USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VI > Part 9
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
" At a Meeting at the Court House in Albany, Thursday 27th June, 1754, A. M.
"PRESENT :
" The Four Gentlemen of the Council of New York and all the Commissioners.
" The Draught of the general Speech was further debated, and not being fully concluded upon the Board adjourned to Five o'clock this Afternoon."
69
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" At a Meeting in the Court House at Albany, June 27th, 1754, Thursday, P. M.
" PRESENT :
" The Four Gentlemen of the Council of New York and all the Commissioners.
" A motion was made that the Commissions or Powers from the several Governments should be made Part of the Records of this Congress. It was unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be pre- fixed to these Records.
" The Draught of the general Speech was settled, read, and unanimously approved of, and is as follows :
" ' Brethren :
"' I have invited You here by the Command of the great King, our common Father, to receive a Present from him, and in his name to renew the antient Treaty between this and all his other Govern- ments and You our Brethren ; and I have the Pleasure to tell You that by his special Order there are now present Commissioners from Massachusets Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland; Virginia and Carolina likewise desire to be considered as present, although some great Affairs which those Governments are engag'd in have prevented their sending Com- inissions. We are glad to see our Brethren here in Health, and heartily bid You welcome.'
" A Belt.
"'Brethren :
"' We condole You and our Loss in the Death of some of your People since the last Interview in this Place. We wipe away all Tears from your Eyes and take away Sorrow from your Hearts that You may speak freely.'
" Three Strings of Wampum.
"'Brethren :
" We come to strengthen and brighten the Chain of Friendship. It gives Us great Satisfaction that You have lately added two Links to the Chain-the Shaniharadighroones and the Teddirighroones, as it will always give Us Pleasure to see your Strength encreased. This Chain hath remained firm and unbroken from the Beginning. This Belt will represent to You our Disposition to preserve it strong and bright so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure. And in the Name of the great King our Father, and in the Behalf of all his Majestie's Colonies, We now solemny renew, brighten, and strengthen the antient Covenant Chain and promise to keep the same inviolable and free from Rust, and We expect the like Confirmation and Assurance on your Part.'
" A Chain Belt.
e
70
MINUTES OF THE
"' Brethren :
""" We are informed that You now live dispersed from each Other contrary to the antient and prudent Custom of your Forefathers, and as You are by this means exposed to the Attempts of your Enemies, We, therefore, in the most earnest Manner recommend to and ex- pect from You for your own Safety to collect Yourselves together and dwell in your National Castles. We desire You, Brethren of the Onondago Nation in particular, to call in your Friends and Re- lations to join You, especially those of your Nation who now live at Osweegachie. A brave People separated from each Other may easily fall a Sacrifice, whereas united they may live secure and un- injured.'
" A Belt.
"' Brethren :
""" We have something to say to You of great Importance. The Treaty subsisting between Us and You our Brethren, as well as the great Affection We bear towards You, oblige Us to mention it.
""'The French profess to be in perfect Friendship with Us as well as You; notwithstanding this they are making continual En- croachments upon Us both. They have lately done so in the most insulting manner, both to the Northward and Westward. Your Fathers by their Valour above one hundred Years ago gained a con- siderable Country, which they afterwards of their own accord put under the Protection of the King of Great Britian. The French are endeavouring to possess themselves of this whole Country, altho' they have made the most express Treaties with the English to the contrary.'
"'Brethren :
""' It appears to Us that these Measures of the French must necessarily soon interrupt and destroy all Trade and intercourse between the English and the several Indian Nations on the Conti- nent, and will block up and obstruct the great Roads which have hitherto lain open between You and your Allies and Friends who live at a Distance.
" ' We want to know whether these Things appear to You in the same Light as they do to Us, or whether the French taking Posses- sion of the Lands in your Country and building Forts between the Lake Erie and the River Ohio be done with your Consent or Approbation.'
" A large Belt.
""" Brethren :
'' Open your Hearts. Deal with Us as Brethren. We are ready to consult with You how to scatter these Clouds that hang over Us. This is a Matter of so great Weight that We think it best to defer mentioning any other Affairs till You have considered
71
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
this, least they should take away Part of that Attention which is necessary on so extraordinary an Occasion.'
" A Belt.
" Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eleven o'Clock."
" At a Meeting in the Court House at Albany, Friday 28th June, 1754, A. M.
"PRESENT :
" John Chandler,
" Oliver Patridge,
Esquires, Commissioners from Massachu- sets Bay.
