USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI > Part 16
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The Council were of Opinion that Conrad Weiser should be im- mediately sent with a Sum of money and proper Instructions to Auck- quick, and that if the Letter should be laid before such of the Members as lived in Town they would readily supply the Money.
At a Council held at Bush Hill, Thursday the Third Day of Octo- ber, 1754.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
John Penn,
Robert Strettell, Benjamin Shoemaker, Joseph Turner, Esquires. Richard Peters,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Council were told by the Governor that the Proprietarics had accepted of his Resignation of the Government, and had appointed the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquires, Chief Justice of New Jersey, to succeed him, who was arrived at New York and had given him Notice of his Intention to be in Town this morning; that being indisposed he could not go meet him, but had sent the Secre- tary with his Compliments to acquaint him of his Indisposition and
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to request that he would be pleased to come to Bush Hill, where he with the Council would be ready to receive him; and accordingly Mr. Morris came into Council and produced a Commission under the Hands and Seals at Arms of the Proprietaries, bearing Date at London the fourteenth Day of May, 1754, appointing him their Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware; he then delivered to the Governor Two Certificates under the Seal of the Privy Council, one dated the twenty-first Day of June, 1754, certifying the King's Approbation of the Proprietaries Appointment of him, and the other dated the said twenty-first Day of June, certifying Mr. Morris having taken and subscribed the legal Oaths and Declarations before his Majesty in Council. All which were read and then the Governor issued a Warrant under the Lesser Seal to the Keeper of the Great Seal to affix the same to Mr. Morris' Commission, which being done Mr. Hamilton and the Coun- cil made him their Compliments, wishing him an happy Adminis- tration; and then the Governor, attended by the Council, the Mayor, Alderman of the City of Philadelphia, several Magistrates, and a large number of Gentlemen, rode to the Court House, where his Commission was published with the usual Solemnity.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, 4th October, 1754. PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
John Penn,
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters, Esquires.
William Logan,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Returns of the Sheriffs and Coroners for the several Counties in the Province being taken into Consideration, the several Persons following were appointed and received their Commissions accord- ingly.
Sheriff's.
Samuel Morris,
Philadelphia County and City,
William Yardley,
Bucks County.
Isaac Pearson,
Chester County,
Thomas Smith,
Lancaster County,
John Adlum,
York County,
John Potter,
Cumberland County,
Benjamin Lightfoot, Nicholas Scull,
Berks County, Northampton County,
Coroner.
Thomas Boude,
Evan Jones, Joshua Thompson, John Dougharty, Archibald McGrew, John McClure, William Boone, Jasper Scull,
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Newcastle, Monday the Seventh of Octo- ber, 1754.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
John Penn, William Till, Esquires.
Richard Peters,
The Governor's Commission, Royal Approbation, and Certificate of his Honour's having taken the Oaths before the King in Coun- cil, were read and published at the Court House in the Presence of several Magistrates, Gentlemen, and other Inhabitants of the Coun- ties.
Then were read the Returns of the Sheriffs and Coroners for the three several Counties; and the following Persons being appointed, they received their Commissions.
(Blank in Council Book and Names omitted.)
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday, the 14th October, 1754.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
John Penn,
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters, - Esquires.
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Secretary laid before the Council the Papers relating to the late Treaty at Aucquick, viz+: Mr. Hamilton's Letter to Mr. Cro- ghan ; His Instructions to Mr. Weiser ; Mr. Weiser's Letter to. him, and the Journal of his Proceedings ; all which were read together with a Letter from Mr. Croghan of the thirtieth of August, and a letter from Captain Stobo therein enclosed, and ordered to be. laid before the Assembly and then entered.
Governor Hamilton's Letter to Mr. George Croghan.
" PHILADELPHIA, 23d August, 1754. " Sir :
" Your Express arrived on Tuesday Afternoon and delivered me your Letter of the sixteenth Instant, enclosing Four different Parcels of Wampum, your Account of Expences for the Supply of . VOL. VI .- 10.
.
-
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Indian Provisions now at Aucquick, and a Copy of Lieutenant Stobo's Letter from Fort Duquesne to the Commanding Officer of the Virginia Forces.
"I wish it had arrived when the Assembly was sitting, but as they had finished the Business of the Year and had separated on Saturday, I could do no better than lay it before the Council and take the Advice of such Members as were in Town.
