a line was drawn from the end of the “walk” to the Delaware River.
Not being described in the deed of purchase, the agent of the
Proprietaries, instead of running by the nearest course to the river,
ran northeastward across the country about sixty-six miles, so as to
strike the Delaware near the mouth of the Lackawaxen, thus extending far
up the river, taking in all the Minisink territory, and many thousand
acres more than they should have included had the line been run by the
direct course to the Delaware.
This walk gained for the Penn’s territory which now constitutes the
northern part of Bucks, virtually the whole of Northampton and a portion
of Pike, Carbon and Monroe counties.
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British Surprise and Slaughter Americans
at Paoli, September 20, 1777
Following the defeat of the Continental Army at Brandywine, a detachment
of the British Army under Major General Grant marched to Concord Meeting
House, where it was joined by Lord Cornwallis and moved to near Chester.
The Americans retreated toward Chester. On the arrival of Washington,
about midnight, he sent an account of the disaster to Congress. The next
day the army marched by way of Darby to Philadelphia. The main body was
encamped near Germantown for two or three days to rest.
Washington deemed it so important to save Philadelphia from falling into
the hands of the enemy that he resolved to risk another engagement.
On September 15 he crossed the Schuykill and marched up the Lancaster
road, with the intention of meeting the enemy. The British commander
learned of Washington’s plan to attack him, and disposed his troops to
meet the attack.
On the morning of the 16th Washington received information that the
enemy was approaching by way of the Goshen Meeting House, and was
already in that vicinity. The two armies prepared for action. Washington
dispatched an advance guard to keep the enemy in check until his army
was properly arrayed.
General Anthony Wayne in command of the advance, was to open the battle.
Skirmishing began, but suddenly a rain storm of great violence stopped
its progress. A hurried consultation was had as to whether the British
should be fought on ground so soft there was danger of losing the
artillery in case of defeat.
Washington gave the order to reform east of the White Horse and north of
the Lancaster road.
The Americans discovered their ammunition was damaged by the rain and
continued to Warwick Furnace. The storm continued for some time.
On the evening of the 18th, Cornwallis advanced to the Lancaster road,
and the following day the entire army joined at the White Horse, and
moved down the Lancaster and Swedes’ Ford road, where they encamped near
the present village of Howellville.
On the 17th General Wayne’s division was sent to French Creek to annoy
the enemy and endeavor to cut off the baggage train, and by this means
arrest his march toward the Schuylkill until the Americans could cross
the river higher up and pass down on the east side and intercept the
passage of the river by the British.
General Wayne proceeded to the duty assigned him, and on the eighteenth
encamped in the rear of the enemy, securely concealed from the knowledge
of General Howe. Wayne’s home being in the neighborhood, he was
acquainted with the locality.
On the nineteenth General Wayne watched the enemy with a view of
attacking him should he move. On the twentieth, he believed the British
Commander intended to take up the march, and it was his intention to
advance upon the enemy’s rear and attack while in the operation of
moving.
General Wayne had carefully guarded himself against surprise, planted
pickets and sentinels, and threw forward patrols upon the roads leading
to the enemy’s camp.
During the night a neighbor visited his quarters and advised him that
the British intended to attack him during the night. Wayne took
additional precautions, and awaited General Smallwood’s arrival with
re-enforcements to enable him to take the offensive.
Although the British commander did not know where the forces of General
Wayne lay, there were Tories residing in the neighborhood who did, and
by these he was advised of the precise locality and of the nature of the
approaches to it.
Howe sent General Grey to surprise and cut him off, and moved Colonel
Musgrave with the Fortieth and Fifty-fifth Regiments up the Lancaster
road, near to the Paoli Tavern, to intercept any attempt to retreat over
that route. The watchword of the Americans for that night, through some
treachery was communicated to the enemy.
