The { Cadwallader Colden, } Esqrs; of his Majesty's
Honourable { Philip Livingston, } Council for the Province
{ John Rutherford, } of _New-York_.
The Commissioners from the Government of the _Massachusets-Bay_.
The Commissioners of the Province of _New-York_ for _Indian_ Affairs.
The Mayor and Corporation of _Albany_. The Officers of the Independent
Companies, and of the new Levies then at _Albany_. Several Gentlemen of
the Province of _New-York_: And Strangers.
_Mr._ Colden _introduced the Speech as follows_:
His Excellency our Governor having been taken ill, and as yet not so
well recovered as that he can safely come abroad; has ordered me (being
the next Person to him in the Administration) to speak to you in his
Name, which I shall do in the same Words which he designed to have
spoke, had he not been prevented by Sickness.
"_Brethren_,
"I am glad to see so many of our ancient Friends here, and heartily bid
you Welcome. [_Gave three Strings of Wampum_.]
"I have call'd you to this Place for two great Ends, in which the
Province of the _Massachusets-Bay_ have sent Commissioners to concur
with me, who are here present.
"The _First_ is, to renew the Covenant-Chain with you; and I now by this
Belt, in your Father the King of _Great-Britain_'s Name, in Behalf of
his Majesty's Subjects in _North-America_, renew and confirm the
Covenant-Chain, and all former Treaties and Engagements entered into
with you. This Chain has from the Beginning, remained so firm and
strong, that it has never once broke or slipt since it was first made;
and we, on our Parts, shall endeavour that it remain so, unshaken, as
long as the Sun and Moon shall endure. [_Gave a Belt_.]
"_Brethren_, Last Fall I told you, that his Majesty's Subjects in this
Country had, the Summer before, lain still, without attempting any thing
against the _French_ Settlements: But that the _French_ had by Surprize,
attacked and destroyed a small Place near _Cape-Breton_, belonging to
us.
"That they afterwards laid Siege to _Annapolis-Royal_, and were beat
off.
"I likewise told you, That the Governor of the _Massachusets-Bay_, in
Conjunction with _Connecticut_ and _New-Hampshire_, had, in Revenge to
these Injuries, sent an Army against _Louisburg_, on the Island of
_Cape-Breton_; that the Army was joined by a Number of his Majesty's
Ships of War, under the Command of your Friend Admiral _Warren_.
"I told you, that the Town of _Louisburg_, which is the strongest the
_French_ have in _America_, was reduced by this Force; and that the
_French_ there had surrendered themselves and their Country to the
_English_.
"I likewise told you, how we, in this Part of the Country, had lain
still, hoping that the _French_ in _Canada_, would either be quiet, or
carry on the War in a manly Manner, and after the Manner of Christians.
And to induce them thereto, a Message had been sent from this Place to
the Governor of _Canada_, to tell him, That if he should revive the
inhuman Custom of murdering private People, by sculking _Indians_, that
the several Governors of his Majesty's Colonies, together with you our
Brethren of the _Six Nations_, would join and make Reprisals on them in
the like Manner; at which time you publickly declared, that if any of
his Majesty's Subjects, in any Part of his Governments, should be killed
by any _Indians_, you would immediately join in the War against them,
and the _French_.
"And last Fall, when I delivered the Hatchet into your Hands, you told
me, and confirm'd it with a Belt, That you would send some of your
People (who were then ready) to _Canada_, to demand Satisfaction; and
that if Satisfaction was refused, you would use the Hatchet against
them, whenever I should order it.
"And you further promised, That if the Enemy should commit any further
Hostilities, you would then (upon my Commands) immediately make Use of
the Hatchet.
"I need not tell you, how far the _French_ have been from giving
Satisfaction; on the contrary, you are well acquainted with the cruel
and barbarous Murders that have been committed, since that Time, by the
_French Indians_ at _Saraghtoga_, and in the Neighbourhoods of this
Place, and on the Frontiers of _New-England_; as you have not hitherto
fulfilled your Promises, I suspect that they did not come from your
Hearts: I therefore, by this Belt, demand an immediate Performance of
your Promises, to shew that they come from the Bottom of your Hearts; as
all the Promises I make come from mine, and ever shall. [_Gave a Belt_.]
"_Brethren_, I now come to the _second_ and principal Design of our
present Meeting, in which I hope and expect to find you hearty, and
united in your Councils and Opinions. [_Gave a Belt_.]
"The King your Father, having been informed of the unmanly Murders
committed on the Frontiers of _New England_, and of this Province, is
resolved to subdue the Country of _Canada_, and thereby put an End to
all the mischievous Designs of the _French_ in these Parts. And for this
purpose, he has ordered his Governors of _Virginia, Maryland,
Pensylvania_, and _New-Jersey_, to join their Forces to the Forces of
this Province, to attack _Canada_ by Land: They are all now upon their
March, and you will soon see them here.
"At the same Time the Forces of the _Massachusets-Bay, Connecticut,
Rhode-Island_, and _New-Hampshire_, are to go in Ships to _Cape-Breton_,
and there join with his Majesty's Ships of War, and a great Army of
experienc'd Soldiers from _Great-Britain_.
"Many Ships of War are already arrived there, and some thousand of
Soldiers; many more Ships and Soldiers are following; and I expect every
Hour to hear of their Arrival; after which the Attack upon _Canada_ will
be made on all Sides, both by Sea and Land.
