USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 54
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"I am, with great Regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,
" LOUDOUN.
" The Honde. WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"."
Mr. Mifflin acquainted the Governor that the £45,000 was either expended or appropriated, and that Money wou'd be wanted ; that he had talked seriously with the other Commissioners on this Sub- ject, and they were of Opinion that the Assembly shou'd be called to meet as soon as the Governor shou'd be able to return to Phila- delphia.
The Governor inform'd the Council that he wrote Yesterday a Letter to Colonel Armstrong, giving it as his Opinion, That it
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wou'd be for the publick Service if he wou'd go and visit the Chero- kees, and confer with Captain Pearis, and assist in laying a Plan for those Indians to annoy the Enemy, wherever it cod best be done, but nothing, however, to be executed till communicated to Colon1. Stanwix and me for our Approbation.
At a Council held at Lancaster, on Saturday the 14th of May, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
James Hamilton,
Richard Peters,
Esquires.
William Logan,
Lynford Lardner,
Two Letters from the Secretary of State were read, of the 4th and 19th of February, purporting that "it was his Majesty's Pleasure that the Governor shou'd press the Assembly in the strongest Manner to raise, with the utmost Expedition, as large a Number of Provincial Troops as may be, for the Service of the present Campaign, over and above what they shall judge necessary for the immediate Defence of this Province, and that the Troops so raised 'shou'd act in such Parts as the Earl of Loudoun shall think most conducive to the Service in general."
The Minutes of Yesterday's Conferences were produced by Mr. Croghan, and read, and it was then considered what shou'd be said to the Indians. The Governor expressed himself extremely averse to making any more Invitations either to Teedyuscung or the Senecas or any others; it appeared to him to be drawing on fresh Business, and new Matters which he thought contrary to Lord Loudoun's Letters. Mr. Croghan might do what he pleased as Agent under Sir William Johnson, but he wod not suffer any Message to be sent in the Name of the Government. Mr. Croghan said he did not think it was any new Matter for the Governor to make the Invita- tion as advised by the Indians, or that it wou'd be taken ill by Sir William Johnson, as it was manifestly for the Public Service ; and might, when nothing else cou'd, bring about a Peace with the Indians, and that if the Governor was scrupulous he wou'd give this as his Opinion, under his Hand. The Governor on this desired to know what might be a proper Answer to the Indians. And Mr. Croghan giving the Heads of Answers to the Indian Speeches, which were read Paragraph by Paragraph, it was referred to him and Mr. Weiser to put them into Form, against To-morrow Afternoon.
The Governor and Council took into Consideration what was to be done, on the Information given by Mr. Mifflin that the £45,000 was expended or appropriated; and the Commissioners, to whom the Secretary of State's Letters and Lord Loudoun's were shown,
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gave it as their Opinion, that the Assembly shou'd be called by Summons to provide a further Sum. And all concurring in the same Opinion, the Governor said he wou'd mention it to the Speaker and then issue the writs.
At a Council held at Lancaster, on Sunday the 15th of May, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
James Hamilton, William Logan, Lynford Lardner,
Esquires.
Mr. Croghan produced the Draught of the Speech proposed to be made by the Governor in Answer to the Indians, and it was read and agreed to.
A Message from the Cherokees, with a Letter from Capt". Pearis to Colonel Armstrong of the 13th Instant, enclosing the Examina- tion of some Prisoners, brought by Capt" George Armstrong were read in these Words :
A Letter from Captain Pearis to Colon1. Armstrong of ye 13th Inst.
" FORT LYTTLETON, May 13th, 1757. "Sir :
" Having the Opportunity to acquaint You, that on the 1st of this Instant I came into this Province with a Party of Cherokees, in pursuit of some French Indians that had committed some Mur- ders on Potomack, wch. Enemies I pursued for several Days, but not having the fortune to come up with that Party, fell in with another Party, as I suppose about 20, out of which we killed 4 and took Two Prisoners, which Prisoners I have here now. I intend to- morrow to march to Fort Fredrick, where I expect to meet Governor Sharp, who is to treat with the Cherokees ; I wou'd be very glad to meet you there. It is the desire of the Indians that you wou'd come immediately to consult on some Measures to prevent the cruel Designs of the French and their Indians against our Frontiers ; with taking proper Measures you may have the Assistance of a Number of the Cherokees on the Frontiers of this Province this Summer.
