Denny (the Proprietaries Deputy Governor) and certain Commiss'^, chosen out of, and appointe'd by the Assembly, hold a Treaty with Teedyuscung Chief of the Delawar Indians the Complainant mentioned in M*". Franklin's Petition.

774 MANUSCRIPTS OF

From what passed at the opening of these conferences it might reasonably have been hoped, that all matters in displite Avith the DelaAvar Indians, whose Hostilities had so long vexed the Aliddle Colonies, would have been happily and Speedily adjusted Teedyuscung their Chief declared himself well pleased with the appointment of M'". Croghan to hear his Complaints, and willing to submit them to his Decision. But upon his desiring that the Deeds by which the Proprietaries- hold the Lands, might be produced, read in Publick and examined, that it might be known from what Indians they had bought the Lands, and what was the real Extent of the Purchase, it appears that M''. Denny, who in the beginning had told Teedyuscung, that M^. Croghan was expressly appointed by S^". William Johnson to hear and enquire into the Grievances he might have to complain of now said that Sr, William Johnson was the Person appointed to hear the Particulars of his Charge and the Proprietaries Defence; that M^". Croghan had informed him that he had no Power to suffer any Alteration upon the Complaint j that it must be referrd to S^. William Johnson by whom alone the matter could be heard.

This Declaration put an End to all further Proceeding towards an Enquiry into the matter in dispute, Teedyuscung refused to go to S"^. William Johnson for many Reasons, but principally because some of the Indian Nations v/ere there, who had been instrumental to the misunderstanding in selling the Lands in Question. The Deeds however were produced ; and Teedyuscung then proposed to M^ Denny, that Copies of them should be sent to S^.