_The History of the_ Five Nations, _from the Time the Christians first
knew any Thing of them, to that of the Revolution in_ Great-Britain.
* * * * *
CHAP. I.
_Of the Wars of the_ Five Nations _with the_ Adirondacks _and_
Quatoghies.
The first Settlers of _New-York_ having been little curious in inquiring
into the _Indian Affairs_, further than what related to Trade; or, at
least, having neglected to transmit their Discoveries to Posterity, it
is much more difficult to give a just History of these Nations before,
than since the Time of their being under the _Crown of England_. What we
can learn of Certainty, however, is this. The _French_ settled at
_Canada_ in the Year 1603, six Years before the _Dutch_ possessed
themselves of _New-Netherlands_, now called _New-York_, and found the
_Five Nations_ at War with the _Adirondacks_, which, they tell us, was
occasioned in the following Manner.
The _Adirondacks_ formerly lived three-hundred Miles above _Trois
Rivieres_, where now the _Utawawas_ are situated; at that Time they
employ'd themselves wholly in Hunting, and the _Five Nations_ made
planting of Corn their Business. By this Means they became useful to
each other, by exchanging Corn for Venison. The _Adirondacks_, however,
valued themselves, as delighting in a more manly Employment, and
despised the _Five Nations_, in following Business, which they thought
only fit for Women. But it once happened, that the Game failed the
_Adirondacks_, which made them desire some of the young Men of the _Five
Nations_ to assist them in Hunting. These young Men soon became much
more expert in Hunting, and able to endure Fatigues, than the
_Adirondacks_ expected or desired; in short, they became jealous of
them, and, one Night, murdered all the young Men they had with them. The
_Five Nations_ complained to the Chiefs of the _Adirondacks_, of the
Inhumanity of this Action; but they contented themselves with blaming
the Murderers, and ordered them to make some small[3] Presents to the
Relations of the murdered Persons, without being apprehensive of the
Resentment of the _Five Nations_; for they looked upon them, as Men not
capable of taking any great Revenge.
This however provoked the _Five Nations_ to that Degree, that they soon
resolved, by some Means, to be revenged; and the _Adirondacks_ being
informed of their Designs, thought to prevent them, by reducing them
with Force to their Obedience.
The _Five Nations_ then lived near where _Mont Real_ now stands; they
defended themselves at first but faintly against the vigorous Attacks of
the _Adirondacks_, and were forced to leave their own Country, and fly
to the Banks of the Lakes where they live now. As they were hitherto
Losers by the War, it obliged them to apply themselves to the Exercise
of Arms, in which they became daily more and more expert. Their
_Sachems_, in order to raise their People's Spirits, turned them against
the _Satanas_[4], a less warlike Nation, who then lived on the Banks of
the Lakes; for they found it was difficult to remove the Dread their
People had of the Valour of the _Adirondacks_. The _Five Nations_ soon
subdued the _Satanas_, and drove them out of their Country; and their
People's Courage being thus elevated, they, from this Time, not only
defended themselves bravely against the whole Force of the
_Adirondacks_, but often carried the War into the Heart of the
_Adirondacks_'s Country, and, at last, forced them to leave it, and to
fly into that Part of the Country, where _Quebeck_ is now built.
There are more Instances than one in History, of poor dispirited
Nations, that by some signal Affront or Abuse have had their Spirits so
raised, that they have not only performed notable Things on a sudden,
but, if they happened, at the same Time, to be led and governed by wise
Men, have so far kept up, and improved that Spirit, that they have
become, in a Manner, a different People. Let us examine History, and we
shall find, that the different Figure every Country has made in the
World, has been ever principally owing to the Principles which were
inculcated into, and carefully cultivated in the People. In this chiefly
consists the Art of making a Nation glorious, or the Crime of debasing
them into Servitude or Slavery. It was from the Notions of Liberty,
Honour, and Glory, and such wise and generous Principles, which the
meanest Citizen among the old _Romans_ entertained, that they became so
great and powerful, and a Terror to all Nations; as the sordid,
timorous, cunning Artifices, and the Love of Wealth and sensual
Pleasures, cultivated among the present _Romans_, has debased them now
into the meanest and least feared Nation on the Earth. The History of
the _Five Nations_ will readily shew, how far the ancient _Roman_
Principles have been cultivated among them.
Soon after this Change of the People of these Nations, the _French_
arrived at _Canada_, and settled at _Quebeck_; and they thinking it
adviseable to gain the Esteem and Friendship of the _Adirondacks_, in
whose Country they settled, _Monsieur Champlain_, the first Governor of
_Canada_, joined the _Adirondacks_ in an Expedition against the _Five
Nations_. They met a Party of two-hundred Men of the _Five Nations_ in
_Corlar's Lake_, which the _French_, on this Occasion called by
_Monsieur Champlain's_ Name, and both Sides went ashore to prepare for
Battle, which proved to the Disadvantage of the _Five Nations_. The
_French_, in short, kept themselves undiscover'd, till the Moment they
began to join Battle; and their Fire-arms surprised the _Five Nations_
so much, that they were immediately put into Confusion; for, before that
Time, they had never seen such Weapons. The Trade with the _French_,
soon after this, drew most of the neighbouring Nations to _Quebeck_, and
they all joined in the War against the _Five Nations_.
The _Adirondacks_ having their Numbers thus increased, and their
Fire-arms giving them new Confidence, proposed nothing less to
themselves, than the intire Destruction of the _Five Nations_. Upon
this, their young Warriors became fierce and insolent, and would not be
kept under any Discipline or Subjection to their Captains; but, upon all
Occasions, rashly attacked the Enemy, who were obliged to keep
themselves upon the defensive; and to make up what they wanted in Force,
by Stratagems, and a skilful Management of the War. The young Men of the
_Five Nations_ soon perceived the Advantages they gained by this
Conduct, and every Day grew more submissive to their Captains, and
diligent in executing any Enterprize.
The _Five Nations_ sent out small Parties only, who meeting with great
Numbers of the _Adirondacks_, retired before them with seeming Terror,
while the _Adirondacks_ pursued them with Fury, and without Thought,
till they were cunningly drawn into Ambuscades, where most of their Men
were killed or taken Prisoners, with little or no Loss to the _Five
Nations_.
The _Adirondacks_, by this Means, wasted away, and their boldest
Soldiers were almost intirely destroy'd, while the Number of the _Five
Nations_ were increased, by the Addition of the Prisoners, which they
took from the _Satanas_.
The wisest and best Soldiers of the _Adirondacks_, when it was too late,
now at length discovered, that they must learn the Art of War from those
Enemies that they at first despised; and now five of their Captains
endeavoured to perform by themselves singly, with Art and by Stratagem,
what they could not do by Force at the Head of their Armies; they had
however no longer any Hopes of conquering, their Thoughts were only set
on Revenge.
