The chief of some tribes attended, to complain of a purchase of lands which had been made from the Kickapoos. The harshness of language used by Tecumseh in the course of the conference caused it to be broken up in confusion. In the progress of the long "talks," which took place, Tecumseh, having finished one of his speeches, looked around, but seeing every one seated, while no seat was prepared for him, a momentary frown passed over his countenance. Instantly General Harrison ordered that a chair should be given him. Some |)erson presented one, ( with a bow, saying, " Warrior your father General Harrison offers you a seat." Tecumseh's dark eyes flashed. "My father I " he exclaimed with indignation, and extending his arm towards the heavens, burst forth " The Great Spirit is my father and the earth is my mother ; she feeds and clothes me, and I recline on her bosom."'

2.

How the Indian Title vested successively in the Dutch West India Company, the British Crown, and the Independent State of New York.

The nature and extent of the Indian ownership, and the foundation of the title to the domain of the State of New York were settled by the principles on these subjects very early adopted and carried into effect by the different European nations which di-

1 Mi>iilton's Hist. N. Y., 27.

vided between themselves this western world. These principles formed the basis of a conventional international law wliich has been always observed in America. They define with precision, to whom the Indians could dispose of their rights to dominion and to the soil, and to whom they could not. They have been laid down by Chancellor Kent and Chief Justice Marshall in the highest courts of this State and the United States.'^