USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 24
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"Whereupon Newcastle was send back to Diahogo to tell the In- dians there that this Government, to whom Newcastle had faith- fully communicated all that had been said to him of their earnest desires to return to Peace, had received it in good part, and by him
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kindled a Council Fire, removed all the Blood and Obstruction out of the Road, and rendered it safe for their Old Men, Women, and Children to travel in it again; and that if they were disposed to confer with us on the Subject of Peace, they shou'd not fail having the protection of the Government in coming to, and whilst staid in the Province, that we were sorry for their distresses which were brought upon them by forsaking us, their Old Friends, and on their coming to Confer with us, they shou'd find us disposed to relieve them.
"Captain Newcastle delivered his first Message to the Indians formally convened in Council by Teedyuscung who was the Chief Man amongst them, and in conversing with him he told him that since he, Newcastle, was here, he had been at the French Fort at Niagara, and after that had been at a great Meeting of Six Nation Indians and Delawares; that the former had sent a Message to the latter to take off their aprons, and that they shou'd no longer be considered as Women, but as Men, & capable of doing business, and that the Delawares were taken into the Union of the Six Nations, adding further that he, Teedyuscung, was appointed by the Six Nations to transact Publick Business for the Delawares, which Newcastle was glad to hear, and observed that he was treated and considered as such by all the Indians; amongst whom it was agreed that Teedy- uscung with a number of Indians then present, should come and confer with this Government in order to bring matters to a final Issue ; and accordingly Teedyuscung with about thirty Indians came to Easton, where the Governor and Council met them, confirmed every thing that was delivered by Newcastle, and declared that on their delivering up the Prisoners they had taken from the English, they were ready to conclude a peace, but upon no other Terms. That Teedyuscung, on his part, declared he was appointed by ten Na- tions, meaning the Five Nations and those who were then Collected at Diahogo, a King or Sachem to transact publick Business, and that whatever he did in these Conferences it wou'd be ratified by the Six Nations, who knew and were consenting to his coming, and waited with impatience to hear what reception he and his People shou'd find from Onas; that he was vastly pleased to hear from the Governor's own Mouth, before such a large audience, the Confirma- tion of every thing that was delivered at Diahogo by, Newcastle, and with the kind treatment and Brotherly reception he had met with, and that he wou'd without delay return to Diahogo, lay all that had passed before the Six Nations who would be pleased with it, and send Belts and Strings of Wampum to all the Nations of Indians far and near, that he had any influence over; and in two Months he hoped to return with great Numbers of Indians of dif- ferent Nations, as well as with some of his Uncles the Six Nations, and then hold a Council where every thing shou'd be finally settled to our satisfaction ; a small Present was made the Indians for their Trouble in coming down, and Encouragement was given them to
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expect something adequate to their distresses, if matters shou'd turn out agreeable to his promises at the future Convention, which the Governor pressed might be as soon as possible, as Winter was coming on, and travelling then wou'd be very inconvenient for such a large Number of People as he proposed to assemble together. Teedyuscung went well satisfied, repeatedly assuring us that he was our hearty friend, and wou'd embody for us great numbers of Indians, and Return in two Months.
"Notwithstanding he loitered for a long while upon the Fron- tiers of the Province, then came back into the Settlements and behaved in a very suspicious manner, tampering with some Indians that were at Bethlehem, persuading them to quit their place of residence, and informing them that a Body of Indians wou'd come in three Weeks and destroy them with the white People, but de- sired them not to let the white People to know it; for his part he was going to a Nation of Indians far beyond the French, that were in the French Interest.
" This Conduct of Teedyuscung gives reason to suspect the sin- cerity of his Professions and the truth of his Declarations about his being appointed to be King by ten Nations; and Captain New- castle, who has bore so considerable a share in this Transaction, and is assuredly a sincere and true friend to the English, shewed a very great uneasiness at being told of this behaviour of Teedyus- cung, and earnestly sollicited for leave from this Government to go . thro' the Province of New York to Sir William Johnson, in hopes of finding there Scarroyady, Montour, and Daniel Clause, and by them of laying all this matter before Sir William Johnson and the Six Nations, and discovering the whole truth.
