CHAPTER XVIII.

Indian siege of Fort Laurens--Successful stratagems--Flight of the

pack-horses--The fort abandoned--Projected enterprise from Detroit--Gov.

Hamilton captured at St. Vincent by Col. Clarke--Projects of

Brant--Uneasiness in the West of New-York--Deliberations of the Oneidas

and Onondagas--Brant's projects defeated--Treachery of the

Onondagas--Colonel Van Schaick marches to lay waste their

towns--Instructions of General Clinton--Passage of Wood Creek and Oneida

Lake--Advance upon the Indian towns--Their destruction--Return of the

expedition to Fort Schuyler--Mission of the Oneidas to Fort Schuyler in

behalf of the Onondagas--Speech of Good Peter--Reply of Colonel Van

Schaick--Irruption of Tories and Indians into the lower Mohawk

country--Stone Arabia--Defence of his house by Captain Richer--The

Indians in Schoharie--General Clinton traverses the Mohawk

valley--McClellan's expedition to Oswegatchie--Unsuccessful--Irruption

of the Onondagas into Cobleskill--Defeat of the Americans--The

settlement destroyed--Murders in the neighborhood of Fort

Pitt--Irruptions of Tories into Warwarsing--Invasion of Minisink--Battle

near the Delaware--Massacre of the Orange County militia--Battle with

the Shawanese.

The erection of an advanced post, called Fort Laurens, on the Tuscarawa,

by General McIntosh, who was directed to advance upon the Indian towns

of Sandusky, has been mentioned in a preceding chapter. Colonel Gibson,

who had been left in command of the fort, with a garrison of one hundred

and fifty men, soon found his position rather uncomfortable, by reason of

the swarms of Indians hovering about the precincts, who soon became so

numerous as completely to invest the little fortress. The first hostile

demonstration of the forest warriors was executed with equal cunning and

success. The horses of the garrison were allowed to forage for themselves

upon the herbage, among the dried prairie-grass immediately in the

vicinity of the fort--wearing bells, that they might be the more easily

found if straying too far. It happened one morning in January, that the

horses had all disappeared, but the bells were heard, seemingly at no

great distance. They had, in truth, been stolen by the Indians, and

conveyed away. The bells, however, were taken off, and used for another

purpose. Availing themselves of the tall prairie-grass, the Indians formed

an ambuscade, at the farthest extremity of which they caused the bells to

jingle as a decoy. The artifice was successful. A party of sixteen men

was sent in pursuit of the straggling steeds, who fell into the snare.

Fourteen were killed upon the spot, and the remaining two taken prisoners,

one of whom returned at the close of the war, and of the other nothing

was ever heard. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] The Rev. Mr. Doddridge, whose little work is the authority for all

the facts relative to Fort Laurens, states that Captain, afterward

General Briggs, of Virginia, being the officer of the day, was

exceedingly desirous of heading the party sent to bring in the horses,

but was refused permission by Colonel Gibson, who remarked, that when he

had occasion to send out a captain's command, he should be thankful for

his services, but until then, he must be content to discharge his duties

within the fort. "On what trifling circumstances," adds the good

minister, "do life and death sometimes depend!"

Toward evening of the same day, the whole force of the Indians, painted,

and in the full costume of war, presented themselves in full view of the

garrison, by marching in single files, though at a respectful distance,

across the prairie. Their number, according to a count from one of the

bastions, was eight hundred and forty-seven--altogether too great to be

encountered in the field by so small a garrison. After this display of

their strength, the Indians took a position upon an elevated piece of

ground at no great distance from the fort, though on the opposite side of

the river. In this situation they remained several weeks, in a state

rather of armed neutrality than of active hostility. Some of them would

frequently approach the fort sufficiently near to hold conversations with

those upon the walls. They uniformly professed a desire for peace, but

protested against the encroachments of the white people upon their

lands--more especially was the erection of a fort so far within the

territory claimed by them as exclusively their own, a cause of

complaint--nay, of admitted exasperation. There was with the Americans

in the fort, an aged friendly Indian named John Thompson, who seemed to

be in equal favor with both parties, visiting the Indian encampment at

pleasure, and coming and going as he chose. They informed Thompson that

they deplored the continuance of hostilities, and finally sent word by

him to Colonel Gibson, that they were desirous of peace, and if he would

present them with a barrel of flour, they would send in their proposals

the next day. The flour was sent, but the Indians, instead of fulfilling

their part of the stipulation, withdrew, and entirely disappeared. They

had, indeed, continued the siege as long as they could obtain subsistence,

and raised it only because of the lack of supplies. Still, as the

beleaguerment was begun in stratagem, so was it ended. Colonel Gibson's

provisions were also running short, and as he supposed the Indians had

entirely gone off, he directed Colonel Clark, of the Pennsylvania line,

with a detachment of fifteen men, to escort the invalids of the garrison,

amounting to ten or a dozen men, back to Fort McIntosh. But the Indians

had left a strong party of observation lurking in the neighborhood of the

fort; and the escort had proceeded only two miles before it was fallen

upon, and the whole number killed with the exception of four--one of whom,

a captain, escaped back to the fort. The bodies of the slain were interred

by the garrison, on the same day, with the honors of war. A party was

likewise sent out to collect the remains of the fourteen who had first

fallen by the ambuscade, and bury them; which service was performed. It

was found, however, that the wolves had mostly devoured their flesh, and

by setting traps upon the new-made grave, some of those ravenous beasts

were caught and shot on the following morning.

The situation of the garrison was now becoming deplorable. For two weeks

the men had been reduced to half a pound of sour flour, and a like

quantity of offensive meat, per diem; and for a week longer they were

compelled to subsist only upon raw hides, and such roots as they could

find in the circumjacent woods and prairies, when General McIntosh most

opportunely arrived to their relief, with supplies, and a reinforcement

of seven hundred men. But still they came near being immediately reduced

to short allowance again, by an untoward accident causing the loss of a

great portion of their fresh supplies. These supplies were transported

through the wilderness upon pack-horses. The garrison, overjoyed at the

arrival of succors, on their approach to within about a hundred yards of

the fort manned the parapets and fired a salute of musketry. But the

horses must have been young in the service. Afrightened at the detonation

of the guns, they began to rear and plunge, and broke from their guides.

The example was contagious, and in a moment more, the whole cavalcade of

pack-horses were bounding into the woods at full gallop, dashing their

burdens to the ground, and scattering them over many a rood in all

directions--the greater portion of which could never be recovered. But

there was yet enough of provisions saved to cause the mingling of evil

with the good. Very incautiously, the officers dealt out two days' rations

per man, the whole of which was devoured by the famishing soldiers, to

the imminent hazard of the lives of all, and resulting in the severe

sickness of many. Leaving the fort again, General McIntosh assigned the

command to Major Vernon, who remained upon the station several months. He,

in turn, was left to endure the horrors of famine, until longer to endure

was death; whereupon the fort was evacuated and the position

abandoned--its occupation and maintenance, at the cost of great fatigue

and suffering, and the expense of many lives, having been of not the least

service to the country.

Originally it had been the purpose of General McIntosh to penetrate

through the wilderness to Lake Erie, and thence make a descent upon

Detroit; and by a letter from the Commander-in-chief to a Committee of

Congress appointed to confer with him upon military subjects, it seems to

have been his opinion that McIntosh had made the best dispositions for

the enterprise which the circumstances of the case allowed. But he was

disappointed in his expectations of men, provisions, and stores. This

seems to have been one of those undertakings by order of Congress, without

consultation with the Commander-in-chief, which had previously annoyed

him not a little. Still, it received his approbation, the more readily

because its design was in coincidence with his own views on the subject

of Indian warfare--his uniform opinion being, that the cheapest and most

effectual method of opposing them, was to carry the war into their own

country. By their incursions into the frontier settlements, so long as

the Americans were content to act on the defensive, the Indians had little

to lose and every thing to gain; whereas the direct reverse would be the

consequence of an offensive war against them. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] Letter of Washington to the Committee of Congress, Jan. 12,1779.

But, notwithstanding the untoward result of General McIntosh's expedition,

the Indian branch of the service opened auspiciously the present year

elsewhere, and first in a region yet deeper in the west than Fort Laurens.

Colonel Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit--a rough,

bad-tempered, and cruel officer, who had signalised himself by the

exertion of a malignant influence over the Indians--and had provoked them

to take up the hatchet against the Americans by every possible

means--instigating them to deeds of blood by large rewards--had projected

a powerful Indian expedition against the Virginia frontier, to be executed

early in the Spring. [FN-1] With this design, at the close of the

preceding Autumn, Hamilton left Detroit, and took post at St. Vincents, on

the Wabash, in order to act earlier and more efficiently immediately

after the breaking up of Winter. But his purpose was most happily defeated

by a blow from a direction which he did not anticipate. Colonel Clarke,

who was yet with a small force in command of Kaskaskias, having learned,

in February, that Hamilton had weakened himself by despatching many of his

Indians in different directions to annoy the frontiers of the States,

formed the bold resolution of attacking him in his quarters. After a

difficult movement by land and water, at the head of one hundred and

thirty men, Clarke suddenly arrived before St. Vincents. The town at once

submitted; and on the following day, Colonel Hamilton and the garrison

surrendered themselves prisoners of war. It was the good fortune of

Colonel Clarke also to intercept and capture a valuable convoy of

provisions and stores, coming to St. Vincents from Detroit. Hamilton was

transferred to Virginia, where the Council of the Commonwealth instituted

an inquiry into the inhuman conduct imputed to him, and his confinement

in irons, on a diet of bread and water, was recommended. [FN-2] The plans

of the enemy were not a little disconcerted by this small, though

brilliant affair; and peace with several of the Indian tribes in that

direction was the immediate consequence.

* * * * *

[FN-1] Should any one doubt the propriety of speaking thus harshly in

history of this Colonel Hamilton, let him read the "Narrative of the

capture and treatment of John Dodge, by the British at Detroit,"

published in Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. pp. 73-81.

[FN-2] Ramsay.

In the mean time, and before this disaster befell the Detroit expedition,

some bold winter emprise was projected by Joseph Brant, which--in

consequence, probably, of the capture of Hamilton--miscarried, or rather

was not attempted to be put in execution. It does not appear what the

measure was upon which Brant was meditating; but on the 1st of January,

Colonel Van Dyck, then in command of Fort Schuyler, wrote to General

Clinton, "that the Oneidas had just received information that the enemy

seemed determined to strike some capital blow during the winter." In

addition to an application from the Quiquoga Indians to join them in the

expedition, Colonel Van Dyck stated that "one of the principal Oneida

warriors had received a private letter from Joseph Brant, inviting him to

join the Six Nations with his adherents, that he might avoid the danger

to which his tribe was exposed." [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] Papers of General James Clinton.

