O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849.

In my humble Opinion, to grant their request, to prohibit & to prevent by the Strictest Execution of law all trade with the Said Cognawagas or Subjects of the French Kings cither at Albany or Oswego or elswhere by any of his Majesty's Subjects in these parts, but more particularly at Albany, will be a measure of the most useful Kind will highly distress the French, who by the …

S"" Charles Hardy is come up to Albany in order to push Ibrw.ud the p esent expedition I hope to See and hear when I propose to lay this matter before him, but I foresee that if S"" Charles embraces my Sentiments & tries to push them into effect he will meet with great opposition from the Dutch Traders at Albany who by their cabals & weight in the Assembly may perhaps Distress …

I am directed by the Lords Commiss''^ for ti-ade and Plantations to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter dated at Albany the 21®* of July, acquainting their Lordships with your having been appointed by the late General Braddock to the sole Superintendency and Management of the Affairs of the six miited Nations of Indians, their Allies and Dependant?, and inclosing a Copy of …

The Number of Indians which attended the Meeting at Mount Johnson, so much larger than had ever appeared at any former Interview, at least of late years, was a happy Omen of Success, & their Lordships hope the manner in which the Treaty with them was conducted, and. the prudent and forcible Arguments which were used to engage them to take part with Us in our Attempt,s to …

The Transactions at Albany at the last Interview there, clearly marked out the Necessity and Expediency of a speedy, impartial and effectual Examination into these Complaints of the Indians with respect to the Kayoderasseras & Conojoharry Patents, and other like Violations of Our Treaties and Engagements with them, and that the Intlians may be fully convinced that there was no …

It has long been their Lordships Opinion, that the Affairs of the Indians ought to be regulated, established and conducted under some one general Plan and System, adapted to their particular Situations, and Comprehensive of every thing which can contribute to their Security, Convenience and Satisfaction, but it will be impossible for such a Plan to take place whilst there is …

I am, with great truth, Sir, Your most obed' humble Serv* John Pownall Secry [Here follow arts. 90, 91, 92 & 93 of His Majesty's Instructions to Sir Charles Hardy, Gov. of N. York, but we have not room for them at present.] GENL. JOHNSON TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF QUEEN'S COUNTY. Octob. 10. 1755. Gentlemen, A few days aG;o I received a letter from Mess^^. Schuyler &. Depeister …

Your Cheeses were highly acceptable and reviving ; for unless amongst some of the officers, it was food scarcely known among us. This generous humanity of Queens county is unanimously and gratefully applauded by all here ; we pray that your benevolence may be returned to you by the Great Shepherd of human Kind, a hundred fold ; and may those Amiable housewifes, to whose skill …

Thomas Penn, in behalf of himself and his Brother, Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, to Mr. Fox, together with a Copy of a Message from the Governor to the Assembly of that Province of the 20th. of July last, relating to an Oifer, then made and now proposed to be enlarged, of a Grant of Lands, in different Proportions, to such Officers and Soldiers as shall engage in the publick …

Penn has by this Offer expressed for Your Majesty's Service, which in the present Exigency of Affairs certainly calls for every degree of Support and Encouragement which can be given to it ; But as the Lands intended to be granted are said in general to lie to the Westward of the Allegany Mountains, We are apprehensive, that the proposed Settlement may comprehend within it …

" beginning at the Kittochtinny or " blue Hills on the West Bank of Susquehannah River, and thence " by the said River to a mile above the mouth of a certain Creek " call'd Kayarondinhagh, thence North West and by West, as far "as the said Province of Pennsylvania extends to its Western " Line or Boundary, thence along the said Western Line or " Boundary to the South Line or …

Johnson at the Conferences w^hich he held with them in July last, that nowithstanding they had sold the Lands abovementioned to the Proprietary of Pennsylvania, they would not part with more than half of them, and from their earnest request that the English might not be suffered to make any further Purchases, but that the Indians might be allowed to keep their Lands for …

As to the first Point, the Inhabitants of this Country are Hunters, and as the Interests of a commercial Nation, in which it is to be VOL. II. 45 706 MANUSCRIPTS OT protected and by which it may be commanded, is its Trade, so the great and main point with regard to these hunting Nations, if the expression may be allowed, is to have the Command of the hunting Grounds, which so …

Lawrence to the Mississippi, for in this Country lie the Heads of the Delawar, Susquehanna, Ohio, S*. Lawrence, and Hudson's rivers ; and the Light in which they themselves consider it will clearly appear from the account which they themselves gave of it some time ago to a Person in whom they had Confidence at Onondage, viz*. That it has many advantages superior to any other …

Settlement at Niagara in 1719, which gave rise to that treaty of 1726, whereby they put tiieir Country and Hunting Lands under the Protection of the Crown of England -- Their Difficulties, when the Commissioners on the Part of Pennsylvania proposed to purchase part of this Country at Albany, and their Declaration to Sr Wm Johnson, that, notwithstanding their purchase, they …

The Regard, which the Proprietarys of Pennsylvania ha\e at all times shewn for Your Majesty's Interest and the Publick Service, leaves Us no room to doubt of their Acquiescence in this Opinion, And We have reason to hope that their laudable design of promoting the Good of that Service by their generous Proposal will not be defeated by it, as We Observe upon an Examination of …

And now I am at last got home & am just entering into the administration of Indian affairs so as to form & conduct them to the extent of my knowledge and abilities for the good of His Majesty's Service, I am again obtructed & everything brot to a stand by Gen^ Shirleys Sending me a new Commission & Instructions for the management of Indian affairs & ordering me to attend him …

The necessity I am under of going either to New York or Boston, to know upon what footing I am to go on with the administration of Indian affairs, or whether I am to go on at all, will continue these affairs in a State of confusion, besides I am to have a meeting with Some Indians of all the nations at this place the of next month. I propose to myself the Honour of writing …

