MS (DNA: PCC, No. 30); entirely in TJ’s hand, but with alterations on other hands as noted below; endorsed in Thomson’s hand: “No. 6. Report of Mr Jefferson Mr Howell Mr Williamson On 4 and 5 of instructions of 15 Oct. 1783. to comrs. for negotiating with Indians. Entd. read. 4 March 1784. passed 19 March 1784.” Printed JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xxvi, 152–4.

The original report of the committee to whom were referred various letters and documents pertaining to Indian affairs was submitted on 15 Oct. 1783 and is in JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xxv, 681–94. The fourth article is at p. 686; it provided for a boundary line beginning at “the mouth of the great Miami River, which empties into the Ohio, thence along the said river Miami to its confluence with the Mad river; thence by a direct line to the Miami fort at the village of that name on the other Miami river which empties into Lake Erie; thence along the last mentioned river to lake Erie, comprehending all the lands between the above mentioned lines and the State of Pennsylvania on the East, Lake Erie on the North and the River Ohio on the South East.” The fifth article is at p. 687 and provided that the commissioners hold one convention with the Indian tribes and their allies and dependents inhabiting the area embraced by the northern and middle departments, together with the western territory, “and only yield to seperate conventions in case of inevitable necessity.” The committee consisting of TJ, Howell, and Williamson was appointed 3 Mch. 1784 (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xxvi, 123; Committee Book, PCC: No. 186). The Journals do not mention the fact that on the same day there was referred to TJ, Howell, and Lee a report of another committee to whom had been referred the eighth article of the report on Indian affairs; the earlier committee had reported on 24 Oct. 1783 concerning the acquisition and control of supplies to be furnished the Indians at the forthcoming treaty (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xxv, 747; the endorsement on the report and Committee Book, PCC: No. 186, show that it was recommitted on 3 Mch. 1784). The report on this revision of the eighth article, in the handwriting of Howell and Gerry, was handed in 4 Mch. and adopted on 19 Mch.; it provided for the purchase of goods not to exceed $15,000 in value and for employment by the commissioners of persons to receive, transport, and have custody of such goods (PCC: No. 30; JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xxvi, 154–5). It was this same committee (TJ, Howell, and Lee) that reported on 5 Mch. concerning further arrangements necessary for carrying out the treaty (see note to TJ to Clark, 4 Mch. 1784). For the cession of lands made by the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix in 1784, see Adams, Atlas of American History, 1943, plate 90; see note to Madison to TJ, 17 Oct. 1784.