USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 15
USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 15
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In 1751 a grand council was held at Albany, in which peace was made with a large embassy of Catawbas. "Having lit their pipes, the king and one more put them into the months of the chief sachems of the Six Nations."
Soon after Johnson became discouraged at the lack of means and energy. offered his resignation, and sent a belt to all the nations to say he was no longer their agent. The French were again scheming for a fort at Onondaga lake; to prevent this he now held a conference with the Onondagas, and they granted him the lake, with the land for a mile all around. He paid them three hundred and fifty pounds, and had a deed duly made and signed before witnesses. As he did this for the public good, he asked the Assembly to reimburse him and take the title. This was refused, but his title was confirmed. He took no further steps, and bequeathed it to his son, Sir John. The title was lost through confiscation. That year, too, the Bunt came to Oswego, telling
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of the French forts further west. He was an influential Onondaga chief, who retired from office in 1774 on account of old age. A great friend of Johnson, he did much for the English. Ilis proper name was Otsinoghiyata, or the Sinew.
Many of the Onondagas were now living on the Ohio, and a Dunkard tried to buy some land there, but "the Indians made answer that it was not in their power to dispose of lands; that he must apply to the couneil at Onondaga." Weiser was sent there in June, but met the Indians at Albany, delivered his message and returned.
Governor de la Jonquiere held a couneil with some Onondagas July 11. 1751. They claimed the Ohio land through the Erie conquest, and he said no settlements should be made without their consent. This was thought a mis- take, as La Salle discovered the river, when no Iroquois were there, but only Shawnees, who were friends of the French. The Shawnees, however, had no title, being placed there as Iroquois tributaries.
War parties went against the Cherokees in 1752, and that year three Mo- ravians visited Onondaga. French traders also came, and in that year Johnson was there buying ginseng, then an important article of trade. In the spring of 1753 part of a French army passed Oswego, going to the Ohio, alarming the Indians and diminishing French influence. Weiser again came from Phila- delphia by way of New York. He was kindly received by Johnson, who told him he might go to Onondaga, but thought it needless. Johnson himself went there in September to bury the hatehet, condole the death of three sachems, and thus rekindle the couneil fire. It had been extinguished by their deaths, and they must be condoled before business could go on. The sachems met him a mile east of the town, according to custom, and Kaghs- woughtiony, or Red Head, made a speech. It was now customary to hold a council at Albany every other year. Governor De Lancey thought a messen- ger might profitably be sent to Onondaga in the intermediate year, with a small present.
Andrew Montour, was also sent to Onondaga that year to invite the Indians to a council at Winchester, Virginia, but they declined going. He said "he saw plainly the Indians were frighted, and that there was a strong party for the French among the Indians, and the Seneeas particularly were in their interest." He was there in February and again in August. That year two Moravians eame to Onondaga by way of Susquehanna and Tioughnioga rivers. nearly all the way in a canoe. This was a new route from Pennsylvania, though Weiser returned by water in 1737. Part of the way they were with the Nanti- eokes, then removing to New York. The next year Zeisberger and Charles Frederick went to Onondaga by way of the Mohawk river and Oneida lake, being there from July 21, 1754, till May 18. 1755. This was the last and longest Moravian residence there, their Delaware missions now engrossing their atten- tion.
The western Indians were restive. George Croghan wrote to Governor Hamilton May 14, 1754, "ye government may have what opinion they will of ye Ohio Indians, and think they are oblig'd to do what ye Onondago Counsel
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will bid them, butt I ashure y'r honour they will aett for themselves att this time without consulting ye Onondago Councel." The emigration alarmed those remaining at home, for their power was thus weakened, and the nation was exhorted to live in one castle, as it had done in earlier days. Most of those who had gone to Oswegatchie were Onondagas, and some said half of that people were there. It was time that the English should see their danger. Johnson said the French should be kept out of Onondaga river by a stricter watch at Oswego, and that Englishmen should be placed in each of the Six Nations. Besides this there should be forts, with missionaries, among the Onondagas and Senecas. Educated young men should go, and these might be- come interpreters and catechists. Governor De Laneey said the commander of a fort at Onondaga might be made a sachem, and have a voice in couneils. The French increased their influence by such adoption.
