USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. II > Part 4
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Schuyler answered them in their own fashion. The substance was, that he had hoped a previous message sent by him to the Six Nations had convinced them no hostile intentions were entertained towards them ; and is sorry the Mohawks had not sent that mes- sage. That he had full proof that many people in Johnstown and VOL. II. 5
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SCHUYLER'S EXPEDITION TO JOIINSTOWN.
the neighbourhood had been making preparations to carry into execution the wicked designs of the king's evil counsellors. That the force he commands is not brought for war with the Six Nations, but to prevent it, by seeing that the people of Johnstown do not interrupt the harmony of the colonies with the Indians. That he will not injure the people of Johnstown, if they agree to such terms as shall give assurance of security to their neighbours. That he will not permit any of his followers to set foot on the Mohawk lands ; all he requires of them being that they do not interfere in the family quarrel of the whites. He reminds them that notwith- standing their treaty of peace, some of their warriours had attack- ed the Americans at St. Johns, and had been killed there ; which, he says, you did not complain of, as you knew it was right to kill them in self-defence. He says, in a little time, I and my friends may be called to fight our enemies to the eastward, and will it be prudent to leave our wives and children exposed to enemies here at hand ? We shall send a letter to Sir John inviting him to meet us on the road, and if every thing is not settled he shall return safe to his own house. He wished the Indians to be present at the in- terview ; but added, that if he is obliged to resort to force, and they join his enemies, they must take the consequence. He begs them to repeat all this to their council.
1776 The 16th of January the general despatched a letter to Johnson, saying that information having been received of designs dangerous to the liberties of his majesty's subjects in the county of 'Tryon, he had been ordered to march thither to contravene them, and wishing that no blood might be shed, he requests Sir John to meet him the next day on his way to Johnstown, pledging his ho- nour for his safe conduct back and forth; concluding with a message tending to quiet any apprehensions in the mind of Lady Johnson. Accordingly, the next day Johnson met the general on his march, and received terms requiring the delivery of all the cannon and military stores under his control, except his personal arms and . ammunition therefor. That he should remain on parole in Tryon county. That the Scotch inhabitants immediately deliver up their arms and give hostages. That all presents intended by England for the Indians be delivered to a commissary appointed to receive them. If these terms be agreed to, Schuyler pledges himself for the protection of Sir John and the inhabitants of the county.
At first he blustered a little, and said the Indians would support him, and that some were already at Johnston-Hall for the purpose. To this the answer was, force will be opposed to force, and blood must follow ; on which Sir John asked time to consider until next evening, which was granted. Another Mohawk chief waited on Schuyler, and assured. him that the Indians would not interfere except as mediators. The general then marched forward and
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SCHUYLER'S EXPEDITION TO JOHNSTOWN.
halted within four miles of Johnstown, where he received propo- sitions from Johnson for himself and the people of Kingsborough, which were, that all arms belonging to Sir John and the other gen- themen should remain with them, all others to be given up. Of military stores belonging to the crown he says he has none. He expects to go where he pleases. The Scotch inhabitants will de- liver up their arms, and promise not to take any without permission from the continental congress ; but they cannot command hostages. This is signed, J. Johnson, Allan Mc Dougall ; and dated, John- son-Hall, 1Sth January, 1776. Schuyler answers, that this pro- position cannot be accepted, and he must obey his orders. He at the same time sends a passport to Lady Johnson, with a request that she would retire. Time is allowed until midnight for another answer, and gentlemen sent to receive it. Soon after, the sachems of the Mohawks wait upon Schuyler and ask more time for Sir John's answer. "This is granted for their sakes, and within the period fixed the knight agrees for himself and the inhabitants of Kingsborough to give up their arms, and that he would not go westward of German Flats and Kinsland district ; likewise, that six Scotch inhabitants may be taken as hostages. Sir John and the Scotch gentlemen pledge themselves, as far as their influence goes, for the delivery of the arms of the inhabitants, and Johnson gives assurance that he has no stores in his possession as presents to the Indians. Upon receiving the last answer, Schuyler told the Indians that all would be settled, and they might go home. On the 19th the general marched into Johnstown and drew up his men in a line ; the Highlanders were drawn up facing them, and grounded their arms. The military stores were surrendered ; and this service being performed, Schuyler and his militia returned. It was found afterward that the Highlanders had not delivered up their broadswords or their ammunition.
