USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 30
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which the King was pleased to allow me to give in my Letter of. the Thirtieth of December, last year.
"I am, Sir, Your most Humble Servt.,
"W. PITT."
Two Letters from Admiral Durell, of the Fourteenth of February last, were read and ordered to be entered.
A Letter from Admiral Durell to Governor Denny.
"PRINCESS AMELIA, Halifax Harbor, 14th Feby., 1759. " Sir :
" Herewith inclosed is a Letter I have wrote to your Honour and the Council of Pennsylvania, in hopes thereby to procure some Men for His Majesty's Service. If you should prevail in this matter, you will be pleased to appoint some Person to Pay the promised Bounty, and I will send Bills on the Navy Board for the Amount.
" And also if no other way can be found to transport them to this place, desire that Passages, &ca. may be provided for them, which Expence shall be defrayed by Mr. Joseph Gerrish, the Naval. Officer at this Port.
"I am, with great respect, Sir, " Your most Obedt. Hume Servant, " PHI. DURELL."
Another Letter from Admiral Durell to Governor Denny.
" PRINCESS AMELIA, Halifax Harbor, 14th Feby., 1759. " Honourable Sirs :
" As the equipping and compleatly Manning the Squdron under my command, so as to be ready for Service in the Spring, may be of the utmost Consequence to his Majesty's interest in general, and particularly to these, his Colonies ; And as by Death, and some De- sertion, we have lost a considerable number of men since our being here, which requires to be recruited by a Supply of Seamen, if pos- sible to be got; If not, I shall be obliged to apply for Soldiers from some of the Regiments serving here, which I am apprehensive might Prove detrimental to the Operations by Land the ensuing Campaign. I therefore think it most conducive to the Good of the Service to make application to His Majesty's Governors and Coun- cils of the Different Provinces for their Assistance in raising such a Number of Seaman as they conveniently can, in such manner &s will be most agreeable to their Several Governments.
" And as I am sure the Governor and Council of the Province of Pennsylvania has His Majesty's Interest much at heart, am sati VOL. VIII .- 19.
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fied every thing in their Power will be done to forward this Service. On my Part, as an Encouragement, I promise that every able bodied Seaman who shall enlist to serve in His Majesty's squadron for the Term of Twelve Months or more, shall receive immediately Forty Shillings Sterling Bounty, and be punctuallye discharged at the Ex- piration of the Term inlisted for ; And further, that theye shall not be carried either to Europe or the West Indias, but shall be dis- charged in some one of the Northern Colonies.
"I am with great regard, Honourable Sirs, " Your Most Obed" Hume. Servant, " PHIL. DURELL."
The following Letter from Governor Dobbs to the Governor, was read :
" Sir :
" As I am informed that the Merchants of Britain design to Pe- tition the Parliament this Ensuing Session, to lay open the Hud- son's Bay Trade, and get rid of that unjust monopoly, so prejudicial to the Merchants in general, and the Trade of Britain and the American Colonies, by preventing our Settling the Countries beyond that Bay, and extending fur Trade and Fisheries, This being a proper Time, while we have a Ministry Zealous to promote the British Commerce and Improvement of our American Colonies.
"Having been informed that upon the former applications of the Merchants against the Hudson's Bay Company's Monoply, that the Northern American Colonies, if they had early notice, would have given Orders to their Agents to join the Merchants in their Petition. I think it my Duty to improve a Measure so beneficial to Britain and the Colonies by acquainting you with it, to have the sense of your Colony upon it, that if they approve of it they may add their Weight to the Merchants' Petition, in Case they find it proper to petition this Session.
"I am, with great Esteem, Sir, "Your Excellency's most Obt- Hume Sert., "ARTHUR DOBBS.
"Edenton, 7th December, 1758."
Then was read the following Letter from Captain Campbell, Com- mander of the Nightingale Man-of-War:
" NIGHTINGALE, Turtle Bay, New York, 16th March, 1759. " Sir :
"I am to acquaint you that I have just received a Letter from Admiral Durell, Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America, informing me that he has wrote to the several Governors and Councils on the Continent, in hopes there- by to get some Seamen to compleat his Majesty's Ships at Halifax,
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amd directing me to write to those near me on the same subject, to know whether his proposals have been agreeable to them; and if I received any Encouragement to expect they will raise any Number, I am ordered by the Admiral to receive them on board the Night- ingale. I am, therefore, to beg that your Honour and the Council will report to me your resolutions with regard to the Admiral's proposals.
