Chapter III (3)

9th.—Some of the colonels and chief commanders wondered how I came through so many difficulties, and how I could rule and bring these people to reason, making no use of gun or sword. I told them, it is done by no other means than by faith. Then they asked me, if I had faith to venture myself to come safe through with my companions. I told them, it was in my heart to pray for them, “you know that the Lord has given many promises to his servants, and what he promises, you may depend upon, he will perform.”—Then they wished us good success. We waited till almost noon for the writing of the general. We were escorted by an hundred men, rank and file, commanded by captain _Haselet_;[84] we passed through a tract of good land, about six miles on the old trading path, and came to the creek again, where there is a large fine bottom, well timbered; from thence we came upon a hill, to an advanced breast work, about ten miles from the camp, well situated for strength, facing a small branch of the aforesaid creek; the hill is steep down, perpendicular about twenty feet, on the south side; which is a great defence; and on the west side the breast-work about seven feet high, where we encamped that night:[85] our _Indian_ companions heard that we were to part in the morning, and that twelve men were to be sent with us, and the others, part of the company, to go towards fort _Duquesne_. Our _Indians_ desired that the captain would send twenty men, instead of twelve; that if any accident should happen, they could be more able to defend themselves in returning back; “for we know, say they, the enemy will follow the smallest party.” It began to rain. Within five miles from the breast-work we departed from captain _Haselet_; he kept the old trading path to the _Ohio_. Lieutenant _Hays_[86] was ordered to accompany us to the _Alleghenny_ river[87] with fourteen men. We went the path that leads along the _Loyal Hanning_ creek, where there is a rich fine bottom, land well timbered, good springs and small creeks. At four o’clock we were alarmed by three men, in _Indian_ dress; and preparation was made on both sides for defence. _Isaac Still_ shewed a white token, and _Pesquitomen_ gave an _Indian halloo_; after which they threw down their bundles, and ran away as fast as they could. We afterwards took up their bundles, and found that it was a small party of our men, that had been long out. We were sorry that we had scared them; for they lost their bundles with all their food. Then, I held a conference with our _Indians_, and asked them, if it would not be good, to send one of our _Indians_ to _Logstown_ and _fort Duquesne_, and call the _Indians_ from thence, before we arrive at _Kushkushking_. They all agreed it would not be good, as they were but messengers; it must be done by their chief men. The wolves made a terrible music this night.

11th.—We started early, and came to the old _Shawanese_ town, called _Keckkeknepolin_,[88] grown up thick with weeds, briars and bushes, that we scarcely could get through. _Pesquitomen_ led us upon a steep hill, that our horses could hardly get up; and _Thomas Hickman’s_ horse stumbled, and rolled down the hill like a wheel; on which he grew angry, and would go no further with us, and said, he would go by himself: It happened we found a path on the top of the hill. At three o’clock we came to _Kiskemeneco_, an old _Indian_ town, a rich bottom, well timbered, good fine _English_ grass, well watered, and lays waste since the war began.[89] We let our horses feed here, and agreed that lieutenant _Hays_ might go back with his party; and as they were short of provisions, we, therefore, gave them a little of ours, which they took very kind of us. _Thomas Hickman_ could find no other road, and came to us again a little ashamed; we were glad to see him; and we went about three miles farther, where we made a large fire. Here the _Indians_ looked over their presents, and grumbled at me; they thought, if they had gone the other way by _Shamokin_, they would have got more. Captain Bull spoke in their favour against me. Then I said to them, “I am ashamed to see you grumble about presents; I thought you were sent to establish a peace.” Though I confess I was not pleased that the _Indians_ were so slightly fitted out from _Easton_, as the general had nothing to give them, in the critical circumstances he was in, fit for their purpose.

12th.—Early in the morning, I spoke to the _Indians_ of my company, “Brethren, you have now passed through the heart of the country back and forward, likewise through the midst of the army, without any difficulty or danger; you have seen and heard a great deal. When I was among you, at _Alleghenny_, you told me, I should not regard what the common people would say, but only hearken to the chiefs; I should take no bad stories along. I did accordingly; and when I left _Alleghenny_ I dropt all evil reports, and only carried the agreeable news, which was pleasing to all that heard it. Now, brethren, I beg of you to do the same, and to drop all evil reports, which you may have heard of bad people, and only to observe and keep what you have heard of our rulers, and the wise people, so that all your young men, women and children, may rejoice at our coming to them, and may have the benefit of it.”

They took it very kindly. After awhile they spoke in the following manner to us, and said, “Brethren, when you come to _Kushkushking_, you must not mind the prisoners, and have nothing to do with them. Mr. _Post_, when he was first there, listened too much to the prisoners; the _Indians_ were almost mad with him for it, and would have confined him for it; for, they said, he had wrote something of them.”

As we were hunting for our horses, we found _Thomas Hickman’s_ horse dead, which rolled yesterday down the hill. At one o’clock we came to the _Alleghenny_, to an old _Shawano_ town, situated under a high hill on the east, opposite an island of about one hundred acres, very rich land, well timbered.[90] We looked for a place to cross the river, but in vain; we then went smartly to work, and made a raft; we cut the wood, and carried it to the water side. The wolves and owls made a great noise in the night.