It was found that Connell who had informed congress that arms were buried near Johnston-Hall was an imposter. Schuyler re- turned with his motley ariny to Caughnawaga, and the days imme- diately following a number of tories were secured. Colonel Herkimer was left by Schuyler to complete the disarming of the hostile inhabitants, and the General marched back to Albany. Congress returned thanks to the general, and to the militia who accompanied him, but hoped they would not demand pay while suppressing a mischief which concerned themselves so nearly.
Notwithstanding his word of honour, the baronet continued his hostile intrigues with the Indians, and otherwise forfeited his pro- mise. It was found necessary to secure Johnson, and in May 1776, Colonel Dayton was sent by Schuyler on this duty. The tories of Albany gave notice to Sir John of Dayton's march with
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SCHUYLER'S EXPEDITION TO JOHNSTOWN.
this regiment, and the knight with his followers fled to the woods and escaped to Canada ; arriving at Montreal after nineteen days suffering and starvation. It seems strange that he should have supposed the Americans would permit him to remain plotting and executing mischief against his country without interruption ; yet such appears to have been Johnson's expectation, for he made no preparation for flight. An iron chest with the family bible and papers was buried in the garden .* On arriving in Canada, the baronet was commissioned a British colonel ; raised a regiment of tories, and did all the mischief he could during the war to the state of New York. By taking part with Great Britain he forfeited an immense estate, but no part of his conduct leads us to believe, that in his choice he was governed by any motive that was not selfish ; by breaking his parole he forfeited claim to the character of a gentlemen ; and his subsequent conduct through life was in unison with the last forfeiture.
Brant went to England in 1775, and Guy Johnson was sup- posed to have gone with him, but the Mohawks returned in time to take part in the affair of the Cedars, not strictly within any pro- vince, but mentioned in connection with Arnold. This affair, dis- graceful to the American arms, and to English good faith, had the effect of rendering exchange of prisoners, which is one chief soften- ing feature in grim visaged war, more difficult, and in causing con- gress to resolve upon the employment of Indians on their part.
The situation of the army of Canada when driven thence, and met by Gates on Lake Champlain, is fully and truly given by Stone,t and the conduct of Mr. John Trumbull, the acting adjutant general to Gates, was wise.
The preparations for defence made by the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley, were in proportion to their exposed situation as far as their limited means permitted. Cherry Valley, the principal settlement south of the river, and between the Mohawk castles and the Indian post of Oghnwaga, was much exposed. Here a com- pany of rangers was organized, but being marched elsewhere, the destitute inhabitants earnestly remonstrated, and at length obtained Captain Wirm's company of rangers for their defence. Their committee were men of energy ; and the names of Moore, Clyde, Campbell, Dunlop, Scott, Wells, and Ritchy, deserve a place in New York history. They had intimation of the preparations
· Mfr. Stone, in his history of Brant, tells us in a note, that Mr. Taylor, after- ward Lieutenant Governour of the state, purchased at auction this Bible, among other confi-cated property, and with proper feeling let Sir John Johnson know that the book was at his service : the English baronet sent a person for it with money to pay for the purchase, with no other direction, but " pay for the book and take it."
t Vol. 1, p. 164.
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CONFEDERACY OF THE IROQUOIS DISSOLVED.'
making by Johnson and Butler for their destruction, and even those who from age or infirmity were exempted from military ser- vice, organized and armed themselves for self-defence.
Fort Stanwix was the care of Schuyler. Situated in the pre- sent village of Rome, at the head waters of the Mohawk, and of Wood Creek, it had been chosen in the former French war, as a post for the command of the carrying place between the river and the creek leading to Lake Ontario, through the Oneida Lake and Oswego River. Colonel Dayton, who had been stationed with his regiment at Johnstown, was ordered to repair and finish the works : at Fort Stanwix, and the Tryon county militia, were called out to assist him. Colonel Van Schaick with his regiment was quartered at German Flats.
Fort Stanwix had been erected by the general of that name, in 175S, at an enormous expense for those days, upwards of one hundred thousand pounds. It was at this time in a ruinous state, but was put in a state to sustain the siege which I shall have to record.