There is reason to suppose that a part of Brant's project was to strike a

blow upon the Oneidas themselves, unless they could be seduced from their

neutrality--amounting, as it did, almost to an alliance with the United

States. [FN] But this faithful tribe were neither to be coaxed nor driven

from the stand they had maintained since the beginning of the controversy.

On the 16th and 17th of January, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras held a

council, to deliberate upon the invitations of the Quiquogas and Captain

Brant, the result of which they communicated to Colonel Van Dyck on the

following day. They informed that efficient officer, that after giving

permission to any of their tribe, who desired to join the enemy, to

withdraw, there was a unanimous resolution of the council "to stand by

each other in defence of their lives and liberty, against any enemy that

might be disposed to attack them;" and to the late message of the

Quiquogas, they unanimously agreed to return the following answer, viz:

"That as they had ever behaved themselves in a quiet, and peaceable manner

toward the confederacy, they could not conceive that their conduct could

be considered reprehensible by them. They likewise put them in mind of

their long and unwearied efforts to prevent the Six Nations involving

themselves in the calamities of war, and that they had exerted themselves

so far as by their influence to relieve, from close confinement, some of

their people whom the fortune of war had put into the hands of their

enemies. But that they now utterly despaired of ever being able to effect

a reconciliation between the Confederacy and the United States; and that

the only hope they had of them was, that some of them would, in time,

abandon the cause thus imprudently espoused; that they would never violate

their alliance with the American States; and though they would not be the

aggressors, or wantonly provoke any tribe to war, yet that they should

henceforth be on their guard against any enemy whatever."

* * * * *

[FN] On the 9th of April, 1779, Congress passed a resolution granting the

commission of Captain to four of the Oneida and Tuscarora Indians, and

eight commissions of Lieutenants. Subsequently, the then principal Oneida

chief, Louis Atayataroughta, was commissioned a Lieutenant-colonel.

Louis, or "Colonel Louis" as he was afterward called, was the

representative of three races, being part Indian, part Negro, and part

white man. A few other commissions were issued to those Indians in the

course of the war. The greater number served faithfully. Some were

killed, and three of the lieutenants deserted to the enemy, and exchanged

their commissions for the same rank in the British service.

Seven of the principal Onondaga chiefs, who had hitherto been considered

as neutrals, being at the time in Oneida, on their way to Fort Schuyler,

it was determined to call them in to the council, and acquaint them with

the above resolution. It was accordingly done by the transmission of a

large black belt of wampum. The Onondagas replied, "That they were very

glad to hear the resolution which their children, the Oneidas and

Tuscaroras, had made. They observed, that as the Oneidas, who were the

head of the confederacy, had committed the council-fire and tree of peace

to their care, with a charge to guard them against the approach of any

thing which might injure either, or tend to interrupt the harmony of the

confederacy, they had therefore invariably pursued the path of peace; and

though they had been desired by the opposite party of their tribe to

extinguish the council-fire, yet they had refused, nor could they

consistently do it while the Oneidas retained any hopes of accommodating

matters in the Six Nations. But as the heads of the confederacy had

declared themselves so fully upon that subject, they had now let go their

hold of peace, extinguished the council-fire, and sunk the tree into the

earth; and were determined to join their children, the Oneidas and

Tuscaroras, to oppose any invader."

The Onondagas farther engaged, upon their return home, to effect a final

separation in their tribe, and insist that every one should declare for

one side or the other. The conduct of most of the Onondagas had been from

the first equivocal--often openly hostile. But those present at this

council manifested a better feeling, and joined in the request of the

Oneidas for troops to aid in their protection. The Oneidas, on this

occasion, placed great confidence in the professions of their Onondaga

brethren, and were in high spirits at the result of the council. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] General Clinton's correspondence--MS. letter of Colonel Van Dyck.

There was other evidence, not only of the intention of Thayendanegea to

make a powerful Indian descent upon the Mohawk during this winter, but of

the supposed fidelity of these Onondagas to the United Sates. About the

middle of February, General Clinton, having through various channels and

by several expresses, received information at Albany of such a design,

marched to Schenectady with Colonel Van Schaick's regiment, ordering the

latter as far up the Mohawk as Caughnawaga, there to await the event. On

the 26th of February, Captain Copp, of Fort Van Dyck, [FN-1] wrote to

Captain Graham, then in charge of Fort Schuyler, announcing that two of

the Oneida messengers, of distinguished (Indian) families, had just

returned from Niagara, where they had obtained positive evidence of

Brant's purpose. The Mohawk chief had received expresses, announcing that

the Shawanese and Delawares were to strike a simultaneous blow upon the

frontier of Virginia; [FN-2] and Brant himself was to lead the main

expedition direct to the Mohawk, while another diversion was to be created

by sending a smaller force round by the Unadilla, to fall upon the

settlements of Schoharie. In regard to the fidelity of the Onondagas, it

was stated by the Oneida chiefs that fourteen of that nation had been

despatched to Niagara, by the chiefs of the tribe, to persuade their

brethren, who had taken up the hatchet with the Mohawks, to return. But

these fourteen messengers had not been permitted to come back themselves,

and the Onondagas were apprehensive that they and all their people at

Niagara had been made prisoners. The uneasiness in Tryon County was

greatly increased under these circumstances. Major Jelles Fonda wrote to

General Clinton, stating that there were yet three hundred Tory families

in the northern part of that settlement, affording aid and comfort to the

hostile refugees, who kept up a continual intercourse with them, across

through the woods, or by lake Champlain, to Canada. For greater security,

therefore, he urged permission to build a strong block-house, and station

fifty rangers within it, on the Sacondaga river, directly north of

Johnstown.

* * * * *

[FN-1] In the Oneida or Onondaga country.

[FN-2] The project of Colonel Hamilton, frustrated by his capture.

Captain Brant, however, either abandoned or deferred the threatened

invasion, probably for the reason already indicated--the capture of

Colonel Hamilton. The winter consequently passed away without any serious

disturbance in that region. But, notwithstanding all the fair professions

of the Onondagas, their treachery had become alike so manifest and so

injurious, as to render it expedient, immediately on the opening of the

Spring, to make them a signal example to the rest of their red brethren.

Accordingly, early in April an expedition was detailed upon this service

by General Clinton, with the approbation of the Commander-in-chief,

consisting of detachments from the regiments of Colonels Van Schaick and

Gansevoort, to the number of five hundred men, under the conduct of the

former. The troops were moved as expeditiously as possible to Fort

Schuyler, and thirty batteaux were simultaneously ordered thither to

transport them down Wood Creek, and through the Oneida Lake to Three

Rivers. Colonel Van Schaick's instructions were very full and explicit

upon every point. The design was to proceed as rapidly and cautiously as

possible, in order to take the Indians by surprise; for which purpose, on

the morning of the departure of the expedition, it was to be announced

that its destination was against Oswego. Colonel Van Schaick was directed

to burn and utterly destroy the village and castle of the Onondagas,

together with all their cattle and effects; but he was strictly enjoined

to make as many prisoners as possible, and put none to death who could be

taken alive. The following passage occurs in the instructions of General

Clinton on this occasion, which is worthy of preservation:--"Bad as the

savages are, they never violate the chastity of any women, their

prisoners. Although I have very little apprehension that any of the

soldiers will so far forget their character as to attempt such a crime on

the Indian women who may fall into their hands, yet it will be well to

take measures to prevent such a stain upon our army." [FN] This injunction

speaks volumes in praise of the soldier who wrote it. Colonel Van Schaick

was farther enjoined to dissuade any of our Indian allies from

accompanying him; and Lieutenant-Colonel Willett and Major Cochran were

detailed to serve in the expedition.

* * * * *

[FN] MS. instructions of General Clinton.

The orders to Colonel Van Schaick were issued on the 9th of April, and so

rapidly were the necessary arrangements expedited, that every thing was

in readiness for the departure from Fort Schuyler on the 18th. During the

evening of that day, the batteaux, with the necessary stores, were

silently removed across the carrying-place to Wood Creek, and all things

there placed in order. The troops were early in motion on the morning of

the 19th, and a thick mist contributed essentially in covering the

movement, had there been any spies lurking about to make observation. The

number of men embarked, including officers, was five hundred and

fifty-eight. Their progress to the Oneida Lake was considerably impeded,

by reason of trees which had fallen across the creek; so that much of the

first day's journey was performed by the troops on foot. The passage of

the Oneida Lake was effected as expeditiously as possible; and although

they encountered a strong and excessively disagreeable head-wind, they

nevertheless reached the Onondaga Landing, opposite to old Fort

Brewington, with the whole flotilla, by three o'clock in the afternoon of

the 20th. Leaving a suitable guard with the boats, the little army pushed

immediately forward, and, despite the obstacles in traversing a

deep-tangled forest, the soil resembling a morass, they marched nine miles

without halting. The night was dark, wet, and cold; but knowing well the

wariness of the enemy and the celerity of their movements, and how

frequently they were prepared to strike when least expected, the troops

were necessarily precluded from kindling fires, and obliged to sleep on

their arms. The march was resumed very early on the morning of the 21st,

and in order to save time, they were obliged to ford an arm of the

Onondaga Lake, about two hundred yards wide and four feet in depth.

Arriving at the estuary of Onondaga Creek, at the head of the lake,

Captain Graham, commanding the advance guard, captured one of the warriors

of the tribe; and although they were now within two or three miles of the

village and castle, this was the first Indian seen, or who was apprised

of the approach of the expedition. Captain Graham was now directed again

to advance with all possible rapidity and caution, for the purpose of

surrounding the lower castle, while the residue of the main force was

divided into small detachments, and hurried forward for the purpose of

falling upon the other towns, in such rapid succession as, if possible,

to take all the villages by surprise. This chain of villages extended

through the valley of the Onondaga Creek for the distance of ten miles.

The tribe had once been among the most powerful of the Aganuschioni, or

confederated people of the Five Nations. Situated in the centre of the

confederacy, to the Onondagas, time immemorial, had been committed the

keeping of the great council-fire. This fire had been extinguished in

1692 by Count Frontenac, who then came against it at the head of a

powerful expedition from Montreal, and utterly destroyed the village. It

had again been put out in the Spring of 1777, and was now doomed to a

third extinction, equally summary and complete with the former. But

although the expedition of Colonel Van Schaick had been thus far, and was

throughout, admirably conducted, yet the surprise was not as complete as

had been intended. While Captain Graham's company was securing a few

prisoners taken in the outskirts of the village, near the principal

castle, means were found by the wily adversary to give the alarm in

advance. The tidings, of course, flew from village to village with greater

rapidity than the several detachments of troops could equal, and the

Indians scattered off to the woods in all directions. But such was the

precipitancy of their flight, that they carried nothing with them--not

even their arms. Still, thirty-three of their number were taken prisoners,

and twelve killed. Three villages, consisting of about fifty houses, were

burnt to the ground; and a large quantity of provisions, consisting

chiefly of beans and corn, destroyed. Nearly one hundred muskets were

taken among the booty, and several rifles, together with a considerable

quantity of ammunition. Their swivel at the council-house was rendered

useless, and their cattle and horses were destroyed. The work of

destruction having been completed, the detachment immediately commenced

its return to Fort Schuyler. It was fired upon in the afternoon by a small

party of Indians in the woods, but without injury, while one of the enemy

fell by the return fire. On Saturday, the 24th, the troops were all back

again at Fort Schuyler, having performed a journey, going and returning,

of one hundred and eighty miles, and effected their object without the

loss of a single man. [FN] In the letter enclosing his official report to

General Clinton, Colonel Van Schaick spoke in the highest terms of the

good conduct of the officers and soldiers engaged in this expedition; and

bestowed the warmest encomiums upon Colonel Willett and Major Cochran, for

the efficient assistance received from them.

