USA > New York > Fulton County > The border warfare of New York, during the revolution; or, The annals of Tryon county > Part 5
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" Brothers ! What we have said is supposed to be sufficient to convince you that our meaning is for our joint peace and friendship ; in which we hope that we and our children may continue to the end of time."
Most of the Oneidas agreed to remain neutral ; a few joined the English. When Gen. Schuyler had command of the northern army, they asked permission to take up the hatchet. But he always dissuaded them. It shows not only the consistency but the amiableness of character of that man, so much esteem- ed by his contemporaries. Some of the Oneidas rendered very important services by traversing the country, and notifying the inhabitants of approaching danger. Others, contrary to advice, joined in the war. The latter were a small part of the tribe. Among them was Skenando,* distinguished along the border by the appellation of the " white man's friend."
* See Appendix-Note D.
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CHAPTER III.
THE removal of Guy Johnson to Canada excited no surprise ; but while hovering upon the frontier, reports were circulated which caused considerable alarm. It - was said that he intended to attack Little Falls, with eight or nine hundred Indians, and to proceed thence down the river, and ravage the whole county below. Measures were taken to make a vigorous resistance, in case the report should prove true. The militia were ordered to arm, and to be ready to march on the first notice, and expresses were sent for assistance to Albany and Schenectady. Whether the rumor was unfounded, or whether the invasion was contemplated, but was abandoned in consequence of the preparations made to resist him, is not known. Col. Johnson withdrew, as before stated, without committing any acts of hostility.
The committee, freed from immediate danger in that direction, turned their attention to the internal regulation of the county. They determined civil causes-officered and organized the militia-arrested and tried suspicious persons, some of whom they fined, and others they imprisoned-ordered that no person should come into or go out of the county without a pass from some acknowledged public body, either a
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congress or a committee; and, in short, exercised such powers as the exigencies of the times demanded, and which were necessary to secure tranquillity with- in, and guard against danger from without.
Though these committees generally exercised pow- ers which were not delegated to them when first appointed, their .egulations were submitted to, and their resolves obeyed cheerfully by their constituents, who perceived the necessity of concentrating as much power as possible in that body. The discordant and disorganizing materials thrown together by such strifes require the control of a strong arm. The rash are to be checked, the vicious are to be punished, and the irresolute and wavering encouraged and confirmed. The exposed situation of Tryon County, with the great number of open and avowed enemies, furnished an additional reason why the committee should exer- cise an almost absolute authority.
Brant and the Butlers had accompanied Guy John- son, but the loyalists were still numerous in the county. They found a willing and active leader in Sir John Johnson, whose house now became their principal place of rendezvous.
They strove to weaken the confidence of the people in the committee. At one time they called meetings in some of the districts, and chose new committees. At another, they ridiculed their proceedings. Some- times they asserted that their acts were illegal, and at other times that they were tyrannical. Under such circumstances, and with the feelings which such strifes are apt to engender, it is not singular that the pro- ceedings of the committee against those men were
4*
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characterized by considerable severity. It is worthy of remark, however, that no sacrifice was required of their constituents, which they themselves were unwil- ling to make; no dangers to be encountered which they were unwilling to share. Several of the com- mittee were killed in battle, and there were few of those who escaped with their lives, who did not sus- tain a total loss of property during the subsequent Indian ravages.
Christopher P. Yates, the first chairman, went a volunteer to Ticonderoga, and into Canada with Gen. Montgomery. During the latter part of the summer of 1775, he raised a company of rangers, and in the following summer was commissioned a major. He was succeeded by Nicholas Herkimer, afterwards brig- adier general of the militia, and he by Isaac Paris.
The following extract is from a letter of the State Committee of Safety, under date of December, 1775, signed by John M'Kesson, clerk of the Provincial Congress. " I was directed by this Congress to assure you of the high esteem and respect they have for your vigilant, noble-spirited county committee." The fol- lowing was from Gen. Schuyler in the summer of '76: " The propriety of your conduct, and your generous exertions in the cause of your country, entitle you to the' thanks of every one of its friends-please to ac- cept of mine most sincerely."
