USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V > Part 4
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of the War should remain on one Province, whilst the rest re- mained Neutral ; That they desired the Indians of the Six Nations might be engaged to assist them. That tho' they thought, it was reasonable other Provinces should bear a part of the Expence, yet rather than want the Assistance of the Indians on the present occa- sion they would bear the whole Expence themselves. The Gov- ernor of New York complained the Massachusetts Government had been too precipitate in their Declaration of War; That the other Governments were not obliged to follow the Example; Said that he had done all in his Power towards being better provided for a War; That in the Condition the Inhabitants of that Province were in on the Borders, it would be imprudent in him to engage the In- dians of the Six Nations in a War; That proper Provision should first be made, which could not be done without his Assembly, who were to sit in a little time, and before whom he would lay this Affair. After this, and more of like Import said, we parted. The Governor of New York having delivered the Presents from that Government to the Indians of the United Nations, embarked for the City of New York, and we proceeded to meet the Indians ac- cording to our appointment. When we came to the Place agreed on for this purpose, we found the Deputies of the United Nations attending, and the Speech we had before agreed on was now read, and Interpreted to them by Conrad Weiser, the Interpreters of New York and the Massachusetts being also present and assisting. Which Speech follows in these Words :
" 'Brethren of the Six Nations.
"'Altho' it is not long since a Treaty was held with You in Penn- sylvania, yet our Governor and the Assembly of the Province', being informed of your coming hither, have, at the invitation of the Gov- ernor of Now York, sent us here to be present at the Treaty now held with you. We attend accordingly, and are glad to see You. In token whereof we present you with this
"'String of Wampum. 1
"'Brethren :
"'Before your last going to Canada you promised our Governor that on your return you would open your Hearts and give a full Account of all that passed between you and the French Governor; And we have it in Charge to desire you now to perform this promise.
"' Brethren :
"'We are also to put you in mind that by the Treaty made last Year with our Governor at Lancaster, you promised him that neither the Governor of Canada nor any of his People should come through your Country to hurt your Brethren the English, nor any of the
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Settlements belonging to them : Notwithstanding which some of the Shawnese Indians, in Conjunction with some Frenchmen from Canada, committed a Robbery on our Traders, and took from them a great Quantity of Goods. This our Governor sometime since gave you notice of by Conrad Weiser, and you undertook to demand Satisfaction for the Injury of the Governor of Canada and the Shawnese Indians. We, therefore, now desire to be informed whether you have made this Demand, and what Satisfaction you have obtained. The French men who did this Injury came through the Lands you claim, and the Robbery was committed on our Traders on those Lands. It was, therefore, a manifest Breach of the Neutrality the Governor of Canada pretended to observe towards you, and shews the perfidy of the French, and that they regard the Treaties they make no longer than whilst they think it their Interest so to do.
"'We hope their Example will not influence you, but that you will fulfil all the Treaties you have enter'd into with your Brethren the English. To impress this on your minds, and to enforce our Request we present you with this
"'Belt of Wampum.
"'Brethren :
"""Besides what we have already said, we are also to remind you that our Governor, at the Request of the Government of Virginia, became a Mediator between you and the Southern Indians called Catawbas; And you promised him next Spring to send Deputies to Philadelphia to meet some of that Nation, in order to conclude a Peace with them, And that in the mean time all Hostilities should be suspended. But our Governor is since informed that a party of the Oneides' Warriors are gone to Attack the Catawbas. Whether this be true or not, or whether any of your Young Men went with- out your Knowledge we do not know, and therefore desire you now to inform us of all the particulars; and if any of your Warriors are gone against the Catawbas that you will forthwith recal them, and take care that no more go against them during the time agreed on.
""' Brethren :
"'' You may remember that at a Treaty held with our Government at Philadelphia, in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty-two, 'you were advised' 'To call home all those of your Nations who were at Canada or live amongst the French, lest if any Occasion or Difference should arise they might be prevented from returning.' This in your Answer made to our Governor in the Year One Thousand Seven hundred and Thirty-six, you call 'Sound Advice, say the French were formerly your cruel Enemies, and that you were taking such Measures as you hoped would be effectual to bring back your People if any new Breach should happen.'
