Treaty of 1717, at Georgetown.

George Town,*

On Arrowsick Island, Aug. 9th. 1717.

Annoque Regni Regis GEORGII Magna Britanniæ, &c.

Quarto.

A conference of his Excellency the GOVERNOUR with the Sachems and chief Men of the Eastern Indians.

His Excellency being Arrived here in His Majesty's Ship the Squirrel, the Indians sent a message to him from PuddlestonesIsland, (where they were assembled) Desiring to know when it would be his Excellency's pleasure that they should attend him. His Excellency told them at Three a Clock this Afternoon, when he would order the Union Flag to be displayed at the Tent Erected near Mr. Watts his house, And ordered a British Flagg to be delivered to the Indians for them to wear when they came, in token of their Subjection to his Majesty King George. At the Time appointed, the Flagg being set up, the Indians forthwith came over, with the British Flagg in their headmost Canoo.

His Excellency being seated under a large Tent (Erected for the occasion.) Attended by Samuel Sewall Esq; Penn Townsend Esq; Andrew Belcher Esq; and Edmund Quincey Esq; of the council of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay. And Samuel Penhallow Esq; Mark Hunking Esq; John Wentworth Esq Shadrach Walton Esq; and Richard Waldron Esq; of the Province of New Hampshire, and several other English Gentlemen. Eight Indian Sagamores and Chief Captains, Namely Moxus, Bommazeen, Wanudagumboit, Wiwurna, and Queguaroomanit of Kennebeck. Querenebuit of Ponobscut. Adeawando, of Pegwacket, and Sabbadis of Ammarescoggin, Approached and made their reverence to his Excellency, who was pleased to give them his Hand. And then directed that Capt. John Gyles, and Mr. Samuel Jordan, Interpreters of the Indian language, should be Sworn to be faithful in that Service, and Judge Sewall administered to them an Oath accordingly. And his Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to the Sagamores, &c. which was deliberately Recited and Interpreted to them. And is as follows. uiz.

GEORGETOWN is in Lincoln Co., Maine, 50 m. S. of Augusta. It consists of two considerable Islands at the mouth of Kennebec river, which runs on the West, and Sheepscot river on the East, with the Atlantic on the South. It was incorporated in 1716. It has excellent harbors, and is considerably engaged in navigation and the fisheries. An unsuccessful attempt was made to form a settlement in this place by Plymouth adventurers, in 1607, but it was abandoned the next year. In 1850, there was a population of 1,121.

Interpreter. Tell the Sachems, 'That notwithstanding the great Fatigue and Danger of this Expedition, yet to comply with my own Word, and their Desire, I am now come to see them, and ' am very glad to find so many of them in Health.

Tell thein, That I find by the Records of His Majesty's Government of New-England, which I have now the Honour to be Intrusted with, that there have been many Treaties between the ⚫ English Government, and them, as there was occasion: And that 'the last Interview was at Pascataqua about four Years ago, and then my very worthy Predecessor, Governour DUDLEY 'accepted their Submission, and Ratified all former Treaties and Agreements with them; and that he gave them all possible As'surances of Justice, Friendship, Protection and fair Commerce ' and Dealing upon their Fidelity, Peace and Obedience to the Crown of Great Britain; and that I shall Build on that Founda'tion.

Tell them, That since that good Treaty was made, the Crown ' of Great Britain is happily Descended to His Most Excellent Majesty KING GEORGE, and forever Established in His Royal Protestant Family, which GOD be praised, are many. That it is in the Name and by the Command of KING GEORGE, that I am now Speaking to them, and that they may, and should Es'teem it as an Instance of the King's great Favour, that I have so ⚫ soon visited them.

Tell them That there is a very good agreement between KING · GEORGE, and his Neighbours, more especially the French Nation, who have a Just and Great Esteem for His Majesty, And are very desirous of His Friendship, and Peace with Him: And 'that His Majesty's Subjects at home and abroad account themselves, very happy in His Majesty's Government, for that, It is Wise, Just and Kind; His Majesty consulting the common Wel'fare of His People, as to their Religion, Civil Liberties, Trade, 'and every other thing.

