among the Indians, with the approbation and support of the great
Shikellamy. This mission was broken up in 1756, and for several years
Zeisberger assisted in ministering to the Christian Indians, for whom
the Provincial Government had provided a refuge in the barracks at
Philadelphia.
Peace having been concluded at the end of the Pontiac War, Zeisberger
led the remnant of these Indians to Wyalusing, on the North Branch of
the Susquehanna River, in Bradford County. Here Zeisberger established
the mission of Friedenschuetten, “tents of peace.” This mission
prospered greatly, and much good was done among the Indians.
In October, 1767, he traversed the solitude of the forest and reached
the Munsee Indians, who were then living in what is now Forest County.
This pious missionary remained with these savages but seven days. They
were good listeners to his sermons, but every day he was in danger of
being murdered. Of these Indians he wrote:
“I have never found such heathenism in any other part of the Indian
country. Here Satan has a stronghold. Here he sits upon his throne. Here
he is worshipped by true savages, and carries on his work in the hearts
of the children of darkness.”
He returned to Friedenschuetten and labored there until the Six Nations
sold the land in that part of the State, November 5, 1768.
The Six Nations had by this treaty sold the land from “under the feet”
of the Wyalusing converts and the Reverend Zeisberger was compelled to
take measures for the removal of these Christian Indians, with their
horses and cattle, to some other field.
This company penetrated through the wilderness to the Allegheny River,
and established a church at a Delaware town of three villages called
Goschgoschunk, near the mouth of Tionesta Creek in which is now Venango
County. Here they built a log chapel, planted corn and commenced the
work of evangelization.
They were soon rewarded by gaining a number of converts, among whom was
the blind old chief Allemewi, who was baptized with the name of Solomon.
As usual, however, their success excited opposition and their lives were
threatened by the hostile Indians, who called the converts “Sunday
Indians” or “Swannocks,” a name of great opprobrium.
Wangomen, an Indian prophet, declared that he had a vision in which he
was shown by the Great Spirit that the white man had displeased him by
coming among the Indians; and the old squaws went about complaining that
since their arrival the corn was devoured by worms, that the game was
leaving the country, and that neither chestnuts nor bilberries ripened
any more.
Some said, “The white men ought to be killed,” and, others agreeing,
said, “Yes, and all the baptized Indians with them and their bodies
thrown into the river.”
The name of the town, Goschgoschunk, meant “the place of the hogs,” and
the missionaries believed it was well named.
In 1769 they removed their converts to Lawunakhanna, on the opposite
side of the river about three miles above Goschgoschunk. A strange thing
occurred here in the friendly attitude of their old enemy, Wangomen. He
carried news of their success to Kuskuskee, a celebrated Delaware town
on the Beaver, in the present Lawrence County. From this place Chief
Pakanke sent Glikhickan, a celebrated Delaware warrior and orator, to
refute the teachings of the missionaries.
Glikhickan listened to the preaching of Zeisberger, and received private
instructions in the Gospel, and was completely won by them.
On his return to Kuskuskee Glikhickan made a favorable report to
Pakanke, who invited the missionaries and their converts to remove to
Beaver, where a tract of land was promised them for their exclusive use.
Zeisberger asked and received the consent of the Mission Board at
Bethlehem to accept the invitation, and he promptly prepared to remove
thither.
April 17, 1770, the congregation at Lawunakhanna, set out in sixteen
canoes, passed down the river to Fort Pitt, and on to the mouth of the
Big Beaver, where they arrived in the forenoon of April 23 and paddled
up the stream to the falls. At this point a portage was necessary and it
took four days to carry their baggage and canoes around the rapids. Here
they were met by Glikhickan and others with horses, who assisted them in
this labor.
Five days later Zeisberger tarried at New Kuskuskee to visit with
Pakanke, who received him with a genuine welcome.
The site of their new encampment was reached May 7. Corn was planted, a
large hut for meetings of the congregation and smaller ones of bark for
dwellings were put up and all were happy in their new home. This town
was called Friedenstadt, or “town of peace.”