" By them it was concluded that Mr. Weiser, who was fortunately in Town, should go and consult with You and confer with the Indians and take with him for their Use a Supply of Money, as well to defray the Expences that have already accrued as what may accrue, till the Legislature shall come to a Determination what Measures to pursue in the present Exigency of Affairs. He will likewise assist in putting Matters into such a frugal Channel and Order with the Indians that no more may be expended than is ne- cessary, for You must be sensible that a great Expence is likely to acrue to the Province, and that all Methods imaginable should be used to husband the publick Money.
" That the Indians may not be discouraged or imagine Us wanting in a just Sense of their and our Danger, or in an hearty Disposition to oppose and repel the French, Mr. Weiser has my Instructions to acquaint them that notwithstanding the present Appearances of great Backwardness in our Inhabitants, yet it is entirely owing to an unfortunate Disagreement between me and the Assembly about the Mode of raising the Money. But as the Time fixed by me for my Administration draws to a Period, and a new Governor is hourly expected to arrive, We entertain good hopes that this Difference will no longer continue, but give Way to a perfect Harmony, and that fitting Supplies will be immediately raised, and this Province concur with Virginia in vigorous Efforts to repel the common Invader.
" I hope You will study to oblige Mr. Weiser, and that He and You will perfectly agree together, and tho' it may not be prudent as it cannot be known what the future Governor and Assembly will do to give the Indians too large Expectation of Supplies, yet they should not be discouraged by any means. You will, therefore, con- gult in what manner to deliver these Sentiments to the Indians so as to Steer between the two Extremes.
"I expect you will omit no opportunity of giving me full Informa- tion of all Occurrences worthy of Relation, or of assuring the Indians that we shall always behave to them with the utmost Affection and Kindness.
" If the Indians be permitted to drink strong Liquors it will be impossible for them to exert their Strength or to preserve their Understanding. I must, therefore, be importunate with you to pre- vent all such Liquors from being carried to them on any Pretence
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whatever ; and I order You to stave every Cask wherein any are found, and to return to me the names of the Inhabitants as shall presume to bring strong Liquors among the Indians, that they may be dealt with according to Law; nor let them think that they shall escape as they have hitherto done, since it is now determined to spare none of these Offenders.
" I may venture to assure you that Your Services will be duly considered, and that a prudent Behaviour in the Management of such an important Concern as is now comitted to Your Care will re- commend You to the Favour of the Government, who will be thereby engaged to give you all becoming Encouragements.
" Mr. Weiser goes by his own House, where He will not stay more than a day, so that you may expect him very soon after this Messenger. I am,
" Sir, Your humble Servant, "JAMES HAMILTON."
Instructions to Conrad Weiser, Esquire.
" Having received by Express a Message from (the Half King) Tanacharisson and Scarrooyady, who with some Shawonese and Delawares came lately to Aucquick and intend to stay there, I have by the Advice of Council and with the Approbation of the Speaker and such other Members of the Assembly as live in Town, thought proper to send You to Aucquick, where You are to enquire of Mr. Croghan what they have at any time said to him of their Disposi- tions and future Intentions, as well as of those of the Twightwees, Owendaets, Shawones, and Delawares, respecting the present Hostili- ties of the French.
" You are to learn if possible if any and what Directions have been given them for their Behaviour towards the English or French from the Council of Onondago or any of the Six Nations their Fathers, or whether they or which of them have ever encouraged the French; particularly enquire about the Disposition of the Senecas.
" When You have received Information of these and all other necessary matters, then You are to consult with Mr. Croghan and deliver the following Answer:
"'Brethren-
""" The Governor sent me Express to acknowledge and thank You for your Message by Mr. Croghan and to bid You welcome to Auc- quick, and to enquire after your Health and that of your Families. " ' Brethren :
"' You have done right to put Yourselves under the Protection
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of this Province. We shall make all necessary Provision for You till the Government shall come to some Determination respecting the present Situation of Affairs.
