majesty’s enemies, the _French_, on the _Ohio_, I must strongly recommend
to you to send immediate notice to any of your people, who may be at
the _French_ fort, to return forthwith to your towns; where you may sit
by your fires, with your wives and children, quiet and undisturbed, and
smoke your pipes in safety. Let the _French_ fight their own battles,
as they were the first cause of the war, and the occasion of the long
difference, which hath subsisted between you and your brethren, the
_English_; but I must entreat you to restrain your young men from
crossing the _Ohio_, as it will be impossible for me to distinguish them
from our enemies; which I expect you will comply with, without delay;
lest, by your neglect thereof, I should be the innocent cause of some of
our brethren’s death. This advice take and keep in your own breasts, and
suffer it not to reach the ears of the _French_.
“As a proof of the truth and sincerity of what I say, and to confirm the
tender regard I have for the lives and welfare of our brethren, on the
_Ohio_, I send you this string of wampum.
“I am, brethren and warriors,
“Your friend and brother,
“JOHN FORBES.”
“Brethren, kings _Beaver_ and _Shingas_, and all the warriors, who join
with you:
“The many acts of hostility, committed by the _French_ against the
_British_ subjects, made it necessary for the king to take up arms, in
their defence, and to redress their wrongs, which have been done them;
heaven hath favoured the justice of the cause, and given success to his
fleets and armies, in different parts of the world. I have received his
commands, with regard to what is to be done on the _Ohio_, and shall
endeavour to act like a soldier by driving the _French_ from thence, or
destroying them.
“It is a particular pleasure to me to learn, that the _Indians_, who
inhabit near that river, have lately concluded a treaty of peace with
the _English_; by which the ancient friendship is renewed with their
brethren, and fixed on a firmer foundation than ever. May it be lasting
and unmoveable as the mountains. I make no doubt but it gives you equal
satisfaction, and that you will unite your endeavours with mine, and all
the governors of these provinces, to strengthen it: The clouds, that,
for some time, hung over the _English_, and their friends, the _Indians_
on the _Ohio_, and kept them both in darkness, are now dispersed, and
the chearful light now again shines upon us, and warms us both. May it
continue to do so, while the sun and moon give light.
“Your people, who were sent to us, were received by us with open arms;
they were kindly entertained, while they were here; and I have taken care
that they shall return safe to you; with them come trusty messengers,
whom I earnestly recommend to your protection; they have several matters
in charge; and I desire you may give credit to what they say; in
particular, they have a large belt of wampum, and by this belt we let you
know, that it is agreed by me, and all the governors, that there shall
be an everlasting peace with all the _Indians_, established as sure as
the mountains, between the _English_ nation and the _Indians_, all over,
from the sun rising to the sun setting; and as your influence on them is
great, so you will make it known to all the different nations, that want
to be in friendship with the _English_; and I hope, by your means and
persuasions, many will lay hold on this belt, and immediately withdraw
from the _French_; this will be greatly to their own interest and your
honor, and I shall not fail to acquaint the great king of it: I sincerely
wish it, for their good; for it will fill me with concern, to find any
of you joined with the _French_; as in that case, you must be sensible
I must treat them as enemies; however, I once more repeat, that there
is no time to be lost; for I intend to march with the army very soon;
and I hope to enjoy the pleasure of thanking you for your zeal, and of
entertaining you in the fort ere long. In the mean time I wish happiness
and prosperity to you, your women and children.
“I write to you as a warrior should, that is, with candour and love, and
I recommend secrecy and dispatch.
“I am, kings _Beaver_ and _Shingas_,
”And brother warriors,
“Your assured friend and brother,
“JOHN FORBES.”
“From my camp at LOYALHANNON, Nov. 9, 1758.”
The messages pleased, and gave satisfaction to all the hearers, except
the _French_ captain. He shook his head with bitter grief, and often
changed his countenance. _Isaac Still_ ran down the _French_ captain with
great boldness, and pointed at him saying, “There he sits.” Afterwards
_Shingas_ rose up and said:
“Brethren, now we have rightly heard and understood you, it pleaseth me
and all the young men, that hear it; we shall think of it, and take it
into due consideration; and when we have considered it well, then we will
give you an answer, and send it to all the towns and nations, as you
desired us.”
