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 25
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accused him of making out of this treaty a lewd voyage to Susque- hanna with the violest character of his and his retinue's practices with the wives and daughters of the In- dian people of Conestoga."
The scandal of this treaty at Con- estoga was taken note of by the As- sembly and on the 28th of Decem- ber, these staid old Quakers in an address to Governor Evans say in Vol. 1 of the Votes of Assembly, Part 2, p. 131, "If men employed or con- cerned in Indian treaties or trade will take these opportunities to exact upon or defraud the Indians and commit such vile abominations with them, as we are informed some have done to the great scandal of Christianity, the poor heathen will have too much cause to conclude that it is better to remain in their natural state, than to advance to- wards the Christian religion, espec- fally as they conclude that the prac- ticers thereof will give them no better examples, than we understand some have done lately and formerly, in their Indian visits."
hoped of great service.
It was then, perhaps, he was so eloquently addressed by an Indian Orator, who, as the Poet says spake: '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 am- bush, 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 darkens the chain of friendship, but truth makes it brighter than ever. This is the peace we desire."
I quote this just as Rupp gives it and if the Governor was capable of the abominable acts he is charged with having committeed (and his re- tinue) after the beautiful addresses the Indians made to him, he must have been a character entirely un- worthy of his place and could not find any excuse whatever except that which malefactors frequently use - that he was drunk and did not know what he was doing.
Rupp says at p. 44, in speaking of This action of Evans illustrates how completely vile acts are kept alive through the long ages of his- tory; for the good old schoolmaster, Robert Proud, p. 481 of his History of Pennsylvania, also calls attention to what he styles Governor Evans' abominable acts at Conestoga. And he further says that the Assembly in 1707 drew up a remonstrance against Evans and made this conduct at Con- estoga one of the main points against him. This remonstrance is found in Vol. 1 of the Votes of As- sembly, Part 2, p. 180 and in it they say p. 181 that a complaint was made to the House that some who lately went with Governor Evans to Cones- toga to visit the Indians committed vile abominations with them, and in this treaty that, "It appears that the Indians, at Conestoga were quite an object of attention.Fearful they might be alienated, Governor Evans con- ceived it of the utmost importance under these existing circumstances 'to maintain as far as possible, a per- fect good understanding with the In- dians, and to labor to keep them se- cure in the Queen's interest against the machinations used by the enemy to debauch them from the people of the province.' To effect this, he pro- posed, in August, 1706, the year after Chalkley's errand to them as a mes- senger of Peace, to visit very speed- ily the Indians of Conestoga, and the adjacent settlement. He went, and had a personal interview with them at Conestoga; and it proved, as he remonstrance they conclude by say-
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ing that the Lieutenant Governor being in Penn's absence in chief command of the province, ought to be virtuous, but that he has by his ex- cess and misdemeanors dishonored God and the Queen and brought the Government of Pennsylvania to great public scandal.
1706-Thomas Chalkley's Visit to the Conestoga Indians.
Rupp in his History of Lancaster County, p. 41 says that in the year 1705 Thomas Chalkley was visiting some of his brethren at Nottingham in Maryland and that Chalkley said at that same time that he had it on his mind to visit the Indians living at Conestoga. Rupp then quotes it as being in 1705 but Chalkley fixes it in his Journal as in 1706. Rupp then gives the following description of what took place: "We got an inter- preter, and thirteen or fourteen of us travelled through the woods about fifty miles carrying our provisions with us, and on the journey set down by a river, and spread our food on the grass and refreshed our- selves and horses, and then went on cheerfully and with good will, and much love to the poor Indians and when we came they received us kind- ly, treating civilly in their way. We treated about having a meeting with them in a religious way; upon which they were very grave, and spoke one after another, without any heat or jarring-and some of the most esteemed of the women speak in their councils. I asked our in- terpreter, why they suffered or per- mited the women to speak in their Councils ? His answer was, 'that some women were wiser than some men.' 'Our interpreter told me that they had not done anything for many years without the councils of an ancient grave woman; who, I observed spoke much in their Coun-
cils; for as I was permitted to be present at it, and I asked, what it was the woman said? He told me she was an empress; and they gave much heed to what she said amongst them; and that she then said because we did not come to buy or sell or get gain, but come in love and respect to them-and desire their well doing both here and hereafter;' and fur- ther continued 'that our meetings among them might be very beneficial to their young people'-and related a dream which she had three days be- fore, and interpreted it, viz .: 'That she was in London, and that London was the finest place she had ever saw -it was like to Philadelphia; but much bigger-and she went across six streets, and in the seventh she saw William Penn preaching to the people, which was a great multitude, but she and William Penn rejoiced to see each other; and after meeting she went to him, and he told her that in a little time he would come over and preach to them also, of which she was very glad. And now she said her dream was fulfilled, for one of his friends was come to preach to them.'