" ' Brethren :
"' Our present Governor's Administration, agreeable to what has been some time ago fixed by himself, draws to a Period. A new Governor is appointed and is hourly expected. This renders it difficult for Us to know what to do. We are all disposed to concur with Virginia and to repel the French, but are waiting for the Ar- rival of the new Governor that it may be done more effectually. " ' Brethren :
""' This being the Case, the Governor, who is your hearty Friend, desires You will be quiet and remain where You are till the Gov- ernor of Virginia or He, or both together, who I believe are deter- mined to strike the French this Fall, send to You to let You know their Determination and what they expect from You.'
" As to the Speeches made by the Shawonese and Delawares to the Governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia, which were delivered to Mr. Croghan and the Half King, consult with Mr. Croghan about the particulars thereof, and return such Answers as are con- sistent with the Treaties subsisting between Us and the present Cir- cumstances of our Affairs.
" You are to declare to the Inhabitants that they will be severely punished if they presume on any Consideration to carry strong Liquors to Aucquick, and You are to charge the Indians to stave all the Casks, and if they will not do it You are to insist on Mr. Cro- ghan's doing it.
" The Distribution of the three hundred Pounds is committed to your Care, in which You may consult with Mr. Croghan, and when You have settled every thing to your Mind Mr. Croghan after your Departure will be better able to continue Matters in the same Course You shall have put them in.
"JAMES HAMILTON.
" Philadelphia, 24th August, 1754."
-
A Letter to Governor Hamilton from Mr. Weiser.
" Honour'd Sir :
" I have the Pleasure to let You know that I am safe arrived from Aucquick yesterday, and herein enclosed is a Copy of my Journal, in which I have been perhaps too Copious. It was chiefly done for my own Memory, and at last I thought proper to send a Copy thereof as it is. I hope your Honour will find a leisure Hour to read it. I send herein enclosed also an account of the Money I
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was trusted with by your Honour. I am sensible I did not every where act according to the Instruction, if literally to be taken, but I hope no Fault will be found when it is considered that if I had the laying out of all the three hundred Pounds and bought Provi- sions for it at Aucquick, or rather among the Inhabitants, the Car- riage and the Distribution of it must have been left to Mr. Croghan, he might (if he intended it) purloin a great deal of it, but I have the Opinion of him that he will do Justice. I counted above twenty Cabbins about his House, and in them at least two hundred Indians, Men, Women and Children, and a great many more are scattered thereabouts, some two or three miles off, and frequently come to fetch Meal at Mr. Croghan's; he has between twenty-five and thirty Acres of the best Indian Corn that ever I saw ; he sends his servants every day to fetch four or five Bags full of roasting Ears for them, but there is not an hour in the day but what some steal into it and fetch more ; and upon the whole, it is my Opinion they will destroy one-half of it before it can be gathered in, to say nothing of the Butter, Milk, Squashes, Pumpkins, they daily fetch, for all which if he be not allowed he must be a great Loser. I ad- vised him to charge for it what was reasonable, and to get two or three creditable Men (as often come there from the Inhabited Parts) to value the Corn that the Indians took away, and certify it. I cannot see what can be done else. Mr. Croghan must either be trusted to buy and distribute Provision or the Government must keep a Man there in whom they can confide to receive the Provision from Mr. Croghan or those that bring it and so distribute it according to the Governor's Instructions ; however, I believe the Indians will scatter before the Winter comes, at least some of them. The Bloody Flux got among some of them, and Lewis Montour, Andrew's Brother, disturbs them often by bringing strong Liquor to them. They cannot help buying and drinking it when it is so near, and Lewis sells it very dear to them, and pretends that his Wife, which is an ugly Indian Squa, does it. He sends Indians to the Inhabitants to fetch it for him, and Mr. Croghan can by no means prevent it because they keep it in the Woods about or within a mile from his House, and there the Indians will go (after having Notice) and drink their Cloathing and so come back to George Croghan's drunk and naked. It is a surprizing thing that no means can be found to prevent the Inhabitants in Cumberland County from selling strong Liquor to the Indians. I am credibly informed that some of the Magistrates of that County sells the most. Mr. Smith was at Aucquick, I suppose to gather some Mo- ney for Liquor he sent-he is an old Hypocrite-told me that the Governor ought not to suffer any strong Liquor to come to Auc- quick. I asked him whether he would have the Governor to come Up with his Sword and Pistol to prevent it. No, said he. Well then says I, there is no other way for the Governor than to break You all and put others in Commission that are no Whiskey Traders and will exercise. their authority.
