Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-10-20
chasing their lands but that the Indians
might sell them to third party.

chasing their lands but that the Indians
might sell them to a third party
The proposition respecting Indian boun-
dairy thus explained, and connected with
the right of sovereignty ascribed to the In
dams over the country, amounted to nothing
less than demand Of the absolute cession
of the rights both Of sovereignty and of coil.
We cannot abstain from remarking to you,
that the subject (of Indian boundary was
indistinotIy stated when first proposed, and
that the explanations we're at first obscure
and always given with reluctance. And it
was declared from the first moment, to be q
sine qua non, rendering any discussion I'M
profitable until il was admitted as basis.
Knowing that we had no power 10 cedc 10
the Indians any part of our territory. we
thought IL unnecessary 10 ask, what proba.
bly, would not have been answered till the
principle was admitted, where the line of
demarkation of the Indian country was pro-
posed to be established
The British Commissioners after having
repeated that their Instructions ON the sub
ject of the Indians were peremptory, stated
that unless we could. give some assurance.
that our powers would allow US to make at
least provisional arrangement on the sub
Ject, any further discussion would be fruit
less, and that they must consult their own
government on this state of things. They
proposed accordingly a suspension of the
conferences, Until they should have received
an answer, 1t being understood that each
party might call meeting whenever they
had any proposition to submit. They des-
patched special messenger the same
evening, and we are now waiting for the
result.
Before the proposed adjournment took
place, it was agreed, that there should be
protocol of the conferences that state
ment should for that purpose be drawn up
by each party, and that we should meet the
next day to compare the statements. We
accordingly met again on Wednesday the
10Th instant. and ultimately agreed upon
what should constitute the protocol of tho
conferences. A copy of this instrument, we
have the honor to transmit with this des-
patch and we also enclose a copy of the
statement originally drawn up on our part.
for the purpose Of making known to YOU the
! passages to winch the British Commission
ers objected
Their objection to some Of the passages
was, shds ehcy aPPcaTcu 10 Uc hrgumenta-
tive, and that the object of the protocol was
to contain a mere statement of facts. They;
however, objected to the insertion Of the
answer which they had given to our ques-
ton respecting the effect of the proposed
Indian boundary but they agreed to an al
teration of their origional proposition on
that subject, which renders it much more
explicit than stated, either III the first con-
ference or in their proposed draught Of the
protocol They also objected TO The inser-
ton Of the fact, that they had proposed to
adjourn the conferences, until they could
obtain further instructions from their go
vernment The return of their messenger
may, perhaps, disclose the motive Of their
reluctance in that respect
We have the honor to be, very respectful
~, sir, your humble and obedient servants,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
IA BAYARD,
III CLAY,
IONA. RUSSELL.