USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VII > Part 20
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Brethren, It is not unknown to you how that the Gov. of Cannida hath begun an illegal war upon us without any provocation or cause. He throws his axe every- where and exercises acts of hostility upon all people without respect of persons. hee hath not only taken of our people prisoners in time of peace but our brethren the English also that were about their lawful occasions in travelling to Ottawawa, which certainly you have as good a right to as the French, and since amongst the rest Arnot the interpreter is also taken prisoner who hath done good services for us in travelling up and downe in our country, and we haveing a French prisoner according to our custom doe deliver him to the family of Arnout in his stead and room to wash off the tears of his wife and children hopeing he will be acceptable.
The Governor of Cannidas hart is naught, it is turned upside down, but we hold fast the covenant chaine here in Corlaer's house, and with all them that are in friendship with Corlarr doe give a belt of wampum 14. deep.
Let the Governor of Cannida do what he will and pull as hard as hee can hee shall not break the chain that is between us and Corlaer, wee will all hold fast, and let us all hold the chain of friendship verry fast, and that will be the only means to make the Governor of Canida
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fall upon his left side-do give a belt of wampum 12. deep.
Lett your hart be full of understanding and hearken not to any private or common discourse of any prateing drunken Indian, butt to what shall be spoke by the Sa- chims, and wee will bee careful to doe the same. doe give a Belt 10 deep.
Now, we have done speaking of Civil affairs shall now proceed to say somewhat of Military affairs .-
Tahajadoris their General being speaker,
Wee are extreame sorry for that misfortune that befell our people in not bringing off Cryn and his company prisoners here, it is a greatt loss to all the Country and we are full of griefe quite to Tionondoga* for it. doe give a Belt 12. deep.
The Governor hath often told us, that wee should not trust the Governor of Canida, and wee have great reason to returne a thousand thanks to His Excell : for his good advice, which we now doe, for we have found it to be true, what he hath said of the French, and therefore wee take up the Axe now and declare and denounce warr openly against them; wee have now at Schennectida a Company of one hundred and thirty men that goe out to-morrow towards the Lake of Canida to do all the Mischief they can against the French, and there are three Companys out the same way, whom we expect home speedily, who forthwith shall go out againe. doe give a Belt 10 Deep.
You have now heard wee have proclaimed and declared warr against the French, which we intend to pursue with all vigor, and for the better prosecution of the same wee pray your Excell : to engage and induce as many Nations of Indians as you can to join in the warr against the French, and any Nation of Indians that can be perswaded to lay downe the axe that your Excell: will doe your endeavour to effect it that wee may have the more free- dome to be revenged of the French, and if any of those Indians newly united in our covenant should be inclined to- wards the French, and break a link in the chain, we must
*The third castle, and capital, of the Mohawk country.
[ Annals vii.] 24.
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go to the Smith and have it mended. doe give a belt of wampum 10 deepe.
Answer to the Propositions .- You have done very well in delivering the French prisoner, and wee are certaine, it will be very acceptable to his Excellency, intending to send him down to New York with the first opportunity. Wee find that the Brethren are mindful of what his Ex- cell : hath proposed to you, and we desire you to putt the other four Nations in minde of doinge the same, and by noe meanse to kill the prisoners, since it is the only meanse to preserve the people that are among the French.
You need not doubt that Corlaer will keepe the Cove- nant Chaine fast and firme, and endeavor to link as many Nations in itt as possible, and will be very glad to heare : that the Brethren are at last so united as we here are, and i see that you bee watchful to purge your people of French spyes and corrupt rotten members.
And since you are absolutely resolved to warr with the French, and defend yourselves and Country, proceed and 1 go on with vigor and courage and bee careful, that busi- ness may be carried on with more prudence and conduct : than that of Cryn was, which certainly will vex his Ex- cell: exceedingly, since you were so often charged to bring him here.
You never did finde, wee were very credulous of any common reports as sometimes the Brethren have been and that very lately too; and therefore when you hear any story, first satisfy yourselfs of the truth of itt by inquiring of the magistrates before itt bee blazed abroad. Wee shall send downe the propositions to the Governor with the first [opportunity]-was given back 75gl : 10st white Wampum, for which the belts were exchanged and for a gun which was given to Tahajadoris their General. Examined pr me.
