PART II.

_The History of the_ Five Indian Nations _of_ Canada, _from the Time of

the Revolution to the Peace of_ Reswick.

* * * * *

CHAP. I.

_The State of Affairs in_ New-York _and_ Canada, _at the Time of the_

Revolution _in_ Great-Britain.

We left the _Five Nations_ triumphing over the _French_ in _Canada_, and

they almost reduced to Despair. The Revolution, which happened at this

Time in _England_, seemed to be a favourable Conjunction for the _Five

Nations_; the _English_ Colonies, by the War at that Time declared

against _France_, becoming Parties in their Quarrel: For one will be

ready to think, that the _Five Nations_ being by themselves too powerful

for the _French_, as appears by the preceding Chapter, when these were

assisted by the _Utawawas_, _Quatoghies_, _Twihtwies_, _Chictaghicks_,

_Putewatemies_, and all the _Western Indian Nations_, and when the

_English_ stood neuter; now certainly, when not only all these _Indian

Nations_ had made Peace with the _Five Nations_, but the _English_

joined with them in the War, the _French_ would not be able to stand one

Campaign.

But we shall find what a Turn Affairs took, contrary to all reasonable

Expectations, from the general Appearance of Things, and of what

Importance a resolute wise Governor is to the well-being of a People,

and how prejudicial Divisions and Parties are. For this Reason, it will

be necessary to take a View of the Publick Affairs in the Province of

_New-York_, and in _Canada_, at that Time, in order to understand the

true Causes of the Alterations, which afterwards happened in Favour of

the _French_.

The Revolution occasioned as great Divisions and Parties in the Province

of _New-York_, in Proportion to the Number of People, as it did in

_Britain_, if not greater. The Governor and all the Officers either fled

or absconded; the Gentlemen of the King's Council, and some of the most

considerable or richest People, either out of Love, or what they thought

Duty, to King _James_, or rather from an Opinion they had that the

_Prince of Orange_ could not succeed, refused to join in the Declaration

the People made in favour of that Prince, and suffered the

Administration to fall into different Hands, who were more zealous for

the Protestant Interest, and who were joined by the far greatest Number

of the Inhabitants. After the Revolution was established, they that had

appeared so warmly for it, thought that they deserved best of the

Government, and expected to be continued in the Publick Offices; the

others were zealous to recover the Authority they had lost, and used the

most persuasive Means with the Governors for that Purpose, while the

former trusted to their Merit. This begat great Animosities, which

continued many Years. Each Party, as they were at different Times

favoured by several Governors, opposed all the Measures taken by the

other, while each of them were by Turns in Credit with the People or the

Governor, and sometimes even prosecuted each other to Death. The publick

Measures were by these Means perpetually fluctuating, and often one Day

contradictory to what they were the Day before. The succeeding

Governors, finding their private Account in favouring sometimes the one

Party, and at other Times the other, kept up the Animosities all King

_William_'s Reign, though very much to the publick Prejudice; for each

Party was this while so eager in resenting private Injuries, that they

intirely neglected the publick Good.

The Constitution of Government in the _English Plantations_, where the

Governors have no Salary, but what they can attain with the Consent of

the Assemblies or Representatives of the People, gave Occasion to

imprudent Governors to fall upon these Expedients, as they sometimes

call them, for getting of Money. And a prevailing Faction, knowing for

what Purpose the Governments in _America_ were chiefly desired by the

_English_ Gentlemen, used this great Privilege to tempt a Governor to be

the Head of a Party, when he ought to have been the Head of the

Government. Indeed _New-York_ has had the Misfortune, too frequently, to

be under such as could not keep their Passion for Money secret, though

none found it so profitable a Government, as they did who followed

strictly the true Maxims of governing, without making Money the only

Rule of their Actions.

The frequent Changes of Governors were likewise prejudicial to the

publick Affairs. Colonel _Slaughter_, the first Governor after the

Revolution, happened to die soon after his Arrival, when steady, as well

as resolute Measures, were most necessary. But some think, that the

Occasion of all the Misfortunes lay in the Want of Care in the Choice of

Governors, when the Affairs of _America_ wanted able Hands to manage

them; they think that the Ministry had the saving of Money chiefly in

View, when, to gratify some small Services, they gave Employments in

_America_ to those that were not capable of much meaner Offices at Home.

The Opinion the People had of Colonel _Slaughter_'s Capacity gave ground

to these Surmises; but, if it was so, it happened to be very ill saved

Money; for the Mismanagements in this Country occasioned far greater

Expence to the Crown afterwards, than would have bought such Gentlemen

handsome Estates, besides the great Losses they occasioned to the

Subjects.

The greatest Number of the Inhabitants of the Province of _New-York_

being _Dutch_, still retained an Affection to their Mother Country, and

by their Aversion to the _English_ weakened the Administration. The

common People of _Albany_, who are all _Dutch_, could not forbear giving

the _Indians_ some ill Impressions of the _English_; for the _Mohawks_,

in one of their publick Speeches, expressed themselves thus: "We hear a

_Dutch Prince_ reigns now in _England_, why do you suffer the _English_

Soldiers to remain in the Fort? put all the _English_ out of the Town.

When the _Dutch_ held this Country long ago, we lay in their Houses; but

the _English_ have always made us lie without Doors." It is true, that

the Plantations were first settled by the meanest People of every

Nation, and such as had the least Sense of any Honour. The _Dutch_ first

Settlers, many of them I may say, had none of the Virtues of their

Countrymen, except their Industry in getting Money, and they sacrificed

every Thing, other People think honourable or most sacred, to their

Gain: But I do not think it proper to give particular Instances of this.

The People of _New-England_ were engaged in a bloody War at this Time

with the _Owenagungas_, _Ouragies_, and _Ponacoks_, the _Indians_ that

lie between them and the _French_ Settlements. The _Scahkooks_ were

originally Part of these _Indians_. They left their Country about the

Year 1672, and settled above _Albany_, on the Branch of _Hudson's River_

that runs towards _Canada_. The People of _New-England_ were jealous of

the _Scahkook Indians_, that they remembering the old Difference they

had with the People of _New England_, and the Relation they bore to the

_Eastern Indians_, did countenance and assist these _Indians_ in the War

against _New England_. They had Reason for these Jealousies, for the

_Scahkook Indians_ received privately some _Owenagunga_ Messengers, and

kept their coming among them secret from the People of _Albany_; and

some _Scahkooks_ had gone privately to the _Owenagungas_. They were

afraid likewise, that the _Mohawks_ might have some Inclination to

favour those _Indians_, because some of the _Eastern Indians_ had fled

to the _Mohawks_, and were kindly received by them, and lived among

them.

Notwithstanding all these Failures of good Policy, in the Government of

_New-York_, the _French_ had not gained so great Advantages, if they had

not carefully observed a different Conduct, which it is now necessary to

consider.

_Canada_ was at this Time in a very distressed Condition, the Country

and out Plantations burnt and destroyed, their Trade intirely at a

stand, great Numbers of their People slain, and the remainder in danger

of perishing by Famine, as well as by the Sword of inveterate cruel

Enemies. When such Misfortunes happen to a Country, under any

Administration, though in Truth the Conduct of Affairs be not to be

blamed, it is often prudent to change the Ministers; for the common

People never fail to blame them, notwithstanding their having acted with

the greatest Wisdom, and therefore cannot so soon recover their Spirits,

that are sunk by Misfortunes, as by putting their Affairs into different

Hands.

For these Reasons, it is probable, the _French_ King recalled Mr. _de

Nonville_, but rewarded him for his Services, by an honourable

Employment in the Houshold. The Count _de Frontenac_ was sent in his

Place. This Gentleman had been formerly Governor of that Country, and

was perfectly acquainted with its Interest; of a Temper of Mind fitted

to such desperate Times, of undaunted Courage, and indefatigable, though

in the sixty-eighth Year of his Age. The Count _de Frontenac_ arrived

the second of _October_ 1689. The Country immediately received new Life

by the Arrival of a Person, of whose Courage and Conduct every one had

entertained a high Opinion. Care was taken to increase this Impression

on the Minds of the People, by making publick Rejoicings with as much

Noise as possible. He wisely improved this new Life, by immediately

entering upon Action, without suffering their Hopes to grow cold. He

staid no longer at _Quebeck_, than was necessary to be informed of the

present State of Affairs, and in four or five Days after his Arrival set

out in a Canoe for _Montreal_, where his Presence was most necessary;

and the Winter was already so far advanced, that the Ice made it

impracticable to go in a larger Vessel. By this the old Gentleman

increased the Opinion and Hopes the People entertained of him, that,

without staying to refresh himself after a fatiguing Sea-Voyage, he

would immediately undertake another, that required all the Vigour and

Heat of Youth to withstand the Inclemencies of the Climate and Season,

and the Difficulty of such a Passage.

When the Count _de Frontenac_ came to _Montreal_, he increased the

Admiration the People had of his Vigour and Zeal, by pretending to go to

visit _Cadarackui Fort_, now abandoned, which he had built in the Time

he was formerly Governor. The Clergy and People of _Montreal_ came

jointly with stretched out Arms, representing the Danger of such an

Attempt, and the Difficulties and Hardships that would necessarily

attend it, praying him not to expose a Life that was so necessary for

their Safety. He, with seeming Reluctance, yielded to their Intreaties;

I say with seeming Reluctance, for it was inconsistent with his Prudence

really to have such a Design. This Shew of the Governor's offering to go

in Person, animated some of the Gentlemen of the Country, who

voluntarily went in the Winter, with one Hundred _Indian_ Traders, to

visit that Fort; and finding it in better Condition than they expected,

by the Report of those who had abandoned it, they staid there, and made

some small Reparations in the Walls, which the _Indians_ had thrown

down.

The Count _de Frontenac_ brought back with him _Tawerahet_, a _Capiga

Sachem_, one of the thirteen Prisoners that Mr. _de Nonville_ took at

_Cadarackui_, and sent to _France_. He was in Hopes this _Indian_ would

be useful in procuring a Treaty of Peace with the _Five Nations_, for

they had an extraordinary Opinion of _Tawerahet_; and the _French_ had

found, by sad Experience, that they could not be Gainers by continuing

the War: For this Purpose the Count used _Tawerahet_ with much

Kindness, during his Voyage, and, after he arrived at _Quebeck_, lodged

him in the Castle under his own Roof, and took such Pains with this

_Sachem_, that he forgot all the ill Usage he had formerly received.

The _French_ had the more Reason to desire a Peace with the _Five

Nations_, because they knew, that they would now certainly have the

_English_ Colonies likewise upon them; and if the _Five Nations_ had

been able to do so much Mischief by themselves alone, they were much

more to be feared, when they would be assisted, in all Probability, with

the Force and Interest of the _English_ Colonies.

Four _Indians_ of less Note, who were brought back along with

_Tawerahet_, were immediately dispatched, in this _Sachem_'s Name, to

the _Five Nations_, to inform them of his Return, and of the kind Usage

they had received from the Count _de Frontenac_; and to press them to

send some to visit their old Friend, who had been so kind to them when

he was formerly Governor of _Canada_, and who still retained an

Affection to the _Five Nations_; as appeared by the Kindness _Tawerahet_

and they had received from him. This was the only Method left to the

_French_ of making Proposals of Peace, which it was their Interest by

all Means to procure.

