History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 20

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 20

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were, and are, daily heaped upon us. Upon which principles (which are un.lediable) we have been appointed to consult methods to con- tribute what little lies in our power to save our devoted country from ruin and devastation ; which, with the assistance of divine providence, it is our fixed and determined resolution to do; and if called upon we shall be foremost in sharing the toil and danger of the field. We consider New England suffering in the common canse, and commiser- ate their distressed situation ; and we should be wanting in our duty to our country and to ourselves if we were any longer backward in announcing our determination to the world.

" We know that some of the members of this committee have been charged with compelling people to come into the measures which we have adopted, and with drinking treasonable toasts. But as we are convinced that these reports are false and malicious, -spread by our enemies with the sole intent to lessen us in the esteem of the world,- and as we are conscious of being guilty of no crime, and of having barely done our duty, we are entirely unconcerned as to anything that is said of us, or can be done with us. We should, however, be careless of our character did we not wish to detect the despicable wretch who could be so base as to charge us with things which we have never entertained the most distant thoughts of. We are net ignorant of the very great importance of your office as superintendent of the Indians, and, therefore, it is no more our duty than our inclina- tien to protect you in the discharge of the duty of your proper prov- inee, and we meet you with pleasure in behalf of ourselves and our constituents, to thank you for meeting the Indians of the upper posts of the county, which may be the means of easiog the people of the re- mainder of their fears on this account, and preventing the Indians committing irregularities on their way down to Guy Park. And we heg of you to use your endeavors with the Indians to dissuade them from interfering in the dispute with the mother-country and the col- onics. We cannot think thit, as you and your family possess very large estates in this county, you are unfavorable to American freedom, although you may differ with us in the mode of obtaining a redress of grievances. Permit us further to observe that we cannot pass over in silence the interruption which the people of the Mohawk distriet met in their meeting, which, we are informed, was conducted iu a peaceable manner ; and the inhuman treatment of a man whose only crime was being faithful to his employers, aud refusing to give an ac- count of the receipt of certain papers, to persons who had not the least color of right to demand anything of that kind. We assure you that we are much concerned about it, as two important rights of English subjects are thereby infringed, to wit, a right to meet, and to obtain all the intelligence in their power."

Dissatisfied with this council, which had been held at his house, but at the same time professing to be desirous of peace between the Indians and the inhabitants, Guy John- son had called another council in the western part of the county. Under pretense of meeting the Indians he had removed his family and retinue (armed retainers and others) from Guy Park to the house of Mr. Thompson, a resident of Cosby's Manor, a short distance above the German Flatts, where he was waited upon by Edward Wall and General Nicholas Herkimer, with the letter of which the foregoing is a part. To this letter he returned the following answer :

"COSBY'S MANOR, June 6, 1775.

" I have received the paper signed Chris. P. Yates, chairman, on behalf of the district therein mentioned, which I am now to answer, and shall do it briefly, in the order you have stated matters. As to the letter from some Indians to the Oneidas, I really knew nothing of it until I heard such a thing bad been by somne means obtained from an Indian messenger, and from what I have heard of its con- tents, I can't sec anything material in it, or that could justify such idle apprehensions ; but I must observe that those fears among the people were talked of long before, and were, I fear, propagated by some ma- licious persons for a bad purpose.

"As to your political sentiments, on which you enter in the next paragraph, I have no occasion to enter oo them or the merits of the cause. I desire to enjoy liberty of conscience and the exercise of my own judgment, and that all others should have the same privileges ; but with regard to your saying you might have postponed the affair

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

if there had been the least kind of probability that the petition of the General Assembly would have been noticed more than that of the delegates, I must, as a true friend to the country, in which I have a large interest, say, that the present dispute is viewed in different lights, according to the education and principles of the parties af- fected, and that however reasonable it may appear to a considerable number of honest men here, that the petition of the delegates should merit attention, it is not viewed io the same light in a country which admits of no authority that is not constitutionally established ; aod I persuade myself you have that reverence for his majesty that you will pay due regard to the Royal assurance given in his speech to Parliament, that whenever the Americao grievances should be laid before him by their constitutional assemblies they should be fully attended to. I have heard that compulsory steps were taken to induce some persons to come into your moensures, and treasonable toasts drank ; but I am happy to hear you disavow them. I am glad to find my calling a congress on the frontiers gives satisfaction. This was principally moy desigo, though I cannot sufficiently express my surprise at those who have, either through malice or ignorance, mis- construed my intentiona, and supposed me capable of setting the Io- diaos on the peaceable iohabitants of this country. The interest our family has in this county, aod my own, is considerable, and they have been its best benefactors ; and malicious charges, therefore, to their prejudice are highly injurious, and ought to be totally sup- pressed.

