USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. I > Part 57
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The Second Continental Congress convened at Philadelphia May 10, 1775, and Charles Thomson was duly elected Secretary. In this important and honorable station he served, by successive elections, during the ensuing fourteen years, without a break, and with great reputation to himself and advantage to the cause of the country. The value of his great integrity was apparent in the implicit credit with which the
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the Friends' Public School in Philadelphia), conducted him to the table and seated him beside the Governor's secretary; "whereupon he sat down and began taking minutes, without asking permission of the Gov- ernor, who took no further notice of it."
Mr. Thomson, in writing to a friend about this matter some days later, stated* :
"That an affair of such weight should be transacted with soberness, all will allow. How, then, must it shock you to hear that pains seem to have been taken to make the King [Teedyuscung] drunk every night since the business began. The first two or three days were spent in deliberating whether the King should be allowed the privilege of a clerk. When he was resolute in asserting his right, and would enter into no business without having a secretary of his own, they at last gave it up and seem to have fallen on another scheme, which is to unfit him to say anything worthy of being inscribed by his secretary. On Saturday, under pretense of rejoicing for the victory gained by the King of Prussia and the arrival of the fleet, a bonfire was ordered to be made and liquor given to the Indians to induce thien to dance. For fear they should get sober on Sunday and be fit next day to enter on business, under pretense that the Mohawks had requested it, another bonfire was ordered to be made and more liquor given them. On Monday night the King was made drunk by Conrad Weiser ; on Tuesday by G. Croghan ; last niglit lie was very drunk at Vernon's, and Vernon lays the blame on Comin and G. Croghan. He did not go to sleep last night. This morning lie lay down under a shed, about the break of day, and slept a few hours. He is to speak this afternoon. He is to be sure to be in a fine capacity to do business ! But thus we go on. I leave you to make reflections. I for my part wish myself at home."
Teedyuscung certainly "placed large confidence in Charles Thom- son, and doubtless accepted his guidance in many things. The Gov- ernor and his party were quick to charge Charles Thomson with all of Teedyuscung's whims and obstinate rulings, especially his attitude on
public received whatever was published with the sanction of his name. His services were also very great in the Congress in a variety of ways-such as reconciling the members, repressing extravagances and detecting errors in whatever came within the sphere of his business. He also had charge of the Secret Service maintained by the Congress. Washington called him "the soul of Congress," and John Adams styled him "the Sam Adams of Philadelphia-the life of the cause of Liberty !"'
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Representatives in Congress at Philadelphia July 4, 1776. It was then ordered that the document be authenticated, printed and sent throughout the country to "be proclaimed in each of the United States and at the head of the army." In accordance with this order the Declaration was authenticated by having written under it the following : "Signed by Order and in Behalf of the Congress-JOHN HANCOCK, President. Attest : CHARLES THOMSON, Secre- tary." With this addendum it was immediately printed in the shape of a broadside, copies of which were distributed broadcast throughout the country as expeditiously as possible. The Declaration was first read in public at Philadelphia on July 8th in the State House yard, where, in the presence of a great con- course of people, John Nixon read aloud one of the printed broadsides-the people declaring their approba- tion by three luzzas. Eleven days later Congress resolved that "the Declaration, passed on the 4th, be fairly engrossed on parchment, * * and that the same, when engrossed, be signed by every member of Congress." On the 2d of August, the Journals of Congress say, "the Declaration being engrossed, and compared at the table, was signed by the members." The original manuscript, thus signed, is carefully preserved in the office of the Secretary of State at Washington. It is, with the exception, of course, of the signatures, in the handwriting of Charles Thomson ; but nearly the whole of it is now almost illegible. Charles Thomson was the confidential friend of every leader in the Colonies throughout the Revolu- tionary struggle, and on the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, assisted in organizing the new Government. Early in April, 1789, he was deputed to bear to Washington at Mount Vernon a letter from the President of Congress informing him of his election to the Presidency of the United States. Washington wished to retain Mr. Thomson in the service of the Government ; but, to use his own expres- sion, "the suitable hour for retirement had now come."
