The former Part of this History was written atNew-Yorkin the Year1727,on Occasion of a Dispute which then happened, between the Government ofNew-Yorkand someMerchants.TheFrenchofCanadahad the whole Fur Trade with theWestern Indiansin their Hands, and were supplied with their woollen Goods fromNew-York.Mr.Burnet,who took more Pains to be informed of the Interest of the People he was set over, and of making them useful to their Mother Country, than Plantation Governors usually do, took the Trouble of perusing all the Registers of theIndianAffairs on this Occasion. He from thence conceived of what Consequence the Fur Trade with theWestern Indianswas of toGreat-Britain;that as theEnglishhad the Fur Trade toHudson's Baygiven up to them, by the Treaty ofUtrecht,so, by the Advantages which the Province ofNew-Yorkhas in its Situation, they might be able to draw the whole Fur Trade in the other Parts ofAmericato themselves, and thereby theEnglishengross that Trade, and the Manufactories depending on it.
For this Purpose he thought it necessary to put a Stop to the Trade betweenNew-YorkandCanada,by which theFrenchsupplied themselves with the most valuable and necessary Commodities for theIndianMarket, and to set the Inhabitants of this Province on trading directly with theIndians.Besides the Consideration of Profit and Gain, he considered what Influence this Trade had on the numerous Nations ofIndiansliving on the vast Continent ofNorth-America,and who surround theBritishColonies; of what Advantage it might be of, if they were influenced by theEnglishin Case of a War withFrance;and how prejudicial, on the other Hand, if they were directed byFrenchCounsels.
The Legislature ofNew-Yorkwas soon convinced of the Justness of his Reasoning, and passed an Act, prohibiting the Trade toCanada,and for encouraging the Trade directly with theIndians.They were likewise at the Charge of building a fortified trading House atOswego,onCadarackui Lake,and have ever since maintained a Garison there. As this Act did in its Consequence take a large Profit from one or two considerable Merchants, who had the Trade toCanada,intirely in their Hands, they endeavoured to raise a Clamour against it in the Province, and presented likewise Petitions to the King, in Order to get the Act repealed. Upon this Occasion Mr.Burnetgave me the Perusal of the Publick Register ofIndianAffairs, and it was thought the Publication of the History of theFive Nationsmight be of Use at that Time.
I shall only add, that Mr.Burnet'sScheme has had its desired Effect: TheEnglishhave gained the Trade which theFrench,before that, had with theIndiansto the Westward ofNew-York;and whereas, before that Time, a very inconsiderable Number of Men were employed in theIndianTrade Abroad, now above three hundred Men are employed at the Trading House atOswegoalone; and theIndianTrade has since that Time yearly increased so far, that severalIndianNations come now every Summer to trade there, whose Names were not so much as known by theEnglishbefore.
This History, fromNew-York,soon went toEngland,and I have been informed, that a Publication, with a Continuance of that Work, would be acceptable there. I have the more chearfully complied with this Notice, because of the War threatened fromFrance,believing that a Publication of this Kind may be useful, whether the present Inquietudes between the two Nations end in a War or in a Treaty. TheFrenchhave encouraged several Publications of this Sort atParis,and certainly such may be more useful in aBritishGovernment, where the People have so great a Share in it, than it can be in aFrenchGovernment, intirely directed by the Will of their Prince.
I now continue this History to the Peace ofReswick,and if I find this acceptable, and that a farther Continuation of it be desired, I shall, if my Life and Health be preserved, carry it down farther; but as I have too much Reason to doubt my own Ability, to give that Pleasure and Satisfaction which the Publick may expect in Things thus submitted to their View, I think it not justifiable to trouble them with too much at once.
We left theFive Nationstriumphing over theFrenchinCanada, and they almost reduced to Despair. The Revolution, which happened at this Time inEngland, seemed to be a favourable Conjunction for theFive Nations; theEnglishColonies, by the War at that Time declared againstFrance, becoming Parties in their Quarrel: For one will be ready to think, that theFive Nationsbeing by themselves too powerful for theFrench, as appears by the preceding Chapter, when these were assisted by theUtawawas,Quatoghies,Twihtwies,Chictaghicks,Putewatemies, and all theWestern Indian Nations, and when theEnglishstood neuter; now certainly, when not only all theseIndian Nationshad made Peace with theFive Nations, but theEnglishjoined with them in the War, theFrenchwould not be able to stand one Campaign.
But we shall find what a Turn Affairs took, contrary to all reasonable Expectations, from the general Appearance of Things, and of what Importance a resolute wise Governor is to the well-being of a People, and how prejudicial Divisions and Parties are. For this Reason, it will be necessary to take a View of the Publick Affairs in the Province ofNew-York, and inCanada, at that Time, in order to understand the true Causes of the Alterations, which afterwards happened in Favour of theFrench.
