met by Commissioners from Governor Hamilton, and promised the same
which they had done in Virginia;[55] but notwithstanding the earnest
solicitations of those Indians, the governments neglected building them
a fort, or assisting them with men; believing or seeming to believe
that there was no French there; till the Governor of Virginia sent Col.
Washington to the heads of Venango Creek, where he met the French General
at a fort he had lately built there.
In February 1754, Captain Trent was at the mouth of Red Stone Creek,
building a Store house for the Ohio Company, in order to lodge stores to
be carried from there to the mouth of Monongehela, by water, where he had
received orders in conjunction with Cresap[56] and Gist to build a fort
for that Company. This Creek is about 37 miles from where fort Du Quesne
now stands.
About the 10ᵗʰ of this month he received a Commission from the Governor
of Virginia with orders to raise a Company of Militia, and that he would
soon be joined by Col. Washington. At this time the Indians appointed to
meet him at the mouth of Monongehela in order to receive a present which
he had brought them from Virginia. Between this time and that appointed
to meet the Indians he raised upwards of twenty men & found them with
arms ammunition & provisions at his own expence. At this meeting the
Indians insisted that he should set his men at work, which he did, and
finished a Store House, and a large quantity of timber hew’d, boards
saw’d, and shingles made. After finishing his business with the Indians
he stayed some time in expectation of Col. Washington joining him, as
several accounts came of his being there in a few days. As there was
no more men to be had here at this time, there being no inhabitants in
this country but Indian traders who were scattered over the country for
several hundred miles, & no provisions but a little Indian corn to be
had, he applied to the Indians, who had given him reason to believe they
would join him and cut off the French on the Ohio, but when he proposed
it to the Half-King, he told him that had the Virginians been in earnest
they wou’d have had their men there before that time, and desired him to
get the rest of his men and hurry out the provisions. Agreeable to his
instructions he went and recruited his company, but before he could get
back, it being 110 miles from here to the nighest inhabitants, the French
came and drove his people off.
In June following when the Indians heard that Coll. Washington with a
Detachment of the Virginia troops had reached the great Meadows, the
Half-King and Scaruady with about 50 men joined him—notwithstanding the
French were in possession of this country with six or seven hundred men;
so great was their regard for the English at that time.
After the defeat of Col. Washington, the Indians came to Virginia, where
they stayed some time, & then came to my house in Pennsylvania and put
themselves under the protection of this Government.
As soon as possible they sent messengers to call down the heads of the
Delawares and Shawnese to a meeting at my house, and at the same time
they desired the Governor of this Province, or some Deputy from him, to
meet them there to consult what was best to be done.
The Governor sent Mʳ Wiser the Provincial Interpreter; the Chiefs of
those Indians came down and met him and offered their service, but it
was not accepted by Mʳ Wiser. He in answer told them to sit still, till
Governor Morris arrived, and then he himself wou’d come and let them know
what was to be done. They waited there till very late in the fall, but
received no answer, so set off for their own country.[57]
This Government continued to maintain the Indians that lived at my house,
till the Spring, when General Bradock[58] arrived; they then desired
Governor Morris to let me know they would not maintain them any longer;
at which time Governor Morris desired me to take them to Fort Cumberland
to meet General Bradock; which I did;—On my arrival at Fort Cumberland
General Braddock asked me where the rest of the Indians were. I told him
I did not know, I had brought but fifty men which was all that was at
that time under my care, and which I had brought there by the directions
of Governor Morris. He replied that Governor Dinwiddie told me [him] at
Alexandria that he had sent for 400 which would be here before me. I
answered I knew nothing of that but that Captain Montour the Virginia
Interpreter was in camp & could inform His Excellency. On which Montour
was sent for who informed the General that Mʳ Gist’s son was sent off
some time agoe for some Cherokee Indians, but whether they would come he
could not tell. On which the General asked me whether I could not send
for some of the Delawares and Shawnese to Ohio. I told him I could; on
which I sent a messenger to Ohio, who returned in eight days and brought
with him the Chiefs of the Delawares. The General held a conference the
Chiefs in company with those fifty I had brought with me, and made them
a handsome present, & behav’d to them as kindly as he possibly could,
during their stay, ordering me to let them want for nothing.
The Delawares promised, in Council, to meet the General on the road, as
he marched out with a number of their warriors. But whether the former
breaches of faith on the side of the English prevented them, or that they
choose to see the event of the action between General Braddock and the
French, I cannot tell; but they disappointed the General and did not meet
him.