In December, 1789, Col. Timothy Pickering was paying a visit to Judge Richard Peters (mentioned on page 262) at Belmont, and to his wife he wrote as follows : "The next day Mr. Peters and I went to see Charles Thomson, who lives six or seven miles above him. We dined there. He has fitted tip a small stone house very neatly, and has a fine farm of 600 acres, on which he intends to live the residue of his days. * * * Mr. Thomson has been in the public service ever since the year 1774, with a handsome salary, yet he seriously declares he has not benefited in point of wealth; on the contrary, he says his fortune is rather impaired. On the arrangement of the new Government no office was provided for him. He retired from Congress about August last, I think somewhat chagrined. But this will wear off ; and as he and his wife have a competent fortune they will live more happily than ever in their present retire- ment. He is a man of sense and learning, and, in the intervals of attention to farming, will indulge his taste for reading. He is now revising his translation of the Bible."
Charles Thomson was in some respects one of the most interesting characters of the Revolutionary period. "His life has never been written, because he deliberately destroyed the materials for it. He knew more of the inside history of the great struggle than any other man, it is asserted, but never opened his lips about it, burning his papers before his death and calmly insisting that his secrets should die with him. Ile was the soul of truth and honor ; frank, ingenuous, much beloved of his friends, serene, com- panionable and quiet, yet evidently capable of emotions of the very strongest sort." He gave twelve years of hard labor to the preparation of a translation of the Septuagint, which was published in four volumes in 1808 and stands as a monument to early American scholarship. He also published "An En- quiry into the Canses of the Alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British Interest," and was the author of several other pamphlets. He died at his home, "Harriton"-the place mentioned in Colonel Pickering's letter-in Bryn Mawr, Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsyl- vania, August 16, 1824, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He left no children.
* See Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, XX : 422.
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the old land dispute. Weiser and Croghan each declared that Teedyus- cung himself was ready to drop all land controversies, and would have done so had it not been for Thomson and his crowd. But in this Croghan and Weiser were either mistaken or their advice was rendered merely to please the ear of the Governor. % One afternoon the % Governor decided not to confer with the Indians. In the journals of the Conference he assigns as a reason that Teedyuscung was drunk. Charles Thomson in his report says Teedyuscung was not drunk. This action of the Governor inflamed the Indians until they put on their war-paint and loaded their guns. This revolt among the Indians Peters and Duché report as alarming the white people of Easton. 'Many of them went to the riotous Indians and endeavored to quiet and disarm them, but they would suffer nobody to do it till the Quakers came, and to them they immediately submitted, and delivered up their arins as readily and submissively as common soldiers would to their officers.' "*
The conference had been in progress some time when Teedyuscung formally said :
"This is the time to declare our mutual friendship. Now, Brother the Governor, to confirm what I have said I have given you my hand, which you were pleased to rise and take hold of. I leave it with you. When you please, Brother, if you have anything to say as a token of confirming the peace, I shall be ready to hear ; and as you rise, I will rise up and lay hold of your hand. To confirm what I have said I give you these belts."
To this the Governor replied :
"We now rise and take you into our arms, and embrace you with the greatest pleasure as our friends and brethren, and heartily desire we may ever hereafter look on one another as brethren and children of the same parents. As a confirmation of this we give you this belt."
The Governor then gave the King a large belt of white wampuin with the figures of three men worked in it, representing His Majesty, King George, taking hold of the King of the Five Nations with one hand, and Teedyuscung, the Delaware King, with the other ; and marked with the following letters and figures : "G. R.," "5 N." and "D. K."- for King George, Five Nations and Delaware King.
On Saturday, August 6th, the conference being still in progress, Paxinosa, with Abrahamı (Schabash) the Mohegan chief, arrived at Easton with about fifty or sixty of their people. Conrad Weiser and Richard Peters went to them, and with a string of wainpuin bade them welcome. Teedyuscung and the deputies of the Six Nations did the same thing. On the next day (Sunday) Teedyuscung, taking out the Peace Belt that had been delivered to him by the Governor, repeated over what had been said on it, informing Paxinosa and Abraham of the peace concluded by him between the English and the ten several nations he represented-repeating over the names of those ten nations. Follow- ing Teedyuscung's speech to Paxinosa and Abraham the Governor said to Paxinosa :
"You have been frequently invited by this Government to come and give us the pleasure of a visit. I am glad to see you. * We have often inquired after you, and always heard you continued to be our hearty friend and a lover of peace."
