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 39
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Jonas Davenport, who brought this account, and was one of the In- quest, being called in and examined says, that he was informed by credi- ble people living near the place where the murder was committed, that John Burt sent for rum to the Indians which they drank, and that he afterwards sent for more, that a dispute arising between Burt and the Indians, the said Burt filled his fists with his own Dung and threw it among the Indians; that it is gener- ally believed that if Burt had not provoked and abused them to so high a degree the matter might be made up amicably, and that though it is very certain the Indians killed Thom- as Wright yet that the said Burt was the principal occasion of it. Being likewise examined of what Nation these Indians are, says that they are of the Munscoes Indians, who live on an eastern branch of the Susque- hannah.
The members of the Board observ- ed that this was the first accident of the kind they had ever heard of in this Province since its first settle- ment; and that though the Indians, who committed the fact, had receiv- ed very provocations, yet as a sub- ject had lost its life, it is absolutely necessary the Government should take Notice of and move in it for notwithstanding it will be difficult, as the fact was circumstanced to call these Indians regularly to an ac- count, yet some proper measures ought to be taken to make the In- dians in general sensible of the Out- rageousness of the action, and to oblige them to make satisfaction as the nature of the case will admit of. It was hereupon further observed that this Government had been formerly happy above most of our neighbors, in preserving a good understanding and an uninterrupted Friendship with
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all our Indians, which was affected by the just and obliging measures . our late proprietor first took with them, by which he had greatly en- deared them to himeslf and to this Government, and the same methods had been for years constantly con- tinued by treaties with them, held at a small expense, for that the whole charge, one year with another had
not exceeded the allowance of Fifty Pounds per annum, which the As- semblies from time to time had for- merly granted, but that now for six years past, viz: the five last years of the late administration, and one year since the present Governour's arrival we have had no manner of treaty with our own Indians, upon which they think themselves slighted and have complained of it on divers oc- casions; that the late Assembly al- so, being sensible of this, by their Speaker accompanied by the whole House, when the last bills were pass- ed, had signified to the Governour that the House was desirous a visit should be paid to the Indians as us- ual, and it was hoped when the sea- son of the year would admit of it, care would be taken to do it, for which the ensuing House would un- doubtedly make a suitable provision, since the late one of their own mo- tion thought fit to make such an ap- plication."
1727-A Treaty With the Conestogas to Be Held; No Treaty During Six Years.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 286, it will be noticed that the account of the death of Thomas Wright sets forth that there has been no treaty with the Indians for over six years and that such a treaty ought now to be had, because the troubles would not occur so frequently if there were such Treaties.
1728-A Report that the Delawares are Ordered to Fight the English.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., pp. 295 and 296, an account is given,
in which it is stated that James Letort came to inform the Governor that he was lately come from a town on the upper parts of the Susquehanna River and that he heard while there that the Five Nations had ordered the Delaware Indians, who used to live in what is now Lancaster Co., but who moved west, to fall upon the English. This report afterwards turned out to be untrue.
1728-A Council Held with the Dela- ware Indians.
The King of the Delwares and some Shawanese visited the Council on the 4th day of June 1728, which may be seen in Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 316. The Governor told them that he was glad to see them and that he had proposed to meet them all at Conestoga, last Spring, but he heard that Civility and some other Indians had gone away and then he postponed the visit. He told them that ten days ago he did meet some tribes at Conestoga. He put them in mind of the fact that they had likely heard that some Shawan- ese about twenty days ago came into these parts of the State and fell on some of our inhabitants, and that the matter must be attended to.
1728-The Delaware Indians Say the Whites Are Settled on Lands They Never Paid For
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec, p. 319, the old Delaware King Allummapees made a speech to James Logan, in which he said, He was grown old and was troubled to see the Chris- tians settle on lands that the Indians had never been paid for, they had settled on his land, for which he had never received anything.
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That he is now an old man and must soon die, that his children may wonder to see all their father's lands gone from them, without his receiv- ing anything for them that the Christians now make their settle- ments very near them, and they shall have no place of their own left to live on.
