USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County : to which is prefixed a brief sketch of the early history of Pennsylvania > Part 4
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It was then, perhaps, he was so eloquently addressed by an Indian Orator, who, as the Poet says, spake:
" Hos docet ore loqui facilis natura diserto ;
Linguæ grande loquens est idioma suae. With native eloquence their speech abounds, -
Untaught with figures grand, and lofty sounds."
"Father-we love quiet; we suffer the mouse to play; when the leaves are rustled by the wind we fear not; when the leaves are disturbed in ambush, we are uneasy; when a cloud obscures your brilliant sun, our eyes feel dim; but when the rays appear, they give great heat to the body, and joy to the heart. Treachery
sarily called him much away from his family. He was a successful minister-beloved and highly esteemed for his virtues. "He was a man of a meek and quiet spirit; and he possessed an engaging sweetness, both in ministry and con- versation." While on a religious visit to the Island of Tortola, he died in 1741. He left behind him some religious works, and a Journal, from which the above extract has been copied- Page, 47-51.
*There was war, between the French and English at the time.
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darkens the chain of friendship, but truth makes it brighter than ever. This is the peace we desire .*
The Governor and Council having been informed of the treacherous and murderous conduct of Nicole and Francois, in their endeavors to incense the Indians on the Susquehanna, against the English, it was deemed expe- dient that they should be visited again.
In the summer season of 1707, Gov. Evans made another journey among the Indians. With what mo- tives he undertook this second journey, is somewhat diffi- cult to decide, if it should be maintained they were pure- ly patriotic. If historians have not been biased, if they have been accurate, faithful and impartial, in reporting to future ages his actions, he presents to the world a strange character; not worthy of imitation. Governors do act strangely sometimes! Of him it is recorded :-
" He increased the number of taverns, and ale houses for the sake of license money, which he had doubled: that in his private life he was indecorous and immoral; had practised abominations with the Indians at Conestogo; committed at his own country residence notorious excesses and debaucheries, not fit to be re- hearsed, and had beaten several of the peace officers, who, ignorant of his presence, at a house of ill-fame, had attempted to disperse the company, at ten o'clock in the morning;t and, though by his example, he weak-
*Lan. Intell. & Jour.
t" William Penn, Jr., who came with Evans from England, was one of the parties of this night brawl, and was indicted for his conduct in the city court. He professed the faith of the Church of England, but had worn, it would seem, hitherto in the province a quaker garb. Upon the institution of this prosecution he threw off all disguise, abandoned his quaker connexions, and openly proclaimed his principles."-Logan, MSS.
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ened the hands of the magistrates, he hypocritically caused his proclamations to be read in the churches and religious meetings, against the very disorders which he himself committed.".
"He permitted French papists from Canada to trade with the Indians, and seduce them from the English interest."*
Having presented the reader a historical brief of his: moral and political character, an account of his last journey, as laid before the Board in council, the 22d July, 1707, is given in extenso, in these words: "The Governor, with Messrs. John French, Wm. Tonge, Mitchel Bezaillion, Gray, and four servants, set out from New Castle the 27th of June, and the next morning arrived at Octoraro, where the Governor was presented with some skins by the Indians, and the same night we arrived at Pequehan, "at the mouth of Pequae creek"" being received at Martines,t by O Pessah, "the chief of the Shawanoes," and some Indian chiefs, who con- ducted us to the town, at our entrance into which place, we were saluted by the Indians with a volley of fire arms. On Monday, we went to Dekanoagah, upon the river Susquehanna, being about nine miles from Peque- han. Some time after our coming here a meeting was held of the Shawanois, Senequois and Canoise Indians, and the Nantikoke Indians from the seven following towns, viz: Matcheattochouisie, Witichquaom, Teah- quois, Matchcouchtin, Natahquois, Byengeahtein, and Pohecommoati; an Indian presented to the Governor and his company, and all the Indians then present, a
*Gordon, 150; Proud, I. 482.
+Martin Chartier, who had lived long among the Shawanah Indians ?- Col. Rec. II, 133.