" I am your Honour's and the Council's " Most Obedient Humble Servant, "JAMES CAMPBELL."
The Governor proposed Mr. John Moland for a Member of Coun- cil, and all the Members said he was agreeable to them and would make a good Member.
The Secretary was directed to draw up a Proper Message upon the Several Matters mentioned in the said Letters, and the follow- ing Message was agreed to at the Table, and the Secretary ordered to deliver it to the House to-morrow morning with the foregoing Letters :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
' Gentlemen :
"I lay before you a Letter from Secretary Pitt, of the Twenty- Ninth of December last, communicating His Majesty's Commands to renew and enforce in the Strongest Manner the Necessity of & punctual Compliance with his last orders, which have for some time been under your Consideration, and again assuring you that as soon as the Agents of the respective Provinces, duly authorized, shall produce the necessary documents, the same shall, without Delay, be recommended to Parliament for a reasonable Compensation.
" I make no doubt but you will now use your utmost Dispatch in raising the Supplies, especially as the Season is so far advanced, and the time very near that was appointed by General Amherst for the Forces to be ready.
" It cannot be expected that the recruits will be raised in Time, unless you give as large Bounty as other Provinces have done.
" I likewise lay before you Admiral Durell's Letter from Halifax, of the Fourteenth Instant, wherein he informs me of his having lost a great many men by Death and Desertion, and desiring my assistance, which I hope you will enable me to afford him, in raising a sufficient Number of Seamen to Man the Squadron under his Com- mand, which will be of the utmost Consequence to his Majesty's Interest in General, and particularly to these Colonies.
" Governor Dobbs having received an Account that Application will be made to lay open the Hudson Bay Trade, has wrote a Let- ter to me on that Subject, which you will please to consider, and favour me with your Opinion upon it.
" WILLIAM DENNY.
" March 20th, 1759."
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The Governor informed' the Council that Isaac Stille was returned from the Ohio, and last from Pittsburgh, where he had accompanied some of the principal Indians, and they had held Conferences with Colonel Mercer, Commanding Officer, who had inclosed them in a, Letter to his Honour of the Eighth of January last, which were read in these Words :
A Letter to Governos Denny from Colonel Mercer.
" PITTSBURG, 8th January 1759.
4Sir :
"When my Battalion marched from Fort Ligonier to be disbanded at the End of the Campaign, I did myself the honour of writing you by Ensign Warmsdarff.
"Soon after this General Forbes thought Proper to appoint me. to take the Command of what Troops were left on the Ohio. What discoveries of the Enemies' Designs and Temper of the Indians. this Station may afford me, I shall think it my Duty to communi- cate to your Honour.
" The Intelligence I have from every Quarter makes it Evident that the French have not yet lost hopes of securing a Post here. They are extremely Busy in Collecting their Over Lake Indians and propose assembling them near to Kuskusky. For this Purpose they are now forming a Magazine of Arms and provisions near that place ..
" They have yet many friends among the Delawares and Shawa- nees, as appears by our not receiving the least Information of this Design, tho' it is formed in the Heart of the Delaware Country, and these Scoundrel's come in Shoals every Day, to live upon as, pretending the utmost Friendship. They have indeed alarmed us with an Account of a Formidable Body of French being at Venango, and making preparations to fall down from thence upon us. This we find to be false, as the Deputies of the Six Nations, who are just come from thence, saw but a very inconsiderable Garrison there.
" The minutes of some Conferences held with these Deputies, I have enclosed for your Honour's perusal. The Chiefs of the Six Nations come here to Suppiclate a powerfull Aid from the English. They appear to be under the greatest Anxiety least we should aban- don this country, for a very powerful Confederacy of the Over Lake Indians are set on by the French to cut them off as allies to the English, and should the Delawares and Shawanese join in this Con- federacy, as the Six Nations apprehend, their Ruin would soon be .compleated. Two of their Chiefs go from hence to wait on the General, in hopes he will immediately enter upon the most Vigorous Measures for driving the Enemy intirely off from this country.
" There is a great Demand for Indian Goods. I have refused great Quantities of Skins and Furs ; a fair Trade Cannot be too soon begun. The General has, on my Remonstrances, ordered up a Reinforcement of Men to secure this Post, so that what Goods may be sent will be in no danger of falling into the Enemy's Hands.
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"" This Garrison consists of Two Hundred and Eighty ; the Works are now capable of some Defence, tho' huddled up in a very hasty manner, the Weather being Extremely Severe.
