USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York : with a historical sketch of the county > Part 86
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In January, 1679, La Salle commenced build- ing a vessel at the mouth of the Cayuga creek, a stream that empties into the Niagara river, at the village of La Salle, Niagara county, in the State of New York. He named it the "Griffin." It was the first vessel that ever spread its sails to the breezes of Lake Eric. Accompanying | finally, the secret influences against us were so La Salle was the Missionary Father Hennepin. The following is from his account of the building and launching of the "Griffin," and the first voyage over Lake Erie :
"On the 14th day of January, 1670, we ar- rived at our cabin at Niagara, to refresh our- selves from the fatigues of the voyage. We had nothing to eat but Indian corn. Fortu- nately the white fish, of which I have herctofore
spoken, were just then in scason. This delight- ful fish served to relish our corn. We used the water in which the fish were boiled in place of sonp. When it grows cold in the pot it congeals like veal soup.
"On the 20th I heard, from the banks where we were, the voice of the Sieur de La Salle, who had arrived from Fort Frontenac in a large vessel. He brought provisions and rigging necessary for the vessel we intended building above the great fall of Niagara, near the en- trance into Lake Erie, but by a strange mis- fortune that vessel was lost through fault of the two pilots who disagreed as to the course.
"The vessel was wrecked on the South Shore of Lake Ontario, ten leagues from Niagara. The sailors have named the place La Cap En- rage (Mad Cap). The anchors and cables were saved, but the goods and bark canoes were lost. Such adversities would have caused the enter- prise to be abandoned by any but those who had formed the noble design of a new discovery.
"The Sienr de La Salle informed us that he had been among the Iroquois Senecas, before the loss of his vessel, that he had succeeded so well in conciliating them, that they mentioned with pleasure our embassy, which I shall de- scribe in another place, and even consented to the prosecution of our undertaking. This agree- ment was of short duration, for certain persons opposed our designs, in every possible way, and instilled jealousies into the minds of the Iro- quois. The fort, nevertheless, which we were building at Niagara, continued to advance. But
great, that the fort became an object of suspicion to the savages, and we were compelled to aban- don its construction for a time, and content our- selves with building a habitation surrounded with palisades.
" On the 22d we went two leagues above the great falls of Niagara and built sonic stocks, on which to erect the vessel needed for our voyage. We could not have built it in a more convenient
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place, being near a river which empties into the strait, which is between Lake Erie and the great falls. In all my travels back and forth, I al- ways carried my portable chapel upon my shoulders.
"On the 26th, the keel of the vessel and other pieces being ready the Sieur de La Salle sent the master carpenter named Moyse, to re- quest me to drive the first bolt. But the mod- esty appropriate to my religious profession in- duced me to decline the honor. He then prom- ised ten Louis d'or for that first bolt, to stimu- late the master carpenter to advance the work.
" During the whole winter, which is not half as severe in this country as Canada, we em- ployed in building bark huts of one of the two savages of the Wolf tribe, whom we had en- gaged for hunting deer. I had one hut espe- cially designed for observing prayers on holidays and Sundays. Many of our people knew the Gregorian chant, aud the rest had some parts of it by note.
" The Sieur de La Salle left in command of our ship-yard one Tonti, an Italian by birth, who had come to France after the revolution in Naples, in which his father was engaged. Pressing business compelled the former to re- turn to Fort Frontenac, and I conducted him to the borders of Lake Ontario, at the mouth of the river Niagara. While there he prc- tended to mark out a house for the black- smith, which had been promised for the con- venience of the Iroquois. I cannot blame the Iroquois for not believing all that had been promised them at the embarking of the Sieur de La Motte.
" Finally the Sieur de La Salle undertook his expedition on foot over snow, and thus . ac- complished more than eighty leagues. He had no food except a small bag of roasted corn and even that had failed him two days' journey from the fort. Nevertheless he arrived safely with two men and a dog which drew his bag- gage on the ice.
" Returning to our ship-yard, we learned that the most of the Iroquois had gone to war beyond Lake Erie, while our vessel was being built. Although those that remained were less violent, by reason of their diminished numbers, still they did not cease from coming ofteu to our ship-yard, and testifying their dissatisfaction at our doings. Sometime after, one of them, pretending to be drunk, attempted to kill our blacksmith, But the resistance which he met with from the smith, who was named La Forge, and who wielded a red hot bar of iron, repulsed him, and together with a reprimand which I gave the villain, compelled him to desist. Some days after, a squaw advised us that the Seuecas were about to set fire to our vessel on the stocks, and they would, without doubt have ef- fected their object had not a very strict watch been kept.
