USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Upland > The record of the court at Upland, in Pennsylvania, 1676 to 1681, And a military journal, kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795 > Part 17
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Twenty-first of January a tribe of Delawares came in. The leader's name is Bohengeehalus. It is said he is the principal warrior amongst the Wyandots and Delawares. Nothing more than an explanation of the treaty at M'Intosh was done with him.
Twenty-sixth, our commissioners delivered a speech to the Shawanees, setting forth their business, &c., and acquainting them of the country which would be allowed them. Next day a reply was made, in which they burlesqued the dividing of lands, and asked if the Great Spirit directed the Americans to cut and divide the land as was proposed; no, they did not understand that part. The Ohio, they thought, was the fittest line, and if we were satisfied, they would agree to let it remain the boundary. At hearing this we began to entertain different notions of matters, but the affair was soon cleared up. The commissioners did not attempt to touch the string which was given, and without rising, determined on an answer, which was, that if they did not agree with the terms proposed, in two days, they should then be furnished with six days provisions to carry them home, and no harm should be done them during that time ; but after that take care, for they would certainly feel the force of the United States. Council was not broke up more than fifteen minutes when a messenger came for the commissioners. After they had assembled, the chief took a white string and destroyed the whole of his former speech.
On the 1st instant the treaty was concluded with the Shawanees, and articles similar to those at M'Intosh were signed.
The Half-King of the Wyandots has acted meanly in the business of this treaty : he endeavored to prevent the Shawanees agreeing to our pro- posal, with a view, we suppose, of expecting a larger quantity of goods that he thought would be a drug on our hands ; but when he found they desired peace, and were determined to agree, he then declared that he had not given an answer to the treaty at M'Intosh, nor would he give one here ; but when the warm weather would come, he would then go to Congress and hear from them what was to be done with these lands. No reply was made to this. A few days after he desired a council for himself and the Delawares. When they convened, he rose and very strenuously insisted on the commissioners enlarging the country allowed his people and the Dela- wares. The commissioners told him that matter was settled, and they
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would not make the smallest alteration. Captain Pipe, of the Delawares (who was sitting listening), rose and said, "Brothers, the Delawares are perfectly contented, they have land enough; and as a proof of our satis- faction, myself and another chief, with several young men (good hunters), will go as soon as we hear of the surveyors being out, and assist them to mark the lines, and (turning to the Half-King) you'll go too. The Half- King was so much confused he said nothing.
The Lord knows when we'll get rid of these creatures.'
Major Finney does not expect to leave this place until further orders from you. He has lately received orders from Major Wyllys, dated at M'Intosh, to send him returns of the troops, and that only four rations (extra) were allowed to a complete company. The commissioners think it probable another treaty will be held next summer, somewhere to the northward of this place. They regret the misfortune of not holding this one somewhere near Detroit; however, they all clear themselves of that matter.
Our men have been kept in health with plenty of exercise ; but in spring we may expect fever and ague, as the country about here is very low, and frequently covered with water.
Three privates of Captain Doughty's company and two of Captain Hart's, that were here, have returned with the commissioners.
With respect, &c. E. D.
9th. - Captain Dunn had arrived the day before from Lexington, on his way to the Shawanee towns, where he intended spending winter. He took leave and set off with several of the Shawanee chiefs. General Clark left us this day for the Falls.
10th. - A canoe came down from Limestone, and in- formed us that this morning our commissioners were not more than seven miles up the river, but they had got under way early in the morning.
12th. -- I wrote to Mr. James Parker at Lexington,
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relinquishing all claims to our former connection, provi- ded he would clear me of the obligation given Captain Parker for warrants. The bearer was Mr. West.
13th. - Mr. Sims passed for Fort Pitt, with whom I sent the following letter to Colonel Harmar :
COLONEL :- I forgot to mention that upon the arrival of the Wyandots, Shawanees and Delawares from White river, we were saluted by them, and having received notice of their approach and intention of firing, we, agreeably to the commissioners' request, returned the salute with three rounds of twelve men each time; and previous to the commissioners leav- ing the garrison to embark, Major Finney directed me to parade the com- pany, march them down to the bank, which is about one hundred yards from our fort, and there to form, so as to present arms to the commission- ers as they passed to the boats ; this was done, and when they had taken leave and hoisted sail, I gave them a platoon by way of an acknowledg- ment.
