USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 22
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" ROBT. H. MORRIS.
" Philadelphia, July 21st, 1756."
The Governor informed the Council that on the Twenty-Second Two Members from the House waited on him with the following Message, and at the same Time acquainted him that the House in- clined to adjourn to the Sixteenth of August next if he had no Ob- jection :
A Message to the Governor from the Assembly.
" May it please the Governor :
" It is Very Agreeable to us to find by the Governor's message that by the means of ye Six Nations such of the Delewares as At- tended the late meeting with Sir Wm. Johnston have Already laid down the Hatchet & Engaged to follow the Example of Ye Six Na- tions & assist us against the french, & that the Deleware King & people living on the river Susquehanna are in a Good Disposition to Return to their Alliance & former friendship with us, And in this Critical Juncture, when a happy Issue of a treaty with the Indians must be of so great Advantage to the Proprietary Interest as we Apprehend the present treaty must be, we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt their willingness to Contribute towards the heavy Expences the Province groans under for Indian Affairs, especialy Considering the Governor has just now Refused to pass our Bill for Granting forty Thousand pounds to ye King's use because the Proprietary Es- tate was therein taxed, in Common with all other Estates in this Province, for their mutual Defence, & has Also Refused to Continue our Excise act sometime since expired, so that Ye Province is greatly indebted and our only remaining fund reduced to the lowest Extremity.
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" Under these Circumstances we made Application to ye Commis- sioners Appointed by the Act for granting Sixty Thousand Pounds to the King's use to know whether any money Remained in their Hands which might be applied to the Present Emergency, but we find that the fifty-five Thousand Pounds to be sunk by ye Provincial tax is expended, that near Four Thousand Pounds (part of the five Thousand Pounds) given by the Proprietaries in Consideration of their being Exempted from their share of that Tax, is not paid into the Commissioners' Hands, and if the whole sum was paid the debts already Contracted for the Defence of the Province are nearly Equal thereto. Nevertheless, as we Apprehend the Treaty proposed to be held with the Susquehanna Indians & the Deleware King Teedeus- cung may be attended with lasting good Consequences, we have resolved that the sum of three Hundred Pounds be allowed by the House for that Purpose. As the Governor has Signified that it would be agreeable to him if some of the Members of this House would Undertake the Journey with him, we have nominated Joseph Fox & William Edmunds, with the Speaker (if his health will ad- mit), to Accompany the Governor and such of the Council as he may think fit to take with him to the proposed Conference, & we hope they may be of Service in Conducting the treaty to a Happy Issue.
"Signed by order of the House. "ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker."
The said Message from the Assembly was taken into Considera- tion, and tho' the Sum proposed was deemed insufficient, and the putting it into the Hands of Mr. Fox and Mr. Edmunds was rude and indecent, yet the Council pressed the Governor to prefer the Public Good and overlook this ill Treatment ; and Mr. Fox bring- ing the Governor one Hundred Pounds, and promising a Supply as it should be wanted, the Governor was persuaded to send for Pom- shire and Newcastle, each of whom he Gave Fifty pieces of Eight to, for which they returned Thanks, and desired them to get ready to attend him. Mr. Chew, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Peters and Mr. Logan, accompanied the Governor to Easton.
At a Council held at Easton, Saturday the 24th July, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
William Logan,
Richard Peters, r Esquires.
Benjamin Chew, John Mifflin,
Three Members of Council were sent with a String of Wampum to the Delaware King, to acquaint him that the Governor was
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come, and by them, bid him and his Company welcome among the Inhabitants, and assured him that as the Indians were come on the Invitation of the Government, their Persons should not be hurt ; he would afford them Protection and charge his People to treat them with Kindness. That to-morrow being Sunday, no Business could be done ; but on Monday Morning the Governor would hold a Council, send for them, and begin the Conferences. The String was given to Newcastle first, as one of the Six Nations, to be given the King.
The Members being returned from Teedyuscung, informed the Governor that when they attempted to use John Pumpshire as In- terpreter, the King said he had an Interpreter of his own, and pre- sented a young Indian called Benjamin, an impudent, forward youth, who had enlisted in the Jersey Companies, and afterwards deserted and went over to the Enemy Indians at Diahoga; John Pomshire said he would not be concerned in interpreting if Benjamin was allowed to speak, but he would attend to what should be said by the King; and in case of Forgetfulness or Misapprehension in Benjamin, he would endeavour to set him right; and as Benjamin understood English, he might be allowed.
