THE INDIAN TREATY HELD AT LANCASTER. 58 



late Governor of Maryland that it related likewise to some Lauds in the 

 Back parts of Virginia. The Governors of those Colonies soon mani- 

 fested a truly equitable Disposition to come to any Reasonable Terms 

 with the Six Nations on Account of those Lands, and Desired that for 

 that End a Time and Place might be fixed for a Treaty with them. But 

 before this could be effected, an unfortunate Skirmish happened in the 

 Back Parts of Virginia, between some of the Militia there and a Party 

 of the Indian- Warriors of the Six Nations, with some loss on both sides. 

 Who were the Aggressors is not at this time to be discussed — both Parties 

 having agreed to bury that affair in oblivion ; and the Government of 

 Virginia having, in token of the continuance of their Friendship, pre- 

 sented the Six Nations, through my hands, with Goods to the value of 

 one hundred pounds sterling. To prevent further Hostilities and to heal 

 this Breach, I had, before the Present was given, made a tender of my 

 Good offices, which both Parties accepted, and consented, on my Instances, 

 to lay down their Arms ; since which the Faith pledged to me has been 

 mutually Preserved, and a Time and Place has been agreed upon through 

 my Intervention for accommodating all Differences, and for settling a 

 firm Peace, Union, and Friendship, as well between the Government of 

 Virginia as that of Maryland and the Indians of the Six Nations.^ The 

 Honourable the Commissioners for these two Governments and the Depu- 

 ties of the Six Nations are now met at the Place appointed for the Treaty. 

 It only remains, therefore, for me to say, that if my farther good Offices 

 shall be thought usefull for the accomplishment of this Work, you may- 

 Rely most assuredly upon them. 



"But I hope, Honourable Gentlemen Commissioners, it will hot be 

 taken amiss if I go a little further, and Briefly represent to you how 

 especially necessary it is at this Juncture, for His Majesty's Service and 

 the Good of all His Colonies in this Part of His Dominions, that Peace 

 and Friendship be established between Your Government and the Indians 

 of the Six Nations. 



"These Indians by their Situation are a Frontier to some of them, and 

 from thence. If Friends, are Capable of Defending their Settlements; If 

 Enemies, of making Cruel Ravages upon them; If Neuters, they may 

 deny the French a Passage through their Country, and give us timely- 

 Notice of their Designs. These are but some of the Motives for culti- 

 vating a good Understanding with them, but from hence the disadvan- 

 tages of a Rupture are abundantly evident. Every advantage you gain 

 over them in War will be a Weakning of the Barrier of those Colonies, 

 and Consequently will be in Effect Victories over yourselves and your 

 Fellow-Subjects. Some allowances for their Prejudices and Passions, 



1 This was allowed at a Conference had by the Governor with the Commissionei-s to 

 be a jvist state of the Transactions preceding the Treaty. 



