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THE CONFERENCE With the Eastern Indians, at the Ratification of the PEACE, held at Falmouth in Casco-Bay, in July and August, 1726.
Falmouth, in Casco-Bay, July 16. 1726.
HIS Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province or the Massachusetts Bay in New England, with a Quorum of His Majesty's Council of said Province, Arrived here this Day, A Number of the Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, and others attending the Lieut. Governour, to receive the Ratification of the late Treary of Peace from the Eastern Indians.
On the 21st Currant, His Honour received a Letter from Wenemouett, Sagamore, Dated at St. George's, July 19th 1726. in the Words following, Viz.
GREAT GOVERNOUR,
THIS Day we saw Your Express sent to Capt. Gyles, wherein you say, you expect to meet us at Casco-Bay, but we insist on meeting at Pemmaquid, by Reason that Casco is so far, and it's now a very busy time with us, and we pray we would Condescend to us in meeting us there, and we will without fail meet you there; by reason you insist on your own meeting, we can't have only our own Tribe, but we rather Choose to have these of Canada &c. with us, through whose Means we have been [...] meeting you 'till this time. We desire your Answer with all Dispatch, and are now waiting here for the same: And left the Vessel thro' contrary Winds should be detained, we have sent a Canoe with two Men, who will bring us your Answer with all speed: We Salute You Great Governour, and are your Friends, &c.
Wenemouett his Mark. Sagamore.
[Page 2] Which being Communicated to His Majesty's Council, they were of Advice, that the following Letter should be wrote in Answer thereto, viz.
Wenemouett, Chief Sachem,
Falmouth, July 21st 1726. at Five o'Clock Afternoon.
THIS Day at three o'clock Afternoon, we re [...]d such a Letter from you by the S [...], in Answer to Ours, as we could not have expected, because contrary to your Engagements in [...]ur Treaty; You say, [...] us at Pemmaquid, under Pretence of it's beinga [...]fy T [...] and the Difficulty of [...]ing hither [...] you [...] to [...] order'd your Business to Comport with your Engagements: We have been waiting [...] in Expectation of meeting you to Ratify and Conform the P [...] [...] to the Articles Stipitated and Agreed on at Boston [...]Sanders [...] this Letter will t [...] Three Days, and on his return you [...], if you [...] P [...]sion) have safe Con [...] and Passage hither with him, with as many as [...] A [...]ated on Board the S [...] fully prepared is Ratify the A [...] agreed on, w [...] is what we [...]ly expect, having [...] of a P [...] and H [...] C [...] if what [...] Part; we [...] you bea [...]y fa [...]ll.
WILLIAM DUMMER. Which Letter was Signed John [...] P. Masen [...].
Which Letter was accordingly Express'd per the Sloop Merry-meeting, The [...] Master.
On the 23d. the aforemention d Indians came hither, and waited on the Lieut. Governour, with a Message from their Sagamore Wenemouett, That they were sent to know whether His Honour was Arrived here or not. The Lieut. Governour Acquainted them that the Lieut. Governour of Piscataqua, and Major Mascarene from Nova-Scotia, the same Gentlemen that were at the Treaty at Boston, were now with him here to receive the Ratification of the Treaty from the Indian Tribes: That he had received the Letter from Wanemouett their Sachem, and had wrote an Answer thereto per Capt. Sanders, but least that should miscarry, he would send a Copy of it by them: And they having refreshed themselves, and received Necessaries for their Return, were Dispatched about Six of the Clock that Evening.
On the 29th, Wenemouett, the Chief Sachem, with a Number of his Principal Men, and others, arriv'd in Capt. Sanders Sloop, and on the 30th the Conference for the Ratification of the Treaty was Entred upon, and Concluded the Sixth of August, as appears by the following Pages.
[Page 3]
Anno Regni Regis GEORGII Magnae Britanniae &c. Duodecimo et Decimo Tertio.
AT a CONFERENCE Begun and Held at Falmouth in Casco Bay, July 10th Annoque Domini, 1726. for the Ratihcation of the late Treaty of Peace, had with the Eastern Indians at Boston, By and Between His Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of the MassachusettsBay in New England, The Honourable William Tailer,Esq; John W [...] wright,Esq; Elisha Cook,Esq; Joseph Hammond,Esq; Samuel Tha [...]ter,Esq; John Turner,Esq; Thomas Palmer,Esq; His Majesty's Council of said Province, being Present.
The Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq; Lieut. Governour, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire in New-England, being attended by George Jeffrey,Esq; Shadrach Walton,Esq; Richard Wibird,Esq; of His Majesty's Council of said Province. And Major PAUL MASCARENE, Commissioned by the Honourable LAURENCE ARMSTRONG, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, or L'Acadie:
On the one Part, And
WENEMOUETT Chief Sachem and Sagamore of the PenopscuttTribe, Espegnect Second Chief of said Tribe, Edgeremouit, Sousack, Seconkii, Cesar Moxis, Geneket, Decemanbo, Scoowees, Guilean, Vittor, Martyn, Hassangk, Seauseen, Augustin, Stannezzes, Bartholomew, Francois Loron, Jun. Francois Xavier, Louis, Paul Petteremenit, Hassang, Jun. Arrexis, Jun. Pier, Sousack, Jun. Acteon, Chiefs and others, of the said Tribe of Penobscutt, as well as in Behalf of the said Tribe, as of all the other Tribes of the Indians, mentioned in the aforesaid Treaty, Seguaron, alias Loran, Arexis, Francois Xavier, Meganamoumba, Four Indian Delegates that Sign'd the said Treaty being also Present
On the other Part.
Lt. Gover. Dummer.
I Am very glad to see you here, You are all welcome to Casco.
Indians.
We come to wait on the Governour to know when it will be his Pleasure that we should see him again, in order for the Treaty. The Business requires haste, and the Governour has been here a long Time waiting; we want to have the Business over, that so we might go Home again: All the Indians that are expected at the Ratification are now arrived.
Lt. Gov.
[Page 4]
We will be ready at Three a Clock for the Treaty, in Case you are ready, and it will suit you.
Indians.
If the Governour will fire a Great Gun when he is ready for the Treaty, we shall know by that when to come off from the Island.
Lt. Gov.
We will fire a Gun, and hoist the Jack at the Mast-Head of the Commodore, for the Signal when we are ready.
Indians.
It is the desire of our ancient Men that the Governour would give Orders that all the Vessels in the Harbour, and Taverns on the Shore, may be restrained from selling our young Men any strong Liquor, which may prevent Mischief.
Lt. Gov.
We approve very much of that, and shall give Orders accordingly.
Indians.
We also desire that any Vessels that come in be restrained from selling Drink to our young Men, we want very much to get Home, and desire the Business may be done.
Lt. Gov.
How many Indians are there in the whole?
Indians.
About forty.
Lt. Gov.
You shall be supplyed with Provisions needful for you. Then the Indians withdrew.
Post Meridiem.
PRESENT,
Lieut. Governour DUMMER, with His Majesty's Council of the Massachusetts-Bay, Lieut. Governour Wentworth, &c. and Major Paul Mascarene
WENEMOUETT, Chief Sachem &c. of the Indians: Capt. John Gyles, Capt. Joseph Bay, Capt. Samuel Jordan, who were Sworn to the true and faithful Discharge of their Office in Interpreting in the present Negociation.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts-Bay.
Interpreters, You are now to acquaint the Indians, that you have been Sworn well and truly and faithfully to intepret in the Negociation now depending.
Indians.
We desire that Capt. Jordan may Interpret to us, because we understand him plainest, and the other two will stand by.
Lt. Gov.
There is here present the Lieut. Governour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, and His Majesty's Council of said Province, The Lieut. Governour of New-Hampshire, with several of His Majesty's Council of said Province, and Major Paul Mascarene from the Government of Nova-Scotia or L' Acadie, and we are come Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace lately had at Boston, and to receive the Ratification of the said Treaty from you. We are ready to ratify the Articles of the Treaty on Our Part, and we suppose you are also ready to Ratify the same on your Part, and that's what we have to say now.
Lor [...]n, Speaker.
The Lieut. Governour has mentioned the same Thing that we are come for, The Treaty we had the last Winter so far as it was then finished, There are none but the Penobscut-Tribe here at present, Others, [Page 5]that we expected are not here at this Place, which is the Place the Government expected we should meet at, We sent Messengers to the other Tribes, and acquainted them of the Time the Governour appointed to meet, but that being so soon, they are not yet come, we sent to the Canada Tribes to come over to the Treaty according to the Time appointed by the Governour, but they have not come, they have sent a Letter, and two Wampum Belts, one to the Governour, and one to the Penobscut-Tribe.
Lt. Gov.
Who do you [...]can by the Canada Indians.
Loron.
We mean the Narridgwooks, St. Francois and W [...]k Indians?
Lt. Gov.
What do you mean by giving an Answer to the Canada Indians Letter?
Loron.
The St. Francois Indians as we have said sent to the Commissioners lately sent to Canada, and gave for Answer, that this Government should go to Mount-Royal, when we Treated with them, that so we should all be before Our Fathers.
Lt. Gov.
What do you mean by the Canada Indians Letter, I never received any Letter of their's?
Loron.
We mean the Belt that was sent.
Lt. Gov.
Do you mean by the Letter any thing that was said at Canada before the Treaty was held at Boston?
Loron, Speaker.
We mean only what was said at Canada this Spring, nothing before, when the Belt was sent to the Governour, meaning the Canada Indians Belt, there was Letters sent of the 30th of June and 1st of July from Wenemouett then at St. Georges, to desire that as the Governour was the furthest from the Canada Indians, that he would send an Answer to Wenemouett, that we may both join in the Answer to the Canada Indians as we were Brothers.
Lt. Gov.
You may go on, I would have you to say, all you have at present to say.
Loron.
We tho't when we sent the Letter and Belt from the Canada Indians, that we should receive an Answer to it for Our further Proceeding, but instead of that we received the Governour's Direction to meet him here for the Ratification of the Treaty. As to the first Motions of Peace when we heard of it from the Governour, we were very glad of it, and were ready to join in the Peace, and made Proposals in order to effect it, and particularly about the Lands, and the English quitting the two Houses, viz. Richmond and St. George's, which the Government did not see cause to come into; If they had, we with the other Indians should all have come into a Peace before now, and there would be no Difficulty with the others; not that the Houses should be removed at a great Distance, but that the House at St. George's should be removed to Pemmaquid, and that at Richmond to Arrowsick, for the TradingHouses. As for the Penchscutt-Tribe they are so careful that they will do every Thing that is just, That there shall be no Breach or Misunderstanding for the future, but that the Tribes round about us might approve of every thing [Page 6]we do, it was further mentioned in the Treaty, that if any of the Tribes should rise or break up what was therein Agreed on, or lift up the Hatchet, we shall all join in suppressing them, and so we now Agree. We have nothing further to offer now.
Lt. Gov.
Besides what I mentioned at first, that the several Governments are come down to receive the Ratification of the Peace from you, There are Gentlemen here present from the Government of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, to prove the English Rights to the Land Eastward, pursuant to the aforesaid Treaty, so that you may perceive we are come fully provided to make good the Treaty on Our Part, according to the Articles agreed on. That is all I have to say.
Loron.
We have no more to say to Night.
Lt. Gov.
To Morrow is the Lord's-Day, upon which we do no Business. On Monday we will give you an Answer to what you have said; and we will Order the same Signal when we are ready as we did to Day.
Loron.
To Morrow is our Sabbath-Day, and we also keep the Day.
Lt. Gov.
We will take a Glass of Wine, and drink the King's Health, and then you may retire.
Monday, August 1st. 1726.
PRESENT as Before.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts-Bay.
WHAT we have now to say is in Writing, I will give it the Secretary, who will read it to you, and you may have time to consider and give your Answer to it.
GENTLEMEN,
Before we proceed, it is necessary that you give us a true and full Account why the Narridgwock Indians are not here, as you have engaged for them in the Treaty made at Boston, which now lies on the Table: We have considered of what you said to us, at our meeting on Saturday last, and as to the Proposals of the Norridgwock and other Tribes, that the Treaty be held at Mount-Royal, we say, that it's contrary to the Articles of Peace made at Boston, and therefore deserves no Answer, and you know that we always told you, that it was beneath the Honour of the English Government to Treat with the Indians in a French Country; and as to the Insinuations of the Canada Indians, that our Commissioners begun a Treaty there, it is not true, for our Commissioners were sent there to Demand of the French Governour in the Name of King GEORGE not to assist the Indians in the War against us, and also to Restore all the English Captives in that Government, which they declared to the Governour of Canada as soon as they Arrived, and that they had no other Business in that Country.
