USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 67
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The Council, on further considering Teedyuscung's Demand of a Clerk, thought it proper to send a Copy of the Commissioners' Paper to Mr. Croghan with the following Letter :
"EASTON, 23rd July, 1757.
" Sir :
"This day four of the Provincial Commissioners waited on me, attending Teedyuscung and several other Indian Chiefs, and after demanding a Conference on their behalf, presented to me a Remon- strance of a very extraordinary Nature, a Copy of which I now en- close you; it is a great Surprise to me that Teedyuscung, after receiving my answer last night, in your Presence, to his request of having a Clerk of his own, and expressing himself perfectly satisfied with the Reasons I then gave for my not inclining to comply with a Demand so new and unprecedented, should suddenly change his
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
mind, and with so much warmth and Displeasure renew his Appli- cation to the same Purpose. However, as you are appointed Deputy to Sir William Johnson, and his Majesty's Honour and the Interest of his Subjects are greatly concerned in this matter, I desire you will again take their Demand into your most serious Consideration, and let me know what part you incline to act upon the Occasion.
" I am, Sir, Your humble Servant,
"WILLIAM DENNY. " To GEORGE CROGHAN, Esq"."
The Draught of a Letter to the Commissioners was prepared and read, but it was thought not adviseable to send it before receiving Mr. Croghan's Answer, and coming to a Resolution as to Teedyus- cung's peremptory Demand.
-
P. M.
Present, as in the Forenoon, except Mr. Logan.
Mr. Uroghan finding the Governor, with all the Members of the Council except Mr. Logan, walking before his Door, acquainting them that he had received a Speech from Teedyuscung, which regarded the Government and required Despatch, and therefore desired the Council might meet. On their Meeting, he informed the Governor that he had endeavoured to reason with Teedyuscung on his unprecedented Demand, and insisted upon his having had this put into his Head by the White People, which he denied, but being further pressed on this point, Mr. Croghan discovered plainly by his Behaviour and the manner of his Expressions that it was so. However, Teedyuscung broke off the Discourse very abruptly, and pulling out a large String, delivered it to him with a peremptory Declaration, that he would either have a Clerk, or desist treating, and leave the Town, of which he requested him to inform the Gov- ernor, and urged that the Governor's Answer should be given him to-night, and if favourable, the Treaty might begin to-Morrow, tho' Sunday, if the Governor had no objection.
Mr. Croghan said, that a good deal passed between them on this Occasion which should all be fully put down in his Minutes, whence it would appear that some or other of his Majesty's Subjects concerned themselves with the Indians, and gave them advice as to the man- agement in this Treaty.
Mr. Croghan added that he would give the Governor an An- swer to his Letter, enclosing the Commissioners' Remonstrance, as soon as he had conferred with other Chiefs of the Indians, which would be to-night or early in the morning.
Mr. Peters laid before the Council the Proprietary Letters and Instructions on the Deleware Indians' Complaints, which were read ;
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and Mr. Peters declared that under the Proprietary Instructions he could not proceed to treat with the Delewares on the Behalf of the Proprietaries. The Matter was deliberated upon, and it growing late deferred to a further Consideration.
At a Council held at Easton, on Sunday the 24th of July, 1757. PRESENT :
The Honourable the Governor.
James Hamilton, William Logan, 2 Esquires.
Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew, John Mifflin,
The Governor having this morning received a Letter from Mr. Croghan in answer to his of Yesterday, the same was read in these Words :
" EASTON, 24th July, 1757.
" Sir :
" Last night, as soon as I received your Honour's Letter, with a Copy of a Remonstrance from the Commissioners, I sent for Teedy- uscung, who brought with him his Interpreter and four more In- dian Chiefs. I desired his Interpreter to let him know that I wanted to have some Conversation with him on Account of the Application he made your Honour to have a Clerk, on which he immediately pulled out the enclosed String of Wampum and peremptorily told me your Honour had but two Choices, either to grant his Request or not; for he was determined to have a Clerk, and one of his own chosing ; so laid down the Wampum.
