Part 2
'The Person who delivered me _Le Tort's_ Letter, brought this Bundle of Skins as a Present to me; but I told the Messenger, I would not meddle with it; he might leave it if he pleased: The Affair appear'd to me in a bad Light, and I would represent it to the _Six Nations_, who were expected in Town every Day. This is the Fact as I have it from _Le Tort_: I desire to be inform'd if you know any thing of this Matter; and if you do not, that you will make diligent Enquiry who committed the Murder, and who are the unhappy Sufferers, and assist us to obtain Satisfaction, if it shall appear to be any of our Fellow-Subjects that have been treated in this Manner.'
_To inforce this Request, I present you with this String of_ Wampum.
The _Onondago_ Chief, in Reply, said:
'_BRETHREN_,
'We take this Information kind at your Hands; we will take this String of _Wampum_ home with us to our Lodgings, and there consult about the most regular and proper Steps to be taken by us to answer your Expectations; and when we have duly considered the Matter, we will return you an Answer.'
Upon this the Governor put an End to the Conference; and calling for Wine and other Liquors, according to the _Indian_ Custom, after a decent and chearful Entertainment, the _Indians_ withdrew.
* * * * *
At a COUNCIL held at the PROPRIETOR'S HOUSE, _July_ 5. 1742.
PRESENT
The Hon'ble GEORGE THOMAS Esq; Lieut. Governor.
_James Logan_, } _Clement Plumsted_, } Esqrs.
With several Gentlemen of the Town,
_The Chiefs of the Six Nations_
It being judg'd proper, at this critical Time, when we are in daily Expectation of a _French_ War, to sound the _Indians_, and discover what Dependence we might have on them, in case their Aid should be wanted; an handsome Dinner was provided for their Chiefs; and after they had made an hearty Meal, and drank his Majesty's Health, the Proprietor's, and the Health of the _Six Nations_, the Chiefs gave the solemn Cry, in Testimony of their Thanks, for the Honour done them. And soon after, the Governor began, in a free Way, to enquire for what Reason the _Senecas_ were not come down, since they had an equal Right to a Share of the Goods with the other Nations.--_Canassateego_, their Speaker, said, 'The _Senecas_ were in great Distress, on Account of a Famine that raged in their Country, which had reduced them to such Want, that a Father had been obliged to kill two of his Children to preserve his own and the rest of his Family's Lives; and they could not now come down, but had given Directions about their Share of the Goods.'--The Governor express'd his Concern for the unhappy Circumstances of their Brethren of the _Seneca_ Nation; and, after a short Respite, enquired if any of their Deputies were then at _Canada_, and whether the _French_ Governor was making any warlike Preparations? And on their answering, _Yes_; the Governor said, with a smiling, pleasant Countenance, 'I suppose if the _French_ should go to War with us, you will join them.' The _Indians_ conferr'd together for some Time, and then _Canassateego_, in a chearful lively Manner, made Answer.--'We assure you, the Governor of _Canada_ pays our Nations great Court at this Time, well knowing of what Consequence we are to the _French_ Interest: He has already told us, he was uncovering the Hatchet and sharpening it, and hoped, if he should be obliged to lift it up against the _English_, their Nations would remain neuter and assist neither Side.--But we will now speak plainly to our Brethren: Why should we, who are one Flesh with you, refuse to help you, whenever you want our Assistance?--We have continued a long Time in the strictest League of Amity and Friendship with you, and we shall always be faithful and true to you our old and good Allies.--The Governor of _Canada_ talks a great deal, but ten of his Words do not go so far as one of yours.--We do not look towards them; We look towards you; and you may depend on our Assistance.' Whilst the _Onondago_ Chief made this open and hearty Declaration, all the other _Indians_ made frequently that particular Kind of Noise which is known to be a Mark of Approbation.--The Governor bid the Interpreter tell _Canassateego_, 'He did not set on foot this Inquiry from any Suspicion he had of the _Six Nations_ wanting a due Regard for the _English_.--Our Experience of their Honour and Faith would not permit us to think any other of them than that they would esteem our Friends their Friends, and our Enemies their Enemies, agreeable to the strict Union which had ever subsisted between us.--As to the Governor of _Canada_, they need not mind what he said.--The _English_, on equal Terms, had beat the _French_, and could beat them again: And were they but to consider the Advantages which the _English_ have, by possessing so many large and populous Countries, and so many good Ports on the Continent of _America_, they would soon see who had most Reason to fear a War, the _French_ or the _English_.'
