USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
He then addressed the commissioners, and said :
" Brethren : We now speak to you on account of trade. The traders who supply us with goods come from your province, and we do not take upon us to judge whether the goods they sell to us are dear or not, as we are ignorant of what they cost them ; but we are certain, from our own knowledge, that they do not allow us the same price for our skins and furs as they did formerly, and hope you will speak to them to allow us a sufficient price for our peltry." A belt.
" Brethren : The country lying between this river and the Allegheny mountains, has always been our hunting ground ; but the white people, who have scattered themselves over it, have, by their hunting, deprived us of the game, which we look upon ourselves to have the only right to ; and we desire you will acquaint our brother, the Governor of this, and prevent their hunting there for the future." A string.
" Brethren : We have now done speaking on business, and every thing has been settled at this conference to our satisfaction ; and we have agreed that two of our principal warriors, named Quequedaguedo and Killbuck, shall accompany you to Philadelphia, in order to see the Governor, and bring us such answers as he shall think proper to send us respecting our trade and hunting country." A belt.
To which the commissioners replied :
" Brethren : We have rlready communicated to you and the other nations, the several steps taken by the government to do you all justice with respect to the encroachments on your lands ; and we shall carefully [198 ]
CROGHAN'S JOURNAL, 1768.
report to the Governor every thing you have now said to us on this head, that he may take such measures as may be judged most expedient to satisfy you, and you may expect to receive his answer as soon as a convenient opportunity offers."
Saturday, May 7, 1768 .- With the chiefs and principal warriors of the Shawanese. Croghan and commissioners present.
Kissenaughtha, a chief of the Shawanese, spoke to the commissioners :
"Brethren: When you spoke to us from the Governor, you desired us to speak from our hearts, and tell you what gave any uneasiness of mind. We considered your speeches, and did so, which we find by your an- swer was not agreeable to you. You tell us what we spoke to you did not belong to the Governor of Pennsylvania, but to the King.
" Brethren : We assure you that we are as well disposed to live in friendship with our brethren, the English, as any other nation in this country, and will hold fast to the chain of friendship, now renewed and brightened by our brother Onas, as long as the grass grows or wa- ters run, with all our brethren, the English." A string.
The same speaker addressed Mr. Croghan :
" Brother : We are all very sorry that we should have said anything the other day to our brother Onas, that should give you, or his commis- sioners any offence, or our brethren, the Six Nations. But as the Governor of Pennsylvania in his speeches desired us to open our minds, and tell every thing that gives us any uneasiness, we are deter- mined to do so.
" Brother : When you spoke to us the next day, you told us every thing that passed in the time of war, as well as since, which is very true; and we acknowledged we were wrong, though we did not expect you would do as we requested ; and from what you have told us, we know that is not in the power of any other person than the King, our father. And though you say we are the only nation that has mentioned this to you, we know that all other nations of Indians wish, as well as we, that there were no forts in this country. As to what we said about the boats going down the river, we do not mean that they should not go, but desired you would not send them till we had time to go and counsel with the nations in that country, as we have heard bad news from thence. And as to what we said about our people that were killed when you were taken prisoners, we only mentioned it to show you what a foolish people the Indians there are. It is very true, brother, we did send a hatchet to those nations in the time of war, but it was sent to us from the Senecas to carry to them.
" Brother : We now desire that you may forget what we first spoke to you about those things, and help us to some council wampum, as we are very poor ; and we will immediately set out to talk to all the nations in that country, and take back from them, all the belts we sent them, and do every thing in our power to make the road smooth and easy to travel, and convince you, that we are as much disposed to hold fast the chain of friendship, as any nation in this country." A belt.
Monday, May 9th, 1768, a meeting with the Chiefs and principal warriors of the Six Nations-Croghan and Commissioners present.
