USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > History of Greenfield : shire town of Franklin county, Massachusetts, Vol. I > Part 13
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During this interval of peace the Indians who formerly lived in the valley, or their descendants, were constantly visit- ing their old camping places and exchanging their skins and game with the whites for provisions, and if possible for " fire water." Sometimes when in an exalted mood an Indian would boast of his great prowess during the late war and of the kill- ing of some settler. When this led to the mysterious disap- pearance of some exultant hero it became the cause of much anxiety to the responsible authorities.
Journal of James Corse.
In 1730 James Corse undertook a journey to Canada for the rescue of his sister Elizabeth, who was taken captive at the Deerfield massacre in 1704. He had papers dated April 13, of that year under the seal of the Province for safe conduct, and probably was aided in a financial way by the government. As was required of all scouts, he kept a journal in which he made entries as he proceeded upon his journey.
" Monday the 27th, of April, 1730, at about 12 of the clock, we left Fort Dummer & travelled that day 3 miles & lay down that night by West river, which is three miles distant from Fort Dummer.
" No ta bene. I travelled with 12 Canada Mohaws that drank to great excess at the Fort & killed a Scatacook Indian in their drunken condition, that came to smoke with them.
" Tuesday we travelled upon the great river about ten miles.
" Wednesday we kept the same course upon the great river, travelled about ten miles & eat a drowned Buck that night.
" Thursday travelled upon the great river within two miles
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of the great Falls, (Bellows Falls) in said river, there we went upon land to the Black river above the great Falls went up that river & lodged about a mile & a half from the mouth of Black river, which days travel we judged was about ten miles.
" Friday we crossed Black river at the Falls, afterwards travelled through the woods N. N. W., then cross Black river again about 7 miles above our first crossing, then travelled the same course & pitched our tent on the Home- ward side of Black river.
" Saturday we crossed Black river, left a great mountain on our right hand & another on our left, kept a north west course till we pitch our tent after II miles travel by a brook which we call a branch of Black river.
" Sabbath day. Soon after we began our days work an old squaw, pregnant, that travelled with us, stopped alone & was delivered of a child & by Monday noon overtook us with a living child upon her back.
" We travelled to Black river at the three islands between which & a large pond we passed the river, enter a mountain that afforded a prospect of the place of Fort Dummer. Soon after we enter a descending country & travel until we arrive at Arther (Otter) creek in a descending land on this day's travel which is 20 miles ; we came upon several brooks which run a north west course at the north end of said mountain. From Black river to Arthers Creek we judge is 25 miles.
" Monday, made canoes.
" Tuesday, Hindered travelling by rain.
" Wednesday, We go in our canoes upon Arthers creek till we meet two great Falls in said river. Said river is very black & deep and surrounded with very good land to the extremity of our prospect. This day's travel is 30 miles.
" Thursday, we sail 40 miles in Arthers Creek. We meet with great Falls & a little below them with two other pretty large falls. We conveyed our canoes by these falls & came to the Lake. This day we sailed 35 miles."
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JAMES CORSE GETS AN ALLOWANCE
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Corse on his return to Deerfield filed a petition in the General Court in which he asked the " consideration of the court for his charges he has been at in a journey to Canada, in order to Redeem his sister, who was captivated by the Indians when Deerfield was taken; and for services by him done the Province on his journey thither." The court al- lowed him the "further sum of ten pounds." His sister Elizabeth was known to have been in Canada in 1716 but no evidence is found that she ever returned from captivity.
In 1743 when a new French and Indian war was staring the Province in the face, and men of the experience of Corse were likely to be of value, he again petitioned the General Court for some "suitable reward for his pains & costs & charge " rep- resenting that Mr. Dummer, the commander in chief in 1730, had assured him that " he should have some reward from the Public provided he should go in the Indian road from Fort Dummer to otter creek which the government were about to employ some person in order to find out."
In March, 1744, the court voted him an additional three pounds " as an encouragement to him to serve the govern- ment as a pilot if need be."
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CHAPTER XIV
CONFERENCE WITH THE CAGNAWAGA, ST. FRANCIS, MOHEAG, SCATACOOK AND HOUSATONIC INDIANS
"A man along that road is led, Which he himself desires to tread."
