USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster county Indians: annals of the Susquehannocks and other Indian tribes of the Susquehanna territory from about the year 1500 to 1763, the date of their extinction > Part 24
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1704-The Old Indian and Swedish Road Still in Use to Sus- quehanna.
In an item found page 122 of Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., which we have heretofore quoted it is stated that Council resolved to send messengers to Conestoga by way of New Castle. I here simply recall our attention to the fact that as early as 1646 there was evidence which we found in Cam-
panius Holm and Acrelius that the route taken by the ancient Susque- hannocks and the Swedes who were settled in the neighborhood of what is now Wilmington, led across the country by the way of New Castle to Susquehanna river and then up the river to the Indian Town. The item this road by the way of New Castle we now quote seems to indicate that was still a favorite one between the Lower Delaware Settlements and the Susquehanna Country.
1704-The Great Rum Trade with the Conestoga Indians Continues.
At a Council which was held the 9th day of May, 1704, a member of the Board informed that body of the great abuses committed by carrying rum from New Castle to Conestoga. In this item we see that the rum trade still continues there in great force.
In addition to what we have just said it is set forth in the same Book, p. 141 that Ortyiagh, the Chief of the Conestoga Indians made a complaint through Edward Farmer that he should "complain to the Governor of the great quantity of rum continually brought to their town insomuch that they are ruined by it and having nothing left but have laid out all, even their clothes for rum; and may now, when threatened with war be surprised by their enemies when be- sides themselves with drink and thereby be utterly destroyed."
1704 -Letort, the Indian Trader of Conestoga, in Jail.
On page 163 of Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., "A petition from James Letort a prisoner in the Common Gaol of Philadelphia, was read setting forth that he had always been faithful and bore true allegiance to the Crown of
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England, and was ready to give such | further security as should be thought reasonable, yet was abridged of his Liberty and detained a prisoner, and praying for relief therein; it is order- ed to be further considered, and then adjourned."
On the 31st of October this petition of James Letort was considered, and as it is set forth on page 170 of the last named book, "it was ordered that unless the said Letort can give suf- ficient security for his good behavior in the sum of 1000 Pounds, to be pro- duced at the next setting of the Council, he still be detained as a prisoner."
1705 - The Ganawese Come to the Susquehanna Country.
At a Council held the 11th of May, 1705 as is reported in Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 191, "Manangy, the In- dian Chief of Schuylkill came to wait on the Governor in behalf of the Ganawese or Piscataway Indians, settled in this Province near the head of Polomock, being now reduc- ed by sickness to a small number, and desirous to quitt their present habitation, (where they settled five years ago), with the Proprietor's consent the Conestogoe Indians then becoming Guarantees of a Treaty of Friendship made between them, and shewing a belt of Wampum, they had sent to the Schuylkill Indians to engage their friendship and Consent, that they may be permitted to settle in the said place, which if he pleased to agree to, they will come and wait on him themselves with a suitable present.
The Governor gave them a kind in- vitation, by the said Menangy, to come and settle as near us as they should think fitt, provided they would take care and live peaceably, and that the said Manangy , and ye In-
| dians of that place with him would appear and engage they should be- have themselves well and dutyfull to this Government."
It will be observed here that these Indians came into 4 Pennsylvania from the South in the year of 1700, but they settled on the extreme low- er boundary about the head branches of the Potomac; and they now mov- ed to Conestoga. I can not find whether they entered into the Cones- toga tribe and became a new element in its already conglomerated consti- tution or kept their separate tribal manners and lived separate. They were reduced to a very small number and may have formed a little group by themselves.
1705-The Conestogas Fear that the Marylanders are Going to Ex- terminate Them.
In the book and at the page last mentioned it is stated, "Two Indians from Conestogae also waited on the Governor, informing him that they had been alarmed by the people of Maryland, and were told that they had design to come and take or cut them off, upon account of an injury done to some of that Province by some of the five nations, of which they were wholly innocent, and therefore desired this Government's protection, that as they have behaved themselves well and peacably, they might still continue to live in quiet- ness and unmolested.
