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 48
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They strongly and repeatedly suggested and requested that we would build a fort at Shamokin, which I have given them reason to expect, and hope that measure will be resolved on and steps taken to carry it into execution before we re- turn, but this matter for reasons that I shall communicate when I have the pleasure to see you, must be kept secret. I promise to go from
hence to Reading, when I have seen some Indians that live on the Manor of Conestogoe, and give them assur- ance of the Protection of the Govern- ment while they behave in such a manner to deserve it. But what stay I shall make there, or where I shall go from thence, I can not at present say, as it depends upon the circum- stances in which I find the Northern Frontier.
I am, Gentlemen, Your most faith- ful and obedient humble Servant,
ROB'T H. MORRIS.
Lancaster, January 21, 1756."
1756-Council Held in Lancaster With the Conestoga Indians; Conestogas Encouraged.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec. p. 7, it is stated that a Council was held in Lancaster with the Conestoga In- dians, on Friday, the 23rd of Jan- uary, 1756, as follows:
"PRESENT:
The Honourable ROBERT HUN- TER MORRIS, Esqr., Lieutenant Governor.
James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Esquires.
Joseph Fox, Esq., Commissioner. The Conestoga Indians.
The Conestogoe Indians having remained peaceable in their Town on the Manor of Conestogoe and receiv- ed a support from the Publick since the first attacks on the Indians of this Province, it was thought ad- visable to send for them and give them assurance of a future support and a small present as a testimony of the regards of the Government for them. They were therefore sent for, and when seated the Governor made the following speech to them: Brethren:
I sent for you that I might have the Satisfaction to see you and take you by the hand, which I have had
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no opportunity to do since I came to the Government.
I have the Pleasure to observe by the several Papers you have produced to me that firm peace and kind In- tercourse have always subsisted be- tween the Indians of Conestogoe and the good People of this Province.
Until lately this Province has en- joyed a perfect Peace and Tranquil- ity with all the Indians, nor did we in the least imagine it would ever be otherwise, having on all occasions be- haved towards them with the sincer- est affection, and assisted them when- ever they wanted our good Offices.
Some of them, however, through the institution of their and our com- mon Enemy, the French, have in Breach of their Treaties against the Ties of Gratitude, and without the
least cause of Offense given on our side, fallen upon our peaceable in- habitants, and as soon as this hap- pened the Government, ever careful to preserve inviolable their engage- ments, gave you notice of it, and at the same time sent their orders to your good Friend and Neighbor, Mr. James Wright, to supply you with Cloathing and Provisions, that you might not be exposed to danger by going to hunt at a distance from your Habitations.
In further token of our sincere re- gards for you, I do, on behalf of the inhabitants of this Province, ratify and confirm the several Treaties of Peace, Amity, and Friendship sub- sisting between us, and expect you will do the same on your part.
A Belt.
I expect you will not leave your place of Residence without first ac- quainting me with your intentions and the place where you propose to remove to.
A String.
-
harbor any strange Indians. You may be assured all such have had bad designs, and therefore I must insist upon it if any strange Indians shall presume to come amongst you that you instantly give notice thereof to Mr. James Wright, or some of the Magistrates of this County, that they may apprehend and examine. And if any way whatever anything comes to your knowledge that can do hurt to us, that you would make us acquaint- ed with it with all possible dispatch. A String.
It will be agreeable to me to ren- der you perfectly easy and well satis- fied; if there be, therefore anything on your minds that you want to complain of I beseech you not to suppress it, but open all your Hearts to us and I promise to give you en- tire satisfaction.
A String.
The Indians took some time to the Governor's speech to them, and then made the following reply:
Brother the Governor and the Gentlemen with him:
We most heartily thank you for your kindness in coming to Lancas- ter and sending for and speaking to us in so obliging a manner.
We have heard a great noise all about us and expected we should have been killed, but now that we see you here, we are revived and will lay aside our fears.
I am lame and infirm or I would have waited upon the Governor at Philadelphia as soon as I heard of his arrival. I thank you, Brother, for giving yourself the trouble to come here.