The Revolution occasioned as great Divisions and Parties in the Province ofNew-York, in Proportion to the Number of People, as it did inBritain, if not greater. The Governor and all the Officers either fled or absconded; the Gentlemen of the King's Council, and some of the most considerable or richest People, either out of Love, or what they thought Duty, to KingJames, or rather from an Opinion they had that thePrince of Orangecould not succeed, refused to join in the Declaration the People made in favour of that Prince, and suffered the Administration to fall into different Hands, who were more zealous for the Protestant Interest, and who were joined by the far greatest Number of the Inhabitants. After the Revolution was established, they that had appeared so warmly for it, thought that they deserved best of the Government, and expected to be continued in the Publick Offices; the others were zealous to recover the Authority they had lost, and used the most persuasive Means with the Governors for that Purpose, while the former trusted to their Merit. This begat great Animosities, which continued many Years. Each Party, as they were at different Times favoured by several Governors, opposed all the Measures taken by the other, while each of them were by Turns in Credit with the People or the Governor, and sometimes even prosecuted each other to Death. The publick Measures were by these Means perpetually fluctuating, and often one Day contradictory to what they were the Day before. The succeeding Governors, finding their private Account in favouring sometimes the one Party, and at other Times the other, kept up the Animosities all KingWilliam's Reign, though very much to the publick Prejudice; for each Party was this while so eager in resenting private Injuries, that they intirely neglected the publick Good.
The Constitution of Government in theEnglish Plantations, where the Governors have no Salary, but what they can attain with the Consent of the Assemblies or Representatives of the People, gave Occasion to imprudent Governors to fall upon these Expedients, as they sometimes call them, for getting of Money. And a prevailing Faction, knowing for what Purpose the Governments inAmericawere chiefly desired by theEnglishGentlemen, used this great Privilege to tempt a Governor to be the Head of a Party, when he ought to have been the Head of the Government. IndeedNew-Yorkhas had the Misfortune, too frequently, to be under such as could not keep their Passion for Money secret, though none found it so profitable a Government, as they did who followed strictly the true Maxims of governing, without making Money the only Rule of their Actions.
The frequent Changes of Governors were likewise prejudicial to the publick Affairs. ColonelSlaughter, the first Governor after the Revolution, happened to die soon after his Arrival, when steady, as well as resolute Measures, were most necessary. But some think, that the Occasion of all the Misfortunes lay in the Want of Care in the Choice of Governors, when the Affairs ofAmericawanted able Hands to manage them; they think that the Ministry had the saving of Money chiefly in View, when, to gratify some small Services, they gave Employments inAmericato those that were not capable of much meaner Offices at Home. The Opinion the People had of ColonelSlaughter's Capacity gave ground to these Surmises; but, if it was so, it happened to be very ill saved Money; for the Mismanagements in this Country occasioned far greater Expence to the Crown afterwards, than would have bought such Gentlemen handsome Estates, besides the great Losses they occasioned to the Subjects.
The greatest Number of the Inhabitants of the Province ofNew-YorkbeingDutch, still retained an Affection to their Mother Country, and by their Aversion to theEnglishweakened the Administration. The common People ofAlbany, who are allDutch, could not forbear giving theIndianssome ill Impressions of theEnglish; for theMohawks, in one of their publick Speeches, expressed themselves thus: "We hear aDutch Princereigns now inEngland, why do you suffer theEnglishSoldiers to remain in the Fort? put all theEnglishout of the Town. When theDutchheld this Country long ago, we lay in their Houses; but theEnglishhave always made us lie without Doors." It is true, that the Plantations were first settled by the meanest People of every Nation, and such as had the least Sense of any Honour. TheDutchfirst Settlers, many of them I may say, had none of the Virtues of their Countrymen, except their Industry in getting Money, and they sacrificed every Thing, other People think honourable or most sacred, to their Gain: But I do not think it proper to give particular Instances of this.
The People ofNew-Englandwere engaged in a bloody War at this Time with theOwenagungas,Ouragies, andPonacoks, theIndiansthat lie between them and theFrenchSettlements. TheScahkookswere originally Part of theseIndians. They left their Country about the Year 1672, and settled aboveAlbany, on the Branch ofHudson's Riverthat runs towardsCanada. The People ofNew-Englandwere jealous of theScahkook Indians, that they remembering the old Difference they had with the People ofNew England, and the Relation they bore to theEastern Indians, did countenance and assist theseIndiansin the War againstNew England. They had Reason for these Jealousies, for theScahkook Indiansreceived privately someOwenagungaMessengers, and kept their coming among them secret from the People ofAlbany; and someScahkookshad gone privately to theOwenagungas. They were afraid likewise, that theMohawksmight have some Inclination to favour thoseIndians, because some of theEastern Indianshad fled to theMohawks, and were kindly received by them, and lived among them.
Notwithstanding all these Failures of good Policy, in the Government ofNew-York, theFrenchhad not gained so great Advantages, if they had not carefully observed a different Conduct, which it is now necessary to consider.
Canadawas at this Time in a very distressed Condition, the Country and out Plantations burnt and destroyed, their Trade intirely at a stand, great Numbers of their People slain, and the remainder in danger of perishing by Famine, as well as by the Sword of inveterate cruel Enemies. When such Misfortunes happen to a Country, under any Administration, though in Truth the Conduct of Affairs be not to be blamed, it is often prudent to change the Ministers; for the common People never fail to blame them, notwithstanding their having acted with the greatest Wisdom, and therefore cannot so soon recover their Spirits, that are sunk by Misfortunes, as by putting their Affairs into different Hands.
