USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
" Brethren :
" This is not all; tho' We are the faithful Friends of the English, Yet We have no Countenance nor Respect shewed Us at Albany, which would not grieve Us so much if We did not see the French Indians preferred to Us. We mean the Caghnawaga Indians, who are extremely caressed at Albany, and supplied with every Thing they want, while no Notice is taken of Us. These Indians, who are known to be no Friends of the English, and hearty Friends of the Governor of Canada, and in his Confidence, carry on a large
281
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
private Trade with the People of Albany. Powder, Lead, Goods, every thing in short are sold to the French, and they are the Car- riers. The French are supplied by this clandestine Trade with every Thing they want, and these Indians inform them of every thing they hear and see. This We have often spoke of likewise, and told the Governor of New York that it is disgustful to Us and hurtful to them, for they corrupt our young Indians and decoy them to the French Settlements, and persuade them to go with them to the French. They are always telling our young Men what a gainful Trade they have, and laugh at Us for not doing as they do. Col. Johnson knows this to be true, and what Mischief is done by it. " Brethren :
" We beg You will take these two Matters under your Considera- tion, and obtain for Us a speedy Redress, which We despair of receiving unless thro' your Interposition and good Offices both at New York and in England."
The Interpreter informed the Governor that Hendrick made many Complaints against a neighbouring Government, and therefore he did not care to interpret it without Leave; whereupon the Governor ordered him to waive it, and to desire the Indians to speak to him on this matter in Council.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, 17th January, 1755. PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
John Penn, Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner, Esquires. Richard Peters,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
Yesterday the Interpreter, with Hendrick, Seth, and Brandt, re- lated to the Governor in private what they had said in publick at the State House the day before, which relating to the Conduct of the Government of New York, His Honour thought it ought to be delivered in Council, and had, therefore, summoned the Members ; Whereupon Hendrick spoke as follows :
" Brethren :
"I am glad of this Opportunity to open my Heart. It has been heavily oppressed these Seven or Eight Years, and I have wanted to disclose it. We have been cheated of our Land by the People of Albany ; sometimes they have produced Deeds for Lands which We did not sell them ; at other times they held more Land than was sold. We complained to Governor Clinton, assuring him it would occasion a Breach between Us and our Brethren, and he promised
282
MINUTES OF THE
Us Redress, and towards the Close of his Administration he took all our Papers and heard our Complaints, but when We expected the Performance of his Promise he told Us another Governor was appointed, and that he could not then meddle with our Affairs but the new Governor would do it. He dyed and We never saw him. Then Mr. Delancey was appointed, and We have three times opened our Grievances to him and he promised Us fair, but has done nothing for Us, and we are afraid We shall always be put off and led by the Nose in this manner and obtain no Redress unless the Governor and his Council interpose in our Favour.
"Several People of New York told Us that We should move away to Ohio among the Rest of our Brethren, that they had Patents for all our Lands, even for the Place where our Castles stand and where We live. Hence We conclude that the People of New York wish and desire our Removal.
" We desire this Matter may be examined ; it will be found that We speak the Truth. Col. Johnson knows this Matter better than We do, and has in his Hands the several Proofs of our being cheated.
" We discovered Two Plots in which the Governor of New York intended to cut Us of. Col. Johnson knows the Particulars of both these Plots, and because he knows our Affairs they hate him as well as Us, and wou'd treat him no better than they treat Us.
" The Difference of the New York Government with Us arose from our Complaints against the Commissioners of Albany, and for desiring the Commissioners might be discharged, for we would have nothing further to do with them ; and they were discharged. After- wards it was thought proper that somebody should transact Indian Affairs, and Col. Johnson was appointed ; and, therefore, they hated him and Us too.
" During the Time of the last War Col. Johnson prevailed on Us, and We listened to him. He was our Captain when no Others did any Thing. He alone persuaded Us, and We obeyed him and engaged in the War against the French.
" We have often desired the People of Albany to break off their Correspondence with the French Indians, but they will not hearken. We desired a Fence might be made over which they should not pass. They wrote to and received from Quebec private Letters. They sell to the People of Quebec a great deal of Powder, Lead, An- munition, and other Provisions, and carry on a private Correspon- dence with them. Col. Johnson knows of these private Dealings as well as We; by these means the French know every thing that the English are doing.
