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 40
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
try, upon which they may be told, | Indians, and they must if possible be that this has ever been a peaceable talked over with these Chiefs. Phila- delphia would be the best place, but if not here, then there, by such as may go from hence, or by any others that can do it. country, and that by being perfectly just to the Indians and all men, by making them as one People with us, and doing them all the Justice in every case that we deal to one an- If I. Wright's health will not suf- fer him to travel so far, for which I should on other accounts be extreme- ly troubled, it is hoped I Bluns- ton with Adam Cornish may manage this affair, and it might be advisable that Eliz'r Cornish, who speaks the language should privately between themselves enter into as close a dis- course as possible with Civility about what news he hears or what he knows. other, we laid a firm foundation for Peace, that we would have Peace with all men, but if any shall be so un- reasonable as without any provoca- tion to attack us, we are now a very great people and very numerous, and do not want means to defend our- selves by force, but like good men we would choose to be defended rath- er by our Justice and Upright deal- ings than by arms, for we believe mankind was made to serve God and for a much nobler end than to be knocked on the Head.
They may be told also, that they know very well the French are al- ways contriving mischief against the English to trouble them, and spare no lies, no false stories and endeavors to seduce and deceive the Indians. But were it in the power of the French and Indians that join them as it is not at all in their power to de- story the English, then the Five Na- tions having none else to depend on but the French would be entirely ruined, they can not supply goods as the English can, and when they get the Upperhand and have nothing to fear they are proud and cruel mas- ters. The Indians would then be slaves, they have therefore the strong- est reasons in policy and on their own account, to be hearty friends and adhere closely to the English in- terest. It is their own interest and that will not deceive them.
These things ought on all occasions to be inculcated in the way of conver- sation, but with a seeming careless- ness, as it were ridiculing the follies of those who have any favorable opin- ion of the French as Friends to the
This affair will give you some trouble, but it is equally every man's concern in the Government who has anything in it that he values. If any charge accrue it must be born by the Publick. We hear by an Indian that at Shamokin they have hanged cne Tim- othy Higgins, a servant to Henry Smith, an Indian trader, but we hope it is not true. Said Smith and John Petty are gone up today to know how matters are in those parts.
The substance of this you will easi- ly see is to be managed with as little noise as possible, that no alarm may be given without a real occasion. We hope there will be none, for on Indian Stories there is very little dependence, but prudence will advise to precau- tion wherever it can be used.
Pray dispatch the Messenger as soon as possible with a letter to ye Governour, from whom this should have come, but time would not so well allow it".
1728- Captain Civility's Message To The Governor
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p 233, Captain Civility sends the follow- ling letter to Governor Gordon :-
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"Honarable Gouvner :-
When you was hear in the spring Wee had a Counsell together and wee did conclude to Come doune to Phila- delphia in about two months after that time, but wee of Conastogoe hav- ing sent so sevarell of the Indians that live a great way of, who are now on thear rode coming to see and speak with the Gouvner, and the Shawnays, Conoys, and Delawares have brought a greatt maney skins to Conastogoe in order to present the Gouverner, but Captain Civillity hath his own child dyed lately and he is so mutch troubled that he can not come, therefore the Conestogoes, Delawares. Shawnays and Conoys, designes to stay till next Spring, and then they will come to see and treat with the Gouvner att Philadelphia.
CAPTIN SIVILITY, X his mark. Conestogoe, October 1st, 1728. To William Chetwode at Wm. Murrays, To the Honorable Patrick Gordon, Esqr., Governour of Pennsylvania.
1728-Captain Civility Sends Another Message to the Government.
In the same book and page last mentioned Captain Civility, who is now very much trusted and relied up- on as a leading figure at Conestoga among the Conestoga Indians and who has the ancient Susquehannock blood in him, send this letter to Gov- ernor Gordon and the Council. "My Brethren:
The late death of my Child Causes so much Trouble and sorrow thatt att this time It putts all other thoughts outt of my mind. Nevertheless, I still remember and retain the Governour's late good speeches to us here att Conestogoe, and am very glad thatt I once more heard the words of Will- iam Penn; but as I said before, my grieffe and sorrow so overpowers mee thatt I am sorry thatt itt makes mee | sylvania.
uncapable att this time to answer ye words of my old good friend Wm. Penn. This I send to you of my selfe without consulttation of any, for my Eyes are full of tears for ye sake of my child. Here are severall Shawa- ners and Conoys come, ye rest wee expect every hour, so that wee have had no Councell as yett, and whether they will come to Philadelphia or not I can nott tell as yett:
My trouble is so greatt at this time thatt itt so putts all other thoughtts outt of my mind thatt I do nothing butt crye every day, and con not bear to come intto the sight of my friends, otherwise would have come down with my friend Edmund Cartlidge:
When my grieff and sorrow is a little over and we have had our Coun- cell here, you shall hear fron: us if I doe not come myselfe. In the mean time I am your good Friend,
CIVILITY."