The narrow piece of land between the waters flowing to the Hudson and those running to the St. Lawrence, was likewise for- tified, by the redoubts of Fort Ball and Fort Newport, named from officers of 1755, but Fort Stanwix was a great guardian of this important pass from Canada to the valley of the Mohawk. 1777 I have previously mentioned that the great council of the Iroquois was held at Onondaga. Here the chiefs of the confederated nations met at stated times, to consult and deter- mine on peace or war, alliances with the English or French colo- nists, and all the affairs that concerned the union. In the figurative language of the Indians, here the great council-fire was kept ever burning ; but it appears by a speech of the Oneida chiefs to Colo- nel Emore, delivered at Fort Stanwix, in January, 1777, that the council-fire was now extinguished, which as I understand it, is, that the confederacy was dissolved. Never after did the chiefs meet in council at Onondaga. The Onei.las adhered in part to the American cause, the other tribes, under the name of Mohawks ge- rally, were the followers of Brant, Butler, and Jolinson.
Mr. Stone tells us, that this dissolution of the confederacy was announced by the Oneidas, with their desire that it should be com- municated to General Schuyler, and to such of the Mohawks as remained in the lower castle. How this dissolution took place we are not informed, but it would appear that many of the Onondaga tribe then suffered death, either by violence or disease.
In the month of February, the inhabitants south of the Mohawk were alarmed by the gathering of the Indians at Oghikwoga, and Colonel John Harper, of Harpersfield, was directed by the pro- vincial congress of New York, to ascertain their intentions. This
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ATROCITIES OF BRANT.
gentlemen was one of four brothers, who with a few companions settled in 176S, in this tract of country. He visited the Indians as directed, and they professed the most friendly intentions, by which he was deceived.
The Indians left the Susquehanna, and joined Johnson and But- ler, who were collecting their forces at Oswego. Here by the orders of the British commander in Canada, a great council of the Iroquois was convened, and such of them as had engaged with Schuyler at the German Flats and Albany, to hold the chain of friend- ship inviolate with the colonists, were induced by the presents, the representations of the English agents, formally to enter the service of Britain, for the purpose of inflicting misery and murder upon the Americans. Each Indian received a kettle, a gun, a tomahawk. a scalping knife, plenty of ammunition, money in advance, and a promise of more for every scalp brought in.
Soon after this engagement, Brant led his warriours upon the settlements of the valley, breathing death and destruction ; but as he lurked in a wood watching his destined prey, he saw a com- pany of boys with wooden guns, parade in imitation of their fathers, and deceived by distance, mistook the children for soldiers ready to receive him. He drew off his redoubted Mohawks, and linger- ing in ambush between Cherry Valley and the Mohawk, perform- ing no other exploit or mischief, but way-laying and murder- ing by a volley from the covert of bushes, a young man who had been sent to assure the people that succours were at hand, and a regiment ready to garrison the place next day. This youth and an attendant, were shot down by the warriours unseen, and Brant carried off the young man's scalp in triumph. This young officer was well known to the chief, and had been a neighbour. They were not only acquaintances, says Mr. Stone, but friends : and he further tells us emphatically, that this gallant officer was scalped by Brant's own hand, he had fallen from his horse wounded. The attendant messenger escaped.
On the 17th of July, General Herkimer seeing that the enemy were about to invest Fort Stanwix, issued a proclamation calling upon all the inhabitants to arm and repair to the field : except those above sixty, and they were ordered to take arms for the de- fence of homes, women, and children. Those refusing or disaf- fected, were to be disarmed and secured. Committee men and other exempts, were called upon to repair to the rendezvous. This call, and immediate approach of danger, from which there was no escape, produced their effects, and the militia turned out with some show of spirit.
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HORATIO GATES.
CHAPTER III.
Gates, a British officer- An American officer-At Cambridge- At New York-Disputes the command with Schuyler-Hancock's letter.