Here the Conversation drop'd; and, after another Glass of Wine, the _Indians_ resumed the Discourse, by asking, whether their Brethren had not been for some Time engaged in a War with the King of _Spain_, and what Successes they had met with?
The Governor told them, the King of _Great Britain_ lived in an Island, and being surrounded with the Sea, his chief Strength lay in his Ships; in which he was so much superior to his Enemies, that they were seldom to be met with on the broad Ocean, but sculk'd and hid themselves, only venturing out now and then; and whenever they did, they were almost sure to be taken; and that the King of _Great Britain_ had, with his Ships, beat down or taken several of the _Spaniards_ Great Forts in _America_.--The _Indians_ said, they were pleased to hear their Brethren were an Over-match for their Enemies, and wish'd them good Success.
The Governor then enquired into the State and Condition of the Nations to the Westward of the Great Lakes, and whether they had any Warriours then in those Countries? Whether they had concluded Peace with the Southern _Indians_? And whether they had heard what their Deputies had done at _Albany_?
They made Answer: That they had always Abundance of their Men out amongst the Nations situate to the West of their Lakes.--That they had kindled a Fire with a vast many Nations, some whereof where Tributaries, and they had a good Understanding with all.--They set out from their own Country in Company with two Sets of Deputies, one going to hold a Treaty with the Southern _Indians_, and they believed a Peace would be concluded: The other going to meet the Governor of _New-York_, at _Albany_; but they could not tell what had been done at either Place.--On their Return, they were to hold a General Council, and would inform their Brethren of these Particulars.
Then the Governor put an End to the Conference, by telling the _Indians_ the Goods would be delivered to them at a Council to be held to morrow Afternoon at the Meeting-House.
* * * * *
At a COUNCIL held in the Meeting-House, _Philadelphia_, _July_ 6. 1742.
PRESENT,
The Hon'ble GEORGE THOMAS, Esq; Lieut. Governor.
_James Logan_, _Samuel Preston_, } _Clement Plumsted_, _Ralph Asheton_, } Esqrs; _Abraham Taylor_, _Robert Strettell_, }
CANASSATEEGO, Chief of the _Onondagoes_, Speaker,
SHICALAMY; and a great Number of _Indians_,
whose Names are as follow, _viz._
ONONTAGOES.
_Sawegaty_, } _Caxhayion_, } Counsellors. _Saguyassatha_, _Kayadoghratie_, alias _Slanaghquasy_. _Rotier-uwughton_, _Tokaughaah_, _Tiorughwaghthe_, _Tokano-ungoh_, _Aronty-oony_, _Tohanohawighton_, _Tioghwatoony_, _Auughrahysey_.
CAIYOUQUOS.
_Sahugh-sowa_, } _Tohatgaghthus_, } Chiefs. _Tokany-esus_, _Runho-hihio_, _Kanadoghary_, _Zior-aghquaty_, _Sagu-iughwatha_, alias _Cadcaradasey_. _Sca-yenties_, _Tats-heghteh_, _Alligh-waheis_, _Tayo-quario_, _Hogh degh runtu_, _Rotehn Haghtyackon_, Captain, _Sawoalieselhohaa_, _Sagughsa-eck_, _Uwantakeraa_, _Horuhot_, _Osoghquaa_, _Tuyanoegon_.
ANOYIUTS _or_ ONEIDAS.
_Saristaquoh_, } _Ungquaterughiathe_, alias _Shikelimo_, } Chiefs. _Tottowakerha_, _Taraghkoerus_, _Onughkallydawwy_, a noted young Chief. _Onughnaxqua_, Chief. _Tawyiakaarat_, _Tohathuyongochtha_, _Sughnakaarat_, _Taghneghdoerus_, _Tokanyiadaroeyon_, _Sagogughyatha_, _Rahehius_, _Tokanusoegon_.
JENONTOWANOS _or_ SENACAS.
_Karugh-iagh Raghquy_, Capt. _Tahn heentus_, _Onontyiack_.
TUSCARROROS.
_Sawontka_, } _Ti-ieroes_, } Chiefs. _Cloghsytowax_ } _Tokaryhoegon_, Captain. _Oghioghseh_, _Tieleghweghson_, _Tougrotha_, _Yorughianego_, _Ot-quehig_, _Squaghky_, _Sayadyio_, _Onughsowûghton_, _Cherigh wâstho_, _Aghsûnteries_, _Tion ogh scôghtha_, _Saligh wanaghson_, _Ohn-wâasey_, _Tocar-eber_, [died since at _Tulpehokin_.] _Tahanatâkqua_, _Kanyhâag_.