1728-Shawanese Leave Lancaster
County
In Vol. 1 of the Penna. Archives, p 329 as we have noticed before the Shawanese in 1723 were told to leave Lancaster County and about three years later they were frightened by the Five Nations about their lands and about a year after that the Delawares commenced to trouble them. And about the same time 1727 as we have already seen they got into a foolish fight with the Conestogas and others and the result of it was that they left Lancaster County. They were asked in 1732 why they left and the message which the Chiefs gave and the rea- sons for leaving are set forth in the book and at the page last mentioned, as follows :-
"The Cheiffs of the Shawanese to The Honourable Governour of Penn-
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
Wee receive your message by our friend Edmund Cartlidge, and take itt very kindly and return you thanks for ye dram given us, and wee hereby acquaintt the Govern'r of the reason thatt wee are come to settle here att Ohioh.
About nine years agoe the 5 Nations told us att Shallyschohking, wee did not doe well to setle there, for there was a greatt Noise in the greatt house and thatt in three years time, all should know whatt they had to say, as far as there was any settle- ments or the Sun Sett.
About ye Expiration of three years affore S'd, the 5 nations came and said our land is going to be taken from us. Come brothers assist us lett fall upon and fight with the English, wee answered them no, wee came here for peace and have leave to set- tle here, and we are in League with them and can not break itt.
About a year after they, ye 5 na- tions, Told the Delawares and us, since you have nott harkened to us nor regarded whatt we have said, now wee will put pettycoatts on you, and look upon you as women for the fu- ture and nott as men. Therefore, you Shawanese Look back towards Ohioh, the place from whence you came, and return thitherward, for now wee shall take pity on the English and lett them have all this Land.
And further Said now since you are become women Ile take Peahohque- lloman, and put itt on Meheahoam- ing and Ile Take Meheahoaming and putt itt on Ohioh, and Ohioh Ile putt on Woabach, and thatt shall bee the Warriours road for the future.
One reason of our leaving our for- mer settlements and comeing here is severall negro slaves used to run away and come amongst us and wee thought the English would blame us for itt.
The Delaware Indians some time agoe bid us departt for they was dry and wanted to drink ye land away, whereupon we told them since some of you are gone to Ohioh, we will go there also, we hope you will not drink that away too.
And Whereas the Governour de- sires to see some of us at Philadel- phia we shall answer his requestt for some of our Chieffs, will come this Summer and pay him a visitt, but how many of us and exactt the time wee know nott as yett, butt when wee are gott so far as Peter Charteries, wee shall send word how many of us there is and when wee shall bee there and bring our friends ye Conestogoes allong with us in the mean time, we remain your friends and Brethren.
Presentt: James Letort. Interpreter.
NOOCHICKONER, his X mark. PAWQUAWISE. his X mark.
Peter Chartire.
his X mark UPPOCKEATY,
his X mark. QUEEQUEEPTOO, his X mark
Taken down by mee,
EDM'D. CARTLIDGE
To The Honourable Governour of Pensilvania, These with Care and Speed.
June ye 7th, 1732 or there abouts."
This leaving of the Shawanese is also referred to and explained in Vol. 15 of Haz. Reg., p. 82.
1728-Gordon Prepares For the Con- estoga Treaty
In Vol. 3 of the Votes of the As- sembly, p. 50 Gordon tells the As- sembly that he has arranged to meet the Conestoga Indians in May and al- so all the other Indians in that sec- tion. Upon his return the Assembly want a copy of the treaty and they are not satisfied with the Governour
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simply returning the treaty but they | toga to convene the Indians to the want to examine it themselves, (See ensuing treaty and that the Messeng- er was now returned and brought word that the Indians were meeting at Conestoga and expected the Gover- nor in nine or ten days 3 Votes of the Assembly, p. 52). This request of the Assembly grew out of the fact that the presents the Gov- ernor made at the treaty amounted to 147 pounds and this sum was very 1728-The Goods For the Presents at the Conestoga Treaty are Ordered. large, and for that reason the As- seinbly want to inspect the Treaty carefully.
