USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI > Part 49
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" Whereupon they answered ' That as to Ohio there was some of their People gone already to join Skaronyade, And at Niagara there wou'd be a sufficient Number to join General Shirley, as the Place was near their Habitations. And as for him there wou'd be Time enough, as he was a heavy Body that cou'd move but slow (mean- ing the Army) ; and he might be assured that all the rest of their People wou'd lean where the Tree lean'd (meaning General Johnson).
" Then they desired a Letter might be wrote to the Skaniada- radighronos, Who engaged them to send 300 of their Men at the first Call, weh. was promised to them.
"They concluded the Treaty with the following Complaints :
"'1st. That no Rum shou'd be brought in their Towns as it was their total Destruction.
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" '2d. That no Land shou'd be desired to be bought of them any more.'
"N. B .- It happen'd Lidyus was present, who is to go with Gen- eral Shirley to comand the Indians he is to take with him, but there was inclining to go under Lidyus.
" The 3d Complaint the Speaker begun as follows :
"'That Gen1. Johnson promis'd them in his introductory Speech that the Room where the Council Fire was kindled shou'd be kept free from any venomous or base Creatures ; But they must see that one crept in Notwithstanding, which was Lidyus (naming him), who like an evil Spirit intended to Steal their Lands at the Sasquehan- nah by an unfair and Cheating manner, pulling their people slyly by the Blanket, and by the Witchcraft of Dollars got one Nation after the other to sign a Paper which several of them hardly knew what it was for; and as they never intended to sell that Land, nor cou'd it be done without a full Meeting of the United Nations, they, therefore, must break that unlawfull Deed and recall their Land.'
"The Governmt of Pennsylvania bought a large Tract of Land of them last Year and paid the half of the Consideration Money. They also hereby wou'd recall so much as is unpaid yet. This is in the Consequence of a Message sent among them by the French last Fall,-That they should recall that Land Onas bought of them near Ohio.
" But they were answered,
" That as to Rum none shou'd be brought in their Towns.
" The buing of Land shou'd be brought to another Footing, and none be desired to be brought without their ffree Consent.
" As for Lidyus, he was not called to the Meeting But came of his own accord, and as it was not to be doubted he dealt with them according to their Complaint. They might depend upon it That he wou'd represent the affair in its proper Light at home, and he did not doubt but they wou'd be redressed in their Grievances.
" But as for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania having bought that Land last Year, He was satisfied It was done in a solemn and public Manner, and as they desired Justice to be done to them he expected the same from them, and therefore wou'd advise them to take the other half of the Money and resign the Land according to the Deed they signed. To which they consented and cried out ("etho nujawau")-It shall be so.
" Thus have I bravissimo given your Honour a general Detail of what was transacted with the United Nations. I don't doubt but if you ask Mr. Wraxall for a true Copy of the Whole, when his busy Time is over he will send it. It wou'd make my Epistle too long if I was to give you an account of every inconsequential Thing.
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" People were scalp'd below Albany, and we had twice alarms of the French Indians. Some of the 6 Nations went after them but · did not discover them.
" After the Presents were given and all the Indians were gone, the General went to Albany in order to Dispatch a Party of his Troops to march towards Crown Point. He told me that the Canaje Indians desired him to send me to their Castle again in or- der to receive his News and Orders, that I might bring them down when wanted, and at the same Time acquaint him of every thing of Consequence. After my Return here I was told that an Onondago Indian was killed by two Oneido's who live at Oswegatsy, being sent by the Priest to hear what was going on at the Treaty, And the Onondago accusing them of their being Spies, and both Parties being something in Liquor, they struck him and murdered him miserably.
" All the ffrench Indians except the Cayknawagies are out a scalp- ing, and a great Party of them in the County of Albany. They've committed already several Murders. General Johnson sent out a Party of white People which killed an Anakunko Indian and scalped him.