HORATIO GATES was born in England, and was the son of Cap- tain Robert Gates, of the British army ; so that both Lee and Gates were not only Englishmen, and in the British army, but sons of his majesty's officers. Gates received his first name from his godfather, the celebrated Horatio or Horace Walpole ; who tre itions him as his godson, on an occasion hereafter to be no- ticed. What farther connexion Gates had with the family of the Earl of Orford, I do not know ; certainly he was in early life pro- tected by high aristocratick influence, and had hopes from that class, of promotion of no ordinary character, until 1773. That he received a liberal education is evident from his letters. As early as 1749, he served as a volunteer under General Edward Corn- wallis, who commanded in Nova Scotia as governour of Halifax. By him Horatio was appointed a captain-lieutenant in Warburton's regiment, and Cornwallis espoused his interest very warmly, offer- ing by letters to his father, an advance of money for the purchase of a company for the young man. . In this letter, directed to Cap- tain Gates, Southampton street, London, he further says, that he has given his son an employment that will bring him in two hun- dred pounds a year. Four years after this, young Gates was in England, busily engaged in purchasing promotion in the army, and on the 13th of September, 1754, is dated his commission as captain of an independent company, at New York, late Clarke's. This is signed " Holderness," by order of George II .. In 1755, Captain Horatio Gates had returned to America, and shared with Braddock in the disasters of Monongahela. Here the British of- ficer was wounded in the shoulder, and conveyed to Mount Ver- non to be nursed and cured, as his friend Lce had been to the mansion of Schuyler.
Previous to leaving England, the young captain had married Miss Phillips, the daughter of an English officer. In the years 1756, '7 and 'S, Gates was on service in the western part of the province of New York, and in the last of these years received the
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HORATIO GATES.
appointment of brigade-major from General Stanwix. During these years Major Gates held the independent company stationed at New York, which he purchased of Captain Clarke.
James Abercrombie writes to him, giving some incidents of the war, and saying that the provincials through ignorance missed an op- portunity of defeating the French force near Fort Edward. He says, they are averse to "a junction with the king's troops." " Since they are unwilling to take our assistance, I would e'en let them try it themselves, but have regulars to secure the fools in case they should be repulsed."
In 1760, General Robert Monckton was commander-in-chief of the troops at New York, and he appointed Major Gates one of his aids. The major being in Philadelphia in October of this year, Governour Boone of New Jersey wrote to him.
" October 13th, 1760. Poor Delancey ! have I written to you since his death ? General Monckton is talked of for the govern- ment, (of New York,) and desired. Pownal is expected and dreaded. General Gage is said likewise to have applied. Speak- ing of the colonists, he says, their politicks are confounded, and their society is worse, by the loss of the best companion in it. Oliver is in the council, and Jemmy Delancey, no longer a sol- dier, is a candidate for the city."
'The troops destined to attack Martinique were encamped on Staten Island, under Monckton's command : and General Amherst came on from the north to succeed Monckton as commander-in- chief. Strange as it may appear, on Staten Island, Amherst was invested with the insignia and title of a knight of the Bath, by Monckton ; due authority having been received from government. Monckton and Gates departed for the West Indies, and Sir Jeffery remained commander of the troops in the province. Monckton took Martinique, and despatched Gates with the tri- umphant news to London, which of course gained him promotion; and on the 26th of April, 1762, Mr. Townsend informs him that he is appointed to be major to the forty-fifth regiment of foot. It was on this occasion that Horace Walpole, by way of badinage, claimed credit for the capture of Martinique, as his godson and namesake brought the news. The connexion of Gates and Lord Orford appears mysterious. Major Gates remained several months in London, much dissatisfied with the promotion he had attained, and assiduously endeavouring, by petition and the influence of friends among the nobility, to obtain something more lucrative ; but his success was not equal to the efforts made, and he returned to America as major of the forty-fifth. He had been successful in disposing of his company of independents ; for in August, 1763, these companies had been disbanded, and Gates is congratulated as being " out of the scrape."
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HORATIO GATES.
