USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 14
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Shahaise proceeded :
" Brother :
" When this Speech was delivered to Thomas McKee, we had not received the Governor's Message. After Mr. Wright had de- livered us your Message, we considered among ourselves, and came to a resolution to alter our purpose and stay at Home. Our Women not being able to provide themselves with Matchcoats and Mocca- sins and other necessaries, was the only reason that induced them to go to Shamokin; but now all that was over, and. on what the Governor had said to them, by Mr. Wright, they were determined to stay."
A String.
The Governor made Answer :
" Shahaise and the other Conestogo Indians :
"I am very well pleased with the Account you have given of your Intention to remove; and much more so, that you altered your Resolution.
" The Conestogo Indians may Depend on my protection, and that I will supply their Wants, so as not to put them under the neces- sity of removing. Shahaise's determination to stay, even if the others should had gone, shews his Love towards his Brethren, and discovers a particular Regard.
€
"I have directed Mr. James Wright to supply you with Pro- visions, from time to time, as usual, and shall also earnestly recom- mend it to the Commissioners to send you some necessary Clothing; at present, you who are come down shall receive a small Present."
Shahaise then Complained of Abraham, who had planted Indian Corn and sowed Hemp in a Piece of their Ground for Several Years, for which he promised to give them every year a Piece of Linnen, but had not paid them for Two Years past. He desired he might be made to do them Justice. The Governor charged Thomas McKee to apply to Abraham, and if he did not im- mediately pay them the Arrears to let him know and he would order him to be sued and Oblige him to give a Compensation for the Land agreeable to his Engagements.
Chagrea informed the Governor that he was inlisted and had served in the Garrison at Fort Augusta, and that there were Six months' pay due to him, which he desired might be paid him off.
The Governor directed the paymaster, Mr. Young, to settle & pay off Chagrea, which was done.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday the 1st of June, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
William Logan, Esquires.
Richard Peters, Thomas Cadwalader,
Brigadier General Forbes & Major Halket.
12 Cherokees, Seneca George, S
Indians.
Wheunclowo, speaker for the Cherokees.
John Hart, Interpreter.
A Letter from the Governor of Louisiana was delivered by Captain Viviat, Commander of a Flag of Truce that arrived the 26th of May from New Orleans, together with a Roll of the Prisoners and the Commission for a Flag of Truce, all which was read.
Yesterday Twelve Cherokees arrived in Town from Winchester, conducted by a Son of Seneca George; they brought Passports with them from ST. John St. Clair to the General, and from the Officer Commanding at Winchester to the Governor. By these Passports it appeared that only four Cherokees were deputed by their Nations, and that the rest were at Winchester before he came and had joined themselves to them without Knowledge of ST. John St Clair.
The General was invited to Council and took his place next to the Governor.
The Governor spoke as follows :
" Brethren and Warriors of the Cherokee Nation :
"I bid you welcome in the Name of his Majestie's General and myself. If there can be any thing in which we can do you service it will give us pleasure if you will be pleased to communicate it."
A String.
Wheunclowo made Answer:
" Brothers :
"I am not a Chief Man myself, I am deputed by the Chiefs of my Nation to travel this Way. I am extremely glad at the good reception I have met with from you our Brethren. The Chiefs of my Country desired me to attend carefully to all the Speeches that should be made to me by you our Brethren, and to remember them.
" Brother :
" When I passed by last fall, the Secretary who sits there
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desired me not to go to War, but to be careful, and return with such Messages as the Chiefs should send in Answer to what I- carried to them from the Six Nations and their Brethren.
" I assure you that the Warriors now present received a Message from the King of Great Britain to come to War against the French, and on receiving this Message, they have come with minds Exas- perated against the French, and wherever they see a Frenchman they will knock his Brains out. They are now come so far on the Road against the Enemy, and as soon as they arrive in the Mohock Country, they will Joyn their Brethren, the Mohocks, and Fight with the English against the French. Some of these now present are very good Warriors, they have already killed two of the Enemy, two Shawonese."
A String.
"Brothers :
"They were promised Cloathing and all necessaries if they would go to War. They now acquaint you that they have received nothing at Winchester, and expect to receive what is proper for them as Warriors here."
A String.
