Which was received with the usual Ceremonies.
BrotherAssaragoa,
Youtold us likewise, you had a great House provided for the Education of Youth, and that there were several white People andIndiansChildren there to learn Languages, and to write and read, and invited us to send some of our Children amongst you, &c.
Wemust let you know we love our Children too well to send them so great a Way, and theIndiansare not inclined to give their Children Learning. We allow it to be good, and we thank you for your Invitation; but our Customs differing from yours, you will be so good as to excuse us.
WehopeTarachawagon[8]will be preserved by the good Spirit to a good old Age; when he is gone under Ground, it will be then time enough to look out for another; and no doubt but amongst so many Thousands as there are in the World, one such Man may be found, who will serve both Parties with the same Fidelity asTarachawagondoes; while he lives there is no Room to complain. In Token of our Thankfulness for your Invitation, we give you this String of Wampum.
Which was received with the usual Ceremony.
BrotherTocarry-hogan,
Youtold us Yesterday, that since there was now nothing in Controversy between us, and the Affair of the Land was settled to your Satisfaction, you would now brighten the Chain of Friendship which hath subsisted between you and us ever since we became Brethren; we are well pleased with the Proposition, and we thank you for it; we also are inclined to renew all Treaties, and keep a good Correspondence with you. You told us further, if ever we should perceive the Chain had contracted any Rust, to let you know, and you would take care to take the Rust out, and preserve it bright. We agree with you in this, and shall, on our Parts, do every thing to preserve a good Understanding, and to live in the same Friendship with you as with our BrotherOnasandAssaragoa; in Confirmation whereof we give you this Belt of Wampum.
On which the usual Cry ofYo-hahwas given.
Brethren,
Wehave now finished our Answer to what you said to us Yesterday, and shall now proceed toIndianAffairs, that are not of so general a Concern.
BrotherAssaragoa,
Therelives a Nation ofIndianson the other Side of your Country, theTuscaroraes, who are our Friends, and with whom we hold Correspondence; but the Road between us and them has been stopped for some Time, on account of the Misbehaviour of some of our Warriors. We have opened a new Road for our Warriors, and they shall keep to that; but as that would be inconvenient for Messengers going to theTuscaroraes, we desire they may go the old Road. We frequently send Messengers to one another, and shall have more Occasion to do so now that we have concluded a Peace with theCherikees. To enforce our Request, we give you this String of Wampum.
Which was received with the usual Cry of Approbation.
BrotherAssaragoa,
AmongtheseTuscaroraesthere live a few Families of theConoy Indians, who are desirous to leave them, and to remove to the rest of their Nation among us, and the strait Road from them to us lies through the Middle of your Country. We desire you will give them free Passage throughVirginia, and furnish them with Passes; and, to enforce our Request, we give you this String of Wampum.
Which was received with the usual Cry of Approbation.
BrotherOnas, Assaragoa,andTocarry-hogan,
Atthe Close of your respective Speeches Yesterday, you made us very handsome Presents, and we should return you something suitable to your Generosity; but, alas! we are poor, and shall ever remain so, as long as there are so manyIndianTraders among us. Theirs and the white Peoples Cattle have eat up all the Grass, and make Deer scarce. However, we have provided a small Present for you, and though some of you gave us more than others, yet, as you are all equally our Brethren, we shall leave it to you to divide it as you please.—And then presented three Bundles of Skins, which were received with the usual Ceremony from the three Governments.
Wehave one Thing further to say; and that is, We heartily recommend Union and a good Agreement between you our Brethren. Never disagree, but preserve a strict Friendship for one another, and thereby you, as well as we, will become the stronger.
Ourwise Forefathers established Union and Amity between theFive Nations; this has made us formidable; this has given us great Weight and Authority with our neighbouring Nations.
Weare a powerful Confederacy; and, by your observing the same Methods our wise Forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh Strength and Power; therefore whatever befals you, never fall out one with another.
