Part 12
While the Interpreter was at the more distant _Indian_ Castles, Mr. _William Johnson_ was indefatigable among the _Mohawks_; he dressed himself after the _Indian_ Manner, made frequent Dances, according to their Custom when they excite to War, and used all the Means he could think of, at a considerable Expence, (which his Excellency had promised to repay him) in order to engage them heartily in the War against _Canada_. Tho' he succeeded, beyond what any Man in _Albany_ thought could be done, yet several of the _Sachems_ (in the _Conajohary_, or upper _Mohawk_ Castle, chiefly) refused to engage in the War; but insisted, that as this War was entered into between the _English_ and _French_, in which they had no Interest, they ought to remain neuter. The _English_ and _French_, they said, could at any Time make Peace; but if they should enter into the War, _Indians_ could not make up the Quarrel among themselves, otherwise than by the Destruction of one or the other. The _French_ could have no Hopes of engaging the _Six Nations_ on their Side against the _English_, and therefore wisely play'd this Game of endeavouring to make them stand neuter, which they could enforce by strong political Arguments, of which the _Indians_ were sensible enough. _It is your Interest_, the _French_ Emissaries said, _not to suffer either the_ French _or the_ English _to be absolute Masters_; _for in that Case you must become Slaves to the one or the other_. From this politic View chiefly, the Interpreter met with so much Opposition everywhere: Tho' it is not to be doubted, but that at the same Time the _French_ had gain'd some particular _Sachems_ entirely into their Interest; however, many were prevailed on to come to _Albany_, to hear what the Governor of _New-York_ had to say to them; tho' several Sachems staid behind. When they of the more distant Nations came along with the Interpreter to the lower _Mohawk_ Castle, and found that Mr. _Johnson_ had already engaged many of the young Men there to join the Army against _Canada_, the others blamed the _Mohawks_; telling them with some Warmth, That they had been very rash in engaging so far. 'They ought, _the others said_, to have considered that they, the _Mohawks_, were the smallest in Number of any of the _Six Nations_, and ought not to have proceeded to so great a Length, without the previous Consent of the others.' To this the _Mohawks_ answered, _It is true, we are less considerable as to Number, than any of the other Nations; but our Hearts are truly_ English, _and all of us are Men[11]; so that, if our Force be put to the Trial, perhaps it will be found greater than you imagine._ These Disputes, however, continued so far, that the _Mohawks_, and the other _Five Nations_, could not go in Company to _Albany_; the _Mohawks_ marched on one side of the River, while the other Nations went on the other side. [_There are two Roads from the_ Mohawks _Castle to_ Schenectada, _one on each side of the_ Mohawks _River_.]
When the _Indians_ came near the Town of _Albany_, on the 8th of _August_, Mr. _Johnson_ put himself at the Head of the _Mohawks_, dressed and painted after the Manner of an _Indian_ War-Captain; and the _Indians_ who followed him, were likewise dressed and painted, as is usual with them when they set out in War. The _Indians_ saluted the Governor as they passed the Fort, by a running Fire; which his Excellency ordered to be answered by a Discharge of some Cannon from the Fort: He afterwards received the Sachems in the Fort-Hall, bid them Welcome, and treated them with a Glass of Wine.
As, by all Accounts, the Disposition of the _Six Nations_ seemed at this Time less in Favour of the _British_ Interest than was to be wished, his Excellency thought it necessary to have frequent Conferences, in private, with the principal Sachems of each _Nation_; sometimes separately and singly, at other Times with some of each Nation jointly. There were only two of the _Mohawks_ Sachems (besides _Aaron_ before mentioned, who left the Castle at this Time) that could not be prevailed on by Mr. _Johnson_ to declare themselves for entering into the War against _Canada_: They were both of the _Conajohary_ or Upper-Castle, and one of them the Head of the Tribe called the _Tortoise_; (which, tho' not so numerous as that of the _Bear_, yet is looked on as the first in Rank or Dignity;) and, as he had been with the Governor of _Canada_ last Spring, it was thought to be of some Consequence to gain him. Mr. _Colden_, above twenty Years since, had the Complement of being received into that Castle; and, about seven Years since (the last Time he had been with the _Mohawks_) had contracted some more particular Acquaintance with these two Sachems: He invited them to a private Conference, at which the Reverend Mr. _Barclay_ assisted as Interpreter; they met him, and brought five more with them: After this Conference these Sachems appear'd as hearty as any of the others. He that was Head of the Tribe call'd the _Tortoise_, said, 'His Uncle had been the chief War-Captain among the _Mohawks_: That his Uncle had particularly distinguished himself in their Wars against the _French_, and he was resolved to shew himself not unworthy of his Ancestors, nor of his Uncle's Name, which he had obtained after his Death.'
