Chapter IV: Part I (2)

"The _Oneydoes_ particularly thank you, great _Sachem_ of
_Virginia_, for consenting to lay down the Axe. The Hatchet is
taken out of all their Hands. =Gives a Belt.=

"We again thank _Assarigoa_, that he has made a new Chain. Let
it be kept bright and clean, and held fast on all Sides; let not
any one pull his Arm from it. We include all the _four Nations_,
in giving this Belt.

"We again pray _Assarigoa_, to take the _Oneydoes_ into his
Favour, and keep the Chain strong with them; for they are our
Children. =Gives a Belt.=

"The _Oneydoes_ =give twenty Bevers=, as a Satisfaction for what
they promised the Lord _Baltimore_, and desire that they may be
discharged of that Debt."

The two Governors told them, that they would use their Endeavours with the Lord _Baltimore_, to persuade him to forgive what remained.

Then the _Indians_ desired that the Hole might be dug, to bury the Axes, _viz._ one in Behalf of _Virginia_ and their _Indians_, another in Behalf of _Maryland_ and theirs, and three for the _Onnondagas_, _Oneydoes_, and _Cayugas_. The _Mohawks_ said, there was no Need of burying any on their Account, for the first Chain had never been broke by them.

Then the three Nations spoke by an _Onnondaga_, called _Thanohjanihta_, who said:

"We thank the great _Sachem of Virginia_, that he has so readily
forgiven and forgot the Injuries that have been done; and we,
for our Parts, gladly catch at, and lay hold of the new Chain.
Then each of them delivered an Axe to be buried, and =gave a
Belt=.

"I speak in the Name of all three Nations, and include them in
this Chain, which we desire may be kept clean and bright like
Silver. =Gives a Belt.=

"We desire that the Path may be open for the _Indians_ under
_Assarigoa_'s Protection, to come safely and freely to this
Place, in order to confirm the Peace." =Gives six Fathom of
Wampum.=

Then the Axes were buried in the south-east End of the Court-yard, and the _Indians_ threw the Earth upon them; after which the Lord _Howard_ told them, since now a firm Peace is concluded, we shall hereafter remain Friends, and _Virginia_ and _Maryland_ will send once in two or three Years to renew it, and some of our _Sachems_ shall come, according to your Desire, to confirm it.

Last of all the _Oneydoes_, the _Onnondagas_, and _Cayugas_, jointly sang the Peace-song, with Demonstrations of much Joy; and thanked the Governor of _New-York_ for his effectual Mediation with the Governor of _Virginia_ in their Favour.

Colonel _Dungan_ had gained the Affections of the _Five Nations_, and they esteemed him much.

They desired the _Duke of York_'s Arms to put upon their _Castles_, which, from the Sequel of their Story, we may suppose they were told would save them from the _French_. Colonel _Dungan_ desired them to call Home those of their Nations that had settled in _Canada_[14]. To which they answered, _Corlear_ keeps a Correspondence and Friendship with _Canada_, and therefore he can prevail more than we can. Let _Corlear_ use his Endeavours to draw our _Indians_ Home to their own Country.

The Government of the _Massachusets Bay_ had appointed Colonel _Stephanus Cortland_, one of the Council of _New-York_, their Agent at this Time, to renew their Friendship likewise with the _Five Nations_, and to give them some small Presents; which was accordingly done.

The Governor of _New-York_, Colonel _Dungan_, concluded with this Advice to them: Keep a good Understanding among yourselves; if any Difference happen, acquaint me with it, and I will compose it. Make no Agreement with the _French_, or any other Nation, without my Knowledge and Approbation. Then he gave the Duke's Arms to be put up at each of their Castles, in Hopes it might deter the _French_ from attacking them, (as they were threatened from _Canada_) by this so manifest a Declaration of their being under the Protection of the Crown of _England_, when the two Crowns were in the strictest Friendship; but it is probable the _French_ chose this very Time to attack them, to bring them off from that Confidence they seemed to have in the _English_.

It may be proper, before I proceed, to insert here also a remarkable Speech made by the _Onnondagas_ and _Cayugas_ to the two Governors, on the second Day of _August_, _viz._

"_Brother_ Corlear,

"Your _Sachem_ is a great _Sachem_, and we are but a small
People; but when the _English_ came first to _Manhatan_,[15] to
_Aragiske_[16] and to _Yakokranagary_[17], they were then but a
small People, and we were great. Then, because we found you a
good People, we treated you kindly, and gave you Land; we hope
therefore, now that you are great, and we small, you will
protect us from the _French_. If you do not, we shall lose all
our Hunting and Bevers: The _French_ will get all the Bevers.
The Reason they are now angry with us is, because we carry our
Bever to our Brethren.

"We have put our Lands and ourselves under the Protection of the
great _Duke of York_, the Brother of your great _Sachem_, who is
likewise a great _Sachem_.

"We have annexed the _Susquehana_ River, which we won with the
Sword, to this Government; and we desire it may be a Branch of
the great Tree that grows in this Place, the Top of which
reaches the Sun, and its Branches shelter us from the _French_,
and all other Nations. Our Fire burns in your Houses, and your
Fire burns with us; we desire it may be so always. But we will
not that any of the great _Penn_'s People settle upon the
_Susquehana_ River, for we have no other Land to leave to our
Children.

"Our young Men are Soldiers, and when they are provoked, they
are like Wolves in the Woods, as you, _Sachem_ of _Virginia_,
very well know.

"We have put ourselves under the great _Sachem Charles_, that
lives on the other Side the great Lake. We =give you these two
white dressed Deer-skins=, to send to the great _Sachem_, that he
may write on them, and put a great red Seal to them, to confirm
what we now do; and put the _Susquehana_ River above the Falls,
and all the rest of our Land under the great _Duke of York_, and
give that Land to none else. Our Brethren, his People, have been
like Fathers to our Wives and Children, and have given us Bread
when we were in Need of it; we will not therefore join
ourselves, or our Land, to any other Government but this. We
desire _Corlear_, our Governor, may send this our Proposition to
the great _Sachem Charles_, who dwells on the other Side the
great Lake, with this =Belt of Wampum=, and this other =smaller
Belt= to the _Duke of York_ his Brother: And =we give you,
_Corlear_, this Bever=, that you may send over this Proposition.