It is not improper to observe here, once for all, that in writing the
History of _Indians_, it is often necessary to give an Account of the
Enterprizes of single Persons, otherwise the _Indian_ Genius can never
be known, or their Manner of making War understood. An _Indian_ named
_Piskaret_ was at this Time one of the Captains of greatest Fame among
the _Adirondacks:_ This bold Man, with four other Captains, set out for
_Trois-Rivieres_ in one Canoe, each of them being provided with three
Musquets, which they loaded with two Bullets apiece, joined with a small
Chain ten Inches long; they met with five Canoes in _Sorel River_, each
having ten Men of the _Five Nations_ on Board. _Piskaret_ and his
Captains, as soon as those of the _Five Nations_ drew near, pretended to
give themselves up for lost, and sung their Death Song,[5] then suddenly
fired upon the Canoes, which they repeated with the Arms that lay ready
loaded, and tore those Birch Vessels betwixt Wind and Water. The Men of
the _Five Nations_ were so surprized, that they tumbled out of their
Canoes, and gave _Piskaret_ and his Companions the Opportunity of
knocking as many of them on the Head as they pleased, and saving the
others, to feed their Revenge, which they did, by burning them alive
with the most cruel Torments. This however was so far from glutting
_Piskaret_'s Revenge, that it seemed rather to give a keener Edge to it;
for he soon after undertook another Enterprize, in which none of his
Countrymen durst accompany him: He was well acquainted with the Country
of the _Five Nations_, and set out about the Time the Snow began to
melt, with the Precaution of putting the hinder Part of his Snow Shoes
forward, that if any should happen upon his Footsteps, they might think
he was gone the contrary Way; and, for further Security, went along the
Ridges and high Grounds, where the Snow was melted, that his Track
might be often lost; when he came near one of the Villages of the _Five
Nations_, he hid himself till Night, and then entered a Cabin, while
every Body was fast asleep, murdered the whole Family, and carried their
Scalps into his lurking Place. The next day the People of the Village
searched for the Murderer in vain. The following Night he murdered all
he found in another Cabin. The Inhabitants next Day searched likewise in
vain for the Murderer; but the third Night a Watch was kept in every
House. _Piskaret_ in the Night bundled up the Scalps he had taken the
two former Nights, to carry, as the Proof of his Victory, and then stole
privately from House to House, till at last he found an _Indian_
nodding, who was upon the Watch in one of the Houses; he knockt this
Man on the Head; but as this alarmed the rest, he was forced immediately
to fly. He was however under no great Concern from the Pursuit, being
more swift of Foot than any _Indian_ then living. He let his Pursuers
come near him from Time to Time, and then would dart from them. This he
did with Design to tire them out with the Hopes of overtaking Him. As it
began to grow dark, he hid himself, and his Pursuers stop'd to rest.
They not being apprehensive of any Danger from a single Man, soon fell
asleep, and the bold _Piskaret_ observing this, knock'd them all on the
Head, and carried away their Scalps with the rest. Such Stories as these
are told among the _Indians_, as extraordinary Instances of the Courage
and Conduct of their Captains. The _Indians_ will often travel thus
three or four Hundred Miles singly, or two or three in Company, and lurk
about their Enemy's Borders for several Weeks, in Hopes to revenge the
Death of a near Relation or dear Friend. Indeed they give themselves so
very much up to Revenge, that this Passion seems to gnaw their Souls,
and gives them no Rest till they satisfy it. It is this Delight in
Revenge, that makes all barbarous Nations cruel; and the curbing such
Passions is one of the happy Effects of being civilized.
The _Five Nations_ are so much delighted with Stratagems in War, that no
Superiority of their Forces ever make them neglect them. They amused the
_Adirondacks_ and their Allies the _Quatoghies_ (called by the _French
Hurons_) by sending to the _French_, and desiring Peace. The _French_
desired them to receive some Priests among them, in Hopes that those
prudent Fathers would, by some Art, reconcile them to their Interest,
and engage their Affections. The _Five Nations_ readily accepted the
Offer, and some _Jesuits_ went along with them: But after they had the
Jesuits in their Power, they used them only as Hostages, and thereby
obliged the _French_ to stand neuter, while they prepared to attack the
_Adirondacks_ and _Quatoghies_, and they defeated the _Quatoghies_ in a
dreadful Battle fought within two Leagues of _Quebeck_.
The _French_ own, That if the _Five Nations_ had known their Weakness at
that Time, they might have easily destroyed the whole Colony.
This Defeat, in Sight of the _French_ Settlements, struck Terror into
all their Allies, who were at that Time very numerous, because of the
Trade with the _French_, which furnished them with many the most useful
Conveniences; for before that Time the _Indians_ had no Iron Tool among
them.
The _Nipeceriniens_, who then lived on the Banks of _St. Laurence
River_, fled upon this to the Northward, believing that the extreme
Coldness of the Climate, and a barren Soil, would be the securest
Defence against the Ambition of the _Five Nations_. The Remainder of the
_Quatoghies_ fled with the _Utawawas_ Southwestward; and for the greater
Security, settled in an Island, which being further than the Name of the
_Five Nations_ had then reached, they trusted to the Distance of the
Place, and the Advantage of its Situation.
Their last Expedition having succeeded so well, the _Five Nations_ gave
out, that they intended next Winter to visit _Yonnendio_, (the Name they
give to the Governor of _Canada_;) these Visits are always made with
much Shew. Under this Pretence they gathered together 1000 or 1200 Men.
Their out Scouts met with _Piskaret_ near _Niccolet River_, and still
pretending a friendly Visit to the Governor of _Canada_, as their only
Design, he told them, that the _Adirondacks_ were divided into two
Bodies, one of which hunted on the North Side of _St. Laurence River_ at
_Wabmake_, three Leagues above _Trois Rivieres_, and the other at
_Nicolet_. As soon as they had gained this Information, they killed him,
and returned with his Head to the Army. The _Five Nations_ divided
likewise into two Bodies; they surprized the _Adirondacks_ in both
Places, and in both cut them in pieces.
Thus the most warlike and polite Nation of all the _Indians_ in _North
America_, was almost intirely destroyed by a People they at first
despised, and by a War which their Pride and Injustice brought upon
them; and we here see, that all the Advantages of Numbers, Courage and
Weapons, is not equal to good discipline in an Army.
A very few _Adirondacks_ only now remain in some Villages near
_Quebeck_, who still waste away and decay, by their drinking strong
Waters, tho' when the _French_ first settled at _Quebeck_, 1500 fighting
Men of them lived between that Place and _Sillerie_, which are only a
League distant, besides those that lived at _Saquenay, Trois Rivieres_,
and some other Places. And since this decisive Battle, the _Adirondacks_
have never been considered as of any Consequence, either in Peace or
War.
The _Quatoghies_ and _Atawawas_ now soon began to be in Want of the
_European_ Commodities, which had made them considerable among their
new Friends. In order therefore to supply themselves anew, they
returned to Trade at _Quebeck_; and by this Means the Place of their
Retreat was discovered to the _five Nations_; and they not having their
Revenge satiated, while the _Quatoghies_ had a Being, soon convinced
them, that no Extent of Country could set bounds to that Passion, when
it rages in the Hearts of the _Five Nations_, for they soon after
attack'd them in their new Settlement. The _Quatoghies_ had the good
Fortune to discover the _Five Nations_ Time enough to make their Escape,
and fled to the _Putewatemies_, who lived a Day's Journey further, where
they, and all the Neighbouring Nations, secured themselves in a large
Fort. The _Five Nations_ followed, but, being in Want of Provision, they
could not attempt a Siege, and therefore proposed a Treaty with the
_Putewatemies_, which was accepted. The _Putewatemies_ acknowledged the
_Five Nations_ as Masters of all the Nations round them, applauded their
Valour, and promised them their Friendship, and to supply them with
Provisions; they would not however trust themselves out of their Fort,
but sent out a Supply; and even this they did, only with Design to do
that by Treachery, which they durst not attempt by Force; for the
Provisions were poisoned. The Treachery was discovered however to the
_Five Nations_, by an old _Quatoghie_, who had a Son Prisoner among
them; his Affection for his Son overcoming even his Hatred to his
Country's Enemies. This Treachery highly enraged the _Five Nations_
against the _Putewatemies_, and the neighbouring People; but Famine
obliging them to retire at this Time, they divided their Armies into
Parties, the better to provide for their Subsistence, by Hunting; one of
these Parties in their Chace fell in with a Village of the
_Chicktaghicks_ (called by the _French Hinois_) and surprized the old
Men, Women and Children, when the young Men were abroad hunting; but
the young Men, upon their Return, gathering together all the rest of the
Villages, pursued this Party of the _Five Nations_, and recovered the
Prisoners.