We thanked them and wished them good success in their undertaking; and
wished it might have the same effect upon all other nations, that may
hereafter hear it, as it had on them. We went a little out of the house.
In the mean time _Isaac Still_ demanded the letter, which the _French_
had falsely interpreted, that it might be read in public. Then they
called us back, and I, _Frederick Post_, found it was my own letter, I
had wrote to the general. I therefore stood up, and read it, which Isaac
interpreted. The _Indians_ were well pleased, and took it as if it was
written to them; thereupon they all said: “We always thought the _French_
report of the letter was a lie; they always deceived us:” Pointing at
the _French_ captain; who, bowing down his head, turned quite pale, and
could look no one in the face. All the _Indians_ began to mock and laugh
at him; he could hold it no longer, and went out. Then the _Cayuga_ chief
delivered a string, in the name of the _Six Nations_, with these words:
“Cousins, hear what I have to say; I see you are sorry, and the tears
stand in your eyes. I would open your ears, and clear your eyes from
tears, so that you may see, and hear what your uncles, the _Six Nations_,
have to say. We have established a friendship with your brethren, the
_English_. We see that you are all over bloody, on your body; I clean
the heart from the dust, and your eyes from the tears, and your bodies
from the blood, that you may hear and see your brethren, the _English_,
and appear clean before them, and that you may speak from the heart with
them.” Delivered four strings.
Then he shewed to them a string from the _Cherokees_, with these words:
“Nephews, we let you know, that we are exceedingly glad that there is
such a firm friendship established, on so good a foundation, with so
many nations, that it will last for ever; and, as the _Six Nations_ have
agreed with the _English_, so we wish that you may lay hold of the same
friendship. We will remind you, that we were formerly good friends.
Likewise we let you know, that the _Six Nations_ gave us a _tomahawk_,
and, if any body offended us, we should strike him with it; likewise they
gave me a knife, to take off the scalp. So we let you know, that we are
desirous to hear very soon from you, what you determine. It may be we
shall use the hatchet very soon, therefore I long to hear from you.”
Then the council broke up. After a little while messengers arrived, and
_Beaver_ came into our house, and gave us the pleasure to hear, that the
_English_ had the field, and that the _French_ had demolished and burnt
the place entirely, and went off; that the commander is gone with two
hundred men to _Venango_, and the rest gone down the river in battoes, to
the lower _Shawanese_ town, with an intention to build a fort there; they
were seen yesterday passing by _Sawcung_.
We ended this day with pleasure and great satisfaction on both sides: the
_Cayuga_ chief said, he would speak further to them tomorrow.
26th.—We met together about ten o’clock. First, King _Beaver_ addressed
himself to the _Cayuga_ chief, and said;
“My uncles, as it is customary to answer one another, so I thank you,
that you took so much notice of your cousins, and that you have wiped
the tears from our eyes, and cleaned our bodies from the blood; when you
spoke to me I saw myself all over bloody; and since you cleaned me I feel
myself quite pleasant through my whole body, and I can see the sun shine
clear over us.” Delivered four strings.
He said further, “As you took so much pains, and came a great way through
the bushes, I, by this string, clean you from the sweat, and clean the
dust out of your throat, so that you may speak what you have to say from
your brethren, the _English_, and our uncles, the _Six Nations_, to your
cousins, I am ready to hear.”
Then _Petiniontonka_, the _Cayuga_ chief, took the belt with eight
diamonds,[102] and said;
“Cousins, take notice of what I have to say; we let you know what
agreement we have made with our brethren, the _English_. We had almost
slipt and dropt the chain of friendship with our brethren, the _English_;
now we let you know that we have renewed the peace and friendship with
our brethren, the _English_; and we have made a new agreement with them.
We see that you have dropt the peace and friendship with them. We desire
you would lay hold of the covenant, we have made with our brethren, the
_English_, and be strong. We likewise take the _tomahawk_ out of your
hands, that you received from the white people; use it no longer; fling
the _tomahawk_ away; it is the white people’s; let them use it among
themselves; it is theirs, and they are of one colour; let them fight
with one another, and do you be still and quiet in _Kushkushking_. Let
our grandchildren, the _Shawanese_, likewise know of the covenant, we
established with our friends, the English, and also let all other nations
know it.”