SHAWANOES.
_Wehwehlaky_, Chief. _Aset teywa_, _Asoghqua_, _Maya minickysy_, _Wawyia Beeseny_.
Canestogo _Indians that speak the_ Onayiut's _Language_.
_Tior Haasery_, Chief. _Tanigh wackerau_, _Karha Cawyiat_, _Kayen quily quo_.
CANOYIAS _or_ NANTIKOKES _of_ Canestogo.
_Des-seheg_, _Ichqua que heck_, _Quesamaag_, _Ayiok-ius_.
DELAWARES _of_ Shamokin.
_Olumapies_, } _Lingehancah_, } Chiefs. _Kelly macquan_, _Quitie-yquont_, _Pishquiton_, _Nena chy haut_.
DELAWARES _from the_ Forks
_Onutpe_, } _Lawye quohwon_ alias _Nutimus_, } Chiefs. _Toweghkappy_, _Cornelius Spring_, and others.
CONRAD WEISER, CORNELIUS SPRING, _Interpreters_.
And a great Number of the Inhabitants of _Philadelphia_.
The Governor, having commanded Silence, spoke as follows:
_Friends and Brethren of the Six Nations_,
'Six Years ago a Number of your Chiefs obliged us with a Visit, when they agreed, on Behalf of your Nations, to the Release of certain Lands on both Sides the River _Susquehanna_, to the Southward of the _Endless-Mountains_, and within the Limits and Bounds of the King's Grant of this Province. In Consideration of which, a certain Quantity of Goods was agreed on and delivered as a full Satisfaction for the said Lands lying on the Eastern Side of the said River: And for the Lands on the Western Side of the said River, you desired the Payment should be deferr'd till another Opportunity. These Goods, which are exactly the same in Quantity as those you received the last Time the Chiefs of your Nations were here, have been ready a considerable Time, and kept in Expectation of your Coming for them: And now you are come down fully impowered by your respective Councils to receive them, we are well pleased to deliver them: Leaving it to you to make a fair and equal Division of them amongst yourselves. We are sorry for the Absence of our Brethren the _Senecas_, and much more so that it should be owing to their Distress at Home by a Famine that rages in their Country:--A Famine so great, that you tell us a Father has been obliged to sacrifice one Part of his Family, even his own Children, for the Support and Preservation of himself and the other Part.--We heartily commiserate their Condition, and do not doubt but you will do them fair and ample Justice in the Disposal of their Part of the Goods in such Manner as they have instructed you. You shall now hear the List of the Goods read to you.'
Here, by the Governor's Order, the List of the Goods was read over, _viz._
500 _Pounds of Powder_. 600 _Pounds of Lead_. 45 _Guns_. 60 _Strowd-Matchcoats_. 100 _Blankets_. 100 _Duffil Matchcoats_. 200 _Yards Half-thick_. 100 _Shirts_. 40 _Hats_. 40 _Pair of Shoes & Buckles_. 40 _Pair of Stockings_. 100 _Hatchets_. 500 _Knives_. 100 _Hoes_. 60 _Kettles_. 100 _Tobacco-Tongs_. 100 _Scissars_. 500 _Awl-Blades_. 120 _Combs_. 2000 _Needles_. 1000 _Flints_. 24 _Looking-Glasses_. 2 _Pounds of Vermilion_. 100 _Tin Pots_. 1000 _Tobacco-Pipes_. 200 _Pounds of Tobacco_. 24 _Dozen of Gartering, &_ 25 _Gallons of Rum_.
Then the Governor told them that the Goods, of which the Particulars had been just Read to them, were in the Meeting-House, and would be sent to whatever Place they would direct.
The Governor then proceeded:
'_BRETHREN_,
'You have often heard of the Care that your great and good Friend and Brother _William Penn_ took at all Times to cultivate a perfect good Harmony with all the _Indians_: Of this your Nations have ever been fully sensible; but more especially a Number of your Chiefs, about ten Years ago, when, on the Arrival of a Son of your said great Friend _William Penn_, large and valuable Presents were exchanged by us with you; a new Road was made and clear'd; a new Fire kindled; and the Chain of Friendship made stronger, so as to last while the Sun and Moon endure.
'And now we cannot but congratulate ourselves that your Coming should happen at a Time when we are in daily Expectation of a War being declared between the King of _England_, and the _French_ King, well knowing, that should such a War happen, it must very sensibly affect you, considering your Situation in the Neighbourhood of _Canada_. Your Coming at this Juncture is particularly fortunate, since it gives us an Opportunity of mentioning several Things that may be necessary to be settled between People so strictly and closely united as we are.--An Union not to be express'd by any thing less than the affectionate Regards which Children of the same Parents bear for each other, as conceiving ourselves to be one Flesh and one People.