"You may perceive the King has ordered a Strength sufficient to subdue
_Canada_; but at the same Time, the King your Father expects and orders
you his Children, to join with your whole Force in this Enterprize; and
thereby gives the _Six Nations_ a glorious Opportunity of establishing
their Fame and Renown over all the _Indian_ Nations in _America_, in the
Conquest of your inveterate Enemies the _French_; who, however they may
dissemble and profess Friendship, can never forget the Slaughter which
your Fathers made of them; and for that purpose, caress those Nations
who have always been your inveterate Enemies, and who desire nothing so
much as to see the Name of the _Six Nations_ become obliterate, and
forgot for ever. [_Gave a Belt_.]
"_Brethren_, The _French_, on all Occasions, shew, that they act against
your Brethren the _English_, like Men that know they dare not look them
in the Face in Day-Light; and therefore, like Thieves, steal upon poor
People, who do not expect them in the Night, and consequently are not
prepared for them: Your Brethren in their Revenge have acted like Men of
Courage; they do not attack poor Farmers at their Labour, but boldly
attempted the Reduction of _Louisburg_, the strongest Town the _French_
had in _America_, in the fortifying of which they had spent above twenty
Years: It was surrounded with strong Walls and Forts, in which they had
planted their largest Cannon in every Place, where they thought the
_English_ could come near them; notwithstanding of all these Precautions
and Advantages, they were forced to submit to the _English_ Valour.
"You must have heard from your Fathers, and I doubt not several of your
old Men still remember what the _French_ did at _Onondaga_; how they
surprised your Countrymen at _Cadarackui_; how they invaded the
_Senekas_, and what Mischiefs they did to the _Mohawks_; how many of
your Countrymen suffered by the Fire at _Montreal_. Before they entered
upon these cruel and mischievous Designs, they sent Priests among you to
delude you, and lull you asleep, while they were preparing to knock you
on the Head; and I hear they are attempting to do the same now. [_Gave a
Belt_.]
"I need not put you in mind what Revenge your Fathers took for these
Injuries, when they put all the Island of _Montreal_, and a great Part
of _Canada_, to Fire and Sword; can you think that the _French_ forget
this? No, they have the Ax privately in their Hands against you, and use
these deceitful Arts, by which only they have been able to gain
Advantage over you, that by your trusting to them, they may at some time
or other, at one Blow, remove from the Face of the Earth, the
Remembrance of a People that have so often put them to Shame and Flight.
"If your Fathers could now rise out of their Graves, how would their
Hearts leap with Joy to see this Day; when so glorious an Opportunity is
put into their Hands to revenge all the Injuries their Country has
received from the _French_, and be never more exposed to their Treachery
and Deceit. I make no doubt you are the true Sons of such renowned and
brave Ancestors, animated with the same Spirit for your Country's Glory,
and in Revenge of the Injuries your Fathers received, uncapable of being
deluded by the flattering Speeches of them, who always have been, and
always must be, in their Hearts, your Enemies, and who desire nothing
more, than the Destruction of your Nations.
"I therefore invite you, _Brethren_, by this Belt, to join with us, and
to share with us, in the Honour of the Conquest of our, and your
deceitful Enemies; and that you not only join all the Force of the _Six
Nations_ with us, but likewise invite all the Nations depending on you,
to take a Share in this glorious Enterprize: And I will furnish your
fighting Men with Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing, Provisions, and every
Thing necessary for the War; and in their Absence, take Care of their
Wives and Children. [_Gave the War-Belt_.]
"_Brethren_, You have seen how daring and insulting on you, as well as
us, the _French Indians_ have been, in cruelly murdering several of our
People, since you have come to this Place; and therefore, for the many
Reasons now laid before you, I make no doubt but your Answer will
clearly manifest your Duty to the King your Father, and your Love to
your Brethren; and by this Belt I do assure you, that our Intent is, to
live and die together." [_Gave a Belt of Friendship_.]
At every Stop where a Belt was given, one of the Sachems call'd out
_Yo-hay_, to which all the rest answered in a Sound which cannot be
expressed in our Letters, but seem'd to consist of two Words remarkably
distinguished in the Cadence; it seem'd to this purpose; the Sachem
calls, _Do your hear?_ The Answer is, We attend and remember, or
understand; or else it is a Kind of Plaudit our Interpreters could not
explain. At the Close of the Speech, one Sachem of each Nation call'd
out severally the _Yo-hay_, to which the others of the same Nation
answer'd severally: But when the War-Belt was thrown down, they gave the
War-Shout. We expected but six of these Plaudits, according to the
Number of the _Six Nations_, but eight were distinctly delivered; by
which we understood some other Nations were united with them on this
Occasion.
After the Speech was delivered, the Sachems of the several Nations had
Conferences together; and some time being spent in deliberating, they
acquainted his Excellency, 'That they had agreed upon their Answer,
which they were ready to give whenever he would appoint a Time to
receive it;' and he named the next Day.
Accordingly on the 23d of _August_, His Excellency being
present; the Gentlemen of the Council; the Commissioners from
_Boston_; the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs; the
Corporation of _Albany_; and many Gentlemen, as at the Time when
his Excellency's Speech was delivered,
An _Onondaga_ Sachem, who had formerly been Speaker for the _Six
Nations_ on several publick Occasions, rose up and spoke: What he said
was publickly interpreted, in the Hearing of several who understood the
_Indian_ Language well, as follows:
Brethren of _New-York_, and of the _Massachusets-Bay_,
_We the_ Six Nations _are now assembled together as one Man, and
we take in the_ Messesagues _for the seventh Nation; and what is
now to be spoken by one Mouth, are the joint and sincere
Thoughts of every Heart._
_We are pleas'd that you follow the Steps of our Fore-fathers,
in wiping off the sorrowful Tears from our Eyes, by which the
Stoppage of our Throats are opened, and the bloody Bed wash'd
clean._ [Gave three Strings of Wampum.]
