to war. We held a council with _Delaware George_, delivered him the
string and presents, that were sent to him; and informed him of the
general’s sentiments, and what he desired of them; upon which he agreed,
and complied to go with Mr. _Bull_, to the general. Towards night
_Keckkenepalin_ came home from the war, and told us the disagreeable
news, that they had fallen in with that party, that had guided us; they
had killed Lieutenant _Hays_, and four more, and took five prisoners,
the others got clear off. They had a skirmish with them within twelve
miles of _fort Duquesne_. Further he told us, that one of the captives
was to be burnt, which grieved us. By the prisoners they were informed
of our arrival; on which they concluded to leave the _French_, and to
hear what news we brought them. In the evening they brought a prisoner to
town. We called the _Indians_ together, that were at home, and explained
the matter to them, and told them, as their own people had desired
the general to give them a guide to conduct them safe home and by a
misfortune, your people have fallen in with this party, and killed five
and taken five prisoners; and we are now informed that one of them is to
be burnt; “Consider, my brethren, if you should give us a guide, to bring
us safe on our way home, and our parties should fall in with you, how
hard you would take it.”
They said, “Brother, it is a hard matter, and we are sorry it hath
happened so.” I answered, “Let us therefore spare no pains to relieve
them from any cruelty.” We could scarce find a messenger, that would
undertake to go to _Sawcung_, where the prisoner was to be bu[r]nt. We
promised to one named _Compass_, 500 black wampum, and Mr. _Hays_ gave
him a shirt and a dollar, on which he promised to go. We sent him as a
messenger. By a string of wampum I spoke these words, “Brethren, consider
the messengers are come home with good news, and three of your brethren,
the _English_, with them. We desire you would pity your own young men,
women and children, and use no hardships towards the captives, as having
been guiding our party.”
Afterwards the warriors informed us, that their design had not been to
go to war, but that they had a mind to go to the general and speak with
him; and on the road the _French_ made a division among them, that they
could not agree; after which they were discovered by the _Cherokees_
and _Catawbas_, who fled, and left their bundles, where they found an
_English_ colour. So _Kekeuscung_ told them he would go before them
to the general, if they would follow him; but they would not agree
to it; and the _French_ persuaded them to fall upon the _English_ at
_Loyal-hanning_;[95] they accordingly did, and as they were driven back,
they fell in with that party, that guided us, which they did not know.
They seemed very sorry for it.
18th.—Captain _Bull_ acted as commander, without letting us know any
thing, or communicating with us. He and _George_ relieved a prisoner from
the warriors, by what means I do not know. When the warriors were met,
he then called us first to sit down, and to hear what they had to say.
The _Indian_ that delivered the prisoner to _Bull_ and _George_, spoke as
follows:
“My brethren, the _English_ are at such a distance from us, as if they
were under ground, that I cannot hear them. I am very glad to hear from
you such good news; and I am very sorry that it happened so, that I went
to war. Now I let the general know, he should consider his young men, and
if you should have any of us, to set them at liberty, so as we do to you.”
Then _Pesquitomen_ said, “As the Governor gave these three messengers
into my bosom, so I now likewise, by this string of wampum, give _Bull_
into _Delaware George’s_ bosom, to bring him safe to the general.” Mr.
_Bull_ sat down with the prisoner, who gave him some intelligence in
writing; at which the _Indians_ grew very jealous and asked them what
they had to write there? I wrote a letter to the general by Mr. _Bull_.
In the afternoon Mr. _Bull_, _Delaware George_, and _Keskenepalen_ set
out for the camp. Towards night they brought in another prisoner. When
Mr. _Bull_ and company were gone, the _Indians_ took the same prisoner,
whom Mr. _Bull_ had relieved, and bound him and carried him to another
town, without our knowledge. I a thousand times wished Mr. _Bull_ had
never meddled in the affair, fearing they would exceedingly punish, and
bring the prisoner to confession of the contents of the writing.