Among the loyalists of Tryon County was Alexan- der White, sheriff of the county. He had assisted in his official capacity in dispersing the people assembled in the Mohawk district to appoint a committee, and had uttered violent threats against them. The com-
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mittee refused to acknowledge him as such officer, and procured the election of John Frey in his place. They wrote a letter to the Provincial Congress solicit- ing their interference in procuring a commission for Mr. Frey.
In a subsequent letter they say, " We must further hear that Gov. Tryon shall have granted again a com- mission to the great villain, Alexander White, for high sheriff in our county ; but we shall never suffer any exercise of such office in our county, by the said White." He left the county soon after, but returned the following summer ; was arrested and confined, though afterward suffered to go at large upon parole.
The following is from a letter of the committee to Provincial Congress of New York, Sept. 7, 1775. " There is a great number of proved enemies against our association and regulations thereof, proceeding in and about Johnstown and Kingsborough, under the direction and order of Sir John Johnson, being High- landers, amounting to 200 men, according to intelli- gence. We are daily scandalized by them, provoked and threatened, and we must surely expect a havoc of them upon our families if we should be required and called elsewhere for the defense of our country's cause. The people on our side are not willing that the committee should proceed so indulgently any longer. We have great suspicions, and are almost assured that Sir John has a continual correspondence with Col. Guy Johnson and his party."
It was afterward ascertained that such a corres- pondence was carried on through the Indians, who conveyed letters in the heads of their tomahawks and
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in the ornaments worn about their persons. The Indians also brought powder across from Canada.
On the 26th of October the committee wrote to Sir John the following letter: "Tryon County Com- mittee Chamber, Oct. 26th, 1775. Honorable Sir : As we find particular reason to be convinced of your opinion in the questions hereafter expressed, we re- quest you that you'll oblige us with your sentiments thereupon in a few lines by our messengers the bear- ers hereof, Messrs. Ebenezer Cox, James M'Master, and John J. Clock, members of our committee. We wish to know whether you will allow the inhabitants of Johnstown and Kingsborough to form themselves into companies, according to the regulations of our Continental Congress, for the defense of our country's cause ; and whether your honor would be ready him- self to give his personal assistance to the same pur- pose ; also, whether you pretend a prerogative to our county court-house and gaol, and would hinder or interrupt the committee making use of the same to our want and service in the common cause.
" We do not doubt you will comply with our rea- sonable request, and thereby oblige," &c.
To this letter Sir John replied, " That as to embody- ing his tenants, he never did or should forbid them ; but they might save themselves further trouble, as he knew his tenants would not consent. Concerning himself, sooner than lift his hand against his king, or sign any association, he would suffer his head to be - cut off. As to the court-house and gaol, he would not deny the use of it for the purpose for which it was built, but that they were his property until he should
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be refunded seven hundred pounds. He further said he had been informed that two-thirds of Canajoharie and German Flats people had been forced to sign the association." The deputies replied, that his authority spared the truth, for it appeared of itself ridiculous that one-third should have forced two-thirds to sign.
The Provincial Congress, to whom a letter contain- ing the proceedings of the committee had been sent, returned an answer as follows : "Dec. 9th. The Congress have this day entered into the consideration of your letter of the 28th of October, and are of opin- ion that your application to Sir John Johnson, request- ing an answer from him whether he would allow his tenants to form themselves into companies and asso- ciate with their brethren of your county according to the resolves of the Continental Congress, for the de- fense of our liberties, was improper with respect to him, and too condescending on your part, as it was a matter that came properly within your province ; and to which we doubt not but you are competent, as you have a line of conduct prescribed to you by Con- gress. With respect to your second question, whether he would take any active part in the controversy at present existing between Great Britain and her colo- nies, we conceive it to be very proper, and thank you for your information on that head.