General Grey, guided by his Tory aides, marched up the Swedes’ Ford
road, and massed his troops as near Wayne’s camp as possible. General
Grey cautiously moved through the woods up the ravine, and near the
present Malvern station of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
General Wayne received intelligence of the enemy’s advances, immediately
ordered the troops under arms, many were awakened by the cry, “Up, men,
the British are on you!”
The night was dark, and the surrounding woodland made it uncertain as to
the point of attack. General Wayne ascertained, however, that the enemy
was advancing upon his right, where the artillery was placed, and
ordered Colonel Humpton to wheel the division by sub-platoon to the
right, and march off by the left, and thus gain the road leading to the
summit of the hill.
The artillery moved off, but owing to a misapprehension the troops
failed to move, although in a position to do so. In addition to this
blunder, part of the force took the wrong road, which brought the men
within the light of their fires, and thus gave the enemy an advantage
which should have been avoided.
General Wayne took the light infantry and First regiment and formed them
on the right, to receive the enemy and cover the retreat of the
artillery.
General Grey had gained Wayne’s left about 1 o’clock in the morning. The
troops under Wayne met the enemy with spirit, gave them several
well-directed fires, which did considerable execution. They were,
however, soon compelled to give way before superior numbers.
General Wayne with the Fourth regiment received the shock of the enemy’s
charge, and covered the retreat of the rest of his line. He rallied such
of Colonel Humpton’s troops as had taken the proper course in their
retreat, where they were again formed to renew the conflict.
Both parties, however drew off without further contest, and General
Wayne retreated to the White Horse, carrying with him his artillery and
ammunition.
The British attack was made by twice the number of the troops commanded
by Wayne. The enemy advanced with only bayonets and light horseman’s
swords in a most ferocious and merciless spirit. General Grey ordered
his men to remove the flints from their guns, that not a single shot
should be fired.
The British dashed into the woods, guided by the straggling fire of the
picket, and rushed into the camp yelling.
The Americans were completely surprised, some with arms, others without,
running in all directions in the greatest confusion.
The light infantry bayoneted every man they met. The camp was soon in
flames, and this with the cries of the wounded formed a scene terrible
to behold.
In the slaughter even the sick and wounded were not spared. This conduct
of the British commander has stigmatized it as “British barbarity” and
has given to the action the title of the Paoli Massacre.
The loss of the Americans was about 150 killed and wounded. The British
reported their loss as eight killed, but this is probably an inaccurate
record.
The next morning the people in the neighborhood visited the scene and
decently buried fifty-three mangled dead whose bodies were found upon
the field.
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Unholy Alliance with Delaware Indians
Concluded at Fort Pitt,
September 21, 1778
When General Lachlan McIntosh was sent to relieve General Edward Hand at
Fort Pitt it was expected that the frontiers would be made safe, as
General Washington ordered the Eighth Pennsylvania and the Thirteenth
Virginia detached from Valley Forge and marched to the Western post.
The plan of General McIntosh was to attack Detroit, which involved a
march of 300 miles through a wilderness inhabited by savages, most of
whom were hostile to the American cause. This army must be carried far
from its base of supplies, and Fort Pitt was never strong. This was a
stupendous enterprise.
The Delaware tribe, who had removed from the central part of
Pennsylvania, were now living on the Tuscarawas and the Muskingum, and
were the only Indians who had maintained neutrality between the
Colonists and the British.
White Eyes, the head sachem and the greatest chieftain ever produced by
this remarkable Indian nation, was devoted to the American cause. He
revealed a spirit of intelligent sympathy with the struggle for liberty
and even hoped that a Delaware Indian State might form a fourteenth star
in the American Union.
Preparations were made for a formal treaty of alliance, and June, 1778,
Congress ordered it to be held at Fort Pitt July 23 following, and
requested Virginia to name two Commissioners and Pennsylvania one.
On account of the Continental troops being too far distant the treaty
was postponed until September.
Colonel Brodhead and the Eighth Pennsylvania, which had been recruited
in Western Pennsylvania, reached Fort Pitt September 10, 1778. Already
the Delaware Indians were encamped near the shore of the river a short
distance above the fort. Two days later the conference began.