After the principal Sachems had, at these Conferences, been brought to a good Disposition, his Excellency advised with the Gentlemen of the Council, and the Commissioners from the _Massachusets Bay_, on what might be proper to be said to the _Six Nations_ in the publick Speech, which he now proposed to make to them. Col. _Wendell_ and Mr. _Wells_ had arrived from _Boston_ about the End of _July_, and soon after they came to Town, his Excellency ordered the Gentlemen of the Council to communicate to them all the Information which had been received, with respect to the _Indian_ Affairs: And they had frequent Conferences together from Time to Time, as Occasion required: It was likewise thought proper to communicate, what his Excellency intended to say to some of the Sachems of each Nation, who were thought most hearty in the _British_ Interest; who said, that it was well conceiv'd as could have been done, had they themselves advised upon the Subject; only as it had been advised to observe in the first Draught, That some of his Majesty's Subjects had been instigated by the _French_ to rise in Rebellion against the King; that they had been defeated by one of the King's Sons; that these poor People were now utterly ruined, and had nothing left but to bewail their Folly in the Misery that was brought upon them, by suffering themselves to be deluded by the Promises of the _French_; they said, that they did not understand the Affairs on the other Side of the Sea, nor did they trouble their Heads about them; and as they had no Method of retaining what is spoke to them but by their Memories, they were afraid that this might perplex their Memories, and make them less attentive to what was properly their Business; and advised, that it should be left out; which accordingly was done.
Another Difficulty remained; the publick Interpreter had been taken dangerously ill in his Return to _Albany_, and was at this Time confined to his Bed. Tho' several were employed, who had Knowledge sufficient in the Language of the _Six Nations_, to make themselves be understood, and to understand what was spoke to them; yet none of them were so much Masters of the Language, as to speak with that Propriety and Distinctness that is expected, and usual on so solemn an Occasion. It was thought therefore proper, to make one of the Sachems understand the Speech, by the Assistance of the common Interpreters, that he might be able to deliver it Paragraph by Paragraph, as it should be spoke. At first a _Mohawk_ Sachem was pitched upon; but the Sachems themselves told us, That for some time past a kind of Party-Division among the _Six Nations_ had subsisted: That the _Mohawks_, _Onandagas_, and _Senekas_, form'd one Party; and the _Oneydoes, Tuscaroras_, and _Cayugas_, the other: That, as the _Mohawks_ might be suspected to be more partial to the _English_, it would be of more Use to employ one of the other Party; and an _Oneydo_ Sachem was proposed for that Purpose. This Man was easily enough made to understand the Speech, and he repeated it several Times over in private, and was instructed where to make the proper Stops. After the Speech was delivered, some of the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, and other Persons present at the Delivery, who understood both Languages, acknowledged, that this _Indian_ had acquitted himself of his Trust faithfully, and had delivered the Sense of the Speech clearly and distinctly.
While these last Preparations were making, his Excellency was taken ill of a Fever, which occasioned some further Delay; and as his Excellency did not recover so soon as was wished, the Sachems were told, that his Excellency being unwilling to detain them without necessity, would, if they desired it, direct Mr. _Colden_ to speak to them in his Name, what he designed to say. They answered, that they would be well pleased to hear it from Mr. _Colden_'s Mouth.
[Footnote 9: A Nation of _Indians_ living in _Canada_, who have always been firm friends to the _French_, and formerly were at War with the _Six Nations_.]
[Footnote 10: A Number of _Indians_ originally of the _Five Nations_, and Deserters from them, now settled near _Montreal_, by whom the illicit Trade between _Albany_ and _Montreal_ was carried on: They are well acquainted with the Country about _Albany_.]
[Footnote 11: The _Six Nations_ reckon all other _Indian_ Nations Women, in comparison to themselves.]
* * * * *
At _A L B A N Y_ the Nineteenth of _August_, 1746.
P R E S E N T,
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_.]