" The office I hold is greatly for the benefit and protection of this country, and oo my frequent meetings with the Indians depends their peace nod security. I therefore cannot but he astonished to find the endeavors made use of to obstruct me io my duties, and the weak- ness of some people in withholding many things from me which are indispensably necessary for reodering the Iodinos contented; and I am willing to hope that you, gentlemen, will duly consider this and discountenance the same.

" You have been misinformed as to tho origin of the reports which obliged me to fortify my house, and stand on my defense. I had it, gentlemen, from nodoubted authority from Albany, and since con- firmned by letters from one of the committee at Philadelphia, that a large body of men were to make me prisoner. As the effect this must have on the Indians might have beco of dangerous consequences to you (a circumstance not thought of), I was obliged at great expense to take those measures. But the many reports of my stopping travel- ers were false in every particular, and the only instance of detaining anybody was in the case of two New England men, which I explained fully to those of your body who brought your letter, and whercio I acted strictly agreeable to law, and as a magistrate should have done.

" I am very sorry that such idle and injurious reports meet with aoy encouragement. I rely on you, gentlemen, to exert yourselves io discountenaneing them, and am happy in this opportunity of assuring the people of a county I regard that they have nothing to apprehend from my endeavors, for I shall always be glad to promote their true interests.

"GUY JOHNSON."#

These protestations of Colonel Johnson did not allay the fears of the inhabitants. In spite of his professions it was generally believed by those who espoused the cause of the colonies, that he was meditating evil, and secretly working among the Six Nations in the British interests. These suspicions were not allayed when they saw him removing with his armed retainers and effects up the valley ; and they were fully confirmed when he proceeded to Oswego, and soon afterwards to Canada, where he encouraged and incited the Indians against the colonies throughout the war. He established his residence at Montreal, where he continued to act as Indian agent, and distributed presents and rewards among the savages.

On his journey to Canada, Johnson made a short halt at Fort Stanwix, and soon after proceeded to Ontario, where he held a council at which were present 1340 Indians.

These movements, notwithstanding his very plausible let- ters, rendered it certain that he had fully committed himself to the British interest, and was preparing for a bloody war against his former neighbors and friends of the Mohawk Valley.

Brant and the bulk of his nation accompanied him to Canada, never again to return to their beautiful homes on the Mohawk, except as enemies. The lower castle under Little Abraham, however, refused to follow the fortunes of the chief, and remained behind. The Butlers, father and son, fled along with Guy Johnson to Canada, from whence they emerged on various occasions at the head of their merciless bands to spread slaughter and desolation over the region which had been their former home. In one of these raids, Walter Butler met his just deserts at the hands of an Oneida Iodian on the banks of West Canada Creek.

Soon after Johnson's removal the following letter from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts was sent to the Congress of New York, and circulated throughout the State. It plainly shows the state of feeling in the country regarding Guy Johnson :

" IN PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, " Watertown, June 13, 1775.t

" TO THE HONORABLE DELEGATES OF THE CONGRESS OF THE Pnov- INCE OF NEW YORK :

" GENTLEMEN,-Considering the oxposed condition of the frontiers of the colonies, the daoger that the inhabitants of Canada may pos- sibly have disagreeable apprehensions from the military preparations making in several of the colonies, aod the rumors that there aro sowie appearances of their getting themselves in readiness to act in a hostilo way, this Congress have made application to the Honorable Continental Congress, desiring them to take such measures as to tbem shall appear proper to quiet and conciliate the minds of the Canadians, aod to prevent such alaniaiog apprehensions. We also have had the disagreeable accounts of methods takeo to fill the ininds of the Indian tribes adjacent to these colonies with sentiments very injurious to us; particularly we have been informed that Col. Guy Jobasoa has taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring them into a belief that it is designed by the colooies to fall upon them and cut them off. We have, therefore, desired the Hoo- orable Continental Congress that they would, with all convenient speed, use their influence in guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation ; aod we desire you to join with us in such application.

