Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII, Part 27

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 812

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" Upon the Whole it is very evident to us, and so we presume it must appear to all unprejudiced Persons, that there is not the least Shadow of Foundation for any part of the Complaint made by Teedyuscung, on behalf of the Indians against the Proprietaries, .we must, therefore, attribute his exhibiting that false and ground- less Charge against them to some undue Influence, or to the Diffi- culty he was under to invent any other plausible Excuse for the cruel Murders and horrid Devastations committed by them on our

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back Inhabitants, and for their base ungreatful Breach of Faith, and the many Treaties made and so solemnly and frequently re- newed with us, even so lately as the Spring before they committed those shocking murders and cruelties on our Borders ; And we can- not but think that instead of this False Cause which Teedyuscung has thought fit to assign for their taking part with the Enemy against us, he might with greater Truch have mentioned that of our refusing or neglecting (tho' so frequently and earnestly requested) to afford them Protection and give them the Hatchet, and to join and go out with them against the French, as we have before observed. But the People who have since that Time appeared so indefatigably industrious to engross all the Management of the Indians to them- selves (in which your Honour must be sensible, as well as we, they have too well Succeeded), were chiefly the same who made up a great Majority of the Assembly at the Time when the House from their avowed religious Principles, or from what other Motives they best knew, refused or declined to concur with the Governor in giving up the Hatchets to and joining with those Indians against the Enemy, and as they cannot but be conscious that they justly deserve, and must have incurred great Blame on that account, if the Indians should have given that for the Reason of their joining with the French against us, we are better able to account for these People being so numerous at all the late Indian Treaties, and upon all Occasions so very forward and anxious to ingratiate themselves with the Indians; and for Teedyuscung's choosing to offer these imaginary Reasons for their Quarrel with us, rather than the True one.

" We are, Sir,

" Your most Humble Servants,

" JOSEPH TURNER, "LYNFORD LARDNER,

" BENJAMIN CHEW,

"JOHN MIFFLIN, "THOMAS CADWALADER.

"Read and approved in Council, the 6th January, 1758."

The Schedules annexed to the foregoing Report :

Page.

"No. 1. Antient Copy of Indian Purchase Deeds of 28th of August, 1686

1, 2, 3 "No. 2. Minutes of Indian Land Treaty, 24th April, 1737

7, 8,9 "No. 3. Old Mr. Hamilton's Sketch of Draught] of that Land,

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MINUTES OF THE

Page.

" No. 4. Depositions of persons present at the Walk, Septem"., 1737, Viz4:

Nicholas Scull - -

Edward Marshall - -

Alexander Brown -

Timothy Smith -

John Hyder -

Epraim Goodwin - 26

" No. 5. Copy Benjamin Easburn's Map, and the one and Half Day's Walk, and Lands adjacent 33

"No. 6. Extracts Secretary Markham's Diary for 1686 - 36

" No. 7. Minutes of Council, 2d August, 1686 40

" No. 8. Indian Deed 25th August, 1737, of Confirma- tion of Deed 28th August, 1686 - · 44 "No. 9. Indian Deed of 15th July, 1682, and Counter- part executed by Governor Markham - 52

Richard Peters' Affidavit to prove said Deed 60 , "No. 10. Messrs. Allen, Hamilton, Richard Peters, and Nicholas Scull's Affidavit, proving said pre- ceding Deeds and Papers, from No. 1 to No. 9, therein referred to - 64 to 74

" No. 11. Copys 4 Several Indian Deeds, all Dated 23d June, 1683 -

Affidavit, Richard Peters to prove them - 84

" No. 12. Copy Indian Deeds 30th July, 1685 88

Affidavit, Richard Peters to prove -

" No. 13. Copy Minute of Council, 22d July, 1707 Ditto, 19th May, 1712 98

Do. 14 Octor., 1712 102

108

And his Answer - 112

And their Answer to him, the dispute about the Lands to the five Nations at the Treaty at Philadelphia 116

" No. 15. Copy Indian Deed for River Susquehannah, and Landson both Sides, dated 11th October, 1736 118 And probate thereof 122

And Deed of Confirmation thereof, dated 25th Octor., 1736 - Probate thereof, pr. Conrad Weiser -

124

126

Copy of Six Nation Indians petition or request to Thomas Penn, Esqr., Conrad Weiser, the 19th November, 1736, requesting (interalia) that our Proprietaries would Purchase no Lands of the Delawares, for that they have no right to sell, nor good Designs 128

"No. 14. Copy Minutes of Council 26th March, 1741 - And of Delaware Indians, & Letters to Gov". Thomas, &cª. -

110

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Page.

