USA > New York > Monroe County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Allegany County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming > Part 10
USA > New York > Livingston County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Yates County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Ontario County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Steuben County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Wayne County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
USA > New York > Orleans County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 10
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Not less haughty and heroic was their conduct in 1779, when re- tiring before the greatly superior force of Sullivan. They bent a tree, and twisted its rugged top around the trunk, as an emblem of their own situation - bent but not broken -- smitten, but not over- thrown.
Though all the tribes of aboriginal America were competitors ; the palm for greatest manifestation of mental power would be awarded to this extraordinary people. The principle of unity that banded them together, offspring of profound policy that lifts them above the hunter state - their love of liberty that scorned submission to foreign control ; their ability to cope, in council, with the most skillful diplo- matists of a boasted civilization - the wonderful eloquence of their orators, challenging comparison with the finest periods of Demos- thenes - their self-reliance that laughed at the menaces of kings --
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their long adherence to one great plan of conquest ; - bear witness that they were a highly-gifted race, and may well make them objects of intense interest to the poet, philosopher and historian. The climate enjoyed, and the country occupied by them were favorable to the de- velopement of a noble manhood. Their broad domain was irrigated by streams whose rich alluvial bottoms rewarded the rudest tillage with a full supply of golden maize ; its forests abounding in animals of chase - bear, bounding deer, majestic moose and elk -furnished their lodge boards with venison ; and the lovely lakes that spotted its rolling surface, paid rich tribute to the bark-net, and barbed spear of the fisherman.
Man owes many of his characteristics to the scenes amid which he is nursed, and the grand, geographical features of Iroquois em- pire were sources to its upholders and lords, of high, ennobling thought. Rivers rushing to find a level "either in the gulfs of St. Lawrence and Mexico, or in the intermediate shores of the Atlan- tic "- Erie and Ontario, those lonely worlds of waters, that border- ed on the north and west, with a blue belt, their hunting grounds ; the Adirondack chain, with its deep gorges, vapory cones, and splintered cliffs -old mossy woods, where the mysterious winds awoke their wildest music ; glades basking in the light, and glens, where reigned at noon-day a sepulchral gloom; and, more than all, the mighty Cataract of Niagara, singing an eternal anthem at the western door of their Long House; were sights and sounds that found a reflex and an echo, not only in their magnificent traditions, but in the sublime imagery and symbolic phraseology of their orators. Previous to the overthrow of the Neuter Nation, and subsequent to that event, of the Eries, the Seneca country extended westward to the Genesee. After that period they were undisputed masters of the soil from the valley of Pleasant Water, to the banks of the De-o-se-o-wa, or Buffalo Creek. Disputes have arisen among antiquarians, as to the question whether the Kah-kwahs and Eries were one and the same people. All Indian history proves that a tribe is often known by diverse names in their own tongue, as well as in different dialects. For example, referring to their position, the Senecas were called "Swan-ne-ho-ont," (door on the hinge ) -in reference to the place of their origin- an elevated point at the head of Canandaigua Lake, " Nun-do-wa-ga," or people of the Hill. Whether known as Allegan, Erie, or Kah-kwah, the western door-
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keepers struggled many years in vain to give the Long House of the League a greater extension. For the first time since quitting their Canadian seats, on the St. Lawrence and its tributaries, were they checked in their march toward the setting sun. Their rivals in arms were inclined, while hand could wield hatchet, not to sur- render without a blow the broad spreading chase-grounds of their fathers : - and a glorious land it was - a Canaan of the wilderness - well worth the bloody sacrifice that was made by a luckless and gallant people in defending the integrity of its soil. Opposed to then was a foe, renowned throughout the nations, for courage, en- durance, enterprise and boundless ambition.
The latter assign as cause of war, the defeat of the Kah-kwahs in ball playing, and other athletic sports, though the challenging party.
I am inclined to believe, however, that the Senecas were the ag- gressors, - competitors for the spoils in one of those games of life and death that the human race, savage and civilized, have played in all ages and in all lands.
Their fierce and restless natures could ill bear aught that blocked the way to a more extended rule : - bounds to their supremacy, westward, were not to be found on the Genesee, while beyond its channel lay one of the fairest gardens of this western World. It was an easy task for their subtle minds to frame a pretext - a much harder one for their strong right arms to wrest a priceless heritage from its heroic defenders.
