work, we have chosen that which exemplifies Western conditions under
three aspects: First, the period of English ascendency on the Ohio,
which is illustrated by three documents of 1750 and 1751. Secondly, the
period of French ascendency, hostility toward the English, and war on the
frontiers; for this epoch we publish four documents, ranging from 1754
to 1757. The third period, after the downfall of Canada, is concerned
with the surrender of the French posts, and the renewed hostility
of the Indians; the two journals we publish for this period present
interesting material for the study of Western history. Each deals with a
pioneer voyage, for Rogers and Croghan were the first Englishmen (except
wandering traders or prisoners) to penetrate the Lake Erie region and
reach Detroit. The voyage down the Ohio (1765), with its circumstantial
account of the appearance of the country, and its description of Indian
conditions and relations, is noteworthy.
Croghan was a voluminous writer. In addition to the official reports of
his journeys, he evidently had the habit of noting down the events of
the day in a simple, straightforward manner, so that many manuscripts of
his were long extant, presenting often different versions of the same
journey. The earlier antiquaries published these as chance brought them
to their notice.[13] The official reports themselves were preserved in
the colonial archives, and are published in the Pennsylvania and New
York collections. It is believed that this is the first attempt to bring
together a selection of Croghan material that in any adequate manner
outlines his interesting career. The chronological extent of these
journals (from 1750-1765) makes those which follow—Post’s of 1758; and
Morris’s of 1764—interludes in the events which Croghan describes, thus
throwing additional light upon the same period and the same range of
territory.
R. G. T.
A SELECTION OF GEORGE CROGHAN’S LETTERS AND JOURNALS RELATING TO TOURS
INTO THE WESTERN COUNTRY—NOVEMBER 16, 1750-NOVEMBER, 1765
CROGHAN TO THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA[14]
LOGSTOWN ON OHIO,
December [November] the 16th, 1750.[15]
SIR: Yesterday Mr. Montour and I got to this Town, where we found thirty
Warriors of the Six Nations going to War against the Catawba Indians;
they told us that they saw John Coeur about one hundred and fifty miles
up this River at an Indian Town, where he intends to build a Fort if he
can get Liberty from the Ohio Indians; he has five canoes loaded with
Goods, and is very generous in making Presents to all the Chiefs of
the Indians that he meets with; he has sent two Messages to this Town
desiring the Indians here to go and meet him and clear the Road for
him to come down the River, but they have had so little Regard to his
Message that they have not thought it worth while to send him an answer
as yet.[16] We have seen but very few of the Chiefs of the Indians they
being all out a hunting, but those we have seen are of opinion that their
Brothers the English ought _to have a Fort on this River_ to secure the
Trade, for they think it will be dangerous for the Traders to travel
the Roads for fear of being surprised by some of the French and French
Indians, as they expect nothing else but a War with the French next
Spring. At a Town about three hundred miles down this River, where the
Chief of the Shawonese live,[17] a Party of French and French Indians
surprised some of the Shawonese and killed a man and took a woman and two
children Prisoners; the Shawonese pursued them and took five French Men
and some Indians Prisoners; the Twightwees likewise have sent word to the
French that if they can find any of their People, either French or French
Indians, on their hunting Ground, that they will make them Prisoners,
so I expect nothing else but a War this Spring; the Twightwees want to
settle themselves some where up this River in order to be nearer their
Brothers the English, for they are determined never to hold a Treaty of
Peace with the French. Mr. Montour and I intend as soon as we can get the
Chiefs of the Six Nations that are Settled here together, to sollicit
them to appoint a Piece of Ground up this River to seat the Twightwees
on and kindle a Fire for them, and if possible to remove the Shawonese
up the River, which we think will be securing those Nations more steady
to the English Interest. I hope the Present of Goods that is preparing
for those Indians will be at this Town some time in March next, for the
Indians, as they are now acquainted that there is a Present coming, will
be impatient to receive it, as they intend to meet the French next Spring
between this and Fort De Troit, for they are certain the French intend
an Expedition against them next Spring from Fort De Troit.[18] I hear
the Owendaets [Wyandots] are as steady and well attached to the English
Interest as ever they were, so that I believe the French will make but a
poor hand of those Indians. Mr. Montour takes a great deal of Pains to
promote the English Interest amongst those Indians, and has a great sway
amongst all those Nations; if your Honour has any Instructions to send to
Mr. Montour, Mr. Trent will forward it to me.[19] I will see it delivered
to the Indians in the best manner, that your Honour’s Commands may have
their full Force with the Indians.
