USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 50
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Gave a small String of Wampum.
They were told by the Governor that their Message shou'd be considered by himself and the Council, and an Answer sent to the Indians with all possible Dispatch.
Sir William Johnson's Letter of the 16th of February was read, together with his Commission and Instructions to Mr. Croghan, in Order to know what was proposed to be done by the Indians at this. Meeting. ffrom that Letter it appear'd that the Indians were sent by Sir William to use their Influence with the Delawares and Shaw- nese for the immediate Restoration of the Prisoners (still in their Power) to their Families; And that the Shawnese and Delawares shod., in the strongest Terms, be reminded of the solemn Promises. they made to the Delegates of the Six Nations sent to meet them at Otsaningo last Spring, which were confirmed by the Old Delaware and Shawnese King, in Behalfe of their People, in the most solenin Manner last July, at Sir William Johnson's House, in the Presence of their Uncles, the Six Nations, to lay down the Hatchet, return to their Friendship with the English, and deliver up all the Eng-
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lish Prisoners, and which was again repeated to Governor Denny at Easton; And, further, that the Grievances mention'd by Teedyus- cung at Easton last November, or any others they may suffer'd, shou'd be carefully and attentively heard, and, if justly grounded, the most prudent, speedy, and effectual Methods shou'd be taken to have them amply redressed.
By these, and Mr. Croghan's late Letters to the Governor, it appears that the Things to be done in the ensuing Treaty cannot be entered upon till Teedyuscung's Arrival, web. is uncertain, and may be delayed by the Motions of the French Indians towards this Fron- tier; And, therefore, it is the Opinion of the Council that all this shou'd be plainly set forth in the Answer to the Indians, and that then it shou'd be proposed to them to send away their Women and Child- ren, and such of their Men as they chuse shou'd conduct them, and to leave a sufficient Number of Chiefs and principal Indians to carry on the Treaty ; And if this be agreeable to the Indians, then it is recommended to the Governor to obtain from the Commissioners their Consent to make the Indians that shall be sent away a small Present, which may be in part of a General Present proposed to be given On this Occasion. It is further thought proper that the Answer to the Message shou'd be delivered by a Member of Council and interpreted by Mr. Weiser; And Mr. Logan being requested to undertake it, he was kind enough to consent. An Express was order'd to be sent to Mr. Weiser forthwith, to meet Mr. Logan for this Purpose at Lancaster, on Tuesday Night, where he proposed to be at that time, if the Weather and his Health wou'd permit.
It was then considered whether the Indians shou'd be gratified in their Request to have the Treaty held at Lancaster. The Gov- ernor said Teedyuscung at Easton promised to come to this City, and that he had sent a Message to be deliver'd to him by Major Parsons on his Arrival at Fort Allen, inviting him, agreable to his Promise, to come and hold the Treaty here, and he hoped he wou'd make no Difficulty about it; That he conceived it by no Means ad- viseable to leave this City at so dangerous a Time, as publick Busi- ness cou'd not be done in his Absence, and that, therefore, these Indians shou'd be pressed to proceed and hold the Treaty here, but if, Notwithstanding what shou'd be said to them, they shou'd still continue in their Determination to come no further than Lancaster, then he wou'd send Commissioners to treat with them there. The Members of Council urged that the many important Things to be done at this Treaty required all the Weight and Authority of the Governor ; that Commissioners wou'd not be so much regarded, nor have so much Influence in case of Difficulties, as the Governor him- self, and that it appeared to them there was great Danger of losing the fine Opportunity presented for bringing all Matters in difference to an amicable Conclusion, and finally establishing a firm Peace with the Indians. The Governor, after hearing these Sentiments, deter-
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mined either to go himself or send Commissioners to Lancaster, as the publick Affairs wou'd permit, if Teedyuscung shou'd come and incline that the Treaty shou'd be held there.
The following Instructions were given to Mr. Logan, with Copys of Sir William Johnson's Letter, Letters from Mr. Croghan en- closing the Indian Message, and of the Minute of this Council :
Instructions to William Logan, Esquire. " PHILADELPHIA, 30th April, 1757.
" Sir :
"Since you are so kind as to undertake the Trouble of this Jour- ney, I desire you will deliver such an Answer for me to the Indians. as will be agreable to the enclos'd Copy of the Minute of Council.