Clinton the sum of ,£600 for Presents he distributed among the Western Nations of Indians, which had So good an Effect on them, tliat they offer'd to join the English against the French, if the former would Supply them with Arms and Ammunition. This was neglected, and the Peace took Place Soon after. That the Memorialist hath also advanced several other Sums of money for …

and the whole reduced into Sterling amoimts to That the Memorialist finding all Applications hitherto fruitless and vain, is obliged to have recourse to your Lordships for Redress, begging leave to lay before your Lordships this state of his Case, with the Account annexed, and that your Lordships will be pleased to offer the same to his Majesty, or to take such other Method …

Since my Letter to you dated the 2«i of Dec'^ last, His Majesty has been pleased to appoint the Earl of Loudoun, an Officer of Experience, Ability and Integrity, to be Commander in Chief of His Forces in America, and to direct that two Battalions of His Troops should be sent from hence, and four others raised in America for the defense and protection of the Colonies against …

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 711 To ^nem, Lord Loudoun will carry out with him a very large Present to be delivered to them. The redressing the Grievances complained of by the Indians with respect to the Lands which have been fraudulently taken from them, is a matter, to which a very serious Attention and Regard has been paid ; and every Measure, which His MajcvSty could legally and …

As to the other Measures which you propose in your Letter of the 21®* of July last as advisable to be pursued for putting Indian Affairs upon a proper foot, their Lordships entirely approve them, and have no doubt but that those Measures, as well as any other necessary to be taken, will be carried into execution under the Authority of the Commission which you will receive from …

It gives me the most solid pleasure that I can with the greatest truth assure your Lordships that the Six United Nations at this time give us the Strongest intimations of sincerity, and Fidelity, and that they are at length highly sensible of the treacherous, and extensive designs of the French, and from what I have more particularly observed ut this meeting, I am convinced …

They seem sollicitous now to enlarge their Confederacy by bringing in the Western Indians which I have been advising them to, these severall years, as a point of the utmost Consequence, and I flatter myself it may now (if we are successfull next Campaign) be accomplished. In order thfe better to bring about, and continue such an important Alliance, the Indian Trade should I …

The intended Congress at Oswegoe is highly pleasing to the Six Nations in General], who are now verry sensible of the necessity of enlarging and strengthening the Covenant Chain by a more extensive Alliance, and of maintaining that Superiority which their Forefathers by Conquest obtained over so many and Powerfull Nations, how far they Interest themselves in this, and the many …

By this method the French have been so successful in their Indian Interest. -- The Grand Monarch has employed his Troops to good purpose in that way, and I make no doubt all the Expence the Court of France has been at in Garrisoning the Indian Towns in their Alliance has been sufficiently compensated. I am fully satisfied this would be a measure of the utmost moment at this …

Ogilvie Missionary to the Mohawk Indians who has upon all occasions done every thing in his power for the promotion of true Religion, this Gentlemans Sallary both for this place, and the City of Albany is verry inconsiderable, some further Encouragement to him by some Addition to his Sallary, would be of Service to the common Interest as it would enable him to proceed in His …

I have the Honour to be with the utmost respect My Lords Your Lordships Fort Johnson Most obedient and March the 6*^. 1756 Most Humble Servant Wm. Johnson. P. S, After I finished my Letter the Chiefs of the Seneca Nation desired they might have a Fort Built in their Country, which I promised them, well knowing it will be the means of keeping out French Emissaries from among …

I dispatched an Express with the Account I rec*. both to General Shirley and Sir Charles Hardy, & hope the former will send imediate Relief thither. -- if not we shall certainly loose that place, and with it all our Indians Your Lordships will pardon my taking up so much of your time, & excuse the inaccuracy of this & the many blunders committed in Copying the transactions of …

JYescopeky the next Indian Town on the East side the same Branch is 25 miles trom thence. Opolopong is another 5 miles distant. Wioming is on the West side of the same Branch 10 miles from Opolopong. Matchasaung is on the East side of the same Branch distant from Wioming 13 miles. Solocka is six Miles from thence, on a Creek that comes out of the great Swamp, and this place is …

But as the Indians if they hear of our Intentions to attack them in their Post, or if we really attack them there, will fly to their Towns to secure their Families, (if they are not already moved) the Swamp and the Indian Towns on the East Branch of Susquehanah should be attacked at the Same time : and the Parties that attack the latter should go strong as they may possibly …

If therefore the Indians have not removed their Families from their Towns, but keep their Wives & Children & old Men there, and only their young Men and Warriors have betaken themselves to this Swamp. It seems rational the situation of the Towns considered to pursue the following Method in attacking them. 150 Pensilvanians to proceed from Carhle to attack Shamokin, and proceed …

If the Enemy are not too strong at the Swamp a Party of ]50 Men should be detached to the nearest Indian Town which is Candowsa on the E Branch of Susquehauah, distant 14 Miles from the W. side of the Swamp. Or if the Enemy have not taken Post in the Swamp, the Forces may divide themselves into three Bodies to attack the Indian Towns. Candowsa, Solocka and Matchasaung. After …

SIR W^ JOHNSON TO THE BOARD OF TRADE. Fort Johnson, 28th May 1756. My Lords, My last Letter to Your Lordships bore date the 6 March, therewith I had the honour to transmit a Copy of my Proceedings in Indian Affairs from the time of my arrival from Lake George to that date. 718 MANUSCRIPTS OF I have since received Mr. Secretary Pownals Letter bearing date the 2 Dec'" w^^ Your …

If my sense of Duty to that part of His Majestys Service w'=*> his Royal Orders had entrusted to my Management, had not imfortunately obliged me to have differed with M^ Shirley in Opinion, I should not have troubled Your Lordships with a Detail on that disagreeable subject -- but as it did affect that part of His Majestys Service I thought I could not consistent with my Duty …

The Slaughters & Devastations which have been committed on the Frontiers of His Majestys Southern Provinces, I doubt not y"^ Lordships have received particular accounts of from their respective Governors -- It is certain that some of the Delaware & Shawanes Indians have been concerned in these Hostilities, till very lately those Indians were faithful Friends to us & lived in a …

These Indians were settled in the Neighbourhood of the French Encroachments on the Ohio, some were settled where the French have now Actually built Forts when His Majestys Troops under the late Gen^ Braddock were defeated, it gave the French who remained Mas^''^ of all that part of the Country an Opportunity to strengthen and increase their Indian Interest & Influence, they …