" There is now about 1,000 Men at Oswego, and the Rowe Gally and Sloop finish'd. There was a Report that 3 French Sail and a Camp was discovered by the Rowe Gally on Oswego Shore opposite Cataraghque.
" A great many Stores and Armaments are going up this River to Oswego, and General Shirley is preparing in Schenectady to set off with the rest of his Army.
" I wish to God the Report was true we had from Ohio that Gen1. Braddock took the ffrench Forts with the Loss of only 500 Men, and the French lost double the Number. If once this will be the Case all the Indians will flock over to the English, and the rest of the Expeditions won't want of Success. As to Niagara, the Indians think it no Difficulty at all about its being taken ; But Crown Point they say was the strongest Fort in Canada.
" My Commission is not given to me yet, but I am told I shall get it when I bring the Indians down.
"In my Letter by Skaronyade I mention'd to your Honour about some Cloaths he and his Company had out of Gen1. Johnson's store, they being quite naked, And I don't doubt but they will have ac- quainted You of it, and this Debt being charg'd to me I shou'd be glad you wou'd write to Mr. Stevenson to ballance the same. It amounts to £4 13. I also enclose a Receipt of John Davison for a Shirt and Cash lent to him.
" Hendrick gives his hearty Salutation to the Governor and your Honour, and lets you know that he himself is a-going to Crown Point. He thinks the upper Nations are in good Humour at present
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with the English, tho' the Certainty of it will be seen when they send their Fighters down. He advises your Honour to see the half of the Ohio Consideration Money paid as soon as possible, as there may be Enemies to the Province of Pennsylvania who may breed Mischief among the upper Nations. He says They were re- solv'd to have that false Deed from Lidyus, and wou'd have had it now if he had been at home.
" Before I set off for Crown Point shall let your Honour hear from Me again, which will be in abt. a fortnight hence. In the In- terim I am, with my humble Respects to the Governour,
" Honoured Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
" DANL. CLAUS.
" To RICHARD PETERS, Esqr., Secretary for the Province of Penn- sylvania.
"P. S. - I was just closing up my Letter when a Cayougo Indian came down here with a Letter to General Shirley from Cap". Brad- street to hurry the Troops up, as they were apprehensive of an Attack at Oswego from an Army gather'd at Oswegatsy. The Indian in his discourse say'd, That the Priest told some of the upper Nations that he expected the English early in the Spring, and had been ready for them, but now they came drawling on like Turtles, so that at last he fell asleep, And in Case they was to disturb him in his Sleep He cou'd in the twinkling of an Eye flye away. At the same time he warned the upper Nations not to mix with the Flies for fear he might crush them to Death unknown.
" The Indians here observed it was true enough that the English had fallen asleep in their Undertakings and Expeditions.":
A Letter from His Excellency Gen1. Braddock to Govr. Morris of the 30th of June from the Camp at the last Crossing of the Yaugyaughani.
" Sir :
" As I shall very soon be in want of Supplies from y". Province, I must beg you wou'd order all possible Dispatch to be made use of in finishing the new Road as far as the Crow Foot of the Yaugh- yaughani, and immediately afterwards send forward to me such Articles of Provision as shall be in your Power.
" Some of the Inhabitants near Fort Cumberland having been killed and taken Prisoners by straggling Parties of Indians, the People in those Parts have been deterred from coming to the Camp. My Chief Dependance must therefore be upon your Province, where the Road will be secure from Insults or Attacks of that kind. And lest it shou'd not be in my Power to send a sufficient Number of Waggons or Horses to bring up from the Magazine at MeDowell's Mill the Provision I may have Occasion for, I must desire You to
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direct Mr. Swaine or some proper Person to have in View such a Number of 'em as may answer that Purpose, which shall be con- ducted to the Camp under a proper Escort. But I wou'd not have any Contract or positive Agreement made till further Orders, as I am in hopes this Measure may not be necessary and the Expence consequently avoided.
