APPENDIX. Proceedings of the Congress of the Confederation, relating to Indians and Indian Affairs. A petition from the committee representing the people in In Congress, that part of Augusta county, in the colony of Virginia, on the June 1,1775, west side of the Allegany mountain, was laid before the Congress and read, intimating "fears of a rupture with the Indians on account of lord Dunmore's conduct," and desiring missioners, from the colony of Virginia andprovince of Pennsylvania, to attend a meeting of the Indians at Pittsburg, on behalf of these colonies." 66 com Ordered, That the above be referred to the delegates of the colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania. A number of letters and speeches, from the Stockbridge In- June 30, 1775, dians, were laid before the Congress and read. Resolved, That the committee for Indian affairs do prepare proper talks to the several tribes of Indians, for engaging the continuance of their friendship to us, and neutrality in our present unhappy dispute with Great Britain. The Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on Indian affairs, and the same being gone through, was agreed to, as follows: That the securing and preserving the friendship of the Indian nations appears to be a subject of the utmost moment to these colonies. That there is too much reason to apprehend that administration will spare no pains to excite the several nations of Indians to take up arms against these colonies; and that, it becomes us to be very active and vigilant in exerting every prudent means to strengthen and confirm the friendly disposition towards these colonies, which has long prevailed among the northern tribes, and which has been lately manifested by some of those to the southward. As the Indians depend on the colonists for arms, ammunition, and clothing, which are become necessary to their subsistence, that commissioners be appointed by this Congress to superintend Indian affairs in behalf of those colonies. That there be three departments of Indians, the northern, middle, and southern. The northern to extend so far south as to include the whole of the Indians known by the name of the July 12 1775. In Congress, Six Nations, and all the Indians northward of these nations. July 12, 775. The southern department, to extend so far north as to include the Cherokees, and all the Indians that may be to the southward of them. The middle, to contain the Indian nations that lie between the other two departments. That five commissioners be appointed for the southern department. That for each of the other two departments, there be appointed three commissioners. That the commissioners have power to treat with the Indians, in their respective departments, in the name and on behalf of the united colonies, in order to preserve peace and friendship with the said Indians, and to prevent their taking any part in the present commotions. That the commissioners for the southern department receive, from the continental treasury, the sum of ten thousand dollars; the commissioners for the middle and northern department, the sum of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six and two-thirds, for each of their respective departments, for defraying the expense of treaties and presents to the Indians. That the commissioners, respectively, have power to take to their assistance gentlemen of influence among the Indians in ́ whom they can confide, and to appoint agents, residing near or among the Indians, to watch the conduct of the superintendents and their emissaries. That in case the commissioners for the respective districts, or any one of them in either district, shall have satisfactory proof, that the king's superintendents, their deputies or agents, or any other person whatsoever, are active in stirring up or inciting the Indians, or any of them, to become inimical to the American colonies, such commissioner or commissioners ought to cause such superintendents, or other offender, to be seized and kept in safe custody, until order shall be taken therein by a majority of the commissioners of the districts where such seizure is made, or by the continental Congress, or a committee of said Congress, to whom such seizure, with the causes of it, shall, as soon as possible after, be made known. That the commissioners shall exhibit fair accounts, of the expenditure of all moneys by them respectively to be received for the purposes aforesaid, to every succeeding continental Congress, or committee of Congress, together with a general state of Indian affairs in their several departments; in order that the colonies may be informed, from time to time, of every such matter as may concern them to know and avail themselves of, for the benefit of the common cause. |