Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.I, p.3

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History of Cambria County, V.1

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 3

their furs to the Hudson river, would send them to what is now Philadelphia, by the way of the Susquehanna.
     On September 7, 1683, the justices had a conference with such Indians as could be reached in their haste for action. These were two Cayugas and "a Susquehanna," who were closely interrogated as to the Susquehanna's geographical and trade relations with the New York settlements, especially Albany. These close questions caused the Indians to be inquisitive. Their inquiries were: Why did the justices want to know? Were the white men coming to the Susquehanna? The chiefs were asked how this would suit them, assuming it to be correct, and they candidly replied "very well," as it would be much easier and nearer to trade there than at Albany, "insomuch as they must bring everything thither on their backs."
     The situation was alarming, and the justices hastily advised Dongan to find some way to prevent Penn from acquiring the "Susquehanna Indian title." On the 18th, Colonel Dongan informed Haige and Graham that it was considered "very convenient and necessary to putt a stopp to all proceedings in Mr. Penn's affairs with the Indians until his bounds and limits be adjusted," and furthermore "to suffer no manner of proceedings in that business" until they should be advised. The Indians were influenced by Dongan and his friends not to sell to Penn, being told that they had no right to do that, but should sell to the New York parties.
     The situation was acute and prompt action was required; therefore, to control it, Dongan purchased from some of the chiefs, especially the Senecas, these lands and the river for himself he seems to have been uncertain whether his position in this transaction was entirely honorable, although on October 10th he wrote to Penn avowing his purchase, and in another letter of the 22d he stated the "Indians had confirmed the sale;" however, he added, that he and Penn would "not fall out" over it.
     Even this purchase did not clear the haze, and Penn's efforts were causing much uneasiness in New York for fear of losing the Indian trade. It went so far that in 1691 the Provincial Council of New York presented a petition to William III, earnestly requesting the dispossessing of Penn altogether. They represented that "The Susquehanna is situate in the middle of the Sinnekes country," and that it had been given to the Duke of York many years before Penn had received his

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	3
their furs to the Hudson river, would send them to what is now Philadelphia, by the way of the Susquehanna. On September 7, 1683, the justices had a conference with such Indians as could be reached in their haste for action. These were two Cayugas and "a Susquehanna," who were closely interrogated as to the Susquehanna's geographical and trade relations with the New York settlements, especially Albany. These close questions caused the Indians to be inquisitive. Their inquiries were: Why did the justices want to know? Were the white men coming to the Susquehanna? The chiefs were asked how this would suit them, assuming it to be correct, and they candidly replied "very well," as it would be much easier and nearer to trade there than at Albany, "insomuch as they must bring everything thither on their backs." The situation was alarming, and the justices hastily advised Dongan to find some way to prevent Penn from acquiring the "Susquehanna Indian title." On the 18th, Colonel Dongan informed Haige and Graham that it was considered "very convenient and necessary to putt a stopp to all proceedings in Mr. Penn's affairs with the Indians until his bounds and limits be adjusted," and furthermore "to suffer no manner of proceedings in that business" until they should be advised. The Indians were influenced by Dongan and his friends not to sell to Penn, being told that they had no right to do that, but should sell to the New York parties. The situation was acute and prompt action was required; therefore, to control it, Dongan purchased from some of the chiefs, especially the Senecas, these lands and the river for himself he seems to have been uncertain whether his position in this transaction was entirely honorable, although on October 10th he wrote to Penn avowing his purchase, and in another letter of the 22d he stated the "Indians had confirmed the sale;" however, he added, that he and Penn would "not fall out" over it. Even this purchase did not clear the haze, and Penn's efforts were causing much uneasiness in New York for fear of losing the Indian trade. It went so far that in 1691 the Provincial Council of New York presented a petition to William III, earnestly requesting the dispossessing of Penn altogether. They represented that "The Susquehanna is situate in the middle of the Sinnekes country," and that it had been given to the Duke of York many years before Penn had received his