1758), was printed in the appendix to _An Enquiry into the Causes of
the Alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians from the British
Interest_ (London, 1759; reprinted Philadelphia, 1867). This book was
published anonymously, but was known to be the work of Charles Thomson,
a prominent Philadelphia Quaker, later secretary of the Continental
Congress. Thomson gives a brief preface to Post’s journal, and the
matter in the notes thereof is evidently by his hand; it is probable
that the notes to the second journal are also by him. The first journal
was reprinted by Proud, _History of Pennsylvania_ (Philadelphia, 1798),
ii, appendix, pp. 65-95, from which edition our reprint has been made.
Craig also published this in _The Olden Time_, i, pp. 99-125, following
almost verbatim the edition of Thomson and Proud. Rupp, _Early History
of Western Pennsylvania_ (Pittsburg and Harrisburg, 1846), appendix,
pp. 75-98, gives the same journal. The _Pennsylvania Archives_, iii,
pp. 520-544, also contains this journal, evidently taken from the same
manuscript, with but slight variations in the spelling of proper names.
Heckewelder, _Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren_
(Philadelphia, 1820), pp. 55, 56, says: “To enumerate all the hardships,
difficulties and dangers, Frederick Post had been subjected to on these
journies, especially on the first, in the summer of the year 1758, is
at this time both impossible and needless. Suffice it to say, that what
_he_ intended the public should know, was published in the year after,
in England, under the title of ‘Christian Frederick Post’s Journal
from Philadelphia to the Ohio,’ &c. His _original_ manuscript journal,
however, which had for some time been placed in the hands of the writer
of this narrative, was far more interesting, and evinced that few men
would be found able to undergo the fatigues of a journey, bearing so hard
on the constitution, or a mind to sustain such trials of adversity—at
least not with that calmness with which Mr. Post endured it.”
The diary of the second journey of Christian Frederick Post to the Ohio,
October 25, 1758—January 8, 1759, was first printed in London, 1759, for
J. Wilkie; see Field, _An Essay towards an Indian Bibliography_ (New
York, 1873), p. 315. Proud, _History of Pennsylvania_, ii, appendix, pp.
96-132, also reprints Post’s second journal, and from this our reprint
is made. It appears also in _The Olden Time_, i, pp. 144-177; and in
Rupp, _Early History of Western Pennsylvania_, appendix, pp. 99-126. The
extract from a journal in the _Pennsylvania Archives_, iii, pp. 560-563,
entitled “Journal of Frederick Post from Pittsburg, 1758,” is in reality
that of Croghan’s—see _ante_, p. 100. For an example of the form and
spelling of the original manuscripts of these journals before they were
rigorously edited, see letter of Post’s in _Pennsylvania Archives_, iii,
pp. 742-744. The following is a sample extract therefrom:
To his honnour da Governor of Pansylvanea:
Broder, I cam to Machochlaung, wa mane Indeans luve, I cald dam all
togader, and I told dam wat we bous had agread on wan we sa one anoder
last, and wat you ar sorre for and have so mouts at hart, and dasayrt me
to mack it avere war noun avere war, and dasayrd dam to be strong and sea
dat your flasch and blod may be rastord to you; now br’r, you know dat it
is aur agreamand, dat as soun as I hoar any ting, I geave yu daracktly
notys of, and as I am as jat closs bay you, so I sand daes prasonars to
you which da daleverat to me, and I geave dam to Papunnahanck to dalever
dam to you; br. I do not sand daes poepel daun, da have had damself a
long dasayr to go daun to sea dar br. da Englesch, so I tot it proper to
sand dam along; I hop you will rajoys to sea dam and be kaynd to dam, and
allso to dam poepel dat bryng dam daun; wan I am farder from you and I
schall meat wit som, I schall bryng dam maysalf daun wan I com along; br.
you know aur worck is grat, and will tack a long taym befor we coan com
back, I salud all da schandel pepel, and dasayr you to be strong.
Ye 20 Day of May, 1760, rot at Machochloschung.
Ordinarily, the modern historical student very properly deprecates any
tampering with original manuscripts; but an examination of the foregoing
inclines one not only to forgive but to thank the early editors for
having translated Post’s jargon into understandable English.
R. G. T.
THE JOURNAL OF CHRISTIAN FREDERICK POST, FROM PHILADELPHIA TO THE OHIO,
ON A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA TO THE DELAWARE,
SHAWNESE, AND MINGO INDIANS, SETTLED THERE.
