USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. VIII > Part 6
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A Message from the Governor to the Assembly.
" Gentlemen :
" When I consider that this Province, in a great Measure, owes its quick Rise and flourishing State to Commerce and the great En- couragement given to Trade, I cannot avoid expressing my Appre- hensions to you lest the Bill lately presented to me for laying a Duty on the Tonnage of Vessels may prove very injurious to your Constituents in its Consequences. I, therefore, could have wished you had at least fallen on Measures of laying Taxes that might have come in Aid and lessened the Weight of the Burden that by this Bill will be imposed on Trade. However, as you have considered
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this Matter, and think Such a Bill necessary, I have sent it down with such Amendments as appear to me Proper and reasonable. You will observe that I have struck out of the Bill such of the Commissioners as are Members of your House, who, I must further inform you, have, on several Occasions heretofore in the Course of their Conduct as Provincial Commissioners, treated me with so much Disregard that it is impossible I can for the future transact any Business with them.
" March 20th, 1758."
"WILLIAM DENNY.
A Petition of John Miller against Justice Thomas Holiday was read, and it appearing to be a complaint of an expressive and extor- tionate nature, it was thought proper that it should be recommended · to Two Justices and Two of the most reputable Inhabitants of Lan- caster County to examine into the Complaint and report thereon to the Governor.
-
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Wednesday the 22d of March, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esq"., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Robert Strettell,
Joseph Turner,
Benjamin Shoemaker,
Richard Peters,
Esquires.
William Logan, Thomas Cadwalader,
Lynford Lardner,
The Draught of the Governor's Answer to Teedyuscung's Speech of this day Seven night was read, and after some Alterations settled.
The Governor and Council adjourned to the Council Chamber.
The Secretary was directed to acquaint the House that the Gov- ernor would in a Quarter of an Hour deliver his Answer to the Indians, and that they might be present, if they pleased. The Speaker and Assembly, and several of the Inhabitants of the City came into the Council Chamber, and when the Indians were seated the Governor, addressing himself to Teedyuscung, spoke as follows : " Brother Teedyuscung :
"I have with great attention considered what you said on Wednes- day last, and as it was an affair of such great Importance, I con- sulted my Council, and also laid it before the Assembly. I desire you, and the rest of your Brethren, the Indians, would carefully at- tend to what I am going to say."
A String.
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
" Brother Teedyuscung, all your Councellers that are with you, and also the Messengers from the Ohio, hear me :
"The other day you put me in mind of what passed at Easton at the last Treaty, and I find that you remembered your promise very well; I find, also, by what you have said, that you have published the Treaty of Peace far and Wide into every part of the Indian Country, and that to your own and our great Satisfaction, those Indian Nations have accepted the Peace Belt, and have sent to you the Calumet Pipe, that from Old times have been made use of on such Good Occasions, and desired you to fill it with good Tobacco, and Smoak it with your Brother at Philadelphia, and always to smoak it with me whenever any dark Clouds should at any time arise."
·
After a little pause, the Governor says, "Is not this, Brother, the Purport of what you said Yesterday ?" and then waits a little for the Answer, and when given he proceeds :
" Brother :
"This news gives me and all of us the greatest Pleasure, and we receive it from your Hands as a token that you are a faithful Agent and Friend of Pennsylvania, and have done the utmost in the dis- charge of your Trust.
" Brother :
" I smoaked with a great deal of Pleasure out of the Pipe that the far Indians, formerly our good Friends, sent you on this Joyful Occasion, and found the Tobacco exceeding good; and I must now desire you, for them, as you Represent them, to spoak out of my Pipe, in which I have also put some very good Tobacco, such as our Ancestors used to smoak together, and was at first Planted here when this Country was settled by Onas. We have found by experience that whatever Nations smoaked out of it two or three hearty Whiffs, the Clouds that were between us always dispersed, and so they will again, as often as they arise, if these Indians will smoak heartily of it.
Here the Governor smoaked and gave it to Teedyuscung.
The Governor proceeded, and taking hold of Teedyuscung's First Belt, says :
" Brother Teedyuscung :
"You refreshed my Memory as to what was said at the Last Treaty, that Things should be done no more in private, as had been done heretofore ; and that you would not conceal any part of it, but publish it before all the World.
