56 AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 



Then the Governor in Eeply spoke as follows : 



"I receive your Belt with Great kindness and affection, and as to what 

 Relates to the Governments of Virginia and Maryland, the Honourable 

 Commissioners now Present are ready to treat with you. I shall only 

 add that the Goods for the Hundred Pounds Sterling put into my Hands 

 by the Governor of Virginia is a token of his Good Dispositions to Pre- 

 serve friendship with you, are now in Town and ready to be delivered, 

 in consequence of what was told you by Conrad Weiser when he was 

 last at Onondago." 



Then the Governor turning to the Commissioners of Virginia and 

 Maryland, say'd:- "Gentlemen — I have now finished what was incumbent 

 upon me to say by way of Introduction to the Indians, and as you have 

 full Authority from your respective Governments to Treat with them, I 

 shall leave the rest entirely to you, and either stay or withdraw as you 

 shall think it most for your Service." 



The Commissioners say'd they were all of Opinion it would be for 

 their Advantage that the Governor should stay with them, and, there- 

 fore, they unanimously desired they would favor them with the Continu- 

 ance of his presence whilst they should be in a Treaty with the Indians, 

 which His Honor said He would at their Instance very readily do, be- 

 lieving it might expedite their Business and prevent any Jealousy the 

 Indians might conceive at his withdrawing. 



The Commissioners of Maryland order'd the Interpreter to acquaint 

 the Indians that the Governor of Maryland was going to Speak to them, 

 and then spoke as follows : 



"Friends and Brethren of the United Six Nations — 



"We who are deputed from the Government of Maryland by a Com- 

 mission under the Great Seal of that Province, now in Our Hands (and 

 which will be Interpreted to You), bid you welcome, and in token that 

 "We are very glad to see you here as Brethren, we give you this String 

 of Wampum." 



Upon which the Indians gave the Jo-hah. 



"When the Governor of Maryland received the first notice about 

 Seven years ago of your Claim to some Lands in that Province, He 

 thought our Good friends and Brethren of the Six Nations had little 

 reason to complain of any Injury from Maryland, and that they would 

 be so well convinced thereof on further Deliberation as he should hear 

 no more of it; but you spoke of that matter again to the Governor of 

 Pennsylvania about Two years since as if you designed to Terrify us." 



"It was very inconsiderately sayd by you, that you would do your- 

 selves Justice by going to take Payment yourselves; such an attempt 

 would have entirely dissolved the Chain of Friendship subsisting not 

 only between us, but perhaps the other English and You. 