The Governor of _Canada_, as I said, conceived that there was no Way so

proper to keep up the Spirits of the People, who had got new Life by his

Arrival, as by putting them upon Action; and indeed their present

miserable Condition made them forward enough, to undertake the most

desperate Enterprize, when the frequent Incursions of the _Indians_ made

it as dangerous to be at Home, as to attack the Enemy Abroad.

For this Purpose he sent out three Parties in the Winter; one was

designed against _New-York_, the other against _Connecticut_, and the

last against _New-England_.

The _Five Nations_ followed Colonel _Dungan_'s Advice, in endeavouring

to bring off the _Western Indians_ from the _French_, and had all the

Success that could be expected, before Mr. _de Frontenac_ arrived.

They were overjoyed when they heard, that the _English_ had entered into

War with the _French_, and came several Times to _Albany_ to know the

Certainty of it, while it was only rumoured about. The People of

_Albany_ desired them to secure any of the praying _Indians_ that should

come from _Canada_, if they found that they were still ruled by the

Priests; but to encourage them, if they came with a Design to return to

their own Country.

The _Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas_, and _Oneydoes_, the twenty seventh of

_June_ 1689, before any Governor arrived, renewed the old Covenant (as

they said) which was first made many Years ago with one _Tagues_, who

came with a Ship into their River. "Then we first became Brethren, said

they, and continued so till last fall, that Sir _Edmond Andross_ came

and made a new Chain, by calling us Children; but let us stick to the

old Chain, which has continued from the first Time it was made, by which

we became Brethren, and have ever since always behaved as such.

_Virginia, Maryland_, and _New-England_, have been taken into this

silver Chain, with which our Friendship is locked fast. We are now come

to make the Chain clear and bright. Here they =gave two Bevers=."

King _James_, a little before his Abdication, sent over Sir _Edmond

Andross_ with arbitrary Powers, and he, in Imitation of the _French_,

changed the Stile of speaking to the _Indians_, of which they were very

sensible.

They discovered a great Concern for their People that were carried to

_Canada_; they long hoped (they said) that the King of _England_ would

have been powerful enough to deliver them, but now they began to lose

all Hopes of them.

CHAP. II.

_A Treaty between the Agents of_ Massachuset's Bay, New-Plymouth, _and_

Connecticut, _and the_ Sachems _of the_ Five Nations, _at_ Albany, _in

the Year_ 1689.

About the Beginning of _September_ 1689, Colonel _John Pynchon_, Major

_John Savage_, and Captain _Jonathan Bull_, Agents for the Colonies of

_Massachuset's Bay, New-Plymouth_, and _Connecticut_, arrived at

_Albany_, to renew the Friendship with the _Five Nations_, and to engage

them against the _Eastern Indians_, who made War on the _English_ of

those Colonies, and were supported by the _French_.

The _Five Nations_ had received four Messengers from the _Eastern

Indians_, which gave the People of _New-England_ some Apprehensions, and

they were therefore desirous to know what Reception these Messengers had

met with.

The _Five Nations_ answered by _Tahajadoris_, a _Mohawk Sachem_, on the

twenty fourth of _September_. He made a long Oration, repeating all that

the Agent from _New-England_ had said, the Day before, and desired them

to be attentive to the Answer now to be made to them. They commonly

repeat over all that has been said to them, before they return any

Answer, and one may be surprized at the Exactness of these Repetitions.

They take the following Method to assist their Memories: The _Sachem_,

who presides at these Conferences, has a Bundle of small Sticks in his

Hand; as soon as the Speaker has finished any one Article of his Speech,

this _Sachem_ gives a Stick to another _Sachem_, who is particularly to

remember that Article; and so when another Article is finished, he gives

a Stick to another to take Care of that other, and so on. In like Manner

when the Speaker answers, each of these has the particular Care of the

Answer resolved on to each Article, and prompts the Orator, when his

Memory fails him, in the Article committed to his Charge. _Tahajadoris_

addressing himself to the Agents, said:

"Brethren,

"You are welcome to this House, which is appointed for our

Treaties and publick Business with the Christians; we thank you

for renewing the Covenant-chain. It is now no longer of Iron and

subject to Rust, as formerly, but of pure Silver, and includes

in it all the King's Subjects, from the _Senekas_ Country

eastward, as far as any of the great King's Subjects live, and

southward, from _New-England_ to _Virginia_. Here he =gave a

Bever=.

"We are glad to hear of the good Success our great King has had

over the _French_ by Sea, in taking and sinking so many of their

Men of War. You tell us in your Proposals that we are one

People, let us then go Hand in Hand together, to ruin and

destroy the _French_ our common Enemy. =Gives a Bever.=

"The Covenant-chain between us is ancient (as you tell us) and

of long standing, and it has been kept inviolably by us. When

you had Wars some time ago with the _Indians_, you desired us to

help you; we did it readily, and to the Purpose; for we pursued

them closely, by which we prevented the Effusion of much of your

Blood. This was a certain Sign that we loved truly and

sincerely, and from our Hearts. =Gives a Belt.=

"You advise us to pursue our Enemies, the _French_, vigorously;

this we assure you we are resolved to do to the utmost of our

Power: But since the _French_ are your Enemies likewise, we

desire our Brethren of the three Colonies to send us an hundred

Men for the Security of this Place, which is ill provided, in

Case of an Attack from the _French_; the Christians have

Victuals enough for their Entertainment. =Gives one Belt.=

"We patiently bore many Injuries from the _French_, from one

Year to another, before we took up the Axe against them. Our

Patience made the Governor of _Canada_ think, that we were

afraid of him, and durst not resent the Injuries we had so long

suffered; but now he is undeceived. We assure you, that we are

resolved never to drop the Axe, the _French_ never shall see our

Faces in Peace, we shall never be reconciled as long as one

_Frenchman_ is alive. We shall never make Peace, though our

Nation should be ruined by it, and every one of us cut in

Pieces. Our Brethren of the three Colonies may depend on this.

=Gives a Bever.=

"As to what you told us of the _Owenagungas_ and _Uragees_, we

answer: That we were never so proud and haughty, as to begin a

War without just Provocation. You tell us that they are

treacherous Rogues, we believe it, and that they will

undoubtedly assist the _French_. If they shall do this, or shall

join with any of our Enemies, either _French_ or _Indians_, then

we will kill and destroy them. =Gives a Bever.="

Then the _Mohawks_ offered five of their Men, to guard the Agents Home

against any of their _Indian_ Enemies, who they were afraid might be

laying in wait for the Agents, and =gave a Belt=.

Afterwards the Speaker continued his Speech, and said: "We have spoke

what we had to say of the War, we now come to the Affairs of Peace: We

promise to preserve the Chain inviolably, and wish that the Sun may

always shine in Peace over all our Heads that are comprehended in this

Chain. We =give two Belts=, one for the Sun, the other for its Beams."

"We make fast the Roots of the Tree of Peace and Tranquillity, which is

planted in this Place. Its Roots extend as far as the utmost of your

Colonies; if the _French_ should come to shake this Tree, we would feel

it by the Motion of its Roots, which extend into our Country: But we

trust it will not be in the Governor of _Canada_'s Power to shake this

Tree, which has been so firmly and so long planted with us. =Bevers.="

_Lastly_, He desired the Magistrates of _Albany_ to remember what he had

said, and =gave them a Bever=.

But the Agents perceiving, that they had not answered any Thing about

the _Owenagunga_ Messengers, and had answered indistinctly about the War

with the _Eastern Indians_, desired them to explain themselves fully on

these two Points, about which the Agents were chiefly concerned.

The _Five Nations_ answered:

"We cannot declare War against the _Eastern Indians_, for they

have done us no Harm: Nevertheless our Brethren of _New-England_

may be assured, that we will live and die in Friendship with

them. When we took up the Axe against the _French_ and their

Confederates, we did it to revenge the Injuries they had done

us; we did not make War with them at the Persuasions of our

Brethren here; for we did not so much as acquaint them with our

Intention, till fourteen Days after our Army had begun their

March."

After the Company had separated, the _Sachems_ sent to the _New-England_

Agents, desiring to speak with them in private; which being granted, the

Speaker said, we have something to tell you, which was not proper to be

spoken openly, for some of our People have an Affection to the

_Owenagungas_; and we were afraid, that they would discover or hinder

our Designs.

Now we assure our Brethren, that we are resolved to look on your Enemies

as ours, and that we will first fall on the _Owaragees_[29]; and then on

the _Owenagungas_, and lastly on the _French_; and that you may be

convinced of our Intention, we design to send five of our young Men

along with our Brethren to _New-England_, to guard them, who have Orders

to view the Country of the _Owaragees_, to discover in what Manner it

can be attacked with the most Advantage. This we always do before we

make an Attempt on our Enemies. In a Word, Brethren, your War is our

War, for we will live and dye with you.

But it is to be observed, that they confirmed nothing relating to these

_Indians_, by giving Belts.

It is probable, that the _Sachems_ acted with some Art on this Occasion,

for they really had favourable Inclinations towards the _Owenagungas_;

and they had Reason not to increase the Number of their Enemies, by

making War on the _Eastern Indians_, who avoided doing them any Injury.

The People of _Albany_ likewise have always been averse to engage our

_Indians_ in a War with the _Eastern Indians_, lest it should change the

Seat of the War, and bring it to their own Doors.

On the 25th the Magistrates of _Albany_ had a private Conference with

the _Sachems_ of the _Five Nations_, and desired to know their

Resolutions as to the War with _Canada_, and the Measures they resolved

to follow. In this Conference the _Indians_ saw that the People of

_Albany_ were so much afraid of the _French_, that their Spirits were

sunk under the Apprehensions of the approaching War; and for this Reason

made the following Answer.

"We have a hundred and forty Men out-skulking about _Canada_; it

is impossible for the _French_ to attempt any Thing, without

being discovered and harassed by these Parties: If the _French_

shall attempt any Thing this Way, all the _Five Nations_ will

come to your Assistance, for our Brethren and we are but one,

and we will live and dye together. We have desired a hundred Men

of our Brethren of _Boston_ to assist us here, because this

Place is most exposed; but if the Governor of _Canada_ is so

strong, as to overcome us all united together, then he must be

our Master, and is not to be resisted; but we have Confidence in

a good and just Cause; for the great God of Heaven knows how

deceitfully the _French_ have dealt with us, their Arms can have

no Success. The Great God hath sent us Signs in the Sky to

confirm this. We have heard uncommon Noise in the Heavens, and

have seen Heads fall down upon Earth, which we look upon as a

certain Presage of the Destruction of the _French_: Take

Courage! On this they all immediately joined in singing and

crying out, Courage! Courage!"

[Footnote 29: Called by the People of _New-England Panocok Indians_.]

CHAP. III.

_An Account of a general Council of the_ Five Nations _at_ Onondaga, _to

consider the Count_ De Frontenac'_s Message_.