Glikhickan became a devoted friend of the Christians, and when he
removed to Friedenstadt old Pakanke attacked him publicly. Colonel
George Croghan used his influence to appease Pakanke and secure a fair
hearing for the missionaries, and the labors of the brethren began to
bear fruit.
On June 12 the wife of the blind chief Solomon was baptized. Six months
later Glikhickan and Genaskund were baptized. Glikhickan took the name
of Isaac and became an assistant in the work of the Gospel.
On July 14 Zeisberger was adopted into the Munsee tribe and Pakanke was
present at the ceremony.
July 23, Zeisberger laid out a new and larger town on the west side of
the Beaver, near the present Moravia. This was a more permanent
settlement. The houses were built of logs, with stone foundations and
chimneys and the church was much larger. Here, too, they built a
blacksmith shop and stockades.
Other missionaries came from Bethlehem. On the one hand, they enjoyed
success in their work, and, on the other, they were subjected to much
disagreeable treatment by those still unfavorable to them, their lives
being more than once seriously imperiled by visits of hostile and
drunken savages. But they continued their labors undaunted by trials and
persecutions.
May 27, 1771, the foundation stone of the chapel was laid, and June 20
the house was dedicated with great rejoicings. In all probability this
was the first church building dedicated to the worship of God west of
the Allegheny Mountains.
----------
Revolutionary Forces Threaten Executive
Council June 21, 1783
A change in the British Ministry had encouraged Dr. Benjamin Franklin to
renew his efforts for a peaceful adjustment, and after working with the
utmost industry and skill throughout the summer and most of the autumn
of 1782, he had the satisfaction of seeing his labors crowned with
success.
A preliminary treaty of peace between the Colonies and Great Britain was
signed at Paris, November 30, 1782, but the news did not reach this
country until March 12, 1783, when the packet George Washington, Captain
Joshua Barney, arrived at Philadelphia with the joyful intelligence that
a treaty had been concluded, acknowledging the independence of the
United States. This was the initial step necessary in the negotiations
for peace between all belligerents.
On March 23 the French cutter Triumph arrived at Philadelphia from
Cadiz, bringing the news that a preliminary treaty of peace had been
signed January 20, 1783.
M. de Luzerne, the French Minister, at once issued an official
notification of the fact, directing French cruisers to cease
hostilities. Intelligence of the state of affairs was also communicated
to Sir Guy Carleton, who had succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as the British
commander-in-chief at New York.
On April 11, the British officers received official notice from home
that peace had been concluded, and the same day Congress issued a
proclamation enjoining a cessation of hostilities.
On April 16 the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania made public
announcement of the happy event at the Court House, where the official
document was read by the Sheriff in the presence of an immense concourse
of people. The State flag was hoisted as usual on such occasions, at
Market Street wharf; church bells were rung amid general demonstrations
of joy at the termination of the war. In the evening Charles Wilson
Peale exhibited the patriotic transparencies which had done good service
on previous occasions, and one week later Thomas Paine published the
last number of the Crisis, in which he declared that “the times that
tried men’s souls were over.”
The definite treaty of peace was signed at Versailles, September 3,
1783, in which the United States was formally acknowledged to be
sovereign, free and independent.
One of the first measures made necessary by the cessation of the war was
the exchange of prisoners. The soldiers of Burgoyne’s army were
principally at Lancaster, and they were put in motion before the
proclamation, and arrived in Philadelphia on their way to New York a day
or two previous to the official announcement. The obstructions that had
been placed in the Delaware River were removed and commerce resumed.
In June, 1783, a number of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of
the Pennsylvania Line wearied, and exasperated by the delay in the
settlement of their claims, resolved to demand a redress of their
grievances and a prompt settlement of their accounts.
A body of them accordingly marched from Lancaster toward the city of
Philadelphia, and although the Supreme Executive Council and Congress
were informed of their coming, no measures were taken to check the
advance of the malcontents.