13th.—We got up early, and boiled some chocolate for breakfast, and then began to finish our rafts; we cloathed ourselves as well as we could in _Indian_ dress; it was about two o’clock in the afternoon, before we all got over to the other side, near an old _Indian_ town. The _Indians_ told us, we should not call Mr. _Bull_, _captain_, their young men would be mad that we brought a warrior there. We went up a steep hill, good land, to the creek _Cowewanick_,[91] where we made our fire. They wanted to hunt for meat, and looked for a road. Captain _Bull_ shot a squirrel, and broke his gun. I cut fire wood, and boiled some chocolate for supper. The others came home, and brought nothing. _Pesquitomen_ wanted to hear the writing from the general, which we read to them, to their great satisfaction. This was the first night we slept in the open air. Mr. _Bull_ took the tent along with him. We discoursed a good deal of the night together.

14th.—We rose early, and thought to make good progress on our way. At one o’clock _Thomas Hickman_ shot a large buck; and, as our people were hungry for meat, we made our camp there, and called the water _Buck run_. In the evening we heard the great guns fire from _fort Duquesne_. Whenever I looked towards that place, I felt a dismal impression, the very place seemed shocking and dark. _Pesquitomen_ looked his things over, and found a white belt, sent by the commissioners of trade,[92] for the _Indian_ affairs. We could find no writing concerning the belt, and did not know what was the signification thereof: They seemed much concerned to know it.

15th.—We arose early, and had a good day’s journey: we passed these two days through thick bushes of briars and thorns; so that it was very difficult to get through. We crossed the creek _Paquakonink_; the land is very indifferent. At twelve o’clock we crossed the road from _Venango_ to _fort Duquesne_. We went west towards _Kushkushking_, about sixteen miles from the fort. We went over a large barren plain, and made our lodging by a little run. _Pesquitomen_ told us, we must send a messenger, to let them know of our coming, as the _French_ live amongst them; he desired a string of wampum; I gave him three hundred and fifty. We concluded to go within three miles of _Kushkushking_, to their sugar cabbins,[93] and to call their chiefs there. In discourse, Mr. Bull told the _Indians_, the _English_ should let all the prisoners stay amongst them, that liked to stay.

16th.—We met two _Indians_ on the road, and sat down with them to dinner. They informed us that no body was at home, at _Kushkushking_; that one hundred and fifty, from that town, were gone to war against our party. We crossed the above mentioned creek; good land, but hilly. Went down a long valley to _Beaver_ creek, through old _Kushkushking_,[94] a large spot of land, about three miles long; they both went with us to the town; one of them rode before us, to let the people in the town know of our coming; we found there but two men, and some women. Those, that were at home, received us kindly. _Pesquitomen_ desired us to read the message to them that were there.

17th.—There were five _Frenchmen_ in the town; the rest were gone to war. We held a council with _Delaware George_, delivered him the string and presents, that were sent to him; and informed him of the general’s sentiments, and what he desired of them; upon which he agreed, and complied to go with Mr. _Bull_, to the general. Towards night _Keckkenepalin_ came home from the war, and told us the disagreeable news, that they had fallen in with that party, that had guided us; they had killed Lieutenant _Hays_, and four more, and took five prisoners, the others got clear off. They had a skirmish with them within twelve miles of _fort Duquesne_. Further he told us, that one of the captives was to be burnt, which grieved us. By the prisoners they were informed of our arrival; on which they concluded to leave the _French_, and to hear what news we brought them. In the evening they brought a prisoner to town. We called the _Indians_ together, that were at home, and explained the matter to them, and told them, as their own people had desired the general to give them a guide to conduct them safe home and by a misfortune, your people have fallen in with this party, and killed five and taken five prisoners; and we are now informed that one of them is to be burnt; “Consider, my brethren, if you should give us a guide, to bring us safe on our way home, and our parties should fall in with you, how hard you would take it.”

They said, “Brother, it is a hard matter, and we are sorry it hath happened so.” I answered, “Let us therefore spare no pains to relieve them from any cruelty.” We could scarce find a messenger, that would undertake to go to _Sawcung_, where the prisoner was to be bu[r]nt. We promised to one named _Compass_, 500 black wampum, and Mr. _Hays_ gave him a shirt and a dollar, on which he promised to go. We sent him as a messenger. By a string of wampum I spoke these words, “Brethren, consider the messengers are come home with good news, and three of your brethren, the _English_, with them. We desire you would pity your own young men, women and children, and use no hardships towards the captives, as having been guiding our party.”

Afterwards the warriors informed us, that their design had not been to go to war, but that they had a mind to go to the general and speak with him; and on the road the _French_ made a division among them, that they could not agree; after which they were discovered by the _Cherokees_ and _Catawbas_, who fled, and left their bundles, where they found an _English_ colour. So _Kekeuscung_ told them he would go before them to the general, if they would follow him; but they would not agree to it; and the _French_ persuaded them to fall upon the _English_ at _Loyal-hanning_;[95] they accordingly did, and as they were driven back, they fell in with that party, that guided us, which they did not know. They seemed very sorry for it.

