590 INDIAN LAND CESSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES [eth.ann.18 



purchased, and otliers ■wliich bad not been properly obtained, tbe com- 

 missioners, by tbe following act, passed la 1758, were autborized to 

 purcbase and settle these claims: 



AN ACT to empower certain persons to imrcliaso the claims of the Indians to land in this colony. 



Whereas, it is tbe incliuatiou of the legishitmc of this colony to settle and estab- 

 lish a good agieeinciit and imderstanding with the Indians who do and have inhab- 

 ited the same. And as the satisfying their just and reasonable demands will boa 

 necessary step thereto; and as a strict and minute inquiry into their several claims 

 will be attended with great difficulty expense and delay. 



Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and General Assembly, and it is 

 hereby enacted liy the authority of the same. That it shall and may be lawful to 

 and for the treasurers of this colony, or either of them, to pay unto the honorable 

 Andrew Johnston, Richard Salter, esquires, Charles Read, John Stevens, William 

 Foster and Jacob Spicer, esquires, who aro hereby apjiointed commissioners on the 

 part of New Jersey for this purpose, or any three of them, out of any money in their 

 hands, which now is or hereafter shall be made current for the service of the present 

 war, such sum and sums of money as they may lind necessary to purchase the right 

 and claim of all or any of the Indian natives of this colony, to and for the use of 

 the freeholders in this colony, their heirs and assigns forever, so that the sum 

 expended in the whole exceed not sixteen hundred pounds, proclamation money, 

 and that the sum expended in the purchase of the claims of the Delaware Indians, 

 now inhabiting near Cranberry, and to the southward of Raritan river, shall not 

 exceed one half of the said sum: And the receipts of the said commissioners, or any 

 three of them, when produced, shall discharge them, the said treasurers, or either 

 of them, their executors and administrators, fcjr so much as they, or either of them, 

 shall pay out of the treasury by virtue of this act. 



2. And whereas, the Indians south of Raritan river, have represented their incli- 

 nation to have part of the sum allowed them laid out in land whereon they may 

 settle and raise their necessary subsistence: In order that they may be gratified in 

 that jiarticular, and that they may have always in their view a lasting monument 

 of the justice and tenderness of this colony towards them: 



Be it enacted hy the tiKthority aforesaid, That the commissioners aforesaid, or any 

 three of them, with the approbation and consent of his excellency the governor, or 

 the governor or commander in chief for the time being, shall purchase some con- 

 venient tract of land for their settlement, and shall take a deed or deeds in the name 

 of his said excellency or commander in chief of this colony for the time being, and 

 of the commissioners and their heirs, in trust, for tlie use of the said Indian natives 

 who have or do reside in this ccdony, south of Raritan, and their successors forever: 

 Provided nevertheless, Tliat it shall not be in the power of the said Indians, or their 

 successors, or any part of them to lease or sell to any person or persons any part 

 thereof. And if any person or persons, Indians excepted, shall attempt to settle on 

 the said tract or tracts, it shall and may be lawful for any justice of the peace to 

 issue his warrant to remove any such person or persons from the land. And if any 

 person or persons Indians excepted, shall fell, cut up, or cart oft', any cedar, pino or 

 oak trees, such person or persons shall forfeit and pay, for each tree so felled cut 

 up or carted off, the sum of forty shillings, to be recovered before any justice of the 

 peace in this colony, or other court where the same is cognizable, one half to and 

 for the use of his Majesty, his heirs and successors to and for the support of gov- 

 ernment of this colony, and the other half to such persons as shall prosecute the 

 same to eflect.' 



In pursuance of tbis act, tbe commissioners did obtain releases and 

 grants from tbe Indians fully extinguishing, as is stated by diflerent 

 authorities, their claims to all lands in tbe colony. 



I Laws of Colonial and State Governments in Regard to Indian Aflairs (1832), p. 135. 