General Clark left us for the Rapids on the 10th. He did not trouble us with much parade, neither did he take away any of our men. This last was a matter Major Finney endeavored to prevent as much as possi- ble. There would not have gone half the number of soldiers from us up the river, only for the petty messengers who took up as much room as the commissioners, and occasioned a third boat. There were B-, M-, E-, and Mr. K-, all in constant pay at twenty shillings, three dollars, and twenty-five shillings per day, in proportion as they ranked. These men went out together to the towns, returned together, and were waiting here, when we arrived. The Lord knows what service some of them were of, for we can't imagine.
We are now clear of commissioners, messengers, Indians, and every kind of animal except five hostages. Such a sudden change makes me rather melancholy. I feel as if I ought to have gone with them; though my desire is to stay. I would be glad enough to be up, but the season is so cold, that I think the trip would be very disagreeable. I will be very thankful if you will put it in my power to go up in the beginning of
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April, or as soon as convenient, and leave for a few weeks, that I might settle some affairs at Carlisle ; for if we should go any farther off I shall despair.
E. D.
26th .- Captain O'Hara (the contractor) arrived with a large cargo of Indian goods and stores for the commis- sioners. He came in consequence of the dispatches sent. by George White-Eyes on the 9th of January. This was a time when they expected all the western Indians. He likewise brought with him the settlements for last year's service, and two months' cash for the present, with six months' subsistence for the officers.
Captain O'Hara informs us that he lay with the com- missioners the night of the 23d instant, about twenty- five miles below the Great Kanahwa; that Captain Beatty, our pay-master, was coming to this place to pay the troops the above mentioned money, but being very unwell, and having orders to return with the commis- sioners, he put the cash into his hands and went back.
March 1st. - Major Finney commenced the payment, and Captain O'Hara opened a cheap assortment of goods, which he disposed of to the soldiers as quick as they re- ceived their money.
3d, 4th and 5th .- After they had laid out the greatest part of their settlements for dry goods, reserving only a small share for liquor, they got permission to purchase the same, and toleration to get drunk, so that it would not interfere with their duty; but this charge had no effect ; for three days there was scarcely one sober man in the garrison, and God knows how long they would have con-
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tinued so, if the issues had not been stopped. So between the wet and dry affairs, Captain O'Hara will take nearly the same sum of money back that he brought, except what the officers received.
12th. - Two boats called from Fort Pitt, on their way to "O-post," loaded with liquors and flour.
17th. - A majority of the men in garrison are Irish. The soldiers requested to have the privilege of cele- brating this day, as was customary. Accordingly the bung was opened and every man had permission to purchase and drink what quantity of liquor he pleased ; and a pretty good portion did some of them take, for toward the evening we had not six men in the garrison fit for duty, not even the guard excepted.
18th. - G. Palfrey died from the effects of too much liquor-and was buried the next day.
20th. - Since our establishment at this place a few families had erected a station six miles below us, on the Kentucky side. This morning an express from them informed us that Indians had attacked two of their peo- ple, a short distance out, killed one and wounded the other. The wounded person escaped in. I took a light boat, with sergeant and twelve, hastened to the station; found the dead man scalped and cut in several places ; buried him, assisted in securing the stockade, &c., and returned.
21st .- Mr. Bradshaw arrived about ten o'clock at night, with a boat loaded with provisions ; likewise Mr. Devoire and Mr. Le Bere arrived on their way into the Indian country. Mr. Le Bere intends spending a few
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weeks in the Indian towns and then return by way of Sandusky, to join his company at Muskingum.
24th .- This night the five Shawanee hostages deserted from their lodging, and pushed with great expedition toward the towns. They likewise took with them Mr. Sufferins' family, who were encamped about a mile dis- tant-Mr. Sufferins being absent on a hunting party.
