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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1786.
Congress assembled. Present, as yesterday.
Agreeable to an order, captain O'Beal, alias the Cornplanter, with his Associates, was again admitted, to an audience, attended by the Commissioners for the middle
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compartment of Indians Affairs, and the Geographer of the United States, and the chairman in behalf of Congress addressed the Indian Chief, and returned an answer to the speech delivered the 2d Instant, and to the Talks transmitted by General Butler.
...The Honorable David Ramsay, Chairman of Congress then addressed them as follows:
"Brothers: We are glad to see you and to find that you have so great a friendship for our people. The United States alone possess the sovereign power within the limits described at the late Treaty of peace between them and the King of England. The white people who are subjects of that King must move off from all the lands within these limits. The United States are therefore the most natural friends and Brothers of the Indians, as they will remain with them, when all the rest are gone. The United States are now at peace with the King of England and all the Kings of Europe. When that peace was made at the close of the late war the King of England gave up to the United States all the lands to the South of the great Lakes which are described in this Treaty. (The ratification of the definitive treaty signed with the hand of the King of great Britain was then produced and its contents explained to Captain O'Beal.) Here is the name of the King of England subscribed with his own hand and in this he gives to the United States the land of the Indians therein described. The Treaty which our Commissioners have shewn you is a true Copy from this Original. You may assure your Nation and all the Indian Nations that what the Commissioners of the United States have told them is true, and. that all the treaties lately made with them were made by order of Congress; and that Congress will faithfully keep their engagements as specified in these Treaties. You may also assure the Indians that they tell lies, who say that the King of England has not in his late Treaty with the United States given up, to them the lands of the Indians. They are also bad men who say, that the United States will not abide by the Treaties, which they have lately made with the Indians by these Commissioners.
"The United States will take care that none of their Citizens shall intrude upon the Indians within the bounds which in the late Treaties were allotted for them to hunt and live upon; and if any of the people
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of the United States shall molest the Indians within the said bounds, upon a proper Representation they shall be called to account for it.
"Congress have under their considerationd a plan to open the path between them and the Indian Nations, and to send a trade among them, and will do what is right and proper for the Indians. We believe what you said, and that you have been appointed to speak to us in behalf of your Nation. We do not therefore think it necessary at present, to send any of our beloved men to your Council fire, but when it shall be necessary we will do it.
"Congress recommend it to you and all the Indians to remain quietly and peaceably on the lands allotted to them by the late Treaties; and if the people belonging to any other Nation, disturb them within those lines, Congress desire that the Indians will make a proper Representation of the matter to them, and they will inform the King of those people of the conduct of his subjects and will use their endeavors that the Indians shall have justice done them.
"We present to you Captain Hutchins who is the Officer appointed by Congress to survey the lands purchased from the Indians at the late treaties. We recommend him and his Companions to your kind Offices and protection while agreeably to our orders he is employed in doing our business.
"Congress hopes to enjoy the friendship of the Indian Nations, and to live with them like brothers as long as the Sun and Moon shall last. We recommend to you peace and a steady adherence to the Treaties made between the thirteen States and your people. We wish you a good Journey home, and pray that the great spirit above may direct you, and take you under his special care."
To this Captain O'Beel made a short reply, as follows:
"Brothers, What you have said is good. You advise to what is proven. My mind has been disposed to war, but you wisely recommend peace, and I thank you for your advice, and for the good things you have said, and pray that the Great Spirit above may take care of you."1
[Note 1: 1 This record, in the writing of Henry Remsen, Jr., forms the latter portion of "The publication made by the Chairman of Congress respecting the speeches and audiences of Capt. O'Beel, the Cornplanter, May, 1786." It is in No. 56, folio 407, and is indorsed by Roger Alden as quoted.]
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[Motion Mr. King]
Whereas a reform in the public expenditures is at all times desirable
Resolved, That so much of the Resolution of the 24 of March as grants a salary of 1,500 dollars to the commissioner to be appointed for the Settlement of the accounts of the 5 Great Departments be repealed, and that there be allowed to such Commissioner Dollars annually during the time he shall be continued in Office.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Rufus King, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, III, folio 251. According to indorsement it was offered May 5.
May 5: On this day the petition of Nahum Akerman "for compensation for losses while a Post rider" between Portsmouth and Boston, was read and referred to the Committee on the Post Office to wit. Mr. [William] Grayson, Mr. [John] Kean, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson, Mr. [John Bubenheim] Bayard and Mr. [Nathaniel] Gorham. This committee was renewed February 12, 1787. Ackerman's petition is in No. 42, I, folio 87.
Committee Book No. 190.
Also, according to indorsement, Mr. Rufus King's motion of April 20, 1786, on the Commissioners for settling accounts of the Quartermaster and Commissary departments, was on May 5 "Debated and lost--report revived by new motion--and passed 8th. May" see ante, April 20. King's motion is in No. 19, I, folio 463.]
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