any body; and they are very easily affronted, and brought into jealousy;
then afterwards they will have nothing at all to do with those they
suspect; and it is not brought so easy out of their minds; they keep it
to their graves, and leave the seed of it in their children and grand
children’s minds; so, if they can, they will revenge themselves for
every imagined injury. They are a very distrustful people. Through their
imagination and reason they think themselves a thousand times stronger
than all other people. _Fort du Quesne_ is said to be under-mined. The
_French_ have given out, that, if we over-power them, and they should
die, we should certainly all die with them. When I came to the fort,
the garrison, it was said, consisted of about one thousand four hundred
men; and I am told they will now be full three thousand _French_ and
_Indians_. They are almost all _Canadians_, and will certainly meet the
general before he comes to the fort, in an ambush. You may depend upon
it the _French_ will make no open field-battle, as in the old country,
but lie in ambush. The _Canadians_ are all hunters. The _Indians_ have
agreed to draw back; but how far we may give credit to their promises the
Lord knows. It is the best way to be on our guard against them, as they
really could with one thousand over-power eight thousand.
Thirty-two nights I lay in the woods; the heavens were my covering. The
dew came so hard sometimes, that it pinched close to the skin. There
was nothing that laid so heavy on my heart, as the man that went along
with me. He thwarted me in every thing I said or did; not that he did
it against me, but against the country, on whose business I was sent: I
was afraid he would overthrow what I went about. When he was with the
_English_ he would speak against the _French_, and when with the _French_
against the _English_. The _Indians_ observed that he was a false fellow,
and desired me, that I would not bring him any more, to transact any
business between the _English_ and them; and told me, it was through his
means I could not have the liberty to talk with the prisoners.
Praise and glory be to the _Lamb_, that has been slain, and brought
me through the country of dreadful jealousy and mistrust, where the
prince of this world has his rule and government over the children of
disobedience.
The Lord has preserved me through all the dangers and difficulties, that
I have ever been under. He directed me according to his will, by his
holy spirit. I had no one to converse with but him. He brought me under
a thick, heavy, and dark cloud, into the open air; for which I adore,
praise, and worship the Lord my God, that I know has grasped me in his
hands, and has forgiven me for all sins, and sent and washed my heart
with his most precious blood; that I now live not for myself, but for
him that made me; and to do his holy will is my pleasure. I own that, in
the children of light, there dwells another kind of spirit, than there
does in the children of this world; therefore, these two spirits cannot
rightly agree in fellowship.
CHRISTIAN FREDERICK POST.
THE JOURNAL OF CHRISTIAN FREDERICK POST, ON A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
OF PENNSYLVANIA, TO THE INDIANS ON THE OHIO, IN THE LATTER PART OF THE
SAME YEAR.
_October 25th, 1758._—Having received the orders of the honourable
Governor _Denny_,[65] I set out from _Easton_ to _Bethlehem_, and arrived
there about three o’clock in the afternoon; I was employed most of the
night, in preparing myself with necessaries, &c. for the journey.
26th.—Rose early, but my horse being lame, though I travelled all the
day, I could not, till after night, reach to an inn, about ten miles from
_Reading_.
27th.—I set out early, and about seven o’clock in the morning came to
_Reading_, and there found Captain _Bull_, Mr. _Hays_,[66] and the
_Indians_ just mounted, and ready to set out on their journey; they were
heartily glad to see me; _Pisquetomen_ stretched out his arms, and said,
“Now, Brother, I am glad I have got you in my arms, I will not let you
go, I will not let you go again from me, you must go with me:” and I
likewise said the same to him, and told him, “I will accompany you, if
you will go the same way as I must go.” And then I called them together,
in Mr. _Weiser’s_ house, and read a letter to them, which I had received
from the Governor, which is as follows, viz.
“To _Pisquetomen_ and _Thomas Hickman_, to _Totiniontenna_
and _Shickalamy_, and to _Isaac Still_.[67]
“Brethren, Mr. _Frederick Post_ is come express from the general,
who sends his compliments to you, and desires you would come by
the way of his camp, and give him an opportunity of talking with
you.
“By this string of wampum I request of you to alter your intended
rout by way of _Shamokin_,[68] and to go to the general,[69] who
will give you a kind reception. It is a nigher way, in which you
will be better supplied with provisions, and can travel with less
fatigue and more safety.
