USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 42
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Robert Strettle,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
William Logan, Esquires. Richard Peters, Lynford Lardner, Benjamin Chew,
Thomas Cadwallader, J
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The usual Proclamation was ordered to be prepared by the Secre- tary for the continuance of Officers until further pleasure, in order to be published to-morrow, and one was accordingly prepared, sealed and Published in these Words :
" By the Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Penn- sylvania, and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Dela- ware.
"A PROCLAMATION.
" Forasmuch the Honourable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, Esquires, true and absolute Proprietaries and Governors in Chief of the province of Pennsylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, have been pleased by their Commission, . under their Hands and Great Seal, bearing date the nineteenth day of July last, to constitute and appoint me to be their Lieuten-
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ant Governor of the said province and Counties, with all necessary powers and authority for the well-governing of the same ; which said Appointment the King's most Excellent Majesty, in a Council held at St. James's the tenth day of August last past, was graciously pleased to allow and approve of : Therefore, in pursuance of the said Trust in me reposed, having a special regard to the safety of the State and Government of the said Province and Counties, and to prevent Failures in the administration of Justice therein, I have, by and with the advice and Consent of the Council of the said province and Counties, thought fit to ordain, and do hereby or- dain and declare that all orders and Commissions whatsoever, relat- ing to the Government of the said province and Counties heretofore lawfully and rightfully issued, which were in force on the seven- teenth day of this Instant November, shall be, continue and remain in full force, power and virtue according to their respective Tenors, until my further pleasure shall be known therein; and that all persons whatsoever who on the said seventeenth day of Novem- ber held or enjoyed any Office of Trust or profit in this Government by virtue of any such Commission as aforesaid, shall continue to hold and enjoy the same until they shall be determined by me as aforesaid, or by other Sufficient authority : And I do further hereby Command and require all magistrates, officers and Commissioners whatsoever, in whom any publick Trust is reposed in this Govern- ment, that they diligently proceed in the performance and discharge of their respective duties therein, for the safety, peace and well-being of the same. Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the said province at Philadelphia, in the Thirty-third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the Faith, &ca., and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine.
"JAMES HAMILTON.
" By His Honour's Command, " RICHARD PETERS, Secretary. " GOD SAVE THE KING."
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November the 19, 1759.
This being the day on which the Assembly was to meet by summons from the late Governor, the Sheriffs of the Several Coun- ties made returns of their Service of the Writs to Governor Ham- ilton.
November the 20, 1759.
Two members of Assembly waited on the Governor, to acquaint him that a Quorum of the House was met in pursuance of a Sum-
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mons from the late Governor, and desired they might be favoured with a Copy of one of the Writs, and accordingly, one of them was delivered by the Secretary the next day, to the Speaker, in Assem- bly; and in the afternoon the Governor received a Message by two Members, that the House inclined to adjourn to the Third decem- ber, the time to which they stood adjourned at their last Meeting; and the Governor having no objection thereto, they adjourned ac- cordingly.
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November 21st, 1,59
MEMORANDUM :
The Governor went to Newcastle, where his Commission was published at the Court House, in the presence of a very numerous audience, and likewise his proclamation for the continuance of Ma- gistrates.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Monday, the 3d Decem- ber, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettle, Richard Peters,
Joseph Turner, Lynford Lardner, Esquires.
Benjamin Chew,
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Assembly being to meet this day by adjournment, a Speech prepared by the Governor, was read and approved.
The Delaware Chief, Teedyuscung, came to Town on Friday, and the next day delivered to the Governor, four prisoners, viz" Two Elderly Women and two Boys. He acquainted the Governor at the same time, that there came with him two Messengers from the Ohio, with some good News, which he would communicate to his Honour, and having appointed to hear Teedyscung to-day, the Council waited for him 'till two o'clock, but he not coming, it was adjourned 'till to-Morrow.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, in the State House, on Tues- day, the 4th of December, 1759.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Robert Strettle,
Joseph Turner,
Benjamin Shoemaker, ) William Logan, Esquires.