As to the Two Houses you except against, you may Remember you were told at Boston, that King GEORGE had a Right to build Houses where he pleased within his Dominions, and we have not built any Houses on Lands in the Eastern Parts but what we have [Page 7]Purchased, and are ready to p [...] the Title, and that the Houses mentioned were not kept for Offence after the Ratification, but as they were [...] [...]tly Scituated in the Judgment of the Government of the Massachusetts for supplying the Indians, which we [...] concluded you had rested satisfied with, and you may depend that we shall not depart from that or any other of our Engagements: This is all we have is say to you at present, if you desire it, it shall all he repeated to you over again.
Indians.
We desire Time to consider of what has been said, and we will make an Answer.
Lt. Gov.
It shall be allowed you.
Wenemouett.
When the two first went to Boston, we had not full Power to act, and to do for the Tribes, but when Loron return'd from Boston to Penobscut, then I sent a Young Man with him to Arreragunt [...], and they were all very ready to come into what the Penobscuts should do as to the Treaty, and we had full Power Delegated to us to act for the Narridgwocks, Wowenocks, and Ar [...] and St. Francois, but the Reason of the Narridgwocks not coming in is altogether as new to us as it can be to you.
Lt. Gov.
Did the Belt come from the Narridgwocks?
Wenemouett,
No they had no Hand in it.
Lt. Gov.
We expect you will send us Word when you are ready with your Answer to what we have said to Day.
Wenemouett.
We will let you know when we are ready.
Lt. Gov.
If there be any Thing we [...] [...]eable to Wenemouett in, he may have it, I see he is not well. For which he returned his Thanks to the Lieut. Governour.
Tuesday, August 2d. 1726.
PRESENT as Before.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts-Bay,
I Am ready to hear what you have to say.
Loron.
We will now give our Answer to what was said Yesterday. And first give the Reason why the Narridgwock Tribe is not here; we shall be very plain, and tell the Truth and nothing but the Truth why they are not here. We sent a Messenger over to the Narridgwocks, St. Francois, and Wowenocks, for them to come over here to the Treaty, to hear what was said: when the Messengers were got to those Tribes they discoursed 'em, and deliver'd their Message to come over here, but the St. Francois, Wowenocks, and the Narridgwocks, made Answer, that they would have the Penobscutt Chiefs with these Governments come over there to hear the Treaty, There were Six of the Narridgwock Indians came over to Penobscutt this Spring, they missed of the Messengers that were sent from Penobscutt to Narridgwock; then Two went back and Four staid till the Penobscutt Messengers return'd with an Answer from the St. Francois, &c. [Page 8]with the Two Belts; the Four Narridgwock Indians that tarried behind would come here and have been present at the Ratification, but the Belts being sent occasioned their not coming. When the Belts came to Penobscutt, we had Advice then from the Governour of the Massachusetts of his coming down to the Ratification, and the Four Narridgwock Indians told the Penobscutts, to go on, and what ever they did was all one as if they were Present, & the Narriagwocks after that went to Canada.
Lt. Gov.
Is this the last Account you have had of the Narridgwocks Indians?
Loron.
It's but a little while since they went away, and we have not heard from them since. The last Man that went away, when he went off he said he would go foremost to the Arresaguntecock Indians, and discourse 'em on the Message they have sent, expecting that the Government and the Penobscutt Chiefs will give an Answer also to the Belts, as we are Brothers. This is what we Answer as to the First Part of what was said to us Yesterday. Now we proceed to make Answer to the Second Part of Yesterday's Discourse. Every thing of the Treaty is very plain to us, and there is nothing in the Way excepting the Two Houses; in case they could be removed a little further in, as we mentioned Yesterday. The Governour was mentioning that he would Settle no Lands, but what good Rights and Titles be set forth to, and in case the Lands were Sold, we have a Number of young People growing up who never were acquainted of the Lands being Sold: The Government is a Great and Rich Government, and if the Lands were Sold, they were Sold for a small Matter, and Cost but little, and it would be but a small Matter for the Government to make Allowance for them, and give them up.
Lt. Gov.
What do you mean by making Allowance for the Lands?
Loron.
We desire that no Houses or Settlement may be made to the Eastward of Pemmaquid, or above Arrowsick; As for the Penobscutt Tribe in particular, we don't know that ever they Sold any Lands, That's all we have to say.
Lt. Gov.
We shall be ready to make you an Answer to Morrow Morning at Nine o'Clock, and shall Order a Signal to be made for you.
Wednesday, August 3d. 1726.
PRESENT as Before.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts.
WE have Considered your Motion, That we would remove those two Houses on Kennebeck and St. George'sRivers a little further in: To which we Answer, That those Houses are on Lands Purchased by His Majesty's Subjects, which we are ready by Commissioners appointed by the Government of the Massachusetts-Bay for that Affair, to make evident to you, (altho' the Narridgwocks are not Present) by producing fair Deeds under the Hands of the Sachems of those Countrys for the same, as well as divers Treaties where you Allow'd and Confirm'd to the English all the Lands formerly possessed by them, which Commissioners are here present for that Service, those Lands being for a long Time since purchased by His Majesty's [Page 9]Subjects, and the Property vested in them, the Government cannot Disclaim them; And now as you have assured us, that you very well know all the Articles of the Peace which was made at Boston, and that you are ready to come hither to Ratify them, so we are also ready to receive the said Ratification, and now expect that it shall be done accordingly. We have no more to say, but to demand of you what English Captives you have ready to Exchange, Pursuant to an Article of the Treaty on that behalf. We have said what we have to say now, and will take a Walk out for a little Time if you desire it, and give you an Opportunity of advising one with another here.
Indians.
We thank the Governour; We are the smallest in Number, and we will walk out; we can best bear the Heat of the Sun: And the Indians accordingly retired.
Post Meridiem.
Loron.
We have been tho'tful of, and consulted what was said to Day, and now will give Answer to it. We understood he Governour was tho'tful why the Narridgwock Indians were not here, We are also tho'tful, It is a Hindrance, so far as we should be glad they should be sent for again, We are of Opinion if they should be sent for they would appear here forthwith, the Reason why we mention this is because we would be very careful in what we do in our Proceedings, that none should break in upon our Proceedings: We should be very sorry if any Thing should happen amiss as to what we have done, We are not knowing that any are design'd or intend to break our Treaty, but we are very tho'tful and Concern'd that none shall do it. We insist upon the removal of those two Houses which was mentioned last Winter, we again make mention of them now, and if they were removed, there would be no Difficulty among the Tribes. We can't find any Record in our Memory, nor in the Memory of Our Grand-Fathers, that the Penobscutt Tribe have Sold any Land, As to the Deeds mentioned last Winter, made by Medoccewanda and Sheepsout John, they were not Penobscutt Indians, one belonging to Machias Medockewondo, the other towards Boston, If we should find in reality that the Lands were Purchased of the right Owners, we should not have insisted upon it, nor have opened our Mouths, we would not pretend to tell a Lye about it, for we know that God will be angry with the Man that tells a Lye, We do not remember of any Settlements at St. George's, we remember a pretty while, and as long as we remember, the Place where the Garrison stands was fill'd with Great long grown Trees. As to the mentioning of Prisoners as we told you last Winter, we had not one in our whole Tribe, so we say now, We have not one Prisoner in our Tribe, if we had, we would have brought 'em in long before now, all the Prisoners we took, as we took them, they were return'd to Boston, or sent to Canada to the French, and whose that are among the French, we have no Command of; We mention it over again, that if we had any Prisoners, we should have brought 'em in long ago, for we understand it that the Peace was concluded at the Signing the Articles almost a Twelve-Month ago: All the Controversy now is about a small Tract of Land, which is but a Trifle, and all is finished excepting that, which is [...] Trifle. We have nothing further to offer now.
Lt. Gov.
[Page 10]
What do you mean by having the Narridgwocks sent for, and that hey would be here if they were sent for, are they within Call do you know?
Indians.
We believe if they were sent for, they would be here some Time this Summer, we know where they were left.
Lt. Gov.
Where do you suppose the Narridgwock Indians are now?
Loron.
We suppose they are at [...]spand [...], or St. Francois, scatter'd among them Tribes.
Lt. Gov.
The Committee for Claims are here, ready in the Presence of all the Governments here assembled, to set forth the Titles of the English to the Lands in the Eastern Parts of this Government.
[...] Lands [...]St. George's River, and [...]spand [...] [...] the [...] Proceedings of [...] [...] Opportunity to [...] of it.
Thursday, August 4. 1726.
PRESENT as Before.
THE [...] [...] [...] Eastern Country, [...] particularly appear by the said Committee's Report. After which the Conference [...]as proceeded in, viz.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts.
You have [...] with the Committee this Morning, and I trust they have given you Satisfaction concerning the Lands in Dispute, and you may be assured that you [...] always have equal Justice with His Majesty's English Subjects in a [...] Points, when ever any Difficulty shall arise concern [...] the Property of Lands or any other Matters. We have waited long enough already for the Narridgwock Indians, in order to their coming to Ratify the Treaty that you have made for your selves, and others your late Confederates, wherein you [...] your selves to bring them in, or [...]oyn your young Men to reduce them to Reason. We now justly expect the Ratification, and accordingly tender the same to you now.
Lieut. Gov. Proceeded.
In [...] as I see you are not all here present by a consultrall [...] [...], I expect you all appear [...] Morrow Morning, and be project at the Ratification, and what has been said shall be repeated is you if you desire it.
Indians.
We understand it very well.
Loron.
We have been tho'tful of what has been said to us this Morning respecting h Lands, as well as what the Governour has spoken to us at this Time concerning the Articles. We suppose you can't bring to pass what we have been proposing concerning giving Way; We reckon the Governour was the first mover in bringing forward the Peace, and having a good Settlement among [Page 11]us, now we think we shall go beyond, [...] than ordinary to effect a good Understanding; As to the House at [...], which lies at our Door at it were, we submit that it shall be a Truck- [...], and that no [...] Houses be built there or thereabouts, but that that [...] main as a Truck-house for the P [...] Tribe. We desire [...] as we have so good an Understanding together, that there be no other Houses built there, unless it be by Purchase or Agreement. The Neig [...] Tribes have already told us that we should go on with the Treaty with good Understanding [...] Courage, and settle every T [...]. That if a [...] should happen to be run, the English may her [...] b [...] to [...]p over it, so that every [...] they desire may now be [...] strong. We are in hopes. Brothers, that what we have offered i [...] [...] year Acceptance. That is all we have to say [...].
[...].
Do you agree to [...] all your People with you to [...]or [...] [...] to S [...] the Articles for the R [...]tion, If you do. I shall [...] say to you, all I have to say in Answer to what you have now said?
[...].
We reason we are all ready for the Ratification now.
[...].
What I shall have to say to you to Morrow will not be New, I have said almost the same to you already, which I shall say to Morrow, but if you desire to have my Answer now you th [...].
[...].
What the Governour pleases.
Lt. Gov.
I shall then put you in Mind of what I [...]d you [...] now respecting the setting the Lands at St. G [...] and that is, that you shall have equal Justice in all Points with the Subjects of His Majesty King GEORGE, either in Controversies respecting the Property of Lands, or any other Matter whatsoever, we don't suppose that any Gentlement that come to produce or offer Claims of Lands there, shall be their own Judges, but it shall be determined by lawful Authority, wherein the Indians shall have the Benefit of the Law, equal with any Englishman whatsoever, and this you may be assured of, for we dont't expect a Peace to last on any other [...]oo [...]ing than that of Justice.
Indians.
We are very well pleased with what is said.
Lt. G [...]
This is all that can be said to your last offer, and I should desire no more might be said to me, if it were my own Case.
Indians.
For want of that there has been Misunderstandings.
Lt. Gov.
I hope it will never be so again, and I trust it won't, and that is the Mind of the whole Government of New-England, we hope this will be a better and more lasting Feace, than ever was made yet, and that it will last to the End of the World.
Indians.
We hope it will, and rejoyce at it.
Lt. Gov.
Some Gentlemen have been in doubt, whether you have rightly understood me, in what has been now said to you. That is, if there should be any Dispute or Controversy hereaster, between the English and you, respecting the Titles or Claims of Lands, and after a fair and lawful Tryal, if the English cannot make out and prove their Titles to the Lands controverted, they [Page 12]shall disclaim them, but if the English can make out their Titles, then the In [...] shall disclaim the Lands so controverted.
Indians.
We understand it very well, and agree to it, that it shall be so, the Controverties we understand are to be determined by Impartial Judges, and [...]nterested Persons appointed for that Purpose, to do equal Justice.
Lt. Gov.
It is very well, I expect you to Morrow to ratify the Articles, and take a Dinner with me.
Friday, August 5. 1726.
