USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 49
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" Sir :
"I am order'd by the Governor to lay before the House this Letter, which he lately received from the Governor of Boston, and to acquaint them that as the Case therein set forth is really a Calami- tous one, and entitles the Sufferers both to the Compassion and re- lief of their fellow subjects, he Recommends them to the Considera- tion and Benevolence of the House, as Objects rather fit to be relieved by a publick Donation than private Subscription."
MEMORANDUM.
Three Members of the House waited on the Governor, and acquainted him that they thought the Sufferers at Boston were en- titled to relief, and that such relief might be Given them out of the One Hundred Thousand pounds lately granted to the King's Use. The Governor agreed to this, and in the Conferences gave it as his Opinion that the Sum of £1500 or £2000 would be a generous Gift to the Inhabitants of Boston.
At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Saturday the 12th April, 1760.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov" ernor.
Lynford Lardner, Richard Peters, Esquires.
The Several Bills that had received the Governor's Assent having been engrossed and compared by Mr. Peters and Mr. Lardner and two Members of the House, The Governor sent the Secretary to require the Attendance of the Speaker and the House in the Coun- cil Chamber, in Order to have the same enacted into Laws; and they attending accordingly, the following Bills were passed into Laws, and a Warrant signed by the Governor under the lesser Seal to affix the Great Seal thereto :
" 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 sink -.
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ing the said Bills of Credit by a tax on all Estates, real and per- sonal, and taxables within this Province."
" An Act to enable the owners and possessors of Meadow at Point- no-Point, in the precinct of Richmond, in the County of Phila- delphia, to keep the Banks, Dams, Sluices, and Floodgates in repair, and to raise a Fund to defray the Expence thereof."
" An Act to enable the owners of Greenwich Island to embank and drain the same, to keep the Banks and Dams in good repair for ever, and to raise a fund to defray sundry contingent and Yearly Expences accruing thereon."
" An Act to prevent the hunting of Deer, and other wild Beasts, beyond the Limits of the Lands purchased of the Indians by the proprietaries of this province, and against killing Deer out of sea- son ;" And
" An Act for regulating the Officers and soldiers in the pay of this Province."
At a Council held at the state House, Friday 11th July, 1760. PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esq"., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Joseph Turner, Esquires.
Richard Peters, Tho®. Cadwallader, S
Mr. Fox, Gentlemen of the City.
Mr. Pemberton, S
Frederick Post, Interpreter.
24 Minisink Indians, 2Nanticokes, and 3 Delawares, from an Indian Town called Michalloasen, or Wighalooscon, about Fifty or Sixty Miles above Wiomink, on the susquehannah, viz":
Papununk,
Toan-kakanan, Two Speakers of the Minisink Indians; with
Noosawapamukus, Nanticokes at Chenango,
Machine-uka,
Nanatchies, Delaware.
Pelawe-ach, Minisink.
Sepeank, Minisink.
Tatankaing, Minisink.
Mesakeenan, Minisink.
Penacheewees, Minisink.
Kendaskond, Wochkaasa, Minisinks from Atsintsink.
Wesehannas,
..
Onape-assen, Minisink.
Job Chillaway, Delaware.
Wayajoe-quas.
Three Women and Nine Children.
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Papunhack arose and spoke as follows, Job Chillaway, a Dela- ware Indian, being Interpreter :
" Brother :
"Hearken to me; Teedyuscung called at our town in his way to Atsintzing, and we held a Council together, in which he related to us all the business he was then going about, and likewise applied to us to assist him in the matter, which he said you had very much at heart, viz .: The return of your flesh and Blood that were pris- oners amongst us ; We were very well pleased with the good News he brought, and with his request, it made our hearts glad, and we did as he desired, giving him upin Council the three only Prisoners we had amongst us."
A String.
" Brother :
" Frederick Post was with Teedyuscung, and acquainted us with the Messages which were given him by you to deliver to the In- dians in all places where he should come, viz": That King George, and the Governor and People of Pennsylvania, were very well dis- posed to the Indians, which rejoyced us mightily to hear."
A String.
