USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 35
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A String.
" Brother :
" I will now in a few words, according to my abilities, give you an answer. You desired me to acquaint you what the Grounds of my uneasiness were, and I complied, tho' it was not the main thing I came about. But when you put me in mind I was pleased, for before I thought it not proper to mention it in these difficult times ; it was not the cause of the stroke, tho' it was the foundation of our uneasiness. Now, Brother, in answer to your Question, What will
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satisfy us ? It is not usual nor reasonable, nor can I tell you what the Damage is, and adjust, as in a Ballance, the true value at that time and these times ; formerly it might be lighter, but being de- layed it is now the heavier, the Interest is to be added. Besides there are many more concerned in this matter, not now present ; and tho' many who have suffered are now in the Grave, yet their Descendants feel the weight, and the more now, for the time they have waited.
" Also, Brother, I require you will throw down the Fence that confines some of my Brethren and relations in the Jerseys, that they may, if they see cause, come and see their Relations. I do not want to compel any of them to come or stay against their will ; if they are inclined to stay and live among the English, I am quite willing they shou'd come back again ; but I want they shou'd come and see me, that thereby I may convince their Relations, and other Nations afar off that I am now treating with, that they are not ser- vants but a free People.
"I do not request all Men, Women and Children shou'd come, but some, or as many as may be sufficient to convince other Nations that they are not confined, but have liberty as well as we. In par- ticular one called Philip, he has a Wife and Relations among us, to my Grief I heard he was carried to Goal, and there confined with some others, and put to Death; but I understand the Account of his Death was false. I desire he may have liberty to come and see his Relations. I also request that you wou'd apply to the Gover- nor on the other side of the River (viz., of the Jerseys), and to use your utmost endeavours with him, that he will give them leave to come, and that they may come under your protection, be they more or less, in the Great Road opened to us by this Province.
" But tho' you shou'd not do this, yet I will use my utmost en- deavours to bring you down your Prisoners ; there are only two in my power. You may hear otherwise, but I declare I have no more than two in my power. There are more in the Possession of others, and these, with your Assistance, I may be able to bring down ; and I will endeavour to gether and scoop in as many as I can, but I shall want your Help to do it.
" Brother :
" I have to request you that you would give Liberty to all Per- sons and friends to search into these matters ; as we are all Chil- dren of the most high, we shou'd endeavour to assist and make use of one another, and not only so, but from what I have heared, I believe there is a future State besides this Flesh. Now I endeavour to act on both these Principles, and will, according to what I have promised, if the great Spirit spare my life, come next Spring with as great a force of Indians as I can get to your Satisfaction."
A String.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" Brother :
"By this string now delivered, and lying before you, I assure you I have spoken on all matters the best I could, according to my mean capacity and Abilities. I shall depend on my Interpreter, who, I believe is an Honest Man ; but I think it prudent, in order to prevent Misunderstandings, that I should be furnished with a copy of what has been done, as well in the Conferences held here. last Summer as at this time ; for tho' I am not able to read, yet others may ; it will be a great Satisfaction to have it in my power to shew it to others what has passed between this Government and me. What is committed to writting will not easily be lost, and will be of great use to all, and better regarded; and I wou'd have the Names and Seals of all that have been concerned in Transacting this Business put to it. I do not desire a Copy now, but that it may be ready for me when I come again." The Interpreter, Pump- shire, informed the Governor that what Teedyuscung was going to say was not material or of much Importance, as it related to him- self ; adding, tho' he might be considered as a simple man, yet throughout all this Affair he had acted uprightly and honestly. " Brother :
"I will Speak in favour of the Interpreter ; he acted as such in Governor Morris' time as well as yours ; and I am pleased with his Conduct on both occasions. If we shou'd have any further Busi- ness to transact, I desire he may be employed. You know he lives in another Province, and is on that Account at some Expence ; re- ward him well for his Services, and do it well for my sake; but I shall leave it to you.