“WILLIAM DENNY.
“_Easton, October 23d, 1758._”
To which I added, “Brethren, I take you by this string,[70] by the hand,
and lift you from this place, and lead you along to the general.”
After which they consulted among themselves, and soon resolved to go with
me. We shook hands with each other, and Mr. Hays immediately set out with
them; after which, having with some difficulty procured a fresh horse, in
the king’s service, I set off about noon with captain _Bull_; and when
we came to _Conrad Weiser’s_ plantation, we found _Pisquetomen_ lying on
the ground very drunk,[71] which obliged us to stay there all night; the
other _Indians_ were gone eight miles farther on their journey.
28th.—We rose early, and I spoke to _Pisquetomen_ a great deal; he was
very sick, and could hardly stir; when we overtook the rest, we found
them in the same condition; and they seemed discouraged, from going the
way to the general; and wanted to go through the woods. I told them,
I was sorry to see them wavering, and reminded them, that when I went
to their towns, I was not sent to the _French_, but when your old men
insisted on my going to them, I followed their advice, and went; and
as the general is, in the king’s name, over the provinces, in matters
of war and peace, and the _Indians_, at _Allegheny_,[72] want to know,
whether all the _English_ governments will join in the peace with them;
the way to obtain full satisfaction is to go to him, and there you will
receive another great belt to carry home; which I desire you seriously
to take into consideration. They then resolved to go to _Harris’s_
ferry, and consider about it as they went;—we arrived there late in the
night.[73]
29th.—In the morning, the two _Cayugas_ being most desirous of going
through the woods, the others continued irresolute;[74] upon which I
told them, “I wish you would go with good courage, and with hearty
resolution,” and repeated what I had said to them yesterday, and reminded
them, as they were messengers, they should consider what would be the
best for their whole nation; “consult among yourselves, and let me know
your true mind and determination;” and I informed them, I could not go
with them, unless they would go to the general, as I had messages to
deliver him. After which, having consulted together, _Pesquitomen_ came
and gave me his hand, and said, “Brother, here is my hand, we have all
joined to go with you, and we put ourselves under your protection to
bring us safe through, and to secure us from all danger.” We came that
night to _Carlisle_[75] and found a small house without the fort, for
the _Indians_ to be by themselves, and hired a woman to dress their
victuals, which pleased them well.
30th.—Setting out early, we came to _Shippensburg_,[76] and were lodged
in the fort, where the _Indians_ had a house to themselves.
31st.—Set out early; in our passing by _Chambers_ Fort,[77] some of the
_Irish_ people, knowing some of the _Indians_, in a rash manner exclaimed
against them, and we had some difficulty to get them off clear. At fort
_Loudon_ we met about sixteen of the _Cherokees_, who came in a friendly
manner to our _Indians_, enquiring for _Bill Sockum_,[78] and shewed
the pipe[79] they had received from the _Shawanese_, and gave it,
according to their custom, to smoak out of, and said, they hoped they
were friends of the _English_. They knew me. _Pesquitomen_ begged me
to give him some _wampum_, that he might speak to them: I gave him 400
white _wampum_, and he then said to them:—“We formerly had friendship
one with another; we are only messengers, and cannot say much, but by
these strings we let you know we are friends, and we are about settling
a peace with the _English_, and wish to be at peace also with you, and
all other _Indians_.”—And informed them further, they came from a treaty,
which was held at _Easton_, between the _Eight United Nations_ and their
confederates, and the _English_; in which peace was established; and
shewed them the two messengers from the _Five Nations_, who were going,
with them, to make it known to all the _Indians_ to the westward. Then
the _Cherokees_ answered and said; “they should be glad to know how far
the friendship was to reach; they, for themselves, wished it might reach
from the sun-rise to the sun-set; for, as they were in friendship with
the _English_, they would be at peace with all their friends, and at war
with their enemies.”
Nov. 1.—We reached fort _Littleton_,[80] in company with the _Cherokees_,
and were lodged, in the fort; they, and our _Indians_, in distinct
places; and they entertained each other with stories of their warlike
adventures.
2d.—_Pesquitomen_ said to me, “you have led us this way, through the
fire; if any mischief should befal us, we shall lay it entirely to you;
for we think it was your doing, to bring us this way; you should have
told us at _Easton_, if it was necessary we should go to the general.”