You see, Brother, that the Cones- togoe Indians, formerly a large tribe are reduced to these few, and that there is never an old man among them but myself and I must die soon.
I expect, further, that in virtue of your leagues with us, you will not | I put them under your protection;
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they are all young and some mere children and will want your advice and Countenance.
You may be assured if any strange Indians come amongst us, we shall give you the earliest notice and that we shall not hearken to anything that shall be to your Prejudice. You see by our Papers that we have always been your fast Friends, and so shall continue whilst we have a being; and by this Belt I on the behalf of myself and all the Conestogoe do ratify, con-
firm, and renew the
Treaties of Friendship subsisting between us and again repeat my thanks to you for giving me this Opportunity by coming to Lancaster, as I am not able to come to you at Philadelphia. A Belt.
The Governor then said he would order them some goods as a Token of his Affection for them, and accord- ingly they were delivered to the In- dians."
1756-Delawares Defy the Greatest Chiefs Living to Keep Them from the French Now.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 12 we now see the final tie broken between the Government of Pennsylvania and the Delawares, and the Delawares de- clare as follows:
"Brethren, Onas and Oneratael:
The Delawares on Sasquehannah declare on plain Terms that they will pay no regard to what shall be said to dissuade them from hostilities against the English. They will not hear the greatest Sachem in the Country of the Confederates. That they are determined to fight the Eng- lish as long as there is a man left; and that when they have conquered th English, they will turn their Arms against those Indians who will not
join with them now. I am arrived here and now feel safe and easy, but it is with much difficulty that I have come through the settlement of the Delawares. I have just escaped with life. When I return I shall go by the way of Albany, for there is no going back by the way I came. You may expect to hear from us again by the next opportunity. We design to go forward into the Country of the Five Nations, and perhaps as there is soon to be a meeting of the Confed- " erates, we shall go on as far as On- ondagoe. We shall not return until we can bring you the best intelli- gence of the Situation of affairs in those parts."
1756 - Shickalamy Has a Among the Conestogas.
Sister
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., pp. 46 and 47 it is stated that two of the Six Nation Indians were sent by the Gov- ernor up the Susquehanna River to get News. The Indians returned and with them Captain McKee and John Shieckalamy and his wife. "Shicka- lamy declared positively they would fall upon them and either kill them or do them a mischief, but that they would go through Lancaster to Phila- delphia, and deliver what they had to say to the Governor in Person, and insisted that Captain McKee should go along with them to protect them. When they came to Harris's they found there the Belt, Jagrea, and New Castle who joined them, and when they came to Lancaster John Shickalamy having a sister among the Conestogoe Indians, sent for her, and at Lancaster she and the Cones- togoe Indians joined him. On Satur- day they came to Town making in all -Men, Women and Children."
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1756-Some Friendly Chiefs Request- ed to Come and Live with the Conestogas.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 56, we are told that Shickalamy and his friends and some friendly Mowhawk Indians were afraid to live about Shamokin and desired to come to Harris's Ferry and live in the future in a little colony by themselves. This request was made known to the Council and the Council, as is shown on page 57 of the book last mentioned is said, "Brethren:
We think Harris' an inconvenient place for your residence, even until the Fort shall be built at Shamokin, and would rather you would choose to live with the Conestogoe Indians, where you may be in greater secur- ity, and better provided with necessi- ties.
A String.
Then the goods were laid before them, and the List read over, and the Present delivered, amounting to 48 Pounds, 19 shillings and 3 pence. The Indian Chiefs conferred together and then returned their answer, viz: That very thankfully accepted the Proposal to live with the Conestogoe Indians; by this proposal they saw that their Brethren had really at Heart their safety, and well consid- ered the danger to which they were exposed at Harris', they took this exceeding kindly. They hoped the Governor would order convenient places to be made to live in, that they might be sheltered from the Weather, and as they had concluded to live there, it would be necessary their families and effects should be re- moved before this resolution should came to be publickly known, for which purpose they desired a Wagon or two might be immediately provid- ed and dispatched to Harris.
They further acquainted the Gover- nor that their shoes were worn out and some of them infirm, ancient, and unable to travel at so severe a sea- son, and thereupon prayed that they might be provided with wagons.