" I hope soon to have an Express from You with an exact Account of the Place fix'd upon for the Communication between the Two Roads, And am, Sir,
"Your most h'ble and most obedt. Servt.
"E. BRADDOCK.
" To the Honble. Gov". MORRIS.
" Camp at last Crossing of the Yaugyaughani, June ye 30th, 1755."
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Governor Morris' Answer to Gen'l Braddock's Letter of the 30th June :
" CARLISLE, July the 14th, 1755. " Sir :
"I have this Minute the favour of Yours of the 30th of last Month from ye last Crossing of ye Yohiogany, upon wch. I congra- tulate You, and hope this will find you in Possession of Fort Du Quesne. The opening the Road has been somewhat interrupted by some Indians who have killed some of the Waggoners and People employed in carrying them Provisions, web. has greatly alarmed this part of the Province ; and Mr. Burd writes me from Allegany Mountain that 30 of his Men had left him for want of Arms. As soon as possible after the People that escaped the Indians returned another number of Cattle were procured, And with a proper quan- tity of Flower were sent under the Protection of 64 Volunteers, who I imagine will meet the 30 Men in their Way Home and carry them back to their work. As soon as I am informed that the new Road is nigh joining your Rout, which, as I have wrote, I imagine will be about the Great Crossing, I shall send forward a Parcel of Oxen, some Pork, and some Flower, as much of the Two last Articles as I can procure Waggons to carry ; and propose staying in this Part of the Province where I came to forward & se- cure ye Magazine till that be done. The Letter herewith I wrote at Philada., but the Bearer has been detained a long Time on the Road on Account of the Murders committed by ye Indians, & in hopes of an Escort from me, but for want of a Militia it is not in my Power, so he goes round by Winchester, and may be some time before he reaches You with the good News he is chgd. with.
"I am, Your Excellency's Most Obedient & most h'ble Serv",
" ROBT. H. MORRIS.
" To his Excellency General BRADDOCK."
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A Letter from Governor Sharpe to Governor Morris of ye 15th Inst., enclosing Colon1. Innis' Intelligence of General Braddock's Defeat, which was the first Accot receiv'd at Philadelphia 5 min- utes past 3 o'clock on Friday the 10th Instant, P. M :
" ANNAPOLIS, July 15th, 1755.
" Sir :
The enclos'd was just now sent me from Marlbro', whither it was brought from Belhaven Yesterday. I have not receiv'd any Letters from the General or the Camp since the 22nd of June, but one Mr. - who belongs to the Train, in a Letter to a Gen- tleman of this Town, dated near the Great Meadows the 1st of this Month, says, " On the 9th of last Month the whole Army ex- cept 600 men wth. Sir John St. Clair, who march'd two days before, went from Wills' Creek, and with infinite Difficulty thro' the worst Roads in the World, arrived Ten Days afterwards at the little Meadows where an Abatic was made by Sir John and Two Engi- neers, encircling the whole Camp, here the whole halted three Days, then the Barront with his Party moved forward the Second Day after the General with four Howitzers, four 12 Pounders, 13 Artillery Waggons, besides Amunition Carts, followed him, and have kept marching ever since; And this Evening it is expected His Excellency will be within 25 Miles of the Fort. Colonel Dun- bar with the remainder of the Army, ffour Artillery Officers, 84 Carriages with Ordnance Stores, and all the Provision Waggons from the Rear, amongst whom I am. The Night before last we were alarmed ffour different Times by the sculking Indians, on whom our out-guards and Centries fired. 'Tis said this Morning the General has had Advice that 500 Regulars are in full Marth to the Fort, which is the Reason he is determined to be there before them. As we have but very little fresh Provisions since we left the Fort at Wills' Creek, the Officers as well as private Men have been and still are extremely ill with the Flux, many have died. To-Morrow Morning we march again and are to encamp on the Western Side of the Great Meadows, ffrom whence we are to pro- ceed after the General, But am fearfull it will not be before we have built some Fortification there, and leave a strong Party of Men with a great deal of Provisions and Artillery Stores, our Horses being so weak for want of Food & Rest that it is impossible for the whole rear to join the Front in five and Twenty days." The Gente of this Province are subscribing liberally toward the Sup- port of Two or Three Hundred Men. I shall set off for Frederick in two days. With the greatest Regard,
"I am, Sir, Your most humble & most obed't Servant,
" HOR· SHARPE.