Tell them, That this Great, Good and Wise Prince KING 'GEORGE, is their KING, as well as Ours, and that therefore we look upon them, and shall always Treat them as fellow Sub'jects; and that they must likewise remember at all times, that they are KING GEORGE's Subjects, under His Allegiance and Protection, and they must by no means hearken to any contrary Insinuations, that will always find themselves safest under the Government of Great Britain.

Tell them, 'KING GEORGE, and the British Nation, are 'Christians of the Reformed Protestant Religion; That the great and only Rule of their Faith and Worship, and Life, is con'tained in the BIBLE, [the Governour holding one in his hand] 'here in this Book which is the Word of GOD [Sachems] is con tained our Holy Religion; and we would gladly, have you of the same Religion with us, and therefore we have agreed, to be at the Charge of a Protestant Missionary among you, to instruct you, and this is the Gentleman [shewing Mr. Barter to them] And I hope also in a little Time, to appoint a Schoolmaster among you to teach your Children, and that I hope and expect 'that they Treat this Protestant Missionary with all affection and

1717.]

6

'respect, not only for the sake of the King's Government, but of 'his own Character, He being a Minister of Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, who will Judge them and us at the last day. Tell them, That the English Settlements that have lately been 'made in these Eastern Parts, have been promoted partly on their accounts, and that they will find the benefit of them in having 'Trade brought so near them, besides the advantage of the Neighbourhood and Conversation of the English, to whom I have given 'strict Orders, that they be very just and kind to the Indians, upon all accounts, and therefore if at any time, they meet with any Oppression, Fraud, or unfair Dealing, from the Eng'lish in any of their affairs; let them make their Complaint to any 'of my Officers here, and then I shall soon hear of it, and take 'speedy and effectual care to do them right. Or if upon any great occasion, they chuse to send any of their Body to me directly, they shall be very welcome. I shall always be ready to protect and assist them, For I would have them look upon the English Government in New-England as their great and safe 'shelter.

Tell them, 'That if they have any thing fit, or reasonable to ask ' of me, at this time, they shall be very welcome to lay it before 'me, and I shall give it all due consideration, and that I expect an 'Answer from them to what I have said.

Tell them, Interpreter, That in token of my great sincerity and 'aflection to them, and as an earnest, of my future Justice and Kindness to them, I here give my Hand to their Sachems, and Chief Captains.'

Then his Excellency taking an English and Indian Bible in his Hand, bid the Interpreters tell them that he gave them those Bibles, and left them with Mr. Baxter, their Minister, for their Instruction, whenever they desire to be taught. The Minister will reside here, or hereabouts, and so will the Schoolmaster to Instruct their Children, when they have a mind to send them.

Then his Excellency Drank King GEORGE'S Health to the chief Sagamore Moxus, which he, and all the rest pledged.

Wiwurna stood up, and said he was appointed to speak in the Name of the rest.

Governour. Go on.

Wiwurna. We are very glad of this opportunity, to see your Excellency, when the Sun shines so bright upon us; and we hope the Angels in Heaven rejoyce with us; We have been in expectation of this favour ever since we received your Excellency's Letter in the Winter.

We are not now prepared to answer what your Excellency has said to us; But shall wait on your Excellency again to Morrow. Governour. It is well: at what time?

Wiwurna. We desire his Excellency to appoint the time. Gov. Let them come about Nine o'clock, when they will see the Flag set up. I will give them an Ox for dinner, and let them send some to Kill, and Dress it.

Wi. We are very thankful to your Excellency, for some of us have had little to eat for these two Days.

Then the Indians took leave and withdrew.

Aug. 10th, 1717.

THE eight Sachems, and chief Captains that Attended Yester day appeared again with some other Principal Indians accou panying them.

Wi. It is a great favour of GOD we have this Opportunity to wait on your Excellency, and we have our Answers ready. Gov. Let them Speak.

Wi. We have done with the Treaty at Pascataqua, and now proceed to a new one.

Gov. They Ratify and Confirm former Treaties.

Wi. Yes, we do.