Brethren, _The first Time we met together, we only saluted each
other by shaking of Hands; we afterwards made a Covenant Chain
of Silver, which we mutually have held fast to this Day; should
it now slip from either of our Hands, it would prove Destruction
to both Sides, since our Enemies have drawn the Sword._ [Gave a
Belt.]
Brother of _New-York_; _Last Year you gave us the Hatchet to be
made Use of against your Enemies, the_ French, _which we
accepted and promised to make use of it if they should commit
any farther Hostilities upon the_ English, _which they have now
done by destroying_ Saraghtoga, _and shedding a great deal of
Blood: Hitherto we have made no use of the Hatchet; but as you
now call upon us, we are ready, and do declare from the Bottom
of our Hearts, that we will from this Day, make use of it
against the_ French, _and their Children_, (meaning their
_Indians_.)
[N. B. The Question was asked them by his Excellency, Whether by
the Words _their Children_, they meant all the _Indians_ in
Alliance with the _French_? to which they answered, _Yes_.]
[At the End of the foregoing Paragraph, the Speaker threw down a
War-Belt of Wampum on the Ground, it being the _Indian_ Custom
to deliver War-Belts, or make Declaration of War in this Manner:
This he did with a remarkable Shew of Indignation, intending
thereby to express their Resentment against the _French_ and
their Allies, and their Zeal for the _English_.] [_Gave a
Belt_.]
Brother of _New-York; According to your Exhortation in your
Speech to us, we are firmly united together from this Time, to
act as having one Heart; the_ Messesagues _are in the same Manner
joined and united with us, likewise the Southern Nations
bordering upon us; and we hope that you, and the other Governors
on the Continent, will be in the same Manner joined and united
together._ [Gave a Belt.]
[They repeated over his Excellency's Speech in Relation to the
Conquest of _Cape-Breton_; and added, _We hope that our Fleet
and Army will be also victorious in the present Expedition
against_ Canada; _for the_ French _are a mischievous People_.]
[Gave a Belt.]
_As to your Suspicions of our admitting_ French _Priests among
us, they are become groundless, since we have now declared War
against them: The admitting of Priests, would only tend to lull
us asleep to our Destruction; should any now dare to come, we
know no Use for them but to roast them. The Thoughts of the
Treatment we formerly received from the_ French, _thro' the Means
of their Priests, and which you now seasonably have brought to
our Remembrance, makes our Blood to boil._
Brother of _New-York; This is the second Time you have put the
Hatchet into our Hands, which we accept, and are ready to go upon
Service. You may see that we have but a Handful of fighting Men
here at present; however, some of them from each Nation shall be
left behind us to follow your Orders._
_When we return to our respective Castles, we shall send down a
great Number of our Warriors, and of those of the Nations in
Alliance with us, as soon as possible._
_This we assure you of from the Truth and Sincerity of our
Hearts; and we receive, and shall preserve this large Belt_,
[holding it up at the same Time] _which you have now given us, as
a War-Hatchet_.
Brethren, _This is the Belt of Union with which we are to go Hand
in Hand to the Gate of our Enemies, and by it we declare our
Intention to conquer or die in the common Cause_.
_There is a Nation call'd the_ Messesagues, _whose Delegates are
here present: They consist of five Castles, containing eight
hundred Men, who are all determined, and do agree to join us, in
this common Cause, against our Enemies the_ French, _and their_
Indians; _and we hope you, and the Commissioners from_ Boston,
_will use them in such a Manner that they will go home content
and satisfied._
[Gave a Belt of Union, in which the Figures of several Persons
join'd Hand in Hand, was wrought.]
The Person who interpreted, returned the _Yo-hah_ at the End of every
Paragraph, and having done the same at the Time they declared War, it
occasioned Laughter among them; upon which, observing his Mistake, he
began the War-Shout, in which all the _Indians_ joined.
The _Messesagues_ are a Nation of _Indians_, living near the Place
called _De Troit_ by the _French_, and situate between Lake _Erie_ and
the _Huron_ Lake.
After the Speaker had finished, his Excellency told them by the
Interpreter, that the King their Father had ordered him to make them a
Present on this Occasion; and that the Government of _Virginia_ had on
the same Occasion, sent them a Present. The Commissioners from _Boston_
at the same Time told them, that they had a Present from their
Government; and as they were soon to return Home, desired the _Six
Nations_ to come to their Lodgings to receive it; on which the _Indians_
desired his Excellency to delay his Present to next Day, and they
immediately went to receive their Presents from the Commissioners of the
_Massachusets-Bay_.
The next Day, the Presents from the King being exposed on one Part, and
those from _Virginia_ separately near them, it was agreed by the People
of _Albany_, who had seen many publick Presents given to the _Six
Nations_ on Treaties with them, that this was the most valuable ever
given. His Excellency on giving the Presents, said;
"_Brethren_,
"You here see a Token of the Regard the King your Father has for
you; and there is a Token of the Friendship of the Government of
_Virginia_: But on this Occasion I cannot forbear taking Notice
to you, that some of your People being at _Canada_, when the
News of the Reduction of _Cape-Breton_ came there, and when the
_French_ expected that _Quebec_ would be immediately attacked in
Consequence of it, several of them joined with the _French_, and
promised them Assistance. This occasioned some Uneasiness to
your Brethren, being contrary to the Faith of your Nations, as
well as to your Brethren's Expectations; however, you may now,
by performing the Promises you Yesterday made in the most solemn
Manner, remove all Suspicions; and for ever secure the
Friendship of your Brethren, which hitherto has from the
Beginning, remained unviolated on their Parts. The Goods now
before you, are Presents to the _Six Nations_; and, as we have
received the _Messesagues_ into the Covenant between you and
us, I expect that they shall share with you. Besides these
general Presents now made to your Nations, I have prepared
proper Cloathing for your War-Captains, and the Warriors who
shall go under their Command; together with Arms, Ammunition and
Provisions, which shall be delivered to the several Parties at
the Time they shall go out on Service."