Two days after the Delaware Chiefs had left the camp at Fort Cumberland,
Mʳ Gist’s son returned from the Southward, where he had been sent by Govʳ
Dinwiddie, but brought no Indians with him.
Soon after, the General was preparing for the march, with no more Indians
than I had with me; when Coll. Innis[59] told the General that the women
and children of the Indians that were to remain at Fort Cumberland,
would be very troublesome, and that the General need not take above
eight or nine men out with him, for if he took more he would find them
very troublesome on the march and of no service; on which the General
ordered me to send back all the men, women and children, to my house in
Pennsylvania, except eight or ten, which I should keep as scouts and to
hunt; which I accordingly did.
(Indorsed: “Recᵈ with Sʳ Wᵐ Johnson’s letter of the 25 June, 1757.”)
CROGHAN’S JOURNAL, 1760-61[60]
October 21ˢᵗ 1760.—In pursuance to my Instructions I set of[f] from Fort
Pitt to join Major Rogers[61] at Presqu’ Isle[62] in order to proceed
with the Detachmᵗ of his Majestys Troops under his Command to take
possession of Fort D’Troit.
25ᵗʰ.—I joined Capt Campbell at Venango who was on his march to Presqu’
Isle with a Detachment of the Royal Americans to join Major Rogers.[63]
26ᵗʰ.—I halted at Venango as the French Creek was very high, to assist
in getting the Pack Horses loaded with Pitch & Blanketts for the Kings
service over.[64]
27ᵗʰ.—Left Venango.
30ᵗʰ.—Got to La’Bauf.[65]
31ˢᵗ.—Arrived at Presqu-Isle where I delivered Major Rogers his Orders
from General Monckton.[66]
November 3ᵈ.—Capᵗ Brewer of the Rangers with a Party of forty Men set
of[f] by Land with the Bullocks with whom I sent fifteen Indians of
different Nations, to pilot them, with Orders that if they met with any
of the Indians of the Western Nations hunting on the Lake Side to tell
them to come and meet me.[67] This Evening we loaded our Boats & lay on
the shore that night.
4ᵗʰ.—We set sail at seven o’clock in the morning & at three in the
afternoon we got to Siney Sipey or Stoney Creek about ten Leagues from
Presqu’ Isle where we went ashore in a fine Harbour and encamped.[68]
5ᵗʰ.—At seven o’Clock in the Morning we set sail, about 12 we were met
by about thirty Ottawas who had an English Flag, they saluted us with a
discharge of their fire Arms, we then put ashore shook hands and smoked
with them out of their Council Pipe, we drank a dram and then embarked,
about two o’Clock arrived at Wajea Sipery or Crooked Creek, went ashore
in a good Harbour and encamped, this day went about seven Leagues. After
we had encamped I called a meeting of all the Indians and acquainted
them of the Reduction of Montreal, and agreeable to the Capitulation we
were going to take possession of Fort D’Troit, Misselemakinack, Fort
St. Joseph’s &c. and carry the French Garrisons away Prisoners of War &
Garrison the Forts with English Troops, that the French Inhabitants were
to remain in possession of their property on their taking the Oath of
Fidelity to his Majesty King George, and assured them by a Belt of Wampum
that all Nations of Indians should enjoy a free Trade with their Brethren
the English and be protected in peaceable possession of their hunting
Country as long as they adhered to his Majestys Interest. The Indians
in several Speeches made me, expressed their satisfaction at exchanging
their Fathers the French for their Brethren the English who they were
assured were much better able to supply them with all necessaries, and
then begged that we might forget every thing that happened since the
commencement of the War, as they were obliged to serve the French from
whom they got all their necessitys supplyed, that it was necessity and
not choice that made them take part with the French which they confirmed
by several Belts and Strings of Wampum. The principal Man of the Ottawas
said on a large Belt that he had not long to live & said pointing to
two Men “those Men I have appointed to transact the Business of my
Tribe, with them you confirmed the Peace last year when you came up to
Pittsburg, I now recommend them to you, and I beg you may take notice of
them and pity our women and Children as they are poor and naked, you are
able to do it & by pitying their Necessitys you will win their Hearts.”
The Speaker then took up the Pipe of Peace belonging to the Nation and
said Brother to Confirm what we have said to you I give you this Peace
Pipe which is known to all the Nations living in this Country and when
they see it they will know it to be the Pipe of Peace belonging to our
Nation, then [he] delivered the Pipe.
