USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 17
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"'Brethren :
"' This Spring I gave another Belt to some of your Flesh and Blood, who come to this Council fire from Oksiningo, repeating the above call to you and which they promised should be sent to you.
" ' Your Uncles, the Cayugas, who were lately here, told me they had some time ago sent you a Belt desiring you would leave the Ohio and come and live with the rest of your Brethren on the Waters of the Susquehannah.
""' I have just now also heard a Speech which your Uncles the Cherokees, some of whom are now come to this Council fire to talk with your Uncles, the Six Nations, and their Brethren, in this Speech your Uncles, the Cherokees, by a Belt of Wampum, desire . you would come away from the Ohio, as they Declared War against the French and their Indians, and have joined their Arms with their Brethren, the English ; they are, therefore, afraid they might meet with some of you in that Country and by mistake hurt you, which they would be sorry for, as they have a great kindness and regard for your Nation.
"'Brethren :
""The Times are Troublesome, and I see black Clouds gathering over the Ohio. I therefore send this Belt for the last Time, and your Uncles, the Six Nations, join me in it, to advise you to get out of the Way, and come with all your Families and live with the rest of your Brethren on the Waters of the Susquehannah, which you will find safe and pleasant, and have ground enough to plant on.
"' It is not good at any time for Brethren to be seperated at so great a Distance from each other as your people now are, more es- pecially at such times as these.
"'Brethren :
"' I hope you will listen to the many Calls which have been given you from time to time, by all your Friends. They wish you well and mean for your good. Don't listen to the Evil minded People who want to shut your Eyes from seeing what is good, and deceive you with lying Speeches.
"' Your Uncles, the Six Nations, and your Brethren living on the Susquehannah River, are invited to a great Meeting by the Governor
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of Pennsylvania. I would have your Chief Men go thither, and they will hear things for their good, and I hope such as will open their Eyes to see what is their true Interest. Your Brethren, the English, have their Arms Open to receive you. If you will not hearken to all the Messages which have been sent, and the Several Warnings which have been given you, all your Friends will look on you as a head-strong, deluded people, and you may perhaps repent of it when it will be too late.
"' Regard, therefore, the Words I and your Brethren of the Six Nations now speak to you, and let your advice and Call be now heard and Complied with.
"'We give you this Belt of Wampum to Confirm all we have said.'
" A true Extract from the Records-Examined by me, "PETER WRAXALL, Secy. $ In. Aff."
Don Antonio Sais, Captain of the Spanish Vessel hired by Cap- tain Bowne to bring here the Effects saved from on Board an Eng- lish Ship belonging to Merchants here, which was Stranded on a Maroon Island near Cuba, having signified to the Governor that he was ready to sail, His Honour the Governor wrote a Letter to the Governor of the Havannah and gave the Captain of the Spanish Vessel a Passport.
The Governor further informed the Council that he was Embar- rassed with Applications from Masters of Dutch Vessels who were brought in here by Private Ships of War, Some of which were acquitted in the Admiraltry, and others were not so much as libelled in that Court; that petitions were preferred to him requesting Leave to sell Vessel and Cargo, or both, and that not Understanding these matters he had Consulted Mr. Taylor, the Collector, who was of Opinion that if such Vessels were bought by any of his Majesty's Subjects they would not, by the Laws of trade, be entituled to a Register, and that this might open a Door to Fraud, and breaking of the Laws of Trade. The Governor therefore asked the advice of his Council what was proper to be done on such Applications.
Mr. Chew, the Attorney General, agreed that a Register ought not to be granted on a bare License of the Governor to the Dutch Owner or Captain to sell the Ship. That nothing less than a De- cree in Admiraltry would justify the granting a New Register; but as to any part of the Cargo, it might, if of a perishing Nature, or to defray Necessary Expences, be permitted to be Sold.
MEMORANDUM.
On the 11th of August, 1758, The Governor delivered to Cap- tain Viviat his Dispatches, Viz: A Permit to take on board cer-
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tain things therein Specified, and a Passport ; A Roll or Certificate of four French Prisoners to take with him in Exchange for the four English Ones he brought ; * * * * a Letter to his Excellency Louis De Kerberee, Governor of New Orleans.
Captain Viviat was ordered to stay until he could be convoyed by a Letter of Marque; and on the 13th of August, Captain At- kins letting the Governor know that he was ready to sail, having a pretty good Force on board, and a Letter of Marque, the Governor Acquainted Captain Viviat that he might go on Board when he pleased, and sent a Letter by him to Captain Atkins.
