286 Peter Penet among the Oneida Indians. 



between him and the governor of New York. The Plan 

 of Government to be hereafter noticed is dated about a 

 month later than the treaty, and was probably then under 

 consideration, although it is not alluded to in the proceed- 

 ings that attended that negotiation. 



In June, 1789, Mr. John Tayler was employed to visit 

 the Indians, and pay the annuities stipulated in the treaty. 

 At Fort Schuyler he met the Oneidas, and Peter, their 

 orator, in a speech on that occasion said : 



"Brother: "We were happy to hear, in the time of the 

 late troubles, that an alliance had been formed between 

 your nation and the great king of France ; and from time 

 to time, we heard there would be a lasting union between 

 the two nations, and this alliance would spread its influence 

 over us all in ever} r quarter of America; and in his love 

 for us, he sent over a Great Man (meaning Peter Penet), 

 to take care of our affairs. We have heard several times, 

 since the opening of the spring, that he would soon make 

 his appearance, and the days were named when he would 

 see us in our country ; and the Great Man (meaning the 

 ambassador 1 ), and our mother, the French lady (meaning 

 the Marchioness 2 ), was to accompany him up, and we 

 expected them previously to your meeting us on this 

 ground. Now, brother, we want seriously to enquire of 

 you, if you know any thing of these matters, and what has 

 become of our Father Penet?" 



To this inquiry the agent replied, after informing them 

 that each government had an ambassador at the capital of 

 the other, but that they did not meddle with the affairs of 

 the subjects of the others. 



"You must see the propriety of this remark; I shall 

 therefore say no more on that head. As to your Father 

 Penet, (as you call him), I. can inform you he has no pub- 



1 The Count de Moustier, who was appointed September 17, 1787, to 

 suej&eed the Chevalier de la Luzerne as minister from France. 



3 The Marchioness de Biron, a sister-in-law of the minister. Both of 

 those persons had attended the Oneida treaty the year previous. 



