The Treaty of Canandaigua, 1794

Continued from last week.

The Third day of the Council, November 4, 1794, Red Jacket continued:

Brother - We the Sachems of the Six Nations will now tell you our minds, the business of this treaty is to brighten the Chain of Friendship between us and the 15 Fires, we told you the other day it was but a small piece that was the occasion of the remaining rust in the Chain of friendship.

Brother - Now we are conversing together to make the Chain bright, when we told you what would give us satisfaction you proposed reserving the piece of land between Cayuga and Buffalo Creek for building houses, but we apprehend you would not only build houses but towns, you told us the houses would be for the accommodation of travellers would want a staff, (an Indian phrase for baiting at a tavern) to help them along the road, we have taken these matters into serious consideration.

Brother – We conclude that we do not understand this as the white people do; if we consent we know it will injure us, if the houses should be built they would tend to scatter us and make us fall in the streets (meaning drink to excess) instead of benefitting us. You want land to raise provisions, hay etc. but as soon as they settle there they would think the land theirs, for this is the way of the white people. You mention when you get possession of the garrison you will want hunting places, stores, fields to plant in, etc., but we wish to be sole owners of this land ourselves and when you settle with the British the Great Spirit has made a road for you, you can pass and re-pass by water, what you want to reserve is entirely in your own favor.

Brother – You told us that when you left Philadelphia the President did not expect you release of a foot of land, we thank him for having left you at liberty to give up what you please, you have waited with patience at this Council Fire kindled by General Washington it is but a very small thing that keeps the Chain from being brightened if you will consent to give up this small piece and have no houses on it, the Chain will be made bright. As to harbors the waters are between you and the British, you must talk to them, you are the same color; I see there are many of your people now watching with their mouths open to take up this piece of land, if you are a friend to us then disappoint them, our patience is spent, comply with our request, dismiss us and we’ll go home.

Co. Pickering replied (in substance) that he would give it up, only to have to pass & re-pass.

Red Jacket rejoined, General Washington now listen, we are going to brighten the Chain of Friendship between the Six Nations and the Americans, we thank you for complying with our request in giving up the particular spot in dispute, you mentioned you wanted a Road through our country, remember our old agreement that you were to pass along the lake by water, we have made up our minds respecting your request to open a road.

Col. Pickering began writing down what was said Red Jacket would not proceed till he looked him in the face.

Brother – It costs the white people a great deal of money to make roads, we will not put you to that expense we don’t want you to spend your money for that purpose. We have a right understanding of your request and have agreed to grant you a road from Ft. Schuyler to Buffalo Creek, but not from Buffalo Creek down this way at all, we have given you an answer if you have any reply to make we will hear you.

The Commissioner said that condescension was the best way of settling business and agreed.

The Council was adjourned. The following day about forty of the Sachems and Chief Warriors met at the Quaker lodgings. Farmer’s Brother was the speaker.

Brothers, The Quakers of Philadelphia I wish you would attend to what we who are now present are about to say, we speak as one.

Brothers – Yesterday after receiving your invitation to come and partake of your presence we agreed to meet here this morning to speak a few words, which we will now do.

Brothers, we are very glad you have lengthened out your patience to see the end of the business, which is now brought to close. We thank the Great Spirit that he had preserved you in health from the time you left your Seats till you arrived here, and has continued to preserve you till this time, we put you under the protection of the same Great Spirit on your return, and would be very happy to hear that you got safe home and hope you may find your friends and families well on your return. It would be very acceptable to be informed of this by letter to the Chiefs now present.

Brothers, we give hearty thanks to the descendants of Onas that you so willingly rose from your seats to attend this council fire according to our request. Here are the Articles of the Treaty for you to look over in order to impress your minds that you may tell them to your Brothers who are sitting on their seats at home.

Continued next week