[
455]
The strifes of the world, in opinion and in arms,
had not disturbed the scattered planters of
Virginia.
The ownership of the west was still in dispute; and
at
Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, the governor of that state, with commissioners from
Maryland and from
Virginia, met the deputies of the
Iroquois, who, since tile union with the Tuscaroras, became known as the Six Nations. ‘We conquered,’ said they, ‘the country of the Indians beyond the mountains: if the Virgin-
ians ever gain a good right to it, it must be by us.’
And, for about four hundred pounds, the deputies of the Six Nations made ‘a deed recognizing the king's
right to all the lands that are or shall be, by his majesty's appointment, in the colony of
Virginia.’
The lands in
Maryland were, in like manner, confirmed to Lord Baltimore, but with definite limits; the deed to
Virginia extended the claim of that colony indefinitely in the west and north-west.
The events of the war of
England with
France were then detailed, and the conditions of the former treaties of alliance were called to mind.
‘The covenant chain between us and
Pennsylvania,’ replied Canassatego, ‘is an ancient one, and has never contracted rust.
We shall have all your country under our eye. Before we came here, we told Onondio, there was room enough at sea to fight, where he might do what he pleased; but he should not come upon our land to do any damage to our brethren.’
After a pause, it was added—‘The Six Nations have a great authority over the praying
Indians, who stand in the very gates of the
French: to show our further care, we have engaged these very Indians and other allies of the
French; they have agreed with us they will not join against you.’
Then the chain of union was made as bright as the sun.