" JOSEPH WARREN, President.

" Attest: SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary."

Upon the receipt of this communication, the Congress of New York addressed a letter to Colonel Johnson, disclaimn- ing in toto the designs imputed to the Provincial authorities, both as regarded the Indians and himself. But Johnson was suspicious and wary, and would never relax any vigi- lance which he deemed necessary to guard against a surprise by the Whigs, which he constantly feared. This letter was handed to Johnson during his sojourn at Ontario, and he wrote the following reply on the 8th of July :

" GUY JOHNSON TO PETER VAN BRUGH LIVINGSTON.

"ONTARIO,È July 8, 1775. "SIR,-Though I received your letter from the Provincial Con- gress several days ago, I had not a good opportunity to answer it

t Four days before the battle of Bunker Hill.

# The location of "Ontario" is uncertaio. It may have been Os- wego or the junction of the rivers wbich form the Oswego River below Oncida Lake, or still farther west io the Seneca country, most probably the latter.

# Campbell's Anoals of Tryon County.

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

until now. I suppose, however, this will reach you safe, notwith- standing all the rest of my correspondence is interrupted by ignorant impertinents.

" As to the endeavor you speak of to reconcile the unhappy differ- ences between the Parent Stnte nnd these Colonies, be assured I ardently wish to see them ; as yet, I am sorry to say, I have not been able to discover any attempt of that kind but that of the Assem- bly, the only true legal representative of the people; and as to the individuals who, you say, officiously interrupt (in my quarter) the mode and measures you think necessary for these salutary purposes, I am really a stranger to them. If you mean myself, you have been grossly imposed on. I once, indeed, went, with reluctance, at the request of several of the principal inhabitants, to one of the people's meetings, which I found had been called by an itinerant New England leather- dresser, and conducted by others, if possible, more contemptible.# I had, therefore, little inclination to re-visit such men or attend to such absardities. And although I did not incline to think that you gentlemen had formed any designs ngainst me, yet it is most certain that such designs were formed. Of this I received a clear account by express from a friend nenr Albnny, which was soun corroborated by letters from other quarters, particularly one from a gentleman of the Committee at Philadelphia, a captain in your levies, who was pretty circumstantial; and, since, I have had the like from many others. I have, likewise, found that mean instruments were officioesly em- ployed to disturb the minds of the Indians, to interrupt the ordinary discharge of my duties, and prevent their receiving messages they had long since expected from me. To enter into a minute detail of all the falsehoods propagated, and all the obstructions I met with, though it could not fail astonishing any gentleman disposed to dis- countenance them, would far exceed the limits of a letter or the time I have to spare, as I am now finishing my congress entirely to my satisfaction, with 1340 warriors, who came hither to the only place where they could transact business or receive favors without interruption, and who nre much dissatisfied with finding that the goods which I was necessitated to send for to Montreal were obliged to be ordered back by the merchant, to prevent his being insulted or his property invaded by the mistnken populace. That their ammu- nition was stopped at Albany, the persons on this communication employed in purchasing provisions for the congresst insulted, and all my letters, as well as even some trifling articles for the use of my own table, stopped. And this moment the Mayor of Albany assured me that he was the other day roused out of his bed, nt a certain Mr. Thompson's, above the German Flatts, hy one Herkimer and fifteen others, who pursued him to search for anything he might have for me. You may be assured, Sir, that this is far from being agreeable to the Indians; that it might have produced very disagreeable conse- quences long since, had net compassion for a deluded people taken the place of every other consideration; and that the most important endeavors of a missionary; (who has forfeited his honor, pledged to me), with part of one uf their tribes, is a circoinstance that, however trifling, increases their resentment.

" I should be much obliged by your promises of discountenancing any attempts against myself, etc., did they not appear to be made on conditions of compliance with Continental or Provincial Congresses, or even Colomittees foruncd or to be formed, many of whose Resolves may neither consist with my conscience, duty, or loyalty. I trust I shall always manifest more humanity than to promote the destruction of the innocent inhabitants of a Colony to which I have been always warinly attached ; a declaration that must appear perfectly suitable to the character of a man of honor and principle, who can, on uo ac- count, neglect those duties that are consistent therewith, however they may differ from sentiments now adopted in so many parts of America.

