USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 43
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"Nature has well contrived this lower place for water defence ; but the hill whereon it must stand being about a quarter of a mile in length, and then descending gradually on the land side, will render it difficult and very expensive to make a sufficient fortification there. The whole flat upon the hill must be taken in, the side next the descent made ex- tremely high, or else the hill itself cut away : otherwise, the enemy may raise batteries within that distance without being exposed to a sin- gle shot from the fort.
"Shingiss attended us to the Logstown,* where we arrived between sun-setting and dark, the twenty-fifth day after I left Williamsburg .- We travelled over some extremely good and bad land to get to this place.
"As soon as I came into town, I went to MONAKATOOCHA (as the Half-King was out at his hunting cabin on Little Beaver creek, about fifteen miles off,) and informed him by John Davidson, my Indian in- terpreter, that I was sent a messenger to the French general; and was ordered to call upon the sachems of the Six Nations to acquaint them with it. I gave him a string of wampum and a twist of tobacco, and desired him to send for the Half-king, which he promised to do by a run- ner in the morning, and for other sachems. I invited him and the
* We have spoken, says N. B. Craig, Esq., to several persons in both this county and Beaver, all of whom with one exception, located Logstown on the left side of the Ohio, descending the river. All the old authorities we have seen place it on the right or north-east side.
Washington in a letter to Wm. Fairfax, dated 11th August, 1754, says : "It is known, we must pass the French fort and the Ohio to get to Logstown."- Certainly if that place had been on the left or south-east side of the Ohio, this would not have been necessary.
Frederick Post says: "I, with my companion came to Logstown, situated on a hill. On the east end is a great piece of low land, where the old Logs- town used to stand. In the new Logstown, the French have built about thirty houses for the Indians." When it is known Post was travelling from the mouth of Beaver along the north-west bank of the Ohio, this seems conclu- sive against the common opinion.
Hutchins in his account of the march of Col. Bonquet to the Muskingum, along the north side of the Ohio, says: "We passed through Logstown," and in his map he places it in the right hand side as the army passed down.
The fine bottom of rich land on the south-east side of the Ohio, opposite where Logstown stood, was called "Logstown bottom." An old resident on that bottom has recently told us that the late Col. John Gibson had built a fort or block-house there, which was called Gibson's fort.
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other great men present, to my tent, where they stayed about an hour, and returned.
"According to the best observation I could make, Mr. Gist's new set- tlement (which we passed by) bears about west north-west seventy miles from Wills' creek; Shanopins, or the forks, north by west or north north-west about fifty miles from that; and from thence to the Logstown, the course is nearly west about eigteen or twenty miles : so that the whole distance, as we went and computed it, is at least one hundred and thirty-five or one hundred and forty miles from our back inhabitants.
"25th .- Came to town, four of ten Frenchmen, who had deserted from a company at the Kuskuskas, which lies at the mouth of this river. I got the following account from them : They were sent from New Or- leans with a hundred men, and eight canoe loads of provisions, to this place, where they expected to have met the same number of men from the forts on this side of lake Erie, to convey them and the stores up, who were not arrived when they ran off.
"I inquired into the situation of the French on the Mississippi, their numbers, and what forts they had built. They informed me, that there were four small forts between New Orleans and the Black Islands, gar- risoned with about thirty or forty men, and a few small pieces in each. That at New Orleans, which is near the mouth of the Mississippi, there are thirty-five companies of forty men each, with a pretty strong fort mounting eight carriage guns : and at the Black Islands there are several companies and a fort with six guns. The Black Islands are about a hundred and thirty leagues above the mouth of the Ohio, which is about three hundred and fifty above New Orleans. They also ac- quainted me, that there was a small pallisadoed fort on the Ohio, at the mouth of the Obaish, about sixty leagues from the Mississippi. The Obaish heads near the west end of lake Erie, and affords the communi- cation between the French on the Mississippi and those on the lakes. These deserters came up from the lower Shannoah town with one Brown, an Indian trader, and were going to Philadelphia.