" As to the third question, we conceive that he has no claim nor title to the court-house or gaol in your county, as we are credibly told that his father, Sir William Johnson, did in his lifetime convey the same to two gentlemen, in trust for the use of your county. However, as an attempt to use the same
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for the purpose of confining persons inimical to our country, may be productive of bad consequences, we beg leave to recommend to you, to procure some other place which may answer the end of a gaol. And give you our advice not to molest Sir John as long as he shall continue inactive, and not impede the meas- ures necessary to be carried into execution from being completed." This advice was followed, and a private house was procured for that purpose, while some of the prisoners were sent to Albany and Hartford.
The fears of the people were again excited, during the subsequent winter, by preparations made by Sir John for the erection of a fortification around Johnson Hall. The number of armed dependents which he retained around him, gave credit to a report that, when the fortification should be completed, it would be garrisoned by three hundred Indians in addition to his own men, and that from thence they would sally out and ravage the surrounding country.
Gen. Schuyler had been informed of the movements of Sir John, and in Jan. 1776, in the dead of winter, together with Gen. Ten Broeck, and Col. Varick, and a few others, with a small detachment of soldiers, came into Tryon County. General Herkimer ordered out all the militia. They were paraded on the ice on the Mohawk River. The place of meeting was Major Fonda's, a few miles from Johnson Hall. Major Fonda was sent a messenger to Sir John. An answer was returned, and a correspondence carried on which was continued two or three days. The precise nature of it is not known. It resulted in Sir John surrender- ing himself a prisoner, and disarming his dependents
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and tenants. He was sent down to Fishkill, where he was liberated upon his parole. This surrender removed the fears of the inhabitants during the re- mainder of the winter. In the following May, how- ever, Sir John, regardless of his promises, broke his parole, and, accompanied by a large number of his tenants, went north from Johnstown, by the way of Sacondaga, to Montreal. Sir William Johnson would have frowned with indignation upon this unmanly and disgraceful conduct of his son. The Provincial Congress of New York immediately wrote a letter to Gen. Washington : "We apprehend no doubt can exist, whether the affair of Sir John Johnson is within your immediate cognizance. He held a commission as brigadier general of the militia, and it is said another commission as major general. That he hath shame- fully broken his parole is evident, but whether it would be more proper to have him returned or ex- changed is entirely in your excellency's prudence." It is believed that neither the one nor the other was ever done. He left much valuable property, which was confiscated by Congress, and sold under the direction of the committee. During the war he com- manded a regiment of refugees, known in the preda- tory border warfare of this province by the name of " Johnson's Greens."
The first delegates to the Provincial Congress were John Marlatt and John Moore. Afterward, William Wills, Benj. Newkirk, Volkert Veeder, and William Harper were appointed. The two latter were for a long time members of the State Committee of Safety. A new county committee was this spring elected, of
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which John Frey, Esq. was chosen chairman. At a meeting in May, it was unanimously resolved to instruct the delegates from this county in the Provin- cial Congress to vote for the entire independence of the Colonies.
The Declaration of Independence of the 4th of July following was hailed by them with joy, and they were willing to maintain it " with their lives and for- tunes."
Tryon County, during the summer, was compara- tively tranquil and secure. Scouts were sent out upon the borders, who with the continental troops kept at a distance the few detached parties of Indians and Tories. The following winter the Indians col- lected in considerable numbers at Oquago on the Sus- quehanna. Col. John Harper, of Harpersfield, was sent by the Provincial Congress with a letter to them, to ascertain their feelings toward the country and their intentions. Col. Harper having given private orders to the captains of his regiment of militia to hold themselves in readiness in case their services should be required, went to Oquago accompanied by one Indian and one white man. He arrived there the 27th of February. He soon ascertained that the report of a contemplated invasion was untrue. He caused an ox to be roasted, and invited the Indians to the entertainment thus provided. The letter was received in a friendly man- . ner, and the Indians expressed their sorrow on account of the troubles of the country, and declared that they would take no active part against it.
Joseph Brant, having had some disagreement with Guy Johnson, came to Oquago after the visit of Col.