For these Reasons, it is probable, theFrenchKing recalled Mr.de Nonville, but rewarded him for his Services, by an honourable Employment in the Houshold. The Countde Frontenacwas sent in his Place. This Gentleman had been formerly Governor of that Country, and was perfectly acquainted with its Interest; of a Temper of Mind fitted to such desperate Times, of undaunted Courage, and indefatigable, though in the sixty-eighth Year of his Age. The Countde Frontenacarrived the second ofOctober1689. The Country immediately received new Life by the Arrival of a Person, of whose Courage and Conduct every one had entertained a high Opinion. Care was taken to increase this Impression on the Minds of the People, by making publick Rejoicings with as much Noise as possible. He wisely improved this new Life, by immediately entering upon Action, without suffering their Hopes to grow cold. He staid no longer atQuebeck, than was necessary to be informed of the present State of Affairs, and in four or five Days after his Arrival set out in a Canoe forMontreal, where his Presence was most necessary; and the Winter was already so far advanced, that the Ice made it impracticable to go in a larger Vessel. By this the old Gentleman increased the Opinion and Hopes the People entertained of him, that, without staying to refresh himself after a fatiguing Sea-Voyage, he would immediately undertake another, that required all the Vigour and Heat of Youth to withstand the Inclemencies of the Climate and Season, and the Difficulty of such a Passage.
When the Countde Frontenaccame toMontreal, he increased the Admiration the People had of his Vigour and Zeal, by pretending to go to visitCadarackui Fort, now abandoned, which he had built in the Time he was formerly Governor. The Clergy and People ofMontrealcame jointly with stretched out Arms, representing the Danger of such an Attempt, and the Difficulties and Hardships that would necessarily attend it, praying him not to expose a Life that was so necessary for their Safety. He, with seeming Reluctance, yielded to their Intreaties; I say with seeming Reluctance, for it was inconsistent with his Prudence really to have such a Design. This Shew of the Governor's offering to go in Person, animated some of the Gentlemen of the Country, who voluntarily went in the Winter, with one HundredIndianTraders, to visit that Fort; and finding it in better Condition than they expected, by the Report of those who had abandoned it, they staid there, and made some small Reparations in the Walls, which theIndianshad thrown down.
The Countde Frontenacbrought back with himTawerahet, aCapiga Sachem, one of the thirteen Prisoners that Mr.de Nonvilletook atCadarackui, and sent toFrance. He was in Hopes thisIndianwould be useful in procuring a Treaty of Peace with theFive Nations, for they had an extraordinary Opinion ofTawerahet; and theFrenchhad found, by sad Experience, that they could not be Gainers by continuing the War: For this Purpose the Count usedTawerahetwith much Kindness, during his Voyage, and, after he arrived atQuebeck, lodged him in the Castle under his own Roof, and took such Pains with thisSachem, that he forgot all the ill Usage he had formerly received.
TheFrenchhad the more Reason to desire a Peace with theFive Nations, because they knew, that they would now certainly have theEnglishColonies likewise upon them; and if theFive Nationshad been able to do so much Mischief by themselves alone, they were much more to be feared, when they would be assisted, in all Probability, with the Force and Interest of theEnglishColonies.
FourIndiansof less Note, who were brought back along withTawerahet, were immediately dispatched, in thisSachem's Name, to theFive Nations, to inform them of his Return, and of the kind Usage they had received from the Countde Frontenac; and to press them to send some to visit their old Friend, who had been so kind to them when he was formerly Governor ofCanada, and who still retained an Affection to theFive Nations; as appeared by the KindnessTawerahetand they had received from him. This was the only Method left to theFrenchof making Proposals of Peace, which it was their Interest by all Means to procure.
The Governor ofCanada, as I said, conceived that there was no Way so proper to keep up the Spirits of the People, who had got new Life by his Arrival, as by putting them upon Action; and indeed their present miserable Condition made them forward enough, to undertake the most desperate Enterprize, when the frequent Incursions of theIndiansmade it as dangerous to be at Home, as to attack the Enemy Abroad.
For this Purpose he sent out three Parties in the Winter; one was designed againstNew-York, the other againstConnecticut, and the last againstNew-England.
TheFive Nationsfollowed ColonelDungan's Advice, in endeavouring to bring off theWestern Indiansfrom theFrench, and had all the Success that could be expected, before Mr.de Frontenacarrived.
They were overjoyed when they heard, that theEnglishhad entered into War with theFrench, and came several Times toAlbanyto know the Certainty of it, while it was only rumoured about. The People ofAlbanydesired them to secure any of the prayingIndiansthat should come fromCanada, if they found that they were still ruled by the Priests; but to encourage them, if they came with a Design to return to their own Country.