A String.
The Governor gave them two Strings in return and promised to grant them the things they requested and assured them they might depend in finding convenient Places made up for them, and recommended it to them to go directly for their Wives and Children, and communicate this Removal to all our Friendly Indians that they might live altogether in one Place."
The Indians asked for time until the next day to answer; and while they were debating about going to Conestoga it happened that there was a plot to kill them on that way. This plot is set forth p. 59 of the same book, as follows:
" The Secretary informed the Coun- cil that as he was this morning tak- ing his leave of the Indians, who were about to set out for Conestogoe Manor, under the Care of Justice Thomson and Mr. John Ross, he was told by two of the members of As- sembly, who lately came from Lan- caster, that two persons would not be sufficient to protect them from being hurt by the people on the road who
were extremely exasperated against all Indians in general, and particularly these Indians; that this informaton was confirmed by Mr. Gal- breath and others who came yester- day from Lancaster; and as one of the Indians now here who was lately sent in search of another of them that was missing, very narrowly escaped with his life from a number of men who assembled together on the road near George Ashton's, and were with difficulty restrained from
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ANNALS OF THE SUSQUEHANNOCKS AND
murdering him, it is highly probable | at a Proper distance from the Con- they will also attempt to do some mischief to these Indians." estogoe Indians, or will you chuse to go to Pennsbury, another Manor of This determined the answer of the Indians, who were seeking for a new home and accordingly they answered as follows. our Proprietaries, situated on this River, about twenty miles above the City, where you may remain safe and well provided for till Scarroyady returns, when further measures will be taken for disposing of you to your satisfaction.
"The Secretary likewise informed the Council that the Chiefs of the In- dans now in Town came to him yes- terday, and told him they were ap- prehensive their young men would be perpetually quarreling if the Six Nations and the Conestogoe Indians should be obliged to live in one Place, and, therefore, requested of the Governor that they might live sepa- rately, and some place be prepared on the Manor for the Six Nations at a distance from the Conestogoe Town; and that in their further dis- course with him they did not seem to be very willing to live upon the Manor. It, was therefore, thought proper to send for the Chiefs and give them an opportunity of speak- ing their minds freely, as it would not be for the Publick service that these Indians should remain under any kind of dissatisfaction as to their place of residence."
The Governor gave this answer to their determination and it may be found p. 60, as follows:
"Brethren:
I have considered what you said to Coneghtoghery, with respect to your apprehensions of there being Danger of some Mischief happening, if you shall be placed on Conestoga Manor near the Conestogoe Indians, by quarrels arising between your young men and theirs, and that through their Heat and indiscretion, if placed too near together, some Blood may be Spilt amongst them, which it may not be in your Power to prevent, and therefore, I leave it to your opinion, whether you will reside on the Manor
But if you shall rather chuse to be on the Manor of Conestogoe, I will take care to order a proper Provision to be made for your residence there, and for your journey, and send a suf- ficient guard along with you to pro- tect you from the insults and abuses that you might meet with from the Rash, dissolute, unthinking people amongst us, who, paying no regard to my advice and orders, and not making a proper distinction between our Friend and enemy Indians, may fall upon and attempt to do you some Injury in your Journey.
And the said Indians, after taking some time to consider and consult together on the Governor's said proposal, acquainted the Governor that they choose rather to be sent to Pennsbury than to the Manor of Con- estogoe."
1756-The Conestogas Very Poor and Naked.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 378, is the report of Mr. John Ross as to the condtion of the Conestoga Indians which is set forth as follows:
"The Conestogoe Indians, by Mr. John Ross, of the Manor of Conesto- goe, who has the care of them, com- plained to the Governor that they were naked, and as it was apprehend- ed that some of their young People would go off through dissatisfaction, and might be seduced by the Enemy Indians, the following message was sent to the House on the Twenty-
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fourth, and delivered to the Speaker ! by the Secretary, who came just after the House had adjourned to the Third of January, next:
A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVER- NOR TO THE ASSEMBLY.