"' I. am, Sir, Your Honour's most Obed'. Hume Servt., "HUGH MERCER."
Minutes of Conferences held at Pittsburg with the Indians.
January the Third, in the Evening, arrived two Indian Runners, with a Stringe of Black and white Wampum, signifying to me that Nine Chiefs of the Six Nations, Shawanese, and Delawares, from a Town up the Ohio, about One Hundred miles above Vemango, near the Boucaleonce, would be here to-morrow with Forty of their Attendance. Accordingly, the fourth, in the Evening, they arrived. One of them producing Six Strings of Wampum, told us that he came from Weayough, the King, or great Chief of Kannawaago; that these Men were his Counsellors. Then taking the String, he proceeded :
" Brothers"
" The Cloud that was before our Eyes is now removed, and we see Clearly. Our Ears are opened, and we are ready to hear what you say ; and every ill thing that was in our Hearts is now removed, and we come in Friendship to see you. I give this String in Be- half of the Six Nations, Shawanese, and Delawares."
Next Morning the following Chiefs being present with the Com- manding Officer and Captains Waggener and Ward, Viz- :
Cannewaungh, Sagowinne, Awinne Onus, Sonoyeyough,
Owistogah, or Captain Peter. "Tecanushategh,
Occondenagh, the Chief Counsel- lor, Acquialinguish, Canigaatt, the White Mingo. Snake's Son, Interpreter in Shawa- mee,
Jo. Hickman, Interpreter in'Eng. lish.
The Speaker taking out Five Strings of Wampum said, "our King and great men at Canawaago heard that their Friends, the English and Delawares, had talked together, and we are come to see and talk with you likewise. We are sorry that we cannot understand one another, but as much as we can make plain to you we will let you know. The Delawares told us that they and their Brothers, the English, had become acquainted, and had shaken Hands here,, and we are come from our Town to become acquainted with and shake Hands with our Brothers likewise. We represent three Na- tions --- The Six Nations, Shawanese, and Delawares. We desire to know of you what the English said to the Delawares when you first «came here."
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The Sixth, in the forencon, the Officers of the Garrison and the above named Chiefs, and a good many other Indians being present, the Commanding Officer presented them with Six Strings of Wam- pum, telling them that they were welcome ; that he was glad that they could see one another with Chearful Faces, and unite their Hands and Hearta so firraly as never to be Separated any more. Then he related to them the Substance of what Colonel Bouquet had delivered in this Treaty with the Delawares here, as far as it could be collected from one of the Delawares, Viz': Kakauscung, who was present at the Treaty. The Chiefs than said they would speak to-morrow whatever they bad further to say.
In the Evening of the same Day Five of the head Counsellors, all of the Six Nations, came privately to the Commanding Officer's Tent, who being present, with Captain Ward, was informed by them they were to unbosom themselves, and freely open their minds to us; that what they had to say was all for our good, but it is to be- kept private from the Delawares and Shawanese ; then taking out Eight Strings of Wampum proceeded :
" Brothers :
" The Delawares and Shawanese are not yet to be depended upon .. They may tell whatever they know to the French.
" Brothers :
" I am glad that we are of one mind-that we have joined Hands .. This Wampum is to assure you that my Heart is become one with yours, therefore be strong and be assured of my Friendship."
Gave Eight Strings of Wampum.
" Brothers :
" I have listmed attentively to your words ; they are good, they are gone down into my Heart, and are not to be removed. I re- turn you thanks for them by this String."
Gave Six Strings.
" Brothers :
" Take good head to what we are to say ; it is of the greatest im- portance, therefore Listen and be attentive.
" Brothers :
" Listen, I am hard put to it, the French are bat a little way beyond my Town, perhaps they may come and kill me; I don't know how soon they may strike me.
" Brothers :
" Be strong, now is the time to drive them from this Country ; tell your Great Man to be strong and come and fight them, that we may live in Peace as formerly. The French will talk to the Tau- ways and their other Indians and set them on. They are so nigh that one of them sits on my shoulders and the other on my arm ; but
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be strong, let your Men come soon and fight strong, for the French are not many. Write to the great Man, he must be attentive and Strong ; he must run and bring a great Body with him, otherwise both you and us will be killed; a few men won't do, for there are many Indians now in their Town. 1 " Brothers :
" Listen to these words; they come from the Bottom of my Heart; we expect you will take Notice of them, and not disregard our words, as you have done formerly.