"I sincerely wish a speedy termination to the present troubles, and I amn,

" Sir, " Your mest humble Servant, "G. JOHNSON.

" P. V. B. LIVINGSTON, EsQ."

Johnson held another council at Oswego before his final departure for Canada, the particulars of which were not preserved ; but he no doubt still further inflamed the pas- sions of the Indians against the colonies. On this occasion, it is said, he roasted an ox and broached a pipe of wine for the warriors.§

Sir John Johnson, the son of Sir William, remained at the baronial mansion, which he proceeded to fortify, and armed all the Loyalists in his neighborhood. The move- ments of these leaders of the king's party created alarm among the people who favored the colonies, and immediate steps were taken to counteract them. While Guy Johnson was at Ontario a rumor spread through the Mohawk Valley that he was organizing a powerful expedition to invade the country. His force was estimated at 800 or 900 Indians, besides a large number of Tories, and it was rumored that the attack would be made from the woods below Little Falls.

On the 11th day of July, 1775, upon receipt of this intelligence, Colonel Nicholas Herkimer, who lived a few miles below Little Falls, || wrote from Canajoharie to the Palatine committee, notifying them of the above intelli- gence being received, and proposed sending immediately to Albany for a force to meet the invaders. The committee immediately wrote an urgent letter to Albany and Schenec- tady, calling for the necessary forces " to prevent these bar- barons enterprises, and to enable them to resist their inhu- man enemies with good success, that they might not be slaughtered like innocent and defenseless sheep before rav- aging wolves." But the invasion did not occur, and for the time being the valley quieted down.

In this connection the following extract from the remarks of M. M. Jones, Esq., at the Oriskany centennial celebra- tion, are appropriate, as an explanation of the manner in which the colonial government of New York was consti- tuted aud conducted during the years clapsing between the close of English rule and the adoption of a State constitu- tion in 1777 :

" At the commencement of the Revolution, all branches of government in the colony of New York, the Governor, Council, and General Assembly were loyal to George III. and his crown. In the Assembly were a few patriotic men, like George Clinton, Philip Schuyler, Simon Boerum, Rob- ert R. Livingston, Jr., Abraham Ten Broeck, Nathaniel Woodhull ; but they were too few to accomplish more than keeping the people advised of the designs of the British government.

" The incipient machinery for beginning a government in this State was, from the necessity of the case, an emanation from the people. It had no law for its basis, except that natural law which gives man the right of self-government.

# Colonel Johnson appears to have been haughty and aristocratie to the last degree, affecting to despise all who labored for a living. Little did he anticipate the powerful nation of laboring freemen to

which such a course as he was pursuing was even then giving birth. t Referring to his congress with the Indians.

# Rev. Mr. Kirkland.

¿ Colonel Guy Johnson appenrs upon the scene at various times during the war, but always as n bitter enemy of the colonists. Ile wns with the forces that opposed General Sullivan during bis inva- sion of the country of the Six Nations in 1779, and, according to Colonel Stone, took part, nlong with Colonel John Butler, Sir John Johnson, Major Walter N. Butler, and Thayendanegea, in the battle of Newtown, or Chemung. Ile lived nt Niagara for some time fol- lowing Sullivan's enmpaign, and at the close of the war went to Eng- land, aud died in London on the 5th of March, 1788. [Gentleman's Magazine.]

| The old Herkimer mansion was above Little Falls, but the gen- cral constructed a residence below, and removed there about 1760.

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

" The first and subsequent Colonial Congresses of New York were elected as we this day elect our political conven- tions. They made laws and passed resolutions and enforced them. They assunned all the powers of a State govern- ment. The men who composed them were patriots, and many of them statesmen. Several became members of the Continental Congress, and others rose to distinction in the field.