What his Excellency said having been interpreted by a _Mohawk_ Sachem,
the Sachem added of his own Head, _You now see how you are here treated,
really like Brethren; the Governor of_ Canada _does not treat his_
Indians _so; they are set on like his Dogs, and they run on without
Thought or Consideration: You see what a noble Present is made to you;
if the Governor of_ Canada _should seize all the Goods in that Country,
it would not be in his Power to make such a Present._
The _Onondaga_ Sachem, Speaker of the _Six Nations_, immediately
replied,
Brethren of _New-York, New-England_, and _Virginia_;
_We heard, and observe well, what you now and formerly spoke to
us; and we beg no mention may hereafter be made of what passed
last Fall, since we are now heartily enter'd into the War with
you, and have promised as many fighting Men from each Castle as
can be spared; and likewise to engage as great Numbers of every
Nation in Alliance with us, as we can, to join immediately with
us in the War against the_ French, _and the Nations who adhere
to them._
Brethren of _New-York, New-England_, and _Virginia_,
_You must not suspect that it proceeds from any Backwardness in
us, that a greater Number of our People do not at this Instant
join with you; the Reason is, our Castles have but few fighting
Men in them, many are now Abroad, some hunting and trading with
far distant Nations, and others out fighting against our
Enemies; all these we shall recall Home as soon as possible, in
order to enter with all our Force, into the War against your and
our common Enemy._
Brother, _We have no more to say at this Time, but only to tell
you, we are sorry that we can so little shew our Hearts by the
Presents we now offer; our hunting has been so very poor, that
we cannot make you Presents suitable to our Inclinations._
The _Mohawks_ added separately: _We have been employed all
Summer in your Service as Out-scouts, to gain Intelligence, or
in some Manner or other, and thereby kept from hunting: We have
no Furrs to offer you, but we here present our Persons, to serve
you wherever you shall command._
That Day was spent in dividing the Presents among themselves. We were
told, that these Presents were divided into eight equal Parts, of which
they gave two to the _Messesague_ Deputies.
The next Day the War-Kettle was set over the Fire, and towards Evening
the _Indians_ in his Excellency's Presence, where many Gentlemen
attended him, began the War-Dance, and continued it till late in the
Night: They were painted as when they go to War. The Dance is a slow and
solemn Motion, accompanied with a pathetick Song. The _Indians_ in their
Turns perform this singly, but it is not easy to describe the
Particularities of it.
His Excellency call'd several of the chief Sachems who had been useful
in the Treaty, to him in private, and gave them Presents severally;
neither did he forget the _Messesague_ Deputies: He had a particular
Conference with one of them in private, the other was sick of the
Small-Pox. At this Conference, this Deputy assured his Excellency of the
good Inclinations of his Nation to the _English_, and their Aversion to
the _French_; he said, 'That many of the Nations to the Westward of
them, disliked the _French_;' and as an Instance of it, he told, 'That
the _French_ lately having pressed a neighbouring Nation to take up the
Hatchet against the _English_, they received it; but made Use of it
against the _French_ themselves, and kill'd all the _French_ then with
them, being sixty in Number, with the Loss of only one Man of their own
Nation.' His Excellency made him handsome Presents, and gave him a Belt
to carry to his Nation, with an Invitation to join in the War against
the _French_; the _Messesague_ received them with a Profession of the
most sincere and hearty Friendship; and that he made no doubt of
bringing two, three, or four hundred Men of his Nation, to serve this
Fall against the _French_. He added, 'That he and several of his
Relations would immediately use their best Endeavours, with several
other Nations to the Westward of them, who were numerous, to join
against the _French_; in which, _he said_, he had great Hopes of
Success, because they were dissatisfied with the _French_.'
His Excellency took all possible Care of the sick _Messesague_, had him
brought into a House, and ordered him, to be attended by two Physicians;
but the poor Man had the Misfortune to die, after he had been above a
Fortnight ill. When he found himself near his End, he sent to the
Governor, to desire him as his last Request, that his Excellency would
send the first _French_ Scalp that should be taken, to his Mother; and
when he was told that his Excellency had promised it, he shewed a
Contentedness and Resignation to Death. This Misfortune was increased by
the Death of the other _Messesague_ Deputy likewise, who was taken ill
in his Way Home, and died. The _Six Nations_ took Care of their Wives
and Children, who had come with them; and it was not doubted but that
they, and all the Presents given them, would be safely conveyed to
their own Homes.
Having so far given an Account of what passed with the _Six Nations_, it
may be proper next to relate the Treaty with the _Mehikanders_, or
_River Indians_, _viz._ The several Tribes of _Indians_ living at
several Places on each Side of _Hudson_'s River.
On his Excellency's Arrival at _Albany_, having found that there had
been a Neglect in sending for the _Esopus_ and _Minissink Indians_, he
sent Orders for them to be invited. The _Mehikanders_ being conveened
the 21st, his Excellency directed Mr. _Colden_ to speak to them in his
Name and Words; which Mr. _Colden_ did; the other Gentlemen of the
Council, the Commissioners from _Boston_, the Commissioners for _Indian_
Affairs, and several other Gentlemen being present, in the Words
following:
"_Children_,
"I am glad to meet you at this Time, as are likewise the
Commissioners from the _Massachusets-Bay_, who are now come
hither to concur with me upon the present Occasion; and I take
this Opportunity to renew the ancient Covenant Chain with you,
in Behalf of this and all his Majesty's Governments in
_America_, which you know has always been kept bright and clean,
without any of the least Stain or Rust, and which by this Belt I
strengthen. [_Gave a Belt_.]