" I had a good deal of Conversation with him after this. Thro' the whole Course of our Conversation I found he had been put on making this Request by some of his Majesty's Subjects, which Conversation will appear on my Journal. As it appears to me that some of the People of this Government has insinuated or impressed into his mind, that he should not place any Confidence in those appointed by the Crown to transact this important Affair at this critical Juncture, I can't tell what Consequences may attend your Honour's refusing him one to remove any Suspicions he may have of the Government, as he says if he is not allowed a Clerk that he will not transact any Business. On the other Hand, if he is, he says he is willing to settle all Differences subsisting amicably, and on a lasting Foundation, and when that is done he will use his Influence with the Western Nation, who, he says, are now looking with their Eyes stedfast on him to see how he will succeed in order to conduct themselves for the future.
"I am truly sensible that his Majesty's Honour and the peace of his Majesty's Subjects in this and the Neighbouring Colonies de-
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pend much on the Mode to be used at this Time in making peace with them, and am surprized to find any of his Majesty's Subjects should attempt to wrest that Prerogative out of the Hands of the Crown on pretence that Teedyuscung, as yet one of his Majesty's Enemies, desired them to Interest themselves in it-An Instance perhaps never before known in any of his Majesty's Dominions; but from the defenceless state of this and the Neighbouring Pro- vinces, I am of Opinion your Honour will be under a Necessity of granting him his Request, for the good of his Majesty's Service, to remove all Jealousies from his Mind, and prevent the fatal Conse- quences that may attend his being refused. If Your Honour thinks it for the good of his Majesty's Interest to grant his Request, as he says it is the only thing he wants in order to proceed on Business, I hope you will take every step in your Power that this Treaty may be carried on with the greatest Decency, and without any Interrup- tion from any of his Majesty's Subjects in your Government.
"I am, with the greatest Esteem and Regard, " Your Honour's most Obedient humble Servant,
"GEORGE CROGHAN."
Answer to the Remonstrance presented to the Governor by the Prov1. Commissioners was considered, and the following Draught was agreed on, and delivered them :
"EASTON, July 24th, 1757.
" Gentlemen :
" I have considered the Remonstrance you presented to me, Yes- terday, on Behalf of Teedyuscung, relating to the Mode of manage- ing the present Treaty, and his Request of appointing his own Clerk, and must confess that your Conduct on this Occasion appears to me very extraordinary. As Commission's, I conceive you are only empowered by the late Act granting £100,000 to his Ma- jesty's use, to dispose of and appropriate that money (with my Approbation) to the several Purposes directed by the Act; but that you cannot, under that or any other Law, derive to yourselves the least Right to interpose in the present Treaty, or act as Mediators, or otherwise, in any case between me and the Indians. The Right and power of making Peace and War, as well as the modes to be observed in conducting Treaties, have ever been allowed to be the undoubted Prerogatives of the Crown, and can only be executed by the King, or his Ministers acting under his Commission. His Majesty's Honour, and the Duty of my Station, therefore, Oblige me to acquaint you, that your presuming on this Occasion, either as Commissioners or private Subjects, to receive any Complaint or Application from the Indians, and taking upon you to Remonstrate in their Behalf to me, is illegal, unconstitutional, introductive of the greatest Confusions and Mischiefs, and the highest Invasion of
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the just Rights of the Crown; which I will always (as it is my indispensable Duty) endeavour to support and maintain. By what means Teedyuscung came to apply, in the first Instance, and de- manded that he might appoint a Clerk to take down the Minutes of the Treaty, at a time when both he and you knew I was in Town, and had been in Conference with him, I am at a Loss to determine ; nor is it less surprizing to me, that you should under- take to give him your Opinion of the matter [as you acknowledged you did ], and pronounce his Demand so very reasonable and just, before he had advised with me upon it. As it is well known, Teedyuscung, upon all Occasions, had met with a free and open Access to me, and ever found me both ready and willing to hear anything he had to propose, an Application from you, or any other of his Majesty's Subjects, on behalf of the Indians appeare the more extraordinary.
"I am most sincerely disposed to use all the Measures in my Power to bring this Treaty to an happy issue, and to establish a firm and lasting Peace with the Indians; but am resolutely deter- mined not to suffer the Rights of the Crown to be invaded. I, therefore, enjoin you, as I shall all others, in the strictest manner, that you do not, either mediately or immediately, under any pre- tence whatsoever, interpose in the Course of this Treaty between me, Mr. Croghan, the King's Deputy Agent, and the Indians; nor carry on the least Intercourse with them on Matters of a Publick Concern, as you will Answer the Contrary to his Majesty at your Peril.
"WILLIAM DENNY.
" To Mess". Jos. Fox, JOHN HUGHES, WILLIAM MASTERS, & Jos. GALLOWAY, four of the Provincial Commissioners." .