Then he explained to them the eight diamonds, on the belt, signifying the
five united nations, and the three younger nations, which join them;
these all united with the _English_. Then he proceeded thus:
“Brethren,” (delivering a belt with eight diamonds, the second belt)
“we hear that you did not sit right; and when I came I found you in a
moving posture, ready to jump towards the sunset; so we will set you at
ease, and quietly down, that you may sit well at _Kushkushking_; and
we desire you to be strong; and if you will be strong, your women and
children will see from day to day the light shining more over them;
and our children and grand children will see that there will be an
everlasting peace established. We desire you to be still; we do not know
as yet, what to do; towards the spring you shall hear from your uncles
what they conclude; in the mean time do you sit still by your fire at
_Kushkushking_.”
In the evening the devil made a general disturbance, to hinder them in
their good disposition. It was reported that they saw three _Catawba
Indians_ in their town; and they roved about all that cold night, in
great fear and confusion. When I consider with what tyranny and power
the prince of this world rules over this people, it breaks my heart over
them, and that their redemption may draw nigh, and open their eyes, that
they may see what bondage they are in, and deliver them from the evil.
27th.—We waited all the day for an answer. _Beaver_ came and told us,
“They were busy all the day long.” He said, “It is a great matter, and
wants much consideration. We are three tribes, which must separately
agree among ourselves; it takes time before we hear each agreement, and
the particulars thereof.” He desired us to read our message once more to
them in private; we told them, we were at their service at any time; and
then we explained him the whole again. There arrived a messenger from
_Sawcung_, and informed us that four of their people were gone to our
camp, to see what the _English_ were about; and that one of them climbing
upon a tree was discovered by falling down; and then our people spoke
to them; three resolved to go to the other side, and one came back and
brought the news, which pleased the company. Some of the captains and
counsellors were together; they said, that the _French_ would build a
strong fort, at the lower _Shawanese_ town. I answered them, “Brethren,
if you suffer the French to build a fort there, you must suffer likewise
the _English_ to come and destroy the place; _English_ will follow the
_French_, and pursue them, let it cost whatever it will; and wherever the
_French_ settle, the _English_ will follow and destroy them.”
They said, “We think the same, and would endeavour to prevent it, if the
_English_ only would go back, after having drove away the _French_, and
not settle there.” I said, “I can tell you no certainty in this affair;
it is best for you to go with us to the general, and speak with him. So
much I know, that they only want to establish a trade with you; and you
know yourselves that you cannot do without being supplied with such goods
as you stand in need of; but, brethren, be assured you must entirely quit
the _French_, and have no communication with them, else they will always
breed disturbance and confusion amongst you, and persuade your young
people to go to war against our brethren, the _English_.”
I spoke with them further about _Venango_, and said, I believed the
_English_ would go there, if they suffered the _French_ longer to live
there. This speech had much influence on them, and they said; “We are
convinced of all that you have said; it will be so.” I found them
inclined to send off the _French_ from _Venango_; but they wanted first
to know the disposition of the _English_, and not to suffer the _French_
to build any where.
28th.—King _Beaver_ arose early before the break of day, and bid all his
people a good morning, desired them to rise early and prepare victuals;
for they had to answer their brethren, the _English_, and their uncles,
and therefore they should be in a good humor and disposition. At ten
o’clock they met together; _Beaver_ addressed himself to his people, and
said,
“Take notice all you young men and warriors to what we answer now: it is
three days since we heard our brethren, the _English_, and our uncles;
and what we have heard of both, is very good; and we are all much pleased
with what we have heard. Our uncles have made an agreement, and peace
is established with our brethren, the _English_, and they have shook
hands with them; and we likewise agree in the peace and friendship, they
have established between them.” Then he spoke to the _French_ captain
_Canaquais_, and said,
“You may hear what I answer; it is good news, that we have heard. I
have not made myself a king. My uncles have made me like a queen, that
I always should mind what is good and right, and whatever I agree with,
they will assist me, and help me through. Since the warriors came
amongst us, I could not follow that which is good and right; which has
made me heavy; and since it is my duty to do that which is good, so I
will endeavour to do and to speak what is good, and not let myself be
disturbed by the warriors.”