That this may occasion a difference between their children and us here- after, and he would willingly prevent any misunderstanding that may hap- pen.
1728-James Logan Shows the In- dians That We Do Own the Susquehanna Lands
In the same book last cited, at p. 320, James Logan made the follow- ing reply about the land question on the Susquehanna:
"That he had not otherwise been concerned to the lands of this Prov- ince, than as he was intrusted with other Commissioners by the Pro- prietor to manage his affairs of prop- erty in his absence. That their great Friend, William Penn, had made it his constant rule never to suffer any lands to be settled by any of his people, until they were first . duly purchased by the Indians, and his Commissioners, who acted for him in his absence, has as carefully used the same method, they never agreed to the settlement of any lands till the Indians were duly satisfied for them. But he said, he judged it proper in his audience to take notice of our great unhappiness, in having too many amongst us who take a delight in disturbing the Peace of the Pub- lick by any means in their power, and amongst other methods they had endeavored even to beget an uneasi- ness in the Indians, but how little reason there was for any complaint against him, or the Commissioners, he should make appear.
He said, that Sassoonan now pres- ent, with divers others of the Indian Chiefs, about ten years since, having a notion that they had not been fully paid for their Lands, came to Phila- delphia to demand what was due to them, that the business was heard in Council, and he then produced to those Indians a great number of deeds, by which their ancestors had fully conveyed, and were as fully paid for all their lands from Duck Creek to near the Forks of the Dela- ware, and that the Indians were then entirely satisfied with what had been shewn to them and the Commisioners to put an end to all further claims, or demands of that kind, in consider- ation of their Journey and trouble, made them a present in the Proprie- tor's name and behalf, upon which they agreed to sign an absolute re- lease for all those Lands, and of all demands whatsoever upon account of the said purchase, and exhibiting the said instrument of release, desired it might be read, which was done."
He then shows the Indians the very deeds they had signed for these lands, viz: all the land between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, dated the 17th of September, 1718. This tract included the tracts North of Lancaster County or what is now Lancaster County.
1728-The Indians Complain of the Germans Settling Among Them.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 322, one of the Indian Chiefs said that he could not believe that the Christians had settled on those lands until he saw it with his own eyes. The lands referrred to here are about Tulpy- hocken in Montgomery County, which lands were taken up by a Colony of Mennonites who came over from New York; and James Logan gave them the following explanation :
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"That he was sensible the Palatines were settled there, but as he had observed before, it was without the consent or knowledge of any of the Commissioners, and how they came hither he should now make this audi- ence sensible. He said, that when he left his house this morning he did not expect this affair would be now men- tioned, but hearing after he came abroad that it was intended, being unable himself to walk, he had sent for one paper, which he could easily direct to, that if he could have gone himself among his papers, he could have produced some letters and affi- davits that would more fully explain the matter, but he hoped that what he had there would be suff.cient to make it clearly understood. It was a petition from those Palatines them- selves, directed to the late Governour Sir William Keith and the Council, all wrote in the hand of Patrick Baird, who was then the Secretary to the Governour and Clerk of the Council, and who it was that drew it would appear by its stile."
1728-Captain Civility of Conestoga Sends a Letter to Council.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec, p. 333, after the minutes of Council were read it is stated that, "The Governor laid before the Board a letter he had received from Captain Civility, ac- quainting him that several of the Delaware, Shawanese and Ganawese Indians, were come to Conestogoe and had brought many skins with them for a present to the Governour; that they proposed to fulfill their promise of coming to Philadelphia this Fall, but the death of his, Civ- ility's child had SO much afflicted him that he could not come with them, and therefore they had all re- solved to defer their visit til next Spring, at which time they would surely come to the Governour at Philadelphia.' .