1728-Letort Sends Word That the Five Nations are About to Join the French
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 295 it is set forth that James Letort from the Susquehanna, came to Philadel- phia and reported that the Five Na- tions and all the Indians under them were about to leave the English and join the French.
1728-The Conestoga Indians Off on Their Hunt.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 297, at a Council held the 18th of April, 1728, the habit of the Conestoga In- dians in going away to hunt is stat- ed. It is set forth by the Governor that he would be ready to undertake a journey to Conestoga whenever he can be informed by John Wright that the Indians have retured from hunt- ing; and that he understood that there were scarcely any Indians at present about Conestoga, and as soon as it was practicable nothing would be wanting to establish a good under- standing with them.
1728-A Message Sent to the Cones- togas To Get Ready for a Treaty.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 305, James Logan reports to the Council on May 15, that pursuant to their or- der a message was sent to Cones-
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 308, the Council entered upon considera- tion of the proper presents to be made to the Indians and ordered that the provincial Treasurer should pro- vide and send up to Conestoga at the first opportunity 25 Strowd Matchcoats, twenty blankets, twenty duffels, twenty-five shirts, one hun- dred wt. gunpowder, two hundred wt. of lead, five hundred flints and fifty knives, with rum, bread, pipes, and tobacco, together with such pro- visions as may be necessary for the Governor and His Company.
1728-Governor Gordon Goes to the Great Treaty at Conestoga.
In Vol. 3 of the Col. Rec., p. 309, it is stated in a memorandum that, "Pursuant to an appointment with the Indians at Conestogoe, the Gov- ernour attended with some members of Council, and divers other gentle- men, to the number of about thirty, who voluntarily offered their comapny thither, sett out from Philadelphia on the 22nd of May, and on the 23rd in the evening came to the House of Mr. Andrew Cornish, about a mile distant from the Indian Town. The 24th ad 25th days were spent in waiting for some other persons ex- pected at the treaty and in mutual civilities, and on the 26th the Treaty began as follows:
At a Council held at the Indian Town on Conestogoe, May 26th, 1728,
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
PRESENT:
The Honorable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Govr.
Some members of Council and divers other Gentlemen. PRESENT ALSO:
Ganytataronga, Tawenna, Tamiatch- iaro, Taquatarensaly, alias Capt. Civility-Chiefs of the Conestogoe Indians.
Oholykon, Peyeashickon, Wikimiky- ona-Chiefs of some of the Dela- ware Indians on Brandywine.
Howickyoma, Skayanannego, Onney- gheat, Nanamakamen, Peyhiohinas, -Chiefs of the Shawanese Indians. Weysow-walow, Keyseykakalow, Nichtamskakow - Chiefs of the Shawanese.
Shakawtawlin or Sam, Interpreter from the English into the Delaware.
Captain Civility, Interpreter from the Delaware into the Shawanese and Mingoe (alias Conestogoe).
Pomapechtoa, Interpreter from the Delaware into the Ganawese Lan- guage.
Mr. Nicholas Scull, Mr. John Scull, and Peter Bizallion, Assistant Interpreters.
The Governour spoke as follows:
My Friends and Brethren: You are sensible that the Great William Penn the Father of this Countrey, when he first brought his people with him over the broad Sea, took all the Indians and the old Inhabitants by the hand, and because he found them to be a sincere, honest people, he took them to his heart and loved them as his own. He then made a strong League and chain of Friendship with them, by which it was agreed that the In- dians and the English, with all the Christians, should be as one people
his children, and continued in this kind love for them until his death.
His sons have now sent me over in their stead, and they gave me strict charge to love all the Indians as their Brethren, and as their father William Penn loved you. I would have seen you before this time, but I fell sick soon after I came over, and con- tinued so till next Spring. I then waited to receive some of the Five Nations who came to see me at Philadelphia, and last fall I heard you were all gone out a hunting.
