Message to the New York State Senate, 29 March 1796
Message to the New York State Senate
New York, 29 March 1796
Gentlemen,
It appears to me that the concurrent resolution of the two houses of the Legislature of the twenty-fourth instant1 respecting the Mohawk Indians now in town applies only to the four who were mentioned in my message,2 and who as the resolution states have not adequate powers to make any settlement respecting the claims of their constituents to certain lands in this State.3
But besides these four, there are two others here, viz. Aaron Henry Hill the son of Brandt, and Aaron Hill the son of Capt. David.4 I understand from Mr. Chapin5 the superintendent of the United States for Indian affairs that pursuant to the advice of one or more of the late commissioners of this State, they were deputed, and fully authorized by the Mohawks to come to this city and to treat and finally conclude of and concerning their claims to lands in this State.
These two deputies came here some weeks ago in company with the superintendent and with him went on to Philadelphia without having made any communications to me relative to the object of their deputation.
About a fortnight ago they returned here and sometimes came to me in company with the other four; but on no occasion made known to me the nature and extent either of their claims or of their authority. I learn of the superintendent that they expected their business here would be brought on by a member of the Legislature.
Under these circumstances I think it advisable to ask the direction of the Legislature, whether I am to consider the concurrent resolution as extending to these two as well as the other four.
The superintendent, with whom they expect to return, has been so obliging as to furnish me with a statement of the presents which are usually made to Indians on such occasions; this statement including an account of their expenses will accompany this message.6
John Jay
PtD, N.Y. Senate Journal, 19th sess., (1796), 92. , 2: 378–79.
1. , 152; , 84; , 2: 377.
2. JJ’s Message to the New York State Senate, 22 Feb. 1796, , 2: 372–3.
3. For the visit by the four-member Mohawk delegation from the Bay of Quinté to New York City, see the editorial note “Indian Affairs under Jay’s Governorship,” above.
4. The Hills were a leading Mohawk family hailing from Tionoderoge in the Mohawk Valley. Like the Brants they supported Great Britain during the war of independence and relocated to the Haudenosaunee settlement at Grand River in Upper Canada, maintaining strong friendship and kinship ties with the Brant family.
Due to the Mohawk practice of using same names or variants of the same for family members, JJ confused and misidentified the Mohawk delegates visiting New York City. “Aaron Henry Hill the son of Brandt” is probably Aaron Hill (Kanonaron) also known as “Little Aaron,” the son of Aaron Hill (Oseragighte). Aaron Hill (Kanonaron) was identified as “Aaron Hill Jr.” in the Senate records. “Aaron Hill the son of Capt. David” is probably Henry Aaron Hill (Kenwendeshon) (1770–1832), the son of David Hill (Karonghonte, Karonyonte) (d. 1790), grandson of Aaron Hill (Oseragighte) and nephew of Aaron Hill (Kanonaron). Henry Aaron Hill (Kenwendeshon) married Christina Brant (Aoghyatonashera) (b. 1742), the daughter of Joseph Brant, in 1795. Henry Aaron Hill (Kenwendeshon) was identified as “Henry A. Hill” in the Senate records. The editors wish to thank Professor Jamie Paxton of Moravian College for providing this information.
5. Israel Chapin Jr. (1764–1833).
6. Statement not found.