His Excellency Ordered the principal Articles of their Submis sion at Pascataqua, to be Read and Interpreted to them: And then Ask'd them, whether they did remember & acknowledg them?

And the Indians Answered, They did.

Wi. We have considered what his Excellency said Yesterday, and the first thing was for Love and Unity; and we admire it exceedingly. And believe it pleases GOD." And hope your Excellency will endeavor it shall be so.

Gor. I assure them of it, If they carry themselves suitably, with Duty and Allegiance to KING GEORGE.

Wi. We hope all hard thoughts will now be laid aside, between the English and Us, and that the Amity will be hearty. Gov. Very well.

Wi. We are pleased that his Excellency is Commander of NewEngland; and that altho' He is lately Arriv'd from England, He is acquainted with the Affairs of New-England, and hope all things will be well.

Gor. Tell them if they behave themselves well, I shall use them kindly.

Wi. We had the same Discourse from other Governours, as from your Excellency: and we have said the same, to then. Other Governours have said to us that we are under no other Government but our own.

Gor. How is that?

Wi. We pray leave to speak out. Your Excellency ws pleased to say that we must be Obedient to KING GEORGE. which we shall if we like the Offers made us.

Gor. They must be Obedient to KING GEORGE, and all just Offers and Usage shall be given them.

W. We will be very obedient to the KING, if we are not Molested in the Improvement of our Lands.

Gor. They shall not be Interrupted in the Improvement of their lands; and the English must not be Molested by them it theirs.

Wi. We are pleased with the liberty your Excellency gives us, of making Mention of any wrong we have suffered.

Gor. They must Desist from any Pretensions to Lands which the English own.

Wi. We Pray leave to go on in order with our Answer.
Gov. Let them go on.

Wi. If any wrong happens to us we will not avenge our > selves, but apply to your Excellency for Redress. If any Foreign Indians come upon us, We shall Acquaint your Excellency, but hope by our Young Men to defend our selves.

Gov. If they want help our Young Men shall assist them also. Wi. If any quarrel happens & blood should be shed, We will not avenge our selves, but apply to your Excellency. We Return Thanks to your Excellency for your favour in offering us Succors, & if there should be any Disturbance we shall not Complain without real proof, nor for any frivolous matter.

Wi. This Place was formerly Settled and is now Settling at our request: And we now return Thanks that the English are come to Settle here, and will Imbrace them in our Bosoms that come to Settle on our Lands.

Gov. They must not call it their Land, for the English have bought it of them and their Ancestors.

=

Wi. We Pray leave to proceed in our Answer, and talk that matter afterward. We desire there may be no further Settlements = made. We shan't be able to hold them all in our Bosoms, and to take care to shelter them, if it be likely to be bad weather, and Mischief be Threatened.

As to the Ministers Instructing us:

All People have a love for their Ministers, and it would be strange if we should not love them, that come from GOD. And as to the Bibles your Excellency mentioned, We desire to be excused on that Point. GOD has given us teaching already, and if we should go from that we should displease GOD. We are not capable to make any judgment about Religion.

Your Excellency was not sensible how sick we were Yesterday to see the Man of War ashore, We were so faint we could not Speak out with strength, and we are now very glad the ship is well.

We are very glad to wait on your Excellency, and to tell you, That we sent our Young Men early this Morning, to see if the Ship was well, and were very glad to hear she was.

Gov. Tell them, I accept their respects for His Majesty's Ship, and if the Ship can help them at any time, It shall be ready to do it. Wi. We shall be very glad when we have concluded, that your Excellency may have good winds, and weather, and get safe down this River and home.

Gov. Tell them they must be sensible and satisfied that the English own this Land, and have Deeds that shew, and set forth their Purchase from their Ancestors. And we will not be molested in our Improvement of them. And they shall not be molested in the Improvement of the Lands that belong to them.

Tell them also, That Complaints are made to me that some of them have violently taken things from some of the English, as the Meat out of their Pots, and other things which is contrary to the Law of GOD and Man, and that they had forbid the English Planting on their own Lands, and that the Night before last they killed some Young Cattel belonging to the English, (which indeed they had first informed of, and desired forgiveness) all which is contrary to their Articles.