"About three o'clock this evening the Half-King* came to town. I went up and invited him with Davidson, privately, to my tent ; and de- sired him to relate some of the particulars of his journey to the French commandant, and of his reception there ; also, to give me an account of the ways and distance. He told me, that the nearest and levellest way was now impassable, by reason of many large miry savannas ; that we must be obliged to go by Venango, and should not get to the near fort in less than five or six nights sleep, good travelling. When we went to the fort, he said, he was received in a very stern manner by the late commander, who asked him very abruptly, what he had come about, and to declare his business; which he said he did in the following speech:
* " The Half-King, or Tanacharison," was a good friend of the English, but he died at Harris' Ferry (Harrisburg) in October 4, 1754. No doubt his death was a serious loss to the British. His advice might have been useful to Brad- dock in his march towards this place, and his conduct, when Ensign Ward was taken prisoner, and again when Jumonville was killed, prove him to have been a willing and active friend."-N. B. Craig.
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APPENDIX-NO. VI.
"Fathers, I am come to tell you your own speeches, what your own mouths have declared. Fathers, you, in former days, set a silver basin before us, wherein there was the leg of a beaver, and desired all the nations to come and eat of it, to eat in peace and plenty, and not to be churlish to one another ; and thatif any such person should be found to be a disturber, I here lay down by the edge of the dish a rod, which you must scourge them with ; and if your father should get foolish, in my old days, I desire you may use it upon me as well as others.
"Now, fathers, it is you who are the disturbers in this land, by coming and building your towns, and taking it away unknown to us, and by force.
"' Fathers, we kindled a fire a long time ago, at a place called Mon- treal, where we desired you to stay, and not to come and intrude upon our land. I now desire you may despatch to that place ; for be it known to you fathers, that this is our land and not yours.
"'Fathers, I desire you may hear me in civilness ; if not, we must handle that rod which was laid down for the use of the obstreperous. If you had come in a peaceable manner, like our brothers, the English, we would not have been against your trading with us as they do; but to come, fathers, and build houses upon our land, and to take it by force, is what we cannot submit to.
"Fathers, both you and the English are white ; we live in a country between ; therefore, the land belongs to neither one nor the other. But the Great Being above allowed it to be a place of residence for us : so, fathers, I desire you to withdraw, as I have done our brothers the English ; for I will keep you at arm's length. I lay this down as a trial for both, to see which will have the greatest regard to it, and that side we will stand by, and make equal shares with us. Our brothers, the English, have heard this, and I come now to tell it to you : for I am not afraid to discharge you off this land.'
" This, he said, was the substance of what he spoke to the general, who made this reply :
"Now, my child, I have heard your speech ; you spoke first, and it is my time to speak now. Where is my wampum that you took away, with the marks of towns on it? This wampum I do not know, which you have discharged me off the land with ; but you need not put your- self to the trouble of speaking, for I will not hear you. I am not afraid of flies or musquetoes, for Indians are such as those; I tell you, that down that river I will go, and build upon it, according to my command. If the river was blocked up, I have forces sufficient to burst it open, and tread under my feet all that stand in opposition, together with their al- liances ; for my force is as the sand upon the sea shore ; therefore here is your wampum ; I sling it at you. Child, you talk foolish ; you say this land belongs to you, but there is not the black of my nail yours. I saw the land sooner than you did, before the Shannoahs and you were at war; Lead was the man who went down and took possession of that river. It is my land, and I will have it, let who will stand up for, or say against it. I will buy and sell with the English (mockingly.) If people will be ruled by me, they may expect kindness, but not else."
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WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL, 1753.
" The Half-King told me he had inquired of the general after two Englishmen, who were made prisoners, and received this answer.
" Child, you think it is a very great hardship that I made prisoners of these two people at Venango. Don't you concern yourself with it ; we took and carried them to Canada, to get intelligence of what the English were doing in Virginia."
" He informed me, that they had built two forts, one on Lake Erie,* and another on French Creek, near a small lake, about fifteen miles asunder, and a large wagon road between. They are both built after the same model, but different in size ; that on the lake the largest. He gave me a plan of them of his own drawing.