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"' Brethren :
"' The French are a subtle People. A Breach hath now hap- pened, occasioned by an unjust Declaration of War made by the French King against the King of Great Britain and His Subjects; and no doubt, if any of your People live amongst the French, they will endeavour to engage them in their Service, and therefore we think you would act very prudently, as soon as is possible, to per- suade them to return and settle amongst you. To enforce this Re- quest we present you with this
" ' Belt of Wampum.
" ' Brethren-
"' We have more to say to You from our Governor, but this we must defer until we hear your Answer to what we have already said.'
" This Speech being Interpreted to them and the Indians by Canasetego their Cheif, signifying their Intention of an immediate Consultation, and in a little time to return to us an Answer, we withdrew.'
" Sometime after being informed the Indians were come to a Re- sult, we again met them and received their Answer, the Substance of which, as the same was translated to us, is as follows, the afore- said Canassatego being Speaker :
"' Brethren :
"' You that come from Pennsylvania to represent our Brother Onas; you tell us that you come hither at the Invitation of the Gover- nor of New York to the Council Fire at Albany to hear what passes between us and our Brother the Governor of New York. You were pleased to signify to us that you were glad to see us, for which we return you our hearty Thanks. We are likewise glad to see you; in Token whereof, we return you this
"'String of Wampum.
"' Brethren .
"'The first Thing you required of Us this Morning was, that we would give you an Account of all that passed between us and the Governor of Canada at our last visit to him, according to the pro- mise we made the last Summer to Conrad Weiser, your Interpre- ter, at Oswego. And since You desire to hear with your own Ears, we are now ready to do it, tho' it will take up time, and therefore another opportunity might have suited better. Our going to Mon- treal was at the Invitation of the Governor of Canada. At our coming there, several great Men, as well of the French as Indians, being Dead since our last Journey there, we, according to our Cus- tom, spent some Days in bewailing their Death. During this Time divers of the French Council took an opportunity of sounding us to learn how the War went on with the English, and how far we
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were engaged therein. On which occasion we told them that for- merly we had inconsiderately engaged in Wars, but that we looked upon this War as a War between the English and French only, and did not intend to engage on either side; for that the French and English made War and made Peace at Pleasure, but when the In- dians once engaged in Wars they knew not when it would end. We also told the French that they knew, and all the World knew, the Countries on which we were Settled, and particularly the Lakes, were ours; and therefore if they would fight our Brethren the English they ought to fight on the Salt Water, and that they must not come over our Land to disturb them, or to obstruct the Trade at Oswego; That they, the French, had two Trading Houses on those Lakes with which they ought to be contented.' The Governor of Canada promised us he would not do it unless the King his Master should command him, and then he must obey. While these Things pass'd, News arrived at Montreal of the taking of Cape Breton by the English, at which the French were much alarmed; and the Governor thereupon sent for all the Indians then at Montreal, to wit, the French Indians and us the Deputies of the Six Nations, who met together in a large House, where the Governor of Canada taking in his Hand a large Belt of Wampum, in which the figure of a Hatchet was wrought, speaking to us of the Six Nations, said as follows:
" 'Children :
"' Your Brethren the English have already taken one of my Towns. (meaning Cape Breton), and their Fleet I suppose is now coming up to Quebec; and therefore I must take up the Hatchet to defend myself against them. As for you my Children (speaking to the French Indians), I have no occasion to speak much to You, for you must live and die with me, and cannot deny me your Assistance. And as for you my Children of the Six Nations (speaking to us), he further said, I know you love your Brethren the English, and therefore I shall not say much to you; perhaps you would not be pleased with it. But Children, said he, should know their Duty to their Father. Then speaking to Us all, he desired, such who loved him to go with him and assist him in defending Quebec; and that those who went with him need not take any thing with them save their Tobacco pouches; that he would provide Guns, Pistols, Swords, Ammunition, Provisions, and every thing, even Paint to paint them ; and thereupon delivered the Belt to the Interpreter, who threw it at the feet of the Indians present, some of whom inconsiderately and without any consultation first had took it up and danced the War Dance; and afterwards divers of the Indians present, chiefly of the Praying Indians, went with the French Governor to Quebec, where they staid eight or ten Days; but no Notice was taken of them, nor any Arms or Necessaries so much as a Knife provided for them; nor were they admitted to speak to the Governor, which so exasperated the Praying Indians that they left Quebec and are since
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gone against their common Enemies to the Southward.' Canassa- tego added:
"' Brethren-
" You also put us in mind this Morning of the Treaties of Friend- ship subsisting between you and us. The last we made with the Governor of Pennsylvania was at Lancaster the last Year. By this Treaty we were to be Neutral (and we wish the English of all the Provinces would agree that we should remain so) unless the French should come through our Settlements to hurt our Brethren the English, which we would not permit. This and all other our Trea- ties with our Brethren the English we are determined to observe, and in token thereof we return you this
" ' Belt of Wampum.