" These frequent alarms, the fear of the failure of provisions, on account of the large vessel from Fort Frontenac, and the refusal of the Senecas to sell us corn, discouraged our carpen- ters. They were moreover enticed by a worth- less fellow, who often attempted to desert to New York, (Nouvelle Jorck) a place which is inhabited by the Dutch, who have succeeded the Swedes. This dishonest fellow would have un- doubtedly been successful with our workmen, had I not encouraged them by exhortations on holidays and Sundays after divine service. I told them that our enterprise had sole reference to the promotion of the glory of God, and the welfare of our Christian colonies. Thus I stimulated them to work more diligently in order to deliver us from all these apprehen- sions.
" In the meantime the two savages of the Wolf tribe, whom we had engaged in our scr- vice, followed the chase, and furnished us with roe-bnck, and other kinds of deer, for our sus- tenance, by reason of which our workmen took courage and applied themselves to their business with more assiduity. Our vessel was
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consequently soon in a condition to be launched, which was done, after having been blessed ac- cording to onr church of Rome. We were in haste to get it afloat, although not finished, that we might guard it more securely from the threatened fire. This vessel was named the Griffin, (La Griffin) in allusion to the arms of the Count de Frontenac, which have two griffins for their supports, for the Sieur de La Salle had often said of this vessel, that lic would make the Griffin fly above the crows. We fired thrce guns, then sung the Te Deum, which was fol- lowed by many cries of joy.
" The Iroquois who happened to be present partook of our joy and witnessed our rejoicings. We gave them some brandy to drink, as well as to all our men, who slung their hammocks under the deck of the vessel, to sleep in greater security. We then left our bark huts, to lodge where we were protected from the insults of the savages.
" We set sail on the 7th of August, 1679, steering west-south-west. After having chanted the Te Deum, we fired all the cannons and arquebuses in presence of many Iroquois war- riors, who had brought captives from Tintonha, that is to say from the people of the prairies, who live more than 400 leagues from their cantons. We heard these savages exclaim, ganorou, in testimony of their wonder.
" Some of those who saw us did not fail to report the size of onr 'vessel to the Dutch at New York, (Nouvelle Jorck), with whom the Iroquois carry on a great traffic in skins and furs, which they exchange for fire arms, and blankets, to shelter them from the cold.
"The enemies of our great discovery, to defeat our enterprises, had reported that Lake Erie was full of shoals and banks of sand, which rendered navigation impossible. We therefore did not omit sounding, from time to time, for more than twenty leagues, during the darkness of the night.
" On the 8th, a favorable wind enabled us to
make about forty-five leagues, and we saw almost all the way, the two distant shores, fif- teen or sixteen leagues apart. The finest navi- gation in the world, is along the northern shores of this lake. There are three capes or points of land which project into the lake. We doubled the first which we called St. Francis.
"On the 9th, we doubled the two other capes, or points of land, giving them a wide berth. We saw no islands or shoals on the north side of the lake, and one large island, towards the southwest, about seven or eight leagues from the northern shore, opposite the strait which comes from Lake Huron.
"On the 10th, early in the morning, we passed between the large island, which is towards the southwest, and seven or eight small islands, and an islet of sand, situated towards the west. We landed at the north of the strait, through which Lake Huron is discharged into Lake Erie."
" Aug. 11th. We sailed up the strait and passed between two small islands of very charming appearance. This strait is more beautiful than that of Niagara. It is thirty leagues long, and is about a league broad, except about half way, where it is enlarged, forming a small lake which we call Saint Claire, the navigation of which is safe along both shores, which are low and even."
This strait is bordered by a fine country and fertile soil. Its course is southerly. On its banks are vast meadows, terminated by vines, fruit trees, groves and lofty forests, so arranged that we could scarcely believe but there were country seats scattered through their beautiful plains. There is an abundance of stags, dcer, roebucks and bears, quite tame and good to cat, more delicious than the fresh pork of Europe. We also found wild turkeys and swans in abundance. The high beams of our vessel were garnished with multitudes of deer, which our people killed in the chase.