The General ordered the Interpreter to tell the Indians that they should be Cloathed, and Provision made for them in their Journey whenever they inclined to proceed.
The Cherokee Deputy replied, that they would stay this Night and to-morrow, and go on the next Day after, and all the other Indians that were in Town would go with them, which was agreed to.
The Governor acquainted the Council that he had received a Letter by the Richard and William, Captain Daily, from the Pro- prietors, giving their Assent to his passing a late supply Bill, and it gave the Governor much Satisfaction that the Bill passed was agrecable to the minds of the Proprietors.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 5th of June, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
William Logan,
Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwalader,
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters, John Mifflin, -m
Esquires.
The Governor acquainted the Council, that he had summoned
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MINUTES OF THE
them, at the desire of the General, to Consider of proper Messages, to be forthwith sent to the Senecas and to the Susquehannah Indians, who were grown dissatisfied, and were for leaving their Habitations, especially our Old Friend, Packsinosa, and his Family and Friends; That what gave them disgust at present was their having heard that the Cherokees were sent for by their Brethren, the English, 'to cut them all off the Susquehannah, & that the English was going to Settle and Build a Fort at Wyoming.
This account was brought by Benjamin, a Mohiccon, on the 29th of May, to Bethlehem, and being presented to the Governor, and by him communicated to the General, he was of Opinion that not a moment should be lost, but Messengers should be dispatched forth- with, as well into the Tweetwee Seneca Country as to all the Nations, those in particular who lived on the Susquehannalı, inviting them to come here forthwith, and let their Brethren know what Means they were finally determined to takc.
The General said he would come to Council and join in the Messages, and procure Messengers, as he understood there were some in Town to be got, white Men as well as Indians, would go to the Ohio, and into the Indian Country.
Information of Benjamin, an Indian who came to Bethlehem, May the 29th, 1758, Vizt:
" Benjamin, a Mahakin Indian, living near Bethlehem, got Words from his own Sister, a Widow, with Three Children, living at Ceninga, the Nanticokes Town, that he should come up there and fetch her to Bethlehem to her Friends here. He accordingly set off here 5 Weeks ago, and was 12 Days on his Journey thither. From here to Wioming he saw no Indians, yet heard some at a little Distance from him, but had no mind to shew himself unto them.
" Near Diahogo he found Old Paxnous, with his Sons, Sons-in- Law, and whole Family. Paxnous asked Benjamin whither he was going, and on hearing that he would fetch his Sister at, Ceninga, he told him he would hardly find her there; all the Indians were in a great Hurry to remove from the Susquchannah, because they had heard the English had very bad Designs against the Indians, and those who did not fly from the Susquehannah would all be murdered. Benjamin asked Paxnous whither he was going with his Family. He answered, to his Land at the Ohio, where he was born, and told him many things he had heard against the English, in Favour of the French. They had also heard the English would settle Wioming under a pretence, it should be for the good of the Indians ; but their Intentions were quite the Contrary, they would build a Fort there and take the Lands from the Indians; but their project would certainly fail them, as there would be Indians enough to watch them. Benjamin tried to pacify him, and told him what Teedyuscung had made out with the Governor, and all what they
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intended was out of Love to the Indians, but. Paxnous was quite Deaf to hear any thing in Favour of the English, and said, they pretend well and mean ill, but the 5 Nations think quite otherwise than thou. One of the Company replied to Benjamin's words about Wioming; I could never believe it so bad as we have been told that it was. Paxnous also told him that he was lately called to a great Council at Onondago, at which it would be determined what side they should take, and by that Resolution they would then abide, but as he had already resolved to move to Ohio, so he was not gone to Onondago.
" Paxnous and his Eldest Son tried thereupon to perswade Ben- jamin to go along with them, but he hastened as much as possible to reach Ceningo in fear to miss his Sister.