25th. - Our interpreter, Mr. Sufferins, came in ; very much surprised at finding his people had gone off, and still more when hearing how the hostages had left us. This day we completed a block-house on the bank, to guard the boats.
26th. - Mr. Sufferins set off on purpose to overtake his family and the hostages, if possible, and to know the reason of elopement. But after riding twenty miles, only arrived at the place where they lay the night before. The distance he thought they might be in front of him, at the rate they had gone, discouraged him from pursu- ing any farther, and he turned back with the intention of preparing to go to their towns.
27th .- We were surprised by the arrival of Mr. Abner Dunn, an old officer, who had been to the Shawanee towns. He arrived with five Indians (Shawanees) and six white prisoners. Mr. Dunn informed us that their chief, with the six prisoners, had halted about five miles off, being doubtful of the manner in which they would be received, having the night before sent two runners with some tobacco for us to smoke until their arrival, and to get leave for their friends, the hostages, to go and meet them ; but when the runners came and could see
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no hostages they retired undiscovered, and informed their people, which alarmed them; however, Mr. Dunn pre- vailed on five of them to go in with him and the others to remain until he would send for them. The Indians soon found us to be friends, and sent for the remaining party. After they had all arrived, the White-Horn, their chief, seemed much astonished at the conduct of the hostages. Two speeches were delivered by Johnny Har- ris from Molunthy, their king; one of them consisted of professions of friendship, &c., the other was information respecting some parties of Cherokees that were out.
30th .- Major Finney delivered a speech to the Indians and sent a message to their king, thanking him for his information respecting the Cherokees, after which they marched off. The night preceding, a girl and boy of the prisoners that were delivered up yesterday, eloped.
31st .- This night Corporal Thompson and John Geary deserted, and took off one of our best boats.
April 1st .- Sergeant Wilcox pursued the deserters.
2d. - Captain O'Hara and Mr. Smith left us for Fort Pitt.
4th .- Mr. Dunn took leave for the Falls.
Copy of a Letter to Colonel Harmar, dated 31st March, 1786.
SIR - The Shawanees have been very slow in executing their business respecting the delivery of the prisoners. They overstayed the time agreed on better than a month; their delay, and an account from the station a few miles below (since evacuated), of five Indians attacking two men of the place, killing one and wounding the other, we suppose frightened off the hostages ; for on the night of the 24th of March the whole of them eloped, and we have not heard from them since. But fortunately, two
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days after there came in two chiefs with six prisoners, whom they deliver- ed up, with a speech from their king apologizing for the delay, &c. We don't apprehend any danger from the Shawanees immediately, but there is now a number of others in the woods for war, that makes our situation rather unsafe. They have killed at Limestone and near the Falls - the last which I have mentioned above, was about four miles distant.
Captain O'Hara arrived here on the 26th of February with the ar- rearages of pay and clothing for the men who were in service last year ; in six months notes and two months for the present in cash, and the same with six months subsistence for the officers. He brought with him a pretty assortment of goods suitable for the soldiers, which he let them have at reasonable prices. I believe he will take back all the notes and cash (which are the same to him), except what the officers received. I mentioned in a letter some months ago that the commissioners had made a compliment to Major Finney of cloth for over-alls for the men. Since, there has some alteration happened or otherwise it was a mistake in me, for as they went up the river they met Captain O'Hara near the Great Kanahwa, and turned the account over to him. He has charged each man that had them with his price.
There was a letter received from Mr. Armstrong, (to which he put his title, Lieut. 1st A. R.) for the purpose of acquainting us of his promotion.
Colonel-as I stand next on the list, am induced to beg your interest to fix me clear of the censure of a number of my friends. For certain it is that I have in some measure lessened, having once served as an officer a grade higher, and that at a more honorable time than at present. But the attachment I have to a military life, and the expectation of rising, persuades me to this duty, hoping that my friends, yourself in particular, will assist me in procuring a lieutenancy - what I once had the honor to hold under you.