" The Indians inquired very particularly after their brothers in Caro- lina goal.
" They also asked what sort of a boy it was, who was taken from the South Branch ; for they were told by some Indians, that a party of French Indians had carried a white boy by Kuskusko Town,t towards the lakes.
" 26th-We met in council at the long-house about nine o'clock, where I spoke to them as follows :
" Brothers, I have called you together in council, by order of your brother, the Governor of Virginia, to acquaint you, that I am sent with all possible dispatch, to visit and deliver a letter to the French com- mandant, of very great importance to your brothers, the English ; and I dare say to you, their friends and allies.
"I was desired, brothers, by your brother, the Governor, to call upon you, the sachems of the nations, to inform you of it, and to ask your advice and assistance to proceed by the nearest and best road to the French. You see, brothers, I have gotten thus far on my journey.
" His Honor likewise desired me to apply for some of your young men to conduct and provide provisions for us on our way, and be a safe- guard against those French Indians, who have taken up the hatchet against us. I have spoken thus particularly to you, brothers, because his Honor, our Governor, treats you as good friends and allies, and holds you in great esteem. To confirm what I have said, I give you this string of wampum."
" After they had considered for some time on the above discourse, the Half-King got up and spoke.
"Now, my brother, in regard to. what my brother, the Governor, had desired of me, I return you this answer :
"I rely upon you as a brother ought to do, as you say we are brothers, and one people. We shall put our heart in hand and speak to our fathers, the French, concerning the speech they made to me ; and you may depend that we will endeavor to be your guard.
" Brother, as you have asked my advice, I hope you will be ruled by it, and stay until I can provide a company to go with you. The
* These two forts were one at Presque Isle, where Erie now stands; the other where the village of Waterford is situated.
+ This town, says N. B. Craig, Esq., is placed in Hutchin's map, on the west side of Big Beaver, about one mile below where the Shenango and Maboning unite.
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APPENDIX-NO. VI.
French speech-belt is not here ; I have to go for it to my hunting-cabin. Likewise, the people whom I have ordered in are not yet come, and cannot until the third night from this ; until which time, brother, I must beg you to stay.
" I intend to send the guard of Mingoes, Shannoahs and Delawares, that our brothers may see the love and loyalty we bear them."
" As I had orders to make all possible dispatch, and waiting here was very contrary to my inclination, I thanked him in the most suitable manner I could, and told him that my business required the greatest ex- pedition, and would not admit of that delay. He was not well pleased that I should offer to go before the time he had appointed, and told me, that he could not consent to our going without a guard, for fear some accident should befall us, and draw a reflection upon him. Besides, said he, this is a matter of no small moment, and must not be entered into without due consideration ; for I intend to deliver up the French speech- belt, and make the Shannoahs and Delawares do the same. And, ac- cordingly he gave orders to KING SHINGISS, who was present, to attend on Wednesday night with the wampum ; and two men of their nation to be in readiness to set out with us the next morning. As I found it was impossible to get off without affronting them in the most egregious manner, I consented to stay.
"I gave them back a string of wampum, which I met with at Mr. Frazier's, and which they sent with a speech to his Honor, the Gover- nor, to inform him that three nations of French Indians, namely, Chip- pewas, Ottoways and Orundaks, had taken up the hatchet against the English ; and desired them to repeat it over again. But this they post- poned doing, until they met in full council with the Shannoah and Dela- ware chiefs.
" 27th .- Runners were despatched very early for the Shannoah chiefs. The Half-King set out himself to fetch the French speech-belt from his hunting cabin.
" 28th .- He returned this evening, and came with MONAKATOOCHA, and two other sachems to my tent; and begged (as they had complied with his Honor, the Governor's request, in providing men, &c.,) to know on what business we were going to the French ? This was a question I had all along expected, and had provided as satisfactory answers to it as I could ; which allayed their curiosity a little.
