USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 30
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" Examination of Daniel M' Mullen, who made his Escape in Com- pany with Thomas Moffitt from the Indians at Connastego, taken at Fort Augusta, 22d September, 1756.
" Daniel McMullen says that he has been among. the Indians ten" . Months, mostly at Dialogo, and that thirteen days from that place;
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and further says that some time in last December, as he was at Work in the Woods at the Minisinks, he was suddenly surrounded and taken Prisoner by Five Indians who burnt a House in the Neigh- bourhood at the same time where they killed eight Men, and carried of a Woman Captive; that he and the woman were taken by them to Wioming, where he staid two nights and saw One hundred Dela- wares and Shawonese with their Families, mixt with a few Mohocks ; from Wioming the Indians proceeded with him to Diahogo, at which place he found about One hundred and thirty Indians, some of them Mohocks and Friends to the English; that he remained all the Winter at Diahogo a Captive, and belonged to a Mohock, who purchased him of the Delawares and used him very kindly; that in the Beginning of the Spring, the Indian to whom he belonged re- moved his Family to Connasetego, about Forty or Fifty Miles North West from Diahogo, where he was again sold to French Margret's Daughter, and embraced the Opportunity of her absence, at a time when she was gone to Colonel Johnson's to ransom the Woman who was taken Prisoner at the same time with himself, and made his Escape in Company with Thomas Moffit, who belonged also to French Margret's Daughter, and arrived after three days' Journey by Land, and ten days' Voyage in a Canoe, at Fort Augusta at Sha- mokin. Daniel McMullen further says that he heard, about two Weeks before his Escape from the Indians, that Oswego was taken by the French and burnt, which seem'd to be a matter of Concern to the Mohawks, that the Indians in general were in great want of Provisions, that they were sensible the English had built a Fort at Shamokin, which was much approved, and esteemed a very proper Situation for a Fort by the Mohawks on the North Branch, several of whom proposed to come and live at Shamokin in Friendship with the English. McMullen is twenty-eight Years Old.
"Thomas Moffit, aged twenty-six Years, says that he was taken Prisoner by Nine Indians, some time in the beginning of last March, at a place between Pokeepsie and Captain Bushe's House, and taken from thence to Wioming, where they staid in Company with about One hundred Indians two Nights, and then Marched to a place about ten Miles West from Wioming, to which place they retreated with some Precipitation, on hearing that the English were coming against them, having first hid their Corn among the Rocks at Wioming; that after about a fortnight's stay at that place, they returned again to Wioming, were having waited four Days, till all the Indians living on the North Branch of Susquahannah were col- lected, they marched in a body with their Familys and Effects to Diahogo. At Diahogo having called a Council, and being still ap- prehensive of Pursuit from the English, they divided themselves and above one half with their Familys, removed to Allegany, the rest to Connasettego, which place lyes about forty Miles West of Diahogo, on a West Fork of the North Branch ; That he was sold by the Indians who took him Prisoner to French Margret's
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Daughter, from whom he made his Escape in Company with Daniel McMullen, and came into Fort Augusta at Shamokin on 22d Sep- tember, 1756. Thomas Moffot further says, that there were two Mohawks in the Party who took him Prisoner, that the Indians were in a starving Condition, that he heard the Delaware King, who treated with Governor Morris at Bethleham, sometime in August last, say in a Drunken frolick, at his Mistress' House above Diahogo, that the Indians cou'd make Peace, and that the Indians could also break Peace when made, that this was expressed about a Week before the Delaware King left their House to treat with the English, at which time he sold an English Female Pri- soner for a Horse to perform his Journey to Bethleham, that he since heard among the Indians that the Delaware King had received a Waggon Load of Goods as a present from Governor Morris, that he was informed by an Indian Messenger who came to their House about a Week before his Escape, that Oswego was taken and Burnt by the French, and several Prisoners brought from thence to Niagra, at which, the Indian who told him the Story, and came, as he be- lieved, from Allegany, was much rejoiced.
" Taken before me, 22d September, 1756, "WILLM. CLAPHAM.
A Letter of the 15th Instant, received by Express from Major Parsons, was read in these Words :
" EASTON, October 15th, 1756.
