soon as they departed, not feeling safe in their remote settle ment, the whites abandoned it, and took refuge in Cherry Valley.

Some families in the neighborhood of Unadilla fled

to the German Flats, and others to Kingston and Newburgh on

the Hudson.

For the purpose of obtaining more

positive information in

regard to the intentions of the Indians, General Herkimer was instructed to visit Brant at Unadilla. Herkimer took with him three hundred Tryon county militia, and invited Brant to meet

him.

This the chief agreed

kimer arrived

"

at

to.

It

was a week after Her

Unadilla, however, before

Joseph, since his arrival from England, has showed himself the most zealous and faithful subject his majesty can have in

Brant made his

America, in Indian matters, and deserves; to

be noticed as such."

Colonial History , vm, 724.

Colonel Claus t

THE INDIAN TRIBES

He came accompanied by five hundred warriors. Neither party had confidence in the other, and it was finally appearance.

agreed that their accompanying forces should encamp within two miles of each other, and that the principals to the confer

ence should, with a few of their followers, meet in an open These preliminaries being adjusted, the conference was

field.

opened.

In reply to Herkimer's inquiries,

" that the Indians were in concert with the

Brant

declared,*

king, as their fathers

had been ; that the king's belts were yet lodged with them, and they could not violate their pledge ; that Herkimer and his fol lowers had joined the Boston people against their sovereign ;