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large pipe with tobacco, out of which every one smoked, and then the Governor acquainted the Indians that he had received a message from the Senequois Indians, of Conestogo and those of Pequehan, how that several strange Indians were amongst them, and desired his presence there; that although he had the charge and care of many thousands of the great Queen of Eng- land's subjects, yet he was now come to this place to know their desires, and was willing to serve them in whatsoever lay in his power. To which a Nantikoke Indian replied, that they were extremely glad the Governor was with them, and that they had waited ten days to see him.
Adjunkoe, one of the Sachems of Conestogo, said he was well satisfied with the relation the Nantikoke Indians had given of their affairs; yet, notwithstanding, he was very desirous they should make it known to the Governor that he might also be satisfied with it; a Nan- tikoke Indian took into his hands a belt of wampun from him whereon there was hung nineteen others, and several strings of beads, and said that they had been given to understand the Queen had sent orders that the Indians should live in peace with one another, and that they were sent to give some of those belts in behalf of the Governor of Maryland, and themselves to the Five Nations, as our Indians also intended to do to others for Pennsylvania and themselves, if the Governor thought fit, in order to renew their league with the Five Nations.
Governor-How long have you been at peace with this nation?
Nantikoke Indians-Twenty-seven years.
Governor-What is the reason, then, of so many belts of wampum and strings of beads?
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Nantikoke Indians -- We send them as a tribute.
Governor-I am very well satisfied with what has been told me, and with what the Governor of Maryland has done, and had I been acquainted with this business at Philadelphia, I would have sent a belt of wampum as a token of friendship to the Five Nations; but some of those Five Nations were with me not long since, by whom I sent a belt; and then Adjunkoe took a belt in his hands, saying, he meant to send it to the Five Nations for Penn and themselves.
Indian Harry, by order of the Conestogo Sachem, spoke in English to the Nantikoke, who all understood that language, as follows, viz: you are going to the Onandagoes; be sure keep on your way; many may tell you several things to fright you, and that they are great men, and you will be killed. Yet keep on your way and believe them not, for. you will find the King of the Five Nations a very great one, and as good a king as any amongst the Indians.
Governor-I am very glad to see you altogether at this time, and it is my desire, and shall be my endeavor, that you all live in peace. Your enemies are ours, and whosoever shall pretend to injure you, I will endeavor that you shall have satisfaction made for it.
Then the conference ended, and the Governor treated the Indian chiefs at dinner, and at night returned to Pequehan.
Pequehan, 30th June.
PRESENT :- Shawanois Indians, and some of the Five Nations.
O Pessah spoke in behalf of the youth of the town, as follows, viz:
We thank the Governor for his kindness in supporting our people. We are happy to live in a country at peace,
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and not as in these parts, where we formerly lived; for then upon our return from hunting, we found our town surprised, and our women and children taken prisoners by our enemies.
Governor-The Indians may be assured of my pro- tection, for we are one people. If in your absence, any of your enemies endeavor to hurt any of your wives or children, they shall have redress; for I esteem an injury done to you as to myself.
O Pessah-It was the Nantikoke and Canoise Indians who sent for our father, the Governor, and not we, there- fore we are very sorry they entertained him no better; but since they have not been so kind as they ought, we hope the Governor will accept of our small present, which we now make him; for we are sensible the ways are bad, and that the bushes wear out your clothes, for which reason we give these skins to make gloves, stockings and breeches, in place of those worn out.
Governor-I am well pleased with my journey, and shall be always ready to do the like to preserve peace amongst you at home, and maintain your alliance abroad. I have now (to let you see what confidence I have in you,) trusted myself in the midst of you, with a very few of our great Queen's subjects, although I could have easily brought with me very great numbers. I have been told that some ill-designing persons have frequently raised reports of my intention to destroy you; pray, let me know the authors of these reports, and they shall be punished according to their deserts. I am, and always have been, ready to do you all manner of good offices, and will continue in the same mind towards you. It is my mind that you secure their persons, and give me immediate notice of it. There have been formerly several alliances made with you, which you well know 5
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we on our parts have observed punctually; and so shall continue to do, and wish you may do the same.
Then an Indian spoke in behalf of the women :- We are included in the alliances before spoken of, as well as our men, so we ask the Governor's protection, and de- sire the Governor will kindly accept this present of skins, which freely we make him, as a testimony of our kindness.