" The manner of saying things to Indians depends so much on Forms & a narrow Observation of them and their Dispositions at the Time of speaking to them, that I must leave it to you with the Assistance of Mr. Weiser to frame the words of the Answer and to accompany each Part with a Belt or String of Wampum (a Suf- ficiency of which will be given you by the Secretary) as you shall judge proper. I wou'd have those Indians made acquainted that I never intended either Harris' Ferry or Lancaster as the Place of Treaty, but all along believ'd that Teedyuscung wou'd choose to come to this City agreable to what he told me at Easton, and there- fore have sent him an Invitation to come here, which will be de- livered to him on his Arrival at Fort Allen, and Mr. Croghan has my Letters setting this Matter forth, that it gives me Pain to hear of their Intention to come no further. That I am truly concern'd at their Stay occasioned by Teedyuscung's not coming in; but that till he comes, Mr. Croghan writes me no Treaty can be begun with those Indians, the Matters for which they were sent by Sir William Johnson being principally to bring the Shawonese and Delawares. to conclude a firm Peace, and then join with his Majesty's Forces in such manner as Sir William shall advise. And further, that the Matters complained of by the Delaware King at Easton, or any other He may have to complain of, be attentively considered and redressed. These, by Sir William Johnson's Letter to me, and the Tenor of his Commissions and Instructions to Mr. Croghan, Copies of which are prepared for you, are the Matters principally to be transacted at the ensuing Treaty ; which makes it Necessary that Teedyuscung with the Delaware and Shawonese Tribes should be present, and if backward to perform their several Engagements so. solemnly made at Otsaningo, at Sr. William Johnson's, and at Easton, the Six Nations are then to interpose their Authority and oblige them to do it.
" That as it is uncertain when Teedyuscung may come, I wou'd for their own Convenience propose it to them, that most of their Women & Children shou'd immediately return home, with as
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Many Men as can conduct them to their respective Places of abode, that a Number of their principal Men may stay to hold the Treaty. This may in a great Measure prevent the Inconveniences that will arise from a longer Stay, and save to them the Benefit of their planting Season, as well as prevent many of them getting. the Small Pox.
" That I am always glad to see our Brethren the Six Nations, & consider so many of them coming amongst us at this Juncture, as a particular strong Testimony of their Friendship and Regard for the People of this Province; that it wou'd give pleasure to gratify them in their Desire of seeing me at Lancaster, yet I would have them made sensible that I cannot leave this City without infinite Prejudice to the King's Affairs, and other publick Business that cannot be done any where else, and therefore cou'd heartily wish they cou'd be prevailed on, Out of Regard to my Circumstances at this particular time, to come here, where I assure them of a very kind Reception, and that every thing will be made as agreable to them as possible.
"That I have dispatched a Messenger to Teedyuscung acquaint- ing him with the impatience of the Six Nations, and the many In- conveniences arising to 'em from his Stay, and desiring him to make all the haste he can.
" If you perceive that the Indians, notwithstanding this Mes- sage and Invitation, which in honour to them I send by a Member of Council, will not come to Philadelphia, or shou'd be disgusted and offer to return home, I must desire you to acquaint them that if Teedyuscung comes and inclines to treat at Lancaster, I shall either go there or send Commissioners as the Affairs of the Gov- ernment will permit.
"I am, Sir, Your most humble Servt., " WILLIAM DENNY.
" P. S .- Please to let it be asked whether deliver'd as set forth in the Minute of Council be the same wth. what was given them in charge, lest the Interpreter, who does not well understand the Language, shou'd have mistaken it."
Mr. Weiser having set down in writing the particulars of what passed between him and some Indians sent from Conestogo to en- quire of Teedyuscung at Easton, he sent it to the Governor, and it was read and ordered to be entered.
Memorandum made by Mr. Weiser ; begun the 5th & continued to the 29th Inst.
" April 5th, 1757. Then an Indian named Nathaniel, formerly a Moravian, arriv'd in Reading with a Message from Mr. Croghan to Teedyuscung, at or on his Way to Easton, in order to invite him to come to the Indians that were then arrived at John Harris' Ferry
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and attend at the ensuing Treaty (as Nathaniel told me). I gave him his Dinner, some Pocket Money, and a guide to Bethlehem.