The Great Patents of Land w<=b had been purchased & taken up in those parts & our extended scattered Settlements beginning to crowd upon the Indians, had been a long Eye sore to them, infected them with Jealousy & disgust towards the English &they prepared them to be more easily influenced by the prosperity of the French Affairs & the ill success of our Arms ; and when they …

There are some othet particulars relative to this subject for w*i I beg leave to refer your Lordships to the Papers herewith., In those your Lordships will perceive a Meeting at Onondaga was proposed by the Southern Indians in consequence of a Deputation sent to them at my earnest request by the Six Nations, at w^ii, I agreed to be present & named the Day. but as I was from …

I hope to meet some of the Delaware & Shawunese Indians there & if so, to talk over & settle matters with them on such a footing as may be very Beneficial to his Majestys service in general & the TranquiUty of the Southern Provinces in particular. Besides this general Meeting appears to be necessary on account of those uneasinesses & jealousies W-'^. the" Onondagas make …

fioni whence they were enlisted & where they have Acquaintances &, Confederates, from Malice & Policy, they pretend a great affection for the Indians, & invent Lying stories to justifie their quitting the service & ingratiate themselves with the Indians, who seeing they are surrounded by our present Armaments, being naturally prone to suspicion & the French continually working …

And tho I am fully sensible that the horrible Cruelties & Devastations w^h. the Southern Provinces «Sc Pensilvania in particular have suffered, call for their most united & vigorous Resentments, yet I cannot but humbly be of Opinion that M"". Morris' Declaration of War backed with so small a Force as the 400 Men he hath raised, -was premature, & that it would have been more …

Morris' Declaration of War had better been postponed till the Meeting at Onondaga had been over, when a better Judgment might have been formed to regulate his Proceedings. By perusing the Papers herewith I conceive your Lordships will tind there is a Foundation for the Observations I have made on M'". Morris' Conduct. My sentiments on this matter I have communicated to Gen^ …

At the same time he allowed the heads of the Quakers who he well knew violently opposed all his Warlike Measures, to have a Meeting with the same Indians. They had & they sent me a Copy of what passed &"'they gave the half King a Belt of Peace to present to the Six Nations in their name, telling them they were Descendants of the peaceable Penn that there were great Numbers of …

I am sensible I ara taking up a great deal of your Lordships lime, but if I am not greatly mistaken the subjects I have and shall lay before you are of such importance to the British Indian Interest as AviU I hope jusiifie me in Your Lordships Opinion. In my last Letter I gave it as my real sentiments to y"" Lordships that the Indians of the 6 nations had discovered at the …

They reproached us for laying up our Vessels the beginning of last October & that they do not yet appear on the Lake tho the French were sailing backwards & forwards the whole Winter. They were surprised the Great Carrying Place another very important post was so poorly fortified particularly at one end & such a handful of Troops left to protect it, They told the ofl[icers …

These Prejudices My Lords are not the only disadvantages we have to contend with in endeavouring to raise & keep up in their minds a reputable Opinion of our Power & Consequence. The Cayouge & Seneca Nation are near neighbours to Niagara; the Onondagas & Oniedas are in the Neighbourhood of Sweegachie a French settlement on the River S* Lawrence to w*=*> numbers of those two …

But my Lords notwithstanding all these drawbacks upon the zeal and attachment of the Six Nations towards us, I am presuaded at this Instant & I hope I shall have when the approaching meeting at Onondago is finished, stronger reason to be persuaded, that if ■we wore now ready to go upon Action from Oswego & things were a formidable & favourable appearance, that the 6 Nations …

Could we but give such a Convincing Proof of our Prowess, I will take upon me to answer for the Hearts & the hands of the Six Nations & to turn them with such Destructive Rage upon the French as would soon give a new Face to our affairs for this I am confident that the Six Nations almost to a man wish we had the upper hand of the French. They would not only I am persuaded thus …

I have m the former part of this Letter mentioned to your Lordships, that I am informed the Twightwees, the Jfenundadee & some of the Chicksaw Indians have been obliged to submit themselves to the French since our Defeat at the Ohio & your Lordships will see that the Messasages who were invited by & promised M'". Shirley to meet at Osswego this Summer will not meet there but …

I would humbly propose to your Lordships that if His Majesty is pleased to continue me in the Superintendency of Indian Affairs, that I may be allowed to order such assortments of Indian Goods from England as are proper for the Service, I am convinced this will be a saving method to the Crown, & that the Indians will be much better supplied. The Presents W^^. Govr*. have bro* …

100ft. square the Stockad^ P. or Ok 15ft. long 3 of m"^\ at least to be sunk in the ground well pounded & rammed & ye 2 touching sides square so as to lay close Loop holes to be made 4 ft dis^. ; 2 Bl. H^es. 20ft. gq, below & above to project 1^ foot over yc Beams well roofd & shingled & a good Sentry Box on the top of each, a good Gate of 3 In= oak PI. & iron hinges & a small …

That another party were to March the New Road from Swegachie, and Build a Fort at the West End of the . Oneida Lake, When these Posts were Secured, a Third Party were to make a Descent upon the German Flatts, Destroy our Magazine there, cut off the Garrison and Inhabitants and burn the Settlements, A fourth party were to Attack S^. William Johnstons house, kill or take him …

William then told him, that he would have him return to Swegachie as soon as Possible, and Gather all the Intelligence he Could, and bring it to him, that this would be a determinate proof of his Fidelity and Sincere Repentance for what had past, and if he would take pains, and make himself Master, of the Strength, and Intended Operations of the French &c. he would Reward him …

My proceedings at the late Onondaga meeting & at the Subsequent Treaty with the Shawnese& Delaware Indians at my House wh ended 2 days ago, T cannot possibly transmit to your Lordships by this opportunity as they will require more time to copy than the Stay of the Packet Boat here will admit of, They Shall be got ready to transmit to your Lordships by the next man of War or …

They have promised to make the most vigorous efforts to draw oti' from the French Interest & Settlements those of their People who have gone over that way. I have reason to believe they begin to be Somewhat Jealous of the French, a point I have long laboured to bring about & am now in hopes it may in Some measure take place, if it Should operate to any height it will be …

