USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 5
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25th .- Came to town, four of ten Frenchmen, who had deserted from a company at the Kuskuskas, which lies at the mouth of this river. I got the following account from them: They were sent from New
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Orleans with a hundred men, and eight canoe loads of provisions, to this place, where they expected to have met the same number of men from the forts on this side of Lake Erie, to convey them and the stores up, who were not arrived when they ran off.
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About three o'clock this evening the Half-King came to town. I went up and invited him with Davidson, privately, to my tent ; and de- sired him to relate some of the particulars of his journey to the French commandant, and of his reception there; also to give me an account of the ways and distance. He told me, that the nearest and levellest way was now impassable, by reason of many large miry savannas; that we must be obliged to go by Venango, and should not get to the near fort in less than five or six nights sleep, good traveling. When he went to the fort, he said, he was received in a very stern manner by the late commander, who asked him very abruptly, what he had come about, and to declare his business. He informed me that they had built two forts, one on Lake Erie, and another on French creek, near a small lake, about fifteen miles asunder ; that on the lake the largest. He gave me a plan of them of his own drawing.
26th .- (This day was devoted to a pow-wow with the Indians at which Washington laid before them the business in hand and solicited their co-opcration in accordance with the instructions and request of the governor. There was much delay and evident reluctance on the part of the Indians to comply, so that it was not until the 30th that the journey could be resumed, and then but four of the natives had joined them. The journal continues under date of the 30th November) :
We set out about nine o'clock with the Half-King Jeskakake, White Thunder and the Hunter, and traveled on the road to Venango, where we arrived the fourth of December, without anything remarkable hap- pening but a continued series of bad weather.
This is an old Indian town situated at the mouth of French creek, on Ohio; and lies near north about sixty miles from the Logstown, but more than seventy the way we were obliged to go.
We found the French colors hoisted at a house from which they had driven Mr. John Frazier, an English subject. I immediately re- paired to it, to know where the commander resided. There were three officers, one of whom, Captain Joncaire, informed me that he had the command of the Ohio; but that there was a general officer at the near fort, where he advised me to apply for an answer. He invited me to sup with them, and treated us with great complaisance.
The wine as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it, soon banished the restraint which at first appeared in their conversation, and gave a license to their tongues to reveal their sentiments more freely.
They told me that it was their absolute design to take possession of the Ohio, and by G-d they would do it; for that, although they were sensible the English could raise two men for their one, yet they knew their motions were too slow and dilatory to prevent any undertaking of theirs. They pretend to have an undoubted right to the river from a dis- covery made by one La Salle, sixty years ago; and the rise of this ex-
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pedition is, to prevent our settling on the river or waters of it, as they heard of some families moving out in order thereto. From the best intelligence I could get, there have been fifteen hundred men on this side Ontario lake. But on the death of the General, all were recalled to about six or seven hundred, who were left to garrison four forts, one hundred and fifty or thereabout in each. The first of them is on French creek, near a small lake, about sixty miles from Venango, near north northwest ; the next lies on Lake Erie, where the greater part of their stores are kept, about fifteen miles from the other; from this it is about one hundred and twenty miles to the carrying place, at the falls of Lake Erie, where there is a small fort at which they should lodge their goods in bringing them from Montreal, the place from whence all their stores are brought. The next fort lies about twenty miles from this, on On- tario lake. Between this fort and Montreal, there are three others, the first of which is nearly opposite to the English Fort Oswego. From the fort on Lake Erie to Montreal is about six hundred miles, which, they say, requires no more (if good weather) than four weeks voyage, if they go in barks or large vessels so that they may cross the lake; but if they come in canoes, it will require five or six weeks, for they are obliged to keep under the shore.
December 5th .- Rained excessively all day, which prevented our traveling. (Here occurs an account of the efforts put forth by Joncaire to seduce the Indians, efforts that were continued during the 6th and into the 7th, causing great trouble to the young commander).
7th .- Monsieur La Force, commissary of the French stores, and three other soldiers, came over to accompany us up. We found it ex- tremely difficult to get the Indians off today, as every stratagem had been used to prevent their going up with me. I had last night left John Davidson (the Indian interpreter,) whom I brought with me from town, and strictly charged him not to be out of their company, as I could not get them over to my tent; for they had some business with Kustalogo, chiefly to know why he did not deliver up the French speech-belt which he had in keeping: but I was obliged to send Mr. Gist over today to fetch them, which he did with great persuasion.
At twelve o'clock we set out for the fort, and were prevented arriving there until the 11th by excessive rains, snows, and bad traveling through many mires and swamps; these we were obliged to pass in or- der to avoid crossing the creek, which was impassable, either by fording or rafting, the water was so high and rapid.
