The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Part 17

Then, presenting them with another String of Wampum, he told them, that was in return for theirs, praying him, that as they had taken away one Part of _Conrad Weiser_'s Beard, which frightened their Children, he would please to take away the other, which he had ordered to be done.

_The_ Indians _received these two Strings of Wampum with the usual Yo-hah_.

The Governor then asked them, what was the Reason that more of the _Shawanaes_, from their Town on _Hohio_, were not at the Treaty? But seeing that it would require a Council in Form, and perhaps another Day to give an Answer, he desired they would give an Answer to _Conrad Weiser_ upon the Road on their Return home, for he was to set out for _Philadelphia_ the next Morning.

_C A N A S S A T E G O in Conclusion spoke at follows:_

We have been hindered, by a great deal of Business, from waiting on you, to have some private Conversation with you, chiefly to enquire after the Healths of _Onas_ beyond the Water; we desire you will tell them, we have a grateful Sense of all their Kindnesses for the _Indians_. Brother _Onas_ told us, when he went away, he would not stay long from us; we think it is a great while, and want to know when we may expect him, and desire, when you write, you will recommend us heartily to him; which the Governor promised to do, and then took his Leave of them.

The Commissioners of _Virginia_ gave _Cana.s.satego_ a Scarlet Camblet Coat, and took their Leave of them in Form, and at the same time delivered the Pa.s.ses to them, according to their Request.

The Commissioners of _Maryland_ presented _Gachradodow_ with a broad Gold-laced Hat, and took their Leave of them in the same Manner.

_A true Copy, compared by_

Richard Peters, Secr.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Footnote 7: Onandio, the Governor of _Canada_.]

[Footnote 8: _Tarachawagon, Conrad Weiser_.]

A

=T R E A T Y=

BETWEEN

H I S E X C E L L E N C Y

The Honourable George Clinton,

Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the Province of _New-York_, and the Territories thereon depending in America, Vice-Admiral of the same, and Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet.

A N D

The Six United _Indian_ Nations, and other _Indian_ Nations, depending on the Province of _N E W-Y O R K_.

Held at _A L B A N Y_ in the Months of _August_ and _September_, 1746.

_A_ T R E A T Y _between his Excellency the Governor of the Province of_ New-York, _and the_ Six Nations, _and other_ Indian _Nations, depending on said Province._

It is well known in the Province of _New-York_, that the _Six Nations_ of _Indians_ depending on this Province, (called _Iroquois_ by the _French_) had lately on several Occasions, appear'd dissatisfied and wavering in their Fidelity to the _British_ Crown. No doubt, this was princ.i.p.ally occasion'd by the Artifices of the _French_ of _Canada_, who had constantly Emissaries among them: But at the same Time there is Reason to think, the suspicious Behaviour of these Nations, in Favour of their once inveterate Enemy the _French_, could not have arriv'd to the Pitch it did, otherwise than by some Neglects or Misconduct of those who were entrusted by the Government of _New-York_ with the Management of the _Indian_ Affairs.

His Excellency the Governor of _New-York_, having received his Majesty's Commands, to engage the _Indian_ Nations depending on his Government, to join in the Expedition then intended against _Canada_, and to make them the usual Presents on that Occasion; and being sensible of the great Use these _Nations_ might be to the Success of this Enterprize, and likewise of the Difficulties that probably might attend his Endeavours at this Time, was desirous to have had the a.s.sistance of as many of the Members of his Majesty's Council as the Circ.u.mstances of Affairs would permit; but they all declined to give their Attendance, except Mr. _Colden_ and Mr. _Livingston_. His Excellency was therefore obliged to act with the smallest Number of Members, which by his Majesty's Commission can form a Council, _viz_. Three; the above two Gentlemen and Capt. _Rutherford_, who was then at his Post in _Albany_.

