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^ M I N U T E S O F C O N F E R E N C E S , HELD AT LANCASTER, In AUGUST 1762. With the Sachems and Warriors of several Tribes of Northern and Western INDIANS. P H I L A D E LP H I A : Printed and Sold by B. FRANKLIN, and D. HALL, at the ­New-Printing-Office,near the Market. MDCCLXIII. Minutes of Conferences, &c. At a COUNCIL held at Lancaster, on Wednesday the Eleventh of August, 1762. PRESENT, The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor; William Logan, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Chew, Esquires. THE Governor having been informed last Week, at Philadelphia, that in Consequence of several Invitations sent by this Government, at sundry Times, to the Indians living on and near the Ohio, the Delaware Chief Beaver, and the Deputies of other Tribes of Western Indians, would be at Lancaster on the Eighth Instant; sat out from Philadelphia, attended by several Gentlemen, and came here on the Ninth Instant , and found that the Indians had arrived the Evening before. On the Tenth the Governor, attended by the Gentlemen abovementioned, with several of the Inhabitants of this Town, paid a Visit to Beaver, and the other Indians, at their Encampment,about a Mile from the Town,where he took them by the Hand, and bid them heartily welcome; and having seen that they were well accommodated, took his Leave, and came back to Town. The GovernorYesterdayAfternoon received a Message from Beaver, that having been a long Time from Home, they would take it very kindly if he would be pleased august 1762 359 to open the Conferences with them To-morrow Morning, without waiting any longer for the Six Nations, as he and those Indians with him were the first invited, and were only made acquainted with the coming of the Six Nations since they left their Homes. The Governor returned them for Answer, that the Interpreter was not come; but as soon as he should arrive, he would immediately proceed to Business with them, and give them Notice when to attend. This Afternoon arrived Six Tuscarora Indians, who waited on the Governor,and acquainted him, that they were sent to him by those of their Nation, living at Onohoquage , on the Upper Waters of the Sasquehannah, with a Letter; which, after the Ceremony of opening his Eyes and Heart, by a String of Wampum, they delivered to him, and it follows in these Words.—­—­—­ Lower Tuscarora, Onohoquage, July 8, 1762. Great Brother, “I the Bearer, Augus, Chief of the Nation, am, and ever have been, a Friend and Brother to the English, and to the Interest of Great Britain, now wait upon your Excellency,byAgreement,to transactAffairs of Importance; and heartily rejoice that the Five Nations have agreed to, and (as I hear) have actually returned the English Prisoners, to enjoy the Liberties of their own Nation.—­—­And I the said Augus, Chief, with my whole Tribe, have ever been for Peace with the English Colonies in America, and have minded the Things of Religion, and of a private Life.And as true Friends to the Protestant Cause, we congratulate your Excellency, our Brother, and all the British Nation, on the various Conquests obtained against the common Enemy , and especially on the total Reduction of Canada, with its Dependences, being greatly delighted with the happy Prospect that now arises, without Clouds. As we rejoice to hear that the Prisoner are resigned, so we hope a Peace will be established between us, the Five Nations, and the English Colonies on the Continent; a Peace that shall be lasting and undisturbed, while the Waters run, and the Grass grows.—­ —­We should be glad to be informed of the State and Behaviour of our Brethren in TuscaroraValley, and to have some Directions about the Way,as we propose to make them a Visit; and also should be glad of a Pass, or Recommendation in Writing, that we may be friendly received on the Way, and at the Valley. I am your Brother, AUGUS, Chief.” The above was taken from the Mouth of the said Augus, Tuscarora Chief, by the Help of an Interpreter, by me ELI FORBES, Missionary at Onohoquage. After the Governor had read the Letter, they delivered him a Belt of Wampum, to confirm the Sincerity of their Professions contained in the said Letter. They then delivered the Governor another Belt from the Nanticokes and Conoys, as a Testimony of their joining with the...

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