That Treaty was therefore adjourned to my House, & those Indians with a Deputation of the Six Nations came down to Fort Johnson, where were Present, The Said Six Nation Deputies -- the King or Chief of the Shawanese, The King or Chief of the Delawares, Settled on the Susquehanna & its Branches & great number of the Mehicander or River Indians whom 1 lately have drawn up from …

The Delaware King or chief confessed that some of his people had been deceived and deluded by the French & the Delawares who lived near to Fort Duquesne, to join them in their late Hostilities. But that the Message I sent to them by the 6 Nation Delegates last winter & what past in both our names at the Treaty held in consequence of that Delegation at Otsiningo, had opened …

I concluded this Treaty with taking off the Petticoat or that invidious name of Woman from the Delaware Nation vf^^ hath been imposed on them by the 6 Nations from the time they conquered them, in the name of the great King of England their Father & on the behalf of all their Bretheren the English on this continent, & promised them I would use my Influence & best endeavours to …

The moment it was ended I dispatched an Express with a generall ace* of it to Gen' Abercrombie at Albany desiring he would transmit it forwards, especially as The Gov of New Jersey to my great surprize had at this very juncture published a Declaration of War against all the Delaware Nation, of W^ the first notice I had or have since received, was from the Publick Prints, w"'' …

I wrote also Gen' Abercrombie that in my opinion, if any Hostilities should be committed against the Delawares who had entered into this Treaty, they not breaking thro it by any fresh Acts of Hostilities, it would I apprehended be of the most fatal consequence to His Majestys Indian Interest in general, & throw these affairs into a state of confusion, from w<^*» I believe no …

And the present posture of affairs requiring a further Force to withstand the Enemy's attempts on that quarter, which cannot be otherwise supplyed there by the Militia You are without delay to order as many Men of that Batalion as will complete the number already gone to five hundred, to march as soon as possible with proper officers to the German Flatts, there to join the …

Ill aulft ofile officlj uhIk dW ()i1<^i omid Jl irLcaiiei'^liousc alv German Hats 1/5 6 SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 733 SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON TO THE LORDS OF TRADE. Fort Johnson 10 Sepr. 1756. My Lords, My last to your Lordships bore date the n^'i. of July. Therein 1 gave a summary account of what had past at my meeting with the Indians at Onondaga & the subsequent Treaty at my House …

The first accounts of Oswego put my Lord Loudoun upon designs of releiving it & by his directions I gathered all the Indians I could get together with the Militia, & took post at the German Flatts in order to assist Geni. Webb who was at the Carrying Place, in such operations as might be found necessary for His Majesty's service, and I had between 2 and 300 Indians with me …

^^f MANUSCRIPTS OF against the Resentment of the French, w*^''. together with the Forts I had built in each of their Castles or Towns, except at Cayouge, and for w*^''. Garrisons were promised them, left them to act for us in full security. This I am persuaded they were determined to do either in a Body with our Army, whenever that should march upon any Enterprize, or go upon …

Whether Delegates from all of them will come I cannot be positive, & I think it is doubtful j however I expect most will send, & in about a fortnight this important meeting will probably take place. The Speech I propose to make to them on the opening of the meeting, I shall first let my Lord Loudoun see & take his opinion and directions thereon as I look on it to be a delicate …

Shirley's conduct last year gave a keener edge to this disposition ; and as it is now become necessary to buy their assistance, I apprehend it is best to make a sure Bargain & give to those Indians only who will act with us A for us, w<^h. is the method I propose for the future. I despair of their now engaging nationally with a sincere & active Zeal, & therefore I conceive …

But his Lordship at that time was so much crowded with business that we could not wholly finish that affair ; and indeed the alteration of circumstances since will admit of many particulars being suspended, till some more certain Judgment can be formed of our Indian Interest than at present. I received the Copy of Instructions given to S'". Charles Hardy relative to those …

The Jealousy of the Indians with regard to their Lands, their tenaciousness upon that Article -- their opinion of the present contests between the French and us, our respective Views & Designs -- and the Influence these matters had on the conduct of the Six Nations, was discussed, tho' not in so ample a manner as the subject deserved & would afford, I am every day more and …

After the French had taken Oswego, they destroyed all our Buildings & sent word to the Onondaga Indians, that they had now drove the English from their Lands & would not like them, keep possession, but leave 'em free to them and their Posterity forever. The French, in fact, did not want that Place, so made their Policy appear Virtue to the Indians, & the plausibility of it …

I have more reason every day, from talking with the Indians, to be confirmed in this suspicion, I am inclined to believe, tho' this purchase was publicly consented to at Albany, some of the 6 Nations are disgusted at it & others repent their consenting to it, and that part of them do underhand connive at the Disturbances between the Susquahanna Indians and the Province of …

I proposed herewith to have transmitted your Lordships the acc^. of the Disbursements of what monies I have hitherto received, w^h. is ^£10,000 sters. ; but as I have for some time past been obliged to be frequently absent from home upon His Majesty's Service, it hath prevented their being closed & now ready, bvt they shall go by the next Packet, in the mean time I shall laj …

The Proprietors of Pennsylvania have considered the Extract of Sir William Johnson s Letter sent to them by the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of Trade & Plantations, and are much concerned to see in it such Jealousy of their Conduct, and that of their Deputy and Agents suggested, without the least cause given for it, as they can challenge Sir William Johnson & all …

They cannot conceive that the last purchase made of Land to the Westward of Sasquehannah, could possibly be .the cause of the Hostilities committed by the Indians living on that River, as it did not include any of the Land on which they were settled, or any near them, which will at once appear from the Bounds of that Purchase, laid down on the last Map published by Evans, the …

This suggestion of Sir William Johnson appears to be tlie more extraordmary, from his having consented to a Treaty with the Six Nations, propos'd by Hendrick the Mohawk Chief in the Sprino- 1755, on their being greatly dissatisfied with a Purchase intended to be privately made by the People of Connecticut, to sign which they had gone from House to House, & persuaded some …