* * * * *

[FN] Colonel Van Schaick's report--papers of General Clinton.

At this distance of time, from the very imperfect data afforded by written

history, this expedition against the Onondagas appears like a harsh, if

not an unnecessary measure. But, notwithstanding the professions of this

nation, those in the direction of public affairs at that period

unquestionably felt its chastisement to be a work of stern necessity.

General Schuyler had written that unless some exemplary blow should be

inflicted upon the hostiles of the Six Nations, Schenectady would shortly

become the boundary of the American settlements in that direction. The

enterprise had, moreover, the sanction of the Commander-in-chief; while

nothing could be more humane, in regard to a warlike expedition, than the

instructions of General Clinton. But no small degree of uneasiness was

nevertheless felt by the Oneidas, at the swift destruction which had thus

overtaken the principal town of their next-door neighbors; and it was not

long after the return of Colonel Van Schaick to Fort Schuyler, before he

was visited by a formal delegation from that nation. At the head of the

embassage was Skenandoah, an important sachem of the tribe, accompanied by

Good Peter, the orator, and Mr. Deane, the interpreter. The object of this

mission was an inquiry into the causes of the movement against the

Onondagas, with whom, as has been previously remarked, the Oneidas were

closely connected by intermarriages. Having been introduced, Good Peter

spoke as follows:--

"Brother: You see before you some of your friends, the Oneidas; they come

to see you.

"The engagements that have been entered into between us and our brothers,

the Americans, are well known to you.

"We were much surprised, a few days ago, by the news which a warrior

brought to our Castle with a war-shout, informing us that our friends, the

Onondagas, were destroyed.

"We were desirous to see you on this occasion, as they think you might

have been mistaken in destroying that part of the tribe.

"We suppose you cannot answer us upon this subject, as the matter was

agreed upon below. But perhaps you may know something of this matter.

"When we heard of this account, we sent back word to our friends remaining

among them, telling them not to be pale-hearted because some of them were

destroyed, but to keep up with their former engagements.

"We sent off some of our people to Canasaraga, to invite them to come to

our village; but they returned an answer that they had sent some of their

own runners to Onondaga, to learn the particulars, and they waited for

their return.

"Our people brought for answer, that they were much obliged to their

children, the Oneidas, for attending to them in their distresses, and they

would be glad if they would speak smoothly to their brethren, the

Americans, to know whether all this was done by design, or by mistake.

"If it was a mistake, say they, we hope to see our brethren the

prisoners--if by design, we still will keep our engagements with you, and

not join the King's party. But if our brethren, the Americans, mean to

destroy us also, we will not fly--we will wait here and receive our death.

"Brother: This was the answer of the Onondagas. As for us, the Oneidas and

Tuscaroras, you know our sentiments. We have supposed we know yours.

"The Commissioners promised us that when they found any thing wrong, they

would tell us and make it right.

"Brother: If we have done anything wrong, we shall now be glad if you

would now tell us so." [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] The Sexagenary, a collection of revolutionary papers connected with

the border wars, edited by S. De Witt Bloodgood, Esq.

At the end of each sentence, the attending sachems uttered the usual

sound of approbation, and having concluded, Good Peter resumed his seat.

The address was that of a diplomatist; and it was supposed probable that

the Onondagas were themselves at the bottom of the embassy, with a view of

obtaining information by which to regulate their future conduct. Equally

adroit was the reply of Colonel Van Schaick, given in the following

terms:--

"I am glad to see my friends, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. I perfectly

remember the engagements the Five Nations entered into four years ago,

and that they promised to preserve a strict and honorable neutrality

during the present war, which was all we asked them to do for us.

"But I likewise know that all of them, except our brethren the Oneidas

and Tuscaroras, broke their engagements, and flung away the chain of

friendship. But the Onondagas have been great murderers; we have found the

scalps of our brothers at their Castle.

"They were cut off, not by mistake, but by design--I was ordered to do

it--and it is done.

"As for the other matters of which you speak, I recommend a deputation to

the Commissioners at Albany. I am not appointed to treat with you on those

subjects.

"I am a warrior. My duty is to obey the orders which they send me."

No farther explanations appear to have been interchanged; and the Oneidas

were perhaps the more readily pacified, inasmuch as they were really

friendly to the Americans, while at the same time they must have been

acquainted with the conduct of the Onondagas, which had justly incurred

the chastisement. Scalping parties were always hovering about the

unprotected borders, especially in the neighborhood of Fort Schuyler; and

the Indians of none of the tribes were more frequently discovered

belonging to these parties, than of that nation.

It is, perhaps, a coincidence worth noting, that on the very day on which

Colonel Van Schaick departed from Fort Schuyler for Onondaga, the lower

section of the Mohawk Valley was thrown into alarm by the sudden

appearance of an Indian force simultaneously on both sides of the river,

in the vicinity of Palatine. On the South side a party rushed down upon

the settlement, took three prisoners, together with several horses, and

drove the inhabitants into Fort Plank. At the very same hour another

division of the savages made a descent upon the back part of Stone-Arabia,

where, in the onset, they burnt two houses and murdered one man. The next

house in their course belonged to Captain Richer. The occupants were

Richer, his wife, and two sons, and an old man. The Captain and his two

boys being armed, on the near approach of the Indians gave them a warm

reception. A sharp action ensued. The old man, being unarmed, was killed;

as also was one of the brave boys, a lad seventeen years of age. Captain

Richer was severely wounded and his arm was broken; his other son was also

wounded in the elbow, and his wife in one of her legs. And yet,

notwithstanding that the whole garrison was either killed or wounded, the

Indians retreated on the loss of two of their number.

On the same day a party of Senecas appeared in Schoharie, made prisoners

of Mr. Lawyer and Mr. Cowley, and plundered their houses. The panic was

again general; the people flying to the forts for safety, and the

Committee of Palatine writing immediately to General Clinton, at Albany,

for assistance. The General was an officer of great activity, and so

rapidly did he move in cases of alarm, that he traversed the Mohawk

Valley with Colonel Gansevoort's regiment and the Schenectady militia,

and was back at Albany again on the 28th. The Indians who appeared on the

south side were from the West--those on the north side were Mohawks from

Canada. General Clinton, in his despatches to the Governor, his brother,

expressed an opinion, that but for his timely movement on that occasion,

the enemy would have driven the settlements all in upon Schenectady. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] MS. letter of Jacob R. Cork and Peter Wagner to General Clinton,

and General Clinton's letter to the Governor.

On the 30th of April, Lieutenants McClellan and Hardenburgh returned to

Fort Schuyler from an unsuccessful expedition at the head of a body of

Indians, against the small British garrison at Oswegatchie. It was their

intention to take the fort by surprise; but, falling in prematurely with

some straggling Indians, several shots were imprudently exchanged, by

reason of which their approach became known to the garrison. They then

attempted by stratagem to draw the enemy from the fort, and partly

succeeded, but could not induce them to venture far enough from their

works to cut them off; and on approaching the fort themselves, the

assailants were so warmly received by cannister and grape, as to be

compelled to retreat without unnecessary delay. The only service

performed was to send a Caughnawaga Indian into Canada with a letter, in

French, by "a French General," probably the Marquis de Lafayette,

addressed to the Canadians, and written in the preceding Autumn. [FN-1]

This expedition was despatched from Fort Schuyler on the day before

Colonel Van Schaick moved upon Onondaga; and from a letter addressed by

General Clinton, six weeks afterward, to General Sullivan, there is reason

to believe one object was to get clear of the Oneida Indians then in the

fort, until Colonel Van Schaick should have proceeded so far upon his

expedition, that they or their people would not be able to give the

Onondagas notice of his approach. All the Indians still remaining in Fort

Schuyler on the 18th, were detained expressly for that object of

precaution. General Clinton conceded their usefulness as scouts and spies

upon the British forces; but, he observed, "their attachment to one

another is too strong to admit of their being of any service when employed

against their fellows." [FN-2] This testimony is certainly not

discreditable to the Indian character as such.

* * * * *

[FN-1] McClellan's letter to General Clinton.

[FN-2] Letter of Gen. Clinton to Gen. Sullivan.

But if, as has been seen, the Oneidas were disposed to send a deputation

to make pacific inquiries at Fort Schuyler, in regard to Colonel Van

Schaick's attack upon their neighbors, the descendants of Garanguli and

Sadakenaghtie [FN-1] were not themselves willing to pass the matter over

thus lightly. Fired with indignation at the destruction of their villages

and castle, and the putting out of the great council-fire which they had

so long kept burning at their national altar, they resolved upon summary

vengeance. To this end, three hundred of their warriors were speedily upon

the war-path, bending their steps to the valley of the Schoharie-kill. The

settlement of Cobleskill, [FN-2] which had suffered so severely the

preceding year, situated about ten miles west of the Schoharie-kill, and

yet comprising nineteen German families, was the first object of attack.

But they were prevented from taking the place by surprise, in consequence

of two of their number straggling a considerable distance in advance of

the main body, who were discovered by a scout of two of the Cobleskill

militia. One of the Indians was shot, and the other fled; and the scouts

hastened home to give the alarm. Intelligence of the enemy's approach was

immediately despatched to Schoharie, with a request for assistance. A

captain of the Continental army was thereupon sent to Cobleskill with a

detachment of regular troops. On the following morning a party of Indians

sallied out of the woods, and after approaching the settlement, suddenly

returned. They were pursued by a small detachment of troops to the edge

of the forest, where their reception was so sharp as to compel a retreat.

The Captain himself immediately marched to the scene of action with the

whole of his little band, together with fifteen volunteers of the militia.