Richard Peters,
Teedyuscung,
Evans, from Wioming.
Daniel,
Tangoocqua, or Catfish, Messengers from the Ohio. Joshua,
Moses Tattamy, Interpreter.
Lewis Montour.
The Minutes of the preceding Council were read and approved.
The Governor acquainted the Council, that on Saturday Teedy- using had visited him and informed him that he had conducted to Town two Messengers of the Delaware Nation from Allegheny ; That he had brought four prisoners, two elderly Women and two Young Boys, which he then delivered up ; and further, that he had with him Six Horses, which had been taken from the White People living on the borders.
On Teeedyuscung's intimating that he had something of conse- quence to communicate, and desiring he might be dispatched as soon as possible, he was told the Council would meet on Monday at twelve o'clock, to hear it. But he not attending (tho' the Council met purposely at the time fixed) the Council was again called, and the Governor let him known that he was ready to hear what he had to say.
Teedyuscung desired, as what he was going to say was of Con- sequence, he might have his clerk, And the Governor told him We had no Objection to his having his Clerk ; And as he was in liquor, he said he thought it was best to postpone Business till to-Morrow, and then he might bring his Clerk ; and recommended it to him to keep Sober. But Teedyuscung in an abrupt manner arose, and tak- ing a String from Daniel, spoke as follows :
" Brother :
" At former Treaties held with this Government it was Strongly pressed upon me to return all the English prisoners, and I can truly say I have done my utmost endeavours in this matter, and have now brought you four of them, which were carried off towards the Heads of the Sasquehannah.
" The last time I was in Town cmplaint was made that some of my Young people made a practice of stealing Horses from the Borderers, and I was desired to reprove them and bring back the
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Horses. This I thought right, and have now with me six Horses, which may be returned to their Owners."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
" I shall not blind-fold you, I shall open your Eyes, and re- late all I know. You may remember that at Easton we several times sat together face to face, about the good Work of Peace, and at last brought it to an happy Conclusion; as soon as this was done, you desired I would lift up my voice thro' all the Indian na- tions and get them to Join in this good work. This I likewise did with all my might, and all have heard the Halloo, to the very set- ting of the sun; this will be declared to you by these two Indians, who are Messengers sent to me by the Delawares on the Ohio. Eleven Nations have heard my Halloo, and acquainted these Ohio Delawares that they were delighted to hear of this good work of peace, and would join in it. You shall hear what they say for themselves."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
" There has been, this Year, a great Meeting of Indians at As- sunsing, on the Cayuga Branch of the Sasquehannah; these Mes- sengers were there, I was present also at it, and so were my deputys from many Nations, who live as far as the sun Setting; all there present were heartily disposed towards the good work of peace except the minisink ; But as to him he put his Hand to ours, and he drew it out again, and at last would not join with us; We think there is something bad in his Heart, which We desire you will get out ; We leave this entirely to you; We have done with him ; you know he has joined himself to the Senecas, and will do what they bid him do; The way to succeed with the Minisinks, is to talk first with the Senecas; We leave them to you to Treat for yourselves."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
"You have often desired me to go myself among the Indian Nations, and use my Interest to turn them from assisting your Enemies ; In compliance with your request, I have gone among them, and in my Travelling this Summer, I met with one that told me, that Eleven Nations had heard of my Setting Face to Face with the Governor of Pennsylvania at Easton; and that in these Con- ferences peace was at last Concluded by our joint endeavors, of which they were glad, and approved it mightily."
" Gave a String of Wampum.
"" Brother :
"It only remains to tell you, that these two Indians came to me from Allegheny, and as they brought good News, I took them by
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the Hand, and conducted them to You, and now let them speak for themselves."
Tingoocqua, alias Catfish, arose, and taking four strings of Wampum held two of them in his Fingers separate, and spoke :
" Brother :
" I have not much to say ; I am only a messenger; I came from Kuskuskes; The Nation I belong to, as well as many others to the West of us, as far as the setting of the sun, have heard that you and Teedyuscung sat often together in Council, and at length agreed upon a Peace; and We are glad to hear that the Friendship and Harmony which, of old, always subsisted between our and your ancestors, was raised up again and established once more. This was very agreeable to us, and We came here to see if what was related was true ; and We find it is true, which gives us great Satisfaction."
