Moment also. They are used to be called Brethren, Sachems and Warriors of the Six Nations. I hope it will never be repeated. It is sufficient to make them sensible that they are spoken to: without complementing 20 or 30 Mohawks as a nation and a few more Tusceroroes & Onondagoes as distinct nations. It woud be not less absurd than mischievous. They shoud rather be taught that by separating from the Oneidas, and entering into a wicked war, they had weakened and destroyed themselves and that the publick opinion of their importance had long since ceased.

[No. 5470.]

Governor Clinton to Arthur Lee, Richard Butler & Oliver Wolcott, U. S. Commissioners in Relation to the Frontier Posts and the Coming Council with the Indians at Fort Schuyler.

Albany, August 13, 1784. Gentlemen, Your letter of the 10th of this Month by Mr. Monroe has just been handed to me.

The recommendation of Congress to the State to raise from the Militia a certain number of Troops for the purpose of Garrisoning the frontier Posts and protecting the Treaties to be held with the Indians did not reach me till some time in July. The Legislature of the State who alone were competent to this business had then dispersed after a session which from the peculiar circumstances of the State had detained them from the fall untill late in the spring, and it was not only my opinion but that of every Member of the Legislature whom I had an opportunity of consulting—that it would then be impracticable to convene them together; nor indeed did the urgency of the case seem to require that they should be put to so great an inconvenience-for tho' they had assembled and complied with the recommendation of Congress--it would have

been already too late in the season to have established the Garrison in which the Troops were required; and besides I had rece'd information (in a manner which assured credit) & which congress could not be apprized of at the time that altho' the Definitive treaty was officially rece'd in Canada no Orders had come from Europe for Evacuating the Posts and I have good reasons to believe that untill such orders are rece'd no measures will be taken for that purpose. If, therefore, the Legislature were to raise a permanent force as recommended-they could not be applied to the purpose proposed, & would only be a useless addition to Expences which we are already but too little able or disposed to discharge.

I conceive myself however authorized to draw from the Militia a force sufficient If any should be necessary, to protect the Commissioners of Congress in negociation with the Indians and this will in a great measure save the unnecessary expence attending a present permanent force.

The Indians of the Six nations whom I have requested to convene at Fort Schuyler, have advised me that they will be accompanied by deputies from other nations possessing the territory within the Jurisdiction of the United States. I shall have no objection to your improving this incident to the advantage of the United States, expecting however and positively stipulating that no long agrement be entered into with Indians residing within the Jurisdiction of this State, with whom only I mean to treat, prejudicial to its rights. Those engagements being made on your part, you may rely on every exertion in my power, and that of my Colleagues, to promote the Interest of the United States which I flatter myself, no state in the federal union has at any time more chearfully & effectually supported than this.

[No. 5471.]

Governor Clinton to Joseph Brant as to the Contemplated Council at Fort Schuyler.

Albany, 14th Augt., 1784.

Sir, Mr. Glen has delivered me your Letter of the 21st ult.

It was my Intention to have advised you, by the Runners who should have announced that the Six Nations were on the way down that I had agreed to hold the Treaty at Fort Schuyler agre able to your wish.

In expectation that the Six Nations would have commenced their Journey long before now, I came to this City about a month ago, and shall remain here until I hear that you are on the way down (which I wish may be as soon as possible) and immediately thereupon I shall proceed to Fort Schuyler. You will observe by my Letter of the 12 April last, that the Board of Commissioners in which I preside, were appointed on the part of this State to adjust the subsisting differences between the Six Nations, their immediate Brethren and the People of this state.

I have, however, agreable to your request informed the Commissioners (appointed by Congress to represent this and the other United States in a general Treaty with all Indians possessing the Territory not comprehended by any particular state) that Deputies from other nations will accompany you to the proposed Treaty, whether those gentlemen will attend or not, it is not at present in my power to determine as I have not yet received any answer from them.

It is however indispensibly necessary in order to prevent future occasion of Discord, and to cement the friendship which formerly subsisted between us, that the Treaty proposed on the part of

this state should in the first instance be prosecuted without delay, even if the commissioners from Congress should not attend.

I am your most obed. Servt.

Geo. Clinton.

[No. 5472.]

Instructions to Peter Ryckman Who is Charged with a Letter to Brant.

Sir, You are charged with a letter to Joseph Brant with which you will proceed as speedily as possible to Niagara unless you should meet with him at some intermediate places.

You will inform such of the Six Nations as you may meet with in your way of Its contents, and If you should be in council with any nation, you will observe as from yourself that the reason why the communication is immediately made to Brant is because they seem to have appointed him to be the principal negotiator in their behalf.

You will also hint as from yourself that It would be more proper for the Six Nations to transact their business as heretofore when the Onondagas took the lead in their public affairs.

If you find that any Jealousy of, or envy to Brant privails, you will try to discover who are most jealous or envious of him, and promote it as much as you prudently can.

You will frequently in conversation observe to the Indians, that those entrusted to negotiate with them in the past of this state, are well disposed to accommodate matters in principly of mutual benefit to them and us, and that nothing ought to prevent them from improving this favorable disposition without delay and become again wordly connected with their entient brethren.

[No. 5474.]

Governor Clinton to James Deane, Interpreter, as to the Coming Meeting at Fort Stanwix.

Albany, Aug. 14th, 1784.

Sir, Mr. Ryckman who is charged with a message to the Indians will deliver you this Letter & will inform you that a Treaty is to be held with the Six Nations at Fort Schuyler at an early period the exact time cannot yet be ascertained or you should have been informed of it before this; whenever it takes place we shall expect to see you; and from the Zeal and attachment we are persuaded you have for a state of which you have been so long a Citizen we doubt not, you will lend every aid in your power towards rendering our negotiations effectual.

In behalf of the Commissioners I am, Sir, Your very humble Servt.

M. Jas Deane.

[No. 5475.]

Governor Clinton Invites Chancellor Livingston, on the Part of the Commissioners, to Participate in the Council with the Indians.

Dear Sir, The Commissioners for Treating with the Indians being vested with the power of associating with them such Gentlemen as they may think necessary to promote the object of this commission, have at a meeting held this day taken the liberty of including you among others. I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you therewith, and must request that if you can possibly make it convenient you would attend. We are not yet able to ascertain the exact time when the treaty will be held, but I