USA > New York > Pioneer history of the Holland Purchase of western New York : embracing some account of the ancient remains > Part 15
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"We have conducted the English to our lakes in order to traffic with the Outaouas, and the Hurons; just as the Algonkins con- ducted the French to our cantons in order to carry on a commerce that the English lay claim to as their right. We are born freemen, and have no dependence either on the YONNONDIO or the CORLEAR. We have a power to go when we please, to conduct those whom we will to the places we resort to, and to buy or sell where we see fit. If your allies are your slaves or your children. you may e'en treat 'em as such, and rob 'em of the liberty of entertaining any other nation but your own. This contains my words. [Giving a belt.]
"We fell upon the Illinese and the Oumamis because they cut down the tree of peace that served as limits, or boundaries to our positions. They came to hunt beavers upon our lands, and contrary to the custom of all the savages, have carried off whole stocks, both male and female .* They have engaged the Chaou- anous in their interest, and entertained them in their country. They supplied 'em with fire-arms after the concerting of ill designs against us. We have done less than the English and the French, who, without any right, have usurped the grounds they are now possessed of; and of which they have dislodged several nations, in order to make way for their building of cities, villages and forts. This, CORLEAR, contains my words. [Giving a belt.]
"I give to you to know, YONNONDIO, that my voice is the voice
* The Indians regarded it a great offence to wholly exterminate a beaver colony.
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of the Five Iroquese cantons. This is their answer; pray incline your ear and listen to what they represent.
"The Tsonnontouans, Goyogouans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes, and Agnies, declare that they interred the axe at Cataracouy, in the presence of your predecessor, in the very center of the fort; and planted the tree of peace in the same place that it might be pre- served; that 'twas then agreed that the fort should be used as a place of retreat for merchants, and not a refuge for soldiers; and that instead of arms and ammunition, it should be made a recep- tacle only of beaver skins and merchandise goods. Be it known to you, YONNONDIO, that for the future you ought to take care that so great a number of martial men as I now see, being shut up in so small a place, do not stifle and choak the tree of peace. Since it took root so easily, it must needs be of pernicious conse- quence to stop its growth, and hinder it to shade both your country and ours with its leaves. I do assure you, in the name of the Five Nations, that our warriors shall dance the calumet dance under its branches; that they shall rest in tranquility upon their matts and will never dig up the axe to cut down the tree of peace; till such times as the YONNONDIO and the CORLEAR do either jointly or separately offer to invade the country that the Great Spirit has disposed of in the favor of our ancestors. This belt preserves my words, and this other, the authority which the Five Nations have given me." [Giving two belts.]
Then, GARANGULA, addressing himself to the interpreter LE MOINE, said: -
" Akouessan, take heart; you are a man of sense; speak and explain my meaning; be sure you forget nothing, but declare all that thy brethren and thy friends represent to thy chief YONNONDIO, by the voice of the GARANGULA, who pays you all honor and respect, and invites you to accept of this present of beavers, and to assist at his feast immediately ... This other present of beavers is sent by the Five Nations to the YONNONDIO."
When the Iroquois chief had finished his speech, De la BARRE " returned to his tent much enraged at what he had heard." The GARANGULA prepared his feast, several of the French officers becoming his guests. Two days afterwards he returned to his people.
The army of De la BARRE broke up, that part of it belonging at Quebec and Montreal, going down the St Lawrence; those belonging to Fort Frontenac and the western posts returning some by water and some by land. "Thus a very chargeable and fatiguing expedition (which was to strike the terror of the French
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name, into the stubborn hearts of the Five Nations,) ended in a scold between the French General and an old Indian."*
EXPEDITION OF DE NONVILLE AGAINST THE SENECAS IN 1687
The Marquis de NONVILLE, a colonel in the French dragoons, succeeded De la BARRE in the local government of New France, in 1685. CHARLEVOIX says he was "equally esteemed for his valor, his wisdom, and his piety." At the commencement of his administration, the Iroquois had renewed their wars against Indian nations at the west, with whom the French were in alliance, and continued, as GARANGULA had assured De la BARRE they would, to introduce the English around the borders of the lakes.t De NONVILLE brought out with him a large reinforcement for the army, and at once resolved upon a series of measures having in view the humbling of the Iroquois by making them allies or neutrals and the security of the French dominion and trade upon the Lakes. Prominent in these measures, was a formidable attack upon the Senecas, who, from their location and partiality for the English, were most in the way of the French interests; and the building of a fort at Niagara. His first steps were to accumulate ample provisions for his army at Fort Frontenac, and gather the whole disposable military force of New France, at Montreal. The commandants of the French posts at the west, were ordered to rendezvous at Niagara with their troops, and the warriors of their Indian allies in that quarter.