I T was thought wise by the General Court to have a con- ference with these Indians, and renew the treaty made at Albany in 1724. In order that the affair might be as im- pressive as possible, a large committee of the members of the General Court were appointed to attend Governor Belcher on the occasion, and to these were added ten members of the Council.
The meeting was to be held the last week in August at - Deerfield, and invitations to the Indians had been given out long before hand.
Colonel John Schuyler writes the Governor from Albany, dated August 10, 1735, saying : " This day the Delegates of the 6 Nations are moving from hence towards New England as prudently fitted & instructed as I am capable of. I doubt not but that they will ans" the expectations of the govern"t of the Massachusetts, tho 'tis likely there may be more in the number of the delegates than by y' govt is expected it is that wch I could not avoid."
Concerning this conference, George Sheldon in his History of Deerfield, says : " In conferences between the English and Indians a journal was always kept, in which was recorded in full all the speeches, propositions and replies of each party, both at their public meetings and private interviews. Nothing
I4I
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INDIAN CONFERENCE AT DEERFIELD
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of the kind relating to this conference can be found. Our eminent historian, Gen. Hoyt, in his ' Antiquarian Re- searches' speaks of a treaty with the Cagnawagas in 1735, but he did not know that it was held in his native town, and even on the acres of his ancestor. If he had heard traditions of the fact, he discredited them, and says the treaty was at Fort Dummer, and what is very singular, he was so certain of this, that disbelieving the statement of an Indian chief, whom he was quoting, that the conference was 'at Deerfield ' he garbled the quotation, to make him say that it was 'at Fort Dummer.'
In the summer of 1900, the writer was successful in finding in the Boston Public Library the official record of the con- ference, which is here given entire.
" At a Conference Held at Deerfield, in the County of Hampshire, the twenty-seventh day of August, Anno Regni Regis Georgij Secunde, Magnae Brittannie, Franciaeet Hi- berniae &c. Nono Annoq Domini 1735. By & between His Excellency, Jonothan Belcher, Esq., Captain General and Governour in Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and Duntaussoogoe, and others, Chiefs of the Canaga Tribe of Indians &c., who were accompanied by a Number of the St. Francis Indians, who, at their own desire were included in the Treaty with the Cona- waga's, the whole being twenty seven.
" Cuncupot, Naunauttooghijan and Weenpauk, Three chiefs of the Scautacook Tribe, and others, including seventeen of the Moheegs, making Eighty in the whole.
"His Excellency being seated at a large Table under a spa- cious Tent for that Purpose prepared, attended by a Quorum Majesty's Council, and a Committee of the Honorable of His House of Representatives thereto appointed by the General Court, with a great Number of Gentlemen and other specta- tors.
"The Union Flagg flying at the Head of the Tent.
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"His Excellency first received the Canawaga Tribe of Indians, with the St. Francoes, who were placed in Seats at a suitable Distance over against His Excellency : they having first made their Compliments to the Governour by shaking Hands &c. Joseph Kellogg Esq. being a sworn Interpretor.
" Governour to the Interpretor : Inform the Chiefs I shall speak.
" My good Friends and Bretheren : I give thanks to the Great GOD who has safely conducted you through a long and tedious Journey. It is a great pleasure to me that we have the Op- portunity of refreshing our Faces with the sight of each other. -Holding out one string of wampum-proceeds and says- My good Friends and Brethren, this is to wipe away all Tears from your Eyes ;- then holding out a second-This is to open your Throats that you may speak with Freedom-then a third-This is to wipe away all Blood, and to comfort you un- der all your past Difficulties-and then His Excellency de- livered them the three strings in one.
" Auontauresaunkee, Indian speaker : We that are deputied from our Tribes are come at your Excellency's Call-at your desire-and are glad we are got safe here, after a long and tedious Travel over Hills and High Mountains ; and join with the Governour in our Thanks to GOD that we see the Faces of each other in Health and Peace. As your Excellency has done to Us, we do the same in answer to You-holding a string of Wampum-proceeds and says-Our desire is that all Tears may be wiped from your Excellency's Eyes-then hold- ing out a second String-That Your Throat may be open- that all freedom of speech may be had, we desire that the path may be clear and open, and no difficulty in the way. Then holding out a third String-We desire the Place where the Governour stands may be clean from all filth of Blood .- and then he delivered the three Strings to the Governour. The Governour sent for Three of us, but usually more of us come than are sent for ; we are Eight instead of Three. We have
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brought our Wives, who we always want with us. (Then de- livers a Belt of Wampum, being in Answer to One the Gov- ernour sent them by the Messenger that called them.) We incline to be short lest we should be troublesome to the Gov- ernour. We are here the Representatives of the Three Fami- lies of the Cagnawaga Tribes, Ountausoogee, and Three others, one of the Families having sent two delegates.