The Indians receded before the whites for a time, and continued the

deception by showing themselves at first in small numbers on the skirt of

the forest, until they had accomplished the identical purpose they had in

view. The Captain and his men pursued, without any knowledge of the

disparity of numbers they had to encounter, until the Indians had drawn

them sufficiently within their toils to make a stand. Their numbers now

multiplied rapidly, and the battle became animated. The Captain fell

wounded, and was soon afterward killed. His men, panic-stricken, instantly

fled; but in the twinkling of an eye, a cloud of several hundred savages,

until then in concealment, rose upon all sides of them, pouring in a

deadly shower of rifle balls, and making the forest ring with their

appalling yells. The inhabitants of the settlement, on perceiving the

disaster which had befallen the troops, fled in the direction of Schoharie

with a portion of the fugitive soldiers. Their flight was facilitated, or

rather they were prevented from being overtaken, by seven of the Captain's

brave fellows, who took possession of a deserted house and made a resolute

defence. From the windows of their castle they fired briskly upon the

Indians, and bringing them to a pause, detained them until the inhabitants

had made good their flight to Schoharie. Unable to drive the soldiers

from the house, the Indians at length applied the brand, and the brave

fellows were burnt to death within its walls. The whole settlement was

then plundered and burnt by the Indians. But they did not proceed farther

toward Schoharie. The loss of the whites was twenty-two killed and two

taken prisoners. The bodies of the slain were found the next day, sadly

mutilated; and in the hand of one of them the Indians had placed a roll

of Continental bills--a severe satire upon the description of money for

which the soldiers were serving. The great fact, however, that it was the

cause, and not the pay, which kept the Americans in the field, could

scarcely be appreciated by the forest warriors. They were led in this

battle by a Tory, who was subsequently killed by the celebrated

Murphy. [FN-3] Their loss was severe, but to what extent was not known.

Thus was amply avenged the destruction of Onondaga.

* * * * *

[FN-1] Two illustrious Onondaga warriors and orators of the preceding

century. Vide Colden's Canada.

[FN-2] Usually thus written; but the old inhabitants say it should be

Cobuskill.--_Spafford._

[FN-3] Campbell's Annals. The authority of Mr. Campbell for most if not

all his information respecting the operations of the enemy in the

Schoharie country, was the late Rev. Mr. Fenn, of Harpersfield--a

gentleman most intimately acquainted with the early history of that

region. Still, there is clearly a mistake in assigning, as has been done,

Captain Patrick as the American leader against the Onondagas on this

occasion, since that officer fell in the same neighborhood more than a

year before, as stated in a letter written at the time by Colonel Varick.

[See chap. xvi. text, and also a note.] Who led the Americans on this

last occasion, the author has not ascertained. But the accounts just

referred to, that it was Captain Patrick, are certainly

incorrect--unless, indeed, there wore two Patricks, both captains, and

both killed in the same neighborhood.

During the month of April, the inhabitants of Monongalia, on the

north-western Virginia border and the western part of Pennsylvania, in the

vicinity of Fort Pitt, had been severely harassed by the Indians. On the

9th of that month, a party of four men, despatched from Fort Pitt, were

all killed and scalped at the distance of fifteen miles from the fort. On

the 13th, a man named David Morgan, of Monongalia, discovered two Indians

creeping upon several children at work in a field. He gave the alarm to

the latter, and then shot one of the Indians dead. The other rushed upon

Morgan, and grappled, with him. A severe contest ensued for the possession

of the Indian's knife, which Morgan ultimately obtained; the Indian, by

grasping the blade, having his hand severely lacerated. Morgan stabbed the

Indian, and ran for the fort, while the Indian took to the woods. A party

set off immediately in pursuit, and soon overtook the savage, sitting

against a tree. He begged for mercy, and was at first taken as a prisoner;

but during the march back to the fort, he became rather surly, whereupon

his captors killed and scalped him--taking, also, the scalp from the

warrior who had been first shot by Morgan. On the following day another

Indian scout was discovered, one of whom was killed and scalped. Two days

afterward the Indians killed and scalped David Maxwell and his wife.

Several families were carried into captivity. Among the prisoners was one

resolute woman, who killed one of her guards, wounded another, and

effected her escape. [FN] These individual murders were the more cruel,

inasmuch as they could have no effect upon the result of the pending

contest. The snatching away of prisoners by these petty expeditions was a

different affair; and often served a twofold purpose--enabling the enemy

frequently to extort information, and, by a silent operation, continually

increasing the number of prisoners in their hands for exchange. But,

whether murdered outright or carried into captivity, the trials of the

inhabitants upon a frontier, thus hourly exposed to dangers of the most

appalling description, can scarcely be appreciated by those who have not

been placed in similar peril.

* * * * *

[FN] Almon's Remembrancer--letter from Fort Pitt.

The frontier towns of the County of Ulster were likewise not a little

annoyed, in the early part of May, by a detachment of thirty or forty of

Butler's rangers, who, from their knowledge of the country, were supposed

to have fled to the royal standard from that neighborhood. On the 4th of

May, four dwelling-houses and five barns were burnt by them in

Fantine-kill. Six of the inhabitants were murdered, besides three or four

more who were supposed to be burnt in their houses. Colonel Philip Van

Courtlandt, stationed at that time with one of the New-York regiments at

Warwasing, went in pursuit of the traitors; but although he twice came in

sight of them upon the crest of a mountain, they were too dexterous in

threading the forests to allow him to overtake them; and the Colonel had

scarcely turned back from the pursuit, before they fell upon the town of

Woodstock, in the neighborhood of Kingston, where they burnt several

houses and committed other depredations. They made a few prisoners, some

of whom were carried away; while others were compelled, by the up-raised

hatchet, to take an oath not to serve in arms against the King. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] Idem--Article from Warwasing, published first in Poughkeepsie.

In order to preserve, unbroken, a narrative of the principal Indian

campaign of the present year, it is necessary somewhat to anticipate the

progress of events, by recording in this place the particulars of the

celebrated invasion of Minisink, and the bloody battle that immediately

ensued near the Delaware. [FN-1] The brave Count Pulaski, with his

battalion of cavalry, had been stationed at Minisink during the preceding

winter; but in the month of February he was ordered to South Carolina, to

join the army of General Lincoln. [FN-2] Left thus wholly unprotected,

save by its own people, Captain Brant determined to make a descent upon

it, for the purpose of taking both plunder and prisoners. Accordingly, on

the 20th of July, or rather during the night of the 19th, the crafty

Mohawk stole upon the slumbering town, at the head of sixty Indians and

twenty-seven Tory warriors, disguised as Indians--which was a very common

practice with the loyalists when acting with the savages. Such was the

silence of their approach, that several houses were already in flames when

the inhabitants awoke to their situation. Thus surprised, and wholly

unprepared, all who could escape fled in consternation, leaving the

invaders to riot upon the spoil. Ten houses and twelve barns were burnt,

together with a small stockade fort and two mills. Several persons were

killed, and others taken prisoners. The farms of the settlement were laid

waste, the cattle driven away, and all the booty carried off which the

invaders could remove. Having thus succeeded in his immediate object.

Brant lost no time in leading his party back to the main body of his

warriors, whom he had left at Grassy Brook.

* * * * *

[FN-1] Minisink, for an inland American town, is very ancient. It is

situated about ten miles west of Goshen, in the County of Orange, (N. Y.)

on the Navisink river, and among what are called the Shawangunk

Mountains. It is bordered on the south-west by both the States of New

Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Wallkill also rises in this town. Its

history, previous to the war of the Revolution, is full of interest. A

severe battle was fought with the Indians in Minisink, July 22, 1669,

the bloody horrors of which yet live in the traditions of that

neighborhood.

[FN-2] Letter of Washington.

No sooner had the fugitives from Minisink arrived at Goshen with the

intelligence, than Dr. Tusten, the Colonel of the local militia, issued

orders to the officers of his command to meet him at Minisink on the

following day, with as many volunteers as they could raise. The order was

promptly obeyed, and a body of one hundred and forty-nine men met their

colonel at the designated rendezvous, at the time appointed--including

many of the principal gentlemen of the county. A council of war was held,

to determine upon the expediency of a pursuit. Colonel Tusten was himself

opposed to the proposition, with so feeble a command, and with the

certainty, if they overtook the enemy, of being obliged to encounter an

officer combining, with his acknowledged prowess, so much of subtlety as

characterized the movements of the Mohawk chief. His force, moreover, was

believed to be greatly superior to their's in numbers, and to include many

Tories as well acquainted with the country as themselves. The Colonel,

therefore, preferred waiting for the reinforcements which would be sure

soon to arrive, the more especially as the volunteers already with him

were but ill provided with arms and ammunition. Others, however, were for

immediate pursuit. They affected to hold the Indians in contempt, insisted

that they would not fight, and maintained that a re-capture of the plunder

they had taken would be an easy achievement. Town-meeting counsels, in the

conduct of war, are not usually the wisest, as will appear in the sequel.

The majority of Tusten's command were evidently determined to pursue the

enemy; but their deliberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who mounted

his horse, flourished his sword, and vauntingly called out--"Let the

brave men follow me, the cowards may stay behind!" It may readily be

supposed that such an appeal to an excited multitude would decide the

question, as it did. The line of march was immediately taken up, and after

proceeding seventeen miles the same evening, they encamped for the night.

On the morning of the 22d they were joined by a small reinforcement under

Colonel Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, who, as the senior of Colonel

Tusten, took the command. When they had advanced a few miles, to Halfway

Brook, they came upon the Indian encampment of the preceding night, and

another council was held there. Colonels Hathorn, Tusten, and others,

whose valor was governed by prudence, were opposed to advancing farther,

as the number of Indian fires, and the extent of ground they had occupied,

removed all doubt as to the superiority of their numbers. A scene similar

to that which had broken up the former council was acted at this place,

and with the same result. The voice of prudence was compelled to yield to

that of bravado.

Captain Tyler, who had some knowledge of the woods, was sent forward at

the head of a small scouting party, to follow the trail of the Indians,

and to ascertain, if possible, their movements; since it was evident that

they could not be far in advance. The Captain had proceeded but a short

distance before he fell from the fire of an unseen enemy. This

circumstance occasioned considerable alarm; but the volunteers,

nevertheless, pressed eagerly forward, and it was not long before they

emerged upon the hills of the Delaware, in full view of that river, upon

the eastern bank of which, at the distance of three-fourths of a mile,

the Indians were seen deliberately marching in the direction of a

fording-place near the mouth of the Lackawaxen. This discovery was made

at about 9 o'clock in the morning. The intention of Brant to cross at the

fording-place was evident; and it was afterward ascertained that his booty

had already been sent thither in advance.

The determination was immediately formed by Colonel Hathorn, to intercept

the enemy at the fording-place, for which purpose instant dispositions

were made. But, owing to intervening woods and hills, the opposing bodies

soon lost sight of each other, and an adroit movement on the part of Brant

gave him an advantage which it was impossible for the Americans to regain.