"Col Johnson received a Letter from Governor Clinton wherein he says ' perhaps the Indians will say I forgot the Promise that I made them that I would present their Case to the King.' But we
283
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
cannot depend on him ; he has told Us several Stories before, and this may be like the rest.
" When the last War broke out the Governor of New York did make it known to all the Indians that he would protect, pay, and take Care of them; but those that would not join the English he would withdraw his Protection from them.
"No other Nation engaged so much as We did. Many of Us were killed. The Governor of New York never took any Notice of it. We have the Hatchet still in our Hands. He never took it out. Our Blood is still on the Ground. He never made Us any Satisfaction.
"The Indian Fashion is (and the Government of New York Knows it) When any Tribes offer a Hatchet some take it up, others do not. Whoever makes Peace shou'd say the Peace is made and that I now come to take the Hatchet from You, and then make some acknowledgement according to their Abilities; but this was never done. No Presents were given-No Notice of Peace-No Satisfaction for Blood spilled.
"Brethren :
" (Shewing a Belt which he said was given by Col. Johnson.)
" This is one Part of the Contract We made with Col. Johnson when the Rumour of War was heard. We put Ourselves under his Protection-he promised to live and dye with Us. This is his Seal and Hand, and by which he promised Us the King's Protection : The Three Tribes-Two Castles-the Seal of the Three Tribes- Turtle, Wolf, and Bear-The Chains by which they are tied to- gether.
"Brethren :
" The Governor of Canada sent Us this Belt (holding up a Belt) by the Hands of a Priest with the following Message :
"' Children, Mohocks :
"' I am but just come over from the King of France, your Father. I take this Opportunity of acquainting You of my Arrival. I have received particular Instructions from the King, my Master, to be kind to You, to send for You, and to engage You to renew your Visits. I know all your Chiefs, your Castles, your Affairs. I miss You very much. You have deserted Us; but come again I will use You with Tenderness. I will send You Two Batteaus with Goods in the Spring.
"' Children :
"' The Governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania formerly turned their Backs on You, they did not hear You nor regard You; but now they will sollicit You to meddle with the War. But sit still, do not meddle with their Quarrel; leave it entirely to Us and the English to settle our Differences. We do not want You to meddle at all. Pray send me your Answer.'
284
MINUTES OF THE
" This is the Purport of a Message from the New Governor of Canada; but We neither have sent nor intend to send an Answer to it. Far from favouring his Request We have actually engaged with Col. Johnson to go to War under his Comand. " Brethren :
" Many of the Mohocks straggle into Canada, and when they do so they are always sure to meet with the kindest Reception. Now and then they intermarry with the Caghnawaga Indians, and when this is the Case no Stone is left unturned to draw them from the English. They receive large Presents from the Governor of Canada; they hear many Stories against the English. I assure You the Governor of Canada is an artful industrious Man. He employed all his Skill and Time in Indian Business. You cannot conceive the Arts used by him to seduce the Affections of the Six Nations. The French vastly out do the English in Art and Industry.
" We will conclude with saying that We absolutely despair of Redress from New York. If You do not help Us We know they will not. We will give all up."
The Governor told them that He would weigh and consider the several Matters delivered by them with the Council and wise Men, and return an Answer.
-
MEMORANDUM.
The Governor, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Weiser, had many conferences with the Indians, in which it was considered what might be the proper Methods for the Indians to take in order to invalidate the deed of Lydius, which they owned had been signed by several private Indians for the sake of the Money. Among other things it was proposed that at the general Council of Onondago this Affair shou'd be mentioned, and Lydius' Deed declared to be no Deed of the Six Nations, and to prevent this and other like Attempts that it should be proposed by the Council of Onondago to convey to the Proprietaries by a formal Deed the Lands lying within the Province of Pennsylvania, the Six Nations to receive a Sum every two Years for a determined Space of Time, or some how or other Payment of the Consideration Money should be settled to their Satisfaction. The Indians consented to this, and engaged to confer with Col. Johnson first, and to settle every thing with him, of which he should acquaint the Governor, and when the Matter should be brought to Effect then Mr. Weiser and Mr. Peters might come to Col. John- son's.