" Along the remainder of this strait, the
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forests are composed of walnut, chestnut, plum and pear trees. Wild grapes also abound from which we made a little wine. There were all kinds of wood for building purposes. Those. who will have the good fortune some day to possess the beautiful and fertile lands along this strait, will be under many obligations to us, who have cleared the way, and traversed Lake Erie for a hundred leagues of a naviga- tion before unknown."
La Salle and his companions in this expedi- tion, were the first Europeans of whom we have any account, that beheld the rugged and forest covered hills of Chautauqua. La Salle, continued his voyage, until the Griffin cast anchor in Green Bay, on the north western coast of Lake Michigan. She was loaded with a cargo of furs, and sent upon her return voyage, but was never heard of more. After the de- parture of the Griffin, La Salle for a while awaited her return, with a portion of his party, at the mouth of the St. Joseph's river. Cruelly disappointed, but undismayed, he pushed on into the State of Illinois, where he built a fort which he called Creve Cœur, in token of his grief. He sent Hennepin, with two compan- ions, to the Mississippi, which they ascended to the Falls of St. Anthony.
In 1681 or 1682 it is believed that he jour- neyed westward from Onondaga, with the design that he had formed when he penetrated western New York, in 1669, to reach the head- quarters of the Ohio. After fifteen days of travel, says his ancient biographer, he came to " a little lake, six or seven miles in extent, south of Lake Erie, the mouth of which opened to the south-eastward." There is but little doubt that this was Chautauqua lake, and this famous explorer and his companions were probably the first Europeans who visited it.
La Salle afterwards descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and again journeyed back to Cauada and crossed the sea to France, where his government furnished him four ves-
sels, with which he again crossed the ocean and landed at the bay of Matagorda, in the State of Texas. With a few companions he traversed Texas, and penetrated as far as New Mexico, where he spent much of the year 1686, with twenty others. While on his way from New Mexico to Canada, he was assassinated by a treacherous companion. Thus perished this bold pioneer, who will long be remembered as one of the most remarkable explorers that ever visited the American continent.
HOUTON .- Baron La Honton, a French offi- cer, who in 1687 was stationed in Canada, had coasted along the northern shore of Lake Erie, and had visited its southern shore in Ohio, in his letters and memoirs gave a very interesting description of that lake and the country border- ing upon it. His description will apply to that part of Chautauqua county that lies between the highlands and the lake. Yet the country ex- tending along the southern shore of Lake Erie was but little known to Europeans, until as late as 1750. La Houton writes: "Lake Erie is justly dignified with the illustrions name of Conti, for assuredly it is the finest upon earth. You may judge of the goodness of the climate from the lat- itude of the countries which surround it. Its cir- cumference extends two hundred and fifty leagues, but it affords every where a charming prospect, and its shores are decked with oak trees, elms, chest- nuts, walnut, apple, plum trees, and vines which bear their clusters up to the very tops of the trees, upon a sort of ground which lies as smooth as one's hand. Such ornaments as these are sufficient to give rise to the most agreeable idea of landscape in the world. I cannot ex- press what quantities of deers and turkeys are to be found in these woods, and in the vast meads that lie upon the south side of the lake. At the bottom of the lake we find wild beeves (buffaloes), on the banks of two pleasant streams that disembogue into it, without catar- acts or rapid currents. It abounds with stur- geon and white fish, but trout are very scarce
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in it, as well as other fish that we take in the lakes Hurons (Huron) and Illinese (Michigan). It is clear of shelves, rocks and banks of sand, and has fourteen or fifteen fathoms of water. The
of the portage. There being no island or harbor to which they could resort for shelter, they would be under the necessity of riding at anchor, and discharging their loading by savages assure us that it is never disturbed by | batteaux. The frequency of squalls would high winds except in the months of December, January and February, and even then but sel- dom, which I am very apt to believe, for we had very few storms when I wintered in my boat, in 1688, though the boat lay open to the Lake of Hurons."
CELORON .- In 1749 the two rival countries, England and France, proceeded directly to assert their rights to the territories lying west of the Alleghenies. The French in that year sent from La Chine in Canada, Captain Bienville de Celoron, with two hundred and fourteen soldiers and Canadians, and fifty-five Iroquois and Abenakies Indians to the Ohio country, to take posession of those disputed regions in the name of the King of France. In June, 1749, this party ascended the St. Lawrence, coasted along the eastern and southern shore of Lake Onta- rio, passed up the river Niagara and along the southern shore of Lake Erie as far west as the mouth of the Chautauqua creek, arriving there July 16. A journal was kept by the expedi- tion, and we will quote from a portion of it that relates to Chautauqua county, believing that the original will be more interesting to the reader than any account substituted in place of it.