Gentlemen :
The Conestogoe Indians have ac- quainted me that they want Cloathes and desire they may have further Supply, which you will be pleased to order, may be sent them forthwith, that they may not suffer in this severe Season.
WILLIAM DENNY.
December 24th, 1756."
1757-The Walking Purchase Again Comes Up.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 400, the limits of one of the famous Walikng Purchases are set forth showing the distances walked each year.
1757 - Susquehanna Lands Again in Controversy.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 432, it is stated that the Mingoes had abus- ed the Delawares some years before as if the Delawares were dogs, and that Cannassatego, the Speaker among the Mingoes or Five Nations ordered them away from their lands and said he would give them lands on the Susquehanna and then he went and sold all the Susquehanna Lands to Pennsylvania, but they settled the Susquehanna lands at any rate but three years ago Englishmen came down and took all the good spots of lands and the Delawares therefore claim that they still have rights there at Susquehanna.
1757-The Indians Meet and Have Another Treaty at Lancaster.
In Vol: 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 497, a letter from a Speaker was read as follows:
"May 2nd, 1757.
May it please the Governor:
If I had been able to do it, would have waited upon the Governor in- stead of giving him the trouble of this letter, but as I am not, I hope he will be pleased to excuse the free- dom I have ventured to take in re- gard to the Indians at Lancaster, who I am informed have sent down a Message, to invite the Governor expe- diate a Treaty with them there, and to show their uneasiness at being de- tained without being able to issue their business with this Government. These Indians are now come down to Lancaster at the Governor's re- quest, and have staid there a consid- erable time (at a great Expense to the Province), and any further Message to create further delays may appear to them trifling or eva- sive, especially considering the sea- son of the year calls them home to their planting; and as their influence with the other tribes of Indians who have so lately infested our Frontiers and filled them with blood and cruelty, is very considerable and it may be of the utmost consequence that they be made sensible of the. manly conduct if the Government with regards to their Complaints, if they have any, and their real inclin- ation to do them Justice, and that the Governor will not hesitate to meet them for this, or may purpose in which the publick wellfare is so nearly concerned. In am confident the Commissioners will heartily con- cur in defraying the necessary ex- penses and will likewise cheerfully attend him to this treaty."
A list of 200 pounds of Indian goods are agreed to be bought to dis- tribute among the Indians who are being represented at this treaty, (see p. 498).
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As to this Treaty the Governor re- ceived the following address, (p. 498) :
"We are informed that the Indians at Lancaster are very uneasy and complain of their long detention from their Habitations. Their sow- ing season advances fast, and if not soon dismissed they must lose their opportunity of providing the neces- sary subsistance for themselves and families the ensuing year. Sundry of their Warriors are now ill with the Small Pox and many more must take the infection should they remain much longer among the inhabitants; and their coming to the City must very considerably tend to prolong their absence from their places of abode, and be attended by many other unavoidable Inconveniences. We also understand by a message from your Honor that you have recom- mended it to the Indians at Lancas- ter to send away their women and children, and as many men as incline should go with them. This measure, we apprehend, will greatly disgust them and should they go off dissatis- fied may irritate them against the People of this Province and his Ma- jesty's service in general, if not ex- cite them on their way home to join with our enemies in committing dep- redations and Murders upon our In- habitants.
We therefore, think it our duty earnestly to recommend your Honor to gratify them in their resolution of holding a treaty at Lancaster, and that as soon as possible. To those who are acquainted with the disposi- tions of the Natives it is known that they are a jealous people, easily dis- gusted and put out of humor, and when they are under this circum- stance, little good is to be expected from a conference with them."
1757-More Indian News About Lan- caster.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec, p. 503, a letter from Mr. Crogan, dated Lancaster, May 2, was sent to Phila- delphia stating that last Friday a party of Onondago Warriors left their camp to go to Cumberland fort and on down to the Southern Indians, which makes it very uneasy, as they pass through or near to Lancaster.