As soon as his Excellency received his Majesty's Commands, he dispatched from _Albany_ such Persons as, by the best Information he could receive, had Influence among the _Six Nations_, to invite them severally to meet him at _Albany_, on the 20th of _July_. His Excellency arriv'd at _Albany_ the 21st of _July_, where having heard, that, besides the Small-Pox, (which his Excellency never had) many were sick of a contagious malignant Fever, he continued on board the Sloop which carried him up, to consider where to lodge with the least Danger to his Person from the Infection of these Distempers; and the next Morning resolved to go into the Fort. He was received at his Landing with the usual Marks of Respect from the Corporation, the independent Companies of regular Troops then in the Place, and the Militia, under a Discharge of the Cannon of the Fort and Town.

In the Afternoon of the same Day on which his Excellency came on sh.o.r.e, three _Indians, viz_. two _Onandagos_ and an _Oneydo_, brought two _French_ Scalps and presented to his Excellency: At which Time the Leader of the Party made a formal Speech to the following Purpose: 'That having had repeated Accounts of the Mischiefs done by the _French_, and of the frequent Murders committed by them, and that the _Mohawks_, notwithstanding their Professions of Friends.h.i.+p, suffered this Bloodshed to remain unrevenged, his Heart could bear it no longer; he thereupon resolved to open for his Brethren the Path to Revenge: That these two Scalps which he now presented were taken at Noonday in sight of the _French_ Fort at _Crown Point_.' His Excellency told him how well he took this special Mark of his Fidelity, and a.s.sured him, that he would not only now reward him and his Companions, by particular Presents, but would always remember this Act of Friends.h.i.+p. They had already received the Reward given by the Act of a.s.sembly. His Excellency gave each of them four _Spanish_ Dollars; to the Leader a fine laced Coat and Hat, and a silver Breast-Plate; and to each of the others a Stroud Blanket and lac'd Hat.

These _Indians_ told us, that they lay several Days among the Bushes, from whence they could see every Man that came out of the Fort-Gate.

They endeavoured for some time to take a Prisoner, but observing that none went to such a Distance from the Fort that they could hope to carry him off, they resolved to take the first Opportunity for a Scalp: Two Soldiers coming out of the Fort, after the Chapel Bell had rung about Noon, one of the _Indians_, by their Leader's Order, fired with Swan Shot upon them while they were near to each other. It is a constant Rule among these sculking Parties, never to fire without Orders from their Leader. One of the _French_ Men was killed upon the Spot, the other wounded, and fled immediately towards the Fort Gate, the _Indian_ who had fired, pursu'd, and with his Hatchet brought him down within a hundred Steps of the Fort Gate; and, though the _French_ in the Fort rushed out at the Gate, he took his Scalp off; the others had scalped the Man that was first killed, and then they all fled. The _French_ in their Hurry had run out without their Arms, and upon recollecting themselves return'd to arm, which facilitated the Escape of the _Indians_.

His Excellency being informed, that the Leader of this Party was desirous to be distinguished by his Excellency's giving him a new Name, and that a Name, which in the Language of the _Six Nations_ signified the _Path-opener_, would be most acceptable to him; his Excellency honour'd him with that t.i.tle; which he accepted very thankfully, and seem'd exceedingly pleased with it: Whereupon he said, that the other two _Indians_ having a.s.sociated with a _Mehikander_, or _River Indian_, were resolved to go out against the Enemy: But as he thought he might be more useful by staying, to a.s.sist at the ensuing Treaty, he was resolved to remain here. He added, that in case the Interpreter, and others sent to invite the _Six Nations_ to meet here, fail'd in any Part, he would go among the _Six Nations_, and doubted not to bring many by his Influence, who otherwise might stay.