18th.—Captain _Bull_ acted as commander, without letting us know any thing, or communicating with us. He and _George_ relieved a prisoner from the warriors, by what means I do not know. When the warriors were met, he then called us first to sit down, and to hear what they had to say. The _Indian_ that delivered the prisoner to _Bull_ and _George_, spoke as follows:

“My brethren, the _English_ are at such a distance from us, as if they were under ground, that I cannot hear them. I am very glad to hear from you such good news; and I am very sorry that it happened so, that I went to war. Now I let the general know, he should consider his young men, and if you should have any of us, to set them at liberty, so as we do to you.”

Then _Pesquitomen_ said, “As the Governor gave these three messengers into my bosom, so I now likewise, by this string of wampum, give _Bull_ into _Delaware George’s_ bosom, to bring him safe to the general.” Mr. _Bull_ sat down with the prisoner, who gave him some intelligence in writing; at which the _Indians_ grew very jealous and asked them what they had to write there? I wrote a letter to the general by Mr. _Bull_. In the afternoon Mr. _Bull_, _Delaware George_, and _Keskenepalen_ set out for the camp. Towards night they brought in another prisoner. When Mr. _Bull_ and company were gone, the _Indians_ took the same prisoner, whom Mr. _Bull_ had relieved, and bound him and carried him to another town, without our knowledge. I a thousand times wished Mr. _Bull_ had never meddled in the affair, fearing they would exceedingly punish, and bring the prisoner to confession of the contents of the writing.

19th.—A great many of the warriors came home. The _French_ had infused bad notions into the _Indians_, by means of the letters, they found upon Lieutenant _Hays_, who was killed, which they falsely interpreted to them, viz. That, in one letter it was wrote, that the general should do all that was in his power to conquer the _French_, and, in the mean time the messengers to the _Indians_ should do their utmost to draw the Indians back, and keep them together in conferences, till he, the general, had made a conquest of the _French_, and afterwards he should fall upon all _Indians_, and destroy them. And, that, if we should lose our lives, the _English_ would carry on the war, so long as an _Indian_, or _Frenchman_ was alive. Thereupon the French said to the Indians;

“Now you can see, my children, how the _English_ want to deceive you, and if it would not offend you, I would go and knock these messengers on the head, before you should be deceived by them.” One of the _Indian_ captains spoke to the _French_ and said, “To be sure it would offend us, if you should offer to knock them on the head. If you have a mind to go to war, go to the _English_ army, and knock them on the head, and not these three men, that come with a message to us.”

After this speech the _Indians_ went all off, and left the _French_. Nevertheless it had enraged some of the young people, and made them suspicious; so that it was a precarious time for us. I said, “Brethren, have good courage, and be strong; let not every wind disturb your mind; let the _French_ bring the letter here; for, as you cannot read, they may tell you thousands of false stories. We will read the letter to you. As _Isaac Still_[96] can read, he will tell you the truth.”

After this all the young men were gathered together, _Isaac Still_ being in company. The young men said, “One that had but half an eye could see that the _English_ only intended to cheat them; and that it was best to knock every one of us messengers on the head.”

Then _Isaac_ began to speak and said, “I am ashamed to hear such talking from you; you are but boys like me; you should not talk of such a thing. There have been thirteen nations at _Easton_, where they have established a firm peace with the _English_; and I have heard that the Five Nations were always called the wisest; go tell them that they are fools, and cannot see; and tell them that you are kings, and wise men. Go and tell the _Cayuga_ chiefs so, that are here; and you will become great men.” Afterwards they were all still, and said not one word more.

20th.—There came a great many more together in the town, and brought _Henry Osten_, the sergeant, who was to have been burnt. They hallooed the war halloo; and the men and women beat him till he came into the house.[97] It is a grievous and melancholy sight to see our fellow mortals so abused. _Isaac Still_ had a long discourse with the _French_ captain; who made himself great, by telling how he had fought the _English_ at _Loyal-Hanning_. _Isaac_ rallied him, and said he had seen them scalp horses, and take others for food. The first he denied, but the second he owned. _Isaac_ ran the captain quite down, before them all. The _French_ captain spoke with the two _Cayugas_; at last the _Cayugas_ spoke very sharp to him, so that he grew pale, and was quite silent.

These three days past was precarious time for us. We were warned not to go far from the house; because the people who came from the slaughter, having been driven back, were possessed with a murdering spirit; which led them as in a halter, in which they were catched, and with bloody vengeance were thirsty and drunk. This afforded a melancholy prospect. _Isaac Still_ was himself dubious of our lives. We did not let Mr. _Hays_ know of the danger. I said, “As God hath stopped the mouth of the lions, that they could not devour _Daniel_, so he will preserve us from their fury, and bring us through.” I had a discourse with Mr. _Hays_ concerning our message, and begged him he would pray to God for grace and wisdom, that he would grant us peace among this people. We will remain in stillness, and not look to our own credit. We are in the service of our king and country. This people are rebellious in heart.