A committee of Congress requested the Executive Council to call out the
militia in order to prevent the progress of the rioters, but the State
authorities took no action, in the belief apparently that the troops
could be conciliated.
Orders were issued from the War Office that the soldiers be received
into the barracks and supplied with rations. On reaching the city they
marched to those quarters in good order and without creating any
disturbance.
Congress and the Executive Council both held their sessions in the State
House at this time.
On Saturday, June 21, Congress not being in session, having adjourned
from Friday until Monday, about thirty of the soldiers marched from the
barracks to the State House, where the Executive Council was in regular
meeting.
They sent to that body a memorial in writing stating that as their
general officers had left them, they should have authority to appoint
commissioned officers to command them and redress their grievances. With
this demand went a threatening message that in case they refused, the
soldiers would be let in upon the Council, who must then abide by the
consequences. Only twenty minutes were given for the deliberation, but
so insolent were the terms that the Council at once unanimously rejected
the proposition.
This action created a widespread alarm. Other bodies of soldiers joined
the mutineers, who now numbered 300. The president of Congress assembled
that body in special session and demanded that the militia of the State
should be immediately called forth in sufficient force to reduce the
soldiers to obedience, disarm them and put them in the power of
Congress. Prior to the assembling of Congress at Carpenters’ Hall the
soldiers were at their barracks and all was quiet.
A session of the Supreme Executive Council was held the following day,
Sunday, at the house of President Dickinson. That body did not agree on
the extreme measures of Congress. The result was that the latter,
dissatisfied with the indisposition of the Council, adjourned to meet at
Princeton, N. J. This action of Congress was neither necessary nor
prudent. It was prompted by pride and a disposition to construe an
undesigned affront into the wanton insult, or it was in consequence of
fear that was unjustifiable by the succession of events.
The promoters of this meeting escaped, but several of the ringleaders
were arrested and court-martialed. Two of the sergeants of the Third
Pennsylvania were sentenced to be shot, while several others were to
receive corporal punishment, but all were subsequently pardoned by
Congress.
Congress remained during the summer at Princeton. The Assembly of
Pennsylvania, the Council, and prominent citizens of the State invited
it to return to Philadelphia, and although Congress seemed pleased and
satisfied at the measures taken, yet they were ashamed to go back to a
city they had deserted so precipitately and carelessly, and they
adjourned at Princeton to meet at Annapolis, Md.
----------
Colonel Turbutt Francis Marches Provincial
Troops to Wyoming June 22, 1769
The Connecticut people had gained complete possession of the Wyoming
Valley at the conclusion of the so-called first Pennanite-Yankee War, in
1769.
These Yankees entered with enthusiasm upon their agricultural pursuit,
while their surveyors were employed in running out the five townships
which had been allotted to the actual settlers by the Connecticut
authorities. But no one supposed that peace and security were finally
yielded them by their alert and powerful Pennsylvania opponents.
Captain Amos Ogden with the civil magistrate, Sheriff John Jennings, of
Northampton County, of which county the Wyoming Valley was then a part,
appeared at the head of an armed party in the plains May 20. They found
the Yankees too strongly entrenched and returned to Easton.
Sheriff Jennings informed Governor John Penn that the intruders mustered
three hundred able bodied men, and it was not in his power to collect
sufficient force in Northampton County to dislodge them.
At the same time that the Governor sent Sheriff Jennings to Wyoming, he
sent instructions to Colonel Turbutt Francis, who was then commandant of
the garrison at Fort Augusta, to extend such aid as was necessary to
secure the Proprietary settlements at Wyoming, and to hold his troops in
readiness for any emergency or call that he might make for them.