At this period, England and France were at peace, or rather a treaty had been signed between them, to the effect that whatever differences might arise at home or elsewhere, neutral relations
* Colden's History of the Five Nations. Mr. Clinton, in his discourse before the New York Historical Society in 1811, says of the speech of Garangula :- " I believe it to be impossible to find, in all the effusions of ancient or modern oratory, a speech more appropriate or convincing. Under the veil of respectful profession, it conveys the most biting irony; and while it abounds with rich and splendid imagery, it contains the most solid reasoning. I place it in the same rank of the celebrated speech of Logan; and I cannot but express my astonishment at the conduct of two respectable writers who have represented this interesting interview, and this sublime display of intellectual power, as a "scold between the French General and an old Indian."
t It should be observed here, that the English claimed dominion over all the country of the Iroquois south of the lakes, including of course the site of Fort Niagara. The French claimed the Iroquois' country, from priority of discovery and occupation by the Jesuits, La Salle, &c.
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should be observed by their subjects in North America. The Iroquois, apprised by the movements of DE NONVILLE, but not knowing where he intended to strike, communicated their appre- hensions to Governor DONGAN, who immediately wrote to DE NONVILLE that the great collection of supplies at Fort Frontenac convinced him that an attack was meditated upon the Iroquois; - that they were the subjects of the crown of England, and any injury to them, would be an open infraction of the peace which existed between them and their two kings. He also stated that he understood the French intended to build a fort at Niagara, which astonished him exceedingly, as "no one could be ignorant, that it- lay within the jurisdiction of New York." DE NONVILLE replied that the Iroquois feared chastisement because they deserved it; and dissimulating, endeavored to convey the impression that no more supplies were ordered to Frontenac than were necessary for the use of the troops stationed there. He said that the pretensions of England to the land of the Iroquois were unfounded, as the French had taken possession of them "long before there was an English- man in New York;" at the same time admonishing the English governor that while their kings and masters were living in perfect peace and amity, it would be unwise for their lieutenant generals to embroil themselves in war. Governor DONGAN took no measures to counteract the designs of the French, but to confirm the Iroquois in their apprehensions, and supply them with arms and ammuni- tion; but while the French preparations for war were going on, the English were sending trading parties to the Lakes, and assid- uously improving a slight foot-hold they had obtained among a few Indian nations that were inelining to their interests. The English used one weapon, almost as potent -(in some instances more so,)-as Jesuit influence, and insinuating French diplomacy. They had learned the fatal appetite of the Indian for strong drink, and took advantage of it, by introducing brandy and rum wherever they made their advances among them. The Jesuit priests kept up a continual warfare with the French traders, against the introduction of intoxicating liquors, and generally prevailed. The Catholic church had, at that early period, their Father MATTHEWS in this far off wilderness. And here it is no falsifying of historical record, to add, that generally, the French policy and conduct. looked far more to the ultimate good of the natives, than those of the English. The presence of the Jesuit missionary, modified and
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checked the sordid desire of gain with the trader. English cupidity had no such check.
DE NONVILLE employed the winter of 1687 in making ready for the expedition. The previous summer, as he says in his journal, was passed in negotiations, which terminated in an agreement that both parties should meet at Fort Frontenac to take measures for the conclusion of a general peace. "But the pride of that nation. (the Iroquois,) accustomed to see others yield to its tyranny, and the insults which they have continued to heap upon the French and our savage allies, have induced us to believe that there is no use in negotiating with them, but with arms in our hands, and we have all winter been preparing to make them a visit."