I am, with due respects,
Your Honour’s most humble Servant,
GEO. CROGHAN.
The Honoble. JAMES HAMILTON,[20] Esq.
PROCEEDINGS OF GEORGE CROGHAN, ESQUIRE, AND MR. ANDREW MONTOUR AT OHIO,
IN THE EXECUTION OF THE GOVERNOR’S INSTRUCTIONS TO DELIVER THE PROVINCIAL
PRESENT TO THE SEVERAL TRIBES OF INDIANS SETTLED THERE:[21]
May the 18th, 1751.—I arrived at the Log’s Town on Ohio with the
Provincial Present from the Province of Pennsylvania, where I was
received by a great number of the Six Nations, Delawares, and Shawonese,
in a very complaisant manner in their way, by firing Guns and Hoisting
the English Colours. As soon as I came to the shore their Chiefs met me
and took me by the Hand bidding me welcome to their Country.
May the 19th.—One of the Six Nation Kings from the Head of Ohio came to
the Logstown to the Council, he immediately came to visit me, and told me
he was glad to see a Messenger from his Brother Onas on the waters of the
Ohio.
May the 20th.—Forty Warriors of the Six Nations came to Town from the
Heads of Ohio, with Mr. Ioncoeur and one Frenchman more in company.
May the 21st, 1751.—Mr. Ioncoeur, the French Interpreter, called a
council with all the Indians then present in the Town, and made the
following Speech:
“CHILDREN: I desire you may now give me an answer from your hearts to
the Speech Monsieur Celeron (the Commander of the Party of Two Hundred
Frenchmen that went down the River two Years ago) made to you.[22] His
Speech was, That their Father the Governor of Canada desired his Children
on Ohio to turn away the English Traders from amongst them, and discharge
them from ever coming to trade there again, or on any of the Branches,
on Pain of incurring his Displeasure, and to enforce that Speech he gave
them a very large Belt of Wampum. Immediately one of the Chiefs of the
Six Nations get up and made the following answer:
“FATHERS: I mean you that call yourselves our Fathers, hear what I am
going to say to you. You desire we may turn our Brothers the English
away, and not suffer them to come and trade with us again; I now tell
you from our Hearts we will not, for we ourselves brought them here to
trade with us, and they shall live amongst us as long as there is one
of us alive. You are always threatning our Brothers what you will do to
them, and in particular to that man (pointing to me); now if you have
anything to say to our Brothers tell it to him if you be a man, as you
Frenchmen always say you are, and the Head of all Nations. Our Brothers
are the People we will trade with, and not you. Go and tell your Governor
to ask the Onondago Council If I don’t speak the minds of all the Six
Nations;”[23] and then [he] returned the Belt.
I paid Cochawitchake the old Shawonese King a visit, as he was rendered
incapable of attending the Council by his great age, and let him know
that his Brother the Governor of Pennsylvania was glad to hear that he
was still alive and retained his senses, and had ordered me to cloathe
him and to acquaint him that he had not forgot his strict Attachment to
the English Interest. I gave him a Strowd Shirt, Match Coat, and a pair
of Stockings, for which he gave the Governor a great many thanks.
May the 22d.—A number of about forty of the Six Nations came up the River
Ohio to Logstown to wait on the Council; as soon as they came to Town
they came to my House, and after shaking Hands they told me they were
glad to see me safe arrived in their Country after my long Journey.
May the 23d.—Conajarca, one of the Chiefs of the Six Nations, and a Party
with him from the Cuscuskie, came to Town to wait on the Council, and
congratulated me upon my safe arrival in their Country.
May the 24th.—Some Warriors of the Delawares came to Town from the Lower
Shawonese Town, and brought a Scalp with them; they brought an Account
that the Southward Indians had come to the Lower Towns to War, and had
killed some of the Shawonese, Delawares, and the Six Nations, so that we
might not expect any People from there to the Council.
May the 25th.—I had a conference with Monsieur Ioncoeur; he desired I
would excuse him and not think hard of him for the Speech he made to the
Indians requesting them to turn the English Traders away and not suffer
them to trade, for it was the Governor of Canada’s Orders[24] to him,
and he was obliged to obey them altho’ he was very sensible which way
the Indians would receive them, for he was sure the French could not
accomplish their designs with the Six Nations without it could be done by
Force, which he said he believed they would find to be as difficult as
the method they had just tryed, and would meet with the like success.
