This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1776 edition. Excerpt: ... ( ) Letters from Governor Cooke and General Ward were read. .: The Congress then resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Indian affairs, and the fame being gone through, was agreed to as follows; -; That the securing and preserving the friendship of the Indian nations, appears to be a subject of the utmost moment to these Colonies. That there is too much reason to apprehend, that administration will spare no pains to excite the several nations of Indians to take up arms against these Colonies; and that it becomes us to be very active and vigilant in exerting every prudent means to strengthen and confirm the friendiy disposition towards these Colonies, which has long prevailed among the northern tribes, and which has been lately manifested by some of those to the southward. As the Indians depend on the Colonists for arms, ammunition and clothing, which are become neT cesiary to their subsistance, that Commissioners be appointed by this Congress, to superintend Indian affairs in behalf of these Colonies. . That there be three departments of Indians, the northern, middle, and southern. The northern to extend so far south as to include the whole of the Indians known by the name of the Six Nations, and all the Indians northward of those nations. The southern department to extend so far north as to include the Cherokees, and all the Indians that may be to the southward of them. The middle to contain the Indian nations that lie between the other two departments. That That sive commissioners be appointed for the southern department. That for each of the other two departments there be appointed three commissioner? DEGREES That the commissioners have power to treat with, the Indians in their respective departments, in the name an