AMERICAN ELM. 
51 1? 
* hen we have accounts of minor treaties, between William Penn and the Indian* 
that no historian has any particular detail of this, though so many mention it 
and all concur in considering it the most glorious of any in the annals of the world 
Ihere are, however, relations in Indian speeches, and traditions j Quaker fam- 
ilies, descended from those who were present on the occasion, from which we 
may learn something concerning it. It appears, that though the parties were to 
assemble at Coaquannoc, the treaty was made a little higher up at Shacka- 
maxon. Upon this site, Kensington now stands, the houses of wh.ch may be 
considered as the suburbs of Philadelphia. There was at Shackamaxon, an elm 
tree of a prodigious size. To this the leaders on both sides repaired, approach- 
ing each other under its widely-spreading branches. William Penn appeared in 
his usual dress. He had neither crown, sceptre, mace, sword, halberd, or any 
insigna of eminence. He was distinguished only by wearing a sky-blue sash 
round his waist, made of silk net-work, and of no larger dimensions than an offi- 
cer's military sash, which, except in colour, it resembled. On his rieht hand was 
Colonel Markham, his secretary and relative; on his left, his friend Pearson, 
followed by the train of Quakers. Before him were carried various articles of 
merchandize, which, when they came near the sachems, were spread upon the 
ground. He held a roll of parchment, containing the confirmation of the treaty 
of purchase and amity, in his hand. One of the sachems, who was the chief of 
them, then put upon his own head a kind of chaplet, in which appeared a small 
horn. This, according to scripture language, and among the primitive eastern 
nations, was an emblem of kingly power; and whenever the chief who had a 
right to wear it, put it on, it was understood that the place was made sacred, and 
the persons of all present inviolable. Upon putting on this horn, all the Indians 
threw down their bows and arrows, seating themselves round their chiefs, in the 
form of a half moon, upon the ground. The principal sachem then announced 
to William Penn, by the aid of an interpreter, that the nations were ready to heat 
him. He then said that, the Great Spirit, who made him and them, who ruled 
the heavens and the earth, and was acquainted with the innermost thoughts of 
man, knew that he and his friends had a hearty desire to live in peace and 
friendship with them, and serve them to the utmost of their power. It was not 
their custom to use hostile weapons against their fellow creatures, therefore came 
they to this treaty unarmed. Their object was not to do injury, and thus pro- 
voke the Great Spirit, but to do good. They had met them on the broad path- 
way of good faith and good will, so that no advantage was to be taken on either 
side, but all was to be openness, brotherhood, and love. After these and othei 
words, he unrolled the parchment, and by means of the same interpreter, con- 
veyed to them, article by article, the conditions of the purchase, and the words 
of the contract then made for their eternal union. Among other things, they were 
not to be molested in their lawful pursuits, even in the territory tiny had alien- 
ated, for it was to be common to them as well as to the English. They were to 
have the same liberty to do all things therein, relating to the improvement of 
their grounds, and providing sustenance for their families, which the English 
had. If any dispute should arise between the two, if should be settled by twelve 
persons, half of whom should be English, and half Indians. He then paid them 
for the land, and made them many presents beside, from the merchandise which 
was spread before them. Having done this, he laid the roll of parchment on th> 
ground, observing again, that the ground should be common to both people He 
then added, that he would not do'like the inhabitants of Maryland, that is. call 
them only children or brothers; for parents were sometimes unkind to their chil- 
dren, and brothers would often differ; neither would he compare the friendship 
between them to a chain, which the rain might rust, or a tree fall upon and 
break; but he should consider them as the same flesh and blood with the < fort* 
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