Governor-I do accept your presents very kindly, and thank you for the same; and you shall always find me ready to protect and defend you, and will continue to treat you as friends and sisters.
After which the Governor spoke to the messengers from the Five Nations, viz:
You must be sure you remember to acquaint your chiefs that you have seen me here, and at the Shawa- noise town; and of the friendship and alliance that is betwixt us and the Indians.
O Pessah -- I hope the Governor will give us his hand in token of his friendship.
Governor-I will give not only give my hand, but my heart.
During our abode at Pequehan, several of the Shawo- nois Indians, from the southward, came to settle here and were admitted so to do by O Pessah, with the Governor's consent; at the same time an Indian from a Shaonois town, near Carolina, came in, and gave an account of four hundred and fifty flatheaded Indians had besieged them; and that in all probability, the same was taken. Bezallion informed the Governor that the Shao- nois of Carolina (he was told) had killed several chris tians; whereupon the Governor of that province raised the said flatheaded Indians, and joined some christians to
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them, besieged, and have taken, as it is thought, the said Shaonois town.
On Tuesday, Ist of July, we went to Conestogo, and lay there that night, and the next morning proceeded on our journey and arrived in the evening within three miles of an Indian village, called Peixtan .* The Go- vernor had received information at Pequehan, that one Nicole, a French Indian trader, was at that place, against whom great complaints had been made to the Governor, of which he acquainted the chief Indian of Peixtan, as also of his design to seize him; who willingly agreed to it, but advised the Governor to be very cautious in the manner; there being only young people at home, who perhaps might make some resistance, if it were done without their first being told of it; for this reason we lay short of the village that night; but early in the morning we went within one-half a mile of the town, and leaving our horses, marched afoot, nearer the same, from whence the Governor sent Martine to the village, ordering him to tell Nicole that he had brought two kegs of rum with him, which he had left in the wood, for fear any christians were there, and to persuade Nicole to go with him to taste the rum. Martine returned with James Le Tort, and Joseph Jessop, two Indian traders, but could not prevail with Nicole; upon this, Martine was sent back, with orders to bring down some of the Indians, and Nicole with them; then we drew nearer the town, and laid ourselves in the bushes, and Martine returned with two Indians, whom the Governor acquainted with his intent of taking Nicole, telling at the same time, he had spoken with the uncle of one of them
*" Peixtan, spelt Peichtang, Pechetan, &c. in old records, once an Indian wigwam, now Harrisburg," R. C .- Lan. Intell. & Jour.
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upon that head, who ordered the Indians to submit to the Governor's commands, with which they were con- tented, though we perceived too well the contrary, by their inquiring how many we were, and how armed; and by the concern they seemed to be in, when they found we were more in number than they; but still Nicole was wanting; it was therefore resolved at once to try once more if he could be got into the woods, accord- ingly went again, and brought Nicole to the place where we lay concealed, and asking to drink a dram, he seized him; but Nicole started from him and run for it, when immediately we started out and took him, and presently carried him to the village, through which we were obliged to pass, and there we found some Indians with guns in their hands, who looked much displeased at what we had done, but we being in readiness against any sur- prise, they thought it not fit to attempt any thing ; here we stayed about half an hour, and then parted for Tur- pyhocken: having mounted: Nicole upon a horse, and tied his legs under his belly; we got within a mile of Turpyhocken, about two of the clock on Friday morn- ing, and about seven the Governor went to town, from thence we went to Manatawny that night, and the next day to Philadelphia."
Nicole was imprisoned in the common jail at Philadel- phia. From his examination and trial before the coun- cil, he stated, that according to what his mother had told him, he was born in Blackfryers, London, that his mother had carried him to France, and that his uncle in London had sent for him; and that about the year 1686, he was brought over into this country, with a French gentle- man, who had come on the account of Doctor Cox .- He was tried by indictments as a subject in England .*
* See Col. Rec. II. 405-6.
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CHAPTER V.
Cause of disquietude among the Indians-Indians at Conestogo send a messenger to the Council-Mitchel and other Europeans intrude upon the Indians-Governor Evans' explanation of Mitchel's course-Critical junc- ture-Evans re-called-Gookin appointed Governor-Penn's embarrass- ment-Penn mortgages the province-Quit-rents-Emigration impeded -Gookin sends a message to the Indians at Conestogo-Mingoes and others appear in Philadelphia-Gookin's visit to Conestogo-Swedish Missionary at Conestogo-His sermon and Indian chief's answer- French and Worley on a message to Conestogo.