TheSenekas, Cayugas, Onondagas, andOneydoes, the twenty seventh ofJune1689, before any Governor arrived, renewed the old Covenant (as they said) which was first made many Years ago with oneTagues, who came with a Ship into their River. "Then we first became Brethren, said they, and continued so till last fall, that SirEdmond Androsscame and made a new Chain, by calling us Children; but let us stick to the old Chain, which has continued from the first Time it was made, by which we became Brethren, and have ever since always behaved as such.Virginia, Maryland, andNew-England, have been taken into this silver Chain, with which our Friendship is locked fast. We are now come to make the Chain clear and bright. Here theygave two Bevers."
KingJames, a little before his Abdication, sent over SirEdmond Androsswith arbitrary Powers, and he, in Imitation of theFrench, changed the Stile of speaking to theIndians, of which they were very sensible.
They discovered a great Concern for their People that were carried toCanada; they long hoped (they said) that the King ofEnglandwould have been powerful enough to deliver them, but now they began to lose all Hopes of them.
About the Beginning ofSeptember1689, ColonelJohn Pynchon, MajorJohn Savage, and CaptainJonathan Bull, Agents for the Colonies ofMassachuset's Bay, New-Plymouth, andConnecticut, arrived atAlbany, to renew the Friendship with theFive Nations, and to engage them against theEastern Indians, who made War on theEnglishof those Colonies, and were supported by theFrench.
TheFive Nationshad received four Messengers from theEastern Indians, which gave the People ofNew-Englandsome Apprehensions, and they were therefore desirous to know what Reception these Messengers had met with.
TheFive Nationsanswered byTahajadoris, aMohawk Sachem, on the twenty fourth ofSeptember. He made a long Oration, repeating all that the Agent fromNew-Englandhad said, the Day before, and desired them to be attentive to the Answer now to be made to them. They commonly repeat over all that has been said to them, before they return any Answer, and one may be surprized at the Exactness of these Repetitions. They take the following Method to assist their Memories: TheSachem, who presides at these Conferences, has a Bundle of small Sticks in his Hand; as soon as the Speaker has finished any one Article of his Speech, thisSachemgives a Stick to anotherSachem, who is particularly to remember that Article; and so when another Article is finished, he gives a Stick to another to take Care of that other, and so on. In like Manner when the Speaker answers, each of these has the particular Care of the Answer resolved on to each Article, and prompts the Orator, when his Memory fails him, in the Article committed to his Charge.Tahajadorisaddressing himself to the Agents, said:
"Brethren,"You are welcome to this House, which is appointed for our Treaties and publick Business with the Christians; we thank you for renewing the Covenant-chain. It is now no longer of Iron and subject to Rust, as formerly, but of pure Silver, and includes in it all the King's Subjects, from theSenekasCountry eastward, as far as any of the great King's Subjects live, and southward, fromNew-EnglandtoVirginia. Here hegave a Bever."We are glad to hear of the good Success our great King has had over theFrenchby Sea, in taking and sinking so many of their Men of War. You tell us in your Proposals that we are one People, let us then go Hand in Hand together, to ruin and destroy theFrenchour common Enemy.Gives a Bever."The Covenant-chain between us is ancient (as you tell us) and of long standing, and it has been kept inviolably by us. When you had Wars some time ago with theIndians, you desired us to help you; we did it readily, and to the Purpose; for we pursued them closely, by which we prevented the Effusion of much of your Blood. This was a certain Sign that we loved truly and sincerely, and from our Hearts.Gives a Belt."You advise us to pursue our Enemies, theFrench, vigorously; this we assure you we are resolved to do to the utmost of our Power: But since theFrenchare your Enemies likewise, we desire our Brethren of the three Colonies to send us an hundred Men for the Security of this Place, which is ill provided, in Case of an Attack from theFrench; the Christians have Victuals enough for their Entertainment.Gives one Belt."We patiently bore many Injuries from theFrench, from one Year to another, before we took up the Axe against them. Our Patience made the Governor ofCanadathink, that we were afraid of him, and durst not resent the Injuries we had so long suffered; but now he is undeceived. We assure you, that we are resolved never to drop the Axe, theFrenchnever shall see our Faces in Peace, we shall never be reconciled as long as oneFrenchmanis alive. We shall never make Peace, though our Nation should be ruined by it, and every one of us cut in Pieces. Our Brethren of the three Colonies may depend on this.Gives a Bever."As to what you told us of theOwenagungasandUragees, we answer: That we were never so proud and haughty, as to begin a War without just Provocation. You tell us that they are treacherous Rogues, we believe it, and that they will undoubtedly assist theFrench. If they shall do this, or shall join with any of our Enemies, eitherFrenchorIndians, then we will kill and destroy them.Gives a Bever."
"Brethren,
"You are welcome to this House, which is appointed for our Treaties and publick Business with the Christians; we thank you for renewing the Covenant-chain. It is now no longer of Iron and subject to Rust, as formerly, but of pure Silver, and includes in it all the King's Subjects, from theSenekasCountry eastward, as far as any of the great King's Subjects live, and southward, fromNew-EnglandtoVirginia. Here hegave a Bever.
"We are glad to hear of the good Success our great King has had over theFrenchby Sea, in taking and sinking so many of their Men of War. You tell us in your Proposals that we are one People, let us then go Hand in Hand together, to ruin and destroy theFrenchour common Enemy.Gives a Bever.