The Governor replied:
Thehonourable Commissioners ofVirginiaandMarylandhave desired me to speak for them; therefore I, in Behalf of those Governments, as well as of the Province ofPensylvania, return you Thanks for the many Proofs you have given in your Speeches of your Zeal for the Service of your Brethren theEnglish, and in particular for your having so early engaged in a Neutrality the several Tribes ofIndiansin theFrenchAlliance. We do not doubt but you will faithfully discharge your Promises. As to your Presents, we never estimate these Things by their real Worth, but by the Disposition of the Giver. In this Light we accept them with great Pleasure, and put a high Value upon them. We are obliged to you for recommending Peace and good Agreement amongst ourselves. We are all Subjects, as well as you, of the great King beyond the Water; and, in Duty to his Majesty, and from the good Affection we bear to each other, as well as from a Regard to our own Interest, we shall always be inclined to live in Friendship.
Thenthe Commissioners ofVirginiapresented the hundred Pounds in Gold, together with a Paper, containing a Promise to recommend theSix Nationsfor further Favour to the King; which they received withYo-hah, and the Paper was given by them toConrad Weiserto keep for them. The Commissioners likewise promised that their publick Messengers should not be molested in their Passage throughVirginia, and that they would prepare Passes for such of theConoy Indiansas were willing to remove to the Northward.
Thenthe Commissioners ofMarylandpresented their hundred Pounds in Gold, which was likewise received with theYo-hah.
Canassategosaid, We mentioned to you Yesterday the Booty you had taken from theFrench, and asked you for some of the Rum which we supposed to be Part of it, and you gave us some; but it turned out unfortunately that you gave it inFrenchGlasses, we now desire you will give us some inEnglishGlasses.
TheGovernor made answer, We are glad to hear you have such a Dislike for what isFrench. They cheat you in your Glasses, as well as in every thing else. You must consider we are at a Distance fromWilliamsburg, Annapolis, andPhiladelphia, where our Rum Stores are, and that although we brought up a good Quantity with us, you have almost drunk it out; but, notwithstanding this, we have enough left to fill ourEnglishGlasses, and will shew the Difference between the Narrowness of theFrench, and the Generosity of your Brethren theEnglishtowards you.
TheIndiansgave, in their Order, fiveYo-hahs; and the honourable Governor and Commissioners calling for some Rum, and some middle-sized Wine-Glasses, drank Health to thegreat King ofEngland, and theSix Nations, and put an end to the Treaty by three loud Huzza's, in which all the Company joined.
Inthe Evening the Governor went to take his Leave of theIndians, and, presenting them with a String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for one he had received of them, with a Message to desire the Governor ofVirginiato suffer their Warriors to go throughVirginiaunmolested, which was rendered unnecessary by the present Treaty.
Then, presenting them with another String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for theirs, praying him, that as they had taken away one Part ofConrad Weiser's Beard, which frightened their Children, he would please to take away the other, which he had ordered to be done.
TheIndiansreceived these two Strings of Wampum with the usual Yo-hah.
TheGovernor then asked them, what was the Reason that more of theShawanaes, from their Town onHohio, were not at the Treaty? But seeing that it would require a Council in Form, and perhaps another Day to give an Answer, he desired they would give an Answer toConrad Weiserupon the Road on their Return home, for he was to set out forPhiladelphiathe next Morning.
CANASSATEGOin Conclusion spoke at follows:
Wehave been hindered, by a great deal of Business, from waiting on you, to have some private Conversation with you, chiefly to enquire after the Healths ofOnasbeyond the Water; we desire you will tell them, we have a grateful Sense of all their Kindnesses for theIndians. BrotherOnastold us, when he went away, he would not stay long from us; we think it is a great while, and want to know when we may expect him, and desire, when you write, you will recommend us heartily to him; which the Governor promised to do, and then took his Leave of them.
TheCommissioners ofVirginiagaveCanassategoa Scarlet Camblet Coat, and took their Leave of them in Form, and at the same time delivered the Passes to them, according to their Request.
TheCommissioners ofMarylandpresentedGachradodowwith a broad Gold-laced Hat, and took their Leave of them in the same Manner.
A true Copy, compared by
Richard Peters, Secr.