I told him, “that I had informed the great men, at _Easton_, that I then
thought it would be best not to let them go from thence, till they had
seen the general’s letter; and assured them that it was agreeable to the
general’s pleasure.”
3d.—_Pesquitomen_ began to argue with captain _Bull_ and Mr. _Hays_, upon
the same subject, as they did with me, when I went to them with my first
message; which was, “that they should tell them, whether the general
would claim the land as his own, when he should drive the _French_ away?
or, whether the _English_ thought to settle the country? We are always
jealous the _English_ will take the land from us. Look, brother, what
makes you come with such a large body of men, and make such large roads
into our country; we could drive away the _French_ ourselves, without
your coming into our country.”
Then I desired captain _Bull_ and Mr. _Hays_ to be careful how they
argued with the _Indians_; and be sure to say nothing, that might affront
them; for it may prove to our disadvantage, when we come amongst them.
This day we came to _Rays-town_,[81] and with much difficulty got a
place to lodge the _Indians_ by themselves, to their satisfaction.
4th.—We intended to set out, but our _Indians_ told us, the _Cherokees_
had desired them to stay that day, as they intended to hold a council;
and they desired us to read over to them the governor’s message; which
we accordingly did. _Pesquitomen_, finding _Jenny Frazer_ there, who
had been their prisoner, and escaped, spoke to her a little rashly. Our
_Indians_, waiting all the day, and the _Cherokees_ not sending to them,
were displeased.
5th.—Rose early, and, it raining smartly, we asked our _Indians_, if they
would go; which they took time to consult about.
The _Cherokees_ came and told them, the _English_ had killed about thirty
of their people, for taking some horses, which they resented much; and
told our _Indians_ they had better go home, than go any farther with us,
lest they should meet with the same. On hearing this, I told them how I
had heard it happened; upon which our _Indians_ said, they had behaved
like fools, and brought the mischief on themselves.
_Pesquitomen_, before we went from hence, made it up with _Jenny Frazer_,
and they parted good friends; and though it rained hard, we set out at 10
o’clock, and got to the foot of the _Alleghenny_, and lodged at the first
run of water.
6th.—One of our horses went back; we hunted a good while for him. Then
we set off, and found one of the worst roads that ever was travelled
until _Stoney creek_.[82] Upon the road we overtook a great number of
pack horses; whereon _Pesquitomen_ said, “Brother, now you see, if you
had not come to us before, this road would not be so safe as it is;
now you see, we could have destroyed all this people on the road, and
great mischief would have been done, if you had not stopt, and drawn our
people back.”—We were informed that the general was not yet gone to fort
_Duquesne_, wherefore _Pesquitomen_ said, he was glad, and expressed, “If
I can come to our towns before the general begins the attack, I know our
people will draw back, and leave the _French_.”—We lodged this night at
_Stoney creek_.
7th.—We arose early, and made all the haste we could on our journey; we
crossed the large creek, _Rekempalin_; near _Lawrel hill_. Upon this
hill we overtook the artillery, and came, before sun set, to _Loyal
Hanning_.[83] We were gladly received in the camp by the general, and
most of the people. We made our fire near the other _Indian_ camps; which
pleased our people. Soon after some of the officers came, and spoke very
rashly to our _Indians_, in respect to their conduct to our people; at
which they were much displeased, and answered as rashly, and said,
“they did not understand such usage; for they were come upon a message
of peace; if we had a mind to war, they knew how to help themselves; and
they were not afraid of us.”
8th.—At eleven o’clock the general called the _Indians_ together, the
_Cherokees_ and _Catawbas_ being present; he spake to them in a kind and
loving manner, and bid them heartily welcome to his camp, and expressed
his joy to see them, and desired them to give his compliments to all
their kings and captains:—He desired them that had any love for the
_English_ nation, to withdraw from the _French_; for if he should find
them among the _French_, he must treat them as enemies, as he should
advance with a large army very soon, and cannot wait longer on account
of the winter season. After that he drank the king’s health, and all
that wish well to the _English_ nation; then he drank king _Beaver’s_,
_Shingas_; and all the warrior’s healths, and recommended us (the
messengers) to their care; and desired them to give credit to what we
should say. After that we went to another house with the general alone;
and he shewed them the belt, and said, he would furnish them with a
writing, for both the belt and string; and after a little discourse
more, our _Indians_ parted in love, and well satisfied. And we made all
necessary preparations for our journey.