12th .- I prepared early to wait upon the commander, and was re- ceived and conducted to him by the second officer in command. I acquainted him with my business, and offered my commission and letter ; both of which he requested me to keep until the arrival of Monsieur Reparti, Captain at the next fort, who was sent for and expected every hour.
The commander is a Knight of the military order of St. Louis, and named Legardeur de St. Pierre. He is an elderly gentleman and has much the air of a soldier. He was sent over to take the command im- mediately upon the death of the late general, and arrived here about seven days before me.
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At two o'clock the gentleman who was sent for arrived, when I offered the letter, etc., again, which they received, and adjourned into a private apartment for the captain to translate, who understood a little English. After he had done it. the commander desired I would walk in and bring my interpreter to peruse and correct it, which I did.
13th .- The chief officers retired to hold a council of war, which gave me an opportunity of taking the dimensions of the fort, and making what observations I could.
It is situated on the south or west fork of French creek, near the water ; and is almost surrounded by the creek, and a branch of it, which form a kind of island. Four houses compose the sides. The bastions are made of piles driven into the ground, standing more than twelve feet above it, and sharp at the top, with port-holes cut for cannon, and loop-holes for the small arms to fire through. There are eight six-pound pieces mounted in each bastion, and one piece of four pounds before the gate. In the bastions are a guard-house, chapel, doctor's lodging, and the commanders private store round which are laid platforms for the can- non and men to stand on. There are several barracks without the fort, for the soldiers' dwellings, covered, some with bark, and some with boards made chiefly of logs. There are also several other houses, such as stables, smith's shop, etc.
I could get no certain account of the number of men here; but, according to the best judgment I could form, there are a hundred, ex- clusive of the officers, of whom there are many. I also gave orders to the people who were with me, to take an exact account of the canoes, which were hauled up to convey their forces down in the spring. This they did and told fifty of birch bark, and a hundred and seventy of pine; besides many others, which were blocked out, in readiness for being made.
14th .- As the snow increased very fast and our horses daily became weaker, I sent them off unloaded, under the care of Barnaby Currin and two others, to make all convenient dispatch to Venango, and there to wait our arrival, if there was a prospect of the river's freezing; if not then to continue down to Shanapin's town, at the forks of Ohio, and there to wait until we came to cross the Allegheny; intending myself to go down by water, as I had the offer of a canoe or two.
As I found many plots concerted to retard the Indians' business, and prevent their returning with me, I endeavored all that lay in my power to frustrate their schemes. and hurried them on to execute their intended design. They accordingly pressed for admittance this evening, which at length was granted them, privately, to the commander and one or two other officers. The Half-King told me that he offered the wam- pum to the commander, who evaded taking it, and made many fair prom- ises of love and friendship; said he wanted to live in peace and trade amicably with them, as proof of which he would send some goods im- mediately down to the Logstown for them. But I rather think the de- sign of that is, to bring away all our straggling traders they meet with, as I privately understood they intended to carry an officer, etc., with them. And what rather confirms this opinion, I was inquiring of the commander by what authority he had made prisoners of several of our
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English subjects. He told me that the country belonged to them; that no Englishman had a right to trade upon those waters; and that he had orders to make every person prisoner who attempted it on the Ohio, or the waters of it.
I inquired of Captain Reparti about the boy that was carried by this place, as it was done while the command devolved on him, between the death of the late general, and the arrival of the present. He acknowl- edged that a boy had been carried past ; and that the Indians had two or three white men's scalps. ( I was told by some of the Indians at Venango, eight) but pretended to have forgotten the name of the place where the boy came from, and all the particular facts, though he had questioned him for some hours, as they were carrying past. I likewise inquired what they had done with John Trotter and James M'Clocklan, two Pennsyl- vania traders, whom they had taken with all their goods. They told me that they had been sent to Canada, but were now returned home.
This evening I received an answer to his honor, the Governor's letter from the commandant. (The reply will be given at the end of this journal).
15th .- The commandant ordered a plentiful store of liquor, pro- visions, etc., to be put on board our canoes, and appeared to be extremely complaisant, though he exerted every artifice which he could invent to set our Indians at variance with us, to prevent their going until after our departure : presents, rewards and everything which could be sug- gested by him or his officers. I cannot say that ever in my life I suffered so much anxiety as I did in this affair; I saw that every stratagem, which the most fruitful brain could invent, was practiced to win the Half-King to their interest ; and that leaving him there was giving them the opportunity they aimed at. I went to the Half-King and pressed him in the strongest terms to go; he told me the commandant would not dis- charge him until the morning. I then went to the commandant, and desired him to do their business, and complained of ill-treatment; for keeping them as they were part of my company, was detaining me. This he promised not to do, but to forward my journey as much as he could. He protested he did not keep them, but was ignorant of the cause of their stay ; though I soon found it out. He had promised them a pres- ent of guns, etc., if they would wait until the morning. As I was very much pressed by the Indians to wait this day for them, I consented, on a promise that nothing should hinder them, in the morning.