" Had not Newcastle, promted by his own uneasiness on this dilatory and Suspicious behaviour of Teedyuscung, desired to un- dertake this Journey, I shou'd have requested it of him, and I have with great readiness sent him along with a carefull Man, with whom he is acquainted, in the Stage Boat to New York, and have ordered him to wait on your Excellency with this Letter, in which I have Minutely set forth this matter and the important part which the bearer, Captain Newcastle, has had in it, and intreat you will be pleased to send him under the care of some safe Persons to Sir William Johnson, to whom I make no doubt he will be very agre- able, as he carries with him a Letter of the same import with this, and my request to Sir William that as he is now made acquainted with every thing that has been Transacted by this Government in consequence of his Letters to you, he will take the best method of laying it before the Six Nations, and avail himself of the Intelli- gence which this honest and sensible Indian is able to give him of the Delaware Tribe and their Confiderates. I have the Honour to be " Your Excellency's most Obedient humble Servant,
"WILLIAM DENNY."
VOL. VII .- 15.
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A Letter of the same date with the foregoing, and nearly the same Tenor, was wrote to Sir William Johnson, with the following Addition :
"I beg the favour of you to Notify to the Six Nations my suc- ceding Mr. Morris in the Government of this Province, and to ac- quaint them, in Order to prevent mistakes, that this change is at his own importunate request, and not on Account of any dis- pleasure of his Majesty or the Proprietors.
"Indian Business has increased so much of late that the Secre- tary tells me he has no Wampum, which obliges me to request of you to furnish the Belts and Strings necessary to lay this Notifica- tion, as well as the other Business I have in a separate Letter took the Freedom to commit to your care, before the Indians; and this Government will be glad to pay your Draught for it; the Sec- retary tells me we are already largely in your Debt, but I hope all will be honourably discharged when it is known what it may amount To.
"I am, Sir, Your very humbly Servant, " WILLIAM DENNY."
A Proclamation for the Continuance of Officers, agreeable to Yesterday's Minute, was read, approved, Scaled, and published at the Court House in the presence of the Mayor, Alderman, and Common Council.
" By the Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsyl- vania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware:
"A PROCLAMATION.
" Forasmuch as the Honourable Thomas Penn, and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute Proprietaries and Governors-in- Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, have been pleased by their Commis- sion, under their Hands and Seals, bearing date the Seventh day of May last, to constitute and appoint me to be their Lieutenant Gov- ernor of the said Province and Counties, with all necessary powers and Authority for the well-Governing of the same; which said Ap- pointment the King's most excellent Majesty in Council was gra- ciously pleased to allow and approve of: Therefore, in pursuance of the said trust in me reposed, having a special regard to the safety and State of and Government of the said Province and Counties, and to prevent failures in the Administration of Justice therein, I have, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council of the said Province and Counties, thought fit to ordain, and do hereby ordain and declare, That all orders and Commissions whatsoever, both civil and military, relating to the Government, Protection, and
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Defence of the said Province and Counties heretofore lawfully and righfully given and issued, which were in Force on the Twentieth day of this instant August, shall be, continue, and remain in full Force, Power, and Virtue, according to their respective Tenors, until my further pleasure shall be known therein; And that all persons whatsoever, who on the said Twentieth day of this instant August held or enjoyed any Office of Trust or profit in this Government, by Virtue of any such Commission as aforesaid, shall continue to hold and enjoy the same until they be determined by me as afore- said, or by other sufficient Authority. And I do further hereby Command and require all Magistrates, Officers, and Commissioners, whatsoever, in whom any publick Trust is reposed in this Govern- ment, that they diligently proceed in the performance and discharge of their respective Duties therein, for the safety, peace, and well-being of the same.
" Giver under my Hand and the Great Seal of this Province, at Philadelphia, this Twenty-first day of August, in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of Our Sovreign Lord, George the Second, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &ca., Anno Domini, 1756.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" By His Honour's Command,
" RICHARD PETERS, Secretary. "GOD SAVE THE KING."