The principal Man then requested some Powder & Lead for their young Men
to stay there and hunt for the support of their familys as the Chiefs had
agreed to go with us to D’Troit, and a little Flower which I applyed to
Major Rogers for who chearfully ordered it to me as I informed him it was
necessary & would be for the good of his Majestys Indian Interest.[69]
6ᵗʰ.—At seven o’Clock we set sail in Company with the Indians arrived
at a pretty large Creek called Onchuago or fire Creek[70] about twelve
Leagues from Crooked Creek, where we went ashore and incamped, a fine
Harbour; here we met seven familys of Ottawa Indians Hunting.
7ᵗʰ.—We loaded our Boats, sent of[f] the Battoes with the Provisions and
some Whale Boats to attend them, but before they had got two Miles they
were obliged to return the Wind springing up so high that no Boat could
live on the Lake. Continued our encampment here the whole day.
8ᵗʰ 9ᵗʰ & 10ᵗʰ.—We continued here the Wind so high could not put out of
the Harbour here the Indians gave us great quantitys of Bears & Elks
Meat, very fat.
11ᵗʰ.—About One o’Clock P.M. set sail, a great swell in the Lake, at
Eight o’Clock got into a little Cove went ashore & encamped on a fine
strand, about six Leagues from fire Creek, where Mʳ Braam with his party
had been some time encamped.[71]
12ᵗʰ.—At half an hour after Eight A.M. set sail, very Calm, about 10
came on a great squawl, the Waves run Mountains high, about half an hour
after twelve we got into Gichawaga Creek where is a fine Harbour, some of
the Battoes were forced a shore on the Strand and received considerable
damage, some of the flower wet and the Ammunition Boat allmost staved
to Pieces, here we found several Indians of the Ottawa Nation hunting,
who received us very kindly they being old Acquaintances of mine, here
we overtook Capᵗ Brewer of the Rangers with his party who set of by Land
with some Cattle, this day came about four Leagues.[72]
13ᵗʰ.—We lay by to mend our Boats.
14ᵗʰ.—The Wind blew so hard we could not set of[f]. This day we were
allarmed by one of the Rangers who reported he saw about Twenty French
within a Mile of our encampment on which I sent out a party of Indians
and Major Rogers a party of Rangers, both partys returned without
discovering any thing, but the Tracts of two Indians who went out a
hunting that Morning.
15ᵗʰ.—Fine Weather we set sail and at twelve o’Clock came to Sinquene
Thipe or Stony Creek[73] where we met a Wayondott Indian named
Togasoady, and his family a hunting. He informed me he was fifteen days
from D’Troit, that before he left that the French had Accounts of the
reduction of Montreal & that they expected an English Army from Niagara
to D’Troit every day; that M. Balletré,[74] would not believe that the
Governor of Montreal had Capitulated for D’Troit; that he had no more
than fifty soldiers in the Fort; that the Inhabitants and Indians who
were at home were very much afraid of being plundered by our Soldiers,
and he requested that no outrage might be committed by our soldiers on
the Indian settlements, as the chief of the Indians were out a hunting. I
assured them that there should be no plundering. This afternoon we came
to Nechey Thepy or two Creeks,[75] about Nine Leagues from Gichawga,
high banks all the way & most part of it a perpendicular Rock about 60
feet high.
16ᵗʰ.—a storm so that we could [not] stir.
17ᵗʰ.—The Wind continued very high, stayed here this day, set of[f] the
Cattle with an escort of Souldiers and Indians.
18ᵗʰ.—Set Sail came to Oulame Thepy or Vermillion Creek a narrow Channel
about Eight foot Water a large Harbour when in, about four o’Clock came
to Notowacy Thepy a fine Creek running through a Meadow about Eighteen
foot Water, this day came about seven Leagues;[76] here I met three
Indians who informed me that the Deputys I sent from Fort Pitt had passed
by their hunting Cabin Eight days agoe on their way to D’Troit in order
to deliver the Messages I sent by them to the several Indian Nations.
