592 INDIAN LAND CESSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES [etii.ann. 18 



The followiug remarks, by George Smith,' in reference to this pur- 

 chase, are worthy of (luotation : 



It was the first effort, of civilized man to extiiiguisli the Iiiiliau title to the district 

 of coimtry that is to claim our particular attention. It will be seen that it embraced 

 Swanendael, for which the Dutch had already accjuired the Indian title, and also the 

 lands about the Schuylkill to which, on account of prior jmrchase, they set up a 

 rather doubtful claim. The lands within the limits of our county were free from 

 any counterclaim on this account; and it follows, that to the wise policy of the 

 Swedes we are really indebted for the extinguishment of the Indian title to our 

 lands, — a policy first introduced by the Dutch as a matter of expediency, and subse- 

 quently adopted by William Penn on the score of strict justice to the natives. 



But it cannot be contended, that in accordance with national law, this purchase 

 from the natives, gave to the Swedish government any Ie(/al claim to the country. 

 They had no legal riijht to make purchases from the Indians. To the Dutch, as dis- 

 coverers of the river, belonged the right of preemption, or if any doubt existed on 

 this point, it would be in favor of the English. As against the Swedes, the Dutch 

 claim rested not only on discovery, but the exercise of preemption and occupancy. 



On the 25th day of September, 1G4G, the Dutch purchased some land 

 which inchided a i^ortion of the grounds now occupied by Philadel- 

 j)hia, "as it also certainly did some of the lands that had been pur- 

 chased by the Swedes." 



As the policy of the Dutch and the Swedes, in their dealings with 

 the Indians regarding the lauds of the latter, has been fully shown in 

 the sections relating to New York and New Jersey, it is unnecessary to 

 dwell further on it. It may, however, be repeated that throughout the 

 dis])utes and contentions of these two parties, both in Pennsylvania 

 and New Jersey, both recognized fully the possessory right of the 

 natives, and considered no claim valid unless based on a purchase 

 from them. 



William Penn, having obtained from Charles II in 1681 a charter for 

 the province, sent in advance his relative. Colonel William Markham, 

 who was his secretary. He was accompanied by several commissioners, 

 who were to confer with the Indians respecting their lauds, and to 

 endeavor to make with them a league of j)ermanent peace. They were 

 enjoined by Penn to treat them with all possible candor, justice, and 

 humanity.- However, it does not appear that these commissioners 

 were associated with Markham in the single purchase he made of the 

 Indians prior to I'enu's arrival. This was the large purchase on the 

 Delaware above Shackamaxon. 



The deed, as given in the ''Pennsylvania Archives'" (though of 

 somewhat doubtful authenticity), is as follows: 



Firxt Indian Deed to Ifm. Venn, l$Si. 



This Imdentdke, made the 15th day of July, in the yearo of o'' Lord, according to 

 English Accompt, one Thousand Six Hundred Eightye Two, Between Idquahon, 

 leauottowe, Idquoquequon, Sahoppe for himselfc and Okonikon, Merkekowon Orec- 

 tonforNannacussey, Shiiurwawghou, Swanpi88e,Nahoosey, Tomakhiokon,Wp8tkekitt 



' History of I>ela-w.ire County, Pennsylv.inia, pp. 24-25. 

 ' Clarkson, llemoirs of William Penu (1827), p. 112. 

 sVol. I, pp. 47, i8. 