1757-The Great Lancaster Treaty of 1757.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 506 are set forth Mr. Croghan's minutes of the proceedings at Lancaster and at Harris' Ferry. These proceedings and the minutes of the treaty are all on the subject of the French and In- dian war, which was now in Pro- gress and it appears from the min- utes that the Tuscaroras, Mowhawks, Cayoogoes, Nantikokes, Oneidas, On- ondagoes, Senecas, Delawares and Conestogas were present. The pro- ceedings I will not set out because they do not relate to Lancaster County troubles.
In the same book, p. 518 the con- ference at the Lancaster Court House is set forth which was held on Thurs- day, the 12th of May, 1757, in the af- ternoon, where there were six mem- bers of Council presnt and six mem- bers of the Assembly, as well as the Speaker and also the Magistrates of the Borough, with a number of gen- tlemen and the deputies of the Six Nations before mentioned, also some Nantikokes and Delawares. Wil- liam Denny, the Governor was also present and he gave them a speech on the subject of war which was now going on and asked for their friend- ship. The next day, on the 13th, the Indians gave their answer, which was general in character and the
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Governor then asked them to tell of | 1757-Conestogas Present at Crog- their differences between their dif- han's Conference at Harris's Ferry. ferent tribes which caused them to fall out. It appears at p. 523, that the Indians were encamped near Lan- caster under the care of Mr. Crog- han and they desired presents should be given to them and their expenses looked after, and stated that they came here almost naked. Then a long series of letters were produced to the Indians, showing them how the different Governors were trying to act in harmony.
The Council contined on Saturday, May 14th, and also on Sunday, the 15th of May, when a message from the Cherokee Indians was received Much attention was given this day to the campaigns in the present war. Another session was held on Monday the 16th of May and the question of trying to restore peace was taken up. Similar efforts occupied Tuesday, the 17th of May. And on the afternoon of that day the same subject was discussed. On the 21st it was decided that it would be necessary for the Sheriff to guard the Indians of this treaty, because as they had come to the treaty against the wish of their tribes they were liable to be killed.
The treaty adjourned on the 22nd of May, it having been convened on the 10th thereof. It begins p. 505 and ends p. 555 in the 7th Vol. of the Col. Rec. At the conclusion Teedus- cung made a speech in which he said now as they had finished their busi- ness for this time and they intend to leave tomorrow and they have a long journey of hilly country, and several of their old men were sick, that the Lancaster people must not send them away without a walking stick, which afterwards they explained meant a keg of rum. Thus here we see that the phrase "Lemonade with a stick in it", is as old as the time of the In- dians.
While we have seen above that no mention was made of the Conestogas being present at the conference at Lancaster, in Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 507, it is set forth that at a meet- ing of the Six Nations at Harris' Ferry that the following Conestogas were present, to wit: "Sahays -- Captain John-with 29men, women and chil- dren." This I believe was practically the whole tribe at this time
1757-The Great Easton Treaty.
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., pp. 638 to 714 are set forth the proceedings of the great Council or
treaty at Easton. Tribes of all descriptions were there; but I can not, however, find any mention of the Conestogas. Teedyuscung, an Ex-King of the Delawares was commissioned to speak for ten tribes on the Susque- hanna and quite likely it included the Conestogas.
1757-The Conestogas Must Have Clothes
In Vol. 7 of the Col. Rec., p. 768, it was reported to Council that Joseph Hays in behalf of the Conestoga In- dians requested that they might have provisions and clothes as they had done before, and one of them com- plained that he had not been paid for a horse which he lent to John Shicka- lamy and his sister, and which they never returned to him. In this item we have set forth that with Joseph Hays of Conestoga a few of the others of the tribe may have been with him at Philadelphia, and found that Shickalamy's sister was recog- nized as one of the Conestogas and lived with them.
1757-Murdered Indians Exhibited in Lancaster.
In the issue of July 7, of the Penn- sylvania Gazette of 1757 it is stated
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that several murdered Indians were at this time brought to Lancaster and exposed in the street and were viewed by a great many people.
1758-The Nanticokes at Cocalico.
In Lyle's History of Lancaster County, p14 she states that as late as 1758 there were still several scattered families of the tribes of Nantikokes along the little streams and Springs of this vicinity, (Cocalico Township). The town covered 500 acres which came into possession of John Wistar and Henry Carpenter.
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