Then taking hold of the other two Strings, he proceeded : " Brother :
"Now that Teedyuscung and you have, thro' the goodness of providence, brought about a peace, we entreat you to be strong ; don't let it slip ; don't omit anything to render it quite secure and lasting; hold it fast; consider our aged Men, and our young Chil- dren; and for their sakes be strong and never rest till it be throughly confirmed. All the Indians at Allegheny desire you to do so, and they will do all they can likewise."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
" We make eleven Nations on the West of Allegheny, who have heard what you and Teedyuscung have concluded at the Treaty of Easton, and as we all heartily agree to it, and are determined to join in it, we have opened a Road to where Teedyuscung Lives ; and we, the Messengers, have travelled much to our satisfaction on the Road which he has made from his Habitation to this Town. We have found it a very good Road, and all our Nations will use this Road for the time to come. We say nothing of the Six Nations ; We do not reckon them among the Eleven Nations. We leave you to Treat with them yourselves. We make no Road for them ; This is your own affair. We only tell you we do not include them in anything We say. I have done."
Gave Four Strings of Wampum.
Teedyuscung then arose and spoke :
"Brother :
" Remember what you told me at Easton; you said you was abler than I am. It is the truth. I acknowledge it; And as you have greater abilities than I, pray now mind what these Messengers have said; it is a very serious matter ; don't Slacken your endeavours ; persevere to the end; put forth your utmost strength. Be assured
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that according to your Ability I shall join with you. Both to- gether may make a firm peace that shall last forever."
Gave a String of Wampum.
"Brother :
" It may promote the General Service very much if you take a kind notice of these Messengers. The better appearance they make when they return to their Friends, they will think the better of your regard for their Nation and Judge that you are well dis- posed. Whatever you do on this occasion, will not be thrown away."
The Messenger observing one Sarah Gladdin amongst the people that were present, addressed the Governor and told him "That he had in his House a son of this Woman's a prisoner at Kuskuskes, and that he would take care he should be delivered in the Spring.'
A List of the Names of the Eleven Nations, mentioned by the Indian Messengers :
Telamatinoo, Taway,
Puteomy,
Cateogh, Wewyashtanoos, Keekapoo,
Chippaway,
Ooshaashihock,
Muskoking,
Leonopy, and
Tawatawee, or Twigtwee,
Shawonese.
Pelagoshyoth, or Tapichtawee,
The Governor's Answer to the Indian speeches.
"Brother Teedyuscung :
" I am glad I have an opportunity of seeing you so soon after my arrival. I have a just sence of the kind part you have taken in promoting the Good Work of peace, and shall be ready at all times to do you any service in my power. I desire if at any time you shall meet with uneasiness you will immediately come and let me know it, and I assure you by this string, that my Ear shall always be open to you."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
"I laid what was said to me at our last meeting before the As- sembly, who were then setting; and what I shall now speak in an- swer thereto, you are to consider as spoke not only by me, but by them and all the good People of the province, and hearken to it. " Brother :
"The sight of our Flesh and Blood, after a tedious Captivity, gives us great pleasure, and I thank you for the Return of the four prisoners, and expect you will continue to do your utmost that all be returned to us as soon as possible."
Gave a String of Wampum.
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"Brother :
"You have acted a just part in bringing the six Horses that have been Stolen from the poor people on the borders by some of your unthinking young men. The Inhabitants are now Returning to their Plantations in full confidence that they shall not be injured either in their persons or propertys. You must be sensible that most of their Work cannot be carried on without Horses, and there-
fore the taking them away will ruin the Farmers. This practice must be put an end to, and the persons guilty of it be brought to Justice, or it will endanger the peace which you and I have taken so much pains to establish. We give you this String to encourage you to reprove your young Men, and to be careful that all the Horses they have taken away may be returned to their right owners."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
"By our Treaties it is our duty to inform each other of every thing that may be of use to us; We are neither of us to keep the other blind-folded, but to be open and unreserved on all necessary Occasions ; We thank you for your Intelligence as to the good dis- positions of the Indians, and for the pains you have taken in pub- lishing the Peace far and wide, and for promoting this good dispo- sition.
