MANUSCRIPTS OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

335

The Governor said

You have now unbosomed Yourselves to me. And desire I would seriously consider ofwhat you have said and not give you a hasty Answer.

I will consider of it seriously and you shall always find me ready to redress any of your Grievances asfar as it may be in my Power. But your Complaints are General. I must therefore desire You to tellme where those Lands lye and the Names of the Persons of whom you ComplainTo which their Speaker answered.

Brother

We are told a large Tract of Land has been taken up called Kayadarosseras beginning atthe half Moon and so up along Hudsons River to the third Fall and thence to the Cacknawaga orCanada Creek which is about 4 or 5 Miles above the Mohawks ; Which upon enquiry among our OldMen We cannot find was ever Sold; And as to the particular Persons many of them live in this town,but there a?e so great a Number we cannot name them.

The Governor said,

I will send for some of the patentees or Persons Claiming that Land and hear what theyhave to say and Consider the Matter and give you an Answer before you leave this place. It is agreeableto justice to hear both parties before a Judgment is given. And to Manyfest my Friendship for you, Iwill do you all the Justice in my power.

A true Copy Exam d By Gw. Banyar Dy C. of the Council

At a Council held in the City of Albany

the 28 June 1754.

Present

The Hono ble James Delancey Esq r Lieu 1 Governor &c.

M r MurrayColl 0 JohnsonM r ChambersM r Smith

His Honour being informed that the Cannajohary or the upper Castle of the Mohawk Indians, andSeveral Sachems of each of the other five nations, attended without, and desired to speak to him, theywere introduced with the Interpreter.

Hendrick their Speaker spoke as follows.

Brother

We had a Message from you sometime agp to meet you at this Place Where the FireBurns; We of Conajohary met the Messenger you sent with a Letter, at Collo Johnsons and as soonas we received it, came down running, And the 6 Nations are now here Compleat.

The Governor then said.

Bretheren of the Six Nations, you are Welcome ; I take this Opportunity now you are altogetherto condole the Loss in the Death of your Friends and Relations, since you last met here, And with thisString of Wampum , I wipe away your Tears and take Sorrow from your Hearts, that you may openyour minds and speak freely A String of Wampum .

Hendrick replyed.

Brother

We thank you for condoling our loss and for wiping away our Tears that we may speak freely:And as we do not doubt but you have lost some of your great Men and Friends, We give you thisstring of Condolence in return, that it may remove your Sorrow and that we may both speak freely.

Gave a String