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 36
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Acqueannacke, the Shawana, aged in appearance about twenty-two years, says, that he came to the same place with John Cartlidge and his Company, that the Sinneka had li- quor overnight, and was drunk with it; that he and the Ganawese sate up all Night, but this Examinant went to sleep. The next day the Sin- neka asked for more rum of John Cartlidge who refused to give him any; that John threw away the Pot, and upon the Indian still pressing for more liquor drew him down ac- ross a Tree, that the Indian rising, went up to his Cabin; that William Wilkins followed him and met him coming out of the Cabin with his Gun, that Wilkins laid hold of him and the gun and they both struggled, but not much; That Edmund Cart- lidge came up and forcing the gun from the Indian struck him three blows on the head with it, with which it broke. He struck him also on the Collar bone; that John Cart- lidge being at the fire there stript off his clothes and coming up kicked the Indian on the side and broke two of his ribs; that the man then bled at the mouth and nose and was unable to speak, but rattled in the Throat; That John Cartlidge with his Company went to the fire, made uy his goods and came away; that the Sinneka in the mean time came into his cabin where these Shawana lads left him, and followed John Cart- lidge to trade with him; that this happened about nine in the morning, and John Cartlidge himself says, he left the place at ten by his watch.
Metheequeyta, the other Shawanna lad, aged about seventeen or eigh - teen years, confirms what the other young man, his companion has said, and declares he can say nothing fur- ther.
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Hereupon, great pains were taken and Endeavors used to perswade these evidences, to declare of them- selves all that they particularly knew without considering what the others had said, or were supposed by them to say, for they were kept apart during the examination, but the Indians could not be prevailed with, alleging it was to no purpose to re- peat what others had already de- clared, and it was by many leading question that Acquanachke was in- duced to mention any part of what the Ganawese had said before.
Weenepeeweytah, the Sqnaw, was then examined and said, that she was in the cabin when her husband came in for the Gun, that she shrieked out and endeavored to hinder him from carrying it out, but could not; that she followed him and Wilkins being then by came up and laid hold of the Gun, but could not take it from him; that Edmund forced it out of his hand and struck him first on the Shoulder, and then thrice upon the head, and broke the gun with the blows; that John Cartlidge stript off his clothes and coming up to them found the Indian sitting and he then gave him one kick on the side with his foot, and struck him with his fist, that the man never spake after he received the blows, save that af- ter he got into the Cabin he said his friends had killed him; that a great quantity of blood came from his wounds, which clotted on the bear skin on which he lay; that his mouth and nose were full of blood; that he died the next day about the same time he was wounded the day be- fore; that she was alone with the corpse and went to seek some help to bury him; that in the mean time an Indian woman, wife of Passalty of Conestogoe, with the Hermaphrodite
of the same place coming thither by accident and finding the man dead buried him in the cabin, and were gone from thence before she return- ed, but she met them in the way and understood by them that they had lain him in the ground.
Passalty's wife and the Hermaph- rodite being called declared that Kannannowach, a Cayoogoe Indian was the first one who found the man dead, and that he hired them to go bury him lest. the beasts or fowls should eat him; that it was about seven days after his death that they went thither, and the body then stunk; they found three wounds in his head and they washed away the blood and the brains appeared; that two of his ribs were broke, and his side on that part was very black.
These, may it please the Gover- nour are the examinations of the In- dian evidences which we have taken, with all the exactness that was in our power and with the utmost im- partiality. We confess that we had no reason to be full satisfied with the management of the three Shawanese Indians vix: the two lads and the Sqnaw, especially the two first, for they seemed to have agreed on their story before hand, esepecially on the particular of the man's ribs being broke of which we conceive these two youths could not possibly know anything before they left the place, because they came from it much about the same time with the Cart- lidge's and therefore we judge they could hear of it in no other way than by the woman afterwards, yet they were positive in affirming; And we have here given the whole, with- out retrenching anything in favor of any person whatsoever.
