Page 298 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

294 WISCONBIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.

their history to the present times, after their settlement in their
new home as aforesaid. Their pale-faced brethren began, after
a ahile, to settle among them, worked some of their land on
shares, some leased the lands for a term of years, and, in some
instanccs, for the extraordinary tern1 of ninety-nine years ; and
at their own risk, commenced making valuable improvements,
both in clearing the lands and erecting buildings. It will
readily be perceived, that such a procedure would, in process
of time, lead to difficulties and perplexities. As might have
been expected, the white men refused to leave the soil until they
had received ample, and, in some instances, extortionate, sums
of money, as indemnity for their improvements. Finally such1
strife and contention grew out of this state of afitirs, that the
parties found it' necessary to apply to the Government of the
State of New York, to adjust their difficnlties. On examination,
the Legislature found the case so complex, and the claims of
each party such, that equal justice could not be meted out to
each in any other manner than to divide the whole tract of land
into tyo equal parts. The Indians were then allowed to choose
one part, and all the whites who were found residing on such
part, were forthwith required to leave, and settle on the other
half of the town or tract, and all the Indians who were found
residing on the last-mentioned half, were required to remove
on to the first-chosen part. The part on which the whites now
found themselves, was then thrown into market, and the money
arising from the sale thereof, was deposited in the Treasury of
the State of New York, for thc benefit of the Brothertown In-
dians. It will be borne in mind, however, that the whites were
first indemnified for their improvements, out of said money,
when the Brothertowns drew the interest on the remainder, an-
nually, until the year 1841, when they petitioned and drew out
the principal, about $30,000.
After their difficulties were adjusted by the Legislature, as
aforesaid, the whites and Brothertowns lived as neighbors, and
trafficked together in peace and harmony for several years; and