I shall ever endeavor to render satisfaction for your assistance in this very material affair, as well as for many past,
While I have the honor to subscribe myself, &c. E. D
N. B. Sent a return of the troops with the above.
23d. - Captain Blue-Jacket, a chief of the Shawa-
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nee nation, came in. He informed us of the good in- tentions of his people, and that a number of them would hunt this summer near this place, and would bring in the skins; begged that we would receive the Shawanees friendly. As a proof of his friendship, and that we might be assured the nation wished for peace, he left his son, a boy about eighteen years of age, to con- tinue with us until some opportunity would offer for sending him home.
24th .- He took leave, and as he went off said he would go by a hunting camp where there were a number of In- dians, and inform them how desirous we were to see them come in to trade.
25th. - In the evening there arrived two young war- riors of the Shawanees, with a white boy, a prisoner, whom they delivered up to us ; and after receiving a few presents, and being asked if they did not think the boy would run back again, they candidly told us, that he cer- tainly would, if not bound or confined some way. This was enough. Though the boy seemed fond of having it in his power to go to his father's, but yet it was all affect- ed; for in a few hours after a boat came along, bound for the Falls, in which he was put, and in a manner by force ; for when he found there was no way of escaping he cried, and appeared to leave the Indian with more re- gret than he could have done if they had been bearing him away a prisoner from his mother.
26th .- Our friends, the warriors, left us, and took with them Blue-Jacket's son.
May 14th. - We have Shawanees with us every day.
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The most of their hunting men are now in the woods around us, at the distance of twenty miles. They intend bringing their peltry to barter at this place. Several of the boys, and even one young woman of the prisoners, made their escape and returned to the Indians. The chiefs who have been in, particularly the White-Horn, say they never mean to break the chain of friendship that now subsists between the Americans and them, and threaten vengeance upon the first who infringes upon the articles of the treaty.
18th. - From a letter sent by Major Finney to the commanding officer at Fort M'Intosh, requesting a rein- forcement of men at this post, and from several late re- ports of troops being on their way to us, we prepared a small boat and set out up the river, intending to sail two or three hours for amusement, at the same time thought it probable we might meet them. We had got about four miles, and halted at a spring, when we were very agreeably surprised hy the arrival of Captain Ziegler's company of seventy men-Lieutenant E. Beatty, Doctor Allison, and the Major from Connecticut, Wyllys, com- manding.
22d .- I received orders to prepare to go on command to the Falls of Ohio.
23d. - Set out with sergeant, corporal and twelve men in a barge, for Louisville. River very full. Landed next morning at the place-distance said to be one hun- dred and fifty miles-run it in twenty-four hours. Four Kentucky boats, which passed Fort Finney the day be- fore I left it, were attacked at the mouth of Kentucky
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river by the Indians on both sides of the Ohio, supposed to be in number two hundred - fortunately no other damage than a few horses killed. Very alarming ac- counts of the depredations of Indians in neighborhood of Vincennes-a settlement on the Wabash. Every day fresh accounts of mischief done in the upper counties and on Cumberland. People of Kentucky talk of an ex- pedition against the Indians on the Wabash. Four days I remained at the Falls, and every day there were accounts of men being scalped between that and the upper counties. General Clark informed me that he had frequent intelligence from the different posts on the Mississippi and Wabash, which he took from the British last war, and that if something was not done immediate- ly respecting that country, there will be much more diffi- culty in subjecting them than there ever was.
After many altercations between General Clark, my- self and the two gentlemen who had the artillery in charge, they agreed I should have a piece, with a few shot, which I immediately had put on board.
28th .- Having procured a brass three-pounder, with a few boxes of suitable shot, left the Falls ; embarked again for our Fort. River very high, and obliged to work up close along shore, giving the savages every pos- sible advantage. This evening, about seventeen miles up, we discovered two bark canoes lying on the bank, and a number of trees barked, which we supposed had 1 not been done longer than two days. We passed on as silent as possible. This night our cable and anchor
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served to keep us in the middle of the river; but the river rose so high it was of no more use afterward.
30th. - About a mile below Kentuck we discovered some appearance of an Indian camp, and saw a black horse with a belt on. We passed the mouth of Kentuck in the night, and lay near a mile above.