"You also put me in mind of your promise of giving a Halloo that might be heard by the most distant Nations, and that you have done it accordingly ; and that all the Nations represented by this Belt I now hold in my hand have heard you, and know and approve
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of every thing that has been done by us, and that you have made all those Nations as one Man."
Here the Governor made a Pause, and then Proceeded :
"Brother :
"You also put me in mind by it, that these far Indians have sent Messages to you, heartily Congratulating you on the good Work you have begun with the English, and Encourageing you to perfect it, saying that their and our Lives depended upon it."
The Governor then laid down Teedyuscung's Belt, and taking up the great Belt, said :
" Brother :
" His Majesty, King George, embraces these Eight Nations and receives them with open Arms into the Union established between you and us. I now look upon the union to consist of Eighteen Indian Nations. And by this Belt of Wampum I, in behalf of the Government and People of Pennsylvania, thank You for the Good and kind part you have taken, and Confirmed all that you have done, and shall look upon these Indians all as the Hearty Friends and Allies of the English. I think with them that our Lives and Safety depend upon our mutual Sincerity and Care, and assure you that I shall hold it fast with all my might and as long as the Sun endures."
Gives the Peace Belt.
" Brother 'Teedyuscung :
"You put me in mind of what passed at Easton when you ac- quainted me that full Power was in your Hands, and that you had made the best use of it; and thereupon the Indians have sent you Messages expressing their high Satisfaction, and desiring you to press on. They tell you further that they have enquired who has been the Cause of the Darkness, and said there were three concerned in it, English, French, and Indians, and have found that one of these three had been the cause of it, and added that it was the French, and agreed that he should die ; and have thereupon stopped all Cor- respondence with him ; have blinded his Eyes and stopped his Ears, that tho' Messengers go thro' his Country to and from you, Teedy- uscung, and the English, yet he shall know nothing of the Matter. " Brother :
"I am glad you found out among yourselves that the French were the Cause of the Darkness that overspread this Country. The King of England found it out long ago, and therefore made War against them. This step that our Brethren, the Indians, made is a wise and Prudent Step. I am convinced by it that the same good Sense that has been among your Ancestors is not Extinguished, but remaineth with you still. I embrace this good Article of News. It shall be recorded in our records ; and I thank them and you very
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kindly in behalf of all his Majesty's Subjects. I assure you by this Belt that we on our side will also blind his Eyes and stop his Ears that he shall never know what passes between us, even tho' Our Messengers should be Obliged to go across his own Country. In Confirmation whereof I give you this Belt."
Here gives the Belt.
" Brother Teedyuscung :
" You desired that all that were then present might hear, and you put me in mind that I told you I was stronger than you, and that you agree to it, and that my Words gave you Encouragement ; and you desired me to Press on the Good Work we were engaged in and exert myself to the utmost, saying nothing should dis- courage you, and that if we joined heartily together, and the Good God that made us would give it his Blessing, we might promise our- selves Success.
" Brother :
"I acknowledge what you said was true; I have not forgot what I said of your Ability. I shall renew what I said then, and say now again that we are well able. I am pleased that you offer to join with us in Prayers to the Most High for Success on our En- deavours. Do you continue to do your part, and nothing shall be wanting on mine. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Representatives who are now Present have assured me that towards bringing to perfection the great and good Work of Peace which we are now Engaged in, and to confirm his Majesty's Indian Allies in their good Dispositions towards us, they will chearfully strengthen my Hands, and do everything which can be reasonably expected from them. And having received these great Encouragements you may depend upon it that the Government will not fail to perform all their Engagements, and to consult and Promote the good of the Indians in every respect."
A Belt.
"Brother Teedyuscung :
" You acquainted me that the Indians who Live far back have sent Messengers to you to encourage you and me in the good Work we have begun, and said that they had seen us sitting in Council together, and tho' it should be a Work that would require some time before it might be perfected, they entreated we might not be tired.