A digression may be made here on the subject of blacksmiths. Primitive implements could be repaired by the Indians themselves, but when iron and steel were used, there was need of a higher art. The Indians must carry their injured artieles to the whites, or the smiths must come to them. It was soon seen that the smith might have political influence through personal contact. Ile would soon know every man, and his smithy would be an attractive place. The Indians would love to "see the flaming forge and hear the bellows roar." The experiment had been tried elsewhere. Even at Onondaga, in the preceding century, there had been a strife to see who should have the anvil, and provide the important smith.
So it was proposed to the colonies of Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York in 1747, "that a gunsmith be sent to each of the tribes following, viz: The Oneidas, Onondagas. Cayugas and Senecas, and two men with each gun- smith, to continue until next spring, and that goods valued at three hundred and sixty pounds, New York currency, be sent by them," as a sort of politi- eal fund.
A blacksmith's pay varied from sixty pounds to seventy pounds, with some extras, but he usually remained but six months. William Printup was the smith at Onondaga in 1750, and had sixty pounds for services, and for sundries, five pounds twelve shillings nine and one-half pence. Ilendrick Herkimer was gunsmith there from October, 1748, to April, 1749, having two helpers. For services and materials he was paid seventy pounds. At about the same rate. Ryer Booen was paid from November, 1747, to May, 1749. He carried goods to Onondaga, with two men and a gunsmith. For this he was paid eighty-eight pounds twelve shillings. In 1742 it cost twenty-one pounds seven and one-half pence to set up the bellows, anvil and vise at Cayuga.
A congress of seven colonies met at Albany, June 19, 1754, planning to have a colonial union established by Parliament. Those represented were Con- neetient, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylva- nia and Rhode Island. Carolina and Virginia desired to be considered pres- ent. There was also an Indian conference. Weiser was at this council, and the Pennsylvania land treaty was adjusted. The Half King had died and the Indians were disturbed by French aggressions. So they sent Scarrooyady and
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two other chiefs to Onondaga to report general conditions. He was an Oneida. succeeding the Half King, or Tanacharisson. These two had warned the French three times to leave the Ohio lands, according to the Iroquois custom. The former gave this reason :
"Because, said he, the Great Being who lives above, has ordered us to send Three Messages of l'eace before we make War; and as the llalf King had before this Time delivered the third and last message, we had nothing now to do but strike the French."
CHAPTER XII.
FROM THE BEGINNING OF WAR IN 1754 TO THE CONQUEST OF CANADA.
1
Hostilities began near the Ohio in 1754, without a formal declaration of war. The New York Assembly strengthened Oswego and doubled its garrison. Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts. was next in command to Braddock, and at a eouneil of war. April 14, 1755, advised an advance on Niagara by way of Oswego, and the plaeing of a fleet on Lake Ontario sufficient to command its waters. This would ent the French line in two, and the western forts would fall. Braddock thought otherwise, and marched to his fate.
Colonel Williams and King Hendrick were killed at Lake George, but Johnson was knighted and made a major general for his moderate snecess. Governor Shirley was active and two independent companies from Albany, and two companies from Sir William Pepperell's regiment were sent to Oswego, where a twelve-gun schooner was launched in June. Ile also sent three hun- dred ship carpenters there to build ships. Colonel Selmuyler's New Jersey regiment followed in July, and in August Shirley embarked at Schenectady with about fifteen hundred men, reaching Oswego August 21. He pushed forward the building of the fleet, quiekly adding two row galleys and eight whaleboats. with more later. For the Niagara expedition he chose six hun- dred regular troops, placing the ordnance stores and guns on the Ontario, part of the provisions on the Oswego, while the rest was made ready for the galleys and boats. Storms detained him thirteen days, the troops became siek, and the expedition was given up. The plan was successful at a later day.
Colonel Lydius had made a fraudulent purchase of the Wyoming and Shamokin lands for a Connecticut company in 1754. which caused mueh trouble later. Hendrick and some Mohawks were in Philadelphia January 15. 1755, and said this deed should be destroyed, but he could not do it. It could only be done at Onondaga. Ile advised a meeting of two chiefs from each nation to settle the matter: "But then, as it is a War Time. We advise that this be done as soon as possible, for we who are here to-day may not be here to-morrow." He was killed that year.