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MEMORANDUM.
The Governor, attended by Mr. Chew, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Peters, waited on Governor Bernard at Burlington and assisted in the Councils relating to the Minisink Indians. On the Governor's Return to Philadelphia, he received Intelligence that a party of French and other Indians were met on their march to the Minisinks and other Parts of Jersey, upon which his Honour immediately dis- patched an Express to Governor Bernard with the Intelligence, and on the Tenth Instant received an Answer of thanks, and soon after a Copy of the Indian Conferences held at Burlington, which were read and ordered to be entered as follows :
" At a Conference held at Burlington, on Monday the 7th day of August, A. Domini, 1758.
" PRESENT :
" His Excellency FRANCIS BERNARD, Esqr., Governor.
" James Hude, Richard Saltar, Esquires, of his
" Andrew Johnson, L. M. Ashfield, Majesty's
" Peter Kemble, Samuel Woodruff, Council.
" Charles Read,
" John Stephens, Esqrs., Commissioners for Indian Affairs.
" William Forster,
" Indians :
" Otawopass Benjamin, - Messengers from the Minisink Indians. " Coallins Goatshank, S
" Apewyett, alias John Hudson, Messengers from the Senecas.
"Samuel, a Delaware Indian,
" Jandahass, a Delaware Indian who came with the Minisink Indians.
"John Pumphire, Interpreter.
" Moses Tetamy,
" Stephen Calvin, S Assistants.
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" His Excellency sat holding 4 Strings of Wampum in his Hand, and spoke to them as follows :
" 'Brethren :
"' As you are come from a long Journey through a Wood full of Briars, with this String I anoint your Feet and take away their Soreness.'
" Then threw off a String.
"" With this String I wipe the Sweat from off your Bodies.'
" Then threw off a Second String.
"" With this String I cleanse your Eyes, Ears, and Throat, that you may see, hear, and speak clearly. I particularly anoint your Throat, that every Word you say may have a free passage from your Heart.'
"Then threw off a Third String.
""" And with this String I bid you heartily Welcome.'
" Then delivered all the four Strings.
" His Excellency then informed them that he should be ready to hear what they had to say in answer to the message he had sent to their Chiefs as soon as would be Convenient to them, when they informed him they would be ready in the Afternoon."
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" Monday Afternoon.
" Present as in the Morning.
"The Indians being informed that the Governor was ready to hear them, Benjamin, on Behalf of the Minisink Indians, holding a Belt in his Hand, said :
"'Brother :
"' At first when your Messengers came to us at Assiniske (27 Days since), our Antient people were glad to hear them, and our young Men, Women, and Children Rejoiced at the Tidings.
"' We know you are great and Strong, and we took it kindly. All our friends and relations were in Sorrow, and pitied the Condi- tion of the Women and Children who are going up. The kind Words of our Brethren, the English, we sent to our Uncles, the Mingos, and one of them is come down here to the place of our Meeting, to be a Witness of what passes between us.'
" Then John Hudson, the Seneca above-mentioned, spoke as follows :
"' Brother :
"' In Confirmation of what has been said to you, I, who am the Seneca, am by this Belt to inform you that the Munseys are Women
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and cannot hold Treaties for themselves; therefore I am sent to inform you that the Invitation you gave the Munseys is agreeable to us; and we have taken hold of your Belt, and I desire you may write down my attending here the while I am here. I have left my Family in Danger of being cut off by our Enemies (the French). "' Further, Brother :
"' I have told you your Belt was agreeable, and received by us as an Earnest of your Friendship. But tho' we are glad of this Opportunity of Speaking with you, yet I am to inform you that it is not agreeable to Our Chief Men and Counsellers to have a New Council fire kindled or the Old one removed to this side of the River from Pennsylvania, where it hath always been kept Burning. The Reason is this : we know the Strenth of the Water, and that when the Wind and tide is strong it Roars that we cannot hear, so that it is proper we should have the Council fire on the other Side of the River nearer to us.
" 'Brother :
"' I think this is a good reason why it should be so; for 'though we should speak loud the Distant Nations will not hear us if the roaring Waters are between us. We therefore hope, as the Council fire is Kindled and kept Burning in the Forks of Delaware by the desire of all our Nations, we shall see our Brother, the Governor, there.