It is well known in the Province ofNew-York, that theSix NationsofIndiansdepending on this Province, (calledIroquoisby theFrench) had lately on several Occasions, appear'd dissatisfied and wavering in their Fidelity to theBritishCrown. No doubt, this was principally occasion'd by the Artifices of theFrenchofCanada, who had constantly Emissaries among them: But at the same Time there is Reason to think, the suspicious Behaviour of these Nations, in Favour of their once inveterate Enemy theFrench, could not have arriv'd to the Pitch it did, otherwise than by some Neglects or Misconduct of those who were entrusted by the Government ofNew-Yorkwith the Management of theIndianAffairs.
His Excellency the Governor ofNew-York, having received his Majesty's Commands, to engage theIndianNations depending on his Government, to join in the Expedition then intended againstCanada, and to make them the usual Presents on that Occasion; and being sensible of the great Use theseNationsmight be to the Success of this Enterprize, and likewise of the Difficulties that probably might attend his Endeavours at this Time, was desirous to have had the Assistance of as many of the Members of his Majesty's Council as the Circumstances of Affairs would permit; but they all declined to give their Attendance, except Mr.Coldenand Mr.Livingston. His Excellency was therefore obliged to act with the smallest Number of Members, which by his Majesty's Commission can form a Council,viz. Three; the above two Gentlemen and Capt.Rutherford, who was then at his Post inAlbany.
As soon as his Excellency received his Majesty's Commands, he dispatched fromAlbanysuch Persons as, by the best Information he could receive, had Influence among theSix Nations, to invite them severally to meet him atAlbany, on the 20th ofJuly. His Excellency arriv'd atAlbanythe 21st ofJuly, where having heard, that, besides the Small-Pox, (which his Excellency never had) many were sick of a contagious malignant Fever, he continued on board the Sloop which carried him up, to consider where to lodge with the least Danger to his Person from the Infection of these Distempers; and the next Morning resolved to go into the Fort. He was received at his Landing with the usual Marks of Respect from the Corporation, the independent Companies of regular Troops then in the Place, and the Militia, under a Discharge of the Cannon of the Fort and Town.
In the Afternoon of the same Day on which his Excellency came on shore, threeIndians, viz. twoOnandagosand anOneydo, brought twoFrenchScalps and presented to his Excellency: At which Time the Leader of the Party made a formal Speech to the following Purpose: 'That having had repeated Accounts of the Mischiefs done by theFrench, and of the frequent Murders committed by them, and that theMohawks, notwithstanding their Professions of Friendship, suffered this Bloodshed to remain unrevenged, his Heart could bear it no longer; he thereupon resolved to open for his Brethren the Path to Revenge: That these two Scalps which he now presented were taken at Noonday in sight of theFrenchFort atCrown Point.' His Excellency told him how well he took this special Mark of his Fidelity, and assured him, that he would not only now reward him and his Companions, by particular Presents, but would always remember this Act of Friendship. They had already received the Reward given by the Act of Assembly. His Excellency gave each of them fourSpanishDollars; to the Leader a fine laced Coat and Hat, and a silver Breast-Plate; and to each of the others a Stroud Blanket and lac'd Hat.
TheseIndianstold us, that they lay several Days among the Bushes, from whence they could see every Man that came out of the Fort-Gate. They endeavoured for some time to take a Prisoner, but observing that none went to such a Distance from the Fort that they could hope to carry him off, they resolved to take the first Opportunity for a Scalp: Two Soldiers coming out of the Fort, after the Chapel Bell had rung about Noon, one of theIndians, by their Leader's Order, fired with Swan Shot upon them while they were near to each other. It is a constant Rule among these sculking Parties, never to fire without Orders from their Leader. One of theFrenchMen was killed upon the Spot, the other wounded, and fled immediately towards the Fort Gate, theIndianwho had fired, pursu'd, and with his Hatchet brought him down within a hundred Steps of the Fort Gate; and, though theFrenchin the Fort rushed out at the Gate, he took his Scalp off; the others had scalped the Man that was first killed, and then they all fled. TheFrenchin their Hurry had run out without their Arms, and upon recollecting themselves return'd to arm, which facilitated the Escape of theIndians.