PRESENT as Before: And a considerable Number of Gentlemen attending.
Lt. G [...]. of the Mass [...].
THE Articles of the Treaty shall be distinctly read, and faithfully Interpreted to you.
While the Articles were reading, immediately after the Article respecting Trade, the Indians, by their Speaker L [...], acquainted the Lieut. Governour, that they had been [...], the Prices of Goeds would be raised when the R [...] cation was over.
The Lieut. Governour answered them, that they might be assured, that the Goods always were, and still should be, bought with ready Money, and that the Government would not make any new Advance on their Goods, and for a Proof of it, they would be always sensible and find that the Government would supply them cheaper than any other People whatsoever: That they are acquainted with the Nature of Markers, that they are sometimes higher and sometimes lower.
After the Articles were read, and the Interpreters had finished; L [...] made a second Motion, and informed the Lieut. Governour, that it had been reported that the Articles of Peace which were delivered to him, and the other Delegates at Boston, were not of the same Purport with those they deposited and lest in the Hands of the Government, and therefore desired that an Exchange might be made of the Articles they carried with them to P [...], with those lest in the Hands of the Government, in order to their being enabled to consate such Reports: Which was readily granted them by the Lieutenant Governour, to the apparent Satisfaction of the whole Tribe. The Articles being interpreted to the Indians, the Lieut. Governour asked them, whether they tho [...]oughly understood them.
Indians.
We perfectly understand them all.
Lt. Gov.
It is necessary to write the Words of the Ratification before you sign your Names.
Indians.
May we not have a Copy of the Conference?
Lt. Gov.
You shall have a Copy of it as soon as it can be prepared.
[Page 13] The Ratification of the Treaty which is endorsed on the Original Articles, was read over distinctly, and Interpreted to the Indians in the Words following, [...].
WE the Underwritten WENEMOUETT Chief Sachem and Sagamore of the Penopscutt Tribe, and others the Chiefs, with the Rest of the said Tribe now convened, having had the within Articles of Peace distinctly and deliberately read over and interpreted to us.
DO BY THESE PRESENTS in a publick and solemn Manner, as well for our Selves as for all the within mentioned Tribes, from whom we are delegated and fully impowered, RATIFY AFFIRM and CONFIRM All and Singular the within written Articles of Peace To HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY KING GEORGE, and that the same and each of them be, and shall Continue and Remain to be, in full Force, Efficacy and Power to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever. DONE and CONCLUDED at Fa [...]th in Casco-Bay, before His Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the [...] in New-England, and His Majesty's Council of said Province. The Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH,Esq; Lieut. Governour of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire, and several of His Majesty's Council of said Province, and Major PAUL MASCARENE, Delegated from His Majesty's Province of Nova-Scotia or L'Acadi [...], and the several Gentlemen that Sub [...]cribe hereto.
WITNESS Our Hands and Seals the Fifth Day of August, in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, By the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Annoque Domini, One Thousand seven Hundred and Twenty Six.
Indians.
We suppose the Governour intends to Ratify the Articles he sign'd to us at the Treaty.
Lt. Gov.
Yes, I will Ratify them under my Hand and Seal when you have finished. Do you understand what has been now read, and Consent to it?
Indians.
After some Consultation; We understand it well, and Consent to it, and then WENEMOUETT the Chief Sachem, with the afore-named Chiefs and Others, set their Hands and Seals to the Ratification.
Saturday August 6. 1726.
PRESENT as Before; And a considerable Number of Gentlemen and Others Attending.
Lt. Gov. of the Massachusetts.
I Am now come to Ratify and Confirm the Instrument which I gave to you at the Signing the Articles of Peace: I have already endorsed the Ratification on that I keep by me, and if you will give me Your's, the Secretary will endorse the same thereon; which was accordingly done, and is in the Words following, Viz.
[Page 14]
By the Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the [...]-Bay in New-England.
WHEREAS WENEMOUETT the Chief Sach [...]m of Penopscutt, with Others his Chiefs, and the rest of said Tribe, [...] at Casco-Bay the Fifth Day of August 1726. Having [...] and publickly Ratified the Treaty of Submission [...] at Boston the Fifteenth Day of December last, and delivered the same to me, which I have accordingly accepted. I do [...]RATIFY and CONFIRM all the Articles in the within mentioned [...].
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at F [...]mouth in Casco-B [...],the sixth Day of August, in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. Ann [...] D [...] One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Six.
WILLIAM DUMMER. Seal.
By Command of His Honour the Lieut. Governour. John [...]. Clerk of the Council.
The above Ratification was signed in the Presence of a considerable Number of Spectators, Gentlemen, and Others, who subscribed as Witnesses, and then deliver'd to the Indians.
A Copy of the said Ratification was endorsed on the Instrument Lt. Governour Wentworth gave the Indian Delegates at the signing the Treaty at Boston, and publickly executed by him in the Presence of the before mentioned Witnesses, who also subscribed.
Lt. Gov.
The Instrument that Major Mascarene gave you at the signing the Treaty in Behalf of the Government of No [...] S [...]tia or L'Acadie, will be Ratified and Confirmed to any Persons you shall send on your Behalf to the Governour at Annapolis-Royal.
In Behalf of the Government of the Massachusetts, I shall make you some small Presents. I am very much disappointed when I come to see the Things which I design'd to make a Present of to you, for they are not so good as I expected, but soon after (it shall please GOD) I arrive at Boston, I shall see the Great Court, to whom I shall heartily recommend you as good Friends, Confederates and Neighbours; acquainting them of your ready and chearful Compliance with your Engagements in Ratifying and Confirming the Articles of Peace made at Boston, which doubtless will have a proper Consideration, and therefore I shall be very glad then to see you the Chief Sachem WENNEMOUETT, with two or three of your principal Men attending you at Boston.
Then his Honour ordered the Presents to be delivered. And proceeded,
[Page 15] There were two of your Young Men sent to Canada last Year, in the Service of this Province; I would see them, that I might make them a Consideration for their Trouble and loss of Time in performing the Message. Upon which only one of them, viz. Loron's Son appeared, the other the Sachem said, was lest at P [...], the Lieut. Governour taking two fine Firelocks in his Hand, presented one to him that was present, the other His Honour delivered to the Chief Sachem Wenemouett, desiring of him that it might be given to the other Young Man.
Lt. Gov.
I design to confer with you on Monday next to Consult the common Good, so that there remains nothing further at present but to Rejoyce with one another.
Loron.
We make bold to mention to the Governour one Thing, that when we were at St. George's, we desired a Vessel to bring us here, so as we are now short of Canoes, we desire the Governour would supply us with a Vessel to carry us back again.
Lt. Gov.
I will take care that a small Vessel be provided to carry you back.
Indians.
We are very thankful to the Governour. What Place does your Honour appoint we should Rejoyce at?
Lt. Gov.
Upon the rising Ground before us at the Point.
The Conference was concluded this Day with publick Rejoycing accordingly.
CONFERENCE CONTINUED. Tuesday, August, 9. 1726.
PRESENT
the Lieut. Governour and Council of the Massachusetts, And Major MASCARENE.
WENEMOUETT, Chief Sachem, with the other Indians,
Capt. John Gyles, Interpreters.
Capt. Samuel Jordan Interpreters.
Lt. Gov.
WE should have seen you sooner, but a great deal of our Time has been taken up in preparing a fair Draught of the Conference so far, and comparing it with the Minutes, our own particular Business has not hindred us from seeing you before.
Good Friends, Whereas the Articles of Peace now stand Ratified and Confirmed [...] Part, for and in Behalf of your Selves and Others the Tribes of the Eastern Indians, particularly made mention of in the aforesaid Articles, so that you and we ought to [...] about our Necessary and lawful Business, without the least Hazard or Danger from one [...] Our Persons or Estates, and a Friendly Communication kept up and perp [...]tuated [Page 16]among us: But inasmuch as the Narridgweeks and other Tribes, did not P [...] sonally appear at the late Solemn and Publick Ratification, We justly fear that the Inhabitants on the Frontiers will be in a great Measure retarded, and [...]ut by from improving their Lands and Estates there on that Account, until the aforesaid Tribes do personally manifest their Approving and Consenting to what you have so Wisely and Maturely done for them.
We cannot therefore part with you without letting you know, that it will greatly send to your Good as well as our Peace and Quiet, to remove all Suspicion of Mischief on this score, that the beneficial Ends proposed by us all may be fully effected, and by the Blessing of GOD out of the Power of any ill-minded Person to break in upon the same: We do therefore strenuously urge, that you let us know what Steps you intend to take with th [...]se Tribes, and that you resolutely pursue and bring to pass what we now move to you, and justly expect your punctual and ready Compliance therewith.
Loron.
As to what the Governour was mentioning in the first Part of what he has now said, that the Inhabitants on the Frontiers will be afraid of making Improvements, it is also so with us; we are Cencern'd since we have not seen them; We could make Answer to the Governour's Speech now, but we will consider of it till the Afternoon, and shall th [...]n be more particular in our Answer.
Lt. Gov.
We will take care of Provis [...]as for your Dinners.
Post Meridiem.
Loron.
We will now mention to the Governour what the Thoughts of the Chiefs are. The Governour was mentioning unto us to Day that he would have us to say what we proposed to help those Persons that would be uneafy it, the Frontier [...], upon account of the Norridgwocks, &c. not being present at the Ratification; It's the Nature and Custom of the Indians, whenever they send a Letter or Belt to any Nation, to expect an Answer to their Letter: when any of us write a Letter, we expect a full Answer to the Contents of it, altho' the Subject-matter thereof is not liked: we desire the Governour to mention what Answer he designs to send in Answer to the Belt, or that he would say if he desires it that we would express our Answer to it: We mention this because we understand it that the Belt was sent to us both, and therefore propose that the Governour would make an Answer first to it if he pleases.
Lt. Gov.
A proper Answer from you to what I said to you in the Morning, will contain an Answer to the Belt.
Loron.
The Matter would be more weighty if the Governour would begin in the Answer.
Lt. Gov.
I am ready to hear what you propose in order to join with you in the Answer to the Belt.
Loron.
We will now make our Answer to the Tribes at Arreseguntecook, and our Answer unto them is as follows, Viz.
We say Brothers, we are not able to make you an Answer to your Belt, wherein you sent for us, because the time is past for our Ratification of the Articles of the Treaty. [Page 17]We say Brothers, We wonder you should desire us to come over into that Country to Treat, which is a Place where we have no being. This Country is the Place where we belong to, and where the Treaty was begun, and where we think it ought to have been carried on. This is what we have to say in Answer to the Belt.
Lt. Gov.
We will take it into Consideration, and desire you would give us an Answer to what we said in the Morning.
Loron.
We have nothing further to propose, we shall have a Great Meeting in a little time, and shall agree what to say further to the Arreseguntecooks.
Lt. Gov.
So far as you have spoken I take to be a proper Answer for you to make as to the Belt. I desire now you will say what Measures you propose to take, whereby the Inhabitants on our Frontiers may be made Easy and Safe notwithstanding the Narridgwocks &c. did not personally appear to Ratify the Articles of the Treaty, agreeable to what I said in the Morning.
Loron.
As to the Inhabitants on the Frontiers, we would have them be very careful, and as soon as we return Home, it shall be our first Care to send to all the Tribes, that there is a Peace made.
Lt. Gov.
Will you lay your Commands and Injunctions on the other Tribes for that Purpose, as far as you are able?
Loron.
We will do our utmost to oblige 'em to live peaceably towards us.
Lt. Gov.
Do you say you will resent it, if any hostile Acts or Injuries should be committed against our People?
Loron.
We will resent such Actions, and join our Young Men with your's in such Case, and oblige 'em to be quiet and set down; We mean in Case any of the Tribes should rise against us, or resist us, we will take effectual Means to set 'em down by Force. As to the first Treaty, we reckoned our Selves obliged to this, but we account we are under much more and stronger Obligations to do it now, since the Engagements our whole Tribe have taken upon 'em in Ratifying the Articles of the Treaty, and shall take effectual Care that any such Persons be obliged to set down. Major Mascarene told us the Government of Annapolis would Ratify the Treaty if we would send any Persons there on our Behalf for that Purpose; we don't suppose he is now going to Annapolis, but when he arrives there, we would pray him to take Care that that Government would send a Vessel for us to go there to Ratify the Articles of the Treaty, because the Bay is too bigg for us to pass over in our Canoes.
Major Mascarene.
I shall write to the Governour, who is now at Canso, of your Desire, upon my arrival at Boston, and doubt not of His Compliance therewith, a few of you will be sufficient to carry the Instrument I gave you at Boston, to be Ratifyed by the Lieut. Governour or Commander in Chief, and I don't doubt but that those that come will be made very Welcome.