On the 27th of _December_ 1689, two _Indians_ came to _Albany_, being

sent by the _Onondaga_ and _Oneydo Sachems_, with seven Hands of Wampum

from each Nation, to tell their Brethren in _New-York_ and

_New-England_, that three of their old Friends, who had been carried

Prisoners to _France_, were come with Proposals from _Canada_; that

there was a Council of the _Sachems_ appointed to meet at _Onondaga_,

and that they therefore desired the Mayor of _Albany_, _Peter Scheyler_,

and some others of their Brethren, to come thither, to be present and to

advise on an Affair of so great Consequence; for they were resolved to

do nothing without the Knowledge and Consent of all those that were

included in the Chain with them.

The same Messenger told them, that some Letters were sent to the Jesuit

at _Oneydo_; and that they would neither burn, nor suffer those Letters

to be opened, till the Brethren should first see them.

All that the Magistrates of _Albany_ did on this important Occasion, was

to send three _Indians_ with Instructions in their Name, to dissuade the

_Five Nations_ from entertaining any Thoughts of Peace, or yielding to a

Cessation of Arms.

On the 4th of _January_ one of the chief _Mohawk Sachems_ came to

_Albany_, to tell the _Magistrates_, that he was to go to _Onondaga_,

and desired the Brethren's Advice how to behave there; on which the

Magistrates thought it necessary to send likewise the publick

Interpreter, and another Person to assist at the general Meeting, with

written Instructions; but no Person of Note, that had any Influence on

the _Indians_, went.

When the Messengers arrived at _Oneydo_, they discoursed privately with

one of the Prisoners that had returned from _France_, and found that he

had no Love for the _French_; but it is impossible but that _Indians_,

who had seen the _French_ Court, and many of their Troops, must be

surprised at their Grandeur: he complained however of the ill Usage he

had met with. The _French_ chose, on this Occasion, to send first to

_Oneydo_, because of the Assistance they expected the Jesuit, that

resided there, would give to their Negotiation.

I believe it will not be tedious to the Reader, that desires to know the

_Indian Genius_, if I give a circumstantial Account of this general

Council or Parliament of the _Five Nations_, that he may see in what

Manner a People that we call Savages behave on such important Occasions.

On the 22d of _January_ the general Council was opened at _Onondaga_,

consisting of eighty _Sachems_; in the first Place _Sadekanaghtie_, an

_Onondaga Sachem_, rising up, addressed himself to the Messenger of

_Albany_, saying,

Four Messengers are come from the Governor of _Canada_, _viz_. three

who had been carried Prisoners to _France_, and a _Sachem_ of the

_Praying Indians_ that live at _Montreal_.

The Governor of _Canada_ notifies his Arrival to us, that he is the

Count _de Frontenac_, who had been formerly Governor there; that he

had brought back with him _Tawerahet_ a _Cayuga Sachem_, and twelve

Prisoners, that had been carried to _France_; then taking the Belt

of _Wampum_ in his Hand, and holding it by the Middle, he added,

what I have said relates only to one Half of the Belt, the other

Half is to let us know, that he intends to kindle again his Fire at

_Cadarackui_ next Spring, and therefore invites his Children, and

_Dekanasora_ an _Onondaga Captain_ in particular, to treat there

with him about the old Chain. Then _Adarahta_ the chief _Sachem_ of

the _praying Indians_ stood up, and said, with three Belts in his

Hand, I advise you to meet the Governor of _Canada_ as he desires;

agree to this, if you would live, and =gives one Belt of _Wampum_=.

_Tawerahet_ sends you this other Belt, to inform you of the

Miseries, that he and the rest of your Countrymen have suffered in

their Captivity; and to advise you to hearken to _Yonondio_, if you

desire to live.

This third Belt is from _Thurensera_[30], _Ohguesse_[31], and

_Ertel_[32], who say by it, to their Brethren: We have interceded

for you with _Yonondio_, and therefore advise you to meet him at

_Cadarackui_ in the Spring, because it will be for your Advantage.

When this _Sachem_ had done speaking, the _Mohawk_ Messenger sent from

_Albany_ delivered his Message Word for Word, as he had received it,

without omitting the least Article. The Interpreter, while the _Indian_

was speaking, read over a Paper, on which the Message was set down, lest

any Thing should have been forgot.

After this _Cannehoot_ a _Seneka Sachem_ stood up, and gave the general

Council a particular Account of a Treaty made last Summer, between the

_Senekas_ and the _Wagunha_ Messengers, (one of the _Utawawa_ Nations)

who had concluded a Peace for themselves, and seven other Nations, to

which the other four Nations were desired to agree, and their Brethren

of _New-York_ to be included in it. He said the Proposals made in

several Propositions were as follow.

1. We are come to join two Bodies into one. Delivering up at the same

Time two Prisoners.

2. We are come to learn Wisdom of you _Senekas_, and of the other _Five

Nations_, and of your Brethren of _New-York_. =Giving a Belt.=

3. We by this Belt wipe away the Tears from the Eyes of your Friends,

whose Relations have been killed in the War, and likewise[33] the Paint

from your Soldiers Faces. =Giving another Belt.=

4. We now throw aside the Ax, which _Yonondio_ put into our Hands, by

this =third Belt=.

5. Let the Sun, as long as he shall endure, always shine upon us in

Friendship. Here he =gave a red Marble Sun= as large as a Plate.

6. Let the Rain of Heaven wash away all Hatred, that we may again smoke

together in Peace, =giving a large Pipe= of red Marble.

7. _Yonondio_ is drunk, but we wash our Hands clean from all his

Actions. =Giving a fourth Belt.=

8. Now we are clean washed by the Water of Heaven, neither of us must

defile ourselves by hearkening to _Yonondio_.

9. We have twelve of your Nation Prisoners, who shall be brought home in

the Spring; there he =gave a Belt=, to confirm the Promise.

10. We will bring your Prisoners when the Strawberries shall be in

blossom,[34] at which Time we intend to visit _Corlear_, and see the

Place where the Wampum is made. (_New-York_.)

The Speaker added, we will also tell our Friends the other _Utawawa_

Nations, and the _Dionondadies_, who have eleven of your People

Prisoners, what we have now done, and invite them to make Peace with

you.

He said further, we have sent three Messengers back with the _Wagunhas_,

in order to confirm this Peace with their Nation.

After the _Seneka_ Speaker had done, the _Wagunha_ Presents were hung up

in the House, in the Sight of the whole Assembly, and afterwards

distributed among the several Nations, and their Acceptance was a

Ratification of the Treaty. A =large Belt was given= also to the _Albany_

Messengers as their Share.

The Belt of Wampum sent from _Albany_ was in like Manner hanged up, and

afterwards divided.

_New-England_, which the _Indians_ call _Kinshon_ (that is a Fish) sent

likewise the Model of a Fish, as a token of their adhering to the

general Covenant. This Fish was handed round among the _Sachems_, and

then laid aside to be put up.

After these Ceremonies were over, _Sadekanahtie_, an _Onondaga_ Speaker,

stood up, and said, Brethren, we must stick to our Brother _Quider_, and

look on _Yonondio_ as our Enemy, for he is a Cheat: By _Quider_ they

meant _Peter Schyler_ the Mayor of _Albany_, who had gained a

considerable Esteem among them; as they have no Labeals in their

Language, they pronounce _Peter_ by the Sound _Quider_.

The Messenger from _Canada_ had brought Letters, and some medicinal

Powder, for the Jesuit _Milet_, who resided at _Oneydo_. These Letters

and the Powder were delivered to the Interpreter from _Albany_ to be

carried thither, that the Contents of them might be made known to the

_Sachems_ of the several Nations. The Jesuit was present all this While

in their Council.

Then the Interpreter was desired to speak what he had to say from their

Brethren at _Albany_. He told them, that a new Governor was arrived, who

had brought a great many Soldiers from _England_. That the King of

_England_ had declared War against _France_, and that the People of

_New-England_ were fitting out Ships against _Canada_. He advised them,

that they should not hearken to the _French_, for when they talk of

Peace, said he, War is in their Heart, and desired them to enter into no

Treaty but at _Albany_, for the _French_, he said, would mind no

Agreement made any where else.

After this they had Consultations for some Time together, and then gave

the following Answer by their Speaker.

Brethren, our Fire burns at _Albany_. We will not send _Dekanasora_ to

_Cadarackui_. We adhere to our old Chain with _Corlear_; we will

prosecute the War with _Yonondio_, and will follow your Advice in

drawing off our Men from _Cadarackui_. Brethren, we are glad to hear the

News you tell us, but tell us no Lies.

Brother _Kinshon_, we hear you design to send Soldiers to the eastward

against the _Indians_ there; but we advise you, now so many are united

against the _French_, to fall immediately on them. Strike at the Root,

when the Trunk shall be cut down, the Branches fall of Course.

_Corlear_ and _Kinshon_, Courage! Courage! In the Spring to _Quebeck_,

take that Place, and you'll have your Feet on the Necks of the _French_,

and all their Friends in _America_.

After this they agreed to the following Answer to be sent to the

Governor of _Canada_.

1. _Yonondio_, you have notified your Return to us, and that you have

brought back 13 of our People that were carried to _France_, we are glad

of it. You desire us to meet you at _Cadarackui_ next Spring, to treat

of the old Chain; but _Yonondio_, how can we trust you, after you have

acted deceitfully so often? Witness what was done at _Cadarackui_; the

Usage our Messengers met with at _Utawawa_, and what was done to the

_Senekas_ at _Utawawa_. This was their Answer; however, they sent a Belt

with this, which always shews a Disposition to treat.

2. _Therhansera, Ohguesse_ and _Ertel_, do you observe Friendship with

us, if you have not, how come you to advise us to renew Friendship with

_Yonondio_, they sent them likewise a Belt?

3. _Tawerahet_, the whole Council is glad to hear, that you are returned

with the other twelve. _Yonondio_, you must send home _Tawerahet_ and

the others this very Winter, before Spring, and we will save all the

_French_ that we have Prisoners till that Time.

4. _Yonondio_, you desire to speak with us at _Cadarackui_: Don't you

know that your Fire there is extinguished? It is extinguished with

Blood, you must send home the Prisoners in the first Place.

5. We let you know that we have made Peace with the _Wagunhas_.

6. You are not to think, that we have laid down the Axe, because we

return an Answer; we intend no such Thing: Our Fair-fighters shall

continue the War till our Countrymen return.

7. When our Brother _Tawerahet_ is returned, then will we speak to you

of Peace.

As soon as the Council broke up, their Resolutions were made publick to

all their People, by the _Sachems_ of their several Nations.

Two _Sachems_ were sent to _Albany_, by their general Council, to inform

their Brethren there of their Resolutions, and to bring back the

Contents of the Letters sent from _Canada_ to the Jesuit.

As soon as they arrived, one of the _Mohawks_, that had been sent from

_Albany_ to the Council, delivered the _Wagunha_ Belt, and repeated over

distinctly all the Articles agreed to with that Nation, and referred to

the _Onondaga Speaker_, being one of those sent by the Council of

_Albany_, to recite the Answer to the Governor of _Canada_. He rising

up, repeated over the whole as before set down, and added; The _French_

are full of Deceit; but I call God to witness, we have hitherto used no

Deceit with them, but how we shall act for the future, Time only can

discover. Then he assured the Brethren, that the _Five Nations_ were

resolved to prosecute the War, in Token whereof he presented

_Quider_[35] with a Belt, in which three Axes were represented. Perhaps

by this Representation only three Nations joined in sending it, the

_Cayugas_ and _Oneydoes_ being more under the Influence of the Jesuit

_Milet_, who lived among them intirely, according to their Manner of

Life, and was adopted by the _Oneydoes_, and made one of their

_Sachems_. The Letters from _Canada_ to him were read, they contained

nothing but common News and Compliments.

