That the securing and preserving the friendship of the Indian Nations, appears to be a subject of the utmost moment to these Colonies.

That there is too much reason to apprehend that Administration will spare no pains to excite the several Nations of Indians to take up arms against these Colonies; and that it becomes us to be very active and vigilant in exerting every prudent means to strengthen and confirm the friendly disposition towards these Colonies, which has long prevailed among the Northern Tribes, and which has been lately manifested by some of those to the Southward.

As the Indians depend on the Colonists for arms, ammunition and clothing, which are become necessary to their subsistence, that Commissioners be appointed by this Congress, to superintend Indian Affairs in behalf of these Colonies.

That there be three Departments of Indians, the Northern, the Middle, and Southern. The Northern to extend so far south as to include the whole of the Indians known by the name of the Six Nations, and all the Indians northward of those nations. The Southern Department to extend so far north as to include the Cherokees, and all the Indians that may be to the southward of them. The Middle to contain the Indian nations that lie between the other two departments.

That five Commissioners be appointed for the Southern Department.

That for each of the other two Departments, there be appointed, three Commissioners.

That the Commissioners have power to treat with the Indians in their respective Departments, in the name, and on behalf of the United Colonies, in order to preserve peace and friendship with the said Indians, and to prevent their taking any part in the present commotions.

That the Commissioners for the Southern Department receive from the Continental Treasury the sum of ten thousand Dollars; the Commissioners for the Middle and Northern Department, the sum of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six Dollars and two-thirds of a Dollar, for each of their respective Departments, for defraying the expense of treaties and presents to the Indians.

That the Commissioners respectively have power to take to their assistance gentlemen of influence among the Indians, in whom they can confide, and to appoint Agents, residing near or among the Indians, to watch the conduct of the Superintendents and their emissaries.

That in case the Commissioners for the respective Districts, or any one of them in either District, shall have satisfactory proof, that the King’s Superintendents, their Deputies or Agents, or any other person whatsoever, are active in stirring up or inciting the Indians, or any of them, to become inimical to the American Colonies, such Commissioner or Commissioners ought to cause such Superintendents or other offender, to be seized and kept in safe custody until order shall be taken therein by a majority of the Commissioners of the District where such seizure is made, or by the Continental Congress, or a Committee of said Congress, to whom such seizure, with the causes of it, shall, as soon as possible after, be made known.

That the Commissioners shall exhibit fair accounts of the expenditure of all moneys by them respectively to be received for the purposes aforesaid, to every succeeding Continental Congress, or Committee of Congress, together with a general state of Indian affairs in their several departments; in order that the Colonies may be informed from time to time, of every such matter as may concern them to know and avail themselves of, for the benefit of the common cause.

That as there is a seminary for the instruction of Indian youth, which has been established under the care of Doctor Wheelock, on Connecticut River; and as there are nine or ten Indian youths at that school, chiefly from the Tribes residing in Quebeck; and as for want of a proper fund there is danger that these youths will be sent back to their friends, which will probably excite jealousy and distrust, and be attended with bad consequences, that the Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Northern Department be authorized to receive out of the Continental Treasury a sum not exceeding five hundred Dollars, to be applied by them for the support of the said Indian youths.

Resolved, That the election of the Commissioners be deferred till to-morrow.

On motion, Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to devise ways and means to protect the trade of these Colonies.

The Congress then proceeded to the election of the Committee, and the following persons were chosen, viz: Mr. Jay, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Deane, and Mr. Lee.

Resolved, That the consideration of the Report of the Committee respecting the Militia, be entered upon to-morrow.

The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o’clock.

Thursday, July 13, 1775.

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Speech to the Indians, reported the same.

The Speech to the Six Nations being read, and debated by paragraphs, was agreed to, and is as follows:

A Speech to the Six Confederate Nations, MOHAWKS, ONEIDAS, TUSCARORAS, ONONDAGAS, CAYUGAS, SENECAS, from the Twelve United Colonies, convened in Council at PHILADELPHIA.

Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors! We, the Delegates from the twelve United Provinces, viz: New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, now sitting in General Congress at Philadelphia, send this talk to you our Brothers. We are sixty-five in number, chosen and appointed by the people throughout all these Provinces and Colonies, to meet and sit together in one great Council, to consult together for the common good of the land, and speak and act for them.

Brothers! In our consultation we have judged it proper and necessary to send you this talk, as we are upon the same island, that you may be informed of the reasons of this great Council, the situation of our civil Constitution, and our disposition towards you our Indian brothers of the Six Nations and their allies. (Three Strings, or a Small Belt.)

Brothers and Friends, now attend! When our fathers crossed the great water and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk, assuring them that they and their children should be his children, and that if they would leave their native country and make settlements, and live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant chain and enjoy peace; and it was covenanted, that the fields, houses, goods and possessions which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as their own, and be their children’s forever, and at their sole disposal.

Trusting that this covenant should never be broken, our fathers came a great distance beyond the great water, laid out their money here, built houses, cleared fields, raised crops, and through their own labour and industry grew tall and strong.

They have bought, sold, and traded with England according to agreement, sending to them such things as they wanted, and taking in exchange such things as were wanted here.

The King of England and his people kept the way open for more than one hundred years, and by our trade became richer, and by a union with us, greater and stronger than the other kings and people who live beyond the water.

All this time they lived in great friendship with us, and we with them; for we are brothers—one blood.

Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as though the blow had been given to us—their enemies were our enemies.

Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to stand by their side and fight for them, and our money to help them and make them strong.