It was agreed upon by them, to comply with the request of the com-
[199 ]
APPENDIX-NO XIX.
missioners, in sending messengers to the people settled at Red Stone, Youghiogany and Monongahela, to signify to them the great displeasure of the Six Nations, at their taking possession of the lands there, and making settlements on them ; and also, that it is expected they will, with their families, remove without further notice. They accordingly ap- pointed the White Mingo, and the three deputies sent from the Six Nations country, to carry a message to that effect, and the commission- ers agreed to send Mr. John Frazier and Mr. William Thompson, to accompany them, with written instructions on behalf of the government of Pennsylvania.
Monday May 9th, 1768, P. M.
The Indian messengers having agreed to set out for Red Stone creek to-morrow, the commissioners, as an encouragement to them, for the trouble of their journey, made them a present of some black wampum.
They then desired Mr. Frazier and Capt. Thompson to hold them- selves prepared for accompanying the Indian messengers in the morning, and wrote them a letter of instructions, which follows in these words, viz:
FORT PITT, May 9th, 1768.
GENTLEMEN :- The Six Nations, at the public conference held last week with them, and other tribes of Indians at this place, resumed their complaints of encroachments being made on their lands, and they have agreed, at our instance, to send four messengers to the people settled on the waters of the Monongahela and Youghiogany, to express their great disapprobation of their continuing still there ; and also, to let them know that it is expected by the whole confederacy of the Six Nations, that they will remove from the lands they have unjustly taken possession of, without further delay. But as it is necessary, in order to enforce the message from the Indians, and to see that it is properly and effectually communicated to the people, that some prudent person should accom- pany the Indian messengers, we request you will do us the favor to un- dertake this business.
As soon as you arrive in the midst of the settlements, near Red Stone creek, it will be proper to convene as many of the settlers as possible, to whom the Indians may then deliver their message, which shall be given to you in writing ; and we desire you will leave a few copies of it with the principal people, that they may communicate the same to those who live at any considerable distance from them. We herewith furnish you with a copy of the speech delivered to us at this treaty, by the Six Nations, respecting the settlement of their lands, which you will be pleased to read to the settlers, for their information.
You may then acquaint them, that they must now be convinced by this message, and the speech of the Six Nations, that they have hitherto been grossly deceived by a few straggling Indians of no consequence, who may have encouraged them to continue on their settlements ; and that they will now be left without the least pretense or excuse for staying on them any longer. However, we make no doubt but, before you reach Red Stone, many of the families will have removed, in obedience to the late law passed in this province, which has been read aud fully explained to them by the Rev. Mr. Steel, and the other gentleman,
[200]
CROGHAN'S JOURNAL, 1768,
whom the Governor sent up to them in March last .- ( See Appendix No. XVI.)
But should you find any of those inconsiderate people, still actuated by a lawless and obstinate spirit, to bid defiance to the civil authority, you may let them know, that we were under no necessity of sending, in the name of the Governor, any further notice to them, or of being at any pains of making them acquainted with the real minds of the Indians, to induce them to quit their settlements ; for that the powers of govern- ment are sufficient to compel them to pay due obedience to the laws, and they may depend upon it, they will be effectually exerted, if they persist in their obstinacy.
You may likewise assure them, that they need not attempt to make an offer of terms with the government respecting their removal, as we hear some of them have vainly proposed to do, by saying they would go off the lands immediately, on condition, that they should be secured to them as soon as the proprietory purchase is made. It is a high insult on government, for those people even to hint such things.
The only motives, therefore, which excite us to make use of the present expedient of sending you with messengers from the Indians, on this occasion, is the compassionate concern we have for the dangerous situation and distresses of those unhappy people, and the hopes we have, that by this means, they may be convinced, it is their true and best in- terest to pay a due submission to the laws, by relinquishing their settle- ments without delay.
If any of them should talk of petitioning the Governor for a preference in taking up the lands they have improved, you may assure them from us, that it will be to no manner of purpose, till they have first complied with the law.