May the 26th.—A Dunkar from the Colony of Virginia came to the Log’s Town
and requested Liberty of the Six Nation Chiefs to make [a settlement]
on the River Yogh-yo-gaine a branch of Ohio, to which the Indians made
answer that it was not in their Power to dispose of Lands; that he must
apply to the Council at Onondago, and further told him that he did not
take a right method, for he should be first recommended by their Brother
the Governor of Pennsylvania, with whom all Publick Business of that sort
must be transacted before he need expect to succeed.[25]
May the 27th.—Mr Montour and I had a Conference with the Chiefs of the
Six Nations, when it was agreed upon that the following Speeches should
be made to the Delawares, Shawonese, Owendatts and Twightwees, when the
Provincial Present should be delivered them in the Name of the Honourable
James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of
the Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and
Sussex, on Delaware, in Conjunction with the Chiefs of the Six United
Nations On Ohio:
A TREATY WITH THE INDIANS OF THE SIX NATIONS, DELAWARES, SHAWONESE,
OWENDATTS AND TWIGHTWEES.
IN THE LOG’S TOWN ON OHIO,
Thursday the 28th May, 1751.
PRESENT:
Thomas Kinton,
Samuel Cuzzens,
Jacob Pyatt,
John Owens,
Thomas Ward,
Joseph Nelson,
James Brown,
Dennis Sullavan,
Paul Pearce,
Caleb Lamb,
Indian Traders.
The Deputies of the Six Nations, Delawares, Shawonese, Owendatts,
and Twightwees; Mr. Andrew Montour, Interpreter for the Province of
Pennsylvania; Toanshiscoe, Interpreter for the Six Nations.
George Croghan made the following Speech to the several Nations, when
they were met in Council, in the Name of the Honourable James Hamilton,
Esquire, Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania:
“FRIENDS AND BRETHREN:—I am sent here by your Brother the Governor of
Pennsylvania with this Present of Goods to renew the Friendship so long
subsisting between Us, and I present you these four strings of Wampum to
clear your Minds and open your Eyes and Ears that you may see the Sun
clear, and hear what your Brother is going to say to you.”—Gave 4 Strings
of Wampum.
A Speech delivered the Delawares—in answer to the Speech they sent by Mr.
Weiser three Years ago to his Honour the Governor to acquaint him of the
Death of their Chief, King Oulamopess[26]—by George Croghan:
“BRETHREN THE DELAWARES:—Three years ago some of the Chiefs of your
Nation sent me a Message by Mr. Weiser to acquaint me of the Death of
your King, a man well beloved by his Brethren the English. You told Mr.
Weiser that you intended to visit me in order to consult about a new
Chief, but you never did it. I have ever since condoled with you for the
Loss of so good a Man, and considering the lamentable Condition you were
in for want of a Chief I present You this Belt of Wampum and this Present
to wipe away your Tears, and I desire you may choose amongst Yourselves
one of your wisest Counsellors and present to your Brethren the Six
Nations and me for a Chief, and he so chosen by you shall be looked upon
by us as your King, with whom Publick Business shall be transacted.
Brethren, to enforce this on your Minds I present you this Belt of
Wampum.”—Gave a Belt of Wampum, which was received with the Yohah.[27]
A Speech delivered the Shawonese from the Honourable James Hamilton,
Governor of Pennsylvania, by George Croghan:
“BRETHREN THE SHAWONESE:—Three years ago when some of your Chiefs and
some Chiefs of the Six Nations came down to Lancaster with our Brethren
the Twightwees, they informed me that your People that went away with
Peter Chartier was coming back, and since that I hear that Part of them
are returned. I am glad to hear that they are coming home to you again
that you may become once more a People, and not as you were dispersed
thro’ the World. I do not blame you for what happened, for the wisest
of People sometimes make mistakes; it was the French that the Indians
call their Fathers that deceived You and scattered you about the Woods
that they might have it in their Power to keep you poor. Brethren, I
assure you by this Present that I am fully reconcil’d and have forgot
any thing that you have done, and I hope for the future there will be a
more free and open Correspondence between us; and now your Brethren the
Six Nations join with me to remove any misunderstanding that should have
happened between us, that we may henceforth spend the remainder of our
days together in Brotherly Love and Friendship. Now, that this Speech
which your Brothers the Six Nations joyn with me in may have its full
Force on your minds, I present you this Belt of Wampum.”—Gave a Belt of
Wampum, which was received with the Yo-hah.
