The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-05-05

TAILS on the outer creek ana continues
the same course to the height of land
that divides the streams between
Lake Champlain ana river Connecti-
cut. from thence along the heights of
land opposite Missisquo and then
down to the bay. That is the land be-
longing to the seven Nations which
we have sent to settle for with you
as we have settled with York State
So we hope you will be pleased to
receive our agents, and that it will
be settled so that both sides will be
contented.
Signed by 20 chiefs of the different
nations"
The Governor referred the matter
to the Legislature and the Indian
claims were referred to special
committee of which Paul Brigham
was chairman, which reported that
while the Indians had a claim to the
above described land, by a title aris-
ing from an agreement entered into
with other nations, the aborigines of
this country, they cannot ascertain
whether that title has been extin-
guished by purchase, conquest, dere-
LECTION of occupancy or in any way
whatever"
This did not afford sufficient ba-
sis for action by the Legislature, so
an act was passed authorizing the
Governor to obtain full information
from New York in regard to the In
dian claims in that State. The act
also authorized a present of 500 to
the five chiefs in attendance on the
Legislature and not more than $3.50
for their expenses.
New York had settled with the In
dams for their lands previous to this
time, but the settlement was not
complete and final. Some claims are
still pending, or were pending only
few years ago. New York paid to the
remnants of the Iroquois 1447 pounds,
shilling 4 pence and agreed to pay
PIP pounds, 6 shillings pence an
nually.
Governor Tichenor, reporting to the
Legislature the next year, 1893, stat
ed that New York in it's settlement
was governed not so much by princi-
pies of justice as by policy. He 'con-
ceived the rights of the Indians, how
ever acquired, to have been extin-
guished. The Caughnawagas, he said,
had separated from the confederacy
and Joined the French so that their
rights were extinguished by the
treaty that terminated the war be-
tween the French and British.
Again a joint committee of the Leg
| islature took up the matter. After
long consideration they presented
report which was adopted, stating
their belief that the claims were not
founded in justice or equity, as their
rights were done away with by the
treaty of peace, and the Governor was
requested to notify the chiefs in at
tendance on the Legislature of that
decision.
! Governor Tichenor, in a message
dated October 81. 1900, stated that aft
er conferences in which the Abena-
| kis (who at one time occupied por-
tons of the territory joined he had
fully explained the matter to the
chiefs and adds:
Il cannot but flatrer myself that
they are now fully satisfied, if claim
ever existed, it is wholly eXtinguished,
and although they will not acknow-
ledge it in their official capacity yet
/ am persuaded that they will not
trouble the Legislature in the future. "
The Governors prediction failed of
Ifulfillment, for in 1912 the Indians
were back again with a longer men,
orial, stating their claims in greater
detail than before Whether this doc
ument is the production of the In
idians of some Canadian lawyer act
ing for them, it is well worth read
ing 1t is couched in the stately and
dignified style in which Cooper al
ways clothes the utterances OF his
Indian characters, and is as formal as
any communication that ever passed
between the ministers plenipotentiary
Of two European governments.
The document is too long to be
quoted here. 1t sets forth that the In
dams were the original possessors OF
the land. that they never sold 1t tC
either the English or the French ant
that it was never conquered from
them by the Indians, but has Away!
been in our hands" and renewed theil
request that an annual compensation
be made them for the land.
Nothing was done by the Legisla
ture in regard to the claim, but al
act was passed making a donation o
500 to the chiefs in attendance OF
the Legislature, and giving them $40
more to defray their expenses, blu
the Governor told them that The
State could pay them nothing OF
their claim.
In 1926 another memorial was pre-
scented renewing the request, sgne
by IA chiefs. The legislative commit
, tee to whom it was referred held tina
81 If anU claim had over existed II ha