" We desire nothing may be taken amiss by your Excellency : if a wrong Word should happen to fall from us, we desire it may be taken up and rectified ; it is what has been usual, and we desire it may be so now.
" The Way is now clear, the Door open for Freedom of speech : but we have nothing to say at present. We were sent for, and it is not customary for those that are drawn by the Hand to speak first, and therefore we wait to hear what your Excellency has to say, and desire you would please to appoint the time, when we shall be ready to attend.
" Governour : It is not at all disagreeable to me that more of you are come than were sent for ; you are all doubly welcome, and I am glad to see you all ; and if more had come than are here, they should have been very welcome too ; I am glad to see your Wives and Children, too.
" Ountaussoogee : Brother : Governour and Broadway : We have now shaken Hands, finished Salutation, and we take it the Method thereof is now ended according to the custom of our Forefathers.
" Governour : I take it so too: I shall signify to Capt. Kellogg when I shall be ready to speak further to you on Business, which I intend to-Morrow in the forenoon.
" His Excellency drank a Health to King GEORGE to them. They all drank with proper Salutations.
" Ountaussoogee : We are here at Your Excellency's Call, and when You say we are dismiss'd, we are ready to go : We return Thanks that we have been well provided for since we have been here : we have wanted nothing, and thank the Gov-
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ernour. When we came from Home we told our People .we purposed to return in forty Days ; we have been in this place near thirty, and now wait Your Excellency's Pleasure for our Return.
"Governour : It is in some measure owing to yourSelves that so much time is already spent; Your Answer to me not com- ing seasonably: I waited for a long while; more than Six Months. It is the Great GOD that governs the Winds and Weather, and by his Providence the Vessel sent by the Gov- ernment, from Boston with Stores has been delayed.
" Ountaussoogee : When we received Your Excellency's Message, Our Young Men were out at War, and we inclined to see the Event, for if great Loss had happened, we should have been obliged to revenge it Ourselves ; and we are now come at Your Exelency's desire. Although I am an Old Man I am not wanting Business ; sometimes being called to one Place, sometimes another, on Publick Affairs, or other- wise, as here we are now.
" Governour : We can't avoid Disappointments : I will en- deavour you shall be early dispatch'd ; there are other Tribes here expecting to be treated with, as well as you, but I consider your distance, and shall give you the first despatch.
" Ountaussoogee : We take it all Matters are over as has been customary by our Fathers at first meeting on such Occasions, and are now ready to take leave. Then the Indians made their Compliment and withdrew.
" Thursday, August 28, 1735. " The Conference continued. -Present-
" His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General and Governour in Chief, &c; Councopot, Captain and Chief of the Houssatounoc Tribe of Indians, attended with Twenty three men and Twenty Indian women and children.
" The Indians made the usual Compliments by Shaking Hands &c.
IO
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" Governour : I thank GOD who has brought you here in Safety and Health after a long and tedious Journey. I look upon you as my Children ; and hope you are good Subjects of King GEORGE. I shall always take the same care of you as of the English, and take you under my Protection at all times ; if you meet with any difficulties at any time, I expect to have notice of it; and if you have anything to lay before me now I am ready to hear it. After some Pause by the In- dians-If you are not prepared now to speak, I will give you further opportunity till the afternoon, or tomorrow Morning, and I will go on now.
" Indians : We are come here to pay Our Respects to the Governour, and hear what the Governour has to say to Us, but we have nothing to say at this time.
" Governour : I rejoyce very much at your Disposition to receive the Gospel by one of our Ministers. I hope you are well satisfied with Mr. Sargent, and with Mr. Woodbridge (who are your Minister and your School Master) and that you will dilligently and constantly attend on Mr. Sargent and Mr. Woodbridge, with your children, to receive Instruction from them. Religion is a serious thing and it ought always to be born on your Minds. If you have anything to say or pro- pose furthur to me herein, I shall rejoyce at it, and be ready to do it for the good of your Souls.
