[ From the Dutch Records entitled “ Proceedings of the Justices of the Peace from 1680 to 1685,” in the County Clerk’s
Extraordinary Meeting holden in Albany
on the 7 Septemb r 1683.
Present—Marte Gerritse, Comelis Van Dyck, Dirck Wessels, Joh: Provoost, J. Janse Bleker.
Two Cayugas, Aekontjaeken and Kakejaegoeke by name, and a Susquehanne being questioned inthe Court house relative to the situation of the Susquehanne River which M r . W“ Haig and M r .James Graham, Gov: W m Penn’s Agents, propose to purchase, Report as follows:—
That it is one day’s journey from the Mohawk Castles to the Lake whence the Susquehanne River rises, and then 10 day’s journey from the River to the Susquehanne Castles—in all 11 days:
One day and a half’s journey by land from Oneida to the kill which falls into the SusquehanneRiver, and one day from the kill unto the Susquehanne River , and then 7 days unto the Susque-hanne Castle—in all 9^ days’ journey:
Half a days journey by land and one by Water from Onnondage before we arrive at the River , andthen 6 days from the River :
From Cayuga one day and a half by Land and by water before arriving at the River and then 5days from the River :
From Sinnekes’ four Castles 3 days by Land and two days by water ere arriving at the River and then5 days from the River —in all 10 days which is very easy, they conveying their packs in Canoes fromthe River—
The Indians demand wherefore such particular information relative to the Susquehanne River issought after from them, and whether people are about to come there 1 The Indians are asked if itwould be agreeable to them if folks should settle there 1 The Indians answer, that they would be veryglad if people came to settle there, as it is nigher than this place and more convenient to transportthemselves and packs by water inasmuch as they must bring every thing hither on their backs ; sayfurther, that people must go from here and dwell there. Those there should be pleased on thataccount—they will come to trade there.
N. B. The ascending the Susquehannah River is one week longer than the descending.
A Map of the Susquehannah River is sent to the Governour with this letter:
Right Hon ble —We have according to your hon ra Commands taken Informacon both off Christiansand Indians concerning y e situation of Susquehannes River, and how near it Lyes to y e severallNations off Indians Westwards, that Live in his R: highnesse Territories and from whence y° tradeis brought to these Parts, and after that we caused Twoo Cajouges Indians and a Susquehanne Indiandemonstrate to us all y e Rivers and Creeks Relating thereunto, doe finde, that they that settle uponsaid River will be much nearer to y* Indians than this Place, and consequently y® Indians moreInclinable to, goe there, where y® accommodation of a River is to be had, then come by Land here,