"You further assured me on your Part, that you would press on and go thro' with it, tho' contrary Winds might blow strong in your face, And earnestly persuaded me to do the same; You added one word more, and earnestly desir'd me to proceed in the good Road and finish the Work we had undertaken. You begged of me to open and clear my Eyes, and Look upon our Wives and Children
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with Pitty and Compassion, and for their sakes finish as soon as Possible.
" Brother :
"I am very glad that our good undertaking reached to such dis- tant Indians ; It was always my thoughts that they would one day repent that they lent their Ears to the French King who poisoned them ; I am very glad that by the Divine favour, this happy Day is come so soon, and that these remote Indians are so earnest for us to proceed, that it seems they would Look upon it as a Misfortune, if the Work should not be soon finished; I assure you, brethren, by this Belt, that I look upon this to be a most important Work, the most so, that men can be engaged in ; that Nothing shall be wanting on my part, tho' contrary winds should throw Hail, Snow, and Rain in my face it shall not stop me ; My eyes are even looking upon our Poor Wives and Children, and for their sakes nothing shall be left undone that is in my Power, I pray the great God that made us, to bless our mutual Endeavours and crown the good Work with success. Ir confirmation of what I say,
" I give you this Belt of Wampum.
" Brother :
"I agree with you that there are bad Birds in almost every Bush, and that their Chirping ought not to be minded. Tho' there should be a Thousand Birds on both sides the Road, yet the Traveller, who is intent on getting to the end of his Journey, will not hearken to them. I shall, therefore, disregard every thing but what will pro- mote the main Point-Peace and the good correspondence that is between us. This chirping of Birds must not discourage Mes- sengers sent to and fro; only let us take care that we send Men who are faithful, and love to speak truth ; for as you say you hear with our Ears, so we hear with yours; And a great deal depends on the Characters of the Messengers, and their regular proceedings. I desire you by this String of Wampum to remember this."
A String.
" Brother :
" You have made use of a great many Messengers, and they have gone to different Countries and different Tribes of Indians. I desire to know the names of your Messengers, and of the Indian Nations they have been sent to, that they be put upon our Records, and the Messengers rewarded for their Trouble."
A String.
The Governor concluded with saying, "I have now fully Answered what you said to me, and I desire to know if you have any thing farther to propose."
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Whereupon Teedyuscung arose, and spoke as follows :
" Brother :
" Hearken to me. What you have told me, Brother, I have really felt at my Heart; It is nothing but good and right, and I will accept it.
" Brother, and all you, my brethren, take notice what I am going to say to you.
"I am not going to say any thing New, but only to Put you in Mind afresh of what we proposed, and what passed at Easton.
" Brother :
" When I Look and Consider what we did Discourse about at Easton, and when I Look on our Wives and Children, I can find no better way than this, and what must be done if you will now Act according as we Proprosed. This matter affects my Heart, and lies deeply there, and I hope it will affect yours Likewise.
" Brother :
" Now you must Consider I have a Soul as well as another, and I think it proper you should Let me have two Ministers to teach me, that my soul may be instructed, and Saved at Last.
" Brother :
" And I desire, moreover, two Schoolmasters, for there are a great many Indian Children who want Schoolmasters. One, therefore, is not sufficient to teach them all, so that they may be sufficiently instructed in the Christian way.
" Brother :
"I have a Body as well as a Soul. I want two Men to instruct me and show me the Ways of Living and how to conduct temporal affairs, who may teach me in every thing to do as you do your- selves, that I may Live as you do, and likewise who may watch over me and take care of my Things that no Body may cheat me.
"Brother :
" I hope you will heartily join in this which I have now said, I desire you and I may now lay the Foundation of this good Work upon a Rock and not upon the Sand; For if we don't build it on such a good Foundation it will tumble to Pieces.
" I have not told you all fully, I have only mentioned some short Heads of what I intended to say ; I have here but few Councellors, but we have consulted together and have put down at Large in writing our whole Mind, and this paper will show it."
Here he desired a Paper, which was read in these Words.