31st. - We met with such strong water below and above the Big Bone, that we were obliged to drop the oars (though we worked fourteen,) and pull up by the bushes ; lay this night five or six miles above Big Bone. We arrived safe at the Fort, near the Miami, in the af- ternoon, and were received with gladness.
June 1st. - Several Delawares came in, who seemed surprised at the field-piece which I lately brought from the Falls, and at our additions to the Fort.
11th .- Captain Pipe's brother, with three other Del- awares, arrived with a speech from Pipe, the purport of which was, that he hoped we still held the chain of friendship fast, that was made between them and us, at this place, and informing us, that for his part, nothing should be wanting which was in his power to keep the Delawares and the Americans upon the most friendly footing, and begging we would treat his young men (a number of whom were hunting near us) as we have hitherto done.
13th. - Mr. Sovereign came in with the Shawanees with a speech from Molunthy, informing us that he was very glad to hear we treated his young men so friendly, and apologizing for the delay in delivering up the pris-
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oners. He says the nation is divided ; that the people of Chillicothe will not hear reason; they will not give the prisoners up. In fact, the plain English of which is, that a party of them are as much inclined for war as anything else, from the d-d lies imposed on them by British emissaries. They are fully of the opinion that their king and sachems have sold both land and war- riors, and are determined not to agree to what has been done. Molunthy gives us information of four men being killed by the Mingoes, on the waters of the Muskingum. He says that he has advised the Mingoes and Cherokees to be quiet, but they would not hear him. He desires us to have patience. He is striving all he can to fulfill the promises made to our chiefs at the council fire.
14th .- Mr. Sovereign returned homeward with a speech to Molunthy, informing him that we still kept the road open, and hoped he would soon send in the prisoners ; thanking him for the intelligence he sent, and begging he would endeavor to persuade his contentious people to listen to reason, otherwise the consequence would be fatal ; we would wait with patience for a time, until he would fulfill the promises made to our chief at the great council fire, &c.
15th .- Major Wyllys left us in a small boat bound up the river, with whom I sent the following letter to Colonel Harmar, with an inspection return :
SIR - After the arrival of Major Wyllys and Captain Ziegler, I was ordered to the Falls to procure and bring up a field-piece, with ammuni- tion, &c. I got a brass three-pounder, with about thirty rounds only of ball and grape-shot. And if it had not been for General Clark, who has
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always been our friend here, I should have returned as I went, owing to a contentious set of men in civil office there, all of whom are candidates for something, and were afraid would be censured by the public for giving any of the military stores away, at a time when their country is suffering by savage depredations. True it is, that everywhere below us, the Amer- icans have as much reason to be engaged in an Indian war as they ever had. They are daily losing men in the lower part of Kentuck settlement ; all which aggravation could not unite the people in a sufficient body to carry on any kind of an expedition-such is the division amongst them.
I brought from the Falls, and delivered to Major Wyllys, all the intel- ligence I could collect, amongst which are the particulars of two skir- mishes which the Americans at St. Vincent had with the Piankeshaw Indians in that neighborhood.
Some Shawanees and Delawares went with us as usual, professing much friendship. The arrival of Captain Ziegler's company has added much to the appearance of this place, and something to the other company. For since, a better spirit of emulation has subsisted, which has been of service. Captain Ziegler tells me the regimental book for last year was left at M'Intosh, and not used very well by the officers last winter ; I am sorry for it, but hope you will get it. My coming away from that place in such haste occasioned several neglects; I even forgot my Bible with you,
We long to see you. With respects, &c. E. D.
26th. - Captain Doyle arrived from M'Intosh; he informed us of the arrival of Colonel Harmar and lady at M'Intosh.
July 4th .- This day was celebrated with three rounds of small arms and three with the field-piece, after which the gentlemen all dined together. When dinner was over thirteen toasts were drunk, each accompanied with a round from the three-pounder, attended in the inter- vals by two drums, two fifes and a couple of excellent
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violins. The evening was spent as well as circumstances would allow of.
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