Copy Conrad Weiser's Affidavit to prove Indian Deed of 11th & 25th, and proving said Peti- tion of 19th November, 1736, signed then at his House, 1736

130

"No. 16. Minutes of Council, 6th April, 1754, with Gov- ernor Hamilton's Message @ Mr. Weiser to Susquehannah Indians, offering to redress any Grievances they had to complain of - Mr. Weiser's report thereon in Minute Council 7th May, 1754 -

134

"No. 17. Copy Minutes of Council at Indian Treaty, or friendly Conference with Delawares, &ca., 14th April, 1755

146

"No. 18. Minutes of Indian Treaty or Conference with Scarroyady, the Owendats, and some others of the Six Nation Indians, 7th August, 1755 " No. 19. Do. 8th November, 1755, with Scarrooyady and Jagrea - "No. 20. Copy Governor Morris' Message to the Assem- bly, in Consequence of said Treaty, for us to support and join the Indians against the French - -

158

165

And of Assembly's answer thereto - -

167

"No. 21. Copy Indian Deed of 22d August, 1749 - 170

At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday, February the 6th, 1759.

PRESENT :

The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Robert Strettell, Richard Peters, Esquires.

Joseph Turner, Lynford Lardner,

The Governor laid before the Board two Letters he had received from General Amherst, which were read and ordered to be entered :

A Letter from General Amherst to Governor Denny. "NEW YORK, December the 30th, 1758. " Sir :

"I received with great Pleasure your Letter of the Twenty-Fifth Instant, accompanying your Message to the Assembly and their Answer, Both which are so satisfactory and so promising for the good of the Service in general, that I should think myself wanting in point of Acknowledgement were I not to make you the most early Return for the Same.

135

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"The Ready compliance of the Assembly at my Requisition to Continue the Fourteen Hundred Old Troops in the Pay of the Pro- vince till their next meeting, likewise merits my warmest Thanks, which I must beg to convey to them through your Channel, with the further Assurances of my taking the first Opportunity to lay before His Majesty. this mark of their Loyalty and Zeal.

"I am also much obliged to you for the Copy of Brigadier Gen- eral Forbes' Letter ; but am sorry to find he was so much indisposed as not to be able to travel from Loyal Hannon. I hope he will have recovered, and that I shall soon have the Satisfaction of Con- gratulating him on his return to Philadelphia.

"I am, with great Regard, Sir, " Your most Obedient hume Servant,

" JEFF. AMHERST."

Another Letter from General Amherst to Governor Denny. "NEW YORK, 13th January, 1759.

" Sir :

" Yesterday I had the pleasure of your Letter of the Eighth Instant by Lieutenant Colonel Morris, acquainting me with your being to meet the Assembly of the Lower Counties on the Twenty- Second of this Month, and that as you have experienced their Loyal Affection to His Majesty's Person and Government you flatter your- self they will chearfully raise Supplies for the Service of the Cur- rent year to the utmost of their Abilities. I wish you, Sir, at that Meeting all imaginable Success, and from your Experienced good opinion of them, make no doubt but I shall have the Satisfaction of Congratulating you thereupon, and of returning them my Warm- est Thanks.

" Lieutenant Colonel Morris having represented to me that some small Difficulties had arisen at Philadelphia in relation to Quarter- ing, I take this Opportunity of transmitting to you a Copy of the Agreement entered into between the Deputy Quarter-Master Gen- eral for the King and the Select Men of Boston, which I have made a standing rule for all the other Provinces and Colonies on the Continent, who now one and all comply therewith, and do as I have no reason to think that Pennsylvania would be deficient in their Care of and regard for the 'Troops sent for their Defence and Protection, I make no Doubt that upon sight of the before men- tioned agreement they will chearfully comply with it, and cause every difficulty that may have arisen immediately to Subside.

" I am, with great Regard, Sir, "Your most Obedt Hume· Servant, " JEFF. AMHERST."

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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Two Members having waited on the Governor Yesterday to acquaint him that the House were met, his Honour directed the Secretary to deliver to the House the said Letters from General Amherst, and also a Copy of the Agreement mentioned in the General's Letter of the Thirteenth of January, with a Verbal Message, that the Governor recommend to the House the immediate Consideration of the distressed state of the Provincials, who are now on Duty in the Several. Garrisons of the Frontiers. His Honour likewise desires a Sufficient Number of Blankets may be forthwith sent, and the Soldiers enabled to Provide for themselves such Necessaries as are absolutely wanted in this Severe Season.