"_Children_, My meeting you here, besides renewing the Covenant
Chain, is with Intention that you should join your Force with
ours, by taking up the Hatchet against our and your common
Enemies the _French_, and their _Indians_; who have in a very
unmanly Manner, by sculking Parties, murdered in cold Blood,
many of your Brethren in this and the Province of the
_Massachusets-Bay_.
"This Behaviour lays us under a Necessity of making Reprisals
on them in like Manner, in which I make no doubt of your
Assistance; and we are resolved to take a thorough Revenge of
our and your perpetual Enemies, by reducing the Country of
_Canada_, that it may not be in the Power of these perfidious,
deceitful, and cruel People, to do you or us any Injury for the
future: For which Purpose all the neighbouring Colonies,
together with many Ships of War and Soldiers from
_Great-Britain_, are resolved to unite their Force, and to
attack _Canada_ in all Parts, both by Sea and Land; and I make
no doubt, you will on this Occasion shew yourselves dutiful
Children, in joining heartily with us and the _Six Nations_, in
this glorious Enterprize; by which you will not only gain Honour
and Renown, but also Safety and Prosperity to yourselves, your
Wives, and Children for ever afterwards: And for which End I
will furnish your fighting Men with Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing,
Provisions, and every Thing necessary for the War." [_Gave a
War-Belt_.]
On the 26th they gave their Answer, which was interpreted in the
following Words; (the same Persons being present, that were when the
Governor's Speech was delivered to them.)
Father,
_We are glad to see you; and we are come to renew the Covenant
Chain, and make it fast and bright as ever, and free from Rust,
and as a Token thereof we give you this Belt._ [Gave a Belt.]
Father, _You have told us what Mischief the_ French _have done,
and what Murders upon the Christians they have committed;
therefore we declare from our Hearts, and not from our Lips
only, that as you have ordered us to shed the Enemies' Blood in
Return for what they have done, we are resolved to live and die
with you in the common Cause._
_When you Christians are at War, you make Peace with one
another, but it is not so with us, therefore we depend upon you
to take Care of us; in Confidence of which, we now take up the
Hatchet, and will make Use of it against the_ French, _and
their_ Indians. [Gave a Belt with a Hatchet.]
After their Answer they began the War-Dance, and his Excellency ordered
a considerable Present in Goods to be publickly given them. None of
these are suspected to be under _French_ Influence.
As there was no Advice of the Arrival of the Fleet, and no Plan of
Operations agreed on in Case the Fleet did not arrive, the supporting of
about seven hundred _Indians_ was a great Expence to his Excellency, for
which he had no Allowance from the Province of _New-York_, or for any
other Charge attending this Treaty: And as many of the _Indians_, (above
twenty) had got the Small-pox, it being impracticable to prevent their
going into Town, or conversing with the Town's People, and the _Indians_
becoming uneasy by Reason of the Sickness of many, and Death of some;
his Excellency thought it most prudent to dismiss them as soon as
possible from this Place, and to give Orders to Mr. _Johnson_, to send
out several Parties from _Schenectade_, or his own Settlement near the
lower _Mohawk_ Castle, to harrass the _French_ Settlements in _Canada_;
and for that Purpose delivered to him Cloathing, Arms and Ammunition, to
be given to the fighting Men, as his Excellency had promised them
whenever they entered on Service, and impowered him to furnish them with
Provisions, and whatever Necessaries they should want.
Before they went, his Excellency sent to them, to desire them to leave
their Sick, with a Promise to take all Care possible of them, and that
he would order Physicians to attend them. They were very sensible of
this Kindness, and acknowledged it; but not above two or three could be
prevailed to stay, who were so ill that they could not be removed: All
possible Care was taken of the other Sick, in the Waggons which carried
them to _Schenectade_.
On the 26th of _September_, the Captains _Staats_ and _Vromen_, brought
the _Indians_ living on the Branches of the _Susquehannah_ River; they
came in the _Indian_ Order, marching in a single Line one after the
other, and as they passed the Fort, saluted by a running Fire along the
Line; which Salute the Governor ordered to be returned, by a Discharge
of some Cannon from the Fort.
On _Monday_ the 8th of the same Month his Excellency spoke to them,
telling them the Substance of what he had ordered to be said to the _Six
Nations_, and their Answer; and as this has been set forth at Length
before, it is needless to repeat what was then said. The Reason of his
Excellency's speaking to them in this Manner was, because these Nations
living on the _Susquehannah_ River and its Branches, are known to be
Dependents on the _Six Nations_.
The next Day they gave their Answer; the Gentlemen of the Council, the
Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, the Corporation of _Albany_, the
Officers of the four Independent Companies, and several Officers of the
new Levies, and other Gentlemen being present, as they were when his
Excellency spoke to the _Indians_: Their Answer was publickly
interpreted as follows;
Brother of _New-York_,
_We live at_ Ohguago; _what News you send to the_ Six Nations
_is not truly reported to us, nor what the Governor of_ Canada
_sends to them; we have not been properly taken Notice of, nor
timely acquainted with your Design to treat with the_ Six
Nations, _till near the Time that your Interview with them was
over; otherwise we should have readily come along with them, to
hear what our Brother had to propose to us; and if we had
received earlier Notice, a much larger Number of our fighting
Men would have come along with us: Our Settlements are
scattering, and some of them at a great Distance from others,
and many of our Men are from Home a hunting; we have, however,
sent the Belt of Invitation forward to those who live at a
greater Distance, that they may be able at the Time appointed,
to come and join us in the War, as by your Belt we were
desired._
Brother, _You Yesterday informed us of what you had said to the_
Six Nations, _and their Answer; we are grieved that the_ Six
Nations _have not already made use of the Hatchet, but have
hitherto kept it by them, and have not sent out their young Men
to revenge the Murders which have been committed by the Enemy._
_We are resolved to make use of the Hatchet against the_ French,
_to revenge the Injuries done to you and your People, our
Brethren._
_We have received at Times very different Kind of News from the_
Six Nations, _sometimes it seemed as if the_ French _would be
Masters; but it cannot be so, they are a deceitful People, and
cannot be trusted; they make fair Promises, and have no
Intention to perform them; they flatter themselves with Hopes to
be Masters, but they shall be disappointed; for we shall keep
the Hatchet firmly in our Hands, and are resolved to make Use of
it._
_We know several Roads that lead to_ Canada, _we want to see the
Hatchet, that we may take it up._
Upon which his Excellency threw down a Hanger, which the Speaker took up
and began the War-Dance, and several others danced the same after him.