His Excellency being informed, that the Leader of this Party was desirous to be distinguished by his Excellency's giving him a new Name, and that a Name, which in the Language of theSix Nationssignified thePath-opener, would be most acceptable to him; his Excellency honour'd him with that Title; which he accepted very thankfully, and seem'd exceedingly pleased with it: Whereupon he said, that the other twoIndianshaving associated with aMehikander, orRiver Indian, were resolved to go out against the Enemy: But as he thought he might be more useful by staying, to assist at the ensuing Treaty, he was resolved to remain here. He added, that in case the Interpreter, and others sent to invite theSix Nationsto meet here, fail'd in any Part, he would go among theSix Nations, and doubted not to bring many by his Influence, who otherwise might stay.
In a Day or two after, six of sevenIndians, who had been sent out by the Commissioners forIndianAffairs toCrown-Point, to take Prisoners, and gain Intelligence, returned and said, That they had gone to that Place, and that in sight of it they had separated, with, Design thereby to surprize any Stragler that might have come out of the Fort: That while they were thus separated, two of their Number were suddenly surrounded and taken by the Enemy: One of these two, after having been detained three or four Days, join'd the others atSaraghtoga. He said, that he had been threatened with death by theAdirondacks[9]; but that theCahnuagas[10]interpos'd, and by their Intercession he was set at Liberty; and some of theCahnuagasconducted him throughLac Sacrement. He reported, that there was a great Number of Men,FrenchandIndians, atCrown-Point.The other Prisoner, anOnondaga, consented to remain with theFrench, and was sent toCanada.
Soon after this, sixteenMohawk Indianscame to the Town, who had been sent out from the lowerMohawkCastle by Mr.Johnson, to gain Intelligence nearCrown-Point, and to take Prisoners. They reported that they had discovered so great a Number ofFrenchandIndiansatCrown-Point, that they had no Hopes of being able to bring off any Prisoners, and thought it adviseable to return speedily and inform of the great Danger they thought this Place was in. His Excellency invited them to go thither again, in order to descry the Motions of the Enemy: And as a farther Encouragement to them, to either Scalp or take Prisoners, he offered every Person of said Party that should take a Scalp or Prisoner, a Piece of Stroud, and a Suit of laced Clothes, besides the Bounty; but they, being frightened with the Apprehensions of Danger, declined going back, and said, they must return Home and acquaint their Friends and Relations with what they had heard and seen. Several otherIndianslikewise alarmed theMohawks, by telling them that theFrenchhad a great Force atCrown-Point, and that they would certainly attack eitherAlbanyorSchenectade, or the Settlements on theMohawksRiver, or perhaps several Places at the same Time.
Mr.Johnson, and the commanding Officer of the Garrison of regular Troops in theMohawksCountry, by their Letters to his Excellency, confirm'd these Reports; and added, theMohawkshad entertain'd Apprehensions of theFrenchForce atCrown-Point, which was like to have a bad Effect. On this his Excellency wrote to Mr.Johnson, that all these Stories of theFrenchForce atCrown-Pointwere only Artifices of theFrenchto intimidate theIndians, or to amuse them, with Design to frustrate the Treaty which he intended to have with them; and that he was to assure theIndians, that they could be in no Danger from theFrench:However, that they might see that he would omit nothing which they might think necessary for their Security, he had ordered a Lieutenant of Militia, with thirty Men, to reinforce the lower Castle, and had likewise ordered the Captain of Militia near the upper Castle, to assist theIndiansthere in fortifying their Castle, and to hold himself in Readiness to support them on any Emergency.