The records of Fort Augusta, or those published in the Archives do not
give much detailed information of the instructions which Colonel Francis
received, but in a long report of the committee of the Susquehanna
Company, written from Windham, Connecticut, and signed by four members,
is this paragraph:
“June 22nd, 1769, Colonel Francis, with sixty armed men in a hostile
manner demanded a surrender of our houses and possessions. He embodied
his forces within thirty or forty rods of their dwellings, threatened to
fire their houses and kill our people, unless they surrendered and
quitted their possessions, which they refused to do, and after many
terrible threatenings by him, he withdrew. Our people went on peaceably
with their business.”
Miner, in his History of Wyoming, says of this event: “Col. Turbutt
Francis, commanding a fine company from the city, in full military
array, with colors streaming, and martial music, descended into the
plain, and sat down before Fort Durkee about the 20th of June; but
finding the Yankees too strongly fortified, returned to await
reinforcements below the mountains.”
On June 15 Major Durkee, and others of the New England adherents went to
Easton to attend the Northampton County Court, but the case against the
Yankees was continued to the September term, and the defendants returned
with Major Durkee to Wyoming.
It was during Major Durkee’s absence that the exciting events took
place.
Colonel Francis was a native of Philadelphia and a distinguished officer
of the French and Indian War, since which service he had spent the
greater part of his life in and about Fort Augusta. He was in command of
the garrison at that fortress when Governor Penn sent him to Wyoming,
and his troops were in the provincial service.
A Yankee report of this event says: “The 22d of June our spies gave
fresh information, that the mob was on their way, and they judged their
number consisted of between 60 and 70, and in the evening they came and
strung along the opposite side of the River for more than a mile,
judging by their whooping, yelling and hideous noise and firing of guns.
“The 23d, in the morning, one Captain Ogden, with two more, came to know
if our committee could be spoke with by Colonel Francis, which was
consented to. About 8 in the morning the Colonel came, seemingly in an
angry frame by his looks and behavior. He told us he had orders from the
Governor of Pennsylvania to remove us off (which he in a short time
contradicted), and demanded entrance into our town, which was refused;
and continued he—'You have lost your case at Easton, and I have 300 men
here with me, and 100 more coming, and my men are so unruly and
ungoverned that it is hardly in my power to keep them from you; and they
will kill your cattle and horses, and destroy your corn, and block up
the way so as to cut you off from all communication for provisions, and
your Government will not own you.'
“We told him that we had a good right to the land by Charter from the
Crown, and Deed from the Indians, and that we could not, consistent with
the votes of the Susquehanna Company, give it up, and should not. He
then made proposals of agreement that we should possess the land on the
East Branch, except that what Ogden and some others of them improved,
and they enjoy the West Branch, till decided by law; and he would give
us an hour to consider, and give him an answer. We sent him word that we
would not comply with his terms, for it was not in our power.
“Finally he concluded to move off with his mob to Shamokin (which is
about 60 miles) and wait there about ten days for the committee to send
our proposals, which, if he liked, it was well; if not, he could come
again. And further, he desired our men might be kept in the Fort till
his men should be gone, lest they should hurt us. Towards night they
moved off, seemingly well pleased with their _Conquest_. As near as we
could learn their number did not exceed 50 men, and a considerable part
of them in our favor.”
Colonel Francis was called to Philadelphia in July and gave a full
verbal report of his expedition to the Governor and Council.
In September thirteen of the Connecticut settlers in three canoes loaded
with flour were halted at Fort Augusta. They were on their way up the
river with the cargo which they had purchased at Harris’ Ferry for the
Wyoming settlement.
The Yankees were detained by armed troops for three hours, but their
cargoes were confiscated, even in spite of the fact they agreed to pay
for the food.
Thus the trouble between the Connecticut and Pennsylvania claimants
continued for many years.
----------
Pennsylvanian Makes First Report in Congress
for Railway to Pacific
June 23, 1848
James Pollock had exhibited unusual personal and political strength in
carrying at three consecutive elections his Democratic congressional
district. He was first chosen to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death
of Congressman General Henry Frick, then again in 1844 and 1846 he won
his re-election. He was one of the younger members, but during his
nearly six sessions of service he exhibited not only great efficiency,
but he was in advance of most of his older associates in heartily
sustaining all progressive movements.