" Brother :
" I have something, tho' of no great Consequence, yet to men- tion. I am in low Circumstances, and have not things suitable ; I wish I had; however, I have fifteen Deer Skins, which, as I see you love to have your Hands covered, I present you to make Gloves of, or for any other use you shall think proper. Eighty fine large ones were brought at first, but on our Journey from Diahogo to Wioming some of the Indians with me were so discouraged by Alarms that they returned home and took with them all but fifteen, which I desire your acceptance of."
The Governor returned him Thanks, and told him he accepted of them as a mark of his affection, without regard to the value of the Skins. He then reminded Teedyuscung, that it was intended the goods shou'd have been delivered Yesterday, but as it grew late, and the Room in which they sat at Dinner was so small, it was agreed they shou'd be brought here and delivered, which was done, the Lists read, and the Indians left to divide the Goods.
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At a Council held at Easton, November 17th, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
William Logan, Richard Peters, Esquires.
· The Commissioners advising the Governor to fix at this meeting the sum to be given in full satisfaction of all Injuries done to the Indians, and to offer it to them now, Mr. Weiser was sent to con- sult with Teedyuscung, if this wou'd be agreeable; and Mr. Weiser having done so, reported that the King declared against it, saying he had no power to take any sum, tho' the Governor should offer him never so much, the People to whom the Land belonged to, being absent ; but he wou'd endeavour to bring as many of them down as he could find, to the next meeting, when it might be fur- ther considered.
Several matters remaining to be mentioned to the Indians, The Governor sent for Teedyuscung, the four Six Nation Indians, the two Shawonese, and one or two Delawares, and in the presence of the Commissioners, and some other Gentlemen, he spoke as follows :
" Brother :
" Only one thing of what was said Yesterday, requires an answer, which I am now going to give you.
" By this String you desired me to make application to the Gov- ernor of Jersey, that the Fence might be broke down which con- fined the Indians, and that they or some of them might have liberty to go into the Indian Country and correspond with their Relations and Friends as formerly, and particularly to obtain this Liberty for one Philip.
" The Province of New Jersey, you know, is a different Govern- ment from this ; I will use my best endeavours with the Governor to grant your request, but I apprehend I shall meet with this Diffi- culty, that as you have some of their People Prisoners with you, before they grant your request, they will expect these shall be re- turned, which I think wou'd be adviseable for you to do ; particu- larly you have with you a Boy, whose name is Hunt, taken near Paulin's Kiln, in that Province, whose Mother is now here, and requests he may be sent down among the first."
A String.
" Brother : I consider you as a Counsellor and Agent of this Province, and as such, obliged to assist us all you can. By this String I confirm your appointment."
A String.
1
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" Brother :
"As our Prisoners may suffer for want of Cloaths and other necessaries in this severe Season, we cou'd wish to have them as soon as possible, and to that end propose to send with you two Mes- sengers who may collect them together and bring them down; and I desire you will give your Assistance, which will be a further proof of your Sincerity."
.
A String.
N. B .- Two of the Six Nation Indians were employed in this Service.
"Brother :
"If any of our Indians shall incline to come into the Province and live among their Brethren the English, I do now assure you, that they shall be kindly received and supported, and live together in one Place, the most convenient that can be got for the purpose.
-
"Or as there is now a strong Fort at Shamokin, built at the request of your Unckles, the Six Nations, for the protection of the Friendly Indians, I propose to have a Store of Goods in it, the Direction and Management of which will be given to an Honest Man, who shall not be suffered to impose upon the Indians; and I shall be glad all our Friendly Indians, who are scattered and distressed in these · Troublesome times, will come and live near it; there they will be · protected from the French; there they will have a large uninha- bited Country to Hunt in; and there they may be furnished with Cloaths and all other Necessaries of Life at the easiest Rates."
A String.
"Brother :
" You know that the last Treaty the Road was opened for us to go to each other; I now give you this Belt to preserve the Com- munication free and clear of all obstructions; let there be nothing in it that can hurt the Feet, or wound the Body of either."
A Belt.
"Brother :
" Since I set out, I have heard of the Death of several of our Indian Friends by the Small Pox, at Philadelphia, and particularly Cap" Newcastle is Dead, who was very instrumental and joined with you as agent in carrying on this good Work of Peace. I wipe away your Tears; I take the Grief from your Harts ; I cover the Graves; eternal rest by with their Spirits."