After some Consultation on Teedyuscung's second Demand, an answer was prepared and agreed to.
It was proposed to deliver it this afternoon, in order to save Time that the Publick Conferences might begin early in the morning, but on enquiry the Indian Chiefs were much in Liquor, for which reason it was defer'd till the Morning.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held a Easton, Monday, 25th day of July, 1757. PRÉSENT :
The Honourable the Governor.
James Hamilton,
William Logan,
Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner,
Esquires.
Benjamin Chew, John Mifflin,
Conrad Weiser Esquire,
Teedyuscung,
Moses Tattamy,
Three other Jersey Indians,
John Pumpshire, Interpreter.
The Governor spoke to Teedyuscung in the following manner, viz": " Brother :
"I have considered the Second Application you made to me Yesterday, that you might appoint a Clerk of your own to take down the Minutes of our Proceedings at the Present Treaty.
" Brother :
" I have always taken a particular Pleasure in seeing you, and / been ready on all occasions, to hear anything you had to say, or propose to me; and treated you with that Respect and Friendship due from one Brother to another.
".Brother :
When you first applied to me for a Clerk, I received you kindly as I shall always continue to do ; and after I had considered your Request, I gave you my Answer why I could not think myself at Liberty to comply with it, and informed you of the method that had been agreed upon by Mr. Croghan, the King's Deputy Agent, and Your Uncles at Lancaster, in May last, in taking Minutes at Indian Treaties, and it appeared to me at that Time, that my Rea- sons gave you Satisfaction.
" Brother :
" If on reconsidering the matter you were dissatisfied, you should have come to me as you used to do, and have spoken your mind freely, and you would have found my Arms open to receive you, and my Ears to hear you, and not have applied to any other Persons for their Mediation with me.
" Brother :
" I told you before, and I again inform you, that no one has any Right to Treat with you, or transact any Business with you in this Province, but myself and Mr. Croghan, the King's Deputy Agent. I hope you will remember this.
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" Brother :
" No Indian Chief, before you, ever demanded to have a Clerk, and none has ever been appointed for Indians in former Treaties. Nay, I have not even nominated one on the Part of this Province, there- fore, I cannot help declaring it against my Judgement.
"Brother :
"I am afraid, by your showing so little Confidence in me and the King's Deputy Agent, that you have hearkened to idle Stories or the Singing of Birds, tho' you advised me against it ; however, to give you fresh Proof of my Friendship and Regard, if you insist upon having a Clerk, I shall no longer oppose it."
A Belt.
Teedyuscung immediately answered that he thanked the Gov" ernor for what he had said to him, and the Favour he did him in not opposing his Request; that if had committed any mistake, or given Offence to the Governor in what had been done, he was very sorry for it, and it must be imputed to his Ignorance ; that he desired what was past might be done away and forgotten; and we might look on one another with Chearfulness, and proceed with all our Power, in the great work of Peace in which we are engaged.
A string.
To which the Governor replied in these Words :
" Brother Teedyuscung :
" What you said last proceeds from an honest Heart. I over- look your Weakness. You may depend on the Kindness of me and my Council. No uneasiness remains with now ; I shall always be glad to see you and your Interpreter, and discourse with you like loving Brethren on any matter, be it what it will, that you have to say."
A large String.
The Governor and Council apprehending that application would be made to him in Publick by some of his Majesty's Subjects to be permitted to act as Clerk for Teedyuscung, which the Governor could not grant, it being out of his Power to absolve an English Subject from his Allegiance to his Majesty an Answer was drawn up to be made by the Governor to such Application in the fol- lowing words :
" In my Conferences with Teedyuscung, I have let him know that tho' his Demand to appoint a Clerk of his own was entirely unprecedented and against my Judgement, yet as he so warmly in- sisted on it, I should no longer oppose it, but leave him to act as he pleased ; if, therefore, you, or any other of his Majesty's Sub- jects think themselves at Liberty to act in that capacity, they may use their pleasure."
The Governor having been informed that the Provincial Com-
.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
missioners had brought up to this place a Quantity of Goods to disposed of in Presents to the Indians, thought proper to demand of them a List of such Goods, whereupon the following Letter was prepared and delivered them :
" Gentlemen :
" I expected you wou'd before now have furnished me with a List of the Goods provided for the Indian Presents, but as this has not been done, I desire you will sent it me this Afternoon that I may know how to conduct myself.