The Governor assured them, that if they were clear of the violences done lately upon the family of the English in Maryland, and would not Espouse the Cause of or shelter any who should committ any injuries against the Queen's subjects, they should al- ways be protected."
This item discloses to us that these small tribes about the Susque- hanna were again undergoing the
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dangerous experiences which their ancestors the old Susquehannocks had undergone two generations be- fore :- that is, the five nations com- mitted depredations in Maryland and blamed it upon the Conestogas. We remember that 1675 before the Five Nations had conquered the Susque- hannocks those Indians of the Five Nations used to commit murders in Maryland and blame it on the Sus- quehannocks and it was this sad cir- cumstance that brought Major Tru-
man and Colonel Washington to slaughter the five Susquehannock chiefs and take the first steps in the extermination of the Susquehannock Nation.
1705-James Logan Holds the First Treaty at Conestoga Since Penn's Last Visit.
In Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 244 under the date of the 6th of June, 1706 James gave an account of the treaty which he had held at Cones- toga in October, 1705. The reason that he did not report it before was that he wanted to make the report in the presence of the Indians whom he had held the treaty; and
with on this day the Chiefs of the Cones- togas, Shawnese and Ganawese on Susquehanna had come to town (Philadelphia) to confer about pub- lic affairs and had brought Indian Harry with them as interpreter, and were now present in the council chamber. This report to Council of the treaty he made with them in 1705 was made in their presence so that they could object if he reported any part of it wrongly, and it served the further purpose of fully informing them that the treaty which had been made in the far away woods along the Conestoga would reach the authorities at Philadelphia in fact and in truth. The report which Logan gave on what happened at Conestoga is set forth as follows:
"The Secretary not having done it in Council before, gave the Board an account of the message to the said Indians, in October last, undertaken by order of Council, upon the re- peated reports we had of great un- easiness among the Indians, by rea- son of the Ganawese, who had fled from Maryland, as follows, viz:
That in Company of some persons from Chester, viz .: the Sheriff and Clark of that County, and the Sher- iff of New Castle, Hercules Coutts, Hermannus Alricks, with Edward Shippen, Junr., and others being ten in number, he carried thither some English goods for a present and at Conestoga as the Chief place he first treated with them, telling them, (ac- cording to the minutes then taken), that he was come from the Governor of Pennsylvania, who had always been a friend to all the Indians within the bounds of it. That Gov- ernor William Penn, since he first came into this countrey, with all those under him, had always inviol- ably maintained a perfect friendship with all the natives of the Countrey, that he possessed of it at his first ar- rival.
That when he was last in the Countrey he visited those of that place and his son upon his arrival did the same, in order to cultivate the ancient friendship between them, that he and his posterity might, after his father's example maintain peace and a good understanding with them and their heirs.
That the Governor, who now is at Philadelphia, is sent over to them by Governor Penn in his stead, would have come also and seen them, but other business obstructed, he intend- ed it however as soon as possible he could with conveniency.
That he, (the Secretary) with that Company were now come, not to
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make any new treaty with them, for that he hoped would be needless, those that have been already made being in full force and sufficiently strong, but to enquire of them, as our brethren, how matters stood with them, whether anything had happen- ed among them, and whether all things were well with them in this time of open war, of which we de- sired a full account of them.
That Governor Penn had often em- ployed his thoughts how to prevent any affronts or injuries of any kind being put upon them, and how they might the most advantageously be furnished with what they wanted from the English.
That notwithstanding all his care things had not been so well managed as desired, but that now we were re- solved to fall upon measures, more effectually to put in practice what had been so much wished for in vain.
That the Assembly of Pennsylvania which is the great Council, was now about to sit at Philadelphia to make necessary laws for the good of the publick, that in order to have some good law made, also for their advan- tage, they were desired three or four of their Chiefs and wisest men to Philadelphia, to agree on such things as would be most proper to be past into laws for that purpose.
