USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 16
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" About 2 o'Clock we came to Town. My Indians called out, on which there started out a great Number of Indians out of the Houses, many with painted Faces, and upwards of 40 Strangers, of Different Tribes, some of whom I knew. I observed that they are upon their Guard, and have Scouts out. We went to Teedyuscung's House, which was as full as it could hold. He told me that some of their People were gone to Shamokin a little before our arrival.
, "I met there a Captive Woman, Cobus Decker's Daughter, from the Jersey, near Minnisink, and an Indian Trader, Lawrence Bork, of Lancaster County, who has been with them the whole Time of the War. When we had been a while there, Teedyuscung called the Men together. First I told them, in general, the intents of my coming, and told Teedyuscung my Instructions, and gave him the Governor's Answer, with a String of Wampum, with which they all seemed well pleased. I then read to them the Cherckees' Speech, and repeated it Three Times, that they might get the full
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meaning of it. Augustus interpreted it, and they were well pleased, and Satisfied, and very, very attentive to the Words which they had heard, and returned many Thanks for the same. Then delivered the Belt. Then Teedyuscung shewed me Two Chiefs and several other Indians from Allegheny, who purposed to go down to Phila- delphia, but the idle Reports which they had all along heard had made them suspicious and afraid. I told them that I was glad to see them, and as I had been twice married amongst them, I had a great Love towards their Nation, and would speak very free with them, and they might believe me.
" After we had discoursed a while together they shook Hands · with me, and told me, 'Brother : we are very glad to see you, and have long time wished to see some of the Inhabitants of Pennsylva- nia with whom we could speak ourselves, For we cannot believe all that we hear, and know not what is true and what is false.' Then the rest of the People, Women and Children came to see me, and welcomed me to their Town. But, unhappily, a. Woman had brought 5 Gallons of Rum of Some Body (I did not know his name but supposed he was a Jew) in Easton with which most of them got drunk, Two Beat their Wives almost to Death, And I know that those who suffer such abuse must Sigh and groan to God against those who sell them the Liquor.
" 28th. The Indians from Allegheny came early to Visit me, in- vited me to their fire, and to breakfast with them on Bear's meat and Turkey.
"At Breakfast they asked me many Questions, which I gave them a true Answer to. They said that the Indians, thro' the many idle reports they had heard from time to time, were grown jealous of the English, and could not believe that they would make Peace with them, and hence were resolved to stay with the French. That they were sorry that they had gone to War against the English, and wished often to have seen some Messengers from the Government with whom they could have spoken, for then they had long left off the War against them.
" They complained strongly that they never had heard any Satis- factory Account of the Peace made at Easton, nor any 'Treaties that had been held, nor received any Belts 'till now lately. They all passed by the Mohocks but did not go into any of their Towns. I assured them the English were not in fault, for they had often sent the Messages, Belts and Invitations to them that they might come down and speak together.
" Kutaikund, one of their Chiefs, who lives this side the Alle- gheny, said that he was very Old, but those two who are just now come from the Allegheny (pointing to Kikiguskund and Pisqueton) wish to know the truth of affairs ; then Lifting up his Hands to Heaven, wished that God would have Mercy upon them and help
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them and bring them and the English together again, and establish an everlasting Ground and Foundation for Peace between them. He wished further that God would move the Governor and People's Hearts towards them in Love, Peace and Union. For he hoped without fail that a firm and Everlasting Peace would be established, and an end put to all the War and Strife. He said further, that it would be well if the Governor sent somebody with them at their re- turn Home, for it would be of great consequence to them, who live above Allegheny, to hear the Governor's mind from their own Mouths. The above mentioned Chiefs told that at the French Fort at Ohio there were 1,100 French Soldiers, but almost starved with Hunger ; had not the Mohocks helped them, the most of them must have left the place.
" Their Provisions they got from the Mississippi, which was but very little. They told the Indians-'Children : the English have almost beat me. I have nothing to live on; But for all we are Men, and will hunt; if we can get nothing else we will live on Meat as long as we can. If the English come too strong upon me I will Leave the Place. I am but weak, and I should loose a great Many Men.' I enquired about the Indians that fell on the Mini- sinks, and was informed that three Parties were returned back ; One Party had two Wounded, and the other had each of them lost one.
"29th. We set off from Wioming, in all about 50, and came that Day about 20 Miles, and Slept in the Open Air that Night.