"The Covenant-chain between us is ancient (as you tell us) and of long standing, and it has been kept inviolably by us. When you had Wars some time ago with theIndians, you desired us to help you; we did it readily, and to the Purpose; for we pursued them closely, by which we prevented the Effusion of much of your Blood. This was a certain Sign that we loved truly and sincerely, and from our Hearts.Gives a Belt.
"You advise us to pursue our Enemies, theFrench, vigorously; this we assure you we are resolved to do to the utmost of our Power: But since theFrenchare your Enemies likewise, we desire our Brethren of the three Colonies to send us an hundred Men for the Security of this Place, which is ill provided, in Case of an Attack from theFrench; the Christians have Victuals enough for their Entertainment.Gives one Belt.
"We patiently bore many Injuries from theFrench, from one Year to another, before we took up the Axe against them. Our Patience made the Governor ofCanadathink, that we were afraid of him, and durst not resent the Injuries we had so long suffered; but now he is undeceived. We assure you, that we are resolved never to drop the Axe, theFrenchnever shall see our Faces in Peace, we shall never be reconciled as long as oneFrenchmanis alive. We shall never make Peace, though our Nation should be ruined by it, and every one of us cut in Pieces. Our Brethren of the three Colonies may depend on this.Gives a Bever.
"As to what you told us of theOwenagungasandUragees, we answer: That we were never so proud and haughty, as to begin a War without just Provocation. You tell us that they are treacherous Rogues, we believe it, and that they will undoubtedly assist theFrench. If they shall do this, or shall join with any of our Enemies, eitherFrenchorIndians, then we will kill and destroy them.Gives a Bever."
Then theMohawksoffered five of their Men, to guard the Agents Home against any of theirIndianEnemies, who they were afraid might be laying in wait for the Agents, andgave a Belt.
Afterwards the Speaker continued his Speech, and said: "We have spoke what we had to say of the War, we now come to the Affairs of Peace: We promise to preserve the Chain inviolably, and wish that the Sun may always shine in Peace over all our Heads that are comprehended in this Chain. Wegive two Belts, one for the Sun, the other for its Beams."
"We make fast the Roots of the Tree of Peace and Tranquillity, which is planted in this Place. Its Roots extend as far as the utmost of your Colonies; if theFrenchshould come to shake this Tree, we would feel it by the Motion of its Roots, which extend into our Country: But we trust it will not be in the Governor ofCanada's Power to shake this Tree, which has been so firmly and so long planted with us.Bevers."
Lastly, He desired the Magistrates ofAlbanyto remember what he had said, andgave them a Bever.
But the Agents perceiving, that they had not answered any Thing about theOwenagungaMessengers, and had answered indistinctly about the War with theEastern Indians, desired them to explain themselves fully on these two Points, about which the Agents were chiefly concerned.
TheFive Nationsanswered:
"We cannot declare War against theEastern Indians, for they have done us no Harm: Nevertheless our Brethren ofNew-Englandmay be assured, that we will live and die in Friendship with them. When we took up the Axe against theFrenchand their Confederates, we did it to revenge the Injuries they had done us; we did not make War with them at the Persuasions of our Brethren here; for we did not so much as acquaint them with our Intention, till fourteen Days after our Army had begun their March."
"We cannot declare War against theEastern Indians, for they have done us no Harm: Nevertheless our Brethren ofNew-Englandmay be assured, that we will live and die in Friendship with them. When we took up the Axe against theFrenchand their Confederates, we did it to revenge the Injuries they had done us; we did not make War with them at the Persuasions of our Brethren here; for we did not so much as acquaint them with our Intention, till fourteen Days after our Army had begun their March."
After the Company had separated, theSachemssent to theNew-EnglandAgents, desiring to speak with them in private; which being granted, the Speaker said, we have something to tell you, which was not proper to be spoken openly, for some of our People have an Affection to theOwenagungas; and we were afraid, that they would discover or hinder our Designs.
Now we assure our Brethren, that we are resolved to look on your Enemies as ours, and that we will first fall on theOwaragees[29]; and then on theOwenagungas, and lastly on theFrench; and that you may be convinced of our Intention, we design to send five of our young Men along with our Brethren toNew-England, to guard them, who have Orders to view the Country of theOwaragees, to discover in what Manner it can be attacked with the most Advantage. This we always do before we make an Attempt on our Enemies. In a Word, Brethren, your War is our War, for we will live and dye with you.
But it is to be observed, that they confirmed nothing relating to theseIndians, by giving Belts.
It is probable, that theSachemsacted with some Art on this Occasion, for they really had favourable Inclinations towards theOwenagungas; and they had Reason not to increase the Number of their Enemies, by making War on theEastern Indians, who avoided doing them any Injury. The People ofAlbanylikewise have always been averse to engage ourIndiansin a War with theEastern Indians, lest it should change the Seat of the War, and bring it to their own Doors.
On the 25th the Magistrates ofAlbanyhad a private Conference with theSachemsof theFive Nations, and desired to know their Resolutions as to the War withCanada, and the Measures they resolved to follow. In this Conference theIndianssaw that the People ofAlbanywere so much afraid of theFrench, that their Spirits were sunk under the Apprehensions of the approaching War; and for this Reason made the following Answer.