In August of the year 1653, Father Le Moyne - known among red men as Ondessonk - visited the Onondagas, and found them bitterly bewailing the loss that the confederacy had sustained in the massacre of the great Seneca Chief " An-nen-cra-os" by their enemies, the Kah-kwahs. The war raged for a time without any very disastrous result to either party.
Unaided by their eastern brethren, the Senecas, however, triumph- ed in the first general engagement - unmistakeable proof of their high, martial qualities ; for their opponents displayed a desperate hardihood, on that day, worthy of a more fortunate issue.
Some writers are of opinion, that the battle was fought near the Honeoye outlet, and midway between Canandaigua Lake and the Genesce River : - others locate the scene of carnage more than a day's march from the old village of Cannewaugus, in a westward
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direction. The place of final conflict is better known. Leaving more than half of their warriors, pierced by the shafts, and crushed by the war clubs of the conquerors, the survivors fled to their prin- cipal village, and strong-hold on the De-o-se-o-wa.
Reinforced by their allies, the Senecas pursued and attacked them in their fortress. After a brave resistance a feeble remnant of the once haughty Eries fled from their old hearth-stones and possessions to an Island of the Allegany ; but a foe was on their trail, truer than the sleuth-hound when he has tasted blood. The unhappy fugitives, surprised in their encampment, fled down the river, under cover of night, losing forever in distant wilds, their identity as a nation. A few, saved from the general slaughter and dispersion, were adopted by the confederates ; for by this politic course, they in part, repaired the dreadful ravages of war, and postponed the dismal hour of their own inevitable declension and fall.
I cannot forbear, in my brief sketch of their extirpation, from closing in the eloquent words of my friend Marshall : - " They are a people of whom there is scarcely a memorial, save the name of the Lake that washes the shore they ruled. Fit mausoleum of an extinct tribe ! Even the vague tradition that transmits their mem- ory, will soon be lost, with the last remnant of the 'Nun-de-wa-gas' that swept them from existence."
Enraged by continued infraction of their territory, during the ad- ministration of De la Barre, by the passage of French trading parties to the south west, laden with material to arm their enemies, the Senecas began hostilities by wresting from them their powder and lead -seizing their canoes, and dismissing them, homeward, with threats of torture and death if they ever returned. In his in- structions to the French Governor, on receipt of the alarming intelli- gence, Louis XIV. recommended a prompt invasion of the hostile country, and directed that all prisoners of war taken in the cam- paign, when opportunity offered, should be shipped to France, re- marking, in his despatch, that " the Iroquois, being stout and robust, would serve with advantage in his galleys.'
What plan, by the rash Bourbon, could have been devised, I ask, more certain than this to undermine his sovreignty on this conti- nent? An attempt to enslave a high spirited race, that preferred liberty to life, was a long stride, on the part of French America, towards certain destruction. Captives, treacherously seized, were,
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actually carried to France, in pusurance of royal policy, and forced into degrading service.
At a subsequent period they were liberated and laden with pres- ents, brought back to Canada. But the dragon-teeth had been sown, and it was too late to hope for a burial of the hatchet. The insult was one that the Five Nations would neither forget nor forgive :- and many were the bloody scalps that soon hung drying in the smoke of their wigwams. De la Barre's expedition to La Famine, or Hungry Bay, in compliance with the royal pleasure, was attended by disastrous results. A terrible distemper broke out in his camp, and the half-famished troops, spurning restraints of discipline, clamor- ed for speedy departure to their homes.
While thus in a condition to become an easy prey for enemies, ever on the watch, he endeavored to achieve by diplomacy what he could not effect by force. Messengers were sent entreating the Five Nations to meet him in council on the shore of the Lake.
The Mohawks and Senecas returned a haughty refusal, but the remaining tribes complied with his request. The speech of Garan- gula, on that occasion, has been justly deemed a master-piece of argument and eloquence.
De la Barre had indulged in idle bravado, thinking that his real situation was unknown to his eagle-eyed adversary; and nothing could have astonished him more than the picture drawn by the sarcastic chief, of his utter inability to strike a blow - or more galling to a soldier's pride, than the taunting language that he em- ployed :
" Hear, Yonnondio! our women had taken their clubs, our chil- dren and old men had carried their bows and arrows into the heart of your camp, if our warriors had not disarmed them, and kept them back."