Anticipating the design of Hathorn, the moment the Americans were out of

sight Brant wheeled to the right, and by threading a ravine across which

Hathorn had passed, threw himself into his rear, by which means he was

enabled deliberately to select his ground for a battle and form an

ambuscade. Disappointed in not finding the enemy, the Americans were

brought to a stand, when the enemy disclosed himself partially, in a

quarter altogether unexpected. According to the American account, the

first shot was fired upon an Indian, who was known, and who was mounted

upon a horse stolen at Minisink. The Indian fell, and the firing soon

became general--the enemy contriving, in the early part of the engagement,

to cut off from the main body of Hathorn's troops a detachment comprising

one third of his whole number. The conflict was long and obstinate. The

number of the enemy being several times greater than that of the Goshen

militia, the latter were surrounded, and ultimately hemmed within the

circumference of an acre of ground. Being short of ammunition, Hathorn's

orders, in imitation of those of Putnam at Bunker Hill, were strict that

no man should fire until very sure that his powder would not be

lost. [FN-1] The battle commenced about 11 o'clock in the morning, and was

maintained until the going down of the sun; both parties fighting after

the Indian fashion, every man for himself, and the whole keeping up an

irregular fire from behind rocks and trees as best they could. About

sunset the ammunition of the militia was expended, and the survivors

attempted to retreat, but many of them were cut down. Doctor Tusten was

engaged behind a cliff of rocks in dressing the wounded when the retreat

commenced. There were seventeen disabled men under his care at the moment,

whose cries for protection and mercy were of the most moving description.

The Indians fell upon them, however, and they all, together with the

Doctor, perished under the tomahawk. Among the slain were many of the

first citizens of Goshen; and of the whole number that went forth, only

about thirty returned to tell the melancholy story. [FN-2] Several of the

fugitives were shot while attempting to escape by swimming the Delaware.

* * * * *

[FN-1] Putnam's order was--"Don't fire, boys, till you see the white of

their eyes."

[FN-2] Among the slain were Jones, Little, Duncan, Wisner, Vail,

Townsend, and Knapp. In 1822 the people of Orange County collected the

bones, which until then had been left to bleach on the battle-field, and

caused them to be buried. The funeral procession numbered twelve thousand

people, among whom was Major Poppino, one of the survivors of the

battle--then nearly one hundred years old. The author has to some extent

drawn upon the discourse of the Rev. Dr. Wilson, delivered on that

occasion, in writing this account of the battle.

Brant has been severely censured for the cruelties perpetrated, or alleged

to have been perpetrated, in this battle. He always maintained that he had

been unjustly blamed, and that his conduct had been the subject of unjust

reproach. He stated that, having ascertained that the Goshen militia were

in pursuit of him, determined to give him battle, he of course prepared

himself for their reception. Still, having obtained the supplies he

needed, his own object was accomplished. He also stated, that on the near

approach of the Americans, he rose, and presenting himself openly and

fairly to their view, addressed himself to their commanding officer, and

demanded their surrender--promising at the same time to treat them kindly

as prisoners of war. He assured them, frankly, that his force in ambush

was sufficient to overpower and destroy them; that then, before any blood

had been shed, he could control his warriors; but should the battle

commence, he could not answer for the consequences. But, he said, while he

was thus parleying with them, he was fired upon, and narrowly escaped

being shot down--the ball piercing the outer fold of his belt. Immediately

upon receiving the shot, he retired, and secreted himself among his

warriors. The militia, emboldened by his disappearance, seeing no other

enemy, and disbelieving what he had told them, rushed forward heedlessly

until they were completely within his power. In crossing a creek they had

broken their order, and before they could form again on the other side,

Brant gave the well-known signal of the war-whoop. Quick as the

lightning's flash, his dark cloud of warriors were upon their feet. Having

fired once, they sprang forward, tomahawk in hand. The conflict was fierce

and bloody. Few escaped, and several of the prisoners were killed. There

was one who during the battle saved himself by means which Brant said were

dishonorable. By some process or other, though not a Freemason, he had

acquired a knowledge of the master mason's grand hailing signal of

distress; and having been informed that Brant was a member of the

brotherhood, he gave the mystic sign. Faithful to his pledge, the

chieftain interposed and saved his life. Discovering the imposture

afterward, he was very indignant. Still, he spared his life, and the

prisoner ultimately returned to his friends after a long captivity. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] This version of the battle, as given by Brant, has been derived by

the author from the notes of conversations with the old chief, by Samuel

Woodruff, Esq. heretofore cited. The prisoner referred to as having been

saved by the erroneous supposition of Brant that he was a Freemason, was

the late Major Wood of Orange County. The Rev. Doctor Wilson gives the

following account of this incident:--"Major Wood of Orange County,

(N. Y.) was made a prisoner at the battle of Minisink, because Brant,

from an accidental sign, mistook him for a Freemason. On the evening

after the battle, when the 'monster' was about to tie him, he

remonstrated, said he was a gentleman, and promised not to escape. He was

not tied, but laid between two Indians; and told, that should he attempt

to escape he should be tomahawked. The blanket on which he lay took fire

in the night, and he dared not move, lest the tomahawk might sink into

his head, until the fire reached his feet, when he kicked it out. It was

Brant's blanket. Brant treated him very harshly ever after; and when

Major Wood asked him the reason, he replied, 'D--n you, you burnt my

blanket.' Major Wood was, for many years after the peace, a resident of

Orange County, and one of its most respectable citizens." Dr. Wilson

supposes that the Masonic signal was made by mere accident. It may have

been so; but the author has been told otherwise, and that one of the

first acts of his life, after his return, was to become a Freemason.

This he considered himself in honor bound to do. He also stated that he

had always felt mortified at the deception he had practised, and that

nothing could have been more withering than the scorn with which Brant

ever looked upon him afterward.

There was another occurrence of deep and thrilling interest connected with

this battle, the particulars of which were related in after-years by Brant

himself, while on a visit to the city of New-York. [FN-1] Among those who

were grievously wounded was Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Wisner, a gentleman

of great respectability, a magistrate, serving among the Goshen

volunteers. In surveying the battle-field, the situation of Wisner

arrested the attention of the Indian commander, who examined his

condition. The chief saw that he was wounded past hope of recovery, but

he was, nevertheless, in the full possession of his faculties, and was

even able to converse. Believing his case to be altogether beyond the

power of medical and surgical skill, and having no means of carrying him

away. Brant reflected a moment upon his own course of duty. He was

disposed to save his life if he could, and yet felt that it was

impossible. To leave him thus helpless and alone upon the field, in the

possession of his senses to a degree enabling him to appreciate all the

horrors of his situation, would be the height of cruelty. Added to which

was the moral certainty, that the wolves abounding in the forest, guided

by the scent of blood, would soon be gorging themselves alike upon the

wounded and the dead. The thought, therefore, that Wisner might be torn

in pieces while yet alive, seemed to him even more than savage cruelty.

Under these distressing circumstances and considerations, the chief argued

with himself that true humanity required a speedy termination of his

sufferings. Having formed this conclusion, the next point was to compass

his death without inflicting additional torture upon his feelings. With

this view he engaged Wisner in conversation, and while diverting his

attention, struck him dead in an instant, and unperceived, with his

hatchet. It was but a savage exhibition of humanity; but there was

benevolence in the intention, however strangely reasoned; and the motive

of the final blow is to be applauded, notwithstanding the shudder caused

by its contemplation. [FN-2]

* * * * *

[FN-1] Conversations of Brant with General Morgan Lewis, related by the

latter to the author.

[FN-2] The British account of this battle, published in New-York on the

18th of August, 1779, as received from "a person just arrived from Joseph

Brant and his brethren," stated that Brant had with him only sixty

Indians and twenty white men. Among the principal inhabitants killed, the

same account gave the following return: "Colonel Benjamin Tustan, Jr.,

Captain Samuel Jones, Captain John Little, Captain John Wood, Captain

Duncan, Captain Benjamin Vail, Captain Reat Tyler, Adjutant Nathaniel

Frink, Lieutenant Benjamin Dunning, Lieutenant Samuel Knapp, Lieutenant

John Wood, Lieutenant Abraham Shepherd, Justice Gabriel Weisner, Justice

Gilbert Vail, Justice Roger Townsend, Justice William Barker,

Commissioner James Knapp, Commissioner James Mashier. Wounded, Major

Hans Decker, Major Samuel Meeker, of the Minisink militia. Out of one

hundred and forty-nine that went out, thirty returned--missing one

hundred and nineteen."--_Vide Almon's Remembrancer, vol. vi. p._ 276.

From Minisink, by a rapid movement, Brant fell upon a settlement on the

south side of the Mohawk, where, on the 2d of August, he made a few

prisoners--the name of one of whom was House. This man, with his

companions, was carried back into the woods, and left in charge of the

Indians, while Brant, with four of his warriors, went off upon some secret

enterprise. On the fourth day after his absence, he returned, attended by

his four warriors, but on horseback himself, having been wounded in the

foot by a musket shot. The wound, however, was not like that of Achilles,

in the heel, but by a buck-shot in the ball of the great toe--and

therefore in a place less equivocal for a soldier's honor. They then

commenced their march in the direction of Tioga; but as House became too

lame by walking to continue the journey on foot, the Indians proposed

killing him. To this Brant objected; and having been acquainted with House

before the war, he released him on condition of his taking an oath of

neutrality, which was written by the chief in the Indian language. House

signed the oath, and Brant witnessed it. He was then released, and being

somewhere in the vicinity of Otsego Lake, where General Clinton was then

making preparations for his celebrated descent of the Susquehanna, House

came into Clinton's camp on the 8th of August--the day previous to his

embarkation. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] MS. letter of General James Clinton to Governor Clinton, his

brother.

Contemporaneously with these occurrences, and while, as will subsequently

appear, the attention of the American officers was directed to more

important movements, the Indians and Tories once more broke in upon the

Pennsylvania border, in Northampton, Lyconia, and the neighborhood of

Sunbury. In a succession of petty affairs between the 1st and 21st of

July, several neighborhoods were destroyed and mills burnt. On the 17th,

all the principal houses in the township of Munsey were burnt. Two persons

were killed on that day, and four had been killed a few days previous,

besides several taken prisoners. On the 20th, three men were killed by a

small party hovering about Freeland's Fort, situated on the West branch

of the Susquehanna, seventeen miles from Sunbury. On the 28th, five days

after the affair of Minisink, this little defence, which was garrisoned

by only thirty men, and about fifty women and children who had sought

refuge within its walls, was invested by one of the McDonalds, at the head

of two hundred Indians, and one hundred troops calling themselves

regulars. But, although wearing the British uniform, it was believed that

they were American loyalists. The enemy met with less resistance during

this irruption than would have been the case, but for the circumstance

that the greater part of the men had been drafted for the boat service of

General Sullivan, who was then at Wyoming, preparing to enter the Seneca

country. Fort Freeland was too weak of itself, and too weakly garrisoned,

to hold out long against such a disparity of force. Captain Hawkins Boone,

a brave officer, stationed with thirty men at a distance of some miles,

marched to the relief of the fort immediately on hearing of the

investment. The garrison had surrendered before his arrival. Boone

nevertheless gave battle to the enemy; but, overpowered by numbers, he was

slain, together with eighteen of his men, whose scalps were carried as

trophies into the fort. Two other officers. Captains Dougherty and

Hamilton, were also killed. By the terms of capitulation, McDonald

stipulated to spare the women and children, and allow them to depart. The

fort, and the houses in its vicinity, were then burnt. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] Almon's Remembrancer--article from Philadelphia.