" John Worthington,
"Richard Wibird,
" Meshec Weare, & Esquires, Commissioners for New Hamp- shire.
" Henry Sherburne,
" Roger Wolcott, Esquires, Commissioners for Connecticut.
" Elisha Williams, S
" Martin Howard, Jun"-, Esquire, Commissioner for Rhode Island.
" John Penn, Esquire, One of the Commissioners for Pennsyl- vania.
"The Board was adjourned till Five o'Clock this afternoon."
-
" At a Meeting &c1-, on Friday, P. M., June 28th, 1754. "PRESENT :
" The Four Gentlemen of the Council of New York.
" All the Commissioners from Massachusets Bay.
" All the Commissioners from New Hampshire.
" All the Commissioners from Connecticut.
" Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, one of the Commissioners from Rhode Island.
" John Penn and Benjamin Franklin, Esquires, Commissioners from Pennsylvania.
" Benjamin Tasker, Jun"- Esquire, One of the Commissioners from Maryland.
"The Committee appointed the 24th Instant to prepare and receive Plans or Schemes for the Union of the Colonies, presented short Hints of a Scheme for that Purpose, of which Copies were taken by the Commissioners of the respective Provinces.
" Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'Clock."
]
1
72
MINUTES OF THE
" At a Meeting at the Court House in Albany, Saturday 29th. June, 1754, A. M.
"PRESENT :
" William Smith, Esquire, One of the Council of New York, and all the Commissioners.
" His Honour the Lieutenant Governor of New York having given notice to this Board that He was going to speak to the Indians, the Board adjourned till Five o'Clock this Afternoon and attended his Honour whilst he delivered the Speech."
" At a Meeting in the Court House at Albany, Saturday 29th June, 1754, P. M.
" PRESENT :
" Joseph Murray, John Chambers, and William Smith, Esquires. of the Council of New York.
" All the Commissioners from Massachusets Bay.
"Theodore Atkinson and Richard Wibird, Esquires, Commis- sioners for New Hampshire.
" All the Commissioners from Connecticut.
" The Commissioners from Rhode Island.
" All the commissioners from Pennsylvania.
" The Commissioners from Maryland.
"The Board being informed that a considerable number of Indians from Stockbridge, being of the Nation known by the Name of the River Indians, were in Town, a Motion was made that his Honour the Lieutenant Governor might be acquainted with the Circumstances of said Indians, and desired to give Orders for their Support.
" The said Motion was agreed to, and Mr. Wells and Mr. Franklin were appointed to wait on his Honour accordingly.
" The Hints of a Scheme for the Union of the Colonies were de- bated on but came to no Conclusion.
" Adjourned till Monday Morning, 9 o'Clock."
-
" At a Meeting in the Court House at Albany, Monday July 1st, 1754, A. M.
"PRESENT :
"The Lieutenant Governor and the Four Gentlemen of the Council of New York.
73
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" All the Commissioners for Massachusets Bay except John Chandler, Esquire.
"Theodore Atkinson and Henry Sherburne, Jun"., Esquires, Commissioners for New Hampshire.
" The Commissioners for Connecticut.
" The Commissioners for Rhode Island.
" All the Commissioners for Pennsylvania.
" The Commissioners for Maryland.
"Mr. Franklin reported to the Board that he had with Mr. Wells (Mr. Wells not then present) waited on the Lieutenant Gov- ernor, and delivered the Message from the Board of Saturday last relating to the River Indians living near Stockbridge, and that his Honour was pleased to answer, that he had not sent for those In- dians ; that he had consulted his Council and enquired of the Com- missioners of Indian Affairs, and was informed that it had never been usual to afford Subsistance to those Indians at any Treaty in Albany ; that it was a great Expence to New York to maintain the other Indians; that these properly belonged to Massachusets Bay Government, and it appeared to him that they should be supported by that Government.
" Upon a Motion made the Records of Indian Affairs of the Province of New York were sent for, and it appeared that the River Indians have usually been present at the Treaties with the Six Nations, and that a Speech has always been made to said River Indians ; and it was moved to the Lieutenant Governor of New York that He would now speak to them in the Name of the Com- missioners from the several Colonies, and also give Orders for their Support.
" His Honour agreed to the Proposal of speaking to them, and offered to give Orders for their Support, but was pleased to say that he expected the Commissioners for the several Provinces would contribute to the Charge of it.