'The utmost Care therefore ought mutually to be taken by us on both Sides, that the Road between us be kept perfectly clear and open, and no Lets, nor the least Obstruction be suffered to lie in the Way; or if any should by Accident be found, that may hinder our free Intercourse and Correspondence, it must forthwith be removed.
_To inforce this, We lay down a String of_ Wampum.
'In next Place, We, on our Part, shall inlarge our Fire that burns between us. We shall provide more Fewel to increase it and make it burn brighter and clearer, and give a stronger and more lasting Light and Warmth.
_In Evidence of our sincere Intentions, We lay down this Belt of_ Wampum.
'In the last Place, considering the Obligations we are mutually under by our several Treaties, _That we should hear with our Ears for you, and you hear with your Ears for us_. We shall at all Times very willingly give you the earliest and best Intelligence of any Designs that may be form'd to your Disadvantage.--And if you discover any Preparations that can hurt us, we desire you will immediately dispatch some suitable Person in whom we can place a Confidence, to give us a proper Information.'
_To inforce this Request, as well as to brighten the Chain, we lay down this other Belt of_ Wampum.
On the Governor's concluding the Speech, the solemn Cry, by way of Approbation, was repeated by the _Indians_, as many Times as there were Nations present; and then _Canassateego_ rose up and spoke.
'_BRETHREN_, [Transcriber's Note: original has "BRRTHREN"]
'We thank you for your kind Speech: What you have said is very agreeable to us; and to-morrow when we have deliberated on the several Matters recommended to us, we will give you our Answer. We desire, as our Time will be wholly taken up in Council, you will order the Goods to be carried back to the Proprietaries to prevent their being lost, and that they may continue there till we call for them.'
* * * * *
At a COUNCIL held in the Meeting-House, _July_ 7. 1742.
PRESENT,
The Hon'ble GEORGE THOMAS, Esq; Lieut. Governor.
_James Logan, Samuel Preston,_ } _Thomas Lawrence, Samuel Hasell,_ } Esqrs; _Abraham Taylor, Robert Strettell,_ }
CANASSATEEGO'S Speech on Behalf of the _Six Nations_.
'_BRETHREN, the Governor and Council, and all present_,
According to our Promise we now propose to return you an Answer to the several Things mentioned to us Yesterday, and shall beg Leave to speak to publick Affairs first, tho' they were what you spoke to last. On this Head you Yesterday put us in Mind, first, _Of_ William Penn's _early and constant Care to cultivate Friendship with all the_ Indians; _of the Treaty we held with one of his Sons, about Ten Years ago; and of the Necessity there is at this Time of keeping the Roads between us clear and free from all Obstructions._ We are all very sensible of the kind Regard that good Man _William Penn_ had for all the _Indians_, and cannot but be pleased to find that his Children have the same. We well remember the Treaty you mention held with his Son on his Arrival here, by which we confirmed our League of Friendship that is to last as long as the Sun and Moon endure: In Consequence of this, We, on our Part, shall preserve the Road free from all Incumbrances: in Confirmation whereof, we lay down this String of _Wampum_.
'You in the next Place said, _You would inlarge the Fire and make it burn brighter_, which we are pleased to hear you mention; and assure you, we shall do the same, by adding to it more Fewel, that it may still flame out more strongly than ever: In the last Place, you were pleased to say, _that we are bound, by the strictest Leagues, to watch for each others Preservation; that we should hear with our Ears for you, and you hear with your Ears for us_: This is equally agreeable to us; and we shall not fail to give you early Intelligence whenever any Thing of Consequence comes to our Knowledge: And to encourage you to do the same, and to nourish in your Hearts what you have spoke to us with your Tongues, about the Renewal of our Amity and the Brightening of the Chain of Friendship; we confirm what we have said with another Belt of _Wampum_.'
'_BRETHREN_,
We received [Transcriber's Note: original has "rececived"] from the Proprietor's, yesterday, some Goods in Consideration of our Release of the Lands on the West-Side of _Susquehanna_: It is true we have the full Quantity according to Agreement; but if the Proprietor had been here himself, we think, in Regard of our Numbers and Poverty, he would have made an Addition to them.--If the Goods were only to be divided amongst the _Indians_ present, a single Person would have but a small Portion; but if you consider what Numbers are left behind, equally intituled with us to a Share, there will be extreamly little. We therefore desire, if you have the Keys of the Proprietor's Chest, you will open it, and take out a little more for us.