Soon after this signal exposure of his weakness, the Governor returned to Canada, with a dispirited army, and a tarnished reputa- tion.
The Marquis De Nonville, successor of De la Barre, though an accomplished officer, was taught a still sterner lesson in 1687. In July of that year, with two thousand regulars and militia, and a thousand friendly Indians, he landed at "O-nyui-da-on-da-gwat," or Irondequoit Bay. The plan of campaign was co attack the dread- ed "Long-house,"at a point never before invaded, by securing
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greater chances of success. In crushing the Senecas, justly re- garded the most ferocious and formidable of the Five Nations, the Marquis hoped to curb the pride, and paralize the power of their strong League for ever. Great glory would also accrue to his name, in conquering a region, and annexing it to the crown of France, unsurpassed in beauty and fertility, "of regular sea- sons," mild of climate, intersected by numerous lakes and rivers, and said, by writers of the period, to be " capable of bearing all the fruits of Touraine and Provence."
In addition, by erecting a fort at " the extremity of a tongue of land between the Niagara River and Lake Ontario," he intended to secure uninterrupted command of the great lakes, monopolize the beaver trade, and furnish a place of rendezvous and supplies for the savage allies of France in their wars with the Iroquois.
After building a redoubt, manned by several companies, to pro- tect the canoes and batteaux, four hundred in number, De Non- ville put his army in motion. Warned of the danger, the main body of the Seneca warriors hastened to remove their old men, women and children to places of safety, leaving a hundred picked men at a small fort to act as a corps of observation, and closely watch the progress of the invaders.
The latter, informed that " Yonnondio" was on the war-path, sent runners to their friends, and 350 young men turned back to give him a suitable reception.
An ambuscade was skillfully laid on a small wooded hill, about half a mile from the Indian castle of Ganagarro, at the foot of which was a deep and dangerous defile.
The scouts of the army, on the second day of their march, passed without being molested, or observing their crafty enemies, even to the corn fields of the village. The lions of the Genesee lay crouched in their hidden lair, to pounce on more formidable prey. No note of alarm being heard, command was given to centre and wings to quicken their movements. Thinking that the braves of the nation had fled, and that they would meet with no opposition, the French plunged rashly into the defile. While in confused array, the dreaded and blood-curdling war whoops of the Iroquois rang in their ears, followed by a heavy volley of musketry. While their bravest went down under the close discharge, the foremost ranks recoiled ; then, emulating French speed at the " Battle of the spurs,"
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shamefully fled, disorganizing the whole line, and carrying dismay in their course. "Battalions," -says La Hontan, a spectator, and the historian of the fight -" separated into platoons, that ran with- out order, pell-mell, to the right and left, not knowing whither they went." A more vivid picture of utter overthrow for the time, and the contagion of fear, could not be drawn.
Before the panic subsided, the Senecas broke cover, and charged the flying foe, tomahawk in hand.
Many of the fugitives were slain, but the pursuers followed too far, losing the advantage of a thick wood, and strong position. Such was their paucity of numbers, that they could only for a brief period make, head against a host. By rallying his routed troops, and making a combined attack of regulars, militia and Indians, De Non- ville checked the Senecas, and after a valiant stand, and desperate efforts to stem the refluent tide of conflict, they were compelled reluctantly to give way.
Spartan prowess could have done no more. A General, thirty years in service, and a favorite officer of "the Magnificent Louis," had been surprised ; his savage hordes, colonial levies, and veteran regiments disordered, charged and driven back by a much smaller force than his own rear-guard - and only saved, by overwhelming numbers, from the crowning disgrace of a disastrous defeat.
Though repulsed, the Senecas were not disheartened, and when challenged, in their retreat, to stand and fight, halted on the brow of a hill, and replied : - "Come on, four hundred to our four hun- dred, and we have but a hundred men, and three hundred boys, and we will fight you hand to fist."* It is unnecessary to remark that the proposition was not accepted, for we have French authority for saying that the Iroquois were more skillful in the use of the gun. than Europeans. +
If De Nonville was the chivalrous soldier and christian, that Charlevoix represents him to have been, he left his good name be- hind him in this unfortunate expedition. In his report of the battle he has mingled much that is obviously false, an act unworthy of a gallant gentleman; and he little honored the christian character, by permiting his wampum-decked allies, whose poltroonry was only
* Doc. "His." Vol. 7, p. 248.