In a Day or two after, six of seven _Indians_, who had been sent out by the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs to _Crown-Point_, to take Prisoners, and gain Intelligence, returned and said, That they had gone to that Place, and that in sight of it they had separated, with, Design thereby to surprize any Stragler that might have come out of the Fort: That while they were thus separated, two of their Number were suddenly surrounded and taken by the Enemy: One of these two, after having been detained three or four Days, join'd the others at _Saraghtoga_. He said, that he had been threatened with death by the _Adirondacks_[9]; but that the _Cahnuagas_[10] interpos'd, and by their Intercession he was set at Liberty; and some of the _Cahnuagas_ conducted him through _Lac Sacrement_. He reported, that there was a great Number of Men, _French_ and _Indians_, at _Crown-Point._ The other Prisoner, an _Onondaga_, consented to remain with the _French_, and was sent to _Canada_.

Soon after this, sixteen _Mohawk Indians_ came to the Town, who had been sent out from the lower _Mohawk_ Castle by Mr. _Johnson_, to gain Intelligence near _Crown-Point_, and to take Prisoners. They reported that they had discovered so great a Number of _French_ and _Indians_ at _Crown-Point_, that they had no Hopes of being able to bring off any Prisoners, and thought it adviseable to return speedily and inform of the great Danger they thought this Place was in. His Excellency invited them to go thither again, in order to descry the Motions of the Enemy: And as a farther Encouragement to them, to either Scalp or take Prisoners, he offered every Person of said Party that should take a Scalp or Prisoner, a Piece of Stroud, and a Suit of laced Clothes, besides the Bounty; but they, being frightened with the Apprehensions of Danger, declined going back, and said, they must return Home and acquaint their Friends and Relations with what they had heard and seen.

Several other _Indians_ likewise alarmed the _Mohawks_, by telling them that the _French_ had a great Force at _Crown-Point_, and that they would certainly attack either _Albany_ or _Schenectade_, or the Settlements on the _Mohawks_ River, or perhaps several Places at the same Time.

Mr. _Johnson_, and the commanding Officer of the Garrison of regular Troops in the _Mohawks_ Country, by their Letters to his Excellency, confirm'd these Reports; and added, the _Mohawks_ had entertain'd Apprehensions of the _French_ Force at _Crown-Point_, which was like to have a bad Effect. On this his Excellency wrote to Mr. _Johnson_, that all these Stories of the _French_ Force at _Crown-Point_ were only Artifices of the _French_ to intimidate the _Indians_, or to amuse them, with Design to frustrate the Treaty which he intended to have with them; and that he was to a.s.sure the _Indians_, that they could be in no Danger from the _French:_ However, that they might see that he would omit nothing which they might think necessary for their Security, he had ordered a Lieutenant of Militia, with thirty Men, to reinforce the lower Castle, and had likewise ordered the Captain of Militia near the upper Castle, to a.s.sist the _Indians_ there in fortifying their Castle, and to hold himself in Readiness to support them on any Emergency.

One _John Colan_, a _Frenchman_, who some Years since had removed from _Canada_, and settled and married at _Schenectade_, and who has since that Time lived in good Reputation there, was sent by Major _Glen_ to inform his Excellency, that one _Aaron_, a noted _Mohawk_ Sachem, who with several others of the _Six Nations_, had been last Spring in _Canada_ to treat with the Governor there, did then entertain two _Cahnuaga Indians_. This Man, _John Colan_, acquainted his Excellency, that having discovered the _Cahnuaga Indians_, he told them he was a _Frenchman_, and was desirous of returning to his own Country, on which they began presently to propose to him Methods for his Escape; at which Time, this _Aaron_ coming near them, he express'd his Fears of being discovered by him. They answered, that he need not fear _Aaron_, for he was their Friend, and designed to go with them. As they proposed to him to escape privately by himself, and to meet them at a Place they named, he told them of his Fears, in that Case, of meeting with the _French Indians_ while he was alone. They answered, that if he dress'd himself like an _Indian_, the _French Indians_ would do him no Hurt, without first calling to him; upon which, if he stopp'd and call'd out _Maria_, the _French Indians_ would be so far from hurting him, that they would immediately come up to him and take him by the Hand. From this, and several other Incidents, which it would be tedious to relate, his Excellency was convinced of some secret Understanding between the _Six Nations_ and the _Cahnuagas_, or _French Indians:_ And that, however any Party of our _Indians_ might be induced to fall upon the _French_, they would not at that Time molest the _French Indians_, nor prevent the Mischiefs which the Inhabitants received from their sculking Parties.