"28th. Captain William Trent arriv'd, with three Mohock In- dians, to wit : Jonathan, Cayenguilyquo, and his Wife, and David Anuchragechle, in their Way to Bethlehem or Easton, to meet Teedyuscung, and the rest of the Indians with hini to invite them to Lancaster. (So far Cap. Trent). The Indians told me 'that they were sent by Mr. Croghan to Reading for the Purpose before- mentioned, and that they were told Teedyuscung was there.' I told the Indians in the presence of Captain Trent what was first said. The Indians desired me to ask him who said it was to Beth- lehem. Then it was found to be a Fault in the Interpreter. I condoled with Jonathan for the loss of his Son, who dyed in Philadelphia, gave him a String of whole Wampum and his Wife a large Silk Cloth, which he took kindly. I told the Indians that I had receiv'd Orders from the Governor of Pennsylvania to go to Lancaster and take his Brethren the Indians, that came down the River Sasquehannah by the Hand, and bid them wellcome to Penn- sylvania in his Name; And that I intended to have set off To- morrow Morning, if They had not come, (I did not know as yet what they had to say to me.) After a few Minutes Pause, Jona- than told me 'that he was very glad I had such Orders, and did wonder I had them not sooner.' I told them that when I was last in Philadelphia, about a Month ago, the Governor's Secretary told me that the Council thought it necessary I shou'd go with the Gov- ernor's Complements to the Indians at Lancaster, and I then told the Secretary I cou'd not go at these critical Times without the Governor's written Orders, which came to Hand two Nights ago. ' We have now been (said Jonathan) two Months in the Country and not seen our Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania as yet, nor heard hardly any thing of him yet, tho' we have been sent for and invited to come down.' I asked him very modestly, 'who has sent for you ?' He said, 'why don't you know?' Ianswer'd, 'No.' He seem'd to be surprized at this. 'Why,' says he, 'Lewis Montour and others came up to Diahogo and invited the Delawares and Six Na- tions of Indians to come down to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to finish the Treaty of Peace that was begun last Summer, And we came as Deputys from the Mohawks, sent by Waruchyockon (Sir William Johnson) to be present at the Treaty, and so many are come from all the Six Nations (excepting the Senecas who sent none), And we have been promised since we came to Pennsylvania, large Presents of Money and Goods by Mr. C-n.' I told him ' I am very glad you came with the Approbation of Warruchyockon, he is a good and great Man and is trusted by the King of Great Britain with all the Management of Indian Affairs in North America. I wish you had all come to one Place in Pennsylvania and all to- gether. Your Coming to Lancaster, and Teedyuscung with his Company, as I hear, Coming to Easton, two Places so far distant
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from one another: One upon the River Sasquehannah, the other on the River Delaware, will make the Affair of the Treaty very diffi- cult; besides Teedyuscung's so far behind.' Jonathan Answer'd, ' When we came by Diahogo, Teedyuscung was gone up that River, and we cou'd not stay in such a hungry Country as that now is, They have nothing to eat but Walnuts and wild Potatoes, And we heard that he wou'd soon follow us and a great Number of Indians with him, some from a true Love of Peace with their Brethren the English, and some for want of every thing, especially Victuals.' Several things were discours'd of, among others, Jonathan asked me, ' Is it true that you are become a fallen Tree ? That you must no more engage in Indian Affairs, neither as a Counsellor nor Interpreter ? What is the Reason thereof?' I told him it was true. ' That the King of Great Britain had appointed Warruychyockon to be manager of all Indian Affairs, that concern Treaties of Friend- ship, War, &cª. And that accordingly the Great General that came over the Great Waters had, in the Name of the King, ordered the Government of Pennsylvania to desist from holding Treaties with the Indians, and the Government of Pennsylvania will obey the King's Command, and consequently I, as the Government's Servant, have Nothing more to do with Indian Affairs.' 'Ha ! Ha!' was both their Voice at once, as much as if they had said, Oh sad ! After they had both wisper'd together for a while (I gave them Room to do it by going into another Room), Jonathan told me : 'But Olia (Comrade, the Stile we give one another), I heard you have engaged on another Bottom. You are made .a Captain of Warriors, and laid aside the Counsel Affair and turned a Soldier.' I made answer, 'Olia, what You say is true, But let me tell in what Connexion it is true. Hear therefore. When Pennsylvania People feared Nothing from the Indians, and good Will and Treaties of Friendship subsisted between them and our Brethren the Indians, the Delawares and Shawonese invaded our Country all at once, in a barbarous and cruel Manner, killed or led into Captivity all who came before them, spared neither Sex nor Age. My Country then called for my aid (before the Governor of Pennsylvania did), and I raised Men to de- fend Part of the Country, of which the Governor approved, and soon after a great Counsel was called in Philadelphia, at which I attended, and it was agreed that Scarroyady & Echnizera shou'd go up to the Indian Country, to learn the Cause of this Murder and Breach of Friendship, and become Mediators. How they have been received You have been an Eye Witness. You know their Lives were threatened. When, after a fatigueing Journey, they arriv'd in the Mohawks' Country and deliver'd the Letters of the Governor of Pennsylvania to Sir William Johnson. That Gentleman then, or before, had offer'd his Mediation by the Assistance of his Neigh- bours and good Friends the Mohawks. Our two Messengers staid a good while in the Mohawk Country, and came to Philadelphia at last. You came with them, and several other of the Mohawks.