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Harper. In June following, 1777, he went up to Unadilla with a party of seventy or eighty Indians, and sent for the officers of the militia company and the Rev. Mr. Johnstone. Brant informed them that the Indians were in want of provisions. That if they could not get them by consent they must by force ; that their agreement with the king was very strong, and that they were not such villains as to break their covenant with him ; that they were natural warriors, and could not bear to be threatened by Gen. Schuyler. They were informed that the Mohawks were confined, (that is, probably the few who remained behind,) and had not liberty to pass and repass as formerly. That they were determined to be free, as they were a free people, and desired to have their friends re- moved from the Mohawk River, lest, if the western Indians should come down, their friends might suffer with the rest, as they would pay no respect to persons. The inhabitants let them have provisions. After staying two days they returned, taking with them -
cattle, sheep, &c. The inhabitants friendly to the country immediately removed their families and effects to places of greater security.
Information having been given, Gen. Herkimer in July marched to Unadilla with 380 militia. He was met here by Brant at the head of 130 warriors. Brant complained of the same grievances as above set forth. To the question whether he would remain at peace if these things were rectified, he replied : " The Indians were in concert with the king, as their fathers and grandfathers had been. That the king's belts were yet lodged with them, and they could not falsify their
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pledge. That Gen. Herkimer and the rest had joined the Boston people against their king. That Boston people were resolute, but the king would humble them. That Mr. Schuyler, or General, or what you please to call him, was very smart on the Indians at the treaty at German Flats ; but was not at the same time able to afford them the smallest article of cloth- ing. That the Indians had formerly made war on the white people all united ; and now they were divided, the Indians were not frightened."
After Brant had declared his determination to espouse the cause of the king, Col. Cox said, if such was his resolution the matter was ended. Brant turned and spoke to his warriors, who shouted and ran to their camp about a mile distant, when, seizing their arms, they fired a number of guns, and raised the Indian war-whoop. They returned immediately, when Gen. Herkimer addressing Brant, told him he had not come to fight. Brant motioned his followers to remain in their places. Then, assuming a threatening attitude, he said, if their purpose was war, he was ready for them. He then proposed that Mr. Stewart, the mis- sionary among the Mohawks, (who was supposed friendly to the English,) and the wife of Col. Butler should be permitted to pass from the lower to the upper Mohawk castle.
Gen. Herkimer assented, but demanded that the Tories and deserters should be given up to him. This was refused by Brant, who after some farther remarks, added that he would go to Oswego, and hold a treaty with Col. Butler. This singular conference was sin- gularly terminated. It was early in July, and the
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sun shone forth without a cloud to obscure it, and as its rays gilded the tops of the forest trees, or were re- flected from the waters of the Susquehanna, imparted a rich tint to the wild scenery with which they were surrounded. The echo of the war-whoop had scarcely died away before the heavens became black, and a violent storm of hail and rain obliged each party to withdraw and seek the nearest shelter. Men less superstitious than many of the unlettered yeomen who, leaning upon their arms, were witnesses of the events of this day, could not have failed in after times to have looked back upon them, if not as an omen, at least as an emblem of those dreadful massacres with which these Indians and their associates after- ward visited the inhabitants of this unfortunate fron- tier.
Gen. Herkimer appears to have been unwilling to urge matters to extreme, though he had sufficient power to have defeated the Indians. He no doubt entertained hopes that some amicable arrangement would eventually be made with them.
This is believed to have been the last conference held with any of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, in which an effort was made to prevent the Indians engaging in the war. In the remarks of Brant will be found what was no doubt one of the principal rea- sons of the Indians joining the English, and which liberal gifts on our part might probably have prevent- ed. As before remarked, they had been accustomed to receive most of their clothing and- other necessaries from the English agents and superintendent. And now, when they received from the Americans little
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save professions of friendship, they were led to con- clude that they were either poor or penurious, and therefore continued an alliance coupled with more immediate and substantial benefits. Col. Guy John- son is said to have addressed the Indians at one of their councils as follows : " Are they (the Americans) able to give you any thing more than a piece of bread and a glass of rum ? Are you willing to go with them, and suffer them to make horses and oxen of you, to put you into wheelbarrows, and to bring us all into slavery ?"