This was the first Time that the _Five Nations_ had been seen in those
Parts, but their Name was become so terrible, that the _Chictaghicks_,
notwithstanding this Advantage, left their Country, and fled to the
Nations that lived westward, till the General Peace was settled by the
_French_, and not till on that Occasion returned to their own Country.
[Footnote 3: It is still a Custom among the _Indians_, to expiate Murder
by Presents to the Relations of the Person killed.]
[Footnote 4: They are called _Shaouonons_, by the _French_, and live now
on one of the Banks of the Misissipi.]
[Footnote 5: It is a Custom among the _Indian_ Prisoners of War, when
led to Death, to sing an Account of their own Exploits; and this they
are hardy enough to continue even in the midst of Tortures.]
CHAP. II.
_The Wars and Treaties of Peace of the_ Indians _of the_ Five Nations
_with the_ French, _from_ 1665 _to_ 1683, _and their Affairs with_
New-York _in that Time_.
In _June_ 1665 _Monsieur De Trasi_ appointed _Vice-Roy_ of _America_ by
the _French King_, arrived at _Quebeck_, after he had visited the
_French Islands_ in the _West Indies_, and brought with him four
Companies of Foot; and in _September_ of the same Year, _Mr. Coursel_
arrived Governor General of _Canada_; he brought with him a Regiment and
several Families, with all Things necessary for establishing of a
Colony. Their Force being now thus considerably augmented, the _French_
Governor resolved to chastise the Insolence of the _Five Nations_; and
for that Purpose, in the Winter, sent out a Party against the _Mohawks_,
but these by the Cold, and their not knowing the Use of Snow Shoes,
suffered very much, without doing any Thing against the Enemy.
This Party however fell in with _Skenectady_[6], a small Town which
_Corlear_ (a considerable Man among the _Dutch_) had then newly settled.
When they appeared near _Shenectady_, they were almost dead with Cold
and Hunger; and the _Indians_, who were then in that Village, had
intirely destroyed them, if _Corlear_, (in Compassion to his fellow
Christians) had not contriv'd their Escape. He had a mighty Influence
over the _Indians_; and it is from him, and in Remembrance of his Merit,
that all Governors of _New-York_ are called _Corlear_ by the _Indians_
to this Day, tho' he himself was never Governor. He persuaded the
_Indians_, that this was a small Party of the _French_ Army come to
amuse them, that the great Body was gone directly towards their Castles,
and that it was necessary for them immediately to go in Defence of their
Wives and Children. This they believed, and readily obeyed; and as soon
as the _Indians_ were gone, he sent to the _French_, and supplied them
with Provisions and other Necessaries to carry them back. The _French_
Governor, in Order to reward so signal a Service, invited _Corlear_ to
_Canada_; but as he went through the great Lake, which lies to the
Northward of _Albany_, his Canoe was overset, and he was drowned; and
from this Accident that Lake has ever since been called _Corlear_'s
_Lake_, by the People of _New-York_. There is a Rock in this Lake, on
which the Waves dash and fly up to a great Height; when the Wind blows
hard, the _Indians_ believe, that an old _Indian_ lives under this Rock,
who has the Power of the Winds; and therefore, as they pass it in their
Voyages over, they always throw a Pipe, or some other small Present to
this old _Indian_, and pray a favourable Wind. The _English_ that pass
with them sometimes laugh at them, but they are sure to be told of
_Corlear_'s Death. Your great Countryman _Corlear_ (say they) as he
passed by this Rock, jested at our Fathers making Presents to this _Old
Indian_, and in Derision turned up his Backside, but this Affront cost
him his Life.
In the following Spring the _Vice-Roy_ and the _Governor of Canada_,
with twenty eight Companies of Foot, and all the Militia of the Colony,
marched into the Country of the _Mohawks_, with a Design to destroy this
Nation, which by their Wars not only prevented their Commerce with the
western _Indians_, but likewise often put their Colony in Danger. It
certainly was a bold Attempt, to march above 700 Miles from _Quebeck_
through vast unknown Forests. The _Mohawks_ however, on their Approach,
Men, Women, and Children, retired into the Woods, and all that the
_French_ were able to do, was to burn some Villages, and to murder some
old _Sachems_ that (like the old Roman Senators,) chose rather to dye
than to desert their Houses.
The _French_ were so conceited before, of their Superiority over the
_Indians_ in their Skill of War, and their Weapons, that they thought
they could not escape, but the little Honour or Advantage they got by
this Expedition lessened their Vanity, and made them desirous of Peace;
and the _Five Nations_ remaining fearful of the _French fire Arms_, it
was without much Difficulty concluded in the Year 1667.
The _Five Nations_ however being naturally very enterprizing and
haughty, one of their Parties some Time after met with some _French_ in
their hunting, and quarrelled with them. The _Indians_ had the
Advantage, they killed several of the _French_, and carried one Prisoner
into their own Country. _Monsieur de Coursel_ sent on this to threaten
the _Five Nations_ with War, if they did not deliver up these Murderers;
and the _Five Nations_, to shew their publick Displeasure at this Breach
of Peace, sent _Agariata_, the Captain of the Company that did the
Mischief, with forty others, to beg Pardon; but _Monsieur Coursel_ was
resolved to make an Example of _Agariata_, and ordered him to be hanged
in Sight of his Countrymen; and the _French_ think that this Severity
was a great Means of preserving the Peace till the Year 1683.
The _Dutch_, who settled in the _New Netherlands_, now called
_New-York_, in 1609, entered into an Alliance with the Five Nations,
which continued without any Breach on either Side, till the _English_
gained this Country. The _Dutch_ gained the Hearts of the _Five Nations_
by their kind Usage, and were frequently useful to the _French_, in
saving those of them that were prisoners from the Cruelty of the
_Indians_.
In 1664, _New-York_ being taken by the _English_, they likewise
immediately entered into a Friendship with the _Five Nations_, which has
continued without the least Breach to this Day; and History, I believe,
cannot give an Instance of the most Christian or most Catholick Kings
observing a Treaty so strictly, and for so long a Time as these
Barbarians, as they are called, have done.