A Speech delivered the Owendatts, from the Honourable James Hamilton,
Governor of Pennsylvania, by George Croghan:
“BRETHREN THE OWENDATTS:—I receiv’d a Message by the Six Nations and
another by Mr. Montour from you, by both which I understand the French,
whom the Indians call their Father, wont let you rest in your Towns in
Peace, but constantly threaten to cut you off. How comes this? Are you
not a free and independent People, and have you not a Right to live
where you please on your own Land and trade with whom you please? Your
Brethren, the English, always considered you as a free Nation, and I
think the French who attempt to infringe on your Liberties should be
opposed by one and all the Indians or any other Nations that should
undertake such unjust proceedings.
“Brethren: I am sorry to hear of your Troubles, and I hope you and your
Brethren the Six Nations will let the French know that you are a free
People and will not be imposed on by them. To assure you that I have your
Troubles much at heart I present you this Belt and this Present of Goods
to cloathe your Families.”—Gave a Belt of Wampum, which was received with
the Yo-hah.
A Speech delivered the Twightwees from the Honourable James Hamilton,
Esquire, Governor Pennsylvania, by George Croghan:
“BRETHREN THE TWIGHTWEES:—As you are an antient and renowned Nation I
was well pleased when you sent your Deputies now three years ago to
sollicit our Alliance; nor did we hesitate to grant you your Request,
as it came so warmly recommended to us by our Brethren the Six Nations,
Delawares, and Shawonese. At your further Request we ordered our Traders
to go amongst you and supply you with Goods at as reasonable rates as
they could afford. We understand that in obedience to our Commands our
Traders have given you full Satisfaction to your Requests. In one your
Towns about three Months ago Mr. George Croghan likewise informs us
that some more of your Tribes earnestly requested to become our Allies.
He and Mr. Montour did receive a writing from you Certifying such your
Request, and containing your Promises of Fidelity and Friendship, which
we have seen and approve of. Brethren: we have recommended it to our
Brethren the Six Nations to give you their advice how you should behave
in your new Alliance with us, and we expect that you will follow it, that
the Friendship now subsisting between Us, the Six Nations, Delawares,
Shawonese, Owendatts, and you, may become as Strong as a great Mountain
which the Winds constantly blow against but never overset. Brethren, to
assure you of our hearty Inclinations towards you I make you this Present
of Goods; and that this Speech which I make you now in Conjunction with
the Six Nations may have its full Force on your minds, I present you this
Belt of Wampum.”—Gave a Belt, which was received with the Yo-hah.
A Speech made to the Six United Nations by George Croghan in behalf
of the Honourable James Hamilton, Esquire, Governor of the Province of
Pennsylvania:
“BRETHREN THE SIX NATIONS: Hear what I am going to say to you. Brethren:
it is a great while since we, your Brothers the English, first came over
the great Water (meaning the Sea); as soon as our ship struck the Land
you the Six Nations took hold of her and tyed her to the Bushes, and for
fear the Bushes would not be strong enough to hold her you removed the
Rope and tyed it about a great Tree; then fearing the winds would blow
the Tree down, you removed the Rope and tyed it about a great Mountain
in the Country (meaning the Onondago Country), and since that time we
have lived in true Brotherly Love and Friendship together. Now, Brethren,
since that there are several Nations joined in Friendship with you and
Us, and of late our Brethren the Twightwees: Now, Brethren, as you are
the Head of all the Nations of Indians, I warmly recommend it to you to
give our Brethren the Twightwees your best advice that they may know how
to behave in their New Alliance, and likewise I give our Brethren the
Owendatts in charge to you, that you may Strengthen them to withstand
their Enemies the French, who I understand treat them more like Enemies
than Children tho’ they call themselves their Father.
“Brethren: I hope we, your Brothers the English, and you the Six Nations,
Delawares, Shawonese, Owendatts, and Twightwees, will continue in such
Brotherly Love and Friendship that it will be as strong as that Mountain
to which you tyed our Ship. Now, Brethren, I am informed by George
Croghan that the French obstruct my Traders and carry away their Persons
and Goods, and are guilty of many outrageous Practices, Whereby the
Roads are rendered unsafe to travel in, nor can we ask our Traders to go
amongst you whilst their Lives and Effects are in such great Danger. How
comes this to pass? Don’t this proceed from the Pride of Onontio, whom
the Indians call their Father, because they don’t see his ill Designs?
