USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > The history of Erie County, Pennsylvania, from its first settlement > Part 6
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An amusing anecdote, relating to the period of these sur- veys, is mentioned in " Pennsylvania Historical Collections :" " When Mr. William Miles set off with a corps of surveyors for laying out the donation lands, the baggage, instruments, etc., were placed in two canoes. Fifteen miles above Pittsburg, at the last white man's cabin on the river, the party stopped to refresh themselves, leaving the canoes in the care of the Indians. On returning to the river, all was gone-canoes and Indians had all disappeared. Mr. Miles asked if any one had a map of the river. One was fortunately found, and by it they discovered the river had a great bend just where they were. Their compass was gone, but, by means of Indian signs, mosses on trees, etc., they found their way out above the bend,
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secreted themselves in the bushes, and waited for the canoes to come up, which happened very soon. When the old chief found he had been detected, he coolly feigned ignorance and innocence, and, stepping out of the canoe with a smile, greeted the surveyors with 'How do ?' 'How do ?'"
CHAPTER VI.
Arrangements for the Settlement of the Triangle-Pennsylvania Population Company-Act to lay out a town at Presqu'ile ; after- ward repealed-Block-house at Le Boeuf-Indian Murders-Gov. Mifflin to the President-Attorney-General Bradford's Opinion- Ransom's Deposition-Letters of Capt. Denny-Andrew Ellicot and Gen. Chapin-Joseph Brandt-Cornplanter-A Present of Land-Treaty of Peace at Canandaigua.
PENNSYLVANIA formed and adopted her Constitution Sep- tember 2d, 1790. The State had adopted the Constitution of the United States and become a member of the Union Decem- ber 12th, 1787. In 1790, a committee, composed of Timothy Matlack, Samuel McClay, and John Adlum, Esqs., was appointed by Gov. Mifflin to examine the western rivers of the State ; to proceed up the western branch to Cinnamahon- ing, and thence to any creek that might discharge itself into the Allegheny nearest the mouth of French Creek, and thence examine French Creek up to Le Bœuf, and the portage to Presqu'ile. They were also to examine and explore any nearer and more convenient communication which might be effected, by land or water, with Lake Erie, and to return down the Allegheny and examine the same from the mouth of French Creek to the Kiskiminetas. . . . As a result of this exami- nation, in 1791, even before the completion of the purchase of the huge cantle, or Triangle, an act passed the Legislature of Pennsylvania to open and improve navigable waters and roads, and included an expenditure of £100 for French Creek from its mouth on the Allegheny up to the road leading therefrom to Presqu'ile.
In 1793, on the 8th of March, the Pennsylvania Population
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Company was formed for purposes set forth in their articles. The managers were John Nicholson, John Field, Theophilus Casenove, and Aaron Burr, Esqs. The following provisional plan of settlement was agreed upon :
"Whereas the said company have purchased considerable bodies of land in Pennsylvania, on the waters of Beaver Creek and Lake Erie; and whereas there is some prospect of a speedy termination of the Indian war, and the company are desirous of encouraging the settlement of these lands, as well for their own interests as for the following considerations, viz .:-
"Ist. For promoting the interests of the State, by increasing the population thereof.
"2d. For establishing a barrier along the extremity, so that all the other unsettled parts of Pennsylvania, being within the same, may be settled with greater rapidity, etc.
"3d. To encourage the industrious inhabitants, who may encounter the difficulties always attending first settlements, by liberal grants of land.
"Under the influence of these motives, the society aforesaid, by their president and managers, offer as follows, viz .:
"1st. To the first ten families who may settle on their lands on the waters of Beaver Creek, one hundred and fifty acres each.
"2d. To the first twenty families on the waters of French Creek, one hundred and fifty acres each.
"3d. To the first twenty families on Lake Erie territory, one hundred and fifty acres each.
"4th. To the next twenty families (after the first ten) who shall so settle on the waters of Beaver Creek, one hundred acres each.
"5th. To the next forty families (after the first twenty) who shall so settle on the waters of French Creek, one hundred acres each.
"6th. To the next forty families (after the first twenty) who shall so settle on the lands of the company in the Lake Erie territory, one hundred acres each.