The _Mohawk_ Messengers, that had been sent from _Albany_, had carried

with them Goods to sell at the general Council. This was taken Notice of

at the general Council, and gave the _Indians_ a mean Opinion of the

People of _Albany_, and particularly of _Peter Schyler_; for it is

exceedingly scandalous among the _Indians_, to employ a Merchant in

publick Affairs; Merchants, (I mean the Traders with the _Indians_) are

looked upon by them as Liars, and People not to be trusted, and of no

Credit, who by their Thoughts being continually turned upon Profit and

Loss, consider every Thing with that private View. As this made a Noise

at _Albany_, by its giving the Jesuit an Opportunity of setting the

Messengers from _Albany_ in an ill Light, _Peter Scheyler_ cleared

himself by Oath, of his having any Interest directly or indirectly in

those Goods, and sent a Belt back with his publick Justification. The

_Mohawk_ Messengers had refused to take the Goods, as being scandalous

to the Business they went on; but were persuaded, by being told that the

Goods belonged to _Quider_.

The Magistrates of _Albany_ advised the _Sachems_, to send the Jesuit

Prisoner to _Albany_, where he might be kept securely, without having it

in his Power to do Mischief, but they could not prevail. The _Indians_

were resolved to keep all the Means of making Peace in their own Hands.

[Footnote 30: _Thurensera_ signifies the Dawning of the Day, and was the

Name given by the _Indians_ to the Jesuit _Lamberville_, who had

formerly resided at _Onondaga_.]

[Footnote 31: Monsr. _le Morne_, the Word signifies a Partridge.]

[Footnote 32: _Ertel_ signifies a Rose, the Name of some other _French_

Gentleman, for whom the _Indians_ had an Esteem.]

[Footnote 33: The _Indians_ always paint their Faces when they go to

War, to make themselves look more terrible to the Enemy. A Soldier in

the _Indian_ Language is expressed by a Word, which signifies a

Fair-fighter.]

[Footnote 34: The _Indians_ in this Manner distinguish the Seasons of

the Year, as the Time of planting Corn, or when it is ripe, when the

Chesnuts blossom, &c.]

[Footnote 35: _Peter Schyler_, Mayor of _Albany_.]

CHAP. IV.

_The_ French _surprise_ Schenectady. _The_ Mohawks _Speech of

Condoleance on that Occasion_.

The _Count De Frontenac_ being desirous, as before observed, to raise

the drooping Spirits of the _French_ in _Canada_, by keeping them in

Action, and engaging the most daring of them, in Enterprizes that might

give Courage to the rest, had sent out three Parties against the

_English_ Colonies, in Hopes thereby to lessen the Confidence which the

_Five Nations_ had in the _English_ Assistance, now that _England_ had

declared War against _France_. The Party sent against _New-York_ was

commanded by _Monsr. De Herville_, and was ordered to attempt the

surprising of _Schenectady_, the nearest Village to the _Mohawks_; It

consisted of 150 _French Bush-lopers_ or _Indian_ Traders, and of as

many _Indians_, the most of them _French_ Converts from the _Mohawks_,

commonly called the _Praying Indians_, settled at a Place near

_Montreal_, called _Cahnuaga_. They were well acquainted with all that

Part of the Country round _Schenectady_; and came in Sight of the Place

the 8th of _February_ 1689-90.

The People of _Schenectady_ were at that Time in the greatest Security,

notwithstanding that they had Information from the _Indians_, of a Party

of _French_, and _French Indians_ being upon their March that Way. They

did not think it practicable, in that Season of the Year, while it was

extremely cold, and the whole Country covered with Snow. Indeed

_Europeans_ will hardly think it possible, that Men could make such a

March through the Wilderness in the severest Frosts, without any

Covering from the Heavens, or any Provision, except what they carried on

their Backs.

Tho' the People of _Schenectady_ were informed in the Evening before the

Place was surprised, that several sculking _Indians_ were seen near the

Place, they concluded, that they could be only some of the neighbouring

_Indians_; and as they had no Officer of any Esteem among them, not a

single Man could be persuaded to watch in such severe Weather, tho', as

the _French_ owned afterwards, if they had found the least Guard or

Watch, they would not have attempted the Place, but have surrendered

themselves Prisoners: They were so exceedingly distressed with the

Length of their March, and with Cold, and Hunger, but finding the Place

in fatal Security, they marched into the Heart of the Village, without

being discovered by any one Person; then they raised their War Shout,

entered the Houses, murdered every Person they met, Men, Women, and

Children, naked and in cold Blood; and at the same Time set Fire to the

Houses. A very few escaped, by running out naked into the Woods in this

terrible Weather: And several hid themselves, till the first Fury of the

Attack was over; but these were soon driven from their lurking Places by

the Fire, and were all made Prisoners.

Captain _Alexander Glen_, at this Time, lived at a Distance by himself,

on the other Side of the River, and was the most noted Man in the Place.

He had at several Times been kind to the _French_, who had been taken

Prisoners by the _Mohawks_, and had saved several of them from the Fire.

The _French_ were sensible what Horror this cruel sacking of a

defenceless Place, and murdering People in cold Blood, must raise in

Mens Minds; and to lessen this, they resolved to shew their Gratitude to

Captain _Glen_. They had passed his House in the Night, and observing

that he stood on his Defence the next Morning, some of them went to the

River Side, and calling to him, assured him, that they designed him no

Injury. They persuaded him to come to the _French_ Officer, who restored

to him all his Relations that were Prisoners.

Some _Mohawks_ being also found in the Village, the _French_ dismissed

them, with Assurance, that they designed them no Hurt.

This Conduct was not only necessary to promote the Peace which the

_Count De Frontenac_ with so much Earnestness desired, but likewise to

secure their Retreat, by making the _Mohawks_ less eager to pursue them.

The _French_ marched back, without reaping any visible Advantage from

this barbarous Enterprize, besides the murdering sixty-three innocent

Persons in cold Blood, and carrying twenty-seven of them away Prisoners.

The Care the _French_ took to sooth the _Mohawks_ had not intirely it's

Effect, for as soon as they heard of this Action, a hundred of their

readiest young Men pursued the _French_, fell upon their Rear, and

killed and took twenty-five of them.

This Action frightened the Inhabitants in and about _Albany_ so much,

that many resolved to desert the Place, and retire to _New-York_. They

were packing up and preparing for this Purpose, when the _Mohawk

Sachems_ came to _Albany_ to condole, according to their Custom, with

their Friends, when any Misfortune befals them. I shall give their

Speech on this Occasion, as it will be of Use to the Reader, in order to

his forming a true Notion of the _Indian Genius_. They spoke the

twenty-fifth of _March_ as follows.

"Brethren, the Murder of our Brethren at _Schenectady_ by the

_French_ grieves us as much, as if it had been done to our

selves, for we are in the same Chain; and no Doubt our Brethren

of _New-England_ will be likewise sadly affected with this cruel

Action of the _French_. The _French_ on this Occasion have not

acted like brave Men, but like Thieves and Robbers. Be not

therefore discouraged. We =give this Belt= _to wipe away your

Tears_.

"Brethren, we lament the Death of so many of our Brethren, whose

Blood has been shed at _Schenectady_. We don't think that what

the _French_ have done can be called a Victory, it is only a

farther Proof of their cruel Deceit. The Governor of _Canada_

sends to _Onondaga_, and talks to us of Peace with our whole

House, but War was in his Heart, as you now see by woful

Experience. He did the same formerly at _Cadarackui_, and in the

_Senekas_ Country. This is the third Time he has acted so

deceitfully. He has broken open our House at both Ends, formerly

in the _Senekas_ Country, and now here. We hope however to be

revenged of them. One Hundred of our bravest young Men are in

Pursuit of them, they are brisk Fellows, and they will follow

the _French_ to their Doors. We will beset them so closely,

that not a Man in _Canada_ shall dare to step out of Doors to

cut a Stick of Wood; But now _we gather up our Dead, to bury

them_, by =this second Belt=.

"Brethren, we came from our Castles with Tears in our Eyes, to

bemoan the Bloodshed at _Schenectady_ by the Perfidious

_French_. While we bury our Dead murdered at _Schenectady_, we

know not what may have befallen our own People, that are in

Pursuit of the Enemy, they may be dead; what has befallen you

may happen to us; and therefore _we come to bury our Brethren

at_ Schenectady with =this third Belt=.

"Great and sudden is the Mischief, as if it had fallen from

Heaven upon us. Our Forefathers taught us to go with all Speed

to bemoan and lament with our Brethren, when any Disaster or

Misfortune happens to any in our Chain. Take this Bill of

Vigilance, that you may be more watchful for the future. _We

give our Brethren Eye-Water_ to make them sharp sighted, =giving

a fourth Belt=.

"We are now come to the House where we usually renew the Chain;

but alas! we find the House polluted, polluted with Blood. All

the _Five Nations_ have heard of this, and we are come to wipe

away the Blood, and clean the House. We come to invite

_Corlear_, and every one of you, and _Quider_ (calling to every

one of the principal Men present by their Names) _to be revenged

of the Enemy_, by =this fifth Belt=.

"Brethren, be not discouraged, we are strong enough. This is the

Beginning of your War, and the whole House have their Eyes fixed

upon you at this Time, to observe your Behaviour. They wait your

Motion, and are ready to join in any resolute Measures.

"Our Chain is a strong Chain, it is a Silver Chain, it can

neither rust nor be broken. We, as to our Parts, are resolute to

continue the War.

"We will never desist, so long as a Man of us remains. Take

Heart, do not pack up and go away, [36] this will give Heart to

a dastardly Enemy. We are of the Race of the Bear, and a Bear

you know never yields, while one Drop of Blood is left. _We must

all be Bears_; =giving a sixth Belt=.

"Brethren be patient, this Disaster is an Affliction which has

fallen from Heaven upon us. The Sun, which hath been cloudy, and

sent this Disaster, will shine again with its pleasant Beams.

Take Courage, said he, Courage, repeating the Word several Times

as they =gave a seventh Belt=.

(_To the_ English.)

Brethren, three Years ago we were engaged in a bloody War with the

_French_, and you encouraged us to proceed in it. Our Success answered

our Expectation; but we were not well begun, when _Corlear_ stopt us

from going on. Had you permitted us to go on, the _French_ would not now

have been able to do the Mischief, they have done, we would have

prevented their sowing, planting or reaping.

We would have humbled them effectually, but now we dye. The Obstructions

you then made now ruin us. Let us after this be steady, and take no such

false Measures for the future, but _prosecute the War vigorously_.

=Giving a Bever Skin.=

The Brethren must keep good Watch, and if the Enemy come again, send

more speedily to us. Don't desert _Schenectady_. The Enemy will glory in

seeing it desolate. It will give them Courage that had none before,

_fortify the Place_, it is not well fortified now: The _Stockadoes_ are

too short, the _Indians_ can jump over them. =Gave a Bever Skin.=

Brethren, The Mischief done at _Schenectady_ cannot be helped now; but

for the future, when the Enemy appears any where, let nothing hinder

your sending to us by Expresses, and fire great Guns, that all may be

alarmed. We advise you to bring all the _River Indians_ under your

Subjection to live near _Albany_, to be ready on all Occasions.

