USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County : to which is prefixed a brief sketch of the early history of Pennsylvania > Part 11
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ment, and is contrary to the laws of the Great King, who will not suffer it.
As our mutual and good friendship has long con- tinued; so the Governor hopes, and the Government also, that it will last from one generation to another, as long as the sun endures; and that we shall be of one mind, one heart, one. inclination, ready to help one another in all just and good ways, by charity, compas- sion and mercy, sticking closely and inviolately to all treaties heretofore made; and most exactly to this now concluded, which he hopes will forever last and remain to your good and prosperity, which he and this Govern- ment heartily wish; and it is expected that every article of this treaty be from the whole hearts of all of you; so, if amongst yourselves, you know of any who have from your last treaty, or will dissent from this, let them be known either by their own words or your knowledge of them, for what I do, I have done with the whole consent of our Governor, council and people."
Col. John French, in company with Capt. James Gould, Joseph Pigeon, John Cartledge and James Hen- drickson, met the next day in council at Conestoga .- There were present, on part of the Indians, Canatowa, Queen of the Mingoes, Sevana, King of the Shawenese, Wightomina, King of the Delawares, Wininehack, King of the Canawages, and Captain Civility, of Conestoga.
Civility, interpreter, in behalf of the four nations, who all agreed to return one answer, acquainted John Cartledge, interpreter for the English, that this day the Indians were met to return an answer to the Governor's speech by Colonel French, and no other account .- Looking upon every thing said to Colonel French to be said as if the Governor and his council were then
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present, and Colonel French to be a true man to the Government and to the Indians; they return with one 1 heart and mind their thanks to the Governor for this kind message. They meet him and take him by the hand, and are forever determined that his will shall be theirs, and that, on all occasions, they will be ruled by them.
They desire that the Governor may be acquainted that they are much pleased that his message came whilst their young people were at home, for whom they had lately been in pain and trouble' as being absent or abroad, that they might hear his good words and counsel, which both old and young of the Mingoes, Shawanese, Delawares and Conawages, are resolved to hearken to; for though hitherto they have taken night for day, yet now by his good counsel they can see the light and what is good for them. They are glad that none of their young people miscarried in their late journey, and that being now present, they have an opportunity of hearing the Governor's message by Col. French, for most of them were, when the other letters from the Governor came, also that they have an opportunity to
ask their opinions and designs. Their young people agree to obey the Governor's words and message. And as Colonel French yesterday told them, that what he said was with the whole heart of Governor and couneil ; so they declare that what they say is not from their mouths only, but from their whole hearts, and the heart of every one. They desire the Governor to believe, and be assured that they will be obedient to his words, and that they ever have, and ever will, advise their young people to be mindful of his good advice. They acknowledge themselves so much obliged to the Go- vernor for his care and concern for them, that they intend
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in two months' time to wait upon the Governor personally, to return their hearty thanks for such love from him and his Government."
James Logan, Secretary, being on business up the farther end of the Great Valley, on the road to Cones- toga, went to the Susquehanna, at the request of the Governor, where he, by appointment with the Indians, who were desirous to speak with him on the 27th of June, met them at the house of John Cartledge. The chiefs of the Mingoes or Conestogoe Indians, the sachem , or chief of the Shawanese, the chief of the Ganawese, with several of their people and some of the Delawares, had assembled there ; John Cartledge and Peter Bi- zaillon, interpreter, having seated themselves; James Logan addressed the Indians, "telling them that as they had been long, expected at Philadelphia, in pursuance of their own messages for that purpose; but instead of coming, had lately sent to the Governor, desiring some reasons that he would come up to them. Here their old friends, with whom they had been acquainted in their treaties for twenty years past, being now come on business into these parts were willing to hear from themselves, not only how it was with them, but the occasion of their delaying their journey to Philadelphia so long, and at length sending the said message to the · Governor. They hereupon sat silent without appearing ready to speak to any thing, and making no return, the secretary pressed them to answer him, telling them that he asked these questions in behalf of the Governor and Government, that they themselves had appeared desi- rous to speak to him, and that as they now had an opportunity they ought to; proceed and speak their minds freely., To which at length they answered, that there had been lately killed, by the southern Indians, twelve
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men; two of the Mingoes or Five Nations and two Shawanese, about one hundred and sixty miles from that place, which was the occasion of their sending that message. James Logan asked them, whether these two Shawanese had been abroad hunting: they answered, no! They had gone out to war. He then demanded the reason why they would offer to go to war after their solemn promises to our Government to the contrary. The chief of the Shawanese replied, that a dispute aris- ing among some of their young men, who was the best man, to end it, they resolved to make the trial by going to war, that they could not be restrained, but took the opportunity of accompanying some of the Five Nations that were going out and took their road that way.