A String of Wampum, eleven Black Strouds, with some Hand- kerchiefs.
"Brother :
"Peace is now settled between us by the Assistance of the most high ; but the Indians in the French Interest still commit murders VOL. VII .- 22.
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on the Frontiers, and our Soldiers are in pursuit of them. I desire you will order your Young Men not to straggle about, but keep in the said path to your Towns, so that they may not be mistaken by our Soldiers for French Indians."
Teedyuscung thanked the Governor for his kind Speeches, and said he was very glad the Governor had thought of sending two Messengers with him for the Prisoners, and promised to Assist them.
After the Condolance made on Captain Newcastle's Death, the King made an Address, as is usual, to the other Indians on this Mornful occasion; they continued silent for some time, and then one of the oldest of them spoke an Exortation, in the nature of a funeral Oration, after which Teedyuscung expressed to the Gov- ernor the great satisfaction given to him at his condoling the Death of Captain Newcastle, who, he said, was a good Man, and had pro- moted the good work of Peace with great Care; his Death wou'd put him in mind of his Duty, as it shou'd all of us.
He then spoke in a warm and pathetick manner in favour of the Peace now settled, and implored the Assistance of the most high to bring it to perfection.
The Governor understanding that several of the Indians inclined to stay, desired Teedyuscung to give him the Names of such as wou'd live with their Brethren the English. Teedyuscung mis- taking the Governor, as if he had said they must stay, answered, smiling, he did not understand any Indians were to be forced to stay, but left to their Liberty ; If the Governor wanted any to stay and desired it, he wou'd stay himself, and his Wife and Family with him. The Governor set the matter right, thanked him and wished him well, took his leave of him, saying, they had met and parted Friends, and he hoped they wou'd meet again as good Friends as now.
Teedyuscung shewed great pleasure in his countenance, and took a kind leave of the Governor and all present.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday, 24th November, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettle,
William Logan,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner, Esquires. .
Benjamin Chew,
John Mifflin,
Two Members of Assembly waited on the Governor on Munday
1
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night to inform him that the House was met agreable to their Ad- journment and ready to proceed to Business.
The Governor having at the Instance of the Assembly, prepared an Estimate of the Current Expenses of the Year, the same was read and agreed to.
Sir Charles Hardie's Letter of the 25 October last was again read, and proposed to be laid before the House with a proper Mes- sage; but the Members still differing in Sentiments whether it wou'd be of any use, nothing was done further than the Governor's desir- ing the Attorney General to consider what was in his power by Law in time of War respecting prohibitions of the Press, and the pun- ishment of Persons who in time of War published Intelligence. Sir Charles' Letter was ordered to be entered.
" FORT GEORGE, New York, 25 October, 1756.
" Sir :
"I have for some time observed the News Papers printed in the several Provinces are not only filled with Intelligence of the Enemy's Motions, but also those of his Majesty's and Provincial Forces. It is an old maxim, and very properly so, of the most able and expe- rienced Generals, to cover his Motions from the Enemy by Feints & Counter Marches, and in all things, if possible, keep his Inten- tions Secret from them. This can never be done while the Printers take the liberty of Communicating to the Publick by means of their Papers every March the Forces take, when Convoys of Provisions are going and to go to the Army, and what Intelligence is to be obtained, &ca. Surely they may be said to be the Publick Intelli- gences to the Enemy, and that they have Spys that will make all Advantages of this Evil, for so I must call it, I cannot doubt, nor can I conceive it to be adviseable or prudent to inform the Enemy in this publick manner that we are acquainted with their Strength, Situation, &ca. It must certainly put them upon their Guard on all occasions, any distresses or difficulties they may be under, when known, and so published, may defeat any attempts upon them. In short, as many bad Consequences must attend the publick Ser- vice if this Practice is not restrained, I shall hope you will concur with me in taking it into your Consideration, and use such means as you Judge best to stop it for the future. If it is not general, it will be to little purpose for one Colony to do it. I am endeavouring to prevent it here, and tho' I am aware how clamerous the World is in being denied the Liberty of the Press, that shall no discourage me, as I am certain such a Licentiousness is Incompatible with the Publick Service.