OneJohn Colan, aFrenchman, who some Years since had removed fromCanada, and settled and married atSchenectade, and who has since that Time lived in good Reputation there, was sent by MajorGlento inform his Excellency, that oneAaron, a notedMohawkSachem, who with several others of theSix Nations, had been last Spring inCanadato treat with the Governor there, did then entertain twoCahnuaga Indians. This Man,John Colan, acquainted his Excellency, that having discovered theCahnuaga Indians, he told them he was aFrenchman, and was desirous of returning to his own Country, on which they began presently to propose to him Methods for his Escape; at which Time, thisAaroncoming near them, he express'd his Fears of being discovered by him. They answered, that he need not fearAaron, for he was their Friend, and designed to go with them. As they proposed to him to escape privately by himself, and to meet them at a Place they named, he told them of his Fears, in that Case, of meeting with theFrench Indianswhile he was alone. They answered, that if he dress'd himself like anIndian, theFrench Indianswould do him no Hurt, without first calling to him; upon which, if he stopp'd and call'd outMaria, theFrench Indianswould be so far from hurting him, that they would immediately come up to him and take him by the Hand. From this, and several other Incidents, which it would be tedious to relate, his Excellency was convinced of some secret Understanding between theSix Nationsand theCahnuagas, orFrench Indians:And that, however any Party of ourIndiansmight be induced to fall upon theFrench, they would not at that Time molest theFrench Indians, nor prevent the Mischiefs which the Inhabitants received from their sculking Parties.
For this Reason, his Excellency endeavoured to send out again the Company of Rangers, which had formerly been employed against the sculkingIndians:But, as the Assembly had made no Provision for this Expence, they refused to go, unless he gave his personal Bond for their Pay, atthree Shillingsa Day for each private Man, besides their Provision; and would not be satisfied with the Promises that he, by the Advice of the Council, made them of recommending their Service to the General Assembly, and the Assurances he gave them of their being rewarded as they desired.
On their continuing obstinate, his Excellency was of Opinion, that no considerable Service could be expected from Men, who were moved by no other Principle but that of excessive Wages: And he had Reason afterwards to be confirmed in this Opinion, when CaptainLangdon, and afterwards CaptainThebout, voluntarily went with their Companies of the new-levied Troops to scour the Woods, and took some of theseAlbanyMen with them as Guides, who whenever they apprehended themselves in Danger, by the Discovery of recent Tracts, some one or other of them could not be kept from firing their Guns, or making some Noise, by which theFrench Indians, if any were near them, must know how to avoid them. SomeIndians, who were likewise sent out in Company with these Men, complained in like Manner.
The publick Interpreter, whom the Governor (as before observed) had sent with others, to invite theSix Nationsto meet him atAlbany, wrote to the Commissioners forIndianAffairs, That they met with great Difficulties and Obstructions from theSachems, who had been lately atCanada:That theOneydoesrefused to give any Answer, tho' they had staid there thirteen Days endeavouring to persuade them; and that theCayugashad absolutely refused to meet the Governor. On which his Excellency desired to be informed by the Commissioners ofIndianAffairs, whether they knew of any Person of Influence or Interest with theIndians, and fit to be sent among them on this Occasion. They answered, that they knew of none; and that theIndianswere in a very bad Disposition, and much under the Influence of theFrench.
About this time his Excellency being informed, that the Interpreter, and others sent with him, had neglected to send proper Invitations to theIndiansliving on the Branches ofSusquehannahRiver; and that CaptainVroman, ofScohary, was a proper Person to be sent to thoseIndians; he sent him, in Company with CaptainStaats, with a Belt ofWampumto invite them.
While theIndianAffairs appear'd in this discouraging State, an Account came to Town, that about twenty youngChickesawswere come to theSenekas, to desire them to shew them the Way toCanada. TheChickesawshad always been Enemies to theFrench:A Party of about five hundred Men had, four Years before, been sent out against them fromCanada, who were so entirely routed by theChickesaws, that few returned. These youngChickesawstold theSenekas, that theFrenchofCanadahad, about four Years since, made them a Visit, and were so kind to leave them four hundred Guns, which were now wore out; and, since theFrenchhad not thought fit to bring them any more Guns, they were resolved to go toCanadato fetch new ones; and promised, that if theSenekaswould shew them the Way, they would go Home and return with four hundred stout Fellows. Some otherIndianNations who lived to the Westward, discovering their Aversion to theFrenchat the same Time, these Incidents assisted the Governor's Messengers in bringing moreIndianstoAlbanythan they expected, when they wrote to the Commissioners forIndianAffairs.