" Honoured Sir :
" On the 11th, towards Evening, the Indians, vizt, 9 men and one Woman, with 4 Prisoners (vizt., Henry Hess, William Weeser, and George Fox from Lower Smithfield, and Samuel Clifford, taken at Diahogo after his Escape from the French, who took him Pri- soner at the Engagement with Colonel Broadstreet), arrived here. They all came to my House, and Zacheus, who is their Speaker, told me he came with a Message from King Teedyuscung, who, · with 4 other Chiefs and a great Number of Indians, were arrived at Wioming. He said that Teedyuscung had ordered him to call to his Assistance Augustus and Joshua, two Indians at Bethleham, when he delivered his Message to me, and therefore desired me to send for them, which I did the next day. But they sent for answer , till they know who the Indians were, and what their Business was, they could not come, and Objected that I had not sent a String of Wampum, but I had nonc.
" On the 12, Seven of the Indians came to me and told me they were not Subjects of Teedyuscung; they were Minisink In- dians of a different Tribe, and that they came to visit their Breth- ren and Sisters who were at Bethleham, and desired me to let them go to Bethleham. I told them they were very welcome here, and while they staid I would take care that they shou'd be supplied
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with every thing they wanted; but if the chose to go to Bethle- ham, I would send an Escort with them ; and accordingly ordered two Soldiers to go with them, and sent a Letter to Mr. Horsefield, informing who the Indians were that remained here and what their Business was, and desired him to prevail with Augustus and Joshua to come to Easton, as Zacheus could not deliver his Mes- sage without them.
"On the 13, Mr. Okely coming to Easton on some private Business, told me that the seven Indians arrived at Bethleham Yes- terday and made a Declaration there that they were Minisink Indians, and had formerly lived in the Minisink Town; that they had never been engaged in the War, and were, therefore, not come to make peace (which they, however, greatly desired), for they never had broken it, and in the beginning of the War had fled far back. That the Brethren had visited them in their Town and told them good Words from God, and they had now come a long Journey to see their Indian Relations in Bethleham, and to hear more good Words; and had taken the Opportunity of coming with three In- dians who brought the Prisoners, and would have gone straight to Bethleham if the Soldiers wou'd have permitted them.
" The same day about eleven O'Clock Zacheus and George and his wife came to my House a little in Liquor, and brought the four Prisoners with them, and said they had something to say to me, Then Zacheus spoke as follows : 'Brother : This String of Wam- pum comes from Colonel Johnson, from whom we received News that when the King was last down here he had like to have been catch'd and betrayed, and that the Governor of Pennsylvania in- tended to get him down again and then wou'd cut his Throat. Teedyuscung now sends down four Prisoners, and desires his Wife and Children may be sent to him. He desires the English will keep the Words they spoke to him at the Treaty last Summer, and that we may hold ourselves as good Brothers. Teedyuscung desires that some Persons may be sent from this Government to him at Wyoming, as he has sent some of his People to this Government.
"' Brother : I rejoice at the Fire kindled at Easton, where the Governor and I smoaked our Pipes together, which I hold for good.' " Then he delivered the String of Wampum and the four Prison- ers, and seemed inclined to return directly back to Wyoming. I told him I had received an Account that Augustus and Joshua were upon the Road, and that they might be expected here in about two Hours; That as they had sent for them it would look very strange if they did not stay to speak to them when they came. Besides, I had myself something to say to them in Answer to what they had spoken, and desired they would wait a little that I might pre- pare myself with an Answer. They then desired they might have some drink, and would by no means be contented without it. To- wards Evening Augustus and George came in Company of one of
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the Brethren. By this time Zacheus and George were got pretty drunk, which I acquainted Augustus and Joshua of, and told them the Substance of what Zacheus had spoke to me. They were of Opinion with me that it was not proper to say anything to them that Night, but they would take them early next Morning before they could get any Drink.