Now we are here to reconcile them again to the General, Governor, and the _English_ nation; to turn them again from their errors. And I wished that God would grant us his grace, whereby we may do it; which I hope and believe he will do. Mr. _Hays_ took it to heart and was convinced of all; which much rejoiced me. I begged _Isaac Still_ to watch over himself and not to be discouraged; for I hoped the storm would soon pass by.

In the afternoon all the captains gathered together in the middle town; they sent for us, and desired we should give them information of our message. Accordingly we did. We read the message with great satisfaction to them. It was a great pleasure both to them and us. The number of captains and counsellors were sixteen. In the evening messengers arrived from _fort Duquesne_, with a string of wampum from the commander; upon which they all came together in the house where we lodged. The messengers delivered their string, with these words from their father, the _French_ King:

“My children, come to me, and hear what I have to say. The _English_ are coming with an army to destroy both you and me. I therefore desire you immediately, my children, to hasten with all the young men; we will drive the _English_ and destroy them. I, as a father, will tell you always what is best.” He laid the string before one of the captains. After a little conversation, the captain stood up and said; “I have just heard something of our brethren the _English_, which pleaseth me much better. I will not go. Give it to the others, may be they will go.” The messenger took up again the string and said, “He won’t go, he has heard of the _English_.”[98] Then all cried out, “yes, yes, we have heard from the _English_.” He then threw the string to the other fire place, where the other captains were; but they kicked it from one to another, as if it was a snake. Captain _Peter_ took a stick, and with it flung the string from one end of the room to the other,[99] and said, “Give it to the _French_ captain, and let him go with his young men; he boasted much of his fighting; now let us see his fighting. We have often ventured our lives for him; and had hardly a loaf of bread, when we came to him; and now he thinks we should jump to serve him.” Then we saw the _French_ captain mortified to the uttermost; he looked as pale as death. The Indians discoursed and joked till midnight; and the _French_ captain sent messengers at midnight to _fort Duquesne_.

21st.—We were informed that the general was within twenty miles of _fort Duquesne_. As the _Indians_ were afraid the _English_ would come over the river _Ohio_, I spoke with some of the captains, and told them that, “I supposed the general intended to surround the _French_, and therefore must come to this side the river; but we assure you that he will not come to your towns to hurt you.” I begged them to let the _Shawanese_ at _Logstown_, know it, and gave them four strings of 300 wampum, with this message; “Brethren, we are arrived with good news, waiting for you; we desire you to be strong, and remember the ancient friendship your grandfathers had with the _English_. We wish you would remember it, and pity your young men, women and children, and keep away from the _French_; and if the _English_ should come to surround the _French_, be not afraid. We assure you they won’t hurt you.”

22d.—_Kittiuskund_ came home, and sent for us, being very glad to see us. He informed us, the general was within fifteen miles of the _French fort_; that the _French_ had uncovered their houses, and laid the roofs round the fort to set it on fire, and made ready to go off, and would demolish the fort, and let the _English_ have the bare ground; saying; “they are not able to build a strong fort this winter; and we will be early enough in the spring to destroy them. We will come with seventeen nations of _Indians_, and a great many _French_, and build a stone fort.”

The Indians danced round the fire till midnight, for joy of their brethren, the _English_, coming. There went some scouting parties towards the army. Some of the captains told me, that _Shamokin Daniel_, who came with me in my former journey, had fairly sold me to the _French_; and the _French_ had been very much displeased that the _Indians_ had brought me away.

23d.—The _liar_ raised a story, as if the _English_ were divided into three bodies, to come on this side the river. They told us the _Cayugas_, that came with us, had said so. We told the _Cayugas_ of it; on which they called the other _Indians_ together; denied that they ever said so; and said, they were sent to this place from the _Five Nations_, to tell them to do their best endeavors to send the _French_ off from this country; and when that was done they would go and tell the general to go back over the mountains.

I see the _Indians_ concern themselves very much about the affair of land; and are continually jealous, and afraid the _English_ will take their land. I told them to be still and content themselves, “for there are some chiefs of the _Five Nations_ with the army; they will settle the affair, as they are the chief owners of the land; and it will be well for you to come and speak with the general yourselves.”

_Isaac Still_ asked the _French_ captain, whether it was true, that _Daniel_ had sold me to the _French_? He owned it, and said, I was theirs, they had bought me fairly; and, if the _Indians_ would give them leave, he would take me.