MEMORANDUM.

On the Seventh Two Members waited on the Governor to acquaint him that the House had referred to the Provincial Com- missioners to make Provision for the Troops, agreeable to his Honour's verbal Message of Yesterday; that as no Advices had been received from Great Britain, relating to the Plan of Operations for the Ensuing year, the House inclined to adjourn to the Twenty- Fifth Instant, if the Governor had no Objection. His Honour was pleased to say, he was glad the House had ordered a proper supply of Blankets for the Troops, and that he had no objection to the proposed Time of adjournment.

At a Council held at Philadelphia, Tuesday the 13th of February,. 1759.

PRESENT :

The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.

Robert Strettell,

Benjamin Shoemaker,

Joseph Turner, Richard Peters, Esquires.

Lynford Lardner, Thomas Cadwalader,

The Governor informed the Council, that as soon as he returned from Newcastle he was acquainted by Mr. Croghan and Mr. Montour, that several Indians were in Town who lived near the indian Town Bouclones, on the Head Waters of the Ohio, and that Tottinyanhiago and the youngest Shick Calamy, called John Petit, who bad been dispatched with the Messages to the Ohio Indians from the Treaty at Easton, were likewise here, with Thomas King, and another Warrior who had assisted General Forbes at the Close of the Campaign, and tho' their Business was principally with the General, they would be glad to Wait on the Governor. The Secre- tary was sent to them with the Governor's Compliments, and a

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kind Message to enquire after their Health and Accommodations, and that he would be glad to see them the next Day, which was Tuesday the Third Instant.

Accordingly they came on that Day, when they expressed great. uneasiness at their being detained in Town by the General, who was indisposed, and had let them know that when the Governor came to Town he would speak to them, and desired the Governor would remind him of their being here and that they wanted to speak with him and their Business required Dispatch.

" At their Instance, he pressed the Governor from time to time to hear what they had to say, but being too much indisposed he had desired Mr. Peters to examine into their Errand and take it down in Writing, and to Put some Questions to them, and be very Exact in taking down their Answers, which was done as follows:

" On Thursday the Eighth of February, 1759, Richard Peters, at the Request of General Forbes, with the Approbation of the Governor, held a Conference with the Indians.

" PRESENT:

"Tottinyantringo, a Cayuga Chief; John Petit, or the Youngest of the Shick Calamys, MessTs sent from Easton Treaty.

"Thomas King, Warrior and Oneido Chief.

" Canawaago, the Chief of the Indian Deputies near Bowlunce.

" A Cherokee Deputy, sent from the Cherokees with the Army under General Forbes to Bowclunce, before the Reduction of Fort Duquesne.

"George Croghan, Esquire, Indian Agent to Sir William Johnson.

" Andrew Montour, Interpreter.

" 1st Question. ' Where do these Deputies live, when did they leave their Town, and where did they come from last ?'

" Answer. 'We live on Ohio, about Ninety Miles above Venango, and we left our Towns along with the Cherokees, in Number Forty, above two Months ago, and we called at Venango, and thence came the straight Path to Fort DuQuesne, without calling any where else.'

"2d Question. 'What is the Business you were sent upon, and to what People ?'

"Answer. 'Before we left home we heard that the French had abandoned Fort Duquesne, and the English had taken Post there, and that Deputies from the Six Nations were transacting Business with the Delaware and Shawanese, which was the Reason of our setting off from home to hear what news was passing between the English and Indians about Fort Duquesne ; We were Thirty of our own Nation when we sat out, and Ten Delawares, of which Thirty we present are five, and the rest are waiting for our Return at Fort Duquesne.'

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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

"' In our Way to Fort Duquesne, we called at Venango, where we saw the principal Officer who commanded lately at that Fort, and Forty French Soldiers with him, and no more.'

"3d Question. ' What is the Reason that you did not return to your Own Country from Pittsburg, as the Commanding officer there had, at your request, related what had passed between the English and the Delawares, and between the Six Nation Deputies and the Indians at Kushkuski, and the other Town on Beaver Creek ?'