Searrooyady made a report March 31. The Mohawks advised him to go to Onondaga, "but hearing on all sides that the Onondagas were not well
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affected to the English," he stopped at Oneida, where French influenee was really much stronger. The Oneidas said this was wise, and added: "Nobody cared now to do business at Onondaga. All persons who were in the English interest and had business to do with the Six Nations of late came round about Onondaga and passed by the town."
Till 1755 a large Freuch trade was carried on at Albany with the Caugh- nawagas, the Indians preferring English strouds to French goods, and it was much the same at Oswego. In June Johnson had a warrant from General Braddock as sole superintendent of the Six Nations, their allies and depend- ents. June 21 we have "Hon. Win. Johnson's first publie speech to the In- dians" as superintendent, translated into Mohawk by Daniel Clause, and de- livered for Johnson by Red Head, the Onondaga speaker. He removed the eouneil fire from Albany to Mount Johnson, and his emblem of a bundle of sticks was as much applauded by the courteous Indians as though it were new to them. There were eleven hundred and six present, more men than he had ever seen at a council. The Elder Brothers (Mohawks, Onondagas and Sone- eas) made Red Head speaker. and an Indian reported that the Oswegatchie settlement had been broken up for want of provisions. On the other hand. Fort Frontenac had been strengthened. The Onondagas asked for a fort. as they would fight the French. At this time the French governor said all were in the French interest except the Mohawks and Onondagas.
The year 1756 was a disastrous one for New York. In March Lieutenant de Lery destroyed Fort Bull, at the Oneida carrying place. Three expeditions planned by the English against Ticonderoga, Niagara and DuQuesne, failed. Niagara and Frontenac were strengthened by the French ; Oswego surrendered to them. The Earl of Loudon was now commander-in-chief, and was author- ized to furnish all Johnson required for forts or smiths among the Indians. Some Onondagas eondoled Johnson for the loss of Fort Bull in April, and desired an early council in their town. As it would be large, and they had few provisions, they wished him to send some for their guests.
Orders were given for the Onondaga fort. April 30, a century after the French fort was built at Onondaga lake, affairs having changed meantime. The site is on the terrace above the creek, on Webster's Mile Square, and the building specifications have been preserved. They are as follows :
"Instructions to Mr. Jacob Vroman, head carpenter, going to Onondaga to build a fort for the Indians :
"You are to repair with your best diligence, with the men under your direction, to Onondaga, and there to consult with the Indians of that nation on a proper spot to build a fort. which fort is to be one hundred and fifty feet square, the logs to be either pine or oak, sixteen feet long. four feet of which to be set in the ground; well rammed and pounded; two sides of each log to be square, so that they may stand slose to each other; proper loopholes to be ent at four feet distance; the height from the ground to be left to the Indians; two good block houses to be built at either gate of the opposite corners. Each block house to be twenty-four feet square below the upper
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part; above the beams to project a foot, so as men may fire down upon the enemy.
"You are to floor the block houses, shingle the roofs, and build a good sentry box on the top of each house, and two strong gates of oak plank, of three inches thick, to be set up in the properest places, with strong iron hinges. You are to keep an exact account of the number of days each man works, and of the horses also, and see that they work faithfully.
"Lastly you are to take care that none of your party quarrel with or use any of the Indians ill, or sell them any liquor, at their peril.
"Given under my hand at Fort Johnson, this 30th day of April, 1756.
WM. JOHNSON."
June 18, 1756, Johnson condoled the death of Kaghswoughtioni, or Red Head, at Onondaga. His name means Belt of Wampum lying down. Sit William had changed his love for the French into love for himself. He was the host of Spangenberg in 1745, and Weiser always lodged at his house. The Cayugas, as Younger Brothers, took charge for the Older Brothers, who were mourning. The procession was formed a mile from the town, and marched to the wood side fire in sight of the castle. There the Onondaga chiefs and warriors sat silently in a half cirele across the road. In the hour's halt there the usual ceremonies took place, hands were shaken and the visitors wel- comed. The procession formed again, Johnson at the head, the sachems falling into line and continuing the great condoling song. As they entered the town a salute was fired by both sides, and under a green arbor addresses coneluded the day. The full ceremony took place on the next day.