The _English_ and _French_ (Peace being every where settled) now
endeavoured to extend their Commerce and Alliances among the _Indian
Nations_, that live to the westward of _New-York_. The _French_ however,
in their Measures, discovered always a Design of conquering and
commanding; for with this View _Mr. de Frontenac_, who had succeeded in
the Government of _Canada_, in the Year 1672, persuaded the _Five
Nations_ to allow him to build a Fort on the north Side of _Cadarackui
Lake_, under Pretence of a Store for _Merchandise_, and the Security of
his Traders, and under the same Pretence built several other Forts at
some other considerable Places far in the Country.
The _English_ and _Dutch_, on the contrary, prosecuted their Measures
only with the Arts of Peace, by sending People among the _Indians_ to
gain their Affections, and to persuade them to come to _Albany_ to
trade; but the War with the _Dutch_, which happened about this Time,
prevented even these honest Designs from having the Success they
otherwise might have had; for in the Year 1673, _New-York_ being
surprised by the _Dutch_, and restored the next Year to the _English_,
the Alterations of Government, and of Masters, obstructed very much any
Measures that could have been taken for the publick Good. Their Trade
was likewise considerably hindered by the War which the _Five Nations_
had at that Time with the River Indians[7], which forced many of those
_Indians_ to seek Shelter among the _Utawawas_, who fell under the
_French_ Government at last; however, the _English_, _Dutch_ and
_French_ having all made Peace in _Europe_, and the Government of
_New-York_ likewise having obtained a Peace between the _Five Nations_
and _Mahikandars_ or _River Indians_, both the _English_ and _French_
were at full Liberty to prosecute their Designs of extending their
Commerce among the _Indians_, which both did with very considerable
Success and Advantage to the Inhabitants of their respective Colonies.
But this Justice must be done to the _French_, that they far exceeded
the _English_ in the daring Attempts of some of their Inhabitants, in
travelling very far among unknown _Indians_, discovering new Countries,
and every where spreading the Fame of the _French_ Name and Grandeur.
The _Sieur Perot_ travelled in the Year 1667 as far as _the Fall St.
Mary_ beyond _Missilimakinak_, and having learned those _Indians_
Language, gained them over to his Country's Interest.
The Courage and Resolution of many of these Adventurers are deservedly
recorded by the _French_; but the _English_ give it another Turn, and
say it is the Barrenness and Poverty of _Canada_ that pushes the Men of
Spirit there, upon Enterprizes, that they would not have attempted, if
they had lived in the Province of _New-York_. The chief Reason, in my
Opinion, however, of the _French_ having so far succeeded beyond the
_English_ is, that the _Indian Affairs_ are the particular Care of the
Governor and other principal Officers in _Canada_, who have the greatest
Knowledge and Authority; whereas those Affairs in _New-York_ are chiefly
left to the Management of a few Traders with the _Indians_, who have no
Care for, or Skill in publick Affairs, and only mind their private
Interest.
[Footnote 6: The _French_ call this Town _Corlear_, from the Persons
Name who first settled there. It is situate on the _Mohawks_ River
sixteen Miles from _Albany_.]
[Footnote 7: The _Indians_ living on the Branches of _Hudson_'s River,
within or near the _English_ Settlements at that Time.]
CHAP. III.
_Of the Transactions of the_ Indians _of the_ Five Nations _with the
neighbouring_ English _Colonies_.
The _Five Nations_ being now amply supplied by the _English_ with
Fire-Arms and Ammunition, give full Swing to their warlike Genius, and
soon resolved to revenge the Affronts they had at any Time received from
the _Indian_ Nations that lived at a greater Distance from them. The
nearest Nations, as they were attack'd, commonly fled to those that were
further off, and the _Five Nations_ pursued them. This, together with a
Desire they had of conquering, or Ambition of making all the Nations
round them their Tributaries, or to acknowledge the _Five Nations_ to be
so far their Masters, as to be absolutely directed by them in all
Affairs of Peace and War with their Neighbours, made them overrun great
Part of _North-America_. They carried their Arms as far South as
_Carolina_, to the Northward of _New-England_, and as far West as the
River _Mississipi_, over a vast Country, which extends twelve hundred
Miles in Length, from North to South, and about six hundred Miles in
breadth; where they intirely destroyed many Nations, of whom there are
now no Accounts remaining among the _English_.
These warlike Expeditions often proved troublesome to the Colonies of
_Virginia_ and _Maryland_; for not only the _Indians_ that were Friends
to those Colonies became Victims to the Fury of the _Five Nations_, but
the Christian Inhabitants likewise were frequently involved in the same
Calamity.
The _French_ having a long Time felt the Inconveniencies and Dangers
they were in from this restless warlike Spirit of the _Five Nations_,
made use of this Time of Peace to guard against it for the future, and
were very diligent in pursuing the most prudent Measures. They sent some
of their wisest Priests and Jesuits to reside among them, and the
Governors of _New-York_ were ordered, by the _Duke of York_, to give
these Priests all the Incouragement in their Power. The chief View of
these Priests was, to give the _Indians_ the highest Opinion of the
_French Power_ and Wisdom, and to render the _English_ as suspected and
as mean as possible in their Eyes. They waited likewise for every
Opportunity to breed a Quarrel between the _English_ and the _Indians_,
and to withdraw the _Five Nations_ from fighting with those Nations that
traded to _Canada_. For these Purposes these Priests were instrumental
in turning the Resentment of the _Five Nations_ against the _Indians_,
that were in Friendship with _Virginia_ and _Maryland_. The Governor of
_Maryland_, on the other Hand, to prevent the ill Consequences, that
might happen by Wars between Nations that were in Friendship with the
_English_, and lived in their Neighbourhood, sent _Colonel Coursey_, in
the Year 1677, to _Albany_, to increase the Friendship between
_Virginia_ and _Maryland_ on the one Part, and the _Five Nations_ on the
other; and, accordingly, both Sides gave mutual Promises at _Albany_:
But this good Understanding was soon shaken by some Parties of the
_Oneydoes_, _Onondagas_, and _Senekas_, who were out when this Treaty
was made, and were ignorant of it. One of them met with the _Susguehana
Indians_, who were in Friendship with _Maryland_, and fell upon them;
they killed four of the _Susguehanas_, and took six Prisoners. Five of
these Prisoners fell to the Share of the _Senekas_, who, as soon as they
arrived in their own Country, sent them back with Presents, to shew that
they kept their Promises with _Maryland_; but the _Oneydoes_ detained
the Prisoner they had.
Another Party, that went against the _Canagesse Indians_ (Friends of
_Virginia_) were surprised by a Troop of Horse, who killed one Man, and
took a Woman Prisoner: The _Indians_, in Revenge, killed four of the
Inhabitants, and carried away their Scalps, with six Christian
Prisoners.
The _Mohawks_, all this while, kept strictly to their Words, and
suffered none of their Men to go towards _Virginia_ and _Maryland_.
There is Reason to think that the _Dutch_, who lived about _Albany_ at
that Time, spirited up the _Indians_ against the _English_; the national
Differences, that were then recent, bred a Rancour in their Spirits.
