USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX > Part 26
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Two Belts.
" Brethren,
"His Excellency General Gage & Sir William Johnson has or- dered me to assure you, that as soon as you perform those articles that a free Trade and Intercourse will be allowed you and all other VOL. IX .- 17.
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nations of Indians to the Sun Setting, solong as they continue' to behave well to his Majesty's Subjects.
Two Belts.
"Brethren,
"His Majesty, the King of Great Britain, having conquered the French in this Country, which you are well acquainted with, all the Forts and Settlements the French had is now become the property of the King of England. The French Troops are to be sent to France, and the planters to become Subjects to England; therefore, the General has ordered me to inform you that the King of Great Britain will take under his protection all the nations of Indians in this Country to the Sun Setting, & restore tranquility amongst all nations, that your Children unborn may enjoy the blessings of a lasting peace.
Two Belts.
" Brethren,
"I am now going by his Excellency General Gage's orders to visit all the Indian nations settled on the Oabache, and in the Illinois Country, and to offer them the friendship of the King of Great Britain and his Subjects, as he is now become their Father, and the General expects that you will send a Deputation of your nations with me, to assist in reconciling those nations (with whom we have had but little Intercourse) to his Majesty's interest."
Two Belts.
Then Kashuta spoke in behalf of the Seneca and Sandusky In- dians to the Shawanese & Delawares : "Nephews, the Delawares, & Brethren the Shawanese, you have heard what your Brethren the English have said to you ; they have desired nothing of you but what you solemnly promised last fall to Col". Bouquet, all which you ought to perform. For our parts, we are determined to take the advice of our Brethren, the English, as we know it will be for our good, and we desire you Friends to do the same, as you are under engagements to do so; If you do not, you must take the con- sequences ; for we are determined to comply with what our Brethren desires of us."
Delivered a string to the Shawanese and Delawares.
Then a Chief of the Shawanese got up, and taking all the Belts delivered to them in his hand, addressed himself to the Delawares as follows:
" Grandfathers, the Delawares, You have heard what our Father, the King of England, has said to us, and likewise what your Uncles, the Six Nations, has said; they desired nothing but what is right. We behaved wrong last Fall, but we are determined to do right, therefore we desire you to consider well what has been said to you, as you have not complied with all you promised, no more than we have done; let us act like Men, and convince our Father, the King of England, of our Sincerity, & answer those Belts to-morrow."
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Then Custaloga spoke for the Delawares, and addressed himself to the Shawanese, saying :- " Grandchildren : You say right; we will consider those speeches & answer them to-morrow." 1
At a Meeting with the same Indians, May the 10th, 1765.
PRESENT :
Major William Murray & several Officers of the Garrison.
The Shawanese came over the river with the English prisoners, beating a Drum and singing their peace song, agreeable to the An- cient Custom of their Nation, which they continued till they entered the Council House.
Lawoughgua, speaking for the Shawanese, got up and addressed himself to the English :
"Fathers : for so we will call you henceforward, listen to what we are going to say to you.
" It gave us great Satisfaction Yesterday to be called the Children of the King of England, and convinces us that your intentions to- wards us is upright, as we know a Father will be tender of his Children, and they more ready to obey him than a Brother, there- fore we hope our Father will now take better care of his Children than has heretofore been done.
" You likewise put us in mind of our promises to Colo. Bouquet, which was to bring your Flesh and Blood to be delivered at this place. Father : you have not spoke for nothing; we are come pre- pared ; you see we have brought them with us. You desire us now" to send Deputies to Sir William Johnson to confirm a peace; we have appointed a Deputation to go there, and also the Hostages who are to remain here till their return. You then informed us you . was ordered to go to the Illinois Country, to invite the several Nations there to join in Friendship with our Father, the King of Great Britain & his Subjects, and desired some of us to accompany you there. In this you have done well; those nations are our Allies ; we will go with you and do every thing in our power to promote the good work of peace between our Father and them, with whom you have no acquaintance as yet.
A Belt, 8 Rows.
" Father, Here is your Flesh and Blood, except -, a few that was out with some of our hunting parties, & those will be brought here as soon as they return. They have been all tied to us by adoption, and altho' we now deliver them up to you, we will always look upon them as our relations whenever the great Spirit is pleased that we may visit them.