A Draught of the Bond to be entered into by all Masters of Ves- sels before they are cleared, and settled, and Approved, and a Letter wrote to the Collector, permitting him to clear all Vessels, provided the Masters entered into such Bond.
23d August, 1756.
MEMORANDUM.
The Speaker and Assembly waited on the Governor, and the Speaker made him an Address in these words :
" To the Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New- castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware:
" The Address of the Representatives of the Freeman of the said Province, in General Assembly met:
" May it please the Governor :
" We are sincerely thankful to Almighty God that he has been pleased to protect the Governor thro' the Dangers of the Sea and bring him in Safety to his Government. We heartily congratulate
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him on his Accession, and hope from the excellent Character we - have received of him, his Administration will be as happy for the Province as we shall endeavour to make it easy and comfortable to himself.
" Signed by Order of the House. "ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker.
"In Assembly, 23d of the Month called August, 1756."
And then delivered to him an Order on the Provincial Treasurer for Six hundred Pounds.
The Governor in Answer spoke as follows :
" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly :
"I am extreamly Obliged to you for your very Affectionate Ad- dress, and have the Honour to assure you that I am sincerely dis- posed to do every thing in my power that may promote the Happi- ness and tend to the Security and Protection of the People of this Province. (Adding with respect to the Order for the £600), I thank the House for this obliging mark of their Esteem.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday, 24th August, 1756. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
The Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, late Governor.
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, 1 William Logan, Benjamin Chew, Esquires. John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and Aproved.
The late Governor at the request of Governor and Council was pleased to give a particular Account of the State of the Provincial Funds and Provincial Forces, his Correspondence with the Neigh- bouring Governors, and particularly his last Letter to Lord Loudoun, and delivered to the Governor the Book containing his Orders and Letters to the several Officers and to the Commissioners, together with the Muster Rolls and Returns of the Commissarys, and a Map of the Frontiers whercon the several Forts and Block-houses were put down according to their truc situation; after which some time was taken up in considering what matters were proper to be laid before the Assembly. And then a Draught of a Speech was prepared, which being approved, the Secretary was sent to the House demanding the presence of the Speaker and House immedi-
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ately in the Council Chamber, where the Governor with his Coun- cil received them and delivered himself as follows :
"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly :
" The Honourable the Proprietaries, on the Resignation of Mr. Morris, having been pleased, with his Majesty's Royal Approbation, to appoint me to the Government of this Province, and the Coun- ties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, I am glad of the Opportunity of Meeting you thus early in Assembly, at a time when the distressed situation of the Affairs of this Province so loudly calls for your immediate Aid and Assistance.
"I am firmly persuaded that nothing can so much recommend me to His Majesty and the Proprietaries as the protecting this Pro- vince from the deep laid designs and open attacks of the Enemy, and the supporting the People in the Enjoyment of their Civil and Religious Rights ; which Duty, as well as my own Inclination, on every Occasion will lead me to.
"You cannot but have observed that His Majesty, in His De- claration of War, hath Assigned the French encroachments in Ame- rica, particularly in that part of the Ohio lying within the Limits of this Province, as the principal cause of his entering into this just and necessary War, and therefore it is particularly incumbent on you to exert yourselves in the Support of such measures as have been or shall be concerted for carring on the same with Vigour.
"Since my Arrival among you I have made it my particular busi- ness to enquire into the State of the Frontiers, and have heard with Horror the Devastations, Cruelties, and Murders that have been committed there.
"As I am informed that the Money heretofore raised is not only quite exhausted, but that there are considerable Sums in Arrear to the forces Stationed on the Borders in the Pay of the Province, who must be immediately disbanded, and the back Inhabitants left Naked and defenceless to a savage and merciless Enemy, unless fresh supplies are raised for their support. I must recommend this matter in the warmest Terms to your most serious Consideration, and doubt not you will enable me to afford the People that protection they so much stand in need of.
