VIRGINIA SENDS OBJECTIONS TO STUART TO BOUNDARY OF TREATY OF HARD LABOR

At a Council held December 16th 1768

Present: His Excellency John Blair Robert Carter Richard Corbin Robert Burwell John Taylor John Page Esquires Andrew Lewis and Thomas Walker Esquires Commissioners appointed in behalf of this Government to meet Sir William Johnson and the Northern Indians, this day made a report of their proceedings, and produced a certified copy of the deed executed for the lands ceded to the Crown of Great Britain, with a talk of the Sachems on the Subject; also an Account of their expences and disbursements in the said service

Ordered That the said Account be refered to the Auditor for his examination.

The Commissioners having made some remarks, which they committed to writing and delivered to the Board, upon the treaty concluded with the six nations, and on the ensuing Congress with the Cherokees, the Council, having maturely considered the same, were of opinion, that prosecuting that Service in the manner directed by Mr. Stuart, and runing a Boundary line as proposed by him, would be highly injurious to this Colony, and to the Crown of Great Britain, by giving to the Indians, an extensive tract of Land, a great part of which they never had, or pretended a right to, but actually disclaimed; and advised that the said Commissioners should proceed with all possible expedition to So. Carolina, and represent to Mr. Stuart the important object of a just boundary to be ascertained with the Cherokees in a true and proper light, and signify to him, that if he adheres to the opinion he has hitherto entertained thereof this Government cannot cooperate in that Service, until more explicit and precise instructions shall be obtained from his Majesty. It appearing by a letter from Mr. Archibald Cary that great part of the goods des(tined) for the Cherokees are damaged and some destroyed, it was the advice of the Council that fresh and proper goods be purchased in lieu of them to that value, and that the Commissioners accept of Mr. Camerons proposal signified to the President in his letter of the 9th of June, to have them bought of the Gentleman who trades in the nation who has offered to deliver them at Toquch at an advance which Mr. Cameron thought reasonable and that they dispose of the damaged goods to the best advantage.