" 'Brother :
"' We attend to the Words we heard from you ; you say you are a man of Strength, and we believe you are.
"' I am a man as well as you. I know of no Nation Stronger than you ; And our Chief Men and Old Councellors are willing to meet you at the Forks of Delaware, and to Confirm our Alliance and brighten the Chain of Friendship more Clear than it has here- tofore been.
"' This Belt Confirms what I have said.'
" He then delivered to the Governor a Belt, on one side of which are three figures of Men in Black Wampum representing the Shawanese, Delawares, and Mingos, living on the Ohio. On the other Side Four figures representing the United Councils of the Six Nations in their own Country. By their being now joined in this Belt, he declared it expressed their Union, and that the Western Indians having Consulted their Uncles, now joined in sending it in pursuance of a Belt of Invitation sent them above a year since by George Croghan on behalf of the English.
"Then Benjamin, on behalf of the Messengers, said :
"' Brother :
"""Our Antient People and Chief Men are glad to hear of the Kind disposition of the English. We believe you are wise and
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Strong, and for the good of our Wives and Children, for whose pro- tection we are concerned, that they may have some good and lasting Settlement made for them to the latest Posterity, We should be glad of the Opportunity in order to obtain it to see all our Brethren, the English, together. Our Chief Men and Old Councillers are making ready to come to the Council fire in order to settle all matters which have been cause of uneasiness between us. We believe your Professions are Sincere, and that you will agree upon what is most for the good of both you and us, and we shall be ready to be advised by you, as we think you are wise. We are glad to have an Opportunity of Conversing with you without Interruption, tho' the Sun is Low, But we hope our and your Antient and Wise Men will have the happiness of Consulting freely together for the good of one another before it be dark, and that we shall meet one another with Sincerity and truth, as we expect the Blessing from Above to attend us therein.
"" And I am directed to inform you, that the Indian Nations will be next full Moon after this at the Forks of Delaware, and will send the Governor word beforehand of the particular Day they will be there, and of their Nations and Numbers, and so you may make it known to whom you think proper, that they may be present at our Meeting.'
"There are two Nations besides the Munseys parties to this Message.
" The Senecas, whose Chief man is Tagee-iskatt-a, and lives at Mahakensink ; The Cayugas, whose chief man is Eshakanata ; The Chief Man of the Munseys is Ego-ho-houn."
" The Conference continued till Tuesday, August the 8th, 1758. "PRESENT :
" His Excellency the Governor, The Gentlemen of the Council, and the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, the Indians and the Interpreters.
" As Yesterday.
" His Excellency delivered the following Answer to what the Indians said Yesterday :
"Brethren :
"' I am glad to hear that our Offers of peace and amity have been well received by your people, and that they are disposed to brighten the Chain that heretofore had held us together, and to restore that brotherhood that had for many years Subsisted between us. Of late a great Darkness had overshadowed the Land ; but we hope that the Sun is up that will disperse the Clouds that have hin-
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dered us from Seeing one Another, and make all our future days bright and pleasant.
"' We agree with you that it would be best for us all to meet at the great Council fire that is kindled on the Forks of Delaware ; it is on many Accounts proper, and the particular Circumstances of this Province make it most agreeable to us. We differ from the Neighbouring Provinces in many things. We have bounds set to our people beyond which they neither can nor Desire to pass; they are Content with the Cultivation of their Lands, and seek not for Extraordinary Gains by following trade out of their own Country ; as we have had little intercourse with your people, we can have little cause of Contention with them. The Encroachments of unbounded Settlers and the Tricks of unfair Traders cannot be charged on us. All we have to do is to Offer your People our Friendship, which if you will Sincerely and heartily accept of, it shall endure to you & your Children as long as the Sun shall shine or the River on whose Banks we meet shall flow.
"'Brethren :
""' I speak the Words of Justice and Benevolence, and not of Fear. It is well known to many of you that as our People are in- dustrious and hardy, are also bold and resolute. If they are attacked they give shott for Shott and Blow for Blow; but we should be Sorry that this their Warlike Spirit should be turned upon you, our Antient Friends and Brethren. No! let it be Exerted against the French who are the Common Enemies of us, of you, and of all people that would be free and Independant.