At this time the Onondagas asked that Lieutenant Mills might command their fort, and that William Printup might be their smith. The latter name is still found at Onondaga. Van Seice was then interpreter there. Johnson also gave the Six Nations "the largest pipe in America, made on purpose." to be hung up in the Onondaga council house as a token of peace, and smoked at all important councils. Many belts were used on this occasion.
June 20 Johnson encamped by the lake, five miles from the castle, to be near his boats, provisions and presents, and a long couneil followed. An Oswe- gatchie Indian reported that the French meant to build a fort at Oswego Falls. and another at the west end of Oneida lake. Other parties were to ravage the Mohawk valley. Messengers announced the death of the Nanticoke king at Otseningo. Delawares, Shawnees and others came June 27, and the new Half King was present. It was a great council.
June 28 the war song was sung, and Johnson promised them a roasted ox at the war dance next day, the first barbecue at Onondaga lake. July 1 they gave him leave to open a road to Oswego. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras would help make it from German Flats to Canaseraga, and the Onondagas thenee to Oswego. He also placed a medal on the Onondaga speaker's neck. The road mentioned would eross the Seneca river above Three River point and follow the west bank to Oswego. He also had leave to build a fort at Oswego Falls, but it must be destroyed at the end of the war.
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August 4 Montcalm left Fort Frontenae with a strong army. The first division reached Niaoure (now Chaumont) bay August 6. This was the general rendezvous. The second division arrived two days later. That day a vanguard was sent forward, which landed at a cove some miles east of Oswego, and thenee the army went to another about a mile from the river. Siege operations began on the 11th and ended on the 14th, after a moderate defense. Colonel Mercer was killed and the fort was surrendered, with the work known as Fort Oswego, on the west bank of the river. The French outnumbered the English at least two to one, and of the fifteen hundred and twenty prisoners. many were mechanics and laborers, but the French were surprised at the ease of their task. The spoils were seven vessels of war, two hundred bateanx, and a great amount of ordnance and stores. By August 21 they had destroyed everything possible and left for home.
Previous to the fall of Oswego there had been many skirmishes in the vicinity, of which the most notable was that at Battle Island and Oswego Falls. De Villiers had a camp of nine hundred men on Niaoure bay, whence he sent out war parties. One of these attacked Colonel Bradstreet and his bateaumen July 3, about nine miles above Oswego. French and English accounts of the affair differ, of course. According to the latter Bradstreet, with three hun- dred men, was attacked by seven hundred French and Indians, who were on the east shore. He landed on quite a small island, just above what is now called Battle Island. Six men enabled him to hold this against the first at- tack, and with six more the second attack was repulsed. More aid came and the French were driven back a third time. Then the assailed crossed to the west shore that they might not be cut off. The pursuers were driven back with great less. Another large party of French crossed a mile above and the fight covered a distance of two miles, lasting from 3 to 6 p. m. After the final retreat of the French, Captain Patten arrived with one hundred grena- diers. He was going from Onondaga to Oswego, and heard the firing when four miles farther up the river. The French reported that they defeated five hundred English and destroyed two hundred out of three hundred bateaux, with but small loss.
There can be no question as to the massacre of part of the Oswego garri- son. The French themselves said their Indians "perpetrated a multitude of horrors, and assasinated more than one hundred persons included in the capitu- lation, withont our being able to prevent them, or having the right to remon- strate." The Onondagas proved their character as "men of business" by securing some of the provisions left at Oswego, nor did they hesitate to eon- gratulate the vietors. They and the Oniedas had sent eighty deputies to Mon- treal in July, and De Vandreuil kept them there till Oswego had fallen, that Johnson might be deprived of their expected aid.
The dilatory General Webb had just reached the Oneida portage when he heard of the surrender of Oswego. He at onee destroyed all the forts at the carrying place and marched back. Such a show of weakness and fear dis- gusted the Indians, who said it looked like giving up. So some Onondagas and Cayugas went to Montreal late in November, They noticed that some usual
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ceremonies were omitted, for, when the Five Nations eame, it was customary to send an interpreter with wampum to meet them, and to salute them with five guns. Others eame later, and about one hundred were present at the council December 13-30. All were very friendly, and the Oneidas gave up their English medals. The council was expensive, but unavoidable. The meeting was thus summed up:
"Such has been this famous embassy of the Five Nations, the most im- portant that has occurred for a long time, and which ought to be regarded as indeed important under existing circumstances. The neutrality of these Nations is one of the greatest advantages we could obtain over the . English."