Then he spoke to the _Mingoes_, and said,
“My uncles, hear me; It is two days since you told me, that you have made
peace and friendship, and shook hands with our brethren, the _English_.
I am really very much pleased with what you told me; and I join with
you in the same; and, as you said, I should let the _Shawanese_ and
_Delamaitanoes_ know of the agreement, you have made with our brethren,
the _English_, I took it to heart, and shall let them know it very soon.”
He delivered a string.
“Look now, my uncles, and hear what your cousins say: you have spoke the
day before yesterday to me. I have heard you. You told me, you would set
me at _Kushkushking_ easy down. I took it to heart; and I shall do so,
and be still, and lay myself easy down, and keep my match-coat close to
my breast. You told me, you will let me know in the next spring, what to
do; so I will be still, and wait to hear from you.” Gave him a belt.
Then he turned himself to us, and gave us the following answers. First,
to the general;
“Brother, by these strings I would desire, in a most kind and friendly
manner, you would be pleased to hear me what I have to say, as you are
not far off.
“Brother, now you told me you have heard of that good agreement, that has
been agreed to, at the treaty at Easton; and that you have put your hands
to it, to strengthen it, so that it may last for ever. Brother, you have
told me, that after you have come to hear it, you have taken it to heart,
and then you sent it to me, and let me know it. Brother, I would desire
you would be pleased to hear me, and I would tell you, in a most soft,
loving and friendly manner, to go back over the mountain, and to stay
there; for, if you will do that, I will use it for an argument, to argue
with other nations of _Indians_. Now, brother, you have told me you have
made a road clear, from the sun-set to our first old council fire, at
_Philadelphia_, and therefore I should fear nothing, and come into that
road. Brother, after these far _Indians_ shall come to hear of that good
and wide road, that you have laid out for us, then they will turn and
look at the road, and see nothing in the way; and that is the reason that
maketh me tell you to go back over the mountain again, and to stay there;
for then the road will be clear, and nothing in the way.”
Then he addressed himself to the Governor of _Pennsylvania_, as follows;
“Brother, give good attention to what I am going to say; for I speak
from my heart; and think nothing the less of it, though the strings be
small.[103]
“Brother, I now tell you what I have heard from you is quite agreeable to
my mind; and I love to hear you. I tell you likewise, that all the chief
men of _Allegheny_ are well pleased with what you have said to us; and
all my young men, women and children, that are able to understand, are
well pleased with what you have said to me.
“Brother, you tell me that all the Governors of the several provinces
have agreed to a well established and everlasting peace with the
_Indians_; and you likewise tell me, that my uncles, the _Six Nations_,
and my brethren the _Delawares_, and several other tribes of _Indians_
join with you in it, to establish it, so that it may be everlasting; you
likewise tell me, you have all agreed on a treaty of peace to last for
ever; and for these reasons I tell you, I am pleased with what you have
told me.
“Brother, I am heartily pleased to hear that you never let slip the chain
of friendship out of your hands, which our grandfathers had between
them, so that they could agree as brethren and friends in any thing.
“Brother, as you have been pleased to let me know of that good and
desirable agreement, that you and my uncles and brothers have agreed to,
at the treaty of peace, I now tell you I heartily join and agree in it,
and to it; and now I desire you to go on steadily in that great and good
work, you have taken in hand; and I will do as you desire me to do; that
is, to let the other tribes of _Indians_ know it, and more especially my
uncles, the _Six Nations_, and the _Shawanese_, my grandchildren, and all
other nations, settled to the westward.
“Brother, I desire you not to be out of patience, as I have a great many
friends at a great distance; and I shall use my best endeavours to let
them know it as soon as possible; and as soon as I obtain their answer,
shall let you know it.” Then he gave six strings all white.
In the evening arrived a messenger from _Sackung_, _Netodwehement_, and
desired they should make all the haste to dispatch us, and we should come
to _Sackung_; for, as they did not know what is become of those three,
that went to our camp, they were afraid the _English_ would keep them,
till they heard what was become of us, their messengers.