" 30th. About 8 Miles the other side Fort Allen we met with the Indian Messengers with a Message from the Governor of the Jerseys. They sat all down by their fires, and the Messenger ac- quainted them with his Message; upon which they discoursed together upon the Matter ; but all were at a Loss to know who this Nation of Pomton Indians is to whom the Message is sent, unless it be a Nation settled somewhere near the Mohock's River, which is now with Sir William Johnson. At Night arrived at Fort Allen.
"CHRISTIAN FREDERICK POST."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, in ye State House, Friday the- 7th of July, 1758 .*
* Here follows a Blank in Council Book of Five Pages. VOL. VIII .- 10.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday, the 14th of July, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq'" Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
William Logan,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner, Esq™
Benjamin Chew,
John Mifflin,
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Governor informed the Council that last Night be received by Express, a Letter from Governor Delancey, inclosing the Copy of a Letter to Mr. Delancey from Brigadier General Stanwix ; and on receipt thereof, had immediately laid an Embargo on the Ports within this Government, and had forwarded the Intelligence by Express to General Forbes ; the Letters were read and ordered to be entered :
A Letter from Governor Delancey to Governor Denny. " NEW YORK, the 12th of July, 1758.
" Sir :
"I received the Letter, of which the inclosed is a Copy, yesterday in the Evening.
" I have, by the Advice of his Majesty's Council, laid an Em- bargo on all Vessels except Coasters, until further Order, hoping that you will think it expedient to take the like Measures until we shall be able, from further Intelligence, to Judge of the State of our Army. I am just setting off for Albany.
"I am, sir, your most Obedient and most Humble Servant, " JAMES DELANCY.
" P. S .- Lord How was killed in the Skirmish on Landing, or which we gained some advantage, having taken 140 prisoners, Eight of whom are Officers; but since, in attacking their advance Post, our affairs went ill ; the particulars we know not, otherwise than hinted in General Stanwix's Letter."
-
Copy of a Letter from Brigadier Gen" Sianwix to Governor Delancey.
" ALBANY, the 9th of July, 1758, at Midnight.
" Sir :
" As affairs have not turned out so prosperously as we had wished, and that it may, perhaps, be necessary to raise the Militia, I am
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to desire that, immediately upon receipt hereof, you will order them to be raised, and yourself proceed here forthwith, to give the neces- sary directions for raising those in these Quarters ; as this is pres- sing, I shall not enter into a detail of what has happened, being in hopes to see you as soon as possible.
" Poor Lord Howe is killed ; the General on that Occasion justly says, all the Advantage we have gained is nothing in Comparison to his Loss. His Excellent qualities as a Soldier, as well as in every other respect, is sufficiently known. I had such assistance from him that I both feel and Lament his Loss in a particular Manner.
"I am, Dear Sir, your most Obedient and most humble Servant, "JOHN STANWIX."
Orders were sent to the Commanding Officer at the Barracks, to place a Guard at Weccacoe Fort, and Mr. Anderson was em- ployed to assist and to have Cannon charged in order to bring to all Sea Vessels that should Attempt to break through the Embargo.
Lawrence Burk was Examined, and Robert Taylor and Francis Innis and Sister was Examined as to the Character and Behaviour of Lawrence Burk, who all Spoke much in his favour, particu- larly with the respect to his treatment of a Young English Child that was given to his Indian Wife, and it appears when he could not prevail on the Indians to abate their Cruel usage of the Child, that he advised them to sell it to the Commander of the French Fort at Niagara, and accordingly they sold the Child, and it was well used and afterwards was seen in good Health at Montreal.
Great Pains were taken with Pisqutomen and Keekyuscung to prevail with them to go as quick as possible to the Ohio, and to Ob- serve what was doing at Fort Duquesne, and to send off a trusty Messenger from Beaver Creek, with an Account of the Motions of the French and the Disposition of the Indians. At length they Consented to go, and it being a matter of vast Consequence that the Conferences should be known at Ohio, with all possible Care and Dispatch, as well as that the General ought to be furnished with true Intelligence.
