USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. V > Part 54
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" Gave a Belt.
" They received this Belt with Yo-hah."
" The Speaker of the Six Nations made the following Speech to Monsieur Ioncœur in open Council ; he spoke very quick and sharp with the Air of a Warrior :
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" 'Father-
"' How comes it that you have broke the General Peace ? Is it not three years since you as well as our Brothers the English told Us that there was a Peace between the English and French, and how comes it that you have taken our Brothers as your Prisoners on our Lands ? Is it not our Land (Stamping on the Ground and put- ting his Finger to John Cœur's Nose) ? What Right has Onontio to our Lands ? I desire you may go home directly off our Lands and tell Onontio to send us word immediately what was his Reason for using our Brothers so, or what he means by such Proceedings, that we may know what to do, for I can assure Onontio that We the Six Nations will not take such Usage. You hear what I say, and that is the Sentiments of all our Nations; tell it to Onontio that that is what the Six Nations said to you.'
" Gave 4 Strings of black Wampum.
" After which the Chief of the Indians ordered the Goods to be divided, and appointed some of each Nation to stand by to see it done, that those that were absent might have a sufficient Share laid by for them.
" After which the Chiefs made me a Speech and told me it was a Custom with their Brothers whenever they went to Council to have their Guns, Kettles, and Hatchets mended, and desired I might order that done, for they could not go home till they had that done. So Mr. Montour and I agreed to comply with their Request, and ordered it done that they might depart well satisfied.
" May the 29th, 1751.
"PRESENT : " Joseph Nellson,
"Saml. Cousens,
" John Owens,
" James Brown, Indian Traders.
" Jacob Pyatt,
" Dennis Sullivan,
" Thomas Ward,
"The Chiefs of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, and Owendatts ;
" Mr. Andrew Montour, Interpreter.
" The Beaver, the Speaker of the Delawares, made the following Speech in answer to the Speech made them Yesterday :
""' Brethren, directing his Speech to the Governor of Pennsylvania, We heared what you said Yesterday to us-We thank you for con- sidering our lamentable Condition for want of a Chief-it is true what you told us, we have been like People in the dark, not knowing where to go nor what to do. Now Brother our Hearts are glad, for you have opened our Eyes that we may see the Sun clear, and
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
you have directed us how to behave-it is good-we will be directed by you our Brothers and do what you bid us-and to assure You our Hearts are ready to receive Your advice we send you those two Strings of Wampum.'
" Gave two Strings.
"He added that as all their wise Men were not gathered together it would take some time to consider on a Man that was fit to under- take to rule a Nation of People, but as soon as possible they would make a full answer, which they hoped would give Satisfaction to their Brothers the English and the Six Nations."
" A Speech received from the Shawonese in answer to the Speech delivered them yesterday ;-
" Keeshequeatama, Speaker :
"' Brethren, directing his Speech to the Governor of Pennsylvania, We the Shawonese return You our hearty thanks for the kind Speech You made Yesterday. You have now washed our Eyes and opened our Ears that we may see the Sun clear and hear what You our Brothers will at any time say to us; and we assure You our Brothers the English, our Hearts are all good and true towards You, and we will be ready and willing at any time to hear what you say to us, and will take your advice only; and to assure you of the Truth of what we say we send You those three Strings of Wam- pum.'
" Gave three Strings."
" A Speech received from the Chiefs of the several Nations, one of the Six Nations Speaker, in answer to the Speeches sent them last Winter by the Governor of Virginia, and delivered them by Mr. Christopher Guest:
""' Brethren, directing their Discourse to the Governor of Vir- ginia : We received Your Messages by your Messenger Mr. Guest, letting us know that our great Father beyond the Seas, not for- getting us his children on this side the great Water, has sent a Pre- sent of Goods to your Care for us. We all return you our hearty thanks for your care in sending us word so soon as you did. Now, Brother, we expect You will consider that we are a poor People and at War with the Southward Indians, and don't know but some of our Nations may soon be struck by the French, so that it is not in our Power to go down to hear what our great Father has to say to us ; But our Brothers of Pennsylvania have kindled a Council Fire here, and we expect you will send our Father's Speeches to us here, for we long to hear what our great Father the King of Great Britain has to say to us his poor children. Brother, that this Speech may have its full Effect on your mind, we send you these four Strings of Wampum.'
" Gave 4 Strings."
