THojiAs] NEW York's policy toward the Indians 581 



had uo lasting- effect nor formed the basis of laud claims save in regard 

 to some two or three grants made by tbe governor of New York under 

 an erroneous construction. It was, in fact, a step on the part of the 

 Iroquois tribes in the effort to bring themselves more directly under 

 the sovereignty and protection of the English and induce them to take 

 more active measures against the French. 

 In regard to this effort Sir William Johnson remarks as follows: 



In this Situation therefore the 5 Nations, who were at the heatl of a C'oulederacy 

 of almost all the Northern Nations, ami in whom all their interests were united, did 

 in 1701, resolve upon a measure the most wise and prudent with regard to their own 

 interests, and the most advantageous with regard to Onrs, that oould have heen 

 framed; they delineated upon paper in the most precise niiumer tbe Limits of what 

 they ealled their hunting grounds, comprehending the great Lakes of Ontario and 

 Erie, and all the circumjacent Lauds for the distance of Sixty miles around them, 

 The sole and ahsolute property of this Country they desired might be secured to 

 them.; and as a proof of perpetual Alliance, and to sujjport Our Rights against any 

 Claims which the French might make, founded on the vague and uncertain pretence 

 of uuliniited (Jrants or accidental local discovery, they declared themselves willing 

 to yield to Great Britain, the Sovereignty aud absolute dominion of it, to be 

 secured and protected by Forts to be erected wheiiever it should bethought proper. 



A Treaty was accordingly entered into and concluded upon these terms by M^ 

 Nanfau then Lieu' Governor of New York; and a Deed of surrender of the Lands, 

 expressing the Terms and Conditions, executed by the Indians. 



The advantages of such a concession on the part of the ludians were greater than 

 our most sanguiue hopes could have expected; and had the Judgment, Zeal and 

 Integrity of those, whose Duty it was faithfully to execute the Conditions of the 

 Engagement, been equal to tho.se of him who made it, the Indians might have been 

 forever secured in Our Interest and all disputes with France about American Terri- 

 tory prevented; but by ueglect of Government on one baud, aud the enormous 

 abuses of Individuals in the purchase of Lauds ou the other hand, all the solid 

 advantages of this Treaty and concession were lost, and with them the memory even 

 of the Transaction itself; The Indians were disobliged and disgusted, and many of 

 them joined with the Enemy in the War which fallowed this Treaty, and disturbed 

 our Settlements, whilst the French, to whom this Transaction jiointed out what 

 their plan should be, took every measure to get ijossession of the Country by Forts 

 and Military Establishments; and altho' they were compelled at the Treaty of 

 Utrecht to acknowledge in express terms our Sovereignty over the Six Nations, yet 

 iinding We took no Steps to avail Ourselves of such a favourable declaration either 

 by a renewal of Our Engagement with the Indians, or taking measures to support 

 Our sovereignty by forts erected in proper parts of the Country, they ceased not to 

 pursue that Plan, in which they had already made so considerable a jirogress, and 

 it was not 'till the year 172.5, when they had by their Establishment at Niagara, 

 secured to themselves the jjossession of Lake Ontario, that We saw too late onr 

 Error in neglecting the advantages which might have been derived from the Treaty 

 of 1701.' 



As referring to the same subject, aud as being confirmatory of what 

 is said above in regard to the want of a settled policy, the following 

 remark from the same authority is added : 



The Experience We had had of the mischiefs, which followed from a want of a 

 proper regard aud attention to our engagement in 1701, increased by the danger 

 ■which now threatened Our Colonies from the daily and enormous encroachments of 



' Documentary History of New York, vol. II, p. 778. 