. " When I see you at Fort Fredrick, will put you on a Method, agreable to the Indians and beneficial to this Province. As I ex- pect to see you soon, will omit many things. Captain Hamilton and I have examined the Prisoners, and taken Copys of their Examina- tions, with the Specches of the two Cherokee Warriors; I desire
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to be remembered to all Friends, and add no more, but am, with respect,
"Your very humble Servant, "RICHD. PEARIS.
" To Colonel JOHN ARMSTRONG, in Carlisle."
A Speech from Captain Waughhaughhy, a Chief of the Cherokee Warriors, to the Governor of Pennsylvania.
" A Declaration or Speech of Waughhaughhy, a Captain and one of the Chief Warriors of the Cherokee Nations, who says he came in here to serve his Brothers, and that he came further than he in- tended, and has seen his Brothers wch. he did not know or hear of ; and says all his Young Warriors agree to take up the Hatchet, as well for these Provinces as Carolina and Virginia, and have taken it up and made use of it; and he expects as he has just found this Province and taken up the Hatchet in this Province, that the Gov- ernor will think on them for it; and he Now thinks it long till he sees the Governor or some Person in his Behalf, to make himself acquainted with him. He expects to hold a Council, to consult upon what may be the best Measures to be taken to put a stop to the Enemies Insults on the Inhabitants of this Province. He does not chuse to write or say much at present; But when he meets the Governor or some Agent, then is the Time to speak his Mind, and say further.
his " WAUGHHAUGHY O KEOE. Mark.
" Fort Lyttleton, May ye 12th, 1757."
The Speech of Yaughtanno, a Chief & Warrior of the Cherokee Nation, sent to Governor Denny.
"A Declaration of Yaughtanno, a Chief & Captain of a Tribe of the Cherokees, Who says that last Winter, the Governor of Carolina sent a Letter to their Governor of Chota, Inviting their Warriors to come down to treat with them; On wch. he sent for all his Warriors, to hold a Council with them; and appointed this Yaughtanno, with a great Warrior named Hustannecko, to go to Charles Town to treat with the Governor there; but this Yaugh- tanno determined to go to War, & refused to go to Charles Town; On which he told their Governoor that he wou'd set off for Vir- ginia, where he heard the Enemies were destroying his Brothers, the White People; On which their Governor immediately got up and made a Speech to all the Warriors, telling them that they had VOL. VII .- 34.
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many Invitations from Virginia to come and join them in War against the French and their Indians; And that he had a certain Account that they had provided all suitable Necessaries for them to go to War; And it was now his Desire that they shou'd go and strike the French and all their Indians with the Hatchet their Brothers had provided for 'em.
"The Warriors all agreed to his Request, and on the Return of their great Captain, Hustanecko, from Carolina, appointed to sett off in Four Nights for the Northward with this Warrior, to their Brother's Assistance, and all the Chief part of the Warriors of their Nations. And this Warrior further saith, that he expects by this Time they are in Virginia; And that, as he was sent before them, he took up the Hatchet and has made use of it, & struck the Enemy, and is now on his Return to meet his Brother Warriors, and doubts not but they will also make use of the Hatchet as he has done, for he had found the Enemy's Ground, and wou'd bring them there, and find a Way further to assist their Brothers, the English. ' This Warrior is very desirous to meet his Brothers, the Pennsylvanians, and settle a lasting Friendship, and to know how and when he cou'd best serve them against their Enemies ; And that if they want their Service that they wou'd provide for them what is most suitable for Indian Warriors, as he is informed they are not unacquainted with Necessaries suitable to their sort of People; And hopes they will not forget to return 'em thanks for what Services they have already done.
his "YAUGHTANNO, O of Tillasay. Mark.
"Fort Littleton, May ye 12th, 1757."
" And this Yaughtanno further sayd, after hearing by the follow- ing Examination of the Prisoners, that the French were poor Dogs, and had nothing to support them but rotten Corn and stinking Meat, which was one chief Reason of the Indians wanting to return to the English and strike the French; and that they had refused to furnish them with Necessaries, as they had formerly done, and pro- mised to do when they first struck their Brothers, the English. And upon this Warrior's hearing these Reasons, he desired that none of the English Governors wou'd make Peace with them untill they had full Satisfaction for the Blood they had spilt of their Brothers the English; & sd. While the French furnished their Indians with Cloaths and Victuals they continued their Friends & our Enemies, but now they had stopt furnishing them with ye Necessarys they formerly had supplied them with, they offered us their Friendship; Which Friendship, he says, he does not understand, and desires it may not be depended on.
his " YAUGHTANNO, M of Tillaso," mark.