ROBT. LIVINGSTON.
PROPOSITIONS OF THE ONONDAGAS TO THE MAYOR AND COM- MON COUNCIL OF ALBANY.
(Board of Trade; New York Papers, B. III.);
Propositions made by the Onondagas to the Mayor and
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Aldermen of the citty of Albany the 14th day of September, Anno 1687. Present-Peter Schuyler, Esq., Mayor; Direck Wessels, Recorder; Andr. Geritse, Hend: Cuyler, Abel Rykmann, Aldermen; Robert Sandors, Interpreter.
Wee heard the news this spring from hence that the French would warr upon us, which accordingly we found to bee true, our Sachims have been hore and heard his Excellency's propositions concerning our wives and chil- dren to be brought here for reliefe and not to stay in our Castles and repeating the propositions, all which we ap- prove of very well.
We Onondagas and some of all the Nations except the Maquasse (who have don nothing) have been lately at Cadarachqui and gott som prisoners there, butt have scarce seen the Maquass; wee desire of his Excellency six great gunns for our fort at Onondage.
The Governor of Canida desyred us to come to Cada- rachqui this spring to speak with him there, but his Ex- cellency commanded us not to goe, whom wee obeyed, The Governor desired us likewise, to take as many French prisoners as we could, and not to kill them, and we hav- ing received assistance of Powder, lead and amunition of his Excellency, Wee doe now offer our thanks, full ac- knowledgments and to shew our obedience to his Excel- lency's commands wee have saved the lives of these two french prisoners whom wee now deliver to your Excel- lency haveing taken them at Cadarachqui.
The Governor ordered us to look out where the French army was and where they made any forts, we have found that they have a strength and Men at Cadaraghqui and also a Fort at Onnyagaro, and since the Cayouges and Sinnekes see that the French are so powerful and strengthen themselves by fortifications, begin to grow faint-hearted, and therefore desire His Excellency's help and assistance against the French, without which we will not be able to subsist.
His Excellency discoursed concerning the makeing of a Fort, which was proposed to be made att Kajonhare but wee are of opinion that itt would doe better at Sowego a
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place a dayes journey from Onondage; They doe renew the Covenant Chain and give a belt of wampum 10 deep.
Answer to the said propositions .- Wee doubt not but the Brethren are sencible of the many favours and good advice you receive of his Excellency and particularly that in advising you of not going to Cadarachqui, which if you had, the French would have taken you all pris- oners or killed you as he did the rest of the people, you doe well to obey his Excellencys commands in not killing of the French prisoners; we shall acquaint the Governor with it and send the prisoners downe.
We shall also acquaint his Excellency with your re- quest about the great Guns, but we must tell you, you are not well advised in asking for Cannon, that would tend to your greater ruine if the French should surprise you as they did the Sinnekes, for wee can assure you, that they intend to ruine you all if they can. The Governor has received a very angry letter from the Governor of Canada for supplying you with powder and lead and looks upon his Excel : to be an enemy to his Colony and an ill Man; The Governor will have the Five Nations to stick to one another and hee will bee as good as his word and stand by the Brethren, and let them want for nothing, intending to be up himselfe in person early in the spring ; he has sent up orders to send to all the Five Nations and accordingly Keman is gon yesterday to tell them to send their wives and Children and old Men to winter at Catts- kill Rooloffe Johnsons Kill and other convenient places along the River that wee may bee able of assisting them and also to putt them strictly in minde of their promise, not to admit of the least Proposition of peace without acquainting the Governor, for if you and the French will always be at the same rate they are and will cheat and Cozen you so long till they get you all into the snare; and therefore be advized and let none stay in the Castles but such as are fit for warr; the French are making great preparations of snow shows and otherwise, and if they can not ruin you otherwise will endeavour to do it by sur- prise ; therefore faile not to send downe your Wives and
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children and old Men according to the Governor's orders, especially since wee here, itt is a great obstruction to the Men that goe out a warring, who stay at home to defend and prouide for their families, and leave no more corne in your Castles than what is just necessary for them that stay there, the rest bury itt secretly in the woods, if itt be too far off to bring hither, that the Enemy may not find it.