"7th. That such settlement be made on such parts of the lands of the company as settlers may choose. The parties
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respectively so settling shall have their several deeds for the land after two years' residence thereon, and having also cleared at least ten acres thereof, and erected a comfortable dwelling-house ; in case they, or any of them, should be driven off by the Indians, no part of the aforesaid two years shall be deemed to run during the time they shall be so expelled; and in case of their leaving the lands before they receive their deeds, no title shall vest in them, their heirs and assignees, unless they procure the residence of their assigns in like manner as required of themselves, and in case of death, their successors to reside in like manner.
"8th. That the company will sell thirty thousand acres of land to actual settlers, not exceeding three hundred acres each, and those only at one dollar, paid at the choice of the purchasers, payable one third in two years without interest, and one third the next year, with one year's interest, and the residuary third in the succeeding year, with two years' interest.
"9th. That the surveys be made under the direction of the company, the expense of the surveys to be paid by the grantee or purchaser.
"By order of the Board.
"J. W. NICHOLSON."
A month after the formation of this company, an act passed the Legislature for laying out a town at Presqu'ile, "in order to facilitate and promote the progress of settlement within the commonwealth, and to afford additional security to the fron- tiers thereof."
Gov. Mifflin transmitted to the President of the United States a copy of this act, apprehending the difficulties which soon manifested themselves. Prior to this he had sent to Capt. Denny a commission, appointing him captain of the Allegheny company, and instructing him to engage four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and fifer, two buglers, and sixty-five rank and file, or privates, and to stipulate with the men to remain longer than the appointed eight months, should the state of the war require it. Early in the month of May, Messrs. Irvine, Ellicot, and Gallatin were to engage in laying out the town, with Capt. Denny's company to protect and
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defend them. For the same object, a post had been estab- lished at Le Bœuf, two miles below the site of the old fort, and all persons employed by government were particularly cautioned against giving offense to the English or British garrisons in that quarter. A letter from Gen. Wilkins, at Fort Franklin, to Clement Biddle, quartermaster-general of Pennsylvania, informs us of his arrival, with forty of Capt. Denny's men and thirty volunteers from the county of Alle- gheny, and that the news was not favorable toward an estab- lishment at Presqu'ile. Those most conversant with the Indians were of the opinion that they were irritated by the British, and meditated an opposition to the government, and that the question of peace or war depended upon a council then convened at Buffalo Creek. To this council Cornplanter, and other Indians on the Allegheny River, had been invited ; and as the English had summoned it, the prospect was not favorable for peace. He also adds that it is his intention to proceed to Cassawago, and should a serious opposition seem to be meditated by the Indians, he would proceed no farther with the stores, until reinforced by more men and enabled to establish himself at Le Bœuf. He also mentions the very low water as a serious impediment. In a letter addressed to A. J. Dallas, he says : "The English are fixed in their opposition to the opening of the road to Presqu'ile, and are determined to send a number of English and Indians to cut them off. The chief Cornplanter communicated the same thing to the commanding officer at Franklin. To heighten the excitement, a friendly Indian was murdered by a dissolute man, named Robertson. The Indians were very much incensed that the murderer was not given up to them, and fears were entertained that some innocent person would be made to suffer in his place. 'The English,' said they, 'always promise to punish crimes, but have never done it.' The father of Robertson sent for John Nicholson to endeavor to appease the Indians, which he effected by calling a council, and offering one hundred dollars to replace, in an Indian way, the man that was dead."
May 24th, Gov. Mifflin applied to the President to order one thousand militia from the western brigades, for the purpose of supporting the commissioners, who were authorized to lay out
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the town. The brigade inspectors of Westmoreland, Washing- ton, Allegheny, and Fayette accordingly made a draft for that number, to co-operate with Capt. Denny's detachment, under the command of Gen. Wilkins. The citizens of northwestern Pennsylvania urged on improvements, and the President, fearful of giving offense to the Indians, advised to a temporary cessation. Gov. Mifflin, in writing to the Secretary of War, says : "Some old grievances, alleged to have been suffered from the Union, the inflammatory speech of Lord Dorchester, the constant machinations of British agents, and the cor- ruption of the British tribes, had, in truth, previously excited that hostile disposition, which you seem to consider the effect of the measures pursued by Pennsylvania for establishing a town at Presqu'ile. . .. I desire to be clearly under- stood, that, on my part, no assent is given to any proposition that shall bring in doubt or controversy the rights of the States. . . At the same time I am anxious to promote the views of the general government, and to avoid increasing the dissatisfaction of the Six Nations, or in any manner ex- tending the sphere of Indian hostilities." The bounty offered to settlers by the Population Company was limited to those who should actually inhabit and reside in the town before the first of January, 1794 ; the time was consequently extended to May 1st, 1795, by an act of the Legislature. Capt. Denny also had orders to proceed no farther with his detachment than Le Bœuf, where, under the direction of Brigadier-General Wil- kins, two small block-houses had been erected for the protec- tion of the commissioners.