After which they desired his Excellency to take Care of them, as he had
promised.
His Excellency returned them Thanks for their so readily taking up the
Hatchet; he said, that he would presently set the War-Kettle over the
Fire, and provide them with every Thing necessary for the War. His
Excellency gave them a handsome Present in publick for their Nations in
general, and private Presents to their principal Sachems; one of which
promised, that after his return Home, he would go round all the _Indian_
Settlements, to invite them into the War against the _French_, and their
_Indians_; and that he did not doubt to be able to bring six hundred Men
from the _Indian_ Settlements on the _Susquehannah_ River and its
Branches, to march at any Time, and to any Place, his Excellency should
appoint, in order to join the Forces intended against _Canada_; in the
mean Time they would cause a Party of their Men to go out with his Men
to scour the Woods, and clear them of the _French_ sculking _Indians_.
About this Time, a Serjeant of Capt. _Livingston_'s Company was
surprized and killed by a sculking Party of _French Indians_: In a few
Minutes after the Account of this came to his Excellency, who happened
to be dining at that Time in Capt. _Wrexall's_ Tent, fourteen of the
_Susquehannah Indians_ were observed running past the Tent, in order to
cross the River, and meet the _French Indians_; which his Excellency
observing, and being apprehensive that they might meet with some of the
Parties of the new Levies that were gone out for the same Purpose, and
that they might be in Danger of being attacked through Mistake; he ask'd
if any of the Guard which then attended, would voluntarily go along with
the _Indians_? Two Men offered themselves, who went with one who
understood the _Indian_ Language, in order to prevent Mistakes. Happy it
was that this Precaution was taken; for Capt. _Fanning_ with a great
Part of his Company, having gone out with the same Intention of
intercepting the _French Indians_, he discovered this Party of our
_Indians_, and taking them to be _French Indians_, he kept his Men under
the Cover of some Bushes, with their Arms ready to fire, expecting the
nearer Approach of the _Indians_; when one of the Christians who were
with them, observing Capt. _Fanning_'s Men, called out, and came up to
Capt. _Fanning_ when his Men were ready to fire. None of the Parties
that went out were able to discover any of the Enemy.
His Excellency afterwards sent out sixteen of these _Indians_, and
cloathed them for that Purpose, together with about sixty Men detached
from the Companies levied in the County of _Albany_, in order to scour
the Woods, and to advance as far as the Lakes to gain Intelligence, by
taking Prisoners or otherwise. While this Party was out, some of the
_Indians_ fell sick, and the others being apprehensive of the same
Misfortune, they return'd, after having been but a few Days in the
Woods. His Excellency then perceiving the Uneasiness the _Indians_ were
under from the Apprehensions of Sickness, found it necessary to dismiss
them all, on their Promise to return, whenever his Excellency should
order, with all the Force they shall be able to collect; and which, they
said, as before observed, might amount to six hundred Men. The Number of
_Indians_ that came at this Time from the _Susquehannah_ River,
consisted only of about sixty fighting Men, besides old Men, Women, and
Children: More had come near to _Albany_, but having there heard of the
Small-pox and Sickness that was at _Albany_, and that many of the _Six
Nations_ had catched the Infection, and several of them were dead, they
returned back.
After the _Six Nations_ left _Albany_, many of them were taken sick on
their Way Home, before they reached the _Mohawk_ Castles, and a
considerable Number of the briskest young Men of the _Mohawks_ died.
This retarded the Execution of the Order given to Mr. _Johnson_, to
send out Parties to harrass the _French_ Settlements in _Canada_, though
he used all the Means in his Power to effect it. While he was pressing
them to this Purpose, one of the Sachems who had promised to head a
Party from the _Canajohary_ Castle, said, _You seem to think that we are
Brutes, that we have no Sense of the Loss of our dearest Relations, and
some of them the bravest Men we had in our Nation: You must allow us
Time to bewail our Misfortune_.
About ten Days before his Excellency left _Albany_, a Party of upwards
of seventy Men, consisting of some of each Nation, went against
_Canada_: Some Christians were of the Party to assist and direct, and to
be Witnesses of the behaviour of the _Indians_. They were to avoid all
the Lakes, and the usual Roads and Passes to _Canada_, and were to go
thro' the Woods over Mountains, that are seldom passed, to prevent the
Enemies discovering them: But after these had been out, Capt. _Butler_'s
Son, to whom the chief Direction of this Party was committed, was taken
ill of the Small-pox, and five of the _Indians_ were obliged to return
to carry him Home. Another small Party was sent out to take Prisoners,
and gain Intelligence at _Crown-Point_. At the writing of this, it is
not known what Success they have had.