"'Brethren :
""' You also put us in mind of our Brother Onas, his Mediation between us and the Catawbas, and that you heard some of our Warriors were notwithstanding gone against them. It is not in our Power to restrain our Warriors as the English can do until a Peace be finally concluded. This the Catawbas know. We have used our Endeavours to restrain them from going, and shall continue so to do during the time agreed on; although we doubt whether the Catawbas are so desirous of Peace as they wou'd have our Brother Onas beleive ; otherwise they wou'd have done as the Cherokees did, who, tho' they were at War with us, came to desire Peace, but the Catawbas have neither come to us nor have they come to our Bro- ther Onas. But the Account he has received is only from the Gov- ernment of Virginia. When Conrad Weiser brought us an Ac- count of this matter we were going to Canada, and at our Return we had kindled a Council Fire, but receiving a Message from the Governor of New York we were obliged to rake it up until we re- turn.' Canastego further said, 'We have spoke to the Governor of Canada concerning Peter Chartier and the robbing of your In- dian Traders. The Governor of Canada said he knew nothing of the matter. At our Council before mention'd we were to have con- sidered what we should do further in this Affair, but were called away before we had come to any resolution.' He added, 'your Traders go very far back into the Country, which we desire may not be donc, because it is in the Road of the French. At our re- turn we will hold a Council, and in the Spring when our Deputies come to meet those of the Catawbas at Philadelphia, we shall send our Brother Onas our Result.' Canassatego further said :
"'Brethren-
"' You put us in mind of a promise we made our Brother Onas at his coming over to Pennsylvania, That we would recal our People from Canada who were Settled there. We have invited them back to us and have done all we can to effect it, but cannot prevail. The
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Governor of Canada has taken me into his Lap, suckles them as his Children, and they are so well pleased with him it is impossible for us to prevail with them to come and settle with us. We return you this Belt instead of that we received from you.'
" After we had received this Answer of the Indians, we ac- quainted them by our Interpreter that what we had further to say to them would be early the next Morning; In the mean time we ordered them a Pair of Oxen and some beer for their subsistence, and then parted.
"The next Morning, being the Fifteenth of October, the Indians met us pursuant to our appointment, when we spoke to them to the Effect following :
" 'Brethren-
"' We now put you in mind there are two things remaining under your Consideration, concerning which you have received Belts from our Governor and have as yet. return'd no full Answer : The first relates to the Catawbas, the Second to our Indian Traders. As you have signified to us your inability of doing it at this time, we ex- pect when you return home a Council will be called, and that you will give our Governor a full Answer in the Spring.
"'Brethren-
" When our Governor and Assembly sent us hither they did not think it fitting we should come empty handed; but have directed us to provide you a Present. We considered Winter was approach- ing, that our Brethren would want Cloathing to preserve them from the Cold, and Powder & Lead to acquire their livelihood by hunting; we therefore provided the Goods which now lie before You, to wit: "Six Pieces of Strowds, Eight Dozen of Knives,
"Four Pieces of Indian Blankets, Four hundred and twenty-five Bars "Two Pieces of Striped Blankets, of Lead,
"Four Pieces of Half Thicks, Four half Barrells of Pistol Pow- "One Piece of Shrewsbury Cot- der.
ton,
"' These we present to you on behalf of our Government, and have no more to say but to wish you a good Journey Home.'