In answer to another Suggestion of Sir William Johnson's that " the raising Forces and building Forts on Sasquehannah by Order " of the Government of Pennsylvania, tho' it hath plausible " Pretences, is at the bottom bad Policy, and really intended to " secure Lands, which it would be more for the Interest of the " Community to give up;" They beg leave to say, that this …

manner prescribed by the Laws of England against forceable Entrys, who have burnt their Houses, and destroyed their Settlements, as also the acknowledgements of the Indians of their Care in this respect, & they assure their Lordships, there is not the least Intention of granting any of the Lands which are not purchased, and of course not any about y^ abovementioned Places …

They never had any dispute with the Indians, unless with some of the Delawares, whose Ancestors had sold their Land to the First Proprietor of Pennsylvania, and afterwards had Presents made them by the present Proprietors for Confirmations, which they readily Signed, as if they were the real Owners of the Land, but having still been troublesome to some of the Outsettlers on …

Some of these Delawares went to live on the River Ohio and its Branches, and were kindly used by the Government of Pennsylvania, and maintained for some time before the Defeat of General Braddock, when they were persuaded by the French to assist them, on promise of being enabled to regain their Freedom from the Subjection they had been brought under by the Six Nations. The …

The Proprietors will ever make it their constant Rule, to act such a part as shall be of greatest use to the Publick, tho' it it maybe prejudicial to their Private Interest, but they are very certain His Majesty's Ministers, and particularly their Lordships, will never suffer any partial considerations to have an effect upon them, to the Prejudice of the Proprietors ; they …

They will only add, in answer to the last Paragraph, that they hope, private Property will ever be as much regarded, and as unwillingly given up by the Crown as Land in Provinces under His Majesty's immediate Government, and where the Lands are granted by virtue of his Commission. The Proprietors now lay before their Lordships the Conferences held this Summer above mentioned …

I informed Lord Halifax what I knew of these affairs, " and desired they m.ight be fully examined into by Sir William " Johnson at such Place as he shall appoint, and to which the " principal People of the Six Nations and those of the Indians " who pretend any claim or complain of ill Treatment shall agree " to come, and that we will appoint Commissioners to attenct that " …

EXTRACT of a Letter of the ll^h March 1757 from Proprietor Thomas Penn Esquire to their agent M^", Richard Peters. " I hope my last Letter by the Packet will get Time enough " for you to prevent your holding a Treaty with Teedyuscung and "the Delaware Indians, .and desire you will inform him that I " have desired, as the charge he makes upon us is of a very high "nature, it …

" The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations having " communicated to us an Extract of a Letter from Sir William "Johnson Baronet, relating to Uneasinesses the Indians of the " Six Nations are under on account of the last Indian Purchase at "Albany ; we gave to their Lordships an answer to it in writing. " And in the said Answer having proposed to send Commissioners " …

" During the Time this Business was under the Consideration " of the Lords of Trade, a copy of the Treaty at Easton between "Governor Denny and Teedyuscung, the Delaware King, with "others of the same Nation arrived, in which we observe, notwilh- " standing neither the Delawares nor any other nation of Indians " ever so much as hinted that they had been induced to commence " …

744 MANUSCRIPTS OF " Request to them, that they woud give Directions to Sir William " Johnson at the same Time he met the Indians to settle the " Bounds of the Treaty at Albany, to examine mto the Truth of " this Report and mform them of the Result of such Examination." The above is a true Extract from the Prop^y Letters to me compared with the originals by me. RicHAKD Peters …

This Complyance in the Government will I hope be attended with the good Consequences you apprehend from it : but I am Sorry to find that the Family of this Vangelder Still persist in the Same wicked Practices, as appears by their being present in a riot w<^^. happened on the 7th Instant in the Manor of Livingston, in which one man was killed and several wounded, one of whom it …

have been them who Solicited the Indians of Jenango to request the discharge of Vangelder and his Son, it appears to me that the Jenango Indians will think it incumbent on them to interpose bypreventing (as much as lies in their power) the Stockbridge Indians from concerning themselves in this matter. Sir William Johnson Baronet endorsed. 16 May 1757 L""® from Sir Charles to …

That therefore I defered transmitting lo your Lordships what passed at the said Meeting at my House till I had the result of the Meeting at Onondaga, when I would send you both together. Accordingly My Lords I herewith transmit the same to you. I Avas in Expectation to have been able to have done this much sooner, but the unsettled state of the Six Nations amongst themselves …

Pownal when he went to England, wherein was laid before your Lordships the declining state of our Indian Interest at the time Gen^. Braddocks Commission put the Management of Indian Affairs into my hands, and I told that Gentleman at Alexandria, I would exert my utmost Influence & ability, but that I doubted whether I should be able to prevail on the Six Nations in general to …

I am fxtreamely concerned that the great Expence which this Service hath occasioned should not have produced more favourable Eflfects. Permit me to assure Your Lordships that I have acted with uprightness of Heart, with all the Oeconomy Diligence & address Avithin the compass of my abilities to retrieve support & extend His Majesty's Indian Interest. I am extreamly sorry my …

This will probably in some Degree lessen the future Expence. however I must be so ingenuous as to acquaint your Lordships that even under present Circumstances, I cannot promise that the future Expences will fall very considerably short of the past, for as the Upper Nations (as y"" Lordships will see by their Speech) solemnly declare that notwithstanding their Neutrality, they …

graciously bestowed upon mc, be reatly and willing to resign my Commission as His Sole Agent & Supcrintendant for the Northern District. The Upper and lower Castles of Mohock Indians will I am persuaded remain firm to our Interest and tho their Intemperate thirst after Rum is a great Impediment to their going upon Service when they can by any means get it, yet almost all their …

Also the original minutes of M^. Croghan ray Deputy & Gov^. Dennys Proceedings at a Meeting lately held at Lancaster in Pensilvania. I think it also proper to transmit your Lordships herewith some Original Papers put into My hands by the said M*". Croghan relative to some former Indian Management of his for the Southern Government, as I apprehend they may tend to open to your …

