Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
We hope that the Treats of the Mohawk Indians when they left New York have not been carried into Execution, but think it of Absolute Necessity in Order to Abuiate any ill Consequences which might attend these Threats That some person of Character and discretion, should be immediately sent amongst the Indians to acquaint them of your Arrival, Of the presents his Majesty has Ordered to be dehvered to them, and of your Intention of holding an Interview with them, for burying the Hatcltet and renewing the Covenant Chain; that this person should be carefully instructed to endeavour to remove any prejudices which the Six Nations may have imbibed -- from the Representations of the Mohawks, to Obviate the ill Effects which would attend a General discontent amongst them at so Critical a Conjuncture, and to put them upon their Guard against any attempts which may be made to withdraw them from his Majesties Interest; And that nothing may be wanting to Convince the Indians of the Smcerity of our Intentions, You will
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do well to Examine into the Complaints they have made of being defrauded of their Lands, to take all proper and legal Methods to redress their Complaints, and to gratify them by Reasonable purchachases, or in such other matter as you shall find most proper and Agreeable to them, for such lands as have been Unwarrantably taken from them, or for such other as they may have a desire to dispose of; And we recommend it to you to be particularly carefull for the future that you do not make Grants to any Persons Whatsoever of Lands purchased by them of the Indians upon their own Accounts. Such practices have been found in a Neighboring Government to be attended with Great Mischief and Inconvenience; But when the Indians are disposed to sell any of their Lands, the Purchase ought to be made in his Majesty's Name and at the Pub lick Charge.