We depend greatly upon your prudence in executing this business to our satisfaction, and recommend it to you to be particularly careful that the Indian messengers are treated with the greatest civility and kindness. When you return to fort Bedford, we beg you will write us an account of your proceedings. We wish you a safe return to your families, and are with great regard, gentleman, your humble and obedient servants,
JOHN ALLEN, JOSEPH SHIPPEN, Jr.
To Messrs. JOHN FRAZIER and WM. THOMPSON.
Messrs. Frazier and Thompson, being in readiness with their horses and provisions for their journey to Redstone creek, the commissioners sent several times for the Indian messengers, who at last came to them at the fort, and acquainted them that they had been seriously considering the business they were going to be sent on, and it now appeared to them so disagreeable that they could by no means consent to undertake it, and immediately returned the wampum which had been given them. Upon being interrogated as to the reasons of their declining to perform what they had consented to, they answered, that three of them were sent as deputies by the Six Nations council to attend the treaty here, and having received no directions from them to proceed any further, they chose to . return home in order to make report of what they had seen and heard at this place. They further added that the driving white people away
[201]
APPENDIX-NO. XIX.
from their settlements was a matter which no Indians could, with any satisfaction, be concerned in, and they thought it most proper for the English themselves to compel their own people to remove from the Indian lands,
After this refusal of the Indians who had been appointed to carry the message from the Six Nations, the commissioners in vain attempted to persuade or procure others to execute the business, though they used great endeavors for that purpose ; and they thought it both useless and imprudent to continue to press a matter on the Indians, which they found they were generally much averse to; and therefore, concluded to set out on their return to Philadelphia without further delay. But in a short time afterwards Kyashuta came with Arroas (a principal warrior of the Six Nations) to the commissioners at their lodgings, where the former addressed himself to them in effect as follows, viz :
" Brethren : I am very sorry to find that you have been disappointed in your expectations of the Indian messengers going to Redstone ac- cording to your desire and our agreement; and I am much afraid that you are now going away from us with a discontented mind on this ac- count. Believe me, brethren, this thought fills my heart with the deepest grief, and I could not suffer you to leave us without speaking to you on this subject, and endeavoring to make your minds easy. We were all of us much disposed to comply with your request, and expected it could have been done without any difficulty ; but I now find, that not only the Indians appointed by us, but all our other young men are very unwilling to carry a message from us to the white people ordering them to remove from our lands. They say, they would not choose to incur the ill will of those people, for if they should be now removed, they will hereafter return to their settlements, when the English have purchased the country from us, and we shall be very unhappy if, by our conduct towards them at this time, we should give them reason to dislike us, and treat us in an unkind manner, when they again become their neighbors. We therefore hope, brethren, you will not be displeased with us for not performing our agreement with you, for you may be assured that we have good hearts towards all our brethren, the English."
The commissioners returned Kyashuta many thanks for his friendly behavior on this occasion ; and assured him that they greatly approved of the conduct of all the Indians during the treaty, and that they were now returning home with very easy and contented minds. They fur- ther acquainted him, that the reason for urging them to send a message to the Redstone settlers, proceeded entirely from the great anxiety they had of contributing every thing in their power that might expedite that measure taken by the government to do them justice, and redress every injury they complained of. Yet as they found the compliance of their request was disagreeable to the Indians, they should not press the mat- ter on them any further, though it appeared to be a step very necessary to be taken at this time.
They then took leave of the Indians in the most friendly manner, and set out on their return to Philadelphia.
[202]
M'KEE'S JOURNAL, 1774.
[ NO. XX. ]
EXTRACT TAKEN FROM ALEXANDER M'KEE, ESQR'S., Journal of Transactions with the Indians at Pittsburg, &c., from the 1st May, to the 10th June, 1774.
May 1st, 1774-Information baving been given that sundry depra- dations had been committed upon several Indian parties going down the river from this place, (Pittsburg) by the white inhabitants settled upon the Ohio, near Wheeling and Yellow creek, the following message was despatched to King Custaloga, Captains White Eyes, Pipe and such other chiefs as were most contiguous to this place :
" Brethren : We are under the necessity, from some disagreeable in- telligence which we have just received, of calling upon your immediate attendance at this place, where we shall have some things of importance to communicate to you, which intimately concerns the welfare of us both ; this will be sufficient, we expect, to induce your speedy appear- ance here, as delays upon those occasions may be attended with the most dangerous consequences." A string of white wampum.