Send to _New-England_, tell them what has happened to you. They will

undoubtedly awake and lend us their helping Hand. It is their Interest,

as much as ours, to push the War to a speedy Conclusion. Be not

discouraged, the _French_ are not so numerous as some People talk. If we

but heartily unite to push on the War, and mind _our Business, the_

French _will soon be subdued_.

The Magistrates having returned an Answer on the twenty seventh, to the

Satisfaction of the _Indians_, they repeated it all over, Word by Word,

to let the Magistrates see how carefully they minded it, and then added,

Brethren, we are glad to find you are not discouraged. The best and

wisest Men sometimes make Mistakes. Let us now pursue the War

vigorously. We have a hundred Men out, they are good Scouts. We expect

to meet all the _Sachems_ of the other Nations, as they come to condole

with you. You need not fear our being ready, at the first Notice. Our Ax

is always in our Hands, but take Care that you be timely ready. Your

Ships, that must do the principal Work, are long a fitting out. We do

not design to go out with a small Company, or in sculking Parties; but

as soon as the Nations can meet, we shall be ready with our whole Force.

If you would bring this War to a happy Issue, you must begin soon,

before the _French_ can recover the Losses they have received from us,

and get new Vigour and Life, therefore send in all Haste to

_New-England_. Neither you nor we can continue long in the Condition we

are now in, we must order Matters so, that the _French_ be kept in

continual Fear and Alarm at home; for this is the only Way to be secure,

and in Peace here.

The _Scahkok Indians_, in our Opinion, are well placed where they are

(to the Northward of _Albany_); they are a good Out-guard; they are our

Children, and we shall take Care that they do their Duty: But you must

take Care of the _Indians_ below the Town, place them nearer the Town,

so as they may _be of most Service to you_.

Here we see the _Mohawks_ acting like hearty Friends, and if the Value

of the Belts given at that Time be considered, together with what they

said on that Occasion, they gave the strongest Proofs of their

Sincerity. Each of these Belts amount to a large Sum in the _Indian_

Account.

The _English_ of _New-York_ and the _French_ of _Canada_ were now

entering into a War, in which the Part the _Five Nations_ are to take is

of the greatest Consequence to both; the very Being of the _French_

Colony depended on it, as well as the Safety of the _English_. The

_Indians_ at this Time had the greatest Aversion to the _French_, and

they desired nothing so much, as that the _English_ might join heartily

in this War. We shall see by the Sequel how a publick Spirit, directed

by wise Counsels, can overcome all Difficulties, while a selfish Spirit

loses all, even natural Advantages. In the present Case, the Turn Things

took seems to have been entirely owing to one Thing. The French in

making the Count _de Frontenac_ Governor of _Canada_, chose the Man

every Way the best qualified for this Service: The _English_ seemed to

have little Regard to the Qualification of the Person they sent, but to

gratify a Relation or a Friend, by giving him an Opportunity to make a

Fortune; and as he knew that he was recommended with this View, his

Counsels were chiefly employed for this Purpose.

By this Means an _English Governor_ generally wants the Esteem of the

People; while they think that a Governor has not the Good of the People

in View, but his own, they on all Occasions are jealous of him; so that

even a good Governor, with more Difficulty, pursues generous Purposes

and publick Benefits, because the People suspect them to be mere

Pretences to cover a private Design. It is for this Reason, that any

Man, opposing a Governor, is sure to meet with the Favour of the People,

almost in every Case. On the other Hand, the Opinion the _French_ had of

the Count _de Frontenac_'s publick Spirit, and of his Wisdom and

Diligence, made them enter into all his Measures without hesitating, and

chearfully obey all his Commands.

[Footnote 36: This was spoke to the _English_, who were about removing

from _Albany_.]

CHAP. V.

_The_ Five Nations _continue the War with the_ French; _the_ Mohawks

_incline to Peace_; _their Conferences with the_ Governor _of_ New-York.

The _Governor_ of _Canada_ received Hopes that the _Five Nations_

inclined to Peace, by their returning an Answer to _Therawaet_'s

Message, and thought he might now venture to send some _French_ to them

with further Proposals. The Chevalier _D'O_, with an Interpreter called

_Collin_, and some others, went; but they had a much warmer Reception

than they expected, being forced to run the Gauntlet through a long Lane

of _Indians_, as they entered their Castle, and were afterwards

delivered up Prisoners to the _English_.

The _Five Nations_ kept out at this Time small Parties, that continually

harassed the _French_. The Count _de Frontenac_ sent Captain _Louvigni_

to _Missilimakinak_, to relieve the Garison, and he had Orders, by all

Means, to prevent the Peace which the _Utawawas_ and _Quatoghies_ were

upon the Point of concluding with the _Five Nations_. He carried with

him one hundred forty three _French_, and six _Indians_, and was

likewise accompanied with a Lieutenant and thirty Men, till he got one

hundred twenty Miles from _Montreal_. They were met in _Cadarackui

River_, at a Place called the _Cats_, by a Party of the _Five Nations_,

who fell vigorously on their Canoes, killed several of the _French_, and

made them give Way; but _Louvigni_, by putting his Men ashore, at last

got the better, after a smart Engagement, in which the _Indians_ had

several Men killed, and two Men, and as many Women, taken Prisoners. I

am obliged to rely on the _French_ Account of these Skirmishes; they do

not mention the Number of the _Indians_ in this Rencounter, but I

suspect them to have been much fewer than the _French_; for when the

Enemy are equal in Number, or greater, they seldom forget to tell it.

One of the _Indian_ Prisoners was carried by them to _Missilimackinak_,

to confirm this Victory, and was delivered to the _Utawawas_, who eat

him. The Lieutenant carried the other back with him. He was given to

_Therawaet_.

To revenge this Loss, the _Five Nations_ sent a Party against the

_Island of Montreal_, who fell on that Part called the _Trembling

Point_; and though they were discovered before they gave their Blow,

they attacked a Party of regular Troops, and killed the commanding

Officer, and twelve of his Men: Another Party carried off fifteen or

sixteen Prisoners from _Riviere Puante_, over against _Trois Rivieres_.

This Party was pursued, and finding that they were like to be

overpowered, murdered their Prisoners and made their Escape. These

Incursions kept all the River, from _Montreal_ to _Quebeck_, in

continual Alarm, and obliged the Governor to send all the Soldiers to

guard the south Side of the River. Notwithstanding this, five Persons

were carried away in Sight of _Sorel Fort_, by a small skulking Party,

but they were soon afterwards recovered by the Soldiers. About the same

Time another Party burnt the Plantations at _St. Ours_.

The _Five Nations_ had conceived great Hopes from the Assistance of the

_English_, as the Magistrates of _Albany_ had promised the _Mohawks_,

when they came to condole, after the surprising of _Schenectady_; but

the _English_ were so far from performing these Promises, that many of

the Inhabitants retired from _Albany_ to _New-York_; and they who had

the Administration of Affairs, were so intent on their party Quarrels,

that they intirely neglected the _Indian_ Affairs. Indeed the People of

_New-York_ have too often made large Promises, and have thereby put the

_Indians_ upon bold Enterprizes, when no Measures were concerted for

supporting them. This made the _Indians_ think, that the _English_ were

lavish of _Indian_ Lives and too careful of their own. The _Mohawks_,

who lived nearest the _English_, were most sensible of these Things, and

soon entertained Notions prejudicial to the Opinion they ought to have

had of the _English_ Prudence and Conduct; it is even probable, these

_Indians_ began to entertain a mean Opinion of both the _English_

Courage and Integrity. It is not strange then, that the _Mohawks_ at

last gave Ear to the assiduous Application of their Countrymen, the

_praying Indians_, who, with _French_ Arguments, persuaded them to make

Peace as soon as possible, without trusting longer to the _English_, who

had so often disappointed or deceived them.

The _Mohawks_ sent one of their _Sachems_, _Odigacege_, to the _praying

Indians_, who introduced him to the Count _de Frontenac_. The Count made

him welcome, and told him, that he was sorry for the Injuries his

Predecessors had done them; but that he would treat them like Friends,

if their future Conduct did not prevent him, and =gave him a Belt=, with

Proposals of Peace to his Nation.

Colonel _Slaughter_, who was then Governor of _New-York_, being

informed that the _Five Nations_ were like to make Peace with the

_French_, by their having lost much of their Confidence in the _English_

Assistance, found it necessary to meet them, which he did in the End of

_May_ 1691. There were present at that Time six _Oneydo_, eleven

_Onondaga_, four _Cayuga_, and ten _Seneka Sachems_. He renewed the

Covenant with them, and gave them Presents. The _Mohawks_ having entered

into a Treaty with the _French_, did not join with the other four

Nations in their Answer.

On the second of _June_ the Speaker, in Name of the other four Nations,

told him, they were glad to see a Governor again in this Place; that

they had learned from their Ancestors, that the first Ship which arrived

in this Country surprized them exceedingly; that they were curious to

know what was in its huge Belly. They found Christians in it, and among

them one _Jacques_, with whom they made a Chain of Friendship, which has

been preserved to this Day. By that Chain it was agreed, that whatever

Injury was done to the one, should be deemed, by both Sides, as likewise

done to the other. Then they mentioned the Confusion that had lately

been in the Government of _New-York_, which had like to have confounded

all their Affairs, but hoped all would be reduced to their wonted Order

and Quiet. They complained of several of the Brethren leaving _Albany_

in Time of Danger, and praised those by Name who staid, and then said:

Our Tree of Peace, which grows in this Place, has of late been much

shaken, we must now secure and fasten its Roots; we must frequently

manure and dress it, that its Roots may spread far.

They assured the Governor, that they were resolved to prosecute the War

against the _French_ as long as they lived, and that they would never

speak of Peace, but with the common Consent. They abhor those that do

otherwise, and desired that the Brethren might not keep a

Correspondence with _Canada_ by Letters. You need not (said they) press

us to mind the War, we mind it above all Things; do you but your Parts,

lay aside all other Thoughts but that of the War, for it is the only

Thing we have at Heart. They =gave Bevers= at the End of every distinct

Part of their Answer.

On the fourth the _Mohawks_ spoke to the Governor, in Presence of the

other four Nations: They confessed the Negotiations they had with the

_Praying Indians_, and with the Governor of _Canada_, and that they had

received a Belt from him. Then they restored one of the Prisoners taken

at _Schenectady_, as the Fruit of that Negotiation. They desired the

Governor's Advice, and the Advice of the whole House, what Answer to

return to the Governor of _Canada_; and lastly, desired the _Senekas_ to

release the Prisoners they had taken from the _Praying Indians_.

Colonel _Slaughter_ check'd the _Mohawks_ for entering into a separate

Treaty with the Enemy, and said he could admit of no Proposals of Peace.

He told them, that the Prisoners taken from the _Praying Indians_ must

not be restored; putting them in mind, that some of them having been

formerly released, soon after returned and murdered several People, and

burnt several Houses.