The most important matter broached by Teedyuscung at this treaty was contained in the following speecht :
"We [meaning Teedyuscung and his clan of the Delaware nation] intend to settle at Wyoming, and we want to have certain boundaries fixed between you and us ; and a certain tract of land fixed which it shall not be lawful for us or our children ever to sell,
* From Walton's "Conrad Weiser and the Indian Policy of Colonial Pennsylvania," pages 355 and 367. + See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VII : 678.
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nor for you or any of your children ever to buy. We would have the boundaries fixed all round, agreeable to the draft we give you, that we may not be pressed on any side. And as we intend to make a settlement at Wyoming, and to build different houses from what we have done heretofore-such as may last not only for a little time, but for our children after us-we desire you will assist us in making our settlements, and send us persons to instrnet us in building houses and in making such necessaries as shall be need- ful ; and that persons be sent to instruct us in the Christian religion ( which may be for our future welfare ) and instruct our children in reading and writing ; and that a fair trade be established between us, and such persons appointed to conduct and manage these affairs as shall be agreeable to us."
In reply to these matters the Governor said :
"The Proprietaries have never granted away any lands, although within the limits of this Province, without first purchasing them of the Indians. And having never bought of them the lands between Shamokin and Wyoming they have, therefore, never laid claim to them under any Indian purchase ; and in the name of the Proprietaries I now disclaim all such right-of which I would have you take notice. I am pleased you have made choice of that place. It is perfectly agreeable to me, and I assure you I will heartily con- cur with you in using all the means in my power to have those lands settled upon you and your posterity."
Teedyuscung then expressed a desire that the Governor would send people to Wyoming during the coming Fall or early in the next Spring, and that a little fort miglit be built here. The Indians would then move down from Tioga, about the beginning of May.
The conference at Easton came to an end on Sunday, August 7th, . and in the afternoon of that day the Governor and his attendants left for Bethlehem, en route to Philadelphia. The next day over a hundred Indians-among them Paxinosa and "French Margaret"-reached Beth- lehem, escorted by Colonel Weiser and a detachment of Provincials commanded by Capt. Jacob Arndt of Fort Allen. On the 9th of August Teedyuscung, his family, Abraham the Mohegan chief, old King Nuti- mus and many others arrived at Bethlehem from Easton. "Some of these unwelcome visitors halted for a few days," says Reichel,* "and sonie proceeded as far as Fort Allen and then returned, undecided as to where to go and what to do. During the month full 200 were counted -inen, women and children-among them lawless crowds who annoyed the [Moravian] Brethren by depredations, molested the Indians at the Manakasy, and wrangled with each other over their cups at 'The Crown.' "+
Teedyuscung tarried at Bethlehem for two or three days, when, having been provided by the Province with a new saddle and bridle, and a supply of snuff, ginger-bread, soap and other luxuries-in addition to the gifts which he had received at the treaty-he proceeded to Fort Allen. His wife and their three young children remained behind at Bethlehem, and for their occupancy a cabin was built at the expense of the Province. On August 15th and 16th many of the Indians set out from Fort Allen for Tioga and the country beyond. On the 17th, accompanied by their followers, Paxinosa, Abraham and Teedyuscung- the latter "very glad and joyful," as Captain Arndt wrote at the time
* "Memorials of the Moravian Church," page 327.
+An inn-originally the cabin of a Swiss squatter-which stood until about 1860 near the site of the Union Station of the Lehigh Valley and North Pennsylvania Railroads in South Bethlehem. In 1794, says Reichel, "the sign-board, emblazoned with the British Crown, that had often served as a mark for the arrows of the wild Indian boys of Teedyuscung's company, was taken down and the old hostelry was con- verted into a farm-house." Referring to the time "when Teedyuscung and his hangers-on were constantly on the wing between Fort Allen and Easton and Easton and Fort Allen, playing at toss and catch with Governor Denny and his men of State, or beguiling them at numberless treaties and conferences (by soft words and the music of Indian oratory) into a hope for peace when there was war," Reichel states, in his story of "The Rose Inn" : "Ever and anon did these ghastly, gaunt and ominons birds alight in a flock at 'The Crown,' invade the sanctity of the landlord's private apartments, the tap-room and the larder, and clamor for victuals and drink. They would come at all hours of the day, and even the mid- night air was known to sound with the rustling of their wings."
