USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VII > Part 9
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Four Strings of Wampum given by the 6 Nations, in Return to four Strings given by Scarroyady, with the usual Addresses of sweeping the Council Chamber, in wiping away the Blood spilt in it.
Five Belts in return for five Belts given by Scarroyady, with the Compliments of Condolence, for the Loss of their Warriors in the Action at Lake George ; the largest from the Mohawks, next largest from the Oneidas, next biggest from the Onondagos, next from the Cayugas, and the other from the Nanticokes; they re- turned Thanks for the Speeches, and were glad the Government of Pennsylvania remembered and observed the Customs and Usage of the Six Nations on these Occasions, and referred to the Minutes. of the Treaty.
Nine Strings given by the Six Nations, in return for Scarroya- dy's Strings, expressing his Joy to see the Six United Nations in Council.
Four Strings with the Answer of the Delawares and Munses that lived at Diahoga, and the heads of the Sasquehannah, of which they were ten Present.
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MINUTES OF THE
At a Council held in the Council Chamber, Saturday 3d April, 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire,
Lieutenant Governor.
James Hamilton,
Richard Peters,
William Till,
Robert Strettle,
William Logan,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Esquires.
Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwalader,
John Mifflin,
The Commissioners.
1 The Indians.
Daniel Clause, Interpreter.
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
On Monday last some necessary Business called the Governor into Jersey, and he returned yesterday morning. Since the last Council, several of the Indians were seized with a Peripneu- mony, and Doctor Groeme and Doctor Cadwalader were desired to attend them ; Moses the Mohock, was in particular seized in a most violent manner on Sunday, and dyed on Monday morning. Three Members of Council made the usual Condolences to Scarro- yady and the other Indians ; gave Ten Strouds, Ten Shirts, and a Piece of Handkerchiefs to cover his Grave ; and as he was a War- rior, he was buried in an handsome Manner, and with military Honours, the Council, the Commissioners, the Officers of the Militia, and the principal Inhabitants of the Town attending the Funeral.
The Bill intituled " An Act for regulating the Officers and Sol- diers commissionated and raised by the Governor, for the Defence of the Province," was read, and referred to the Attorney General.
Then Scarroyady delivered the Remainder of his Report in these Words :
" Brother :
"You desired us in your Instructions to enquire the particular Reasons assigned by the Delawares and Shawonese for their acting in the manner they do against this Province. I have done it, and all I could get from the Indians is that they heard them say their Brethren the English had accused them very falsly of joining with the French after Colonel Washington's Defeat, and if they would charge them when they were innocent they could do no more if they were guilty ; this turned them against their Brethren, and now in- deed the English have good Reason for any Charge they may make against them, for they are very heartily their Enemies.
"' Brethren :
"I promised to tell you what passed at the Onondago Council
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
between the Six Nations and the Delaware Deputies, and according to the Information given me by one of the Members present it is as follows, vis'. : The Council very sharply reprehended the Delawares for their cruel and unbrotherly Behaviour against the English, and earnestly urged them to repent and desist, and the Two Delawares in their Justification spoke thus to the Council : """' Uncles :
"'Your Complaints of us are very true and just, but we hope you will likewise hear what Reasons we have for our Behaviour against the English. When we lived among them they behaved very ill to us ; they used us like Dogs; they often saw us pinched with want and starving, and would take no Pity of us ; sometimes we were in Liquor, a Fault which you are sensible we cannot always avoid, as we cannot govern ourselves when we come where Liquors are; when we were in this Condition they turned us out of their Houses and beat us, so that when we came to be sober we were not able to get up, and at this very Time they have taken up and put into Prison the few Straglers of our People that are yet among them. Now, Uncles, can this be called Brotherly Treatment? don't you imagine such Usage must raise Ill Nature in our Hearts ? And have we not good Reason for what we are doing ? We don't doubt if we would let things go on as they have done but they would sub- due us and make Slaves of us. Nevertheless, Uncles, we listen to what you told us; we thank you for your Advice, and since you in- sist upon our leaving off we will take what you have said to us and carry it to our Nations and stop them from proceeding. We will tell the Warriors and every one else it is your Pleasure we should not go to War against the English ; not a Man shall pass thro' our Town but we will call him to us and make known to him your Commands delivered in Council.'