When the _Six Nations_ had come as far as the lower _Mohawk_ Castle, in
their return Home, they were met by about six Men of their own Nations,
who delivered a Message from _Canada_, which had been brought by the
_Indian_ who was taken by the _French_ at _Crown Point_, and carried to
_Canada_. The Message was interpreted in the following Words: "The
Governor of _Canada_ had called the _Cahnuaga Indians_ to him, and then
complained to them, that some of the _Six Nations_, his Children, had
killed some of his People: You all know, _he said_, that I am not hasty
or passionate, but will rather bear a great deal than shew Resentment,
wherefore I am resolved to pass this over; but in the mean Time I must
desire you to go among the _Six Nations_, to find out the Reason of this
Proceeding, and to tell them, that is any Thing like it happen again, I
will make them smart: You may nevertheless assure my Children[12] of the
_Six Nations_, that I love and esteem them equally with the _Cahnuagas_,
or _Shawendadies_[13], being of the same Blood. And to convince them of
my Love, I now send back to them one of their People that was taken at
_Crown Point_, without eating his Flesh. And now _Cahnuagas_, my
Children, I would not have you spill any more Blood from _Albany_
upwards, for I begin to pity their Weakness; but turn your Arms towards
_New-England_, against your most inveterate Enemies, there is the Place
for you to gain Honour now."
The _Cahnuagas_ gave the following Answer to the Governor of _Canada_:
Father, _You are in the wrong, to desire us to go among the_ Six Nations
_for Intelligence, or with Menaces; for such will only stir them up, and
bring them and all their Allies (who are very numerous) upon you, to
destroy you at once. We know they are not to be bullied by your Words or
ours, wherefore,_ Father, _we must leave you to go through this Work by
yourself._
After having as above, related what had passed between them and the
Governor of _Canada_, they sent the following Message from themselves.
_Brethren of the Six Nations_, "We hear the Governor of _New-York_ has
invited you to meet him; we intreat you not to mind any Thing he shall
say, in order to set you against us; for if you do, you, as well as we,
must all die. Wherefore, _Brethren_, we conjure you by all the Ties of
Friendship subsisting between us, to inform us of any Design that is
plotting against us; and that when any such Thing shall be discovered,
you will send an Express to _Cadarackui_[14], where our Fire always
burns.
"_Brethren_, We shall be glad to see you next Spring at _Cahnuaga_, to
hold a Council together, where you shall be as safe and welcome as ever.
"_Brethren_, The Governor our Father, being informed, that your Governor
is raising Men to come against _Canada_, desires us to tell you, that he
has _one thousand eight hundred_ Men at _Crown Point_, ready to give
them Battle; in which Number, the Men of eight Castles of the _Utawawas_
are included.
"_Brethren_, Be not angry at our destroying _Saraghtoga_ last Fall; Col.
_Schuyler_ dar'd us to it, by saying he wished to see a _French_ Army
there: We gratified him in his Wish."
A _Cahnuaga Indian_ was sent along with the Prisoner that was restored;
but when he came near the Settlements of the _Six Nations_, his Heart
fail'd him, and he sent the Prisoner forward by himself with the
Message.
The Readiness with which the _Six Nations_ communicated this Message,
and the flight they in all Appearance put upon it, is some Proof of
their Sincerity in the Promises they made to his Excellency; neither
from any Thing which has happened can it be shewn, that they were not
sincere. On the contrary, it appears by Mr. _Johnson_'s Letter to his
Excellency of the 21st of _October_, that several Parties are now out
against the _French_; and that Mr. _Johnson_ having received Orders
from Col. _Roberts_, to send as many _Indians_ as possible to join the
Army, all the _Mohawks_, even their oldest Men, were fitted out and
ready; and having sent to the upper Castles at the same Time, they
appeared so hearty, that there would not have remained above three old
Men in any of the next Castles: And that Col. _Roberts_ afterwards
contradicting these Orders, they had appeared very uneasy on their being
stopt. It was not expected that they would enter into the War without
us, or by themselves, neither are they a People of so little Thought, as
to give any Reason to expect it from them.
When the Companies raised in _Pensylvania_ arrived at _Albany_, his
Excellency was informed by their Captains, that Mr. _Thomas_ Governor of
that Province, had sent _Conrad Weiser_ their publick Interpreter, among
the _Susquehannah Indians_; and that they expected his Arrival at this
Place in a little Time, with at least three hundred _Indians_. The
Treaties with the _Indians_, which Mr. _Thomas_ has published, gave
great Hopes of the Success that Interpreter would have; and thereby
increased the Disappointment, when Mr. _Weiser_ arrived a few Days
before his Excellency left _Albany_, and did not bring one _Indian_ with
him.
His Excellency Governor _Clinton_, had perhaps more Difficulties to
struggle with on this Occasion, than any Governor of _New-York_ had at
any Time: The _Six Nations_ had on several Occasions given Grounds of
Mistrust; the Governor of _Canada_ was attempting all the Means in his
Power to divert their Affections from us; the People of the County of
_Albany_ had for some Time past, entertained a Dissatisfaction in the
Conduct of the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs; the Commissioners
themselves were divided in their Sentiments, and several of them refused
to attend their Meetings; and they confessed to his Excellency, that
they had lost all Influence on the _Indians_; Mr. _Gooch_ having
declined the Command of the Forces at _Albany_, his Excellency was
forced likewise to undertake a new and great Care, which he in no Manner
expected when he left the City of _New York_, and which from many
Incidents, was attended with many Difficulties. If these Things be duly
considered, and the Dangers his Person was in from the Infection of two
different Diseases, which at that Time raged in the City of _Albany_, of
which great Numbers died during his Residence there of near three
Months; none can doubt of his hearty Zeal for the Success of an Affair,
in which the Safety and Prosperity of all the Colonies in North
_America_, were immediately concerned.
