Page:Archæologia Americana—volume 2, 1836.djvu/85

 SECT. II.] ALGONKIN-LENAPE AND IROQUOIS NATIONS. 49 evidence in Smith's "History of New Jersey," that the proprie- taries of that province had ever before obtained deeds of confirmation from the Six Nations, for the lands purchased from the Delaware and Minsi tribes, which were in the actual posses- sion of the same. It would seem, then, that the right to the Lenape lands was not more rigidly enforced by the Five Nations in New Jersey than in New York. The same course might perhaps have taken place in Pennsylvania, had not Mr. Penn applied to them for cessions which they never hesitated to make. It may be also that, as he introduced the laudable custom of public purchases made by solemn treaties, the Five Nations would not permit such national councils to be held by the Delawares without their approbation. The use of arms, though from very different causes, was equally prohibited to the Delawares and to the Quakers. Thus the colonization of Pennsylvania and of West New Jersey by the British, commenced under the most favorable auspices. Peace and the utmost harmony prevailed for more than sixty years between the whites and the Indians ; for these were for the first time treated, not only justly, but kindly by the colon- ists. But, however gradually and peaceably their lands might have been purchased, the Delawares found themselves at last in the same situation as all the other Indians, without lands of their own, and therefore without means of subsistence. They were compelled to seek refuge on the waters of the Susque- hanna, as tenants at will, on lands belonging to their hated conquerors, the Five Nations. Even there and on the Juniat- ta, they were encroached upon by white settlers less scrupulous than the Quakers had been. Nor can it be denied that the agents of the Proprietaries were occasionally too urgent in asking for further concessions of land, and in obtaining extensive and alarming grants from the Five Nations. Under those circum- stances, many of the Delawares determined to remove west of the Alleghany Mountains, and, about the year 1740- 50, ob- tained, from their ancient allies and uncles the Wyandots, the grant of a derelict tract of land lying principally on the Mus- kingum. The great body of the nation was still attached to Pennsylvania. But the grounds of complaint increased. The Delawares were encouraged by the western tribes, and by the French, to shake off the yoke of the Six Nations, and to join in the war against their allies the British. The frontier settle- ments of Pennsylvania were accordingly attacked both by the VOL. II. 7