" A Speech made by the Commissioners of the Owendatts sent to
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the Council by that Nation to receive what Speeches their Brothers the English had brought them ;-
"The Great Arrow Speaker :
"' Brothers : We have heard what you said Yesterday to our Na- tion ; we return you our hearty thanks for the care of us and our People ; but as we are not impowered to give a full answer we de- sire to be excused at this time ; but upon our Return home we will call a Council, and then our Brothers may expect a suitable answer to the kind Speeches they have sent us. I hope our Brother the Governor will accept those four Strings of Wampum till they get a fuller answer.'
" Gave four Strings.
" A Speech received from the Six Nations, the Speaker directed his Discourse to the Governor of Pennsylvania.
" Tawago, " Conajarca,
" Torasoughko,
Six Nation Chiefs.
" Counestraho,
" Contughgua, " Toanohiso, Speaker.
" 'Brother :
"'We, your Brethren the Six Nations, have heard what You said to us Yesterday ; we thank You for your good advice, and you may depend on our giving our new Brethren the Twightwees our best advice; and we will have them and the Owendatts always under our Eyes as well as the Delawares and Shawonese, that we may all become as one People, which is the way to be as strong on Ohio as that Mountain which you mention in your Speech, which is the Onondago Country. Brother: as to what you mention of the Traders being taken by the French, we, your Brethren the Six Na- tions, have a true sense of the ill usage you have received from the French; and we can assure you we will take a Method to oblige the French to make Satisfaction. Brother: we have discharged the French from amongst us; and told them that they should not build upon our Land. Now, Brothers, we have been considering what the French mean by their Behaviour, and believe they want to cheat us out of our Country, but we will stop them, and Brother You must help us. We expect that you our Brother will build a strong House on the River Ohio, that if we should be obliged to engage in a War that we should have a Place to secure our Wives and Children, like- wise to secure our Brothers that come to trade with us, for without our Brothers supply us with Goods we cannot live. Now, Brothers, we will take two Months to consider and choose out a Place fit for that Purpose, and then we will send You word. We hope Brothers as soon as you receive our Message you will order such a House to be
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built. Brothers : that you may consider well the necessity of build- ing such a Place of Security to strengthen our arms, and that this, our first Request of that kind may have a good effect on your minds, we send you this Belt of Wampum.'
" Gave a Belt."
" A Speech made by the Six Nations in behalf of the Twightwees, as none of them were present :
" 'Brethren-
"' We your Brothers, the Six Nations, received your Message to the Twightwees and the Present, which we assure you we will deliver them safe, and we will join you and make a Speech to them to let them understand that we will put our Hands on their Heads, so that if any nation strikes them our Fingers must be cut off before they are hurt; we hope this Speech with the Present will have its desired Effect on the minds of our new Brethren, so that we may all become united as one People.'
" Gave two Strings of Wampum."
" May the 30th. I took my leave of the Chiefs of the several Na- tions, when I made each of them some small Presents reserved for that Purpose by Mr. Montour and myself; they wished me a good Journey home, and desired they might be remembered to their Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania and all the wise Counsellors, and desired me to assure them that they would always observe what their Brothers the English would tell them."
Copy of a Letter sent to the Governor by Mr. George Croghan, with the above Treaty :
"PENNSBORO', June 10th, 1751.
"' May it please your Honour :
"'Inclosed is a Copy of the Treaty held on Ohio by your Hon- our's Instructions on delivering your Honour's Present to the several Nations of Indians Residing there. I hope your Honour on perusing the Proceedings of the Treaty will find that I have observed your Honour's Instructions in every Speech that I delivered from your Honour. I took all the Pains I could to make the Present have its full Force and Weight with the Indians, and I have the Pleasure of assuring your Honour that the Indians were all unani- mously well pleased at your Honour's Speeches, and likewise ac- knowledged it was a great Present, and the Chiefs of the Six Nations took great Pains with me in dividing it amongst the other nations, that it might have its full force with them, which I assure your Honour it had, for every man I saw there was well satisfied with his share of the Present; the Indians in general expressed a high Sat-
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isfaction at having the Opportunity in the Presence of Ioncœur of expressing their hearty Love and Inclinations towards the English, and likewise to assure your Honour what Contempt they had for the French, which your Honour will see by the Speeches they made. Ioncœur-Ioncœur has sent a Letter to your Honour, which I enclose here. Mr. Montour has exerted himself very much on this occa- sion, and as he is not only very capable of doing the Business, but look'd on amongst all the Indians as one of their Chiefs, I hope your Honour will think him worth notice, and recommend it to the Assembly to make him full Satisfaction for his Trouble, as he has employed all his Time in the Business of the Government. I hope your Honour will recommend it to the Government of Virginia to answer the Speech sent them now in answer to their own Speech sent last Fall, as soon as possible. May it please your Honour, I make bold to send down my Account against the Province for what Wampum I delivered Mr. Montour to make the Speeches last Fall and this Spring, delivered by your Honour's Instructions. Mr. Montour is at my House and will wait on your Honour when you Please to appoint the time. I hope what has been transacted at this Treaty will be pleasing to your Honour, as I am sure the Present had its full Force, and shall defer any farther Account till you have the opportunity of examining Mr. Montour.