" The Six Nations, in their Reply, expressed great Resentment at the Delawares ; they threatened to shake them by the Head, say- ing, they were drunk and out of their Senses, and did not consider the consequence of their ill Behaviour, and assured them, that if they did not perform what they promised, they should be severely chastized; whereupon the Delawares again promised to acquaint their Nations with every thing that passed, and to send their Answer by Express.
" Brother :
" This, I hope, will be a sufficient Answer to that Part of your Instructions in which you desire us to enquire and find out the true Reasons of the Delawares turning against us ; as to the main Busi- ness we had in Charge to lay before the Six Nations, I need not be particular, as I have delivered the several Strings and Belts given us, and every thing done there is put in the Treaty which Col. Johnson sent you by Mr. Claus ; by this you will see, that Depu- ties of the United Nations are gone into the Delaware Country, in
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MINUTES OF THE
order to have a Meeting with the Delawares there ; and after every thing proposed is agreed upon by those Deputies and our Nephews, you will have their full and final Answer.
"Number of Indians at the Treaty at Mount Johnson :
" Senecas
-
-
-
46
" Cayugas
-
-
-
-
-
29
" Onondagos
-
-
-
34
" Oneidos -
-
-
-
84
"Tuscororas
-
-
-
34
" Canajorees
-
-
-
106
" Mohawks
100
"Oghquagis and Skaniadaradighs
66
" Schoharies
-
-
-
26
" Chenosees
.
15
"Scarroyady's Family -
-
-
-
5
" Mr. Montour's -
-
-
-
2
" Nukus, the Oneidas -
-
8
" Ruth, the Tuscaroras
-
-
-
6
" Cayanquiloquoas -
-
-
-
9
"6 Mahickaners from Skenewesys
-
6
"2 Oneida families separate -
-
10
586"
The Officers of Eight Companies near the City of Philadelphia, praying by a Committee to be regimented, it was agreed to, and the Governor order'd the Commissions for the Field Officers to be made out agreeable to the Return.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 6th April,. 1756.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner,
Esquires.
The Minutes of the preceding Council was read and approved.
The Bill entitled " An Act for regulating and continuing the nightly Watch and enlightening the Streets, Lanes, and Alleys, of the City of Philadelphia, and for raising of Money on the Inhabi- tants and Estates of the said City, for defraying the necessary Ex- pences thereof," was read, and whilst the Council was sitting, Two
-
-
-
540
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Members of the House waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House were met pursuant to their adjournment, and ready to receive any Business he might have to lay before them, upon which the Governor was pleased to say they should hear from him in the Afternoon. Accordingly, several Amendments were made to the above Bill, and agreed to, and thus amended it was sent to the House.
The Bill entituled " An Act for ascertaining the Fineness of wrought Gold and Silver, and preventing Frauds and Abuses in Manufactories made thereof," was read, and one Amendment made, viz: that on the Death of the Officer his successor should be ap- pointed by Act of General Assembly ; and with this Amendment the Secretary was ordered to return it to the House, with a Message, that the Governor would pass it so amended.
The Bill entituled " An Act for regulating the Officers and Sol- diers commissionated and raised by the Governor for the Defence . of this Province," was read a second Time and altered according to the Act passed in Virginia for the like Purpose, and sent thus amended by the Secretary to the House.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 8th April, 1756, A. M.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Richard Peters,
John Mifflin,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Bill entituled " An Act for regulating and continuing the nightly Watch and enlightening the Streets, Lanes, and Alleys, of the City of Philadelphia, and for raising of Money on the In- habitants and Estates of the said City, for defraying the necessary Expences thereof," was read with the Assembly's Answer to the Governor's Amendments, and after sometime spent therein was re- ferred to farther Consideration.
The Bill entituled " An Act for ascertaining the Fineness of wrought Gold and Silver, and preventing Frauds and Abuses in Manufactories made thereof," was returned to the Governor with a verbal Message by two Members, that the House did not agree to the Governor's Amendment; whereupon the said Bill and Amend- ment being again considered, the Council unanimously advis'd the Governor to adhere to his Amendment.
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MINUTES OF THE
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 8th April, 1756, P. M.
PRESENT :
The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
William Logan,
Richard Peters, John Mifflin,
Benjamin Chew,
Lynford Lardner, - Esquires.
The Minutes of the preceeding Council were read and approved.
