The New Hampshire Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, May 27.

As itself too much at their leaving this Place on the 6th and 17th of this Month (not being to be prevailed on to stay longer on the Frontiers, or to promise to return, or send others in their Stead) and which was owing to some concurring Circumstances, gave great Uneasiness to the Inhabitants, it may be proper to inform them, for their Quiet and Satisfaction, that the Honourable Edmund Atkin, Esq; his Majesty's Agent for Indian Affairs, according to a private Agreement with their King and his Captains, followed them in the Night of the 17th to James-Town Ferry, where, after another private Conference with them on Behalf of this Colony, he made a long Speech publickly on the 18th, in the Presence of several Inhabitants, in the Name of his Majesty, to King Haigler and all his Warriors, which produced an Effect that surprised all present. He delivered, as from the King, at the different Periods or Parts of his Speech, a large Belt of white Wampum, recommending a mutual Friendship between them and all his Subjects whatsoever on this Side the great Water; then several Strings of black Wampum, with a Hatchet, to be made Use of against all the Enemies whatsoever of his said Subjects, more especially against the Ohio Indians; and lastly, some other Strings of white Wampum, with a Proposition for their future Assistance of Virginia against those Indians in particular, by relieving Parties on the Frontiers, only under his Passports; and a Regulation recommended, which is calculated to reduce the present great and growing Expence upon Indians, to obtain a more effectual Assistance from them, and to render the Settlements more quiet and secure.

King Haigler, after some Pause, made the following Answer.

I am glad to hear this Talk from King George. It hath entered my Heart; I will never forget it, but remember it so long as I live. The white People and my People are like two Brothers that came out of one Womb, and we will live as such for ever. We were at War heretofore with the Six Nations; the white People took the Hatchet out of our Hands, and threw it into the Water (alluding to the Peace made at New York, 1751, by the repeated Invitations of the Governors of that Province, and by the Persuasions of the Governors of South-Carolina) and now they have again put it into our Hands, we will use it, till they bid us throw it into the Water again. When I was at New-York, to make Peace with the Six Nations, I said, that I and my People would always fight against the Enemies of the white People. The Ohio Indians have behaved badly; and the Six Nations, and I and my People, are now all ready to join and go against them. I cannot say much now; for we are like Travellers met on the Road, who are in Haste, and have not Time enough to talk together. This Wampum and Hatchet shall remain in the Catawba Nation so long as it is a Nation; for the King that comes after me shall have them, and take the same Care to deliver them to the next.

I and my Warriors give Thanks to the Governor of Virginia for what he hath given us.

I have no more to say at present: but shall be very glad to see you in our Towns: We shall have Time to talk more together, and I will mind whatever you shall then say to me.

Then the King shook Hands with the Agent, locked his right Arm in his at full Length.

Now you have spoke like a Catawba; I never knew the Catawbas asked twice to do any Thing: I have been so vexed and uneasy at what hath passed since I met with you at Williamsburg, that it hath broke my Sleep; but now I am glad to hear what you have said, and my Heart is light at parting.

Soon after the King and his People came and took leave affectionately, and crossed the River.

The Persons who afterwards conducted them thro' the Settlements to the Boundary Line of North Carolina, report, That no Men could behave better than they did in all their March; that they were continually talking of the Agent and his Speech with the greatest Satisfaction, and often repeated, that they would send fresh Parties to our Frontiers.

'Tis to be hoped that those who were present, and knew what passed, while those Indians were here in Williamsburg, and in what a Temper they left it, will, when they read the above, be convinced what an Injury Gentlemen do to their Country and themselves, who not having had sufficient Opportunities of knowing Indians and their Affairs or Manners, yet, with an ill timed, tho' well meant Intention, concern themselves too much with them, and interfere in the Management committed by his Majesty to the said Agent for the general subjects.