"We have a hundred and forty Men out-skulking aboutCanada; it is impossible for theFrenchto attempt any Thing, without being discovered and harassed by these Parties: If theFrenchshall attempt any Thing this Way, all theFive Nationswill come to your Assistance, for our Brethren and we are but one, and we will live and dye together. We have desired a hundred Men of our Brethren ofBostonto assist us here, because this Place is most exposed; but if the Governor ofCanadais so strong, as to overcome us all united together, then he must be our Master, and is not to be resisted; but we have Confidence in a good and just Cause; for the great God of Heaven knows how deceitfully theFrenchhave dealt with us, their Arms can have no Success. The Great God hath sent us Signs in the Sky to confirm this. We have heard uncommon Noise in the Heavens, and have seen Heads fall down upon Earth, which we look upon as a certain Presage of the Destruction of theFrench: Take Courage! On this they all immediately joined in singing and crying out, Courage! Courage!"
"We have a hundred and forty Men out-skulking aboutCanada; it is impossible for theFrenchto attempt any Thing, without being discovered and harassed by these Parties: If theFrenchshall attempt any Thing this Way, all theFive Nationswill come to your Assistance, for our Brethren and we are but one, and we will live and dye together. We have desired a hundred Men of our Brethren ofBostonto assist us here, because this Place is most exposed; but if the Governor ofCanadais so strong, as to overcome us all united together, then he must be our Master, and is not to be resisted; but we have Confidence in a good and just Cause; for the great God of Heaven knows how deceitfully theFrenchhave dealt with us, their Arms can have no Success. The Great God hath sent us Signs in the Sky to confirm this. We have heard uncommon Noise in the Heavens, and have seen Heads fall down upon Earth, which we look upon as a certain Presage of the Destruction of theFrench: Take Courage! On this they all immediately joined in singing and crying out, Courage! Courage!"
On the 27th ofDecember1689, twoIndianscame toAlbany, being sent by theOnondagaandOneydo Sachems, with seven Hands of Wampum from each Nation, to tell their Brethren inNew-YorkandNew-England, that three of their old Friends, who had been carried Prisoners toFrance, were come with Proposals fromCanada; that there was a Council of theSachemsappointed to meet atOnondaga, and that they therefore desired the Mayor ofAlbany,Peter Scheyler, and some others of their Brethren, to come thither, to be present and to advise on an Affair of so great Consequence; for they were resolved to do nothing without the Knowledge and Consent of all those that were included in the Chain with them.
The same Messenger told them, that some Letters were sent to the Jesuit atOneydo; and that they would neither burn, nor suffer those Letters to be opened, till the Brethren should first see them.
All that the Magistrates ofAlbanydid on this important Occasion, was to send threeIndianswith Instructions in their Name, to dissuade theFive Nationsfrom entertaining any Thoughts of Peace, or yielding to a Cessation of Arms.
On the 4th ofJanuaryone of the chiefMohawk Sachemscame toAlbany, to tell theMagistrates, that he was to go toOnondaga, and desired the Brethren's Advice how to behave there; on which the Magistrates thought it necessary to send likewise the publick Interpreter, and another Person to assist at the general Meeting, with written Instructions; but no Person of Note, that had any Influence on theIndians, went.
When the Messengers arrived atOneydo, they discoursed privately with one of the Prisoners that had returned fromFrance, and found that he had no Love for theFrench; but it is impossible but thatIndians, who had seen theFrenchCourt, and many of their Troops, must be surprised at their Grandeur: he complained however of the ill Usage he had met with. TheFrenchchose, on this Occasion, to send first toOneydo, because of the Assistance they expected the Jesuit, that resided there, would give to their Negotiation.
I believe it will not be tedious to the Reader, that desires to know theIndian Genius, if I give a circumstantial Account of this general Council or Parliament of theFive Nations, that he may see in what Manner a People that we call Savages behave on such important Occasions.
On the 22d ofJanuarythe general Council was opened atOnondaga, consisting of eightySachems; in the first PlaceSadekanaghtie, anOnondaga Sachem, rising up, addressed himself to the Messenger ofAlbany, saying,
Four Messengers are come from the Governor ofCanada,viz. three who had been carried Prisoners toFrance, and aSachemof thePraying Indiansthat live atMontreal.The Governor ofCanadanotifies his Arrival to us, that he is the Countde Frontenac, who had been formerly Governor there; that he had brought back with himTawerahetaCayuga Sachem, and twelve Prisoners, that had been carried toFrance; then taking the Belt ofWampumin his Hand, and holding it by the Middle, he added, what I have said relates only to one Half of the Belt, the other Half is to let us know, that he intends to kindle again his Fire atCadarackuinext Spring, and therefore invites his Children, andDekanasoraanOnondaga Captainin particular, to treat there with him about the old Chain. ThenAdarahtathe chiefSachemof thepraying Indiansstood up, and said, with three Belts in his Hand, I advise you to meet the Governor ofCanadaas he desires; agree to this, if you would live, andgives one Belt ofWampum.Tawerahetsends you this other Belt, to inform you of the Miseries, that he and the rest of your Countrymen have suffered in their Captivity; and to advise you to hearken toYonondio, if you desire to live.This third Belt is fromThurensera[30],Ohguesse[31], andErtel[32], who say by it, to their Brethren: We have interceded for you withYonondio, and therefore advise you to meet him atCadarackuiin the Spring, because it will be for your Advantage.