" His Honour delivered to the Board Copies of Two Minutes of Council, which are as follow :
" At a Council held in the City of Albany the 27th June, 1754, P. M.
"PRESENT :
" The Honourable JAMES DELANCEY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor, &ca.
" Mr. Murray, " Mr. Chambers,
" Col. Johnson,
" Mr. Smith.
" His Honour being informed by the Indian Interpreter that the Lower Castle of the Mohock Indians now in this City had some Business to lay before him, and desired to be admitted to an Audience,
74
MINUTES OF THE
appointed them to attend at four o'Clock this afternoon in Council, and they attending accordingly were introduced with the Inter- preter.
" The Governor told them he was very glad to see them, that he was now met in Council, and ready to hear what they had to say. Whereupon Canadagaia, their Speaker, addressing himself to his Honour spoke as follows :
"' Brother :
"' We are here this Day by God's Will and your Honour's Order, to which Place you have led Us as it were by the Hand. This is our old Meeting Place, where if we have any Grievances We can lay them open. You are lately come to the Administration, and We are glad to see You to lay our Compliments before You. We take it very kind You have given Us this Opportunity to unfold our Minds, and We will now proceed to declare our Grievances.
" ' Brother :
""' We shall now open our Minds, and We beg You will take Time to consider what We shall say, and not give Us too hasty an Answer, or in two or three Words, and then turn your Back upon Us. As You are a new Governor We beg you will treat Us ten- derly, and not as the former Governor did, who turned his Back upon Us before We knew he intended to depart, so that We had no Opportunity to finish our Business with him. The Reason We desire You would treat Us in this tender manner is because this is the Place where we are to expect a Redress of our Grievances, and We hope all Things will be so settled that We may part good Friends.
"'Brother :
"' We told You a little while ago that We had an Uneasiness on our Minds, and We shall now tell You what it is-It is concerning our Land. We understand that there are Writings for all our Lands, so that We shall have none left but the very Spot We live upon, and hardly that. We have examined amongst the elderly People who are now present if they have sold any of it, who deny that they ever have; and We earnestly desire that You will take this into Consideration, which will give Us great Satisfaction, and convince Us that You have a Friendship for Us. We don't com- plain of those who have honestly bought the Land they possess, or of those to whom We have given any, but of some who have taken more than We have given them. We find We are very poor. We thought We had yet Land round about Us but it is said there are Writings for it all. It is one Condition of the antient Covenant Chain that if there be any Uneasiness on either Side, or any Re- quest to be made, they shall be considered with a Brotherly Regard, and We hope You will fulfill that Condition on your Side, as We shall be always ready to do on Ours. We have embraced this Op-
75
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
portunity of unbosoming Ourselves to You with Regard to our Castle, and We are well assured that the other Castle of the Mohocks have complaints of the same Nature to make when they come down. We have now declared our own Grievances, and the Connajoharys will declare theirs, but that We shall leave them. By this Belt We desire You to consider what we have said, and by the same We inform You that the Five Nations have something to say to You before You speak to them.'
" Gave a Belt.
"The Governor said : 1
" You have now unbosomed yourselves to me, and desire I would seriously consider of what You have said, and not give you a hasty Answer. I will consider of it seriously, and you shall always find me ready to redress any of your Grievances as far as it may be in my Power; but your Complaints are general, I must therefore de- sire You to tell me where those Lands lye, and the names of the Persons of whom you complain.'
"To which their Speaker answered :
"' Brother :
""" We are told a large tract of Land has been taken up called Kayadarosseras, beginning at the half Moon, and so up along Hud- son's River to the Third Fall, and thence to the Cachnawaga or Canada Creek, which is about four or five Miles above the Mohocks, which upon Enquiry among our old Men We cannot find was ever sold ; And as to the particular Persons many of them live in this Town, but there are so great a number We cannot name them.'
"The Governor said: 'I will send for some of the Patentees, or the Persons claiming that Land, and hear what they have to say, and consider the Matter and give You an answer before You leave this Place. It is, agreeable to Justice to hear both Parties before a Judgment is given, and to manifest my Friendship for You I will do You all the Justice in my Power.'
" A true Copy, Examined by
"GEO. BANYAR, D. C"k. Council."
-
" At a Council held in the City of Albany the 28th Day of June, 1754.
" PRESENT :
"The Honourable JAMES DELANCEY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor, &ca.