Frederick Post was desired to accompany the Indians, and he rea- dily consented to go. He desired some other White Men might be joined with him, as it was a Journey of much Consequence and - Danger. This was thought reasonable, and he afterwards came to acquaint the Governor that Charles Thomson offered his Service to go with him. The Governor objected to this, and told him he might take any other Person, or, if he would get some when he came to Bethlehem, he might apply to Mr. Spangenberg, to whom he should have a Letter to spare him one or two of his best Indians. Mr. Post approved of this and was Satisfied to go with Pisquetomen and Isaac Still,
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The Secretary was ordered to take care that a Copy of the Con- ferences should be given to Mr. Post, and all the Belts and Strings of Wampum delivered with the Several Speeches should likewise be delivered to him, Pisquitomen, Isaac Still, and the Messenger. And Mr. Post was desired to take an abstract or short Memorandum of the Conferences, but not to take the Conferences at large with him for fear of Accidents & their falling into the Enemy's hands.
A Girl who was said to be taken on Yellow Breeches Creek was delivered up by Daniel, who came to Town after the Conferences. The Girl was obstinate, would neither tell her name nor Speak a Word, and made great resistance to her being delivered up.
Mr. Logan was kind Enough to get her placed at his Mother-in- Law's, Mrs. Emblyn, where she will be well taken care of.
A Petition was presented by Captain Huet, Commander of the Flag of Truce lately condemned in the Admiralty, requesting the Governor would be pleased to order that the Sailors should have an Allowance for their Support and Lodging.
The Council was always of Opinion that all French Men, let them be brought or come into the Town either by private Ships of War or by Passes from the Neighboring Provinces, should be confined in the Jayl, and it would have been Constantly done if the Commis- sioners would have Consented to Allow them any thing, as all Eng- lish Prisoners taken by Privateers were always confined in the Jayles in France, and Supported at the King's Expence. It was said the People murmured exceedingly that Frenchmen should be permitted to Walk the Streets, View the Harbour and Fort, and go where they pleased. It was, therefore, thought advisable for the Governor to write once more to the Provincial Commissioners.
Frederick Post was dispatched by Mr. Logan and Mr. Peters.
We delivered to him printed Copies of Conferences at Easton and Lancaster, and Copies of the present Conferences, All the Belts and Strings delivered in Conferences, having first Numbered them and referred to the particulars with each Belt and String, and put Labals on them. James, the Indian, agreed to go with him, and an Horse was got for James. The Indians gave the Governor a List of Prisoners, which was copied and delivered to Mr. Post.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Friday the 4th of August, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters,
Benjamin Chew,
Chew, } Esqu
Indians.
John Hudson, a Seneca. Sam, or Sogongwogay. Hans Jacob,
5 Minnisink Indians.
On the 3d instant five Minnisink Indians and a Seneca Indian Hans Jacob, Teedyuscung's Son, and an Elderly Delaware came to Town, waited on the Governor, and the next day acquainted him that they were two distinct Companies, and came on different Er- rands. The Seneca was sent by three Chief Men, heads of the Senecas, Cayugas, and Minnisinks, to acquaint their Brethren that they had received several Belts from them, and particularly some in April last, by Wossaweelu, or Daniel, and were determined to Come, and had sent him beforehand with a Short Answer ; that calling at Teauchkung, an Indian Town on the Cayuga Branch, he Light of Sogonawaypy, or Sam, and brought him with him for a Companion, and that Hans Jacob, Teedyuscung's Son, joined them at Wioming, and had no Business here that he knew of. That the Five Minnisink Indians were sent to the Governor of the Jerseys with an Answer to the Message sent by Moses Tetamy. The Seneca Indian said he met with the Secretary at Bethlehem and told him he had matters of great Consequence from the Seneca Nation, and desired him to send a Messenger for Conrad Weiser to meet him in Philadelphia in order to Interpret his Messages; and he was sorry not to find him here, for he did not chuse to deliver his Message without his Assistance. He was told that Mr. Weiser was sent for, but was from home and could not come in time.
The Minisink Indians, as Moses Tetamy informed the Governor, Considered the Seneca as a Man sent to hear what they should say, and in their Turn wanted to hear what he had to say, and were loath to proceed to Burlington untill they knew the pur- port of His Messages. They asked the Governor's advice if they should go to Burlington or stay here; they would do either as he should advise them. There appeared to be a Mutual Jealousy, and neither cared to be the first Speaker.
The Governor, by the Advice of Tetamy, let the Indians know that he would call his Council to day and give the Minnisinks an Answer.