1728-The Shawanese Kill Two Con- estogas Near Conestoga.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec, p. 302, "The Governour acquainted the Board that a letter from Mr. Wright at Conestogoe was lately communica- ted to him, giving an account of a differences, which might in end af- fect the peace of the Province. His Honour likewise said he had received a petition, signed by a great many of the inhabitants in the back parts of quarrel that was like to ensue be- tween the Indians of these parts and the Shawanese, these last having killed two of the Conestogoe Indians, that they seemed prepared for war, and that therefore his presence was desired as necessary to settle those difference, which might in end affect the peace of the Province. His Hon- our likewise said he had received a petition signed by a great many of the inhabitants in the back parts of this country, setting forth that they are under some apprehensions of being attacked by the Indians, that many families have left their habita- tions through fear of them, and pray- ing that proper measures might be taken for their safety.
And therefore the Governour now moved to the Board that since it is of great importance to compose those differences speedily, which would oblige him to take a journey to Con- estogoe, it would be requisite that the Assembly should meet as soon as possible, which the Board from the consideration of what the Governour had said readily agreed to, and the 14th Currt. being proposed for the time of their meeting was approved, it is therefore ORDERED that writts be forthwith issued for that purpose."
1728 - The Shawanese Have Now Started to Move.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec, p. 309, it is stated that the Shawanese are
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now near Durham's Iron Works Pechoquealin. This place is in Bucks county, (See 3 Col. Rec., p. 329) and from this place the Shawanese came armed and painted for war, but not in a large number and through their foolishness 400 people gathered to- gether and two were killed, (See 3 Col. Rec., p. 317).
1728-The Conestogas Now Want to Go to War Against the Shawa- nese.
The Conestogas and Shawanese now are growing to be enemies of each other and this is one of the causes which induced the Shawanese to leave for the West, as we shall see they did about this time. The situa- tion is set forth by John Wright of Hempfield now Columbia, in a letter to James Logan, found in Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 213. The let- ter is as follows:
"Hempfield 2, 3 mo, 1728.
My fd. James Logan:
About three weeks I gave thee a few lines with an account of the In- dians returned from Warr, since which time there has happened (as we are informed) a murder to be committeed by two of the Shawny In- dians, upon a man and a woman of the Conestogoe Indians and they de- manding two murderers to be giv- en up; the Shawanys sent them with some of their own people, who called at Per Shurtaes, and he giving them rum, eather by persuasion or their own inclination let the murderers make their escape, which the Cones- togoe Indians resent so highly, that (as it is reported) they threaten to cut off the whole nation of the Shaw- nys. Yesterday there came 17 or 18 of the young men commanded by Til- ehausey, all Conestogoe Indians, painted for the Warr, all armed; we enquired which way they ware going
at | they would not tell us, but said, they or some of them were going out to Warr, and that there was some Can- oys to go with them. But we hearing the above report are apt to think that they are going against the Shawnys. It is all our opinions that the Gov- ernour's presence pretty speedily is absolutely necessary at Conestogoe, to settle affairs among the Indians, they seeming at present to be in a distracted manner or condition, and the hardness of the winter sweeping away their corne, they will he oblig- ed to go a summer hunting sooner than usual, that if the Governour come not soon he will miss of them. If you please acquaint the Governour with the above contents, with my hearty sarviss to him and kind love to theyself and family from thy real friend JNO. WRIGHT."
1728-The Shawanese Now Begin to Annoy the Other Indian Tribes.
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 216, there is a letter set forth from James Le Tort, stating the action of the Shawanese as follows:
Catawasse, May ye 12, 1728. We always thought that the Gover- nour knew nothing of the fight be- tween the Shawaynos and the White People. We desire the Governour to warn the back inhabitants not to be so ready to attack the Indians, as we are doubtful they were in that un- happy accident and we will use all endeavors to hinder any such like proceeding on the part of the Indians. We remember very well the League between William Penn and the In- dians, which was, that the Indians and white people were one, and hopes that his brother, the present Gover- nour, is of the same mind, and that the Friendship was to continue for three Generations; and if the Indians hurt the English it is the same as if they hurt themselves; as to the Gov- ernour's desire of meeting him, we
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intend as soon as the Chiefs of the | structions as follows: Five Nations come to meet the Gov- ernour, we will come with them, but if they come not before hereafter, we will go to Philadelphia to wait on the Governour. We have heard that Wil- liam Penn's son has come to Phila- delphia, which we are very glad of. JAMES LE TORT."