The belt of wampum was then taken up and shewed the Indians,
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and they were told it was sent from the Governour by us, to be forwarded with a message to the Sinneka In- dians upon this unhappy accident. They were therefore desired to think by the morning of a proper person to carry it, that the day being now far spent and the Company tired, (for we sate on the business near eight hours) we should leave what we had further to say for the next day, and accordingly desired them to meet us early in the same place. We then ordered two gallons of rum made in- to Punch, with the above, a hundred weight of meat and bread brought from John Cartlidge's, to be distri- buted among the Company which was large and provisions being exceed- ingly scarce at present among them.
The next day, viz: the 15th of March, we met the same Chiefs with- out other company to consult about sending the message before mention- ed and Colonel by the same interpre- ters spoke to them as follows, Friends and Brethren:
We informed you yesterday that we were sent by the Governour in very great haste from Philadelphia upon the news of this unhappy acci- dent, which we have been enquiring into. We therefore, had not any time to bring with us any presents to make you, nor could we indeed be- lieve they would be expected on this occasion. We thought, however, that if any should be wanted they might be easily had at Conestogoe, but find them very scarce. We have however procured two Stroud Coats to be sent to our Brethren, .the Sinnekas to cover our dead friend, and this belt of Wampum, (Which was taken up), is to wipe away the tears. We yesterday recommended to you to think of a fit person to carry the message, which we hope
you have done, and pitched upon one accordingly.
The Indians answered: They had deferred the choice of a person till this meeting and then they named some one of them to which we much desired to be the person, but he ex- cused himself. At length one Skatch- eetchoo, a Cayoogoe of the Five Na- tions, and of that next in situation to the Sinnekaes, who had for divers years resided among our Indians, was chosen and he undertook the journey, but said he could not leave his family, who then wanted bread, unless they were provided for. We assured him that the next day six bushels of Corn should be brought to him for his Family's support in his absence, and for his journey he should have a Stroud Coat, a new Gun, with three pounds of powder and six pounds of lead, which he seemed cheerfully to accept of; some Palatines, undertook on the Secre- tary's promise to pay to bring the Corn the next day; a Gun and the lead we had from John Cartlidge, but he having no good powder or Strouds at home, Peter Bizallion, promised to deliver these to the mesenger as he passed his house near Pexton. Soon after the two Stroud Coats were presented, one of the Conestogoe old men proposed to Civility, that John Cartlidge having before given them a Stroud, with a String of Wampum for the same pur- pose, these should also be sent with the others, which being approved of by the other Indians, the said Stroud and Wampum was brought and added to those we had delivered.
The messenger being fully con- cluded on, we desired Civility and him to be with us in the evening, at John Cartlidge's house, to receive the words of our message; but first we proposed to the Indians to send a
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message for themselves in Conjunc- tion with ours to shew their satis- faction in our proceedings, but they gave us to understand that they could not join any words of theirs to our present, for no such thing was ever practiced by the Indians, and they had no belt of their own ready, otherwise they would send it. Civili- ty was then privately informed that we had a belt also for them (the Secretary having carried up two), which they might take as their own and send it accordingly. He seemed much pleased with this, and we pre- pared for that time to take our leaves but before we did this we judged ít necessary to caution them, that from the example we had given them of our great care and tenderness over them, and our regard to our League made with them. They should be very careful on their parts not to give offense to the Christians who were settled near them, or by any means to injure their cattle or anything belonging to them; for as we would suffer none of our people to injure them without punishing the offenders. so we could not receive injuries without requir- ing satisfaction; and this we en- deavored to impress upon them, af- ter which we took leave of them all, excepting Civility and the Messeng- er, and came to our lodging at John Cartlidge's whither also about two hours after came the said two last mentioned Indians; and to the mes- senger we delivered the following words as the signification of the Belt we sent with him, viz:
Deliver this Belt from the Gover- nour and Government of Pennsyl- vania to the King of chief of the Sinnegaes, and say the words it brings are these :-
Wiliam Penn made a firm peace and league with the Indians in these
parts nearly forty years agoe, which. League has often been renewed, and. never broken, but an unhappy acci- dent has lately befallen us. One of our Brethren and your people has lost his life by some of our People; Rum was the first cause of it; he was warm and brought his gun in anger against them. They were afraid of his gun took it from him, wounded him and he died. Our Gov- ernour, on the first news of it sent us two of his Council to inquire in- to it. We have done it and we are now taking the offenders to Phila- delphia to answer for their fault. We send these Strowds to cover our dead brother, and this belt to wipe away the tears; and when we know your mind you shall have all fur- ther reasonable satisfaction for your loss. Civility also received the other belt privately, promised they would hold a Council the next day among themselves, as they had be- fore engaged to us, and sending that belt in their own name would give an account of it of our Governour's great care over them, and of all our proceedings in this matter.