"Brothers :
" We formerly told you that we desired to be instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion and requested that we might
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have Ministers and Schoolmasters supported among us for that purpose. We now renew our Request, and as many of our Breth- ren are ready to lay hold on the Chain of Peace, we think it neces- sary to inform you that Less than two Ministers besides School- masters will be insufficient for that Purpose, and tho' we expect our brethren the English will support them, yet as they are designed for the Benefit of us and our Children, we Judge it both reasonable and necessary that we should have Liberty to chuse them ourselves, after having made the best inquiries we are able into the Charac- ters of those who are to Watch for our Souls, and to whose care our eternal Interests are under God to be committed. This, Brothers, is an Affair that Deserves your most Serious attention, and we hope it will be seriously Considered by our brethren, the English. " Brothers :
"You are wise men, You tell us the Christian Religion is Good, and we believe it to be so, partly upon the Credit of your Words and partly because we see that some of our brother Indians who were Wicked before they became Christians, Live better Lives now than they formerly did. But, Brothers, we have got Bodies as well as Souls, and tho' our time in this World is Short, it is nevertheless necessary to provide for ourselves and Families while we are in it ; this is what our own reason and experience teacheth us and we are confirmed in our Sentiments by the universal Practice of Chris- tians as well as Indians, And since we see that our brethren the English Manage the Affairs which concern their Worldly Estates and Interests with more Wisdom than the Indians do, our next request is that our brethren will Support two honest Men amongst us to be our Councellors and Instructers in temporal Affairs, and at the same to be the Guardians of our Interest, And that we may be the more certain that we are not deceived by our Councellors, we think it necessary to have the choice of them ourselves. We De- sire to have two, that if one of them should prove a dishonest Man the other may prevent his imposing on us, And we hope our brethren, the English, will put the Support of our Councellors on such a foundation as will Leave them under no temptations to betray our Interests for the sake of their own temporal gain, and as an addi- tional Security for their Acting Honestly we shall judge it neces- sary before admitting them into our Service that they Solemnly Swear after the English Manner, that they will Conscientiously perform the trusts reposed in them, according to the best of their Skill and understanding.
"Brothers :
" These are things that appears to us so just and reasonable, that we hope our brethren, the English, who profess to have a sincere regard both for our temporal and eternal Interests, will readily agree to them. A Friendship that is founded on Justice and equity, where a proper regard is had to the Interests of both Parties, may
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
reasonably be expected to prove durable, and such we desire may be the Friendship between us and our brethren the English. But a Peace that is founded on Injustice and deceit, must end whenever the fraud is discovered.
" Brothers :
"These are things that Lay heavy on our Hearts. Let them sink deep into the Hearts of our Brothers, and if they act conformable to these sentiments, both they and their Children, as well as we and our Children, will feel the good effects of them till the Sun ceases to shine, and the Rivers to Run.
his " Teedy S uscung. mark.
After the Paper was read, he added :
" Brother:
" Here is a Messenger who came from a great distance, He will wait for your Answer, that he may have good News to carry to the Indians, and as he has a great way to go, I desire he may be dis- patched as soon as Possible."
To which the Governor replied :
" Brother :
"I shall take your request into Consideration, and give you an answer with all possible dispatch, and at the same time I shall have some other things to say to you."
The Secretary was then ordered to make out a fair Copy of the Minutes of Conference with the Indians, and carry them to the House, with the following Message :
" Gentlemen :
"I Lay before you the Minutes of yesterday's Conference with Teedyuscung. You will find at the Close, he reminded me of the Promises made to him at Easton, of an Allowance for Ministers and Schoolmasters for the use of the Indians, when they should be set- tled at Wioming; and has now made a further request, that two Persons might be allowed them, for management of their affairs in general. As they only stay in Town to receive my Answer, I de- sire you will enable me, as soon as may be, to give them a Satis- factory One, that our Friendly Indians may see the Government does not refuse them any reasonable request.
" WILLIAM DENNY.
" March 23d, 1758."
VOL. VIII .- 4.
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At a Council held at Philadelphia, Saturday the 25th of March, 1758.
PRESENT :
The Honourable WILLIAM DENNY, Esqr., Lieutenant Gov- ernor.
Richard Peters,
Lynford Lardner,
Esquires.
Teedyuscung and the Indians.
Conrad Weiser, Esqr., Interpreter.