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" Herewith I send Mr. Croghan's two last accounts with the Re- ceipts thereon. Your Honour will observe in that dated September the sixth, that the first Article is one thousand Weight of Flower, that Article only was delivered for the most part to the Indians before I came to Aucquick, all the rest in the time I was there was either delivered to them or to me and stored up. There is also charged one thousand of Black Wampum and twelve hundred White. These Wampums Mr. Croghan made use of for Indian Messages before I came there. I saw cause to allow it. The Cask of Powder and one hundred Pound of Lead I gave to the Indians to hunt with. I have nothing else to trouble your Honour with at present, and remain,
" Sir, Your very obedient and humble Servant, " CONRAD WEISER.
" HEIDLEBERG, in the County of Berks, Sept". 13th, 1754.
"P. S. As I had time to converse with Tanacharisson a good deal before I delivered the Message, I found that it was better not to mention any thing about the Virginians striking the French this Fall; but I told Tanacharisson and Scarrooyady of it. I hope your Honour will condescend to it. The Wampums are marked and your Honour will easily see to what Article they belong. The largest Belt of the Delawares is of very great Consequence and Import- ance, and ought to be answered in a very solemn manner by your Honour and the Council, including the House of Representatives, with a much larger Belt and a moving Speech. Though the Shawo- nese Belt is an answer to one of ours, yet a Belt of Wampum to them with some good Speech would at these times be of good use. We should give large Belts. The Wampums are cheap, and make, if worked into Belts and attended with proper Speeches, good Im- pressions. I wish your Honour Health and Happiness, and am, &ºa.,
" C. WEISER.
" Journal of the Proceedings of Conrad Weiser in his Way to and at Aucquick, by Order of His Honour Governor Hamilton, in the Year 1754, in August and September.
"On the 24th of August I received the Governor's Instructions; left Philadelphia that Evening, the weather being excessive hot, I arrived at my House in Heidleberg on the 27th, and rested the 28th; the Weather being altered I sat out for Aucquick.
"29th .- Left my House and arrived at James Galbrath's that day.
"30th .- Arrived early in the morning at John Harris' Ferry, and heard that the Half King had been arrived on the River about four days ago and was now down the River at one Taafe's House. I sent my Son down to him with a String of Wampum to invite
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him to come up to me, and accordingly he came within a few hours, and after some Friendly Discourses he agreed to set out with me next morning to Aucquick; he being a little in Liquor some Gen- tlemen from Philadelphia met him at the said Taafe's and were glad to see him and gave him plentiful of Drink.
"31st .- The Half King, according to Appointment, came early in the Morning to see me, and told me what he knew of the last Engagement of Major Washington and the French near Monongo- hela; and before We had our Breakfast some Indians hollowed over the River, and soon after We saw it was Andrew Montour, Nicholas Quebec, and Others, and by their coming I was obliged to stay till after dinner, in order to talk over Measures about my Message; they, the last mentioned, informed me that a great Meeting was appointed at Aucquick, wherein the Indians from Ohio and those on the River of Sasquehanna would be present, and that the Meeting would be about the fourth of September next. I desired Andrew Montour to accompany me to Aucquick, so did the Half King; towards the Evening We sat off and got but to Tobias Hendricks.
" Sept". 1st .- I thought best to alter my Rout and not go along the great Road, for some particular Reasons; took, therefore, the . Road to George Croghan's Cape and Sheerman's Creek, and arrived that day at Andrew Montour's, accompanied by himself, the Half King, and another Indian, and my Son I found at Andrew Mon- tour's about fifteen Indians, Men, Women, and Children, and more had been there, but were now gone. Andrew's Wife had killed & Sheep for them some days ago-she complained that they had done great Damage to the Indian Corn, which was now fit to roast : and I found that there were most every day Indians of those that came from Ohio with some Errand or another, which always wanted some Victuals in the Bargain. I gave him Ten Pounds of the Government's Money.
"2d .- We sat out from Andrew Montour's without any Pro- vision, because he told me We should be at Aucquick before night. We rid six Hours before noon and three Hours after-took up Lodging in the Woods.