" Brother :
" We told Teedyuscung we intended to go to Philadelphia soon, and thereupon he desired us to take the Three English Captives that We had delivered to him in Council, down with us, and de- liver them to the Governor. And Frederick Post wrote down, as well what Teedyuscung said to us, as what We said to him, and give us the Writing which I now deliver to you, as it contains all that passed between us."
Here he delivered the writing and the Prisoners to the Gover- nor.
N. B. The writings were read, and are the same with what are inserted in Frederick Post's Journal.
One of them was a Girl of the name of Vanellen, and was forth given to her Brother, who came on purpose to receive her, a Letter having been sent to him from Bethlehem, to acquaint him that she was come with these Indians. The other two being a Boy and Girl, were committed to the care of Mr. Fox, and he promised to provide for them and send them to their relations.
He then proceeded in his speech, saying :
" Brother :
" After Teedyuscung was gone, We consulted among ourselves, and determined to seek for and collect all the Horses that had been stolen from the Frontiers of your Province, and brought to our parts ; We found Six and took them along with us; One was drowned in Crossing the Sasquehannah at Wioming; Another was claimed on the road, and Job Chillaway went back with the horse
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to the Moravian Tavern, along with the Dutchman that claimed it, and desired Justice Horsefield that he might be examined, and if it was proved to be his property, that he might have it. Another being a young Coult, tired on the road, and was left at a Smith's Shop, about two Miles on this Side Samuel Deans ; Three we have brought with us, and they are here in Town.
"Brother, I have done."
Then Toan-kakanan arose, and also spoke :
" Brother :
" Tho' we are poor, we want no recompence for the prisoners and Horses ; We do not return them to you from a desire of gain ; you are welcome to them, and we are glad of this opportunity of obli- ging you.
" Brother :
"I am now to acquaint you that We have a White man in our Town, who Chose to live amongst us. We know not where he comes From ; He is a good man, and we are glad to keep him among us. One of the Nanticoke Indians said he was a soldier, and left the soldiers at Some place on the Mowhawks River; He was tired with soldiering, and chose to come and live with the In- dians ; He was at Chenango before he Came to us. His Name is Faizer, and he desires the Governor will give him his dis- charge." Then the Minisink Chief proceeded : "Brother : seve- ral English Men have come to our Town, but in a little while they did not behave well, and We did not like them ; But this Man has always behaved well. We desire the Governor would send him his discharge by us, that he may either stay or come as he pleases, for . we leave him entirely at his liberty. He is beloved by us all.
".Brother :
"I assure you We have no more Prisoners nor Horses in our Town. We have cleared ourselves of them all, but I think it proper to acquaint you that one of our old Men, called Allemarvein, tho' blind, assisted us very much in the Matter of the Horses, he bought some of them from those who had taken them from the English, and tho' they Cost him Money, yet he did not Value it, he gave them to us Chearfully, and desired We Would take them safe to you ; We are not like many other Indians, who will neither deliver their prisoners or their Horses, nor let those do it who are otherwise well disposed.
"This is all We have to say."
The Governor returned them thanks for their speeches ; told them he would send a Letter by them to the soldier, in whose favour they had spoken, and desired they would attend to-Morrow Morning at Nine O'Clock, when he would say something to them.
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At a Council held in the stadt House, on Saturday the 12th July, 1760.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esq", Lieutenant Gover- nor.
Benjamin Shoemaker, Richard Peters, Esqrs.
Joseph Fox,
Jeremiah Warder, 7
several and
John Reynold,
Joseph Morris,
others of the
Hugh Roberts,
Richard Wister,
Owen Jones,
Thomas Say,
Society call'd Quakers.
Israel Pemberton,
The same Indians as yesterday.
The Governor desired the Interpreters to acquaint the Indians that he was going to give them his Answer to their speeches, & then began as follows, vizt .: "Brothers :
" What you said yesterday was very pleasing, and, in behalf of Myself, and all the Inhabitants of this Province, I thank you for Complying with our request, which We have so much at heart, and for the pains and labour you have been at in coming to us, and re- storing our flesh and Blood to us."
A string.
" Brothers :
"We all rejoice to see the upright and Good part you have acted. We desire you will be strong and use your utmost endeavours to prevail on all other Indians to follow your Example and to do the same good thing, and for your encouragement We present you with this Belt."
A Belt.