He assured them of his Assistance, and then added, You must keep the

Enemy in perpetual Alarm. The _Mohawks_ thanked him for his Assurance of

Assistance; but took Notice of his saying, _You_ must keep the Enemy in

perpetual Alarm. Why don't you say, they replied, We will keep the Enemy

in perpetual Alarm. In the last Place, the _Mohawks_ renewed their

League with all the _English_ Colonies; adding, Though an angry Dog has

endeavoured to bite the Chain in Pieces, we are resolved to keep it

firm, both in Peace and in War: We now renew the old Chain, that so the

Tree of Peace and Prosperity may flourish, and spread its Roots through

all the Country.

In the last Place, the four Nations answered the _Mohawks_.

"_Mohawks_, our Brethren, in answer to your Proposals from the

Governor of _Canada_, we must put you in Mind of his Deceit and

Treachery; we need only give one recent Instance, how he lately

sent to the _Senekas_ to treat of Peace, and at the same Time

fell upon _Schenectady_, and cut that Place off. We tell you,

that the Belt sent by the _French_ Governor is Poison; we spew

it out of our Mouths, we absolutely reject it, and are resolved

to prosecute the War as long as we live."

Then they left the Belt lying on the Ground.

CHAP. VI.

_The_ English _attack_ Montreal _by Land_, _in Conjunction with the_

Indians, _and_ Quebeck _by Sea_.

It was now evident that the _Indians_ could no longer be amused with

Words, and that, unless the _English_ entered soon upon Action, the

_French_ would carry their Design of making Peace with the _Five

Nations_, and the _English_ be left to carry on the War in _America_ by

themselves. Certainly a more proper Opportunity of doing it with Success

could not be expected, than at present, while the _French_ in _Canada_

had neither recovered their Spirits, nor the Strength they had lost, by

the terrible Incursions of the _Five Nations_. A joint Invasion on

_Canada_ was concerted with _New-England_, they were to attack

_Quebeck_ by Sea, while _New-York_ attacked _Montreal_ by Land. The

Governor therefore proposed to the _Indians_ to join with him in

attacking _Canada_, for which Purpose he told them, that he designed to

send a considerable Force this Summer. They desired Time to consult on

it at their general Meeting, which was soon to be held at _Onondaga_,

and to know what Number of Christians he designed to send, that they

might join a suitable Number of their Men. To this the Governor

answered, that he must not communicate the Particulars of his Design to

so many, because they could not then be kept secret from the Enemy; as

he found by the Discoveries that were last Year made to the _French_ by

that Means.

It was at last agreed, that the _Mohawks_ should join with the

Christians that were to march from _New-York_ directly against

_Montreal_, and that the other four Nations should send a considerable

Party down _Cadarackui Lake_, and join them before _Montreal_.

Major _Peter Schuyler_, the same whom the _Indians_ call _Quider_,

commanded the Party sent from _New-York_, which consisted of three

hundred Men, one half Christians, the other _Mohawks_ and _Scahkook

Indians_. He set out from _Albany_ about Midsummer. As he was preparing

his Canoes to pass _Corlear_'s Lake, he was discovered by the _French

Indians_, who immediately returned to _Montreal_, to give Information of

what they had seen. The Chevalier _Clermont_ was sent out to make

further Discoveries: He found the _English_ above _Chamblie_, and went

immediately back with the Intelligence he there gained. In the mean

while Mr. _de Callieres_, Governor of _Montreal_, did all in his Power

to give Major _Schuyler_ a proper Reception, by drawing the Militia and

regular Troops together for the Defence of the Place. There happened to

be a very considerable Number of _Utawawas_ trading at that Time at

_Montreal_, Mr. _de Colliere_, in Order to engage them to join him, made

a great Feast for them, went among them, and, after the _Indian_ Manner,

began the war Song, leading up the Dance with his Axe in his Hand, and

shouting and hollowing in the same wild Manner the _Indians_ do. This

done, he carried his whole Force, which consisted of twelve hundred Men,

cross the River, and encamped on the south Side, at _la Prairie de la

Magdeleine_, together with a great Number of _Utawawas_, the _Praying

Indians_, and other _French Indians_. The famous _Therawaet_ being now

entirely gained by the Caresses of the Count _de Frontenac_, made one of

the Number. They encamped round the Fort, which stood on a steep rising

Ground between two Meadows.

Major _Schuyler_ having left forty of his Men to guard his Canoes, which

had carried him cross the Lake, marched on without stopping. He got into

a Hollow, which led into the Meadow, without being discovered; and

marching under that Cover, he fell suddenly upon the Militia, who were

soon put into Confusion, and many of them, and of the _Utawawas_, who

were posted with them, were killed. He pursued them as they fled to the

Fort, which he attacked briskly, but was obliged to leave it, by the

Approach of the regular Troops who came to relieve it. He received them

however bravely, and, after they had lost several Officers and many Men,

they retired. Major _Schuyler_ finding the Number of the Enemy much

greater than was expected, and being informed that a considerable Party

of the Enemy had marched Southward, he began to apprehend, that this

Party was sent to cut off his Retreat, by destroying his Canoes. It was

resolved therefore immediately to follow this Party; he overtook them,

and they covering themselves behind some large fallen Trees, he attacked

them, and made his Way through them, but with considerable Loss.

In this Attack the _Mohawks_ signalized themselves, but the _Scahkook

Indians_ did not behave themselves well. The _Mohawks_, upon no

Occasion, yielded an Inch of Ground, till the _English_ first gave Way.

The _French_, by their own Accounts, lost, in the several Attacks made

by _Schuyler_, two Captains, six Lieutenants, and five Ensigns, and, in

all, three hundred Men, so that their Slain were in Number more than

Major _Schuyler_ had with him. The _Mohawks_ suffered much, having

seventeen Men killed, and eleven wounded. They returned to _Albany_ the

eleventh of _August_.

After the _English_ under Major _Schuyler_ had retired, an _Owenagunga

Indian_ came from _New-England_, with an Account of the Preparations

made there against _Canada_, and that they had actually sailed.

This Fleet, which was commanded by _Sir William Phips_, was discovered

in _St. Laurence Bay_, while the Count _de Frontenac_ remained at

_Montreal_; and thereupon he made all possible Haste to _Quebeck_, and

carried three hundred Men with him.

The Fleet, which consisted of thirty Sail, did not reach _Quebeck_ till

the seventh of _October_. Sir _William_ spent three Days in nothing but

Consultation, while the _French_ made all possible Preparation for a

Defence, and, by this Means, suffered them to get over the Fright and

Consternation, into which the first Appearance of the Fleet had thrown

them; for the Place was not in any Posture of Defence. It gave them Time

likewise to draw all the Country round them into the Town. And on the

fourth Day Sir _William_ summoned the _Count_ to surrender, who returned

him such an Answer as his Conduct deserved.

The _English_ landed four Miles below the Town, and had thick Woods to

march through, before they could come at it, in which Ambuscades of

_French_ and _Indians_ were made at proper Distances, by whom the

_English_ were repulsed with considerable Loss. They attempted the Wood

again the next Day with no better Success.

The _French_, in their Account of this Action, say, that the Men, though

they appeared to be as little disciplined as Men could be, behaved with

great Bravery, but that Sir _William_'s Conduct was such, that, if he

had been in Concert with them, he could not have done more to ruin the

Enterprize; yet his Fidelity was never suspected. In short, this Descent

was so ill managed, that the _English_ got on Board again in the Night,

with the Loss of all the Cannon and Baggage which they had landed.

The _French_ thought themselves in such great Danger at that Time, that

they attributed their Deliverance to the most immediate Protection of

Heaven, in confounding the Devices of their Enemy, and by depriving them

of common Sense; and for this Reason the People of _Quebeck_ make an

annual Procession, in Commemoration of this Deliverance.

Sir _William_ cannonaded the Town for some Time with little Execution,

and then returned in Hast, Winter approaching; indeed that Season was

already so far advanced, that he lost eight Vessels in his Return.

The _Five Nations_ continued their Incursions all along _St. Laurence

River_, from _Montreal_ to _Quebeck_, and carried away many Scalps. At

one Time a _French_ Officer, with thirty eight Men, surprised some of

the _Five Nations_ in a Cabin, which they had built near _Lake St.

Piere_. Some of them escaped and informed two other Cabins, which the

_French_ had not discovered, and they returned with their Companions,

and killed the Captain and Lieutenant, and one half of the Men.

Notwithstanding that the _French_ preserved their Country, these

warlike Expeditions, and the Necessity they were under of being on their

Guard, prevented their cultivating the Ground, or of reaping the Fruit

of what they had sowed or planted. This occasioned a Famine in _Canada_,

and, to increase the Misery of the poor Inhabitants, they were forced to

feed the Soldiers gratis, while their own Children wanted Bread.

In _October_ the _Onondagas_, _Cayugas_, and _Oneydoes_ came to

_Albany_, to condole with the _English_, for the Men lost in the

Expedition against _Montreal_, as they had already done with the

_Mohawks_. They said it was ever their Custom to condole with their

Friends when they lost any Number of Men in Battle, though they had the

Victory. They at the same Time, as they had often done before,

complained of the Dearness of Powder: Why, say they, do you call us your

King's Soldiers, when you will not sell us Powder at the usual and

reasonable Rates?

And in answer to a Complaint, of there not being a sufficient Number of

_English_ sent against _Montreal_, the People of _Albany_ upbraided them

with a Breach of Promise, in not sending that Party down _Cadarackui

River_ which they promised, which they said was the chief Reason of the

want of Success in that Expedition.

CHAP. VII.

_The_ French _and the_ Five Nations _continue the War all Winter with

various Success_. _The_ French _burn a_ Captain _of the_ Five Nations

_alive_.

The old _French_ Governor kept up his Vigour and Spirits wonderfully, no

Fatigue made him ever think of Rest. He knew of what Use it would be to

convince the _Five Nations_, that the joint Attack of the _English_ and

_Indians_ had neither weakened him, nor frightened him from carrying on

the War with as much Vigour as before.

It was absolutely necessary that the _Utawawas_ and other _Western

Indians_, who came to _Montreal_ to trade, should return safe to their

own Country, otherwise there would be an End to the _French_ Trade with

those Nations, upon which the Being of _Canada_ depends; for it is only

by the _Fur-trade_ with these Nations that they make Returns to

_Europe_; and if these Nations did not return in Time, all the _Western

Indians_ would look on the _French_ as lost, and consequently would make

Peace with the _Five Nations_, and perhaps join in the Destruction of

_Canada_.

Captain _la Forest_, with one hundred and ten Men, was sent to conduct

the _Utawawas_ Home; he carried with him considerable Presents sent by

the King of _France_, to confirm these Nations in the _French_ Interest.

Two _Indian_ Prisoners, taken at _la Prairie_, were given to the

_Utawawas_, and carried with them, to confirm the Stories they were to

tell of their Successes against the _English_ and _Five Nations_. These

poor Men were there burnt alive; and if I should add, that it was done

by _French_ Instigation, what I shall relate by and by will clear me of

the want of Charity. I believe it was so, in Order to rivet the Hatred

between these People and the _Five Nations_.

The _Five Nations_ continued their Incursions all Winter on _Canada_.