" The long Experience you have had in the Affairs of this Pro- vince renders it unnecessary for me to enter at this Time into a par- ticular detail of the Business that requires Your immediate Atten- tion, and therefore I have only in general to recommend to you to cultivate Harmony and a good Understanding among one another. Let unanimity and dispatch prevail in your Councils; And be as- sured that I will deny you nothing that I can grant consistent with my Duty to His Majesty and the Rights of the Proprietors.
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At a Council held at Newcastle, Wednesday, 25th August, 1756. PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
The Honourable William Denny, Esquire.
James Hamilton, William Till,
Benjamin Chew, Richard Peters, S Esquires.
Governor Denny's Commission and Certificate of the Clerk of the Privy Council of his having received the Royal Approbation, and taken the Oaths in Council was read, and it was agreed that they shou'd be immediately published at the Court House, which was done before a great appearance of Magistrates, Gentlemen, and other Inhabitants of the Town and County of Newcastle, who had met the Governor at Christiana Ferry.
And as the King's Declaration of War had never been published in the Counties, this was then likewise read, together with a pro- clamation for the Continuance of Officers until the Governor's plea- sure should be known, which was exactly in the same form with that in the Province of Pennsylvania.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, 27th August, 1756. PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettell,
James Hamilton,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
William Logan,
Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner, John Mifflin, - Benjamin Chew, 7 1 Esquires. ,
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
Mr. Morris informed the Governor and Council, that upon receiv- ing repeated Information from the Prisoners taken by the Indians, who had made their Escape, that Shingas and Jacobs, the two heads of the Enemy Indians lived at Kittannin, a Town about twenty Miles above Fort Duquesne ; and that from thence the Indians were fitted out for their Incursions on this and the Neighbouring Pro- vinces and the Prisoners and Plunder carried there, he had con- certed an Expedition against it, to be conducted by Col. John Arm- strong, who was to have under his Command, the Companies under Captain Hamilton, Captain Mercer, Cap". Ward, and Captain Pot- ter, and to engage what volunteers he cou'd besides ; that the Affair was to be kept as secret as possible, and the Officers and Men ordered to March to Fort Shirley, and from thence to set out for the
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Expedition ; and he had given Colonel Armstrong particular In- structions which were entered in the Orderly Book; and in conse- quence of his Orders, and agreable to the Plan concerted, Colonel Armstrong had made the necessary preperations, and has wrote to him a Letter from Fort Shirley, informing that he was on the Point of setting out, which was Read & ordered to be Entered, and with it a French Letter that was left by the Indians at Fort Granville.
Letter from Colonel Armstrong to the Honourable Robert Hunter Morris, Esquire, Late Governor.
" CARLISLE, 20 Aug',, 1756. " May it please your Honor :
"To-Morrow, God willing, the Men Marches from McDowell's for Fort Shirley, and this Afternoon some part of my own Company with the Provisions here sets out for Sheerman's Valley, there to Halt until the residue come up. This Night I expected to have been at Fort Shirley, but am much disappointed in getting in of the Strays, for collecting whereof we shall not wait longer than this day ; Hunter has got about half a Score, and Commissary Hoops about a dozen. The Commiss"s (for which your Honour will please to make them my sincere Compliments), has sent every thing neces- sary except the Canteens wrote for by Mr. Buchannan, which I am persuaded they have forgot, and which we must Supply with Tin Quarts; they were probably right in keeping back the Tents, as they might have proved an incumberance, and there is not one Shilling laid out on this Occasion that does not give me Sensible uneasiness, lest thro' the want of Experience and fewness of Our Numbers, the good end proposed shou'd fail of being obtained. I am not yet determined whether to wait twenty-four Hours longer on the Answer of a Letter sent to Colonel Clapham, for the Intelli- gence of John Cox, who has been some time with, and now made his escape from the Indians, which I think wou'd be very material ; and which, if waited for untill to-Morrow or Sunday Night, will make it Tuesday before we can reach Fort Shirley. I dare not ven- ture any thing of consequence now with a single Messenger, so many Indians being in the woods.