" Brother :
" We thank you for leting us know that you attended at a great Meeting of Indians, which was held this summer at Atsunsing.
" You know that you were appointed at Easton to be a Counsellor and Agent on the part of this Province ; in consequence of your excepting this place of Trust, it is expected by us that you attend at all meetings of Indians, where you think you can promote our service, and We thank you for your attendance at that Council, and for acquainting us of the good disposition of the Indians present at it.
"We are informed that there is to be, in the Spring, a very great Council at some Town beyond the Ohio, and that you have received a very kind Invitation to be present; we think you may be of very great service in communicating all the matters that have been agreed to by us in our Conferences at Easton, and, therefore, desire you will not fail to go there and let them know how sincerely we are disposed for Peace, and that We shall use our utmost en- deavours to establish it in such a manner as it may last as long as the Sun gives Light. We must insist on your attendance at the general meeting, as we have a reliance on your Council, and a Right to your assistance ; and for your Encouragement, if you think proper, We shall send Mr. Frederick Post and Isaac Stille with you."
Gave a Belt of Wampum.
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"Brother :
" We observe what you say as to the Minisink Indians ; you know that at the last Treaty, at Easton, they joined heartily in the Peace, and promised to deliver us all the Prisoners. We thank you for your advice, and shall follow it, both with respect to the Minisinks and Six Nations."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brother :
" You have done very well in conducting these two messengers to us. I shall speak to them now, in answer to what they said to me.
"Brethren, the Messengers :
" You informed us that you heard that Teedyuscung had had several Conferences with this Government, and that We had con- sulted a Peace together, which was made known to all the Indians, and with which they were all pleased."
" Brethren :
" When Friends by any accident fall out together and return to their old Friendship, it is natural for them to feel a particular joy. We are glad to hear this is the case with you. We assure you that We are very sincere and hearty in this good work, and shall, according to your good advice, do everything in our power to make the peace universal, and as lasting as the Sun and Moon."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" You informed us that you have opened a Road to Teedyus- cung's Habitation at Wyoming, and that you found a good Road made by him from thence to this city.
" Brother's :
" We are glad to hear of this, and when we meet the Indians in Council, as We hope to do next Summer, We shall join in Clearing this Road, so as it may be travelled with the greatest safety."
Gave a String of Wampum.
"Brother Teed yuscung :
"You joined with the Messengers in desiring us to be strong, and reminded us of our abilities. We will not only be strong our- selves, but enable you to be strong, and if you should want our assistance before you go up to the Great Council over the Ohio, or to any other Meeting of Indians, you may apply to us for it."
Gave a String of Wampum.
" Brethren :
" You are come a great way to see us, and in a very Friendly manner. We are glad to hear you say you have found everything true that has been said to you respecting our good dispositions.
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" You have a great way to go before you can get home, and the season is severe ; We beg your acceptance cf this little matter, which We give as a Testimony of our regard for you. " Brothers :
" We cannot help acquainting you that at the several Treaties at Easton, it was solemnly promised that our Prisoners among you should be collected and delivered to us. We give you this String to encourage you to speak to every Nation as you go thro' their Country to perform this part of your Engagement."
Gave a String of Wampum.
"Brothers :
"Your Friends may enquire what News you bring from us ; be pleased to inform them that Providence has favoured His Majesty's Arms with great success; the principal Fortifications at Louisburg, belonging to the French King, situate at the mouth of the River St. Lawrence, was taken last Year, and this Year not only their Forts of Niagara, Crown Point, and Ticonderoga were conquered, and are now in the possession of the King of Great Britain ; but the Capital City of all Canadie, Quebec, is reduced, their great War- riors killed, and his Troops carried Prisoners of War to England."