The Governor doth send this gentleman Mons. La Parre to Canida with an answer of the French Govern- ers angry letter for letting you have powder and lead to warr with the French, and has writt to him in as much anger to demand of the French Governor that he restore and send back our Christian and Indian prisoners, and to know what reason he had to invade our Brethren in the King's territories. The Governor is a sending a gent; to England to acquaint the great King of England with the French doeings, and therefore if any Christian Indians comes to your Castles with any propositions of peace, seize them. As for the place you propose for a fort, wee shall acquaint his Excellency with itt, butt the year being spent, nothing can bee expected to be done in building a Fort this season, lett the Cajouges and Sinne- kes have courage and not to be faint-hearted, they need not fear the French strength, the Governor will stand by them and assist them if occasion be, and your wives and Children shall be maintained and protected. Was given back 30 glss white string Wampum.
Albany, 15th Sept., 1678.
Upon the receipt of his Excellencys letters per Marte Garrette, the said Indians accompanied by some of the Sinnakes and Cayouges were told that his Excellency was informed from Canida, that they were makeing great preparation of snow shoes, threaten the Indians and Christians here for giving the Indians amunition and therefore the Governor was fully resolved to come up here and stay all winter, and would bring the Garrison and some of the Militia along with him to assist the Brethren if occasion be, and therefore desired a hundred
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Men from the Sennekes, fifty from the Cayouges, sixty from the Onondages, fifty from the Oneydes, and forty from the Maquasse to be at Schannectida this winter to joine with the forces his Excellency should bring up on occasion, since itt is to bee believed the French, if they do come and will come by the way of Corlaers Lake.
Which Message was very pleasing and acceptable to said Indians and would return home with joy and acquaint all the Nations herewith-there being some Wampum giv- en to be left at each Castle as a letter about this affair.
Examined per me.
ROBT. LIVINGSTON, CI.
EXAMINATION OF JOHN ROSIE.
(New England, IV, 931.)
Examination of John Rosie .- John Rosie of the Citty of Albany aged thirty-foure yeares or thereabouts being examined sayeth, that on the eleventh of June last he went from Albany with Dericke Wessels who was sent by Governor Dongan to carry the truce or cessation made between the Kings of England and France to the Governor of Canada, and the twenty-second following came with him to Mount Royall where they found the sayd Governor of Canada and there he saw the sayd Der- ick Wessells the same day deliver the letters of the sayd cessation to the Governors own hand. And this exam- inante further sayeth that the twenty-fifth .of July past the sayd Derick Wessells being againe sent from Albany to carry some prisoners to Canada, he this examinant accompanied him, and about the seventh or eighth of August came againe to Mount Royall, where they also found the Governor of Canada, and that about two days after the Governor of Canada told to the sayd Derick Wessells and this examinant that there was gone out from Canada eleven of' the North Indians in company with some Maquaes, and that the Maquaes were returned but the North Indians were not, that he ordered them
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to stay but thirty days, which time was expired, but he hoped they would doe noe mischiefe in these parts, for he had ordered them to doe none to any Christians, but when they are in the woods they doe what they will. Where- upon the sayd Derick Wessells replyed that if those In- dians should doe any mischiefe in these parts it would be of ill consequence.` And that the Governour of Canada then further sayd, who can help that, for yow know that in Europe sometimes six monthes after a peace there is battells fought before itt is knowne. And the sayd Der- icke Wessells againe replyed that must be in such places where nothing was knowne of a cessation, but here itt was well knowne: and that hee this examinant well un- derstanding the French language did interprett what was sayd by the French Governour, as above, to the sayd Derick Wessells and also what was replyed by him to French Governour. And this Examinant further sayth that att the time before menconed when Derick Wessells carryed the Cessation to Canada, he did every day dure- ing his stay at Mount Royall, which was about five dayes, see and discourse with a certaine Indian called Quaetseits., who formerly lived on Hudson's River, and was well knowne to him, and att their departure left him there. And further sayth not.