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Moses Tetamy having reminded the Governor that they expected the usual Ceremonies would be observed towards them, of wiping the Sweat from their Bodies, he made the following Speech to them : " Brothers :
" As you are Messengers, and have come a great way through the Woods, I Brush the Briers from your legs; I anoint the Bot- tom of your feet ; I wipe the Dust out of your Eyes and Throat ; I clear your Bodies from the Sweat and Dust, and I heartily bid you welcome."
4 Strings of Wampum,
" Brothers, the Minisink Indians :
" Yesterday you asked my advice what you should do; whether stay here or go to Burlington. You know you were not sent to me, but to the Governor of Jersey, and you have an answer to the Belts he sent.
" The reason why you came through this Province, is because the road to the Indian Country, since the War, lies through this Province; and at the Instance of the Governor of Jersey, I gave those passports that you have with you, to engage safety and pro- tection to whoever should be sent. You needed not to have come to this City, there is a shorter Road to Burlington.
" I was glad that your nation accepted Governor Bernard's Belts. They told Moses Tetamy, that the Messengers would, by a certain time, be at Fort Allen with another; and he was now going to Fort Allen to meet you; but fortunately he has Light of you here; will take you by the Hand, as it is his Duty, and Conduct you to Bur- lington, where the Governor, Council, and Assembly, are now sit- ting. I therefore advise you, by all means, to go forthwith to Bur- lington. I am myself going there to Visit the Governor at his Request by Letter which I received the other Day, and shall be glad if I can be of any Service to you."
The Indians seemed in great Confusion and desired to be alone ; They were an hour in Consultation keeping the Governor and Coun- cil Waiting. At length they came into Council and John Hudson acquainted the Governor that he was much Disappointed in Conrad Weiser's not coming, but he believed his Message could be inter- preted by Moses Tetamy and Sam, and therefore he inclined to deliver it; and as all he should say was very good, and related to all his Brethren, he desired the Governor would sit in the state House that the People might hear his good News; To which the Governor agreed, and ordered the Council to be summoned at 10 o'Clock to-morrow morning in the State House.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
At a Conference with the Indians in the Council Chamber at Philadelphia, August the 5th, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters, Esquires,
Benjamin Chew,
Several of the Inhabitants of the City,
Indians.
Eyendeegen or John Hudson, a Seneca Messenger from Tagegh- slasa ; Sogongwypy or Samuel, a Delaware from Teauchkung on the Cayuga Branch.
Hans Jacob, Teedyuscung's Son.
Five Minisink Indians, Viz : Benjamin, Waloopies.
Moses Tetamy, Interpreter for the Delawares, there being an In- terpreter for the Six Nations or Minge Language in Town.
John Hudson from Modesty declined speaking and employed Sogongwpy to speak for him, who arising said : «' Brother :
"Hear me, I will speak to you; here are my Uncles, the Five Na- tions; They have four fire places, at which they received the Belts you sent by Essoweyowalland or Daniel.
" Brother :
-
" The five Nations desire you not to be uneasy, they say they are going to Johnson, who is going to War. We are, say they, going to him, When we come back to our fire places, we will smoak and look down towards you. When we return from Johnson we will come to you and speak to you fully. There were seven or eight from his Town with you at Easton, but they had little to say then, because our Cousin Teedyuscung was busy, and we had not time to say any thing. We only came to hear him, now when we come we will speak for ourselves fully."
Some Questions being asked about Teedyuscung's being busy, the Seneca said " Teedyuscung put the Five Nations behind him, and when they came home reported what he had said.
" Now here is our Belt, with it I take you by the Hand and desire you to meet me at the New Council Fire kindled at Easton."
A Belt of Eight Rows.
Then taking out a String he said :
" Teedyuscung sends you this String and speaks as follows : " Brother :
, " I have often told you to hear me, and to speak loud. Here are
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my Uncles the five Nations and I am five Nations, which make Ten Nations. As you have said you were Strong, I desire you would now exert yourself and speak louder that all the Nations may hear you.”
A String.
After this the Seneca said he would go with his Cousins, the Munseys, to Burlington. He said he did not know when he set out that they would go any further than this Town. But now, as they must go to Burlington, he would go with them, and Samuel will return home. He further added, that the Indians only waited for him to return; that when he returned home, Three Chiefs would immediately rise, and come to meet the Governor at Easton, where they should expect to see him; that as soon as they were to come, they would send down a Messenger before them to the Gov- ernor, that he might also arise and come and meet them. The Three Chiefs that will come are, Eghkoohunt, the Munsy Chief, Tagheshata, of Megachtinna, the Seneca Chief, and Kahatoodo, the Cayuga Chief. He ended with saying they were only Messengers, and had delivered the Messages sent them, and now had no more to say.