That he was not willing to insist on any further particulars at this time, upon the various reports that had been spread in the Countrey con- cerning them, which principally oc- casioned their visit, referring till they should meet at Philadelphia,only he would mention two things of great importance at the present time, and which he must lay before them : First, that they should take great care of giving ear to Malicious Re- ports spread and carried by ill men, for that we heard they had been al- armed at the Christians putting
themselves in arms in all these parts and mustering. The reason of this was the war with the French, and was designed rather to help than to hurt them, but as they and we are brethren each must be assis- tant to the other, and therefore the English took up arms to defend themselves, and the Indians also against both their enemies.
That notwithstanding they ought all as far as possible to avoid war, for peace was most desirable, and war must be only for defence.
That we were also informed some of the Maryland Indians then among them had differed with the English there, and were afraid to return or come among the English of that Government. If so they might then continue among us till matters were fully settled, that our Governor would treat with the Governor of Maryland in their favour, but they must not quarrel with any of the subjects of England, for we are all under one Crown and are as one people.
That these Indians then called the Piscataway Indians about five years ago when they came to settle within this Government came to Philadel- phia in company with those of Con- estoga and the Shawanois, who en- gaged to our government for their peaceable deportment and - behavior amongst us that hitherto they had behaved accordingly, and we hoped that they would continue so to do. After which he summoned up his discourses and desired them to re- member well what he had said and give him an answer at next meeting to-morrow. The Secretary further informed the Board that the next day sitting again in Council with their Chiefs at Conestogoe, they made an- swer:
That in Consideration of our Visit, though they were very poor, they
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presented us with some skins. That they could not possibly come to Philadelphia so soon as desired, being now late in the year, but in the Spring they will all come in a body. That they did not understand what we meant by ill reports, which being further explained to them, they an- swered, (Viz. the Ganawese), that some of the Virginians had much dis- turbed them, killed one of their men and abused several others, that being uneasie they thought it not safe to continue there, and were now come hither where they hoped they might live peaceably, that on their sides whatever was reported they meant nothing but peace and friendship. To which he answered that they should be safe here, and desired them not to go further from us till matters be fully settled with Virginia and Mary- land, that in the mean time we would be kind to them and they should not want. They proceeded to answer that they knew not of any ill reports at present, that when they heard any they should wholly disregard them.
That he further added that he un- derstood John Hans was building a log house for trade amongst them, which made uneasie, and desired to know whether they encouraged it. To which they answered that they did not, and were desired not to suffer any Christians to settle amongst them without the Governor's leave. They added that they desired us to trade with them and for the present to trust them, for it was very low with them. The Secretary further added that among the Shawanis, with whom their chief abode was, he had also held a treaty to the same pur- pose with that at Conestogae, and received very near the same answers; that he had made them presents of Stroudwater and Indian Jewels to the value of nearly 20 Pounds and had received some skins in return,which
being sold to the best advantage amounted to 6 Pounds and no more. Then he left them all in a very good temper, very well pleased and oblig- ed with the message, and exceeding- ly disposed. That he with the Com- pany had made a journey among the Ganawese, settled some miles above Conestogoe at a place called Conne- jahera, above the fort,and had confer- ences with them, which seemed
wholly to compose all their appre- hensions, and that he had reason to believe he left these three nations in a perfect good understanding with us, of which he thought it necessary more particularly to acquaint the Board at this time, because the pre- sent conference would in some mea- sure be grounded upon that message.
The said account being ended the Governor ordered the Interpreter to acquaint the said Indians that he fully designed to have seen them at their own town before this time, but unexpected business falling in pre- vented him, notwithstanding he still continued his resolution by the first convenient opportunity, in the mean time he was glad to see them all here, and desired they would pro- ceed to inform him of what they had new or what had occurred to their notice.