THE disquietude among the Indians still was such as to render it necessary, shortly after the Governor's return, to despatch a message to them by Martin Char- tier, who was returning from Philadelphia to his trading station among the Shawanois, at Pecquea, near Cones- togo. The great uneasiness among them was frequently occasioned by non-licensed and non-resident transient traders and speculators among them, or those who sought to mend their future fortunes by seeking out, locating and purchasing the choice vacant lands from the proprie- tary's commissioners. Such appears to have been the case about Conestogo, in 1707. Among those, at this time, was one Lewis Mitchel, or Michelle, who was em- ployed and sent out, about the year 1703 or 4, by the Canton of Bern, in Switzerland, to search for vacant lands in Pennsylvania, Virginia or Carolina .*
The Indians at Conestogo, sent a message to the council, by Harry, the interpreter. The Governor was absent. The council convened to receive the message in form. As his credentials, Harry laid upon the board six loose strings of wampum, and declared that he was sent
*Williamson, I. C. 6.
5*
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by the Queen and the principal of Conestego, to the Go- vernor and council, to acquaint that divers Europeans, namely, "Mitchel (a Swiss,) Peter Bezalion, James Le Tort, Martin Chartier, the French Glover of Philadel- phia, Frank, a young man of Canada, who was lately taken up here, being all Frenchmen, and one from Vir- ginia, who also spoke French, had seated themselves and built houses upon the branches of the Patowmeck, within this government, and pretended that they were in search of some mineral or ore; that in the Governor's name, they had required the Indians of Conestogo, to. send some of their people with them to assist them, for which the Governor would pay them. That those of Conestogo, not thinking these proceedings to be incon- sistent with their past treaties and leagues of friendship, desired to know whether the said persons were really sent by the government, and had thus seated them- selves by their approbation, and whether they had any orders to desire the assistance of the said Indians, if not that they might be called home."
Harry added in particular, "that though Mitchel was the person who had first led the rest thither, yet he had left them for many weeks past, and pretended that he wanted one Clark, of Maryland, who it is said, to be now under an attainder, by an act of assembly of that government, to assist him in the discovery."*
On further consideration it appeared that Peter Be- zalion was the only licensed Indian trader, according to an act passed at a general Assembly, October 14, 1700, held at New Castle.
Mitchel, who had been in Philadelphia, in the summer of 1706, was sent for by Governor Evans. The Governor "required to know of him what he intended by travers-
*Col. Rec. II. 420.
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ing the country, as he had done, without permission ; and what was the meaning of these discourses about mines."
The Governor stated to the board, February 25, 1707, that the above was the substance of his talk with him, and that Mitchel replied, "He had been employed by divers of his countrymen, who were in treaty with the crown and proprietor for land here for a convenient tract to settle a colony* of their people on, to come over and search for such a place as might best suit them, and upon this head, he was large in giving an account of the design."
The Governor further stated that he asked " How he- durst presume to range this country, on any such design, without applying first to him; to which he answered- that he would have done it, but that he lost his creden- tials, and expected others over."
The Governor also added, "that he had some notion of mines, and had his thoughts much bent that way, that- he was willing to let him proceed, and had not dis- couraged him; that he had advised him to take some of the Indians with him; that of the persons before men- tioned, he had ordered two that he could confide in to be. there, that he might have a full account of their proceed -. ings; but that he knew nothing that so many had gone out, nor could think. it was fit to be suffered."
The council agreed that none except those who bad license to do so, should remain among the Indians on the forks of the Potomac; and thus the matter ended.
This was a critical juncture to the provincials, to . Governor Evans, and to the proprietary. The unsettled state of Indian affairs, perplexed the people; the execu-
*This colony settled in 1710, in North Carolina, at a place which they subsequently called New Bern ..