29th.—Before day break _Beaver_ and _Shingas_ came, and called us
into their council. They had been all the night together. They said;
“Brethren, now is the day coming, you will set off from here. It is
a good many days since we heard you; and what we have heard is very
pleasing and agreeable to us. It rejoices all our hearts; and all our
young men, women and children, that are capable to understand, are really
very well pleased with what they have heard; it is so agreeable to us,
that we never received such good news before; we think God has made it
so; he pities us, and has mercy on us. And now, brethren, you desire that
I should let it be known to all other nations; and I shall let them know
very soon. Therefore _Shingas_ cannot go with you. He must go with me, to
help me in this great work; and I shall send nobody, but go myself, to
make it known to all nations.”
Then we thanked them for their care; and wished him good success on his
journey and undertaking: and, as this message had such a good effect
on them, we hoped it would have the same on all other nations, when
they came to hear it. I hoped that all the clouds would pass away, and
the chearful light would shine over all nations; so I wished them good
assistance and help on their journey. Farther, he said to us;
“Now we desire you to be strong;[104] because I shall make it my strong
argument with other nations; but as we have given credit to what you
have said, hoping it is true, and we agree to it; if it should prove the
contrary, it would make me so ashamed, that I never could lift up my
head, and never undertake to speak any word more for the interest of the
_English_.”
I told them, “Brethren, you will remember that it was wrote to you by the
general, that you might give credit to what we say; so I am glad to hear
of you, that you give credit; and we assure you, that what we have told
you is the truth; and you will find it so.”
They said further, “Brethren, we let you know, that the _French_ have
used our people kindly, in every respect; they have used them like
gentlemen, especially those that live near them. So they have treated the
chiefs. Now we desire you to be strong; we wish you would take the same
method, and use our people well: for the other _Indians_ will look upon
us;[105] and we do not otherwise know how to convince them, and to bring
them into the _English_ interest, without your using such means as will
convince them. For the _French_ will still do more to keep them to their
interest.”
I told them, “I would take it to heart, and inform the Governor, and
other gentlemen of it; and speak to them in their favour.” Then they
said, “It is so far well, and the road is cleared; but they thought we
should send them another call, when they may come.” I told them; “We did
not know when they would have agreed with the other nations. Brother, it
is you, who must give us the first notice when you can come; the sooner
the better; and so soon as you send us word, we will prepare for you on
the road.” After this we made ready for our journey.
_Ketiushund_, a noted _Indian_, one of the chief counsellors, told us in
secret, “That all the nations had jointly agreed to defend their hunting
place at _Alleghenny_, and suffer nobody to settle there; and as these
_Indians_ are very much inclined to the _English_ interest, so he begged
us very much to tell the Governor, General, and all other people not to
settle there. And if the _English_ would draw back over the mountain,
they would get all the other nations into their interest; but if they
staid and settled there, all the nations would be against them; and he
was afraid it would be a great war, and never come to a peace again.”
I promised to inform the Governor, General, and all other people of
it, and repeated my former request to them, not to suffer any _French_
to settle amongst them. After we had fetched our horses, we went from
_Kushkushking_, and came at five o’clock to _Saccung_, in company with
twenty _Indians_. When we came about half way, we met a messenger from
fort _Duquesne_, with a belt from _Thomas King_,[106] inviting all the
chiefs to _Saccung_. We heard at the same time, that Mr. _Croghn_ and
_Henry Montour_ would be there to day. The messenger was one of those
three, that went to our camp; and it seemed to rejoice all the company;
for some of them were much troubled in their minds, fearing that the
_English_ had kept them, as prisoners, or killed them. In the evening we
arrived at _Saccung_, on the _Beaver_ creek. We were well received. The
king provided for us. After a little while we visited Mr. _Croghn_ and
his company.
30th.—In the morning the _Indians_ of the town visited us. About eleven
o’clock about forty came together; when we read the message to them; Mr.
_Croghn_, _Henry Montour_ and _Thomas King_ being present. They were all
well pleased with the message. In the evening we came together with the
chiefs, and explained the signification of the belts; which lasted till
eleven o’clock at night.