'We know our Lands are now become more valuable: The white People think we do not know their Value; but we are sensible that the Land is everlasting, and the few Goods we receive for it are soon worn out and gone. For the Future we will sell no Lands but when Brother ONAS is in the Country; and we will know beforehand the Quantity of the Goods we are to receive. Besides, we are not well used with Respect to the Lands still unsold by us. Your People daily settle on these Lands, and spoil our Hunting.--We must insist on your Removing them, as you know they have no Right to settle to the Northward of _Kittochtinny-Hills_.--In particular, we renew our Complaints against some People who are settled at _Juniata_, a Branch of _Susquehanna_, and all along the Banks of that River, as far as _Mahaniay_; and desire they may be forthwith made to go off the Land; for they do great Damage to our Cousins the _Delawares_.
'We have further to observe, with Respect to the Lands lying on the West Side of _Susquehanna_, that tho' Brother ONAS (meaning the Proprietor) has paid us for what his People possess, yet some Parts of that Country have been taken up by Persons whose Place of Residence is to the South of this Province, from whom we have never received any Consideration. This Affair was recommended to you by our Chiefs at our last Treaty; and you then, at our earnest Desire, promised to write a Letter to that Person who has the Authority over those People, and to procure us his Answer: As we have never heard from you on this Head, we want to know what you have done in it. If you have not done any thing, we now renew our Request, and desire you will inform the Person whose People are seated on our Lands, that that Country belongs to us, in Right of Conquest; we having bought it with our Blood, and taken it from our Enemies in fair War; and we expect, as Owners of that Land, to receive such a Consideration for it as the Land is worth. We desire you will press him to send us a positive Answer: Let him say _Yes_ or _No_: If he says _Yes_, we will treat with him; if _No_, we are able to do ourselves Justice; and we will do it, by going to take Payment ourselves.
'It is Customary with us to make a Present of Skins whenever we renew our Treaties. We are ashamed to offer our Brethren so few; but your Horses and Cows have eat the Grass our Deer used to feed on. This has made them scarce, and will, we hope, plead in Excuse for not bringing a larger Quantity: If we could have spared more, we would have given more; but we are really poor; and desire you'll not consider the Quantity, but, few as they are, accept them in Testimony of our Regard.'
_Here they gave the Governor a Bundle of Skins._
The Governor immediately replied:
'_BRETHREN_,
We thank you for the many Declarations of Respect: you have given us in this solemn Renewal of our Treaties: We receive, and shall keep your String and Belts of _Wampum_, as Pledges of your Sincerity, and desire those we gave you may be carefully preserved, as Testimonies of ours.
'In Answer to what you say about the Proprietaries.--They are all absent, and have taken the Keys of their Chest along with them; so that we cannot, on their Behalf, enlarge the Quantity of Goods: Were they here, they might, perhaps, be more generous; but we cannot be liberal for them.--The Government will, however, take your Request into Consideration, and, in Regard to your Poverty, may perhaps, make you a Present. I but just mention this now, intending to refer this Part of your Speech to be answered at our next Meeting.
'The Number of Guns, as well as every Thing else, answers exactly with the Particulars specified in your Deed of Conveyance, which is more than was agreed to be given you. It was your own Sentiments, that the Lands on the West Side of _Susquehanna_ were not so Valuable as those on the East; and an Abatement was to be made, proportionable to the Difference in Value: But the Proprietor overlooked this, and ordered the full Quantity to be delivered, which you will look on as a Favour.
'It is very true, that Lands are of late become more Valuable; but what raises their Value? Is it not entirely owing to the Industry and Labour used by the white People in their Cultivation and Improvement? Had not they come amongst you, these Lands would have been of no Use to you, any further than to maintain you. And is there not, now you have sold so much, enough left for all the Purposes of Living?--What you say of the Goods, that they are soon worn out, is applicable to every Thing; but you know very well, that they cost a great deal of Money; and the Value of Land is no more than it is worth in Money.
'On your former Complaints against People's Settling the Lands on _Juniata_, and from thence all along on the River _Susquehanna_ as far as _Mahaniahy_, some Magistrates were sent expresly to remove them; and we thought no Persons would presume to stay after that.
Here they interrupted the Governor, and said:--'_These Persons who were sent did not do their Duty: So far from removing the People, they made Surveys for themselves, and they are in League with the Trespassers. We desire more effectual Methods may be used and honester Persons imploy'd._'
Which the Governor promised, and then proceeded:
'_BRETHREN_,