The Secretary told them he should have a great deal to say to them on these heads, and that the day being now far advanced, he must desire them to meet him in the same place in the morning, and then treating them with some drink withdrew.
Next morning the same persons attended, bringing some bundles of skins with them; from whence it being conjectured that the Indians designed to begin a discourse. All being seated, after some time spent in silence, the - Mingoes or Conestogoe Indians began ; a Ganawese In- dian, who called him Capt. Smith, and is said to speak all the several languages, viz : his own, or the Ganawese, the Mingoe, the Shanawese and Delaware, to perfection, being appointed interpreter into the Delaware tongue, and Peter Bizaillon and John Cartledge interpreting into English. They spoke as follows :
" The last year Colonel French came to them on a message from the Governor, to inquire into their health, and how it was with them, their children and grand- children."
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That they were not then ready to give an answer to all that he said to them, but that now they would speak freely from the bottom of their hearts, and their friends might depend on not having words only, but their truest inward sentiments without reserve: and then they laid down a bundle of undressed deer skins.
That Col. French and those with him told them from the Governor that the message the Governor sent them, and the advice he gave them, were from his heart and for their good, and they would as freely speak from their, hearts. "The Governor advised them to go out no more to war, nor to join with any of the Five Nations, or others that went out for that purpose, but to live at peace with all people, and if any prisoners were brought to their towns, they should not suffer them to be burned or tortured. That though some of their people were killed once or again, yet they should not go out, but bear it, but the third time they might all go out as one man together ; that this they thought was somewhat too hard upon them, if they must be as prisoners at home, and could not go to meet their enemies that came against them; that when Governor Penn first held councils with them, he promised them so much love and friend- ship that he would not call them brothers, because brothers might differ, nor children, because these might offend and require correction, but he would reckon them as one body, one blood, one heart and one head; that they always remembered this, and should on their parts act accordingly; that five of the old men who were at those councils were living;" these were removed, and those who were then very young are now grown up to succeed, but transmitted it to their children, and they and all theirs should remember it forever ; that they regarded not reports, or what was said abroad, their head was at
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Philadelphia, and they were one with him; on him they depended that they should know every thing that con- cerned them.
The Ganawese, in behalf of their people say, they are glad that they never heard any thing from the Govern- ment at Philadelphia, but good advice, and what is for their advantage; that their present chief was once at a council with William Penn before they removed into this province, and that since they came into it, they have always lived quiet and in peace, which they acknowledge, and are thankful for it; that the advice that is sent them is always so much for their good that they cannot but gladly receive it. When the sun sets they sleep in peace, and in peace they rise with him, and so continue while he continues his course, and think' themselves happy in their friendship, which they shall take care to have continued from generation to generation. And that as it shall thus forever continue on their side, so they desire the same may continue on the Governor's part; and that if any reports should be heard concerning them, they desire it may not be believed to their disad- vantage, for they will still be true and the same they 'at first professed themselves; and then laid down a bundle of deer skins.
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The Conestogas say :
That William Penn made a league with them to last for three or four generations; that he is now dead, and most of their ancients are also dead, but the league of friendship continues strong, and shall forever continue so on their part. And this is not said on behalf of them- selves, the Mingoes only, but of all the Indians on the river; and they gave another bundle of deer skins. Captain Civility threw down a small bundle of furs, saying :
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" That they all join and sent that as a present to the Governor to make him a beaver hat. They say in behalf of the Ganawese, that they have no writing to show their league of friendship as the others have, and therefore desire they may be favored with one lest, if they should transgress by reason of rum, which was brought to them in too large quantities, they may be cast off and forgotten that ever they were in friendship with us."
The Indians being met again after some refreshments, the secretary spoke to them as follows:
"It must be a great satisfaction to all honest and good men to find that the measures that great man, William Penn, took to establish a firm friendship with you had such excellent success. Your predecessors and you always found him sincere in what he professed. He always ordered all those in power during his absence to show you all the like friendship and affection. Every Governor that has been the same to you, and the present Governor, Colonel Keith, showed the same disposition immediately upon his arrival, by hastening up to you with his council and many of his friends as soon as he heard you were in trouble.
You, on your part, have been faithful and true to us, whatever reports might be spread, yet the chain was still preserved strong and bright. We have lived in perfect peace and unity above any other Government in América. And you renewing the chain at this time upon the decease of your great friend with us who remain alive, is so affectionate and kind that I shall not fail to represent it duly to the Governor and your good friends in Philadelphia. This chain has been made forty years ago; it is at this time strong and bright as ever, and I hope will continue so between our children and your children, and their children's children to all generations
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while the water flows or the sun shines in the heavens; and may the Great Spirit, who rules the heavens and the earth, and who made and supported us all, who is a friend to all good men who love justice and peace, continue the same blessings upon it forever.
