Instructions for Major Peter Schuyler.

You are to remain at this place and with Mr. Peter Ryckman (Who is to attend you) observe the Conduct of the Commissioners of Congress in their proposed Treaty, and Dayly note them in a Journal. You will attend the publick speeches & meetings to find out the objects they have in View and when you find they have in View & any thing that may Eventually prove Detrimental to the State, you are to use your most undivided influence to Counteract and frustrate.

The Oneidas & Tuscaroris are present 7 Blls. Corn, 3 of Beef, 2 Do Pork, 3 Do of Tobaco, 1 Do of Salt, 2 Head of Cattle, 30 Keggs Rum, 28 Blls. of Flour for which you will take their Receipt. You will then have on hand 2 Blls. Beef, 1 Do Pork, 2 Do Tobaco, 1 Do Salt, 1 Head of Cattle, 6 Blls Rum, 40 Keggs Do, 2 Blls. Corn, 11⁄2 Blls Biscuits, 12 Box Pipes & 12 Blls Flour. You will out of this supply the Deputies from the Four Nations Until the 20th Instant, the day held by the Continental Com'rs for their Treaty, & what ever you can Share from that, use, & your own especially the Rum of which you have a Large Quantity convert into Cash for the Benefit of the State. You will inform the Oneidas that you have given them all the Provision on hand & that can possibly be spared.

[No. 5495.]

A Return of Stores Received by Wm. Colbreath at Fort Schuyler from Henry Glen, Esquire, One of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs.

N. B. Several Barrells of Flour not full & badly trucked. The Barrells in general very bad. The greatest number of the Bar

rells of Beef & Pork were not full & badly packed. One Barrell of Biscuit only half full. The Barrell of Wine wanted several Gallons.

Wm. Colbrath.

[No. 5496.]

Joseph Brant to the United States Commissioners Regarding the Duplicity of Mr. Kirkland.

Fort Stanwix, 20 Sept., 1784.

Gent., I take this Liberty of addressing you on a subject that may affect the interest of the United States, and the Six nations of Indians of which I am a member. I was at the Council Fire of those Nations on the [illegible] day of August last at Buffaloe & I was then authorized by them with others as Deputies from those respective nations in consequence of a Message from Governor Clinton to meet at this place to adjust and settle some matters with this State, previous to a more general meeting. The same evening I arrived here, Mr. Kirkland came to this place, and informed me that he had a message from you to be forwarded by Mr. Dean to the Six Nations, and requested me to return to Kanonogharie, from whence I that day came. I declined returning that Day because I was fatigued, and could not consistant with other engagements. I told him at the same time that it was absolutely necessary, that I should be acquainted with the purport of the message, as to render it effectual it appeared to me; it ought to be accompanyed with a message from their deputies here.

The same Evening Governor Clinton arrived. I acquainted him of what had passed on this occasion, and tho' he mentioned that he was not immediately concerned in that business, he very

generously offered to give me his assistance in forwarding any communication to the Indians that I might think proper to make to them; whereupon I immediately dispatched a Runner to the Oneydas with a Letter informing them of my sentiments on this subject, and of the propriety of the deputies here being made acquainted with the purport of your message least if it should not be attended with some notification from us to them it might prove abortive. Notwithstanding which it seems the Gentleman charged with it thought proper to proceed, to the Country of the Six Nations without seeing us or communicating the subject of his Errant.

These matters I have thought proper to inform you of; that if any disappointment should take place, it might be imputed to the right cause, and not attributed to the deputies here or the Nations whom they represent incur any blame.

I am, Gent. Your most humble serv't.

[No. 5571.]

Governor Clinton to the New York Delegates in Congress Apprising Them of the Approaching Adjournment of the Legislature. New York, 11th April, 1785.

Gentlemen, I am informed that the Assembly have passed a Resolution for adjourning on Friday next, and tho' it is uncertain whether it will meet with the Concurrence of the Senate as to that particular Day: yet I have every Reason to believe they will rise (if not before) in the Course of the next Week, at farthest, unless prevented by New Business. I have therefore thought it my Duty to apprize you of this in order that if there are any Matters now before Congress which will call for Legislative Declaration that you may urge the necessity of their being expedited so as that they

may come under Consideration at the present Meeting, as after so tedious a Session as the present has been I fear it will be impracticable to convene them again before next Winter.

I have the Honor to be with great Respect, Gentlemen, Your most Obed't. Serv't.

The Hon'ble The Delegates of the State of New York in Congress.

[No. 5573.]

Governor Clinton Receives from the Secretary of Congress a Copy of the Acts for the Protection of the Northwestern Frontier.

Secretary's Office, April 12th, 1785.