19th.—A great many of the warriors came home. The _French_ had infused
bad notions into the _Indians_, by means of the letters, they found
upon Lieutenant _Hays_, who was killed, which they falsely interpreted
to them, viz. That, in one letter it was wrote, that the general should
do all that was in his power to conquer the _French_, and, in the mean
time the messengers to the _Indians_ should do their utmost to draw
the Indians back, and keep them together in conferences, till he, the
general, had made a conquest of the _French_, and afterwards he should
fall upon all _Indians_, and destroy them. And, that, if we should lose
our lives, the _English_ would carry on the war, so long as an _Indian_,
or _Frenchman_ was alive. Thereupon the French said to the Indians;
“Now you can see, my children, how the _English_ want to deceive you,
and if it would not offend you, I would go and knock these messengers on
the head, before you should be deceived by them.” One of the _Indian_
captains spoke to the _French_ and said, “To be sure it would offend us,
if you should offer to knock them on the head. If you have a mind to go
to war, go to the _English_ army, and knock them on the head, and not
these three men, that come with a message to us.”
After this speech the _Indians_ went all off, and left the _French_.
Nevertheless it had enraged some of the young people, and made them
suspicious; so that it was a precarious time for us. I said, “Brethren,
have good courage, and be strong; let not every wind disturb your mind;
let the _French_ bring the letter here; for, as you cannot read, they may
tell you thousands of false stories. We will read the letter to you. As
_Isaac Still_[96] can read, he will tell you the truth.”
After this all the young men were gathered together, _Isaac Still_ being
in company. The young men said, “One that had but half an eye could see
that the _English_ only intended to cheat them; and that it was best to
knock every one of us messengers on the head.”
Then _Isaac_ began to speak and said, “I am ashamed to hear such talking
from you; you are but boys like me; you should not talk of such a thing.
There have been thirteen nations at _Easton_, where they have established
a firm peace with the _English_; and I have heard that the Five Nations
were always called the wisest; go tell them that they are fools, and
cannot see; and tell them that you are kings, and wise men. Go and tell
the _Cayuga_ chiefs so, that are here; and you will become great men.”
Afterwards they were all still, and said not one word more.
20th.—There came a great many more together in the town, and brought
_Henry Osten_, the sergeant, who was to have been burnt. They hallooed
the war halloo; and the men and women beat him till he came into the
house.[97] It is a grievous and melancholy sight to see our fellow
mortals so abused. _Isaac Still_ had a long discourse with the _French_
captain; who made himself great, by telling how he had fought the
_English_ at _Loyal-Hanning_. _Isaac_ rallied him, and said he had seen
them scalp horses, and take others for food. The first he denied, but the
second he owned. _Isaac_ ran the captain quite down, before them all.
The _French_ captain spoke with the two _Cayugas_; at last the _Cayugas_
spoke very sharp to him, so that he grew pale, and was quite silent.
These three days past was precarious time for us. We were warned not to
go far from the house; because the people who came from the slaughter,
having been driven back, were possessed with a murdering spirit; which
led them as in a halter, in which they were catched, and with bloody
vengeance were thirsty and drunk. This afforded a melancholy prospect.
_Isaac Still_ was himself dubious of our lives. We did not let Mr.
_Hays_ know of the danger. I said, “As God hath stopped the mouth of the
lions, that they could not devour _Daniel_, so he will preserve us from
their fury, and bring us through.” I had a discourse with Mr. _Hays_
concerning our message, and begged him he would pray to God for grace and
wisdom, that he would grant us peace among this people. We will remain in
stillness, and not look to our own credit. We are in the service of our
king and country. This people are rebellious in heart.
Now we are here to reconcile them again to the General, Governor, and
the _English_ nation; to turn them again from their errors. And I wished
that God would grant us his grace, whereby we may do it; which I hope and
believe he will do. Mr. _Hays_ took it to heart and was convinced of all;
which much rejoiced me. I begged _Isaac Still_ to watch over himself and
not to be discouraged; for I hoped the storm would soon pass by.
In the afternoon all the captains gathered together in the middle town;
they sent for us, and desired we should give them information of our
message. Accordingly we did. We read the message with great satisfaction
to them. It was a great pleasure both to them and us. The number of
captains and counsellors were sixteen. In the evening messengers arrived
from _fort Duquesne_, with a string of wampum from the commander; upon
which they all came together in the house where we lodged. The messengers
delivered their string, with these words from their father, the _French_
King:
“My children, come to me, and hear what I have to say. The _English_ are
coming with an army to destroy both you and me. I therefore desire you
immediately, my children, to hasten with all the young men; we will
drive the _English_ and destroy them. I, as a father, will tell you
always what is best.” He laid the string before one of the captains.
