publicly disclaimed, until fair purchase was made
of the Indian owners; and this right of purchase,
belonged to the United States only. That these
were the leading traits of their commission. This
was read by Col. Pickering, and interpreted into
the Seneca tongue by Thomas Jones. It concluded
about dark; when the paper, containing the above
sentiments, was delivered to the old Wyandot chief,
the English of whose name is,King of all the Na-
tions, who said, they would reply to it to-morrow
afternoon. They then departed to their camp, and
we to our tents. It was a cool night; but the exer-
cise of my mind, arising from the importance of
the business, was such, that I could hardly forbear
trembling. The countenances of the Indians, were
so sedate, solid, and determined, that notwithstand-
ing the propositions held out, appeared to be liberal,
and well adapted to the happiness of the Indians,
yet, such was their jealousy, and want of faith in
our government, that I was afraid they would not
take. Which apprehensions, with the screams and
hollows of an Indian dance, near our tents, inter-
rupted my repose for hours.

I awoke about day-break; soon
after, I heard ten reports of a rifle, one after ano-
ther, in the Indian camp; which was one for each
nation that had signed the written Indian embassy,
from the council at the Rapids. About eight o’clock,
fifteen of them came over, and informed, they were
prepared to speak to the commissioners; who soon
seated themselves: when the old king who spoke be-
fore, said, Brothers, we want to be at peace with
you; but you tell us you have had treaties there,
and there, and there, and purchased lands on this