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You remember well what News you brought, and how the Messages of the Six Nations had been answer'd by these our Old Friends and New Enemies, the Indians at Diahogo. The insolent Answer those Indians made, occasioned a Proclamation of War! I remember all the Indians then in Philadelphia had been first consulted, and you gave your Approbation, and you all were present when War was proclaimed. A great many Stout hearted Men then engaged and prepared to go to War against these Indians, and the Gov- ernor and Counsellors of Pennsylvania open'd the Counsel Chest and took out Money to pay for Ammunition, and all that was necessary to carry on the War, to pay their Soldiers. When soon after, all at once, Letters came from the Govern". of New York and Sir William Johnson, to the Governor of Pennsyl- vania, by web. We learned that Sir William Johnson, by his pru- dent Management, and the Assistance of the Mohawks, our good Friends, had at last prevailed on these Indians to come to a Cessa- tion of Arms. The Governor immediately issued his Proclamation and order'd the Soldiers, and others, to be only upon the defensive, & not to go on any Expedition or act offensively on the East side of Sasquehannah. The Governor then sent, immediately, Messengers up the River Sasquehannah, as far as Diahogo, to let the Indians know what was agreed upon by Sir William Johnson & the Chiefs, or some of the Chiefs of the Delawares. What further happen'd you will soon hear. Now, in all these Proceedings, Olia, I have assisted, and never laid aside Civil Affairs. I attended at the Treaties in Easton, last Summer; as a Counsellor in the Affairs of the Treaty, and also with some of the Soldiers under my Command as a Guard to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the Gentlemen Counsellors, and others, who came with him, and to Teedyuscung and all the Indians with him, and conveyed them over the Blue Mountains to Fort Allen, with all their Goods and Provisions, and we parted as Civil Counsellors, and Teedyuscung recommended the Affair of Peace with Tears in his Eyes. So, Olia, Don't charge me with such a thing as that. I take greater Delight in War than in Civil Affairs. I am a man for Peace, and If I had my wish there shod. be no War at all, at least not on this Side the Great Waters.' Jonathan made Answer, 'Olia, I thank you for this Information and for refreshing my Memory. I am entirely satisfied with what you said to be the Truth, and am now able to report the Thing in a clear Light.'"
A Letter from Major Parsons, informing the Governor that the Indians were committing Mischief in the County of Northampton, was receiv'd. The Deposition of One Michael Roup's, setting forth the Facts, was read as follows :
" The Deposition of Michael Roup.
" The 24th Day of April, One thousand seven Hundred and Fifty- Seven, appeared before me, William Parsons, Esquire, One of His
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Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Northampton, Michael Roup, of Lower Smithfield, in the said County, aged 52 Years, a Person to me well known and worthy of Credit, and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, did depose and declare, That his Neighbour, Philip Bozart, being at Fort Nor- ris last Saturday Week, heard a letter read there, which was dispatch'd by Major Parsons to acquaint the Garrison that he had receiv'd Information that some Enemy Indians intended shortly to come and attack the Inhabitants at and about Mini- sink and to desire them to be upon their Guard; which was soon made known to all the Neighboring Inhabitants. And this Deponant further saith, That on Friday Morning last John Lefever, passing by the Houses of Philip Bozart and This De- ponant, informed them, that the Indians had murder'd Casper Gundryman last Wednesday Evening ; Whereupon This Deponant went immediately to the House of Philip Bozart to consult what was best to be done, Their Houses being about half a Mile apart. That they concluded it best for the Neighbors to collect themselves together, as many as They cou'd, in some one House. And this Deponant further saith, that he immediately returned home and loaded his Waggon as fast as he cou'd with his most valuable Ef- fects which he carried to Bozart's house, That as soon as he had un- loaded his Waggon he drove to his Son-in-Law Peter Soan's House, about two Miles, and loaded as much of his Effects as the Time and and hurry wou'd admit, and took them also to Bozart's, where 9 Families were retired ; That a great Number of the Inhabitants were also retired to the Houses of Conrad Bittenbender & John Medowel ; That Bozart's House is 7 Miles from Fort Hamilton, and 12 from Fort Norris. And this Deponant further saith, that yes- terday Morning about 9 o'clock, the said Peter Soan and Christian Klein