" At his arrival there, he heard that none of the Indians would plant there this Summer, and that many had moved already nearer the French for fear of the English, but when he told them the real Intent of the English with Wyoming, and that it was quite Con- trary to that what they had heard, they resolved to stay and plant again. As long as he staid at Ceninga they had every Day new accounts and Stories of the bad Designs the English had against the Indians, and many Warriors, Maquas or Mohocks, passed thro' there at that Time. Several Nanticokes spoke to some to take away their prejudice that they had against the English, but it availed nothing; they semed much incessed at it that the English had called the Cherokees and Catawbas into their Country merely against the Indians, but they would watch them, and it should not go well with them. He also was told the Maquas did make very big Eyes; that so many English did go to the Ohio, and they would send as niany Warriors there as they could spare.
" When he was about to set off from Ceninga with his Sister, the Indians told him it would be impossible for him to reach Fort Allen without being intercepted or murdered by the French and their In- dians, of which a good many were gone to them parts; but when he persisted in his Resolution, his own Brother and another Indian resolved to accompany them, to see them safe to Bethlehem.
" In coming down the Susquehannah, about 12 Miles above Wio- ming, they saw 4 Canoes made of Bark and Two Floats, in which, as he thinks, some Indians crossed the River, who would repass it soon again, because the Canoes were hid under the Bushes. He saw afterwards 3 Indians each leading a Horse without Saddle, not far this side the River, and a Woman of his Company, who walked just then to cut off an Elbow of the River, met Five More who belonged to one Company with the other Three. One of the Five spoke to the Woman and told her they had taken no Scalps & hurted nobody, but had only stolen some Horses and by the Course, they had come from Broadheads.
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MINUTES OF THE
"They met also a Maqua Indian coming from Shomokin; he asked them if they had seen any thing strange upon the Road, and when they told him of the Canoes and Floats he said he had also seen some Floatages below Wioming; there would soon be Mischief done.
"At Wioming Benjamin did not go to the White People there, but met Teedyuscung not far from there, with whom he sat down and related unto him all what he had heard and seen at Diahoga, Ceninga, and on his Way, at which he seemed quite amazed, partic- ularly that the Maquas did now act in such a manner, when they had given him commission to make Peace and he having sent them Word they would come and Build in Wioming, and that there was nothing bad in it but all good; he said he would keep a good look out, and if any one did attack one of his Brethren the English, him he would attack again; he would go himself to the Five Nations and search for the Evil which had possessed them, and if he did find that he was not Strong enough to withstand the Evil, he would re- tire again to the English, to their Enemies he never would go again.
"P. S .- A few Indians at Ceninga, told Benjamin they did not think that the Maquas or Mohocks were in Earnest to help the French on the Ohio, but rather believed it to be a Stratagem to Se- duce the French and to get Admittance into the Fort, for the good of the English."
The Above Intelligence being considered, it was the unanimous Opinion of the Council, that the Difficulties attending the Governor's · procuring Persons to go as Spies or Messengers on any Occasion would be very great, unless a Sum of Money could be lodged in the Governor's hands for that purpose, in which case Mr. Weiser, Mr. Logan, or Mr. Peters could, from their long Acquaintance with In- dian Affairs, find some other Indians who would undertake the Journey, if they were before hand promised a Compensation for their Trouble. Whilst the Council was deliberating on Messages proper to be sent to the Indians, and on the means of conveying them, The General came to the Governor and Conferred with him · on these matters. After which the Governor acquainted the Coun- cil that the General pressed the Messages and would join them. Draughts of which being prepared were read and approved, and it was likewise agreed that the General should join in them and En- deavor to get Messengers to go with them forthwith.
Mr. Logan and Mr. Peters were appointed a Committee to con- fer with the General on the Indian Message and it was recom- mended to them to take the assistance of Mr. Weiser.
The Cherokee Deputy being seized with a Violent Pleurasie, Mr. Peters was desired to take all Opportunities of getting from him the purport of his Message, least if he died they should be lost.
Francis Campbell having declined to Accept the Commission of
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Indian Agent at Fort Augusta, The Commissioners appointed by the Act of Assembly to Trate with the Indians, presented the Gov- ernor on the 30th of May the nomination and recommendation of several Persons, one of which the Governor was to fix upon for an Agent at Fort Augusta, and the Governor having advised with the Members of Council, Commissionated Nathaniel Holland.
At a Council, &cª., Thursday, 22d June, 1758.
The Messages to the Seneca Indians & to Teedyuscung were read & ordered to be entered as follows:
" A Message from the Governor of Pennsylvania to Teedyuscung, and the Indians at Wioming.