" Answer. 'When we came to Pittsburgh and found that the Deputies of the Six Nations, and the English General were gone to Philadelphia, we held a Council, at which it was determined that Deputies should be sent down after the Six Nation Deputies; and the General, in Order to know what was to be done this next Spring, and what the Six Nations had, transacted at the last Treaty at Eas- ton, that we might take Measures accordingly ; and further, that we might send answers to several Messages which we had received from the Southern Indians, by one of them who is now present, which we could not do till we should hear from the Mouths of the Deputies of the Six Nations, and of the General, what is really agreed on between them and the other Indians. You must be sen- sible that this is a Matter of vast Importance for us to know with Truth and Certainty, as the French are our near Neighbours, sur- rounding us on all sides, and urging us to join them. This made it necessary to know the particulars of the Treaty at Easton, and on what Footing Peace was established between the Indians and English.'

" This is what we had in Charge from our Towns, and we told it to the Commanding Officer at Pittsburgh, who wrote it down, and we are now sent to receive the Answers from the Mouths of the General and the Six Nations Deputies ; and we would further be glad to know, what was put down in Writing by Colonel Mercer, and sent to the General, that if it be wrong, as we had very bad Interpreters, it might be set right.'

"' May it not be the shortest way, as Andrew Montour can inter- pret well, for you to relate what you really came about, and if you think so, please to relate it.'

" They grew tired, and being hungry, wanted Dinner. Postponed till to-morrow Morning Nine o'Clock."

" The Conference continued on Friday, 9th of February, 1759.

" PRESENT :

" The same as before.

" And the other four Deputies from the Canawaago with another Indian called Assarago, who came to Town last Night.

" Tottinyantungo, Speaker.

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MINUTES OF THE

" He repeated, according to the Indian Custom, what had been said yesterday, adding a few more particulars, Vizt. :

" That when they came to Venango, the Commanding Officer made a Speech to them and gave three War Belts : one to the Sha- wanese, one to the Delawares, and one to the Six Nations, telling them that the English had drove them from Fort Duquesne, and desired them to take the Hatchet against the English, and revenge their injuries upon them ; but they rejected the Belts and the Hatchet, and declared they would go and see with their own eyes, likewise know for certain what was doing at Fort Duquesne; that there were six Nation Deputies with the English General, and with them they would talk, & afterwards take their Measures according to what they should be informed of. They were well pleased with the reception given them at Pittsburg, and the whole Party having held a Council, these five were appointed to follow the Six Nation's Deputies and the General, and learn from their own Mouths what had passed, and what the English General determined to do, and what was the Resolutions of the Six Nations thereupon. They ad- ded, 'We have often heard that the English had since the present War retained a great Regard for the Indians, and as we have always preserved an affection for our Brethren, the English, We come now to tell them so, and to know if what we have heard of their regards from the Indians be true.

"' This is the Substance of our Business, and we are ordered to return in Twenty-Five Days, the French being very industrious in making Interest with all the different Indians, and endeavouring to turn them in their favour, for they will certainly make an attack early in the Spring.

""' We, therefore, desire to be satisfied by the General in these two Articles : 1st. To be informed what was agreed upon at Easton between the Six Nations, Delawares, and English. Secondly, What further measures the English General will take in the Spring, and what part the Six Nations will take therein.'

" 4th Question. 'Does the Cherokee return to his Country from this Town, or go back with you to your Towns, and what were his Messages he brought to you ?'

" Answer. 'He was sent to know what we and the Six Nations would do in the Spring, for their People were determined to do the same. This was all his Errand, and we have several Messages from the Southern Indians to the same Purpose. We think the Indians of all Nations will follow the Determination and Example of the Six Nations ; and therefore, we are under a necessity of knowing the General's Resolutions and those of the Six Nations, in order to re- turn our Answers. The Cherokee is to return with us to our Town, where we left his Uncle, who are both to be dispatched home with the Determinations of our Councils.'"

1 t

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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The General finding himself worse, and unable to speak, wrote a letter to the Governor by Lieutenant Grant inclosing what he would chuse should be said in his Name to the Indians; and the Governor acquainted the Council they were now called to Consider it.

The Speeches were read, and as it is intirely a Business with the King's General, the Governor and Council were of opinion that from the necessity of the Affair it might be proper if the Governor would be pleased to gratify the General's Request and to Send for the Provincial Commissioners and Confer with them.

The Provincil Commissioners attended the Council, and after long discourse they were of opinion that since the General was not able to speak, and it might be of bad Consequence to send these Indians away dissatisfied for want of Presents, if no Method could be fallen upon to make the General sensible that it was his Business to make these Reports, they, the Commissioners, would provide them.

Then the Indians were sent for, but were too much in Liquor to come into Council.