The French army, consisting of about sixteen hundred men, accompanied by four hundred Indian allies, set out from Montreal on the 13th of June, in three hundred and fifty batteaux, and after a slow passage up the St. Lawrence, encountering many difficulties, arrived at Fort Frontenac on the 30th. On the 4th day of July, it started for its destination; taking the route by the way of La Famine Bay, and coasting along the south side of lake Ontario, encamping upon the shore each night, arrived at Ganniagataronta- gouat, * on the 10th. Previous to leaving Fort Frontenac, DE NONVILLE had despatched orders to the commandant at Niagara to meet him with his troops, and the French and Indian allies who had come down from the west. This reinforcement amounted to about five hundred and eighty French and Indians. The two divisions of the army met at Irondequoit within the same hour.
The next day was employed in constructing pallisades, facines and pickets for the protection of provisions, batteaux and canocs. On the 12th, after detaching four hundred men to garrison their landing place, the French and Indians took up their line of march toward the villages of the Senecas. Passing up the east side of Irondequoit Bay, they encamped at night, a few miles above its head, near the village of Pittsford. The Indian village of Ganna- garo, which was situated near the present village of Victor, Ontario county, was to be the first point of attack. Continuing their march on the 13th, they arrived about 3 o'clock, at a defile near
* Irondequoit. The name given above, is the one by which the French designated it, and was borrowed from the Mohawks. The Seneca name is Ongiudaondagwat.
10
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the Indian village, when they were attacked by a large party of Senecas, that lay in ambush: -
"They were better received than they anticipated, and were thrown into such consternation that most of them threw away their guns and clothing to escape under favor of the woods. The action was not long, but there was heavy firing on both sides. The three companies of Ottawas who were stationed on the right, dis- tinguished themselves, and all our christian savages farther in the rear, performed their duty admirably, and firmly maintained the position which had been assigned to them on the left. As we had in our front a dense wood, and a brook bordered with thickets, and had made no prisoners that could tell us positively the number of Indians that had attacked us ; the fatigues of the march, which our troops, as well the French as the Savages, had undergone, left us in no condition to pursue the enemy. They had fled beyond where we had sufficient knowledge of the paths, to be certain which we should take to lead us from the woods into the plain. The enemy left twenty-seven dead on the field to our knowledge, besides a much larger number of wounded, judging from the traces of blood which we saw. We learned from one of the dying that they had more than eight hundred men under arms, either in the action or in the village, and were daily expecting assistance from the neighboring Iroquois. Our troops being much fatigued, we rested during the remainder of the day at the same place, where we found sufficient water for the night. We maintained a strict watch, waiting for day, in order to enter the plain, which is about a league in extent, before proceeding to the village.
" The next day, which was the 14th, a heavy rain, which lasted till noon, compelled us to remain until that time at the place where the battle occured. We set out in battle array, thinking the enemy entrenched in the new village, which is above the old. In the mean time we entered the plain without seeing any thing but the relics of the fugitives. We found the old village burnt by the enemy, and the entrenchments of the new deserted, which were distant from the old about three-quarters of a league. We encamped on the height of the plain, and did nothing this day but protect ourselves from the rain which continued until night." *
Two old men who had been left by the Senecas in their retreat, told DE NONVILLE that the ambuscade consisted of two hundred and twenty men stationed on the hill side to attack the French in the rear, and five hundred and thirty in front; and beside this,
* De Nonville's Journal.
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there were three hundred in their fort, situated on a very advanta- geous height : that there were none but Senecas in the battle the Cayuga and Onondaga warriors not having arrived.
The Senecas setting fire to all their villages, retreated before the French army, and sought refuge among the Cayugas. The French army remained in the Seneca country until the 24th. The deserted villages were entered, large quantities of corn and beans destroyed; the Indian allies scouting the country and tomahawk- ing and scalping such straggling Senecas as fell behind in the flight, or remained in consequence of infirmity. Such was the spirit of the western Indians, and determination to execute ven- geance upon those who had so often warred upon them, that the French could not induce them to save such prisoners as fell into their hands.