+ Doc. "His." p. 231.
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surpassed by their horrid barbarities, to torture the helpless and wounded, breathing defiance to the lost, that fell into his hands.
How can we reconcile with common ideas of honor, his official statement, that the skulking Ottawas performed their duty admirably in the action, with a passage in his published letter to the Minister, in which he bitterly denounces their cowardice and cruelty ? How can we reconcile his idle, and vain-glorious claim to an almost bloodless victory, with La Hontan's, that besides twenty-two woun- ded, an hundred Frenchmen, and ten savages were slain ?
The Baron's honest narrative, so little flattering to the military pride of his countrymen, is corroborated, in the main, by other witnesses of the engagement. Well might an indignant savage, in view.of their utter inefficiency to cope with the " Western Ro- mans," sneeringly exclaim, that "they were only fit to make war on Indian corn, and bark canoes ; " for there is proof on record, that the French officers, at Mount Royal, jeered one another for being appalled by the Seneca war whoop to such a degree, as to fall terror-stricken and powerless to the ground.
The memory of illustrious women who have matched, in defence of altar and hearth, the deeds of the sterner sex, has been enshrined in song, and honored by the Historic Muse. Joan of Arc, and the dark-eyed maid of Saragossa, in all coming time, will be chivalric watchwords for France and Spain, but not less worthy of record, and poetic embalmment, were the five devoted heroines who followed their red lords to the battle-field, near ancient Ganagarro, and fought with unflinching resolution by their sides. t Children of such wives could not be otherwise than valiant. "Bring back your shield, or be brought upon it," was the Spartan mother's stern in- junction to her son ; but, roused to a higher pitch of courage, the wild daughters of the Genesee stood in the perilous pass, and, in defence of their forest homes, "turned not back from the sword - the thunder of the captains, and the shouting."
The results of this ill-conceived irruption into the Seneca can- ton, though preceded by months of busy preparation, great con- sumption of material, and attended by the pomp and parade of war, may be summed up in few words.
* Doc. "His." Vol. 1, p. 246.
t Doc. "His." Vol. 1, p. 248.
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A battle was fought in which the field was won by the French - the glory by their foe. Then a few unarmed prisoners were tor- tured, corn fields laid waste, and bark villages burned, followed by alarms that caused a precipitate retreat to their boats, harrassed every step of the way by hovering parties in pursuit. Embarking at Irondequoit, after the loss of about twenty men, * they coasted along the Lake, leaving a feeble garrison at Niagara to defend an isolated post.
The greater part of them, soon after, including the commander, De Troyes, while closely besieged by the Iroquois, fell victims within their stockade, to the not less fearful assaults of famine and disease.
CHAPTER II.
- -
CONFLICTING CLAIMS TO WESTERN NEW YORK -INDIAN TREATIES - THE LESSEE COMPANY - THE MILITARY TRACT.
IN the treaty of peace of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary war, England, forgetful of their obligations to the Six Nations, most of whom had served them faithfully, as the devastated fron- tier settlements fully attested, made no provisions for their allies ; but left them to the mercy or discretion of those against whom they had carried on a long and sanguinary warfare. "The ancient country of the Six Nations, the residence of their ancestors, from the time far beyond their earliest traditions, was included in the boundary granted to Americans." + According to the usages of
* "We have the news of Keman, that the .Indians have taken 8 men, I woman, 8 crowns or scalps, and killed near upon 20 men at the place where the Barks lay." [Maj. Schuyler to Gov. Dongan, Doc. His. v. 1 p. 255.
t Memorial of the Six Nations, presented to Lord Camden.
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war and the laws of civilized nations, they were a conquered peo- ple, and their country forfeited to the conqueror. But the authori- ties of our General and State Governments did not choose to apply so stringent a rule to the simple natives, who were unlearned in reference to the position in which their action in the war had pla- ced them, and had been the dupes of their unprincipled, ungrateful, and neglectful employers. A strong disposition prevailed in the state to regard their lands a forfeit -especially among those who had suffered most at their hands ; at one period, the State Legisla- ture entertained such a proposition - with so much favor, that it is probable it would have prevailed, but for the decided opposition of General Schuyler, aided by the influence of Washington, with the General Government. A different course was dictated by a feeling of humanity, as well as that of economy; for renewed war and conquest would have been far more expensive than peace negotia- tion and purchase proved to be. The wiser and better policy prevailed.