"You great Man of _Virginia_, we let you know, that great _Penn_
did speak to us here in _Corlear_'s House by his Agents, and
desired to buy the _Susquehana_ River of us, but we would not
hearken to him, for we had fastened it to this Government.

"We desire you therefore to bear witness of what we now do, and
that we now confirm what we have done before. Let your Friend,
that lives on the other Side the great Lake, know this, that we
being a free People, though united to the _English_, may give
our Lands, and be joined to the _Sachem_ we like best. We =give
this Bever= to remember what we say."

The _Senekas_ arrived soon after, and, on the fifth of _August_, spoke to the Lord _Howard_ in the following Manner:

"We have heard and understood what Mischief hath been done in
_Virginia_; we have it as perfect as if it were upon our Fingers
Ends. O _Corlear_! we thank you for having been our Intercessor,
so that the Axe has not fallen upon us.

"And you _Assarigoa_, great _Sachem of Virginia_, we thank you
for burying all Evil in the Pit. We are informed, that the
_Mohawks_, _Oneydoes_, _Onnondagas_, and _Cayugas_, have buried
the Axe already; now we that live remotest off, are come to do
the same, and to include in this Chain the _Cahnawaas_, your
Friends. We desire therefore, that an Axe, on our Part, may be
buried with one of _Assarigoa_'s. O _Corlear! Corlear!_ we thank
you for laying hold of one End of the Axe; and we thank you,
great Governor of _Virginia_, not only for throwing aside the
Axe, but more especially for your putting all Evil from your
Heart. Now we have a new Chain, a strong and a straight Chain,
that cannot be broken. The Tree of Peace is planted so firmly,
that it cannot be moved, let us on both Sides hold the Chain
fast.

"We understand what you said of the great _Sachem_, that lives
on the other Side the great Water.

"You tell us, that the _Cahnawaas_ will come hither, to
strengthen the Chain. Let them not make any Excuse, that they
are old and feeble, or that their Feet are sore. If the old
_Sachems_ cannot, let the young Men come. We shall not fail to
come hither, tho' we live farthest off, and then the new Chain
will be stronger and brighter.

"We understand, that because of the Mischief that has been done
to the People and Castles of _Virginia_ and _Maryland_, we must
not come near the Heads of your Rivers, nor near your
Plantations, but keep at the Foot of the Mountains; for tho' we
lay down our Arms, as Friends, we shall not be trusted for the
future, but looked on as Robbers. We agree however to this
Proposition, and shall wholly stay away from _Virginia_: And
this we do in Gratitude to _Corlear_, who has been at so great
Pains to persuade you, great Governor of _Virginia_, to forget
what is past. You are wise in giving Ear to _Corlear_'s good
Advice, for we shall now go a Path which was never trod before.

"We have now done speaking to _Corlear_, and the Governor of
_Virginia_; let the Chain be for ever kept clean and bright by
him, and we shall do the same.

"The other Nations from the _Mohawks_ Country to the _Cayugas_,
have delivered up the _Susquehana_ River, and all that Country,
to _Corlear_'s Government. We confirm what they have done by
=giving this Belt=."

Coll. _Bird_, one of the Council of _Virginia_, and _Edmond Jennings Esq_; Attorney General of that Province, came with four _Indian Sachems_, (according to the Lord _Howard_'s Promise) to renew and confirm the Peace, and met the _Five Nations_ at _Albany_ in _September_ 1685.

Coll. _Bird_ accused them of having again broke their Promise, by taking an _Indian_ Girl from an _English_ Man's House, and four _Indian_ Boys Prisoners.

They excused this, by its being done by the Parties that were out when the Peace was concluded, who knew nothing of it; which Accident they had provided against in their Articles. They said, the four Boys were given to the Relations of those Men that were lost; and it would be difficult to obtain their Restoration: But they at last promised to deliver them up.

The _Senakas_ and _Mohawks_ declared themselves free of any Blame, and chid the other Nations.

So that we may still observe the Influence which the _French_ Priests had obtained over those other Nations, and to what Christian like Purpose they used it.

The _Mohawks_ Speaker said, "Where shall I seek the Chain of Peace? Where shall I find it but upon our Path[18]? And whither doth our Path lead us, but into this House? This is a House of Peace;" after this he sang all the Links of the Chain over. He afterwards sang by Way of Admonition to the _Onondagas_, _Oneydoes_, and _Cayugas_, and concluded all with a Song to the _Virginia Indians_.

The _French Priests_ however still employed their Influence over the _Onnondagas_, _Cayugas_, and _Oneydoes_; and it was easy for them to spirit up the _Indians_ (naturally revengeful) against their old Enemies. A Party of the _Oneydoes_ went out two Years after this against the _Wayanoak Indians_, Friends of _Virginia_, and killed some of the People of _Virginia_, who assisted those _Indians_. They took six Prisoners, but restored them at _Albany_, with an Excuse, that they did not know they were Friends of _Virginia_. But Coll. _Dungan_ on this Occasion told them, That he only had kept all the _English_ in _North-America_ from joining together to destroy them; that if ever he should hear of the like Complaint, he would dig up the Hatchet, and join with the rest of the _English_ to cut them off Root and Branch; for there were many Complaints made of him to the King by the _English_, as well as by the Governor of _Canada_, for his favouring of them.