DE NONVILLE estimates the amount of corn destroyed in all the "four villages of the Sonnontouans," 1,200,000 bushels! A great exaggeration, undoubtedly, as the Senecas were never sufficiently numerous nor agricultural, to warrant the conclusion that they had any thing approaching to that amount in all their territory. He was making a report to "the king his master," and it is quite likely made his exploits as formidable as possible. He differs materially in his account of the expedition from Baron LA HONTAN who was one of his officers.
LA HONTAN's account of the invasion of the Seneca country is as follows:
"On the third day of July, 1687, we embarked from Fort Frontenac, to coast along the southern shore, under favor of the calms which prevail in that month, and at the same time the Sieur de LA FORET left for Niagara by the north side of the lake, to wait there for a considerable reinforcement.
"By extraordinary good fortune we both arrived on the same day, and nearly the same hour, at the river of the Tsonnontouans, by reason of which our savage allies, who draw predictions from the merest trifles, foretold, with their usual superstition, that so punctual a meeting infallibly indicated the total destruction of the Iroquois. How they deceived themselves the sequel will show.
"The same evening on which we landed, we commenced draw- ing our canoes and batteaux upon land, and protected them by a strong guard. We afterwards set about constructing a fort of stakes, in which four hundred men were stationed, under the com- mand of the Sieur DORVILLIERS, to guard the boats and baggage.
" The next day a young Canadian, named LA FONTAINE
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MARION, was unjustly put to death. The following is his history: This poor unfortunate became acquainted with the country and savages of Canada by the numerous voyages he made over the continent, and after having rendered his King good service, asked permission of several of the Governors general to continue his travels in further prosecution of his petty traffic, but he could never obtain it. He then determined to go to New England, as war did not then exist between the two Crowns. He was very well received, on account of his enterprise and acquaintance with nearly all the Indian languages. It was proposed that he should pilot through the lakes, those two companies of English which have since been captured. He agreed to do so, and was unfor- tunately taken with the rest.
"The injustice of which they were guilty, appears to me inex- cusable, for we were at peace with the English, besides which they claim that the Lakes of Canada belong to them.
"On the following day we set out for the great village of the Tsonnontouans, without any other provisions than the ten biscuit which each man was compelled to carry for himself. We had but seven leagues to march, through immense forests of lofty trees and over a very level country. The Coureurs de bois formed the vanguard, with a part of the savages, the remainder of which brought up the rear-the regulars and militia being in the center.
"The first day, our scouts marched in advance without making any discoveries. The distance which we accomplished was four leagues. On the second day the same scouts took the lead, and advanced even to the fields of the village, without perceiving any one, although they passed within pistol shot of five hundred Tsonnontouans lying on their bellies, who suffered them to pass and repass without interruption.
"On receiving their report, we marched in great haste and little order, believing that as the Iroquois had fled, we could at least capture their women, children and old men. But when we arrived at the foot of the hill on which they lay in ambush, distant about a quarter of a league from the village, they began to utter their ordinary cries, followed with a discharge of musketry.
"If you had seen, sir, the disorder into which our militia and regulars were thrown, among the dense woods. you would agree with me. that it would require many thousand Europeans to make head against these barbarians.
"Our battalions were immediately separated into platoons, which ran without order, pell mell, to the right and left, without knowing whither they went. Instead of firing upon the Iroquois, we fired upon each other. It was in vain to call 'help, soldiers of such a battalion,' for we could scarcely see thirty paces. In short we were so disordered, that the enemy were about to fall upon us, club in hand, when our savages having rallied, repulsed and pursued them so closely, even to their villages. that they killed more than
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eighty, the heads of which they brought away, not counting the wounded who escaped.
" We lost on this one occasion ten savages and a hundred French- men; we had twenty or twenty-two wounded, among whom was the good Father ANGELRAN, the Jesuit, who was shot in those parts of which ORIGEN wished to deprive himself, that he might instruct the fair sex with less scandal.