Some _Dutchmen_ persuaded the _Oneydoes_, that the _English_ at
_New-York_ were resolved to destroy them, and put them into a terrible
Disturbance; for here the _Dutch_ and the _French_ Priests joined in the
same Measures. The Commandant at _Albany_ hearing of this, sent two
Interpreters of the _Indian_ Language, to persuade the _Oneydoes_ to
come to _Albany_, in Order to be assured of the _English_ Friendship,
and to have their Jealousy removed; which being done, _Swerise_, one of
the chief _Sachems_ of the _Oneydoes_, excused his Countrymen at
_Albany_ the fifteenth of _February_ 1678/9, by laying the Blame on the
People of _Schenectady_, who had informed not one, but several of their
People, and at several Times, that the _English_ designed to cut them
all off; and said, had they not Reason to believe the People of
_Schenectady_, who are Friends and Neighbours to the _English_? They
brought with them a Christian Woman and her Child, that had been taken
Prisoners, and restored them, praying the Governor to use his Interest
to have their People restored, that had been taken by the People of
_Virginia_; but they kept another Christian Woman and her two Children,
which they said they did only till such Time as their Prisoners should
be restored, or some _Canastoga Indians_ given in their Place.
When the _Five Nations_ make Peace with another Nation, that has taken
some of the _Five Nations_ Prisoners, if these Prisoners be dead, or
cannot be restored, they usually demand some _Indians_, in Friendship
with the _Five Nations_, in their stead; who either are adopted in Place
of their dead Friends, or restored to their own Nation; and sometimes
they desire some of their Enemies to be given to them, and even those
frequently are adopted by a Father in Place of a Son, or by a Sister in
Place of a Brother, and, most frequently, by a Wife in Place of a
Husband lost in the Wars; but if they chance not to be agreeable to the
Relations, then they are certainly made Sacrifices to their Revenge.
Governor _Andross_, being acquainted by Letter with this last Proposal
of the _Oneydoes_, required the immediate Delivery of the Christian
Prisoners, and promised to write to _Virginia_ to have the _Indian_
Prisoners sav'd. Some Presents being given to the _Oneydoes_, and they
promised to bring them in a Month's Time.
They, at the same Time, informed the Commandant at _Albany_, that eight
of their Men were then out against the People of _Virginia_; that they
knew nothing of what was now promised; and therefore, in Case they
should do any Harm, they desired that it might not be taken as a Breach
of their Promises they now made. They promised likewise to inform the
Governor of every Thing these Parties shou'd happen to do. In the last
Place they said, we shall be very sorry if any Thing should happen to
the Prisoners that we have promised to restore, lest it should create
some Jealousies of us, we hope that you will consider that they are
mortal. Accordingly, in _May_ following, the _Oneydoes_ brought the
other three Prisoners to _Albany_, and, on the Twenty-fourth of that
Month, _Swerise_, when he delivered them to the Commandant at _Albany_,
and the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, said,
"_Brethren_,
"We are come to this Place with much Trouble, as we did last
Winter, and renew the Request we then made, that six _Indians_
be delivered to us in the Room of these six Christians, in Case
our People, who are Prisoners, be dead. None of us have gone out
against the Christians since we were last here; but we told you
then that some were then out, who knew nothing of the Governor's
Orders, and we desired, that if any Thing happened it might not
be taken ill. Now thirteen of our People, who went out against
our _Indian_ Enemies, met eighteen Men on Horseback, as far from
any of the _English_ Plantations as _Cahnuaga_ is from _Albany_,
they fired upon our People; our Men, being Soldiers, returned
their Fire, and killed two Men and two Horses, and brought away
their Scalps.
"It would be convenient that the Governor tell the People of
_Virginia_, not to send their Men so far from Home; for if they
should meet our Parties in their Way against our Enemies, the
_Cahnowas_, whom the _English_ call _Arogisti_, we cannot answer
for the Consequences.
"We have now observed the Governor's Orders, in bringing the
three other Christian Prisoners; and we trust the Affair of our
Prisoners wholly to the Governor.
"We have now performed our Promises: But where are our
Prisoners; or, if they be dead, the others in their Room, now
when it is so late in the Spring? However, we will still trust
this to the Governor."
Then delivering the Prisoners one by one, said, "We have, we
say, now performed our Promises, and are not ashamed. We hope
_Corlaer_, who governs the whole Country, will likewise do that,
of which he need not be ashamed.
"_Corlaer_ governs the whole Land, from _New-York_ to _Albany_,
and from thence to the _Senekas Land_; we, who are his
Inferiors, shall faithfully keep the Chain: Let him perform his
Promise, as we have ours, that the Chain be not broken on his
Side, who governs the whole Country."
Then the Commissioners gave them Presents for their kind Usage
of the Prisoners.
After which _Swerise_ stood up again and said; "Let _Corlaer_
take Care, that the _Indian_ Woman, that is wanting, be
restored, and, for those that are killed, others in their Room.
If _Corlaer_ will not give Ear to us in this Affair, we will not
hereafter give Ear to him in any Thing."
Hearing afterwards, that these last Words were ill taken,
_Swerise_, with two more of the chief _Oneydoe Sachems_, excused
it, saying; "What we said, of not hearkening any more to
_Corlaer_, did not proceed from the Heart, but was spoken by Way
of Argument, to make _Corlaer_ more careful to release our
People that are Prisoners; and you may be convinced it was so,
when you consider that it was said after your Answer, and
without laying down either Bever, or any Belt or Wampum, as we
always do, when we make Propositions[8]; therefore we desire,
that, if it be noted, it may be blotted out, and not made known
to _Corlaer_, for we hold firmly to our Covenant, as we said in
our Propositions."
They, at the same Time, told them, That the _Sinondowans_[9] came to
them with eight Belts, desiring them no longer to prosecute the War with
the _Virginia Indians_, but to go to War against the _Dewaganas_[10], a
Nation lying to the North-westward; and that the _Sennekas_ did desire
them to set these Christians at Liberty, and to carry them to _Albany_;
all which we promised to do.
The _Five Nations_ continuing however still to be troublesome to
_Virginia_, that Government, in _September_ following, sent Colonel
_William Kendall_, and Colonel _Southley Littleton_, to _Albany_, to
renew and confirm the Friendship between _Virginia_ and the _Five
Nations_. Colonel _Littleton_ died at _Albany_, before the _Indians_
arrived; and Colonel _Kendall_ spoke first to the _Oneydoes_, and told
them in a set Speech, "That their People had taken away and destroyed
their Goods and People, and brought some of the Women and Children of
_Virginia_ Captives into their Castles, contrary to that Faith and
Promise, and in Breach of the Peace made with Colonel _Coursey_, without
any the least Provocation, or Injury done, by the People of _Virginia_.
However, through the great Respect _Virginia_ has to their Nations, and
by the Persuasions of the Governor of _New-York_, and the Information he
has given the Government of _Virginia_, that they had quietly and
peaceably delivered to him the Prisoners taken from _Virginia_, who were
returned safely; and their excusing the same, and Inclination to live
peaceably, without injuring _Virginia_ for the future; the Government
of _Virginia_ did forgive all the Damages the _Five Nations_ have done
to the People of _Virginia_, though very great; provided that they, or
any living among them, for the future, do not offend, or molest the
People of _Virginia_, or _Indians_ living among them."
He spoke to the _Mohawks_ and _Sennekas_, separately from the
_Oneydoes_, because they had not done any Mischief, and promised them
kind and neighbourly Usage when they came to _Virginia_, and gave them
Presents; they returned the Compliment, with an Assurance of their
Friendship, and condoled Colonel _Littleton_'s Death, after the _Indian_
Manner, by a =Present of a Belt of black Wampum=, besides the Belt given,
on renewal of the Friendship.