The Speeches were agreed to be delivered in the name of the General as follows :

" Brethren :

"I was from Day to Day in hopes of the General's recovery that he might have met you face to face, and in person proceeded on the Business you came to transact ; but the State of his health continues so weak that he cannot come abroad; but as you have signified to me that any longer delay would be extremely danger- ous, I have sent for you at his request, and am now about to speak to you on his behalf, and desire you will be attentive and hearken to what I shall say to you."

A String.

" Brethren, from Canawaago and the Neighboring Towns :

"You have acquainted the General that the Indians at Cana- waago and places adjacent were informed of the Reduction of Fort Duquesne by the English, and likewise, that Deputies from the Six Nations were arrived from the Treaty at Easton in the Delaware Towns with Messages to all the Indians living in those parts ; and that on this Intelligence forty of your People were dispatched to talk with these Six Nation Messengers and with the English Gen- eral, and to know from them the particulars of that Treaty and of the Messages sent to the Delawares; and to be informed what measures would be taken by the English the Ensuing Year, and what part the Six Nations would take therein.

" You further acquainted the General, that these forty Indians finding, when they came to Pittsburg, that He, as well as the Deputies of the Six Nations, had left the Place, and were returning

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home, held a Council, and sent you, who are five of them, after the General and Six Nation Deputies, and ordered you to confer with them, and be satisfied in these matters ..

" Brethren :

" I have repeated the particulars of your Business as they have been taken down from your own Mouth, but if any part has been mistaken or omitted, please to point it out, that it may be amended.

"Brethren :

" The Indians at Canawaago shewed their prudence and good disposition in sending some of their own people to hear with their own Ears and see with their own Eyes, and to be satisfied of every thing from the Mouths of the General and the Deputies of the Six Nations. They might otherwise have been imposed upon by false Relations.

" Brethren :

"It is very true that a great Treaty was lately held at Easton, in behalf of all his Majesty's Subjects, with the Delawares, Unamies, Mohiccons, and Minisink Indians.

"That the Six Nations were first of all made acquainted with our intention to hold this Treaty, and invited to it, and that in Con- sequence of this Invitation some of the principal Chiefs of those Nations were sent to attend, and assist in it, and in Conjunction with these Chiefs, Peace was confirmed between the English and those Indians, and sundry matters transacted, of all which an Account was sent by these, our Brethren, to the Delawares, Shawa- nese, and other Indians on the Ohio, and as I understand the whole has been faithfully related to you by these, our Brethren, I desire you will give entire Credit to it, as they are of your own Nations.

" The Six Nations further joined with us in sending Messages to the Ohio Indians to withdraw from the French, and to cease doing any further mischief the English, and to return to their old Friendship and alliance with them. This Belt confirms my Words.

" Brethren :

" On the approach of the English Army to Fort Duquesne, the French Commander, rather than fight, chose to abandon the Fortifi- cation and run away, on which the General took Possession of that Place, and immediately sent Messengers to the neighbouring In- dians of all Nations to assemble and come and confer with him there; it unfortunately happened that the General was so ill that he could not wait for their coming, and therefore, impowered the Gentlemen who was next in Command to assure them that his Ma- jesty did not send his Forces to hurt the Indians, or to take their Lands from them, but to drive the French away, and to recommend it to the Indians, for whose Service and Protection this Armament

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was made to send the French away from the other parts of the Ohio and Oblige them to destroy their Forts and leave the Country. " Brethren :

" If the Indians will follow this good advice and remove the French themselves, they will convince the English of their Sin- cerity. If they incline to do this, and the French should pay no regard to what the Indians say to them, or prove too strong for them, the General will be ready to come to their Assistance, for he is determined the French shall not remain in that Country, and will never let them rest till they abandon all their Forts."

A Belt.

"Brethren :

"The General knows the French have told the Indians that the English intend to cheat them of the Land on the Ohio, and settle it for themselves, but this he assures you is false. The English have no intention to make Settlements in your Hunting Country beyond the Allegheny Hills, unless they shall be desired for your Conveniency to Erect Store Houses in order to establish and carry on a trade which they are ready to do on fair and just terms; And in the mean time a quantity of Goods has been sent to Fort Du- quesne, for the present Trade with their Brethren, and more shall be sent if the Indians desire it, and the Weather will admit. "Brethren :

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Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII, Part 27

Author: Publication date: 1838 Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State Number of Pages: 812

Author:
Publication date: 1838
Publisher: [Harrisburg] : By the State
Number of Pages: 812