1728-A New Proof That the Shawa- nese Reached Pennsylvania Af- ter the Coming of
Penn.
It will be remembered that in prior items we adopted the view of Conyng- ham, who says the Shawanese came to Pennsylvania in 1678 and in 1698, but in Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p. 223 in a message from the Council the Shawanese are reminded that, "William Penn made a firm peace and league of Friendship with all the In- dians, and the chain from time to
time has been brightened. The Shawanese were not then in this Country; they came long afterwards and desired leave of the Conestogoe Indians and William Penn to settle in this Country. Leave was granted
them they promised to
live peaceably." The letter then sets forth that the Governour is now about to set out for a treaty. One rage 224 the Shawanese admit that they were very foolish and if they had not been, the killing which is above referred to would not have happened.
It is further stated at p. 228 of the same book that the Shawanese came to us as strangers about thirty years ago.
1728 - Governour Gordon Places Guardians Over the Shawanese.
In Vol. 1 of th Penna. Archives, p. 228 it is found necessary to give Henry Smith and John Petty powder to hold the Indians somewhat in check about the Susquehanna River. The Governour gives them their in- | them.
Messrs. HENRY SMITH, JOHN PETTY.
As business now calls you towards Susquehannah, I desire you, without fail, if you can, to see my friends, Allummapees, Opekassed, Shachalaw- lin, and Shakellamy, give my kind love to them, as to my Brethren, and let them know that I designed about this time to make a visit to some of our neighboring Governours, if ac- cording to their promise they had come down hither last month. Lett them know I wait for them and am concerned I hear nothing of them. I hope, however, I shall now see them in a few days.
Inquire also after the Shawanah Indians, and if you can see Kahowa- tchy, know of him, why his friends left Pechoquelin, after they had pro- mised to meet me at Durham Iron- works.
Tell all those four first named In- dians that I know they have clean hearts without spott, and I expect from them, when they come, such an account of all their affairs as one brother gives another, they see we treat them as we do one amongst our- selves, without any difference, we are one people, and they must in all respects treat us with the Friend- ship, Truth and Justice that we use to them. We all expect this of them as our Brethren.
Tell Shalkallamy particularly, that as he is set over the Shawanah In- dians, he can give a good account of them, they came to us only as strangers, about 30 years agoe, they desired leave of this Government to settle amongst us as strangers, and the Conestogoe Indians became
se- curity for their behavior. They are also under the protection of the Five Nations, who have sett Shakallamy over them. He is a good man, and I hope will give a good
account of
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Give my kind love also to Carun- downa and his Wife, and speak to them to the same purpose. Lett him know I expect of him, that as he is a great Captain, he will take care that all the people about him shall shew themselves good men and true hearted, as he is himself, and that I hope to see him at the Treaty. Tell him Jonah Davenport never com- plained of him, and therefore there was no occasion for his letter on that head.
If there be any mischief done in those parts, I expect they will seize the persons who are guilty of it, that they may be punished and Justice may be done on every side, for our people are very numerous and they will not be abused. I wil not suffer any injury to be done to the Indians without punishing the offenders, and they must do the same Justice on their parts, for then we shall truly be as one People.
These are my words, which I send thus written, sealed with a Publick seal and signed under my hand, to which my friends will give full cre- dit. Dated at Philadelphia, the first day of September, Anno Dom, 1728."
1728-The Governor Sends Word to Captain Civility at Conestoga.
Gordon after his Conestoga arrangement left certain work to be performed by Captain Civility, to whom he sends a letter dated Sept. 2, 1728, found in Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p 329, which is as follows:
"My very good friend Captain Civil- ity :
When I left Conesstoga I was in hopes of seeing you before this time, but I suppose you waited for the chiefs of the Five Nations.
I hear some of these have been at Conestoga since I was there, and that they were gone down to Maryland.