" MONAKATOOCHA informed me, that an Indian from Venango brought news, a few days ago, that the French had called all the Mingoes, Dela- wares, &c., together at that place, and told them, that they intended to have been down the river this fall, but the waters were growing cold, and the winter advancing, which obliged them to go into quarters ; but that they might assuredly expect them in the spring, with a far greater number; and desired that they might be quite passive, and not inter- meddle, unless they had a mind to draw all their force upon them : for that they expected to fight the English three years, (as they supposed there would be some attempts made to stop them,) in which time they should conquer. But that if they should prove equally strong, they and the English would join to cut them all off, and divide the land be- tween them : that though they had lost their general and some few of
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WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL, 1753.
their soldiers, yet there were men enough to reinforce them, and make them masters of the Ohio.
" This speech, he said, was delivered to them by one Capt. Joncaire, their interpreter in chief, living at Venango, and a man of note in the army.
"29th. - The Half-King and Monakatoocha came very early, and begged me to stay one day more ; for notwithstanding they had used all the diligence in their power, the Shannoah chiefs had not brought the wampum they ordered, but would certainly be in to-night; if not, they would delay me no longer, but would send it after as soon as they arrived. When I found them so pressing in their request, and knew that returning of wampum was the abolishing of agreements ; and giving this up was shaking off all dependence upon the French, I consented to stay, as I believed an offence offered at this crisis, might be attended with greater ill consequence, than another day's delay. They also informed me, that Shingiss could not get in his men ; and was prevented from coming himself by his wife's sickness; (I believe, by fear of the French,) but that the wampum of that nation was lodged with Kustalogo, one of their chiefs at Venango.
"In the evening, late, they came again, and acquainted me that the Shannoahs were not yet arrived, but that it should not retard the prose- cution of our journey. He delivered in my hearing the speech that was to be made to the French by Jeskakake, one of their old chiefs, which was giving up the belt the late commandant had asked for, and repeating nearly the same speech he himself had done before.
" He also delivered a string of wampum to this chief, which was sent by King Shingiss, to be given to Kustalogo, with orders to repair to the French and deliver up the wampum.
" He likewise gave a very large string of black and white wampum, which was to be sent up immediately to the Six Nations, if the French refused to quit the land at this warning ; which was the third and last time, and was the right of this Jeskakake to deliver.
"30th .-- Last night, the great men assembled at their council house, to consult further about this journey, and who were to go; the result of which was, that only three of their chiefs, with one of their best hunters, should be our convoy. The reason they gave for not sending more, after what had been proposed at council the 26th, was, that a greater number might give the French suspicions of some bad design, and cause them to be treated rudely ; but I rather think they could not get their hunters in.
" We set out about nine o'clock with the Half-King, Jeskakake, White Thunder, and the Hunter, and travelled on the road to Venango, where we arrived the fourth of December, without any thing remarkable hap- pening but a continued series of bad weather.
"This is an old Indian town, situated at the mouth of French creek, . on Ohio ; and lies near north about sixty miles from the Logstown, but more than seventy the way we were obliged to go.
" We found the French colors hoisted at a house from which they had driven Mr. John Frazier, an English subject. I immediately repaired to it, to know where the commander resided. There were three officers,
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APPENDIX-NO. VI.
one of whom, Captain Joncaire, informed me that he had the command of the Ohio; but that there was a general officer at the near fort, where he advised me to apply for an answer. He invited us to sup with them, and treated us with the greatest complaisance.
"The wine, as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it, soon banished the restraint which at first appeared in their conversation, and gave a license to their tongues to reveal their sentiments more freely.