The 25th of September 1688. the sayd Jean Rosie came before mee and made oath of the above Examinacon. P. SCHUYLER, Mayor.
COLONEL BAYARD TO CAPTAIN NICHOLSON.
(New York Papers, B. II. 208.).
New Albany 23 July 1689.
Honnored Sir: I hope you have met with a pros- perous voyage and that ere long wee may hear of your safe arrival-Since your departure the insolencies and cruelties of the great mutineer Jacob Leiseler and his crue are in no manner diminished, but rather augmented, as you will find by the inclosed abstract of the Journall till my departure from New Yorke. And have also de-
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sired Mr Mayor by this opportunity to give you an ac- count of the chief occurrances that have happened since :
Great endeavours have alsoo been made by the said Lesteler and those of his faction to overthrow, All civill Government in the remaining parts of the Government, as in the late province of New Jarsie, in the county of Richmond, in the county of Ulster and in this county of Albany by sending of messengers and letters to some of the military Officers and factious men, inticing them to follow their steps; but all the said places disapproving of their mutinous proceedings, are agreed to remaine steady, and retaine, their civil Government pursuant to His Ma- jesties said proclamation of the 14th February. last till orders do arrive from England ;
Here at Albany has been but a very slender trade, which occasions great poverty, by most of the inhabitants, having had little or no trade this three years past, neither can they expect any as long those of Canida be not re- duced to other terms.
I had a letter from Mr West of the 28th of June who tells me all continues in the same state at Boston, only the Government is removed to the Castle and he to the prison-I am now retired at Albany where I intend to continue till orders do arrive from His Majesty to settle the desolate affairs of the Government which pray God may be very speedily-In the interim I shall take leave with the offers of my most humble service assuring that I am Honnored Sir Your very humble servant
(signed) N BAYARD .-
MEMORIAL OF THE AGENTS FROM ALBANY, ETC., TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CONNECTICUT.
(New York Papers, III. 3, B. 20.)
MEMORIAL delivered to the Honorable Governor and Coun- cil of Their Majesties' Colony of Connecticutt by Robert Livingstone and Capt: Gerite Teunise Agents Com- missionated by the Convention of Albanie and Capt Thomas Gorton sent from the County of Ulster.
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Wee have yesterday given your Honors an account of the state of affaires with us and in whatt danger Albanie is in if nott speedily assisted by our neighbours we of ourselves and they of N. Yorke whatever they pretend are nott able to maintaine that part of their Majesties Territory without a considerable supply of men and pro- visions and since wee now understand by the French prisoners taken by the Maquase that the French of Cani. da are intended to make an assault upon Albanie with a considerable body of French and Indians early in the Spring for which purpose they have flatt bottomed boates canoes and engines of war ready by which means they will bring the 5 Nations or Cantons of Indians to trucle under them who have hitherto proved faithfull to the English Crowne the signall tokens whereof being now sufficiently demonstrated by their killing and taking nine- teen french and Indians of that party that committed the Massacre at Shinnectady and thatt with the loss of four of their men.
And perceiving by your Honors letters to the Gent. of Albanie that upon the Inductions of Capt Leyslers Agents (whom we concluded were come here for more assistance) your honors draw of the forces sent there last fall for assistance as if the men which said Leysler engages to send up were sufficient to resist the force of Canida we must conclude that Captain Leisler must be very igno- rant of affairs with us to strive to have the forces there drawne of else has some by ends which we are afraid will prove destructive and extreme dangerous to their Majes- ties affairs at Albanie and doe therefore in their behalfe of their Majesties Subjects in the Citty and County of Albanie desire and request,
Istly That your Honnors would be pleased to raise 200 brisk young men with all expedition to defend Their Majesties King William and Queen Mary's Interest att Albany and to joyne upon occasion with our young men and goe out along with the Indians to annoy the French off Canida and keep them in a continuall alarme till such times things be in readiness to invade them both by sea and land
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2ndly Since nothing can be more dangerous than rays- ing jealousies among the Indians att present who con- tinually presse for assistance from hence, That an ex- press be sent with all. Speed to Albany to stop Capt: Bull's drawing of the men till a considerable Garrison be in the Citty for itts sufficient defence against the French which cannott be less than five hundred men besides the 140 Inhabitants that live in the City.