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tive and the legislators, owing to the quarrels between them, had done nothing in their respective capacities, that resulted in a benefit to the country. Besides this family feud and Indian perplexities, the trade of the pro- vince had been greatly interrupted by the privateers of the enemies cruizing and capturing vessels. There was no. remedy for all this, as long as Evans was Governor .- He was re-called. Col. Charles Gookin was appointed, and arrived in March, 1708
-
Penn's pecuniary embarrassments were intricate and perplexing, owing to various causes. The expenditure of his government was great, and he was defrauded by his stewart of his Irish estates, and confined within the rules of the Fleet prison. "He was relieved from this. humiliating state, by mortgaging the province, and his political rights therein, to Henry Gouldney, Joshua Gee, Sylvanus Grove, John Woods and John Field, of Lon- don, Thomas Callowhill, Thomas Oade and Jeffrey Pennell, of Bristol, and Thomas Cuppage, of Ireland.
The mortgagees did not assume the government, but appointed Edward Shippen, Samuel Carpenter, Richard Hill, and James Logan, commissioners to superintend their interest in the province, who repaid the loan with funds obtained from the sale of lands, and from his quit-rents."*
*Quit-rents .- It appears from the writings of Sparks, Belk- nap and Franklin, that when Penn reserved quit-rents, they were not agreed to without difficulty. The purchasers remon -- strated against them as a burden, unprecedented in any other American Colony ; but it is said, Penn artfully distinguished between the character of Proprietor and of Governor, and insinuated strongly that government must be supported with dignity, and that by complying with this expedient, they would be freed from other taxes. Such distinctions are very
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Emigration, during this unhappy state of affairs, was very limited. Though the oppression abroad was very great, and a free asylum held to all of every creed, the influx of population had for a season stopped, and settle- ments sparsely made. None seemed, even in the pro- vince, to adventure an approach in settling nearer the banks of the Susquehanna. Those who advanced took forethought not to seat far from " mill and meeting house." A few quaker pioneers settled about the year 1707, in Kennet, Chester county. Among others were Vincent Caldwell, Thomas Wickersham, Joel Bailey, Thomas Hope, Guyan Miller .*
Nothing of importance of a local character, within the limits of Lancaster county, occurred during the first year of Gookin's administration. The Indians. had sent several messages to him and council. He promised them a visit, but was prevented by public business. Lest he might forfeit their confidence, he instructed the sectretary at a council, held at Philadelphia, June 8, 1709, forth- with to despatch a messenger to the Conestogo and other Indians, &c., with instructions in writing to excuse him from coming, because the assembly was then in session upon an important business, and as a credential, he commanded the messenger to take a good belt of wampum with him, to inform them that if they designed to pay a visit to the Five Nations, they are now busily convenient to a politician-and by this distinction the point was gained ..
All quit-rents were abolished, except in Manors, by the ninth section of the Divesting Act, passed 27th November, 1779 ---. Smith's Laws, Pa. II, 138.
The quit-rents were not uniform; they varied from one: shilling sterling per hundred acres, to six shillings per annum,, and in other instances more.
*Proud, I. 482.
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engaged wth the English in a war against Canada, for which vast preparations are made from England ;* that- if those of Conestogoe, the Shawanois and others, can engage, and will prepare themselves to join immediately in this expedition, their young men should all provide themselves for it without delay, and they shall receive by the Queen's orders, sent for that purpose, a good reward, every man a gun, and that their answer to this, by some. of their old men, and a good interpreter, is immediately desired. That whether they can engage or not, we shall be glad to see some of them here, and the Governor will shortly make them a visit."
John French hastened to Conestogo and delivered the message. He returned to Philadelphia, and communi- cated the Indians' message. "They would forthwith. call in all their young men, and with all their force como to Philadelphia, in order to proceed to Albany and join in the expedition against Canada.""
But as the assembly had voted against raising money for that purpose, it was resolved that a message be sent. to the Indians, desiring them to defer their coming to Philadelphia, for that the Governor will speedily pay them a visit.
Notwithstanding the desire expressed by the Governor and council, that they might defer their coming, they appeared; they were the chiefs of several nations of Indians, living on Susquehanna, viz: Andaggy-jun- guah, Woshtachary, chiefs of the Mingoes, Owechela, Passakassy and Skalitchy, chiefs of the Delaware In- dians, settled at Peshtang (Paxton), above Conestogo,
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