"I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant,
" CHAS. HARDY."
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The following Letter from Lord Loudoun was read :
"FORT EDWARD, October 28th, 1756.
"Sir :
" I have had a great many things which I have wanted to have writ to you fully about, but from the Situation in which I found things on my arrival here, I have been kept in such a continual hurry as to put it entirely out of my power, and I am afraid a great part of them must now lie over till I have the pleasure of seeing you at Philadelphia, where I propose to be as soon as I can.
" As the Season must now bring the Campaign soon to an end, it is necessary for me now to look out for winter Quarters for the Troops, in which I must consult the compleating the Troops during the winter, and have them in a situation fit for Assembling in the Spring to take the Field, for which purpose I find it will be neces- sary to have in Philadelphia one Battalion of the Royal Americans, and three Companies in the Lower Counties, and I believe I shall be obliged, likewise, to put into your Province, in order to recruit them, two Independent Companies.
" The three Companies I propose for the Lower Counties, are part of a Battalion that goes into Maryland, and as they lie near one another, I imagine you may get that Battalion pretty con- tiguous, as I cannot agree to less than a Company being together ; in the beginning those Companys will be small, but I hope by Christmas to see them well encreased.
" As the order for Quarters have been so often signified from his Majesty, to every Government on the Continent, by his Secretaries of State, Lord Holdernesse, Sir Thomas Robinson, and Mr. Fox, I · must think it unnecessary for me to add anything further on this Subject ; especially as I am writing to you, who is so thorougly acquainted with the Quartering in England, in time of Peace; and what things are furnished in Quarters for the Officers and Soldiers ; and likewise as you are fully acquainted with how much further Quartering extends in time of War, and even must do so from the Nature of things.
" I must beg the favour of you, to give directions to have quar- ters ready against the Troops arrive, which shall be as soon as I can furnish the Campaign, which the nature of the Season must soon put a close to.
" I beg leave to assure you and the Province, that whatever Pro- tection I can give to your People, from the Incursions of their tir- bulent Neighbours, I will do it to the utmost of my power.
" I am, with great Regard, Sir,
" Your most Obedient Humble Servant, " LOUDOUN."
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The following Letter from Governor Sharp together with the paper inclosed, was read :
" Sir :
" I do myself the Honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 21st of Septem"., and to send you a Copy of the In- formation given by one Johnston, who having lived among the French and their Allies about two years, was lately sent hither from Fort Cumberland. He acknowledges that he has several times accompanied the Indians from Fort Duquesne to the Allegheny Mountains, and I am persuaded, notwithstanding his Professions to the Contrary, that he has been frequently further down with them Murthering the Inhabitants. On his Examination here, he has confessed that he came from Fort Duquesne the beginning of Octo- ber with a Detachment of 160 French and Indians, who were to fall on our Frontier Settlements, or to attack Fort Cumberland, if the Reduction of that place shou'd appear practicable. The Priso- ner says he was sent before to reconnoitre, and inform himself of the strength of the Garrison, and that he had concealed himself near in it pursuance of his orders, but that apprehending from some motion of the Centry that he was discovered, he dropped his Toma- hawk and advancing towards him, pretended to have made his Es- cape from a party of Indians that had detained him Prisoner. I propose to send him back to the Commanding Officer at Fort Cum- berland, to be re-examined and rewarded according to his Desert.
" I am, Sir, Your most humble, "And most Obedient Servant,
" HORO. SHARPE.
" Annapolis, 15 November, 1756."
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" The Information of William Johnson, a Native of Pennsylvania, and sometime an Inhabitant of the Province of Maryland, who went back to the French Settlement at Venango in October, 1754, and has since resided there, at Fort Duquesne, and among the several Tribes of Indians who are seated on the branches of the Ohio and are in Alliance wh. the French Nation.
