It appears, upon inquiry of the Governor of New York, that John Livingston is not legally authorized to treat with you, and that every thing he did with you has been declared null and void, so that you may rest easy on that account.
But it does not appear from any proofs yet in the possession of government, that Oliver Phelps has defrauded you.
If, however, you should have any just cause of complaint against him, and can make satisfactory proof hereof, the Federal Courts will be open to you for redress, as to all other persons.
But your great object seems to be the security of your remaining lands, and I have, therefore, upon this point, meant to be sufficiently strong and clear.
That in future you cannot be defrauded of your lands.—That you possess the right to sell, and the right of refusing to sell your lands.
That, therefore, the sale of your lands, in future, will depend entirely upon yourselves.
But that when you may find it for your interest to sell any parts of your lands, the United States must be present by their agent, and will be your security, that you shall not be defrauded in the bargain you may make.
It will, however, be important that before you make any farther sales of your land, that you should determine among yourselves who are the persons among you that shall give such conveyances thereof as shall be binding upon your nation, and forever preclude all disputes relative to the validity of the sale.
That, besides the before-mentioned security for your land, you will perceive by the law of Congress for regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes—the fatherly care the United States intend to take of the Indians. For the particular meaning of this law I refer you to the explanations given thereof by Colonel Pickering, at Tioga, which, with the law, are herewith delivered to you.