This was probably the most remarkable treaty ever made in the interest
of the United States.
By this treaty, the United States entered into an offensive and
defensive alliance with a tribe of savage Indians, recognizing them as
an independent nation, guaranteeing its integrity and territory. Each
party bound itself to assist the other against enemies.
The treaty even contained a provision for the admission of an Indian
State into the American Union. The Commissioners certainly knew this was
impossible, yet they deliberately provided for it in solemn treaty,
taking care, however, to subject the scheme to the approval of Congress.
In present day parlance it was a “gold brick,” the white men handed to
their red brethren.
On the other hand, it was a most courageous act upon the part of the
Delaware tribe to form this alliance with the Americans, as all the
other Indian tribes of the West were in league with the British, and had
for months been trying to persuade the Delaware to join them.
In that alliance White Eyes exposed his people to absolute destruction
by the British and their red allies. He fully realized his danger, yet
he had the courage to do what he believed to be the right thing, and he
fell a martyr to his convictions.
The Shawnee were invited into the alliance, but made no response. At the
treaty the Delaware deputies were White Eyes, the chief sachem;
Killbuck, a famous medicine man and war chief, and Pipe, the chief
warrior of the Wolf clan. All were attired in holiday regalia, paint,
feathers and beads.
On the part of the Americans were General McIntosh and his colonels and
staff officers. The interpreter was Job Chilloway, the noted Delaware
Indian, who resided on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and who was
ever the true friend of the whites. Soldiers patrolled the parade ground
or stood about watching the unusual scene.
General Andrew Lewis, one of the Virginia Commissioners, opened the
conference on Saturday morning by presenting a belt of white wampum, and
praising the Delaware tribesmen because they alone remained faithful to
their treaties. He then presented a broad belt which had the wampum so
arranged that it depicted a red man and a white man connected by a black
line, denoting a road or path. He then proposed a formal alliance,
giving a third belt, showing a white man and an Indian clasping hands.
General Lewis stated the intention of sending an army against Detroit
and asked permission of the Delaware Indians for passage through their
country.
Chief White Eyes gave thanks for the offer of friendship and alliance.
He told them it was to form such an alliance that he and his comrades
had come to the council. He promised a prompt consultation and an answer
in the afternoon. He was the only Indian who spoke at the conference.
The arrival of another delegation of Indians consumed much time. The new
arrivals were led by Wingenund, the Delaware wise man, and Nimwha, chief
of the small band of the Shawnee, who lived with the Delaware at
Coshocton.
The conference was resumed in the morning, when White Eyes announced the
readiness of the Indians to accept the alliance. The Commissioners
announced they would submit copy of the treaty in writing.
White Eyes then said: “Brothers, we are become one people. The enemy
Indians, as soon as they hear it, will strike us. We desire that our
brethren would build some place for our old men, women and children to
remain in safety whilst our warriors go with you.”
On Monday the articles of confederation between a civilized and a savage
nation were interpreted and explained to the Indians. On Wednesday White
Eyes accepted the treaty on behalf of the Delaware and the Shawnee.
On the following day the articles of confederation were signed in
triplicate, one copy for Congress, one for the Delaware, and one for
General McIntosh. There were six articles:
First, all offenses were to be mutually forgiven; second, a perpetual
peace was pledged; third, the Delaware assented to passages through
their country for American Army and agreed to sell corn, meat and horses
to the army and to furnish guides, while the Americans agreed to erect a
garrison, within the Delaware country, a fort for the protection of the
old men, women and children; fourth, related to punishment for offenses
only by trial by judges of both parties, etc.; fifth, the United States
pledged the establishment of a fair trade under the control of an honest
agent.
The sixth article was the most remarkable of all. It guaranteed the
integrity of the Delaware territory so long as the nation should keep
peace with the United States, promised the Delaware nation should have a
representative in Congress, etc. All these articles were contingent upon
the proviso that “it meets with the approval of Congress.”