The Governor informed the Council that he was pressed by the Commissioners to declare War against the Delawares and issue a Proclamation for Rewards for Scalps at several conferences he had with them, as there seemed an absolute necessity for so doing. That this was agreeable to his own Judgment, and he should be glad to know the Opinion of his Council, who concurred in Judg- ment with the Governor and Commissioners, and advised him to send for the Indians and declare to them his Intentions. Mr. Lo- gan dissented to a Declaration of War against the Indians, and de- sired his Dissent might be entered on the Minutes.
The Governor likewise informed the Council that the Commis- sioners had verbally promised and would in the Morning give under their Hands their Advice, and Promise to pay the Rewards as then settled between them, and to support the Governor by writing under the Hands of all the Commissioners on his proposing it to the In- dians. On this assumption the Governor prepar'd a Speech, sub- mitted it to the Council, and they approving it, the Indians were sent for and the following Speech was delivered to them :
" Brother Scarroyady and Montour :
" We have attentively considered the Relation you have made of your Journey and Proceedings, and in Behalf of this Government and the good People of this Province, we return you our hearty Thanks for the Diligence with which you have executed the Trust reposed in you; we are sensible of the many Dangers you have been exposed to, and the Fatigue such a long Journey must have given you in so severe a Season, and we make you our hearty Acknowledgements, and shall order you an handsome gratification for your Trouble."
Here gave a String.
" Brethren, the Six Nations :
" Your Nephews the Delawares, and some in Alliance with them, have continued, and still do continue, committing the most bar- barous and cruel Murders on every Part of our Borders, tho' they must certainly have received the Messages from the Onondago Council, by the Two Delawares from Diahoga, ordering them to
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
desist on Pain of their displeasure and correction; and it is proba- ble that the second Message of the same Import, from the Great Council held at Fort Johnson, must have been delivered likewise, as Scarroyady says in his Report that the Messengers were set out before he came from thence.
" Brethren :
" It appears to us that the Delawares have sold themselves to the French, and are determined to take this Opportunity to throw off their Subjection and Dependency upon the Six Nations, imagining they shall be supported in it by their New Masters, else they would not have had the Assurance to treat the Six Nations with Insolence, as it is well known they have done, even to threaten some of them to their Faces, to make Women of them, if they would not assist them in the War against the English.
" Brethren :
" We have, by your Advice, taken all the amicable Methods in our power to bring them to desist; you must have been able your- selves to assure the Six Nations, that the Accusations of us were all Groundless, and invented to amuse; and from what you have said in Conversation, we think the united Nations saw these false Charges in their true Light, rather as Aggravations than Extenua- tions of their Cousins' Guilt; and we were in hopes their Interpo- sition would have had its Weight with the Delawares, and that they would not have dared to continue their Ravages, after receiving their Orders to desist ; but you see it is otherwise.
" Brethren :
" We have remained on the Defensive, waiting for the Result of the Council and your Return; but since neither the Messages we have sent to them, nor these of the Six Nations are of any Avail, and that we have done everything in our Power to avoid a War, I now find I can no longer answer it to his Majesty, nor to his Sub- jects committed to my care, nor to those of the other colonies, to delay any longer to declare them Enemies to his Majesty, and to act against them with all the Vigour possible; I therefore, by this Belt, declare War against the Delawares, and all such as act in con- junction with them. I offer you the Hatchet, and expect your hearty Concurrence with us in this just and necessary War. I not only invite you, but desire you will send this Belt to all your Friends every where, as well on the Sasquehannah, as to the Six Nations and to their Allies, and engage them to join us heartily against these false and perfidious Enemies. I promise you and them Protection and our Assistance, when you shall stand in need of it against your Enemies."
Gave a War Belt.
" Brethren :
" For the Encouragement of you, and all who will join you in
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MINUTES OF THE
the Destruction of our Enemies, I propose to give the following Bounties or Rewards, Vist .: for every Male Indian Prisoner above Twelve Years Old that shall be delivered at any of the Govern- ment's Forts, or Towns, One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
" For every Female Indian Prisoner, or male Prisoner of Twelve Years old, and under, delivered as above, one hundred and thirty Dollars.
" For the Scalp of every male Indian of above Twelve Years old, one hundred and thirty Dollars.