24th.—We hanged out the _English_ flag, in spite of the _French_; on which our prisoners folded their hands, in hopes that their redemption was nigh, looking up to God, which melted my heart in tears, and prayers to God, to hear their prayers, and change the times, and the situation, which our prisoners are in, and under which they groan. “O Lord, said they, when will our redemption come, that we shall be delivered, and return home?”—And if any accident happeneth, which the _Indians_ dislike, the prisoners all tremble with fear, saying, “Lord, what will become of us, and what will be the end of our lives?” So that they often wish themselves rather under the ground, than in this life. King Beaver came home, and called us to his house, and saluted us in a friendly manner; which we, in like manner, did to him. Afterwards I spoke by four strings of 350 wampum, and said, as followeth:

“I have a salutation to you, and all your people, from the general, the governor, and many other gentlemen. Brother, it pleases me that the day is come to see you and your people. We have warmed ourselves by your fire, and waited for you, and thank you, that you did come home. We have good news of great importance; which we hope will make you, and all your people’s hearts glad. By these strings I desire you would be pleased to call all your kings and captains, from all the towns and nations; so that they all may hear us, and have the benefit thereof, while they live, and their children after them.”

Then he said, “As soon as I heard of your coming, I rose up directly to come to you.” Then there came another message, which called me to another place, where six kings of six nations were met together. I sent them word, they should sit together a while, and smoke their pipes, and I would come to them. King Beaver said further,

“Brother, it pleaseth me to hear that you brought such good news; and my heart rejoices already at what you said to me. It rejoices me that I have now heard of you.” I said, “Brother, you did well, that you first came here, before you went to the kings; as the good news we brought is to all nations, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same; that want to be in peace and friendship with the _English_. So it will give them satisfaction, when they hear it.” The _French_ captain told us, that they would demolish the fort; and he thought the _English_ would be to-day at the place.

25th.—_Shingas_ came home, and saluted us in a friendly manner, and so did _Beaver_, in our house; and then they told us, they would hear our message; and we perceived that the _French_ captain had an inclination to hear it. We called _Beaver_ and _Shingas_, and informed them, that all the nations, at _Easton_, had agreed with the governor, that every thing should be kept secret from the ears and eyes of the _French_. He said, “it was no matter, they were beaten already. It is good news, and if he would say any thing, we would tell him what friendship we have together.” Accordingly they met together, and the _French_ captain was present. The number consisted of about fifty.

King _Beaver_ first spoke to his men, “Hearken, all you captains and warriors, here are our brethren, the _English_; I wish that you may give attention, and take notice of what they say. As it is for our good, that there may an everlasting peace be established, although there is a great deal of mischief done, if it pleaseth God to help us, we may live in peace again.”

Then I began to speak by four strings to them, and said,

“Brethren, being come here to see you, I perceive your bodies are all stained with blood, and observe tears and sorrows in your eyes: With this string I clean your body from blood, and wipe and anoint your eyes with the healing oil, so that you may see your brethren clearly. And as so many storms have blown since we last saw one another, and we are at such a distance from you, that you could not rightly hear us as yet, I, by this string, take a soft feather, and with that good oil, our grandfathers used, open and clear your ears, so that you may both hear and understand what your brethren have to say to you. And by these strings I clear your throat from the dust, and take all the bitterness out of your heart, and clear the passage from the heart to the throat, that you may speak freely with your brethren, the _English_, from the heart.”

Then _Isaac Still_ gave the pipe, sent by the _Friends_,[100] filled with tobacco, and handed round, after their custom, and said:

“Brethren, here is the pipe, which your grandfathers used to smoke with, when they met together in councils of peace. And here is some of that good tobacco, prepared for our grandfathers from God:—When you shall taste of it, you shall feel it through all your body; and it will put you in remembrance of the good councils, your grandfathers used to hold with the _English_, your brethren, and that ancient friendship, they had together.”

King _Beaver_ rose, and thanked us first, that we had cleared his body from the blood, and wiped the tears and sorrow from his eyes, and opened his ears, so that now he could well hear and understand. Likewise he returned thanks for the _pipe and tobacco_, that we brought, which our grandfathers used to smoke. He said,—“When I tasted that good tobacco, I felt it all through my body, and it made me all over well.”

Then we delivered the messages, as followeth:

Governor _Denny’s_ answer to the message of the _Ohio Indians_, brought by _Frederick Post_, _Pesquitomen_ and _Thomas Hickman_.

“By this string, my _Indian_ brethren of the United Nations and _Delawares_, join with me, in requiring of the _Indian_ councils, to which these following messages shall be presented, to keep every thing private from the eyes and ears of the _French_.” A string.

“Brethren, we received your message by _Pesquitomen_ and _Frederick Post_, and thank you for the care you have taken of our messenger of peace, and that you have put him in your bosom, and protected him against our enemy, _Onontio_, and his children, and sent him safe back to our council fire, by the same man, that received him from us.” A string.

“Brethren, I only sent _Post_ to peep into your cabbins, and to know the sentiments of your old men, and to look at your faces, to see how you look. And I am glad to hear from him, that you look friendly; and that there still remain some sparks of love towards us. It was what we believed before hand, and therefore we never let slip the chain of friendship, but held it fast, on our side, and it has never dropt out of our hands. By this belt we desire that you will dig up your end of the chain of friendship, that you suffered, by the subtlety of the _French_, to be buried.” A belt.