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CHAPTER IV .-
THE campaign of 1777 had long been a favorite one with the British ministers, and during the previ- ous winter great preparations had been made for its successful prosecution. Should Sir Henry. Clinton and Gen. Burgoyne, with the southern and northern armies, succeed in uniting at Albany, the province of New York, cut off from all communication with the eastern provinces, must necessarily submit, and the way would be prepared for the speedy subjugation of all the others. Gen. Burgoyne, who had superseded Gen. Carleton, left Canada with 7500 well disciplined troops, and a large train of artillery, and accompa- nied by a numerous body of Canadians and Indians. On the 3d of July he arrived before Ticonderoga,*
* The following is Gov. Tryon's account of the forts in the province of New York in 1774:
"The city of New York, the metropolis, is protected by a fort and a range of batteries at the entrance of the East River or harbor, in good order, and capable of mounting about one hundred pieces of ord- nance. Albany and Schenectady are defended by forts, and both places encircled by large pickets or stockades, with blockhouses at proper distances from each other, but which, since the peace, have been suffered to go to decay, and are now totally out of repair.
" The western forts are Fort Stanwix, and the forts at Oswego and Niagara ; the two former are dismantled-a few men only kept at Os wego. Niagara is occupied by a garrison of the King's troops.
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which was garrisoned by 3000 continental soldiers and militia under Gen. St. Clair. Finding themselves unable to maintain the fortress against a force so much superior, the Americans, on the night of the 5th, withdrew and retreated toward Fort Edward. The English immediately took possession of Ticonde- roga, with a large quantity of provisions and military stores. The Americans were pursued and overtaken, and in several actions suffered severely. This fortress was an important one, and its surrender was as unfor- tunate as it was unexpected. Besides, Gen. Schuy- ler, who had the command of the American army, numbered little rising of 4000 men after all the troops of St. Clair were united with his own at Fort Ed- ward; an army which, under equal circumstances, could present no barrier to the progress of the victori- ous army of Burgoyne. A general alarm spread throughout the country, and especially through New York. This alarm was increased in Tryon County, when, on the 15th of July, Thomas, one of the prin- cipal Oneida sachems, who had just returned from Canada, where he had been present at an Indian council held at the Indian castle of Cassassenny, gave the following account :
"Col. Claus invited strongly the Indians to join him in his expedition to Fort Schuyler, mentioning
" The northern forts are Fort Edward, which is abandoned. A few men only are kept at the works at the south end of Lake George to facilitate the transportation to the next forts, which are Ticonde- roga and Crown Point. These are both garrisoned by His Majesty's troops, but since the fire only a small guard is kept there, the princi- pal part of the garrison being withdrawn and posted at Ticonderoga."
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the number of his white men, and saying, that he has sent already a number of Indians with the army to Ticonderoga, and he is sure that Ticonderoga will be rendered to them and Claus. Repeated again thus : Ticonderoga is mine. This is true, you may depend on it, and not one gun shall be fired.
" The same is true with Fort Schuyler ; I am sure, said Col. Claus, that when I come toward that fort, and the commanding officer there shall see me, he shall also not fire one shot, and render the fort to me." The sachem, after relating this speech, added : " Now, brothers, this which I related to you is the real truth, and I tell you further, for notice, that Sir John Johnson, with his family, and Col. Claus, with his family, are now in Oswego, with 700 Indians, and their number of white men are 400 regulars and about 600 Tories, lying yet on an island on this side of Oswegatchie; therefore now is your time, brothers, to awake and not to sleep longer ; or, on the contrary, it shall go with Fort Schuyler as it went already with Ticonderoga. Col. Butler is, as I heard, to arrive yesterday (being the 14th) from Niagara at Oswego, with his party, not knowing how strong in number, and shall immediately keep a council there with the Five Nations, (which are already called,) and offer the hatchet to them to join him and strike the Ameri- cans.
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