9th.—Some of the colonels and chief commanders wondered how I came
through so many difficulties, and how I could rule and bring these
people to reason, making no use of gun or sword. I told them, it is done
by no other means than by faith. Then they asked me, if I had faith to
venture myself to come safe through with my companions. I told them, it
was in my heart to pray for them, “you know that the Lord has given many
promises to his servants, and what he promises, you may depend upon, he
will perform.”—Then they wished us good success. We waited till almost
noon for the writing of the general. We were escorted by an hundred men,
rank and file, commanded by captain _Haselet_;[84] we passed through a
tract of good land, about six miles on the old trading path, and came to
the creek again, where there is a large fine bottom, well timbered; from
thence we came upon a hill, to an advanced breast work, about ten miles
from the camp, well situated for strength, facing a small branch of the
aforesaid creek; the hill is steep down, perpendicular about twenty feet,
on the south side; which is a great defence; and on the west side the
breast-work about seven feet high, where we encamped that night:[85] our
_Indian_ companions heard that we were to part in the morning, and that
twelve men were to be sent with us, and the others, part of the company,
to go towards fort _Duquesne_. Our _Indians_ desired that the captain
would send twenty men, instead of twelve; that if any accident should
happen, they could be more able to defend themselves in returning back;
“for we know, say they, the enemy will follow the smallest party.” It
began to rain. Within five miles from the breast-work we departed from
captain _Haselet_; he kept the old trading path to the _Ohio_. Lieutenant
_Hays_[86] was ordered to accompany us to the _Alleghenny_ river[87]
with fourteen men. We went the path that leads along the _Loyal Hanning_
creek, where there is a rich fine bottom, land well timbered, good
springs and small creeks. At four o’clock we were alarmed by three men,
in _Indian_ dress; and preparation was made on both sides for defence.
_Isaac Still_ shewed a white token, and _Pesquitomen_ gave an _Indian
halloo_; after which they threw down their bundles, and ran away as fast
as they could. We afterwards took up their bundles, and found that it was
a small party of our men, that had been long out. We were sorry that we
had scared them; for they lost their bundles with all their food. Then, I
held a conference with our _Indians_, and asked them, if it would not be
good, to send one of our _Indians_ to _Logstown_ and _fort Duquesne_, and
call the _Indians_ from thence, before we arrive at _Kushkushking_. They
all agreed it would not be good, as they were but messengers; it must be
done by their chief men. The wolves made a terrible music this night.
11th.—We started early, and came to the old _Shawanese_ town, called
_Keckkeknepolin_,[88] grown up thick with weeds, briars and bushes,
that we scarcely could get through. _Pesquitomen_ led us upon a steep
hill, that our horses could hardly get up; and _Thomas Hickman’s_
horse stumbled, and rolled down the hill like a wheel; on which he
grew angry, and would go no further with us, and said, he would go by
himself: It happened we found a path on the top of the hill. At three
o’clock we came to _Kiskemeneco_, an old _Indian_ town, a rich bottom,
well timbered, good fine _English_ grass, well watered, and lays waste
since the war began.[89] We let our horses feed here, and agreed that
lieutenant _Hays_ might go back with his party; and as they were short
of provisions, we, therefore, gave them a little of ours, which they
took very kind of us. _Thomas Hickman_ could find no other road, and
came to us again a little ashamed; we were glad to see him; and we went
about three miles farther, where we made a large fire. Here the _Indians_
looked over their presents, and grumbled at me; they thought, if they
had gone the other way by _Shamokin_, they would have got more. Captain
Bull spoke in their favour against me. Then I said to them, “I am ashamed
to see you grumble about presents; I thought you were sent to establish
a peace.” Though I confess I was not pleased that the _Indians_ were so
slightly fitted out from _Easton_, as the general had nothing to give
them, in the critical circumstances he was in, fit for their purpose.
