“It is true, we have the full Quantity according to Agreement; but if the Proprietor had been here himself we think, in regard of our Numbers and Poverty, he would have made an Addition to them. If the Goods were only to be divided amongst the Indians present, a single Person would have but a small Portion; but if you consider what Numbers are left behind, equally entitled with us to a share, there will be extremely little. We therefore desire, if you have the Keys of the Proprietor's Chest, you will open it and take out a little more for us. “We know our Lands are now become more valuable. The White People think we do not know their value; but we are sensible that the Land is everlasting, and the few Goods we receive for it are soon worn out and gone. For the future we will sell no Lands but when Brother Onas [Penn] is in the Country, and we will know beforehand the Quantity of the Goods we are to receive. Besides, we are not well used with respect to the Lands still unsold by us. Your People daily settle on these Lands and spoil our Hunting. We must insist on your removing them. . . . It is customary with us to make a Present of Skins whenever we renew our Treaties. We are ashamed to offer our Brethren so few, but your Horses and Cows have eat the Grass our Deer used to feed on,” etc.
The Governor said in reply: —
“In answer to what you say about the Proprietaries, they are all absent, and have taken the keys of their chest with them; so that we cannot, on their behalf, enlarge the quantity of goods. Were they here, they might perhaps be more generous, but we cannot be liberal for them.”
He promises, however, that the Government will
consider the matter with a view to a further present. But he
reminds them that the moiety of territory now ceded is, by
their own estimate, less valuable than the other portion,
though the proprietor overlooked this in awarding the
goods. He adds: —
“It is very true that lands are of late become more valuable; but what raises their value? Is it not entirely owing to the industry and labor used by the white people in their cultivation and improvement? Had they not come amongst you, these lands would