" I am, Gentlemen, Your most humble Servant, "WILLIAM DENNY.
" Easton, July 25th, 1757."
Then the Publick Treaty began, and it was settled that the Minutes should be taken by Mr. Trent, and read and compared every day in Council, and that a Copy of the whole should be de- livered to the Governor at the end of the Treaty.
MEMORANDUM.
As soon as the Governor and Council and Indians had taken their seats, Teedyuscung, by his Interpreter, John Pumpshire, called for Charles Thompson, Master of the Publick Quaker School in the City of Philadelphia ; placed him by Mr. Trent at the Table, and said he had chosen him for his Clerk ; Whereupon he sat down and began to take Minutes, without asking Permission of the Governor, who took no further notice of it.
At a meeting with Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares living on Sasquahannah, who is impowered by the ten following Nations, viz“ : Lenopi, Wename, Munsey, Mawhickon, Tiawco, or Nanti- cokes, and the Senecas, Onondagoes, Cayugas, Oneidoes and Mo- hawks, to settle all Differences subsisting between them and their Brethren, the English; and George Groghan, Esquire, Deputy Agent of the Honourable Sir William Johnson, Baronet, His Ma- jesty's Sole Agent and Superintendent of the Affairs of the Six Nations, their Allies and Dependents, at Easton, the 25th day of July, 1757.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- ernor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware.
James Hamilton, Lynford Lardner, Esquires, Members
William Logan, . Benjamin Chew,'
of the Governor's
Richard Peters, John Mifflin, S Council.
Isaac Norris, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Assembly.
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MINUTES OF THE
Daniel Roberdeau, Esquire, Member of the Assembly.
William Masters, John Hughes, Joseph Fox,
Esquires, Provincial Commssioners.
Joseph Galloway,
A number of Gentlemen of the City of Philadelphia, and others Inhabitants of this Province.
Captain Thomas McKee, Interpreter for the Crown.
Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Interpreter for the Province.
Mr. John Pumpshire, Interpreter for 'Teedyuscung.
Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares, attended by several Chiefs and Deputies of the Ten Nations he represents.
[The number of the Indians here at present is about Three hun- dred, Men, Women & Children.]
Teedyuscung sent his Interpreter to call Mr. Charles Thompson to the Table, whom he had appointed his Clerk, to take down the Minutes of this Treaty.
The Governor opened the Conference, directing his Discourse to Teedyuscung, and spoke as follows :
" Brother :
"I am very glad to meet you once more with your People, and some of your Uncles the Six Nations, according to your Agreement with me at this place in November last; The number of Indians you have brought down with you on this Occasion, and the pains you have taken to carry the news of our good dispositions for Peace to so great a Distance, confirms the good Opinion we have always had of you, and shews the Sincerity of the Professions you have made of your earnest Desire to restore the Friendship and Brotherly Love that always subsisted between us and the Indians, till your foolish Young Men were seduced by the evil Spirits and turned against us.
" Brother Teedyuscung, and Brethren of the Ten united Nations :
" We are met together to finish, by the Assistance of the Al- mighty, the great Work of Peace, and to make a new Chain of Friendship so bright that it shall never rust, and so strong that it shall never be in the Power of wicked Spirits to break it, that we may always hereafter be as one Man, with but one Heart and one Head; I invite you to join heartily and sincerely with me herein by this Belt.
Give a Belt.
" Brother:
" You may remember that when we were here last fall, I asked you what was the cause of the Breach between our Brethren the Delewares and us; whether we, the People of Pennsylvania, had
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
done you any Injury, and desired you would open your Hearts, and tell me your mind freely ; In answer to this you told me that your foolish and ignorant Young Men, when they saw the Proceedings of our Enemy, the French King, and believed the Things that were told them, were persuaded by this false hearted King to strike your Brethren the English, and that the cause why the Blow came the harder on us was, that the Proprietaries had defrauded you of some of your Land, and that you had been treated in the same manner in the Jerseys, but that this was not the principal Cause of your striking us; I was willing to inquire into the Truth of this Charge at that time, but you declined it because few of the Indians then present originally owned the Lands, but said that you would endeavour to bring as many of them down as you could find to the next Meeting. " Brother :
" According to the Promise I made you at our last Treaty, I laid all our Proceedings before Sir William Johnson, who, you have been often told, is appointed by our Great King his Sole Agent for In- dian Affairs in this District, to take Care of them as a Father, that no one may wrong them. Sir William Johnson has since deputed your and our Friend, Mr. George Croghan, who is well acquainted with your Affairs and Language, to act in his Behalf, to attend this Treaty, and enquire into every Grievance you may have suffered, either from your Brethren of Pennsylvania or the neighbouring Provinces."