“Brethren, it happened that the governor of _Jersey_ was with me, and a great many _Indian_ brethren, sitting in council at _Easton_, when your messengers arrived; and it gave pleasure to every one that heard it; and it will afford the same satisfaction to our neighboring governors, and their people, when they come to hear it. I shall send messengers to them, and acquaint them with what you have said.

“Your requesting us to let the king of _England_ know your good dispositions we took to heart, and shall let him know it; and we will speak in your favor to his majesty, who has, for some time past, looked upon you as his lost children. And we can assure you, that, as a tender father over all his children, he will forgive what is past, and receive you again into his arms.” A belt.

“Brethren, if you are in earnest to be reconciled to us, you will keep your young men from attacking our country and killing and carrying captive our back inhabitants; And will likewise give orders, that your people may be kept at a distance from _Fort Duquesne_; that they may not be hurt by our warriors, who are sent by our king to chastise the _French_, and not to hurt you. Consider the commanding officer of that army treads heavy, and would be very sorry to hurt any of his _Indian_ brethren.” A large belt.

“And brethren, the chiefs of the _United Nations_, with their cousins, our brethren, the _Delawares_, and others now here, jointly with me send this belt, which has upon it two figures, that represent all the _English_, and all the _Indians_, now present, taking hands, and delivering it to _Pesquitomen_: and we desire it may be likewise sent to the _Indians_, who are named at the end of these messages;[101] as they have all been formerly our very good friends and allies; and we desire they will all go from among the _French_ to their own towns, and no longer help the _French_.

“_Brethren on the Ohio_, if you take the belts we just now gave you, in which all here join, _English_ and _Indians_, as we do not doubt you will; then, by this belt, I make a road for you, and invite you to come to _Philadelphia_, to your first old council fire, which was kindled when we first saw one another; which fire we will kindle up again, and remove all disputes, and renew the old and first treaties of friendship. This is a clear and open road for you; fear, therefore, nothing, and come to us with as many as can be of the _Delawares_, _Shawanese_, or of the _Six Nations_: We will be glad to see you; we desire all tribes and nations of _Indians_, who are in alliance with you, may come. As soon as we hear of your coming, of which you will give us timely notice, we will lay up provisions for you along the road.”

A large white belt, with the figure of a man, at each end, and streaks of black, representing the road from the _Ohio_ to _Philadelphia_.

“Brethren, the _Six Nation_ and _Delaware_ chiefs join with me in those belts, which are tied together, to signify our union and friendship for each other; with them we jointly take the _tomahawks_ out of your hands, and bury them under ground.

“We speak aloud, so as you may hear us; you see we all stand together, joined hand in hand.” Two belts tied together.

“General _Forbes_ to the _Shawanese_, and _Delawares_, on the _Ohio_.

“Brethren, I embrace this opportunity by our brother, _Pesquitomen_, who is now on his return home with some of your uncles, of the _Six Nations_, from the treaty of _Easton_, of giving you joy of the happy conclusion of that great council, which is perfectly agreeable to me; as it is for the mutual advantage of our brethren, the _Indians_, as well as the _English_ nation.

“I am glad to find that all past disputes and animosities are now finally settled, and amicably adjusted; and I hope they will be for ever buried in oblivion, and that you will now again be firmly united in the interest of your brethren, the _English_.”

“As I am now advancing, at the head of a large army, against his majesty’s enemies, the _French_, on the _Ohio_, I must strongly recommend to you to send immediate notice to any of your people, who may be at the _French_ fort, to return forthwith to your towns; where you may sit by your fires, with your wives and children, quiet and undisturbed, and smoke your pipes in safety. Let the _French_ fight their own battles, as they were the first cause of the war, and the occasion of the long difference, which hath subsisted between you and your brethren, the _English_; but I must entreat you to restrain your young men from crossing the _Ohio_, as it will be impossible for me to distinguish them from our enemies; which I expect you will comply with, without delay; lest, by your neglect thereof, I should be the innocent cause of some of our brethren’s death. This advice take and keep in your own breasts, and suffer it not to reach the ears of the _French_.

“As a proof of the truth and sincerity of what I say, and to confirm the tender regard I have for the lives and welfare of our brethren, on the _Ohio_, I send you this string of wampum.

“I am, brethren and warriors,

“Your friend and brother,

“JOHN FORBES.”

“Brethren, kings _Beaver_ and _Shingas_, and all the warriors, who join with you:

“The many acts of hostility, committed by the _French_ against the _British_ subjects, made it necessary for the king to take up arms, in their defence, and to redress their wrongs, which have been done them; heaven hath favoured the justice of the cause, and given success to his fleets and armies, in different parts of the world. I have received his commands, with regard to what is to be done on the _Ohio_, and shall endeavour to act like a soldier by driving the _French_ from thence, or destroying them.