" I hope you have been well entertained since you have been here, and that every thing has been agreeable to you.
" Indians : Yes sir.
" Governour : I have nothing furthur to say at present. I will meet you when you are ready, this afternoon, or tomor- row Morning.
" I drink to you all with a Heart full of respect : I drink the - great King GEORGE's Health to you.
" Capt. Cancaupot : We drink a health to King GEORGE, and the Covernour.
" Indians : We are very glad the Governour takes so much
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Care of us, it takes all sorrow from our Hearts, and we hope (as GOD shall enable us) to perform what Your Excellency has recommended to us.
" Governour : I have nothing further to say to you at pres- ent, but whenever you would speak to me I shall be ready to hear you.
" The Indians withdraw.
" Thursday, August 28, 1735. " The Conference continued.
"Present.
" His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Captain General and Governour in chief &c, Marsequunt, Naunaulooghijan, Weenpauk, chiefs of the Scautacooks, with Sixty three Men and Women attending ; and also Seventeen of the Moheeg Tribe with them.
"The Chiefs above with the others, paid the usual Comple- ment to the Captain General, by shaking Hands, &c.
" Governour : I am very glad to see such a Number of King GEORGE's good Subjects in Health and Peace here to- gether. I look upon you all as my Children, and shall take the same care of you as I do of the English at all times. If you meet with any Difficulty at any time from the People, you must repair to me, where you shall meet with all manner of Justice. The Government has set up a Trading House un- der Capt. Kellogg's Care, that you may be continually Sup- plied in the best manner, and not cheated in your Trade : They have also sent a Minister to the Trading House at Fort Dummer, and another to Houssatonnoc, that you as well as the Indians there may be instructed in the true knowl- edge of JESUS CHRIST. I hope you have been well enter- tained here, and that everything has been agreeable to you since you have been here.
" Indians : In the morning we eat, are well entertained at Noon, and at Night lye down to Sleep : we Sleep well and are in good Health,
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" Governour : If you have anything to propose or offer to me now or to Morrow, or at any other time ; when you are ready I am ready to receive it.
" Indians : Our Father : We have heard your Excellency Say-We take extraordinary Your Care of us, not only for our temporal Good, but for the good of the Life to come, (which is the greatest Concern) that so it may be well with us with that GOD who takes care for all Men, and with whom all are alike .- and then laid down a Belt of Wampum, which they said was according to a Custom of shaking Hands.
" Governour : I have nothing further to say to you at this time : I am ready to hear whatever you may have to say to me, when you please.
" His Excellency drank King GEORGE's Health to the In- dians.
"The Indians return the Compliment : drink King GEORGE's Health and the Governours, and expressed their Thankfulness for the Opportunity of so doing ; and then took leave, and withdrew.
" Thursday, August 28, 1735. "The Conference continued.
" Present.
" His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Captain General and Governour in Chief, &c. Dauntoussoogoe, and others of the Caunawaga Tribe.
" Governour : My good friends and Brethren ; There has been a long Friendship between King GEORGE's Subjects, and the Five Nations, from whence you originally came, and there was a special Covenant made between this Goverment and You, (the Cagnawaga Indians) at Albany, eleven Years ago, which you on Your part, as well as we on Ours, have faith- fully observed hitherto, and we now readily acknowledge that you have testified your Faithfulness in divers Instances of your Friendship ; and I now come by the desire of the People of this Government to renew that Covenant, and to brighten
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the Chain, that a good understanding of Peace and Friend- ship may be cultivated and continued forever; and so the children unborn may in times to come, rejoyce in Our meet- ing together this day .- His Excellency delivers them a large Belt of Wampum.
" Auountauresaunkee : Indian : It is not to be questioned but when the Governour has done saying, He will inform us He has done.
" Governour : There are some of your People who resort to Fort Dummer where Capt. Kellogg commands : The Government have placed a FATHER there, who will be ready to learn them and their Children to Read and Write, and to inform them of the Principles of Our Religion ; If any of you are willing to be instructed therein.
" I look upon you as a free People; You are my Brethren, and you need not be afraid of any body, nor of receiving knowledge : It will cost you nothing to have your children instructed by the FATHER that lives at the Fort. It is from the same respect and love that I have for myself, that I would . have you and your Children Instructed. And this Matter I leave to your Consideration at your return Home. Then His Excellency delivered another Belt of Wampum. There is a present from the Government to be given to you, which you shall have to Morrow.