_July the_ 15th, 1758.—This day I received orders from his honour, the
Governor, to set out on my intended journey, and proceeded as far as
_German Town_, where I found all the _Indians_ drunk.[6] _Willamegicken_
returned to _Philadelphia_, for a horse, that was promised him.[7]
16th.—This day I waited for the said _Willamegicken_ till near noon, and
when he came, being very drunk, he could proceed no further, so that I
left him, and went to _Bethlehem_.[8]
17th.—I arrived at _Bethlehem_, and prepared for my journey.
18th.—I read over both the last treaties, that at _Easton_, and that
at _Philadelphia_, and made myself acquainted with the particulars of
each.[9]
19th.—With much difficulty I persuaded the _Indians_ to leave
_Bethlehem_, and travelled this day no further than _Hayes’s_ having a
hard shower of rain.
20th.—Arrived at fort _Allen_.[10]
21st.—I called my company together, to know if we should proceed. They
complained they were sick, and must rest that day. This day, I think,
_Teedyuscung_[11] laid many obstacles in my way, and was very much
against my proceeding: he said, he was afraid I should never return; and
that the Indians would kill me. About dinner time two _Indians_ arrived
from _Wyoming_,[12] with an account that _Teedyuscung’s_ son, _Hans
Jacob_, was returned, and brought news from the _French_ and _Allegheny
Indians_. _Teedyuscung_ then called a Council, and proposed that I should
only go to _Wyoming_, and return, with the message his son had brought,
to _Philadelphia_. I made answer, that it was too late, that he should
have proposed that in _Philadelphia_; for that the writings containing my
orders were so drawn, as obliged me to go, though I should lose my life.
22d.—I desired my companions to prepare to set out, upon which
_Teedyuscung_ called them all together in the fort, and protested against
my going. His reasons were, that he was afraid the _Indians_ would kill
me, or the _French_ get me; and if that should be the case he should be
very sorry, and did not know what he should do. I gave for answer, “that
I did not know what to think of their conduct. It is plain, said I, that
the _French_ have a _public road_[13] to your towns, yet you will not
let your own flesh and blood, the _English_, come near them; which is
very hard: and if that be the case, the _French_ must be your masters.”
I added, that, if I died in the undertaking, it would be as much for
the _Indians_ as the _English_, and that I hoped my journey would be of
this advantage, that it would be the means of saving the lives of many
hundreds of the _Indians_: therefore, I was resolved to go forward,
taking my life in my hand, as one ready to part with it for their good.
Immediately after I had spoken thus, three rose up and offered to go with
me the nearest way; and we concluded to go through the inhabitants, under
the Blue mountains to fort _Augusta_, on _Susquahanna_; where we arrived
the 25th.[14]
It gave me great pain to observe many plantations deserted and laid
waste; and I could not but reflect on the distress, the poor owners must
be drove to, who once lived in plenty; and I prayed the Lord to restore
peace and prosperity to the distressed.
At fort _Augusta_ we were entertained very kindly, had our horses shod,
and one being lame, we exchanged for another. Here we received, by
_Indians_ from _Diahogo_,[15] the disagreeable news that our army was,
as they said, entirely cut off at _Ticonderoga_,[16] which discouraged
one of my companions, _Lappopetung’s_ son, so much, that he would proceed
no further. _Shamokin Daniel_ here asked me, if I thought he should be
satisfied for his trouble in going with me. I told him every body, that
did any service for the province, I thought, would be paid.
27th.—They furnished us here with every necessary for our journey, and we
set out with good courage. After we rode about ten miles, we were caught
in a hard gust of rain.
28th.—We came to _Wekeeponall_, where the road turns off for _Wyoming_,
and slept this night at _Queenashawakee_.[17]
29th.—We crossed the _Susquahanna_ over the _Big Island_. My companions
were now very fearful, and this night went a great way out of the road,
to sleep without fire, but could not sleep for the musquetoes and vermin.
30th & 31st.—We were glad it was day, that we might set out. We got upon
the mountains, and had heavy rains all night. The heavens alone were our
covering, and we accepted of all that was poured down from thence.
_August_ 1st.—We saw three hoops[18] on a bush; to one of them there
remained some long white hair. Our horses left us, I suppose, not being
fond of the dry food on the mountains: with a good deal of trouble we
found them again. We slept this night on the same mountain.