19ᵗʰ.—Several Indians came down the Creek to our encampment and made us
a present of dryed Meat, set of[f], came to the little Lake just as the
Cattle set over from thence, set of[f] from here came to a Creek which
runs through a marchy Meadow, here we encamped, came this day about six
Leagues.[77]
20ᵗʰ.—Mr. Braam set of[f] to D’Troit with a Flag of Truce and took with
him Mr Gamblin a French Gentleman an Inhabitant of D’Troit.[78] This
day about One o’Clock we met a Canoe of Wayandott Indians who informed
us that the Deputys I sent to yᵉ several Nations living about Fort
D’Troit, from Fort Pitt had got there and collected the principal Men
of the several Nations together and delivered their Messages which were
well received by the Indians, and that a Deputation of the Indians were
appointed to come with my Deputys to meet us at that place which was the
Carrying place from Sandusky into the Lake, we put into the Creek called
Crambary Creek, went a shore & encamped to wait the arrival of those
Deputys; we sent over the Carrying place to two Indian Villages which are
within two Miles of each other to invite the Indians to come & meet the
Deputys at our Camp.[79] This day came four Leagues.
21ˢᵗ.—Towards Evening some of the Indians from the two Villages came to
our Camp; just after dark a Canoe came in sight who immediately saluted
us with three discharges of their fire Arms, which was returned from our
Camp, on their arrival we found them to be the Deputys sent from the
Nations living about D’Troit with the Deputys I had sent from Fort Pitt,
as soon as they landed the Deputys I had sent introduced them to Majʳ
Rogers, Capᵗ Campbell and myself & said they had delivered their Messages
[to] the several Nations and that the Indians which came with them were
come to return Answers which we should hear in the Morning & they hoped
their answers would be to our expectations. After drinking a dram round
we dismissed them & gave them Provisions.
22ᵈ.—About 9 o’Clock the Indians met in Council, though several of their
People were in Liquor, & made several speeches on strings and one Belt of
Wampum all to the following purport.
BRETHREN: We your Brethren of the several Nations living in this Country
received your Messages well and return you thanks for sending us word
of what has happened and your coming to remove the French Garrison out
of our Country and putting one there of our Brethren the English; your
Conduct in sending us timely notice of it is a Confirmation of your
sincerity & upright intentions towards us and we are sent here to meet
you & bid you welcome to our Country.
Brethren all our principal Men are met on this side the French Garrison
to shake hands with you in Friendship & have determined in Council to
abandon the French Interest and receive our Brethren the English as our
true Friends & establish a lasting Peace with you & we expect you will
support us and supply us with a fire & open Trade for the Cloathing of
our Women and Children. Then they delivered two strings of Wampum to the
Six Nations and Delawares returning them thanks for sending Messages
to them with the Deputys I had sent & desired those strings might be
delivered to them in Council. Then the Speaker spoke on a Belt & said
Brethren the Chief of our young People are gone out a hunting and our
Women have put up their Effects & Corn for the maintainance of their
Children in the Houses about the French Fort and we know that all
Warriors plunder when they go on those Occasions, we desire by this Belt
that you will give orders that none of our Houses may be plundered as
we are a poor People and cannot supply our Losses of that kind. Then
I acquainted them of the Reduction of all Canada and the terms of the
Capitulation & when I met their Chiefs I would tell them on what terms
the Peace was confirmed between all Nations of Indians and us. Then Major
Rogers gave them a string by which he took all the Indians present by
the hand & lead them to D’Troit where he would have a Conference with
them and deliver them some speeches sent by him to them from General
Amherst.[80] At 10 o’Clock we embarked sailed about five Leagues and
encampᵈ on a Beach.
23ᵈ.—We embarked sailed about three Leagues and an half to Ceeder point
where is a large Bay, here was a large encampment of Indians Wayondotts
and Ottawas who insisted on our staying there that day as it was raining
and a large Bay to cross which Major Rogers agreed to.[81]
24ᵗʰ.—We set of[f] at Eight o’Clock across the Bay in which is an Island
the day was so foggy that the Drum was obliged to beat all day to keep
the Boats together, this day we went about Eight Leagues. Where we
encamped there came to us five Indian familys.
25ᵗʰ.—The Indians desired Major Rogers would order the Boats into a Cove
as it was likely to be bad Weather & lay by that day & they would send
some men to where their Chiefs were collected to hear News which was
agreed to.[82]
26ᵗʰ.—The Wind blew so hard that we could not put out of the Cove, the
Messengers the Indians sent returned and informed us that the French
were very angry with the Indian Nations for meeting us and threatned to
burn their Towns; that the Commanding Officer would not let us come to
D’Troit till he received his Orders from the Governor of Canada and the
Capitulation to which we answered the Indians that they might depend on
it, that if any damage was done them by the French that we would see the
damage repaired.