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The Examination of two Indian Prisoners taken and brought to Fort Lyttleton by the Cherokees.
" FORT LYTTLETON, May the 12th, 1757.
" A Relation of two Prisoners examined seperately, Taken by Captain Parris from Virginia, and Lieutenant Shelby from Fort Frederick, with about Sixty Cherokee. Indian Warriors, at the Head of Denning's Creek, near Ray's Town. One of 'em, named Wauntaupenny, declares and saith, That he left the French Fort about the 22nd of April last ; That there was then in the said Fort about One Hundred French and Forty Indians; That there were about Eighty Delawares at the Mouth of Beaver Creek, One Hun- dred at Kushkushkung, One Hundred at Shenango, and about Ten at Venango.
" After he was enquired of the Reason of their People, the Shawonese & Delawares, striking the English, he answer'd, by Reason of their People's being taken and imprisoned by the white People in Carolina ; And said that the Delawares say that all their People wou'd lay down the Hatchet upon a Flag of Truce from the English ; and that the Delaware Council is wholly for the De- molishing of the French Fort; And said Prisoner understanding that by his telling the Truth, he shou'd have an Opportunity to inform his People that the English he believed wou'd receive them ; And that the Indians were prejudiced against the French, and wou'd not receive any more Goods of them ; All of them being enraged that so many of the Indians were killed, and so few of the French ; And further says that about 80 Delawares and Shawonese were gone to the Inhabitants in Company with King Shingas to destroy the Inhabitants.
" The other Prisoner, named Succomabe, a Chickasaw, who was taken Prisoner by the Penkesaws when he was about 15 Years of Age, and left them about 3 Years ago, and then went to the Shawo- nese, who were not then at War; but declares that some time after he came to them, they concluded on a War, & the Reason whereof was, Some of the Shawonese were taken in Carolina and put in Prison. And further declares that he with about 170 Warriors left said French Fort about Twenty days ago; and that then there were about 140 or 150 French at the Fort; and that One Hundred of the said Indians went back by reason of their not agreeing in their Minds, and 70 proceeded on their Journey, and divided, Fif- teen for Pennsylvania, and the rest to Fort Cumberland, and Fort Frederick ; not to attack the Forts, but to destroy and kill the In- habitants, and stragling People ; and that the Fifteen for Pennsylva- mia intended to Strike near Connegoguinam, about George Croghan's Seat, but being met as before, were prevented ; and that when he left the French Fort there was as before sd-, 140 or 150 French, but they expected 500 long haired Indians there soon, which are called the Con-
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nawago roons. The French made a Speech to the Indians before they came away, and made them a Present of a Cagg of Powder, with a Belt of Wampum, and advised the Indians to fight strong, and kill their Brothers, the English, and that wou'd save their Land for their Children. And further says, the Shawonese intended to kill what English they cou'd this Summer, and then they wou'd fall upon the French, as judging both Partys were joining to take their Land. And that be saw the French Stores, and that their Corn was dam- aged, and their Meat stunk; and that they were allowed a double handfull a day. That the Fort was very strong ; that there were 17 great Guns; that it is situated about 40 Yards from the Ohio, and that they can go under Ground, out of the Fort, for Water to the River ; that there is a large Hill opposite the Fort, on the South side of Monongahela. And further sayeth, he understood there wou'd be a great Number of Indians next full Moon, to destroy the Inhabitants and stragling People about the out Forts. But the In- dians aforesaid met, with Captain Pearis and Lieutenant Shelby, with the afsd. Cherokees, who killed Four Warriors, One a great Warrior of the Delawares, named Leosonhammer, another of the Shawonese, named Leonghqua, a Captain of a Company, and brought in the Prisoners, who gave this Account."
The Governor desired Mr. Croghan to give his Sentiments in Writing on the said Intelligence and Messages, which he did in these words, vizt:
" MAY the 15th, 1757.