The Governor informed the Board that two Members had waited on him on the Twenty-Third, with a verbal Message from the House, in Answer to his Message to the Assembly of that Day, that the House were of Opinion the Requests of the Indians were of great Importance to his Majesty's Service; and that they con- cieved the enacting a Law for regulating the Indian Trade, was the only means to enable the Governor to fulfil his Promises to the said Indians at Easton, and the Requests they have since made of this Government ; and therefore, the House inclined to reconsider the Indian Trade Bill lately offered to his Honour, and sent it up again for his Assent.
A Paper delivered last night to the Secretary by Teedyuscung, was read in these Words, and ordered to be entered :
"Brother :
"I would have this Messenger, who came with me, dispatched as soon as possible, to carry back to the Indians the good news of what we have Now done.
" Brother :
"You must have heard that the Cherokees are come down to go to War. Now, as several of our Friends who have joined with me Live near, and some among, the French, it is necessary the Mes- senger should be sent before to tell them to seperate from the French, that they may not be cut of with them.
"Brother :
"I would have you also dispatch a Messenger immediately to the Cherokees to inform them what is done, and to stop them, For if any mischief is done It will not be said the Cherokees did it, but that you have done it, who hired and sent them, and this will undo all that we have done. But when the Indian Nations are informed of the Peace we have made, then all those Indians will come and join the Cherokees and be all Friends with the English, and all together will go against the French."
Being asked what sort of Message can be sent to the Cherokees that will not do harm, for should any Indians come down with French Men at their Head, as they have always done, what then must be done ?
1
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PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.
Teedyuscung replied :
" I would, therefore, have the Messenger sent as soon as possible, to prevent any of the Indians joining with the French."
He farther said :
"Brother :
" Here is our Messenger between us both ; I leave it to your Gene- rosity what you shall give him. When a Man is travelling he must eat and Drink. He may also Loose his Horse, which is the case with this Man, who Lost a very stately Horse in coming down; all these things should be considered. There were nine other Messen- gers who came with this Man; all these should be rewarded; they make in all Ten-Three here and Seven at Bethlehem.
" Brother :
" Since I have been in Town I have been obliged to run in debt at two or three Houses in Town in treating my People. I hope you will enable me to discharge it.
" Brother :
"I recommend my Interpreter to you. I hope you will reward him.
" Brother :
" I have to inform you that upon intelligence received that the French were coming against Fort Allen, I sent Captain Harrison and three other Indians to the Assistance of that Place; they were there on Service Ranging in the Woods two Weeks. I desire they may be rewarded for their Service.
"I desire you will order the Messengers' Guns to be mended at Bethlehem."
" The above was delivered to the Secretary, who was desired to send it immediately to the Governor by Teedyuscung.
"ISAAC STILL, Interpreter.
" The Messenger and Moses Tatamy being present.
" { CHAS. THOMPSON."
A Draught of a further Answer to Teedyuscung was read & set- tled.
A Message from the Assembly delivered by two Members yes- terday in the afternoon, was read as follows :
A Message from the Assembly to the Governor.
" May it please your Honour :
" We beg Leave to observe that by the Minutes of the Confer- ences laid before us from time to time, since the Treaty at Easton, it does not appear that any effectual Measures have been taken to recover our Fellow Subjects from the Captivity they are under with
be
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the Indians with whom a Peace has been long since concluded, nor even to remind them of their Engagements to restore them ; We, therefore, think it our Duty to recommend it to your Honour be- fore the Indians depart from this City, to make some enquiry after the Captives, and to take such Measures as shall be most likely to restore them to their Country, Families, and Friends; We also think it absolutely necessary for the welfare of this Province, and the promotion of his Majesty's Indian Interest in America, that a friendly and kind Invitation should be given to the Chiefs of each of the Eight Tribes of Indians that have by a late Messenger shewn an inclination to enter into an Alliance with his Majesty, and to take up Arms against his Enemies, that some of them would when it was convenient to them, take an Opportunity of Visiting this Government, and further ratifying the great Work of Peace so happily begun, and now almost perfected; The good Effects this Province has already felt, and his Majesty's Interests in general is like to receive from the late Conferences with them, are such Proofs of the Good Policy of such an Invitation that we hope we need not add anything further to enforce it.
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