"On the 14, in the Morning early, Zacheus, George and his Wife, and Augustus and Joshua, with the Brother that Accom- panied them from Bethleham, came to my House, and after they had talked awhile together in their own Language, Joshua spoke in the German Tongue, and said : Five Chiefs were coming down the Susquahannah to the English, when they received a Message, with a String of Wampum, as from Colonel Johnson, telling them they shou'd not go to the English at Pennsylvania, for if they did they wou'd certainly all of them be killed; But the Chiefs did not give much heed to that Message. When they had proceeded some way on their Journey they received another Message, with a large , String of Wampum, as from the Colonel, desiring them by no means to venture themselves with the English, who would surely cut all their Throats as soon as they had the Indians in their power. But Teedyuscung said when he was last Summer with the Governor of Pennsylvania he was very kindly treated by the Eng- lish, and that he could perceive it came from the Heart, and he would not believe they would do him any harm, and therefore he wou'd proceed in his Journey to his Brothers the English. When they came to Wioming they received another Message, as from the Colonel, with a very broad and long Belt of Wampum, entreat- ing them not to venture themselves farther, for if they did the English wou'd certainly cut all their Throats as soon as they get them in their power. Whereupon Teedyuscung said, "this is now the Third Message, perhaps there may be some Truth in it. I will stay here, and send two of my Men, with four Prisoners, to Easton, where the Fire was kindled, to enquire into this matter. If it is true I will return back; but if it is false I will proceed to my Brother.
"''Brother : we are five Chiefs; we desire you to send us five Quarts of Rum, that we may drink, and we desire you to send it in one Cagg, secured so that it may not be opened till it come to us.'
When the Indians had done speaking I told them I had some- thing to say in answer to them, but as I had no Wampum I could not tell whether it would be taken well without. Augustus and Joshua told me it was necessary that what I said should be accom- panied with a String of Wampum, otherwise it would not be so well received. I then asked them if the Indians at Bethleham cou'd supply me with as much as wou'd be necessary upon this Occasion. They said the believed they cou'd. I then told them I would set of with them for -, and ordered them their Break-
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fasts immediately. I told the Indians that as Teedyuscung had requested his Wife and Children should be sent to him, I thought it absolutely necessary that Zacheus and George, with his Wife, should go to Bethleham and Speak with Teedyuscung's Wife and Children, and know her own Mind; That if she inclined to go I would do all in my power to have her accommodated on her Jour- ney.
" The Indians all approved of what I said to them, and then I ordered two Soldiers to Escort them to Bethleham, and rode forward my self to get ready a Cagg for the Five Quarts of Rum, and to provide a Blanket, Stockings, Shoes, and Buckles for each Indian again they came. I also mentioned to the Brethren that I wanted two White Men to go with the Indians to Wioming, but did not succeed in that point. When the Indians came to Bethleham I or- dered Zacheus and George, with his Wife and two Soldiers, to the Ferry, and desired Augustus & Joshua to prepare the String of . Wampum; And sometime after Mr. Horsfield went with me to the Ferry and sent for the King's Wife and Children. After she and the other Indians had saluted each other I mentioned to her what Teedyuscung had said, and asked her if she inclined to go or stay, telling her if she staid she would be sure to be treated well, as she had all along been. She told me she wou'd consider of it and give me her answer before Night.
" Towards Evening I went with Mr. Horsfield to the Ferry again, and all the Indians being present I asked Teedyuscung's Wife if she had determined upon what I mentioned to her before ? she said she had, and she thought it best for her to stay at Bethleham. Whereupon I promised her that she shou'd be very kindly used as she had been.
" The String of Wampum being made ready, and Zacheus, George, & Augustus, with several other Indians, Men and Women, being present, I delivered the String of Wampum and the following Answer :
"' Brother Teedyuscung : the Governor of Pennsylvania bids you welcome. He has ordered me to provide for you & your People, and that I should in his Name treat. you all very kindly till he can come himself and Smoak his Pipe with you at the Council Fire. Brother : I am very glad to hear from you, and that you are on your way to this place, where the Council Fire was kindled last Summer. The Fire is still kept alive that you may smoak your Pipe by it when you come again.
"' Brother : I understand that some wicked People who want to put out the Council Fire have told you Lies, and pretend to have them from Colonel Johnson. They did not come from Colonel Johnson ; he knows we love our Brothers the Indians, and that we desire to live in peace with them.
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"' Brother : I tell you not to believe those false Reports. I tell you we love you, and have made up the Fire anew that it may burn very bright when you come again, that we may all Smoak our Pipes by it, and that the People afar off may see its light.
"'Brother : you desire your Wife and Children should be sent to you. They are free and at liberty, and are as our own Children ; we will not keep them one Minute longer than they desire to stay; while they do stay we love them as our own Children, and shall use them kindly for our Brother's sake, that he may have them again in good Health.
"'Brother : I will send your words directly to the Governor that he may know you are coming. Brother : your sending the four Prisoners is a token of your Love, and is taken very kindly.'