The _Onnondagas_ did not come till _November_; on the fifth of which
Month the _Virginia_ Agent spoke to them, in the same Words he did to
the _Oneydoes_. It does not appear, by the Register of _Indian_ Affairs,
what Answer the _Oneydoes_ and _Onnondagas_ made, but it is certain they
did not observe Friendship with _Virginia_, but molested them with
reiterated Incursions of their Parties. It is observable, however, that
these two Nations, and the _Cayugas_, only had _French_ Priests among
them at that Time, and that none of the rest ever molested the
_English_; for which Reason, Colonel _Dongan_, notwithstanding the
Orders he had received from his Master, and that he himself was a
Papist, complained of the ill Offices these Priests did to the _English_
Interest, and forbid the _Five Nations_ to entertain any of them; though
the _English_ and _French_ Crowns, while he was Governor of _New-York_,
seemed to be more than ever in strict Friendship.
The _French_ had no Hopes of persuading the _Five Nations_ to break with
_New-York_ directly, but they were in Hopes, that, by the _Indian_
Parties doing frequent Mischief in _Virginia_, the Government of
_New-York_ would be forced to join, in resenting the Injury, and
thereby that Union, between the Government of _New-York_ and the _Five
Nations_, would be broke, which always obstructed, and often defeated,
the Design the _French_ had, of subjecting all _North America_ to the
Crown of _France_. For this Reason, the Governors of _New-York_ have
always, with the greatest Caution, avoided a Breach with these Nations,
on Account of the little Differences they had with the neighbouring
Colonies. These new Incursions of these two Nations were so troublesome
to the People of _Virginia_, that their Governor, the Lord _Howard of
Effingham_, thought it necessary, for their Security, to undertake a
Journey to _New-York_.
I shall give a particular Account of this Affair, which was thought of
such Consequence, that a Peer of _England_ left his Government, and
travelled four-hundred Miles, to treat with the _Five Nations_; and
shall take this Opportunity of describing some Ceremonies they use, in
making Peace.
The _Sachems_ of the _Five Nations_ being called to _Albany_, eight
_Mohawks_, three _Oneydoes_, three _Onnondagas_, and three _Cayuga
Sachems_, met his Lordship there; and, on the thirteenth of _July_,
1684, he, accompanied by two of the Council of _Virginia_, spoke to the
_Sachems_ as follows, in the Presence of Colonel _Thomas Dongan_,
Governor of _New-York_, and the Magistrates of _Albany_. The _Senekas_
being far off, were not then arrived.
_Proposals made by the Right Honourable_ Francis _Lord_ Howard
of Effingham, _Governor-general of his Majesty's Dominion of_
Virginia.
_To_
_The_ Mohawks, Oneydoes, Onnondagas, _and_ Cayugas.
"It is now about seven Years, said he, since you (unprovoked)
came into _Virginia_, a Country belonging to the great King of
_England_, and committed several Murders and Robberies, carrying
away our Christian Women and Children Prisoners into your
Castles. All which Injuries we designed to have revenged on you,
but at the Desire of Sir _Edmond Andross_, then Governor-general
of this Country, we desisted from destroying you, and sent our
Agents, Colonel _William Kendal_, and Colonel _Southley
Littleton_, to confirm and make sure the Peace, that Colonel
_Coursey_ of _Maryland_ included us in, when he first treated
with you. We find, that as you quickly forgot what you promised
Colonel _Coursey_, so you have wilfully broke the Covenant-chain
which you promised our Agent, Colonel _Kendal_, should be kept
more strong and bright, if we of _Virginia_ would bury, in the
Pit of Oblivion, the Injury then done us; which, upon Governor
_Andross_'s Intercession, and your Submission, we were willing
to forget: But you not at all minding the Covenant then made,
have every Year since, come into our Country in a war-like
Manner, under Pretence of fighting with our _Indians_, our
Friends and Neighbours, which you ought not to have done, our
Agent having included them likewise in the Peace. You not only
destroyed, and took several of them Prisoners, but you have also
killed and burnt our Christian People, destroying Corn and
Tobacco, more than you made Use of, killed our Horses, Hogs, and
Cattle; not to eat, but to let them lie in the Woods and stink:
This you did, when you were not denied any Thing you said you
wanted.
"I must also tell you, that, under the Pretence of Friendship,
you have come to Houses at the Heads of our Rivers (when they
have been fortified) with a white Sheet on a Pole, and have laid
down your Guns before the Fort; upon which, our People taking
you for Friends, have admitted your great Men into their Forts,
and have given them Meat and Drink, what they desired. After the
great Men had refreshed themselves, and desiring to return, as
they were let out of the Fort-gates, the young Men commonly
rushed into the Fort, and plundered the Houses, taking away, and
destroying all the Corn, Tobacco, and Bedding, and what else was
in the Houses. When they went away, they generally also took
several Sheep with them, and killed several Cows big with Calf,
and left them behind them cut to Pieces, and flung about, as if
it were in Defiance of us, and in Derision of our Friendship.
These, and many more Injuries that you have done us, have caused
me to raise Forces, to send to the Heads of our Rivers, to
defend our People from these Outrages, till I came to
_New-York_, to Colonel _Thomas Dongan_, your Governor-general,
to desire him, as we are all one King's Subjects, to assist me
in warring against you, to revenge the Christian Blood that you
have shed, and to make you give full Satisfaction for all the
Goods that you have destroyed: But by the Mediation of your
Governor, I am now come to _Albany_ to speak with you, and to
know the Reason of your breaking the Covenant-chain, not only
with us and our neighbour _Indians_, but with _Maryland_, who
are great King _Charles_'s Subjects; for our _Indians_ have
given King _Charles_ their Land; therefore I, the Governor of
_Virginia_, will protect them, as your Governor, under the great
_Duke of York_ and _Albany_, will henceforth you, when the Chain
of Friendship is made between us all.
"Now I have let you know, that I am sensible of all the Injuries
you have done us, and by the Desire of your Governor-general, I
am willing to make a new Chain with you for _Virginia_,
_Maryland_, and our _Indians_, that may be more strong and
lasting, even to the Word's End; so that we may be Brethren, and
great King _Charles_'s Children.
"I propose to you, _first_, That you call out of our Countries
of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, all your young Men or Soldiers
that are now there.
"_Secondly_, That you do not hinder or molest our friendly
_Indians_ from hunting in our Mountains, it having been their
Country, and none of yours; they never go into your Country to
disturb any of you.
"_Thirdly_, Though the Damages you have done our Country be very
great, and would require a great deal of Satisfaction, which you
are bound to give; yet we assure you, that only by the
Persuasions of your Governor, who is at a vast deal of Trouble
and Charge for your Welfare, which you ever ought to
acknowledge, I have pass'd it by and forgiven you; upon this
Condition, that your People, nor any living among you, for the
future, ever commit any Incursions upon our Christians or
_Indians_ living among us, or in _Maryland_.
"For the better Confirmation of the same, and that the Peace now
concluded may be lasting, I propose to have two [11] Hatchets
buried, as a final Determination of all Wars and Jarrings
between us; one on behalf of us and our _Indians_, and the other
for all your _Nations_ united together, that ever did us any
Injury, or pretended to war against our _Indian_ Friends, or
those of _Maryland_.
