The Confidence which these Nations repose in their Interpreter, is a Proof of his Industry, good Sense, and Address: Nothing could have happened more favourably to the English Settlements, than that those delicate Affairs should be in the Hands of a Person equally just and a Friend to both.
The French are perpetually labouring to debauch their Faith to the English: Their Emissaries, the Priests, an indefatigable, artful, insinuating Race, are constantly labouring to gain Admittance amongst them. They assume all Shapes, try every Spring; they magnify the Power and Grandeur of France; they study to render the English diminutive and contemptible; they foment every little Occasion of Disgust, and leave no Stone unturned to prejudice us in their Esteem.
Hitherto the Honour of the Six Nations, and the experienced good Intentions and Probity of the English, have been a sufficient Barrier against all their Intrigues: But it cannot be imprudent to countermine the intended Mischief, by giving suitable Encouragement to proper Persons, to converse with the Indians, and study their Genius. An open-hearted Generosity wins them effectually: The Temper of the English is happily suited to this; and the additional Qualifications of Integrity and Prudence must in Time pave the Way to an Ascendency in their Councils, and by this Means the Subtilty of the French would be utterly defeated.
One sees, in the following short Sketch of the Behaviour of the Indians, strong Traces of good Sense, a nice Address in the Conduct of their Affairs, a noble Simplicity, and that manly Fortitude which is the constant Companion of Integrity. The Friendship of a Nation like this, tho' under the Appellation of Savages or Barbarians, is an Honour to the most civiliz'd People: I say nothing of the Advantage which is derived from them by Commerce: And the French well know, by dear Experience, how terrible they are to their Enemies in War.
"When we speak of the Five Nations in France, (says an Author[8] of that Country) they are thought, by common Mistake, to be meer Barbarians, always thirsting after human Blood: But their true Character is very different. They are the fiercest and most formidable People in North America; at the same Time as politick and judicious, as well can be imagined: This appears from the Management of the Affairs which they transact, not only with the French and English, but likewise with almost all the Indians of this vast Continent."
THE
TREATY, &c.
THE Deputies of the Six Nations having, at their last Visit, agreed to release their Claim to all the Land on both Sides of the River Susquehanna, as far South as this Province extends, and to the Northward to those called the Endless Mountains or Kittochtinny Hills; in Consideration whereof, they then received a large Quantity of valuable Indian Goods for the Lands situate on the Eastern Side of the said River, but declined at that Time to receive any for those on the Western Side of the said River, chusing to defer the same till another Visit: A large Number arrived from these Nations at Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 30th of June, with Deputies duly impowered to receive the said Goods; and acquainted the Governor, that being weary, from the Fatigue of their long Journey, they should crave three or four Days to rest themselves before they proceeded to their Business: In the mean Time they would wait on the Governor to discourse, according to their usual Method, about News and other Occurrences; which the Governor readily agreed to, and ask'd them when they would chuse to pay their first Visit; which they desiring might be on Friday the 2d of July in the Afternoon; the Council was accordingly summon'd, and met at Mr. Logan's House, where were