The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Part 4

The Governor, after a short Pause, spoke:

'_B R E T H R E N of the Six Nations_,

'I take this Opportunity to relate to you a Piece of disagreeable News I received some Days ago in a Letter from _Le Tort_, the _Indian_ Trader, at _Allegheny_, who says, "That in _May_ last some _Indians_ of the _Taway_ Nation, supposed by us to be the _Twightwees_, in their Return from War, called and staid some Time with the _Shawanese_; who being asked, and denying they had brought either Scalps or Prisoners, the _Shawanese_ suspecting them, had the Curiosity to search their Bags, and finding two Scalps in them, that by the Softness of the Hair did not feel like _Indian_ Scalps, they wash'd them clean, and found them to be the Scalps of some Christians. On this Discovery, the _Twightwees_ were so much ashamed, that they stole away from their Town in the Night-time; and coming, as they afterwards understood, to a little Village belonging to the _Shawanese_, they told our People that their Hearts were full of Grief; for, as they came along the Road, they found it all b.l.o.o.d.y; and having good Cause to believe it was made b.l.o.o.d.y with the Blood of some of the white Brethren, they had very sorrowfully swept the Road; and desired them to inform the Governor of _Pensilvania_ of their (the _Twightwees_) Grief; and how they had swept the Road clean." '_Le Tort_ adds, on Behalf of the _Shawanese_,' "That they were much grieved at this unfortunate Accident; and prayed, as they had no Concern in it, more than by being Instruments to discover it, their Brethren would not blame them, nor suffer a Misunderstanding to arise between them on this Account: They would sweep the Road clean, and wipe all the Blood away; and desired their Brethren would be satisfied with this, and not weep too much for a Misfortune that might not happen again as long as the Sun and Moon shone."

'The Person who delivered me _Le Tort_'s Letter, brought this Bundle of Skins as a Present to me; but I told the Messenger, I would not meddle with it; he might leave it if he pleased: The Affair appear'd to me in a bad Light, and I would represent it to the _Six Nations_, who were expected in Town every Day. This is the Fact, as I have it from _Le Tort_: I desire to be inform'd if you know any thing of this Matter; and if you do not, that you will make diligent Enquiry who committed the Murder, and who are the unhappy Sufferers, and a.s.sist us to obtain Satisfaction, if it shall appear to be any, of our Fellow-Subjects that have been treated in this Manner.'

_To inforce this Request, I present you with this String of Wampum_.

The _Onondago_ Chief, in Reply, said:

'_B R E T H R E N_,

'We take this Information kindly at your Hands; we will take this String of Wampum home with us to our Lodgings, and there consult about the most regular and proper Steps to be taken by us to answer your Expectations, and when we have duly considered the Matter, we will return you an Answer.'

Upon this the Governor put an End to the Conference; and calling for Wine, and other Liquors, according to the _Indian_ Custom, after a decent and chearful Entertainment, the _Indians_ withdrew.

At a C O U N C I L held at the Proprietor's House, _July_ 5, 1742.

P R E S E N T

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, } _Clement Plumsted_, } Esqrs;

With several Gentlemen of the Town.

_The Chiefs of the Six Nations_.

It being judg'd proper, at this critical Time, when we are in daily Expectation of a _French_ War, to sound the _Indians_, and discover what Dependance we might have on them, in case their Aid should be wanted, an handsome Dinner was provided for their Chiefs; and after they had made an hearty Meal, and drank his Majesty's Health, the Proprietors, and the Health of the _Six Nations_, the Chiefs gave the solemn Cry, in Testimony of their Thanks for the Honour done them. And soon after the Governor began, in a free Way, to enquire for what Reason the _Senecas_ were not come down, since they had an equal Share of the Goods with the other Nations.----_Cana.s.sateego_, their Speaker, said, 'The _Senecas_ were in great Distress, on Account of a Famine that raged in their Country, which had reduced them to such Want, that a Father had been obliged to kill two of his Children to preserve his own, and the rest of his Family's Lives; and they could not now come down, but had given Directions about their Share of the Goods.'----The Governor express'd his Concern for the unhappy Circ.u.mstances of their Brethren of the _Seneca_ Nation; and, after a short Respite, enquired if any of their Deputies were then at _Canada_, and whether the _French_ Governor was making any warlike Preparations. And on their answering _Yes_, the Governor said, with a smiling, pleasant Countenance, 'I suppose, if the _French_ should go to War with us, you will join them.' The _Indians_ conferr'd together for some Time, and then _Cana.s.sateego_, in a chearful lively Manner, made answer.----'We a.s.sure you, the Governor of _Canada_ pays our Nations great Court at this Time, well knowing of what Consequence we are to the _French_ Interest: He has already told us, he was uncovering the Hatchet, and sharpening it, and hoped, if he should be obliged to lift it up against the _English_, our Nations would remain neuter, and a.s.sist neither Side.----But we will now speak plainly to our Brethren: Why should we, who are one Flesh with you, refuse to help you, whenever you want our a.s.sistance?----We have continued a long Time in the strictest League of Amity and Friendship with you, and we shall always be faithful and true to you our old and good Allies.----The Governor of _Canada_ talks a great deal, but ten of his Words do not go so far as one of yours.----We do not look towards them; we look towards you; and you may depend on our a.s.sistance.' Whilst the _Onondago_ Chief made this open and hearty Declaration, all the other _Indians_ made frequently that particular Kind of Noise which is known to be a Mark of Approbation.----The Governor bid the Interpreter tell _Cana.s.sateego_, 'He did not set on foot this Enquiry from any Suspicion he had of the _Six Nations_ wanting a due Regard for the _English_.--Our Experience of their Honour and Faith, said he, would not permit us to think any other of them, than that they would esteem our Friends their Friends, and our Enemies their Enemies, agreeable to the strict Union which had ever subsisted between us.--As to the Governor of _Canada_, he told them they need not mind what he said.--The _English_, on equal Terms, had beat the _French_, and could beat them again: And were they but to consider the Advantages which the _English_ have, by possessing so many large and populous Countries, and so many good Ports on the Continent of _America_, they would soon see who had most Reason to fear a War, the _French_ or the _English_.'