"They told me, that it was their absolute design to take possession of the Ohio, and by G-d they would do it; for that, although they were sensible the English could raise two men for their one, yet they knew their motions were too slow and dilatory to prevent any undertaking of theirs. They pretend to have an undoubted right to the river from a discovery made by one La Salle, sixty years ago : and the rise of this expedition is, to prevent our settling on the river or waters of it, as they heard of some families moving out in order thereto. From the best intelligence I could get, there have been fifteen hundred men on this side Ontario lake. But upon the death of the General, all were recalled to about six or seven hundred, who were left to garrison four forts, one hundred and fifty or thereabout in each. The first of them is on French creek, near a small lake, about sixty miles from Venango, near north north-west; the next lies on lake Erie, where the greater part of their stores are kept, about fifteen miles from the other: from this it is one hundred and twenty miles to the carrying place, at the falls of lake Erie, where there is a small fort, at which they should lodge their goods in bringing them from Montreal, the place from whence all their stores are brought. The next fort lies about twenty miles from this, on Ontario lake. Between this fort and Montreal, there are three others, the first of which is nearly opposite to the English Fort Oswego. From the fort on lake Erie to Montreal is about six hundred miles, which, they say, requires no more (if good weather,) than four weeks voyage, if they go in barks or large vessels, so that they may cross the lake : but if they come in canoes, it will require five or six weeks, for they are obliged to keep under the shore.
"December 5th .- Rained excessively all day, which prevented our travelling. Captain Joncaire sent for the HALF-KING, as he had but just heard that he came with me. He affected to be much concerned that I did not make free to bring them in before. I excused it in the best manner of which I was capable, and told him I did not think their company agreeable, as I had heard him say a good deal in dispraise of Indians in general ; but another motive prevented me from bringing them into his company ; I knew that he was an interpreter, and a person of great influence among the Indians, and had lately used all possible means to draw them over to his interest; therefore I was desirous of giving him no opportunity that could be avoided.
" When they came in, there was great pleasure expressed at seeing them. He wondered how they could be so near without coming to visit him, made several trifling presents, and applied liquor so fast, that they were soon rendered incapable of the business they came about, notwithstanding the caution which was given.
" 6th .- The HALF-KING came to my tent, quite sober, and insisted [ 44 ]
WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL, 1753.
very much that I should stay and hear what he had to say to the French. I fain would have prevented him from speaking any thing until he came to the commandant, but could not prevail. He told me, that at this place a council fire was kindled, where all their business with these people was to be transacted, and that the management of the Indian affairs was left solely to Monsieur Joncaire. As I was desirous of knowing the issue of this, I agreed to stay ; but sent our horses a little way up French creek, to raft over and encamp ; which I knew would make it near night.
" About ten o'clock they met in council. The King spoke much the same as he had done before to the general; and offered the French speech-belt which had before been demanded, with the marks of four towns on it, which Monsieur Joncaire refused to receive, but desired him to carry it to the fort to the commander.
"7th .- Monsieur La Force, commissary of the French stores, and three other soldiers, came over to accompany us up. We found it ex- tremely difficult to get the Indians off to-day, as every stratagem had been used to prevent their going up with me. I had last night left John Davidson (the Indian interpreter,) whom I brought with me from town, and strictly charged him not to be out of their company, as I could not get them over to my tent; for they had some business with Kustalogo, chiefly to know why he did not deliver up the French speech-belt which he had in keeping ; but I was obliged to send Mr. Gist over to-day to fetch them, which he did with great persuasion.
" At twelve o'clock, we set out for the fort, and were prevented ar- riving there until the 11th by excessive rains, snows, and bad travelling through many mires and swamps: these we were obliged to pass to avoid crossing the creek, which was impassable, either by fording or rafting, the water was so high and rapid.
" We passed over much good land since we left Venango, and through several very extensive and rich meadows, one of which, I believe, was nearly four miles in length, and considerably wide in some places.
" 12th .- I prepared early to wait upon the commander, and was re- ceived and conducted to him by the second officer in command. I acquainted him with my business, and offered my commission and letter; both of which he requested me to keep until the arrival of Monsieur Reparti, Captain at the next fort, who was sent for and expected every hour.
" The commander is a knight of the military order of St. Louis, and named Legardeur de St. Pierre. He is an elderly gentleman, and has much the air of a soldier. He was sent over to take the command im- mediately upon the death of the late general, and arrived here about seven days before me.
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