" Brothers :
" We are very sensible as well as you of the mischiefs that are ever arising from an intemperate use of strong Liquors, but it is not in our power to restrain our people that are at so great distance from this City, from Carrying Rum to your Towns. There is no other way to put a Effectual stop to this, but for you to stave every Cask that is brought among you. Be strong and let not one escape, and these bad men will be discouraged from bringing you any more Rum."
A string.
" Brothers :
" As a token of our Love for you, We have provided a few things for you, and desire your acceptance of them.
" Brothers :
" We have been told that there are some of our Prisoners with French Margaret, and that she would come and deliver them up to us, but has heard some stories which make her afraid to come.
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Pray give her this string, and let her know that she may come to us without any danger, and that we shall be glad to see her with all the prisoners as soon as possible."
A string.
" Brothers :
"In Complyance with your request, I have wrote a Letter to the young man, and have promised him my protection, so that he may come down with safety, and as soon as he pleases.
"I have now done."
The Indians, who were very attentive, after a little Consultation returned the Governor their hearty thanks, and after a Con- siderable pause Papoonhack, seemingly under a good deal of Concern, arose and spoke as follows :
"Brothers :
" I do not come here to do any public Business with the Govern- ment. I am not in that Character. I came on a religious account, on an Invitation sent me by some Religious People, about twelve Months ago, and therefore it frightens me to hear what you just now spoke, viz": that you have provided some Goods for our use, and mean to make us a Present of them. I thank you for your good will, but I cannot allow myself to receive them, since this would look as if I was come as other great ones do to receive pre- sents. No, Brother, I am perfectly satisfied with the many Good things I have heard in the Religious Conferences that We have held since we came here.
" Brother :
"I will tell you the Reason why I say I am frighten'd ; should I lay my hands on your presents, it would raise a Jealousy in the Breasts of those round about me, who transact the publick Busi- ness and are wont to receive Presents on such Occasions. It would, moreover, be apt to corrupt my own mind, and make me proud, and others would think I wanted to be a great Man, which is not the case. I think on God, who made us, and want to be instructed in his service and Worship. I am a great Lover of Peace. I have never been concern'd in War Affairs. I have a sincere remem- brance of the old Friendship which subsisted between the Indians and your forefathers, and shall always observe it. I love my Breth- ren, the English, and they shall ever find me faithful. I was in- vited to come, and for these reasons did come, and not to receive Presents, which spoil and corrupt the receivers of them. Many have misbehaved after they have received them, and many, I am afraid, came only for the sake of Receiving them.
" Brother :
"It comes into my mind to mention something to you that I Think wrong in your dealings with the Indians. You make it publick that you will give a Certain price for our Skins, and that
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they are to be weighed and paid for at that set price, according to their Weight. Brother, there are two bad things done in this way of dealing; You alter the price that you say you will give for our skins, which can never be right ; God can not be pleased to see the prices of one and the same thing so often altered and changed ; our Young Men, finding that they are to receive for their skins accord- ing to the weight, play tricks with them and leave on them several parts which are of no use, only to make them weigh more, such as some of the flesh, the Ears and the paws.
" Brother :
" This is not as it ought to be ; we should not skin our skins in such a way ; our Corrupt heart has found out this way of dealing. Brother, you see there is no Love nor honesty on either side. You do wrong in altering your prices, and the Indians do wrong in bringing skins with so much badness on them. Therefore, Brother, we propose to fling This entirely away, for if it remains so we shall never agree and love one another as Brothers do. Now Brother, E desire you will not raise your Goods to too high price, but lower them so as you can afford it, that we may live and walk together in one Brotherly Love and Friendship, as Brothers ought to live. Bro- ther, I don't say this with a view to have a great Price for my skins, but only lay it before you that you may Consider and Come to some determination about it.
" Brother :
" I must once more acquaint you That my Chief design in Mak- ing this Visit is to confer about Religious Matters, and that our Young Men agree with me in this, and to love God, and to leave off their former bad courses."
He then produced an old Bill of the New Jersey Currency, that is out of date, and Complained that it was given him for skins, and nobody would take it in payment. The Governor gave him present Currency for it, with which he was satisfied.