" This Informant says that he has, within these two Years, been frequently at Venango, where the French have a small Fort made of Logs and Stocadoes, mounted with Nine Cannon of a pretty large bore, and generally Garrisoned with a Company of Sixty Soldiers, beside Indians, who, to the Number of about 200, are lodged in Cabbins that have been built for them near the Fort. The Gar- rison, this Informant says, hath been for sometime employed in Collecting and preparing Materials for building a Strong Fort there next Spring, and being apprehensive, and having been in-
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formed by two Deserters from Shamokin that the Pennsylvanians had come to a resolution to March against them as soon as a body of Men cou'd be raised for that purpose. This Informant further says, that there have seldom been more Soldiers in Garrison at Fort Duquesne than 300, and that the Soldiers there at this time do not amount to that number; that 15 Carriage Guns, eight of the 12 lbs are mounted in that Fort, and that the Magazine is well furnished with Ammunition and Provisions; that the Fort is strong towards the Land, where a Ditch and Covertway is made from one River to the other, but that towards the Conflux of the Rivers there is nothing more than single Stocadoes. That before Colonel Armstrong's Expedition to the Kittanning Town the French were building some Houses or Huts for their Indians on this side of the Fort, but that now they were building a Town for them beyond the River, the Indians having refused to live on this side, least they shou'd be again surprized and cut off. That the Indians who have joined the French against us, and in Conjunction with them, and made Incursions into these Provinces, are Shawonese, Dela- wares, Picts, Mingoes, Tuckehoes, and Tawas, who can furnish about 1,400 or 1,500 fighting Men, and are to join the French with that Number next Spring in order to make a descent on one of these Colonies ; that in May last one Captain Sterit, with a Com- pany of 58 Men, came to Duquesne, and brought with them in a Battoe and several Cannoes, a considerable quantity of Provisions from a Settlemt that the French have made near the Mouth of the Ohio River. This party, he says, has done much Execution this Summer on the Fronteers of these Provinces; that having con- cluded their Campaign with the Reduction of Fort Granville, they returned home to spend the Winter, but are expected back again in the Spring with several other Companies. This Informant saith, that he was not present at the Engagement of the Mononge- hala, but that he was at the place of action a few days after; that the Body of Men which attacked General Braddock consisted of about 600 French and 700 Indians, and that the French Com- mander-in-Chief, Two Captains, and near two hundred Men were killed at that Time; That none of the English that were left wounded survived, except three Women, two of whom were Carried to Canada, and the other kept by the Commandant at Venango; That the Deserters from Fort Cumberland and other places, as well as the People that the Indians have carried off our Borders, have given the French such accounts of the situation and Circumstances of these Colonies as make them Confident that they shall, without much difficulty, reduce, or at least advance far into one of them next Summer; That several of our late Inhabitants who have been taken and carried back associated with the Indians, and as often as they make Incursions, come down and serve them as Guides; That about Six Weeks or two Months since, when this Informant was at the Log's Town, he heard Teedyuscung's Son and several other
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Indians say, that they the Delawares were about to offer Terms to the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania, and that Teedyuscung and some other Chiefs were gone to Pennsylvania for that purpose; That their Intention was to make a seperate Peace with the Pennsyl- vanians, and to open a Trade as heretofore with them; that if that could be brought about they should be no longer under a necessity of selling their Skins and Furs to the French at such low rates as they had lately done, and at the same time they shou'd be the bet- ter able to shew their Resentment to the Virginians for first at- tempting to deprive them of their Lands."
Lord Loudoun's Letter, Governor Sharp's Letter, and the Paper Inclosed, and the Estimate for the Expences for the Current Year, were laid before the Assembly with the following Message :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
"I communicate to you a Letter from Lord Loudoun, demanding Quarters for a Battalion of Royal Americans and two Independent Companies. I desire you will enable me forthwith to provide them, a Quarter-master being every day expected to regulate that Service.
"I now lay before you an Estimate for the Expences of the Cur- rent Year, my late Journey and Business at Easton having pre- vented me from doing it so soon as I cou'd have wished.
" I received by Express the Letter herewith sent from Governor Sharp, inclosing the Examination of one William Johnson, which Intelligence is of such Consequence to this Country as well deserves your attention.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" 24 November, 1756."
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