The journal describes the lake at the mouth of the Chautauqua creek to be " extremely shallow, with no shelter from the force of the winds, in- volving great risk of shipwreck in landing, which is increased by large rocks, extending more than three-fourths of a mile from the shore." The journal further says of the posi- tion here: " I found it ill-adapted for such a purpose (as a military post) as well from its po- sition as from its relation to the navigation of the lake. The water is so shallow that barks standing in cannot approach within a league
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render it a place of danger, besides there are no Indian villages in the vicinity-in fact they are quite distant, none being nearer than Ganongou and Paille Coupce (Broken Straw). In the evening Mm. de Villiers and le Borgue returned to lodge at the camp, having cleared the way for about three-quarters of a league."
The journal continues : "On the 17th, at break of day, we began the portage, the pro- secution of which was vigorously maintained. All the canoes, provisions, munitions of war and merchandise intended as presents to the Indians bordering on the Ohio, were carried over the three- quarters of a league, which had been rendered passable the day previous. The route was exceedingly difficult, owing to the numerons hills and mountains which we en- countered. All my men were very much fa- tigued. We established a strong guard, which was continued during the entire campaign, not only for the purpose of security, but for teaching the Canadians a discipline which they greatly needed. We continued our advance on the 14th, but bad weather .prevented our making much progress, as on the preceding day. I consoled myself for the delay, as it was caused by a rain which I greatly desired, as it would raise the water in the river suf- ficient to float our loaded canoes. On the 19th, the rain having ccased, we accomplished half a league. On the 20th and 21st we con- tinued our route with great diligence, and ar- rived at the end of the portage on the banks of Lake Chatacoin, on the 22d. The whole distance may be estimated at four leagues. Here I repaired my canoes and recruited my men." On the 24th the voyage was contin- ued over the lake and through the dark and winding outlet to the highlands at Jamestown.
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Here Celoron and his party encamped for the night. The journal, in describing the voy- age over the rapids from Jamestown, says : " We proceeded about a league with great difficulty. In many places I was obliged to as- sign forty men to each canoe to facilitate their passage. On the 26th and 27th we continued our voyage, not without many obstacles ; not- withstanding all our precautions to guard our canoes, they often sustained great injury by reason of the shallow water. On the 29th, at noon, I entered the La Belle Riviere. I buried a plate of lead at the foot of a red oak, on the south bank of the river Oyo (Ohio) and of the Chauougon, not far from the village of Kan- aouagon, in latitude 42° 5' 23". Chanougon is now called the Conewango, and the Indian village Kanaouagou stood upon the site of the present village of Warren, Pa. The latitude of the place, as given in the journal, is about fif- teen miles too far to the north. Celoron con- tinued his journey down the river Ohio as far as the mouth of the Great Miami. He then ascended that river and returned to Canada. He buried a Icaden plate at each of the follow- ing places : The famous rock below Franklin, known as the Indian God; at the mouth of Wheeling Creck, in West Virginia; at the mouth of the Muskingum, which plate was found by some boys in 1798; at the mouth of the Great Kanawha, found in 1846 ; and lastly at the mouth of the Great Miami.
The first leaden plate prepared for burial by Celoron on his voyage, above described, con- tains the earliest record of the name of Chau- tauqua Lake and its outlet. It is there written " Tchadakoin." This leaden plate was obtained by some artifice of the Iroquois from the French, and delivered to Sir William Johnson at his seat on the Mohawk. When Scan-agh- tra-dey-a, the Cayuga sachem, delivered the plate, he accompanied it with the following speech :
" Brother Corlear and War-ragh-i-ya-ghey,
I am sent here by the five Nations to you (with a piece of writing which the Senecas, our breth- ren, got by some artifice from Jeancour) earnest- ly beseeching you will let us know what it means, and, as we put all confidence in you, our brother, hope you will explain it ingenu- ously to us." Here he delivered the leaden plate.