27ᵗʰ.—In the Morning a Cannoe with two Interpreters and four French came
to our Camp with Letters from Monsieur Balletré. We decamped and came
into the mouth of the River where we met the Chief of the Wayondotts,
Ottawas & Putawatimes who bid us welcome to their Country and joined us,
we went up the River about 6 miles where we met a French Officer who
hoisted a Flag of Truce and beat a parley here we encamped on an Island
and sent for the French Officer who delivered his Messages.
28ᵗʰ.—Capt. Campbell was sent of[f] with a Flag of Truce to give M.
Balletré his orders to give up the Place soon after we set of[f] up the
River and encamped at an Indian Village, at Night Capt. Campbell joined
us and informed us that Monsieur Balletré behaved very politely on seeing
M. Vaudreuils[83] Orders & desired we would proceed the next day and take
possession of the Fort & Country.
29ᵗʰ.—We set of[f] and arrived about twelve o’Clock at the place where we
landed and sent and relieved the Garrison.
30ᵗʰ.—Part of the Militia lay down their Arms and took the Oath of
Fidelity.
December 1ˢᵗ.—The rest of the Militia layed down their Arms and took the
Oath of Fidelity.
2ᵈ.—Lieuᵗ Holms was sent of[f] with M. Balletré and the French Garrison
with whom I sent 15 English Prisoners which I got from the Indians.
3ᵈ.—In the Morning the principal Indians of 3 different Nations came to
my Lodgings & made the following Speech on a Belt of Wampum.
BRETHREN:—You have now taken possession of this Country. While the French
lived here they kept a smith to mend our Guns and Hatchets and a Doctor
to attend our People when sick, we expect you will do the same and as
no doubt you have something to say to us from the English General and
Sir William Johnson we would be glad [to know] how soon you would go on
business as this is our hunting season.
Fort D’Troit December 4ᵗʰ 1760. We met the Wayondotts, Putawatimes and
Ottawas[84] in the Council House, with several of the principal Men of
the Ohio Indians who accompanied his Majestys Forces there when the
following speeches were made to them.
BRETHREN CHIEFS & WARRIORS OF THE SEVERAL NATIONS NOW PRESENT: You have
been made acquainted with the success of his Majestys Arms under the
Command of his Excellency General Amherst and the Reduction of all Canada
& now you are Eye Witnesses to the surrender of this place agreeable to
the Capitulation as I sent you word before the arrival of his Majestys
Troops; you see now your Fathers are become British Subjects, you are
therefore desired to look on them as such & not to think them a separate
People; and as long as you adhere to his Majestys Interest and behave
yoursel[ves] well to all his subjects as faithfull allies, you may depend
on having a free open Trade with your Brethren the English & be protected
by his Majesty King George now your Father & my Master.—A Belt.
BRETHREN: At a Conference held with several Chiefs & Deputys of your
several Nations at Pittsburg this Summer, you told me that all our
Prisoners which have been taken since the War, yet remaining in your
possession were then set at Liberty to return home if they pleased, now
I have received by Major Rogers the Commanding Officer here, General
Amherst and Sir William Johnson’s Orders to demand due performance of
your promise & desire that you may forthwith deliver them up as that is
the only way you can convince us of your sincerity and future intentions
of living in Friendship with all his Majestys Subjects in the several
British Colonies in America.—A belt.
BRETHREN: On Condition of your performance of what has been said to you I
by this Belt renew and brighten the Ancient Chain of Friendship between
his Majestys Subjects, the Six United Nations and our Brethren of the
several Western Nations to the Sun setting and wish it may continue as
long as the Sun and Moon give light.—A belt.
BRETHREN: As my orders are to return to Pittsburg I now recommend Capt.
Campbel to you as he is appointed by his Majestys Commander in Chief
to be Governour of this place, with him you must transact the publick
business and you may depend he will do you all the service in his power
and see that justice is done you in Trade.—A belt.
BRETHREN CHIEFS AND WARRIORS: As the Ancient Friendship that long
subsisted between our Ancestors is now renewed I was[h] the Blood of[f]
the Earth, that has been shed since the present War, that you may smell
the sweet scent of the Springing Herbs & bury the War Hatchet in the
Bottomless Pitt.—A belt.
BRETHREN: I know your Warriors have all a martial spirit & must be
employed at War & if they want diversion after the fatigue of hunting
there is your natural Enemies the Cherookees with whom you have been
long at War, there your Warriors will find diversion & there they may
go, they have no other place to go, as all Nations else are become the
subjects of Great Britain.—A belt.