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Jacob Lindley's Account, 1793

SW_JL1793_Page_138

publicly disclaimed, until fair purchase was madeof the Indian owners; and this right of purchase,belonged to the United States only. That thesewere the leading traits of their commission. Thiswas read by Col. Pickering, and interpreted intothe Seneca tongue by Thomas Jones. It concludedabout dark; when the paper, containing the abovesentiments, 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-morrowafternoon. They then departed to their camp, andwe to our tents. It was a cool night; but the exer-cise of my mind, arising from the importance ofthe 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. 1st of 8th mo. 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 wereprepared to speak to the commissioners; who soonseated themselves: when the old king who spoke be-fore, said, Brothers, we want to be at peace withyou; but you tell us you have had treaties there,and there, and there, and purchased lands on this