While the Interpreter was at the more distantIndianCastles, Mr.William Johnsonwas indefatigable among theMohawks; he dressed himself after theIndianManner, 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 againstCanada. Tho' he succeeded, beyond what any Man inAlbanythought could be done, yet several of theSachems(in theConajohary, or upperMohawkCastle, chiefly) refused to engage in the War; but insisted, that as this War was entered into between theEnglishandFrench, in which they had no Interest, they ought to remain neuter. TheEnglishandFrench, they said, could at any Time make Peace; but if they should enter into the War,Indianscould not make up the Quarrel among themselves, otherwise than by the Destruction of one or the other. TheFrenchcould have no Hopes of engaging theSix Nationson their Side against theEnglish, and therefore wisely play'd this Game of endeavouring to make them stand neuter, which they could enforce by strong political Arguments, of which theIndianswere sensible enough.It is your Interest, theFrenchEmissaries said,not to suffer either theFrenchor theEnglishto 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 theFrenchhad gain'd some particularSachemsentirely into their Interest; however, many were prevailed on to come toAlbany, to hear what the Governor ofNew-Yorkhad to say to them; tho' several Sachems staid behind. When they of the more distant Nations came along with the Interpreter to the lowerMohawkCastle, and found that Mr.Johnsonhad already engaged many of the young Men there to join the Army againstCanada, the others blamed theMohawks; 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, theMohawks, were the smallest in Number of any of theSix Nations, and ought not to have proceeded to so great a Length, without the previous Consent of the others.' To this theMohawksanswered,It is true, we are less considerable as to Number, than any of the other Nations; but our Hearts are trulyEnglish,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 theMohawks, and the otherFive Nations, could not go in Company toAlbany; theMohawksmarched on one side of the River, while the other Nations went on the other side. [There are two Roads from theMohawksCastle toSchenectada,one on each side of theMohawksRiver.]
When theIndianscame near the Town ofAlbany, on the 8thofAugust, Mr.Johnsonput himself at the Head of theMohawks, dressed and painted after the Manner of anIndianWar-Captain; and theIndianswho followed him, were likewise dressed and painted, as is usual with them when they set out in War. TheIndianssaluted 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 theSix Nationsseemed at this Time less in Favour of theBritishInterest than was to be wished, his Excellency thought it necessary to have frequent Conferences, in private, with the principal Sachems of eachNation; sometimes separately and singly, at other Times with some of each Nation jointly. There were only two of theMohawksSachems (besidesAaronbefore mentioned, who left the Castle at this Time) that could not be prevailed on by Mr.Johnsonto declare themselves for entering into the War againstCanada: They were both of theConajoharyor Upper-Castle, and one of them the Head of the Tribe called theTortoise; (which, tho' not so numerous as that of theBear, yet is looked on as the first in Rank or Dignity;) and, as he had been with the Governor ofCanadalast 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 theMohawks) had contracted some more particular Acquaintance with these two Sachems: He invited them to a private Conference, at which the Reverend Mr.Barclayassisted 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 theTortoise, said, 'His Uncle had been the chief War-Captain among theMohawks: That his Uncle had particularly distinguished himself in their Wars against theFrench, 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 theMassachusets Bay, on what might be proper to be said to theSix Nationsin the publick Speech, which he now proposed to make to them. Col.Wendelland Mr.Wellshad arrived fromBostonabout the End ofJuly, 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 theIndianAffairs: 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 theBritishInterest; 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 theFrenchto 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 theFrench; 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 toAlbany, and was at this Time confined to his Bed. Tho' several were employed, who had Knowledge sufficient in the Language of theSix 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 aMohawkSachem was pitched upon; but the Sachems themselves told us, That for some time past a kind of Party-Division among theSix Nationshad subsisted: That theMohawks,Onandagas, andSenekas, form'd one Party; and theOneydoes, Tuscaroras, andCayugas, the other: That, as theMohawksmight be suspected to be more partial to theEnglish, it would be of more Use to employ one of the other Party; and anOneydoSachem 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 forIndianAffairs, and other Persons present at the Delivery, who understood both Languages, acknowledged, that thisIndianhad 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.Coldento 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.
