sures of the United Colonies, shall, also, deliver up their arms, of what kind soever they may be, and enter into the like engagement as is stipulated in the preceding article, both with respect to their future conduct, and the number of hostages.

"Sixthly. That all blankets, strouds, and other Indian articles, belonging to the Crown, und intended as presents to the Indians, shall be delivered up to a Commissary appointed by General Schuyler, in the presence of three or more of the Mohawk Chiefs, in order that the same may be dispersed amongst the Indians, for the purpose of cementing the ancient friendship between them and their brethren of the United Colonies, for which sole purpose they ought to have been furnished.

"Seventhly. If Sir John Johnson, and the people referred to in the aforegoing articles, shall justly abide by, and perform what is thereby required of them, the General, in behalf of the Continental Congress, doth promise and engage, that neither Sir John Johnson, nor any of those people, shall be molested by any of the other inhabitants of the said County, or by any of the inhabitants of the Thirteen United Colonies; but that, on the contrary, they will be protected in the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of their property, the sole intent of this treaty being to prevent the horrid effects of a civil and intestine war betwixt those who ought to be brethren. That all the arras, which shall be delivered up in consequence of the preceding articles, shall be valued by sworn appraisers. That if the Continental Congress should have occasion for them they may be taken. If not, they will be delivered to the respective proprietors when this unhappy contest shall be at an end."

He assured me that the Indians would support him, and that some were already at Johnson-Hall, for that purpose, and others on their way down.

In return, I told him that, although averse to shedding any blood, yet, if he resisted, that force would be opposed to force, without distinction, and that the consequences would be of the most serious nature, unless he complied with my requisitions. He begged time to answer, until next evening, to which I consented.

About an hour after he had left me, Abraham and another of the Mohawks called upon me; I acquainted him of the information I had received from Sir John, which he denied to be true, giving me assurances that the Mohawks would not interfere otherwise than as mediators; I answered, that I hoped they would not, but that, if they did, I should surely not hesitate one moment to destroy all that should appear in arms against us.

On Thursday the 18th, I approached to within four miles of Johnstown, and about six o'clock, received the following answer to my terms:

"Terms proposed by Sir JOHN JOHNSON, Baronet, and the people of KINGSBOROUGH and the adjacent neighbourhood, to the Honourable PHILIP SCHUYLER, Esq., Major-General in the Army of the Thirteen UNITED COLONIES, and commanding in the NEW-YORK Department.

"First. That Sir John Johnson, and the rest of the gentlemen expect, that all such arms of every kind as are their own property, may remain in their possession; all the other arms shall be delivered up to such person, or persons, as may be appointed for that purpose. As to military stores belonging to the Crown, Sir John has not any.

"Secondly. Answered in the first.

"Thirdly. Sir John expects that he will not be confined to any certain County, but be at liberty to go where he pleases.

"Fourthly. The Scotch inhabitants will deliver up their arms, of what kind soever they may be; and they will each solemnly promise, that they will not at any time hereafter, during the continuance of this unhappy contest, take up arms without the permission of the Continental Congress, or of their general officers. Hostages they are not in a capacity to give, no one man having command over another, or power sufficient to deliver such; therefore, this part of the article to be passed from, or the whole included. Women and children to be required, a requisition so inhuman, as we hope the General will dispense with.

"Fifthly. Answered in the fourth.

"Sixthly. Sir John has not any blankets, strouds, or other presents, intended for the Indians.

"Seventhly. If the above proposals are agreed to, and signed by the General, Sir John and the people referred to will rely on the assurances of protection given by the General.

"JOHN JOHNSON,

"ALLAN MCDONELL.

"To the Hon. Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-General.

"Johnson-Hall, January 18, 1776."

To which I returned the following Answer:

"Cagnuage, January 18, eight o'clock F. M., 1776.

"GENTLEMEN: Messrs. Adams and McDonell have delivered me your answer to my proposals of yesterday's date. The least attention to the articles I offered, when compared with yours, must convince you that you omitted replies to several of them, consequently, what you have sent me is very imperfect, and, also, unsatisfactory. I waive pointing out some inconsistencies in your proposals, as the whole are exceptionable excepting the last.

"I must, therefore, obey my orders, and again repeat, that, in the execution of them I shall strictly abide by the laws of humanity; at the same time assuring you, that, if the least resistance is made I will not answer for the consequences, which may he of a nature the most dreadful.

"If Lady Johnson is at Johnson-Hall, I wish she would retire, and, therefore, enclose a passport, as I shall march my troops to that place without delay.

"You may, however, have time to reconsider the matter; and, for that purpose, I give you until twelve o'clock this night, after which, I shall receive no proposals, and I have sent you Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Glenn, and Mr. Duer, to receive the ultimate proposals you have to make. This condescension I make from no other motive than to prevent the effusion of blood, so far as it may be effected without risking the safety of the country, or being guilty of a breach of the positive orders I have received from the honourable Continental Congress.

"I am, gentlemen, with due respect, your humble servant,

"PHILIP SCHUYLER.

"To Sir John Johnson and Mr. Allan McDonell".

Immediately after I had sent this away, the Sachems, and all the Warriors of the Lower Mohawk Town, and some from the Upper, called upon me, and informed me that Sir John Johnson had related to them the contents of the terms I had offered to him and his associates; that Sir John declared he only meant to guard himself from any insult that might be offered by riotous people; that he had no unfriendly intentions against the country, and begged that I would accept of the terms he had offered. In reply, I explained my proposals, and Sir John's answer; pointed out the impropriety of closing with him on the conditions he wanted, and told them that I had given him until twelve o'clock to comply, after which, I should take such measures as would force him, and whoever assisted him, to a compliance. They were contented with the reasons I gave, but begged, that if his answer was not satisfactory, that I would give him until four o'clock in the morning, that they might have time to go and shake his head, (as they expressed it,) and bring him to his senses; and they begged it as a favour, to be charged to them, that I would not remove him out of the County; they apologized for the threats of their warriors, said that they were not all present at the treaty of Albany, but that now they were all here, and declared that they would never take arms against us.

I paid them a compliment on their peaceable intentions, and informed them, that, although Sir John's conduct was extremely obnoxious, and that we should be justified in making him a close prisoner, yet, I would grant their request, for two reasons; first, to show our love and affection to them, and to convince them that they could obtain that by asking it as a favour, which they could not by threatening; secondly, that by leaving him they might, by their advice and example, teach him to alter his conduct.

At twelve, the following answer from Sir John came to hand:

"Answers to the Terms proposed by the Honourable PHILIP SCHUYLER, Esq., Major-General in the Army of the Thirteen UNITED COLONIES, and commanding in