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-left Fort Allen for Wyoming, on their way to Tioga. When about twenty miles above Wyoming, near Tunkhannock, this company was met by three Indian men and a boy who had a inessage, accompanied by a Peace Belt and a four-fold string of wampuin, for Teedyuscung from two of the principal chiefs in the Ohio region. The King immedi- ately delivered into the hands of one of his sons and the four messengers abovementioned the large belt given him at Easton, directing them to carry it, with a message which he dictated, to the Ohio chiefs. Then, leaving his companions, the King forthwith retraced his way to Beth- lehen1, where he arrived August 25th.
At Bethlehem Teedyuscung spent a couple of days with his wife and children, meanwhile holding a conference with Bishop Spangen- berg, J. Martin Mack and other Moravian Brethren-Augustus ("George Rex"), the christianized Delaware chief formerly of Meniolagomneka (see page 338), serving as interpreter. The following interesting ac- count, in part, of that informal interview is from Reichel's "Memorials of the Moravian Church," page 347 :
"Teedyuscung resumed by asking the following question : 'Why cannot the Indi- ans who love the Savior remove to the Indian country and plant along the Susquehanna ? The Brethren surely can visit them, preach to the men and women and instruct the chil- dren.' Brother Spangenberg rejoined by saying that, in case our Indian Brethren and Sisters were to remove there, they would require a town of their own and in it a school and a church where the Gospel could be freely preached. For this he would stipulate in advance. And furthermore, he would make it a condition that all Indians who should be desirous of hearing of the Savior should be at liberty to come to the town ; and on the other hand all that were disinclined to His service, or did wickedness, or were seducers, should be excluded.
"Teedyuscung took no exceptions to these conditions, assented to all that had been said, and then expressed a wish that the Indians who loved the Savior might live to- gether. 'If there be any likelihood of this coming to pass,' resumed Brother Spangen- berg, 'I desire that the settlement be made in the valley where the Shawanese had their seats fifteen years ago* ; and if the owners of the land make us a proposal to buy, Brother Mack and myself will gladly go up to Wyoming and view the place and select a spot.' * *
"In course of conversation Teedyuscung stated that during hostilities the wildest reports prejudicial to the Brethren had been in circulation aniong the Indians. It was currently believed by them, among other things, that the Brethren had decapitated the Indians that had fallen into their hands, had thrown their heads into sacks and sent theni to Philadelphia. This charge, and others equally extravagant, had so exasperated the Indians that a number of them had conspired to attack the Brethren's settlements and cut off the inhabitants without regard to age or sex. That Paxinosa and he, the King, had on one occasion persuaded 200 warriors, who had banded together for this purpose, to desist from their intention until they had certain assurance of the truth of the charge. *. * * Throughout the interview the King was animated and strictly attentive. He was naturally quick of apprehension and ready in reply. In the course of the conver- sation he frequently alluded to his baptism, and to his former membership in the mis- sion, observing in this connection-with apparent regret-that he had lost the peace of mind he once enjoyed, but he hoped, however, that it would return ; and that it was his sincere desire to remain in connection with us in preference to any other people among the whites."
Teedyuscung proceeded from Bethlehem to Philadelphia, and on August 30th appeared before the Governor and Council, to whom he repeated the message he had received from the Ohio chiefs. It was to the effect that they were sorry for having struck the English, and con- cluded with these words : "We will not lift up our hatchet to break the good work you (Teedyuscung) have been transacting." Teedyuscung stated that he had sent them "an answer for himself as well as the Dela- wares, Shawanese, Mohegans and Unaniis." Asked by the Governor whether the Monseys, or Minisinks, did not join in the answer, he said "No." In the course of the interview Teedyuscung saidt :
* In 1742, within the present limits of the borough of Plymouth. See pages 180 and 209, ante.