I am now come to see you, and to renew the ancient Friendship which has been between William Penn's people ad you. I was in hopes that Sassoonan and Opekasset, with their people, would been likewise here, they have sent me kind mes- sages and have a warm love for the Christians. I believe they will come to me at Philadelphia, for since they could not get thither I have desired them to meet me there.
I am now to discourse e with my Brethren, the Conestogoes, Delawares Ganawese and Shawanese Indians upon Susquehannah, and to speak in love to them.
My Brethren:
You have been faithful to your Leagues with us, your Hearts have been clean, and you have preserved the Chain from Spotts or Rust, or if there were any you have been careful to wipe them away; your Leagues with your Father William Penn and with his Governours are in writing on Record, that our children and our children's children may have them in everlasting remembrance. And we know that you preserve the memory of those things amongst you by tell- ing them to your children, and they again in the next generation, so that they remained stamped on your minds
Your friend and Father William Penn still retained a warm affection for all the Indians, and strictly com- maded those whom he sent to govern this people to treat the Indians as never to be forgott.
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The Chief Heads or Strongest Links of this Chain I find are these nine, viz:
1st. That all William Penn's people or Christians, and all the In- dians should be Brethren, as the children of one Father, joined to- gether as with one Heart, one Head and one Body.
2nd. That all Paths should be open and free to both Christians and In- dians.
3d. That the Doors of the Chris- tian House should be open to the Indians and the Houses of the In- dians open to the Christians, and they should make each other wel- come as their friends.
4th. That the Christians should not believe any false rumors or Reports of the Indians, nor the Indians be- lieve any such Rumors or Reports of the Christians, but should first come as brethren to enquire of each other; and that both Christians and Indians, when they hear any such false reports of their Brethren, they should bury them as in a bottomless Pitt.
5th. That if the Christians hear any ill news that may be to the Hurt of the Indians, or the Indians hear any such ill news that may be an in- jury to the Christians, they shall acquaint each other with it speedily as true friends and Brethren.
6th. That the Indians should do no manner of Harm to the Christians nor their creatures, nor the Chris- tians do any hurt to any Indians, but each treat the other as their Breth- ren.
7th. But as there are wicket People in all Nations, if either Indians or Christians should do any harm to each other, Complaint should be made of it by the Persons suffering that Right may be done, and when
Satisfaction is made, the Injury or Wrong should be forgott and be bur- ied as in a bottomless Pitt.
8th. That the Indians should in all things assist the Christians, and the Christians assist the Indian against all wicked People that would disturb them.
9th. And lastly, that both Chris- tians and Indians should acquaint their Children with this League and firm Chain of Friendship made be- tween them, and that it should al- ways be made stronger and stronger and be kept bright and clean, with- out Rust or Spott between our Chil- dren and Children's children, while the Creeks and Rivers run, and while the Sun, Moon and Stars endure.
And for a confirmation on our Parts of all these Several Articles, we bind them with these several parcels of goods, viz:
, 20 Strowd Matchcoats, 20 Duffells, 20 Blanketts, 20 Shirts, 1 Cwt. of Gunpowder, 2 Cwt. of Lead, 500 Flints, 50 Knives.
After which the Governour proceed- ed and said,
My Brethren:
I have now spoke to you on the League and Chain, of Friendship, first made by your Father William Penn with your Fathers, which is confirmed. I am now to acquaint you with an unhappy accident that has afflicted me and all good people amongst us, and we lament and mourn with you on the heavy misfor- tne.
About forty days agoe we heard that the Twechtweys were coming as Enemies against this Countrey. I be- lieve it is false, for we never hurt the Twechtweys; and about eighteen days since I received an Express from the Ironworks at Mahanatawny, acquainting me that eleven foreign
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Indians, painted for War, and armed with Guns, Pistoles and Swords, were come amongst our Inhabitants, plun- dering them and taking away their provisions by force, whereupon some of our People, to the number of twenty men, with arms, went to speak to them Civilly but the Indians fired upon them and wounded some of them; our men likewise fired on the Indians and wounded some of them also, but the Indians fired first. It was very ill done to fire.
As soon as I had this Account I took horse and went to Mahatawny with several gentlemen of Philadel- phia, but the Indians were gone off. I found our people believed there were more coming, and therefore some hundred mett together with their Arms to defend themselves in case the Indians should attack them.