"'Brother Teedyuscung and all our Brethren the Indians settled at Wioming, hearken to what your Brother the Governor of Penn- sylvania says to you.'
" A String.
"' Brother :
"' I am informed that the Indians about Diahoga and Osaningo are very uneasy with respect to two matters ; One, that great Num- bers of Cherokees and other Southern Indians, should come so far North ; The other that we have assisted you in settling at Wio- ming. Now, Brother, in respect to the Cherokees, they came from their Country at the Invitation of his Majesty and the Southern Provinces, to help the English General in the present Expedition against the French, and we can assure you that Notwithstanding the reports that have reached your Country, these Indians are not come on any evil Design to hurt you, but to help their Brethren, the English ; had it been otherwise, you would have heard from us, for we would never suffer them to hurt you.'
" A String.
"'Brother :
"' I have the pleasure to assure you that there is now in this City a Deputation of Cherokee Indians on their Way with Messages to the Six Nations and they have likewise a particular Message to you and the Delawares. They tell us all is good News for you and us. But the Cherokee entrusted with the Messages is taken sick in this Town and cannot yet proceed on his Journey.
"' As to the other part, respecting the Building of Houses at Wioming, you are so well acquainted with our motives and good Intentions that you are quite able to answer for this Measure to the Six Nations or any other Indians who think amiss of it, and we de- sired you will take all possible care to set this matter in a true Light everywhere, as it is entirely done at your request and for the good
VOL. VIII .- 9.
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of your Indians ; And that as soon as we have the opportunity, we have been some time past expecting, of seeing and Conversing with them, we will fully adjust this Matter both to your and their Satis- faction.
"' ' Brother :
"' As a mark of the Confidence we place in you, and as a full proof of the good Intentions of the General and Commander-in- Chief of the Army of our great King, whom you saw when you were last in this City with me, in the Messages that will be delivered you along with this, and hopes you will approve of them, and either deliver them yourself or send them by trusty Persons to Diahoga, and order it so that the part which relates to your Brethren on the Ohio be sent forward to them by the fittest Persons that can be got, and with the utmost speed. If you find we have omitted any thing that is necessary, which you are assured will promote the good Work of Peace, we desire you will add it.
"'Brother :
"' As the Road of Correspondence by way of Wioming is open, and we are convinced of your Sincerity in doing us all the Service in your Power, we now send you some white Men with those Mes- sages, that they may be truly and fully explained to you, and we depend on your protecting and seeing them safely conducted thro' the Indian Country.'
" A string.
' '' Brother :
""We know that the Senecas are your particular Friends. We would therefore have you send this Belt as an invitation to them in our Name, that some of their Chief Men may come along with you to confer on Various matters relating to the public Good. You may assure them that we are determined to fulfill all our Engagements and will put into our Pipe some good Tobacco and smoak together, and we earnestly press them to come by this Belt, and desire you to join another of your own to it to Strengthen our Request.'
" A Large Belt.
' " Brother :
"' As I hear there are many Parties of Indians scattered up and down in the Woods near Wioming, I desire you will endeavour to call them together, and to find out what Errand they are come upon, and send one or more of your Indians immediately off to me with the Accounts, and he shall be satisfied for his Trouble.
"'Brother :
"' I desire you will inquire of the Indians at Diahogo what is become of Essaway-wolling (Daniel) and the Belts that were sent by him into the Indian Country, as you may remember we particu-
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
larly, by one Belt, invited the Senecas down here; having heard nothing from him, we are afraid those Messages are lost.
"""Brother :
""' It may not be in our power to restrain the Cherokee parties when out of our Sight, from going beyond the Limits assigned them, as some of the Young Warriors are rash and headstrong.
"'I desire, therefore, you will caution our Friendly Indians of this, and press them to keep on this side of the Susquehannah, if they come Lower than Fort Augusta, and not to go over the West Branch of Susquehannah.'"
" A Message from the Governor of Pennsylvania and the General and Commander-in- Chief of his Majesty's Forces destined to the Westward, to the Susquehannah Indians.