But my friends and brothers, as we are obliged to care for each other, and as the English have opportunities of seeing farther than you, I find myself obliged, in behalf of the Governor and Government, to offer you some advice that may be of great importance to you, and which at this time is absolutely necessary.
You acquainted me yesterday with a loss you had sustained, viz : that twelve men, ten of the Five Nations and two Shawanese, had been lately cut off by the southern Indians, not two hundred miles from this place, which grieves me exceedingly.
I am scarcely willing to mention the cause of it, lest I should trouble you, but I must do it for your good ; I should not be your true friend should I forbear.
You know then, my brothers, that the cause is that some of your young men have unadvisedly gone out to war in company with others of the Five Nations against the southern Indians. Young men love to go sometimes to war to show their manhood, but they have unhappily gone against Indians that are in friendship with the English. You know, that as of the Five Nations, some are called Isawandswaes, some Cayoogoes, some Anondogees, some Oneyookes, and some Con- nyinngoes, yet they are all one people ; so the English, though they have different Governments, and are divided into New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland, Virginia and Carolina, yet they are all under one great king who has twenty times as many subjects as all these, and has in one city as many
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subjects as all the Indians we know are in North America. To him we are all subject and are all governed by the same laws; therefore, those Indians who are in league with one Government are in league with all; your friendship with us recommends you to the friendship of all other English Governments, and their friends are our friends. You must not, therefore, hurt or annoy any of the English or any of their friends. whatsoever.
Those southern Indians, especially the Tootelese,
. formerly made friendship with you, and I believe it was them who lately sent you nine belts of wampum to con- tinue the league. They desired peace, yet the Five. Nations, and some of your rash young men have set 1 upon them ; pray, remember, they are men as well as you; consider, therefore, I request, what you would `think of yourselves, should you suffer these or any other 6
people to come year after year and cut off your towns, your wives and children, and those that escape should sit still and not' go out against them; you would not then deserve to be accounted men; and as they, you find, are men, it is no wonder if they come out to meet these young fellows and endeavor to destroy those whose business it is to destroy them and their families."
I must further, my friend, lay before you the conse- quence of your suffering any of your young men to join with those of the Five Nations. They come through your towns and bring back their prisoners through your settlements, thus they open a clear path from these southern Indians to your towns, and they who have been wrong may follow that open path, and first come directly as the path leads to you. Thus you have done but little, and by the instigation and advice of others may be the first that are fallen upon, while those of the
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Five Nations are safe at home, at a great distance with their wives and children, and you may be the only sufferers.
They have hitherto come out to meet their enemies who were going to 'attack them, and like men they fight them; but as I am your friend, I must further inform you that these people would come quite up to your towns to do the same to you that they have suffered, but your being settled among the English has hitherto preserved you, for the Governors of Virginia and Carolina can no longer hinder them from defending themselves. They desired peace, and would live in peace, if it might be granted them.
I must further inform you, as your friend, that this whole business of making war in the manner you do, is now owing to those who desire nothing more than to see all the Indians cut off, as well to the northward as to the southward, that is the French of Canada, for they would have the Five Nations to destroy the southern nations, the destruction of all being their desire. The Governor told you, by Col. French, that they were your enemies who put you upon war; and they are your truest friends, who would preserve you in peace; hearken to the advice of your friends, and you will be preserved .- You see your numbers yearly lessen; I have known above three score men belonging to this town, and now I see not five of the old men remaining.
What the Governor has said to you by myself and by " Colonel French, and what I now say to you is for your own advantage, and if you are your own friends you. will pursue the advice' that is given you. If any of the Five Nations come this way in their going to war, and call on any of you to accompany them, you must inform, them as you are in league with us, and are our people,. .
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you cannot break your promises, and it cannot but be pleasing to them to see you live in such friendship with us. I have said enough on these heads, and you I hope will lay it up in your hearts, and duly observe it: let it; sink into your minds, for it is of great weight.
: The Ganawese have behaved themselves well since they came amongst us, and they shall have what they. desire. Your people of Conestogoe, about twenty years. ago, brought the Shawanese to Philadelphia to see and treat with Governor Penn, and then promised the Governor that they would answer for the Shawanese that they would live peaceably and in friendship with us, but we find their ears are thick, they do not hear what we say to them, nor regard our advice.
The chief of the Shawanese answered to this with deep concern; that this was occasioned by the young: men who lived under no Government; that when their king, who was then living, Opessah, took the Govern -. ment upon him, but the people differed with him; he left them, they had no chief, therefore some of them applied to him to take that charge upon him, but that he had only the nation without any authority, and would do ; nothing. He counselled them, but they would not obey, therefore he cannot answer, for them; and divers that were present, both English and, Indians, confirmed the truth of this.