"This Speech being Interpreted to the Indians, after a short Con- sultation between themselves, they brought Six Bundles of Skins, and by Canasatego spoke as follows:
"""'Brethren :
"'We thank you for the Goods you present us. We are Poor and have little to return; however, out of what we have we present You with the Six Bundles of Skins which you see. These we de- sire may be accepted of as a Token of our Affection.'
"To this we replied: We accepted them in the manner they desired, wished them well, and then took leave of them.
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"The Sloop which brought us waiting our Return, we embarked, arrived at New York on the Nineteenth of October. The same Day took Boat and got to Elizabeth Town Point. Then mounted our Horses and on the Twenty-second of October reached Home.
" Permit us to add, that in the foregoing Relation we do not pre- tend to have delivered the several Conversations which past Ver- batim, but only the substance, so far as we judge them material, and where we have made any Omissions they are of such things as we think of too little Consequence to be inserted. If the Gov- ernor's health and other Affairs of Importance had permitted his Attendance at this Treaty, we make no question it would have been managed with greater Skill & Delicacy. Thus much, however, we may say, That so far as were able we have, pursuant to the Instruc- tions we received, faithfully endeavoured to acquit ourselves of the Trust to the Honour & Interest of the Province. But whether we are so happy as in any degree to have succeeded herein, is humbly submitted to the Governor. By "THOMAS LAURENCE. "JOHN KINSEY."
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
"Gentlemen :
1
"Since the Meeting of your House a Petition has been presented to me from a considerable Number of the Inhabitants of Lancaster County, setting forth their Wants of Arms and Amunition, & their inability to purchase any from their having expended what little substance they had in Clearing & Improving their Lands, and pray- ing that I would recommend to the Assembly the making such a Provision of both as may enable them to defend themselves against any enemy that shall attempt to disturb them.
" Whether there be any truth in the late Intelligence from Mini- sink or not, it must be allowed that there is a possibility of an At- tack upon us, and even in that case some Provision should be made for the Security of our Frontier Settlements at least.
" If the Expence of supplying such a Number of People with Arms should be thought too great, three or four hundred may be purchased and delivered to those that want them most, and are most likely to make a right use of them, they giving a Note of Hand either to return them in good Order at a certain time, or to pay the Cost of them into the Publick Treasury, agreeable to the practice in some other Colonies.
" GEO. THOMAS.
"January 10th, 1745-6."
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
" May it please the Governor :
"We have had under our Consideration the Instructions the
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Governor was pleased to give to the Commissioners appointed to Treat with the Indians at Albany, and their Report concerning that Treaty laid before us by the Governor's Directions; both are very satisfactory to Us ; the former as it is a fresh Instance of the Governor's care for the Inhabitants of the Province, and for which we therefore render him our hearty thanks, and the latter as it shews the Indians of the Six Nations yet retain their antient Friendship towards this & other the King's Colonies in America. War in most Cases is attended with some disagreable Consequences amongst Indians, with many and of the worst kind, for which and and other Reasons it would have been most agreable to us if the Circumstances of Public Affairs would admit the Indians of the Six Nations to remain Neutral. And it gives us great concern that the pernicious Conduct of the French at Canada in setting their In- dians on destroying the Inhabitants of some of our Neigboring Governments hath given them so much cause to think they are put under the Necessity of engaging the Indians in Amity with us to declare War against the French & their Indians, and to avenge them- selves of the Injuries done.
" We cou'd have heartily wished the Mediation which the Gov- ernor was pleased to undertake at the desire of the Governor of Virginia to obtain a Reconciliation between the Indians of the Six Nations and the Catawbas had been effectual. Their destroying each other not only weakens the British Interest in America, but at this time must be particularly injurious to the Six Nations, as they are likely to be engaged by the Government of New York in a War with the French & their Indians. " But if Collo Gooch, at whose Request this Mediation was undertaken, continues to decline it, we know not what further can be done. We think, however, it was prudently done in the Governor to acquaint the Six Nations with the Resolutions the Catawbas have taken, as well to save their Deputies the Trouble of a fruitless Journey as us the Expence it must otherwise have occasioned.