A council was held at Onondaga in the spring of 1757, and the Onondagas. Cayugas and Senecas resolved to remain neutral. They afterwards told Johnson that they had not used the hatchet given them to fight the French last winter, but the couneil at Onondaga had resolved to hold fast the English covenant chain. They were weak, and their aid ought not to be expected. Many belts had arrived at Onondaga, and there would be a general council in July. Peace was formally made with the Cherokees. Then came the loss of Fort William Henry and the destruction of German Flats.
In the spring of 1758 the French commander made unfriendly comments at Fort DuQuesne on the Six Nations, and sent Wyandot spies to Onondaga, who told their errand and wished a trading post might be built there. In July General Abererombie was defeated at Ticonderoga with heavy loss. The Indians despised him from the first, and few shared in the fight on either side. Two of the three great movements of the year, however, were disastrous to the French.
General Bradstreet went to the Oneida carrying place, and took command of three thousand troops who were building Fort Stanwix. Major Philip Schuyler hurried on to Oswego with an advance guard, and at onee began building a schooner ealled the Mohawk. In three weeks she was ready for service and carried the guns and heavy stores when the fleet of whaleboats and bateaux set out for Fort Frontenac August 20. On the 25th Bradstreet landed about a mile from this, erected a battery, and on the 27th opened fire at short range. The small garrison surrendered the same day. It was unfor- tunate that he was ordered to destroy all the stores, some of which would have been useful in later operations. Two vessels were reserved.
Forty Onondagas under Red Head (not the earlier chief of that name) had joined Bradstreet at Fort Stanwix, and a year later this chief made a map of the St. Lawrence for Sir William Johnson, often appearing as a warrior. A creek near Oswego was called after him at that time. In that year, too. Captain Fonda marked out a road from the nearest Oneida station to the ford a little south of Three River point. being the one already projected by Johnson.
In September. 1758, General Amherst took full command and affairs he- eame more hopeful. The Indians advised sending an army against Niagara at
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once, saying, "the sooner the thing is done the better." Their wise advice at other times would have saved trouble had it been heeded. Johnson's wonder- ful tact and influence alone had kept them on the English side.
Canada was now almost in a state of famine, and the troops had little meat but horseflesh-rather poor at that. Forts Frontenac and DuQuesne had both fallen. The Indians were abandoning the French cause. Even the brave Montcalm was disheartened. In April, 1759, he wrote from Montreal that "Canada will be taken this campaign, and assuredly during the next, if there be not some unforeseen good luck, a powerful diversion by sea against the English colonies, or some gross blunders on the part of the enemy. The English have sixty thousand men. we, at the most, from ten to eleven thousand. Our government is good for nothing; money and provisions will fail."
The fourth council, at Easton, Pa., met October 8, 1758, and the attendance was large, the ancient rites being fully observed. The Iroquois, Minisinks and Delawares came. Three old land disputes were to be settled; the Iroquois tand sale of 1754. the Walking Purchase, and the Minisink claims in New Jer- sey. The lands west of the mountains were deeded back to the Iroquois. On the question of land sale on the Susquehanna the chiefs said: "We have no power to convey lands to anyone, but will take your request to the great coun- cil fire for their sentiments, as we never convey or sell lands before it be agreed in the great council of the United Nations." It will be readily seen that this was but a convenient excuse.
In April, 1759, Johnson held a council at Canajoharie castle, at which the Bunt and other Onondagas were present. Tuscaroras spies said that some Oswegatchie Indians wished to return to Onondaga. The French had told them that the English would soon build a fort at Oswego Falls, and one at each end of the Oneida lake. A little later this was done. All agreed to go against the French. The Onondagas then made a feast of a roasted ox, which Johnson had given them, and the war dance was shared by some from each nation present. Johnson told them that the Pennsylvania people had given up the Ohio lands sold to them in 1754. The deed of surrender would be kept in the council house at Onondaga.
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