She advised them to hear us, and entertain us kindly; and according- ly they did. There were two nations of them, the Senecas and Shawnese.
We had first a meeting with the Senecas, with which they were much affected; and they called the other nation, viz .: the Shawnese, and in- terpreted to them what we spoke in their meeting, and the poor Indians, and particularly some of the young men and women, were under a solid exercise and concern. We had also a meeting with the other nation, and they were all very kind to us, and de- sired more such opportunities; the which, I hope, Divine Providence will order them if they are worthy there- of.
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached freely to them, and faith in Christ, who was put to death at Jerusalem, by the unbelieving Jews; and that this same Jesus came to save people from their sins and by his grace and light in the soul, shows to man his sins, and convinceth him thereof; delivering him out of them, and giving inward peace and comfort to the soul for well-doing; and sor- row and trouble for evil-doing; to all which as their manner is, gave public assent; and to that of the light of the soul, they gave a double as- sent, and seemed much affected with the doctrine of truth, also the benefit of the holy scriptures was largely opened to them.
After this we returned to our res- pective habitations, thankful in our hearts to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Several of the friends that went with me expressed their satisfaction in this visit, and of- fered themselves freely to go again to the like service."
I find the same in Chalkley's Jour- nal, p. 49 where he says he had meetings as he travelled on the road at Nottingham river, Northeast River, Bush River, Gunpowder River and Susquehanna River but he seems to fix the date at 1706, and the same thing which is set forth in Rupp is found pp. 49,50, 51, 52 in Chalkley's Journal.
1706 - More Germans Buy Land Among the Conestoga Indians.
In Vol. 2 of the Penn & Logan Cor- respondence, p. 110, William Penn writes to Logan from England and says that "The German persons press me not for the 30,000 acres of land in New Castle County but the Conestoga land." We here see that the Germans are now preparing to make their home among these Con- estoga Indians as early as this, where
they obtained rights from Penn but of course they did not settle until a year or more later. It seems that the Conestoga Indians were satisfied to receive these new neighbors for in the same letter Penn writes and says, "I am glad that the business of the Conestogas and other Indians came off so easily.
1706-Relation of the Minquays and the Five Nations.
In 15 Hazard's Register, p. 181 Conyingham says that the Minquays or their nation was part of the Five Nations and settled at Conestoga and were thence called Conestoga In- dians. They sent messengers to
Penn's Commissioners at Sackam- axan in 1682; some of their chiefs attended the conference or treaty of William Penn in December of the same year when certain lands were assigned them as residences forever, the right of the soil having been pur- chased of the Indians by Penn. He also says that these Conestoga In- dians were remarkable for their love of peace and fidelity of their promis- es. He says that it is recorded that once every year they send a delega- tion to the Governor with presents, assuring him of their fidelity of the first treaty or treaties.
1707-Governor Evans Second Treaty at Conestoga.
Some time during the late Spring of 1707 word came from Conestoga that Nicole Godyn and another Frenchman named Francois were en- deavoring to get the Indians on Sus- quehanna and Conestoga to desert the English and join the French. This required immediate attention and Council decided that the Governor should make another journey to Con- estoga, which he did in June of that year. He returned about the middle of July and gave a full account of
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this treaty which is found in Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., pp. 386 to 390, and it is as follows:
" The Governor with Messrs. John French, William Tonge, Mitchell Be- zalion,
Grey, and four other servants, set out from New Castle the 27th of June and the next morning arrived at Otteraroe where the Governor was presented with some skins from the Indians, and the same night we arrived at Pequehan, being received by Martines by Opessah and some Indian Chiefs,who conducted us to the town, at our en- trance into which place we were sa- luted by the Indians with a volley of small arms. On Monday we went to Denkanoagah, upon the river Sas- quehanna, being about nine miles distance from Pequehan. Sometime 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: Matcheattochousie, Match- couchtin, Witichoquoam, Natahquois, Techquois, Byengeahtein, and Pohe- commdati. An Indian presented to the Governor and his Company, and all ye Indians there present, a large pipe with tobacco, out of which every one smoakt, and then the Governor ac- quainted the Indians that he had re- ceived a message from the Senequois Indians of Conestogoe and those of Pequehan, how that several strange Indians were amongst them, and desired his presence there; that al- though he had the charge and care of many thousands of the Great Queen of England's subjects, yet he has now come to this place to know their de- sires, 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. Adjunke, one of the Sachemaes of
Conestogoe said, he was well satis- fied with the Relation the Nantikoke Indians had given him of their af- fairs. Yet notwithstanding he was very desirous they should make it known to the Governour that he might also be satisfied with it, a Nan- tikoke Indian took into his hands a Belt of Wampum from a line where- on there was hung nineteen others, and several strings of beads, and said they had been given to under- stand 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 to do for others and Pennsylvania and themselves, if the Governor thought fit, in order to re- new their league with the Five Na- tions.