Being the same time credibly in- formed that the Five Nations had sent down a large Belt of Wampum, with a figure of a Rundlet and an Hatchet on it to the Indians settled upwards on Sasquehanna, with orders to stave all the rum they met with we judged it necessary to send by the same messenger a public order, under our Hands and Seals, to all our traders whom we should met with, to ac- quaint them, as their carrying of rum to the Indians was against the Law, so the Indians staving it was no more than what from time to time they had been encouraged to do, and therefore they must take care not to cause any riot or Breach of the Peace, by
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making any resistance, a copy of of our executing the Commission which order is here presented. with which we were intrusted.
All this time from the first day of our arrival at Conestogoe John Cart- lidge, and from the second day Ed- mund Cartlidge, had by virtue of our warrant, been in the custody of the High Sheriff of Chester, who accom- panied us, or in that of persons de- puted by him.
The next morning, Civility the Messenger, and divers of the old men came over to John Cartlidge's to see us at our departure. The Messenger assured us he would set out the next morning, viz: the 17th, that he hoped to be with the Sinnekaes in eight days, and to return in thirty; that he and Civility, upon his return, would come directly to Philadelphia to give an account here of the Dis- charge of his message.
We then very much pressed John Cartlidge, (Edmd.being gone before with an officer to his own house al- most in our way) to hasten and go along with us. His wife grieved al- most to distraction, and would force herself and her child with him, but was at length prevailed with to stay; this caused us some loss of time. The woman's sorrows being loud the In- dians went in to comfort her, and so we departed.
We have brought both John Cart- lidge and Edmund .Cartlidge Prison- ers to town with the lad Jonathan who was present at the fact, and have committed them to the custody of the High Sheriff of Philadelphia, where they now are. William Wilkins was one hundred and fifty miles up Sasquehanna trading for his master, and therefore too far out of our reach.
This, may it please the Governor, is in pursuance of our Instructions, the report we have humbly to offer
JAMES LOGAN. JOHN FRENCH.
An important thing to notice in
this investigation is as shown on p. 270, that a lot of the English had collected around about Conestoga, where this inquest was held.
1722_Action of the Government on the Killing at Conestoga.
James Logan and John French not only acted as Commissioners but they brought the two Cartlidges along with them and put them in the custody of the Sheriff. It seems that the Indian had been killed and bur- ied before they got to Conestoga; he was buried three days' journey from Conestoga. They had a very hard task to get a legal jury. This is found on p. 155 of Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec.
The next day on the 22nd of March, at Philadelphia the investigation was continued and John Cartlidge's ser- vant was sworn After this the two Cartlidge's sent a petition to the
Government from the jail, saying that they were sorry, that they did not intend to hurt the Indian and that they acted in self defense. They prayed a speedy trial and the Coun- cil admitted them to bail. They en- tered into the bail in the Court House before the Governor; and in a very public manner it was at once moved that John Cartlidge's name be dropped as a Justice of the Peace and that he be struck out. (See p. 156.) Both men succeeded in giving bail as we are shown on p. 157.
1722-The Feeling of the Indians at Conestoga About the Killing.