"And that nothing may be wanting for Confirmation thereof (if
you desire it) we are willing to send some of our _Indian
Sachems_, with an Agent, next Summer, about this Time, that they
may ratify the Covenant with you here, in this prefixed House,
where you may see and speak together as Friends.
"That the Covenant now made between us, in this prefixed House,
in the Presence of your Governor, may be firmly kept and
performed on your Parts, as it always has been on ours; and that
you do not break any one Link of the Covenant-chain for the
future, by your People's coming near our Plantations; when you
march to the Southward, keep to the Feet of the Mountains, and
do not come nigh the Heads of our Rivers, there being no
Bever-hunting there; for we shall not for the future, though you
lay down your Arms as Friends, ever trust you more, you have so
often deceived us."
The next Day the _Mohawks_ answer'd first by their Speaker, saying:
"We must, in the first Place, say something to the other three
Nations, by Way of Reproof, for their not keeping the former
Chain, as they ought; and therefore we desire you, great _Sachem
of Virginia_, and you _Corlaer_, and all here present to give
Ear, for we will conceal nothing of the Evil they have done."
[Then turning to the other Nations.] "You have heard Yesterday
all that has been said; as for our Parts, we are free of the
Blame laid on us; we have always been obedient to _Corlaer_, and
have steadily kept our Chain with _Virginia_, _Maryland_, and
_Boston_; but ye are stupid and brutish, and have no
Understanding, we must stamp Understanding into you. Let the new
Chain made Yesterday be carefully preserved for the future. This
we earnestly recommend to you, for we are ready to cry for Shame
of you; let us be no more ashamed on your Account, but be
obedient, and =take this Belt=, to keep what we say in your
Memory.
"Hear now, now is the Time to hearken; the Covenant-chain had
very near slipt, by your not keeping it firmly. Hold it fast
now, when all former Evils are buried in the Pit.
"You _Oneydoes_, I speak to you as Children; be no longer
childish, or void of Understanding.
"You _Onondagas_, our Brethren, you are like deaf People, that
cannot hear, your Senses are covered with Dirt and Filth.
"You _Cayugas_, do not return into your former Ways. There are
three Things we must all observe.
"_First_, The Covenant with _Corlear_. _Secondly_, the Covenant
with _Virginia_ and _Maryland_. _Thirdly_, with _Boston_. We
must stamp Understanding into you, that you may be obedient; and
=take this Belt= for a Remembrancer."
Then _Cadianne_, the same _Mohawk_ Speaker, turning to my Lord, said:
"We are very thankful to you, great _Sachem_ of _Virginia_, that
you are persuaded by _Corlear_, our Governor, to forgive all
former Faults. We are very glad to hear you, and see your Heart
softened. =Take these three Bevers= as a Token.
"We thank the great _Sachem_ of _Virginia_ for saying, that the
Axe shall be thrown into the Pit. =Take these two Bevers=, as a
Token of our Joy and Thankfulness.
"We are glad that _Assarigoa_[12] will bury in the Pit what is
past. Let the Earth be trod hard over it; or rather, let a
strong Stream run under the Pit, to wash the Evil away out of
our Sight and Remembrance, and that it may never be digged up
again.
"_Assarigoa_, you are a Man of Knowledge and Understanding, thus
to keep the Covenant-chain bright as Silver; and now again to
renew it, and make it stronger. (Then pointing to the three
other Nations, said,) But they are Chain-breakers. I lay down
this as a Token, that we _Mohawks_ have preserved the Chain
intire on our Parts. =Gives two Bevers and a Racoon.=
"The Covenant must be kept; for the Fire of Love of _Virginia_
and _Maryland_ burns in this Place, as well as ours, and this
House of Peace must be kept clean. =Gives two Bevers.=
"We now plant a Tree[13], whose Top will reach the Sun, and its
Branches spread far abroad, so that it shall be seen afar off;
and we shall shelter ourselves under it, and live in Peace
without Molestation. Here he =gave two Bevers=.
"You proposed Yesterday, that if we were desirous to see the
_Indians_ of _Virginia_, you are willing to send some of their
_Sachems_ next Summer, about this Time, to this Place. This
Proposal pleases me very much, the sooner they come the better,
that we may speak with them in this House, which is appointed
for our speaking with our Friends; and =give two Belts= to confirm
it.
"You have now heard what Exhortation we have made to the other
three Nations; we have taken the Hatchet out of their Hands; we
now therefore pray, that both your Hatchets may likewise be
buried in a deep Pit. =Giving two Bevers.=
"_Assarigoa_, some of us _Mohawks_ are out against our Enemies,
that lie afar off, they will do you no Harm, nor plunder, as the
others do. Be kind to them, if they shall happen to come to any
of your Plantations; give them some Tobacco and some Victuals;
for they will neither rob nor steal, as the _Oneydoes_,
_Onnondagas_, and _Cayugas_ have done.
"The _Oneydoes_ particularly thank you, great _Sachem_ of
_Virginia_, for consenting to lay down the Axe. The Hatchet is
taken out of all their Hands. =Gives a Belt.=
"We again thank _Assarigoa_, that he has made a new Chain. Let
it be kept bright and clean, and held fast on all Sides; let not
any one pull his Arm from it. We include all the _four Nations_,
in giving this Belt.
"We again pray _Assarigoa_, to take the _Oneydoes_ into his
Favour, and keep the Chain strong with them; for they are our
Children. =Gives a Belt.=
"The _Oneydoes_ =give twenty Bevers=, as a Satisfaction for what
they promised the Lord _Baltimore_, and desire that they may be
discharged of that Debt."
The two Governors told them, that they would use their Endeavours with
the Lord _Baltimore_, to persuade him to forgive what remained.
Then the _Indians_ desired that the Hole might be dug, to bury the Axes,
_viz._ one in Behalf of _Virginia_ and their _Indians_, another in
Behalf of _Maryland_ and theirs, and three for the _Onnondagas_,
_Oneydoes_, and _Cayugas_. The _Mohawks_ said, there was no Need of
burying any on their Account, for the first Chain had never been broke
by them.
Then the three Nations spoke by an _Onnondaga_, called _Thanohjanihta_,
who said:
"We thank the great _Sachem of Virginia_, that he has so readily
forgiven and forgot the Injuries that have been done; and we,
for our Parts, gladly catch at, and lay hold of the new Chain.
Then each of them delivered an Axe to be buried, and =gave a
Belt=.
"I speak in the Name of all three Nations, and include them in
this Chain, which we desire may be kept clean and bright like
Silver. =Gives a Belt.=
"We desire that the Path may be open for the _Indians_ under
_Assarigoa_'s Protection, to come safely and freely to this
Place, in order to confirm the Peace." =Gives six Fathom of
Wampum.=
Then the Axes were buried in the south-east End of the Court-yard, and
the _Indians_ threw the Earth upon them; after which the Lord _Howard_
told them, since now a firm Peace is concluded, we shall hereafter
remain Friends, and _Virginia_ and _Maryland_ will send once in two or
three Years to renew it, and some of our _Sachems_ shall come, according
to your Desire, to confirm it.
Last of all the _Oneydoes_, the _Onnondagas_, and _Cayugas_, jointly
sang the Peace-song, with Demonstrations of much Joy; and thanked the
Governor of _New-York_ for his effectual Mediation with the Governor of
_Virginia_ in their Favour.