Forty of the _Mohawks_ fell upon _Fort Vercheres_, and carried off

twenty of the Inhabitants; but the Alarm reaching _Montreal_, Mr. _de

Crizaei_, with one hundred Men of the regular Troops, was sent in

pursuit of them, who recovered most of the Prisoners.

The Count _de Frontenac_ being informed, that a considerable Party of

the _Five Nations_ hunted Bever on the Neck of Land between _Cadarackui

Lake_ and _Lake Erie_, with great Security, resolved to give them a

better Opinion of the Strength and Courage of the _French_. For this

Purpose he sent three hundred and twelve Men to surprise them, under the

Command of Mr. _Beaucour_, a young Gentleman. The _Praying Indians_ of

_Montreal_ were of the Party. This Expedition being in the Winter, they

were obliged to undergo cruel Fatigues, while they marched on the Snow

with snow Shoes, and carried all their Provision on their Backs. Several

of the _French_ had their Feet frozen, which obliged fifteen to return,

with some old _Indians_, that could not bear the Fatigue; and it was

with much Difficulty that _Beaucour_ could persuade the rest to continue

their March. After a March to a surprizing Distance, at that Season of

the Year, they surprised eighty of the _Five Nations_, who

notwithstanding made a brave Defence, and did not run before they left

most of their Men dead on the Spot. Three Women were made Prisoners,

with whom the _French_ immediately turned back to _Montreal_. Some

stragling Parties went towards _Albany_, but did no more Mischief than

killing two or three stragling Persons, and alarming the Country.

The Trade to _Missilimakinak_ being still intirely stopt, by the Parties

of the _Five Nations_ investing _Cadarackui River_, by which, and

_Cadarackui Lake_, the Passage in Canoes is made to the _Western

Indians_, Captain _la Noue_, with a Command of the regular Troops, was

ordered early in the Spring to guard the Traders through that Passage;

but when he reached the _Falls de Calumette_, he discovered the Enemy,

and returned faster than he went.

_La Noue_ had Orders a second Time to attempt this Passage, and went as

far as the River _du Lievre_ (thirty Leagues from _Montreal_) without

any Obstruction; but there discovering several Canoes of the _Five

Nations_, he went back as fast as before.

The _Quatoghies_ and the _Bullheads_[37] having informed the _French_ of

another smaller River, which falls into _Cadarackui River_, and runs to

the Northward of it, by which a Passage might be made to the Lakes, it

was resolved to attempt this Passage, though it were much farther round,

and more dangerous, there being many more rapid Falls in that River.

Three Officers, with thirty Soldiers, were sent with the Traders for

this Purpose, but a Party of the _Five Nations_ meeting with them in the

long Fall, before they reached this River, they were all killed or

taken, except four that escaped back to _Montreal_.

A considerable Party of the _Five Nations_, under the Command of

_Blackkettle_, a famous Hero, continued a long Time on _Cadarackui

River_, in hopes of meeting with other _French_ Parties, in their

Passage towards _Missilimakinak_; but finding that no Attempts were made

that Way, he resolved to make an Irruption into the Country round

_Montreal_. The _French_ say he had six hundred Men with him; but they

usually increase the Number of their Enemies, in the Relation they give

of these Transactions, either to excuse their Fears, or to increase

their Glory.

_Blackkettle_ overrun the Country (to use the _French_ Expression) as a

Torrent does the Low-lands, when it overflows its Banks, and there is no

withstanding it. The Soldiers had Orders to stand upon the defensive

within their Forts. Mr. _de Vaudreuil_ pursued this Party (after they

had burnt and ravaged the whole Country) at the Head of four hundred

Men; he overtook them and surprised them. The _Five Nations_ fought

desperately, though the same Author, at this Place, makes them no more

than two hundred Men. After they had lost twenty Men on the Spot, they

broke through the _French_, and marched off. The _French_ lost four

Officers and many common Soldiers, and they took five Men, nine Women,

and five Children Prisoners.

The _Five Nations_ in a few Days had however some Revenge; a Captain

having had Orders to guard the Vessels from _Montreal_ to _Quebeck_, a

Party of the _Five Nations_ attacked him in his Return, as he passed

through the Islands in _Lake St. Pierre_. He himself was killed, and the

whole Party intirely routed.

The _French_ all this Summer were obliged to keep upon the defensive

within their Forts, while the _Five Nations_, in small Parties, ravaged

the whole Country, so that no Man stirred the least Distance from a

Fort, but he was in danger of losing his Scalp.

The Count _de Frontenac_ was pierced to the Heart, when he found that he

could not revenge these terrible Incursions of the _Five Nations_; and

his Anguish made him guilty of such a Piece of monstrous Cruelty, in

burning a Prisoner alive after the _Indian_ Manner, as though I have

frequently mentioned to have been done by the _Indians_, yet I forbore

giving the Particulars of such barbarous Acts, suspecting it might be

too offensive to Christian Ears, even in the History of Savages. Here

however I think it useful to give a circumstantial Account of this

horrid Act, to shew on one Hand, what Courage and Resolution, Virtue,

the Love of Glory, and the Love of one's Country can instill into Mens

Minds, even where the Knowledge of true Religion is wanting; and on the

other Hand, how far a false Policy, under a corrupt Religion, can debase

even great Minds.

The Count _de Frontenac_, I say, condemned two Prisoners of the _Five

Nations_ to be burnt publickly alive. The Intendant's Lady intreated

him to moderate the Sentence, and the Jesuits, it is said, used their

Endeavours for the same Purpose. But the Count _de Frontenac_ said,

there is a Necessity of making such an Example, to frighten the _Five

Nations_ from approaching the Plantations, since the Indulgence, that

had hitherto been shewn, had incouraged them to advance with the

greatest Boldness to the very Gates of their Towns; while they thought

they run no other Risque, but of being made Prisoners, where they live

better than at Home. He added, that the _Five Nations_ having burnt so

many _French_, justified this Method of making Reprizals. But with

Submission to the Politeness of the _French_ Nation, may I not ask,

whether every (or any) horrid Action of a barbarous Enemy, can justify a

civilized Nation in doing the like?

When the Governor could not be moved, the Jesuits went to the Prison, to

instruct the Prisoners in the Mysteries of our Holy Religion, _viz_. of

the Trinity, the Incarnation of our Saviour, the Joys of Paradise, and

the Punishments of Hell, to fit their Souls for Heaven by Baptism, while

their Bodies were condemned to Torments. But the _Indians_, after they

had heard their Sentence, refused to hear the Jesuits speak, and began

to prepare for Death in their own Country Manner, by singing their Death

Song.

Some charitable Person threw a Knife into the Prison, with which one of

them dispatched himself: The other was carried out to the Place of

Execution by the Christian _Indians_ of _Loretto_, to which he walked,

seemingly, with as much Indifference as ever Martyr did to the Stake.

While they were torturing him, he continued singing, that he was a

Warrior brave and without Fear; that the most cruel Death could not

shake his Courage; that the most cruel Torment should not draw an

indecent Expression from him; that his Comrade was a Coward, a Scandal

to the _Five Nations_, who had killed himself for fear of Pain; that he

had the Comfort to reflect, that he had made many _Frenchmen_ suffer as

he did now. He fully verified his Words, for the most violent Torment

could not force the least Complaint from him, though his Executioners

tried their utmost Skill to do it. They first broiled his Feet between

two red hot Stones; then they put his Fingers into red hot Pipes, and

though he had his Arms at Liberty, he would not pull his Fingers out;

they cut his Joints, and taking hold of the Sinews, twisted them round

small Bars of Iron. All this while he kept singing and recounting his

own brave Actions against the _French_. At last they flead his Scalp

from his Skull, and poured scalding hot Sand upon it; at which Time the

Intendant's Lady obtained Leave of the Governor to have the

_Coup-de-grace_ given, and I believe she thereby likewise obtained a

Favour to every Reader, in delivering him from a further continuance of

this Account of _French_ Cruelty.

Notwithstanding this Cruelty, which the _French_ Governor manifested

towards the _Five Nations_, and thereby his Hatred of them, he found

Peace with them so necessary to _Canada_, that he still pursued it by

all the Means in his Power. For this Purpose the _Praying Indians_ (who,

as I observed before, are _Mohawks_, and have always kept a

Correspondence with their own Nation) were employed to bring it about,

and to endeavour a Cessation of Arms, that the Governor might have an

Opportunity of shewing what kind Things he had in his Heart towards the

_Five Nations_, but without Success.

[Footnote 37: The _Bullheads_ are said to be cowardly People.]

CHAP. VIII.

_The_ Five Nations _treat with Captain_ Ingoldsby.

The Governor of _New-York_, Colonel _Slaughter_'s Death, soon after his

Arrival, was very prejudicial to the Affairs of _New-York_; for Captain

_Ingoldsby_, who had no other Commission but that of Captain of one of

the Independent Companies of Foot, took upon himself the Government of

the Province, without any Authority; and he having likewise highly

offended a great Number of the People, by the Share he took in the late

Party Quarrels, it was not easy for him to prosecute any vigorous

Measures. He was reckoned to be much more a Soldier than a Statesman.

Captain _Ingoldsby_ met the Five Nations at _Albany_, the sixth of

_June_ 1692. In his Speech, he told them of his vigorous Resolutions to

prosecute the War, and then blamed them for not sending (according to

their Promise) a Party down _Cadarackui River_, to join them that went

from _Albany_ against _Montreal_, and for their Carelesness in suffering

themselves to be surprised last Winter in their Hunting. He desired them

to keep the Enemy in perpetual Alarm, by the Incursions of their Parties

into the Enemy's Country, and to give him timely Notice of all their

Motions. He told them in the next Place, that he heard the _French_ were

still using their wonted Artifice, of amusing them with Offers of Peace;

but the former Proceedings of the _French_ sufficiently demonstrates,

said he to the Brethren, that while Peace is in their Mouths, War is in

their Hearts, and the late horrid Murder of the Brethren, after Quarter

given, sufficiently shews the Perfidy and Rancour of their Hearts. It is

in vain, said he, to think of any Cessation of Arms, much less of a

Peace, while the two Kings are at War at Home. He added, _Virginia_ is

ready to assist us, and only waits the King's Orders, which are daily

expected, and then renewed the Chain for _Virginia_. In the last Place

he told them, that he heard the _Dionondadas_ had sent two Prisoners

Home, with a View thereby to procure Peace; and advised them by all

Means to make Peace with that Nation.

The _Five Nations_ answered by _Cheda_, an _Oneydo Sachem:_

"_Brother_ Corlear,

The _Sachems_ of the _Five Nations_ have with great

Attention heard _Corlear_ speak; we shall make a short Recital,

to shew you with what Care we have hearkened. After the Recital he

continued.

We heartily thank _Corlear_, for his coming to this Place to

view the Strength thereof, for his bringing Forces with him, and for

his Resolution of putting Garisons into the Frontier Places. =Giving

five Bevers and a Belt.=

Brother _Corlear_, as to what you blame us for, let us not

reproach one another, such Words do not favour well among Friends.

They gave nothing with this Article.

Brother _Corlear_, be patient under the Loss of your Men, as we

are of the _Mohawks_ our Brethren, that were killed at the same

Time. You take no Notice of the great Losses we have suffered. We

designed to have come to this Place to have condoled with you in

your Loss, but the War took up all our Time, and employed all Hands.