" I am inclined to believe, tho' this Purchase was Publickly " consented to, at Albany some of the Six Nations, are disgusted " at it, and others repent their consenting to it, and that Part of " them do underhand connive at the disturbance between the " Sasquahannah Indians and the Province of Pennsylvania ; whose " raising Forces, and building forts on the Suquahannah Rivor …

" The Proprietors are Pleased to Introduce their Observations " with a Challenge, to Sir William Johnson, and all the World to " shew any one Instance of their Conduct, that has given dissat- " isfaction to the Six Nations, and which they say those Nations " wull readily acknowledge, in any free Conference" -- Tho' the real intent of the above Paragraph, from Sir William …

in Particular. Proofs from SECONDLY -- He will adclucc some Facts publick, and Facts lliiit o _ '■ ' bL^'n 'suu»fi°d upo'^ record, in Support of the above Assertion. rfpLns°iv^tia At the Treaty of Lancaster, in the year 1744, the Si.K Nations complained to Governor Thomas that the Connoye Indians had not been sattisfied for their Lands. The Governor promised redress. In the …

Croghan s House, and told M"^, Peters, he was sent down from Ohio' to enquire about the Purchase, they had heard the Governor had made, on the East side of Susquahannah, the year before from the Onandago Council, and said, they were entitled to part of the Goods, paid for those Lands, as well as the Onandago Council, but ihey had received no Part -- That they were come down …

" Brother -- You desire us to unite, and live together, and " draw all our Allies near us, but we shall have no Land left, either, " for ourselves, or them, for your People, when they buy, a small " Piece of Land of us, by Stealing they make it large. We desire " such things may not be done, and that your People may not "be suffered to buy any more of our Land. Some time it's …

Sir William Johnson's Deputy, and sundry Six Nation, & other Indians held at Lancaster, in May 1757, A Copy of the Proceedings of which, lays before the Board of Trade. There is a Speech of the Six Nations bearing date Thursday 19*^. May, from the whole Letter, and Spirit of which, it appears that the Six Nations have been, and are very farr from, that Satisfaction of mind …

The Proprietors say. They cannot Conceive that the last Purchase made of Land, to the Westward of Susquehannah, could possibly be the Cause of the Hostilities committed by the Indians living on that River &ca. Sir WiUiam Johnson gave it as his opinion, that the Hostilities which Pennsylv=i had suffered, from some of the Indians, Hving on the Susquahanah, did in some measure …

" he said in answer, that the Six Nations had only made over their " right of Sale, and taken an earnest Piece, and that when the " Lands came to be settled, that they should receive a Consideration " for them. At the same time John Shecelaney, a Delaware " Indian, burned some Houses, that were built on Pean's Creek " (below Shamokin on the West side) and said there should be …

As a Confirmation of Sir William Johnson's said Opinion he reifers himself, to the following extract from Margaret Williams's Deposition, who was a Prisoner amongst the Delaware Indians, sworn before him the 8th. day of December 1756-- " The said Margarett says, she often heard the Indians say & " declare most solemnly they never would leave off killing the " English as long …

The Indian proceedings this Summer which past at Easton, between Governor Denny M^ Croghan and the Sundry Indians therein mentioned, and which Sir William Johnson Transmitts herewith. To the Right Honour^ie. the Lords of Trade, puts beyond dispute, and Demonstrates the truth of what Sir William only gave as his Opinion, in his AfForesaid Letter to the Lords of Trade, and he …

'• The Examinant says he often heard the Delawares say, that " the reason of their Quarreling with & killing the English in that " part of the Country, was on account of their Lands which the " People of Pensilvania Government cheated them out of, and " drove them from their Settlement at Shamokin by crouding " upon them, and by that means spoiled their Hunting, and that " the …

" I never understood from any of the Six Nations, that they '• deemed the Lands West of Susquahannah, as a Purchase, but " rather as a Deed of trust, and received 1000 Dollars, as an " Earnest Price, and looked on it, that when the Lands came to be " settled, they should receive the Consideration, and the Commis- " sioners, who were sent from Pennsylvania to make that Purchase …

In answer to Sir William .lohnsons Opinion about the Government of Pennsylv^. raising Forces, and building Forts on the Susquahannah River. " The proprietors say. this Insinuation is without any sort of " Foundation, as it never would have been attempted, had not the " Chiefs of the Indians living on Susquahannah & Delaware River, " on their own motion entirely, Desired they …

"Braddock, Scarvyade, Coyseuntenego, and two, or three more " Ohio Indians, who had left their Country on the first approach of "the French, in the year 1753, did desire the Government of " Pennsylvania, to build a Fort at Shamokin, in order to Protect " their Interest with the Susquahannah Indians but the request of " those four, or five, dispossessed Indians, can never be …

" Tell our Brother further, that since we took the Hatchet out " of the hands of the Delawares and Shawaneese, they have told "us there is an Army of the English, coming against them (they " mean the Provincial Troops of Pennsyl*. imder Colonel Clapham,) " and that they think it unreasonable, and unnatural for us to hold " them in our Arms, and Prevent their defending …

Sir William Johnson", well knowing how extreamly tender, the Indians in General are with regard to Forts, near to their Country, or hunting Grounds, and naturally judging a Body of armed Men to support as it were the Building of those, at a time, & in Places, Yv'here he had many reasons to believe the Neighbouring Indians (as it hath since fully appeared) were dissatisfied …

Ihcm by their Extended Settlements, he judged this conduct in the Government of Pennsylvania was Impolitick, and he must beg leave to be still of the same Oppinion, and as he looked upon those Proceedings to be contrary to the true Interest of the Community, lie did suspect they were pushed forward upon other motives, and to conclude, unless the Province of Pennsylvania, is …

Before the year 1742, the Delaways complained that they were defrauded out of some Lands, or not Paid for them, which will appear by the Treaty, which Governor Thomas held with the Six Nations, at Philadelphia in June & July 1742; Where Governor Thomas in his speech to the Six Nations (in Page 17) tells them that a Branch of the Delaways Indians gave that Province some …

River, and gave them, and the Shannas, with their own People, that were Settled at Shornoken, all the Lands, west of the blue Hills for their hunting Ground, on both Sides Susquehannah River -- Complaints further made by Six JYatlons in Treaty at La?icaster pages 21,28,29. In the year 1749, Governor Hamilton made a Purchase, for the Proprietors, on the East side Susquehannah …