Attorney-General Bradford having been written to by the Secretary of War as to the constitutionality of raising four companies of troops " for the port of Philadelphia and the de- fense of the frontiers," replied as follows: "There is nothing in the Constitution, I apprehend, which prohibits the several States from keeping troops in time of war. If peace shall be made with the Indians, and the United States be engaged in no other war, these troops cannot be constitutionally kept up in Pennsylvania, although the war should continue to rage in Europe."
Some particulars of interest relating to the Indian difficul-
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ties in this region will be found in the following deposition and letters :
Deposition of D. Ransom.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, SS.
"Personally appeared before me, John Gibson, one of the Associate Judges of the above county, Daniel Ransom, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he, this deponent, hath for some time past traded at Fort Franklin with the Senecas and other Indians, and that a chief of the Senecas, named Tiawoncas, or Broken Twig, came there and informed him the time would soon be bad, and advised him to move off his family and effects. On this he, this deponent, asked him how he knew the time would soon be bad. The Indian then informed him that the British and Indians had sent a belt of wampum to him, inviting him to council at Buffalo Creek ; that he had declined going, and that the messengers then in- formed him of the intended plans of the Indians ; they said that the Cornplanter had been bought by the British, and had joined them ; that he (the Cornplanter) intended soon to come to Fort Franklin, on pretense of holding a council respecting the Indian who was killed by Robertson ; that then the British and Indians were to land at Presqu'ile, and there form a junction with Cornplanter on French Creek, and were then to clear it, by killing all the people and taking all the posts on it ; that he was so much affected as to shed tears, and said, 'What shall I do? I have been at war against the Western Indians, in company with Cap. Jeffers, and killed and scalped one of them. If I now go back to the Indians, after having discovered this, they will kill me.' He also in- formed this deponent that a number of cannon had been pur- chased by the British, and collected at Jurisadagoe, the town where Cornplanter lives, for the purpose of conveying the Indians down the river.
"He, this deponent, further saith, that the Standing Stone, a chief of the Onondagoes, also informed him, at Fort Frank- lin, that he thought the times would soon be bad, and pressed him very much to leave Fort Franklin, and assisted him in packing up his goods, etc .; that from what he had heard and seen from other Indians, he has every reason to believe the
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above account to be true ; that seven white men came down the Allegheny, a few days ago, to Fort Franklin, who in- formed him, they saw the above-mentioned cannon at Jurisa- dagoe ; and the Indians appeared very surly, and had not planted any corn on the river at their towns.
"Sworn and subscribed at Pittsburg, this 11th June, 1794."
A letter from Capt. Denny, dated Fort Franklin, June 14, 1794, says :
"SIR :- I have the honor of acknowledging your two letters, dated the 9th and 11th inst. After receiving the first, we concluded it would be best to proceed upon our march. We arrived here the day before yesterday, all well. The account of Ransom's people being killed was too true, but by what nation of Indians is doubtful. Mr. Ellicot and Mr. Wilkins have written and sent two runners from Cornplanter, and they have requested me to wait the return of the express. When they arrive you shall be informed of the success of the message. I am suspicious the old fellow will not show him- self. The fact is, that the Indians about here, from twenty downward, have been exceedingly insolent, treated the officers, the fort, and every person about it, with the ntmost contempt ; but since our arrival they have altered their tune. So says Lieut. Polhemus and Dr. MeCray. We have written to Le Bœuf and given the officers there a caution. The day after to-morrow the runner is to be back. Van Horn and Bales, the two men who brought your last letter, saw one Indian on the plain, about twenty miles this side of Pittsburg, and the trace of six or seven."