Loron.
We have something more to Offer. We observe that Capt. Gyle [...] is Weakly and Sickly, and if he should be removed by Death, we desire that some Body might be sent down to St. George's, to take care of the Trade; we think Capt. Smith a proper Person, not but that we think Capt. Gyles behaves [Page 18]very well in the Place: This we mention Sides-Ways as it were. We have not heard any Answer to our Letter about some Frenchmen killing some of our People a great Way up in the Country: We mention this because the Governour told us if any Mischiefs or Injuries should happen, we should acquaint one another of it in order for Redress: We heard the Frenchmen were in Prison at Annapolis.
The Lieut. Governour acquainted them, that he had received their Letter, and sent an Answer to it, and then recited the Contents of the Letter, and also his Answer to it, both of which were afterwards produced and shewn to the Indians; and then acquainted the Indians, that he had endeavoured by Examination, and other Means, to make out some Proof against the Frenchman mentioned in the Letter, and now under Confinement; but could find none, yet he kept the said Frenchman a Prisoner at the Ca [...]e, where he remained at our coming away from Baston. And upon the Indians Desire, that Justice might be done on him; it was answer'd by the Lieut. Governour, That His Majesty King GEORGE, by his Laws, did not allow his Governours to meddle with Matters out of their own Provinces, but that all such Facts must be tried in the Governments wherein they were committed; and this being said to be done, not in our Government, but in that of Annapolis, the Lieut. Governour said he would send the Frenchman back thither, where they might prosecute him, and that they would have a good Opportunity of doing it when they should go thither to receive the Ratification of that Government: To which the Indians replied, they were fully satisfied, and content that it should be so.
Loron.
Are the Indian Prisoners at Boston in Health?
Lt. Gov.
Yes, they are all very well.
Loron.
We desire to know whether it is expected that the Penopscutts procure any English Prisoners before the Indian Prisoners are delivered; we have before several Times acquainted the Governour we have not one with us.
Lt. Gov.
We expect you do your utmost Endeavour to have the English Prisoners restored.
Loron.
Is it expected we should buy the English Prisoners of the French?
Lt. Gov.
How do you understand that Article in the Treaty?
Loron.
As to the Articles we understand them fully, we have acquainted the Governour, we have not one Prisoner in our whole Tribe; We know of none; when we go Home we shall send directly to Canada, and acquaint them that we have made a Peace: The French Indians will then ask us presently, How many Captives have you brought away with you? We shall Answer, none. They will say, How does it look like a Peace, when you have not got the Captives?
Lt. Gov.
What do you mean by sending to Canada?
Loron.
To Arreseguntacook.
Lt. Gov.
As to what you say, that you shall tell the French Indians you have not got any of the Captives, I have not told you that I would not deliver up [Page 19]the Captives, I design you shall have them all, I mean all such as are in the Hands of the Government.
Loron.
We speak truly, we have no English Captives in our Hands, but we speak for the Indians for those that are any where afar off, their Eyes are looking upon us, and we would willingly satisfy them as far as we can.
Lt. Gov.
I design the Indian Captives shall be set at Liberty when I go to Boston, and Saccar [...]xes the Hostage shall also be set at Liberty.
There were several Persons attending, whose Friends and Relations are in the Hands of the French, who were recommended to the Indians for their Assistance in getting them returned home.
Loron.
As the Governour has offer'd that the Indian Captives shall all be restored, and none kept back, so we say, that we will make Search for any Captives that may be among the Tribes, and shall take Care that they shall be restored, and shall also do our utmost to get those redeemed that are in the Hands of the French. We shall not forget it: We have given our Words, and repeated our Promises and Engagements; and our Words are written down, and they will appear afterwards against us.
Thursday, August 11th. 1726.
PRESENT as Before.
THE CONFERENCE contained in this and the thirty-five foregoing Pages, 1 was distinctly read over and Interpreted to [...]enemouett, Chief Sachem of Penobscutt Tribe, and the others of said Tribe at the said Conference.
Whereupon the Lieut. GOVERNOUR asked them, if they understood it, and whether it was rightly taken down?
The Indians Answered, that the Conference was rightly taken down, and not a Word missing in it.
[Page 20] Which being done, His Honour the Lieut. Governour to prevent Insinuations of any ill-minded Persons, and for the more full Satisfaction of the Tribe of Indians now Assembled, Subscribed his Name,
Wm. DUMMER.
And then delivered the same to [...]enemouett Chief Sachem.
After which [...]enemouett with the Under-written of his principal Men subscribed and delivered the same to His Honour the Lieut. Governour.
Wenemouett
Sachem Mark.
Chief.
By Command of His Honour the Lieutenant Governour, John Wainwright, Cl. Council.
[Page]
THE CONFERENCE With the Eastern Indians, at the further Ratification of the PEACE, held at Falmouth in Casco-Bay, in July, 1727.
Falmouth, July 11th. 1727.
HIS Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq Lieut, Governour and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of the MassachusettsBay in New-England, with a Quorum of His Majesty's Council of said Province, Arrived here this Day, A Number of the Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, and others, attending the Lieutenant Governour, to receive the further and more general Ratincation of the late Treaty of PEACE from the several afternamed Tribes of Eastern Indians.
Upon His Honour's Arrival he received the following Letters, one from the Chiefs of the several Tribes, the other from Capt. H [...]th, by the Hands of Capt. John of Norridgwock, and Squaduck of the Arresag [...] Tribe of Indians, Viz.
The Indians Letter is as follows,
Richmond-Fort, July 7th. 1727.
TTE Sun shines bright this Day, we fear God that made it, and Solute You with a Friendly Heart: You and the Penobscot Indians sent for us, and we come to Teuconick in the Spring, The Penobscots afterwards fast to have us come to them, but we did not bear them.
We cannot come to Falmouth, having come thus far with great Difficulty: We hope you will let us see you at Sagadahock or Arowsick, where we expect our Brethren of Penobscot will also meet. This Message we send by Capt. John, Quinoise, and Squ [...]uck.
Toxas X
Jummaway X
Etserraboonet X.
[Page 2]
Capt. Heath's Letter.
Richmond-FortJuly 7th. 1727.
Honourable Sir,
WHILE I continue in this important Post, shall at all Times think it my Duty and Honour to consult His Majesty's Service, the Interest of the Province; and not to Enterprise any Thing unworthy of Tuch Thoughts, nor would I ship any Opportunity to inform your Honour of all Occurrences to the End the Indian Affairs may appear in a true Light, and your Instructions be the Rule of my Practice from Time to Time: With these Views have wrote on all Occasions, and particularly on the 12th of June last to your Honour, and the 23d of the same to the Secretary, with Reference to the Conference now on Foot, to which please to permit me to add on this Occasion, that though I esteem my [...] Fortunate with the Indians in several Respects, cannot by any Means' as you overcome their Obstinacy against going to [...], as will appear by the inclosed L [...]er, in which they don't assign every Reason for their not going, nor shall I, as not being for the Service of the present Day, hope it may suffice only to say that these Indians are prejudiced against, and to a great Degree resolved not to meet at Falmouth, and in order to gild these Resolutions with specious Pretences, have sent some of their Chief Men to the Penobsests, if possible to prevent their going to Falmouth, and tell me this Day that they have gained the Point, and expect to meet the said Pensbsests in this River to Morrow accordingly. Upon the whole, it appears to me that if the said Pensbsests join the other Indians as above, they will complexly finally conclude not to meet you at Falmouth, but if Capt. Gyles (in the Sloop sent from hence as mentioned in my last to the Secretary) can steer the Penobsest Indians to Falmouth, it seems as though these may follow, but with much Reluctance. In my last to your Honour I acquainted you that I thought the Indians would readily meet you at Arowsick, though they mentioned this Place only in their Letter, which it may be observed they have now come to, and I have no fear of a thorough Conference as I then mentioned, unless through a Disagreement in the Preliminaries; and though the way is Plain as yet, am very thoughtful least it should happen to come to such a critical Point, as that your Honour should be under a Necessity either not to Treat, or (put off the Governour and) come to Arowsick, which is somewhat likely if you return a peremptory Refusal to their Repucst of meeting in this River, except you have the Penobsests first with you at Falmouth, and if they are not arrived (as I would fain perswade myself they are) it may succeed well if you please Lovingly to detain these Messengers a Day or two, to gain Time so as to hear from Capt. Gyles 'ere you give an Answer, unless it please you to come to the Mouth of this River. The Indians wait, and I have Time only to plead your Honour's Pardon if I have exceeded, and that I may Subscribe, as in Heart I am,
Your Honour's most Obedient humble Servant, Joseph Heath.
Please to direct me whether I ought to continue supplying these Indians with Provisions in Case of a Demur upon meeting at the Place your Honour thinks proper for the Conference.
[Page 3] Which Letters being Communicated to His Majesty's Council, they were of Advice that the following Letter should be wrote in Answer thereto, Viz.
Falmouth, July 11th. 1727.
GOOD FRIENDS,
I Am this Day arrived from Boston at this Place, to receive of your Tribes a Personal Ratification of the late Treaty of Peace, Ratified here by the Penobscots for you as well as for themselves, in which I do sincerely aim at the good of all your Tribes, and have no other View but to transmit by the help of GOD a lasting Peace to your and our Children, and if any of our Brethren of Penobscot, are with you I salute them all, and desire them to come with you here, which Place I have chesen as the most suitable on all Accounts, and where I have provided all Accommodations bath for you and my self, with the Gentlemen of the Government who are attending me here. Upon my Arrival I received your Message by Capt. John and Squaduck, and I Salute you all kindly: I observe you say you have come so far with Difficulty, and therefore desire I would see you at Sagadahock or Arowsick; to which I Answer, if I had apprehended any Difficulty in your coming, I would have made it more easy by providing a Vessel and Necessaries for your better Accommodation in your Way [...]ither, however to prevent any further Difficulty, I have now sent Capt. Sanders to Transport you here, where I expect you, with whom by God's Blessing you may have an easy and safe Conduct and Passage. Here is also the Honourable John Wentworth Esq; Lieut, Governour of the Province of New-Hampshire, with His Majesty's Council of that Province, and a Number of Gentlemen of that Government, and also Major Paul Mascarene from the Government of Nova-Scotia or L'Acadie, One of His Majesty's Council there, and Commissioned by the Honourable Laurence ArmstrongEsq; Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of that Province, attending here on the Occasion aforesaid.
I bid you heartily Farewell.
Wm. DUMMER.
Superscribed, To TOXSEUS Sagamore of Nerridgawock, AUYUMMOWETT Sagamore of Arr [...]saguntaes [...]k, WOOSSZAURRABOONET Sagamore of Wowenock. To be Communicated to the Tribes assembled. per Capt. John and Squaduck.
July 17th,
Three Indians Messenger came Express to acquaint His Honour that the Nerridgwock and Wowenock Tribes were arrived, and designed presently to come and wait on His Honour, and for that End had sent them first to acquaint His Honour of their Arrival.
[Page 4]
Anno Regni Regis GEORGII Magnae Britanniae &c. Decimo Tertio.
AT a CONFERENCE Begun and Held at Falmouth in Casco Bay, July 17th Anncque Domini, 1727. for the further and personal Ratification (by the Nerridgawock, Arresaguntacook and Wowenock Tribes of Indians &c.) of the late Treaty of Peace, had with the Eastern Indians at Boston, By and Between His Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, The Honourable William Tailer,Esq; John Wheelwright,Esq; [...] Davenport, Esq; Thomas Fitch,Esq; Joseph Hammond,Esq; Samu [...]axter,Esq; John Stoddard,Esq; John Chandler,Esq; and Williams Pepperrell,Esq; His Majesty's Council of said Province, being present.
The Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq; Lieut. Governour, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire in New-England, being attended by George Jessrey,Esq; Shadrack Walton,Esq; Richard Wibird,Esq; of His Majesty's Council of said Province, and Major PAUL MASCARENE, Commissioned by the Honourable LAURENCE ARMSTRONG, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, or L'Acadie:
On the one Part, And
MOXUS Chief Sachem and Sagamore of the Nerridgawock Tribe, SOUSSACK second Chief of the said Tribe, Nagiscoig alias Capt. John, Suequautoemaug, Pierre, Terramogus's Son. Wiwarna alias Sh [...]epscot Jo, Edauweeno, Medockewando, Mendowett, Whawberett, Chiefs and others of the said Tribe of Nerridgawock, AUYAUMMOWETT, Captain and Councellor of the Arresaguntacook Tribe, Brother to the Chief Sachem and Delegated by the said Tribe in his Brother's Absence, Pierresongck, Loror, Backbaunumbawmett, Sabbatist, Sizabauckaum, Magucwaudo [...], Schowoss, Squaduke, Baquabarat alias Nathaniel, Saaroom, Erreman [...]seck, Shwasseen, Praussoway, Suzack Son of Beawand [...], Chiefs and others of the said Tribe of Arresaguntacook, NEMMADGEEN and WOOSSZAURRABOONETT Captains and Counceliois, two of the Chiefs of the Wowenock Tribe, and delegated by them, accompanied by AUWEMMONETT the chief Sachem's Son, Wenerramett, Paterramett, Saawerramett, Quinoise, Chiefs and others of the said Tribe of Wowenock, WENONGONETT alias WENEMOWETT, Chief Sachem of the Penobscot Tribe, ESPEGUHEAT second Chief of the said Tribe, the [Page 5]four Indian Delegates, viz. Sauguaa [...]um alias Loron, Arexis, Francois Xavier, Megan [...], with the underwritten Chiefs and others of the said Tribe, who were not present at the Conference last Year, viz. Squad [...] alias Capt. Lovis Edowa [...], Thoman, Omp [...]st, Ts [...], Sabbatist, Abenquind, Erre [...]me [...]k, Peress [...]wa' Thoman, [...], Arexis Junr. Neck [...]auba [...]witt, Jeseph, Pau [...]amew, [...], Junr. and the other Chiefs and others of the said Tribe of [...] attending.
On the other Part,
John Wai [...]wright,Esq; who was by Commission appointed Clerk to His Honour the Lieutenant Governour and Council in the present Negociation, and Sworn to the faithful Discharge of his Duty, officiated in his said Trust accordingly.
Capt. John Gyles, Interpreters.
Capt. Jeseph Bean, Interpreters.
Capt. Samu [...] Jordan, Interpreters.
Lt. Gov.
Dumm [...]r.
I am glad to see you all here, you are Welcome to [...], I would have you all look Cheerfully, for we are all Friends.
Lt. Gov.
Interpreters, Tell the Indians you are now to be Sworn to Interpret truly and faithfully during the Conference between us and them; and then the Interpreters were Sworn accordingly.
[...] of Norridgwock
As you Honour was pleased to say, you were glad to see us all here, so we say to you, we are very glad to see you here. It is God's Pleasure that we should see one another, and we rejoyce at it. You sent two Messengers to us last Year, [...] and Francois, to come to see you, and we are come here accordingly; that is, the Norridgwocks and [...] The [...] are not arrived but we suppose they will come by and by, and on their Arrival they will also come and wait on Your Honour.
Lt. Gov.
I desire to know how many of your Two T [...] there are here, that I may make the necessary Provisions for Supplies?
Wi [...]no.
Of the Norridgwocks there are Forty in all, and of the [...] Fifteen.
Lt. Gov.
I'll take care of Provisions for you, and I would have each Tribe, choose a Man to receive the Provisions, and let me have their Names, that so that there may be no Mistake.
[...].
We desire there may be two Seals on Paper, one for each Tribe to be sent by the Persons who receive the Provisions, which will prevent Mistakes.
Lt. Gov.
I like it well, and it shall be so Ordered.
Post Meridiem.
PRESENT Lieut. Governour DUMMER, with His Majesty's Council of the Massachusetts-Bay,
[Page 6] Lieut. Governour WENTWORTH, &c. As in the Morning. And The several Tribes of Indians with AUYAUMMOWETT a Chief of the Arresagu [...]acoock Tribe, and others of the said Tribe.
Lieut. Gov. Dummer.
Interpreters, Tell the Arresagumacoocks they are all Welcome here, and bid them come forth, and I'll shake Hands with them.
[...].
We are come to wait on your Honour to Day, being the first Day of our Arrival, which is according to our Custom, we are not all got together yet, only some of our elderly Men, the young Men are not as yet come. We are very glad to see your Honour here, and the rest of the Gentlemen, and we look upon it, as though we see all the Gentlemen of Boston and [...] [...] here; this is all we have to say to Day, we come now only to pay our Respects to your Honour.
Lt. Gov.
We are very glad to see you.
Capt. [...] (Indian)
We desire the Interpreters would be very careful in Interpreting, that they would not lean to one Side nor the other during the Conference.
Lt. Gov.
The Interpreters were Sworn in the Morning before us and the Tribes that were [...] then, that they [...] well and truly, and faithfully Interpret what should be said to them on either Side during the Treaty.
Lt. Gov.
How do your Wives and Children do, are they all well?
Indians.
We thank your Honour, they are very well.
Lt. Gov.
I am glad to hear it, you are all Welcome into this Country.
Indians.
We had one Man taken Sick Yesterday.
Lt. Gov.
Will you have a Doctor sent to him?
Indians.
We thank your Honour, We would have a Doctor if you please.
Lt. Gov.
You shall have a Doctor to visit the Sick Man.
Indians.
We are very thankful that it has pleased God we are arrived in Safety, and that we live to see the Faces of one another, and desire your Honour would let us know when you would see us, that we may enter on Business.
Lt. Gov.
I am always ready, and it shall be as soon as you Will.
[...].
That is not with me, I have not the Command of that, but when your Honour pleases, I am ready to enter on the Business you were pleased to send to us upon.
Lt. Gov.
It is very Well, I shall let you know.
Wednesday, July 19. 1727.
PRESENT as Before.
Lt. Gov. DUMMER.
GOOD Friends. It is very acceptable to me and the Gentlemen of the several English Governments new Assembled, to see so [Page 7]good an Appearance of the respective Tribes of Nerridgwocks, Arreseguntcooks and Wowenocks, and I make no doubt but you are come with honest Hearts & firm Resolutions Personally, & in a publick Manner to Ratify & Confirm the Peace, which the Penobscots not only for themselves, but as authorized by you, have with so much Industry and Faithfulness made and concluded. Since which the several Articles thereof have been Communicated to you by the said Tribe, so that there now remains nothing but that you Personally manifest your Consent by setting your Hands and Seals thereto (as the Penobscots have already done) and for that End, the said Articles shall be distinctly Read over and faithfully Interpreted to you.
Auyaummowett.
We have heard several Times of the Treaty, and we desire to hear it again.
Lt. Gov.
It is very well, You shall hear it, I brought the Articles for that Purpose.
The Articles were accordingly Read and Interpreted, as also the Ratification of the said Articles made by the Penobscots for themselves and the other Tribes in August last, which is in the Words following, Viz.
The SUBMISSION and AGREEMENT of the Delegates of the Eastern Indians.
WHEREAS the several Tribes of the Eastern Indians Viz. The Penobscot, Nerridgawock, St. Johns, Cape Sables, and other Tribes Inhabiting within His Majesty's Territories of New-England and Nova-Scotia, who have been engaged in the present War, from whom We, Sauguaarum alias Loron, Arexis, Francois Xavier, and Meganumbee, are Delegated and fully Impowred to enter into Articles of Pacification with His Majesty's Governments of the Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hampshire and Nova-Scotia, have contrary to the several Treaties, they have Solemnly entred into with the said Governments, made an open Rupture, and have continued some Years in Acts of Hostility against the Subjects of His Majesty King GEORGE within the said Governments.
They being now sensible of the Miseries and Troubles they have involved themselves in, and being desirous to be restored to His Majesty's Grace and Favour, and to live in Peace with all His Majesty's Subjects of the said Three Governments, and the Province of New-York, and Colonys of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, and that all former Acts of Injury be forgotten, have concluded to make, and we do by these Presents, in the Name and Behalf of the said Tribes, make our Submission unto His most Excellent Majesty GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. in as Full and Ample Manner, as any of our Predecessors have heretofore done.
And We do hereby Promise and Engage with the Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; as he is Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, and with the Governours or Commanders in Chief of the said Province for the Time being, That is to say.
[Page 8] We the said Delegates, for and in Behalf of the several Tribe abovesaid, do Promise and Engage, that at all Times for Ever, from and after the Date of these Presents, We and They will Cease and Forbear all Acts of Hostility, Injuries and Discords towards all the Subjects of the Crown of Great-Britain, and not offer the least Hurt, Violence or Molestation, to them or any of them in their Persons or Estates, But will hence forward hold and maintain a firm and constant Amity & Friendship with all the English, and will never Confederate or Combine with any other Nation to their Prejudice.
That all the Captives taken in this present War, shall at or before, the Time of the further Ratificat on of this Treaty, be restored without any Ransom or Payment to be made by them, or any of them.
That His Majesty's Subjects the English, shall and may Peaceably & Quietly enter upon, improve and forever enjoy all and singular their Rights of Land and former Settlements, Properties and Possessions within the Eastern Parts of the said Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, together with all Islands, [...]sletts, Shores, Beaches and Fishery within the same, without any Molestation or Claims by us or any other Indians, and be in no ways Molested, Interrupted or Disturbed therein. Saving unto the Penobscot, Nerridgwock, and other Tribes within His Majesty's Province aforesaid, and their natural Descendants respectively, all their Land, Liberties and Properties, not by them Conveyed or Sold to or Possessed by any of the English Subjects, as aforesaid, as also the Priviledge of Fishing, Hunting, and Fowling as formerly.
That all Trade and Commerce which hereafter may be allowed betwixt the English and Indians, shall be under such Management and Regulation as the Government of the Massachusetts-Province shall Direct.
If any Controversy or Difference, at any Time hereafter happen to arise between any of the English and Indians, for any real or supposed Wrong or Injury done on either Side, no private Revenge shall be taken for the same, but proper Application shall be made to His Majesty's Government, upon the Plac [...], or Remedy or Re [...]ress thereof in a due Course of Justice.
We submitting ourselves to be Ruled and Governed by His Majesty's Laws, and desiring to have the Benefit of the same.
We also the said Delegates, in Behalf of the Tribes of Indians, inhabiting within the French Territories, who have assisted us in this War, for whom we are fully Impowred to Act in this present Treaty, DO hereby Promise and Engage, that they and every of them shall henceforth Cease and Forbear all Acts of Hostility Force and Violence towards all and every the Subjects of His Majesty the King of Great Britain.
We do further in Behalf of the Tribe of the Penobscot Indians, Promise and Engage, that if any of the other Tribes intended to be included in this Treaty, shall notwithstanding refuse to confirm and Ratifie this present Treaty entred into on their Behalf, and continue or renew Acts of Hostility against the English, in such Case the said Penobscot Tribe shall join their young Men with the English, in reducing them to Reason.
[Page 9] In the next Place, We the aforenamed Delegates Do Promise and Engage with the Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq; as He is Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire, and with the Governours and Commander in Chief of the said Province for the Time being, that We and the Tribes we are deputed from, will henceforth cease and forbear all Acts of Hostihty, Injuries and Discords towards all the Subjects of His Majesty King GEORGE, within the said Province. And we do understand, & take it that the said Government of New-Hampshire, is also Included and Comprehended in all and every the Articles aforegoing excepting that respecting the regulating the Trade with us.
And further We the aforementioned Delegates, Do Promise & Engage with the Hon. LAURANCE ARMSTRONG, Esq; Lieutenant Governour & Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of Nova-Scotia or L'Acadie, to live in Peace with His Majesty's good Subjects, and their Dependants in that Government, according to the Articles agreed on with Major PAUL MASCARENE, Commissioned for that Purpose, and further to be Ratified as mentioned, in the said Articles.
That this present Treaty shall be accepted, Ratified and Confirmed in a public and solemn Manner, by the Chiefs of the several Eastern Tribes of Indians included therein, at Falmouth in Casco-Bay some Time in the Month of May next. In Testimony whereof we have Signed these Present, and affixed our Seals. Dated at the Council Chamber in Boston in New-England, this Fifteenth Day of December, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty five, Annoque Regni Regis GEORGIJ, Magnae, Britanniae &c. Duodecimo.
SauguaarumSig. alias Loron L.S.
ArexusSig.L.S.
FrancoisSig.Xavier L.S.
MaganumbeeSig.L.S.
[Page 10]
Done in the Presence of the Great and General Court or Assembly of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay aforesaid, being first read distinctly, and Interpreted by Capt. John Gyles, Capt. S [...] [...], and Capt. [...], sworn Interpreters.
Attest. J. [...], Sect.
The Ratification of the aforesaid Articles made by the [...] Tribe, is engrossed on the Original Articles in these Words.