Govr. How long have you been at peace with those nations? Nant. In- dian. 27 years.
Governor. What is the reason then of so many belts of Wampum and Strings of Beads?
Nant. Indian. We send them as a tribute.
Governor. I am very well satis- fied with what has been told me, and with what the Governr 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 na- tions were with me not long since, by whom I sent a belt; and then Ad- junke took a belt in his hands, say- ing he meant to send it to the Five Nations for Penn and themselves.
Indian Harry, by order of the Con- estoga . Sachemaes, spoke in English to the Nantikoke, who all understood that language as follows, viz: You are going to the Onondagoes; be sure keep on your way; many may tell
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you several things to fright you, and | reason we give these skins to make that they are great men, and you will Gloves, Stockings and Breeches, in place of those wore out. be killed. You keep on your way and believe them not, for you will find the King of the Five Nations a very good 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 en- deavor that you shall have satisfac- tion made for it. Then the confer- ence ended, and the Governor treated ye Indians at Dinner, and at night re- turned to Penquehan.
Pequehan, 30th June Present:
Shawnoise Indians and some of the Five Nations.
Opessah spoke in behalf of the youth of his Town, as follows, viz:
We thank the Governor for his kindness in supporting our people. We are happy to live in a Countrey at Peace, and not 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 as- sured of my protection, for we are one people. If in your absence any of your enemies endeavor to hurt any of your wives or children, they shall redress; for I esteem an injury done to you as to myself.
Opessah. It was the Nantikoke and Canoise Indians who sent for our Father the Governor, and not we therefore we are very sorry they er tertained him no better, but since they have not been so kind as they ought we hope the Governor will accept ( 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
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 alliances 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 re- ports, and they shall be punished ac- cording to their Deserts. I am and always have been ready to do you all manner of good offices and will con- tinue in the same mind toward you, therefore if any person insinuates the contrary to you, it is my mind that you secure their persons, and give me immediate notice of it. There has been formerly several alliances made with you, which you well know we on our parts have observ- ed punctually; and so shall continue to do so, and wish you may do the same.
Then an Indian spoke in behalf of the women. We are concluded in the alliances before spoken of as well as our men; so we ask the Gover- nor's protection, and desire that the Governor will kindly accept this pre- sent of skins, which freely we make him, as a Testimony of our kindness.
Governor. I do accept your present very kindly, and thank you for the same; and you shall always find me ready to protect and defend you and will continue to trust you as friends and sisters. After which the Gover- nor spoke to the messenger from the ‘ Five Nations as follows, viz:
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You must be sure you remember to acquaint your chiefs that you have seen me here, and at the Shawnoise Town; and of the friendship and al- liance that is betwixt us and the In- dians.
Opessah, I hope the Governor will give us his hand in token of his friendship.
Governor. I will give not only my hand, but my heart.
During our abode - at Pequehan several of the Shannois Indians, from ye Southward came to settle here and were admitted so to do by Opessah, with the Governor's con- sent; at the same time an Indian from Shaonois Town, near Carolina, came in and gave an account that 450 of the flat-headed Indians had be- seiged them; and that in all probab- ility, the same was taken. Bezalion informed the Governor that the Sha- onois of Carolina (he was told), had killed several Christians; where- upon the Government of that pro- vince raised the said flat-headed In- dians, and joined some Christians to them, beseiged, and have taken as it is thought, the said Shaonois town.