After a little conversation, the captain stood up and said; “I have just
heard something of our brethren the _English_, which pleaseth me much
better. I will not go. Give it to the others, may be they will go.” The
messenger took up again the string and said, “He won’t go, he has heard
of the _English_.”[98] Then all cried out, “yes, yes, we have heard from
the _English_.” He then threw the string to the other fire place, where
the other captains were; but they kicked it from one to another, as if it
was a snake. Captain _Peter_ took a stick, and with it flung the string
from one end of the room to the other,[99] and said, “Give it to the
_French_ captain, and let him go with his young men; he boasted much of
his fighting; now let us see his fighting. We have often ventured our
lives for him; and had hardly a loaf of bread, when we came to him; and
now he thinks we should jump to serve him.” Then we saw the _French_
captain mortified to the uttermost; he looked as pale as death. The
Indians discoursed and joked till midnight; and the _French_ captain sent
messengers at midnight to _fort Duquesne_.
21st.—We were informed that the general was within twenty miles of _fort
Duquesne_. As the _Indians_ were afraid the _English_ would come over the
river _Ohio_, I spoke with some of the captains, and told them that, “I
supposed the general intended to surround the _French_, and therefore
must come to this side the river; but we assure you that he will not
come to your towns to hurt you.” I begged them to let the _Shawanese_
at _Logstown_, know it, and gave them four strings of 300 wampum, with
this message; “Brethren, we are arrived with good news, waiting for you;
we desire you to be strong, and remember the ancient friendship your
grandfathers had with the _English_. We wish you would remember it, and
pity your young men, women and children, and keep away from the _French_;
and if the _English_ should come to surround the _French_, be not afraid.
We assure you they won’t hurt you.”
22d.—_Kittiuskund_ came home, and sent for us, being very glad to see
us. He informed us, the general was within fifteen miles of the _French
fort_; that the _French_ had uncovered their houses, and laid the roofs
round the fort to set it on fire, and made ready to go off, and would
demolish the fort, and let the _English_ have the bare ground; saying;
“they are not able to build a strong fort this winter; and we will be
early enough in the spring to destroy them. We will come with seventeen
nations of _Indians_, and a great many _French_, and build a stone fort.”
The Indians danced round the fire till midnight, for joy of their
brethren, the _English_, coming. There went some scouting parties towards
the army. Some of the captains told me, that _Shamokin Daniel_, who came
with me in my former journey, had fairly sold me to the _French_; and the
_French_ had been very much displeased that the _Indians_ had brought me
away.
23d.—The _liar_ raised a story, as if the _English_ were divided into
three bodies, to come on this side the river. They told us the _Cayugas_,
that came with us, had said so. We told the _Cayugas_ of it; on which
they called the other _Indians_ together; denied that they ever said
so; and said, they were sent to this place from the _Five Nations_, to
tell them to do their best endeavors to send the _French_ off from this
country; and when that was done they would go and tell the general to go
back over the mountains.
I see the _Indians_ concern themselves very much about the affair of
land; and are continually jealous, and afraid the _English_ will take
their land. I told them to be still and content themselves, “for there
are some chiefs of the _Five Nations_ with the army; they will settle the
affair, as they are the chief owners of the land; and it will be well for
you to come and speak with the general yourselves.”
_Isaac Still_ asked the _French_ captain, whether it was true, that
_Daniel_ had sold me to the _French_? He owned it, and said, I was
theirs, they had bought me fairly; and, if the _Indians_ would give them
leave, he would take me.