Teedyuscung, after some pause, arose, and made the following reply :
" Brothers, and all present, take notice of what I am going to say.
"I am to put you in mind that when I speak, I not only speak for myself, but being chosen for some other Tribes, I speak for them also.
" Brother :
"I am not going to lay out any other Road, or to allow it, but only to make the Road plain, that you or any one who shall Travel it, may observe what we are doing.
" Whenever I speak to you, I always say it in publick ; I always desire every one may hear us, for the Unamie Nation and I, we join fast together. To confirm the good Work, I said I would give an halloo, that every Body who pleases, may hear it.
" Now, Brothers, I thank you heartily for what you have said ; I am well pleased with it.
" Brethren :
" You know We have made a firm Peace and good Road between you and me. We shall see if there is any body who is minded to spoil this good Road between you and me, and we will both join Hands together and cast them out ; he must not hurt our Children."
Teedyuscung added, that he was pleased to the heart with what the Governor had sayd.
And the Messenger likewise, declared it gave him the greatest satisfaction, and he would declare it to all the head Men of his Country, who would be as well pleased as he was.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Thursday, 6th December, 1759.
PRESENT:
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner,
William Logan,
Richard Peters, Esquires.
Lynford Lardner,
The House having acquainted the Governor that a quorum of the Representatives was met, and ready to go upon Business, His Honour, by the Secretary, required their attendance in the Council Chamber, and the Speaker and House waiting on him, he made the following Speach, of which, the Speaker requesting, and receiving a Copy, the House withdrew:
" Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly :
" The Honourable Proprietaries having been pleased with his Majesty's Royal Approbation, again to appoint me to the Govern- ment of this Province, it gives me a great satisfaction that I have an opportunity, so soon after my arrival, of meeting you in Assem- bly, and of contributing my best assistance to any measures which may tend to the King's Honour, or the Publick Service.
" The Events of the War in America, during the last Campaign, have been so many and so glorious, and with a proper attention, may be rendered so beneficial, both to our Mother Country, and her colonies, that I cannot omit, most sincerely, to congratulate you upon them, and in a particular manner, on the very agreeable change in the Face of Affairs in this Province since my departure.
" As it is not the usual season of your setting to do Business, I know not whether you will incline to enter upon it at this time or make an adjournment to some future Day, which may be more con- venient to your private Affairs. In either Case, I shall readily acquiesce in what is most agreeable to you, seeing I have no com- mands from the Crown or from the Proprietaries that require im- mediately to be laid before you. Whenever I shall be honoured with any such, which may be expected so soon as his majesty shall have determined on the further Operations of the War, I shall take the earliest Occasion of Communicating them to you.
" It only remains at present, Gentlemen; that I acqaint you with my firm purpose and resolution to serve the province by all honour- able means in my power at once paying a Regard to the rights of the Crown and the just Privileges of the People, which, in the great model of the English Government, are so intimately con- nected as to afford mutual aid, support to each other, but which, if they are unhappily suffered to interfere, never fail to banish order and introduce Confusion. .
" I cannot, therefore, but entertain hopes that, upon this principle of Acting, I shall both merit and receive an approbation of my Con-
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duct from Gentlemen so long conversant in publick Affairs. At the same time, from my affection to the Province, the Assemblys & People may reasonably promise themselves every Act of kindness and Favour it may be in my power to shew them, consistently with my Honour and the Trust reposed in me.
"JAMES HAMILTON.
" December 6, 1759."
December the 7th, 1759.
The Governor, by the Secretary, laid before the House a Copy of the Conferences with Teedyuscung, with the following Message :
A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" There are two Indian Messengers in Town from the Ohio, who, with Teedyuscung, to whom they were recommended to be con- ducted here, have been assisting in a Council of Indians held at Atsintsing, an Indian Town, situate on the Cayuga Branch of the Sasquehannah. This meeting, as they have privately informed me, is only preparatory to a General Council, which the Western In- dians proposed to hold in the month of April over the Ohio, and to which they have invited Teedyuscung and the Chiefs of the Indian Nations living on the Waters of the Sasquehannah.
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