WE the underwritten [...] Chief Sachem and Sagamore of the P [...] [...] Tribe and others the Chiefs, with the rest of the said Tribe now convented, having had the within Articles of Peace distinctly and deliberately read [...] and Interpreted to us: Do by these Presents, in a Publick and Solemn Manner, as well for our selves, as for all the [...] mentioned Tribes from whom we are delegated and fully impowred, Ratify [...]firm and Confirm all and singular the within written Articles of Peace to His most sacred M [...] King GEORGE, and that the same and each of them be, and shall continue and remain to be in full Force, Efficacy, and Power, to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever. DONE and Concluded at Falmouth in Casco-Bay, before His Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England, And His Majesty's Council of the said Province. The Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq Lieutenant-Governour of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire, and several of His Majesty's Council of the said Province, and Major PAUL MASCARENE, Delegated from His Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia or L'Acadit, and the several Gentlemen that Subscribe hereto. Witness our Hands and Seals the Fifth Day of August, in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith, &c. Anno [...] Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Six. Signed by WENEMOUETT, Chief Sachem, and all the others of the Chiefs and others of the Penobscot Tribe aforenamed.
Auyoum [...]ett.
What we have heard from your Honour at present we shall take into Consideration still to Morrow, and then you shall hear from us; as for the Articles which have been read over to us, we have heard of them, but never heard them read so fully to us, & are very glad to have now heard of them, we come for that Purpose. As we are now sitting here before your Honour, and see the Faces of one another, we say, This is the Place which GOD has appointed for us to see one another at, and as GOD is the Master of Prayer, we pray he would direct us in all the Ways that may tend to Peace; and we desire your Honour would let us know, and be so free as to hide nothing from us; and if we say any Thing that is amiss, or look like an Affront, that you would let us know it, that we may avoid it; and we shall be so on our Part as to keep nothing back, nor hide any Thing from you in the Treaty: We ought to join heartily, and be strong in the Affair, it is of great Weight and Moment, it weighs heavy. We have said.
Lt. Gov.
I shall say nothing but what is exactly agreeable to the Articles of Peace, for that is what I design firmly to stand to, and if you will do the same, by the Help of GOD, all Things will be well.
Auya [...]mowett.
We shall answer your Honour to Morrow, if you will give us the Liberty of considering of it to Night.
Lt. Gov.
[Page 11]
I would now have you hear the other Part, which I have Signed, because you will not be able to make your Answer so fully without it.
The Instrument His Honour Signed on the Part of the M [...] B [...], which is in the Words following, was accordingly Read and interpreted, [...]
[...] By the Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq Lieutenant Governour & Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New-England.
[...]
I do therefore in the Name of His [...] Excellent Majesty GEORGE by the Gra [...] of GOD of Gr [...] [...] and [...], King, Defender of the Faith &c. Receive and Recommend the said Tribes to His Grace and Favour, promising them the Benefit and Protection of His Majesty's Laws in like Manner as his English Subjects have and enjoy.
That all Acts of Ho [...] from this Government against the said Tribes of Indians shall cease, and that a firm and constant Friendship and Amity shall her [...] be maintained with them.
That upon the Indians delivering up all the English Prisoners, as they have engaged to do, all the Indian Captives within this Government shall likewise be set at Liberty.
That the said Indians shall peaceably enjoy all their Lands and Properties which have not been by them conveyed and said unto or possessed by the English, and be no Ways m [...]ed or d [...]bed in their Planting or Improvement; and further that there be allowed them free Liberty and Priviledge of Hunting, Fishing, and Fowling, as formerly.
And whereas it is the full Res [...] if this Government that the Indians [...] no Injustice [...] th [...] resprecting [...] Lands:
I do therefore a [...]re them, that the several Claims or Titles, or so many of them as can be then had and obtained of the English to the Lands in that Part of this Province, shall be produced at the Ratification of the present Treaty by a Committee to be appointed by this Court in their present [...], and Care be taken as far as possible to make out the [...]n [...] to the Satisfaction of the Indians, and to distinguish and ascertain what [...]ds belong to the English, in order to the effectual Prevention of any Contentions or Misunderstanding on that Head for the future.
[Page 12] That Commerce and Trade shall be carried on between the English and Indians according to such Directions as shall be agreed on by His Majesty's Government of this Province.
That no private Revenge shall be taken by the English, but in Case any Person shall presume so to do, upon Complaint and Proof thereof, Justice shall be done the Person aggrieved.
In T [...] whereof I have Signed these Presents, and caused the publick Seal of the Province of the Mass [...]tts-Bay aforesaid to be hereunto affixed.
Dated at the Council Chamber in Boston,this Fifteenth Day of December, A [...] D [...]. One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty five. Anno(que) Regni Regis GEORGIJ Mag [...] Britanni [...] &c. Duodecimo.
Wm. DUMMER. By Command of His Honour the Lieutenant Governour F [...] W [...], Sec [...].
Which Articles were ratified by His Honour, and engrossed on the Original in the Words following, Viz.
By the Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER,Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.
WHEREAS WENEMOUETT the Chief Sa [...]m of Penobs [...]ot, with Others his Chiefs, and the Rest of the said Tribe C [...]ted at Casco-Bay, the Fifth Day of August 1726, having [...] and publickly Ratified the Treaty of Submission [...] at Botton the Fifteenth Day of December last, and delivered the same to me, which I have accordingly accepted. I DO hereby Ratify ad Confirm all the ARTICLES in the within [...] Instrument.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at F [...]lm [...]uth in Cas [...]-Bay,the Sixth Day of August, in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith &c. Anno(que) Domini, 1726.
WILLIAM DUMMER. L.S. By Command of His Honour the Lieut. Governour. John Wainwright, Ct. Coun.
[Page 13]
Thursday, July 20. 1727.
PRESENT as Before.
A [...]
I Remember Yesterday I mentioned to your Honour, it was a good Day with us, and we should endeavour to hearken to one another; and I now shall Answer to what your Honour said. I have considered of it, and shall now speak. I rose up in Canada, resolved and forced my selt to come here, and know what your Honour had to say: Yesterday I heard what your Honour had to say; I was determined at Canada to come; and now I am come to hear what you have said, and what your Honour has said to us I like very well; it is all pleasing to me, every Thing that lay in the Way as a Stumbling-Block we find was all cleared away before we came from Canada. I now declare to your Honour, as the Hearts of my Brethren are with you (making a Motion towards the Penobscots) so is my Heart also with you; as my Brothers Hearts who are here now are all with you; so is my Heart, and the Hearts of all the Indian Tribes round about us.
Lt. Gov.
It is very agreable to me, and the several Gentlemen of the English Governments now here, to see you are so universally inclined to Peace. Are you ready to Sign the Articles of Peace to Night, or would you stay till to Morrow?
A [...]m [...]tt.
Our Hearts and Hands are ready now, but we choose to stay till to Morrow before we Sign.
Leren.
Good Friends and Brothers: I have one Thing to say; Yesterday was an Expression, that all former Injuries should be covered and done away, now it is concluded and done indeed: Now we have heard our Brethren say, what we have been thoughtful about for a Twelve-Month.
I have done.
Lt. Gov.
I hope GOD will enable us and you to keep this Peace for ever, and to Morrow we will bury the Hatchet with a Dance.
Loren.
Since the Articles won't be signed this Day, it won't be a Day of much Business; and if your Honour pleases, some of the Young Men shall entertain us with a Dance.
Lt. Gov.
In as much as the weighty Affairs are concluded upon, I shall order the Signal to be made early in the Morning, that you may Sign the Articles; it will take you up a great Deal of Time to Sign, and the Witnesses that must Sign also; and when that is done, we will consider of the more minute Affairs, and the remaining Part of the Day I'll spend in Diversion with you.
[Page 14]
Friday, July 21st. 1727.
PRESENT as Before.
THE Articles of Peace being said open at the Conference, and in [...] to the Personal and Publick Rat [...]tion thereof by the [...], Arresagunta [...] and W [...] Tribes of Indians, and [...] of the P [...] [...] who were not at the Conference last [...] the following W [...] w [...] fairly engross'd, and then read and faithfully Interpreted to the said Tribes, Viz.
THE within written Articles, S [...]pulated and Agreed on, as within mentioned by the within named Delegates, [...]Xa [...], and Neganum [...], being [...] read ever and faith [...] Interpreted to Us Yesterday at the publick Conference and by Us well understood; and having fully and maturely considered the same, WE the underwritten, [...] MOXUS Chief Sachem and Sagamer [...] of the [...] Second Chief of the said Tribe, with the [...] Chiefs, and [...] the said Tribe, for our Selves and in [...] of the other Tribes, AUYAUMMOWETT Captain and Councellor of the A [...] Tribe, Brother to the Chief Sachem, and delegated by the said Tribe in his Brother's Absence, with the Underwritten Chiefs and others of the [...] Tribe, for our Selves and in Behalf of the other Tribes, NEMMADGEEN and WOOSSZAURRABOONETT, Captains and Counce [...] is. Two of the Chief of the [...] Tribe, and delegated by them, accompanied by [...] the Chief S [...] chem's Son, with the Underwritten Chiefs and others of the said Tribe, for our Selves, and in Behalf of the other Tribes; DO by these Pre [...] [...] Publick and Solemn Manner (the P [...] Tribe being present) for Our Selves and Our several Tribes respectively, App [...]e, Consent to and Ratify all and singular the said Articles, and that the [...] and each of them that be and remain good valid and binding upon Us Our [...] and Success [...], respectively, to all Intents and Purposes for ever. DONE at [...] in C [...]-Bay the Twenty-first Day of July, in the Thirteenth Year of the Re [...] of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, by the Grace of GOD of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the Faith &c. and in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Seven. And then the Articles were accordingly Ratified by Signing, Sealing and Delivering the same, by the aforenamed MOXUS Chief Sachem of N [...], SOOSSAUCK Second Chief of the said Tribe with all the others aforementioned of the said Tribe, AUYAUMMOWETT Captain and Councellor of the Arresag [...] Tribe, with all the others of the said Tribe afore-mentioned, WOOSSZAURRABOONETT and NEMMADGEEN, Captains and Councellors of the W [...] w [...]k Tribe, with all the others of the said Tribe aforementioned, and also by those Chiefs and others of the Peno [...]sco [...] Tribe aforenamed, who were not present at the Conference the last Year.
[Page 15]
Tuesday, July 25th. 1727.
PRESENT as Before.
Lie [...] G [...] Dummer.
YOU are sensible how far I have performed the Article in the Treaty respecting the Captives, that I have generously restored them, and now I justly expect the Performance of that Article on your Part.
I have received Information, from some of the English Inhabitants in these Parts, that they have sustained Damage by your Dogs [...] some of their Sheep, and other young Creatures: and therefore I think it necessary when you come into any English Settlements with your Dogs, that you take Care to have them mu [...], which may for the future pr [...] such M [...]chiess, and the [...] Consequences that may attend them.
It is now Time that I acqu [...] you, that I expect a full Account in An [...] to the Message [...] and [...] were sent upon respecting the English Per [...] who were taken and [...] from [...] last Fa [...]l.
Note. [...] [...] Express from Peno [...] [...]Canada, that the Cape S [...] [...]Plac [...], [...] two Hundred E [...] [...]. To which His Honour now Answered. [...]
Lt. G [...] Dummer.
I have considered of the Message you brought me the other Night by some of each of the Tribes [...], with the News from [...], that the [...] Indians had made a Descent on Piz [...] in [...] and killed a great many of the English; and alth [...] I don't give much Order to that Story, yet I think it is a proper Occasion to propose to you an Additional Article to the late Treaty, in order to deter that Tribe or any other Indians from violating the same, so happily made by Us and the several Tribes of Indians who are Parties thereto (the due Observance of which being so much to the common Tranquility and Happiness of all concerned) that upon any Hostility done or offered to be done by any Indians, the Tribes who have entered into, and Ratified the Treaty, shall furnish and supply fifty Indians with a Captain of their own, and the English two Hundred and fifty, and so in Proportion a lesser or greater Number as the Occasion shall require, both the English and Indians to be paid and subsisted by the English Government, and under the Conduct and Command of such a general Officer as the English Governour may judge proper, to pursue and reduce such refractory Indians by Sea or Land, to live peaceably and quietly with their Neighbours, which by the Blessing of GOD, may prove an effectual Method to render us formidable to our Enemies, and thereby happily secure and perpetuate the Peace to Us, and to Our Posterity; and if any other Tribes of Indians shall make War upon any of the Tribes now entred into this Peace, in such Case the English shall assist them at their Cost and Charge with the like Proportion of Men as may be necessary. This is all I have now to say, and if you will go out and consider of it, and give me an Answer to it, I shall be ready to hear you on that or any other Affair you may have to offer.
Auyaummowett.