A large String.
" Father :
" We have taken as much care of these prisoners as if they were our own Flesh and Blood; they are now become unacquainted with
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your Customs & manners, & therefore, Fathers, we request you will use them tenderly & kindly, which will be a means of inducing them to live contentedly with you.
A Belt, 6 Rows.
" Father :
" We will now comply with every thing you have asked of us, & assure you we are sincere in every thing we have said. Here is a Belt with a figure of our Father, the King of Great Britain, at one end, and the Chief of our Nation at the other ; This represents them holding the Chain of Friendship, & we hope that neither side will slip their hands from it so long as the Sun and Moon gives light."
A Belt, Seven Rows.
Custologa, speaker for the Delawares :
" Brethren :
" Yesterday you put us mind of our engagements to Col. Bou- quet ; we now assure you we are ready to perform every part which we have not yet complied with.
A String.
" Brother :
" You desire we may again leave Hostages at this place, and send other Deputies to Sir William Johnson; this we will likewise do."
A String.
He then addressed himself to the Six Nations : "Uncles, yester- day you desired us to be strong in complying with every thing our Brethren, the English, might require of us; this we are determined to do, and hope you will also do every thing on your parts to forward a good peace."
A Belt.
· " Brother :"
Addressing himself to me, "as you told us you were ordered to visit the Western Nations, I now wipe your Eyes, and open your Ears, that you may see and hear those Nations with pleasure when they speak to you. I likewise clear the way, that you may have a safe passage to the place you are going.
A Belt.
"Brother :
" Don't imagine what I have said comes from my lips only; I assure it proceeds from the bottom of our Hearts, and now, by this Belt, I remove every evil thing from your heart, and make it like those of our Ancestors when they thought of nothing but Peace ; and I also wipe the outside of your Body clean, that not the least remains of any thing which might give you trouble, may ever again appear, and by this Belt we take fast hold of you, our Brethren, in Peace."
Delivered a Friendship Belt of 20 Rows, with the figure of two men, representing the English and themselves.
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Kyashuta then spoke to the Delawares :
" Nephews :
" You told us your Uncles, the Six Nations, that you were de- termined to do every thing that was requested of you by us and our Brethren, the English ; we are glad to hear you are come to such a Resolution, and we desire you to be strong & do so."
A String.
Kyashuta then addressed himself to us :
" Brethren :
"I am going now to speak to you in behalf of all the Nations present, and those to the Sun Setting. You told us yesterday that the General, and Sir William Johnson, ordered you to assure all Na- tions to the Sun Setting, that if they performed their engagements we should enjoy a free Trade and intercourse; I hope this comes from your Heart, as you see your Brethren, the Delawares, and Children, the Shawanese, are willing to comply with every thing you required of them. Now, Brethren, do not act as you have done for a Year or two before those late Troubles, when you prohibited the sale of Powder, Lead, and Rum. This conduct gave all Nations in this Country a suspicion that you had bad designs against them, and was contrary to your first promises, when you came here to set- tle and build this Fort on our Ground. You make Rum, and have taught us to drink it; you are fond of it yourselves ; therefore, don't deprive us of it, or the liberty of purchasing Goods ; Open the trade, and let us sell our skins which we have brought here for that pur- pose, otherwise, we must think you from your lips, and not from your Hearts.
A Belt.
" Brethren :
" When you first come to drive the French from this place, the Governor of Pennsylvania sent us a Message that we should with- draw from the French, & that when the English was settled here, we should want for nothing. It's true, you did supply us very well, but it was only while the War was doubtful, & as soon as you con- quer'd the French you did not care how you treated us, as you then did not think us worth your Notice ; we request you may not treat us again in this manner, but now open the Trade and do not put us off with telling us you must first hear from your great man before it can be done ; If you have but little Goods, let us have them for our Skins, and let us have a part of your Rum, or we cannot put dependance on what you tell us for the future."
A Large Belt.
He then added that he did not speak for himself, but was ap- pointed by all the Tribes present, & that what he had said was the Sentiments of the whole.