Upon which Andaggyjunguagh, the Chief of Conestogoe, laid before the Governor, a very large Wampum belt
of 21 with
rows, three hands wrought in it in black, (the rest white) which belt, he said, was pledge of peace formerly delivered by the Onondagoe Indians, one of the Five Nations to the Nantikokes, when they made the said Nantikokes trib- utaries; that the Nantikokes being lately under some apprehensions of danger from the Five Nations, some of them had this spring come up to Conestogoe and brought this belt
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with them, and that they had another of the same also at Conestogoe, to show to those of the Five Nations that were expected shortly to come down to receive the Nantikokes tri- bute; that they brought this belt thither, that we might also shew it to those of the Five Nations who might come down this way, that they might see they had made peace, and that we are at peace with our neghboring Indians. Much time was spent in discoursing this, as also in conferring which the Shawonois, who owned themselves under some misap- prehensions from the Five Nations, and then adjourned till morning." The report of this treaty is so full that we need add nothing to it by way of comment.
This last item again shows us the location of Susquehanna Fort at this time.
1705-Location of Susquehanna Fort at This Time. Bazalion and Two Conestoga Indians Attend Council.
In Vol. 2 of the Colonial Records, p. 186 it was ordered on the 23rd of May, 1705 that notice shall be given to the two Indians from Conestoga and to Peter Bezalion to attend to- morrow morning at 9 o'clock. It was at this meeting that the Conestogas gave the news to Council that they; were afraid of the Maryland authori- ties; and what they said and did has already been stated so that it need not be repeated.
As to Peter Bezalion it might be important here to state that he is buried in the church yard of the St. John's Episcopal church at Compass, just over the Lancaster County line from Waterloo in Salisbury town- ship on the head branches of the Pequea Creek. The inscription on his tombstone is as follows:
"In Memory of Peter Bezellion
-
who departed this life July 18th, 1742 Aged 80 years.
Whoe'er thou art with tender Heart Stop, Read and Think on me I once was well as now thou art, As now I am so shalt thou be."
1705-A Law to Further Protect the Indians from Frauds and Insults.
In Vol. 2 of the Col Rec., p. 213 it is set forth that the Assembly have forwarded to the Council a bill en- titled, "An Act for Better Improving Good Correspondence With the In- dians." One object of the Act was to limit the amount they could spend for Indian treaties. At page 216 it is set forth that the Governor and Council thought the sum
of 50 pounds was too small for Indian treaties for one year, but the As- sembly would not agree to a larger amount. The act was finally passed the 12 of January, 1706 and may be found in Vol 2 of the Statutes at large p. 279. The assembly won its point in this Act because it provides that no more than 50 pounds may be spent yearly.
1705-James Logan's Letter to Penn on His Conestoga Trip.
In Vol. 2 of the Penn & Logan Correspondence, p. 83 is to be found a letter written by Logan to William Penn the 9th of October, 1705, in which he says in part, "I have for several weeks past upon various business been obliged to be from home, a journey to Conestogoe, in order to compose some misunder-
standings apprehended to arise among there and some other neigh- boring Indians, as the Shawanois
and Ganawois lately settled near them, being fled from Maryland, took me up about 10 days." This is about all he says to William Penn on the subject but the proceedings in full are found in the Colonial Records, as we have above stated.
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1706-Conestogas, Shawnese and ; this 7th cf June, 1706 the Governor Ganawese go to Philadelphia On Business.
If one had been in the Council Chamber on the 6th of June, 1706 they would have found there a large company of Indians from the Sus- quehanna, who came down to confer on public business. We have refer- red to this before showing that James Logan took advantage of their pre- sence to explain to the Council in the presence of the Indians the treaty he had made at Conestoga in October, 1705. But this visit by these Indians was made by them for other pur- poses. We remember that the Con- estoga Chiefs laid before the Gover- nor a very large belt of wampum with 21 rows with 3 black bands wrought in it and the rest white and gave the explanations which we have above set forth. The next day the Board took up the question of what this belt meant and why the Indians left it there to be shown to the Five Na- tions. The Council were very much puzzled and somewhat frightened by this account of the Conestogas, es- pecially as the Nantikokes desired it to be brought to the attention of the Five Nations when those chiefs should come through Philadelphia on their way to Conestoga. The decis- ion of Council is set forth at page 247 of the book last cited, where it is stated that the subject being de- bated for some time, and the Indians more particularly examined about it, it was resolved at length upon their declaring that they had another of. the same at Conestoga to be shown to the Five Nations that the belt should be kept here according to their proposal."
