commendable zeal, has bestowed much labor upon
the questions connected with the treaty, and the results which have
been attained can scarcely fail to satisfy a candid inquirer. All
claim to a peculiar distinction for William Penn, on account of the
singularity of his just proceedings in this matter is candidly waived,
because the Swedes, the Dutch, and the English had previously dealt
thus justly with the natives. It is in comparison with Pizarro and
Cortes that the colonists of all other nations in America appear to an
advantage; but the fame of William Penn stands, and ever will stand,
preeminent for unexceptionable justice and peace in his relations with
the natives.

Penn had several meetings for conference and treaties with the
Indians, besides those which he held for the purchase of lands. But
unbroken and reverently cherished tradition, beyond all possibility of
contradition, has designated one great treaty held under a large
elm-tree, at Shackamaxon (now Kensington)[2], a treaty which Voltaire
justly characterizes as "never sworn to, and never broken." In Penn's
Letter to the Free Society of Traders, dated August 16, 1683, he
refers to his conferences with the Indians. Two deeds, conveying land
to him, are on record, both of which bear an earlier date than this
letter; namely, June 23d and July 14th of the same year. He had
designed to make a purchase in May; but having been called off to a
conference with Lord Baltimore, he postponed the business till June.

The "Great Treaty" was doubtless unconnected with the purchase of
land, and was simply a treaty of amity and friendship, in confirmation
of one previously held, by Penn's direction, by Markham, on the same
spot; that being a place which the Indians were wont to use for this
purpose. It is probable that the treaty was held on the last of
November, 1682; that the Delawares, the Mingos, and other Susquehanna
tribes formed a large assembly on the occasion; that written minutes
of the conference were made, and were in possession of Governor
Gordon, who states nine conditions as belonging to them in 1728, but
are now lost; and that the substance of the treaty is given in Penn's
Letter to the Free Traders. These results are satisfactory, and are
sufficient corroborated by known facts and documents. The Great
Treaty, being distinct from a land purchase, is significantly
distinguished in history and tradition.

The inventions of romance and imagination could sca