The Members farther acquainted the Governor, that the King thanked him for his Kind Message, and the assurances of Protec- tion to him and his Company ; that it gave him great Satisfaction, and he would let the Six Nations know this and every thing else that should be done. He said that the Indians knew nothing of Sun- day, but the Governor did well to rest himself after his Journey ; and when he had rested the Indians would return an Answer to his Message. He was told that the Christians employed Sunday in the Service of God, the One great Creator and Governor of the World.
-
MEMORANDUM.
On the Twenty-Fifth Teedyuscung waited on the Governor, thanked him for his Message, and gave a String to open his Eyes and clear his Throat.
At a Council held at Easton, Monday the 26th July, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Richard Peters,
John Mifflin.
Esquires.
After reading the Several Papers relative to the proposed Treaty,
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the Governor desired the Council would draw up a Speech to the Indians.
And then the Indians were sent for into Council, and the Gover- nor made them the usual addresses of clearing their throat, Ears and Eyes, and healing the Hurt of their Legs.
The King gave a String to assure the Governor that Sincerity should attend every thing he spoke on the present Occasion ; and the Governor made the same Professions. Then the Governor told him Mr. Weiser, who was one of the Six Nation's and Provincial Interpreter, not being as yet come, he was obliged to put off the Conferences till his arrival ; of which the King approved, and the Governor invited him to dine with him.
At a Council Held at Easton, Wednesday, 28th July, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Richard Peters, John Mifflin, Esquires.
Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Interpreter.
Pomshire.
Mr. Weiser coming to Easton yesterday, he was sent for into Council and conferred with. The Matters that had Passed since the Governor's arrival at Easton were related to him, and the Gov- ernor's second Message, and Sir William Johnson's Letter to General Abercrombrie, were read.
It was Mr. Weiser's Opinion, that as no Answers were returned to the Governor's Second Message, it was the Business of Teedyus- cung to give the Answers first before the Governor said anything. Accordingly, Pumshire was sent for, and this was mentioned to him, who thought the Conferences should begin by Teedyuscung's delivering the Answers of the Diahoga Indians. He went to Teedyuscung and acquainted him with it, and returned to the Gov- ernor and informed him that this Proposal was agreeable to the King.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Conference held at Easton, Wednesday the 28th July, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
William Logan, Richard Peters,
Esquires, of the Council.
Benjamin Chew, John Mifflin,
Joseph Fox, r
John Hughes, William Edmunds,
Commissioners.
Teedeuscung, the Deleware Chief, & 14 other Chiefs.
Conrad Weiser, Esq"., Interpreter for the Six Nations.
John Pumpshire.
Joseph Peepy.
Ben, Inter"., for the Delewares.
A large Company, consisting of Officers of the Royal American Regiment & of the Provincial Forces, magistrates and Freeholders of this and the neighbouring Province, and about thirty Citizens of the City of Philadelphia.
The Governor acquainted the Indians he was going to speak, and desired them to be attentive.
" Brethren :
" By a Belt, which I sent by Newcastle and the other Indian Messengers to Diahoga, I informed the Indians there that I had kindled a Council fire. By another String I invited them to it, and by a String of Wampum I cleared the Road, that they might come in safety to us. I assured you of a hearty welcome as soon as I came here, and of my Protection, & I now, in the name of this Government, again bid you welcome. As Capt Newcastle brought me no Answer to some part of the messages sent last by him, I expect to Receive them by you. I hope you come Prepared to speak to us sincerely and Openly, and desire you may do so."
A String.
To which Teedeuscung immediately answered :
" Last Spring you sent me a String, and as soon as I heard the good words you sent I was glad, and as you told us, we beleaved it came from your Hearts, so we felt it in our Hearts and Receive what you said with Joy.
