Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV, Part 70

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 814

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we agreed that Canassatego should speak in behalf of the Govern- ment of Virginia; and the Wampums were divided into so many parts as there were Articles to be spoken of; and the Goods were to be divided between the family's in Mourning and the Publick Council of the united Nations. A Messenger was sent to hasten the Mohawks away from the Oneider Lake, where it was supposed they tarried ; they arrived, five in Number. The 30th, About noon, the Council then met at our Lodging and declared themselves com- pleat, and a deal of Ceremonies Passed; ffirst the Onondagoes re- hearsed the beginning of the Union of the five Nations, Praised their Grandfathers' Wisdom in establishing the Union or Alliance, by which they became a formidable Body; that they (now living) were but ffools to their wise ffathers, Yet protected and accompanied by their ffathers' Spirit; and then the discourse was directed to the Deputies of the several Nations, and to the Messengers from Onas and Assaryquoa, then to the Nanticokes, to welcome them all to the Council ffire which was now kindled. A String of Wam- pum was given by Tocanontie, in behalf of the Onondagoes, to wipe off the Sweat from their (the Deputies & Messenger's) Bodies, and God, who had protected them all against the Evil Spirits in the Woods, who were always doing mischief to people travelling to Onondago, was praised. All this was done by way of a Song, the Speaker walking up & down in the House. After this the Deputies & Messengers held a Conference by themselves, and appointed Aquoyiota to return thanks for their kind reception, with another String of Wampum. Aquoyiota repeated all that was said in a Singing way, walking up and down in the House, added more in Praise of their wise ffathers and of the happy union, re- peated all the Names of those Ancient Chiefs that establish'd it; they no Doubt, said he, are now God's and dwell in heaven; then Proclamation was made that the Council was now Opened, and As- saryquoa was to speak next morning in the same House, and due Attendance should be given. All those Indian Ceremonies took up that afternoon. Jo-haas from every Nation was given. The 31st, about Ten of the Clock, the Council of the united Nations met, and Zila Woolien gave me Notice that they were now ready to hear Onas and Assaryquoa Speak. I called Canassatego and desired him to speak for me in Open Council, as I would tell him, Article by Article (according to what was first agreed upon), which he Pro- claim'd to the Council, and they approv'd of it, because they knew it required some Ceremonies with which I was not acquainted. The Speaker then begun and made the following Narrative : " Brethren the United Nations, you Togarg Hogon our Brother, Nittarunta- quaa our Son, also Sonnawantowano and Tuscaroro, our Younger Sons, you, also, our absent Brother Ounghcarrydawy dionen Horar- rawe, Know Ye, that what was transacted last Winter at this ffire by Us and our Brother Onas, on behalf of our Brother the Gover- mor of Virginia, known to Us by the Name of Assaryquoa, was all

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carefully put down in Writing and sent to Assaryquoa, our Brother, by our Brother Onas, upon the Receipt whereof our Brother Assa- ryquoa wrote again to our Brother Onas and thank'd him kindly for his Mediation in healing the Breach occasion'd by the Late un- happy Skirmish, and requested the Continuance of our Brother Onas' good Offices; and that the Interpreter might be sent to Sagogsaanagechtheyky with such Instructions as Onas our Brother (who knowing the Nature, Customs, and the very Heart of his Brethren) shall think fit. This is all what I have to say about what is past. Now you will hear our Brother Assaryquoa himself, who has been brought to our ffire by our Brother Onas. Then I took up a Belt of Wampum and told the Speaker, Canassatego, a few Words, and he proceeded and Spoke in behalf of the Governor of Virginia as follows :