Pollock was one of the few members of Congress who took kindly to
Professor S. B. Morse, when he went to Washington and was shunned by
nearly every Government official as a crank or lunatic because he
proposed to utilize the lightning for the transmission of messages.
Pollock also was one of the earliest public men to accept Benton’s idea
of the great destiny of the West after the extension of our territory to
the Pacific by Mexican annexation. He served on the Committees of
Claims, Territories, and in the Thirtieth Congress he was on the
important Committee of Ways and Means.
On June 23, 1848, Pollock offered a resolution for the appointment of a
special committee to inquire into the necessity and practicability of
constructing a railroad to the Pacific Coast. As chairman of that
committee he made a report to the House in favor of the construction of
such a road which was the first favorable official act on the subject on
the part of the Congress of the United States.
The report discussed the question in its international and domestic
aspects, its feasibility and probable results. The opening paragraph is
in these words:
“The proposition at first view is a startling one. The magnitude of the
work itself, and the still greater and more magnificent results promised
by its accomplishment—that of revolutionizing morally and commercially,
if not politically, a greater part of the habitable globe, and making
the vast commerce of the world tributary to us—almost overwhelm the
mind. But your committee, on examination, finds it a subject as simple
as it is vast and magnificent, and sees no insurmountable difficulties
in the way of its successful accomplishment.”
A bill accompanied the report, and was referred to the Committee of the
Whole, but no further action was taken on it at that time, and Pollock
soon after left Congress. In the fall of 1848, however, he delivered a
lecture on the Pacific Railroad, by invitation to a crowded house at
Lewisburg, Union County, closing with the following remark:
“At the risk of being insane, I will venture the prediction, that in
less than twenty-five years from this evening a railroad will be
completed and in operation between New York and San Francisco, Calif.;
that a line of steamships will be established between San Francisco,
Japan and China; and there are now in my audience, ladies who will,
before the expiration of the period named, drink tea brought from China
and Japan by this route, to their own doors.”
That prophetic announcement was received by the audience with a smile of
good-natured incredulity, but some of those very ladies, during the year
1869, were able to sip their favorite beverage in exact accordance with
the terms of the speaker’s prediction. On May 10, 1869, the last rail
was laid, the last spike driven, and the great Pacific Railway, so long
in embryo, became an accomplished fact.
Pollock gave special interest during his Congressional service to the
annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the acquisition of California, the
repeal of the Tariff Act of 1842, and the “Wilmot Proviso,” in its
application to the newly acquired territories of the United States. In
all the discussions on those exciting topics he was the leading factor.
His speeches and votes demonstrated the consistency of his views, and
the breadth and soundness of his understanding.
In 1850 he became President-Judge of the eighth judicial district, then
composed of the counties of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Sullivan
and Lycoming.
In 1854 he was nominated and elected by a large majority Governor of
Pennsylvania.
It was during his administration, May 16, 1857, that the main line of
the public works of the State was directed to be sold. On July 25
following Governor Pollock caused the same to be done, and on July 31
the whole line of the public works between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
was transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at the price of
$7,500,000.
In the summer of 1857 a serious financial revulsion occurred, resulting
in the suspension of specie payments by the banks of Pennsylvania and
other States of the Union, followed by the failure of many
long-established commercial houses, leading to the destruction of
confidence and to the general depression of trade, and threatening to
affect disastrously the credit of the Commonwealth and the great
industrial interests of the people.
In order to release the banks from the penalties incurred by a
suspension of specie payments, Governor Pollock convened the Legislature
in “extraordinary session” October 6.
On October 13 an act was passed “providing for the resumption of specie
payments by the banks and for the relief of debtors,” to go into
immediate effect. The law had the desired result, the different branches
of industry revived and the community saved from bankruptcy and ruin. He
declined a renomination for a second term.
While serving in Congress, Pollock became intimately acquainted with
Abraham Lincoln, who was then also a member, and they boarded at the
same house.