"Then delvd. the String of Wampum.
"Then I told the Indians that I had offered the Officer at the Fort to Supply them with as much bread, Meal, and Meat as they shou'd have occasion for. They desired me to furnish them with Horses and Saddles, and with Powder and Lead. I promised them If I could at so short warning procure Horses and Saddles I would, and gave them an Order to the Fort for a Ib. Powder each Man, with some Lead, and then took my leave of them, the Sun being then set, And Mr. Horsefield being so kind as to undertake to see every thing done, according to Order, against next Morning. When we parted Zacheus told me he expected to be at Easton with the other Indians in Nine days. One of the seven Indians goes with him. Yesterday Mr. Horsefield sent me word that six of the Seven were going that Morning. The three were gone. It is almost im- possible to prevent the Indians from getting too much liquor, for if the Tavern keepers refuse to supply them, there are People. mean enough to go and buy Rum for them with the Indians' Money that they may help to drink it when they have done. Among others there is in Town a Number of Irish Recruits, some of them as abandoned, drunken Fellows as ever was got together. The Officer has not many Recruits yet. If he had, I shou'd not be very easy here myself; And I could wish he had orders not to suffer his Men to mix with the Indians at all. .
" As soon as I heard the Indians were coming I ordered Lieuten- ant Witterhold, with the small Detachment of eight Men who were posted at Teet's, to come and take post in this Town. These, with four of Cap". Orndt's Men that Escorted the Indians from Fort Allen to this place, serve as a Guard at present to Easton, and as the Indians are to be so soon expected I propose to keep them here till further Orders. If the Commissioners were to order some Blankets, Shirts, and Shoes up here for such Indians as are to be supplied, it would be cheaper and easier than to buy here ; also a
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little Wampum is wanting, the String that I bought cost 20s., and the making 1s. 6. Mr. Till's Letter of the 11th came safe to Hand. " I am, Honoured Sir,
" Your most Obedient humble Servant,
"WM. PARSONS."
A Letter from Colonel Stephens, Commander of Fort Cumberland, was read and ordered to be Entered :
" FORT CUMBERLAND, September 30th, 1756. "Sir :
" Yesterday came into this Garrison John Adam Long, who lived in this Neighbourhood and was taken Prisoner on the 3d April last, near to a Fort on the Virginia Frontiers, Commanded by Captain Cox. He is a sensible Man, of fifty-five Years of Age, and informs that he was carried directly to Fort Duquesne, on his way to which place he met one hundred and fifty Indians near to this Fort going against the Inhabitants of the Virginia Frontiers; that this party, joined with several others down before them, engaged Captain Mer- cer at the head of a Detachment from this Fort; That there were Nine Indians killed in that Engagement, which, with their seeing the Tracts of several Scouting Parties after them, made them return without doing much mischief to the Inhabitants; That he was de- tained at Fort Duquesne about Twenty Days, during which time the Delawares carried in several Prisoners, One of which they roasted a Live, Two others they put to death in a Cruel and Barbarous manner.
" That about the last of April there were only 200 men in the French Fort, but that about the beginning of June, they were strongly reinforced with Men and provisions by the arrival of a Fleet of 400 Battoes. That he was then carried up to Vinango, where there resided an Officer in a small Stoccado Fort with a Command of 40 Men; that there are a Number of Square Logs got together at that place Sufficient to build a large Fort on a pritty rising Ground in the Forks of Ohio and French Creek. That he was then carried to the Bacheloons, a small Town about 40 Miles higher up the River, from which place he made his Escape about the Middle of August, and has been on his way to this place ever since.
" During his stay a Bacheloons, the Mingos held several grand Councils abt. taking up arms against us, but upon hearing a Re- port that a Number of Catawbas and Cherookes in Conjunction with the English were on their march against the Ohio Indians, They came to a Resolution to lay down the Hatchet, and made great professions of Friendship to the English. Upon this the French refused them a supply of Provisions, but some Indians, VOL. VII .- 19.