" S .- Brethren, The United Nations now met in Council at Sagoghsaanagechtheyky; when I heard of the late unhappy Skir- mish that happened in my Country between some of your War- riours and my People, I was Surprized. I could not account for it to my self why such a thing should happen between Brethren. This Belt of Wampum, therefore, I give to the ffamilys in Mourning amongst You my Brethren. at Sagoghsaa- pagechchayky, to condole with them and moderate their Grief.' The Belt was given and the usual Sound of Approbation was returned by the whole House ;- 2. Then I handed another Belt to the Speaker and Spoke to him; he spoke much the same as before, and desired that Belt might be given to the ffamilys in Mourning at Niharuntaquoa, or the Oneidos, for the same Use. Thanks was given again by the whole Assembly with the usual Sound, then I handed a large Belt to the Speaker .- 3. 'Brethren of the united Nations, the Sun kept back his beams from Us, and a dark Cloud overshadow'd us when the Late unhappy Skirmish happened be- tween my People and Your Warriors. My People are charged with having begun Hostilities; I will not Dispute with you about it. It is most certain that an Evil Spirit which governs in Darkness has been the Promoter of it, for Brethren will never fall out without giving Ear to such Evil Spirits. I and the Old and wise People of my Country highly Disapproved the Action, I therefore came here to your fire to fetch home the Hatchet, from an Apprehension that it might have been unadvisedly made Use of by my People, and I assure You, by this Belt of Wampum, that there shall be no more use made of it for the future, but it shall be buried. In Confirma- tion of what I say I give You this Belt of Wampum.' The solemn Cry, by way of thanksgiving & Joy, was repeated as many Times as there were Nations present. The Speaker then proceeded :- 4. ' Brethren, the united Nations, this String of Wampum serves to bury all that unhappy accident under the Ground, and to Lay a heavy stone upon it to keep it under for Ever.' He laid down some Strings of Wampum. The usual Cry was given .- 5. 'Brethren, the united

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Nations, these Strings of Wampum serve to dispell the Dark Cloud that overshadowed Us for some Time, that the Sun may shine again and we may be able to see one another with Pleasure.' He laid down some Strings of Wampum. The usual Cry, by way of Ap- probation and Thanks, was given. The Speaker proceeded :- 6. ' Brethren, the united Nations, these Strings of Wampum serve to take away the Bitterness of your Spirit, and to purge You from the abundance and overflow of your Gall; all wise People judge it to be a dangerous Distemper; when Men have too much of that it gives an Open Door to evil Spirits to enter in, and I cannot help believ- ing that my Brethren, the united Nations, are often sick of that Dis- temper.' He laid down four Rows of Wampum; the usual Cry was given by way of Approbation; the Speaker proceeded :- 7. Bre- thren, the united Nations, this String of Wampum serves to mend the Chain of ffriendship again, which was lately hurt and was in danger of being broke. Let good understanding & true ffriendship be restor'd and subsist among us for Ever.' Layd four Rows of Wampum, the usual Cry of approbation was given, and the Speaker proceeded :- 8. 'Brethren, the United Nation, The old and wise People of my Country joined with me, and we Lodged a fine present in the hands of your Brother Onas for your Use, as a token of my own and my People's sincere Disposition to Preserve Peace and ffriendship with you. We will send Commissioners to you next Spring to treat with you about the Land now in Dispute and in the Possession of my People. Let the place and Time be appointed for certain, that we may not miss one another.' Layd some Strings of Wampum ; The usual Cry, by every Nation in Particular, was given by way of thanksgiving & Joy; the Speaker Concluded & said, ' Brethren, I have no more to say at present, but only desire You to give me a Speedy Answer, I have been here many Days.'

" All the Wampum were hung over a Stick laid across the House about six ffoot from the Ground, several Kettles of Hominy, boil'd Indian Corn & Bread was brought in by the Women, the biggest of which was set before Assariquoa by the Divider; all dined together ; there was about sixty People. After Dinner they walked out, every Nation's Deputies by themselves, and soon came in again and sat together for about two hours ; then Zilla Woolie proclaimed that Assaryquoa was to have an Answer now imediately; Upon which all the men in Town gather'd again, and the House was full, and many stood out of Door (so it was in the forenoon when the Mess- age was delivered to them). Zilla Woolie desired Assaryquoa to give Ear, Tocanumtie being appointed for their Speaker, Spoke to the following Purpose: S-

"'Brother Assaryquoa, the unhappy Skirmish which happen'd last Winter betwixt your People and some of our Warriours was not less surprizing to us than to You; we were very sorry to hear it ; all amongst us were surprised ; a Smoke arose from the bottom-