The secretary hereupon admonished him and the rest to take a further care, that what had been said should be pressed upon the young people and duly observed ; and then calling for liquor and drinking with them dismissed them.
But the Indians, before they would depart, earnestly pressed that an account of this treaty should, with all possible speed, be despatched to the Governors to the
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southward, and to their Indians, that further mischief might be prevented; for they were apprehensive the southern Indians might come out to meet the Five Nations, and then they, as had been said to them, lying in the road might be the sufferers, but they truly desired peace, and were always against molesting any Indians that were under the protection or lived in friendship with the English.
The secretary then proposed to them that they should send some of their people with belts of wampum to the . Governor of Virginia, to assure him of their resolution to live in peace, and to desire him to acquaint all his Indians with the same. They readily agreed to send belts without delay, and promised the following week to bring them to Philadelphia; but they seemed appre- hensive of danger to their people in going to Virginia, where they were all strangers, unless the Governor would send some English in company with them to protect them.
After this conference was ended, Civility desired to speak with the secretary in private, and an opportunity being given, he acquainted the secretary that some of the Five Nations, especially the Cayoogoes, had at divers times expressed a dissatisfaction at the large settlements made by the English on the Susquehanna, and that they seemed to claim a property or right to those lands. The secretary answered, that he (Civility) and all the nations were sensible 'of the contrary, and that the Five Nations had long since made over all their right to Sus quehanna to the Government of New York,* and that
* William Penn had engaged Thomas Dongan, late Governor of New York, to make a purchase of these lands. Dongan, (January 13th, 1696,) conveyed by deeds to William Penn all that tract of land lying on both sides of the river Susquehanna,
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Governor Penn had purchased that right with which they had been fully acquainted. Civility acknowledged. the truth of this, but proceeded to say he thought it his: duty to inform us of it, that we might the better prevent: all misunderstanding.";
The following week they redeemed their promises "to, send their belts of wampum without delay to Philadel- phia." The Conestogos sent their belts by Tagoleless or Civility, Oyanowhachso, Sohais Connedechto's son and Tayucheinjch : the Ganawese, by Ousewayteichks or Captain Smith, Sahpechtah, Meemeeivoonnook, Win- jock's son, George Waapessum and John Prince : Ken- neope carried the Shawanese belt of wampum.
He informed them that he was pleased to hear that they were disposed to be peaceable, and that he would, with all possible despatch, send a message to the south, to acquaint the Indians there of their peaceable inten- tions ; but as it would require some time to do this fully, he advised those present, and through them then about Susquehanna, to take care of themselves and keep out of the warrior's paths till a full and perfect peace and good understanding can be settled.
The Governor and council sent Samuel Robins to. Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, with these belts; he delivered them; and returned in March following, with two belts from the Indians of Virginia, which were sent
and the Lakes adjacent, in or near the province of Pennsyl- vania, in consideration of £100 sterling: beginning at the mountains, or head of the said river, and running as far as, and into the bay of Chesapeak, which the said Thomas lately purchased of, or had given him by the Susquehanna Indians, with warranty from the Susquehanna Indians .- Smith, II. 111, 112. This purchase was confirmed in 1700, when Penn held a treaty with the Mingoes; and subsequently at a meeting at Conestoga it was again confirmed .- Col. Rec. III. 95.
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to those of Conestogoe, assuring them that they "will not in future pass over Potomack river to eastward or northward, or the high ridge mountains extending along the back of Virginia: Provided, That those of Cones- togo, and those to the northward, shall not pass over Potomack into Virginia, to the southward, nor shall go over to the eastward of the said ridge of mountains."- John Cartledge delivered them the belts and interpreted the message.
CHAPTER IV.
Governor Keith visits the Governor of Virginia-Holds a council with. the Indians at Conestoga-Indians complain of the use of rum, &c .- Their trade in pelts impaired-Secretary Logan holds a discourse with Ghesaont-Ghesaont's reply, &c .- Disturbances created by intruders under pretence of finding coppermines, &c .- Governor Keith has a survey of lands made on the West side of Susquehanna-Indians alarmed by Maryland intruders-Logan, French and Sheriff of the county. hold a council at Conestoga-Keith determines to resist attempted encroachments by the Marylanders-A council is held at Conestoga- Springetsburg manor surveyed-Council held at Conoytown-Settlement of Germans at Swatara and Tulpehocken.
IN the preceding chapter, it is stated, that Samuel Robins had been sent, by the Governor and council, to Governor Spottswood, of Virginia; but before he returned, Governor Keith started for Virginia; on his. way thither, he met Robins, at Chester, returning to Philadelphia. Keith, after an interview had with Robins, pursued his journey.
In order to reconcile the Pennsylvania Indians and those of the south, he visited the Governor of Virginia, in person. The dissentions among the belligerents were caused about their hunting grounds. The quarrels;
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