16th .- The French were not slack in their inventions to keep the Indians this day also. But as they were obliged, according to promise, to give the present, they then endeavored to try the power of liquor, which I doubt not would have prevailed at any other time than this ; but I urged and insisted with the King so closely upon his word, that he refrained, and set off with us as he had engaged.
We had a tedious and very fatiguing passage down the creek. Sev- eral times we had like to have been staved against rocks; and many times were obliged all hands to get out and remain in the water half an hour or more, getting over the shoals. At one place the ice had lodged and made it impassable by water : we were, therefore, obliged to
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carry our canoe across the neck of land, a quarter of a mile over. We did not reach Venango until the 22d, where we met with our horses.
This creek is extremely crooked. I dare say the distance between the fort and Venango cannot be less than one hundred and thirty miles to follow the meanders.
23d .- When I got ready to set off, I sent for the Half-King to know whether he intended to go with us, or by water. He told me that White Thunder had hurt himself much, and was sick and unable to walk; therefore he was obliged to carry him down in a canoe. As I found he intended to stay here a day or two and knew that Monsieur Joncaire would employ every scheme to set him against the English, as he had before done, I told him I hoped he would guard against his flattery, and let no fine speeches influence him in their favor. He de- sired I might not be concerned, for he knew the French too well for anything to engage him in their favor; and that though he could not go down with us, he yet would endeavor to meet at the forks with Joseph Campbell, to deliver a speech for me to carry to his Honor the Governor. He told me he would order the Young Hunter to attend us and get provisions, etc., if wanted.
Our horses were now so weak and feeble, and the baggage so heavy (as we were obliged to provide all the necessaries which the journey would require), that we doubted much their performing it. Therefore, myself and the others, except the drivers, who were obliged to ride, gave up our horses for packs to assist along with the baggage. I put myself in an Indian walking dress, and continued with them three days, until I found there was no probability of their getting home in reasonable time. The horses became less able to travel every day ; the cold increased very fast; and the roads were becoming much worse by a deep snow, continually freezing; therefore, as I was uneasy to get back, to make report of my proceedings to his Honor, the Governor, I determined to prosecute my journey the nearest way through the woods on foot.
Accordingly, I left Mr. Vanbraam in charge of our baggage, with money and directions to provide necessaries from place to place for themselves and horses, and to make the most convenient dispatch in traveling.
I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then, with gun in hand and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday, the 26th. The day following, just after we had passed a place called Murderingtown ( where we intended to quit the path and steer across the country for Shannapin's town), we fell in with a party of French Indians, who had laid in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately missed. We took this fellow into custody, and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and walked all the remaining part of the night without making any stop, that we might get the start, so far as to be out of the reach of their pursuit the next day, since we were well assured they would follow our track as soon as it was light. The next day we continued traveling until quite dark, and got to the river above Shannapin's. We expected to have found the river frozen, but it
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was not, only about fifty yards from each shore. The ice I suppose had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities.
There was no way for getting over but on a raft ; which we set about, with but one poor hatchet, and finished just after sun-setting. This was a whole day's work ; we next got it launched then went on board of it and set off ; but before we were half way over we were jammed in the ice, in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting pole to try to stop the raft that the ice might pass by : when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water ; but I fortunately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make to it.
The cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his fingers and some of his toes frozen, and the water was shut up so hard, that we found no difficulty in getting off the island on the ice in the morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. We met here with twenty warriors, who were going to the southward to war ; but coming to a place on the Great Kenhawa, where they found seven people killed and scalped, (all but one woman with very light hair, ) they turned about and ran back, for fear the inhabitants would rise and take them as the authors of the murders. They report that the bodies were lying about the house, and some of them much torn and eaten by the hogs. By the marks which were left they say they were French Indians, of the Ottoway nation, who did it.
As we intended to take horses here, and it required some time to find them, I went up about three miles to the mouth of the Youghiogany. to visit Queen Aliquippa, who had expressed great concern that we passed her in going to the fort. I made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle of rum, which latter was thought much the better present of the two.
Tuesday, the first of January we left Mr. Frazier's house and arrived at Mr. Gist's, at Monongahela, the second, where I bought a horse and saddle. The sixth, we met seventeen horses loaded with ma- terials and stores for the fort at the Fork of the Ohio, and the day after. some families going out to settle. This day we arrived at Will's Creek, after as fatiguing a journey as it is possible to conceive, rendered so by excessive bad weather. From the first day of December to the fifteenth there was but one day on which it did not rain or snow incessantly ; and throughout the whole journey we met with nothing but one continued series of cold, wet weather, which occasioned very uncomfortable lodg- ings, especially after we quitted our tent, which was some screen from the inclemency of it.