[Page 16]
I am very thankful I have this Opportunity of seeing your Honour, and that we do see the Faces of one another in Health, and that we have so good an Understanding one with another, and that there may be nothing taken amiss, for we have heard nothing but what is [...]. What your Honour has proposed to us, we [...] Council to consider of, and then [...]ive you an Answer. I have [...] Brother; Since we have had a good Understanding, and [...], which is and will be known thro' the whole C [...]: As I have [...] Hands with my Brother, there is no [...] that many [...] on it, that [...] Honour as well as our [...] no ill Effect on other [...] we are all [...]. As we are [...] in this Place, where the P [...] has been conc [...], [...] that nothing may be spoken out [...] what has been [...] concluded. This is what [...] the Conclusion of the P [...].
Lt. Gov.
You have [...] in what you have said.
Auyaummowett.
— [...] proceeded — We have had a [...] has mentioned, that if any [...], that we should join to [...] each other: We agree to it, and [...] dingly, if Occasion shall be, and our [...] same with your Honour's.
Lt. Gov.
That is certainly the Way to keep the [...].
Auyaummowett.
As to what your [...] has said about the Captives, and the People taken at [...], we have [...] As to the Captives, it is true, we have taken some, but when we have carried them Home, it has not been above a Day or two before the French had them, and when the French had them and carried them to their Houses, it was all as [...] as if the English had them themselves: for the English and the French are Brothers. As to the People taken at [...] there was a Boy brought to us, but it was all one with him as with the other Captives; he is in the Hands of the French as others were. We have something more to offer now.
Lt. Gov.
You have forgot to give an Answer to what I mentioned about your Dogs.
Auyaummowett.
We will speak to that presently. So far we have had a good Understanding in what we have said; I would now say further, I desire your Honour would have a Thought as to P [...] and [...]; We shall have a great Number of People come over here quickly, and we desire there may be a sufficient Supply of Goods for us in each of those Places. I have one Word more on Account of the Lands we are Owners of, that is, our Hunting Ground, we desire your Honour would take Care that none of the Mebeg [...], or others of the Southern Indians, may be allowed to come into our Hunting Ground, or even to the Eastward of [...], for therein they very much Damage [Page 17]us, and take our Game from us, which we expect to get when we go a Hunting, but may otherwise be wronged herein, if Care be not taken effectually to prevent those Indians, and their coming among us may breed Misunderstanding, and be of ill Consequence.
Lt. Gov.
I will consider of this, and what else you have said, and shall give you an Answer by and by; in the mean Time, the Article we have agreed to be added to the Treaty shall be entred on the Parchment, with the other Articles, in order to be signed by us all Afternoon.
A [...].
As to what was said about the Dogs, we will take Care that our Dogs shall be muz [...]ed whenever we come into any English Plantation: We desire our Affairs may be concluded as soon as possible: We hope to Day all may be finished.
Lt. Gov.
We will do all we can to D [...]y, and to Morrow shall shake Hands and D [...] together, and after D [...]nner, I shall have [...] ready to carry you to your [...] respective Homes, if the [...] be cone.
[...].
I have something to say respecting Trade. Your Honour told us that in carrying on the Trade we should have [...] Thing as cheap as it was bought at [...] and that we should have for our Beaver as much as it would [...], that I should take Notice of it, and observe as the Matter was carried on, I observe this Spring that the Goods we buy are dearer, and the Bea [...] cheaper than formerly; I shall say nothing but what is true, this [...] out to our [...]; when we told the Tribes how the Trade was to be [...] on and it proves otherwise, it makes us [...]; there are a great many that talk to us in another Language (the [...]) and tell us this Trade is but for [...]; it is to draw us in for a small Time, and then it will fall, and we shall be [...] at.
Lt. Gov.
Give me an Instance in what Particulars.
[...]
[...]; Two Yards of Strouds were sold for three Pounds of [...], now it is four Pounds of Be [...]ver.
Lt. Gov.
That does not make good what you have asserted, but proceeds only on Account of the Price of Beaver's [...] at the Market, and not from any Rise on the Cost of our Goods: Have you not always a Bill of [...] of the Goods you buy, as well as an Account of the Price allowed for the Beaver. I desire you always would, and thereby you may know that what I say is true. I am surprized to hear what you say, the English Government [...] to raise [...] Farthing on the true Cost of the Goods, and I will be bound to give you Ten for One if ever you can make out what you have now said: I was apprehensive [...] Year you might have some Difficulty in Understanding Trade, and therefore I told then expresty, that the Prizes of all Goods would be sometimes higher and sometimes lower at the Markets, and that no Body could help it. And then what was said to them at the Conference the Fifth of August last * Pag. 12. respecting Trade, was read and interpreted, which is in the Words following, Viz.
[Page 18]
While the Articles were in R [...]ling immediately after the Article respecting Trade. The Indians by their Speaker Loron, acquainted the Lieutenant Governour that they had been told the Prices of Goods would be raised when the Ratification was over: The Lieutenant Governour answered them, that they might be assured that the Goods always were, and still should be bought with ready Money, and that the Government would not make any New Advance on their Goods, and for a Proof of it they would always be sensible and find that the Government would supply them cheaper than any other People whatsoever; that they are acquainted with the Nature of Markets, that they are sometimes higher and sometimes lower.
Loron.
We would Instance also in Powder, which has come higher to us lately, than we had it ever before.
Lt. Gov.
That cannot be wondred at, when we consider the War that has lately been in Europe with the Germans & Spaniards; Powder never was known to be so High as lately it has been on that Account. If there had been the least Advance on the Powder, or any other Goods sent from Boston to the TruckMaster, I should have been ashamed to have seen you here, but you may be assured there has been no Advance at all, and you may prove that always by sending some Persons to Boston, to try the Markets, and I shall be glad if some of you will go with me now at my return to Boston.
Lt. Gov. Wentworth.
I myself am verysensible of the late rise of Powder, a little while ago, I bought Powder at Boston for l. 14. per Barrel, and since that, I have been obliged to pay l. 19 per Barrel for it.
Loron.
We desire you would have some Thought about the Truck Master, that the Trde may be rightly carried on: The first Truck-Master you sent to St. Georges we liked very well, he managed very pleasing and agreable to us, we liked Mr. Mountsorth very well, we have nothing to say against Capt. Gyles at al, he is a Man that is agreable to us.
Lt. Gov. Dummer.
We have Advice that the Peace in Europe is concluded, and it is very likely Powder will fall.
Auyaummowett.
As your Honour was saying, you had a Vessel to carry us to Kennebeck River, we shall not have Occasion for that, for as this is the Place of the Treaty, so we are all here now, but when that is over we shall scatter, some East, some West, and all go different Ways, so that we desire the Things may not be sent to Kennebeck. I speak for my self and the Arresaguntacooks.
M [...]us.
We desire for Kennebeck-River, That Capt. Heath may be continued to us.
Lt. Gov.
We like him very well.
Loron.
We shall be very glad to have a Gunsmith at St. Georges.
Lt. Gov.
You shall have one.
Auyaummowett.
I had forgot that Article, we desire there may be a Gunsmith at Sa [...], and one at Pejopscot Fort.
Moxus.
We desire a Gunsmith may be sent to Capt. Heath's Fort at Kennebeck.
Lt. Gov.
You shall be supplied.
Auyaummowett.
[Page 19]
I speak for the Indians at Pejepscot and Ammerescogin, we have formerly had Experience of Capt. Gyles, his good and faithful Services, we desire he may be appointed Truck Master at Pejepscot.
Lt. Gov.
We must not rob one Tribe to serve another, we can't spare so good a Man from St. Georges.
Loron.
We desire to know whether we must pay the Gunsmith that comes to St. Georges, or whether the English Government will pay him.
Lt. Gov.
We will take Care that the Smith shall Charge very moderately for all the Work he does, and if he should offer to Cheat you, or make any extravagant Demands for his Work, he shall be discarded, and to enable him to do the Work cheap, he will be Victualled at the Block-House, at the Charge of the Government.
Wenongonett.
We were speaking a little while ago about Capt. Gyles, we like him very well, and desire he may be continued to us.
Lt. Gov.
We won't rob you of Capt. Gyles.
Moxus.
We take hold of Capt. B [...]ne, and fix him down at Richmond at Kenneb [...]-River, we like him very well, and would keep him.
Lt. Gov.
It is very well.
Auyaummowett.
We desire Capt. Jordan may have the Care of the Trade at Saco-Fort, and be Truck-Master there.
Lt. Gov.
He is a very good Man.
Post Meridiem.
PRESENT as Before.
The Additional Article agreed to being fairly engrossed with the other Articles was laid open, and distinctly read and faithfully Interpreted to the Indians, and is in the Words following, Viz.
By the Parties to these Articles.
The following Article is Unanimously and reciprocally agreed upon, for the more effectual Preservation of the Peace, That if any Hostility shall be committed or offered to be committed by any Indians on any of the English Subjects, The Tribes who have entered into, and Ratified the Treaty, shall furnish and supply Fifty Indians with a Captain of their own, and the English Two Hundred and Fifty, and so in Proportion a greater or lesser Number as the Occasion shall require; The Forces to be paid and subsisted by the English, and under the Conduct of such a General Officer as the English Governour may judge proper, to pursue such refractory Indians either by Sea or Land, and compel them to live Peaceably and [...]uietly with their Neighbours; And if any other Tribes of Indians, shall make War upon any of the Tribes now entered into the Peace, in such Case, the English shall assist them at their own Cost and Charge, with the like Proportion of Men as may be necessary. DONE at the Conference at Casco-Bay, this Twenty-fifth Day of July, in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of Our [Page 20]Sovereign Lord King GEORGE, Ann [...] D [...]mi 1727. And then the said Article was Openly Signed and Delivered by His Honour WILLIAM DUMMER, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief in and over His M [...] jesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, The Honourable JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq; Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of [...], and Major PAUL MASCARENE, Commissioner for the Government of N [...]-S [...]a, and also by all the aforenamed Indians, Chiefs and other of the several respective Tribes aforesaid.
Lt. Gov.
In the Morning I acquainted you that I expected a faithful Account from [...]uin [...] and Og [...], of their Errand concerning the Captives, taken from K [...] since the Peace, and did not expect they would have been so backward in it: I also acquainted you, that I have [...] turning the Captives of the several Tribes in our Hand, and that I expected the like from you; and now I must tell you the Answer I [...] received was no Ways Satisfactory, but trifling and evasive, and that I do expect a better Account, and a just Compliance from you on that Article.
Auyaummowett.
Your Honour said this in the Morning. I say now, as I said then, I know nothing of any Captive only one Boy, and he is in the H [...] of the [...], I told you when I first spoke, that I came from Home as it were by Force, and on a Message: I am not Master of those that are in the Hands of the French, but I will do my Endeavour that they shall be restored when I get back, and shall acquaint the S [...] with what has passed at the Conference; and I shall do what I can to have the Captives restored: I can't absolutely premise they shall be restored, if I should, and not be able to effect it when I get Home, I should tell you a Lye: If I had one Captive in my Hand, or there were any with us, there would have been no Need of half these Words, but the Captives should have been delivered up at once.
Lt. Gov.
I believe you speak like an [...] Man; but I am very much misinformed, if there are not some among you that do know of English Captives that are in your Hands; I desire you would consuit among your selves, and give me [...] more full Account to Morrow Morning.
Loron.
I spake not so fully concerning the Trade at St. George's as I intended to do in the Morning: We desire Mr. M [...] may be sent there. It is very strange to us, that now the Truck-Master is come away, the Door is fast; the Key is turned on the Lock, and we cannot get any Thing now, nor can our Wives and Children get the Necessaries of Life. As to P [...]-Fort and the Officer there, though the P [...] know the Prices of Things, yet they are over-reached there by the Officer; and if we are, much more will the Indians that come down out of the Country, and know nothing of the Prices of Goods; but come to ask, if there be a Trade? He says, Yes; and then tells them the Prices of Goods. There are four Indians now sitting here that know the Truth of this; one of them is a Pen [...] Indian.
The several Indians referred to, acquainted His Honour of the Things mentioned by Loron.
Loron.
We don't speak this out of Displeasure, but only to inform your Honour that we have been thus imposed on, and that a Redress may be had.
Lt. Gov.
[Page 21]
I don't at all blame you for telling me your Grievances, though I am sorry you have Occasion for it; you do very well in telling me of it; and I would always have you do so, as often as you have Occastion. As to what you say, respecting the Stores being shot up at St. Gorg [...]'s, that shall be remedied, and I'll see that no such Thing shall be for the future; and as to what you say about Mr. M [...]tsirt. I shall consider of it when I get to Court. I am very sorry to hear you have been so imposed on at P [...] and shall resent it; and must remind you of my Caution formerly to you, not to trade with any private Person, when you may be supplied at the publick Stores; however, if you can't govern yourselvers in this Affair, I shall give Orders, that the Officer shall not be allowed to Trade with you on any Account whatsoever, nor shall any Person under his Command be allowed to Trade with you on any Account. As to what you say in being Imposed on, or over-reached in buying any Thing at P [...], I shall take Care that some of the Gentlemen of the Council shall hear that Matter to Morrow Morning, when your People will attend them, and shall order that Justice be done them on they Head; and Three of the Council were appointed accordingly, vit. [...] [...], Esqrs; and Capt. [...] the Fort at Pr [...], who was present, was ordered to attend.