For this Reason, his Excellency endeavoured to send out again the Company of Rangers, which had formerly been employed against the sculking _Indians:_ But, as the a.s.sembly had made no Provision for this Expence, they refused to go, unless he gave his personal Bond for their Pay, at _three s.h.i.+llings_ a Day for each private Man, besides their Provision; and would not be satisfied with the Promises that he, by the Advice of the Council, made them of recommending their Service to the General a.s.sembly, and the a.s.surances he gave them of their being rewarded as they desired.

On their continuing obstinate, his Excellency was of Opinion, that no considerable Service could be expected from Men, who were moved by no other Principle but that of excessive Wages: And he had Reason afterwards to be confirmed in this Opinion, when Captain _Langdon_, and afterwards Captain _Thebout_, voluntarily went with their Companies of the new-levied Troops to scour the Woods, and took some of these _Albany_ Men with them as Guides, who whenever they apprehended themselves in Danger, by the Discovery of recent Tracts, some one or other of them could not be kept from firing their Guns, or making some Noise, by which the _French Indians_, if any were near them, must know how to avoid them. Some _Indians_, who were likewise sent out in Company with these Men, complained in like Manner.

The publick Interpreter, whom the Governor (as before observed) had sent with others, to invite the _Six Nations_ to meet him at _Albany_, wrote to the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, That they met with great Difficulties and Obstructions from the _Sachems_, who had been lately at _Canada:_ That the _Oneydoes_ refused to give any Answer, tho' they had staid there thirteen Days endeavouring to persuade them; and that the _Cayugas_ had absolutely refused to meet the Governor. On which his Excellency desired to be informed by the Commissioners of _Indian_ Affairs, whether they knew of any Person of Influence or Interest with the _Indians_, and fit to be sent among them on this Occasion. They answered, that they knew of none; and that the _Indians_ were in a very bad Disposition, and much under the Influence of the _French_.

About this time his Excellency being informed, that the Interpreter, and others sent with him, had neglected to send proper Invitations to the _Indians_ living on the Branches of _Susquehannah_ River; and that Captain _Vroman_, of _Scohary_, was a proper Person to be sent to those _Indians_; he sent him, in Company with Captain _Staats_, with a Belt of _Wampum_ to invite them.

While the _Indian_ Affairs appear'd in this discouraging State, an Account came to Town, that about twenty young _Chickesaws_ were come to the _Senekas_, to desire them to shew them the Way to _Canada_. The _Chickesaws_ had always been Enemies to the _French:_ A Party of about five hundred Men had, four Years before, been sent out against them from _Canada_, who were so entirely routed by the _Chickesaws_, that few returned. These young _Chickesaws_ told the _Senekas_, that the _French_ of _Canada_ had, about four Years since, made them a Visit, and were so kind to leave them four hundred Guns, which were now wore out; and, since the _French_ had not thought fit to bring them any more Guns, they were resolved to go to _Canada_ to fetch new ones; and promised, that if the _Senekas_ would shew them the Way, they would go Home and return with four hundred stout Fellows. Some other _Indian_ Nations who lived to the Westward, discovering their Aversion to the _French_ at the same Time, these Incidents a.s.sisted the Governor's Messengers in bringing more _Indians_ to _Albany_ than they expected, when they wrote to the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs.

While the Interpreter was at the more distant _Indian_ Castles, Mr.