On Tuesday, 1st of July, we went to Conestogoe, and lay there that night, and the next morning proceed- ed on our journey, and arrived in the evening within 3 miles of an Indian village, called Peixtan. The Gover- nor had received information at Pe- quehan, 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: their being only young people at home, who perhaps might make some resis- tance, 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 half a mile of the town, and leaving our horses, marched a foot near the same; from whence the Governor sent Martine to the village; Ordering him to tell Nicole that he had brought two Caggs of rum with him, which he had left in the woods, for fear any Christians were there; and withal to perswade Nicole to go with him to taste the rum.Martine re- turned with James Letort and Joseph Hessop, two Indian traders, but could not prevail with Nicole; upon this Martine was sent back with or- ders to bring down some of the In- dians, and Nicole with them; then we drew nearer to the town, and laid ourselves in the bushes and Mar- tine returned with two Indians, whom the Governor acquainted with his in- tent of taking Nicole, telling at the same time, he had spoken with to the Uncle of one of them upon that head, who ordered the Indians to submit to the Governor's commands, with which they were contented, though we preceived 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 men than they in number: but still Nicole was wanting; it was therefore resol- ved to try once more if he could be got into the woods, accordingly Mar- tine went again, and brought Nicole to that place where we lay conceal- ed, and asking him to drink a dram, he seized him; but Nicole started from him and run for it, when im- mediately 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
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in readiness against any surprise, | low who had not long kept aboard in they thought it not fitt to attempt anything; here we stayed about half an hour, and then started for Turpy- hocken; having mounted Nicole up- on a horse and tied his legs under the belly; we got within a mile of Turpyhocken about two of ye clock on Friday morning, and about 7 the Governor went to the town, from thence we went to Manatawny that night, and the next day to Philadel- phia."
Upon the Governor having made this report it was "Ordered that a message be sent by Martin Chartiere, an inhabitant among the said Shaw- anois, at Peckquea, near Conestogoe, and now in Philadelphia, desiring the Chief of said Shawonois, himself, or two or three of the Council, together with some of the principal of those strangers, to come to Philadelphia as speedily as they conveniently can, and give the Governor an account, of the said strangers, and their reasons of leaving their native Country, to transport themselves hither." (390).
The difficulties which required this treaty and journey are set forth in the last named book, p. 385, as fol- Iows:
"The Governor informed the Board that having lately, upon an extraor- dinary occasion, made a journey among the Indians upon Sasquehan- nah, he had caused a journal of his transactions with them to be drawn up, which he thought fit to lay be- fore the board, but finding it to be somewhat deficient he should defer it until the next meeting.
But that what he had now more immediately to consult the Board up- on is, that he had before his said journey received information, and had taken the depositions of two evi- dences, that one Nicole Godin, a French man, a bold active young fel-
the woods amongst the Indians, and was with them in Philadelphia about three years ago, and had been using endeavors to incense these people against the English, to stir them up to enmity against the subjects of the Crown, and to join with our public enemy the French to our destruct- ion; upon which information, he re- solved before his return to have him apprehended, which after a tedious journey and considerable difficulties he had accordingly performed, and brought him a prisoner to . Philadel- phia, in the Common Gaol of which he now lies.
Also, that another native of France or by its Domainions, Francois name, having for some time contin- ued among our Indians on Sasque- hannagh, without any license, had principally concerned himself in a barbarious murder, committed by the Shawanois upon one of their captive enemies, for which act, be- cause it would be accounted to be done by a Christian and therefore might be of very ill consequence; the Governor had caused him also to be apprehended and brought to Philadelphia, where he likewise is now in Gaol."
No further comment need be add- ed to this as what is set forth ex- plains it in full. It is interesting to observe, however, that all the excit- ing proceedings took place along the old Sasquehanna from the mouth of the Pequea Creek to a point beyond Chickies. It is also observed that the Governor and his party came by the Southern route by the way of New Castle and Octoraro and went home by way of the Northern route up the Conestoga Creek and by French Creek to the Schuylkill. Both of these routes as we remember were ancient roads or paths, the Southern
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the Old Swedish Road in their trade with the Susquehannocks, and the Northern the path which William Penn speaks of in Vol. 1 of Hazard's Register, p. 400 as being the com- mon course the Indians used when he first met them, in trade with his people on the East.
1707-The French Traders Want the Conestoga Indians to Help Them to Dig Ore.
In Vol. 2 of the Col. Rec., p. 403, under the date of February 24, this year it is set forth that, "upon a mes- sage from the Indians of Conestoga, by Harry, the interpreter, they met accordingly; and the said messenger laying upon the board six loose strings of white Wampum for his Credentials, declared that he was sent by the Queen and Principal men of Conestoga aforesaid, to the Gov- ernor and Council here, to acquaint that divers Europeans, viz: Mitchell (a Swiss), Peter Bezalion, James Le- tort, Martin Chartier, the French Glover of Philadelphia, Frank a young man of Canada, who was late- ly taken up here, being all French men, and one from Virginia, who al- so spoke French, had seated them- selves and built houses upon the branches of the Potomac, within this Government, and pretended that
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