hv_sansomj_letters_1796_028

en. Poor Kirkland is now thought to be dangerously ill, but if he should recover he will probably make himself very easy about their decision, as he has feathered his nest thoroughly long since. Whitestown is the Capital of the Couny of Herkimer, which affords an instance of the rapid settlement of these parts, scarcely to be parrallelled. Twelve years ago Judge White came here the first settler, and lived sometime in a cave, Within six years there were 300 Familys hearabout; from that time as long as it was possible to calculate the numbers doubled every year; and now they counted, on a late census, forty three thousand Souls. On fourth day morning we all met again at Oneida Dined heartily upon excellent Salmon, with which the lake abounds from 10 to 15 lbs; and in the afternoon ranged about to view the Country for a suitable situation for building: Fixed upon a eligible spot, and returned to the Stockbridges, upon occasion of some of their People being desirous to sell their share of Land, for which they had requested leave a few days before, without the knowledge of their Chiefs, by a string of wampum. The Oneidas expressively described their original grant of the Land to the Stockbridges under the comparison of a steel Dish, which they had given to last them forever, expecting they said that they would put a steel spoon into it and take care to keep it bright and whole; but they were surprised to find that the white People had already got hold of some of their hands, and were trying to break the spoon; with all returning the