"The Harvest Season with the two Attacks on Fort Granville, has left us so bare of Amunition that I shall be obliged to apply to the Stores here for some Quantity for the Expedition. The Cap- tains Hamilton and Mercer having broke open the part I sent to McDowell's for Fort Shirley, and given their Receipts as for the Expedition, tho' I know it is for the particular defence of them two Posts, nor will it be in my power to prevail with double the Num- ber of Men and a double quantity of Amunition to keep a Fort that wou'd have done it before the taking of Fort Granville. I hope
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the first opportunity of Conveying Amunition to this Town will be taken. For farther proofs of the Numbers of Indians among Us and waste of this County, I shall enclose your Honour some Letters. lately received.
"Since the Escape of the Dutchman, who's deposition I sent your Honor, is also Escaped a Certain Poter Walker, taken from Granville, and saith, that of the Enemy not less than 120 returned all in health, except one French Man, shot thro' the Shoulder by Lieutenant Armstrong a little before his Death, as the French Man was erecting his Body out of the hollow to thro' Pine knots on the Fire made against the Fort, and of this Number there were about. a dozen of French, who had for their Interpreter one McDowell, a Scotch Man. This McDowell told Walker they designed very soon to attack Fort Shirley with four hundred Men. Captain Jacobs said he cou'd take any Fort that wou'd Catch Fire, and wou'd make Peace with the English when they had learned him to make Gun- powder. McDowell told Walker they had two Indians killed in the Engagement; but the Captains Armstrong and Ward, whom I ordered on their March to Fort Shirley, to examine every thing at Granvillec and send a List of what remained among the Ruins, assures me they found some parts of eight of the Enemy burnt in two different places, the joints of them being scarcely separated, and parts of their Shirts found, thro' which there was bullet holes ; to secret these from our Prisoners was doubtless the reason why the French Officer marched our People some distance from the Fort before he gave orders to burn the Barracks, &ea. Walker says that some of the Germans flag'd very much on the Second day, and that the Lieutenant behaved with the greatest bravery to the last, despising all the Terrors and Threats of the Enemy, whereby they Often urged him to Surrender; tho' he had been near two Days without Water, but a little Amunition left, The Fort on Fire, and the Enemy situate within twelve or fourteen Yards of the Fort, under the Natural Bank, he was as far from Yielding as when at first attacked. A French Man in our Service, fearful of being burned up, asked leave of the Lieutenant to treat with his Country Men in the French Language. The leautenant Answered, 'the first word of French you speak in this Engagemt. I'll blow your brains out,' telling his Men to hold out bravely for the flame was falling and he wou'd soon have it extinguished, but soon after received the fatal Ball. The French Officers refused the Soldiers the Liberty of intering his Corps, tho' it was to be done in an instant, where they raised the Clay to quench the Fire. One Brandon, a Soldier, who had been Shot thro' the Knee, on the approach of the Enemy, called out, ' I am a Roman Catholick, and will go with you,' but the Indians regardless of his faith, Observing he could not March, soon dispatched him with a Tomahawk.
" As Fort Shirley is not easily defended, and their Water may be taken possession of by the Enemy, it running at the Foot of a
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high bank Eastward of the Fort, and no well Dugg, I am of Opinion, from its remote situation, that it can't serve the Country in the present Circumstances, and if Attacked I doubt will be taken if not strongly Garrisoned, but (extreamities excepted) I cannot evacuate this without your Honour's Orders. Lyttelton, Shippens- burg, and Carlisle (the two last not finished), are the only Forts now built that will, in my Opinion, be Serviceable to the publick. McDowell's or thereabouts is a necessary Post, but the present Fort not defencible. The Duties of the Harvest has not admitted me to finish Carlisle Fort with the Soldiers ; it shou'd be done, and a Barrack erected within the Fort, otherwise the Soldiers cannot be so well governed, and may be absent or without the Gates at a time of the greatest necessity. I am, Honoured Sir,
" Your Honour's most Obedient humble Servant,
"JOHN ARMSTRONG.
" Inclosed is the Original French Letter left at Fort Granvillee."
Several Letters from the Officers in Cumberland County were read, complaining of want of Pay and scarcity of Blankets.
A Petitition from the Town and County of York was read in these Words :
" To the Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware :
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