" May it Please your Honour :
" I have perused the Papers put into my Hands by you, which were sent down by the Chiefs of the Cherokee Warriors. As the Speeches have been taken down by some Person unacquainted with Indians and their Customs, I look upon the Substance of them to be this :- That at their first setting [coming] out, they did not in- tend to come any further Northward than Virginia, but finding the Enemy had attacked these Frontiers, and killed some of the Inhabi- tants, they then came to the Assistance of this Province, as they looked upon the People of this Province, Carolina & Virginia, as one People, and as Subjects of the same King. That they had taken up the Hatchet, put into their Hands by the Governor of Vir- ginia, in defence of this Province ; and that they had struck a party of the Enemy with it, which they met near Ray's Town, killed ffour and took two Prisoners. As they were unacquainted with the People of this Province, having never before been here, or held any Treaties with 'em, they expected this Government wou'd acknow- ledge the Services they had done ; And as they were but ill fitted out for War, and this Government well acquainted with Indians, and know what is necessary for their Warriors, they have taken this Opportunity to offer their Services to this Government, and hope that your Honour will accept of their offer, and come, or send some
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Deputy to meet them and fit them out, in order to proceed against our common Enemy, the French and their Indians, as they imagine they can be of Service in defending the Frontiers of this Govern- ment. And it is my Opinion that this Government shou'd accept of their Offer, and fit them out agreable to their own Request.
" I am, your Honour's
" Most obedient humble Servant,
" GEO. CROGHAN.
" To the Honble. WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"-, Governor of Pennsyl- vania."
At a Conference with the Indians held in the Courthouse att Lancaster, On Monday the 16th of May, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Colonel John Stanwix.
The Council.
The Committee of Assembly.
The Magistrates of the Borough, with a Number of other Gen- tlemen.
'The same Indians.
William Prentup, Interpreter for the Crown.
Conrad Weiser, Esqr., " for the Province.
Little Abraham,?
Thomas King, Speakers for the Indians.
The Governor spoke as follows, viz. :
" Brethren of the united Nations : 2
" I have duly considered what you were so kind to say to me the other Day in Answer to my Speech to you, and I return you my hearty Thanks for your Information and Advice as to what you judge proper to be done for the Restoration of Peace between Us and your Cousens, the Delawares, and Brethren, the Shawanese. .
"We look upon your informing Us of that close Connection at present subsisting between your Cousens and the Seneca Nations, of which we were till now ignorant, as the greatest Mark of your Regard and Esteem for Us.
" Brothers :
" Your Advice is good and wholesome, and I shall, in Pursuance of it, send an Invitation to Teedyuscung to come down, and leave it entirely to his Choice to bring with him such and so many of his Uncles and others his Friends as he thinks proper, and will then
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cautiously and carefully pursue your Advice in treating with them. In the meantime, if, on your Return, you shou'd meet with Teedy- uscung, I desire you will let him know what has been done between us at this Meeting, and advise him of the Continuance of the good Disposition of the People of this Province towards him and his People, and that we are ready to fulfill the Engagements we entered into with him at Easton, and shall be glad to see him & his Friends as soon as they can conveniently come."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
Little Abraham then stood up, with the Belt delivered him by the Governor in his Hand, and repeated over the Speech made them on it; then addressing himself to the Governor, he spoke as follows :
" Brother Onas :
" We return you Thanks for accepting of our Advice; and we make no Doubt, if you pursue the Measures we have recommended but that your Endeavours will be crowned with Success. We have come a great Journey, in order to see the Differences subsisting be- tween you and our Cousins, amicably settled; and cou'd wish they had met us here at this Time. On our Return, we assure you we will recommend it to our Nephews and Brothers, in the strongest Manner we can, to come down and meet you, in Order to have all Differences subsisting between you finally settled, in an amicable Manner."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
At a Council held at Lancaster, On Tuesday the 17th of May, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
James Hamilton, William Logan, Esquires. Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner,
The Honble. Colonel Stanwix.
George Croghan & Conrad Weiser, S Esquires.
Mr. Croghan's Letter to the Governor of the 15th Instant, was considered ; and a Letter sent to the Commissioners by his Honour, wherein he told them, " That He thought it Necessary that Pre- sents should be made to the Cherokees, to consist of such Articles as Mr. Croghan might think those Warriors stood most in Need of, particularly Arms, those they were provided with being very bad ; And that Captain George Armstrong shou'd be sent forthwith to them, with the Thanks of the Government for their Services and
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Tender of Assistance, with Intimations of the Presents now pro- viding for them, and assurances of all the Encouragement in Our Power ; And that if they wou'd appoint a Person to go up with the Presents, Mr. Croghan was so good as to say he wou'd attend to distribute them." And on the Commissioners consenting to send the Presents, the following Instructions were given to Captain George Armstrong :
Instructions to Captain George Armstrong. "LANCASTER, May the 17th, 1757.
