Present The Kings most Excellent Majesty
Whereas Benjamin Franklin Esquire, Agent
appointed by the Assembly of Pensilvania, did some time since
present his humble Petition to His Majesty at this Board, relating
to the Differences subsisting between His Majestys Subjects, and
the Indians bordering upon the said Province, concerning large
Quantitys of Land, which the said Indians alledge they have been
deprived of, without their Consent, or Satisfaction made them for
the same, particularly of the Lands which are included within the
Forks of the River Delawar, and also of other Lands on both Sides
the said River. His Majesty having taken the same into
Consideration, and received the Opinion of the Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations, and also of a Committee of the Lords of
His Majestys most Honourable Privy Council thereupon, is pleased,
with the Advice of His Privy Council, to Order as it is hereby
Ordered, that His Majestys Agent for Indian Affairs, do examine
thoroughly into the Complaints of the Delawar Indians, with respect
to Lands which they alledge they have been defrauded of by the
Proprietaries, and that for this Purpose he do take the earliest
Opportunity of signifying to them, that he has, in Consequence of
what passed at the Conferences in July and August 1757, received
His Majestys Orders to enquire into their Grievances, and press
them to appoint such time and Place, as shall be most convenient to
them for that purpose; That he do likewise give timely Notice of
such Meeting to the Commissioners appointed by the Proprietaries to
act on their Part, to the End they may come properly instructed,
and prepared, to support the Claims of their Constituents, and that
when he shall have made a full and particular Enquiry into the
Circumstances of the Case, and heard what all Partys may have to
offer, he do transmit his Proceedings in this Business to the Lords
Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, in order to be laid before
His Majesty, together with his Opinion of what may be proper to be
done thereupon. And the said Lords Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations are to signify the same to His Majestys said Agent for
Indian Affairs accordingly.