Four Messengers are come from the Governor ofCanada,viz. three who had been carried Prisoners toFrance, and aSachemof thePraying Indiansthat live atMontreal.
The Governor ofCanadanotifies his Arrival to us, that he is the Countde Frontenac, who had been formerly Governor there; that he had brought back with himTawerahetaCayuga Sachem, and twelve Prisoners, that had been carried toFrance; then taking the Belt ofWampumin his Hand, and holding it by the Middle, he added, what I have said relates only to one Half of the Belt, the other Half is to let us know, that he intends to kindle again his Fire atCadarackuinext Spring, and therefore invites his Children, andDekanasoraanOnondaga Captainin particular, to treat there with him about the old Chain. ThenAdarahtathe chiefSachemof thepraying Indiansstood up, and said, with three Belts in his Hand, I advise you to meet the Governor ofCanadaas he desires; agree to this, if you would live, andgives one Belt ofWampum.
Tawerahetsends you this other Belt, to inform you of the Miseries, that he and the rest of your Countrymen have suffered in their Captivity; and to advise you to hearken toYonondio, if you desire to live.
This third Belt is fromThurensera[30],Ohguesse[31], andErtel[32], who say by it, to their Brethren: We have interceded for you withYonondio, and therefore advise you to meet him atCadarackuiin the Spring, because it will be for your Advantage.
When thisSachemhad done speaking, theMohawkMessenger sent fromAlbanydelivered his Message Word for Word, as he had received it, without omitting the least Article. The Interpreter, while theIndianwas speaking, read over a Paper, on which the Message was set down, lest any Thing should have been forgot.
After thisCannehootaSeneka Sachemstood up, and gave the general Council a particular Account of a Treaty made last Summer, between theSenekasand theWagunhaMessengers, (one of theUtawawaNations) who had concluded a Peace for themselves, and seven other Nations, to which the other four Nations were desired to agree, and their Brethren ofNew-Yorkto be included in it. He said the Proposals made in several Propositions were as follow.
1. We are come to join two Bodies into one. Delivering up at the same Time two Prisoners.
2. We are come to learn Wisdom of youSenekas, and of the otherFive Nations, and of your Brethren ofNew-York.Giving a Belt.
3. We by this Belt wipe away the Tears from the Eyes of your Friends, whose Relations have been killed in the War, and likewise[33]the Paint from your Soldiers Faces.Giving another Belt.
4. We now throw aside the Ax, whichYonondioput into our Hands, by thisthird Belt.
5. Let the Sun, as long as he shall endure, always shine upon us in Friendship. Here hegave a red Marble Sunas large as a Plate.
6. Let the Rain of Heaven wash away all Hatred, that we may again smoke together in Peace,giving a large Pipeof red Marble.
7.Yonondiois drunk, but we wash our Hands clean from all his Actions.Giving a fourth Belt.
8. Now we are clean washed by the Water of Heaven, neither of us must defile ourselves by hearkening toYonondio.
9. We have twelve of your Nation Prisoners, who shall be brought home in the Spring; there hegave a Belt, to confirm the Promise.
10. We will bring your Prisoners when the Strawberries shall be in blossom,[34]at which Time we intend to visitCorlear, and see the Place where the Wampum is made. (New-York.)
The Speaker added, we will also tell our Friends the otherUtawawaNations, and theDionondadies, who have eleven of your People Prisoners, what we have now done, and invite them to make Peace with you.
He said further, we have sent three Messengers back with theWagunhas, in order to confirm this Peace with their Nation.
After theSenekaSpeaker had done, theWagunhaPresents were hung up in the House, in the Sight of the whole Assembly, and afterwards distributed among the several Nations, and their Acceptance was a Ratification of the Treaty. Alarge Belt was givenalso to theAlbanyMessengers as their Share.
The Belt of Wampum sent fromAlbanywas in like Manner hanged up, and afterwards divided.
New-England, which theIndianscallKinshon(that is a Fish) sent likewise the Model of a Fish, as a token of their adhering to the general Covenant. This Fish was handed round among theSachems, and then laid aside to be put up.
After these Ceremonies were over,Sadekanahtie, anOnondagaSpeaker, stood up, and said, Brethren, we must stick to our BrotherQuider, and look onYonondioas our Enemy, for he is a Cheat: ByQuiderthey meantPeter Schylerthe Mayor ofAlbany, who had gained a considerable Esteem among them; as they have no Labeals in their Language, they pronouncePeterby the SoundQuider.
The Messenger fromCanadahad brought Letters, and some medicinal Powder, for the JesuitMilet, who resided atOneydo. These Letters and the Powder were delivered to the Interpreter fromAlbanyto be carried thither, that the Contents of them might be made known to theSachemsof the several Nations. The Jesuit was present all this While in their Council.