We have now gone through the material Transactions which the _Five Nations_ had with the _English_, in which we find the _English_ pursuing nothing but peaceable and Christian-like Measures; and the _Five Nations_ (tho' Barbarians) living with the People of _New-York_, like good Neighbours and faithful Friends, and generally with all the _English_ also, except when they were influenced by the _Jesuites_; at the same Time, one cannot but admire the Zeal, Courage, and Resolution of these Jesuites, that would adventure to live among _Indians_ at War with their Nation; and the better to carry their Purposes, to comply with all the Humours and Manners of such a wild People, so as not to be distinguished by Strangers from meer _Indians_. One of them, named _Milet_, remained with the _Oneydoes_ till after the Year 1694; he was advanced to the Degree of a _Sachem_, and had so great an Influence over them, that the other Nations could not prevail with them to part with him. While he lived with them, the _Oneydoes_ were frequently turned against the Southern _Indians_ (Friends of the _English_ southern Colonies) and were always wavering in their Resolutions against the _French_ at _Canada_.

We shall now see what Effect the Policy of the _French_ had, who pursued very different Measures from the _English_.

CHAP. IV.

_Mr_. De la Barre'_s Expedition, and some remarkable Transactions in_ 1684.

The _French_, in the Time they were at Peace with the _Five Nations_, built their Forts at _Taidonderaghi_ and _Missilimakinak_, and made a Settlement there. They carried on their Commerce among the numerous Nations that live on the Banks of the great Lakes, and the Banks of the _Mississipi_; they not only prosecuted their Trade among these Nations, but did all they could to secure their Obedience, and to make them absolutely subject to the Crown of _France_, by building Forts at the considerable Passes, and placing small Garisons in them. They took in short all the Precautions in their Power, not only to restrain the _Indians_ by Force, but likewise to gain their Affections, by sending _Missionaries_ among them. The only Obstruction they met with was from the _Five Nations_, who introduced the _English_ of _New-York_ into the Lakes to trade with the _Indians_ that lived round them. This gave the _French_ much Uneasiness, because they foresaw, that the _English_ would not only prove dangerous Rivals, but that the Advantages which they had in Trade, beyond what it was possible for the Inhabitants of _Canada_ to have, would enable the People of _New-York_ so far to undersel them, that their Trade would soon be ruined, and all the Interest lost which they had gained with so much Labour and Expence. The _Five Nations_ likewise continued in War with many of the Nations, with the _Chictaghicks_ particularly, who yielded the most profitable Trade to the _French_; and as often as they discovered any of the _French_ carrying Ammunition towards these Nations, they fell upon them, and took all their Powder, Lead and Arms from them. This made the _French_ Traders afraid of travelling, and prevented their _Indians_ from hunting, and also lessened the Opinion they had of the _French_ Power, when they found that the _French_ were not able to protect them against the Insults of the _Five Nations_.

The _Senakas_ lie next to the Lakes, and nearest to the Nations with whom the _French_ carried on the greatest Trade, these People were so averse to that Nation, that they would never receive any Priests among them, and of Consequence were most firmly attach'd to the _English_ Interest, who supplied them with Arms and Powder (the Means to be revenged of their Enemies.) For these Reasons Mr. _De la Barre_ (Governor of _Canada_) sent a Messenger to Coll. _Dungan_, to complain of the Injuries the _Senakas_ had done to the _French_, and to shew the Necessity he was under to bring the _Five Nations_ to Reason by Force of Arms. This Messenger happening to arrive at the Time the _Indians_ met the Lord _Howard_ at _Albany_, Coll. _Dungan_ told the _Senakas_ the Complaints that the _French_ Governor made of them. To which they gave him the following Answer, in Presence of Mr. _De la Barre_'s Messenger, on the 5th of _August_ 1684.

"We were sent for, and are come, and have heard what you have
said to us, that _Corlear_ hath great Complaints of us, both
from _Virginia_ and _Canada_. What they complain of from
_Canada_ may possibly be true, that some of our young Men have
taken some of their Goods, but _Yonnendio_ the Governor of
_Canada_, is the Cause of it. He not only permits his People to
carry Ammunition, Guns, Powder, Lead, and Axes to the
_Tuihtuih-ronoons_[19] our Enemies, but sends them thither on
purpose. These Guns which he sends knock our Bever Hunters on
the Head, and our Enemies carry the Bevers to _Canada_ that we
would have brought to our Brethren. Our Bever Hunters are
Soldiers, and could bear this no longer. They met some _French_
in their Way to our Enemies, and very near them, carrying
Ammunition, which our Men took from them. This is agreeable to
our Customs in War; and we may therefore openly own it, tho' we
know not whether it be practised by the Christians in such like
Cases.

"When the Governor of _Canada_ speaks to us of the Chain, he
calls us Children, and saith, I am your Father, you must hold
fast the Chain, and I will do the same: I will protect you as a
Father doth his Children. Is this Protection, to speak thus with
his Lips, and at the same Time to knock us on the Head, by
assisting our Enemies with Ammunition?

"He always says, I am your Father, and you are my Children; and
yet he is angry with his Children, for taking these Goods.

"But, O _Corlear_! O _Assarigoa_! we must complain to you; you
_Corlear_ are a Lord, and govern this Country; is it just that
our Father is going to fight with us for these Things, or is it
well done? We rejoiced when _La Sal_ was sent over the great
Water; and when _Perot_ was removed, because they had furnished
our Enemies with Ammunition; but we are disappointed in our
Hopes, for we find our Enemies are still supplied. Is this well
done? Yea, he often forbids us to make War on any of the Nations
with whom he trades; and at the same Time furnishes them with
all Sorts of Ammunition, to enable them to destroy us.

"Thus far in Answer to the Complaint the Governor of _Canada_
hath made of us to _Corlear_. _Corlear_ said to us, that
Satisfaction must be made to the _French_ for the Mischief we
have done them. This he said before he heard our Answer. Now let
him that hath Inspection over all our Countries, on whom our
Eyes are fixed, let him, even _Corlear_, judge and determine. If
you say that it must be paid, we shall pay it, but we cannot
live without free Bever Hunting.

"_Corlear_, hear what we say, we thank you for the Duke's Arms,
which you have given us to be put in our Castles, as a Defence
to them. You command them. Have we wandered out of the Way, as
the Governor of _Canada_ says? We do not threaten him with War,
as he threatens us. What shall we do? Shall we run away, or
shall we sit still in our Houses? What shall we do? we speek to
him that governs and commands us.