"Brother, I am ordered further to acquaint you that Jeancour, the French interpreter, when ou his journey (this summer) to the Ohio river, spoke thus to the Five Nations, and others in our alliance :
"' Children, your father (meaning the French Gurnon) having, out of a tender regard for you, considering the great difficulties you labor under, by carrying your goods, canoes, etc., over the great carrying-place of Niagara, has desired me to acquaint you that in order to ease all of so much trouble for the future, he is re- solved to build a house at the other end of said carrying-place which he will furnish with all necessaries requisite for your use.'
" Brother, Jeancour also told us that he was now on his way to Ohio River, where he in- tended to stay three years, and desired some of us to accompany him thither, which we refused, whereupon he answered he was much surprised at our not consenting to go with him, inasmuch as it was for our interest and ease he was sent thither to build a house there also, at the carry- ing-place between said River Ohio and Lake Erie, where all the western Indians should be supplied with whatever goods they may have occasion for, and not be at the trouble and loss of time going so far to market as usual (mean- ing Oswego) ; after this he desired to know our opinion of the affair, and begged our consent to build in said places ; he gave us a large belt of wampum therewith, desiring our answer, which we told him we would take some time to con- sider of."
To which Sir William Johnson replied as follows :
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OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.
" Brethren of the Five Nations, I am always gład to see you at my house, but never more so than at this juncture, as it puts it in my power now to be of the greatest service to you, and of convincing you that the confidence you have al- ways reposed in me was justly grounded, and will ever prove the greatest advantage to you. While you continue to beliave as you should, and follow your brother, the governor's, advice, and not suffer yourselves to be wheedled or misled by the fine speeches of your greatest enemy, the French, who have not, nor never had, your welfare at heart, as you are sensible of, from their many former cruelties and ill- treatment to your people. But their scheme now laid against you, and yours (at a time when they are feeding you up with fine promises of serving you in several shapes) is worse than all the rest, as will appear by their own writing here on this plate." Here Sir William John- son gave a large belt of wampum to confirm what he said, which belt is to be sent through all the nations as far as the Ohio river, con- tinuing he said further :
by no means submit to the impending danger which now threatens you ; the only way to pre- vent which, is to turn Jeancour away imme- diately from Ohio, and tell him that the Freucli shall neither build there, or at the Carrying place of Niagara, nor have a foot of land more from you."
" Brethren, what I now say, I expect and in- sist upon it be taken notice of, and send to the Indians at Ohio, that they may immediately know the vile designs of the French."
To which the Cayuga Sachem replied as fol- lows :
" Brothers Corlear and Narraghigagee, I have with great attention and surprise, heard you re- peat the substance of that devilish writing, which I brought you, and also with pleasure noticed your just remarks thereon, which really agree with my own sentiments on it. I return you my most hearty thanks in the name of all the nations of your brotherly love, and cordial advice which I promise you sincerely by this belt of wampum, shall be communicated im- mediately, and verbatim to the Six Nations by myself, and moreover shall be forwarded from the Seneca Castle, with belts from each of our own nation, to the Indians at Ohio, to strengthen your desire as I am thoroughly satisfied that you have our interest at heart."
" Brethren, this is an affair of the greatest im- portance to you, as nothing less than all your lands and best hunting-places are aimed at, with a view of secluding you entirely from us, and the rest of your brethren, viz .: the Philadel- phians, Virginiaus, etc., who can always sup- The following is the original inscription on the leaden plate : ply you with the necessaries of life at a mueli lower rate than the Frenchi ever did, or could, " L'an 1749 du regne de Louis XV Rov de France, Nous Celoron, commandant d'vre de- tachment en voie pav Monsieur le Mis. de la Galissouiere, Commandant General de la Nou- velle France, pour retablir la tranquillite dans quelques sauvages de ces cantons, a vous enterre cette plaqua, au confluent De L'Ohio ct de Tchadakoiu ce 29 Juillet, pres de la riviere Oyo autrement belle riviere, pour monument du ren on vellement de possession que nous avons pris de la ditte riviere Oyo, et de toutes celles quiv tombent, et de toutes les terres de deux cotes and under whose protection you are, and ever will be safer and better served in every respect, than under the French. These and a hundred other substantial reasons I could give you, to convince you that the French are your iniplaea- ble enemies. But as I told you before, the very instrument you now have brought to me of their own writing, is sufficient of itself to convince the world of their villainous designs, therefore I need not be at the trouble, so shall only desire that you and all other nations in alliance with you, seriously consider your own interest, and jusque aux sources des dittes rivieres ainsi qu'en
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