But as every one may not be sufficiently apprized of what Consequence
the _Six Nations_ being hearty, is to the Interest of _Great-Britain_,
it may be proper to observe, That though a Number of _Indians_ to march
with the Army, which was intended to attack _Canada_, would be of great
Use in discovering and defeating the Ambushes of the Enemy's _Indians_,
while they were every Day to be guarded against by the Forces which were
to march by Land, and would by their Incursions into the Enemy's
Country, terribly harass them, and keep them from joining their Forces
into any great Body to oppose the Design; these are not the most
considerable Advantages might be gained from the Affection of the _Six
Nations_ at this Time, or any Time of War; for if the inland Extent of
the Colonies from _Nova Scotia_ to _Georgia_ be considered, and at the
same Time the numerous _Indian_ Nations on the Continent of _America_,
who may by the Artifices of the _French_ be induced to make Incursions
every where; and the cruel Methods by which the _Indians_ make
Incursions in small Parties, from the vast Forest which every where
covers the Continent, and which in many Places is impenetrable; it must
evidently appear, that though the _English_ Colonies be of much superior
Force in Numbers of Men, yet their Number would not be sufficient to
protect their Frontiers from the Incursions of the _Indians_ in every
Place: And, that while their Forces must in this Case be divided and
scattered all over their Frontiers, it may be in the Power of the
_French_ in _Canada_, to invade with Success any Part of the _English_
Colonies. On the other Hand, if a proper Attempt were to be made by the
Northern Colonies alone, without the Assistance of their Mother Country,
but with the Assistance of the _Indians_, it would in all Appearance be
sufficient to reduce _Canada_; for if the _Indian_ Nations can be
persuaded to join heartily, (as from what is above related it seems
probable they may) it will be impossible for the Inhabitants of _Canada_
to defend themselves from the Incursions of these numerous _Indian_
Nations, and from a Body of regular Troops at the same Time. As the
_French_ are very sensible of these Advantages to be gain'd from the
Friendship of the _Indian_ Nations, they neglect no Means in their Power
to procure them: And it is to be hoped, that the Northern Colonies will
be no less assiduous in a Matter on which their Well-being at least
depends.
Some People wish that the _Indians_ may remain neuter, and think it
adviseable to pursue Measures for that Purpose, by which many horrid
Barbarities would be prevented. No doubt this is to be wished; but can
the _English_ Colonies by any Means be assured, that the _French_ will
be sincere in preserving such a Neutrality? And if they be not sincere,
we shall more certainly expose ourselves to all these Calamities, than
we are now by _Indians_ being engaged on both Sides. The _Six Nations_
are by their natural Inclinations, disposed to War-like Enterprizes:
They never have been at Peace with all their Neighbours, since they were
known to Christians. The Reputation they have gained among all the
_Indian_ Nations in North _America_, gives them an Influence in the
Councils of every Nation. It may then be easy for the _French_ to turn
this Disposition to War in the _Six Nations_, against us, and by their
Influence draw all the _Indian_ Nations in North _America_ upon us. The
Genius of the _Six Nations_ will not suffer them to remain inactive,
while their Neighbours are at War.
In the last Place, it may not be improper to observe at this Time, that
though the Colonies to the Southward (and the Inhabitants of the Parts
of the Northern Colonies, which are less exposed to the Incursions of
_Indians_) think themselves little concerned in Interest, or in the
Consequences of the present War; yet if they would consider that the
Northern Colonies are really their Frontiers, and that they defend the
others from all the Calamities of a most barbarous War; the Southern
Colonies must think that any Contribution of Men and Money, which is
expected from them, is an easy Purchase of the Freedom from such
Calamities, to which their Brethren are subjected; and that while they
can follow their Occupations at Ease, they are much better enabled to
support the Expence of a War than the Northern Colonies are, where the
Inhabitants are every Day in Danger of their Lives from a cruel Enemy,
while at their daily and innocent Labours. If the Southern Colonies
neglect to keep the War at a Distance from them, they may at an improper
Time, become sensible of the Evils their Brethren suffer, and of their
own Folly at the same Time.
_New-York, Dec._ 2, 1746.
The Party of seventy _Indians_ and Whites mentioned in this Treaty, did
not go out together as was at first intended, Sickness and other
Incidents made it necessary to alter the Measures at first proposed. One
Party of thirty _Indians_ and ten Whites went by themselves. These fell
upon a _French_ Settlement on the North-side of _St. Lawrence_ River,
about 10 Leagues above _Montreal_, and brought away eight _French_
Prisoners, one of them a Captain of Militia, and four Scalps. Another
Party of nine _Indians_ went to the _Cahnuagas_, under Pretence of
continuing the Neutrality with them, they were introduced to the
Governor of _Montreal_ under the same Pretence, who made them Presents:
Their Design was to gain what Intelligence they could, and after they
had done this, they acted their Part so well, that they received several
Letters, one from the Governor of _Montreal_, and others from
considerable Persons to the Commandant of Fort _St. Frederic_ at _Crown
Point_. In their Way thither, by which they were to return Home, they
surprized some _French_ in a small Fort, killed five, and brought away
one Prisoner and one Scalp. They brought the _French_ Prisoner and the
Letters to the commanding Officer at _Albany_, and informed him of what
they had seen and heard at _Montreal_.
[Illustration]
[Footnote 12: The governor of _Canada_ calls the _Six Nations_ (and all
the _Indian_ Nations depending on him) _Children_, as the Governor of
_New-York_ calls them _Brethren_.]
[Footnote 13: Another Settlement of Deserters from the _Six Nations_,
and dwelling near _Montreal_.]
[Footnote 14: A _French_ Fort opposite to _Oswego_, and the East End of
_Cadarackui_ Lake, or Lake _Frontenac_.]
A