3d-A meeting held Col. Croghan's house, at which was present Capt. Connelly, the commandant of the militia, and several inhabitants of Pittsburg, with Keyashuta, the White Mingo, and a deputation of Six Nation Indians, who were here upon their way with speeches from Sir William Johnson to the Huron and Wabash confederacy.
" Brethren : Wo are sorry to inform you, that we have lately received accounts of some outrages being committed upon several of your people going down the Ohio, by some ill-disposed white persons settled upon it, and we take the earliest opportunity of making you acquainted with what we have heard, in order to convince you that we discountenance so barbarous a breach of our friendship with you ; and we can assure you, that it has not been done with the intent or knowledge of govern- ment ; and we make no doubt your brother, the Governor of Virginia, when he becomes fully acquainted with the circumstances of the un- happy loss you have sustained in so many of your people, that he and his wise men will fall, upon the most salutary measures of doing you every justice that can be expected. In the meantime, we have to recom- mend to you in the most earnest manner, your affording every assistance in your power to accommodate this unfortunate breach which has hap- pened, as you must be sensible that a general difference between us must be attended with the greatest calamity on both sides." A belt of wampum.
After some time they returned for answer :
" Brethren, the English : We have considered what you have said to us, and as the chiefs of the Delawares are expected in this night, or to- morrow, we will consult with them, and then know what reply to make. But you may depend upon it, that we shall do every thing in our power to keep things quiet, which we make no doubt can be done, from the general peaceable disposition of our people, provided you will be strong
[203]
ny he ne he to ed nd ey to a or be ed C . at C· to e d t y n I d
t !
APPENDIX-NO. XX.
upon your parts, in preventing your rash people from commencing any further hostilities upon the Indians." A string of wampum.
4th-Arrived Captains White Eyes, Pipe, and Samuel Compass, brother to one of the Delaware Indians lately murdered in the trader's canoe, with several other chiefs and principal men of the Delawares. The same evening they proceeded to the Six Nation village at Pine creek, in order to consult with the chiefs there, and be informed of what passed already between them and us.
May 5th, at a condolence held with the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawanese, Munsies, Mohickons and Twightwees, who are the several nations that have been sufferers in the late unfortunate dis- turbances.
Present-Captain CONNELLY, Commandant, and a number of other gentlemen.
Six Nation Indians-KEYASHUTA, WHITE MINGO, and the Six Nation deputies, as before mentioned, with a number of other chiefs and principal men.
Delawares-Captain WHITE EYES, PIPE, KEYKEWENUM and SAMUEL COMPASS, with a number of other Indians of that nation.
" Brethren : It was with the deepest concern that we informed you two days ago, of the late unhappy deaths of some of your friends ; and it adds much to our grief upon this occasion, when we consider that some of our rash, inconsiderate people have been accessory thereto. We condole with you, and bewail the misfortunes you have suffered, and as a testimony of our sincerity, we deliver you these strings of wampum." A string to each nation.
"Brethren: We wipe the tears from your eyes, and remove the grief which this melancholy circumstance may have impressed upon your hearts, that you may be enabled to look upon your brethren, the Eng- lish, with the same friendship as usual, and listen to them with the like goodness of heart as formerly, when no evil disturbed your minds." A string to each nation.
"Brethren : We now collect the bones of your deceased people, and wrap them up in those goods which we have prepared for that purpose, and we likewise inter them, that every remembrance of uneasiness upon this head may be extinguished, and also buried in oblivion." Delivered a condolence present.