Hereupon the Governor, taking a String, said :
" Brother :
" I receive the Belt from the Three Chiefs very kindly. There Message is very good and agreeable. I will wait for their Mes- senger to come, and let me know when they will be at Easton, and I will meet them there."
A String.
" I desire you will let Teedyuscung know that I am much obliged to him for his Message, and shall act as he desires."
Another String.
When the Governor had delivered the Strings, the Seneca Mes- sengers said he was desired to say by word of mouth, without Strings, that not only the Three Chiefs be mentioned would come, but also many other Chiefs from the Nations in Friendship with these. He added, that he would let the Governor know beforehand by word of mouth what is intended to be said at Easton He said, "the Chiefs had ordered, after he had delivered the Belts, then to speak this, and to let the Governor know how it is with them since these Troubles began. The Six Nations are the Heads of all the Nations here. When these Troubles began, many Belts and Strings came from the Indian Nations beyond them, saying, why don't you do something ? Why don't you Speak ? The french are coming, and will take all our Land from us. Why do you set still ? Such Messages were often sent. Now, Brother, I was with the Three Chiefs when they took out a Belt from under them, and more than
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a fathom long, which they valued much. It was their Old Antient Belt, the Confederates or Union Belt, which tied them together. They desired me to tell you that they had sent to these Nations who sent us the Belt, to assure them we will not sit still any longer. But since you desire it, we will all join, and do what you desire. We see the French have been the Occasion of all the Mischief. The English have been in Confusion, but we will all arise and attack the French, and drive them away. I don't say these things of myself, the Chiefs ordered me to tell you so. Two Days after these Belts were sent to the Nations, we set out for this place. I have further to inform you that just before we came away, Johnson sent a Hatchet to the Six Nations and they have accepted it."
The Governor acquainted the Council that Mr. James Pemberton had introduced to him a French Merchant who was sent by a Cap- tain of a Spanish Privateer that had taken the Ship Hannah, be- longing to him and others, to negociate her Ransom; that Mr. Pemberton was inclined to pay the Ransom money, but found it attendd. with some difficulties, being advised that if it were paid here & that Privateer should be taken with the Hostages on Board, the Vessel taking it would be intituled to Salvage. Some further Difficulties, likewise, were about Getting the Hostages Home. Mr. Pemberton desired the Governor be pleased to mention this affair Candidly to the Governor of Louisiana, to whom he was informed the Governor intended to write by Captain Viviat, the Flag of Truce now here from the Mississippi. Mr. Chew was Consulted with on the part of Mr. Pemberton and the Government.
Captain Viviat being ready to sail, his dispatches were ordered to be prepared by the Secretary.
The Governor and Council having received information that some of the principal Men of Jersey were averse to pacifick Measures, and extremely exasperated against the Indians, and the Governor being quite unacquainted with Indian Business, and having invited the Governor to come and see him, the Governor was advised, tho' much indisposed, to take this Opportunity of paying Mr. Bernard a Visit, and Mr. Turner, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Chew, who are ac- quainted with most of the Members of Council, and some of the Assembly offered their Service to accompany the Governor, which was kindly accepted.
The Governor having received a Letter from Sir William John- son inclosing his Speech to the Delaware Indians living on the Ohio, the same was read and ordered to be entered as follows :
" Sir William Johnson's Speech to the Delaware Indians living on the Ohio and those parts, sent this day by Joseph Peppy, a Dela- ware Indian.
" FORT JOHNSON, July 21st, 1758.
" ' Brethren :
" Since the War broke out between the English and French, I
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have given several Belts of Wampum to your Brethren living on the Susquehannah River to be sent you in my Name, and also in the Name of your Uncles the Six Nations, to call on you to come away from the Ohio and those parts, and to return to your former settle- ments on the Susquehannah River, where your Brethren still remain ; but I fear some evil Spirit has taken my Belts and put them under ground, and that they were never delivered to you, for I find you still remain on the Ohio, and I have never had any answer from you to any of my said Belts.
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