This was a Congress of delegates from all the colonies, which the home government directed the Governor of New York to hold, for the purpose of conciliating the Indian nations who were invited to attend it ; of renewing the covenant chain and attaching them more closely to the British interest, and comprising all the provinces in one general treaty to be made with them in the King's name, and for no other purpose.* Speeches and presents were made to the Indians who promised to do all that was asked of them, but no formal treaty whatever was concluded. The Congress voted instead, that the delegation from each colony except New York, should appoint one of their number, who together should be a committee to digest a plan for a general union of all the colonies.
The choice of the New Y'ork committee-man was left to Governor de Lancey, who, acting most impartially, appointed his political opponent, William Smith, Esq., the elder.'' This movement, which was not within the objects of the Congress as defined in
3 For a full biograpbiral sketch of Governor De Lancey, see Documentary History of New York, vol. IV, p. 1037.
* Virginia and Carolina did not send delegates, but desired to be considerecj as present. Doc. Hist. K. T., II, 567.
•' See Letter of Lords of Trade, directing the holding of the Congress, and the minutes of its proceedings in full, in Doc. Hist. \. Y., II, 555 and N. Y. Col. Hist., vi. p. 853.