" I have done speaking for the present.
" Auountauresaunkee : Indian Speaker : stands up, and distinctly repeats every thing His Excellency has said, and he in the Name of the rest returns the hearty Thanks for the Governours Care over them and kindness for them : gratefully acknowledging the Respect shewn them by the Governour- and proceeds-' It is exceedingly kind of the Governour (and we rejoyce to see it) that the Broadway is kept Open between Us, that there is safe passing, and no hindrance or stop there- in. Matters of such Consequence as these are of great Moment, and deserve the Attention of a better Head than
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mine (which is weak) to speak to; especially what the Gov- ernour mentions as to the Covenant made eleven Years ago at Albany.
" Auontaussoogoe : Indian Chief : - rises up-and repeats again Article by Article what His Excellency had said ; Then lays down a large Belt of Wampum, doubled, and in answer to the Governours (with one end of the Belt) says-Brother- the Broadway-I am poor in the Case-Don't expect a full Answer from us here ; but I take up Your Word and shall carry it home to them that sent us here; they are now upon their knees waiting for our Return; they are the Three Families of the Caghnawaga Tribe, and they with us will take these Affairs, which are of such great Weight, under Consid- eration in order to give the Governour an Answer. And we give thanks to the Great GOD that he has given Your Excel- lency and Our Brethren of the BROADWAY, an heart to con- tinue of the same Mind as when the Covenant was entered into : we also rejoyce that GOD has continued us of the same Mind, and that there is no seeking of any kind but Good.
" With the other end of the Belt, He returns thanks for the Favors received. And now we have gone through the work, what have we further to do? We desire to know Your Ex- cellency's Pleasure when we may be returning Home.
" Governour : I have had News from Boston to-day; there is a ship lately arrived from England, that brings the Account that the Peace is still subsisting between King GEORGE and the French King ; yet I shall have a good Opinion of your Fidelity. If it should be War, there is no question but your Justice and Faith, as well as your Interest will hold you to Peace with us; You will be always honestly dealt with by Capt. Kellogg at the Truck House, where you may have such things as you need, at a cheaper rate than any others Can or will let you have them.
" It is with a great deal of Pleasure I have undertaken the fatigue of this Journey to meet you here, and save you the
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trouble of going to Boston. The Way to Boston is open and Clear, and I shall always be glad to see you there whenever you please to Come. On Monday I hope you will be ready to be going home, when you shall have Provision for your Journey. But you must dine with me to Morrow, when you shall have the Present, and take leave after dinner.
" The Governour drinks lasting Health and Prosperity to their Tribe.
"Ountaussoogoe drinks King GEORGE's Health and the Governours, &c.
" Friday, August 29, 1735. " The Conference Continued. " Present.
" His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General and Governour in Chief, &c. Cuncapot, Captain, and the others of the Houssatounnoc Tribe, &c.
" Governour : Captain Cuncaupot : I am now ready to hear what you now have to say. I understand you desire what you have got to say should be drawn up in Writing, and that Mr. Williams will read it, which shall be rendered to you again by your Interpreter, in short Sentences. And it was accordingly done, and thereupon the Indians manifested an universal Approbation thereof; which is in the words follow- ing ; viz :-
" Deerfield, August 29, 1735.
" May it please Your Excellency. We thank Your Excel- lency as Our Father, that we have received Your Kindness and Love; and we would express Our Duty and Subjection to Our Rightful Sovereign, King GEORGE, whom we pray GOD long to preserve. We are desirous to receive the Gos- pel of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and hope that Our
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Hearts are in what we say and that we don't speak only out of our Lips. And we are thankful that Mr. Williams and other Ministers are come to us, and pray to the Great GOD to keep them, and cause they may have Health, and long live with us. And Sir : Our Father :- We did not come to you of ourselves, and tell you that we wanted anything, and yet you have taken Care of Us as Young Children, and given us Learning &c. No Child says to his Father, I would have so and so : but a Father when he sees his Children in want is ready to help them ; and so we think Your Excellency as our Father is willing to do to us upon every account, and we pray that when we are wanting anything we may be directed to tell Col. Stoddard of it, that he may send to Your Excellency, that what we want may be done for us.
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