1706 - The Governor Explains Our Laws to the Conestoga Indians.
In the same work and at the page last mentioned is is stated that on
caused the late law for improving a. better Correspondence with the In- díans to be read and explained to those that had come down from Con- estoga. "They were acquainted upon it, that this Government took all possible care to have all matters re- lating to them regulated to the best advantage, that now they had made a law to prevent any injuries to them from the Christians, and laying great- er punishments on those that should commit them, than if they were done to the English themselves. That we had also enacted in that law, that no person should trade with them, but such as should first liave a license from the Governor, under his hand and seal, upon making out of which license, the persons licensed were
obliged to observe certain orders and rgulations, that the Indians should be in no wise abused by them. That it now concerned them to take care among themselves, that this law should be kept in force, for the trad- ers coming among them could not be discovered but by the Indians, and therefore they were desired to see that it be duly observed. They then desired that only two persons should be allowed to trade with them, for that number would be sufficient, but it was answered that they would be the more subject to be imposed on, the fewer should trade with them, and it would be to their advantage, provided that all traders were sub- ject to a regulation.
They further desired that none might be suffered to go up into the Countrey beyond their towns, to meet the Indians returning from hunting, for they sustain great dam- ages by that practice, by being made drunk at their return before they get home to their wives and so were imposed on and cheated by the traders of all their labors.
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Under this they were desired to take care among themselves that none of their people should sell any- thing to the traders till they came home to their own town and in the licenses that should be given in the future, the Governor would take care to oblige them not to go higher into the Countrey than the noted Indian Towns and to trade nowhere else.
Then they presented a parcel of Deer, Fox and Racoon skins, of about 14 Pounds in value, (according to the prices they now bear), which they offered for a confirmation of the Chain of Friendship between us, and desired that we might all still Continue Friends and Brothers as we have always hitherto been, which being kindly accepted and orders given to provide goods to return them for their present, the Council adjourned."
In this we again see what a var- iety of matters it was necessary to take up and settle between our In- dians on Susquehanna and the Gov- ernment; and what a sensible view the Indians took of all these mea- sures for their benefit.
1706 - The Costs of Logan's Treaty With the Conestoga Indians.
On the 25th of June, 1706, as shown in Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 248 the Secretary, James Logan, "laid before the Board an account of the charge of the last treaty had with the In- dians of Conestogoe, at Philadelphia, amounting on the debtor side to 36 pounds, 2s and 5d; on the Creditor 13 pounds, 17s- which makes the balance 22 pounds, 5s and 5d, which account being approved and approved of by the Board, it is ordered that the Treasurer forthwith pay the bal- ance of it of that 50 Pounds per Annum, allowed by the Assembly for that purpose."
1706-Governor Evans Goes to Con- estoga to Make a Treaty.
In Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 251 at a Council held the 31st of August, this year, Governor Evans represent- ed to the Council that it being of great importance during this war time to maintain a good understand- ing with the Indians and secure them to the Queen's interest against the effeorts of the enemy to de- bauch them, he had proposed to make a visit very hastily to those of Conestoga and the adjoining settle- ments and he asked that it be made a public charge; and the Board if the Governor did undertake the trouble of the journey, that his visit to them since they expect to see him at their own town, might be of great public service.
On this encouragement Governor Evans made the visit and the treaty and on the 19th of September he re- ported it to Council (p. 252), saying that he had further "a necessity of going to Conestoga lately for which he found when he arrived there that there had been very great occasion and he hoped it would prove of great service." This seems to be the only report of the treaty and what questions he took up and disposed of is now shown. But in Vol. 2 of the Penn & Logan correspondence, p. 159 James Logan writing to Wm. Penn says in a letter dated August 1706 in speaking of John Evans, "There are perhaps some articles that per- haps may shock thee, particularly that of the Conestogoe journey but it is exactly as everything is as they have charged. The ill flavor of that treaty made by Governor Evans is they accused him of making gain out oľ it. In a letter found in the book last mentioned, p. 267 in Logan says concerning John Evans that the Assembly have long since
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