+ See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VII : 726.
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"Paxinosa, the Shawanese King, Abraham, the Mohegan Chief, and James Davies, one of the Unamis, when it was agreed that I should go to Philadelphia to let the Gov- ernor know the good news I had received, spoke these words : 'Teedyuscung, you must go soon to Wyomink. Von must go and live there, and we three nations will soon come to you. Be sure you let the Governor know this, and desire him to build a little fort at Wyomink for the safety of our wives and children.'"
The Governor immediately notified the Assembly of the news brought by Teedyuscung, and of his desire to have arrangements made for settling and protecting the Indians at Wyoming. In reference to this latter matter the Assembly, on September Ist, sent a message to the Governor containing the following :
"This request appears to us so reasonable and necessary for securing the frontiers of this Province from the inroads of the enemy, by settling the Indians at Wyoming, that if your Honor has power (as you have declared your inclination ) to have those lands settled upon them and their posterity, in the manner they have proposed, we shall im- mediately prepare a Bill."
To this the Governor forthwith repliedt :
"Sensible of the expediency and many advantages that will result to the Province by settling the Indians at Wyomink, and appropriating to them a sufficient quantity of land for planting and hunting, * * I shall write the Proprietaries and desire that they would not only send me powers to confirm those lands to the Indians, but that they would solicit the Six Nations-who have the Indian right-to join with me in such confirmation."
A few days later the Assembly, by a committee, communicated to the Governor its sentiments on the subject under consideration in the following words :
"It gives us pleasure to find that the Ohio Indians are willing to join in the peace concluded at Easton, and that the Shawanese, Mohegans and Unamis are desirous of settling on Sasquehannah and have requested your Honor, by their several chiefs, to build a fort. * * We are of opinion a compliance with this request should not be post- poned a moment longer than necessary ; therefore we request you, with all expedition, to proceed to build such a place of security as shall be agreeable to the Indians, and as many houses as they shall stand in need of-at the place nominated by Teedyuscung- for their comfortable living and safety."
One week later the Governor and the Council held a conference to arrange for the sending of proper persons to Wyoming to build a fort and houses here for the Delawares. It was urged that as Mr. John Hughest had offered his services and had been recommended by the Assembly for the performance of this work, the business would be clogged were Hughes' tender to be refused and the work be put under the care of any other person. On the other hand it was stated that, as he was known to be a violent partizan and "to have uncommon bitter- ness against the Proprietaries and the Administration, it was not doubted but he would give unfavorable impressions of both to the Indians, and set the latter against the former. It was, therefore, recommended that the Governor should engage Conrad Weiser to assume the management of the matter on foot. Colonel Weiser, however, declined the appoint- ment-giving his reasons therefor. At the same time he advised that the Six Nations should be made acquainted, through Sir William John- so11, with the project and "be told that it was done at the request of the Delawares; and that we claim no right, by means of that fort, to the lands of Wyomink, but leave the fort to be possessed and defended by the Indians."
* Evidently the chief of the band of Unamis, or Wanamies, who had occupied the village of Matcha- saung, referred to on pages 212 and 213.
+ See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," VII : 727, 730, 734.
Į He was then a member of the Provincial Board of Indian Commissioners. In 1765 he was the Stamp Tax Collector in and for Pennsylvania, and in September of that year he and many of his friends opposed the sending of commissioners, or representatives, from the people to a congress to be held in New York for the purpose of remonstrating to the Home Government against the Stamp Act.
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The Governor and Council accepted Weiser's excuses and advice, and it was decided to have John Hughes go to Wyoming ; but, in addi- tion, it was resolved to "try if Edward Shippen and James Galbraith could be persuaded to undertake the journey and joint care with Hughes of the business." Therefore, on October 5, 1757, Governor Denny issued a commission to John Hughes, Edward Shippen,* the Rev. Charles
* EDWARD SHIPPEN, 2d, born at Boston, Massachusetts, July 9, 1703, was the eldest child of Joseph Shippen (born at Boston February 28, 1679 ; died at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1741) and his wife Abigail Grosse (married July 28, 1702 ; died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1716).
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