_William Johnson_ was indefatigable among the _Mohawks_; he dressed himself after the _Indian_ Manner, made frequent Dances, according to their Custom when they excite to War, and used all the Means he could think of, at a considerable Expence, (which his Excellency had promised to repay him) in order to engage them heartily in the War against _Canada_. Tho' he succeeded, beyond what any Man in _Albany_ thought could be done, yet several of the _Sachems_ (in the _Conajohary_, or upper _Mohawk_ Castle, chiefly) refused to engage in the War; but insisted, that as this War was entered into between the _English_ and _French_, in which they had no Interest, they ought to remain neuter.

The _English_ and _French_, they said, could at any Time make Peace; but if they should enter into the War, _Indians_ could not make up the Quarrel among themselves, otherwise than by the Destruction of one or the other. The _French_ could have no Hopes of engaging the _Six Nations_ on their Side against the _English_, and therefore wisely play'd this Game of endeavouring to make them stand neuter, which they could enforce by strong political Arguments, of which the _Indians_ were sensible enough. _It is your Interest_, the _French_ Emissaries said, _not to suffer either the_ French _or the_ English _to be absolute Masters_; _for in that Case you must become Slaves to the one or the other_. From this politic View chiefly, the Interpreter met with so much Opposition everywhere: Tho' it is not to be doubted, but that at the same Time the _French_ had gain'd some particular _Sachems_ entirely into their Interest; however, many were prevailed on to come to _Albany_, to hear what the Governor of _New-York_ had to say to them; tho' several Sachems staid behind. When they of the more distant Nations came along with the Interpreter to the lower _Mohawk_ Castle, and found that Mr. _Johnson_ had already engaged many of the young Men there to join the Army against _Canada_, the others blamed the _Mohawks_; telling them with some Warmth, That they had been very rash in engaging so far.

'They ought, _the others said_, to have considered that they, the _Mohawks_, were the smallest in Number of any of the _Six Nations_, and ought not to have proceeded to so great a Length, without the previous Consent of the others.' To this the _Mohawks_ answered, _It is true, we are less considerable as to Number, than any of the other Nations; but our Hearts are truly_ English, _and all of us are Men[11]; so that, if our Force be put to the Trial, perhaps it will be found greater than you imagine._ These Disputes, however, continued so far, that the _Mohawks_, and the other _Five Nations_, could not go in Company to _Albany_; the _Mohawks_ marched on one side of the River, while the other Nations went on the other side. [_There are two Roads from the_ Mohawks _Castle to_ Schenectada, _one on each side of the_ Mohawks _River_.]

When the _Indians_ came near the Town of _Albany_, on the 8th of _August_, Mr. _Johnson_ put himself at the Head of the _Mohawks_, dressed and painted after the Manner of an _Indian_ War-Captain; and the _Indians_ who followed him, were likewise dressed and painted, as is usual with them when they set out in War. The _Indians_ saluted the Governor as they pa.s.sed the Fort, by a running Fire; which his Excellency ordered to be answered by a Discharge of some Cannon from the Fort: He afterwards received the Sachems in the Fort-Hall, bid them Welcome, and treated them with a Gla.s.s of Wine.

As, by all Accounts, the Disposition of the _Six Nations_ seemed at this Time less in Favour of the _British_ Interest than was to be wished, his Excellency thought it necessary to have frequent Conferences, in private, with the princ.i.p.al Sachems of each _Nation_; sometimes separately and singly, at other Times with some of each Nation jointly.

There were only two of the _Mohawks_ Sachems (besides _Aaron_ before mentioned, who left the Castle at this Time) that could not be prevailed on by Mr. _Johnson_ to declare themselves for entering into the War against _Canada_: They were both of the _Conajohary_ or Upper-Castle, and one of them the Head of the Tribe called the _Tortoise_; (which, tho' not so numerous as that of the _Bear_, yet is looked on as the first in Rank or Dignity;) and, as he had been with the Governor of _Canada_ last Spring, it was thought to be of some Consequence to gain him. Mr. _Colden_, above twenty Years since, had the Complement of being received into that Castle; and, about seven Years since (the last Time he had been with the _Mohawks_) had contracted some more particular Acquaintance with these two Sachems: He invited them to a private Conference, at which the Reverend Mr. _Barclay_ a.s.sisted as Interpreter; they met him, and brought five more with them: After this Conference these Sachems appear'd as hearty as any of the others. He that was Head of the Tribe call'd the _Tortoise_, said, 'His Uncle had been the chief War-Captain among the _Mohawks_: That his Uncle had particularly distinguished himself in their Wars against the _French_, and he was resolved to shew himself not unworthy of his Ancestors, nor of his Uncle's Name, which he had obtained after his Death.'