In Vol. 3 Col. Rec., p. 152, we are told that the Indians at Conestoga selected a Cayuga Indian to take the
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news to the Five Nations and also the news of the proceedings, but the Indian said that he could not leave his family without provísíons. The white people around Conestoga,there- fore sent his wife a lot of corn and some of the Mennonites about Con- estoga said that they would pay for more corn and take it there.
In the last mentioned book, p. 155, we are told that John Cartlidge's wife was very much distracted about this killing and that the Indians around there went to her and tried to comfort her and make her feel that Cartlidge would come out all right.
The messenger also returned from the Five Nations and made a favor- able report. .
1722-The Five Nation's Attitude About This Conestoga Killing.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., it is stated at p. 163, that a number of the Conestoga Indians and the messen- ger sent to the Five Nations, the Delawares and others being present in Council the Governor asked the messenger for a report and he said among other things, that when Logan came up to Conestoga because of those news that their cousin had been killed, that all felt a great sor- row and he delivered a belt of wam- pum to wipe the tears away. He also says that the Five Nations are well pleased with what has been done and that they hope we will keep the bones of the dead more in memory. He presented other belts and desired that the Governor would be strong friends with them.
On the report being made the Council decided that John and Ed- mund Cartliedge must be prosecuted according to law. And because the Five Nations think that they ought to be tried these two men were
again arrested. Some of the Five Nations being present and the Con- toga Indians also, the Governor said to them "Friends and Brothers of Conestoga, it makes our hearts glad to see how you brighten the chain and make it strong. The chief law among the English is that when any man has done another an injury, he must be punished, and these men who killed your cousin must be tried according to law."
Finally the Indians themselves asked that they would let John and Edmund Cartiledge go free and they were left go.
1722-The Conestoga Indians Much Excited About the Taking of
Land at Conestoga.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec. p. 178, it is stated that the Governor sent a letter by express to Conestoga on the land question and received news of the excitement in Conestoga. He said he found the Indians were much alarmed about a survey of land on the bank of the Susquehanna, that he held a Council with the Indians of Conestoga on Friday and Satur- day and proposed that he would sur- vey for them a tract on the West side of the Susquehanna river, be- ginning on the upper line of the new settlement and running back six miles into what is now York County, and down that line to a point oppo- site the mouth of the Conestoga Creek and then by a line into the river. This pleased them very much This land excitement became so great that the Governor ordered a company of the militia to set out from New Castle up to Octoraro to prevent the Marylanders from disturbing our In- dians.
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1722-Governor Keith Holds Another | famiy and to his children, that are Council with the Indians at Conestoga.
On the 15th of June, 1722, Gover- nor Keith was at Conestoga holding a Council to take up several ques- tions, and among others was this question of surveying a tract of 70,- 000 acres of land across the Susque- hanna, so as to keep people out and away from the Indians. This tract was known as Springetsburg Manor. The minutes of the Council are set forth in Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 181, as folloks:
At a Council with the Indians at Conestoga, June 15th, 1722.
PRESENT:
Sir William Keith, Bart., Govr.
Col. John French and Francis Worley, Esqs.,
The Chiefs of the Conestogoe, Sha- wana and Ganaway Indians; Smith, the Ganaway Indian, and James Le Tort, Interpreters.
The Governor spoke as follows:
Friends and Brothers: The belts which I lately received from the Five Nations signify, that they are one people with the English, and are very kind neighbors and friends. They invite me to come to them at Albany, and make the chain between us as bright as the Sun. When they see me they will remember their great friend William Penn, and then our hearts will be filled with love and our Councils with peace.
You say you love me because I came from your father, William Penn, to follow his peaceable ways, and to fulfill all his kind promises to the Indians, you call me William Penn and I am very proud of the name you give me; but if we have a true love for the memory of William Penn, we must now shew it to his
grown up to be men in England, and will soon come over to represent him here. Last time I was with you at Conestogoe, you showed me a parch- ment which you had received from William Penn containing many arti- cles of friendship between him and you and between his children and your children; you then told me he desired you to remember it well for three generations, but I hope you and your children will never forget it. That parchment fully declared your consent to William Penn's purchase and right to the lands on both sides Sasquehanna; but I find both you and we are like to be disturbed by idle people from Maryland, and also by others who have presumed to survey lands on the banks of Sasquehanna, without any powers from William Penn or his children to whom they belong, and without so much as ask- ing your consent.