This is Major Washington's report of a most remarkable journey. It is abbreviated in two or three places by the omission of Indian speeches and debates, but the narrative of his difficulties and dangers and his marvelous escapes from savages and the floods, given as he wrote it, is
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an illuminating picture of what was in this wonderful man from the very beginning of his life.
The mission was successful only in the information Washington was able to obtain. The letter of Governor Dinwiddie had declared that the land on the Ohio belonged to the Crown of Great Britain, and complained of the intrusion of the French. He demanded to know by what authority an armed force in time of peace had crossed the lakes, and requested their speedy departure, also bespeaking courteous treatment for Major Washington. The reply of M. de Saint Pierre was characteristic of the soldier, placed where he was to obey the commands of his superior of- ficer. He would, he said, transmit the letter to the governor of Canada, to whom, he said. "it better belongs than to me to set forth the evidence and reality of the rights of the King, my master, upon the land situated along the Ohio, and to contest the pretensions of the King of Great Britain thereto. His answer shall be law to me. As to the summons you send me to retire, I do not think myself obliged to obey it. Whatever may be your instructions, I am here by virtue of the orders of my general ; and I entreat you, sir, not to doubt one moment that I am determined to conform myself to them with all the exactness and resolu- tion which can be expected from the best officer." In conclusion he says : "I made it my particular care to receive Mr. Washington with a distinc- tion suitable to your dignity, as well as to his own quality and great merit. I flatter myself that he will do me this justice before you, sir, and that he will signify to you, in the manner I do myself, the profound respect with which I am, sir," etc.
CHAPTER V .- THE FALL OF FRENCH POWER.
THE BUILDING OF FORT DUQUESNE .- DEFEAT OF BRADDOCK .- THE EN- SUING CAMPAIGN .- PITTSBURG WON BY THE BRITISH. -FORT PRESQUE ISLE ABANDONED.
The history of Erie now for a time becomes intermingled with the history of the big world: the building of a fort here in Erie and another at Le Bœuf or Waterford precipitate a crisis that plunges two nations into hostilities : the grievance that had been for years standing between the kingdoms of France and England is at length brought to an acute stage by the Expedition to Occupy the Ohio, the first work of which was to erect a fort on the shore of Presque Isle Bay.
The action taken by Governor Dinwiddie was one of the incidents, the result of the renewed aggressions of the French, that was to set the British nation on fire; it was one of the first steps toward the declaration of the war that came to be known in history as the Seven Years War. As has been stated, Erie was naturally mixed up in the trouble, being formally taken possession of as French territory. The history of that trouble, is to a certain extent the history of Erie. It is proper, then, to look into the matter a bit and learn the relative merits of the con- tentions set up by the disputing parties, and what the results were, es- pecially as Erie was to continue to figure in affairs until the French were finally driven from the North American continent.
First and foremost, there was the English claim. This is given precedence here because, being founded upon original discovery, it dates back to the voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot in 1497 and 1499. Their exploration, limited only to the coast line, extended, however, from Labrador practically to the Florida peninsula, through no immediate ad- vantage was taken of this discovery by the English. It was not until 1607 that the colony of Virginia was established. From that time on, however, during the seventeenth century England was no laggard in re- spect to the interest it took in America. Though the actual settlement by the English was along the coast, upon the narrow and comparatively level strip between the Appalachian range of mountains and the Atlantic, England, however, did not place such restricted longitudinal bounds, either upon its territorial claims or colonial grants, but, profoundly igno- rant of what was implied in the language of some of the grants made,
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generously extended the patent to the western sea. It was certainly a comprehensive claim that the English Crown set up. Now English colonization meant something. As has been set forth in an earlier part of this work, the English colonists settled in America, not for transient gain ; not for short-lived military glory ; not to be servants of a grasping military power; but to establish homes and to become permanently located. Beyond practicing their full domestic duties, within the laws of the Crown, their ambition did not lead them. And while, therefore the government at London claimned all the territory to the west no well ar- ranged plan was ever put in operation to take formal possession, nor was there ever any movement, either by the government or the colonists to explore the interior. True, there were individuals here and there who, following their instincts as hunters, or pursuing the business of fur traders, ventured into the wilderness, and before the century was half measured, lent their Anglo-Saxon or Celtic names to outposts and settle- ments. But they were few and far between. England held the continent of America only by the shadowy title of a claim. But as history has repeatedly shown, an English claim generally means something.
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