Job Chillaway made a Complaint on behalf of his Brother, whose English Name is Thomas McKee; he said that while he was at Fort Augusta he bought a Horse, which Cost him Eighteen. Pounds, and he desired Captain Trump to put him. into pasture for him amongst the Inhabitants ; that Captain Trump received the Horse, but kept him in the stable at the Fort, for the use of the Barracks, where he Contracted a disease of which he dyed, and that he has never been paid for the Horse.
Then Papununk spoke again :
" Brother :
" With regard to what I have mentioned about Religious mat- ters, it may be Some may not think as I do, or may think slightly of these Matters, but I am fixed in my principles, and Shall: always abide by them.
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" Brother :
"I am glad I have an Opportunity of mentioning these several Matters in the presence of such a large Audience of Young and old Persons. The Great God observes aff that passes in our hearts, and hears all that We say to one another."
He then finished with a solemn Act of Prayer and thanksgiving, which he performed very devoutly.
Job Chillaway told Mr. Post privately, that he, lent a Portman- teau to Lieutenant Adam Henry, who has lost it, and never paid him for it.
That he was employed to go to Niagara as a spy, for which he does not desire to be paid; but he lost an Horse in the Journey, and for it he thinks he should be paid.
At a Council held in the State House, on Thursday, the 16th July, 1760.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esq" Lieutenant Gov - ernor.
The Same Members of Council as on the 12th.
A Large Number of the People Called Quakers.
The same Indians and Interpreters.
The Governor, addressing himself to Papununk, spoke as follows: "Brother :
" We understand you do not come on any Publick business, or to Treat with the Government, and that you were invited by Friends to pay a Religious Visit ; And you let us know that you are Lovers of Peace, mindful of the Old friendship, and will be always our Good Friends; This declaration is very agreeable to us; We heartily thank you for it, desire you will persevere in the Same good dispo- sition, and in return, We promise you our sincere Friendship and Assistance on all needful Occasions.
" Brother :
" It gives us Great satisfaction to hear you mention how the Lord has enlightened you. Religion is what all good Men have at heart, and we hope and pray that the day may not be far off when all Mankind as well Indians as others, shall be so enlightened as to hearken to and embrace the Christian Religion, which is so neces- sary to their everlasting happiness in the World to come.
" Brother :
" You told me that your Young Men would listen to you, and were resolved to regulate their Lives so as to please their Great Creator, and likewise that they would lay aside whatever was bad and displeasing to him. We approve of this just and pious resolu-
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tion, and heartily rejoice to hear you. It is every Man's Duty to do the same thing, if he will approve himself worthy of the Mercies of the Heavenly Father.
" Brother :
" As to what you have mentioned Concerning our Method of Trading with the Indians We understand you well, and have Com- municated what you have said to the Indian Commissioners who are Chose by the Government and People to regulate these Matters ; they are present, and they will Confer with you on this subject and settle it to your satisfaction.
" Brother :
" Our presents are small and not offer'd you as a Reward, they are of too little Value to produce the bad Consequences you appre- hend.
" We Consider that tho' you come well Cover'd to us, yet the bryers may tear your Stockings, Shirts and Blankets before you reach home, and that you will Want others to appear in when you return to your own People, and would have you therefore accept them, being offer'd to you out of pure Love and regard for your welfare.
" Brother :
" As you told us you did not come down on publick Business or to treat with the Government, I have nothing further to say to you at present, But to assure you that your Visit has been very agreeable to me and all the good people of the province, in whose behalf as well as my own, I salute you and wish you a safe and prosperous Journey to your own Habitations. And I pray God Almighty to have you in his holy keeping, and to strengthen more and more the Good Work already begun in your hearts, and make you the happy Instruments of spreading the Same Good and pious disposition among all the Indians."
MEMORANDUM.
Mr. Frederick Post and Mr. John Hays, who were appointed to Attend Teedyuscung, along with Isaac Stille and Moses Tallamy, to the Great Indian Council to be held by the Western Indians over the Ohio, returned the 1st of this Instant to Bethlehem, having been denied a passage thro' the Seneca Country. Each of them deliver'd the Journal of their Travels and Proceedings, which are ordered to be lodged with the Council Papers.
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At a Conference with the Indians in the state House, Thursday 14th August, 1760.
PRESENT :
.
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Richard Peters, Esquire.
Robert White,
John White,
George White,
Nantycokes.