Meantime the Shawanese were continuing their depredations upon the Ohio

border of Virginia, with results certainly not unfavorable to the former.

Colonel Boon being absent in North Carolina, Colonel Bowman led an

expedition of one hundred and sixty men, in July, against the Shawanese

of Old Chilicothe. Although Bowman fell upon the Indians suddenly, and

without knowledge on their part of his approach, they nevertheless fought

him bravely for several hours, and compelled him to retreat. Falling back

thirty miles, Bowman made a stand, and was shortly overtaken by the

Indians with augmented numbers. Another engagement ensued, which, during

the first two hours, promised no advantage to the forces of Bowman.

Colonel Harrod then proposed to mount a number of men upon horses and make

a cavalry charge. The suggestion was adopted, and the expedient succeeded.

The Indians fought with remarkable fury, but were, nevertheless, broken,

and compelled to fly in all directions. [FN]

* * * * *

[FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone.

With these incidents closes the present volume. The second will open with

a narrative of the most formidable Indian campaign undertaken during the

contest for American Independence.

* * * * *

NOTE.

It is desirable that the present note should be read in connection with

the sixth chapter of this volume, containing the account of General

Schuyler's expedition to Johnstown in February, 1776, for the purpose of

disarming the Tories of Tryon County, and of arresting Sir John Johnson.

The immediate causes of that expedition, aside from the information of a

wretch named Connell, do not appear with sufficient distinctness to divest

the proceedings of General Schuyler of a character almost of harshness.

But while the author has entertained little, if any, doubt, that Congress

had good and sufficient reasons for directing the expedition, and Schuyler

for his energetic execution of his orders, the reasons for the urgency of

the movement have never transpired. Since the preceding sheets were from

the press, however, the author has received copies of certain documents

from the archives of the British Government, which reflect all the light

upon the subject that can be desired. After the perusal of these papers,

the propriety of the measure, if it ever has been, can no longer be

questioned:--

"Governor Tryon to Lord George Germaine.

"_On board H. B. M. Ship, Dutchess of Gordon,

New-York Harbor,_ 3d _Jan._ 1776.

"My Lord,

"The gentleman who delivered me the enclosed letter from Sir John Johnson,

assured me that by Government's complying with its contents, Sir John

could muster five hundred Indians to support the cause of government, and

that these, with a body of regulars, might retake the forts. If Sir John

had the title of Superintendent of Indian Affairs, it would give the

greatest weight to his Majesty's Indian affairs--the Indians having the

greatest affection for the son of their late benefactor. I wish your

Lordship may think as favorably of Sir John's proposals as I do," &c. &c.

[Enclosure in the above.]

"Sir John Johnson to Governor Tryon.

"Sir--I hope the occasion and intention of this letter may plead my

excuse for the liberty I take, in introducing to your Excellency the

bearer hereof, Captain Allan McDonnell, who will inform you of many

particulars which cannot at this time be safely communicated in writing.

The distracted and convulsed state that this unhappy county is now worked

up to, and the situation that I am in here, together with the many

obligations our family owe to the best of sovereigns, induce me to fall

upon a plan that may, I hope, be of service to the country, the propriety

of which I entirely submit to your Excellency's better judgment,

depending on that friendship which you have been pleased to honor me with,

for your advice on, and representation to His Majesty, of what I propose.

Having consulted with all my friends in this quarter, among whom are many

old and good officers, I have come to the resolution of forming a

battalion, and have named all the officers, most of whom have a good deal

of interest in their respective neighborhoods, and have seen a great

number of men ready to complete the plan. We must, however, not think of

stirring, until support and supplies of many necessaries to enable us to

carry our design into execution are received--all which Mr. McDonnell will

inform your Excellency of I make not the least doubt of the success of

this plan, should we be supported in time. As to news, I must beg leave

to refer you to Mr. McDonnell, who will inform you of every thing that

has been done in Canada, that has come to our knowledge. As I find by the

papers you are soon to sail for England, I despair of having the pleasure

to pay my respects to you, but most sincerely wish you an agreeable

voyage, and a happy sight of your family and friends.

"I am, your Excellency's

Most obedient, humble servant,

John Johnson."

It was beyond doubt the organization and other preparations indicated in

the preceding letter, some knowledge of which must have transpired, that

induced Congress to direct the expedition into Tryon County, referred to

above, which was so vigorously executed by General Schuyler, as narrated

in the sixth chapter of the present volume. And the same Allan McDonnell,

who, with Sir John Johnson, was one of the negotiators with General

Schuyler on that occasion, was the secret emissary sent by Sir John, one

month before, to negotiate with Governor Tryon. Thus the whole matter in

respect to that expedition is explained.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

* * * * *

No. I.

[Reference from the Introduction.]

[The following is the article referred to in the text. It is extracted

from Almon's American Remembrancer, (a work purporting to be an authentic

collection of facts, published in London during the Revolutionary War,)

for the year 1782, Vol. 14, page 185. It was long supposed to be

authentic, but has since been ascertained to be a publication from the pen

of Doctor Franklin, written for political purposes.]

_Extract of a letter from Captain Gerrisk, of the New-England militia,

dated Albany, March_ 7_th,_ 1782.

The peltry taken in the expedition will, as you see, amount to a good deal

of money. The possession of this booty at first gave us pleasure; but we

were struck with horror to find among the packages eight large ones,

containing scalps of our unhappy folks taken in the three last years by

the Seneca Indians, from the inhabitants of the frontiers of New-York,

New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and sent by them as a present to

Col. Haldiman, Governor of Canada, in order to be by him transmitted to

England. They were accompanied by the following curious letter to that

gentleman:--

"_Tioga, January_ 3_d,_ 1782.

"May it please your Excellency,

"At the request of the Seneca chiefs, I send herewith to your Excellency,

under the care of James Boyd, eight packs of scalps, cured, dried, hooped,

and painted with all the Indian triumphal marks, of which the following

is invoice and explanation.

"No. 1. Containing 43 scalps of Congress soldiers, killed in different

skirmishes; these are stretched on black hoops, four inch diameter;

the inside of the skin painted red, with a small black spot to note

their being killed with bullets. Also 62 of farmers, killed in their

houses; the hoops red; the skin painted brown, and marked with a hoe;

a black circle all round to denote their being surprised in the night;

and a black hatchet in the middle, signifying their being killed with

that weapon.

"No. 2. Containing 98 of farmers, killed in their houses; hoops red;

figure of a hoe, to mark their profession; great white circle and sun,

to show they were surprised in the day-time; _a little red foot,_ to

show they stood upon their defence, and died fighting for their lives

and families.

"No. 3. Containing 97 of farmers; hoops green, to show they were killed

in their fields; a large white circle with a little round mark on it

for the sun, to show that it was in the daytime; black bullet mark on

some--hatchet on others.

"No 4. Containing 102 of farmers, mixed of the several marks above; only

18 marked with a little yellow flame, to denote their being of

prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped, their nails pulled out by

the roots, and other torments; one of these latter supposed to be of a

rebel clergyman, his band being fixed to the hoop of his scalp. Most

of the farmers appear by the hair to have been young or middle aged

men; their being but 67 very gray heads among them all; which makes

the service more essential.

"No. 5. Containing 88 scalps of women; hair long, braided in the Indian

fashion, to show they were mothers; hoops blue; skin yellow ground,

with little red tadpoles, to represent, by way of triumph, the tears

of grief occasioned to their relations; a black scalping-knife or

hatchet at the bottom, to mark their being killed with those

instruments; 17 others, hair very gray; black hoops; plain brown

colour, no mark but the short club or cassetete, to show they were

knocked down dead, or had their brains beat out.

"No. 6. Containing 193 boys' scalps, of various ages; small green hoops;

whitish ground on the skin, with red tears in the middle, and black

bullet marks, knife, hatchet, or club, as their deaths happened.

"No. 7. 211 girls scalped, big and little; small yellow hoops; white

ground; tears, hatchet, club, scalping-knife, &c.

"No. 8. This package is a mixture of all the varieties above-mentioned,

to the number of 122; with a box of birch bark, containing 29 little

infants' scalps of various sizes; small white hoops; white ground.

"With these packs the Chiefs send to your Excellency the following speech,

delivered by Coneiogatchie, in council, interpreted by the elder Moore,

the trader, and taken down by me in writing.

"'_Father!_--We send you herewith many scalps, that you may see that we are

not idle friends. A blue belt.

"'_Father!_--We wish you to send these scalps over the water to the Great

King, that he may regard them and be refreshed; and that he may see our

faithfulness in destroying his enemies, and be convinced that his presents

have not been made to ungrateful people. A blue and white belt with red

tassels.

"'_Father!_--Attend to what I am now going to say; it is a matter of much

weight. The great King's enemies are many, and they grow fast in number.

They were formerly like young panthers; they could neither bite nor

scratch; we could play with them safely; we feared nothing they could do

to us. But now their bodies are become big as the elk, and strong as the

buffalo, they have also got great and sharp claws. They have driven us out

of our country by taking part in your quarrel. We expect the great King

will give us another country, that our children may live after us, and be

his friends and children as we are.--Say this for us to the great King.

To enforce it, we give this belt. A great white belt with blue tassels.

"'_Father!_--We have only to say further, that your traders exact more than

ever for their goods; and our hunting is lessened by the war, so that we

have fewer skins to give for them. This ruins us. Think of some remedy.

We are poor, and you have plenty of every thing. We know you will send us

powder and guns, and knives, and hatchets; but we also want shirts and

blankets. A little white belt.'

"I do not doubt but that your Excellency will think it proper to give some

further encouragement to those honest people. The high prices they

complain of, are the necessary effect of the war. Whatever presents may be

sent for them through my hands shall be distributed with prudence and

fidelity. I have the honour of being

"Your Excellency's most obedient,

And most humble servant,

JAMES CRAUFURD,"

No. II.

[Reference from Page 104.]

Account of the treaty held at Albany, in August 1775, with the Six

Nations, by the Commissioners of the Twelve United Colonies, met at

General Congress at Philadelphia.

The Commissioners on the part of the Colonies, were Major General Philip

Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott,

and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. After the adjournment from German Flats, and the

arrival of the Indians at Albany, as stated in the text, the following

proceedings were had.

At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs in the

northern department, held at Albany on Wednesday, the 23d August, 1775.

Present:

Gen. Schuyler, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw.