" Brothers :
" Come immediately with a great many men, otherwise these will be the last words we shall speak, for both you and we shall be killed."
Gave Six Strings,
" Brothers:
" The French say they have a House with Provisions stored up, and arms deposited at Kuskusky ; they give out that they will soon be here, and say that you are bringing Flour and Meat to this Place, which will soon be their's. What we say comes from our Hearts. Be strong; they will be here in One Month, Perhaps in less. Do not lose a minute, for when you are Struck, we shall certainly be so too."
Gave Five Strings.
Then taking up a long Belt he proceeded :
"Brothers :
"This Belt the French sent to invite me to come from my Town to Venango, and on my coming he said the English are come to Ohio; go and discharge them from living here; tell them to be gone.
" Brothers :
" I took the Belt to bring it here and tell you, but not a Word of it has entered my Lips; the Words it contain do not Concern me; I regard them not.
" Brothers :
" To-morrow I will talk of this before the Delawares and Shawa- nese ; you are not to mind what is said then, for it is out side of my Lips, but what is now said be attentive to, for it comes from my Heart.
" Brothers :
"To-morrow I will give you that Belt, to return home to your own Country, but you are to return it back to me, and tell me at the same time that you are resolved to stay here and fight the French till they are drove off from this Country."
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The Seventh, in the afternoon, the Officers of the Garrison, and a good many Indians, one of the Chiefs of the Six Nations, taking out a Belt of Wampum, said : "We heard the English say when they came here that they came with an intent to Kill the French here, or to drive them away ; and that as soon as the English had killed or drove off the French, they would return back to their Own Country.
" Brothers :
" Your great Man said that as soon as the French was drove en- tirely away from their Country, he would Send and invite, and bring all Sorts of Nations of Indians to this place, and there would estab- lish a Strong and lasting Peace and Friendship with all the Indians, and as soon as he had done this he would return home.
" Brothers :
" We met yesterday and talked together in this place. The Six Nations, Delawares and Shawanese then join in a Strong Friendship with you, and now they say you must leave their place and go home, and when you are at home provide goods to send to Trade with us."
Delivered the Belt.
Colonel Mercer answered :
" Brothers :
" The great Man told you that when he had drove the French in- tirely out of this Country, he would then send for all the Indians and make a lasting Peace and Friendship with them, and afterwards go home.
" Brothers :
"The French are not gone from this Country; they are just at our Door and give out that they will soon return to this Place. Our great Man's Words are true ; as soon as the French are gone he will make a Treaty with all the Indians and then go home, but the French are still here.
" Brothers :
"We know the French better than you do ; should we go now they would return immediately; our great Man has ordered me to stay here. If the French should come I will be strong and make them run away once more.
" Brothers :
" When the French came here they made us quarrel with our good old Friends, and by so doing they have hurt both you and us ; your Brothers, the English, are a great People, their Eyes are now opened, and while the Sun shines and the Rivers run, we will never Buffer a French Man to sit here.
" Brothers :
" I return you this Belt ; what you have now said must be told to General Forbes ; if you have a mind to Send this Belt to him, I will send one along with you."
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The Six Nation Chief said :
" Brothers :
" Listen and be attentive to what I say. I am sorry that you have returned the Belt which I gave you, but if you will give me one Cagg of Rum I shall feel perfectly well again."
HUGH MERCER.
Isaac Stille informed the Governor that the Indians in Conversa- tion told him they expected another Message from their Brethren, the English, to Fix the Time of meeting, and he thought the Mess- age ought to be sent off immediately. The Secretary was desired to prepare a Message to the House on the Occasion.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Friday the 23d of March, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Robert Strettell,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner, Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner,
Benjamin Chew,
Esquires.
Thomas Cadwalader,
Two Members yesterday waited on the Governor, requesting he would be pleased to lay before the House Copies of such Confer- ences held by himself with the Indians in our Alliance, as well as those held with them by the late General Forbes; and the Secre- tary was directed to deliver to the House a Copy of Frederick Post's Journal on a Message to the Ohio, and Copies of all Conferences held with the Indians by himself and General Forbes since the Treaty at Easton in October last, which was done accordingly.
