Speech delivered to the Indians, Committee for preparing a Declaration of Independence, Commissioners from Canada attended and gave an account of their proceedings, and the state of the Army in that country

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Tuesday, June 11, 1776.

Two Letters, of the 9th and 10th, from General Washington, were read, and referred to the Committee appointed on the 6th.

A Letter from H˙ E˙ Stanhope, of the 11th, and one from E˙ Webb, of the 12th May, both dated from North-hampton Jail; also one from Mrs˙ Connolly, were read:

Resolved, That these be referred to the Committee on Prisoners.

Resolved, That the sum of 150 Dollars be paid to the Indian Interpreter for his services, and to defray his expenses.

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to consider of a compensation to the Secretary for his services.

The Members chosen: Mr˙ J˙ Adams, Mr˙ Rutledge, and Mr˙ Hewes.

Resolved, That an Order for 10,000 Dollars be drawn on the Treasurer, in favour of Carpenter Wharton, for the use of the Pennsylvania Battalions, he to be accountable.

The presents for the Indians being provided, they were called in, and the Speech agreed to was delivered, as follows:

"Brothers: We hope the friendship that is between you and us will be firm, and continue as long as the sun shall shine, and the waters run; that we and you may be as one people, and have but one heart, and be kind to one another like brethren.

"Brothers: The King of Great Britain, hearkening to the evil counsel of some of his foolish young men, is angry with us, because we will not let him take away from us our land, and all that we have, and give it to them, and because we will not do everything that he bids us; and hath hindered his people from bringing goods to us; but we have made provision for getting such a quantity of them, that we hope we shall be able to supply your wants as formerly.

"Brothers: We shall order all our warriors and young men not to hurt you or any of your kindred, and we hope you will not suffer any of your young men to join with our enemies, or to do any wrong to us, that nothing may happen to make any quarrel between us.

"Brothers: We desire you to accept of a few necessaries, which we present you with as tokens of our good will towards you."

The presents being delivered, the Indian Chief begged leave to give a name to the President; the same being granted, an Onondaga Chief arose and saluted the President by the name of Karanduaan, or the Great Tree, by which name he informed him the President will be known among the Six Nations.

After which the Indians took their leave, and withdrew.

A Letter from Brigadier-General Sullivan, dated St˙ Johns, June 1, was laid before Congress, and read.

Resolved, That Colonel Shee and Colonel Magaw be

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Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to lend the Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania four tons of Powder.

Resolved, That Letters be sent, by express, to the several Colonies who are to furnish Militia for the defence of New York, acquainting them of the necessity of forwarding the supplies with all possible despatch.

Resolved, That the Committee for preparing the Declaration consist of five.

The Members chosen: Mr˙ Jefferson, Mr˙ J˙ Adams, Mr˙ Franklin, Mr˙ Sherman, and Mr˙ R˙ R˙ Livingston.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare and digest the form of a Confederation to be entered into between these Colonies.

That a Committee be appointed to prepare a plan of Treaties to be proposed to Foreign Powers.

Mr˙ Chase and Mr˙ Carroll of Carrollton, two of the Commissioners, being arrived from Canada, attended, and gave an account of their proceedings, and the state of the Army in that country.

The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,

Adjourned to ten o' clock, tomorrow.