"Now _Corlear_, and _Assarigoa_, and all People here present,
remember what we have answered to the Complaints of the Governor
of _Canada_; yea, we wish that what we here said may come to his
Ears." Then they =gave a Belt=.

Monsieur _De la Barre_ at this Time was gone, with all the Force of _Canada_, to _Cadarackui Fort_, and ordered the three Vessels to be repaired which the _French_ had built on _Cadarackui Lake_: His Design was to frighten the _Five Nations_ into his own Terms, by the Appearance of the _French_ Army, which consisted of 600 Soldiers of the regular Troops, 400 _Indians_, and 400 Men that carried Provisions, besides 300 Men that he left to secure _Cadarackui Fort_, and the western _Indians_, that he expected would join him. But while he was at this Fort, the Fatigue of travelling in the Month of _August_, together with the Unhealthiness of that Place (the Country thereabout being very marshy) where he tarried six Weeks, occasioned so great a Sickness in his Army, that he found himself unable to perform any Thing but by Treaty; and therefore sent Orders to Monsr. _Dulhut_, who was come from _Missilimakinak_ with 600 Men, _French_ and _Indians_, to stop. Monsr. _De la Barre_ passed across the Lake, with as many Men as were able to travel, and arrived at the River which the _French_ call _La Famine_, by the _Indians_ called _Kaihohage_, which falls into the South Side of _Cadarackui Lake_, about thirty Miles from _Onnondago_. There were two Villages of the _Five Nations_ on the North Side of the Lake, about fifteen Miles from the _French_ Fort, consisting of those _Indians_ that had the most Inclination to the _French_: They provided the _French_ Army with Provisions, while they remained at the Fort; but it is probable, sent an Account to their own Nations of every Thing that happened; and that this was the Reason of the Usage they afterwards met with from the _French_.

When Monsr. _De la Barre_ sent to Coll. _Dungan_, he was in Hopes, from the strict Alliance that was then between the Crowns of _England_ and _France_, and from Coll. _Dungan_'s being a Papist, that he would at least sit still till he had reduced the _Five Nations_. But none of these Reasons permitted that Gentleman to be easy, while the _French_ attempted such Things, as in their Consequences would be of the highest Degree prejudicial to the _English_ Interest, and might put all the _English_ Colonies in _America_ in Danger. Wherefore he dispatched the publick Interpreter, with Orders to do every Thing in his Power to prevent the _Five Nations_ going to treat with Monsr. _De la Barre_.

The Interpreter succeeded in his Design with the _Mohawks_, and with the _Senakas_, who promised that they would not go near the _French_ Governor: But he had not the like Success with the _Onnondagas, Oneydoes_, and _Cayugas_, who had received the _French_ Priests, for they would not hear the Interpreter, but in Presence of the _French_ Priests, and Monsr. _la Main_, and three other _Frenchmen_ that Monsr. _De la Barre_ had sent to persuade them to meet him at _Kaihohage_; they gave the following Answer to the Interpreter.

"_Arie_, you are _Corlear's Messenger_, _Ohquesse_[20] (Monsr.
_la Maine_) is the Governor of _Canada_'s; and there[21] sits
our Father; _Yonnondio_ acquainted us some Time ago, that he
would speak with us, before he would undertake any Thing against
the _Senakas_. Now he hath sent for all the Nations to speak
with him in Friendship, and that at a Place not far from
_Onnondaga_, even at _Kaihohage_. But our Brother _Corlear_
tells us, that we must not meet the Governor of _Canada_ without
his Permission; and that if _Yonnondio_ have any Thing to say to
us, he must first send to _Corlear_ for Leave to speak with us.
_Yonnondio_ has sent long ago to us to speak with him, and he
has lately repeated that Desire by _Onnissantie_ the Brother of
our Father _Twirhaersira_[22] that sits there; he has not only
entreated us by our Father, but by two praying _Indians_, one an
_Onnondaga_, the other the Son of an old _Mohawk Sachem_,
_Connondowe_. They brought five great Belts of Wampum, not a
Fathom or two only, as you bring. Now _Ohquesse_ has been sent
with three _Frenchmen_; _Yonnondio_ not being content with all
this, has likewise sent _Dennehoct_, and two other _Mohawks_, to
persuade us to meet him, and to speak with him of good Things.
Should we not go to him after all this Intreaty, when he is come
so far, and so near to us? Certainly if we do not, we shall
provoke his Wrath, and not deserve his Goodness. You say we are
Subjects to the King of _England_ and _Duke of York_, but we say
we are Brethren. We must take Care of ourselves. Those Arms
fixed upon the Posts, without the Gate, cannot defend us against
the Arms of _la Barre_. Brother _Corlear_, we tell you, that we
shall bind a Covenant Chain to our Arm, and to his, as thick as
that Post, (pointing to a Post of the House) be not
dissatisfied; should we not embrace this Happiness offered us,
_viz_. Peace, in the Place of War; yea, we shall take the Evil
Doers, the _Senekas_, by the Hand, and _la Barre_ likewise, and
their Ax and his Sword shall be thrown into a deep Water. We
wish our Brother _Corlear_ were present, but it seems the Time
will not permit of it."

Accordingly _Garangula_, one of the chief _Sachems_ of the _Onondaga's_, with thirty Warriors, went with Mr. _Le Maine_, to meet the Governor of _Canada_ at _Kaihohage_. After he had been two Days in the _French_ Camp, Monsr. _la Barre_ spoke to him as follows, (the _French_ Officers making a Semi-circle on one Side, while _Garangula_, with his Warriors, compleated the Circle on the other.)

_Monsr_. De la Barre's _Speech to_ Garangula.[23]

"The King, my Master, being informed that the _Five Nations_
have often infringed the Peace, has ordered me to come hither
with a Guard, and to send _Ohguesse_ to the _Onondagas_, to
bring the chief _Sachem_ to my Camp. The Intention of the great
King is, that you and I may smoke the _Calumet_[24] of Peace
together, but on this Condition, that you promise me, in the
Name of the _Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas_, and _Mohawks_, to
give intire Satisfaction and Reparation to his Subjects; and for
the future never to molest them.