2d.—We came across several places where two poles, painted red, were
stuck in the ground by the _Indians_, to which they tye the prisoners,
when they stop at night, in their return from their incursions. We
arrived this night at _Shinglimuhee_,[19] where was another of the same
posts. It is a disagreeable and melancholy sight, to see the means they
make use of, according to their savage way, to distress others.
3d.—We came to a part of a river called _Tobeco_, over the mountains, a
very bad road.
4th.—We lost one of our horses, and with much difficulty found him, but
were detained a whole day on that account.
I had much conversation with _Pisquetumen_;[20] of which I think to
inform myself further when I get to my journey’s end.
5th.—We set out early this day, and made a good long stretch, crossing
the big river _Tobeco_, and lodged between two mountains. I had the
misfortune to lose my pocket book with three pounds five shillings,[21]
and sundry other things. What writings it contained were illegible to
any body but myself.
6th.—We passed all the mountains, and the big river, _Weshawaucks_, and
crossed a fine meadow two miles in length, where we slept that night,
having nothing to eat.[22]
7th.—We came in sight of fort _Venango_, belonging to the _French_,
situate between two mountains, in a fork of the _Ohio_ river. I prayed
the Lord to blind them, as he did the enemies of _Lot_ and _Elisha_, that
I might pass unknown. When we arrived, the fort being on the other side
of the river, we hallooed, and desired them to fetch us over; which they
were afraid to do; but shewed us a place where we might ford. We slept
that night within half gun shot of the fort.
8th.—This morning I hunted for my horse, round the fort, within ten yards
of it. The Lord heard my prayer, and I passed unknown till we had mounted
our horses to go off, when two _Frenchmen_ came to take leave of the
_Indians_, and were much surprised at seeing me, but said nothing.
By what I could learn of _Pisquetumen_, and the _Indians_, who went into
the fort, the garrison consisted of only six men, and an officer blind
of one eye.[23] They enquired much of the _Indians_ concerning the
_English_, whether they knew of any party coming to attack them, of which
they were apprehensive.
9th.—Heavy rains all night and day: we slept on swampy ground.
10th.—We imagined we were near _Kushkushkee_; and having travelled three
miles, we met three _Frenchmen_, who appeared very shy of us, but said
nothing more than to enquire, whether we knew of any _English_ coming
against fort _Venango_.
After we travelled two miles farther, we met with an _Indian_, and one
that I took to be a runagade _English Indian_ trader; he spoke good
_English_, was very curious in examining every thing, particularly the
silver medal about Pisquitumen’s neck. He appeared by his countenance to
be guilty. We enquired of them where we were, and found we were lost, and
within twenty miles of fort _Duquesne_. We struck out of the road to the
right, and slept between two mountains; and being destitute of food, two
went to hunt, and others to seek a road, but to no purpose.
11th.—We went to the place where they had killed two deers, and
_Pisquetumen_ and I roasted the meat. Two went to hunt for the road, to
know which way we should go: one came back, and found a road; the other
lost himself.
12th.—The rest of us hunted for him, but in vain; so, as we could not
find him, we concluded to set off, leaving such marks, that, if he
returned, he might know which way to follow us; and we left him some
meat. We came to the river _Conaquonashon_ [Conequenessing Creek], where
was an old _Indian_ town. We were then fifteen miles from _Kushkushkee_.
There we stopt, and sent forward _Pisquetumen_ with four strings of
_wampum_ to apprize the town of our coming,[24] with this message:
“Brother,[25] thy brethren are come a great way, and want to see thee, at
thy fire, to _smoak that good tobacco_,[26] which our good grandfathers
used to smoak. Turn thy eyes once more upon that road, by which I
came.[27] I bring thee words of great consequence from the Governor, and
people of _Pennsylvania_, and from the king of _England_. Now I desire
thee to call all the kings and captains from all the towns, that none may
be missing. I do not desire that my words may be hid, or spoken under
cover. I want to speak loud, that all the _Indians_ may hear me. I hope
thou wilt bring me on the road, and lead me into the town. I blind the
_French_, that they may not see me, and stop their ears, that they may
not hear the great news I bring you.”