" Governor MORRIS."
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A True Copy of Colon1. Innes' Letter.
"Sir :
"I have this Moment receiv'd the most melancholy News of the Defeat of our Troops, The General kill'd, and Numbers of our Officers, our whole Artillery taken. In short, the Account I have receiv'd is so very bad that as please God I intend to make a Stand here, 'tis highly necessary to raise the Militia every where to defend the Frontiers.
" Your humble Servt " JAMES INNES.
"To all to whom this may concern."
"FORT CUMBERLAND, July 11th, 1755. " A true Copy of Col. Innes' Letter,
"(Signed) FAIRFAX.
" I have sent an Express with the Original Letter to the Gov- ernor."
And a Letter from Colonel Innes to Governor Sharpe of the 13th Instant with a Copy of the Colonel's Letter to Governor Dinwiddie of the 14th July, 1755, received at Philadelphia about 1 o'clock on Monday Noon the 21st July, enclosed in a Letter from Governor Sharpe of the 17th Inst.
"FORT CUMBERLAND, 13th July, 1755.
" Sir :
" Herewith I send your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Gov". Dinwiddie, which is the fullest Account I am able to get. I am this Instant getting anor. Person & anor. Horse to send out to the Army with Directions not to return without some Accounts.
" Your Excellency's most obed" humble Servt. " JAMES INNES.
" To the Honble. HORATIO SHARPE, Esqr.
"P. S .- The Action is said to be on the 8th Currt and within 4 Miles of the French Fort."
"FORT CUMBERLAND, 14th July, 1755.
" Honoured ST .:
" My Letter of the 18th June brot you the defenceless Situation that I was left in here, Notwithstanding in all this Time I have not seen the face of one single Person come here as Militia from either Virga. or Maryland either to strengthen the Defence of the Place or to be ready as Escorts for sending out with Provisions. De-
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pending upon some Succours I have from time to Time detach'd Party after Party to the Army, so that I now have very few real healthy Men to do the Duty.
" This dismal News brought down here on the 11th Curr. Friday at Noon, oblig'd me to send it as it came to my Ears from Wag- goners & such People.
"I was surprized not to have some Messs. sent me from the Army with Accounts that I might depend on, which obliged me to send a Boy on purpose next Day, and gave him one of the best and freshest Horses I had here ; and this Moment he is return'd with much the same Accounts. His Horse giving out he cod. proceed no further than the little Meadows, 25 Miles from this. All the Accounts I get from him is related by the Waggoners, and much to the same Purport as at first; That the General and several Officers are killed, and half of our Soldiers with most of the Artillery taken by the Indians ; But not in this Time having any Accounts from the Army gives me Hopes things cannot be so very bad with Us.
"However, I think it is highly requisite and full Time that the Malitia in the Neighbouring Provinces shou'd be immediately drafted and sent out to their Assistance; Horses and Waggons will be ab- solutely needful. 3,000 or 4,000 Men will absolutely carry Victory before us, when 5 Times their Number in a little Time hence will not do. All which I most humbly submit. You may depend as soon as I receive any Accounts I shall forward them; You may likewise depend, please God I live, I will do my best to maintain this Post.
"I am Your Honour's most obed. h'ble Servt.,
"JAMES INNES.
" 'To the Honble. Gov". DINWIDDIE."
MEMORANDUM.
On the 16th Instant the Governor issued his Writs for the Sheriffs of the several Counties to summon their respective Members to meet his Honour in General Assembly at Philadelphia on Wednesday the 23d of this Inst. July.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia on Wednesday the 23d July, 1755.