"The _Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneydoes_, and _Mohawks_ have
robbed and abused all the Traders that were passing to the
_Illinois_ and _Umamies_, and other _Indian_ Nations, the
Children of my King. They have acted, on these Occasions,
contrary to the Treaty of Peace with my Predecessor. I am
ordered therefore to demand Satisfaction, and to tell them, that
in case of Refusal, or their plundering us any more, that I have
express Orders to declare War. This Belt confirms my Words. The
Warriors of the _Five Nations_ have conducted the _English_ into
the Lakes, which belong to the King, my Master, and brought the
_English_ among the Nations that are his Children, to destroy
the Trade of his Subjects, and to withdraw these Nations from
him. They have carried the _English_ thither, notwithstanding
the Prohibition of the late Governor of _New-York_, who foresaw
the Risque that both they and you would run. I am willing to
forget these Things, but if ever the like shall happen for the
future, I have express Orders to declare War against you. This
Belt confirms my Words. Your Warriors have made several
barbarous Incursions on the _Illinois_ and _Umamies_; they have
massacred Men, Women, and Children, and have made many of these
Nations Prisoners, who thought themselves safe in their Villages
in Time of Peace. These People, who are my King's Children, must
not be your Slaves; you must give them their Liberty, and send
them back into their own Country. If the _Five Nations_ shall
refuse to do this, I have express Orders to declare War against
them. This Belt confirms my Words.

"This is what I have to say to _Garangula_, that he may carry to
the _Senekas, Onondagas, Oneydoes, Cayugas_, and _Mohawks_ the
Declaration which the King, my Master, has commanded me to make.
He doth not wish them to force him to send a great Army to
_Cadarackui_ Fort, to begin a War which must be fatal to them.
He would be sorry that this Fort, that was the Work of Peace,
should become the Prison of your Warriors. We must endeavour, on
both Sides, to prevent such Misfortunes. The _French_, who are
the Brethren and Friends of the _Five Nations_, will never
trouble their Repose, provided that the Satisfaction which I
demand be given, and that the Treaties of Peace be hereafter
observed. I shall be extremely grieved if my Words do not
produce the Effect which I expect from them; for then I shall be
obliged to join with the Governor of _New-York_, who is
commanded by his Master to assist me, and burn the Castles of
the _Five Nations_, and destroy you. This Belt confirms my
Words."

_Garangala_ was very much surprised to find the soft Words of the _Jesuit_, and of the Governor's Messengers, turned to such threatening Language. This was designed to strike Terror into the _Indians_; but _Garangula_ having good Information from those of the _Five Nations_ living near _Cadarackui_ Fort, of all the Sickness and other Misfortunes which afflicted the _French_ Army, it was far from producing the designed Effect. All the Time that _Monsieur de la Barre_ spoke, _Garangula_ kept his Eyes fixed on the End of his Pipe; as soon as the Governor had done speaking, he rose up, and having walked five or six Times round the Circle, he returned to his Place, where he spoke standing, while _Monsieur de la Barre_ kept his Elbow-Chair.

Garangula's _Answer_.

"_Yonnondio_,

"I honour you, and the Warriors that are with me all likewise
honour you. Your Interpreter has finished your Speech; I now
begin mine. My Words make haste to reach your Ears, hearken to
them.

"_Yonnondio_, you must have believed, when you left _Quebeck_,
that the Sun had burnt up all the Forests which render our
Country inaccessible to the _French_, or that the Lakes had so
far overflown their Banks, that they had surrounded our Castles,
and that it was impossible for us to get out of them. Yes,
_Yonnondio_, surely you must have dreamt so, and the Curiosity
of seeing so great a Wonder has brought you so far. Now you are
undeceived, since that I and the Warriors here present are come
to assure you, that the _Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneydoes_,
and _Mohawks_ are yet alive. I thank you, in their Name, for
bringing back into their Country the _Calumet_, which your
Predecessor received from their Hands. It was happy for you,
that you left Underground that murdering Hatchet, that has been
so often dyed in the Blood of the _French_. Hear, _Yonnondio_, I
do not sleep, I have my Eyes open, and the Sun, which enlightens
me, discovers to me a great Captain at the Head of a Company of
Soldiers, who speaks as if he were dreaming. He says, that he
only came to the Lake to smoke on the great _Calumet_ with the
_Onondagas_. But _Garangula_ says, that he sees the contrary,
that it was to knock them on the Head, if Sickness had not
weakened the Arms of the _French_.

"I see _Yonnondio_ raving in a Camp of sick Men, whose Lives the
great Spirit has saved, by inflicting this Sickness on them.
Hear, _Yonnondio_, our Women had taken their Clubs, our Children
and old Men had carried their Bows and Arrows into the Heart of
your Camp, if our Warriors had not disarmed them, and kept them
back, when your Messenger, _Ohguesse_, came to our Castles. It
is done, and I have said it. Hear, _Yonnondio_, we plundered
none of the _French_, but those that carried Guns, Powder, and
Ball to the _Iwikties_ and _Chictaghicks_, because those Arms
might have cost us our Lives. Herein we follow the Example of
the Jesuits, who stave all the Caggs of Rum brought to our
Castles, lest the drunken _Indians_ should knock them on the
Head. Our Warriors have not Bevers enough to pay for all these
Arms, that they have taken, and our old Men are not afraid of
the War. This Belt preserves my Words.

"We carried the _English_ into our Lakes, to trade there with
the _Utawawas_ and _Quatoghies_, as the _Adirondacks_ brought
the _French_ to our Castles, to carry on a Trade which the
_English_ say is theirs. We are born free, we neither depend on
_Yonnondio_ nor _Corlear_.

"We may go where we please, and carry with us whom we please,
and buy and sell what we please: If your Allies be your Slaves,
use them as such, command them to receive no other but your
People. This Belt preserves my Words.