About noon we met some _Shawanese_, that used to live at _Wyoming_. They
knew me, and received me very kindly. I saluted them, and assured them
the government of _Pennsylvania_ wished them well, and wished to live in
peace and friendship with them. Before we came to the town, two men came
to meet us and lead us in. King Beaver shewed us a large house to lodge
in.[28] The people soon came and shook hands with us. The number was
about sixty young able men. Soon after king _Beaver_ came and told his
people, “Boys, hearken, we sat here without ever expecting again to see
our brethren the _English_; but now one of them is brought before you,
that you may see your brethren, the _English_, with your own eyes; and I
wish you may take it into consideration.” Afterwards he turned to me and
said,
“Brother, I am very glad to see you, I never thought we should have had
the opportunity to see one another more; but now I am very glad, and
thank God, who has brought you to us. It is a great satisfaction to me.”
I said, “Brother, I rejoice in my heart, I thank God, who has brought
me to you. I bring you joyful news from the Governor and people of
_Pennsylvania_, and from your children, the Friends:[29] and, as I have
words of great consequence I will lay them before you, when all the kings
and captains are called together from the other towns. I wish there may
not be a man of them missing, but that they may be all here to hear.”
In the evening king Beaver came again, and told me, they had held a
council, and sent out to all their towns, but it would take five days
before they could all come together. I thanked him for his care. Ten
captains came and saluted me. One said to the others; “We never expected
to see our brethren the _English_ again, but now God has granted us once
more to shake hands with them, which we will not forget.” They sat by my
fire till midnight.
14th.—The people crowded to my house; it was full. We had much talk.
_Delaware George_[30] said, he had not slept all night, so much had
he been engaged on account of my coming. The _French_ came, and would
speak with me. There were then fifteen of them building houses for the
_Indians_. The captain is gone with fifteen to another town. He can speak
the _Indian_ tongue well. The _Indians_ say he is a cunning fox; that
they get a great deal of goods from the _French_; and that the French
cloath the _Indians_ every year, men, women and children, and give them
as much powder and lead as they want.
15th.—_Beaver_ king was informed, that _Teedyuscung_ had said he had
turned the hatchet against the _French_, by advice of the _Alleghany
Indians_; this he blamed, as they had never sent him such advice. But
being informed it was his own doing, without any persuasion of the
Governor, he was easy on that head. _Delaware Daniel_ prepared a dinner,
to which he invited me, and all the kings and captains; and when I came,
he said, “Brother, we are as glad to see you among us, as if we dined
with the Governor and people in Philadelphia. We have thought a great
deal since you have been here. We never thought so much before.”[31] I
thanked them for their kind reception; I said, it was something great,
that God had spared our lives, to see one another again, in the old
brother-like love and friendship. There were in all thirteen, who dined
together.
In the evening they danced at my fire, first the men, and then the women,
till after midnight.
On the 16th, the king and captains called on me privately. They wanted to
hear what _Teedyuscung_ had said of them, and begged me to take out the
writings. I read to them what _Teedyuscung_ had said, and told them, as
_Teedyuscung_ had said he would speak so loud, that all at _Allegheny_,
and beyond should hear it, I would conceal nothing from them. They said,
they never sent any such advice (as above mentioned), to _Teedyuscung_,
nor ever sent a message at all to the government,[32] and now the
_French_ were here, their captain would come to hear, and this would make
disturbance. I then told them I would read the rest, and leave out that
part, and they might tell the kings and captains of it, when they came
together.
17th.—Early, this morning they called all the people together to clean
the place, where they intended to hold the council, it being in the
middle of the town. _Kushkushkee_ is divided into four towns, each at a
distance from the others; and the whole consists of about ninety houses,
and two hundred able warriors.
About noon two public messengers arrived from the _Indians_ at fort
_Duquesne_ and the other towns. They brought three large belts and two
bundles of strings;[33] there came with them a _French_ captain, and
fifteen men. The two messengers insisted that I should go with them to
fort _Duquesne_; that there were _Indians_ of eight nations, who wanted
to hear me; that if I brought good news, they inclined to leave off war,
and live in friendship with the _English_. The above messengers being
_Indian_ captains, were very surly. When I went to shake hands with
one of them, he gave me his little finger; the other withdrew his hand
entirely; upon which I appeared as stout as either, and withdrew my hand
as quick as I could. Their rudeness to me was taken very ill by the other
captains, who treated them in the same manner in their turn.