PRESENT :
The Honble. ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieuten- ant Governor.
John Penn,
Joseph Turner,
Lynford Lardner,
Robert Strettell,
Richard Peters, r Esquires.
This being the Day on which the Assembly was required to meet by the Governor's Summons, the Matters proper to be mention'd to them were taken into Consideration, and for the Information of the Council the Governor laid before them the Intelligences receiv'd by the Secretary in his Absence and such as he had received himself concerning the Defeat of General Braddock ; observing that all such as were Favourers of the Schemes of the Assembly wou'd not give the least Credit to the Papers, and had even insulted him after reading them as He walk'd the Public Streets, for giving out that General Braddock was defeated.
Then the following Papers were read in these Words, to wit :
A Letter received at Carlisle on Tuesday the 16th Instant from Captain Glazier, who was charg'd with the Dispatches to Gen1. Brad- dock, giving him an Account of the taking the French Forts at Chignecto and Bay Verte by the New England Forces under the Command of Colonel Monckton, and of Two French Ships of the Line taken by Adm. Boscawen.
" Sir :
"There are three Men belonging to the Waggons who have made their Escape from Camp, who say that there hath been an Engagement last Wednesday between the General with an advance Party of Fifteen Hundred Men, within 5 Miles of Fort Du Quesne, in which General Braddock was killed and the Party defeated ; And that they saw ST. John Sinclair brought back by a Party of Soldiers, wounded, to Colon1. Dunbar's, who was left with his Regi- ment with all the Baggage; and several Soldiers coming from the defeated Party running in every Moment; And that Colon1. Dun- bar's Regiment was alarmed immediately, and beat to Arms; And it was more than the Centry's cou'd do to keep the Officers and Sol- diers from running away from His Party. This they seem all to agree in and offer to make Oath to. I thought proper you sho'd know to-Night. I am, Sir,
" Your most humble and most obedt Servt.
"B. GLASIER.
"To the Honble. ROBERT H. MORRIS, Governor of Pennsyl- vania. "
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A Letter from Mr. William Trent, of the 16th Instant.
" May it please your Honour :
" Being inform'd that You were on Your Journey for the Army, but stopped at Shippensburgh on Account of the News brought by the Waggoners, who ran off at the Beginning of the Engagement, makes me take this Opportunity of acquainting your Honour that by a Young Man just come here from the Camp we are inform'd that our Army is beat and the Artillery taken; But that the General with the rest of the Army are making a good Re- treat. As the Person who brings this Account is a sober young Man, came from Fort Cumberland since an Express arrived from the Army, I think his Account the best to be depended upon; And I imagine there will be no great Danger going to the Fort, where I intend to set out for this Afternoon.
"I am Your Honour's most obedt. h'ble Servt., "WILLIAM TRENT.
" Mouth of Conicochegue, Wednesday, July 16th, 1755. "To the Honble. ROBT. H. MORRIS, Esqr."
A Paper of Intelligence from John Campbell, One of General Braddock's Messengers, received Yesterday evening:
" July the 17th, 1755.
" Sir :
"I thought it proper to let you know that I was in the Battle where We were defeated, And we had about Eleven Hundred and Fifty private Men besides Officers and others, And we was attack'd the 9th Day about Twelve o'Clock and held till about Three in the Afternoon and then we were forced to retreat, when I suppose we might bring about 300 whole Men besides a vast many wounded ; Most of our Officers were either wounded or killed; General Brad- dock is wounded but I hope not mortal, and ST. John St. Claire and many others, but I hope not mortal. All the Train is cut off in a Manner. Sir Peter Halket and his Son, Capt. Polson, Captain Gethen, Captain Rose, Captain Tatten, killed, and many others ; Capt. Ord of the Train is wounded, but I hope not mortal. We lost all our Artillery entirely, and every thing else.