3rdly Since we are informed that Mr Milborn goes up with a party of Men from New Yorke to overthrow the government of the City of Albany and turn all upside downe and in all probability to remove those Gentlemen of the Convention with whom the Indians of the 5 Nations do keep their correspondence and covenant chain as they call it all which we fear may prove fatall in such a junc- ture wee desyre that your honors would be pleased to putt a stop te such dangerous proceedings till our neigh- bours of Boston be informed of all affaires who advised us in their last letter that they had written to Capt : Leysler to forbear those measures which occasion us soe much disturbance since your honors may be assured that the Convention of Albany who aim att nothing but the publick good will be willing to submitt to any thing that ever shall be thought expedient and requisite by the neighbouring Colonies who have no small interest in the preservation of that place from confusion securing the 5 Nations to pursue the present Warr
4ly That the Gent of Albany as well those who are of Leysler's Party as well those who are nott satisfied of his having the authority which he assumes to himself have unanimously sent an agent to N. Yorke praying them to lay aside all animosities and private differences and contests and joyne heart and hand with all might and force against the Common ennemy and to send up what men provisions they can procure for maintaining and defending their Majesties King William and Mary's Interest in these parts hoping they will not take any ad- vantages att present to promote theire owne Interest but mind the welfare of the Countrey and the preservation of their Majesties subjects and the opposing of the common ennemy.
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5thly Since the people of Albany are so much impov- erished by a continuall charge for these 3 years past without any trade or commerce whereby they are ren- dered incapable of fournishing the souldiers with pro- visions Shennectady being destroyed and most of the out plantations deserted that your honors would be pleased to send a supply of one hundred barrels of porke or beefe equivalent for maintaining their Majesties Forces
6thly Since wee plainly see the French of Canida de. sign no less then the destruction of their Majesties in- terest in these parts of America and that it is impossible that their Majesties subjects can expect any peace or tranquility soe long as the French of Canida bee not sub- dued it is our only Interest that all their Majesties sub- jects of the United Collonies joyne and procure a con- siderable force by sea and land to invade and subdue Canida and to the end itt may be the more speedily ef- fected since delayes are extream dangerous in such cases we desire that your honors would be pleased to depute some Gentleman to go to Boston to consult and joyne with that Collony who wee understand are a fitting out Vessels for the purpose that so glorious a work may be carried on with all cheerfulness and expedition itt being every true Englishmans interist in these parts to lend their helping hand on such occasions which will contribute to our further peace
7thly That your honors would be pleased to consider the quantity of provisions that will be requisite for the carrying on the expedition and what want there would be if the reaping and sowing should be obstructed by the enemy (which God forbid) hoping that your honors will take that fitting care that your Collony be not drained of so needful a commodity in these dangerous times
8thly That your honors would be pleased to consider what we now propose is nott meerly for our own safety but the general good of all N. England since wee are all embarked in one bottom and though they who are near- est the fire burn first yett if Albany be destroyed which is the principal land Bulwark in America against the
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French then there is not only an open road for French and Indians to make incursions in your Honors Territor- yes but the 5 Nations who are now for us will be forced to turn their ax the other way and how dangerous that is none of the Gent. I suppose are ignorant of
9thly Wee cannot omit to acquaint your honors whatt wee have observed in our travels through your Collony how that the people are generally much inclined and very eager to be employed against the French which we hope will the more facilitate your honors Councils and under- takings begging your honors to use all expedition imagin- able in soe great a business of import for iff Canida re- ceive there expected supplies from France we fear itt will be too late to conquer those enemies to America's Peace
We beg your honors answer with all convenient speed being designed to hasten our journey to Boston we re- main your honors most obedient Servants
Hartford the 12th
of March 1682
ROBT. LIVINGTONE GERRITE TEUNIS THOS GARTON
MEMORIAL OF THE AGENTS FROM ALBANY TO THE GOV- ERNMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
(New York Papers, III. B., 22.),
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