“It is a particular pleasure to me to learn, that the _Indians_, who inhabit near that river, have lately concluded a treaty of peace with the _English_; by which the ancient friendship is renewed with their brethren, and fixed on a firmer foundation than ever. May it be lasting and unmoveable as the mountains. I make no doubt but it gives you equal satisfaction, and that you will unite your endeavours with mine, and all the governors of these provinces, to strengthen it: The clouds, that, for some time, hung over the _English_, and their friends, the _Indians_ on the _Ohio_, and kept them both in darkness, are now dispersed, and the chearful light now again shines upon us, and warms us both. May it continue to do so, while the sun and moon give light.

“Your people, who were sent to us, were received by us with open arms; they were kindly entertained, while they were here; and I have taken care that they shall return safe to you; with them come trusty messengers, whom I earnestly recommend to your protection; they have several matters in charge; and I desire you may give credit to what they say; in particular, they have a large belt of wampum, and by this belt we let you know, that it is agreed by me, and all the governors, that there shall be an everlasting peace with all the _Indians_, established as sure as the mountains, between the _English_ nation and the _Indians_, all over, from the sun rising to the sun setting; and as your influence on them is great, so you will make it known to all the different nations, that want to be in friendship with the _English_; and I hope, by your means and persuasions, many will lay hold on this belt, and immediately withdraw from the _French_; this will be greatly to their own interest and your honor, and I shall not fail to acquaint the great king of it: I sincerely wish it, for their good; for it will fill me with concern, to find any of you joined with the _French_; as in that case, you must be sensible I must treat them as enemies; however, I once more repeat, that there is no time to be lost; for I intend to march with the army very soon; and I hope to enjoy the pleasure of thanking you for your zeal, and of entertaining you in the fort ere long. In the mean time I wish happiness and prosperity to you, your women and children.

“I write to you as a warrior should, that is, with candour and love, and I recommend secrecy and dispatch.

“I am, kings _Beaver_ and _Shingas_,
”And brother warriors,
“Your assured friend and brother,

“JOHN FORBES.”

“From my camp at LOYALHANNON, Nov. 9, 1758.”

The messages pleased, and gave satisfaction to all the hearers, except the _French_ captain. He shook his head with bitter grief, and often changed his countenance. _Isaac Still_ ran down the _French_ captain with great boldness, and pointed at him saying, “There he sits.” Afterwards _Shingas_ rose up and said:

“Brethren, now we have rightly heard and understood you, it pleaseth me and all the young men, that hear it; we shall think of it, and take it into due consideration; and when we have considered it well, then we will give you an answer, and send it to all the towns and nations, as you desired us.”

We thanked them and wished them good success in their undertaking; and wished it might have the same effect upon all other nations, that may hereafter hear it, as it had on them. We went a little out of the house. In the mean time _Isaac Still_ demanded the letter, which the _French_ had falsely interpreted, that it might be read in public. Then they called us back, and I, _Frederick Post_, found it was my own letter, I had wrote to the general. I therefore stood up, and read it, which Isaac interpreted. The _Indians_ were well pleased, and took it as if it was written to them; thereupon they all said: “We always thought the _French_ report of the letter was a lie; they always deceived us:” Pointing at the _French_ captain; who, bowing down his head, turned quite pale, and could look no one in the face. All the _Indians_ began to mock and laugh at him; he could hold it no longer, and went out. Then the _Cayuga_ chief delivered a string, in the name of the _Six Nations_, with these words:

“Cousins, hear what I have to say; I see you are sorry, and the tears stand in your eyes. I would open your ears, and clear your eyes from tears, so that you may see, and hear what your uncles, the _Six Nations_, have to say. We have established a friendship with your brethren, the _English_. We see that you are all over bloody, on your body; I clean the heart from the dust, and your eyes from the tears, and your bodies from the blood, that you may hear and see your brethren, the _English_, and appear clean before them, and that you may speak from the heart with them.” Delivered four strings.

Then he shewed to them a string from the _Cherokees_, with these words:

“Nephews, we let you know, that we are exceedingly glad that there is such a firm friendship established, on so good a foundation, with so many nations, that it will last for ever; and, as the _Six Nations_ have agreed with the _English_, so we wish that you may lay hold of the same friendship. We will remind you, that we were formerly good friends. Likewise we let you know, that the _Six Nations_ gave us a _tomahawk_, and, if any body offended us, we should strike him with it; likewise they gave me a knife, to take off the scalp. So we let you know, that we are desirous to hear very soon from you, what you determine. It may be we shall use the hatchet very soon, therefore I long to hear from you.”

Then the council broke up. After a little while messengers arrived, and _Beaver_ came into our house, and gave us the pleasure to hear, that the _English_ had the field, and that the _French_ had demolished and burnt the place entirely, and went off; that the commander is gone with two hundred men to _Venango_, and the rest gone down the river in battoes, to the lower _Shawanese_ town, with an intention to build a fort there; they were seen yesterday passing by _Sawcung_.

We ended this day with pleasure and great satisfaction on both sides: the _Cayuga_ chief said, he would speak further to them tomorrow.