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who engaged a party of our Troops near the great Crossing, re- turning to Fort Duquesne, and informing that the English were on their March against them, The French sent them a present of some Bacon, Flour, and Pease. 1
" According to the Intelligence received from Long, it wou'd be of great Service to send a Messenger again to the Susquahannah Indians, and from thence to Bacheloons, which is but a short way. This wou'd at least prevent them from Acting against Us, and have a good Effect upon the Confederate tribes of the Twightwees, few of which have yet taken up arms against Us, especially if the Attempt of your Troops on the Kittannin was followed by a sure Blow on that or some of the Neighbouring Towns.
" The above Intelligence regarding the Province of Pennsylva- nia equally with the other Colonies, prevents may making any apoligy for this Trouble.
" I have the Honour to be, Sir,
"Your most Obedient humble Serve.,
" ADAM STEPHEN."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 19 day of Oc- tober, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Esquires.
Lynford Lardner,
The Mayor's Court sitting, the other Members could not attend. The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Governor by the Secretary required the Attendance of the Speaker and House immediately in the Council Chamber. When come, he delivered his Speech, gave the Speaker a Copy, and forth- with the Secretary was sent with the several Papers referred to in it, viz *. :
Secretary of State's Letter of the 18th June, 1756.
Additional Instructions of the 5 July.
Lord Loudon's Letter of the 22 September.
Report of Lords of Trade against Militia Act, and Act extend- ing ye Mutiny Act in part, &ca., dated 3d of March.
Second Report of Lords of Trade.
Report of the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council, 24 June.
f
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His Majesty's Repeal, 7 July.
Mr. Peters, the Provincial Secretary, laid before the Council an Order which he yesterday received from the Speaker, in these words :
" PENNSYLVANIA, SS :
"By a Resolve of this Assembly on the 16 Instant, I am empow- ered and directed to Order the Provincial Secretary that he do issue a Writt to the Sheriff of the County of Bucks for the Election of Two Members to serve as Representatives in this Assembly, for the said County of Bucks, in the Room and Stead of Meihlon Kirk- bride, and William Hodge, Esquires; And one other Writt to the Sheriff of Chester County, for the Election of two Members to, serve as Representatives in this Assembly for the said County of Chester, in the Room and Stead of Peter Dicks and Nathaniel Pen- nock, Esquires; And likewise, one other Writt to the Sheriff of Northampton County, for the Election of one Member to serve as a Representative in this Assembly, for the sd County of Northamp- ton, in the Room and Stead of William Allen, Esquire. Therefore, by Virtue of the said Resolve, and in pursuance of an Act of As- sembly of this Province, in that case made and provided, I do re- quire, that Writts be issued to the Sheriffs of the said respective Counties for the purposes aforesaid, according to the directions of the said Law, dated at Philadelphia, this 18th day of October, A. D., 1756.
"ISAAC NORRIS, Speaker.
"To RICHARD PETERS, Esq"., Provincial Secretary."
It was observed that it did not appear therein by what means 80 many Members who were legally chosen and returned, are to be deprived of their Seats in the Assembly; and, therefore, the Sec- retary was directed to Write to the Speaker to be informed of the causes of this Deprivation, and if legal, to prepare the Writts for the Governor to sign. The Secretary's Letter follows in these Words:
" PHILADELPHIA, 19th October, 1756.
" Sir :
"On Receipt of your Order requiring me to issue a Writt to the Sheriff of the County of Bucks for the Election of Two Members to serve as Representatives in this Assembly for the said County of Bucks, in the Room and Stead of Mahlon Kirkbride and William Hoge, Esquires; And one other Writt to the Sheriff of Chester County, for the Election of two Members to serve as Representa- tives in this Assembly for the said County of Chester, in the room and stead of Peter Dicks and Nathaniel Pennock, Esquires; And likewise, one other Writt to the Sheriff of Northampton County, for the Election of a Member to serve as a Representatives in this
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Assembly for the said County of Northampton, in the Room and stead of William Allen, Esquire. I laid the Order before the Gov- ernor, who commanded me to inform you that as it appears to him by the Returns of the proper Officers, the Gentlemen mentioned in your Order were duly Elected Representatives of the People in the Counties of Northampton, Bucks and Chester, he ought to be made acquainted either by a Copy of the Resolves of the House, or Rea- sons Assigned by you in your Order, by what means they have been deprived of their Rights to sit and Vote as Members of Assembly in your House, previous to my issuing Writts for New Elections. As soon as you shall be pleased to give Satisfaction to His Honour in this Point, I shall be ready to yield immediate Obedience to your Order, and am very respectively, Sir,
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