285
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 20th January, 1755.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
John Penn,
Robert Strettell, ) Joseph Turner, Esquires.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Richard Peters,
The Mohock Indians.
Conrad Weiser, Interpreter.
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Governor ordered the Interpreter to acquaint the Indians that he was going to give an Answer to what was delivered by them on the Seventeenth Instant.
" Brethren :
"We are heartily sorry to hear you complain against the neigh- bouring Government of New York, and wish it was in our Power to give You the Redress You so earnestly sollicit for, but You must be sensible that all the King's Governments are upon an equal Footing, and independant on one another, and therefore no more can be done than in a friendly Way to lay before the Government of New York what You alledge against it, and to use my best offices that You may speedily receive Satisfaction for the several Injuries done You, and all other Matters be put upon a right Foot. If this be not regarded, tho' I hope it will, I shall then consult with your good Friend Col. Johnson what can be further done to serve You. This I can assure You that his Majesty will not suffer any of his Sub- jects to hurt You with Impunity, and if any Injury has been done You and he be made acquainted with it he will order You ample Satisfaction."
The Indians thanked the Governor, and said that this is all they could expect. They then signified to the Governor that they were desirous to return home; they gave hearty Thanks for the Enter- tainments and Kindness they had received; they frankly declared that the People of Pennsylvania always acted towards the Indians as Brothers and Sisters, and deserved of all the Indians a particular Respect ; They would publish at their Castles the Civilities received whilst here, and the Governor might at all Times depend on the Fidelity of the Mohocks, and that they would be ready to come whenever he should send for them, either for Council or Action.
The Assembly at the Instance of the Governor had made them a small Present, and the Governor ordered the Secretary in Con- junction with Conrad Weiser to pay them on Account of the Proprietaries for their Trouble such Sums as would entirely satisfy
286
MINUTES OF THE
them, and to provide Mr. Clause with Money to bear the Charges of their Return, which was done and Passports delivered to them with two Letters to Col. Johnson, one from the Governor the other from Mr. Peters, which are as follow :
A Letter from Governor Morris to Col. Johnson. " PHILADELPHIA, 23d January, 1755.
" Sir :
" I am favoured with Yours by Hendrick, and heartily thank You for the part you have been so good as to take in the Connecticut affair. Hendrick has been very explicit upon the Subject and I have entertained him and his Companions in the best manner I could, and I believe to their own Satisfaction.
"You will give me leave to refer you to a Letter you will receive with this from Mr. Peters, for the particulars that have passed here and for the Plan that we have agreed to pursue to put an end to this Affair, In which I hope for the Continuance of your friendly Ofices. You will observe we propose that the Six Nations should be invited to send Deputy's to your House carly in the Spring, with full Powers to treat and agree upon Matters relative to this Pur- chase of Lydius, and to prevent the like for the future, where I shall send Commissioners to meet them, and it will give me particu- lar pleasure if you will permit me to name you in the that Com- mission.
"These Indians Complain of ill Usage from the People of Albany on acct of their Lands, and tell me That a very Large Trade is car- ried on between Albany and Canada by means of the French Indians, who for that Purpose are Constantly at Albany, and that the French by that means are furnished with whatever Goods they want either for their Trade or their Troops.
" Such a Trade must be very prejudicial to the English Interest at all times, and more especially so at this Time, and ought to be prevented, but whether these Mohocks out of resentment to the People of Albany do not represent this Matter in too strong a Light you who have frequent Opportunities of observing can best tell.
" His Majesty upon being informed of the Steps taken by the French upon this Continent, has ordered two Regiments to be sent from Ireland and two more to be raised in America, for the Defence of his Subjects here, and I am in hourly expectation of hearing of the Arrival of the Irish Regiments at Virginia who together with the American Regiments are to be under the Command of Major General Braddock, who I hear is to have the Government of New York, but this last piece of news I believe is not much to be de- pended on. These Preparations scem to portend a War between us and France, the Seat of which will be Chiefly in America, and I. could wish the English Colonys would prepare themselves for such an Event, but you will see by the Papers that have passed between
287
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
me and the Assembly that this Colony in particular tho' most con- cerned are resolved to do nothing. I heartily wish you a continu- ance of Health, and am, Dear Sir,
"Your most obedient humble Servant,
"ROBT. H. MORRIS."
A Letter from Mr. Richard Peters to Col. Johnson. " Sir:
"I was on the eight Instant most agreeably surprized with your Favour of the ninth of December by Hendrick. Not having received a Line from Mr. Claus to intimate to me their kind Intention, I had given over all expectations of seeing them this Winter, and took the Opportunity of disclosing the Matter to Scarrooyady, an Oncido Chief, who succeeds the Half King in the Direction of Indian Af- fairs at Aucquick, and was so good as to call upon the Governor for his Commands to the Six Nations, to whom he was going at the Instance of Virginia to invite them to Winchester, and to give them an Account of Indian Affairs on the Ohio. By this Chief, whose family is supported among many others by this Government, and who is a very hearty Friend of the English, the Governor sent a Message to the great Council at Onondago complaining of a Breach of Faith in the Indians in making a Decd to the Connecticut People for Lands within this Province. Such a Message was become ab- solutely necessary, for He had received a Belt from John Shick Calamy, the Person to whom the Indians in the Pennsylvania Treaty at Albany had committed the Care of the Wyomink Lands after having declined including them in the then Sale. Shick Calamy complained heavily that he was likely to be disturbed by some Strangers, meaning the Connecticut People, some of whom had been to visit those Lands and told him they had bought them of the Six Nations since the Treaty at Albany, and intended in the Spring to come and settle them, and praying this Government would pre- vent this Injustice or he should be obliged to complain to the Six Nations for Redress. I likewise gave Scarrooyady a Letter to You and charged him to take your advice in the manner of communicat- ing this affair to the Six Nations. He went away on Christmas Day and that Day fortnight Hendrick arrived.
" Before I proceed to mention what has passed between Hendrick and the Governor it may not be amiss to inform You of the Charac- ter of Scarrooyady and his Errand, that You may know how to in- terpose if necessary : He is a Warrior, a brave and stout Man, and has an Aversion to the French, and wants without any good Reason to strike them, and secretly purposes to animate the Six Nations to take Part in the War. This he will do if he can, tho' this is not his publick Errand, yet I verily believe it is his Intention, for he
288
MINUTES OF THE
has with him an Hatchet Belt given to him and a few Warriors by Coll. Washington in his March to the French Fort, which they ac- cepted, and did actually, tho' imprudently, fall on La Force and his Party at the same Time that Col. Washington did, an Account of which You have in the Speeches he made here which are copied for your Use.
"I have another Reason for suspecting his Intention, as he was charged by the Government of Virginia with an Invitation to the Six Nations to come to Winchester in the Spring; it was thought necessary to give a Belt from this Province and Maryland to enforce that Invitation, and I asked him what sort of a Belt should be given, shewing him several, he chose a large black Belt of Fourteen Rows, and tho' I did not approve it yet having asked his Advice I suffered him to have his Way, and told the Governor in Council that it was an improper Belt for a peaccable Invitation, and that the Six Na- tions wou'd interpret it as a Message of War; But the old Man declared he would not talk of War with that Belt, but only make Use of it to give the Invitation, and that as there was no Hatchet on it its being black signified nothing; But suspecting that he may make another Use of it, the Governor desired me to mention this Matter to You as he has done to Hendrick, that all Mistakes may be prevented and no bad Consequences ensue.
" This makes my Letter long, but I hope You will pardon it. Now to proceed to our good Friend Hendrick and his Business. He told Us very frankly that You had made him an hearty Friend to this Province and would join with and support him in any Measures the Governor of Pennsylvania should advise to get rid of this Con- necticut Deed, and I heartily thank You for this singular Kindness and for mentioning the same thing yourself in your Letters to the Governor and Me.