" To Mr. John Smith and Buchannon, and give it to the next Post, and let him shew this to George Gibson in Lancaster, and Mr. Bingham, at the Sign of the Ship, and You'll oblige,
" Yours to command, " JOHN CAMPBELL, Messenger.
" P. S .- And from that to be told At the Indian King.
"N. B .- The above is directed To Mr. Smith & Buchannon, in Carlisle.'
VOL. VI .- 31.
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" The Depositions of Matthew Lard, Michael Hoover, and Jacob Hoover, taken before the Governor, at Carlisle, 17th Instant.
" The Examination of Mathew Lard, a Waggoner, belonging to the Army under the immediate Command of General Braddock, taken upon Oath before The Honble. Robert Hunter Morris, Esq", Governour of the Province of Pennsylvania, at Carlisle, in the County of Cumberland, the 17th July, 1755.
"The Examinant saith that General Braddock with an advanced Party of fifteen Hundred Men left Col1. Dunbar at a Place called the little Meadows about the Eighteenth or Twentieth of June last, and was not afterwards joined by Col. Dunbar or his Regim'; That Col'. Dunbar followed the General by slow Marches with the heavy Baggage which he had in Charge ; That this Examinant continued with Colon1. Dunbar, And on the Tenth of this Instant the Regiment being at about 7 Miles beyond a Place called the Great Meadows at eleven o'clock of that Day there was a Rumor in the Camp that there was bad News, and he was soon after informed by Waggoners and Pack Horse Drivers, who were then returned to Col. Dunbar's Camp but had gone out with the advanced Party under Gen1. Brad- dock, that the General with the advanced Party was defeated by the French on the Ninth Instant about 5 Miles from Fort Du Quesne and about forty Miles from where Colon1. Dunbar then was, at which Engagement the Waggoners and Pack Horse Drivers said they were present; That the English were attacked as they were going up a Hill by a numerous Body of French and Indians, who kept a continual Fire during the whole Engagement, which lasted nigh Three Hours; That most of the English were cut off and the whole Train of Artillery taken; That General Braddock was killed, as also Sir Peter Hacket, Capt. Orme, and most of the Officers. This Examinant further saith he saw a wounded Officer brought through the Camp on a Sheet; That about Noon of the same Day they beat to Arms in Col1. Dunbar's Camp, upon which the Waggoners as well as many common Soldiers and others took to flight in spite of the Opposition made by the Centrys, who forc'd some to return, but many got away, amongst whom was this Examinant.
" MATHEW LAIRD.
" Sworn the Day and Year first above written before
" ROBT. H. MORRIS.
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" The Examination of Michael Hoover, a Waggoner, belonging to the Army under the immediate Command of General Braddock, taken upon Oath before the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esgr., Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, at Carlisle, in the County of Cumberland, the 17th July 1755.
" This Examinant saith That he was in Coll. Dunbar's Camp on the Tenth of July, Instant; That about nine or ten o'clock he
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heard a Rumer in the Camp that there was bad News, and saw a Driver's Boy who had set out with Cattle sent by the Governour of Pennsylvania to go up to General Braddock, return with the Cat- tle to Co1. Dunbar's Camp ; and on inquiring of the Boy why he return'd, cou'd get from him no satisfactory Answer. That he after- wards saw several Wagoners whom he heard say that they had been with General Braddock, and were present at the Battle which had been the Day before, vizt., the Ninth Instant. That a large Body of French and Indians attacked the General on the Road, and that a great Many of the English were killed; that General Braddock was wounded and put into a Waggon, and afterwards fallen on by the Indians and murthered. That Sir Peter Hacket and Capt. Orme were also killed. And this Examinant further sayeth, That he saw an Officer come wounded into the Camp; also saw several Soldiers who were wounded, and a Person whom he believ'd to be an Offi- cer carried on a Sheet. Examinant saw That many Persons, as well Soldiers as others, run out of the Camp; And that about Noon he, the Examinant, came away with many others; And further says not.
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