24th.—We hanged out the _English_ flag, in spite of the _French_; on
which our prisoners folded their hands, in hopes that their redemption
was nigh, looking up to God, which melted my heart in tears, and prayers
to God, to hear their prayers, and change the times, and the situation,
which our prisoners are in, and under which they groan. “O Lord, said
they, when will our redemption come, that we shall be delivered, and
return home?”—And if any accident happeneth, which the _Indians_ dislike,
the prisoners all tremble with fear, saying, “Lord, what will become
of us, and what will be the end of our lives?” So that they often wish
themselves rather under the ground, than in this life. King Beaver came
home, and called us to his house, and saluted us in a friendly manner;
which we, in like manner, did to him. Afterwards I spoke by four strings
of 350 wampum, and said, as followeth:
“I have a salutation to you, and all your people, from the general, the
governor, and many other gentlemen. Brother, it pleases me that the day
is come to see you and your people. We have warmed ourselves by your
fire, and waited for you, and thank you, that you did come home. We have
good news of great importance; which we hope will make you, and all your
people’s hearts glad. By these strings I desire you would be pleased to
call all your kings and captains, from all the towns and nations; so that
they all may hear us, and have the benefit thereof, while they live, and
their children after them.”
Then he said, “As soon as I heard of your coming, I rose up directly to
come to you.” Then there came another message, which called me to another
place, where six kings of six nations were met together. I sent them
word, they should sit together a while, and smoke their pipes, and I
would come to them. King Beaver said further,
“Brother, it pleaseth me to hear that you brought such good news; and
my heart rejoices already at what you said to me. It rejoices me that I
have now heard of you.” I said, “Brother, you did well, that you first
came here, before you went to the kings; as the good news we brought is
to all nations, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same;
that want to be in peace and friendship with the _English_. So it will
give them satisfaction, when they hear it.” The _French_ captain told us,
that they would demolish the fort; and he thought the _English_ would be
to-day at the place.
25th.—_Shingas_ came home, and saluted us in a friendly manner, and so
did _Beaver_, in our house; and then they told us, they would hear our
message; and we perceived that the _French_ captain had an inclination to
hear it. We called _Beaver_ and _Shingas_, and informed them, that all
the nations, at _Easton_, had agreed with the governor, that every thing
should be kept secret from the ears and eyes of the _French_. He said,
“it was no matter, they were beaten already. It is good news, and if he
would say any thing, we would tell him what friendship we have together.”
Accordingly they met together, and the _French_ captain was present. The
number consisted of about fifty.
King _Beaver_ first spoke to his men, “Hearken, all you captains and
warriors, here are our brethren, the _English_; I wish that you may give
attention, and take notice of what they say. As it is for our good, that
there may an everlasting peace be established, although there is a great
deal of mischief done, if it pleaseth God to help us, we may live in
peace again.”
Then I began to speak by four strings to them, and said,
“Brethren, being come here to see you, I perceive your bodies are all
stained with blood, and observe tears and sorrows in your eyes: With
this string I clean your body from blood, and wipe and anoint your
eyes with the healing oil, so that you may see your brethren clearly.
And as so many storms have blown since we last saw one another, and we
are at such a distance from you, that you could not rightly hear us as
yet, I, by this string, take a soft feather, and with that good oil,
our grandfathers used, open and clear your ears, so that you may both
hear and understand what your brethren have to say to you. And by these
strings I clear your throat from the dust, and take all the bitterness
out of your heart, and clear the passage from the heart to the throat,
that you may speak freely with your brethren, the _English_, from the
heart.”
Then _Isaac Still_ gave the pipe, sent by the _Friends_,[100] filled with
tobacco, and handed round, after their custom, and said:
“Brethren, here is the pipe, which your grandfathers used to smoke with,
when they met together in councils of peace. And here is some of that
good tobacco, prepared for our grandfathers from God:—When you shall
taste of it, you shall feel it through all your body; and it will put
you in remembrance of the good councils, your grandfathers used to hold
with the _English_, your brethren, and that ancient friendship, they had
together.”
King _Beaver_ rose, and thanked us first, that we had cleared his body
from the blood, and wiped the tears and sorrow from his eyes, and opened
his ears, so that now he could well hear and understand. Likewise he
returned thanks for the _pipe and tobacco_, that we brought, which our
grandfathers used to smoke. He said,—“When I tasted that good tobacco, I
felt it all through my body, and it made me all over well.”
Then we delivered the messages, as followeth:
Governor _Denny’s_ answer to the message of the _Ohio Indians_, brought
by _Frederick Post_, _Pesquitomen_ and _Thomas Hickman_.
“By this string, my _Indian_ brethren of the United Nations and
_Delawares_, join with me, in requiring of the _Indian_ councils, to
which these following messages shall be presented, to keep every thing
private from the eyes and ears of the _French_.” A string.