" For the Scalp of every Indian Woman, Fifty Dollars.
" To our own People, I shall observe our own Forms; to you I give the Hatchet. according to yours. This Belt confirms my Words."
Here gave a Belt.
" Brethren :
" Agreeable to your repeated Request, I am now going to build a Fort at Shamokin. Forces are raising for that Purpose, and every thing will soon be in Readiness. I purpose it as a Place of Protec- tion and Refuge for you and your Families, and to this all the In- dians who are the Friends of the English may repair, and they will ever find a kind Reception and Necessaries of all kinds.
"I need not remind you of your earnest Importunities to have this done, and of your Promise to assist in it. Our Warriors will be animated when they see you join and assist them."
The Governor and Council took into Consideration the Assembly's Answer to the Governor's Amendments to the Bill for regulating the Officers and Soldiers commissionated and raised by the Governor for the Defence of this Province, and Sundry Amendments being made it was again sent to the House. Likewise the Governor, by the Secretary, sent to the House the Bill for ascertaining the Fine- ness of wrought Gold and Silver, and preventing Frauds and Abuses in Manufactures made thereof, with a verbal Message that the Gov- ernor adhered to his Amendments to the said Bill; at the same Time the Governor sent down to the House Copies of the foregoing minutes of Council relating to Indian Affairs.
Then was read a Return of Mr. John Nixon, in the Room of Mr. Thomas Willing, late Lieutenant in Captain Roberdeau's Com- pany, who has resigned; the Attorney General declaring it to be his Opinion that the Election and Return of the said Mr. Nixon is not warranted by the Act of Assembly for this Reason, and because the said Election was made before Mr. Willing's Resignation, the said Return was rejected.
Returns of seven associated Companies of Foot Militia in the County of York were read, the Officers approved, and Commissions ordered to issue.
77
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
The want of Powder and Ammunition is set forth in all the Re- turns, and a Petition for a Supply referred to the Commissioners.
The following Letter, containing some Account of a Skirmish between a Party of Indians and some of our Forces, was delivered to the Governor, which was read and order'd to be entered :
A Letter from Mr. Hance Hamilton to Capt. Potter. " FORT LITTLETON, April 9th, 1756, 8 o'clock, P. M. " Sr .:
" These come to inform you of the melancholy news of what oc- curred between the Indians, that had taken many Captives from McCord's Fort, and a Party of Men under the Command of Capt. Alexander Culbertson, and nineteen of our Men, the whole amount- ing to about fifty, who came upon the Indians with the Captives, and had a sore Engagement, many of both Parties killed and many wounded, the number unknown ; those wounded want a Surgeon, and those killed require your Assistance as soon as possible to bury them ; we have sent an Express to Fort Shirley, for Doctor Mer- cer, supposing Doctor Jemmison is killed or mortally wounded in the Expedition, he being not returned ; therefore desire you will send an Express immediately for Doctor Prentice, to Carlisle, we imagining that Doctor Mercer cannot leave the Fort under the Cir- cumstances that Fort is under. Our Indian, Isaac, has brought in Captain Jacob's Scalp. Sir, please to exert yourself in this Af- fair.
"I am, Sir, Your most humble Servant, "HANCE HAMILTON."
MEMORANDUM :
On the ninth Instant Two Members waited on the Governor with the Bill for regulating the Oficers and Soldiers commissionated and raised by the Governor for the Defence of this Province, and in- formed the Governor that the House had agreed to some of his Amendments, and desired he would be pleased to pass the Bill as it now stood.
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MINUTES OF THE
At a Council held in the State House, Saturday the 10th April, 1756.
PRESENT :
" The Honourable ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esquire, Lieu- tenant Governor.
Robert Strettell, William Logan,
Riehard Peters, Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew, John Mifflin,
¿Esquires.
Thomas Cadwalader,
The same Indians as in the former Couneils.
Conrad Weiser, Esquire, Interpreter.
The Minutes of the preceding Couneil were read and approved.
A Resolve of the Commissioners was yesterday given to the Sec- retary to be delivered to the Governor, which not being satisfactory, a Letter under hand was required advising War, and promising Bounty and Rewards for Sealps, &ca.
The Proelamation of a Declaration of War was again considered, and the Governor laid before the Council a Letter he had received this morning from the Commissioners, in these words :
" April 10th, 1756.
