canada proposed to the Senecas. This proposal granted the Senecas liberty to go to war with whomever they pleased, and instructed them not to believe the false reports of any Indians.

GLC03107.01951

1685/10/28

Cayuga Sachem

Manuscript document

Title: "Proposition made by Anneride an Cayouges Sachim in the behalf of the . . .

. . . Cayouges & Oneydes." The Cayuga Sachem states that the Indians are not inclined to go to war with Christians. He also requests that the English prevent any French of English men from going to the top of the Susquehanna to trade.

GLC03107.01952

1685/11/05

Onondaga Sachems 2

Manuscript document

Title: "Propositions made by Two Onnondages Sachims " [in Dutch and English]

The proposition of the Onondaga sachems on p.1, and the proposition of the Seneca sachems on p.2 were recorded in Dutch. The answer to these propositions appears on p.3 and is written in English. It congratulates the Indians for remaining at peace with the French, but asks that they stop a group of French traders who have gone up the Susquehanna, and to confiscate their goods. They are then instructed to bring the goods to the British in Albany, who will generously reward them for this service.

GLC03107.01953

1723/01/28

Livingston, Philip, 1686-1749

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Livingston re: fortifications for Albany

Philip writes that he expects the Assembly to vote on fortifying Albany, and expresses his opinion that stone is their best option. He asks his father to write back with his views on the matter. Docketed on address leaf.

GLC03107.01547