Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) [Speech delivered to the Penobscot Tribe]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.03049 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Benjamin (1733-1810) Place Written: Maine Type: Manuscript letter Date: 4 September 1784 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Written at the Penobscot River, present-day Maine. Lincoln, a commissioner chosen to negotiate land boundaries with the Penobscot Tribe, praises the Penobscots' involvement in the Revolutionary War. Continues, "It is said that in your own Opinion the Lands you occupy far exceed the Quantity necessary for your own Use; and that you have suffered pretended purchases for trifling Considerations, to engross Part of them... the Sovereign Power of this Commonwealth... will not suffer Individuals to purchase those Lands which you are permitted to occupy." Offers the option for the Penobscots to concentrate their land holdings on one side of the river, or on both sides higher up the river. This document is clerically written and signed for both Lincoln and Henry Knox.
Penobscot River, Septr. 4. 1784
Brethren,
At the last public Interview between the Inhabitants of the State of Massachusetts and their Brethren of the Penobscot Tribe, the United States of America were involved in a War with the King of Great Britain. That War through the Smiles of Heaven has since been happily concluded and the United States made free & independent.
This with Pleasure we can assure our Brethren of the Penobscot Tribe, that this State entertain an high Sense of their Zeal, Fidelity, Activity, and firm Attachment, during the whole of the late hard Conflict. We have no Doubt but you enjoy with them the highest Satisfaction at the Close of a War, which seems to ensure the Happiness of all the Inhabitants of this Country. We hope that the Friendship & Harmony which subsist between your Tribe & the People of this Commonwealth, will continue.
In Order to prevent any Thing which may interrupt our common Happiness, the General Court have sent us to see & talk with you concerning the Resolves of the Provincial Congress on the 21st. June 1775. This the Desire of the Court that you should have a [2] Quantity of Lands assigned you sufficient for all your Purposes, that the Bounds should be so fixed & known to all Men, that none may trespass thereon.
We wish to communicate with you on this Subject with the greatest Freedom. You may depend upon our Sincerity, and we hope we may rely upon yours. You have nothing to fear from Force or Fraud. The People of Massachusetts will never, by any of their Proceedings, violate that Rectitude of Conduct & national Honor, which it has been the Pride & Interest of every virtuous People to maintain. This said, that in your own Opinion the Lands you occupy, far exceed the Quantity necessary for your own Use; and that you have suffered pretended Purchases for trifling Considerations, to engross Part of them. This cannot serve them or you, as the Sovereign Power of this Commonwealth, were there no other Reasons which should forbid it, will not suffer Individuals to purchase those Lands which you are permitted to occupy. If, however, it is your Wish to change the Limits assigned you by the Provincial Congress, and you are willing to take all which may be necessary for you to occupy on one Side of the River, or on both Sides higher up, so that the Interest of the State shall be promoted. We are willing to treat with you on the subject, by the Authority and on the good Faith of the Commonwealth.
We are your brethren B Lincoln
H Knox -
[docket]
Speech to the Indians
Augt 17[84]
Knox & Lincoln
No 27 -
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