THO.MA?) Pennsylvania's policy toward the Indians 5'J7 



tbis agreement all the preceding deeds, westward "two days' journey," 

 etc. which would extend far beyond the Lehigh hills, were restricted 

 to those hills. 



it is apparent from these deeds, which will sufflce to show clearly the 

 policy adopted by Penn, that, though just and humane, his method was 

 somewhat peculiar. His chief object appears to have been to extin- 

 guish claims, and to give satisfaction to the natives for their possessory 

 rights, rather than to fix definite and accurate boundaries of the lands 

 purchased. It seems from the wording of the deeds and the bounds 

 and extent indicated, that the intention was to cover all possible claims 

 of those making the grants. Hence it was an item of little importance 

 to the proprietor of the province that these deeds often overlapped and 

 included areas obtained from other claimants. 



As the policy adopted in this colony is clearly shown from v.'hat has 

 been stated, it is unnecessary to refer to more than two or three of the 

 general laws on the subject. 



By the act of October 14, 1700, it was declared "that if any jjcrsou 

 presumed to buy auy land of the natives within the limits of this Prov- 

 ince and Territories, without leave from the Proi)rietary thereof, every 

 such bargain or purchase shall be void and of no effect." 



This, however, failing to prevent individuals from surreptitious ettbrts 

 to obtain possession of Indian lands, an additional and more stringent 

 act was passed October 14, 1729, as follows: 



A Supplementary Act to an Act of Assemblj- of this Province, intituled, An Act against buying 

 Land of the Natives. 



Whereas divers Laws have, from Time to Time, been acted iu this Proviace, for 

 preserving Peace, and cultivating a good understanding with the Indian Natives 

 thereof: Aud whereas, notwithstanding the Provision made by the said former Act, 

 against purchasing Laud of the said Natives, without Leave from the Proprietary, 

 the Peace of the Public has been and may further be endangered by the Proceediugs 

 of some persons, who, to elude the said Act now iu Force against such Practices, do, 

 contrary to the Intention thereof, pretend to take Land of the Natives, on Lease, or for 

 Term of Years, or to bargain with the Indianx for the Herbage, or for the Timber or 

 Trees, Mines, or Waters thereof: and others, who, without any Authority, have settled 

 upon and taken Possession of vacant Lands, as well to the manifest Contravention 

 of the Royal Grant of the Soil of this Province from the Crown to the Proprietary and 

 his Heirs, and the apparent Damage of such Persons who have Right to take up Lands 

 heretofore granted to them within this Province, as to the laying a Fouudation for 

 Disputes, Misunderstandings and Breaches with the said Natives and others: For 

 the Prevention whereof, Be it enacted by the Honorable Patrick Gordon, Es<i ; Lieu- 

 tenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvauia, itc. by and with the Advice and 

 Consent of the Representatives of the Freemen of the said Province, iu General 

 Assembly met. and by the Authority of the same, That no Person or Persons, Bodies 

 Politic or Corporate whatsoever, shall at any Time hereafter, for any Cause or Con- 

 sideration, or on any Pretence whatsoever, presume to purchase, bargain, contract, 

 for, ha\e or take, of or from any Indian, Native or Natives, by any Manucr of Gift, 

 Grant, Bargain or Sale, in Fee-simple, or for lafe. Lives, Terms of Years, or any 

 Estate whatsoever, any Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments, within the Limits of 

 this Province, or any Manner of Right, Title, Interest or Claim, in or to any such 

 Lands, i'eiumcuts or Hereditaments, or in or to any Herbage, Trees, Fishings, 