"' Brethren :
"' What I speak to you I speak to those that sent you ; And say to our Brethren that we are honest and Sincere in our Profession to them, and hope they will be so in what they Profess to us. But as we have been Struck without having injured any one, we shall ex- pect that they will give us a proof of their good intentions towards us by bringing with them all the Prisoners that have been taken from us. Those among you who are Husbands and Fathers can best tell what our People must feel who have had their Wives and Children taken from them. We also expect that untill we shall all meet at the great Council fire, and those our Mutual Offers of Peace and Friendship shall be brought to a Maturity by a Solemn and Publick Treaty, you will not Suffer your own People to Com- mit Hostilities against us, nor any others to pass by you without giving us Early Notice to prepare ourselves against them.
"' Brethren :
"' The great God whom we serve, and who protects us and gives us all the Blessings of Life which we enjoy, hath Commanded us to be just and Benevolent to all Mankind. We are desirous to be so. And if we can be assured that your People will live on Terms of
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Friendship with us, the Lowest person among you shall receive no hurt from our People that we can prevent or redress. Of this I will give your People further assurance when we meet at the Coun- cil fire. In the mean time, I confirm what I have said by these Belts.'
" His Excellency then delivered one Belt to the Seneca and one to Benjamin, the Musey Messenger."
a
At a Council held at the State House, Thursday the 24th of August, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner,
Esquires.
Benjamin Chew, Thomas Cadwalader,
This Day being appointed by the Governor for the Hearing of the Petitioners against Mr. Moore and his Defence, the Petition of Mr. Moore, the Governor's Letter to the Sheriff, and the Sheriff's Answer were read. !
"The Parties with their Witnesses attending, and a great Number of the Inhabitants, the Doors were then opened, and the Parties were told that the Governor was ready to hear all persons concerned, and on their coming into Council the Governor spoke as follows :
"There are several Complaints against Mr. Moore for Male Prac- tices as a Magistrate. I sit here as my Predecessors have done, not to determine as a Court of Judicature, but to satisfy my own Conscience of the Truth or falsehood of the Charges. I am now ready to hear anything that the Complainants have to offer or that Mr. Moore can say in his own defence."
The Examinations were taken down by Mr. Chew, and it growing late in the Afternoon, the Council was adjourned to 10 o'Clock to- morrow morning. º
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday the 25th of August, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew,
Mr. Moore attending, and the Petitioners against him, with a VOL. VIII .- 11.
-
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Considerable Number of Inhabitants, the Doors were opened, and the Governor proceeded in the Examinations, which lasted till 6 o'Clock in the Evening, and then no more appearing, the Council was adjourned till Eleven o'Clock to-morrow morning.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 26 of August, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew, Esquires.
Thomas Cadwalader,
The Examinations taken the two preceding Days were read, and the Governor asked the opinion of his Council as to the Charges against Mr. Moore, and all concurring in Sentiment, that Mr. Moore had purged himself from every one of them, and appeared to them to be perfectly innocent, the Governor declared the same, and that he never heard a more clear and full defence, and in vindica- tion of Mr. Moore, the Governor, after ordering the Doors to be opened, that all present might be Witnesses of his Opinion of the Charges, he addressed Mr. Moore to the same effect.
MEMORANDUM.
This Day the Cherokees returned from Sir William Johnson, and brought with them several Mohocks, among whom was Scarrogudy's Wife, and all her Children. The Secretary sent his Chaise for the Sick Cherokee. The Cherokee Messenger came with Strings of Wampum for the Governor, letting him know that he had made application to Sir William Johnson for Guns, and was told that they were all delivered out to the Warriors. He was taken into the Store, and showed that there was none there. Sir William Johnson desired them to apply to the Governor of Pennsylvania for Guns, and they would give them as many as were wanted. He further desired Horses for four or five of his Company, besides a good one for himself, and Waggon to carry their Things. The Governor paid them a Visit, and promised to recommend their several Requests to the Commissioners.
The Secretary was ordered to go and Confer with the Commis- sioners on the ill Consequences that would attend the refusing those Requests, though they were unreasonable, and Sir William Johnson was highly to blame. He accordingly went on Tuesday, the usual Time of meeting, but there was no Word. The Governor desired
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the Clerk to Summons the Board to meet next Day, and Mr. Peters went there, and in the Governor's name entreated these things might be provided. Mr. Fox, Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Baynton were only there, and they said they could give the Governor no Answer, not being a Board. Israel Pemberton was with them. The Gov- ernor, by the Secretary, condoled with a String of Wampum the Death of Annaly, which was kindly taken. The Commissioners, as Hart informed the Governor, gave him Forty Pounds to provide Waggon and Horse for the Lame Cherokee. A Message was delivered by Mr. Hart from Scarrogudy's Wife, who presented him with her Husband's Calumet Pipe, and desired he and the Indians might Smoak in it together; that she intended to have gone into the Cherokee Country, but had altered her mind, and would stay here with her Children.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 4th of Septem"., 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, Esquires.
