Governor Hamilton to Papunehan, October 12, 1761 - 7
Assure these Indians, that we are their hearty friends, & consult with them on what methods
may be best taken to secure all our Friendly Indians & you & them in particular so that neither you
nor they may be hurt by any of our People- A Belt
Brother,
As soon as I heard of the Mischief the Indians were doing on our frontiers , I immediately sent
a message to the Commander at Fort Augusta, with any Orders to forward to the Indians who lived
on the waters of Susquehannah_ The Substance whereof was to this effect.
1st. That after the Peace so lately reestablished between all the Indians Nations & the
Subjects of our Great King. I was much concerned to see the Sky again begin to look dark and
cloudy as if it threatned new troubles & Mischief both to you & us.
2ndly. That I had heard with grief that some Indians to the Westward but of what Nation
I knew not, had lately killed some of our white People at gahiagans & about Fort Pitt without
any provocation from us, & without letting them know the cause of their Resentment.
3dly. That by the treaties between us & them, it was agreed, that whenever they thought
themselves aggrieved by the white People, they were first to represent the same in a friendship
manner to me, without having recourse to arms or offering to strike us, That I should always
observe that conduct towards them, & that while we both continued to act in that manner any
differences that might happen might be settled to our mutual satisfaction without breaking
the ancient chain of friendship, which we where as desirous as ever to preserve whole & entire.
And lastly That I had requested that conference with them, & desired they would freely open
their hearts to me, & acquaint by what Nations of Indians these Murders had been committed
and for what Reason, & whether they or any other Nation of Indians to their knowledge had any
just cause of Complaint against us & what that cause was, & promised that as far as lay in my power
I would give them immediate satisfaction, & as a token of my sincerity I gave them a belt.
Brother John Curtis,
I have now finished what I had to say to Papounham & the Indians living at Wighalousin
in answer to their kind message- I now desire to inform the Indians how kindly you have
been treated since you have been here.- I now wish you a good Journey & shall take care that you
be escorted safe out of the Inhabitants.-
[Transcribed by Ethan Keiser]