Connageriwa, the principal Man of this Deputation, of Indians from Ohio, told M^' Peters, that he was sent down from Ohio, to inquire about a Purchase, they had heard, the Governor had made, on the East side of Susquehannah, the year before, from the Onandago Counsel and said they were Intitled to part of the Goods Paid for those Lands, as well as the Onandago Counsel, but …

And I can't help thinking, but that Application of the Six Nations in 1749, to have the Incroaching Settlers turned off the Juniata lands ; and that Complaint of the Ohio Indians, in 1750, so Strongly Desiring no Purchase might be made, without their knowledge from the Onandago Counsel, should have been Construed in its true meaning by the Proprietors Agents, which Avas that …

The Proprietors say the Building of Forts, would never have been Attempted, had not the Chiefs of the Indians of Susquehannah, and Delaware desired them to be built at Shamochen and Weomen, for their own Security as well as the Settlers in Pennsylvania, and at the same time Urged the Government of Pennsylvania to declare Warr Against the Ohio Indians.. .In which the …

Complyetl with, at that time, and I suppose for the same Reason, that the then Ruling Part of the Government Rejected the building of one at Ohio, in the year 1755, which was that^their Religious Principles would not suffer them to build Forts, or take up Arms against Any Enemy -- All that year after the Defeat of General Braddock, the French, and Indians were Murdering, and …

They Passed a bill for £55000 -- And raised Troops, and set about building Forts on the Frontiers, to Protect themselves, tho' their Principles would not Suffer them to take up Arms to Assist their Neighbours, which had they done in Time when the Ohio Indians Repeatedly Requested it, and was hearty in the British Interest, they in Conjunction with the Virginians, might have …

The Proprietors cannot with justice Vindicate the Conduct of the Province of Pennsylvania, towards the Indians, as the Government has not taken one Step to Preserve his Majestys Interest, with those Indians, since the French first attempted to settle on the Ohio', as will Appear by the Abstracts from 'my Journals, and more at large on their own Records. Withrespectto the …

The Six Nations drew themselves oi\\ to their own Country foreseeing some bad Consequence -- The Ohio Indians at a meeting with M'" Wiser, the Interpretar of the Province at Angwhich after the Defeat of Col' Washington asked M^ Wiser, how them Lands came to be sold; he said in answer that the Six Nations, had only made Over their Right of Sale, and taken a Earnest Piece, and …

All the foregoing is fact?, and can be Proved which I think is Sufficient to shew the World that the Purchases gave a general Discontent, to the Indians and I believe the Governments Conduct in immediately Surveying, and Opening an Office for those Lands at a time when the French was in Actual Possession, of the Ohio, will be thought by every, impartial judge, a very Imprudent …

I never understood from any of the Six Nations that they deem'd the lands West of Susquahanna as a purchase, but rather as a Deed of Trust and received 1000 Dollars, as an Earnest piece and Loocked on it that when the Lands came to be settled, they should receive the Consideration, and the Commissioners who were sent from Pennsylvania to make that purchase at Albany in 1754 …

Philadel. w^ii. Six Nats. Vide Treaty 1744. Six Natious mentioned complaint of Connaye at Lancaster . • ■, r /> • t i744pag-27. Ind^. about not being paid for some of their Lands. videCroghans 1749. The Same complaint again renewed by the Remarks page „. ^^ . ^ -..- ., ° -^ 2. Six Nations to Gov''. Hamilton. N. B it doth not appear that the Connaye Indians have ever been …

Tee^ch'in Sir I^^d^ of Six Nations complaint of purchasing Lands TJ^i ■^vIsT"^^ & desire y*. certain Lands on Susquahanna might not R.cords pag jjg settled &c. DIJ-lUl AO. i). vi!o Records Messao;e of the Onondaga Indians to Sir W"". Johnson f,.i. No 5 pag '^ ° 205 ic ii06. about Shawa. & Delewares. & Eng. possessing Lands. ^3-347^'"'"'^ Gov"*. Morris^ Acknowledgm^ to Onondaga …

Affairs our Domine and I beg you will make the best use of it. Name who you please for Justices and the Mayor and I will fill up the list in those places where you are not acquainted -- and Send it to you, and if you approve of them the list can go down. M*". Oglevi Spoke to M"*. Bannier about the Sheriff' &c, he told him if others better liked could be found the Gov'* was …

I forwarded the Mayors and Cap' Wraxals letters yesterday Poor S"" Peter has got a bile, he is hopping about, designs to see you as soon as he is able to travel. Gen-. Abercrombie is said to be our Gov^, soon. it is spoke on the Street that another French Fleet is arrived at SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 763 Lewisburgh -- Bad News -- not yet certain that our fleet is Sailed. I Send you …

I thought it proper to acquaint you herewith, but whether this piece of news is a fact to be depended on or not, is what I carniot take upon me to determine, as many such kind of reports La^e come from Indians, which have not turned out to be true; howev,»T I do not think something of the kind to be improbable. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant, W^^ Johnson To the …

turned back but mne, who were all Cayugas who are now gone along but to what place they are designed we know not, 'tis two days now since they passed by, they say they had thoughts of goint to Esopus, but did not ©crtainly know, untill they met at a place on Delaware River, about 20 miles from hence where we suppose a number of Delawares will join them, Now we beg of you to be …

The enemy burnt his house, killed one of his daughters & two men of the Regiment posted here as scouts. Another Ranger made a good defence, used all the arms in the house which were charged, beat the Enemy off, brought off Jan's wife & two daughters to Cap*. Broadheads living a mile off. Jan & two sons were in the field. Next night most of Reg*, marched but could discover …

Secondly did not all think it tru I would not write it you -- yesterday an Express arrived from boston who informs of our troops landing safe at Capretoun [Cape Breton] and having taken two of thear strongest batereys with a great many &,c^. too tedius to mention -- I send you a small Bundle which I think will be very Exeptable as it comes I belive from M.^^ Wraxall -- Mama & …