12th.—Early in the morning, I spoke to the _Indians_ of my company,
“Brethren, you have now passed through the heart of the country back and
forward, likewise through the midst of the army, without any difficulty
or danger; you have seen and heard a great deal. When I was among you,
at _Alleghenny_, you told me, I should not regard what the common people
would say, but only hearken to the chiefs; I should take no bad stories
along. I did accordingly; and when I left _Alleghenny_ I dropt all evil
reports, and only carried the agreeable news, which was pleasing to all
that heard it. Now, brethren, I beg of you to do the same, and to drop
all evil reports, which you may have heard of bad people, and only to
observe and keep what you have heard of our rulers, and the wise people,
so that all your young men, women and children, may rejoice at our coming
to them, and may have the benefit of it.”
They took it very kindly. After awhile they spoke in the following manner
to us, and said, “Brethren, when you come to _Kushkushking_, you must not
mind the prisoners, and have nothing to do with them. Mr. _Post_, when he
was first there, listened too much to the prisoners; the _Indians_ were
almost mad with him for it, and would have confined him for it; for, they
said, he had wrote something of them.”
As we were hunting for our horses, we found _Thomas Hickman’s_ horse
dead, which rolled yesterday down the hill. At one o’clock we came to the
_Alleghenny_, to an old _Shawano_ town, situated under a high hill on the
east, opposite an island of about one hundred acres, very rich land, well
timbered.[90] We looked for a place to cross the river, but in vain; we
then went smartly to work, and made a raft; we cut the wood, and carried
it to the water side. The wolves and owls made a great noise in the night.
13th.—We got up early, and boiled some chocolate for breakfast, and then
began to finish our rafts; we cloathed ourselves as well as we could in
_Indian_ dress; it was about two o’clock in the afternoon, before we all
got over to the other side, near an old _Indian_ town. The _Indians_ told
us, we should not call Mr. _Bull_, _captain_, their young men would be
mad that we brought a warrior there. We went up a steep hill, good land,
to the creek _Cowewanick_,[91] where we made our fire. They wanted to
hunt for meat, and looked for a road. Captain _Bull_ shot a squirrel, and
broke his gun. I cut fire wood, and boiled some chocolate for supper.
The others came home, and brought nothing. _Pesquitomen_ wanted to hear
the writing from the general, which we read to them, to their great
satisfaction. This was the first night we slept in the open air. Mr.
_Bull_ took the tent along with him. We discoursed a good deal of the
night together.
14th.—We rose early, and thought to make good progress on our way. At
one o’clock _Thomas Hickman_ shot a large buck; and, as our people were
hungry for meat, we made our camp there, and called the water _Buck
run_. In the evening we heard the great guns fire from _fort Duquesne_.
Whenever I looked towards that place, I felt a dismal impression, the
very place seemed shocking and dark. _Pesquitomen_ looked his things
over, and found a white belt, sent by the commissioners of trade,[92]
for the _Indian_ affairs. We could find no writing concerning the belt,
and did not know what was the signification thereof: They seemed much
concerned to know it.
15th.—We arose early, and had a good day’s journey: we passed these two
days through thick bushes of briars and thorns; so that it was very
difficult to get through. We crossed the creek _Paquakonink_; the land is
very indifferent. At twelve o’clock we crossed the road from _Venango_ to
_fort Duquesne_. We went west towards _Kushkushking_, about sixteen miles
from the fort. We went over a large barren plain, and made our lodging
by a little run. _Pesquitomen_ told us, we must send a messenger, to let
them know of our coming, as the _French_ live amongst them; he desired a
string of wampum; I gave him three hundred and fifty. We concluded to go
within three miles of _Kushkushking_, to their sugar cabbins,[93] and to
call their chiefs there. In discourse, Mr. Bull told the _Indians_, the
_English_ should let all the prisoners stay amongst them, that liked to
stay.
16th.—We met two _Indians_ on the road, and sat down with them to dinner.
They informed us that no body was at home, at _Kushkushking_; that one
hundred and fifty, from that town, were gone to war against our party. We
crossed the above mentioned creek; good land, but hilly. Went down a long
valley to _Beaver_ creek, through old _Kushkushking_,[94] a large spot of
land, about three miles long; they both went with us to the town; one of
them rode before us, to let the people in the town know of our coming;
we found there but two men, and some women. Those, that were at home,
received us kindly. _Pesquitomen_ desired us to read the message to them
that were there.