On the succeeding day, September 21, presents were given to the Delaware
on behalf of Congress and the Indians then departed for Coshocton, to
make preparations for joining the expedition against Detroit.
Chief White Eyes was treacherously killed; the soldiers spent the winter
in the wilderness, where many hardships were endured, and the expedition
proved a failure.
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Franklin Attends Conference of Indians in
Carlisle, September 22, 1753
During the summer of 1753 the Six Nations, Shawnee, Delaware and
Twightwee held a great treaty in Virginia, where they were called by
Governor Dinwiddie, but who much offended them by his failure to attend
the conference in person.
On their return the Indians sent word to Governor James Hamilton, at
Philadelphia, that they desired to negotiate a new treaty at Carlisle.
The Governor learned that Dinwiddie had not met them in Virginia and he
thought Carlisle too far distant to travel on such a mission, so Isaac
Norris, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Richard Peters, the
secretary, and Dr. Benjamin Franklin were commissioned September 22,
1753, to meet and treat with the Indians.
Those who today wander through the streets of historic old Carlisle
cannot realize that Franklin and his companions found little more than a
frontier fort. John O'Neal, in a letter to Governor Hamilton, dated May
27, 1753, says there were only five houses in the town and but twelve
men in the garrison.
Fort Lowther, on High street, near the Public Square, was a harbor of
refuge for pioneer families so frequently exposed to Indian attack.
Court was held in a log building on the northeast corner of Center
Square.
Franklin never forgot his experience at Carlisle and referred to it
frequently. His visit to help make a new treaty with the Ohio Indians
was a mission of much importance. Through daring wiles of the French,
England’s position in the New World was being imperiled more and more.
What attitude the Indians would take in a contest between English and
French was of vital importance, not only to the King, but more
especially to Pennsylvania settlers, who well knew the terror of Indian
massacres and wars.
The Indians attending the Carlisle pow-wow wanted fire water as soon as
the commissioners arrived, but Franklin and the other members were
shrewd enough to promise rum only when the conference had been
completed.
Scarouady, an Oneida chief, sometimes called Half King, who was a person
of great weight in their councils, went into caucus with the
commissioners before formal sessions began.
He regretfully advised that deliberations could not proceed until belts,
strings and goods sent by the Pennsylvania Assembly as condolences
arrived “to cover the graves of braves killed by the French and their
Indians, and were spread out on the ground” before the assembled red
men.
The commissioners wanted to begin work at once and offered to furnish a
list and inventory of the delayed presents. It was then agreed to confer
with the chiefs of the “Shawnee and Delaware on the state of affairs in
Ohio,” pending arrival of the condolences.
Conrad Weiser and Andrew Montour acted as interpreters between the
commissioners and Indians, while several magistrates and freeholders
attended the conference, which was formally opened on the morning of
October 1, after the gifts costing £800, which had arrived that morning,
had been laid out on the ground.
During the three days following, when Indians and commissioners were not
passing presents to one another, speeches were delivered according to
the customary procedure of such gatherings.
At the closing of the first day, as is briefly mentioned in the report,
“the goods allotted for each nation as a present of condolence were
taken away by each.”
The forms of the condolences depended entirely on Indian custom and were
settled in conference with Scarouady and Cayanguileguoa, a sensible
Indian of the Mohawk Nation, and accordingly the proper belts and
strings were made ready.
But the commissioners had been compelled to await until the condolences
had arrived before they were able to assuage the Indian grief.
After the Oneida chieftain had offered the suggestion, “We dig a grave
for your warriors killed in your country and we bury their bones,
decently wrapping them in these blankets, and with these presents we
cover their graves,” the Indians aired their complaints and
protestations of loyalty to the English.
In return for all the delicate niceties of Indian procedure, which the
wise Franklin had been careful to observe the red men covered graves of
the English with a beaver skin blanket and offered as occasion required
a string or two of wampum, belts and bundles of skins.