"We knock'd the _Twihtwies_ and _Chictaghicks_ on the Head,
because they had cut down the Trees of Peace, which were the
Limits of our Country. They have hunted Bevers on our Lands:
They have acted contrary to the Customs of all _Indians_; for
they left none of the Bevers alive, they killed both Male and
Female. They brought the _Satanas_[25] into their Country, to
take Part with them, after they had concerted ill Designs
against us. We have done less than either the _English_ or
_French_, that have usurped the Lands of so many _Indian_
Nations, and chased them from their own Country. This Belt
preserves my Words. Hear, _Yonnondio_, what I say is the Voice
of all the _Five Nations_; hear what they answer, open your Ears
to what they speak: The _Senekas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneydoes_,
and _Mohawks_ say, that when they buried the Hatchet at
_Cadarackui_ (in the Presence of your Predecessor) in the Middle
of the Fort, they planted the Tree of Peace in the same Place,
to be there carefully preserved, that, in Place of a Retreat for
Soldiers, that Fort might be a Rendezvous for Merchants; that,
in Place of Arms and Ammunition of War, Bevers and Merchandise
should only enter there.

"Hear, _Yonnondio_, take Care for the future, that so great a
Number of Soldiers, as appear there, do not choak the Tree of
Peace planted in so small a Fort. It will be a great Loss, if
after it had so easily taken Root, you should stop its Growth,
and prevent its covering your Country and ours with its
Branches. I assure you, in the Name of the _Five Nations_, that
our Warriors shall dance to the _Calumet_ of Peace under its
Leaves, and shall remain quiet on their Matts, and shall never
dig up the Hatchet, till their Brethren, _Yonnondio_ or
_Corlear_, shall either jointly or separately endeavour to
attack the Country, which the great Spirit has given to our
Ancestors. This Belt preserves my Words, and this other, the
Authority which the _Five Nations_ has given me."

Then _Garangula_ addressing himself to Monsieur _le Maine_, said:

"Take Courage, _Ohguesse_, you have Spirit, speak, explain my
Words, forget nothing, tell all that your Brethren and Friends
say to _Yonnondio_, your Governor, by the Mouth of _Garangula_,
who loves you, and desires you to accept of =this Present of
Bever=, and take Part with me in my Feast, to which I invite you.
This Present of Bever is sent to _Yonnondio_ on the Part of the
_Five Nations_."

When _Garangula_'s Harangue was explained to Monsieur _de la Barre_, he returned to his Tent, much inraged at what he had heard.

_Garangula_ feasted the _French_ Officers, and then went Home, and Monsieur _de la Barre_ set out in his Way towards _Montreal_; and as soon as the General was imbarked, with the few Soldiers that remained in Health, the Militia made the best of their Way to their own Habitations, without any Order or Discipline.

Thus a very chargeable and fatiguing Expedition (which was to strike the Terror of the _French_ Name into the stubborn Hearts of the _Five Nations_) ended in a Scold between the _French_ General and an old _Indian_.

CHAP. V.

_The_ English _attempt to trade in the Lakes_, _and the_ French _attack the_ Senekas.

The _Marquis de Nonville_ having now succeeded Monsieur _de la Barre_, in the Year 1685, and having brought a considerable Reinforcement of Soldiers with him, resolved to recover the Honour the _French_ had lost in the last Expedition, and revenge the Slaughter the _Five Nations_ continued to make of the _Twihtwies_ and _Chictaghicks_, who had put themselves under the _French_ Protection; for the _Five Nations_ having intirely subdued the _Chictaghicks_[26], after a six Years War, they resolved next to fall upon the _Twihtwies_, and to call them to an Account for the Disturbance they had given some of their People in their Bever Hunting. The _Five Nations_ have few or no Bever in their own Country, and for that Reason are obliged to hunt at a great Distance, which often occasions Disputes with their Neighbours about the Property of the Bever. The Bever is the most valuable Branch of the _Indian_ Trade, and as the _Twihtwies_ carried their Bevers to the _French_, the _English_ encouraged the _Five Nations_ in these Expeditions, and particularly, in the Beginning of the Year 1687, made the _Five Nations_ a Present of a Barrel of Powder, when their whole Force was preparing to go against the _Twihtwies_. The _English_ were the better pleased with this War, because they thought that it would divert the _Five Nations_ from the _Virginia Indians_: But the _French_ were resolved to support their Friends more effectually by a powerful Diversion, and to change the Seat of the War.

For this Purpose Mr. _de Nonville_ sent, in _May_ 1687, great Quantities of Provision to _Cadarackui_ Fort, and gathered the whole Force of _Canada_ to _Montreal_. His Army consisted of fifteen hundred _French_ of the regular Troops and Militia, and five hundred _Indians_ that lived near _Montreal_ and _Quebeck_. He sent likewise Orders to the Commandant at _Missilimakinak_ to assemble all the Nations living round him, and to march them to _Oniagara_, in order to join the Forces of _Canada_ designed against the _Senekas_, and the other Officers posted among the _Indians_ Westward had the like Orders.

The _Twihtwies_ received the Hatchet with Joy from the Hands of the _French_ Officer. The _Outagamies_, _Kikabous_, and _Maskuticks_, who were not used to Canoes, were at first persuaded to join the _Twihtwies_, who were to march by Land to _Teuchsagrondie_, where there was a _French_ Fort, at which they were to be supplied with Ammunition. But after the _French_ Officer left them, the _Utagamies_ and _Maskuticks_ were dissuaded by some of the _Mahikander Indians_, who happened to be with a neighbouring Nation at that Time.

The _Putewatemies, Malhominies_, and _Puans_ offered themselves willingly, and went to the Rendezvous at _Missilimakinak_; where they were received by the _Utawawas_ with all the Marks of Honour usually paid to Soldiers. Though the _Utawawas_ had no Inclination to the present Enterprize; they could not tell however how to appear against it, otherwise than by inventing what Delays they could, to prevent their March.