"' I am your Honour's most obedient, humble Servant,
""' GEORGE CROGHAN.'
A Letter to Governor Hamilton from Ioncaire. " DE CHININQUE, LE 6 DE JUIN, 1751.
" Monsieur :
"Monsieur Le Marquis de Lajonquierre, Gouverneur de toute la nouvelle France, mayant Honore de ses ordres pour Veiller ace que les Anglois, ne fassait aucune Traitte dans le Continant de la belle Rivierre, J'ay signifiez aux negotiants de votre Gouvernementde se Retirer.
" Vous nignorez pas Monsieur que toutes les Terres de ce Conti- nant, out de tout Temp appartenuau Roy de France, et que les Anglois nont aucun droit pour y venir faire leurs Commerce.
" Mon General ma or donnez de vous donner avis de ce que J'ay fais afin que vous nen puissiez pretendre cause d'ignorance, et il ma donne cet ordre avec d'autant plus de Raison, quil y ait deux ans, Monsieur de Celoron pard ordre de Monsieur de Lagalissonnierre alors Commandant General somma plusieur negotiant Anglois qui faisoient La Traitte avec les Sauvages de la belle Rivierre, ce quils firent et luy promirent de ne plus revenir traitter sur ces Terres ce
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
que Mr. de Celoron vous Eccrivit En consequence de ce qui powroit arrive.
"J'ay L'Honneur destre avec Respect, Monsieur,
" Votre tres humble et tres oblissant Serviteur,
" IONCARE,
" Lieutenant du Detachement de la Marinne."
-
" Mr. Weiser's Journal of his Proceedings at Onondago.
" 1751-June 27th .- Arrived in Albany; the thirtieth follow- ing the Indians arrived, several of the Chiefs came to see me that very day, and all the Indians being impatient to hear my Message, the fifth of July I went to his Excellency the Governor of New York to ask leave to deliver my Messagge. I had not the Honour to see his Excellency, but one Mr. Askew carried my request to him, who brought back answer to wit, that his Excellency must have it in writing in order to lay it before the Council. I told Mr. Askew that I could say no more to the Indians than what was con- tained in my Instructions ; the Governor wanted to see them. I sent them immediately ; after they were read in Council they were returned to me and I was told that the Governor wanted to speak to me sometime in the afternoon. Accordingly in the afternoon I was sent for ; when I came to the Governor Mr. Golding was with him; his Excellency was pleased to tell me that he wanted to speak to the Indians that morning, but they were somewhere else engaged, he did not know where; then required me not to speak to the In- dians before he had done with them, and that I must give him in writing what I would say to them. I made answer that I had it in charge not to speak to the Indians without his Excellencie's ap- probation and Foreknowledge, and had nothing else to say than what was contained in my Instructions (which I shewed again) then in my Hand, as for the Indians coming to see me I could not lock up my door upon them ; I did not care to offend them ; his Excel- lency replied that he would not have me to offend. the Indians, and so dismissed me for that time.
"July the 9th .- Waited on his Excellency again to obtain leave to deliver my Message, was told that as soon as the Catabaws had their answer I should.
"July the 10th .- His Excellency gave me Leave to deliver my Message. I acquainted the Indians accordingly and they met me that Evening at my Lodging, and as on such Occasions some parti- cular Ceremonies are used, I employed Canachquaieson, an Oneider Chief, to perform them for me; he was but the other day employed by Friend Stephans, the Interpreter for New York Government, on the same Occasion.
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" After most of the Indians met Canachquaieson stood up and begg'd me to walk up and down the Floor and to sing Lamentation Songs in very melancholy Time, which he continued till all were met, and some time after in the Song mention was made of the Per- son or Persons for which he mourned, and their virtue praised.