Then the Interpreter was desired to speak what he had to say from their Brethren atAlbany. He told them, that a new Governor was arrived, who had brought a great many Soldiers fromEngland. That the King ofEnglandhad declared War againstFrance, and that the People ofNew-Englandwere fitting out Ships againstCanada. He advised them, that they should not hearken to theFrench, for when they talk of Peace, said he, War is in their Heart, and desired them to enter into no Treaty but atAlbany, for theFrench, he said, would mind no Agreement made any where else.
After this they had Consultations for some Time together, and then gave the following Answer by their Speaker.
Brethren, our Fire burns atAlbany. We will not sendDekanasoratoCadarackui. We adhere to our old Chain withCorlear; we will prosecute the War withYonondio, and will follow your Advice in drawing off our Men fromCadarackui. Brethren, we are glad to hear the News you tell us, but tell us no Lies.
BrotherKinshon, we hear you design to send Soldiers to the eastward against theIndiansthere; but we advise you, now so many are united against theFrench, to fall immediately on them. Strike at the Root, when the Trunk shall be cut down, the Branches fall of Course.
CorlearandKinshon, Courage! Courage! In the Spring toQuebeck, take that Place, and you'll have your Feet on the Necks of theFrench, and all their Friends inAmerica.
After this they agreed to the following Answer to be sent to the Governor ofCanada.
1.Yonondio, you have notified your Return to us, and that you have brought back 13 of our People that were carried toFrance, we are glad of it. You desire us to meet you atCadarackuinext Spring, to treat of the old Chain; butYonondio, how can we trust you, after you have acted deceitfully so often? Witness what was done atCadarackui; the Usage our Messengers met with atUtawawa, and what was done to theSenekasatUtawawa. This was their Answer; however, they sent a Belt with this, which always shews a Disposition to treat.
2.Therhansera, OhguesseandErtel, do you observe Friendship with us, if you have not, how come you to advise us to renew Friendship withYonondio, they sent them likewise a Belt?
3.Tawerahet, the whole Council is glad to hear, that you are returned with the other twelve.Yonondio, you must send homeTawerahetand the others this very Winter, before Spring, and we will save all theFrenchthat we have Prisoners till that Time.
4.Yonondio, you desire to speak with us atCadarackui: Don't you know that your Fire there is extinguished? It is extinguished with Blood, you must send home the Prisoners in the first Place.
5. We let you know that we have made Peace with theWagunhas.
6. You are not to think, that we have laid down the Axe, because we return an Answer; we intend no such Thing: Our Fair-fighters shall continue the War till our Countrymen return.
7. When our BrotherTawerahetis returned, then will we speak to you of Peace.
As soon as the Council broke up, their Resolutions were made publick to all their People, by theSachemsof their several Nations.
TwoSachemswere sent toAlbany, by their general Council, to inform their Brethren there of their Resolutions, and to bring back the Contents of the Letters sent fromCanadato the Jesuit.
As soon as they arrived, one of theMohawks, that had been sent fromAlbanyto the Council, delivered theWagunhaBelt, and repeated over distinctly all the Articles agreed to with that Nation, and referred to theOnondaga Speaker, being one of those sent by the Council ofAlbany, to recite the Answer to the Governor ofCanada. He rising up, repeated over the whole as before set down, and added; TheFrenchare full of Deceit; but I call God to witness, we have hitherto used no Deceit with them, but how we shall act for the future, Time only can discover. Then he assured the Brethren, that theFive Nationswere resolved to prosecute the War, in Token whereof he presentedQuider[35]with a Belt, in which three Axes were represented. Perhaps by this Representation only three Nations joined in sending it, theCayugasandOneydoesbeing more under the Influence of the JesuitMilet, who lived among them intirely, according to their Manner of Life, and was adopted by theOneydoes, and made one of theirSachems. The Letters fromCanadato him were read, they contained nothing but common News and Compliments.
TheMohawkMessengers, that had been sent fromAlbany, had carried with them Goods to sell at the general Council. This was taken Notice of at the general Council, and gave theIndiansa mean Opinion of the People ofAlbany, and particularly ofPeter Schyler; for it is exceedingly scandalous among theIndians, to employ a Merchant in publick Affairs; Merchants, (I mean the Traders with theIndians) are looked upon by them as Liars, and People not to be trusted, and of no Credit, who by their Thoughts being continually turned upon Profit and Loss, consider every Thing with that private View. As this made a Noise atAlbany, by its giving the Jesuit an Opportunity of setting the Messengers fromAlbanyin an ill Light,Peter Scheylercleared himself by Oath, of his having any Interest directly or indirectly in those Goods, and sent a Belt back with his publick Justification. TheMohawkMessengers had refused to take the Goods, as being scandalous to the Business they went on; but were persuaded, by being told that the Goods belonged toQuider.
The Magistrates ofAlbanyadvised theSachems, to send the Jesuit Prisoner toAlbany, where he might be kept securely, without having it in his Power to do Mischief, but they could not prevail. TheIndianswere resolved to keep all the Means of making Peace in their own Hands.