After the princ.i.p.al Sachems had, at these Conferences, been brought to a good Disposition, his Excellency advised with the Gentlemen of the Council, and the Commissioners from the _Ma.s.sachusets Bay_, on what might be proper to be said to the _Six Nations_ in the publick Speech, which he now proposed to make to them. Col. _Wendell_ and Mr. _Wells_ had arrived from _Boston_ about the End of _July_, and soon after they came to Town, his Excellency ordered the Gentlemen of the Council to communicate to them all the Information which had been received, with respect to the _Indian_ Affairs: And they had frequent Conferences together from Time to Time, as Occasion required: It was likewise thought proper to communicate, what his Excellency intended to say to some of the Sachems of each Nation, who were thought most hearty in the _British_ Interest; who said, that it was well conceiv'd as could have been done, had they themselves advised upon the Subject; only as it had been advised to observe in the first Draught, That some of his Majesty's Subjects had been instigated by the _French_ to rise in Rebellion against the King; that they had been defeated by one of the King's Sons; that these poor People were now utterly ruined, and had nothing left but to bewail their Folly in the Misery that was brought upon them, by suffering themselves to be deluded by the Promises of the _French_; they said, that they did not understand the Affairs on the other Side of the Sea, nor did they trouble their Heads about them; and as they had no Method of retaining what is spoke to them but by their Memories, they were afraid that this might perplex their Memories, and make them less attentive to what was properly their Business; and advised, that it should be left out; which accordingly was done.

Another Difficulty remained; the publick Interpreter had been taken dangerously ill in his Return to _Albany_, and was at this Time confined to his Bed. Tho' several were employed, who had Knowledge sufficient in the Language of the _Six Nations_, to make themselves be understood, and to understand what was spoke to them; yet none of them were so much Masters of the Language, as to speak with that Propriety and Distinctness that is expected, and usual on so solemn an Occasion. It was thought therefore proper, to make one of the Sachems understand the Speech, by the a.s.sistance of the common Interpreters, that he might be able to deliver it Paragraph by Paragraph, as it should be spoke. At first a _Mohawk_ Sachem was pitched upon; but the Sachems themselves told us, That for some time past a kind of Party-Division among the _Six Nations_ had subsisted: That the _Mohawks_, _Onandagas_, and _Senekas_, form'd one Party; and the _Oneydoes, Tuscaroras_, and _Cayugas_, the other: That, as the _Mohawks_ might be suspected to be more partial to the _English_, it would be of more Use to employ one of the other Party; and an _Oneydo_ Sachem was proposed for that Purpose. This Man was easily enough made to understand the Speech, and he repeated it several Times over in private, and was instructed where to make the proper Stops. After the Speech was delivered, some of the Commissioners for _Indian_ Affairs, and other Persons present at the Delivery, who understood both Languages, acknowledged, that this _Indian_ had acquitted himself of his Trust faithfully, and had delivered the Sense of the Speech clearly and distinctly.

While these last Preparations were making, his Excellency was taken ill of a Fever, which occasioned some further Delay; and as his Excellency did not recover so soon as was wished, the Sachems were told, that his Excellency being unwilling to detain them without necessity, would, if they desired it, direct Mr. _Colden_ to speak to them in his Name, what he designed to say. They answered, that they would be well pleased to hear it from Mr. _Colden_'s Mouth.