" Then he told the Indians that the Governor of Pennsylvania had sent Tharachiawagon with a Message to the Six United Nations, which wou'd now be delivered to them, and that what would be now said to them was the very words of the Governor and the People of Pennsylvania. A String of Wampum was given.
" The Speaker, Canachquaieson, being before informed of my whole Message, I only repeated the Beginning and gave him a Belt of Wampum, he then went on and said :
"' Brethren, The Six United Nations .- The Governor of Penn- sylvania was but the last year informed of the Death of several of the Chiefs of the Six United Nations, dying in their way homewards from Philadelphia, and of the Death of Canassatego and Silgo Wan Ackly, who both died since their Arrival at their own Town.
"'The Governor of Pennsylvania was very sorry to hear of the Death of those his goods Friends and Brethren, has, therefore, sent Tharachiawagon to the Council Fire at Onondago with a Present to signify to the Council of the Six United Nations that himself and the People of Pennsylvania condole with them on the Loss of such valuable Persons, and hath sent that Present to wipe off their Tears.' Eight Pieces of Strowds were laid before them, and a String of Wampum given. A Piece of Strowds was delivered in particular (on the Death of Canassatego) to the Onondagers. Item; Seven Strowd Matchcoats on the Death of Cunjaquoa, a noted Warrior among the Mohocks, killed by the French in the late War in his Majestie's Service.
" Item; Six Strowd Matchcoats on the Death of a Son of Cayen- quarachton, a Sinicker Chief, who was killed after the same manner.
"Songs of Lamentation being sung by Canachquaieson on the Death of these two great warriors, who had made a Sacrifice of their Lives for the Common Cause and in obedience to his Majesty King George.
" The Indians appeared well pleased and looked upon the Present to be a large one on such an Occasion. The Indians had a Con- sultation together for a good while about an answer. I understood that they were at a Loss for some Skins to send as a present to the Governor of Pennsylvania to wipe off his and his People's Tears over the Death of Canassatego & others. I gave them to understand that they need not stop for that at this time, that I would excuse them in the best manner I could with the Governor and People of Pennsylvania, as I knew they had parted with what they had on other occasions, and I gave them further to understand that at a
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certain Hour that night I must go on board the only vessel that was left, and stay'd on purpose to take me in by the time of high water, to which they consented .- The Governor of New York and his Council and other Gentlemen being all gone that Afternoon.
" Then Abraham, a Mohock Chief, stood up and returned thanks in the best manner he could, and said a great deal of the Satis- faction this Present gave them, and that they took it as a fresh token of the Brotherly Love of the Governor and People of Penn- sylvania towards the Six United Nations, and desired me to return thanks in their behalf to the Governor and People of Pennsylvania in the best I could, and gave a String of Wampum.
"By another String of Wampum he said, "Brother Tharachiawa- gon we thank you for this visit, we will take care of your Son, we look upon him as one of our own children, we will use our best En- deavour to learn him to speak our Language well, we are very glad you brought him to us as to your Town, it shows that you retain the same Love as you did formerly to us.'
" The Indians expressed in general a good deal of Satisfaction and shook hands with Sammy Weiser and Daniel Clause, to signify to them that they received them kindly ; So the Business ended.
" CONRAD WEISER."
At a Council held at Philadelphia Friday the 16th August, 1751. PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esqr., Lieutenant Goy- ernor.
Richard Peters, Esquires. Andrew Montour, Five Nantycoke Indians. Conrad Weiser,
Four Nantycoke Indians arrived in Town from Wyomen on Sas- quehanna, and having informed the Governor that they had some Business with him he appointed them to come to him this day.
After the usual Salutations one of them spoke as follows :
" Brother, the Governor of Pennsylvania-
" In the beginning of this Year one of the Nantycokes was com- mitted to Prison at Lancaster for abusing a White Girl, one of your children, but after he had been there some time you very graciously at our earnest Request set him at Liberty. We are desirous to re- move all Resentment out of your Hearts for this abuse, which caused us to shed many Tears, and this String of Wampum is given you to remove from your hearts all ill will to us on that account."
A String.
" Brother :
" Now that there remains no ill will to us in your heart, we can
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speak to you with the greater freedom. With this String we heartily thank you for pardoning our Brother and letting him come to us again ; You used him as if he had not been guilty, and we heartily thank you for it with this String."