Sir, I have the honor of transmitting you the enclosed Acts* of the 1st, 7th and 12th instant relative to the raising a body of Troops, for the protection of the North western frontiers, the de

*Friday, April 1, 1785, Congress took into consideration the report of a committee, to whom were referred sundry motions relative to the western frontiers, and a paragraph thereof relative to the raising of troops being under debate, a motion was made by Mr. Howell seconded by Mr. Beatty, that the same be postponed, in order to take up the following: "That it is necessary, that a body of troops, consisting of non-commissioned officers and privates, be raised to serve for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, for the protection of the northwestern frontiers, and for guarding public stores, to be raised by the states in the following proportions, viz. N. H. &c

On the question, the paragraphs of the report being postponed, and the motion taken up and amended, a division was called for, and on the question to agree to the first clause as amended,

Resolved, That it is necessary that a body of troops consisting of 700 noncommissioned officers and privates, be raised to serve for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, for the protection of the northwestern frontiers, to defend the settlers on the land belonging to the United States, from the depredations of the Indians, and to prevent unwarrantable intrusions thereon, and for guarding the public stores.

After debate on the latter clause of the motion,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

Thursday, April 7, 1785, Congress resumed the consideration of the report on the motions relative to the western frontiers, and a motion being made by Mr. Howell, seconded by Mr. Beatty,

That the 700 non-commissioned officers and privates determined to be necessary, by the act of 1st April, be raised by the following states, in the following proportions:

A motion was made by Mr. Ellery, seconded by Mr. King, to postpone that motion, in order to take up the following:

That it be recommended to the states hereafter named, as most conveniently situated, to furnish forthwith, from their militia, the 700 non-commissioned officers and men, agreed to be raised by the resolution of the 1st April, in the following proportions, viz.

fence of the inhabitants against the depredations of the Indians, for preventing unwarrantable intrusions on lands belonging to the United States and to guard the public Stores.

As the United States in Congress Assembled have been pleased by a late Ordinance, of which I enclose a Copy, to make it a part

And on the question to postpone the purpose aforesaid, the yeas and nays being required by Mr. King, the question was lost.

After further debate the original motion was withdrawn, and thereupon,

On motion of Mr. Ellery, seconded by Mr. King,

Resolved, That it be recommended to the states hereafter named, as most conveniently situated, to furnish forthwith, the 700 non-commissioned officers and men, agreed to be raised by the resolution of 1st April, in the following proportions:

Ordered, That the remainder of the report be committed, and that the committee be instructed to report the states to be called upon, and the proportions to be furnished by them respectively.

Tuesday, April 12, 1785.

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. Monroe, Mr. Johnson, Mr. R. R. Livingston, Mr. King, Mr. Beatty, Mr. J. Henry and Mr. Bedford.

Resolved, That non-commissioned officers and privates to be raised by the resolution of the seventh day of the present month April, be furnished by the states hereinafter mentioned, in the following proportions:

That the following commissioned officers be furnished by the said states, for the said troops, in the following proportions:

One lieutenant colonel from Pennsylvania.

Two majors, one from Connecticut, and one from New York, each to command a company.

Eight captains, ten lieutenants, one to act as adjutant, one as-quarter-master, and one as pay-master. Ten ensigns, one surgeon and four mates, to be furnished by the said states in proportion to the number of privates which they respectively furnish. That the pay of the lieutenant colonel be 50 dollars per month; that of the major, 45; captain 35, lieutenant 26; ensign, 20; sergeant 6; corporal, 5; drum, 5; fife, 5; private, 4; surgeon, 45; mate, 30.

That the lieutenants acting as adjutant, quarter-master, and paymaster, shall receive in consideration of the said extra duty, each ten dollars per month.

That each officer and soldier shall receive one month's pay after they are embodied, before their march.

That the secretary of war be directed to form the said troops when raised into one regiment, consisting of eight companies of infantry, and two of artillery, to appoint their places of rendezvous, direct their subsequent operations, and make all other inferior necessary arrangements not herein particularly mentioned, subject to the order of Congress, and of the committee of the states in the recess of Congress; and that the commissioners of the treasury be instructed to furnish on his warrant, the sums necessary for carrying the same into effect.

That the said troops when embodied, on their march, on duty or in garrison, shall be subject to all the rules and regulations formed for the government of the late army, or such other rules as Congress or a committee of the states may form.

That the secretary at war ascertain the necessary clothing and rations proper for the troops, and report the same to Congress.

That the commissioners of the treasury contract for the supply of rations at such places and in such quantities as the secretary at war shall judge necessary. Journals of Congress, p. 82, 83 vol. 10.