He made frequent applications to the war office, and in August, 1763, gained Amherst's very reluctant leave of absence to go to Lon- don. He does not appear to have been a favourite with Sir Jeffery, who fairly tells him that liis desire to leave his station appears to be only " dictated by his own interest." His hopes were with Monckton, and he was assured by one of his correspondents that the general had undertaken his affair. The leave of absence was communi- cated in these ungracious words : " If you are determined to go, you have his leave to settle accordingly." And, accordingly, the major was in England before November 22d, 1763. At which time the historian of New York, writes to his friend Gates :
" Such a retreat as that in which, he says, ' with the aid of Bac- chus, and in the pride of philosophy, we laughed at the anxieties of the great.' He says, we in America want aid, ' not to maintain . the dependency of the colonies, for you know, saucy as we are, there is nothing to fear on that account.' 'Sir William Johnson is continually terrifying us with the defection of the Six Nations : but, thank heaven, those barbarians love themselves too well to throw off the mask of friendship. Amherst has left New York.' He praises Boone, and reprobates the cowardly expedient of the Eng- lish ministry in removing governours because the people disliked them. He says, Colden, for want of purse, and more for want of spirit to imitate Monckton, has retired to Flushing. The little star does not yet appear, the twilight of his predecessor is still too strong to permit such a twinkling luminary to glitter. In another letter to the same, he continues in the like strain. Mentioning Morris's death, on the 27th of January, 1764, he says, ' Gay in the morning -dead in the evening. He came out to a rural dance, he took out the parson's wife, danced down six couple, and fell dead on the floor, without a word, a groan, or a sigh.' Hethen goes on to mention the prominent men of the time in New Jersey, where this happened. ' Franklin has put Charles Reade in his (Morris's) place on the bench, and filled up Reade's with John Berrian, a babbling coun- try surveyor. Franklin after Boone-after Morris, Reade !' Hc afterwards says, 'the first errour is on your side of the water,' (Eng- land.) That is, as he says, in recalling Boone because of his con- test with a proud, licentious assembly. We are a great garden ---- constant cultivation will keep down the weeds ; remember they were planted by liberty and religion near a hundred years ago ; there are strong roots that will soon despise the gardener's utmost strength. When Great Britain loses the power to regulate these dependencies, I think 'tis clear she will have no other left. He concludes by calling for governours and judges of spirit and abilities."
In November, 1764, he was appointed to a majority in the Royal Americans, as a special mark of his majesty's favour, as is VOL. II. 6
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. announced to him from the war office ; and in December he received permission to remain four months in England. Soon after, through his agent, he received proposals from a captain of dragoons, offering £3,000 for his majority ; and not long after, in a letter written by a relative, it is mentioned that he had sold out on halfpay. He still remained in England, evidently expecting promotion through the interest of General Monckton, and his bro- ther, Lord Galloway, and probably, by the influence of his god- father. His friends in New York point out offices for him to ap- ply for, particularly that of paymaster-general, as, says one, " Abra- ham Mortier goes to England next spring, with his fat lady ; my friend, could you not contrive to get his place-he has made a fortune."
Mortier built a house which once was the head-quarters of Wash- ington, called Richmond Hill, at that time surrounded by a park. and situated on an eminence, now the corner of Varick and Charlton streets, on a level with its neighbours, surrounded by houses, and called the Richmond Hill theatre. This place was then, and until a few years, far out of the city.
In 1766, the major's father died ; and by the letters of General Monckton, it appears, that the hopes of the general are deferred, and of course those of Gates; who now looking for an appointment under his friend, resided with his family in retirement.
In 176S, Major Gates was in London, and waiting the result of Monckton's expectations ; and Gates about this time sold his half- pay and commission to Monckton's younger brother : and was in expectation of accompaning the general to the East Indies ; but delays occurred, and the years 1769 and '70, we find the Major still living in retirement, and expectations of a post under Monckton, who being disappointed in his East India scheme, receives the of- fice of a reviewing-general, and endeavours, in the latter part of 1770, to obtain the post of town-major for Gates, and this failing, Monckton (having his hopes revived as to the East) renewed his promises to his expectant protegee ; as late as July, 1771, he writes thus, in answer to Gates : "You know it has not been in the least in my power to serve myself, and therefore could not do what I wished by you. What you have heard about the East Indies is partly true ; but whether or not I shall succeed is very uncertain. I can only assure you, that should it succeed, you are the only one I have as yet thought of." And in December, " I am sorry to inform you the East India matters do not go on so well as I could wish. You need not hurry yourself to come up till you hear from me again." In 1772, Major Gates having given up all hopes of a place under the king's government, and his former com- missions having been sold, resolved to emigrate to Virginia ; where, in Blakely county, he purchased and resided in 1773 ; and until,
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