A shell, painted green on the concave side, with a string of wampum
attached, was given the commissioners as evidence that the assembled
Indians had but a single heart and that “green and good and sound.”
The calumet, a pipe decorated with fine feathers, was offered in proof
that the Indians cherished no resentment against the English because of
French inroads.
They made Andrew Montour a counselor for the Six Nations, presented him
with a belt in token of their confidence and gave notice in a speech
that a horn had been set upon his head as evidence of Indian respect for
one of their number who served the English.
Franklin thus speaks of this treaty in his autobiography: “Being
commissioned, we went to Carlisle and met the Indians accordingly. As
these people are extremely apt to get drunk, and when so are very
quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbade the selling of any
liquor to them; and when they complained of this restriction, we told
them, if they would continue sober during the treaty, we would give them
plenty of rum when the business was over. They promised this, and they
kept their promise, because they could get no rum, and the treaty was
conducted very orderly and concluded to mutual satisfaction. They then
claimed and received the rum; this was in the afternoon.
“They were near one hundred men, women and children, some were lodged in
temporary cabins, built in the form of a square, just without the town.
In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners
walked out to see what was the matter.
“We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square;
they were all drunk, men and women quarreling and fighting. Their
dark-colored bodies, seen only by the gloomy light of the bonfire,
running after and beating one another with firebrands, accompanied by
their horrid yellings, formed a scene the most resembling our ideas of
an inferno that could be well imagined.
“There was no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodgings. At
midnight a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more
rum, of which we took no notice. The next day, sensible they had
misbehaved themselves in giving us that disturbance, they sent three of
their old counselors to make their apology.”
He concludes: “That if it be the design of Providence to extirpate these
savages in order to make room for the cultivators of the earth, it seems
not impossible that rum may be the appointed means. It has already
annihilated all the tribes who formerly inhabited the seacoast.”
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Boundary Dispute with Virginia Ended
When Assembly Ratified Agreement,
September 23, 1780
Besides the Connecticut claims, which took in almost the entire half of
the Province of Pennsylvania, Virginia laid claim to a large portion of
the western part. The origin of this claim dates very far back in the
history of the country.
The charter of 1607 granted to the London Company all the territory in
America lying between the 34th and 38th degrees of north latitude.
In 1609 the charter was amended and enlarged, so that it comprised a
region stretching two hundred miles north and the same distance south of
Point Comfort, and extending “up into the land throughout, from sea to
sea, west and northwest.”
In 1623 the London Company was dissolved, and their territory, except
where grants had been made to private individuals, reverted to the
Crown.
The Virginians never fully accepted this decision. Penn’s grant was
respected; but any other territory within the limits of their charter
they continued to claim, notwithstanding the action of the King’s Bench.
To explore and occupy his vast domain was one of the most fascinating
objects of the early Virginians.
It was to vindicate their claim to the region about the forks of the
Ohio that the youthful Major George Washington was sent to the French
posts in 1753.
The authorities of Pennsylvania, however, now began to contend that the
claims of Virginia overlapped the charter granted to William Penn, and
some correspondence took place between Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia,
and Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, in the years 1752 and 1753.
Early in 1753 the Virginians undertook to secure possession of the
country about the Forks of the Ohio against the common enemy, the
French, by building a fort, where Pittsburgh now stands. The French,
under Contrecœur descended the Allegheny, drove the Virginians away, and
themselves built a stronghold at the same place, which they called Fort
Duquesne.
This disputed territory remained in the hands of the French until
General Forbes invested Fort Duquesne, November 24, 1758. The fort was
rebuilt and named Fort Pitt.
No revival of the dispute took place until January, 1774, when one Dr.
John Conolly, a native of Lancaster, and one whom Bancroft describes as
“a physician, land-jobber and subservient political intriguer,” appeared
with authority from Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, and took
possession of Fort Pitt, and renamed it Fort Dunmore.