" Mr. Murray, " Mr. Chambers,
" Col. Johnson,
" Mr. Smith.
" His Honour being informed that the Connajoharys, or the Up-
76
MINUTES OF THE
per Castle of the Mohock Indians, and several Sachems of each of the other Five Nations, attended without and desired to speak to him, they were introduced with the Interpreter.
" Hendrick, their Speaker, spoke as follows:
""""Brother :
""" We had a Message from You some time ago to meet You at this Place where the Fire burns. We of Connajohara met the Mes- senger You sent with a Letter at Col. Johnson's, and as soon as We received it We came down running, and the Six Nations are now here compleat.'
"The Governor then said: 'Brethren of the Six Nations, you are welcome. I take this Opportunity, now You are all together, to condole the Loss in the Death of your Friends and Relations since You last met here, and with this String of Wampum I wipe away your Tears and take Sorrow from your Hearts, that You may open your Minds and speak freely.'
" A String of Wampum.
" Hendrick replied :
""'Brother :
"We thank You for condoling our Loss, and for wiping away our Tears that We may speak freely, and as We do not doubt but You have lost some of your great Men and Friends We give you this String of Condolence in Return, that it may remove your Sorrow and that We may both speak freely.'
" Gave a String.
" Then Hendrick, addressing himself to the Six Nations, said that last Year he attended Col. Johnson to Onondago to do Service to the King and their People, that Col. Johnson told them a new Gov- ernor was expected soon, and they would then have an Opportunity of seeing him at Albany and laying their Grievances before him. That the new Governor arrived soon after, and scarcely had they heard of his Arrival but they had an Account of his Death, and that now he was glad to see his Honour to whom he would declare his Grievances, And then proceeded :
"""Brother :
"'We thought You would wonder that We of Connajohara staid so long, We shall now give You the Reason : Last Summer We of Connajohara were down at New York to make our Complaints, and We then thought the Covenant Chain was broken because We were neglected, and when You neglect Business the French take Advan- tage of it, for they are never quiet. It seemed to Us that the Gov- ernor turned his Back upon the Five Nations as if they were no more, whereas the French are doing all in their Power to draw Us over to them. We told the Governor last Summer We blamed him for the Neglect of the Five Nations, and at the same Time We told
77
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
him the French were drawing the Five Nations away to Oswegashaa owing to that Neglect, which might have been prevented if proper Use had been made of that Warning, but now We are afraid it is too late. We remember how it was in former Times when We were a strong and powerful People Col. Schuyler used frequently to come among Us, and by this means We were kept together.
"'Brother :
""' We the Mohocks are in very difficult Circumstances, and are blamed for Things behind our Backs which We do not deserve. Last Summer when We went up with Col. Johnson to Onondago and he made his Speech to the Five Nations, the Five Nations said they liked the Speech very well but that the Mohocks had made it. We are looked upon by the other Nations as Col. Johnson's Coun- sellors, and supposed to hear all News from him, which is not the Case, for Col. Johnson does not receive from or impart much News to Us.
"""This is our Reason for staying behind, for if We had come first the other Nations would have said that We made the Governor's Speech, and therefore, though We were resolved to come, We intend- ed the other Nations should go before Us that they might hear the Governor's Speech, which We could hear afterwards.
"'There are some of our People who have large open Ears and talk a little broken English and Dutch, so that they sometimes hear what is said by the Christians Settlers near them, and by this means We came to understand that We are looked upon to be a proud Nation and therefore staid behind. 'Tis true and known We are so, and that We the Mohocks are the Head of all the other Nations. Here they are and they must own it. But it was not out of Pride We Conajoharys staid behind, but for the Reasons We have already given.'
" His Honour answered-
""'Brethren of Conajohary : You have now told me the Reason why You staid behind, because You would not be blamed by the other Nations as You have been before. I am satisfied with what You say that your staying behind did not proceed from Pride.
"' You tell me You have large open Ears and that some of You understand a little of the Language of the Settlers about You. But I must caution You not to hearken to conimon Reports, neither of Us or your Brethren of the other Nations. I desire that We may all speak freely and open our Hearts to each other, and to remove any Jealousies from amongst Us.
"' I hope that at another Interview You will all be more punc- tual and keep as near as You can to the Time appointed. You are sensible it must be very inconvenient to me and the Commissioners
78
MINUTES OF THE
from the other Governments to be detained so long in this Place at so great a Distance from our Homes.'