""""Brethren :
"' You who live on and near Susquehannah, and all those who incline to live in Peace with the English, and are willing to pro- mote and strengthen the peace among the other Indians, hearken to this Message, which we are going to deliver to you in behalf of the Governor of Pennsylvania and the General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Army in these Parts.'
" A String.
"'Brethren :
"' You know how cruelly the French on the Ohio, and the In- dians under their influence, have murdered the King of Great Britain's Subjects and Children, in the Provinces of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, which has induced His Majesty to send a great Num- ber of Troops to chastise the Children of the French King and their Indians. The Southern Indians, out of regard to the King of Great Britain, and at the Request of the Southern Provinces, are Come to help us and revenge the Blood of the English spilt by the French and their Indians.
""" Brethren :
"'Out of Brotherly Love to you our Friends, we have sent this. Belt on purpose to acquaint you with our Proceedings, and desire you would send privately to your Friends and Relations at Ohio, to come away to your Towns and there sit still. If they will do so we will take care that neither they nor you shall be hurt ; we should bo sorry that any of those who have an inclination to come home to. their Native Country, and live in Peace with us, should suffer; and therefore as these Southern Indians who are now with the King's Army are very numerous and exasperated against the French and
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MINUTES OF THE
their Assistants, we send you this Belt and earnestly press you to come away.'
" Here give a White Belt, wone that has Little Black in it.
'" Brethren :
"' You know a great deal of Pains has been taken by this Gov- ernment and some of your Nations, in order to dispel the Clouds that arose from the North and darkened our Country. We some- times thought that they were entirely Dispelled, but we find here and there a Cloud, and we do not as yet see clearly one another's Faces. We therefore invite you to come down to us as quickly as you possibly can, and you will find us willing to talk over every thing, and clear up the Sky intirely that all darkness and Clouds may be dispelled.'
" A String of Wampum of Seven or Eight Rows."
The Governor informed the Council that the Messages were sent by Frederick Post, one of the Brethren of Bethlehem, a German who had resided in the Indian Country for some Years before the War, was well acquainted with the Susquehannah Indians and talked the Delaware Language; that he was fortunately in Town, when it was under Consideration by whom to send the Messages, and kindly offered his Service to carry them, which was accepted; and Mr. Charles Thompson offering likewise to go with Frederick Post, it was agreed to, and a set of Instructions given them which were read.
These Messengers set out directly and went as far as the Nesko- pekan Hills, where meeting with some Indians coming to Bethlehem they were informed of several Parties of Enemy Indians skulking up and down in the Woods; were advised to proceed no farther, but to send for Teedyuscung and deliver him the Messages there, which was accordingly done, and they returned without going further. On the 16th Instant they made a report to the Governor of their Journey, and deliverd the Minutes of the Conference between them and Teedyuscung, which were read and ordered to be entered as follows :
" At a Conference held on the East Side of the Nescopekun Mountains, about 14 or 15 Miles from Wioming, Monday, June 12th, 1758, between Charles Thompson, Frederick Post, Messen- gers from the Government of Pennsylvania, and Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares.
" At which were present :
" Tepiscahung, Memenwoot, or Capt Augustus, Mampoohalind, or David, Pemelaweghink, or Samuel Evans, Alamercchum, or Jona- than, Nalananguenund, or Paulus, & Hanas, Delawares; Kulpoowa, Welawamick, or Moses, Gootamek, or Moses, Jun"-, Queasekomen,
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
or Adolph, and Akowan, Mohicons ; Kelkapugh, or Isaac, a Captain of the Munseys, Moses Tetamy, Isaac Still, Interpreter.
" After Charles Thompson and Frederick Post had delivered the Messages from the Government, Teedyuscung took a String and said :
"' Brother, the Governor :
""' I am glad to see your Messengers in the Woods, and am glad to hear and receive such great and good Words here in the wild Bushes.
"'You may remember, Brother, I have often told you we have one Ear which has two openings; One comes out here, the other where you Live ; when I hear of anything you shall hear it; this makes me tell your Messengers to go back from this place, and not to go forward.
""' Brother, the Governor : what makes me not invite your Mes- sengers to my House, is that I don't yet know the Design of these Indians that lie squatting in the Bush; and if any ill should befall these Messengers, that might darken the Heavens and make great Clouds between us.
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