Then Kyashuta spoke to the Delawares on behalf of the English & Six Nations, giving them an invitation to return to their old
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- Settlements, & at the same time desiring them to hold fast by the Chain of Friendship subsisting between the English & Six Nations.
A Belt.
Then Ogista, an old Seneca Indian, spoke to the Shawanese, & invited them to return to their old Settlements, where they would be near their Fathers, the English, & their Brethren, the Six Nations. 1 A Belt.
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At a meeting with the same Indians.
FORT PITT, May 11th, 1765.
PRESENT :
Major William Murray, & Several Officers in the Garrison.
" Brethren of the Six Nations, Shawanese, Delawares, & Sandusky Indians :
"You Yesterday answered the several Speeches I delivered you the day before from his Excellency General Gage, and you have agreed to comply with every thing he desires of you ; Brethren, you have done right in complying with the General's request, & you may be assured I will represent your readiness on this occasion to him, & Sir William Johnson, in a proper manner.
" Brethern :
"When first your Brethren, the English, settled here, they kindled a Council Fire for all the Nations of Indians to the Sun Setting, but for two Years past, this Fire has been neglected and was near going out. Now, Brethren, I put some good dry wood on your Council Fire, that it may blaze up to the Sky, so that all Na- tions may see it, and come here to smoke with their Brethren in peace.
" Brethren :
" Now I have kindled your Council Fire, and made it burn clear, I again, with this Belt, disperse all the dark Clouds that has been hanging over your heads for some time past, that you may see the Sun clear.
"Brethren :
" You have now appointed a Deputation to go to Sir William Johnson's, of your several Nations, to confirm a lasting peace as you promis'd Col. Bouquet last fall; You have made a good choice ; I am well acquainted with your Tribes, and I know these to be the Chiefs & Men of consequence in your Nations; I approve of them ; Therefore, Brethren, I now make the Road smooth and easy to their Feet, & remove any Logs that may have fallen across it, that you may Travel safe to Sir William Johnson's.
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" Brethren, the Shawanese :
" You Yesterday delivered to Major Murray & me a number of our people, agreeable to your promises, & say the few remaining, which was out a hunting, should be brought here as soon as possi- ble; your conduct in this is very agreeable, & convinces us of your Sincerity, & be assured I will represent it properly to the General & Sir William Johnson, & I desire you will, as soon as possible, bring in those you left behind.
" Brethren :
" Yesterday you made two Speeches concerning our past conduct in Trade. I must observe to you that had we a mind to recapitulate Injuries, we could convince you that we have much more reason to complain of your Conduct than you have of ours, but we have thrown away from our remembrance every thing that gave us any trouble, and hope your future conduct will be such as will give us no reason to repeat past offences, and to convince you of our Sin- cerity, the Commanding Officers here, tho' he has no orders for it, will take upon himself to open the Trade and suffer you to pur- chase such necessaries as is here, which is but little, owing to your own backwardness in not coming here early in the spring, as you promised, but as soon as the General is made acquainted with your Conduct at this meeting, he will order our Traders to supply you with all necessaries you may want.
"Brethren :
" You desire that rum may be sold to you ; the traders here have none, but as soon as you have sold your peltry, and is setting out for your own Country, Major Murray will make you a present of some.
" Brethren :
" I have now finished every thing I had to say to you only to acquaint you that the General, willing to convince you of the Sin- cerity he has towards you, has ordered Major Murray & me, on your complying with what he ordered me to require of you, to make you a present of Goods to Cloath your Women & Children, which we now deliver to your several Tribes"
After the presents were delivered, Kyashuta spoke to the Dela- wares and Shawanese :
" Nephews, the Delawares and younger Brethren the Shawanese :
" You have now heard every thing your Fathers, the English, had to say to you, and as you have assured them you will comply with every thing they desired, be strong. We have appointed Deputies to go to Sir William Johnson's and men to attend Mr. Croghan on his Journey; here is one of our Chiefs, who is to stay here with his Family to assist our Brethren, the English, in Council."
Then he addressed himself to Major Murray & me, & pointed to the Chief, saying, this is the man to stay here with you till our return."