Resolved, unanimously, that the Indians of the Six Nations be invited to

receive our congratulations on their safe arrival here; that it be at five

o'clock this afternoon; that the committee of the city of Albany and the

principal gentlemen of the place be requested to accompany the

Commissioners; and that the following letters be wrote for that purpose

to the chairman of the committee.

_Albany,_ 22_d August,_ 1775.

Gentlemen.--Your generous exertions to support the American cause against

the nefarious schemes of a wicked and profligate ministry, the propriety

with which you have conducted those Indian affairs that have become the

subject of your consideration, a consciousness that without your aid, and

that of gentlemen of the town conversant in those matters, the important

business of the ensuing conference cannot be so properly conducted as our

zeal for the service makes us wish, are so many motives which point out

to us the necessity of calling on you and those gentlemen for your aid

and advice; which we entreat you will give us without reserve; and be

assured that it will be attended to with all that deference that is due

to your respectable body and to their good judgment. We propose to pay a

visit this afternoon at five o'clock to the Indians. We beg the favor of

the committee to honor us with their company, as so respectable a body

will greatly add to the complimentary visit we mean to pay them. We shall

go from Cartwright's, and shall take it as a favor if the gentlemen of the

town, who are not of the committee, would be pleased to go with us.

We are, gentlemen, with great respect,

Your most humble servants,

P. Schuyler,

Volkert P. Douw,

Turbot Francis.

To which the committee returned the following answer:--

Gentlemen,--Your polite invitation for us to join in paying a

complimentary visit to the Indians this afternoon at five o'clock, we

accept of, and shall for that purpose attend at Cartwright's at the hour

appointed.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants.

By order of the committee,

Abraham Yates, Jr. _Chairman._

The sachems and warriors of the Six Nations being assembled, the

Commissioners, attended by the committee and principal gentlemen of the

city of Albany, met them, and addressed them as follows:--

Brethren op the Six Nations,--We, the deputies appointed by the Twelve

United Colonies, the decendants of Quedar, [FN] and the gentlemen of the

city of Albany, congratulate you on your arrival here. They are glad to

see you well, and thank the great God that he suffers us to meet.

* * * * *

[FN] "Quedar," the name which the Indians had given Governor

Stuyvesant--being probably, the result of their effort to pronounce the

name "Peter."

* * * * *

At a meeting of the Commissioners for transacting Indian affairs for the

northern department held at the city of Albany, on Tuesday, 25th of

August, 1775. Present:

Gen. Schuyler, Col. Wolcott, Col. Francis, Mr. Douw.

The following message was sent to the committee of the city of Albany:--

_Albany,_ 25_th August,_ 1775.

Gentlemen,--The Commissioners of Indian affairs are to open the treaty

with the Six Nations this morning, about eleven, at the Dutch church. They

request the favor of your attendance, and that of the principal gentlemen

of the town, and would wish, previous to the meeting, to be honored with

your company at Cartwright's.

To Abraham Yates, Jr. Esq. Chairman of the committee of Albany.

The chairman and committee attended agreeable to invitation.

In the course of their interview with the Commissioners this day, the

Indians stated that they had some business to transact with the people of

Albany, with whom they were desirous of having an interview before

proceeding with the main object for which the Council had been convened.

They therefore requested a day for that purpose. The request was

granted--a meeting of the citizens of Albany was held immediately, at

which Walter Livingston, Jeremiah Van Renselaer, and Dr. Samuel Stringer

were appointed a committee to hold the preliminary council with the

Indians. The interview took place on the same evening, when Seaghnagerat,

an Oneida sachem, opened the proceedings by the following speech:--

"Brothers of Albany:--We beg you will acquaint us when your body is

complete.

"Brothers of Albany:--The day is now come that we have arrived in

consequence of your invitation. When you saw four of the Oneida Nations,

you said you was glad to see them at your Council Chamber. We are now here

in consequence thereof. You told us you would be glad to see us

again--that you rejoiced to see them, and that you would open the ashes,

and rekindle the old council-fire at Albany. We are glad to see that some

of the sparks of that old council-fire yet remain. We rejoice, even to

excess, to find it so.

"Brothers attend!--I have one addition to make to what passed between four

of the Oneida Nation and you, when last at your Council Chamber. When you

found from our conference with your brothers at the German Flats, that our

sentiments of public affairs so much coincided with yours, you farther

told us that all the governments of America on the sea-coasts were anxious

to know whether we were disposed to peace, and that you, the Twelve United

Colonies, were resolved to support your civil constitution and liberties,

and you rejoiced to find that we all so firmly resolved to maintain peace.

"Brothers of Albany:--You farther observed. In the intercourse you had

with four of the Oneida Nation, that you greatly rejoiced at the

conference you had at the German Flats. You farther said that you was

surprised about a letter Guy Johnson had received from the chief warrior,

General Gage, about removing the ministers from among us. That you

rejoiced that the Indians were instructed in the Christian religion, and

that the ministers that were among us might continue.

"Brothers of Albany, attend!--We have something further yet to relate of

your speech. You desired, at the intercourse you had with the four

messengers, that we should acquaint the Six Nations with your speech, and

that thereafter three or four of each Nation should come down. You farther

said that you would have been glad to have attended at the council-fire

at Guy Johnson's to hear what he should say to the Indians, and see if his

sentiments and yours should coincide. But you then soon heard that he had

removed from there to Fort Stanwix, from there to Oswego; that you

despaired of hearing any thing from him, and therefore desired us that we

would let you know what was done at that fire.

"Brothers, attend!--You made another proposal at the intercourse you had

with four of our Nation, which was this:--that you had heard that there

was to be a council of the whole of our Nation at the German Flats, you

desired our people that they would let you know what passed between us

and them. Our delegates, in our names, then told you that it would be more

agreeable that two or more of your members should attend, and hear

themselves what passed there. This, brethren, is the substance of what

passed between you and the four of the Oneida Nation.

"Brothers of Albany, attend!--We now, upon this day, going through with

what passed between some of your members and us, when the conference ended

at German Flats. You said--Brothers, let us both endeavor to keep peace,

that we may continue to enjoy its blessings. We desire not that you should

trouble yourselves in the least with these disputes between us and those

over the great waters; only exert yourselves in maintaining the covenant

that was made between your and our forefathers, at this place of our

council-fire. Your delegates told us at the German Flats, that, although

you should be drove back from the sea-coast by your enemies, yet you would

not ask our aid.

"Brothers of Albany, farther attend!--Two things more you delivered at the

German Flats. The first was this;--That we, the Oneida Nation, should give

a kind ear to your speech; you then produced two ancient belts of

wampum,--one of twenty rows, which was the old covenant between the whole

Oneida Nation and _Quedar-Gorah;_ another that was given by the Six

Nations, by the Indian called _Kayinguaraghtoh,_ of the Seneca Nation; you

also said that these belts should again be produced for the inspection of

the whole Six Nations at the intended council-fire to be re-kindled at

Albany.

"Brothers of Albany:--We have now finished the principal subjects that

passed between you and us, the Oneida Nation; and we, all of us, the Six

Nations, are here now present, to hear what has passed, and to prevent any

false reports that may be propagated by news carriers.

"Brothers of Albany, now attend!--You, also, the commissioners who are

here present, lend your ears and hear our voice. You, our brothers of

Albany, have desired the sentiments of the Six Nations. We, the Six

Nations and our allies, which extend to Detroit, Ohio, and Caughnawaga,

upon our first hearing the bad news that circulated along the eastern

shore of this island, assembled and resolved upon a union amongst us,

Indians, and to maintain peace; and we rejoice that nothing more has been

asked of us. There is nothing different in our minds than what we have now

told. We shall not take notice of any hostile propositions that may be

made to us, for we bear an equal proportion of love to you and the others

over the great waters in the present dispute; and we shall remain at

peace and smoke our pipes; and the Six Nations will always keep the path

open, and we call God to witness to the truth of what we now say, and it

proceeds from our hearts.

"[_A belt of eight rows._]

"Brothers of Albany, now attend, and incline your ears to what we have now

to say:--

"We, the Six Nations, have heard the voice of a bird called Tskleleli, a

news carrier, that came among us. It has told us that the path at the

western communication, by Fort Stanwix, would be shut up, either by the

one party or the other. Brothers, let it not be; and let the communication

be open for passing and repassing, and let not our country be stained with

blood, and be always compassionate to the old women, and let the young

ones grow up and enjoy the blessings of peace. Brothers, let not that

passage be shut up by you, but confine yourselves to the dispute to the

eastward; for this western communication lays near our council-fire, and

the consequence might be fatal. Indeed, Brothers, your language and Col.

Guy Johnson's coincides, in some things, with one another; and the party

that applies to us to shut up that passage we will look upon as deceivers

and transgressors; and we despise a double-dealer from our hearts, and

whom we look upon God Almighty will hereafter punish as such. And we hope

that when you give your answer, you will speak from the integrity of your

hearts, as we now have done.

"[_A belt of fifteen rows._]

"Brothers of Albany, attend!--The Five Nations just now said they would

open their minds in full to you,--they would tell you every thing they

brought with them. This Belt respects the letter Guy Johnson received from

General Gage, concerning the removal of the ministers from among us. Our

father, the minister who stands here, we love, [FN] we love him

exceedingly. Perhaps, in a little time, he may be wrested from us, carried

off like a prisoner. Our hearts tremble for him--we tremble greatly. He

has been threatened; and should he be taken, it might overthrow the whole

Five Nations. Our brothers, the white people, would, perhaps, say that the

Oneida Nation had delivered up their minister, and that the Six Nations

did not regard their missionaries. But, truly, we regard our father, the

minister, and missionaries; therefore, we propose to your consideration,

whether it be not wise that the missionaries retire for a little while;

particularly our father, the minister, Mr. Kirkland, should reside a short

space with his family, as we hope this quarrel cannot subsist long,

because you are brothers, both of one nation and blood, and we hope it

will soon be settled; and when a reconciliation takes place, let our

missionaries immediately return to us; this, however, we refer to your

consideration, and leave at your pleasure. Now, Brethren, we have

unburthened our minds, and opened our bosoms, and delivered what we had

to say."

* * * * *

[FN] Rev. Mr. Kirkland.

To which the Albanian Committee made the following reply:

"Brothers of the Six Nations!--We thank you for your speech. The

Commissioners appointed by the Twelve United Colonies, and with our

consent, will first transact business with you; after they have done, we

will answer your speech."

At a treaty began and held with the Indians of the Six United Nations at

the city of Albany, on Friday, the 25th of August, 1775--Present--

Gen. Schuyler, Col. Oliver Wolcott, Col. Turbot Francis, Volkert P. Douw,

Commissioners; the Chairman and Committee, and principal inhabitants of

the city of Albany. The proceedings were opened by the Oneida sachem,

Seaghnagerat, by the following speech:--

"Brothers:--We acquainted you yesterday evening, that we should first

speak to our brethren, the Committee of Albany. We have done so, and have

opened our whole minds to them.

"Brothers:--When we met two of your body at the German Flats, they

presented these strings to us, and invited us to come down to Albany, and

kindle up a great council-fire of peace, under the auspices of the Twelve

United Colonies. Now, as these strings have never been changed, we return

them to you again, and desire that the great council-fire of peace may be

kindled up.

"Brothers:--You desired us to shut our ears, and fortify our minds against

any evil reports that we might hear on our way down, and to pay no regard

to what any liars and ill-disposed persons might say to us, as they would

only mean to sow dissension between us and our brothers of the Twelve

United Colonies.

"Brothers:--Our minds are proof against the attempts of such wicked

persons. Now, Brothers, let us give you a little advice on our parts.

There are liars and mischief-makers among the Indians, as well as amongst

the white people. Therefore pay no regard to this or that that any single

Indian may say, but attend to what you may hear from the mouth of our

great council; for that will be the truth, and the sense of all the Six

United Nations."

The Commissioners then replied in the following words:--

"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors of the Six Nations!--We return thanks to

the Great God that has suffered us to meet together this day, in love,

peace, and friendship. In token of which we will now sit down and smoke

the pipe of peace together."

[Here the great calumet was lighted up, and went round; after which the

Commissioners proceeded:--]

"Brothers:--We, the deputies appointed by and in the name of the Twelve

United Colonies, assisted by the descendants of your ancient friend

Quedar, and your Albany brethren, embrace this opportunity to rekindle the

ancient council-fire, which formerly burnt as bright as the sun in this

place, and to heap on it so much fuel that it may never be extinguished;

and also to renew the ancient covenant chain with you, which you know has

always been kept bright and clean, without any stain or rust; and which

by this belt we now strengthen, that for ever hereafter you and we may

have but one heart, one head, one eye, and one hand.

"[_A belt._]

"Brethren:--Our business with you, besides kindling the ancient

council-fire, and renewing the covenant and brightening up every link of

the chain, is, in the first place, to inform you of the advice that was

given, about thirty years ago, by your wise forefathers, in a great

council which they held at Lancaster in Pennsylvania, when Cannassateego

spoke to us in these very words. [FN] 'Brethren, we, the Six Nations,

heartily recommend unison and a good agreement between you, our brethren.

Never disagree, but preserve a strict friendship for one another; and

thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger. Our wise forefathers

established unison and amity between the Five Nations. This has made us

formidable; this has given us great weight and authority with our

neighboring nations. We are a powerful confederacy; and if you observe the

same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh

strength and power. Therefore, whatever befalls you, never fall out with

one another.' These were the words of Cannassateego."

* * * * *

[FN] See Colden's History of the Five Nations, and Massachusetts

Historical Collection, for an account of the treaty referred to--1744.

"Brothers:--Our forefathers rejoiced to hear Cannassateego speak these

words. They sunk deep into their hearts. The advice was good. It was kind.

They said to one another, 'The Six nations are a wise people. Let us

hearken to them, and take their counsel, and teach our children to follow

it. Our old men have done so.' They have frequently taken a single arrow,

and said--'Children, see how easy it is broken.' Then they have taken and

tied twelve arrows together with a strong string, and our strongest men

could not break them. 'See,' said they, 'this is what the Six Nations

mean. Divided, a single man may destroy you. United, you are a match for

the whole world.' We thank the Great God that we are all united; that we

have a strong confederacy, composed of twelve provinces. [FN] These

provinces have lighted a great council-fire at Philadelphia, and have sent

sixty-five counselors to speak and act in the name of the whole, and

consult for the common good of the people, and of you, our brethren of the

Six Nations, and your allies; the talk of this great council we shall

deliver to you to-morrow."

* * * * *

[FN] Which were enumerated.

The Council having resumed business on the 26th, the proceedings were

opened by the Commissioners in the following manner:--

"Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors!--Let this string open your ears to hear,

and incline your hearts to accept, the talk of the Twelve United Colonies,

which they have sent to you by their deputies. They speak as follows:--

"'Brothers Sachems, and Warriors:--We, the delegates from the Twelve

United Provinces, viz.. New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island,

Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties of

Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North

Carolina and South Carolina, now sitting in general congress at

Philadelphia, send this talk to you, our brothers. We are sixty-five in

number, chosen and appointed by the people throughout all these provinces

and colonies, to meet and sit together in one great council, to consult

together for the common good of the land, and speak and act for them.

"'Brothers:--In our consultation we have judged it proper and necessary

to send you this talk, as we are upon the same island, that you may be

informed of the reasons of this great council, the situation of our civil

constitution, and our disposition toward you, our Indian brothers of the

Six Nations, and their allies.

"[_Three strings, or a small belt._]

"'Brothers and Friends, now attend!--When our fathers crossed the great

waters and came over to this land, the King of England gave them a talk;

assuring them that they and their children should be his children, and

that if they would leave their native country and make settlements, and

live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the

water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant chain and enjoy

peace. And it was covenanted that the fields, houses, goods, and

possessions, which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them as

their own, and be their children's for ever, and at their sole disposal.

"'Trusting that this covenant should never be broken, our fathers came a

great distance beyond the water, laid out their money here, built houses,

cleared fields, raised crops, and through their own labor and industry

grew tall and strong.

"'They have bought, sold, and traded with England, according to agreement;

sending to them such things as they wanted, and taking in exchange such

things as are wanted here. The King of England and his people kept the

way open for more than one hundred years, and by our trade became richer,

and by a union with us, greater and stronger than the other kings and

people who live beyond the water.

"'All this time they lived in great friendship with us, and we with them;

for we are brothers--one blood.

"'Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as though the blow had been

given to us--their enemies were our enemies.

"'Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to stand by their side and

fight for them, and our money to help them and make them strong. That we

have done this, Brothers, you have been all witnesses to in the last war.

You know we assisted them in taking Niagara, Cataroqui, Ticonderoga, Crown

Point, and Canada; and lastly, when they had no more enemies upon this

island, we went to fight, and helped them to take many large islands that

lay in the hot countries, where they got more than thirty cart-loads of

silver. They thanked us for our love, and sent us good tokens, and renewed

their promise to be our people for ever; and when the war was over, they

said, children, we thank you that you have helped to make us great. We

know that it has cost you a great deal of money; and therefore, children,

we give you a present, that you may maintain your warriors.

"'Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear.--We will now tell you of the

quarrel betwixt the counselors of King George and the habitants and

colonies of America.

"'Many of his counselors are proud and wicked men. They persuade the King

to break the covenant chain, and not to send us any more good talks. A

considerable number have prevailed upon him to enter into a new covenant

against us, and have torn asunder and cast behind their backs the good

old covenant which their ancestors and ours entered into and took strong

hold of.

"'They now tell us, they will slip their hands into our pocket without

asking, as though it were their own; and at their pleasure they will take

from us our charters or written civil constitution, which we love as our

lives; also our plantations, our houses, and goods, whenever they please,

without asking our leave. That our vessels may go to _this_ island in the

sea, but to _this_ or _that_ particular island we shall not trade any more.

And, in case of our non-compliance with these new orders, they shut up

our harbors.

"'Brothers:--This is our present situation--thus have many of the King's

counselors and servants dealt with us. If we submit, or comply with their

demands, you can easily perceive to what a state we will be reduced. If

our people labor on the field, they will not know who shall enjoy the

crop; if they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who shall taste of

the meat or have the skins; if they build houses, they will not know

whether they may sit round the fire with their wives and children; they

cannot be sure whether they shall be permitted to eat, drink, and wear

the fruits of their own labor and industry.

"'Brothers and Friends of the Six Nations, attend!--We upon this island

have often spoke and intreated the King, and his servants the counselors,

that peace and harmony might still continue between us; that we cannot

part with, or lose our hold of, the old covenant chain, which united our

fathers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain, and keep the way

open as our fathers did; that we want to live with them as brothers;

labor, trade, travel abroad, eat and drink in peace. We have often asked

them to love us, and live in such friendship with us as their fathers did

with ours.

"'We told them again, that we judged we were exceedingly injured, that

they might as well kill us as take away our property and the necessaries

of life. We have asked why they treat us thus? What has become of our

repeated addresses and supplications to them? Who hath shut the ears of

the King to the cries of his children in America? No soft answer--no

pleasant voice from beyond the waters has yet sounded in our ears.

"'Brothers,--Thus stands the matter betwixt Old England and America. You,

Indians, know how things are proportioned in a family between the father

and the son--England we regard as the father, this island may be compared

as the son.

"'The father has a numerous family, both at home and upon this island; he

appoints a great number of servants to assist him in the government of his

family; in process of time, some of his servants grow proud and

ill-natured--they were displeased to see the boy so alert, and walk on so

nimbly with his pack; they tell the father, and advise him to enlarge this

child's pack--they prevail; the pack is increased, the child takes it up

again; as he thought it might be the father's pleasure, speaks but few

words, those very small, for he was loath to offend the father. Those

proud and wicked servants, finding they had prevailed, laughed to see the

boy sweat and stagger under his increased load. By and by they apply to

the father to double the boy's pack, because they heard him complain; and

without any reason said they, he is a cross child, correct him if he

complains any more. The boy intreats the father, and addresses the great

servants in a decent manner that the pack might be lightened; he could not

go any farther; humbly asks if the old fathers, in any of their records,

had described such a pack for the child; after all the tears and

intreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled; the child stands a little

while staggering under the weight, ready to fall every moment; however, he

intreats the father once more, though so faint he could only lisp out his

last humble supplication--waits awhile--no voice returns. The child

concludes the father could not hear--those proud servants had intercepted

his supplications or stopped the ears of the father. He therefore gives

one struggle and throws off the pack, and says he cannot take it up again,

such a weight will crush him down and kill him, and he can but die if he

refuses.

"'Upon this, those servants are very wroth, and tell the father many false

things respecting the child; they bring a great cudgel to the father,

asking him to take it in his hand and strike the child.

"'This may serve to illustrate the present condition of the King's

American subjects or children.

"'Amidst these oppressions, we now and then heard a mollifying and

reviving voice from some of the King's wise counselors, who are our

friends and feel our distresses; when they heard our complaints and our

cries, they applied to the King; they also told those wicked servants that

this child in America was not a cross boy; it had sufficient reason for

crying; and if the cause of its complaint was neglected, it would soon

assume the voice of a man, plead for justice like a man, defend its

rights, and support the old covenant chain of their fathers.

"'Brothers, listen!--Notwithstanding all our intreaties, we have but

little hope the King will send us any more good talks by reason of his

evil counselors; they have persuaded him to send an army of soldiers, and

many ships of war, to rob and destroy us. They have shut up many of our

harbors, seized and taken into possession many of our vessels; the

soldiers have struck the blow, killed some of our people; the blood now

runs of the American children; they have also burned our houses and towns,

and taken much of our goods.

"[_A black belt._]