"When the savages brought the heads to M. De NONVILLE, they inquired why he halted instead of advancing. He replied that he could not leave his wounded, and to afford his surgeons time to care for them, he had thought proper to encamp. They proposed making litters to carry them to the village, which was near at hand. The general being unwilling to follow this advice, endeavored to make them listen to reason, but in place of hearing him, they reassembled, and having held a council among them- selves, although they were more than ten different nations, they resolved to go alone in pursuit of the fugitives, of whom they expected to capture at least the women, children, and old men.
" When they were ready to march, M. De NONVILLE exhorted them not to leave him or depart from his camp, but rest for one day, and that the next day he would go and burn the villages of the enemy, and lay waste their fields, in consequence of which they would perish by famine. This offended them so much that the greater part returned to their country, saying that 'the French had come for an excursion rather than to carry on war, since they would not profit by the finest opportunity in the world; that their ardor was like a sudden flash, extinguished as soon as kindled; that it seemed useless to have brought so many warriors from all parts to burn bark cabins, which could be rebuilt in four days; that the Tsonnontouans would care but little if their Indian corn was destroyed, since the other Iroquois nations had sufficient to afford them a part; that finally, after having joined the Governors of Canada to no purpose, they would never trust them in future, notwithstanding any promises they might make.'
" Some say that M. De NONVILLE should have gone farther. others think it was impossible for him to do better. I will not venture to decide between them. Those at the helm are often the most embarrassed. However, we marched the next day to the great village, carrying our wounded on litters, but found nothing but ashes, the Iroquois having taken the precaution to burn it themselves. We were occupied five or six days in cutting down Indian corn in the fields with our swords. From thence we passed to the two small villages of The-ga-ron-hies and Da-non-ca-ri- ta-oui, distant two or three leagues from the former, where we performed the same exploits, and then returned to the borders of the lake. We found in all these villages, horses, cattle, poultry, and a multitude of swine. The country which we saw is the
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most beautiful, level and charming in the world. The woods we traversed abounded in oak, walnut and wild chestnut trees."
COLDEN, the historian of the Iroquois, says that five hundred of the Senecas lay in ambush; that they "lay on their bellies and let the French scouts pass and repass without disturbing them;" but that when the main body of the army came up "the Senekas suddenly raised the war shout, with a discharge of their fire arms. This put the regular troops, as well as the militia, into such a fright, as they marched through the woods, that the battalions immediately divided and ran to the right and the left, and in the confusion fired upon one another. When the Senekas perceived their disorder they fell in upon them pell mell, till the French Indians, more used to such mode of fighting, gathered together and repulsed the Senekas. There were, (according to the French accounts,) a hun- dred Frenchmen, ten French Indians, and about four score Senekas killed in the rencounter. Monsieur DE NONVILLE was so dispirited with the fright that his men had been put into that his Indians could not persuade him to pursue. He halted the remainder of the day. The next day he marched on with a design to burn the village, but when he came there he found that the Senekas had saved him the trouble; for they had laid all in ashes before they retired. The French stayed five or six days to destroy the corn, and then marched to two other villages, at two or three leagues distance. After they had performed the like exploits in tnese places, they returned to the banks of the lake."
There are some traditions among the Senecas, in reference to DE NONVILLE's expedition which are worthy of note: - WILLIAM JONES, a native Seneca, who married a relative of RED JACKET, states that he has heard the chief often say, that when he was a boy he used to hear the old men speak of a large party of French soldiers who penetrated the Indian country along the Genesee to a place called in the Seneca language, Sgohsaisthah. He did not admit that the Indians suffered any serious defeat.
JOHN BLACKSMITH, a chief of the Senecas, residing on the Tonawanda Reservation, hunted in his youth over the country embraced in the counties of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario, and thus acquired an intimate knowledge of old Indian localities. He was asked if he had ever heard that a French army penetrated the Seneca country in olden time ? He related the following tradi- tion: -
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