The cessation of hostilities on the part of those to whom they had lately been allies, left them in an embarrassing position. England had made a peace, and left her allies in the field to fight it out, or seek a peace upon their own account. British perfidy has seldom been more clearly exhibited.
Previous to the cession by all the states, of lands within their boundaries to the General Government, the respective rights of General and State Governments were but illy defined ; and so far as this State was concerned, especially, a collision was had. As early as April, 1784, the Legislature of this State passed an act, making the Governor and a Board of commissioners the Superin- tendents of Indian affairs. The commissioners designated were : - Abraham Cuyler, Peter Schuyler, Henry Glen, who associated with them, Philip Schuyler, Robert Yates, Abraham Ten Broeck, A. Yates, jr., P. W. Yates, John J. Beekman, Mathew Vischer, Gen. Ganesvoort. Governor George Clinton, as the head of the Board, assumed the laboring oar of negotiation. The services of the mis-
NOTE- Had a different course been pursued, the Indians would have called to their aid some of the western nations, and prolonged the war. The venerable chief . Blacksnake, now an hundred years old, residing upon the Allegany Reservation, in- sists that the Six Nations went to the treaty of Fort Stanwix, not as a conquered people sueing for peace, but with arms in their hands.
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sionary, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, of Peter Ryckman, Jacob Recd, James Deane, Major Fonda, Col. Wemple, Major Fry, Col. Van Dyke, - most of whom had been Indian traders or captives -- were enlisted. Peter Ryckman became to the Board, a species of " winged Mercury," flying from locality to locality- now at Oneida, then at Kanadesaga, then at Niagara, consulting with Brant; and next at Albany, reporting the result of his conferences with the statesmen and diplomatists of the forest. The time and place of a treaty was partially agreed upon.
In the mean time, Congress had contemplated a general treaty with the Indians, bordering upon the settlements in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio; and had appointed as its commissioners, Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee. A correspond- ence took place between the New York Board and the Commis- sioners of the United States, in which the question of jurisdiction, the respective rights to treat with the Indians, was seriously involv- ed. The New York Commissioners found the Indians generally averse to treating with a State, but generally disposed to meet the " Thirteen Fires," and hold a treaty of peace jointly with their people of some of the western nations. Most of the spring and summer of 1784, was consumed by endeavors of the New York Board to get a council of the Six Nations convened. On the first of September, they met at Fort Schuyler -deputies from the Mo- hawks, Cayugas, Onondagas and Senecas. The Oneidas and Tus- caroras held back ; but deputations from them, were brought in by runners on the third day. The deputies of these two nations were first addressed by Governor Clinton. He assured them of a dis- position to be at peace ; disclaimed any intention to deprive them of their lands ; proposed a settlement of boundaries ; and warned them against disposing of their lands to other than commissioners regularly appointed by the State of New York, who would treat with them for lands, when they were disposed to sell them. In re- ply to this speech, a delegate of the two nations expressed their gratification that the war had ended, and that they could now meet and "smoke the pipe of peace." " You have come up," said he, " what has been an untrodden path to you for many years; and this path which you have seen as you have come along, has been strewed with blood. We, therefore, in our turn, console your loss- es and sorrows during these troublesome times. We rejoice that
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you have opened the path of peace to this country." He thanked the commissioners for their advice to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, not to listen to individuals who proposed the purchase of their lands.
At this stage of the council, the Cayuga and Tuscarora chiefs exhibited a letter from the commissioners of Congress. The letter was read. It informed the Indians that they, the commissioners, were appointed by Congress "to settle a general peace with all the Indian nations, from the Ohio to the Great Lake " - that the Gov- ernor of New York had no authority from Congress ; but as he had invited the Indians to assemble at Fort Stanwix, on the 20th of September, the commissioners, to save the trouble of two councils, would alter the determination of holding their council at Niagara, and meet them at For Stanwix on the day named.
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