I told them my order was to go to the _Indian_ towns, kings and captains,
and not to the _French_; that the _English_ were at war with the French,
but not with those _Indians_, who withdrew from the _French_, and would
be at peace with the _English_.
King Beaver invited me to his house to dinner, and afterwards he invited
the _French_ captain, and said before the _Frenchman_, that the _Indians_
were very proud to see one of their brothers, the _English_, among them;
at which the _French_ captain appeared low spirited, and seemed to eat
his dinner with very little appetite.
In the afternoon the _Indian_ kings and captains called me aside, and
desired me to read them the writings that I had. First I read part of
the _Easton_ treaty to them; but they presently stopped me, and would
not hear it; I then began with the articles of peace made with the
_Indians_ there. They stopped me again, and said, they had nothing to
say to any treaty, or league, of peace, made at _Easton_, nor had any
thing to do with _Teedyuscung_; that, if I had nothing to say to them
from the government, or Governor, they would have nothing to say to me;
and farther said, they had hitherto been at war with the _English_, and
had never expected to be at peace with them again; and that there were
six of their men now gone to war against them with other _Indians_; that
had there been peace between us, those men should not have gone to war.
I then shewed them the belts and strings from the Governor; and they
again told me to lay aside _Teedyuscung_, and the peace made by him; for
that they had nothing to do with it.[34] I desired them to suffer me to
produce my papers, and I would read what I had to say to them.
18th.—_Delaware George_ is very active in endeavouring to establish a
peace. I believe he is in earnest. Hitherto they have all treated me
kindly.
In the afternoon, all the kings and captains were called together, and
sent for me to their council. King Beaver first addressed himself to the
captains; and afterwards spoke to me, as follows:
“Brother, you have been here now five days by our fire.[35] We have sent
to all the kings and captains, desiring them to come to our fire and hear
the good news you brought. Yesterday they sent two captains to acquaint
us, they were glad to hear our _English_ brother was come among us, and
were desirous to hear the good news he brought; and since there are a
great many nations that went [want] to see our brother, they have invited
us to their fire, that they may hear us all. Now, brother, we have but
one great fire; so, brother, by this string we will take you in our arms,
and deliver you into the arms of the other kings, and when we have called
all the nations there, we will hear the good news, you have brought.”
Delivers four strings.
King _Beaver_, _Shingas_, and _Delaware George_, spoke as follows:
“Brother, we alone cannot make a peace; it would be of no significance;
for, as all the _Indians_, from the sunrise to the sunset, are united in
a body, it is necessary that the whole should join in the peace, or it
can be no peace; and we can assure you, all the _Indians_, a great way
from this, even beyond the lakes, are desirous of, and wish for a peace
with the _English_, and have desired us, as we are the nearest of kin, if
we see the _English_ incline a peace, to hold it fast.”
On the 19th, all the people gathered together, men, women, and children;
and king _Beaver_ desired me to read to them the news I had brought,
and told me that all the able men would go with me to the other town. I
complied with his desire, and they appeared very much pleased at every
thing, till I came to that part respecting the prisoners. This they
disliked; for, they say, it appears very odd and unreasonable that we
should demand prisoners before there is an established peace; such an
unreasonable demand makes us appear as if we wanted brains.
20th.—We set out from _Kushkushkee_, for _Sankonk_; my company consisted
of twenty-five horsemen and fifteen foot. We arrived at _Sankonk_, in the
afternoon. The people of the town were much disturbed at my coming, and
received me in a very rough manner. They surrounded me with drawn knives
in their hands, in such a manner, that I could hardly get along; running
up against me, with their breasts open, as if they wanted some pretence
to kill me. I saw by their countenances they sought my death. Their faces
were quite distorted with rage, and they went so far as to say, I should
not live long; but some _Indians_, with whom I was formerly acquainted,
coming up, and saluting me in a friendly manner, their behaviour to me
was quickly changed.
On the 21st, they sent Messengers to Fort _Duquesne_, to let them know
I was there, and invited them to their fire. In the afternoon, I read
them all my message, the _French_ captain being present; for he still
continued with us: upon which they were more kind to me. In the evening,
fifteen more arrived here from _Kushkushkee_. The men here now [were]
about one hundred and twenty.
22d.—Arrived about twenty _Shawanese_ and _Mingos_. I read to them the
message; at which they seemed well pleased. Then the two kings came to
me, and spoke in the following manner: