The Six United _Indian_ Nations, and other _Indian_ Nations, depending
on the Province of _N E W-Y O R K_.
Held at _A L B A N Y_ in the Months of _August_ and _September_, 1746.
_A_ T R E A T Y _between his Excellency the Governor of the Province of_
New-York, _and the_ Six Nations, _and other_ Indian _Nations, depending
on said Province._
It is well known in the Province of _New-York_, that the _Six Nations_
of _Indians_ depending on this Province, (called _Iroquois_ by the
_French_) had lately on several Occasions, appear'd dissatisfied and
wavering in their Fidelity to the _British_ Crown. No doubt, this was
principally occasion'd by the Artifices of the _French_ of _Canada_, who
had constantly Emissaries among them: But at the same Time there is
Reason to think, the suspicious Behaviour of these Nations, in Favour of
their once inveterate Enemy the _French_, could not have arriv'd to the
Pitch it did, otherwise than by some Neglects or Misconduct of those who
were entrusted by the Government of _New-York_ with the Management of
the _Indian_ Affairs.
His Excellency the Governor of _New-York_, having received his Majesty's
Commands, to engage the _Indian_ Nations depending on his Government, to
join in the Expedition then intended against _Canada_, and to make them
the usual Presents on that Occasion; and being sensible of the great Use
these _Nations_ might be to the Success of this Enterprize, and likewise
of the Difficulties that probably might attend his Endeavours at this
Time, was desirous to have had the Assistance of as many of the Members
of his Majesty's Council as the Circumstances of Affairs would permit;
but they all declined to give their Attendance, except Mr. _Colden_ and
Mr. _Livingston_. His Excellency was therefore obliged to act with the
smallest Number of Members, which by his Majesty's Commission can form a
Council, _viz_. Three; the above two Gentlemen and Capt. _Rutherford_,
who was then at his Post in _Albany_.
As soon as his Excellency received his Majesty's Commands, he dispatched
from _Albany_ such Persons as, by the best Information he could receive,
had Influence among the _Six Nations_, to invite them severally to meet
him at _Albany_, on the 20th of _July_. His Excellency arriv'd at
_Albany_ the 21st of _July_, where having heard, that, besides the
Small-Pox, (which his Excellency never had) many were sick of a
contagious malignant Fever, he continued on board the Sloop which
carried him up, to consider where to lodge with the least Danger to his
Person from the Infection of these Distempers; and the next Morning
resolved to go into the Fort. He was received at his Landing with the
usual Marks of Respect from the Corporation, the independent Companies
of regular Troops then in the Place, and the Militia, under a Discharge
of the Cannon of the Fort and Town.
In the Afternoon of the same Day on which his Excellency came on shore,
three _Indians, viz_. two _Onandagos_ and an _Oneydo_, brought two
_French_ Scalps and presented to his Excellency: At which Time the
Leader of the Party made a formal Speech to the following Purpose: 'That
having had repeated Accounts of the Mischiefs done by the _French_, and
of the frequent Murders committed by them, and that the _Mohawks_,
notwithstanding their Professions of Friendship, suffered this Bloodshed
to remain unrevenged, his Heart could bear it no longer; he thereupon
resolved to open for his Brethren the Path to Revenge: That these two
Scalps which he now presented were taken at Noonday in sight of the
_French_ Fort at _Crown Point_.' His Excellency told him how well he
took this special Mark of his Fidelity, and assured him, that he would
not only now reward him and his Companions, by particular Presents, but
would always remember this Act of Friendship. They had already received
the Reward given by the Act of Assembly. His Excellency gave each of
them four _Spanish_ Dollars; to the Leader a fine laced Coat and Hat,
and a silver Breast-Plate; and to each of the others a Stroud Blanket
and lac'd Hat.
These _Indians_ told us, that they lay several Days among the Bushes,
from whence they could see every Man that came out of the Fort-Gate.
They endeavoured for some time to take a Prisoner, but observing that
none went to such a Distance from the Fort that they could hope to carry
him off, they resolved to take the first Opportunity for a Scalp: Two
Soldiers coming out of the Fort, after the Chapel Bell had rung about
Noon, one of the _Indians_, by their Leader's Order, fired with Swan
Shot upon them while they were near to each other. It is a constant Rule
among these sculking Parties, never to fire without Orders from their
Leader. One of the _French_ Men was killed upon the Spot, the other
wounded, and fled immediately towards the Fort Gate, the _Indian_ who
had fired, pursu'd, and with his Hatchet brought him down within a
hundred Steps of the Fort Gate; and, though the _French_ in the Fort
rushed out at the Gate, he took his Scalp off; the others had scalped
the Man that was first killed, and then they all fled. The _French_ in
their Hurry had run out without their Arms, and upon recollecting
themselves return'd to arm, which facilitated the Escape of the
_Indians_.
His Excellency being informed, that the Leader of this Party was
desirous to be distinguished by his Excellency's giving him a new Name,
and that a Name, which in the Language of the _Six Nations_ signified
the _Path-opener_, would be most acceptable to him; his Excellency
honour'd him with that Title; which he accepted very thankfully, and
seem'd exceedingly pleased with it: Whereupon he said, that the other
two _Indians_ having associated with a _Mehikander_, or _River Indian_,
were resolved to go out against the Enemy: But as he thought he might be
more useful by staying, to assist at the ensuing Treaty, he was resolved
to remain here. He added, that in case the Interpreter, and others sent
to invite the _Six Nations_ to meet here, fail'd in any Part, he would
go among the _Six Nations_, and doubted not to bring many by his
Influence, who otherwise might stay.
In a Day or two after, six of seven _Indians_, who had been sent out by
the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs to _Crown-Point_, to take
Prisoners, and gain Intelligence, returned and said, That they had gone
to that Place, and that in sight of it they had separated, with, Design
thereby to surprize any Stragler that might have come out of the Fort:
That while they were thus separated, two of their Number were suddenly
surrounded and taken by the Enemy: One of these two, after having been
detained three or four Days, join'd the others at _Saraghtoga_. He said,
that he had been threatened with death by the _Adirondacks_[9]; but that
the _Cahnuagas_[10] interpos'd, and by their Intercession he was set at
Liberty; and some of the _Cahnuagas_ conducted him through _Lac
Sacrement_. He reported, that there was a great Number of Men, _French_
and _Indians_, at _Crown-Point._ The other Prisoner, an _Onondaga_,
consented to remain with the _French_, and was sent to _Canada_.
Soon after this, sixteen _Mohawk Indians_ came to the Town, who had been
sent out from the lower _Mohawk_ Castle by Mr. _Johnson_, to gain
Intelligence near _Crown-Point_, and to take Prisoners. They reported
that they had discovered so great a Number of _French_ and _Indians_ at
_Crown-Point_, that they had no Hopes of being able to bring off any
Prisoners, and thought it adviseable to return speedily and inform of
the great Danger they thought this Place was in. His Excellency invited
them to go thither again, in order to descry the Motions of the Enemy:
And as a farther Encouragement to them, to either Scalp or take
Prisoners, he offered every Person of said Party that should take a
Scalp or Prisoner, a Piece of Stroud, and a Suit of laced Clothes,
besides the Bounty; but they, being frightened with the Apprehensions of
Danger, declined going back, and said, they must return Home and
acquaint their Friends and Relations with what they had heard and seen.
Several other _Indians_ likewise alarmed the _Mohawks_, by telling them
that the _French_ had a great Force at _Crown-Point_, and that they
would certainly attack either _Albany_ or _Schenectade_, or the
Settlements on the _Mohawks_ River, or perhaps several Places at the
same Time.
Mr. _Johnson_, and the commanding Officer of the Garrison of regular
Troops in the _Mohawks_ Country, by their Letters to his Excellency,
confirm'd these Reports; and added, the _Mohawks_ had entertain'd
Apprehensions of the _French_ Force at _Crown-Point_, which was like to
have a bad Effect. On this his Excellency wrote to Mr. _Johnson_, that
all these Stories of the _French_ Force at _Crown-Point_ were only
Artifices of the _French_ to intimidate the _Indians_, or to amuse them,
with Design to frustrate the Treaty which he intended to have with them;
and that he was to assure the _Indians_, that they could be in no Danger
from the _French:_ However, that they might see that he would omit
nothing which they might think necessary for their Security, he had
ordered a Lieutenant of Militia, with thirty Men, to reinforce the lower
Castle, and had likewise ordered the Captain of Militia near the upper
Castle, to assist the _Indians_ there in fortifying their Castle, and to
hold himself in Readiness to support them on any Emergency.
One _John Colan_, a _Frenchman_, who some Years since had removed from
_Canada_, and settled and married at _Schenectade_, and who has since
that Time lived in good Reputation there, was sent by Major _Glen_ to
inform his Excellency, that one _Aaron_, a noted _Mohawk_ Sachem, who
with several others of the _Six Nations_, had been last Spring in
_Canada_ to treat with the Governor there, did then entertain two
_Cahnuaga Indians_. This Man, _John Colan_, acquainted his Excellency,
that having discovered the _Cahnuaga Indians_, he told them he was a
_Frenchman_, and was desirous of returning to his own Country, on which
they began presently to propose to him Methods for his Escape; at which
Time, this _Aaron_ coming near them, he express'd his Fears of being
discovered by him. They answered, that he need not fear _Aaron_, for he
was their Friend, and designed to go with them. As they proposed to him
to escape privately by himself, and to meet them at a Place they named,
he told them of his Fears, in that Case, of meeting with the _French
Indians_ while he was alone. They answered, that if he dress'd himself
like an _Indian_, the _French Indians_ would do him no Hurt, without
first calling to him; upon which, if he stopp'd and call'd out _Maria_,
the _French Indians_ would be so far from hurting him, that they would
immediately come up to him and take him by the Hand. From this, and
several other Incidents, which it would be tedious to relate, his
Excellency was convinced of some secret Understanding between the _Six
Nations_ and the _Cahnuagas_, or _French Indians:_ And that, however
any Party of our _Indians_ might be induced to fall upon the _French_,
they would not at that Time molest the _French Indians_, nor prevent the
Mischiefs which the Inhabitants received from their sculking Parties.
For this Reason, his Excellency endeavoured to send out again the
Company of Rangers, which had formerly been employed against the
sculking _Indians:_ But, as the Assembly had made no Provision for this
Expence, they refused to go, unless he gave his personal Bond for their
Pay, at _three Shillings_ a Day for each private Man, besides their
Provision; and would not be satisfied with the Promises that he, by the
Advice of the Council, made them of recommending their Service to the
General Assembly, and the Assurances he gave them of their being
rewarded as they desired.
On their continuing obstinate, his Excellency was of Opinion, that no
considerable Service could be expected from Men, who were moved by no
other Principle but that of excessive Wages: And he had Reason
afterwards to be confirmed in this Opinion, when Captain _Langdon_, and
afterwards Captain _Thebout_, voluntarily went with their Companies of
the new-levied Troops to scour the Woods, and took some of these
_Albany_ Men with them as Guides, who whenever they apprehended
themselves in Danger, by the Discovery of recent Tracts, some one or
other of them could not be kept from firing their Guns, or making some
Noise, by which the _French Indians_, if any were near them, must know
how to avoid them. Some _Indians_, who were likewise sent out in Company
with these Men, complained in like Manner.
The publick Interpreter, whom the Governor (as before observed) had sent
with others, to invite the _Six Nations_ to meet him at _Albany_, wrote
to the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, That they met with great
Difficulties and Obstructions from the _Sachems_, who had been lately at
_Canada:_ That the _Oneydoes_ refused to give any Answer, tho' they had
staid there thirteen Days endeavouring to persuade them; and that the
_Cayugas_ had absolutely refused to meet the Governor. On which his
Excellency desired to be informed by the Commissioners of _Indian_
Affairs, whether they knew of any Person of Influence or Interest with
the _Indians_, and fit to be sent among them on this Occasion. They
answered, that they knew of none; and that the _Indians_ were in a very
bad Disposition, and much under the Influence of the _French_.
About this time his Excellency being informed, that the Interpreter, and
others sent with him, had neglected to send proper Invitations to the
_Indians_ living on the Branches of _Susquehannah_ River; and that
Captain _Vroman_, of _Scohary_, was a proper Person to be sent to those
_Indians_; he sent him, in Company with Captain _Staats_, with a Belt of
_Wampum_ to invite them.
While the _Indian_ Affairs appear'd in this discouraging State, an
Account came to Town, that about twenty young _Chickesaws_ were come to
the _Senekas_, to desire them to shew them the Way to _Canada_. The
_Chickesaws_ had always been Enemies to the _French:_ A Party of about
five hundred Men had, four Years before, been sent out against them from
_Canada_, who were so entirely routed by the _Chickesaws_, that few
returned. These young _Chickesaws_ told the _Senekas_, that the _French_
of _Canada_ had, about four Years since, made them a Visit, and were so
kind to leave them four hundred Guns, which were now wore out; and,
since the _French_ had not thought fit to bring them any more Guns, they
were resolved to go to _Canada_ to fetch new ones; and promised, that if
the _Senekas_ would shew them the Way, they would go Home and return
with four hundred stout Fellows. Some other _Indian_ Nations who lived
to the Westward, discovering their Aversion to the _French_ at the same
Time, these Incidents assisted the Governor's Messengers in bringing
more _Indians_ to _Albany_ than they expected, when they wrote to the
Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs.
While the Interpreter was at the more distant _Indian_ Castles, Mr.
_William Johnson_ was indefatigable among the _Mohawks_; he dressed
himself after the _Indian_ Manner, made frequent Dances, according to
their Custom when they excite to War, and used all the Means he could
think of, at a considerable Expence, (which his Excellency had promised
to repay him) in order to engage them heartily in the War against
_Canada_. Tho' he succeeded, beyond what any Man in _Albany_ thought
could be done, yet several of the _Sachems_ (in the _Conajohary_, or
upper _Mohawk_ Castle, chiefly) refused to engage in the War; but
insisted, that as this War was entered into between the _English_ and
_French_, in which they had no Interest, they ought to remain neuter.
The _English_ and _French_, they said, could at any Time make Peace; but
if they should enter into the War, _Indians_ could not make up the
Quarrel among themselves, otherwise than by the Destruction of one or
the other. The _French_ could have no Hopes of engaging the _Six
Nations_ on their Side against the _English_, and therefore wisely
play'd this Game of endeavouring to make them stand neuter, which they
could enforce by strong political Arguments, of which the _Indians_ were
sensible enough. _It is your Interest_, the _French_ Emissaries said,
_not to suffer either the_ French _or the_ English _to be absolute
Masters_; _for in that Case you must become Slaves to the one or the
other_. From this politic View chiefly, the Interpreter met with so much
Opposition everywhere: Tho' it is not to be doubted, but that at the
same Time the _French_ had gain'd some particular _Sachems_ entirely
into their Interest; however, many were prevailed on to come to
_Albany_, to hear what the Governor of _New-York_ had to say to them;
tho' several Sachems staid behind. When they of the more distant Nations
came along with the Interpreter to the lower _Mohawk_ Castle, and found
that Mr. _Johnson_ had already engaged many of the young Men there to
join the Army against _Canada_, the others blamed the _Mohawks_; telling
them with some Warmth, That they had been very rash in engaging so far.
'They ought, _the others said_, to have considered that they, the
_Mohawks_, were the smallest in Number of any of the _Six Nations_, and
ought not to have proceeded to so great a Length, without the previous
Consent of the others.' To this the _Mohawks_ answered, _It is true, we
are less considerable as to Number, than any of the other Nations; but
our Hearts are truly_ English, _and all of us are Men[11]; so that, if
our Force be put to the Trial, perhaps it will be found greater than you
imagine._ These Disputes, however, continued so far, that the _Mohawks_,
and the other _Five Nations_, could not go in Company to _Albany_; the
_Mohawks_ marched on one side of the River, while the other Nations went
on the other side. [_There are two Roads from the_ Mohawks _Castle to_
Schenectada, _one on each side of the_ Mohawks _River_.]
When the _Indians_ came near the Town of _Albany_, on the 8th of
_August_, Mr. _Johnson_ put himself at the Head of the _Mohawks_,
dressed and painted after the Manner of an _Indian_ War-Captain; and the
_Indians_ who followed him, were likewise dressed and painted, as is
usual with them when they set out in War. The _Indians_ saluted the
Governor as they passed the Fort, by a running Fire; which his
Excellency ordered to be answered by a Discharge of some Cannon from the
Fort: He afterwards received the Sachems in the Fort-Hall, bid them
Welcome, and treated them with a Glass of Wine.
As, by all Accounts, the Disposition of the _Six Nations_ seemed at this
Time less in Favour of the _British_ Interest than was to be wished, his
Excellency thought it necessary to have frequent Conferences, in
private, with the principal Sachems of each _Nation_; sometimes
separately and singly, at other Times with some of each Nation jointly.
There were only two of the _Mohawks_ Sachems (besides _Aaron_ before
mentioned, who left the Castle at this Time) that could not be prevailed
on by Mr. _Johnson_ to declare themselves for entering into the War
against _Canada_: They were both of the _Conajohary_ or Upper-Castle,
and one of them the Head of the Tribe called the _Tortoise_; (which,
tho' not so numerous as that of the _Bear_, yet is looked on as the
first in Rank or Dignity;) and, as he had been with the Governor of
_Canada_ last Spring, it was thought to be of some Consequence to gain
him. Mr. _Colden_, above twenty Years since, had the Complement of being
received into that Castle; and, about seven Years since (the last Time
he had been with the _Mohawks_) had contracted some more particular
Acquaintance with these two Sachems: He invited them to a private
Conference, at which the Reverend Mr. _Barclay_ assisted as Interpreter;
they met him, and brought five more with them: After this Conference
these Sachems appear'd as hearty as any of the others. He that was Head
of the Tribe call'd the _Tortoise_, said, 'His Uncle had been the chief
War-Captain among the _Mohawks_: That his Uncle had particularly
distinguished himself in their Wars against the _French_, and he was
resolved to shew himself not unworthy of his Ancestors, nor of his
Uncle's Name, which he had obtained after his Death.'
After the principal Sachems had, at these Conferences, been brought to a
good Disposition, his Excellency advised with the Gentlemen of the
Council, and the Commissioners from the _Massachusets Bay_, on what
might be proper to be said to the _Six Nations_ in the publick Speech,
which he now proposed to make to them. Col. _Wendell_ and Mr. _Wells_
had arrived from _Boston_ about the End of _July_, and soon after they
came to Town, his Excellency ordered the Gentlemen of the Council to
communicate to them all the Information which had been received, with
respect to the _Indian_ Affairs: And they had frequent Conferences
together from Time to Time, as Occasion required: It was likewise
thought proper to communicate, what his Excellency intended to say to
some of the Sachems of each Nation, who were thought most hearty in the
_British_ Interest; who said, that it was well conceiv'd as could have
been done, had they themselves advised upon the Subject; only as it had
been advised to observe in the first Draught, That some of his Majesty's
Subjects had been instigated by the _French_ to rise in Rebellion
against the King; that they had been defeated by one of the King's Sons;
that these poor People were now utterly ruined, and had nothing left but
to bewail their Folly in the Misery that was brought upon them, by
suffering themselves to be deluded by the Promises of the _French_; they
said, that they did not understand the Affairs on the other Side of the
Sea, nor did they trouble their Heads about them; and as they had no
Method of retaining what is spoke to them but by their Memories, they
were afraid that this might perplex their Memories, and make them less
attentive to what was properly their Business; and advised, that it
should be left out; which accordingly was done.
Another Difficulty remained; the publick Interpreter had been taken
dangerously ill in his Return to _Albany_, and was at this Time confined
to his Bed. Tho' several were employed, who had Knowledge sufficient in
the Language of the _Six Nations_, to make themselves be understood, and
to understand what was spoke to them; yet none of them were so much
Masters of the Language, as to speak with that Propriety and
Distinctness that is expected, and usual on so solemn an Occasion. It
was thought therefore proper, to make one of the Sachems understand the
Speech, by the Assistance of the common Interpreters, that he might be
able to deliver it Paragraph by Paragraph, as it should be spoke. At
first a _Mohawk_ Sachem was pitched upon; but the Sachems themselves
told us, That for some time past a kind of Party-Division among the _Six
Nations_ had subsisted: That the _Mohawks_, _Onandagas_, and _Senekas_,
form'd one Party; and the _Oneydoes, Tuscaroras_, and _Cayugas_, the
other: That, as the _Mohawks_ might be suspected to be more partial to
the _English_, it would be of more Use to employ one of the other Party;
and an _Oneydo_ Sachem was proposed for that Purpose. This Man was
easily enough made to understand the Speech, and he repeated it several
Times over in private, and was instructed where to make the proper
Stops. After the Speech was delivered, some of the Commissioners for
_Indian_ Affairs, and other Persons present at the Delivery, who
understood both Languages, acknowledged, that this _Indian_ had
acquitted himself of his Trust faithfully, and had delivered the Sense
of the Speech clearly and distinctly.
While these last Preparations were making, his Excellency was taken ill
of a Fever, which occasioned some further Delay; and as his Excellency
did not recover so soon as was wished, the Sachems were told, that his
Excellency being unwilling to detain them without necessity, would, if
they desired it, direct Mr. _Colden_ to speak to them in his Name, what
he designed to say. They answered, that they would be well pleased to
hear it from Mr. _Colden_'s Mouth.
[Footnote 9: A Nation of _Indians_ living in _Canada_, who have always
been firm friends to the _French_, and formerly were at War with the
_Six Nations_.]
[Footnote 10: A Number of _Indians_ originally of the _Five Nations_,
and Deserters from them, now settled near _Montreal_, by whom the
illicit Trade between _Albany_ and _Montreal_ was carried on: They are
well acquainted with the Country about _Albany_.]
[Footnote 11: The _Six Nations_ reckon all other _Indian_ Nations Women,
in comparison to themselves.]
* * * * *
At _A L B A N Y_ the Nineteenth of _August_, 1746.