A second letter, dated June 16, says :
"Yours, inclosing a copy of Polhemus, eame yesterday. The Cornplanter's nephew arrived from the town about the same time. He delivered a long speech from his uncle to Lieut. Polhemus. Upon summing up the whole, we have not a shadow of doubt but that a plan was formed to destroy all the posts and settlements in this quarter. It was all done upon the strength of the prospect of a war between the British and -. That subsiding, the other, I am in hopes, has also done so. There is no doubt but the English will urge
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them to join the Western Indians, and have done everything possible, and perhaps a few may; but I rather think that, unless we have a war with them, we'll have none with the Six Nations generally. The Cornplanter has gone to another council at Buffalo ; he set out at the same time the nephew started for this place, and will return in about ten days. He says he is very sorry for the mischief done lately, and is ex- tremely concerned at the account given of their going to take up the hatchet. Says they were bad men that reported it ; that it's a lie ; and insists upon knowing whom the informa- tion came from, as it is evident that a stroke was meditated, but now perhaps dropped. Every apology which he can possibly make won't be sufficient to clear him of the imputa- tion of a traitor. Some of the nation say the English have bought O'Beil. We shall spend two days to come in helping Mr. Polhemus to put his garrison in some state of defense ; for should anything happen it, we should fare the worse above."
ANDREW ELLICOT TO GOV. MIFFLIN.
"June 29, FORT LE BOEUF.
"DEAR SIR :- In my last letter to you from Pittsburg I mentioned that you might expect to hear from me, both from Fort Franklin and Le Boeuf ; but from a variety of circum- stances no opportunity occurred of writing at first. On my arrival there, the place appeared to be in so defenseless a situation that, with the concurrence of Capt. Denny and the officer commanding at the fort, we remained there some time, and employed the troops in rendering it more tenable. It may now be considered as defensible, provided the number of men is increased. The garrison at present consists of twenty- five men, one half of whom are unfit for duty, and it is my opinion that double that number would not be more than suffi- cient, considering the importance of the safety of the settle- ment on French Creek. At Fort Franklin, Gen. Wilkins and myself wrote to Cornplanter to attend there, that we might have an opportunity of explaining to him the nature of our business, and of obviating any difficulties that might arise in our proceedings. However, he did not come as we expected, having gone some days before to,a council of the Six Nations
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at Buffalo. With this letter you will receive a copy of their message, presented by Gen. Chapin and Mr. Johnson to Capt. Denny and myself, with our reply to the same. I leave to yourself to consider the propriety of a British agent attending a considerable number of Indians, with a superintendent of Indian affairs of the United States to order the people of Penn- sylvania to remove from those lands which have been ceded to them by treaty, by the king of Great Britain, and since that time regularly purchased from the Six Nations, and punctually paid for. After repairing Fort Franklin, we pro- ceeded to this place, and are now beginning to strengthen the works here, so as to render it a safe deposit for military and other stores ; and in doing which, agreeable to instructions, economy shall be strictly attended to. The line described by the Indians on the map will take from the State of Pennsyl- vania the Cassawago settlement (Meadville), being part of the purchase of 1784, and the whole of the purchase of 1788. But with respect to this claim they can be serious only so far as encouraged by the British agents and the countenance shown them by the late interference of the United States. The objec- tion made by Mr. Brandt to Gen. Chapin, that the establish- ment at Presqu'ile would cut off the communication between the Six Nations and the Western hostile Indians, and thereby diminish their joint strength, is the strongest argument that can be urged in favor of that establishment. Gen. Chapin and myself are of the opinion that all differences between the State of Pennsylvania and the Six Nations might be accom- modated by treaty, which treaty ought not to be held in the neighborhood of any British post, the United States, and this State at present, and that Presqu'ile is the most eligible place for such a treaty. Gen. Chapin, I presume, has communicated his sentiments to Gen. Knox on this subject. Standing Stone, a chief resident at Conyat, has informed us, since we arrived at this place, that the late mischief on the Allegheny River and Venango path was done by a party of eight warriors from Huron River, which falls into Lake Erie about twenty-six miles above Cuyahoga. One of his brothers saw them on their way to commit these depredations. Those Indians are only to be chastised by way of the lakes, but it is neither the interest
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of the British, Brandt, nor the other agents to have them punished-it is the interest of the United States ; and yet the United States, by directing a suspension of the business at Presqu'ile, have taken effectual measures for the security of this nest of murderers, whose cruelties have for some years past been severely felt by the citizens of this State. You must recollect that I always had my doubts respecting the fulfill- ment of the contract for opening the navigation of French Creek, and a road from Le Boeuf to Presqu'ile, and agreeable to my expectations, have hitherto not been able to discover anything done in that business. For the further security of the frontiers of this State, it would be necessary to erect two block-houses on the Venango path, between Fort Pitt and Venango, and a third between Venango and this place. At present, Mead's settlement appears to me the most proper situation.