" Brethren :
" The first messages you sent me came in the Spring, they touched my heart, they gave me abundance of Joy, I returned an answer
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to them, & waited for your second Messages, which came after some time and were likewise very Agreeable. By the last, you Acquainted me that you had kindled a Council fire and Invited me and my People to it. We Accepted the Invitation and I came ac- cordingly, and have staid several days, smoaking my pipe with Patience, Expecting to meet you here ; we are Ready to hear what you have to say and not only wee, but five other Nations, in all ten Nations, are now turning their Eyes this way, and wait what shall be said & done at this meeting.
" Brother :
" I solemnly and with the utmost sincerity declare that tho' you may think I am alone here, yet it will not be long before you will be Convinced that I am here by the Appointment of ten nations, among which are my Uncles the Six Nations, authorized me to treat with you, and what I do they will all Confirm, the truth of this you will soon have made evident to you. " Brother :
" Hearken to what I am going to say; I declare in the most solemn manner that what I now Relate is the truth. Abundance of Confusion, Disorder, and Distraction, has arisen among the Indians, from people taking upon them to be Kings & persons of authority ; in every tribe of Indians there have been such Pretenders, who have held treaties some times Publick and sometimes in the Bushes ; sometimes what these People did come to be known, but frequently it Remained in Darkness, or at least no more was imparted the Publick than they were Pleased to Publish, to some they held up their belts, but others never saw them; this Bred among the Indians great Heart Burnings and Quarrels, and I can Assure you that the Present Clouds do in a great measure owe their Rise to this wild & irregular way of doing Business; the Indians, sensible of this mistake of our Ancestors, are now determined to put an end to this multitude of Kings and to this dark way of Proceedings; they have agreed to put the management of their Affairs into the Hands of a very few, and these shall no longer have it in their power to huddle up and give partial Representations of what is done; I assure you there are only two Kings appointed to transact Public Business, of which I am one ; for the future, matters will go better on both sides ; you, as well as we, will know who we have to deal with; we must beseech the most High to Scatter the Clouds which have Arisen between us, that we settle Peace as heretofore."
A String.
" Brethren, the English, and Particularly the Governor of Penn- sylvania :
" You know you have invited me here. I come, therefore; my Uncles, the Six Nations, will Confirm what I say. In your Messages to the Indians at Diahoga, you Signified to us that you heard we
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were in want and Distress, which to be sure we were, and pitied us & our poor Wives & Children; we took it kindly and as a word that came from your heart ; now is the time for you to look About and Act the part of a Charitable and wise man; be, therefore, strong; Be Assured, that tho' I am poor I will do my Share. Whatever Kindness you do to me or my People, shall be published to ten Indian Nations ; we won't hide any Presents you shall give us, every body shall know that we have heard your good words ; we will not do as others & some of our Uncles, the Six Nations, have done, sneak away and hide your words and Presents in the Bushes ; but shall publish far and near that all may Join with us. Exert yourselves now in the best manner you can, and you will Obtain your End.
" Brother :
" The Conclusion of my words is no more than this : the matter in hand is of too great moment for one man. I am but a messen- ger from the United Nations. Tho' I act as a Chief man among the Delawares, I must now hear what you have to say to my People at this Council fire. If it be good, I shall lay Hold of it & Carry it to the United nations, who will smile and be Pleased to hear good news; if what you say be Disagreeable, I will, notwithstanding, keep it Close (there he Closed his fist), and deliver it faithfully to the United Nations, and lett them, as they are my Superiors, do as they see Cause."
Being asked if he had done Speaking, he said he had for the present; "the main thing," he added, " is yet in my Breast (lay- ing his hand to his heart), but this will depend on what words the Governor will speak to us;" then he repeated the Delaware word "Whish Shiksy," the same in Mohock Language as Jago, with great Earnestness and in a very Pathetick Tone. Mr. Weiser, who knew the word to have a very extensive & forcible sense, desired the Inter- preter to ask him what he meant by " Whish Shicksy" on this par- ticular Occasion, and Explained himself in the following manner : " suppose you want to Remove A large Logg of Wood that Re- quires many Hands, You must take pains to gett as many together as will do the Business ; if you fall short of one, tho' ever so weak, all the Rest are to no purpose ; tho' this being in itself nothing, yet if you Cannot move the Logg without it, you must spare no pains to gett it ; Whish-Shicksy, be Strong; look round you ; Enable us to get every Indian nation we can ; put the means into our heads; be sure perform every Promise you have made to us in Particular, do not Pinch matters neither with us nor other Indians; we will help you. But we are poor & you are Rich ; make us strong and we will use our strength for you; and besides this, what you do, Do Quickly; the times are Dangerous, they will not Admit of De- lay; Whish Shiksy, do it Effectually, and do it with all Possible Dispatch."