The Governor informed the Council that Two Members of As- sembly had waited on him yesterday Evening, with a Message from the House, desiring him to be pleased to let them know who was appointed to the Command in this and the Southern Provinces ; that they were alarmed with a Report, which generally prevailed, that Colonel Byrd, of Virginia, was come from New York, and was to command the Army on the Western Frontiers; in which case they were apprehensive that it would be of no service to grant Sup- plies, as no one would enlist, and the Indians would take Umbrage at Seeing a Virginia Colonel in the Command at Pittsburg. The Governor answered that he had received no account from General Amherst relative to the Command, but expected Brigadier General Stanwix every Day. That this Morning Two Members of the House were again sent by the House, to inform him they were so very uneasy at hearing that Colonel Byrd was to Command, that
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they were inclinable to Represent Matters to General Amherst, and desired to know if his Honour would join with them in the Repre- sentation, and if so, that one or more members of Council and As- sembly might be despatched forthwith to go to New York with the Representation. That they proposed making no mention of this matter in their Votes, but acting in it Privately, that no Umbrage might be given to General Amherst.
On this Request the Governor said he called the Council, and de- sired to know their Sentiments upon it; and as they were deliberat- ing thereupon, the Servant came to acquaint the Governor that General Stanwix was come to Town, and soon after the following Letter was sent to the Governor, which put an End to their Deli- berations, and the Secretary was directed to carry it to the House :
A Letter from General Amherst to Governor Denny. "NEW YORK, March 18th, 1759.
" Sir :
" It having become Necessary, by the Demise of Brigadier Gene- ral Forbes, that an Officer of Rank and Experience should, without Loss of Time, proceed to Pennsylvania, to take on him the Com- mand of His Majesty's regular Troops, and those to be raised by the Southern Provinces, to act in Conjunction for the Security and Defence of those Provinces, or otherwise as Opportunity shall Offer, or the Exigencies may require, I have thought it for the good of His Majesty's Service to appoint Brigadier General Stanwix to that Command, and he does accordingly set out to-morrow for Philadel- phia, to take upon him the Same. I am, therefore, to request of you that during such, his Command, you will, upon every Emer- gency, correspond and Co-operate with him in the same Manner as you are enjoined by Mr. Secretary Pitt's Letter to do with me, which must prove of great Benefit to the Publick Service, as from any removal from hence into the Back Country, whither I may be called soon, it might prove very prejudicial to the safety and Secu- rity of the Southern Provinces, to Wait for the Answers to any of those Letters you may have occasion to write to me in relation thereto ; and I have accordingly directed Brigadier General Stanwix to Correspond and Co-operate with you in like manner.
" I have further desired Brigadier General Stanwix immediately to call in all the out-Standing Accounts of last Campaign, and to cause them to be settled and satisfied in such a Manner that neither the Inhabitants nor the Crown may be Sufferers.
"As this step might sufficiently evince the desire I have of doing the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania all the Justice that lies in my Power, I dare trust they will no longer be so blind to their own In- terest as to defer granting the necessary Supplies for the raising and maintaining the Body of 'Troops that it is expected they will fur- nish for the Operations of the ensuing Campaign.
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" Brigadier General Stanwix will likewise consult you in regard to Indian Affairs, and do his utmost in settling everything to their Satisfaction and His Majesty's Indian Interest, In which I must beg of you to give him all the Assistance he may stand in Need of, and to furnish him with all the Lights you are capable of from your experience in those matters.
"I am, with great regard, Sir, " your most Obedient Hume Servant, " JEFF. AMHERST."
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday the 26th of March, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esquire, Lieutenant Gov- erner.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner,
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew, Thomas Cadwalader,
The Governor laid before the Council a Bill intituled " An Act for granting to His Majesty the Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds, and for striking the same in Bills of Credit in the manner hereinafter directed, and for providing a Fund for sinking the said Bills of Credit, by a Tax on all Estates, real and Personal, and Taxables within this Province," presented to his Honour by Two Members last Saturday for his Concurrence, which was read; and the Governor desired it might be immediately taken into considera- tion, it was again read Paragraph by Paragraph. The Secretary acquainted the Council, that he had, at the beginning of the Ses- sions, delivered a Message from the Proprietaries to the Assembly, respecting their Taxation, and reminded the Governor of the Pro- prietaries' Letter to his Honour of the Twenty-Eighth of January, 1758, which was formerly read in Council, wherein, after Several Conferences with Mr. Franklin, the Matter was so far agreed to as that the Proprietaries consented that the Governor might give his Assent to such a Law as passed the preceding year, and it was taken for granted that there would be the like Bills passed till the matters in Difference between the Proprietaries and the Assembly could be finally adjusted.
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