"3d .- We sat out by six o'Clock, and by eight We came to the Trough Spring, by nine to the Shadow of Death, by eleven to the Black Logg, and by twelve arrived at Aucquick; the Indians fired off many Guns to make me Welcome, according to their Custom. By the Way Tanacharisson, otherwise called the Half King, com- plained very much of the Behaviour of Col. Washington to him (tho' in a very moderate way, saying the Col. was a good-natured man but had no Experience), saying that he took upon him to command the Indians as his Slaves, and would have them every day upon the Out Scout and attack the Enemy by themselves, and that he would by no means take Advice from the Indians; that he
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lay at one Place from one full Moon to the other and made no Fortifications at all, but that little thing upon the Meadow, where he thought the French would come up to him in open Field; that had he taken the Half King's advice and made such Fortifications as the Half King advised him to make he would certainly have beat the French off; that the French had acted as great Cowards, and the English as Fools in that Engagement; that he (the Half King) had carried off his Wife and Children, so did other Indians before the Battle begun, because Col. Washington would never listen to them, but was always driving them on to fight by his Directions.
"I intended a Meeting but the Indians were before hand with me, and came into the House, and according to old Custom said :
"'Brother : We are glad to see you, and as You came a great Way through the Woods We come to wash off the Sweat from your Face and the Dust from out of your Eyes in order to make You look the clearer about You, and see Us your Brethren without anything between Us. We also clear your Throat in order to make you speak freely to us in what You have to say to Us in behalf of the Governor of Pennsylvania, and clear your Heart and mind from all Prejudice whatsoever.'
" They gave a String.
"This Evening Mr. Croghan, at my Request, desired the Shawo- nese and Delawares to repeat over to me every thing what they said to him at their first Arrival. Accordingly on ye 4th early in the morning, the Shawonese and Delawares sent for me to their Cabin, and spoke to me as follows :
" Wabadikisy (alias Little Johnney), Speaker.
" 'Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania :
"'We heard at our own Country so many flying Stories, and among other Things We heard that all our Brethren that came away from Ohio first were all killed by You, that was the Reason of our coming here to enquire and find out the Truth of the matter, and of every other thing that passes. We give you this String of Wampum to wipe off the Tears from your Eyes to enable You to look clearly about You and see your Brethren and hear what they have to say.'
" Here they had given a String.
" 'Brother the Governor :
"' I have now wiped off the Tears from your Eyes. I will now ease your Heart, and take away all the Trouble of your Thought, so that You may lay aside all Prejudice and judge Right.'
" Here they had given a String.
"""'Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania and Virginia :
"' At a Treaty held last Fall between Us You desired us to be
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still and quiet and mind nothing of any thing whatever We should hear, and only mind and assist in Council Affairs. We have hitherto followed your advice, and least you may think We are in the French Interest because we were not engaged in the Skirmish some of your People had with the French some time ago, We assure You by this String of Wampum that We are still your Friends and Brethren as We always have been, and acted agreeable to what You told Us
" Here they had given a String.
" Then the Delawares spoke by Dishickamy.
""'Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania, We, your Brethren the Delawares, are one People with You and Your old and first Friends among the Indians; We undertook to recommend the Speech our Grand Children the Shawonese now made to You to be the Truth and a. Word that came from their Heart, so that You may believe them, which We hope and earnestly desire You will do, and this String of Wampum is our Letter of further assurance to You as from Your old Friends.
""'Brethren the Governor of Pennsylvania and Virginia, at our last Treaty You desired Us to mind nothing but Council Affairs, and You desired Us to keep up a good Correspondence with all our Indian Allies, and to desire them to do the same till We should hear further; We let You know that We have followed your Ad- vice, and have sent to all our Allies to the South and to the West and informed them accordingly of your good Advice, and they all acted accordingly and approved of your Council.'
"The Shawonese again spoke:
"'Brethren the Governor of Pennsylvania and Virginia: We thank You for Your kind Office in getting our People that were in Prison in South Carolina released and sent home to Us, though one of them is dead (it was very misfortunate and a great Pity that it happened to be Lawachkamicky the Bride), who was a noted Man among the Shawonese, a great Warrior and a true Friend to the English ; he is very much lamented by that Nation, and the most High knows how he came to his End. We are content, and his Death will by no means occasion a Breach of Friendship between Us and You, and We have let all our Allies know the Kindness You have done in procuring our People's Liberty, and that they were safely sent home by you.'
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