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less Pitt, and a dark Cloud overshadow'd us; the Chain of ffriend- ship was indanger'd & disappeared, and all was in a Confusion. We, the Chiefs of the united Nations, took hold of the Chain with all our Strength, we were resolved not to let it slip before we received a deadly Blow. But to our great Satisfaction, in the Darkest Time, our Brother Onas enter'd our Door and Offer'd his Mediation. He judged very right to become Mediator betwixt us. We were drunk on both sides, and the overflow of our Galls and the Blood that was shed had corrupted our Hearts, both Your's and our's. You did very well to come to our fire and Comfort the Mourning ffamilies. We thank You; this Belt shall serve for the same Purpose to Com- fort the ffamilyes in Mourning amongst You.' Laid a Belt of Wam- pum. After I thank'd them their Speaker proceeded :- 2. 'Brother Assaryquoa, you have healed the Wounds of the Hearts of those ffamilys in Mourning both here & at Niharuntaquoa. We thank you kindly for your so doing. Let this Belt of Wampum have the same Effect upon your People, to heal the Wounds and Com- fort them, as your's had upon our's.' Laid a Belt of Wampum, the usual thanks was given, & the Speaker proceeded :- 3. 'Bro- ther Assaryquoa, you judged very right in saying that an evil Spirit was the promoter of the late unhappy Skirmish. We do not doubt but you have by this Time full Satisfaction from your own People besides what You had from Us, that your People had begun Hostilities ; but let have begun who will, we assure You it was the Spirit that dwells amongst the Catabaws, and by which they are ruled, that did it, for Brethren will never treat one another after this Manner without an Evil Spirit enters them. We agree with you and your Counsellors, the old and wise People of your Country, and disapprove the Action highly; we thank You Brother Assaryquoa for removing your Hatchet and for burying it under a heavy Stone. Let this Belt of Wampum serve to remove our Hatchet from You and not only bury it, but we will fling it into the Bottomless Pitt, into the Ocean, there shall be no more Use made of it. In Confirmation of what we say, we give You this Belt of Wampum.' After the usual Approbation was given, the Speaker proceeded :- 4. 'Brother Assaryquoa, let this String of Wampum serve to heal the very mark of the Wounds, so that nothing may be seen of it after this Day, for it was done betwixt Brethren ; let no more mention be made of it hereafter for ever, in Publick or Private.' Lay'd down four Strings of Wampum. The usual Cry by way of Approbation was given, and the Speaker pro- ceeded :- 5. 'Brother Assaryquoa, this String of Wampum serves to return you our Thanks for dispelling the dark Cloud that over- shadow'd Us for some Time. Let the Sun shine again, let us look upon one another with Pleasure and Joy.' Lay'd some Strings of Wampum. The usual Approbation was given, and the Speaker proceeded :- 6. ' Brother Assaryquoa, you have taken away the bit- terness of our Spirit, and purged us from the abundance and over-

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flow of our Gall. We judge with all the rest of the wise People, that when Men have too much of that it is like a dangerous Dis- temper; but it is not only your Brethren, the united Nations, that have too much Gall, but the Europeans labour likewise under that Distemper, in particular your back Inhabitants ; you did very well in taking away the overflow of Gall. Let this String of Wampum serve to purge your People also from the overflow of their Gall, and to remove the bitterness of their Spirit; also, we own it to be very necessary on both sides. We thank You for the good advice.' Laid four Rows of Wampum. The usual approbation was given, and the Speaker proceeded :- ' 7. Brother Assaryquoa, this String of Wampum serves to thank you for mending the Chain of ffriend- ship which was lately hurt and in danger; we agree with you very readily. Let good understanding & true ffriendship be re- stored and subsist among us for Ever. Laid four Rows of Wampum. The usual approbation was given, and the Speaker proceeded :- 8. 'Brother Assaryquoa, we thank you kindly for the present you and the Old and Wise of your Country lodged in the Hands of our Brother Onas, your good ffriend, as a token of your sincere Disposition to preserve Peace and ffriendship with Us. Let this String of Wampum serve to assure you of the like good Disposition towards you and your People, and as an assurance that we will come down within the Borders of Pennsylvania to a place called Canadagueany, next Spring, and we will be very glad of seeing your Commissioners there, we will treat them as becomes Brethren with good Chear and Pleasure. We will set out from our several Towns after eight Moons are past by, when the ninth just is to be seen, this present Moon, which is almost expired, not to be reckoned, Upon which you may Depend; in Confirmation whereof, we give you this String of Wampum.' The usual Approbation being given, the Speaker proceeded :- ' Brother Assaryquoa, we have no more to say at present, but we will not permit you to Leave Us yet, but stay a Day or two longer with us. We have just now re- ceived Intelligence that the Jonontowas are on the Road with some of the Cherikees' Deputies in order to strike a Peace with Us ; They, the Cherikees, hindred the Jonontowas from coming sooner, and you will then hear the Particulars.' Then the Speaker directed his Discourse to the Deputies of the Nanticokes, who had been there all along present, and said : 'Brethren, the Nanticokes, We desire you will prepare for to-morrow and deliver your Message to us; and as you have neither the united Nations, their Tongue nor Ear, we have thought fit to hear you speak with our English Ear, and to speak to you with our English Tongue. There is the Man (pointing to me) who is the Guardian of all the Indians.' I was desired to acquaint the Nanticokes with it, which I did, and they were well pleased. They could talk some English, but not one word of the united Nation's Language. The Ist of August, the Nanticokes spoke, and had their Answer the same Day; the whole