Lt. Gov.
Interpreters. Turn to the [...] and tell them I shall expect they come to Morrow Morning, prepared to give me a better Account of the English Captives.
Wednesday, July 26. 1727.
PRESENT as Before.
Lt. Gov.
I Acquainted you last Night that I expected to Day, you should give me a better Account of the English Captures, than what I have yet received, and I now meet you for that purpose.
Auy [...].
Brethren. As you mentioned, concerning the English Captives Yesterday Morning, in the Afternoon, and now to Day again, I shall now go from this Place, and I shall acquaint the Tribes of every Thing that has happed, and shall do my Endeavour to get the English Captives back, but I would not have you think hard; I will do what I can but I cannot promise Certainly, I shall Endeavour to deliver up all the English Captives, those that have been there these Forty Years, I will do my utmost Endeavour to accomplish this, and if I cannot succeed in the Affair, I shall return back and acquaint you, but nothing shall be wanting that I can do, to have the English restored.
Lt. Gov.
This Answer is much the same with what I had last Night, it is Trifling, and I insist that you give me a better Account, and that the Captives shall be forthwith delivered. I am informed there are several Captives now in your Hands, and I suppose the Person that informed of this may be produced.
Auy [...].
I am acquainted of Five Captives at Arr [...], there are some that are Married, and I can't say any Thing as to them; there is one [Page 22]Woman at St. [...], taken at North [...] and two Boys, and two Girls, taken at [...]-River, or [...]-River and [...].
Lt. Gov.
Where are they?
[...]
All at St. Fran [...].
Lt. Gov.
I desire to know who are their Masters.
[...].
The Men are not here, it is not our Custom to mention any Body's Name that is not present.
Lt. Gov.
I did not give you Occasion to ask whose Hands the Indian Captives were in, and I expect you give a direct Answer to that Question.
[...].
One Captive is in the Hands of [...] is Master of Two, and [...] squaw, is Mistress of a Girl, [...] Squaw, is Mistress of an old Woman.
Lt. Gov.
Is the Boy, taken from [...] last Fall, one of the Five you have mentioned.
[...].
No, He is among the French.
Lt. Gov.
I expect that [...] and [...], give me an Account of the Family taken at [...], they were [...]ent on purpose on that Errand, and therefore I expect they come out in [...], and give an Account of what they know of that Matter.
[...].
They [...], That the Boy was among the [...], and that is all they know about it, as they have informed me.
Lt. Gov.
I expect the [...] give the Account themselves.
The Two Indians came out.
Lt. Gov.
I now demand that you give an Account of your Proceeding on the Errand you were seat on, from [...] last Winter, respecting the Family taken at [...] in the Fall, according to your Promises to the Government by whom you were [...] out, and for your Performance of that Service, you [...], left your Son as a Pledge.
[...]
[...] had the Misfortune to have a Wound in his Leg, and many other Accidents intervening, [...] my proceeding on that Errand till we had an Account from the Indians we met, who informed us they were come to [...] the Peace. I gave Capt [...] the full Account of my Proceeding in this Matter, which I suppose he Communicated to your Honour by [...]. I heard when the Indians took that Family, the English pursued them very quick, and the Indians were afraid of being discovered, and so they kill'd three of the English, and the Boy they carried away.
Lt. Gov.
When you went away from [...] you promised me to make what Discovery you could to bring back the Persons taken, if possible, or at least that you would give me the Names of the Indians that committed that Action, and what Tribes they belong'd to.
Quineis;e.
[Page 23]
The Indians Names are, Waubaway, Paucaunaump [...]jte, Acteon, Omber [...]ees, Manneerbowbau, Pier, Su [...]gdaugunds.
Lt. Gov.
Of what Tribes were the Indians?
Quineise.
Some St. Francois, some [...], and some Scatacook Indians.
Lt. Gov.
Of what Tribe was [...]?
Quineise.
Of the M [...]gans formerly.
Lt. Gov.
Since we have so far happily concluded the Peace, and you have informed me of these Captives, I desire and expect you give me an Account what Measures you propose to take for the effectual restoring the English Captives to their Homes and Relations again. I suppose Quineise and Ogicksan [...] have given an Account according to the best of their Knowledge.
[...].
As to what your Honour has mentioned about having a good Understanding in the Peace, nothing shall be wanting to effect it on our Part, and we hope the like from you, and if both of us join in this, there is no Doubt but we shall mutually enjoy the good Effects of the Peace, otherwise not: When I go back I shall acquaint the Tribes of all that has passed, and use my utmost Endeavours to restore the Captives, and doubt not but I may prevail to have them all restored when the Tribes hear what I shall say to them to inforce the Matter. Your Honour has not given us any Answer to what we said about the [...] hunting in our Ground.
Lt. Gov.
I have not forgot it, I think it a very reasonable Demand, and though they are not in this Government, yet I shall write to the Governour of [...], in whose Government they dwell, and acquaint him of what you desire, that he would restrain those Indians in their hunting accordingly.
[...]
We of the [...] desire that Capt. Senders Sloop may be appointed to carry us down to our Country.
Lt. Gov.
You shall have the Sloop to carry you down according to your Desire.
N.B.
‘That at this Time at the Conference, The Representatives present desired the Lieutenant Governour to acquaint the Indians, that the Government would satisfy any reasonable Charges they may be at in travelling backwards and forwards to restore the English Captives, upon their delivering such Captives into the Hands of the Government, and for the Encouragement of the Indians herein, that His Honour will please to acquaint them, that the three Indian Captives now in the Hands of the English shall be restored upon the Rendition of the English Captives as aforesaid.’
Lt. Gov.
I had all the Reason in Justice to expect that I should have had all the English Captives delivered up at the Treaty, as I have delivered up the Indian Captives to you, and I suppose if you had been so sensible of the Nature of this Affair before, as you are now, you would have done it; but I still expect that your Chief AUYAUMMOWETT does his utmost Endeavour to [Page 24]have the English Captives restored according to his repeated Promises; and though I am not obliged by the Articles of the Treaty to do any Thing herein, yet for your Encouragement to bring in and deliver up all the English Captives into the Hands of the Government at Boston, I promise you that you shall have reasonable Satisfaction for your Time and Trouble in Travelling backwards and forwards in compleating this Matter; and further for your Encouragement, I now promise in the Name of the Government, That upon your delivering up all the English Captives as aforesaid, that you shall have three Indian Captives now in this Province delivered to you, who were sold away by the Captors, and though they must be purchased of their Masters, yet I will engage they shall be delivered up upon the restoring the English Captives as aforesaid.
Lt. Gov. Wentworth.
I promise the same on the Part of the Government of NewHampshire.
Lt. Gov. Dummer.
I do not intend by any Thing that I have said, that there shall be any Allowance made for the Ransom of the Captives, which I would have you be fully sensible of, but for your own Charges and Trouble only.
Auyaumm [...]wett.
We can't give any other Answer than what we have already done, but we assure you we will certainly do our utmost Endeavours to have all the English Captives restored.
Lt. Gov. Wentworth.
I have a small Present for you from the Government of NewHampshire, which is at the St [...]rn of our Vessel, and is ready for you if you'l call for it.
Lt. Gov. Dummer.
Dinner is now ready and waiting for us, and we will go and refresh our selves, and the Secretary shall get a fair Drought of the Conference ready for Examination in the Morning, that we may see it is rightly taken down, and then we will take our Leave, and bid each other farewel in Peace.
Indians
—by a general Consent—We have a right and full Understanding of what pass'd at the Conference, the Matters have been often repeated to Us. We have been a long While from Home, and very earnestly desire we may be dispatched this Night.
Lt. Gov. Dummer.
It is well, We will endeavour to get Things in such a Readiness, that you may go away this Evening. When I get to Boston I shall order the Conference to be Printed, which will come out under the Secretary's Hand, and Copies thereof shall be forwarded you as soon as may be, for the Use of your Tribes respectively; with which they all appeared to be very much pleased and fully satissied.
His Honour with the Council, and Gentlemen attending, together with the several Tribes, dined publickly under a Tent prepared for that Purpose, and the Conference was concluded with publick Rejoicings.
[Page 25]
Thursday, August 27th. 1727.
THE several Tribes being assembled in a publick Manner to receive of His Honour Lieutenant Governour DUMMER the Present from this Government; His Honour directed that the Committees Report on the Complaints of several Indians being misused in Trade by Capt. [...], of His Majesty's Fort [...], at [...] Falls (as by the said Complaints made the 25th Currant appears should be read and interpreted to the [...], which was accordingly done, and is as follows; Captain [...] being present, and hearing the said Report, [...] 20. July, 1727.
Complaint being made to the Honourable the Lieutenant Governour by divers Indians, that they were over-reached; and hardly used in the Price of Goods they bought of Capt. [...], and thereupon we being appointed to hear the Parties, and to examine and make an Estimate of the Value of said Goods, are of Opinion, that what is over-charged on each Indian's Account ought to be paid them by Capt. [...]; or that upon their returning any of the Goods bought of him, which have received no Damage since they had them, he shall restore the whole of what they paid him for such Goods; particularly the Rings [...] had of him, and one half of the Gold Necklace [...] had. The respective Accompts are as follow,
Bartho [...] Secretary [...]if Capt. William Wood [...]s;ide.
[...]
£. 06
00
00
[...]
£. 03
15
00
[...]
05
00
00
03
00
00
[...]
02
10
00
01
15
00
[...]
00
10
00
00
10
00
[...]
00
06
00
00
06
00
[...]
00
12
00
00
06
00
£. 14
18
06
£. 00
12
00
Overcharged
£. 25
06
06
Arramaument [...] of D [...]tto.
[...]
£. 03
03
00.
Valued at
01
11
06
Overcharged
01
11
06
Pier bought of Capt. William Woodside.
One [...]
£. 02
00
00
[...]
£. 01
05
00
One [...]
£. 01
10
00
£ 01
00
00
Overcharg'd
£ 01
05
00
Toma bought of Ditto.
Half a Gold Necklace, for which be paid 15 £. of [...].
£. 06
15
00
[...] at
£. 05
00
00
One Silk [...] Silk Aprens, £. 12 [...].
£. 05
08
00
£ 04
08
00
Overcharg'd,
£. 02
15
00
Overcharg'd in all
£. 10
18
00
William Ta [...]er, Addington Davenport, Thomas F [...]ten.
[Page 26] His Honour then as [...]ed the said Capt. [...] how he proposed to Comply with the Committees Report, in making Satisfaction to the Indians? To which he replied, he was not just then in a Capacity to do it, but would make them Satisfaction on his return to his Post at [...], and gave Notes of his Hand to pay to the several Indians, the Sums particularly set to their Names in the said Report on Demand. Which Piece of Publick Justice, was to the great Satisfaction of the several Tribes of Indians, as well as to the Numerous Company of the Spectators present.
By Command of His Honour the Lieutenant Governour, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council John Wainwright, Cl. Counc.
Upon His Honour's Arrival at [...], He was pleased to [...] the following Proclamation [...]
By The Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER,Esq; Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts [...] in New-England. A PROCLAMATION.
WHereas [...]of December, 1725. by Delagates, [...] Tribes of Indians [...] at Falmounth [...]Day of July, the said Indians [...] PEACE [...] Massachusetts-Bay [...]Indian Tribes [...]
[Page 27] I Have therefore thought fit with the Advice of His Majesty's Council, to [...] this Proclamation. That so all Persons within this Government may be duly informed of the same; And I do hereby strictly Command and Require all His Majesty's good Subjects to live in Peace and Amity with all the [...] of the [...] Tribes, as also with the several other Tribes not herein particularly named, for whom the [...] in the Treaty above-mentioned; [...] Hostility against any of the said In [...] [...] them the lead [...]; But on the contrary, to [...] them all necessary Comfort [...] may require; And His [...] of the Peace, and [...] in such Places where the [...] Endeavour, that no [...] and that the good Laws of this [...] in all Dealings and Transactions [...] them.
[...] Day of August, 1727, In the [...] GEORGE, in the Great of GOD of Great Britain, France & Ireland, KING, [...] of the Faith, &c.
W. DUMMER.
By Order of the Honourable the [...], by and with [...] of the Council, [...], Secr.
GOD Save the KING.
BOSTON: Reprinted by S. KNEELAND, by Order of the [...] House of REPRESENTATIVES, 1754.