As I was returning home I heard news that grieved me exceedingly. I was told that two or three furious men amongst us had killed three or four Indians, who were friends and hurt two girls. I went back mourn- ing and sent out men to take the Murderers, who were accordingly taken, and they are now in Irons and Dungeon to be tried by the laws of the Great King of the English, as if they had killed so many of his own Subjects. I have likewise caused search to be made for the dead bodies, and two women were found murdered, who by my order were laid in a grave and covered with Shirts and Strowds. I hear likewise that the dead body of an Indian man has been found and is buried.
You know there are wicked people among all Nations; there are ill People amongst you a,nd you are sometimes forced to put them to death. The English are a Great People, and there are likewise wick- ed men amongst them. I mourn for
| this misfortune, and will do all I can to comfort the relations of the Dead when I see them, which I hope willl be at Philadelphia with Sasso- onan and Opekasset.
About eight months agoe I receiv- ed an account that an Englishman was killed by some Indians, at the House of John Burt, in Snaketown, I heard John Burt was very abusive to the Indians, and I sent to appre- hend him, but he fled; if he can be taken he will be punished. But since there was a Man killed, we expect the Indians will doe us Jus- tice by apprehending the Murtherers that they may be punished, for we must be just and faithful to each other, that this spot may be wiped away and the Chain be kept bright and clean.
You know, my Brethren, that one Link of the Chain is, that when the Indians are uneasy they should tell it to us, ad when we are uneasy we will tell it to them. I therefore de- sire your hearts, may be open, that I may know if you have any cause of Grief which I will endeavour to remove, for I am your Brother.
I have issued a proclamation re- quiring all our People to use you well which shall be read unto you before I goe away, I will prevent any Hurt being done to our Friends the Indians, because those who do not behave themeslves agreeable to what is therein commanded, will be severe- ly punished.
At a Council held at the Indian Town at Conestogoe, May 27th, 1728
PRESENT:
The Honorable PATRICK GOR- DO, Esqr., Lieut. Governor.
And the same as before.
TAWENNA in the name and on the behalf of all the Indians present spoek to the Governour, which was
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rendered into English by John Scull, Interpreter, and is as follows:
Give ear my Brethren of Philadel- phia, the Conestogoe Indians, the Shawanese, the Ganawese and Dela- ware have somewhat to say, which, they will speak presently.
They say they look upon the Gov- ernour as if William Penn himself were present. They are four Nations and among them there are several follish people, as if they were just sprung from the earth; but that since their first Friendship with William Penn, they never have received any wrong or injury from him or any of his People.
That several foolish people among them committed follies and indiscre- tions, but they hope these will never interrupt the Friendship which is be- tween their People and us, for that they and William Penn's people are as one People, that cat, as it were, with one mouth and are one body and one Heart.
Then presenting a belt of Wam- pum of eight rows, they say: That would not have the Governour grieve too much the rash inconsid- erate actions of late have been com- mitted; they must be buried and for- gott, for that what has happened was done by their Friends, if it had been done by their enemies they would have resented it, but that we and they are one; that they have always mett with Justice and kindness from William Penn, and. from the Gover- nours whom he has sent here, and thus do all the Indians of Cones- togoe, Delaware, the Shawanese and Ganawese say.
That they are extremely glad and satisfied with what the Governour said to them yesterday, it greatly re- joiced their Hearts. that they have had no such speech made to them
since the time that the Great William Penn was amongst them, that all was good and that nothing was amiss.
Then presenting four Strings of Wampum, they say: they will visit the Governour at Philadelphia after the harvest is over and then they will speak fully to him as their Brother and Friend, for the Cones- togoes Delawares, Shawanese and Ganawese will then come to him, and he may look up the Conestogoe road and expect them; that what happened at John Burt's house was not done by them, it was done by one of the Menysincks, who are of an- other Nation, and therefore they can say nothing to it.
After the Answer of the Indians some of the Gentlemen present mov- ed the Governour, that seeing now there was a numerous Company of our inhabitants mett together, he would be pleased to press the In- dians to declare to him if they suf- fered any Grievance or Hardship from this Government, because sev- eral reports had been industriously spread abroad as if they had some just cause of Complaint. And the Governour having ordered the Inter- preters to acquaint them herewith; they all answered; that they had no cause of complaint, that William Penn and his people had still treated them well, and they had no uneasi- ness.
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