William James, Abraham Siscoe,
Jacob Sinoscoe,
Robert Andom, Mansieus, Manassee,
Conoys.
Robert White, after making an Apology for his bad English, addressed the Governor as follows :
" Brother :
"We are of your Brethren, the Nantycokes and Conoys, who live at Chenango, on the upper Waters of sasquehannah. We are not Chiefs, nor are we come on any great Matter of Business. Many of our principal Men are gone with Sir William Johnson to War, and We come to pay our Brethren at Philadelphia a friendly Visit. " Brother :
" I clean your Eyes that you may see me as clearly as at the first. I put my hand unto your throat and pull out every thing that sticks there that might hinder you from speaking. I likewise clear your heart, that there may be a free passage from it. This being the old place where the Council Fire has always Burned, I clear the Floor, Seats, and every thing in the Council Chamber, that you may sit as clean and easy as before. I remember all the Clouds that for some time past have hindred us from seeing the Sun. I pray God may help us all to dispel these quite, that the Sun may Shine as bright as ever."
A String.
"Brother :
"We come to acquaint you that we have a good disposition for Peace. Our Grand Fathers always lived in Love and Friendship with the English. They are dead; they were wise people. We are not indeed so wise as they, but We have very good hearts to- wards our Brethren, and desire to follow the Good Example of our Grand fathers, in living on the same good terms, and with the same friendliness with you as they did. And in token hereof, We do By this Belt clear the road from the Place where we live at, Chenango,
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to this City. We remove out of it all sorts of nastiness. We will not leave any bad or wickedness in it, that both you and we may travel in it with the utmost safety. We are very sincere in what We now say, and speak from our hearts; and We include herein all the people Who live with us, as well the Six Nations as other Indians ; they are all heartily desirous that the road may be made perfectly clear."
A Belt.
" Brother :
" There have been some Indians here before us, who live nearer you than We, at a place called Waghaloosen ; We heard they had been here, but did not hear what they said to you. We have been under a good deal of Concern on their Account for these two or three Years; We are right glad they came to you of themselves, and We hope they have spoken good Words to you."
A string.
" What little we had to say is now finished, and to-morrow morn- ing We think of going home again."
After some pause, Robert White arose and spoke again.
"Brother:
" Where we live is a poor place, We have hardly anything to eat or drink, And the Town, thro' which we pass to come here, are as poor as We; It is true they have a supply of Flower from Shamo- ken, but it is so little that they can allow us Nothing out of it; We desire our Brethren will consider our Circumstances, and give us something to take home with us as well as to subsist on upon the Road."
Robert White acquainted the Governor that one Jnº Ryal now present came to their Town a Year ago along with a German, one Samuel Loots, and told them they would live with them if they pleased to receive them ; It seems they were two soldiers belonging to the fourth Battallion of Royal Americans, in Garrison at Oswego, and that they deserted from thence after the action at Niagara.
Robert White added that the other soldier was left behind sick and might be dead by this time. As to Regal, as he was one of their Brethren, they gave him no Encouragement to continue with them, tho' they should be glad of his stay, as he was a Good Man and had been sent of Errands by them, but they left this entirely to the good will of the Governor; Regal might either stay here or return with them to Chenango as the Governor should give direc- tions, but if he returned it would be necessary he should have a Discharge, or he might be taken up and hanged or Shot.
Robert White said they had likewise with them a French Pris- oner, taken at Niagara, and in the division of Prisoners given to them by Sir William Johnson, and was adopted among them, and belonged to one of the Indians now present.
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At a Conference with the Indians in the State House, the 15th August, 1760.
PRESENT :
The Honourable JAMES HAMILTON, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor.
Richard Peters, Esquire.
The same Indians as Yesterday.
The Governor's answer to the speeches delivered yesterday, by the Nantycoke's and Conoy Indians :
" Brethren :
"I receive your Visit kindly, and Am Glad to see you. We, have had of late many thick, dark Clouds, which have taken away the sight of the Sun and of one another. You have done well in observing the Ceremonies used by your Ancestors on these Occa- sions, And by this String I clean your Eyes, Throat, and Heart, and Likewise wipe the Council Seats clean, that you may sit easy with your Brethren, and confer with them freely."
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