" A true Copy, Examined by
"GEO. BANYAR, Dy. C. of the Council."
" A motion was made that a Committee should be appointed to draw up a Representation of the present State of the Colonies, which was agreed to, and that the Gentlemen who were appointed to prepare and receive Plans or Schemes for the Union of the Colonies the 24th Ultimo, should be a Committee for this Pur- pose.
" The Plan for a Union of the Colonies was debated, but the Board came to no Resolve upon it.
" Adjourned till 9 o'Clock to-morrow morning."
" At a Meeting in the Court House at Albany, Tuesday the 2d July, 1754, A. M.
" PRESENT :
" All the Commissioners from Massachusetts Bay, New Hamp- shire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
" After Debates held on the Plan of an Union, it was moved if the Board should proceed to form the Plan of an Union of the Colonies to be established by an Act of Parliament.
" Whereupon it was moved to put the previous Question, which passed in the Negative. The Question was then put whether the Board should proceed to form the Plan of a Union of the Colonies to be established by Act of Parliament, which passed in the. Affirmative.
" Adjourned till three o'Clock in the Afternoon."
" At a Meeting as aforesaid on Tuesday the 2d July, 1754, P. M. " PRESENT :
"The Lieutenant Governor and the Four Gentlemen of the Couneil of New York and all the Commissioners from the several Governments above mentioned.
" The answer of the Six Nations to the general Speech made to them on Saturday last by his Honour the Lieutenant Governor of New York, in his Majestie's Name and in the Presence and Behalf
79
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
of the several Governments on the Continent therein named, was read and is as follows :
" Abraham, Sachem of the Upper Castle of the Mohocks, rose up and said :
"' Brethren, You the Governor of New York and the Commis- sioners of the other Governments, are You ready to hear Us?'
" The Governor replied they were all ready.
" Then Hendrick, Brother to the said Abraham and a Sachem of the said Castle, rose up and spoke in Behalf of the Six Nations as follows :
" ' Brethren :
"'Just now You told Us You were ready to hear Us; hearken to me.
"'Brother Corlear and Brothers of the other Governments :
" 'Saturday last You told Us that You came here by Order of the Great King our common Father, and in his Name to renew the antient Chain of Friendship between this and the other Govern- ments on the Continent and Us the Six United Nations; and You said also that there were then present Commissioners from Massa- chusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Penn- sylvania, and Maryland, and that Virginia and Carolina desired to be considered also as present. We rejoice that by the King's Orders We are all met here this Day, and are glad to see each Other Face to Face.
"' We are very thankful for the Same, and We look upon the Governors of South Carolina and Virginia as also present.'
" Gave a Belt.
" ' Brethren :
"' We thank You in the most hearty manner for your Condolence to Us. We also condole all your Friends and Relations who have died since our last Meeting here.'
" Gave three Strings of Wampum.
""' Brethren (holding the Chain Belt given by his Honour and the several Governments in his Hand) :
"' We return You all our grateful acknowledgements for renew- ing and brightening the Covenant Chain. This Chain Belt is of very great Importance to our United Nations and all our Allies. We will therefore take it to Onondago where our Council Fire always burns, and keep it so securely that neither Thunder nor Lightning shall break it. There we will consult over it, and as We have Lately added two Links to it so We will use our Endeavours to add as many Links more to it as lies in our Power, and We hope when We show You this Belt again We shall give You Reason to rejoice at it by your sceing the Vacancies in it filled up (referring to his
-
80
MINUTES OF THE
Honour's Explanations of it in the general Speech) : In the mean- time We desire that You will strengthen Yourselves and bring as many into this Covenant Chain as You possibly can. We do now solemnly renew and brighten the Covenant Chain with our Brethren here present, and all our other absent Brethren on the Continent. "' Brethren :
"' As to the accounts You have heard of our living dispersed from each other, 'tis very true. We have several Times endeavoured to draw off those our Brethren who are settled at Osweegachie, but in vain, for the Governor of Canada is like a wicked deluding Spirit. However, as You desire, We shall persist in our Endeavours.
"'You have asked Us the Reason of our living in this dispersed Manner. The Reason is, your neglecting Us for these three Years past. [Then taking a Stick and throwing it behind his Back.] You have thus thrown Us behind your Backs, and disregarded Us, whereas the French are a subtle and Vigilant People, ever using their utmost. Endeavours to seduce and bring our People over to them.'
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.