"I am, with great respect, your real friend, "ANDREW ELLICOT."
GEN. CHAPIN'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
" FORT LE BOEUF, June 26th, 1794.
"I left Canandaigua on the thirteenth of this month, in order to attend a council at Buffalo Creek. I waited more than a week after my first notification for my son to return, that I might have an answer from you ; but the chief growing impatient, kept constantly sending runners, and I was obliged to set out at last, to my great disappointment, without having received any information from you. On my arrival I found the minds of the Indians much agitated with regard to the movements made by the State of Pennsylvania. On the eighteenth I met the Indians in general council, the proceed- ings of which you see here inclosed. At this council I was requested to go to Presqu'ile (as you will see by their speech), to desire those people to move off who had made encroachments on their lands. I found that no excuse could answer, and was finally obliged to comply with their request. On the nineteenth I left Buffalo Creek, accompanied by a delegation from the Six Nations, consisting of sixteen chiefs and warriors. I arrived at Presqu'ile on the twenty-fourth,
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but finding no person there, proceeded to Le Bœuf, where I found Mr. Ellicot and Capt. Denny. After informing those gentlemen of the business I came upon, I gave them a copy of the speech which had been delivered me at Buffalo Creek. The answer which they made I send you, inclosed with the other speeches. Although the minds of the Six Nations are much disturbed at the injuries which they say they have sustained, they are still opposed to war, and wish, if possible, to live in peace with the United States. They are much opposed to the establishing of garrisons in this quarter, as they think it will involve them in war with the hostile Indians. They are likewise displeased with having their lands surveyed, which they say were not legally purchased. In this critical situation, would it not be best to have commissioners appointed to treat with the Six Nations, that all difficulties may be settled which subsist between them and the United States, especially those that regard the State of Pennsylvania ? And it is the wish of the Six Nations that this treaty should be held at their council fire at Buffalo Creek. I shall return by Buffalo Creek," etc., etc.
A rumor prevailed that a large body of Indians, assisted by the British, had been scen crossing the lake, the others de- scending the Allegheny ; that their object was to take Fort Franklin, destroy the settlement at Cassawago, and make an establishment at Presqu'ile.
Capt. Denny removed to Venango with his men, and ordered the brigades to be ready to be called out should the reports appear well founded.
Three men on their way to Pittsburg, of the names of Wal- lace, Power, and Van Tickler, were overpowered by the Indians. A party sent out by Lieut. Polhemus found them shot, scalped, and tomahawked. 1
Joseph Brandt, in a letter to the British authorities, dated July 19, 1794, says : "In regard to the Presqu'ile business, should we not get an answer at the time limited, it is our business to push those fellows, and therefore it is my intention
1 This statement is made on the authority of a public record, but is not true. The name is Van Sickle. Mr. Jas. Van Sickle, a grandson, residing at Albion, Erie County, says his grandfather was taken up for dead, but re- covered and lived for many years.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
to form my camp at Point Appineau (a few miles above Fort Erie) ; and I would esteem it a favor if his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor would lend me four or five batteaux. Should it so turn out, and should those fellows not go off, and O'Beil (Cornplanter) continue in the same opinion, an expe- dition against those Yankees must of consequence take place. His Excellency has been so good as to furnish us with a hundredweight of powder, and ball in proportion, which is now at Fort Erie; but in the event of an attack upon Le Bœuf people, I could wish, if consistent, that his Excellency would order a like quantity in addition to be at Fort Erie, in order to be in readiness ; likewise I would hope for a little assistance in provisions."
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