Gave a String.
" Brother :
"I took care, also, to send Copies of our several Treaties with you to England, where they were laid before the King's Ministers who, being desirous that Justice should be done you, ordered that Sir William Johnson should enquire into the Foundation of your charge against this Province, in order that you may receive Satis- faction, in case any Injury has been done you.
"Brother :
"I have freely opened my heart to you, and am ready, with Mr. Croghan, his Majesty's Deputy Agent, whenever you think proper, to hear any thing you may have to say to us about the Grievances you may think you labour under from this Province." .
Gave a String.
When the Governor had ended his Speech, I spoke as follows : "Brother Teedyuscung, and you my Brethren, the Sachems and Warriors of the Ten Nations you represent at this Meeting:
" You have been informed by your Brother Onas that the King of Great Brittain, your Father, has appointed Sir William Johnson, Baronet, to be his Majesty's Chief Agent and Superintendent of the Affairs of the Six Nations, their Allies and Dependents in this Dis-
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trict of America, and he has appointed me his Deputy, and ordered me to attend this Meeting, and hear any Complaints you have to make against your Brother Onas in respect to his defrauding you of the Lands mentioned in the Conference you held with this Gov- ernment last fall, in this Town, or any other Injuries you have received from his Majesty's Subjects in this District. I am now ready to hear what you have to say ; and I assure you, in the name of Sir William Johnson, I will do every thing in my Power to have all Differences amicably adjusted to your Satisfaction, agreable to his orders and Instructions to me."
Gave a Belt.
When I had delivered my Speech, the Governor told Teedyus- cung that we had done for the present, and whenever he was ready to give an answer we should be ready to hear him. Then Teedyus- cung replied that he had something to say now, and addressing him- self to the Governor and me, he spoke as follows : " Brethren :
"I will let you know in a few words.what my desire is. I kindly receive your Words this Day. They are true, and make my Heart glad. By this Belt (holding up a Belt) I let you know I will speak to-morrow. I think it proper to speak my mind with openness; I think it my Duty to remember the Conduct of my foolish Young Men. I see a great deal of Mischief done. I will first begin by cleaning up the Blood that has been shed, and removing the dead Bodies out of the way ; After that I will make known my Grievances. I remember what Sir William Johnson said to me by the messen- gers sent to me. I sent back to him by the same Messengers, and desired him, as he was a Wiser Man than I, and of greater Abilities, that he would be strong and lend his Assistance to cure this Wound."
Gave a Belt.
When Teedyuscung had ended his Speech, he told the Governor he thought he should be ready to speak to-morrow morning at eight o'Clock; and that time was accordingly appointed for the next Meeting.
At a Meeting in Easton, Tuesday, July 26, 1757, A. M.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Governor, &ca. The Council.
The same Members of Assembly.
The Provincial Commissioners.
A number of Gentlemen from the City of Philadelphia, and others of the Inhabitants of the Province.
The same Indians.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Captain Thomas McKee, Interpreter for the Crown. Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Interpreter for the Province. Mr. John Pumpshire, Interpreter for Teedyuscung.
" I desire the Favour of Mr. Jacob Duche to assist Mr. Trent in taking down the Minutes."
Teedyuscung spoke to the Governor and myself, desiring us to give attention; then directing his Speech to the King of Great Brittain and all his Subjects, spoke as follows :
" Brother :
" You remember that you sent to me to come down to you, and in- vited nie to bring down with me as many of the Ten Nations as I could, by reason of the Difficulty of the Times. You then said to me, ' Brother, you are weak, I am strong; If you come down, I will put away all the Difference and Uneasyness that has happened, and will make a lasting Peace.' Now as I have brought some from each of the Ten Nations with me, I would have you remember your Promise, & exert your Power. Also, remember our Women and Children, that it may be well hereafter. Also, as you must remember the Blood that has been shed, and the Dead Bodies that lie Scattered up and down, I would have you join with me to remove these out Of the way, that we may see one another Face to Face ; and after this, we will proceed to other Business.
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