VOL. VII .- 14.
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The Governor then Spoke :
" Brother :
" I have heard with Attention all you have said. I thank you for the Openess with which you have Declared your Sentiments. The matters mentioned are of Importance ; I have laid them to Heart ; I will Consider them with my Council ; when I am Pre- pared to Speak, I will let you know; I will use Dispatch, the times being, as you Justly Observe, very Dangerous."
At a Conference held at Easton, on Thursday, 29 July, 1756. PRESENT : The Honourable Governor. The Gentlemen of the Council.
The Commissioners. The Same Indians.
The Same Interpreters. The Same Audience.
" Brethren :
" I am going to Speak to you on the Affair we are met about ; my Speech will contain matters of Great moment. By this String of wampum, therefore, I open your Ears, that you may give a Proper attention."
A String.
" Brethren :
" The Inhabitants of this Province have ever been a peacable people, and Remarkable for their love and Constant friendship to the six Nations, and other Indians in Alliance with them. When our back Inhabitants were Attacked last fall, we at first were at a Loss to know from whence the Blow came, and were much surprised when we were informed that it was given by our old friends & Neighbours, the Couzins. of our Brethren, the six Nations. We wondered at it, and the more so as we had not to our knoledge given them any Just Cause of Offence. As soon as we knew this, we sent to the six Nations & informed them of it, and desired to know whether this Blow had been struck by their direction, or with their Privity or Consent; And, on Receiving Assurances from them that it was not with their Consent, and that they greatly disaproved such Conduct, we made Ready to Revenge the Injury we had Received, and we wanted neither men, Arms, Amu- nition, or Strength to do it, and to take Vengence for the Injury done us; yet when we had the Hatchet in our hands, and were prepared not only to defend ourselves, but to Carry the warr into the
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Country of those who had Struck us, we sent again to the six Nations, agreeable to the treaties subsisting between us, to Acquaint them of our Intentions ; they let us know they had held a great Council at fort Johnston on this matter, and that Deputies from thence were sent to summon a Meeting of the Delawares & Shawonese at Os- taningo, who were Returned with an Account that their nephews had at their Interposition laid down the Hatchet and would Strike the English no more. The Six Nations having Received these As- surances from the Delawares and Shawonese, requested us not to Execute our Hostile purposes, but to suspend Hostilities, Declaring that they wou'd fully Accomodate this Breach and bring about a peace. At this Request of the Six Nations we kept our Warriors at home for guarding & Protecting our Frontiers. I then sent Capt. Newcastle and other Indian Messengers to you to notify the Advices of the Six Nations with Respect to what had been determined at Ostaningo, Instructing him in case he found you sincerely disposed for peace & inclined to return to your Alliance with us, to Assure you on the Behalf of this Government that we were willing to do it on just & Honourable terms. Newcastle and the other Messengers Returned with your Answers in which you Acknowledge you had been under the Influence of an Evil Spirit, But were well Disposed to return to your old Amity & friendship, at the same time letting us know that you was sorry for what had passed, that you was in Distress, and Desired we would pity your Distresses. To shew our Readiness to enter into a treaty, and our Sincerity in what was said by Newcastle, I sent him back again to you to let you know on Be- half of this Government that I had kindled a Council fire, invited all your People to it, Cleared the Road, washed off the Blood, and Promised if your People would come to Council and Renew former leagues, and do what is further necessary on this Occasion, I would bring something with me to Releave your Distresses. I thought it Right to go thro' this Account in this Particular manner that you might know from myself what was the Subject of the Messages sent by Newcastle, and what was the Substance of the Answers I received by him. And now I suppose (as I do not see the body of your Indians here) your People in General did not beleave New- castle, but sent you to know if he had my Authority for the several Matters he Delivered to you, and to hear them from my own mouth. I do not blame you for this Caution, it bespeaks your care. The matters he was Charged with being of the last Concern for the Satisfaction of all your People, how wide soever they are Dispersed, I do in this Public Assembly, in the name of the Government & people of this Province assure you that Capt Newcastle acted by my Authority, & in Confirmation of what I have said, and that what he Delivered was by Authority from me, I give you this Belt."