Bro" Before vrc left home We had some Reports in our Towns that you likewise were at War w'''' the frenoh, wherefore we took a Resolution to go and find out the Truth of it, and took w^'^ us an old ax most out of Use v/<='' nevertheless proved so good as to destroy two of the Enemy, After which the Messages from you reached us and your War Hatchet was delivered to us in your …

Bro^ We have maturely considered your Advice of having the Road between Us clear and open, And we assure you Brother that we have cleared the Road to you so that we can constantly See you and nothing may be brought in it by our Enemy to obstruct our mutual concurrence, and you may depend upon we will keep it open on our side & hope you will do the same on yours so that mutual …

Bro^ As the Road is now clear between us, we hope you will make the proper Use of it, that whenever you have any news of Importance & Consequence that you will not fail to acquaint us therewith without Delay, as you white People have a convenient & quick way to send News on horseback. We assure you Bro^' we will strictly observe the same and give you Intelligence of everything …

As at this present troublesome time we are not sure what our Fate may be, one Day the Sun may shine ciear upon us, another Day may be Cloudy and dark. Nevetheless Bretheren let us strongly keep up our mutual Friendship & Agreements we made between us, that if any Tempest should break out upon us, we may after it is passt come together and renew the Covenant now Mutually agreed …

Sisters, As it is our Department to furnish y® Warriors w"» provisions whenever they go upon any Exploit, it being our Duty to do so they being our children & brought forth by us We earnestly desire & request of you that you will take good Care of them your way, as we shall do here so as to fitt them out w^^ such necessaries as Warriors stand in need of so that they man'nt …

Bro^: We hereby present you with a Calumet and a Wing as the manager of the atfairs of our Confederacy, and beg you will keep it in Remembrance of our nation, at this place of public Consultations of the Confederacy, Light the Pipe whenever you meet upon public affairs, and dont let any people y* carry folse & trifling Reports Smoke out of it. Any time hereafter if we should …

I have a letter from y^ Friend Croghan dated at Raystown y® 2P^ Deceb'", He has been in the severall Ind" Towns about Fort Du Quesne, and says he was very kindly received by all the Delawares, who, by their speeches to Him in their Towns, & to CoIl«. Boquet at Pitsborough seems to have entirely abandoned the French and promise to drive them from the other little Forts in that …

Sir My last to you was of Cap<^ Waxall I have now only the news of the packett (which arrived yesterday) to Communicate for which youve Inclosed an Extraordinary paper published on the occasion a sloop Just arrived brings an acco* that the Fleets of Transports destined (as is supposed) ag^t Martinique are arrived at Barbadoes I am with due respect S^ Your most obe'd & hble …

His Majesty having been pleased by His Order in Council of the 2^ of February last, to referr unto this Committee the humble Petition of Benjamin Franklin Esq"" Agent appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, relating to the Differences subsisting between His Majesty's Subjects and the Indians bordering upon the said Province about large Quantities of Land which the said …

Sheweth, -- That the Indians who were formerly possessed of the Lands, which form the extensive Countries, now enjoyed by Your Majesty's Subjects in North America, having been found willing for small Considerations to cede amicably large Tracts of those Lands to Your Majesty, Your Royal Predecessors and the Proprietary Grants under the Crown, it has always been thought good …

But if they entertain any Suspicion, that they have been deprived of their Lands without their Consent, and that no Consideration has been paid for thern, or that any Fraude or Deceit hath been practiced towards them therein, they usually conceal their Discontent until an Opportunity Offers of revenging themselves, and then, especially if excited by an Enemy, commit the most …

Tliat the Delawar Indians and other Neighbouring Nations, haAing for some time carried on a cruel War against Your Majesty's Subjects in North America, and having spread Desolation and Terror through Your Majesty's Provinces of Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, and New Jersey, and thereby unpeopled a great Part of those Countries, a Treaty was at length set on foot for putting …

Teedyuscung complained, that the Indians had been unjustly dispossed and defrauded of large Quantitys of Land by Your Majesty's Subjects, particularly of the Lands which are included within the Forks of the River Delawar, and also of other Lands on both Side the said River. That at another Conference holden at Easton in July 1757, Teedyuscung having earnestly desired that all …

That Your Petitioner, As agent appointed by the Assembly of the Provinces of Pensylvania (in which as well as in Your Majestys adjacent Provinces, the Lives and Properties of many Thousands of Your Majesty's Subjects will be in the utmost Danger, should the Hostilities of the Indians be renewed) begs Leave humbly to represent the Premises to Your Majesty and Prays That Your …

Agent appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, relating to the Differences subsisting between His Majesty's Subjects and the Indians bordering upon the said Province, concerning large Quantities of Land, which the said Indians allege they have been deprived of without their Consent, or Satisfaction made them, for the same, particularly of the Lands which are included within …

And in a Letter to Us of the lO^J^. of September 1756, he acquaints Us, that he has the greatest Reason to believe, that the Hostilities, which Pennsylvania in particular had suffer'd from the Indians living on the Susquehanna, had in great Measure arisen from the large Purchase made by that Government in 1754, at which, tho' publickly consented to and fairly paid for at …

Denny (the Proprietaries Deputy Governor) and certain Commiss'^, chosen out of, and appointe'd by the Assembly, hold a Treaty with Teedyuscung Chief of the Delawar Indians the Complainant mentioned in M*". Franklin's Petition. 774 MANUSCRIPTS OF From what passed at the opening of these conferences it might reasonably have been hoped, that all matters in displite Avith the …

William Johnson by whom alone the matter could be heard. This Declaration put an End to all further Proceeding towards an Enquiry into the matter in dispute, Teedyuscung refused to go to S"^. William Johnson for many Reasons, but principally because some of the Indian Nations v/ere there, who had been instrumental to the misunderstanding in selling the Lands in Question. The …

William Johnson in the Letter with which he transmitted to us Copies of the Conferences held at this Treaty observes, that as Teedyuscung had refused his Mediation and made Choice of the Quakers for his Advocates and Agents he had not thought it adviseable to press his mediation upon these Indians any further. But he complains of the extraordinary Conduct of the Assembly in …