Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
His Majesty having been pleased by His Order in Council of the 2^ of February last, to referr unto this Committee the humble Petition of Benjamin Franklin Esq"" Agent appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, relating to the Differences subsisting between His Majesty's Subjects and the Indians bordering upon the said Province about large Quantities of Land which the said Indians alledge they have been deprived of, without their Consent, or Satisfaction made them for the same, particularly of the Lands which are mcluded within the Forks of the River Delawarr, and also of other Landk ' ' '^-■''-- ♦^^^^ said River -- The Lords of VOL. 11.
770 MANUSClllPTS OF
the Committee this day took the same into their Consideration, and are hereby pleased to referr the said Petition (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed) to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, to examine into the same, and Report their Opinion "hereupon to this Committee. (signd)
W. Shakpe
PETITION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
To the Kings most Excel 1* Majesty in Council
The humble Petition of Benjamin Franklin Esq'" Agent appointed by the Assembly of Pensylvania.
Sheweth, -- That the Indians who were formerly possessed of the Lands, which form the extensive Countries, now enjoyed by Your Majesty's Subjects in North America, having been found willing for small Considerations to cede amicably large Tracts of those Lands to Your Majesty, Your Royal Predecessors and the Proprietary Grants under the Crown, it has always been thought good Policy to make Purchases thereof, from time to time, as the British Settlements have been extended, and the Indians at the same time, retirmg further back into the Country, have formed a kind of Frontier, where, while they continue upon Terms of Friendship, Trade, profitable to this Nation, is carried on with them by exchanging British Manufactures for their Peltry, they contribute to the Prosperity of the British Settlements in time of Peace, and are the Chief and best protection of them from the Inroads of Enemies in time of Warr.