" When we consider the Information transmitted to the Governor of New York, now laid before us, touching the preparations said to be making by the French & their Indians upon a Branch of the River Mississippi for an Attack upon the back parts of this & some of the Neighboring Colonies, in all its Circumstances it leaves us room to doubt whether it hath a real Foundation. It was, however, discreetly done in the Governor to acquaint the People of Lancas- ter County with the Report; and as the employing of some of the Delaware Indians to keep Watch, and to give those Inhabitants Notice if any Danger shall Approach, may contribute to render them the easier in their present situation, we approve of the Gov- ernor's Conduct therein ; and the Expence which shall arise by this means we are willing to pay.
" As to the Letter the Governor is pleased to lay before us, re-
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ceived from Admiral Warren, in relation to Cape Breton, since we have so lately given a Sum of Money which was laid out in Pro- visions, and which the Governor was pleased to apply to the use of the Garrison on that Island; and as the Admiral thinks himself, in conjunction with Sr. William Pepperel, authorized to draw Bills for any purposes which they shall think necessary to preserve that Im- portant acquisition, we think they can be at no loss, especially at a time when Bills of Exchange are in so great demand, to raise any Sum of Money they may think fitting without any Assistance of ours.
"The unnatural Rebellion which hath broke out, and was lately car- rying on in Scotland, supported by France and Spain, gives us great concern. It is astonishing to Us how any of our fellow Subjects, who enjoy so many and great Priviledges under the present happy Establishment, should be so blinded toward their true interest as to countenance a Popish Pretender against our present King; and we heartily join in our Prayers to Almighty God to establish his Throne, protect his Royal Person, and confound the Devices of his Enemies, open and concealed.
" We return the Governor hearty thanks for the Assurance he is pleased to give us, 'That whatever shall be laid before him for the welfare of the Province will meet with a favourable Reception.' We have divers things of this kind now before us, which in due time we shall offer to his Consideration, 'not doubting of as much dispatch as the nature of the Business will admit of.'
"Sign'd by Order of the House.
"JOHN KINSEY, Speaker. "11th Month, 1745."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, January 23d, 1745. PRESENT :
The Honoble. GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Abraham Taylor, James Hamilton, Esqrs.
Robert Strettell,
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
The Assembly having sent two Bills to the Governor, One En- titled "An Act for the more easy & speedy Recovery of small Debts," the other Entitled " An Act for amending the several Acts for Electing Members of Assembly," the same were read for the first time.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, January 25th, 1745.
PRESENT :
The Honoble. GEORGE THOMAS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor. Thomas Laurence, Samuel Hasell,
Abraham Taylor,
Robert Strettel,
Esqrs.
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
Mr. Laurence offer'd to the Governor & Council a Return of the King's. High Road leading from the City of Philadelphia thro' Frankfort towards Bristol, made by Anthony Palmer, Benjamin Fariaan, Job Goodson, Edward Brooks, & Thomas Chalkley, in pursuance of an Order of Council of the 7th of May, 1725, and said he did at the Instance of many People who had Lands adjoining the Road, and who desired it might either be confirmed or the Road Survey'd & Laid out anew. The Board taking into Consideration the length of time since the said Road was laid out, and that no Notice had ever been taken of the said Return so as to open the Road agreeable thereto, & that the same had never been Confirm'd or Recorded, It is now referr'd to Mr. Laurence, Mr. Hasell, Mr. Strettel, & Mr. Shoemaker, to view the said Road, & in case they should judge it necessary to be Survey'd & Laid out, De Nova to take to their Assistance the Surveyor General, & to cause it to be done, & make Return thereof to the Council in order for Confirm- ation.
The two Bills sent up by the Assembly, One Entitled "an Act for the more easy & speedy Recovery of small Debts," the other entitled "an Act for amending the several Acts for Electing Members of Assembly," were read a second time & agreed to with some Amend- ments, which were put in Writing, & the Secretary was order'd to deliver them to the House, along with the Bills.
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