26th.—We met together about ten o’clock. First, King _Beaver_ addressed himself to the _Cayuga_ chief, and said;

“My uncles, as it is customary to answer one another, so I thank you, that you took so much notice of your cousins, and that you have wiped the tears from our eyes, and cleaned our bodies from the blood; when you spoke to me I saw myself all over bloody; and since you cleaned me I feel myself quite pleasant through my whole body, and I can see the sun shine clear over us.” Delivered four strings.

He said further, “As you took so much pains, and came a great way through the bushes, I, by this string, clean you from the sweat, and clean the dust out of your throat, so that you may speak what you have to say from your brethren, the _English_, and our uncles, the _Six Nations_, to your cousins, I am ready to hear.”

Then _Petiniontonka_, the _Cayuga_ chief, took the belt with eight diamonds,[102] and said;

“Cousins, take notice of what I have to say; we let you know what agreement we have made with our brethren, the _English_. We had almost slipt and dropt the chain of friendship with our brethren, the _English_; now we let you know that we have renewed the peace and friendship with our brethren, the _English_; and we have made a new agreement with them. We see that you have dropt the peace and friendship with them. We desire you would lay hold of the covenant, we have made with our brethren, the _English_, and be strong. We likewise take the _tomahawk_ out of your hands, that you received from the white people; use it no longer; fling the _tomahawk_ away; it is the white people’s; let them use it among themselves; it is theirs, and they are of one colour; let them fight with one another, and do you be still and quiet in _Kushkushking_. Let our grandchildren, the _Shawanese_, likewise know of the covenant, we established with our friends, the English, and also let all other nations know it.”

Then he explained to them the eight diamonds, on the belt, signifying the five united nations, and the three younger nations, which join them; these all united with the _English_. Then he proceeded thus:

“Brethren,” (delivering a belt with eight diamonds, the second belt) “we hear that you did not sit right; and when I came I found you in a moving posture, ready to jump towards the sunset; so we will set you at ease, and quietly down, that you may sit well at _Kushkushking_; and we desire you to be strong; and if you will be strong, your women and children will see from day to day the light shining more over them; and our children and grand children will see that there will be an everlasting peace established. We desire you to be still; we do not know as yet, what to do; towards the spring you shall hear from your uncles what they conclude; in the mean time do you sit still by your fire at _Kushkushking_.”

In the evening the devil made a general disturbance, to hinder them in their good disposition. It was reported that they saw three _Catawba Indians_ in their town; and they roved about all that cold night, in great fear and confusion. When I consider with what tyranny and power the prince of this world rules over this people, it breaks my heart over them, and that their redemption may draw nigh, and open their eyes, that they may see what bondage they are in, and deliver them from the evil.

27th.—We waited all the day for an answer. _Beaver_ came and told us, “They were busy all the day long.” He said, “It is a great matter, and wants much consideration. We are three tribes, which must separately agree among ourselves; it takes time before we hear each agreement, and the particulars thereof.” He desired us to read our message once more to them in private; we told them, we were at their service at any time; and then we explained him the whole again. There arrived a messenger from _Sawcung_, and informed us that four of their people were gone to our camp, to see what the _English_ were about; and that one of them climbing upon a tree was discovered by falling down; and then our people spoke to them; three resolved to go to the other side, and one came back and brought the news, which pleased the company. Some of the captains and counsellors were together; they said, that the _French_ would build a strong fort, at the lower _Shawanese_ town. I answered them, “Brethren, if you suffer the French to build a fort there, you must suffer likewise the _English_ to come and destroy the place; _English_ will follow the _French_, and pursue them, let it cost whatever it will; and wherever the _French_ settle, the _English_ will follow and destroy them.”

They said, “We think the same, and would endeavour to prevent it, if the _English_ only would go back, after having drove away the _French_, and not settle there.” I said, “I can tell you no certainty in this affair; it is best for you to go with us to the general, and speak with him. So much I know, that they only want to establish a trade with you; and you know yourselves that you cannot do without being supplied with such goods as you stand in need of; but, brethren, be assured you must entirely quit the _French_, and have no communication with them, else they will always breed disturbance and confusion amongst you, and persuade your young people to go to war against our brethren, the _English_.”

I spoke with them further about _Venango_, and said, I believed the _English_ would go there, if they suffered the _French_ longer to live there. This speech had much influence on them, and they said; “We are convinced of all that you have said; it will be so.” I found them inclined to send off the _French_ from _Venango_; but they wanted first to know the disposition of the _English_, and not to suffer the _French_ to build any where.

28th.—King _Beaver_ arose early before the break of day, and bid all his people a good morning, desired them to rise early and prepare victuals; for they had to answer their brethren, the _English_, and their uncles, and therefore they should be in a good humor and disposition. At ten o’clock they met together; _Beaver_ addressed himself to his people, and said,

“Take notice all you young men and warriors to what we answer now: it is three days since we heard our brethren, the _English_, and our uncles; and what we have heard of both, is very good; and we are all much pleased with what we have heard. Our uncles have made an agreement, and peace is established with our brethren, the _English_, and they have shook hands with them; and we likewise agree in the peace and friendship, they have established between them.” Then he spoke to the _French_ captain _Canaquais_, and said,