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day was spent about it. The 2d, the Council of the united Nation met again, and Zillawoolie desired me to give my Attendance, and take Notice of what should be said to put it down in Writing immediately, and with Particular Care he spoke as follows: 'Brother Onas, As- saryquoa, and the Governor of Maryland : We are ingaged in a Warr with the Catabaws which will last to the End of the World, for they molest Us and speak Contemptuously of Us, which our Warriours will not bear, and they will soon go to War against them again; it will be in vain for Us to diswade them from it. We desire you, by this String of Wampum, to publish it amongst your back Inhabitants to be of good behaviour to our Warriors, and look upon them as their Brethren, that we may never have such a Dangerous Breach hereafter. We give you the strongest Assurance that we will use our best Endeavour to perswade and charge them to be of good Behaviour every where amongst our Brethren the English, with whom we are one body and Soul, one Heart and one Head, for what has happened is no more to be seen, and no token or mark remains thereof. Let the Spirit of the Catawba's be ban- ished away from Us which will set Brethren to fall out; Let Trea- ties of ffriendship be observed, and believe no Lies. Our Brother Onas knows very well that some Years ago we made a new Road on the outside of your Inhabitants, tho' they had seated themselves down upon our Land, now your People seated themselves down again upon the new Road and shut it up, and there is no more room for a new Road because of the Terrible Mountains full of Stones and no game there, so that the Road cannot be removed. To inforce this upon You, we give you this String of Wampum, which serves likewise for an Assurance that we will observe Treaties of ffriend- ship with You and believe no Lies, and will perswade our War- riors to behave well every where amongst your People our Brethren.' Laid a String of Wampum of three Rows-they desired that this might be sent to Maryland and Virginia immediately, from Phila- delphia. 'Brother Onas, this String of Wampum serves to return you our Hearty thanks for your Kind Mediation. We thank our Brother Assaryquoa for the Kind visit. Let good ffriendship and Peace be amongst Us to the End of the World.' After all was over, according to the Ancient Custom of that ffire, a Song of ffriendship and Joy was sung by the Chiefs, after this the Council ffire on their side was put out. I with the same Ceremonee put out the ffire on behalf of Assaryquoa & Onas, and they departed. The 3d of August I put down, in the Morning, the Speech of the Nanticokes and visited Tocammtie. All the Chiefs of the Onon- dagoes came to see Us-took my Leave of them-set out about nine and departed from Onondago. They desired to be remembred to their Brethren in Philadelphia, in Particular to the Governor and James Logan. The time that We staid at Onondagoe we were well entertain'd with Hominy, Venison, Dryed Eels, Squashes, and Indian Corn bread. They gave Us provision on the Road home-

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ward, so much as we wanted. We passed Cajadachse-took my Leave thereof-Zillawoolie and I arrived that Day on the first Branch of Sasquehannah.

October 4th, 1743.

MEMORANDUM.

The Returns of Sheriffs and Coroners for all the Counties being presented to the Governour, A Council was Summoned, but no Mem- bers attending, his Honour signed the following Commissions : To John Hyat as Sheriff,

To Henry Pratt as Coroner of Philadelphia County & City.

To John Owen as Sheriff, To Thomas Morgan as Coroner of the County of Chester.

To John Hart as Sheriff,

of the County of Bucks.

To Joseph Chapman as Coroner

To James Galbreith as Sheriff,

To John Morris as Coroner

of the County of Lancaster.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, the 17th of October, 1743. PRESENT :

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Clement Plumsted,

Samuel Hasell,

Thomas Laurence,

Ralph Assheton, Esqrs.