"Brethren : We have now, conformable to your custom, condoled with you in the usual manner upon such occasions, and we are to re- quest some of your chiefs present, who have the most influence with the distant tribes, to proceed to them with the greatest expedition, with what you have now heard, as it is highly necessary that we should be made acquainted without delay, with the result of their councils upon the present circumstances of affairs ; as well as it may be useful for them to be informed of our sentiments thereupon, and that the stroke they have received is not only contrary to the judgment of every wise man amongst us, but all authority, which consequently will be extended to do them justice; therefore, these facts ought to have great weight in
[204 ]
M'KEE'S JOURNAL. 1774.
their determination at this time. And as a further proof of our upright- ness towards them, two of the gentlemen here present will accompany you in the execution of this good work." A string of wampum.
Captain Connelly then addressed the Indians as follows :
"Brethren : I am very sorry to find that a dispute has happened be- tween our people and yours, which has been attended with bad conse- quences to both parties. You ought to be certain, brothers, that our wise men had no act or part in what has happened, and that it was en- tirely owing to the folly and indiscretion of our young people, which you know, like your own young men, are unwilling to listen to good advice. As to the particulars of what has happened, we yet do not know; we are sure, however, that people are killed on both sides; but hope, as the dispute happened only between the young and foolish people, that it will not engage our wise men in a quarrel, in which none of us had a part. It is, however, brothers, very unlucky that any dif- ferences should have happened between us at this time, as the great head man of Virginia, and all his wise people, are just going to meet together to counsel about the settling in this country bought from you, the Six Nations, and to give orders to their young men which may come to be your neighbors, to be kind and friendly toward you ; and likewise, I expect they will buy goods to clothe your old people and children, to brighten the chain of friendship between us, and to convince you that we will be as friendly towards you as your late neighbors from Pennsyl- vania were; and therefore, I desire you brothers, not to listen to what some lying people may tell you to the contrary; for although we are always ready to fight our enemies, yet we will show our true and steady friendship upon every occasion when necessary." A string of wampum.
Captain White Eyes, on behalf of the Indians present, made the fol- lowing answer :
" Brethren, the English : We have heard with satisfaction the several speeches you have now delivered to us, and we return you our sincerest thanks for the friendship and concern you have been pleased to express for us, upon this occasion; we cannot doubt of your uprightness towards us, and that the mischief done to us, has been contrary to your intent and desire, which we believe has arisen entirely from the evil minded persons, who have been the perpetrators of it; therefore, it is incum- bent upon us to aid you with our best assistance, as the great and good work of peace has been established between us, by the labor and pains of our greatest and wisest men ; it ought not to be disturbed by the folly or imprudence of any rash people whatever; who, hereafter, refusing to pay due obedience to good advice, or offering to slip their hands from the chain of friendship, it will be our duty to chastise, should those ex- amples of violence, before their eyes, have this effect. Brethren, I will carry your messages to the other nations they are intended for, myself, as it is a business too serious to be trifled with, or boys to be employed on ; it is the happiness of ourselves, our women and children, and every thing dear to us, that we are endeavoring to preserve ; therefore, there can be no doubt that I shall speak my sentiments fully and truely to all nations upon it." A large string of white wampum.
[205 ]
1
APPENDIX-NO. XX.
Kayashuta then returned Captain White Eyes thanks, in behalf of the Six Nations present, and told him, as he had delivered their sentiments fully in the foregoing speech, it was needless for them to say any thing more upon the subject, but desire him to be strong in restoring the tran- quillity of the country, and that one of his people should accompany him in this good undertaking.
May 9th-A speech delivered by several chiefs, Six Nations and Del- awares :
" Brother, the Governor of Virginia: No doubt you have been in- formed by the officer commanding at this place, of the misfortunes which have lately happened in this country ; and we now declare to you, as well as all our brethren, the English, that we had no suspicion of so much mischief being done, as we have always, on our parts, made it our constant study to promote the peace subsisting between our brethren, the English, and us; and we also assure you, that we still continue to preserve that chain of priendship ; and we hope such of you, our breth- ren, the white people, who are in authority, will do every thing in your powers to prevent your rash people from committing further hostilities upon us.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.