with his Daughter about 13 Years of age went from Bozart's House to the House of the said Klein and thence to Soan's House to look after their Cattle and to bring off more effects. And this Deponant further saith, That about a half an hour after the above 3 Persons were gone from Bozart's House, a certain George Hartleib, who also fled with his family to Bozart's and who had been at his own House about a Mile from Soan's, to look after his Creatures and to bring away what he cou'd, return'd to Bozart's and reported that he had heard 3 guns fired very quick one after the another towards Soan's Place wch. made them all conclude the above 3 Persons were killed by the Indians. And this Deponant further saith, That their little Company were afraid to venture to go and see what had happened that Day, as they had many Women and Children to take Care of, who if they had left might have fallen an easy Prey to the Enemy. And this Deponant further saith, That this Morning 9 Men of the Neighbourhood armed themselves as well as they cou'd, and went towards Peter Soan's Place, in order to discover what was become of the above 3 Persons. That when
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they came within about 300 yards of the House, they found the Bodies of the said Sloan and Klein lying about 20 Feet from each other killed and scalpt, but did not find Klein's Daughter. Soan was killed by a Bullet which enter'd the upper Part of his Back and came out at his Breast. Klein was killed with their Tomhawks. The 9 Men immediately returned to Bozart's and reported as above. That this Deponant was not one of the 9, but that he remained at Bozart's with the Women and Children. That the rest of the People desired this Deponant to come to Easton and acquaint the Justice with what had happened. That the 9 Men did not think it safe to stay to bury the Dead. And further this Deponant saith not.
"The Mark of
T " MICHAEL ROUP.
" Sworn at Easton, the Day & Year above said Before Me
" W ". PARSONS."
Then was read an Address from the Moravian Brethren at Beth- lehem in these Words :
" May it please your Honour :
" Whereas, some time since when the late Indian Troubles took their Beginning, the Brethren's valuable Settlement on the Mahony together with Eleven human lives were destroyed, and Our People were thereby Losers of at Least £2,000, a Loss which we shall feel while we live. And Whereas, at the same time a Number of In- dians who were then living on our Land at Gnadenhutten, and in a fair way of getting there a competent and comfortable Livelyhood without being burthensome for it either to the Province or to our Neighbours thereabouts, having been preserv'd by Means of the Brethren in their Friendship and Alliance with this Government, were even therefore at the same time forced to fly for their Lives, loose their all, & take their Refuge to the Brethren at Bethlehem destitute of every thing to support Life; And Whereas, your Honour's Predecessors, considering their Circumstances, has told and given it them in Writing that they shou'd be treated friendly and supported in their Necessitous Circumstances by the Province ; Upon the good Faith of which the Brethren in Bethlehem have furnish'd them with Necessaries of Life, and charged the Expences to the Province Account; And Whereas, at sundry Times the Bethlehem have produced their Accounts before the Honourable the Commissioners and had them punctually paid till now, when Mr. Schmalling, one of the Brethren, deliver'd our Account, amount- ing but to a mere Trifle each Day # Head, was refused the Pay- ment. I am, therefore, to represent cur hard Case to your Honour in Behalfe of our much aggrieved Community, and to beg your Honour's favourable Interposition with the Honourable the Com- missioners ; ffor altho' the Indians residing here in Bethlehem on one hand are not inclined to settle again in the Indian Country for
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fear of their Lifes, and on the other cannot resolve to live below Philadelphia for want of hunting Opportunity, which makes a great part of their Livelyhood ; And altho' on that Account the Brethren at Bethlehem have consented to let them settle on a Piece of Ground belonging to us not far from here, We humbly conceive that this is not a sufficient Ground to cut them off from the hitherto usual Al- lowance they have had from this Government as long as they are not yet settled upon that intended Spot, Nor as long as the Govern- . ment maintains so many other Indians who have murdered many of the Inhabitants, enslaved others, and destroyed their Possessions. We theretore hope your Honour will in good Reason think those who have faithfully adhered to this Government entituled to the same beneficial Allowance which such Indians as were Enemies still Enjoy.
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