"In Consequence of this hearty Concurrence of yours and the Mohocks, his Honour gave Hendrick a Belt with a String of Wam- pum tied to it. By the Belt he was asked to undertake along with You the breaking of the Connecticut Deed, and for that Purpose and because there is no other Way in the World to get rid of it he was further desired to consider with You what will be the best Method to procure the Meeting of a Council as soon as possible at your House, to consist of two or three Deputies of each Nation and no more, in order to consult together of the most effectual Manner how to do it, and by the String You are desired to convene such Council.
" We further intimated to Hendrick and now inform You that in order to get rid of this Deed We cannot devise any Method that will be effectual unless the Six Nations in Council will execute a Conveyance to the Proprietaries of all the Lands lying within their Grant on such Conditions and in such a manner as shall be agreed on at your House, and to shew the Indians and yourself our just
289
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Intentions the Governor proposed to name You one of the Com- missioners along with Mr. Penn and myself.
" Unless this be done it will always be in the Power of such Men as Lydius to disturb the Peace of the Government and to breed end- less distractions. Nor will the Indians be Sufferers by executing such a Deed for the whole, since there may be Reservations of par- ticular Places made for them in the Grant and very good Covenants to secure their Possessions, and as it may be an Objection that all the Money received will be consumed at once and their Children reap no advantage, to obviate this it may be stipulated that the Payments shall be made annually or every Two Years for a Number of Years to come.
" Hendrick seems to approve much of this Project, and I believe the more you think of the Matter the more you will be persuaded that no other Way can do the Thing effectually, and therefore if it meets with your Approbation, which I hope it will do, the Governor begs the Favour of you to summon a Council to your House, and leaves it entirely to You to fix the Time, and to take such measures with the Indians previous to the Meeting as you and Hendrick shall think proper.
"It is thought that more than Three Deputies need not come from any one Nation, but that there should be Three from every Nation. I suppose so much Noise has been or will be made about this vile Attempt of the Connecticut People among the Indians that they will not be able to get more Hands to their Deed, tho' it is thought they will try further in the Spring, and bribe high, and therefore no Time should be lost to effectuate what is proposed to be done on the Part of this Province.
" But if, notwithstanding what has been said, you should not sce this Proceeding in the same Light We do, be pleased to favour the Governor or me with a Letter on this Subject, and therein set down your Objections, alter, amend, or plan out anew what You think adviseable to be done. We make You our Counsellor, and shall be glad to be set right, and either to do this or any other Thing that You shall advise.
" You see what a World of Trouble You have drawn on yourself by your Tender of your good Offices, but how to help it I see not, nor what Compensation can be made to you. It shall, however, be my Endeavour to contrive a Method of doing this to your Satisfac- tion.
" Mr. Penn is out of Town or he would have joined with me in this Letter, and in his respectful Services to You in Return for your kind mention of him.
"The Sasquehannah Lands being a Conquest of the Six Nations do not belong to private Indians nor to private Nations (but if to VOL. VI .- 19.
290
MINUTES OF THE
any it is to the Cayugas and Oneidos), therefore they cannot be sold by private Indians out of Council. But in Council they may be sold, and the Deed will be good; and in Council the Indians themselves may declare against the fraudulent Deed that it is made by People who had no Right, and if they had a Right it is an Im- position on the Parties and a cheat, the Indians having before given up their Right to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, and besides it is a Breach of Faith with a Province which has been remarkably true and kind to them.
"I wou'd not have You imagine that we cannot with the Treaties and deeds already obtained make out a prior Title to this fraudulent Deed. No; You know that I produced to You at Albany a Deed from the Six Nations to Governor Dungan, and his Deed to Mr. Penn, which comprizes these very Lands, and likewise other Deeds from the Sasquehannah Indians confirming that Deed, and added to all these I produce to you two Agreements made by all the Six Nations not to sell any Lands within Pennsylvania but to the Proprietaries.
" I have sent You the News Papers containing all the Messages between Governor and Assembly, and likewise a Copy of Col. Innes' Treaty with the Deputies of Seven Nations of Indians deemed to be in the French Interest; but if any Credit may be given to what themselves say, are as much or more in the Interest of the English.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.