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Randolph, Edmund (1753-1813) [Recommendations submitted to the Commissioners regarding the U.S. relations with the Six Nations]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.08196 Author/Creator: Randolph, Edmund (1753-1813) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph document Date: circa 1793 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.4 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

An outline of conduct during the treaty with the Six Nations as recommended by the Commissioners. Promotes and establishes a peaceful relationship between the settlers and Indians. Date previously inferred in pencil.

[draft]

1. That it be recommended to the commissioners for the proposed negotiation at Sandusky.
1. To inform themselves thoroughly of the original extent of the conquests and possessions of the six-nations, their allies and tributaries:
2. To [strikeout] understand the rights, formerly assumed over the six-nations by the British king, by virtue of any treaties; or acquired since by the United States, under their treaties:
3. To be able to describe on the maps the alienations, which those rations have made from time to time, by treaties with Great Britain or with the United States; and to distinguish [struck: for] in their own minds between the lands sold, and those put under protection only:
4. To be prepared with an answer to such objections, as have been made to those treaties or any of them:
5. To learn the present position of the members of the confederacy, and the various branches of their connection:
6. To acquire a similar knowledge of the affairs of the Western or other Indians, who may be expected at Sandusky:
7. To [strikeout] [inserted: know] the rights of preemption, claimed by the United States and individual states, and the pretensions of any land-companies, within the limits of the United States:
[2] 8. To examine, what titles [strikeout] [inserted: of any kind], sanctioned by the U.S; may be affected by any change in the existing limits between the aforesaid nations and the U.S.?
9. To ascertain, if possible, what cessions have been [inserted: formerly] made to the French by the Western Indians:
10. To possess themselves of the treaty of peace of 1763 between France and Great Britain, and that of 1783 between the U.S. and Great Britain:
11. To be ready to discuss and obviate any pretension of the British agent to interfere in the treaty:
[struck: 12. To be capable of removing all suspicion of the mode of conveying stores by the two different routes proposed:]
[struck: 13. To be so far acquainted with the general events of the campaign under General St. Clair, as to enter with propriety into any discourse, which may accidentally arise, or to make any useful inquiries.]
[3] 2. That the following outlines of conduct [inserted: during the treaty] be also recommended to the commissioners:
1. To remember the public anxiety for peace; and how much depends upon their exertions and discretion:
2. To consider it, as an ultimatum, not to surrender or impair the right of preemption of the United States, or any particular state.
3. If any line be proposed inconsistent with existing treaties, to obtain a truce, until the executive can be consulted thereupon, or if practicable, for years.
4. To remonstrate [inserted: if necessary] against any interference of the British, useless in the character of advisers; and to refuse to suffer them to become a party to the treaty, useless that refusal and that alone should obstruct the concluding of a peace.
5. To ascertain the degree of [inserted: British] influence [struck: from the British and] over the Indian nations, and for what purposes it is asserted.
6. To note down every thing, coming from the British.
[struck: 7. To oppose separate conferences or conventions with different tribes, unless it be indispensable, or where it may expedient to divide any association.]
8. To obtain all possible information of the numbers and force of each tribe - the extent of their claims to lands - their habitations - their intercourse with, or dependence on each other - and any particulars concerning their trade.
[struck: 9. To give them assurance of protection from the U.S.]
10. To learn all the causes of their discontent, and all their jealousies.
11. To lay before them such papers, maps &c as may be asked for; having first clearly seen the object, which the [struck: y] Indians propose by such a request, and shaping the course [inserted: of the commissioners] accordingly.
[struck: 12. To recollect, that some particular attention may be expected by the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, who were on the side of the U.S. during the war; but not to let that attention to them disquiet the other tribes]
13. To observe, what strange Indians appear upon the ground, and learn their errands, & other convenient particulars.

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

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