"Sir:
" You are with all Expedition possible, to hasten to Fort Frede- rick, where I expect the Cherokees are waiting for my Answer to their Message. Acquaint them that I have received their kind Proposals from Fort Lyttleton, for which, I return them my hearty Thanks.
" Give a String of Wampum.
" Make them my Acknowledgements for the Services they have done ; and for the Tender of their Assistance, which is thankfully accepted.
" Acquaint them that Presents are providing for them, which, On their return from Winchester, where I understand they are going, will be delivered by Mr. Croghan, the Deputy of Sir Wil- liam Johnson, the King's Agent for Indian Affairs, who will wait upon them at Fort Loudoun, within this Province, at the Time they shall please to appoint, and the sooner the better.
" Assure them of the Friendship and Esteem of this Government and of all the Encouragement in Our Power.
" Give a Belt of Wampum.
" Make my Complements to Captain Paris, to whom I think myself particularly obliged On this Occasion ; And I shall be glad to Testify the Sense I have of his Services. He will be pleas'd to assist you in the Delivery of this Message conformable to Indian Usage and Ceremonies.
"WILLIAM DENNY."
It was agreed that the Assembly shou'd be summon'd to meet on the Thirtieth Instant.
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At a Conference with the Indians, held in the Court House at Lancaster, On Tuesday the 17th May, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
The Council.
The Committee of the Assembly.
Colonel John Stanwix.
The Magistrates of the Borough, with a Number of other Gen- tlemen.
The same Indians.
| William Prentup, Interpreter for the Crown.
Conrad Weiser, Esqr., Interpreter for the Province.
Little Abraham,
Thomas King, Speakers for the Indians.
After the Minutes of the Treaty were read, and the Indians acquainted by the Interpreter what had' been doing, the Governor spoke as follows:
"Brethren of the 6 United Nations :
" I desire to be inform'd if you have any Complaints against this Province with regard to purchases of Land, or for any other Cause whatsoever. In expectation that you wou'd freely open your Hearts to Me on these Heads, I give you this Belt."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
Mr. Croghan then acquainted the Indians by the Interpreter that he was going to speak in behalf of the Honble. Sir William Johnson, Baronet, his Majesty's sole Agent and Superintendent of the Affairs of the Six Nations, and their Allies and Dependents, and desired 'em to consider his Words as if spoken by Sir William :
"Sachems & Warriors of the 6 united Nations, our Friends & Brethren :
" When Teedyuscung, at the Treaty held at Easton, complained that the Indians had been defrauded of some of their Lands, this Government agreed to meet him upon his own Appointment this Spring, to which Meeting you were invited, that You might see and hear every thing to be then transacted wth. your Nephews, the Dela- wares, and Brothers, the Shawonese. You are now here on that Invitation, and are Witnesses how ready this Government is to re- dress any Injuries or Injustice done to the Indians whenever they can make that appear, and that they, your Brethren of Pennsylvania, are now attending for that Purpose, and you must be convinced,
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from their Conduct towards you, that they are not come empty- handed."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" His Majesty's Subjects that have settled this and the Neigh- bouring Provinces by Law are not allowed to buy any of your Lands, and accordingly they have never done it; And if those who only have a Right from the Crown to purchase your Lands have done you any Injustice, or injured the Indians on this Account, the Governor of this Province with a Number of the Chief Men of this Government are here, and appear hearty and willing to make Satisfaction ; but if they or the People of these Provinces shou'd refuse doing you Justice when you make it appear that you are injured, I will then carefully represent your Case to the King of England, my.master, and y". Father, in order to procure you ample and immediate Satisfaction."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" As Deputies from most of the Tribes of the Six Nations are now here who may not be present when Teedyuscung comes down, and as I am ordered and required by the Honourable Sir William Johnson, Baronet, His Majesty's Chief Agent and Superintendant of the Affairs of the Six Nations, their Allies and Dependants, to enquire into and hear the Complaints made by the Indians, and if justly grounded, to use my utmost Endeavours to get them redressed, I do insist upon it that you open your Hearts to me without Reserve, and inform me of every thing you know concerning Frauds complain'd of by Teedyuscung, or any other Injuries or Injustice done to you or any of the Tribes of the Six Nations, or other Indians in Alliance with His Majesty King George in this or the Neighbouring Colo- nies, that I may be thereby enabled to represent the true State of your Grievances to his Majesty.
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