The Assembly being to meet according to Adjournment this Day, The Governor proposed to consider the Draught of a proper Message to the House, relating to Indian affairs, but the other Members not attending, it was postponed.
MEMORANDUM.
On Tuesday, the 5th, a Message was delivered from the House by two Members, that the House met last Night according to their Adjournment ; that they did but just make a Quorum, and intended to adjourn till the 11th Instant, if the Governor had no. Objection. Whilst the Members were with the Governor, Captain Wallace, Commander of the Port Mahon, delivered to the Governor a Letter from Admiral Boscawen, desiring assistance for some recruits towards Manning the Fleet, adding, if he would send him Three Hundred, he should be enabled to send to Philadelphia the Eccho of Thirty-Two Guns.
The Letter was immediately sent to the House by the Secretary, with a Verbal Message, Strongly recommending it to the House to enable him to send the Number Wanted.
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A Letter from Admiral Boscawen to Governor Denny.
" NAMUR, LOUISBOURG HARBOUR, the 5th of August, 1758.
" Sir :
" As the great Trade of the Colony of Pennsylvania is a Nursery for many able and good Seamen, and as Trade depends much on destroying the Enemies' Privateers, I hope for your assistance for some Recruits towards manning the Fleet under my Command, and if you would send me Three Hundred I should thereby be enabled to send to Philadelphia the Eccho of Thirty-two Guns taken here, and will appoint her to that Station directly as soon as you will furnish Men for that Service. I send the Port Mahon under the Command of Captain Wallis, who is a very discreet Officer, with this. He has my Orders to receive any men you may raise for his Majesty's Service. I am told the Merchants, Planters, and Gentlemen of the Assembly will be ready to give their assistance. on this Occasion.
"I am, Sir, your most Obedient Hume Servt., "E". BOSCAWEN."
The same Day a Verbal Message was delivered to the Governor by Two Members in these Words : "Upon considering the Ad- miral's Letter, laid before us by your Secretary, we apprehend it is not Expected that the Recruits therein mentioned should be at the Charge of this Government. Besides, we have already"granted such aids to the Crown at the particular Requisition of the Secretary of State, and at a great Expence to the Province fitted out a Ship of War, now on a Cruise, for the Protection of our Trade, that it is not in our power to Comply with it under our present Circumstances ; The Publick Fund being nearly Expended, and many of the Troops in the Service of the Crown yet unpaid. The Application we ap- prehend is to your Honour for your assistance as executive part of Government to the Gentlemen Commissioned by the Admiral for that Purpose."
And then they acquainted the Governor that the House had ad- journed to the Eleventh Instant.
A number of Soldiers' Wives belonging to the First and Second Battallion, and Otway's Regiment, petitioned the Governor for Relief.
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Åt a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 11th of Septem- ber, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew,
John Mifflin,
The Letter of Admiral Boscawen and the Assembly's Message were read, and the council were of Opinion that the House should be desired again to consider this Request and grant it.
A Letter from Governor Delancy, of the 4th of September, in Answer to the Governor of the 30th of August, was read in these Words :
"NEW YORK, the 4th of September, 1758. " Sir :
" I had by the last Post the favour of your Letter of the Thir- tieth of August, inviting me to a Meeting to be held with some Indians the middle of this month at Easton. The Notice is so short that I cannot possibly call the Assembly together to provide for the Expences of such an Interview, for I know that a Governor can have little Weight with Indians, unless he has presents to throw into the scale, and as the King has placed the sole agency of Indian affairs into Sir William Johnson's Hands, I choose to de- cline going to this Interview; besides, from a Letter I received on Saturday from General Abercrombie, I judge my presence abso- lutely necessary in this Province. However, I wish you all imma- ginable Success from this meeting ; for my part, I have very little Faith. Indians are always ready to receive presents and give back Promises. May your Conferences produce the Effects which are hoped for from them.
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