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Show 46 TBOMAS] PENNSYLVANIA'S POLICY TOWARD THE INDIANS 597 this agreement all the preceding deeds, westward "two days'journey," etc, which would extend far beyond the Lehigh hills, were restricted to those hills. It is apparent from these deeds, which will suffice to show clearly the policy adopted by Penn, that, though just and humane, his method was somewhat peculiar. His chief object appears to have been to extinguish claims, and to give satisfaction to the natives for their possessory rights, rather than to fix definite and accurate boundaries of the lauds purchased. It seems from the wording of the deeds and tho bounds and extent indicated, that the intention was to cover all possible claims of those making the grants. Hence it was an item of little importance to the proprietor of the province that these deeds often overlapped and included areas obtained from other claimants. As the policy adopted iu this colony is clearly shown from what has been stated, it is unnecessary to refer to more than two or three of the general laws ou the subject. By the act of October 14, 1700, it was declared " that if any person presumed to buy any land of the natives within the limits of this Province and Territories, without leave from the Proprietary thereof, every such bargain or purchase shall be void and of no effect.'' This, however, failing to preveut individuals from surreptitious efforts toobtaiu possession of Indian lands, an additional and more stringent act was passed October 14,1729, as follows: A Supplementary Act to an Act of Assembly of this Province, intituled. An Act against buying Laud of the Natives. Whereas (livers Laws have, from Time to Time, been acted in this Province, for preserving Peace, and cultivating a good understanding with the Indian Natives thereof: Aud whereas, notwithstanding the Provision made by the said former Act, against purchasing Land of the said Natives, without Leave from the Proprietary, the Peace of the Public has been and may further be endangered by the Proceedings of some persous, who, to elude the said Act now in Force against such Practices, do, contrary to the Intention thereof, pretend to take Land of the Natives, ou Lease, or for Term of Years, or to bargain with the Indians for the Herbage, or for tho Timber or Trees, Mines, or Waters thereof: and others, who, without any Authority, have settled upon aud taken Possession of vacaut Lands, as well to the manifest Contravention of the Royal Grant of the Soil of this Province from the Crown to the Proprietary aud his Heirs, and the apparent Damage of such Persors who have Right to take up Lands heretofore granted to them within this Province, as to the laying a Foundation for Disputes, Misunderstandings and Breaches with the sard Natives aud others: For the Prevention whereof, Be it enacted by the Honorable Patrick Cordon, Es<i; Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, &c. by and with the Advice and Cousent of the Representatives of tho Freemen of tho said Province, iu General Assembly met, and by the Authority of the same, That no Person or Persons, llodios Politic or Corporate whatsoever, shall at any Time hereafter, for any Causo or Consideration, or on any Pretence whatsoever, presume to purchase, bargain, contract, for, have or take, of or from any Indian, Native or Natives, by any Maimer of Gift, Grant, Bargain or Sale, in Fee-simple, or for Life, Lives, Terms of Years, or any Estate whatsoever, any Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments, within the Limits of this Province, or any Manner of Right, Title, Interest or Claim, iu or to any such Lands, Tenements or Hereditaments, or in or to any Herbage, Trees, Fishings, |