I am therefore come to hold a Council and consult with you how to prevent such injust practices for the future, and hereby we will shew our great love and respect for William Penn's children who inherit their father's estate in this country, and have a just hight to the hearty love and friendship of all the Indians promised to them in many treaties, I have fully considered this thing, and if you approve my thoughts, I will immediately cause to take up a large tract of land on the other side of Sasquehanna for the Grandson of Wiliam Penn, who is now a man as tall as I am; for when the land is marked with his name upon the trees it will keep off the Marylanders and every other Person whatsoever from coming to settle near you to disturb you, and he bearing the same kind heart to the Indians which his Grand-
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father did, will be glad to give you any part of his land for your ownl use and convenience; but if other people take it up they will make set- tlements upon it, then it will not be in his power to give it to you as you want it.
My Dear Friends and Brothers:
Those who have any wisdom amongst you must see and be con- vinced that what I now say is entire- ly for your good, for this will effec- tually hinder and prevent any person from settling lands on the other side of Sasquehannah, according to your own desire, and consequently you will be secure from being disturbed by ill neighbors, and have all that land in the same time in your own power to make use of. This will al- so beget a true hearty love and friendship between you, your chil- dren, and the great William Penn's grandson, who is now Lord of all this country in the room of his grandfather. It is therefore fit and necessary for you to begin as soon as you can to express your respect and love to him; he expects it from you according to your promises in many treaties, and he will take it very kindly.
Consider them my brothers, that I am now giving you an opportunity to speak your thoughts lovingly and freely unto this brave young man, Mr. Penn's grandson; and I, whom you know to be your true friend will take care to write down your words and to send them to England to the gentlemen, who will return you a kind answer, and so your hearts will be glad that the great William Penn still lives in his chil- dren to love and serve the Indians.
At a Council held with the Indians at Conestogoe, June 16th, 1722.
PRESENT:
Sir William Keith, Bart., Govr. Colo. John French and Francis Worley, Esqs. The Chiefs of the Conestogoe, Shawana and Ganaway Indians:
Smith and James LeTort, Interpre- ters.
The Indians spoke in answer by Tawenea, as follows:
They have considered of what the Governor proposed to them yesterday and think it is matter of very great importance to them to hinder the Marylanders from settling or taking up lands so near them upon Sasque- hanna. They very much approve what the Governour spoke and like his Council to them very much, but they are not willing to discourse partic- ularly on the business of land lest the Five Nations may reproach or blame them.
They declare again their satisfac- t'on with all that the Governour said yesterday to them in Council and although they know that the Five Na- tions have not any right to these lands, and that four of the towns do not pretend to any, yet the fifth town viz: the Cayugoes; are always claim- ing the same right to lands on Sas- quehannah, even where they them- selves now live; wherefore, they think it will be a very proper time when the Governour goes to Albany to settle that matter with the Cay- ugoes, and then all paties will be satisfied.
They asked the Governour where- abouts and what quantity of land does . he propose to survey for Mr. Penn. it answered from over against the mouth of Conestogoe Creek up to the Governour's new settlement, and so far back from the river as no person can come to annoy or disturb them in their towns on this side.
.
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They proceeded and say that they are at this time very apprehensive that the people will come when the Governour has gone to Albany and survey his land; wherefore they earnestly desire that the Governour will immediately cause the surveyor to come and lay out the land for Mr. Penn's grandson to secure them, and they doubt not but the Governour's appearance and conduct afterwards at Albany will make all things easy there.
Copy of the Governour of Pennsyl- vania's letter to the Governour of Maryland, dated from Newberry, on Sasquehannah, June 23d, 1722.
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