The strong houses you gave him Leave to erect on your Lands serve (As
your Brethren the English always told you) to impoverish You and keep
your Wives and Children always naked by keeping the English Traders at a
Distance, the French well knowing the English sell their Goods cheaper
than they can afford, and I can assure You Onontio will never rest while
an English Trader comes to Ohio; and indeed if you don’t open your Eyes
and put a Stop to his Proceedings he will gain his Ends. Brethren: I hope
you will consider well what Onontio means or is about to do. To enforce
what I have been saying to you on your minds, I present this Belt of
Wampum.”—Gave a Belt. They received this Belt with Yo-hah.
The Speaker of the Six Nations made the following Speech to Monsieur
Ioncoeur in open Council; he spoke very quick and sharp with the Air of a
Warrior:
“FATHER—How comes it that you have broke the General Peace? Is it not
three years since you as well as our Brother the English told Us that
there was a Peace between the English and French, and how comes it that
you have taken our Brothers as your Prisoners on our Lands? Is it not
our Land (Stamping on the Ground and putting his Finger to John Coeur’s
Nose)? What Right has Onontio to our Lands? I desire you may go home
directly off our Lands and tell Onontio to send us word immediately
what was his Reason for using our Brothers so, or what he means by such
Proceedings, that we may know what to do, for I can assure Onontio that
We the Six Nations will not take such Usage. You hear what I say, and
that is the Sentiments of all our Nations; tell it to Onontio that that
is what the Six Nations said to you.”—Gave 4 Strings of black Wampum.
After which the Chief of the Indians ordered the Goods to be divided, and
appointed some of each Nation to stand by to see it done, that those that
were absent might have a sufficient Share laid by for them.
After which the Chiefs made me a Speech and told me it was a Custom with
their Brothers whenever they went to Council to have their Guns, Kettles,
and Hatchets mended, and desired I might order that done, for they could
not go home till they had that done. So Mr. Montour and I agreed to
comply with their Request, and ordered it done that they might depart
well satisfied.
LETTER OF CROGHAN TO THE GOVERNOR, ACCOMPANYING THE FOREGOING TREATY[28]
PENNSBORO’, June 10th, 1751.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: Inclosed is a Copy of the Treaty held on
Ohio by your Honour’s Instructions on delivering your Honour’s Present
to the several Nations of Indians Residing there. I hope your Honour on
perusing the Proceedings of the Treaty will find that I have observed
your Honour’s Instructions in every Speech that I delivered from your
Honour. I took all the Pains I could to make the Present have its full
Force and Weight with the Indians, and I have the Pleasure of assuring
your Honour that the Indians were all unanimously well pleased at your
Honour’s Speeches, and likewise acknowledged it was a great Present, and
the Chiefs of the Six Nations took great Pains with me in dividing it
amongst the other nations, that it might have its full force with them,
which I assure your Honour it had, for every man I saw there was well
satisfied with his share of the Present; the Indians in general expressed
a high Satisfaction at having the Opportunity in the Presence of Ioncœur
of expressing their hearty Love and Inclinations towards the English, and
likewise to assure your Honour what Contempt they had for the French,
which your Honour will see by the Speeches they made. Ioncœur-Ioncœur
has sent a Letter to your Honour, which I enclose here.[29] Mr.
Montour has exerted himself very much on this occasion, and he is not
only very capable of doing the Business, but look’d on amongst all the
Indians as one of their Chiefs, I hope your Honour will think him worth
notice, and recommend it to the Assembly to make him full Satisfaction
for his Trouble, as he has employed all his Time in the Business of
the Government. I hope your Honour will recommend it to the Government
of Virginia to answer the Speech sent them now in answer to their own
Speech sent last Fall, as soon as possible. May it please your Honour, I
make bold to send down my Account against the Province for what Wampum
I delivered Mr. Montour to make the Speeches last Fall and this Spring,
delivered by your Honour’s Instructions. Mr. Montour is at my House and
will wait on your Honour when you Please to appoint the time. I hope what
has been transacted at this Treaty will be pleasing to your Honour, as
I am sure the Present had its full Force, and shall defer any farther
Account till you have the opportunity of examining Mr. Montour.
I am your Honour’s most obedient, humble Servant,
GEORGE CROGHAN.
CROGHAN’S JOURNAL, 1754.[30]