In the mean while a Canoe arrived, which was sent by Mr. _de Nonville_, with his Orders to the Officers. This Canoe, in her Passage, discovered some _English_, commanded by Major _Mac Gergory_, in their Way to _Teiodonderaghie_. The _English_ thought (after they had an Account of the new Alliance their King had entered into with the _French_) that the _French_ would not disturb them in prosecuting a Trade with the _Indians_ every where, and that the Trade would be equally free and open to both Nations. With these Hopes a considerable Number of Adventurers went out, under the Conduct of Major _Mac Gergory_, to trade with the _Indians_ that lived on the Banks of the Lakes; and that they might be the more welcome, persuaded the _Five Nations_ to set all the _Dionondadie_ Prisoners at Liberty, who went along with the _English_, and conducted them towards _Missilimakinak_, or _Teiodonderaghie_; but the _English_ found themselves mistaken, for the _French_ Commandant at _Teiodonderaghie_, as soon as he had Notice of this, sent three-hundred _French_ to intercept the _English_.

[27] The _Utawawas_ and _Dionondadies_ having likewise an Account of the _English_, designed to support their own Independency, and to incourage the _English_ Trade. The return of the _Dionondadie_ Prisoners made that Nation very hearty in favouring the _English_, they therefore marched immediately off, with Design to join Major _Mac Gergory_; but the _Utawawas_ were divided in their Inclinations, their Chief, with about thirty more, joined the _French_, the rest remained in suspence, and stood neuter.

The _Utawawas_ thus wavering, disconcerted the Measures of the _Dionondadies_, for they began to suspect the _Utawawas_, and therefore immediately returned to secure their Wives and Children that they had left near the _French_ Fort with the _Utawawas_. The _English_ and their Effects were seized without any Opposition, and were carried to the _French_ Fort at _Teiodonderaghie_.

The _English_ brought great Quantities of Rum with them, (which the _Indians_ love more than their Lives) and the _French_ being afraid, that if the _Indians_ took to Drinking, they would grow ungovernable, did what they could to keep them from it. They were most concerned that the _Putewatemies_ (who had no Knowledge of the _English_, or of that bewitching Liquor, and were firmly attached to the _French_) should not taste it.

The _Utawawas_ still contrived Delays to the March, and having got some of the _Putewatemies_ privately by themselves, they offered them a Cag of Rum, and said: "We are all Brethren, we ought to make one Body, and to have one Soul. The _French_ invite us to war against the _Five Nations_, with Design to make us Slaves, and that we should make ourselves the Tools to effect it. As soon as they shall have destroyed the _Five Nations_, they will no longer observe any Measures with us, but use us like those Beasts they tie to their Ploughs. Let us leave them to themselves, and they will never be able to accomplish any Thing against the _Five Nations_."

But the _Putewatemies_ had entertained such Notions of the _French_, as made them deaf to the Politicks of the _Utawawas_.

The _French_ however grew jealous of these Caballings, and therefore resolved to delay their March no longer, and would not stay one Day more for the _Utawawas_, who desired only so much Time to pitch their Canoes, and went away without them.

Mr. _Tonti_, Commandant among the _Chictaghicks_, met with another Party of the _English_ of about thirty Men, in Lake _Erie_, as he marched with the _Chicktaghicks_ and _Twihtwies_, and other neighbouring Nations, to the general Rendezvous. He fell upon the _English_, plundered them, and took them Prisoners. The _French_ divided all the Merchandize among the _Indians_, but kept the Rum to themselves, and got all drunk. The _Deonondadie_ Prisoners, that conducted the _English_, joined with the _Mahikander_ _Indians_ that were among Mr. _Tonti_'s _Indians_ (who had privately dissuaded about twenty of the neighbouring Nations from going with _Tonti_) and endeavoured to persuade all the _Indians_ to fall upon the _French_, while they were drunk, and destroy them; saying, the _French_ are a proud, imperious, covetous People, that sell their Goods at an extravagant Price; the _English_ are a good natured honest People, and will furnish you with every Thing at reasonable Rates. But these Arguments were to no Purpose, for these far _Indians_ had entertained an extraordinary Opinion of the _French_ Power, and knew nothing of the _English_.

The _French_ and _Putewatemies_ being gone from _Teiodonderaghie_, the _Utawawas_ began to be afraid of the _French_ Resentment, and therefore, the better to keep up the Colour they had put on their Delays, marched over Land, with all possible Expedition, to the general Rendezvous near _Oniagara_, where all the _French_ Force, both Christians and _Indians_, was to meet.

The _Five Nations_ being informed of the _French_ Preparations, laid aside their Design against the _Twihtwies_, and prepared to give the _French_ a warm Reception. Upon this the Priest at _Onondaga_ left them, but the Priest at _Oneydo_ had the Courage to stay. The _Senekas_ came to _Albany_ to provide Ammunition, and the Commissioners made them a Present of a considerable Quantity of Powder and Lead, besides what they purchased. They were under a great deal of Concern when they took Leave of the Commissioners, and said, "Since we are to expect no other Assistance from our Brethren, we must recommend our Wives and Children to you, who will fly to you, if any Misfortune shall happen to us. It may be we shall never see you again; for we are resolved to behave so, as our Brethren shall have no Reason to be ashamed of us."

We must now return to Monsieur _de Nonville_'s Army.

Monsieur _Campagnie_ marched eight or ten Days before the rest of the Army, with between two and three hundred _Cannadians_. As soon as they arrived at _Cadarackui_, they surprised two Villages of the _Five Nations_, that were settled about eight Leagues from that Place, to prevent their giving any Intelligence to their own Nation of the _French_ Preparations, or of the State of their Army, as it was supposed they did in the last Expedition under Monsieur _de la Barre_. These People were surprised when they least expected it, and by them from whom they feared no Harm, because they had settled there at the Invitation, and on the Faith of the _French_. They were carried in cold Blood to the Fort, and tied to Stakes, to be tormented by the _French Indians_, (Christians, as they call them) while they continued singing in their country Manner, and upbraiding the _French_ with their Perfidy and Ingratitude.