The {
Cadwallader Colden
, } Esqrs; of his Majesty's
Hon
ble
{
Philip Livingston
, } Council for the Province
{
John Rutherford
, } of
New-York
.
The Commissioners from the Government of theMassachusets-Bay.
The Commissioners of the Province ofNew-YorkforIndianAffairs.
The Mayor and Corporation ofAlbany. The Officers of the Independent Companies, and of the new Levies then atAlbany. Several Gentlemen of the Province ofNew-York: And Strangers.
Mr.Coldenintroduced 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,
"Iam 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 theMassachusets-Bayhave sent Commissioners to concur with me, who are here present.
"TheFirstis, to renew the Covenant-Chain with you; and I now by this Belt, in your Father the King ofGreat-Britain's Name, in Behalf of his Majesty's Subjects inNorth-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 theFrenchSettlements: But that theFrenchhad by Surprize, attacked and destroyed a small Place nearCape-Breton, belonging to us.
"That they afterwards laid Siege toAnnapolis-Royal, and were beat off.
"I likewise told you, That the Governor of theMassachusets-Bay, in Conjunction withConnecticutandNew-Hampshire, had, in Revenge to these Injuries, sent an Army againstLouisburg, on the Island ofCape-Breton; that the Army was joined by a Number of his Majesty's Ships of War, under the Command of your Friend AdmiralWarren.
"I told you, that the Town ofLouisburg, which is the strongest theFrenchhave inAmerica, was reduced by this Force; and that theFrenchthere had surrendered themselves and their Country to theEnglish.
"I likewise told you, how we, in this Part of the Country, had lain still, hoping that theFrenchinCanada, 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 ofCanada, to tell him, That if he should revive the inhuman Custom of murdering private People, by sculkingIndians, that the several Governors of his Majesty's Colonies, together with you our Brethren of theSix 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 anyIndians, you would immediately join in the War against them, and theFrench.
"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) toCanada, 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 theFrenchhave 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 theFrench IndiansatSaraghtoga, and in the Neighbourhoods of this Place, and on the Frontiers ofNew-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 thesecondand 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 ofNew England, and of this Province, is resolved to subdue the Country ofCanada, and thereby put an End to all the mischievous Designs of theFrenchin these Parts. And for this purpose, he has ordered his Governors ofVirginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, andNew-Jersey, to join their Forces to the Forces of this Province, to attackCanadaby Land: They are all now upon their March, and you will soon see them here.
"At the same Time the Forces of theMassachusets-Bay, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, andNew-Hampshire, are to go in Ships toCape-Breton, and there join with his Majesty's Ships of War, and a great Army of experienc'd Soldiers fromGreat-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 uponCanadawill be made on all Sides, both by Sea and Land.
"You may perceive the King has ordered a Strength sufficient to subdueCanada; 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 theSix Nationsa glorious Opportunity of establishing their Fame and Renown over all theIndianNations inAmerica, in the Conquest of your inveterate Enemies theFrench; 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 theSix Nationsbecome obliterate, and forgot for ever. [Gave a Belt.]
"Brethren, TheFrench, on all Occasions, shew, that they act against your Brethren theEnglish, 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 ofLouisburg, the strongest Town theFrenchhad inAmerica, 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 theEnglishcould come near them; notwithstanding of all these Precautions and Advantages, they were forced to submit to theEnglishValour.
"You must have heard from your Fathers, and I doubt not several of your old Men still remember what theFrenchdid atOnondaga; how they surprised your Countrymen atCadarackui; how they invaded theSenekas, and what Mischiefs they did to theMohawks; how many of your Countrymen suffered by the Fire atMontreal. 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 ofMontreal, and a great Part ofCanada, to Fire and Sword; can you think that theFrenchforget 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 theFrench, 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 theSix Nationswith 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, theFrench Indianshave 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 outYo-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 theYo-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 theSix 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.