If you can by any means meet with them, whether at Conestoga or else- where, I desire you to present them with this Belt of Wampum from me, and tell them that I desire earnestly to speak with them about some busi- ness that may concern them.
Therefore, if they will come to me at Philladelphia, they shall be satis- fied, and I hope will be pleased with their Journey.
This being a matter of importance at this time, 1 request your Friend- ship herein, and desire that you would come along with them, as you are our brother on whom we very much depend."
1728-The Governor Sends Instruct- ions to Wright and Blunston., At Conestoga
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p 229, the following instructions were sent by Governor Gordon to John Wright and Samuel Blumston, two Justices of the Peace on the Susque- hanna River :-
"Philadelphia, 2nd September, 1728. John Wright & Samuel Blunston,
RESPECTED FRIENDS
Much contrary to our expectations, we find there are still some Commo- tions amongst the Indians, that re- quire to be looked into, and we are now apprehensive that the Story we first had in the Spring of the Tweek- twese or naked Indians or Miamis (for they go by all these names, who live to the Southwest of Lake Erie being invited to attack this Country, is not altogether without a foundation, very few of our Indians have been privy of it, if there be anything in it, one Manawkyhickon, a near relation of Oquaala's who was hanged last year in Jersey with one Collapny one of the Five Nations, but French by birth, who both live near Shamokin or Susquehannah, are the Chiefs who
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have been laboring mischief. Our Lennappys or Delaware Indians knew nothing of it. The Shawanese we know are ready for any Mischief. How far the Five Nations are privy to it we can not judge. But the Gov- ernour and Council who met yester- day upon it, are of opinion that it is of very great importance to us to have an opportunity of speaking with those Chiefs that were lately at Con- estogoe, if. they are not yet returned, for which purpose this with the en- closed is now sent Exrpress that if possible they may be prevailed on to step hither.
You are therefore requested (if I Wright can travel so far) to give' Civility the enclosed letter to him, ex- plaining it in the best manner it can be done, delivering him also the Belt of Wampum for the Chiefs, though it is desired, when he speaks to them, if they are to be mett with that you or some of you could be present. It were to be wished he were more to be depended on, he can not but think himself but under some obligations since the last treaty, but these work not on some dispositions. He is the best however that at present is to be mett with to undertake it, and we must endeavor to make the best of him.
If those Chiefs are not come back to Conestogoe, they should be care- fully waited on and enquired after. Or if they are anywhere on the Riv- er, and not far above Pextan, they should be brought back if possible. And if they can not be prevailed on to come to Philadelphia, they may it is possible be perswaded to stay at Conestogoe a few days, for to wait for one who may come up to them from hence. If they should not even agree to this as we know they ac- count themselves great men and are
stiff, then it is desired that they may be told as follows.
That from the first settlement of this Country, especially of late years, there has been always a firm friend- ship between us and the Five Nations. They may remember a firm League was made with their Chiefs at Cones- togoe 18 years agoe, and again with Ghesaont 7 years agoe at the same place, and again at Albany the next year or 1722, between all their Chiefs and our Governour with divers of our Council, who went thither to meet them, and that at all these times, es- pecially the last, the Chain or League of Friendship that had formerly been made with them was brightened and made as strong as it was pos- sible to be made by Man. The same also was done in some measures last year with some of the Cayoogoes though that is not the nation we have generally treated with. The On- ondagoes having commonly been the people that have been sent to us, and therefore we wondered that but nine of the Cayoogoes came at that time to visit us. That if they have . anything to say to us on any account whatsoever, we should be glad to hear it from some of their Chiefs, and they may be assured they shall meet with their true Friends and Brethren in us.
But on the subject of the Cayoo- goes, Caution should be used that these people who are come thither are principally of that Nation, and therefore their Nation should be first enquired into, and no distinctions be used that can give any offence. They account the Onondagoes their best Gentlemen, though not numerous.
Then if there be room for it, they might be asked, whether ever they heard that any of the French Indians were encouraged to attack this Coun-
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