Here the Conversation dropped; and after another Gla.s.s of Wine, the _Indians_ resumed the Discourse, by asking whether their Brethren had not been for some Time engaged in a War with the King of _Spain_, and what Successes they had met with.

The Governor told them, the King of _Great-Britain_ lived in an Island, and being surrounded with the Sea, his chief Strength lay in his Ships; in which he was so much superior to his Enemies, that they were seldom to be met with on the broad Ocean, but sculk'd and hid themselves, only venturing out now and then; and whenever they did, they were almost sure to be taken; and that the King of _Great-Britain_ had with his Ships, beat down, or taken several of the _Spaniards_ great Forts in _America_.--The _Indians_ said, they were pleased to hear their Brethren were an Over-match for their Enemies, and wish'd them good Success.

The Governor then enquired into the State and Condition of the Nations to the Westward of the Great Lakes, and whether they had any Warriors then in those Countries? Whether they had concluded Peace with the Southern _Indians_? And whether they had heard what their Deputies had done at _Albany_?

They made Answer: That they had always Abundance of their Men out amongst the Nations situate to the West of their Lakes.--That they had kindled a Fire with a vast many Nations, some whereof were Tributaries, and they had a good Understanding with all.--They set out from their own Country in Company with two Sets of Deputies, one going to hold a Treaty with the Southern _Indians_, and they believed a Peace would be concluded: The other going to meet the Governor of _New-York_, at _Albany_; but they could not tell what had been done at either Place.--On their return, they were to hold a General Council, and would inform their Brethren of these Particulars.

Then the Governor put an End to the Conference, by telling the _Indians_ the Goods would be delivered to them at a Council to be held To-morrow Afternoon at the Meeting-House.

At a Council held in the Meeting House, _Philadelphia, July_ 6, 1742.

P R E S E N T,

The Honourable _G E O R G E T H O M A S_, Esq; Lieutenant-Governor.

_James Logan_, } _Clement Plumsted_, } _Abraham Taylor_, } Esqrs; _Samuel Preston_, } _Ralph Asheton_, } _Robert Strettell_, }

_C A N A S S A T E E G O_, Chief of the _Onondagoes_, Speaker.

S h i c a l a m y, and a great Number of _Indians_, whose Names are as follows, _viz_.

O N O N T O G O E S.

_Sawegaty_, } _Caxhayion_, } Counsellors.

_Saguya.s.satha_, _Kayadoghratie_, alias _Slanaghquasy_, _Rotier-uwughton_, _Tokaughaah_, _Tiorughwaghthe_, _Tokano-ungoh_, _Aronty-oony_, _Tohanohawighton_, _Tioghwatoony_, _Auughrahysey_.

C A I Y O Q U O S.

_Sahugh-sowa_, } _Tohatgaghthus_, } Chiefs.

_Tokany-esus_, _Runho-hihio_, _Kanadoghary_, _Zior-aghquaty_, _Sagu-iughwatha_, alias _Cadcaradasey_, _Sca-yenties_, _Tats-heghteh_, _Alligh-waheis_, _Tayo-quario_, _Hogh degh runtu_, _Rotehn Haghtyackon_, Captain.

_Sawoalieselhohaa_, _Sagughsa-eck_, _Uwantakeraa_, _Horuhot_, _Osoghquaa_, _Tuyanoegon_.

A N O Y I U T S, _or_ O N E I D A S.

_Saristaquoh_, } Ungquaterughiathe, alias _Shikelimo_, } Chiefs.

_Tottowakerha_, _Taraghkoerus_, _Onughkallydawwy_, a noted young Chief.

_Onughnaxqua_, Chief.

_Tawyiakaarat_, _Tohathuyongochtha_, _Sughnakaarat_, _Taghneghdoerus_, _Tokanyiadaroeyon_, _Sagogughyatha_, _Rahehius_, _Toka.n.u.soegon_.

J E N O N T O W A N O S, _or_ S E N E C A S.

_Karugh iagh Raghquy_, Captain.

_Tahn heentus_, _Onontyiack_.

T U S C A R R O R O S.

_Sawontka_, } _Ti-ieroes_, } Chiefs.

_Cloghsytowax_, } _Tokaryhoegon_, Captain.

_Oghioghseh_, _Tieleghweghson_, _Tougrotha_, _Yorughianego_, _Ot-quehig_, _Squaghky_, _Sayadyio_, _Onughsowughton_, _Cherigh wastho_, _Aghsunteries_, _Tion ogh scoghtha_, _Saligh wanaghson_, _Ohn-waasey_, _Tocar-eher_ [died since at _Tulpehokin_.]

_Tohanatakqua_, _Kanyhaag_.

S H A W A N O E S.

_Wehwehlaky_, Chief.