From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 9 March 1802
To the Senate
Gentlemen of the Senate
The Governor of New York has desired that in addition to the negociations with certain Indians already authorised under the superintendance of John Taylor, further negociations should be held with the Oneidas and other members of the confederacy of the 6. nations for the purchase of lands in, & for, the state of New York, which they are willing to sell, as explained in the letter from the Secretary at War herewith sent. I have therefore thought it better to name a Commissioner1 to superintend the negociations specified, with the six nations generally, or with any of them.
I do accordingly nominate John Taylor of New York to be2 Commissioner for the US. to hold a convention or conventions between the state of New York and the confederacy of the six nations of Indians, or any of the nations composing it.
This nomination, if advised & consented to by the Senate, will comprehend and supercede that of Feb. 1. of the same John Taylor, so far as it respected the Seneca Indians.
Th: Jefferson
Mar. 9. 1802.
RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 7th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by Senate clerks. PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL with notation “Taylor to hold convention betw. N.Y. &6. nations.” Enclosure: Henry Dearborn to TJ, 5 Mch.
COMMISSIONER: Meriwether Lewis delivered this message to the Senate on 10 Mch. The Senate approved the nomination the following day (, 1:408, 409). For the earlier appointment of John Tayler to represent the U.S. at negotiations with the Seneca and St. Regis Indians, see Henry Dearborn to TJ, 8 Jan. 1802, and TJ to the Senate, 1 Feb. 1802.
1. Preceding two words interlined in place of “an Agent.”
2. Preceding two words written over an erased word, “agent.”