A Belt.
" Brethren :
" Being now Convinced out of my mouth of the sincerity of my
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Profession made to you by Capt Newcastle, and of the Dispositions of the People of this Province to Renew the Ancient friendship that Subsisted between William Penn & the Indians, I desire you will report this to the Indians at Diahoga, and to the Six Nations, and all the Indians far & near, as my words spoken to them in the name and on the Behalf of the Government of Pennsylvania. I invite them all to this Council fire, the Greatest number that shall come The more Acceptable it will be to me. I invite & desire you will bring with you your whole People; but then you must bring here with you also all the Prisoners you have taken during these Disturbances. I must Insist on this as an Evidence of your Sin- cerity to make a lasting Peace; for without it, tho' Peace may be made from the Teeth outwards, yet while you retain our Flesh & Blood in Slavery It cannot be Expected we can be friends with you, or that a Peace can come from our hearts. I repeat this Article of the Prisoners as a Necessary Condition of Peace, and desire you will Consider it as such. If in this you deal with us Sincerely we shall Esteem you sincere in every Respect, and proceed to Renew our former Leagues and Covenants, and become again one flesh as before ; and I must Remind you (as we are Acting in Concert with the Six Nations) to bring some of your Uncles along with you that they may see all that passes and be Witnesses of the good Effects of their & our message to you."
A Belt.
" Brethren :
" In Testimony of the Satisfaction you have given all our People by coming to this Council fire, They have put into my hands a small Present for you and your young men, which will be given you at any time you shall think proper. I have likewise given orders to the Captains of the Forts on the Frontiers to furnish you with as much Provisions as you can Carry for the use of the People you have left behind you.
" Brethren :
" Only a few of you are come down; this Present of goods there- fore is but small; when the body of your nation comes here, which I expect they will, and the Prisoners are delivered up and a firm Peace made, large Presents will be given & your Distresses Relieved in a more Ample manner.
"Brothers :
" Great works Require strong hands and many ; this is a good and great one; the works of Peace, it requires Strong Heads & strong Hearts; we desire many such may be Joined together. I therefore desire your Assistance for Pennsylvania in this matter. Having great Influence with many who live far Distant from us, you are esteemed & will be heard. We, therefore, Chuse you as Agent & Councellor for this Province; Engage in it heartily ; you
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ought to do it; you owe it to the Country in which you was born ; you owe it to your Brethren, the English; you owe it to your own People, over which you Preside ; we desire you will heartily under- take it & use your utmost Endeavours to bring about this great & good work we have now begun."
A large Belt.
Teedeuscung answered that he had Received the Governor's words kindly, & would in a few words Answer him; then taking a large Belt in his Hand he Proceeded :
"Brother :
" At the very time Newcastle came with your last messages I was in treaty with the Six Nations, and Received this Authority from them," lifting up the Belt; "this Belt denotes that the Six Nations, by their Chiefs, have lately Renewed their Covenant Chains with us; formerly we were Accounted women, and Employed only in women's business, but now they have made men of us, and as such are now come to this Treaty, having this Authority as a man to make Peace. I have it in my hand, but have not Opened it, but will soon declare it to the other nations. This Belt hold together ten nations ; we are in the middle between the French & the Eng- lish; look at it. There are but two Chiefs of the ten Nations, they are now looking on, and their Attention is fixed to see who are dis- posed Really for Peace; this Belt further denotes that who ever will not Comply with the terms of Peace, the ten Nations will Joyn Against him and strike him ; see the Dangerous Circumstances I am in, Strong men on both sides, hatchet on both sides; whoever does incline to Peace, him will I Joyn. " Brother :
"This is a good day; whoever will make Peace let him lay hold of this Belt, and the nations around shall see and know it. I desire to Conduct myself according to your words, which I will perform to the utmost of my Power. I wish the same good that Possessed the good old man William Penn, who was a friend to the Indian, may Inspire the people of this Province at this time."
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