While Monsieur _de Nonville_ was at _Cadarackui_ Fort, he had an Account, that the _Chicktaghicks_ and _Twihtwies_ waited for the _Quatoghies_ and _Utawawas_ at Lake _St. Clair_[28], with whom they designed to march to the general Rendezvous, at the Mouth of the _Senekas_ River. For this Expedition was chiefly designed against the _Senekas_, who had absolutely refused to meet Monsieur _de la Barre_, and were most firmly attached to the _English_. The _Senekas_, for this Reason, were designed to be made Examples of the _French_ Resentment to all the other Nations of _Indians_.

The Messenger having assured the General, that it was Time to depart, in order to meet with the western _Indians_, that came to his Assistance, he set out the twenty-third of _June_, and sent one Part of his Army in Canoes, along the North Shore of the Lake, while he, with the other Part, passed along the South, that no Accidents of Wind might prevent the one or the other reaching, within the Time appointed, at the Place the _Indians_ were to meet him. It happened, by reason of the good Weather, that both arrived on the same Day, and joined the western _Indians_ at _Trondequat_, As soon as the Men were put on Shore, they hawled up the Canoes, and began a Fort, where four hundred Men were left to guard the Canoes, and the Baggage. Here a young _Cannadian_ was shot to Death, as a Deserter, for conducting the _English_ into the Lakes, though the two Nations were not only at Peace, but their Kings in stricter Friendship than usual. But this Piece of Severity is not to be wondered at, when this War was undertaken, chiefly to put a Stop to the _English_ Trade, which now began to extend itself far into the Continent, and would in its Consequence ruin theirs. The next Day the Army began to march towards the chief Village of the _Senekas_, which was only seven Leagues distant, every Man carrying ten Biskets for his Provision. The _Indian_ Traders made the Van with Part of the _Indians_, the other Part marched in the Rear, while the regular Troops and Militia composed the main Body. The Army marched four Leagues the first Day without discovering any Thing; the next Day the Scouts advanced before the Army, as far as the Corn of the Villages, without seeing any Body, though they passed within Pistol-shot of five-hundred _Senekas_, that lay on their Bellies, and let them pass and repass without disturbing them.

On the Report which they made, the _French_ hastened their March, in hopes to overtake the Women, Children, and old Men; for they no longer doubted of all being fled. But as soon as the _French_ reached the Foot of a Hill, about a Quarter of a League from the Village, the _Senekas_ suddenly raised the Warshout, with a Discharge of their Fire-arms. This put the regular Troops, as well as the Militia, into such a Fright, as they marched through the Woods, that the Battalions immediately divided, and run to the Right and Left, and, in the Confusion, fired upon one another. When the _Senekas_ perceived their Disorder, they fell in among them pell-mell, till the _French Indians_, more used to such Way of fighting, gathered together and repulsed the _Senekas_. There were (according to the _French_ Accounts) a hundred _Frenchmen_, ten _French Indians_, and about fourscore _Senekas_ killed, in this Rencounter.

Monsieur _de Nonville_ was so dispirited with the Fright that his Men had been put into, that his _Indians_ could not persuade him to pursue. He halted the remainder of that Day. The next Day he marched on with Design to burn the Village, but when he came there, he found that the _Senekas_ had saved him the Trouble; for they had laid all in Ashes before they retired. Two old Men only were found in the Castle, who were cut into Pieces and boiled to make Soup for the _French_ Allies. The _French_ staid five or six Days to destroy their Corn, and then marched to two other Villages, at two or three Leagues distance. After they had performed the like Exploits in those Places, they returned to the Banks of the Lake.

Before the _French_ left the Lakes, they built a Fort of four Bastions at _Oniagara_, on the South-side of the Straights, between Lake _Erie_ and _Cadarackui_ Lake, and left a hundred Men, with eight Months Provisions in it. But this Garison was so closely blocked up by the _Five Nations_, that they all died of Hunger, except seven or eight, who were accidentally relieved by a Party of _French Indians_.

The western _Indians_, when they parted from the _French_ General, made their Harangues, as usual, in which they told him, with what Pleasure they saw a Fort so well placed to favour their Designs against the _Five Nations_, and that they relied on his never finishing the War, but with the Destruction of the _Five Nations_, or forcing them to abandon their Country. He assured them, that he would act with such Vigour, that they would soon see the _Five Nations_ driven into the Sea.

He sent a Detachment of Soldiers to _Teiodonderaghie_, and in his Return to _Canada_, which was by the North Side of the Lake, he left a sufficient Number of Men, and a Quantity of Provisions, at _Cadarackui_ Fort.

The _French_ having got nothing but dry Blows by this Expedition, sent thirteen of the _Indians_, that they surprised at _Cadarackui_, to _France_, as Trophies of their Victory, where they were put into the Galleys, as Rebels to their King.

CHAP. VI.

_Colonel_ Dongan's _Advice to the_ Indians. Adario's _Enterprize_, _and_ Montreal _sacked by the_ Five Nations.

Colonel _Dongan_, who had the _Indian_ Affairs very much at Heart, met the _Five Nations_ at _Albany_ as soon as possible after the _French_ Expedition, and spoke to them on the fifth of _August_, in the following Words, _viz_.

"_Brethren_,

"I am very glad to see you here in this House, and am heartily
glad that you have sustained no greater Loss by the _French_,
though I believe it was their Intention to destroy you all, if
they could have surprised you in your Castles.

"As soon as I heard their Design to war with you, I gave you
Notice, and came up hither myself, that I might be ready to give
all the Assistance and Advice that so short a Time would allow
me.

"I am now about sending a Gentleman to _England_, to the King,
my Master, to let him know, that the _French_ have invaded his
Territories on this Side of the great Lake, and warred upon the
Brethren his Subjects. I therefore would willingly know, whether
the Brethren have given the Governor of _Canada_ any Provocation
or not; and if they have, how, and in what Manner; because I am
obliged to give a true Account of this Matter. This Business may
cause a War between the King of _England_ and the _French_ King,
both in _Europe_ and here, and therefore I must know the Truth.