582 INDIAN LAND CESSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES [eth.a.vn. 18 



tlic French, ought to have been a Lesson to Us to have been uow more earefull of 0.ur 

 Interests, but Yet the same avidity after Possession of Indian Lands, aggravated 

 by mauy other Abuses, still remain'd unchecked and uneoutroll'd by any i>ermanent 

 Plan.' 



The change of policy about the middle of the eighteenth century, by 

 ■which the coutiol of Indian aifairs was brought more immediately under 

 the English government, has been referred to in the section relating to 

 the English jiolicy, and need not be repeated here. One additional 

 item, liowever, may be cited, as it mentions some of the special grants 

 which were the cause of much complaint on the x^art of the Indians, 

 and served to induce the government to introduce this change. 



In a ('ommunicatiou from the Lords of Trade to Justice De Lancey, 

 March 19, 1756, is the following statement: 



We have lately had under our consideration the present State of Indian Att'airs, 

 and as it appears clearly to us, that the Patents of Lands commonly called the 

 Kayoderosseras, C'onojohary and that at the Oneida carrying place, which have 

 been made at different times, upon pretence of purchases from the Indians, is one of 

 the principal causes of the decline of our Interest among.st them, and that they can 

 never be induced heartily and zealously to join in the jnst and necessary measures. 

 His Majesty has been compelled to take, for the recovery of his undoubted Rights, 

 until full satisfaction is given them with respect to these grievances, they have so 

 long and so justly complained of; We have thought it our duty, to recommend this 

 matter to Sir Cha" Hardy's serious attention, and to desire he will lay it fully 

 before the Council and Assembly to the end that proper measures may be taken for 

 vacating and annulling these exorbitant grants, as were done upon a former occasion 

 of the like kind in 1699. — The many difficulties which will attend the doing this by 

 a legal proces in the Courts are so many and so great, as leave us little room to hope 

 for success from such a measure; and we see no remedy to this great evil, but from 

 the interposition of the Legislature by passing a Law for this purpose, which we 

 have directed the Gov, earnestly to recommend to them, as a measure which will 

 be for His Maj'i'" service, for their honour and Interest, and for the advantage, 

 security and welfare of their constituents in general. - 



Numerous protests against the Kayoderosseras purchase were pre- 

 sented by the Indians, and the matter was a subject of controversy for 

 a number of years. This is described as " beginning at the half Moon 

 and so up along Hudson's river to the third Fall and thence to the 

 Cackuawaga or Canada creek which is ■! or 5 miles above the Mohawks." 

 A more exact description has doubtless been published, but is not at 

 present at hand ; but it is not essential for the present purpose. The 

 tract was a large one, and the regularity of the purchase was disputed 

 by the Indians. However, in 176S the patentees ijroduced the original 

 Indian deed, and having had the boundaries surveyed, the Indians, on 

 receiving " a handsome sum of money were at length prevailed on to 

 yeild their Claim to the Patentees." 



It was about the time of the above-mentioned communication that 

 Governor Morris stated to the Five Xations that " he found by woeful 

 experience that making purchases of lands was the cause of much 

 blood being shed ; he was determined, therefore, to buy no more." 



' Documentary History of New York. vol. ii, p. 780. 

 'New STork Colonial Documents, vol. vii, p. 78. 