They =gave five Bevers, four Otters, and one Belt=, as a Gift of

Condolence.

Brother _Corlear_, we are all Subjects of one great King and

Queen, we have one Head, one Heart, one Interest, and are all

ingaged in the same War. You tell us, that we must expect no Peace

while the Kings are at War on the other Side the great Water. We

thank you for being so plain with us. We assure you we have no

Thoughts of Peace. We are resolved to carry on the War, though we

know we only are in danger of being Losers. Pray do you prosecute

the War with the same Resolution. You are strong and have many

People. You have a great King, who is able to hold out long. We are

but a small People, and decline daily, by the Men we lose in this

War, we do our utmost to destroy the Enemy; but how strange does it

seem to us! How unaccountable! that while our great King is so

inveterate against the _French_, and you are so earnest with us

to carry on the War, that Powder is now sold dearer to us than ever?

We are poor, and not able to buy while we neglect hunting; and we

cannot hunt and carry on the War at the same Time: We expect, that

this Evil we so justly complain of be immediately remedied. =Giving

nine Bevers.=

Brother _Corlear_, you desire us to keep the Enemy in perpetual

Alarm, that they may have no Rest, till they are in their Graves; Is

it not to secure your own Frontiers? Why then not one Word of your

People that are to join us? We assure you we shall continue to carry

on the War into the Heart of the Enemies Country. =Giving eight

Bevers.=

We the _Five Nations_, _Mohawks_, _Oneydoes_,

_Onondagas_, _Cayugas_, and _Senekas_, renew the

Silver Chain whereby we are linked fast with our Brethren of

_Assarigoa_ (_Virginia_) and we promise to preserve it as

long as the Sun shall shine in the Heavens. =Giving ten Bevers.=

But Brother _Corlear_, How comes it, that none of our Brethren

fastened in the same Chain with us, offer their helping Hand in this

general War, in which our great King is engaged against the

_French_? Pray _Corlear_, how come _Maryland_,

_Delaware River_, and _New-England_, to be disengaged from

this War? You have always told us, that they are our Brethren,

Subjects of the same great King. Has our King sold them? Or do they

fail in their Obedience? Or do they draw their Arms out of our

Chain? Or has the great King commanded, that the few Subjects he has

in this Place, should make War against the _French_ alone? Pray

make plain to us this Mystery? How can they and we be Brethren, and

make different Families? How can they and we be Subjects of the same

great King, and not be engaged in the same War? How can they and we

have the same Heart, the same Head, and the same Interest, as you

tell us, and not have the same Thoughts? How comes it, that the

Enemy burns and destroys the Towns in _New-England_, and they

make no Resistance? How comes our great King to make War, and not to

destroy his Enemies? When, if he would only command his Subjects on

this Side the great Lake to joyn, the Destruction of the Enemy would

not make one Summer's Work.

You need not warn us of the Deceit and Treachery of the

_French_, who would probably insinuate Thoughts of Peace; but

Brethren, you need not fear us, we will never hearken to them: Tho'

at the same Time, we must own, that we have not been without

Thoughts of your being inclined to Peace, by Reason of the

Brethren's Backwardness in pushing on the War. The _French_

spread Reports among us to this Purpose, and say, that they had in a

Manner concluded the Matter with you. We rejoice to be now assured

of this Falshood. We shall never desist fighting the _French_

as long as we shall live. And =gave a Belt of Wampum=.

We now renew the old Chain, and here plant the Tree of Prosperity

and Peace. May it grow and thrive, and spread its Roots even beyond

_Canada_. =Giving a Belt.=

We make the House clean, where all our Affairs of Importance are

transacted with these five Otters.

We return you Thanks for the Powder and Lead given us; but what

shall we do with them without Guns, shall we throw them at the

Enemy? We doubt they will not hurt them so. Before this we always

had Guns given us. It is no Wonder the Governor of _Canada_

gains upon us, for he supplies his _Indians_ with Guns as well

as Powder; he supplies them plentifully with every Thing that can

hurt us. =Giving five Otters.=

As to the _Dionondadas_ setting two of our Nation at Liberty,

we must tell you, that it was not the Act of that Nation, but the

private Act of one Person: We are desirous to make Peace with that

Nation as soon as we can, upon honourable Terms. And =gave a Belt=.

The _Mohawks_, before they left the Place, desired a private Conference

with the Governor, and told him, that they were all exceedingly

dissatisfied, that the other _English_ Colonies gave no Assistance, and

that it might prove of ill Consequence. Captain _Ingoldsby_ promised to

write to them, and hoped it would have a good Effect.

CHAP. IX.

_The_ French _surprise and take three_ Mohawk _Castles_.

The _Praying Indians_ promised their Endeavours to reconcile their

Brethren the _Mohawks_ to the _French_, on whom the _French_ expected

they would have much Influence; but their Endeavours proving

ineffectual, their Correspondence began to be suspected. The _French_

thought they did more Hurt than Good, by the Intelligence the Enemy by

their Means received. The _French_ in _Canada_ began to lose their

Spirits, by being obliged to remain so long upon the defensive, as the

_Five Nations_ gained more Courage by it. The Count _de Frontenac_

thought it therefore absolutely necessary to undertake some bold

Enterprize, to shew the _Five Nations_, that they had to do with an

Enemy still able to act offensively: An Attack on the _Mohawks_ he

thought would be most effectual for this Purpose, because it would shew,

at the same Time, that the _English_ would not protect their nearest

Neighbours. As this was designed to be done by Surprize, the Winter

Season was chosen for this Purpose, as least to be suspected at such a

Time; and when the Enemy could not, without great Hardship, keep Scouts

abroad, to discover them or the _English_ give any Assistance.

The Body of the _French_ designed for this Expedition was put under

three Captains of the regular Troops, and thirty Subalterns, and

consisted of picked Men of the regular Troops of the common Militia of

the Country of the _Praying Indians_, the _Quatoghies_ of _Loretto_,

_Adirondacks_, and _Sohokies_, who live to the eastward of _Boston_,

making in all about six or seven hundred Men, so that a great Part of

the Force of _Canada_ was employed in it. They were well supplied with

all Sorts of Ammunition, Provision, Snow-Shoes, and such Conveniencies

for Carriage, as were practicable upon the Snow, and through such great

Forests as they had to pass. The _French_ at _Canada_ have a Kind of

light Sledges made with Skins, and are drawn by large Dogs on the frozen

Snow.

They set out from _la Prairie de Magdeleine_ the 15th of _January_

1692-3, after having endured what might have been thought unsurmountable

Hardships; they passed by _Schenectady_ at some Distance from it, on the

8th of _February_, at which Time one that had been taken Prisoner, when

that Place was sacked, made his Escape from them, and gave the People of

_Schenectady_ Intelligence of the _French_, who by an Express,

immediately informed the Commandant of _Albany_. The Millitia was

expeditiously raised, and a Lieutenant with fifty five Horse was

immediately dispatched to _Schenectady_; but no Care was taken to give

the _Mohawks_ Notice, which might have been done without much Danger, by

sending up the South Side of the River, whilst the _French_ marched on

the North. The _French_, on the 8th at Night, reached the first _Mohawk_

Castle, where there were only five Men, and some Women and Children in

great Security, their other Men being all abroad, these were all taken

without Opposition. The next Fort not far from it was in like Manner

surprized, without any Opposition, both of them were very small, and

being next the _English_, not fortified.

_Schenectady_ being the nearest _English_ Settlement to the _Mohawks_,

and but a little Way from their nearest Castle, many of them are always

there. The _Mohawks_ then in the Town were exceedingly enraged, that

none went out to assist their Nation; some were sent therefore out the

next Day, to gain Information of the Enemy, and to give the _Mohawks_

Notice; but they returned without doing their Duty.

The _French_ went on to the next _Mohawk_ Fort, which was the largest;

and coming to that in the Night, they heard some Noise, and suspected

they were discovered: But this Noise was only occasioned by a War Dance,

forty of the _Indians_ designing to go next Day upon some Enterprize.

The _French_ approached the Castle silently, and finding the _Indians_

no way on their Guard, opened the Gate, and entered before they were

discovered; but notwithstanding this, and the Confusion the _Indians_

must be in, this Conquest was not without Loss of Blood, the _French_

having lost thirty Men, before the _Indians_ entirely submitted: The

_French_ designed to have put them all to the Sword, but their own

_Indians_ would not suffer it, and gave Quarter: They took three hundred

Prisoners, of whom one hundred were fighting Men. I have no Account of

the Number of _Mohawks_ killed, but no Doubt it was very considerable.

When the Account came to _Albany_, how much the _Mohawks_, who were at

_Schenectady_, were enraged, that no Assistance was sent to their

Countrymen; _Peter Schuyler_ a Major of the Militia offered himself to

go with what Force could be got ready for their Assistance. He went

himself immediately to _Schenectady_, and sent out to discover the

Enemy: His Scouts brought him Intelligence, first, that the _French_

were in Possession of the two smallest Forts, afterwards, that they had

heard great Firing at the largest Fort; and at last, that it was taken.

Having received 200 Men, partly regular Troops, but most of the Militia,

he began his March on the 12th in Quest of the Enemy; but hearing soon

after, that six hundred Men of the upper Castles were on their March,

'tis probable he did not endeavour to be up with the _French_ so soon as

he might; for I find by his Journal, that he was nearer them on the

fourteenth, than he was two Days after. He had not sufficient Force to

fight them: He sent therefore to the upper _Indians_, to hasten their

March. On the 15th he was joined by these _Indians_, in all two hundred

and ninety Men and Boys, very ill armed. His Body then consisted of two

hundred and fifty Christians, and two hundred and ninety _Indians_,

armed fighting Men. They had no other Provision but some Biscuit every

Man had in his Pocket. On the 16th he was informed by an _Indian_, who

pretended to be a Deserter, that the _French_ had built a Fort, where

they designed to wait for him, and fight him; whereupon he sent an

Express to Coll. _Ingoldesby_, then Commandant at _Albany_, to hasten

more Men to join him, with sufficient Provision for the whole. He found

afterwards, that this _Indian_ was sent by the French, on purpose to

persuade the _Indians_ to give over the Pursuit. Major _Schuyler_ came

up to the Enemy on the 17th; when he came near them he did not go on

streight towards them, for Fear of Ambuscades, but marched round. As

soon as he came in Sight, he was saluted with three loud Shouts, which

were answered with as much Noise. The _Indians_ began in their Manner to

secure themselves, by felling the Trees between them, and the Enemy

sallied out to prevent them, but were soon beat back. The _Indians_ fell

to Work again, and desired the Christians to assist them, which was

done, but in such Confusion, that they themselves were in Danger from

the falling Trees. The _French_ sallied a second Time with all their

Force, crying out, _They run, we'll cut them off, and get their

Provisions_; but they were warmly received, and beat back into their

Fort. They sallied a third Time, and were beat back with considerable

Loss, the _Indians_ bringing in several Heads and Scalps. As soon as the

Skirmishing was over, the Major sent back an Express, to hasten the Men

that were to reinforce him, and were to bring Provision, some of the Men

having had no Provision for two Days. The _Major_ then secured himself,

under the Cover of the fallen Trees, and kept out Watches to observe the

_French_.