Here a String.
" Brother :
"We passed about nine Years ago by your door, we came from Maryland and asked your Leave to go and settle among our Breth- ren the Delawares, and you gave us leave. You will wonder that you have not seen us since, so we now come down to tell you that we did for some time live at the mouth of Juniata, but are now set- tled at Wyomen. This you should know for we now belong to you. With this String, therefore, we inform you of our Removal from Juniata and Settlement at Wyomen."
A String.
"Brother :
" We now speak in behalf of all our People, the old men and old women, the young men and young women, the Children of both Sexes, and those who are yet in the belly. We all speak from the bottom of our hearts, not from our mouth, when we tell you that we are your Brethren, and will ever preserve a most sincere affec- tion for you and heartily beg that we may be favored with your Protection and care of Us. It was given us in charge to mention our Regards for you Separately for the old, then for the young, then for the Children already born, and lastly for those who shall be born, and in token hereof We give you this Belt of Wampum; nine Rows."
To which Speeches the Governor the next day gave these An- swers :
" Brethren-
" We are glad to see you, we take your visit kindly, and are now going to give you an answer to what you said yesterday.
" Brethren :
" You told us not to retain any ill will to you for the Crime your Brother whom we put in Lancaster Jayl was guilty of. We assure You with this string, since you thought proper to intercede so earnestly for him and he has promised good behaviour for the future, that we have no ·more Resentment against him or you for that abuse."
A String.
" Brethren :
" We receive your Thanks with Pleasure for our Pardon of the guilty Indian. We had regard to your sollicitation. We hope it has its effect, and that you have told the Indian and all your People
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mot to do the like again. We take it kindly that you come to ex- press your grateful Sense of our Favour."
A String.
" Brethren :
"We take Notice of your settling at Wyomen. We are not against it, provided all the other Indians know and approve it, and we recommend it to you to live affectionately with our Brethren the Indians of the other Nations in the Neighbourhood. In token of our liking well your Removal to your new Settlement we give you this String."
A String.
" Brethren :
" Your Assurances of living with us like good Children and faithful Subjects are agreeable to Us. We shall not fail to take the same Care of you as we do of our other Brethren so long as you merit our Protection. We Speak this from our hearts as well as from our Mouths, and in Confirmation of our truth and sincerity we give you this Belt."
A Belt.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday the 21st of August, 1751.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner, Esquires.
William Logan,
Richard Peters,
The Minutes of the two preceding Councils were read & approv'd.
The Governor on the fifteenth Instant received the following Message by two Members :
A Message to the Governor from the Assembly.
" May it please the Governor :
" By several Addresses from the Assemblies of this Province, and particularly by our Message of the nineteenth of October last, the Reason we have to hope our Proprietaries will chearfully con- tribute towards the heavy Charges which are annually brought against the Province on Account of Indian Affairs will clearly appear ; And as the Governor in his Answer to our Message was then so kind as to assure us of his Intercession with the Proprie- taries, we now request he would be pleased to inform the House VOL. V .- 35.
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what Progress he has made on this our respectful and reasonable Application.
"Sign'd by order of the House,
"ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker.
" August 15, 1751."
To which the Governor, by his Secretary, sent the following An- swer:
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" Agreeable to your Request in your Message of October last, I acquainted the Honourable the Proprietaries with your Expectation, that they would bear a Part of the Charges arising upon Treaties and other negotiations with the Indians. In answer to which they have been pleased to direct me to acquaint the Assembly that they do not conceive themselves under any obligation to contribute to Indian or any other publick Expences, even tho' Taxes were laid on the People for the Charges of Government ; But as there is not one Shilling levied on the People for that Service there is the less Reason for asking any thing of them, Notwithstanding which they have charged themselves with paying to the Interpreter much more than could be due to him on any Treaties for Land, and are at this Time at the Expence of maintaining his Son with a Tutor in the Indian Country, to learn their Language and Customs for the ser- vice of the Provinces, as well as of sundry other Charges on Indian Affairs; That they have been at considerable Expences for the ser- vice of the Province, both in England and here : all which being considered, and that they purchase the Land from the Indians and pay them for it, and that they are under no greater Obligation to contribute to the publick Charges than any other chief Governor of any of the other Colonies, they would have been well pleased to have been freed from the necessity of giving a disagreeable answer to any application upon that Subject.
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