“Brethren, we received your message by _Pesquitomen_ and _Frederick
Post_, and thank you for the care you have taken of our messenger of
peace, and that you have put him in your bosom, and protected him against
our enemy, _Onontio_, and his children, and sent him safe back to our
council fire, by the same man, that received him from us.” A string.
“Brethren, I only sent _Post_ to peep into your cabbins, and to know
the sentiments of your old men, and to look at your faces, to see how
you look. And I am glad to hear from him, that you look friendly; and
that there still remain some sparks of love towards us. It was what
we believed before hand, and therefore we never let slip the chain of
friendship, but held it fast, on our side, and it has never dropt out of
our hands. By this belt we desire that you will dig up your end of the
chain of friendship, that you suffered, by the subtlety of the _French_,
to be buried.” A belt.
“Brethren, it happened that the governor of _Jersey_ was with me, and a
great many _Indian_ brethren, sitting in council at _Easton_, when your
messengers arrived; and it gave pleasure to every one that heard it; and
it will afford the same satisfaction to our neighboring governors, and
their people, when they come to hear it. I shall send messengers to them,
and acquaint them with what you have said.
“Your requesting us to let the king of _England_ know your good
dispositions we took to heart, and shall let him know it; and we will
speak in your favor to his majesty, who has, for some time past, looked
upon you as his lost children. And we can assure you, that, as a tender
father over all his children, he will forgive what is past, and receive
you again into his arms.” A belt.
“Brethren, if you are in earnest to be reconciled to us, you will keep
your young men from attacking our country and killing and carrying
captive our back inhabitants; And will likewise give orders, that your
people may be kept at a distance from _Fort Duquesne_; that they may
not be hurt by our warriors, who are sent by our king to chastise the
_French_, and not to hurt you. Consider the commanding officer of that
army treads heavy, and would be very sorry to hurt any of his _Indian_
brethren.” A large belt.
“And brethren, the chiefs of the _United Nations_, with their cousins,
our brethren, the _Delawares_, and others now here, jointly with me
send this belt, which has upon it two figures, that represent all
the _English_, and all the _Indians_, now present, taking hands, and
delivering it to _Pesquitomen_: and we desire it may be likewise sent to
the _Indians_, who are named at the end of these messages;[101] as they
have all been formerly our very good friends and allies; and we desire
they will all go from among the _French_ to their own towns, and no
longer help the _French_.
“_Brethren on the Ohio_, if you take the belts we just now gave you, in
which all here join, _English_ and _Indians_, as we do not doubt you
will; then, by this belt, I make a road for you, and invite you to come
to _Philadelphia_, to your first old council fire, which was kindled when
we first saw one another; which fire we will kindle up again, and remove
all disputes, and renew the old and first treaties of friendship. This
is a clear and open road for you; fear, therefore, nothing, and come to
us with as many as can be of the _Delawares_, _Shawanese_, or of the _Six
Nations_: We will be glad to see you; we desire all tribes and nations
of _Indians_, who are in alliance with you, may come. As soon as we hear
of your coming, of which you will give us timely notice, we will lay up
provisions for you along the road.”
A large white belt, with the figure of a man, at each end, and streaks of
black, representing the road from the _Ohio_ to _Philadelphia_.
“Brethren, the _Six Nation_ and _Delaware_ chiefs join with me in those
belts, which are tied together, to signify our union and friendship for
each other; with them we jointly take the _tomahawks_ out of your hands,
and bury them under ground.
“We speak aloud, so as you may hear us; you see we all stand together,
joined hand in hand.” Two belts tied together.
“General _Forbes_ to the _Shawanese_, and _Delawares_, on the _Ohio_.
“Brethren, I embrace this opportunity by our brother, _Pesquitomen_, who
is now on his return home with some of your uncles, of the _Six Nations_,
from the treaty of _Easton_, of giving you joy of the happy conclusion of
that great council, which is perfectly agreeable to me; as it is for the
mutual advantage of our brethren, the _Indians_, as well as the _English_
nation.
“I am glad to find that all past disputes and animosities are now finally
settled, and amicably adjusted; and I hope they will be for ever buried
in oblivion, and that you will now again be firmly united in the interest
of your brethren, the _English_.”