" The second Continental Congress was to meet at Phila- delphia, May 10, 1775. As the General Assembly of New York had refused to appoint delegates to that body, the committee of the ' Sons of Liberty' for the city and county of New York, in March, 1775, issued a call to the several counties of the colony, asking them to send delegates to meet in New York City, April 20, to elect such delegates. This body, designated a Provincial Convention, was com- posed of fifty of the leading men of New York, among whom were Governors George Clinton and John Jay, Messrs. Floyd, Lewis, Livingston, and Morris, signers of the De- claration of Independence, and Generals Schuyler and Mc- Dougall. It met April 20, 1775, and its powers being exhausted by the election of delegates to Congress, dissolved itself April 22. The next day, Sunday, the news of the battle of Lexington arrived in New York. Electrified by the intelligence, the people began the work of revolution with a high hand. The general committee, increased in numbers and in powers, called upon the counties to send delegates to a ' Provincial Congress,' to be held in New York on the 22d of May, 1775.

" This first Provincial Congress elected Peter Van Brugh Livingston its first president, and James Mckesson secre- tary. It held three sessions, May 22, July 26, and Octo- ber 4, and dissolved Nov. 4, 1775.

" The second Provincial Congress was elected May 7, 1775, and held three sessions, commencing Dec. 6, 1775, Feb. 12 and May 8, 1776.

" The third Provincial Congress was elected in April, 1776, convened in New York May 18, and remained in session until June 30, when it was dissolved, as the British troops were abont taking possession of the city .*

" The fourth Provincial Congress assembled at White Plains, July 9, 1776. The Declaration of Independence was read and unanimously adopted. As the colonies had now become States, the style of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New York was changed to ' The Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York.'

" This Convention removed to Harlem July 29, and to Fishkill August 29, where it held varions short sessions until Feb. II, 1777, when it adjourned to Kingston. It met at the latter place March 6, and having formed a State constitution, was finally dissolved May 13, 1777.

" The Convention had established a temporary govern- ment by electing a Conncil of Safety, with power to act in all cases under the new constitution until the new govern- ment should be eleeted.

" During the recesses of the Colonial Congress, its powers, or those assmined by it, were exercised by committees of safety. These bodies took upon themselves all the powers

and duties inherent in the people. They raised troops and issued commissions to their officers ; they collected and dis- bursed the taxes; they defined and punished offenses against the government, including treason ; and by resolu- tions defined offenses against society and their punishment.

" In the summer of 1777 the people elected their Gover- nor, Lieutenant-Governor, Senate, and Assembly, and then the government of the Empire State was set in motion. General George Clinton, who was then in the field at the head of the New York militia, found himself elected both Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. After due considera- tion he chose the first-named office, which he held from 1777 to 1795, and from 1801 to 1804, and died while Vice-President of the United States."

CHAPTER IX.

SECOND MEETING OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

Indian Commissions and Treaties-Sir John Johnson-Events in the Mohawk Valley-The Canadian Campaign-Declaration of Inde- pendence-Fort Staowix-Brant and General Herkimer-Brant at Cherry Valley-Council at Oswego.

THE second Continental Congress, composed of delegates from the various colonies, assembled at Philadelphia on the 10th of May, 1775. The war was now in progress, and heavy reinforcements were on their way to the British army, and Congress at once took measures to prepare for the common defense, while at the same time protesting that they were only resisting the odious laws of the govern- ment, and would return to their allegiance whenever their just rights were recognized, and the hostile armies withdrawn. They also resolved once more to draw up and present "a humble and dutiful petition to the king." and prepared ad- dresses to the people of Great Britain, to those of Canada, and to the Assembly of Jamaica. A bill was passed for the immediate equipment of 20,000 men, and for raising $3,000,000 on bills of credit for the prosecution of the war; and GEORGE WASHINGTON, of Virginia, was nominated by John Adams, of Massachusetts, and commissioned Com- mander-in-Chief of the American army. "On the 4th of July Congress denounced the two aets of Parliament of the preceding session, restraining the trade and commerce of the colonies, as 'unconstitutional, oppressive, and cruel ;' and on the 6th they agreed to a manifesto, ' setting forth the eanses and necessity of their taking up arms.' After a spirited but temperate preamble, presenting a historical view of the origin, progress, and conduct of the colonies, and of the measures of the British government since the peace of 1763; and after an eloquent recapitulation of the grievances which had produced the collision, and proclaim- ing their confidence of obtaining foreign aid if necessary, and of ultimate success; disavowing, moreover, any inten- tion to dissolve the connection between the parent country and the colonies, the declaration proceeded : 'We most solemnly, before God and the world, DECLARE, that, exert- ing the utmost energy of those powers which our beneficent Creator hath bestowed upon us, the arms we have been

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 20

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920