Colonel _Dungan_ had gained the Affections of the _Five Nations_, and
they esteemed him much.
They desired the _Duke of York_'s Arms to put upon their _Castles_,
which, from the Sequel of their Story, we may suppose they were told
would save them from the _French_. Colonel _Dungan_ desired them to
call Home those of their Nations that had settled in _Canada_[14]. To
which they answered, _Corlear_ keeps a Correspondence and Friendship
with _Canada_, and therefore he can prevail more than we can. Let
_Corlear_ use his Endeavours to draw our _Indians_ Home to their own
Country.
The Government of the _Massachusets Bay_ had appointed Colonel
_Stephanus Cortland_, one of the Council of _New-York_, their Agent at
this Time, to renew their Friendship likewise with the _Five Nations_,
and to give them some small Presents; which was accordingly done.
The Governor of _New-York_, Colonel _Dungan_, concluded with this Advice
to them: Keep a good Understanding among yourselves; if any Difference
happen, acquaint me with it, and I will compose it. Make no Agreement
with the _French_, or any other Nation, without my Knowledge and
Approbation. Then he gave the Duke's Arms to be put up at each of their
Castles, in Hopes it might deter the _French_ from attacking them, (as
they were threatened from _Canada_) by this so manifest a Declaration of
their being under the Protection of the Crown of _England_, when the two
Crowns were in the strictest Friendship; but it is probable the _French_
chose this very Time to attack them, to bring them off from that
Confidence they seemed to have in the _English_.
It may be proper, before I proceed, to insert here also a remarkable
Speech made by the _Onnondagas_ and _Cayugas_ to the two Governors, on
the second Day of _August_, _viz._
"_Brother_ Corlear,
"Your _Sachem_ is a great _Sachem_, and we are but a small
People; but when the _English_ came first to _Manhatan_,[15] to
_Aragiske_[16] and to _Yakokranagary_[17], they were then but a
small People, and we were great. Then, because we found you a
good People, we treated you kindly, and gave you Land; we hope
therefore, now that you are great, and we small, you will
protect us from the _French_. If you do not, we shall lose all
our Hunting and Bevers: The _French_ will get all the Bevers.
The Reason they are now angry with us is, because we carry our
Bever to our Brethren.
"We have put our Lands and ourselves under the Protection of the
great _Duke of York_, the Brother of your great _Sachem_, who is
likewise a great _Sachem_.
"We have annexed the _Susquehana_ River, which we won with the
Sword, to this Government; and we desire it may be a Branch of
the great Tree that grows in this Place, the Top of which
reaches the Sun, and its Branches shelter us from the _French_,
and all other Nations. Our Fire burns in your Houses, and your
Fire burns with us; we desire it may be so always. But we will
not that any of the great _Penn_'s People settle upon the
_Susquehana_ River, for we have no other Land to leave to our
Children.
"Our young Men are Soldiers, and when they are provoked, they
are like Wolves in the Woods, as you, _Sachem_ of _Virginia_,
very well know.
"We have put ourselves under the great _Sachem Charles_, that
lives on the other Side the great Lake. We =give you these two
white dressed Deer-skins=, to send to the great _Sachem_, that he
may write on them, and put a great red Seal to them, to confirm
what we now do; and put the _Susquehana_ River above the Falls,
and all the rest of our Land under the great _Duke of York_, and
give that Land to none else. Our Brethren, his People, have been
like Fathers to our Wives and Children, and have given us Bread
when we were in Need of it; we will not therefore join
ourselves, or our Land, to any other Government but this. We
desire _Corlear_, our Governor, may send this our Proposition to
the great _Sachem Charles_, who dwells on the other Side the
great Lake, with this =Belt of Wampum=, and this other =smaller
Belt= to the _Duke of York_ his Brother: And =we give you,
_Corlear_, this Bever=, that you may send over this Proposition.
"You great Man of _Virginia_, we let you know, that great _Penn_
did speak to us here in _Corlear_'s House by his Agents, and
desired to buy the _Susquehana_ River of us, but we would not
hearken to him, for we had fastened it to this Government.
"We desire you therefore to bear witness of what we now do, and
that we now confirm what we have done before. Let your Friend,
that lives on the other Side the great Lake, know this, that we
being a free People, though united to the _English_, may give
our Lands, and be joined to the _Sachem_ we like best. We =give
this Bever= to remember what we say."
The _Senekas_ arrived soon after, and, on the fifth of _August_, spoke
to the Lord _Howard_ in the following Manner:
"We have heard and understood what Mischief hath been done in
_Virginia_; we have it as perfect as if it were upon our Fingers
Ends. O _Corlear_! we thank you for having been our Intercessor,
so that the Axe has not fallen upon us.
"And you _Assarigoa_, great _Sachem of Virginia_, we thank you
for burying all Evil in the Pit. We are informed, that the
_Mohawks_, _Oneydoes_, _Onnondagas_, and _Cayugas_, have buried
the Axe already; now we that live remotest off, are come to do
the same, and to include in this Chain the _Cahnawaas_, your
Friends. We desire therefore, that an Axe, on our Part, may be
buried with one of _Assarigoa_'s. O _Corlear! Corlear!_ we thank
you for laying hold of one End of the Axe; and we thank you,
great Governor of _Virginia_, not only for throwing aside the
Axe, but more especially for your putting all Evil from your
Heart. Now we have a new Chain, a strong and a straight Chain,
that cannot be broken. The Tree of Peace is planted so firmly,
that it cannot be moved, let us on both Sides hold the Chain
fast.
"We understand what you said of the great _Sachem_, that lives
on the other Side the great Water.
"You tell us, that the _Cahnawaas_ will come hither, to
strengthen the Chain. Let them not make any Excuse, that they
are old and feeble, or that their Feet are sore. If the old
_Sachems_ cannot, let the young Men come. We shall not fail to
come hither, tho' we live farthest off, and then the new Chain
will be stronger and brighter.
"We understand, that because of the Mischief that has been done
to the People and Castles of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, we must
not come near the Heads of your Rivers, nor near your
Plantations, but keep at the Foot of the Mountains; for tho' we
lay down our Arms, as Friends, we shall not be trusted for the
future, but looked on as Robbers. We agree however to this
Proposition, and shall wholly stay away from _Virginia_: And
this we do in Gratitude to _Corlear_, who has been at so great
Pains to persuade you, great Governor of _Virginia_, to forget
what is past. You are wise in giving Ear to _Corlear_'s good
Advice, for we shall now go a Path which was never trod before.
"We have now done speaking to _Corlear_, and the Governor of
_Virginia_; let the Chain be for ever kept clean and bright by
him, and we shall do the same.
"The other Nations from the _Mohawks_ Country to the _Cayugas_,
have delivered up the _Susquehana_ River, and all that Country,
to _Corlear_'s Government. We confirm what they have done by
=giving this Belt=."
Coll. _Bird_, one of the Council of _Virginia_, and _Edmond Jennings
Esq_; Attorney General of that Province, came with four _Indian
Sachems_, (according to the Lord _Howard_'s Promise) to renew and
confirm the Peace, and met the _Five Nations_ at _Albany_ in _September_
1685.
Coll. _Bird_ accused them of having again broke their Promise, by taking
an _Indian_ Girl from an _English_ Man's House, and four _Indian_ Boys
Prisoners.