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Then Custologa spoke to the Six Nations in behalf of ye Dela- wares :
" Uncles : You yesterday desired us to return to our old Settle- ments, & live in peace with our Fathers, the English; this, I assure you, we will do, & you shall see us kindle our Fire again at our old places."
Gave a Belt.
Then addressing himself to the English :
"Fathers : I must now call you ; It's your desire that we appoint Deputies; this is done, and we send such men as are best acquainted with the Affairs of our Nation."
A true Copy from Mr. Croghan's Journal.
ALEXANDER M'KEE.
The Board having taken the said Letter and Journal into consid- eration, as well as the favourable State of Indian Affairs in general, were of Opinion that a free Intercourse and Trade ought to be im- mediately opened & established between his Majesty's Subjects of this Province and the several Nations and Tribes of Indians now in Amity with the Crown of Great Britain. A Draught of a Proclama- tion being accordingly prepared, was read & approved, & ordered to be published this week in the Pennsylvania Gazette & Journal. 200 Copies of the same were also directed to be printed in seperate Sheets, & dispersed thro' the Province.
The Proclamation follows in these words, viz *:
" By the Honourable JOHN PENN, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, & Sussex, on Delaware.
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" A PROCLAMATION :
" WHEREAS, His Majesty, by his Royal Proclamation, given at St. James's the Seventh day of October, 1763, in the third Year of his reign, was graciously pleased to declare and enjoin, that the Trade with the several Nations or Tribes of Indians with whom he is con- nected, & who live under his protection, should be free and open to all his Majesty's Subjects whatever : provided that every person who might incline to trade with the said Indians, should take out a License for carrying on such Trade, from the Governor or Com- mander-in-Chief of any of his Colonies, respectively, where such person should reside, and also give Security to observe such regu- lations his Majesty should at any time think fit, by himself or by his Commissaries, to be appointed for that purpose, to order and direct, for the benefit of the said Trade; And his Majesty did thereby authorize, enjoin, and require the Governors & Commanders-in- Chief of all his Colonies, respectively, as well as those under his immediate Government as those under the Government and direc- tion of Proprietaries, to grant such Licenses without Fee or reward,
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taking especial care to insert therein a condition that such Licence should be void and the Security forfeited, in case the person to whom the same is granted should refuse or neglect to observe such regulations as his Majesty should think proper to prescribe as afore- said.
" And Whereas, by my proclamation, dated the 5th Day of De- cember last, a Cessation of all Hostilities between his Majesty's Subjects in this Province, and the several Tribes of Northern and Western Indians, was strictly enjoined and required ; since which great numbers of the said Indians have lately assembled at Fort Pitt, & there renewed and confirmed with George Groghan, Esq"., Deputy Agent for Indian Affairs, their engagements, formerly made with Brigadier General Bouquet, to cultivate the strictest harmony & friendship with all his Majesty's Subjects, and have given suffi- cient Hostages as a security for the faithful performance thereof, and desired that they might again enjoy the Benefit of a trade with the Inhabitants of this Province : I have, therefore, thought fit, by and with the advice of the Council, to issue this proclamation, hereby publishing & declaring to all his Majesty's Subjects within my Gov- ernment, that from and after the 20th day of June instant, all in- tercourse and trade with the several Nations and Tribes of Indians in amity with the Crown of Great Britain, and living under his Majesty's protection, shall be free and open to all persons residing in this Province, who shall apply for and obtaining my Licence to carry on such trade, under the provisions and restrictions mentioned in the said Royal Proclamation. And Whereas, I have received in- formation that sundry persons have, at several times lately, assem- bled themselves in armed Bodies on the Western Frontiers of this Province, and have, in a most riotous and illegal manner, presumed to interrupt the passage of all kinds of Goods to Fort Pitt, by which the Garrison there hath been greatly distressed ; and that small parties are now encamped and lying in wait for the same pur- pose, on the road of Communication to that post; I do hereby strictly charge and command all persons whatsoever, so assembled, forthwith to disperse themselves, and desist from all such illegal proceedings and practices, as they will answer the Contrary at their peril ; And I do further enjoin & require all his Majesty's Subjects within this Government, to suffer every person hereafter travelling towards Fort Pitt with Goods, wares, or Merchandize, and having my Licence to trade with the Indians; as also, all persons transport- ing Goods and military Stores for the use of any of his Majesty's Garrison's, & having a passport for the same, from the Commanding Officer of one or more of the posts, to proceed and pass with the said Goods, Wares, merchandizes, & military Stores, freely and safely, without offering Violence or injury to their persons, or any Goods under their Charge, or giving them the least Molestation whatsoever, as they will answer the contrary at their peril; And I do further enjoin & require all Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other Officers, to use
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their utmost Endeavors at all times to quell and suppress all riots, tumults, and disorderly proceedings, tending to disturb the peace & quiet of his Majesty's Subjects, and also to be aiding & assisting in discovering & apprehending all persons that may be in any manner concerned therein, that the Offenders may be prosecuted according to due Course of Law.
" Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the said Province, At Philadelphia, the fourth day of June, in the fifth Year of His Majesty's Reign, & in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Sixty-five.
" JOHN PENN.
" By His Honour's Command. " JOSEPH SHIPPEN, Jun"., Secretary. "GOD SAVE THE KING."
It being represented to the Governor that there is a necessity for a Magistrate in Muspellion Hundred, Kent County, & Mr. Robert Killen being recommended as a fit person for that purpose, a Special Commission was ordered to be made out accordingly.
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A Letter from his Excell'cy Genl. Gage to Governor Penn.
NEW YORK, June 2d, 1765.
" Sir :
"I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Sir William Johnson has finished his Congress with the Delawares, Senecas, &ca., in a very satisfactory manner, & he says beyond his Expectations. It is not necessary for me to relate to you what has passed with the Delawares and Shawanese at Fort pitt, as I am informed from thence that a Copy of the Conferences held there was transmitted to you. As the Shawanese have punctually complied with the Engagements made with Col. Bouquet, and as Sir William has settled affairs on the Mohawk River with the Tribes who met him there, to as much advantage as could be desired, I am only to make application to you that the Trade may be opened on the side of the Ohio as soon as possible. This seems the more necessary to be done immedi- ately, as the Indians, desire it very strenously as a proof of Sincerity on our part, having themselves complied with all the Conditions imposed upon them by us, And the Trade is already opened in every other part.
"The Indians have appeared so well disposed that there is great reason so expect the Country will enjoy a Series of peace and Tran- quility, unless interrupted by the Riotous and Lawless proceedings of the people upon the Frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland & Vir- ginia. I have the honor to inclose you extracts of three Letters on
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the subject of the violences they have been guilty of, and unless some measures are taken to restrain their Licentiousness, to punish them for the murders they have committed, and keep them in subjection to the Laws, There is too much reason to appre- hend our Affairs will soon be thrown into worse confusion than they have ever been in. I have the honor to be, with great regard, Sir,
" Your most Obedient humble Servant,
" THOS. GAGE.
" Honble Lieut GOVERNOR PENN."
MEMORANDUM, 7th June, 1765.
The Governor this day issued a Commission appointing John Vining, Jacob Vanbeber, Richard McWilliams and John Clowes, Esqrs, Justices of the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol delivery for the Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware.
At a Council held at Philada. the 26th June, 1765.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JOHN PENN, Esquire, Lieutent Governor, &ca.
Benjamin Chew,
Richard Penn,
Lynford Lardner, ? Esq".
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The Governor laid before the Board a Letter he received from his Excellency Major General Gage, dated the 16 June, 1765, in- closing extracts of 2 Letters, and a Copy of an Advertisement he had received from Lieutenant Colonel Reid, complaining of the riotous Conduct of the Inhabitants of Cumberland, their Insults & Abuses to his Majesty's Troops, &ca., which were severally read & are as follows, viz“ :
A Letter from General Gage to the Governor.
" NEW YORK, June 16, 1765.
" Sir :
" I have the honor to transmit to you some Extracts of Letters which I have received concerning the Proceedings of the Inhabitants of Cumberland County, who appear daily in Arms, and seem to be in an actual State of Rebellion. It appears, likewise, that the Rebels are supported by some of the Magistrates, particularly one Smith, a Justice of the Peace, and headed by his Son. Unless these Insurrections are immediately quelled, and the Authors and 1 1.
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