" May it please the Governor :
" We the Commissioners appointed by Law to dispose of Sixty Thousand Pounds for his Majesty's use, taking into Consideration the daily eruel Ravages, Burnings, Murders, &ca-, committed by Enemy Indians upon the Inhabitants of this Provinee, without the least Provocation given" on our Part, and believing that to pursue and attack the Enemy in their own Towns and Villages will be the like- liest means, under God, of driving them from our Frontiers at the present, and preventing their barbarous Ineursions for the future, Do propose to the Governor, as our Opinion, that it is necessary for this Provinee immediately to declare War against the Dela- wares and all other Enemy Indians, which, if he shall be pleased to do, we hereby, as much as in us lies, enable him to promise and pay the following Rewards to such as shall make eaptive or put to Death any of the said Enemy Indians, upon due Proof of its being done within the bounds of this Province, vist:
Dollars.
" For every Male Indian Prisoner, above Ten Years old, that shall be delivered at any of the Government Forts or Towns 150
" For every Female Indian Prisoner, or Male Prisoner of Ten Years old and under, to be delivered as above 130
" For the Sealp of every Male Indian above Ten Years old 130
" For the Scalp of every Indian Woman 50
79
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" One Half of the above mentioned Rewards for the said Services to be allowed to any of the Forces in the Pay of the Province. We are, Sir,
" Your most obedient Servants,
" JOS. FOX, " JAMES HAMILTON, "EVAN MORGAN, " JOHN MIFFLIN, " JOHN HUGHES.
" To the Hon. ROBERT HUNTER MORRIS, Esq"."
The Indians desiring to be heard, they were called in, and be- fore a large Number of People, who came on this Occasion into the Court House, Scarroyady delivered himself as follows : " Brethren :
" It is but the other Day that we had the Happiness to see one another after a long and dangerous Journey, which I am sorry has had no better Effect, and that I could not bring you so good news as you expected. Our Nephews did not listen to us; they were not obedient to what was said to them. We are amazed to find you still sitting with your Hands between your Knees, and for an Apology for so unbecoming a Posture, you tell us, that, as the Delawares were Cousins of the Six Nations, you would first consult them, and chose not to act offensively till you should know their minds, as the Delawares are subject to them ; you add, now that all means have been tried, and our Cousins are still disobe- dient, you at last find yourselves under a Necessity to declare War against them.
" Brethren :
" You have indeed tried all amicable Means with those and with the Six Nations, but as all have proved ineffectual, you do right to strike them. You have had a great deal of Patience ; other People on losing a single man, would have armed and drove off the Foe ; but you have sat still while numbers of your People have been and now are Murdered. We heartily approve of your Reso- lutions ; awake, shake off your Lethargy; Stand up with your Hatchet in your Hand, and use it manfully. Your Enemies have got great advantage by your Inactivity ; Show them you are Men. " Brethren :
" You told us that you must now build a Fort at Shamokin ; we are glad to hear it; it is a good Thing ; These young Men are glad in their Hearts, and promise you their Assistance ; and would have you go on with it as fast as you can, and others, too, will as- sist you, when they see you are in earnest. I have good Ground to go upon in what I say ; I know what is in the Breasts and Minds of the Warriors of the Mohocks, Oneidas and Oneoquages ;
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MINUTES OF THE
they have opened their Hearts to me; they are under my com- mand ; they will do what I advise, and they shall see this your Belt of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" The Fort at Shamokin is not a thing of little Consequence ; it is of the greatest Importance to us as well as you. Your People are foolish ; for want of this Fort, the Indians, who are your friends, can be of no Service to you, having no Place to go to where they can promise themselves Protection. They cannot be called together; they can do nothing for you ; they are not secure any where. At present your People cannot distinguish Foes from Friends; they think every Indian is against them ; they blame us all without Distinction, because they see nobody appear for them ; the common People to a Man entertain this notion, and insult us wherever we go. We bear their ill Usage, tho' very irksome ; but all this will be set right when you have built the Fort, and you will see that we in particular are sincere, and many others will come to your as- sistance. We desire when the Fort is built, you will put into the Command of so important a Place some of your best People ; grave, solid, and sensible Men, who are in Repute amongst you, and in whom we can place a Confidence. Do this, and you will soon see a Change in your Affairs for the better.
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