William Till, Abraham Taylor,

The Representatives of the ffreemen chosen to serve in Assembly this Year, waited on the Governor at the Time by him appointed. And John Kinsey, Esq", being chosen their Speaker and presented to the Governor, His Honour was pleased to say. "He did not Doubt but that the Speaker would behave himself so as to merit the Assembly's Choice and his Approbation, and trusted that all the Gentlemen of the House would so Conduct themselves as to Estab- lish the good Agreement that was now begun between the several Branches of the Legislature." Whereupon the Speaker prayed the Governor,

That the House during the Time of their Sitting in Assembly may enjoy ffreedom of Speech in all their Proposition and Debates ;

That the better to discharge the Business of the Publick they may at all Seasonable Times have free Access to the Governor ;

That their Persons and Estates may be protected from all Arrests and Molestations during the Time of Priviledge accustomed;

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That the Governor would be pleased not to hearken to any Report that may be made to him touching any matter debated in the House, until such Time as it shall have passed into a Resolve, nor give any Credit to such Report ;

That if the Speaker in Reporting anything to the Governor as the Sense of the House, chance to be mistaken, Such mistake may not be imputed to the House, but that he may have Liberty to resort to them for their true intent and meaning, and that the mis- take be Excused.

All which the Speaker requested as the just Rights and Privileges of the People of Pennsylvania, derived and confirmed to them by their Charter of Privileges and the Laws of the Province.

· The Governor replyed they should be inviolably preserved to the House as long as he was in the Administration of the Government. MEMORANDUM.

Two Members waited on the Governor to inform his Honour that the House was inclinable to adjourn to the 14th of November, and as his Honour had no Objection, the House accordingly adjourned to that Day.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, 14th November 1743.

PRESENT :

The Honourable GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover- nor.

Samuel Hasell,

Thomas Laurence, William Till, Esqrs.

Ralph Assheton,

Abraham Taylor,

The preceeding Minutes were Read and Approved.

His Honour the Governor laid before the Board a Letter he had received by his Majestie's Sloop Hawk, sent Express to Boston, with Despatches from the Lord's Justices of Great Britain for all the Governors of his Majestie's Colonies of North America, which was read & ordered to be inserted in the Minutes, and is as follows, viz *· :

" Whitehall, 15th August, 1743.

" ST. :

" The Lord's Justices having taken into Consideration the present uncertain State of Publick Affairs, and the Danger that his Ma- jestie's Dominions in America may be exposed to from any sudden attempt that might be made upon them in case a Rupture with ffrance should ensue in consequence of the Steps which his Majesty has already taken in support of the Queen of Hungary and the

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Common Cause, and the vigorous Measures which the King is pur- suing in all Parts for the same end, unless timely care be taken to put the same into a proper Posture of Defence, Their Excellency's have commanded me to signify to you their Directions that you should employ the most effectual means for putting the Colony under your Command into the best posture of Defence that shall be possible, and that you should be constantly upon your Guard against any Surprize from any Quarter whatsoever.

"I am, ST., Your most Obedient Humble Servant, " ANDREW STONE.

"Deputy Governor of Pensilvania."

His Honour informed the Board, that as the House of Assembly by their Adjournment was to meet this Evening, he had prepared a Speech to Lay before them on the Subject of the said Letter, which being read and approved, was ordered to be transcribed and deliv- ered by the Secretary to the Assembly, and is as follows :

" The Governor in the Council to the Gentlemen of the Assembly. " Gentlemen :

"I take this first Opportunity of laying before you a Letter, which I received by the Hawk Man of War, arrived Express at Boston, with Despatches to the several Governors of his Majestie's Colonies on the Continent of America.

" You will observe that their Excellencies ' the Lord's Justices, having taken into Consideration the present uncertain State of Publick Affairs and the Danger that his Majestie's Dominions in America may be exposed to from any sudden Attempt that might be made upon them in Case a Rupture with ffrance should ensue, in Consequence of the Steps which his Majesty has already taken in Support of the Queen of Hungary and the Common Cause, and the Vigorous Measures which the King is pursuing in all Parts for the same End, unless timely care be taken to put the same into a proper Posture of Defence,' Have been pleased to Direct, 'that I should employ the most effectual Means for putting the Colonie under my Command in the best Posture of Defence that shall be possible, and that I should be constantly upon my Guard against any Surprize from any Quarter whatsoever.'

" All that is now possible for me to do is to Issue a Proclamation requiring the Inhabitants to prepare themselves in the best manner they can to repel any Attack that may be made upon Us, And to commission the best qualified to Levy, Muster, and Train them. Upon you it lies to prepare a Bill for obliging them to appear well Armed and Accoutred at convenient Stated Times for their Instruction in Military Discipline, and whenever else it shall be necessary for the Defence of the Province; And as the Disposition of the Publick Money is in You, it should be your Care likewise to provide a Stock

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Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IV, Part 70

Author: Publication date: 1838 Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State Number of Pages: 814

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 814