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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94f821d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53353 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53353) diff --git a/old/53353-8.txt b/old/53353-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 24a1586..0000000 --- a/old/53353-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,29676 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea (Vol. -II), by William L. Stone - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea (Vol. II) - Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution - -Author: William L. Stone - -Release Date: October 23, 2016 [EBook #53353] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF JOSEPH BRANT, VOL II *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Burch with scans from the Internet Archive. - - - - -[ILLUSTRATION: Cover] - - - - -[Illustration: Frontispiece: Jos. Brant--Thayendanegea] - - - - -{Transcriber's Note: Quotation marks have been standardized to modern -usage. Footnotes have been placed to immediately follow the paragraphs -referencing them.} - - - - - Life - of - - JOSEPH BRANT, - (THAYENDANEGEA) - - INCLUDING THE - BORDER WARS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, - AND - SKETCHES OF THE INDIAN CAMPAIGNS OF GENERALS - HARMAR, ST. CLAIR, AND WAYNE. - AND - OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE INDIAN RELATIONS - OF THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN, - FROM THE - PEACE OF 1783 TO THE INDIAN PEACE OF 1795. - - - BY WILLIAM L. STONE. - - - IN TWO VOLUMES. - VOL. II. - - - ALBANY, N.Y.: - J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. - 1865. - - - - - LIBRARY OF THE - LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - * * * * * - - - CHAPTER I. - - - Sullivan's campaign into the Seneca country--Different characteristics - among the Indian Nations--Mistakes upon the subject--Progress of - civilization among the Six Nations--Plan of the campaign--The command - offered to General Gates--His conduct--Clinton's preparations at - Canajoharie--Transportation of boats and stores across to Otsego - Lake--Arrest and execution of Newberry--Attempts to engage the - Oneidas--The Indians alarmed by an address from Gen. Haldimand--The - address--Intelligence from the enemy--Arrival of Oneida deputies at - Clinton's head-quarters--Their speech--Designs of the enemy--Letter of - Gen. Clinton to his brother--Remarkable escape of Elerson from an Indian - scout--Brave defence of his house by Mr. Shankland--Descent of the - Susquehanna--Dilatory proceedings of Sullivan--Junction of the - forces--Movement from Tioga to Newton--Battle of the - Chemung--Destruction of the crops--Advance to Catharine's town--Message - to the Oneidas--Destruction of Catharine's town--Evidences of - civilization--Destruction of Kendaia and Kanadaseaga--March upon - Kanandaigua--Its destruction--Honeoye destroyed--Melancholy story of - the Oneida brothers--Kanaghsaws destroyed--Horrible fate of Lieutenant - Boyd--Contrast between the conduct of Brant and Butler in the case of - Boyd--Indians in council resolve to fight no more--Sullivan advances to - Genesee--Beauty of the country--Conduct of Rod Jacket--Origin of Brant's - hostility to him--Sullivan sets out on his return--Destruction of the - Cayuga towns--Return of the army to Tioga--Strange directions to Colonel - Gansevoort respecting the Mohawks of the lower castle--Their - capture--Correspondence--Their release--Close of Sullivan's - campaign--His resignation--Colonel Brodhead's expedition against the - Senecas on the Allegheny--Huron and Shawanese chiefs meet him at Fort - Pitt--Their speeches--Severe Indian battle on the Ohio--Closing - incidents of the year. - Page 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - - Progress of the war in the South--Fall of Charleston--Brilliant - achievements--Rigorous winter of 1780--Destruction of the Oneida Castle - and villages--Third marriage of Brant--Irruption into - Harpersfield--Captivity of Captain Harper, Freegift Patchin, and - others--Conduct of Brant--Consultation whether to put the prisoners to - death--Sagacity and firmness of Harper--Marched off for - Niagara--Remarkable adventures by the way--Murder of an old man--Cure - of the fever and ague--A thrilling scene--Sufferings for food--Justice - and impartiality of Brant--Approach to Niagara--The ordeal--Humane - device of Brant to save his prisoners from the trial--Arrival at - Niagara--Farther irruptions of the Indians--Shawangunk-- - Saugerties--Captivity of Captain Snyder and his son--Arrival at - Niagara--Examination--Guy Johnson, Butler and Brant--Prisoners sent to - Montreal--The Mohawk Valley--Bravery of Solomon Woodruff--Irruption to - Little Falls--Burning of Ellis's Mills--Incidents on the Ohio--Bold - exploit of McConnel--Attack of Colonel Bird, with his Indians, upon the - Licking Settlement--Colonel Clarke takes vengeance upon the Shawanese. - - 53 - - CHAPTER III. - - Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians - and loyalists--The Visschers--The route of Sir John--Arrest of the - Sammons family--Destruction of their property--March along the - river--Burning of buildings, and murders of aged people--Destruction of - Caughnawaga--Return to Johnson Hall--Proceedings there--Thomas Sammons - escapes--Sir John moves off--Sampson Sammons applies for his - liberty--His speech--The object of the expedition--Recovery of the - Baronet's plate--A faithful slave--Character of the expedition--Sir - John returns to Montreal--Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into - captivity--Imprisoned at Chamblee--Conspiracy to escape--Prisoners - refuse to join them--The brothers escape alone--The pursuit-- - Separation--Journey, adventures and sufferings of Jacob Sammons--Arrives - at Schenectady--The narrative returns to Frederick--Perils of his - escape--Prosperous commencement of his journey--Dreadful sickness--His - recapture--Confined in irons at Chamblee--Removed to an Island--Projects - an escape--Plot discovered--Ironed again--Second plan of - escape--Perilous leap into the St Lawrence--Swimming the Rapids--Other - surprising adventures, by flood and field--Crossing the woods to - Schenectady--Remarkable fulfillment of a dream--Direct history of the - Mohawk country resumed--Destruction of Canajoharie by the - Indians--Conduct of Brant--Case of doubtful courage. - - Page 72 - - CHAPTER IV. - - - General progress of the War--Design against New-York--Glance at the - Southern Campaigns--Treason of Arnold--Execution of Andre--Indian - deputation to Count de Rochambeau, in Rhode Island--Invasion of the - Schoharie-kill and the Mohawk Valleys, by Sir John Johnson, Brant, and - the Corn-planter--Surprise of the upper fort--The middle fort - invested--Conduct of Murphy in firing upon a flag--Singular prosecution - of the siege--Murphy's contumacy--The flags fired upon thrice--Sir John - proceeds to the lower fort--After a brief halt, advances again to the - Mohawk, destroying every thing in his way--Murder of the - inhabitants--The Vroomans--Heroism of a woman--Sir John arrives at Fort - Hunter--Ravages the Mohawk Valley--Battle of Stone Arabia and death of - Colonel Brown--His character--Remarkable anecdote of General Arnold--Sir - John proceeds to Klock's Field--Is pursued by Van Rensselaer, though - with unaccountable delay--Battle of Klock's Field--Flight of the - Indians--Strange retreat of Van Rensselaer--Affairs of the - night--Secret flight of the Greens and Rangers--The pursuit--General - Van Rensselaer prematurely relinquishes it--Capture of Captain Vrooman - and his company, by Brant, in the neighborhood of Oneida--Touching - incident at Fort Hunter--Singular story respecting the - Corn-planter--Major Carleton's expedition against Forts Anne and - George--Correspondence on the subject of prisoners--Affairs at - Niagara--Setting in of Winter. - - 98 - - CHAPTER V. - - Gloomy opening of the year--Distresses of the army--Revolt of the - Pennsylvania line--Negotiations--Revolt of the New Jersey - troops--Arnold's expedition to Virginia--Progress of the war at the - South--Distresses at the North--Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk - country--Meditated attack upon the Oneidas--Letter of Colonel - Claus--Destitution of the country--Letter of General - Schuyler--Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood--Suspicions of - design--General Clinton's correspondence respecting that - catastrophe--Hostile indications in the North--Indications of extensive - treachery--Arrest of the disaffected at Ballston and its - vicinity--Bearing of Washington in adversity--Colonel Willett appointed - to the command of the Mohawk District--Slender means at his - disposal--Burning of Currie-town--Battle of Durlagh--Defeat of the - Indians--Death of Captain McKean--Irruption into Palatine--Willett's - letter to Washington--Willett's influence upon the broken - militia--Battle near the German Flats--Death of Solomon Woodworth--Story - of John Christian Shell--Invasion of Ulster County by Indians and Tories - under Captain Cauldwell--Another case of individual bravery--Incidents on - the Kentucky border. - - 137 - - CHAPTER VI. - - Increase of disaffection in the North--Seizures of prominent citizens by - bands of loyalists from Canada--Captivity of John J. Bleecker--Plot - against General Gansevoort--Daring attempt upon General Schuyler in the - city of Albany, by John Waltermeyer--Intrepidity of Margaret - Schuyler--Arrest of loyalists at the Beaver Dams--Mysterious movements - of the enemy on Lake Champlain--Controversy with the New-Hampshire - Grants--Sketch of its origin--Outrages of the Vermont - insurgents--Declaration of Independence by the Grants--Interposition of - Congress--Its authority disregarded--Progress of the - controversy--Difficult situation of General Gansevourt--Suspected - intercourse of the Vermontese with the enemy--Letter of Governor - Clinton--Invasion of the Mohawk country by Major Ross--Warrens-bush - ravaged--March of the enemy to Johnstown--Followed by Willett with the - levies and militia--Battle of Johnstown--Ross defeated--Pursued by - Willett, and routed at Jerseyfield--Death of Walter N. Butler--General - progress of the war--Arnold in Virginia--Returns to the North, and - destroys Groton and New London--Siege of Yorktown and capture of - Cornwallis--Affairs of the North--Meditated treachery of - Vermont--Message of Governor Clinton--British open a correspondence with - the Vermont insurgents--Mission of Ira Allen to Canada--Separate - armistice with Vermont--Stipulations for erecting Vermont into a royal - colony--Correspondence with the enemy during the Summer--Negotiations - renewed at Skenesborough--St. Leger ascends the lake with a strong - force--An awkward occurrence for the Vermontese--Excitement at the seat - of Government of the Grants--Throwing dust in the eyes of the - people--News of the surrender of Cornwallis--Its effect in - Vermont--Causes the nasty return of St. Leger to Canada--Insurrection - in the north-eastern towns of New-York, in connexion with the - Vermontese--Troubles of General Gansevoort--Unable to quell the - insurgents--Cherokee Indians--Close of the year. - - 178 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Character of Joseph Bettys--His exploits--Capture and execution--Progress - of the war--Gradual cessation of hostilities--Dwindling down to mere - affairs of outposts and scouting parties--Commissioners appointed to - negotiate a treaty of peace--Indian battles on the Kentucky - frontier--Defeat of Colonel Boon--Destruction of the Shawanese - towns--The Moravians on the Muskingum--Their removal to Sandusky by the - Wyandots--Return to secure their crops--Invasion of their towns by - Colonel Williamson--Treachery of Williamson and his men to the - Indians--Horrible massacre--Invasion of the Sandusky country by Crawford - and Williamson--Defeat of their army--Colonel Crawford - captured--Sentenced to die by torture--His interview with the sachem - Wingemund--His execution--Close of the year--Doubts as to a treaty of - peace--Colonel Willett's attempt to surprise Oswego--The news of - peace--Sufferings of Tryon County--Return of its population--End of the - wars of the Mohawk. - - 210 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - The Treaty of Peace--Neglect of her Indian allies by Great - Britain--Brant's negotiations with General Haldimand for a new - territory--The Senecas invite the Mohawks to settle in the Genesee - Valley--Declined--The Grand River country granted to the Mohawks by Sir - Frederick Haldimand--Indian policy of the United States--Views of - Washington and General Schuyler--Treaty with the Six Nations at Fort - Stanwix--Corn-planter and Red Jacket take opposite sides--Peace with the - Six Nations--Dissatisfaction of the Indians--Of Thayendanegea in - particular--Letter of Brant to Colonel Monroe--Relinquishes his design - of going then to England--Returns to Grand River--Differences of opinion - wither John Johnson--Brant sails for England in the Autumn of 1785--His - arrival--Glimpses of his ulterior designs--His distinguished - reception--Enters upon the business of his mission--Letter to Lord - Sidney--Speech of Brant to Lord Sidney--Letter of Lord Sidney in - reply--Question of half-pay--Brant's Letter to Sir Evan Nepean--His - associations with the great--Keen sarcasm upon a nobleman--Striking - incident at a grand masquerade--Brant's attention to the moral wants of - his people--His return to Canada. - 237 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Difficulties between Great Britain and the United States after the - Treaty--Refusal of the former to surrender the western posts--Mission of - Baron Steuben to Canada--Indications of fresh Indian - hostilities---Movements of Captain Brant--Grand Indian Council at the - Huron Village--Address to the United States--Letter of the Secretary at - War, General Knox, to Captain Brent--Letter of Sir John Johnson to - Brant--Letter of Major Matthews to Brant, disclosing the views of Lord - Dorchester respecting the retention of the western posts--Message from - the Hurons to the Five Nations, proposing another grand - Council--Preparations of General St. Clair for negotiating with the - Indians--Brant begins to distrust them all--Letter of Brant to Patrick - Langan, Sir John Johnson's Secretary-Letter of Brant to Sir John - Johnson--Great Council at Miamis--Letter of Captain Brant to Patrick - Langan--St. Clair's negotiations at Fort Harmar--The policy of dividing - to conquer--Letter of Captain Brant to Major Matthews--Jealousies of - Brant among the Indians--Council against him at Montreal--Letter to him - from Major Matthews--Letter of Brant in reply--Letter to Colonel - McDonnell--Suspected plot against the English at Detroit, and Brant and - his Mohawks, by the Hurons, Chippewas, and Pottawatamies--Letter to - Brant from Sir John Johnson--Brant turns his attention to the - cultivation of letters--Endeavors to obtain a stated Missionary--Resumes - the preparation of Religious books--Letter from President Willard--John - Norton--Land difficulties among the Indians in the state of - New-York--Letter from Governor Clinton to Brant. - 262 - - CHAPTER X. - - Continued troubles with the Indians--English emissaries in - Kentucky--Mission of Antoine Gamelin--Preparations for war--Campaign of - General Harmar--Successive defeats of Colonel Hardin--Conduct of the - militia--Retreat of Harmar--Indian deputation to Lord Dorchester--Letter - of Sir John Johnson--Colonel Gordon--Letter of Brant to Colonel - McKee--Pacific views of Lord Dorchester--Renewed efforts of the United - States to bring the Indians to peace--Interposition of - Corn-planter--Mission of Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor--British - officers wish a mediation--Letter of Colonel Gordon--Colonel Pickering - holds an Indian Council at the Chemung--Red Jacket's course--Brant - interferes--Indian Councils at Buffalo--Influence of Colonel John Butler - and Brant--Mission of Colonel Proctor and Corn-planter - frustrated--Important position of Brant--Correspondence between the - Secretary of War and Governor Clinton--Colonel Pickering's Council with - the Indians at Painted Post--Mission of Hendrick, the Stock-bridge - chief--Renewal of hostilities--Campaign of General St. Clair--His - defeat--Thayendanegea among the Indian captains--The panic that - followed--Clamor against St. Clair--His resignation--Wayne appointed - his successor--Refusal of Colonel Willett to embark in an Indian war. - - 291 - - CHAPTER XI. - - Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia--Captain Brant - invited to attend--His objections--Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to - Captain Brant--Letter of the Secretary of War to the same--Letter of - Colonel Gordon to the same--Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of - War--The Secretary of War to Captain Brant--Attempts from Montreal to - prevent Brant from going to Philadelphia--His journey--Feelings against - him in the Mohawk Valley--His arrival at New-York and - Philadelphia--Liberal offers made him--Letter to the Count de Puisy--The - offers rejected--Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis--Returns to - New-York--Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his - life--Discovered in New-York--Brant returns to Niagara--Murder of - Colonel Harden and Major Trueman--Letters of Brant to the Secretary at - War--Feelings of the Western Nations--Correspondence between Brant and - McKee--Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize--Sickness of Captain - Brant--Hostilities deferred until Spring, and a treaty with the United - States ordered--Return of the Delegates of the Six Nations--Address to - President Washington--Separate organization of Upper Canada--Arrival of - Governor Simcoe--Letter to Brant from the Duke of - Northumberland--Preparations for the Great Council of 1783--Fresh - dissatisfaction of the Indians--Private Councils--They send their - ultimatum in anticipation--The American Commissioners depart for the - Indian country--Their arrival at Niagara--Friendly conduct of Governor - Simcoe--Celebration of the King's Birth-day--The Commissioners start for - the West--Their progress interrupted--Conduct of General Wayne--Brant - suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation--Council held at Fort - Erie--Commissioners return to Niagara--Council there--Speech of Captain - Brant--Reply of the Commissioners--Speech of Cat's-Eyes--Rejoinder of - Brant--Arrival of the Seven Nations--Brant proceeds to the Miami - Rapids--Followed by the Commissioners--Arrival at the Detroit - River--Their progress interrupted--Unexpected turn of - affairs--Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council--Long Debates - in the Indian Council--Brant speaks strongly for peace--Governor Simcoe - declines advising the Indians--The negotiations suddenly terminated by - the Indians--Their address--And sine qua non. - - 318 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Suspected duplicity of the British authorities--Conduct of Simon - Girty--Disclosures upon the subject by Captain Brant--Council at - Buffalo, and Indian report of the doings of the Great Congress--Speech - of Captain Brant respecting the Miami council--Mission of General - Chapin to Philadelphia, with the speech--Answer unsatisfactory to the - Indians--Red Jacket--Indian council--Speech of Captain Brant in reply to - the answer of the United States--Troubles thickening between the United - States and Great Britain--Inflammatory speech of Lord - Dorchester--Question of its authenticity settled--Conduct of Governor - Simcoe--Indignation of President Washington--His letter to Mr. - Jay--Speech of Captain Brant against holding a council at Venango--The - design frustrated--Affairs farther in the West--Singular message from - the distant Indians under the Spanish and French influence--Their - speech--Operations of General Wayne--Encroachments of Pennsylvania upon - the Indian lands--Indian council upon the subject--Address to General - Washington--Important letter of Brant to Colonel Smith--Pennsylvania - relinquishes Presque Isle--Defeat of Major McMahon near Fort - Recovery--Indians repulsed in their attack upon the fort--Letter to - Brant giving an account of the battle--Advance of Wayne to the Au - Glaize and Miamis of the Lakes--Little Turtle apprised of his movements - and strength by a deserter--The Chief determines to give battle--Wayne - makes one more effort for peace--Failure of the attempt--Advance of - Wayne to the Rapids--Position of the Indians--Battle and defeat of the - Indians--Little Turtle opposed to the hazard of a battle--Opposed by - Blue-Jacket and overruled--Tart correspondence between Wayne and Major - Campbell--Destruction of Indian property by fire, and burning of Colonel - McKee's establishment--Disappointment of the Indians that Major Campbell - did not assist them--Letter of Governor Simcoe to Brant--Aggression at - Sodus Bay--Simcoe and Brant repair to the West--Interfere to prevent a - peace--Indian council--The hostiles negotiate with Wayne--Simcoe's - address to the Wyandots--Division in their counsels--Brant retires - displeased--Letter of apology from the Chiefs--The distant Indians - become weary of the war. - - Page 357 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - Thayendanegea in civil life--His activity--His efforts to accelerate the - civilization of his people--Difficulties respecting the title to his - lands--Successive Councils and Speeches--Governor Simcoe leaves the - province--Captain Claus appointed to the Indian Agency--President - Russell--Brant's Speeches asserting the absolute Independence and - Nationality of his people--Letter to Sir John Johnson--Correspondence - with Lord Dorchester--The Count de Puisy--Letter of Brant to Thomas - Morris--Sharp correspondence with Sir John Johnson--The St. Regis and - Caughnawaga Indians, and the State of New-York involved in the land - controversy--Brant's difficulties with the Caughnawagas--Letter to - Thomas Morris--Brant's visit to the Caughnawagas--Council--Satisfactory - explanations--Fresh difficulties at home--Norton's Mission to - England--Plots against the character of Brant--Alienation of some of his - friends--Conspiracy to depose him--Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother - active in the plot--Character of Red Jacket--Brant deposed by an illegal - Council--Letter to the Duke of Northumberland--A legal Council - convoked--Brant meets his accusers, and defends himself--Another - Council--Speech of Brant--Acquitted of all charges against him--Council - after the return of Norton from England--Proceedings of Red Jacket's - Council nullified--Brant re-instated--Letter to the Duke of - Northumberland--Letter of the Duke in reply--Last letter of Brant to the - Duke. - - 396 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Exertions of Thayendanegea for the moral and social improvement of his - people--His religions views--Efforts for the religious instruction of - his people--Letter to Sir John Johnson upon the subject of obtaining a - resident clergyman--Farther correspondence--Interview of Brant with the - Bishop--Disappointment--Letter to the Chief Justice--Appeal of Brant to - the Lord Bishop, but without success--Application to the American - church--Letter to Colonel Burr--Succeeds in obtaining the ordination of - Mr. Phelps--Estimate of Brant's character by the clergy--Letter of Rev. - Dr. Mason--Rev. Elkanah Holmes--Letter of Brant to the Rev. Dr. - Miller--Ardent spirits--Efforts of Brant to prevent their - introduction--Letter to Sir John Johnson--Interposition of the - women--Address of Brant in reply--Indian games and pastimes--National - game of Cricket--Great game at Grand River, between the Senecas and - Mohawks--Judge Woodruff's visit to Brant's residence--Description of his - person--Indian funerals--Respect for the dead--Estimate of women--Their - influence--Funeral speech of Seneca-George--Death of Mrs. Claus--Speech - of condolence by Captain Brant--Captain Claus in reply--Brant's visit to - New-York, Philadelphia, and Hartford, in 1797--Attentions to him in - Philadelphia--Dinner party of Colonel Burr--Talleyrand and other - distinguished guests--Letter of introduction from Colonel Burr to his - daughter--Dinner party in his honor by Miss Theodosia--His manners - described by Dr. Miller and by General Porter--Designs upon his life in - the Mohawk country--The late John Wells--Striking incident in - Albany--Anecdotes--Brant and General Gansevoort--Brant and Colonel Van - Courtlandt--Reasons of Brant for taking up arms for the King--His - reasonings in defence of the Indian mode of warfare. - - Page 430 - - CHAPTER XV. - - Domestic relations of Brant--Account of his family--Bad character of his - eldest son--His death by the hand of his father--Condolence of the - Chiefs--Grief of the father at the event--Anxiety for the education of - his sons--Proposed memorial to the Duke of Portland--Letter of Brant to - Colonel Smith--Correspondence with the Wheelock Family--Letter from - Brant to James Wheelock--Two of his sons sent to Dartmouth--Various - letters from and to the Wheelocks--Correspondence upon other - subjects--Reply to the questions, whether the Indians have - beards--Letter from Bishop Peters--Views or Brant on imprisonment for - debt--Tumuli--Opinion of Brant touching their origin--Indian tradition - of white settlements cut off in a single night--Investigations of Samuel - Woodruff--Brant's inquiries in Paris--The discoveries of the - Northmen--Review of the life and character of Brant--His death. - - 463 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - Account of the family of Brant subsequent to his death--Catharine - Brant--The line of descent among the Mohawks--John Brant, the youngest - son, appointed to the Chieftainship--The war of 1812--General Van - Rensselaer on the Niagara frontier--Preparations for a descent upon - Queenston Heights--First attempt frustrated--Arrangement for a second - movement--Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott on the lines--His efforts - to accompany the expedition--Landing of Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer - and his party--Intrepidity of the attack--Van Rensselaer and others - grievously wounded--Captain Wool carries the Heights--Advance of General - Brock--His defeat and fall--Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott upon the - Heights--Attack of the Indians--General Sheaffe advances from Niagara - with reinforcements--Battle--The Americans driven down the - Heights--Attempts of Scott to capitulate--His flag-bearers shot - down--Determines to bear a flag himself--A young Indian leaps upon him - like a tiger--His rescue--Interview with General - Sheaffe--Capitulation--March to Niagara--Remarkable interview between - Scott and two Indians at Niagara, the younger of whom was John - Brant--Base poltroonry of the militia--Battle of the Beaver-dams--Close - of young Brant's military life--Removes to the Brant House with his - sister--Account of the family by Lieutenant Hall--Visit of the British - Consul to the Brant House--Controversy of John Brant with Archdeacon - Strachan--He visits England respecting the ancient land-title - controversy--Succeeds with the ministers--Disappointed by the Colonial - Government--Correspondence with Campbell respecting the memory of his - father--Attention to the moral wants of his people--Correspondence - respecting the Mohawk schools--Presentation of a silver cup--His - election to the Provincial Parliament--Seat contested--Death by - cholera--His character--Farther notices of the family--Description of - his sister, and of his successor--Death of Catharine Brant--Conclusion. - - 500 - - - - - Life - of - JOSEPH BRANT--THAYENDANEGEA, &c. - - * * * * * - - - CHAPTER I. - - Sullivan's campaign into the Seneca country--Different characteristics - among the Indian Nations--Mistakes upon the subject--Progress of - civilization among the Six Nations--Plan of the campaign--The command - offered to General Gates--His conduct--Clinton's preparations at - Canajoharie--Transportation of boats and stores across to Otsego - Lake--Arrest and execution of Newberry--Attempts to engage the - Oneidas--The Indians alarmed by an address from Gen. Haldimand--The - address--Intelligence from the enemy--Arrival of Oneida deputies at - Clinton's head-quarters--Their speech--Designs of the enemy--Letter of - Gen. Clinton to his brother--Remarkable escape of Elerson from an Indian - scout-Brave defence of his house by Mr. Shankland--Descent of the - Susquehanna--Dilatory proceedings of Sullivan--Junction of the - forces--Movement from Tioga to Newtown--Battle of the - Chemung--Destruction of the crops--Advance to Catharine's town--Message - to the Oneidas--Destruction of Catharine's town--Evidences of - civilization--Destruction of Kendaia and Kanadaseaga--March upon - Kanandaigua--Its destruction--Honeoye destroyed--Melancholy story of the - Oneida brothers--Kanaghsawa destroyed--Horrible fate of Lieutenant - Boyd--Contrast between the conduct of Brant and Butler in the case of - Boyd--Indians in council resolve to fight no more--Sullivan advances to - Genesee--Beauty of the country--Conduct of Red Jacket--Origin of Brant's - hostility to him--Sullivan sets out on his return--Destruction of the - Cayuga towns--Return of the army to Tioga--Strange directions to Colonel - Gansevoort respecting the Mohawks of the lower castle--Their - capture--Correspondence--Their release--Close of Sullivan's - campaign--His resignation--Colonel Brodhead's expedition against the - Senecas on the Allegheny--Huron and Shawanese chiefs meet him at Fort - Pitt--Their speeches--Severe Indian battle on the Ohio--Closing - incidents of the year. - -The policy of waging a more decisive war against the Indians, and the -loyalists associated with them in their barbarous irruptions upon the -frontier settlements, has been adverted to more than once already. General -Washington had long entertained the opinion that the mere establishment of -a chain of military posts along the Western and North-western frontiers -would not answer the purpose; and that the only method of affording -efficient protection to the inhabitants of those borders, would be to -carry the war into the heart of the enemy's country. By a resolution of -the 25th of February, Congress had directed the Commander-in-chief to take -the most effectual means for protecting the inhabitants, and chastising the -Indians for their continued depredations; and it was now his determination -to put the resolve in execution, by carrying the war directly into the -most populous country of the Six Nations; to cut off their settlements, -destroy their crops, and inflict upon them every other mischief which time -and circumstances would permit. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Washington of March 4, to Governor Clinton, and also from - the same to General Gates of March 6, 1779. - - -Those who have been accustomed to contemplate the whole race of North -American aboriginals as essentially alike, viewing them all as the same -roving, restless, houseless race of hunters and fishermen, without a local -habitation, and with scarce a name, have widely misunderstood the Indian -character, and must know but little of its varieties. They have, indeed, -many traits and characteristics in common; but in other respects the moody -Englishman is not more unlike his mercurial neighbor on the other side of -the channel, than is the Mohawk unlike the Sioux. It is the remark of a -popular writer of the day, [FN-1] that "those who are familiar with the -reserved and haughty bearing of the forest tribes, cannot fail, when an -opportunity of comparison is afforded, to be struck with the social air -and excitable disposition which mark their prairie brethren, and so -decidedly distinguish the '_gens du large_' from _les gens des feuilles,_' -as the voyageurs term the different races. The Pawnees, following the -buffalo in his migrations, and having always plenty of animal food to -subsist upon, are a much better fed and larger race than those who find -a precarious subsistence in the forest chase. While the woodland tribes, -who, though not so plump in form, are of a more wiry and perhaps muscular -make, have again a decided advantage in figure and gait over the '_gens du -lac,_' or fishing and trapping tribes of the North-west, that pass most -of their time in canoes. This difference in character and physical -appearance between the different Indian races, or rather between those -tribes who have such different methods of gaining a livelihood, has never -been sufficiently attended to by modern authors, though it did not escape -the early French writers on this country. And yet, if habit have any -effect in forming the temper and character of a rude people, it must of -course follow, that the savage who lives in eternal sunshine upon -flowery plains, and hunts on horseback with a troop of tribesmen around -him, must be a different being from the solitary deer-stalker, who wanders -through the dim forest, depending upon his single arm for a subsistence -for his wife and children." But the higher state of social organization -among the Six Nations greatly increased the difference. They had many -towns and villages giving evidence of permanence. They were organized into -communities, whose social and political institutions, simple as they were, -were still as distinct and well-defined as those of the American -confederacy. They had now acquired some of the arts, and were enjoying -many of the comforts, of civilized life. Not content with small patches -of cleared lands for the raising of a few vegetables, they possessed -cultivated fields, and orchards of great productiveness, at the West. -Especially was this the fact with regard to the Cayugas and Senecas. The -Mohawks having been driven from their own rich lands, the extensive -domains of the two westernmost tribes of the confederacy formed the -granary of the whole. And in consequence of the superior social and -political organization just referred to, and the Spartan-like character -incident to the forest life, the Six Nations, though not the most -numerous, were beyond a doubt the most formidable, of the tribes then in -arms in behalf of the Crown. [FN-2] It was justly considered, therefore, -that the only way to strike them effectively, would be to destroy their -homes and the growing products of their farms; and thus, by cutting off -their means of supply, drive them from their own country deeper into the -interior, and perhaps throw them altogether upon their British allies for -subsistence. It was likewise the design to extend the operations of the -expedition as far as Niagara, if possible--that post, of all others in the -occupation of the enemy, enabling his officers to maintain an extensive -influence over his savage allies. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Charles F. Hoffman, Esq. - - [FN-2] "The Six Nations were a peculiar and extraordinary people, - contra-distinguished from the mass of Indian nations by great attainments - in polity, in negotiation, in eloquence, and in war."--_Discourse of - De Wilt Clinton before the New-York Hist. Society--_1811. - - [FN-3] Since these sheets were in the hands of the printer, the author - has discovered an official manuscript account of a grand Indian council - held at Niagara, in September, 1776, by Colonel John Butler, and - Lieutenants Matthews, Burnit, and Kinnesley, and Ensign Butler, with the - Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatamies, Missiasagas, Senecas, Cayugas, - Onondagas, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Mohawks, Delawares, Nanticokes, - Squaneghiges{?}, and Conagreves{?}--in presence of Lieut. Colonel John - Caldwell, then in command at Niagara. It appears that only one Oneida - sachem was present and one Tuscarora. They {illegible} an address which - was unanimously signed{?} by the chiefs attending the Congress declaring - their intention to embark in the war, and abide the result of the contest - of the King with his people. They also made a strong appeal to the - Oneidas and the Tuscaroras, "to quit the {illegible}, and be strong and - determined to fulfill their engagements to the King." They also exhorted - the Mohawks to be strong, and assured them "that they all their western - brethren, would fly to their assistance at the first cal," - &c.--_Manuscripts of Gen Gansevoort._ - - {Transcriber's Note: The above footnote, [FN-3], from the word - "Delawares" forward, the following paragraph, and its footnote are on a - page that did not scan well. It is nearly illegible. The transcription - presented here is a best guess.} - -The plan of this campaign was well devised and matured{?}. It was to be -commenced by a combined movement of two divisions--the one from -Pennsylvania {transiting?} the valley of the Susquehanna to the -intersection of the Tioga river under General Sullivan, who was invested -with the command in chief; and the other from the north under General -James Clinton, which was to descend the Susquehanna from its principal -source, and after forming a junction with Sullivan, the whole to proceed, -by the course of the Chemung river, into the fertile country of the -Senecas and Cayugas. The expedition was intended as the principal campaign -of the year; since the relative military strength and situation of the -two contending powers rendered it impossible that any other offensive -operations could be carried on by the Americans at the same time. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It was the original purpose of General Washington to invest General - Gates with the command of this expedition, and the appointment was - tendered to that officer by letter, on the 6th of March. Gates declined - it, in a manner not very agreeable to the Commander-in-chief. The latter, - in writing subsequently to the President of Congress upon the subject, - in the course of sundry explanations, not unmingled with strictures upon - the conduct of Gates, wrote as follows:--"The plan of operations for - the campaign being determined, a commanding officer was to be appointed - for the Indian expedition. This command, according to all present - appearances, will probably be of the second, if not of the first, - importance for the campaign. The officer conducting it has a flattering - prospect of acquiring more credit than can be expected by any other this - year; and he has the best reason to hope for success. General Lee, from - his situation, was out of the question; General Schuyler, (who, by the - way, would hare been most agreeable to me,) was so uncertain of - continuing in the army, that I could not appoint him; General Putnam I - need not mention. I therefore made the offer of it, for the appointment - could no longer be delayed, to General Gates, who was next in seniority, - though, perhaps, I might have avoided it, if I had been so disposed, from - his being in a command by the special appointment of Congress. My letter - to him on the occasion I believe you will think was conceived in very - candid and polite terms, and that it merited a different answer from the - one given to it"--_Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, - April_ 14th, 1779. The answer of Gates referred to by the - Commander-in-chief; was in the following words:--"Last night I had the - honor of your Excellency's Letter. The man who undertakes the Indian - service, should enjoy youth and strength; requisites I do not possess. - It therefore grieves me that your Excellency should offer me the only - command to which I am entirely unequal. In obedience to your command, I - have forwarded your letter to General Sullivan," &c--_Sparks's Life and - Correspondence of Washington._ - - -On the 2d of June, General Clinton received his instructions from -Sullivan, to proceed forthwith in the measures of co-operation according -to the plan of the campaign already indicated, viz: the descent of the -Susquehanna by the northern forces to unite with the main division at -Tioga. Preparations for the enterprise, however, were already in a state -of great forwardness, since General Washington had been in free -communication with Governor Clinton upon the subject; and the latter, with -the General his brother, had been actively engaged in anticipation of the -order. [FN] Accordingly, batteaux had already been provided at -Schenectady, which, after ascending the Mohawk to Canajoharie, were thence -to be transported over land to the head of Otsego Lake at Springfield, -while at the same time a large quantity of provisions had been thrown into -Fort Schuyler in case of emergency. After making all his arrangements, and -ordering the different corps which were to compose his command, to -concentrate at Canajoharie, General Clinton arrived at that post on the -16th of June, where he found himself at the head of fifteen hundred -troops. - - * * * * * - - [FN] General James Clinton was at that time in command of the Northern - department. The troops assigned for this campaign were, the brigades of - Generals Clinton, Maxwell, Poor, and Hand, to which last brigade were - assigned, in addition, all the detached corps of Continental troops on - the Susquehanna. The independent companies of the State of Pennsylvania - were likewise ordered upon the expedition together with Colonel Van - Courtlandt's regiment, Butler's, Alden's, and the rifle corps. Colonel - Gansevoort's regiment formed a part of Clinton's brigade. The brigade - had already been ordered by the Commander-in-chief himself to rendezvous - at Canajoharie, subject to the orders of Sullivan, either to form a - junction with the main body by the way of Otsego, or to proceed up the - Mohawk and co-operate as circumstances might best permit.--_Letter of - instructions from the Commander-in-chief to General Sullivan._ - - -The portage from the Mohawk river at Canajoharie to the head of Otsego -Lake is about twenty miles. On the 17th, General Clinton commenced the -transportation of his boats and stores across the country--the region -being hilly, and the roads excessively bad. Two hundred boats were found -to be necessary, and four horses were required for the draught of each -boat. The troops were disposed by regiments along the route, both for -safety, and to assist at difficult points of ascent. But, notwithstanding -these obstacles, and the magnitude of the enterprise, General Clinton was -enabled to announce to his immediate superior, by letter on the 26th, that -one hundred and seventy-three of the boats had already reached the head of -the lake; that thirty more were on their way; and that the residue, making -up the complement of two hundred and twenty, would be forwarded thither -immediately on their arrival from Schenectady. The provisions and stores -for a three months' campaign had likewise been already transported across -the carrying-place; so that the expedition was nearly in readiness to -commence its final movement. [FN-1] In a letter to General Schuyler -announcing the same intelligence, the General spoke particularly of the -alacrity and spirit with which the inhabitants of the country had rallied -to his assistance. He likewise bestowed high praise upon Colonel Willett, -acting as a volunteer, for his timely and energetic assistance in -forwarding the arrangements. In performing this labor, no other -interruption took place than what arose from the arrest of two spies, -formerly inhabitants of the county, one of whom was named Hare, a -lieutenant in the British service, and the other a Tory sergeant named -Newberry,--the same wretch whose name has already occurred as a brutal -murderer at Cherry Valley. They had left the Seneca country with sixty -warriors of that tribe, to be divided into three parties, one of which was -to fall upon Cherry Valley again, the other upon Schoharie, and the third -to be employed in lurking about Fort Schuyler. They were tried by a -court-martial, convicted, and "hanged pursuant to the sentence of the -court, and to the entire satisfaction of all the inhabitants of the -county." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] General Washington was greatly displeased at the amount of stores - and baggage by which Clinton was encumbered, apprehending "the worst - consequences" from the obstacles his stores would interpose to the - rapidity of his march, and also from the publicity which would as a - consequence be given to his movements. Although he had left it optional - with Sullivan to direct Clinton to join him by the route of the - Susquehanna, yet the Commander-in-chief evidently preferred that the - more northern route should be taken. He wrote to Sullivan upon the - subject with more sharpness than he was wont to do--[_See Letter of - Washington to Sullivan, July_ 1, 1779.] The event, however, aided by the - sagacity of Clinton in the adoption of a measure presently to be noted, - proved that he took the right direction. - - [FN-2] Letter from General Clinton to General Schuyler. In General - Schuyler's answer to this letter, he says, speaking of the execution of - Hare--"In executing Hare, you have rid the State of the greatest villain - in it. I hope his abettors in the country will meet with a similar - exaltation."--_Gov. Clinton's Manuscripts._ - - -It was the desire of General Sullivan that Clinton should employ in his -division as large a number of the Oneida warriors as could be induced to -engage in the service. The latter officer was opposed to this arrangement; -but at the importunities of Sullivan, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, their -missionary, who was now a chaplain in the army, had been summoned to -Albany for consultation. From thence Mr. Kirkland was despatched to -Pennsylvania directly to join Sullivan's division, while to Mr. Deane, -the interpreter connected with the Indian commission at Fort Schuyler, -was confided the charge of negotiating with the Oneida chiefs upon the -subject. At first all went smoothly with the Indians. The Oneidas -volunteered for the expedition, almost to a man; while those of the -Onondagas who adhered to the cause of the Americans, were equally desirous -of proving their fidelity by their deeds. Under these circumstances -Clinton wrote to Sullivan on the 26th, that on the following Saturday, Mr. -Deane, with the Indian warriors, would join him at the head of the lake. -A sudden revolution, however, was wrought in their determination by an -address to the Oneidas from General Haldimand, received at Fort Schuyler -on the 22d. This document was transmitted to them in their own language; -and its tenor was so alarming, as to induce them suddenly to change their -purpose--judging, very correctly, from the threats of Haldimand, that -their presence was necessary at home for the defence of their own castles. -Still, Mr. Deane wrote that an arrangement was on foot, by which he hoped -yet to obtain the co-operation of a considerable number of the Oneida -warriors. The basis of this arrangement was, that in the event of an -invasion of their country by the Indians, whom the Canadian commander had -threatened to let loose upon them, the garrison at Fort Schuyler should -not only assist them, but receive their women and children into the fort -for protection. - -General Haldimand's address was written in the Iroquois language, of which -the following translation was made by Mr. Deane, and enclosed to General -Clinton:-- - - "_A translation of his Excellency Gen. Haldimand's speech - to the Oneida Indians in the Rebel Interest, as delivered - to them in the Iroquois language._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Copied by the author from the MS. among the papers of General - Clinton. - - -"Brothers: Be very attentive to what I, Ashanegown, the Great King of -England's representative in Canada, am going to say. By this string of -wampum I shake you by the hand to rouse you that you may seriously reflect -upon my words. - - "_A string of wampum._ - -"Brothers: It is now about four years ago since the Bostonians began to -rise, and rebel against their Father, the King of England, since which -time you have taken a different part from the rest of the Five Nations, -your confederates, and have likewise deserted the King's cause, through -the deceitful machinations and snares of the rebels, who intimidated you -with their numerous armies, by which means you became bewildered, and -forgot all of your engagements with, and former care, and favor from the -Great King of England, your Father. You also soon forgot the frequent bad -usage, and continual encroachments of the Americans upon the Indian lands -throughout the Continent. I say, therefore, that at the breaking out of -these troubles you firmly declared to observe a strict neutrality in the -dispute, and made your declaration known to Sir Guy Carleton, my -predecessor, who much approved of it, provided you were in earnest. I have -hitherto strictly observed and examined your conduct, and find that you -did not adhere to your assertion, although I could trace no reason on the -side of government as well as the Indians, why you should act so -treacherous and double a part; by which means, we, not mistrusting your -fidelity, have had many losses among the King's subjects, and the Five -Nations your friends and connexions; and finding you besides, proud and -haughty on the occasion, as if you gloried in your perfidy, doubtless in -sure confidence as if your friends, the rebels, were getting the better -at last; and captivated with that pleasing opinion of yours, you have -presumed twice, during the course of last winter, to send impertinent and -daring messages to the Five Nations, as if you meant to pick a quarrel -with them. In consequence of this your daring and insolent behavior, I -must insist upon, by this belt of wampum, that you declare yourselves -immediately on the receipt of this my speech and message, whether you mean -to persist in this your daring and insulting course, and still intend to -act as you have hitherto done, treacherously under the cloak of -neutrality, or whether you will accept of this my last offer of -re-uniting, and reconciling yourselves with your own tribes, the Five -Nations. Do not imagine that the King has hitherto treated the rebels and -their adherents with so much mildness and indulgence, out of any -apprehensions of their strength, or getting the better! No, by no means. -For you will find that in case you slight or disregard this my last offer -of peace, I shall soon convince you that I have such a number of Indian -allies to let loose upon you, as will instantly convince you of your folly -when too late, as I have hardly been able to restrain them from falling -upon you for some time past. I must therefore once more repeat to you that -this is my last and final message to you; and that you do not hesitate, -or put off giving me your direct and decisive declaration of peace or war, -that in case of the latter, (knowing that there are still some of your -nation who are friends to the King and the Five Nations,) I may give them -timely warning to separate themselves from you. - -"Brothers: Let me lastly convince you of the deceit and dissimulation of -your rebel brethren, General Schuyler, Parson Kirkland, and others; have -they not told you, in the beginning of the rebellion, that they wanted not -your assistance, and to have your blood spilt; and you likewise declared -that you would not join them, but remain neuter? Have either of you stuck -to your word? No! you basely broke it, and seemed from the beginning to be -of mutual hostile sentiments against the King and his allies, and soon -after manifested it by your actions. What confirms me in this opinion, and -proves your deceitful and treacherous dispositions, is your behavior -during the course of the last war, when you likewise acted a double part -in clandestinely joining and carrying intelligence to the French in this -country; which I myself am a witness to, and also was told of it by your -friend, the late Sir William Johnson, who, notwithstanding your base -behavior, upon promising that you would be true and faithful for the -future, forgave you, and received you into favor again, advising you to -be more prudent and honest in time to come; and frequently after that -loaded you with the King's bounty and favor. But he was no sooner dead -than you ungratefully forgot his good advice and benedictions; and in -opposition to his family and Indian friends, and every thing that is -sacred, adopted the cause of rebels, and enemies to your King, your late -patron Sir William Johnson, and your own confederacy and connexions. These -are facts, Brothers, that unless you are lost to every sense of feeling, -cannot but recall in you a most hearty repentance and deep remorse for -your past file actions. - - "_The belt._ - - "Fred. Haldimand." - -On the 30th of June, Clinton wrote to Sullivan that his arrangements were -complete--that all his stores and munitions of every description were at -the lake, with two hundred and ten batteaux--and every thing in readiness -for embarkation the moment his orders to that effect should be received. -On the 1st of July he proceeded to the lake himself, and the expedition -moved from its head to the Southern extremity--there to await the orders -of his superior. While lying at this place, a letter was received from -General Schuyler, announcing the return from Canada of a spy, who had been -despatched thither for information. He brought word, that on the 18th of -June four hundred and fifty regular troops, one hundred Tories, and thirty -Indians, had been sent forward from Montreal to reinforce the Indians -against whom this expedition was preparing; and that they were to be -joined by half of Sir John Johnson's regiment, together with a portion of -the garrison at Niagara. From this intelligence it was evident that the -Indian country was not to be taken without a struggle. - -On the 5th Mr. Deane arrived, at the head of thirty-five Oneida warriors. -The object of their visit was in person to apologize for the absence of -their brethren from the expedition, and to make those explanations, in -regard to their own altered situation, already communicated by Mr. Deane -by letter, together with the address of General Haldimand, which had -caused their alarm. A conference took place with General Clinton on the -same day, at which the Oneidas delivered their message in the following -speech:-- - -"Brother: We suppose you imagine we have come here in order to attend you -upon your expedition, but we are sorry to inform you that our situation is -such as will not admit of it. - -"Brother: From intelligence which we may depend upon, we have reason to -believe that the Six Nations mean to embrace the opportunity of our -absence in order to destroy our castles; these accounts we have by spies -from among them, and we know that a considerable body of them are now -collected at Cayuga for that purpose, waiting in expectation of our -warriors leaving the castle to join you. - -"Brother: It was our intention to have joined you upon your intended -route, and hope you will not think hard of it that we do not; but such is -our present danger, that in case we leave our castle it must be cut off, -as a large party of the enemy are waiting for that purpose. - -"Brother: This is a time of danger with us. Our brethren, the Americans, -have always promised us assistance for our protection whenever we stand -in need of it; we therefore request that, agreeable to these promises, we -may have some troops sent to our assistance in this time of great danger. -Should you send a body of troops to our assistance and protection, and the -enemy attack us, and we should have the fortune to beat them, we will -with those troops pursue them, and join you down in their country; or if -they should not make an attack upon our castle in a short time, we will -march through their castles until we join you." - - _A belt._ - -To which General Clinton made the following reply:-- - -"Brethren: Our present expedition is intended to chastise those nations -who have broken their faith with us, and joined our enemies. The force we -have is quite sufficient for that purpose. Our route is planned in the -great council of this country. It is not my desire that the whole of your -warriors should leave their castles. I have given a general invitation to -our Brethren the Oneidas, the Tuscaroras, and such Onondagas as may have -entered into friendship with us. In order to give all our Indian friends -an equal chance of evidencing their spirit and determination to partake -of our fortune, I am entirely satisfied that such only should join me as -think proper. It is not for want of warriors that I have given you this -invitation, but that every warrior who is a friend to these United States -may have an equal opportunity of punishing the enemies of our country. - -"As your situation is such as causes you to suppose your castle in danger -of being destroyed by your enemies in case of your absence, I by no means -desire that more of your warriors should leave your castles than your -council think proper to permit. - -"As yet I am fully persuaded that all our enemies of the Six Nations will -find too much to do at home, to suffer any of their warriors to go abroad -to do mischief. If you should be satisfied after a little while that your -castles are out of danger, and the whole or any part of your warriors -think proper to come to us, I shall be glad to see you; and in the -meantime perhaps you may be as serviceable where you are, as if you were -with us. - -"I shall immediately give orders to the officers commanding at Fort -Schuyler to send some troops to your castle, and write to Colonel Van -Schaick, who commands in my absence, to afford you every assistance in -his power, as I am not authorized to order any of the troops now with me -on any other command, being directed by our Great Chief and Warrior to -proceed with the whole of these troops on the present route." - -In the course of the interview, the sachems informed General Clinton that -a party of about three hundred Indians, with a few Tories, had marched -from Cayuga ten days before, for the purpose of hanging upon his -outskirts and harassing his march to Tioga. Still it was supposed not to -be their intention to do any serious fighting, until the invading forces -should have advanced a considerable distance up the Tioga or Chemung -river. Indeed, it was evidently the purpose of the enemy to make no -stand, until the forces of Sullivan and Clinton should arrive in the -neighborhood of the works of defence which the Indians and Tories had -been constructing, even before the battle of Wyoming, on the banks of the -Chemung. - -In consequence of the requisition of the warriors, in their speech, -General Clinton issued an order to the commanding officer at Fort -Schuyler to detach a command of thirty or forty men to the Oneida fort, -to be recalled as circumstances might require. With this understanding, -and the assurances in the General's answer to their speech, the ten -principal warriors, specially charged with the explanations, took their -departure the same evening for their own castle--leaving the remaining -twenty-five to accompany the expedition. [FN] General Clinton was -impatient of delay, as appears by a letter addressed to his brother of -the next day, from which the following is an extract:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] All but two of these, however, and those of the meaner sort, - deserted the expedition before they arrived at Tioga. - - - "General to Governor Clinton. - - "_Camp on the south end of } - Otsego Lake, July_ 6th, 1779, } - - "Dear Brother, - -"I have the pleasure to inform you that I am now at this place, with two -hundred and eight boats, with all the stores, provisions, and baggage of -the army; and I am well convinced that such a quantity of each hath never -before been transported over so bad a road in so short a time and with -less accidents, and that I am now in the most readiness to move down the -Susquehanna, whenever I receive General Sullivan's orders for that -purpose. I have thrown a dam across the outlet, which I conceive will be -of infinite importance, as it has raised the lake at least two feet, by -which the boats may be taken down with less danger than otherwise, -although, from the intricate winding of the channel, I expect to meet -some difficulties on the way. It is uncertain when I shall leave this -place. - -"I received a letter from General Sullivan yesterday, dated at Wyoming -July 1st, in which he informs me that he was anxiously waiting the -arrival of his stores from Sunbury--that he expected them daily--that it -was determined in council that that army should proceed almost as far as -Tioga previous to my leaving the lake, as by that means he might make a -diversion in my favor, and facilitate my movements down the river. This -I imagine to be in consequence of a letter which he probably has received -from General Washington, and one I received from him dated the first -instant, in which his Excellency expresses his surprise at my taking so -much stores with me, when it was determined that all the supplies of the -army should come up with General Sullivan, and that nothing more should -be brought with me than was absolutely necessary for the troops until -the junction was formed at Tioga. However, as it was General Sullivan's -orders to bring what provision I could, and as his Excellency added in -his letter to me that it was not his intention to contravene any orders -I may receive from General Sullivan, I ordered the whole to be forwarded -to this place; which I have happily effected, and of which I do not -repent, as I believe I shall fall short of many articles. . . . The -troops are in good health and high spirits, and every thing seems to -promise a most favorable and successful campaign." . . . - -No attempts were made by the enemy to molest General Clinton while thus -detained at Otsego Lake. Still, his proceedings were not left entirely -without observation, and there were two individual affrays happening in -his vicinity, which deserve special mention. The name of David Elerson, -one of the bold spirits associated with Murphy in Morgan's rifle corps, -has already occurred in a former chapter. The detachment to which he -belonged had been ordered from Schoharie to join his expedition. While -lying at the head of the lake, Elerson rambled off to an old clearing, -at the distance of a mile or more from camp to gather pulse for dinner. -Having filled his knapsack, while adjusting it in order to return to -camp, he was startled at the rustling of the tall and coarse herbage -around him, and in the same instant beheld some ten or a dozen Indians, -who had crept upon him so cautiously as to be just on the point of -springing to grasp him. Their object was clearly rather to make him a -prisoner than to kill him, since he might easily have been shot down -unperceived. Perhaps they wanted him for an _auto-da-fe,_ perhaps to -obtain information. Seizing his rifle, which was standing by his side, -Elerson sprang forward to escape. A shower of tomahawks hurtled through -the air after him; but as he had plunged into a thicket of tall weeds -and bushes, he was only struck on one of his hands, his middle finger -being nearly severed. A brisk chase was immediately commenced. Scaling -an old brush-wood fence, Elerson darted into the woods, and the Indians -after him. He was as fleet as a stag, and perceiving that they were not -likely soon to overtake, the pursuers discharged their rifles after him, -but luckily without effect. The chase was thus continued from eleven till -three o'clock--Elerson using every device and stratagem to elude or -deceive the Indians, but they holding him close. At length, having gained -a moment to breathe, an Indian started up in his front. Drawing up his -rifle to clear the passage in that direction, the whiz of a bullet -fleshing his side, and the crack of a rifle, from another point, taught -him that delays were particularly dangerous at that spot. The Indian in -front, however, had disappeared on his presenting his rifle, and Elerson -again darted forward. His wounded side bled a little, though not enough -to weaken him. Having crossed a ridge, he paused a moment in the valley -beyond, to slake his thirst--his mouth being parched, and himself almost -fainting. On rising from the brook, the head of one of his pursuers -peeped over the crest of the hill. He raised his rifle, but such was his -exhaustion that he could not hold it steady. A minute more, and he would -have been in the power of the savage. Raising his rifle again, and -steadying it by the side of a tree, he brought the savage tumbling -headlong down the hill. In the next moment his trusty rifle was re-loaded -and primed, and in the next the whole group of his pursuers came rushing -over the ridge. He again supposed his minutes were numbered; but being -partly sheltered by the trunk of a huge hemlock, they saw not him, but -only the body of their fallen comrade yet quivering in the agonies of -death. Drawing in a circle about the body of their companion, they raised -the death wail; and as they paused, Elerson made another effort to fly. -Before they resumed the pursuit, he had succeeded in burying himself in -a dark thicket of hemlocks, where he found the hollow trunk of a tree, -into which he crept. Here he lay ensconced two full days, without food -or dressings for his wound. On the third day he backed out of "the -loop-hole of his retreat," but knew not which way to proceed--not -discerning the points of the compass. In the course of two or three -miles, however, he came to a clearing, and found himself at -Cobleskill--having, during his recent chase, run over hill and dale, bog, -brook, and fen, upward of twenty-five miles. - -At about the same time, and probably by the same party of Indians, the -premises of a Mr. Shankland, lying in their track, situated in the -outskirts of Cherry Valley, were assaulted. Residing at the distance of -two or three miles from the village, his house had escaped the common -destruction the proceeding Autumn. But he had nevertheless removed his -family to the valley of the Mohawk for safety, and had returned to his -domicile accompanied only by his son. [FN-1] They were awakened just -before dawn by the assailants, who were endeavoring to cut away the door -with their hatchets. Taking down his two guns, Mr. Shankland directed his -son to load them, while he successively fired to the best advantage. But -not being able to see the enemy, he determined upon a sortie. Having a -spear, or espontoon, in the house, he armed himself therewith, and -carefully unbarring the door, rushed forth upon the besiegers, who fled -back at his sudden apparition. One of the Indians whom he was specially -pursuing, tumbled over a log, and as Mr. Shankland struck at him, his -spear entered the wood, and parted from the shaft. Wrenching the blade -from the log, he darted back into the house, barred the door, and again -commenced firing upon the assailants. They had been so much surprised by -his rushing out upon them, that they neither fired a shot, nor hurled a -tomahawk, until he had returned to his castle, and barred the sally-port. -During that part of the affray, his son, becoming somewhat frightened, -escaped from the house, and ran for the woods. He was pursued, overtaken, -and made captive. The father, however, continued the fight--the Indians -firing through the casements at random, and he returning the shots as -well as he could. At one time he thought of sallying forth again, and -selling his life to the best advantage; but by thus doing, he very -rightly judged that he should at once involve the life of his son. The -Indians, growing wearied of fighting at such disadvantage, at last -attempted to make sure of their victim by applying the torch, and the -house was speedily in flames, but it so happened that between the rear -of the house and the forest, a field of hemp interposed--into which Mr. -Shankland contrived to throw himself from the house, unperceived by the -Indians. Concealed from observation by the hemp, he succeeded in reaching -the woods, and making good his retreat to the Mohawk. Meantime the -Indians remained by the house until it was consumed, together, as they -supposed, with the garrison. They then raised a shout of victory, and -departed [FN-2]--several of their number having been wounded by the -courageous proprietor. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The late Thomas Shankland, Esq. of Cooperstown. - - [FN-2] Campbell's Annals. - - -Greatly to his vexation, as appears from his letters. General Clinton was -detained at Otsego, by the tardy movements of his commander below, during -the whole month of July and the first week in August--until, indeed, his -troops became impatient to a degree. [FN] But the General was not idle -in respect to every arrangement that might add to their security or -contribute to their success. In the letter to his brother, last quoted, -he disclosed one capital stroke of generalship, which not only contributed -largely to his successful descent of the river, but was of great service -in other respects. The damming of the lake, and the accumulation, by this -means, of a vast reservoir of water, by rendering more certain and -expeditious the navigation of the river, was an exceedingly happy thought -And when at length orders were received for his embarkation on the 9th -of August, his flotilla was not only borne triumphantly along upon the -pile of the impatient waters accumulated for the occasion, but the -swelling of the torrent beyond its banks caused wide and unexpected -destruction to the growing crops of the Indians on their plantations at -Oghkwaga and its vicinity. They were, moreover, greatly affrighted at the -sudden and unexpected rise of the waters in the dryest season of the -year, especially as there had been no rains--attributing the event to the -interposition of the "Great Spirit," who thus showed that he was angry -with them. The whole expedition was indeed calculated to impress them -with terror--as it might have done a more enlightened and less -superstitious people. The country was wild and totally uninhabited, -excepting by scattered families of the Indians, and here and there by -some few of the more adventurous white settlers, in the neighborhood of -Unadilla. The sudden swelling of the river, therefore, bearing upon its -surge a flotilla of more than two hundred vessels, through a region of -primitive forests, and upon a stream that had never before wafted upon -its bosom any craft of greater burthen than a bark canoe, was a spectacle -which might well appall the untutored inhabitants of the regions thus -invaded. - - * * * * * - - [FN] By a letter from the Commander-in-chief to General Sullivan, it - appears that in the organisation of the expedition the latter had been - compelled to encounter greater difficulties than had been anticipated. - He wan disappointed in regard to the Pennsylvania independent - companies--to supply which deficiency, Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Pauling - was directed to march across from Warwasing, and join Clinton at - Oghkwaga. Governor Clinton himself had intended to lead this regiment, - but General Washington, believing that the influence of his presence - was needed elsewhere, induced him to relinquish that design. The delays - of Sullivan, therefore, may not nave arisen from any fault of his own. - Still, the inactivity of General Clinton at Otsego Lake, and of - Sullivan at Wyoming, was no more irksome to the former than to Brant - himself. This active warrior had probably led in person the three - hundred Indians spoken of by the Oneidas as having gone forth to hang - upon the flanks of General Clinton, and annoy his troops by skirmishes - during the march. Becoming weary, however, of waiting for a foe whose - movements were apparently so tardy, Brant determined on making the - irruption into Minisink, of which a history has been given in the last - preceding chapter. - - -During these energetic proceedings of Clinton, it has been seen that -Sullivan was very dilatory in his movements, and his conduct in the early -part of the campaign gave particular dissatisfaction to Congress. His -requisitions for supplies were enormous, and several of his specifications -of articles, such as eggs, tongues, and other luxuries, were considered -so unsoldier-like as to create disgust. However, having completed his -arrangements, he left Wyoming on the 31st of July, and ascended the -Susquehanna to Tioga, with an expedition far more formidable as to -numbers, and not less imposing in other respects, than was the descending -division under General Clinton--though he had not the advantage of riding -upon so majestic a flood. Sullivan reached Tioga on the 11th of August, -and on the following day pushed out a detachment twelve miles toward -Chemung, which was attacked by a body of Indians--losing, during the -brush, seven men killed and wounded. The detachment returned to Tioga on -the 13th, after having burnt one of the Indian towns. - -General Clinton with his division, having been joined at Oghkwaga by a -detachment of Colonel Pauling's levies from Warwasing, arrived at Tioga -and formed a junction with Sullivan on the 22d of August. The entire -command amounted now to five thousand, consisting of the brigades of -Generals Clinton, Hand, Maxwell, and Poor, together with Proctor's -artillery and a corps of riflemen. So long had the expedition been in -progress, that it was well understood the Indians and Tories were not -unprepared to receive them; and in moving up the Tioga and the Chemung -rivers, the utmost degree of caution was observed to guard against -surprise. A strong advanced guard of light infantry preceded the main -body, which was well protected by large flanking parties. In this way -they slowly proceeded in the direction of the works of the enemy, upon -the Chemung at Newtown. On the 28th, an Indian settlement was destroyed, -together with fields of corn, and other Indian products yet -unharvested. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The instructions of the Commander-in-chief were peremptory, that - Sullivan was not even to listen to propositions of peace until after he - should have "very thoroughly completed the destruction of their - settlements." - - - - -[Illustration: Order of Battle-Order of March] - - - - -The Indians, determined to risk a general action in defence of their -country, had selected their ground with judgment, about a mile in advance -of Newtown. [FN-1] Their force was estimated by General Sullivan at -fifteen hundred, including five companies of British troops and rangers, -estimated at two hundred men. The enemy, however, only allowed their -force to consist of five hundred and fifty Indians, and two hundred and -fifty whites--in all, eight hundred. [FN-2] Brant commanded the Indians, -and the regular troops and rangers were led by Colonel John Butler, -associated with whom were Colonels Sir John and Guy Johnson, Major Walter -N. Butler, and Captain McDonald. [FN-3] The enemy had constructed a -breast-work of half a mile in length, so covered by a bend of the river -as to expose only the front and one of the flanks to attack; and even -that flank was rendered difficult of approach by resting upon a steep -ridge, "nearly parallel to the general course of the river, terminating -somewhat below the breast-work. Farther yet to the left was still another -ridge, running in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the -American army. The ground was covered with pine, interspersed with low -shrub oaks, many of which for the purpose of concealing their works, had -been cut and brought from a distance, and stuck down in their front, -exhibiting the appearance of untransplanted shrubbery. The road, after -crossing a deep brook at the foot of the hill, turned to the right, and -ran nearly parallel to the breast-work, so as to expose the whole flank -of the army to their fire should it advance without discovering their -position." [FN-4] Detachments of the enemy, communicating with each other, -were stationed on both hills, for the purpose of falling upon Sullivan's -right and rear the moment the action should commence. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The site of the present town of Elmira. - - [FN-2] Gordon. - - [FN-3] It is not quite certain whether both the Johnsons were engaged in - this action. Sir John was there, and the author has somewhere seen the - name of Guy Johnson as having likewise been in the battle of the Chemung. - - [FN-4] Marshall. - - -The enemy's position was discovered by Major Parr, commanding the advance -guard, at about 11 o'clock in the morning of the 29th of August General -Hand immediately formed the light infantry in a wood, at the distance of -about four hundred yards from the breast-work, and waited until the main -body of the army arrived on the ground. A skirmishing was, however, kept up -by both sides--the Indians sallying out of their works by small parties, -firing, and suddenly retreating--making the woods at the same time to -resound with their war-whoops, piercing the air from point to point as -though the tangled forest were alive with their grim-visaged warriors. -Correctly judging that the hill upon his right was occupied by the -savages, General Sullivan ordered Poor's brigade to wheel off, and -endeavor to gain their left flank, and, if possible, to surround them, -while the artillery and main body of the Americans attacked them in -front. [FN-1] The order was promptly executed; but as Poor climbed the -ascent, the battle became animated, and the possession of the hill was -bravely contested. In front the enemy stood a hot cannonade for more than -two hours. [FN-2] Both Tories and Indians were entitled to the credit of -fighting manfully. Every rock, and tree, and bush, shielded its man, from -behind which the winged messengers of death were thickly sent, but with -so little effect as to excite astonishment. The Indians yielded ground -only inch by inch; and in their retreat darted from tree to tree with the -agility of the panther, often contesting each new position to the point -of the bayonet--a thing very unusual even with militiamen, and still more -rare among the undisciplined warriors of the woods. Thayendanegea was the -animating spirit of the savages. Always in the thickest of the fight, he -used every effort to stimulate his warriors, in the hope of leading them -to victory. Until the artillery began to play, the whoops and yells of -the savages, mingled with the rattling of musketry, had well-nigh -obtained the mastery of sound. But their whoops were measurably drowned -by the thunder of the cannon. This cannonade "was elegant," to adopt the -phraseology of Sullivan himself in writing to a friend, and gave the -Indians a great panic. Still, the battle was contested in front for a -length of time with undiminished spirit But the severity of fighting was -on the flank just described. As Poor gallantly approached the point which -completely uncovered the enemy's rear, Brant, who had been the first to -penetrate the design of the American commander, attempted once more to -rally his forces, and with the assistance of a battalion of the rangers -make a stand. But it was in vain, although he exerted himself to the -utmost for that purpose--flying from point to point, seeming to be -everywhere present, and using every means in his power to re-animate the -flagging spirits, and re-invigorate the arms of his followers. Having -ascended the steep, and gained his object without faltering, the enemy's -flank was turned by Poor; and the fortunes of the day decided. Perceiving -such to be the fact, and that there was danger of being surrounded, the -retreat-halloo was raised, and the enemy, savages and white men, -precipitately abandoned their works, crossed the river, and fled with the -utmost precipitation--the Indians leaving their packs and a number of -their tomahawks and scalping-knives behind them. The battle was long, and -on the side of the enemy bloody. [FN-3] Eleven of their dead were found -upon the field--an unusual circumstance with the Indians, who invariably -exert themselves to the utmost to prevent the bodies of their slain from -falling into the hands of their foes. But being pushed at the point of -the bayonet, they had not time to bear them away. They were pursued two -miles, their trail affording indubitable proof that a portion of their -dead and wounded had been carried off. Two canoes were found covered with -blood, and the bodies of fourteen Indian warriors were discovered -partially buried among the leaves. Eight scalps were taken by the -Americans during the chase. [FN-4] Considering the duration of the -battle, and the obstinacy with which it was maintained, the loss of the -Americans was small almost to a miracle. Only five or six men were -killed, and between forty and fifty wounded. Among the American officers -wounded were Major Titcomb, Captain Clayes, and Lieutenant Collis--the -latter mortally. All the houses of the contiguous Indian town were burnt, -and the corn-fields destroyed. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter from General Sullivan to a gentleman in Batten. - - [FN-2] Idem. Vide Remembrancer, vol. vii. - - [FN-3] Mr. John Salmon, late of Livingston County, (N. Y.) who was a - member of a detachment of the rifle corps in this expedition, in a - letter written for Mary Jemison's Narrative, speaks of a second stand - made by the Indians at a place above Newtown called the Narrows--"Where," - he says, "they were attacked by our men, who killed them in great - numbers, so that the sides of the rocks next the river appeared as - though blood had been poured on them by pailfuls. The Indians threw - their dead into the river, and escaped the best way they could." No - other account makes mention of any such incident, unless, indeed, Mr. - Salmon refers to the killing of the eight warriors whose scalps were - taken during the flight, according to one of Sullivan's letters to a - gentleman in Boston, which may be found in Almon's Remembrancer, and - which is the authority for this statement in the text. The MS. journal - of Capt. Fowler, in the author's possession, commences only the day - after the battle. - - [FN-4] "On the next morning [after Sullivan's arrival at Catharine's - town,] an old woman of the Cayuga nation was found in the woods, who - informed us that on the night after the battle of Newtown, the enemy - having fled the whole time, arrived there in great confusion early the - next day; that she heard the warriors tell their women that they were - conquered, and must fly; that they had a great many killed, and vast - numbers wounded. She likewise heard the lamentations of many at the - loss of their connexions. In addition, she assured us that some other - warriors had met Butler at that place, and desired him to return and - fight again. But to this request they could obtain no satisfactory - answer; for, as they observed, 'Butler's mouth was closed.' The - warriors, who had been in the action, were equally averse to the - proposal."--_Sullivan's Official Account._ - - [FN-5] The strength of the enemy's force at Newtown was never - ascertained with any degree of certainty; although, as heretofore stated - in the text, it was the opinion of Sullivan, and also of his general - officers, that it must have exceeded fifteen hundred. Still, the two - prisoners taken estimated them only at eight hundred. They admitted, - however, that, in addition to the five companies of rangers engaged in - the action, all the warriors of the Senecas, and six other nations of - Indians, were engaged. In order to determine the amount of their force - with as much accuracy as could be attained, General Sullivan examined - their breast-work, the extent of which was more than half a mile. The - lines were flanked in every part by bastions in front, and a - dwelling-house also, in front of the works, had been converted into a - block-house and manned. The breast-work appeared to have been fully - manned, though, as Sullivan supposed, by only a single rank. Some part - of the works being low, the enemy were compelled to dig holes in the - ground to cover themselves in part. A very thin scattering line, - designed, as was supposed, for communicating signals, was continued from - those works to that part of the mountain ascended by General Poor, where - a large body had been stationed, as heretofore stated, for the purpose - of falling upon the flank of the Americans. The distance from the - breast-work to that point was at least one mile and a half. From thence - to the hill on the American right was another scattering line of about - one mile, and on the hill a breast-work, with a strong party, destined, - as it was supposed, to fall upon the American rear. But this design was - frustrated by the movements of Clinton, as already mentioned.--_Vide - Sullivan's Official Report._ - - -The Americans encamped that night on the field of battle, and on the -following day, the wounded, together with the heavy artillery, and -wagons, and all such portions of the baggage as would not be required, -and could not well be transported in the farther prosecution of the -flying campaign now to be performed, were sent back to Tioga. Only four -brass three-pounders and a small howitzer were retained; and the whole -army was at once placed upon short allowance,--the soldiers submitting -cheerfully to the requisition, the moment the necessity of the measure -was explained to them in a speech by their commander. These and other -dispositions having been made, the army moved forward on the 31st, in the -direction of Catharine's town, situated near the head of Seneca Lake, and -the residence of the celebrated Catharine Montour. On their way thither, -Sullivan destroyed a small settlement of eight houses, and a town called -Knawaholee, of about twenty houses, situated on a peninsula at the -conflux of the Tioga and Cayuga branches. Several cornfields were -destroyed at this place, and a number of others, also very large, about -six miles up the Tioga, by Colonel Dayton and the rifle corps, who were -detached thither upon that service. - -The Indians and Tories acted unwisely in retreating so far as they did -from the battle of Newtown, since the march of Sullivan thence to -Catharine's town was of the most difficult and fatiguing description. -They were compelled to traverse several narrow and dangerous defiles with -steep hills upon either side, the passage of which might have been -rendered exceedingly annoying to their invaders by a vigilant enemy. The -route lay along the streams; and such was the sinuous course of one of -them, almost swelling to the size of a river, that they were obliged to -ford it several times--the men up to their middles in water. Worse than -all, they were compelled to thread their way through a deep-tangled -hemlock swamp. The night came on exceedingly dark, and the sufferings of -the troops were great. General Sullivan was advised not to enter the -swamp until the next day, but he rejected the counsel, and obstinately -pushed forward. So fatigued, however, was the army, that General Clinton, -whose division brought up the rear, was obliged to pass the night in the -swamp without pack or baggage. Neither Brant nor the Butlers displayed -their wonted sagacity on this occasion, or the Americans might have been -mads to suffer severely for their rashness in penetrating such a thicket -at such an hour. The excuse of the Indians, who were roasting corn not -many miles distant, was, that the way was so bad, and the night so dark, -they did not dream of Sullivan's advancing under such circumstances. - -Disappointed by the Oneidas, upon whose assistance General Sullivan had -counted as guides and runners through the Indian country, but only four -of whom had continued with the expedition, the General despatched one of -these from Catharine's town to the castle of that nation, with an address, -calling upon all who were friendly to the Americans, to prove the -sincerity of their professions by joining his forces immediately. The -messenger, Oneigat, was also instructed to give his nation an account of -the battle at Newtown. He did not, however, rejoin the expedition until -near its close. He then reported that on his arrival at the Oneida -castle, a council was convened, and that his people were delighted with -the news of which he was the bearer. Obedient, moreover, to the summons -which he had borne thither, seventy of their warriors had set out with -him to join the army, and thirty more were to follow the next day. But -on that day, near the Onondaga village, they met their brother, Conowaga, -from the army, who informed them that the General had already advanced -as far as Kanasadagea, and had men enough--only wanting a few good guides. -In consequence of this information, the Oneida warriors had turned -back--transmitting, however, by him, an address to the General, -interceding in behalf of a clan of the Cayugas, who, they declared, had -always been friendly to the United States. As an evidence of this fact, -they referred to the cases of several prisoners, who, as it was alleged, -had been surrendered by them to General Schuyler. The Oneidas, therefore, -besought General Sullivan not to destroy the fields of these friendly -Cayugas, who, if deprived of their corn, would fall upon them for support, -and they already had a heavy burden upon their hands in the persons of -the destitute Onondagas. General Sullivan immediately sent a speech in -reply, commending the Oneidas for their fidelity to the United States, -but expressing his surprise at their interposing a word in behalf of any -portion of the Cayugas, whose whole course had been marked, not only by -duplicity, but by positive hostility. He therefore distinctly informed -the Oneidas that the Cayugas should be chastised. Nor did he fail to -execute his purpose, as will in due time appear. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Sullivan's address, and the message of the Oneidas in reply, - Almon's Remembrancer, for 1780, Part I. - - -The brigade of General Clinton rejoined the main army on the 2d of -September, and the whole encamped at Catharine's town, which was entirely -destroyed on the following day, together with the corn-fields and -orchards. The houses, thirty in number, were burnt. The work of -destruction, marking that extraordinary campaign, was now begun in -earnest It was considered necessary by the Commander-in-chief, or his -orders would not have been so peremptory upon the subject, nor his -satisfaction so great after its accomplishment. [FN-1] Still, at this -distance of time, when the mind glances back not only to the number of -towns destroyed, and fields laid waste, but to the war of extermination -waged against the very orchards, it is difficult to suppress feelings of -regret--much less to bestow a word of commendation. It has been asserted -that some of the officers, among whom were General Hand and Colonel -Durbin, objected to this wanton destruction of the fruit-trees, as -discreditable to American soldiers; but the Indians had been long and -cruelly provoking the Americans by the ferocity of their attacks upon the -border settlements, and it had been judged expedient to let the arm of -vengeance fall heavily upon them. "The Indians," said Sullivan, "shall -see that there is malice enough in our hearts to destroy every thing that -contributes to their support;" [FN-2] and well did he fulfill the threat. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] See letter of Washington to Colonel John Laurens, Sept. 28, 1779; - to the President of Congress, Oct 9; and to the Marquis de Lafayette, - October 20, of the some year--_Sparks, Vol. vi._ - - [FN-2] Gordon. - - -The comparative state of civilization to which the Six Nations had -arrived, has been glanced at in the opening of the present chapter. Still -it is apprehended that but few of the present generation are thoroughly -aware of the advances which the Indians, in the wide and beautiful -country of the Cayugas and Senecas, had made in the march of civilization. -They had several towns, and many large villages, laid out with a -considerable degree of regularity. They had framed houses, some of them -well finished, having chimneys, and painted. They had broad and -productive fields; and in addition to an abundance of apples, were in the -enjoyment of the pear, and the still more delicious peach. But after the -battle of Newtown, terror led the van of the invader, whose approach was -heralded by watchmen stationed upon every height, and desolation followed -weeping in his train. The Indians everywhere fled as Sullivan advanced, -and the whole country was swept as with the besom of destruction. On the -4th, as the army advanced, they destroyed a small scattering settlement -of eight houses; and two days afterward reached the more considerable -town of Kendaia, containing about twenty houses neatly built, and well -finished. These were reduced to ashes, and the army spent nearly a day -in destroying the fields of corn and the fruit-trees. Of these there were -great abundance, and many of them appeared to be very ancient. While thus -engaged, the army was joined by one of the inhabitants of Wyoming, a -captive who had escaped from the Indians. He informed them that all had -been terror among tho Indians since the battle of Newtown, and that -Kendaia had been deserted two days before in the greatest confusion. He -likewise stated various reasons for believing that the enemy had suffered -greatly in that battle--that he had heard some of the Indian women -lamenting the loss of their connexions, and that Brant had taken most of -the wounded up the Tioga river in water craft, which had been previously -made ready in case of defeat. It was farther believed that the King of -Kanadaseagea had been killed at Newtown. He had been seen on his way -thither, and had not returned. From the description given of his dress -and person, moreover, it was believed by General Sullivan that he had -seen his body among the slain. - -On the 7th of September, Sullivan crossed the outlet of the Seneca Lake, -and moved in three divisions upon the town of Kanadaseagea--the Seneca -capital--containing about sixty houses, with gardens, and numerous -orchards of apple and peach trees. It was Sullivan's object to surround -the town, and take it by surprise. But, although Butler had endeavored -to induce the Indians to make a stand at that place, his importunities -were of no avail. They said it was of no use to contend with such an army; -and their capital was consequently abandoned, as the other towns had been, -before the Americans could reach it. A detachment of four hundred men -was sent down on the west side of the lake, to destroy Gotheseunquean, -[FN-1] and the plantations in the neighborhood; while at the same time a -number of volunteers, under Colonel Harper, made a forced march in the -direction of the Cayuga Lake, and destroyed Schoyere. Meantime the -residue of the army was employed, on the 8th, in the destruction of the -town, together with the fruit-trees, and fields of corn and beans. [FN-2] -Here, as elsewhere, the work of destruction was thorough and complete. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Thus spelled by General Sullivan, whose official account is in - part the basis of this narrative. Captain Theodosius Fowler, in his - diary, writes it Karhauguash. - - [FN-2] Journal of Capt. Fowler. - - -In leaving their town, the Indians had fled with such precipitancy that -a young white male child, about seven or eight years old, was left -behind, asleep. It was taken in charge by an officer, who, from ill -health, was not on duty. In retiring from the campaign, for the same -cause, he took the child with him, and nothing more of its history is -known. This flight of the Indians was universal; and of all commanders, -Sullivan seems to have been least successful in finding the enemy of whom -he was in search, save only when the enemy wished to be found. Upon this -feature of the present campaign it has been remarked, that although the -bravery of this officer was unimpeachable, yet he was altogether -unacquainted with the science of Indian warfare, and was sure to use the -best means to keep the savages at such a distance, that they could not be -brought unwillingly to an engagement. For instance, he persisted in the -practice of having cannon fired from his camp, mornings and evenings, -forgetting what every one else perceived, that the Indians were thus -notified of his position and the rapidity of his marches--thus being -enabled daily to retreat from his approach exactly in time. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of John Salmon, in the Appendix of Mary Jemison's Life. - - -From this point a detachment of sixty men, with the lame and sick, was -sent back to Tioga. The main army then moved forward upon Kanandaigua, at -which place it arrived in two days. Here they "found twenty-three very -elegant houses, mostly framed, and in general large," [FN] together with -very extensive fields of corn--all of which were destroyed. From -Kanandaigua they proceeded to the small town of Honeoye, consisting of -ten houses, which were immediately burnt to the ground. A post was -established at Honeoye, to maintain which a strong garrison was left, -with the heavy stores and one field-piece. With this precautionary -measure the army prepared to advance upon the yet more considerable town -of Genesee--the great capital of the western tribes of the -confederacy--containing their stores, and their broadest cultivated -fields. - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Sullivan's official account. - - -Hearing of Sullivan's continued advance, and of his purpose to strike -their towns upon the Genesee, the Indians once more began to think of -giving battle. A council of their towns was convened, the result of which -was a determination to intercept the invaders, and strike another blow -in defence of their homes. They felt that if unopposed, the destruction -of their towns would be inevitable, and their fate could be no worse -should they meet and fight the conqueror--whatever might be the result. -Their first precaution was to place their women and children in a place -of security, in the woods at a distance from their town; so that, in the -event of being themselves defeated, the non-combatants would have an -opportunity to escape. Having made their preparations, the warriors took -the field again--selecting for their battle-ground a position between -Honeoye Creek and the head of Connissius Lake. [FN] Placing themselves -in ambush, they awaited the approach of Sullivan's forces. They rose, -however, upon the advance-guard of the Americans, and after a brisk -skirmish, the latter fell back upon the main body--of which the Indians -did not await the arrival. The only fruit of this attack, on behalf of -the Indians, was the capture of two Indian prisoners of the Oneida tribe. -Of itself, this incident was insignificant; but a transaction grew out -of it of thrilling interest, and strongly illustrative of Indian -character. One of the Indians thus taken, was General Sullivan's guide, -and had, moreover, been very active in the contest, rendering the -Americans frequent and important services. On that account he was a -prisoner of consequence. But there was another feature in the case not -altogether unworthy of note. This faithful Indian had an elder brother -engaged with the enemy, who, at the beginning of the war, had exerted -all his power to persuade the younger into the British service also, but -without success. At the close of this skirmish the brothers met for the -first time since their separation, when they had respectively chosen to -travel different war-paths; the younger a prisoner to the elder. The -latter had no sooner recognized his brother after the _melée_, than his -eyes kindled with that fierce and peculiar lustre which lights up the -burning eyes of a savage when meditating vengeance. Approaching him -haughtily, he spoke as follows:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] At or near a place now called Henderon's Flatta, Vide Life of Mary - Jemison and letter of John Salmon. - - -"Brother! You have merited death! The hatchet or the war-club shall -finish your career! When I begged of you to follow me in the fortunes of -war, you were deaf to my cries: you spurned my entreaties! - -"Brother! You have merited death, and shall have your deserts! When the -rebels raised their hatchets to fight their good master, you sharpened -your knife, you brightened your rifle, and led on our foes to the fields -of our fathers! - -"Brother! You have merited death, and shall die by our hands! When those -rebels had driven us from the fields of our fathers to seek out new -houses, it was you who could dare to step forth as their pilot, and -conduct them even to the doors of our wigwams, to butcher our children -and put us to death! No crime can be greater! But though you have merited -death, and shall die on this spot, my hands shall not be stained with the -blood of a brother!--_Who will strike?_" - -A pause of but a moment ensued. The bright hatchet of Little Beard, the -sachem of the village, flashed in the air like the lightning, and the -young Oneida chief was dead at his feet. [FN] The other captive, who was -also an Oneida sachem, was then informed by Little Beard that he was -warring only against the whites, and that his life should be spared; -adding, farther, that at a suitable time he should be restored to liberty. -Distrusting the good faith of the chief, however, the captive watched an -opportunity for escape, and very shortly afterward accomplished his -purpose--but in a manner which produced another tragic catastrophe, as -will presently appear. - - * * * * * - - [FN] This was truly a shocking transaction, but not _so_ shocking as - that of the horrible fratricide before recorded at Wyoming, nor so - shocking as the attempt of the brother of Colonel Frey at Oriskany. The - Indian had far the most humanity, and far the highest sense of honor and - duty. - - -From Honeoye, General Sullivan advanced in two days upon a town -containing twenty-five houses, called Kanaghsaws. There were large -corn-fields to be destroyed here also, and a bridge to be constructed -over an unfordable creek intervening between Kanaghsaws and Little -Beard's town, lying next in the route to Genesee--so called from the name -of a celebrated chief then residing there. While delayed by these -obstacles, Lieutenant Boyd, of the rifle corps, was detached with -twenty-six men to reconnoiter that chieftain's town, where also was a -castle. Having performed that duty, and in doing so killed and scalped -two Indians [FN-1] in the otherwise deserted village, he had commenced -his return to the main division. It so happened that Boyd was passing at -no great distance from the party of Indians having the Oneida prisoner in -charge. The latter was guarded by two Indians, between whom he was walking -arm in arm, when, at a favorable moment, he suddenly broke from their -grasp, and fled at the top of his speed in the direction of Sullivan's -army. The Indians, in goodly numbers, turned out in pursuit, and while -running, fell in with the party of Lieutenant Boyd. [FN-2] By this time -the Indians in pursuit after the fugitive numbered several hundred, under -the immediate command of Joseph Brant, who seems suddenly to have made -his appearance for the occasion. [FN-3] Indeed, according to one -authority, Brant was not concerned with the pursuit, but had previously -secreted himself in a deep ravine, with a large party of his Indians and -Butler's rangers, for the express purpose of cutting off Boyd's retreat. -[FN-4] Discovering his situation, and in fact surrounded by fearful odds, -Boyd saw, of course, that his only chance of escape was to strike at some -given point, and cut his way through the ranks of the enemy. It was a -bold measure; but there was no alternative, and he made three successive -attempts to accomplish his purpose. In the first, several of the enemy -fell, without the loss of a single man on his own part. But he was -repulsed. The Indians stood their ground nobly; and in the second and -third attempts upon their line by Boyd, his whole party fell except -himself and eight others. In the next moment several of these were -killed, while a few succeeded in flight--among whom was the bold -Virginian, Murphy. Boyd was himself taken prisoner, and one other man -named Parker. The Lieutenant immediately solicited an interview with -Thayendanegea, and making himself known as a Freemason, was assured by -the chief of protection. [FN-5] One of the party under Lieutenant Boyd was -a brave Oneida warrior, named Honyerry, who served him as a guide. This -faithful Indian had served long with the Americans, and, as the reader has -already seen, was particularly distinguished in the battle of Oriskany, -where so many of the Mohawk and Seneca warriors fell. On the present -occasion, moreover, he acquitted himself with signal courage. Being an -excellent marksman, his rifle did great execution. The Indians knew him, -and as they closed in upon the little band, poor Honyerry was literally -hacked to pieces. [FN-6] It was a dear victory, however, to the enemy. -The firing was so close before the brave party was destroyed, that the -powder of the enemy's muskets was driven into their flesh. The enemy had -no covert, while Boyd's party was, for a portion of the time at least, -possessed of a very advantageous one. The enemy were, moreover, so long -employed in removing their dead, that the approach of General Hand's -brigade obliged them to leave one of the number among the dead riflemen; -together with a wagon load of packs, blankets, hats, and provisions, -which they had thrown off to enable them to act with more agility in the -field. [FN-7] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Captain Fowler's Journal. One of these Indians was shot and - scalped by Murphy, whose name has already occurred in connexion with the - Schoharie wars. - - [FN-2] Life of Mary Jemison. - - [FN-3] Captain Fowler and John Salmon both state the number of Indians - engaged in this affair at upward of five hundred. - - [FN-4] John Salmon's letter. - - [FN-5] Idem. - - [FN-6] Captain Fowler's Journal. - - [FN-7] Sullivan's Official Account. - - -From the battle-field Brant conducted Lieutenant Boyd and his fellow -captive to Little Beard's town, where they found Colonel Butler with a -detachment of the rangers. While under the supervision of Brant, the -Lieutenant was well treated and safe from danger. But the chief being -called away in the discharge of his multifarious duties, Boyd was left -with Butler, who soon afterward began to examine him by questions as to -the situation, numbers, and intentions of General Sullivan and his troops. -He, of course, declined answering all improper questions; whereat Butler -threatened that if he did not give him full and explicit information, he -would deliver him up to the tender mercies of the Indians. Relying -confidently upon the assurances of the generous Mohawk chieftain, Boyd -still refused, and Butler fulfilled his bloody threat--delivering him over -to Little Beard and his clan, the most ferocious of the Seneca tribe. -[FN-1] The gallant fellow was immediately put to death by torture; and -in the execution there was a refinement of cruelty, of which it is not -known that a parallel instance occurred during the whole war. Having been -denuded, Boyd was tied to a sapling, where the Indians first practised -upon the steadiness of his nerves by hurling their tomahawks apparently -at his head, but so as to strike the trunk of the sapling as near to his -head as possible without hitting it--groups of Indians, in the meantime, -brandishing their knives, and dancing around him with the most frantic -demonstrations of joy. His nails were pulled out, his nose cut off, and -one of his eyes plucked out His tongue was also cut out, and he was -stabbed in various places. [FN-2] After amusing themselves sufficiently -in this way, a small incision was made in his abdomen, and the end of one -of his intestines taken out and fastened to the tree. The victim was then -unbound, and driven round the tree by brute force, until his intestines -had all been literally drawn from his body and wound round its trunk. His -sufferings were then terminated by striking his head from his body. It -was then raised upon a pole in triumph. Parker, the other captive, was -likewise beheaded, but not otherwise tortured. After the conclusion of -this tragedy, the Indians held a brief council to determine whether to -offer any farther resistance to General Sullivan, or to yield their -country to his ravages without opposition. They finally came to the -decision that they were not sufficiently powerful to oppose the invaders -with success, and thereupon decided to leave their possessions, for the -preservation of their lives and those of their families. The women and -children were thereupon sent away in the direction of Niagara, while the -warriors remained in the forests about Little Beard's town, to watch the -motions of the Americans. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Salmon. There is some reason to doubt which of the - Butlers was the actor in this instance--the father, Colonel John, or the - more severe Captain, his son. - - [FN-2] Sullivan's Official Account. - - [FN-3] Life of Mary Jemison. According to Colonel Butler's statement, - after his examination Boyd was sent forward with a guard to Niagara; but, - while passing through Genesee village, an old Indian rushed out and - tomahawked him. But Salmon says he was put to death by the most cruel - tortures, and so says the official report of General Sullivan. Mary - Jemison, who was with the Indians gives the details from which the - present account is drawn. It is to be hoped, however, that Colonel Butler - was not accessory to the cruelty; and in justice to his memory, it must - be admitted that it was not a transaction characteristic of him. - - -As soon as the main division had heard of the situation of Boyd, they -moved forward--arriving, however, only in season to bury the bodies of -the slain. [FN-1] This tragic occurrence took place on the 13th of -September. On the same day Sullivan moved forward to a place called -Gathtsegwarohare, where the enemy, both Indians and rangers, were -apparently disposed to make a stand. The troops were immediately brought -into order of battle, and General Clinton's brigade commenced a movement -with a view of outflanking and gaining the enemy's rear. But discovering -the movement, the enemy retreated with precipitation. Sullivan encamped on -the ground--the men sleeping on their arms, in the expectation of an -attack. But the enemy did not disturb their repose; and on the 14th the -army continued its advance, and crossed the Genesee river. Arriving at -Little Beard's town, [FN-2] they found the mutilated bodies of Boyd and -Parker, which were buried on the bank of Beard's Creek, under a clump of -wild plum trees. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] They were buried at a place now called Groveland, where the grave - was very recently to be seen. - - [FN-2] The place is now called Leicester. - - [FN-3] On the road now running from Moscow to Genesee. - - -The valley of the Genesee, for its beauty and fertility, was beheld by the -army of Sullivan with astonishment and delight. Though an Indian country, -and peopled only by the wild men of the woods, its rich intervales -presented the appearance of long cultivation, and were then smiling with -their harvests of ripening corn. Indeed, the Indians themselves professed -not to know when or by whom the lands upon that stream were first brought -into cultivation. Nearly half a century before, Mary Jemison had observed -a quantity of human bones washed down from one of the banks of the river, -which the Indians held were not the remains of their own people, but of a -different race of men who had once possessed that country. The Indians, -they contended, had never buried their dead in such a situation. Be all -this, however, as it may, instead of a howling wilderness, Sullivan and -his troops found the Genesee flats, and many other districts of the -country, resembling much more the orchards, and farms, and gardens of -civilized life. But all was now doomed to speedy devastation. The Genesee -castle was destroyed. The troops scoured the whole region round about, -and burnt and destroyed every thing that came in their way. Little Beard -himself had officiated as master of ceremonies at the torturing of Boyd; -and his town was now burnt to the ground, and large quantities of corn, -which his people had laid up in store, were destroyed by being burnt or -thrown into the river. "The town of Genesee contained one hundred and -twenty-eight houses, mostly large and very elegant. It was beautifully -situated, almost encircled with a clear flat, extending a number of miles; -over which extensive fields of corn were waving, together with every kind -of vegetable that could be conceived." [FN-1] But the entire army was -immediately engaged in destroying it, and the axe and the torch soon -transformed the whole of that beautiful region from the character of a -garden to a scene of drear and sickening desolation. Forty Indian towns, -the largest containing one hundred and twenty-eight houses, were -destroyed. [FN-2] Corn, gathered and ungathered, to the amount of one -hundred and sixty thousand bushels, shared the same fate; their -fruit-trees were cut down; and the Indians were hunted like wild beasts, -till neither house, nor fruit-tree, nor field of corn, nor inhabitant, -remained in the whole country. The gardens were enriched with great -quantities of useful vegetables, of different kinds. The size of the -corn-fields, as well as the high degree of cultivation in which they -were kept, excited wonder; and the ears of corn were so remarkably large, -that many of them measured twenty-two inches in length. So numerous were -the fruit-trees, that in one orchard they cut down fifteen hundred. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sullivan's Account. - - [FN-2] It has already been seen that this wide-spread destruction was the - result of the express instructions of General Washington. It was in - reference to this fact, that, when addressing President Washington at an - Indian council held in Philadelphia, in 1792, Cornplanter commenced his - speech in the following strain:--"Father: The voice of the Seneca nation - speaks to you, the Great Counselor, in whose heart the wise men of all - the Thirteen Fires have placed their wisdom. It may be very small in - your ears, and we therefore entreat you to hearken with attention: for - we are about to speak to you of things which to us are very great. When - your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you the - Town Destroyer; and to this day, when that name is heard, our women look - behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of - their mothers. Our counselors and warriors are men, and cannot be afraid; - but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, - and desire that it maybe buried so deep as to be heard no more." - - [FN-3] Ramsay. See, also, History of the British Empire, 2 - volumes--anonymous. While Sullivan was at Genesee, a female captive from - Wyoming was re-taken. She gave a deplorable account of the terror and - confusion of the Indians. The women, she said, were constantly begging - the warriors to sue for peace; and one of the Indians, she stated, had - attempted to shoot Colonel Johnson for the falsehoods by which he had - deceived and ruined them. She overheard Butler tell Johnson that after - the battle of Newtown it was impossible to keep the Indians together, - and that he thought they would soon be in a miserable situation, as all - their crops would be destroyed, and they could not be supplied at - Niagara. - - -It is in connexion with this campaign that the name of the celebrated -Seneca orator, _Sagayewatha,_ or _Red Jacket,_ first occurs in history, -or rather, will now for the first time thus occur, since it has never yet -been mentioned at so early a date by any previous writer. It is well -known by all who are acquainted with Indian history, that Brant and Red -Jacket were irreconcilable enemies. The origin of this enmity has never -yet been known to the public, and it has by some been imputed to the -jealousy entertained by Brant of the growing reputation of his younger -and more eloquent rival. But such is not the fact Brant ever acknowledged -the great intellectual powers of Red Jacket, but always maintained that -he was not only destitute of principle, but an arrant coward. In support -of these opinions, he asserted that Red Jacket had given him much trouble -and embarrassment during this campaign of General Sullivan, and was in -fact the principal cause of the disgrace and disasters of the Indians. In -relating a history of the expedition to a distinguished American -gentleman, [FN] Brant stated that after the battle of Newtown, Red Jacket -was in the habit of holding private councils with the young warriors, and -some of the more timid sachems, the object of which was to persuade them -to sue for peace, upon any--even ignominious terms; and that at one time -he had so far succeeded as to induce them to send privately, and without -the knowledge of the principal war chiefs, a runner into General -Sullivan's camp, to make known to him the spirit of dissatisfaction and -division that prevailed among the Indians, and to invite him to send a -flag of truce with certain propositions calculated to increase their -divisions and produce a dishonorable peace. Brant, who was privately -informed of all these proceedings, but feared the consequences of -disclosing and attempting to suppress them by forcible means, despatched, -secretly also, two confidential warriors to way-lay the flag when on its -route from the American to the Indian camp, and to put the bearer of it -to death, and then return secretly with his despatches. This was -accomplished as he directed, and all attempts at farther negotiations -thereby prevented. It was certainly a bold measure; and how far Brant's -conduct therein is susceptible of justification, or even palliation, -will depend on a variety of minute circumstances which it is now too -late to ascertain. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The late Secretary of War, General Peter B. Porter. - - -Having completed the objects contemplated by the expedition to the point -at which he had arrived, General Sullivan re-crossed the Genesee with his -army on the 16th of September, and set out an his return. Why he did not -follow up his success and strike at the enemy's citadel at Niagara, which -at that time was in no situation for formidable resistance, is a question -difficult of solution. Unquestionably, in the organization of the -expedition, the conquest of Niagara, the head-quarters of the foe of all -descriptions, and the seat of British influence and power among the -Indians, was one of the principal objects in view. But perhaps the forces -of the American General had become too much weakened by sickness and -fatigue, (they had not lost a hundred men in battle,) to allow of a -farther advance. Certain it is, that the most important feature of the -enterprise was not undertaken; and it will be seen in the sequel, that -but small ultimate advantage resulted from the campaign. Stimulated by a -yet keener thirst for revenge, clouds of savages were afterward again and -again seen to sweep through the valley of the Mohawk with the scalping -knife and the torch. The excuse offered by Sullivan himself was, the want -of provisions; but this deficiency might have been most abundantly -supplied from the ample stores of the Indians, which were either burnt -or thrown into the river. - -The return of the army was along the same track by which it had advanced. -On the 20th, having re-crossed the outlet of Seneca Lake, Colonel Zebulon -Butler was detached with the rifle corps and five hundred men, to pass -round the foot of Cayuga Lake, and lay waste the Indian towns on its -eastern shore; while on the next day, Lieutenant Colonel Dearborn, with -two hundred men, was detached to perform the same service along the -south-western shore. The main army pursued the most direct route to the -Chemung and Tioga. On the 26th Colonel Dearborn's detachment returned, -and on the 28th they were rejoined by Colonel Butler, who had burnt three -towns of the Cayugas, including their capital. [FN] Dearborn had burnt -six towns in his route, destroying at the same time large quantities of -corn. On the same day Colonels Van Courtlandt and Dayton were detached -upon a similar service, for the destruction of large fields of corn -growing upon the banks of the Tioga and its tributaries. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Oneidas, it will be recollected, had been interceding in behalf - of the Cayugas, or at least a portion of them. Upon this point General - Sullivan wrote in his official report as follows:--"I trust the steps I - have taken in respect to the Cayugas will prove satisfactory. And here - I beg leave to mention, that on searching the houses of these pretended - neutral Cayugas, a number of scalps were found, which appeared to have - been lately taken, which Colonel Butler showed to the Oneidas, who said - that they were then convinced of the justice of the steps I had taken." - - -On the 30th of September the army reached its original point of -concentration at Tioga, where, it will be recollected, a fort had been -thrown up, and left in charge of a small garrison. This work was destroyed -on the 3d of October. The army then resumed its return march, and passing -through Wyoming, arrived at Easton on the 15th. The distance thence to the -Genesee castle was two hundred and eighty miles. With the exception of the -action at Newtown, the achievements of the army in battle were not great. -But it had scoured a broad extent of country, and laid more towns in ashes -than had ever been destroyed on the continent before. The red men were -driven from their beautiful country--their habitations left in ruins, -their fields laid waste, their orchards uprooted, and their altars and -the tombs of their fathers overthrown. - -There was, however, an episode to this campaign, if such a phrase may be -allowed in military history, which, unexplained as it has been, appears -like a very strange movement on the part of General Sullivan. It has been -seen in the earlier portion of the present work, that when the great body -of the Mohawks retired to Canada with the Johnsons, preparatory to taking -up the hatchet against the Americans, the clan at the lower castle -declined accompanying them. Thus far, moreover, during the whole progress -of the war, they had preserved a strict neutrality. They had neither -molested their white neighbors, nor been molested themselves; but were -living quietly, cultivating their grounds in the midst of the best -settled portion of Tryon County, or following the chase at their -pleasure--and on terms of perfect amity and good-will with their white -neighbors. By some means or other, however, General Sullivan had imbibed -a distrust of these people, and on the 20th of September, while at the -foot of Seneca Lake, he detached Colonel Gansevoort, with a corps of one -hundred men, to Fort Schuyler From thence his orders were peremptory that -he should proceed forthwith down the Mohawk to the said lower Indian -castle, make all the Indians captives if possible, destroy their castle, -and then proceed immediately with the said prisoners to head-quarters--the -order explicitly forbidding that any of the prisoners so taken should be -left at Albany; and the Colonel was at the same time enjoined, amidst all -these measures of hostility, to show the Indians, so to be dispossessed -and carried away by violence, "such necessary marks of civility and -attention as might engage a continuance of their friendship, and give -evidence of our pacific disposition toward them!" This was truly a -surprising order, and, as the event proved, as uncalled for and unjust -as it was incomprehensible. As Colonel Gansevoort's official report of -his proceedings under this order will present the best view of the whole -transaction, it is inserted entire:-- - - "Colonel Gansevoort to General Sullivan. - - "_Albany, October_ 8, 1779. - - "Sir, - -"Agreeably to my orders, I proceeded by the shortest route to the lower -Mohawk castle, passing through the Tuscarora and Oneida castles (towns), -where every mark of hospitality and friendship was shown the party. I had -the pleasure to find that not the least damage nor insult was offered any -of the inhabitants. On the 25th I arrived at Fort Schuyler, where, -refreshing my party, I proceeded down the river, and on the 29th -effectually surprised the lower Mohawk castle, making prisoners of every -Indian inhabitant They then occupied but four houses. I was preparing, -agreeable to my orders, to destroy them, but was interrupted by the -inhabitants of the frontiers, who have been lately driven from their -settlements by the savages, praying that they might have liberty to enter -into the Mohawks' houses, until they could procure other habitations; and -well knowing those persons to have lately lost their all, humanity -tempted me in this particular to act in some degree contrary to orders, -although I could not but be confident of your approbation; especially -when you are informed that this castle is in the heart of our settlements, -and abounding with every necessary; so that it is remarked that these -Indians live much better than most of the Mohawk river farmers. Their -houses were very well furnished with all necessary household utensils, -great plenty of grain, several horses, cows, and wagons; of all which I -have an inventory, leaving them in the care of Major Newkirk, of that -place, who distributed the refugees in the several houses. Such being the -situation, I did not allow the party to plunder at all. - -"The prisoners arrived at Albany on the 2d instant, and were closely -secured in the fort. Yesterday, the 7th, I received a letter from General -Schuyler, (of which I enclose a copy,) respecting the prisoners, desiring -that the sending the prisoners down might be postponed until an express -shall arrive from General Washington. Agreeably to this request, a -sergeant and twelve men are detained to keep charge of the prisoners until -his pleasure is known. - -"It is with the greatest regret I mention my indisposition being so great -as to hinder my taking charge of the party to headquarters. I have been -several days confined, and my surgeon informs me that my complaint is -bilious fever. Captain Sytez takes command of the detachment, and will -proceed with all expedition to head-quarters with the baggage of the -several regiments, where I hope shortly to join the army. I remain, &c., -&c." - -It seems that General Schuyler, then at the head of the Northern -Commission of the Indian Department, having heard of the harsh measure -adopted in regard to the lower castle Mohawks, had interposed in their -behalf. The following is the letter referred to by Colonel Gansevoort, a -copy of which was enclosed to General Sullivan:-- - - "General Schuyler to Colonel Gansevoort. - - "_Albany October_ 7, 1779. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Having perused Gen. Sullivan's orders to you respecting the Indians of -the lower Mohawk castle and their property, I conceive they are founded -on misinformation given to that gentlemen; these Indians have peaceably -remained there under the sanction of the public faith repeatedly given -them by the commissioners of Indian affairs, on condition of peaceable -demeanor; this contract they have not violated to our knowledge. It is -therefore incumbent on us, as servants of the public, to keep the public -faith inviolate; and we therefore entreat you to postpone the sending the -Indians from hence until the pleasure of his Excellency, Gen. Washington, -can be obtained, and a letter is already despatched to him on the -occasion, and in which we have mentioned this application to you. I am, -dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, - - "Ph. Schuyler, - _President of the Board of Commissioners - of Indian affairs, N. Department._" - -Copies of these letters were at the same time enclosed to the -Commander-in-chief by Colonel Gansevoort, and the result was a speedy -release of the poor Indians, with directions from General Washington that -the Commissioners should "lay them under such obligations for their -future good behavior as they should think necessary." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letter of Washington to Colonel Gansevoort. In justice to - General Sullivan respecting this crusade against the little neighborhood - of friendly Mohawks, it should be stated that he acted under - misinformation. In his official report, written from Tioga, September 30, - he said:--"I directed Colonel Gansevoort to destroy the lower Mohawk - castle in his route, and capture the inhabitants, consisting of only six - or seven families, who were constantly employed in giving intelligence - to the enemy, and in supporting their scouting parties when making - incursions on our frontiers. When the Mohawks joined the enemy, those - few families were undoubtedly left to answer those purposes, and keep - possession of their lands." - - -Thus ended the memorable campaign of General Sullivan against the country -of the Six Nations; and, however harshly that officer may have been spoken -of by others, it is certain, from the letters of the Commander-in-chief, -that his conduct was viewed in that quarter with the most decided -approbation. The officers of the several corps engaged in the expedition -held separate meetings, and testified the warmest regard in his behalf, -and their approbation of the manner in which he had conducted the -campaign. On the 14th of October Congress passed a resolution of thanks -to General Washington for directing this expedition, and to "General -Sullivan and the brave officers and soldiers under his command for its -effectual execution." But at the very time of the adoption of the -resolution, it was evident that it was carried by a reluctant vote. -Sullivan had made such high demands for military stores, and had so freely -complained of the government for inattention to those demands, as to give -much offence to some members of Congress and to the Board of War. [FN] He, -in consequence, resigned his commission on the 9th of November, under the -convenient pretext of ill health. The resignation was accepted by -Congress on the 30th of that month--accompanied, however, by a vote of -thanks for past services. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Allen's Biographical Dictionary. - - -But there was yet another expedition against the Indians, devised and -executed in conjunction, or rather simultaneously, with that of General -Sullivan. This movement took place under the direction of Colonel Daniel -Brodhead, then commanding at Fort Pitt, and was originally designed by the -Commander-in-chief, after accomplishing the destruction of the Mingo, -Munsey, and a portion of the Seneca Indians settled on the Allegheny -river, for co-operation with that of Sullivan, by a junction at -Niagara--a point, as it happened, unattained by either. Preparatory to -this campaign, Washington had written to Colonel Brodhead, on the 22d of -March, directing him to throw forward detachments of troops, the first to -take post at Kittaning, and the second at Venango, and to build stockade -forts at both places--observing the greatest possible secrecy in regard -to ulterior operations. [FN-1] From various unforeseen difficulties, the -project of a direct co-operation with Sullivan was abandoned on the 21st -of April, and Colonel Brodhead was directed to make the necessary -reconnaissances for a movement against Detroit, should such an expedition -be deemed advisable. [FN-2] The result, however, was an independent -campaign against the tribes or clans of Indians last above mentioned, -inhabiting the head waters of the Allegheny river, French Creek, and other -tributaries of the Ohio. Colonel Brodhead left Pittsburgh on the 11th of -August, at the head of six hundred rank and file, including volunteers and -militia, with provisions for one month. The first Indian town designed to -be attacked was Cannowago. On their way thither, four days after their -departure from Fort Pitt, Colonel Brodhead's advanced guard met a party of -between thirty and forty Indian warriors descending the Allegheny in -canoes. The Indians landed to give battle; but were defeated after a sharp -brush, and put to flight, leaving five warriors dead, and evident marks -that others had been carried off wounded. On arriving at Cannowago, the -troops were mortified to find that the town had been deserted for eighteen -months. Proceeding onward, however, they successively entered several -towns, which were abandoned by the Indians on their approach. They were -all destroyed, together with the adjacent corn-fields. At the upper Seneca -town, called Yoghroonwago, they found a painted image, or war-post, -clothed in dog-skin. There were several towns in the vicinity of this -place, containing, in all, one hundred and thirty houses, some of which -were large enough to accommodate three or four families each. These were -all destroyed, together with their fields of corn, so extensive that the -troops were occupied three days in accomplishing the object. The old towns -of Buckloons and Maghinquechahocking, consisting of thirty-five large -houses, were likewise burnt. The Indians had fled so precipitately as to -leave some packages of skins and other booty, to the value of three -thousand dollars--all of which was taken. Fields of corn were destroyed -at least to the extent of five hundred acres. From the number of new -houses building, and the extent of lands preparing for cultivation, it was -conjectured that it was the intention of the whole Seneca and Munsey -nation to plant themselves down in those settlements. [FN-3] The distance -traversed by Colonel Brodhead, going and returning, was four hundred -miles, and not a man was lost during the expedition. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter from Washington to Colonel Brodhead, March 22, 1779--Vide - Sparks's Life and Correspondence, vol. vi. - - [FN-2] Letter from the same to the same, April 21, 1779. - - [FN-3] Official account of Colonel Brodhead. Upon this expedition, in - connexion with that of Sullivan, the historian, Ramsay, remarks--"In this - manner the savage part of the war was carried on. Waste, and sometimes - cruelty, were inflicted and retorted, with infinite variety of scenes of - horror and disgust. The selfish passions of human nature, unrestrained - by social ties, broke over all bounds of decency or humanity." - - -The thanks of Congress were likewise voted to General Washington for -devising, and to Colonel Brodhead for executing, this expedition. It has -already been remarked, that as but few of the enemy were slain in these -expeditions, the only immediate effect, beyond the destruction of -provisions and property, was to exasperate the Indians. A more remote -effect was to throw the whole body of the hostiles of the Six Nations -back upon their British employers, for their entire support the following -winter. Another consequence was, that from the want and distress of the -Indians during that winter, a mortal disease was superinduced among them, -which swept great numbers into eternity. - -Still another effect of these sweeping invasions of the Indian country, -was, at least for the time being, to terrify some of the tribes yet more -remote. On Colonel Brodhead's return to Fort Pitt, September 14th, he -found the chiefs of the Delawares, the principal chiefs of the Wyandots -or Hurons, and the King of the Maquichee branch of the Shawanese, awaiting -his arrival. Three days afterward the Colonel held a council with these -forest dignitaries, on which occasion _Doonyontat,_ the Wyandot chief, -delivered the following speech:-- - -"Brother Maghingive Keeshuch, [FN] listen to me!" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Indian name conferred upon Colonel Brodhead. - - -Brother: It grieves me to see you with the tears in your eyes. I know it -is the fault of the English. - -"Brother: I wipe away all those tears, and smooth down your hair, which -the English, and the folly of my young men, have ruffled. - -"Now, my Brother, I have wiped away all the stains from your clothes, and -smoothed them where my young men had ruffled them, so that you may now -put on your hat, and sit with that ease and composure which you would -desire. - - "_Four strings of white wampum._ - -"Brother: Listen to the Huron chiefs. - -"Brother: I see you all bloody by the English and my young men. I now -wipe away all those stains, and make you clean. - -"Brother: I see your heart twisted, and neck and throat turned to the one -side, with the grief and vexation which my young men have caused; all -which disagreeable sensations I now remove, and restore you to your former -tranquility, so that now you may breathe with ease, and enjoy the benefit -of your food and nourishment. - -"Brother: Your ears appear to be stopped, so that you cannot listen to -your Brothers when they talk of friendship. That deafness I now remove, -and all stoppage from your ears, that you may listen to the friendly -speeches of your Brothers, and that they may sink deep into your heart. - - "_Seven strings of white wampum._ - -"Brother: Listen to me. When I look around me, I see the bones of our -nephews lie scattered and unburied. - -"Brother: I gather up the bones of all our young men on both sides, who -have fallen in this dispute, without any distinction of party. - -"Brother: I have now gathered up the bones of our relations on both sides, -and will bury them in a large deep grave, and smooth it over so that -there shall not be the least sign of bones, or any thing to raise any -grief or anger in any of our minds hereafter. - -"Brother: I have now buried the bones of all our relations very deep. You -very well know that there are some of your flesh and blood in our hands -prisoners: I assure you that you shall see them all safe and well. - - "_Eight strings of white wampum._ - -"Brother: I now look up to where our Maker is, and think there is some -darkness still over our heads, so that God can hardly see us, on account -of the evil doings of the King over the great waters. All these thick -clouds, which have arisen on account of that bad King, I now entirely -remove, that God may look and see us in our treaty of friendship, and be -a witness to the truth and sincerity of our intentions. - - "_Four strings of white wampum._ - -"Brother: As God puts all our hearts right, I now give thanks to God -Almighty, to the chief men of the Americans, to my old father the King of -France, and to you, Brother, that we can now talk together on friendly -terms, and speak our sentiments without interruption. - - "_Four strings of black and white wampum._ - -"Brother: You knew me before you saw me, and that I had not drawn away my -hand from yours, as I sent you word last year by Captain White Eyes. - -"Brother: I look up to Heaven, and call God Almighty to witness to the -truth of what I say, and that it really comes from my heart. - -"Brother: I now tell you that I have forever thrown off my father the -English, and will never give him any assistance; and there are some amongst -all the nations that think the same things that I do, and I wish that they -would all think so. - -"Brother: I cannot answer for all the nations, as I don't know all their -thoughts, and will speak only what I am sure of. - -"Brother: Listen to me. I love all the nations, and hate none, and when I -return home they shall all hear what you say and what is done between us. - -"Brother: I have just now told you that I loved all the nations, and I see -you raising up the hatchet against my younger Brother, the Shawanese. [FN] -I beg of you to stop a little while, as he has never yet heard me; and -when he has heard me, if he does not choose to think as we do, I will tell -you of it immediately." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Clarke, the captor of Hamilton, was at that time preparing - to invade the principal Shawanese towns--a purpose which he executed - some time afterward.--_Author._ - - -"Brother: I intend to speak roughly to my younger brother, and tell him -not to listen to the English, but throw them off, and listen to me, and -then he may live as I do. - -"Brother: I thank you for leaving the fortress at Tuscarawas, and am -convinced by that that you have taken pity on us, and want to make us your -friends. - -"Brother: I now take a firmer hold of your hand than before, and beg that -you will take pity upon the other nations who are my friends; and if any -of them should incline to take hold of your hand, I request that you -would comply, and receive them into friendship. - - "_A black belt of eleven rows._ - -"Brother: Listen. I tell you to be cautious, as I think you intend to -strike the man near to where I sit, not to go the nighest way to where he -is, lest you frighten the owners of the lands who are living through the -country between this and that place." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Referring to the projected movement of Colonel Brodhead against - Detroit--a purpose never executed. - - -"Brother: You now listen to me, and one favor I beg of you is, that when -you drive away your enemies, you will allow me to continue in possession -of my property, which, if you grant, will rejoice me. - -"Brother: I would advise you, when you strike the man near where I sit, -to go by water, as it will be the easiest and best way. - -"Brother: If you intend to strike, one way is to go up the Allegheny, and -by Presq' Isle; another way is to go down this river and up the Wabash. - -"Brother: The reason why I mentioned the road up the river is, that there -will be no danger of your being discovered until you are close upon them, -but on the road down the river you will be spied. - -"Brother: Now I have told you the way by Presq' Isle, and that it is the -boundary between us and your enemies; if you go by the Wabash, your -friends will not be surprised. - -"Brother: You must not think that what I have said is only my own -thoughts, but the opinion of all the Huron chiefs, and I speak in behalf -of them all. If you grant what favors I have asked of you, all our friends -and relations will be thankful and glad as far as they can hear all round. - -"Brother: The reason why I have pointed out these two roads is, that when -we hear you are in one of them, we will know your intentions without -farther notice; and the Huron chiefs desired me particularly to mention -it, that they may meet you in your walk, and tell you what they have done, -who are your enemies, and who are your friends, and I, in their name, -request a pair of colors to show that we have joined in friendship. - - "_Fourteen strings of black wampum._ - -"Brother: The chiefs desired me to tell you that they sent Montour before -to tell you their intention, and they leave him to go with you, that when -you meet your Brothers, you may consult together, and understand one -another by his means." - -On the 19th Colonel Brodhead addressed the Huron chief in reply, after -the Indian form. He told him, distinctly, that fair words were no longer -to be taken, unless their sincerity was attested by their deeds. In -regard to the roads to Detroit, he said he should select whichever he -pleased. As for the Shawanese, the Colonel told the chief that he had -sent them a fair speech, which they had thrown into the fire, and he -should not now recall Colonel Clarke. And in regard to the people of the -chief himself, the Colonel demanded, as the basis of peace, that they -should stipulate to restore all American prisoners in their hands; to -kill, scalp, and take, as many of the English and their allies as they -had killed and taken of the Americans; and on every occasion to join the -Americans against their enemies. The Wyandots assented to the terms, and -hostages were required for the faithful performance of their agreement. - -The Delawares were at that time at peace with the United States, and a -small body of their warriors had accompanied Colonel Brodhead on the -expedition from which he had just returned. The business having been -closed with the Huron chiefs the Delawares interposed in behalf of the -Maquichee clan of the Shawanese. These Indians were now apparently very -humble; but, apprehensive that they might not perhaps manage their own -case very well, the Delawares had kept them back from the council, and -undertaken their cause themselves. _Kelleleman,_ a Delaware chief, -informed Colonel Brodhead that on arriving there, their grand-children -[FN] had addressed them thus:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] In Indian parlance the Delawares were styled the "Grandfathers" of - the Shawanese; and hence the use, in these proceedings, of the terms - reciprocally of "Grand-children" and "Grandfathers." - - -"Grandfathers: We are humble, and are now come unto you. Now I am come to -you, I take my hands and wipe your eyes, that you may clearly see the -light, and that these are your grand-children who now appear before you, -and likewise remove every obstruction from your eyes, that you may hear -and understand me. I also compose your heart, that you may be disposed to -pity your poor grand-children, as your ancient chiefs used to pity their -grand-children, the Maquichees, when they were poor or humble before them. -Now, my grandfathers, I tell you to pity your grand-children, the -Maquichees, and whatever you direct them to do, will be done. Now you have -heard your grand-children speak, and you will judge what to say to your -brother, Maghingive Keeshuch: - - "_Two strings of white wampum._ - -"Now, grandfathers, here is a little tobacco to fill your pipes, that you -may consider and pity your grand-children the Maquichees." - -Kelleleman farther reported to Colonel Brodhead, that after the foregoing -speech, _Keeshmattsee,_ a Maquichee chief, rose and said to the -Delawares:-- - -"Grandfathers: I now take my chief and counselor, Nimwha, and set him down -on the ground before you, that he may assist you in considering the -distressed situation of your grand-children." - -Another Delaware chief, named _Killbush,_ then addressed Colonel Brodhead -thus:-- - -"Brother Maghingive Keeshuch: Listen to me. You always told me that when -any nations came to treat of peace, I should first speak to them, and tell -you my sentiments of them; which I am now come to do in regard to my -grand-children, the Maquichees. - -"I told them I was much obliged to them for clearing my eyes, my ears, -and composing my heart, and that it was time, for many bad things enter -into my ears." - -Then turning to the Maquichees, Killbush continued his speech:-- - -"I remember you told me to pity you, and it is true I have pitied you, -my grand-children, the Shawanese. - -"Now I tell you, my grand-children, it is very well you put me in mind of -my wise ancestors, who, out of pity, took you up and placed you before -them. - -"My grand-children: The Maquichees, it is true, you have done no harm, -but I see some stains of blood upon you, which the mischief and folly of -some of your young men have occasioned. Now, my grand-children, I will -advise you how to be cleansed from your bloody stains; deliver to our -brother Maghingive Keeshuch all his flesh and blood which are prisoners -in your hands, and the horses you have stolen from the Americans. My -grand-children, when you have done this, you will then be clean; your -flesh and heart will be the same as mine, and I can again take you up and -set you down before me, as our wise chiefs formerly did. - -"Now, my grand-children, I tell you that for several years past you have -been fraught with lies, which I am tired of hearing, and in future you -must tell me nothing but the truth. - -"Now listen to me, my grand-children; you see how dreadful the day looks, -and how thick the clouds appear; don't imagine this day to be like that -on which you first came to your grandfathers. I tell you that I have -finished the chain of friendship. The thirteen United States and I are -one. I have already assisted my brother in taking the flesh of the -English and the Mingoes. You told me just now, that whatever I told you, -you would do; now I offer you the flesh of the English and Mingoes to -eat, and that is the only method I know of by which your lives may be -preserved, and you allowed to live in peace," (delivering them a -string of wampum and two scalps.) They received the string and scalps, -and said they were glad to know this; and, as they had before said, -whatever their grandfathers told them, they would do, so they told them -again on receiving the scalps. They said, "now, grandfathers, I am very -glad to hear what you have said; I have got in my hand what you say will -save my life," and immediately sang his war-song. The speaker, having -danced, delivered the scalps to the king, who likewise rose and sang the -war-song, and said; "Now, my grandfathers, although you have often sent -good speeches to the other tribes of the Shawanese nation, yet they would -not receive them, but still took up the tomahawk to strike your brothers. -I will now go and deliver them what I now have in my hands, which I -suppose they will receive." - -These proceedings were closed by the following speech from one of the -Delawares to Colonel Brodhead:-- - -"Brother: We now let you know the result of our council respecting the -Maquichees. - -"Brother: Listen. This is the way I have considered the matter, and if I -am mistaken I am very sorry for it Brother, let us both consider of it. I -thought when I looked in his eyes that he was sincere. - -"Brother: I think the Maquichees are honest In former times they were the -best of the Shawanese nation. I think we may take them by the hand; and -you know you told me that any nation I took by the hand, you would also -receive." - -The conference appears to have been satisfactory to Colonel Brodhead. But -if the Maquichee clan of the Shawanese preserved their fidelity, the main -body of the nation became none the less unfriendly by their means. And -although Colonel Brodhead had admonished them that he would not -countermand the orders to Colonel Clarke to strike them, it so happened -that the first and severest blow was struck by the Shawanese themselves. -It was but a short time after the closing of the council at Fort Pitt, -that a detachment of seventy men from the Kentucky district of Virginia, -under the command of Major Rodgers, was surprised while ascending the -Ohio, and nearly exterminated. The Kentuckians were drawn ashore by a -stratagem. At first a few Indians only appeared, standing upon a sand-bar -near the mouth of the Licking river, while a canoe, with three other -Indians, was paddling toward them as though to receive them on board. -Rodgers immediately put in to the Kentucky shore, and having made fast -his boats, went in pursuit. Only five or six Indians had been seen, and -Rodgers, presuming that the whole party would not probably exceed fifteen -or twenty at farthest, felt perfectly sure of an easy victory--having -seventy men, well armed and provided. Proceeding cautiously toward the -point where he supposed he should surround the enemy, and having adjusted -his movements with that design, at the very moment when he was preparing -to rush forward and secure them, he found himself with his whole force in -the midst of an ambuscade! The Indians rose in a cloud of hundreds on all -sides of him, and pouring in a close and deadly fire upon the Americans, -rushed upon the survivors tomahawk in hand. Major Rodgers, and forty-five -of his men were killed almost instantly. The residue ran for the boats, -but the guard of only five men who had been left in charge, had sought -security by putting off in one of them, while the Indians had already -anticipated the fugitives by taking possession of the others. The -possibility of retreat being thus cut off, the brave fellows now turned -furiously upon the enemy; and as night was approaching, after a sharp -fight for some time, a small number, aided by the darkness, succeeded in -effecting their escape to Harrodsburgh. - -Among the wounded in this sharp and bloody encounter, who escaped both -death and captivity, were Captain Robert Benham, and another man, whose -cases, together, form a novel and romantic adventure. Benham was shot -through both hips, and the bones being shattered, he instantly fell. -Still, aided by the darkness, he succeeded in crawling among the thick -branches of a fallen tree, where he lay without molestation through the -night and during the following day, while the Indians, who had returned -for that purpose, were stripping the slain. He continued to lie close in -the place of his retreat until the second day, when, becoming hungry, and -observing a raccoon descending a tree, he managed to shoot it--hoping to -be able to strike a fire, and cook the animal. The crack of the rifle was -followed by a human cry, which at first startled the Captain; but the cry -being repeated, several times, the voice of a Kentuckian was at length -recognized; the call was returned; and the parties were soon together. -The man proved to be one of his comrades, who had lost both of his arms -in the battle. Never before did misery find more welcome company. One of -the parties could use his feet, and the other his hands. Benham, by -tearing up his own and his companion's shirts, dressed the wounds of both. -He could load his rifle and fire with readiness, and was thus enabled to -kill such game as approached, while his companion could roll the game -along upon the ground with his feet, and in the same manner collect wood -enough together to cook their meals. When thirsty, Benham could place his -hat in the teeth of his companion, who went to the Licking, and wading in -until he could stoop down and fill it, returned with a hat-full of water. -When the stock of squirrels, and other small game in their immediate -neighborhood, was exhausted, the man on his legs would roam away, and -drive up a flock of wild turkeys, then abundant in those parts, until -they came within the range of Benham's rifle. Thus they lived, helps meet -for each other, during the period of six weeks, when they discovered a -boat upon the Ohio, which took them off. Both recovered thoroughly from -their wounds. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Captain Benham afterward served with bravery in the Indian wars of - 1789-94, sharing the disaster of St. Clair and the victory of Wayne. At - the close of the Revolution, he purchased the land whereon he was - wounded at the time of Rodgers's defeat, built a house there, and there - lived and died. - - -No other events of moment occurred in the region professedly embraced in -the present history, during the residue of the year 1779; and the progress -of the war in other parts of the Union had been marked with but few -signal actions. The active operations of this year between the British -forces proper and the Americans, had commenced in the south, to the -command of which section of the country General Lincoln had been assigned -at the close of 1778. The first occurrence was the surprise and defeat, -on the 3d of March, of General Ash, commanding a body of fifteen hundred -North Carolina militia, stationed at the confluence of Briar Creek, on the -Savannah river, by the British General Provost. There were about sixty -regular troops under General Ash, who fought well. But the militia, as -usual, threw away their arms and fled, with the exception of about three -hundred, who were either killed or taken. In May, General Provost -invested Charleston, but raised the siege on the approach of Lincoln upon -his rear. He at first retired to the island, but soon withdrew to -Savannah, where he was in turn besieged by Lincoln in October, on the -land side, and by the French fleet under the Count D'Estaing by water. -Repulsed in an injudicious assault, after much brave fighting by both -Americans and French, the fleet of the latter left the continent, and the -siege was raised--the militia flying to their homes, and General Lincoln -retiring to Charleston. In this assault, among other proud spirits, fell -the brave Polish Count Pulaski--who had signalized himself in his own -country by carrying off King Stanislaus from his capital, assisted by only -a party of associate Catholic conspirators. The only relief to this -disastrous affair, was the capture, by Colonel John White of Georgia, and -Captain Elholm, with four other men, of a British detachment of one -hundred men, forty sailors, and five armed vessels, at Ogechee, by a very -ingenious and efficacious stratagem. Kindling a large number of fires, -after the manner of an encampment, they summoned the British commander, -Captain French, to surrender, or they would cut his flotilla to pieces. -Supposing, by the lines of fires, that there was a greatly superior force -against them, the enemy surrendered at discretion. - -In the middle and northern sections of the Union, the contest during the -Summer had assumed the character rather of a predatory warfare than of -regular campaigns. Sir George Collier and General Matthews made a -plundering expedition on the coast of Virginia, and after sacking Norfolk -and parts adjacent, returned to New-York with their booty. In July a -combined expedition by land and water was directed, under Sir George and -Governor Tryon, against Connecticut. New-Haven was taken and sacked. -Several houses in East Haven were burnt. Fairfield, Green's Farms, and -Norwalk, were likewise taken, plundered, and laid in ashes. The Americans, -consisting chiefly of militia, under General Lovell, made an attempt upon -a British post at Penobscot, which was commenced gallantly. But the -arrival of Sir George Collier's fleet, with reinforcements, obliged the -General to abandon the enterprise. These untoward events, however, were -relieved by Major Lee's surprise and capture of the British fort at -Paulus Hook, and by the still more brilliant affair of the capture of -Stony Point by General Wayne. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - - Progress of the war in the South--Fall of Charleston--Brilliant - achievements--Rigorous winter of 1780--Destruction of the Oneida Castle - and villages--Third marriage of Brant--Irruption into - Harpersfield--Captivity of Captain Harper, Freegift Patchin, and - others--Conduct of Brant--Consultation whether to put the prisoners to - death---Sagacity and firmness of Harper--Marched off for - Niagara--Remarkable adventures by the way--Murder of an old man--Cure - of the fever and ague--A thrilling scene--Sufferings for food--Justice - and impartiality of Brant--Approach to Niagara--The ordeal--Humane - device of Brant to save his Prisoners from the trial--Arrival at - Niagara--Farther irruptions of the Indians--Shawangunk--Saugerties-- - Captivity of Captain Snyder and his son--Arrival at - Niagara--Examination--Guy Johnson, Butler and Brant--Prisoners sent to - Montreal--The Mohawk Valley--Bravery of Solomon Woodruff--Irruption to - Little Falls--Burning of Ellis's Mills--Incidents on the Ohio--Bold - exploit of McConnel--Attack of Colonel Bird, with his Indians, upon the - Licking Settlement--Colonel Clarke takes vengeance upon the Shawanese. - -The succeeding year opened inauspiciously to the American arms. No sooner -had Sir Henry Clinton heard of the departure of Count D'Estaing from the -Southern coast with the French fleet, than he prepared for a formidable -descent upon South Carolina. Charleston was the first and most prominent -object of attack. The expedition destined upon this service left New-York -about the close of January, and in due season the troops effected their -landing about thirty miles from Charleston. The object of the enemy could -not be mistaken, and General Lincoln made every exertion for the defence -of the important post entrusted to his command, by increasing his forces -and strengthening his works. Before the middle of April the town was -invested by sea and land, and Lincoln was summoned to surrender--which -summons with modest firmness he declined to obey. Clinton having succeeded -in all his preliminary operations--Tarleton having cut up Colonel White's -cavalry on the Santee, and Fort Moultrie having surrendered to the Royal -Navy--the garrison, finding itself without reasonable hope of relief, -proposed terms of capitulation, which were rejected by the British -commander. Hostilities were meantime prosecuted with great energy, and -after a tremendous cannonade and bombardment, lasting from the 6th to the -11th of May, General Lincoln was forced into a capitulation. His garrison -consisted, all told, of about five thousand men--of whom no more than two -thousand were continental troops. The loss was heavy--including upward of -four hundred pieces of cannon. - -Having accomplished this object, Sir Henry divided his forces into three -columns, dispatching them in as many directions, with a view of -overrunning the whole Southern states. Clinton, himself, returned to -New-York; and then commenced that remarkable course of partizan warfare -in the South, which called forth so much of high and chivalrous daring -in Marion, Sumpter, and their associates in arms, and which was attended -with so many brilliant exploits. There are no more vivid and thrilling -pages in American history than the records of those partizan operations, -the incidents of which amounted to little in themselves, separately -considered; but in the general results they were of infinite importance -to the cause of the republic--since the invaders were, in fact, weakened -by every victory, while defeat did not discourage the Americans, who were -gaining both moral and physical strength by the protraction of the -struggle. But these distant glances are incidental--the North being the -main field of research. - -The devastation of their country by General Sullivan--the destruction of -their houses, as well as their means of subsistence--had driven the -Indians back upon Niagara for the winter of 1779-80--the usual -winter-quarters of Brant, Guy Johnson, and the Butlers--father and son. -As had been anticipated by the American Commander-in-chief, the Indians -suffered greatly by destitution and consequent sickness during that -winter, which was one of unexampled rigor in North America. [FN-1] But -neither the inclemency of the weather, nor the wants of the Indians at -Niagara, prevented them from fulfilling the threat of Sir Frederick -Haldimand against the Oneidas. Their villages and castle were invaded by -the hostile Indians, aided by a detachment of British troops, or more -probably by a corps of Butler's rangers, and entirely destroyed--their -castle, their church, and their dwellings being alike laid in ashes; -while the Oneidas themselves were driven down upon the white settlements -for protection and support. They were subsequently planted in the -neighborhood of Schenectady, where they were supported by the government -of the United States until the close of the war. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The harbor of New-York was not merely choked with ice for a time - during the Winter of 1779-80, but so thoroughly frozen that cannon were - wheeled over to the city on the ice from Staten Island. - - [FN-2] There is difficulty in ascertaining the exact time of Brant's - invasion of the Oneida towns. Although an important event in the border - ware, the author has not been able to obtain dates or particulars. The - fact is well known; and President Kirkland, (son of the Oneida - Missionary,) has spoken of the incident several times in his - communications to the Massachusetts Historical Society--published in - their valuable collections. In one of those communications, Dr. Kirkland - remarks that this dispersion of the Oneidas, and the devastation of - their country, were greatly detrimental to their nation. When the war - came on, they had attained to some degree of regularity, industry, and - prosperity. But, driven from their homes, reduced to want, dependence, - and abject poverty, their habits became more intemperate and idle than - ever, and they never recovered from their depression. - - -Aside from the destruction of the Oneida country, it is believed that no -important object was undertaken by Thayendanegea until the opening of -Spring. It may be noted, however, incidentally, as an illustration of the -character of the Mohawk chief, that during this winter he was married to -his third wife, at the fort of Niagara, under circumstances somewhat -peculiar. Among the prisoners taken to that post from Cherry Valley, was -a Miss Moore, who, being detained in captivity with Mrs. Campbell and -others, was courted and married by an officer of the garrison. -Thayendanegea was present at the wedding; and although he had for some -time previous been living with his wife, bound only by the ties of an -Indian marriage, he nevertheless embraced the opportunity of having the -English marriage ceremony performed, which was accordingly done by -Colonel Butler, acting as one of the King's commission of the peace for -Tryon County. - -But the chief was seldom inactive. The month of April found him on the -war-path, at the head of a small party of Indians and Tories, whom he -led against the settlement of Harpersfield, which was taken by surprise -and destroyed. In consequence of their exposed situation, most of the -inhabitants had left the settlement, so that there were but few persons -killed, and only nineteen taken prisoners. Proceeding from Harpersfield, -it was Brant's design to make an attack upon the upper fort of Schoharie, -should he deem it prudent to encounter the risk, after duly -reconnoitering the situation of the fort and ascertaining its means of -defence. The execution of this part of his project was prevented by an -unexpected occurrence. Harpersfield was probably destroyed on the 5th or -6th of April. It happened that nearly at the same time, Colonel Vrooman, -who was yet in command of Old Schoharie, had sent out a scout of fourteen -militia-minute-men, with directions to pass over to the head waters of -the Charlotte river, and keep an eye upon the movements of certain -suspected persons living in the valley of that stream. It being the -proper season for making maple sugar, the minute-men were likewise -directed to remain in the woods and manufacture a quantity of that -article, of which the garrison were greatly in want. On the 2d of April, -this party, the commander of which was Captain Alexander Harper, -commenced their labors in the "sugar-bush," at the distance of about -thirty miles from Schoharie. They were occupied in the discharge of this -part of their duty, very cheerfully and with good success, for several -days, entirely unapprehensive of danger; more especially as a new fall -of snow, to the depth of three feet, would prevent, they supposed, the -moving of any considerable body of the enemy, while in fact they were not -aware of the existence of an armed foe short of Niagara. But their -operations were most unexpectedly interrupted. It seems that Brant, in -wending his way from Harpersfield toward Schoharie, fell suddenly upon -Harper and his party on the 7th of April, at about two o'clock in the -afternoon, and immediately surrounded them--his force consisting of -forty-three Indian warriors and seven Tories. So silent and cautious had -been the approach of the enemy, that the first admonition Harper received -of their presence, was the death of three of his little band, [FN] who -were struck down while engaged in their work. The leader was instantly -discovered in the person of the Mohawk chief, who rushed up to Captain -Harper, tomahawk in hand, and observed--"Harper, I am sorry to find you -here!" "Why are you sorry, Captain Brant?" replied the other. "Because," -rejoined the chief, "I must kill you, although we were school-mates in -our youth,"--at the same time raising his hatchet, and suiting the action -to the word. Suddenly his arm fell, and with a piercing scrutiny, looking -Harper full in the face, he inquired--"Are there any regular troops at -the forts in Schoharie." Harper caught the idea in an instant. To answer -truly, and admit that there were none, as was the fact, would but hasten -Brant and his warriors forward to fall upon the settlements at once, and -their destruction would have been swift and sure. He therefore informed -him that a reinforcement of three hundred Continental troops had arrived -to garrison the forts only two or three days before. This information -appeared very much to disconcert the chieftain. He prevented the farther -shedding of blood, and held a consultation with his subordinate chiefs. -Night coming on, Harper and his ten surviving companions were shut up in -a pen of logs, and guarded by the Tories, under the charge of _their_ -leader, a cruel fellow named Becraft, and of bloody notoriety in that war. -Controversy ran high among the Indians during the night--the question -being, whether the prisoners should be put to death or carried to -Niagara. They were bound hand and foot, but were so near the Indian -council as to hear much of what was said, and Harper knew enough of the -Indian tongue to comprehend the general import of their debates. The -Indians were for putting them to death; and Becraft frequently tantalized -the prisoners, by telling them, with abusive tones and epithets, that -"they would be in hell before morning." Brant's authority, however, was -exerted effectually to prevent the massacre. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The late General Freegift Patchin, of Schoharie, was one of - Harper's party, as also were his brother, Isaac Patchin, Ezra Thorp, - Lt. Henry Thorp, and Major Henry. It is from Priest's Narrative of the - captivity of General Patchin, that the author obtained the facts of this - transaction. - - -On the following morning Harper was brought before the Indians for -examination. The Chief commenced by saying, that they were suspicious he -had not told them the truth. Harper, however, had great coolness and -presence of mind; and although Brant was eying him like a basilisk, he -repeated his former statements without the improper movement of a muscle, -or betraying the least distrustful sign or symptom. Being satisfied, -therefore, of the truth of his story, Brant determined to retrace his -steps to Niagara. This he did with great reluctance--admitting to Captain -Harper that the real object of his expedition was to fall upon Schoharie, -which place, as they had been informed, was almost entirely undefended. -He had promised to lead his warriors to spoils and victory, and they were -angry at being thus cut short of their expectations. Under these -circumstances of chagrin and disappointment, it had only been with great -difficulty that he could restrain his followers from putting them to -death. Brant then said to Captain Harper, that he and his companions -should be spared, on condition of accompanying him as prisoners of war to -Niagara. - -Their march was forthwith commenced, and was full of pain, peril, and -adventure. The prisoners were heavily laden with the booty taken from -Harpersfield, and well guarded. Their direction was first down the -Delaware, where they stopped at a mill to obtain provisions. The miller -was a Tory, and both himself and daughters counseled Brant to put his -prisoners to death. On the following day they met another loyalist, who -was well acquainted with Brant, and with Captain Harper and his party. -He assured the former that Harper had deceived him, and that there were -no troops at Schoharie. The Captain was, therefore, brought to another -scrutiny; but he succeeded so well in maintaining the appearance of -sincerity and truth, as again to avert the upraised and glittering -tomahawk. On the same day an aged man, named Brown, was accidentally -fallen in with and taken prisoner, with two youthful grandsons; the day -following, being unable to travel with sufficient speed, and sinking -under the weight of the burden imposed upon him, the old man was put out -of the way with the hatchet. The victim was dragging behind, and when he -saw preparations making for his doom, he took an affectionate farewell -of his little grandsons, and the Indians moved on, leaving one of their -number, with his face painted black--the mark of an executioner--behind -with him. In a few moments afterward, the Indian came up, with the old -man's scalp dangling from between the ramrod and muzzle of his gun. - -Having descended the Delaware a sufficient distance, they crossed over to -Oghkwaga, where they constructed floats, and sailed down the Susquehanna -to the confluence of the Chemung, at which place their land-traveling -again commenced. Being heavily encumbered with luggage, and withal -tightly pinioned, the prisoners must have sunk by the way, at the rate -the Indians traveled, and would probably have been tomahawked but for the -indisposition of Brant, who, providentially for the prisoners, was -attacked with fever and ague--so that every alternate day he was unable -to travel. These interruptions gave them time to rest and recruit. Brant -wrought his own cure by a truly Indian remedy. Watching upon the southern -side of a hill, where serpents usually crawl forth in the Spring to bask -in the sunbeams, he caught a rattlesnake, which was immediately made into -soup, of which he ate. A speedy cure was the consequence. - -But a new trial awaited the prisoners soon after they reached the -Chemung. During his march from Niagara on this expedition, Brant had -detached eleven of his warriors to fall once more upon the Minisink -settlement for prisoners. This detachment, as it subsequently appeared, -had succeeded in taking captive five athletic men, whom they secured and -brought with them as far as Tioga Point. The Indians sleep very soundly, -and the five prisoners had resolved at the first opportunity to make their -escape. While encamped at this place during the night, one of the -Minisink men succeeded in extricating his hands from the binding cords, -and with the utmost caution unloosed his four companions. The Indians -were locked in the arms of deep sleep around them. Silently, without -causing a leaf to rustle, they each snatched a tomahawk from the girdles -of their unconscious enemies, and in a moment nine of them were quivering -in the agonies of death. The two others were awakened, and springing upon -their feet, attempted to escape. One of them was struck with a hatchet -between the shoulders, but the other fled. The prisoners immediately made -good their own retreat, and the only Indian who escaped unhurt, returned -to take care of his wounded companion. As Brant and his warriors -approached this point of their journey, some of his Indians having raised -a whoop, it was instantly returned by a single voice with the _death -yell!_ Startled at this unexpected signal, Brant's warriors rushed -forward to ascertain the cause. But they were not long in doubt. The lone -warrior met them, and soon related to his brethren the melancholy fate -of his companions. The effect upon the warriors, who gathered in a group -to hear the recital, was inexpressibly fearful. Rage, and a desire of -revenge, seemed to kindle every bosom, and light every eye as with -burning coals. They gathered round the prisoners in a circle, and began -to make unequivocal preparations for hacking them to pieces. Harper and -his men of course gave themselves up for lost, not doubting that their -doom was fixed and irreversible. But at this moment deliverance came from -an unexpected quarter. While their knives were unsheathing, and their -hatchets glittering, as they were flourished in the sunbeams, the only -survivor of the murdered party rushed into the circle and interposed in -their favor. With a wave of the hand as of a warrior entitled to be -heard--for he was himself a chief--silence was restored, and the prisoners -were surprised by the utterance of an earnest appeal in their behalf. It -has already been observed that Captain Harper knew enough of the Indian -language to understand its purport, though unfortunately not enough to -preserve its eloquence. In substance, however, the Chief appealed to his -brother warriors in favor of the prisoners, upon the ground that it was -not they who had murdered their brothers; and to take the lives of the -innocent would not be right in the eyes of the Great Spirit. His appeal -was effective. The passions of the incensed warriors were hushed, their -eyes no longer shot forth the burning glances of revenge, and their -gesticulations ceased to menace immediate and bloody vengeance. - -True, it so happened that the Chief who had thus thrown himself -spontaneously between them and death, knew all the prisoners--he having -resided in the Schoharie canton of the Mohawks before the war. He -doubtless felt a deeper interest in their behalf on that account. Still, -it was a noble action, worthy of the proudest era of chivalry, and in the -palmy days of Greece and Rome, would have ensured him almost "an -apotheosis and rites divine." The interposition of Pocahontas, in favor -or Captain Smith, before the rude court of Powhattan, was perhaps more -romantic; but when the motive which prompted the generous action of the -princess is considered, the transaction now under review exhibits the -most of genuine benevolence. Pocahontas was moved by the tender -passion--the Mohawk sachem by the feelings of magnanimity, and the -eternal principles of justice. It is matter of regret that the name of -this high-souled warrior is lost, as, alas! have been too many that -might have served to relieve the dark and vengeful portraitures of Indian -character, which it has so well pleased the white man to draw! The -prisoners themselves were so impressed with the manner of their signal -deliverance, that they justly attributed it to a direct interposition of -the providence of God. - -The march was now resumed toward Niagara, along the route traveled by -Sullivan's expedition the preceding year. Their sufferings were great -for want of provisions--neither warriors nor prisoners having any thing -more than a handful of corn each for dinner. A luxury, however, awaited -them, in the remains of a horse which had been left by Sullivan's -expedition to perish from the severity of the winter. The wolves had -eaten all the flesh from the poor animal's bones, excepting upon the -under side. When the carcass was turned over, a quantity of the flesh yet -remained, which was equally distributed among the whole party, and -devoured. On reaching the Genessee river, they met a party of Indians -preparing to plant corn. These laborers had a fine horse, which Brant -directed to be instantly killed, dressed, and divided among his famishing -company. They had neither bread nor salt; but Brant instructed the -prisoners to use the white ashes of the wood they were burning as a -substitute for the latter ingredient, and it was found to answer an -excellent purpose. The meal was partaken of, and relished as the rarest -delicacy they had ever eaten. In regard to provisions, it must be -mentioned to the credit of Captain Brant, that he was careful to enforce -an equal distribution of all they had among his own warriors and the -prisoners. All fared exactly alike. - -On his arrival at the Genessee river, and in anticipation of his own -departure with his prisoners for Niagara, Brant sent forward a messenger -to that post, bearing information of his approach, with the measure of -his success and the number of his prisoners. But it was not merely for -the purpose of conveying this intelligence that he dispatched his _avant -courier._ He had another object in view, as will appear in the sequel, the -conception and execution of which add a link to the chain of testimony -establishing the humanity and benevolence of his disposition. Four days -more of travel brought the party to within a few miles of the fort; and -the Tories now took special delight in impressing upon the prisoners the -perils and the sufferings they must endure, in the fearful ordeal they -would have to pass, on approaching the two Indian encampments in front -of the fort. This ordeal was nothing less than running the gauntlet, as -it is called in Indian warfare--a doom supposed to be inevitable to every -prisoner; and one which, by direct means, even Thayendanegea himself had -not sufficient power to prevent. - -The running of the gauntlet, or rather compelling their prisoners to run -it, on the return of a war-party to their camp or village, is a general -custom among the American aboriginals--a preliminary that must precede -their ultimate fate, either of death or mercy. It is not always severe, -however, nor even generally so, unless in respect to prisoners who have -excited the particular animosity of the Indians; and it is often rather -a scene of amusement than punishment. Much depends on the courage and -presence of mind of the prisoner undergoing the ordeal. On entering the -village or camp, he is shown a painted post at the distance of some -thirty or forty yards, and directed to run to, and catch hold of it as -quickly as possible. His path to the post lies between two parallel lines -of people--men, women, and children,--armed with hatchets, knives, sticks, -and other offensive weapons; and as he passes along, each is at liberty -to strike him as severely and as frequently as he can. Should he be so -unfortunate as to stumble, or fall in the way, he may stand a chance to -lose his life--especially if any one in the ranks happens to have a -personal wrong to avenge. But the moment he reaches the goal he is safe, -until final judgment has been pronounced upon his case. When a prisoner -displays great firmness and courage, starting upon the race with force -and agility, he will probably escape without much injury; and sometimes, -when his bearing excites the admiration of the savages, entirely unharmed. -But woe to the coward whose cheeks blanch, and whose nerves are untrue! -The slightest manifestation of fear will deprive him of mercy, and -probably of his life. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder. "In the month of April, 1782, when I was myself a - prisoner, at Lower Sandusky, waiting for an opportunity to proceed to - Detroit, I witnessed a scene of this description which fully exemplified - what I have above stated. Three American prisoners were one day brought - in by fourteen warriors from the garrison of Fort McIntosh. As soon as - they had crossed the Sandusky river, to which the village lay adjacent, - they were told by the Captain of the party to run as hard as they could - to a painted post which was shown to them. The youngest of them, without - a moment's hesitation, immediately started for it, and reached it - fortunately without receiving a single blow; the second hesitated for a - moment, but recollecting himself, he also ran as fast as he could, and - likewise reached the post unhurt. But the third, frightened at seeing so - many men, women, and children, with weapons in their hands ready to - strike him, kept begging the Captain to spare his life, saying he was a - mason, and would build him a large stone house, or do any work for him - that he should please. 'Run for your life,' cried the Chief to him, 'and - don't talk now of building houses!' But the poor fellow still insisted, - begging and praying to the Captain; who, at last, finding his - exhortations vain, and fearing the consequences, turned his back upon - him, and would not hear him any longer. Our mason now began to run, but - received many a hard blow, one of which nearly brought him to the ground, - which, if he had fallen, would at once have decided his fate. He, - however, reached the goal, not without being badly bruised, and he was, - besides, bitterly reproached and scoffed at all round as a vile coward; - while the others were hailed as brave men, and received tokens of - universal approbation"--_Idem._ - - -Such was the scene which Harper and his fellow-prisoners now had in near -prospect. They of course well knew the usages of Indian warfare, and must -expect to submit. Nor was the chance of escape from injury very cheering, -enfeebled and worn down as they were by their journey and its privations. -Miserable comforters, therefore, were their Tory guards, who were -tantalising them in anticipation, by describing this approaching -preliminary cruelty. But on emerging from the woods, and approaching the -first Indian encampment, what was the surprise of the prisoners, and the -chagrin of their conductors, at finding the Indian warriors absent from -the encampment, and their place supplied by a regiment of British -soldiers! There were only a few Indian boys and some old women in the -camp; and these offered no violence to the prisoners, excepting one of -the squaws, who struck young Patchin over the head with an instrument -which caused the blood to flow freely. But the second encampment, lying -nearest the fort, and usually occupied by the fiercest and most savage of -the Indian warriors, was yet to be passed. On arriving at this, also, the -Indians were gone, and another regiment of troops were on parade, formed -in two parallel lines, to protect the prisoners. Thus the Mohawk chief -led his prisoners directly through the dreaded encampments, and brought -them safely into the fort. Patchin, however, received another severe blow -in this camp, and a young Indian menaced him with his tomahawk. But as he -raised his arm, a soldier snatched the weapon from his hand, and threw it -into the river. - -The solution of this unexpected deliverance from the gauntlet-race was -this:--Miss Jane Moore, the Cherry Valley prisoner whose marriage to an -officer of the Niagara garrison has already been mentioned, was the niece -of Captain Harper--a fact well known to Brant. Harper, however, knew -nothing of her marriage, or in fact of her being at Niagara, and the -chief had kept the secret to himself. On his arrival at the Genessee -river, his anxious desire was to save his prisoners from the cruel -ordeal-trial, and he despatched the runner, as before mentioned, with a -message to Jane Moore's husband, whose name was Powell, advising him of -the fact, and proposing an artifice, by which to save his wife's uncle, -and his associates, from the accustomed ceremony. For this purpose, by -concert with Brant, Powell had managed to have the Indian warriors -enticed away to the Nine Mile Landing, for a frolic, the means of holding -which were supplied from the public stores. Meantime, for the protection -of the approaching prisoners from the violence of the straggling Indians -who remained behind, Powell caused the two encampments to be occupied in -the manner just described. It was a generous act on the part of Brant, -well conceived and handsomely carried through. The prisoners all had -cause of gratitude; and in the meeting with his niece in the garrison, -Captain Harper found a source of pleasure altogether unexpected. - -The prisoners, nevertheless, were doomed to a long captivity. From -Niagara they were transferred to Montreal, thence to a prison in -Chamblee, and thence to Quebec. They were afterward sent down to Halifax, -and only restored to their country and homes after the peace of 1783. -Their sufferings, during the three intervening years, were exceedingly -severe, particularly in the prison at Chamblee, which is represented as -having been foul and loathsome to a degree. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] In the early part of this narrative of Harper's and Patchin's - captivity, the name of Becraft, a Tory, occurs as one of their captors. - His conduct toward the prisoners was particularly brutal throughout. On - one occasion, when he and his Tory associates were enumerating their - exploits, Becraft boasted of having assisted in massacring the family - of a Mr. Vrooman, in Schoharie. The family, he said, were all soon - despatched, except a boy of fourteen years old, who ran from the house. - Becraft pursued and overtook him at a fence which he was attempting to - climb. He there deliberately cut his throat, took his scalp, and hung - his body across the fence! After the peace, he had the hardihood to - return to Schoharie. But no sooner was it known, than a party of several - indignant citizens, among whom were the prisoners who heard him make the - confession here given, assembled and seized him. They stripped him naked, - bound him to a tree, and ten of them, with hickory whips, gave him a - tremendous castigation. They plied the whips with full vigor, and at - intervals paused, and informed him for what particular misdeeds they - were to inflict the next ten scorpion lashes, and so on. Having punished - him thus, they dismissed him with a charge never to show himself in that - county again. He never did. - - Another of these Tories, who were guarding Harper and his party during - the same night of their journey, made a yet more horrible confession - than that of Becraft. His name was Barney Cane. He boasted of having - killed, upon Diamond Island, (Lake George,) one Major Hopkins. A party of - pleasure, as he stated, had been visiting the island on a little sailing - excursion, and having lingered longer upon that beautiful spot than they - were conscious of, as night drew on, concluded to encamp for the - night--it being already too late to return to the fort. "From the shore - where we lay hid," said Cane, "it was easy to watch their motions; and - perceiving their defenceless situation, as soon as it was dark we set - off for the island, where we found them asleep by their fire, and - discharged our guns among them. Several were killed, among whom was one - woman, who had a sucking child, which was not hurt. This we put to the - breast of its dead mother, and so we left it. But Major Hopkins was only - wounded, his thigh bone being broken; he started from his sleep to a - rising posture, when I struck him," said Barney Cane, "with the butt of - my gun, on the side of his head; he fell over, but caught on one hand; - I then knocked him the other way, when he caught with the other hand, a - third blow, and I laid him dead. These were all scalped except the - infant. In the morning, a party from the fort went and brought away the - dead, together with one they found alive, although he was scalped, and - the babe, which was hanging and sobbing at the bosom of its lifeless - mother."--_Gen. Patchin's Narrative._ - - -The Indians were likewise early busy in other directions. Some scattering -settlements, situated between Wyoming and the older establishments, were -fallen upon by them, and a number of persons killed, several houses -burned, and eight prisoners carried away. - -But the Dutch border settlements along the base of the Kaatsbergs, or -Catskill mountains, from Albany down to Orange county, were again severe -sufferers during this period of the revolutionary war. Many of the -inhabitants were friendly to the royal cause, and numbers of them had -joined the royal standard. Some of these served as leaders and guides to -the Indians, in parties for prisoners, scalps, and plunder. This petty -mode of warfare was reduced to such a system, that those engaged in it -were supplied with small magazines of provisions, concealed in the earth -and among clefts of rocks at suitable distances from the western sides of -the Kaatsbergs, over to the Delaware, and thence down to the point whence -they were wont to cross with their prisoners and booty to the Susquehanna, -and thence again by the usual track, along the Chemung and Genessee rivers -to Niagara. The sacking of Minisink, and the incursions into Warwasing, -in the preceding year, have already been chronicled. But there were -several irruptions into the Dutch settlements farther north, along the -western borders of Ulster County, in the Spring of 1780, some of which -were marked by peculiar features of atrocity, or of wild adventure. Among -these was an attack, by a small party of Indians and Tories, upon the -families of Thomas and Johannes Jansen, wealthy freeholders in a beautiful -but secluded portion of the town of Shawangunk. One of these gentlemen -was a colonel of militia. Both had erected substantial stone-houses, and -were living in affluence. Their mansions were plundered by Indians and -Tories, who were known to them; several of their neighbors and their -Negroes were made prisoners; and among those who were slain, under -circumstances of painful interest, were a Miss Mack and her father, -residing somewhat remote in one of the mountain gorges; and also a young -lady on a visit at Shawangunk, from the city of New-York. From -considerations of acquaintanceship with the Jansens, however, the females -of their families were not injured, although their houses were plundered -and their barns laid in ashes. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] An elaborated narrative of this tragic visitation was published - fifteen or twenty years ago by Charles G. De Witt, Esq. - - -The same savage party, or rather a party composed in part of the same -band of Tories and Indians who had committed the outrages just related, -fell upon a settlement in the town of Saugerties, in May of the same -year--making prisoners of Captain Jeremiah Snyder and Isaac Snyder his -son. After plundering his house of provisions and money, they marched the -Captain and his son over the mountains to the Delaware, and thence to -Niagara, by the same route traversed by Thayendanegea and his warriors -in conducting Harper and his fellow captives to that post. The adventures -of these prisoners during their rough and wearisome journey were but the -counterpart of those endured a month before by Captain Harper and his -company, excepting that their captors, being acquaintances, rendered -their sufferings less severe. Their supplies of food, though coarse, were -sufficient. They were pinioned at night, and the Indians lay upon the -cords by which they were fastened to saplings, or other fixtures of -security. They met several parties of Indians and Tories after crossing -the Susquehanna, and on one occasion fell in with a beautiful white woman, -married to an Indian. By all these they were treated kindly. While -traversing the valley of the Genessee, their principal Indian conductor, -named Runnip, pointed them to a couple of mounds by the way-side. "There -lie your brothers," said he to Captain Snyder, in Dutch. "These mounds -are the graves of a scout of thirty-six men, belonging to Sullivan's army, -which had been intercepted and killed by the Indians." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Indian referred to the company of Lieut. Boyd. - - -On their arrival at Niagara, the prisoners were less fortunate than Harper -and his companions had been, since they were compelled to run the gauntlet -between long lines of the savages--a ceremony which they looked upon with -great dread, particularly on account of their debilitated condition and -the soreness of their feet. But in this operation they were favored by -their captors, who interposed to prevent injury. In his narrative, Captain -Snyder described fort Niagara at that time as a structure of considerable -magnitude and great strength, enclosing an area of from six to eight -acres. Within the enclosure was a handsome dwelling-house, for the -residence of the Superintendent of the Indians. It was then occupied by -Colonel Guy Johnson, before whom the Captain and his son were brought for -examination. Colonel Butler, with his rangers, lay upon the opposite, or -northern side of the river. At a given signal, the Colonel, with two of -his subalterns, crossed over to attend the examination. Indeed, the -principal object for the capture of Captain Snyder seems to have been to -obtain information. Their examination was stern and searching, but the -examiners were unable to elicit enough of news to compensate for the -trouble of their taking. - -Captain Snyder described Guy Johnson as being a short, pursy man, about -forty years of age, of stern countenance and haughty demeanor--dressed -in a British uniform, powdered locks, and a cocked hat. His voice was -harsh, and his tongue bore evidence of his Irish extraction. While in -the guard-house, the prisoners were visited by Brant, of whom Captain -Snyder says--"He was a likely fellow, of a fierce aspect--tall and rather -spare--well spoken, and apparently about thirty (forty) years of age. He -wore moccasins, elegantly trimmed with beads--leggings and breech-cloth -of superfine blue--short green coat, with two silver epaulets--and a -small, laced, round hat. By his side hung an elegant silver-mounted -cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth, purposely dropped in the chair -on which he sat, to display his epaulets, was gorgeously decorated with -a border of red." He asked many questions, and among others, from whence -they came. On being answered AEsopus, he replied--"That is my fighting -ground." In the course of the conversation, Brant said to the younger -Snyder--"You are young, and you I pity; but for that old villain there," -pointing at the father, "I have no pity." Captain Snyder was of course -not very favorably impressed toward the Mohawk chief, and has recorded -his dislike. - -The Snyders found many acquaintances at the head-quarters of the Indians -and loyalists, some of whom were prisoners like themselves, and others in -the ranks of the enemy. From Niagara, the two prisoners were transported -by water, first to Carleton Island in the St. Lawrence, and thence, at a -subsequent period, to Montreal. At the latter place they were employed at -labor, and regularly paid their wages, which enabled them to purchase -various little comforts to meliorate their condition. Indeed, they were -so fortunate as to fall into the hands of humane people at every stage -of their captivity, and their lot was far less severe than that of most -of their countrymen in the like situation. At the end of two years, -having been transferred from Montreal to an island some distance higher -up the St. Lawrence, both father and son, with several other prisoners, -succeeded in effecting their escape. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Captain Snyder lived until the year 1827, and his narrative, taken - from his own lips, was written by Charles H. De Witt, Esq. - - -The Mohawk Valley proper, during the Winter of 1780, had enjoyed a period -of comparative repose--interrupted only by the common alarms incident to -an unprotected border, at all times liable to invasion, and the people, -as a consequence, feeling continually more or less insecure. Still, there -was not a single demonstration of the enemy in the lower part of the -country, during the cold season, worthy of note. Among the prisoners -taken by the Tories who two years before had returned from Canada after -their families, and who had most unaccountably been suffered to depart -unmolested, was a very brave fellow by the name of Solomon Woodworth. He -was entrusted to a party of Indians, acting in concert with the Tories -on their arrival at the Sacondaga, from whom he effected his escape on -the following day. These Indians, it appears, mortified at his successful -flight, had resolved either upon his recapture or his destruction. -Woodworth, in the Winter or Spring of 1780, was occupying, alone, a -block-house situated about eight miles north of Johnstown. While thus -solitary, his castle was attacked in the dead of night, by a small party -of Indians, who set fire to it. Regardless of danger, however, he ran -out amidst a shower of bullets, extinguished the fire, and retreated -within the walls again, before the Indians, who had withdrawn some -distance from the blockhouse, could re-approach sufficiently near to -seize him. As the night was not very dark, Woodworth saw a group of the -savages through the port-holes, upon whom he fired, not without -effect--one of their number, as it subsequently appeared, being severely -wounded. This disaster caused the Indians to retire. But Woodworth was -not satisfied. Collecting half a dozen kindred spirits, the next morning -he gave chase to the intruders, and after following their trail three -days, overtook them--they having halted to dress the wound of their -companion. The pursuers came so suddenly upon them, as to succeed in -despatching the whole number without allowing them time to offer -resistance. The little band returned to Johnstown in triumph; and their -leader was immediately commissioned a lieutenant in a regiment of nine -months men--in which service he had again an opportunity of showing his -prowess, as will be seen hereafter. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Information from the Rev. John I. Shew, of Northampton, N. Y., - residing near the place where the block-house stood. - - -It was at about the same time that a party of Tories and Indians made a -descent upon the small settlement at the Little Falls of the Mohawk, for -the purpose of destroying the mills erected at that place by Alexander -Ellis. This gentleman was a Scotch merchant, who, under the favor of Sir -William Johnson, had obtained a patent of the wild mountain gorge through -which the Mohawk leaps from the upper into the lower section of the -valley. He had himself returned to his own country; but his mills were -particularly important to the inhabitants, and also to the garrisons of -Forts Dayton and Herkimer--more especially since the burning of the mills -at the German Flats by Thayendanegea two years before. Hence the present -expedition for their destruction, which was easily accomplished--the -enemy having stolen upon the settlement unawares, and the flouring mill -being garrisoned by not more than a dozen men. Only a few shots were -exchanged, and but one man was killed--Daniel Petrie. As the Indians -entered the mill, the occupants endeavored to escape as fast as they -could--some leaping from the windows, and others endeavoring to conceal -themselves below. It was night, and two of the number, Cox and Skinner, -succeeded in ensconcing themselves in the race-way, beneath the -water-wheel--Skinner having previously made fight hand to hand, and been -wounded by a cut from a tomahawk. Two of their companions, Christian -Edick and Frederick Getman, leaped into the race-way above the mill, and -endeavored to conceal themselves by keeping as much under water as -possible. But the application of the torch to the mills soon revealed the -aquatic retreat, and they were taken. Not so with Cox and Skinner, who -survived the storm of battle, and the mingled elements of fire and water; -the showers of coals and burning brands being at once extinguished as -they fell around them, while the water-wheel served as an effectual -protection against the falling timbers. The enemy retired after -accomplishing their object, carrying away five or six prisoners. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with John Frank, Esq., of German Flats. - - -A few incidents of the more distant border operations of the opening -season will close the present chapter. The Shawanese and their immediate -allies continued to be exceedingly troublesome along the Ohio. Among the -single captives taken by them, by stratagem, early in the Spring, was a -man named Alexander McConnel, of the Kentucky settlers. He found his -captors, five in number, to be pleasant tempered and social, and he -succeeded in winning their confidence, by degrees, until they essentially -relaxed the rigors of his confinement at night. His determination was of -course to escape. At length his fastenings were so slight, that while -they were asleep he succeeded in the entire extrication of his limbs. -Still he dared not to fly, lest escape from so many pursuers should be -impracticable, and his life, should he be re-taken, would surely be -required in payment for the rash attempt. To strike them successively -with one of their own tomahawks would be impossible. His next plan was -cautiously to remove three of their loaded rifles to a place of -concealment, which should, nevertheless, be convenient for his own -purpose. Then placing the other two at rest upon a log, the muzzle of one -aimed at the head of one Indian, and the other at the heart of a second, -with both hands he discharged the rifles together, by which process two -of his enemies were killed outright. As the three others sprang up in -amazement, McConnel ran to the rifles which he had concealed. The work -was all but of a moment. Seizing another rifle, and bringing it in range -of two of the three remaining savages, both fell with the discharge, one -dead and the other wounded. The fifth took to his heels, with a yell of -horror which made the forest ring. Selecting the rifle which he liked -best, the subtle hunter pursued his way back at his pleasure. - -On the 23d of June, Colonel Bird, at the head of five hundred Indians and -Canadians, or American refugees, with six pieces of light artillery, fell -upon the Kentucky settlement at the forks of the Licking river. Taken by -surprise, the inhabitants seem to have made little, if any, resistance. -Only one man was killed outright, and two women. All the others were -taken prisoners, the settlement plundered, and the inhabitants marched -off, bending beneath the weight of their own property for the benefit of -the spoiler. Those who sank under their burdens by the way, were -tomahawked. This outrage was promptly and severely avenged by Colonel -Clarke, commanding at the falls of the Ohio, who immediately led his -regiment into the heart of the Shawanese country--laying their principal -town on the Great Miami in ashes, and taking seventy scalps, with the -loss of only seventeen of his own men. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boon. The British account of Colonel - Bird's expedition, as published in New-York, stated that he destroyed - several small forts, and made a number of prisoners. "Most of the - inhabitants of these new settlements," it was added, "from the - extraordinary mild treatment of the Colonel, accompanied him, preferring - to settle in the countries under the King to those of the Congress. - Several of them have gone to Detroit, Niagara, &c."--_Vide Almon's - Remembrancer, Part II._ 1780, _page_ 347. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - - - Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians - and loyalists--The Visschers--The route of Sir John--Arrest of the - Sammons family--Destruction of their property--March along the - river--Burning of buildings, and murders of aged people--Destruction of - Caughnawaga--Return to Johnson Hall--Proceedings there--Thomas Sammons - escapes--Sir John moves off--Sampson Sammons applies for his - liberty--His speech--The object of the expedition--Recovery of the - Baronet's plate--A faithful slave--Character of the expedition--Sir - John returns to Montreal--Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into - captivity--Imprisoned at Chamblee--Conspiracy to escape--Prisoners - refuse to join them--The brothers escape alone--The pursuit-- - Separation--Journey, adventures and sufferings of Jacob - Sammons--Arrives at Schenectady--The narrative returns to - Frederick--Perils of his escape--Prosperous commencement of his - journey--Dreadful sickness--His recapture--Confined in irons at - Chamblee--Removed to an Island--Projects an escape--Plot - discovered--Ironed again--Second plan of escape--Perilous leap into the - St. Lawrence--Swimming the Rapids--Other surprising adventures, by - flood and field--Crossing the woods to Schenectady--Remarkable - fulfillment of a dream--Direct history of the Mohawk country - resumed--Destruction of Canajoharie by the Indiana--Conduct of - Brant--Case of doubtful courage. - - -Although the struggle had now been maintained more than five years, still -the people of the lower section of the Mohawk Valley, severely as they -had experienced the calamities of the war, had not yet by any means -received the full measure of their suffering. Harassed by perpetual -alarms, and oppressively frequent calls to the field--their numbers -reduced by death and desertion, and by removals from a country so full of -troubles--their situation was far from being enviable. Though unconscious -of immediate danger from a formidable invasion, they were nevertheless in -more peril than at any former period, from their diminished ability of -self-protection. Hitherto, with the exception of small forays upon the -outskirts, the lower valley, containing by far the largest amount of -population, had not been traversed by an invading enemy. But it was their -lot, in the course of the present season, repeatedly to experience the -tender mercies of an exasperated enemy, armed with knife, and tomahawk -and brand, and to see their fairest villages laid waste, their fields -desolated, and their dwellings reduced to ashes. - -The first blow was as sudden as it was unexpected--especially from the -quarter whence it came. On Sunday the twenty-first of May, at dead of -night, Sir John Johnson entered the north part of Johnstown at the head -of five hundred men, composed of some British troops, a detachment of his -own regiment of Royal Greens, and about two hundred Indians and Tories. Sir -John had penetrated the country by way of Lake Champlain to Crown Point, -and thence through the woods to the Sacondaga river; and so entirely -unawares had he stolen upon the sleeping inhabitants, that he arrived in -the heart of the country undiscovered, except by the resident loyalists, -who were probably in the secret. Before he reached the old Baronial Hall -at Johnstown--the home of his youth, and for the recovery of which he -made every exertion that courage and enterprise could put forth--Sir John -divided his forces into two detachments, leading one in person, in the -first instance, directly to the Hall, and thence through the village of -Johnstown; while the other was sent through a more eastern settlement, -to strike the Mohawk river at or below Tripe's Hill, from whence it was -directed to sweep up the river through the ancient Dutch village of -Caughnawaga, [FN-1] to the Cayadutta Creek--at which place a junction was -to be formed with Sir John himself. This disposition of his forces was -made at the still hour of midnight--at a time when the inhabitants were -not only buried in slumber, but wholly unsuspicious of approaching danger. -What officer was in command of the eastern division is not known, but it -was one of the most stealthy and murderous expeditions--murderous in its -character, though but few were killed--and the most disgraceful, too, that -marked the progress of the war in that region. During the night-march of -this division, and before reaching the river, they attacked the -dwelling-house of Mr. Lodowick Putnam, who, together with his son, was -killed and scalped. The next house assailed was that of a Mr. Stevens, -which was burnt, and its owner killed. Arriving at Tripe's Hill, they -murdered three men, by the names of Hansen, Platts, and Aldridge. Hansen, -who was a captain of militia, was killed by an Indian to whom he had -formerly shown great kindness, and who had in return expressed much -gratitude. The houses of all, it is believed, were plundered before the -application of the torch. Proceeding toward Caughnawaga, about day-light -they arrived at the house of Colonel Visscher--occupied at the time by -himself, his mother, and his two brothers. It was immediately assaulted. -Alarmed at the sounds without, the Colonel instantly surmised the cause, -and being armed, determined, with his brothers, to defend the house to -the last. They fought bravely for a time, but the odds were so fearfully -against them, that the house was soon carried by storm. The three brothers -were instantly stricken down and scalped, and the torch applied to the -house. Having thus completed their work, the enemy proceeded on their way -up the river. Fortunately, however, the Colonel himself was only wounded. -On recovering from the shock of the hatchet, he saw the house enveloped -in flames above and around him, and his two brothers dead by his side. -But, grievously wounded as he was, he succeeded in removing their mangled -bodies from the house before the burning timbers fell in. His own wounds -were dressed, and he lived many years afterward. Mrs. Visscher, the -venerable mother of the Colonel, was likewise severely wounded by being -knocked on the head by an Indian; but she also survived. The slaughter -along the Mohawk, to the village of Caughnawaga, would have been greater, -but for the alertness of Major Van Vrank, who contrived to elude the -enemy, and by running ahead, gave the alarm, and enabled many people to -fly as it were in _puris naturalibus_ across the river. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] More anciently still, the residence of the Caughnawaga clan of the - Mohawk Indians, who at so early day moved into Canada, and established - themselves on the St. Lawrence above the Lachine rapids. - - [FN-2] The Visschers were important men among the Whigs of Tryon county. - There were four brothers of them at the commencement of the war, vis. - Frederick, (the Colonel,) John, William Brower, and Harmanus. William B. - died of scarlet fever in the Winter of 1776. A very bitter hostility - existed against this family among the loyalists, having its origin in - an unpleasant altercation between Colonel Visscher and Sir John Johnson, - in the Autumn of 1775. The circumstances of this affair, as recently - communicated to the author by the venerable Judge De Graff, of - Schenectady, a near connection of the family, were substantially - these;--In the year 1775, the Colonial Congress, having full confidence - both in his principles and discretion, appointed Frederick Visscher a - Colonel in the militia, furnishing him at the same time, commissions in - blank to complete the organisation of hie regiment. One of the - commissions of captain thus confided to his disposal, he conferred on - his brother John. In the Autumn of that year the Colonel directed his - regiment to parade for review on an elevated plain near the ancient inn - of Peggy Wymples, in Caughnawaga. It happened that while the regiment - was on parade, Sir John Johnson, with his lady, drove along the river - road. On descrying the regiment under arms, he ordered his coachman to - drive up the hill to the parade ground. He than demanded of the first - person to whom he had an opportunity to speak, who had called the - assemblage together, and for what purpose? The reply was, that Colonel - Visscher had ordered his regiment to parade for review. The Baronet - thereupon stepped up to the Colonel, and repeated the question. The - Colonel of course gave a similar reply. Sir John then ordered the - regiment to disperse, but the Colonel directed them to keep their - ranks--whereupon the Baronet, who was armed with a sword-cane, raised - his weapon to inflict a blow upon Visscher, but the latter grasped the - cane, and in the scuffle the sword was drawn--Visscher retaining the - scabbard. Sir John threatened to run him through the body, and the - Colonel told him if he chose to make the attempt he might act his - pleasure. Sir John then asked for the scabbard of his blade, which was - restored to him. Stepping up to his carriage, he directed Lady Johnson - to rise that he might take his pistols from the box. Her ladyship - remonstrated with him, but to no purpose, and having obtained his - pistols, the Baronet again demanded that the regiment should be - dismissed, for they were rebels. If not, he declared in a tempest of - passion that he would blow the Colonel through. "Use your pleasure," was - again the reply of Visscher. At this moment, a young Irishman, in the - domestic service of the Colonel, who was in the ranks, exclaimed--"By - J--s, if ye offer to lift hand or finger against my master, I will blow - you through." The Baronet now saw that an unpleasant spirit was kindling - against himself, whereupon he returned to his carriage, and drove away - in great wrath. - - -Meantime Sir John proceeded with his division through the village of -Johnstown, stopping before it was yet light at what was once his own hall, -where he made two prisoners. There was a small stockade, or picket fort, -in the village, which, under favor of darkness and sleeping sentinels, -was passed silently and unobserved. Directing his course for the -confluence of the Cayadutta with the Mohawk, Sir John arrived at the -residence of Sampson Sammons, whose name, with those of two of his sons, -has appeared in the earlier portion of the present work. There was a -third son, Thomas, a youth of eighteen. They all inherited the stanch -Whig principles of their father, and the whole family had rendered the -State efficient service in the course of the war. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sampson Sammons was of German extraction, a native of Ulster County, - whence he had emigrated to Tryon County a few years before the war. In - the first stages of the war he was a member of the Committee of Safety. - In 1777, a corps of Exempts was organised under Colonel Jelles Fonda; - Fonda himself acting as Captain. Of this company, Sampson Sammons was - the Lieutenant. In 1779 the corps was re-organised and enlarged. On the - muster-roll of this year, Sammons was entered an an Ensign. - - -The particulars of the attack upon the family of Mr. Sammons are of -sufficient interest to warrant the giving them somewhat in detail. Mr. -Sammons, the elder, was well known to Sir John, between whom and himself -very friendly relations had existed; and in the early stage of the war, -the former had exerted himself with some degree of success to protect the -Baronet from the violence of the people. Soon after passing Johnstown, -Sir John detached those of the Indians yet remaining with him in other -directions, being desirous of making captives of Sammons and his sons, -but wishing, at the same time, to do them no personal injury. On arriving -in the neighborhood of the house, Sir John halted his division, and -directed a small detachment to move with the utmost stillness and caution, -and fall upon the house by surprise--observing that Sammons had some -stout sons, well armed, and unless they were very careful, there would be -trouble. The eldest of Mr. Sammons' sons was then the lessee of the -Johnson farm at the hall, which had been sold by the Committee of -Sequestrations, and which he was then cultivating; and Thomas, the -youngest, had risen at an unwonted hour, in order to feed his horses, and -go over to the hall to work with his brother. On coming down stairs, -however, and stepping out of doors half-dressed, to take an observation -of the weather--it being yet dark, though day was just breaking--the -thought occurred to him, that should any straggling Indians be prowling -about, he would stand but a poor chance if fallen upon alone. While -standing thus in doubt whether to proceed or wait for more light, he was -startled by a noise of heavy steps behind, and, as he turned, by the -glitter of steel passing before his eyes. At the same instant a hand was -laid upon his shoulder, with the words--"You are my prisoner!" In such -perfect stillness had the enemy approached, that not the sound of a -footstep was heard, until the moment when the younger Sammons was thus -arrested, and the house immediately surrounded. One of the officers, with -several soldiers, instantly entered the house, and ordered the family to -get up, and surrender themselves as prisoners. Jacob and Frederick, who -were in bed in the second story, sprang upon their feet immediately, and -seized their arms. The officer, who was a Tory named Sutherland, and -acquainted with the family, hearing the clatter of arms, called to them -by name, and promised quarter on condition of their surrender. Jacob -inquired whether there were Indians with them; adding, that if there were, -he and his brother would not be taken alive. On being assured to the -contrary, the brothers descended the stain and surrendered. The old -gentleman was also taken. While the soldiers were busied in plundering -the premises, the morning advanced, and Sir John Johnson came up with the -remainder of the division. The females were not taken as prisoners, but the -father and sons were directed to make ready to march immediately. Thomas -here remarked to the soldier who yet stood sentinel over him, that he -could not travel to Canada without his clothes, and especially without -his shoes, which he had not yet put on--requesting liberty to repair to -his chamber for his raiment. The sentinel sulkily refused permission; but -Thomas persisted that he must obtain his shoes at least, and was stepping -toward the door, when the barbarian made a plunge at his back with his -bayonet, which had proved fatal but for the quick eyes and the heroism of -a sister standing by, who, as she saw the thrust at her brother, sprang -forward, and seizing the weapon, threw herself across its barrel, and by -falling, brought it to the ground. The soldier struggled to disengage his -arms, and accomplish his purpose. At the same instant an officer stepped -forward, and demanded what was the matter. The girl informed him of the -attempt upon her brother, whereupon he rebuked the soldier by the -exclamation--"You d--d rascal, would you murder the boy?" Immediate -permission was then given him to procure whatever articles he wanted. The -work of plunder having been completed, Sir John, with his troops and -prisoners, proceeded onward in the direction of the river--about three -miles distant. - -For the purpose of punishing the old gentleman for his whiggish activity, -some of the officers caused him to be tied to a Negro, who was likewise a -prisoner; but the moment Sir John discovered the indignity, he -countermanded the order. The hands of the young men were all closely -pinioned, and they, with their father, were compelled to march between -files of soldiers, and behold the cruel desolation of their neighborhood. -Their course thence was direct to the river, at Caughnawaga, at which -place they met the other division of Indians and rangers, who, among -others, had murdered and scalped Mr. Douw Fonda, a citizen of great age -and respectability. The whole army now set their faces westward, -traversing the Mohawk Valley several miles, burning every building not -owned by a loyalist, killing sheep and black cattle, and taking all the -horses that could be found for their own use. Returning again to -Caughnawaga, the torch was applied to every building excepting the church; -a number of prisoners were made, and several persons killed. Nine aged -men were slain in the course of this march, of whom four were upward of -eighty. From Caughnawaga, Sir John retraced his steps to Johnstown, -passing the premises of Mr. Sammons, where the work of destruction was -completed by applying the brand to all the buildings, leaving the females -of the family houseless, and taking away the seven horses which were in -the stables. - -On the arrival of Sir John back to the homestead in the afternoon, he -halted upon the adjacent grounds for several hours--establishing his own -quarters in the hall of his father. The prisoners were collected into an -open field, strongly guarded, but not in a confined space; and while -reposing thus the Tory families of the town came in large numbers to see -their friends and relatives, who for the most part constituted the white -troops of the invading army. Thomas Sammons, during the whole morning, -had affected to be exceedingly lame of one foot; and while loitering -about the Hall he attracted the attention of the widowed lady of Captain -Hare, one of the British officers who had fallen in the battle of -Oriskany. Mrs. Hare, since the death of her husband, had occupied an -apartment of the Hall; and she now exerted herself successfully with Sir -John for the release of several of her personal friends among the -captives; and on going into the field to select them, she adroitly -smuggled young Sammons into the group, and led him away in safety. - -It has already been mentioned that there was a small guard occupying the -little fort in the village, which had been avoided by Sir John in his -morning march. Toward night the militia of the surrounding country were -observed to be clustering in the village, and Sir John thought it -advisable to resume his march. He had collected a number of prisoners, -and much booty, besides recruiting his ranks by a considerable number of -loyalists, and obtaining possession of some eighteen or twenty of his -Negro slaves, left behind at the time of his flight in the Spring of 1776. -While they were halting, on the next day, the elder Sammons applied to -Sir John for an interview, which was granted in presence of his principal -officers. On inquiring what he wanted, Mr. Sammons replied that he wished -to be released. The Baronet hesitated; but the old man pressed his suit, -and reminded Sir John of former scenes, and of the efforts of friendship -which he himself had made in his behalf. "See what you have done, Sir -John," said the veteran Whig; "You have taken myself and my sons -prisoners, burnt my dwelling to ashes, and left the helpless members of -my family with no covering but the heavens above, and no prospect but -desolation around them. Did we treat you in this manner when you were in -the power of the Tryon County Committee? Do you remember when we were -consulted by General Schuyler, and you agreed to surrender your arms? Do -you not remember that you then agreed to remain neutral, and that upon -that condition General Schuyler left you at liberty on your parole? Those -conditions you violated. You went off to Canada; enrolled yourself in the -service of the King; raised a regiment of the disaffected, who abandoned -their country with you; and you have now returned to wage a cruel war -against us, by burning our dwellings and robbing us of our property. I -was your friend in the Committee of Safety, and exerted myself to save -your person from injury. And how am I requited? Your Indians have -murdered and scalped old Mr. Fonda at the age of eighty years; a man who, -I have heard your father say, was like a father to him when he settled in -Johnstown and Kingsborough. You cannot succeed, Sir John, in such a -warfare, and you will never enjoy your property more!" - -The Baronet made no reply; but the appeal was effectual, and the old -gentleman was set at liberty. He then requested the restoration of a pair -of horses. Sir John replied that this should also be done, if the horses -were not in the possession of the Indians, from whom he could not safely -take them. On making the inquiry, a span of his horses were found and -restored to him. A Tory officer, named Doxstadter, was seen by Mr. Sammons -to be in possession of one of his horses, but he would not relinquish it, -pretending that he was merely entrusted with the animal by an Indian. -[FN-1] The two sons, Jacob and Frederick, were carried into captivity, -and suffered a protracted and severe imprisonment, interesting accounts -of which will presently be given. Several of the aged prisoners, besides -Mr. Sammons, were permitted to return, one of whom, Captain Abraham -Veeder, was exchanged for lieutenant Singleton, who had been taken at -Fort Schuyler by Colonel Willett, and was then in Canada on his -parole. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] After the war was over, Doxstadter returned from Canada upon some - business, was arrested in an action at law by Mr. Sammons, and made to - pay the value of the horse. - - [FN-2] The present narrative of this irruption has been prepared almost - entirely from the manuscripts and conversations with Major Thomas - Sammons, the lad who was taken prisoner--after a diligent comparison of - his statement with other authorities. The author has also the written - narratives of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, before him, together with an - account written by the Rev. John I. Shew. Major Thomas Sammons is yet, - (February, 1838) well and hearty. He has formerly, for several years - represented Montgomery (late Tryon county) in Congress. - - -The immediate object of this irruption by Sir John Johnson, was to -procure his plate, which had been buried at the time of his flight in -1776, and not recovered with the iron chest. This treasure was not indeed -buried with the chest, but in the cellar, and the place of deposit was -confided to a faithful slave. While Sir John was in the hall, in the -afternoon, the slave, assisted by four soldiers, disinterred the silver, -which filled two barrels, brought it to the Baronet, and laid it down at -his feet. [FN-1] It was then distributed among about forty soldiers, who -placed it in their knapsacks--a quarter-master taking an account of the -names of the soldiers, and the articles confided to each--by whom it was -to be carried to Montreal. The irruption, however, was one of the most -indefensible aggressions upon an unarmed and slumbering people, which -stain the annals of the British arms. As the commanding officer, Sir John -is himself to be held responsible in a general sense. How far he was -directly and specially responsible for the midnight murders committed by -the barbarians, is a question which may, perhaps, bear a somewhat -different shade. Still, from the success which attended the expedition, -and the unaccountable inaction of the people against him, it is -sufficiently obvious that he might have recovered his plate without -lighting up his path by the conflagration of his neighbors' houses, or -without staining his skirts with innocent blood. [FN-2] But the most -remarkable circumstances attending this expedition are, that the -inhabitants were so completely taken by surprise, and that Sir John was -so entirely unopposed in his advance on the morning of the 22d, and -altogether unmolested on his retreat. The inhabitants, who had so often -proved themselves brave, appear to have been not only surprised, but -panic-stricken. True, as has already been incidentally stated, before Sir -John commenced his return march, the militia had begun to gather at the -village, a mile distant from the hall. They were led by Colonel John -Harper, who was beyond doubt a very brave man. With him was also Colonel -Volkert Veeder. But they were not strong enough to engage the enemy; and -when Thomas Sammons arrived among them after his release, this opinion -was confirmed by his report that the forces of Sir John exceeded seven -hundred men. Colonels Harper and Veeder thereupon marched back to the -river, and the invaders retired unmolested, [FN-3] save by Captain Putnam -and four men, who hung upon their rear, and observed their course to the -distance of twenty-five miles. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] This faithful domestic had lived long with Sir William Johnson, - who was so much attached to him, that he caused him to be baptized by his - own name, William. When the estate was placed in the hands of {illegible - word} by the Committee, William was sold, and Sammons was the purchaser. - He lived with him until retaken by Sir John, but never gave the least - hint either as to the burial of the iron chest, or the plate, although - both had been hidden in the earth by him. - - [FN-2] It is quite probable that Sir John's private papers, or - correspondence, if they have been preserved, might place this and other - dark transactions in a more favorable light. The author has exerted - himself in vain to discover any such papers. They are believed to have - been scattered, on the Baronet's decease at Montreal, some half a dozen - years since. - - [FN-3] MS of Major Thomas Sammons. - - -Governor Clinton was at Kingston at the time of the Invasion. Hastening -to Albany on the first rumor of the intelligence, he collected such -militia and other forces as he could obtain, and moved to Lake George -with a view to intercept Sir John. It was supposed that the course of the -enemy might possibly lie in the direction of Oswegatchie, and for the -purpose of striking him upon such a march, Colonel Van Schaick, with -eight hundred men, followed him by the way of Johnstown. Descending Lake -George to Ticonderoga, the Governor was joined by a body of militia from -the New Hampshire grants. But all was of no use; the invaders -escaped--taking to their batteaux, probably, at Crown Point, whence they -proceeded down the lake to St John's. The captives were thence transferred -to the fortress of Chamblee. - -The prisoners at this fortress numbered about forty. On the day after -their arrival Jacob Sammons, having taken an accurate survey of the -garrison and the facilities of escape, conceived the project of inducing -his fellow-prisoners to rise upon the guards and obtain their freedom. -The garrison was weak in number, and the sentinels less vigilant than is -usual among good soldiers. The prison doors were opened once a day, when -the prisoners were visited by the proper officer, with four or five -soldiers. Sammons had observed where the arms of the guards were stacked -in the yard, and his plan was, that some of the prisoners should arrest -and disarm the visiting guard on the opening of their door, while the -residue were to rush forth, seize the arms, and fight their way out. The -proposition was acceded to by his brother Frederick, and one other man -named Van Sluyck, but was considered too daring by the great body of the -prisoners to be undertaken. It was therefore abandoned, and the brothers -sought afterward only for a chance of escaping by themselves. Within -three days the desired opportunity occurred, viz. on the 13th of June. -The prisoners were supplied with an allowance of spruce beer, for which -two of their number were detached daily, to bring the cask from the -brew-house, under a guard of five men, with fixed bayonets. Having reason -to suppose that the arms of the guards, though charged, were not primed, -the brothers so contrived matters as to be taken together to the brewery -on the day mentioned, with an understanding that at a given point they -were to dart from the guard and run for their lives--believing that the -confusion of the moment, and the consequent delay of priming their muskets -by the guards, would enable them to escape beyond the ordinary range of -musket shot. The project was boldly executed. At the concerted moment, -the brothers sprang from their conductors, and stretched across the plain -with great fleetness. The alarm was given, and the whole garrison was -soon after them in hot pursuit. Unfortunately for Jacob, he fell into a -ditch and sprained his ankle. Perceiving the accident, Frederick turned -to his assistance; but the other generously admonished him to secure his -own flight if possible, and leave him to the chances of war. Recovering -from his fall, and regardless of the accident, Jacob sprang forward again -with as much expedition as possible, but finding that his lameness -impeded his progress, he plunged into a thick clump of shrubs and trees, -and was fortunate enough to hide himself between two logs before the -pursuers came up. Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired upon -them, but without effect. In consequence of the smoke of their fire, -probably, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw himself into -the thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had passed round it, -they followed on, until they were fairly distanced by Frederick, of whom -they lost sight and trace. They returned in about half an hour, halting -by the bushes in which the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near that -he could distinctly hear their conversation. The officer in command was -Captain Steele. On calling his men together, some were swearing, and -others laughing at the race, and the speed of the "long-legged Dutchmen," -as they called the flying prisoners. The pursuit being abandoned, the -guards returned to the fort. - -The brothers had agreed, in case of separation, to meet at a certain spot -at 10 o'clock that night. Of course Jacob lay ensconced in the bushes -until night had dropped her sable curtains, and until he supposed the -hour had arrived, when he sallied forth, according to the antecedent -understanding. But time did not move as rapidly on that evening as he -supposed. He waited upon the spot designated, and called aloud for -Frederick, until he despaired of meeting him, and prudence forbade his -remaining any longer. It subsequently appeared that he was too early on -the ground, and that Frederick made good his appointment. - -Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. John's soon after -day-break on the morning of the 14th. His purpose was to swim the river -at that place, and pursue his course homeward through the wilderness on -the eastern shore of Lake Champlain; but just as he was preparing to -enter the water, he descried a boat approaching from below, filled with -officers and soldiers of the enemy. They were already within twenty rods. -Concealing himself again in the woods, he resumed his journey after their -departure, but had not proceeded more than two or three miles before he -came upon a party of several hundred men engaged in getting out timber -for the public works at the fort. To avoid these he was obliged to -describe a wide circuit, in the course of which, at about 12 o'clock, he -came to a small clearing. Within the enclosure was a house, and in the -field were a man and boy engaged in hoeing potatoes. They were at that -moment called to dinner, and supposing them to be French, who he had -heard were rather friendly to the American cause than other-wise--incited, -also, by hunger and fatigue--he made bold to present himself trusting -that he might be invited to partake of their hospitality. But, instead of -a friend, he found an enemy. On making known his character, he was -roughly received. "It is by such villains as you are," replied the -forester, "that I was obliged to fly from Lake Champlain." The rebels, -he added, had robbed him of all he possessed, and he would now deliver -his self-invited guest to the guard, which, he said, was not more than a -quarter of a mile distant. Sammons promptly answered him that "that was -more than he could do." The refugee then said he would go for the guard -himself; to which Summons replied that he might act as he pleased, but -that all the men in Canada should not make him again a prisoner. - -The man thereupon returned with his son to the potato field, and resumed -his work; while his more compassionate wife gave him a bowl of bread and -milk, which he ate sitting on the threshold of the door, to guard against -surprise. While in the house, he saw a musket, powder-horn and -bullet-pouch hanging against the wall, of which he determined, if -possible, to possess himself, that he might be able to procure food -during the long and solitary march before him. On retiring, therefore, -he traveled only far enough into the woods for concealment--returning to -the woodman's house in the evening, for the purpose of obtaining the -musket and ammunition. But he was again beset by imminent peril. Very -soon after he entered the house, the sound of approaching voices was -heard, and he took to the rude chamber for security, where he lay flat -upon the irregular floor, and looking through the interstices, saw eleven -soldiers enter, who, it soon appeared, came for milk. His situation was -now exceedingly critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against -him, or a single movement betray him. But neither circumstance occurred. -The unwelcome visitors departed in due time, and the family all retired -to bed, excepting the wife, who, as Jacob descended from the chamber, -refreshed him with another bowl of bread and milk. The good woman now -earnestly entreated her guest to surrender himself, and join the ranks -of the King, assuring him that his Majesty must certainly conquer in the -end, in which case the rebels would lose all their property, and many -of them be hanged into the bargain. But to such a proposition he of -course would not listen. Finding all her efforts to convert a Whig into -a Tory fruitless, she then told him, that if he would secrete himself two -days longer in the woods, she would furnish him with some provisions, for -a supply of which her husband was going to the fort the next day, and she -would likewise endeavor to provide him with a pair of shoes. Disinclined -to linger so long in the country of the enemy, and in the neighborhood of -a British post, however, he took his departure forthwith. But such had -been the kindness of the good woman, that he had it not in his heart to -seize upon her husband's arms, and he left this wild scene of rustic -hospitality without supplies, or the means of procuring them. Arriving -once more at the water's edge at the lower end of Lake Champlain, he came -upon a hut, within which, on cautiously approaching it for reconnaissance, -he discovered a party of soldiers all soundly asleep. Their canoe was -moored by the shore, into which he sprang, and paddled himself up the -lake under the most encouraging prospect of a speedy and comparatively -easy voyage to its head, whence his return home would be unattended with -either difficulty or danger. But his pleasing anticipations were -extinguished on the night following, as he approached the Isle au Noix, -where he descried a fortification, and the glitter of bayonets bristling -in the air as the moonbeams played upon the burnished arms of the -sentinels, who were pacing their tedious rounds. The lake being very -narrow at this point, and perceiving that both sides were fortified, he -thought the attempt to shoot his canoe through between them rather too -hazardous an experiment. His only course, therefore, was to run ashore, -and resume his travels on foot. Nor, on landing, was his case in any -respect enviable. Without shoes, without food, and without the means of -obtaining either--a long journey before him through a deep and trackless -wilderness--it may well be imagined that his mind was not cheered by the -most agreeable anticipations. But without pausing to indulge unnecessarily -his "thick-coming fancies," he commenced his solitary journey, directing -his course along the eastern lake shore toward Albany. During the first -four days of his progress he subsisted entirely upon the bark of the -birch--chewing the twigs as he went On the fourth day, while resting by -a brook, he heard a rippling of the water caused by the fish as they were -stemming its current. He succeeded in catching a few of these, but having -no means of striking a fire, after devouring one of them raw, the others -were thrown away. - -His feet were by this time cruelly cut, bruised, and torn by thorns, -briars, and stones; and while he could scarcely proceed by reason of -their soreness, hunger and fatigue united to retard his cheerless march. -On the fifth day his miseries were augmented by the hungry swarms of -mosquitoes, which settled upon him in clouds while traversing a swamp. -On the same day he fell upon the nest of a black duck--the duck sitting -quietly upon her eggs until he came up and caught her. The bird was no -sooner deprived of her life and her feathers, than he devoured the whole, -including the head and feet The eggs were nine in number, which Sammons -took with him; but on opening one, he found a little half-made duckling, -already alive. Against such food his stomach revolted, and he was obliged -to throw the eggs away. - -On the tenth day he came to a small lake. His feet ware now in such a -horrible state, that he could scarcely crawl along. Finding a mitigation -of pain by bathing them in water, he plunged his feet into the lake, and -lay down upon its margin. For a time it seemed as though he could never -rise upon his feet again. Worn down by hunger and fatigue--bruised in -body and wounded in spirit--in a lone wilderness, with no eye to pity, -and no human arm to protect--he felt as though he must remain in that -spot until it should please God in his goodness to quench the dim spark -of life that remained. Still, he was comforted in some measure by the -thought that he was in the hands of a Being without whose knowledge not -a sparrow fells to the ground. - -Refreshed, at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed his weary -way, when, on raising his right leg over the trunk of a fallen tree, he -was bitten in the calf by a rattlesnake! Quick as a flash, with his -pocket-knife, he made an incision in his leg, removing the wounded flesh -to a greater depth than the fangs of the serpent had penetrated. His next -business was to kill the venomous reptile, and dress it for eating; thus -appropriating the enemy that had sought to take his life, to its -prolongation. His first meal was made from the heart and fat of the -serpent. Feeling somewhat strengthened by the repast, and finding, -moreover, that he could not travel farther in his present condition, he -determined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose, and -feeding upon the body of the snake, recruit his strength. Discovering, -also, a dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple tree, he succeeded in -striking a fire, by which his comforts were essentially increased. Still -he was obliged to creep upon his hands and knees to gather fuel, and on -the third day he was yet in such a state of exhaustion as to be utterly -unable to proceed. Supposing that death was inevitable and very near, he -crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of which he commenced -inscribing his name--in the expectation that he should leave his bones -there, and in the hope, that, in some way, by the aid of the inscription, -his family might ultimately be apprised of his fate. While engaged in -this sad work, a cloud of painful thoughts crowded upon his mind; the -tears involuntarily stole down his cheeks, and before he had completed -the melancholy task, he fell asleep. - -On the fourth day of his residence at this place, he began to gain -strength, and as a part of the serpent yet remained, he determined upon -another effort to resume his journey. But he could not do so without -devising some substitute for shoes. For this purpose he cut up his hat -and waistcoat, binding them upon his feet--and thus he hobbled along. On -the following night, while lying in the woods, he became strongly -impressed with a belief that he was not far distant from a human -habitation. He had seen no indications of proximity to the abode of man; -but he was, nevertheless, so confident of the fact, that he wept for joy. -Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression, he resumed his journey on -the following morning; and in the afternoon, it being the 28th of June, -he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in the New Hampshire -Grants--now forming the State of Vermont. He remained there for several -days, both to recruit his health, and, if possible, to gain intelligence -of his brother. But no tidings came; and as he knew Frederick to be a -capital woodsman, he of course concluded that sickness, death, or -re-capture, must have interrupted his journey. Procuring a conveyance at -Pittsford, Jacob traveled to Albany, and thence to Schenectady, where he -had the happiness of finding his wife and family. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons. He died about the year 1810. - - -Not less interesting, nor marked by fewer vicissitudes, were the -adventures of Frederick Sammons. The flight from the fort at Chamblee was -made just before sunset, which accounts for the chase having been -abandoned so soon. On entering the edge of the woods, Frederick -encountered a party of Indians returning to the fort from fatigue duty. -Perceiving that he was a fugitive, they fired, and called out--"We have -got him!" In this opinion, however, they were mistaken; for, although he -had run close upon before perceiving them, yet, being like Asahel of old -swift of foot, by turning a short corner and increasing his speed, in ten -minutes he was entirely clear of the party. He then sat down to rest, the -blood gushing from his nose in consequence of the extent to which his -physical powers had been taxed. At the time appointed he also had -repaired to the point which, at his separation from Jacob, had been -agreed upon as the place of meeting. The moon shone brightly, and he -called loud and often for his brother--so loud, indeed, that the guard -was turned out in consequence. His anxiety was very great for his -brother's safety; but, in ignorance of _his_ situation, he was obliged to -attend to his own. He determined, however, to approach the fort--as near -to it, at least, as he could venture--and in the event of meeting any one, -disguise his own character by inquiring whether the rebels had been taken. -But a flash from the sentinel's musket, the report, and the noise of a -second pursuit, compelled him to change the direction of his march, and -proceed again with all possible speed. It had been determined by the -brothers to cross the Sorel, and return on the east side of the river and -lake; but there was a misunderstanding between them as to the point of -crossing the river--whether above or below the fort. Hence their failure -of meeting. Frederick repaired to what he supposed to be the designated -place of crossing, below the fort, where he lingered for his brother until -near morning. At length, having found a boat, he crossed over to the -eastern shore, and landed just at the cock-crowing. He proceeded directly -to the barn where he supposed chanticleer had raised his voice, but found -not a fowl on the premises. The sheep looked too poor by the dim twilight -to serve his purpose of food, but a bullock presenting a more favorable -appearance, Frederick succeeded in cutting the unsuspecting animal's -throat, and severing one of the hind-quarters from the carcase, he -shouldered and marched off with it directly into the forest. Having -proceeded to a safe and convenient distance, he stopped to dress his beef, -cutting off what he supposed would be sufficient for the journey, and -forming a knapsack from the skin, by the aid of bark peeled from the -moose-wood. - -Resuming his journey, he arrived at the house of a French family within -the distance of five or six miles. Here he made bold to enter, for the -purpose of procuring bread and salt, and in the hope also of obtaining a -gun and ammunition. But he could neither obtain provisions, nor make the -people understand a word he uttered. He found means, however, to prepare -some tinder, with which he re-entered the woods, and hastened forward in -a southern direction, until be ascertained, by the firing of the evening -guns, that he had passed St. John's. Halting for the night, he struck a -light; and having kindled a fire, occupied himself until morning in -drying and smoking his beef, cutting it into slices for that purpose. His -knapsack of raw hide was cured by the same process. Thus prepared, he -proceeded onward without interruption or adventure until the third day, -when he killed a fawn and secured the venison. He crossed the Winooski, -or Onion river, on the next day; and having discovered a man's name carved -upon a tree, together with the distance from the lake, (Champlain) eight -miles, he bent his course for its shores, where he found a canoe with -paddles. There was now a prospect of lessening the fatigue of his journey; -but his canoe had scarce begun to dance upon the waters ere it parted -asunder, and he was compelled to hasten ashore and continue his march by -land. - -At the close of the seventh day, and when, as he supposed, he was within -two days' travel of a settlement, he kindled his fire, and lay down to -rest in fine health and spirits. But ere the dawn of day, he awoke with -racking pains, which proved to be an attack of pleurisy. A drenching rain -came on, continuing three days; during which time he lay helpless, in -dreadful agony, without fire, or shelter, or sustenance of any kind. On -the fourth day, his pain having abated, he attempted to eat a morsel, but -his provisions had become too offensive to be swallowed. His thirst being -intense, he fortunately discovered a pond of water near by, to which he -crawled. It was a stagnant pool, swarming with frogs--another providential -circumstance, inasmuch as the latter served him for food. Too weak, -however to strike a light, he was compelled to devour them raw, and -without dressing of any kind. Unable to proceed, he lay in this wretched -condition fourteen days. Supposing that he should die there, he succeeded -in hanging his hat upon a pole, with a few papers, in order that, if -discovered, his fate might be known. He was lying upon a high bluff, in -full view of the lake, and at no great distance therefrom. The hat, thus -elevated, served as a signal, which saved his life. A vessel sailing past, -descried the hat, and sent a boat ashore to ascertain the cause. The -boatmen discovered the body of a man, yet living, but senseless and -speechless, and transferred him to the vessel. By the aid of medical -attendance he was slowly restored to his reason, and having informed the -Captain who he was, had the rather uncomfortable satisfaction of learning -that he was on board of an enemy's ship, and at that moment lying at -Crown Point. Here he remained sixteen days, in the course of which time -he had the gratification to hear, from a party of Tories coming from the -settlements, that his brother Jacob had arrived safe at Schenectady and -joined his family. He was also apprised of Jacob's sufferings, and of the -bite of the serpent, which took place near Otter Creek, close by the -place where he had himself been so long sick. The brothers were therefore -near together at the time of the greatest peril and endurance of both. - -Frederick's recovery was very slow. Before he was able to walk, he was -taken to St John's, and thence, partly on a wheelbarrow and partly in a -calash, carried back to his old quarters at Chamblee--experiencing much -rough usage by the way. On arriving at the fortress, the guards saluted -him by the title of "Captain Lightfoot," and there was great joy at his -re-capture. It was now about the 1st of August. As soon as his health was -sufficiently recovered to bear it, he was heavily ironed, and kept in -close confinement at that place, until October, 1781--fourteen months, -without once beholding the light of the sun. Between St. Johns and -Chamblee he had been met by a British officer with whom he was acquainted, -and by whom he was informed that severe treatment would be his portion. -Compassionating his situation, however, the officer slipped a guinea and -a couple of dollars into his hands, and they moved on. - -No other prisoners were in irons at Chamblee, and all but Sammons were -taken upon the parade ground twice a week for the benefit of fresh air. -The irons were so heavy and so tight, as to wear into the flesh of his -legs; and so incensed was Captain Steele, the officer of the 32d regiment, -yet commanding the garrison at Chamblee, at the escape of his prisoner, -that he would not allow the surgeon to remove the irons to dress the -wounds, of which they were the cause, until a peremptory order was -procured for that purpose from General St. Leger, who was then at St. -John's. The humanity of the surgeon prompted this application of his own -accord. Even then, however, Steele would only allow the leg-bolts to be -knocked off--still keeping on the hand-cuffs. The dressing of his legs -was a severe operation. The iron had eaten to the bone, and the gangrened -flesh was of course to be removed. One of the legs ultimately healed up, -but the other has never been entirely well to this day. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] April, 1837--fifty six years ago! Frederick Sammons is yet living, - and otherwise well; and was chosen one of the electors of President and - Vice-President of the United States in November 1836. - - -In the month of November, 1781, the prisoners were transferred from -Chamblee to an island in the St. Lawrence, called at that time Prison -Island--situated in the rapids some distance above Montreal. Sammons was -compelled to travel in his hand-cuffs, but the other prisoners were not -thus encumbered. There were about two hundred prisoners on the island, all -of whom were very closely guarded. In the Spring of 1782, Sammons -organised a conspiracy with nine of his fellow prisoners, to make their -escape, by seizing a provision boat, and had well-nigh effected their -object. Being discovered, however, their purpose was defeated, and -Sammons, as the ringleader, once more placed in irons. But at the end of -five weeks the irons were removed, and he was allowed to return to his -hut. - -Impatient of such protracted captivity, Frederick was still bent on -escaping, for which purpose he induced a fellow-prisoner, by the name of -McMullen, to join him in the daring exploit of seeking an opportunity to -plunge into the river, and taking their chance of swimming to the shore. -A favorable moment for attempting the bold adventure was afforded on the -17th of August. The prisoners having, to the number of fifty, been allowed -to walk to the foot of the island, but around the whole of which a chain -of sentinels was extended, Sammons and McMullen, without having conferred -with any one else, watching an opportunity when the nearest sentinel -turned his back upon them, quietly glided down beneath a shelving rock, -and plunged into the stream--each holding up and waving a hand in token of -farewell to their fellow-prisoners, as the surge swept them rapidly down -the stream. The sentinel was distant about six rods when they threw -themselves into the river, and did not discover their escape until they -were beyond the reach of any molestation he could offer them. -Three-quarters of a mile below the island, the rapids were such as to -heave the river into swells too large for boats to encounter. This was a -frightful part of their voyage. Both, however, were expert swimmers, and -by diving as they approached each successive surge, both succeeded in -making the perilous passage--the distance of this rapid being about one -hundred and fifty rods. As they plunged successively into these rapids, -they had little expectation of meeting each other again in this world. -But a protecting Providence ordered it otherwise, and they emerged from -the frightful billows quite near together. "I am glad to see you," said -Sammons to his friend; "I feared we should not meet again." "We have had -a merry ride of it," replied the other; "but we could not have stood it -much longer." - -The adventurous fellows attempted to land about two miles below the -island, but the current was so violent as to baffle their purpose, and -they were driven two miles farther, where they happily succeeded in -reaching the land, at a place on the north side of the St. Lawrence, -called by the Canadians "The Devil's Point." A cluster of houses stood -near the river, into some of which it was necessary the fugitives should -go to procure provisions. They had preserved each a knife and tinder-box -in their waistcoat pockets, and one of the first objects, after arming -themselves with substantial clubs, was to procure a supply of tinder. -This was effected by boldly entering a house and rummaging an old lady's -work-basket The good woman, frightened at the appearance of the visitors, -ran out and alarmed the village--the inhabitants of which were French. -In the meantime they searched the house for provisions, fire-arms, and -ammunition, but found none of the latter, and only a single loaf of bread. -They also plundered the house of a blanket, blanket-coat, and a few other -articles of clothing. By this time the people began to collect in such -numbers, that a precipitate, retreat was deemed advisable. McMullen, -being seized by two Canadians, was only released from their grasp by the -well-directed blows of Frederick's club. They both then commenced running -for the woods, when Sammons, encumbered with his luggage, unluckily fell, -and the loaf rolled away from him. The peasants now rushed upon them, and -their only course was to give battle, which they prepared to do in -earnest; whereupon, seeing their resolution, the pursuers retreated almost -as rapidly as they had advanced. This demonstration gave the fugitives -time to collect and arrange their plunder, and commence their travels -anew. Taking to the woods, they found a resting-place, where they halted -until night-fall. They then sallied forth once more in search of -provisions, with which it was necessary to provide themselves before -crossing to the south side of the river, where, at that day, there were -no settlements. The cattle fled at their approach; but they at length -came upon a calf in a farm-yard, which they captured, and appropriating -to their own use and behoof a canoe moored in the river, they embarked -with their prize, to cross over to the southern shore. But alas! when in -the middle of the stream their paddle broke, and they were in a measure -left to the mercy of the flood, which was hurrying them onward, as they -very well knew, toward the rapids or falls of the Cedars. There was an -island above the rapids, from the brink of which a tree had fallen into -the river. Fortunately the canoe was swept by the current into the -branches of this tree-top, among which it became entangled. While -struggling in this predicament, the canoe was upset. Being near shore, -however, the navigators got to land without losing the calf. Striking a -fire, they now dressed their veal, and on the following morning, by -towing their canoe along shore round to the south edge of the island, -succeeded in crossing to their own side of the river. They then plunged -directly into the unbroken forest, extending from the St. Lawrence to the -Sacondaga, and after a journey of twelve days of excessive hardship, -emerged from the woods within six miles of the point for which, without -chart or compass, Sammons had laid his course. Their provisions lasted -but a few days, and their only subsequent food consisted of roots and -herbs. The whole journey was made almost in a state of nudity--both being -destitute of pantaloons. Having worn out their hats upon their feet, the -last three days they were compelled to travel bare-footed. Long before -their journey was ended, therefore, their feet wore dreadfully lacerated -and swollen. On arriving at Schenectady the inhabitants were alarmed at -their wild and savage appearance--half naked, with lengthened beards and -matted hair. The people at length gathered round them with strange -curiosity; but when they made themselves known, a lady named Ellis rushed -through the crowd to grasp the hand of Frederick, and was so much -affected at his altered appearance that she fainted and fell. The welcome -fugitives were forthwith supplied with whatever of food and raiment was -necessary; and young Sammons learned that his father and family had -removed back to Marbletown, in the county of Ulster, whence he had -previously emigrated to Johnstown. - -A singular but well-attested occurrence closes this interesting personal -narrative. The family of the elder Sammons had long given up Frederick as -lost. On the morning after his arrival at Schenectady, he despatched a -letter to his father, by the hand of an officer on his way to -Philadelphia, who left it at the house of a Mr. Levi De Witt, five miles -distant from the residence of the old gentleman. The same night on which -the letter was thus left, Jacob dreamed that his brother Frederick was -living, and that there was a letter from him at De Witt's announcing the -joyful tidings. The dream was repeated twice, and the contents of the -letter were so strongly impressed upon his mind, that he repeated what he -believed was the very language, on the ensuing morning--insisting that -such a letter was at the place mentioned. The family, his father in -particular, laughed at him for his credulity. Strong, however, in the -belief that there was such a communication, he repaired to the place -designated, and asked for the letter. Mr. De Witt looked for it, but -replied there was none. Jacob requested a more thorough search, and -behold the letter was found behind a barrel, where it had fallen. Jacob -then requested Mr. De Witt to open the letter, and examine while he -recited its contents. He did so, and the dreamer repeated it word for -word! [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The facts contained in this account of the captivity of Frederick - Sammons, nave been drawn from the narrative written by himself - immediately after his return. In regard to the dream, which I have - thought of sufficient interest to record in the text, Major Thomas - Sammons, who was at home at the time, has repeatedly assured me of the - fact, in conversations; and Mr. De Witt, when living, always confirmed - the circumstances related as occurring at his house. Jacob Sammons - himself says at the conclusion--"I write this to satisfy that class of - people who say there is nothing revealed by dreams."--_Author._ - - -Returning from these digressions, the chain of historical events to be -recorded will be resumed in their order. Sir John Johnson having made good -his retreat, as heretofore described, no other transaction of consequence -occurred in the Mohawk Valley until the 2d of August, when the dreaded -Thayendanegea was again among the settlements on the river. Colonel -Gansevoort had been directed by General Clinton, on the 6th of June, to -repair to Fort Plank, with his regiment, to take charge of a quantity of -stores destined to Fort Schuyler. In his instructions to that officer, -General Clinton referred to the alarming situation of the Mohawk country, -and enjoined the most vigilant watchfulness against surprise. The -stores were of course to be transported in batteaux, carefully guarded -the whole distance. Aware of the movement of these stores, Brant had -caused the valley to be filled with rumors of his intention to capture -them, and even to take Fort Schuyler itself. In order to prevent either -occurrence, the militia of the county were sent forward to strengthen the -convoy, and repair to the defence of the Fort. Having thus diverted the -public attention, and caused the militia to be drawn from the lower -section of the valley, the wily Mohawk passed round in their rear, and -on the day above mentioned, made a sudden descent upon Canajoharie and -its adjacent settlements. [FN-1] There were several small stockades among -the different neighborhoods invaded, but the principal work of defence, -then called Fort Plank, and subsequently Fort Plain, was situated upon an -elevated plain overlooking the valley, near the site of the village yet -retaining the latter name of the fortress. [FN-2] A small garrison had -been left in this fort, but not of sufficient strength to warrant a field -engagement with the forces of Brant, while the latter, being unprovided -with artillery, had no design of assaulting the fort. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Annals of Tryon County. - - [FN-2] For a drawing of Fort Plank, or Fort Plain, and a more particular - description, see Appendix, No. I. To a modern engineer, its form must - present a singular spectacle as a military structure. The drawing has - been preserved, as a specimen of the forts and block-houses of that - frontier during the war of the Revolution. - - -On the first approach of Brant in Canajoharie, a few miles eastwardly of -the fort, the alarm was given by a woman, who fired a cannon for that -purpose. But as the able-bodied men were absent, as already stated, the -chief met with no immediate opposition, and before the militia could be -rallied from Schenectady and Albany, he had ample time to effect the -object of the enterprise. The settlements on the south side of the river, -for several miles, were entirely laid waste. All the movable property that -could be taken off was secured as plunder; but no outrages were committed -upon the defenceless women and children, other than carrying them into -captivity--a circumstance that has been attributed to the absence of the -Tories in this expedition, and also to the fact that there was no divided -command--Brant being himself the sole leader. Be that as it may, the -Mohawk chief is entitled to the benefit of this instance of humanity, in -forming a final judgment of his character. - -But the strength of the main fort did not deter the chief from leading -his warriors directly into its vicinity, where the church, distant about -a quarter of a mile, and the parsonage, together with several other -buildings, were burnt. Sixteen of the inhabitants were killed, between -fifty and sixty persons, mostly women and children, were taken prisoners, -fifty-three dwelling-houses, and as many barns were burnt, together with -a gristmill, two small forts, and a handsome church. Upward of three -hundred black cattle and horses were killed or driven away, the arms of -the people, their working-tools and implements of husbandry destroyed, -and the growing crops swept from the fields. [FN-1] Indeed, the fairest -district of the valley was in a single day rendered a scene of wailing -and desolation; and the ravages enacted in the Indian country by General -Sullivan the preceding year, were in part most unexpectedly re-enacted by -the Indian chieftain himself in the heart of the country of his -invaders. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. letter of Colonel Clyde to Governor George Clinton. - - [FN-2] A detachment from this expedition was sent by Brant, at the same - time, against the settlement on the Norman's Kill, in the very - neighborhood of Albany, when they succeeded in burning twenty - houses.--_Macauly._ - - -The first admonition of the invasion in the neighborhood of Johnstown, -fifteen miles from Canajoharie, was by the ascending columns of smoke -from the burning buildings. The people were employed harvesting in the -fields, but they turned out immediately, and joining Colonel Wemple, who -advanced from below with the Schenectady and Albany militia, proceeded to -the scene of conflagration. But their movements were not sufficiently -expeditious to arrest the destroyer or to intercept his retreat. Indeed, -it is intimated, by good authority, that although the Colonel's forces -were superior to those of Brant, the former was, nevertheless, by no -means anxious to arrive in the immediate vicinity of the Indians too -soon. [FN-1] The Colonel lodged his men that night in the fort. The next -morning, while the troops, regular and irregular, were on parade, some -buildings were discovered on fire at a distance, which had escaped the -flames the day before. The attention of Colonel Wemple being directed to -the fact, he remarked, that if any volunteers were disposed to go in -pursuit, they might Major Bantlin, with a few of the Tryon County militia, -who had arrived that morning, immediately turned out. "We hastened to the -place as soon as we could. The enemy discovered us and ran off. It was a -small party sent out by Brant We pursued them, but they reached their -main body before we came up. We succeeded, however, in rescuing a little -girl, whom they had taken and painted." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Major Thomas Sammons, who was in the wheat-field when the smoke - was seen, and who immediately repaired to the scene of action. - - [FN-2] MSS. of Major Sammons. - - -The forts destroyed by Brant at Canajoharie, were built by the people -themselves, but had not yet been garrisoned. The inhabitants had -complained bitterly that they were thus compelled to leave their own -firesides unprotected, to assist the Government in re-opening the -communication with Fort Schuyler. But being assured that their town could -be in no danger, they submitted to the order, and their militia marched -to the upper section of the valley. The result was deplorable enough; -while the success of his stratagem added another plume to the crest of -"the Great Captain of the Six Nations." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] According to the British account of this irruption, as published in - New-York on the 6th of September, Sir John Johnson was in the expedition - with Captain Brant. But this could hardly have been the fact, and all - other authorities be silent upon the subject. The same account claimed - that in the Canajoharie settlements 67 houses and 48 barns were burnt; - 17 persons killed, and 53 taken prisoners. At the same time, it was - stated that in one of the Schoharie settlements 87 houses were burnt; - 7 persons killed; and 31 taken prisoners. At Norman's Kill, 30 houses - burnt. Total, 140 houses and barns burnt; 84 people killed; and 73 made - prisoners.--_Almon's Remembrancer, Part II._--1780. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - - - General progress of the War--Design against New-York--Glance at the - Southern Campaigns--Treason of Arnold--Execution of Andre--Indian - deputation to Count de Rochambeau, in Rhode Island--Invasion of the - Schoharie-kill and the Mohawk Valleys, by Sir John Johnson, Brant, and - the Corn-Planter--Surprise of the upper fort--The middle fort - invested--Conduct of Murphy in firing upon a flag--Singular prosecution - of the siege--Murphy's contumacy--The flags fired upon thrice--Sir John - proceeds to the lower fort--After a brief halt, advances again to the - Mohawk, destroying every thing in his way--Murder of the - inhabitants--The Vroomans--Heroism of a woman--Sir John arrives at Fort - Hunter--Ravages the Mohawk Valley--Battle of Stone Arabia and death of - Colonel Brown--His character--Remarkable anecdote of General Arnold--Sir - John proceeds to Klock's Field--Is pursued by Van Rensselaer, though - with unaccountable delay--Battle of Klock's Field--Flight of the - Indians--Strange retreat of Van Rensselaer--Affairs of the night--Secret - flight of the Greens and Rangers--The pursuit--General Van Rensselaer - prematurely relinquishes it--Capture of Captain Vrooman and his - company, by Brant, in the neighborhood of Oneida--Touching incident at - Fort Hunter--Singular story respecting the Corn-Planter--Major - Carleton's expedition against Forts Anne and George--Correspondence on - the subject of prisoners--Affairs at Niagara--Seating in of Winter. - - -The active operations of the war, during the open months of the present -year, with the exception of the successive invasions of the Mohawk Valley -by Sir John Johnson and Captain Brant at the head of the loyalists and -Indians, were chiefly confined to the Southern states. True, indeed, in -anticipation of the arrival of another French fleet, with an army under -the Count de Rochambeau, for the land service, an attack had been -meditated by the Commander-in-chief upon New-York, and various preliminary -measures were adopted for that object. But, in order to cover the real -design, an attempt was made, after the return of the Marquis de Lafayette -from France, in the Spring, to divert the attention of the British -Commander by inducing a belief that Canada was again to be invaded by a -combined movement of the Americans and their allies. For this purpose, -proclamations, addressed to the Canadian people, were prepared, one of -which was written in French, and signed by Lafayette. These proclamations -were printed with great secrecy, but at the same time for the express -purpose of allowing copies of them to fall into the hands of the enemy, -to mislead Sir Henry Clinton. The printing was confided by Washington to -General Arnold; and as the stratagem was unsuccessful, subsequent events -induced a belief that the treasonable practices of that officer had then -already commenced. The letter from Washington to Arnold, respecting the -printing of those proclamations, was dated June 4th. It was afterward -satisfactorily ascertained, that "for several months previously Arnold -had endeavored to recommend himself to the enemy, by sending intelligence -concerning the movements and plans of the American army." [FN] Various -untoward circumstances concurred in frustrating the design of the -intended combined movement upon New-York. In the first place, although -Congress had made large promises to France, of efficient co-operation, in -the event of assistance from that quarter, yet the backwardness of many -of the States in furnishing their respective quotas of men, and the -continued deficiency of supplies, were serious discouragements to the -Commander-in-chief, and he almost began to despair of the undertaking -before the arrival of his allies. In the second place, the fleet of the -Chevalier Ternay, with the army of the Count de Rochambeau, did not -arrive so early by several weeks as was intended. In the third place, Sir -Henry Clinton having returned to New-York from the south, instead of -entering the harbor of New-York direct, the French admiral was -constrained to put into the harbor of Rhode Island, where the army was -landed; and before dispositions could be made for a combined movement -thence upon New-York, the British Admiral Graves arrived off Rhode Island -with a superior force, so that the Chevalier Ternay was blockaded. The -result of all these occurrences was a relinquishment, for the time, of the -enterprise against New-York; and the French and American armies were -doomed to comparative inactivity at the north the whole season. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, vol. vii. Vide - several letters from Washington to Lafayette, Arnold, and others, during - the month of May, 1780. - - -Not so, however, at the south. After the fall of Charleston, in the -Spring, the British troops, under those able and active officers, -Cornwallis, Tarleton, Lord Rawdon, and others, almost entirely over-ran -the Southern States. Tarleton's first achievement was the cutting up of -Colonel Buford, with about four hundred men, at the Waxhaws. In South -Carolina all ideas of farther resistance seemed to be abandoned, until -Sumpter returned, and revived their spirits by proving at Williamson's -plantation that the invaders were not invincible. But in July, after -General Gates had assumed the command in the Southern Department, to which -the brave Baron De Kalb had opened the way, the severe disaster at Camden, -where the militia ran away, as usual, at the beginning of the battle, -rendered all again gloomy as before. [FN] The Baron De Kalb fell in this -action, covered with wounds. Close upon the heels of this defeat, followed -the surprise and all but annihilation of Sumpter's forces, by Tarleton, at -the Wateree. But the splendid affair at King's Mountain, on the 7th of -October, in which Ferguson, with a body of twelve or fifteen hundred -loyalists, and about one hundred British regulars, was defeated and taken -by Campbell, Shelby, and Cleaveland, at the head of the hardy mountaineers -of Virginia and North Carolina, with the re-appearance of Sumpter in the -field at the head of a body of volunteers--defeating Major Wemys at Broad -River, on the 12th of November, and repulsing Tarleton himself at -Black-stocks near the Tiger river, on the 20th,--contributed not a little -to revive the spirits of the Americans in that quarter. At the north, the -only considerable movement by the enemy was the expedition of the Hessian -General Knyphausen into New Jersey, during which he burnt thirteen houses -and the church at Connecticut Farms, and fifty houses at Springfield. -Fighting a battle at that place without achieving a victory, he returned -to Elizabethtown, and thence back to New-York. - - * * * * * - - [FN] From the time of his leaving the command at Providence in the - beginning of the preceding winter, General Gates had been residing at - his own home in Virginia. He was unanimously appointed by Congress, on - the 13th of June, to take command in the southern department.--_Sparks._ - - -But the great event of the Summer at the north, was the capture of the -British Adjutant General, Major Andre, in the character of a spy, and the -consequent detection of the treason of General Arnold. The annals of war -furnish not a more flagrant instance of treachery than that Arnold was a -brave man, who had shared largely in the confidence of Washington during -the earlier years of the war; and although events had subsequently -occurred which must seriously have shaken the faith of the -Commander-in-chief in his private virtue and integrity, still he could -not have entertained the slightest suspicion of his patriotism, or his -integrity to the country; ignorant, probably, of the fact which will -appear a few pages ahead, that even that _had_ been questioned, during the -Canadian campaign of 1776. But, aside from Arnold's thirst for military -fame, which certainly cannot be denied to him, his ruling passion was -avarice. During his residence in Philadelphia, with the command of which -he was invested after its evacuation by the British troops in 1778, he -had lived in a style of splendor altogether beyond his means. Embarking -largely in privateering and other speculations, he had suffered heavy -losses; and to supply an exchequer which had been exhausted by an almost -boundless prodigality, he had resorted to acts of oppression and base -dishonor. Another device to obtain the means of indulging his -extravagance, was the exhibition of accounts against the public, so -enormous as to demand an investigation by a Board of Commissioners. Many -of these accounts being disallowed by the Commissioners, Arnold appealed -to Congress. A committee of re-examination was appointed; the report of -which was, that the Board of Commissioners had already allowed too much. -He was shortly afterward brought to answer for his peculations, and other -malpractices, before a General Court-martial; and he only escaped being -cashiered, by the death of one witness and the unaccountable absence of -another. Still, his conduct was pronounced highly reprehensible by the -Court, for which he was subjected to a reprimand from the -Commander-in-chief. The impression, however, was strong, and very general, -that he ought to have been dismissed from the army. Stung to the quick at -these censures of the Congress, the Court, and of his commander--hating -that commander now, if he had not done so before, fur the high-souled -honor of his sentiments, and the exalted virtue and moral purity of his -life--hating him the more bitterly because of his own fall--and stimulated -to the foul purpose, like the Thane of Cawdor, by his wife, who was a -traitress before him [FN-1]--Arnold had almost consummated his -long-meditated treachery, [FN-2] when the arrest of the unfortunate Andre -saved not only the citadel of the army, but probably the cause of the -country itself. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] It is well known that, on the detection of Arnold's treason and - his flight, Mrs. Arnold was apparently deeply affected--tearing her hair, - and seeming almost frantic. So great was her agony, that the feelings of - Washington, Hamilton, and other officers, were greatly excited in her - behalf. The author has long been aware, through the confidential friends - of the late Colonel Burr, that Mrs. Arnold was only _acting a part_ when - she exhibited her distress. She was the daughter of Chief Justice - Shippen, of Pennsylvania, and had been married to Arnold at Philadelphia - in 1779. She had corresponded with Major Andre, during the Summer, under - a pretext of obtaining supplies of millinery, &c. Her habits were - extravagant, and had doubtless contributed to involve her husband more - deeply in pecuniary difficulties. Having obtained from General Washington - a passport, and permission to join her husband in New-York, Mrs. Arnold - stopped on the way At the house of Mrs. Provost, at Paramus, the lady of - a British officer, and afterward the wife of Colonel Burr, where she - stayed one night. Here the frantic scenes of West Point were re-enacted - while there were strangers present; but as soon as they were alone, she - became Tranquilized, and assured Mrs. Provost that she was heartily sick - of the theatrics she was playing. She stated that she had corresponded - with the British commander--that she was disgusted with the American - cause, and those who had the management of it; and that, through great - precaution and unceasing perseverance, she had ultimately brought the - General into the arrangement to surrender West Point to the British, - &c., &c. For farther particulars upon the subject, see Davis's Life of - Burr, pp. 219, 220. In his letter in her behalf to General Washington, - Arnold of course entirely exculpated his wife. The public vengeance, he - said, "ought alone to fall on me. She is as good and as innocent as an - angel, and is incapable of doing wrong." - - [FN-2] Eighteen months before the consummation of his treason, General - Arnold commenced writing to Sir Henry Clinton anonymously, and from time - to time communicated to him important intelligence.--_Sparks._ - - -With a seeming desire of active service, Arnold had urged forward his -trial, that, as he protested, he might be enabled the earlier to take the -field. But in pursuance, no doubt, of his understanding with Sir Henry -Clinton, his great anxiety was to obtain the command of West Point. With -this view he wrote to General Schuyler, who was then in camp, as one of -a Committee of Congress; and it is supposed that he likewise corresponded -with Robert R. Livingston upon the subject. At all events, Mr. Livingston -applied to General Washington for that station in behalf of Arnold. The -application was successful, though not immediately. On the first of -August Arnold was assigned to the command of the left wing of the army. -Complaining, however, that his wounds were yet too painful to allow him -to act with efficiency in the field, on the 3d of the same month he was -directed to repair to West Point, and take the command of the post. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Washington to General Arnold, August 3,1790. See, also, - note of Sparks to the same, and other antecedent letters. - - -It would be foreign to the main design of the present work, to -recapitulate the history of this memorable instance of the blackest -treachery. Suffice it to say, that, after his arrest, the conduct of -Andre was characterised by candor, manliness, and honor. He was tried by -a board of officers, and convicted on his own frank confessions, without -the testimony of a single witness. His main object, after he saw his -destiny was inevitable, was to relieve himself from the reproach of -having been guilty of any act of personal dishonor; and to show that in -fact he had bean compelled to assume the disguise in which he was taken, -by Arnold himself. And when he had expiated his error by his life, the -feeling was almost universal, that the iron hand of the law-martial had -fallen upon the wrong individual. For, although, in regard to Andre -himself it was doubtless right, under the circumstances of the case, that -justice should be inexorable; yet humanity cannot but weep over the hard -fate of the victim, while it marvels that an inscrutable Providence did -not so order events as to bring Arnold to the gibbet on which the -youthful stranger so nobly died. "Never, perhaps, did a man suffer death -with more justice, or deserve it less," was the remark of a gallant -soldier who was in attendance upon him during his imprisonment; and the -account of his character, written by that officer, and his demeanor -during the trying scenes intervening between his arrest and execution, -cannot be read without exciting emotions of high admiration and profound -regret. [FN] Happy, however, was his fate, compared with that of the -arch-traitor, whose moral leprosy, like the plague-spot, caused him to be -shunned through life by all honorable men--an object of loathing and -scorn, to fill--unregretted by anyone--a dishonorable grave! - - * * * * * - - [FN] The document referred to is a letter published in the Pennsylvania - Gazette of October 25th, 1790, written, as was supposed, by Alexander - Hamilton, at that time an Aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief. There - is, either in the library or the picture gallery of Yale College, - New-Haven, a likeness of Major Andre, sketched upon paper, by himself, - but a short time before his execution. - - -Resuming, again, the Indian relations of the North, the first occurrence -to be noted is a visit made by several of the Oneida, Tuscarora, and -Caughnawaga Indians to the French army in Rhode Island. The Caughnawaga -Indians, residing at the Lachine rapids near Montreal, had been altogether -in the interest of France down to the time of the conquest of Canada by -the British and Provincial arms; and it was supposed that the ancient -attachment of other branches of the Six Nations to the French had not -been entirely lost. It was also recollected, that "when M. de Vaudreuil -surrendered Canada to the English, he gave to the Indians, as tokens of -recognizance, a golden crucifix and a watch; and it was supposed that a -renewal of the impressions, which had been in some degree preserved among -them by these emblems of friendship, might have the effect to detach -them from the influence of the English, and strengthen their union with -the Americans and French." [FN-1] That the British officers were -apprehensive that an influence adverse to the cause of the King might be -awakened among the Indians by the alliance of the French with the -Americans, was rendered highly probable, from the pains taken by the -former to impress them with a belief that no such alliance had been -formed. [FN-2] Hence it was judged expedient by General Schuyler, who was -then at Albany, that a delegation of the Indians should be sent to Rhode -Island, where conviction of the fact might be wrought upon their senses -by the substantial evidence of the fleet and army. [FN-3] Thirteen Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, and five Caughnawagas, were accordingly despatched to -Rhode Island, under the conduct of Mr. Deane the Interpreter. They -arrived at Newport on the 29th of August, and were received with -distinguished marks of attention by the French commanders. "Entertainments -and military shows were prepared for them, and they expressed much -satisfaction at what they saw and heard. Suitable presents were -distributed among them; and to the chiefs were given medals representing -the coronation of the French King. When they went away, a written address -was delivered to them, or rather a kind of proclamation, signed by Count -Rochambeau, copies of which were to be distributed among the friendly -Indians." It was in the following words:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] sparks. - - [FN-2] Letter from Washington to Count de Rochambeau. - - [FN-3] Idem. - - -"The King of France, your father, has not forgotten his children. As a -token of remembrance, I have presented gifts to your deputies in his name. -He learned with concern, that many nations, deceived by the English, who -were his enemies, had attacked and lifted up the hatchet against his good -and faithful allies, the United States. He has desired me to tell you, -that he is a firm and faithful friend to all the friends of America, and -a decided enemy to all its foes. He hopes that all his children, whom he -loves sincerely, will take part with their father in this war against the -English." - -The Caughnawagas being more conversant with the French than, with the -English language, the address was written in both languages, and signed -and sealed in due form. [FN] It is doubtful, however, whether either good -or ill came from the movement. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were already -sufficiently true in their alliance with the Americans. The Caughnawagas -had made friendly advances to the Americans before, which resulted in -nothing. And as for the other and greater divisions of the Six Nations, -their hostility, it will soon be perceived, was not abated. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Note in the Life and Correspondence of Washington by Sparks, and - also a letter from the Count de Rochambeau, cited by him. - - -But even yet the desire of vengeance, on the part of the savages, had not -been satisfied. Smarting from the devastations of Sullivan's expedition, -neither the irruption of Sir John Johnson to Johnstown and Caughnawaga, -nor the invasion and destruction of Canajoharie by Thayendanegea, was -deemed by them a sufficient retaliatory visitation. Another and yet more -extensive expedition, both as to the numbers to be engaged, and the -object to be accomplished, was therefore planned and carried into -execution, under the auspices of Sir John Johnson, Joseph Brant, and the -famous Seneca warrior, the _Corn-Planter._ [FN-1] This latter chief was a -half-breed, his father being a white man, living in the Mohawk country, -named John O'Bail. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] This is the first time that the name of this chief, afterward - celebrated in our Indian annals, occurs in the history of the revolution, - although he was in the field with his tribe against General Sullivan. - There is some doubt as to the orthography of his parental name. It has - been written Abeel, O'Beal, and O'Bail. The latter is the name according - to Mary Jemison. He was, for a considerable period, the rival of the - eloquent Keeper-Awake, Red Jacket, by whom his influence was ultimately - destroyed and himself supplanted. - - [FN-2] Mary Jemison. - - -The Indian portion of this expedition was chiefly collected at Tioga -Point, whence they ascended the Susquehanna to Unadilla, where a junction -was formed with Sir John Johnson, whose forces consisted, besides Mohawks, -of three companies of his own regiment of Greens; one company of German -Yagers; a detachment of two hundred men from Butler's rangers; [FN-1] and -one company of British regulars, under the immediate command of Captain -Richard Duncan, the son of an opulent gentleman residing, previous to the -war, in the neighborhood of Schenectady. [FN-2] The troops of Sir John -were collected at Lachine, near Montreal, whence they ascended the St. -Lawrence to Lake Ontario and Oswego. From this point they crossed the -country to the Susquehanna, where they were joined by the Indians and -Tories from Tioga. Sir John had with him two small mortars, and a brass -three-pounder, called a grasshopper, from the circumstance of its being -mounted upon iron legs instead of wheels. These pieces of ordnance were -transported through the woods upon pack-horses. Every soldier, and every -Indian, was provided with eighty rounds of cartridges. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MSS. of Major Thomas Sammons. - - [FN-2] Giles F. Yates, Esq. - - [FN-3] Major Sammons. - - -The Indians never breathed more fiercely for vengeance than at this time, -and they went forth upon the war-path with a determination that nothing -should impede their march or prevent their depredations. [FN] Their -numbers have been variously estimated at from eight hundred to fifteen -hundred and fifty--all descriptions of troops included. The latter -estimate is probably the nearest to the truth, judging from the results -of the campaign. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Mary Jemison, who seems to have been present at the gathering. - - -Their course was by their old route, along the Charlotte river, -(sometimes called the eastern branch of the Susquehanna,) to its source, -and thence across to the head of the Schoharie-kill, for the purpose of -making thorough work in the destruction of the continuous chain of -settlements through that beautiful valley to its junction with the Mohawk. -The enemy had designed to keep the movement a profound secret, until -proclaimed by his actual presence. Two of the Oneidas, in their service, -having deserted, frustrated that design by giving information of their -approach to the settlements. [FN] Whether from weariness of continual -alarms, or from ignorance or doubt as to the quarter where the blow was -to be struck, or from criminal negligence, cannot be told; but it is -certain that the surprise was as complete as the success of the campaign -was discreditable to those who did not prevent it. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of General Haldimand to Lord George Germaine. - - -The plan of Sir John and Captain Brant was to enter the valley by night, -pass, if possible, the upper fort unobserved, and then, by silently -destroying the intervening settlements, attack the middle fort, at -Middleburgh, early in the morning. This fort was garrisoned by about one -hundred and fifty state troops, called three months men, exclusive of -some fifty militia-men--the whole under the command of Major Woolsey, -[FN-1] who, from all accounts, appears to have been an inefficient -officer, and by some writers has been represented as the most miserable -of poltroons. [FN-2] The design of passing the upper fort unperceived, -was in part successful; nor was the enemy's approach to the middle -fortress discovered until just at break of day, on the morning of the -16th of October, when a sentinel, named Philip Graft, standing upon the -parapet of a mud wall, discovered a fire kindling in some buildings not -more than a quarter of a mile distant. Calling to the sergeant of the -guard, he communicated the discovery through him to the commanding -officer. The drums at once beat to arms, and Major Woolsey requested -forty volunteers to sally forth and discover the cause of the alarm. -Every man on duty promptly responded to the invitation, and the -complement was thereupon counted off from the right, and sent out in -charge of Lieutenant Spencer. The little band proceeded with alacrity in -the direction of the burning buildings, until they suddenly encountered -the enemy's advance. Three shots were exchanged, when Spencer retreated, -and brought his detachment back into the fort without the loss of a -man. [FN-3] At this moment the concerted signal of three guns from the -upper fort came rolling down the gorge of the mountains, from which it -was evident that the enemy had passed that fortress without molesting it. -A proper degree of vigilance, however, ought certainly to have enabled -the sentinels of that garrison to observe the advance of the invading -army, instead of merely catching a glimpse of its rear. The moment the -enemy had thus been discovered, front and rear, concealment of his -approach being no longer possible, the torch was indiscriminately applied -to such houses and barns as came in his way. The season had been -bountiful, the rich alluvial bottoms of the Schoharie-kill producing an -unusually abundant harvest that year. The barns were therefore well -stored with the earlier grains, while the fields were yet heavily -burdened with the autumnal crops. But the husbandmen in the neighborhood, -or those lodging for greater security in the little apology for a -fortress, looked abroad at sunrise to behold the produce of their -industry in flames. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. statement of Philip Graft, in the author's possession. - - [FN-2] "Woolsey's presence of mind forsook him in the hour of danger. He - concealed himself at first with the women and children in the house, and - when driven out by the ridicule of his new associates, he crawled round - the intrenchments on his hands and knees, amid the jeers and bravos of - the militia, who felt their courage revive as their laughter was excited - by the cowardice of their major."--_Campbell's Annals._ - - [FN-3] MS. statement of Philip Graft. - - -Soon after sunrise the main forces of the enemy had arrived, and the fort -was completely invested. A column of troops, with the pieces of light -artillery heretofore mentioned, passed round the north-east side of the -fort, and planted their guns upon an eminence commanding the American -works. An officer with a flag was now despatched toward the garrison, and -from the moment he was seen, an order was given to cease firing. All was -silent until he had approached to within the distance of fair rifle shot, -when the reader's old acquaintance, Murphy, recently of Morgan's rifle -corps, but now making war on his own responsibility, expressed a -determination to shoot down the officer by whom the flag was borne. He -was instantly ordered by the officers of the regular troops to forbear. -But the militia irregulars encouraged him to persist in his mutinous -determination. He did so; but for once his rifle was untrue, and the -flag-officer immediately faced about and retired to his own ranks. - -Sir John thereupon opened his artillery upon the fort, while the Indians -and rangers kept up a brisk fire of musketry--both without much effect. -The enemy's field-pieces were probably of too small caliber for the -distance, and the shells were thrown with so little skill, for the most -part, as either to fall short, or fly over the works, or to explode in -the air. Two shells, however, fell upon the roof of the house within the -fort, one of which was precipitated down into a room occupied by two sick -women. It sank into a feather bed, and exploded--but without inflicting -farther injury. Fire was communicated to the roof of the building by the -other shell, and was extinguished with a single pail of water carried up -and applied by Philip Graft. Unfortunately the garrison was unable to -return the fire with spirit, for the want of powder. The regular troops -had only a few rounds each, and the militia were but little better -provided in that respect. Messengers had been despatched to Albany on the -preceding day for ammunition, and also far reinforcements; but neither had -yet been received, so that the fort was but ill prepared for protracted -or efficient resistance. But of this destitution the enemy was of course -ignorant; and the shooting at his flag-officer may have been, and probably -was, construed by Sir John as evidence of a determination to make no -terms. Expecting a desperate resistance, therefore, the Baronet may, from -that circumstance, have proceeded with the greater caution. - -It was indeed a singular siege. The enemy, spreading over the whole of -the little plain, were now occupied in feeble attacks upon the fort, and -now dispersing in small detachments, to plunder another farm-house and -burn another corn-stack. There was one large barn, situated near the fort, -and around which stood a circle of stacks of wheat. These the enemy -attempted several times to fire, but Lieut. Spencer sallied forth with -his little band of forty, and so gallantly protected the property, that -the enemy reluctantly abandoned his design upon that point. Spencer was -fired upon briskly in this sortie, but lost only one of his men. - -In the course of the forenoon, another flag was despatched toward the -fort by Sir John, which Murphy again determined to shoot down the moment -the officer came within range of his trusty rifle. Major Woolsey and the -officers interposed, but the militia again rallied round Murphy; and -although one of the officers drew his sword, and threatened to run the -offender through if he persisted, yet the rifleman coolly replied that he -had no confidence in the commanding officer, who he believed intended to -surrender the fort; that, if taken, he knew well what his own fate would -be, and he would not be taken alive. As the flag approached, therefore, -he fired again, but happily without effect; and the flag officer once -more returned to the head-quarters of Sir John. [FN-1] When the officers -of the regular troops remonstrated against such a barbarous violation of -the usages of honorable war, the militia soldiers replied that they were -dealing with a foe who paid no regard to such usages; and, however -strictly they might observe the rules of war and of etiquette themselves, -the besiegers would be the last men to exhibit a corresponding course of -conduct in the event of their success. The wailings of plundered and -murdered families without the fort, and the columns of smoke and flame -then ascending to the heavens, afforded ample testimony of the truth of -their position. "The savages, and their companions, the Tories, still -more savage than they, had shown no respect to age, sex, or condition; -and it was not without force that the question was repeated, are we bound -to exercise a forbearance totally unreciprocated by the enemy? Besides," -it was added, "let us show that we will neither take nor give quarters; -and the enemy, discovering our desperation, will most likely withdraw." -[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Statement of Philip Graft. - - [FN-2] The Sexagenary. - - -The desultory battle was again renewed--small parties of the garrison -occasionally watching opportunities to sally forth and do what mischief -they could to the enemy, retreating within the gates again when likely to -be borne down by superior numbers. Sir John, perceiving at length that -neither shot nor shells made any impression upon the garrison, formed his -disciplined troops under shelter of a small building more immediately in -the neighborhood of the fort, and prepared for an attempt to carry it by -assault. A flag again approached, and Murphy, brought up his rifle to -fire upon it the third time. He was admonished, as before, to desist, and -an effort was made to arrest him. But he was a universal favorite, and -the soldiers would not allow the procedure. A white flag was then ordered -to be raised from the fort, but Murphy threatened instant death to any -one who obeyed the direction; and as the enemy's flag continued to -approach, he was again preparing his piece, when an officer once more -interposed. Captain Reghtmeyer, of the militia, standing by the side of -Murphy, gave him the order to fire. The continental officer made a -demonstration toward Reghtmeyer, by attempting to draw his sword; but -immediately desisted as the latter clubbed his fusee, and gave an -impressive motion with its breech, of an import not to be misunderstood; -whereupon the Major stepped back, and there the matter ended. [FN-1] The -officer bearing the flag, having been thus a third time repulsed, Sir -John convened a council of war, and after a brief consultation, abandoned -the siege, and proceeded on his Vandal march down the valley. The reason -of this hasty change of purpose has never been known. Some have asserted -that a pretended loyalist gave the Baronet an exaggerated account of the -strength of the garrison and its means of resistance. [FN-2] Others have -said that rumors of approaching reinforcements induced him to hasten -forward, lest his projected march of desolation should be interrupted. -But it is likely that the repeated violations of the flag had created an -impression that such an indomitable garrison might not prudently be -engaged steel to steel and hand to hand, by assailants not to be relied -upon with much confidence in such emergencies. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] {illegible word--Idem.?} - - [FN-2] Campbell. - - -The march of the invaders was rapid in the direction of Fort Hunter, at -the confluence of the Schoharie-kill with the Mohawk river, in the course -of which they destroyed the buildings and produce of every agricultural -description. [FN-1] On arriving in the vicinity of the Lower Fort at Old -Schoharie, Sir John divided his forces--the regulars continuing down on -the bank of the creek to the left of the fort, while the Indians skirted -the meadows half a mile distant on the right. Having thus gained the -north side of the fort, they made a stand for a brief space of time, and -a few shots were interchanged. Some sharp-shooters having been stationed -in the tower of the church, the enemy brought one of their field-pieces -to bear upon it. A single shot only struck, which lodged in the cornice, -and a discharge of grape from the fort drove the invaders back, [FN-2] -whereupon their march was resumed and continued to Fort Hunter; at which -place they arrived in the night without interruption. In their course the -whole valley was laid in ruins. The houses and barns were burnt, the -horses and cattle killed or taken; and those of the inhabitants who were -not safely within the walls of their little fortifications, were either -killed or carried into captivity. Not a building, known by the Indians -and Tories to belong to a Whig, was saved. Sir John had ordered his forces -to spare the church at the upper Fort, but his mandate was disobeyed, and -the structure was laid in ashes. The houses of the loyalists were passed -unmolested; but, exasperated by the destruction of their own habitations, -the Whigs soon caused these to be numbered in the common lot. [FN-3] Thus -was the whole Valley of the Schoharie-kill made desolate. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The destruction of grain was so great as to threaten the most - alarming consequences, in respect to the forming of magazines for the - public service at the North. But for that event, the settlement of - Schoharie, alone, would have delivered eighty thousand bushels of - grain.--_Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, Nov._ 7, - 1780. - - [FN-2] Campbell's Annals. - - [FN-3] The Indians spared one house, from the consideration that it had - formerly been occupied at one of their treaties. - - -The loss of the Americans at the forts was very trifling. Only two were -killed, and one wounded, at the middle Fort, and none at the lower. But -of the unprotected inhabitants, numbers--according to some accounts, one -hundred--were killed. There were some individual occurrences during the -day, moreover, which are worthy of being specially noted. It happened -early in the morning, that John Vrooman and two of his neighbors were upon -a scout in the woods, about eight miles from the fort, when they -discovered an Indian. Vrooman fired, and the Indian fell. At the same -instant another Indian was discovered through the bushes, who was also -brought down by one of Vrooman's companions. A third savage was now seen; -but as Vrooman's third companion hesitated about firing, Vrooman himself -snatched his rifle from him, and brought that warrior also to the ground. -At the same instant--for it was all the work of a moment--up rose from -the ground a group of Indians and Tories, who set upon them with a -terrible yell. Vrooman and his companions fled in different directions at -the top of their speed, and succeeded, by reason of their wind and bottom, -and their zigzag flights, in making their escape. It was noon when the -former reached his own home,--only to behold his house in flames. His wife -and her mother were made captives by an Indian named Seth Hendrick, who -had formerly resided in Schoharie; but they were released and sent back -on the following day, by Captain Brant, together with a letter, written -upon birch bark, explaining his reasons for allowing their return. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Sexagenary. The Vroomans were an extensive family in the - Schoharie settlements, and were severe sufferers. In the last preceding - chapter but one, the boastings of Becraft, who bad murdered one entire - family of that name, have been noted. During the present expedition, the - following persons, among others, were murdered, viz:--Tunis Vrooman, his - wife and son; while at the same time Ephraim Vrooman and his two sons, - Bartholomew and James, John Vrooman, Martin Vrooman, Bartholomew Vrooman, - Jun., Simon Vrooman, his wife and his son Jacob, were taken prisoners and - carried to Canada.--_Giles F. Yates._ - - -One of the farmers, on that day, while engaged with his boys in unloading -a wagon of grain at the barn, hearing a shriek, looked about, and saw a -party of Indians and Tories between himself and the house. "The enemy, my -boys!" said the father, and sprang from the wagon, but in attempting to -leap the fence, a rifle ball brought him dead upon the spot. The shriek -had proceeded from his wife, who, in coming from the garden, had -discovered the savages, and screamed to give the alarm. She was struck -down by a tomahawk. Her little son, five years old, who had been playing -about the wagon, ran up to his mother, in an agony of grief, as she lay -weltering in blood, and was knocked on the head, and left dead by the -side of his parent The two other boys were carried away into Canada, and -did not return until after the war. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Sexagenary. "Ephraim Vrooman himself was carried away by Seth - Hendrick, who treated him with much kindness by the way. There were two - or three other Indians in the immediate party with Seth. These, before - they arrived at their place of destination, grew tired of their prisoner, - and proposed to despatch him. Mr. Vrooman overheard the conversation, - which was conducted in a whisper, and repeated it to Hendrick. Hendrick - assured him, in the most positive manner, that 'not a hair of his head - should be touched' and gave his companions a severe reprimand for their - ungenerous conspiracy. After the termination of the revolutionary - contest, Hendrick paid Mr. Vrooman a visit, and apologised for his - conduct during the war, in the strong metaphorical language of his - nation. The tomahawk, said he, is used only in war; in time of peace it - is buried--it cuts down the sturdy oak as well as the tender vine; but I - (laying his hand on Mr. V's shoulder,) I saved the oak."--_Giles F. - Yates._ - - -The family of Ephraim Vrooman was also particularly unfortunate. He was -at work in the field when he first discovered a straggling party of the -enemy approaching. He started at full speed for his house, in order to -obtain his arms, and sell his life as dearly as possible. But in climbing -a fence he was seized, and taken prisoner. His wife, in endeavoring to -escape by flight, was shot dead before his eyes. As she fell, her little -daughter, aged eleven years, ran up, and cast herself down by the side of -her dying parent, as clinging to her for protection, when an Indian came -up, and added to the agony of the father and the crimes of the day, by -crushing her head with a stone. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Sexagenary. - - -There was an aged man in the middle Fort, who performed a bold exploit. -He was the owner of a mill about two miles distant, at which his son had -passed the night. Knowing that some one or more of the enemy's plundering -parties would assuredly visit the mill, at the instant Lieutenant -Spencer's party encountered Sir John's advance guard in the morning, the -old man sallied out and hastened to the rescue of his son. Mounting each -a horse to return to the fort, they found it already invested by the -enemy on their arrival. Nothing daunted, however, they passed within a -hundred yards of the enemy at full speed, dashed up to the rear of the -Fort, and were received in safety. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Sexagenary. - - -There was another incident transpiring at the fort, which stands in happy -contrast with the conduct of the commanding major. The females within the -fortress are said to have displayed a degree of heroism worthy of -commendation and of all praise. Being well provided with arms, they were -determined to use them in case of an attempt to carry the works by storm. -One of them, an interesting young woman, whose name yet lives in story -among her own mountains, perceiving, as she thought, symptoms of fear in -a soldier who had been ordered to a well without the works, and within -range of the enemy's fire, for water, snatched the bucket from his hands, -and ran forth for it herself. Without changing color, or giving the -slightest evidence of fear, she drew and brought bucket after bucket to -the thirsty soldiers, and providentially escaped without injury. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Idem. - - -Sir John remained in the neighborhood of Fort Hunter on the 17th, -continuing the work of destruction in every possible direction. On the -evening of that day Captain Duncan crossed the river with three companies -of the Greens and some Indians. On the morning of the 18th, all that had -been left standing of Caughnawaga at the time of the irruption of Sir -John in the preceding Spring, and all that had been rebuilt, was -ruthlessly destroyed by fire. A simultaneous and most desolating march up -the river was then commenced by Sir John and the main body of his forces -on the south side of the river, and by Captain Duncan's division on the -north. As at Schoharie, the march of both was one of entire devastation. -Rapine and plunder were the order of the day, and both shores of the -Mohawk were lighted up by the conflagration of every thing combustible; -while the panic-stricken inhabitants only escaped slaughter or captivity -by flight--they knew not whither. [FN-1] Conspicuous among the sufferers -was Major Jelles Fonda, a faithful and confidential officer under the -father of Sir John; but who, having turned his back upon the royal cause, -was singled out as a special and signal mark of vengeance. His mansion at -"The Nose," in the town of Palatine, was destroyed, together with property -to the amount of sixty thousand dollars. The Major was himself absent. -[FN-2] His wife escaped under the curtain of a thick fog, and made her -way on foot, twenty-six miles, to Schenectady. [FN-3] Sir John encamped -with his forces on the night of the 18th nearly opposite, or rather above -the Nose. On the following morning, he crossed the river to the north -side, at Keder's Rifts. The greater part of the motley army continued its -progress directly up the river, laying waste the country as before. A -detachment of one hundred and fifty men was, however, dispatched from -Keder's Rifts against the small stockade called Fort Paris, in Stone -Arabia, some two or three miles back from the river, north of Palatine. -But, after marching about two miles, the main body also wheeled off to -the right, to assist in attacking the fort. The work of devastation was -continued also in this direction, as at other places. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MSS. of Major Thomas Sammons. - - [FN-2] In the State Senate, the legislature being then in Session at - Poughkeepsie. - - [FN-3] Antiquarian Researches, by Giles F. Yates. - - -The small fort just mentioned was at this time in command of Colonel -Brown, with a garrison of one hundred and thirty men. An unfortunate -occurrence induced him to leave his defences, and resulted in his -discomfiture and fall. The circumstances were these:--the moment tidings -that Sir John had broken into the settlements of the Schoharie reached -Albany, General Robert Van Rensselaer, of Claverack, at the head of the -Claverack, Albany, and Schenectady militia, pushed on by forced marches -to encounter him, accompanied by Governor Clinton. Having arrived at -Caughnawaga on the 18th, and having likewise ascertained that Fort Paris -was to be assaulted on the morning of the 19th, Van Rensselaer dispatched -orders to Colonel Brown to march out and check the advance of the enemy, -while at the same time he would be ready to fall upon his rear. Brown, -faithful to the hour designated, sallied forth, and gave Sir John battle -near the site of a former work, called Fort Keyser. But General Van -Rensselaer's advance had been impeded, so that no diversion was created -in Brown's favor; and his forces were too feeble to withstand the enemy, -or even to check his progress. Colonel Brown fell gallantly at the head of -his little division, of which from forty to forty-five were also slain. -The remainder of his troops sought safety in flight. - -Colonel Brown, who fell on this occasion, was a soldier of great courage -and high moral worth. He was early in the service, and was engaged in the -memorable and ultimately disastrous campaign in Canada. While the -American army was at Sorel, he detected, or believed he detected, a -design on the part of General Arnold then to play the traitor. Arnold was -about making a mysterious night movement of the flotilla of light vessels -belonging to the Americans, then with the army in the St. Lawrence, which -Colonel Easton, suspecting all was not right, prevented--but not until he -had ordered two or three pieces of ordnance to bear upon the vessels, -threatening to fire upon them if they proceeded. The conviction upon the -minds of Easton and Brown was, that it was the purpose of Arnold to run -off with the flotilla, and sell out to Sir Guy Carleton. - -After the close of the Canadian campaign, during the winter of 1776-77, -while Arnold and many of the officers were quartered in Albany, some -difficulty occurred between Brown and the former, which resulted in -ill-feeling between them. Arnold was at the head of a mess of sixteen or -eighteen officers, among whom was Colonel Morgan Lewis. Colonel Brown, -having weak eyes, and being obliged to live abstemiously, occupied -quarters affording greater retirement. In consequence of the -misunderstanding referred to, Colonel Brown published a hand-bill, -attacking Arnold with great severity; rehearsing the suspicious -circumstances that had occurred at Sorel; and upbraiding him for sacking -the city of Montreal while he was in the occupancy of that place. The -handbill concluded with these remarkable words:--"Money is this man's God, -and to get enough of it, he would sacrifice his country." - -Such a publication could not but produce a great sensation among the -officers. It was received at Arnold's quarters while the mess were at -dinner, and read aloud at the table--the accused himself sitting at the -head. Arnold, of course, was greatly excited, and applied a variety of -epithets, coarse and harsh, to Colonel Brown, pronouncing him a scoundrel, -and declaring that he would kick him wheresoever and whensoever he should -meet him. One of the officers present remarked to the General, that -Colonel Brown was his friend; and that, as the remarks just applied to -him had been so publicly made, he presumed there could be no objection to -his repeating them to that officer. Arnold replied, certainly not; adding, -that he should feel himself obliged to any officer who would inform -Colonel Brown of what had been said. The officer replied that he should -do so before he slept. - -Under these circumstances no time was lost in making the communication to -Colonel Brown. Colonel Lewis himself called upon Brown in the course of -the evening, and the matter was the principal topic of conversation. The -Colonel was a mild and amiable man, and he made no remark of particular -harshness or bitterness, in respect to Arnold; but, toward the close of -the interview, he observed--"Well, Lewis, I wish you would invite me to -dine with your mess tomorrow." "With all my heart," was the reply; "will -you come?" Brown said he would, and they parted. The next day, near the -time of serving dinner, Colonel Brown arrived, and was ushered in. The -table was spread in a long room, at one end of which the door opened -directly opposite to the fireplace at the other. Arnold was at the moment -standing with his back to the fire, so that, as Brown opened the door, -they at once encountered each other face to face. It was a moment of -breathless interest for the result. Brown walked calmly in, and turning -to avoid the table, passed round with a deliberate step, and advancing up -close to Arnold, stopped, and looked him directly in the eye. After the -pause of a moment, he observed: "I understand, Sir, that you have said -that you would kick me; I now present myself to give you an opportunity -to put your threat into execution!" Another brief pause ensued. Arnold -opened not his lips. Brown then said to him--"Sir, you are a dirty -scoundrel." Arnold was still silent as the sphinx. Whereupon Brown turned -upon his heel with dignity, apologised to the gentlemen present for his -intrusion, and immediately left the room. - -This was certainly an extraordinary scene, and more extraordinary still -is the fact, that the particulars have never been communicated in any way -to the public. Arnold certainly did not lack personal bravery; and the -unbroken silence preserved by him on the occasion, can only be accounted -for upon the supposition that he feared to provoke inquiry upon the -subject, while at the same time he could throw himself upon his -well-attested courage and his rank, as excuses for not stooping to a -controversy with a subordinate officer. But it must still be considered -as one of the most extraordinary personal interviews to be found among -the memorabilia of military men. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The particulars of this interesting story were derived by the - author from the lips of General Lewis himself. - - -In the year following, during the campaign of Burgoyne, owing to the -intrigues of Arnold, Brown was left without any command. But he was too -much of a patriot to remain idle in such a moment of his country's peril. -He raised a corps of volunteers on his own account, and performed one of -the most daring exploits of the whole war. While Burgoyne was yet in the -full career of victory, Brown dashed into his rear, and proceeding down -to the north end of Lake George, fell upon a small post, which he carried -without opposition. The surprise was complete. He also took possession of -Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, the landing-place, and about two hundred -batteaux. With the loss of only three killed and five wounded, Colonel -Brown liberated one hundred American prisoners, and captured two hundred -and ninety-three of the enemy. He made an attempt on Mount Independence -and Ticonderoga; but, too weak for the investment of those works, he -returned through Lake George to Diamond Island, containing the enemy's -_depot_ of provisions. He attacked the works upon this island, but being -repulsed, burnt the vessels he had captured, and returned to his former -station. This brilliant affair by Colonel Brown took place at the time -when Arnold had the ear of General Gates; and the consequence was, that -in giving an account of the expedition, Gates carefully avoided even -naming the gallant officer who had planned and achieved it. It was an -instance of neglect for which that officer ought forever to have been -ashamed. Colonel Brown was a gentleman of education, bred to the bar, and -greatly respected by those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. -But to return. - -After the fall of Colonel Brown, and the defeat of his troops, Sir John -dispersed his forces in small bands, to the distance of five or six miles -in all directions, to pillage and destroy. Late in the afternoon he -reunited his troops, and leaving Stone Arabia a desert, marched back to -the river road, east of Caroga Creek. The detachment of Captain Duncan -having come up, Sir John again moved toward the west. There was a small -defence not far from the mouth of the creek, called Fox's Fort. Avoiding -this work by diverging from the road to the margin of the river on the -left, Sir John continued his course three miles farther, to a place -called Klock's Field, where, from the fatigue of his troops, and the -over-burthens of provisions and plunder with which they were laden, it -became necessary to halt. - -General Van Rensselaer was now close in pursuit of Sir John, with a strong -force. Indeed, he ought to have overtaken him in the early part of the -day, since he had encamped the night before on the south side of the -river, at Van Eps's, nearly opposite Caughnawaga, while Sir John himself -was encamped opposite the Nose, only two or three miles farther up the -river. Sir John's troops, moreover, were exhausted by forced marches, -active service, and heavy knapsacks, while those of Van Rensselaer were -fresh in the field. On the morning of the same day, while continuing his -march on the south side of the river, Van Rensselaer was joined by Captain -McKean, with some eighty volunteers, together with a strong body of Oneida -warriors, led by their principal chief, Louis Atayataronghta, who, as -stated in a former chapter, had been commissioned a lieutenant colonel by -Congress. With these additions, the command of General Van Rensselaer -numbered about fifteen hundred--a force in every way superior to that of -the enemy. - -Sir John had stationed a guard of forty men at the ford, to dispute its -passage. On approaching this point, General Van Rensselaer halted, and -did not again advance until the guard, of the enemy had been withdrawn. -Continuing his march still upon the South side of the river, while the -enemy was actively engaged in the work of death and destruction on the -North, Van Rensselaer arrived opposite the battle-ground where Brown had -fallen, before the firing had ceased, and while the savage war-whoop was -yet resounding. This was at 11 o'clock in the morning, and the Americans, -came to a halt, about three miles below Caroga Creek, still on the south -side. While there, some of the fugitives from Colonel Brown's regiment -came running down, and jumping into the river, forded it without -difficulty. As they came to the south bank, the General inquired whence -they came. One of them, a militia officer named Van Allen, replied that -they had escaped from Brown's battle. "How has it gone?" "Colonel Brown -is killed, with many of his men. Are you not going there?" "I am not -acquainted with the fording place," said the General. He was answered -that there was no difficulty in the case. The General then inquired of -Van Allen if he would return as a pilot, and the reply was promptly in -the affirmative. Hereupon Captain McKean and the Oneida chief led their -respective commands through the river to the north side, expecting the -main army immediately to follow. At this moment Colonel Dubois, of the -State levies, rode up to the General, who immediately mounted his horse, -and instead of crossing the river, accompanied the Colonel to Fort Plain, -some distance above, to dinner as it was understood. Meantime the baggage -wagons were driven into the river, to serve in part as a bridge for the -main body of Van Rensselaer's forces, and they commenced crossing the -stream in single files. The passage in this way was not effected until -four o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the General returned and -joined them, just as the last man had crossed over. Governor Clinton -remained at the fort. As the General arrived at the water's edge, Colonel -Louis, as the Oneida chieftain was called, shook his sword at him, and -denounced him as a Tory. Arrived on the north side, Colonel William -Harper took the liberty of remonstrating with the General at what he -conceived to be a great and unnecessary delay, attended with a needless -loss of life and property, on the part of the inhabitants who had been -suffered thus long to remain unprotected. From that moment Van -Rensselaer moved with due expedition. The troops were set in motion, and -marched in regular order, in three divisions, with the exception of the -Oneida warriors and the volunteers under McKean, who regulated their own -movements as they pleased--showing no disposition, however, to lag behind. -The advance was led by Colonel Morgan Lewis. - -Anticipating that he should be compelled to receive an attack, Sir John -had made his dispositions accordingly. His regular troops, Butler's -rangers, and the Tories less regularly organized, were posted on a small -alluvial plain, partly encompassed by a sweeping bend of the river. A -slight breast-work had been hastily thrown across the neck of the little -peninsula thus formed, for the protection of his troops, and the Indians, -under Thayendanegea, were secreted among the thick shrub oaks covering the -table-land of a few feet elevation, yet farther north. A detachment of -German Yagers supported the Indians. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] These Yagers were a sort of rifle corps--using short rifles. - - -It was near the close of the day when Van Rensselaer arrived, and the -battle was immediately commenced in the open field. Two of the advancing -divisions of State troops, forming the left, were directed against the -regular forces of Sir John on the flats, commencing their firing from a -great distance with small arms only--the field-pieces not having been -taken across the river. Colonel Dubois commanded the extreme right, which -was so far extended that he had no enemies to encounter. Next to him were -McKean's volunteers and the Oneida Indians, whose duty it was to attack -Thayendanegea's Indians and the Yagers. These were supported by a small -corps of infantry, commanded by Colonel Morgan Lewis. The American left -was commanded by Colonel Cuyler of Albany. Sir John's right was formed of -a company of regular troops. His own regiment of Greens composed the -centre, its left resting upon the ambuscaded Indians. The latter first -sounded the war-whoop, which was promptly answered by the Oneidas. Both -parties eagerly rushed forward, and the attack, for the instant, was -mutually impetuous. Dubois, though too far extended, brought his regiment -speedily to the support of McKean's volunteers, who were following up the -attack of the Oneidas. The hostile Indians manifested a disposition to -stand for a few moments; but Dubois had no sooner charged closely upon -them, than they fled with precipitation to the fording place near the -upper Indian Castle, about two miles above--crossing the road in their -flight, and throwing themselves in the rear of the Greens as a cover. The -Mohawk chief was wounded in the heel, but not so badly as to prevent his -escape. - -The enemy's regular troops and rangers, however, fought with spirit, -although Sir John himself was reported by some to have fled with the -Indians. [FN] On the flight of the Indians, Major Van Benschoten, of -Dubois's regiment, hastened to the General for permission to pursue the -flying enemy. It was just twilight; and the indications were not to be -mistaken, that the best portion of the enemy's forces were in confusion, -and on the point of being conquered. The disappointment was therefore -great, when, instead of allowing a pursuit of the Indians, or charging -upon the feeble breast-work on the flats, and thus finishing the battle, -General Van Rensselaer ordered his forces to retire for the night. His -object was to obtain a better position for a bivouac, and to renew and -complete the battle in the morning--for which purpose he fell back nearly -three miles, to Fox's Fort. His troops were not only disappointed, but -highly incensed at this order, believing that the contest might have been -victoriously ended in a very few minutes. Indeed, the brave Colonel Louis, -of the Oneidas, together with Colonel Clyde and Captain McKean, refused -to retreat, but sheltered themselves in the adjacent buildings--hanging -upon the enemy's lines several hours, and making some prisoners. In the -course of the evening Clyde, with a handful of Schoharie militia, -succeeded in capturing one of the enemy's field-pieces. The Americans were -still more chagrined on learning from one of the prisoners that the troops -of Sir John were on the point of capitulating at the very moment of Van -Rensselaer's order to retreat. And from the fact that the river was alike -too rapid and too deep, where it curved round the battle-field, to admit -of an escape in that direction, no doubt can be entertained that the -enemy had been entirely within their power. But it was now too late. The -golden opportunity had been lost. On the morrow's dawn there was no enemy -in the field to encounter. Under cover of darkness the Royal Greens and -Butler's Rangers had followed the example of the Indians, and made good -their escape. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Major Thomas Sammons, from whose manuscripts the author has chiefly - drawn the facts of this portion of the narrative--i. e. after the arrival - of Gen. Van Rensselaer at Van Eps's--is positive in his declarations, - that the British Commander was among the first to flee. Other accounts - speak differently. Major Sammons was in the battle, among the volunteers - of McKean. - - -Louis with his warriors, and McKean with his volunteers, crossed the river -early in the morning, in pursuit. General Von Rensselaer also arrived on -the battle-ground between 8 and 9 o'clock, for the purpose of completing -the work of the preceding day. While he was crossing the river and -preparing to follow on, some of McKean's volunteers, who were waiting for -the main army, in strolling about, came upon a little block-house, in -which they found nine of the enemy who had been made prisoners during the -night; One of the party making the discovery was Thomas Sammons, and among -the prisoners was a Tory who had been his near neighbor in Johnstown. On -being asked how they came there, this man, whose name was Peter Cass, -replied--"Why, I am ashamed to tell. Last night, after the battle, we -crossed the river. It was dark. We heard the word, 'lay u down your arms.' -Some of us did so. We were taken, nine of us, and marched into this little -fort by seven militia-men. We formed the rear of three hundred of -Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through and over one -another. I thought General Van Rensselaer's whole army was upon us. Why -did you not take us prisoners yesterday, after Sir John ran off with the -Indians and left us? We wanted to surrender." - -When Sir John fled from the field with the Indians and Yagers, he -doubtless supposed all was lost. He laid his course direct for the -Onondaga lake, where his boats had been concealed, pursuing the main road, -and making only a slight deviation to the south of the German Flats, to -avoid the forts at that place. His Greens and Rangers followed closely -upon his heels, and overtook him at Oneida. Van Rensselaer pressed forward -in pursuit, with all his forces, as far as Fort Herkimer, where he was -overtaken by Governor Clinton, who did not, however, interfere with the -command. Louis and McKean were now pushed forward in advance, with orders -to overtake the fugitive army if possible, and engage them--Van Rensselaer -promising to continue his march with all possible rapidity, and be at -hand to support them in the event of an engagement. On the next morning -the advance struck the trail of Sir John, and took one of his Indians -prisoner. Halting for a short time, Colonel Dubois came up, and urged them -forward, repeating the assurances of the General's near approach and sure -support. The march of the advance was then resumed, but they had not -proceeded far before they came upon the enemy's deserted encampment--the -fires yet burning. The Oneida chief now shook his head, and refused to -proceed another step until General Van Rensselaer should make his -appearance. There was accordingly a halt for some time, during which a -Doctor Allen arrived from the main army, informing the officers that the -pursuit had already been abandoned by the General, who was four miles -distant on his return-march! - -The expedition was of course at an end. But fortune had yet another favor -in store for Sir John Johnson--to be won without the bloodshed that had -attended his desolating course through the Mohawk Valley. Having -ascertained where Sir John's boats were concealed, General Van Rensselaer -had despatched an express to Fort Schuyler, ordering Captain Vrooman, with -a strong detachment, to hasten forward in advance of the enemy, and -destroy them. Vrooman lost no time in attempting the execution of his -orders; but one of his men falling sick, or feigning himself to be so, at -Oneida, was left behind. Sir John soon afterward came up; and being -informed by the treacherous invalid of Vrooman's movement, Brant and his -Indians, with a detachment of Butler's rangers, were hastened forward in -pursuit They came suddenly upon Vrooman and his troops while they were -engaged at dinner, and every man was captured without firing a gun. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Major Sammons; also statement of John More, yet living, who was one - of Sir John's soldiers. According to the official returns of Sir John - Johnson, this affair of the capture of Captain Vrooman and his - detachment took place on the 23d of October, at a place called - Canaghsioraga. Two captains and one lieutenant were taken, together with - eight non-commissioned officers and forty-five privates. Three privates - and one lieutenant were killed. - - -The last obstacle to his escape having thus been removed, Sir John reached -Oswego without farther molestation. By this third and most formidable -irruption into the Mohawk country during the season, Sir John had -completed its entire destruction above Schenectady--the principal -settlement above the Little Falls having been sacked and burnt two years -before. General Van Rensselaer has always been censured for his conduct -in this expedition. Indeed his behavior was most extraordinary throughout. -On the night before the battle of Klock's Field, Sir John was not more -than six miles in advance--having left Van Eps's just before dark, where -Van Rensselaer arrived and encamped early in the evening; and it was -obvious to all that no extraordinary share of energy was required to -bring the enemy to an engagement, even before the encounter with Colonel -Brown. Major Sammons, at the close of his account of the expedition, -remarks with emphasis--"When my father's buildings were burnt, and my -brothers taken prisoners, the pain I felt was not as great as at the -conduct of General Robert Van Rensselaer." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "With regard to the battle on Klock's Farm, and the facts stated in - those papers, I would say that I joined with Captain McKean as a - volunteer, and met Gen. Van Rensselaer on the south side of the river, - opposite Caughnawaga, early in the morning; and of my own knowledge I - know moat of the facts to be as they are stated. I staid with the - volunteers after the battle, and held the conversation with the prisoners - found in the little block-house the next morning, as stated. I was with - Capt. Kean when he had orders to advance and overtake Sir John, and a - short time after saw Dr. Allen, who came to inform us that Van Rensselaer - was re-turning. With regard to the route of Sir John, I received my - account from those of his own party who are now living, and men of - undoubted veracity."--_Note of Major Sammons_--1836. - - -But Sir John's escape, after all, was rather a flight than a retreat; and -had it not been for the capture of Vrooman's detachment--a most unexpected -conquest--the visible trophies of his expedition would have been few and -dearly purchased. Indubitable evidences were discovered by the pursuers, -that he was reduced to a most uncomfortable situation; and from the -Baronet's own letter to General Haldimand, it appears that there were many -missing, who it was hoped would find their way to Oswego or Niagara. -General Haldimand wrote to his government that Sir John "had destroyed the -settlements of Schoharie and Stone Arabia, and laid waste a great extent -of country, which was most true." It was added:--"He had several -engagements with the enemy, in which he came off victorious. In one of -them, near Stone Arabia, he killed a Colonel Brown, a notorious and -active rebel, with about one hundred officers and men. I cannot finish -without expressing to your Lordship the perfect satisfaction which I have, -from the zeal, spirit, and activity with which Sir John Johnson has -conducted this arduous enterprise." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Sir Frederick Haldimand to Lord George Germaine, New - Annual Register 1781. - - -While General Van Rensselaer was pushing forward in pursuit of Sir John -Johnson, an incident occurred at Fort Hunter, which speaks volumes in -favor of the character of Joseph Brant. The plundered and distressed -inhabitants of the Schoharie settlements, the day after the enemy had -departed from Fort Hunter, crowded about the fort, each his tale of loss -or grief to relate. Among them was a woman, whose husband and several -other members of the family were missing. She was in an agony of grief, -rendered more poignant by the loss of her infant, which had been snatched -from the cradle. Early the next morning, while the officers at Van -Rensselaer's head-quarters were at breakfast, a young Indian warrior came -bounding into the room like a stag, bearing an infant in his arms, and -also a letter from Brant, addressed "to the commanding officer of the -rebel army." General Van Rensselaer not being present at the moment, the -letter was opened by one of his suite, and read substantially as -follows:-- - -"Sir: I send you by one of my runners, the child which he will deliver, -that you may know that whatever others may do, _I_ do not make war upon -women and children. I am sorry to say that I have those engaged with me -in the service, who are more savage than the savages themselves." - -Among those thus referred to, he proceeded to name several of the leading -Tories, including the two Butlers, and others whose names are not -recollected. [FN-1] It was very speedily ascertained that the infant was -none other than that of the disconsolate mother of whom mention has just -been made. Her sensations on again clasping her infant to her bosom need -not be described; nor could they be. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The bitter hostility of the Tories of the Mohawk country toward - their former neighbors, was at times exhibited in acts of such fiend-like - ferocity as to defy explanation and stagger belief. In a former chapter - the case of an infant murdered in its cradle by a Tory, after the refusal - of an Indian to kill it, has been stated. There was another like instance - in the neighborhood of the Little Falls, marked, if possible, by still - greater brutality. An Indian having refused to kill an infant as it lay - smiling in the cradle, the more savage loyalist, rebuking the compassion - of the red man, thrust it through with his bayonet as a fisherman would - spear a salmon, and held it writhing in its agonies in triumph above his - head. A gentleman of the Bar, late of Little Falls, has assured the - author, that to his knowledge the wretch who committed that diabolical - act had the effrontery a few years since to present himself as a - candidate for a pension, under one of the acts of Congress for rewarding - the surviving soldiers of the revolution. The fact just related was - fortunately elicited before his papers were completed, and the result - need not be stated. - - [FN-2] The author has received the account of this interesting occurrence - from General Morgan Lewis, who was present at the time, a spectator of - all the particulars. - - -There was yet another adventure connected with this expedition, which was -alike interesting and amusing. The Senecas, it has already been stated, -were led by the Corn-Planter, whose father, as it has also been stated, -was a white man named O'Bail. According to Mary Jemison, the residence of -the Corn-Planter's father was in the vicinity of Fort Plank, and, of -course, not far from the battle-ground of Klock's Field. He had formerly -been in the habit of traveling back and forth from Albany through the -Seneca country, to Niagara, as a trader. Becoming enamored of a pretty -squaw among the Senecas, in process of time the Corn-Planter became one -of the living evidences of his affection. Whether the father was aware -that a chief of so much eminence was his own son, history does not tell; -but the son was ignorant neither of his parentage, nor of the residence -of his sire; and being now in his close vicinity, he took a novel method -of bringing about an acquaintance with him. Repairing with a detachment -of his warriors to his father's house, he made the old man a prisoner, -and marched him off. Having proceeded ten or twelve miles, the chief -stepped up before his sire, and addressed him in the following terms:-- - -"My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Corn-Planter. I am your son! You -are my father! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs of -Indian warfare. But you shall not be harmed. You need not fear. I am a -warrior! Many are the scalps which I have taken! Many prisoners I have -tortured to death! I am your son! I am a warrior! I was anxious to see -you, and to greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin, and took you -by force; but your life shall be spared. Indians love their friends and -their kindred, and treat them with kindness. If now you choose to follow -the fortunes, of your yellow son, and to live with our people, I will -cherish your old age with plenty of venison, and you shall live easy. But -if it is your choice to return to your fields, and live with your white -children, I will send a party of my trusty young men to conduct you back -in safety. I respect you, my father. You have been friendly to Indians; -they are your friends." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Life of Mary Jemison. In a letter written by Corn-Planter to the - Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1822, complaining of an attempt made by the - officers of that State to impose taxes upon him and the Senecas residing - on the Allegheny, he began as follows:--"When I was a child, I played - with the butterfly, the grasshopper, and the frogs. As I grew up, I began - to pay some attention, and play with the Indian boys in the neighborhood, - and they took notice of my skin being a different color from theirs, and - spoke about it. I inquired of my mother the cause, and she told me that - my father was a resident of Albany. I ate still my victuals out of a - bark dish: I grew up to be a young man, and married me a wife, but I had - no kettle or gun. I then knew where my father lived, and went to see him, - and found he was a white man, and spoke the English language. He gave - me victuals while I was at his house, but when I started to return home, - he gave me no provision to eat on the way. He gave me neither kettle nor - gun, neither did he tell me that the United States were about to rebel - against the government of England," &c., &c. By this statement it appears - that he must have seen his father several years before the Mohawk - campaign. This may very well have been, and yet the anecdote related by - Mary Jemison be true also. In every instance in which the author has had - an opportunity of testing the correctness of her statements by other - authorities, they have proved to be remarkably correct. Corn-Planter lived - to a great age, having deceased within the last eight or ten years. He - was an able man--distinguished in subsequent negotiations. He was - eloquent, and a great advocate for Temperance. He made a very effective - and characteristic speech upon that subject in 1822. "The Great Spirit - first made the world, and next the flying animals, and found all things - good and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finishing the - flying animals, he came down on earth, and there stood. Then he made - different kinds of trees, and woods of all sorts, and people of every - kind. He made the Spring, and other seasons, and the weather suitable - for planting. These he did make. But stills to make whiskey to give to - Indians, he did not make. . . . The Great Spirit told us there were - three things for people to attend to. First, we ought to take care of - our wives and children. Secondly, the white people ought to attend to - their farms and cattle. Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears - and deers to the Indians. . . . The Great Spirit has ordered me to quit - drinking. He wishes me to inform the people that they should quit - drinking intoxicating drink." In the course of the same speech, he gave - evidence that he was not overmuch pleased with the admixture of his own - blood. . . . "The different kinds the Great Spirit made separate, and not - to mix with and disturb each other. But the white people have broken this - command, by mixing their color with the Indians. The Indians have done - better by not doing so." - - -The old gentleman, however, had sown his wild oats. His days of romance -were over. Preferring, therefore, the produce of his own fields, the -company of his white children, and the comforts of his own house, to the -venison, the freedom, and the forests of the western wilds, he chose to -return. His son, fulfilling his word, bowed to the election, and giving -his father in charge to a suitable escort, he was enabled to reach his own -dwelling in safety. The proud Seneca and his warriors moved off to their -own wilds. - -Simultaneously with the movements of Sir John Johnson through the -Schoharie and Mohawk country, the enemy had been actively engaged against -the settlements at the North of Albany, between the Hudson and Lake -Champlain, and likewise against some of the upper settlements on the -Connecticut river. In order to create a diversion in favor of Sir John, -Major Carleton came up the lake from St. John's, with a fleet of eight -large vessels and twenty-six flat-bottomed boats, containing upward of -one thousand men, regular troops, loyalists and Indians. Fort George and -Fort Anne were both taken by surprise, and their garrisons, which were -not large, were surrendered prisoners of war. [FN-1] The party directed -against the upper settlements of the Connecticut river, was commanded by -Major Haughton of the 53d regiment, and consisted almost entirely of -Indians, of whom there were two hundred. This marauding incursion was -likewise successful. In addition to the booty taken, thirty-two of the -inhabitants were carried away prisoners. Several of the militia, who -turned out in pursuit of Major Haughton, were killed. In regard to Major -Carleton's expedition, sad tales of cruelty were reported. One of these -was a relation, by a deserter named Van Deusen, of a horrible case of -torture inflicted upon a soldier of Colonel Warner's regiment, taken by -Carleton in the action near Fort George. Van Deusen was a deserter from -the American army to the enemy; but having stolen back into his own -country, was apprehended and executed. Colonel Gansevoort, however, then -in command at the North, wrote to Major Carleton upon the subject on the -2d of November, stating the particulars of the story. Carleton repelled -the charge in the most positive and earnest manner, as will presently -appear. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Forts Anne and George were taken by Major Carleton on the 10th and - 11th of October. In his official report, Major Carleton stated his own - loss, on both occasions, at four officers and twenty-three privates - killed. The number of prisoners taken is stated at two captains, two - lieutenants, and one hundred and fourteen privates. - - [FN-2] Speaking of Carleton's expedition, Sir Frederick Haldimand, in a - letter to Lord George Germaine, observes:--"The reports assiduously - published on all occasions by the enemy, of cruelties committed by the - Indians, are notoriously false, and propagated merely to exasperate the - ignorant and deluded people. In this late instance Major Carleton informs - me, they behaved with the greatest moderation, and did not strip, or in - any respect ill use, their prisoners." Sir John Johnson had less control - over _his_ Indians at Schoharie. - - -The correspondence between Gansevoort and Carleton, however, was not -confined to this particular transaction. Indeed, that was altogether an -incidental affair, and the correspondence with Carleton himself was also -incidental, being part only of a more extended negotiation with other and -higher officers of the British army in Canada, the object of which was the -settlement of a cartel for an extensive exchange of prisoners at the -North. The story will be best told by the introduction of a portion of the -correspondence itself, while at the same time several other points will -receive satisfactory illustration. - - "General Powell to Colonel Van Schaick. - - "_St. John's, Sept._ 22_d,_ 1780. - - "Sir, - -"Agreeable to the promise made in my letter of the 15th of last March, I -send by your returning flag of truce, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Moore, and their -families, together with Matthew Cannon, and five others, made prisoners by -the Indians on the Mohawk river, whose advanced time of life and earnest -solicitations to return to their families, have induced General Haldimand -to grant them that permission; [FN] as also Mr. Williams of Detroit, who -desires to go to his relatives; and Mary and Betsey Lewis, who beg to go -to their father near Albany. His Excellency is sorry that the breach of -faith on the part of the colonists, in the cartel of the Cedars, has put -it out of his power to enter upon an exchange of prisoners, and, -notwithstanding their repeated attempts to escape, many throughout the -province are enlarged upon their parole. They have all a plentiful -allowance of wholesome provisions, and those whom it is thought necessary -to keep in confinement, are accommodated in the most comfortable manner -circumstances will admit off. They have, besides, received money to the -amount of the within accounts; and if this last indulgence is to be -continued, it is but reasonable it should be remitted in coin; to which -I am to desire your attention, as very heavy bills are every day presented -from our troops who are prisoners in the colonies." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The prisoners above-mentioned, it will be recollected, were taken - at Cherry Valley in 1778. See Mrs. Campbell's Narrative, sketched in - Vol. I. - - -"The attention which has been shown to Mrs. Campbell, and those in her -unfortunate circumstances, as well as the good treatment of the prisoners, -which it is hoped they will have the candor to acknowledge, is referred to -for comparison, to those by whose orders or permission His Majesty's -subjects have experienced execution, the horrors of a dungeon, loaded with -irons, and the miseries of want. - -"The families specified in the enclosed list have been long in -expectation, and many of them promised permission, to join their husbands -and relatives in this province; it is therefore requested they may be -sent to your advanced post on the Skenesborough communication, and a flag -of truce shall be sent from hence, in the course of three weeks, in order -to receive them. - - "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - H. Watson Powell, - _Brigadier General_ - - "_To Colonel Van Schaick._" - - - "Colonel Gansevoort to General Powell. - - "_Saratoga, Nov._ 2_d,_ 1780. - - "Sir, - -"Your letter of 22d September last, directed to Colonel Van Schaick, it -becomes my duty to answer, as commanding this department until the arrival -of General McDougall, who is daily expected. [FN] The prisoners whom you -noticed, I am informed, have taken the route to Albany, through -Bennington." - - * * * * * - - [FN] This reference to the expected arrival of General McDougall was not - exactly true, and was made as a _ruse de guerre_ to mislead the British - General as to the strength of the Northern Department. The truth was, - that Colonel Gansevoort was so weak in point of troops, that he was - apprehensive of a second visitation from St. John's should Powell and - Carleton obtain information of his actual means of resistance. Hence he - threw in the name of McDougall, in order to create an impression at St. - Johns that there was at least a General's command of troops at Saratoga. - Colonel Gansevoort wrote to General Washington upon the subject, and gave - this explanation for the deception he had practised in his letter to - General Powell. There was, indeed, good cause for apprehension at that - time. After Carleton had captured forts George and Anne, and returned - down the lakes to St John's, he had suddenly returned with - reinforcements. The leaders in Vermont were also at the same time - holding a correspondence with the British Commanders in Canada, of which - semi-treasonable conduct Ethan Allen himself was at the head, as will - appear hereafter. General Schuyler had obtained some knowledge upon the - subject, which he lost no time in communicating to the - Commander-in-chief. The consequence was, the ordering of several - regiments to the North, and the appointment of General James Clinton to - the command of the Department at Albany.--_Washington's Letters--Sparks._ - - -"The families specified in your list, whom I believe to be all in the -vicinity of this place, were to have been sent to the British shipping -in Lake Champlain in the beginning of last month. Major Carleton's -incursion prevented their being forwarded then, and as all the batteaux -in Lake George were carried off by that gentleman, it may have been -impracticable to send them on since, if even it had been proper, while he -remained at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. I have written Major Carleton, -and requested him to send batteaux to Fort Anne or Fort George, if he can, -for their conveyance. As soon as I am advised of his determination, the -necessary measures will be taken. The accounts of cash advanced to the -prisoners in Canada, I shall do myself the honor to transmit to his -Excellency, General Washington." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The following is the list referred to, as enclosed by General - Powell, viz:--"Names of the different families belonging to the following - men of the 84th Regt. residing at Saratoga: John McDonell's family; - Donald McGrewer's family; Duncan McDonell's family; John McIntosh's - ditto; Duncan McDonell's ditto; Donald McDonald's ditto; Kenneth - McDonell's ditto; John McDonell's father and mother." - - -"It affords me great satisfaction to learn that the British have at length -found it prudent to follow the generous example exhibited to them by the -Americans, in the mild treatment with which the prisoners in the power of -the latter have been invariably indulged during the war. - -"It is, however, a justice due to General Carleton and his successors to -declare that, from all accounts, the prisoners immediately in their power -have been treated with much leniency. - -"But you, Sir, suppose that British subjects in our possession have -experienced executions, the horrors of a dungeon, loaded with irons, and -the miseries of want. It is true some spies have been executed, and -amongst these Major Andre, Adjutant General of the British army under the -command of Sir Henry Clinton. And even his death, although justice -required it, and the laws of nations authorised it, was and is lamented -by us with a feeling of generosity which does honor to human nature. None -have experienced the horrors of a dungeon, or been loaded with irons, -excepting a few on whom it was thought proper to retaliate for the many, -the very many, indeed, of ours, whom British cruelty and inhumanity could -suffer to perish for want in dungeons and prison-ships, loaded with irons -and with insults. If you are ignorant of these facts, I can excuse your -observations. If not, give me leave to tell you they are unworthy the -gentleman and the officer, and evince a degree of disingenuousness -unbecoming either. - -"If General Haldimand considers the governing powers or these States to -have been guilty of a breach of faith with regard to the cartel of the -Cedars, he ought to apply to them in regard to that matter. Barely to -mention it to a subordinate officer, was indelicate and improper. But as -you have ventured to accuse, I will venture to deny the justice of the -charge; and, as far as my memory of that transaction serves, I think I -can do it with propriety." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The maxim of Colonel Gansevoort was, "his country, right or wrong." - He would have found it a difficult undertaking, however, to justify the - course adopted by Congress touching the cartel agreed upon by General - Arnold at the Cedars. Indeed, the violation of the stipulations made on - that occasion, had created difficulties in regard to exchanges of - prisoners during the whole war. It wan frequently a source of - embarrassment, and even of mortification, to General Washington, during - the course of nearly the whole war. - - -"The newspapers announce that a general exchange of prisoners is settled - below. Whether it extends to Canada, is not specified. - - "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - Peter Gansevoort, - _Col._3_d N. Y. Reg't._ - - "_To Brigadier General Powell._" - - - "Colonel Gansevoort to Major Carleton. - - "_Saratoga, Nov._ 26, 1780 - - "Sir, - -"This will be delivered you by Major Rosecrantz, of my regiment, who, -together with the persons named in my pass of this day's date, goes as a -flag to carry the letters he is charged with, and to return with your -answer. - -"General Powell's letter of the 22d September last, Captain Monsell's of -the 19th, and your's of the 24th ultimo, were delivered me about noon -to-day. - -"I have left the letter for General Powell under flying seal for your -perusal, that you may learn my determination respecting the families he -requested to have sent. Should you conclude to send batteaux for them, -they must come as far as Fort Anne, as the roads to Skenesborough are -impassable for carriages, or to the farther end of Lake George, which -would be much easier for the women and children. Their number amounts to -nearly three hundred; and I believe ten batteaux will be necessary to -carry them all at once. You will please to give directions to the officer -whom you may send with your flag, to pass his receipt for the number of -men, women, and children which shall be delivered. Pray advise me on what -day you think the batteaux will arrive at the place you may intend to -send them, that I may so arrange matters as to cause the least delay. - -"A certain James Van Deusen, who deserted from our service to you, and -who, since you were on this side the lake, has stolen back into the -country, has been apprehended, and will suffer death as a deserter. He -confesses that after the rencontre near Fort George, with some of Colonel -Warner's men and your party, in which one of our Indians was killed, your -Indians, in cool blood, scalped one of Warner's men alive, tormented him -a considerable time, and afterward cut his throat--and all this in your -presence. Your character, Sir, suffers greatly on this account. It has -hitherto been marked by conduct the reverse of this sad catastrophe; and -men of honor are unwilling to believe Van Deusen. I wish you to explain -yourself to me on the subject. - - "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient and - Humble servant, - Peter Gansevoort, - _Col._ 3d _N. Y. Reg't._ - - "_Major Carleton_" - - - "Major Carleton to Colonel Gansevoort. - - "_Mile Bay, Nov._ 6_th._ 1780. - - "Sir, - -"By your flag I have this moment received your letter of the 2d instant, -with one directed to Brigadier General Powell. Respecting the families -intended to be sent in, I answer to both. Being entirely ignorant of the -purport of Brigadier Powell's letter to you on the subject, and having no -instructions from General Haldimand respecting that business, I can only -say that such persons as are specified in the Brigadier's list will be -received, provided the number of boats mentioned in my postscript can -contain them. Should there be room to spare, the names contained in the -enclosed list, or as many of them as can be taken on board, will be -received. My boats shall be at Skenesborough on the 9th, where they shall -remain till the 14th at night, and then return to me, as I could not take -upon me the risk of their being frozen up there. - -"I should have expected Captain Chapman would hare given a flat -contradiction to James Van Deusen's confession. No prisoner was scalped, -or tortured alive. I saved the lives of several of the prisoners, who -were neither stripped nor insulted in the smallest degree after the -affair was over. I heard of one man being killed after he was taken -during the firing, owing to a dispute between the two Indians, of -different villages, who had taken him. He was either a Negro or a -Stockbridge Indian I believe, and he would not suffer himself to be -conducted to the British guard by a loyalist officer. The attention of -the officer was necessarily directed to the care of his own men; and -after the action I heard of the man being killed. - - "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, and - Most humble servant, - Chr. Carleton, - _Major_ 29_th Reg't._ - - "_Colonel Gansevoort._ - -"P. S. There being no idea of this business, the shipping went down some -days ago. I find it will not be in my power to furnish more than five -boats. Could not the boat I gave to carry up the last families, be sent -down with these?" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] These letters are contained among the Gansevoort papers, and have - been copied from the originals by the author. The same papers, together - with a letter from General Haldimand to Lord George Germaine, are - likewise the author's authorities for the brief sketch of the expeditions - of Carleton and Major Haughton. - - -No farther outrages were committed on the northern and western frontiers -during that Autumn. The next information received of Brant and his -associates, was brought to Fort Schuyler by a family of Oneidas who had -been released from Niagara. They arrived at the Fort on the 6th of -December. Colonel Weisenfeldts, then in command, caused the head Indian -of the party, whose name was Jacob Reed, to be examined; and the whole -examination was transmitted, as taken down by question and answer, to -General Clinton. From this statement it appeared that Joseph Brant, -Colonel Butler, and Colonel Guy Johnson, were then in their old -winter-quarters at Niagara. Of the Oneida warriors only thirty-seven had -been persuaded to join the royal cause; one of whom had been killed, and -five others had returned with Reed. The forces at Niagara at this time -were stated to be sixty British regulars, commanded by a captain; four -hundred loyalists commanded by Colonel Butler, and twelve hundred Indians -(including women and children,) commanded by Brant and Guy Johnson. One -of the objects of the late expedition to the Mohawk was stated by Reed to -be the destruction of Schenectady; but as they had not penetrated so far, -Brant and Johnson were meditating another campaign. The prisoners taken -from Stone Arabia, after reaching Niagara, had been shipped for Buck -Island in the river St. Lawrence; but from the long absence of the vessel, -and the fragments of a wreck, drums, furniture, &c., which had been -washed ashore, it was believed that she had been lost, and that all on -board had perished. Reed farther stated, that as soon as the snow was -hard, Brant, with five or six hundred warriors, was coming to the Oneida -country, in order to keep within a convenient distance for sending scouts -down the Mohawk. One of their objects was to be at all times prepared for -cutting off the supplies proceeding for the garrison of Fort Schuyler. -The Indians at Niagara, according to Reed's account, were well provided -with every thing they could desire. [FN-1] But it was far otherwise with -Fort Schuyler at this time. The letters of General Schuyler were full of -complaints, not only of the difficulty of procuring provisions, but also -of forwarding them to the outposts. In one of his letters, written at -that period, he said there was not flour enough in Fort Schuyler to -suffice for a single day's consumption. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] General Clinton's Manuscripts. - - [FN-2] MSS. of General Schuyler. - - -Thus ended the Indian campaigns of the North for the year 1780. There -were, indeed, other petty occurrences on the outskirts, alarms, and now -and then a few shots exchanged with a straggling Indian or Tory scout. -But no other occurrence of importance within the range of the present -history, marked the winter then closely advancing. And never did winter -spread his mantle over a scene of greater desolation than lay beneath it -in the Valley of the Mohawk. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - - - Gloomy opening of the year--Distresses of the army--Revolt of the - Pennsylvania line--Negotiations--Revolt of the New Jersey - troops--Arnold's expedition to Virginia--Progress of the war at the - South--Distresses at the North--Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk - country--Meditated attack upon the Oneidas--Letter of Colonel - Claus--Destitution of the country--Letter of General - Schuyler--Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood--Suspicions of - design--General Clinton's correspondence respecting that - catastrophe--Hostile indications in the North--Indications of extensive - treachery--Arrest of the disaffected at Ballston and its - vicinity--Bearing of Washington in adversity--Colonel Willett appointed - to the command of the Mohawk District--Slender means at his - disposal--Burning of Currie-town--Battle of Durlagh--Defeat of the - Indians--Death of Captain McKean--Irruption into Palatine--Willett's - letter to Washington--Willett's influence upon the broken - militia--Battle near the German Flats--Death of Solomon - Woodworth--Story of John Christian Shell--Invasion of Ulster County by - Indians and Tories under Captain Cauldwell--Another case of individual - bravery--Incidents on the Kentucky border. - - -The sun of the new year was veiled by a cloud of deeper gloom than had -previously darkened the prospects of the American arms at any period of the -contest. The whole army, in all its divisions, at the North and in the -South, was suffering severely both for clothing and provisions. Indeed, -the accumulated sufferings and privations of "the army constitute a large -and interesting portion of the history of the war of American -independence. At the date now under review, Winter, without much lessening -the toils of the soldiers, was adding to their sufferings. They were -perpetually on the point of starving, were often entirely without food, -were exposed without proper clothing to the rigors of the season, and had, -moreover, now served almost twelve months without pay." [FN] Such was the -general fact. The Pennsylvania troops had still farther grievances of -which to complain. They had been enlisted in ambiguous terms--to "serve -three years, or during the war." At the expiration of the stipulated -period, "three years," the soldier claimed his discharge, while the -officers insisted upon holding him to the other condition of the contract. -The consequence was great dissatisfaction, increased, of course, by the -much higher bounties subsequently paid for enlistments. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall's Life of Washington. - - -The Pennsylvania line, consisting of six regiments, was cantoned at -Morristown, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Wayne. So -long had they been brooding over their wrongs, so intense had become -their sufferings, and so discouraging were the prospects of remedy or -redress, that the discontents which, down to the last day of the -preceding year, had only been nurtured, broke out into open mutiny on the -evening of the next. The spirit of insubordination was from the first so -decided, and the evidences of revolt were so general, as at once to -jeopard the cause. An effort was made to quell the mutiny, in the course -of which several of the turbulent soldiers were wounded, as also were -some of the officers, who were endeavoring to repress the disorder. One -of the officers, Captain Billings, was killed. But the cause of the -revolt was too deeply seated, and the disaffection too extensive, to be -easily overcome. Even Wayne himself, the favorite of the Pennsylvanians, -was without power. Drawing a pistol and threatening one of the most -turbulent of the revolters; a bayonet was presented at his own bosom. -[FN-1] In a word, the authority of the commissioned officers was at an -end. The non-commissioned officers were generally engaged in the mutiny, -and one of their number being appointed Commander-in-chief, they moved off -in the direction of Philadelphia, with their arms and six pieces of -artillery--deaf to the arguments, the entreaties, and the utmost efforts -of their officers to change their purposes. [FN-2] As a last resort, Wayne -and his officers attempted to divide them, but without effect. Those who -at first appeared reluctant, were soon persuaded to unite with their -comrades, to march upon Philadelphia and demand a redress of their wrongs -at the doors of Congress. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Marshall. - - [FN-2] Letter of Washington to President Weare of New Hampshire. This - was a letter urging upon the government of New Hampshire to make some - exertion to relieve the distresses of the army. A circular was sent to - all the New England States to the same effect, and confided to General - Knox, as a special agent to enforce the appeal. To President Weare, the - Commander-in-chief said, plainly:--"I give it decidedly as my opinion, - that it is in vain to think an army can be kept together much longer - under such a variety of sufferings as ours has experienced; and that - unless some immediate and spirited measures are adopted to furnish at - least three months' pay to the troops in money, which will be of some - value to them, and at tho same time provide ways and means to clothe and - feed them better than they have been, the worst that can befall us may - be expected." The Legislatures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire nobly - responded to the call, and immediately voted a gratuity of twenty-four - dollars in hard money to each of the non-commissioned officers and - soldiers belonging to those States, who were engaged to serve daring the - war.--_Sparks._ - - -The number of the revolters was about thirteen hundred--a loss that would -have been severe of itself. But the most unpleasant apprehensions arose -from the danger, not only that the spirit of insubordination might spread -to other corps of the army, but that the mutineers might fall away in a -body to the enemy, who would, of course, lose not a moment in availing -himself of such a diversion in his favor. Coercive measures having failed -to bring the revolters back to the path of duty, Wayne, with his principal -officers, determined to follow close upon their rear and after the first -transports of their passion should subside, try what virtue might be found -in the arts of persuasion. The General overtook them at night in the -neighborhood of Middlebrook, but being advised in their present temper -not to venture among them, he invited a deputation of one sergeant from -each regiment to meet him in consultation. The deliberations were -amicable, and the General suggested a mode of obtaining redress of their -grievances, which satisfied the delegates, who, on retiring, promised to -exert their influence in bringing the men back to duty. But the attempt -was ineffectual; and on the day following the mutineers marched to -Princeton--the few who were well disposed and willing to separate from the -mutineers, continuing with the majority at the request of their officers, -in the hope that their exertions might "moderate the violence of their -leaders, and check the contagion of their example." - -The crisis was most critical. The Commander-in-chief, on receiving the -first advices of the revolt, was disposed to repair at once to the camp -of the mutineers; but on advisement and reflection, this course was -relinquished. The complaints of the Pennsylvania line, in regard to -destitution of provisions and clothing, were common to the whole army, -and it was doubtful how far the contagion of disaffection might already -have spread. Nor could the Commander-in-chief, whose head-quarters were -at New Windsor, venture upon a visit to the mutineers, without taking -with him a sufficient force to compel obedience to his commands should the -exertion of force become necessary. But a sufficient body of troops for -such an object could not be spared without leaving the fortresses in the -Highlands too weak to resist an attack from Sir Henry Clinton, who would -be sure to strike upon those important works at the first favorable -moment. The river being free from ice, Sir Henry would possess every -facility for such a movement the instant the back of Washington should be -turned upon the North. Under all the circumstances of the case, therefore, -the Commander-in-chief remained at his post, neglecting, however, no -measure of justice within his power to heal the discontents, or of -precaution to prevent their farther extension. - -Meantime the mutineers remained several days at Princeton, refusing to -proceed to the Delaware and cross into Pennsylvania, while Sir Henry -Clinton made every disposition to avail himself of the revolt, and lost -not a moment in despatching emissaries to their camp, with tempting offers -to induce them to join the armies of the King. But, mutineers as they -were, they nevertheless spurned the proposition; and retaining the -emissaries in custody, handed the communications, of which they were the -bearers, over to General Wayne. Though in rebellion against their -officers, the soldiers were nevertheless indignant at the idea of turning -their arms, as Arnold had done, against their own country; and those about -them who were well disposed, availed themselves of the occasion, with much -address, to impress upon their minds the magnitude of the insult conveyed -in propositions made to them in the character of traitors. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Five days after their arrival among the mutineers, viz. on the 11th - of January, Sir Henry's emissaries were tried by a court-martial, and - executed. - - -News of the revolt had no sooner reached Philadelphia, than a committee -was appointed by Congress, consisting of General Sullivan, [FN-1] and two -other gentlemen, in conjunction with President Reed on behalf of the -Council of Pennsylvania, to meet the revolters, and attempt to bring them -back to reason. The demands of the mutineers were exorbitant, but were in -the end acceded to with some unimportant modifications. They then moved -forward to Trenton, and in the end, although better things were -anticipated from the stipulations agreed upon, the Pennsylvania line was -almost entirely disbanded. A voluntary performance, by Congress, of much -less than was yielded by the committee, would have averted the evil, and -saved the division. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Very soon after he left the army, at the close of the Seneca - campaign, General Sullivan was elected to Congress, of which body he - was an efficient and patriotic member. Afterward, in the years 1786, - 1787, and 1788, he was President of New Hampshire, in which situation, by - his vigorous exertions, he quelled the spirit of the insurrection which - exhibited itself at the time of the trouble with Shays in Massachusetts. - In 1789 he was appointed a District Judge. He died in 1795, aged 54. - - [FN-2] Although the Pennsylvania line was thus dissolved, the evil was - surmounted much sooner than had been anticipated. Before the close of - January, Wayne wrote to Washington that the disbanded soldiers were "as - impatient of liberty as they had bean of service, and that they were as - importunate to be re-enlisted as they had been to be discharged." A - _reclaimed_ and formidable line was the result in the Spring. - - -The success of the Pennsylvania mutineers induced the New Jersey line, -then stationed at Pompton, to follow the bad example; and on the night of -the 20th of January a large portion of the brigade rose in arms. Their -claims were precisely the same as those which had been yielded to the -Pennsylvanians. By this time, however, the Commander-in-chief had -satisfied himself that he could rely upon the eastern troops; and, -chagrined as he had been by the result of the Pennsylvania revolt, he -determined, not only that nothing more should be yielded to the spirit of -insubordination, but that such an example should be made as would operate -as a check to the like proceedings in future. A strong detachment of -troops was accordingly led against the insurgents by General Howe, with -instructions to make no terms whatsoever while they continued in a state -of resistance. General Howe was farther instructed to seize a few of the -ringleaders, and execute them on the spot. The orders were promptly -complied with, and the insurrection was crushed at a blow. The mutinous -brigade returned to its duty; and such vigorous measures were taken by the -States to supply the wants of the army, as effectually checked the -progress of discontent. [FN] But it was only by the strong process of -impressment that those supplies could be wrung from the people, whose -discontents, though less immediately alarming, were, nevertheless, as -great as had been those of the army. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sir Henry Clinton endeavored to avail himself of this New Jersey - insurrection, in like manner as he had attempted to tamper with the - Pennsylvanians. But his emissary, who was in the American interest, - delivered his papers to the first American officer with whom he met. - - -The first active demonstration of Sir Henry Clinton, on the opening of -the new year, was the expedition against Virginia, under the conduct of -General Arnold. The arch-traitor had, in fact, sailed from New-York -toward the close of December, but he did not enter the Capes of Virginia -until the beginning of January--landing at Westover on the 6th. He marched -to Richmond, and after some trifling skirmishes on the way, destroyed the -stores at that place, and also at Westham; whereupon he retired to -Norfolk. This was a mere predatory expedition, attended by no important -result. Farther south, events were continually occurring of greater -moment. General Greene having been assigned to the command of that -department, after the signal discomfiture of Gates, affairs soon wore a -brighter aspect. The loss of the battle of Camden, a few months before, -was balanced, and, in its moral effect, more than balanced, by the -decisive victory over Tarleton, achieved by General Morgan at the Cowpens -on the 17th of January. And although Greene was defeated at Guilford on -the 15th of March, yet the victory was too dearly won by Earl Cornwallis -to render it a just occasion of triumph. So likewise in the repulse of -Greene by Lord Rawdon at Camden, owing to the misconduct of the militia, -the British commander was nevertheless so roughly handled that, although -he received a reinforcement in the course of the following night, he -deemed it expedient to destroy the town, and retire farther down the -Santee. But these apparent disadvantages were amply compensated by the -masterly manoeuvres of Greene, and the brilliant succession of victories -over the smaller works and detachments of the enemy. In these latter -affairs, Forts Watkinson, Orangeburgh, Motte, Silver Bluff, Granby, and -Cornwallis were successively taken, and the enemy was compelled to -evacuate other forts. Lord Rawdon was likewise obliged to fall back upon -Charleston, while Cornwallis was pursuing a doubtful march into Virginia. -The great disadvantage labored under by General Greene, was the necessity -of depending in a great measure upon the militia--not having regular -troops sufficient to cope with the veterans from Europe. But, though not -always victorious in battle, he was invariably so in the results. And his -masterly movements proved him far in advance of any of his antagonists, -in all the requisites of an able commander. - -But while events thus propitious to the American arms were occurring at -the South, the aspect of affairs, as has already been seen, was sadly -discouraging at the North. In addition to the destitution of the main -army, causing the insurrections in the Pennsylvania and New-Jersey lines, -so wretchedly supplied were the small garrisons from Albany northward and -westward, both in respect to food and clothing, that it was only with the -utmost difficulty that the officers could keep the soldiers upon duty. -Ravaged as the whole Mohawk country had been the preceding Summer and -Autumn, no supplies could be drawn from the diminished and impoverished -inhabitants remaining in those settlements; while it was equally difficult -to procure supplies, either at Albany or below, or eastwardly beyond that -city. It is painful to read the private correspondence of General -Schuyler, and Governor and General Clinton upon this subject. Orders for -impressing provisions were freely issued, particularly against the -disaffected portion of the people, who had greatly increased in numbers -in that section of the country; but some of the supplies thus taken were -returned, from the knowledge of General Schuyler that they had nothing -more for their own support. Meantime, emboldened by his successes the -preceding year, the enemy hung around the skirts of the settlements, -approaching almost beneath the very guns of the forts, cutting off all -communication with them, unless by means of strong escorts, so that it -was difficult and often impossible even to throw such scanty supplies -into the garrisons as could be obtained. - -The Oneidas having been driven from their country the preceding year, even -the slight barrier against irruptions from the more western tribes, who -were all hostile, into the Mohawk country, afforded by that slender -people, was gone. On the 15th of January, the scouts of Thayendanegea -appeared openly in the German Flats, and attacked some of the inhabitants. -During the months of February and March, Brant was hovering about the -Mohawk, ready to spring upon every load of supplies destined for Forts -Plain, Dayton, and Schuyler, not too strongly guarded, and cutting off -every straggling soldier or inhabitant so unfortunate as to fall within -his grasp. - -On the 6th of March, Major Nicholas Fish wrote to General Clinton, from -Schenectady, informing him that a party of fifteen of Colonel Van -Cortlandt's regiment, at Fort Schuyler, had fallen into the hands of -Brant's Indians; and on the 2d of April, in moving to the neighborhood -of that fort, to cut off another escort of supplies, the same lynx-eyed -chieftain made prisoners of another detachment from that garrison of -sixteen men. The difficulty of transporting the provisions, however, the -unbeaten snow lying to a great depth, had so greatly retarded the progress -of the scouts, that the intrepid warrior was disappointed in this portion -of the spoils, having, as it subsequently appeared, attempted to strike -too soon. - -But the hunted Oneidas, notwithstanding the neutrality of the greater part -of them, were not altogether safe in their new position near Schenectady. -It seems to have chafed both Brant and his employers, that a single tribe -of Indians had been detached from their influence or service; and their -destruction was again seriously meditated, with the sanction of Sir -Frederick Haldimand, as will more fully appear by the annexed letter from -Colonel Daniel Claus, the brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, to Captain -Brant. - - - "Colonel Claus to Captain Brant. - - "_Montreal,_ 3_d March,_ 1781. - - "Dear Joseph, - -"Captain John Odeserundiye, about a month ago, showed me a letter he -received from you, with a proposal to him about the Oneidas, telling me -he had answered you that he would join you with his party about the 20th -of this month, desiring me at the same time to keep it a secret from the -Mohawk Indians and others, for fear of being made public; he then asked -me where the Oneidas now lived, which then I could not tell him; but since -that I was informed that the rebels had posted themselves at a place -called Palmerstown, about twelve or fifteen miles west of Saraghtoga, of -which I acquainted His Excellency General Haldimand, together with your -intentions and plan; whereupon I received His Excellency's answer -enjoining the utmost secrecy to me, and which I hereby give you in the -words of his letter, by Captain Mathews his secretary, and is the occasion -of this express. - -"His Excellency, General Haldimand, commands me to acquaint you that -Captain Brant's intention meets highly with his approbation, and wishes -to assist it; which might be done from this place in the following manner, -but the General desires you will keep it inviolably secret. He has for -some time intended sending a party of about sixty chosen loyalists, under -the command of Major Jessup, toward Fort Edward; this party might join -Joseph against Palmerstown could he ascertain the time and place, which -might be nearly done by calculating the time his express would take to -come from Carleton Island--his march from thence, and Major Jessup's from -Point au Fez, alias Nikadiyooni. If Joseph wishes to have this assistance, -he must confer with Major Ross, who will send off an active express; -otherwise, if Joseph should prefer aid from that quarter, Major Ross and -Captain Robertson are directed to afford it; and, indeed, the delays and -uncertainty of the parties joining punctually, incline the General to -think it more eligible. - -"Should you upon this adopt the General's offer and opinion, and proceed -from Carleton Island to Palmerstown, which place I am sure several of -Major Ross's men and others at the island are well acquainted with, I -wish you the aid of Providence with all the success imaginable; in which -case it will be one of tho most essential services you have rendered your -king this war, and cannot but by him be noticed and rewarded; your return -by Canada will be the shortest and most eligible, and we shall be very -happy to see you here. As I received the General's letter this afternoon -only, I could not speak with Odeserundiye, but have wrote to him by -express to let you know the precise time he intends meeting you. Mrs. -Claus and all friends are well here, and salute you heartily; also your -sister and daughters; the others here are well, and desire their love and -duty. I hope she received the things safe which I sent lately by Anna. -Adieu. God bless and prosper you. - - "Yours most sincerely, - Dan'l. Claus. - - "_Captain Brant._ - -"P. S. The great advantage of setting out from Carleton Island, is the -route, which is so unexpected a one, that there is hardly any doubt but -you will surprise them, which is a great point gained. Whereas, were you -to set out from Canada, there are so many friends, both whites and -Indians, to the rebel cause, that you could not well get to the place -undiscovered, which would not do so well. - - "D. C." - - -Happily, from some cause now unknown, this project, so well devised, and -apparently so near its maturity, was never executed. The narrative is -therefore resumed. - -So great, and so universal, was the distress for provisions, already -adverted to, that, on the 29th of March, General Clinton wrote to the -Governor, "I am hourly under apprehensions that the remaining different -posts occupied for the defence of the frontiers of this State, will be -abandoned, and the country left open to the ravages of the enemy." Such -continued suffering of course produced disaffection in this department -also; and the greatest possible prudence was required, on the part of the -officers, to prevent desertions of whole bodies. So critical was their -situation, that in a letter to the Governor, of May 3d, General Clinton -mentions the fact, that a small scout, commanded by a corporal, in the -neighborhood of Port George, having captured a party of the enemy, "with -a packet, had been bribed to release them for a guinea each and two silk -handkerchiefs." Still worse than this was the fact that the General was -afraid to proceed openly to punish the delinquency. On the 5th General -Clinton again wrote to the Governor--"From the present appearance, I am -convinced that the troops will abandon the frontier. It is absurd to -suppose they can or will exist under the present circumstances. However, -let what will be the consequences, I have nothing to reproach myself with. -I have repeatedly called for assistance from every quarter, but could -obtain none." On the 8th of May, General Schuyler, writing from Saratoga, -said--"I wrote you this morning, since which, finding the troops -exceedingly uneasy, Colonel Van Vechten and I turned out each one of the -best cattle we had; the meat proved better than was expected, but the -soldiers still continue troublesome; they have hung part of it on a pole -with a red flag above a white one, and some of them hold very alarming -a conversation. I dread the consequences, as they can so easily a join -the enemy. If a body of nine-months men were here, it a would probably -deter the others from going off to the northward, [the enemy meaning] if -they should have such an intention." - -Great blame was imputed to Congress; and likewise to the State -governments, for allowing the commissariat to come to such a deplorable -pass. The resources of the country were known to be abundant for the -comfortable sustenance of a much larger army than was at that time in the -field; but the efficient action of Congress was fettered by its want of -power. The States, jealous of their own sovereignty, had withholden from -the central government powers which were essential to the vigorous -prosecution of the war, while it was but seldom that they could be -brought into a simultaneous and harmonious exertion of those powers -themselves. Hence the frequent and keen distresses of the army, and the -complicated embarrassments under which the officers were compelled to -struggle during the whole war. Still, the blame did not rest wholly with -the States. There were jealousies, and heart-burnings, and intrigues, in -the Congresses of that day, as in later times; and their conduct was -often the subject of bitter complaint in the letters of the -Commander-in-chief. The following letter from General Schuyler bears hard -upon the officers of the federal government, while at the same time it -depicts the extreme destitution of the country at the north, at the -period under consideration:-- - - - "General Schuyler to General Clinton. - - "_Saratoga, May_ 13_th,_ 1781. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Your favor of the 8th instant, Captain Vernon delivered me last evening. -The distress occasioned by the want of provisions in every quarter is -truly alarming, but was the natural consequence of such a system as was -adopted for supplying the army. It is probable, if we should be able to -continue the war ten years longer, that our rulers will learn to conduct -it with propriety and economy; at present they are certainly ignoramuses. -Not a barrel of meat or fish is to be had in this quarter if an equal -weight of silver was to be offered for it, and as there is not above a -quarter of the flour or wheat sufficient for the use of the inhabitants, -it would be needless to appoint persons here to impress those articles. -I therefore return the blank warrants. - -"It is probable that some flour may be obtained in the neighborhood of -Schaghticoke, and _I am certain_ that a very considerable quantity of -both wheat and flour is lodged in Albany. Major Lush could employ his -assistant at the former place, and he might impress all at the latter -_without much trouble._ A small collection of meat has been made at -Stillwater for the troops here, but that is already expended. If there -is any beef at Richmond, or Barrington, I think it would be well to send -a party of nine-months men under an active spirited officer, to impress -a number of wagons at Kinderhook and Claverack, and to attend them to the -former places, and back again to the respective landings of the latter on -Hudson's river. If an opportunity offers, pray send me some paper, as -this is my last sheet. Captain Arson is not yet returned from Jessup's. - - "I am, dear Sir, - Yours sincerely, &c., &c. - Ph. Schuyler. - - "_Gen. Clinton._" - - -It was, indeed, a trying situation for brave and patriotic officers to -find themselves in command of troops, driven, by destitution, to the very -point of going over to the enemy almost in a body. But another -disheartening occurrence was at hand. The works of Fort Schuyler, having -become much out of repair, sustained great injury by the swelling of the -waters in the early part of May. A council of officers was convened by -Lt. Colonel Cochran, then in command, on the 12th of that month, to -inquire and report what should be done in the premises. The council -represented that more than two-thirds of the works had been broken down -by the flood, and that the residue would be in the same condition in a -very few days; that the only remaining strength of the fort was to be -found in the outside pickets on the glacis; and that the strength of the -garrison was altogether inadequate to attempt to rebuild or repair the -works, for which purpose five or six hundred men, with an engineer, -artificers, &c., would be indispensably necessary. - -But even if the works were not altogether indefensible on the 12th, they -were rendered so on the following day, when all that had been spared by -the deluge was destroyed by fire. Intelligence of this disaster was -received by General Clinton at Albany, on the 16th, in a letter from -Colonel Cochran. The following is an extract from General Clinton's reply -to that officer, from which it appears a strong suspicion was entertained -that the conflagration was the work of design--a suspicion that was never -removed:--"I have just received your favors of the 13th and 14th instants, -with the disagreeable intelligence contained in them. I cannot find words -to express my surprise at the unexpected accident, or how a fire should -break out at noon-day, in a garrison where the troops could not possibly -be absent, after a most violent and incessant rain of several days, and -be permitted to do so much damage. I am sorry to say that the several -circumstances which accompanied this melancholy affair, afford plausible -ground for suspicion that it was not the effect of mere accident. I hope, -when it comes to be examined in a closer point of view, such lights may -be thrown upon it as will remove the suspicion, for which there appears -too much reason. I have written to his Excellency on the subject, and -requested his farther orders, which I expect in a few days; in the -meantime I would request that you keep possession of the works, and -endeavor to shelter the troops in the best manner possible." - -In his letter to the Governor, enclosing the dispatches of Colonel -Cochran, General Clinton suggested the expediency, under the circumstances -of the case, of abandoning the post altogether, and falling back upon -Fort Herkimer. On the following day he again wrote to his brother, -renewing and re-enforcing this suggestion:-- - - - "General Clinton to the Governor. - - "_Albany, May_ 17_th,_ 1781. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Since my last to you of yesterday, another letter, by express, has been -received from Fort Schuyler. Copies of the contents I enclose for your -information, under cover, which I wish you to seal and forward to the -Commander-in-chief. I informed you yesterday of the general prevailing -opinion among the better part of the people in this quarter respecting -Fort Schuyler. The recent loss of the barracks, and the ruinous situation -of the works, have confirmed them in the propriety and even necessity of -removing it to the German Flats near Fort Herkimer, where they are -disposed to afford every assistance in their power to build a formidable -work, confident that it will be able to afford more protection, not only -in that particular quarter, but also to the whole western frontier in -general. I must confess that I have long since been of this opinion. I -have not mentioned this circumstance to the General, [Washington,] as I -conceive it will come better from yourself, as you are acquainted with -every particular circumstance respecting it, and the numberless -difficulties which we shall labor under in putting it in any considerable -state of defence. As I have directed the troops to remain in possession -of the works until I shall receive instructions from head-quarters, I wish -that you might have it in your power to have a conference with the -General on the subject, and transmit to me the result of it without delay. - - "I am, Sir, &c. - Jas. Clinton. - - "_Governor Clinton._" - - -This suggestion was adopted, and the post so long considered the key to -the Mohawk Valley was abandoned. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] After the war the fort was rebuilt, and the ancient name of Fort - Stanwix restored. The works were repaired and substantially strengthened - as being an important post, during the administration of the elder - Adams. - - -In addition to this disheartening state of affairs at the westward of -Albany, intelligence was received that another storm was about breaking -upon the northern frontier. In a letter from General Schuyler to General -Clinton, from Saratoga, May 18th, after speaking of the "chagrin" he felt -at the destruction of the fort, Schuyler proceeds:-- - -"Last evening Major McCracken of White Creek came here, and delivered me -a copy of a paper which had been found there, in the same hand-writing as -one that was put in the same place last year, announcing the approach of -Major Carleton with the troops under his command. This contains in -substance--'That the writer had received a letter from a friend in Canada, -to give him notice of the danger which threatened these parts; that 1500 -men were gone to Ticonderoga, from whence they were to proceed to Fort -Edward and White Creek; that they are to be down in this month, and from -what he could learn, they were to desolate the country.' The Major thinks -he knows the channel through which this intelligence is conveyed, and -that it may be depended upon;--as it in some degree corroborates that -given by Harris, and the person I had sent to Crown Point, it ought not -to be slighted. Please to communicate it to the Governor and General -Washington. - -"Fourteen of the nine months men have already deserted, two of whom are -apprehended. There are now at this post only thirty-nine of them. As the -Continental troops here are without shoes it is impossible to keep out the -necessary scouts. Cannot a parcel of shoes be obtained at Albany, and -sent up to them? It will be of importance to give the earliest -intelligence if the party discovered by Colonel Lewis should appear on the -Mohawk river, that we may with the troops here, and what militia we may -be able to collect, try to intercept them." - -In a postscript to a letter of the 21st, General Schuyler -observed:--"Since the above I have been informed _from very good -authority,_ that the enemy's morning and evening guns at Ticonderoga have -been distinctly heard near Fort Anne for three or four days past" And on -the 24th the General wrote more confidently still of the enemy's approach. -"Captain Gray is returned. He has not been near enough to determine the -enemy's force, but sufficiently so to discover, by the fires, that they -are numerous. Is it not strange, and subject of suspicion, that the -Vermonters should not afford us any intelligence of the enemy's approach, -as they must certainly know of his arrival at Crown Point and -Ticonderoga?" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This ambiguous conduct of Vermont was the consequence of the quarrel - between the settlers of the grants from New Hampshire, which were within - the chartered limits, and the government of New-York. Colonel Allen, not - long before, had been in Albany upon the business of the settlers, and - had come away dissatisfied--having uttered a threat on his departure. He - was at this time, as General Schuyler was informed, at the Isle Au - Noix--sick--as was pretended. - - -This was alarming intelligence, more especially when taken in connexion -with the reports simultaneously coming in from the west, of an expedition -meditated against Pittsburgh, to be led by Sir John Johnson and Colonel -Connelly; while other reports were rife, at the same time, of more -extensive combinations among the hostile Indians than had previously -marked the war. But even this was not all--nor by any means the worst of -the case. Treachery was at work, and from the temper of great numbers of -the people, the carriage of the disaffected, and the intelligence received -by means of spies and intercepted despatches, there was just cause to -apprehend that, should the enemy again invade the country, either from the -north or the west, his standard would be joined by much larger numbers of -the people than would have rallied beneath it at any former period. The -poison was actively at work even in Albany. On the 24th of May, General -Schuyler announced to General Clinton the return of a confidential agent -from the north, "where he met with five of the enemy, whose confidence he -so far obtained as to be entrusted with letters written on the spot to -persons at Albany, whose names I forbear to mention," (says Schuyler,) "for -fear of accidents. They contained nothing material, except the arrival of -the enemy in force at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, with this expression -in one,--'We shall make rare work with the rebels.'" But other, and more -"material" despatches were soon afterward intercepted, from the tenor of -which the conclusion was irresistible, not only that a powerful invasion -was about taking place from the north, but that very extensive -arrangements had been made in Albany, and the towns adjacent, for the -reception of the invaders, whose standard the disaffected were to join, -and whose wants they were to supply. Among the papers thus intercepted, -was the following letter, supposed to have been addressed to General -Haldimand:-- - - "_Albany,_ 9_th May,_ 1781. - -"Your Excellency may learn from this that when I received your -instructions, &c., I was obliged at that time to put myself into a place -of security, as there were heavy charges laid against me. I thank God I -have baffled that storm. Your commands are observed to the letter, part -of them faithfully executed, the particulars of which I hope in a short -time to have the honor to acquaint you verbally. Now is the season to -strike a blow on this place, when multitudes will join, provided a -considerable force comes down. The sooner the attempt is made the better. -Let it be rapid and intrepid, carefully avoiding to sour the inhabitants' -tempers by savage cruelties on their defenceless families. If a few -handbills, intimating pardon, protection, &c., &c. were sent down, and -distributed about this part of the country, they would effect wonders; -and should your Excellency think proper to send an army against this den -of persecutors, notice ought to be given ten days before, by some careful -and intelligent person, to a certain Mr. McPherson in Ball's Town, who -will immediately convey the intention to the well-affected of New -Scotland, Norman's Kill, Hillbarack's, Neskayuna, &c., all in the vicinity -of Albany. The plan is already fixed, and should a formidable force -appear, I make no doubt provisions and other succors will immediately -take place. A few lines of comfort, in print, from your Excellency to -those people, would make them the more eager in prosecuting their designs; -and if the Vermonters lie still, as I have some hopes they will, there is -no fear of success. No troops are yet raised. There is a flag from this -place shortly to be sent; perhaps I may go with it; I expected before this -time I would 'be removed from my present situation,' &c. - -"25th May. N. B. This I expected should reach you before now, but had no -opportunity. Excuse haste." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This document has been discovered by the author among the papers of - General Clinton. It is endorsed as follows:--"A copy of a letter in - Doctor Smyth's handwriting, supposed to General Haldimand. Intercepted - 27th of May, 1781." The author has not been able to ascertain who Doctor - Smith was, farther than that he hat been informed at Albany, that he was - a brother to Smith the historian of New-York, afterward Chief Justice of - New Brunswick. Some time afterward Governor Clinton transmitted a - special message to the legislature, then sitting at Poughkeepsie, - containing important information respecting the designs of the - Vermonters, by which it appears that Dr. Smith was actively engaged in - fomenting disaffection in that quarter, and had held interviews with - Ethan Allen upon the subject in Albany, &c. Smith is spoken of in that - message as having been appointed a Commissioner by the British officers - to treat with the Vermonters. - - -Accompanying this letter were several pages of memoranda, in the same -hand-writing, giving particular information upon every point which the -enemy could desire. The deplorable situation of Albany, and the whole -Mohawk country, was described; the temper of the people in the towns -around Albany and elsewhere set forth; the strength of the main army in -the Highlands given with all necessary accuracy; and the mission of Ethan -Allen to Albany, and the probable defection of Vermont, announced. Indeed, -the character of these communications showed but too plainly that treason -was deeply and extensively at work, and that the enemy was, beyond doubt, -correctly advised of the true situation of the country. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. II. - - -Under all these circumstances of internal and external danger--with but -slender garrisons at the points of greatest exposure, and those so -miserably provided that the soldiers were deserting by dozens, showing -dispositions not equivocal of going over to the enemy--without provisions -or the means of procuring them, and scarcely knowing whom to trust among -their own people, lest the disaffection should prove to be even more -extensive than recent disclosures had taught the officers to suppose,--the -Spring of 1781 may well be counted as the darkest period of the -revolution. Had it not been for the gleams of light shooting up from the -south, all indeed would have been sullen blackness, if not despair. But -the truth of the homely adage, that the darkest hour is always just before -day, received a glorious illustration before the close of the year. -"Accustomed to contemplate all public events which might grow out of the -situation of the United States, and to prepare for them while at a -distance, the American chief was not depressed by this state of affairs. -With a mind happily tempered by nature and improved by experience, those -fortunate events which had occasionally brightened the prospects of his -country, never relaxed his exertions or lessened his precautions; nor -could the most disastrous state of things drive him to despair." [FN] -Fortunately, in the Clintons and their associate officers at the north, -the American Commander had subordinates possessing in no small degree the -same great characteristics. Every possible precaution against lurking -treason within, was taken, and every practicable means of preparation -means of preparation and defence against invasion from abroad, was -adopted. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall. - - -Anticipating, from the presence of the enemy at Ticonderoga, that Tryon -county might again be attacked from that direction by the way of the -Sacondaga, Captain John Carlisle was despatched into the settlements of -New Galway, Peasley, and Ballston, accompanied by Captain Oothout and a -small party of Indians, to make prisoners of certain persons suspected of -disaffection to the American cause, and to remove all the families from -those towns to the south side of the Mohawk river. About sixty families -were thus removed, and all the suspected persons arrested. The Captain, -in his report of the expedition, gave a deplorable account of the poverty -of the people. He could scarcely procure subsistence for his party during -his mission. On arriving at Ballston, however, he drew more liberally upon -the stores of the disaffected, and then arrested them. But their -disposition, Captain Oothout was glad to inform the Commissioners, was -such as to "prevent his setting fire to their houses agreeably to the -letter of his orders." [FN] Happily these measures of precaution, and the -other preparations, were for that time unnecessary--the enemy, if he was -in actual force at Crown Point or Ticonderoga, not then venturing another -invasion from that quarter. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Manuscripts of Gen. Clinton. Indeed, the materials for this whole - section of the northern history of the Spring of 1781, have principally - been drawn from the Clinton papers, so often referred to. - - -But the Mohawk Valley was continually harassed by the Indians and -Tories--even to the very precincts of the stockades and other small -fortifications. The spirit of the people had in a great measure been -crushed, and the militia broken down, during the repeated invasions of the -preceding year. The Rev. Daniel Gros, [FN] writing to General Clinton from -Canajoharie, upon the importance of having at least a small detachment of -regular troops at Fort Rensselaer, observed--"It would serve to bring -spirit, order, and regularity into our militia, where authority and -subordination have vanished. If it should last a little longer, the -shadow of it will dwindle away; and perhaps the best men in the state will -be useless spectators of all the havoc the enemy is meditating against the -country. The militia appears to me to be a body without a soul. Drafts -from the neighboring counties, even of the levies under their own -commanders, will not abate the fatal symptoms, but rather serve to -produce a monster with as many heads as there are detachments." Having no -other defenders than such as are here described, with the exception of a -few scattered companies, or rather skeletons of companies, at the -different posts extending along the Valley, the prospect of the opening -Summer was indeed gloomy--more especially when men's thoughts reverted to -the sufferings of the past. Nor were the inhabitants encouraged to expect -any considerable reinforcements from head-quarters, since the -Commander-in-chief, in concert with the Count de Rochambeau, was again -evidently preparing for some enterprise of higher moment than the defence -of those remote settlements against any force that could be brought down -upon them from the north. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Afterward a Professor in Columbia College, and author of a work on - Moral Philosophy. - - -Still, there was one officer whose name, among the people of that -district, was a tower of strength. That man was Colonel Marinus Willett; -who, at the consolidation of the five New-York regiments into two--an -event happening at about the same time--was induced by the strong -solicitation of Governor Clinton to take the command of all the militia -levies and State troops that might be raised for the protection of the -country. It was only with great reluctance that Colonel Willett was -persuaded to leave the main army, and enter upon this difficult and -hazardous service. But the appeal of Governor Clinton was so strong, and -enforced with so much earnestness, that he could not resist it. The -Governor urged the high confidence reposed in him by the people of Tryon -county--and reminded him of the cruelties of the Indians and -Tories--speaking of the latter with great emphasis, as "cruel monsters -worse than savages;" [FN-1] and Colonel Willett, feeling a hearty -good-will to chastise such an enemy--the Tories especially--repaired to -the north, and assumed the command. He arrived at Fort Rensselaer -(Canajoharie), where he established his head-quarters, toward the close -of June. The country he was to defend embraced all the settlements west -of the county of Albany, including Catskill and the Hudson river. A -fortnight after his arrival he ascertained that the following skeleton -detachments composed the full complement of the forces under his command: -one hundred and thirty levies, including officers, and Captain Moody's -artillery, numbering twenty men, at the German Flats; at Schoharie he -stationed a guard of twenty men; at Catskill about the same number, and -about thirty men at Ballston. Exclusive of these diminutive fragments of -corps, stationed at great distances apart, the levies of the county -amounted to no more than ninety-six men. In a letter to Governor Clinton, -making known the paucity of his numbers, Colonel Willett added:--"I -confess myself not a little disappointed in having such a trifling force -for such extensive business as I have on my hands; and also that nothing -is done to enable me to avail myself of the militia. The prospect of a -suffering country hurts me. Upon my own account I am not uneasy. Every -thing I can do, shall be done; and more cannot be looked for. If it is, -the reflection that I have done my a duty, must fix my own tranquility." -[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Willett's Narrative. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -Depressed, however, as were the people, and inefficient as, from the -preceding descriptions, the militia must have become, these circumstances -were, no doubt, in a great degree attributable to the want of officers in -whom the people could repose confidence. Colonel Willett had very soon -an opportunity to make trial of their spirit, and he found them "a people -who, having experienced no inconsiderable portion of British barbarism, -were become keen for revenge and properly determined." [FN-1] The occasion -was the following:--On the 30th of June, several columns of smoke were -discovered by the garrison of Fort Rensselaer, ascending as from a village -on fire, in the direction of Currietown, lying eleven miles down the -river, near the estuary of the Schoharie-kill. Having previously sent -forth a scout of thirty men, commanded by Captain Gross, to patrol the -country south as far as a settlement called Durlagh, [FN-2] an express -was despatched to overtake that officer, with information of the probable -presence of the enemy below, and with instructions, if possible, to fall -upon his trail. Meantime Captain McKean was ordered to Currietown, with -sixteen levies only, but with instructions to collect as many of the -militia in his way as possible. Such was the celerity of McKean's -movements, that he arrived at Currietown so soon after it had been ravaged -and deserted by the enemy, as to enable him to assist in quenching the -fires of some of the yet unconsumed buildings. Colonel Willett was himself -actively employed during the day in collecting the militia, while, through -the vigilance of Captain Gross, not only the trail of the Indians was -discovered, but the place of their encampment. Having reason to suppose -they would occupy the same encampment that night, and being joined before -evening by the detachments of Gross and McKean, the Colonel determined, -with these forces, and such few militia-men as he had been able to -collect, to march directly for the encampment, and, if possible, take them -by surprise before morning--perhaps while asleep. This encampment was in -a thick cedar swamp, five or six miles to the north-east of Cherry Valley, -and of course to reach it by a march through the woods, during an -exceedingly dark night, and without any better road than a bridle-path, -was no small undertaking. It had been ascertained that the Indians -numbered between two and three hundred, commanded by a Tory named John -Doxstader, in connexion with an Indian chief named Quackyack. Colonel -Willett's strength, levies and militia included, did not exceed one -hundred and fifty rank and file. The plan of falling upon the enemy while -asleep did not exactly succeed, in consequence of the difficulties of the -march--occasioned by the darkness, the thickness of the woods, and, worse -than all, the losing of his way by the guide. It was therefore nearly -six o'clock in the morning when they arrived in the vicinity of the -encampment; and, instead of falling upon the enemy by surprise, they -found him occupying a more favorable situation, and awaiting their -reception. Immediate dispositions were made to engage the enemy, with a -view to which a stratagem was laid to draw him from the advantageous -situation which he had chosen. For this purpose, before the Indians had -become fully aware of Willett's near approach, Jacob Sammons, now a -lieutenant in the New-York levies, was detached with ten resolute men, to -steal as near to them as possible, give them one well-directed fire, and -retreat. The ruse succeeded. Sammons and his men turned their backs on the -first yell of the Indians, and the latter sprang forward in pursuit. -[FN-3] They were soon met by Colonel Willett in person, advancing at the -head of his main division, which consisted of one hundred men, while -Captain McKean was left with fifty more as a reserve, to act as occasion -might require, on the right. The enemy did not wait an attack, however, -but, with great appearance of determination, advanced with their wonted -shouts and yells, and began the fire. The onset of the Indians was -furious; but they were received with firmness, and in turn the Americans -advanced upon them with loud huzzas, and such manifestations of spirit as -soon caused them to give way. Simultaneously with their attack upon the -main body in front, the Indians had made an equally desperate rush upon -the right wing, which might have been attended with disaster, but for the -destructive fire poured in upon them by the reserve of McKean. The -Indians, thus driven back, now betook themselves to their old game of -firing from behind the trees; but Willett's men understood that mode of -fighting as well as themselves. They did not, however, practise it long. -Willett pressed forward waving his hat and cheering his men--calling out -that he could catch in his hat all the balls that the enemy might send; -and in the same breath exclaiming, "the day is ours, my boys!" These -inspiriting demonstrations being followed up by a timely and efficient -use of the bayonet, the whole body of the enemy was put to flight in half -an hour after the commencement of the action. They retreated upon their -old path down the Susquehanna, and were pursued to a considerable -distance. Their camp was, of course, taken, and the plunder they had -gathered recaptured. The loss of the Indians was severe--nearly forty of -their dead being left on the field. Colonel Willett's loss was five -killed, and nine wounded and missing. Among the wounded was the brave -Captain McKean, fatally. He received two balls early in the engagement, -but kept at his post until it was over, and the rout of the enemy -complete. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Colonel Willett to General Washington. - - [FN-2] Sometimes spelt Turlock. Now the town of Sharon, Schoharie - County. - - [FN-3] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons. - - [FN-4] Willett's Narrative--Campbell. - - -There was one very painful circumstance attending this battle. In their -excursion to Currietown, the day before, Doxstader and his Indians had -made nine prisoners, among whom were Jacob and Frederick Diefendorff, -Jacob Myers and a son, a black boy, and four others. The moment the -battle commenced, the prisoners, who were bound to standing trees for -security, were tomahawked and scalped by their captors, and left as dead. -The bodies of these unfortunate men were buried by Colonel Willett's -troops. Fortunately, however, the graves were superficial, and the -covering slight--a circumstance which enabled Jacob Diefendorff, who, -though stunned and apparently dead, was yet alive, to disentomb himself. -A detachment of militia, under Colonel Veeder, having repaired to the -field of action after Willett had returned to Fort Rensselaer, discovered -the supposed deceased on the outside of his own grave; and he has lived -to furnish the author of the present work with an account of his own -burial and resurrection. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Statements of Jacob Diefendorff and Jacob Sammons, in the author's - possession. - - -Captain McKean died, greatly lamented, a few days after the detachment -had returned to the fort, as will be seen by the annexed letter, addressed -by Colonel Willett to the commanding officer at Albany:-- - - - "Colonel Willett to General Clinton. - -"Sir:--I have just sent some of the wounded levies to Schenectady, there -being no surgeon here. Doctor Petrie, the surgeon of the levies, is at -German Flats, where he has several sick and wounded to attend; and the -intercourse between here and there is too dangerous to allow traveling -without a guard; I could wish, therefore, to have a surgeon from the -hospital posted in this quarter. - -"This place does not afford a gill of rum to bathe a single wound. The two -barrels designed for this quarter a few days ago, met with a regular -regiment passing down the country, who very irregularly took away from -the person that had them in charge those two barrels of rum. I need not -mention to you, Sir, that the severe duty and large portion of fatigue -that falls to the lot of the troops in this quarter, make rum an article -of importance here, and that I should be glad to see some in the County -of Tryon. - -"This morning Captain McKean died of the wound he received yesterday. In -him we have lost an excellent officer. I feel his loss, and must regret -it." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Clinton papers. - - -Shortly after the irruption of Doxstader, there was another descent of -Indians and Tories upon Palatine, which was an event of more singularity -than importance. A son of Colonel Jacob Klock, with several of his Tory -friends, went off to Canada. He returned in about four weeks with a band -of Indians and Tories to fall upon the settlement, and encamped for one -night in the vicinity of his own neighborhood. During the night, one of -the number, Philip Helmer, having discovered that a part of their object -was to plunder and murder the family of his relative, John Bellinger, -determined to save that family. Taking a young Indian with him, therefore, -under the pretext of reconnoitering the settlement, he proceeded so near -to some of the houses, that the Indian, becoming suspicious, ran back to -his comrades. Helmer's object was to surrender himself, and cause the -Indian to be taken prisoner; and he accordingly delivered himself up to -Judge Nellis. Expresses were immediately sent to Fort Plain and Stone -Arabia for assistance; and the enemy, finding themselves betrayed, took -to the woods. Lieutenant Sammons, with twenty-five men, was ordered by -Colonel Willett to go in pursuit; and so rapid were they of foot, as to -arrive at the enemy's encampment before his fires had gone out. William -Feeter, with six other volunteers, was sent forward to keep his trail. -In about two miles after entering the woods, most luckily they discovered -a number of the Indians lying flat upon the ground. The latter no sooner -discerned Feeter's approach, than they rose and fired; but one of their -number having fallen grievously wounded by the return fire of Feeler's -party, while they were stooping down to re-load, they sprang to their -feet and fled--Tories and all--leaving their provisions, knapsacks, and -some of their muskets. They ran down a steep hill, and were measurably -shielded from Feeter's fire by the thickness of the shrubbery and trees. -One of them gave himself up as a prisoner; three more were wounded, and -died on their way to Canada. The poor Indian first wounded, was put to -death by Helmer, who ran up and despatched him while he was begging for -quarter! [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Narrative of Colonel William Feeter, in the author's possession, - and also of Jacob Sammons. Colonel Feeter is yet living, (1837.) - - -Colonel Willett took early occasion to make the Commander-in-chief -acquainted with the deplorable situation to which this fine region of -country had been reduced by the repeated visitations of the enemy. In his -letter to General Washington upon the subject, he describes the beauty, -the productiveness, and the natural advantages of the country with a -glowing pen. From this communication it appears, that at the commencement -of the war, the number of enrolled militia in Tryon county amounted to -not less than two thousand five hundred; but at the date of the letter, -(July 6, 1781,) the number of inhabitants liable to pay taxes, or to be -assessed to raise men for the public service, was estimated at no more -than twelve hundred; while the number liable to bear arms did not exceed -eight hundred. To account for so large a reduction of the population, it -was estimated that one-third had been killed or made prisoners; one-third -had gone over to the enemy; and one-third, for the time being, had -abandoned the country. The situation of those that remained, the Colonel -described as so distressing as to provoke sympathy from even the most -unfeeling heart. Those who could afford the expense, or perform the labor, -had erected block-houses on their own farms, for the protection of their -families. Each neighborhood had been compelled to erect a fortification -for itself within which their families resided for safety--from ten to -fifty families crowding together in a fort. Of these works there were -twenty-four between Schenectady and Fort Schuyler. At the time of writing -this letter--or rather memoir, for the communication was extended through -several sheets--Colonel Willett stated that the whole number of men then -under his command, exclusive of the militia, did not exceed two hundred -and fifty. But he, nevertheless, kept up a good heart, and in the course -of his anticipations of bringing about a better state of things, -added--"Nor shall I exceed my hopes, if, in the course of less than -twelve months, I shall be able to convince the enemy that they are not -without vulnerable quarters in these parts." The following quotation will -illustrate alike the wisdom, the activity, and the skill of the -dispositions made by Willett, for the purpose not only of bringing order -out of confusion, but of displaying his strength before an invisible foe, -lurking stealthily about in every place of concealment, on all sides and -every hand. After stating that he had fixed his head-quarters at -Canajoharie, on account of its central position, he proceeds:--"My -intention is to manage business so as to have an opportunity of -acquainting myself, as well as possible, with every officer and soldier -I may have in charge. In order the better to do this, I propose, as far -as I can make it any way convenient, to guard the different posts by -detachments, to be relieved as the nature of the case will admit. And as -the relieved troops will always return to Fort Rensselaer, where my -quarters will be, I shall have an opportunity of seeing them all in turn. -Having troops constantly marching backward and forward through the -country, and frequently changing their route, will answer several -purposes, such as will easily be perceived by you, sir, without -mentioning them. This is not the only way by which I expect to become -particularly acquainted with the troops and their situation. I intend -occasionally to visit every part of the country, as well to rectify such -mistakes as are common among the kind of troops I have at present in -charge, as to enable me to observe the condition of the militia, upon -whose aid I shall be under the necessity of placing considerable -reliance." - -The effect of Colonel Willett's presence and example was very soon -perceptible. The people reposed the most unlimited confidence in him; and -so rapidly did he infuse something of his own fire and energy into the -bosoms even of the dispirited and broken militia, that they presently -appeared like a different race of men. An illustration of this fact -occurred one night early in July. The Colonel was informed, at the hour -of one o'clock in the morning, of the presence of fifty or sixty Indians -and Tories in the neighborhood, at only about six miles distance. Having -barely troops enough in the fort to guard it, he sent immediately for a -Captain of the militia, and in one hour's time that officer was in search -of the enemy at the head of seventy men. It is not often that much good -results from the employment of militia. Few officers can do any thing with -them. Most commanders nothing. But Willett was an exception in those days, -as General Jackson has been since. Willett, like Jackson, possessed the -faculty, by looking into the eyes of his men, of transfusing his own -native fire into their bosoms in spite of themselves. - -Fortunately, however, less trouble was experienced from the enemy during -the Summer, in the lower section of the Mohawk Valley, than had been -anticipated. The summary and severe chastisement inflicted upon Doxstader -and his party had a powerful effect upon that irritating branch of the -enemy's service; and for more than three months afterward the inhabitants -were only troubled occasionally, and then merely by small flying parties -of the enemy, who accomplished nothing worthy of record. - -But in the upper section of the Valley, the German Flats, it was -otherwise, and several spirited affairs occurred in that neighborhood, -attended by great bravery, though not by important consequences. The name -of Solomon Woodworth has twice or thrice occurred in the preceding pages; -once, as having been taken a prisoner and making his escape, and again as -alone defending a block-house north of Johnstown, and repulsing the enemy -from his fortress. In the year 1781 he was commissioned a captain, for -the purpose of raising a company of rangers to traverse the wooded country -north of Fort Dayton and the German Flats. He succeeded in enlisting a -company of forty brave and kindred spirits; at the head of whom, well -armed and provided, he marched from Fort Dayton, striking in the direction -of the Royal Grant, [FN-1] for purposes of observation. After a few hours' -march, one of Woodworth's men, being a short distance in advance, -discovered an Indian, evidently in ambuscade, upon whom he immediately -fired. Instantly the forest resounded with the war-whoop, and Woodworth -with his little band was surrounded by double his own number. A furious -and bloody engagement followed, in which the Rangers and Indians fought -hand to hand with great desperation; and, for the numbers engaged, there -was cruel slaughter. A fiercer engagement, probably, did not occur during -the war. Woodworth fell dead. The savages were the victors; and of the -rangers, only fifteen escaped to tell the melancholy fate of their -comrades. Several were taken captive, and subsequently exchanged. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] A large tract of land, so called from the fact that it was a - grant from the King, under his own sign manual, to Sir William Johnson. - - [FN-2] Manuscripts of the Rev. John I. Shaw. - - -Another affair, as an individual exploit, was as remarkable for its -coolness and bravery, as for the singular incident occurring in the -course of the battle, or rather siege, by which the leader of the enemy -was made to supply ammunition to be used against his own troops. There -was, and is to this day, a wealthy German settlement about four miles -north of the village of Herkimer, called Shell's Bush. Among those of the -settlers who had built block-houses of their own, was John Christian -Shell. His stockade was large and substantial, and well calculated for -defence. The first story had no windows, but small loop-holes, through -which the inmates could fire upon any persons venturing to assail them. -The second story projected two or three feet over the first, so -constructed that the garrison could either fire upon those who approached -too near, or cast down missiles upon their heads. Shell had a family of -six sons, the youngest two of whom were twins and but eight years old. In -the afternoon of the 6th of August, Donald McDonald, one of the Scotch -refugees who fled from Johnstown, made an attack upon Shell's Bush at the -head of a band of sixty-six Indians and Tories, among the latter of whom -were two celebrated traitors, named Empie and Kassellman. [FN-1] Most of -the inhabitants of Shell's Bush, however, had taken refuge in Fort -Dayton--four miles distant; but John Christian Shell, being a sturdy -believer in the doctrine that every man's house is his castle, refused to -quit his own domicile. He and his sons were at work in the field when -McDonald and his party made their appearance; and the children were -unfortunately separated so widely from their father, as to fall into the -hands of the enemy. Shell and his other boys succeeded in reaching their -castle, and barricading the ponderous door. And then commenced the battle. -The besieged were well armed, and all behaved with admirable bravery; but -none more bravely than Shell's wife, who loaded the pieces as her husband -and sons discharged them. The battle commenced at two o'clock, and -continued until dark. Several attempts were made by McDonald to set fire -to the castle, but without success; and his forces were repeatedly driven -back by the galling fire they received. McDonald at length procured a -crow-bar and attempted to force the door; but while thus engaged he -received a shot in the leg from Shell's blunderbuss, which put him _hors -du combat._ None of his men being sufficiently near at the moment to -rescue him, Shell, quick as lightning, opened the door, and drew him -within the walls a prisoner. The misfortune of Shell and his garrison was, -that their ammunition began to run low; but McDonald was very amply -provided, and to save his own life, he surrendered his cartridges to the -garrison to fire upon his comrades. Several of the enemy having been -killed and others wounded, they now drew off for a respite. Shell and his -troops, moreover, needed a little breathing time; and feeling assured -that, so long as he had the commanding officer of the besiegers in his -possession, the enemy would hardly attempt to burn the citadel, he ceased -firing. He then went up stairs, and sang the hymn which was a favorite of -Luther during the perils and afflictions of the Great Reformer in his -controversies with the Pope. [FN-2] While thus engaged, the enemy likewise -ceased firing. But they soon afterward rallied again to the fight, and -made a desperate effort to carry the fortress by assault. Rushing up to -the walls, five of them thrust the muzzles of their guns through the -loop-holes, but had no sooner done so, than Mrs. Shell, seizing an axe, -by quick and well-directed blows ruined every musket thus thrust through -the walls, by bending the barrels! A few more well-directed shots by Shell -and his sons once more drove the assailants back. Shell thereupon ran up -to the second story, just in the twilight, and calling out to his wife -with a loud voice, informed her that Captain Small was approaching from -Fort Dayton with succors. In yet louder notes he then exclaimed--"Captain -Small, march your company round upon this side of the house. Captain -Getman, you had better wheel your men off to the left, and come up upon -that side." There were, of course, no troops approaching; but the -directions of Shell were given, with such precision, and such apparent -earnestness and sincerity, that the stratagem succeeded, and the enemy -immediately fled to the woods, taking away the twin-lads as prisoners. -[FN-3] Setting the best provisions they had before their reluctant guest, -Shell and his family lost no time in repairing to Fort Dayton, which they -reached in safety--leaving McDonald in the quiet possession of the castle -he had been striving to capture in vain. Some two or three of McDonald's -Indians lingered about the premises to ascertain the fate of their leader; -and finding that Shell and his family had evacuated the post ventured in -to visit him. Not being able to remove him, however, on taking themselves -off, they charged their wounded leader to inform Shell, that if he would -be kind to him, (McDonald,) they would take good care of his (Shell's) -captive boys. McDonald was the next day removed to the fort by Captain -Small, where his leg was amputated; but the blood could not be stanched, -and he died in a few hours. [FN-4] The lads were carried into Canada. The -loss of the enemy on the ground was eleven killed and six wounded. The -boys, who were rescued after the war, reported that they took twelve of -their wounded away with them, nine of whom died before they arrived in -Canada. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. notes of Lauren Ford. - - [FN-2] A literal translation of this hymn has been furnished the author - by Professor Bokum of Harvard University, which will be found in No. - III. of the Appendix. - - [FN-3] One of Shell's neighbors lay in ambush during the battle, and - heard Shell's directions to Small and Getman. - - [FN-4] McDonald wore a silver-mounted tomahawk, which was taken from him - by Shell. It was marked by thirty scalp-notches, showing that few Indiana - could have been more industrious than himself in gathering that - description of military trophies. - - [FN-5] Among the slain was a white man, who had two thumbs on one hand. - One of Shell's sons is yet living in Canada, being a member of the - Dunkard's Society, in the neighborhood of Toronto. - - -At a subsequent day, Shell; being at work in the field with his two sons -at no great distance from the fort, was fired upon by a party of Indians -concealed in the standing wheat, and severely wounded. He called to his -sons not to allow the Indians to scalp him; and neither of the brave boys -would retreat until a guard came from the fort to their relief. But in -the discharge of this filial duty, one of them was killed and the other -wounded. John Christian Shell himself died of his wound, in the fort. His -deeds were commemorated in one of the most rude and prosaic of ballads. -But his memory is yet green in the remembrance of the German population -of Herkimer. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This account of John Christian Shell's exploit has been drawn - chiefly from the MS. statement of the venerable Col. William Feeter, yet - living in that town, (Feb. 1838,) and from the ballad mentioned in the - text, which contains a patriotic and particular recitation of the facts. - This use of contemporaneous ballads as authority for facts is well - sustained by precedent. Thierry makes bold use of English Norman ballads - for his history of the Norman Conquest; and Prescott, in his late - invaluable history of the reigns of Ferdinand and Isabella, has done the - like with the ancient Castilian romance and Moorish ballad. - - -The policy of the enemy at the north, during the whole season, was to -divide their own forces into small detachments, and harass the border -settlements at as many different points as possible--thus distracting the -attention of the people, and by allowing them neither a sense of security -nor repose, rendering them disgusted with the protracted struggle. The -most formidable movement of the Indians and Tories during the Summer -months, was the descent of Captain Cauldwell, from Niagara, upon the -border of Ulster County, at the head of about four hundred Indians and -Tories. The first intelligence of this irruption was received in Albany -by General Gansevoort, [FN] by letter, as follows:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] In the re-organization of the army, at the close of the year 1780, - Colonel Gansevoort was left out of service in the line, by seniority in - rank of other officers. Being a brigadier general of the militia, - however, stationed at Albany, his services were in continual requisition, - since, in the absence of regular troops, his brigade was the chief - dependence of the northern section of the State. His activity in the - State service was incessant, and his correspondence with the Governor and - the general officers of the regular array at the north, heavier than at - any former period. See Appendix, No. IV. - - - "Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort. - - "_Poughkeepsie, August_ 14, 1781 - - "Sir, - -"Last Sunday, a body of the enemy, to the amount of about three hundred -Indians and ninety Tories, appeared on the frontiers of Ulster County. -They took a small scout Colonel Pauling had sent out, and from them it is -supposed obtained information of the disposition of the levies in that -quarter, whom they passed by, and were first discovered at the settlement -of Warwasing. From the last accounts they had retired; but how far, is not -known. The militia have been collected and marched to oppose or pursue -them, as circumstances may render expedient. From their force, it is not -probable they will leave the country without attempting farther mischief -in that or some other quarter. I conceive it necessary, therefore, to give -you this information that you may take proper steps with your militia in -case this party should take their route toward the frontier of your -county; and I would particularly recommend that a part of your brigade be -immediately marched to Schoharie, for the protection of that settlement -until this party shall entirely have gone off. The account of the enemy's -strength is from one Vrooman, who deserted them; which is confirmed from -their appearance to a small party of levies, who saw them paraded at a -house they attacked, and which the party defended. By a more particular -account received this morning, (and which was the first that demanded -credit,) they have burnt and destroyed about a dozen houses, with their -barns, &c., among which are those of John G. Hardenburgh, Esq. They killed -only one of the inhabitants, the rest having made a timely escape from -their houses. The levies stationed there were by no means sufficient to -turn out and oppose them; but those who were in the house defended -themselves with spirit against the assaults of the enemy, by which means -several of them are said to have fallen, and many houses were saved. - - "I am, with great esteem, - Sir, your most obd't serv't, - Geo. Clinton. - - "_Brig. Gen. Gansevoort._" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Vrooman, at Schoharie, having heard of the invasion of - Ulster County by Cauldwell, wrote a pressing letter to General - Gansevoort, for assistance, on the same day that the Governor wrote from - Poughkeepsie. Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer was forthwith ordered to - Schoharie with his regiment, and Colonel Wemple was directed to send a - detachment of his regiment thither, from Schenectady, together with as - many of the Oneida Indians as he could engage. Fortunately, their - services were not required in action. - - -Captain Cauldwell was an officer in Butler's rangers. Who was the Indian -leader on the occasion, is not known. Their route from Niagara had been -by way of the Chemung, and thence, after crossing the Susquehanna, by the -Lackawaxen to the Delaware. The stockade forts at the north of the -Lackawaxen, and at Neversink, had been passed unobserved. Luckily, -however, for the inhabitants, shortly before Cauldwell reached the -settlements, a scouting party had descried his advance, and, eluding the -enemy's pursuit, had succeeded in communicating the alarm to the people, -who at once fled with their most valuable effects to the picket forts -erected for exactly such emergencies. - -It was just at the first blush of morning that Cauldwell passed the small -fortress on the frontier of Warwasing. Being fired upon by the sentinel, -the report alarmed Captain Hardenburgh, who, with a guard of nine men, -was stationed at a point about three miles distant from the fort. -Proceeding immediately in the direction of the sound, Hardenburgh and his -little band met the enemy on his way, directing their course toward the -adjoining settlement of Mombackus--now called Rochester. Nothing daunted, -the Captain gave the enemy battle; but being closely pressed, he soon -discovered that his retreat had been cut off by a party of Indians, who -had gained his rear. In this dilemma, it being yet not quite light, -Hardenburgh with his party took refuge in a small stone house nearby, -owned by a Mr. Kettle, which had probably not been observed by the enemy. -Here they found six militia-men more--making sixteen in all, and being -well armed, they gave the invaders a warm reception. The latter advanced -several times to carry the house by assault, but as some of their number -were each time doomed to fall, they as often gave way, and in the end -relinquished the undertaking--leaving thirteen dead upon the field. In -marching forward two miles to Hardenburgh's house, the enemy fell in with -Kettle, the owner of the premises where they had been so roughly handled. -He, poor fellow, was killed and scalped. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. statement of Captain Valentine Davis, in the author's - possession. - - -Captain Henry Pauling, with a detachment of the regiment of State levies -commanded by Colonel Albert Pauling, was stationed at a point about six -miles distant from the scene of the action just described. He hastened -forward, but arrived too late to have a brush with the enemy, and only in -season to capture one straggling prisoner who was lingering for fruit in -an apple orchard. [FN-1] Finding his reception rather warm, and perceiving -indications of farther and more powerful opposition to his advance, -Cauldwell was already in full retreat. Nor did he commence retracing his -steps a moment too soon for his own safety. The news of his advance having -reached the west bank of the Hudson, where Colonel Pauling, of the State -levies, and Colonel John Cantine, with a body of militia, were stationed, -those officers marched immediately to the relief of the invaded -settlements. They arrived at the outskirts in time to catch a glimpse of -the enemy's rear, and to relieve some of the inhabitants, among whom were -a man and his wife, who had conducted themselves with distinguished -bravery. His house was constructed of unhewn logs, in the woods, and in -advance of all others. On the appearance of the foe, he fled to his castle -with his wife, and securing it in the best manner he could, gave battle -to a party of the Indians who laid siege to his fortress. Being well -armed, he defended himself with so much spirit, that they recoiled with -loss. Finding, after several attempts, that they could not force an -entrance, the Indians collected a heap of combustibles, and set fire to -the premises. Retiring a short distance to see the result, the man watched -his opportunity, and rushing out with a couple of buckets, he procured -water, which was close at hand, and extinguished the fire. The Indians, -of course, ran down upon him; but not being quick enough of foot to -prevent his gaining the door, hurled their tomahawks at his head--happily -without effect. He entered his castle, made fast his sally-port, and -re-commenced his defence. Just at this moment Colonel Pauling with his -troops appeared in sight, whereupon the Indians raised the siege and -departed. Colonel Pauling was absent in pursuit seven days, but did not -overtake them. The enemy suffered severely. They lost a goodly number of -their men; took only two prisoners and but little plunder; and were so -near starvation, that they were compelled to devour their dogs before -they reached their head-quarters. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. of Major Thomas Sammons, who was at this time serving in the - corps of Captain Pauling. The prisoner taken from the enemy was - recognized as an old neighbor of his father's at Johnstown, who had - served in the company of which Jacob Sammons was the lieutenant. - - [FN-2] Major Sammons. - - -The Shawanese and other western Indians seem to have remained -comparatively quiet during the Spring and Summer of 1781. The Kentucky -settlements were for the most part unmolested, save by a feeble attack -upon McAfee's station near Harrodsburgh. The assailants, however, were -but a straggling party of Indians, who hung about the stockade, and were -ultimately punished severely for their temerity. Two of them were killed -by an equal number of the McAfees, whom, having left the fort for some -purpose, the Indians attempted to cut off on their return. The Indians -then commenced an attack upon the fort, but a party of cavalry arriving -suddenly from Harrodsburgh, the garrison sallied forth, and the savages -were quickly dispersed, with a loss of six killed outright, and several -others, whom they bore away, wounded. A few days afterward, Bryant's -station, which was yet more exposed, was visited by the Indians. Bryant, -who was a brother-in-law of Colonel Boon, having arranged a large hunting -party of twenty men, left his fort on an expedition down the Elk-horn. -Having divided his company in order to sweep a broader extent of country -for game, by reason of a fog, and other untoward circumstances, they -failed of uniting at the points designated. Meantime the Indians were -hanging about both divisions, and by stratagem succeeded in defeating -both. In one of their skirmishes Bryant was mortally wounded, and another -man severely. It was reported that the hunters, taken by surprise, were -deficient in firmness, when Bryant fell. On the following day they -encountered the Indians again, and defeated them. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - - - Increase of disaffection in the North--Seizures of prominent citizens by - bands of loyalists from Canada--Captivity of John J. Bleecker--Plot - against General Gansevoort--Daring attempt upon General Schuyler in the - city of Albany, by John Waltermeyer--Intrepidity of Margaret - Schuyler--Arrest of loyalists at the Beaver Dams--Mysterious movements - of the enemy on Lake Champlain--Controversy with the New-Hampshire - Grants--Sketch of its origin--Outrages of the Vermont - insurgents--Declaration of Independence by the Grants--Interposition of - Congress--Its authority disregarded--Progress of the - controversy---Difficult situation of General Gansevoort--Suspected - intercourse of the Vermontese with the enemy--Letter of Governor - Clinton--Invasion of the Mohawk country by Major Ross--Warrens-bush - ravaged--March of the enemy to Johnstown--Followed by Willett with the - levies and militia--Battle of Johnstown--Ross defeated--Pursued by - Willett, and routed at Jersey field--Death of Walter N. Butler--General - progress of the war--Arnold in Virginia--Returns to the North, and - destroys Groton and New London--Siege of Yorktown and capture of - Cornwallis--Affairs of the North--Meditated treachery of - Vermont--Message of Governor Clinton--British open a correspondence with - the Vermont insurgents--Mission of Ira Allen to Canada--Separate - armistice with Vermont--Stipulations for erecting Vermont into a royal - colony--Correspondence with the enemy during the Summer--Negotiations - renewed at Skenesborough--St. Leger ascends the lake with a strong - force--An awkward occurrence for the Vermontese--Excitement at the seat - of Government of the Grants--Throwing dust in the eyes of the - people--News of the surrender of Cornwallis--Its effect in - Vermont--Causes the nasty return of St. Leger to Canada--Insurrection - in the north-eastern towns of New-York, in connexion with the - Vermontese--Troubles of General Gansevoort--Unable to quell the - insurgents--Cherokee Indians--Close of the year. - - -Emboldened by the feeble state of the country, and by the increased -numbers of the disaffected in the neighborhood of Albany, especially at -the north of that city, in consequence of the equivocal indications in -Vermont, the scouting parties of the enemy were exceedingly active and -audacious in their incursions. Their chief object was to seize the -persons of the most conspicuous and influential inhabitants, for transfer -into Canada as prisoners. Among the notable leaders in this species of -warfare were two bold partisans, named Joseph Bettys and John Waltermeyer. -The daring misdeeds of Bettys, if collected, would of themselves furnish -materials for a small volume. Waltermeyer was perhaps equally daring, but -less savage in his disposition. In the month of April, a party of fifteen -or sixteen of the enemy broke in upon the town of Coxsackie and the -contiguous settlements, carrying off several prisoners; among whom were -David Abeel and his son, residing a few miles south of Catskill. - -At the north of Albany several active citizens were seized and carried -away in the course of the season; among whom was Mr. John J. Bleecker, of -Tomhanic, whose family had been broken up on the approach of Burgoyne, -four years previous. After the surrender of Burgoyne, Mr. Bleecker -returned to his sylvan plantation, where he had lived in tranquility until -the month of August of the present year; at which time he was surprised -in the field, while assisting his laborers in the wheat harvest, and -carried away with two of his men. The enemy having stolen upon him in -silence, and seized him without permitting an alarm, Mrs. Bleecker was -ignorant of the occurrences. But, her husband not returning, as he was -wont, on the approach of night, her suspicions were awakened that all was -not right. When she sent to the field, he was not there, nor could trace -of him or his laborers be found. But as such sudden disappearances were -not unusual, his fate was not difficult of conjecture. The neighborhood -was alarmed, and search for him made, but in vain. Mrs. Bleecker, -overwhelmed with grief, gave him up as lost, and once more set her face -for Albany. Fortunately, however, the captors of her husband fell in with -a party of militia-men from Bennington, who rescued the prisoners; and Mr. -Bleecker had the happiness to rejoin his wife after six days' absence. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The joy experienced by Mrs. Bleecker on again beholding her husband, - so far overcame her as to bring on a fit of sickness, so severe as nearly - to prove fatal. Indeed, the events of 1777, particularly the loss of her - daughter, made so deep an impression upon her mind, that she never - recovered her happiness. Hence the pensive character of her writings. - She died at Tomhanic in 1783, at the early age of 31. - - -An attempt was also made, during the same season, to seize the person of -General Gansevoort. Although, as has already been stated, General -Gansevoort was no longer in the regular service, yet, as an experienced -officer, and the commander of the militia in that part of the state, his -services and his counsels were in continual requisition; nor was there a -more active officer in the service, regular or irregular, or one more -burdened with duties. It was therefore an object with the enemy to remove -him from his post if possible. A scheme was therefore devised to seize him -at one of the ferries which he was about to cross; the execution of which -was entrusted to a hostile partisan named Tanckrey. By some means, -however, Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer, at Half Moon, obtained information -of the project, and lost no time in admonishing the General of his danger -by letter. Having also heard of the rendezvous of Tanckrey and his gang, -Van Rensselaer despatched a detachment of troops under Major Schermerhorn, -for their apprehension. They were found at the house of a Mr. Douglass; -but before Schermerhorn's troops had surrounded the house, their approach -was discovered, and they were fired upon by the marauders; all of whom, -with a single exception, succeeded in getting off through the rear of the -house. Two of Schermerhorn's militia were wounded. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. Letter of Col. Henry Van Rensselaer to General Gansevoort. - - -But the boldest enterprise of the kind was the projected abduction of -General Schuyler from his residence in Albany, or rather in the suburbs of -that city, in the month of August. Schuyler was not at that time in the -army, having exchanged the military for the civil service of his country -two years before. [FN-1] Still, his military exertions were almost as -great, and his counsels were as frequently sought and as highly valued, -as though he were yet in command of the department. Added to which, he -had been specially charged by the Commander-in-chief with the prosecution -of all practicable measures for intercepting the communications of the -enemy. [FN-2] Aside from this circumstance, the acquisition of a person -of his consideration as a prisoner, would have been an important object -to Sir Frederick Haldimand, the British Commander in Canada. A desperate -effort was therefore resolved upon for his capture. For this purpose John -Waltermeyer, the bold and reckless Tory partisan already mentioned, was -despatched to the neighborhood of Albany, at the head of a gang of Tories, -Canadians, and Indians. He had, as it subsequently appeared, been lurking -about the precincts of Albany for eight or ten days, sheltered by the -thick growth of low pines and shrub-oaks, which yet spread over much of -the common lands appertaining to that city; and some dark intimations had -been conveyed to General Schuyler that his person was in danger. These -premonitions, it is believed, came first from a Dutch rustic who had -fallen into the hands of Waltermeyer, and been examined as to the means -of defence and the localities of the General's house, and who had been -released only after taking an oath of secrecy. A similar caution had also -been conveyed to him by a loyalist to whom the intention of Waltermeyer -was known, but who was General Schuyler's personal friend. Of course the -General and his family were continually on the _qui vive,_ since the -frequency with which leading citizens had been decoyed into ambush and -taken, or snatched away by sudden violence, afforded ample cause for the -exercise of all possible vigilance and caution. In addition, moreover, to -his own household proper, the General had a guard of six men; three of -whom were on duty by day, and three by night. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] "It was not until the Autumn of 1778 that the conduct of General - Schuyler, in the campaign of 1777, was submitted to the investigation of - a court-martial. He was acquitted of every charge with the highest honor, - and the sentence was confirmed by Congress. He shortly afterward, upon - his earnest and repeated solicitations, had leave to retire from the - army, and devoted the remainder of his life to the service of his country - in its political councils. He had previously been in Congress, and on his - return to that body, after the termination of his military life, his - talents, experience, and energy, were put in immediate requisition; and - in November, 1779, he was appointed to confer with General Washington on - the state of the southern department. In 1781 he was in the Senate of - this state; and wherever he was placed, and whatever might be the - business before him, he gave the utmost activity to measures, and left - upon them the impression of his prudence and sagacity."_Chancellor Kent._ - - [FN-2] Letter from Washington to General Schuyler, May 14, 1781. - - -It was in the evening of a sultry day in August, that the General was -sitting with his family, after supper, in the front hall of his house, -all the doors being open, when a servant entered to say that a stranger -waited to speak with him at the back gate. Such an unusual request at -once excited suspicion. The evening was so exceedingly warm that the -servants had dispersed. The three sentinels who had been relieved for the -night, were asleep in the cellar; and the three who should have been on -duty, were refreshing themselves at full length on the grass-plot in the -garden. Instead, however, of responding to the invitation to meet the -stranger at the back gate, the doors of the house were instantly closed -and fastened. The General ran to his bed-chamber for his arms; and having -hastily collected his family in an upper apartment, and discovered from -the windows that the house was surrounded by armed men, a pistol was -discharged for the purpose of alarming the neglectful guards, and -perchance the people of the city. At the same moment Mrs. Schuyler -perceived that her infant child had been left in their bustle, in the -cradle, below two flights of stairs. In an agony of apprehension she was -flying to its rescue, but the General would not permit her to leave the -apartment. The third daughter, Margaret, [FN-1] instantly rushed forth, -and descending to the nursery, which was upon the ground floor, snatched -the child from the cradle, where it was yet lying unmolested. As she was -leaving the room to return, a tomahawk was hurled at her by an unseen -hand, but with no other effect than slightly to injure her dress. On -ascending a private stairway, she was met by Waltermeyer himself, who -exclaimed--"Wench! where is your master?" She replied, with great -presence of mind--"Gone to alarm the town." The villains had not, indeed, -entered the house unopposed, for, on hearing the noise when they were -breaking in the doors, the three men in the cellar sprang up, and without -stopping to dress, rushed up stairs to the back hall, where their arms -had been left standing for convenience if wanted, and into which the -assailants were forcing their way. Most unluckily, however, the arms of -the guards were not at hand. Mrs. Church, [FN-2] who had lately returned -from Boston, perceiving that her little son [FN-3] was playing with the -muskets, and not entertaining the slightest suspicion that they would be -wanted, had caused them to be removed a few hours before the attack, -without informing the guard of the circumstance. The brave fellows had -therefore no other means of resistance, after the yielding of the doors, -than by dealing blows as soundly as they could with their fists, and also -by embarrassing the progress of the enemy otherwise as they might, while -the General was collecting his family aloft. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Afterward the first lady of the present venerable and excellent - General Stephen Van Rensselaer. - - [FN-2] Another daughter of General Schuyler, married to John B. Church, - Esq., an English gentleman, contractor for the French army in America, - and afterward a member of Parliament. He died in 1818. [The venerable - widow of Alexander Hamilton is also a daughter of General Schuyler.] - - [FN-3] The present Captain Philip Church, of Allegheny county, (N. Y.) - - -But to return: Miss Margaret had no sooner informed Waltermeyer that her -father had gone abroad for reinforcements, than the traitor recalled his -followers from the dining-room--where it appeared they were at the moment -engaged in bagging the plate, from which work of plunder he had in vain -urged them to desist, that they might perform the more important object -of their mission--for consultation. Just at that moment, the General threw -up a window, and with great presence of mind called out--"Come on, my -brave fellows, surround the house and secure the villains who are -plundering." [FN-1] The stratagem succeeded, and the party made a -precipitate retreat, carrying with them the three men who had vainly, and -without arms, opposed their entrance, [FN-2] one of whom had been wounded -in defending the passage, while Waltermeyer himself was slightly wounded -by one of the shots of Schuyler from the window. Thus, providentially, -was the third conspiracy against the person of General Schuyler defeated. -[FN-3] The alarm was heard in the city, for the General had fired several -shots during the affray; but before any of the citizens arrived at the -scene of action, the enemy had fled. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Schuyler to General Washington, Aug. 1781. - - [FN-2] The names of the guard were, John Tubbs, John Corlies, and Hans - (John) Ward. They were carried to Canada, and when exchanged, the General - gave them each a farm in Saratoga County. Ward is still, or was very - lately, living, (Dec 1837.) - - [FN-3] The particulars of this interesting adventure have been chiefly - derived by the author from Mrs. Cochran, of Oswego, the infant who was - rescued from the cradle by her sister Margaret. - - -From Albany, Waltermeyer directed his course to Ballston, where he arrived -at about day-break on the next morning. Taking General Gordon, of that -place, a prisoner from his bed, the Tory leader pursued his journey back -to Canada--having failed in the principal object of his expedition. - -It may well be imagined that the situation of a people dwelling in such -perpetual insecurity, was exceedingly unpleasant. Nor were they in dread -only of a most subtle and wary foe from without. The disaffected were more -numerous than ever among themselves, and the inhabitants scarcely knew who -among their own neighbors could be trusted. Early in September it was -represented to General Gansevoort that the disaffected had not only become -formidable in numbers in the western and south western parts of the County -of Albany, but were harboring and administering comfort to parties of the -enemy sent from Canada, for the farther prosecution of the species of -warfare already described in the present chapter--adding to the seizure -of those men who were most active in the cause of their country, the -destruction of their dwellings, and the murder of their women and -children. [FN] Under these circumstances, Colonel Philip P. Schuyler; -with a strong detachment of militia from Gansevoort's brigade, was -despatched into the settlements designated, particularly to the Beaver -Dams, where the family of Captain Deitz had been so cruelly murdered in -1777, with orders to arrest the disaffected, and bring them to Albany, -together with their families and effects. The orders of General Gansevoort -were issued on the 9th of September. On the 16th, Colonel Schuyler -reported that he had executed his commission. From seventy to a hundred -families "of the most notoriously disaffected," were arrested and brought -into the city, where they were placed under a more vigilant surveillance -than could be exercised over them in their own township. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. order of General Gansevoort. - - -But while these summary proceedings were rendering the country about -Albany more secure in its internal relations, the inhabitants at the -north were for several months kept in a state of ceaseless inquietude and -alarm, by the movements of the enemy on Lake Champlain. General Heath was -at that time invested with the command of the Northern Department, his -head-quarters being in the Highlands. At Saratoga General Stark was in -command, and Lord Stirling was also at the north. But as the -Commander-in-chief had drawn the main army to Virginia, there were but -few regular troops at the disposal of those officers. The consequence was, -that with every alarm from Lake Champlain, (and the mysterious movements -of the enemy rendered those alarms most inconveniently frequent,) General -Stark was making pressing applications to General Gansevoort for -assistance. The conduct of the enemy in the lake was indeed passing -strange. It was ascertained that he had more than once ascended the lake -from St. John's, with a force sufficiently strong, in the then exposed -situation of the northern frontier, to make a formidable inroad upon the -settlements; and the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, then -arrogating to themselves the character of citizens of the _State_ of -Vermont--not being in the secrets of their leaders--were as frequently -alarmed as were those of the settlements _admitted_ by the Vermontese to -belong to New-York. Still the enemy attempted nothing beyond landing at -Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and making a few occasional and inexplicable -manoeuvres with his flotilla upon the lake. These questionable movements -were no less annoying than perplexing to the American generals. That a -descent upon some point was intended, there seemed little reason to doubt. -It was most likely to come from the north; but whenever the fleet was -withdrawn down the lake, the idea prevailed that the movements there were -intended to create a diversion, while the actual blow might be anticipated -from the west. In support of the latter opinion was positive information, -of a party of returning prisoners from Montreal, on the 19th of September, -of the movements of between two and three hundred of Sir John Johnson's -regiment, who were evidently preparing for an expedition in some -direction. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MSS. and correspondence of General Gansevoort. - - -There was yet another source of distraction to the state authorities, -civil and military, threatening nothing short of hostilities between -New-York and the occupants of the New Hampshire Grants. A brief sketch of -the cause and progress of the difficulties here referred to, though -apparently foreign to the main subject of the present work, is -nevertheless deemed essential to a just understanding of the situation of -affairs in the Northern Department. Those who are versed in the early -history of New-York and Vermont, cannot be ignorant of the fact, that for -many years anterior to the war of the Revolution, a controversy had -existed between the Governors of New Hampshire and New-York respecting -the jurisdiction of the territory now constituting the State of Vermont. -This controversy was begun in 1749, and continued fifteen years; during -which period the Governor of New Hampshire was in the practice of making -grants of lands and townships in the disputed territory. In 1764 the -question was carried up to the King in council, and a decision rendered -in favor of New-York, confirming her claim to the territory north of -Massachusetts, as far east as the Connecticut river. Under this decision, -the Colonial Government of New-York unwisely gave the Order in Council a -construction of _retrospective_ operation, involving the question of -title. The grants from the Governor of New Hampshire were declared void, -and the settlers were upon this ground called on either to surrender their -charters, or to re-purchase their lands from New-York. This demand they -resisted, and with this resistance the controversy was renewed in another -form, and continued with great vehemence, and with but little -interruption, for many years. [FN-1] About the year 1770 the celebrated -Ethan Allen became conspicuous as a leader of "the Green Mountain Boys" -in these proceedings. A military organization was adopted, and the -mandates of the courts of New-York were disregarded, and its officers and -ministers of justice openly set at defiance. When the sheriff of Albany -appeared with his _posse comitatus,_ the Green Mountain Boys opposed -force to force, and drove them back. Lord Dunmore was then at the head of -the colonial government of New-York, and exerted himself actively to -maintain its territorial claim. An act of outlawry against Allen and -several of his most prominent associates was passed, and a reward of -fifty pounds offered for Allen's head. Lord Dunmore issued a proclamation, -commanding the sheriff of Albany county to apprehend the offenders, and -commit them to safe custody, that they might be brought to condign -punishment; [FN-2] but the friends of Allen were too numerous, resolute, -and faithful, to allow of his arrest, or in any manner to suffer his -personal safety to be compromised. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Slade's Vermont State papers, Introduction, p. 17. - - [FN-2] Sparks's Life of Ethan Allen. - - [FN-3] President Allen's Biographical Dictionary. - - -Governor Tryon, who succeeded Lord Dunmore, endeavored, both by force and -by conciliation, to pacify the people of the Grants, and bring them back -to their fealty to New-York. But in vain. Within the boundaries of the -disputed territory, the laws of New-York were inoperative. It was to no -purpose that civil suits, brought by the New-York grantees, were decided -in their favor; process could not be executed; the settlers who had -purchased farms under the New-York grantees, were forcibly driven away; -surveyors were arrested, tried under the _Lynch code,_ and banished under -the penalty of death should they ever again be caught within the bounds -of the interdicted territory; [FN-1] and those who presumed to hold -commissions of the peace under the authority of New-York, were tried by -the same courts, and inhumanly chastised with rods on their naked backs, -to the extent of two hundred stripes. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sparks--Life of Allen. - - [FN-2] By way of indicating their feelings toward the New-Yorkers, there - was an inn at Bennington, called the "_Green Mountain Tavern,_" the sign - of which was the skin of a catamount stuffed, and raised on a post - twenty-five feet from the ground, with its head turned toward New-York, - giving defiance to all intruders from that quarter. It was at this tavern - that that powerful and inexorable though ideal personage, _Judge Lynch,_ - was wont to hold his courts before he took up his abode at the South. - Sometimes the delinquents, who were so unfortunate as to be obliged to - answer in his court for the crime of purchasing lands of the real owners, - or for acknowledging the government to which by law they belonged, were - punished by being suspended by cords in a chair, beneath the catamount, - for two hours. This was a lenient punishment. The more common one, was - the application of the "_beech seal_" to the naked back--or, in other - words, a flagellation with beechen rods. - - -Such was the posture of affairs between New-York and the people of the -New Hampshire Grants, at the commencement of the Revolution. But the -battle of Lexington produced a shock which, for the time being, arrested -the prosecution of the controversy. New-York was called to nerve her arm -for a higher and nobler conflict, in the early stages of which she was -gallantly assisted by the recusant settlers of the Grants. Ethan Allen -himself struck the first blow at the north, by the capture of Ticonderoga; -and his martial companion in resisting the authorities of New-York, -Colonel Seth Warner, rendered efficient service at the battle of -Bennington. Still, the Vermontese did not forget, while New-York was -exerting her energies elsewhere, to prosecute their own designs for an -entire alienation from New-York, and a separate state organization. [FN-1] -To this end all the energies of the chief men of the Grants were directed; -and the result was, that the Declaration of Independence of the British -crown, by Congress, on the behalf of the twelve United Colonies, of July -4th, 1776, was followed by a convention of the people of the disputed -territory; which convention, on the 15th of January, 1777, declared the -New Hampshire Grants to be a free and independent State, [FN-2] and -forwarded a memorial to Congress, praying for admission into the -Confederation. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Blade's Vermont State Papers--a valuable work. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -Indignant at this procedure, the state of New-York sought the -interposition of Congress. The justice of the claim of New-York was fully -recognised by that body; and the memorial from the Grants was dismissed, -by a resolution "that the independent government attempted to be -established by the people of Vermont, could derive no countenance or -justification from any act or resolution of Congress." But the people of -the Grants persisted in their determination to assert and maintain their -independence. Nothing daunted, therefore, by the adverse action of -Congress, they proceeded to form a constitution and to organise a State -Government; the machinery of which was fully set in motion in the -following year, 1778. - -The Legislature of New-York still attempted to assert its right of -jurisdiction, but made liberal proffers of compromise in regard to titles -of lands--offering to recognise and confirm all the titles which had -previously been in dispute. A proclamation to this effect, conceived in -the most liberal spirit, was issued by Governor Clinton, in February, -1778; avowing, however, in regard to the contumacious, "the rightful -supremacy of New-York over their persons and property, as disaffected -subjects." [FN-1] But, like every preceding effort, either of force or -conciliation, the present was of no avail. Ethan Allen issued a -counter-proclamation to the people of the Grants, and the work of their -own independent organization proceeded without serious interruption. -[FN-2] They were the more encouraged to persevere in this course, from -an impression that, although Congress could not then sanction proceedings -in regard to New-York that were clearly illegal; the New England members, -and some of the Southern also, would, nevertheless, not be very deep -mourners at their success. Roger Sherman maintained that Congress had no -right to decide the controversy, and was supposed to countenance the -proceedings of which New-York complained. Elbridge Gerry held that -Vermont was _extra-provincial,_ and had a perfect right to her -independence. [FN-3] But so thought not New-York and Governor Clinton; -and the organization of a state government revived the heart-burnings that -had subsided, and re-enkindled the fires of discord which had been -inactive during the first three or four years of the war. The causes of -irritation became daily more frequent and exasperating, until, during the -Summer and Autumn of the present year, the parties were again on the verge -of open hostilities. The people of the Grants, as they had grown in -strength, had increased in their arrogance, until they had extended their -claims to the Hudson river; and it was no diminution of the perplexities -of New-York, that strong indications appeared in several of the northern -towns, to which the people of the Grants had previously interposed not -even the shadow of a claim, of a disposition to go over to Vermont. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Slades's Vermont State Papers. - - [FN-2] Respecting this manifesto, John Jay wrote to Governor - Morris--"Ethan Allen has commenced author and orator. A philippic of his - against New-York is handed about. There is quaintness, impudence, and art - in it." - - [FN-3] Life of Governor Morris. - - -Meantime Governor Clinton, inflexibly determined to preserve the disputed -jurisdiction, was exerting himself to the utmost for that object; and in -order, apparently, to bring the question to a test, several persons were -arrested in the course of the Summer of 1781, within the territory of the -Grants, under the pretext of some military delinquency. This procedure -was the signal for another tempest. Governor Chittenden wrote to officers -of New-York, demanding the release of the prisoners taken from the -Grants--asserting their determination to maintain the government they had -"set up," [FN-1] and threatening that, in the event of an invasion of the -territory of New-York by the common enemy, unless those prisoners were -given up, they would render no assistance to New-York. This letter also -contained an admonition, "that power was not limited only to New-York." -[FN-2] Nor was this all. While the country was threatened by invasion -both from the north and the west, the spirit of the Vermont insurgents -began to spread among the militia in the northern towns east of the -Hudson, belonging to General Gansevoort's own brigade. Thus, on the one -hand, General Stark was calling upon him for assistance against the enemy -apparently approaching from Lake Champlain, at the same time that Governor -Clinton was directing him to quell the spirit of insubordination along the -line of the New Hampshire Grants; and both of these duties were to be -discharged, with a knowledge that a portion of his own command was -infected with the insurgent spirit. Added to all which was, the necessity -of watching, as with an eagle's eye, the conduct of the swarms of -loyalists within the bosom of Albany and in the towns adjacent; while for -his greater comfort, he was privately informed that the Green Mountain -Boys were maturing a plot for his abduction. Meantime the government of -the Grants had effected an organization of their own militia, and -disclosures had been made to the government of New-York, imputing to the -leading men of the Grants a design, in the event of a certain contingency, -of throwing the weight of their own forces into the scale of the Crown. -The following letter may be considered important in this connexion:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. Letter from Thomas Chittenden to Captain Van Rensselaer, - among the Gansevoort papers. - - [FN-2] This dark and rather awkward saying was full of meaning, as will - appear in a subsequent portion of the present chapter. - - - "Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort. - - "_Poughkeepsie, Oct._ 18, 1781. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Your letter of the 15th instant was delivered to me on the evening of the -16th. I have delayed answering it, in hopes that the Legislature would -ere this have formed a quorum, and that I might have availed myself of -their advice on the subject to which it relates; but as this is not yet -the case, and it is uncertain when I shall be enabled to lay the matter -before them, I conceive it might be improper longer to defer expressing -my own sentiments to you on this subject. - -"The different unwarrantable attempts, during the Summer, of the people -on the Grants to establish their usurped jurisdiction, even beyond their -former claim, and the repetition of it (alluded to in your letter,) in -direct opposition to a resolution of Congress injurious to this State and -favorable to their project of independence, and at a time when the common -enemy are advancing, can only be accounted for by what other parts of -their conduct have given us too much reason to suspect--disaffection to -the common cause. On my part, I have hitherto shown a disposition to evade -entering into any altercation with them, that might, in its most remote -consequence, give encouragement to the enemy, and expose the frontier -settlements to their ravages; and from these considerations alone I have -submitted to insults which otherwise would not have been borne with; and -I could have wished to have continued this kind of conduct until the -approaching season would have secured us against the incursions of the -common enemy. But as from the accounts contained in Colonel Van -Rensselaer's letter, it would appear that the militia embodying under Mr. -Chittenden's orders are for the service of the enemy, and that their first -object was to make you a prisoner, it would be unjustifiable to suffer -them to proceed. It is therefore my desire that you maintain your -authority throughout every part of your brigade, and for this purpose, -that you carry the laws of the State into execution against those who -shall presume to disobey your lawful orders. I would only observe that -these sentiments are founded on an idea that the accounts given by Col. -Van Rensselaer in his letter may be relied on; it being still my earnest -desire, for the reasons above explained, not to do any thing that will -bring matters to extremities, at least before the close of the campaign, -if it can consistently be avoided. - -"In my last, I should have mentioned to you that it was not in my power -to send you a supply of ammunition; but, as I had reason to believe you -were gone to Saratoga, I conceived it improper to say any thing on the -subject lest my letter might miscarry. You may recollect that of the whole -supply ordered by General Washington, last Spring, for the use of the -militia, five hundred pounds is all that has been received in the state -magazine, which you will easily conceive to be far short of what was -necessary for the other exposed parts of the state. With respect to -provisions, it is equally out of my power to furnish you with any, but -what the state agent, who is now with you, may be able to procure. - - "I am, with great respect and esteem, - Dear Sir, - Your most obed't serv't, - Geo. Clinton. - - "_Brig. Gen. Gansevoort._" - - -But the controversy with the people of the Grants was suddenly -interrupted, just at this juncture, though for a short period only, by the -most formidable invasion of the Mohawk Valley which had taken place during -the present year. Indeed, it was the last irruption of the enemy into that -section of the country, of any importance, during the struggle of the -revolution. - -It has been seen, from the commencement of the contest, that the Johnsons, -and those loyalists from Tryon County most intimate in their alliance -with them, appeared to be stimulated by some peculiar and ever-active -principle of hostility against the former seat of the Baronet, and the -district of country by which it was environed. Another expedition against -Johnstown was therefore secretly planned in the Summer of 1781, and -executed with such silent celerity, that on the 24th of October "the -Philistines" were actually "upon" the settlements before their approach -was suspected. This expedition was organized at Buck's Island, in the -river St. Lawrence, a few miles below the foot of Lake Ontario, and -consisted of four companies of the second battalion of Sir John Johnson's -regiment of Royal Greens, Colonel Butler's rangers, under the direction -of Major Butler, his son, and two hundred Indians--numbering in all about -one thousand men, under the command of Major Ross. [FN-1] Proceeding from -Buck's Island to Oswego, and thence through the Oneida Lake, they struck -off through the south-eastern forests from that point, and traversed the -woods with such secrecy as to break in upon Warrensbush, [FN-2] near the -junction of the Schoharie-kill with the Mohawk river, as suddenly as -though they had sprung up from the earth like the warriors from the -dragon's teeth of Cadmus, full grown, and all in arms, in a single night. -This was on the 24th of October. [FN-3] Warrensbush was about twenty miles -east from Fort Rensselaer, the head-quarters of Colonel Willett; so that -Ross and Butler had ample time for the work of havoc and devastation on -the south side of the river, and to cross over to the north side, before -the former could rally his forces and dispute their farther progress. Not -a moment was lost by Colonel Willett, on hearing the news, in making such -dispositions to repel the unexpected invaders, as were within his limited -means. With such forces as were in the garrison, together with such -additional recruits from the militia as could be collected in the -neighborhood, Willett marched for Fort Hunter on the same -evening--simultaneously despatching orders for the militia and levies in -contiguous posts and settlements, to follow and join him with all possible -expedition. By marching all night, the Colonel reached Fort Hunter early -in the following morning, where he learned that the enemy were already in -the occupation of Johnstown. The depth of the river was such that floats -were necessary in crossing it, and although Willett had but four hundred -and sixteen men all told--only half the enemy's number, exclusive of the -Indians--yet it was afternoon before the crossing was effected. Boss and -Butler had crossed the river some distance below Tripe's Hill the -preceding day, and moved thence directly upon Johnstown--killing and -taking the people prisoners, and destroying buildings, and cattle, and -whatsoever came in their way. Soon after ascending the hill just -mentioned, the enemy came upon a small scouting party commanded by -Lieutenant Saulkill, who was on horseback. He was fired upon by the -enemy's advance, and fell dead to the ground. His men sought safety in -flight, and succeeded. [FN-4] This was early in the morning of the 25th. -The advance of the enemy being slow, they did not arrive at the village -of Johnstown until past 12 o'clock at noon. Even then, the main body of -their forces, avoiding the town, marched round to the west, halting upon -the grounds of the Baronial hall. The enemy's baggage wagons, however, -passed through the village, and their conductors were fired upon from the -old jail--then serving the purpose of a fortress. One man only was wounded -by this consumption of ammunition. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Such is the estimate of the manuscript accounts which have been - furnished to the author. It is, however, too high, unless Major Butler - carried an erroneous statement in his pocket. According to a memorandum - found in his pocket-book, after his fall, the force of Major Ross wan - made up as follows:--Eighth regiment, twenty-five; thirty-fourth ditto, - one hundred; eighty-fourth ditto, Highlanders, thirty-six; Sir John's, - one hundred and twenty; Lake's Independents, forty, Butler's rangers, - one hundred and fifty; Yagers, twelve; Indians, one hundred and - thirty.--Total six hundred and seventy.--_Vide Letter of Colonel Willett - to Lord Stirling. Almon's Remembrancer._ - - [FN-2] A settlement planted by Sir Peter Warren, the uncle of Sir William - Johnson--and the first place of residence of the latter gentleman after - his arrival in America. - - [FN-3] Campbell states that this invasion was in August. Major Sammons - dates it the 22d of that month. Colonel Willett gives the date of Oct. - 24--which was obviously correct, since the second part of the battle was - fought in a snow-storm. - - [FN-4] In one of the manuscript accounts of this battle, the fruit of my - researches in the Mohawk Valley, it is stated that Saulkill was not - connected with the scout, but was passing at the moment on his way to - Albany. - - -Having effected the passage of the river, Colonel Willett pushed on in -pursuit with all possible expedition. But deeming it unwise, where the -disparity of their respective forces was so great, to hazard an attack -in front with his whole force, the position of the enemy was no sooner -ascertained with certainty, than Major Rowley, of Massachusetts, was -detached with a small body of the Tryon County militia, and about sixty -levies from his own state, for the purpose, by a circuitous march, of -out-flanking the enemy, and falling upon his rear--thus attacking in front -and rear at the same time. These, and other necessary dispositions having -been adjusted, Willett advanced upon the enemy at the head of his column. -Entering an open field adjoining to that occupied by the enemy, Willett -displayed his right into line, and pressed Major Ross so closely as to -compel him to retire into the fringe of a neighboring wood. Here a -skirmishing was kept up while the remainder of the Americans were -advancing briskly in two columns, to bear a part. The battle became -spirited and general; and although the only field-piece belonging to the -Americans was taken, it was speedily re-taken, and for a time the action -proceeded with a promise of victory. But just at the crisis, the militia -of Willett were seized with one of those causeless and unaccountable -panics, which on most occasions render that description of troops worse -than useless in battle, and without any cause the whole of the right wing -turned about and fled. [FN] The field-piece was abandoned and the -ammunition wagon blown up. The former, of course, fell into the hands of -the enemy. Colonel Willett did his utmost to rally his men, but to no -purpose. They ran in the utmost confusion to the stone church in the -village. Here, having induced them to make a halt, the Colonel commenced -bringing them again into such order as best he might But the defeat would -still have been complete, had it not been for the precautionary -disposition previously made of Major Rowley. Most fortunately, as it -happened, that officer emerged from the woods, and arrived upon the field, -just in time to fall upon the enemy's rear in the very moment of their -exultation at their easy victory. Rowley pressed the attack with great -vigor and intrepidity, while the enemy were engaged in making prisoners -of the stragglers, and the Indians were scalping those who fell into -their hands. The fight was now maintained with equal obstinacy and -irregularity for a considerable time. Major Rowley was early wounded by -a shot through the ankle, and carried from the field; and the enemy were -engaged in different bodies, sometimes in small parties separated nearly -a mile from each other. In some of these contests the advantage was on -the side of the enemy, and in others the Americans were the temporary -victors. The battle continued after this fashion until near sunset, when, -finding such to be the fact, and that Rowley's detachment alone was -holding the enemy at bay, Willett was enabled to collect a respectable -force, with which he returned to the field, and again mingled in the -fight The battle was severely contested until dark, when the enemy, -pressed upon all sides, retreated in discomfiture to the woods--nor -stopped short of a mountain top, six miles distant. Among the officers -who signalised themselves on this occasion, in addition to the two -leaders, Willett and Rowley, was the brave Captain Gardenier, who fought -with such desperation at the battle of Oriskany, and was so severely -wounded in the death-struggle with one of the McDonalds. After the enemy -had retired, Colonel Willett procured lights, and caused the wounded of -the enemy, as well as his own, to be collected, and their wounds carefully -dressed. The loss of the Americans was about forty. The enemy lost about -the same number killed, and some fifty prisoners. The Tryon County -militia, under Major Rowley, behaved nobly. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Colonel Willett to Lord Stirling. - - -Knowing the direction from which Ross and Butler had approached, and that -their batteaux had been left at the Oneida Lake, Colonel Willett lost not -a moment in making arrangements to cut off their means of retreat by the -destruction of their boats, while he likewise determined, if possible, to -throw himself info their front. Having been apprised by some of Ross's -prisoners, who had made their escape in the night, that it was his -intention to strike at the frontiers of Stone Arabia, in order to obtain -a supply of provisions, Willett marched to that place on the following -morning, and encamped there that day and night, pushing forward a -detachment of troops, with instructions to proceed by forced marches to -the Oneida Lake and destroy the boats. Ascertaining, on the morning of the -27th, that Ross had avoided Stone Arabia by striking deeper into the -wilderness, Willett hastened forward to the German Flats, where he had -the mortification, on the 28th, to learn that the party ordered to the -lake had returned without performing their duty. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Willett's Letter to Lord Stirling. - - -While at Stone Arabia, a scouting party had been sent upon the enemy's -trail by Willett, to ascertain whether he had laid his course in the -anticipated direction, or whether he might not have inclined farther to -the north, with a view of returning directly through the wilderness to -Buck's Island. The scouts having satisfied themselves that the latter -course would be taken by Ross, hastily returned; and the result of their -observation was communicated to Willett by express. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This scouting party was composed of Captain John Little, William - Laird, and Jacob Shew. - - -Immediately on the receipt of this intelligence, Willett determined, if -possible, to strike another blow. Having been joined by about sixty -warriors of the Oneida tribe, together with some additional levies and -militia-men, the Colonel selected about four hundred of his choicest -troops, and furnishing them with provisions for five days, on the 29th -struck off to the northward, along the course of the West Canada Creek. -They marched the whole of that day through a driving snow-storm, halting -at night in a thick wood on the Royal Grant Supposing it probable that the -enemy could not be far distant Jacob Sammons was detached with two Oneida -Indians to advance yet farther into the wilderness, and, under cover of -the darkness, make such discoveries as might be in their power. "It was -with much reluctance," says Sammons in his narrative, "that I undertook -this business." They had not proceeded far before the Indians discovered -the prints of footsteps. Having knelt down and scrutinised them closely, -they pronounced them fresh, and refused any longer to advance. Taking -Sammons by the arm, they entreated him to return; but he declined, and -they separated. The intrepid scout soon descried fires kindling amid the -deep forest-gloom, toward which he cautiously approached until he was -enabled to take a survey of the enemy's camp. Having obtained all -necessary information, and narrowly escaped detection withal, he returned -to the camp of the Americans. Willett had kept his troops under arms -awaiting the return of Sammons; but learning from the latter that the -enemy were well provided with bayonets, of which his own men were -deficient, a night attack upon the camp was judged imprudent, and he -bivouacked his forces on the spot. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Narrative of Jacob Sammons. - - -Willett lost no time in advancing on the following morning, with a view -of bringing the enemy to an engagement. But the latter had been as early -on foot as himself, so that it was not until one o'clock in the afternoon -that the Americans came up with a small party of the enemy's rear, -consisting of about forty men, together with a few Indians, who had been -detached from his main body for the purpose of obtaining provisions. A -smart brush ensued, during which some of the enemy were killed, others -were taken prisoners, while the residue fled. Among the prisoners was a -Tory lieutenant named John Rykeman. Pursuing on the enemy's trail, the -Americans came up with his main body in a place called Jerseyfield, on the -north side of the Canada Creek. A running fight ensued, but the enemy made -a very feeble resistance--exhibiting symptoms of terror, and attempting to -retreat at a dog-trot by Indian files. Late in the afternoon, as they -crossed the Creek to the west or south-western side, Butler attempted to -rally his forces and make a stand. A brisk engagement ensued, the parties -being on opposite sides of the Creek; during which about twenty of the -enemy fell. Among them was their bold and enterprising but cruel leader, -Walter N. Butler. He was brought down by the rifle of an Oneida Indian, -who, happening to recognize him as he was looking at the battle from -behind a tree, took deliberate aim, and shot him through his hat and the -upper part of his head. Butler fell, and his troops fled in the utmost -confusion. The warrior, who made the successful shot, sprang first across -the Creek in the general rush, and running directly up to Butler, -discovered that he was not dead, but sorely wounded. He was in a sitting -posture near the tree, and writhing in great agony. The Indian advanced, -and while Butler looked him full in the face, shot him again through the -eye, and immediately took his scalp. The Oneidas no sooner saw the -bleeding trophy, than they set up the scalp-yell, and stripping the body, -left it lying upon the face, and pressed forward in pursuit of the -fugitive host. On coming to the guard, where Rykeman and the other -prisoners were confined, the Indian attempted to flout the unhappy -prisoner by slapping the scalp of his late commander in his face; but the -lieutenant avoided the blow. The pursuit was closely followed up; but -darkness and fatigue compelled the Colonel to relinquish it until morning. -The enemy, however, continued their flight throughout the night. [FN-1] -And, truly, never were men reduced to a condition more deplorable. The -weather was cold, and they had yet a dreary and pathless wilderness of -eighty miles to traverse, without food, and without even blankets--having -been compelled to cast them away to facilitate their escape. [FN-2] But, -scattered and broken as they were, and having the start of one night, it -was judged inexpedient to give longer pursuit; especially as Willett's -own troops were supplied with provisions for but two days more. The -victory was, moreover, already complete. The Colonel therefore wheeled -about, and led his little army back in triumph to Fort Dayton. The loss of -the Americans in the pursuit was only one man. That of the enemy was -never known. In the language of Colonel Willett's official despatches, -"the fields of Johnstown, the brooks and rivers, the hills and mountains, -the deep and gloomy marshes through which they had to pass, these only -could tell; and, perhaps, the officers who detached them on the -expedition." - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] "Strange as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, that, - notwithstanding the enemy had been four days in the wilderness, with only - half a pound of horse-flesh per man per day, yet in this famished - situation they trotted thirty miles before they stopped. Many of them, - indeed, fell a sacrifice to such treatment."--_Col. Willett's Letter to - Lord Stirling._ - - [FN-2] "In this situation I left the unfortunate Major Rom; unfortunate - I call him, for he was surely so in taking charge of such a fine - detachment of men to execute so dirty and trifling a piece of business - as he was sent on, at such immense hazard and exquisite toil. . . . We - left them in a situation, perhaps, more suited to their demerit than a - musket, a ball, a tomahawk, or captivity."--_Col. Willett's Letter to Lord - Stirling._ - - -In re-passing the battle-ground, the body of Butler was discovered as it -had been left; and there, without sepulture, it was suffered to -remain. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Various statements of the circumstances attending the death of - Walter N. Butler have been published. Marshall, in his Life of - Washington, states it thus--"In the party at Canada Creek, was Major - Walter Butler, the person who perpetrated the massacre at Cherry Valley. - His entreaties for quarter were disregarded; and he fell a victim of that - vengeance which his own savage temper had directed against himself." - According to Colonel Willett's account, he was shot dead at once, having - no time to implore for mercy. President Dwight, in his travels, given an - account corresponding with the following by Campbell:--"He was pursued by - a small party of Oneida Indians; when he arrived at West Canada Creek, - about fifteen miles above Herkimer, he swam his horse across the stream, - and then turning round, defied his pursuers, who were on the opposite - side. An Oneida immediately discharged his rifle and wounded him, and he - fell. Throwing down his rifle and his blanket, the Indian plunged into - the Creek and swam across; as soon as he had gained the opposite bank, - he raised his tomahawk, and with a yell, sprang like a tiger upon his - fallen foe. Butler supplicated, though in vain, for mercy; the Oneida, - with his uplifted axe, shouted, in his broken English,--'Sherry Valley! - remember Sherry Valley!' and then buried it in his brains." It is - apprehended that neither of these statements is exactly correct. The - account in the text has been drawn by the author from the manuscript - statements of Philip Graft, who was a spectator of the transaction, then - attached to the company of Captain Peter Van Rensselaer, who was stationed - at Fort Herkimer, and was engaged in this expedition. The statement of - Jacob Simmons corresponds with that of Graft, though less circumstantial. - - -So perished Walter N. Butler, one of the greatest scourges, as he was one -of the most fearless men, of his native county. No other event of the -whole war created so much joy in the Mohawk Valley as the news of his -decease. He is represented to have been of a morose temperament, -possessing strong passions, and of a vindictive disposition. He was -disliked, as has already more than once appeared, by Joseph Brant, who -included him among those whom he considered greater savages than the -savages themselves. It is quite probable, however, that Walter Butler may -have possessed other and better qualities, his friends being judges, than -have been awarded to him by his enemies. It has been asserted, that after -the massacre of Cherry Valley General Haldimand refused to see him. But -this fact may well be questioned, inasmuch as Haldimand not only approved -but encouraged the despatching of a similar expedition against the -scarcely offending Oneidas, who had removed, and were living peaceably in -the neighborhood of Schenectady. - -This expedition of Ross and Butler closed the active warlike operations at -the north for that year; but while the events traced in the few preceding -pages were in progress, others were occurring in a different quarter of -the country, both in themselves and in their results of far greater -moment. In the bird's-eye glance taken of the progress of the war in other -parts of the confederacy during the first quarter of the year, Arnold was -left at Portsmouth, contiguous to Norfolk. He afterward made various -movements of the character heretofore described; visiting Richmond again, -and committing outrages there and elsewhere. On the death of the British -Major General Phillips, the traitor succeeded to the command of the King's -troops in Virginia, and maintained himself there against the Baron -Steuben, and afterward against the Marquis de Lafayette, [FN-1] until Lord -Cornwallis, having traversed North Carolina, and entered Virginia, formed -a junction with him, and assumed the command; sending Arnold from his -presence to Portsmouth as soon as possible. After his return to New-York, -Arnold led another piratical expedition, early in September, against New -London and Groton. The former town was burnt, and Fort Griswold, on the -opposite side of the river, having been carried by assault, was the scene -of a bloody massacre; the brave Ledyard, who commanded, being thrust -through with his own sword. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] On succeeding to the command of Phillips, Arnold addressed a - letter to the Marquis de Lafayette; but the latter informed the officer - who bore it, that he would not receive a letter from the traitor. Indeed, - Arnold was despised by the officers in the British service; and how could - it be otherwise? Even Sir Henry Clinton had no confidence in him: and in - detaching him to the south, had taken special care to send Colonel - Dundas and Colonel Simcoe, two experienced officers, with him, with - instructions to Arnold to consult them in regard to every measure and - every operation he might desire to undertake. - - [FN-2] "It has been said, that Arnold, while New London was in flames, - stood in the belfry of a steeple and witnessed the conflagration; thus, - like Nero, delighted with the ruin he had caused, the distresses he had - inflicted, the blood of his slaughtered countrymen, the agonies of the - expiring patriot, the widow's tears, and the orphan's cries. And, what - adds to the enormity, is, that he stood almost in sight of the spot - where he drew his first breath."--_Sparks._ - - -Meantime, the American Commander-in-chief was meditating a blow, which, -if successful, could not but have an important, and perhaps a decisive, -bearing upon the great question of his country's final emancipation. While -the Marquis de Lafayette was circumventing and perplexing Cornwallis in -Virginia, Washington was preparing for an attempt upon the citadel of the -British power in the United States--New-York. This design, as has been -formerly stated, had been projected the season before, immediately after -the arrival of the Count de Rochambeau with the French army of alliance, -in Rhode Island. But so many difficulties arose, and so many supervening -obstacles were to be overcome, that, in obedience to stern necessity, the -project was for that year abandoned. With the opening of the Spring of the -present year it was revived, and after the respective commanders had held -another personal consultation, the French army moved from Rhode Island -across the country to the Hudson. But other obstacles arose, which -compelled an entire change in the plan of the campaign. Fortunately, -however, the British commander in New-York was not quick to discover the -change, and the demonstration served to divert his attention from the -right object until it became too late to repair his error. The combined -French and American forces, by an unsuspected but effectual basis of -operations, had been tending as upon a central point toward Virginia, -until, before he was aware of serious danger, Earl Cornwallis found -himself shut up in Yorktown. The event was fatal to him and to the cause -of his master. The post was completely invested by the 30th of September. -On the 9th of October the French and Americans opened their batteries. -And on the 19th, his two advanced redoubts having been carried by storm -a few days before, despairing of receiving the promised succors from Sir -Henry Clinton, and having, moreover, failed in a well-concerted attempt -to evacuate the fortress by night, Lord Cornwallis, submitting to -necessity, absolute and inevitable, surrendered by capitulation. The loss -of the enemy during the siege was five hundred and fifty-two, killed, -wounded, and missing; and the number of prisoners taken, exclusive of the -seamen, who were surrendered to the Count de Grasse, was seven thousand -and seventy-three, of of whom five thousand nine hundred and fifty were -rank and file. - -It would have been perfectly natural, and in fact no more than even-handed -justice, had the recent massacre at Fort Griswold been avenged on this -occasion. But, happily, it was otherwise ordered; and the triumph was -rendered still more memorable by the fact, that not a drop of blood was -shed save in action. "Incapable," said Colonel Hamilton, (who led the -advance of the Americans in the assault,) "of imitating examples of -barbarity, and forgetting recent provocation, the soldiers spared every -man that ceased to resist." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Alexander Hamilton's report--Marshall. - - -The joy at this surrender of a second army was as great as universal. The -thanks of Congress were voted to the Commander-in-chief, to the Count de -Rochambeau, and the Count de Grasse, and to the other principal officers -of the different corps, and the men under them. It was also resolved by -Congress to erect a marble column at Yorktown, with designs emblematic of -the alliance of France and the United States--to be inscribed with a -narrative of the event thus commemorated. But, like all other monumental -structures by Congress, it yet exists only on paper. - -The Commander-in-chief availed himself of the occasion to pardon and set -at liberty all military offenders under arrest. Ever ready and forward to -acknowledge the interposition of the hand of Providence in the direction -of human events, this truly great commander closed his orders in reference -to this event, in the following impressive manner: "Divine service shall -be performed to-morrow in the different brigades and divisions. The -Commander-in-chief recommends that all the troops not upon duty, do -assist at it with a serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart, -which the recollection of the surprising and particular interposition of -Divine Providence in our favor claims." - -Recurring, again, to the progress of events at the North, the enigmatical -conduct of the British commander in Canada, and the mysterious movements -of his forces upon Lake Champlain, remain to be explained. On the 9th of -November, General Heath, commanding the department, issued the following -general order; a copy of which has been preserved among General -Gansevoort's papers:-- - - "_Head-Quarters, Continental Village, Nov._ 9, 1781. - -"The General has the pleasure of acquainting this army, that the enemy -have been completely disappointed in their designs on the northern -frontiers of this State, in consequence of the measures adopted to -receive them in the vicinity of the lakes, in which the General is much -indebted to Major General Lord Stirling, Brigadier General Stark, and the -other officers and soldiers, both of the regular troops and the militia, -who, with great zeal and alertness, pressed to meet the enemy. That part -of their force which was coming by way of the lakes has not dared to land -on this side of them. - -"Major Ross, who had advanced from the westward as far as Johnstown, with -a body of between six and seven hundred regular troops, Rangers, Yagers, -and Indians, was met by Colonel Willett, defeated, and pursued into the -wilderness, where many of them probably must perish; the number of the -enemy killed is not known. Major Butler, who has frequently distressed -the frontiers, is among the slain. A number of prisoners, chiefly British, -have been taken and sent in. - -"The General presents his thanks to Colonel Willett, whose address, -gallantry, and persevering activity exhibited on this occasion, do him -the highest honor; and while the conduct of the officers and soldiers in -general, who were with Colonel Willett, deserves high commendation, the -General expresses a particular approbation of the behavior of Major -Rowley, and the brave levies and militia under his immediate command, -who, at a critical moment, not only did honor to themselves, but rendered -a most essential service to their country. - - "Transcript from general orders: - Thos. Fred. Jackson, - _Aid-de-camp._" - -General Heath, and many others, doubtless supposed that the anticipated -invasion had been averted by the dispositions of Lord Stirling, and -Generals Stark and Gansevoort, as set forth in the first paragraph of -these general orders; but the facts of the case, without detracting an -iota from the distinguished merits of those officers, will inevitably -lead to a different conclusion. - -A summary view of the controversy between New-York and the people of the -New Hampshire Grants, has already been given--in addition to which several -incidental allusions have been made to the equivocal movements and -intentions of Ethan Allen. Reference was also made, by way of a note in -the preceding chapter, to a special message from Governor Clinton to the -Legislature of New-York, communicating important information respecting -the designs of Allen and his associates, which had been derived from two -prisoners who had escaped from Canada in the Autumn of the present -year--John Edgar and David Abeel. The substance of the statements of these -men was, that several of the leading men of the New Hampshire Grants were -forming an alliance with the King's officers in Canada. Among these -leaders were Ethan and Ira Allen, and the two Fays. A man named Sherwood, -and Doctor Smith of Albany, whose name has already been mentioned, were -the agents of the negotiation on the part of Great Britain, and their -consultations were sometimes held at Castleton, on the Grants, and -sometimes in Canada. According to the statement of Edgar, it was -understood that the Grants were to furnish the King with a force of two -thousand men. Mr. Abeel's information was, that fifteen hundred was the -number of men to be furnished, under the command of Ethan Allen. Mr. Abeel -also stated that Ethan Allen was then in Canada upon that business, and -that he had seen Major Fay at the Isle au Noix, on board of one of the -King's vessels; and that he, Fay, had exchanged upward of thirty Hessians, -who had deserted from Burgoyne's army, delivering them up to the British -authorities. The statements of Edgar and Abeel, the latter of whom had -been taken a prisoner at Catskill the preceding Spring, were given under -the sanction of an oath; and although they were not fellow-prisoners, and -had derived their information from different sources; and although -escaping at different times, under dissimilar circumstances, and by routes -widely apart, yet there was a strong coincidence between them. A third -account submitted to the Legislature by the Governor was somewhat -different, and more particular as to the terms of the proposed -arrangement. In this paper it was stated, first, that the territory -claimed by the Vermontese should be formed into a distinct colony or -government. Secondly, that the form of government should be similar to -that of Connecticut, save that the nomination of the Governor should be -vested in the crown. Thirdly, that they should be allowed to remain -neutral, unless the war should be carried within their own territory. -Fourthly, they were to raise two battalions, to be in the pay of the -crown, but to be called into service only for the defence of the Colony. -Fifthly, they were to be allowed a free trade with Canada. General -Haldimand had not deemed himself at liberty to decide definitively upon -propositions of so much importance, and had accordingly transmitted them -to England for the royal consideration. An answer was then expected. Such -was the purport of the intelligence; and such was the weight of the -testimony, that the Governor did not hesitate to assert that they "proved -a treasonable and dangerous intercourse and connexion between the leaders -of the revolt in the north-eastern part of the State, and the common -enemy." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] These and other documents may be found in Almon's Remembrancer, - Vol. ix.--for 1732. - - -The fact is, according to the admissions, and the documents published by -the Vermont historians themselves, [FN-1] that the people of Vermont, -though doubtless for the most part attached to the cause of their country, -nevertheless looked upon New-York "as a more detested enemy" than Great -Britain; [FN-2] and the officers of the latter were not slow in their -efforts to avail themselves of the schism. Accordingly, Colonel Beverley -Robinson sought to open a correspondence with Ethan Allen as early as -March, 1780. The first letter was handed to Allen in Arlington, but was -not answered. A second letter from Robinson was received by Allen in -February, 1781, which, with the first, he enclosed to Congress in March, -accompanied by a letter plainly asserting the right of Vermont to agree to -a cessation of hostilities with Great Britain, provided its claims, as a -State, were still to be rejected by Congress. It does not appear, however, -that the threat had any effect upon that body. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Slade's State Papers. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -In the months of April and May following, the Governor and Council of -Vermont commissioned Colonel Ira Allen, a brother of Ethan, to proceed to -the Isle au Noix, to settle a cartel with the British in Canada, and also, -if possible, to negotiate an armistice in favor of Vermont. The -arrangements for this negotiation were conducted with the most profound -secrecy; only eight persons being cognizant of the procedure. [FN-1] -Colonel Allen, accompanied by one subaltern, [FN-2] two sergeants, and -sixteen privates, departed upon his mission on the first of May; and -having arrived at the Isle au Noix, entered at once upon his -business--negotiating with Major Dundas, the commander of that post, only -on the subject of an exchange of prisoners, but more privately with -Captain Sherwood and George Smith, Esq. on the subject of an armistice. -The stay of Allen at the island was protracted for a considerable time, -and the conferences with the two commissioners, Sherwood and Smith, on the -subject of the political relations of Vermont, were frequent, but -perfectly confidential; Allen carefully avoiding to write any thing, to -guard against accidents. But from the beginning, it seems to have been -perfectly understood by both parties that they were treating "for an -armistice, and to concert measures to establish Vermont as a colony under -the crown of Great Britain." [FN-3] In the course of the consultations, -Allen freely declared "that such was the extreme hatred of Vermont to the -state of New-York, that rather than yield to it, they would see Congress -subjected to the British government, provided Vermont could be a distinct -colony under the crown on safe and honorable terms." He added, "that the -people of Vermont were not disposed any longer to assist in establishing -a government in America which might subject them and their posterity to -New-York, whose government was more detested than any other in the known -world." [FN-4] These were encouraging representations in the ears of his -Majesty's officers; and, after a negotiation of seventeen days, the cartel -was arranged, and an armistice verbally agreed upon, by virtue of which -hostilities were to cease between the British forces and the people under -the jurisdiction of Vermont, until after the next session of the -Legislature of Vermont, and even longer, if prospects were satisfactory -to the Commander-in-chief in Canada. Moreover, as Vermont had then -extended her claims of territory to the Hudson river, all that portion of -New-York lying east of the river, and north of the western termination of -the north line of Massachusetts, was included in the armistice. It was -also stipulated that, during the armistice, the leaders in Vermont were -to prepare the people by degrees for a change of government, and that the -British officers were to have free communication through the territory of -the new State--as it claimed to be. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Thomas Chittenden, Moses Robinson, Samuel Safford, Ethan Allen, - Ira Allen, Timothy Brownson, John Fassett, and Joseph Fay. - - [FN-2] Lieutenant Simeon Lyman. - - [FN-3] Political History of Vermont, published by Ira Allen in London, - in 1798. - - [FN-4] Allen's Political History of Vermont. - - [FN-5] Idem. - - -But, notwithstanding the veil of secrecy drawn over the proceedings, dark -suspicions got afloat that all was not right. The sincere Whigs among the -people of the Grants became alarmed, and were apprehensive that they might -be sold ere yet they were aware of it. When the Legislature met, the -people whose jealousies had been awakened, flocked to the place of -meeting to ascertain whether all was well; and it was only by much -dissimulation on the part of those in the secret, that the friends of the -Union were pacified. There were also other spectators present, from -different States, who felt an equal interest to ascertain whether the -great cause of the nation was not in danger of being compromised. The -result was, that the agents succeeded in throwing dust into the eyes of -the people; and so adroit was their management, that the Allens held -communication with the enemy during the whole Summer without detection. -On more than one occasion, British guards, of several men, came to the -very precincts of Arlington, delivering and receiving packages in the -twilight. - -In September the negotiations were renewed, the commissioners of both -parties meeting secretly at Skenesborough, within the territory of -New-York, and farther progress was made in the terms of the arrangement, -by which Vermont was in due time to throw herself "into the arms of her -legitimate sovereign." Sir Frederick Haldimand, however, was becoming -impatient of longer delay; and a strenuous effort was made for an -immediate and open declaration on the part of Vermont. To this proposition -the Vermont commissioners, Ira Allen, Joseph Fay, and a third person, -whose name is not given, pleaded that there had not yet been time to -prepare the people for so great a change, and that they should require the -repose of the approaching Winter for that object. It was at length -stipulated, however, that inasmuch as the royal authority had been -received by Sir Frederick Haldimand for that purpose, an army might -ascend the lake, with proclamations offering to confirm Vermont as a -colony under the crown, upon the principles and conditions heretofore -indicated, on the return of the people to their allegiance; the -commissioners interposing a request, that the General commanding the -expedition would endeavor to ascertain the temper of the people before -the proclamation should be actually distributed. - -The Legislature of the Grants assembled at Charlestown in October. -Meantime General St. Leger, agreeably to the arrangement with Allen and -Fay, ascended the lake to Ticonderoga with a strong force, where he -rested. In order to save appearances, the Vermontese had stationed a -military force on the opposite shore, under the command of General Enos, -to whom was necessarily confided the secret. But on neither side would it -answer to entrust that secret to the subordinates. _They_ must, of course, -regard each other as enemies in good faith; and the fact that they did so -consider themselves, was productive of an affair which placed the -Vermontese in a peculiarly awkward predicament The circumstances were -these: In order to preserve at least the mimicry of war, scouts and -patrols were occasionally sent out by both parties. Unluckily one of these -Vermont patrols happened one day to encounter a similar party from the -army of St. Leger. Shots were exchanged with hearty goodwill; the Vermont -sergeant fell, and his men retreated. The body was decently interred by -order of General St. Leger, who sent his clothes to General Enos, -accompanied by an open letter apologizing for the occurrence, and -expressing his regret at the result. - -It was hardly probable that an unsealed letter would pass through many -hands, and its contents remain unknown to all save the person to whom it -was addressed. Such, certainly, was not the fact in regard to the letter -in question. Its contents transpired; and great was the surprise at the -civility of General St. Leger in sending back the sergeant's clothes, and -deploring his death. A messenger was despatched by General Enos to -Governor Chittenden at Charlestown, who, not being in the secrets of his -employers, failed not, with honest simplicity, to proclaim the -circumstances of the sergeant's death, and the extraordinary message of -General St. Leger. The consequence was excitement among the people -assembled at Charlestown, attended with a kindling feeling of distrust. -"Why should General St Leger send back the clothes?" "Why regret the -death of an enemy?" were questions more easily asked by the people, than -capable of being safely and ingenuously answered by their leaders. The -consequence was, a popular clamor unpleasant to the ears of the initiated. -Major Runnels confronted Colonel Ira Allen, and demanded to know why St. -Leger was sorry for the death of the sergeant? Allen's answer was evasive -and unsatisfactory. The Major repeated the question, and Allen replied -that he had better go to St. Leger at the head of his regiment, and -demand the reason, for his sorrow, in person. A sharp altercation ensued, -which had the effect, for a short time, of diverting the attention of the -people from the dispatches which they had been clamoring to have read. -These were precious moments for the Governor and the negotiators with the -enemy. The Board of War was convened, the members of which were all in the -secret, and a set of pretended letters were hastily prepared from such -portions of General Enos's dispatches as would serve the purpose in hand, -which were read publicly to the Legislature and the people; and which had -the effect of allaying the excitement and hushing suspicion into silence. - -Meantime a rumor of the capture of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown was -wafted along upon the southern breeze; the effect of which was such upon -the people, as to induce Allen and Fay to write to the British -commissioners with St Leger, that it would be imprudent at that particular -conjuncture for him to promulgate the royal proclamation, and urging delay -to a more auspicious moment The messenger with these despatches had not -been longer than an hour at the head-quarters of St. Leger at Ticonderoga, -before the rumor respecting Cornwallis was confirmed by an express. The -effect was prodigious. All ideas or farther operations in that quarter -were instantly abandoned; and before evening of the same day, St. Leger's -troops and stores were re-embarked, and with a fair wind he made sail -immediately, back to St. John's. - -From this narrative of facts, as disclosed in London many years afterward -by Colonel Ira Allen himself, it will be seen at once that General Heath -was in error, when, in his general orders of November 9th, he attributed -the inaction of General St. Leger, and his ultimate retreat, to the -preparations of Lord Stirling, and Generals Stark and Gansevoort, for his -reception. The digression which has been judged necessary to elucidate -this portion of the operations in the north, during the Summer and Autumn -of 1781, may by some readers be thought wide of the leading design of the -present work. Still, it is believed that to a majority of the public, the -facts detailed in this connexion will be new, as they must be curious in -the estimation of all. They are at the same time held to be essential to -a just appreciation of the difficulties with which the military officers -in the Northern Department, and the Government of the State of New-York, -were obliged to contend during the period under consideration. Strong -light is also reflected by them upon that portion of the history of the -war itself with which they are interblended. Every close reader of -American history is aware that there was a correspondence, of some -description, between the leaders of the people occupying the New Hampshire -Grants and the common enemy, during the later years of the Revolutionary -war. But neither the precise character, nor the extent, of that -correspondence, has been generally understood; while it has, for obvious -reasons, been the desire of those most directly concerned in those -matters, to represent the whole as a game of dissembling with an enemy -who had attempted to tamper with the patriotic sons of the Green -Mountains. [F-1] Be this as it may, it is in the secret proceedings of the -Vermont conspirators, that the key is found to the mysterious movements -of the enemy on Lake Champlain, which had so greatly harassed the American -commanders at the north during that Autumn. It was known that St. Leger -was upon the lake in great force; and having landed at Ticonderoga, to all -human calculation an invasion was intended, which the country was then -ill prepared to resist. At times he was apparently balancing upon what -point to move. With the means of striking, he did not strike; and his -dilatoriness, and apparent indecision, were alike inexplicable. The -effect was to keep the northern part of the state in constant alarm, and -to harass the militia by frequent calls to the field, against an enemy -hovering upon the shore of the lake, always, apparently, just ready to -make a descent, and yet idling away the season without farther -demonstration. Much greater quietness might have been enjoyed by the -people of New-York, so far as the common enemy was concerned, had it been -known that his hands were fettered by an armistice with a contiguous -territory, claiming to be an American state, and professing at the same -time to be at open war with the self-same enemy with whom the government -of the said territory was at that moment in secret alliance. [FN-2] When -to this singularly embarrassing position, those other difficulties which -have been passed in review are added, such as an exhausted and ravaged -country; an unfed, unclothed, unpaid and deserting army; [FN-3] extensive -disaffection among the people immediately at home; continual irruptions of -hostile partisan bands in every quarter; mobs of insurgents setting the -laws at defiance in one direction; the militia regiments in the district -thus lawless, more than half disposed to join the disorganizers; with an -actual and somewhat formidable invasion from the west; it must be -conceived that both civil and military authorities were laboring under a -complication of evils, requiring for their control all that prudence and -energy, discretion, perseverance and courage, combined, could accomplish. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sparks, adopting the views of earlier writers, has noticed the - case in this favorable aspect in his late sketch of the Life of Ethan - Allen. The author certainly agrees with Mr. Sparks in the opinion that - "there was never any serious intention on the part of the Vermontese to - listen to the British proposals." But with great deference, after a full - examination of the case, the same cannot be said of the _leaders_ of the - Vermontese. _They_ had determined that New-York should be dismembered; - and if they could not force themselves into the confederation as a State, - they were willing to fall back into the arms of Great Britain as a - Colony. But it is very certain, from the conduct of the people of the - Grants when they heard of St. Leger's regrets at the killing of the - sergeant, that they were prepared for no such arrangement. - - [FN-2] Of course General Heath was not aware of the proceedings of the - Vermontese when he issued his general orders above cited, nor was the - Government of New-York acquainted with them. Although, from the necessity - of the case, a considerable number of the Vermont leaders must have been - in the secret, it was nevertheless exceedingly well kept. It was not - until the month of March of the following year, (1782,) that Governor - Clinton communicated the affidavits of Edgar and Abeel to the - Legislature, the substance of which has been embodied in the preceding - narrative. Those affidavits explained the threats murmured by Ethan - Allen, when in Albany the Spring before. They also explained the threat - contained in a letter from Governor Chittenden, referred to in a - preceding page, while they strengthened the suspicions that had for - months been entertained by General Schuyler and Governor Clinton. But it - was not until years had elapsed that the whole truth came out. - - [FN-3] "From the post of Saratoga to that of Dobbs's Ferry inclusive, I - believe there it not at this moment one day's supply of meat for the army - on hand. Supplies, particularly of beef cattle, must be speedily and - regularly provided, or our posts cannot be maintained, nor the army kept - in the field much longer."--_Letter of Washington to President Weere of - New Hampshire._ - - -With the discomfiture and retreat of Major Ross on the one hand, and the -return of St. Leger to St. John's on the other, all active operations -ceased with the enemy at the north. But the difficulties of the state -Government with the New Hampshire Grants were on the increase; and the -controversy ran so high, that by the 1st of December an insurrection broke -out in the regiments of Colonel John Van Rensselaer and Colonel Henry K. -Van Rensselaer, in the north-eastern towns of the State; while the -regiment of Colonel Peter Yates--also belonging to the brigade of General -Gansevoort--was in a condition not much better. These disturbances arose -in Schaghticoke, Hoosic, and a place called St. Coych, and parts adjacent, -belonging then to the county of Albany; but being on the east side of the -Hudson, north of the parallel of the northern line of Massachusetts, the -Government of the New Hampshire Grants had extended its aegis over that -section of country, claiming jurisdiction, as heretofore stated, to the -Hudson river. General Gansevoort was apprised of the insurrection on the -5th. He immediately directed Colonels Yates and Henry K. Van Rensselaer, -whose regiments, at that time, were the least affected with the insurgent -spirit, to collect such troops as they could, and repair to St. Coych, to -the assistance of Colonel John Van Rensselaer. An express being dispatched -to the Governor, at Poughkeepsie, with the unwelcome information, and a -request for directions what course to pursue in the emergency, the return -of the messenger brought very explicit orders from the indomitable chief -magistrate:--"I perfectly approve of your conduct," said the Governor; -"and have only to add, that should the force already detached prove -insufficient to quell the insurrection, you will make such addition to it -as to render it effectual. I have transmitted to General Robert Van -Rensselaer the information, and have directed him, in case it should be -necessary, on your application, to give assistance from his brigade." -[FN-1] Although the fact had not been stated in the dispatches forwarded -to Governor Clinton, that the movement was beyond doubt sympathetic with, -or instigated from, the Grants, yet the Governor was at no loss at once to -attribute it to the "usurped government of that pretended State;" [FN-2] -and it was his resolute determination to oppose force to force, and, in -regard to the Grants themselves, to repel force by force. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. letter of Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort, Dec 11, - 1781. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -Gansevoort did not receive his instructions from the Governor until the -15th. Meantime Colonels Yates and Henry Van Rensselaer had made no -progress in quelling the insurrection; the insurgents, on the other hand, -being on the increase, and having thrown up a block-house for defence. On -the 16th General Gansevoort took the field himself, repairing in the first -instance to the head-quarters of General Stark at Saratoga, in order to -obtain a detachment of troops and a field-piece. But the troops of Stark -were too naked to move from their quarters; and it was thought improper -for him to interfere without an order from General Heath. [FN-1] -Gansevoort then crossed over to the east side of the river, in order to -place himself at the head of such militia as he could muster in -Schaghticoke and Hoosic; but was soon met by Colonel Yates, in full -retreat from the house of Colonel John Van Rensselaer. He had been able -to raise but eighty men to put down the insurgents of John Van -Rensselaer's regiment; and on arriving at St. Coych, he discovered a force -of five hundred men advancing from the Grants to the assistance of the -rebels. Gansevoort retired five miles farther, in order to find -comfortable quarters for his men, and then attempted, but without success, -to open a correspondence with the leader of the insurgents. Calls had been -made upon four regiments, viz. those of Colonels Yates, and Henry K. Van -Rensselaer, as heretofore stated, and upon Colonel Van Vechten and Major -Taylor. But from the whole no greater force than eighty men could be -raised. Of Colonel Van Vechten's regiment, only himself, a few officers, -and one private could be brought into the field. Under these discouraging -circumstances, the General was compelled to relinquish the expedition, and -the insurgents remained the victors, to the no small terror of those of -the inhabitants who were well-disposed, inasmuch as they were apprehensive -of being taken prisoners and carried away, as had been the case with -others, should they refuse taking the oath of allegiance to the government -of Vermont. [FN-2] Thus terminated the military events of the north, of -all descriptions, for the year 1781. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In his official report upon the subject, Gansevoort rather - distrusted whether Stark assigned the true reason for withholding his - aid on this occasion. Governor Chittenden, of the Grants, having just - addressed him a letter requesting him not to interfere with hie troops. - - [FN-2] The materials for this rapid sketch of the insurrection of Dec. - 1781, at the north-east of Albany, have been drawn from the Gansevoort - papers, which are broken and imperfect. The controversy with Vermont was - continued, with greater or less force, and in different ways, for several - years. But a calm and powerful letter from General Washington to Governor - Chittenden, written early in January, 1782, had great influence in - causing the government of the Grants to relinquish the territory of - New-York, twenty miles broad, upon the eastern side of the Hudson, upon - which they had seized. The leaders who had entered upon the - correspondence with the enemy in Canada, continued an interchange of - communications during several months of the following year; but the - course of things soon stripped that strange negotiation of its danger, - and rendered it of no importance. Meantime, although Governor Clinton was - fully determined to subdue the refractory spirits of the Green Mountains, - the latter continued to gain strength and friends, and as their local - government became settled, it was for the most part wisely and - efficiently administered. Time and again the question was brought before - Congress, where nobody cared to act upon it definitively. Hamilton, Jay, - and Governeur Morris, all seemed to think it the part of wisdom to allow - the secession and independence of Vermont. Things remained in an - unsettled state, however, until after the adoption of the federal - constitution by New-York in 1788, after which the controversy was - amicably adjusted; Vermont agreeing to pay thirty thousand dollars as a - full indemnification to persons in New-York holding titles to lands - within its boundaries. - - -There yet remain a few occurrences, connected with the Indian operations -of the year, to be noted before closing the present chapter. It was in -the Spring of this year that what was called the Coshocton campaign of -Colonel Brodhead was performed, and was attended by circumstances that -cannot be recalled with other than painful emotions. [FN-1] It had at -different times been the purpose of the Commander-in-chief that Colonel -Brodhead should penetrate through the Ohio territory to Detroit; but that -design was never accomplished. The expedition now under review was led by -Brodhead against the villages of the unfriendly Delaware Indians at the -forks of the Muskingum. In passing through the settlement of the -Moravian Indians at Salem, under the religious care of the Rev. Mr. -Heckewelder, some of Brodhead's men manifested a hostile disposition -toward those inoffensive noncombatants; but their hostile feelings were -repressed by Brodhead, whose exertions were seconded by Colonel Shepherd, -of Wheeling. The towns against which the Americans were proceeding were -under the control of Captain Pipe, who had espoused the cause of the crown -at the instigation of McKee, Elliott, and Girty. On approaching Coshocton, -Brodhead's forces were divided into three divisions; and so secret and -rapid was their march, that the villages on the eastern bank of the river -were fallen upon, and all the Indians who were at home taken, without -firing a gun. [FN-2] The immediate object of this visitation was to -punish, as it was alleged, the Indians of those towns for some recent -cruelties of unwonted atrocity. They had made a late incursion upon the -frontiers of Virginia, in the course of which a considerable number of -prisoners were taken; but, having been disappointed in the measure of -their success, in a moment of rage they bound all the adult male captives -to trees, and put them to death by torture, amidst the tears and -lamentations of their families. [FN-3] It was now Colonel Brodhead's -design to inflict summary vengeance for those murders. He had with him a -friendly Delaware chief, named _Pekillon,_ who pointed out sixteen of the -captive warriors, upon whom he charged the murders in question. A council -of war was convened in the evening, which decided that those sixteen -warriors should be put to death. They were therefore bound, and despatched -with tomahawk and spear, and scalped. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Doddridge, in his Indian Wars, dates the expedition referred to - in 1790. Drake, who follows Heckewelder, states that it occurred in 1781. - - [FN-2] Doddridge. - - [FN-3] Drake. - - [FN-4] Doddridge. - - -A heavy rain had swollen the river, so that Colonel Brodhead could not -cross over to the villages upon the opposite side. On the following -morning an Indian presented himself upon the other side, and called for -an interview with the "Great Captain," meaning the commander of the -expedition. Colonel Brodhead presented himself, and inquired what he -wanted. "I want peace," was the reply. "Send over some of your chiefs," -said the Colonel. "Maybe you kill," rejoined the Indian. "They shall not -be killed," was the answer. A fine-looking sachem thereupon crossed the -river, and while engaged in conversation with Colonel Brodhead, a white -savage, named Wetzel, stole treacherously behind the unsuspecting warrior, -and struck him dead to the earth. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge. - - -Some ten or twelve prisoners were taken from another village farther up -the river; and Brodhead commenced his return on the same day, committing -the prisoners to a guard of militia. They had not proceeded far, however, -before the barbarian guards began to butcher their captives; and all, -save a few women and children, were presently despatched in cold blood. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Idem. - - -Glancing yet farther south, the Cherokee Indians having again become -troublesome, and made an incursion into South Carolina, massacring some -of the inhabitants and burning their houses, General Pickens proceeded -into their own country, and inflicted upon them severe and summary -chastisement. In the space of fourteen days, at the head of less than -four hundred men, he killed upward of forty of the Indians, and destroyed -thirteen towns. His troops were mounted men, who charged rapidly upon the -Indians, cutting them down with their sabres with great effect. Unused to -this mode of warfare, they sued immediately for peace. - -The fall of Cornwallis was, in fact, the last important act of that great -drama--The American Revolution. Although the British were yet in -considerable force in New-York, and were likewise in the occupancy of -various posts in the southern states, still the season for active -operations was past; and after the loss of the army of Cornwallis, they -were not in sufficient force in the north to resist the troops that could -now be directed against them. The campaigning of the year 1781, and in -fact of the war of the Revolution, were therefore at an end. Still, there -were other belligerent incidents occurring for months afterward, the -record of which will require another chapter. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - - - Character of Joseph Bettys--His exploits--Capture and execution--Progress - of the war--Gradual cessation of hostilities--Dwindling down to mere - affairs of outposts and scouting parties--Commissioners appointed to - negotiate a treaty of peace--Indian battles on the Kentucky - frontier--Defeat of Colonel Boon--Destruction of the Shawanese - towns--The Moravians on the Muskingum--Their removal to Sandusky by the - Wyandots--Return to secure their crops--Invasion of their towns by - Colonel Williamson--Treachery of Williamson and his men to the - Indians--Horrible massacre--Invasion of the Sandusky country by - Crawford and Williamson--Defeat of their army--Colonel Crawford - captured--Sentenced to die by torture--His interview with the sachem - Wingemond--His execution--Close of the year--Doubts as to a treaty of - peace--Colonel Willett's attempt to surprise Oswego--The news of - peace--Sufferings of Tryon County--Return of its population--End of the - wars of the Mohawk. - - -Among the minor, but yet not unimportant events of the border war at the -north and west of Albany, was the capture, some time in the Winter of -1781--'82, of the celebrated loyalist marauder, Joseph Bettys, whose name -has occurred in connexion with that of John Waltermeyer in the preceding -chapter. Bettys, or "Joe Bettys" as he was commonly called, was a man of -uncommon shrewdness and intelligence. Bold, athletic, and of untiring -activity; revengeful and cruel in his disposition; inflexible in his -purposes; his bosom cold as the marble to the impulses of humanity; he -ranged the border settlements like a chafed tiger snuffing every tainted -breeze for blood, until his name had become as terrific to the borderers, -as were those of Kidd and Pierre le Grande upon the ocean in the -preceding century. At the commencement of the war, Bettys was an -inhabitant of Ballston. He early took the field in the cause of the -republic, and a sergeant's warrant was conferred upon him in Colonel -Wynkoop's regiment. But he had a proud, independent spirit, that could -ill brook the severity of military discipline; and for some act of -contumacy, he was reduced to the ranks. Still, knowing well his determined -character and unflinching courage, and unwilling that his country should -lose his services, the same gentleman [FN] who had obtained his first -warrant, procured him another, and a transfer to the fleet under the -command of General Arnold on Lake Champlain, in the Summer of 1776. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The late Colonel Ball, of Balston. - - -In the severe naval engagement fought on that lake between Arnold and -Sir Guy Carleton, on the 11th of October of that year, Bettys exhibited -great bravery, and was of signal service during the battle, which lasted -four hours. He fought until every commissioned officer on board his -vessel was either killed or wounded. Assuming the command then himself, -he continued the fight with such reckless and desperate intrepidity, that -General Waterbury, Arnold's second in command, perceiving that his vessel -was about to sink, was obliged to order Bettys and the survivors of his -crew on board his own vessel. Having thus observed his good conduct, -General Waterbury stationed him by his side on the quarter-deck, and gave -orders through him, until his own vessel in turn became entirely -crippled--the crew mostly killed--the General himself wounded--and only -two others, exclusive of Bettys, left in fighting condition--when his -colors were struck to the enemy. General Waterbury afterward spoke in the -most exalted terms of the high courage of Bettys, adding, that the -shrewdness of his management showed that his conduct was not inferior to -his courage. - -While a prisoner in Canada, the arts of the enemy subverted his -principles. He was seduced from the service of his country, and entered -that of the enemy with the rank of ensign--proving himself an enemy -equally subtle and formidable. From his intimate knowledge of the country -and his artful address, he was frequently employed, sometimes as a -messenger, at others as a spy, and at others, again, in the double -capacity of both. During one of his missions of this nature, he was -captured, tried, and condemned to the gallows. But the entreaties of his -aged parents, and the solicitations of influential Whigs, induced General -Washington, on a promise of reformation, to grant him a pardon. Yet if -honor, generosity, and gratitude, had ever been qualities of his soul, -they had taken their departure. - -Losing no time in rejoining the ranks of the enemy, he became alike -reckless of character and the dictates of humanity; and instead of -suitably requiting the kindness which had successfully interposed to save -him from an ignominious death, he became the greatest scourge of his -former friends and neighborhood. Ballston, in particular, had long reason -to deplore the ill-judged leniency. He returned, and recruited soldiers -for the King in the midst of the settlements; he captured and carried off -the most zealous and efficient Whigs, and subjected them to the severest -sufferings; and those against whom he bore the strongest hate, lost their -dwellings by fire or their lives by murder. No fatigue weakened his -resolution--no distance was an obstacle to his purpose--and no danger -appalled his courage. No one of the borderers felt secure. Sometimes in -the darkness of the night he fell upon them by stealth; and at others, -even at mid-day, he was seen prowling about, as if scorning disguise, and -unconscious of danger. Indeed, he boldly proclaimed himself a -desperado--carrying his life in his hand--equally careless of it as he -said he should be of the lives of others were any again to attempt his -arrest. His liberty, he declared, would only be yielded with his life; -and whoever should attempt to take him, might rest assured that their -heart's blood would in the same moment be drunk by the earth. His threats -were well understood to be no unmeaning words; and, what added to the -apprehension of the people, was the well-known fact, that he had always -at his beck, openly or in concealment, according to the nature of the -purpose immediately in hand, a band of refugees partaking of his own -desperate character. - -His adventures while engaged in this species of warfare were many and -hazardous. Nor did he always confine his operations to the -border-settlements, since he at one time entered the precincts of Albany, -and made a similar attempt to that of Waltermeyer to abduct General -Schuyler from the mansion of the Patroon, where he was then lodged. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This account of Joe Bettys has been written from a Fourth-of-July - speech delivered by the late Colonel Ball some ten or twelve years ago. - Among the prisoners made by Bettys and Waltermeyer from Ballston, in the - Spring of 1781, were the following persons, viz: Samuel Nash, Joseph - Chord, Uri Tracy, Ephraim Tracy, Samuel Patchin, Epenetus White, John - Fulmer, and two men named Bontas, who were brothers. They were all taken - to Canada, and roughly used. - - -It must not be supposed, however, that all hearts quailed before Joe -Bettys. Far from it; and many were the ineffectual attempts made for his -arrest before the measures undertaken for that purpose were again crowned -with success. But in the course of the Winter now under consideration his -wonted vigilance was at fault. A suspicious stranger having been observed -in the neighborhood of Ballston, upon snow-shoes, and well-armed, three -men of that town, named Cory, Perkins, and Fulmer, little doubting as to -the identity of the man, immediately armed themselves and went in pursuit. -He was traced by a circuitous track to the house of a well-known loyalist, -which was fortunately approached with so much circumspection as to enable -the scouts to reach the door unobserved. Breaking the barrier by a sudden -effort, they sprang in upon the black and doubly-dyed traitor, and seized -him before he had opportunity of resistance. He was seated at dinner when -they entered, his pistols lying upon the table, and his rifle resting upon -his arm. He made an attempt to discharge the latter; but forgetting to -remove the deer-skin cover of the lock, did not succeed. Powerful and -muscular as he was, the three were an over-match for him, and he was -immediately so securely pinioned as to render resistance useless and -escape morally impossible. - -Apparently resigning himself to his fate, Bettys now requested permission -to smoke, which was readily granted. While taking the tobacco from his -box, and making the usual preparations, he was observed by Cory adroitly -to cast something into the fire. It was instantly snatched from thence -with a handful of coals, and proved to be a small leaden box, about the -eighth of an inch in thickness, and containing a paper in cipher, which -the captors could not read; but it was subsequently ascertained to be a -despatch addressed to the British commander in New-York. It also contained -an order for thirty guineas, provided the despatch should be safely -delivered. Bettys pleaded hard for permission to burn the paper, and -offered a hundred guineas for the privilege. But they refused his gold, -and all his proffered bribes for the means of escape, with the most -unyielding firmness. He then exclaimed--"I am a dead man!" It was even -so. He was taken to Albany, where he was tried, convicted, and executed -as a spy and traitor. - -If the conduct of the three captors of Major Andre was patriotic, that of -the three captors of Joe Bettys was both patriotic and brave. Andre was -a gentleman, and without the means of defence; Bettys was formidably -armed, and known to be a desperado. The capture of Andre was by accident; -that of Bettys, by enterprise and design. The taking of the former was -without danger; that of the latter a feat of imminent peril. Andre was -a more important man, by rank and station, than Bettys; but not more -dangerous. Both tempted their captors by gold, and both were foiled. [FN] -The captors of Andre were richly rewarded, and the achievement has been -emblazoned in history, and commemorated by monumental granite. The captors -of Bettys have, until now, never been known to history; and their only -visible reward was the rifle and pistols of their terrible captive. With -such partial hand are the honors and rewards of this world bestowed! - - * * * * * - - [FN] Colonel Ball. - - -As already remarked, the substantial fighting of the war was ended by the -surrender of Cornwallis. It is true, there were affairs of outposts -occurring afterward, and some partial fighting took place at the south -early in the season of 1782, between General Wayne and sundry small -British posts, after General Greene had detached the former into Georgia. -The most serious of these affairs was a smart brush with a party of Creek -Indians, near Savannah, on which occasion the British garrison sallied -out to their assistance, but were repulsed. For the most part, however, -the year 1782 was rather a period of armed neutrality than of active war. -The news of the catastrophe at Yorktown at once and materially -strengthened the opposition to the farther prosecution of the contest in -the House of Commons, by which a resolution was soon afterward passed, -declaring "That the House would consider as enemies to his Majesty and -the country, all who should advise or attempt the farther prosecution of -offensive war on the Continent of North America." Sir Henry Clinton was -superseded in the chief command by Sir Guy Carleton, who was specially -instructed to use his endeavors to effect an accommodation with America. -Commissioners for the negotiation of a treaty of peace were soon -afterward appointed, viz: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and -Henry Laurens on the part of the United States, and Mr. Fitzherbert and -Mr. Oswald on that of Great Britain. On the 30th of November these -commissioners had agreed on provisional articles of peace, as the basis -of a treaty by which the Independence of the United States was -acknowledged in its fullest extent. - -As the surrender of Earl Cornwallis was the last important military event -between the main armies, so was the disastrous expedition of Majors Ross -and Butler the last attempt of any magnitude upon the Valley of the -Mohawk. True, indeed, that beautiful region of country had been so utterly -laid waste, that there was little more of evil to be accomplished. But -the chastisement of Major Ross, equally severe and unexpected, had -discouraged the enemy from making any farther attempt in that quarter. -Not, however, that the Indians were entirely quiet. On the contrary, they -hung around the borders of the settlements in small parties, sometimes -causing serious alarms, and at others great trouble and fatigue, and -likewise inflicting considerable injury. On one occasion a party of -thirty-five Indians crossed over from Oswegatchie to Palatine. Falling in -with a scouting party, consisting of Jacob Timmerman and five others, the -Indians fired upon them. Timmerman was wounded, and with one of his -comrades taken prisoner. Two of the party were killed, and the other two -succeeded in making their escape. The prisoners were taken to Oswegatchie, -and thence down to Montreal, where they were confined until the peace. -In consequence of exposures of this description, a vigilant watchfulness -was necessary at all points; and Colonel Willett, who retained the -command, was exactly the officer for the station. He had frequent occasion -to despatch considerable bodies of troops against the straggling parties -of Indians and Tories; but their lightness of foot, and dexterity in -threading the mazes of the forests, generally, if not always, enabled them -to escape. So that no important event transpired in that section of -country during the year. - -But while there was so little active warfare on the frontiers of New-York -during the Summer of 1782, the Indians of the remoter west were more -active along the Kentucky frontier than in the preceding year. In May they -ravished, killed, and scalped a woman and her two daughters near Ashton's -station. [FN] The Indians perpetrating this outrage were pursued by -Captain Ashton, at the head of a band of twenty-five men. Being overtaken, -a battle ensued, in which the Indians were victorious. The Captain was -killed, together with eight of his men, and four others were mortally -wounded. In the month of August another Kentucky settlement, called Hoy's -Station, was visited by the Indians, by whom two lads were carried into -captivity. This band was also pursued by Captain Holder, with a party of -seventeen men, who, coming up with the Indians, were likewise defeated -with a loss of seven killed and two wounded. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boon. There is strong reason to doubt - whether the Indians abused the persons of the women. If true, it was the - only instance of the kind that is believed to have occurred during the - war. It is a proud characteristic of the Indians, that they never - violate the chastity of their female prisoners. - - -On the 15th of August, the post at Briant's station, five miles from -Lexington, was invested by a far more considerable party of the enemy, -numbering five hundred Indians and Canadians. After killing all the cattle -in the neighborhood, they assaulted the post on the third day but were -repulsed with a loss of about eighty killed and numbers wounded;--how -many, was not known. They were pursued on their retreat by Colonels Todd, -Trigg, and Boon, and Major Harland, at the head of one hundred and -seventy-six men, well armed and provided. The Indians drew the pursuers -into an unfavorable position on the 19th, when a severe battle ensued, -in which the Kentuckians were beaten with the loss of seventy-six men; -among whom were Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland, and a son of -Colonel Boon. The battle lasted only fifteen minutes. The retreat from the -field was yet more disastrous than the battle itself. It was fought on the -banks of the main fork of the Licking river, at the great bend, -forty-three miles from Lexington. The Kentuckians were pursued across the -river, some on horseback and others on foot. Some were killed in the -river, and others while ascending the cliffs beyond. The arrival of the -fugitives at Lexington with the melancholy tidings, occasioned a scene of -weeping and deep lamentation, since a large portion of the male population -had fallen. Being reinforced a few days afterward, Colonel Boon returned -to bury the dead, which he represents as an affair of a most painful -description. So mangled and disfigured were the bodies, that their -identity could not be ascertained. The Colonel was afterward informed that -when the Indians discovered their own loss to have been four more than -that of the Kentuckians, four of the seven prisoners they had taken were -handed over to their young men to be put to death by torture. - -On hearing of this disastrous affair, General Clark, who was at the Falls -of the Ohio, directed a pursuit of the Indians to their own towns of Old -and New Chilicothe, Peccaway, and Wills Town. Colonel Boon seems to have -led this expedition, although the fact is not expressly stated in his -narrative. Failing in an attempt to fall upon the Indians by surprise, the -Colonel took possession of their deserted towns, which were burnt with -fire. Seven prisoners and fifteen scalps were taken by the Kentuckians, -whose own loss was but four men; two of whom were killed by accident, not -by Indians. With these incidents closed the Indian war of the Revolution -on the Kentucky border. - -But there yet remains a tale of murderous character to be recorded, which, -in its black and inexcusable atrocity, transcends any and every Indian -massacre which marked that protracted and unnatural contest It is a tale -of blood, too, in which the white men--not the Indians--are to be branded -as the savages. - -On the banks of the Muskingum resided several communities of Indians, who -had embraced the peaceable tenets of the Moravians. They were of the -Delaware nation, and had removed to the Muskingum from Friedenshutten on -the Big Beaver, and from Wyalusing and Sheshequon on the Susquehanna, in -the year 1772. Notwithstanding the annoyance experienced by them in -consequence of the Cresap war, in 1774, their settlements, which were -named Schoenbrunn, Salem, and Gnadenhuetten, rose rapidly in importance, -and in a short time numbered upward of four hundred people. Among their -converts was the celebrated Delaware chief _Glickhickan,_ famous alike -for his bravery on the war-path, his wisdom in council, and his eloquence -in debate. Their location, being a kind of half-way station between the -white settlements and the hostile Indians of the lakes, was unpleasant -after the war of the Revolution came on, and subjected them to -difficulties alternately arising from the suspicions of both or all of -the belligerent parties, against whose evil intentions toward them they -were occasionally admonished. Still, their labors, their schools, and -their religions exercises were conducted and practised as usual. - -Their spiritual guides, at the period now under discussion, were, Michael -Jung, David Zeisberger, and John Heckewelder, known in later times as the -Indian Historian. These people looked upon war with abhorrence; -maintaining that "the Great Being did not make men to destroy men, but to -love and assist each other." They had endeavored to dissuade some of -their own race from taking any part in the contest, and had likewise given -occasional information to the white settlements when threatened with -Indian invasions. - -The hostile Indians frequently hovered around their settlements, and -sometimes threatened their destruction, under the pretext that their -neutrality was equivocal, and that they were secretly in alliance with the -Americans, to whom they were in the practice of giving timely notice of -the hostile advances of the Indians in the service of the King. [FN] In -1777 they were visited by the noted Huron chief, _Half King,_ at the head -of two hundred of his warriors, on his way to attack some of the frontier -settlements of Virginia. Half King at first menaced the Moravian -non-combatants; but Glickhickan appeased his ire by a timely supply of -refreshments, and diverted him from his purpose by an opportune speech, -declaring their religious sentiments and praising their missionaries. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge. - - -The British authorities at Detroit were by no means friendly to these -Moravian towns; early in the year 1781 they applied to the Great Council -of the Six Nations, assembled at Niagara, to remove them out of the -country. A message was accordingly sent by the Iroquois to the Ottawas and -Chippewas to this effect: "We herewith make you a present of the Christian -Indians to make soup of;" a figurative Indian expression equivalent to -saying--"We deliver these people to you to be killed." But neither the -Ottawas nor Chippewas would receive the message, which was returned with -the laconic reply--"We have no cause for doing this." The same message was -next sent to the Wyandots, but they at that time were equally indisposed -to make war upon their inoffensive brethren. [FN] But in the Autumn of -the same year, under the influence of McKee and Elliott, who had now -become captains in the ranks of the crown connected with the Indian -service at Detroit, and by reason of the more immediate persuasions of -Simon Girty, the bloodthirsty refugee associate of McKee and Elliott, who -was living among the Wyandots, over whom he had acquired great influence, -the poor Moravians, with their pious and self-denying ministers, were -forcibly removed, or rather compelled, by the hostile Indians, at the -instigation of those men, to remove to Sandusky. The leaders of the -Wyandots compelling this emigration, were Girty, Half King, and the -celebrated Captain Pipe. The sachem-convert, Glickhickan, was also carried -to Sandusky; and a young female relation of his, by her courage and -generosity, had well-nigh cost him his life. Apprehending that evil would -befall her friends, she stole a fine horse belonging to Captain Pipe, and -rode to Pittsburgh, to give the alarm in regard to the captive -missionaries and their congregations. In revenge for this courageous -action, Glickhickan was seized by a party of the Wyandot, or Huron -warriors, who raised the death-song, and would have put him to death but -for the interference of the Half King in his favor. Glickhickan was -subsequently examined by his captors, and his innocence of all -participation in the mission of the heroic squaw fully made to appear. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder. - - -It was at a great sacrifice of property and comfort that these Indians -were torn thus from their homes. They had more than two hundred heads of -black cattle, and upward of four hundred swine, of which they were -deprived, together with large stores of corn, and three hundred acres more -just ripening for the harvest. They arrived at Sandusky on the 11th of -October--a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles from their homes. -They were treated with great harshness on their march, especially by -Girty, who, in the course of the Winter subsequent to their removal, -caused their missionaries to be arrested by order of the commandant at -Detroit, to which place they were transferred. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] These good men, after many trials and vexations, were ultimately - released, and Half King charged all the blame upon Girty, whose iniquity - in the premises the Indian prince indignantly exposed and denounced. The - British Government also censured the conduct of its officers in regard - to the proceedings, especially the harsh treatment of the missionaries. - - -While the meek and pious missionaries, amid the tears and other -manifestations of grief of their people, were preparing for the journey -to Detroit, intelligence of a most painful character was received. Being -pressed by hunger at Sandusky, a considerable number of the Moravian -Indians, with some of their families, had been allowed to return to their -former habitations on the Muskingum, to secure their corn, and such other -provisions as they could find, and forward the same from time to time to -their suffering brethren. Unhappily, while this peaceable party were thus -engaged at Salem and Gnadenhuetten, the weather being favorable for the -operations of scalping parties, a few hostile Indians of Sandusky had made -a descent upon the Pennsylvania frontier, and murdered the family of Mr. -William Wallace, consisting of his wife and five or six children. A man -named John Carpenter was taken prisoner at the same time. - -Enraged at these outrages, a band of between one and two hundred men, from -the settlements of the Monongahela, turned out in quest of the marauders, -thirsting for vengeance, under the command of Colonel David Williamson. -Each man provided himself with arms, ammunition, and provisions, and the -greater number were mounted. They bent their course directly for the -settlements of Salem and Gnadenhuetten, arriving within a mile of the -latter place at the close of the second day's march. Colonel Gibson, -commanding at Pittsburgh, having heard of Williamson's expedition, -despatched messengers to apprise the Indians of the circumstance, but they -arrived too late. - -It was on the morning of the 7th of March that Williamson and his gang -reached the settlement of Gnadenhuetten, the very day on which the -Indians, having accomplished their labors, were bundling up their luggage -for retracing their steps to Sandusky. Some of their number, however, were -yet in the fields gathering corn, as were many others in the town of -Salem, at no great distance thence. The party of Williamson divided -themselves into three detachments, so disposed as to approach the -settlements from as many different points at once. The Indians had indeed -been apprised of Williamson's approach by four Delaware Indians on the -day before; but, conscious of their own innocence, and least of all -anticipating harm from the Americans, they continued in their pacific -occupations without suspicion of danger. - -When within a short distance of the settlement, though yet in the woods, -the advance guard of one of Williamson's divisions met a young Indian -half-blood, named Joseph Shabosh, whom they murdered in the most cruel and -wanton manner. The youth was catching horses, when he was shot at and -wounded so badly that he could not escape. He then informed them who he -was; stated that his father was a white man and a Christian; and begged -for his life. But they regarded not his entreaties. His arm had been -broken by the first shot. He was killed by a second, tomahawked and -scalped, and cut into pieces with the hatchets of his murderers. Another -Indian youth, a brother-in-law of young Shabosh, who was engaged in -binding corn, about one hundred and fifty yards from the town, saw the -white men approaching. Knowing some of them, however, and supposing them -to be friends, he addressed them as such. But he was soon undeceived. He -saw them shoot one of his Indian brethren who was crossing the river in -a canoe, and immediately ran away in affright. Unfortunately, in his panic -he ran from the village instead of toward it, so that no alarm was given -until the Americans had quite proceeded into the heart of the town. - -Many of the Indians were scattered over the fields at work, and were -hailed by Williamson's men representing themselves as "friends and -brothers, who had come purposely from Fort Pitt to relieve them from the -distress brought upon them by the enemy, on account of their being friends -to the American people." The Indians, not doubting their sincerity, gave -credence to their professions, and walking up to them, thanked them for -their kindness. Their treacherous visitors next persuaded them to cease -work and go into the village; as it was their purpose to take them to -Fort Pitt, in order to their greater security from the Wyandots, where -they would be abundantly supplied with all they might want. Delighted with -such an unexpected friendly visitation, the Indians mingled with the -strangers with the utmost cordiality, walking and conversing with them -like old acquaintances. They delivered up their arms, and began with all -alacrity to prepare food for their refreshment. Meantime a messenger was -despatched to Salem, "to inform the brethren and sisters there of what had -taken place at Gnadenhuetten; the messenger giving it as his opinion that -perhaps God had ordained it so, that they should not perish upon the -barrens of Sandusky, and that those people were sent to relieve them." - -Pleased with the communication, and yet unwilling to act precipitately, -the party at Salem deputed two of their number to confer with their -brethren and the white men at Gnadenhuetten. Communications were -interchanged, which were mutually satisfactory. The dissembling of -Williamson and his men was so complete as to win the entire confidence of -the simple-minded people; and at the solicitation of the party at -Gnadenhuetten, those at Salem came over and joined their insidious -visitors, for the purpose of removing to the white settlements, where, as -they were farther assured, all their wants would be supplied by the -Moravian brethren at Bethlehem. A party of Williamson's men were detached -to Salem to assist in bringing all the Indians and their effects to -Gnadenhuetten; and, still farther to win upon the easy confidence of -their victims, this precious collection of assassins made zealous -professions of piety, and discoursed to the Indians, and among each other, -upon religious subjects. On leaving Salem, the white men applied the -torch to the houses and church of the village, under the pretext of -depriving the hostile Indians of their benefit. - -Having, like their brethren at Gnadenhuetten, delivered up all their arms, -their axes, hatchets, and working-tools, under the stipulation that they -were all to be returned to them at Pittsburgh, the party from Salem set -out with light hearts to enjoy the white man's kind protection. But on -approaching the other village, their apprehensions were awakened, by marks -in the sand, as though an Indian had recently been weltering there in his -blood. They, nevertheless, proceeded to the village to join their -brethren; but on their arrival thither a sad change came over their -waking dream of happiness. Instead of being treated as Christian friends -and brothers, they were at once roughly designated as warriors and -prisoners; and already, previous to their arrival, had their brethren, -sisters, and children at Gnadenhuetten, been seized and confined for the -purpose of being put to death. The party from Salem were now completely -within the toils of their enemies. They could neither fight nor fly. -Besides that their religious creed forbade them to do the one, they had -no weapons of defence, and they were surrounded by armed men, who would -not suffer them to escape. - -As a pretext for this usage, Williamson and his men now charged them with -having stolen their horses, and all their working tools and -furniture--charges not only untrue, but known to be so by their accusers. -A more humble, devout, and exemplary community of Christians, probably, -was not at that day to be found in the new world. Under the untiring -instructions of their missionaries, they had been taught the dress and -practices of civilized life. They were tillers of the soil, and had become -so well acquainted with the usages of society, and were so well furnished -with the necessaries and some of the luxuries of life, that they could set -a comfortable table and a cup of coffee before a stranger. All the animals -and articles charged upon them as having been stolen, were their own -private property, honestly acquired. But their protestations of innocence, -and their entreaties, alike were vain. Their betrayers were bent upon -shedding their blood. - -Still, the officers were unwilling to take upon themselves the exclusive -responsibility of putting them to death, and the solemn farce of a council -was held upon the subject. By this tribunal it was determined that the -question of life or death should be decided by a vote of the whole -detachment. The men were thereupon paraded, and Williamson put the -question, "whether the Moravian Indians should be taken prisoners to -Pittsburgh, or put to death?" requesting all in favor of saving their -lives to advance in front of the line. Only sixteen or eighteen of the -whole number were by this process found to be inclined to mercy, and the -poor trembling prisoners were immediately admonished that they must -prepare to die. - -Some, indeed, there were among the blood-thirsty gang eager to commence -the work of death _instanter_; but as the victims united in begging a -short delay for their devotions, the request was granted. "Then, asking -pardon for whatever offence they had given or grief they had occasioned -to each other, the Indians kneeled down, offering prayers to God their -Saviour--and kissing one another under a flood of tears, fully resigned -to his will, they sang praises unto Him, in the joyful hope that they -would soon be relieved from all pains, and join their Redeemer in -everlasting bliss. During the time of their devotions, the murderers were -consulting on the manner in which they would put them to death." Some -were for setting fire to the houses, and dispatching them as by an _auto -da fe_; others were for killing them outright, and bearing their scalps -as trophies back to their homes; while those who had opposed the execution -yet protested against "the deep damnation of their taking off," and -withdrew. Impatient of delay, the blood-thirsty wretches interrupted the -last hymn they could sing in this world, and demanded if they were not -ready for death. They were answered in the affirmative--the victims -adding: "That they had commended their immortal souls to God, who had -given them the assurance in their hearts that he would receive their -souls." Then seizing a mallet from a cooper's shop, one of the ruffians -commenced the work of murder by knocking the Indians on the head. Having -killed fourteen successively in this manner, he desisted, and handing the -weapon over to another, remarked--"Go on in the same way; I think I have -done pretty well!" Those who had opposed the murder stood at a distance, -wringing their hands, and calling God to witness "that they were innocent -of the lives of these harmless Christian Indians." - -The first victim in the other slaughter-house--for such both in which the -Indians were confined became--was an aged Indian woman named Judith, a -widow, of great piety. In a few minutes the work of death was completed. -Ninety Indians, Christians and unarmed--unoffending in every respect--were -murdered in cold blood. Among them were old men and matrons, young men and -maidens, and infants at their mothers' breasts. Sixty-two of the number -were grown persons, one third of whom were women, and the remaining -thirty-four were children. Five of the slain were assistant teachers, two -of whom had been exemplary members of the pious Brainard's congregation -in New Jersey. The convert chief Isaac Glickhickan, was also among the -slain. Only two of the captives escaped this shocking massacre. They were -both young. One of them eluded the murderers by creeping unobserved into -a cellar, from whence he stole into the woods; and the other having been -knocked down and scalped, feigned death, and escaped after the murderers -left the place. This they did not do, however, until they supposed all -were dead. On completing the work, they retired for a short distance to -recruit their strength; but, as though resolved that not a living soul -should have the remotest chance of escape, they returned to take another -look at the dead; and observing a youth, scalped and bloody, supporting -himself with his hands upon the floor in order to rise, the monsters -dispatched him with their hatchets! As night drew on, they set fire to the -buildings, and thereupon departed for their own homes, singing and yelling -with demoniac joy at the victory they had achieved. According to the -accounts of the American newspapers of that day, this massacre was a very -commendable transaction; it was represented that the attack of Williamson -was made upon a body of warriors, who had been collecting a large quantity -of provisions in the Muskingum, for supplying their own warriors and other -hostile savages. It was stated, as the cause of their destruction having -been so complete, that they were surprised and attacked in their cabins -at night; and it was exultingly added, that "about eighty horses fell -into the hands of the victors, which they loaded with the plunder, the -greatest part furs and skins--and returned to the Ohio without the loss -of a man!" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Pennsylvania Gazette, April 17,1782. The author will add, in this - place, that the preceding account of this unparalleled case of wholesale - murder has been chiefly prepared from the accurate and laborious - Heckewelder, together with extracts from Doddridge's Notes on the Indian - Wars, and Loekiel, as quoted in Drake's Book of the Indians. - - -If through the whole extent of the voluminous records of savage wars in -America, a deed of darker treachery, or of deeper atrocity, than this -massacre of the Moravian Indians, is to be found, it has thus far escaped -the research of the author of the present work. The uncivilized and -unchristianized savages themselves were amazed at the enormity of the -bloody deed. But the construction they put upon the transaction, as a -providential occurrence, was curious and striking. They said they had -envied the condition of their relations, the believing Indians, and could -not bear to look upon their happy and peaceful lives in contrast with -their own lives of privation and war. Hence they had endeavored to take -them from their own tranquil homes, and draw them back, into heathenism, -that they might be reduced again to a level with themselves. But the -Great Spirit would not suffer it to be so, and had taken them to himself. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder--Nar. Moravian Missions. - - -After this massacre, the Indians at Sandusky--not only those who were -Christians, but the Wyandots, and others who were hostile, watched the -movements of the whites along the Ohio with ceaseless vigilance. Two -months having expired after the destruction of the Moravians, another -expedition was organized to go against the Wyandots and other Indian -tribes in the Sandusky country. The number of men volunteering for the -campaign, was four hundred and eighty. They were mustered at the old -Mingo towns on the western bank of the Ohio. An election was held for the -office of Commander-in-chief of the expedition--Colonels Williamson and -William Crawford being the candidates. The choice devolved upon the -latter, who was an unwilling candidate, and accepted the post with -reluctance. The same men who had murdered the Moravians, composed the -present army in part, and the march was commenced with a determination -that not the life of an Indian, friend or foe, should be spared. The -expedition had been organized with great secrecy, as it was supposed; and -as the men were mounted, the intention was by a rapid march to fall upon -the Wyandot towns by surprise. Arriving, however, at the Moravian towns -where the murders had been committed, three Indians were discovered by -Crawford, who fled at a pace too rapid to be overtaken. The pursuit of -them was disorderly, and from the conduct of his men on that occasion, -their commander lost confidence in them, and from that moment entertained -a presentiment of defeat. So far from the advance of Crawford being a -secret, it ultimately appeared that the Indians had been narrowly watching -his progress at every step. They saw the gathering at the Mingo towns, and -counted their numbers. They had also been apprised of the resolve that -"no quarter was in any instance to be given." [FN] It was to be expected, -then, that at some point they would be prepared for Crawford's reception. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Doddridge. - - -Crawford and Williamson had intended first to strike upon the Moravian -town on the Sandusky; but on arriving at that place, they discovered that -the Indians had seasonably withdrawn so that the brave Williamson had no -non-combatants to vanquish. The town was, in fact, covered with tall -grass, the Indians having removed to the Scioto some time before. Crawford -and Williamson then directed their course for several towns of the hostile -Indians--by whom they were unexpectedly drawn into an engagement upon an -open prairie, the Indian warriors themselves being concealed by the -shrubbery upon its margin. Night came on before the battle was terminated; -and the Indians, expecting a reinforcement from the Shawanese before -morning, made their dispositions for surrounding the Americans at -daylight. But when morning came, the white man was not there. The -Americans, indeed, had not acquitted themselves like soldiers during the -engagement of the preceding afternoon, and they availed themselves of the -darkness to escape--greatly to the mortification of the Indians and their -daring leader, Captain Pipe. They had encamped upon the prairie; and so -silent was their flight, that some of them, not aware of the retreat, were -found by the Indians in the morning still sleeping amid the tall -prairie-grass, where they had laid themselves down. - -An active pursuit of the fugitives took place, and many straggling -parties were overtaken and cut to pieces. Upward of a hundred were thus -either killed outright or taken. Among the latter were Colonel William -Crawford, his son, and Doctor McKnight. The former of these gentlemen -had rendered himself particularly offensive to the Indians by his -successful campaigns against them, so that his capture was a triumph. It -was still more unfortunate for him that he was taken while serving with -such a commander as Williamson--against whom, for his cruel treachery at -Gnadenhuetten, the savages were cherishing the bitterest feelings of -revenge. Crawford, however, had not been engaged in that shameful affair, -but being found among the same men who had murdered their friends and -relations in March, the Indians could not draw the distinction. They had -anxiously sought for Williamson, but on being informed that he was among -the first to escape, they called out "revenge! revenge!" on whomsoever -they had in their power. - -Crawford would probably have made good his retreat but that he lingered -behind in anxiety for his son, whom he supposed yet to be in the rear. -After wandering two days in the woods with Dr. McKnight, both were taken -by a party of Delawares, and conducted to the Old Wyandot town. Here -Captain Pipe, with his own hands, painted the prisoners black, a certain -premonition of the doom that awaited them. From thence they were taken to -the New Wyandot town, passing on the way the mangled remains of a number -of their fellow-captives. At the new town, the place appointed for the -execution of Crawford, they found the noted Simon Girty. It had been -decided that Crawford should die by the most aggravated torture, to atone -in some degree for the murders by Williamson and his men at Gnadenhuetten. -After he was bound to the fatal post, the surviving Christian Indians were -called upon to come forth and take vengeance on the prisoner; but they had -withdrawn, and their savage relations stepped forward in their stead. -Before the work of torture was commenced, Captain Pipe addressed the -Indians at some length, and in the most earnest manner, at the close of -which they all joined in a hideous yell, and prepared for the work in -hand. The fire was kindled, when it occurred to poor Crawford, that among -the sachems he had a particular friend, named Wingemund. "Where is my -friend Wingemund?" he asked, "I wish to see him." It is true that this -chief had been the warm friend of Colonel Crawford, by whom he had been -entertained at his own house. Under these circumstances Crawford indulged, -a faint degree of hope, that if he could see the chief, his life might yet -be saved. Wingemund was not far distant, having, in fact, retired from the -place of execution, that he might not behold what he could not prevent. He -was sent for, however, and an interesting and even affecting conversation -ensued between himself and the prisoner. This conversation was commenced -by Crawford, who asked the chief if he knew him. He replied that he -believed he did, and asked--"Are you not Colonel Crawford?" "I am," -replied the Colonel; and the conversation was thus continued--the chief -discovering much agitation and embarrassment, and -ejaculating--"So!--Yes!--Indeed!" - -"_Colonel Crawford._ Do you not recollect the friendship that always -existed between us, and that we were always glad to see each other? - -"_Sachem._ Yes, I remember all this; and that we have often drunk -together, and that you have been kind to me. - -"_Col. C._ Then I hope the same friendship still continues. - -"_Sachem._ It would, of course, were you where you ought to be, and not -here. - -"_Col. C._ And why not here? I hope you would not desert a friend in time -of need; now is the time for you to exert yourself in my behalf, as I -should do for you were you in my place. - -"_Sachem._ Colonel Crawford, you have placed yourself in a situation which -puts it out of my power, and that of others of your friends, to do any -thing for you. - -"_Col. C._ How so, Captain Wingemund? - -"_Sachem._ By joining yourself to that execrable man, Williamson, and his -party. The man who, but the other day, murdered such a number of the -Moravian Indians, knowing them to be friends; knowing that he ran no risk -in murdering a people who would not fight, and whose only business was -praying. - -"_Col. C._ But, I assure you, Wingemund, that had I been with him at the -time, this would not have happened. Not I alone, but all your friends, and -all good men, reprobate acts of this kind. - -"_Sachem._ That may be, yet these friends, these good men, did not prevent -him from going out again to kill the remainder of those inoffensive yet -foolish Moravian Indians. I say _foolish,_ because they believed the -whites in preference to us. We had often told them that they would one day -be so treated by those people who called themselves their friends. We told -them there was no faith to be placed in what the white men said; that -their fair promises were only intended to allure, that they might the more -easily kill us, as they have done many Indians before they killed those -Moravians. - -"_Col. C._ I am sorry to hear you speak thus. As to Williamson's going out -again, when it was known that he was determined on it, I went out with him -to prevent him from committing fresh murders. - -"_Sachem._ This the Indians would not believe, were I to tell them so. - -"_Col. C._ And why would they not believe it? - -"_Sachem._ Because it would have been out of your power to prevent his -doing what he pleased. - -"_Col. C._ Out of my power? Have any Moravian Indians been, killed or hurt -since we came out? - -"_Sachem._ None. But you went first to their town, and finding it empty -and deserted, you turned on the path toward us. If you had been in search -of warriors only, you would not have gone thither. Our spies watched you -closely. They saw you while you were embodying yourselves on the other -side of the Ohio. They saw you cross that river; they saw where you -encamped at night; they saw you turn off from the path to the deserted -Moravian town; they knew you were going out of your way; your steps were -constantly watched; and you were suffered quietly to proceed until you -reached the spot where you were attacked. - -"_Col. C._ (With emotion.) What do they intend to do with me? - -"_Sachem._ I tell you with grief. As Williamson, with his whole cowardly -host, ran off in the night at the whistling of our warriors' balls, being -satisfied that now he had no Moravians to deal with, but men who could -fight, and with such he did not wish to have any thing to do; I say, as he -has escaped, and they have taken you, they will take revenge on you in his -stead. - -"_Col. C._ And is there no possibility of preventing this? Can you devise -no way to get me off? You shall, my friend, be well rewarded, if you are -instrumental in saving my life. - -"_Sachem._ Had Williamson been taken with you, I and some friends, by -making use of what you have told me, might, perhaps, have succeeded in -saving you; but as the matter now stands, no man would dare to interfere -in your behalf. The King of England himself were he to come to this spot -with all his wealth and treasure, could not effect this purpose. The blood -of the innocent Moravians, more than half of them women and children, -cruelly and wantonly murdered, calls aloud for _revenge._ The relatives of -the slain, who are among us, cry out and stand ready for _revenge._ The -Shawanese, our grand-children, have asked for your fellow-prisoner; on him -they will take _revenge._ All the nations connected with us cry out, -_revenge! revenge!_ The Moravians, whom you went to destroy, having fled -instead of avenging their brethren, the offence has become national, and -the nation itself is bound to take _revenge._ - -"_Col. C._ My fate is then fixed, and I must prepare to meet death in its -worst form. - -"_Sachem._ Yes, Colonel. I am sorry for it, but I cannot do any thing for -you. Had you attended to the Indian principle, that good and evil cannot -dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil -company, you would not have been in this lamentable situation. You see -now, when it is too late, after Williamson has deserted you, what a bad -man he must be. Nothing now remains for you but to meet your fate like a -brave man. Farewell, Colonel Crawford! They are coming. I will retire to -a solitary spot." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder's Indian Nations. - - -On turning away from his friend, whom it was not in his power to assist, -it is said the old Sachem was affected to tears, and could never -afterward speak of the incident without deep emotion. The moment the chief -had left the Colonel, a number of the executioners rushed upon him, and -commenced the work of torture, which was in progress three hours before -the victim fell upon his face and expired with a groan. During the -proceedings against him, he was continually and bitterly upbraided for the -conduct of the white men at Gnadenhuetten. If not himself a participator -in that atrocious affair, they reproached him for having now come against -them with the worst kind of murderers--such as even Indians had not among -them. "Indians," said they, "kill their enemies, but not their friends. -When once they have stretched forth their hand, and given that endearing -name, they do not kill. But how was it with the believing Indians on the -Muskingum? You professed friendship for them. You hailed and welcomed them -as such. You protested they should receive no harm from you. And what did -you afterward to them? They neither ran from you, nor fired a single shot -on your approach. And yet you called them warriors, knowing they were not -such! Did you ever hear warriors pray to God, and sing praises to him, as -they did? Could not the shrieks and cries of the innocent little children -excite you to pity, and to save their lives? No! you did not! You would -have the Indians believe you are Christians, because you have the Great -Book among you, and yet you are murderers in your hearts! Never would the -unbelieving Indians have done what you did, although the Great Spirit has -not put his Book into their hands as into yours! The Great Spirit taught -you to read all that he wanted you to do, and what he forbade that you -should do. These Indians believed all that they were told was in that -Book, and believing, strove to act accordingly. We knew you better than -they did. We often warned them to beware of you and your pretended -friendship; but they would not believe us. They believed nothing but good -of you, and for this they paid with their lives." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder's Narrative of the Moravian Missions. "There was farther - a circumstance much against this unfortunate man, which enraged the - Indians to a high degree. It was reported that the Indian spies sent to - watch their movements, on examining a camp which Crawford and Williamson - had left, west of the Ohio, had found on trees peeled for the purpose, - the words, written with coal and other mineral substances--'_No quarters - to be given to an Indian, whether man, woman, or child._' When the - Indians find inscriptions on trees or other substances, they are in the - habit of making exact copies of them, which they preserve until they find - some one to read or interpret them. Such was the fact in the present - case, and the inscription was sufficient to enrage them."--_Idem._ - - -It was, indeed, most unhappy for Colonel Crawford, that he had been -captured in such company; but never were reproaches more righteously -heaped upon the heads of the guilty than on this occasion. Never was the -scorpion lash of satire more justly inflicted--could but the really guilty -have been there to feel its withering rebuke. The son of Colonel Crawford, -himself doomed to the same fate, was present with Dr. Knight, {_sic_} and -obliged to behold the torture, and listen to the agonising ejaculations of -his parent, without being able to render assistance or offer a word of -consolation. [FN] The sufferings of the son followed close upon those of -the father; but with Dr. Knight it was otherwise. He was reserved for -sacrifice by the Shawanese, and while on his way thither contrived to -escape, and, after twenty-one days of hardship and hunger in the -wilderness, succeeded in gaining Fort McIntosh. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Withren's Chronicles, quoted by Drake in his Book of the Indians. - Dr. Ramsay says it was Colonel Crawford's son-in-law who was present, and - subsequently underwent the same fate. - - -The defeat of Colonel Boon at the Blue Licks in August, the massacre of -the Moravian Indians, and the fate of Crawford and his expedition, are the -last tales of blood connected with the American Revolution. It is true -that in September following, a large body of Indians laid siege to the -fort at Wheeling, but the siege was raised without farther bloodshed than -the death of one man in the fort and of three or four without. A barn was -burnt at Rice's fort, which was also invested, but not seriously, and the -Indians withdrew to their own wilds. Should the details of the last few -pages be considered rather too ample for the general plan of the present -work, it must be remembered that the awarding of justice to the Indian -character also entered largely into its design. The transaction on the -Muskingum forms one of the darkest pages in the records of civilized war; -unsurpassed, certainly, if not unparalleled, in the history, written or -unwritten, of the whole aboriginal race. The victims were not only -innocent and harmless, but, obedient to the precepts of their religion, -offered no resistance to their hypocritical murderers, and poured out -their blood like water--crimson libations in sacrifice to the white man's -rapacity and hate. Nor can the Indians be censured for the fate of -Crawford. - -With the exception of the Indian details in the present chapter, the year -1782 passed away without furnishing any military operations of moment, -under the immediate direction of the respective Commanders-in-chief. Sir -Guy Carleton had probably been restrained from offensive war by -instructions conforming to the pacific vote of the House of Commons, cited -in the early part of the present chapter; while the condition of the -American army, had Washington been otherwise disposed, disabled him from -making any attempt on the posts in possession of the British. Generals -Greene and Wayne had reconquered the south; and Sir Guy Carleton had -directed the officers of his Majesty in the north to send out no more -Indian expeditions and to recall those already on foot. Still, -notwithstanding all these conciliatory indications, there remained a -possibility that the conflict was not yet ended. A change of ministers in -England might produce a change of policy. In view of this uncertainty, the -Commander-in-chief relaxed none of his efforts during the year to -preserve the discipline of the army, and keep the country in an attitude -of defence. In pursuance of this policy, in the month of January, 1783, -news of the signing of a treaty of peace not having yet been received, -the Commander-in-chief conceived the project of surprising and obtaining -possession of the important fortress of Oswego. It was the occupation of -this post which gave the British such ready facilities for intriguing with -the Six Nations on the one hand, and for pouring their motley battalions -down upon the American settlements; and the Commander-in-chief judged -wisely, that in the event of another campaign the possession of that -fortress would be of the first consequence to the Americans, being then -one of the most formidable military defences on the Continent. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall. - - -Having determined to attempt its capture by surprise, the execution of the -project was confided to Colonel Willett. With the utmost secrecy -therefore, as to destination, the troops of his command were suddenly -assembled at Fort Herkimer on the eighth of February. Commencing their -march immediately, on the night of the 9th they crossed the Oneida lake, -and arrived at Oswego Falls, a few miles only from the fortress, by two -o'clock P. M. on the following day. With the small force under his -command, and without the means of prosecuting a siege, it was of course -necessary to carry the works by escalade if at all. Halting, therefore, at -the Falls, the necessary ladders were constructed and the march was -resumed. At 10 o'clock in the evening they were within four miles of the -fort. After which, having marched about two hours, and not coming in sight -of the point of destination, an investigation of the cause was undertaken, -when, to the astonishment and mortification of the Commander, and to the -vexation of the whole corps, it was ascertained that, by diverging from -the river, their guide, a young Oneida Indian, had lost his way. The -situation was, indeed, awkward and perplexing. They had been at one time -nearly within speaking distance of the works, and the shout of victory was -almost raised in anticipation, when suddenly they discovered that they -were lost in a deep forest, in the depth of winter, and amid mountains of -snow. It was too late to prosecute the enterprise any farther that night. -They could not remain in the vicinity of the fortress over the ensuing -day without being discovered. And the instructions of the -Commander-in-chief were peremptory, that if they failed in surprising the -fort, the attempt would be unwarrantable. The only alternative, therefore, -was to relinquish the enterprise, and reluctantly retrace their steps. It -was a sad mistake of the poor Indian, but not an error of design. The -march had been one of great severity and fatigue. The guide had led them -into a swamp, and while they were standing still, after discovering -themselves to be lost, so cold was the weather, that the feet of some of -the men froze into the mire. The return march was even more painful still, -because of the lameness of some and the varied sufferings of others. One -man was frozen to death. But all happened well in the end, for on Colonel -Willett's return to Fort Rensselaer, and thence to Albany, he arrived at -the ancient Dutch capital just in season to hear the welcome news of peace -proclaimed by the Town Clerk at the City Hall, and to mingle his -rejoicings with those of the inhabitants. - -An agreement for the cessation of hostilities between the United States -and Great Britain was signed by the respective commissioners of the two -powers on the 20th of January, upon the basis of the articles stipulated -in Paris on the 30th of the preceding November. And on the 24th of March, -a letter was received from the Marquis de Lafayette, announcing a general -peace. On the 11th of April Congress issued its proclamation, declaring -the cessation of arms by sea and land. - -In regard to the failure of Colonel Willett's last expedition, no possible -censure was imputable to him. In reply to the Colonel's official account -of the affair, General Washington wrote a characteristic letter, -approving of his conduct, and consoling him for his disappointment. -"Unfortunate as the circumstance is," said the Commander-in-chief, "I am -happy in the persuasion that no imputation or reflection can justly reach -your character; and that you are enabled to derive much consolation from -the animated zeal, fortitude, and activity of the officers and soldiers -who accompanied you. The failure, it seems, must be attributed to some of -those unaccountable events which are not within the control of human -means, and which, though they often occur in military life, yet require, -not only the fortitude of the soldier, but the calm reflection of the -philosopher to bear. I cannot omit expressing to you the high sense I -entertain of your persevering exertions and zeal on this expedition; and -beg you to accept my warm thanks on the occasion; and that you will be -pleased to communicate my gratitude to the officers and men who acted -under your command, for the share they had in that service." - -Thus ends the history of the border wars of the American Revolution--the -principal theatres of which were in the districts north and west of -Albany. The vale of the Mohawk, including its intersecting valley of the -Schoharie-kill, was among the most thickly populated and wealthy -agricultural districts of the country at the commencement of the war. The -productiveness of its soil, and the riches of its people, rendered it -ever an inviting object of plunder to the enemy--especially to the -savages, and the swarms of refugees who had fled from the country, and -were sharing a precarious livelihood among the Indian wigwams and in the -wilds of Canada. Its geographical position, moreover, rendered it the -most easily assailable of any well-peopled section of the whole Union; -while at the same time the larger armies of the enemy were employed -elsewhere, and of course required the greatest portion of the physical -strength of the country elsewhere to oppose them. The consequence of -these, and other circumstances that might be enumerated, was, that no -other section or district of country in the United States, of the like -extent, suffered in any comparable degree as much from the war of the -Revolution as did that of the Mohawk. It was the most frequently invaded -and overrun; and that, too, by an enemy far more barbarous than the native -barbarians of the forest. Month after month, for seven long years, were -its towns and villages, its humbler settlements and isolated habitations, -fallen upon by an untiring and relentless enemy, until, at the close of -the contest, the appearance of the whole district was that of wide-spread, -heart-sickening, and universal desolation. In no other section of the -confederacy were so many campaigns performed, so many battles fought, so -many dwellings burnt, or so many murders committed. And those who were -left at the return of peace, were literally a people "scattered and -peeled." It was the computation, two years before the close of the war, -that one third of the population had gone over to the enemy, and that one -third had been driven from the country, or slain in battle and by private -assassination. And yet, among the inhabitants of the other remaining -third, in June, 1783, it was stated, at a public meeting held at Fort -Plain, that there were three hundred widows and two thousand orphan -children. But with the news of peace the dispersed population began to -return to the sites of their former homes. [FN] Their houses were rebuilt, -and their farms once more brought into cultivation; while different and -not less enterprising occupants, deriving their titles from the state, -took possession of the confiscated lands of those who had adhered to the -cause of the crown. The spirit of industry and enterprise, so -characteristic of the American people, was not long in imparting a new -aspect to the scene; and Tryon County, exchanging her name for that of the -patriot Montgomery, soon smiled through her tears. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Along with the returning patriots, as Satan was wont in the olden - time occasionally to present himself in better company, some of the - Tories began to steal back into the country they had forsaken, and - assisted to drench in tears of blood. But the Whig population would not - endure their presence. The preceding narrative of events has shown that - the Tryon County loyalists, who had taken arms in company with the - Indians, were far more revengeful and bloody than were the Indians - themselves. It is no marvel, therefore, that a feeling of peculiar - bitterness against them existed in the bosoms of those who had suffered - so keenly at their hands. These feelings were embodied and declared at - two public meetings held in different sections of Tryon County, in June, - 1783; for which, see Appendix, No. V. - - -Other scenes and other wars will afford materials for the remaining -chapters of the present volumes, as connected with the subsequent life -and career of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - - - The Treaty of Peace--Neglect of her Indian allies by Great - Britain--Brant's negotiations with General Haldimand for a new - territory--The Senecas invite the Mohawks to settle in the Genesee - Valley--Declined--The Grand River country granted to the Mohawks by Sir - Frederick Haldimand--Indian policy of the United States--Views of - Washington and General Schuyler--Treaty with the Six Nations at Fort - Stanwix--Corn-planter and Red Jacket take opposite aides--Peace with the - Six Nations--Dissatisfaction of the Indians--Of Thayendanegea in - particular--Letter of Brant to Colonel Monroe--Relinquishes his design - of going then to England--Returns to Grand River--Differences of - opinion with Sir John Johnson--Brant sails for England in the Autumn of - 1785--His arrival--Glimpses of his ulterior designs--His distinguished - reception--Enters upon the business of his mission--Letter to Lord - Sidney--Speech of Brant to Lord Sidney--Letter of Lord Sidney in - reply--Question of half-pay--Brant's Letter to Sir Evan Nepean--His - associations with the great--Keen sarcasm upon a nobleman--Striking - incident at a grand masquerade--Brant's attention to the moral wants of - his people--His return to Canada. - - -The treaty of November, 1782, restoring peace between the United States -and Great Britain, and recognising the unconditional independence of the -former, was such as to gratify every reasonable wish of the American -people. In regard to questions of boundary and the fisheries, it was, -indeed, more liberal than their allies, France and Spain, desired. -Professedly, France had drawn the sword in behalf of the United States; -but the negotiations for peace presented the singular fact, that but for -the diplomacy of the former, the treaty of peace would have been sooner -completed. The negotiation was a work of intricacy, requiring skill, -penetration, judgment, and great firmness on the part of the American -commissioners--qualities which their success proved them to possess in an -eminent degree. But, although the American treaty was first definitively -concluded, less than two months elapsed before preliminary articles of -peace were agreed upon and signed between Great Britain, France, and -Spain; France having the satisfaction of seeing her great rival -dismembered of the fairest portion of her American possessions, as she -herself had been by that very power twenty years before. - -In the treaty with the United States, however, Great Britain had made no -stipulation in behalf of her Indian allies. Notwithstanding the alacrity -with which the aboriginals, especially the Mohawks, had entered the -service of the crown--notwithstanding their constancy, their valor, the -readiness with which they had spilt their blood, and the distinguished -services of their Great Captain, Thayendanegea, the loyal red man was not -even named in the treaty; while "the ancient country of the Six Nations, -the residence of their ancestors from the time far beyond their earliest -traditions, was included within the boundary granted to the Americans." -[FN-1] What with the descent of Colonel Van Schaick upon the Onondagas, -and the expedition of General Sullivan into their territory farther west, -their whole country had been ravaged with fire and sword; and the Mohawks, -in particular, had sacrificed the entire of their own rich and beautiful -country. It appears, however, that when the Mohawks first abandoned their -native valley to embark in his Majesty's service, Sir Guy Carleton had -given a pledge, that as soon as the war was at an end they should be -restored, at the expense of the government, to the condition they were in -before the contest began. In April, 1779, General Haldimand, then Captain -General and Commander-in-chief in Canada, ratified the promise of his -predecessor, pledging himself, under hand and seal, as far as in him lay, -to its faithful execution "as soon as that happy time should come." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] MS. memorial of the Six Nations, presented to Lord Camden by - Teyoninhokarawen, commonly called John Norton. - - [FN-2] MS. order of General Haldimand, among the Brant papers. - - -At the close of the war the Mohawks were temporarily residing on the -American side of the Niagara river, in the vicinity of the old -landing-place above the fort. The Senecas, who had been in closer alliance -with the Mohawks during the war than any other of the Six Nations, and who -had themselves been chiefly induced by the former to take up the hatchet -against the United States, offered them a tract of land in the valley of -the Genesee. But, as Captain Brant long afterward said in one of his -speeches, the Mohawks were determined "to sink or swim" with the English; -and besides, they did not wish to reside within the boundaries of the -United States. The generous offer of the Senecas was therefore declined, -and the Mohawk Chief proceeded to Montreal to confer with the -Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Sir John Johnson, and from -thence to Quebec, to claim from General Haldimand, the Commander-in-chief, -the fulfillment of his pledge. The General received the warrior with great -kindness, and evinced every disposition to fulfill the pledge in the most -honorable manner. The tract upon which the chief had fixed his attention -was situated upon the Bay de Quinte, on the north side of the St. -Lawrence, or rather of Lake Ontario; and at his request General Haldimand -agreed that it should be purchased and conveyed to the Mohawks. - -On the return of Thayendanegea to Niagara, the Senecas were disappointed -at the arrangement, and pained at the idea that their friends were to be -located at so wide a distance from them. They were apprehensive that their -troubles with the United States were not yet at an end; and were, -therefore, exceedingly desirous that the Mohawks should reside so near as -to assist them in arms if necessary, or afford them an asylum should they -be obliged to flee from the oppression of the United States. Under these -circumstances Captain Brant convened a council of his people, and it was -resolved that he should make a second visit to Quebec, and, under the -peculiar circumstances of the case, request another and more convenient -territory. The country upon the Ouise, or Grand River, flowing into Lake -Erie some forty miles above the Falls of Niagara, was indicated to -General Haldimand as a location every way convenient, not only for -maintaining a ready intercourse with the residue of the Six Nations, but -also as affording facilities for corresponding with the nations and tribes -of the upper lakes. His Excellency approved of the suggestion, and -promptly ordered a second purchase to be made in conformity with the -request. On inquiring the extent of the territory expected by the Mohawks, -the Captain replied, "Six miles on each side of the river, from the mouth -to its source." With assurances that the grant should be formally secured -in fee, in due season, the chief returned once more to Niagara, and -shortly afterward entered into possession of the lands allotted for the -new home of his people. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This narrative of facts is derived from a long speech of Captain - Brant, made in council, to Gov. Simcoe, in 1795, a copy of which is - preserved among the Brant papers. - - -In the Autumn of 1784, having learned that General Haldimand was about -returning to England, the vigilant chief repaired to Quebec a third time -upon this business, in order to make sure of the title deed. The result of -this visit was a formal grant by Sir Frederick Haldimand, in the name of -the crown, of a tract of land "upon the banks of the river Ouise, commonly -called Grand River, running into Lake Erie, of six miles breadth from each -side of the river, beginning at Lake Erie, and extending in that -proportion to the head of said river; which the Mohawks, and others of the -Six Nations who had either lost their possessions in the war, or wished to -retire from them to the British, with their posterity, were to enjoy -forever." [FN-1] The course of the river Ouise is about one hundred miles, -so that the grant embraced a territory of that extent in length by twelve -miles in width. "This tract, though much smaller than that which they had -been obliged to forsake within the United States, amply satisfied these -loyal Indians, who preferred living under the protection of His Britannic -Majesty, (ready to fight under his standard again, if occasion should -require,) to a more extensive country." [FN-2] The district of country -thus granted, is said to be alike beautiful and fertile. The Grand River -rises in the interior of the country toward Lake Huron, and winds its way -to Lake Erie through a long and picturesque course. It is navigable for -small vessels many miles upward, and for large boats a much greater -distance still. The land along its whole course is uncommonly productive. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Copy of the Grant, among the Brant papers. - - [FN-2] Norton's Memorial to Lord Camden. - - -The policy to be observed by the United States toward the Indians residing -within their borders, was a question of grave and weighty importance, and -early arrested the consideration of American statesmen. Very soon after -the English came into possession of the Colony of New-York, the Six -Nations relinquished their own primitive right of absolute sovereignty, -and placed themselves and their lands under the protection of the -government of New-York, [FN-1] reserving to themselves a kind of qualified -sovereignty. The immediate object of this act, on the part of the Indians, -was to secure the alliance of the English in their wars with the French, -and the Huron and Algonquin Indians in Canada. [FN-2] Subsequently, during -the Colonial administration, the Indians were considered as separate but -dependent nations. [FN-3] Aside from this circumstance, however, by the -treaty of peace the sovereignty of all the Indian countries within the -prescribed limits granted to the United States by Great Britain, became -vested in the former, to the same extent, of course, as it had been -exercised by Great Britain. With that sovereignty, moreover, the exclusive -right of preemption to all the Indian lands lying within the territory of -the United States also became vested in them--subject to the possessory -right only of the natives. [FN-4] These rights had been acquired by -England by discovery, which, under the practice of the European nations, -was held to be equivalent to conquest; and although the natives were -admitted to possess a just and legal claim, as the original occupants of -the soil, to retain and use it according to their own discretion, still -they were not allowed to dispose of the soil at their own will, except to -the government claiming the right of preemption. [FN-5] Such was the -practice of Spain, France, Holland, and England; and as early as 1782, -Mr. Jay, then the American Minister at the Court of Madrid, in his -correspondence with the Count d'Aranda, asserted the adoption of the same -principle on the part of the United States. [FN-6] But while the right of -sovereignty, as it had been exercised by England, passed over to the -United States by virtue of the treaty, under the complicated system of the -confederacy, the preemptive right to the soil became vested in the -respective States within whose boundaries or grants they were -situated--the States themselves being so many sovereign powers in all -matters of national import which had not been specially conceded to the -Government of the Union under the Articles of Confederation. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Kent's Commentaries, vol. iii. p. 399. - - [FN-2] Colden's Canada. - - [FN-3] Kent's Commentaries. - - [FN-4] Kent's Commentaries, vol. i. p. 257. - - [FN-5] Idem, vol. iii. p. 379. - - [FN-6] Life and Writings of John Jay. - - -The treatment of the Six Nations by the Dutch Colonial Government had been -kind and liberal. So, also, had it been under the Colonial Government of -England--the Indians, in no instance, being dispossessed of a rood of -ground, except by purchase. Immediately on the conclusion of the war, -however, England having made no stipulation in behalf of the Indians, a -disposition was manifested by the Legislature of New-York to expel the -Six Nations from all the country within the bounds of that state, which -had not been ceded by them previous to the war. [FN] This disposition, -which seems, likewise, to have been entertained to some extent in other -states, was viewed with great concern by Generals Washington and Schuyler, -who united in the opinion that such a line of policy would be alike -injudicious, inhuman, and unjust. General Schuyler addressed a memorial -to Congress upon the subject in July. Coinciding entirely in the -sentiments of Schuyler, Washington followed up that communication by a -long letter to James Duane, then in Congress, in September. The views of -these gentlemen were, that the most liberal and humane policy should be -adopted in respect to the Indians. True, they had taken up the hatchet in -favor of the crown, and by a rigid construction of the laws of conquest, -they might be dispossessed of their lands, and driven, with their allies, -north beyond the lakes. But General Washington strongly urged, that while -the Indians should be informed of the strict right of the United States -to deal thus severely with them, and compel them to share the same evil -fortune with those whom they had chosen for their allies, nevertheless, -looking upon them as a people who had been deluded into the service of the -crown, they should be allowed honorable terms of peace, and to retain the -possession of lands and hunting grounds, to be designated by treaty, -within the boundaries of which they should not be molested. It was the -desire of Washington, that with regard to these children of the forest, a -veil should be drawn over the past, and that they should be taught that -their true interest and safety must henceforward depend upon the -cultivation of amicable relations with the United States. In regard to the -Six Nations, he thought the course which the Legislature of New-York -seemed desirous of pursuing would involve the country in another Indian -war, since the Indians would never surrender their whole territory without -another struggle; while he justly held that all the territory that was -actually wanted by the people of the United States might be obtained by -negotiation and compromise. As a general principle, moreover, it was held -that, in all time to come, it would be much cheaper to obtain cessions of -land from the Indians, from time to time, as they should be required for -the extension of settlements, by purchase, than to acquire them by -conquest--to say nothing of the sufferings, the evils, and the guilt of -war. Upon this whole subject of Indian policy there was an entire -coincidence of opinion between Washington and Schuyler. Most happily it -prevailed, and the subsequent cession by the states of their Indian lands -to the general government, facilitated the benevolent action of the latter -under that system; the wisdom of which, irrespective of its justice and -humanity, has become every year more apparent since. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Washington to James Duane, Sept 7, 1783. - - -It was while the Mohawk chief was occupied in making his final -arrangements with the Canadian Commander-in-chief, as has been seen a few -pages back, that the sachems and warriors of the Six Nations were holding -a treaty with the United States at Fort Stanwix. At this negotiation, the -Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Oneidas, Cayugas, Tuscaroras, and -Seneca-Abeal [FN-1] nations were represented. The Commissioners on the -part of the United States were Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur -Lee. The records of this treaty, containing the speeches interchanged on -the occasion, seem not to have been preserved, as has been usual in -diplomatic matters with the Indians. Nothing appears upon the subject -among the Indian state-papers at the seat of Government, save the naked -result of the council, in the form of a very brief treaty, signed by the -nations represented instead of the several chiefs. It is known, however, -that among the leading chiefs who took an active part in the negotiations, -were the Corn-planter and Red Jacket; and enough is to be gathered from -the records of subsequent transactions with the Indians, to afford a -general idea of the course of these proceedings. Beyond doubt the -representatives of the Six Nations at that council were opposed to a -separate negotiation with the United States. Their desire was, that no -definitive treaty of peace and boundaries should be concluded, unless the -whole ground was covered at once; and, as a consequence, they strenuously -urged that the Hurons, Ottawas, Shawanese, Chippewas, Delawares, -Pottawattamies, the Wabash Confederates, and the Cherokees, should be -represented, in order that the whole question of boundaries, on all the -Indian borders, might be determined. [FN-2] But the Commissioners on the -part of the United States would listen to no such delay. The Six Nations, -as such, had taken up the hatchet in favor of the crown, and it was -determined to punish them by a dismemberment of their territory. Red -Jacket, a somewhat younger chief than the Corn-planter, was opposed to a -burial of the hatchet, and spoke with great eloquence and vehemence in -favor of a continuance of the war by the Indians on their own account. -"His speech was a masterpiece, and every warrior who heard him was carried -away with his eloquence." [FN-3] The Corn-planter was a wiser man than his -junior associate. He saw the folly of a war to be waged by the Indians -single-handed against the United States, and he exerted himself with all -his power in favor of peace. He saw that the only alternative of his -people was the relinquishment of a portion of their territory by -compromise, or the loss of the whole by force. His efforts were in the end -successful, and on the 22d of October a treaty was signed, by which the -United States gave peace to the Mohawks, Senecas, Onondagas, and -Cayugas--the four hostile nations of the confederacy--and received them -under their protection on condition that all the prisoners, white and -black, in the possession of the said nations, should be delivered up; the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras were secured in the possession of the lands then -in their occupation; the Six Nations at the same time relinquishing all -claims to the country west of a line beginning at the mouth of the -Oyonwayea Creek, flowing into Lake Ontario four miles east of Niagara; -thence southerly, but preserving a line four miles east of the carrying -path, to the mouth of the Tehoseroron, or Buffalo Creek; thence to the -north boundary of Pennsylvania; thence west to the end of that boundary; -and thence south along the Pennsylvania line, to the river Ohio. All the -Six Nations were to be secured in the possession of the lands they were -then occupying; and six hostages were to be delivered to the United -States, to remain in their possession until all the prisoners, whose -liberation was stipulated, should be surrendered by the Indians. [FN-4] -There was likewise a stipulation that the Indians should deliver up -certain persons of their own people, who were considered very great -offenders, to be tried by the civil laws of the United States. Two -persons were surrendered under this stipulation; but the Indians afterward -complained, that, instead of being tried according to law, they were -wrested from the hands of the magistrate by some of the lowest of the -white people, and immediately put to death. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The clan of the Senecas residing with the Corn-planter on the - Allegheny. - - [FN-2] Speech of the united Indian nations at a confederate council, - holden at the month of the Detroit River, November and December, 1786. - - [FN-3] Drake, who translates from Levasseur's Lafayette in America. The - Marquis de Lafayette was present at the treaty, and, when visited by Red - Jacket at Buffalo, during his tour through the United States in - 1824-25, the General was reminded by the venerable chief of the - circumstance of their former meeting at Fort Stanwix. This is the - earliest account given of the eloquence of the man of the woods who - afterward became so renowned for his oratory. - - [FN-4] Vide the treaty itself, American State Papers, Indian Affairs, - vol. i. Originally the Five Nations claimed "all the land not sold to the - English, from the mouth of Sorel River, on the south side of Lakes Erie - and Ontario, on both sides of the Ohio until it falls into the - Mississippi; and on the north side of those lakes, that whole territory - between the Ottawa river and Lake Huron, and even beyond the straights - between that and Lake Erie."--_Smith's History._ - - [FN-5] Speech of Big Tree, Corn-planter, and Half-Town, to President - Washington, in 1790. - - -The result of this negotiation gave great dissatisfaction to the Indians -generally; and the crafty Red Jacket afterward availed himself of the -advantages of his position, in stealing the hearts of the Senecas from the -Corn-planter to himself. The Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea, was likewise -highly displeased with the conditions of the treaty, the more so, -doubtless, from the circumstance that Captain Aaron Hill, a subordinate -chief of the Mohawk nation, was detained as one of the hostages under the -treaty. When he heard of the proceedings, the old chief was at Quebec. He -had completed his business with Sir Frederick Haldimand, and was on the -point of embarking for England, to adjust the claims of his nation upon -the crown for their sacrifices during the war. The design of going abroad -was immediately relinquished for that season, and Captain Brant hastened -back to his own country, to look after the welfare of his own people at -home. He arrived at Cataraqui on the 27th of November, and two days -afterward addressed a long letter to Colonel James Monroe, [FN] in which, -after expressing a wish that the letter may find the Colonel in health, -and thanking him for some recent personal civilities, he says-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Whether the Colonel Monroe, to whom this letter was addressed, was - the late President of the United States, the author has not ascertained; - and if so, it does not appear how he was connected with the Fort Stanwix - treaty. - - -"I was at Quebec, getting ready to set off from thence for England (you -know my business there perfectly well.) About the same time I received an -account that our chief, Capt Aaron Hill, [FN] was detained, and kept as a -prisoner at Fort Stanwix by the commissioners of Congress, and understood -that he was to be kept until all the American prisoners returned to their -own places, from the different nations of Indians, who are still remaining -amongst them. When I received, this disagreeable news, I immediately -declined going any farther from there. It did alarm me very much of -hearing this, because it was me that encouraged that chief to come and -attend that meeting at Fort Stanwix." - - * * * * * - - [FN] This chief was connected with the family of Thayendanegea. Aaron - Henry Hill married one of his daughters, and is spoken of by Captain - Brant, fifteen years afterward, in his correspondence with Thomas Morris, - Esq. - - -"I never did expect that it should be the cause of detaining chiefs in the -matter; for I thought the affair was too far gone to happen any such -things. The Congress have past their words to us that they wish to be -friends with all the Indians; and we likewise did the same to them. -However, suppose the commissioners of Congress did find it necessary for -them to detain some of the chiefs, I should have thought they could -reasonably have excused our chief, and let him gone, and kept other right -persons, who ought to be detained, because we are clear from keeping -prisoners since peace. As soon as the word came, peace, we let all our -prisoners go, except one or two children which could not help themselves. -Captain Aaron Hill had no conveniences to take with him when he went to -Fort Stanwix. We also all along advised the other tribes of Indians, since -peace, that the prisoners should go to their homes; and have during the -war always favored the prisoners, especially women and children; and -likewise did push the matter forward since, to promote peace, and to renew -the friendship with you again as we formerly had, in honestly manner. We -mean to go through with it and be done with it, that every body should -mind their own business and be happy. This is our customs and manners of -the Mohocks, whenever engaged any thing. They are all-ways active and -true;--no double faces at war, or any other business. All this makes me -think the commissioners should consider this, and our chief should [have] -gone home, for we have been a generous enemy to you during the war, and -very active in forwarding the matters of settling peace with you all last -Summer. I believe the commissioners must have some spite against the -Mohocks of using them so, through the advice of Priest Kertland and the -Oneidas, and he did likewise even to the Senekas, who were our friends. He -tried all he could that they should themselves be against the Mohocks; all -this I am well informed. Sir, these low-live tricks (it is very odd to me -why it should be so,) confuses me very much. I believe we shall be at -last prevented of becoming good friends with you. If it should be the -case, the fault shall not be ours, which I hope you will find so. It would -relieve me many points if you would be so kind as to answer me this -letter, as far as you will understand my English, and please to explain -me at once of your sentiments concerning this kind of complaint of mine, -let it be what it will, because whatever must be done its no help for it, -it must be so. If I could see you, and talk with you, I could explain -myself better than a letter half English half Indian. You remember I told -you that I should be happy to be present if any council-fire of yours -should be held in the Spring; I mean about the Indian affairs; and I -wanted to see you in New Jersies if I had time. But, my dear sir, I begin -to be backward about going there, since my chief is detained. Perhaps I -should be served the same, and be kept from my different sweethearts, -which would be too hard for me. It is the very thing which will deprive -me from having the pleasure to see you, and attending your council in the -Spring--except the affairs change in different footing. But believe me -this, let the affairs turn out what it will, I should be always very happy -to see you. I shall winter here, myself and family; early in the Spring I -shall leave this, and go to my new country at Grand River. - - "I am your well-wisher, - And humble servant, - JOS. BRANT, or - Thayendanegea. [FN] - - "_To Col. James Monroe._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The MS. of this letter, preserved among the papers of Capt. Brant, - is probably the first rough draft. It was evidently written in great - haste, and the author has made a very few corrections where the errors - seemed clearly to be the effect of carelessness. Otherwise, it stands - as it was written. Captain Brant improved in his English composition - very much and very rapidly in after years. - - -What effect was produced by this letter, or how just were the complaints -set forth therein, is not known; but the probability is, that the -difficulty in regard to the detention of Hill was satisfactorily adjusted. -In any event, Captain Brant accomplished his purpose of visiting England -at the close of the year following, (1785.) Before his embarkation, -however, he seems to have formed a plan somewhat analogous to that -entertained, and in part accomplished, twenty years before, by -Pontiac--that of combining all the great north-western Indian nations into -a single grand confederacy, of which he was to be chief. In furtherance of -this design, he visited the country of the upper lakes, and held councils -with the nations. It is not known whether, like Pontiac, he meditated war -upon the United States, unless in the event of being attacked. Still, he -could not but look upon hostilities, in the event of the formation of his -confederacy, as more than probable. Ostensibly, his visit to England was -undertaken for the purpose of adjusting the claims of the loyal Mohawks -upon the crown, for indemnification of their losses and sacrifices in the -contest from which they had recently emerged. And such, probably, was the -sole design of the visit, when originally projected, the preceding year. -But the dissatisfaction existing in regard to the treaty of Fort Stanwix, -and other indications among the Indians, had probably increased the -objects of his mission. At all events, it soon appeared that, coupled with -the special business of the Indian claims, was the design of sounding the -British government, touching the degree of countenance or the amount of -assistance which he might expect from that quarter, in the event of a -general Indian war against the United States. - -Sir John Johnson, who visited England immediately after the war, had -returned to Canada during the Summer of 1785. He seems likewise to have -been charged with the claims of the Mohawks, but accomplished nothing to -their satisfaction. Still, he was opposed to the mission of Captain Brant, -and wrote on the 6th of November, strongly dissuading him from undertaking -the voyage. Sir John thought the claims in question might be adjusted to -mutual satisfaction before the lapse of another year; and he hinted to his -friend that his own interest required his attention at home. "I need not, -I am sure," said the Baronet, "endeavor by many words, to point out to you -the critical situation of your own affairs; I mean those of your -confederacy; and how much the aid of every man of weight and influence -among you is wanting at present, to guard against the designs of your -enemies, who, by calling meetings at this time in every quarter, mean to -spare no pains to divide and separate your interests, thereby to lessen -your consequence and strength, and to answer their designs upon your -country and liberty." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. Letter of Sir John Johnson, among the Brant papers. - - -But the chief was not to be diverted from his purpose. Embarking -immediately, and having a short passage, he was received by the nobility -and gentry with great consideration and respect. His arrival at Salisbury -was thus noted in a letter from that place, dated December 12, 1785, and -published in London. "Monday last, Colonel Joseph Brant, the celebrated -King of the Mohawks, arrived in this city from America, and after dining -with Colonel De Peister, at the head-quarters here, proceeded immediately -on his journey to London. This extraordinary personage is said to have -presided at the late grand Congress of confederate chiefs of the Indian -nations in America, and to be by them appointed to the conduct and chief -command in the war which they now meditate against the United States of -America. He took his departure for England immediately as that assembly -broke up; and it is conjectured that his embassy to the British Court is -of great importance. This country owes much to the services of Colonel -Brant during the late war in America. He was educated at Philadelphia; is -a very shrewd, intelligent person, possesses great courage and abilities -as a warrior, and is inviolably attached to the British nation." - -What particular Indian council is referred to in the preceding quotation, -is unknown. Most likely it was connected with the ambitious project of -Thayendanegea already indicated; and it is, moreover, very likely that the -discontents of the north-western Indians, chiefly in relation to questions -of boundary, which ultimately produced the war of 1789-'95--may, even thus -early, have been at work in the bosoms of the Indians. Undoubtedly, if -such a council was held, "the Great Captain of the Six Nations" was -present. Certain it is, that while prosecuting the just claims of the -Mohawks at the British Court, he did not fail, with great adroitness, -though indirectly, to present the other subject to the consideration of -Lord Sidney, then Secretary for the Colonies. Indeed, it appears from a -passage in the letter of Sir John Johnson, already quoted, that that -gentleman had previously been sounding the government on the same -question. "With regard to the assistance required or expected in case of -war," said the Baronet in the letter referred to, "I think I explained -that to you also, and shall more fully when I see you." - -The reception of the distinguished Mohawk in the British capital was all -that the proudest forest king, not unacquainted with civilized life, could -have desired. In the course of the war he had formed many acquaintances -with the officers of the army, upon whom he must have made a highly -favorable impression, since all who met him in London recognised him with -great cordiality. Some of these he had met in the salons of Quebec, as -well as been associated with them in the field. His visits to the Canadian -capital had been frequent during and subsequent to the war. On one of -these occasions the Baroness Riedesel met him at the provincial court, -which gave her occasion to speak of him thus in her memoirs:--"I saw at -that time the famous Indian chief, Captain Brant. His manners are -polished; he expressed himself with fluency, and was much esteemed by -General Haldimand. I dined once with him at the General's. In his dress he -showed off to advantage the half military and half savage costume. His -countenance was manly and intelligent, and his disposition very mild." -[FN-1] Aside, therefore, from the novelty of gazing upon an Indian prince -in the British capital, his education and associations, his rank as a -warrior, and his bravery, were so many substantial reasons why he should -be received with kindness and courtesy. Sir Guy Carleton, afterward Lord -Dorchester, who was then on the point of embarking for America to relieve -Sir Frederick Haldimand in the government of the Canadas, was well -acquainted with the Chief. Earl Moira, afterward Marquis of Hastings, who -had served in America as Lord Rawdon, had formed a strong attachment to -Captain Brant, and gave him his picture set in gold. [FN-2] The late -General Sir Charles Stuart, fourth son of the Earl of Bute, who, while -serving in America, had often slept under the same tent with him, had the -warmest regard for him, [FN-3] and cordially recognised him as his friend -in London. With the late Duke of Northumberland, then Lord Percy, he had -likewise formed an acquaintance in America, which ripened into a lasting -attachment, and was maintained by a correspondence, continued at intervals -until his death. With the Earl of Warwick, and others of the nobility and -gentry, he had become acquainted during his first visit, ten years before. -His acquaintance was also sought by many of the distinguished statesmen -and scholars of the time; among whom were the Bishop of London, Charles -Fox, James Boswell, and many others. He sat for his picture for Lord -Percy, as he had done for the Earl of Warwick and Boswell when first in -England; and Fox presented him with a silver snuff-box, bearing his -initials. [FN-4] With the King and royal family he was a great -favorite--not the less so on the part of his Majesty, for having proudly -refused to kiss his hand on his presentation. The dusky Chief, however, -in declining that ceremony, with equal gallantry and address remarked that -he would gladly kiss the hand of the Queen. George the Third was a man of -too much sterling sense not to appreciate the feelings of his brother -chief, and he loved his queen too well not to be gratified with the -turning of a compliment in her Majesty's favor, in a manner that would -have done no discredit to the most accomplished cavalier of the Court of -Elizabeth--Sir Walter Raleigh. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letters and memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel. - - [FN-2] Now in possession of the lady of Colonel William J. Kerr, the - daughter of Thayendanegea. - - [FN-3] Letter of Thomas Campbell to the late John Brant, or Ahyonwaeghs, - the son of Thayendanegea; of whom more hereafter. - - [FN-4] Still in the possession of Mrs. Kerr. - - -Equally well did he stand in the graces of the Prince of Wales, [FN] who -took great delight in his company; sometimes inviting him in his rambles -to places "very queer for a prince to go to," as the old chief was wont to -remark in after-life. He was also, it is believed, an occasional guest at -the table of the Prince, among that splendid circle of wits, orators, and -scholars, who so frequently clustered around the festive board of the -accomplished and luxurious heir apparent. It has been asserted, likewise, -that these associations, and the freedom with which the leading Whigs were -accustomed to speak of the King, had an unhappy effect upon the mind of -the warrior, by lessening his reverence for the regal office, if not for -his Majesty's person. - - * * * * * - - [FN] His late Majesty George IV. - - -But, amidst all the attractions of the metropolis, and the hospitalities -in which he was called to participate, the Chief did not neglect the -special object, or _objects,_ of his mission. He had left his nation -suffering from their losses of property and other sacrifices, by which, -as well as their arms, they had proved their loyalty, or rather their good -faith to the King as allies, during the late war, and his first object was -to obtain relief. The claims of his people had previously been presented -to the consideration of his Majesty's Government, as already staled, by -Sir John Johnson; but, apparently receiving no attention, on the 4th of -January, 1786, Captain Brant addressed the following letter to Lord -Sidney, his Majesty's Secretary for the Colonial Department:-- - - Captain Brant to Lord Sidney. - - "My Lord, - -"The claims of the Mohawks for their losses having been delivered by Sir -John Johnson, His Majesty's Superintendent General for Indian affairs, to -General Haldimand, and by him laid before your Lordship, who cannot but be -well informed that their sufferings, losses, and being drove from that -country which their forefathers long enjoyed, and left them the peaceable -possession of, is in consequence of their faithful attachment to the King, -and the zeal they manifested in supporting the cause of His country -against the rebellious subjects in America. - -"From the promises made by the Governor and Commander-in-chief of Canada, -that their losses should be made good, and that soon, when I left them, I -was desired to put His Majesty's ministers in mind of their long and -sincere friendship for the English nation, in whose cause their ancestors -and they have so often fought and so freely bled,--of their late happy -settlements, before the rebellion, and their present situation,--and to -request their claims might be attended to, and that orders may be given -for what they are to receive to be paid as soon as possible, in order to -enable them to go on with the settlement they are now making; in some -measure stock their farms, and get such articles and materials as all -settlements in new countries require, and which it is out of their power -to do before they are paid for their losses. - -"On my mentioning these matters, since my arrival in England, I am -informed orders are given that this shall be done; which will give great -relief and satisfaction to those faithful Indians, who will have spirit to -go on, and their hearts be filled with gratitude for the King, their -father's, great kindness, which I pray leave, in their behalf, to -acknowledge, and to thank your Lordship for your friendship. - - "JOSEPH BRANT, _Captain,_ or - Thayendanegea. - - "_London,_ 4_th January,_ 1786." - - -On the same day Captain Brant was honored by an interview with the -Secretary, on which occasion he addressed his Lordship in the following -speech, a copy of which was delivered in writing.-- - - Speech of Captain Brant to Lord Sidney. - - "My Lord, - -"I am happy at the honor of being before your Lordship, and having an -opportunity of delivering the following speech to you, in behalf of the -Five United Nations of Indians, and their confederates in North America. - -"The cause of my coming to England being of the most serious consequence -to the whole Indian Confederacy, I intreat your Lordship patiently to hear -and listen to what I am going to say. - -"We hope it is a truth well known in this country, what a faithful part we -took in their behalf in the late dispute with the Americans; and though we -have been told peace has long since been concluded between you and them, -it is not finally settled with us, which causes great uneasiness through -all the Indian nations. - -"When we heard peace was made between his Majesty and the Americans, we -made application to General Haldimand at Quebec, to know our situation, -delivering him a speech at the same time, which we requested might be sent -to the King--a copy of which I now deliver to your Lordship. - -"Having in that speech, in as few words as possible, pointed out what -friendship we had shown to the English from the earliest time of their -arrival in America, and being conscious of the active part our forefathers -and we had taken in their favor in every dispute they have had with their -enemies, we were struck with astonishment at hearing we were forgot in the -treaty. Notwithstanding the manner we were told this, we could not believe -it possible such firm friends and allies could be so neglected by a nation -remarkable for its honor and glory, whom we had served with so much zeal -and fidelity. For this reason we applied to the King's Commander-in-chief, -in Canada in a friendly and private way, wishing not to let those people -in rebellion know the concern and trouble we were under. From the time of -delivering that speech, near three years, we have had no answer, and -remain in a state of great suspense and uneasiness of mind. This is well -known to the officers who commanded at the upper posts in America, as is -also our zeal for His Majesty's service during the war. - -"Our trouble and distress is greatly increased by many things the -Americans have said, to whom we have avoided giving any direct answers, or -entering into any engagements with, before we have an answer. On the -arrival of Sir John Johnson, our Superintendent-General, in Canada, we -hoped to have received it; in full expectation of which, several of our -first and principal chiefs came down the country to meet him and hear it, -and were very much mortified and sorry at being disappointed. It was then -resolved that I should come to England, and I hope the necessity we are -under of getting this answer will plead my excuse for the trouble I give -your Lordship. - -"It is, my Lord, the earnest desire of the Five United Nations, and the -whole Indian Confederacy, that I may have an answer to that speech; and -from our present situation, as well as that of the American States, who -have surveyed and laid out great part of the lands in our country, on our -side of the boundary line fixed at Fort Stanwix in 1765, the last time we -granted any territory to the King, (at which time some of the governors -attended in person, and where they did not, commissioners, vested with -full powers, appeared on their behalf; so that we had all the reason to -hope that the transaction was binding with respect to all parties,) but -through their encroaching disposition, we have found they pay little -regard to engagements, and are therefore apprehensive of immediate -serious consequences. This we shall avoid to the utmost of our power, as -dearly as we love our lands. But should it, contrary to our wishes, -happen, we desire to know whether we are to be considered as His Majesty's -faithful allies, and have that support and countenance such as old and -true friends expect. - -"I beg liberty to tell your Lordship, that your answer to these matters -will be the means of relieving all our nations from that very troublesome -and uneasy suspense they now labor under, and this they all hope for on -my return. - - "JOS. BRANT, _Captain,_ or - Thayendanegea. - - "_London,_ 4_th Jan._ 1786. - _The Right Hon. Lord Sidney._" - - -The forest chief was not an unsuccessful envoy, as will appear by the -subjoined communication from Lord Sidney--so far at least as relates to -the indemnification claimed by the Mohawks and their allies of the Six -Nations:-- - - Lord Sidney to Captain Brant. - - "_Whitehall,_ 6th _April,_ 1786. - - "Sir, - -"The King has had under his royal consideration the two letters which you -delivered to me on the 4th of January last, in the presence of Colonel -Johnson and other officers of the Indian Department; the first of them -representing the claims of the Mohawks for losses sustained by them and -other tribes of Indians, from the depredations committed on their lands by -the Americans during the late war; and the second, expressing the desire -of the confederacy to be informed what assistance they might expect from -this country in case they should be engaged in disputes with the Americans -relative to their lands, situated within the territory to which His -Majesty has relinquished his sovereignty. - -"Were the right of individuals to compensation for losses sustained by the -depredations of an enemy to be admitted, no country, however opulent it -might be, could support itself under such a burthen, especially when the -contest happens to have taken an unfavorable turn. His Majesty, upon this -ground, conceives that, consistently with every principle of justice, he -might withhold his royal concurrence to the liquidation of those demands; -but His Majesty, in consideration of the zealous and hearty exertions of -his Indian allies in the support of his cause, and as a proof of his most -friendly disposition toward them, has been graciously pleased to consent -that the losses already certified by his Superintendent-General shall be -made good; that a favorable attention shall be shown to the claims of -others, who have pursued the same system of conduct; and that Sir Guy -Carleton, his Governor General of his American dominions, shall take -measures for carrying his royal commands into execution immediately after -his arrival at Quebec. - -"This liberal conduct on the part of His Majesty, he trusts, will not -leave a doubt upon the minds of his Indian allies that he shall at all -times be ready to attend to their future welfare; and that he shall be -anxious, upon every occasion wherein their happiness may be concerned, to -give them such farther testimonies of his royal favor and countenance, as -can, consistently with a due regard to the national faith, and the honor -and dignity of his crown, be afforded to them. - -"His Majesty recommends to his Indian allies to continue united in their -councils, and that their measures may be conducted with temper and -moderation; from which, added to a peaceable demeanor on their part, they -must experience many essential benefits, and be most likely to secure to -themselves the possession of those rights and privileges which their -ancestors have heretofore enjoyed. - - "I have the honor to be, - With great truth and regard, - Sir, - Your most obedient humble servant, - Sidney. - - "_To Captain Joseph Brant, - Thayendanegea._" - - -It appears, that during his negotiations with the ministers, conversations -had been held touching his claim to half-pay; but from the loss of papers, -it is difficult to arrive at the precise circumstances of the case. -Captain Brant held His Majesty's commission during the war as a Captain. -But it was probably a special commission, not in the regular line of the -army, and consequently there may have been doubts as to his title to -half-pay on the reduction which followed the war. No matter, however, for -the exact circumstances of the case, such doubts were entertained, and -were the occasion of the following magnanimous letter from the chief to -one of his Majesty's under Secretaries, a copy of which was preserved -among the private papers of the warrior:-- - - Captain Brant to Sir Evan Nepean. (No Date.) - - "Sir:-- - -"Since I had the pleasure of seeing you last, I have been thinking a great -deal about the half-pay, or pension, which you and I have talked about. - -"I am really sorry that I ever mentioned such a thing to you. It was -really owing to promises made to me by certain persons several times -during the late war, that I should always be supported by the government, -at war or peace. At that time I never asked any body to make me such a -promise. It was of their own free will. - -"When I joined the English at the beginning of the war, it was purely on -account of my forefathers' engagements with the King. I always looked upon -these engagements, or covenants, between the King and the Indian Nations, -as a sacred thing. Therefore I was not to be frighted by the threats of -the rebels at that time. I assure you I had no other view in it. And this -was my real case from the beginning. - -"However, after this, the English gave me pay and a commission from the -Commander-in-chief, which I gladly received as a mark of attention, though -I never asked for it; and I believe my trouble and risques was of equal -value to the marks of attention I received; I am sure not too much in the -eyes of the Indians, or I should not have accepted them, as I should be -sorry to raise jealousies. My meaning for mentioning those things to you, -is because I saw there was some difficulty on your part how to act on this -head relative to half-pay or pension;--and when it does not seem clear, -I should be sorry to accept it. Therefore I beg of you will say no more -about it;--for was I to get it when there were doubts about the propriety -of it, I should not be happy. For which reason I think it is best to go -without it. - -"I am now, Sir, to beg you will return my best thanks to Government for -what they [have] done for me, and am, Sir, - - "Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - Joseph Brant. - - "_To Sir Evan Nepean, Under Secretary, at Home._" - - -There are a frankness and manliness of tone and spirit in this letter, -which will illustrate a striking feature in the character of the writer, -and are worthy of high approbation. It is the only paper of any -consequence connected with the Captain's mission to England, in addition -to those already cited, that remains. - -The chieftain's visit must have been most agreeable, since, in addition to -the success which crowned his labors in regard to the claims of the -Indians, no pains were spared to render his residence in London one of -uninterrupted gratification. He was caressed by the noble and the great, -and was alike welcome at court or at the banquets of the heir -apparent--who, with all his faults, was "the first gentleman in the -realm;"--a fine classical scholar himself, and a lover of genius and -intellect---of letters and men of letters--of sparkling wit, as well as -wine. Among his most frequent guests were Fox, Burke, and Sheridan, and -others of that splendid galaxy of eloquence and intellect--the master -spirits of the opposition in the House of Commons--who were at that time -basking in the sunshine of the Prince's favor, and living in the hope of -more substantial things to come. Though deficient in his literary -acquisitions, Brant, with great strength of mind and shrewdness of -observation, had, moreover, sufficient taste and cultivation to appreciate -society, even of this elevated and intellectual character. The natural -reserve of the Indian temperament he could assume or throw off at -pleasure, and with a keen sense of the ludicrous, he could himself use -the weapons of humor and sarcasm with a good share of skill and dexterity. - -Several anecdotes have been preserved in well-authenticated tradition, -illustrative of these traits of character. One of these is the -following:--Among the gentlemen of rank with whom Brant was acquainted, -was a nobleman of whom it was scandalously reported that his place was -purchased by the illicit favors bestowed upon another by his beautiful -wife. On one occasion his Lordship undertook to rally the forest chief -upon the subjects of the wild and rude manners and customs of the Indians, -to which they pertinaciously adhered notwithstanding all the attempts made -to improve them by the arts of civilization. Some of their absurd -practices, of which the English, as his Lordship remarked, thought very -strange, were particularised. Brant listened very patiently until it -became his turn to speak, when he replied that there were customs in -England, also, of which the Indians thought very strange. "And pray what -are they?" inquired his Lordship. "Why," answered the chief, "the Indians -have heard that it is a practice in England for men who are born chiefs to -sell the virtue of their squaws for place, and for money to buy their -venison!" The Mohawk occupied a position which enabled him to say what he -pleased with impunity. But in the present instance the rebuke was doubly -withering,--from the gravity and assumed simplicity with which it was -uttered, and the certainty that the titled gentleman could not mistake the -direction of the arrow, while he could neither parry nor avoid, nor appear -to notice it. - -During his stay in London, a grand fancy ball, or masquerade, was got up -with great splendor, and numerously attended by the nobility and gentry. -Captain Brant, at the instance of Earl Moira, was also present, richly -dressed in the costume of his nation, wearing no mask, but painting one -half of his face. His plumes nodded as proudly in his cap as though the -blood of a hundred Percies coursed through his veins, and his tomahawk -glittered in his girdle like burnished silver. There was, likewise, in the -gay and gallant throng a stately Turkish _diplomat_ of rank, accompanied -by two houris, whose attention was particularly attracted by the grotesque -appearance of the chieftain's singular, and, as he supposed, fantastic -attire. The pageant was brilliant as the imagination could desire; but -among the whole motley throng of pilgrims and warriors, hermits and -shepherds, knights, damsels, and gipsies, there was, to the eye of the -Mussulman, no character so picturesque and striking as that of the Mohawk; -which, being natural, appeared to be the best made up. He scrutinised the -chief very closely, and mistaking his _rouge et noir_ complexion for a -painted visor, the Turk took the liberty of attempting to handle his nose. -Brant had, of course, watched the workings of his observation, and felt -in the humor of a little sport. No sooner, therefore, had Hassan touched -his facial point of honor, under the mistaken idea that it was of no -better material than the parchment nose of the Strasburgh trumpeter, than -the Chieftain made the hall resound with the appalling war-whoop, and at -the same instant the tomahawk leaped from his girdle, and flashed around -the astounded Mussulman's head as though his good master, the Sultan, in a -minute more, would be relieved from any future trouble in the matter of -taking it off. Such a piercing and frightful cry had never before rung -through that _salon_ of fashion; and breaking suddenly, and with startling -wildness, upon the ears of the merry throng, its effect was prodigious. -The Turk himself trembled with terror, while the female masquers--the -gentle shepherdesses, and fortune-telling crones, Turks, Jews and gipsies, -bear-leaders and their bears, Falstaffs, friars, and fortune-tellers, -Sultans, nurses and Columbines, shrieked, screamed and scudded away as -though the Mohawks had broken into the festive hall in a body. The matter, -however, was soon explained; and the incident was accounted as happy in -the end as it was adroitly enacted by the good-humored Mohawk. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This incident was somewhat differently related by the British - Magazine, which represented that the weapon was raised by Brant in sober - earnest; he having taken the freedom of the Turk for a real indignity. - But such was clearly not the fact. His friends never so understood it. - - -But neither the pleasures of society, nor the follies of the Prince of -Wales, nor the special business of his mission, nor the views of political -ambition which he was cherishing, made him forgetful of the moral wants of -his people. Notwithstanding the ceaseless activity of his life, he had -found time to translate the Gospel of Mark into the Mohawk language; and -as most of the Indian Prayer and Psalm Books previously in use had been -either lost or destroyed during the war, the opportunity of his visit was -chosen by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, -to bring out a new and superior edition of that work, under Brant's own -supervision, and including the Gospel of Mark as translated by him. This -was the first of the Gospels ever translated entire into the Mohawk -language. The book was elegantly printed in large octavo, under the -immediate patronage of the King. It was printed in alternate pages of -English and Mohawk; and the volume contained the psalms and occasional -prayers before published, together with the services of communion, -baptism, matrimony, and the burial of the dead. It was embellished with a -number of scriptural engravings, elegant for the state of the arts at that -day; the frontispiece representing the interior of a chapel, with -portraits of the King and Queen, a bishop standing at either hand, and -groups of Indians receiving the sacred books from both their Majesties. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] A handsome copy of this valuable book, in morocco gilt, has been - loaned to the author by Mrs. Kerr. It belonged to the widow of the old - chief, and contains the record of his death. - - -It is not known at what time of the year 1786 Captain Brant turned his -back upon the gay metropolis of England, to bury himself once more in the -deep forests toward the setting sun. It must, however, have been soon -after receiving Lord Sidney's dispatch of April 6th, since, among the -papers of the chief, there is a letter addressed to him after his return, -by Major Matthews, who was attached to the military family of Sir Guy -Carleton, dated at Montreal, July 24, 1786. Early in the month of December -following he will also be found attending an Indian Council far in the -country of the Great Lakes. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - - - Difficulties between Great Britain and the United States after the - Treaty--Refusal of the former to surrender the western posts--Mission of - Baron Steuben to Canada--Indications of fresh Indian - hostilities--Movements of Captain Brant--Grand Indian Council at the - Huron Village--Address to the United States--Letter of the Secretary at - War, General Knox, to Captain Brant--Letter of Sir John Johnson to - Brant--Letter of Major Matthews to Brant, disclosing the views of Lord - Dorchester respecting the retention of the western posts--Message from - the Hurons to the Five Nations, proposing another grand - Council--Preparations of General St. Clair for negotiating with the - Indians--Brant begins to distrust them all--Letter of Brant to Patrick - Langan, Sir John Johnson's Secretary--Letter of Brant to Sir John - Johnson--Great Council at Miamis--Letter of Captain Brant to Patrick - Langan--St. Clair's negotiations at Fort Harmar--The policy of dividing - to conquer--letter of Captain Brant to Major Matthews--Jealousies of - Brant among the Indians--Council against him at Montreal--Letter to him - from Major Matthews--Letter of Brant in reply--Letter to Colonel - McDonnell--Suspected plot against the English at Detroit, and Brant and - his Mohawks, by the Hurons, Chippewas, and Pottawattamies--Letter to - Brant from Sir John Johnson--Brant turns his attention to the - cultivation of letters--Endeavors to obtain a stated - Missionary--Resumes the preparation of Religious books--Letter from - President Willard--John Norton--Land difficulties among the Indians in - the state of New-York--Letter from Governor Clinton to Brant. - - -Unhappily the treaty of peace did not bring the United States and Great -Britain immediately to so good an understanding with each other as could -have been desired. Several important questions remained for subsequent -arrangement. The treaty proposed a general restoration of confiscated -property to all such loyalists as had not actually borne arms in the -service of the King. The American Congress passed a resolution -recommending the fulfillment of this clause of the treaty by the several -states; but it was not considered binding, and South Carolina alone -approached to a compliance therewith. There was, likewise, an explicit -provision in the treaty, respecting the payment of debts due by Americans -to British subjects, not resting upon a recommendation only; the -fulfillment of which was sadly neglected. Indeed, the states in which -those debts chiefly lay, showed but too plainly an indisposition to aid -in carrying the stipulation into effect. On the other hand, the Negroes -belonging to American citizens who were in the possession and service of -the officers of the British army, were not restored; and, contrary to all -expectation, Great Britain refused to surrender the military posts upon -the American side of the great lakes. The surrender of those posts was -expected with the utmost conscience, as one of the most immediate -consequences of the ratification of the treaty. To this end, Congress -instructed the Commander-in-chief to make all the necessary arrangements -to receive and occupy the posts in the Summer of 1783; and in July of that -season, the Baron Steuben was despatched by General Washington on a -mission to Sir Frederick Haldimand at Quebec, to concert the necessary -dispositions, and proceed along the frontiers as far as Detroit, to -examine the different posts, and report in regard to their condition, and -how many and which of them it would be expedient for the United States -permanently to occupy. [FN-1] The Baron met General Haldimand at Sorel, on -his way to visit the country of the lakes himself. But on making known his -business, the British commander informed him that he had received no -instructions for the evacuation of the posts, or for any other objects -than a cessation of hostilities, with which he had complied. He did not -consider himself at liberty to enter, into any negotiations with the Baron -upon the subject, and even refused him the necessary passports for -visiting Niagara and Detroit. [FN-2] In addition to this, under the -pretext that the government of the United States had not sufficient power -to enforce the observance of a commercial treaty, Great Britain refused to -join in the negotiation of such an instrument. [FN-3] Thus situated--the -government and people of each nation complaining of the other--crimination -and recrimination ensued, until the public feeling became irritated almost -to exasperation. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of Washington to General Haldimand, July 12, 1783. Also, - Instructions of the same to Baron Steuben. - - [FN-2] Sparks. - - [FN-3] The fact was but too true. After the common danger of the war had - ceased to bind the States together, the articles of the Confederation - were but a rope of sand. The government was, indeed, but a rickety - concern until the formation of the Constitution of 1787. - - -The Indians, in the mean time, brooding over the real or fancied wrongs -they had sustained at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and irritated at the -onward current of the white population pressing in their own direction, -were becoming restiff; particularly the more distant tribes at the -south-west; and their movements indicated any thing but pacific -intentions. Indeed, along some portions of the western frontier, -particularly on the Ohio river, it could scarcely be said that they had -been at peace. Both in 1785 and in 1786, acts of individual hostility were -not unfrequent on the banks of the Ohio and on the Kentucky border; and -in both of those years larger parties had repeatedly attacked the crews of -boats descending the river. It was likewise certain that two years only -had elapsed after the close of the war before a hostile combination of -the great north-western nations was supposed to have been formed; and -documentary proof has been adduced in the preceding pages that a powerful -and influential messenger, in the person of Captain Brant, had been -instructed by those nations to ascertain prospectively the measure of -assistance they might, in the event of hostilities, expect to receive from -Great Britain. It is true that Lord Sidney, in his reply to the message of -Thayendanegea, had avoided committing himself either way upon this point. -But the message of the Mohawk chief; and the reply of the minister, were -alike unknown to the public at that day. Still, it was to the detention of -the posts on the lakes that the hostile temper manifested by the Indians, -and their frequent outrages on the frontier, were ascribed; with more -justice, as will hereafter appear, than Great Britain would be willing to -allow. - -The conduct of Captain Brant, moreover, when illustrated by his private -correspondence as well as his public actions, will presently appear very -mysterious, if not equivocal. By retiring with his own nation into Canada, -the Mohawks had not withdrawn from the Confederacy of the Six Nations, -nor had Thayendanegea relinquished his official rank as the principal or -superior chief of the whole, though five of them remained within the -United States. The differences which thus early sprang up between the -United States and the Indians, arose upon a question of boundary; the -latter maintaining that the Ohio river was not to be crossed by the -people of the former. Captain Brant espoused the cause of the Indians at -large upon this question, and had early and strenuously exerted himself to -compass a grand confederation of all the north-western tribes and nations, -of which, it is believed, he intended to be the head. The incipient steps -to the formation of such a confederacy, the reader has already seen, had -been taken in 1785, previous to his departure for England. On his return -in the following year, his efforts for that object were renewed. [FN] In -December, 1786, a grand confederate council of the Indians north west of -the Ohio, including the Six Nations, was held at Huron Village, near the -mouth of the Detroit River. This council was attended by the Six Nations, -and the Hurons, Ottawas, Twitchtwees, [Miamis,] Shawanese, Chippewas, -Cherokees, Delawares, Pottawattamies, and the Wabash Confederates. On the -18th of that month, an address to the Congress of the United States was -agreed upon, the tone of which was pacific--provided the United States -made no encroachments upon their lands beyond the Ohio. After a -declaration of their surprise that they were not included in the treaty of -peace, they observed that they had nevertheless received a message from -the King, advising them to remain quiet. They had likewise received two -very agreeable messages from the thirteen States, from the tenor of which -they had anticipated a period of repose. But while they were devising the -best measures to secure this result and form a lasting -reconciliation--while they had "the best thoughts in their minds, mischief -had happened." Still, they were anxious to prevent farther trouble, as a -principal means of which they recommended that no treaties should be -formed by the United States with separate Indian tribes or nations; but -that all treaties for lands should be negotiated openly and above board, -in the most public manner, and by the united voice of the Confederacy. -They attributed the "mischief and confusion" that had arisen, to the fact -that the United States would have every thing their own way--that they -would "kindle the council-fires wherever they thought proper, without -consulting the Indians." At the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784, they had -urged a different policy; and they believed that, had the course then -recommended, of treating only in a general conference of the nations, been -pursued, all would have continued peace and concord between them. -Notwithstanding the mischiefs that had happened, the council professed -their strong desire of peace. "This," they said, "is the determination of -all the chiefs of the Confederacy, now assembled, notwithstanding that -several Indian chiefs were killed in our villages, even when in council, -and when absolutely engaged in promoting peace with you, the thirteen -United States." In order to ensure this desirable result, they proposed a -grand confederate council, to be holden at some half-way place in the -ensuing spring--recommending to the United States, in the meantime to -prevent their surveyors and other people from crossing to the Indian side -of the Ohio. This important address concluded in the following -words:--"Brothers: It shall not be our faults, if the plans which we have -suggested to you should not be carried into execution. In that case the -event will be very precarious, and if fresh ruptures ensue, we hope to be -able to exculpate ourselves, and shall most assuredly, with our united -force, be obliged to defend those rights and privileges which have been -transmitted to us by our ancestors; and if we should be thereby reduced to -misfortunes, the world will pity us when they think of the amicable -proposals we now make to prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. These -are our thoughts and firm resolves, and we earnestly desire that you would -transmit to us, as soon as possible, your answer, be it what it may." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of General Knox, Secretary of War--11th May, 1786. - - -This address, the ultimatum antecedent to the general war that afterward -arose, was not signed by individual chiefs, but by the nation, the name of -the nation being written, and the bird or animal adopted as the national -emblem rudely marked upon the paper. Thayendanegea was present and active -at this council, as will appear by the annexed letter, found among his -papers, from the American Secretary of War, General Knox:-- - - "General Knox to Captain Brant. - - "_War Office, July_ 23_d_, 1787. - - "Sir:-- - -"On the 17th instant, and not before, I received the favor of your letter, -dated 'Huron Town, Dec. 18th, 1786,' enclosing the original speech by the -several nations of Indians met at the same time and place, to the United -States in Congress assembled. - -"It appears from the information of General Butler, the Superintendent, -that the Shawanese neglected to forward the above despatches at the time -it was expected they would; and it appears by a letter from Captain Pipe, -of the Delawares, and the Half-King of the Wyandots, dated at Sandusky the -3d of June, that they forwarded the despatches finally to Fort Pitt--at -which place, and at the same time also, your messengers arrived with your -letters to General Butler, dated Buffalo Creek, the 16th of May, 1787, -enclosing a copy, or translation, of the speech of the chiefs, transmitted -by Captain Pipe and the Half-King of the Wyandots. - -"I mention these circumstances, to convince you that the result of your -council, at the Huron village, in December, has been a long time in -traveling to this city. - -"On the receipt of your papers, they were submitted to Congress, who have -taken the same, into consideration, and will soon come to some decision -thereon, which will be communicated to the Superintendent, in order to be -transmitted to you. - - "I have the honor to be, - Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - H. Knox. - - "Colonel Joseph Brant, - _One of the Chiefs of the Mohawk Nation._" - -Neither the preceding letter, nor that in reply to which it was written, -has been preserved in the archives of the American Department of War. The -signature of "_The Five Nations,_" however, stood at the head of the list, -and from the rank and superior intelligence of Thayendanegea, there can be -little doubt that the address to the Government of the United States was -dictated, if not written, by him. That it was in entire accordance with -his views, appears most fully by the following letter from Sir John -Johnson. This letter is worthy of preservation, as affording the first -authentic evidence of the equivocal attitude Great Britain was assuming -in regard to the Indian relations of the United States. - - "Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant. - - "_Quebec, March_ 22d, 1787. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I have received your letter of the 14th of February. I am happy to find -things turned out as you wished at your several meetings in the Indian -country near Detroit, and I hope it may have the effect you wish in -preventing the Americans from incroaching on your lands. Your conduct, I -hope, for your own sake, will always be such as to justify the good -opinion that has been entertained of you by your friends the English, and -such as will merit the continuance of their friendship. I hope in all your -decisions you will conduct yourselves with prudence and moderation, having -always an eye to the friendship that has so long subsisted between you and -the King's subjects, upon whom alone you can and ought to depend. You have -no reason to fear any breach of promise on the part of the King. Is he not -every year giving fresh proofs of his friendship? What greater could you -expect than is now about to be performed, by giving an ample compensation -for your losses, which is yet withheld from us, his subjects? Do not -suffer bad men or evil advisers to lead you astray; every thing that is -reasonable and consistent with the friendship that ought to be preserved -between us, will be done for you all. Do not suffer an idea to hold a -place in your mind, that it will be for your interests to sit still and -see the Americans attempt the posts. [FN-1] It is for your sakes chiefly, -if not entirely, that we hold them. If you become indifferent about them, -they may perhaps be given up; what security would you then have? You would -be left at the mercy of a people whose blood calls aloud for revenge; -whereas, by supporting them, you encourage us to hold them, and encourage -the new settlements, already considerable, and every day increasing by -numbers coming in, who find they can't live in the States. Many thousands -are preparing to come in. This increase of his Majesty's subjects will -serve as a protection for you, should the subjects of the States, by -endeavoring to make farther encroachments on you, disturb your quiet. -At present I think there is little to apprehend from any but the Southern -States; those to the eastward are already opposed to each other in arms, -[FN-2] and have shed blood, and the disorder seems to be spreading -throughout. Men of character are coming in here to see if no assistance -will be given them; and the people of New England, who were the most -violent at the commencement of the war, are now the most desirous of -returning under the British government, should Great Britain incline to -receive them, which many think they would not." - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Oswegatchie, Oswego, Niagara, Detroit and Mackinaw--withheld from - the United States, as heretofore stated in tho text. - - [FN-2] This allusion refers to the memorable insurrection of Captain - Shays, in Massachusetts. - - -"Remember me in the most friendly manner to Mrs. Brant, all your family, -and to all my brothers in your settlement, and tell them to be patient, -and that they will find that all that has been promised them, coming -within my knowledge, will be per-formed. I hope to see you in the course -of the summer; in the mean time, I remain with truth, - - "Dear Sir, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - John Johnson." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Copied from the original, among the Brant papers. - - -The object of this communication will be seen at a glance. It is -unfortunate, that the letter of Thayendanegea, giving the private history -of the great Amphictyonic council of the Indians, has not been discovered. -Still, enough can be learned from the scattered correspondence that -remains, to show that Great Britain was by no means an indifferent -observer of the storm gathering in the north-west. It is also evident that -the officers of the crown in Canada were rejoicing in the insurrection of -Captain Shays in Massachusetts; which, though at one moment of threatening -importance, had been crushed but a few days before the Baronet's letter -was written, of which result he had not then been apprised. That -insurrection was a consequence, in the main, of the weakness of the -government of the confederacy. Fortunately, however, instead of working -farther detriment to the republic, its influence was not inconsiderable -in binding the states more firmly together, by means of the Constitution, -which arose from the ruins of the old Articles of Confederation in the -course of the same year. There is another feature in the letter of Sir -John deserving to be noted. It discloses the fact, that already, even so -early as the year 1787, had the British authorities imbibed the absurd -notion that the people of New England, who had been first in raising the -standard of revolt, wearied with their freedom, were seeking a -dismemberment of the Union, that they might throw themselves back into the -arms of their former sovereign. Nor was this idea eradicated until after -the failure of a miserable intrigue, under the Canadian administration of -Sir James H. Craig, with a worthless fellow named John Henry, in 1810. - -Great Britain not only continued to retain possession of the north-western -posts, but added to their strength. Upon this subject, and the policy by -which she was governed in regard to it, the following letter reflects -additional light. It was addressed to Captain Brant by Major Matthews, -whose name has already occurred as an officer in the suite of Sir Guy -Carleton--who had now become Lord Dorchester. Matthews had been assigned -to the command of Detroit, and was on his way thither when the letter was -written:-- - - "Major Matthews to Captain Brant. - - "_Niagara,_ 29_th May,_ 1787. - - "My Dear Friend, - -"A few days before I left Quebec, I had the pleasure to receive your -letter of the 3d April, and was happy at the prospect I had of so soon -answering it in person, and once more shaking hands together upon our old -ground. On my arrival yesterday, I was much disappointed to hear that you -had left this place, and gone by a route which, for the present, prevents -our meeting; for though there is nothing I wish more than to pay you a -visit in your settlement, and to have a conversation with you, the -despatch which I am under the necessity of making to Detroit, renders it -impossible. I therefore sit down to thank you for the information in your -last, and to renew our old agreement of communicating freely to each other -whatsoever we may know or think is for the mutual advantage and well-being -of that cause, which has always been common, and which, I am persuaded, is -equally dear to us both; and being better informed of what relates to the -situation of affairs in this quarter than when I last wrote to you, I -shall begin by informing you of what his Excellency, Lord Dorchester, -desired I would, should I chance to fall in with you. His Lordship wishes -you should be acquainted that, when he arrived at Quebec last fall, it was -too late to forward any thing more than a few provisions necessary for the -posts and Indians, a part of which even could not proceed on account of -the ice; but that he did not forget the presents intended for the Indians; -and had, as soon as the communication opened, ordered them to be sent up -from Montreal. At the same time his Lordship was sorry to learn, that -while the Indians were soliciting his assistance in their preparations for -war, some of the Six Nations had sent deputies to Albany to treat with -the Americans, who, it is said, have made a treaty with them, granting -permission to make roads for the purpose of coming to Niagara; but that, -notwithstanding these things, the Indians should have their presents, as -they are marks of the King's approbation of their former conduct. In -future his Lordship wishes them to act as is best for their interest; he -cannot begin a war with the Americans, because some of their people -encroach and make depredations upon parts of the Indian country; but they -must see it is his Lordship's intention to defend the posts; and that -while these are preserved, the Indians must find great security therefrom, -and consequently the Americans greater difficulty in taking possession of -their lands; but should they once become masters of the posts, they will -surround the Indians, and accomplish their purpose with little trouble. -From a consideration of all which, it therefore remains with the Indians -to decide what is most for their own interest, and to let his Lordship -know their determination, that he may take his measures accordingly; but, -whatever their resolution is, it should be taken as by one and the same -people, by which means they will be respected and become strong; but if -they divide, and act one part against the other, they will become weak, -and help to destroy each other. This, my dear Joseph, is the substance of -what his Lordship desired me to tell you, and I request you will give his -sentiments that mature consideration which their justice, generosity, and -desire to promote the welfare and happiness of the Indians, must appear to -all the world to merit. - -"In your letter to me, you seem apprehensive that the English are not very -anxious about the defence of the posts. You will soon be satisfied that -they have nothing more at heart, provided that it continues to be the -wish of the Indians, and that they remain firm in doing _their_ part of -the business, by preventing the Americans from coming into their country, -and consequently from marching to the posts. On the other hand, if the -Indians think it more for their interest that the Americans should have -possession of the posts, and be established in their country, they ought -to declare it, that the English need no longer be put to the vast and -unnecessary expense and inconvenience of keeping posts, the chief object -of which is to protect their Indian allies, and the loyalists who have -suffered with them. It is well-known that no encroachments ever have or -ever will be made by the English upon the lands or property of the Indians -in consequence of their possessing the posts, how far that will be the -case if ever the Americans get into them, may very easily be imagined, -from their hostile perseverance, even without that advantage, in driving -the Indians off their lands and taking possession of them. - -"In regard to myself, I have to acquaint you, that in consequence of the -reports which reached Quebec from the upper country respecting the -intentions of the Americans against the posts, Lord Dorchester has been -pleased to permit me to take the command of Detroit, which is garrisoned -by the regiment I am in, and has ordered that another regiment be sent up -for the protection of the posts in general, two companies of which, under -the command of your acquaintance, Captain Malcolm, arrived with me in the -Seneca, and I am to take two companies of the 53d from hence, to reinforce -Detroit; so that I think we shall have but little to apprehend from any -thing in the power of the Americans to attempt. I confess to you I have -no idea they have any serious intention of the kind, the few troops they -can muster not being sufficient to support their government; they are, -besides, in rebellion, and cutting each others throats. A people in this -situation are but ill able to march considerable armies with artillery and -the necessary stores, (which they must have to be successful,) through a -distant and difficult country. - -"Inclosed I send you a letter from Sir John Johnson. It will probably -inform you that the presents mentioned by Lord Dorchester are sent up; -they crossed the lake in the ship with me, and are stored here, waiting -the arrival of Sir John for the distribution of them. - -"On your way to the Southern Council, I shall hope for the satisfaction of -seeing you at Detroit; in the meantime I remain, with very sincere regard, - - "My dear friend, - Your faithful and obedient servant, - R. Matthews. - -"If Mrs. Brant is with you, I beg you will recommend me in the kindest -manner to her." - -There can be no misunderstanding touching the purport of this letter. Lord -Dorchester would no more commit himself on the question of a direct -participation, in the event of actual declared hostilities between the -Indian Confederacy and the Americans, than Lord Sidney had done. Captain, -now Major Matthews, was anxious to confer with Captain Brant "for the -mutual advantage and well-being of _that cause,_ which had always been -common, and equally dear," &c. His Lordship wished the Indians to act as -was best for their own interest--"he could not _begin_ a war with the -Americans," but "they must see that it was his Lordship's intention to -defend the posts; and while these were preserved, the Indians must find -great security therefrom, and the Americans greater difficulty in taking -possession of their lands," &c. Indeed, the whole tenor of the letter was -to promote a feeling of hostility in the bosoms of the Indians against the -United States, with a mutual understanding that the British government was -maintaining the posts for the benefit of the Indians; while the Indian -hostilities, should they ensue, would serve to check or prevent the -Americans from obtaining possession of them. - -There are neither printed nor written records, from which any additional -information can be drawn respecting the conduct and movements of Captain -Brant during the residue of the year 1787. The delay in the transmission -of his despatches to the government of the United States, as mentioned in -the letter of General Knox, had of course disappointed the Indians in -their expectation of an early reply from Congress. In consequence of this -delay, another grand council was determined upon by the western Indians, -of which, among the papers of Captain Brant, is the following notification -to his nation:-- - - "Message from the Hurons of Detroit to the Five Nations. - - "_January_ 2l_st,_ 1788. - - "Brethren, - -"Nothing yet has reached us in answer to the messages sent to the -Americans on the breaking up of our General Council, nor is it now -probable we shall hear from them before our next meeting takes place; a -circumstance that ought to expedite us in our business. The nations this -way have adhered hitherto to the engagements entered into before we -parted, at least as far as has come to our knowledge; and we intend -immediately to call them to this council-fire, which shall be uncovered at -the time appointed; that without farther delay some decisive measures may -be finally fixed upon for our future interest, which must govern hereafter -the conduct of all the nations in our alliance; and this we intend to be -the last council for the purpose; therefore it is needless for us to urge -farther the indispensable necessity of all nations being present at the -conclusion of affairs tending so much to their own future welfare and -happiness. And we do in a particular manner desire you, the Five Nations, -to be strong and punctual in your promise of being with us early and in -time; and that not only the warriors, but the chiefs of your several -nations attend on this occasion. We shall therefore endeavor to have as -many of the western and southern Indians as possible collected. - - "_Strings of Wampum._" - -Accompanying this address to the Five Nations, was another of similar -import, (save only that it expressed the dissatisfaction of the Hurons at -the proceedings of the former grand council,) directed to the other tribes -of Canadian Indians, and summoning them to appear at the great -council-fire of the Confederacy in the Spring. - -It will appear by the three letters next successively to be introduced, -that Captain Brant was preparing in March to attend the proposed council, -and that, having attended the said council, his views became more pacific. -He had, however, begun to distrust all the nations of his own confederacy, -excepting only the Mohawks--and probably not without reason. The Congress -of the United States; in the Autumn of the preceding year, had given -instructions to Major General St. Clair, then Governor of the -North-western territory, to inquire particularly into the temper of the -Indians, and if he found it still hostile, to endeavor to hold as general -a treaty with them as he could convene; and although the purchase of the -Indian right to the soil was not to be considered a primary object, yet -he was instructed if possible to extinguish their title as far westward -as the Mississippi river. It will be seen presently, that Brant had, even -thus early, reason to suppose, that in a war with the United States the -majority of the Five Nations would not be found in arms. The gentleman to -whom two of these letters were addressed, was Patrick Langan, Esq. private -secretary to Sir John Johnson:-- - - "Captain Brant to Lieutenant Langan. [FN] - - "_Grand River, March_ 20_th,_ 1788. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I hope you have enjoyed your health since I had the pleasure to see you -last. We have had no particular news here from the southward, only they -are preparing to have another great Council in that country early in the -Spring, and I am obliged to attend myself there. As for the Five Nations, -most of them have sold themselves to the Devil--I mean to the Yankeys. -Whatever they do after this, it must be for the Yankeys--not for the -Indians or the English. We mean to speak to them once more. We must, in -the first place, get the Mohawks away from the Bay of Quinte. As soon as -we can get them here, we shall begin to argue to the Five Nations, and -will show our example of getting together ourselves; also, we shall know -who is for the Yankeys and who is not. I forgot to mention to Sir John I -wanted very much to have the papers here. I mean the list of our losses -and claims, and our names. I should be much obliged to you if you would -be so kind as to send me those papers, or the copies of them, as there are -some disputes here concerning those lists. I should be exceeding happy if -you could get me a quarter of a pound of sewing thread, of silk, of -different colors, and send me the account and the money I owed you before. -Also, I wish you could get me a pipe tomahawk. Please to get the best, if -you can. - - "Sir, I remain - Your most obedient, humble servant, - Joseph Brant." - - "_To Lieutenant Langan._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] Copied from the original by the author. - - -There is no farther information of Brant or his movements until the -closing week of August, at which time he was in the neighborhood of -Detroit, preparing to mingle in the deliberations of the great council -spoken of in the preceding letter. The following is a copy of a letter -found among his papers, written at this time: - - "Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson. - - "_Huron Village, mouth of the Detroit._ } - _28th August, 1788._ } - - "Sir, - -"I am happy to inform you of our having arrived at Detroit the 10th inst. -The party with Capt. David who went by water, and those with myself who -went by land, being so lucky as to arrive the same inst. And wishing to -lose as little time as possible, the next day we met the principal men of -the Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawattamies. As they had lost three -of their Chiefs, we went through our ancient custom of condoling with -them, by giving about 10,000 wampum, as we could not proceed with our -public business till such time as that ceremony was over; when, upon -examining into the business we came about, I plainly foresaw numberless -difficulties, owing to the people here not being so unanimous as the -situation of affairs requires. The Wyandots do not wish to attend at the -place that was last Fall agreed upon, but wish to have the Council at this -place; but that we strenuously opposed, and have got them to consent to -meet at the Miamis; their reason is, I believe, that they would wish to -have a private and separate meeting with the Americans to settle matters -for themselves. On the other hand, the Twightwees or Miamis are quite the -reverse,--wishing by no means to fall in with the Hurons in their way of -thinking, but would wish to be at open war with the Americans. Thus are -matters here situated. However, I have some reason to think that if we can -get them at the appointed place of rendezvous, we will be able to point -out to them their error, and get them again to adopt the measures that the -whole of us agreed upon, and cause that unanimity to subsist among us, -which is so requisite in our situation, and without which we cannot expect -the business will terminate so much to our satisfaction as it otherwise -would. In case that they should be headstrong, and not wish to fall in -with our plan of operation, I shall scarcely know how to act upon it, but -shall take every necessary precaution to prevent the minds of those who -unanimous being any ways inflamed by those nations in opposition and -wavering. Still I hope to have the pleasure of writing to you a more -favorable account after we have had a meeting. Capt McKee has given us -every assistance that he could towards forwarding our business, and I -expect will attend the Council at the Miamis, which I sincerely hope will -now be soon. Upon leaving Niagara, I found from the multiplicity of -business which we should have, that it would be highly requisite to have -a man with us who understood the English language, and capable of -transacting business, for which purpose we have thought proper to appoint -Ralph Clement, and will make him some allowance out of the money we are -to receive next summer for the lands sold the Americans. In the meantime -I have to request you will be so kind as to allow him something towards -defraying his necessary expenses out of the Indian store at Niagara. Upon -application made to Col. Butler, he did not think proper to advance him -any thing without he should have your order for it. As to the news from -the Southern Indians and American Commissioners, we have some accounts, -but must refer you to Capt McKee, who writes you by this vessel, for the -particulars. This is the fourth letter I have written you since I had the -pleasure of seeing you last. - - "Your most obedient servant, - Joseph Brant. - - "_Sir John Johnson._" - -From the nomadic habits of the Indians, and the long distances most of -their nations were obliged to travel, the gathering of their great council -was a work of time. Thus it will be seen that six weeks more elapsed, -before the kindling of the council-fire, and how much longer it is -impossible to tell, from the brokenness of the correspondence of the -chief, who was probably the only writer among them. On the 7th of October -the Captain wrote as follows:-- - - "Captain Brant to Lieutenant Langan. - - "_Miamis River,_ 7_th October,_ 1788. - - "Dear Sir, - -"The business I have been obliged to attend to since I had the pleasure -of seeing you, had so much taken up my attention, and kept me so busily -employed, that I have scarcely had time to write any of my friends. And, -indeed, nothing worth communicating has occurred, or otherwise I should -have strained a point to have dropt you a line, as my intention always was -to correspond with you, who, I am certain, would at any time spare a -moment to acknowledge the receipt. I have done myself the pleasure of -writing four letters to Sir John, who, I hope, has received them, [FN] as -I would wish to give him every information affecting our proceedings. -Probably his time is too busily employed to attend to them, and that it -would be more agreeable to him if I corresponded with you on public -business. I should be happy to hear from time to time whether my conduct -met with his approbation, as I would not wish to act in any manner that -he would not approve; he being at the head of the department, is the one -we look to for advice." - - * * * * * - - [FN] One only of these has been discovered--that of the 25th of August, - on the preceding page. The author has made many efforts to obtain the - papers of Sir John Johnson, where these letters, probably, may yet be - found--but without success. They are either scattered and lost, or have - been taken to England. - - -"Upon my arrival at Detroit I found the nations there. All had forgot our -last Fall's agreements, and were averse to attend the council at this -place. However, we talked over matters with them, and convinced them of -the necessity there was for our being unanimous, and determining the -business that has been so long in agitation, and after some time, I -prevailed, and have got them all here. After waiting at this place, for -near five weeks, the arrival of the Shawanese, Miamis, Onias, and the rest -of the nations westward of this, are at last arrived; so that I am in -hopes in a few days to be able to give you the particulars of our meeting. -I have still my doubts whether we will all join or not, some being no ways -inclined for peaceable methods. The Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, -Pottawattamies, and Delawares, will join with us in trying lenient steps, -and having a boundary line fixed; and, rather than enter headlong into a -destructive war, will give up a small part of their country. On the other -hand, the Shawanese, Miamis, and Kickapoos, who are now so much addicted -to horse-stealing that it will be a difficult task to break them of it, -as that kind of business is their best harvest, will of course declare for -war, and not giving up any of their country, which, I am afraid, will be -the means of our separating. They are, I believe, determined not to attend -the treaty with the Americans. Still I hope for the best. As the major -part of the nations are of our opinions, the rest may be brought to, as -nothing shall be wanting on my part to convince them of their error. I -sincerely hope our business may terminate to our general interest and -satisfaction. We have not as yet entered upon public matters, as the -Shawanese have a great feast, which will take up a couple of days, after, -which we will have a general meeting, and then we will be certain of each -other's opinions. Till then, I am, with compliments to Sir John and Mrs. -Claus, - - "Your most obed't friend, - And very humble serv't, - Jos. Brant. - - "_P. Langan._" - -The tone of the three immediately preceding letters, is more pacific than -might have been anticipated. Indeed, they seem to indicate a change in the -intentions of the writer, which it will be found somewhat difficult to -reconcile with portions of his subsequent conduct. He is in these -letters--particularly the last addressed to Lieutenant Langan, though -intended more especially for the information of Sir John Johnson--the -friend of peace--perhaps being compelled to assume that attitude by the -force of circumstances--having reason to anticipate the -success--temporary, as it proved--which was to crown the Indian diplomacy -of General St Clair. In his first letter to Langan, Brant had declared -that "the Six Nations had sold themselves to the devil," or, in other -words, "to the Yankees," which in his opinion was equivalent thereto--and -the result was shortly afterward such as to sustain his sagacity. - -No records of the proceedings of the grand council so long assembling in -the Autumn of 1788, have been discovered, although it appears by a letter -from Captain Brant to his friend Matthews, who had returned once more to -Quebec, written in March, 1789, that all the proceedings and speeches had -been forwarded--by Captain McKee probably--to Lord Dorchester. The -presumption is, that the council came to no harmonious conclusion, -inasmuch as a treaty was shortly afterward held with the Americans at Fort -Harmar, which was attended by only a part of the Indians, while its -proceedings were subsequently disavowed by other and the larger portions -of the nations. - -Be these things, however, as they may, on the 2d of May following, -(1789, [FN-1]) General St. Clair wrote to President Washington from -New-York, announcing that on the 9th of the preceding month of January, -he had concluded two separate treaties with the Indians assembled in -council at Fort Harmar; the first with the sachems and warriors of the -Five Nations, the Mohawks excepted--and the second with the sachems and -warriors of the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, Chippewa, Pottawattamie and -Sac Nations. The reason of these separate negotiations, as explained by -General St. Clair, Was found in the Roman maxim--"_Divide et impera._" -"A jealousy," says the General, "subsisted between them, which I was not -willing to lessen by appearing to consider them as one people. They do not -so consider themselves; and I am persuaded their general confederacy is -entirely broken. Indeed, it would not be very difficult, if circumstances -required it, to set them at deadly variance." [FN-2] This Machiavellian -policy of dividing to conquer--of poising nations, tribes, and factions -against each other, that all may the more easily be crushed at will--is -an ancient mode of war, and has been practised by every government having -the opportunity. Its morality, however, cannot be defended--more -especially in regard to the simple children of the American forests, -against whom it has been prosecuted with the greatest success. Still, -there was an approximation to justice, in a pecuniary point of view, -toward the Indians, in these negotiations of General St Clair, which had -not been previously countenanced by Congress. From the date of the peace -with England, to the reception of the address of October, 1786, from the -Grand Council at Huron Village, Congress had acted upon the principle that -the treaty with Great Britain invested them with the fee of all the -Indian lands within the boundaries of the United States. The address of -the Indian Council, of December, 1786, written, as has been assumed, by -Captain Brant, asserted a contrary principle--viz: that the Indians were -the only rightful proprietors of the soil. And this principle was acceded -to in the instructions of Congress to General St. Clair, of October, 1787, -and July, 1788. [FN-3] However greatly the Indians may have been defrauded -since that date, such has at least been the basis of all subsequent -negotiations with them for lands. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Erroneously dated, May 2d, 1788, in the State Papers as will be - seen by the dates of the treaties, and by the Report of the Secretary of - War, July 7, 1789. - - [FN-2] St. Clair's letter, Am. State Papers, Vol. IV. p. 10. - - [FN-3] Vide State Papers, Vol IV. p. 9; and report of the Secretary of - War, July 15, 1789--same vol. p. 13. - - -Although the Mohawks were not parties to the treaty of Fort Harmar, yet it -appears that they, at least their chief, Thayendanegea, must have been -present at its negotiation. This fact is disclosed in a passage in his -letter to Major Matthews, already referred to: "You'll hear by this -opportunity the result of our jaunt to the southward, as Captain McKee -has sent down all the proceedings of our councils with the American -Commissioners, speeches, and answers. Our proceedings have been such as I -hope will be approved of. I must farther mention that much may yet be -done, if we meet with necessary assistance, as business cannot be carried -on in the upper country to advantage without the attendance of the Five -Nations, which they cannot do without being more amply supplied than -heretofore with ammunition, provisions, &c. I have ever been forward in -pointing out what I thought would tend to the good of our service, and -which has ever been attended to, notwithstanding that my friends below -seem to credit these reports. Still, my attachment to government is such, -that personal injury will not have sufficient weight to make me swerve -from the duty I owe my King." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter from Joseph Brant to Capt. Matthews, March 8,1789, among the - Brant papers. Writing to Governor Clinton respecting the conduct of - Captain Brant touching St. Clair's proceedings at Fort Harmar, President - Washington said--"Captain Brant has not been candid in his account of - General St. Clair, nor done justice in his representation of matters at - Muskingum. It is notorious that he need all the art and influence of - which he was possessed to prevent any treaty being held; and that, - except in a small degree, General St. Clair aimed at no more land by the - treaty of Muskingum than had been ceded by the preceding - treaties."_Letter from President Washington to Governor Clinton, - Dec. 1, 1790._ - - -There is an allusion, in the closing sentences of this quotation, to -certain "private griefs" of the writer, requiring an explanation. Captain -Brant was no more exempt than other men from the ill-will and evil -machinations of the envious and jealous. "Great honors are great burdens" -as well among the red men as the white; and it was the fate of the noble -Mohawk to encounter his full share of trials of this description. -Difficulties had already sprung up in the administration of his affairs, -not only with the Provincial Government, in regard to the nature of the -title which the Mohawks were to receive of the lands granted them on the -Ouise or Grand River, but also between the chief and some of the Indians -themselves; not Mohawks, but stragglers from other tribes of the Iroquois -Confederacy. During the protracted absence of the Captain to the councils -of the preceding year, in the country of the great lakes, it appears that -a council of disaffected Indians had been held at Montreal; the object of -which was to denounce the conduct of Brant, but in what respects does not -exactly appear. Strong complaints were preferred against him, however, at -that council, "not only in the name of the Five Nations, but by some of -his relations and intimate friends," under circumstances, and with an air -so imposing, as to give serious alarm to his friends at the castle of St. -Lewis. - -On the 3d of January, 1789, Major Matthews addressed a long letter to his -Mohawk friend, on the subject of that council, and the charges then and -there preferred against him. This letter was written by Matthews with the -knowledge and approbation of a distinguished personage, who, although his -name is not given, must have been Lord Dorchester. Major Matthews did not -specify the charges made against his friend, and they can only be vaguely -surmised from the following extract: "The circumstances which have been -alleged against you, you have no doubt been minutely informed of. It is -therefore unnecessary, and would be painful to me, to recapitulate them. -Your friend [FN] wishes you to reflect seriously upon the fatal -consequences that must attend a misunderstanding and disunion of your -nation, and of those Indians who might make the settlement upon the Grand -River a happy retreat for themselves and their posterity, by a cordial and -friendly union. How materially the contrary must weaken their interest, -and yours in particular, in the great scale of the Indian Confederacy; and -how heavy the blame must fall upon whoever shall be considered the -promoter of so great a calamity. He therefore recommends to you, as the -safest and surest road to consequence and fame, to effect, without loss of -time, a perfect reconciliation with your friends and fellow-settlers; -convincing them, by your mildness and generosity, and still more by a -strict attention to justice, that you are worthy of their confidence; -exert all your powers in establishing perfect union and friendship among -your own nation, and you will convince those at a distance that you are -capable and worthy of cementing a general union for good purposes." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Lord Dorchester doubtless, meaning. - - -"Having thus far given you the sentiments of a hearty well-wisher, I -cannot conclude without adding from myself, in the language and with the -heart of an old and sincere friend, that I feel more sensibly than I can -find words to express, for the critical situation in which every person -who was present at the Council must consider you to stand with your -nation. For my own part I could scarce believe my own eyes and ears, when -I saw and heard our old friends, whose hands and hearts have been so long -joined together in one common cause, pour out complaints against you; and -they did it at the same time with such reluctance and concern, that it was -the more affecting. It is impossible that men who were born, brought up, -who have so oft fought by each others' sides, and bled together, can -seriously disagree. The whole must be a misunderstanding, and must be -explained with reconciliation. It is noble and generous to acknowledge an -error, and mutually to forgive injuries; and, my dear Joseph, listen to -mine, and to the voice of your friends, who wish your happiness by seeing -you so firmly re-united with your own flesh and blood as to resist any -power on earth that would separate you from them." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Extracted from the original letter of Capt. Matthews, among the - Brant papers. - - -It is from the reply of Captain Brant to this communication, that the -brief reference to the proceedings of the western councils has been -quoted. In regard to the proceedings at Montreal to which his attention -had been so earnestly invited by his correspondent, the answer of Captain -Brant was full and frank, manifesting on his own part, a feeling of -dignified and conscious rectitude. The charges themselves were not -specified by the chief in his defence, but the inference deduced from his -language is, that his integrity had been impeached in regard to their -lands, and his loyalty questioned to the King; and farther, that he had -been censured for introducing a few white settlers upon the Indian -lands--his object in so doing, being to benefit the Indians by the better -examples of the whites in husbandry, and also by the introduction of some -of the mechanic arts among them. He regrets that his enemies, few in -number, as he says, had availed themselves of his absence to assail his -character, at a moment, too, when in a distant country he was exerting -all his energies for the benefit of his people; and regrets still more -that his friends in Montreal had listened to the charges for a moment, -until after he could have a hearing. If he had erred at all, he maintained -that it could only have been in the warmth of his ardour in promoting the -substantial interests of his nation. In the course of his letter, he -pointed with modest exultation to the proceedings of a full Council of the -Five Nations, held at Niagara, in presence of the agent and the commanding -officer, subsequent to the denunciation at Montreal, by which his conduct -had been approved. Should the proceedings of this council be insufficient -to remove "the censure thrown upon him by a seditious and discontented -few, and make the complainants appear in their proper light," the Captain -suggested that he should make application to the agents at Detroit and -Niagara for certificates of his conduct during the war and since the -peace; and thus provided, he would repair to head-quarters with all the -principal men, both sachems and warriors, [FN] of all the nations settled -in that country, and let them speak freely. After which, he hoped to stand -better with "the great men below" than he had reason to suppose he did at -that time. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "Both Sachems and warriors." "A Sachem is considered a civil - magistrate, who takes precedence of all war-chiefs in time of peace, and - is hereditary. Not so the war-chiefs. They, as by all the rest of the - world, are made by the voice of the nation for their gallantry in the - field. In time of war, the war-chiefs take the commend, and direct all - the movements,--what is called in civilized life,--martial law." - _Letters to the editor from Colonel William J. Kerr._ The distinction is - scarcely ever observed in writing of Indian affairs, since sachems, - warriors, chiefs, are most usually written indiscriminately, as it - happens. - - -With the conclusion of the treaties of January, 1789, by General St. -Clair, the purpose of forming a grand Indian Confederacy, to include the -Five Nations, which should be lasting, was defeated, at least for that -time; and although peace had not been restored to the south-western -settlements on the Ohio, yet the name of Captain Brant does not again -appear in connexion with the affairs of the western Indians during the -residue of the year 1789 and the two succeeding years. It appears, -however, by the copy of a letter found among his papers, addressed by him -to Colonel McDonnell, in September, that the Shawanese had then just sent -an embassy, "inviting the Five Nations very strongly to a grand council -of the different nations, to be held at the Wyandot Town, near Detroit, -for the purpose of renewing and strengthening the Confederacy." "We left -it," the letter continues, "entirely to the Buffalo Creek people to -determine how to act, because they are in general backward and dilatory; -but for our parts, we can always be ready at the shortest notice. I, -however, think, myself, that it cannot take place until next Spring, since -by this time the young men have begun to scatter in the woods for hunting; -and it would be necessary to have them present to hear what is agreed upon -by the chiefs; and by that means whatever may be agreed on will more -firmly effect and unite the different nations. The larger number present -from the different nations the better." Whether the proposed council was -held, or whether, if held, Captain Brant participated in its -deliberations, is not known. - -But while Thayendanegea had successfully vindicated himself from the -aspersions of the disaffected of his own people, as has been seen, and -while he was pondering upon the invitation of the Shawanese to attempt the -assembling of another great council in the west, he was admonished of the -rumored existence of a plot against the English garrison at Detroit, and -also against himself and his own people in their new location, concerted -by his recent _quasi_ confederates, the Hurons, Pottawattamies, and -Chippewas. The inauspicious rumor was communicated to him in writing by -Sir John Johnson. - - "Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant. - - "_Montreal,_ 4_th Nov._ 1789. - - "Dear Joseph, - -"I do not think I should be justifiable in not acquainting you (though -perhaps you may have heard the report,) that an account has been received -at Detroit, upon the oath of one the party concerned, that the Hurons, -Pottawattamies, and Chippewas are concerned in a plot to cut off the -garrison at Detroit, and your settlement, this Winter, or as soon as the -navigation of the lakes is shut up. Though this information wants farther -confirmation, and I give very little credit to it, I think you had better -be on your guard, and try to find out the real situation, designs, and -disposition of those nations, by sending some trusty, unsuspected persons -among them. I should imagine that you had some friends among the Hurons -that you could rely upon to give you all the information you want, and -that some trusty Messissagoes might be got to go among the other nations -to watch their motions; any recompense for these services will be readily -granted, if you think them necessary, upon producing this letter to Lieut. -Col. Butler, or Mr. McKee. - -"I have your letter to Langan of the 23d of September. As to the business -of Aaron and Isaac, so much has been said on that already, and, in fact, -it is so trifling, that nothing farther is necessary to be said in answer -to that part of your letter; but I must acknowledge that I am a little -hurt at the other queries you put to him, as they are the offspring of an -ungenerous suspicion, and ill-founded doubts of the conduct and sincerity -of your best and only friends. Rest assured that we know nothing of the -intentions of government to relinquish or give up the posts; so far from -any appearance of it, I am well informed that the post of Niagara is put, -or putting, into the best state of defence the nature of the works will -admit of, as I believe all the others are likewise; and I am confident no -such step will ever be taken without some previous notice given to all -interested. As to the department I have the honor to superintend, I have -no reason to think any change or alteration will take place in it, that -can in any manner affect the interests of the Indians. - -"You wish to know our news. All we have that can be interesting to you is, -that one of the most wonderful revolutions has happened in France that -ever was known in so short a time. The people have been made, by the more -enlightened part of the nation, to view their situation in its proper -light, and to throw off the yoke of bondage, slavery, and oppression, -under which they have for ages groaned, and have compelled their grand -monarch to yield to a Constitution similar, in most respects, to the happy -one under which we live. They have abolished all their monks and -nunneries, and have made such changes as are wonderful to relate. With my -best regards to Mrs. Brant, &c. and to all at the village, I remain, as -ever, - - "Your friend and faithful servant, - John Johnson." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Respecting the rumor which elicited this letter, there is no farther - information. Indeed, the letter of Sir John itself has been inserted in - the text, more for the purpose of disclosing the liberal spirit in which - the Baronet hailed the beginning of the French Revolution, (as all the - civilized world did at first,) as the dawn of liberty in France, than - for any other purpose. - - -Relieved, temporarily at least, from the cares and labors of diplomacy -among the nations of the more distant lakes, Brant was enabled, early in -the year 1789, to direct his attention more closely to other matters of -business; not forgetting the pursuits of literature, so far as under the -disadvantages of his situation he was enabled to attend to its -cultivation. He was ever anxious for the moral and intellectual -improvement of his people; and as a primary means of such improvement, he -now earnestly sought for the settlement of a resident clergyman among -them. Visiting Montreal for that purpose, he wrote to Sir John Johnson, -who was absent (probably at Quebec) at the time, and through him appealed -to Lord Dorchester to procure the removal of the Rev. Mr. Stuart from -Kingston to the neighborhood of Grand River. Many of the Indians, he said, -wished to be near a church where there should be a proper minister; and -nowhere, as he thought, could one be found who would suit their -dispositions so well, and exert such a desirable influence over the morals -of the young people, as Mr. Stuart, who had been a missionary among them -in the Valley of the Mohawk. "This good thing," he said in his letter to -Sir John, "I know must be done by his Lordship, and through your kind -interposition; which, be assured, I would not mention, if I was not very -well a convinced of the good that would arise from it." [FN] He wrote -other pressing letters to the same purport; but the transfer of Mr. Stuart -was not effected. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. letters among the Brant papers. - - -He is believed at about the same time to have resumed the labor of -translating devotional books into the Mohawk language. In addition to the -work published in England in 1786, as already mentioned, he translated the -entire liturgy, and also a primer; a copy of each of which works was -presented to Harvard University. The donation was acknowledged by a vote -of thanks, which was enclosed in the following letter from the President -of that institution:-- - - "President Willard to Captain Brant. - - "_Cambridge, July_ 20th, 1789. - - "Sir, - -"I have the pleasure of enclosing you a vote of thanks of the Corporation -of the University in this place, for your present of books to the library, -which were received but a little while before the date of the vote. [FN] -To the vote of thanks from the whole corporate body for this acceptable -present, give me leave, Sir, as head of the University, to add my thanks -in particular. - -"I am pleased to hear, from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, that you are writing a -history of the natives of this country. I hope, when you have finished it -in your own language, you will give us a translation in English, as I -doubt not we shall have many curious and important things contained in it, -respecting the various Indian nations, that we are now unacquainted with. - -"Mr. Kirkland is so obliging as to take charge of this letter, and I doubt -not will convey it to you as soon as possible, - - "I am, Sir, - With sentiments of great esteem, - Your very humble servant, - Joseph Willard. - - "_Colonel Joseph Brant._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. VI. - - -The historical work mentioned in the preceding letter, it is believed, -was never commenced, although it had been projected, or rather, Captain -Brant had designed writing a history of the Six Nations. But he had, -probably, too many demands upon his time, and cares upon his mind, to -allow of the execution of his plan. The work of translating the New -Testament was continued by Captain Brant's friend and fellow-chief, John -Norton, alias Teyoninhokaraven, which was his Indian name. This chief -translated the Gospel of John, which was printed by the British and -Foreign Bible Society; and he intended to proceed with the Gospels of -Matthew and Luke, but probably the work was not completed. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Norton's name will appear frequently hereafter. He was a half-breed, - his father being an Indian, and his mother a Scotch woman. He received a - classical education at an English school. Next to Thayendanegea, - Teyoninhokaraven was the moat distinguished of the modern Mohawks. His - observations were said to be acute, and his language in conversation - strong and elegant. He was well versed in ancient and modern history, and - particularly well informed in geography. On every subject connected with - his own country and people his knowledge was minute. In his person he was -tall and muscular, with a large and expressive eye. - - -But, aside from the cultivation of letters, Captain Brant had ample -employment, for both mind and body, in regulating his domestic Indian -relations. The planting of his own nation upon their new territory at -Grand River, and the exertions necessary to bring them into order, and -persuade them to substitute the pursuits of husbandry for the chase, were -labors of no small moment. The grant of land on the Grand River was -doubtless intended solely for the Mohawks, who had been dispossessed of -their own native valley; but other Indians of the Six Nations intruded -upon them, even some of those who had borne arms against the crown and -the Mohawks. Jealousies and heart-burnings were the consequence, which -occasionally called for the interposition of the chief, sometimes to the -injury of his popularity, as has already appeared. - -Nor was his attention alone required to regulate the affairs of the -Indians on the British side of the line. Difficulties sprang up as early -as 1789 among the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, in consequence -of the intrusion of the whites upon their lands, and the unlawful -purchases effected by some of them, from Indians not authorized to sell. -All the weight of these troubles seemed to fall upon the shoulders of -Captain Brant, between whom and Governor George Clinton an active -correspondence took place upon the subject, in 1789 and the following -year. The Governor made every possible effort to cause justice to be done -to the Indians; for which purpose, several councils were held at Fort -Stanwix, and at least one special interview was held between the Governor -and the chief in relation to it. The result was an amicable arrangement. -In his letters, Governor Clinton treated the Indian chieftain not only -with marked respect, but with evident personal kindness and regard. The -following letter will serve as a specimen of this correspondence on the -part of that distinguished man:-- - - "Governor Clinton to Captain Brant. - - "_New-York,_ 1_st September,_ 1790. - - "Sir, - -"I was favored with your letter of the 21st of July yesterday, and am -happy to hear of your health and safe arrival at your place of residence. - -"A rumor of a Spanish war also prevails among us. It is certain, that both -that and the British nation are equipping powerful naval armaments; the -ostensible object of which is the settlement of a dispute which has taken -place between them, with respect to their possessions on the north-west -part of this Continent, and the right of fishery in that quarter. It is, -however, probable that all this political bustle may terminate in -negotiation, by one conceding and the other accepting of what neither have -any well-founded pretensions to, farther than mere discovery and the -displaying of a national flag by the permission of the hospitable and -unsuspecting natives. - -"The gentlemen who are appointed commissioners of Indian affairs, and whom -you saw with me at Fort Stanwix, chiefly reside in the country, and are -now so dispersed that it is not practicable to confer with them. I -perfectly recollect the conversation which passed between you and me -relative to the land you was to have had from Doctor Benton, and I -communicated the import of it at the time, to the commissioners; and you -will remember I afterward informed you that, however strong their -dispositions were to serve you, yet they could not consent to any thing -that would give the least sanction or countenance to any part of Benton's -transactions, as they considered them not only contrary to law, but -committed by him in open defiance of the authority of the State. They -expressed, at the same time, sentiments of the warmest friendship for you; -and I considered the present which they directed me to make you, as the -only way they had in their power to evince the sincerity of their -professions. - -"I shall be happy to see you here next Summer, and will endeavor to make -your visit agreeable to you. Colonel Varick and your brother, the sachem, -are the only two of the gentlemen who were at Fort Stanwix, now in town. -They request you to accept of their best respects. I will not fail to -communicate your expectations to Mr. L'Hommedieu, that he may stand -prepared to discharge the tribute. - - "I am - Your most obed't servant, - Geo. Clinton. - - "_Captain Joseph Brant._" - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - - - Continued troubles with the Indians--English emissaries in - Kentucky--Mission of Antoine Gamelin--Preparations for war--Campaign of - General Harmar--Successive defeats of Colonel Hardin--Conduct of the - militia--Retreat of Harmar--Indian deputation to Lord Dorchester--Letter - of Sir John Johnson--Colonel Gordon--Letter of Brant to Colonel - McKee--Pacific views of Lord Dorchester--Renewed efforts of the United - States to bring the Indians to peace--Interposition of - Corn-planter--Mission of Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor--British - officers wish a mediation--Letter of Colonel Gordon--Colonel Pickering - holds an Indian Council at the Chemung--Red Jacket's course--Brant - interferes--Indian Councils at Buffalo--Influence of Colonel John Butler - and Brant--Mission of Colonel Proctor and Corn-planter - frustrated--Important position of Brant--Correspondence between the - Secretary of War and Governor Clinton--Colonel Pickering's Council with - the Indians at Painted Post--Mission of Hendrick, the Stockbridge - chief--Renewal of hostilities--Campaign of General St. Clair---His - defeat--Thayendanegea among the Indian captains--The panic that - followed--Clamor against St. Clair--His resignation--Wayne appointed his - successor--Refusal of Colonel Willett to embark in an Indian war. - - -Notwithstanding the treaties of peace concluded by General St. Clair with -all the Six Nations, the Mohawks excepted, and with several of the great -north-western tribes, the tranquility of the frontier settlements, now -extending four hundred miles along the Ohio, had not been secured. The -Shawanese, Miamis, and Wabash Indians [FN-1] still kept up a bloody war, -ravaging the settlements of Kentucky, and the territory now known as Ohio, -and causing serious apprehensions in the frontier settlements of Virginia. -The President had made every possible effort to conciliate the Indians by -just and pacific overtures, but in vain. [FN-2] Even the Indians with whom -one of the treaties had been formed, could not all of them be restrained -from the warpath. There was, moreover, another angry cloud lowering in the -western sky. The governments of the United States and Spain were at issue -on the question of the navigation of the Mississippi, respecting which -strong solicitude was felt by the people of the west--especially of -Kentucky. Not satisfied with fomenting discontents among the Indians at -the north, the English government, availing itself of the Spanish -question, and hoping, should the mouth of the Mississippi be ultimately -closed against the commerce of the United States, that disaffection might -ensue in the west, was believed to have despatched secret agents into -Kentucky, with propositions to test the fidelity of the people to the -Union. Among these emissaries was Lieutenant Colonel Connolly, of Detroit, -a loyalist formerly of Fort Pitt, who had espoused the cause of the crown -in the Revolution. He held several confidential conferences with some of -the most influential citizens of Kentucky, and attempted to seduce them -into a project for making a descent upon New Orleans, seizing the city, -and securing the navigation of the Mississippi by force, as a necessary -consequence. Information of these secret proceedings was transmitted to -the President, who, looking upon the intrigue as an attempt to divide the -Union, was prompt in concerting measures to detect any farther -machinations of the kind. [FN-3] What progress was made in sowing the -seeds of disaffection, or whether any, does not appear. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Such were the statements of the accounts of that day. In the early - part of the present year, however, Captain McKee, the active (British) - Indian Agent at Detroit, wrote to Captain Brant--"The Indians of the - Miamis, I understand, have been more quiet than usual this year, few - hostilities having been committed, and those by that nation alone." In - the same letter Captain McKee stated that a quarrel had arisen between - the Miamis and Delawares respecting the lands occupied by the latter, - who were so much offended as to be preparing to retire across to the - Spanish side of the Mississippi. The Captain added:--"Their withdrawing - themselves at this time will be extremely detrimental, not only to the - Indian confederacy, but to the country in general, as it will draw a - number of others after them who do not consider the consequences." McKee - invoked Captain Brant to send the disaffected Delawares a speech, to - prevent their separation. But if this request was complied with, it - failed of the desired effect. The Indians in question carried their - design of a removal into execution. - - [FN-2] "The basis of our proceedings with the Indian nations has been, - and shall be, _justice_, during the period in which I have any thing to - do with the administration of this government"--_Letter of President - Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette, Aug._ 1790. - - [FN-3] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, vol. ix. pages - 473, '76. Letter of President Washington to Mr. Innes, and Notes. These - attempts upon the fidelity of Kentucky were made in 1788 and 1789. In the - following year, in the prospect of a war between Great Britain and Spain, - apprehensions of trouble between the United States and the former arose - from the same quarters, but upon a very different question. From certain - circumstances which came to the knowledge of the President, it was - believed that Lord Dorchester, in the event of a war with Spain, had it - in contemplation to send an expedition from Detroit for the invasion of - Louisiana. This could not be done without marching an army across the - whole breadth of the territory of the United States. On the 25th of - August, President Washington communicated his apprehensions to the - members of his cabinet, the Vice-President, and the Chief Justice, (Jay,) - requiring their opinions in writing upon the course proper to be pursued - by the Government of the United States in such an emergency. - - -In the Spring of 1790, Antoine Gamelin, an experienced Indian merchant, -was despatched to visit all the principal tribes of the west, as a -messenger of peace, with a view of ascertaining the general temper of the -Indians. Among the tribes who had entered into the treaty, he found the -old chiefs and warriors generally well disposed, and by no means hostile. -But with these exceptions, the war feeling was almost universal. Of the -spirit that prevailed, an idea may be formed from the following notes of -Gamelin, of his interview with the Ouiatanons and Kickapoos:--"After my -speech, one of the head chiefs got up and told me: 'You, Gamelin, my -friend and son-in-law, we are pleased to see in our village, and to hear -by your mouth the good words of the Great Chief. We thought to receive a -few words from the French people, [traders,] but I see the contrary. None -but the Big Knife is sending speeches to us. You know that we can -terminate nothing without the consent of our elder brethren, the Miamis. -I invite you to proceed to their village, and to speak to them. There is -one thing in your speech I do not like. I will not tell of it. Even was I -drunk, I would not perceive it; but our elder brethren will certainly take -notice of it in your speech. You invite us to stop our young men. It is -impossible to do it, being constantly encouraged by the British.'" Another -chief said: "The Americans are very flattering in their speeches; many -times our nation went to their rendezvous. I was once there myself. Some -of our chiefs died on the route, and we always came back all naked; and -you, Gamelin, you came with a speech, but with empty hands." Another chief -said: "Know ye that the village of Ouiatanon is the sepulchre of our -ancestors. The chief of America invites us to go to him, if we are for -peace; he has not his leg broke, being able to go as far as the Illinois. -He might come here himself, and we should be glad to see him in our -village. We confess that we accepted the axe, but it was by the reproach -that we continually receive from the English and other nations, which -received the axe first, calling us women; at the same time they invite our -young men to war. As to the old people, they are wishing for peace." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Gamelin's Journal, Am. State Papers, Vol IV. p. 93. - - -All the endeavors of the President to give security to the parties by -peaceful arrangements having proved unavailing, vigorous offensive -measures were determined upon, and an expedition against the hostile -tribes was entrusted to General Harmar, a veteran of the revolution. His -force consisted of fourteen hundred and fifty men, three hundred and -twenty of whom were regular troops, and the residue levies of the -Pennsylvania and Kentucky militia. The object was to bring the Indians to -an engagement, if possible; if not, in any event to destroy their -settlements on the waters of the Scioto and Wabash. [FN-1] The expedition -left Fort Washington on the 30th of September, 1790. The Indians at first -abandoned their principal town, after applying the torch to it, but -rallied subsequently upon a detachment of two hundred and ten men, -commanded by Colonel Harden, thirty of whom were regulars, and gave -battle. At the first fire Harden's militia all ran away. The regulars -maintained their ground for a time, and fought bravely until but seven of -their number were able to escape. On the next day Col. Harden, at the head -of three hundred and sixty men, sixty of whom were regulars, undertook to -retrieve their disgrace. They were met by the Indians, and a bloody -conflict ensued near the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary rivers. -The militia, for a miracle, fought bravely on this occasion. Overpowered -by numbers, however, they were defeated, with the loss of several gallant -officers, and one hundred and eighty-three men--seventy-five of whom were -regulars. Among the former were Majors Fontaine and Wyllys, and Lieutenant -Frothingham. Ten militia officers were also among the slain. The Indians -lost about one hundred and twenty warriors. The battle was severely -fought, and ended in the flight of the Americans. General Harmar thereupon -returned to Fort Washington and claimed the victory--with what propriety -has never been ascertained. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Holmes--Marshall. - - [FN-2] A letter to Captain Brant, written from Detroit, gave a still more - disastrous account of this affair than was admitted by the American - authorities. The following is an extract:--"I have to inform you that - there have been two engagements about the Miami towns, between the - Americans and the Indians, in which, it is said, the former had about - five hundred men killed, and that the rest have retreated. The loss was - only fifteen or twenty on the side of the Indians. The Shawanese, Miamis, - and Pottawattamies were, I understand, the principal tribes who were - engaged; but I do not learn that any of the nations have refused their - alliance or assistance, and it is confidently reported that they are now - marching against the frontiers on the Ohio. As Mr. McKee writes to the - chiefs at the Grand River, he will be able to state circumstances more - particularly than I can. The gentlemen of the garrison beg their - compliments."---MS. _Letter of John Smith to Captain Brant._ - - -Flushed and emboldened by their success, the depredations of the Indians -became more frequent, and the condition of the frontier was more -deplorable than it had been previous to this ill-fated expedition. [FN-1] -Nor were their aggressions confined to the settlements along the Ohio and -the Kentucky border. Two of the Seneca Indians having been murdered by the -whites, that nation, with others among the warriors of the Six Nations, -were becoming more hostile; and the consequence was, that early in the -Spring of 1791, the Pennsylvania settlements along the Allegheny river, -above Pittsburgh, experienced repeated and fearful visitations of Indian -retribution. Several stations of the settlers were entirely broken up. The -murders of women and children were frequent, and were often attended with -circumstances of undiminished inhumanity, while many people were carried -into captivity. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] "It appears, from the most indubitable testimony, that from 1783, - when peace was made, to October, 1790, when the United States commenced - offensive operations against them, on the Ohio and the frontiers, the - Indians killed and wounded, and took prisoners, about fifteen hundred - men, women, and children; besides taking away two thousand horses and a -large quantity of other property"--_Narrative and Sufferings of Massy - Harbison._ - - [FN-2] Idem. - - -News of the disastrous victory of General Harmar having reached the seat -of government, a regiment was added to tho permanent military -establishment, and the President was authorised to raise a body of two -thousand men for six months, to appoint a major and a brigadier general -to continue in command so long as he should think their services -necessary. [FN-1] No time was lost in calling this augmented force into -the field, and Major General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the territory -north west of the Ohio, was appointed Commander-in-chief, and charged with -the conduct of the meditated expedition; the immediate objects of which -were to destroy the Indian villages on the Miamis, to expel the Indians -from that country, and to connect it with the Ohio by a chain of posts -which would prevent their return during the war. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Marshall's life of Washington. - - [FN-2] Holmes's Annals. - - -It appears that on the repulse of Harmar, the confederated nations of the -Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Hurons, Shawanese, Delawares, Ottawas, Tustans, -and Six Nations--after a consultation at the foot of the Miami Rapids with -Capt. McKee,--deputed a representation of chiefs and warriors to visit -Lord Dorchester at Quebec, for the purpose of consultation, and also to -ascertain whether any, and if any, what, assistance might be expected from -the British or provincial government. Lord Dorchester's views were -doubtless at that time pacific, as also were those of Captain -Brant--provided always that the United States would establish the Ohio as -the boundary, and relinquish all claims of jurisdiction beyond that river. -On the 22d of February, 1791, Sir John Johnson addressed a letter to -Captain Brant, from Montreal, enclosing a copy of a letter from Lord -Dorchester to himself and another copy of the same to Captain McKee, the -purport of which can only be inferred from the letter of the Baronet. It -is accordingly inserted:-- - - "Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant. (Private.) - - "_Montreal,_ 22_d Feb'y,_ 1791. - - "Dear Joseph, - -"As I think the Six Nations much interested in the business proposed by -the inclosed copy of a letter from Lord Dorchester, (another copy of which -I transmit to Mr. McKee,) I could not think of withholding it from you, -that you may take such steps, in concert with Mr. McKee and the western -nations, as you may judge most conducive to their interest and honor. As -you certainly are all free and independent, I think you will have a right -to insist upon disposing of whatever lands you judge fit to reserve for -the General Confederacy, in whatever manner, and to whomsoever you please. -The idea of the States claiming a jurisdiction up to the line of -separation settled between Great Britain and them, must arise from a -supposition that the Indians, at some time or other, allowed that power -to our Provinces for the better government of their subjects. Whether or -not that is the case, I know not, nor can I at present find out; but -certain I am that without such a cession of power on the part of the -Indians, no just right or claim to such a power can be supported beyond -the line of 1768, and to the western line of the land ceded or sold by the -Indians to the States since the war. This is certainly a nice point, and -may not be proper to insist upon too positively; but in justice I believe -it is as I have stated. When the Indians allowed the English and French to -build forts for the protection and support of their subjects and trade, -they no doubt had a right to a certain jurisdiction or command round those -places, but I never believe it extended farther, or that the Indians meant -it should. Upon the whole, you understand your own rights better than I -do. I shall therefore say no more than to recommend coolness and a manly -firmness in whatever you may determine on. As I mean this letter as -entirely private, I shall acquaint you that I believe this measure has -been thought of by Lord Dorchester, in consequence of my writing to him -on receiving the account of the expedition carried on last Fall by the -Americans against the Miamis, at which time I took the liberty of saying -that the Americans had no claim to any part of the country beyond the -line established in 1768, at Fort Stanwix, between the Indians and the -Governors and agents of all the Provinces interested, and including the -sales made since the war; and that I therefore thought, as we could not -afford them assistance in arms, we should at least afford them our -mediation to bring about a peace between them and the States, on terms -just and honorable, or something to that purpose. You may converse with, -or write freely to Mr. McKee upon the subjects of this letter, but let it -be as from yourself--perhaps I may say something similar to him if time -will permit. I have wrote Lord Dorchester that an answer might be had to -his inquiries by some time the beginning of May, but I fear not; a great -deal will depend on you, however, in forwarding the packet to Mr. McKee, -which let me intreat you to lose no time in doing. My best wishes attend -you all, and believe me as ever sincerely yours, - - "John Johnson. - - "_Captain Brant._" - -Colonel Gordon, commanding the British post at Niagara, was also at that -time and afterward, a friend of peace. On the 4th of March he addressed a -letter to Captain Brant, from which the following is an extract:--"I hope -you will embrace the present opportunity of the meeting of the chiefs of -the Five Nations in your neighborhood, to use your endeavors to heal the -wounds between the Indians and Americans. I dare say the States wish to -make peace on terms which will secure to the Indians their present -possessions in the Miami country, provided the young men are restrained -from committing depredations in future." The temper of the chief himself, -at this period, can best be determined by the following extracts from a -letter addressed by himself to Captain McKee, three days after the letter -from Colonel Gordon was written, and probably immediately on its -receipt:-- - - "Captain Brant to Captain McKee. (Extracts.) - - "_Grand River, March_ 7, 1791." - - * * * * * - -"I have received two letters from the States, from gentlemen who have been -lately in Philadelphia; by which it appears the Americans secretly wish to -accommodate the matter--which I should by all means advise, if it could be -effected upon honorable and liberal terms, and a peace become general." - - * * * * * - -"I am happy to see in Sir John's last letter to me, that he has suggested -to his Lordship the necessity of their interference in bringing about a -peace between the Indians and the United States; by which it appears he -has an idea of recommending the line settled in 1768 [qu? 1765] between -the Indians and government, as the northern and western boundary of the -States in that quarter. I expect to hear more from him in the Spring on -that subject, as I have pressed him hard to give me his sentiments on the -utility of my interference in the present dispute." - -Lord Dorchester's speech in reply to the deputation already mentioned, was -of a similar tenor to the preceding letter of Sir John Johnson. His -Lordship informed them that he should be glad to be instrumental in -restoring peace. He informed them that the line marked out in the treaty -of peace with the United States, implied no more than that beyond that -line the King their father would not extend his interference; and that the -King had only retained possession of the posts until such time as all the -differences between him and the United States should be settled. In regard -to the questions of the deputation, whether it was true that, in making -peace with the States, the King had given away their lands, his Lordship -assured them that such was not the fact, inasmuch as the King never had -any right to their lands, other than to such as had been fairly ceded by -themselves, with their own free consent, by public convention and sale. -On this point, his Lordship likewise referred to the treaty with Sir -William Johnson, at Fort Stanwix, in 1766. In conclusion, he assured the -deputation, that although the Indians had their friendship and good-will, -the Provincial Government had no power to embark in a war with the United -States, and could only defend themselves if attacked. He also informed -them that the command of the province was about to devolve upon General -Clarke; and that Prince Edward, [FN-1] who had just arrived with a chosen -band of warriors, would be the second in command. His Lordship himself was -on the eve of embarking for England, where it would afford him great -pleasure to hear that peace had been established between the Indians and -United States upon a just and solid foundation. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The late Duke of Kent, father of the present young Queen of - England. - - [FN-2] Journal of Major General Lincoln, which will be more particularly - referred to hereafter. - - -This speech afforded but small encouragement to the Indians, and most -likely but ill corresponded with the expectations that had been raised by -McKee, and other subordinate officers in the British Indian Department at -the remote posts--of whom several, like McKee, were refugee Americans, -indulging bitter hatred toward the country which they had deserted in the -hour of its peril. Indeed, there is no reason to distrust the manly and -honorable conduct of Lord Dorchester during the greater part of this -singular border contest, the progress of which was marked by so many -vicissitudes of feeling and action on the part of many of the Provincial -authorities. And besides, the attitude of the two nations was at that -moment less seemingly belligerent than it shortly afterward became. - -During these side negotiations in Canada, and while the preparations for -another campaign by the American government, as already mentioned, were -in progress, no relaxations of efforts to prevent the farther effusion of -blood were allowed to take place. Captain O'Bail, or the Corn-planter as -he was usually called, the principal chief of the Senecas, being in -Philadelphia in the month of December, after the defeat of General Harmar, -was induced not only to use his influence to prevent the warriors of the -Six Nations from taking a part in the contest, but also to undertake a -mission with other friendly Indians to the country of the Miamis, to -persuade them to peace, also, if possible. In March following, the -Corn-planter, with whom Colonel Proctor, an active officer in the -(American) Indian Department had been associated, set out upon the -mission. Meantime, measures were adopted to draw the Indians of the Six -Nations to a general conference at a distance from the theatre of war, in -order, not only to prevent their joining the war, but, if necessary, to -obtain some of their young warriors for the service against the Miamis and -the other hostile tribes. This attempt to create a diversion of the Six -Nations, however, was looked upon with displeasure by the Provincial -authorities in Canada, as will be seen by the annexed letter from Colonel -Gordon to Captain Brant. It also appears from this letter, that these -Provincials were ambitious of being appealed to by the government of the -United States as mediators in the controversy. Nor was this an individual -conceit of Colonel Gordon, inasmuch as Sir John Johnson had hinted the -same thing, as was evident from his letter, after consultation with Lord -Dorchester. It will farther appear by the address of the letter, that the -ever-vigilant Brant was already once more in the country of the Miamis, -although but a very few days previous he had been assisting at a private -council at Buffalo. His movements in all these matters, as in the war of -the Revolution, seem to have been as rapid as the light. - - "Colonel Gordon to Captain Brant. - - "_Niagara, June_ 11_th,_ 1791. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I was glad to find by your letter, from the foot of the Rapids, to -Colonel Butler, that you was in good health; and I very sincerely hope the -business you are engaged in, will be attended with success. - -"From the inconsistent proceedings of the Americans, I am perfectly at a -loss to understand their full intentions. Whilst they are assembling -councils at different quarters with the avowed purpose of bringing about -a peace, the Six Nations have received a speech from General St. Clair, -dated at Pittsburgh, 23d April, inviting them to take up the hatchet -against their brothers the western nations. - -"Can any thing be more inconsistent? or can they possibly believe the -Indians are to be duped by such shallow artifices? This is far from being -the case; the Indians at Buffalo Creek saw the business in its proper -light, and treated the invitation with the contempt it deserved. It must -strike you very forcibly, that in all the proceedings of the different -Commissioners from the American States, they have cautiously avoided -applying for our interference, as a measure they affect to think perfectly -unnecessary; wishing to impress the Indians with ideas of their own -consequence, and of the little influence, they would willingly believe, -we are possessed of. This, my good friend, is not the way to proceed. Had -they, before matters were pushed to extremity, requested the assistance of -the British Government to bring about a peace on equitable terms, I am -convinced the measure would have been fully accomplished long before this -time. - -"I would, however, willingly hope they will yet see the propriety of -adopting this mode of proceeding; and that peace, an object so much to be -desired, will at length be permanently settled. - -"I am the more sanguine in the attainment of my wishes, by your being on -the spot, and that you will call forth the exertion of your influence and -abilities on the occasion. Let me hear from time to time how matters are -going forward, and with my wishes for your health, believe me - - "Your friend, - A. Gordon. - - "_Captain Brant._" - -The Council of the Six Nations, always excepting the Mohawks, was -successfully held by Colonel Timothy Pickering, in the Chemung country, -in the month of June. But the Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor met with -insurmountable difficulties in the prosecution of their mission. The -special object of that mission, after traversing the country of the Six -Nations, and exerting such wholesome influence upon them as might be in -their power, was to charter a vessel at Buffalo Creek, and proceed to -Sandusky, and if possible induce the Miamis to meet General St. Clair in -council on the Ohio. They were every where well received on the route from -Allegheny to Buffalo Creek, at which place a grand Council was called in -honor of their arrival, and attended by Red Jacket and other chiefs. -After having been welcomed by a speech from Red Jacket, Colonel Proctor -opened to them the message from General Washington, the great chief of the -Thirteen Fires. Red Jacket replied, that many persons had previously at -different times been among them, professing to come by the authority of -the Thirteen Fires, but of the truth of which declarations they were not -always convinced. In the course of the conversation, it was ascertained -that at a private council held at that place one week before, at which -Captain Brant and Colonel Butler, of the British Indian department, were -present, these officers had uttered the same doubts now started by Red -Jacket. Brant had advised the Indians to pay no attention to Proctor and -O'Bail, of whose approach and purpose he was aware, and to render them no -assistance in their projected visit to Sandusky, assuring them it should -do no good; but that Colonel Proctor, and all who would accompany him to -the country of the Miamis, would be put to death. They also ascertained, -that while holding the said private council, in anticipation of their -visit, Captain Brant had received secret instructions from -"head-quarters," [FN] to repair to Grand River, and from thence to -Detroit. It was believed by a French trader who gave the information, and -also by Captain Powell of the British service, who confirmed it, that the -Mohawk chief had been sent to the Indians hostile to the United States, -with instructions of _some_ kind; and the Indians at Buffalo Creek had -been charged by Brant to conclude upon nothing with Proctor and O'Bail -before his return. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The words used in Col. Proctor's narrative; but whether he meant the - British or Indian head-quarters, the author cannot say. Probably the - former. - - -Colonel Proctor and O'Bail continued at Buffalo from the 27th of April to -the 22d or 23d of May. The Indians collected in large numbers, and many -councils were held. On the 8th of May, the Fish-carrier, one of the -principal Cayuga chiefs, and the right hand man of Captain Brant, declared -in a speech that O'Bail had taken a course that was not approved by -them--that more than one half of the Indians there, _were not for peace,_ -[FN-1] and that Captain Brant had been sent to the council-fire of the -Miamis. "We must, therefore," he added, "see his face, for we can't -determine until we know what they are about. So we beg you to grant our -request, to keep your mind easy; for we, who do this business, look on -you, and hold ourselves to be slaves in making of peace. Now, we all say -you must look for Captain Brant's coming, to hear the words that come from -his mouth, for then we can say to you, what towns will be for peace; and -this is all that we have to say to you for this time." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Proctor's Journal - - [FN-2] American State papers--Indian Department. - - -An effort was made by Red Jacket to induce Proctor and O'Bail to go down -to the British fortress at Niagara to hold a consultation with Colonel -Butler; but Colonel Proctor declined the adoption of any such course. The -Indians thereupon despatched a messenger for Colonel Butler to meet them -at Buffalo Creek, which he accordingly did--but previously called a -separate council at Fort Erie. He afterward had an interview with Proctor, -and endeavored to dissuade him from visiting the country of the hostile -Indians,--proposing that the negotiations for a peace should be left to -Captain Brant and McKee, who, Colonel Butler thought, could best manage -the business. Of course a proposition going to clothe British subjects -with power to negotiate for the government of the United States, was -promptly rejected. - -One of the leading objects of Colonel Proctor in meeting the Six Nations -at Buffalo, was to induce as many of their sachems and warriors as he -could, to accompany the Corn-planter and himself to the Miamis country, -to aid, by their influence, in bringing the hostile Indians into a more -pacific temper; but from the whole cast of the deliberations, it was -perfectly evident that the majority of the leading chiefs were under the -direct influence of the British officers, who, it was obvious, had now -suddenly become less pacific than they had very recently been. Colonel -Proctor met with but little success in persuading a portion of the -warriors to accompany him to the Miamis; and on applying to Colonel -Gordon, commanding at Niagara, for permission to charter a British -schooner on Lake Erie, to transport himself and such Indians as might -feel disposed to accompany himself and Corn-planter to Sandusky, the -request was peremptorily refused. The expedition was thus abruptly -terminated, and Colonel Proctor returned to Fort Washington. - -Before leaving Buffalo, however, according to an entry in his journal, -Colonel Proctor seems to have been apprised of the fact, which will -subsequently appear, that Captain Brant had not gone to the Miamis as a -messenger, or an observer merely, but that he had actually gone to join -them with his warriors:-- - -"_May_ 21st. Being in private conversation this evening with Captain -O'Bail, and sitting between him and the New-Arrow sachem, I hinted to -Captain O'Bail that if he would go and join General St. Clair with -thirty-five or forty of his warriors, as well equipped as he could make -them, purely to counterbalance the force that Brant had taken with him to -the unfriendly Indians, I would use endeavors with the Secretary of War -to procure him a commission that should yield to him and his people a -handsome stipend. He replied, that the Senecas had received a stroke from -the bad Indians, by taking two prisoners, a woman and a boy, from Conyatt; -and that, should the hatchet be struck into the head of any of his people -hereafter, he would then inform me what he would undertake to do." - -The natural import of this entry in Proctor's journal is, that Captain -Brant had at that time actually joined the Miamis in hostile array against -the United States. It is possible, however, that such was not _at that -time_ the fact; and it is certain that General Knox, the Secretary of War, -after the return of Colonel Proctor to Philadelphia, did not so construe -it. In writing to Colonel Pickering respecting the council which he was -then preparing to hold at the Painted Post on the 13th of June, the -Secretary speaks of Brant's journey to the western Indians as having -probably been undertaken for pacific purposes, under the direction of the -British officers, who were using him with a view to a peace, of which they -intended to claim the merit at some future time. And this construction -would comport with the idea of a British intervention, as heretofore -suggested by Colonel Gordon and Sir John Johnson. - -But it is, nevertheless, a curious fact, which speaks largely of the -talents and address of Brant, and the high importance which was attached -to his influence; that if the British authorities were then thus using his -services, the American government was at the same time seeking his -assistance for the same object. Colonel Pickering was instructed to treat -him with "great kindness" if he could be persuaded to attend the council -at the Painted Post; and on the 12th of April, the Secretary of War -addressed a latter to Governor Clinton, from which the following is an -extract: - -"Aware of your Excellency's influence over Captain Joseph Brant, I have -conceived the idea that you might induce him, by proper arrangements, to -undertake to conciliate the western Indians to pacific measures, and bring -them to hold a general treaty. This measure would be abundantly more -compatible with the feelings and interest of the United States than to -extirpate the Indians, which seems to be the inevitable consequence of a -war of long continuance with them. You are entirely able to estimate -Brant's talents, and the degree of confidence that might be placed in him -on such an occasion. Perhaps Colonel Willett, of whose talents in managing -the minds of men I have a high opinion, might accept of an agency on this -occasion, as it might respect Brant. If your Excellency should entertain -the opinion strongly that Brant might be employed with good effect, I -earnestly request that you would take the necessary measures for the -purpose, according to your own judgment." - -Other topics were embraced in the Secretary's letter, to all of which -Governor Clinton replied on the 27th of April. The following extract -relates to the subject of this biography:-- - -"I have communicated to Colonel Willett your confidence in his talents and -desire for the interposition of his influence with Brant, but have it not -in my power to inform you of his explicit answer. . . . I had, in June -last, appointed an interview with Brant, contemplating the danger you -appear to apprehend from his address and his influence with several of the -Indian nations, (which, I am persuaded, is very considerable,) and from -different letters I have since received from him, I have reason to hope he -will give me the opportunity of a personal conference with him at this -place, (New York,) the beginning of the ensuing summer, if the proposed -convention, to which I will not venture to say he may not be opposed, -should not prevent it. But the good understanding between us, and the -friendly and familiar intercourse I have successfully endeavored to -preserve, will, I doubt not, predominate over any transient disgust that -the measures of the Union may have heretofore excited in his mind, and -enable me to procure an interview with him at any time and place not -particularly inconvenient. To accomplish this, however, with certainty, -it may require the personal application of some one expressly delegated, -and in whom he will confide." - -Captain Brant has been charged with great vanity, and with attaching undue -importance to his position and influence. But how few are the men, Indians -or whites, who would not have stood in danger of being somewhat inflated, -on finding two such nations as Great Britain and the United States, -apparently out-bidding each other for his services and friendship? Still, -he was looked upon with no inconsiderable distrust by the American -Secretary of War. In his letter of reply to Governor Clinton, dated May -11th, the Secretary, after speaking of the hostility of Brant to the -Corn-planter, refers to the former design of the Mohawk chief to place -himself at the head of the great Indian confederacy, so often spoken of, -north-west of the Ohio, the Six Nations included; and cites a letter which -he had just received from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the Indian missionary, -intimating that he had not yet abandoned that project. Indeed, Brant -himself had then just written to Mr. Kirkland that he should yet like to -compass that measure, should he find it practicable. The United States -could not, of course, be favorable to the formation of any confederacy, by -which the whole of the then vast body of Indians might be moved by a -single impulse; and with a view of diverting him from such a purpose, and -of securing his friendship to the United States, Governor Clinton was -requested, if possible, to effect the interview of which he had spoken, -with Captain Brant. Authority was also given the Governor to enter into -any pecuniary engagements which he should judge necessary, to make sure of -his attachment to the United States. - -It has already been observed that the council held with the Six Nations by -Colonel Pickering, at the Painted Post, in June, had been to a great -extent successful. Although the chiefs at Buffalo were for the most part -under the influence of the British officers in Upper Canada, and of course -not very friendly to the United States at that time, yet the warriors in -general were more amicably disposed. The women, moreover, were anxious for -peace, and addressed Colonel Proctor upon the subject. Before that officer -left Buffalo, the Indians began to draw off to meet Colonel Pickering, and -the council with him was well attended--serving, if no other good purpose, -to divert the attention of the Indians, and by the distribution of -presents to keep the young warriors from indulging their favorite -propensity, by stealing away and joining the Miamis. Colonel Pickering had -also induced Captain Hendrick Aupamut, the justly celebrated chief of the -Muhheconnuck, [FN] to undertake the mission to the Miamis, which Colonel -Proctor and Corn-planter had been prevented from performing. Captain -Brant, it was also reported to the War Department, about the 1st of -August, had returned to Niagara from the Miami town, accompanied by some -of the western chiefs. The Indians at Pickering's treaty had asserted -that, after all that had transpired, Brant's designs were still pacific; -and since Lord Dorchester, as already stated, had expressed himself -favorable to a pacification of the Indian tribes, and Sir John Johnson was -about to assemble the Six Nations again at Buffalo, strong hopes were -entertained by the American government, that the border difficulties would -soon be adjusted without the necessity of another appeal to arms. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Stockbridge Indians, who had removed from Massachusetts to the - Oneida country in 1785. - - -But, notwithstanding these favorable indications, the preparations for -another offensive campaign were not relaxed. And it was well that they -were not. The movements of Brant, beyond doubt the most influential -warrior of his race, were yet mysterious, and his designs too cautiously -veiled to be penetrated. The unlimited power with which the President had -been clothed, the preceding year, to call mounted militia into the field, -had been exercised by General Washington as far as was deemed necessary, -and two expeditions had been conducted against the villages on the -Wabash,--the first led by General Scott, in May, and the second by General -Wilkinson.. These desultory excursions, however, were unattended by any -beneficial results. A few warriors had been killed, and a small number of -old men, women, and children captured. But such results were not -calculated to make any serious impression upon the savages, or to have any -particular influence on the war. It was likewise well known that the -Indians had received from the British posts large supplies of provisions -and ammunition, immediately after the defeat of General Harmar the -preceding Autumn. This fact, it is true, was disclaimed by Lord -Dorchester, but it was nevertheless certain; and it was also certain that, -in addition to the unfriendly influence of the British officers on the -frontiers the English and French traders, scattered among the Indian -towns, were constantly inciting them to acts of hostility. - -Under these circumstances, all the efforts of the United States to bring -the hostile Indians to a friendly council having failed, the conquest of -the Miami country and the expulsion of the Indians became necessary. The -most vigorous measures within the power of the Executive had failed in -raising the troops and bringing them into the field until the month of -September. On the 7th of that month General St. Clair moved from Fort -Washington, north, toward the Miamis--establishing, on his way, two -intermediate posts, at the distance of more than forty miles from each -other, as places whence to draw supplies should the army be in need, or -upon which to fall back in the event of disaster. At the farthest of these -posts, called Fort Jefferson, reinforcements of militia, to the number of -three hundred and sixty, were received--augmenting the army to about two -thousand men. With this force St. Clair moved forward, but the necessity -of opening a road through the forests rendered his progress slow. The -Indians hung in small scattered parties upon the flanks, and by the -skirmishing that took place, were somewhat annoying. Added to these -vexations, the militia began to desert; and as the army approximated more -nearly to the enemy's country, sixty of them went off in a body. It was -likewise reported to be the determination of those "brave defenders of -their country's soil" to fall upon the supplies in the rear; to prevent -which act of moral treason, it was judged necessary to detach Major -Hamtramck in pursuit. - -After these reductions, the effective force of St. Clair that remained did -not exceed fourteen hundred men--including both regulars and militia. -Moving forward with these, the right wing commanded by General Butler and -the left by Lieutenant Colonel Darke, both, like the Commander-in-chief, -veterans of Revolutionary merit, on the 3d of November they had approached -within about fifteen miles of the Miamis villages. The army encamped for -the night on the margin of a creek, the militia crossing in advance, to -encamp on the other side. Here a few Indians were discovered; but these -fleeing with precipitation, the army bivouacked for the night--the -situation, and the dispositions both for defence and to guard against -surprise, being of the most judicious character. - -This position had been selected with a view of throwing up a slight -defence, and awaiting the return of Major Hamtramck with the first -regiment. Both designs were anticipated and circumvented by the Indians. -About half an hour before sunrise on the morning of the 4th, just after -the soldiers were dismissed from parade, the militia, who were about a -quarter of a mile in front, were briskly attacked by the Indians. Like -most militiamen, their first impulse was to run--and that impulse was -obeyed in the greatest terror and wildest confusion. Rushing through the -main encampment, with the enemy close upon their heels, no small degree of -confusion was created there also. The lines had been formed at the firing -of the first gun; but the panic-stricken militia broke through, and thus -opened the way for the enemy--an advantage which was not lost upon him. -The officers endeavored to restore order in vain, although, for a time, -the divisions of Butler and Darke, which had encamped about seventy yards -apart, were kept in position. But the Indians charged upon them with great -intrepidity--bearing down upon the centre of both divisions in great -numbers. The artillery of the Americans was of little or no service, as -the Indians fought in their usual mode, lying upon the ground and firing -from behind the trees--springing from tree to tree with incredible -swiftness, and rarely presenting an available mark to the eye even of the -rifleman. Having, in the impetuosity of their pursuit of the fugitive -militia, gained the rear of St. Clair, they poured a destructive fire upon -the artillerists from every direction--mowing them down by scores, and -with a daring seldom practised by the Indians, leaping forward, and -completing the work of death at the very guns. General St. Clair was -himself sick, having been severely indisposed for several weeks. He -assumed his post, however, and though extremely feeble, delivered his -orders in the trying emergency with judgment and self-possession. But he -was laboring under the disadvantage of commanding militia upon whom there -was no reliance, and having few, if any, but raw recruits among his -regulars. These, too, had been hastily enlisted, and but little time for -drill or discipline had been allowed. Hence, though brave, and commanded -by officers of the highest qualities, they fought at great disadvantage. -General Butler fell early in the action, mortally wounded, and was soon -afterward killed outright, under circumstances of deep atrocity. Among the -Indian warriors were considerable numbers of Canadians, refugees from the -United States and half-breeds--young men born of Indian mothers in the -remote Canadian settlements. [FN] These motley allies of the savages were -even more savage than their principals. Among them was the noted and -infamous Simon Girty, whose name has occurred in a former part of the -present work. After the action, Girty, who knew General Butler, found him -upon the field, writhing from the agony of his wounds. Butler spoke to -him, and requested him to end his misery. The traitor refused to do this, -but turning to one of the Indian warriors, told him the wounded man was a -high officer; whereupon the savage planted his tomahawk in his head, and -thus terminated his sufferings. His scalp was instantly torn from his -crown, his heart taken out, and divided into as many pieces as there were -tribes engaged in the battle. - - * * * * * - - [FN] "A great many young Canadians, and, in particular, many that were - born of Indian women, fought on the aide of the Indians in this action; - a circumstance which confirmed the people of the States in the opinion - they had previously formed, that the Indians were encouraged and abetted - in their attacks upon them by the British. I can safely affirm, however, - from having conversed with many of these young men who fought against St. - Clair, that it was with the utmost secrecy they left their homes to join - the Indians, fearful lest the government should censure their - conduct."--_Wald's Travels in Canada._ - - -The Indians had never fought with such fury before. The forest resounded -with their yells, and they rushed upon the troops, under their favorite -shelter of trees, until they had partially gained possession of the camp, -artillery and all. Ascertaining that the fire of their troops produced no -perceptible effect upon the Indians, recourse was had to the bayonet. -Colonel Darke made an impetuous charge at the head of the left wing, and -drove the enemy back about four hundred yards, with some loss. But not -having a sufficient number of riflemen to maintain his advantage, he gave -over the pursuit--being instantly pursued in turn under a deadly fire. The -same gallant officer was subsequently ordered to make a second charge, -which he performed with equal bravery--clearing for the moment that -portion of the camp to which his attention was directed. But the Americans -were now completely surrounded; and while he was driving the Indians in -one direction, clouds of them were seen to fall, "with a courage of men -whose trade is war," upon another point--keeping up a most destructive -fire from every quarter. The use of the bayonet was always attended with -temporary success, but each charge was also attended by severe loss, -especially of officers; nor in a single instance were the Americans able -to retain the advantage thus severely gained. Finally, a large proportion -of the best and bravest officers having fallen, nearly all that had been -preserved of order disappeared. The men huddled together in groups, and -were shot down without resistance. Having done all, under the -circumstances, that a brave man could do, and finding that the day was -lost past recovery, General St. Clair directed Colonel Darke, with the -second regiment, to charge a body of Indians who had gained the road in -the rear, and thus open a door of retreat. The order was promptly and -successfully executed, and a disorderly flight ensued. The victorious -Indians followed up their advantage to the distance of only four miles, -when, leaving the pursuit, they directed their attention to the plunder, -and ceased fighting to revel in "the spoils of the vanquished." The -fugitives continued their flight thirty miles, to Fort Jefferson. Here -they met Major Hamtrack with the first regiment; but it was not deemed -advisable to make a stand, and the remains of the army fell back to Fort -Washington, as Harmar had done the year before. The retreat was indeed -most disorderly and cowardly. "The camp and the artillery," says General -St. Clair in his narrative of the campaign, "were abandoned; but that was -unavoidable, for not a horse was left to draw it off, had it otherwise -been practicable. But the most disgraceful part of the business is, that -the greatest part of the men threw away their arms and accoutrements, even -after the pursuit had ceased. I found the road strewed with them for many -miles, but was not able to remedy it; for, having had all my horses -killed, and being mounted upon one that could not be pricked out of a -walk, I could not get forward myself, and the orders I sent forward, -either to halt the front, or prevent the men parting with their arms, were -unattended to." - -This was one of the severest battles ever fought with the Indians--the -latter being unaided by any other description of force, excepting the wild -half-breed Canadians already mentioned. The loss of the Americans, in -proportion to the number engaged; was very severe. Thirty-eight -commissioned officers were killed on the field, and four hundred and -ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates killed and missing. -Twenty-one commissioned officers were wounded, several of whom mortally, -and two hundred and forty-two non-commissioned officers and privates were -also wounded. General Butler, who fell early in the action, was a brave -man; and with many other excellent officers who fell, "had participated -in all the toils, the dangers, and the glory, of that long conflict which -terminated in the independence of their country." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall's Life of Washington. For a ballad giving an account of - this disastrous battle, see Appendix, No. VII. - - -The loss of the Indians, was about one hundred and fifty killed and a -considerable number wounded. Their immediate booty was all the camp -equipage and baggage, six or eight field-pieces, and four hundred horses. -As the contest was one for land, the Indians, in their mutilations of the -dead, practised a bitter sarcasm upon the rapacity of the white men, by -filling their mouths with the soil they had marched forth to conquer. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Two years afterward, when the battle-ground was re-occupied by the - army of Wayne, its appearance was most melancholy. Within the space of - about three hundred and fifty yards square were found five hundred skull - bones, the most of which were collected and buried. For about five miles - in the direction of the retreat of the army, the woods were strewn with - skeletons and muskets. Two brass field-pieces were found in a creek not - far distant.--_Drake's Book of the Indians._ - - -General St. Clair imputed no blame to his officers. On the contrary, he -awarded them the highest praise for their good conduct; and of those who -were slain, he remarked,--"It is a circumstance that will alleviate the -misfortune in some measure, that all of them fell most gallantly doing -their duty." From the fact of his being attacked at all points as it were -at the same moment, it was the General's opinion that he had been -overwhelmed by numbers. But from subsequent investigation it appeared that -the Indian warriors counted only from a thousand to fifteen hundred. But -they fought with great desperation. Their leader, according to the -received opinion, was _Meshecunnaqua,_ or, the _Little Turtle,_ a -distinguished chief of the Miamis. He was also the leader of the Indians -against General Harmar the year before. It is believed, however, that -though nominally the commander-in-chief of the Indians on this occasion, -he was greatly indebted both to the counsels and the prowess of another -and an older chief. One hundred and fifty of the Mohawk warriors were -engaged in this battle; and General St. Clair probably died in ignorance -of the fact, that one of the master-spirits against whom he contended, and -by whom he was so signally defeated, was none other than Joseph -Brant--Thayendaneqea. [FN] How it happened that this distinguished chief, -from whom so much had been expected as a peace maker, thus suddenly and -efficiently threw himself into a position of active hostility, unless he -thought he saw an opening for reviving his project of a great -north-western Confederacy, is a mystery which he is believed to have -carried in his own bosom to the grave. - - * * * * * - - [FN] This interesting fact has been derived by the author from - Thayendanegea's family. He has in vain sought for it in print. It is the - circumstance of Brant's having been engaged in this battle, that prompted - the author to give so full a narrative of the event, and the incidents - attending it, in this place. It would seem that the government of the - United States was sadly at fault as to the numbers and tribes of the - Indians who fought this battle; and when, in the month of January, 1798, - Captain Peter Pond and William Steedman were sent into the Indian country - as messengers, it was a part of their instructions to obtain information - upon these points.--Vide Indian State papers, vol. iv. p. 227. - - -The news of the decisive defeat of General St. Clair spread a gloom over -the whole country--deepened by the mourning for the many noble spirits who -had fallen. The panic that prevailed along the whole north-western border, -extending from the confines of New-York to the estuary of the Ohio, was -great beyond description. The inhabitants feared that the Indians, -emboldened by success, and with greatly augmented numbers, would pour -down upon them in clouds, and lay waste all the frontier settlements with -the torch and the tomahawk, even if some modern Alaric of the forest did -not lead his barbarians to the gates of Rome. Nor were these apprehensions -by any means groundless. During the twelve months that followed the rout -of St. Clair, the depredations of the savages became more furious and -ferocious than ever before; and some of the most tragical scenes recorded -in history took place on the extended line of the frontiers. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Thatcher's Lives of the Indian Chiefs--Little Turtle. As an example, - the author cites a well-authenticated case, occurring in what was then - perhaps the moat populous section of the west. The proprietor of a - dwelling-house in Kentucky, whose name was Merrill, being alarmed by the - barking of his dog, on going to the door received a fire from an - assailing party of Indians, which broke his right leg and arm. They - attempted to enter the house, but were anticipated in their movement by - Mrs. Merrill and her daughter, who closed the door so firmly as to keep - them at bay. They next began to cut their way through the door, and - succeeded in breaking an aperture, through which one of the warriors - attempted to enter. The lady, however, was prepared for the event, and - as he thrust his head within, she struck it open with an axe, and - instantly drew his body into the house. His companions, not knowing the - catastrophe, but supposing that he had worked his way through - successfully, attempted one after another, to follow. But Mrs. Merrill - dealt a fatal blow upon every head that pushed itself through, until - five warriors lay dead at her feet. By this time the party without had - discovered the fate of their more forward companions, and thought they - would effect an entrance by a safer process--a descent of the chimney. - The contents of a feather-bed were instantly emptied upon the fire, - creating a smoke so dense and pungent, as to bring two more warriors - headlong down upon the hearth in a state of half-suffocation. The moment - was critical, as the mother and daughter were guarding the door. The - husband, however, by the assistance of his little son, though sorely - maimed, managed to rid himself of those two unwelcome visitors by a - billet of wood. Meantime the wife repelled another assault at the - door--severely wounding another Indian; whereupon the assailants - relinquished the siege. For another highly interesting narrative of - border sufferings in the Spring of 1792, see Appendix, No. VIII. - - -There was another cause of disquietude. It was feared that, flushed with -this defeat of a second expedition, even the five of the Six Nations who -had concluded treaties with the United States, but of whose ultimate -fidelity many grains of distrust had been entertained, would now grasp -their hatchets, and rush to the ranks of the Miamis and their western -allies. The most earnest appeals to the government for protection were -therefore sent forward by the inhabitants of the border towns, to which a -deaf ear could not be turned. - -The popular clamor against St. Clair, in consequence of his disastrous -defeat, was loud and deep. With the great mass of the people, it is -success only that constitutes the general, and St. Clair had been -unfortunate. The surrender of Ticonderoga in 1777, was an event which had -occasioned great disappointment and dissatisfaction at the time, and the -recollection was revived, in connection with this signal reverse. But in -neither instance did the fault lie at the door of the commanding General, -Ticonderoga was evacuated because indefensible, and the battle lost by the -cowardice of the militia. Fully conscious, himself, that no blame was -justly attributable to him, General St. Clair applied to the President -for an investigation by a court of inquiry. The request was denied, only -for the reason that there were not officers enough in the service, of the -requisite rank, to form a legal court for that purpose. [FN-1] Aware of -the prejudices excited against him in the public mind, the unfortunate -General spontaneously announced his intention of resigning his commission, -suggesting, however, that he should prefer retaining it until his conduct -could be investigated in some way; but as the military establishment at -that time allowed only one Major General, and as the service required the -speedy designation of a successor, this request was also denied, though -with reluctance, by the President. [FN-2] Complaints, it is true, were -poured into the ears of the President against him. Among others, General -John Armstrong, the hero of Kittaning, and an experienced Indian fighter -in Pennsylvania, addressed a letter to the President, censuring the -generalship of St. Clair. [FN-3] It is believed, however, that the veteran -Governor of the North-western Territory continued in the full enjoyment of -the President's confidence to the last. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of President Washington to General St. Clair, March 28, - 1792. - - [FN-2] Letter of the President to General St. Clair, April 4, 1792. - - [FN-3] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, Vol. X, p. 223. - - -The appointment of a successor to St. Clair as Commander-in-chief of the -army, was a source of no little perplexity to the President. His own -inclinations were in favor of Governor Henry Lee of Virginia; but it was -apprehended that difficulties would arise in procuring the services of -officers who had been his seniors in the army of the Revolution, as -subordinates under him. There appear to have been several candidates, -among whom were Generals Morgan and Scott, and Colonel Darke, who had -served under St. Clair during the last campaign. Ultimately the -appointment was conferred upon General Anthony Wayne. The selection was -most unpopular in Virginia; but the result demonstrated its wisdom. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Governor Lee wrote to President Washington on the 15th of June, - respecting the selection of a successor of General St. Clair at large, - and on the subject of Wayne's appointment in particular, he said:--"You - cannot be a stranger to the extreme disgust which the late appointment - to the command of the army excited among all orders in this state." To - this letter the President replied at length. The following paragraph - contains the answer to the remark of Governor Lee given above:--"How far - the appointment of General Wayne is a popular or an unpopular measure, - is not for me to decide. It was not the determination of the moment, nor - was it the effect of partiality or of influence; for no application (if - that in any instance could have warped my judgment) was ever made in his - behalf from anyone who could have thrown the weight of a feather into his - scale; but because, under a full view of all circumstances, he appeared - most eligible. To a person of your observation and intelligence it is - unnecessary to remark, that an appointment, which may be unpopular in one - place and with one set of men, may not be so in another place or with - another set of men, and _vice verse;_ and that to attempt to please - every body is the sure way to please nobody; because the attempt would be - as idle as the exertion would be impracticable. General Wayne has many - good points as an officer, and it is to be hoped that time, reflection, - good advice, and, above all, a due sense of the importance of the trust - which is committed to him, will correct his foibles or cast a shade over - them." - - -Rufus Putnam, a son of the veteran of Bunker Hill, who had served with -credit in the war of the Revolution, and who had settled in the -North-western Territory soon after the close of that contest, was -appointed a brigadier-general, to serve with Wayne. This appointment was -tendered to Colonel Willett of New-York, but declined by that gentleman -upon the ground of conscientious scruples with regard to fighting the -Indians. "It has been uniformly my opinion," said the Colonel in a letter -to the President, "that the United States ought to avoid an Indian war. I -have generally conceived this to be our wisest policy. The reasons alleged -in support of the present Indian war have never brought conviction to my -mind. From my knowledge and experience of these people, I am clear that it -is not a difficult thing to preserve peace with them. That there are bad -men among them, and that these will at times do acts which deserve -punishment, is very clear. But I hold, that to go to war is not the proper -way to punish them. Most of the Indians that I have had any knowledge of, -are conceited and vain. By feeding their vanity, you gain their good -opinion; and this in time procures their esteem and affection. By -conciliating their good-will, you will render them susceptible of almost -any impression. They are credulous, yet suspicious. They think a great -deal; and have in general good notions of right and wrong. They frequently -exhibit proofs of grateful minds; yet they are very revengeful. And though -they are not free from chicanery and intrigue, yet if their vanity is -properly humored, and they are dealt justly by, it is no difficult matter -to come to reasonable terms with them. The intercourse I have had with -these people, the treatment I have myself received from them, and which I -have known others to receive, make me an advocate for them. To fight with -them, would be the last thing I should desire. And yet, Sir, I declare, -from the experience I have had, I do not conceive it difficult to beat -them when brought to action. When in small parties they scatter -themselves along a frontier, they have always been found exceedingly -troublesome and dangerous. This kind of warfare is their forte; and in it -they are found to be truly tremendous. But when they attempt anything in -large bodies, I have found, notwithstanding their great dexterity in the -wilderness, and the advantage they usually derive from the admirable -position they take, that they are easily beat. In marching through woods, -where troops are exposed to attacks from Indians, particular attention -should be paid not only to the mode and line of march, but also to extend -small parties and single men far on the flanks in front and in rear. But -whenever a serious attack is made, which is usually furious, an -instantaneous charge, with huzzaing sufficiently loud to drown the noise -the Indians make, will never fail to repel them. And this stroke repeated -and pursued, will, I am well convinced, terminate in victory. And yet -victory even over Indians is generally paid for; but defeats are terrible. -The honour, however, of fighting and beating Indians, is what I do not -aspire after. If in any way I could be instrumental in effecting and -maintaining peace with them, it would be a source of great gratification." - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - - - Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia--Captain Brant - invited to attend---His objections--Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to - Captain Brant--Letter of the Secretary of War to the same--Letter of - Colonel Gordon to the same--Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of - War--The Secretary of War to Captain Brant--Attempts from Montreal to - prevent Brant from going to Philadelphia--His journey--Feelings against - him in the Mohawk Valley--His arrival at New-York and - Philadelphia--Liberal offers made him--Letter to the Count de Puisy--The - offers rejected--Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis--Returns to - New-York--Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his - life--Discovered in New-York--Brant returns to Niagara--Murder of Colonel - Harden and Major Trueman--Letters of Brant to the Secretary at - War--Feelings of the Western Nations--Correspondence between Brant and - McKee--Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize--Sickness of Captain - Brant--Hostilities deferred until Spring and a treaty with the United - States ordered--Return of the Delegates of the Six Nations--Address to - President Washington--Separate organization of Upper Canada--Arrival of - Governor Simcoe--Letter to Brant from the Duke of - Northumberland--Preparations for the Great Council of 1783--Fresh - dissatisfaction of the Indians--Private Councils--They send their - ultimatum in anticipation--The American Commissioners depart for the - Indian country--Their arrival at Niagara--Friendly conduct of Governor - Simcoe--Celebration of the King's Birthday--The Commissioners start for - the West--Their progress interrupted--Conduct of General Wayne--Brant - suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation--Council held at Fort - Erie--Commissioners return to Niagara--Council there--Speech of Captain - Brant--Reply of the Commissioners--Speech of Cat's-Eyes--Rejoinder of - Brant--Arrival of the Seven Nations--Brant proceeds to the Miami - Rapids--Followed by the Commissioners--Arrival at the Detroit - River--Their progress interrupted--Unexpected turn of - affairs--Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council--Long Debates - in the Indian Council--Brant speaks strongly for peace--Governor Simcoe - declines advising the Indians--The negotiations suddenly terminated by - the Indians--Their address--And sine qua non. - - -At the treaty with the Six Nations, except the Mohawks, holden by Colonel -Pickering at the Painted Post, [FN] in the preceding month of June, an -arrangement was made with certain of their chiefs to visit Philadelphia, -then the seat of government of the United States, during the session of -Congress to ensue in the winter of 1791--92. The motive for this -invitation was threefold. First, if possible, to attach them more -cordially to the interests of the United States. Secondly, to consult as -to the best methods of extending to them the advantages and blessings of -civilization. Thirdly, to impress them with just opinions as to the -physical and moral strength of the country, that they might see with their -own eyes how futile must be every warlike effort of the Indians against -the United States. The improvement of the moral and social condition of -the Indians was an object dear to the heart of the President, and he lost -no opportunity, on all proper occasions, of impressing upon their minds -the desire of the United States to become the protectors, friends, and -ministers of good to all the sons of the forest peaceably disposed. From -the great influence of Captain Brant, not only with the Six Nations, but -over all the Indian nations, it was deemed an important point to persuade -him to attend the anticipated Council at Philadelphia. Great efforts were -accordingly made for the attainment of that object. - - * * * * * - - [FN] From the earliest knowledge the white men have possessed of the - country of western New-York, the Painted Post has been noted as a - geographical landmark. When first traversed by the white men, a large - oaken post stood at the spot, which has retained the name to this day. - It was painted in the Indian manner, and was guarded as a monument by the - Indians, who renewed it as often as it gave evidence of going to decay. - Tradition says it was a monument of great antiquity, marking the spot of - a great and bloody battle, according to some statements. According to - others, it was erected to perpetuate the memory of some great war-chief. - - -The first invitation was given by Colonel Pickering by letter. -Apprehending, however, that a mere invitation would not be a sufficient -inducement for the veteran chief to undertake the journey, the Secretary -of War, on the 20th of December, wrote to the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the -well-known Indian missionary, requesting him to repair from Oneida to -Genesee, to meet the chiefs of the Six Nations who were going to -Philadelphia, and conduct them thither. Arriving at that place, Mr. -Kirkland was instructed to write to Captain Brant in his own name, and -dispatch messengers, assuring him of his welcome reception by the -government of the United States, and pledging himself for his personal -safety. These steps were promptly taken by Mr. Kirkland, to whom Captain -Brant wrote a reply, declining the invitation--for what reasons, as this -letter seems not to have been preserved, can only be inferred from the -subsequent correspondence of the Secretary of War and Mr. Kirkland. By a - letter from the former, it appears that the chief thought the invitation -not sufficiently formal. By a letter from Mr. Kirkland, also addressed to -the chief himself it would seem that the latter was apprehensive that, -should he undertake the journey, the American government would expect him -to travel like the common herds of Indians who frequently, as now, were -in the habit of visiting the capital of the Republic,--and who are -usually led through the country in a drove by a single conductor. Such, -however, was not the intention of the government, as will more fully -appear by the following correspondence:-- - - "Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant. (Extract.) - - "_Genesee, February_ 17, 1792." - - * * * * * - -"My dear and worthy friend, it is not in my power, at this instant, even -to attempt such a reply to your letter by Dr. Allen as it justly merits. -Suffice it to say, it was not in my idea that you should be crowded into -the company of all the old chiefs, and dragged along promiscuously with -them through the proposed tour to Philadelphia. No, Sir; the respect I -have for your character and happiness would have spurned at the thought. -Dr. Allen was apprised of this, and directed to acquaint you with my -instructions relative to the same. You need, Sir, be under no -apprehensions of any neglect, or want of proper attention on my part, in -the proposed tour, or of a cordial reception upon your arrival at the seat -of government. Pardon me, if I say you will have occasion much more to -fear the opposite extreme. There are so many matters of importance -relative to the Indians upon which I have a desire to converse with you, -that I cannot willingly relinquish the idea of a personal interview. - -"Believe me, my dear friend, that your honor and happiness, as well as the -cause of humanity, have a share of my affection and concern. It is very -possible I may be partial in your favor by reason of your rescuing my life -at the beginning of the late war, which instance I can never forget, and -have thousands of times mentioned to your praise. I cannot but flatter -myself from the sensibility of soul you possess, that you will so adjust -your domestic affairs as to honor me with a short visit in this vicinity -next Spring, should I return here at that season; and should you, upon -mature deliberation, conclude to come down sooner, General Chapin and Dr. -Allen will be ready to wait on you wherever you please to go. Excuse the -abruptness with which I close, being much crowded--wishing you every form -of happiness, believe me to be, in great truth and esteem, - - "Dear Sir, your affectionate friend - And very humble serv't. - S. Kirkland. - - "_Col J. Brant._ - -"P. S. Please remember me respectfully to Dr. Kerr and his lady. I am -exceedingly sorry for the detention of my former letter, which deprived -me of the happiness of a personal interview. I hope this will be delivered -by the bearer's own hand, your friend, Captain Hendrick." - -Nearly at the same time that Mr. Kirkland was thus endeavoring to persuade -the chief to comply with the request of the government in this matter, the -Secretary of War addressed directly to him a letter as full, courteous, -and formal, as the most fastidious diplomatist could have desired:-- - - "The Secretary of War to Captain Brant. - - "_Philadelphia, February_ 20_th,_ 1792. - - "Sir, - -"Colonel Pickering, who had some communications with the Senecas and -others of the Six Nations, during the last two years, was duly authorised -to invite you to visit this city, in order to consult you upon the best -means of civilizing and advancing the happiness of the Indians. Some -information has been recently received from Mr. Kirkland, intimating your -disposition to perform the visit, but declining to do it upon the former -invitation, as not being sufficiently explicit. - -"I now repeat to you this invitation, accompanied with a wish that you -would repair to this city, being the seat of the American government; and -I _can_ assure you that the President of the United States will be highly -gratified by receiving and conversing with a chief of such eminence as -you are, on a subject so interesting and important to the human race. - -"This invitation is given to you from the fairest motives. The President -of the United States is conscious of the purest disposition to promote, -generally, the welfare of the Indians; and he flatters himself that -proper occasions only are wanting to impress them with the truth of this -assertion. He considers your mind more enlightened than theirs, and he -hopes that your heart is filled with a true desire to serve the essential -interests of your countrymen. The United States, much against the -inclination of the government, are engaged in hostilities with some of the -western Indians. We, on our parts, have entered into it with reluctance, -and consider it as a war of necessity; and not, as is supposed, and -industriously propagated, by many, for the purpose of accumulating more -land than has been ceded by the treaty with the Indians, since the peace -with Great Britain. We are desirous of bringing it to a conclusion, not -from any apprehension as to a favorable result, because, by a comparison -of forces and resources, however troublesome a perseverance therein may be -to us, it must be utter destruction to the hostile Indians. We are -desirous, for the sake of humanity, of avoiding such a catastrophe. - -"This is the main business which will be mentioned to you on the part of -the United States; and it is an object worthy of the best cultivated head -and heart. If you should enter into this view, Mr. Kirkland has directions -to concert with you the most satisfactory mode of your performing the -journey. The nature of the case will show the necessity of your coming -without delay, if you incline to accept the invitation. - - "I am, Sir, - H. Knox. - - "_To Capt. Joseph Brant._" - -This letter was enclosed by General Knox to Mr. Kirkland, who was assured -that the "presence of Captain Brant in Philadelphia was considered of -great importance." Mr. Kirkland was accordingly enjoined "to spare no -pains in endeavoring to induce him to come," and "to arrange with him the -most satisfactory mode of traveling--to make it as flattering to him as -might be, and to accompany him." Mr. Kirkland despatched the letter of the -Secretary immediately to Colonel Gordon, at Niagara, by the hand of Dr. -Allen, with a request that it might be transmitted by the Colonel to its -place of destination--Grand River. But Mr. Kirkland's messenger disclosed -to Colonel Gordon the contents of the package, thereby enabling that -officer to exert an immediate influence upon the mind of the chief, if he -chose to do so. The result was, that, accompanying the Secretary's letter, -Captain Brant received the following communication:-- - - "Colonel Gordon to Captain Brant. - - "_Niagara,_ 20_th March,_ 1792. - - "My Dear Friend, - -"The packet which I now send you was brought here by a Doctor Allen, from -Canadasago. I do not know the contents, farther, than the bearer tells me -it is a letter from the Secretary at War of the United States, inviting -you to Philadelphia on business of consequence. - -"Your own good sense will best dictate the answer you ought to give. - -"Should it have a reference to the bringing about a peace with the -Western Indians, I cannot conceive that Philadelphia is the place where a -conference of so much moment ought to be held; as it is evident none of -the Western Indians, whose dearest interests are concerned in the event, -can be present; and if any steps are taken by the Six Nations without -their concurrence, it is much to be feared it will give rise to -jealousies, which may be attended with disagreeable consequences -hereafter. - -"If the United States have at length seriously determined to do justice -to, and make peace with, the Western Indians, a general council should be -convened in some convenient situation, where deputies from all the nations -concerned, as well as commissioners on the part of Great Britain and -America, can be assembled. The views of all parties would then be clearly -defined; an accurate boundary ascertained; past acts of hostility be -buried in oblivion; and such measures adopted as would tend to establish -permanent peace and friendship on a solid and equitable basis. - -"In the many conversations we have had on this subject, we have generally -agreed, that from the line of conduct the United States have hitherto -pursued, it did not appear that they had this object seriously in view; -and I am sorry to observe, from the mode of proceeding on the present -occasion, there is too much reason to suspect they have not yet seen their -error. - -"In almost every transaction they have had with the Six Nations during the -course of the last two years, there has appeared a duplicity and -inconsistency, on which it is impossible to put a liberal construction. - -"The Six Nations, in the present critical situation of affairs with their -western brethren, ought to be exceedingly cautious how they involve -themselves either one way or another. Great Britain is at peace with the -United States, and it is therefore anxiously wished that her friends, the -Indians in general, should be so likewise; every advice which has been -given to them had that object in view; and I still hope the period is at -no great distance, when this desirable event will be accomplished on -equitable terms, and to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. - -"I have thus, my dear friend, been induced to give you my private opinion -on the present occasion, and I am fully persuaded you will pursue a line -of conduct that will deserve the approbation of your brethren and friends. - -"Accept my sincere good wishes, and believe me, with much regard, your -friend, - - "A. Gordon. - -"P. S. I understand some of the Senecas from Buffalo Creek are gone to -Philadelphia on Colonel Pickering's former invitation, which, I am told, -causes much uneasiness in the village. - - "A.G. - - "_Captain Joseph Brant, Grand River._" - -This was certainly an artful communication. His Majesty's commander at -Niagara was desirous that peace should be restored between the Indians and -the United States, but takes care not to omit the oft-repeated -insinuations of injustice and bad faith on the part of the latter toward -the former. In one word, notwithstanding his pacific protestations, -Colonel Gordon was desirous of peace only through the agency of British -intervention, and his present purpose was, to prevent the influential -chief of the Mohawks from visiting the seat of the American government. -Notwithstanding the Colonel's letter, however, the chief addressed the -following conditional acceptance of the invitation to the Secretary of -War:-- - - "Captain Brant to General Knox. - - "_Nassau, March_ 27_th,_ 1792. - - "Sir:-- - -"Yours of the 25th of February I have the pleasure of acknowledging the -receipt of, and entertain the highest sense of the honor done me by the -invitation and flattering compliment contained therein. It is a visit I -have long been desirous of making, and the time now seems not to be far -distant when that desire will be accomplished. Visiting you as an -individual, would be by no means tending to the accomplishing any good -end, as those meetings must show that have hitherto been held with people -not deputized by the nation in general to transact business. I should -therefore wish to visit you, vested with some power that will enable me -to speak with certainty as to what I may assert, and not assert what I, at -the same time, must well know would be by no means approved of. This has -been too much the case of late years, and in my opinion is principally -the cause of the present disturbances. An explanation of grievances it is -absolutely necessary should be made, and that to the head of the United -States, from whom I entertain not the smallest doubt but justice will be -given where due. To accomplish such desirable ends as civilization and -peace-making, no exertions on my part shall be wanting; and though -circumstances render it impossible for me to do myself the honor of -accepting the invitation at present, as I cannot say whether the western -nations would approve of it, I shall nevertheless despatch messengers -immediately to the Miamis, with your invitation, to have the opinion of -the people there, who, I have no great reason to suppose otherwise than -that they'll approve of my going, and very possibly invest me with such -powers as will give energy to what I may do. - -"My messengers, I suppose, will return here in about thirty days, until -when, I shall remain at home. If visiting you after that would not be too -late to answer the good end intended, I shall endeavor to accomplish my -wished-for journey--at least if I may hear from you in answer to this, -ere that period. - - "I am, Sir, - With esteem, - Yours, &c. - Joseph Brant. - - "_The Secretary of War._" - -Immediately on the receipt of this letter at the War Department, General -Israel Chapin, of Genesee, was appointed a Deputy Indian Agent by the -President, with instructions to transmit the following communication to -Captain Brant, and make all needful preparations for his journey:-- - - "The Secretary of War to Captain Brant - - "_April_ 23d, 1792. - - "Sir: I have received your letter of the 27th of March, postponing your -visit to this city until a period of thirty days after that date. - -"I regret exceedingly the existence of any circumstance which suspended -your visit. But as the dispositions of the President of the United States -remain the same, as to the objects mentioned in my former letter, I can -with great truth assure you that your visit at the time you have proposed, -will be cordially received. - -"General Chapin, who is appointed an agent of the Five Nations, will -either accompany you to this city, or he will obtain some other person for -that purpose, as shall be agreed upon between you and him, - - "I am, &c. &c. - H. Knox - - "_To Captain Joseph Brant._" - -Pending this correspondence, however, the proposed conference with a -deputation of the Six Nations, referred to in the postscript of Colonel -Gordon's letter, took place in Philadelphia. It was begun on the 13th of -March, and protracted until near the close of April. Fifty sachems were -present, and the visit resulted to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. -In addition to arrangements upon other subjects, the delegations agreed to -perform a pacific mission to the hostile Indians, and endeavor to persuade -them to peace. But such were their dilatory movements, that they did not -depart from Buffalo for the Miamis until the middle of September. At the -head of this embassage was that fast friend of the United States, the -Corn-planter. - -In regard to the mission of Captain Brant, in addition to the dissuasions -of Colonel Gordon, strenuous efforts were made by the official friends of -the chief at Montreal, to prevent his visit to the federal capital. On the -1st of May he was addressed by Mr. Joseph Chew, an officer under Sir John -Johnson, expressing much satisfaction at the refusal of the first -invitation by Captain Brant, and advising the chief of the preparations -the Americans were making for another Indian campaign. The following -passage occurs in this letter:--"I see they expect to have an army of -about five thousand men, besides three troops of horse. By the -advertisements for supplies of provisions, &c., it seems this army will -not be able to move before the last of July. What attempts Wilkinson and -Hamtrack may make with the militia, is uncertain. _Our friends ought to -be on their guard._ I long to know, what they think in England of the -victory gained over St. Clair's army." [FN-1] On the 23d of May, Brant -advised Mr. Chew that he had accepted the invitation; [FN-2] and on the -19th of June, the latter gentleman replied--expressing his regrets that -several of his letters to the Chief had not been received prior to his -taking that resolution. Mr. Chew, who doubtless expressed the views of Sir -John Johnson and the Executive government of the province, thought the -Captain should not have accepted such an invitation without previously -knowing the wishes of the King, in regard to the means of bringing about -a peace between the Americans and the Indians. In the same letter he also -announces to "his namesake," as he calls the Captain, that a Mr. Hammond -was on his way to the Indian country, charged with an offer of his -Majesty's-mediation. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Original letters among the Brant papers. - - [FN-2] Idem. - - [FN-3] Idem. - - -The necessary arrangements having been adjusted, the journey was commenced -early in June. General Chapin not being able to accompany the Chief to the -seat of government, he was attended by the General's son, and by Doctor -Allen, and two body servants of his own--all mounted. Their route from -Niagara to Albany was taken through the Mohawk Valley. At Palatine, by -previous invitation, the Captain visited Major James Cochran, who had then -recently established himself in that place. But the feelings of the -inhabitants had become so embittered against him during the war of the -Revolution, and such threats were uttered by some of the Germans, of a -determination to take his life, that it was deemed prudent for him -privately to leave the inn, where his friend Major Cochran was then at -lodgings, and sleep at the house of Mrs. Peter Schuyler in the -neighborhood, where he would be-less likely to be assailed. He did so, -and the next morning pursued his journey. [FN] With this exception, he was -well received at every point of his journey. His arrival in New-York was -thus announced in the newspapers:--"On Monday last arrived in this city, -from his settlement on Grand River, on a visit to some of his friends in -this quarter, Captain Joseph Brant of the British army, the famous Mohawk -chief who so eminently distinguished himself during the late war as the -military leader of the Six Nations. We are informed that he intends to -visit the city of Philadelphia, and pay his respects to the President of -the United States." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Major Cochran to the author. - - -He arrived in Philadelphia on the 20th of June, where he was announced in -terms very similar to the above, and received by the Government with -marked attention. But few memorials of this visit have been preserved. The -President announced his arrival in respectful terms, on the 21st of June, -in a letter addressed to Gouverneur Morris; and he speaks of the -circumstance again in a subsequent letter, but makes no allusion to the -result of his interviews with him. No doubt, strong efforts were made, not -only to engage his active interposition with the Indians to bring about a -peace, but likewise to win him over permanently to the interests of the -United States. In a letter subsequently addressed by Captain Brant to the -Count de Puisy, [FN] in regard to his difficulties with the British -government touching the title to the Grand River territory, while pleading -the claims of his Indians to the favorable consideration of the Crown, and -repelling certain charges of selfishness which had been bruited respecting -himself, the following passage occurs on the subject of the proposals made -to him by the American Executive:--"I am sorry to find that my -perseverance in endeavoring to obtain our rights, has caused unjust -surmises to be formed of my intentions, notwithstanding the many evident -proofs I have shown of my integrity and steady attachment to the British -interest. Had I not been actuated by motives of honor, and preferred the -interests of his Majesty, and the credit of my nation, to my own private -welfare, there were several allurements of gain offered me by the -Government of the United States when I was at Philadelphia, during the -time the Shawanese and other tribes maintained a war against them. I was -offered a thousand guineas down, and to have the half-pay and pension I -receive from Great Britain doubled, merely on condition that I would use -my endeavors to bring about a peace. But this I rejected. I considered it -might be detrimental to the British interests, as also to the advantage -and credit of the Indian nations, until the Americans should make the -necessary concessions. Afterward I was offered the preemption right to -land to the amount of twenty thousand pounds currency of the United -States, and fifteen hundred dollars per annum. This I considered as -inconsistent with the principles of honor to receive, as by accepting of -any of these offers, they might expect me to act contrary to his Majesty's -interest and the honor of our nations; and from the repeated assurances of -his Majesty's representatives, I had full confidence his bounty would -never fail." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Count de Puisy was one of the French nobles driven into exile by - the revolution of 1789. He subsequently held a commission as Lieutenant - General in the British service, and commanded a detachment of the - emigrants in the Quiberon expedition. Receiving a grant of land in Canada - from the British crown, as did several of the exiles, the Count came - over, and resided for a time near Niagara. During this period he formed - an intimate acquaintance with Captain Brant, who corresponded with him - after his return to England. The Count resided somewhere in the - neighborhood of London until his death, which happened many years - afterward. - - -But notwithstanding his refusal of these propositions, the result of the -interview seems at the time to have been mutual satisfaction. The true -causes of the war with the western Indians were explained to him; and -great pains were taken by the President and Secretary of War to impress -upon his mind the sincere desire of the United States to cultivate the -most amicable relations with the sons of the forest, of any and every -tribe. In the end, the Chief was induced to undertake a mission of peace -to the Miamis, for which purpose he was furnished with ample instructions -by the Secretary of War. Most emphatically was he enjoined to undeceive -the Indians in regard to their apprehensions that the United States were -seeking to wrest from them farther portions of their lands. On this point -the Government solemnly disclaimed the design of taking a foot more than -had been ceded in the treaty of Muskingum in 1789. The Chief left -Philadelphia about the 1st of July, on which occasion the Secretary of War -wrote to General Chapin, among other things, as follows:--"Captain Brant's -visit will, I flatter myself, be productive of great satisfaction to -himself, by being made acquainted with the humane views of the President -of the United States." To Governor Clinton the Secretary likewise wrote -as follows:--"Captain Brant appears to be a judicious and sensible man. I -flatter myself his journey will be satisfactory to himself and beneficial -to the United States." - -The Chief returned by the same route, lingering a few days in New-York, -where he was visited by some of the most distinguished gentlemen in the -city. It has been mentioned, a few pages back, that Brant was apprehensive -of some attempt upon his life in the Mohawk Valley. Indeed, he had been -informed that it would be unsafe for him to traverse that section of -country, lest some real or fancied wrong, connected with the war of the -Revolution, should be avenged by assassination. Nor were these -apprehensions groundless; for while resting in New-York, he ascertained -that he had not only been pursued from the German Flats, but that the -pursuer was then in the city watching for an opportunity to effect his -purpose. The name of this pursuer was Dygert. Several members of his -father's family had fallen in the battle of Oriskany, fifteen years -before, and this man had deliberately determined to put the leader of the -Indian warriors to death in revenge. Brant's lodgings were in Broadway, -[FN-1] where he was visited, among others, by Colonel Willett and Colonel -Morgan Lewis, both of whom he had met in the field of battle in years gone -by. While in conversation with these gentlemen, he mentioned the -circumstance of Dygert's pursuit, and expressed some apprehensions at the -result, should he be attacked unawares. Before his remarks were concluded, -glancing his quick eye to the window, he exclaimed, "there is Dygert now!" -True enough, the fellow was then standing in the street, watching the -motions of his intended victim. Colonel Willett immediately descended into -the street, and entered into a conversation with Dygert, charging his real -business upon him, which he did not deny. "Do you know," asked Willett, -"that if you kill that savage, you will be hanged?" "Who," replied the -ignorant German, "would hang me for killing an Indian?" "You will see," -rejoined the Colonel; "if you execute your purpose, you a may depend upon -it you will be hanged up immediately." This was presenting the case in a -new aspect to Dygert, who, until that moment, seemed to suppose that he -could kill an Indian with as much propriety in a time of peace as in -war--in the streets of New-York as well as in legal battle in the woods. -After deliberating a few moments, he replied to Colonel Willett that if -such was the law, he would give it up and return home. [FN-2] He did so, -and the Mohawk chief shortly afterward reached Niagara in safety. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] The old wooden building where the City Hotel now stands. - - [FN-2] These particulars have recently been communicated to the author in - a conversation with the venerable Governor, then Colonel Lewis, and - confirmed by a letter from Major Cochran, with whom Brant conversed on - the subject. Indeed the hostility of the Mohawk-Germans toward all - Indians, after the close of the war, was deep and universal. The author - well remembers a pensioner living in the neighborhood of the village of - Herkimer, named Hartmann, who, some years after the war, deliberately - killed an Indian at the German Flats, moved only by his revolutionary - thirst for vengeance. Hartmann, it is true, had been grievously hacked - and wounded by the Indians, so that he was disabled from labor for life. - He was a very ignorant man, and thought it no harm to kill an Indian at - any time. Happening one day, in after years, to fall in with a son of the - forest, he persuaded the savage to let him examine his rifle. The moment - he obtained the weapon, he dropped slowly behind, and shot his confiding - companion. He was arrested and carried to Johnstown for trial, but the - investigation was so managed as to produce an acquittal. The excuse of - Hartmann for the commission of the deed, was, that he saw the Indian's - tobacco-pouch, which was, as he said, made of the skin of a child's hand. - It was, probably, a leather glove which the Indian had found. - - -Independently of the proposed mediation of Captain Brant, the Government -of the United States, in its great solicitude to prevent the effusion of -blood, had employed a large number of messengers of peace, among whom, in -addition to the fifty chiefs of the Six Nations already mentioned, were -the Rev. Mr. Heckewelder, General Rufus Putnam, Colonel Hardin, Major -Trueman, and a man named Freeman. The celebrated Hendrick, chief of the -Stockbridge Indians, was also employed upon the same service. It is -possible that Captain Brant was not well pleased at the appointment of so -large a number of pacificators--very naturally preferring the honor of -being the sole agent of terminating the war. It would have been no -inconsiderable subject of boasting, to be enabled to say "Alone I did it!" -Hence, we may reasonably infer, the tone of the annexed letter, addressed -to the Secretary of War by Captain Brant on his arrival at Niagara--a -fitting occasion for writing it having been furnished by the murder of -Major Trueman. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Three of the messengers of peace above mentioned, Messrs. Trueman, - Freeman, and Hardin, were murdered by the Indians during that season. - Formerly no nations on earth were wont to respect the sacred character of - "the man of peace" more than the Indians. But they had now become - treacherous even to them. They pleaded, however, the example of the - whites, who, they alleged, paid no attention to treaties with the - Indians, but treated them as a contemptible race, and had killed several - of their own messengers of peace, some of whom were chiefs.--Vide - Heckewelder's History of Indian Nations, chapter xxi. President - Washington, who was then at Mount Vernon, announced the death of Hardin - and Trueman, together with "the harbingers of their mission," in a letter - to Mr. Jefferson, Secretary of State, on the 23d of August. Everything - then looked hostile at the west; added to which were rising difficulties - with the Cherokees, occasioned, as was supposed, by the intrigues of - Spain. "If Spain is really intriguing with the Southern Indians," said - the President, "I shall entertain strong suspicions that there is a very - clear understanding in all this business between the Courts of London and - Madrid; and that it is calculated to check, as far as they can, the rapid - increase, extension, and consequence of this country; for there cannot be - a doubt of the wishes of the former, if we may judge from the conduct of - its officers, to preclude any _eclaircissement_ of ours with the Western - Indians, and to embarrass our negotiations with them, any more than there - is of their traders and some others, who are subject to their government, - aiding and abetting them in acts of hostility."--_Letter of Washington to - Jefferson, August_ 23_d,_ 1792. - - - "Captain Brant to the Secretary of War. - - "_Niagara,_ 26_th July,_ 1792. - - "Sir, - -"Since my arrival here, I am sorry to have to say that intelligence -respecting Major Trueman's being killed by an Indian boy, who met with him -a hunting, has arrived. This will induce you to recollect what passed -between us relative to messages being sent. The route by Presque Isle I -again recommend as the most eligible; from thence keeping along the lake -to the Miamis, at which place the chiefs are aptest to be met with; and -when once there, they are safe. Sending such number of messengers rather -makes the Indians suspicious of your intentions, and by any other route -they are much more liable to meet with hunters. There are now great -numbers of Indians collected, and, from all their councils, seem -determined upon a new boundary line. In short, they are all sensible that -what has hitherto been done, (which I fully explained to you,) was unfair; -and I am of opinion peace will not easily be established without your -relinquishing part of your claim. The purchases were all made from men who -had no right to sell, and who are now to be thanked for the present -difficulties." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The writer here refers to the treaty of Fort Harmer, which the great - majority of the Indians always maintained was unauthorized by their - people, and therefore of no binding force upon them. - - -"The Senecas and Seven Nations of Canada are now waiting at Fort Erie for -a passage for Detroit, on their way to the Miamis. I shall be able to go -up by the next trip of the vessel. My intention and wish is still for the -accomplishing of peace. 'Tis a business will require time; things too -rashly or hastily agreed upon, seldom have the effect of those seriously -and coolly reflected on; knowing the foundation to be just, and the -benefits that will arise therefrom, affords a greater space for forwarding -the business. - -"After leaving your place until my arrival here, I had a tedious journey. -The fatigue is done away by the recollection of the politeness and -attention showed me by your officers of government, for which I cannot but -return my warmest thanks, and request you to communicate the same. If any -return should be in my power to make, I shall think myself particularly -happy. - - "And am, Sir, - Yours, &c. - Jos. Brant. - - "_The Secretary of War._" - -Apprehensive, from the opposition of his friends to his Philadelphia -mission, that evil reports might have been circulated concerning him, and -distrust of his fidelity engendered among the upper nations, on the 29th -of July the Captain wrote to his friend McKee, at Detroit, making -inquiries as to that and various other points, and also with a view of -ascertaining whether his presence would be acceptable at the then -approaching council at the Miamis. In reply, Colonel McKee assured him -that, "whatever bad birds had been flying about," the opinions of the -western Indians respecting him were unchanged, and that they were anxious -for his presence among them, to aid in their consultations for the general -welfare. In regard to the murder of the American messengers, Colonel McKee -said they were killed by a banditti, and the circumstance was -regretted,--"although the Indians considered that the messengers had been -sent more with a view to gain time, and lull the confederacy into a fatal -security, than to effect a peace, since they have proposed no other terms -than what the nations rejected at first; and you must be perfectly -sensible," (added Colonel McK.) "that after two successful general -engagements, in which a great deal of blood has been spilt, the Indians -will not quietly give up by negotiation what they have been contending for -with their lives since the commencement of these troubles." Captain Brant -having expressed an opinion that the hostile nations would not be likely -to move again until the effect of farther negotiation should be known, -McKee replied, that the Indians did not look upon "the hostile -preparations" of the Americans, "such as forming posts and magazines in -the heart of their country, as indicating much sincerity on their part; -nor do they [the Indians] think that such establishments would tend to -conciliate or convince them that the Americans wish for peace on any -reasonable terms, or on the terms proposed by the confederacy the -beginning of last year. A great council is soon to be held at the Au -Glaize--the chiefs not judging it proper to move lower down at present, on -account of the American force collecting at Fort Jefferson." In regard to -the treaty of Muskingum, (Fort Harmar,) Colonel McKee said--"Daintate, -the Chief who conducted that business, is dead; but he always declared -that he, and all the chiefs who were with him there, were imposed -upon--imagining that what they signed was a treaty of amity, and not a -cession of country; and were not undeceived until they had been some time -returned to their respective villages, and had their papers explained to -them. Some messengers are arrived at the Glaize from the westward of the -Mississippi, announcing that large bodies of their nations are collected, -and will shortly be here to give their assistance to the general -confederacy; so that, in all probability, more nations will soon be -assembled here than at any former period." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Correspondence among the Brant papers. - - -The letter from which the preceding extracts have been made, was dated -from the "Foot of the Miami Rapids, September 4th, 1792." The council of -which it speaks, was held at the An Glaize, on the Miami of Lake Erie, in -the course of the Autumn. A fit of sickness, however, prevented the -attendance of Thayendanegea. The Corn-planter, and forty-eight of the -chiefs of the Six Nations, residing within the boundaries of the United -States, repaired thither, together with about thirty chiefs and warriors -of the Mohawks, and other Canada Indians. But they were not well received, -in their character of peace-makers, by the hostiles, who were sturdily -bent upon continuing the war. The council was numerously attended on the -part of the western tribes; the Shawanese were the only speakers in favor -of war, and Red Jacket from the Senecas was alone the orator in -opposition, or in behalf of the friendly Indians. The Shawanese taunted -the Six Nations with having first induced them to form a great -confederacy, a few years before, and of having come to the council now -"with the voice of the United States folded under their arm." [FN] There -were indications of an angry passage between the two parties in the -earlier stages of the council; but after mutual explanations, harmony was -restored. The result was, that the hostile Indians finally agreed to -suspend belligerent operations for the winter, and to meet the United -States in council at the Rapids of the Miami in the following Spring. The -basis of the proposed armistice, however, was, that the United States -should withdraw their troops from the western side of the Ohio. Nor did -they hold out any prospect of treating in the Spring, upon any other -principle than that of making the Ohio the boundary, and receiving payment -for their improvements on the south-eastern side of that river. They -insisted that the United States should allow them all the lands they -possessed in Sir William Johnson's time, and that upon no other terms -would they agree to a treaty of peace. The council was dissolved about the -10th or 12th of October; and Captain Brant did not arrive at the Au Glaize -until after it had broken up. It was a very large council. There were -representatives in attendance from the Gora nations, whom it had taken a -whole season to travel thither. There were also present, besides the Six -Nations and the north-western tribes, twenty-seven nations from beyond the -Canadian territory. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Alluding to the belt by which they were to speak. - - -On the return of the friendly Indians to Buffalo, a grand council was -called, at which the Indian agents of the Five Nations were present, and -also Colonel Butler, and a number of other gentlemen from Niagara. At this -council, the proceedings and speeches at the Au Glaize were rehearsed, and -in conclusion of their mission, the Six Nations transmitted the following -speech to the President of the United States; from which it will appear -that, though friendly to them, the Six Nations, after all, were yet more -friendly to the Miamis, and their claim of the Ohio for a boundary:-- - - "Speech from the Six Nations to the President. - -"You sent us on to the westward, with a message of peace to the hostile -Indians. - -"We proceeded accordingly to your directions, and was protected, going and -coming, by the Great Spirit. - -"We give thanks to the Great Spirit, that we have all returned safe to our -seats. - -"While we was at the westward, we exerted ourselves to bring about peace. -The fatigues we underwent are not small. Now, it is our desire for your -people on the Ohio to lay down their arms, or otherwise it is all in vain -what we have done. - -"Now, if you wish for peace, you must make every exertion, and proceed -through this path we have directed for you. If peace does not take place, -the fault must arise from your people. - -"We now desire you, Brothers, to send forward agents, who are men of -honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men who love and desire peace. Also, -we desire they may be accompanied by some friend, or Quaker, to attend the -council. - -"Wish you to exert yourself to forward the message to the western Indians -as soon as possible; and we are taken by the hand, and have agreed, next -Spring, to attend the council at the Rapids of Miami, when we shall hear -all that takes place there." - -Notwithstanding the stipulations of the Shawanese and Miamis to call in -their warriors, and commit no farther hostilities until the grand council -should be held in the following Spring, the armistice was not very rigidly -observed, and skirmishes were frequent along the border. On the 6th of -November, Major Adair, commanding a detachment of Kentucky volunteers, was -attacked by a large body of Indians in the neighborhood of Fort St. Clair. -The battle was sharp and severe, and the Indians were rather checked than -defeated. General Wilkinson, who was in command of the fort, could render -no assistance, from the strictness of his orders to act only on the -defensive. He bestowed high praise on the good conduct of Major Adair, as -the latter did upon his officers and men. - -It was at about this period that a change was made in the Canadian -government, which, from the character and dispositions of the new officers -introduced upon the stage of action, may not have been without its -influence in the progress of Indian affairs. During the visit of Lord -Dorchester to England of 1791, '93, what had previously been the entire -province of Canada was divided, and an upper province with a lieutenancy -created. Colonel J. G. Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor assigned -to the newly organized territory--an able and active officer, who, in the -progress of events, though very friendly at first to the United States, -was not long disposed to manifest any particular good-will for them, -farther than courtesy to public officers and the discharge of -indispensable duties required. He arrived at Quebec in the Spring of 1792, -but was detained in the lower province several months, while waiting for -other officers from England, whose presence and assistance were necessary -to the organization of the new government. Colonel Simcoe established his -head-quarters at Niagara, which was temporarily constituted the seat of -government. He was the bearer of a letter of introduction from the Duke of -Northumberland to the Mohawk Chief, Thayendanegea. The Duke, who had -served in the Revolutionary war as Lord Percy, had been adopted by the -Mohawks as a warrior of their nation, under the Indian name, conferred by -Brant himself, of _Thorighwegeri,_ or _The Evergreen Brake._ The name -involves the very pretty conceit that a titled house never dies. Like the -leaves of this peculiar species of the brake, the old leaf only falls as -it is pushed from the stem by the new; or rather, when the old leaf falls, -the young is in fresh and full existence. The following is the letter, -which the character of the parties and the circumstances of the case -render worthy of preservation:-- - - "The Duke of Northumberland to Captain Brant - - "_Northumberland House, Sept._ 3d, 1791 - - "My Dear Joseph, - -"Colonel Simcoe, who is going out Governor of Upper Canada, is kind enough -to promise to deliver this to you, with a brace of pistols, which I -desire you will keep for my sake. I must particularly recommend the -Colonel to you and the nation. He is a most intimate friend of mine, and -is possessed of every good quality which can recommend him to your -friendship. He is brave, humane, sensible, and honest. You may safely rely -upon whatever he says, for he will not deceive you. He loves and honors -the Indians, whose noble sentiments so perfectly correspond with his own. -He wishes to live upon the best terms with them, and, as Governor, will -have it in his power to be of much service to them. In short, he is worthy -to be a Mohawk. Love him at first for my sake, and you will soon come to -love him for his own. - -"I was very glad to hear that you had received the rifle safe which I sent -you, and hope it has proved useful to you. I preserve with great care your -picture, which is hung up in the Duchess's own room. - -"Continue to me your friendship and esteem, and believe me ever to be, -with the greatest truth, - - "Your affectionate - Friend and Brother, - Northumberland, - _Thorighwegeri._ - - "Captain Joseph Brant, - _Thayendanegea._" - -Thus strongly and affectionately introduced, by the head of the British -peerage to the head chief of a nation, a close intimacy was formed between -Governor Simcoe and Captain Brant, as will more clearly be disclosed in -the progress of these pages. The regular chain of history will now be -resumed. - -On the 19th of February, 1793, pursuant to the arrangement made by the -Indians at the Au Glaize in the preceding Autumn, General Benjamin -Lincoln, Beverley Randolph, and Colonel Timothy Pickering, were -commissioned by the President, to attend the great council at the Miamis, -to be held in the course of the ensuing Spring. - -Meantime the Indians of the confederate nations, dissatisfied with what -they considered the evasive reply which had been received from the -President to the address on their behalf, transmitted by the Six Nations, -held another council at the Glaize in February, at which a very explicit -address upon the Subject was framed, and transmitted to the Six Nations. -They were apprehensive that the Six Nations had either not understood -them, or, that in communicating with the Executive of the United States -they had not made themselves understood. Reminding the Six Nations that -when in council they had understood them to be of one mind with themselves -touching the boundary question, they now repeated that they would listen -to no propositions from the United States, save upon the basis of the Ohio -for a boundary and the removal of the American forts from the Indian -territory. This was the irrevocable determination of the confederates, and -they deemed it right and proper that the government of the United States -should be fully apprised of the fact before the commissioners should set -out upon their journey. They likewise advised the Six Nations, in this -address, of their determination to hold a private council at the Miami -Rapids before they would proceed to meet the American commissioners at -Sandusky, that they might adjust their own opinions, so as to be of one -mind, and speak one language in the public council. It was their farther -determination, before they would consent to meet the Commissioners at all, -to ascertain whether the Commissioners had been clothed with authority to -meet them upon the terms thus preliminarily prescribed. This letter, or -message, was concluded thus:--"Brothers: We desire you therefore, to be -strong, and rise immediately to meet us at the Miami Rapids, where we want -the advice and assistance of our elder brethren in the great work which we -are about. The western nations are all prepared and in daily expectation -of the arrival of our brothers, the Creeks, Cherokees, and other southern -nations, who are on their legs to join us, agreeably to their promise. -And we desire you will put the Seven Nations of Canada in mind of their -promise last Fall, to be early on their legs to join us, and that you will -bring them in your band. [_Four double strings of black and white Wampum_] -A postscript enjoined that the United States should send no messengers -into their country, except through the Five Nations." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Original document from among the Brant papers. - - -The communication was dated February 27th. On the same day the -Commissioners left Philadelphia for Buffalo Creek, accompanied, as the -Indians had requested, by several members of the society of Friends--so -strongly had the nations become attached to the disciples of the -beneficent Penn. [FN] Colonel Pickering and Mr. Randolph proceeded -directly across the country, while General Lincoln took the route via -Albany, to superintend the forwarding of supplies. General Wayne, now in -command of the North-western army, had been instructed in the meantime to -issue a proclamation, informing the people of the frontiers of the -proposed treaty, and prohibiting all offensive movements on the part of -these people until the result of the council should be known. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The names of the Quaker gentlemen who went upon this benevolent - errand were, John Parish, William Savory, and John Elliott, of - Philadelphia; Jacob Findlay, of Chester County; and Joseph Moore and - William Hartshorn, of New-Jersey. It may be noted as a singular fact, - that while the Quakers solicited the appointment on this pacific mission - at the hands of the President, the Indians, at about the same time, and - evidently without consultation or arrangement, requested of some of the - American agents, that some Quaker might be appointed on the Commission to - treat with them. - - -Messrs. Randolph and Pickering arrived at the Queenston landing, (Niagara -river,) on the 17th of May. Governor Simcoe, who was at home, had no -sooner heard of their arrival in his vicinity, than he sent invitations -insisting that they should consider themselves his guests during their -stay at that place. He treated them with great hospitality, and at their -request readily despatched a vessel to Oswego, to receive General Lincoln -and the stores for the expedition. The latter gentleman did not reach -Niagara until the 25th. - -On their arrival at that place, the Commissioners were informed that -Captain Brant, with a body of Mohawks, had set off for the west about the -5th of May. There was a preliminary council to be held at the Miami -Rapids, which it was the purpose of that Chief to attend. The United -States had fixed the 1st of June for the time of meeting; but Colonel -McKee had written to Niagara, stating that that period would be quite too -early, since the Indians were ever slow in such proceedings, and withal -would not then probably have returned from their hunting. The Indians, -however, were collecting at the Au Glaize, and Colonel McKee advised -Governor Simcoe that the conference with the American Commissioners would -probably be held at Sandusky. In the meantime it was proposed that the -Commissioners should remain at Niagara until all things were ready for the -conference. - -Such being the position of affairs, the commissioners were detained with -Governor Simcoe--occasionally visiting some of the Indian towns in that -region--until near the middle of July. Every hospitable attention was -bestowed upon them by the Governor, who spared no pains to render their -sojourn with him agreeable. On the 4th of June, the King's birth-day was -celebrated, on which occasion the Governor gave a _fete_, ending with a -ball in the evening, which was attended by "about twenty well-dressed and -handsome ladies, and about three times that number of gentlemen. They -danced from 7 o'clock until 11 when supper was announced, and served in -very pretty taste. The music and dancing were good, and every thing was -conducted with propriety. What excited the best feelings of the heart, -was the ease and affection with which the ladies met each other, although -there were a number present whose mothers sprang from the aborigines of -the country. They appeared as well dressed as the company in general, and -intermixed with them in a manner which evinced at once the dignity of -their own minds and the good sense of others. These ladies possessed great -ingenuity and industry, and have great merit; for the education they have -received is owing principally to their own industry, as their father, Sir -William Johnson, was dead, and the mother retained the manners and dress -of her tribe." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Private Journal of General Lincoln--Massachusetts Historical - Collections. This incident has been preserved in the text by the author, - as a curiosity; it being the first gala of a representative of royalty - in the western woods. - - -Thus far the deportment of Governor Simcoe was conciliatory, and in all -respects indicative of any thing rather than a hostile spirit. Reports -having reached the ears of the Commissioners, that the Governor had -qualified the expressions of his desire that the Indians might determine -upon a peace with the United States, by advising them that they should not -relinquish any of their lands to obtain it, those gentlemen addressed him -a note upon the subject. The imputation was promptly and satisfactorily -disclaimed; and at the request of the Commissioners, several British -officers were detailed to accompany them to the council. Colonel Butler, -the British Indian Superintendent of that station, [FN] had already -departed with a large number of the Six Nations residing at the Buffalo -Creek, to attend with Captain Brant the preliminary council at Miami. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The British commander at Wyoming. - - -Advices from Colonel McKee, at Detroit, having communicated the fact that -all was ready on the part of the Indians, and urged them forthwith to -repair to Sandusky and meet them, the Commissioners took their departure -from Niagara on the 26th of June. Reports had been bruited about, however, -that, should the council break up without making peace, it was the -determination of the hostile Indians to fall upon the Commissioners and -sacrifice them. In consequence of this intimation they were furnished with -a letter from the Governor, expressed in the strongest terms, enjoining -the officers in the Indian Department at the west to take care that they -should be neither injured nor insulted by the savages; adding, "that an -injury to them I would greatly affect him, the Commander-in-chief, the -British nation, and even the King himself." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Lincoln's Journal. - - -The Commissioners were detained by contrary winds at Fort Erie, at which -point they were to embark, until the 5th of July. Here another serious -interruption to their progress took place. The extreme jealousy of the -Indians naturally prompted them to magnify every thing bearing a hostile -appearance; and they had been watching with much suspicion, during the -whole season, the movements of General Wayne, who was then occupying the -country about Fort Washington. It was understood that he was not to -advance beyond that position pending the negotiations. But the Indians -were nevertheless suspicious lest he should avail himself of the absence -of their chiefs and warriors at the council, and fall upon their towns. -Governor Simcoe had called the attention of the Commissioners to this -subject, and they, in turn, had urged the consideration, through the -Secretary of War, upon General Wayne. But, notwithstanding every -precaution that could be adopted, the Indians at the preliminary council -became alarmed; and, greatly to the surprise of the Commissioners, while -waiting to embark at Fort Erie, on the 5th of July a vessel arrived from -Miami, having on board Captain Brant, Colonel Butler, and a deputation of -about fifty Indians from the north-western tribes, attending the council, -with instructions to have a conference with the American Commissioners in -the presence of Governor Simcoe. The object of their visit was twofold; -first, they were desirous of being enabled "to possess their minds in -peace in regard to the movements of General Wayne with the army; secondly, -they were desirous of obtaining information whether the Commissioners were -empowered to establish a new boundary line, or rather to stipulate that -the American settlers should fall back upon the Ohio--since the great -majority of the Indians had uniformly disclaimed the boundary specified in -the treaty of Fort Harmar. An immediate interview between the deputation -and the Commissioners was arranged, at the request of the former, at which -a Shawanese chief, called Cat's-Eyes, addressed them as follows:-- - -"Brothers: We are sent by the nations of Indians assembled at the Rapids -of Miami, to meet the Commissioners of the United States. We are glad to -see you here. It is the will of the great chiefs of those nations that our -Father, the Governor of this province, should be present, and hear what we -have to say to you, and what you have to say to us. - -"Brothers: Do not make yourselves uneasy that we did net meet you at the -time you proposed, at Sandusky. The reasons thereof will be mentioned at -another time. - - "_Four strings of black and white wampum._" - -To which the Commissioners replied:-- - -"Brothers: The Commissioners are glad to see you. We will confer with you -in presence of your Father, the Governor of this province, at any time and -place which shall be convenient to you and him. - - "_Returned the four strings._" - -The parties then separated; but the Indian deputation, after a brief -consultation, requested another interview, and proposed that the meeting -with Governor Simcoe should be at his own house at Niagara. To this -arrangement the Commissioners assented, and agreed to return thither on -the following day. Accordingly, on the 7th of July, a conference was held -at the council-house at Niagara. The Governor and the Indians having -arrived at the council-chamber a few minutes in advance of the -Commissioners, Captain Brant addressed the former thus:-- - -"Brother: It being agreed at the Rapids that we should come and meet the -Commissioners in our Father's presence, we return our thanks to the Great -Spirit for seeing your Excellency well this day. Our intention and -business is peaceable, and our inclination is to do what is right and -just. We are all of one mind, and wished your Excellency to be present. - - "_A belt of wampum._" - -His Excellency replied:-- - -"Brothers: I am happy to see you so well. The Commissioners have expressed -a wish to meet you in my presence, and I shall be happy to hear what they -have to say. - - "_Belt returned._" - -The Commissioners having arrived, the conference commenced, in the -presence not only of the Governor, but also of a large number of the civil -and military officers of that station. The proceedings were opened on the -part of the Western deputation by Captain Brant, who rose, with a belt -and string of wampum, and said:-- - -"Brothers: We have met to-day our brothers, the Bostonians and English. We -are glad to have the meeting, and think it by the appointment of the Great -Spirit. - -"Brothers of the United States: We told you the other day, at Fort Erie, -that at another time we would inform you why we had not assembled at the -time and place appointed for holding the treaty with you. Now we inform -you, that it is because there is so much the appearance of war in that -quarter. - -"Brothers: We have given the reason for our not meeting you, and now -request an explanation of these warlike appearances. - -"Brothers: The people you see here are sent to represent the Indian -nations who own the lands north of the Ohio as their common property, and -who are all of one mind--one heart. - -"Brothers: We have come to speak to you for two reasons: one, because your -warriors, being in our neighborhood, have prevented our meeting at the -appointed place; the other, to know if you are properly authorized to run -and establish a new boundary line between the lands of the United States -and the lands of the Indian nations. We are still desirous of meeting you -at the appointed place. - -"Brothers: We wish you to deliberate well on this business. We have spoken -our sentiments in sincerity--considering ourselves in the presence of the -Great Spirit, from whom, in times of danger, we expect assistance." [_With -this speech a belt of twelve rows, and thirty strings of wampum, in five -bunches, were presented._] - -The Commissioners answered:-- - -"Brothers: We have attended to what you have said. We will take it into -our serious consideration, and give you an answer to-morrow. We will -inform you when we are ready." - -Captain Brant rejoined:-- - -"Brothers: We thank you for what you have said. You say that you will -answer our speech to-morrow. We now cover up the council-fire." - -On the next day the Commissioners replied at length, in the Indian form of -speech. In regard to the warlike indications of which the deputation -complained, the Commissioners assured them that they might "possess their -minds in peace;" and stated to them the orders that had been transmitted -to General Wayne, and the other precautionary measures adopted by the -Great Chief, General Washington, to prevent any act of hostility during -the negotiations. On the subject of the second query of the Indians, the -Commissioners replied explicitly, that they had authority to run and -establish a new boundary. This question, they were aware, was to be the -great subject of discussion at the council, and they hoped that the result -would be satisfactory to both parties. But, in saying this, they reminded -the Indians, that in almost all disputes and quarrels there was wrong upon -both sides, and consequently that in the approaching council both parties -must be prepared to make some concessions. The Commissioners requested -information as to the names of the nations, and the number of the chiefs -assembled at the Rapids of the Miami; and in conclusion re-assured the -chiefs of the groundlessness of their apprehensions respecting the -movements of General Wayne, and explained to them that they might place -themselves perfectly at rest upon this point; promising, moreover, -immediately to send a messenger on horseback "to the Great Chief of the -United States, to desire him to renew and strongly repeat his orders to -his head-warrior, not only to abstain from all hostilities against the -Indians, but to remain quiet at his posts until the event of the treaty -should be known." Having returned the Belt, Cat's-Eyes, the Shawanese -leader, replied:-- - -"Brothers, the Bostonians, attend! We have heard your words. Our fathers, -the English people, have also heard them. We thank God that you have been -preserved in peace, and that we bring our pipes together. The people of -all the different nations here salute you. They rejoice to hear your -words. It gives us great satisfaction that our fathers, the English, have -also heard them. We shall for the present take up our pipes and retire to -our encampments, where we shall deliberately consider your speech, and -return you an answer tomorrow." - -The conference was re-opened on the 9th, when Captain Brant arose, with -the belt and strings in his hands which had been presented by the -Commissioners on the preceding day, and addressing himself to the English -and Americans, said:-- - -"Brothers: We are glad the Great Spirit has preserved us in peace to meet -together this day. - -"Brothers of the United States: Yesterday you made an answer to the -message delivered by us, from the great council at the Miami, in the two -particulars we had stated to you. - -"Brothers: You may depend on it that we fully understand your speech. We -shall take with us your belt and strings, and repeat it to the chiefs at -the great council at Miami." - -[_Laying down the belt and strings, the Captain took up a white belt, and -proceeded:_] - -"Brothers: We have something farther to say, though not much. We are -small, compared with our great chiefs at Miami; but, though small, we have -something to say. We think, brothers, from your speech, that there is a -prospect of our coming together. We, who are the nations at the westward, -are of one mind; and if we agree with you, as there is a prospect that we -shall, it will be binding and lasting. - -"Brothers: Our prospects are the fairer, because all our minds are one. -You have not spoken to us before unitedly. Formerly, because you did not -speak to us unitedly, what was done was not binding. Now you have an -opportunity to speak to us together; and we now take you by the hand to -lead you to the place appointed for the meeting. - -"Brothers: One thing more we have to say. Yesterday you expressed a wish -to be informed of the names of the nations and number of chiefs assembled -at the Miami. But as they were daily coming in, we cannot give you exact -information. You will see for yourselves in a few days. When we left it, -the following nations were there, viz: Five Nations, Wyandots, Shawanese, -Delawares, Munsees, Miamis, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Mingoes, -Cherokees, Nantikokes. The principal men of all these nations were there. - - "_A white belt of seven rows._" - -The Commissioners then replied:-- - -"Brothers: Our ears have been open to your speech. It Is agreeable to us. -We are ready to proceed with you to Sandusky, where, under the direction -of the Great Spirit, we hope that we shall soon establish a peace on terms -equally interesting and agreeable to all parties." - -While these deliberations were in progress, a deputation from the Seven -Nations of Canada arrived at Niagara, to the number of two hundred and -eighty. The proceedings were terminated with a confident expectation on -all hands that the result of the mission would be a pacific arrangement. -With the public dispatches transmitted to the Secretary of War from this -place, however, General Lincoln addressed a private letter to that -officer, advising him that if the reports in circulation were in any -degree true, General Wayne must have violated the clearest principles of -a _truce,_ and expressing great solicitude for the result--less, however, -on account of the personal safety of the Commissioners, whose lives would -be thereby jeoparded, than for the apprehensions felt for the honor of the -country. Captain Brant had given information as to the movements of Wayne, -of the certainty of which there could be but little doubt; and those -movements caused the Commissioners as much uneasiness as they did the -Indians; being moreover viewed by the British officers at Niagara as -unfair and unwarrantable. - -Captain Brant and the Indian deputation proceeded on their return to -Miami, in advance of the Commissioners, the latter embarking from Fort -Erie on the 14th. On the 21st they arrived at the mouth of the Detroit -river, where they were obliged to land--the British authorities at Detroit -forbidding their approach farther toward the place of meeting. They were, -however, hospitably entertained at the landing-place by Captain Elliot, -Colonel McKee's assistant in the Indian Department. The latter officer was -in attendance upon the council at the Rapids, to whom the Commissioners -lost no time in addressing a note, apprising him of their arrival, and of -their design to remain there until the Indians should be ready to remove -the council to Sandusky. They also requested the good offices of Colonel -McKee in expediting the proceedings of the Indians. This dispatch was -borne by Captain Elliot himself, who returned on the 29th, bringing an -answer from the Colonel, and attended by a deputation of upward of twenty -Indians from the different nations in council. An audience of these -Indians was had on the day following, at which a Wyandot Chief, whose name -in English was _Carry-one-about,_ opened their business with the following -unexpected address:-- - -"Brothers, listen! We are glad to see you here in peace, and thank the -Great Spirit that has preserved us to meet again. - -"Brothers: We were sent to speak with you some time ago at Niagara. Some -chiefs are now here who were then present. - -"Brothers: We did not explain ourselves to each other, and we did not -rightly understand each other. - -"Brothers: We desire that we may rightly understand each other. We have -thought it best that what we had to say should be put into writing, and -here is the meaning of our hearts." - -Saying which, the Wyandot chief put a paper into the hands of the -Commissioners, which read as follows:-- - - "To the Commissioners of the United States. - -"Brothers: The Deputies we sent you did not fully explain our meaning. We -have therefore sent others to meet you once more, that you may fully -understand the great question we have to ask you, and to which we expect -an explicit answer in writing. - -"Brothers: You are sent here by the United States in order to make peace -with us, the Confederate Indians. - -"Brothers: You know very well that the boundary-line, which was run by the -white people and us, at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, was the river Ohio. - -"Brothers: If you seriously design to make a firm and lasting peace, you -will immediately remove all your people from our side of that river. - -"Brothers: We therefore ask you, Are you fully authorised by the United -States to continue and fix firmly on the Ohio river as the boundary-line -between your people and ours? - -"Done in General Council, at the foot of the Miami Rapids, 27th July, -1793. In behalf of ourselves and the whole Confederacy, and agreed to in -full council." - -This missive was signed by the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, -Mingoes, Pottawattamies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas, and Munsees; but not -by the Six Nations. The Commissioners replied to them at great length in -the afternoon. They began, after the Indian custom, by repeating their -speech and then gave a succinct statement of the conferences at Niagara, -and the perfect understanding then had, that some concessions would be -necessary on both sides, and of which they were to speak face to face. -They had already been detained sixty days beyond the time appointed for -the meeting, and were desirous of proceeding to business in council -without farther delay. The Commissioners next recited briefly the history -of all the treaties that had been formed with the north-western Indians, -from the treaty of Fort Stanwix, held before the Revolution, to that which -was commenced at the falls of the Muskingum, by General St. Clair, and -completed at Fort Harmar. At this treaty the Six Nations renewed their -treaty of Fort Stanwix, of 1784, and the Wyandots and Delawares renewed -and confirmed the treaty of Fort McIntosh. There were also parties to this -treaty from the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies and Sacs. Under these -treaties the United States had acquired the territory, now claimed by the -Indians, north of the Ohio, and on the faith of these, settlements had -been formed, that could not now be removed; and hence the Commissioners -replied explicitly to the first question, that the Ohio could not be -designated as the boundary. After attempting to explain the impossibility -of uprooting the settlements beyond the Ohio, and the great expenses -incurred by the people in forming them, they spoke again of the promised -"mutual concessions," and proposed, as the basis of negotiation, that the -Indians should relinquish all the lands ceded by the treaty of Fort -Harmar, and also a small tract of land at the Rapids of the Ohio, claimed -by General Clark; in return for which they proposed to give the Indians -"such a large sum in money or goods as was never given at one time for any -quantity of Indian lands since the white people set their foot on this -island." They likewise proposed a large annuity in addition to the amount -to be paid in hand. Originally, under the treaty of peace with England, -the American Commissioners had claimed the right to the soil of all the -lands south of the great lakes; but this claim, the Commissioners said -they thought, was wrong; and as a farther concession, if the lands already -specified were relinquished by the Indians, the United States would -relinquish all but the right of preemption to the vast tracts that -remained. In conclusion, the Commissioners said:-- - -"Brothers: We have now opened our hearts to you. We are happy in having -an opportunity of doing it, though we should have been more happy to have -done it in full council of your nations. We expect soon to have this -satisfaction, and that your next deputation will take us by the hand, and -lead us to the treaty. When we meet and converse with each other freely, -we may more easily remove any difficulties which may come in the way. - - "_A white belt with thirteen stripes of black wampum._" - -The speech having been interpreted fully to the deputation, the council -was adjourned until the next day, when, having reassembled, the Wyandot -chief rose, and replied as follows:-- - -"Brothers: We are all brothers you see here now. Brothers, it is now three -years since you have desired to speak with us. We heard you yesterday, and -understand well, perfectly well. We have a few words to say to you. - -"Brothers: You mentioned the treaties of Fort Stanwix, Beaver Creek, and -other places. Those treaties were not complete. There were but few chiefs -who treated with you. You have not bought our lands; they belong to us. -You tried to draw off some of us. - -"Brothers: Many years ago we all know that the Ohio was made the boundary; -it was settled by Sir William Johnson. This side is ours; we look upon it -as our property. - -"Brothers: You mention General Washington. He and you know you have houses -and people on our lands. You say you cannot, move them off; and we cannot -give up our lands. - -"Brothers: We are sorry that we cannot come to an agreement. The line has -been fixed long ago. - -"Brothers: We do not say much. There has been much mischief on both sides. -We came here upon peace, and thought you did the same. We wish you to -remain here for an answer from us. We have your speech in our breasts, and -shall consult our head warriors." - -From the 1st to the 14th of August the Commissioners were detained at the -place of their first landing, in the daily expectation of receiving an -invitation to join the council at the Rapids. They had information from -thence several times, and on the 8th were informed that all the nations -were disposed for peace, excepting the Shawanese, Wyandots, Miamis, and -Delawares. The Six Nations, and the Seven Nations of Canada, exerted -themselves strongly to bring about a pacification. It was understood, -however, that the debates had been long and animated. Captain Brant and -the Corn-planter were unwearied in their efforts to accomplish this -desirable object, and both spoke much in council. The discussions being -thus protracted, the former availed himself of the time to endeavor to -enlist the direct interposition of Governor Simcoe to bring the Indians -into a more pacific temper. For that purpose the Captain dispatched -messengers to York, at which place [FN-1] the Upper Canadian Government -was about being established, with letters to the Governor, informing him -of the intractable disposition of the Indians, and soliciting his -influence to induce them to compromise the boundary question. Governor -Simcoe wrote back on the 8th of August, declining any interference. His -Excellency declared in this letter, that, as his correspondent (Brant) -well knew, he had always, both in private conversation and in public -messages, endeavored to impress a disposition and temper upon the Indians, -that might lead to the blessing of peace. Still, he thought the Indians -were the best judges as to the terms upon which a treaty of peace should -be negotiated; and at their request he had directed the Indian Agents to -attend their councils, and explain to them any circumstances which they -might not clearly understand. There was another circumstance which -Governor Simcoe thought would render it improper for him to interfere, -which will be best understood by quoting his own words from the -letter:--"Since the Government of the United States have shown a -disinclination to concur with the Indian nations in requesting of his -Majesty permission for me to attend at Sandusky as mediator, it would be -highly improper and unseasonable in me to give any opinion relative to the -proposed boundaries, with which I am not sufficiently acquainted, and -which question I have studiously avoided entering into, as I am well aware -of the jealousies entertained by some of the subjects of the United -States, of the interference of the British Government which has a natural -and decided interest in the welfare of the Indian nations, and in the -establishment of peace and permanent tranquility. In this situation I am -sure you will excuse me from giving to you any advice, which, from my -absence from the spot, cannot possibly arise from that perfect view and -knowledge which so important a subject necessarily demands." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Now Toronto, the capital of Upper Canada. - - [FN-2] From the original letter among the Brant papers. - - -This letter contains the only authority extant for the fact that Governor -Simcoe himself had been proposed as the mediator, and rejected, and he may -have been piqued thereat. Still, although he cautiously abstained from the -remotest interference, there was nothing in this communication calculated -to defeat a pacific determination of the council. The Commissioners were -yet anxiously awaiting the result at the mouth of the Detroit River. On -the 11th of August they were informed that the debates were still running -high in council; that the chiefs of the Six Nations had spoken twice, and -were about to speak a third time. Indeed, so desirous were they now of -effecting a pacific arrangement, that Thayendanegea was determined to -transcend the ordinary rules of an Indian council, and speak a fourth -time, should it become necessary. [FN] It was added, that nearly half the -four tribes, who were persisting for war, had been won over; and hence, -when the messengers left the council, they even anticipated that runners -with pacific news would overtake them. Having waited, however, until the -14th, and receiving no farther news, the Commissioners proposed to repair -to the council in person--but were prevented by the British authorities, -who would not suffer them to move in that direction, unless by special -invitation from the council. Impatient of longer delay, their next measure -was to send a speech to the council, with a request to Captain Brant to -bring it before them, urging upon them the necessity of a speedy -determination of the question of peace or war, one way or the other. The -conclusion of this address was thus:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] What a pity that at such an Indian Congress, where the great - warriors and rulers of so many nations were assembled to discuss subjects - at once the most {illegible word--"exciting"?} and of the deepest - moment to them, a bench of stenographers could not have been present! - What bursts of thrilling eloquence--the unsophisticated{?} language of - nature--gathering all its metaphors fresh and glowing from her own rich - store-house--the flowers, the forests, and the woods{?}--the sun, the - stars, and the blue sky--the winds, the earthquake, and the storm--must - there have been poured forth but to die away upon the ears that heard - them. - - -"Brothers: We have waited fourteen days, and no answer has arrived. - -"Brothers: It is time to bring the business to a conclusion. The summer -has almost passed away, and we do not yet even know whether we are to have -a treaty. - -"Brothers: You know that we came to treat with you of peace. We again tell -you, that we earnestly desire to make peace; and in the terms of peace we -are disposed to do you ample justice. But if no treaty is to be held, if -peace is not to be obtained, we desire immediately to know it, that we may -go home." - -But all the anticipations of a pacific adjustment of the difficulties -proved fallacious. Two days after this address had been dispatched to the -care of Captain Brant and the Corn-planter, the Commissioners received a -long address from the council, in writing, in answer to their own speech -of July 31st, which put an end to the negotiation. It was addressed, - - "To the Commissioners of the United States. - -"Brothers: We have received your speech of the 31st of last month, and it -has been interpreted to all the different nations. We have been long in -sending you an answer, because of the great importance of the subject. But -we now answer it fully, having given it all the consideration in our -power." - -In their address the council entered upon an extended review of the -negotiations heretofore referred to, and the circumstances under which the -treaties of Fort McIntosh and Fort Harmar were made. They contended that -these treaties had not been properly obtained, and were not binding upon -the Indians, inasmuch as but few of their chiefs and warriors had been -present at the councils, and those few were not empowered to cede away any -of their lands. Of this fact they said they had apprised General St. Clair -before the treaties were made, and admonished him not to proceed. But he -persisted in holding councils in which their nations were not consulted, -and in receiving cessions of an immense country, in which the few who, -under constraint, had signed the treaty, were no more interested than as -a mere branch of the General Confederacy, and had no authority to make any -grant whatever. In reply to the remarks of the Commissioners respecting -the impracticability of breaking up the settlements on the disputed -territory, and their offers of large sums of money for a confirmation of -the grant under the treaty of Fort Harmar, the speech of the Council was -ingenious and forcible. Indeed, the residue of this document is worth -transcribing entire:-- - -"Brothers: Money to us is of no value, and to most of us unknown; and as -no consideration whatever can induce us to sell our lands, on which we get -sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point -out a mode by which your settlers may be easily removed, and peace thereby -obtained. - -"Brothers: We know that these settlers are poor, or they never would have -ventured to live in a country which has been in continual trouble ever -since they crossed the Ohio. Divide, therefore, this large sum of money -which you have offered to us among these people; give to each also a -proportion of what you say you would give us annually, over and above this -large sum of money; and we are persuaded they would most readily accept of -it in lieu of the lands you sold to them. If you add, also, the great sums -you must expend in raising and paying armies with a view to force us to -yield you our country, you will certainly have more than sufficient for -the purposes of repaying these settlers for all their labor and -improvements. - -"Brothers: You have talked to us about concessions. It appears strange -that you expect any from us, who have only been defending our just rights -against your invasions. We want peace. Restore to us our country, and we -shall be enemies no longer. - -"Brothers: You make one concession to us by offering to us your money, and -another by having agreed to do us justice, after having long and -injuriously withheld it; we mean, in the acknowledgment you have now made -that the King of England never did, nor ever had a right to give you our -country by the treaty of peace. And you want to make this act of common -justice a great part of your concession, and seem to expect, that because -you have at last acknowledged our independence, we should for such a favor -surrender to you our country. - -"Brothers: You have also talked a great deal about preemption, and your -exclusive right to purchase the Indian lands, as ceded to you by the King -at the treaty of peace. - -"Brothers: We never made any agreement with the King, nor with any other -nation, that we would give to either the exclusive right to purchase our -lands; and we declare to you, that we consider ourselves free to make any -bargain or cession of lands whenever and to whomsoever we please. If the -white people, as you say, made a treaty that none of them but the King -should purchase of us, and he has given that right to the United States, -it is an affair which concerns you and him, and not us. We have never -parted with such a power. - -"Brothers: At our general council held at the Glaize last Fall, we agreed -to meet Commissioners from the United States, for the purpose of restoring -peace, provided they consented to acknowledge and confirm our boundary -line to be the Ohio; and we determined not to meet you until you gave us -satisfaction on that point. That is the reason we have never met. - -"Brothers: We desire you to consider that our only demand is the peaceable -possession of a small part of our once great country. Look back and view -the lands from whence we have been driven to this spot. We can retreat no -farther, because the country behind hardly affords food for its present -inhabitants; and we have therefore resolved to leave our bones in this -small space, to which we are now consigned. - -"Brothers: We shall be persuaded that you mean to do us justice, if you -agree that the Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. If you will -not consent thereto, our meeting will be altogether unnecessary. This is -the great point, which we hoped would have been explained before you left -your houses; as our message last Autumn was principally directed to obtain -that information. - -"Done in General Council at the foot of the Miami Rapids, on the 13th day -of August, 1793." - -This address was signed by the Wyandots, the Seven Nations of Canada, the -Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, Ottawas, Chippeways, Senecas (of the -Glaize), Pottawattamies, Connoys, Munsees, Nantikokes, Mohegans, -Missisaguas, Creeks, and Cherokees--the name of each nation being written, -and its emblem or escutcheon rudely pictured opposite the name. [FN] The -Six Nations did not sign it. Indeed, it is believed that Captain Brant and -the Six Nations "_held fast together_" in their efforts to make peace, to -the last; and that the character of the final answer of the council was -not communicated to them previous to its being sent off. On the contrary, -they were told that it was a proposition to meet the Commissioners on the -Miami instead of Sandusky, about five miles below their then place of -sitting; and so well assured were they of the fact, that they proposed -removing thither the day after the runners were dispatched from the -council-fire. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Thus, according to the original communication in the author's - possession:-- - - Wyandots, A Bear. Senecas of the Glaize, A Turtle. - Seven Nations of Canada A Turtle. Pottawattamies, A Fish. - Delawares, A Turtle. Connoys, A Turkey. - Shawanese, Munsees, - Miamis, A Turtle. Nantikokes, A Turtle. - Ottawas, A Fish. Mohegans {A Turtle. - Chippeways, A Crane. {A Turkey. - - -Nothing could be more explicit than this ultimatum of the Indians. Their -_sine qua non_ was the Ohio for the boundary. To this proposition the -Commissioners could never assent, and they accordingly wrote to the chiefs -and warriors of the council at the Rapids, that "the negotiation was at -an end." So imperfect are the records of Indian history, preserved, as -they are, for the most part, only in the tablets of the brain, the memory -being aided by belts and other emblems--that it is a difficult matter to -determine the precise merits of the controversy sought to be terminated at -this council. Being the weaker party, belonging to a doomed race, the law -of the strongest was of course left to decide it in the end, and the -Indians were driven beyond the Mississippi. But an impartial survey of the -case, at the distance of only forty years, presents strong reasons for -believing that the Indians were the party aggrieved. Certainly, it would -form an exception in the history of their dealings with the white man, if -they were not; while it is very evident that they themselves solemnly -believed they were the injured party. And, thus believing, nothing could -have been more patriotic than the attitude assumed in their address, or -more noble than the declarations and sentiments it contained. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - - - Suspected duplicity of the British authorities--Conduct of Simon - Girty--Disclosures upon the subject by Captain Brant--Council at - Buffalo, and Indian report of the doings of the Great Congress--Speech - of Captain Brant respecting the Miami council--Mission of General Chapin - to Philadelphia, with the speech--Answer unsatisfactory to the - Indians--Red Jacket--Indian council--Speech of Captain Brant in reply to - the answer of the United States--Troubles thickening between the United - States and Great Britain--Inflammatory speech of Lord - Dorchester--Question of its authenticity settled--Conduct of Governor - Simcoe--Indignation of President Washington--His letter to Mr. - Jay--Speech of Captain Brant against holding a council at Venango--The - design frustrated--Affairs farther in the West--Singular message from - the distant Indians under the Spanish and French influence--Their - speech--Operations of General Wayne--Encroachments of Pennsylvania upon - the Indian lands--Indian council upon the subject--Address to General - Washington--Important letter of Brant to Colonel Smith--Pennsylvania - relinquishes Presque Isle--Defeat of Major McMarion near Fort - Recovery--Indians repulsed in their attack upon the fort--Letter to - Brant giving an account of the battle--Advance of Wayne to the Au Glaize - and Miamis of the Lakes--Little Turtle apprised of his movements and - strength by a deserter--The Chief determines to give battle--Wayne makes - one more effort for peace--Failure of the attempt--Advance of Wayne to - the Rapids--Position of the Indians--Battle and defeat of the - Indians--Little Turtle opposed to the hazard of a battle--Opposed by - Blue-Jacket and overruled--Tart correspondence between Wayne and Major - Campbell--Destruction of Indian property by fire, and burning of Colonel - McKee's establishment--Disappointment of the Indians that Major Campbell - did not assist them--Letter of Governor Simcoe to Brant--Aggression at - Sodus Bay--Simcoe and Brant repair to the West--Interfere to prevent a - peace--Indian council--The hostiles negotiate with Wayne--Simcoe's - address to the Wyandots--Division in their counsels--Brant retires - displeased--Letter of apology from the Chiefs--The distant Indians - become weary of the war. - - -The return of the Commissioners to the eastern extremity of Lake Erie was -immediate; from whence both the government of the United States and -General Wayne were apprised of the failure of the negotiation, for which -such long and anxious preparation had been made. It has been charged that, -notwithstanding the apparent friendship of Governor Simcoe and his little -court at Niagara, and their seeming desire of peace, this unpropitious -result was measurably, if not entirely, produced by the influence of the -British officers in attendance upon the Indian councils--Colonel McKee, -Captain Elliot, and the notorious Simon Girty. The Rev. Mr. Heckewelder, -at the request of General Knox, accompanied the Commissioners, and was -present at the delivery of the last message from the council, refusing an -interview, which, as delivered, both in matter and manner was exceedingly -insolent. Elliot and Girty were both present when this message was -delivered, the latter of whom supported his insolence by a quill, or long -feather run through the cartilage of his nose cross-wise. He was the -interpreter of the message; and Mr. Heckewelder states that he officiously -added a sentence not transmitted from the council. Two Delaware chiefs, -visiting the Commissioners from the council, while at Detroit River, on -being questioned by Mr. Heckewelder why the Commissioners were not allowed -to proceed to their quarters at the Rapids, replied:--"All we can say is, -that we wish for peace; but we cannot speak farther, our mouths being -stopped up when we left the council!" In other words, they had been -forbidden to disclose any of its secrets.[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder's Narrative of the Moravian Missions. - - -These circumstances, from the pen of such a witness, furnish strong -presumptive testimony of duplicity on the part of the Canadian -administration. But there is yet other evidence of the fact, so strong as -to be indisputable. It is that of Captain Brant himself, who, of all -others, participated most largely in the deliberations of those councils. -In one of the speeches delivered by him in the course of his land -difficulties with the Canadian government, some time subsequent to the -war, the following passage occurs:--"For several years" (after the peace -of 1783,) "we were engaged in getting a confederacy formed, [FN-1] and the -unanimity occasioned by these endeavors among our western brethren, -enabled them to defeat two American armies. The war continued without our -brothers, the English, giving any assistance, excepting a little -ammunition; and they seeming to desire that a peace might be concluded, -we tried to bring it about at a time that the United States desired it -very much, so that they sent Commissioners from among their first people, -to endeavor to make peace with the hostile Indians. We assembled also for -that purpose at the Miami River in the Summer of 1793, intending to act -as mediators in bringing about an honorable peace; and if that could not -be obtained, we resolved to join with our western brethren in trying the -fortune of war. But to our surprise, when on the point of entering upon -a treaty with the Commissioners, we found that it was opposed by those -acting under the British government, and hopes of farther assistance were -given to our western brethren, to encourage them to insist on the Ohio as -a boundary between them and the United States." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In another portion of the same speech, Captain Brant stated that - General Haldimand exhorted them to the formation of that union with the - different nations. - - [FN-2] Quoted from the manuscript copy of the speech, contained among the - Brant papers, in the hand-writing of the Chief himself. - - -The deputation from the Six Nations and the Seven Nations of Canada, (the -Caughnawagas,) having returned from the Miami, a council was convened at -the village of the Onondagas residing at Buffalo Creek, to hear their -report--intended not only for their own people, but for the information of -the British and American Superintendents, Colonel Butler and General -Chapin. The council-fire was kindled on the 8th of October. The procedure, -it will be seen, was characteristic and striking. The belts, pictures, and -emblems used by the several nations represented in the Grand Council at -the Miami Rapids, were forwarded to the Six Nations by the hands of their -deputies, and after the council had been regularly opened, these were -produced, and the speeches with which their delivery had been accompanied, -were repeated, in the form of a report, with incidental explanations. By -this process, though tedious, the proceedings of the Grand Congress were -probably reported to the Buffalo council, with as much accuracy as though -they had been written out in form by a committee of the more civilized -"Congress of the Thirteen Fires." - -All things being ready, the proceedings were commenced by Clear-Sky, a -chief of the Onondagas, who spoke as follows:-- - -"Brothers: We thank the Great Spirit for our happy meeting, that he has -preserved us through all difficulties, dangers, and sickness, and given us -an opportunity of meeting together at this place." - -The ceremony of condolence for the loss of friends since the last council, -having been regularly performed and reciprocated by all the tribes -present, and also by the Superintendents, the business of the council was -resumed by the Farmer's Brother, who delivered the speech of the -Shawanese, Delawares, and Twithuays, as follows:-- - -"Brothers: Colonel Butler and General Chapin, we wish you to attend the -Shawanese and other nations of Indians. We thank the Six Nations for their -attention. We were glad to see them at the Great Council-fire which had -been kindled some time at the Rapids of the Miami." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] In order to understand the report, the reader must bear in mind that - the speech of each belt is delivered by the bearer of it, as though he - were in fact a delegate from the nation whose report he is making. - - -"Brothers: You are acquainted with the friendship that once subsisted -between you and our fathers, and the reason that the present fire is -kindled, is to renew that friendship. - -"Brothers: We mentioned this to you last Fall at a council at the Glaize, -and we now repeat it to put you in mind of that friendship which once -subsisted between you and our wise forefathers." - -[A belt of white wampum was here presented, made in a circular form, -representing their place of meeting, as in the centre, and crossed by four -stripes of black wampum, representing all their confederates, East, West, -North, and South.] - -"Brothers: The ancient confederacy which subsisted between us and the Five -Nations, [FN] was, that if any of the Five Nations were in distress, we -would take them to us; we now see that you are in distress; that you are -surrounded by water, and have not any land to stand upon; that a large -white beast stands with open mouth on the other side, ready to destroy -you. We have dry land for you to stand on; and we now take you by the -hand, and invite you to come, and bring your beds, and sit down with us." - - [_Belt of seven rows of black and white wampum._] - - * * * * * - - [FN] In answer to a question by the Seven Nations of Canada, how long - this confederacy had existed between the Shawanese, &c. the reply was, - "_three lives._" - - -The warriors here joined with the Chiefs, and repeated the ancient -agreement, recommended a union of all the different nations, and asked -them to follow what was recommended by the chiefs. Puck-on-che-luh, head -warrior of the Delawares, [FN] then spoke:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] After the defeat of St. Clair, on which occasion the Delawares - fought bravely, the Mohawks, who had formerly declared the Delawares to - be women, or, in other words, degraded them from the rank of warriors, - reversed the sentence of disgrace, and wiped out the stigma, by formally - declaring the Delawares no longer women, but MEN. - - -"Brothers: I call you my uncles, and all the other Indians my -grand-children. Them I have already united and bound together, and I now -bind you all together with this string." - - [_A large bunch of black wampum._] - -The Sachems of the Delawares then spoke:-- - -"Brothers: You have heard the speech of the chief warriors. We join with -them, and are glad to hear they have bound all their grand-children -together, and that they have spoken with great respect to their uncles, -and recommended to them to be of one mind." - - [_A large bunch of black wampum._] - -The Wyandots then spoke:-- - -"Brothers: You came to us one hundred and fifty years ago, when we lived -above Detroit, with a speech from the Six Nations, assembled at their -council-fire at Onondaga Hill, and recommended to us to be friends, and -advised us not to listen to any bad report, or any thing that would -disturb our minds. - -"Brothers: Listen to a few words more we have to say to you. We hear the -Virginians are near us; we shall not go to meet them; but if they should -come among us, we do not know what will be the consequence." - -[The Wyandots spoke with a very large belt of wampum, with three pictures -upon it, one in the middle, and one at each end, representing the -Americans at one end, the Six Nations in the middle, and themselves at the -other end, and expressed their sorrow that the Americans were gone before -they had had an opportunity of speaking to them.] - -The Chippewas and twenty-six other nations, their confederates, then -spoke:-- - -"Brothers: We are sorry that the business for which the council-fire at -the Rapids of the Miami was kindled has not been completed as we could -wish. We were desired by the different nations which we represent, to -attend the council, and use our efforts to bring about a general peace, -and unite all nations." - -The Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawattamies, deputies from twenty-seven -nations, inhabiting along the lakes, and above Michilimackinack, then -spoke:-- - -"Brothers: We are sorry that we have attended all Summer at the -council-fire, and have not done any business as we expected. - -"Brothers: We are now united with you, the Six Nations, and ask you to -return to your seats, and let the United States know our determination, -and return with an answer to us by the middle of winter, and not stop, as -some nations may confuse you and make your minds bad." - -To which the Six Nations replied:-- - -"Brothers: We thank you, and as soon as we get to our seats we will -kindle our council-fire, and call Canadasago, an agent, appointed by the -United States to meet with us, and through him will have our determination -communicated to Congress." - -The Six Nations then, addressing General Chapin and Colonel Butler, -said:-- - -"Brothers: We have now made known to you our proceedings at the late -proposed treaty at the Rapids of the Miami, and have informed you of the -proposed line between the Indians and the United States, which if -accepted, we shall assist the white people to make peace." - -Captain Brant and the Mohawks were not present at the council on the 8th, -a circumstance regretted by the deputation in making their report. The -Farmer's Brother remarked that Captain Brant would be able to give fuller -explanations than they had done of the proceedings at Miami, and the -determination at which the nations there assembled had arrived. The Mohawk -having arrived on the 9th, the council-fire was again raked open, when -Captain Brant thus addressed Colonel Butler the British, and General -Chapin the American Superintendent:-- - -"Brothers: You, the King, our father, and you, our brother, the United -States, attend to what we have to say. We will now explain to you the -material point upon which we have requested your attendance at this -council, and which has not been fully explained. We wish to act openly, -that the world may judge of our proceedings. - -"Brothers: It is unnecessary to repeat what passed at the great council at -the Miami Rapids, as we know that you are already acquainted therewith. -We shall therefore point out the cause of our parting from the meeting in -the manner we did. - -"Brothers: When the first deputation from the confederate Indians met the -Commissioners of the United States at Niagara, every thing seemed to -promise a friendly termination of the treaty; but before their return to -the council-fire at the Rapids of the Miami, messengers from the Creek -nation arrived there, and brought authentic information of the white -people having encroached upon that part of the confederacy. - -"This intelligence at once gave a change to the face of our proceedings, -and, probably, was the sole cause of the abrupt termination of the -negotiations for peace. Thus you see that claims upon our lands always -have been, and still continue to be, the cause of war. - -"Brothers: About five years ago we agreed upon a line of demarcation with -the United States, which you know to be the Muskingum; and, -notwithstanding the various accidents that have since occurred, we will -still adhere to that boundary. - -"Brothers: We think the United States will agree to this line, which will -show the sincerity and justice they always profess for the Indians; should -they agree to this, we sincerely hope that peace will still take place, -and we think that the weight of our branch of the confederacy will be able -to accomplish peace upon the reasonable line we have just mentioned, and -we shall be exceeding sorry to find that this proposal should not be -generally accepted by the confederacy. If it is rejected, we must be -involved in difficulties in our own country. - -"Brothers: We will now proceed to explain the line upon which we hope -peace will be made. We know that the lands along the Ohio are claimed by -the Indians, but we propose to give up such part of these lands as are -actually settled and improved, which settlements are to be circumscribed -by a line drawn around them, and no farther claims are to be admitted -beyond such line. The remainder of the boundary to be explained by General -Chapin, for which purpose it is the general wish of the Six Nations that -General Chapin, himself, will proceed with the speech to Congress." - - [_A belt of black and white wampum._] - -Agreeably to this request, General Chapin proceeded to the seat of -government, to submit their speech to the President, and make the -necessary explanations. The Secretary of War replied on the 24th of -December, reiterating the desire of the United States to cultivate -relations of friendship with the Indians, evading a decision upon the -boundary recommended by Captain Brant, and proposing another Indian -Council in the spring, to be held at Venango. But in the event of the -Indians, hostile or otherwise, agreeing to meet in such council, they -were distinctly told that the army would not in the mean time be -restrained from hostile operations, as had been the case the preceding -season. Farther to secure the good-will of the Six Nations, however, a -supply of warm winter clothing was sent to them, with the letter from the -Secretary containing the President's decision, which was delivered, and -well received at a council holden at Buffalo Creek on the 7th of February, -1794. This council had been convened expressly to receive the answer to -the proposals of Captain Brant; and the same having been read, it was soon -perceived to be less acceptable to the Indians than they had anticipated. -Red Jacket, after a long pause, replied to General Chapin:-- - -"Brothers (of the United States:) We have heard the speech that has been -delivered to us with great attention, and shall now remove the -council-fire to our castle, to take it into private consideration." - -Two days afterward, the council was re-opened, when Red Jacket spoke:-- - -"Brothers: We have taken your speech into consideration, and our eldest -brother, Captain Brant, is to relate the result of our meeting in private -council yesterday." - -Captain Brant then spoke as follows, with nine strings of white and black -wampum:-- - -"Brothers: I now address to you, General Chapin of the United States, and -to you, Major Littlehales [FN] in behalf of the King, and thank the Great -Spirit for bringing us again together in council, as what we are a going -to relate we wish the world to know." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Private Secretary of Governor Simcoe attending the council in - his absence. - - -"Brothers: You have both heard the message we delivered to our brothers of -the United States, last Fall, relative to a boundary line; and we expected -a positive answer from you, brothers of the United States, whether you -would accept of it or not. - -"Brothers: When we delivered the message to you last Fall for the United -States, we had first taken it into serious consideration; we spoke the -language of our hearts, and the Great Spirit knew our minds; all the Six -Nations were of tho same opinion, and we are well assured that, had the -United States accepted our proposed boundary line, peace would certainly -have taken place. - -"Brothers: The speech you have brought us, has given us great uneasiness; -we are greatly at a loss how to act; we expected a direct answer to our -proposals of a boundary line; now we are much distressed that you have -brought us but half an answer; the kindling a council-fire at a distant -place is what we are not prepared to give a reply to. - -"Brothers: Provided the United States had accepted our proposed boundary -line, we should have sent immediately to our Western brethren, who know -our sentiments, and we should have attended your council and confirmed it. - -"Brothers: Make your minds easy; but, in consequence of the importance of -your speech, we must have time to deliberate very seriously upon it; we -cannot give you an immediate answer; we must have a general council of all -the Chiefs; only a few are now present, and we should all be together. The -reason of so much counseling at different times has proceeded from so -small a number of our sachems and chiefs being assembled, and this has -been the principal cause of the present trouble. - -"Brothers: You, General Chapin, live near us; we have two months and a -half to consider of your speech, and by that time we will give you a final -answer. We pray the Great Spirit that these difficulties may terminate to -the happiness of both parties. - -"Brothers: You requested an answer as soon as was convenient, but in such -very weighty business, it is impossible to give one immediately. With -regard to provision, there is plenty in your country; and if we should -agree to meet you, you need not be particular about what we shall consume, -for we shall not expect any thing but provision. - -"Brothers: We now conclude, and we pray the Great Spirit to protect you -safe home, and we desire you will bear it continually on your minds, that -you will soon receive an answer." - - [_The nine strings of wampum, delivered to General Chapin._] - -Notwithstanding the postponement of a definitive answer, on the part of -the Indians, to the proposition for the assembling of another council at -Venango, it was the opinion of General Chapin, at the close of these -proceedings, that they would yet accede to it. Circumstances, however, -arose during the intervening period, which materially changed the aspect -of the border relations of the United States, and the tone and temper of -the Six Nations. The protracted and sanguinary wars between England and -the French Republic had then commenced, as also had the invasions of the -rights of neutrals by those powers, so frequent and so aggravated during -that furious contest. In order to cut off the supplies of bread stuffs -from France, Great Britain had resorted to the strong and questionable -measure of stopping all vessels loaded in whole or in part with corn, -flour, or meal, bound to any port in France, and sending them in to the -most convenient ports, where their cargoes were to be purchased for his -Majesty's service, at a fair value, after making a due allowance for -freight, &c. The British government labored to justify this measure by -citations from some modern writers upon national law, but it was -nevertheless esteemed a violation of neutral rights, and produced much -feeling among the American people, and strong remonstrances from the -government The assumption set up by Great Britain, of the right of -impressing seamen, British subjects, from neutral vessels, by the -exercise of which it was asserted that many American seamen had been -seized, and carried forcibly into foreign service, was now producing -farther and still greater irritation. Added to all which were the -incendiary machinations of Citizen Genet to undermine the administration -of Washington, alienate from his government the affections of the people, -and involve the United States in a war with Great Britain. Party spirit -was already running high, and from the blind zeal with which the -anti-federalists had espoused the cause of revolutionary France, as -against England, very serious apprehensions wore entertained that another -war between the latter power and the United States would be the result. - -One of the consequences of the apparent probability of such an event, was -a manifest change of temper on the part of the British officers in the -Canadas, and at the posts yet in British occupancy along the north-western -frontier of the United States. That during the whole controversy between -the Indians and the United States, from 1786 to the defeat of St. Clair, -the former had been countenanced and encouraged by English agents, and -repeatedly incited to actual hostilities by the traders, there was no -doubt. Latterly, however, a better state of feeling had been manifested. -Lord Dorchester, previous to a visit to England at the close of the year -1791, had sent a speech to the Indians, of a complexion rather pacific; -and it has been seen, that in the Summer of the preceding year, (1793,) -Governor Simcoe had displayed a better feeling than had previously been -evinced by the officers of that nation, since the close of the -Revolutionary contest. But the difficulties between the two nations, -already referred to, now daily becoming more serious, and threatening, at -no distant day, a resort to the _ultima ratio regum,_ had wrought a -decided change in the views of the Canadian authorities respecting an -Indian pacification. In the event of a war, the Indians would again be -found valuable auxiliaries to the arms of his Majesty, for the annoyance -they would inflict upon the United States, if not by reason of any -important victories they might gain. Hence, instead of promoting a -pacification, the efforts of the Canadian government were obviously -exerted to prevent it. _Meshecunnaqua,_ or the _Little Turtle,_ had made a -visit to the province of Lower Canada, after the victory over St. Clair, -for the purpose of engaging all the Indian forces he could, in that -quarter, in the farther prosecution of the war. Lord Dorchester had now -returned from England, and was waited upon by the Indians of the Seven -Nations of Canada, as a deputation from all the Indians at the Grand Miami -council of the preceding Autumn. Their object was to ask advice, or -procure countenance or assistance, in regard to the boundary for which -they had been so long contending. His Lordship answered the deputation on -the 10th of February, in language, respecting the United States, far from -conciliatory or pacific. After referring to the proceedings of a council -with the Indians, held at Quebec, previous to his departure for Europe, -two years before, and the expression in his speech on that occasion, of a -hope that he should hear in England of a satisfactory adjustment of their -difficulties with the United States, his Lordship proceeded:-- - -"Children: I was in expectation of hearing from the people of the United -States what was required by them; I hoped that I should have been able to -bring you together, and make you friends. - -"Children: I have waited long, and listened with great attention, but I -have not heard one word from them. - -"Children: I flattered myself with the hope that the line proposed in the -year eighty-three, to separate us from the United States, _which was -immediately broken by themselves as soon as the peace was signed,_ would -have been mended, or a new one drawn, in an amicable manner. Here, also, -I have been disappointed. - -"Children: Since my return, I find no appearance of a line remains; and -from the maimer in which the people of the United States rush on, and act, -and talk, on this side; and from what I learn of their conduct toward the -sea, I shall not be surprised if we are at war with them in the course of -the present year; and if so, a line must then be drawn by the warriors. - -"Children: You talk of selling your lands to the State of New-York. [FN] -I have told you that there is no line between them and us. I shall -acknowledge no lands to be theirs which have been encroached on by them -since the year 1783. They then broke the peace, and as they kept it not -on their part, it doth not bind on ours." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Caughnawaga Indians, residing near Montreal, were about this - time in treaty with Governor George Clinton for the sale of some of their - lands lying within the boundaries of the state of New-York. The late - Egbert Benson was a Commissioner on the part of the State. - - -"Children: They then destroyed their right of preemption. Therefore all -their approaches toward us since that time, and all the purchases made by -them, I consider as an infringement on the King's rights. And when a line -is drawn between us, be it in peace or war, they must lose all their -improvements and houses on our side of it. Those people must all be gone -who do not obtain leave to become the King's subjects. What belongs to the -Indians will, of course, be secured and confirmed to them. - -"Children: What farther can I say to you? You are witnesses that on our -parts we have acted in the most peaceable manner, and borne the language -and conduct of the people of the United Stales with patience. But I -believe our patience is almost exhausted." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The authenticity of this speech of Lord Dorchester is denied by - Chief Justice Marshall, and Mr. Sparks, in his Life and Correspondence of - Washington, notes that denial without dissent. Hence it hat been received - as spurious, and Lord Dorchester, with his Government, has escaped the - responsibility of having uttered such an unwarrantable document. The - first copy was forwarded to President Washington by Governor Clinton, who - did not doubt its genuineness. Neither did the President; since, in his - letter to Governor Clinton acknowledging its receipt, he scales his - reasons at large for dissenting from the opinions of those who were - proclaiming it to be spurious. On the contrary, he declared that he - entertained "not a doubt of its authenticity." Equally strong was he in - the opinion, that in making such a speech Lord Dorchester had spoken the - sentiments of the British Cabinet, according to his instructions. [_See - Letter of President Washington to Governor Clinton, March_ 31, 1794.] On - the 20th of May the attention of the British Minister, Mr. Hammond, was - called to the subject by the Secretary of State, Edmund Randolph, who - remonstrated strongly, not only against the speech, but against the - conduct of Governor Simcoe, who was then engaged in measures of a hostile - character. Mr. Hammond replied on the 22d of May rather tartly; and, what - renders the denial of the speech by Marshall and Sparks the more - singular, is the fact that the British Minister said in that letter,--"I - am willing to admit the authenticity of the speech." [_See T. B. Wait & - Sons' Edition of American State Papers,_ Vol. I. pages 449--453.] But if - doubt has existed before, as to the genuine character of that document, - it shall no longer exist. I have myself transcribed the preceding - extracts from a certified manuscript copy, discovered among the papers of - Joseph Brant in my possession.--_Author._ - - -There could be no doubt as to the effect of such an address upon the -warlike tribes of the upper lakes, chafed, as they were, by what they -really believed to be wrongs, and by the presence of a hostile army in the -heart of their own country--buoyed up in their spirits, moreover, by the -complete success which had crowned their arms in the two preceding -campaigns. But the Governor General did not here cease his exertions to -keep the Indians, the Six Nations not excepted, on the _qui vive_ of the -war feeling. Soon after the close of the council at Buffalo in the same -month, his Lordship transmitted an inflammatory speech to those tribes, -which was interpreted to them by Colonel Butler, and produced an obvious -and decided change in their feelings toward the United States. Large -presents were likewise sent up from Quebec, and distributed among them, -and the British officers in the Indian Department took pains, on all -occasions, to represent to them that a war between the two nations was -inevitable. [FN] Such was doubtless their opinion, for with the arrival of -Lord Dorchester's speech, early in April, Governor Simcoe repaired -overland to Detroit, and with a strong detachment of troops proceeded to -the foot of the Miami Rapids, and commenced the erection of a fortress at -that place. This movement caused fresh irritation among the American -people, since the retention of the old posts had been a continual source -of dissatisfaction, although the non-fulfillment of a portion of the -treaty of peace by the United States still furnished the pretext for such -occupancy. But the movement of Governor Simcoe into the Miami country, and -the erection of a fortress there--the territory being clearly within the -boundaries of the United States--awakened yet stronger feelings of -indignation in the bosom of the President. Mr. Jay was at that time the -American minister near the Court of St. James, and the President gave vent -to his feelings in a private letter to that functionary, in the most -decided terms of reprobation. "Can that government," asked the President -in the letter to Mr. Jay, "or will it attempt, after this official act of -one of their Governors, to hold out ideas of friendly intentions toward -the United States, and suffer such conduct to pass with impunity? This may -be considered as the most open and daring act of the British agents in -America, though it is not the most hostile or cruel; for there does not -remain a doubt in the mind of any well-informed person in this country, -not shut against conviction, that all the difficulties we encounter with -the Indians--their hostilities, the murders of helpless women and innocent -children along our frontiers--result from the conduct of the agents of -Great Britain in this country. In vain is it, then, for its administration -in Britain to disavow having given orders which will warrant such conduct, -whilst their agents go unpunished; whilst we have a thousand corroborating -circumstances, and indeed almost as many evidences, some of which cannot -be brought forward, to know that they are seducing from our alliance, and -endeavoring to remove over the line, tribes that have hitherto been kept -in peace and friendship with us at a heavy expense, and who have no causes -of complaint, except pretended ones of their creating; whilst they keep in -a state of irritation the tribes who are hostile to us, and are -instigating those who know little of us or we of them, to unite in the -war against us; and whilst it is an undeniable fact that they are -furnishing the whole with arms, ammunition, clothing, and even provisions, -to carry on the war; I might go farther, and if they are not much belied, -add men also in disguise." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter from General Israel Chapin to the Secretary of War, April 29, - 1794. _See Indian State Papers_--p. 480. - - -It was under these altered circumstances that General Chapin met the Six -Nations again in council on the 21st of April, to receive their reply to -the communication from the Secretary of War, General Knox, proposing the -holding of another treaty at Venango, as heretofore mentioned. The -proceedings were opened by the Onondaga chief, Clear Sky, who addressed -the Superintendents as follows:-- - -"General Chapin: We are happy to see that you are arrived safe at our -council-fire, and that you have been preserved by the Great Spirit in good -health. - -"Colonel Butler: We are also very happy to see you at our council-fire, -as representing the King." - -Captain Brant thereupon rose, and addressed the two Superintendents as -follows:-- - -"Brothers: You of the United States listen to what we are going to say to -you; you, likewise, the King. - -"Brothers: We are very happy to see you, Colonel Butler and General -Chapin, sitting side by side, with the intent of hearing what we have to -say. We wish to do no business but what is open and above-board." - -Then addressing himself exclusively to General Chapin, he proceeded:-- - -"Brother: You, of the United States, make your mind easy, on account of -the long time your President's speech has been under our consideration; -when we received it, we told you it was a business of importance, and -required time to be considered of. - -"Brother: The answer you have brought us is not according to what we -expected, which was the reason of our long delay; the business would have -been done with expedition, had the United States agreed to our proposal. -We would then have collected our associates, and repaired to Venango, the -place you proposed for meeting us. - -"Brother: It is not now in our power to accept your invitation; provided -we were to go, you would conduct the business as you might think proper; -this has been the case at all the treaties held, from time to time, by -your Commissioners. - -"Brother: At the first treaty after the conclusion of the war between you -and Great Britain, at Fort Stanwix, your Commissioners conducted the -business as it to them seemed best; they pointed out a line of division, -and then confirmed it; after this they held out that our country was ceded -to them by the King; this confused the Chiefs who attended there, and -prevented them from making any reply to the contrary; still holding out, -if we did not consent to it, that their warriors were at their back, and -that we could get no farther protection from Great Britain. This has ever -been held out to us by the Commissioners from Congress; at all the -treaties held with us since the peace, at Fort McIntosh, at Rocky River, -and every other meeting held, the idea was still the same. - -"Brother: This has been the case from time to time. Peace has not taken -place, because you have held up these ideas, owing to which much mischief -has been done to the southward. - -"Brother: We, the Six Nations, have been exerting ourselves to keep peace -since the conclusion of the war; we think it would be best for both -parties; we advised the confederate nations to request a meeting, about -half way between us and the United States, in order that such steps might -be taken as would bring about a peace; this request was there proposed by -us, and refused by Governor St. Clair, one of your Commissioners. The -Wyandots, a few Delawares, and some others, met the Commissioners, though -not authorized, and confirmed the lines of what was not their property, -but common to all nations. - -"Brother: This idea we all entertained at our council at Lower Sandusky, -held for the purpose of forming our confederacy, and to adopt measures -that would be for the general welfare of our Indian nations, or people of -our color; owing to these steps taken by us, the United States held out, -that when we went to the westward to transact our private business, that -we went with the intention of taking an active part in the troubles -subsisting between them and our western brethren; this never has been the -case. We have ever wished for the friendship of the United States. - -"Brother: We think you must be folly convinced, from our perseverance last -summer, as your Commissioners saw, that we were anxious for a peace -between you. The exertions that we, the Six Nations, have made toward the -accomplishing this desirable end, is the cause of the western nations -being somewhat dubious as to our sincerity. After we knew their doubts, -we still persevered; and, last Fall, we pointed out methods to be taken, -and sent them, by you to Congress; this we certainly expected would have -proved satisfactory to the United States; in that case we should have more -than ever exerted ourselves, in order that the offers we made should be -confirmed by our confederacy, and by them strictly to be adhered to. - -"Brother: Our proposals have not met with the success from Congress that -we expected; this still leaves us in a similar situation to what we were -in when we first entered on the business. - -"Brother: You must recollect the number of chiefs who have, at divers -times, waited on Congress; they have pointed out the means to be taken, -and held out the same language, uniformly, at one time as another; that -was, if you would withdraw your claim to the boundary line and lands -within the line, as offered by us; had this been done, peace would have -taken place, and, unless this still be done, we see no other method of -accomplishing it. - -"Brother: We have borne every thing patiently for this long time past; we -have done every thing we could consistently do with the welfare of our -nations in general, notwithstanding the many advantages that have been -taken of us by individuals making purchases of us, the Six Nations, whose -fraudulent conduct towards us Congress never has taken notice of, nor in -any wise seen us rectified, nor made our minds easy. This is the case to -the present day; our patience is now entirely worn out; you see the -difficulties we labor under, so that we cannot, at present, rise from our -seats and attend your council at Venango agreeable to your invitation. The -boundary line we pointed out we think is a just one, although the United -States claim lands west of that line; the trifle that has been paid by the -United States can be no object in comparison to what a peace would be. - -"Brother: We are of the same opinion with the people of the United States; -you consider yourselves as independent people; we, as the original -inhabitants of this country and sovereigns of the soil, look upon -ourselves as equally independent, and free as any other nations. This -country was given to us by the Great Spirit above; we wish to enjoy it, -and have our passage along the lake within the line we have pointed out. - -"Brother: The great exertions we have made, for this number of years, to -accomplish a peace, have not been able to obtain it; our patience, as we -have already observed, is exhausted, and we are discouraged from -persevering any longer. We therefore throw ourselves under the protection -of the Great Spirit above, who, we hope, will order all things for the -best. We have told you our patience is worn out; but not so far but that -we wish for peace, and, whenever we hear that pleasing sound, we shall pay -attention to it." - - [_The belt and speech sent by General Knox were then returned to General - Chapin._] - -Thus was extinguished the hope of a council of pacification at Venango; -and not only that, but the altered temper of the Six Nations seemed to -threaten an augmentation of the hostile Indian power at the west, by the -desertion to their cause of the whole of the Iroquois Confederacy, under -a leader whose prowess and wisdom had both often been tested. In the mean -time all the accounts from the west concurred in the fact, that the -distant tribes were gathering for a renewal of the conflict--encouraged as -they were by promises of strong assistance from the English. The traders -and the "mixed multitude" constituting the refugees and parti-colored -inhabitants of Detroit, were doubtless active in promoting these -hostilities, and very probably made promises to the credulous Chiefs as -coming from Governor Simcoe, of which he himself was ignorant. Two -Pottawattamies were taken prisoners on the 5th of June by the troops of -General Wayne, who made a variety of disclosures upon this subject. They -represented, and intelligence to that effect was dispatched to the -interior tribes by their Chiefs, that Governor Simcoe was to march to -their assistance with fifteen hundred men. He was giving them clothing and -all necessary supplies, and "all the speeches received from him were red -as blood. All the wampum and feathers were painted red; the war-pipes and -hatchets were red; and even the tobacco was painted red." Several -Shawanese prisoners, however, were soon afterward captured, who were less -confident of English assistance. They said "they could not depend upon the -British for effectual support; that they were always setting the Indians -on like dogs after game, pressing them to go to war and kill the -Americans, but did not help them." - -Another influence was brought to bear upon the Indians of the west at this -conjuncture, from a most unexpected quarter. It was the arrival at the -Miamis Rapids, early in May, of a messenger from the Spanish settlements -on the Mississippi, charged with a spirited war-speech to the confederacy. -This messenger was conducted to the Miamis by a deputation from the -Delawares, who had emigrated beyond the Mississippi four years previous. -He admonished the confederates of the gathering of the "Big-Knives," -meaning the troops of the United States, and offered assistance from the -Spanish and French settlements in the south-west, who, he said, were -preparing to come to their help. - -"Children!" said the Spaniard, "you see me on my feet, grasping the -tomahawk to strike them. We will strike together. I do not desire you to -go before me, in the front, but to follow me. - -"Children: I present you with a war-pipe, which has been sent in all our -names to the Musquakies, and all those nations who live towards the -setting sun, to get upon their feet and take hold of our tomahawk; and as -soon as they smoked it, they sent it back with a promise to get -immediately on their feet, and join us, and strike this enemy. - -"Children: You hear what these distant nations have said to us, so that we -have nothing farther to do but put our designs into immediate execution, -and to forward this pipe to the three warlike nations who have so long -been struggling for their country, and who now sit at the Glaize. Tell -them to smoke this pipe, and forward it to all the lake Indians and then -northern brethren. Then nothing will be wanting to complete our general -union from the rising to the setting of the sun, and all nations will be -ready to add strength to the blow we are going to make." [FN] - - [_Delivered a war-pipe._] - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. among the Brant papen. - - -The Spaniard farther assured them that the Creeks, Cherokees, Choctaws and -Chickasaws, had also charged him with a message, assuring them that their -hearts were with the Confederacy, and that eleven nations of the southern -Indians were then on their feet, with the hatchet in their hand, ready to -strike their common enemy. - -The Chiefs to whom these messages from the west and south were delivered -at the Rapids, immediately convened a council, composed of the Wyandots, -Ottawas, Chippewas, Mingoes, Munseys, and Nantikokes, before whom the -intelligence was repeated. They were then addressed as follows:-- - -"Brothers: You have now heard the speeches brought to our council at the -Glaize a few days ago from the Spaniards; and as soon as they heard them, -and smoked the pipe, their hearts were glad, and they determined to step -forward and put into execution the advice sent to them. They desire you to -forward the pipe, as has been recommended, to all our northern brethren; -not doubting but as soon as you have smoked it, you will follow their -example, and they will hourly expect you to join them, as it will not be -many days before the nearness of our enemies will give us an opportunity -of striking them." - - [_Delivered the pipe._] - -_Egouchouoy_ answered for all the nations present:-- - -"Brothers: I am happy at the good news you have told us, and we will -immediately go and collect all our people, and be with you as soon as -possible." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The reader must bear in mind that these speeches and proceedings of - the Indian Councils, exclusively such, were written down by the British - agents and officers among the Indians, who attended to assist them. The - author finds many of them among the papers of Captain Brant--some from - the Upper Lake tribes in French. The account of this Spanish writer, his - message, and the consequent address to the Lake tribes, the author has - found among these papers, signed by Colonel McKee as _Deputy Agent of - Indian Affairs,_ and the copy certified by Thomas Talbot. Several - paragraphs of both addresses have been omitted, as not material to the - history. See Appendix, No. IX. - - -There is mystery attached to this mission of the Spaniard, concerning -which no farther information has been obtained. The Indians of the -Confederacy were greatly encouraged by the assurances of assistance, and -it will soon appear that some tribes came to their help from a very great -distance. The employment of a Spanish Envoy, however, was a remarkable -circumstance, and serves to strengthen the suspicions entertained by -Washington two years before, that, even at that early day, the possessors -of the estuary of the Mississippi, and of the vast Spanish territories -above, had already become alarmed lest what has happened respecting that -territory, would happen, unless the power of the United States should be -crippled. But the promised Spanish and French assistance from that -direction did not arrive, nor were the Confederates aided in their -subsequent operations by the Creeks, Cherokees, and Chickasaws, as -promised. - -The United States were not inactive during these hostile movements and -preparations among the Indians. General Wayne, or _Sukach-gook_ as he was -called by the Indians, [FN] was making the most vigorous preparations for -opening the campaign with decision. Among other measures, it was -determined, while he was approaching the Miami towns with a force -sufficient, as it was hoped, to end the war at a blow, to occupy a station -at Presque Isle, and fortify it. This movement not only gave great -uneasiness to the confederates, but, in connexion with another, of a -different description, adopted by the State of Pennsylvania, had well-nigh -driven the whole of the more ancient alliance of the Six Nations at once -into hostilities against the United States under their old leader -Thayendanegea. Pennsylvania, it seems, claimed a district of country on -the south shore of Lake Erie, including Presque Isle, under color of a -purchase from the Corn-planter--which purchase the Six Nations, to whom -the territory in question had belonged, held to be invalid. Regardless of -the objections and remonstrances of the Indians, thus claiming -proprietorship, the Corn-planter having, as they contended, sold it -without authority, Pennsylvania was now planting settlers upon this -territory and erecting an establishment at Presque Isle; at which -aggression, as they esteemed it, Captain Brant and his nations were -greatly incensed. A council was thereupon held, to take that and other -subjects into consideration, at Buffalo, the sittings of which were -commenced on the 24th of June. General Chapin was in attendance, at the -urgent solicitation of the Indians, and Captain O'Bail (the Corn-planter) -was the speaker. He complained first of the absence of several of their -warriors, who were believed to have been killed by the Americans. One of -their chiefs, Big Tree, he said, had some months before gone to the camp -of the Americans in the most friendly manner, and had been put to death; -while another of their warriors had been killed at Venango "while sitting -easy and peaceable on his seat." He next entered upon the subject of the -Pennsylvania encroachments, of which he complained bitterly, insisting -that the sale alleged to have been made by himself was not in any manner -obligatory upon the Indians. The erection of the fort at Presque Isle was -likewise a theme of complaint. The determination of the council was to -send a delegation of their Chiefs into the disputed territory, to request -a removal of the intruders; and General Chapin was solicited to accompany -the deputation. He did so, but the mission was executed to no good -purpose. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Sukach-gook is the Delaware name for black snake, which they called - General Wayne by, saying that he possessed all the art and cunning of - that reptile; which was known to be the greatest destroyer of the small - birds and animals of the snake tribe.--_Heckewelder._ - - -On the return of the delegation to Buffalo Creek, another council was held -to receive the report. This convention was on the 4th of July. The report, -being unfavorable, of course gave no satisfaction, and the Indians -immediately manifested a still greater degree of alienation from the -United States. The general boundary question was revived during the -discussions, and an address from the council to the President, spoken by -O'Bail, was written down, and transmitted by General Chapin. In this -address the Indians re-asserted their determination to insist upon the -Ohio and Muskingum boundary. The following is an extract:-- - -"General Washington, attend! What gives us room for the making of so many -speeches, is, because you relate all the former deceptions that have been -used. - -"General Washington: I depend upon you to gratify our request, and that -will make my mind easy. Sometimes I hear that I am going to flee from my -seat, for the injuries I have done. These reflections make me so unhappy, -that I am almost tempted to die with the Six Nations. - -"Brother: We are determined now, as we were before, that the line shall -remain. We have fully considered on the boundary we have marked out. We -know all that we have received from time to time, and we think if you -establish this line, it will make us about even. - -"Brother: If you do not comply with our request, we shall determine on -something else, as we are a free people. - -"Brother: We are determined to be a free people. You know, General -Washington, that we, the Six Nations, have always been able to defend -ourselves, and we are still determined to maintain our freedom. - -"Brother: You must not suspect that any other nation corrupts our minds. -The only thing that can corrupt our minds, is not to grant our request. - -"Brother: If this favor is not granted, I wish that my son may be sent -back with the answer, and tell me which side he means to join. If he -wishes to join that side, he is at liberty." - -Although the name of Brant does not often occur in the proceedings of the -councils touching the movement of Pennsylvania upon Sandusky, yet he was -by no means a passive spectator of passing events. There were no hours of -idleness in his life, and when not engaged in the field, or in attendance -upon councils, or upon foreign missions, his mind was occupied in the work -of improving the minds and morals, and adding to the comforts, of his own -people. In the Spring of the present year he was engaged in the erection -of a council-house for his nation at Grand River. But the Sandusky affair -called him again to the field; and while others were deliberating in -council, and attempting to negotiate, the Chief was preparing to contest -the disputed title by arms--directly aided, as will be seen from the -following letter, by the Executive of Upper Canada:-- - - "Captain Brant to Colonel Smith--('for Governor Simcoe.' [FN])" - - * * * * * - - [FN] So filed in Brant's own hand, on the copy preserved among his - papers. - - - "_Grand River,_ 19_th July,_ 1794. - -"Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 16th instant, -enclosing the extracts his Excellency has been pleased to favor me with, -for which I have to request you would have the goodness to thank his -Excellency for me. - -"I am much concerned to find that the Lake Indians think their belts -completed. [FN-1] I foresaw the event, [FN-2] for which reason it has ever -been my opinion that they should avoid coming to any considerable -engagement, because it is a custom among the Indians, that after having -struck a good blow, and having taken prisoners and scalps, they return -home. Nevertheless I hope they will not go." - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Captain Brant had just received a letter from Detroit, dated on - the 5th of July, one paragraph of which explains the signification of - this expression: "The Mackinaw and Lake Indians, having _completed the - belts_ they carried, with scalps and prisoners, seem resolved on going - home again. The return of these people will considerably weaken the - defence expected from the collected sections of two thousand Indians." - - [FN-2] Referring, doubtless, to an engagement between Little Turtle and - Major McMahon, which will be more particularly noted a page or two - onward. - - -"In regard to the Presque Isle business, should we not get an answer at -the time limited, it is our business to push those fellows hard, and -therefore it is my intention to form my camp at Pointe Appineau; and I -would esteem it a favor if his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor would -lend me four or five batteaux. Should it so turn out, and should those -fellows not go off, and O'Bail continue in the same opinion, an expedition -against those Yankees must of consequence take place. - -"His Excellency has been so good as to furnish us with a cwt. of powder, -and ball in proportion, which is now at Fort Erie; but in the event of an -attack upon Le Boeuf people, I could wish, if consistent, that his -Excellency would order a like quantity in addition to be at Fort Erie, in -order to be in readiness: likewise I would hope for a little assistance -in provisions. - -"I would request that his Excellency would favor me with an answer by the -bearer, Seth. I would also trouble his Excellency in regard to those -people who went with him to Detroit. They were promised to be handsomely -rewarded, which as yet has not been done; and as they now expect to go -upon service, they are rather impatient; and if it was convenient that -they could be satisfied, either by borrowing goods, or otherwise, as his -Excellency would think fit, I would be extremely happy. - -"I understand some new regiments are raising, or to be raised. In that -case I would consider myself much favored should some of my relations, -young men, have an equal chance of being provided for. - -"A few days ago I sent seven men to Cadaragara, to remind O'Bail that he -should watch any movement of those people [FN] very narrowly; and that he -should be ready to march immediately after the expiration of the time, -should they, not then evacuate that place." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The settlers at Presque Isle. - - -The insertion of this letter at length is deemed important, showing, as it -does, and that, too, beyond the power of contradiction, that the Indians -were supplied purposely, with their munitions of war, by the officers of -the British crown. The fact was denied by Great Britain, or at least it -was argued, that if the Indians drew their supplies from the Canadians, -they were furnished by individuals, as such, over whose actions in the -premises the government had no control. Independently of these -circumstances, moreover, the detention of the boats, and the erection by -Governor Sinclair of a new fortification, heretofore spoken of, on the -Miamis of the Lakes, fifty miles South of Detroit, afforded strong -evidence of a design on the part of Great Britain, to avail herself of the -non-execution of that article in the treaty of peace stipulating for the -payment of debts, for the purpose of establishing a new boundary line, by -which the great lakes should be entirely comprehended in Upper Canada. An -animated correspondence took place on the whole subject, between the -American Secretary of State and Mr. Hammond, the diplomatic representative -of Great Britain, in which a considerable degree of mutual irritation was -displayed, and in which each supported the charges against the nation of -the other much better than he defended his own. [FN] Had the Secretary of -State been in possession of the preceding letter from the Mohawk Chief, he -would not have argued upon uncertainties--at least so far as a supply of -powder and ball to the Indians by the Governor of Upper Canada would have -sustained his case. In any event, the charge is now brought home with -sufficient distinctness to put the question at rest. Captain Brant, -however, found no occasion for a farther requisition upon his Excellency -for ammunition at that time. The interposition of the President deterred -Pennsylvania from the farther prosecution of her designs upon Presque -Isle, and the projected expedition of the Six Nations was accordingly -relinquished. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall. - - -The desultory contest with the Indians, so long protracted, and at times -so bloody, was now approaching its termination. On the 30th of June a -sharp action took place under the walls of Fort Recovery--a fortress which -had been thrown up by General Wayne on the battle-ground of St. Clair's -defeat. The primary object of the Indians, who were the assailants, was -the capture of a large number of pack-horses, recently arrived at that -fort with provisions, which were returning to Fort Grenville, guarded by -a company of cavalry under Captain Gibson, and a detachment of ninety -riflemen, the whole under the command of Major McMahon. Taken by surprise, -and finding the Indians in great force, the Americans sought speedy refuge -within the walls of the fort. The Indians were led by the distinguished -Miami Chief, Little Turtle. Pressing close upon the garrison, with an -evident design to carry it, the moment McMahon's troops had regained the -fortress a fire was opened upon the assailants, which drove them back with -great slaughter. They rallied again, however, and maintained the -engagement through the day, but keeping at a more respectful distance. The -night, which was thick and foggy, was employed by them in removing their -dead by torch-light. On the next day the assault was renewed; but the -Indians were ultimately compelled to retreat, with loss and -disappointment, from the field of their former triumph. Both in advance -and retreat, in this expedition, the Indians marched with perfect order. -Their encampments were square and regular, and they moved upon the fort -in seventeen columns, at wide distances apart. Many white men were in -their ranks, supposed to be the inhabitants and militia of Detroit. -Officers in British uniform were likewise so near the scene of action as -to be distinctly discerned. Several valuable officers of Major McMahon's -corps fell at the first onset, among whom was the gallant Major himself. -The total loss of the Americans was twenty-two killed and thirty wounded. -The Indians suffered very severely. In their retreat it was ascertained -that a large number of pack-horses were literally loaded with their slain. -Such, at least, were the facts in regard to this affair, as derived from -the most ample and apparently authentic accounts of the Americans. Nor did -the Indian accounts differ from the American as widely as is often the -case between opposite statements of antagonist parties. As an evidence of -which, and to show how accurately and promptly Captain Brant was advised -of the progress and events of the war, the following extract is given from -his correspondence:-- - - "Extract from a Letter to Captain Brant. - - "_Detroit, July_ 5, 1794. - -"An attack was made on the 30th of June by the Indians, on three hundred -pack-horses returning to Fort Grenville, from whence they came the day -before with provisions. All of these, with the pack-horsemen, were either -taken or killed close by Fort Recovery, together with thirty bullocks. -Captain Gibson, the officer commanding, on perceiving the attack made on -his horses, ordered a troop of dragoons, or light-horse, to charge the -Indians, and at the same time he drew up his garrison in front of the -fort, as if with a design to sustain his cavalry. But they were all beaten -back in a few minutes, and pursued to the gate of the fort, with the loss -of about fifty men and upward of twenty-five horses. The loss of the -Indians commenced from this period; for they kept up a useless attack upon -the fort, while the troops within were firing at them through loop-holes. -Seventeen were killed, and as many wounded. - -"The _Mountain Leader_ was killed two days before the action, by a -scouting party of the Hurons. He was the chief of the Chickasaws. Wells, -(a scout from Wayne's army,) was killed in the engagement; and May is -reported to be so by one of three prisoners who were taken, together with -two more Chickasaws. Captain Gibson and two other officers are also among -the killed. - -"My information states that these prisoners report there are sixty -Chickasaws with their army, twenty of whom are at Fort Recovery and forty -at Fort Grenville. They also say that the horses which are now taken and -killed, were the only means General Wayne had of transporting -provisions--that he was to commence his campaign about the middle of next -month--waiting for an augmentation of his force of three thousand militia -from Kentucky--and that he is to build a fort at the Glaize, and proceed -from thence to Detroit. - -"The Chiefs of several nations are now in council at the Glaize, adopting -measures to re-unite their force if possible." - -Taught by the unfortunate experience of Harmar and St. Clair, General Wayne -moved not but with the utmost caution, and all the preparation which a -prudent forecast required. He had not therefore advanced beyond Fort -Recovery until sufficient strength had been concentrated, and such other -dispositions made as would enable him not only to strike a decisive blow, -but retain possession of the country he might conquer. The delays incident -to these preparations carried the active prosecution of the campaign into -midsummer. The richest and most extensive towns of the hostile Indians -lay about the confluence of the Au Glaize and the Miamis of the Lakes. At -this place General Wayne arrived on the 8th of August, where some works of -defence were thrown up for the protection of the magazines. It was thirty -miles thence to the Rapids, where, as has been already seen, Governor -Simcoe had recently erected a strong fortress, fifty miles within the -stipulated and understood boundary, as between the British possessions and -those of the United States. At this latter place, in the immediate -neighborhood of the fort, the Indian forces were collected to the number -of nearly two thousand. The Continental legion under General Wayne was of -about equal strength, exclusive of eleven hundred mounted Kentuckians -under General Scott. Here the Black Snake had intended to surprise the -neighboring villages of the enemy; and the more effectually to ensure the -success of his _coup de main,_ he had not only advanced thus far by an -obscure and very difficult route, but taken pains to clear out two roads -from Greenville in that direction, in order to attract and divert the -attention of the Indians while he marched upon neither. But his -generalship proved of no avail. The Little Turtle was too wary a leader to -be taken by surprise--to say nothing of the desertion of a villain named -Newman, an officer in the Quarter-master General's department, who gave -the Indians warning of Wayne's advance. Little Turtle thereupon retired to -the Rapids; and having been apprized by the deserter of the strength of -the Americans, determined to give battle, and made dispositions for that -object. - -Having learned on the 12th, from Indian prisoners who were brought in, the -position of the enemy, in close proximity to the British garrison at the -Rapids, and being yet desirous of bringing the Indians to terms, if -possible, without the farther effusion of blood, the American commander -despatched another messenger of peace. The name of the envoy selected for -the occasion was Miller--a man who had been so long a captive among the -Indians as to have acquired their language. He was exceedingly reluctant -to undertake the hazardous enterprise. But being strongly urged upon the -service, with an assurance from the General that eight of the Indian -warriors, who were prisoners, should be held as pledges of his safety, he -at last assented--taking two of the prisoners, a warrior and a squaw, -along with him. He was received in a very hostile mood, and his life -threatened. But addressing them in their own language, displaying a flag, -and explaining the object of his visit, the menacing blow was suspended, -and he was placed in confinement while the Chiefs deliberated in council -upon the letter from the General, of which he was the bearer. Assuring -them that every prisoner in the American camp would be put to death unless -he should be sent back in safety before the 16th, he was liberated on the -preceding day--with a message to Wayne, that if he waited where he was -ten days, they would then treat with him, but if he advanced at an earlier -day they would fight. Impatient of delay, however, Wayne had taken up his -line of march on the 15th--the day of Miller's release. The message which -he met did not check his advance, and the General arrived in the vicinity -of the Rapids on the 18th. The 19th was occupied in reconnoitering the -positions of the enemy, and throwing up a slight fortification for the -protection of the stores, which was appropriately named Fort Deposite. - -The enemy had taken post behind a thick wood, rendered almost inaccessible -by a dense growth of under-brush and fallen timber, marking the track of -a tornado, and almost under the guns of the fort that had been erected by -Simcoe. Their left was secured by the rocky bank of the river. The -Americans advanced for the attack early on the morning of the 20th. At -about ten o'clock, having proceeded nearly five miles, the advance guard, -commanded by Major Price, received so brisk a fire from the enemy, who -were secreted in the woods and the tall grass, as to compel it to fall -back. The ground was most happily chosen by the enemy for their mode of -warfare, so obstructed and difficult of access as to render it almost -impossible for the cavalry to act. Immediately on the attack upon the -corps of Major Price, the legion was formed in two lines and moved rapidly -forward. The thick forest and old broken wood already described, extended -to the left of the army several miles--the right resting on the river. The -Indians were formed in three lines within supporting distance of each -other, and extending for about two miles at right angles with the river. -The American commander soon discovered, from the weight of his fire, and -the extent of his lines, that it was the design of the enemy to turn his -left flank. The second line was thereupon ordered to advance in support -of the first, while, by a circuitous route, Scott was directed with his -Kentuckians to turn the enemy's right. In concert with this movement, the -front line ordered by General Wayne to charge with trailed arms, and -rouse the Indians from their covert at the point of the bayonet. Having -started them up, the Americans were directed to fire, and charge them so -closely as to allow no time for re-loading. The open ground by the river -permitted the movements of cavalry, with which the right flank of the -enemy was gained and turned. Indeed, such were the promptness of movement -on the part of the Americans, and the impetuosity of the charge of the -first line of infantry, that the Indians, together with the Detroit -militia and volunteers, were driven from all their coverts in so brief a -space of time that the mounted men, though making every possible exertion -to press forward, were many of them unable to gain their proper positions -to participate in the action. In the course of an hour, the enemy, -notwithstanding all the embarrassments of the ground already enumerated, -were driven more than two miles, by a force of less than half their -numbers actually engaged. The victory was complete and decisive, both -Indians and their allies, composed of the "mixed multitude" already more -than once referred to, abandoning themselves to flight in terror and -dismay,--leaving the field of battle in the quiet possession of the -Americans. The commanding General stated in his official report of the -action, that "it was terminated under the influence of the guns of the -British garrison,"--the pursuit having continued until they were within -reach of those guns. The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded, -including officers, was one hundred and seven. Among the slain was -Captain Campbell, commanding the cavalry, who fell in the first charge. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It was in this memorable action that Captain Solomon (now General - Van Rensselaer) of Albany, an officer of dragoons, received a wound in - the commencement of the battle, by being shot through the lungs. General - Wilkinson, who was also in the battle, states, in his Memoirs, that Van - Rensselaer kept his horse, and continued fighting until the blood spurted - from his month and nostrils. General Van Rensselaer was afterward - dreadfully wounded in half a dozen places, at the daring assault upon - Queenston Heights in 1812. He yet lives, and, after having served the - State of New-York several years as Adjutant General, and been repeatedly - elected to Congress, has for the last fifteen years held the office of - Post-master in Albany. - - -The loss of the Indians is not known. It must, however, have been very -severe. Seven Nations were engaged in the action, viz: the Miamis, -Wyandots, the Pottawattamies, Delawares, Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas, -and a portion of the Senecas. All the Chiefs of the Wyandots engaged in -the battle, being nine in number, were killed. [FN-1] Great slaughter was -made by the legionary cavalry in the pursuit, so many of the savages being -cut down with the sabre, that the title of "_Long Knives,_" years before -given to the Americans, was brought again into general use among the -Indians. [FN-2] It was believed by many that the Indians would not have -incurred this signal disaster had the advice of the _Little Turtle_ been -heeded. He was opposed to the policy of a general engagement at that time, -and it has even been asserted that he was rather inclined to peace. During -the night preceding the engagement, the Chiefs of the several tribes were -in council, and a proposition was submitted to make a night attack upon -the Americans in their encampment. The proposal was overruled, and a -general engagement on the following morning was determined upon. _Little -Turtle_ alone was opposed to the plan, while _Blue Jacket,_ a Shawanese -warrior of high character and influence, strenuously supported the course -adopted by the council. Colonel McKee was in the council, and is believed -to have urged the Indians to fight. _Little Turtle_ was inspired with a -presentiment that they could not successfully encounter the Black Snake. -"We have beaten the enemy," said the Turtle, "twice, under separate -commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune always to attend us. -The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The night and the -day are alike to him; and during all the time that he has been marching -upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we -have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something -whispers me it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace." For -holding language like this, he was reproached by some of the Chiefs with -cowardice, and that ended the conference. Stung to the quick by an -imputation which he was conscious he had never merited, he would have laid -the reviler dead at his feet; but his was not the bravery of an assassin. -Suppressing his resentment, he took part in the battle, and performed his -duty with his wonted bravery. The event proved that he had not formed an -erroneous estimate of the character of Wayne; and that his rival, _Blue -Jacket,_ though equally brave, was less of a prophet than himself. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Drake's Book of the Indians. - - [FN-2] Thatcher's Lives of the Indian Chiefs. - - [FN-3] Schoolcraft's Travels. Thatcher. Drake. - - -Excepting the militia and refugees gathered about Detroit, the British or -Canadian authorities took no part in the battle; but the direction in -which ran their sympathies could not be mistaken, from the tone of a -somewhat tart correspondence occurring after the battle, between General -Wayne and Major Campbell, commanding the British garrison. On the day -after the engagement, Major Campbell addressed a note to General Wayne, -expressing his surprise at the appearance of an American force at a point -almost within reach of his guns, and asking in what light he was to view -such near approaches to the garrison which he had the honor to command. -General Wayne, without questioning the propriety of the interrogatory, -replied, that even were the Major entitled to an answer, "the most full -and satisfactory one was announced the day before from the muzzles of his -small arms, in an action with a horde of savages in the vicinity of the -fort, and which terminated gloriously to the American arms." But, added -the General, "had it continued until the Indians were driven under the -influence of the fort and guns mentioned, they would not have much impeded -the progress of the victorious army under my command, as no such post was -established at the commencement of the present war between the Indians and -the United States." Major Campbell rejoined, complaining that men, with -arms in their hands, were approaching within pistol shot of his works, -where his Majesty's flag was flying, and threatened hostilities should -such insults to that flag be continued. Upon the receipt of this letter, -General Wayne caused the fort to be closely reconnoitered in every -direction. It was found to be a strong and regular work, with two bastions -upon the near and most accessible face of it, mounting eight pieces of -artillery upon that side and four upon the front facing the river. This -duty having been discharged, General Wayne addressed a letter to the -British commander, disclaiming, of course as Major Campbell had previously -done any desire to resort to harsh measures; but denouncing the erection -of that fortress as the harshest act of aggression toward the United -States, and requiring him to desist from any farther act of hostility, and -to retire with his troops to the nearest British post occupied by British -troops at the peace of 1783. To this requisition, Major Campbell answered -that he should not abandon the post at the summons of any power whatever, -unless in compliance with orders from those under whom he served. He -likewise again warned the American commander, not to approach within the -reach of his guns without expecting the consequences that would attend it. - -The only notice taken of this last letter was, by immediately setting fire -to, and destroying every thing within view of the fort, and even under the -muzzles of his Britannic Majesty's guns. But no attempt was made by Major -Campbell to carry his threat into execution. Among the property thus -destroyed were barns and fields of corn, above and below the fort, -together with "the barns, stores, and property of Colonel McKee, the -British Indian Agent and principal stimulator of the war between the -United States and the savages." [FN-1] The American army lay three days -before the fort, when it returned to the Grand Glaize, arriving at that -place on the 28th of August. A vast destruction of Indian property took -place during this expedition. The Miamis and Grand Glaize ran through the -heart of the country of the hostile Indians. "The very extensive and -highly cultivated fields and gardens showed the work of many hands. The -margins of those beautiful rivers the Miamis of the lakes, and the Au -Glaize," wrote General Wayne, "appeared like one continued village for -many miles; nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn in -any part of America, from Canada to Florida." [FN-2] All were laid waste -for twenty miles on each side of the river, and forts erected to prevent -the return of the Indians. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter of General Wayne. State Papers, Vol. IV. - - [FN-2] Letter of General Wayne to the Secretary of War. - - -There is reason to believe that the Indians were grievously disappointed -in the conduct of Major Campbell during the action. Among the papers of -Captain Brant, is the copy of a letter addressed by him to Sir John -Johnson, in April, 1799, wherein the Baronet is reminded of various wrongs -alleged to have been suffered by the Indians, at the hands even of his -Majesty's government. The following remarkable passage in this letter -induces a belief that the Indians expected that, in the event of defeat, -the garrison would come to their succor, or, at least, that the gates of -the fortress would be thrown open to them as a place of refuge on their -retreat:--"In the first place," wrote the Mohawk Chief to Sir John, "the -Indians were engaged in a war to assist the English--then left in the -lurch at the peace, to fight alone until they could make peace for -themselves. After repeatedly defeating the armies of the United States, -so that they sent Commissioners to endeavor to get peace, the Indians were -so advised as prevented them from listening to any terms, and hopes were -given to them of assistance. A fort was even built in their country, under -pretence of giving refuge in case of necessity; but when that time came, -the gates were shut against them as enemies. They were doubly injured by -this, because they relied on it for support, and were deceived. Was it not -for this reliance of mutual support, their conduct would have been -different. I imagine that your own knowledge of these things, and -judgment, will point out to you the necessity of putting the line of -conduct with the Indians on a more honorable footing, and come as nigh as -possible to what it was in the time of your father." - -Considering the distance, and the difficulties of traveling at that time, -intelligence of the disaster which had befallen his Indian friends was -very rapidly conveyed to Governor Simcoe at Niagara, and by him -communicated to Captain Brant in the following letter:-- - - "Governor Simcoe to Captain Brant. - - "_Navy Hall,_ 28_th August,_ 1794. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I understand that the Indians and Wayne had an action on the 20th near -McCormack's; that the Indians, who amounted to nine hundred, retreated -with the loss of some principal chiefs of the Hurons, Ottawas, and -Shawanese; a deserter reports that the Americans lost an hundred men. - -"The Wyandots, and a friend [FN] of your's, most gallantly covered the -retreat." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Although the fact does not appear, yet it is believed that a goodly - number of the Mohawk warriors were in the battle against Wayne, and Brant - was likewise to have been in the field with them. Several years - afterward, Brant stated these facts in a conversation with the venerable - Jacob Snell, Esq. yet living (1837) in Palatine. The Chief stated to Mr. - Snell that he obtained the ammunition used by the Indians, himself, at - Quebec, and that he should have led his Mohawks in person but was - detained by sickness. - - -"The Indians having retreated to the Miami Bay, Major Campbell was -summoned to deliver the post, which of course he refused, and reports that -he considered it tenable against Wayne's force. - -"The Indians having placed their women and children in safety, have again -moved forward to an advantageous position, I imagine Swan Creek, where -they wait for reinforcements, and I hope will recover their spirits. - -"All the militia on the La Branche are gone to Detroit. - -"I shall proceed in the first vessel, and am, in great haste, your -faithful humble servant, - - "J. G. Simcoe, - - "_To Captain Brant._" - -The difficulties between Great Britain and the United States not having -yet been adjusted, and a war between the two nations continuing still a -probable event, it suited not the Canadian authorities to allow the -Indians to conclude a peace, notwithstanding their signal overthrow. The -north-western posts, moreover, within the territory not only of the far -west, but within the boundaries of the State of New-York, were obstinately -retained, while an attempt was made to grasp additional territory on the -south side of Lake Ontario. It was during the Summer of this year, that -Captain Williamson commenced a settlement on the Great Sodus Bay, about -forty miles from Oswego; and in this same month of August, Governor Simcoe -despatched Lieut. Sheaff to that place, to demand by what authority such -an establishment was forming, and that it should be immediately -relinquished. [FN] General Simcoe himself, pursuant to the intimation in -his letter to Brant, hastened to the west, as also did the Chief, attended -by one hundred and fifty of his warriors--evidently for the purpose of -continuing in the exercise of an unfriendly influence upon the minds of -the Indians against the United States. The Governor was at the fort near -the battle-field, on the 30th of September, as also were Captain Brant -and Colonel McKee. The Indians had already made some advances to General -Wayne toward a negotiation for peace; but their attention was diverted by -Simcoe and Brant, who invited a council, of the hostile nations to -assemble at the mouth of the Detroit river on the 10th of October. This -invitation was accepted, as also was an invitation from General Wayne, -who was met by a few of their Chiefs; so that the wily savages were in -face sitting in two councils at once, balancing chances, and preparing to -make peace only in the event of finding little farther encouragement to -fight. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Marshall. Captain Williamson being absent from Sodus at the time of - Lieut. Sheaff's visit, that officer left a written declaration of which - the following is a copy:--"I am commanded to declare that, during the - inexecution of the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United - States, and until the existing difficulties respecting it shall be - mutually and finally adjusted, the taking possession of any part of the - Indian territory, either for the purposes of war or sovereignty, is held - to be a direct violation of his Britannic Majesty's rights, as they - unquestionably existed before the treaty, and has an immediate tendency - to interrupt, and in its progress to destroy, that good understanding - which has hitherto subsisted between his Britannic Majesty and the United - States of America. I therefore require you to desist from any such - aggression." - - -At the council on the 10th of October, the Wyandot Chiefs addressed -Governor Simcoe as follows:-- - -"Father: We request of you to give your sentiments candidly; we have been -these many years in wars and troubles; you have, from time to time, -promised us your assistance. When is your promise to be fulfilled?" - - "Their Father's Answer. - -"Children: Your question is very difficult to be answered. I will relate -an ancient history, perhaps before any of you here were born. When I first -came into this country, I found it in the possession of your fathers, the -French. We soon became enemies of each other. In time, the Great Spirit -above gave the conquest in my favor. In those days the United States were -my subjects. We lived in this state for many years after. At last the -Americans began to act independently, which caused a rupture between us. -The contest lasted for a while. At last we made peace. From that period -they have been encroaching upon your lands. I looked on as a -spectator--never would say a word; they have even named the rivers that -empty themselves into the Ohio. - -"Children: I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is your right and -title. I have given orders to the commandant of Fort Miami to fire on the -Americans whenever they make their appearance again. I will go down to -Quebec, and lay your grievances before the great man. From thence they -will be forwarded to the King, your father. Next Spring you will know the -result of every thing, what you and I will do." - -The particulars of this council, and the labors of Governor Simcoe and -Captain Brant in otherwise tampering with the Indians, transpired through -some prisoners taken by General Wayne, and also through the means of a -confidential deputation of the Wyandots of Sandusky, who were disposed to -peace. According to their statements, Governor Simcoe advised them not to -listen to any terms of pacification, which did not secure to them their -long-contested boundary. He moreover proposed to them to convey all their -lands west of that river to the King, in trust, that a pretext might be -furnished for a direct interposition of his Majesty's arms in their -behalf. In furtherance of this object, he advised them to obtain a -cessation of hostilities until the Spring following; when a great council -of all the warriors and tribes should take place, which might call upon -the British for assistance. The English would at that time be prepared to -attack the Americans from every quarter, and would drive them back across -the Ohio, and compel the restoration to the Indians of their lands. - -Captain Brant's counsel was to the same effect. He told them to keep a -good heart and be strong; to do as their father advised; that he would -return home at present with his warriors, and come again in the Spring -with a stronger force. They would then have the whole Summer before them -for operations, and the Americans would not be able to stand before them. -He had always been successful, and with the force they would then be able -to bring into the field, he would ensure them a victory. He told them, -however, that he could not attack the Americans at that time, as it could -do no good, but would bring them out against the Indians with more troops -in the Winter. He therefore advised the Chiefs to amuse the Americans with -a prospect of peace until the Spring, when the Indians might be able to -fall upon and vanquish them unexpectedly. - -There was considerable division of opinion in the council; the Wyandots -being inclined to peace, and also portions of the other tribes. But large -presents were given, and the counsels of Brant and Governor Simcoe -prevailed--the Indians returning to their temporary homes, consisting of -huts and tents in the neighborhood of the fort at the Rapids. Captain -Brant, however, left these councils under high displeasure toward the -Chiefs of the three principal tribes, in consequence of some neglect which -he construed into an insult. What was the precise nature of the -circumstances, his papers do not disclose. But among those papers, is a -letter from seven of the Chiefs of those tribes, couched in terms of -humble apology. The following passages are cited from this letter:-- - -"The Chiefs of the three nations are very sorry, and in great trouble, -that Colonel Brant was obliged to leave them so precipitately; that it was -their intention to be in the greatest friendship with him, and that they -intended to hold council with him immediately after that with the Governor -was finished. - -"They sincerely hope Colonel Brant will take their apology for not waiting -upon him when his messenger arrived with his pipe. They own themselves -much in fault, but are willing by their future services to convince him -that they esteem and honor him. - -"In token of friendship they send Colonel Brant their Union Belt of -wampum, as a pledge that they now will, and their children in future -generations will, be in peace and unity with him and the Six Nations, and -wish a correspondence to commence immediately by express between them, on -the most friendly terms. - -"They have heard with grief that Colonel Brant departed hence with a heavy -heart and full of sorrow for their negligence and misbehavior, and -therefore send him an additional string of wampum to enlighten his heart, -and renew friendship with him." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter, or "speech" as it was called, was signed as - follows--the names being written in full by a gentleman named William - Bailey, who subscribes the paper as a witness, and each Chief drawing his - own mark rudely with the pen:--Aqushua, the mark of a _Fox;_ Sowosat--a - _Beaver;_ Quagerwon--a _Crane;_ Cucherwaskiseegua--a _Hatchet;_ - Bouemawcutus--a _Wolf;_ Gowsowainse--a _Turtle;_ Clappum--an - _Arrow-head._ - - -Such was the posture of Indian affairs at the close of the year 1794; and -the prospect then was, certainly, that another campaign of active -hostilities must ensue. But it was otherwise ordered. The Indians -themselves were growing weary of the contest, and becoming more and more -convinced that they could not contend successfully against the Americans, -of whose leader, General Wayne, they stood in great fear. Before the close -of the season, it was ascertained that the warriors from a distance were -re-crossing the Mississippi, declaring that it was useless to attempt -longer to fight. In March, the difficulties between the United States and -Great Britain were adjusted by the treaty of Mr. Jay, which, despite the -influence of France and the fierce clamors of the democratic opposition, -General Washington had the sagacity and firmness to ratify; so that the -Indians were deprived of even the expectation of farther assistance from -the accustomed quarter. The restlessness of the Six Nations, the Mohawks -excepted, had been quieted by the victory of Wayne; so that no farther -support could be anticipated from that direction. The result of all these -circumstances was, that by the treaty of Greenville, concluded with the -hostile Indians by General Wayne, on the 3d of August, 1795, the long, -expensive, and destructive war, which had for so many years desolated that -frontier, was terminated in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the United -States. In the language of Captain Brant in one of his speeches delivered -long afterward, "the Indians, convinced by those in the Miami fort, and -other circumstances, that they were mistaken in their expectations of any -assistance from Great Britain, did not longer oppose the Americans with -their wonted unanimity. The consequence was, that General Wayne, by the -peaceable language he held to them, induced them to hold a treaty at his -own head-quarters, in which he concluded a peace entirely on his own -terms." With this event closed the military career of Joseph -Brant--Thayendanegea. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - - - Thayendanegea in civil life--His activity--His efforts to accelerate the - civilization of his people--Difficulties respecting the title to his - lands--Successive Councils and Speeches--Governor Simcoe leaves the - province--Captain Claus appointed to the Indian Agency--President - Russell--Brant's Speeches asserting the absolute Independence and - Nationality of his people--Letter to Sir John Johnson--Correspondence - with Lord Dorchester--The Count de Puisy--Letter of Brant to Thomas - Morris--Sharp correspondence with Sir John Johnson--The St. Regis and - Caughnawaga Indians, and the State of New-York involved in the land - controversy--Brant's difficulties with the Caughnawagas--Letter to - Thomas Morris--Brant's visit to the Caughnawagas--Council--Satisfactory - explanations--Fresh difficulties at home--Norton's Mission to - England--Plots against the character of Brant--Alienation of some of his - friends--Conspiracy to depose him--Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother - active in the plot--Character of Red Jacket--Brant deposed by an illegal - Council--Letter to the Duke of Northumberland--A legal Council - convoked--Brant meets his accusers, and defends himself--Another - Council--Speech of Brant--Acquitted of all charges against him--Council - after the return of Norton from England--Proceedings of Red Jacket's - Council nullified--Brant re-instated--Letter to the Duke of - Northumberland--Letter of the Duke in reply--Last letter of Brant to the - Duke. - - -The termination of Brant's military life brought not therewith a state of -inactivity. The proverbial indolence of his race in regard to all matters -excepting the war-path and the chase, was not a characteristic of him. On -the contrary, the history of man scarcely supplies a parallel instance of -such active, unremitting, and unwearied public service, as well in the -council as in the field, as was performed by this celebrated man, from the -day when he first fleshed his youthful tomahawk at Lake George, until his -death more than half a century afterward. The war of the American -Revolution being ended, it has already been seen that he early thereafter -directed his attention to the improvement of the moral and social -condition of his nation. Nor did he lose sight of this object during the -years of his active interposition in the complicated affairs of the -western nations with the United States. - -Mention has been made in a former chapter of the difficulties in which, -subsequent to the Revolution, the Six Nations were involved, respecting -their lands in the State of New-York, the adjustment of which repeatedly -demanded the attention of Captain Brant. There were, likewise, similar -difficulties to be adjusted with the purchasers of the Connecticut -reservation in Ohio, respecting which formal negotiations were held. Nor -did these constitute all his troubles. But a few years had elapsed after -the grant of the Grand River country had been obtained, before -difficulties sprang up between the Indians and the Provincial Government, -in regard to the nature of the title by which the former were to hold -their new possessions. The Chief and his people supposed that the -territory allotted to them had been conveyed in fee by a perfect title. -But in this supposition they were disappointed. There is scarcely a finer -or more inviting section of country in North America than the peninsula -formed by Lake Ontario on the east, Lake Erie on the south, and Lake Huron -on the west--through the heart of which flows the Grand River. The -Indians, therefore, had not long been in the occupancy of their new -country, before the white settlers began to plant themselves down in their -neighborhood. To a man of Brant's sagacity, it was at once obvious that -in such an attractive region of country the approach of the white man -would soon circumscribe the hunting-grounds of his people, within the -narrow boundaries of their own designated territory. He also saw, and -without regret, that the effect would be to drive his people from the -hunter to the agricultural state; in which case, while his territory was -too small for the former, it would be far larger than would be necessary -for the latter condition of life. As a compensation for the loss of his -game, therefore, he conceived the idea of making sales of portions of his -lands, for the creation of an immediate fund for the benefit of the -nation, and of leasing other portions in such manner as to ensure a -perpetual revenue. There was no selfish design in this project, farther -than may be found in the fact, that his own fortunes were identified with -those of his people. However covetous Captain Brant may have been of honor -and power, he was neither covetous nor mercenary in regard to property. -In one of his speeches he declared, with all solemnity, that he had never -appropriated a dollar of money, or its value in other property, belonging -to his nation, to his own use. Nor had he ever charged his nation a dollar -for his services, or even for his personal expenses, in all the journeys -he had performed upon their business. All his personal wants, under all -circumstances, had been supplied from his own private funds. - -There was another consideration connected with his desire to make sales -and leases of lands to white settlers. He was anxious to promote the -civilization of his people; and in his first negotiations with General -Haldimand, after the close of the war, he made provision for the erection -of a church and school-house; and it is an interesting fact, that the -first temple erected for the worship of the true God in Upper Canada, was -built by the Chief of a people recently pagan; and the first bell which -summoned the people to the house of prayer in that province on the -Christian Sabbath, was carried thither by him. In the furtherance of his -plans of civilization, the Chief knew very well that an increasing -contiguous white population would be the means of introducing such of the -common arts and employments of life, as would materially contribute to the -comfort and happiness of his people, while at the same time their -progress in civilization would be greatly accelerated. - -But he had no sooner commenced disposing of some small portions of land, -than the colonial government raised objections. It was alleged that his -title was imperfect--that a preemptive right to the soil had been retained -by the government; and, as a consequence, that the Indians had no right to -sell a rood of ground, since it was their's no longer than they themselves -should occupy it. The question proved a fruitful source of disagreement -between the parties, and of perpetual vexation to the old Chief until the -day of his death. Council after council was holden upon the subject, and -conference after conference; while quires of manuscript speeches and -arguments, in Brant's own hand, yet remain to attest the sleepless -vigilance with which he watched over the interests of his people, and the -zeal and ability with which he asserted and vindicated their rights. - -Even his friend Governor Simcoe was among the most strenuous opponents of -the claim of the Indians to the fee of the soil, and in one instance -attempted to curtail their grant by directing the land board to run a line -due west from the head of Lake Ontario, which would have stripped the -Mohawks of the fairest half of their possessions. On examining the grant -from General Haldimand, however, the Governor desisted from this purpose; -but still was determined that the Indians should neither lease nor sell -any portion of their grant, nor make any manner of use of it, excepting -such portions as they should cultivate with their own hands. By these -proceedings, the situation of the Indians was rendered truly -uncomfortable. Reduced to a narrow strip of land of only twelve miles in -breadth, their hunting was of course seriously affected; while their skill -in agriculture was so imperfect, that some other resources were -indispensable to their sustenance. - -In order to define more clearly and explicitly the rights of the Indians, -two other deeds were successively framed and presented for their -acceptance--both of which were promptly rejected, as being less favorable -than their original grant. Finally, in 1795, Governor Simcoe visited Grand -River with his councilors, for the purpose of ascertaining, as he said, -the real wishes and condition of the Indians. A Council was holden, and -the Chief delivered an elaborate speech, containing the whole history of -the grant, the circumstances under which it had been made, and the -difficulties they had been called to encounter. Among other objections, it -seems to have been alleged by the Provincial authorities, as a pretext for -dealing hardly by the Indians, that the government had been deceived in -regard to the location and value of the territory. General Haldimand had -supposed that the territory in question lay a long distance from Niagara, -and would not be approached by a white population for an age to come. -These assertions were sternly denied by Brant, who declared that the -Commander-in-chief, at the time of making the grant, was thoroughly -acquainted with the situation, its peculiar advantages, and its value. - -This conference with Governor Simcoe resulted in nothing more than a -promise that the speech of Thayendanegea should be forwarded to Lord -Dorchester. Governor Simcoe left the province soon afterward, and a change -was made in the administration of the Indian department, by the -appointment of Captain Claus to the Indian agency at Niagara. It appears -that before his departure, the Governor had confirmed such sales as had -been previously made by the Indians; but difficulties arose on making the -surveys, which once more placed everything afloat. The consequence was, -that another hearing took place before Mr. Claus at Niagara, in October, -1796, at which, in another written speech, the Chief gave a historical -argument of his case. From portions of this speech, it appears that Upper -Canada had already become infested with unprincipled land-jobbers, who -were the especial dislike of the Chief. "I cannot help remarking," said -he, "that it appears to me that certain characters here, who stood behind -the counter during the last war, and whom we knew nothing about, are now -dictating to your great men concerning our lands. I should wish to know -what property these officious persons left behind them in their own -country, or whether, through their loyalty, they ever lost any! I doubt it -much. But 'tis well known that scarcely a man amongst us but what -sacrificed more or less property by leaving our homes. I again repeat, -that if these officious persons have made the smallest sacrifice of -property then I think they may in some measure be allowed to interfere, -although it may be well known that personal interest prompts them to it, -not the public good." - -This speech, the Chief declared, should be his final effort to obtain -justice from the "great men below"--the provincial government meaning. If -not successful there, he declared his purpose of proceeding to England, -and bringing his case in person before the King. But this resolution was -contingent, and was not kept. On the departure of Governor Simcoe, the -Executive government of the colony devolved upon the Hon. Peter Russell, -President of the Executive Council of the province. For the more -convenient administration of the Indian affairs of the province, Mr. -Russell was clothed with all the powers upon that subject previously -exercised by the General-in-chief at Quebec, acting under the advice of -the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Sir John Johnson. Captain -Brant lost no time in bringing the subject of his land title before Mr. -Russell, and he speedily succeeded in part. The sales already made were -confirmed, and the old Chief wrote to his friend and correspondent, -Thomas Morris, Esq., then a resident of Canandaigua, that their -difficulties respecting lands were nearly removed, and he had reason to -believe that henceforth their affairs would go on to their satisfaction. -[FN] The basis of the arrangement sanctioned by the acting Governor, was, -that the lands then sold, or intended to be sold, by the Indians, should -be surrendered to the government, which, upon the good faith of the -agreement, was to issue grants to the persons nominated as purchasers by -the agent transacting the land business of the nation. Captain Brant was -acting in that capacity. The lands were of course to be mortgaged as -security for the payment of the principal and interest of the purchase -money. It was, moreover, the duty of the Agent to appoint three trustees, -to receive the payments in trust for the Indians, and to foreclose the -mortgages in cases of default--the lands to revert to the Indians. Captain -Brant fulfilled his part of the agreement to the letter; but the -government failed altogether to comply with its own corresponding duty. -Some of the purchasers had paid their interest for several years, but -could not obtain their titles; others died, and the heirs were in the like -predicament, and the whole business became involved more than ever in -difficulty. Added to all which, as the Indians themselves improved in -their agricultural labors, the system of possessing all things in common -operated unequally, and interposed great embarrassments to individual -industry. But so long as the government refused to the Indians the -privilege of disposing of the fee of the soil, the nation could not convey -any portion of its own domain to its own people. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter to Thomas Morris, Esq, July 30, 1797. [Mr. Morris has - furnished the author with a package of letters from Capt. Brant, written - between the years 1796 and 1801, which, though chiefly upon private - business, have nevertheless been found of use in the present work.] - - [FN-2] Memorial of John Norton to the Marquis of Caurden. - - -There were other difficulties in the business, which it would be tedious -to enumerate, the result of all which was, that the arrangement was in -fact a nullity. Not only so, but the Mohawks felt themselves to be an -independent nation, and they, or perhaps more correctly speaking, their -proud and indomitable Chief, could ill brook submission to such a species -of guardianship. The "satisfaction" arising from the arrangement under the -auspices of President Russell, was consequently of but short continuance, -and the Captain was compelled to fight his land battles over again. Many -were the councils and conferences which succeeded, in all of which Brant -was the principal speaker and defender of the rights of his people to the -fee of their lands. The design of the British government was to hold the -Indians in a state of pupilage, according to the practice of the United -States; and consequently to allow them merely the occupancy of lands of -which the government claimed the title. But neither the Mohawks nor their -indefatigable leader would listen to any such doctrine; always, on all -occasions asserting their own complete and entire independence as a -nation. They were an independent nation in the Valley of the Mohawk, -argued the Chief in one of his speeches, [FN] and were the undisputed -owners of the soil of their country. Their right in this respect had -never been questioned. On the breaking out of the war, they had -relinquished their country--their all--because of their friendship and -loyalty to the King. "In the year 1776," said the old Chief in the speech -now referred to, "Lord Dorchester, then Sir Guy Carleton, at a very -numerous council, gave us every encouragement, and requested us to assist -in defending their country, and to take an active part in defending his -Majesty's possessions; stating, that when the happy day of peace should -arrive, and should we not prove successful in the contest, that he would -put us on the same footing in which we stood previous to our joining him. -This flattering promise was pleasing to us, and gave us spirit to embark -heartily in his Majesty's cause. We took it for granted that the word of -so great a man, or any promises of a public nature, would ever be held -sacred." Again, in another part of the speech, the Captain remarked:--"We -were promised our lands for our services, and those lands we were to hold -on the same footing with those we fled from at the commencement of the -American war, when we joined, fought, and bled in your cause. Now is -published a proclamation, forbidding us leasing those very lands that were -positively given us in lieu of those of which we a were the sovereigns of -the soil. This, brothers, is surely a contradiction that the least -discerning person amongst you must perceive, and which we think wonderful. -Of those lands we have forsaken, we sold, we leased, and we gave away, -when and as often as we saw fit, without hindrance on the part of your -government; for your government well knew we were the lawful sovereigns of -the soil, and they had no right to interfere with us as independent -nations." In support of this assertion, the Chief proceeded to enumerate -various sales and gifts of their lands; among which he mentioned the -large and celebrated tract to Sir William Johnson, commonly called the -Royal Grant, and for signing the conveyance of which the Captain asserted -that he received a present of fifty pounds. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Speech delivered at a meeting of the Chiefs and warriors at Niagara - before Colonel Scheaffe, Colonel Claus, and others, in August, 1803, on - the occasion of a government proclamation forbidding the sale or leasing - of any of their lands by the Indians. - - -The history of the whole controversy was very clearly stated in the speech -just cited, and the argument throughout exceedingly well put. The Captain, -in some of his speeches, dwelt with emphasis upon another feature of his -case, affording a farther example of the magnanimity of the Mohawks in -their dealings with the government, and the want of that attribute as -evidenced in the manner of their requital. The Indians never asked of the -crown any compensation for the vast tracts of their hunting-grounds -relinquished by adhering to the cause of the crown. In a letter written to -Sir John Johnson at this stage of the controversy, the veteran Chief cut -with a two-edged blade:--"You know we demand nothing new. We have made no -demand for compensation for our hunting-grounds, which were very -extensive, nor for our wood-lands adjoining our improvements. All we ask -is a confirmation of our just right to this very land, which we receive -in lieu of those for which we received no compensation. I presume few -loyalists have omitted charging, and receiving pay for their woodlands, -as we did; many of whom received lands who had never possessed one foot -before." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] In a letter subsequently addressed to Lord Dorchester, after the - relinquishment by that officer of the Canadian Government, Captain Brant - estimated those hunting grounds relinquished by his tribe at more than - two millions of acres. - - -But the prospect of obtaining justice from the Provincial Government -becoming less and less favorable by the lapse of time, the Chief again -directed his attention to the parent government. Availing himself of the -return to Europe of the Count De Puisy, whom he describes "as a brother -soldier and fellow-sufferer in the cause of loyalty," [FN-1] the Captain -placed in his hands a succinct history of the troubles he was laboring to -remove, with an urgent request that he would lay the same before his -Majesty's ministers. By the same conveyance he likewise addressed a -vigorous appeal to Lord Dorchester, then in England, enclosing to his -Lordship a copy of his original promise to him (Brant) as written down in -1775, and also the subsequent confirmation of that promise by General -Haldimand. [FN-2] He was, moreover, in active-correspondence upon the -subject with the Duke of Northumberland, in whom the Mohawks had ever a -constant friend. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] In one of Captain Brant's speeches, dated October 28, 1800, this - passage occurs:--"It had for some time been observed that the too large, - uninhabited space between York and the head of the Lake was a great - inconvenience to the communication by land, we therefore thought it a fit - occasion to remove the difficulty, by presenting the Count de Puisy and - his adherents a tract of land in this space--sympathizing with them as - having suffered in the cause of loyalty, and being obliged to quit their - native clime on that account, and seek an asylum in this uncultivated - region. This was objected to," &c., &c. When the younger Brant visited - London, twenty years afterward, he refers to the Count as then living in - retirement in the neighborhood of that capital. - - [FN-2] The copy of this letter to Lord Dorchester is not entire. Two - foolscap pages have only been preserved, or rather, all but the first two - pages has been lost. - - -These attempts to enlist the parent government in behalf of the Indian -claim, were backed by the mission to England of Teyoninhokarawen, alias -John Norton, who spread the case before the ministers in a strong and -lucid memorial addressed to Lord Camden, then one of his Majesty's -ministers. Among other considerations, it was urged by Norton, that in -case their lands should be released from all incumbrances, and every tribe -and family be allowed to have their just portion of land confirmed to -them, the province would be strengthened by the emigration thither of the -major part of the tribes of the Six Nations, who still remained in the -United States. It had, doubtless, entered into the policy of Brant to -bring the ancient confederacy of the Six Nations once more together, -within the jurisdiction either of England or the United States. The -removal of the Mohawks into Canada had not dissolved the union of those -nations, although their separation, thrown, as they were, under the action -of different superior laws, and obliged sometimes to hold their own -councils within the boundary of one nation, and at other times within the -limits of another, could not but be attended with many embarrassments. -Indeed, so numerous were the difficulties they were obliged to encounter, -and such was the conduct of the provincial government in regard to their -lands, that the Mohawk Chief not withstanding his attachment to the crown, -had at one period contemplated withdrawing from Canada with his people in -disgust. That such a project was actually entertained, appears by the -following letter to his friend Morris:-- - - "Captain Brant to Thomas Morris, Esq. - (secret and confidential.) - - "_Grand River, December_ 26, 1800. - - "Dear Sir, - -"From our friendship, and the regard you have continually shown to Indians -in general, I flatter myself you will be so good as to assist in what I am -about to communicate to you. - -"There are numbers of our people scattered about in the westward at -Sandusky, the Miami, &c. I wish to have them collected in one place, and -for that purpose intend making a purchase of the Western Indians, so that -any moving from here may also find a place to go to. We are certain that -the Indians there will be very happy at the proposal, and that they even -would give it for nothing; but we rather wish to buy, that it may be -indisputably our own. The favor I have to ask of you is, that you would -please to oblige us so far as to sound some of your friends in Congress if -such a thing could be confirmed by them, for if we should move there, we -would desire to be under the protection of the United States. What you may -say on the subject to any one, I hope you will do it in a confidential -manner; you may learn the general sentiments in the way of conversation, -without making known our real intentions. The reason of my being so -cautious, is the great jealousy of the British. - - "Dear Sir, - I am in truth, - Your sincere friend - And humb. serv't, - Jos. Brant. - - "_Thomas Morris, Esq._" - -Nothing farther is disclosed among the manuscripts of Brant respecting -this design of removal into the United States, and the suggestion was -most likely owing to a momentary feeling of despondency and vexation. But -it was his fortune soon afterward to encounter an annoying circumstance -from another and most unexpected quarter--his long and well-tried friend, -Sir John Johnson. The circumstance referred to was the receipt of a letter -from the Baronet, then at Niagara, under date of September 1st, 1801, in -which, after apologizing for his long delay in answering certain letters, -from an apprehension that he could not so frame his communications as to -avoid hurting the old Chiefs feelings, the writer adverted to the -difficulties respecting the lands. He spoke of some uneasiness prevailing -at Grand River; and stated that he had given his views, as to these -troubles, to Captain Claus, in writing, and advised the Chief to aid in -getting up a council, and adjusting the matter upon the basis he had -proposed. In regard to the claim of the Mohawks upon a portion of the -Mississagua reservation, the Baronet advised the Chief to abandon it at -once, admonishing him that the government was determined, under no -circumstances whatsoever, to sanction that claim; but on the contrary -would protect the Mississaguas in the quiet and peaceable possession of -all their lands. The letter concluded as follows:--"Let me therefore once -more advise you to give up all concern in their affairs, and desist from -assembling the different nations in distant parts of the country, and only -attend to the business of your settlement, except when called upon by -government to do otherwise; as it gives opening to the world to put -unfavorable constructions on your conduct, which must tend to lessen your -consequence in the opinion of those at the head of affairs; and I much -fear may do you serious injury. And as you can have no doubt of my -friendship for you and your fine family, I earnestly request you will -maturely weigh what I now recommend to you, and consider it as the result -of serious reflection." - -This missive kindled the indignation of Brant, and elicited some spirited -letters in reply. Its burden was the existence of difficulties among the -Indians themselves, arising, as the Baronet had left the Chief to infer, -from their distrust of the proceedings of Brant himself. The council, -which the Superintendent-General had directed his Deputy, Captain Claus, -to convoke, had been held, but does not seem to have been attended by any -other results than an entire exoneration, by the sachems, of their -principal Chief from all censure. [FN] The Captain, however, was not -satisfied with allowing the matter to rest there; and he wrote the -Baronet, in a tone of decision, demanding specific charges, if any could -be produced against him, accompanied by the names of his accusers. He -likewise severely upbraided the officers of the government for their -conduct toward him, charging the fact upon them, explicitly, of having not -only sanctioned the great Indian Confederacy of which there has been -occasion so frequently to speak, but of having caused the formation of -that confederacy under their own immediate auspices. This letter, as a -historical document, bearing upon other relations than those appertaining -to the writer, as an individual, deserves preservation, and is accordingly -transcribed:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. X. - - - "Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson, Bar't. - - "_Grand River, November,_ 1801. - - "Dear Sir, - -"When I answered your favor of the first of September last, I promised to -let you hear farther from me after the meeting should have taken place, -which you then said Captain Claus was to hold for the purpose of -satisfying the discontented, &c. - -"He did not, however, do any thing in the business, as I expected, from -your letter, he would have done; but the Chiefs, on being made acquainted -with the contents of it, became uneasy, and called a scrutiny to find who -it was among the Indians on this river that had expressed dissatisfaction -at my conduct respecting the public lands. The dissatisfied party was -found to be only a few of the lower Mohawks, mostly women, and no real -chief among them. Afterwards, the Chiefs unanimously expressed their -general approbation of my conduct as their agent in land matters, in a -speech to Captain Claus. They at the same time hinted at the almost -impossibility of things being done in such a manner as to please every -particular individual, which was also the case in the discharge of his -own duty as Superintendent; but assured him that they, the Chiefs, who had -constituted me their agent in land affairs, were perfectly satisfied. -Since that I hear no more of the discontented; all seem quiet. Then I was -prepared to give a full explanation of all my transactions, and also put -them in mind of the trouble and expense I had been at on their business; -but this conduct of the Chiefs prevented me, thinking if I yet persevered -it would be wantonly ripping up old grievances, &c. - -"I hope you will do me the favor to let me know who informed you that -there prevailed such an universal discontent among the Grand River Indians -at my transactions, as you said was the case; and you will infinitely -oblige me by making me acquainted with the author of this rumor, which has -not a little hurt my feelings; and it would also give satisfaction to the -greater part of the Chiefs here. - -"Respecting your advice not to have more councils of other nations, &c, -the Chiefs, both here and at Buffalo, cannot comprehend the meaning of it; -and I have been particularly requested, by two messengers from the latter, -to remain unshaken in my public capacity, and attend to their common -interests as usual; I therefore hope you will do me the kindness to -acquaint me with the reason why I should desist from attending any -councils of the nations of the General Confederacy which we formed under -the auspices of Great Britain; and if our friendly intercourse with each -other is supposed to be detrimental to the interests of government, and in -what measure; for, since the year 1760, I perfectly remember what has -passed at most councils, and I never recollect an instance of government -interfering to prevent our mutual correspondence, but, on the contrary, -they have rather encouraged our uniting. Should it therefore be the case, -that what formerly gave satisfaction, has now quite a different, effect, -it will be very difficult for me to act so as not to get censured, without -I am well acquainted with the change of politics. Also, the serious -consequences you mention, that the not complying with your advice may be -of to me, I would be glad to know what it is. I hope that laws and -customs are not so far changed, as that punishment is first to be -inflicted, and the trial brought on afterwards, and you should give me no -plainer hint of it than that. In short, your advice seems no other than a -threat in disguise. Still, my dear friend, don't think that I suspect you -to be the author of it; but rather that you have softened the original so -as to save my feelings. - -"During the war, although _I bore the commission of a captain,_ I never -received commands as such, but acted as War Chief, which I believe was of -more utility than if I had been in the other capacity--generally having -more men under my command than is customary for one of that rank. Since -the peace, I have attended to our affairs as a sachem. I never supposed -it to be wrong my so doing; if it is so, I could wish to have written -instructions how I am to conduct myself, so as to prevent the serious -consequences spoken of, by which, probably, may be meant the taking from -me my half-pay or pension. I hope to have the pleasure to hear from you as -soon as possible, at the same time I remain - - "Dear Sir, - Your very humble - And obed't servant, - Jos. Brant - - "_Sir John Johnson, Bar't._" - -Norton had been furnished by Brant with letters to his friends in England, -and among them to the Duke of Northumberland, who interested himself -warmly in behalf of the object of his mission. Such, moreover, were the -zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of his errand, that -for a time there was a prospect of his mission being crowned with entire -success. The decision of the ministers was favorable to the Indians, and -letters to that effect were dispatched to the Provincial government. -These, however, were met by an unexpected movement at home, which palsied -the exertions of the agent, and caused his return with hopes at least -deferred, if not blighted. The cause of this untoward change in the course -of the parent government will be developed in a few succeeding pages. - -It appears that in the course of the controversy violent disagreements had -arisen between Captain Brant and the Deputy Superintendent, which were -ultimately embittered by mutual allegations of pecuniary delinquency. A -charge of this description had been made against Brant, a few years -before, in connexion with a negotiation between the government of the -State of New-York and the Caughnawaga and St. Regis Indians, calling -themselves the Seven Nations of Canada. These nations, as the reader has -been informed in a former part of the present work, were clans of the -Mohawks, who had long before separated from the principal nation, and -settled upon the banks of the St. Lawrence. In the year 1792, they sent a -deputation to the government of the State of New-York, claiming a tract of -land covering a large portion of the northern part of the state; all, -indeed, lying between Lake Champlain on the East, and the head waters of -the Mohawk on the West, bounded north by the St. Lawrence, and south by a -line to be drawn from a point between Fort Edward and Lake George to the -junction of Canada Creek with the Mohawk River, in the neighborhood of the -Little Falls. This extensive claim was resisted by the state upon several -grounds. One of these was, that the Indian title had been extinguished to -a portion of the territory in question by the French; another, that -several patents from the English crown had extinguished their title to -other portions of it; added to all which, it was held by the state that -the Caughnawagas had never any just title to the land, inasmuch as it -originally belonged to the Six Nations, of whom the claimants formed but -a small number. As proof of this position, it was contended by the state -that the Six Nations had themselves sold this same territory, together -with a large additional tract, extending from the Mohawk River to the -Pennsylvania line, to Colonel John Livingston. This sale to Colonel -Livingston was first made by forty-five chiefs of the Six Nations in 1787, -and was confirmed in the following year, by a second deed, signed by -sixty-five of their chiefs, and witnessed by Colonel John Butler and -Joseph Brant. The purchase by Colonel Livingston being unconstitutional, -was annulled; but the fact that such a sale had been made by the Six -Nations at large, was adduced against the claim of the Caughnawagas, by -way of showing that it was unfounded. Still as the St. Regis and -Caughnawaga Indians persisted in their claim, a commission, consisting of -Egbert Benson, Richard Varick, and James Watson, was appointed to treat -with their Chiefs upon the subject; and it was not until the Summer of the -year 1796 that an arrangement was effected, by virtue of which the Seven -Nations relinquished their claim, with the exception of the St. Regis -reservation, for a small sum in hand paid, and a yet smaller perpetual -annuity. - -It was as a witness only to the deed of sale to Colonel Livingston, that -the name of Captain Brant came to be involved in this controversy. The -Commissioners maintained to the last that the Six Nations had sold the -lands, and that their great chief, Brant, was a witness to the sale. In -reply to which, the Caughnawagas insisted that the Six Nations had no more -right to sell the lands they claimed than they had to dispose of the city -of New-York. [FN-1] The Caughnawaga Chiefs, probably, did not exactly -understand the case of the sale to Colonel Livingston, which was set aside -as being contrary to the fundamental law of the state, nor the position -in which the name of Joseph Brant stood upon the deed. On the contrary, -they seem to have been impressed with an idea that Brant and the Mohawks -had been selling _their_ lands _to the state._ The consequence was a -controversy between the Caughnawagas and the Mohawks, which gave the old -Chief an infinite deal of trouble--even after the affair between the -former and the State of New York had been amicably closed. The charges of -the Caughnawagas amounted to this--that Brant and the Mohawks had sold -their lands to the state, and pocketed the avails. Brant repelled the -charge with indignation. In regard to the deed of sale to which he was a -witness, he affirmed that not a foot of the territory claimed by the -Caughnawagas was embraced within it, but that the sale was of a portion -only of lands belonging to the Senecas. He demanded of the Caughnawagas -their authority for the charge against himself and the Grand River -Indians. They replied, that their information was derived from the -representations of the officers of the State of New-York at Albany. Brant -opened a correspondence with George Clinton [FN-2] and Governor Jay upon -the subject, the negotiations having commenced under the administration of -the former and been concluded under the latter. But not satisfied with -anything resulting from the correspondence, he caused a deputation of his -tribe to repair to Albany, [FN-3] at the head of which was his adopted -nephew, John Norton, to meet a similar deputation from the Caughnawagas, -face to face, and to require his accusers connected with the government of -the State of New-York, either to substantiate their charges or acquit him -in the presence of both delegations. The papers of Captain Brant are -pretty full in regard to this controversy, which seems to have affected -him with the keenest sensibility. The result of this double mission to -Albany, however, does not exactly appear, save that the Chief was not well -satisfied with it. At least thus much is evident from the tone of the -annexed letter to his friend, Thomas Morris, who was a member of the -Legislature of New-York at that time, and to whom he had given his -deputies, letters of introduction:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Talk of the Seven Nations, delivered to the Commissioners at - Albany, May, 1796. - - [FN-2] See Appendix, No. XI. - - [FN-3] Brant had previously, in 1797, visited Albany on the same - business, accompanied by Corn-planter and two or three other sachems. - Arriving at Canajoharie in the evening, Brant called with his party upon - Major Hendrick Frey, who had served in the cause of the crown during the - war of the Revolution, but returned to his native county after the close - of the contest. The meeting of Brant with Frey was like that of two - brothers. The party adjourned to a tavern, where they had a merry time of - it during the live-long night Many of their adventures during the war - were recounted, among which was a duel that had been fought by Frey, to - whom Brant acted as second. In the course of those relations, - Corn-planter acknowledged that he shot the girl who was gathering berries - in the neighborhood of Fort Stanwix, as related by Colonel Willett and - cited in the first volume of the present work. Corn-planter said he was - lurking about the fort in order to seize a prisoner; but failing in that - object, fired upon the girl. The landlord of the inn, named Rolfe, had - resided near Fort Stanwix at the time, and could hardly be restrained - from doing violence upon Corn-planter on hearing the - relation.--[_Conversations of the author with Dr. Jonathan Eights of - Albany, who, being at the time a resident with Major Frey, was one of the - party._] - - - "Captain Brant to Thomas Morris, Esq. - - "_Grand River, April_ 4, 1799. - - "Dear Sir, - -"It is now some time since the return of Mr. Norton and the Cayuga Chiefs -from Albany; they have acquainted me with their treatment there, and that -of the business they went on; and particularly of your friendship and -assistance to them while there; for which I could not omit taking the -earliest opportunity of testifying to you my most hearty thanks for the -friendship you showed them, and hope you will not find us unmindful of the -favor. - -"At the same time I cannot avoid expressing my surprise to you at the -conduct of your government respecting the affair of the Caughnawagas. In -the first place, it appears their Commissioners treated the business so -mysteriously as to make these people believe we had sold their lands; -first having defrauded us by having all that country included in the -confirmation of Mr. Livingston's deed to Mr. Oliver Phelps, to which the -Senecas signed their names, only supposing that they sold part of their -own country, and to which I signed as a witness. This was made use of to -convince the Caughnawagas they had no right to the country they inhabit; -and I learn that it was not till after much argument that your Government -owned that they never paid any money to me or the Five Nations on account -of these lands, and that they never looked on any Indians to have a right -to them, either Caughnawagas or Five Nations. Had they only said this at -first, when they treated with the Caughnawagas, and not brought our name -in question, they would have saved us immense trouble. And now I cannot -imagine what good reasons they could have to refuse our Deputies to -certify in writing that they never paid us any money on account of these -lands claimed by the Caughnawagas, which it is certain they never did. It -still appears they wish to make the affair mysterious, and evade, as much -as they can, the thoroughly clearing up of the business, so as to keep the -Caughnawagas from making farther claims on them; for it now appears pretty -clear to us that they have wronged these people. However, their conduct -comports a good deal with the uncivilized character of Judge Benson, who, -I find, was one of the Commissioners; and how the Governor left the -business mostly to him, who I know would skin a flint if it was possible, -should it belong to the Indians." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Judge Benson was only one of the Commissioners; but it is probably - true that the business was confided entirely to him. In the original - account of the treaty with the Caughnawagas, of May, 1796, containing the - speeches written out in full on both sides, found by the author among - Brant's papers, Judge Benson's signature stands alone at the close of the - whole. - - -"I intend, for my own satisfaction, to have the whole affair, from the -beginning to ending, published in the newspapers. - - "Dr. Sir, - I am your most humble and - Obd't. Serv't - Jos. Brant. - - "_Thomas Morris, Esq'r._" - -In July of the same year, Brant proceeded to the Caughnawaga country in -person, accompanied by a body of Chiefs of several of the tribes, for the -purpose of a thorough investigation in General Council. Such a council was -convened; and the difficulties, from the reports of the speeches preserved -in writing by Captain Brant, were fully discussed--and that, too, in the -most amicable manner. From several intimations in these speeches, it -appears that the whole difficulty had been caused "by chattering birds," -and by the machinations against Captain Brant, of the old Oneida Sachem, -Colonel Louis. The Council-fire was Kindled on the 8th of July. On the 9th -Captain Brant was satisfied by the explanations given, and remarked "that -he had pulled up a pine, and planted down beneath it the small bird that -tells stories;" on the 10th, the Caughnawaga Chief replied--"Brother, we -return you thanks; we also join with you to put the chattering-bird under -ground from where the pine was taken up, there being a swift stream into -which it will fall beneath, that will take it to the Big Sea, from whence -it never can return." - -The result of the Council seems to have been satisfactory on all hands. -Indeed, as Brant himself wrote to a correspondent "in the States," [FN] a -short time afterward, he was rather surprised that he had so little to -encounter at their meeting:--"We expected they would have had a great deal -to say to us; but instead of that, they said they had never accused us of -themselves--that it was only from what the people of New-York said that -they had inquired about the matter; and that now they hoped we would be -so good as to agree to bury the whole affair under ground." To Sir John -Johnson he subsequently wrote in the following terms:--"Without doubt, -long before this you have received an authentic account of our business -with the Caughnawagas, which has convinced you and the world of our -innocence. You know that I was supposed to be a leader in that business, -and how often I have been falsely accused. But upon investigation my -rectitude has ever been sufficiently proved. This groundless accusation of -theirs created a great expense to government as well as us, and I should -expect that, after being convinced of their error, some acknowledgment -should be made for the great trouble they have put us to." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The name of this correspondent it not given in the original draught - of the letter preserved among Brant's papers. - - -But the Caughnawaga difficulties were no sooner at an end, than it was his -lot to encounter others yet more nearly touching his pecuniary integrity, -which annoyed him not a little. There were active spirits about him, -official and unofficial, who, for reasons of their own, looked with no -favorable eye upon the mission of Teyoninhokarawen. So strongly indeed -were these men opposed to the claims of the Indians, that they were led to -the adoption of very unjustifiable means, not only to circumvent the -negotiations of Norton, but to prostrate the power and influence of the -old Chief himself. To this end, domestic dissensions were fomented, even -among his own kindred, the Mohawks. The Chief was again accused of -peculations; and although the grant of the Grand River territory had been -notoriously made for the exclusive benefit of the Mohawk nation, yet the -Senecas, and others of the Iroquois Nations, not residing in Canada, were -stirred up to claim a voice in the disposition of those lands, and in the -domestic relations of that nation, by virtue of their confederate league, -which had never before been construed as clothing them with any such -rights or powers. In furtherance of the design of prostrating Brant and -thwarting the efforts of Norton in England, a Council of the Six Nations -was held at Buffalo Creek, under the direction of the Seneca Chiefs, Red -Jacket and the Farmer's Brother; at which all the proceedings of Brant and -Norton were formally disavowed, and Brant himself deposed from the -chieftainship of the Confederacy, at the head of which he had stood for -more than a quarter of a century. His associate Mohawk Sachems were -likewise removed, and others, taken, as Jeroboam selected his priests, -from the lowest of the people, appointed in their stead. None of the -Mohawk Chiefs were present at this Council, but only a few of the -discontents, and of the more worthless members of the nation, who had been -wrought upon by the white opponents of the principal Chief. The whole -movement was illegal, according to the ancient usages of the Confederacy, -in other respects. The Council was not convened at the National -Council-fire, which had years before been regularly removed from Buffalo -Creek to the Onondaga Village on the Grand River. Nor, aside from the -fact that the Senecas, and others residing within the United States, had -no right to a voice in regard to the domestic affairs or the lands of the -Mohawks, was the General Confederacy properly or legally represented. Red -Jacket, however, was both a ready and a willing instrument in the hands of -Brant's opponents. In all the councils in which it had been the fortune of -the two Chiefs to meet for the transaction of business, there had been -little of cordiality between them, and much less of friendship. -_Yau-go-ya-wat-haw,_ or Red Jacket, was not a chief by birth, but had made -himself such by his cunning. He was artful, eloquent, and ambitious. -Aspiring to the rank of a chief, he availed himself of the superstitious -dispositions of his people to attain his object. His first essay was, to -dream that he was, or should be, a Chief, and that the Great Spirit was -angry because his nation did not advance him to that dignity. These -dreams, with the necessary variations, were repeated, until, fortunately -for him, the small-pox broke out among the Senecas. He then proclaimed the -loathsome infliction as a judgment of the Great Spirit, because of the -ingratitude of the nation to him. The consequence, ultimately, was, that -by administering flattery to some, and working upon the superstitious -fears of others, he reached the goal of his ambition. Brant, however, had -always, on all suitable occasions, pronounced him a coward--the greatest -coward of his race. He used to say that Red Jacket was always valiant for -fight with his tongue; but that, although by his eloquence he persuaded -many warriors to fight, he was ever careful not to get into personal -danger himself. He also asserted as a fact, that having sent others upon -the war-path, he would turn to, and steal and kill their cows for his own -use. [FN-1] Smarting under the contemptuous treatment of the Mohawk Chief, -therefore, the eloquent demagogue of the Senecas was not backward in -compassing, as he hoped, the overthrow of his enemy, if not his rival. -Hence, for years antecedent to the council called clandestinely for the -deposition of Brant, Red Jacket had labored, with all art and diligence, -to create jealousies and distrust against him. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Conversations of the author with Thomas Morris, Esq. This - gentleman, during his residence in the western part of New-York, became - intimately acquainted with the Senecas and Mohawks--especially with their - Chiefs--having assisted at several treaties with them. He once - entertained Brant, Red Jacket, and a number of other chiefs, at his own - house in Canandaigua. At dinner, Brant was very amusing; and among other - stories, related the cow-killing exploits of a Seneca Chief, in such an - arch manner as to direct the attention of the whole company upon Red - Jacket, and yet compel Red Jacket himself to raise an affected laugh. - - [FN-2] See the certificate of Israel Chapin, as to the general character - of Brant, and the unfounded jealousies excited against him by his - opponents, Appendix, No. XII. - - -The Chief himself was, of course, early apprised of what had taken place, -and the manner of the conspiracy, of which he appears to have written a -full account to his friend, the Duke of Northumberland. The copy of only -a portion of that communication has been discovered. It is without date, -but must have been written in A. D. 1805. - - - "Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland. - - "May it please your Grace: - -"As my nephew, Teyoninhokarawen, has safe returned, gratitude prompts me -to return you my most hearty thanks for the very kind reception and aid -you gave him, and express the regret myself and the other Chiefs of the -Five Nations inhabiting the Grand River feel, that after the trouble your -Grace has taken in our affairs, he should have been frustrated of having -them concluded to our satisfaction by the intrigues of the Agent for -Indian affairs, (a Mr. Claus,) of which I shall take the liberty to give -you a succinct account. - -"When, in consequence of the warm support you gave my nephew, dispatches -were received by the late Governor from England, in favor of the Indians, -the Agent insinuated, through his instruments of intrigue, that he was -about effecting something much to their detriment, should they not -immediately prevent it. But finding that he could not succeed at the Grand -River, a few of the common people went to Buffalo Creek, a village of the -Five Nations within the American line, where they had a council, and then -went to Niagara, [FN] where Mr. Claus, the Agent, dictated to them what -was sent to England. . . . Several of the principal Chiefs from Buffalo, -who signed, are pensioners to the Americans; one of them, Red Jacket, or -the _Cow-killer,_ the speaker, and the greatest coward of all the Five -Nations, at the Connecticut (in New-England) Assembly swore, or promised, -kissing the portrait of General Washington, to be true to their interests. -But to make their numbers appear more respectable, all the common people -signed as Chiefs, from the villages on the American side, as did the few, -with three or four petty chiefs, who went from the Grand River. The poor -fellows, in consequence of the promises, and having signed together with -the officers, have been long expecting to receive their commissions; and -even some of them have been expecting to receive tidings of them by -Teyoninhokarawen. The purport of the writing was, that the mission and -proceedings of Teyoninhokarawen should be disallowed of and disavowed; -that I should be displaced from being Chief; and that a few settlers -introduced by the Chiefs--." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Vide certificate of Captain Leonard, and other American officers, - then stationed at Niagara.--Appendix, No. XIII. - - -Here the copy of this communication abruptly breaks off. But although the -proceedings referred to were transmitted to England by the opponents of -the Chief, and followed by consequences fatal to the mission of Norton; -yet the failure, so far as the Chief himself was concerned, was as signal -as the plot in all respects was indefensible and unjust. It was but a few -months anterior to these proceedings, founded, in the main, upon alleged -embezzlements, or mal-appropriations, of the revenue of his nation, that -a General Council had been holden at Grand River, which was attended by -the chiefs and warriors, the Deputy and Superintendent-General, and the -principal military officers of the province, and at which the pecuniary -transactions of Captain Brant had been fully investigated--found to be -accurate, and approved. The proceedings at this council appear to have -been dictated in the most amicable spirit; and from their complexion, -nothing could have been more unlikely than the revival of charges, then -so thoroughly shown to be without foundation in truth. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. XIV. - - -But the old Chief, did not remain passive under his persecutions. He took -an early occasion to meet a council of the faction of his own nation who -were opposing him, and to upbraid them in no very measured terms for their -ingratitude. His address was written out in full, in the Mohawk dialect, -and was afterward circulated in the form of an appeal to his nation. [FN] -After a spirited review of his life, and the services he had rendered them -from the commencement of the war of the Revolution, the appeal -proceeded:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] This document was never translated by Captain Brant. Portions of the - manuscript are illegible; but all that can be read has been translated - for the use of the author. - - -. . . "It astonishes me, therefore, after all that I have done for you, -to hear almost all of you, young and old, joining your voices with Colonel -Claus, and saying of me that I have embezzled your property, and such -like hard speeches, which you know are false,--while you never so much as -think of mentioning the many important services I have rendered you, the -many privations I have suffered on your account, and the journies I have -undertaken for your benefit--for the time and expenses of which you have -never paid me one penny. . . . At Philadelphia the Americans spoke in a -very friendly manner to me, and made me large offers of presents for -myself and family if I would prevent any farther attacks from the Indians. -But I positively refused to accept of any thing from them, lest I should -injure your good name as the Six Nation Indians. And again, I knew that -the King would not suffer me to be in want; and had I accepted anything -at this time, it might have been thought that I had been bribed, and -become a traitor, which, when made public, would have been disgraceful to -me, and injurious to you as my people. I thought I could depend on our -white brethren, the King's subjects, should I at any time need their -assistance. . . . There was the Grand River Tract, upon which I might have -had a farm, and lived on its produce. These considerations were more than -sufficient to deter me from receiving the valuable presents offered for my -acceptance. . . . I think the only way I could satisfy you, would be for -me to pay out of my own purse for every item that has to be expended for -your public uses. My only crime is, that I want to make you a happy -people, and for you to be enabled to call your land your own forever; and -not leaving it doubtful whether it is yours or not. I say you would be -well pleased if every thing could be done for the general good of the Six -Nations, without parting with a foot of land to pay for contingencies. -Colonel Claus asks you where your money is gone to? He never asks where -the proceeds of sales of your lands are gone to, else you might tell him -that it is gone to assist in building his splendid house. Whenever I have -had occasion to use any of your money, I have never touched any but the -interest, and have left the principal entire. But your friend Claus has -devoted principal and interest together; and yet you come to my house -complaining. . . . I ask again, what do you find in my conduct to -disapprove of? If you can point any thing out, I should like to hear it. -Or, will you say that every thing that I have done has been for your -injury and not for your benefit?" - - * * * * * - -"I say I cannot find, in all that I have done, that anything has tended -to your injury, or the injury of the King's cause. Yet you speak of me as -one who is your enemy--as one who does what he can to injure you; and I -have no doubt that you, who are hearing me, feel so toward me in your -hearts, although I have reiterated in your hearing many instances where -what I did tended to raise your name as well as my own; and in other -instances, when I might have been enriched, I have refused receiving for -fear of your name being tarnished. Still, you would almost brand me with -the name of thief, although not one of you have ever subscribed a penny to -pay my expenses when I have traveled on your public business." - -The original manuscript of this address is much broken, especially in that -portion of it containing a review of his services in connexion with the -wars of the north-western Indians with the United States. The following -fragments of sentences upon that subject, only, have been translated:-- - -. . . "Every man of us thought, that by fighting for the King, we should -ensure to ourselves and children a good inheritance. . . . At another -time, at the last council we held, when the Americans were talking with -the Indians, I spoke to Otsinarenta, and said, 'if the Americans fail in - . . . I should like to go and surprise Wayne when he least expects it.'" - -It was very soon manifest that the pretended deposition of the veteran -Mohawk, at the instigation of white men, and through the immediate agency -of Red Jacket, was no act of the great body of the Six Nations, much less -of his own nation; and the attempt to shake the faith of their "fathers in -council," in the perfect integrity of the Chief who had so long been their -leader in the cabinet and in the field, was a signal abortion. A meeting -of the chiefs and warriors was soon afterward held, at which the whole -controversy seems again, from the fragments of the proceedings yet in -existence, to have been renewed. From one of the speeches, the following -passages, connected immediately with the position and conduct of Brant, -and the proceedings against him, are extracted:-- - -"Brother, listen! Is it not thus, when a present is given, that the -bestower will not think of again grasping hold of it? But it seems as if -we were in that predicament--not being considered as real proprietors. We -are grieved and ashamed that so much should have been said on the subject, -without it being confirmed according to the first promise. - -"Brother: We find divisions among us. The young men think to take the -lead, who know nothing of our affairs nor what we suffered in the war. -According to the first formation of our confederacy, the Mohawk was the -leading nation. So it has been since our establishment at the Grand River. -Therefore our leading Chief, Captain Brant, has stood foremost in our -affairs, with which he is thoroughly acquainted. - -"Brother: There have been rumors concerning our money, and the application -made of it. We, that have been engaged in the public affairs, know where -it is gone. He has not been always traveling, and employed on his own -concerns--it has been on those of the public. He has been to the other -side of the water, and several times to Quebec; and always in these -journies expended his own property, we never making any collection for him -whatever. And now what he may have made use of is only the interest. -Nothing has been taken from the principal. The payment for one township -has been made without any delinquency whatever. We are perfectly satisfied -with all his transactions. - -"Brother, listen! That which was done at Buffalo, and which you have -confirmed and sent to the other side of the water, was a thing that had -never before taken place, in which they pretend to break our Chief, -Captain Brant. But we assure you, brother, that this shall not be; for we -know not his having so transgressed as to merit such treatment. Neither is -it proper that such a proceeding within the American line, and done by -Indians inhabiting that territory, should be countenanced by you." - -At the same setting, _Tchaosennoghts,_ or _Duguoin,_ a Seneca Chief, spoke -as follows:-- - -"Brother: You see here a remnant of the warriors that fought last war, -whose hearts are grieved that they have lived to see the present change of -our treatment, and our situation. The divisions existing among us, and the -attempts of the young men to put the Chiefs aside, have no other origin -than the Indian store. It is there the young men receive from his -Majesty's bounty that which was designed for those who fought and suffered -in his cause, and who are now treated with neglect. It is from this they -are led to imagine themselves men of ability and consequence. It is easy -for them to say, now, there is nothing to be done, or no danger--that they -are loyal, and side with government. We are no less loyal, we assure you, -now; and when occasion required, we gave proofs of our attachment. But we -know our Great Father is no less generous than opulent, and does not want -our lands. Neither can we think ourselves departing from our duty in -wishing to preserve them for our posterity, for we are poor. It is not -Captain Brant who is the sower of dissension; but it is what I just -mentioned that causes the division amongst us. - -"Brother: The right of being chief, according to our customs, arises -either from hereditary line on the female side, or from having been -distinguished by meritorious conduct, so as to be accepted as such. This -has not been the case in the late appointment you sanctioned. One of them, -to whom you pay great regard, we know has been distinguished in your -opinion far some things which we have not been accustomed to pay that -respect to." - -Finally, at this, or a subsequent General Council, a speech, drawn up in -the form of a declaration, was executed, under the sanction of the -signatures and seals of sixteen of the most distinguished chiefs, -residents upon the Grand River, and representing the Mohawks, Cayugas, -Oghkwagas, Tuscaroras, and one Delaware chief; bearing the most -unequivocal testimony to the integrity of Thayendanegea, and asserting -their undiminished confidence in his faithful management of their -business, as agent in the matter of their lands. It was stated in this -paper that he had desired, of himself, some time before, to withdraw from -that agency, and that he had only consented to remain therein at their -urgent solicitation--he requiring that a board of twenty-four chiefs might -be selected from the different tribes, to act as counselors, and probably -to determine all questions of doubt or controversy. "This," says the -declaration, "has been done--but at the same time we desired that he might -continue at the head. And farther hearing that there are many obstacles -yet preventing the equitable conclusion of our land business, we now -unanimously renew and strengthen him in quality of agent, which, from the -confidence we have in his integrity from what has already passed, we -assure ourselves he will exert himself in that office, as far as lies in -his power, to promote the general welfare. With these strings we -therefore exhort him to continue with moderation and patience, and flatter -ourselves from the equity of our brethren, the British government, and his -abilities, all difficulties will at last be surmounted." - -Nothing could be more explicit than this testimony of exoneration, so far -as the charges against the Chief were connected with his management of the -land concerns of his people. But his vindication did not rest here. Soon -after the return of Teyoninhokarawen to the Grand River, a general council -of the Six Nations was convened at Niagara, for the purpose of meeting the -Deputy Superintendent-General, and entering a solemn protest against the -proceedings of the council at which Red Jacket and the Farmer's Brother -had pretended to depose Thayendanegea. For several days the Deputy -declined meeting the Council, upon the plea of waiting for the attendance -of Mr. Selby, a gentleman from Detroit. But as that gentleman did not -arrive, and it was uncertain when he would come, if at all, the Chiefs -determined to proceed with their business. The Deputy, accompanied by -Colonel Proctor, met the Chiefs only to repeat his excuse, and to declare, -that under existing circumstances, he would not listen to what they had -to say. The Chiefs, however, resolved to proceed with their deliberations; -and their protest, yet existing in the chirography of Captain Brant, was -read and sanctioned by the council, in presence of several officers of the -garrison, and also of several distinguished civilians. This paper -contained a succinct review of the controversy respecting the lands; the -object of Norton's mission to England; the partial success of that -agent--thwarted only by the use that had been made of the proceedings of -Red Jacket's unauthorized and illegally-constituted council--a review of -those proceedings; and a protest against the whole. [FN] After the reading -had been concluded, _Okoghsenniyonte,_ a Cayuga Chief, rose, and declared -the general approbation of the document by the council. - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. XV. - - -With these proceedings, it is believed, the efforts to prostrate Brant, -and deprive him of the chieftainship, ceased. In any event they were not -successful, and he remained at the head of the Mohawks, and consequently -at the head of the Confederacy, until the day of his decease. - -But, even under all these discouragements, it was not the design of the -indefatigable Chief to relinquish his exertions to obtain justice for his -people at the hands of the parent government. For this purpose another -visit to England was determined upon, to be performed, either by himself, -or Norton, or perhaps by both. This determination was announced to the -Duke of Northumberland by letter, early in the year 1806:-- - - "Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland. - - "_Grand River, January_ 24_th_, 1806. - - "My Lord Duke, - -"The kind and affectionate letter I received from your Grace, has deeply -penetrated our hearts with a sense of the honor you confer on the Five -Nations in the sincere regard you express for their welfare; and we hope -that our future conduct, and that of our descendants, may never fail to -cause such sentiments to be cherished in the noble hearts of the leaders -of the British nation. For, however wounding to our feelings, or -detrimental to our interests, may be the treatment we have received, and -yet continue to receive, in this country, our reliance on the fatherly -protection of his Majesty, and the confidence we have ever placed in the -humanity, love of justice, and honor of your nation, is not weakened. - -"The reason of my having delayed so long writing to your Grace, is, that -from the arrival of a new Governor, [FN-1] I received some hopes that what -respects our land affairs might have been accomplished to our satisfaction -in this country. But these hopes are now vanished--for appearances give -me reason to apprehend that the old council, (principally composed of men -influenced by an insatiable avarice for lands,) have so prejudiced his -Excellency against us, as to disappoint what otherwise we might have -expected from the innate benevolence of our father's representative. It is -therefore the determination of the real chiefs and faithful warriors to -comply with the brotherly advice of your Grace. [FN-2] Therefore, either -both of us, or Teyoninhokarawen, [FN-3] shall make another attempt in -England, invested with full powers from our nations, in writing, according -to European customs, which your distance and our situation at present -render absolutely necessary. Some small difficulties necessitate delay, -or we would immediately be on the road." - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Sir Francis Gore. - - [FN-2] Contained, probably, in a letter from the Duke, which has not been - found. - - [FN-3] John Norton. - - -"His Excellency has expressed that he will only hear from us through Mr. -Claus, the head of the Indian Department, who is our implacable enemy; and -from what has already passed, we are well assured will do every thing in -his power to thwart our success. Previous to receiving any speech, he -requests that we give him a copy of it; but himself, when he pretended, -last of all, to make a defence to what we had expressed at Niagara in -July, in reference to his having deceived the British ministry by the -improper names sent to England to thwart the mission of Teyoninhokarawen, -he read his speech in such a low voice that it could only be heard by -those who sat next to him, and afterwards refused to give us a copy of it. -So we remain as ignorant of what he alleged in his defence, as if he had -made no speech. - -"The same confidence in the good faith of our allies, which animated my -courage to persevere in the most trying situations during the war, and -exhort to a similar perseverance those whom extraordinary difficulties, -or American intrigue, might stagger, yet encourages me to hope for -justice, notwithstanding the clouds that shade us from it. - -"Mr. Wyatt, Surveyor General of this province, does me the favor to take -this. The copy of the speech delivered at Niagara last July, -Teyoninhokarawen sent you several months ago; so I hope you have received -it by this time. With the sincerest respect and gratitude, I remain, - - "Your Grace's - Faithful friend and - Brother warrior, - Jos. Brant, - _Thayendanegea._ - - "His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, - _Thorighwageri._" - - "The Duke of Northumberland to Captain Brant. - - "_Northumberland House,_ 5_th May,_ 1806. - - "My very good Friend and Brother Warrior: - -"I have received safely your letter of the 24th January, which reached me -on the 23d of last month, with all that pleasure which is naturally felt -by one friend when he receives a letter from another friend. I am happy to -find that the interest I took in the affairs of the Five Nations has been -acceptable to their Board, as I am by being one of their community. They -may rest assured I shall always be happy to assist them to the utmost of -my power. - -"I was very sorry that the zeal of my brother Teyoninhokarawen failed of -success; but I can assure you and the Chiefs of the Five Nations, that it -was not for want of constant attention and the most unremitting zeal on -his part. No person could possibly execute the mission on which he was -sent, with more ability than he did. It is only a piece of justice due to -him, to desire you to mention this to the General Council when they meet. - -"The names of those who gave credit to Mr. Claus's fictitious council, are -washed out from the administration of this country, and a more sensible -set of ministers are appointed in their room, and I think those who now -fill the high offices of State in this kingdom, would listen to the wishes -of our brethren in the Five Nations. [FN] I shall be happy if I can be of -service in procuring for them the accomplishment of their wishes. But -before I attempt any thing, I must desire clearly to understand what are -the wishes of the Five Nations. Do they desire to have a confirmation of -the grant of Sir Frederick Haldimand and (if possible) to have it under -the Great Thayendanegea, &c. with the Seal of the United Kingdom of Great -Britain and Ireland? Would they consent, (if such a thing is proposed) to -have a clause inserted in the confirming grant declaring the grant to be -vacated, if the Five Nations should at any time part with the territory -thus granted to them, either to the Americans, or to any other nation of -Indians, or to any other person or persons not being of the Five Nations, -or a British subject, without the consent of the crown of Great Britain? I -mention this circumstance, because I think something of this kind was -hinted at by Mr. Cooke, and the improper manner in which it was stated, -gave reason to suppose that the Five Nations could not alienate it, or any -part of it, from one Indian of the Five Nations to another Indian of the -Five Nations, which never was intended to be prevented." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Duke, probably, referred to the dissolution of Mr. Addington's - Administration in 1801, and the return to power of Mr. Pitt. True, the - ministry of the latter was dissolved by the decease of that incomparable - premier, in January antecedent to the time the Duke was then writing; but - it must have been the Addington ministry which was in power at the time - of Norton's mission, and which was "washed out" by dissolution after Pitt - had abandoned it, and made a speech in opposition, even on the same side - with Fox.--_Author._ - - -"I should, however, advise that either yourself, Teyoninhokarawen, or some -other chief, should come over, properly authorised by the chiefs, to -transact and finally settle all this business. - -"There are a number of well-meaning persons here, who are very desirous of -forming a Society to better (as they call it,) the condition of our -nation, by converting us from hunters and warriors into husbandmen. Let -me strongly recommend it to you, and the rest of our chiefs, not to listen -to such a proposition. Let our young men never exchange their liberty, and -manly exercises, to become hewers of wood and drawers of water. If they -will teach our women to spin and to weave; this would be of use; but to -endeavor to enervate our young men by doing nothing but tilling the earth, -would be the greatest injury they could do the Five Nations. Nine hundred -or a thousand warriors, enured to hardship by hunting, are a most -respectable and independent body; but what would the same number of men -become who were merely husbandmen? They would hardly rate a small parish, -seeking for protection from others, scarcely heard of and known, and -obliged tamely to submit to laws and regulations made by other people, and -incapable of defending themselves. If you want an example of what the Five -Nations would soon become, look only at the Stockbridge Indians. They, -like us, were once a noble and formidable tribe; they now are less than -women. Some of the persons who propose this plan, have their own private -reasons. They wish to go over among you, and when they have collected you -together in order to teach you to cultivate the ground, they will then -show you how very small a part of the land granted you is sufficient for -to supply your wants, and will next endeavor to prevail upon you to grant -them the remainder, in gratitude for the trouble they have had in -instructing you in agriculture. No, my dear friend and brother warrior, -never suffer yourself, or your Chiefs, to be induced by their plausible -arguments. If you do, remember I now foretell that you will become a poor, -dependent, and insignificant body, instead of continuing a free, warlike, -and independent nation as we now are. I wish to see the Christian -religion, sobriety, and good morals, prevail among our nation; but let us -continue free and independent as the air that blows upon us; let us -continue hunters and warriors, capable of enforcing respect, and doing -ourselves justice; but let us never submit to become the tillers of land, -hewers of wood, and drawers of water, by the false and interested advice -of those who, from being our pretended friends, would soon become our -imperious masters. Accept this, my good friend and brother warrior, from -one who wishes the Five Nations ever to continue a formidable nation, -commanding respect from all its neighbors, and who interests himself most -sincerely in their welfare. Say every thing proper for me to my brother -Chiefs, and believe me, - - "Your faithful friend and brother warrior, - Northumberland, - _Thorighwageri_ - -"PS Dezonhighkor (Lord Percy) desires to return his thanks, and to offer -his compliments to you and to Teyoninhokarawen, (Norton,) to whom I desire -you to give my compliments likewise. I have received his letter, and will -write to him by this mail if I possibly can." - -Pursuant to the suggestions of the preceding correspondence, the -preparations were made for another mission to London, by Thayendanegea -himself. He actually commenced his journey, and proceeded as far as -Albany, with the design of embarking at New-York. Circumstances, however, -occurred, which rendered it necessary for him to return to his own -country. Afterward, owing to pecuniary difficulties, the undertaking was -indefinitely deferred, as will be seen by the annexed communication to the -Duke, which was probably the last ever addressed to that nobleman by his -brother warrior of the forest:-- - - "Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland. - - "_Head of Lake Ontario, June_ 26, 1807. - - "My Lord Duke, - -"I wrote you last by the Surveyor General, Mr. Wyatt, acquainting your -Grace that Teyoninhokarawen or myself should again cross the sea on the -subject of our land affairs, &c. Shortly after that we have been formally -deputed, either jointly or separately, by a general council of the chiefs -and warriors of the Grand River, held at the Onondaga Village, according -to the ancient custom of the Five Nations. - -"The want of money for the journey, and suspicions of new intrigues being -attempted in our absence again to frustrate our endeavors for the public -good, have deterred us for the present from undertaking the intended -journey. But, confiding in the regard which we know that your Grace has -for your brethren of the Five Nations and their interests; in the fatherly -affection of his Majesty; and in the justice of the British nation; we -send you the powers we have received; and beg that your Grace may grant us -your aid to obtain from his Majesty a confirmation of General Haldimand's -grant to the Five Nations under the Great Seal; and that the part we have -surrendered to Government for sale, they shall guarantee to us and our -heirs the regular payment of the purchase money stipulated, according to -former representation. - -"With the greatest respect and esteem, I have the honor to be - - "Your Grace's humble servant, and - Faithful brother warrior" - -For a good and sufficient reason, which will appear in the closing pages -of the present work, the claims of the Mohawks were prosecuted no farther -by their old and vigilant Chief, Thayendanegea. Nor have their -difficulties with the officers of the crown entirely ceased to this day. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - - - Exertions of Thayendanegea for the moral and social improvement of his - people--His religious views--Efforts for the religions instruction of - his people--Letter to Sir John Johnson upon the subject of obtaining a - resident clergyman--Farther correspondence--Interview of Brant with the - Bishop--Disappointment--Letter to the Chief Justice--Appeal of Brant to - the Lord Bishop, but without success--Application to the American - church--Letter to Colonel Burr--Succeeds in obtaining the ordination of - Mr. Phelps--Estimate of Brant's character by the clergy--Letter of Rev. - Dr. Mason--Rev. Elkanah Holmes--Letter of Brant to the Rev. Dr. - Miller--Ardent spirits--Efforts of Brant to prevent their - introduction--Letter to Sir John Johnson--Interposition of the - women--Address of Brant in reply--Indian games and pastimes--National - game of Cricket--Great game at Grand River, between the Senecas and - Mohawks--Judge Woodruff's visit to Brant's residence--Description of his - person--Indian funerals--Respect for the dead--Estimate of women--Their - influence--Funeral speech of Seneca-George--Death of Mrs. Claus--Speech - of condolence by Captain Brant--Captain Claus in reply--Brant's visit to - New-York, Philadelphia, and Hartford, in 1797--Attentions to him in - Philadelphia--Dinner party of Colonel Burr--Talleyrand and other - distinguished guests--Letter of introduction from Colonel Burr to his - daughter--Dinner party in his honor by Miss Theodosia--His manners - described by Dr. Miller and by General Porter--Designs upon his life in - the Mohawk country--The late John Wells--Striking incident in - Albany--Anecdotes--Brant and General Gansevoort--Brant and Colonel Van - Courtlandt--Reasons of Brant for taking up arms for the King--His - reasonings in defence of the Indian mode of warfare. - - -Had no other subjects demanded the consideration, and required the active -personal exertions, of Captain Brant, during the last twelve years of his -career, than those already reviewed, his life must still have been -considered one of uncommon industry. But the cares upon his hands were -multitudinous in other respects. His desire for the moral and social -improvement of his people led him to a vigilant oversight of all their -domestic concerns. Rude as was their government, it was still to be -administered, and a domestic police, of some kind, was to be observed. The -administration of their government, moreover, was probably attended by -none the less difficulty from the peculiar position in which the Mohawk -Indians were placed at that particular period of their history. Their -society was in a transition state--being neither the hunter nor the -agricultural, but partaking in part of both; while, notwithstanding the -advice of the Duke of Northumberland, it was the strong desire of the -Chief to draw them from the former to the latter course of life. Before -their transplantation from their native valley, they had, many of them, -made considerable advances in the pursuit of husbandry, Brant himself -having cultivated an excellent farm in the neighborhood of General -Herkimer's residence, near the Upper Mohawk Castle; [FN] and though the -vicissitudes of war had cast them once more into a primitive forest, -entirely unsubdued, the Chief had no idea of relinquishing the certainty -of agricultural competence for the precarious supplies of the chase. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The author visited the plantation formerly belonging to Brant in the - Autumn of 1836. Nothing of his domicile, save the cellar, remained. His - orchard of apple-trees, however, was thrifty and in full bearing. - - -Nor was he ignorant of what alone can form the basis of an industrious and -truly moral community. Whether he was himself a man of experimental -religion, in the evangelical sense of the term, is a question which it is -not the province of the historian to decide. There is no doubt that he -was a believer in the great and essential truths of revelation, and it is -equally certain that after his return from Dr. Wheelock's school, he was -the subject of deep religious impressions. But whether these impressions -were entirely effaced during the long years of arduous and active public -service in which he was subsequently engaged, both as a warrior and a -politician--in the battle-field, in the council of war, and in the Indian -Congress--threading the solitudes of his native forests, or amidst the -splendid gaieties of the British metropolis--is not for this writer to -affirm or deny. Be this, however, as it may, he was a man of too much -sagacity not to perceive the importance of education and religion, as -auxiliaries in carrying forward the moral and social improvement of his -nation; and the preponderance of testimony favors the opinion that he was -never careless of the spiritual interests of his charge. It has been seen, -that when quite a young man, he was engaged with the Episcopal and other -Christian missionaries, assisting in translating the Church Prayer Book -and the Holy Scriptures. And immediately after the close of the long -conflict in which he had borne so active a part, he was again found -recurring, of his own volition, to the same labors, and superintending the -printing of the Gospel of Mark, and other religious works, in London. One -of his first stipulations with the Commander-in-chief, on the acquisition -of his new territory, was for the building of a church, a school-house, -and a flouring mill; and no sooner had the North-western Indian wars been -brought to an end, than the religious principle was again in action, and -his thoughts and exertions once more directed to the means of imparting to -his people a knowledge of their relation to God, and the consequences -flowing therefrom. In proof of this assertion, the following letter may be -appropriately introduced:-- - - "Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson, Bar't. - - "_Grand River, Dec._ 15, 1797. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Since writing the letter accompanying this, the Chiefs have conferred -together respecting the state of religion among the Five Nations, which -now appears to be a subject of more serious consideration among them than -formerly. We are sensible, Sir, of the goodness of Government, among other -benefits, in accommodating us with a church, and we have long been -desirous of having a clergyman to reside constantly with us; this, we -apprehend, would be highly promotive of morality and the Christian virtues -among our people. We do not complain, Sir, of the neglect of the society -in this respect, as we are satisfied that their benevolent attention to -mankind has been equal to their means; for this reason we have hitherto -omitted making application to them upon this head. Besides, we are -sensible how difficult it must be for them to find a suitable character -willing to settle among us in this rude and distant quarter. - -"In order to discharge my duty in this important affair, and that I may -rest in peace, I have conferred with a gentleman of a liberal education, -Mr. Davenport Phelps, with whose character and family I have long been -acquainted, who has ample testimonials respecting his literary and moral -qualifications, and who, I believe, will consent to devote his life to the -service of the Church among us, provided his Lordship, the Bishop of -Quebec, shall think proper to ordain him to the sacred office. Mr. Phelps -with great candor observes, that from his not having been so conversant -with books for a number of years past as he could have wished, -particularly classical ones, he is diffident of a critical examination in -the dead languages. But, Sir, from his general, I may say almost -universal, character among the discerning, I consider the prospect of his -usefulness among us very great; and assure you that it is the desire of -the Chiefs in general, and my most ardent wish, that he may be ordained a -missionary for the Five Nations on this river. And from your official -relation to us, I take the liberty of begging you to communicate our -wishes to his Lordship the Bishop respecting this gentleman, that we may -be informed, if possible, before the opening of the Spring, whether a -character of Mr. Phelps's description will be approved by his Lordship, -and deemed a proper subject for ordination. - - "I am, dear sir, - Your most obedient - And humble serv't, - Jos. Brant. - - "_Sir John Johnson, Bar't._ - -"P. S. I know you will excuse my observing that we shall be glad to know -what sum the society, and what government will severally think proper to -allow our missionary; since, should their allowances be insufficient for -his support, by other means it must be made adequate." - -The Baronet lost no time in bringing the subject before the Bishop, but -difficulties were interposed by his Lordship, and an occasional -correspondence of two or three years ensued, before the wishes of the -Indians, for the ordination of a spiritual teacher, were complied with. -The first objection was that the candidate for orders had not been -examined. In reply, Captain Brant apologized for their ignorance as to the -prerequisites, and urged that an examination might be undergone before the -Rev. Mr. Addison, "who, having gone through the forms himself, must be -acquainted with the business." Both the Chief and his people were -impatient of delay; and the Captain reminded the Bishop, through Sir John, -of the pledge which the Archbishop of Canterbury had made to him in the -presence of the King, that whenever the Indians, by the erection of a -church, should be ready for religious instruction, he would do all in his -power to supply their wants. - -In the Spring of 1798, the Chief had an earnest correspondence with Mr. -Russell, the provincial Governor, upon the subject, in the course of -which, in one of his letters, he said:--"With respect to any uncertainty -or difficulty there may be in obtaining a salary from government, we would -wish that that should not entirely restrain his Lordship; for, should -government not be willing to grant an allowance for a clergyman, sooner -than want one we would strain every point ourselves to procure a salary, -and would be joined by several respectable families of white people in the -neighborhood." - -In the Summer of the following year, on his return from a visit to the -lower province, the Captain met with the Lord Bishop at Kingston, and -again urged his attention to the subject; and, as he supposed, arranged -matters for an examination of Mr. Phelps at Niagara, to which place his -Lordship was preparing to extend his visit. But there was again -disappointment, arising from a cause altogether unexpected. The following -spirited letter will disclose the motive of the delay: - - "Captain Brant to the Chief Justice. - - "_Grand River,_--" [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The date is wanting in the copy. It must have been, however, toward - the close of 1799. - - - "Sir, - -"I feel myself under the necessity of representing to your Honor, that -from the consideration of the great importance of having a missionary -resident among the Indians, and that from the knowledge I have long had -of Mr. Davenport Phelps, and my particular acquaintance with his family -and connexions, I have been earnestly desirous that he might be ordained -to that office. To this end, the Winter before last I wrote the Honorable -Sir John Johnson, who communicated my wishes, and those of the other -chiefs, in this respect, to his Lordship the Bishop of Quebec. No -determinate answer was given, and in consequence the subject thus remained -till the Summer past, when, on my return from Lower Canada, at Kingston, -in a conversation with his Lordship, he was pleased to express the utmost -readiness to do what was incumbent on him to carry what was desired into -effect--manifesting a cheerful willingness to examine Mr. Phelps, in order -to his ordination. - -"Thus circumstanced, I requested Mr. Phelps to accompany me to Newark, -[FN] to offer himself for examination; but to my great disappointment -found, that previous to our arrival his Lordship had sailed for Quebec. I -was, Sir, however, surprised to learn, that he had left information -pointedly against the expected examination; which, though then to me -mysterious, I more fully understand since the arrival of his Excellency -Governor Hunter, at that place, who has told me that he had been informed -that Mr. Phelps had been at the head of a mob in the province. This -charge, replete with odium, I have good evidence to believe was originally -made by Mr. White, Attorney General, and as long ago as 1795. I must -acknowledge, Sir, that it is unaccountable in my mind how a charge of this -nature, made by one whose duty it is to prosecute seditious practices, -should remain unnoticed until so late a period, and then be suggested, as -I have too much reason to believe, to defeat a purpose earnestly desired -by many friends to the cause of religion and morality." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Formerly a town on the Niagara--now called Niagara. - - -"I cannot, in justice to truth, omit to observe that the proposal of Mr. -Phelps's being ordained to the church did not originate with him, (nor has -it since been solicited by him,) but by myself and others of -respectability, who have long known his virtues and abilities; who have -an indubitable claim to the honor of having defended this country against -the King's enemies; and whose loyalty and discernment cannot with decency -be disputed. If, however, a charge of this nature be proved, I shall -remain silent. If not, I humbly conceive justice and humanity require that -due reparation be made. - -"Your Honor's love of justice makes me confident of your best advice, and -wise interference in this affair. - -"I cannot but farther observe, that, considering the nature and -circumstances of this affair, I have a right to expect that Mr. White, or -whoever else has made this charge, be called on to prove it without delay. -I shall be much obliged by your answer to this by the bearer. I have the -honor to be, &c." - -It is manifest from this letter, that the government were entertaining -political objections to the candidate. The conduct of the -Attorney-General, however, would not stand the scrutiny to which the -Mohawk was disposed to subject it. Nothing could be more apparent than -that the charge was either frivolous, or adduced as a pretext, or that the -Attorney General had been remiss in the performance of his own official -duty. The Indians still adhered to Mr. Phelps; and such was the strength -of their attachment to him, that Captain Brant subsequently prepared a -formal memorial to the Lord Bishop, setting forth his excellent -qualities--his talents, his virtues, and his loyalty--and urging his -ordination, "as their choice had been, and still was, fixed on him, in -preference to any other." [FN] But every effort to obtain the ordination -of Mr. Phelps from the English prelate was fruitless, and the attention of -Captain Brant was thereupon directed to the Episcopal Church of the United -States, through the interposition of General Chapin, the American Indian -Agent residing at Canandaigua, and Colonel Aaron Burr. Mr. Phelps, the -candidate for orders, visited the city of New-York, and was the bearer of -the following letter to Colonel Burr upon the subject:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] The warmth of Brant's friendship for Mr. Phelps, and the strength of - his attachment to him, are explained by the circumstance that Mr. Phelps - had married the daughter of the elder President Wheelock, with whom the - Chief had doubtless' become acquainted while at the Moor Charity School. - As Mr. Phelps subsequently became the pioneer of the Episcopal Church in - the western part of the State of New-York, some farther notice of him - will be proper in this place. He was a native of Hebron, (Connecticut,) - where he was born in 1755. He was graduated at Yale College, with high - credit for his classical attainments, in 1775. Soon afterward he entered - the army of the Revolution, in Colonel Beadle's regiment--was made - prisoner and taken to Montreal, where he remained so long that he - acquired the French language so as to speak it with elegance. He was - married to Catharine Wheelock in 1785, and was for a time engaged in the - mercantile business, in company with his brothers-in-law, Ebenezer and - James Wheelock, in Hartford (Conn.) He afterward removed to - New-Hampshire, where he practised law, and served as a magistrate. In - 1798 he visited Upper Canada in company with James Wheelock, where they - jointly obtained a grant of eighty-four thousand acres of land from - Governor Simcoe. Soon afterward he removed his family to Upper Canada, - and settled for a time at Niagara, where he commenced the practice of the - law, and established a printing-office. He also had a mercantile concern - at that place, the business of which was chiefly conducted by an agent. - He had a taste for agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and paid much - attention to husbandry and the cultivation of fruit. A close intimacy - subsisted between himself and Captain Brant, and between their families. - He appears to have been early a religious man, and had, for some time - anterior to Brant's application in his behalf for orders, a strong - desire to enter the Episcopal Church.--_MS. Life of Rev. Davenport - Phelps, in preparation by the Rev. Dr. Rudd of Utica._ - - - "Captain Brant to Colonel Burr. - - "_Grand River, May_ 7, 1800. - - "Sir, - -"About three weeks since, I received a message from O'Bail to attend a -council at Buffalo, where I expected the pleasure of seeing you. We -attended, and waited a few days; but the chiefs there not being ready to -meet us, and we having business that required our attendance at this -place, were under the necessity of coming away. Had I been so fortunate as -to have met you there, it was my intention to have conversed with you upon -a subject which I have long considered as most important to the present -and future well-being of the Indians on both sides of the lakes and at -large; namely, their situation in a moral point of view, and concerning -measures proper to be taken in order that regular and stated religious -instruction might be introduced among them. - -"You well know, Sir, the general state of the Indians residing on Grand -River, as well as in other parts. A considerable number of some of these -nations have long since embraced Christianity, and the conversion of -others must depend, under the influence of the Great Spirit, on the -faithful labors of a resident minister, who might visit and instruct both -here and elsewhere, as ways and doors might from time to time be opened -for him. - -"The establishment and enlargement of civilization and Christianity among -the natives must be most earnestly desired by all good men; and as -religion and morality respect mankind at large, without any reference to -the boundaries of civil governments, I flatter myself that you, Sir, will -approve what many of the chiefs here, with myself, are so greatly desirous -of. - -"I have in view, as I have before suggested, the welfare of the Indians at -large; being fully persuaded that nothing can so greatly contribute to -their present and future happiness as their being brought into the habits -of virtue and morality, which, I trust, may and will be gradually effected -by instruction, if properly attended and enforced by example. - -"I well know the difficulty of finding a gentleman suitably qualified, and -willing to devote his life to the work of a missionary among them; and -especially one of talents and manners to render him agreeable in a degree -highly to favor his usefulness. And, in order to satisfy myself in this -respect, I faithfully inquired and consulted, and am clearly of opinion, -that Mr. Davenport Phelps, who is recommended as a gentleman of virtue and -respectable accomplishments, is the most suitable character for this -office of any one within my knowledge. My long acquaintance with his -family, and particular knowledge of him, as well as the opinion and wishes -of the most respectable characters among the white people in this -vicinity, who earnestly wish, for themselves as well as for us, that he -may be ordained a missionary, make me earnestly hope that you will -officially recommend both the design and him to the Right Reverend Bishops -in the United States, or to some one of them, and to such other characters -as you may think proper. - -"From the consideration that religion and politics are distinct subjects, -we should not only be well satisfied to receive a Missionary from a Bishop -in the United States, but, for various other reasons, would prefer one -from thence. - -"We shall be able here to do something considerable towards Mr. Phelps's -support; and I doubt not but others, who have ability, will be disposed to -assist in promoting so good a work. I will add no more than that I have -great satisfaction in being confident of your friendly and influential -exertions in this important affair, and that I am, with great sincerity, -yours, &c., - - "Joseph Brant." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Brant had had some previous acquaintance with Colonel Burr and his - family, as will appear in a subsequent page. This letter was enclosed by - Colonel Burr to his daughter Theodosia, then Mrs. Alston, in December, - 1801, with the following remark:--"Yesterday Mr. Phelps, mentioned in the - enclosed, delivered to me two pair of moccasins, directed--'From Captain - Joseph Brant to Mr. and Mrs. Alston.' Your ship having sailed, I don't - know how or when I shall forward them to you; but we will see. I send - the original letter of Captain Brant, merely to show how an Indian can - write. It is his own hand-writing and composition. Upon this notice of - his attention you should write him a letter of acknowledgment for his - hospitality," &c. The author will here remark, that the orthography of - Captain Brant was remarkable and almost invariably accurate. - - -The application to the American Church was successful, and the Missionary -was ordained. [FN-1] But whether the measure was facilitated by the -exertions of Colonel Burr, is not known. The subject has been treated -thus at large, for the purpose of developing with more distinctness the - religious bias of the Chieftain's character, as illustrated by the -earnest perseverance with which he sought the Christian improvement of his -people. From other letters and documents among his papers, it is farther -rendered certain that several religious gentlemen of distinction in the -United States were in occasional correspondence with him upon religious -and other subjects connected with the history and condition of his people. -His house, likewise, seems to have been the free and open quarters of the -Missionaries employed at that early stage of the modern missionary -enterprise, among the borderers, both Anglo-Saxon and Aboriginal. [FN-2] -As an example of this description of correspondence, the following letter -is given--for the double purpose of showing the estimate placed upon the -character of Captain Brant by the great and good of that day, and of -embalming the name of one of the most devout and faithful pioneers of -Christianity that ever made the wilderness ring with the Gospel -trumpet--the Rev. Elkanah Holmes: - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Mr. Phelps was ordained a Deacon in Trinity Church, in the city - of New-York, by Bishop Benjamin Moore, on Sunday, December 13, 1801. He - immediately returned to Canada, and entered upon the active duties of a - missionary, holding frequent services, and traveling far and wide in the - discharge of his duties. His residence then, and for several years - before, was upon his farm about three miles from Burlington Bay. Captain - Brant had repeatedly endeavored to induce him to accept a grant of land, - probably with a view to his residence with, or near him, at Grand River, - but without success--as the accumulation of wealth was not the desire of - Mr. Phelps. In 1803 he was ordained as a priest in St Peter's Church, - Albany, also by Bishop Moore. Thenceforward he entered upon the life of - a missionary in the western part of New-York, and in 1805 removed his - family from Upper Canada to Onondaga. He subsequently removed to Geneva, - where he died some years since.--_MS. Account of his life by Dr. Rudd._ - - [FN-2] Mr. Phelps had much intercourse with Captain Brant and his family. - When he preached in the vicinity of the family of Brant, that household - formed a part, and a very attentive part, of his audience.--_MS. of the - Rev. Dr. Rudd._ - - - "Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., to Captain Brant. - - "_New-York, June_ 16, 1801. - - "Sir, - -"The Directors of the New-York Missionary Society have instructed me to -tender you their acknowledgments for your friendship to their missionary, -the Rev. Elkanah Holmes. [FN] This gentleman, in whose discretion and -integrity they repose entire confidence, they have employed in a second -mission to those tribes of Indians whom your influence particularly -affects. The purity of their views, embracing the moral and religions -interests of the Indians, induces them to believe that their attempts will -not be unacceptable to you; and your former kindness to Mr. Holmes -emboldens them to ask for him such countenance and advice as your intimate -knowledge of Indian affairs, and the weight of your opinion in directing -them, render it expedient for you to give. For your farther satisfaction -with regard to the missionary system, Mr. Holmes will present you with a -volume containing the sermons preached before the Society, and the annual -accounts of their procedure; of which the directors do themselves the -pleasure to request your acceptance." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Mr. Holmes devoted many years to missionary labors among the - Indians, of whom he took his leave about the year 1812. He lived many - years afterward, and died at a very advanced age. Like Heckewelder, he - imbibed the most enthusiastic admiration of the Indian character in its - native unsophisticated state. In the course of his experience, however, - he arrived at the painful conclusion that it is all but impossible to - do any good to them while subject to the moral contagion of white men and - strong drink. His appearance in the latter years of his life was truly - patriarchal. His hair, long and white, fell down upon his shoulders; his - manner was remarkably impressive, and his whole demeanor that of one who - was ripe for heaven. He was a Calvinistic Baptist. - - - "With respect, I am, Sir, - Your obedient servant, - John M. Mason, _Secretary._ - - "_Captain Joseph Brant._" - -The Chief was likewise in correspondence with the Rev. Samuel Miller of -New-York, now Doctor Miller, of Princeton, as appears by the following -letter:-- - - "Captain Brant to the Rev. Samuel Miller. - - "_Grand River, Feb._ 9, 1801. - - "Sir, - -"I feel a particular satisfaction that I have now had an opportunity of -answering your letter by the Rev. Mr. Holmes. I have explained, as far as -in my power, the queries you have proposed. I hope you will excuse the -long delay I have made since I received your letter, and not altogether -attribute it to neglect or unwillingness to serve you; for I have myself -a strong inclination for searching into the antiquities of our nations and -others, but the multiplicity of business I have always had on hand, has -hitherto prevented me. Even now, what I have said on the subject is in -haste, and as brief as possible. Should it so happen that I might have it -in my power further to assist you, I shall do it with pleasure." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] It is a matter of no small regret that the author has not been able - to procure a copy of the letter referred to. At the time when the now - venerable Dr. Miller opened a correspondence with Brant, he was - projecting a _History of New-York,_ and was then collecting materials for - that object. Brant had also contemplated writing a history of _The Six - Nations;_ and it is quite probable that his reply to the queries of Doctor - Miller was both a valuable and a curious document. When Doctor Miller - removed from New-York to Princeton, in the year 1813, he was just - recovering from a fit of sickness, which disabled him from attending to - his papers. The consequence was, that owing to the carelessness of - others, his manuscripts and historical collections were greatly - scattered, and many of them irrecoverably lost. Among the latter were the - letters of Captain Brant, as the author has been informed by the Doctor - himself, in reply to a letter addressed to him. After stating the - circumstance attending the loss of his manuscripts, the Doctor - says--"after the most diligent search that I can make, I cannot find a - line of what I received from that remarkable man." - - -"I cannot omit acknowledging the satisfaction I feel from what the Rev. -Mr. Holmes has acquainted me with, respecting the generous intentions of -your society for diffusing religion and civilization among the Indian -nations in general. I would be happy to hear from you, how far your -society may propose to extend their goodness, with respect to the -education of Indian youths that might be well recommended to them. And -also, if they would be willing, and it might be consistent with their -constitution, to assist some Indians who have yet claims on lands in the -United States, such as the Nantikokes in Maryland, and the Munsees near -Minisink, who have requested me to make the application. The Rev. Mr. -Holmes can more particularly inform you on this subject." - -Unfortunately the Mohawks, like all other primitive American nations with -whom the white people have come in contact, were lovers of rum, and -subject, of course, to the evils consequent upon that species of -debasement. The prevalence of this vice seems to have been viewed with -deep solicitude by Captain Brant, and a system of prevention early entered -into his views on commencing the labor of building up his nation anew. But -all experience has shown how futile are these attempts to keep the -fire-waters from the lips of the Indian, so long as unprincipled white men -are permitted to approach their borders with their alembics, or minister -the ready-made liquor to their burning appetites. In like manner were the -efforts of Captain Brant frustrated. In a letter to Sir John Johnson, -dated June 30th, 1800, in reference to this subject, he said:--"The -accidents which have happened in the drunken frolics here, have -principally proceeded from an opposition party to those chiefs who wished -to adopt some necessary regulations. Captain Clans seems very uneasy, and -wishes to take some steps to prevent those melancholy misfortunes. He -urges me to point out some mode in which it can be effected. In answer I -furnished him in writing with a detail of the plan, (of which I presume he -will send you a copy,) which was adopted when we first settled here, and -which could at that time have been carried into effect, but for the -insurmountable impediments thrown in the way by the government. I should -be glad of your opinion on this unfortunate subject." - -It must be reckoned among the mysteries in the economy of Providence, that -women, of every age, and hue, and clime, are doomed to suffer more -severely from the effects of intemperance in the other sex than men. The -maddening poison of the intoxicating cup infuriates the stronger passions -of the men, and imparts fiend-like energy to their already superior -physical powers; and among savage as well as civilized men, those under -its diabolical influence often wreak their senseless violence upon the -least offending and the least capable of resistance. It was thus among the -Mohawks. At least nothing less can be inferred from the following -memoranda of proceedings upon this subject, among the papers of Captain -Brant:-- - -"On the 22d of May, 1802, the women assembled in council, to which they -called the chiefs. They then addressed them as follows: - -"Uncles: Some time ago the women of this place spoke to you; but you did -not then answer them, as you considered their meeting not sufficient. Now, -a considerable number of those from below having met and consulted -together, join in sentiment, and lament as it were with tears in our eyes, -the many misfortunes caused by the use of spirituous liquors. We therefore -mutually request that you will use your endeavors to have it removed from -our neighborhood, that there may be none sold nigher to us than the -mountain. We flatter ourselves that this is in your power, and that you -will have compassion on our uneasiness, and exert yourselves to have it -done." - - _Strings of Wampum._ - -How like woman! She discerned the cause of the evil she saw and felt: yet -she indulged no resentments--she complained not of her sufferings--but -mildly entreated that the cause might be removed. Thus, ever forward to -shield those she loved from temptation and danger, by her influence and -persuasions exerting might in her weakness, and rendering tho strong man -stronger by her anxious yet watchful guardianship of his virtue. But their -counsel did not end here. There had been domestic feuds and collisions -among their lords. The Seneca demagogue had sown dissensions between the -warriors and their chiefs, and the Mohawk women appeared also in their own -true and beneficent character of peace-makers. After the portion of their -address quoted above had been delivered, "some others," (says the -manuscript,) spoke thus:-- - -"Uncles: The division and separation of the warriors from the chiefs gives -us much uneasiness; we therefore entreat you, both chiefs and warriors, -that you will bury all dispute, that your affairs may go on with the usual -friendship and tranquility. As for our part, we have been, in a great -measure a principal cause in influencing our male relations; but we now -drop it, and promise to observe a quite different conduct, and we hope in -future that no reports shall be able to rekindle the fire of contention." - - _Strings of Wampum._ - -The manner in which these rude females of the forest made their appeal, -might serve as a pattern of delicacy to many of the sex of loftier -pretensions. Nor was it without its effect upon the council of chiefs to -whom it was addressed. After adjourning a short time for consideration, -they returned, and Captain Brant delivered their reply to the following -purpose:-- - -"Nieces: We are fully convinced of the justice of your request; drinking -has caused the many misfortunes in this place, and has been, besides, a -great cause of the divisions, by the effect it has upon the people's -speech. We assure you, therefore, that we will use our endeavors to effect -what you desire. However, it depends in a great measure upon government, -as the distance you propose is within their line. We cannot therefore -absolutely promise that our request will be complied with." - - _Strings._ - -"Nieces: With respect to your request to bury all differences, we heartily -comply with it, and thank you for the wisdom yon showed in here -interfering. It was the custom of our ancestors for the women, by their -moderation, to heal up all animosities. Be assured, therefore, that we -bury every thing disagreeable that may have happened hitherto; and in -future we shall be upon our guard against tales, and also saying anything -thoughtlessly ourselves; we only regret that the warriors are not here -present, to concur with us in re-establishing unity and amity." - - _Strings._ - -If the proceedings of this female council appear rather too episodical for -direct historical narrative, they are nevertheless illustrations of Indian -manners and character. It is, moreover, a satisfaction thus to secure from -oblivion, and preserve, a document bearing beautiful testimony, that even -in a barbarous state of society, women are still found foremost in the -conservation of virtue, and as persevering peace-makers in the midst of -anarchy and strife. And besides, the females of no other race have had so -little justice done to their character as those of the American Indian. -While the women of every other people have been apotheosized, even down to -the ebon daughter of Africa who moistened the parched lips of Mungo Park; -who has ever rendered the just meed of homage to the patient, -unostentatious virtues, and the noble qualities, of the tawny daughters of -the American forest, save in the case of Pocahontas? - -The reader has already seen that the religious tenets of Captain Brant -were Episcopalian. It came not within the requisitions of his creed, -therefore, even had policy been out of the question, to discountenance the -games and amusements of his people. On the contrary, he loved to encourage -their pastimes and divertisements, and by so doing, gave evidence of his -wisdom. Indeed, it may well be doubted whether, in this respect, the -ancients, and all uncivilized nations, have not been wiser in their -generations than the modern Anglo-Saxons and their American children. -Relaxation of mind and body is necessary alike to the health and -elasticity of both. When the Puritans of New England banished the merry -Christmas festival of Old England, they soon saw the necessity of creating -a substitute, which was found in the feast of Thanksgiving. Still, the -people of the United States have ever been so thoroughly utilitarian in -the use of their hours, as really to deny themselves time for a suitable -indulgence in rational amusements. Thus the harvest-home is forgotten; the -rustic gambols of Christmas are almost unknown; no joyous groups dance -around the Maypole, or twine the garland for the brow of its queen. The -Americans have no seasons for reinvigorating their systems by wholesome -athletic exercises, or dispelling care by rural sports among flowers, and -groves, and fountains. The native sports of the Indians are less refined -and poetical than were the pastimes and festivals of the Greeks and -Romans; but they doubtless contribute as much to the enjoyment of the -people, while they are no less rational, and are marked by a high degree -of moral purity. - -The neglect of athletic exercises, and games, by the white people, -moreover, works positive injury. Contrast the tall, erect posture, the -elastic tread of the Indian, with the plodding pace and inclining gait of -the white man! Is it not obvious that the difference is attributable to -the difference of physical training? The white laborer is generally worked -too hard when young. His labors, whether in the field or the work-shop, -are invariably such as to draw the body forward, while there is no -exercise allowed the antagonistic muscles--those which sustain the body -in an upright position. The consequence is, that while the Indian indulges -in those sports which expand the chest, and throw back the shoulders, and -impart agility and grace to the movements of the limbs, the white man, -instead of looking upward to the heavens, is bowed down to the posture of -the brute creation. - -Among other amusements, in addition to their own native sports of running, -wrestling, and leaping [FN]--their dances and songs--their sacrifices, and -other festivals of war and of thanksgiving--the Six Nations had adopted -from the whites the popular game of ball, or cricket. Indeed, so much -attached were they to this manly exercise, that the game had become -national throughout the Confederacy; and it was no uncommon thing for one -nation to challenge another to play a match--upon a much larger scale, -beyond doubt, than was ever practised among the pale-faces. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Mary Jemison states that these athletic games and exercises were - practised, not only that their bodies might become more supple, or rather - that they might not become enervated, but that they might be enabled to - make proper selection of chiefs for the councils of the nation and - leaders for war. - - -A game of this kind was commenced on one occasion, in the year 1794, -between the young Mohawks and Senecas, which was well nigh attended with -fatal consequences. The Mohawks were the challengers. After the game had -proceeded for a considerable time, one of the Mohawks, in a struggle with -a Seneca for a stroke at the ball, struck his antagonist a sharp blow with -his bat. The occurrence having been observed by the players, the Senecas -dropped their bats instantly, to a man, and retired to their posts with -silent, though evident resentment. Without speaking a word, but with -bosoms heaving with indignation, they took up the stakes they had -deposited, and retired to their own country, on the upper waters of the -Genesee, toward the northern spur of the Alleghenies. About three weeks -subsequent to the occurrence, a Seneca messenger arrived at the Mohawk -village, dispatched thither by Red Jacket, the Corn-planter, and others, -complaining of the insult, demanding satisfaction for the affront, and -denouncing war in case of refusal. The Mohawks, feeling that they were in -the wrong, were somewhat troubled at the message. Brant convened a council -of his chiefs, and after consultation, a message was returned to the -Senecas, proposing an amicable meeting of the chiefs of both nations, to -confer upon the subject matter of complaint, with a view of healing the -wound by compromise and explanation, and of course without bloodshed. The -Senecas, anxious to avoid hostilities against a nation with which they had -been in alliance so long, acceded to the pacific proposition, and a joint -council was the consequence. Red Jacket, however, did all he could to -prevent a reconciliation. He delivered an inflammatory speech, laboring -with all his art and eloquence to aggravate the insult, and urging his -nation to avenge the insult by an appeal to arms. But Captain O'Bail, and -some others of the older Seneca chiefs, were for the adoption of a more -conciliatory course. They were little moved by the exciting philippic of -Red Jacket, and desired nothing more of the Mohawks than a reasonable and -honorable atonement for the wrong done to their young warrior by the party -offending. The proposition was met with equal magnanimity on the part of -the Mohawks, and the result of the council was an adjustment of the -difficulty. The calumet was smoked, and the chiefs--all save the -disappointed demagogue, Red Jacket--separated upon the most amicable -terms. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Notes of a visit to Captain Brant, and of conversations with him, - by Samuel Woodruff, Esq. of Windsor, Con. - - -Three years afterward, in the Summer of 1797, another match of cricket was -played between the two nations. The Senecas were this time the -challengers, but the game was played at the Mohawk village, on the Grand -River, and was commenced during the visit of the gentleman to whom Captain -Brant had related the particulars of the foregoing unpleasant occurrence. -It was, in fact, the conversation naturally flowing from the pending match -that led the Chief to speak of the incidents connected with the former. -The playing was to commence at 9 o'clock in the morning, and the -invitation of Captain Brant to see the amusement, was accepted by his -guest. - -The place selected for the trial of strength, agility, and skill, was a -broad and beautiful green, of perhaps one hundred acres, perfectly level, -and smooth as a carpet, without tree or shrub, or stone to encumber it. -On one side of the green the Senecas had collected in a sort of irregular -encampment--men, women, and children--to the number of more than a -thousand. On the other side the Mohawks were actively assembling in yet -greater numbers. The stakes deposited by each party were laid upon the -ground in heaps, consisting of rifles, hatchets, swords, belts, knives, -blankets, wampum, watches, beads, broaches, furs, and a variety of other -articles of Indian utility and taste--amounting, in the whole, according -to the estimate of Captain Brant, to upward of a thousand dollars a side. -By the side of the stakes were seated a group of the aged Chiefs--"grave -and reverend seigniors," whose beards had been silvered by the frosts of -many winters, and whose visages gave evidence of the toils of war and the -chase. - -The combatants numbered about six hundred upon a side, young and -middle-aged men--nimble of foot, athletic and muscular. Their countenances -beamed with animation and high hope. In order to the free and unfettered -use of their sinewy limbs, their persons were naked with the exception of -a single garment like an apron, or kilt, fastened around the waist, and -descending nearly to the knee. The area of the play-ground was designated -by two pair of "byes," placed at about thirty rods distant from each -other, and the goals of each pair about thirty feet apart. The combatants -ranged themselves in parallel lines on each side of the area, facing -inward, and leaving a space between them of about ten rods in breadth. -Their bats were three feet six inches in length, curved at the lower end -somewhat in the form of a ladle, the broad part for striking the ball -being formed of net-work, woven of thongs of untanned deer-skin, strained -to the tension of tight elasticity. The ball, large as a middling-sized -apple, was also composed of elastic materials. - -On one side of the area, near the centre of the line, and in a conspicuous -place, were seated a body of elderly sachems, of each nation, with knives -and tally-sticks, to score the game. The rules governing the game were -somewhat intricate. None of the players were allowed to touch the ball -with hand or foot, until driven beyond the "byes" or land-marks. It was -then thrown back by hand toward or into the centre of the area, when the -game proceeded as before. Their mode of counting the game was peculiar, -the tallies-men not being in all cases bound by arbitrary rules, but left -to the exercise of a certain degree of discretionary power. Each passage -of the ball between the goals, at the end of the play-ground, counted one, -so long as the contest was nearly equal; but, for the purpose of -protracting the game, whenever one party became considerably in advance of -the other, the tally-chiefs were allowed to check or curtail their count -in proportion to the excess. For instance, if the leading party had run up -a regular count to thirty, while their opponents had numbered but fifteen, -the tallies-men, at their discretion, and by consent of each other, though -unknown to the players, would credit the winning party with only two -notches for three passages of the ball--varying from time to time, -according to the state of the game. The object of this course was to -protract the game, and to increase the amusement, while despondency upon -either side was prevented, and the chance of ultimate victory increased. -Frequently, by this discretionary mode of counting, the game was continued -three or four days. - -The game on this occasion was commenced by about sixty players on a side, -who advanced from their respective lines with bats in their hands, into -the centre of the play-ground. Of this number about twenty were stationed -at the end land-marks, to guard the passage of the ball. The players who -were to begin, were apparently mingled promiscuously together. All things -being thus ready, a beautiful maiden, richly dressed in the native costume -of her people, wearing a red tiara plumed with eagles' feathers, and -glittering with bracelets and other ornaments of silver, came bounding -like a gazelle into the area, with the ball, which she placed upon the -ground in the centre. Instantly the welkin rang with the shouts of the -whole multitude of spectators, and the play began; while the bright-eyed -maiden danced back, and joined her own circle among the surrounding -throng. The match was begun by two of the opposing players, who advanced -to the ball, and with their united bats raised it from the ground to such -an elevation as gave a chance for a fair stroke; when, quick as lightning, -it was sped through the air almost with the swiftness of a bullet. Much -depends upon the first stroke, and great skill is exerted to obtain it. - -The match was played with great spirit, and the display of agility and -muscular strength was surprising. Every nerve was strung; and so great -were the exertions of the players, that each set was relieved by fresh -hands every fifteen or twenty minutes; thus alternating, and allowing -every player of the whole number to perform his part, until the game was -finished. The scene was full of excitement and animation. The principal -Chief entered fully into the enjoyment, and by his explanations to his -guest heightened its interest, which of itself, the latter declared to -have afforded him a greater degree of satisfaction than any game or -pastime that he had ever beheld. The contest was continued three days, at -the end of which, after a severe struggle, the Senecas were proclaimed the -victors, sweeping the stakes, to the great mortification of the -proud-spirited Mohawks--the head of the Confederacy. - -Mr. Woodruff, from whose notes the preceding description has been derived, -was highly gratified with his visit to the Chief, with whom he passed -several days. In his person he said he was graceful and dignified--easy -and affable in conversation. His stature was five feet eleven inches--of -the finest form and proportions--robust and firm, and possessing great -muscular power. His countenance was open, placid, and inviting--his eyes -brilliant and expressive--in short, every thing in relation to his person -was engaging and prepossessing. - -No people are more particular in paying honors to the dead than the -Indians, and their funerals are marked with deep and affecting solemnity. -As among civilized nations, the pomp and pageantry of woe vary according -to the rank of the deceased and the wealth of the family, or the ability -and disposition of friends to defray the expenses of the funeral, the -entertainment at the grave, and the presents to be distributed. But, -however humble the deceased, the remains are never unhonored or unwept; -and among no people on earth are stronger evidences given of tender -affection. Nor are funeral honors bestowed only upon the men. There is a -mistaken idea generally prevalent, that the Indian woman is treated with -contempt, arising from the well-known fact, that certain offices and -labors, accounted as menial among the whites, or as improper to be imposed -upon women, are always performed by them among the Indians. But the -allotment of those duties to the women has arisen from their usages, and -the peculiar structure of their society, time immemorial. Nor is the -custom any evidence of disrespect or contumely. On the contrary, it may be -doubted whether the females of the white people, even among nations of the -most refinement, exercise a higher or more salutary degree of influence, -than do the Indian women. Nor, when dead, are they treated with less -respect than the warriors. "The greatest honors are paid to the remains of -the wives of renowned warriors and veteran chiefs, particularly if they -were descended themselves of a high family, which is by no means an -indifferent thing among the Indians, who love to honor the merit of their -great men in the persons of their relatives." [FN] The funerals of chiefs -and warriors, and of distinguished women, were attended by the heads of -the tribe, and all the people, and their ceremonies were highly -impressive. On the opening of all their councils, a ceremony of -condolence was performed, and an appropriate speech delivered, in memory -of those who had died, or been slain on the war-path, since their last -meeting. These ceremonies were solemn, and their speeches often full of -simplicity, tenderness, and pathos. Among the papers of Sir William -Johnson is a manuscript of a speech of condolence, delivered at the -opening of a council in 1761, by Seneca George, a few passages of which -may be cited as an example:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Heckewelder. - - -"Brothers: We suppose that in the late troubles you may have lost many of -your people, either by sickness or war, since we were last together; by -this string, therefore, we wipe away the tears from your eyes, clear your -throats, wash away the blood from your bodies, sweep the council chamber, -and throw the dirt out of doors, that you may see and speak to us clearly -at the present conference." - - [_A String._] - -"Brothers: We are sorry, from the bottom of our hearts for the death of -your men, women, and children, and by this belt we collect all their bones -together, bury them in one grave, and cover them up." - - [_A black belt, eight rows, streaked with white._] - -"Brothers: We are at great loss, and sit in darkness as well as you, by -the death of Conrad Weiser, [FN] as, since his death, we cannot so well -understand one another. By this belt we cover his body with bark." - - [_A white belt of seven rows, with four black streaks._] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Celebrated in the Indian Annals, for many years, as an interpreter. - - -"Brothers: By the last belt, I mentioned to you that we both sat in -darkness. Now, by this belt I remove the clouds from before the sun, that -we may see it rise and set, and that your hearts may be eased from sorrow -on account of what I mentioned before. [_Delivered a white belt of five -rows, with three black bars._] We pray the Great God above, who can -enlighten our hearts, that we may live in love and peace until death." - -From the manuscripts of Captain Brant, it seems frequently to have been -his duty to perform the ceremony of condolence, and he sometimes speaks of -making a journey to a considerable distance for that sole purpose. Only -one of his speeches, however, on such an occasion, remains among his -papers. That was delivered in the name of the Five Nations, on the 24th of -February, 1801, at Fort George, (Niagara,) on the death of Mrs. Claus, -[FN] the mother of the Deputy Superintendent:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Daughter of Sir William Johnson. - - - "Speech of Condolence to Captain Claus. - -"Brother: We are here now met in the presence of the Spirit above, with -intent to keep up the ancient custom of condolement. We therefore condole -with you for your late loss of our well-beloved sister, whom now you have -interred. - -"Brother: We hope that this may not damp your heart so much as to make -you forget us, who are your brothers--not only ourselves, but our wives -and children. - -"Brother: We say now again, that by our late loss, it seems our fire is -somewhat extinguished. But we have now found a few brands remaining, and -have collected them together, and have raised a straight smoke to the -clouds. - -"Brother: We therefore with this string of wampum wipe away the tears from -your eyes, and would take away all sorrow from your heart. But that is -impossible: still, it is the customary way of making the speech. We -therefore mention it: and with the said wampum we wipe away all stains of -whatever should remain on your seat, so that you may sit down in comfort. - -"Brother: We say again with this string of wampum, as you seem to be all -in darkness, we with the same string enlighten the skies above us, so that -it may appear to us all as it formerly used to do. - -"Brother: We say again with this string of wampum, as we have now made our -speech of condolement, we hope to raise you upon your feet, as you -formerly used to be; for since our late loss, it seems you have been -confined as one absent." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Captain Claus had been so much affected by the death of his mother, - as to be confined to his room; and although he met the Chiefs in council - on this occasion, he was unable to reply---but sent his speech afterward - in writing. - - -"Brother: We hope you will not forget our calamities--hoping that this -shock may not put us out of your memory entirely--and also that you may -continue to help us, as you formerly used to do. - -"Brother: This last string which now I give you, is given by the whole Six -Nations, so as to strengthen your mind and body--that you may not be too -much cast down by the occasion of our late loss." - -An address was likewise transmitted to the council from the women, which -was delivered by a sachem called Old Thomas; but a copy has not been -preserved. Only the last half sheet of Captain Claus's reply is now to be -found. The conclusion was this:-- - -". . . She was good, and was a friend to you all, as far as she had it in -her power, by speaking in your favor always. But was I to continue, I -should again bring to my memory her great love for me, and fill my eyes -and heart again, so that I could not attend to your affairs. Accept my -grateful thanks for your condolence, and allow me to look upon you as my -friends--wishing you, and all belonging to you, health and all happiness. - -"Brothers, I now address myself again to you. As the business is now over, -and you will be turning your faces toward home, I pray to the Great Spirit -that he will make your road smooth, and leave no obstacle in the way, that -will either hurt or stop you; but that you may get safe home, and meet -your friends all well; whom I beg you will salute for me. I shall always -be happy to be numbered among your friends." - -In private life, the character of Brant was estimable, and in the social -circle often very agreeable. The testimony of the Baroness De Reidesel, -who met him at the castle at Quebec, has already been cited in a former -chapter. During the portion of his life now under review, being the last -twelve years, he had many journies to perform,--to the lower province to -look after the interests of his own immediate people; to the upper lakes, -to keep the chain of friendship with his old confederates from becoming -rusty; and to Canandaigua, and elsewhere, to visit his friends, and upon -matters of business. In addition to all these, early in the year 1797 he -made another visit to Albany and Philadelphia, striking from New-York -into New England on his return. [FN] Judging from the tone of a letter -which he wrote after his arrival home, to a friend among the upper Indian -nations, he must have encountered some unpleasant circumstances during -that journey. It was not, however, entirely divested of agreeable -associations; and several incidents have been collected by the author, -which will serve as better illustrations of his social character than any -other in the entire history of his career. An extract from the letter -just referred to follows:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] His quarters in the city of New-York, daring that visit, were at - Batton's Hotel, the old brick edifice yet standing on the south corner of - Nassau and John streets. The Hon. Jeromus Johnson, of New-York, has - furnished the author with an account of a visit made by him to the Chief - in that hotel, in company with Dr. Dinglej and the celebrated Dr. - Priestley. See Appendix, No. XVI. - - - "_Grand River, July_ 2, 1797, - - "Dear Sir, - -"It is some time since I received your letter, and I have already answered -it by way of Fort Erie; but I did not in it mention the particulars of my -jaunt to the States. In the first place, I met with a very cool reception, -insomuch that I did not see any of the great men at Philadelphia. I -suppose, by this, that they must have forgot that I was a Yankee when I -was there before, and also at the last meeting we had at the foot of the -Rapids, when it was reported among you, gentlemen of the Indian -department, that I was favoring the Yankee interest. I expected they might -have paid a little more attention to me, after the great service you -supposed I had done them. I was greatly insulted on the road between -Philadelphia and Jersey, by a Yankee colonel whose name I don't recollect, -insomuch that the affair was nearly coming to blows. At New-York they were -very friendly, and likewise in Connecticut, (in New England,) they were -very civil. At Albany there were several people who threatened to kill me -behind my back; so that the great men there thought it necessary to send -a man with me, as a protector, to the end of the settlement at German -Flats. I suppose these people have also forgot that I was a Yankee." - -By the term "great men at Philadelphia," the old Chief must have meant the -heads of the administration, since he was most hospitably entertained by -some distinguished gentlemen then at the seat of government. The -attentions which he received from "the great men at Philadelphia," five -years before, were bestowed under peculiar circumstances. He was there at -that time in a semi-official capacity, and at the urgent solicitation of -the government itself; and it was the duty of the government to render all -those civilities which might contribute to the pleasure of his visit. The -government, moreover, were hoping that important results might flow from -that visit, and very marked attentions were the natural consequence. It -is, indeed, too much the way of the world--especially of courts, whether -republican or monarchical--to caress and flatter where they have a purpose -to serve, as in turn the great are caressed and flattered by those hanging -upon their favors. But, under the circumstances of this second visit of -the Mohawk, divested, as it was, altogether of official character and -importance, his expectations of particular official attentions were -probably unreasonable. He had seen far too much of the world, and had -mingled too much in society of all ranks and conditions, yet to retain the -simplicity of unsophisticated nature, and he might therefore have -understood his altered position, and spared his sarcasm. Certainly, though -he might not have breathed the air of the court, or been shouldered by the -factious bandyings of its favorites, he was treated with marked attention -by gentlemen at that time of high distinction, and his society much -courted. Among others, the late Colonel Burr, then a Senator in Congress, -gave him a brilliant dinner party. The Senator had previously been in -correspondence with the Chief, and liked him much. Indeed, it was upon the -Colonel's invitation that he visited Philadelphia at that time. Among the -guests from abroad assembled on that occasion, were the minister of the -French Republic; Volney the traveler; Talleyrand, and other distinguished -gentlemen of that nation, brought hither by the political troubles of -their own country. Knowing his colloquial powers to be very good, and that -he had the faculty of rendering himself not only agreeable but fascinating -in conversation, the Colonel and his friends were somewhat disappointed, -in the earlier stages of the entertainment, at the Chieftain's -taciturnity. All the cold reserve of his race seemed to have come over -him, and for a while every effort to draw him out in discourse was -ineffectual. Meantime the Indians, their character, history, and destiny, -became the leading topics of conversation. At length, after various -suggestions had been made as to the most feasible and effectual methods of -their civilization, Brant suddenly joined in the discussion; treating the -subject with good sense, but with alternate gravity and humor. He avowed -it as his settled conviction, however, that the only effectual process of -civilizing his people, must be their amalgamation with the blood of the -whites; that the Indian could only be tamed by intermarriages. -Occasionally during his own participation in this discussion, there was a -drollery in his manner that created great amusement. During the residue -of the evening he contributed his full share to the conversation, -exhibiting at all times sterling good sense, and enlivening the hours with -sallies of pleasantry and wit which "set the table in a roar." The result -was not only an agreeable, but highly intellectual entertainment. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel Burr, noted down on the day - they were held. - - -On leaving Philadelphia for New-York, Colonel Burr gave the Chief the -following letter of introduction to his youthful and gifted daughter -Theodosia [FN]--afterward Mrs. Alston:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Miss Burr was then in her fourteenth year. - - - "Colonel Burr to his Daughter. - - "_Philadelphia, Feb._ 28, 1797. - -"This will be handed to you by Colonel Brant, the celebrated Indian Chief. -I am sure that you and Natalie [FN] will be happy in the opportunity of -seeing a man so much renowned. He is a man of education--speaks and writes -the English perfectly--and has seen much of Europe and America. Receive -him with respect and hospitality. He is not one of those Indians who drink -rum, but is quite a gentleman; not one who will make you fine bows, but -one who understands and practices what belongs to propriety and good -breeding. He has daughters--it you could think of some little present to -send to one of them--a pair of ear-rings, for example,--it would please -him. You may talk to him very freely, and offer to introduce him to your -friend Mr. Witbeck, at Albany. Vale, et ama, - - "A.B. - - "Miss Theodosia Burr, - _No. 30 Partition-street, New-York._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] Natalie Delagie, an adopted child of Colonel Burr, born in France, - and Subsequently married to a son of General Bumpier, of South Carolina. - - -Miss Theodosia received the forest Chief with all the courtesy and -hospitality suggested; and, young as she was, she performed the honors of -her father's house in a manner that must have been as gratifying to her -absent parent as it was creditable to herself. Among other attentions, she -gave him a dinner party selecting for her guests some of the most eminent -gentlemen in the city, among whom were Bishop Moore and Doctors Bard and -Hosack. In writing to her father upon the subject, she gave a long and -sprightly account of the entertainment. She said that, in making the -preliminary arrangements she had been somewhat at a loss in the selection -of such dishes as would probably suit the palate of her principal guest. -Being a savage warrior, and in view of the many tales she had heard, of - - The Cannibals that each other eat, - The anthropophagi, and men whose heads - Do grow beneath their shoulders-- - -she added, sportively, that she had a mind to lay the hospital under -contribution for a human head, to be served up like a boar's head in -ancient hall barberic. But, after all, she found him a most Christian and -civilized guest in his manners. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel Burr. The Colonel was - anxious that this letter from his daughter should be found among his - papers; but Mr. Davis, his biographer, after diligent search, has not - discovered it--nor has he been able to find the correspondence between - Brant and Colonel Burr. By the papers of Captain Brant, it appears that - Miss Burr visited him at Grand River, after she became Mrs. Alston, in - company with her husband. Seeing that when the Chief saw her in New-York - "she was very young, and had since assumed a new name," Governor George - Clinton gave the young married couple a cordial letter of introduction to - the Chief. - - -It has been seen from his own letter, that the Chief was well pleased -during his visit in New-York. He had, indeed, reason to be gratified, for -he was treated with marked kindness and consideration. His own deportment -was, moreover, such as to secure the respect and esteem of those with whom -he came into association. The Rev. Dr. Miller, who became acquainted with -him during that visit, in a letter to the author already referred to in a -note, thus speaks of him:--"I have called Joseph Brant 'a remarkable man.' -He was, in my opinion, truly so. My personal intercourse with him was not -considerable; but it was quite sufficient to impress me with most -respectful sentiments of his intellectual character, his personal dignity, -and his capacity to appear well in any society. I met with him -repeatedly;--was with him at a dining party--and listened to his -conversation in various situations--some of them rather trying; and was -surprised at the simple, easy, polished, and even court-like manners which -he was capable of assuming; though, at the same time, I was assured that -he was capable of being as great a savage as any individual of his nation. -I remember, on one occasion, that when some very impertinent and -unseasonable questions were addressed to him by a gentleman who ought to -have known better, he evaded them with perfect civility, and at the same -time with an adroitness and address which showed that he was fitted to be -no mean diplomatist." - -Another gentleman, whose opportunities of studying the manners and -character of Captain Brant were extended through several years of -occasional intercourse with him, remarks:--"His manners, which were -greatly improved, if not formed, by a constant intercourse, not only with -the best society in the province, but also in England--which he visited -more than once, and was there received and caressed in the families of the -nobility and gentry--were remarkably easy and dignified. When among -strangers, or in mixed company, he was reserved and taciturn; but -extremely affable and communicative when with friends in whom he could -confide. Although not particularly distinguished as a public speaker, he -was a man of strong mind, possessed a voice of surpassing softness and -melody, a fascinating address, and great colloquial powers, which rendered -him a most interesting companion. He lived in the style of a gentleman, -and was punctilious in the observance of the rules of honor and etiquette -practised among individuals of that caste in their social relations." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter to the author, from General Peter B. Porter. - - -From New-York, the Chief made a trip through Connecticut and into -Massachusetts, in the course of which he was well received, as appears -from his own letter. At Northampton he purchased an elegant horse, which, -greatly to his regret, sickened and died in Albany. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] My venerable friend Douw Fonda, now of Albany, says Brant was an - excellent horseman, and remarkably fond of fine horses. After the death - of his Northampton horse he purchased another in Albany, to pay for - which Mr. Fonda loaned Him the money. The note for the amount was - promptly met at maturity.--_Author._ - - -It was during this visit in Albany, that he was again exposed to some -danger, by threats against his life. The sufferers of the Mohawk Valley -had neither forgotten nor forgiven the ravagers of their country in the -Revolutionary war; and "the monster Brant" was still held responsible for -every act, either of barbarity, or of death, or devastation, by the wonted -usages of war. The Mohawk Germans of that day were neither educated nor -discriminating; and knowing that Brant was the great leader of the -Indians, they attributed every torch that had been applied, and every -butchery committed, to his own single hand. Hence, as has been stated -before, it was notoriously the purpose of many in the valley to take his -life if possible, during some of his transits through that country. And it -is not unlikely that some persons from the valley might have been watching -for an opportunity to accomplish the purpose in Albany, as had been -desired by a Mohawk German in New-York, during his visit in 1792. - -Added to these unpleasant designs, was an incident coming somewhat nearer -to the point of action, which is worth recording as an illustration both -of history and character. In the account of the ravaging of Cherry Valley, -the reader will doubtless recollect the massacre of the entire family of -Mr. Wells, with the exception of John, then a lad at school in -Schenectady. But that lad was now a member of the bar, of high spirit and -uncommon promise. The tragedy by which his whole family had been cut off, -had imparted a shade of melancholy to his character, deepening with the -lapse of time, and descending with him to the grave. Nineteen years had -elapsed since it was enacted; but there was a feeling in the breast of -young Wells, which only wanted awakening by opportunity, to prompt a -strong desire of avenging the foul murders. He happened to be in Albany -during the visit of the Chief, and erroneously looking upon him as the -author of the murders, his feelings by proximity became exceedingly bitter -and exasperated. Indeed, he could not restrain his desire of revenge; and -hastening to the tavern at which Brant had put up, he inquired furiously -where he should find his enemy--declaring that he would slay him on the -spot. Of course his friends remonstrated, and otherwise opposed his -purpose; but it was not without difficulty that he was persuaded to -forego it. Brant, hearing the disturbance, asked what caused it; and was -told that a young man, whose father had perished at Cherry Valley, was -below, and threatening to take his life. His answer was brief, and given -with a remarkably fine assumption of dignity and composure. Not a feature -changed--not a muscle of his countenance was seen to move--but, slightly -drawing himself up as he sat, and his eyes glittering for an instant more -keenly, even than was their wont, he said, calmly and quietly, "Let him -come on;" and nothing more escaped him on the subject, until word was -brought that Mr. Wells had left the house. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] The particulars of this incident have been derived from William - Inman, Esq. now of Leyden, N. Y. who was at the hotel at the time of its - occurrence. - - -It was in consequence of these unpleasant indications that Governor Jay -directed a guard to accompany him through the Mohawk Valley on his return -to Upper Canada. But, notwithstanding these drawbacks to the pleasure of -his visit in Albany, there were circumstances and incidents contributing -to render it otherwise than disagreeable on the whole. He was hospitably -received and entertained by some of the most respectable citizens; and -during that and a subsequent visit, made to Albany in 1805 or 1806, had -opportunities of meeting at the festive board some of the veteran officers -of the American army, whom he had met in the field, or rather in the -forest fights of the frontiers; on which occasions, with the best feelings -possible, the old soldiers "fought their battles o'er again," as old -soldiers are wont to do. Dining with General Gansevoort, the hero of Fort -Stanwix, their conversation turned upon the memorable campaign of -Sullivan, and the march of Gansevoort with his regiment at the close of -that campaign, through the wilderness from Seneca Lake to Fort Schuyler. -Although Gansevoort had no idea that Brant was nearer to him than Niagara, -Brant assured him that he was hovering about him during the whole march; -and was so near that, to use his own words, "I roasted my venison by the -fires that you left." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with Gen. Peter Gansevoort, of Albany, - who was present at the dinner, though a lad at the time. - - -He also met, on one of these occasions, with the late General Philip Van -Courtlandt, who had served in the New-York line, and who was one of the -expedition of Sullivan and Clinton to Chemung, and thence into the Seneca -country. While conversing upon the subject of the battle at Newtown, -Brant inquired--"General, while you were standing by a large tree during -that battle, how near to your head did a bullet come, which struck a -little above you?" The General paused for a moment, and replied--"about -two inches above my hat." The Chief then related the circumstances. "I had -remarked your activity in the battle," said he, "and calling one of my -best marksmen, pointed you out, and directed him to bring you down. He -fired, and I saw you dodge your head at the instant I supposed the ball -would strike. But as you did not fall, I told my warrior that he had just -missed you, and lodged the ball in the tree." - -Another incident may be introduced in this connexion, illustrative at once -of his sagacity, his strong sense of justice, and his promptness of -decision and execution. Among the border settlers west of the Hudson, -opposite the Manor of Livingston, was an opulent farmer named Rose. He was -an Irishman; and having no child to inherit his wealth, had sent to the -Emerald Isle for a nephew, whom he had adopted. In one of Brant's hostile -incursions upon the settlements, during the war of the Revolution, Rose -and his nephew, with others, were taken prisoners, and marched in the -direction of Niagara. During the journey, Brant took Rose aside one -morning, and admonished him not to move far away from himself (Brant,) but -at all times on their march to keep within call. "I have reason to -believe," said the Chief, "that that nephew of yours is plotting your -death. He is endeavoring to bribe one of my Indians to kill you. I shall -keep an eye upon them, and if I find my suspicions true, I will execute -him on the spot." The caution was observed by Rose, and no long time -elapsed before Brant informed him that his suspicions were well-founded. -The nephew, for the purpose of an earlier possession of his confiding -uncle's estate, had agreed upon the price of his murder with the savage -who was to do the deed. Having full evidence of the fact, the stern -purpose of the Chief was executed upon the ingrate by his own hand, and -the life of the uncle was saved. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of the author with General Morgan Lewis, of whose - family connexions Rose had purchased his land. - - -His notions on the subject of public wars were founded, however, upon -those of a savage. The reader has already seen that he was perfectly aware -of the detestation in which his name was held in different parts of the -United States, and particularly among the inhabitants of the Mohawk and -Susquehanna countries, where some of the most revolting scenes of savage, -Tory, and Indian barbarity were perpetrated during the war of the -Revolution, in which he bore so prominent a part; and he always seemed -particularly anxious to justify, by frank and gratuitous explanations to -those who received him as friends--for he was too proud to make -explanations to his enemies--the course he had taken in the commencement -and conduct of that war; and his plausible statements and reasonings were -well calculated to lessen the horror and execration with which the public -have been too prone to regard the Indian character, in consequence of -their atrocities in war. - -The Indians, he said, engaged in that contest reluctantly, but from -necessity. At the period of its commencement, the Americans, he said, as -well as they, acknowledged the authority of the British government, and -were living under its protection; that none of the inducements which led -the colonies to revolt had any place with them, and that they fought -against the colonies to protect their women and children, and to preserve -the lands which God had given to them, and of which the British -authorities threatened to deprive them unless they would join in their -defence; and it is apprehended that stronger or better reasons for going -to war will rarely be found, even among civilized nations. - -In justification of the savages' practices of Indian warfare, his course -of reasoning was somewhat like the following: That the object of each -party, when engaged in war, was to destroy his enemy, or to weaken and -intimidate him so much as to force him into a reasonable peace. The -Indians, he said, were destitute of many of the means and implements of -war which the white people possessed. They could not successfully contend -with them in the open field, man to man, because they had no artillery, so -indispensable to, and so destructive in, a field fight. Besides, if they -could, the Indians being generally inferior in numerical force to their -white enemies, would soon be subdued by an equal sacrifice of man for man; -that the Indians had no forts to resort to for protection after a -discomfiture in the field; no battering trains to dislodge the enemy after -they had retired to theirs; and no depots or jails for securing the -prisoners they might capture. The simple and necessary principle, -therefore, of Indian warfare, was extermination--to destroy as many of the -enemy, and save as many of themselves, as practicable; and for this -purpose, to resort to ambuscades, stratagems, and every species of -deception, direct or indirect, to effect their object. Brant justified -taking the lives of prisoners, but disapproved the practice, so common -among savages, of torturing them; and he always maintained that he had -himself at different times, by great efforts, saved several, not only from -torture, but death. As to taking life, he thought (and with some truth,) -that in this respect there was but little practical difference between the -red and white men; for the death of an Indian prisoner was as certain a -consequence of his capture, as that of a white man taken by the Indians. -[FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Conversations of Brant with General Peter B. Porter. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - - - Domestic relations of Brant--Account of his family--Bad character of his - eldest son--his death by the hand of his father--Condolence of the - Chiefs--Grief of the father at the event--Anxiety for the education of - his sons--Proposed memorial to the Duke of Portland--Letter of Brant to - Colonel Smith--Correspondence with the Wheelock family--Letter from - Brant to James Wheelock--Two of his sons sent to school at - Plymouth--Various letters from and to the Wheelocks--Correspondence upon - other subjects--Reply to the question, whether the Indians have - beards--Letter from Bishop Peters--Views of Brant on imprisonment for - debt--Tumuli--Opinion of Brant touching their origin--Indian tradition - of white settlements cut off in a single night--Investigations of Samuel - Woodruff---Brant's inquiries in Paris--The discoveries of the - Northmen--Review of the life and character of Brant--His death. - - -The life and character of the Mohawk Chief in his domestic relations, -remain to be considered. These have never been accurately illustrated or -understood; or rather, they have been greatly misrepresented and -misunderstood, from the circumstance of a severe family affliction, the -particulars of which have never been truly set before the public. Those -even partially acquainted with the domestic history of Brant will readily -perceive that reference is here made to the death of one of his sons by -his own hands. Several accounts of this unfortunate transaction have been -published by travelers, missionaries, and others, but most of them darkly -shaded, and reflecting in a greater or less degree upon the father. In the -preparation of material for the present work, great efforts have been made -to arrive at the truth in regard to this painful incident. - -Captain Brant, it will be recollected, was thrice married. By his first -wife, the daughter of an Oneida Chief, he had two children, Isaac and -Christiana. His great solicitude for the well bringing up of those -children has been noted in the early history of his life. By his second -wife, the sister of his first, he had no children. By his third he had -seven, [FN] the eldest of whom, Joseph, was born in 1783. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Joseph, Jacob, John, Margaret, Catharine, Mary, and Elizabeth, (the - present Mrs. Kerr.) Joseph, John, and Mary, are dead. - - -Isaac, the eldest of the children, was partly educated at a school in the -Valley of the Mohawk, and his education was completed at Niagara. His -disposition, bad, from his youth, grew worse as he increased in years, and -was not improved by his associations at the military post of Niagara, -after the war of the Revolution. Many of the officers on that station were -free, sometimes to excess, in their living; and in the progress of his -intercourse with them he became addicted to strong drink. When in his -cups, he was always quarrelsome, even toward his parents--forgetting the -honor due from a son to a father, and particularly disrespectful to his -step-mother. As the younger family grew up, he became jealous of them, -imagining that they received a larger share of parental favor than his -sister and himself. Nothing could have been more groundless than were his -suspicions, since from the concurrent testimony of the survivors of the -family, and the aged contemporaries of the old Chief yet living at Grand -River, no parent was ever more scrupulous in the impartial bestowment of -his affection among all his children than Captain Brant. As an evidence of -this fact, it may be mentioned, that when in England, in 1786, he sat for -his likeness in miniature, which he transmitted in a golden locket to -Christiana, the sister of Isaac. Isaac himself, moreover, notwithstanding -his untoward conduct, received the most indubitable evidence of parental -affection. With a view of keeping him more immediately under his own eye, -and if possible reclaiming him, his father had caused him to be married to -a beautiful girl, the daughter of a chief of the Turtle tribe, and -installed him in the capacity of his own secretary. [FN] But all to no -purpose. The demon of jealousy had gained possession of his bosom; and -during his drunken frolics, among his Indian associates, he often -threatened to take the life of his father. Still, he was treated with -kindness, and his step-mother invariably kept silent during his paroxysms -of insult and abuse. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. notes of conversations with Brant, by Samuel Woodruff. - - -His career, however, in addition to his intemperance, without the circle -of his own family, was marked by outrage and blood. On one occasion, long -before the catastrophe fatal to himself, soon to be recorded, he -grievously assaulted a young man, who was riding on horseback on the -King's highway--killed the horse, and sadly maimed the young man himself. -His father was obliged to pay a large sum of money by way of compensation -for the outrage. - -Subsequently to this brutal affair, and not long before the painful -incident with his father soon to be noted, he killed a white man at the -Mohawk (Grand River) village, outright, and in cold blood. The name of his -victim was Lowell, a harness-maker by trade. He was busily engaged in his -shop at work, when Isaac Brant entered, and said--"Lowell, I am going to -kill you." The man, supposing him to be jesting, at first laughed at the -threat; and then remarked--"Why should you kill me? I have never injured -you, neither have we ever quarreled." The savage then deliberately drew a -pistol and shot him. - -But his reckless and cruel career was soon arrested, by a death wound, -received, under the highest degree of provocation, at the hand of his -father. The circumstances were these: At the time of the occurrence there -was an assemblage of the Six Nations at Burlington Heights, near to the -residence of Colonel Beasley, for the purpose of receiving the annual -bounty of the government, consisting of presents of clothing and other -articles. On this occasion Isaac, with some of his young Indian -companions, again drank to intoxication, and renewed his threats against -the life of his father, declaring his intention to kill him that night. -The Chief had that evening taken tea with Colonel and Mrs. Beasley, (who -then lived near the margin of Burlington Bay,) and afterward walked up to -a small inn upon the hill, at a short distance from the Colonel's -residence, to lodge for the night. Isaac followed his father to the inn, -entered an adjoining room, and began abusing him to the people about, in -language perfectly audible to his parent, the two apartments being divided -only by a board partition. Becoming quite violent in his conduct, his -father entered his son's apartment, but had no sooner done so, than the -latter sprang toward him for the purpose of assault--armed, as it was -asserted by some, though the fact was denied by others, with a -sharp-pointed knife. Be that as it may, the Captain was badly wounded by -a cut across the back of his hand. Young Brant had been seized around the -waist by some of the Indians, at the instant he was leaping upon his -father; while the latter, irritated by the wound, had also been seized in -like manner by some white men, to prevent farther injury. The affray was -the work of an instant, during which Captain Brant had drawn a large dirk, -which he always carried upon his thigh, and with which he struck at his -son. In the descent of the blow, the point of the dirk fell upon the head -of Isaac, and, cutting through his hat, inflicted a wound which would have -been more severe had the position of the parties been that of closer -proximity. The wound was by no means considered dangerous at the time it -was inflicted, although, from excitement and intoxication, it bled -profusely. But such were the rage and violence of the young man, that he -resisted all attempts to dress the wound--tearing off the bandages as fast -as they could be applied, until, ultimately, they were compelled to bind -him fast for the return of sobriety. He then allowed his head to be -dressed properly; but the next day he resumed his drinking, and tearing -the dressings from his wound, caused it of course to bleed afresh. His -perverse conduct continued several days; a severe fever of the brain -ensued, and the result was a speedy termination of his life. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Such were the real facts of this unhappy affair, as collected, - recently, for the use of the author, from the statements of the witnesses - of the transaction, and the surviving contemporaries of Captain Brant. - And yet Dr. Morse and Dr. Belknap, who in the year following the event - were sent forth by the Board of Commissioners of the society established - in Scotland for the propagation of Christian Knowledge, to visit the - Oneida and Mohokunuh, or Stockbridge Indians, recorded the incident in - their report as a murder:--"Last Summer, Joseph Brant, a Mohawk Chief, - and a captain in the British service, formerly one of Doctor Wheelock's - scholars, murdered his own son, who was, indeed, a bad fellow, and had - attempted the life of his father." - - -This painful transaction took place in the year 1795. The afflicted father -immediately surrendered himself to the civil authorities, and resigned the -commission which he yet retained in the British service, and upon which he -drew half pay. Lord Dorchester, however, would not accept the resignation; -and the death of Isaac was universally regarded as in the main accidental, -and in any aspect of the case justifiable homicide. [FN] The Chief called -a council of his elderly sachems and warriors on the occasion, to whom, -when assembled, he related the circumstances of the melancholy -catastrophe. After great deliberation--for the Indians never decide -hastily upon questions of moment--the council delivered an opinion nearly -in the following words:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Morse and Belknap's Report to the Scot's Society. - - -"Brother: We have heard and considered your case. We sympathise with you. -You are bereaved of a beloved son. But that son raised his parricidal hand -against the kindest of fathers. His death was occasioned by his own crime. -With one voice we acquit you of all blame. We tender you our hearty -condolence. And may the Great Spirit above, bestow upon you consolation -and comfort under your affliction." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] "The account of this proceeding I received from the Secretary of the - Upper Province, at Newark, while at his office to obtain the copy of an - Indian deed."--_Note by Samuel Woodruff._ - - -But the affliction was a very severe one to the old Chief, notwithstanding -the condolence of his people, the convictions of his own conscience that -he had not done intentional wrong, and the acquittal of all. Doctor Allen, -President of Bowdoin College, has stated, upon the authority of Joseph -Brant, jun., that as his father lay upon his bed and looked at the dirk -with which the wound was inflicted, and which hung up in his room, he was -accustomed to cry in the sorrow of his heart. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Allen's Biographical Dictionary. Isaac Brant left a widow and two - children. Judge Woodruff, in his notes, says--"The widow and two lovely - children which he left, I saw in Brant's family." The eldest of these - "lovely children," was Isaac, to whom his grandfather, the old Chief, - left a just proportion of his real estate. He also devised an equal - proportion of his real estate to his eldest daughter, Christiana. The - younger Isaac, however, grew up with the same disposition, and walked in - the footsteps of his father. He was nevertheless a brave fellow in the - field, and exhibited his prowess during the late war between the United - Slates and Great Britain, 1812--15. He was afterward killed in a drunken - frolic, at Brantford, by a blow with a gun-barrel, inflicted, as was - supposed, by a white man. But so bad had his character become, that his - poor mother, then living, seemed rather relieved than otherwise by the - occurrence, being in constant fear that he would commit some dreadful - act which would bring him to an ignominious end. - - -Taking all the circumstances of this trying event into consideration, -notwithstanding the unfavorable impressions, arising from prejudice and an -imperfect knowledge of the facts, that may have prevailed, no just -conclusion can be drawn to the disadvantage of the Chief as a parent. -While, on the other hand, all the evidence that can be obtained, goes to -establish the fact that both in husband and father, his own family circle -was most happy. Certainly nothing could have been stronger than his desire -for the education and moral culture of his children. Knowing his -solicitude upon this subject, and appreciating the disadvantages of his -position in that respect, several gentlemen, in the year 1800, suggested -to him the expediency of an appeal to the parent government for the -education of his sons at the expense of the crown. A memorial for that -object, addressed to the Duke of Portland, was drawn up by one of his -friends in the Upper Canadian administration, and submitted for his -consideration. In this document a strong case was made, arising from the -peculiar services which the Captain had rendered to the Crown, and the -policy of having his sons educated in sound principles of loyalty. But the -Chief peremptorily declined making such an overture. The following is an -extract from his letter announcing his determination:-- - - "Captain Brant to Colonel Smith. - - "_Grand River, September_ 20, 1800. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I have very seriously considered the petition to his Grace the Duke of -Portland, for the education of my sons, which your friendship for me -prompted you to advise me to make, and must acknowledge the particular -satisfaction I feel at this further instance of your inclination to serve -me with your friendly advice. I am confident it must have been suggested -to your mind from the most friendly motives, of which I have had -sufficient proofs since our acquaintance. But I am sorry I cannot -altogether comply with your opinion on this point; for, considering the -many oppositions I have met with since the establishment of the government -of this province, in obtaining what I only considered as our rights, and -which indeed seems yet to be in some measure undetermined, I cannot -flatter myself with any prospect of succeeding in asking such a particular -favor. I therefore decline, purely from the apprehensions of having my -feelings farther hurt by a refusal. Notwithstanding, I think such a thing -being granted would be extremely for the good of my family, and give me -heartfelt satisfaction, could it be obtained for me by my friends, without -my running the risk of meeting with farther rebuffs." - -The Chieftain's papers afford evidence that an occasional correspondence -must have been maintained between Captain Brant and the family of his old -preceptor, President Wheelock, for many years. The venerable founder of -Moor's Charity School, and subsequently of Dartmouth College, had slept -with his fathers, before the close of the Revolutionary war, being -succeeded in the presidentship of the college by his eldest son, John -Wheelock, Esq., who was recalled from active service in the army, to -assume the duties of that station. James Wheelock, another son, had -resided near the Chief in Upper Canada, after the conclusion of the Indian -wars, and there was a renewal of ancient acquaintance and friendship. -During this period, Mr. Wheelock had proposed taking charge of the eldest -surviving son, Joseph; and having relinquished the project of applying to -the government for assistance in the premises, the Captain once more -turned his attention to the land in which, and the friends with whom, -forty years before, he had acquired the rudiments of his imperfect -education. With this view a correspondence was opened with James Wheelock, -and his brother, the president, which was attended by the desired results. -Extracts from this correspondence will not be found uninteresting, -affording, as they will, farther and very gratifying illustrations of the -Chieftain's domestic character:-- - - "Captain Brant to James Wheelock, Esq. - - "_Niagara,_ 3_d October,_ 1800. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Although it is long since I have had the pleasure of seeing or -corresponding with you, still I have not forgot there is such a person in -being, and now embrace the kind offer you once made me, in offering to -take charge of my son Joseph, whom I certainly should at that time have -sent out, had it not been that there was apparently a jealousy subsisting -between the British and Americans; however, I hope it is not yet too late. -I send both my sons, Joseph and Jacob, who, I doubt not, will be -particularly attended to by my friends. I could wish them to be studiously -attended to, not only as to their education, but likewise as to their -morals in particular; this no doubt is needless mentioning, as I know of -old, and from personal experience at your seminary, that these things are -paid strict attention to. Let my sons be at what schools soever, your -overseeing them will be highly flattering to me. I should by this -opportunity have wrote Mr. John Wheelock on the same subject, but a hurry -of business at this time prevents me. I shall hereafter take the first -opportunity of dropping him a few lines; until when, please make my best -respects to him, and I earnestly solicit his friendship and attention to -my boys, which be assured of, I shall ever gratefully acknowledge. I am, -dear Sir, wishing you and your family health and happiness, - - "Your friend and well wisher, - Jos. Brant. - - "_Mr. James Wheelock._" - -The lads were sent to Dartmouth in charge of Colonel Benjamin Sumner, of -Claremont, (N. H.) a gentleman who had resided fifteen months among the -Canadian Indians. Colonel Sumner gave Dr. Wheelock a very gratifying -account of the surprising progress the Mohawks had made in the art of -husbandry, and the conveniences of living, in consequence of the influence -exercised over them by Captain Brant. He also repeated to the Doctor the -anxious charge which he had received from the Chief, that his sons should -be educated not only in letters, but in piety and virtue. [FN] The lads -arrived at Hanover safely, were well received by President Wheelock and -his brother James, and domesticated in the family of the latter. Both the -President and James Wheelock wrote to the Captain on the 3d of November, -announcing the fact, and informing him of the arrangements that had been -made. These were highly satisfactory to the parent, as will appear from -the subjoined letters:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] McClure's Life of Wheelock. - - - "Captain Brant to President John Wheelock. - - "_Grand River, Feb._ 9, 1801. - - "Dear Sir, - -"I have received your favor of the 3d of November last. I have delayed -answering it until the return of Captain Brigham. - -"I receive an inexpressible satisfaction in hearing from you, that you -have taken my sons under your protection, and also to find that you yet -retain a strong remembrance of our ancient friendship. For my part, -nothing can ever efface from my memory the persevering attention your -revered father paid to my education, when I was in the place my sons now -are. Though I was an unprofitable pupil in some respects, yet my worldly -affairs have been much benefited by the instruction I there received. I -hope my children may reap greater advantages under your care, both with -respect to their future as well as their worldly welfare. - -"Their situation at your brother's meets my highest approbation. Your -goodness, in having provided for them out of the funds, far exceeds my -expectations, and merits my warmest thanks. The reason that induced me to -send them, to be instructed under your care, is the assurance I had that -their morals and education would be there more strictly attended to than -at any other place I know of. - -"I am much pleased at the kindness you show in pressing them to be -familiar at your house. I beg you will be constant in exhorting them to -conduct themselves with propriety. The character you give me of the worthy -gentleman, their preceptor, is extremely pleasing. From the whole, I feel -perfectly easy with respect to their situation, and the care taken of -their education, and am fully convinced that all now depends on their own -exertions. The steady friendship you do me the honor to assure me of, is -what, from numberless obligations, I doubly owe your family on my part; -and I beg leave to assure you, that until death, I remain your sincere -friend. - -"Should there be any thing you might wish from these parts, curiosities -or the like, I shall be happy to send them to you. - - "Dear Sir, I am - Your very humble serv't. - Jos. Brant. - - "_Hon. John Wheelock._" - - - "From same, to James Wheelock, Esq. - - "_Grand River, Feb._ 9, 1801. - - "Dear Sir, - -"It is now some time since I had the pleasure of receiving your kind -letter of the 3d of November, 1800. It gives me unspeakable satisfaction -to find that my boys are with you, as I am fully confident they could not -have a better or more agreeable situation. I am assured, from the known -reputation of the President, that if they do not make a progress in their -studies, it will be owing to themselves. I therefore hope you will shew me -the kindness to make free, and be particular in exhorting them to exert -themselves, and to behave in a becoming manner. - -"I am happy to find you yet retain the same sentiments of friendship for -me that you have ever testified. I was apprehensive the manner in which I -disappointed you respecting my son, when you was here, would have too much -affected you. The occasion of it then was, the too great jealousy showed -by our government here. - -"I yet add, that I should wish them to be learned that it is their duty to -be subject to the customs of the place they are in, even with respect to -dress, and the cutting of their hair. - -"The reason I did not answer you sooner, is that I have expected Captain -Brigham back this way, and thought him the safest opportunity to send by. -Any thing you might want from this quarter, I should be happy to assist -you in. - - "Dear Sir, I am, - With respect and esteem, - Your friend and humble servant. - Jos. Brant. - - "_James Wheelock, Esq._" - - - "James Wheelock to Captain Brant. - - "_Hanover May_ 1, 1801. - - "Very Dear Sir, - -"I received your polite and very agreeable letter of February 9th some -days ago, for which please to accept my sincere and cordial thanks. - -"I am very happy in again gratifying your parental feelings, with the -information that your very worthy sons conduct themselves still in a most -agreeable manner; are quite attentive to their school, and make, I -believe, very laudable progress in learning. By their amiable dispositions -and manly behavior they are continually growing in our esteem; and I -sincerely hope and trust that _your_ and our _expectations_ concerning -their future _usefulness_ and _respectability_ in life, will be highly -gratified. You may depend on my friendly freedom in advising and exhorting -them whenever I may see occasion. But, Sir, (without flattery,) such -occasions will be very rare. - -"What has become of my old friend, Mr. Phelps? I want to hear from him; -but I have written so often without return, that I have done. Please when -you see him to remember and mention me to him with cordial affection, and -ask him to think of our former friendly days. - -"I wish we could have the pleasure of seeing you here--perhaps, some time -or other, we may be indulged in this wish. Please to remember me, with -Mrs. Wheelock, affectionately to your lady, and believe that I continue -to be, with attachment and respect, very dear Sir, - - "Your sincere friend, - And humble servant, - Jas. Wheelock. - - "_Captain Joseph Brant._" - - - "President Wheelock to Captain Brant. - - "_Dartmouth College, May_ 6, 1801. - - "Dear Sir, - -"Though I have but a moment now allowed me to write, yet I cannot omit -embracing it to express my thanks for your kind favor of February 9th ult. - -"I rejoice to hear of your good health; and great also is my happiness to -be able to inform you of the regular conduct, and steady application, and -laudable improvements of your dear sons with me. I will do all I can for -their good, and future usefulness; and may God grant that they shall be, -and long continue, great sources of comfort and assistance to you in the -sublime business of enlightening and meliorating your nations. I will -write longer when I may have a good opportunity, and can now only ask the -favor that you will accept this as a token of my cordial respect, and -perfect friendship; I am, - - "Dear Sir, - Your most ob'dt serv't, - John Wheelock. - - "_Capt. J. Brant, &c. &c._" - - - "Captain Brant to President Wheelock. - - "_Buffalo Creek, July_ 23, 1801. - - "Dear Sir, - -"It gives me great satisfaction to hear that my sons have so conducted -themselves as to merit your approbation. The hope you form of them, is -pleasing beyond expression. When my sons went away, I promised they should -remain only one year; but as they seem to make progress, I hope you will -begin by times to convince them it is their interest to remain another -winter, and exert themselves in their studies. I intend going to England -this Fall, and should I return safe in the Spring, I will see them, and -they might then come out on a visit home. - - "I am, Dear Sir, - Your friend sincerely, - Jos. Brant. - - "_Hon. John Wheelock._" - - - "The same to James Wheelock, Esq. - - "_Buffalo Creek, July_ 23, 1801. - - "Very Dear Sir, - -"Your kind letter gives me an extreme pleasure to find that you and family -are well, and that my sons grow in your esteem. I hope sincerely they may -continue to behave in such a manner as to deserve a continuance of it. I -have not seen Mr. Phelps since I received your favor, but expect I shortly -shall, and I will then mention what you desire. We are likely to succeed -in getting him ordained for a minister. - -"It is a long time since I sent any pocket money to the boys. I shall in -a few days send by Mr. Gideon Tiffany, a note for a hundred pounds, -N. Y. C. I would do it sooner, but have not had the opportunity of -conveyance. My best respects to Mrs. Wheelock and family. - - "I am, Dear Sir, sincerely, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - Jos. Brant. - -"P. S. I send a letter of Captain Elliott's son, their cousin, who is much -younger than they, to shew them how he improves. [FN] - - "_James Wheelock, Esq._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The name of Captain Elliott has repeatedly occurred before, in - connexion with the British-Indian affairs at Detroit and the Miamis. - Captain Brant, in one of his letters to Sir John Johnson, complained that - Elliott was dismissed from the public service, for some reason not - stated, and without trial. - - - "James Wheelock to Captain Brant. - - "_Marcellus, Sept._ 19th, 1801. - - "Very Dear and Respected Sir, - -"I am almost overjoyed at meeting your worthy son, Joseph, this morning, -on his way homeward. By him I have only a moment to write to express my -respect for you, and my attachment and regard for your dear and promising -sons. They have been so long in my family, that to see Joseph seems like -meeting one of my own children; indeed they are both, by their pleasing -conduct, which has been uniform, highly esteemed by all their acquaintance -with us. I sincerely hope that your expectations concerning them will be -answered, and that they will both be _good, useful,_ and _honorable_ in -the world. - -"It is some weeks since I left home. I want much to see you, and Joseph -mentions that by a letter from you since I left home, we may expect that -pleasure next Spring, on your return from your intended European tour. I -hope we shall not be disappointed. I wish I could have the pleasure of my -friend Joseph's company on my return home, as I have mentioned to him. -May every blessing and happiness constantly attend you and yours, is the -sincere wish of, - - "Dear Sir, your very - Sincere friend, and - Humble servant, - Jas. Wheelock. - - "_Capt. Joseph Brant._" - - - "Captain Brant to Mr. Wheelock. - - "_Grand River,_ 22_d Oct._ 1801. - - "My Dear Sir, - -"I received your kind letter favored by my son Joseph, and am extremely -happy to find they both give such great satisfaction to their friends, of -their good conduct, as well as to me. I cannot express myself the great -pleasure you give me by the great attention to my children. I would really -wish you to take the opportunity to continue them as your own children, -and give them every good advice, so they may be useful and honorable in -the world. As for my European route, it is uncertain. - - "I remain, Dear Sir, - Your sincere friend, - And very humble serv't, - Jos. Brant. - - "_Jas. Wheelock, Esq._" - -Unfortunately, while thus happily situated, pursuing their studies with -diligence, and so demeaning themselves toward their friends as to win -golden opinions from all, some difficulty arose between the brothers -themselves, which produced a separation; Joseph, the eldest, leaving the -school and returning home. Jacob followed in the course of the Spring, on -a visit only, returning to the school again in the Autumn. Two or three -letters more will close all that can be found of this interesting -correspondence. - - "Captain Brant to Mr. James Wheelock. - - "_Grand River, March_ 20, 1802. - - "My Dear Sir, - -"I received your favor of the 25th January, and I am sorry to learn by it -that your friendly arguments had not the desired effect of dissuading -Joseph from his determination of coming this way. I regret very much his -leaving, so unreasonably, the advantageous situation he was in, for -improvement; for I am fully confident he could not have been in a better -place, and I shall ever remain thankful for your kind attention and that -of the President, although the imprudence of youth has rendered it -ineffectual. At the same time I must assure you that Joseph has a grateful -remembrance of the civilities he received from you and family, and -acknowledges to have been as happy and comfortable as he could wish to be; -and perfectly at home in your house. - -"After the great care and attention the worthy President has been pleased -to show to my sons, it doubly grieves me that any part of their conduct -should have the least appearance of neglect, or disrespect to a character -that it was their duty to revere, and to which they were so much indebted. - -"The only reason Joseph can allege for his coming away, is the perpetual -disagreement between him and his brother Jacob. Mrs. Brant joins me in -thanks and best respects to you and Mrs. Wheelock, and be assured we think -equally well of your kind endeavors as if they had had the desired effect. - -"My best respects to the President, and in a short time I shall write him -in answer to the letter I received. - - "My Dear Sir, - I remain, affectionately, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - Jos. Brant. - - "_James Wheelock, Esq'r._" - - - "James Wheelock to Captain Brant. - - "_Hanover, April_ 19, 1802. - - "Very Dear Sir, - -"It is with much pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your friendly and -obliging letter of March 20th,--am glad to learn that Joseph arrived at -home; for I assure you, I felt not a little anxious for him, on his -setting out, horseback, at such a season of the year, so long a journey. -I hope he, as well as Jacob, will somewhere complete his education, and -that they both will have a disposition and abilities, to follow the -example of their worthy parent, in promoting eminently the happiness, -prosperity and advantage of their fellow men, _while you and I shall be -asleep with our fathers._ - -"My brother, the President has mentioned particularly concerning the -conduct, &c. of Jacob, which renders any thing from me in his praise -unnecessary; however, I must just say, that from what I have seen and -understood since he left our house, (not from our desire, but his own,) -his conduct has been quite unexceptionable, amicable, and pleasing; and I -shall always rejoice in an opportunity to shew him any mark of friendship, -by advice, or otherwise, that may be in my power. - -"My brother has likewise mentioned to him Captain Dunham, [FN] the -gentleman who will accompany Jacob. He is a gentleman we highly esteem and -respect, and I doubt not but he will meet with your friendly notice and -attention." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Captain Josiah Dunham, an officer in the American service--a - gentleman of talents and letters. After the surrender of the Northwestern - posts, so long retained by Great Britain, Captain Dunham was stationed at - Michillimackinack. Subsequently, during the earlier part of Mr. Madison's - administration, Captain D. edited a political paper with signal ability, - in Vermont. - - -"I shall always be happy in an opportunity to render you, or any of yours, -any services that may be in my power; but how happy should I be in an -opportunity, especially at my own house, to see you, and to manifest that -respect to which you are so justly entitled, and to which my own feelings -so warmly would prompt me. Mrs. Wheelock joins me in cordial respects to -yourself and Mrs. Brant. - - "I am, very Dear Sir, &c. &c. - Jas. Wheelock. - - "_Capt. Joseph Brant, &c. &c._" - - - "From Captain Brant to James Wheelock. - - "_Niagara,_ 17_th December,_ 1802. - - "My Dear Sir, - -"I received your very polite and friendly letter by my son Jacob, and am -very much obliged to you, your brother, and all friends, for the great -attentions that have been paid to both my sons; likewise to Captain -Dunham, for the great care he took of Jacob on the journey. - -"My son would have returned to you long before this but for a continued -sickness in the family for three months, which brought Mrs. Brant very -low; my son Jacob and several of the children were very ill. - -"My son now returns to be under the care of the President, and I sincerely -hope he will pay such attention to his studies, as will do credit to -himself, and be a comfort to his parents. The horse that Jacob rides out, -I wish to be got in good order after he arrives, and sold, as an attentive -scholar has no time to ride about. Mrs. Brant joins me in most -affectionate respects to you and Mrs. Wheelock. - - "I am, Dear Sir, - With great respect, your sincere friend and - Humble servant, - Jos. Brant. - - "_James Wheelock, Esq., - Hanover._" - -The only remaining letter of this branch of Captain Brant's correspondence -which has been obtained, was addressed to James Wheelock, in October, -1804. It relates to matters indifferent to the present work, save only the -mention that by the bursting of a gun, his son Jacob's left hand had been -shattered, and that he was "about marrying one of our Mohawk girls." [FN] -The whole of this correspondence, however, speaks the old Chief -exceedingly well in his domestic relations. No parent could have been more -solicitous for the moral and intellectual training of his offspring. His -letters are characterised by an amiable temper, and by good, sound, -common sense--breathing a spirit of kindness and affection throughout. And -such was his general character in his family. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Joseph Brant, Jr. died several years ago. Jacob Brant is yet living, - [July, 1837.] A daughter of Captain Brant married a Frenchman, who, in - June, 1789, was killed by a party of Indians while peaceably traveling - up the Wabash River. He was in company with nine others, four of whom - were killed, and three wounded. When the hostile party came up to them, - and discovered the son-in-law of the Mohawk Chief, they assisted in - drawing the arrows from the wounded, and then went off--_Carey's - Museum--quoted by Drake._ - - -In addition to his correspondence upon public affairs, upon the business -of his own nation exclusively, and in regard to his private and domestic -concerns, which must have been very extensive, Captain Brant wrote many -letters upon miscellaneous subjects to which his attention was from time -to time invited. His fame was co-extensive with England and the United -States, and he must have had acquaintances in France. His personal friends -were very numerous, and those to whom he was known, far more numerous -still. The consequence of these friendships and this celebrity, was -frequent applications analogous to those made by Doctor Miller, for -information in regard to the history, condition, and polity of his own -people, or for the purpose of eliciting his own views and opinions upon -given subjects. Of these miscellaneous letters, but few have been -preserved. The annexed is given as an example. It had long been contended -by physiologists, both in Europe and America, that the American -aboriginals naturally have no beards. Nor is the opinion uncommon at the -present day. It was for a solution of this question that a Mr. McCauseland -wrote to Brant, soon after the close of the American war. The following -was the Chiefs reply:-- - - "_Niagara, April_ 19, 1783. - -"The men of the Six Nations have all beards by nature; as have likewise -all other Indian nations of North America, which I have seen. Some Indians -allow a part of the beard upon the chin and upper lip to grow, and a few -of the Mohawks shave with razors, in the same manner as Europeans; but the -generality pluck out the hairs of the beard by the roots, as soon as they -begin to appear; and as they continue this practice all their lives, they -appear to have no beard, or, at most, only a few straggling hairs, which -they have neglected to pluck out. I am however of opinion, that if the -Indians were to shave, they would never have beards altogether so thick -us the Europeans; and there are some to be met with who have actually very -little beard. - - "Joseph Brant, - _Thayendanegea._" - -Among others, the late eccentric Samuel Peters, LL. D., either opened, or -attempted to open, a correspondence with the Chief, a few years before his -decease. Dr. Peters was a native of Hebron, (Conn.) He was graduated at -Yale College in 1757, and, taking orders in the Episcopal Church, had -charge of the churches at Hartford and Hebron, at the commencement of the -Revolutionary contest. Being a friend of the crown, he went to England, -where he remained many years, and in 1781 published his extraordinary, and -in many respects fabulous, history of his native state. In the year 1805, -he returned to the United States; and in 1817 or 1818, made a journey into -the country of the great northwestern lakes, to the Falls of St Anthony; -claiming a large extent of territory in that region, under a grant to the -ancient traveler, Captain Carver. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] A letter of Dr. Peters to Captain Brant, written in April, 1803, is - so characteristic of its author that a place has been assigned to it in - the Appendix, (No. XVII,) as a curiosity. Doctor, or Bishop Peters, as he - was called, died in the city of New-York, April 19,1826, at the advanced - age of 90. His remains were interred at Hebron. - - -On the subject of imprisonment for debt, his views were those of an -enlightened philosopher and philanthropist, as will be manifest from the -following interesting letter discovered among the papers of the late -Thomas Eddy; a name ever to be revered, as among the most honorable, if -not the brightest, adorning the annals of humanity. [FN] Mr. Eddy was at -the period mentioned, and for years afterward, directing his attention to -the subject of prison discipline, and his mind was much occupied on the -question of imprisonment for debt. The views of the Mohawk Chieftain were -coincident with his own. Both were more than a quarter of a century in -advance of public opinion in the United States, in that important feature -of English and American jurisprudence; and how much in advance of England, -remains to be seen. - - * * * * * - - [FN] This letter was transcribed by Thomas Eddy, into a volume of Indian - documents, speeches &c., collected by him while in the discharge of his - duties as an Indian commissioner for certain purposes. He had much - intercourse with the Oneida, Stockbridge, and some other tribes of - Indians, some forty years ago, and was led to inquiries and exertions for - their moral and social improvement. - - - "Letter from Joseph Brant to-- - - "My Dear Sir, - -"Your letter came safe to hand. To give you entire satisfaction I must, I -perceive, enter into the discussion of a subject on which I have often -thought. My thoughts were my own, and being so different from the ideas -entertained among your people, I should certainly have carried them with -me to the grave, had I not received your obliging favor. - -"You ask me, then, whether in my opinion civilization is favorable to -human happiness? In answer to the question, it may be answered, that there -are degrees of civilization, from Cannibals to the most polite of European -nations. The question is not, then, whether a degree of refinement is not -conducive to happiness; but whether you, or the natives of this land, have -obtained this happy medium. On this subject we are at present, I presume, -of very different opinions. You will, however, allow me in some respects -to have had the advantage of you in forming my sentiments. I was, Sir, -born of Indian parents, and lived while a child among those whom you are -pleased to call savages; I was afterward sent to live among the white -people, and educated at one of your schools; since which period I have -been honored much beyond my deserts, by an acquaintance with a number of -principal characters both in Europe and America. After all this -experience, and after every exertion to divest myself of prejudice, I am -obliged to give my opinion in favor of my own people. I will now, as much -as I am able, collect together, and set before you, some of the reasons -that have influenced my judgment on the subject now before us. In the -government you call civilized, the happiness of the people is constantly -sacrificed to the splendor of empire. Hence your codes of criminal and -civil laws have had their origin; hence your dungeons and prisons. I will -not enlarge on an idea so singular in civilized life, and perhaps -disagreeable to you, and will only observe, that among us we have _no_ -prisons; we have no pompous parade of courts; we have no written laws; and -yet judges are as highly revered amongst us as they are among you, and -their decisions are as much regarded. - -"Property, to say the least, is as well guarded, and crimes are as -impartially punished. We have among us no splendid villains above the -control of our laws. Daring wickedness is here never suffered to triumph -over helpless innocence. The estates of widows and orphans are never -devoured by enterprising sharpers. In a word, we have no robbery under the -color of law. No person among us desires any other reward for performing -a brave and worthy action, but the consciousness of having served his -nation. Our wise men are called Fathers; they truly sustain that -character. They are always accessible, I will not say to the meanest of -our people, for we have none mean but such as render themselves so by -their vices. - -"The palaces and prisons among you form a most dreadful contrast. Go to -the former places, and you will see perhaps a _deformed piece of earth_ -assuming airs that become none but the Great Spirit above. Go to one of -your prisons; here description utterly fails! Kill them, if you please; -kill them, too, by tortures; but let the torture last no longer than a -day. Those you call savages, relent; the most furious of our tormentors -exhausts his rage in a few hours, and dispatches his unhappy victim with -a sudden stroke. Perhaps it is eligible that incorrigible offenders should -sometimes be cut off. Let it be done in a way that is not degrading to -human nature. Let such unhappy men have an opportunity, by their -fortitude, of making an atonement in some measure for the crimes they have -committed during their lives. - -"But for what are many of your prisoners confined?--for -debt!--astonishing!--and will you ever again call the Indian nations -cruel? Liberty, to a rational creature, as much exceeds property as the -light of the sun does that of the most twinkling star. But you put them -on a level, to the everlasting disgrace of civilization. I knew, while I -lived among the white people, many of the most amiable contract debts, and -I dare say with the best intentions. Both parties at the time of the -contract expect to find their advantage. The debtor, we will suppose, by -a train of unavoidable misfortunes, fails; here is no crime, nor even a -fault; and yet your laws put it in the power of the creditor to throw the -debtor into prison and confine him there for life! a punishment infinitely -worse than death to a brave man! And I seriously declare, I had rather die -by the most severe tortures ever inflicted on this continent, than -languish in one of your prisons for a single year. Great Spirit of the -Universe!--and do you call yourselves Christians? Does then the religion -of Him whom you call your Saviour, inspire this spirit, and lead to these -practices? Surely no. It is recorded of him, that a bruised reed he never -broke. Cease, then, to call yourselves Christians, lest you publish to the -world your hypocrisy. Cease, too, to call other nations savage, when you -are tenfold more the children of cruelty than they." - -Few subjects of greater interest have been presented for the consideration -of antiquaries in North America, than those monuments of an age and a -people that are lost, found scattered over western New-York, through the -state of Ohio, and in great numbers in the valley of the Mississippi, -called Tumuli. These mounds, or barrows, as they are usually termed in -older countries, have been objects of extensive inquiry and much -speculation; but their origin, in America, and the purposes of their -erection, are yet among those hidden mysteries which it is probable that -even time itself will not unfold. Among the Greeks, on the steppes of -Tartary, in the north of Europe, in England, Ireland, and New South Wales, -in all which countries, and several others, they abound, it has been well -ascertained that these Tumuli were monumental heaps, of greater or less -extent, raised over the remains of the dead. But in the United States, and -in Mexico, where similar barrows are numerous, appearances, in regard to -very many of them, have seemed to warrant a different opinion as to the -object of their formation. Their magnitude in this country is much greater -than in any other, some of the largest American Tumuli being approached -in dimensions only by the celebrated Irish barrow at New Grange, described -by Governor Pownall; [FN] while the form of very many of the American has -induced at least a plausible conjecture, that they were the military -defences of a people long since become extinct. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The Irish barrow in New Grange, county Meath, covers two acres at - the base, the circumference at the top being three hundred feet, and its - height ninety. It consists of small pebbles, and has a gallery within, - sixty-two feet long, leading to a cave. There is one near Wheeling, on - the Ohio, between thirty and forty rods in circumference at the base, - one hundred and eighty at the top, and seventy feet high. Near Cahokia - there is a numerous group, stated at about two hundred in all--the - largest of which is a parallelogram, about ninety feet high, and eight - hundred yards in circuit. [_Ency. Americana._] There are some very large - and of evident military formation, in the Wyoming Valley. - - -While, therefore, every inquiry of the white man concerning these remains -in America has ended as it began, leaving the subject of investigation as -deep in obscurity as before, the opinion of a man of Brant's information -and sagacity, thoroughly conversant, as he was, with the traditions of his -own people, may not be unacceptable to the curious reader. That opinion, -or rather such information as the Chief had derived from the dim light of -Indian tradition, has been supplied in the manuscript notes of Mr. -Woodruff, already referred to several times in the preceding pages. A few -extracts follow:-- - -"Among other things relating to the western country," says Mr. Woodruff, -"I was curious to learn in the course of my conversations with Captain -Brant, what information he could give me respecting the _Tumuli_ which are -found on and near the margin of the rivers and lakes, from the St. -Lawrence to the Mississippi. He stated, in reply, that the subject had -long been agitated, but yet remained in some obscurity. A tradition, he -said, prevailed among the different nations of Indians throughout that -whole extensive range of country, and had been handed down time -immemorial, that in an age long gone by, there came white men from a -foreign country, and by consent of the Indians established trading-houses -and settlements where these Tumuli are found. A friendly intercourse was -continued for several years; many of the white men brought their wives, -and had children born to them; and additions to their numbers were made -yearly from their own country. These circumstances at length gave rise to -jealousies among the Indians, and fears began to be entertained in regard -to the increasing numbers, wealth, and ulterior views of the new comers; -apprehending that becoming strong, they might one day seize upon the -country as their own. A secret council, composed of the chiefs of all the -different nations from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, was therefore -convoked; the result of which, after long deliberation, was a resolution -that on a certain night designated for that purpose, all their white -neighbors, men, women and children, should be exterminated. The most -profound secrecy was essential to the execution of such a purpose; and -such was the fidelity with which the fatal determination was kept, that -the conspiracy was successful, and the device carried completely into -effect. Not a soul was left to tell the tale. - -"The Captain expressed no opinion himself as to the truth of the tale, but -added, that from the vessels and tools which had been dug up in those -mounds, or found in their vicinity, it was evident that the people who had -used them were French. - -"In the year 1801, having occasion to travel through the States of -New-York and Ohio, and a part of Pennsylvania," (continues Judge -Woodruff,) "I had frequent opportunities of viewing these artificial -mounds, as well as the entrenched plots of land contiguous to them. They -are all placed upon small and handsome elevations of ground. The -entrenched plots are of various dimensions, from six to ten rods square. -The ditches and their banks are yet plainly visible. Their antiquity may -be inferred from the size of the trees standing both in the ditches and -on the banks--being as large as any of those in their vicinity. Many of -these trees I saw which were more than two feet in diameter. Near one -corner of each of these areas, is a space of twelve feet in width, where -the ground appears never to have been broken. It is evident that these -spaces were used for gate-ways. About ten or fifteen yards from these -gate-ways, stand the mounds. These are of different dimensions, in -different places, from ten to fifteen feet in diameter at the base, and -from six to twelve feet elevation, being now much flattened down. - -"Various have been the conjectures for what use these mounds were raised. -Some have supposed they were made as depositories of the dead; others, for -places in which to store provisions in winter; and others, for -watch-towers, on which sentinels were posted to guard the garrisons from -approaching danger. While in Ohio, I felt an anxiety to satisfy myself, -if possible, for which of these uses, or for what other, these Tumuli were -designed. I employed a party of young men to dig down through one of them, -beginning at the centre of the apex. When they had descended through to -the natural surface of the ground, it appeared by the mould, or soil, that -the earth had not there been broken. All we found there, were a few oaken -chips, nearly sound, and bearing the mark of the axe. These circumstances, -in my judgment, served greatly to strengthen the probability that the -mounds had been designed and used only for watch-towers. Mr. Quimby, the -owner of the land, shewed me a tinner's anvil, a pair of shears, and an -adze, which he had found on the area within the lines of the entrenchment. -All these were evidently of French origin. Many other tools and vessels, -as I was well informed, had been found at other of these stations, in -different parts of the western country, all of the same character. - -"In farther conversation with Captain Brant, he informed me that he had -ever entertained a strong desire to know something more decisive -concerning those white people--their former neighbors--and that while in -England, he made a visit to the French capital for the purpose of pushing -his inquiries upon the subject. Letters of introduction were furnished by -his friends in London, to some literary gentlemen in Paris, by whom he was -received with great politeness and respect, and kindly assisted in making -researches in the public libraries. Nothing, however, could be found in -any of their histories, respecting the object of his inquiries, excepting, -that about the year 1520, (if I rightly remember,) several ships were -fitted out and sailed from L'Orient, bound to North America, freighted -with goods suitable for that market, and carrying out a number of traders, -and other enterprising individuals, with their families, to plant a colony -in that part of the world. But nothing farther was recorded concerning the -enterprize. Hence Captain Brant was induced to give additional credit to -the tradition before mentioned." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] John Norton, the intelligent Mohawk Chief, heretofore repeatedly - mentioned, gave a different version of the tradition upon this subject. - Being at Albany, upon the business of the St. Regis Reservation, during - the administration of Governor Jay, the Governor took occasion to ask - Norton if he knew any thing concerning the origin of the Indian - fortifications, as they were called, found in such numbers in many parts - of the United States. He answered, that there was a tradition in his - tribe that they were constructed by a people who in ancient times - occupied a great extent of country, but who had been extirpated; that - there had been long and bloody wars between this people and the Five - Nations, in which the latter had been finally victorious. He added, that - one of the last of the fortifications which was taken, had been - obstinately defended; that the warriors of the other four nations of the - Confederacy had assaulted it without waiting for the Mohawks, and had - been repulsed with great loss, but that the latter coming to their - assistance the attack was renewed, the place taken, and all who were in - it destroyed.--_Letter to the author from the Hon. Peter Augustus Jay, - who was present during the conversation._ - - -There seem to be many strong reasons for believing, that at some remote -period of time, a race of men, different from the Indians found in -occupancy by the English, farther advanced in civilization, and possessed -of arts of which they were ignorant, must have been in possession of -portions of this country. The Indians have various traditions upon the -subject of such a lost race of men, differing, however, among different -tribes, and often among individuals of the same tribes. Mary Jemison, who -was raised among the Senecas, and spent a long life with them, states that -the Indians held that the flats of the Genesee were cleared, and had been -cultivated, by another people, before the Indians came into possession. -They were a people of whom they could give no account, because "their -fathers had never seen them." By the sliding of a bank of Mary's farm -into the river, a burial-place was discovered, of which the Indians had -no knowledge, and they held that the bones were not those of Indians. -[FN-1] But of what race, nation, or complexion, were this ancient people, -will probably never be known. That the continent of North America was -discovered by the Normans, during the patriarchal government of the Colony -of Greenland, by Erik the Red, five centuries before the voyages of -Columbus, is no longer a matter of doubt. The shores of the Gulf of St. -Lawrence, and the coast of New England, were visited by Lief and Thorwald, -the sons of Erik, and colonies planted, as far back as the tenth century. -These colonies, however, were soon lost or extirpated; and from the -Icelandic records, and the histories of the Northmen, [FN-2] there is -but faint reason for supposing that the few colonists of Vinland, as the -new country was named, or their descendants, could have extended -themselves from the estuary of the St Lawrence across into the valley of -the Mississippi. [FN-3] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] See Appendix, No. XVIII. - - [FN-2] Vide, History of the Northmen, by Henry Wheaton; Voyages of - Sebastian Cabot, &c. &c. - - [FN-3] See Appendix, No. XIX. - - -The tradition recited by Brant, however, tends, especially in its details, -to corroborate the well-known legend of the Welsh, concerning Prince -Madog, or Madoc, which has occasioned so many stories of White and Welsh -Indians, rather than any other tale of discovery and colonization with -which the public is acquainted. According to the Welsh tradition, -Madoc--if indeed there was such a veritable personage--in consequence of -some domestic dissensions, went to sea, with ten ships and three hundred -men, in the twelfth century, and discovered land far to the west. He made -several voyages to and from this unknown land, but finally, with all his -followers, was lost to the knowledge of his countrymen. The tradition of -Brant, that the white strangers made annual voyages to and from their own -country for several years, corresponds with the story as related in the -Welsh Triads, and by Hakluyt, who has given an account of the supposed -voyages of the Prince. The cutting off of the colonists at one fell -stroke, as related by Brant, also shows very satisfactorily why his fate -was never known. OEdipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx; but unless he -was able to solve still greater mysteries, the origin and uses of the -American Tumuli present questions that would have baffled the wisdom even -of the accomplished though unfortunate son and husband of Jocasta. - -In bringing the life and actions of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea, to a -close, something in the form of a summary review of his character will -doubtless be expected at the hands of the biographer. This task can be -readily and expeditiously executed, from the method adopted in the -composition of the work itself. Nor, after the record already given of his -public life and conduct, and the occasional anecdotes and illustrations of -character introduced in the regular progress of the narrative, will the -reader be surprised to find the author disposed, not only to set aside, -but to reverse the popular estimate, and all previous decisions of -history, in relation to the character of that remarkable man. - -His fine personal appearance in the full maturity of manhood has already -been described from the notes of Mr. Woodruff and General Porter. His -early advantages of education were limited, but of these he evidently made -the best use. Probably, being connected by the alliance of his sister with -Sir William Johnson, he may have attended some of the missionary schools -in the Mohawk Valley previous to his being sent by the Baronet to the -Moor charity school, under the care of the elder Doctor Wheelock. But as -he had already, though at so early an age, been upon the war-path in two -campaigns, his opportunities of study could not have been great,--to say -nothing of the reluctance with which an ardent youth, looking with delight -upon the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war, and inpatient of -military renown, might be expected to confine himself to the dull and -quiet pursuits of the school-room. Still, he acknowledged in after-life -that he had derived great and lasting advantages from the instructions of -Doctor Wheelock. The wars of Pontiac a third time called him to the field; -but the campaign was no sooner ended, than he was again engaged in -literary pursuits under the direction of the missionaries. The influence -of his sister in the administration of the Indian department, called him -more directly into active public life on the death of Sir William Johnson, -although he had been much employed in the transaction of business with -the Indians previous to that event. These avocations had of course -deprived him of much time which might otherwise have been devoted to -study; and when upon him had devolved the chieftainship of the whole -confederacy of the Six Nations, it may well be imagined that the official -claims upon his attention were in themselves sufficient to occupy, -unremittingly, the most active mind. Then followed the protracted conflict -of the American Revolution, requiring, from his position, and the side he -espoused, the exercise of all his energies, physical and intellectual. But -his return to his books, the moment that the great contest was ended; the -progressive improvement in the style of his letters; and the fruits of his -labors in the translations he produced, are circumstances proving his -perseverance amidst the most harassing cares and perplexities of his -after-life, and that he had a natural taste for literature, and was -zealous in the acquisition of knowledge. His solicitude was great for the -thorough education of his children; and he had himself not only projected -writing a history of his own people, but had it in contemplation himself -to acquire the knowledge of the Greek language, that he might be enabled -to read the New Testament in the original, and thus make a more perfect -translation of the Greek Scriptures in the Mohawk tongue. - -His character has been represented as savage and cruel; and in the meagre -sketches of his life hitherto published, although an occasional redeeming -virtue has been allowed by some, anecdotes of treachery and blood have -been introduced, to sustain the imputed disposition of relentless -ferocity. [FN-1] The causes of this general libel upon the native -character of the Indians, and upon that of Brant in particular, have been -indicated in the commencement of the present work. Such, however, was not -the fact. On the contrary, making the necessary allowances for his -position, his own blood, and the description of warriors he commanded, -after the most diligent and laborious investigation, the author is free to -declare his belief that Brant was no less humane than he is on all hands -admitted to have been brave. He was an Indian, and led Indians to the -fight, upon their own principles and usages of war. Bold and daring, -sagacious and wily, he often struck when least expected; but the author -has in vain sought for an instance of wanton cruelty--of treachery--or of -the murder of prisoners, or others, by his own hand, or by his permission, -in cold blood. At the first outbreak of the American revolution, he -interposed and saved the life of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland when on the point -of becoming a victim to Indian fury, although not at that time on the very -best terms with that gentleman. The first battle of the revolutionary war -in which Brant was engaged, was that of the Cedars, on the banks of the -St. Lawrence. Immediately after the fate of the day was decided, he -interposed to save the prisoners, and actually, at his own private -expense, appeased the Indians, and prevented the sacrifice of the brave -Captain McKinstry. This gentleman was well known to the author, and he -ever entertained a high regard for Captain Brant, by whom he was afterward -visited on the manor of Livingston. The Chieftain's efforts at the -massacre of Cherry Valley, to stay the effusion of innocent blood, have -been mentioned in the account of that tragic irruption. In addition to the -circumstances there narrated, Doctor Dwight, who was as careful as he was -diligent in the collection of his facts, relates, that on entering one of -the houses in Cherry Valley, Walter Butler ordered a woman and child, who -were in bed, to be killed; but the Mohawk Chief interposed, and -said--"What! kill a woman and child! No! That child is not an enemy to the -King, nor a friend to the Congress. Long before he will be big enough to -do any mischief, the dispute will be settled." At the affair of Wyoming, -for which he has always received the severest condemnation, he was not -present. His conduct to Captain Harper and his fellow-prisoners was -anything but cruel, in the Indian acceptation of the term, although the -execution of the aged and weary prisoner, if done with his knowledge or -by his direction, was indefensible. But at Minisink, according to his own -relation of the circumstances, (and his veracity has never been -questioned,) his conduct has been grossly misrepresented. He exerted -himself in the first instance to avert the effusion of blood, and was -fired upon while in the act of making pacific overtures. True, Colonel -Wisner was finally killed by his own hand; but the very blow was prompted -by humanity, according to the reasoning of an Indian. The soldier was -wounded past cure or removal; and after reflection upon the painful case, -to prevent his dying agonies from being aggravated by beasts of prey, the -Chief put an end to his sufferings through an honest dictate of -compassion. A thoroughly civilized warrior would neither have reasoned nor -acted as he did under the circumstances. Still, the act was prompted by -feelings of humanity, and was doubtless such in reality. Lieutenant -Wormwood was killed at Cherry Valley by mistake, and after refusing to -stand when hailed. Lieutenant Boyd and his companion were treated with -humanity by Brant after the capture in the Genesee country, and the -dreadful tragedy which ended their lives was not enacted until Brant had -departed for Niagara. The reader cannot well have forgotten the touching -and beautiful incident of the restoration of the infant to its mother, at -Fort Hunter, as related to the author by Governor Lewis, an eye-witness of -the transaction. To all which may be added, that his last act of the last -battle he fought was the rescuing of an American prisoner from a savage -Irish ally of his own Indians, who was about to murder him. [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] As a specimen of these bloody anecdotes, take the following, - related many years since by a traveler named Weld, from whom it has been - universally copied since. And yet there is not a syllable of truth in its - composition:--"With a considerable body of his troops, he joined the - forces under the command of Sir John Johnson. A skirmish took place with - a body of American troops; the action was warm, and Brant was shot by a - musket ball in his heel; but the Americans in the end were defeated and - an officer and eighty men were taken prisoners. The officer, after having - delivered up his sword, had entered into conversation with Sir John - Johnson, who commanded the British troops, and they were talking to - either in the most friendly manner, when Brant, having stolen slyly - behind them, laid the American officer low with a blow of his tomahawk. - The indignation of Sir John Johnson, as may be readily supposed, was - roused by such an act of treachery, and he resented it in the warmest - terms. Brant listened to him unconcernedly, and when he had finished, - told him that he was sorry for his displeasure, but that indeed his heel - was extremely painful at the moment, and he could not help revenging - himself on the only chief of the party that he saw taken. Since he had - killed the officer, he added, his heel was much less painful to him than - it had been before." - - [FN-2] This incident was mentioned to me by Colonel Kerr, his son-in-law. - The occurrence was at the defeat of St. Clair. - - -In the course of his conversations with Major James Cochran and General -Porter, long after the war, in regard to the alleged cruelty of his -career, Brant assured those gentlemen that he had always spared in battle -whenever it could be done without bringing upon himself the censure of his -own people. In more instances than one, he said, he had been instrumental -in preserving life when exposed to the fury of his warriors, and that he -had winked at the escape of white prisoners, whose sufferings would not -permit them to proceed on their march. He related one instance in -particular, in which a young female prisoner had lagged behind, and whom -he himself hid in the bushes that she might escape and return to her home. -This account of himself was subsequently confirmed by Captain Philip Frey, -son of Colonel Hendrick Frey, of Tryon county, of most respectable -character and connexions, and an officer in the British army, who had -served with Brant on several military expeditions, and shared with him the -dangers of several battles. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of Major Cochran to the author. In farther illustration of - Brant's general desire to prevent the shedding of blood unnecessarily, - the following incident has been communicated to the author while these - sheets were passing through the press:--"The late Jonathan Maynard, Esq. - of Framingham, (near Boston,) Massachusetts, formerly a member of the - Senate of that State, was actively engaged in the war of the Revolution, - and, as he was in the habit of relating to his friends, was taken - prisoner at one time in the western part of New-York by a party of the - enemy, composed chiefly of Indians, under the command of Brant. The - savages were disposed to put him to death according to the exterminating - mode of warfare practised in that section of the country by the combined - Indians and Tories; and preparations were making to that effect, when, - having been partially stripped, Brant discovered the symbols of - Freemasonry marked upon the prisoner's arms, which led him to interpose - and save his life. Mr. Maynard was then sent a prisoner to Canada, where, - after remaining several months, he was finally exchanged, and returned - home. He lived to an advanced age, universally respected in the town - where he resided, as an upright man and faithful magistrate; and was - favorably known throughout the county of Middlesex, which he represented - in the Senate of the commonwealth."--_Letter to the author by George - Folsom, Esq._ - - -Having thus disposed of the principal events in his career during the war -of the Revolution, in respect to which his conduct was certainly the -opposite of savage and blood-thirsty, this point of his vindication may -be appropriately closed by the following extract from a letter addressed -to him in February, 1792, by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, than whom none was -more intimately acquainted with his general character and disposition:-- - - "Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant.--(Extract.) - - "_Genesee, February_ 17_th,_ 1792. - - "My Dear Friend, - -"I was honored with your very polite and affectionate letter of the 1st -inst. by Dr. Allen, last Saturday. The opportunity which now presents of -addressing you, is very unexpected. Yesterday I had the pleasure of a -short interview with Captain Williamson, who had lately passed through -Philadelphia, where he received a large packet for Colonel _Gordon,_ -commanding at Niagara, soliciting his aid in behalf of a disconsolate -mother, to inquire after the fate of her son, _Captain Turner_--an -unfortunate officer, who is supposed to be a prisoner among the Miamis, -and taken in the action of last Fall. I told Mr. Williamson that no -person would be more willing and ready on such an occasion to make -inquiry, and perhaps no one under equal advantages, to obtain the -much-desired information, than your self; and that, _notwithstanding all -your martial fire and heroism, you possessed a sensibility of soul that -would weep at the tale of woe._ He gave me a most affecting account of the -situation of the afflicted mother--probably he was a darling son. Mr. -Williamson has accordingly written you on the subject." - -One of the distinguishing features of his character was his strong sense -of justice. It will be recollected, in the narrative of the captivity of -Alexander Harper and others, that during their long and fatiguing march, -when his own warriors and himself were suffering almost the extremity of -hunger, he saw with his own eyes the most rigid impartiality exercised in -the distribution of such scanty supplies of food as they were able -casually to procure. Every prisoner was allowed a full share with himself; -and at the end of their march, it has been seen how adroitly he averted -the torture of the gauntlet-running, which it was so customary with the -Indians to inflict upon their prisoners. This same love of justice, -moreover, marked his conduct during the Indian wars of 1789--'95, and -pervaded his correspondence connected with those wars, and his own -subsequent difficulties with the British Government touching the Grand -River land title, and in all his negotiations with the State of New-York. -He honestly thought the claim of the north-western Indians to the Ohio and -Muskingum boundary a just one. Hence his untiring exertions, year after -year, to adjust the difficulties between the Indians and the United States -upon that basis. When he thought the Indians claimed too much, he opposed -them; and so far as he thought them in the right, he was ready to fight -for them. In a letter to General Chapin upon this subject, written in -December, 1794, he says: - -"Your letters from Kanandaigua are now before me. I have to say that our -meetings during the whole of last summer, at all of which our thoughts -were solely bent on fixing a boundary line, such as we thought would be -the means of fixing a peace on a solid basis, for which reason we pointed -out the line we did, well knowing the justness of it, and being certain -that the whole Indian confederacy would ratify it. - -"I must regret, as an individual, to find that this boundary has been -abandoned, as I am well convinced a lasting peace would have ensued had it -been adopted. I, therefore, ever have, to bring about this desirable end, -exerted every nerve, wishing for nothing more than justice between us. -This line, you will recollect, was offered to Governor St. Clair at -Muskingum. Notwithstanding the two successful campaigns of the Indians, I -still adhered to the same line, and still do. This, I hope, will satisfy -you that my wish ever was for peace. The offer made was rejected by Mr. -St. Clair, and what the consequences have been you well know. . . . You -will recollect that I differed even with my friends, respecting the -boundary, [FN] and to the two last messages that you then received, my -name was to neither, for the reason that I thought them [the Indians] too -unreasonable. For this reason I was obliged to take more pains and trouble -to bring the Indians and you to an understanding, than I was under any -obligation to do, otherwise than having our mutual interests in view. As -to politics, I study them not. My principle is founded on justice, and -justice is all I wish for. Never shall I exert myself for any nation or -nations, let their opinions of me be what they will, unless I plainly see -they are sincere and just in what they may aim at, and that nothing more -than strict justice is what they want. When I perceive that these are the -sentiments of a people, no endeavors ever shall be wanting on my part to -bring nations to a good understanding." - - * * * * * - - [FN] Captain Brant had proposed a compromise boundary line, of which he - was here speaking. But neither the United States nor the Indians would - listen to it. - - -These views are frank, manly, and honorable; and correspond with the whole -tenor of his speeches and correspondence, as well upon that as all other -questions of controversy in which he was called to participate. - -His efforts for the moral and religious improvement of his people were -indefatigable. In addition to the details already presented upon this -point, the fact is no less interesting than true, that the first -Episcopal church erected in Upper Canada was built by Brant, from funds -collected by him while in England in 1786. The church was built the same -year, and the first "church-going bell" that tolled in Upper Canada, was -placed there by him. [FN-1] The Rev. Davenport Phelps, in writing to -President John Wheelock, November, 1800, upon the subject of the -exertions of Captain Brant, and the progress his people were making in -religious knowledge and the arts of civilized life, under his influence, -remarks:--"I cannot, sir, but here observe, that strong hopes may be -entertained that we may yet see the wilderness bud and blossom like the -rose. There is already a degree of civilization among a number of the -Indians which would surprise a stranger. And with some of them there is -such an appearance of Christianity, that many of the whites who possess -it, might well blush at a comparative view. Of this great and important -alteration, and of the present pleasing prospect of success in extending -the knowledge of the Redeemer among them, I am fully persuaded the labors -of your venerable predecessor, under God, have been the cause. Colonel -Brant greatly encourages civilization and Christianity. Through his -exertions and influential example among the Indians, it is to be hoped -their progress toward refinement may yet be considerable." [FN-2] His -earnest desire, beyond a doubt, was to render himself a benefactor to his -people. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Letter to the author from Colonel W. J. Kerr. - - [FN-2] McClure's Life of Wheelock. - - -As a warrior, he was cautious, sagacious and brave; watching with -sleepless vigilance for opportunities of action, and allowing neither -dangers nor difficulties to divert him from his well-settled purposes. His -constitution was hardy, his capacity of endurance great; his energy -untiring, and his firmness indomitable. His character, in his social and -domestic relations, has been delineated at length, and needs no farther -illustration. In his dealings and business relations he was prompt, -honorable, and expert; and, so far as the author has been able to obtain -information from gentlemen who knew him well, he was a pattern of -integrity. The purity of his private morals has never been questioned, and -his house was the abode of kindness and hospitality. - -His manners in refined society have been described by Dr. Miller and -General Porter. Without divesting himself altogether of the characteristic -reserve of his people, he could, nevertheless, relax as occasion required, -and contribute his full share, by sprightly and intelligent conversation, -to the pleasures of general society. He was at once affable and dignified, -avoiding frivolity on the one hand and stiffness on the other; in one -word, unbending himself just to the proper medium of the well-bred -gentleman. He has been described by some as eloquent in his conversation. -Others, again, deny him the attribute of eloquence, either in public -speaking or in the social circle; asserting that his great power lay in -his strong, practical good sense, and deep and ready insight into -character. Mr. Thomas Morris avers that his sagacity in this respect -exceeded that of any other man with whom he has been acquainted. His -temperament was decidedly amiable; he had a keen perception of the -ludicrous, and was both humorous and witty himself--some times brilliant -in this respect; and his conversation was often fascinating, by reason of -its playfulness and vivacity. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] As an illustration of his shrewdness and sagacity, the following - anecdote of Brant has been communicated to the author by Professor - Griscom:--"When Jemima Wilkinson, (who professed to be, in her own - person, the Saviour of the world in his second appearance on earth,) was - residing on her domain in western New-York, surrounded by her deluded and - subservient followers, she could not fail to attract the notice of - Colonel Brant; while the celebrity of the Chieftain must, in turn, have - forcibly commended itself to her attention. This led, of course, to a - mutual desire to see each other, and Brant at length presented himself - at her mansion, and requested an interview. After some formality he was - admitted and she addressed to him a few words in the way of a welcome - salutation. He replied to her by a formal speech in his own language, at - the conclusion of which she informed him that she did not understand the - language in which he spoke. He then addressed her in another Indian - dialect, to which, in like manner, she objected. After a pause, he - commenced a speech in a third, and still different American language, - when she interrupted him by the expression of dissatisfaction at his - persisting to speak to her in terms which she could not understand. He - arose with dignity, and with a significant motion of the hand, - said--'Madam, you are not the person you pretend to be. Jesus Christ can - understand one language as well as another,' and abruptly took his - leave." Since this striking and characteristic anecdote was received from - Dr. Griscom, I have discovered that it has been attributed to Red Jacket. - This Chief; however, was a Pagan--a disbeliever in Jesus Christ; and as - Brant was the opposite, the anecdote is more characteristic of him than - of the Seneca orator. - - -The implacable resentments imputed to the American Indians were not -characteristic of him. In a speech to a council of Misissaguas--a clan of -the Hurons, located on the Bay of Quinte,--on the occasion of certain -grievous personal insults, of which some of their people were complaining, -he remarked:--"Brothers, I am very glad you suffer these abuses so -patiently. I advise you to persevere in your patience and prudence, never -allowing yourselves to feel and exercise revenge, until every regular -step be taken to remove them." [FN] In the whole course of his -correspondence, positive hostility, of a personal character, seems only to -have been cherished toward Colonel Claus, the Deputy Superintendent -General of the Indian Department. The precise nature of this difficulty -the author has not ascertained. It was connected, however, with the -pecuniary affairs of the Indians, in regard to which Brant was exonerated -from censure at every scrutiny. Still, perfection cannot be predicated of -the Mohawk Chief more than other men, and the author has not discovered a -particle of evidence, going to inculpate the moral or official conduct of -Colonel Claus--save that he appears to have connived at the unsuccessful -machinations of Red Jacket and other enemies of Brant, to effect the -chieftain's deposition. - - * * * * * - - [FN] MS. speech among the Brant papers. - - -Like other men, Brant doubtless had his faults, but they were redeemed by -high qualities and commanding virtues. He was charged with duplicity, and -even treachery, in regard to the affairs of the Indians and the United -States, in connexion with his first visit to Philadelphia. But the -aspersion was grievously unjust. During the years of those wars, his -position was trying and peculiar. He had his own ulterior objects to -consult in regard to the Indians of the upper lakes. He desired to see -justice done to them, and also to the United States. And he likewise -desired not to impair his own influence with those Indians. At the same -time he had a difficult game to play, with the Colonial and British -governments. The doubtful relations between England and the United States -induced the former to keep the Indians in a very unpacific mood toward the -latter for a series of years; sometimes even pushing them into -hostilities, by means and appliances of which policy required the -concealment, and the means of diplomatic denial, if necessary. At the same -time, while Brant was thoroughly loyal to the King, he was nevertheless -resolved upon maintaining the unfettered independence of his own peculiar -nation; friendly relations with the Colonial government being also -essential to his desire of a perfect title to his new territory. - -Such a position must at all times have been full of embarrassment and -difficulty, and at some conjunctures could not have been otherwise than -deeply perplexing. And yet he sustained himself through the whole--proving -himself above the influence of gold at Philadelphia, and passing the -ordeal without dishonor. In letters, he was in advance of some of the -Generals against whom he fought; and even of still greater military -chieftains, who have flourished before his day and since. True, he was -ambitious--and so was Caesar. He sought to combine many nations under his -own dominion--and so did Napoleon. He ruled over barbarians--and so did -Peter the Great. - -A few years before his death, Captain Brant built a commodious -dwelling-house, two stories high, on a tract of land presented him by the -King at the head of Lake Ontario--directly north of the beach which -divides the lake from the sheet of water known as Burlington Bay. The -situation is noble and commanding, affording a glorious prospect of that -beautiful lake, with a fruitful soil and a picturesque country around it. -At this place, on the 24th of November, 1807, he closed a life of greater -and more uninterrupted activity for the space of half a century, than has -fallen to the lot of almost any other man whose name has been inscribed by -the muse of history. He was a steadfast believer in the distinguishing -doctrines of Christianity, and a member of the Episcopal church at the -time of his decease. He bore his illness, which was painful, with patience -and resignation. He died in the full possession of his faculties, and, -according to the belief of his attendants, in the full faith of the -Christian religion. [FN] His age was sixty-four years and eight months. -His remains were removed to the Mohawk Village, on the Grand River, and -interred by the side of the church which he had built. The interests of -his people, as they had been the paramount object of his exertions through -life, were uppermost in his thoughts to the end. His last words that have -been preserved upon this subject, were contained in a charge to his -adopted nephew, Teyoninhokarawen:--"Have pity on the poor Indians: if you -can get any influence with the great, endeavor to do them all the good you -can." With great justice the surviving Mohawks might have, made a similar -exclamation to that of King Joash at the bed of the dying prophet--"My -father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!" - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Appendix, No. XX. - - - - - -[Illustration: John Brant] - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - - - Account of the family of Brant subsequent to his death--Catharine - Brant--The line of descent among the Mohawks--John Brant, the youngest - son, appointed to the Chieftainship--The war of 1812--General Van - Rensselaer on the Niagara frontier--Preparations for a descent upon - Queenston Heights--First attempt frustrated--Arrangement for a second - movement--Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott on the lines--His efforts - to accompany the expedition--Landing of Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer - and his party--Intrepidity of the attack--Van Rensselaer and others - grievously wounded--Captain Wool carries the Heights--Advance of General - Brock--His defeat and fall--Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott upon - the Heights--Attack of the Indians--General Sheaffe advances from - Niagara with reinforcements--Battle--The Americans driven down the - Heights--Attempts of Scott to capitulate--His flag-bearers shot - down--Determines to bear a flag himself--A young Indian leaps upon him - like a tiger--His rescue--Interview with General - Sheaffe--Capitulation--March to Niagara--Remarkable interview between - Scott and two Indians at Niagara, the younger of whom was John - Brant--Base poltroonry of the militia--Battle of the Beaver-dams--Close - of young Brant's military life--Removes to the Brant House with his - sister--Account of the family by Lieutenant Hall--Visit of the British - Consul to the Brant House--Controversy of John Brant with Archdeacon - Strachan---He visits England respecting the ancient land-title - controversy--Succeeds with the ministers--Disappointed by the Colonial - Government--Correspondence with Campbell respecting the memory of his - father--Attention to the moral wants of his people--Correspondence - respecting the Mohawk schools--Presentation of a silver cup--His - election to the Provincial Parliament--Seat contested--Death by - cholera--His character--Farther notices of the family--Description of - his sister, and of his successor--Death of Catharine Brant--Conclusion. - - -Catharine Brant, the widow of Thayendanegea, was forty-eight years old at -the time of his decease. According to the constitution of the Mohawks, -which, like that of Great Britain, is unwritten, the inheritance descends -through the female line exclusively. Consequently the superior -chieftainship does not descend to the eldest male; but the eldest female, -in what may be called the royal line, nominates one of her sons or other -descendants, and he thereby becomes the chief. If her choice does not fall -upon her own son, the grandson whom she invests with the office must be -the child of her daughter. The widow of Thayendanegea was the eldest -daughter of the head chief of the Turtle tribe--first in rank of the -Mohawk nation. In her own right, therefore, on the decease of her husband, -she stood at the head of the Iroquois Confederacy, alone clothed with -power to designate a successor to the chieftaincy. The official title of -the principal chief of the Six Nations, is Tekarihogea; to which station -John, the fourth and youngest son, whose Indian name was Ahyouwaighs, was -appointed. - -On the removal of the old Chief, Thayendanegea, to his new establishment -at the head of Lake Ontario, he had adopted the English mode of living, -and arranged his household accordingly. Mrs. Brant, however,--the Queen -mother she might be styled in Europe--preferred the customs of her people, -and soon after the death of her husband returned to the Mohawk Village on -the Grand River, where she ever afterward resided. - -The young Chief was born at the Mohawk Village on the 27th of September, -1794--being at the time of his father's decease thirteen years of age. He -received a good English education at Ancaster and Niagara, under the -tuition of a Mr. Richard Cockrel; but through life improved his mind -greatly, by the study of the best English authors, by associations with -good society, and by travel. He was a close and discriminating observer -of the phenomena of nature, upon which he reasoned in a philosophical -spirit. Amiable and manly in his feelings and character, and becoming well -acquainted with English literature, his manners were early developed as -those of an accomplished gentleman. - -When the war of 1812-'15, between the United States and England, broke -out, the Mohawks, true to their ancient faith, espoused the cause of the -latter, and the _Tekarihogea_ took the field with his warriors. He was -engaged in many of the actions on the Niagara frontier, in all of which -his bearing was chivalrous and his conduct brave. His first effort was at -the battle of Queenston--commenced so auspiciously for the American arms -by the gallant and daring Van Rensselaer, and ended so disastrously by -reason of the cowardice of the militia on the American side, who refused -to cross the river and secure the victory which had been so bravely won. - -There were incidents marking that battle, however, involving the conduct -of the young Chief, and connected with the life of an American officer -whose name from that day forth has been identified with the military glory -of his country, which forbid that the transaction should be thus -summarily despatched. Aside, moreover, from the part borne by John Brant -in the battle, and the exciting incidents to be related, sufficient of -themselves to form a chapter that might well be entitled "the romance of -history," many facts connected with that singular engagement have to this -day remained unwritten. - -The command of the Niagara section of the American frontier, during the -Autumn of 1812, had been committed by Governor Tompkins to Major General -Stephen Van Rensselaer, the senior officer of the State Cavalry of -New-York. Attached to his staff was Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, an -officer who, as a subaltern in the regular service, had signalized himself -by his undaunted bravery, and coolness and intrepidity in action, during -the Indian wars, and particularly under the command of General Wayne at -the Miamis. The situation of General Van Rensselaer had been exceedingly -embarrassing during the whole period of his command, or nearly three -months before the movement under review. His selection for that post by -the Commander-in-chief of New-York, considering the adverse state of their -political relations, was deemed an equivocal act on the part of the -Governor. But, although opposed to the policy of the war, and in the -possession of the first paternal estate in America, and in the enjoyment -of every blessing which can sweeten life, General Van Rensselaer hesitated -not to comply with the call of his country, and took the field -immediately. [FN-1] After reconnoitering the frontier from Ogdensburgh to -Lake Erie, he determined to establish his head-quarters at Lewiston, on -the Strait of Niagara. After the failure of the expedition of General -Hull, who had been ingloriously captured with his army at Detroit, the -next point of attack upon the enemy's country was obviously the Canadian -peninsula at Niagara. But the season for active military operations had -almost glided away under the tardy levy of regular troops, and the -uncertain assemblages of the militia; and it was October before General -Van Rensselaer found himself in force to warrant offensive operations. His -solicitude, not only for the interests of the public service and the -honor of his country, but for his own reputation, determined him to strike -a blow at the enemy if possible, [FN-2] in order to obtain a position for -winter-quarters on the Canada shore. Added to which was the manifestation -of a strong and impatient desire by the militia to be led against the -enemy. This desire rose to such a height that resistance seemed scarcely -possible, and patriotism was apparently passing the limits of -subordination. [FN-3] Indeed, the determination of the militia was -expressed to the General through various channels, as an _alternative,_ -that they must have orders to _act_ against the enemy or they would go -home. [FN-4] Nor was the General himself less desirous of action than his -troops professed to be. He felt that the disgrace of the American arms at -Detroit, at the opening of the campaign, could only be wiped away by a -brilliant close of it; and that unless a signal blow should be struck, the -public expectation would be disappointed; all the toil and expense of the -campaign would be thrown away; and, worse than all, the whole would be -tinged with dishonor. [FN-5] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Memoirs of General Wilkinson. - - [FN-2] Ibid. - - [FN-3] Low's History of the War. - - [FN-4] General Van Rensselaer's official report. - - [FN-5] Letter of General Van Rensselaer to Governor Tompkins, Oct 8, - 1812. - - -Impressed by considerations like these, and encouraged by the apparent -desire of the militia to take the field, dispositions were made for an -attack upon Queenston Heights, with a view of moving thence upon Fort -George at Niagara, which it was proposed to carry by storm, and then take -up the quarters of the army there for the winter--an excellent position -for obtaining supplies, and making the necessary arrangements for opening -the campaign early in the following Spring. [FN-1] General Brock, the -British commander on the opposite shore of the river, was watching the -motions of the Americans with unwearied vigilance; but a spy, who had been -despatched across the river, having returned with the erroneous -information that that officer had moved in the direction of Detroit with -all his disposable force, arrangements were made by General Van Rensselaer -for crossing the river and attacking Queenston Heights early on the -morning of the 11th of October. The design, however, was frustrated, -either by the ignorance, the cowardice, or the treachery of a boatman, who -had been selected as the leading waterman for his skill and steadiness. -The enterprise was to be led by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer,--"The -corps designated for the expedition, and principally composed of militia, -assembled punctually and in good order at the place of rendezvous, and, -with the exception of the weather, which was wet and windy, every thing -wore a propitious aspect. But when, after long and patiently abiding the -pelting of a north-easterly storm, the embarkation was ordered and the -boats called for, none were found to be in readiness; and on inquiry it -was discovered that the person having charge of them had not only -withdrawn himself, but had carried with him all the oars necessary for the -service. For this unexpected occurrence there was no remedy but patience; -the expedition was accordingly suspended, and the troops sent back to -their cantonments." [FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Ibid. - - [FN-2] General Armstrong's Notices on the war of 1812. - - -The impatience of the militia continuing, and having received a -reinforcement of three hundred and fifty regular troops under -Lieutenant-colonel Chrystie, the General determined to renew the attempt -before daylight on the morning of the 13th. Colonel Van Rensselaer was to -command the expedition as before, and lead the attack with three hundred -militia, to be followed by Lieutenant-colonel Chrystie with three hundred -regulars. Lieutenant-colonels Chrystie and Fenwick had agreed to waive -rank, and serve under Colonel Van Rensselaer. Lieutenant-colonel Fenwick, -with Major Mullaney, was to follow Chrystie with three hundred and fifty -regular troops and some pieces of artillery, after whom the greater body -of the militia were to succeed in order. Such is an outline of the -dispositions for the movement on the morning of the 13th of October. -Meantime Lieutenant-colonel, (now Major general Scott) had arrived with -his regiment of artillery at Schlosser, two miles above the Falls, and -twelve from Lewiston, on the day before the engagement. Having heard from -Colonel Stranahan, of the Otsego militia, whose regiment, stationed at the -Falls, was on the move, that an expedition of some kind was contemplated -by General Van Rensselaer, Scott, then young, and ardent as he is now, -impatient of an early opportunity to meet an enemy, mounted his horse and -rode full speed to Lewiston. He forthwith presented himself to the -Commanding General, from whom he learned the character of the enterprise -on foot, and of whom he solicited the privilege of taking a part. The -General replied that the details had all been arranged--that Colonel -Solomon Van Rensselaer was to have the command, and that -Lieutenant-colonels Fenwick and Chrystie had waived their rank, and were -to serve under that officer. But such was the urgency of Scott, that the -General gave him permission to accompany the expedition as a volunteer, -if he also would waive his rank. This proposition was declined; but as -Scott was anxious to bring his regiment down to Lewiston, it was -ultimately stipulated that he might select a position upon the bank of the -river, and use his artillery to such advantage as opportunity might -afford. Under this arrangement he hastened back to his regiment at -Schlosser, which, although wearied by its long journey, was nevertheless, -by a forced march, over horrible roads, brought down to Lewiston all in -good time in the evening. Scott again importuned for permission to -participate directly in the enterprise. But in vain. Had he been in the -field, his rank in the line of the regular service would have given him -the command of a Colonel of militia--in which only Van Rensselaer bore a -commission; and as the whole project had originated with the latter, the -commanding General designed that he should reap the laurels in expectancy. - -It would be foreign from the purpose of this narrative to dwell upon the -variety of untoward and vexatious circumstances which delayed, and had -nearly caused a total failure of, the enterprise. Suffice it to say, that -after those difficulties had been in part surmounted, the expedition -departed upon its perilous undertaking. It has already been remarked that -the enemy was keeping a vigilant watch over the motions of the Americans, -and they had discovered indications of a movement of some kind during the -last few preceding days. The narrowness of the river, without the agency -of spies, enabled them to make these observations; added to which the -sound of the oars had been heard, so that, instead of being surprised, -the enemy was measurably prepared for Van Rensselaer's reception. Indeed, -a fire was opened before the boat of Colonel Van Rensselaer had reached -the shore, and Lieutenant Rathbone was killed in the Colonel's boat. Two -companies of regular troops, however, and Captains Armstrong and Malcolm, -had previously landed without annoyance or discovery. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Armstrong's Notices of the War. - - -Other boats successively followed, and the landing of two hundred and -thirty-five men was effected, although the detachments first arriving -suffered severely from the fire of the enemy, especially in the loss of -their officers. The troops formed under a very warm fire, climbed the -bank, Van Rensselaer himself leading the detachment, and routed the enemy -at the point of the bayonet without firing a shot. In this operation -Ensign Morris was killed, and Captains Armstrong, Malcolm, and Wool were -wounded, the latter slightly. Colonel Van Rensselaer himself was a severe -sufferer, having received one ball in his hip, which passed out at his -spine, two in his thigh, one of which lodged, two in his leg, and a sixth -in his heel. Lieutenant-colonel Fenwick was also severely wounded, and -Colonel Chrystie slightly. Indeed Captain Wool, himself wounded also, was -now the senior officer fit for duty. The gallant leader, concealing his -wounds under his great-coat as long as he could, immediately on the -retreat of the enemy toward the town, ordered Captain Wool, the senior -officer capable of duty, to ascend the mountain and carry the battery, -giving him a direction for the movement by which he would avoid the fire -of the enemy's artillery--placing Lieutenants Randolph and Gansevoort, who -volunteered, at the head of the little column, and Major Lush, another -volunteer, in the rear, with orders to put to death the first man who -should fall back. [FN-1] This enterprise was gallantly executed by Captain -Wool, and the battery was carried "without much resistance." [FN-2] -Colonel Van Rensselaer, however, unable longer to sustain himself, fell -to the ground soon after the party had filed off before him; but he did -not lose his consciousness, and the pains of his wounds were soon -alleviated by the shouts of victory. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Wilkinson's Memoirs. - - [FN-2] Report of Captain Wool. The officers engaged in storming the - battery were Captains Wool and Ogilvie; Lieutenants Kearney, Huginen, - Carr, and Sammons of the 13th regiment; Lieutenants Gansevoort and - Randolph of the light artillery, and Major Lush of the militia. - - -Meantime, the most intense anxiety was felt on the American shore to learn -the result of the daring attempt; and before it was well light, the -painful intelligence was received that the gallant leader had fallen, -covered with wounds. And upon the heels of that unpleasant news, the -report came that Colonel Fenwick had also fallen, dangerously wounded. Had -Scott been in the field, Fenwick would have ranked him, being the oldest -in commission. Chrystie was younger in rank than Scott; but while the -latter was again urging to be sent across, Chrystie himself appeared at -General Van Rensselaer's marquee, having received a slight wound in the -hand. Scott was now entitled to the post he had been seeking, and was -immediately gratified with directions to cross the river, and assume the -command. - -But while these arrangements were concerting on the American side, and -before Lieutenant-colonel Scott had arrived at the scene of action, -another important act in the changing drama of the day had been performed. -The landing of the Americans had been opposed by the light company of the -49th regiment of grenadiers, and the York volunteer militia, together with -a small number of Indians. The light troops had been dislodged by the -Americans on ascending the heights, and an eighteen pounder battery taken. -[FN-1] The fortress on the heights, carried by Captain Wool, was manned by -a detachment of the grenadiers, the whole numbering, as was supposed, one -hundred and sixty regulars. [FN-2] The heights having been cleared of the -enemy, who retired upon the village of Queenston, the Americans were -allowed to repose a short time upon their laurels. But the respite was -brief. General Brock being at Niagara when the action commenced, was -startled from his pillow by the roar of the artillery; but so rapid were -his movements, that he arrived at Queenston ere the grey of the morning -had passed, accompanied by his Provincial aid-de-camp, Lieutenant-colonel -McDonell. [FN-3] Placing himself immediately at the head of four companies -of his favorite 49th grenadiers and a body of militia, General Brock -advanced for the purpose of turning the left of the Americans, and -recovering the ground that had been lost. A detachment of one hundred and -fifty men, directed by Captain Wool to take possession of the heights -above the battery, and hold General Brock in check, was compelled to -retreat by superior numbers. An engagement ensued, in the course of which, -after some fighting, the Americans were driven to the edge of the bank. -With great exertions, Captain Wool brought his men to a stand, and -directed a charge immediately on the exhaustion of his ammunition. This -order was executed, though with some confusion. It was, nevertheless, -effectual, and the enemy in turn were driven to the verge of the heights, -where Colonel McDonell, having his horse shot under him, fell, himself -mortally wounded. [FN-4] In the meantime General Brock, in attempting to -rally his forces, received a musket ball in his breast, and died almost -immediately. The last words he uttered as he fell from his horse, were, -"Push on the brave York Volunteers." [FN-5] The enemy thereupon dispersed -in every direction; [FN-6] and Captain Wool, receiving at that time a -small reinforcement of riflemen from the American side, set about forming -a line on the heights, fronting the village, detaching flanking parties, -and making such other dispositions as were first prompted by the -exigencies of the occasion. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Chrystie's account of the Canadian War. - - [FN-2] Wilkinson's Memoirs. - - [FN-3] Chrystie. - - [FN-4] Captain Wool's official Report. - - [FN-5] Chevatler. - - [FN-6] Captain Wool. - - -It was at this point of time, being yet early in the morning, that -Lieutenant-colonel Scott arrived on the heights, where he found the -troops, both regulars and volunteers, in considerable disorder. He -immediately announced his name and rank, and assuming the command, with -the assistance of his adjutant, an officer of great activity and -intelligence, brought them into line. On counting his men, he found that -of regular troops there were three hundred and fifty rank and file, all -told, and two hundred and fifty-seven volunteers, under General Wadsworth -and Colonel Stranahan, the former of whom at once waived his rank in favor -of Scott. Just before Scott had arrived upon the ground, Captain Wool had -ordered Lieutenants Gansevoort and Randolph, with a detachment of -artillery, to drill out the eighteen pounder heretofore spoken of as -having been taken from the enemy, at a point some distance below the -crest of the heights, but which had been spiked before its capture. -Hearing of the circumstance, and being told that the gun had been spiked -only with a ramrod, Scott hurried away in person to direct the process of -extracting this impediment to its use. He was not long absent, and on -reascending the heights, great was his astonishment to find a cloud of -Indians in the act of rushing upon his line, tomahawk in hand, while his -troops were breaking, and evidently on the point of a general flight. The -Indians bore down fiercely, and were, some of them, within ten paces of -his men, when he gained his place just in season to prevent total -disorder, and bring them to the right about, facing the enemy, upon whom -they were turning their backs. All this was but the work of a moment. The -Indians, finding this sudden change in the mode of their reception, -recoiled; and after a sharp engagement, were compelled to retreat. Their -leader was a dauntless youth, of surprising activity; dressed, painted and -plumed _en Indien,_ cap-a-pied. - -The Americans, it will be recollected by those familiar with the history -of the war, retained possession of the heights, and of the little -fortress they had taken, during several hours--undisturbed by the regular -troops of the enemy, who was waiting for reinforcements from Fort George -at Newark, six miles below. But they were incessantly harassed by the -Indians, who hovered about them, occasionally advancing in considerable -numbers, but who were invariably put to flight when seriously engaged by -the Colonel's handful of an army. The stripling leader of the Indians was -of graceful form and mould, and, as already remarked, of uncommon agility. -He was often observed by Colonel Scott, and others, and was always -accompanied by a dark, stalwart chief, evidently of great strength, who -was subsequently known as Captain Jacobs. It was discovered that these two -Indians in particular were repeatedly making a mark of Scott, who, like -the first monarch of Israel, stood a full head above his soldiers, and -who was rendered a yet more conspicuous object by a new and brilliant -uniform, and a tall white plume in his hat. The conduct of these two -Indians having been particularly observed by an officer, a message was -instantly sent to Scott upon the subject, with his own overcoat, advising -the Colonel to put it on. But the disguise was declined; and the Indians, -having taken refuge in a wood at some distance on the left, were driven -thence by a spirited charge, gallantly led by Scott in person. - -By these successive actions, however, the numbers of the Americans, both -regulars and volunteers, had been sadly reduced, the wounded having been -sent across the river to the American shore in the few boats not rendered -useless by the enemy's fire in the morning. The British column, led by -General Sheaffe, the successor of General Brock, was now discovered -advancing in the distance from Niagara. Its approach, though slow and -circumspect, was steady and unremitting; and of its character and objects -there could be no doubt. [FN-1] The column with which General Sheaffe was -thus advancing, consisted of three hundred and fifty men of the 41st -regiment, several companies of militia, and two hundred and fifty Indians. -Reinforcements, both of troops and Indians, arriving from Chippewa, the -force of the enemy was augmented to eight hundred. [FN-2] Major-General -Van Rensselaer, having crossed the river before he made this discovery, -hastened back to his own camp, to make another appeal to the militia to -cross over to the rescue of the little band of their own countrymen, now -in such imminent peril. But in vain. Not a man could overcome his -constitutional scruples about crossing the confines of his own country; -and for more than two hours the troops and volunteers upon the heights -were allowed to behold an advancing enemy, in numbers sufficient to -overwhelm them, while by looking over their right shoulders they could -see an army of American militia, abundantly sufficient to defeat the -approaching column, and maintain the victories of the morning. [FN-3] The -march of General Sheaffe was protracted by an extensive detour to the -west, beyond the forest heretofore spoken of as having been a shelter to -the Indians. Scott and his officers, in consideration of their own -diminished numbers, marveled greatly at this fatiguing measure of -precaution on the part of the enemy, but were afterward informed by the -officers into whose hands they fell, that the enemy had no idea that the -diminutive force they saw upon the heights constituted the whole of the -army they were marching to encounter. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] General Armstrong's Notices - - [FN-2] This is the estimate of the Canadian historian, Robert Chrystie. - Colonel Chrystie of the American forces, in his estimate, stated the - force of Sheaffe at from four to five hundred regulars, with four pieces - of artillery, from five to six hundred militia, and three hundred - Indians. - - [FN-3] "Neither entreaty nor threats, neither arguments nor ridicule, - availed any thing. They had seen enough of war to satisfy them that it - made no part of their special calling; and at last, not disdaining to - employ the mask invented by faction to cover cowardice or treason, - fifteen hundred able-bodied men, well armed and equipped, who a week - before boasted largely of patriotism and prowess, were now found openly - pleading constitutional scruples in justification of disobedience to the - lawful authority of their chief."--_General Armstrong's Notices of the - War._ - - -During the breathing-time thus enjoyed by the Americans, and prolonged by -the extreme caution of the enemy, a note from General Van Rensselaer was -received by General Wadsworth, informing him of the facts heretofore -stated respecting the cowardice of the militia, and advising a retreat. -The General stated that not a company could be prevailed upon to cross the -river; that he had himself seen the movements of the enemy, and knew that -they were too powerful to be resisted by the handful of men upon the -heights; and that he would endeavor to furnish boats and cover a retreat. -Still, he left it optional with Wadsworth and his officers, to govern -themselves according to circumstances under their own more immediate view. -A consultation of the officers was immediately held; but nothing was -decided upon. Meantime the enemy continued to approach, but with -undiminished circumspection--"maneuvering from right to left, and from -left to right, and counter-marching nearly the whole length of the -American line twice, as if determined to count every man in the ranks, and -to make himself familiar with every foot of the position before he -hazarded an attack." [FN-1] This deliberation gave time for renewed -councils on the part of the American officers. A retreat, however, was -considered hopeless; whereupon Colonel Scott literally mounted a stump, -and made a short but animated address to his soldiers:--"We cannot -conquer; we may fall; we must die," said Scott; "but if we die like -soldiers, we effect more by our example of gallantry upon a conquered -field, than we could ever have done for our countrymen if surviving a -successful one." A unanimous shout of approval answered the stirring -appeal. Nor were the militia volunteers, who had continued faithful -through the morning skirmishings, backward in seconding the determination. -Indeed, though inexperienced, there were no braver men upon the field -than Wadsworth and Stranahan. [FN-2] The British advanced steadily in -column, reserving their fire, as did the Americans, excepting the single -piece of artillery in their possession, until they came within eighty -paces. Several well-directed and effective fires succeeded--the Americans -maintaining their ground firmly until actually pricked by the bayonets of -the enemy. They then retreated toward the river, the side of the steep -being at that day covered with shrubs, which enabled the soldiers to let -themselves down from one to another, with sufficient deliberation to -allow an occasional return of the fire of their pursuers. Presently, -however, the Indians came springing down from shrub to shrub after them; -which circumstance somewhat accelerated the retreat of the Americans. On -reaching the water's edge not a boat was at command; and to avoid the -galling fire of the pursuers, Scott drew his men farther up the river, to -obtain shelter beneath the more precipitous, and, in fact, beetling -cliffs. - - * * * * * - - [FN-1]General Armstrong's Notices of the War. - - [FN-2] The late Colonel Farrand Stranahan, of Cooperstown. General - Wadsworth and Colonel Stranahan have both since deceased. - - -Escape was now impossible, and to fight longer was not only useless but -madness. After a brief consultation with Gibson and Totten, therefore, -(the latter officer having returned to the field in the afternoon,) a -capitulation was determined upon. A flag was accordingly sent, with a -proposition. After waiting for some time without any tidings, another was -sent, and afterward yet another--neither of which returned; and it -subsequently appeared that the bearers had been successively shot down by -the Indians. Scott thereupon determined to go with the flag himself. But -while preparing to execute his hazardous purpose, his attention was -attracted by two of his men, who were deliberately stripping themselves -to the skin. On inquiring their motive, they replied that they might as -well drown as be hanged, as they were sure to be if taken, since they -acknowledged themselves to be deserters from the ranks of the enemy. -Saying which they plunged into the dark torrent flowing madly along in -its mighty eddies and whirlpools. It was a fearful leap, but both -succeeded in reaching the American shore in safety, and the Colonel -afterward saw and conversed with them. - -But to resume. Colonel Scott having determined to bear the fourth flag -himself, Totten's cravat was taken from beneath his stock for that -purpose. Totten and Gibson both resolved to accompany their commander, -who, being the tallest, bore the handkerchief upon the point of his sword. -Keeping close to the water's edge, and sheltering themselves as well as -they could behind the rocks, the Indians continually firing in the -meantime, they passed down until the bank afforded no farther protection, -when they turned to the left to take the road. But just as they were -gaining it up rose the two Indians who had been aiming at Scott in the -morning--the young and agile chief, and the more muscular Captain -Jacobs--who both sprang upon them like tigers from their lairs. Scott -remonstrated, and made known the character in which he was seeking the -British commander, but to no purpose. The Indians grappled with them -fiercely, and Jacobs succeeded in wrenching the sword from the Colonel's -hand. The blades of Totten and Gibson instantly leaped from their -scabbards, and the Indians were raising their hatchets when a British -serjeant rushed forward, hoarsely exclaiming--_"Honor! Honor!"_--and -having a guard with him, the combatants were separated, and Colonel Scott -was conducted to the presence of General Sheaffe, to whom he proposed a -surrender, and with whom terms of capitulation were speedily arranged--the -General at once saying that they should be treated with all the honors of -war. Orders were immediately given that the firing should cease; but these -orders were not promptly obeyed, which caused a remonstrance from Colonel -Scott, and finally a peremptory demand to be conducted back to his troops. -This prolonged fire was from the Indians, whom General Sheaffe admitted -he could not control, as they were exceedingly exasperated at the amount -of their loss. Scott passed a rather severe rebuke upon an enemy who -avowed allies of such a character; but officers being ordered among them -in all directions, they were presently compelled to desist. - -The prisoners surrendered by Scott numbered one hundred and thirty-nine -regular troops, and one hundred and fifty-four volunteers, just--the -Colonel accurately counting them of himself. [FN] They were all marched -down to Newark, (now Niagara,) the same evening, where the Colonel and his -two principal officers were quartered in a small tavern, having -invitations the first evening to dine with General Sheaffe. While waiting -for the arrival of an officer to conduct them to the General's quarters, -another incident occurred, equally spirited, and even more startling than -the scene with the two Indians by the road-side. Just at twilight, a -little girl entered the parlor, with a message that somebody in the hall -desired to see the "tall officer." Colonel Scott thereupon stepped out of -the parlor, unarmed, of course, into the hall, which was dark and narrow, -and withal incommoded by a stairway; but what was his astonishment on -again meeting, face to face, his evil geniuses, the brawny Captain Jacobs -and the light-limbed chief! The Colonel had shut the door behind him as -he left the parlor; but there was a sentinel standing at the outer door, -who had improperly allowed the Indians to pass in. The dusky visitors -stepped up to the Colonel without ceremony, and the younger, who alone -spoke English, made a brief inquiry as to the number of balls which had -cut through his clothes, intimating astonishment that they had both been -firing at him almost the whole day, without effect. But while the young -Indian was thus speaking, or rather beginning thus to speak--for such, -subsequently, seemed to be the import of what he meant to say--Jacobs, -rudely seizing the Colonel by the arm, attempted to whirl him round, -exclaiming in broken English, "Me shoot so often, me sure to have hit -somewhere." "Hands off, you scoundrel," cried Scott, indignant at such -freedom with his person, and adding a scornful expression reflecting upon -the Indian's skill as a marksman, as he flung him from him. - - * * * * * - - [FN] When, shortly afterward, the general order of Sheaffe appeared, it - was announced that two hundred of the Americans were drowned and nine - hundred taken prisoners. Colonel Scott immediately called upon General - Sheaffe, and remonstrated against such an exaggeration; since he had - himself counted his own men, and knew that the number was less than - three hundred, all told. Sheaffe replied that the numbers he had - announced had been reported to him, and he felt strong confidence in the - accuracy of the statement. In conclusion, he invited Scott to go to the - barracks and see for himself. He did so and to his deep mortification - found that the statement of the general order was true! On an - investigation of the discrepancy, it appeared that the number of - prisoners had bean swollen to that amount by several hundred cowardly - rascals of the militia, who, upon landing on the Canadian shore, had - availed themselves of the darkness and other facilities, to hide - themselves away among the clefts of the rocks; where they had remained - in concealment during the day, and were only dragged by the legs from - their lurking-places by the British troops after the surrender. So much - for militia. - - -The Indians drew instantly both dirk and tomahawk, when, with the rapidity -of lightning, Scott, who had fortunately espied a number of swords -standing at the end of the passage, seized one from its iron sheath, and -placed himself in a posture of defence against the menacing Indians. As -they stood in this picturesque attitude, Scott with his sword ready to -strike, and the Indians with their tomahawks and dirks in the air, -frowning defiance upon each other,--both parties awaiting the first -blow,--Colonel Coffin, who had been sent with a guard to conduct Scott to -the General's quarters to dinner, sprang into the passage, and cried -"Hold!" Comprehending at a glance the dangerous position of Scott, he -interfered at once, by sharp remonstrance, and also by weapon, in his -defence. Jacobs, exasperated, turned Upon Colonel Coffin, and, uttering a -menace, his companion also unguardedly turned to observe the issue of the -new combat. The scene was of the most exciting and earnest character. The -Indians having thus turned upon Coffin, one of them exclaimed--"I kill -you!" Scott instantly raised his sabre, which was heavy and substantial, -so that a descending blow would have fallen upon both the savages at once, -and called out, "If you strike, I will kill you both!" For a moment they -stood frowning; the piercing eyes of the Indians gleaming with wild and -savage fury, while Scott and Coffin alike looked upon both with angry -defiance, all with upraised arms and glittering steel. Recovering somewhat -from the gust of passion into which they had been thrown, the Indians then -slowly dropped their arms and retired. The officer who thus came to the -rescue, was the aid of General Sheaffe, whose errand was to conduct the -Colonel to dinner, and who, by this timely arrival, probably saved his -life. It can hardly be necessary to mention who was the young chief that -had sustained himself so actively and bravely through the day, as the -reader will already have anticipated the name--John Brant--the successor -of the great Captain, his father, who, as has already been stated, though -not eighteen years of age, had that day, for the first time, led his -tribe upon the war-path. Beyond doubt it was no part of the young Chief's -design to inflict injury upon the captive American commander. His whole -character forbids the idea, for he was as generous and benevolent in his -feelings as he was brave. Having been exhausting much ammunition upon the -Colonel during the day, this visit was one of curiosity, to ascertain how -near they had come to the accomplishment of their object. Like Cassius, -the Indian bears anger as the flint does fire, though not always cold -again so soon. It was the same with Scott. Neither would allow of personal -freedom--the Colonel did not fully comprehend the object of their visit, -and a sudden rencontre; that had well nigh proved fatal, was the -consequence. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] General Sheaffe is an American by birth, and he took an early - opportunity of explaining to Colonel Scott how it happened that, most - reluctantly, he was in arms against the land of his birth. He stated that - he was a lad at the commencement of the war of the American Revolution, - living with his widowed mother at Boston. While the British army was in - the occupancy of that town, Earl Percy's quarters were in the house of - his mother. His Lordship manifested a strong degree of partiality for - him, and took him away with a view of providing for him. He gave him a - military education, and placed him in the army, purchasing commissions - and promotion for him as far as promotion can be acquired by purchase in - the British service. His subsequent promotion to the rank of - Major-general had been acquired by service. The breaking out of the war - had found him stationed in Canada. He lost no time in stating his - reluctance to serve against his own countrymen, and solicited a transfer - to some other country. But his request had not been complied with at the - time of the events now under review. For his exploit in capturing Scott - and his little band at Queenston Heights, he was created a Baronet. - - -In the successive battles fought on that hardly-contested frontier during -the years 1813 and 1814, young Brant, as the Indian leader, sustained -himself with great credit, as well for his bravery as for his intelligence -and activity. In the course of the extraordinary campaign of 1813, -commenced so brilliantly for the American arms at York, and followed up -in the same spirit and with the same success at Fort George, (Niagara,) -and yet attended with such surprising disasters as the capture by the -enemy of Generals Chandler and Winder, and the surrender of Colonel -Boerstler at the Beaver Dams, young Brant had several opportunities of -distinguishing himself. He was in the affair of Fort George, under General -Vincent, when that fortress was so gallantly carried by the American -troops under the immediate command of Major-general Lewis. - -After Vincent retired into the interior, with a view of taking up a -position at Burlington Heights, and after the disaster of Winder and -Chandler at Forty Mile Creek, Colonel Boerstler was pushed forward with -six hundred men of all arms--dragoons, artillery and infantry--to dislodge -a strong picquet of the enemy posted in a stone house about two miles -beyond a hilly pass called the Beaver Dams, seventeen miles from Fort -George. [FN-1] Arriving at the Beaver Dams, Colonel Boerstler was -surprised by a large body of Indians under the conduct of young Brant and -Captain William J. Kerr, numbering about four hundred and fifty warriors. -The battle was maintained for about three hours--the Indians, of course, -fighting after their own fashion, in concealment--having apparently -surrounded Colonel Boerstler in the woods. Indeed, the enemy must have -conducted the battle with remarkable adroitness; for Colonel Boerstler, -galled upon all sides, dared neither to advance nor retreat, while the -result of every observation was a conviction that he was surrounded by -far superior numbers. At length Lieutenant Fitzgibbons, of the 49th -enemy's regiment, arriving on the ground with forty-six rank and file, -sent a flag to Colonel Boerstler, demanding a surrender. After some -parleying--the British lieutenant magnifying the number of their troops, -and pretending to conduct the negotiation in the name of Major De Haren, -[FN-2] not forgetting a few occasional suggestions touching the horrors of -an Indian massacre--Colonel Boerstler, having neither reserve to sustain, -nor demonstration to favor him, [FN-3] surrendered his detachment as -prisoners of war. This battle occurred on the 24th of June, and was a -brilliant affair for young Brant, since it was fought by the Indians -alone, not a single cartridge being expended by the regular troops of the -enemy. [FN-4] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] General Armstrong. - - [FN-2] Chrystie's History of the War in Canada. - - [FN-3] General Armstrong's "Notices." - - [FN-4] Letter to the author from Colonel William J. Kerr. This singular - battle was the subject of much controversy at the time, and of not a - little ridicule. The American accounts first published, stated that - Boerstler was attacked by five hundred regular troops and one hundred - Indians Colonel Bosrstler's own account of the affair dwells largely upon - the great odds in numbers against him; but although the reader is left - to infer that he fought long against regular troops as well as Indians, - yet the fact is nowhere expressly stated. The Colonel maintained that it - was an ill-advised expedition, detached in consequence of false - information communicated by Major Cyrenius Chapin, commanding a - detachment of volunteers. The Major, he averred, behaved like a - consummate coward during the engagement. In regard to the battle itself, - there is no doubt that the Colonel was out-generaled by Captain Kerr and - young Brant, and having been kept at bay for several hours, was at - length induced to surrender by stratagem. - - -After this achievement, young Brant participated in almost all the -skirmishes that took place on the Niagara frontier while the American -army occupied Fort George and the village of Niagara; and in the summer -of 1814 he was engaged in the memorable battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, -and Fort Erie, while that post was invested by the British forces. In all -these engagements his conduct was such as to command the admiration not -only of his own people, but of the British officers--affording promise to -all who marked his prowess, of becoming a very distinguished warrior. - -At the close of the war, having attained the age of manhood, John Brant, -and his youthful sister Elizabeth, the youngest of his father's family, -returned to the head of Lake Ontario, and took up their residence in the -"Brant House"--living in the English style, and dispensing the ancient -hospitalities of their father. Lieutenant Francis Hall, of the British -service, who traveled in the United States and Canada in 1816, visited the -Brant House, and saw the old lady Chieftainess at that place. He also -speaks highly of the youthful Chief, John, as "a fine young man, of -gentleman-like appearance, who used the English language agreeably and -correctly, dressing in the English fashion, excepting only the moccasins -of his Indian habit."--Lieutenant Hall also visited the Mohawk village on -the Grand River, where Elizabeth happened at that time to be, and of whom -he gives an interesting account in his notice of the Brant family, their -situation, and the people as he found them. Speaking of Thayendanegea, -this intelligent traveler remarks:--"Brant, like Clovis, and many of the -early Anglo-Saxon and Danish Christians, contrived to unite much religious -zeal with the practices of natural ferocity. His grave is to be seen under -the walls of his church. I have mentioned one of his sons; he has also a -daughter living, who would not disgrace the circles of European fashion; -her face and person are fine and graceful; she speaks English not only -correctly, but elegantly; and has, both in her speech and manners, a -softness approaching to oriental languor. She retains so much of her -native dress as to identify her with her people, over whom she affects no -superiority, but seems pleased to preserve all the ties and duties of -relationship. She held the infant of one of her relations at the font, on -the Sunday of my visit to the church. The usual church and baptismal -service was performed by a Doctor Aaron, an Indian, and an assistant -priest; the congregation consisted of sixty or seventy persons, male and -female. Many of the young men were dressed in the English fashion, but -several of the old warriors came with their blankets folded over them -like the drapery of a statue; and in this dress, with a step and mien of -quiet energy, more forcibly reminded me of the ancient Romans than some -other inhabitants of this continent who have laid claim to the -resemblance. Some of them wore large silver crosses, medals, and trinkets -on their arms and breasts; and a few had bandeaus, ornamented with -feathers. Dr. Aaron, a grey-headed Mohawk, had touched his cheeks and -forehead with a few spots of vermilion, in honor of Sunday. He wore a -surplice, and preached; but his delivery was monotonous and unimpassioned. -Indian eloquence decays with the peculiar state of society to which it -owed its energy." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Hall's Travels, pp. 135, 136. - - -Three years afterward, in 1819, James Buchanan, Esq., H. B. M. consul for -the port of New-York, made the tour of Upper Canada, accompanied by two of -his daughters. In the course of his journey Mr. Buchanan visited the Brant -House, of which circumstance he subsequently published the following -agreeable account in his little volume of Indian sketches:-- - -"After stopping more than a week under the truly hospitable roof of the -Honorable Colonel Clarke, at the Falls of Niagara, I determined to proceed -by land round Lake Ontario, to York; [FN-1] and Mrs. Clarke [FN-2] offered -to give my daughters a letter of introduction to a Miss Brant, advising us -to arrange our time so as to sleep and stop a day or two in the house of -that lady, as she was certain we should be much pleased with her and her -brother. Our friend did not intimate, still less did we suspect, that the -introduction was to an Indian prince and princess. Had we been in the -least aware of this, our previous arrangements would all have given way, -as there was nothing I was more anxious to obtain than an opportunity such -as this was so well calculated to afford, of seeing in what degree the -Indian character would be modified by a conformity to the habits and -comforts of civilized life." - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Now Toronto, or, more properly, Taranto, which is the Indian name. - - [FN-2] Mrs. Clarke was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert Kerr, of - Niagara, and grand-daughter of Sir William Johnson, by Molly Brant. She - was of course by blood one quarter Mohawk. Colonel Clarke's residence was - upon the banks of the Niagara, a short distance above the great cataract. - His gardens and grounds were extensive, highly cultivated, and laid out - with the taste of a landscape gardener--washed by the mighty stream - thundering over the rapids past it on one side, and bounded on the other - of its sides by a deep, dark glen, of rocks, and trees, and wild - turbulent waters. Mrs. Clarke was a lady of noble appearance, of highly - cultivated mind and manners, and of sincere and unostentatious piety. - Her husband died two or three years since; and a letter to the author, - from her brother, Colonel Kerr, of Brant House, received while these - pages were in preparation for the press, announced her decease, on the - 2d of March, 1837. An agreeable visit at her seat, in September preceding - her decease, enlightened by her eloquence and vivacity, will not soon be - forgotten.--_Author._ - - -"Proceeding on our journey, we stopped at an inn, romantically situated, -where I determined to remain all night. Among other things I inquired of -the landlord if he knew the distance to Miss Brant's house, and from him -I learned that it was about twenty miles farther. He added, that young Mr. -Brant had passed that way in the forenoon, and would, no doubt, be -returning in the evening, and that if I wished it, he would be on the -look-out for him. This I desired the landlord to do, as it would enable me -to intimate our introduction to his sister, and intention of waiting on -her the next morning. - -"At dusk Mr. Brant returned, and being introduced into our room, we were -unable to distinguish his complexion, and conversed with him, believing -him to be a young Canadian gentleman. We did not, however, fail to -observe a certain degree of hesitation and reserve in the manner of his -speech. He certainly expressed a wish that we would do his sister and -himself the favor of spending a few days with them, in order to refresh -ourselves and our horses; but we thought his style more laconic than -hospitable. Before candles were brought in, our new friend departed, -leaving us still in error as to his nation. - -"By four o'clock in the morning we resumed our journey. On arriving at the -magnificent shores of Lake Ontario, the driver of our carriage pointed -out, at the distance of five miles, the house of Miss Brant, which had a -very noble and commanding aspect; and we anticipated much pleasure in our -visit; as besides the enjoyment of so beautiful a spot, we should be -enabled to form a competent idea of Canadian manners and style of living. -Young Mr. Brant, it appeared, unaware that with our carriage we could have -reached his house so soon, had not arrived before us; so that our approach -was not announced, and we drove up to the door under the full persuasion -that the family would be apprised of our coming. The outer door, leading -to a spacious hall, was open. We entered, and remained a few minutes, -when, seeing no person about, we proceeded into the parlor, which, like -the hall, was for the moment unoccupied. We therefore had an opportunity -of looking about us at our leisure. It was a room well furnished, with a -carpet, pier and chimney glasses, mahogany tables, fashionable chairs, a -guitar, a neat hanging book-case, in which, among other volumes, we -perceived a Church of England Prayer Book, translated into the Mohawk -tongue. Having sent our note of introduction in by the coachman, and still -no person waiting on us, we began to suspect (more especially in the -hungry state we were in,) that some delay or difficulty about breakfast -stood in the way of the young lady's appearance. I can assure my readers -that a keen morning's ride on the shores of an American lake, is an -exercise of all others calculated to make the appetite clamorous, if not -insolent. We had already penetrated into the parlor, and were beginning to -meditate a farther exploration in search of the pantry, when, to our -unspeakable astonishment, in walked a charming, noble-looking Indian girl, -dressed partly in the native and partly in the English costume. Her hair -was confined on the head in a silk net, but the lower tresses, escaping -from thence, flowed down on her shoulders. Under a tunic or morning dress -of black silk, was a petticoat of the same material and color, which -reached very little below the knee. Her silk stockings and kid shoes were, -like the rest of her dress, black. The grace and dignity of her movement, -the style of her dress and manner, so new, so unexpected, filled us all -with astonishment. With great ease, yet by no means in that common-place -mode so generally prevalent on such occasions, she inquired how we found -the roads, accommodations, &c. No flutter was at all apparent on account -of the delay in getting breakfast; no fidgeting and fuss-making, no -running in and out, no idle expressions of regret, such as 'O! dear me! -had I known of your coming, you would not have been kept in this way;' but -with perfect ease she maintained conversation, until a squaw, wearing a -man's hat, brought in a tray with preparations for breakfast. A table -cloth of fine white damask being laid, we were regaled with tea, coffee, -hot rolls, butter in water and ice coolers, eggs, smoked beef, ham, and -broiled chickens, &c.; all served in a truly neat and comfortable style. -The delay, we afterward discovered, arose from the desire of our hostess -to supply us with hot rolls, which were actually baked while we were -waiting. I have been thus minute in my description of these comforts, as -they were so little to be expected in the house of an Indian. - -"After breakfast Miss Brant took my daughters out to walk, and look at the -picturesque scenery of the country. She and her brother had previously -expressed a hope that we would stay all day; but though I wished of all -things to do so, and had determined, in the event of their pressing their -invitation, to accept it, yet I declined the proposal at first, and thus -forfeited a pleasure which we all of us longed in our hearts to enjoy; -for, as I afterward learned, it is not the custom of any uncorrupted -Indian to repeat a request if once rejected. They believe that those to -whom they offer any mark of friendship, and who give a reason for refusing -it, do so in perfect sincerity, and that it would be rudeness to require -them to alter their determination or break their word. And as the Indian -never makes a show of civility but when prompted by a genuine feeling, so -he thinks others are actuated by similar candor. I really feel ashamed -when I consider how severe a rebuke this carries with it to us who boast -of civilization, but who are so much carried away by the general -insincerity of expression pervading all ranks, that few indeed are to be -found who speak just what they wish or know. This duplicity is the effect -of what is termed a high state of refinement. We are taught so to conduct -our language, that others cannot discover our real views or intentions. -The Indians are not only free from this deceitfulness, but surpass us in -another instance of good-breeding and decorum, namely, of never -interrupting those who converse with them until they have done speaking; -and then they reply in the hope of not being themselves interrupted. This -was perfectly exemplified by Miss Brant and her brother; and I hope the -lesson my daughters were so forcibly taught by the natural politeness of -their hostess, will never be forgotten by them, and that I also may profit -by the example. - -"After stopping a few hours with these interesting young Indians, and -giving them an invitation to pay us a visit at New-York, which they -expressed great desire to fulfill and which I therefore confidently -anticipated, we took our leave with real regret on all sides. As we passed -through the hall, I expected to see some Indian instruments of war or the -chase; but perceiving the walls were bare of these customary ornaments, I -asked Mr. Brant where were the trophies that belonged to his family? He -told me, and I record it with shame, that the numerous visitors that from -time to time called on him, had expressed their desire so strongly for -these trophies, that one by one he had given all away; and now he was -exempt from these sacrifices by not having any thing of the kind left. He -seemed, nevertheless, to cherish with fondness the memory of these relics -of his forefathers. How ill did the _civilized_ visitors requite the -hospitality they experienced under the roof whose doors stand open to -shelter and feed all who enter! - -"As all about our young hostess is interesting, I will add some farther -particulars. Having inquired for her mother she told me she remained -generally with her other sons and daughters, who were living in the Indian -settlement on the Grand River, that falls into Lake Erie; that her mother -preferred being in the wigwams, and disapproved, in a certain degree, of -her and her brother John's conforming so much to the habits and costumes -of the English." - -In the opening chapter of the present work, the Rev. Dr. Stewart, formerly -a missionary in the Mohawk Valley, and subsequently Archdeacon of the -Episcopal church of Upper Canada, was several times referred to as -authority for a variety of particulars in the early life of the elder -Brant. The sketches of his life thus referred to, were in fact written by -the present honorable and venerable Archdeacon Strachan, of Toronto, from -conversations with Dr. Stewart, and published in the Christian Recorder, -at Kingston, in 1819. There were portions of those sketches which gave -offence to the family of Thayendanegea, and his son and successor entered -upon the vindication of his father's character with great spirit. Dr. -Strachan had used an unfortunate epithet in reference to the old Chief, -and virtually charged him with having been engaged in the bloody affair of -Wyoming; accused him of having entertained designs hostile to the -interests of the crown; of wavering loyalty; and, before his death, of -intemperance. These and other matters, contained in the before-mentioned -sketches, tending seriously to detract from the respect previously -entertained for the memory of the father, were repelled with vigorous and -virtuous indignation by the son in the course of a correspondence with the -Reverend Archdeacon; and were it not for the circumstance that the matter -was in the end satisfactorily adjusted, some extracts from this -correspondence might here be presented, by way of exhibiting the tact and -talent with which a Mohawk Chief could manage a controversy in the field -of letters. The offensive statements in the sketches of the Christian -Recorder were clearly shown to have arisen from mistakes and -misrepresentations; and in the course of the explanations that ensued, the -conduct of the Archdeacon "was most honorable." [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter of William Johnson Kerr to the author. - - -The difficulties between the Mohawks and the Provincial Government, -respecting the title to the lands of the former, which the elder Brant had -so long labored, but in vain, to adjust, yet continuing unsettled, in the -year 1821 John Brant, alias Ahyouwaeghs, was commissioned to proceed to -England, as his father had been before him, to make one more appeal to the -justice and magnanimity of the parent government. He urged his claim with -ability, and enlisted in the cause of his people men of high rank and -influence. Among these was the Duke of Northumberland, the son of the old -Duke--the Lord Percy of the American Revolution, and the friend of his -father, who had deceased in 1817. The Duke, like his father, had been -adopted as a warrior of the Mohawks under the aboriginal cognomen of -_Teyonhighkon;_ and he now manifested as much zeal and friendship for the -Mohawks, in the controversy which had carried John Brant to England, as -the old Duke had done for Thayendanegea twenty years before. The young -chief likewise found an active and efficient friend in Saxe Bannister, -Esq., a gentleman bred both to the navy and the law, who had resided for -a time in Upper Canada. Mr. Bannister espoused the cause of the Indians -with laudable zeal, and wrote several papers for the consideration of the -ministers in their behalf. [FN] The result was, that before leaving -England in 1822, the agent received a promise from the Secretary of the -Colonies, Lord Bathurst, that his complaints should be redressed to his -entire satisfaction. Instructions to that effect were actually transmitted -to the Colonial Government, then administered by Sir Peregrine Maitland, -and Ahyouwaeghs returned to his country and constituents with the -well-earned character of a successful diplomatist. - - * * * * * - - [FN] Mr. Bannister afterward held an appointment in New South Wales, and - subsequently still was Chief Justice of the colony of Sierra Leone, - where he died. - - -But the just expectations of the Chief and his people were again thwarted -by the provincial authorities. The refusal of the local government to -carry into effect the instructions from the ministers of the crown, the -pretexts which they advanced, and the subterfuges to which they resorted -as excuses for their conduct, were communicated by the chief to his friend -the Duke of Northumberland, by letter, in June, 1823. He also wrote -simultaneously to Mr. Bannister upon the subject. A correspondence of some -length ensued between the Chief and those gentlemen, and repeated efforts -were made to compass a satisfactory and final arrangement of the vexed and -long-pending controversy. But these efforts were as unsuccessful in the -end as they had been in the beginning. - -While in England upon this mission, the young Chief determined to -vindicate the memory of his father from the aspersions that had been cast -upon it there, as he had already done in his own country. Campbell's -"_Gertrude of Wyoming_" had then been published several years. The -subject, and general character of that delightful work, are too well and -universally known to require an analysis in this place. With a poet's -license, Mr. Campbell had not only described the valley as a terrestrial -paradise, but represented its inhabitants as being little if any inferior, -in their character, situation, and enjoyments, to the spirits of the -blessed. Into a community thus innocent, gay, and happy, he had introduced -the authors of the massacre of 1778, led on by "the monster Brant." This -phrase gave great offence to the family of the old chief, as also did the -whole passage in which it occurred. The offensive stanzas purport to form -a portion of the speech of an Indian hero of the tale, an Oneida Chief, -who is made to interrupt a domestic banquet, under most interesting -circumstances, in the following strains, prophetic of danger near at -hand:-- - - "But this is not the time,"--he started up, - And smote his heart with woe-denouncing hand-- - "This is no time to fill the joyous cup, - The mammoth comes,--the foe,--the monster Brant,-- - With all his howling, desolating band;-- - These eyes have seen their blade, and burning pine - Awake at once, and silence half your land. - Red is the cup they drink--but not with wine: - Awake, and watch to-night! or see no morning shine! - - "Scorning to wield the hatchet for his tribe, - 'Gainst Brant himself I went to battle forth: - Accursed Brant! he left of all my tribe - Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth: - No! not the dog that watch'd my household hearth - Escaped that night of blood, upon our plains! - All perish'd--I alone am left on earth! - To whom nor relative, nor blood remains, - No!--not a kindred drop that runs in human veins!" - -This paraphrase of the celebrated speech of Logan--less poetical, by the -way, than the original--was illustrated by notes, asserting positively -that Brant was the Indian leader at Wyoming, and proving his cool-blooded -ferocity by citing the anecdote from Weld's Travels, quoted, for denial, -as a note on a preceding page. John Brant had previously prepared himself -with documents to sustain a demand upon the poet for justice to the memory -of his father; and in December, 1821, his friend Bannister waited upon Mr. -Campbell, with an amicable message, opening the door for explanations. A -correspondence ensued, only a portion of which has been preserved among -the papers of John Brant; but in a note of the latter to the poet, dated -the 28th of December, the young chief thanked him for the candid manner in -which he had received his request conveyed by Mr. Bannister. The documents -with which the Chief had furnished himself for the occasion, were -thereupon enclosed to Mr. Campbell, and the result was a long explanatory -letter from the poet, which has been very generally re-published. Candor, -however, must admit that that letter does but very partial and evidently -reluctant justice to the calumniated warrior. It is, moreover, less -magnanimous, and characterised by more of special pleading, than might -have been expected. [FN-1] In addition to this, it appears, by a -communication from the young chief to Sir John Johnson, dated January 22, -1822, that Mr. Campbell had not only expressed his regret at the injustice -done the character of his father, but had promised a correction in the -next edition--then soon to be published. This correction, however, was not -made, as it should have been, in the text, but in a note to the subsequent -edition; and although, at the close of that note, Mr. Campbell says, for -reasons given, that "the name of Brant remains in his poem only as a pure -and declared character of fiction," yet it is not a fictitious historical -character, and cannot be made such by an effort of the imagination. The -original wrong, therefore, though mitigated, has not been fully redressed, -for the simple reason that it is the poem that lives in the memory, while -the note, even if read, makes little impression, and is soon forgotten. -[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] See close of the Appendix. - - [FN-2] The note referred to, is as follows:--"I took the character of - Brant in the poem of Gertrude from the common histories of England, all - of which represented him as a bloody and bad man, (even among savages,) - and chief agent in the horrible desolation of Wyoming. Some years after - this poem appeared, the son of Brant, a most interesting and intelligent - youth, came over to England; and I formed an acquaintance with him, on - which I still look back with pleasure. He appealed to my sense of honor - and justice, on his own part and on that of his sister, to retract the - unfair assertion which, unconscious of its unfairness, I had cast on his - father's memory. He then referred to documents which completely satisfied - me that the common accounts of Brant's cruelties at Wyoming, which I had - found in books of travels, and in Adolphus's and similar histories of - England, were gross errors; and that, in point of fact, Brant was not - even present at that scene of desolation. . . . I ascertained, also, - that, he often strove to mitigate the cruelty of Indian warfare. The - name of Brant, therefore, remains in my poem, a pure and declared - character of fiction." This is something like knocking a man down, and - then desiring that he would regard the blow as purely a phantasy of the - imagination. - - -During his sojourn in London, the young chief seems to have paid -considerable attention to the public institutions, particularly those of -a humane and benevolent character. He was introduced by Mr. Butterworth -to the British and Foreign School Society; and in his diary mentions an -interesting visit to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Other -objects of interest or curiosity, which attracted his attention, were -noted in his diary, a small fragment of which only remains among his -papers. The following entry is not very flattering to British beauty:-- - -"_Thursday Evening,_ 16th _May,_ 1822, I went to Mr. C. A. Tulk's, M. P. -party, to hear a little music. There were twenty-two ladies--one only -pretty--Casweighter, said to be the best violin player in Europe, and -Solly, celebrated for the guitar and piano. I met a gentleman well -acquainted with my father--formerly of the Queen's Rangers." - -But his attention to other matters did not lead him to forgetfulness of -the moral wants of his people. The war between the United States and Great -Britain, the principal seat of which was in the vicinity of the Mohawks' -territory, had had a most unhappy effect upon their social condition. -Their farms had been neglected, their buildings had suffered from the same -cause, as also had their church and schools. It is likewise probable, that -after the decease of Thayendanegea, in the absence of a directing master -mind, there had been but little advance in the work of public instruction -before the war; and it was the design of young Brant, on his return to -Canada, to resuscitate and extend the schools among his nation. For this -purpose he procured an appropriation, in 1822, from the New-England -Corporation for the civilization of Indians, which had been chartered as -far back as 1662. After his return to Grand River, the young chief entered -zealously upon the work, as appears from an active correspondence -maintained for several years with the officers of that institution. The -following extracts, from a mass of his letters, are given, not only as -examples of his epistolary style, but for the purpose of showing the -extent and nature of the exertions he was making, and the prospects of -good which were opening upon him:-- - - "John Brant, (Ahyouwaeghs) to James Gibson. - - "_Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C._ } - 19th _June,_ 1824. } - -". . . I have attended to the subject of your letters with the greatest -satisfaction, and I hope that the report I am now about to make to you, -will be equally satisfactory to the humane and benevolent members of the -New England Corporation. I set out with observing that the appointed -teacher conducts himself in every point of view corresponding to our -expectations. The children are particularly taught religious and moral -duties; the hours of prayer are rigidly attended to; and on the Sabbath -the scholars attend divine service. Cleanliness is strictly enforced, and -all laudable means are resorted to in order to excite a liberal spirit of -emulation. Corporeal punishment is discountenanced, except in cases of -flagrant indifference. Upon the whole, I have the pleasure of announcing, -through the medium of you, Sir, to the Corporation, that the donation so -liberally applied, will, in my opinion, be attended with the most salutary -effects. It is an agreeable sight to observe the rising generation of the -aborigines employed in acquiring knowledge, and in a spirit of true -worship attending divine service on the Sabbath. . . . - -"One of our tribes, the Oneidas, [FN] are very anxious to have a school -established for them. The chiefs have assured me that not less than thirty -children would attend the school if established. . . ." - - * * * * * - - [FN] A section of the Oneida nation. After the war of the Revolution, - portions of all the Six Nations emigrated to the new Mohawk territory, - although the majority of all the nations, except the Mohawks, remained - within the United States--on their ancient territory. - - -"Seven of the oldest children in our school read in the Mohawk -Prayer-book, repeat the catechism, and answer responses in church. The -others use our primers, and spell very well in them to seven and eight -syllables. The number of scholars is twenty-one. . . . I am sensible of -the generous aid that the Corporation have already afforded, and I am -requested by the Chiefs of my tribe to return their sincere thanks to the -members of the New England Corporation. - - "I am, Sir, - Your very obedient servant, - J. Brant, - _Ahyouwaeghs_ - - "_James Gibson, Esq. - Treasurer New England Corporation._" - - - "The Same to the Same. - - "_Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C._ } - 19_th July,_ 1826. } - - "Dear Sir, - -"After having visited the schools which are supported by the New England -Corporation, where more than sixty children are taught to read and write -in the Mohawk dialect and the English language, I beg to communicate to -you the state of the church in our village. It being the first built in -the province, is now in a very dilapidated state, and we have not the -funds to rebuild. We have made an allotment of two hundred acres of land -for the use of a resident clergyman, and fifty acres for the use of the -school; and we have appropriated six hundred dollars, or 150 pounds -province currency, toward defraying the expenses of building a parsonage; -and although that sum is quite insufficient for the object, yet it is the -utmost we can do, considering the circumstances and wants of our -respective tribes. We would be very thankful if we could obtain pecuniary -aid sufficient to finish the parsonage and rebuild our church; and would -rejoice to have a resident clergyman amongst us, who would not consider it -too laborious frequently to travel to our several hamlets, to preach the -Gospel of the meek and lowly Jesus; to visit the sick; and always to -evince, not only by preaching, but by example, his devotion to the church -of Christ. - - "I am, dear Sir, - Your friend and servant, - J. Brant." - - - "Letter from the Same to the Same. - - "_Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C. } - October_ 27, 1828. } - - "Dear Sir, - -"I have the pleasure to acknowledge your communication of the 17th August -last, subjoining copies of the resolutions of the New England Corporation -at a meeting held on the 8th of March, 1825. Permit me to repeat the -grateful sentiments formerly expressed on the part of my tribe to the -members of the Corporation for their liberal contributions, as also for -the farther support they have now afforded to the most efficient and -practical plans of promoting education and the diffusion of knowledge -among the Mohawks. - -"I have received a letter from the Rev. Mr. West, dated at New-York; but -have not as yet arranged any plans with that gentleman relative to his -mission; being satisfied, that after a personal conference and actual -observation, we can in a much better way arrange such measures as may -appear most beneficial. - -"Mr. West mentions that he will visit me in the month of May next. I -anticipate much satisfaction in meeting the reverend gentleman. It is -undoubtedly the best mode of ascertaining our relative situations, -circumstances, &c. &c. This I ardently desire for several reasons. It will -enable the company to judge how far it may be useful to extend the means -of education, and of the probable results; as also the difficulties in -which, for very many years, a continuation of unfavorable circumstances -has involved the Five Nations. To effect a complete change in manners and -customs, that have been long established, will indeed be an arduous task. -Let not the difficulties terrify us from the attempt. The more arduous, -the more animating--inasmuch as if the attempt succeed, the reward will -be great. Not that those who commence this work of humanity are to -flatter themselves with the hope of seeing the complete effect of their -labors; time will be required; and when the foundation is laid in the -spirit of sincerity, no doubt can remain that, with the help of God, the -edifice will be raised. - -"With respect to that part of your letter which refers to the religious -faith of a part of the Five Nations, I beg for a short time to defer a -reply; as it embraces a variety of important considerations, in connexion -with the attempt to introduce religious instruction among them. The first -great restraint, as to civilization, is removed; I mean by their local -situation, in possessing permanent, or rather fixed places of residence. -The commencement must be among the youth, with mildness and assiduity. To -render the task not only a good, but a lasting work, it will be necessary -to obtain the consent of parents. Care should be taken to explain matters, -that the object of instruction be understood as clearly as possible by the -parents. - -"In my next I shall draw on you for the amount appropriated for the -building of the Mohawk and Oneida school-houses, as also for the -schoolmaster at Davis's hamlet. This is a proper season for entering into -contracts for building, as our sleighing season is nigh at hand, which -affords great facility in the way of collecting materials. As you have not -mentioned Lawrence Davids, I shall continue to draw for his salary as -usual, out of the 200 pounds appropriated by the Corporation in 1822. - -"In my next I will tell you how the scholars get on. All my letters have -been on business. I will in a few days write in a more friendly way, for -I remember your kindness to me at Epsom. - -"I beg my best respects to the Governor, Mr. Solly, and the other members -of the Corporation, with whom I have the pleasure to be acquainted. - - "I am, very truly, Dear Sir, - Your obedient servant, - J. Brant. - _Ahyouwaeghs._ - - "_James Gibson, Esq.,_ - _Treasurer New England Corporation, London._" - - -These letters breathe the spirit of an enlarged and noble philanthropy, -guided by true wisdom. The writer had formed a just estimate of the -importance of the work in which he engaged, and the difficulties to be -encountered; and he had the sagacity to perceive the only practicable -method of accomplishing it--a knowledge of the only means that could be -successfully adapted to the end. The society of which he was the -judicious almoner appreciated his worth, and in the year 1829 presented -him with a splendid silver cup, bearing the following inscription:-- - - "Presented by the New England Corporation, - Established in London by charter, A. D. 1662, for the civilization - of Indians, - To JOHN BRANT, Esq., - Ahyouwaeghs, - One of the Chiefs of the Mohawk Nation, - In acknowledgment of his eminent services in promoting the - objects of the Corporation. A. D. 1829." - - -In the year 1827, Ahyouwaeghs was appointed by the Earl of Dalhousie, -then Commander-in-Chief of the British American provinces, to the rank of -Captain, and also Superintendent of the Six Nations. It was early in the -same year that the Chief heard that a liberty had been taken with his name -in the American newspapers, which kindled in his bosom feelings of the -liveliest indignation. Those familiar with that deep and fearful -conspiracy in the western part of New-York, in the Autumn of 1826, which -resulted in the murder of William Morgan by a small body of over-zealous -Freemasons, will probably remember that the name of John Brant appeared in -a portion of the correspondence connected with that melancholy Story. The -circumstances were these: It was well ascertained, that in the origin and -earlier stages of that conspiracy no personal injury was designed against -the unhappy victim of Masonic fanaticism. The immediate object of the -conspirators was to send Morgan out of the country, under such -circumstances, and to so great a distance, as to ensure his continued -absence. But they had adjusted no definite plans for the execution of that -purpose, or distinct views upon the subject of his destiny. Having -abducted and illegally carried him away, those entrusted with his -safekeeping found him upon their hands, and knew not what to do with or -whither to send him. In this dilemma, one of their projects was to convey -him to Quebec, and procure his enlistment on board of a British -man-of-war. Another suggestion, under the supposition that the Mohawk -chief was a Freemason himself, and would of course embark in any -practicable scheme to prevent the disclosures of the secrets of -Freemasonry, which Morgan was in the act of publishing when seized, was, -that Brant should take charge of the prisoner, and cause his transfer by -the Indians to the North-western Fur Company. But every device for the -banishment of the unhappy man failed, and he was buried at the solemn hour -of midnight in the rocky caverns of the Niagara. The suggestion in regard -to the transfer of the prisoner to Ahyouwaeghs, however, became public, -and for a time it was supposed by those unacquainted with his character, -that he might have been consulted in regard to that murderous transaction. -The imputation was most unjust, and was repelled with a spirit becoming -the man and his race, as will appear by the following letter:-- - - "To the Editor of the York Observer. - - "_Wellington Square, Feb._ 29, 1827. - - "Sir, - -"I have read a paragraph in the New-York Spectator of the 16th instant, -wherein it is stated that the fraternity at Niagara had sent for me to -receive and sacrifice the unhappy Morgan, of whom so much has been lately -spoken. - -"You will oblige me by contradicting this report, which is wholly false. -Neither in that instance, nor any other, has such a barbarous proposal -been made to me; nor do I believe the man exists who would dare to wound -my feelings in such a heinous manner. - -"I know nothing of the man, nor of any transaction relating to him; and I -am much surprised that my name has been called in question. - - "I am, Sir, your's respectfully, - J. Brant." - - -In the year 1832 John Brant was returned a member of the Provincial -parliament for the county of Haldimand, comprehending a good portion of -the territory originally granted to the Mohawks. The right of the Indians -to this territory yet depended upon the original proclamation of Sir -Frederick Haldimand, which, according to the decision of the courts of -Upper Canada, conveyed no legal title to the fee of the land. The Indians -had been in the practice of conveying away portions of their lands by -long leases--for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years--and a -large number of those persons by whose votes Brant was elected, had no -other title to their real estate than leases of that description. As the -election laws of Upper Canada very wisely require a freehold qualification -for county electors, Mr. Brant's return was contested by the opposing -candidate, Colonel Warren, and ultimately set aside, and the Colonel -declared to be duly chosen. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Letter to the author from the Hon. M. S. Bidwell, who sat in - Parliament with the Mohawk Chief. - - -It was of but small moment to either candidate, however, which of the two -should be allowed to wear the parliamentary honors. The desolating scourge -of India--the cholera--was introduced upon the American continent in the -Summer of that year, commencing its ravages at Quebec; and among the -thousands who fell before the plague, as it swept fearfully over the -country of the great lakes, were John Brant--Ahyouwaeghs--and his -competitor. - -He was a man of fine figure and countenance, and great dignity of -deportment, though by no means haughty--having the unassuming manners of -a well-bred gentleman. "The first time I ever saw him, was at a court at -Kingston, where he acted as an interpreter on the trial of an Indian -charged with murder. Another Indian was a witness. One of the Indians was -a Mohawk and the other a Chippewa, of the Mississagua tribe. It was -necessary, therefore, that the questions should be interpreted to the -witness in one language, and to the prisoner in the other, which afforded -me an opportunity to compare the sounds of the one with the other; and -the harsh and guttural language of the Mohawk [FN-1] was, indeed, -singularly contrasted with the copiousness and smoothness of the Chippewa. -But what impressed me most on the trial, was the noble appearance of -Brant, and the dignity and composure with which he discharged his duty." -[FN-2] - - * * * * * - - [FN-1] Not "harsh and guttural," when spoken by the youngest daughter of - Joseph Brant. - - [FN-2] Letter to the author from the Hon. M. S. Bidwell. - - -Ahyouwaeghs was a member of the Church of England, though not a -communicant. A number of his friends and relations were with him when he -died, all of whom believed his death was that of a happy and sincere -Christian. In closing the present imperfect sketch of this remarkable man, -who had but just attained the prime of manhood, and was cut off as it were -in the dawn of a career bright with hope and brilliant with promise, the -Christian philanthropist may pause a moment in the contemplation of at -least one proud example of what letters and civilization may accomplish -with the sons of the American forest. - -Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Joseph Brant, whose name has already -been repeatedly mentioned in the foregoing pages, was married several -years ago to William Johnson Kerr, Esq. son of the late Dr. Robert Kerr -of Niagara, and a grandson of Sir William Johnson. Mrs. Kerr, as the -reader must have inferred from what has been previously said respecting -her, was educated with great care, as well in regard to her mental culture -as her personal accomplishments. With her husband and little family she -now occupies the old mansion of her father, at the head of Lake -Ontario--a noble situation, as the author can certify from personal -observation. Though fully conscious of the delicacy due to a lady living -in unostentatious retirement, yet, as the daughter of Joseph Brant, the -author trusts that, should this page meet her eye, the enthusiasm of her -father's biographer may plead his apology for introducing her before the -public--more especially as it shall be done in the language of one of the -fair companions [FN] of his journey:-- - - * * * * * - - [FN] Miss Ann Elizabeth Wayland. - - -". . . Let, then, my reader present to himself a lady of rather more than -middling stature, of dignified, reserved, and gentle address, most -pleasing in person, and attired in a costume sufficiently Indian to retain -the flow and drapery, but donned with the ease, adaptation, and grace, so -peculiarly the attributes of an elegant mind. - -"Let my reader mark the keen, penetrating glance of that dark eye, as now -it rests upon the stranger, whose too eager interest might be deemed -obtrusiveness, or anon, its soft, tender, or melting expression, when it -falls upon the portraits of her brother, is cast upon her father's -miniature, or bides upon her children. - -"Let him mark the haughty curl of that lip as she speaks of those who -depreciate her people, its sarcastic curve when she alludes to the -_so-called_ delineations of her father's character, or its fond smile as -she looks upon her husband; let him have before him a being in whom mind -rules every action, and predominates above all; and let him attach this -idea to one who glories in the fact, that the blood of the Mohawk courses -in her veins; and he will know the daughter of Joseph Brant. But no; he -must yet learn that this mind and these energies are devoted not alone to -her immediate circle; but have been exerted most faithfully for the -improvement and well-being of her race. She has, within a few years, -translated portions of the New Testament into her vernacular, and is -devising various means for the elevation of the Indian character." - -Colonel Kerr, her husband, is the eldest of three brothers, William -Johnson, Walter, and Robert, all of whom bore commissions, and fought the -Americans bravely on the Niagara frontier during the last war. They were -likewise all wounded, and two of them taken prisoners, and brought to -Greenbush and Pittsfield, whence they escaped, striking first upon -Schoharie, and thence across the country from the Mohawk Valley, through -the woods to the St. Lawrence--though, it is believed, not both at the -same time. Walter was accompanied in his escape and flight by a -fellow-prisoner named Gregg. In the course of their travels through the -county of St. Lawrence, they fell in with a courier going from the -American commander at Sackett's Harbor to General Wilkinson, then below, -on his successful approach to Montreal. The fugitives had the address to -pass themselves off for Yankees looking for lands, and obtained from the -express such information as they desired. Gregg was disposed to rob him -of his dispatches, but Walter Kerr would not consent. He subsequently died -from the effects of his wound in London. Inheriting a share of Indian -blood, from their grandmother, Molly Brant, the young Kerrs have been -represented to the author by an American gentleman, who has known them -well, "as being alike fearless in battle, and full of stratagem." - -On the death of her favorite son, John, the venerable widow of Joseph -Brant, [FN] pursuant to the Mohawk law of succession heretofore explained, -being herself of the royal line, conferred the title of Tekarihogea upon -the infant son of her daughter, Mrs. Kerr. During the minority, the -government is exercised by a regency of some kind; but how it is -appointed, what are its powers, and at what age the minority terminates, -are points unknown to the author. The infant chief is a fine-looking lad, -three quarters Mohawk, with an eye piercing as the eagle's. But the people -over whom he is the legitimate chief--the once mighty Six Nations--the -Romans of the new world--whose conquests extended from Lake Champlain west -to the falls cf the Ohio, and south to the Santee--where are they? The -proud race is doomed; and Echo will shortly answer, where? - - * * * * * - - [FN] This remarkable Indian princess died at Brantford, on the Grand - River, on the 24th day of November, 1837--thirty years, to a day, from - the death of her husband. Her age was 78 years. - - - - NOTE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. - - Since the 1st edition of this work was printed, the author has - ascertained that his account of the battle of Queenston is not complete, - nor entirely accurate although pains were taken to consult the best - authorities, and all known to be extant. The reader, therefore, is - requested to examine that account again, commencing at page 505, with - the following amendments and additions. - - The American force that first crossed the river, consisted of _three_ - companies, viz., those of Captains Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong. They were - not undiscovered by the British, but were seen and fired upon before they - reached the bank. The enemy, however, fled as the Americans landed, and - the three companies mounted the bank and formed in line fronting the - heights, Captain Wool commanding, as the senior officer. A few moments - afterward, Captain Wool was informed of Col. Van Rensselaer's landing, - and ordered to prepare for storming the heights--and soon the command was - brought him to march. The detachment did march to the base of the - heights, where it was ordered by an aid from Col. Van Rensselaer to halt; - and in a few minutes it was attacked by a party of British from - Queenston, which, after a short but severe struggle, was repulsed. In - this affair, Lieut. Wallace and Ensign Morris were killed, and Captains - Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong, and Lieut. Lent, wounded. - - Shortly after this success, word was brought to Captain Wool that Col. - Van Rensselaer was mortally wounded, and the detachment was ordered to - return to the bank of the river. Captain Wool repaired to the Colonel, - and volunteered to storm the battery on the heights--and this service - was gallantly performed by the three companies of the 13th Infantry - under his command, and a small detachment of artillery commanded by - Lieuts. Gansevoort and Randolph. Through some cause, (probably the - severe wounds of Col. Van Rensselaer,) full credit was not given to - Captain Wool, in the official accounts, for his successful gallantry. - From this point the narrative is correct, as it proceeds on page 507. - - - - - - APPENDIX. - - - - * * * * * - - - No. I. - - - [Reference prom Page 95.] - - DESCRIPTION OF FORT PLAIN. - -The following is said to be a correct drawing of Fort Plain, sometimes -erroneously called Fort Plank. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Fort Plank, as it is written in the books, was situated two and a - half miles from Fort Plain. The true name was Fort Blank, from the name - of the owner of the farm on which it stood--Frederick Blank. - - -[Illustration: Fort Plain] - - - -The Fort was situated on the brow of the hill, about half a mile -north-west of the village, so as to command a full view of the valley, and -the rise of the ground, for several miles in any direction; and hence it -doubtless derived its name, because its beautiful location commanded a -"_plain_" view of the surrounding country. It was erected by the -government, as a fortress, and place of retreat and safety for the -inhabitants and families in case of incursions from the Indians, who were -then, and, indeed, more or less during the whole Revolutionary war, -infesting the settlements of this whole region. Its form was an octagon, -having port-holes for heavy ordnance and muskets on every side. It -contained three stories or apartments. The first story was thirty feet in -diameter; the second, forty feet; the third, fifty feet; the last two -stones projecting five feet, as represented by the drawing aforesaid. It -was constructed throughout of hewn timber about fifteen inches square; -and, beside the port-holes aforesaid, the second and third stories had -perpendicular port-holes through those parts that projected, so as to -afford the regulars and militia, or settlers garrisoned in the fort, -annoying facilities of defence for themselves, wives, and children, in -case of close assault from the relentless savage. Whenever scouts came in -with tidings that a hostile party was approaching, a cannon was fired from -the fort as a signal to flee to it for safety. - -In the early part of the war there was built, by the inhabitants probably, -at or near the site of the one above described, a fortification, of -materials and construction that ill comported with the use and purposes -for which it was intended. This induced government to erect another, -(Fort Plain,) under the superintendence of an experienced French engineer. -As a piece of architecture, it was well wrought and neatly finished, and -surpassed all the forts in that region. After the termination of the -Revolutionary war, Fort Plain was used for some years as a deposit of -military stores, under the direction of Captain B. Hudson. These stores -were finally ordered by the United States Government to be removed to -Albany. The fort is demolished. Nothing remains of it except a -circumvallation or trench, which, although nearly obliterated by the -plough, still indicates to the curious traveler sufficient evidence of a -fortification in days by-gone.--_Fort Plain Journal,_ Dec 26, 1837. - - - * * * * * - - - No. II. - - [Reference from Page 153.] - - _"Copy of another paper in the same hand-writing, taken with the - letter to General Haldimand from Dr. Smith._ - - "April 20,1781. - - "Fort Stanwix. - -"This post is garrisoned by about two hundred and sixty men, under the -command of Colonel Courtlandt. It was supplied with provision about the -14th of last month, and Brant was too early to hit their sleys; he was -there on the 2d; took sixteen prisoners. A nine-inch mortar is ordered -from Albany to this fort, to be supplied against the latter end of May. -The nine months' men raised are to join Courtlandt's. - -"25th May.--Fort Stanwix is entirely consumed by fire, except two small -bastions; some say by accident, but it is generally thought the soldiers -done it on purpose, as their allowance is short; provision stopped from -going there, which was on its way. - - "John's Town. - -"At this place there is a captain's guard. - - "Mohawk River. - -"There are no troops, or warlike preparations (as yet) making in this -quarter; but it is reported, that as soon as the three years and nine -months' men are raised, they will erect fortifications. From this place -and its vicinage many families have moved this winter, and it is thought -more will follow the example this spring. - - "Schenectady. - -"This town is strongly picketed all round; has six pieces of ordnance, six -pounders, block-houses preparing. It is to be defended by the inhabitants; -(except about a dozen) are for Government. There are a few of Courtlandt's -regiment here; a large quantity of grain stored here for the use of the -troops; large boats building to convey heavy metal and shot to Fort -Stanwix. - - "Albany. - -"No troops at this post, except the Commandant, General Clinton, and his -Brigade Major. Work of all kinds stopped for want of provisions and money. -The sick in the hospitals, and their doctors, starving. 8th May--No troops -yet in this place; a fine time to bring it to submission, and carry off a -tribe of incendiaries. - - "Washington's Camp. - -"The strength of this camp does not exceed twenty-five thousand. -Provisions of all kinds very scarce. Washington and the French have agents -through the country, buying wheat and flour. He has sent to Albany for all -the cannon, quick-match, &c., that was deposited there. Desertions daily -from the different posts. The flower of the army gone to the southward -with the Marquis De La Fayette. - -"May 8th. They say Washington is collecting troops fast. - - "Southern News. - -"On the 15th of March, Lord Cornwallis attacked General Green at Guilford -Court House, in North Carolina, and defeated him with the loss on Green's -side of thirteen hundred men killed, wounded, and missing; his artillery, -and two ammunition wagons taken, and Generals Starns and Hegu wounded. - -"May 25th. Something very particular happened lately between here and -New-York, much in the King's favor, but the particulars kept a secret. - - "Eastern News. - -"The inhabitants between Albany and Boston, and several precincts, drink -the King's health publicly, and seem enchanted with the late proclamation -from New-York. By a person ten days ago from Rhode Island, we have an -account that the number of land forces belonging to the French does not -amount to more than three hundred; that when he left it, he saw two of the -French vessels from Chesapeake much damaged and towed in; that several -boats full of wounded were brought and put into their hospitals, and that -only three vessels out of the eight which left the island escaped, the -remainder brought into York. Out eastward of Boston is acting on the -Vermont principle. - - "State of Vermont. - -"The opinion of the people in general of this State is, that its -inhabitants are artful and cunning, full of thrift and design. About -fifteen days ago Colonel Allen and a Mr. Fay was in Albany. I made it my -particular business to be twice in their company; at which time I -endeavored to find out their business, and on inquiry I understood from -Colonel Allen that he came down to wait on Governor Clinton, to receive -his answer to a petition which the people of Vermont had laid before the -Assembly; that he had been twice at the Governor's lodging, and that the -Governor had refused to see or speak to him. Allen then said he might be -damned if ever he would court his favor again; since that time they have -petitioned the Eastern States to be in their Confederacy, to no purpose. -I heard Allen declare to one Harper that there was a North Pole and a -South Pole; and should a thunder-gust come from the south, they would shut -the door opposite to that point and open the door facing the north. - -"8th May. By this time it is expected they will be friendly to their King; -various opinions about their flag. - - "Saratoga. - -"At this post there is a company belonging to Van Schaick's regiment, -lately come from Fort Edward; which garrison they left for want of -provision; and here they are determined not to stay for the same reason. -A fort erecting here by General Schuyler. Two hundred and fifty men at -this place. - - "Fort Edward. - -"Evacuated. Now is the time to strike a blow in these ports. A party -toward Johnstown, by way of Division, and a considerable body down here, -will effect your wish. - - "General Intelligence. - -"Norman's Kill, Nisquitha, Hill Barrack, and New-Scotland, will -immediately on the arrival of his Majesty's troops, join and give -provision. Several townships east of Albany and south-east, are ready to -do the like. Governor Trumbull's son was hanged in London for a spy; he -had several letters from Dr. Franklin to some lords, which were found upon -him. [FN] No mention in the last Fishkill papers that Greene obliged his -Lordship to retreat, as has been reported. The Cork fleet, of upward of -one hundred sail, are safely arrived in York. No hostile intentions on -foot against the Province of Canada." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The reference here is to Colonel John Trumbull, the former Adjutant - General of the northern department, who, so far from having been hanged - at the time mentioned, is yet living, (Feb. 1839,) having served his - country faithfully and successfully in a high civil capacity since the - war of the Revolution, but, more to its glory still, by his contributions - to the arts. It is true, that at the tame referred to by the writer of - these memoranda, Colonel Trumbull was in London. He had repaired thither - to study the divine art which he has so long and successfully cultivated, - under the instruction of his countryman, West, and with the tacit - permission of the British ministers. Owing, however, to the intrigues of - some of the American loyalists in London, who hated him bitterly, he was - arrested in London during the Autumn of 1780, on a charge of treason, and - committed to the common prison. He had a narrow escape, especially as - great exasperation was kindled by the execution of Andre, and it was - hoped that an offset might be made in the person of the son of a rebel - Governor. West interceded with the King, and Trumbull was liberated. - Colonel Trumbull's Memoirs, which are in course of preparation, will - contain an interesting account of this affair, which was most disgraceful - to those who compassed his arrest--_Author._ - - -"May 25. I just received advice from T. H. but before his arrival, I -despatched a courier on the point of a sharp weapon, to which I refer you; -and lest that should miscarry, I send you my journal, from which, and the -extract sent forward, you may, if it arrives, form something interesting. -For God's sake, send a flag for me. My life is miserable. I have fair -promises, but delays are dangerous." - -With the above was taken another paper in the same hand-writing, of which -the following is a copy: - -"Y. H. is disobedient, and neither regards or pays any respect to his -parents; if he did, he would contribute to their disquiet, by coming down -contrary to their approbation and repeated requests. - -"The necessaries you require are gone forward last Tuesday by a person -which the bearer will inform you of. I wish he was in your company, and -you all safely returned, &c. - -"My life is miserable. A flag--a flag, and that immediately, is the -sincere wish of - - "H. Senior." - - - - - No. III. - - - - [Reference from Page 165.] - - - - 1. - - A firm fortress is our God, a good defence and weapon; - He helps us free from all our troubles which have now befallen us. - The old evil enemy, he is now seriously going to work; - Great power and much cunning are his cruel equipments, - There is none like him on the earth. - - 2. - - With our own strength nothing can be done, we are very soon lost; - For us the right man is fighting, whom God himself has chosen. - Do you ask, who he is? His name is Jesus Christ, - The Lord Jehovah, and there is no other God; - He must hold the field. - - 3. - - And if the world were full of devils, ready to devour us, - We are by no means much afraid, for finally we must overcome - The prince of this world, however badly he may behave, - He cannot injure us, and the reason is, because he is judge; - A little word can lay him low. - - 4. - - That word they shall suffer to remain, and not to be thanked for - either; - He is with us in the field, with his Spirit and his gifts. - If they take from us body, property, honor, child and wife, - Let them all be taken away, they have yet no gain from it, - The kingdom of heaven must remain to us. - -[The above if from a hymn book A. D. 1741. In one printed in 1826, and -now in use in Pennsylvania, the following is added:] - - 5. - - Praise, honor and glory to the Highest God, the Father of all Mercy. - Who has given us out of love His Son, for the sake of our defects, - Together with the Holy Spirit. He calls us to the Kingdom; - He takes away from us our sins, and shows us the way to heaven; - May He joyfully aid us. Amen. - - - - - No. IV. - - - - [Reference from Page 167.] - - - _Colonel Gansevoort's Address to the late_ 3_d New-York Regiment._ - [Regimental Orders.] - - "_Saratoga, Dec._ 30th, 1780. - -"The Colonel being by the new arrangement necessitated to quit the command -of his regiment, and intending to leave this post on the morrow, returns -his sincerest thanks to the officers and soldiers whom he has had the -honor to command, for the alacrity, cheerfulness, and zeal, which it -affords him peculiar satisfaction to declare they have so frequently -evinced in the execution of those duties which their stations required -them to discharge, and for their attention to his orders, which, as it -ever merited, always had his warmest approbation. - -"Though he confesses that it is with some degree of pain he reflects that -the relation in which they stood is dissolved, he will endeavor to submit -without repining to a circumstance which, though it may have a tendency -to wound his feelings, his fellow-citizens who form the councils of the -states have declared would be promotive of the public weal. - -"In whatever situation of life he may be placed, he will always with -pleasure cherish the remembrance of those deserving men who have with him -been sharers of almost every hardship incident to a military life. As he -will now probably return to that class of citizens whence his country's -service at an early period of the war drew him, he cordially wishes the -day may not be very remote when a happy peace will put them in the full -enjoyment of those blessings for the attainment of which they have nobly -endured every inconvenience and braved many dangers. - - "P. Gansevoort." - - - * * * * * - - - _An Address to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, by the Officers of his - Regiment, on his retiring from service, in consequence of the new - arrangement ordered by Congress._ - - "_Saratoga, Dec._ 31, 1780. - - "Sir, - -"Permit us, who are now with reluctance separated from your command, and -deprived of the benefits which we frequently experienced therefrom, to -declare our sentiments with a warmth of affection and gratitude, inspired -by a consciousness of your unwearied attention to the welfare, honor, and -prosperity of the Third New-York Regiment, while it was honored by your -command. - -"We should have been peculiarly happy in your continuance with us. From -our long experience of your invariable attachment to the service of our -country, your known and approved abilities, and that affable and -gentleman-like deportment by which (permit us to say) you have so endeared -yourself to officers and soldiers, that we cannot but consider the -separation as a great misfortune. - -"Although your return to the class of citizens from whence our country's -cause, at an early period, called you, it is not a matter of choice in -you, nor by any means agreeable to us; yet it cannot but be pleasing to -know that you retire with the sincerest affection, and most cordial esteem -and regards of the officers and men you have commanded. - - "We are, with the utmost respect, - Sir, - Your most humble servants, - - "Jas. Rosekrans, Major, B. Bogardus, Lieutenant, - Corn's. T. Gansen, Captain, J. Bagley do. - J. Gregg, do. Chrs. Hatton, do. - Leonard Bleeker, do. W. Magee, do. - Geo. Sytee, do. Prentice Bowen, do. - Henry Tiebout, do. Saml. Lewis, do. - Hunloke Woodruff, Surgeon, John Elliot, Surgeon's Mate, - J. Van Rensselaer, Paymaster, Benj. Herring, Ensign, - Douw T. Fonday, Ensign, Gerrit Lansing, do." - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. V. - - - - [Reference from Page 236.] - - - _At a meeting of the principal inhabitants of the Mohawk District, - in Tryon County, Colonel Josiah Throop in the Chair,_ - -Taking into consideration the peculiar circumstances of this country, -relating to its situation, and the numbers that joined the enemy from -among us, whose brutal barbarities in their frequent visits to their old -neighbours, are shocking to humanity to relate: - -They have murdered the peaceful husbandman and his lovely boys about him, -unarmed and defenceless in the field. They have, with a malicious -pleasure, butchered the aged and infirm; they have wantonly sported with -the lives of helpless women and children; numbers they have scalped alive, -shut them up in their houses, and burnt them to death. Several children, -by the vigilance of their friends, have been snatched from flaming -buildings; and, though tomahawked and scalped, are still living among us; -they have made more than three hundred widows, and above two thousand -orphans in this county; they have killed thousands of cattle and horses -that rotted in the field; they have burnt more than two millions of -bushels of grain, many hundreds of buildings, and vast stores of forage; -and now these merciless fiends are creeping in among us again, to claim -the privilege of fellow citizens and demand a restitution of their -forfeited estates; but can they leave their infernal tempers behind them, -and be safe or peaceable neighbors? Or can the disconsolate widow and the -bereaved mother reconcile her tender feelings to a free and cheerful -neighborhood with those who so inhumanly made her such? _Impossible!_ -It is contrary to nature, the first principle of which is -self-preservation; it is contrary to the law of nations, especially that -nation, which, for numberless reasons, we should be thought to pattern -after. Since the accession of the House of Hanover to the British throne, -five hundred and twenty peerages in Scotland have been sunk, the Peers -executed or fled, and their estates confiscated to the crown, for adhering -to their former administration after a new one was established by law. It -is contrary to the eternal rule of reason and rectitude. If Britain -employed them, let Britain pay them! We will not. - -Therefore, _Resolved unanimously,_ that all those who have gone off to the -enemy, or have been banished by any law of this state, or those who we -shall find tarried as spies or tools of the enemy, and encouraged and -harbored those who went away, shall not live in this district on any -pretence whatever; and as for those who have washed their faces from -Indian paint, and their hands from the innocent blood of our dear ones, -and have returned either openly or covertly, we hereby warn them to leave -this district before the twentieth of June next, or they may expect to -feel the just resentment of an injured and determined people. - -We likewise unanimously desire our brethren in the other districts in this -county to join with us, to instruct our representatives not to consent to -the repealing any laws made for the safety of the state, against treason -or confiscation of traitors' estates; or to passing any new acts for the -return or restitution of Tories. - - By order of the Meeting, - Josiah Throop, Chairman. - - _May_ 9, 1789 - - - -At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Canajoharie District, -in the County of Tryon, held at Fort Plain in the same district, on -Saturday the 7th day of June, 1783, the following resolves were -unanimously entered into. Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Clyde in the Chair: - -_Whereas,_ In the course of the late war, large numbers of the inhabitants -of this county, lost to every sense of the duty they owed their country, -have joined the enemies of this state, and have, in conjunction with the -British troops, waged war on the people of this state; while others, more -abandoned, have remained among us, and have harbored, aided, assisted, and -victualed the said British troops and their adherents; and by their -example and influence have encouraged many to desert the service of their -country, and by insults and threats have discouraged the virtuous -citizens, thereby inducing a number to abandon their estates and the -defence of their country; _and whereas,_ the County of Tryon hath, in an -especial manner, been exposed to the continued inroads and incursions of -the enemy, in which inroads and incursions the most cruel murders, -robberies, and depredations have been committed that ever yet happened in -this or any other country; neither sex nor age being spared, insomuch that -the most aged people of each sex, and infants at their mothers' breasts, -have inhumanly been butchered; our buildings (the edifices dedicated to -the service of Almighty God not excepted) have been reduced to ashes; our -property destroyed and carried away; our people carried through a far and -distant wilderness, into captivity among savages (the dear and faithful -allies of the merciful and humane British!) where very many still remain, -and have by ill usage been forced to enter into their service. - -_And whereas,_ Through the blessings of God and the smiles of indulgent -Providence, the war has happily terminated, and the freedom and -independence of the United States firmly established. - -_And whereas,_ It is contrary to the interests of this county, as well as -contrary to the dictates of reason, that those persons who have, through -the course of an eight years' cruel war, been continually aiding and -assisting the British to destroy the liberties and freedom of America, -should now be permitted to return to, or remain in this county, and enjoy -the blessings of those free governments established at the expense of our -blood and treasure, and which they, by every unwarrantable means, have -been constantly laboring to destroy. - -_Resolved,_ That we will not suffer or permit any person or persons -whatever, who have during the course of the late war joined the enemy of -this state, or such person or persons remaining with us, and who have any -ways aided, assisted, victualed, or harbored the enemy, or such as have -corresponded with them, to return to, or remain in this district. - -_Resolved,_ That all other persons of disaffected or equivocal character, -who have by their examples, insults, and threatenings, occasioned any -desertions to the enemy, or have induced any of the virtuous citizens of -this county to abandon their habitations, whereby they were brought to -poverty and distress. And all such as during the late war have been deemed -dangerous, shall not be permitted to continue in this district, or to -return to it. - -_Resolved,_ That all such persons now remaining in this district, and -comprehended in either of the above resolutions, shall depart the same -within one month after the publication of this. - -_Resolved,_ That no person or persons, of any denominations whatever, -shall be suffered to come and reside in this district, unless such person -or persons shall bring with them sufficient vouchers of their moral -characters, and of their full, entire, and unequivocal attachment to the -freedom and independence of the United States. - -_Resolved,_ That we will, and hereby do associate, under all the ties held -sacred among men and Christians, to stand to, abide by, and carry into -full effect and execution, all and every the foregoing resolutions. - -_Resolved,_ That this district does hereby instruct the members in Senate -and Assembly of this state from this county, to the utmost of their power -to oppose the return of all such person or persons who are comprehended -within the sense and meaning of the above resolutions. - -_Ordered,_ That the preceding votes and proceedings of this district be -signed by the Chairman, and published in the New York Gazetteer. - - Samuel Clyde, _Chairman._ - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. VI. - - - [Reference from Page 288.] - - -"At a meeting of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, June 5th, -1789-- - -"_Voted,_ That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Colonel -Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohawk Nation, for his polite attention to this -University, in his kind donation to its library of the Book of Common -Prayer of the Church of England, with the Gospel of Mark, translated into -the Mohawk language, and a Primer in the same language. - - "Attest, - - "Joseph Willard, _President._" - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. VII. - - - - [Reference from Page 312.] - - - SAINCLAIRE'S DEFEAT. - - 'Twas November the fourth, in year of ninety-one, - We had a sore engagement near to Fort Jefferson; - _Sainclaire_ was our commander, which may remembered be, - For there we left nine hundred men in t' West'n Ter'tory. - - At Bunker's Hill and Quebec, where many a hero fell, - Likewise at Long Island, (it is I the truth can tell,) - But such a dreadful carnage may I never see again - As hap'ned near St. Mary's upon the river plain. - - Our army was attacked just as the day did dawn, - And soon were overpowered and driven from the lawn; - They killed Major _Ouldham, Levin,_ and _Briggs_ likewise, - And horrid yell of savages resounded thro' the skies. - - Major _Butler_ was wounded the very second fire; - His manly bosom swell'd with rage when forc'd to retire; - And as he lay in anguish, nor scarcely could he see, - Exclaimed, "Ye hounds of hell, O! revenged I will be." - - We had not been long broken when General _Butler_ found - Himself so badly wounded, was forced to quit the ground; - "My God!" says he, "what shall we do; we're wounded every man - Go, charge them, valiant heroes, and beat them if you can." - - He leaned his back against a tree, and there resigned his breath, - And like a valiant soldier sunk in the arms of death; - When blessed angels did await, his spirit to convey; - And unto the celestial fields he quickly bent his way. - - We charg'd again with courage firm, but soon again gave ground. - The war-whoop then redoubled, as did the foes around; - They killed Major _Ferguson,_ which caused his men to cry, - "Our only safety is in flight, or fighting here to die." - - "Stand to your guns," says valiant _Ford,_ "let's die upon them there, - Before we let the sav'ges know we ever harbored fear." - Our cannon balls exhausted, and artillery-men all slain, - Obliged were our musket-men the en'my to sustain. - - Yet three hours more we fought them, and then were forc'd to yield, - When three hundred bloody warriors lay stretched upon the field. - Says Colonel _Gibson_ to his men, "My boys, be not dismayed, - I'm sure that true Virginians were never yet afraid. - - "Ten thousand deaths I'd rather die, than they should gain the field;" - With that he got a fatal shot, which caused him to yield. - Says Major _Clark,_ "My heroes, I can here no longer stand, - We'll strive to form in order, and retreat the best we can." - - The word "Retreat" being past around, there was a dismal cry - Then helter-skelter through the woods, like wolves and sheep they fly; - This well-appointed army, who, but a day before, - Defied and braved all danger, had like a cloud pass'd o'er. - - Alas! the dying and wounded, how dreadful was the thought, - To the tomahawk and scalping-knife, in mis'ry are brought; - Some had a thigh and some an arm broke on the field that day, - Who writhed in torments at the stake, to close the dire affray. - - To mention our brave officers is what I wish to do; - No sons of Mars e'er fought more brave, or with more courage true. - To Captain _Bradford_ I belonged, in his artillery; - He fell that day amongst the slain, a valiant man was he. - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. VIII. - - - - [Reference from Page 314.] - - - _Narrative of the Captivity and Sufferings of Massy Harbison, in the - Spring of 1792, who resided in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, - together with the Murder of her children, her own Escape, &c._ - -On the return of my husband from General St. Clair's defeat, mentioned in -a preceding chapter, and on his recovery from the wound he received in the -battle, he was made a spy, and ordered to the woods on duty, about the 22d -of March, 1792. The appointment of spies to watch the movements of the -savages was so consonant with the desires and interests of the -inhabitants, that the frontier now resumed the appearance of quiet and -confidence. Those who had for nearly a year been huddled together in the -block-house were scattered to their own habitations, and began the -cultivation of their farms. The spies saw nothing to alarm them, or to -induce them to apprehend danger, till the fatal morning of my captivity. -They repeatedly came to our house, to receive refreshments and to lodge. -On the 15th of May, my husband, with Captain Guthrie and other spies, came -home about dark, and wanted supper; to procure which I requested one of -the spies to accompany me to the spring and spring-house, and Mr. William -Maxwell complied with my request. While he was at the spring and -spring-house, we both distinctly heard a sound like the bleating of a -lamb or fawn. This greatly alarmed us, and induced us to make a hasty -retreat into the house. Whether this was an Indian decoy, or a warning of -what I was to pass through, I am unable to determine. But from this time -and circumstance, I became considerably, alarmed, and entreated my husband -to remove me to some more secure place from Indian cruelties. But -Providence had designed that I should become a victim to their rage, and -that mercy should be made manifest in my deliverance. - -On the night of the 21st of May, two of the spies, Mr. John Davis and Mr. -Sutton, came to lodge at our house, and on the morning of the 22d, at -day-break, when the horn blew at the block-house, which was within sight -of our house, and distant about two hundred yards, the two men got up and -went out. I was also awake, and saw the door open, and thought, when I was -taken prisoner, that the scouts had left it open. I intended to rise -immediately; but having a child at the breast, and it being awakened, I -lay with it at the breast to get it to sleep again, and accidentally fell -asleep myself. - -The spies have since informed me that they returned to the house again, -and found that I was sleeping; that they softly fastened the door, and -went immediately to the block-house; and those who examined the house -after the scene was over, say both doors had the appearance of being -broken open. - -The first thing I knew from falling asleep, was the Indians pulling me out -of the bed by my feet. I then looked up, and saw the house full of -Indians, every one having his gun in his left hand and tomahawk in his -right. Beholding the dangerous situation in which I was, I immediately -jumped to the floor on my feet, with the young child in my arms. I then -took a petticoat to put on, having only the one in which I slept; but the -Indians took it from me, and as many as I attempted to put on they -succeeded in taking from me, that I had to go just as I had been in bed. -While I was struggling with some of the savages for clothing, others of -them went and took the two children out of another bed, and immediately -took the two feather beds to the door and emptied them. The savages -immediately began their work of plunder and devastation. What they were -unable to carry with them, they destroyed. While they were at their work -I made to the door, and succeeded in getting out, with one child in my -arms and another by my side; but the other little boy was so much -displeased by being so early disturbed in the morning, that he would not -come to the door. - -When I got out, I saw Mr. Wolf, one of the soldiers, going to the spring -for water, and beheld two or three of the savages attempting to get -between him and the block-house; but Mr. Wolf was unconscious of his -danger, for the savages had not yet been discovered. I then gave a -terrific scream, by which means Mr. Wolf discovered his danger, and -started to run for the block-house; seven or eight Indians fired at him, -but the only injury he received was a bullet in his arm, which broke it. -He succeeded in making his escape to the block-house. When I raised the -alarm, one of the Indians came up to me with his tomahawk, as though about -to take my life; a second came and placed his hand before my mouth, and -told me to hush, when a third came with a lifted tomahawk, and attempted -to give me a blow; but the first that came raised his tomahawk and averted -the blow, and claimed me as his squaw. - -The Commissary, with his waiter, slept in the store-house near the -block-house; and upon hearing the report of the guns, came to the door to -see what was the matter, and beholding the danger he was in made his -escape to the block-house, but not without being discovered by the -Indians, several of whom fired at him, and one of the bullets went through -his handkerchief, which was tied about his head, and took off some of his -hair. The handkerchief, with several bullet holes in it, he afterward gave -to me. - -The waiter, on coming to the door, was met by the Indians, who fired upon -him, and he received two bullets through the body and fell dead by the -door. The savages then setup one of their tremendous and terrifying yells, -and pushed forward, and attempted to scalp the man they had killed; but -they were prevented from executing their diabolical purpose by the heavy -fire which was kept up through the port-holes from the block-house. - -In this scene of horror and alarm I began to meditate an escape, and for -that purpose I attempted to direct the attention of the Indians from me, -and to fix it on the block-house; and thought if I could succeed in this, -I would retreat to a subterranean rock with which I was acquainted, which -was in the run near where we were. For this purpose I began to converse -with some of those who were near me respecting the strength of the -block-house, the number of men in it, &c, and being informed that there -were forty men there, and that they were excellent marksmen, they -immediately came to the determination to retreat, and for this purpose -they ran to those who were besieging the block-house, and brought them -away. They then began to flog me with their wiping sticks, and to order -me along. Thus what I intended as the means of my escape, was the means of -accelerating my departure in the hands of the savages. But it was no doubt -ordered by a kind Providence, for the preservation of the fort and the -inhabitants in it; for when the savages gave up the attack and retreated, -some of the men in the house had the last load of ammunition in their -guns, and there was no possibility of procuring any more, for it was all -fastened up in the store-house, which was inaccessible. - -The Indians, when they had flogged me away along with them, took my oldest -boy, a lad about five years of age, along with them, for he was still at -the door by my side. My middle little boy, who was about three years of -age, had by this time obtained a situation by the fire in the house, and -was crying bitterly to me not to go, and making bitter complaints of the -depredations of the savages. - -But these monsters were not willing to let the child remain behind them; -they took him by the hand to drag him along with them, but he was so very -unwilling to go, and made such a noise by crying, that they took him up by -the feet and dashed his brains out against the threshold of the door. They -then scalped and stabbed him, and left him for dead. When I witnessed this -inhuman butchery of my own child, I gave a most indescribable and terrific -scream, and felt a dimness come over my eyes next to blindness, and my -senses were nearly gone. The savages then gave me a blow across my head -and face, and brought me to my sight and recollection again. During the -whole of this agonizing scene I kept my infant in my arms. - -As soon as their murder was effected, they marched me along to the top of -the bank, about forty or sixty rods, and there they stopped and divided -the plunder which they had taken from our house; and here I counted their -number, and found them to be thirty-two, two of whom were white men -painted as Indians. - -Several of the Indians could speak English well. I knew several of them -well, having seen them go up and down the Allegheny river. I knew two of -them to be from the Seneca tribe of Indians, and two of them Munsees; for -they had called at the shop to get their guns repaired, and I saw them -there. - -We went from this place about forty rods, and they then caught my uncle, -John Currie's horses, and two of them, into whose custody I was put, -started with me on the horses, toward the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and -the rest of them went off toward Puckety. When they came to the bank that -descended toward the Allegheny, the bank was so very steep, and there -appeared so much danger in descending it on horseback, that I threw myself -off the horse in opposition to the will and command of the savages. - -My horse descended without falling, but the one on which the Indian rode -who had my little boy, in descending, fell, and rolled over repeatedly; -and my little boy fell back over the horse, but was not materially -injured. He was taken up by one of the Indians, and we got to the bank of -the river, where they had secreted some bark canoes under the rocks, -opposite to the island that lies between the Kiskiminetas and Buffalo. -They attempted in vain to make the horses take the river. After trying -some time to effect this, they left the horses behind them, and took us in -one of the canoes to the point of the island, and there they left the -canoe. - -Here I beheld another hard scene, for as soon as we landed, my little boy, -who was still mourning and lamenting about his little brother, and who -complained that he was injured by the fall in descending the bank, _was -murdered._ - -One of the Indians ordered me along, probably that I should not see the -horrid deed about to be perpetrated. The other then took his tomahawk from -his side, and with this instrument of death _killed and scalped him._ When -I beheld this second scene of inhuman butchery, I fell to the ground -senseless, with my infant in my arms, it being under, and its little hands -in the hair of my head. How long I remained in this state of -insensibility, I know not. - -The first thing I remember was my raising my head from the ground, and my -feeling myself exceedingly overcome with sleep. I cast my eyes around, and -saw the scalp of my dear little boy, fresh bleeding from his head, in the -hand of one of the savages, and sunk down to the earth again upon my -infant child. The first thing I remember after witnessing this spectacle -of woe, was the severe blows I was receiving from the hands of the -savages, though at that time I was unconscious of the injury I was -sustaining. After a severe castigation, they assisted me in getting up, -and supported me when up. - -Here I cannot help contemplating the peculiar interposition of Divine -Providence in my behalf. How easily might they have murdered me! What a -wonder their cruelty did not lead them to effect it! But, instead of this, -the scalp of my boy was hid from my view and, in order to bring me to my -senses again, they took me back to the river and led me in knee deep; this -had its intended effect. But "the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." - -We now proceeded on our journey by crossing the island, and coming to a -shallow place where we could wade out, and so arrive to the Indian side of -the country. Here they pushed me in the river before them, and had to -conduct me through it. The water was up to my breast, but I suspended my -child above the water, and, through the assistance of the savages, got -safely out. - -From thence we rapidly proceeded forward, and came to Big Buffalo; here -the stream was very rapid, and the Indians had again to assist me. When -we had crossed this creek, we made a straight course to the -Connequenessing creek, the very place where Butler now stands; and from -thence we traveled five or six miles to Little Buffalo, and crossed it at -the very place where Mr. B. Server's mill now stands, and ascended the -hill. - -I now felt weary of my life, and had a full determination to make the -savages kill me, thinking that death would be exceedingly welcome when -compared with the fatigue, cruelties, and miseries I had the prospect of -enduring. To have my purpose effected, I stood still, one of the savages -being before me and the other walking on behind me, and I took from off my -shoulder a large powder born they made me carry, in addition to my child, -who was one year and four days old. I threw the horn on the ground, closed -my eyes, _and expected every moment to feel the deadly tomahawk._ But to -my surprise the Indians took it up, cursed me bitterly, and put it on my -shoulder again. I took it off the second time, and threw it on the ground, -and again closed my eyes with the assurance that I should meet death; but, -instead of this, the savages again took up the horn, and with an -indignant, frightful countenance, came and placed it on again. I took it -off the third time, and was determined to effect it; and therefore threw -it as far as I was able from me, over the rocks. The savage immediately -went after it, while the one who had claimed me as his squaw, and who had -stood and witnessed the transaction, came up to me, and said, "well done, -I did right, and was a good squaw, and that the other was a lazy son of a -b--h; he might carry it himself." I cannot now sufficiently admire the -indulgent care of a gracious God, that at this moment preserved me amidst -so many temptations from the tomahawk and scalping knife. - -The savages now changed their position, and the one who claimed me as his -squaw went behind. This movement, I believe, was to prevent the other from -doing me any injury; and we went on till we struck the Connequenessing at -the Salt Lick, about two miles above Butler, where was an Indian camp, -where we arrived a little before dark, having no refreshment during the -day. - -The camp was made of stakes driven in the ground sloping, and covered with -chestnut bark, and appeared sufficiently long for fifty men. The camp -appeared to have been occupied for some time; it was very much beaten, and -large beaten paths went out from it in different directions. - -That night they took me about three hundred yards from the camp, up a run, -into a large dark bottom, where they cut the brush in a thicket, and -placed a blanket on the ground, and permitted me to sit down with my -child. They then pinioned my arms back, only with a little liberty, so -that it was with difficulty that I managed my child. Here, in this dreary -situation, without fire or refreshment, having an infant to take care of -and my arms bound behind me, and having a savage on each side of me who -had killed two of my dear children that day, I had to pass the first night -of my captivity. - -Ye mothers, who have never lost a child by an inhuman savage, or endured -the almost indescribable misery here related, may nevertheless think a -little (though it be but little) what I endured; and hence, now you are -enjoying sweet repose and the comforts of a peaceful and well-replenished -habitation, sympathize with me a little, as one who was a pioneer in the -work of cultivation and civilization. - -But the trials and dangers of the day I had passed had so completely -exhausted nature, that, notwithstanding my unpleasant situation, and _my -determination to escape if possible,_ I insensibly fell asleep, and -repeatedly dreamed of my escape and safe arrival in Pittsburgh, and -several things relating to the town, of which I knew nothing at the time, -but found to be true when I arrived there. The first night passed away, -and I found no means of escape, for the savages kept watch the whole of -the night, without any sleep. - -In the morning, one of them left us to watch the trail or path we had -come, to see if any white people were pursuing us. During the absence of -the Indian, who was the one that claimed me, the other, who remained with -me, and who was the murderer of my last boy, took from his bosom his -scalp, and prepared a hoop and stretched the scalp upon it. Those mothers -who have not seen the like done by one of the scalps of their own -children, (and few, if any, ever had so much misery to endure,) will be -able to form but faint ideas of the feelings which then harrowed up my -soul! I meditated revenge! While he was in the very act, I attempted to -take his tomahawk, which hung by his side and rested on the ground, and -had nearly succeeded, and was, as I thought, about to give the fatal blow; -when, alas! I was detected. - -The savage felt me at his tomahawk handle, turned round upon me, cursed -me, and told me I was a Yankee; thus insinuating he understood my -intention, and to prevent me from doing so again, faced me. My excuse to -him for handling his tomahawk was, that my child wanted to play with the -handle of it. Here again I wondered at my merciful preservation, for the -looks of the savage were terrific in the extreme; and these, I apprehend, -were only an index to his heart. But God was my preserver. - -The savage who went upon the look-out in the morning came back about 12 -o'clock, and had discovered no pursuers. Then the one who had been -guarding me went out on the same errand. The savage who was now my guard -began to examine me about the white people, the strength of the armies -going against them, &c., and boasted largely of their achievements in the -preceding fall, at the defeat of General St. Clair. - -He then examined into the plunder which he had brought from our house the -day before. He found my pocket-book and money in his plunder. There were -ten dollars in silver, and a half a guinea in gold in the book. During -this day they gave me a piece of dry venison, about the bulk of an egg, -and a piece about the same size the day we were marching, for my support -and that of my child; but owing to the blows I had received from them in -my jaws, I was unable to eat a bit of it. I broke it up, and gave it to -the child. - -The savage on the look-out returned about dark. This evening, (Monday the -23d,) they moved me to another station in the same valley, and secured me -as they did the preceding night. Thus I found myself the second night -between two Indians, without fire or refreshment. During this night I was -frequently asleep, notwithstanding my unpleasant situation, and as often -dreamed of my arrival in Pittsburgh. - -Early on the morning of the 24th, a flock of mocking birds and robins -hovered over us, as we lay in our uncomfortable bed, and sung, and said, -at least to my imagination, that I was to get up and go off. As soon as -day broke, one of the Indians went off again to watch the trail, as on the -preceding day, and he who was left to take care of me, appeared to be -sleeping. When I perceived this, I lay still and began to snore as though -asleep, and he fell asleep. - -Then I concluded it was time to escape. I found it impossible to injure -him for my child at the breast, as I could not effect any thing without -putting the child down, and then it would cry and give the alarm; so I -contented myself with taking from a pillow-case of plunder, taken from our -house, a short gown, handkerchief, and child's frock, and so made my -escape; the sun then being about half an hour high. - -I took a direction from home, at first, being guided by the birds before -mentioned, and in order to deceive the Indians, then took over the hill, -and struck the Connequenessing creek about two miles from where I crossed -it with the Indians, and went down the stream till about two o'clock in -the afternoon, over rocks, precipices, thorns, briars, &c., with my bare -feet and legs. I then discovered by the sun, and the running of the -stream, that I was on the wrong course, and going from, instead of coming -nearer home. I then changed my course, ascended a hill, and sat down till -sunset, and the evening star made its appearance, when I discovered the -way I should travel; and having marked out the direction I intended to -take the next morning, I collected some leaves, made up a bed and laid -myself down and slept, though my feet being full of thorns, began to be -very painful, and I had nothing still to eat for myself or child. - -The next morning, (Friday, 25th of May,) about the breaking of the day I -was aroused from my slumbers by the flock of birds before mentioned, which -still continued with me, and having them to guide me through the -wilderness. As soon as it was sufficiently light for me to find my way, I -started for the fourth day's trial of hunger and fatigue. - -There was nothing very material occurred on this day while I was -traveling, and I made the best of my way, according to my knowledge, -towards the Allegheny river. In the evening, about the going down of the -sun, a moderate rain came on, and I began to prepare for my bed by -collecting some leaves together, as I had done the night before; but could -not collect a sufficient quantity without setting my little boy on the -ground; but as soon as I put him out of my arms he began to cry. Fearful -of the consequence of his noise in this situation, I took him in my arms, -and put him to the breast immediately, and he became quiet. I then stood -and listened, and _distinctly heard the footsteps of a man coming after -me_ in the same direction I had come! The ground over which I had been -traveling was good, and the mould was light; I had therefore left my -footmarks, and thus exposed myself to a _second captivity!_ Alarmed at my -perilous situation, I looked around for a place of safety, and -_providentially_ discovered a large tree which had fallen, into the tops -of which I crept, with my child in my arms, and there hid myself securely -under the limbs. The darkness of the night greatly assisted me, and -prevented me from detection. - -The footsteps I heard were those of a savage. He heard the cry of the -child, and came to the very spot where the child cried, and there he -halted, put down his gun, and was at this time so near that I heard the -wiping stick strike against his gun distinctly. - -My getting in under the tree, and sheltering myself from the rain, and -pressing my boy to my bosom, got him warm, and most providentially he fell -asleep, and lay very still during the time of my danger at that time. All -was still and quiet, the savage was listening if by possibility he might -again hear the cry he had heard before. My own heart was the only thing I -feared, and that beat so loud that I was apprehensive it would betray me. -It is almost impossible to conceive or to believe the wonderful effect my -situation produced upon my whole system. - -After the savage had stood and listened with nearly the stillness of death -for two hours, the sound of a bell, and a cry like that of a night-owl, -signals which were given to him from his savage companions, induced him to -answer, and after he had given a most horrid yell, which was calculated to -harrow up my soul, he started, and went off to join them. - -After the retreat of the savage to his companions, I concluded it unsafe -to remain in my concealed situation till morning, lest they should -conclude upon a second search, and being favored with the light of day -find me, and either tomahawk or scalp me, or otherwise bear me back to my -captivity again, which was worse than death. - -But by this time nature was nearly exhausted, and I found some difficulty -in moving from my situation that night; yet, compelled by necessity and a -love of self-preservation, I threw my coat about my child, and placed the -end between my teeth, and with one arm and my teeth I carried the child, -and with the other arm groped my way between the trees, and traveled on as -I supposed a mile or two, and there sat down at the root of a tree till -the morning. The night was cold and wet; and thus terminated the fourth -day and night's difficulties, trials, hunger, and danger. - -The fifth day, Saturday, 26th May, wet and exhausted, hungry and wretched, -I started from my resting-place in the morning as soon as I could see my -way, and on that morning struck the bead waters of Pine Creek, which falls -into the Allegheny about four miles above Pittsburgh; though I knew not -then what waters they were, but crossed them, and on the opposite bank I -found a path, and discovered in it two moccasin tracks, fresh indented, -and the men who had made them were before me, and traveling on the same -direction that I was traveling. This alarmed me; but as they were before -me, and traveling in the same direction as I was, I concluded I could see -them as soon as they could see me; and therefore I pressed on in that path -for about three miles, when I came to the forks where another branch -empties into the creek, and where a hunter's camp, where the two men, -whose tracks I had before discovered and followed, had been, and kindled -a fire and breakfasted, and had left the fire burning. - -I here became more alarmed, and came to a determination to leave the path. -I then ascended a hill, and crossed a ridge toward Squaw run, and came -upon a trail or path. Here I stopped and meditated what to do; and while -I was thus musing, I saw three deers coming toward me in full speed; they -turned to look at their pursuers; I looked too with all attention, and saw -the flash of a gun, and then heard the report as soon as the gun was -fired. I saw some dogs start after them, and began to look about for a -shelter, and immediately made for a large log, and hid myself behind it; -but most providentially I did not go clear to the log; had I done so, I -might have lost my life by the bites of rattle-snakes; for as I put my -hand to the ground to raise myself, that I might see what was become of -the hunters and who they were, I saw a large heap of rattle-snakes, and -the top one was very large, and coiled up very near my face, and quite -ready to bite me. This compelled me to leave this situation, let the -consequences be what they might. - -In consequence of this occurrence, I again left my course, bearing to the -left, and came upon the head waters of Squaw run, and kept down the run -the remainder of that day. - -During the day it rained, and I was in a very deplorable situation; so -cold and shivering were my limbs, that frequently, in opposition to all -my struggles, I gave an involuntary groan. I suffered intensely this day -from hunger, though my jaws were so far recovered from the injury they -sustained from the blows of the Indians, that wherever I could I procured -grape vines, and chewed them for a little sustenance. In the evening I -came within one mile of the Allegheny river, though I was ignorant of it -at the time; and there, at the root of a tree, through a most tremendous -night's rain, I took up my fifth night's lodgings; and in order to shelter -my infant at much as possible, I placed him in my lap, and placed my head -against the tree, and thus let the rain fall upon me. - -On the sixth (that was Sabbath) morning from my captivity, I found myself -unable, for a very considerable time, to raise myself from the ground; and -when I had once more, by hard struggling, got myself upon my feet, and -started upon the sixth day's encounter, nature _was so nearly exhausted, -and my spirits were so completely depressed,_ that my progress was -amazingly slow and discouraging. - -In this almost helpless condition, I had not gone far before I came to a -path where there had been cattle traveling; I took the path, under the -impression that it would lead me to the abode of some white people, and by -traveling it about one mile, I came to an uninhabited cabin; and though I -was in a river bottom, yet I knew not where I was, nor yet on what river -bank I had come. Here I was seized with the feelings of despair, and -under those feelings I went to the threshold of the uninhabited cabin, and -concluded that I would _enter and lie down and die;_ as death would have -been to me an _angel of mercy_ in such a _situation,_ and would have -removed me from all my misery. - -Such were my feelings at this distressing moment, and had it not been for -the recollection of those sufferings which my _infant_ would endure, who -would survive for some time after I was dead, I should have carried my -determination into execution. Here, too, I heard the sound of a cow bell, -which imparted a _gleam of hope to my desponding mind._ I followed the -sound of the bell till I came opposite to the fort at the Six Mile Island. - -When I came there, I saw three men on the opposite bank of the river. My -feelings at the sight of these were better felt than described. I called -to the men, but they seemed unwilling to risk the danger of coming after -me, and requested to know who I was. I replied that I was one who had been -taken prisoner by the Indians on the Allegheny river on last Tuesday -morning, and had made my escape from them. They requested me to walk up -the bank of the river for a while, that they might see if the Indians -were making a decoy of me or not; but I replied to them that my feet were -so sore that I could not walk. - -Then one of them, James Closier, got into a canoe to fetch me over, and -the other two stood on the bank, with their rifles cocked, ready to fire -on the Indians, provided they were using me as a decoy. When Mr. Closier -came near to the shore, and saw my haggard and dejected situation, he -exclaimed, "who, in the name of God, are you?" This man was one of my -nearest neighbors before I was taken; yet in six days I was so much -altered that he did not know me, either by my voice or my countenance. - -When I landed on the inhabited side of the river, the people from the fort -came running out to the boat to see me; they took the child from me, and -now I felt safe from all danger, I found myself unable to move or to -assist myself in any degree; whereupon the people took me and carried me -out of the boat to the house of Mr. Cortus. - -Here, when I felt I was secure from the ravages and cruelties of the -barbarians, for the first time since my captivity my feelings returned -with all their poignancy. When I was dragged from my bed and from my home, -a prisoner with the savages; when the in-human butchers dashed the brains -of one of my dear children out on the door-sill, and afterward scalped him -before my eyes; when they took and tomahawked, scalped, and stabbed -another of them before me on the island; and when, with still more -barbarous feelings, they afterward made a hoop, and stretched his scalp -on it; nor yet, when I endured hunger, cold, and nearly nakedness, and at -the same time my infant sucking my very blood to support it, I never wept. -No! it was too, too much for nature. A tear then would have been too great -a luxury. And it is more than probable, that tears at these seasons of -distress would have been fatal in their consequences; for savages despise -a tear. But now that my danger was removed, and I was delivered from the -pangs of the barbarians, the tears flowed freely, and imparted a happiness -beyond what I ever experienced before, or ever expect to experience in -this world. - -When I was taken into the house, having been so long from fire, and having -endured so much from hunger for a long period, the heat of the fire, and -the smell of the victuals, which the kindness of the people immediately -induced them to provide for me, caused me to faint. Some of the people -attempted to restore me and some of them put some clothes upon me. But the -kindness of these friends would, in all probability, have killed me, had -it not been for the providential arrival from down the river, of Major -McCulley, who then commanded the line along the river. When he came in and -saw my situation, and the provisions they were making for me, he became -greatly alarmed, and immediately ordered me out of the house, from the -heat and smell; prohibited my taking any thing but the whey of buttermilk, -and that in very small quantities, which he administered with his own -hands. Through this judicious management of my almost lost situation, I -was mercifully restored again to my senses, and very gradually to my -health and strength. - -Two of the females, Sarah Carter and Mary Ann Crozier, then began to take -out the thorns from my feet and legs; and Mr. Felix Negley, who now lives -at the mouth of Bull Creek, twenty miles above Pittsburgh, stood by and -counted the thorns as the women took them out, and there were one hundred -and fifty drawn out, though they were not all extracted at that time, for -the next evening, at Pittsburgh, there were many more taken out. The flesh -was mangled dreadfully, and the skin and flesh were hanging in pieces on -my feet and legs. The wounds were not healed for a considerable time. -Some of the thorns went through my feet and came out on the top. For two -weeks I was unable to put my feet to the ground to walk. - -Besides which, the rain to which I was exposed by night, and the heat of -the sun, to which my almost naked body was exposed by day, together with -my carrying my child so long in my arms without any relief, and any -shelter from the heat of the day or the storms of the night, caused nearly -all the skin of my body to come off, so that my body was raw nearly all -over. - -The news of my arrival at the station spread with great rapidity. The two -spies took the intelligence that evening as far as Coe's station, and the -next morning to Reed's station, to my husband. - -As the intelligence spread, the town of Pittsburgh, and the country for -twenty miles round, was all in a state of commotion. About sunset the same -evening, my husband came to see me in Pittsburgh, and I was taken back to -Coe's station on Tuesday morning. In the evening I gave the account of the -murder of my boy on the island. The next morning (Wednesday) there was a -scout went out, and found it by my direction, and buried it, after being -murdered nine days. - - - _Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Corbly, a Baptist Minister, to his - friend in Philadelphia, dated_ - - Muddy Creek, Penn, Sept. 1, 1793. - - "Dear Sir, - -"The following are the particulars of the destruction of my unfortunate -family by the savages:--On the 10th May last, being my appointment to -preach at one of my meeting houses, about a mile from my dwelling-house, -I set out with my loving wife and five children for public worship. Not -suspecting any danger, I walked behind a few rods, with my Bible in my -hand, meditating. As I was thus employed, on a sudden I was greatly -alarmed by the shrieks of my dear family before me. I immediately ran to -their relief with all possible speed, vainly hunting a club as I ran. When -within a few yards of them, my poor wife observing me, cried out to me to -make my escape. At this instant an Indian ran up to shoot me. I had to -strip, and by so doing outran him. My wife had an infant in her arms, -which the Indians killed and scalped. After which they struck my wife -several times, but not bringing her to the ground, the Indian who -attempted to shoot me approached her, and shot her through the body; after -which they scalped her. My little son, about six years old, they -dispatched by sinking their hatchets in his brains. My little daughter, -four years old, they in like manner tomahawked and scalped. My eldest -daughter attempted an escape by concealing herself in a hollow tree, about -six rods from the fatal scene of action. Observing the Indians retiring, -as she supposed, she deliberately crept from the place of her concealment, -when one of the Indians, who yet remained on the ground, espying her, ran -up to her, and with his tomahawk knocked down and scalped her. But, -blessed be God, she yet survives, as does her little sister whom the -savages in the like manner tomahawked and scalped. They are mangled to a -shocking degree, but the doctors think there are some hopes of their -recovery. - -"When I supposed the Indians gone, I returned to see what had become of my -unfortunate family, whom, alas! I found in the situation above described. -No one, my dear friend, can form a true conception of my feelings at this -moment. A view of a scene so shocking to humanity quite overcome me. I -fainted, and was unconsciously borne off by a friend, who at that instant -arrived to my relief. - -"Thus, dear sir, have I given you a faithful, though a short narrative of -the fatal catastrophe; amidst which my life is spared, but for what -purpose the Great Jehovah best knows. Oh, may I spend it to the praise and -glory of His grace, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own -will. The government of the world and the church is in his hands. I -conclude with wishing you every blessing, and subscribe myself your -affectionate though afflicted friend, and unworthy brother in the gospel -ministry, - - "John Corbly" - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. IX. - - - - [Reference from Page 376.] - - - _Miamis Rapids, May_ 7th, 1794. - -Two Deputies from the Three Nations of the Glaize arrived here yesterday, -with a speech from the Spaniards, brought by the Delawares residing near -their posts, which was repeated in a council held this day, to the -following nations now at this place, viz:-- - - Wyandots, Mingoes, - Ottawas, Munseys, - Chippewas, Nanticokes. - -Grand-children and Brethren, - -We are just arrived from the Spanish settlements upon the Mississippi, and -are come to inform you what they have said to us in a late council. These -are their words: - - Children Delawares, - _Six Strings White Wampum,_ - -{TN: Icon of finger pointing to right} "Pointing to this country." When -you first came from that country to ask my protection, and when you told -me you had escaped from the heat of a great fire that was like to scorch -you to death, I took yon by the hand and under my protection, and told you -to look about for a piece of land to hunt on and plant for the support of -yourselves and families in this country, which the Great Spirit had given -for our mutual benefit and support. I told you at the same time that I -would watch over it, and when anything threatened us with danger, that I -would immediately speak to you; and that when I did speak to you, that it -would behoove you to be strong and listen to my words. - - _Delivered six Strings White Wampum._ - -The Spaniard then, addressing himself to all the nations who were present, -said,-- - -Children, These were my words to all the nations here present, as well as -to your grand-fathers, the Delawares. Now, Children, I have called you -together to communicate to you certain intelligence of a large force -assembling on the Shawanoe river to invade our country. It has given me -very great satisfaction to observe the strong confederacy formed among -you, and I have no doubt of your ready assistance to repel this force. - -Children, You see me now on my feet, and grasping the tomahawk to strike -them. - -Children, We will strike them together. I do not desire yon to go before -me, in the front, but to follow me. These people have too long disturbed -our country, and have extinguished many of our council fires. They are -but a trifling people compared to the white people now combined against -them, and determined to crush them for their evil deeds. They must by this -time be surrounded with enemies, as all the white nations are against -them. Your French Father also speaks through me to you on this occasion, -and tells you that those of his subjects who have joined the Big-knives, -are only a few of his disobedient children who have joined the disobedient -in this country; but as we are strong and unanimous, we hope, by the -assistance of the Great Spirit, to put a stop to their mischievous -designs. - - _Delivered a bunch Black Wampum._ - -Children, Now I present you with a war-pipe, which has been sent in all -our names to the Musquakies, and all those nations who live toward the -setting of the sun, to get upon their feet and take hold of our tomahawk; -and as soon as they smoked it they sent it back, with a promise to get -immediately on their feet to join us and strike this enemy. Their -particular answer to me was as follows: - -"Father, We have long seen the designs of the Big-knives against our -country, and also of some of our own color, particularly the Kaskaskies, -who have always spoke with the same tongue as the Big-knives. They must -not escape our revenge; nor must you, Father, endeavor to prevent our -extirpating them. Two other tribes of our color, the Piankishaws and the -Cayaughkians who have been strongly attached to our enemies the -Big-knives, shall share the same fate with the Kaskaskies." - -Children, You hear what these distant nations have said to us, so that we -have nothing farther to do but put our designs in immediate execution, and - to forward this pipe to the three warlike nations who have so long been -struggling for their country, and who now sit at the Glaize. Tell them to -smoke this pipe, and to forward it to all the Lake Indians and their -northern brethren; then nothing will be wanting to complete our general -union from the rising to the setting of the sun, and all nations will be -ready to add strength to the blow we are going to make. - - _Delivered a War-Pipe._ - -Children, I now deliver you a Message from the Creeks, Cherokees, and -Choctaws and Chickasaws, who desire you to be strong in uniting -yourselves; and tell you it has given them pleasure to hear you have been -so unanimous in listening to your Spanish Father; and they acquaint you -that their hearts are joined to ours, and that there are eleven nations of -the southern Indians now on their feet with the hatchet in their hand, -ready to strike our common enemy. - - _Black Strings of Wampum._ - -The Deputies of the Three Nations of the Glaize, after speaking the above -speeches from the Spaniards, addressed themselves to the several nations -in council, in the following manner: - -Brothers, You have now heard the speeches brought to our council at the -Glaize a few days ago from the Spaniards, and as soon as they heard them -and smoked the pipe, their hearts were glad, and they determined to step -forward and put into execution the advice sent them. They desire you to -forward the pipe, as has been recommended, to all our northern brethren, -not doubting but as soon as you have smoked it, you will follow their -example; and they will hourly expect you to join them, as it will not be -many days before the nearness of our enemies will give us an opportunity -of striking them. - - _Delivered the Pipe._ - -Brothers, Our Grand-fathers, the Delawares, spoke first in our late -council at the Glaize, on this piece of painted tobacco and this painted -Black Wampum, and expressed their happiness at what they had heard from -their Spanish Father and their brethren to the westward, and desired us -to tell you to forward this tobacco and Wampum to the Wyandots, to be sent -to all the Lake Indians, and inform them that in eight days they would be -ready to go against the Virginians, who are now so near us, and that -according to the number of Indians collected, they would either engage -the army or attempt to cut off their supplies. The Delawares also desired -us to say to the Wyandots, that, as they are our elder brethren, and took -the lead in all our affairs last summer, it was thought strange that none -of them were now there to put the resolution then formed into execution. -It is true, some of them went last Fall when it was thought too late, and -the assembling of the nations put off till spring; but the spring is now -far advanced, and none of them have yet come. - - _Delivered the Tobacco and Wampum._ - -Egouchouay answered for all the nations present:--Brothers, I am happy at -the good news you have told us, and we will immediately go and collect -all our people, and be with you as soon as possible. - - (Signed) A. McKee, D. A. I. A. - -A true copy, Thomas Talbot. - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. X. - - - - - [Reference from Page 406.] - - - The Chiefs to Sir John Johnson. - - "_Grand River, Feb._ 6, 1802. - - "Our Dear Friend, - -"We take the opportunity of Moses Johnson's going to Canada, to trouble -you with this the easiest method that the distance of our situation from -each other allows of, to communicate our sentiments to you. We wish to -acquaint you, that last Fall, at our usual meeting at the beach, we made -a speech to Captain Claus, which he has not yet fully answered. It was -principally respecting the letter you wrote to Captain Brant, when you was -at Niagara last summer, which we were sorry to find so severe; and as we -are sensible that he has never attempted any thing to the detriment of the -British interest, we were much surprised to find that his conduct seemed -to give umbrage there. As to the uneasiness you mentioned prevailed at -Grand River, we are entirely ignorant of any such thing among us who -manage the affairs of the tribes living here; and as he is our appointed -agent, he yet never acts without our approbation in whatever regards the -public; consequently, if any of his transactions have given offence, we -are all equally culpable. Therefore, if customs are so much changed with -you, that the following the tracks of our predecessor gives umbrage, we -hope, from our ancient friendship, you will inform us wherein it injures -the interests of our brethren, for then our regard for their welfare will -cause us to desist; and if there is a change in politics, don't let us -remain ignorant of it; for ignorance might cause us unwittingly to give -offence. As you know that not long ago a friendly correspondence and union -with the different nations seemed to give pleasure to our brothers, we yet -remain of the same sentiments, for we could not lightly drop what we took -so much pains to begin; and we can yet hardly persuade ourselves that you -have changed your sentiments; but if it is the case, we hope you will do -us the favor fully to acquaint us, that we may not be liable to give -uneasiness where we really mean none. - - "I have the honor to be - Your humble and most obed't servt., - (Signed) Aaron Hill. - - "In behalf of the Chiefs of the Mohawk, - Oghkwaga, Onondaga, Cayuga, - and Seneca Nations, living on the - Grand River." - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XI. - - - - - [Reference from Page 411.] - - - - Governor Clinton to Captain Brant. - - "_Greenwich,_ 1_st December,_ 1799. - - "Dear Sir, - -"On my return from the country about a month ago, I was favored with your -letter of the 4th of September. I am much gratified by the determination -you express of furnishing Doctor Miller with the information he requested -of you, and I hope, as the work for which it is wanted is progressing, -you will find leisure to do it soon. I am confident he will make a fair -and honorable use of it; and, as far as he shall be enabled, correct the -erroneous representations of former authors respecting your nations. - -"I am surprised to find that you have not received my answer to your -letter of the 11th January last. It was inclosed and forwarded as -requested, to Mr. Peter W. Yates of Albany. Had it reached you, I presume -you will find, from the copy I now inclose, it would have been -satisfactory; but as a particular detail of what passed between the -Coghnawagoes and me, respecting their lands, may be more agreeable, I will -now repeat it to you as far as my recollection will enable me:-- - -"In the Winter of 1792-1793, our Legislature being in session in Albany, -a committee from the seven nations or tribes of Lower Canada attended -there, with whom I had several conferences. They complained that some of -our people had settled on their lands near Lake Champlain and on the River -St. Lawrence, and requested that Commissioners might be appointed to -inquire into the matter, and treat with them on the subject. In my answer -to their speeches I mentioned that it was difficult to define their rights -and their boundaries; that it was to be presumed that the Indian rights to -a considerable part of the lands on the borders of the lake had been -extinguished by the French Government before the conquest of Canada, as -those lands, or the greater part of them, had been granted to individuals -by that government before that period. In their reply, they described -their southern boundary as commencing at a creek or run of water between -Forts Edward and George, which empties into South Bay, and from thence -extending on a direct line to a large meadow or swamp, where the Canada -Creek, which empties into the Mohawk opposite Fort Hendrick, the Black and -Oswegatchie Rivers have their sources. Upon which I observed to them that -this line would interfere with lands patented by the British Government -previous to the Revolution, and particularly mentioned Totten and -Crossfield's purchase and Jessup's patent; but I mentioned, at the same -time, that I was neither authorised nor disposed to controvert their -claims, which I would submit to the Legislature, who I could not doubt -would pay due attention to them, and adopt proper measures to effect a -settlement with them upon fair and liberal terms. This I accordingly did; -and some time after Commissioners were appointed to treat with them in -the presence of an agent of the United States, the result of which I find -you are informed of. - -"I believe you will readily agree that no inference could be drawn from -anything that passed on the above occasion to countenance the charge made -against your nations. The mentioning and interference of their boundaries, -as above stated, with tracts patented under the British Colonial -Government, could certainly have no allusion to the cessions made by the -Six Nations, or either of them, to the state; especially as (if I -recollect right) those cessions are of the territory of the respective -nations by whom they were made without defining them by any particular -boundaries, and subject only to the reservations described in the deed. - -"I wish it was in my power to transmit you copies of their speeches and -my answers at full length; but it is not, for the reasons mentioned in my -former letter. Should they, however, be deemed necessary by you, I will -endeavor to procure and forward them. In the meantime you may rest assured -that what I have above related the substance of them. - - "I am, with great regard and esteem, - Your most obed't servant, - Geo. Clinton. - - "_Col. Joseph Brant._" - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XII. - - - - [Reference from Page 416.] - - - CERTIFICATE OF GENERAL CHAPIN. - -I certify I have been personally acquainted with Captain Joseph Brant for -fourteen years past; that during this time have frequently been with him -in treaties and councils held between the people of the United States and -the Five Nations of Indians. That during the time aforesaid, my father, -Israel Chapin, Esq. held the office of Indian affairs for the Five Nations -of Indians, under the President of the United States; and during his -agency, Captain Brant was several times in the States in transacting -business of importance. At one time, in particular, he was invited to the -seat of Government of the United States for the purpose of consulting upon -means for restoring the Indians then hostile to the United States to a -general peace; which visit occasioned some suspicions and censures against -Captain Brant by certain characters residing in the province where he -belonged. That, through the instigation of certain persons, jealousies -have arisen, not only among some white people, but among his own also. -That the jealousies of his own people are easily awakened; and solely upon -this ground they have proceeded in the Indian forms to disown him as a -Chief. That the Seneca Indians, with some others residing within the -territory of the United States, who have had the disposal of a -considerable part of the Five Nations' lands, and have sold, and do -actually receive annuities from the people of the United States annually -for the same, have been the principal actors in deposing him. That after -the death of my father I succeeded him in the office, as aforesaid, and -during my own agency had frequent meetings with Captain Brant in Indian -councils, &c. And I do further certify, that during the whole of my -acquaintance with Captain Brant, he has conducted himself with honor and -integrity. That, so far from conducting himself in secrecy, or in any way -inclining to alienate himself from the British government, or in doing -anything that might be prejudicial to the Indians; on the other hand, he -has frankly avowed that he would strenuously adhere to the Government and -interest of the people to which he belonged; that his honor and friendship -for the Indian nations were so near his heart, that nothing should -occasion him to do any thing incompatible with his duty; and that his own -time and trouble have been expended and greatly prolonged in doing every -thing in his power to promote the interest of his nation and those allied -to them. And Captain Brant having called on me to certify my opinion as -aforesaid, I am free to declare to any who may be concerned, that from a -long and intimate acquaintance I have good reason to make the remarks as -aforesaid. - - Israel Chapin, - _Agent of Indian Affairs for the Five Nations._ - - Canandaigua, in the western part of the } - State of N. Y., Oct. 28th, 1805. } - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XIII. - - - - [Reference from Page 417.] - - - CERTIFICATE OF CAPTAIN LEONARD AND OTHERS. - -We, the subscribers, certify, that in the month of April last there came -to Fort Niagara about forty Seneca Indians, among whom were the Farmer's -Brother, Red Jacket, Jack Berry, and other Chiefs. While at Niagara, -detained by ice, we heard them say in public and private conversation, -that they were going into Upper Canada for the express purpose of breaking -Captain Brant, a Mohawk Chief. We also certify that the Seneca Chiefs -above named reside within the United States. - -Given under our hands at Fort Niagara, this 20th day of October 1805. - - W. Leonard, Capt. U. S. Artillery, - G. Armistead, Lieut. U. S. Artillery. - H. M. Allen, Lieut. U. S. Artillery, - Robert Lee, Col. of the Revenue. - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XIV. - - - - [Reference from Page 418.] - - - -Proceedings of a Council held at the Grand River, the 29th day of June, -1804, with the Six Nations, viz: Mohawks, Oneydas, Onondagas, Cayougas, -Senecas, and Tuscaroras; and the following Nations,--Tutulies, Delawares, -and Nanticokes. - - Present, - - Lieut. Col. Brock, 49th _Reg't. Commanding,_ - William Claus, Esq., _Dept'y Supt. Gen. of Indian Affairs._ - James Gwins, Esq., _Agent of Indian Affairs._ - Lieut. Cary, 49th _Regiment._ - Lieut. Stratton, 49th _Regiment._ - William Dickson, Esq. - Richard Beasley, Esq. - Alexander Stewart, Esq. - Mr. W. I. Chew, _Store-keeper and Clerk Indian Dep._ - Benj. Fairchild, } - J. B. Rousseau, } _Interpreters Indian Dep._ - -The Deputy Superintendent General addressed the Chiefs as follows:-- - -Brethren, It gives me great satisfaction to meet you at this place, and -in presence of so many of the King's officers and others this day, to -renew our assurances of friendship, which I hope will continue -uninterrupted as long as the waters run. - -I dispel the darkness which hangs over you by reason of your many losses. -I most heartily wish you may enjoy a serene and clear sky; so that you may -be able to see your brethren from the sun-rising to the sun-setting. - -Brethren, I must admonish and exhort you that you will at all times, but -more especially at this juncture, pluck from your hearts and cast away all -discords, jealousies, and misunderstandings which may subsist among you, -or which any evil spirits may endeavor to raise in your breasts. - -I therefore, with this Wampum, make this Council-room clean from every -thing offensive, and hope that you will take care that no snake may creep -in among us, or any thing that may obstruct our harmony. - - _Bunch of Wampum._ - -Brethren, I have but a few words to speak, as the fewer that is said the -easier you will understand and comprehend. Last year, about the time your -corn was getting hard, I had the pleasure of seeing you at the King, your -Great Father's council fire at Niagara. I then addressed you on the -business of your land transactions. I informed you then that General -Hunter had taken your affairs into his most deliberate consideration, and -what the result of those considerations were. - -Since that time some people have come forward to pay for the township -which was sold to Mr. Beasley and his associates; and the only thing which -now remains upon the minds of your trustees, and which they cannot answer -for, (unless you, in the most public manner, express your satisfaction,) -is the statement made by Mr. Beasley of monies said to have been paid on -your account to your agent, Captain Brant. - -I will here explain to you the sums said to have been paid; and if you are -satisfied, the necessary discharges will then be given, and your business, -I hope, carried on in future more to your satisfaction, and also of the -others concerned. - -Brethren, The following sums are stated by Mr. Beasley to have been paid -by him, and boards delivered by his order. - -[Here follows the statement of the pecuniary transactions of Captain -Brant, as the agent of the Mohawk Nation, which there is no occasion to -transcribe in this place.] - -If you wish to consult among yourselves before you give your answer, as I -wish you to do, I shall wait until you are ready, as it is necessary that -this business should come to a close; but do not let us hurry, take time -and weigh the matter well; if you are satisfied that the statement of the -account is just, I will lay before you a paper to sign, which shall be -explained to you, that you may perfectly comprehend and understand it. - -I must farther inform you, that I hope every man that attends for the -purpose of executing the above papers may keep from liquor, as I am -determined no name shall appear there, unless the whole council are -perfectly sober. - -Before we cover the fire to-day, I must inform you that the King's -Council, with the approbation of General Hunter, have given themselves a -great deal of pains in inquiring and seeing that justice should be done to -the Six Nations in this business, for which I am confident you will -acknowledge yourselves sensible. - -I have further to mention to you, that the Governor in Council have -thought it for the advantage, benefit, and interest of the Six Nations, -that Sir John Johnson should be added as a Trustee for the Six Nations, -but it is left for you to consider and say whether he is, or is not, to be -added to those who are now acting for you. - -I shall now retire, and when you have finished consulting, I shall be -ready to attend you. - - [_Large Bunch of Wampum._] - -30_th June._ Present the same as yesterday. - -I am much pleased that you have so clearly comprehended what I said to you -yesterday, and as you are unanimously agreed to admit of the account as -just, the following is the paper which it will be necessary for your -principal people to sign; but before I go further, I must tell you that -your expressions of friendship for me draws from me the warmest sense of -feeling. I shall ever endeavor to preserve your esteem and regard, and -you may rest assured that my constant exertions shall be for your interest -and happiness. - -We, the Sachems and principal War Chiefs, Warriors, and principal women of -the Six Nations, having taken into mature consideration the said account, -and having examined the several items and entries therein, and the whole -having been explained to us in the fullest manner, declare that we -perfectly understand and comprehend the same; do hereby unanimously -approve thereof as just and true; and do fully admit and acknowledge that -the several sums of money set down and charged in the said account as -payments made by Mr. Beasley, to and for the use of the Six Nations, were -really and truly made; and that the boards and materials charged in the -same accounts were actually furnished by Mr. Beasley, also to and for the -use of the Six Nations. - -In testimony whereof, the aforesaid Sachems, principal War Chiefs, -Warriors, and principal Women of the Six Nations, in behalf of the Body of -the said Six Nations, have to these presents (done in triplicate) set our -hands and affixed our seals at the Council House at the Mohawk Village on -the Grand River, this 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1804, and -forty fourth year of his Majesty's reign. - - his his - Tekarihoken X Gonesseronton X - mark mark - his his - Thaweyogearat X Shagogeaseronni X - mark mark - his his - Oghnaongoghton X Ojageghte X - mark mark - his his - Otoghaeronge X Waorighonti X - mark mark - his his - Aonghwicjaga X Tekaenyough X - mark mark - his his - Otyoghwawagon X Ogpaghsaneyout X - mark mark - his his - Aghetugwaresera X Thaoeonnenghton X - mark mark - his his - Tekahentakwa X Teghsitaasgowa X - mark mark - his his - Oghsonwalagette X Arenghoot X - mark mark - his his - Yoghstatheaugh X Nihaweanaagh X - mark mark - his his - Araghkwente X Karrhageayate X - mark mark - his his - Oghgwarioghseta X Kaweanontye X - mark mark - -We do certify that the within proceedings were held in our presence, and -that the accounts and different items were explained to the Sachems. War -Chiefs, and principal Women under the direction of the Deputy -Superintendent General of Indian Affairs; that they seemed perfectly to -understand and comprehend the same, and acknowledged that they did so, and -were perfectly satisfied therewith. We do also certify that those whose -names, marks and seals are hereunto affixed, as well as the whole Council, -were perfectly sober when they executed the within. - - _Council Room, Grand River,_ 30_th June,_ 1804. - ISAAC BROCK, _Col._ 49_th Regt._ - _Commissioners._ - William Carey, _Lieut._ 49_th Regt._ - William Stratton, _Lieut._ 49_th Regt._ - - After finishing, the usual ceremony of taking leave was gone through and, - - [_A large bunch of Wampum delivered._] - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XV. - - - - [Reference from Page 423.] - - COUNCIL HELD AT NIAGARA. - - -[This speech was made by Capt. Brant at Niagara to Col. William Claus, -Deputy Superintendent General of Indian affairs--after John Norton, alias -Teyoninhokarawen, had returned from England, who had been sent there by -Capt. Brant.] - - [W. J. Kerr.] - -Brother,--We have now come to this place, the Council-fire of our Great -Father the King, to explain, in a public manner, the foundation of our -claim to the lands we now possess, the attempts made in this country to -curtail and invalidate our title to them, and latterly the means taken to -obstruct the just decision of his Majesty's Right Honorable Privy Council -on the subject. - -Brother,--In the year 1775, when hostilities had commenced, the Mohawks, -always faithful to the royal interest, brought off the Indian Department, -in company with the Oghkwagas, from the Mohawk River to Canada. Upon our -arrival there, this conduct was approved of by Sir Guy Carleton, who, in -a public Council, desired us to take up the hatchet and defend our -country, and that any losses we might sustain by the war, he promised -should be replaced. - -When the support given the Americans by the various European powers gave -us reason to apprehend, that the war might take such an unfavorable -conclusion as to deprive us of the happiness of return to our homes, and -to the re-enjoyment of our forsaken lands, we applied to Sir Frederick -Haldimand, then Governor and Commander-in-Chief, for a confirmation of -General Carleton's promise; this he readily granted us, and we have it now -in our possession. - -When the line drawn at the peace, and the manner in which that was -concluded, left us no hopes of regaining our former possessions, we -applied to His Excellency Sir Frederick Haldimand for a grant in the Bay -of Quinte. - -On this becoming known to the Senecas and others at Buffalo Creek, they -upbraided us with having treated them unfairly, after having been the -most forward to engage in the royal cause, and having drawn them into the -contest, now to abandon them in the present critical situation, to be -exposed alone to such retaliation as revenge might urge the Americans to -attempt. - -We were struck with the justness of their argument, and in consequence -relinquished the place we had first chosen, and applied for the Grand -River in lieu of it; as there being more conveniently situated either to -give assistance to our brethren, if assistance was wanted, or to afford -them a comfortable asylum should superior numbers oblige them to retreat. -His Excellency expressed his satisfaction at our determination, and the -terms of his grant will confirm the accuracy of this assertion. - -In a little time the Senecas were relieved from their apprehensions, they -remained on their lands, and sold them gradually to the Americans; for -which they receive annually six thousand five hundred dollars, besides -four thousand five hundred dollars which they get in common with others of -the Six Nations inhabiting within the territories of the United States, -from whom also several of their Chiefs receive pensions; with these -arrangements they have appeared to remain contented on the reserves they -have retained. - -General Haldimand was on the eve of embarking for Europe when he executed -the grant. This we may suppose to have been the reason why it was not -registered at Quebec; and from this circumstance, shortly after the -formation of the Canadian government, an attempt was made to curtail our -land. - -After we came to a proper understanding on this head, from the -consideration that the animals were becoming scarce for the hunters, we -proposed leasing a part of our lands, not in our power to occupy, to -receive therefrom an annual income; the leasing was objected to by the -Executive, but they were sold with the sanction of the Canadian -Government, and mortgaged for the payment of the interest; the -incumbrances, however, annexed to these arrangements, have prevented us -as yet deriving the benefit therefrom we had reason to expect. - -We have asked for a confirmation of the remaining lands, that our -posterity might enjoy in security the benefits of our industry, and of -their own; but this request has never yet met with an answer. - -What we asked for, seemed to be of such a nature as not to render it -necessary to apply to higher authority than there was in this country, -(providing the inclination should be favorable to grant us our requests,) -was the reason we persevered in entreating for a satisfactory decision of -the Executive for many years; notwithstanding repeated retardments in our -business, we were reluctant to trouble his Majesty's Government in Britain -with so trifling an affair. - -However, at the time my nephew Teyoninhokarawen desired to go to Europe to -serve in the war, we hoped, should an opportunity occur for him to make -representation of our situation, it might expedite the conclusion of the -business to our satisfaction. This he was well enabled to do from his -knowledge of the subject, and authorized as being an adopted Chief; as -such, I gave him letters of introduction to my friends there; and from the -generosity and love of justice, which ever distinguishes his Majesty's -Government, and is peculiarly prevalent in the British nation, it appears -he was attended to, and in consequence of his representation, letters in -our favor were wrote to the Government here. - -Brother,--You then, as Agent for Indian Affairs, sent notice to the Grand -River, as we have evident proof, through the medium of a Cayuga Chief named -Tsinonwanhonte, who acquainted the other Chief of that tribe, -Okoghsaniyonte, that Teyoninhokarawen had been making use of their names -to their detriment, and that I had got to my highest, and would soon fall; -that the method they were to take to prevent evil arriving to them, was -to come to Niagara, protest against and disavow all the proceedings of -Teyoninhokarawen, depose me from being chief, and disannul all that we had -done from the time we formed the settlement. - -The Chiefs of the Grand River would not listen to this, but many of the -common people were thereby prevailed on to go to Buffalo Creek on the -American side. There they held a Council with the Senecas and others of -the Five Nations living within that territory, made new chiefs contrary -to our established customs, came to Niagara, complied in every respect -with your desires; so as to contradict the application of Teyoninhokarawen -on our behalf, and prevent him obtaining that confirmation to our grant -which he hoped for from the justice of his Majesty's Government, and which -apparently was on the point of being accomplished to our satisfaction. - -Brother,--We protest against this your proceeding for these reasons, that -you knew the Five Nations living within the American territories, and who -composed the principal part of that council, were not the real proprietors -of the Grand River, according to Sir. Frederick Haldimand's Grant; neither -did they deserve to be so from their subsequent conduct since we settled -there; that several of these Chiefs were pensioners to the United States; -that the names of many who were not Chiefs were sent to England, and that -none of the principal men from the Grand River were there. Those who were -made chiefs at Buffalo, we cannot allow of, as being contrary to all -authority and custom, as well as their ignorance of public affairs -rendering them absolutely unfit for such a situation. - -The Farmer's Brother and Red Jacket, two of these Chiefs, pensioners to -the United States, a few years ago at Hartford, in the Assembly of the -Connecticut State, declared "that they were subjects to the United States, -and would never cross the river, kissing the medal of General Washington -in token of their steady attachment to the United States, vowing that they -would ever remain united." - -Is it such men as these you should represent as being the proprietors of -the Grand River? No; they were granted to us as loyalists, that had fought -and lost our lands in support of his Majesty's interests; and the love we -bear our Great Father the King, and the desire we have of living under his -protection, is the reason we set so great a value on these lands, and -persevere to obtain a confirmation of them. Neither is there any reason -why you should prefer the title or claims of the opposite party of our own -dialect, inhabiting at present the same village with us; but who have -joined those people in opposition, to promote anarchy among us. Before the -war, they lived at Fort Hunter, and had sold the most of their lands -before hostilities commenced; what they lost, therefore, is more to be -imputed to their imprudence than to their loyalty. This was not the case -with us of Canajoharie or Oghkwaga. When we took up the hatchet, our lands -remained almost entire and unbroken, like those of the tribes to the -westward. - -Brother,--We, the principal Chiefs of that part of the Five Nations -inhabiting the Grand River, who obtained the grant from General Haldimand -in consequence of our services and losses, now affirm that we approve in -every respect of the representation of our affairs made by -Teyoninhokarawen in England; and also of his request in our behalf; but -so much having been said on the subject for these many years past renders -so necessary a discussion, that we entreat the Government to direct an -inquiry to be made into the conduct of those concerned. - -Brother,--Since we appointed Trustees by the direction of the Executive -in this province, we have found the appointment very insufficient, both -as to the speedy execution of our business, as also to the giving us the -proper security for the property which may pass through their hands. The -confidence we ever entertained of being protected in all our rights by our -Great Father, caused us to remove to the place we now occupy within his -dominions. We therefore petition that his Majesty's Government appoint -such other medium for the transaction of our business as to their wisdom -may appear proper, and which to us may be more satisfactory and secure. - -Brother,--You know, that some years ago our Council-fire was taken from -Buffalo Creek and kindled at the Onondaga Village on the Grand River; it -is there that in a general Council we determined on what we now -communicate at the Council fire-place of our Great Father, in consequence -of our being made acquainted with the effect the Council held here last -spring twelvemonth had in England. - -We have delayed some time, in hopes to have had previously a fair -discussion of the affair at our General Council, and to have convinced the -people of Buffalo Creek of the mistake they had fallen into, in thinking -that they had any right to hold councils at their village to interfere in -our land affairs; especially as our Council-fire, which had been -extinguished by the Americans, was now rekindled under the protection of -our Great Father, at the Grand River; from whose benevolence we now hold -that land, of which the Onondagas, the keepers of our Council-fire, are -joint proprietors; which is not the case at Buffalo Creek on the American -side; for which reason it certainly deserves the preference, as most -likely of duration through the blessing of God and the support of our -Great Father the King. From the time that our forefathers formed the -confederacy, it has been with these that the General Council Fire-place -has been kept, and there that every thing relating to the welfare of the -whole has been deliberated on; and, as such, it was regarded by all the -neighboring nations. - -Brother:--It is with pain and regret we have to observe that you received, -as Trustee, thirty-eight thousand dollars of our money near two years ago, -and that you have not since accounted to us for principal or interest, or -given us any satisfactory account of the application of the same; and we -therefore are so convinced that you have forfeited our esteem and -confidence, that we desire our Great Father will appoint some other -person to superintend our affairs, and render us that justice, which, as -strict adherents in loyalty and attachment to our Great Father, we have -so long and faithfully deserved. - - [Additional Memoranda, by Captain Brant.] - -The Agent had deferred meeting us the three preceding days, giving for the -reason, that he waited for a Mr. Selby from Detroit; but the Chiefs -gaining information that this gentleman's arrival was uncertain, insisted -on meeting him that day between twelve and one o'clock, he came with the -commanding officer. Col. Proctor said, as he had before said, he would not -meet them in Council; so he remained in resolution, and would not hear -them, giving the same excuse for it; but as this had never been the case -before, nor the attendance of Mr. Selby required at any former council, -the chiefs resolved to deliver their sentiments in the house built by his -Majesty for that purpose, where they were assembled in the presence of -several officers of the garrison, of Judge Thorpe, Mr. Weeks, Mr. Addison, -Mr. Edwards, and several other gentlemen of the place. - -Okoghsenniyonte, a Chief of the Cayugas, then rose, and expressed the -general approbation of what was said, alleging it was the sentiment of the -whole; that the satisfaction they had felt on having the lands granted -them according to the promise of his Majesty's representatives, was -greatly weakened and disappointed by the disputes raised against their -title, and the right to make the use of it they desire. - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XVI. - - - - [Reference from Page 453.] - - - "_New-York,_ 1_st Dec._ 1837. - - "Dear Sir, - -"In the year 1797, I visited Col. Brant on his return from Philadelphia to -his home on Grand River, seventy miles north of Niagara, in company with -Doctor Dingly and Doctor Priestley, _at the Hotel kept by Mr. James -Batten,_ corner of John and Nassau streets. He appeared to be in good -health and spirits, rather inclined to corpulency, of the middling -stature, his dress that of a private citizen; was very communicative. In -the course of our interview he told us of his reception at the Court of -St. James, spoke of our revolutionary war, and the active part he took, -assisted by the English, which he now had reason to regret; would never -again take up the tomahawk against these United States; gave us a pressing -invitation to call and see him at his residence on Grand River; stated -that he had large possessions, and could make his friends very -comfortable; that he had many black slaves, which he had taken prisoners -in the revolutionary war, who appeared to be happy, and entirely willing -to live with him; pleased with the Indian habits and customs, and never -expressed a wish to return into civil society, where they were sure to be -slaves to the white people, as they had been before the war. He seemed to -be pleased with the attention he had received from the citizens of -New-York. We took leave of him, and promised if either of us ever visited -that part of Canada, we would call and see him. I think Doctor Priestley, -in his tour of the United States, did call and see him. - - "Respectfully, your ob't serv't, - Jeromus Johnson. - - "_William L. Stone, Esq._" - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XVII. - - - - [Reference from Page 480.] - - - - "_London, April_ 2_d,_ 1803. - - "My dear Col. Joseph Brant, - -"Years may have banished me out of the temple of your memory, but I have -not yet forgot you, Sir William Johnson, his Lady and children. You will -graciously receive this letter, which is to inform you that I esteem and -reverence the virtues of Great Hendrick, yourself, and those of the Mohawk -nation and their Allies; while I do not admire the policy, humanity, and -justice of the English nation towards the Mohawks and their Allies, in -aiding and assisting their enemies to rob them of their territory and -country, and compelling them to seek shelter and lands amongst the -Ottawawas and Mississagas, formerly their enemies, by the arts and -intrigues of the French. The Christian rules are good and excellent; yet -few Christians of the Roman and Protestant kind love or practise those -rules. What is remarkable to me is, that Popes, Bishops. Nobles and Kings, -who ought to be wise in doctrine and example, are the greatest strangers -and enemies to Christianity. - -"The reason of such conduct, no doubt, is pride; yet Solomon, in wisdom -great, says, 'Pride was not made for man.' I conclude, therefore, that -great men in state and church, having robbed Lucifer of his pride, they -stole all his cruelty, and so became legislators; made laws to deprive -the multitude of rational freedom, and plunder Gentiles without sin, -because they are honest and good; and not Christians. - -"The Pope, in 1492, gave, by his Bull to the King of Spain, all America, -only because America was owned by the Gentiles, and because the Pope was, -by his claim, successor of Christ, 'to whom God had given the heathen for -his inheritance, and the western parts of the earth for his possession.' -Had the Apostles and Christian Bishops, for the first six hundred years, -understood Christ's words, 'I have other sheep which are not of this -fold, them I will gather in,' the Pope would have not been content with -his triple crown, which represents Asia, Africa, and Europe, but would -have put on a quadruple crown to include America. - -"It is evident that Christ commissioned his twelve Apostles to teach and -baptize the people in Asia, Africa, and Europe, but not in America; for -Christ said to them, 'I have other sheep which are not of this fold, them -I will gather in,' and not depend on the twelve Apostles to do that -benevolent work. - -"What right then could the Pope, in 1492, have over America, when his -predecessor, St. Peter, and the other eleven Apostles, held no commission -in America or over America. Hence, as the King of Spain had no valid title -to America from the Pope, what right has the King of England in and over -America, who is an excommunicated heretic from the church of Rome. I -conclude that the people of America belong to '_the fold of Christ,_' not -to the fold of the twelve Apostles, because God gave America to Christ, -Psalm 2, v. 8, the Pope, Kings, and Bishops in the old world, have not, -and never had, any divine authority in America, over Christ's sheep, the -Gentiles; of course they are usurpers, robbers and deceivers. - -"I consider you, Sir, as the Chief of the Mohawks, and the other five -nations of Indians, the legal and just owners of the country lying between -the waters St. Lawrence, Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, and Hudson's -River to the forks of Susquehanna, which you have lost for fighting your -Gentile brethren in behalf of English Christians; and the good and honest -Mississagas have in part lost their country, for fighting you, their -Gentile brethren, in behalf of French Christians. Thus, I see you and the -Mississagas have been crucified like Christ between two thieves, (i. e.) -Jews and Romans. I have seen so much of Christian knavery and policy, that -I am sick of Europe, which loves war and hates peace; therefore I want and -long to have a wigwam near Great Pontiack, King by divine right of the -Mississaga Nation and Tribes near Detroit and Lake Michigan. Great -Pontiack has adopted my grandson, Nikik, Samuel Peters Jarvis. Should you -judge it proper to explain my obligations to Great Pontiack, [FN] and -thereby induce the Great Chief to patronize me also, I will go with Nikik -to Michigan, and teach Nikik the rules and laws, how he shall defend in -all shapes his brothers and sisters of the Mississaga Nation." - - * * * * * - - [FN] It would seem from these references to Pontiac, that the eccentric - writer of this letter was ignorant of his death years before.--_Author._ - - -"I beg you to accept a portrait of Nikik my grandson, a captain and prince -of the Mississagas, by creation of Great Pontiack; as I suppose he is -successor of the wise and great Pontiack, King and Lord of that country, -A. D. 1760. - -"I know you and your generosity and benevolence, and therefore ask you to -accept my gratitude, and to give me, (via.) Mr. Jarvis, such an answer as -your goodness shall dictate to be due to, Sir, - - "Your friend and servant, - Samuel Peters." - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XVIII. - - - - [Reference from Page 487.] - - -The following brief but very interesting account of a French Colony, -located in the town of Pompey, in the year 1666, is taken from "A Memoir -on the Antiquities of the western parts of the State of New-York," by -De Witt Clinton. - -After informing us that the statement is collected partially from the -Sachems of the Six Nations, and partly from a manuscript journal of one -of the French Jesuits, he proceeds to remark:-- - -"From the Jesuits' journal it appears, that in the year 1666, at the -request of Karakontie, an Onondaga chieftain, a French Colony was directed -to repair to his village, for the purpose of teaching the Indians arts and -sciences, and to endeavor, if practicable, to civilize and christianise -them. - -"We learn from the Sachems, that at this time the Indians had a fort, a -short distance above the village of Jamesville, on the banks of a small -stream near; a little above which, it seems, the chieftain, Karakontie, -would have his new friends sit down. Accordingly they repaired thither and -commenced their labors, which being greatly aided by the savages, a few -months only were necessary to the building of a small village. - -"This little colony remained for three years in a very peaceable and -flourishing situation, during which time much addition was made to the -establishment, and, among others, a small chapel, in which the Jesuit used -to collect the barbarians, and perform the rites and ceremonies of his -church. - -"But the dire circumstance which was to bury this colony in oblivion, and -keep their history in secret, was yet to come. About this time, (1669,) a -party of Spaniards, consisting of twenty-three persons, arrived at the -village, having for guides some of the Iroquois, who had been taken -captive by the southern tribes. It appears evident that this party came up -the Mississippi, as it has been ascertained that they passed Pittsburg, -and on to Olean Point; where, leaving their canoes, they traveled by land. -They had been informed by some of the southern tribes that there was a -lake at the north of them, whose bottom was covered with a substance -shining and white, [FN] and which they took, from the Indians' -description, to be silver; and it is supposed that the idea of enriching -themselves upon this treasure, induced them to take this long and -desperate journey; for silver was the first thing inquired for on their -arrival, and on being told that none was ever seen in or about the -Onondaga lake, they became almost frantic, and seemed bent upon a quarrel -with the French, and charged them with having bribed the Indians, and even -those who had been their guides, that they would not tell where the mines -might be found. Nor dare they, finding the French influence to prevail, -venture out on a search, lest the Indians might destroy them. A compromise -was however made, and both parties agreed that an equal number of each -should be sent on an exploring expedition, which was accordingly done. But -the effect of this upon the minds of the Indians was fatal. Upon seeing -these strangers prowling the woods with various kinds of instruments, they -immediately suspected some plan to be in operation to deprive them of -their country." - - * * * * * - - [FN] The salt crystallizes at the present time on the grass and upon the - naked earth in the immediate vicinity of the springs, though the water - of the lake is fresh. - - -"Nor was this jealousy by any means hushed by the Europeans. The Spaniards -averred to the Indians that the only object of the French was to tyrannize -over them; and the French, on the other hand, that the Spaniards were -plotting a scheme to rob them of their lands. - -"The Indians by this time becoming equally jealous of both, determined, -in private council, to rid themselves of so troublesome neighbors. For -aid in this, they sent private instructions to the Oneidas and Cayugas, -who only wanted a watchword to be found immediately on the ground. The -matter was soon digested, and the time and manner of attack agreed upon -A little before day-break, on _All-Saints_ day, 1669, the little colony, -together with the Spaniards, were aroused from their slumbers by the -roaring of fire-arms and the dismal war-whoop of the savages. Every house -was immediately fired or broken open, and such as attempted to escape from -the flames met a more untimely death in the _tomahawk._ Merciless -multitudes overpowered the little band, and the Europeans were soon either -lost in death or writhing in their blood; and such was the furious -prejudice of the savages, that not one escaped, or was left alive _to -relate the sad disaster._ Thus perished the little colony, whose labors -have excited so much wonder and curiosity. - -"The French in Canada, on making inquiries respecting the fate of their -friends, were informed by the Indians that they had gone towards the -south, with a company of people who came from thence, and at the same time -showing a _Spanish coat of arms_ and other national trinkets, confirmed -the Canadian French in the opinion that their unfortunate countrymen had -indeed gone thither, and in all probability perished in the immense -forests. This opinion was also measurably confirmed by a Frenchman who had -long lived with the Senecas, and who visited the Onondagas at the time the -Spaniards were at the village, but left before the disaster, and could -only say that he had seen them there." - -This history accounts, in the opinion of its learned author, for the -appearance at this place of a small village, with evident remains of a -blacksmith's shop, &c. to be seen at the first settlement of the country -by the English. The account appears every way credible, and the -explanation satisfactory. But in several other places in the country, the -remains of blacksmiths' shops have been discovered, and in some instances -the tools used by the trade. A blacksmith's vise was found, buried deep -in the ground, on a farm in Onondaga Hollow, about three-fourths of a mile -south of the turnpike. But the existence of a fort near this spot, every -vestige of which is now nearly obliterated, readily accounts for the -existence of these relics of civilization. In the cultivation of the lands -lying upon the Onondaga Creek, innumerable implements of war and of -husbandry have been found, scattered over a territory of four or five -miles in length. Swords, gun-barrels, gun-locks, bayonets, balls, axes, -hoes, and various other articles made of iron, have been found, and many -of them are still preserved. I have now in my possession a sword that was -dug up on the farm at present owned by Mr. Wyman, where have been found -all the different kinds of articles mentioned above. On this farm, also, -was found a stone of considerable dimensions, on which were rudely carved -some European characters. But the stone has been lost, and the import of -the characters is not remembered. It is proper also to remark here, that -a stone, which has been preserved, and is now in the Albany museum, was -found some years ago in the town of Pompey, containing inscriptions. The -stone was of an oblong figure, being fourteen inches long by twelve broad, -and is eight inches in thickness. It had in the centre of the surface the -figure of a tree, with a serpent climbing it, and the following is a -_fac simile_ of the characters that were inscribed upon each side of the -tree. - - Leo X De The tree, &c. Ls - Vix 1520 {TN: Cross icon--inverted U} - -"We have here the true chronology of the pontificate of Leo X., and, -without doubt, the year in which the inscriptions were made. This pontiff -came to the papal chair in the year 1518 or 1514, and consequently the -sixth year of his pontificate would be as stated above. The inscription -may be thus translated:--'Leo X. by the grace of God; sixth year of his -pontificate--1520.' The stone was doubtless designed as a sepulchral -monument, and the letters Ls were probably the initials of the name of the -person whose grave it designated. The Cross informs us that the deceased -was a Catholic, and the inverted U, was probably some other emblem, which -the hand of time had in a great measure effaced. The supposition is not -incredible that this stone was carved by a Spanish hand on or near the -spot where it was found, and there deposited by him. Mexico was settled by -the Spaniards in 1521. But previously to this period, Spanish adventurers -frequently arrived upon the American coast. Florida was discovered by them -in 1502. The French voyager Verrazano explored nearly the whole coast of -the present United States in 1524, but a little subsequent to the date -which forms the subject of our inquiry. And De Soto, who had been -constituted Governor of Cuba and President of Florida, performed his -celebrated expedition into the interior of America, having with him six -hundred men, as early as 1538. He spent four years in the country, and as -Florida then extended to an indefinite point in the north, embracing all -that tract of country which has since been called Virginia, and as -mention is made by his historian of 'extreme cold,' and of a place called -_Saquechama,_ it is reasonable to conjecture that they penetrated to the -north as far as the _Susquehanna._ [FN] But in the course of his travels, -he fell in with a body of natives, who had with them a Spaniard by the -name of John Ortez, of Seville. He had then been a captive for nearly ten -years. It is not incredible, when all these facts are taken into -consideration, that eight years anterior to the time of Ortez being taken -prisoner, two or three, or half a dozen Spaniards, should have been taken -by misfortune or the spirit of adventure to Pompey Hill, where one of them -dying, the survivor or survivors prepared and placed this monument over -his remains. It is also quite possible, that the visit of the Spanish -adventurers, to which the narrative furnished by De Witt Clinton and -recited above, relates, was at a period much earlier than that which he -assigns for it. De Soto himself was amused by similar stories told him by -the savages of the existence of gold and silver in regions that were -always beyond him. In this way he was taken many hundred leagues into the -bosom of a country filled only with savages, and never before trodden by -the foot of an European. But he returned vexed to find that he had been -amused only with golden dreams. The story of a lake at the north, whose -bottom was lined with silver, was sufficient to fire the bosom of a -Spaniard with an ungovernable spirit of daring in pursuit of that object; -and as the date of this enterprise was left to be established by -tradition, that erring chronicler of events, it is altogether probable -that a mistake in time, sufficient to explain the subject of our inquiry, -was committed. However this may be, there can be little doubt but -Spaniards, carried there as captives or allured by the love of gold, were -at Pompey Hill as early as 1520.--_Lectures of Rev. Mr. Adams, of -Syracuse, (N. Y.)_" - - * * * * * - - [FN] See Sandford's Aborigines, p. cxiv. note. Also, "Yates and Moulton's - Hist." - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XIX. - - - - [Reference from Page 487.] - - -Since the text of the present volume was written, the Antiquarian world -has been gratified by a publication issued by the Society of Northern -Antiquities of Copenhagen, which is creating a great sensation among men -of letters. It is entitled - -"Antiquitates Americanae sive Scriptores Septentrionales rerum -Ante-Columbianarum in America. (Antiquities of America, or Northern -writers of things in America before Columbus.) Hafniae, 1837, 4to. pp. -486." - -The following summary notice of this most important work is copied from -the New Haven Chronicle of the Church, of December 15, 1837:-- - -This interesting and erudite volume is composed of ancient Icelandic -histories relative to America, being mostly accounts of voyages of -discovery to this country, made by the Northmen in the 10th, 11th, 12th, -and 13th centuries, that is, anterior to the time of Columbus. To these -are added critical and explanatory notes, chronological and genealogical -tables, archaeological and geographical disquisitions, concerning the -migration of the Northmen to this country, their first landing-places, and -earliest settlements, with the vestiges of the same now remaining. We give -the following summary of the conclusions drawn by the author of this work -in reference to the discovery and settlement of this country by the -Norwegians. - -In the spring of 986, Eric the Red emigrated from Iceland to Greenland, -and formed a settlement there. In 994, Biarne, the son of Heriulf Bardson, -one of the settlers who accompanied Eric, returned to Norway, and gave an -account of discoveries he had made to the south of Greenland. On his -return to Greenland, Leif, the son of Eric, bought Biarne's ship, and with -a crew of thirty-five men, embarked on a voyage of discovery, A. D. 1000. -After sailing some time to the south-west, they fell in with a country -covered with a slatey rock, and destitute of good qualities; and which, -therefore, they called _Helluland,_ (Slate-land.) They then continued -southerly, until they found a low, flat coast, with white sand cliffs, and -immediately back, covered with wood, whence they called the country -_Markland,_ (Woodland.) From here they sailed south and west, until they -arrived at a promontory which stretched to the east and north, and sailing -round it, turned to the west; and sailing westward, passed between an -island and the mainland, and entering a bay through which flowed a river, -they concluded to winter there. - -Having landed, they built houses to winter in, and called the place -_Lefsbuthir,_ (Leifs-booths.) Soon after this they discovered an abundance -of vines, whence they named the country _Vinland_ or Wineland. -Antiquarians have been much puzzled to know where _Vinland_ was located; -but the Antiquarian Society, to whose exertions we owe the above work, -after the most careful examination of all the evidence on the subject, do -not hesitate to place it at the head of Narragansett Bay, in Rhode Island. -Every thing in the description of the voyage and country agrees most -exactly with this. The promontory extending east and north, corresponds -closely with that of Barnstable and Cape Cod, and the islands they would -encounter immediately upon turning west, would be Nantucket and Martha's -Vineyard. - -Two years after, 1002, Thorwold, the brother of Leif, visited Vinland, -where he spent two years, and was finally murdered by the natives. Before -his death, he coasted around the promontory, and called the north end, now -Cape Cod, _Kjalarnes,_ (Keel-Cape.) He was killed and buried on a small -promontory, reaching south from the mainland, on the west side of the Bay, -inclosed by the promontory of _Kjalarnes,_ and which answers most -accurately to the strip of land on the east side of Plymouth Harbour, now -called Gurnet's Point. The Norwegians called it _Krassanes,_ (Crossness or -Crossland,) because the grave of Thorwold had a cross erected at both -ends. - -In 1007, three ships sailed from Greenland for Vinland, one under the -command of Thorfinn Karlsefne, a Norwegian of royal descent, and Snorre -Thorbrandson, of distinguished lineage; one other commanded by Biarne -Grimalfson and Thorhall Gamlason; and the third by Thorward and Thorhall. -The three ships had 100 men, and carried all sorts of domestic animals -necessary for the comfort and convenience of a colony. An account of this -voyage, and a history of the country, by Thorfinn Karlsefne, is still -extant, and forms one of the documents in the _Antiquities Americana._ -They sailed from Greenland to _Helluland,_ and passing _Markland,_ arrived -at _Kjalarnes,_ whence sailing south by the shore of the promontory, which -they found to consist of trackless beaches and long wastes of sand, they -called it _Furthutrstrandir,_ (Wonder-Strand, or Beach;) whether on -account of the extensive sandy shore, or from the mirage and optical -illusion so common at Cape Cod, it is impossible to determine. Passing -south, they sailed by the island discovered by Leif, which they called -_Straumey,_ (Stream-Isle,) probably Martha's Vineyard, and the straits -between _Straumfjothr,_ (Stream-Firth,) and arrived at Vinland, where they -spent the winter. The Bay into which they sailed, they called _Hopsvatn,_ -and their residence received the name of _Hop,_ (_English_ Hope, _Indian_ -Haup,) the identical Mount Hope, so much celebrated as the residence of -King Philip. After various successes, Thorfinn returned to Greenland, and -finally went to Iceland and settled. - -From a comparison of all the remaining accounts of these voyages, the -geographical, nautical and astronomical facts contained in them, with the -natural history and geography of this country when first settled by the -whites, there can be little doubt that Vinland has been correctly located -by the learned Society. By similar evidence it also appears, that -_Markland_ was what is now called Nova Scotia; that _Litla Helluland_ -(Little Helluland) was Newfoundland; and that _Helluland it Mikla,_ -(Greater Helluland,) was the coast of Labrador. We ought also to have -observed above, that _Straumfjothr_ (Stream-Firth) probably included the -whole of Buzzard's Bay. - -Of the _climate_ of Vinland, the Northmen say, it was, when they were -there, so mild, that cattle would live out-doors during the year; that the -snow fell but lightly, and that the grass continued to be green in some -places nearly all winter. Among the _productions_ of Vinland, were -abundance of vines, a kind of wild wheat, (_maize,_) a beautiful wood -which they called _mazer_ (Birdseye-maple, _Acer Saccharinum,_) a great -variety of forest animals, Eider Ducks in great plenty; and the rivers and -bays they describe as filled with fish, among which they reckon salmon, -halibut, whales, &c. It is also said by the same historians, that the sun -rose at half past seven o'clock in the shortest days, which is the exact -time it rises at Mount Hope. - -Subsequent to this time, explorations were made to the south of Vinland -along the eastern shore, and judging from the fragments of voyages, it -would seem that some penetrated as far south as Florida. The whole country -south of Chesapeake Bay is called by them _Hvitamannaland,_ -(white-man's-land,) or _Ireland it Mikla,_ (Ireland the Great.) In 1121 -Vinland was visited by Bishop Eric, and as there is no account of his -return, it seems probable that he spent his days there. Other explorations -were made by the Norwegians and Greenlanders to the north, who penetrated -as far as Barrow's Straits, which they called _Kroksfjorthr,_ -(Kroks-Firth or Strait,)and the land on the northern side, now known as -the Cumberland Mountains, they denominated _Kroksfjarltharheithi,_ -(Barren-highlands-of-Kroks-Strait.) There are several other particulars -we should be glad to notice, but the length of this article will not -allow. - -Among other matters, curious and important, contained in this valuable -publication from Copenhagen, not noted by the New-Haven Chronicle, are one -or more readings of the celebrated hieroglyphic inscription upon "Dighton -Rock," in Fall River, Massachusetts, and of which no satisfactory -explanation has previously been given. These Northern Antiquaries profess -at length to have mastered that inscription. They pronounce the characters -to be Runic, and read therein a confirmation of their theory, that a -settlement was formed by the Northmen at Fall River as early as the tenth -century. But this is not all. Since the work of the Copenhagen Antiquaries -has been published, another discovery has been made in the immediate -neighborhood of Dighton Rock, which is equally curious and important as -connected with this investigation. The discovery referred to may be -considered the most interesting relic of antiquity ever discovered in -North America, viz:--the remains of a human body, armed with a breast -plate, a species of mail, and arrows of brass; which remains we suppose to -have belonged either to one of the race who inhabited this country for a -time anterior to the so-called Aborigines, and afterwards settled in -Mexico or Guatemala, or to one of the crew of some Phoenician vessel, -that, blown out of her course, thus discovered the western world long -before the Christian era. - -These remains were found in the town of Fall River, in Bristol county, -Massachusetts, about eighteen months since. - -In digging down a hill near the village, a large mass of earth slid off, -leaving in the bank, and partially uncovered, a human skull, which on -examination was found to belong to a body buried in a sitting posture; the -head being about one foot below what had been for many years the surface -of the ground. The surrounding earth was carefully removed, and the body -found to be enveloped in a covering of coarse bark of a dark color. Within -this envelope were found the remains of another of coarse cloth, made of -fine bark, and about the texture of a Manila coffee bag. On the breast -was a plate of brass, thirteen inches long, six broad at the upper end and -five at the lower. This plate appears to have been cast, and is from one -eighth to three thirty-seconds of an inch in thickness. It is so much -corroded, that whether or not any thing was engraved upon it has not yet -been ascertained. It is oval in form--the edges being irregular, -apparently made so by corrosion. - -Below the breast-plate, and entirely encircling the body, was a belt -composed of brass tubes, each four and a half inches in length, and three -sixteenths of an inch in diameter, arranged longitudinally and close -together; the length of a tube being the width of the belt. The tubes are -of thin brass, cast upon hollow reeds, and were fastened together by -pieces of sinew. This belt was so placed as to protect the lower parts of -the body below the breast-plate. The arrows are of brass, thin, flat, and -triangular in shape, with a round hole cut through near the base. The -shaft was fastened to the head by inserting the latter in an opening at -the end of the wood, and then tying it with a sinew through the round -hole--a mode of constructing the weapon never practised by the Indians, -not even with their arrows of thin shell. Parts of the shaft still remain -on some of them. When first discovered the arrows were in a sort of quiver -of bark, which fell in pieces when exposed to the air. - -The skull is much decayed, but the teeth are sound, and apparently those -of a young man. The pelvis is much decayed, and the smaller bones of the -lower extremities are gone. - -The integuments of the right knee, for four or five inches above and -below, are in good preservation, apparently the size and shape of life, -although quite black. - -Considerable flesh is still preserved on the hands and arms, but none on -the shoulders and elbows. On the back, under the belt, and for two inches -above and below, the skin and flesh are in good preservation, and have the -appearance of being tanned. The chest is much compressed, but the upper -viscera are probably entire. The arms are bent up, not crossed; so that -the hands turned inwards touch the shoulders. The stature is about five -and a half feet. Much of the exterior envelope was decayed, and the inner -one appeared to be preserved only where it had been in contact with the -brass. - -The following sketch will give our readers an idea of the posture of the -figure and the position of the armor. When the remains were discovered, -the arms were brought rather closer to the body than in the engraving. The -arrows were near the right knee. - - - -[Illustration: Sketch of Remains.] - - - -The preservation of this body may be the result of some embalming process; -and this hypothesis is strengthened by the fact, that the skin has the -appearance of having been tanned; or it may be the accidental result of -the action of the salts of the brass during oxydation; and this latter -hypothesis is supported by the fact, that the skin and flesh have been -preserved only where they have been in contact with, or quite near, the -brass; or we may account for the preservation of the whole by supposing -the presence of _saltpetre_ in the soil at the time of the deposit. In -either way, the preservation of the remains is fully accounted for, and -upon known chemical principles. - -That the body was not one of the Indians, we think needs no argument. We -have seen some of the drawings taken from the sculptures found at -Palenque, and in those the figures are represented with breast-plates, -although smaller than the plate found at Fall River. On the figures at -Palenque the bracelets and anklets appear to be of a manufacture precisely -similar to the belt of tubes just described. These figures also have -helmets precisely answering the description of the helmet of Homer's -{quote in Greek script.} - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XX. - - - - [Reference from Page 499.] - - -We the subscribers, having been requested to give our opinion with regard -to the religious and moral character of the late Capt. Joseph Brant, and -the state of his mind as it appeared to us at its dissolution--hereby -declare, that having lived a number of years a near neighbor of his, (our -farms adjoining the place of his residence,) we were intimately acquainted -with him; in conversation he would often begin the subject, and dwell upon -the duties that we owed one to another. He was a believer in the Christian -religion, and was brought up in the doctrine of the Episcopal Church of -England, of which he was a member when he died. During his illness we were -often with him, and were present at his dissolution. During his sickness, -(which was painful,) he was patient and resigned, and appeared always -thankful to his friends for the attention paid to him. It is our opinion -that during his sickness, and at the close of it, he was possessed of his -rational faculties, and that he lived and died in the faith of the -Christian religion. - - Augustus Bates, - Asahel Davis. - - Wellington Square, U. C. } - _August_ 15_th_, 1837. } - - - * * * * * - - - - - No. XXI. - - - - [Reference from Page 526.] - - - _Letter to the Mohawk Chief Ahyonwaeghs, commonly called John Brandt - Esq. of the Grand River, Upper Canada._ - - _London, January_ 20, 1822. - - Sir, - -Ten days ago I was not aware that such a person existed as the son of the -Indian leader Brant, [FN] who is mentioned in my poem "Gertrude of -Wyoming." Last week, however, Mr. S. Bannister of Lincoln's Inn, called to -inform me of your being in London, and of your having documents in your -possession which he believed would change my opinion of your father's -memory, and induce me to do it justice. Mr. Bannister distinctly assured -me that no declaration of my sentiments on the subject was desired but -such as should spontaneously flow from my own judgment of the papers that -were to be submitted to me. - - * * * * * - - [FN] The name has been almost always inaccurately spelt Brandt in English - books. - - -I could not be deaf to such an appeal. It was my duty to inspect the -justification of a man whose memory I had reprobated, and I felt a -satisfaction at the prospect of his character being redressed, which was -not likely to have been felt by one who had willfully wronged it. As for -as any intention to wound the feelings of the living was concerned, I -really knew not, when I wrote my poem, that the son and daughter of an -Indian chief were ever likely to peruse it, or be affected by its -contents. And I have observed most persons to whom I have mentioned the -circumstance of your appeal to me, smile with the same surprise which I -experienced on first receiving it. With regard to your father's character, -I took it as I found it in popular history. Among the documents in his -favor I own that you have shown me one which I regret that I never saw -before, though I might have seen it, viz. the Duke of Rochefoucault's -honorable mention of the chief in his travels. [FN] Without meaning, -however, in the least to invalidate that nobleman's respectable authority, -I must say, that even if I had met with it, it would have still offered -only a general and presumptive vindication of your father, and not such a -specific one as I now recognize. On the other hand, judge how naturally I -adopted accusations against him which had stood in the Annual Register of -1779, as far as I knew, uncontradicted for thirty years. A number of -authors had repeated them with a confidence which beguiled at last my -suspicion, and I believe that of the public at large. Among those authors -were Gordon, Ramsay, Marshall, Belsham, and Weld. The most of them, you -may tell me, perhaps, wrote with zeal against the American war. Well, but -Mr. John Adolphus was never suspected of any such zeal, and yet he has -said in his History of England, &c. (vol. iii. p. 110) "that a force of -sixteen hundred savages and Americans in disguise, headed by an Indian -Col. Butler, and a half Indian of extraordinary ferocity named Brant, -lulling the fears of the inhabitants (of Wyoming) by treachery, suddenly -possessed themselves of two forts, and massacred the garrisons." He says -farther, "that _all_ were involved in unsparing slaughter, and that even -the devices of torment were exhausted." He possessed, if I possessed them, -the means of consulting better authorities; yet he has never to my -knowledge made any atonement to your father's memory. When your Canadian -friends, therefore, call me to trial for having defamed the warrior Brant, -I beg that Mr. John Adolphus may be also included in the summons. And -after his own defence and acquittal, I think he is bound, having been one -of my historical misleaders, to stand up as my gratuitous counsel, and -say, "Gentlemen, _you must acquit my client, for he has only fallen into -an error, which even my judgment could not escape._" - - * * * * * - - [FN] The following testimony is borne to his fair name by Rochefoucault, - whose ability and means of forming a correct judgment will not be denied. - "Col. Brant is an Indian by birth. In the American war he fought under - the English banner, and he has since been in England, where he was most - graciously received by the King, and met with a kind reception from all - classes of people. His manners are semi-European. He is attended by two - Negroes; has established himself in the English way; has a garden and a - farm; dresses after the European fashion; and nevertheless possesses much - influence over the Indians. He assists at present (1795) at the Miami - Treaty, which the United States are concluding with the western Indians. - He is also much respected by the Americans; and in general bears so - excellent a name, that I regret I could not see and become acquainted - with him."--_Rochefoucault's Travels in North America._ - - -In short, I imbibed my conception of your father from accounts of him that -were, published when I was scarcely out of my cradle. And if there were -any public, direct, and specific challenges to those accounts in England -ten years ago, I am yet to learn where they existed. - -I rose from perusing the papers you submitted to me certainly with an -altered impression of his character. I find that the unfavorable accounts -of him were erroneous, even on points not immediately connected with his -reputation. It turns out, for instance, that he was a Mohawk Indian of -unmixed parentage. This circumstance, however, ought not to be overlooked -in estimating the merits of his attainments. He spoke and wrote our -language with force and facility, and had enlarged views of the union and -policy of the Indian tribes. A gentleman who had been in America, and from -whom I sought information respecting him in consequence of your -interesting message, told me that though he could not pretend to -appreciate his character entirely, he had been struck by the _naivete_ -and eloquence of his conversation. They had talked of music, and Brant -said, "I like the harpsichord well, and the organ still better; but I like -the drum and trumpet best of all, for they make my heart beat quick." This -gentleman also described to me the enthusiasm with which he spoke of -written records. Brant projected at that time to have written a History of -the Six Nations. The genius of history should be rather partial to such a -man. - -I find that when he came to England, after the peace of 1763, the most -distinguished individuals of all parties and professions treated him with -the utmost kindness. Among these were the late Bishop of London, the late -Duke of Northumberland, and Charles Fox. Lord Rawdon, now Marquis of -Hastings, gave him his picture. This circumstance argues recommendations -from America founded in personal friendship. In Canada the memorials of -his moral character represent it as naturally ingenuous and generous. The -evidence afforded, induces me to believe that he often strove to mitigate -the cruelty of Indian warfare. Lastly, you affirm that he was not within -many miles of the spot when the battle which decided the fate of Wyoming -took place, and from your offer of reference to living witnesses, I cannot -but admit the assertion. Had I learnt all this of your father when I was -writing my poem, he should not have figured in it as the hero of mischief. -I cannot, indeed, answer by anticipation what the writers who have either -to retract or defend what they may have said about him, may have to -allege; I can only say that my own opinion about him is changed. I am now -inclined exceedingly to doubt Mr. Weld's anecdote, and for this reason: -Brant was not only trusted, consulted, and distinguished by several -eminent British officers in America, but personally beloved by them. Now I -could conceive men in power, for defensible reasons of state politics, to -have officially trusted, and even publicly distinguished at courts or -levees, an active and sagacious Indian chief, of whose private character -they might nevertheless still entertain a very indifferent opinion. But I -cannot imagine high-minded and high-bred British officers forming -individual and fond friendships for a man of ferocious character. It comes -within my express knowledge that the late General Sir Charles Stuart, -fourth son of the Earl of Bute, the father of our present Ambassador at -Paris, the officer who took Minorca and Calvi, and who commanded our army -in Portugal, knew your father in America, often slept under the same tent -with him, and had the warmest regard for him. It seems but charity to -suppose the man who attracted the esteem of Lord Rawdon and General Stuart -to have possessed amiable qualities, so that I believe you when you affirm -that he was merciful as brave. And now I leave the world to judge whether -the change of opinion, with which I am touched, arises from false delicacy -and flexibility of mind, or from a sense of honor and justice. - -Here, properly speaking, ends my reckoning with you about your father's -memory; but as the Canadian newspapers have made some remarks on the -subject of Wyoming, with which I cannot fully coincide, and as this letter -will probably be read in Canada, I cannot conclude it without a few more -words, in case my silence should seem to admit of propositions which are -rather beyond the stretch of my creed. I will not, however, give any -plain truths which I have to offer to the Canadian writers the slightest -seasoning of bitterness, for they have alluded to me, on the whole, in a -friendly and liberal tone. But when they regret my departure from -historical truth, I join in their regret only in as far as I have -unconsciously misunderstood the character of Brant, and the share of the -Indians in the transaction, which I have now reason to suspect was much -less than that of the white men. In other circumstances I took the liberty -of a versifier to run away from fact into fancy, like a school-boy who -never dreams that he is a truant when he rambles on a holiday from school. -It seems, however, that I falsely represented Wyoming to have been a -terrestrial paradise. It was not so, say the Canadian papers, because it -contained a great number of Tories; and undoubtedly that cause goes far to -account for the fact. Earthly paradises, however, are not earthly things, -and Tempe and Arcadia may have had their drawbacks on happiness as well as -Wyoming. I must nevertheless still believe that it was a flourishing -colony, and that its destruction furnished a just warning to human beings -against war and revenge. But the whole catastrophe is affirmed in a -Canadian newspaper to have been nothing more than a fair battle, if this -be the fact, let accredited signatures come forward to attest it, and -vindicate the innocence and honorableness of the whole transaction, as -your father's character has been vindicated. An error about him by no -means proves the whole account of the business to be a fiction. Who would -not wish its atrocity to be disproved? But who can think it disproved by -a single defender, who writes anonymously, and without definable weight -or authority? - -In another part of the Canadian newspapers, my theme has been regretted -as dishonorable to England. Then it was, at all events, no fable. But how -far was the truth dishonorable to England? American settlers, and not -Englishmen, were chiefly the white men calling themselves Christians, who -were engaged in this affair. I shall be reminded, perhaps, that they also -called themselves Loyalists. But for Heaven's sake let not English loyalty -be dragged down to palliate atrocities, or English delicacy be invoked to -conceal them. I may be told that England permitted the war, and was -therefore responsible for its occurrences. Not surely universally, nor -directly. I should be unwilling to make even Lord North's administration -answerable for all the actions of Butler's rangers; and I should be still -more sorry to make all England amenable either for Lord North's -administration, or for Butler's rangers. Was the American war an unanimous -and heartfelt war of the people? Were the best patriots and the brightest -luminaries of our Senate for, or against it? Chatham declared that if -America fell she would fall like the strong man--that she would embrace -the pillars of our constitution and perish beneath its ruins. Burke, Fox, -and Barre kindled even the breasts of St. Stephen's chapel against it; and -William Pitt pronounced it a war against the sacred cause of Liberty. If -so, the loss of our colonies was a blessing, compared with the triumph of -those principles that would have brought Washington home in chains. If -Chatham and Pitt were our friends in denouncing the injustice of this war, -then Washington was only nominally our foe in resisting it; and he was as -much the enemy of the worst enemies of our constitution, as if he had -fought against the return of the Stuarts on the banks of the Spey or the -Thames. I say, therefore, with full and free charity to those who think -differently, that the American war was disgraceful only to those who were -its abettors, and that the honor of Englishmen is redeemed in proportion -as they deprecate its principles and deplore its details. Had my theme -even involved English character more than it does, I could still defend -it. If my Canadian critic alleges that a poet may not blame the actions -of his country, I meet his allegation, and deny it. No doubt a poet ought -not forever to harp and carp upon the faults of his country; but _he may -be her moral censor, and he must not be her parasite._ If an English poet -under Edward III. had only dared to leave one generous line of -commiseration to the memory of Sir William Wallace, how much he would have -raised our estimation of the moral character of the age! There is a -present and a future in national character, as well as a past, and the -character of the present age is best provided for by impartial and -generous sentiments respecting the past. The twentieth century will not -think the worse of the nineteenth for regretting the American war. I know -the slender importance of my own works. I am contending, however, against -a false principle of delicacy that would degrade poetry itself if it were -adopted;--but it never will be adopted. - -I therefore regret nothing in the historical allusions of my poem, except -the mistake about your father. Nor, though I have spoken freely of -American affairs, do I mean to deny that your native tribes may have had -a just cause of quarrel with the American colonists. And I regard it as a -mark of their gratitude that they adhered to the royal cause, because the -governors, acting in the king's name, had been their most constant -friends; and the colonial subjects, possibly at times their treacherous -invaders. I could say much of European injustice towards your tribes, but -in spite of all that I could say, I must still deplore the event of -Christians having adopted their mode of warfare, and, as circumstances -then stood, of their having invoked their alliance. If the Indians -thirsted for vengeance on the colonists, that should have been the very -circumstance to deter us from blending their arms with ours. I trust you -will understand this declaration to be made in the spirit of frankness, -and not of mean and inhospitable arrogance. If I were to speak to you in -that spirit, how easily and how truly could you tell me that the American -Indians have departed faster from their old practices of warfare, than -Christians have departed from their habits of religious persecution. If I -were to preach to you about European humanity you might ask me how long -the ashes of the Inquisition have been cold, and whether the slave-trade -be yet abolished? You might demand, how many--no, how few generations have -elapsed since our old women were burnt for imaginary commerce with the -devil, and whether the houses be not yet standing from which our great -grand-mothers may have looked on the hurdles passing to the place of -execution, whilst they blessed themselves that they were not witches! A -horrible occurrence of this nature took place in Scotland during my own -grandfather's life-time. As to warlike customs, I should be exceedingly -sorry if you were to press me even on those of my brave old ancestors, -the Scottish Highlanders. I can, nevertheless, recollect the energy, -faith, and hospitality of those ancestors, and at the same time I am not -forgetful of the simple virtues of yours. [FN] - - * * * * * - - [FN] Considering the filial motives of the young chief's appeal to me, I - am not afraid that any part of this letter, immediately relating to him, - will be thought ostentatious or prolix. And if charitably judged, I hope - that what I have said of myself and of my poem will not be felt as - offensive egotism. The public has never been troubled with any defences - of mine against any attacks on my poetry that were mere literary; - although I may have been as far as authors generally are from bowing to - the justice of hostile criticism. To show that I have not been - over-anxious about publicity, I must mention a misrepresentation - respecting my poem on Wyoming which I have suffered to remain - uncontradicted for ten years. Mr. Washington Irving, in a biographical - sketch prefixed to it in an American edition, described me as having - injured the composition of the poem by shewing it to friends who struck - out its best passages. Now I read it to very few friends, and to none at - whose suggestion I ever struck out a single line. Nor did I ever lean on - the taste of others with that miserable distrust of my own judgment which - the anecdote conveys. I knew that Mr. Irving was the last man in the - world to make such a misrepresentation intentionally, and that I could - easily contradict it; but from aversion to bring a petty anecdote about - myself before the world, I forbore to say any thing about it. The case - was different when a Canadian writer hinted at the patriotism of my - subject. There he touched on my principles, and I have defended them, - contending that on the supposition of the story of Wyoming being true, - it is a higher compliment to British feeling to reveal than to palliate - or hide it. - - -I have been thus special in addressing you from a wish to vindicate my -own consistency, as well as to do justice to you in your present -circumstances, which are peculiarly and publicly interesting. The chief -of an aboriginal tribe, now settled under the protection of our sovereign -in Canada, you are anxious to lead on your people in a train of -civilization that is already begun. It is impossible that the British -community should not be touched with regard for an Indian stranger of -respectable private character, possessing such useful and honorable views. -Trusting that you will amply succeed in them, and long live to promote -improvement and happiness amidst the residue of your ancient race, - - I remain, your sincere well-wisher, - Thomas Campbell. - - - - THE END - - - - - INDEX. - - - * * * * * - - - - - Aaron, vol. II, 286, 518. - Abel, David, II, 173, 197, 198, 204. - Abercrombie, Gen., I, 7, 11. - Acker, Benjamin, I, 357, 358. - Ackland, Major, I, 271 272. - Ackland, Lady, I, 272, 468, 469, 476, 481. - Acknowledgments of Author, I, xxi to xxxi. - Adair, Major, II, ii, 336. - Adams, Col., I, 269. - Adams, John, I, 266. - Adams, John, II, 150, 214. - Adams, Samuel, I, 266. - Adams, Mr. I, 137. - Addison, Rev. Mr. II, 426, 433, 584. - Addresses, prepared by Congress, I, 91. - Adolphus, John, II, 597. - Affidavit of Dr. Younglove, I, 459. - Aghstugwaresera, II, 576. - Agonuschioni, I, 406. - Alihannuaowaumut, Solomon, sent - to Congress, I, 58; - speech, 58; - Reply to, 59. - Ahyouwaeghs, II, 250, 500, 524, 528, 529, 530, 531, - 532, 533, 534, 535, 595. - Albany Council, I, 430, 94, 98, 103, 104, 430. - Albany, Ancient seat of - Mohegans, I, 57; - Indian name of, 57; - Replies to Guy Johnson, 67, 69; - Council fire removed to, xxv. - Albany, II, 411, 428, 456, 458. - Alden, Col. Ichabod, I, 354, 372, 373. - Alden's Corps, II, 5. - Aldrich killed, II, 73. - Algonquins hostile to Six - Nations, I, 87. - Algonquins, II, 240. - Allegheny, II, 41, 45, 301. - Allen's Biographical Dictionary, - on Brant, I, 18. - Allen, Capt. I, 234. - Allen, Dr., II, 128, 125, 320, 322, 327, 467, 493. - Allen, Ethan captured, I, 78, 116, 157, 165, 392. - Allen, Ethan, II, 153, 180, 181, 182, 197, 198, 199, - 200, 201, 202, 203. - Allen, Ira, II, 154, 197, 202, 203. - Allen, Lt. H. M., II, 572. - Allen, President, Remarks on - Brant, I, 19. - Allentown, I, 343. - Allies arrive from France, I, 346. - Alston, Mrs., II, 455, 457. - Ames, Ezra, paints portrait of - Brant, I, xxviii. - Amherst and Glen, I, 11, 18 - Amusements, II, 445. - Anaquaqua, I, 178. - Ancaster, II, 501. - Ancrom, Major, I, 250, 252. - Andre, capture of, I, 258. - Andre, Major, II, 101, 102, 103, 132, 213, 214. - Andrustown, I, 362, 363. - Anguaga, I, 378. - Antiquities of North America, II, 483, 484. - Aonghwuigaga, II, 576. - Aqushua, II, 394. - Araghkwente, II, 576. - Aranda, Count, II, 241. - Arbitrary arrests denounced, I, 66. - Arbuckle, Capt. I, 191, 193. - Arenghoot, II, 576. - Arlington, II, 200. - Armistead, Lt. G., II, 572. - Armstrong, Capt., II, 505, 506. - Armstrong, Gen., I, 286. - Armstrong, Gen. John, II, 315. - Arnent, Ensign, I, 234. - Arnold, Gen., I, 117, 153, 156, 157, 362, 173, 174, - 200, 246, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, - 261, 262, 267, 268, 273, 283, 301, 369, - 464, 482. - Arnold, Gen., I, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 116, - 117, 118, 133, 140, 141, 193, 194, - 210, 211. - Arnold, Mrs., II, 101, 102. - Aroghyadagha, Old Brant, I, 5. - - - - Aroghyadecka, alias Old Brant, I, 12, 16. - Arson, Capt., II, 148. - Articles of Confederation, I, 297. - Articles of Confed., II, 241. - Asgill, Col., I, 170. - Ash, Gen., II, 51. - Ashton, Capt., II, 215. - Ashton's Station, II, 215. - Asia, man of war, I, 105. - Assumpinck Creek, I, 175. - Atayataroughta, Louis, I, 401. - Atayataroughta, II, 119, 120, 122, 123, 151, 413. - Aubrey, Lieut., I, 465. - Au Glaize, II, 334, 335, 338, 340,355, 360, 375, - 376, 383, 389, 565, 567. - Aupament, Capt. Hendrick, II, 307. - Badlum, Major, I, 239. - Badlock, Capt, I, 338. - Bagley, Lt. J., I, 546. - Bailey, Ensign, I, 234. - Bailey, Wm., II, 393. - Ball, Capt., I, 287. - Ball, Col., II, 110, 212, 214. - Ball, Lieut., I, 234. - Bald eagle, an old Delaware I, 40. - killed, - Ballad, Sinclair's Defeat, II, 551. - Ballston, I, 212, 310. - Ballston, II, 152, 154, 156, 210, 211, 212. - Bannister, Saxe, II, 524, 526. - Bantlin, Major, II, 97. - Barclay, Rev. Dr., I, 26. - Bard, Dr., II, 456. - Barker, Dr., I, 164. - Barker, Wm., I, 421. - Baronial Hall, fortified, I, 54. - Barrington, II, 147. - Bathust, Lord, II, 524. - Bates, Augustus, II, 595. - Batten, James, II, 582. - Battenkill, I, 271. - Batton's Hotel, II, 453. - Baum, Col., defeated, I, 232, 267, 277, 479. - Bay of Quinte, II, 239, 275, 497, 572. - Baylor, Col., I, 347. - Beacraft, II, 57, 64. - Beadle, Col., II, 436. - Beard plucked by Indians, II, 479. - Beard's Creek, II, 33. - Beasley, Col., II, 365. - Beasley, Richard, II, 573, 574, 575. - Beaver Creek, II, 350. - Beaver Dams, II, 178, 516. - Beaverton, I, 350. - Bedell, Colonel, I, 153. - Behmus Heights, I, 270. - Belknap, Dr., II, 466. - Bell, Mr., murdered, I, 363. - Bellinger, Lt. Col., Frederick, I, 242. - Bellinger, John, II, 160. - Bellinger, Col. Peter, I, 242, 249; - forced letter of, 460. - Bemis, James, D., I, 187. - Benham, Capt. Robert, II, 50, 56. - Bennington, I, 232, 265, 277, 302, 479. - Bennington, II, 131, 181. - Benson, Egbert, II, 368, 410, 413. - Berne, I, 287, 288. - Bernett, Captain, I, 310. - Berry, Jack, II, 572. - Bethlehem, II, 221. - Bettys Joseph, II, 172, 210, 211, 212, 213. - Bible of Sir John Johnson, I, 145. - Bidwell, Hon. M. S., II, 534. - Big Beaver, II, 217. - Big Knives, II, 293, 375, 566. - Big Tree, II, 245, 377. - Billings, Capt., II, 138. - Billington, Samuel, I, 242. - Bird, Capt., I, 339. - Bird, Col., I, 283. - Bird, Col., II, 71. - Bird, Lieut. Henry, I, 220, 221, 222, 227, 229. - Bishop of London, II, 251. - Bishop of Quebec, II, 432, 433, 434. - Black River, II, 570. - Black snake, II, 381, 387. - Blackstocks, II, 100. - Blauvelt, Major, I, 242. - Bleecker, Mrs. Ann Eliza, I, 206, 207. - Bleecker, Capt., I, 234, 357, 358. - Bleecker, John J., I, 121, 124, 128, 129, 131, 206. - Bleecker, John J., II, 173. - Bleecker, Capt. Leonard, II, 546. - Bleecker, Rutgers, I, 133. - Bliven, John, on committee, I, 73. - Bloodgood, S. De Witt, I, 408. - Bloomfield, Major, I, 472. - Blucher, anecdote of, I, 242. - Blue Jacket, II, 387, 388. - Blue Licks, II, 232. - Boerstler, Col., II, 516, 517. - Bogardus, Lieut., I, 234. - Bogardus, Lt. B., II, 546. - Bokum, Prof., II, 165. - Bolland, Mr., in behalf of I, 49. - Colonies. - Bolton, Lt. Col., I, 384. - Bone, Peter, I, 107. - Bontas, II, 212. - Boon, Col. Daniel, I, 349, 351,423. - Boon, Daniel, II, 71, 171, 215, 218, 232. - - - - Boone, Capt. Hawkins, I, 422. - Boonesborough, I, 349, 351. - Boston, I, 29, 79, 115, 160, 161, 162, 196. - Boswell, James, describes Brant, I, 151. - Boswell, James, II, 251. - Bonemawcutus, II, 394. - Boundary troubles, II, 237, 364, 373, 378. - Bounties to Indians, I, 159. - Bounties for scalps, I, 227. - Bowen, Peter, I, 110, 114. - Bowen, Lt. Prentice, II, 546. - Bowman, Col., I, 422, 423. - Bowman, Jacob, I, 242. - Bowman, Capt. Joseph, I, 353. - Bowman, Mr., I, 309. - Bowman's Creek, I, 311. - Boyd, James, I, 427. - Boyd, Lieut., II, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 67, 491. - Brainerd, Rev., II, 224. - Bradley, Commodore, I, 221. - Bradstreet, Gen., makes a peace, I, 25. - Brandywine, I, 197, 284. - Brant, Catharine, II, 500. - Brant, Elizabeth, II, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521. - Brant, Elizabeth, marries, II, 535; - described, 535, 536; - her children, 536; - title, 537. - Brant, Isaac, killed by his II, 465, 466; - father, - his family, 467. - Brant, Jacob, II, 463, 469, 470, 477, 478. - Brant, John, II, 500, 501; - sides with British, 501; - at Battle of Queenston, 509; - rescues Col. Scott, 515, 516; - exploit at Beaver Dams, 516; - at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, 517. - Brant, John, manners of, II, 518, 523; - goes to England, 524; - vindicates his father's name, 525, 526. - Brant, John, Correspondence of, II, 528. - Brant, John, his connection with II, 533. - Morgan affair, - Brant, John, elected to Prov. II, 533. - Parl., - Brant, John, dies of cholera, II, 534; - letter of Tho. Campbell, II, 595. - Brant, Joseph, Orthography of I, xv; - name, - papers left by, xxli; - portraits of, I, xxviii; - birth and parentage of, I, 1, 2, 3; - life published at Kingston, I, 2; - Wampum delivered to, I, 7; - goes with Sir Wm. Johnson I, 16; - to Detroit, - early on the war-path, I, 19; - at Battle of Lake George, I, 19; - goes to Niagara, I, 20; - sent to school at Lebanon, I, 20; - an interpreter, 1, 22; - goes on an expedition I, 24; - against Pontiac, - marries and settles, I, 25, 27; - assists in Missions, I, 26, 27; - removes to Ft. Hunter, I, 27; - becomes religions, I, 27; - intimate with Lt. Provost, I, 28; - with Guy Johnson, I, 34, 86, 149; - distrusts Kirkland's I, 55; - loyalty, - letter to Oneidas, II, 63; - destroys Oneida, II, 55; - at Schoharie, II, 55, 56, 57, 106; - returns to Niagara, II, 63, 64, 67; - invades Mohawk country, II, 95, 97; - destroys Fort at II, 97, 105; - Canajoharie, - releases prisoners, II, 102; - speech to Indians, I, 90; - not at Albany Treaty, I, 104; - statement concerning rescue I, 144; - of Johnson, - promoted, I, 147; - traits of, I, 149; - visits England, I, 149, 150, 151, 249; - portraits, I, 151; - returns to New York, I, 151; - takes up the hatchet, I, 151; - his motives, I, 152, 153; - retort upon Pres. Wheelock, I, 153; - at Battle of Cedars, I, 151, 153, 155, 179; - prevents a massacre, I, 155, 156; - a Freemason, I, 155; - joins British army, I, 170; - at Oghquaga, I, 179, 181, 182, 189; - his grievances, I, 180; - meeting at Unadilla, I, 182, 183, 214, 297; - proposition to assassinate, I, 185; - at Oswego, I, 186; - Chief of Six Nations, I, 188; - at Cherry Valley, I, 189; - with St. Leger's expedition, I, 209, 218, 222, 229, 230; - at Battle of Oriskany, I, 235, 240, 243, 244; - attempt to seize Mr. Taylor, I, 290; - in league with Western I, 304; - Indians, - on Susquehanna, I, 310; - his activity as a partisan, I, 310; - attacks Springfield, I, 312; - not at Wyoming, I, 338; - attacks Cobbleskill, I, 364; - attacks Andruston, I, 362; - invades German Flats, I, 364, 365; - not in a gathering at Tioga, I, 371; - attacks Cherry Valley, I, 372, 379, 380; - an enterprise checked, I, 400, 401, 403, 404; - attacks Minisink, I, 415, 417; - opposes Sullivan's II, 19; - Expedition, - in Battle of Newtown, II, 20, 26; - captures Lt. Boyd, II, 30, 31; - - - - hostile to Red Jacket, II, 35; - in Battle of Klock's Fields, II, 124, 125; - at Niagara, II, 136; - expedition proposed by, II, 136; - hovers in Mohawk II, 143, 144; - settlements, - plans an attack, II, 144; - differs from Walter Butler, II, 193; - neglected in Treaty, II, 238, 239; - convenes a Council, II, 239; - displeased with Treaty, II, 245; - writes to Col. Monroe, II, 246; - receives great attentions, II, 249, 250; - writes to Lord Sidney, II, 252, 253; - applies for half pay, II, 256; - letter to Sir Evan Nepean, II, 257; - withering retort of, II, 259; - attends a masquerade, II, 259; - translates prayer book and II, 260; - psalms, - returns to Canada, II, 261; - boundary question, II, 363, 364; - negotiations among Indians, II, 264, 358; - letter from Gen. Knox, II, 266; - letter from Sir John II, 267, 285, 287, 296, 389; - Johnson, - letter from Major Matthews, II, 270; - prepares to attend a II, 274; - Council, - letter to Lieut. Langdon, II, 275, 277; - letter to Sir John Johnson, II, 276, 407; - attends at Fort Harmar, II, 281; - introduces white settlers, II, 283; - letter from Pres. Willard, II, 288; - proposes to write a History II, 288, 441; - of Six Nations, - letter from Gov. Clinton, II, 289; - corresponds with McKee, II, 291; - letter from Detroit, II, 294; - letter to Capt. McKee, II, 298; - letter from Col Gordon, II, 300, 320; - holds a private Council, II, 302; - negotiations westward, II, 302, 303, 304; - his influence sought, II, 305, 306, 319, 331; - charged with vanity, II, 306; - designs pacific, II, 307; - in Battle of Miamis, II, 313; - letter from Rev. S. II, 320; - Kirkland, - letter from Secretary of II, 321; - War, - letter to Sec. War, II, 324, 332, 333; - letter from Sec. War, II, 325; - visits Philadelphia, II, 327, 328, 329; - threatened in Mohawk Valley, II, 327, 330; - does not attend Treaty at II, 334, 335; - Miami, - complimentary letter of Duke II, 337; - of Northumberland, - attends Treaty at Miami II, 340; - Rapids, - returns to Buffalo, II, 342; - speech at Council, II, 343, 344, 346, 352; - goes to Miami, II, 347; - effort to secure Indians' II, 351, 352; - rights - did not concur in a treaty, II, 356; - at a Council at Buffalo II, 362; - Creek, - speech of, II, 362, 364; - hostilities threatened by, II, 377; - letter to Col. Smith, II, 379; - preparing for hostilities, II, 379, 381; - letter from Gov. Simcoe, II, 390, 392; - hostile negotiations, II, 393, 394; - end of military career, II, 395; - land negotiations, II, 396, 397, 401, 403, 409; - settles whites on Grand II, 397, 398; - River, - opposed to land-jobbers, II, 399, 400; - his plan of tenure, II, 402; - letter to Tho. Morris, II, 405; - bitterness towards Deputy II, 409; - Supt., - engaged in sale to II, 410, 411; - Livingston, - blamed by Caughnawagas, II, 411; - visits Albany, II, 411, 412; - letter to Thomas Morris, II, 412; - visits Caughnawaga, II, 413; - amicable settlement, II, 414; - hostile to Red Jacket, II, 416, 417; - letter to Duke of II, 417, 424, 429; - Northumberland, - his acts investigated, II, 418; - his appeal, II, 419, 420, 421; - speech in his behalf, II, 422; - exonerated, II, 422, 423; - Council at Buffalo, II, 423; - proposes to visit England, II, 424; - letter from Duke of II, 426; - Northumberland, - starts for England, II, 428; - visit deferred, II, 428; - his care of the Mohawks, II, 430; - as a farmer, II, 431; - literary labors, II, 431; - letter to Sir John Johnson, II, 432; - attempts to procure a II, 433, 434, 435, 436; - pastor, - letter to Chief Justice, II, 434; - letter to Aaron Burr, II, 436; - procures a pastor from, II, 438; - U S., - letter from Rev. J M. Mason, II, 439; - temperance measures, II, 441, 442; - Council to settle a II, 446; - difficulty, - games, II, 447; - condolence, II, 451; - speech and reply, II, 401, 452, 453; - letter describing a journey, II, 453; - letter from Burr, II, 455, 456, 457; - received at Burr's house, II, 456; - opinion of Dr. Miller, II, 457; - visits New England, II, 458; - hostility in Mohawk, II, 458, 459; - threatened by Wells, II, 459; - entertained at Albany, II, 459, 460; - anecdotes told by, II, 460, 461; - his motives as a warrior, II, 461, 462; - in domestic life, II, 463; - - - - thrice married, II, 363; - his children, II, 363; - kills his son Isaac, II, 365, 366; - tenders resignation, II, 366; - opinion of Council, II, 366; - appeal for education of his II, 468; - children, - letter to Col. Smith, II, 468; - letter to James Wheelock, II, 469, 471; - letter to John Wheelock, II, 470, 473, 475; - letter of James Wheelock, II, 472, 474; - letter from John Wheelock, II, 473; - letter to James Wheelock, II, 476, 478; - from James Wheelock, II, 478; - correspondence of, II, 479, 481; - letter to Mr. McCauseland, II, 479; - antiquarian researches, II, 486; - personal appearance, II, 488, 496; - proposes to learn Greek, II, 489; - letter from Mr. Kirkland, II, 493; - builds First Episcopal II, 495; - church in U. C, - character, II, 496; - retorts upon Jemima II, 497; - Wilkinson, - builds a house, II, 498; - dies, II, 499; - his family, II, 500; - wife returns to Mohawks, II, 501; - Wyoming, II, 525, 526; - death of widow, II, 537; - vote of thanks, II, 549; - letter from Gov. Clinton, II, 569; - Chapin's certificate, II, 571; - certificate of Capt. II, 572; - Leonard, - speech at Niagara, II, 577; - letter of Jeromus Johnson, II, 582, 583; - letter from Saul Peters, II, 583; - at his death, II, 595. - Brant, Joseph, Jr., II, 463, 469, 470, 478. - Brant, Mary, alias Molly, I, 18, 33, 34, 87, 183, 387. - Brant, Molly, II, 519, 536. - Brant, Nickus, I, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. - Brantford, II, 467, 537. - Brant House, II, 517, 513. - Breadley, Capt. John, I, 242. - Breyman, Col., I, 268, 273. - Briant's station, II, 216. - Briar Creek, II, 51. - Briggs, Capt, I, 397. - Brigham, Capt., II, 470, 472. - Broad River, II, 100. - Brock, Lt. Col., II, 573. - Brock, Gen. Wool, II, 507, 508, 509, 576. - Brodack's house occurrence at, I, 357. - Brodhead, Col Daniel, II, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 207, - 208, 209. - Bronkahorse, I, 461. - Brooklyn, British at, I, 170. - Brooks, Col., I, 273. - Brother, murder by, II, 28. - Brown, Capt. Christian, I, 313, 353, 354. - Brown, Col., II, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, - 124, 125. - Brown, John M., I, 313. - Brown, killed, II, 58. - Brown's Schoharie quoted, I, 57. - Brownson, Timothy, II, 199. - Brudenell, I, 272, 469. - Brunswick troops, from Duke of, I, 167. - Bryant's Station, II, 171. - Buchanan, James, II, 519. - Buck Island, II, 136, 186, 189. - Buckloons, II, 42. - Buffalo, II, 244, 300, 326, 335, 377, 408, - 421, 436, 555. - Buffalo Creek, I, xxx. - Buffalo Creek, II, 244, 266, 285, 301, 302, 303, 306, - 324, 339, 359, 364, 378, 415, 417, - 579. - Buford, Col., II, 99. - Bull, Capt., I, 33, 183. - Bullet, dispatches in, II, 213. - Bunker Hill, battle of, I, 79, 115. - Burgoyne, Gen., I, 79, 195, 196, 197, 198, 20l, 203, - 204, 205, 206, 208, 209, 229, 231, 232, - 241, 249, 250, 261, 264, 265, 268, 269, - 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, - 279, 280, 282, 286, 287, 299, 300, 462, - 465, 467, 469, 470, 473, 474, 475, 476, - 477, 478, 480, 481, 483. - Burgoyne, II, 118, 173. - Burke, Mr., I, 60, 115, - Burke, II, 258. - Burlington Bay, II, 498. - Burlington Heights, II, 365. - Burnet, Gov., I, 363. - Burnet's Field, I, 7, 363. - Burnet, Lt., II, 3. - Burr, Aaron, II, 101, 102, 436, 439, 455, 456, 457, - 458. - Burr, Theodosia, II, 455, 456, 457. - Bute, Lord of, II, 598. - Butler, Col. John, I, 34, 52, 54, 86, 118, 186, 210, 230, - 235, 238, 240, 241, 242, 250, 253, - 255, 256, 260, 291, 293, 306, 329, - 331, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 344, - 366, 373, 378, 381, 384, 385, 386, - 387, 391, 459, 462, 464. - Butler, Col. J., II, 3, 9, 19, 22, 26, 31, 34, 54, 67, - 126, 135, 186, 187, 189, 277, 286, - 300, 302, 303, 306, 335, 341, 342, - 359, 362, 368, 371, 410. - Butler, Walter N., I, xxiii, 34, 86, 336, 355, 358, 365, - 369, 370, 371, 372, 378, 381, 382, - 383, 884, 386, 390. - - - - Butler, Walter N., II, 3, 19, 54, 126, 186, 191, 192, 193, - 196, 214, 491. - Butler, Gen., II, 266, 308, 309, 310, 312. - Butler, Col. Wm., I, 355, 356, 367, 368. - Butler, Col. Zebulon, I, 326, 327, 328, 332, 333, 334, 335, - 338, 340, 341. - Butler, Col. Zebulon, II, 36. - Butler, Mrs., I, 377, 384, 392. - Butler's Rangers, I, 392, 414. - Butler's Rangers, II, 5, 54, 105, 120, 122, 123, 164, 168. - Butler, Pa., II, 556, 557. - Butterfield, Major, I, 153, 154, 155. - Butternuts, I, 366. - Butterworth, Mr., II, 527. - Buxton family massacred, I, 378. - Cabot, Sebastian, II, 487. - Cadaragara, II, 380. - Caldwell, Lt. Col., II, 4. - Camden, Lord, I, 323. - Camden, Lord, II, 238, 404. - Camden, Gen., II, 142. - Campbell's Gertrude of Wyoming, II, 525, 526, 527. - Campbell, John, I, 382. - Campbell, Col. Samuel, I, 72, 168, 189, 281, 282, 307, 371, - 376, 382, 395. - Campbell, Major, II, 388, 389, 390. - Campbell, Mrs., I, 377, 378, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, - 392. - Campbell, Mrs., II, 55, 130. - Campbell, Capt., II, 386. - Campbell, Thomas, II, 100, 250, 595. - Campbell, Wm. W., facts from, I, xx, xxi, xxiv. - Campendown, I, 218. - Canada expedition, I, 5, 112, 116, 162, 163, 164, 165, - 300, 393. - Canada, invasion from, I, 198 to 264. - Canada Creek, II, 570. - Canadasago, II, 322, 362. - Canaghsioraga, II, 124. - Canadiorba, alias Nickus Brant, I, 6. - Canajoharie, I, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 25, 27, 52, 112, - 113, 114, 291. - Canajoharie, II, 5, 37, 38, 39, 95, 96, 97, 105, - 155, 156, 411, 548. - Canandaigua Lake, I, 217. - Canandaigua, II, 401, 416, 436, 453. - Canaseraga, I, 367, 408. - Cane, Barney, II, 64, 65. - Canestoga, Indians at, I, 38. - Cannassateego, I, 99, 320, 436, 437, 445, 449. - Cannibalism charged, I, 241, 460. - Cannon, Matthew, II, 130. - Cannon, Mrs., I, 378, 391. - Cantine, Col. John, II, 170. - Cape Cod, II, 590, 591. - Carlton, Sir Guy, I, 89, 109, 112, 117, 149, 151, 153, - 157, 162, 163, 165, 173, 174, 195, - 197, 199, 204, 243, 308. - Carlton, Sir Guy, II, 8, 116, 128, 129, 132, 211, 214, - 233, 238, 250, 261, 402, 577. - Carleton, Major, II, 131, 132, 133, 135, 150. - Carleton Island, II, 68, 145. - Carlisle, Karl of, I, 394. - Carlisle, Capt. John, II, 154. - Carpenter, John, II, 220. - Carr, Lt., II, 506. - Carr, Purcifer, I, 313. - Carroll, Mr., in Canada, I, 162. - Carry-one-about, II, 348. - Carey, Lt. Wm., II, 573, 576. - Caroga Creek, II, 119. - Carter, Sarah, II, 563. - Cartwright's, I, 430. - Carver, Capt., II, 480. - Cass, Peter, II, 123. - Cassassenny, Indian castle of, I, 209. - Castleton, I, 392. - Castleton, II, 197. - Caswell, Col., I, 119. - Casweighter, II, 527. - Catamount sign, II, 181. - Cataraghqui, French buy furs at, I, 6. - Cataraqui, I, 438. - Cataraqui, II, 245. - Catawbas, I, 340. - Catherinestown, I, 340. - Catherinestown, II, 21, 22, 23. - Catlin, Geo., portrait of - Brant by, I, xxix. - Cats eyes, II, 342, 345. - Catskill, I, 356. - Catskill, II, 156, 173, 198. - Cauhow, I, 353. - Caughnawaga, I, 52, 106, 136, 142, 410, 434, 447, - 449, 456. - Caughnawaga, II, 73, 74, 77, 78, 108, 114, 119, 125. - Caughnawagas, I, 89, 90, 94, 96, 103, 117, 149, 158. - Caughnawagas, II, 103, 104, 105, 368, 409, 410, 411, - 412, 413, 414, 69. - Cauldwell, Capt., II, 167, 168, 169, 170. - Cayuga Lake, I, 217. - Cayuga Lake, II, 36. - Cayugas, I, 12, 13, 14, 42, 86, 182, 244, 304, - 305, 307, 446. - Cayugas, II, 3, 23, 24, 25, 36, 243, 244, 289, - 302, 412, 422, 423, 569. - - - - Cayadutta, II, 73, 75. - Cayaughkiass, II, 566. - Cazenovia Lake, I, 217. - Cedars, Battle of, I, 151, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159. - Cedars, Battle of, II, 93, 130, 133, 490. - Census Indian, mentioned, I, 86. - Chamberlain, Rev. Theophilus, - missionary, I, 25. - Chamblee, I, 116. - Chamblee, II, 64, 81, 90, 91. - Champlain Lake, fortresses on, I, 163, 164. - Chandler, Gen., II, 516. - Chapin, Gen. Israel, II, 320, 325, 326, 327, 329, 359, 362, - 363, 364, 365, 366, 369, 370, 371, - 374, 377, 378, 416, 436, 494, 571. - Chapin, Maj. Cyrenus, II, 517. - Chapman, Capt., II, 135. - Chard, Joseph, II, 212. - Charleston expedition, I, 166, 170. - Charleston, II, 51, 52, 53, 142, 201, 202. - Charlotte River, I, 178, 312, 356. - Charlotte River, II, 56. - Chase, Ensign, I, 234. - Chase, Mr., in Canada, I, 162. - Chatham, Earl of, favors - Colonies, I, 49. - Chatham, II, 600. - Chemung, I, 392. - Chemung, II, 19, 36, 58, 59, 65, 128, 169, 460. - Chennessio, fort building at, I, 6. - Cherokees, I, 295. - Cherokees, II, 209, 243, 265, 331, 339, 346, 355, - 375, 377. - Cherry Valley, I, 52, 53, 106, 167, 168, 181, 189, - 190, 191, 307, 311, 312, 313, 336, - 341, 371, 373, 374, 375, 376, 381, - 382, 383, 385, 387, 391, 292. - Cherry Valley, II, 6, 15, 55, 63, 157, 192, 193, 459, - 491. - Chesapeake, I, 195, 197, 284, 346. - Chester, I, 285. - Chew, Joseph, II, 326, 327. - Chew, W. G., II, xxxv. - Chickasaus, I, 295. - Chickasaus, II 375, 383, 567. - Chilicothe, I, 42, 48, 349, 422. - Chilicothe, II, 216. - Chippewas, I, 56, II, 3, 218, 243, 264, 265, 278, - 285, 295, 348, 349, 355, 361, 376, - 387, 510. - Chippewa, II, 517, 534. - Chittenden, Gov. Tho., II, 183, 184, 202, 204, 206, 207. - Chittenden, Timothy, II, 199. - Choctaws, I, 296. - Choctaws, II, 375, 377, 567. - Church, John B., II, 176. - Church, Mrs Philip, II, 176. - Churches built by Sir Wm. - Johnson, I, 20. - Chrystie, Lt. Col., II, 504, 506. - Chrystie, Col., II, 512, 513. - Christie, Robert, II, 510, 512. - Clappum, II, 394. - Clarke, Col., II, 45, 46, 49, 71, 519. - Clark, Gen., II, 216, 299. - Clarke, Col. Geo. Rogers, I, 352, 398, 400. - Clarkson, Gen. Matthew, I, 267. - Claverack, II, 115, 148. - Claus, Col. Daniel, I, 27, 33, 34, 52, 154, 209, 210, 230, - 253, 255, 256, 260, 304, 464. - Claus, Col. Daniel, II, 144, 145, 417, 418, 419, 425, 426, - 441, 451, 452, 497. - Claus, Capt., II, 399, 402, 406, 407, 468. - Claus, Wm., II, 461, 465. - Claus, Mrs., II, 451. - Clayes, Capt., II, 22. - Clayton, Col. Asher I, 327. - Clear sky, II, 359, 371. - Clement, Jacobus, I, 6. - Clement, Lewis, I, 110, 114. - Clement, Ralph, II, 277. - Cleveland, II, 100. - Clinton, A., papers in - possession of, I, xxii. - Clinton, De Witt, II, 585. - Clinton, Gov George, I, 278, 280, 281, 302, 303, 304, 306, - 307, 382, 421. - Clinton, Gov. George, II, 2, 17, 81, 95, 96, 115, 120, 123, - 143, 146, 149, 150, 153, 154, 167, - 168, 182, 184, 185, 197, 198, 204, - 206, 281, 287, 304, 305, 306, 329, - 368, 369, 411, 457, 569. - Clinton, Sir Henry, I, 79, 169, 170, 171, 264, 280, 281, - 282, 344, 345, 347, 358, 359, 360, - 370, 373, 395, 478. - Clinton, Sir Henry, II, 53, 54, 98, 99, 102, 132, 139, 140, - 141, 195, 218. - Clinton, Gen. James, I, xxii, 116, 248, 288, 307, 358, 359, - 375, 382, 383, 384, 386, 394, 401, - 403, 404, 410, 411, 421, 480. - Clinton, Gen. James, II, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, - 18, 23, 24 32, 135, 143, 146, 147, - 148, 149, 150, 151, 154, 155, 160, - 461. - Clozier, James, II, 562. - Clyde, Samuel, I, 72, 168, 182, 371. - - - - Clyde, Col, II, 96, 122, 548, 549. - Clyde, Mrs., I, 375. - Cobleskill, I, 313, 353, 411, 412. - Cobleskill, II, 15. - Corbley, John, letter of, II, 564, 565. - Cochran, Major James, I, 366, 367, 370, 405, 407. - Cochran, Major James, II, 327, 330, 492. - Cochran, Lt. Col., II, 148, 149. - Cochran, Mrs. James, I, 207, 291. - Cochran, Mrs., II, 177. - Cochran, Maj Robert, I, 357, 358. - Cockrel, Richard, II, 501. - Coe's station, II, 564. - Coffin, Col., II, 514, 515. - Colborn, Col., I, 269. - Colden, Dr.. on Mohawks, I, xviii. - Collier, Sir George, II, 52. - Collis, Lieut., II, 22. - Collyer, Mr., I, 363. - "Col. Louis," (see Atagataronghta). - Colonies, driven to rebellion, I, 49, 50. - Commissions issued to Indians, I, 401. - Committees in Tryon co., I, 52. - Companionships among Indians, I, 28; - among the Greeks, I, 28. - Concord, collision at, I, 37, 51. - Condolence, speech of, II, 441. - Congress, I, 35, 36, 51, 91, 92, 93, 111, - 143, 145, 156, 158, 159, 246, 263, - 292. - Connecticut, I, 37, 115, 322. - Connecticut Reserve, II, 396. - Connell, declaration of, I, 120, 142. - Connally, Lieut. Col., II, 292. - Connally, Col., II, 151. - Connequeuesling Creek, II, 556, 559. - Connissius Lake, II, 28. - Connoys, II, 3, 4, 348, 355. - Cennowango, II, 24, 41. - Continental Village, II, 196. - Conway, Gen., I, 115, 301, 303. - Conyat, II, 304. - Conyne, Lieut., I, 234. - Cooke, Mrs., II, 427. - Cook, Col. Lewis, I, 401. - Cook, Lewis, (see Atagataronghta), II. - Cook, Sir Francis, I, 272. - Cooper, Gen. John, I, 7, 290. - Copp, Captain, I, 403. - Cork, Jacob R., I, 410. - Corlies, John, II, 177. - Cornelius, I, 367. - Cornplanter, II, 34, 105, 126, 127, 128, 243, 244, - 245, 299, 303, 306, 307, 326, 334, - 350, 355, 377, 411, 446. - Cornstock, I, 12, 43, 44, 45, 191, 192, 193, - 194. - Cornwallis, Gen., I, 172, 173, 175, 287, II, 99, 142, - 193, 194, 195, 202, 203, 209, 214, - 541. - Cortus, Mr., II, 562. - Cory, II, 212, 213. - Cosby's manor council appointed - at, I, 72; - not held, I, 76. - Coshocton, II, 207, 208. - Cough, Mr., I, 309. - Council Fire, transferred to - Albany, I, xxv. - Council Fire, kept at Onondaga, I, xxv. - Council Fire extinguished, I, 176. - Cowboys, I, 258. - Cowley, Mr., I, 410. - Cowpens, II, 142. - Cox, Col. Ebenezer, I, 72, 109, 181, 184, 233, 234, 236, - 242, 461. - Cox, Mr., II, 70. - Coxsackie, II, 173. - Craig, Sir James H., II, 269. - Crawford, James, alleged - letter of, I, 427. - Crawford, Wm., II, 225, 226, 227, 228. - Crawford, Col., II, 231, 232. - Crawford, Lieut., I, 394. - Creeks, I, 296. - Creeks, II, 214, 339, 355, 362, 375, 377. - Cresap's war, I, 38, 39, 40, 46, 191, 192, 446. - Cresap's war, II, 217. - Cricket games, II, 445, 446, 447. - Crim, Mr., I, 363. - Crouse, Robert, I, 242. - Crown Point, I, 15, 78, 163, 164, 165, 173, 174, - 195, 199, 201, 384, 392, 438. - Crown Point, II, 73, 81, 90, 132, 150, 151, 152, - 155, 178. - Crozier, Mary Ann, II, 563. - Cuchehwaskiseegua, II, 394. - Currie, John, II, 555. - Currietown, II, 157, 159. - Cusick, David, quoted, I, 147. - Cuyler, Col., II, 121. - Dalhousie, Karl, II, 532. - Danbury, attacked, I, 283. - Danvers, Sir Robert, meets - Johnson, I, 18. - Darke, Col., II, 308, 309, 310, 311, 315. - Dartmouth, Earl of, founds - college, I, 22. - Dartmouth college, II, 468, 470, 473. - David, Captain, II, 276. - Davis, Ashbel, II, 595. - Davis, Hamlet, II, 531. - - - - David Lawrence, II, 531. - Davis, Capt. John, I, 236, 242, 342. - Davis, John, II, 552. - Davis, Mr., I, 459. - Davis, Col. Valentine, II, 169. - Dayton, Col., I, 143, 145, 168, 169, 217, 223. - Dayton, Col., II, 23, 37. - D'Aubrey, M., at siege of - Niagara, I, 20. - Dean, James, I, 131, 142, 370, 407. - Deane, Mr., II, 7, 10, 104. - Diane, Silas, I, 298. - Dearborn, Lt. Col., II, 36. - Dearborn, Col., I, 271, 272. - Decker, Maj. Hans, I, 421. - De Couagre, movement against, I, 6. - D'Estaing, Count, I, 346. - D'Estaing, Count, II, 53, 54. - De Graffe, judge, II, 74. - De Grasse, Count, II, 195. - De Haven, Major, II, 517. - Deitz, William, I, 287, 315, 316. - Deitz, Peter, I, 287. - Deitz, Capt., II, 178. - De Kalb, Baron, I, 301. - De Kalb, Baron, II, 100. - Delagie, Natalie, I, 40, 42, 95, 118, 149, 403, 415, - II, 456. - Delawares, I, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 329, 347, - 348, 349, II, 3, 43, 46, 47, 49, 65, - 66, 69, 208, 217, 220, 221, 227, 243, - 265, 266, 278, 291, 295, 346, 348, - 349, 350, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, - 372, 373, 377, 386, 422, 565, 566, - 567. - Denniston, Col., I, 333, 334, 335, 341, 385. - Denniston, Ensign, I, 234. - Denniston, Nathan, I, 328. - De Peister, Col., II, 249. - De Puisy, Count, II, 328, 403. - Derby, Karl of, I, 276. - Desertions, I, 166, 171, 173, 360, 361. - De Soto, II, 1. - Detroit, I, 16, 24, 25, 102, 103, 304, 339, 348, - 349, 350, 352, 392, 393, 399, 400, - 434, 456, II, 41, 45, 46, 62, 71, - 130, 208, 218, 219, 241, 232, 233, - 243, 263, 265, 267, 268, 270, 274, - 275, 278, 284, 285, 291, 292, 294, - 302, 347, 352, 358, 361, 379, 381, - 382, 391, 423, 474, 502, 503. - Devil's Point, II, 92. - De Witt, Capt., I, 357. - De Witt, Charles H., II, 66, 68. - De Witt, Levi, II, 94. - Dezonhighkor, II, 428. - Dick, Capt., I, 327. - Dickson, Wm. II, xxxv. - Diefendorf, Frederick, II, 159. - Diefendorf, Capt. Henry, I, 242. - Diefendorf, Lieut., I, 234. - Diefendorf, Jacob, II, 159. - Dieskan, Baron, defeated and - wounded, I, 19. - Dillenback, Capt. Andrew, I, 240, 242. - Dingley, Dr., II, 453, 582. - Dionondadles, I, 288. - Disaffection prevails, I, 166, 173, 211, 213, II, 137, 138, - 139. - Dobbs Ferry, II, 205. - Dodge, John, I, 400. - Dodridge's history quoted, I, 40, 44. - Dodridge, Rev. Mr., I, 397. - Dog, fidelity of, I, 226. - Dog sacrifice, I, 389, 390. - Dorchester Heights, occupied, I, 161. - Dorchester, Lord, of, I, 90, II, 180, 236, 250, 270, 272, - 279, 282, 286, 295, 296, 297, 299, - 300, 207, 366, 367, 368, 369, 399, - 402, 403, 404. - Doonyontal, II, 43. - Douglass, Mr., II, 174. - Dougherty, Capt., I, 422. - Douw, Mr., in charge of Indian - affairs, I, 101, 103. - Douw, Volket P., I, 93, 94, 304, 430, 431, 435, 451. - Doxstader, II, 79. - Doxstader, John, II, 157, 159, 160, 163. - Drakes History quoted, I, 43, 44, 339. - Duane, James, I, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307. - Duane, James, II, 242. - Duanesburg, I, 314. - Dubois, Col., II, 120, 121, 122, 123. - Duel, II, 411. - Duer, Wm., I, 137, 263. - Duguoris, II, 421. - Duintate, II, 334. - Duncan, Capt., I, 418, 421. - Duncan, Capt., II, 114, 119. - Duncan, Major, I, 218. - Duncan, Richard, II, 106. - Dundas, Major, II, 199. - Dunham, Capt. Josiah, II, 477, 478. - Dunlap's Hist. American Stage - quoted, I, 52. - Dunlop, Samuel, I, 168, 374. - Dunmore, Lord, I, 41, 45, 47, 116, 119, 191, 194, 349. - Dunning, Lt. Benj., I, 421. - Dunop, Count, I, 287. - Duplessis, Mr., I, 287. - Duquesne, Capt., I, 251. - Durbin, Col., II, 25. - - - - Durkee, Col., I, 335, 338. - Durlogh, II, 157. - Dutch treatment of Indians, II, 241. - Dwight, Pres., statement by, I, 226. - Dwight, Pres., II, 192, 491. - Dyer, Eliphalet, I, 266. - Dygert, John, I, 242. - Dygert, William, I, 266. - Dygert, II, 330. - East Haven burnt, II, 52. - Eastern news, II, 542. - Easton, Pa., council held at, I, 10. - Easton, II, 37. - Easton, Col., II, 116. - Ecker, Geo., Jr., on committee, I, 72. - Eddy, Thomas, II, 480. - Eden, Wm., I, 394. - Edgar, John, II, 197, 198, 204. - Edick, Christian, II, 70. - Edineston settlement, I, 364, 366. - Edwards, Dr., on Mohegans, I, 56. - Edwards, Mr., II, 580. - Edward, Prince, II, 299. - Egouchouoy, II, 376. - Eights, Jonathan, II, 411. - Eisenlord, Col., I, 181. - Eisenlord, Maj. John, I, 242. - Elerson, David, I, 356. - Elerson, David, II, 14, 15. - Elholm, Capt., II, 52. - Elizabethtown, II, 100. - Elkhorn, II, 171. - Ellinipsico, I, 42, 191, 192. - Elliot, a loyalist, I, 348, 349. - Elliott, Capt., II, 208, 218, 347, 357, 474. - Elliot, John, II, 339, 546. - Ellis, Alexander, II, 69. - Ellis, II, 94. - Elmira, II, 19. - Elmore, Col., I, 175, 176, 222. - Engravings, historical notice - of, I, xxviii. - Enlistments, term of, I, 161; - of Indians, I, 159. - Enos, Gen., II, 201, 202. - Epidemic among Indians, I, 104. - Erik, II, 487, 590. - Esopus, I, 182, 282. - Esopus, II, 68. - Etherington, Capt., meets - Johnson, I, 18. - Eusenia, wife of Mikus Hance, I, 17. - Exeter, I, 328, 332. - Fairchild, Benj., II, 573. - Fairfield, I, 283. - Fall Hill, I, 292, 366. - Falls of Ohio, II, 216. - Falls of St. Anthony, II, 480. - Falmouth burned, I, 116. - Families of Indian warriors - supplied, I, 16. - Fantine Kill, I, 414. - Farmers Brother, II, 359, 362, 415, 423, 572. - Fassett, John, II, 199. - Fay, Joseph, II, 197, 199, 201, 202. - Fay, brothers, II, 197. - Feeter, Col. Win., II, 161, 167. - Female captives never - dishonored, I, xiv. - Fenn, Rev. Mr., I, 413. - Fenwick, Lt. Col., II, 504, 506. - Ferguson, II, 100. - Festivals, their influence, II, 444. - Field, Col., decides a battle - and is killed, I, 43. - Fink, Andrew, on committee, I, 72. - Fish Carvier, II, 302. - Fish Creek, I, 216, 291, 476, 477. - Fish, Nicholas, II, 143. - Fisher, Frederick, on committee, I, 73. - Fisher, Col., I, 163. - Fisheries interrupted, I, 49. - Fishkill, I, 395. - Fitzherbert, Mr., II, 214. - Flatbush, I, 170. - Fleming, Col., wounded, I, 42. - Florida, I, 394. - Folsom, Nathaniel, I, 266. - Fonda, Adam, on committee, I, 73. - Fonda, Douw, I, 26. - Fonda, Douw, II, 77, 458, 546. - Fonda, Capt., I, 6, 12. - Fonda, Major Jelles, I, 177, 182, 230, 403. - Fonda, Col. Jelles, II, 75, 114. - Fonda, John, arrested, I, 106. - Fonda's bush, I, 309. - Fontaine, Major, II, 294. - Force, Peter, papers in hands - of, I, xxiii, 123. - Ford, Lauren, II, 164. - Forster, Capt., I, 153, 154, 155. - Forks of Unadilla, I, 366. - Fort Ann, I, 202. - Fort Anne, II, 129, 131, 133, 151. - Fort Brewerton, I, 405. - Fort Bull, I, 169. - Fort at Chennessio, (Genesee), I, 6. - Fort at Cherry Valley, I, 189. - Fort Clinton, I, 280, 281, 395. - Fort Constitution, I, 282. - Fort Dayton, I, 224, 233, 255, 256, 258, 262, 364, - 365. - Fort Dayton, II, 69, 143, 163, 164, 166, 192. - Fort Deposite, II, 385. - Fort Edward, I, 202, 203, 204, 205, 213, 267, 275, - 478, 479. - - - - Fort Edward, II, 144, 150, 409, 542, 570. - Fort Erie, I, 333. - Fort Erie, II, 303, 332, 342, 344, 347, 380, 452, - 517. - Fort Forty, I, 332, 333. - Fort Freeland, I, 432. - Fort George, I, 163, 164, 231, 266, 267, 270, 275. - Fort George II, 129, 131, 132, 134, 451, 503, 509, - 516, 517. - Fort Greenville, II, 321, 383. - Fort Griswold, II, 195. - Fort Harmer, II, 279, 280, 281, 332, 338, 349, 353, - 392. - Fort Hardy, I, 447. - Fort Hendrick, II, 570. - Fort Henry, I, 257. - Fort Herkimer, I, 364, 365. 366. - Fort Herkimer, II, 69, 123, 149, 233. - Fort Hunter, I, 26, 27, 52, 309, 450. - Fort Hunter, II, 111, 114, 125, 186, 187, 491. - Fort Jefferson, II, 308, 311, 339. - Fort Keyser, II, 115. - Fort Laurens, I, 351, 396, 397, 399. - Fort Lee, I, 172. - Fort McIntosh, II, 62, 232, 349, 353, 372. - Fort Miami, II, 392, 395. - Fort Montgomery, I, 280, 281, 282, 395. - Fort Moultrie, II, 53. - Fort Newport, I, 169. - Fort Niagara, II, 64, 572. - Fort Paris, II, 115. - Fort Pitt, I, 25, 351, 413. - Fort Pitt, II, 41, 43, 49, 221, 260, 292. - Fort Plain, II, 35, 120, 143, 160, 539, 548. - Fort Plank, I, 409. - Fort Plank, II, 95, 127, 539. - Fort Recovery, II, 381, 383. - Fort Rensselaer, II, 155, 156, 157, 159, 186, 233. - Ft. St. Clair, II, 336. - Forts at Schoharie, I, 307. - Fort Schuyler, I, 168, 169, 175, 176, 179, 210, 211, - 213, 216, 217, 222, 228, 229, 232, - 233, 253, 256, 259, 262, 263, 277, - 291, 307, 330, 357, 358, 359, 360, - 361, 362, 366, 370, 371, 372, 373, - 383, 392, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, - 406, 407, 409, 410, 411. - Fort Schuyler, II, 5, 6, 7, 12, 37, 38, 80, 95, 97, - 135, 136, 143, 148, 149, 150, 162. - Fort Stanwix, I, xxviii, 7, 12, 13, 14, 76, 83, 221, - 222, 223, 228, 262, 263, 327, 433, - 434, 455, 461, 463. - Fort Stanwix, II, 150, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 254, - 263, 265, 289, 290, 297, 298, 349, - 350, 371, 411, 460, 540, 541. - Fort Van Dyck, I, 403. - Fort Washington captured, I, 172, 173. - Fort Washington, II, 294, 303, 308, 311, 342. - Fort Watkinson, II, 142. - Fort Wm. Henry besieged, I, 5. - Fort Wintermoot, I, 332, 333. - Fort Wyoming, I, 326, 327, 335, 341. - Forty Mile Creek, II, 516. - Fowler, Theodosius, diary of, I, xxiii. - Fowler, Capt. Theodosius, II, 21, 26, 29, 31. - Fox, Capt. Christopher, I, 72, 242. - Fox, Frederick, on committee, I, 73. - Fox Creek, I, 355. - Fox's Fort, II, 119, 122. - Fox, Charles, II, 251, 258, 426, 598. - France, alliance with, I, 298, 299, 343, 394. - France at war with England, II, 366. - Francis, Turbot, a commissioner, I, 93, 94, 97, 430, 431, 435. - Frank, Judge, I, 367, 370. - Frank, John, I, 363, 370. - Frank, John, II, 70. - Franklin, Benj., I, xvi, 39, 47, 49, 162, 298, 394, 427. - Franklin, Benj., II, 214. - Framingham, II, 492. - Fratricide at Wyoming, I, 337. - Fraser, Gen., I, 163, 268, 271, 272, 274, 472, 478, - 480, 482. - French colony, Onondaga co., II, 585. - French Creek, II, 41. - French give presents to Indians, II, 104. - French, Capt., II, 62. - French hostilities with, I, xix. - French hatred to Six Nations, I, 5, 6. - Freeman, II, 331. - Frey, Barent, I, 354. - Frey, Major John, I, 72, 110, 116, 240, 242, 249, 460. - Frey, Maj. Hendrick, II, 411, 492. - Frey, Philip R., I, 339. - Frey, Capt. Philip, II, 492. - Frey, Samuel C., I, 338. - Friedenshutten, II, 217. - Frink, John, on committee, I, 73. - Frink, Adj. Nathaniel, I, 421. - Frontenac, Count, I, 217, 340, 406. - Frothingham, Lieut., II, 294. - Fry, Col., II, 29. - - - - Fulmer, John, II, 212. - Funeral of Gen. Fraser, I, 274. - Gage, Gen., I, 99, 117, 433, 435. - Gage, Gov., belt from, I, 99. - Gahonto, I, 319. - Gameleis, Antoine, II, 292, 293. - Gansevoort, Gen. Peter, I, 163, 164, 217, 223, 224, 226, 227, - 229, 233, 234, 249, 250, 251, 252, - 253, 255, 257, 258, 262, 263, 308, - 345, 354, 355, 357, 358, 360, 361, - 367, 377, 404, 410, 454, 460, 461, - 463, II, 4, 5, 37, 38, 39, 40, 95, - 129, 131, 133, 134, 167, 168, 173, - 177, 178, 179, 183, 187, 197, 203, - 205, 206, 207, 480, 506, 545. - Ganson, Capt. Cor's. T., II, 546. - Gaol, question of jurisdiction - of, I, 110, 111. - Garanguli, I, 411. - Gardenier, Capt. Jacob, I, 238, 239, 242. - Gardenier, Lt. Samuel, I, 242. - Gardenier, William, I, 238, 339. - Gardenier, Capt., II, 189. - Gates, Gen. Horatio, I, 163, 164, 173, 174, 203, 205, 223, - 227, 257, 262, 264, 265, 267, 268, - 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, - 276, 277, 278, 279, 300, 301, 302, - 303, 309, 343, 349, 392, 466, 474, - 476, 478, 479, 480. - Gates, Gen., II, 4, 99, 100, 118,142. - Gathtsegwarohore, II, 32. - Gauntlet, II, 61, 62. - Geake, Samuel, I, 358, 359, 362. - Geismar, Capt., I, 469. - Genesee, II, 27, 29, 32, 35, 61, 63, 65, 60, - 238, 319, 325. - Genet, Citizen, II, 366. - Gentleman, Indian notion of a, I, 23. - Georgia, I, 394. - Georgia, II, 52, 214. - Gerard, Mr., I, 394. - Germaine, Lord George, I, 229, 425. - Germaine, Lord George, II, 106, 124, 125, 136. - Germans, Whigs, I, 106. - German Flats, I, xviii, 7, 8, 72, 80, 83, 95, 98, - 104, 106, 139, 140, 168, 180, 184, - 187, 233, 255, 257, 262, 294, 305, - 312, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, - 367, 369, 370, 430, 433, 435. - German Flats, II, 69, 70, 123, 143, 149, 136, 160, - 163, 189, 330, 331, 434. - German Flats district, I, 52. - Germantown, I, 197, 285, 286. - Gerriah, Capt, alleged letter - to, I, 427. - Gerry, Elbridge, I, 266. - Gerry, Elbridge, 11, 182. - Gertrude of Wyoming, I, 3l, 379. - Gertrude of Wyoming, II, 525, 526, 527, 596. - Getman, Frederick, II, 70, 166. - Gibson, Capt., II, 381, 383. - Gibson, Col. John, I, 45, 46, 47, 396, 397, 398. - Gibson, Col., II, 220. - Gibson, James, II, 528, 529, 531. - Gilmore, an Indian, I, 192. - Girard, Mr., I, 299. - Girty, Simon, I, 348, 349. - Girty, Simon, II, 208, 218, 219, 227, 310, 357. - Glen, Henry, I, 133, 137. - Glickhickan, II, 217, 218, 219, 224. - Gloucester Heights, exploit of, I, 162. - Gnodenhaltters, II, 217, 219, 220, 221, 222, 227, 231. - Gobesseronton, II, 575. - Good, Peter, I, 407, 408. - Goodrich, William, speech - sent by, I, 59. - Gorah, Quedars, I, 452. - Gora nations, II, 335. - Gordon, Brig. Gen., I, 157. - Gordon, statement by, I, 261. - Gordon, Col., II, 297, 298, 299, 300, 303, 304, 322, - 324, 326, 493. - Gordon, Gen., II, 177. - Gore, Sir Francis, II, 424. - Goschochking, I, 349. - Goshen, I, 415, 417, 418, 420. - Gospels printed, II, 288. - Gospels translated, II, 431. - Gotheseunquen, II, 26. - Gowaowainse, II, 394. - Grabouski, Count, I, 281. - Graft, Philip, II, 107, 108, 109, 192. - Grafton, Duke of, II, 115. - Graham, Capt., I, 403, 405, 406. - Granby, II, 142. - Grand Glaize, II, 389. - Grand Miami, II, 367. - Grand Rapids, council at, II, 573. - Grand River, II, 239, 240, 247, 282, 287, 288, 294, - 302, 322, 327, 328, 364, 365, 379, - 397, 399, 406, 407, 411, 415, 417, - 418, 419, 422, 423, 429, 437, 447, - 499, 568, 569, 578, 579. - Grant, Gen., I, 284. - Grant, Mrs., I, 4, 18, 218. - Grasshopper, I, 366. - Grassy Brook, I, 415. - Graves, Admiral, II, 99. - Graves, Capt., I, 242, 461. - - - - Gravesend, troops at, I, 170. - Gray, Gen., I, 284, 285, 347. - Gray, Capt., II, 151. - Great Tree, I, 370. - Greathouse, Daniel, murdered, I, 39, 40. - Green, Capt., I, 472. - Green, Col. Christopher, I, 287. - Greene, Gen., I, 171, 346. - Greene, Gen., II, 142, 233, 541, 543. - Greenbush, II, 535. - Greenland, II, 487, 590. - Green Mountain boys, II, 180, 183, 207. - Greenville, II, 384, 395. - Gregg, Captain, I, 226, 227, 228, 359. - Gregg, Capt, II, 536, 546. - Grenville, James, I, 115. - Grinnis, Mr., I, 459. - Griscom, Prof., II, 496, 497. - Groat, Lieut., I, 242. - Gros, Rev. Daniel, II, 155. - Gross, Capt., II, 157. - Groton, II, 194. - Groveland, II, 32. - Guilford, I, 284. - Guilford, II, 142. - Guilford, C. H., II, 541. - Guthrie, Capt, II, 552. - Gwins, James, II, 573. - Guy Park, council at, I, 71. - Guyanguahta, I, 391. - Hair, Lieut., I, 221. - Hakluyt, II, 488. - Haldimand, Gen. Sir Fr., I, 89, 100, 103, 149, 384, 390, 393, - 427, II, 7, 8, 9, 54, 106, 125, 129, - 130, 131, 132, 134, 136, 144, 152, - 153, 174, 193, 198, 201, 238, 239, - 245, 250, 252, 253, 263, 358, 398, - 399, 404, 426, 429, 533, 540, 577, - 578, 579. - Halifax, I, 169. - Half King, II, 218, 219, 266, 267. - Half Moon, II, 174. - Half Town, II, 245. - Half-way Creek, I, 310, 416. - Hall, Capt., I, 192. - Hall, Lt. Francis, II, 517, 518. - Hamilton, Capt., I, 422. - Hamilton, Col., I, 278, 304, 349, 399, 400, 401, 403, - 404. - Hamilton, Col., II, 45. - Hamilton, Wm. O., I, 458. - Hamilton, Alexr., II, 107, 195, 207. - Hammell, Major, I, 358, 359, 360, 362. - Hammond, Mr., II, 327, 369. - Hamtramck, Major, II, 309, 311, 326. - Hanau, troops from Count of, I, 167. - Hancock, John, I, 143, 158. - Hand, Brig. Gen., I, 382, II, 5, 18, 19, 25, 31. - Hanover, II, 470. - Hansen killed, II, 73. - Hansjurie, Tewahongrahkon, I, 367. - Harbison, Massy, captivity of, II, 295, 551. - Hardenburgh, Lt., I, 410. - Hardenburgh, John G., II, 168, 169. - Hardin, Col., II, 294, 331. - Hare, Capt., I, 243. - Hare, II, 6, 78. - Harland, Major, II, 216. - Harlem Heights, I, 171. - Harmar, Gen., II, 294, 295, 299, 307, 312, 383. - Harnage, Major, I, 470, 473, 476. - Harper, Capt. Alexander, I, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, 67, 493. - Harper, Col. John, II, 177, 178, 179, 181, 214, 354, 355; - William, II, 178; - Joseph, I, 178; - Alexander, II, 178. - Harper, Col. John, II, 26, 81, 120, 542. - Harpersfield, I, 52, 178, 179, 312, 413. - Harpersfield, II, 55, 58. - Harris captured, I, 309. - Harris, Mr., II, 150. - Harrod, Col., I, 423. - Harrodsburgh, II, 50, 171. - Hartman, II, 331. - Hartford, I, 330. - Hartley, Col., I, 341, 354, 385. - Hartshorn, Gen., II, 339. - Harvard College, vote, II, 287, 549. - Hastings, Marquis of, II, 250, 598. - Hatchet buried, I, 14. - Hathorn, Col., I, 416, 417. - Hatton, Lt. Chas., II, 546. - Haughton, Major, II, 129, 135. - Hawley, Joseph, I, 93, 98, 430. - Hay, Col. A. Hawkes, I, 174. - Head, Capt. Jacob, brings in - scalps, I, 17. - Heath, Gen., II, 178, 196, 197, 203, 204, 206. - Hebron, II, 436, 480. - Heckewelder, I, xviii, 47, 56, 318, 322. - Heckewelder, II, 62, 208, 217, 225, 231, 331, 357, - 358, 439. - Hegu, Gen., II, 541. - Helmer, Adam, I, 233. - Helluland, II, 590, 591. - Helmer, Capt. Fred'k, I, 73, 242. - Helmer, John, I, 364, 393, 394. - Helmer, Philip, II, 160, 161. - Hendrick, King, I, 17, 19, 53, 147, 323. - - - - Hendrick, II, 331, 583. - Hendrick, Seth, II, 112, 113, 321. - Henrique, a Mohawk, I, 221. - Henry, Thomas, I, 72. - Henry, John, II, 269. - Henry, Major, II, 56. - Herkimer, George, on Committee, I, 73. - Herkimer, Gen. Nicholas, I, xxii, 72, 74, 85, 88, 108, 110, 114, - 136, 142, 175, 177, 181, 182, 183, - 186, 188, 213, 214, 215, 217, 233, - 234, 235, 236, 240, 241, 244, 246, - 247, 248, 250, 297, 461. - Herkimer, Gen., II, 331, 431. - Herkimer village, I, 364. - Herrick, Col., I, 392. - Herring, Ensign Benj., II, 546. - Hess, Augustus, on Committee, I, 73. - Hesse Casael, troops from, - levying, I, 167, 170, 229. - Hessians, I, 277. - Hewett, Capt., I, 332, 335. - Highlanders, I, 54. - Highlanders, II, 186. - Hill, Capt. Aaron, II, 245, 246, 247, 569. - Hill, Thomas, I, 338. - Hillbaracks, II, 152, 543. - Historians partial to their - own race, I, xiii. - History proposed by Rev. S. - Miller, II, 441. - Hite, Capt. John, I, 353. - Hoffman, Charles, II, 2. - Holder, Capt., II, 216. - Holmes, Rev. Elkanah, II, 439, 440, 441. - Honeoye, II, 27, 28, 29. - Honeoye Creek, II, 28. - Honest John, I, 323. - Honyerry, I, 367. - Honyerry, II, 30, 31. - Hopkins, Major, II, 64, 65. - Hoosick, II, 206, 456. - Hostages, I, 194. - Hotham, Commodore, I, 171, 280, 282, 395. - House, Mr., I, 421. - Houston, Gen., I, 336. - Howe, Robert, I, 394. - Howe, Sir William, I, 79, 157, 161, 169, 170, 174, 195, - 196, 197, 282, 284, 285, 286, 346, - 347, 394, 395, 470. - Howe, Gen., II, 141. - Hoy's Station, II, 215. - Hoyer, Mr., I, 363. - Hudson, Brant attends a - lodge at, I, 156. - Haginen, Lt., II, 506. - Hull, Gen., II, 502. - Hunt, Lt. Col., I, 242. - Hunter. Gen., II, 574. - Hunter, Gov., II, 435. - Huroun, I, 340. - Hurons, II, 3, 43, 46, 47, 218, 219, 240, 243, - 265, 273, 276, 278, 295, 383, 390, - 497. - Huron Village, II, 265, 266, 267, 280. - Huntington, Col., I, 283. - Huntington, I, 328. - Hutton, Adjutant, I, 361. - Hymn, German, II, 543. - Illinois, I, 353. - Independence closed, I, 166. - Indians, Census of, I, 86. - Inman, Wm., II, 459. - Innes, Mr., II, 292. - Irving, Washington, II, 601, 602. - Isaac, II, 286. - Isle Au Noix, II, 85, 154, 197, 199. - Ittig, Michael, on Committee, I, 73. - Jackson, Gen., II, 163. - Jackson, Tho. Fred., II, 197. - Jacobs, Capt., II, 509, 512, 514. - Jansen, Johannes, II, 65, 66. - Jansen, Thomas, II, 65, 66. - Jasper, Sergeant, I, 166. - Jay, John, I, 211, 212. - Jay, John, II, 207, 214, 241, 285, 287, 292, 370, - 395, 411, 459, 486. - Jefferson, Thomas, I, 46, 298. - Jefferson, Tho., II, 331. - Jemison, Mary, I, 187, 188, 243, 244, 390. - Jemison, Mary, II, 21, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 105, 106, - 127, 128, 445, 487. - Jenkins killed, I, 332. - Jennesee, I, 370. - Jersey field, II, 191. - Jesuits at Oneida, &c. I, 7. - Jessup, Major, II, 144, 145. - Jessups, II, 148. - Johnson, Archibald, I, xxi, 16. - Johnson, Capt, I, 234. - Johnson, Guy, I, 6, 152, 179, 186, 209, 230, 297, 432, - 433, 434, 435; - succeeds Sir William, 33; - interrupts pole raising, 52; - vigilant loyalist, 55; - tries to influence Oneidas, 64; - is watched by General - Schuyler, 64; - writes to upper Mohawk - settlements, 65; - is denounced by whigs, 66; - threatens the whigs, 67; - letter to Albany and - Schenectady, 67; - reply from Albany, 69; - apprehends abduction, 69; - holds a council at Guy Park 71; - addressed by Committee, 72; - his reply, 74; - proposed council at Cosby's - Manor not held, 76; - goes to Fort Stanwix, 76; - leaves the Mohawk valley, 61; - provisions cut off, 82; - goes to Ontario, 83; - replies to New York letter, 83, 84; - alarm concerning, 87, 88; - holds council at Oswego, 88; - at German Flats, 98; - vicious influence of, 99, 100; - at Oswego, 100, 102, 103. - - - - Johnson, Guy, I, 19, 67, 135, 136. - Johnson, Hon. Thomas, I, 413, 582. - Johnson, Sir John, I, 132, 167, 108, 170, 186, 209, 210, - 220, 230, 235, 242, 245, 253, 255, - 256, 260, 261, 262, 288, 289, 291, - 293, 309, 321, 356, 393, 422, 424, - 425, 445, 446, 454, 455, 456, 457, - 459, 464; - attempt to arrest, xxiii; - goes to Detroit, 16; - summoned at death of father, 32; - succeeds to his estates, 33; - expedition to Oquaga, 33; - marriage of, I, 33; - a scuffle with Jacob Sammons, 53; - fortifies the Baronial Hall, 54; - suspected of treachery, 54; - has reason to dread Kirkland's - influence, 60; - effects his removal, 61; - sustained by loyalists, 88; - attachment of Indians, 101; - influence of, 105; - addressed by committee, 100; - his reply, 110; - suspected, 108, 109, 120, 123, 124; - meets Gen. Schuyler, 133; - terms offered to, 133; - Indians support, 135; - reply to Gen. Schuyler, 136, 138; - Mrs., notified to leave, 137; - agrees to certain terms, 139, 141; - delivers arms, 141; - breaks his treaty, 143; - attempts to capture, 143; - escapes to Canada, 144; - his sufferings on flight, 144; - lady removed to Albany, 145; - raises troops, 145. - Johnson, Sir John, II, 10, 34, 38, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, - 79, 80, 81, 95, 97, 98, 105, 106, - 108, 109, 110, 114, 115, 119, 120, - 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, - 144, 151, 178, 179, 185, 186, 238, - 248, 249, 252, 254, 267, 269, 272, - 274, 277, 278, 279, 285, 296, 298, - 304, 307, 326, 389, 400, 403, 405, - 407, 414, 432, 433, 441, 474, 490, - 526, 568, 574. - Johnson, Sir William, I, xx, 147, 148, 149, 218, 309, 322, - 340, 367, 373, 387, 394, 447, 455, - 461; - papers of, xxi; - by some thought the father of - Brant, 1; - diary of, 5, 6; - leads Indians, I, 7; - beloved by Mohawks, I, 8; - urged to keep away from - Onondaga, 9, 13; - holds a council at - Canajoharie, 11; - gave jail to the county, 111; - speech by, 11, 15; - decides not to visit Onondaga, 13; - meets Mohawks at Canajoharie, 15; - journey to Detroit, 16; - battle of Lake George, 19; - expedition to Niagara, 20; - builds Indian churches, 20; - interest in school for Indian - youths, 21; - powerful influence of, 30; - position on approach of - revolution, 30, 31; - death of, 31; - memory cherished, 72; - great influence of, 87; - great popularity of, 101; - a hostile Indian, 114; - (Reporter), 373, 379; - (Indian), 183. - Johnson, Sir William, II, 9, 10, 69, 80, 164, 186, 298, 335, - 341, 350, 402, 450, 489, 519, 583. - Johnson, Lady, I, 289, 290. - Johnson's Greens, I, 230, 235, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, - 243. - Johnson's Greens, II, 73, 114, 121, 122, 123, 179, 186. - Johnstone, Gov., I, 394. - Johnstone, Rev. Mr., I, 180. - Johnstone Settlement, I, 178, 180. - Johnstown, I, 52, 88, 109, 120, 129, 130, 141, - 145, 168, 212, 288, 291, 304, 305, - 306, 307, 308, 354, 364, 387, 393, - 404, 423. - Johnstown, II, 69, 72, 73, 75, 79, 81, 96, 105, - 123, 163, 164, 170, 185, 187, 192, - 331, 541, 542. - Jones, Capt. Samuel, I, 342, 418, 421. - Jones, Mr., I, 205, 206. - Judith, murder of, II, 224. - Kattsbergs, II, 65. - Kayinguaraghtoh, I, 452. - Kanaghquaesa, I, 95, 444. - Kanaghsaws, II, 29. - Kanadeseago, I, 370, 387, 388. - Kanasedaga, II, 24, 26. - Kanandaigua, II, 27, 491. - Kanhawa, I, 40, 41, 191, 192, 352. - Karaghquadirhon, Mr. Deane, I, 131. - Karakonti, II, 585. - Karhauguash, II, 26. - Karrhageayate, II, 576. - Kartele, Sergeant, I, 359. - Karauduaan, "Great Tree," - Hancock's name, I, 158. - Kaskaskias, I, 352, 353. - Kaskaskias, II, 566, 567. - Kaweanontye, II, 576. - Kayinguaraghtoh, I, 433. - - - - Kearney, Lt, II, 506. - Keder's Rift, II, 115. - Kelleleman, II, 47. - Kendaia, II, 25, 26. - Kent, Chancellor, I, 266, 279. - Kentucky, I, 23, 117, 351. - Kentucky, II, 49, 70, 71, 169, 171, 215, 217, - 264, 291, 292, 294, 295, 313, 336, - 384, 385. - Kerr, Robert, II, 320, 519, 535, 536. - Kerr, Walter, II, 536. - Kerr, Wm. Johnson, II, 152, 250, 492, 495, 516, 517, 535, - 536. - Kerr, Mrs. Wm. J., daughter of - Brant, I, xxii, xxx. - Kettles, presents of, I, 188. - Kickapoos, II, 278, 293. - Killbush, II, 47, 48. - King, Brants, I, 151, 152. - Kingsborough, I, 52, 109. - Kingsborough, II, 79. - Kingsbridge, I, 171. - Kingsland, I, 52, 82, 139, 140. - Kings Mountain, II, 100. - Kingston, I, 211, 263, 282, 328, 414. - Kingston, II, 81, 287, 434, 523, 534. - Kinnesley, Lt., II, 3. - Kirkland, Rev. Mr., I, 20, 23, 25, 261, 435, 402, 456. - Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, attempt - to remove, I, 55; - sustained by Oneidas, 55; - opens correspondence with - Mohawks, 55; - is compelled to leave Oneida, 61; - obtains a council, 80; - labors to preserve neutrality, 81, 87; - at Treaties, 99, 100; - Mr. suspected by Johnson, 102. - Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, II, 7, 9, 55, 148, 246, 288, 306, 319, - 320, 321, 322, 490, 493. - Kickiminetas, II, 555. - Kittorning, II, 41, 315. - Kjalarnes, II, 590, 591. - Klepsattle, Maj. Enos, I, 242. - Klock, Col. Jacob, I, 72, 181, 190, 191, 233, 240, 242. - Klock, Jacob, II, 160. - Klock, John James, I, 109. - Klock's Field, II, 119, 124, 127. - Knapp, Lt Samuel, I, 418, 421. - Knawaholee, II, 23. - Knox, Gen. Henry, II, 138, 264, 266, 267, 273, 304, 321, - 322, 324, 357, 371, 374. - Knyphausen, Gen., I, 172, 284. - Knyphausen, Gen., II, 100. - Koquethagaeehlon, I, 348. - Kosciusko, Thaddeus, I, 27. - Krassanes, II, 590. - La Branche, II, 391. - Lachioe, II, 103, 106. - Lackawana, I, 328, 332. - Lackawaxen, I, 416. - Lackawaxen, II, 169. - La Fayette, Gen., I, 256, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 307, - 308, 343, 369, 371, 410. - La Fayette, Gen., II, 25, 98, 193, 194, 233, 244. - Laird, Wm., II, 190. - Lake's Company, II, 186. - Lake Champlain, battle on, I, 173, 174. - Lake Champlain, II, 178, 183, 196, 204, 210, 570. - Lake Erie, II, 239, 240, 244, 245, 357, 397. - Lake George, I, 19, 199, 200, 201, 232. - Lake George, II, 64, 81, 118, 134, 396, 409. - Lake Huron, II, 240, 245, 397. - Lake Ontario, II, 239, 244, 397, 398. - Lamb, Col., I, 281. - Lancaster, I, 100, 141, 436, 445. - Lands, grievance about, I, 101. - Land Jobbers, II, 399, 400. - Langan, Lt., II, 274, 275, 277, 279, 286. - Lansing, Ensign Garrett, II, 546. - La Potherie, I, 288. - Laprairie, I, 157. - Larned, General, I, 255, 268. - Laurens, Henry, II, 214. - Laurens, Col. John, II, 25. - Lawyer, Mr., I, 410. - Leasee, Company, II, 290, 410, 412. - Le Boeuf, II, 380. - Ledyard, Col., II, 194. - Lee, Arthur, I, 148, 196, 298. - Lee, Gen. Charles, I, 169, 172, 344, 345. - Lee, Henry, II, 315. - Lee, Col. Robert, II, 572. - Lee, Major, II, 52. - Lee, in behalf of Colonies, I, 49. - Legislature, address to troops, I, 263. - Leicester, II, 33. - Lenni Lenape, I, 319. - Leonard, Capt. W., II, 417, 572. - Lepper, Mr., I, 363. - Leslie, Col., opposed by Col. - Pickering, I, 51. - Letters, their value in history, I, xxvi, xxvii. - Letters conveyed by Indians, I, 108. - Levassear's Lafayette, II, 244. - Lewis, Col. Andrew, I, 41, 42, 44, 45. - - - - Lewis, Col. Charles, killed, I, 42. - Lewis, Mary, II, 3; - Betsey, 130. - Lewis, Col. Morgan, I, 268, 420. - Lewis, Col. Morgan, II, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 121, 330, - 461, 491. - Lewis, Lt. Sam'l, II, 546. - Lewis, Ensign, I, 234. - Lewiston, II, 502, 504, 505. - Lexington, I, 29, 30, 51. - Lexington, II, 181, 216. - Leyden, N. Y., II, 459. - L'Hommedieu, Mr., II, 290. - L'Orient, II, 486. - Liberty poles, I, 34, 52, 106, 364. - Licking river, II, 49, 51, 71, 216. - Lightfoot, Capt., II, 90. - Lillington, Col., I, 119. - Lincoln, Gen., I, xxx, 43, 274, 301, 415. - Lincoln, Gen., II, 51, 52, 53, 99, 338, 339, 341, 347. - Lindlay, Jacob, II, 339. - Little, Aaron, I, 374. - Little, Abraham, I, 71, 96, 100, 102, 121, 133, 147, - 444, 455. - Little Beard, II, 29, 31, 33. - Little Beardstown, II, 29, 31, 32, 33. - Little Buffalo, II, 456. - Little, Capt. John, I, 421. - Little Falls, II, 69, 124, 126, 410. - Little Lakes, I, 363. - Little Turtle, II, 312, 313, 367, 379, 382, 384, 387. - Little, Capt. John, II, 190. - Littlehales, Maj., II, 364. - Liverpool, man-of-war, I, 119. - Livingston, Lt. Col., I, 281. - Livingston, Col., I, 308 - Livingston, Col. John, II, 410, 412. - Livingston, Peter V. P., letter - of Guy Johnson to, I, 84. - Livingston, Robert R., II, 102. - Livingston, Walter, I, 98, 432. - Livingston, Gov. Wm., I, 345. - Livingston Manor, II, 491. - Logan, the Mingo Chief, I, 38, 89, 46, 191, 446. - Logan takes revenge, I, 41; - expedition against, 41,42; - fights the invaders, 42; - speech of, 46; - its authenticity examined, 46, 47; - murder of, 48. - Logan, James, I, 38. - Logan, Col., I, 349. - Long, Capt., I, 356. - Long, Co|., I, 202. - Long Island, Battle of, I, 170. - Long Knives, II, 387. - Longueil, loyalists repulsed, I, 112. - Loekiel, II, 225. - Lotteridge, Capt, recruits for, I, 15. - Loudon, Lord, expedition to - Canada, I, 5. - Louis, Col., I, 401. - Louisiana, II, 292. - Lovell, Gen., II, 52. - Lowell, II, 365. - Lower Sandusky, II, 62, 372. - Lundy's Lane, II, 517. - Lush, Major, II, 147, 506. - Luther, II, 105. - Luttereil, Col., I, 115. - Lyconia, I, 421. - Lydius, Col., I, 449. - Lyman, Lt. Simeon, II, 199. - Lynch Code, II, 180, 181. - Lyttleton, Lord, I, 115. - Mack, Miss, II, 66. - McAfee station, II, 171. - Macauley's History (so called), I, 376. - McCauseland, Mr., II, 479. - McClellan, Lt., I, 358, 410. - McClennen, Lieut., II, 234. - McConnell, Alexander, II, 70, 71. - McCormicks, II, 390. - McCracken, Major, II, 150. - McCrea, Jane, murdered, I, 203, 204, 205, 207. - McCulley, Major, II, 563. - McDonald, Gen., defeated, I, 119. - McDonald, Capt., I, 243. - McDonald, Capt., II, 19. - McDonald, Donald, II, 131, 164, 165, 166. - McDonald, II, 189. - McDonald, Lieut, killed, I, 239. - McDonald, I, 212, 154, 422. - McDonald, Capt. Allen, I, 136, 137, 140, 141, 150, 424, 455. - McDougal, Daniel, I, 72. - McDougal, Duncan, I, 73. - McDonnell, Duncan, II, 131. - McDonnell, John, II, 131. - McDonnell, Kennith, II, 131. - McDonnell, Col., II, 284. - McDonnell, Lt. Col., II, 507. - McDougall, Gen., I, 283. - McDougall, Gen., II, 131. - McGinnis, Mr., I, 364. - McGower, Donald, II, 131. - McIntosh, General, I, 350, 351, 396, 398, 399. - McIntosh, John, II, 131. - McKean, Capt, I, 311, 312, 380. - McKean, Capt., II, 119, 120, 157, 158, 159, 160. - McKean, Col., II, 121, 122, 123, 125. - McKean, Robert A., I, 168. - - - - McKee, A., II, 568. - McKee, Capt., II, 276, 277, 281, 291, 295, 296, 297, - 298, 299, 303, 333, 334. - McKee, Col., II, 340, 341, 347, 357, 376, 387, 389, - 392. - McKee, I, 348, 349. - McKee, II, 218, 286, 294. - McKinan, II, 268, 279. - McKinstry, Capt. John, I, 155, 156; II, 490. - McKnight, Dr., II, 227, 232. - McKown, Wm., I, 310. - McMaster, James, I, 73, 109. - McMichael, John, murder of, I, 11, 13, 14. - McMahon, Major, II, 379, 382. - McMullen, II, 91, 92, 93. - McPherson, Mr., II, 152. - Madison, Corporal, killed, I, 226. - Madog, or Madoo, II, 487. - Magaw, Col., I, 172. - Magee, Ensign, I, 234. - Magee, Lt. W., II, 546. - Maghinquechahocking, II, 42. - Maghingive Keeshuch, II, 47. - Mahingaus, I, 56. - Mahickanders, I, 56. - Malcolm, Capt., II, 272, 505, 506. - Manifesto of St. Leger, II, 230. - Manly, Capt., captures prizes, I, 115. - Mann, Capt. George, I, 314, 315, 316, 317. - Manor of Livingston, II, 460. - Maquichee, II, 43, 47, 48. - Marbatt, John, I, 114. - Marbletown, II, 94. - Marchant, Henry, I, 266. - Marinus, Mr., I, 309. - Mark upon captives, I, 380. - Markland, II, lii, liii. - Marquizee, Captain, I, 224, 226. - Marsh, Prof., facts from, I, xxiv. - Marshall's Washington, I, xvii, xxvi, 338. - Martin, Capt., I, 309, 460. - Maryland, Revolution in, I, 37. - Mason, Rev. John M., II, 439, 440. - Masonic signals, I, 419. - Massacre of Moravians, II, 223, 224, 225. - Massachusetts, I, 36, 37, 51, 55, 58, 59, 77, 115. - Matthews, Capt., II, 144, 283. - Matthews, Gen., I, 172. - Matthews, Gen., II, 52. - Matthews, Major, II, 270, 272, 273, 281, 282. - Matthews, II, 3, 279. - Maughwauwama, I, 319, 320. - Maxwell, David, I, 414. - Maxwell, Gen., I, 343. - Maxwell, Gen., II, 5, 18. - Maxwell, Wm., II, 552. - May, II, 383. - Maynard, Jonathan, II, 492. - Meeker, Maj. Samuel, I, 416, 421. - Meigs, Col., I, 165, 283, 284. - Meller, Col., I, 250. - Mellon, Lt. Col., I, 229. - Memoirs, Author's plan of - writing, I, xxvi. - Mewill, Mrs., II, 313, 314. - Meshecannaqua, II, 312, 367. - Messesaugues, I, 220, 221. - Messessaugues, II, 286. - Mexico, II, 483. - Miami Bay, II, 390. - Miami, II, 71, 307, 309, 310, 342, 346, 356, - 358, 362, 377. - Miami, battle of, II, 502. - Miami of the Lakes, II, 381, 383. - Miami Rapids, II, 295, 334, 336, 339, 340, 342, 344, - 348, 355, 359, 360, 361, 362, 369, - 375, 384. - Miamis, II, 265, 276, 277, 278, 291, 293, 297, - 299, 300, 303, 304, 308, 314, 326, - 329, 332, 335, 338, 348, 350, 355, - 386, 389, 405. - Michilimackinack, I, 352. - Michilimackinack, II, 361, 477. - Middlebrook, II, 139. - Middleburgh, I, 317. - Middleburgh, II, 107. - Midway, I, 394. - Militia, I, 7, 106, 123, 136, 171, 173. - Miller, Adam, I, 235, 339. - Miller, Rev. Samuel, II, 440. - Miller, Rev. Dr., II, 457, 479, 496. - Miller, II, 384, 385. - Miner's Wyoming, I, xvii, 339. - Mingos, I, 38, 42. - Mingos, II, 41, 48, 225, 346, 348, 376. - Mingoes, II, 565. - Minisink, I, 415, 417, 418. 421, 422. - Minisink, II, 59, 65, 441, 491. - Missions, Indian, I, 26. - Missisnagays, II, 3, 355, 497, 534. - Mississagua reservation, II, 406. - Mitchell, Mr., I, 374, 375. - Mohawk District, I, 52. - Mohawk Dist., Meeting, II, 546. - Mohawk Prayerbook, I, 26, 27. - Mohawks, I, xviii, xxiv, 7, 14, 15, 25, 57, 71, - 86, 101, 112, 114, 158, 181, 244, - 304, 805, 307, 410, 446, 447, 454. - Mohawks, II, 2, 8, 88, 238, 242, 244, 245, 281, - 282, 289, 291, 301, 318, 318, 324, - 335, 401, 402, 408, 404, 406, 407, - 409, 411, 415, 416, 422, 424, 426, - 427, 568. - - - - Mohawk Valley, settlement of, I, xvii, 30, 31. - Mohegans, I, 56. - Mohegans, II, 355. - Moheakounucks, II, 56. - Moheakounnuck tribe, congress - sends speech to, I, 59. - Mohiccons, I, 56. - Mohuccans, I, 56. - Mohickanders, I, 56. - Mohickannituck, or North River, I, 56. - Moira, Earl of, II, 250, 259. - Mombackas, II, 169. - Monmouth, I, 343, 344, 345, 356, 395. - Monockonock, I, 387. - Monongalla, I, 418. - Monongahela, II, 220. - Monroe, Col. James, II, 245, 247. - Monsell, Capt., II, 188. - Montcalm, Marquis, at Lake - George, I, 5. - Montgomery, Gen., I, 108, 112, 116, 117, 162. - Montgomery Co. named, II, 286. - Montour, Capt., I, 340. - Montour, Catharine, I, 389, 391. - Montour, Catharine, II, 23. - Montreal, I, 89, 109, 117, 218, 300, 392, 393. - Montreal, II, 68, 270, 282, 288, 284, 326. - Monument voted to Herkimer, I, 248. - Monument at Paoli, I, 285. - Moody, Capt., II, 156. - Moore, Bishop, II, 456. - Moor Charity School, II, 488. - Moore, Gen., I, 119. - Moore, James, on committee, I, 168. - Moore, John, I, 72, 168. - Moore, Joseph, II, 389. - Moore, John, I, 371. - Moore, Miss, II, 66, 68. - Moore, Mrs., I, 377. - Moore, Mrs., II, 130. - Moore's Creek Bridge, battle of, I, 119. - Moravians, I, 319, 321, 322, 328. - Moravians, II, 217, 218, 219, 228, 225, 226, 228, - 229, 280, 282, 358. - Muskingum, II, 208, 217, 219, 224, 231, 232, 281, - 329, 334, 363, 378, 494. - Musquakies, II, 375, 566. - Mutiny in American army, II, 189, 141, 146. - Myers, Jacob, II, 159. - Nanticokes, I, 328. - Nanticokes, II, 4, 346, 355, 376, 441, 565. - Narragansetts join Mohegans, I, 67. - Nash, Gen., I, 286. - Nash, Samuel, II, 212. - Navisink, I, 415. - Negley, Felix, II, 563. - Nellis, Judge, II, 160. - Nepean, Sir, Evan, I, 152. - Nepean, Sir Evan, II, 257. - Neskayuna, II, 157. - Neutrality of Indians given up, I, 159. - Neversink, II, 169. - Newark, I, 172. - Newark, II, 484, 509, 513. - Newbury, a Tory, I, 375. - Newbury hung, II, 6. - New Brunswick, I, 175. - New England Corporation, II, 529, 530, 531, 532. - New Galway, II, 164. - New Grange, II, 488. - New Hampshire, I, 37. - New Hampshire Grants, II, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, - 197, 199, 206. - New Haven plundered, II, 52. - New Jersey, I, 172, 192, 196, 197. - New Jersey, II, 224. - Newkirk, Major, II, 89. - New London, II, 194. - Newman, II, 384. - New Orleans, II, 292. - Newport, I, 346, 347. - Newport, II, 104. - New Scotland, II, 152, 543. - New South Wales, II, 524. - Newtown, Battle of, I, xxiii. - Newtown, II, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 84, 85, - 87, 460. - New Rochelle, I, 206. - New Windsor, II, 139. - New York, I, 49, 77, 78, 105, 162, 169, 171, 343. - New York, II, 100. - New York Bay frozen, II, 54. - New York Legislature on Indian - Titles, II, 241, 242. - New York Spectator, II, 533. - Niagara, I, 20, 26, 82, 210, 218, 288, 304, - 321, 340, 356, 358, 366, 369, 371, - 378, 382, 388, 384, 386, 387, 391, - 398, 403, 438. - - - - Niagara, II, 3, 4, 10, 32, 34, 36, 41, 54, 55, - 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68, - 71, 125, 127, 186, 167, 218, 239, - 258, 268, 270, 271, 284, 286, 297, - 303, 307, 322, 324, 327, 328, 331, - 335, 336, 340, 343, 347, 348, 357, - 363, 364, 390, 399, 402, 405, 417, - 423, 425, 434, 436, 460, 461, 491, - 493, 501, 502, 507, 509, 519, 533, - 536, 577, 582. - Nickus, Peter, I, 9, 314, 317. - Nikadiyooni, II, 145. - Nihweanuagh, II, 576. - Nimwha, II, 47. - Nine Mile Point, I, 221, 222. - Nine Mile Landing, II, 64. - Nisquitha, II, 543. - Norfolk, I, 119. - Norfolk, II, 52, 142, 198. - Norman Emigrants, II, 487. - Normans Kill, II, 96, 97, 152, 543. - North, Lord, I, 116. - North, Lord, II, 590. - Northampton, I, 421. - Northampton, II, 69, 458. - North Carolina, I, 110, 422. - North Carolina, II, 51, 100, 193, 546. - Northmen, II, 487. - Northmen, Voyages of, II, 590, 591, 592, 593. - Northumberland, Duke of, II, 251, 337, 404, 409, 416, 417, 424, - 426, 430, 524, 598. - Norton, John, I, 168. - Norton, John, II, 238, 288, 404, 409, 412, 414, 415, - 418, 422, 424, 428, 486, 577. - Norwalk, I, 283. - Norwalk, II, 52. - "Nose," on Mohawk, II, 115, 119. - O'Bail, John, II, 105, 127. - O'Bail, Capt, II, 127, 299, 302, 304, 377, 378, 380, - 436, 446. - Oboylaco, I, 296. - Ocoum, Samson, at School, I, 21. - Odeserundige, Capt. John, II, 144. - Ogaghto, news brought by, I, 6. - Ogden, Amos, I, 324, 325, 326, 327. - Ogden, Nathan, I, 326. - Ogdensburgh, II, 502. - Oghgwarioghreta, II, 576. - Oghkwaga, I, 33, 168, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, - 182, 189, 310, 341, 367, 374. - Oghkwaga, II, 17, 18, 58, 569. - Oghnaongoghton, II, 575. - Oghquaga, I, 33, 167, 168. - Oghsouwalagette, II, 576. - Ogilvie, Rev. John, I, 26. - Ogilvie, Capt, II, 506. - Ogongksaneyont, II, 576. - Ohio, II, 264, 265, 295, 301, 336, 338, 348, - 354, 355, 358, 363, 378, 392, 393, - 494. - Ohio, Indian hostilities in, I, 348. - Ojageghte, II, 575. - Okoghsenniyonte, II, 423, 579. - Olean Point, II, 585. - Oneaquaga, I, 33, 168. - Oneida, I, 307. - Oneida, II, 29, 80, 123, 191, 319. - Oneida Lake, I, 8, 209, 217, 261, 404, 405. - Oneida Lake, II, 186, 189, 233. - Oneida Mission, I, 20, 25. - Oneidas, I, 7, 12, 13, 47, 58, 80, 82, 86, 87, - 149, 215, 227, 244, 269, 260, 306, - 306, 366, 367, 370, 372, 401, 402, - 408, 409, 411, 432, 433, 434, 435, - 564. - Oneidas, II, 3, 7, 10, 11, 17, 23, 24, 36, 54, - 56, 108, 104, 106, 119, 121, 122, - 135, 143,144, 168, 190, 242, 244, - 246, 289, 480. - Oneigat, II, 24. - Onondaga, central council fire, I, XXV. - Onondaga, council fire - extinguished, II, 76. - Onondaga Creek. I, 405, 406. - Onondaga Hill, II, 361. - Onondaga Lake, I, 405. - Onondaga Lake, II, 123. - Onondaga Landing, I, 405. - Onondagas, I, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 86, 217, 293, 294, - 296, 304, 305, 306, 307, 370, 372, - 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409, - 411, 413. - Onondagas, II, 3, 7, 11, 24, 238, 243, 244, 289, - 359, 429, 569, 585. - Ontario, Council at, I, 83, 86, 149. - Oosterhoudt, Mr., I, 363. - Oothout, Capt., II, 154. - Oquaga, I, 33. - Orange Co. invaded, I, 415, 418. - Orangeburgh, II, 142. - Orendorf, Frederick, on - committee, I, 73. - Oriskany, I, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 240, 241, - 242, 249, 307, 367, 459, 461. - Oriskany, II, 29, 30, 78, 189, 330. - Oswald, Wm., II, 214. - Oswegatchie, I, 153, 210, 410. - Oswegatchie, II, 81, 215, 268, 670. - Oswego, I, 6, 7, 88, 100, 102, 103, 149, 186, - 196, 209, 210, 211, 215, 217, 218, - 226, 237, 261, 262, 291, 306, 350, - 358, 366, 383, 884, 386, 393, 404, - 445, 454, 455, 456, 460. - - - - Oswego, II, 106, 124, 126, 186, 233, 268, 340. - Oswego Falls, II, 233. - Otoghseronge, II, 575. - Otqueandageghte, body of found, I, 8. - Otsego Lake, I, 312, 421. - Otsego Lake, II, 5, 13, 14, 17. - Otsego, II, 4, 16, 504. - Ottawannio, a Cayuga, I, 14. - Ottawas, I, 17. - Ottawas, II, 8, 218, 243, 261, 265, 276, 278, - 348, 349, 355, 376, 387, 390, 565. - Otter Creek, II, 90. - Otsinarenta, II, 420. - Otyoghwawagon, II, 576. - Ouiatauons, II, 293. - Ouise River, II, 239, 240, 282. - Owasco Lake, I, 217. - Oyonwayea Creek, II, 244. - Oylikwagas, II, 422. - Painted Post, II, 304, 306, 318. - Palatine, I, xviii, 34, 62, 64, 389, 409, 410. - Palatine, II, 115, 160, 215, 327. - Palmerstown, II, 144, 146. - Paoli, I, 284, 285, 347. - Papers Concealed by Johnson, II, 80. - Paramus, II, 102. - Paris, Isaac, I, 179, 213, 234, 240, 242, 460, 461. - Parish, John, II, 339. - Parker, John, I, 310. - Parker, Sir Peter, I, 166. - Parker, killed, II, 32, 33. - Parliament on Colonies, I, 49, 50, 116. - Parr, Major, II, 19. - Parraderaski, I, 353. - Patrick, Captain, I, 354, 418. - Party factions, II, 366. - Patchin, Freegift, II, 52, 56. - Patchin, Isaac, II, 56, 83. - Patchin, Samuel, II, 212. - Patriots of Mohawk Valley, I, 84, 85. - Paulding, Capt. Henry, II, 169, 170. - Paulding, Lt. Col. Albert, II, 17, 18, 167, 169, 170. - Paulus, wampum delivered to, I, 7. - Paulus Hook, II, 52. - Peace declared, II, 214, 233, 237. - Peasley, II, 154. - Peccaway, II, 216. - Pekillon, II, 208. - Peltry, Harman, letter - concerning, I, 427. - Pempotowwuthut, Muhhecanneuw, I, 67. - Penn, Gov. John, I, 324, 449, 451. - Penn, William, I, 145, 320, 328. - Penn, II, 339. - Penobscots, plan to employ, I, 159. - Pequods join Mohegans, I, 57. - Percy, Lord, I, 172. - Percy, Lord, II, 337, 428, 515, 524. - Perkins, II, 212. - Peter, a Mohawk, I, 178, 179. - Peter, Samuel, II, 480, 583. - Petersham, Lord, I, 469. - Petrie, Daniel, II, 69. - Petrie, Dr., I, 246. - Petrie, Dr., II, 160. - Petrie, Lieut., I, 242. - Petry, John, on Committee, I, 73. - Petry, William, on Committee, I, 72. - Pettingill, Capt. Samuel, I, 242. - Phelps, Rev. Davenport, II, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 439, - 472, 495. - Phelps, Oliver, II, 413. - Philadelphia, I, 102, 197, 284, 285, 286, 319, 324, - 327, 348, 350, 359. - Philadelphia, II, 94, 101, 138, 140, 249, 298, 299, - 304, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324, - 326, 328, 329, 339, 419, 453, 454, - 455, 497, 498. - Philistines, II, 185. - Phillips, Gen., I, 201, 268, 270, 271, 467, 469, 472, - 478. - Phillips, Gen., II, 193. - Piankishaus, II, 566. - Pickard, John, on Committee, I, 72. - Pickering, Timothy, I, xxx, 61, 342. - Pickering, Timothy, II, 209, 301, 304, 306, 307, 318, 321, - 338, 339, 340. - Pigott, Sir Robert, I, 346, 347. - Pine Creek, II, 560. - Pipe, Captain, I, 348. - Pipe, Capt., II, 208, 218, 219, 226, 227, 266, 267. - Pipe of Peace, I, 99, 436. - Pitt, Mr., II, 426, 600. - Pittsburgh, I, 25, 118, 350. - Pittsburgh, II, 41, 151, 219, 220, 222, 223, 295, - 300, 551, 560, 563, 564. - Pittsfield, II, 536. - Pittsford, II, 87. - Platts killed, II, 73. - Plunkett, Col., I, 329. - Plymouth, I, 328. - Plymouth, II, 590. - - - - Pocahontas, II, 60. - Pointe, Appineau, II, 380. - Pointaufer, II, 145. - Point Pleasant, I, 41, 191, 192. - Point Creek, I, 351. - Pompey, French in, II, 585, 588. - Pompton, II, 141. - Pond, Capt. Peter, II, 313. - Pontiac, I, 24, 26, 33. - Pontiac, II, 248, 289, 584. - Poor, Gen., I, 271. - Poor, Gen., II, 5, 18, 20, 21. - Popham, Maj. Wm., I, 289, 290. - Poppino, Major, I, 418. - Porter, Peter B., I, xxiii, 149. - Porter, Peter B., II, 468, 462, 488, 492, 496. - Portland, Duke of, II, 467, 468. - Portsmouth, II, 193, 194. - Ports, Northern retained, II, 269. - Pottowattamies, II, 8, 248, 266, 276, 278, 285, 295, - 348, 349, 355, 361, 374, 386. - Poughkeepsie, I, 338, 358. - Powder, wanted, I, 160. - Powell, Maj. I, 341. - Powell, II, 64, 130, 131, 133, 134. - Pownall, Gov., II, 483. - Pratt, Mr., I, 323. - Prejudices of Historians, I, xiii, xvi. - Prescott, General, I, 157. - Presents to Indians, I, 188. - Presque Isle, II, 45, 46, 332, 377, 378, 381. - Price, Major, II, 385. - Prideaux, Gen., Death of, I, 29. - Priestley, Dr., II, 453, 582. - Prince of Wales, II, 250, 268, 260. - Princeton, Battle of, I, 175. - Princeton, II, 139, 140, 440, 441. - Prison, Island, II, 91. - Proceedings of Patriotic - meeting, I, 83. - -{Transcriber's Note: in the next eleven entries, one or more illegible -words or characters are represented by #.} - - P#, Col., II, 299, 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 428. - Provincial Assembly, I, 36. - Providence, II, 100. - P#, Lieut., intimate with - Brant, I, 28. - P#, Gen., II, 51. - P#, Mrs., II, 101, 102. - P#, II, #. - P#, II, #. - P#, I, #. - P#, II, #. - P#, II, #. - P#, #, 247, 278, 280, 282, #. - Putnam, Gen., II, 4. - Putnam, John, I, 9, 309. - Putnam, Lodowiek, II, 73. - Putnam, Rufus, II, 316, 331. - Quackenbush, Abraham, I, 114. - Quackenboss, Abraham D., I, 461. - Quackenboss, John S., I, 461. - Quaekyack. II, 158. - Quago, I, 168. - Quageewon, II, 394. - Quaker agents, II, 339. - Quaker Hill, I, 347. - Quebec, II, 239, 245, 250, 263, 270, 279, 296, - 337, 360, 367, 391, 392, 400, 421, - 434, 453. - Quebec besieged, I, 117, 162, 218. - Queden-Gorah, I, 433. - Quedar, I, 431, 436, 448. - Queens' Rangers, II, 527. - Queenston, II, 340, 501, 508, 507, 516. - Quiquago Indians, I, 401. - Quimby, Mr., II, 486. - Raleigh, Sir Walter, II, 251. - Ramsay's History, I, 88, 339. - Randolph Beverley, holds a - treaty, I, xxx. - Randolph Beverley, II, 338, 339, 340. - Randolph Edmund, II, 369. - Randolph. Lt., II, 506, 508. - Rangers, I, 168, 235, 242. - Ranson, Capt., I, 335, 338. - Rapids of Ohio, II, 349. - Rathbone, Lt., II, 505. - Rawdon, Lord, II, 99, 142, 250, 600. - Raulings, Col., I, 172. - Reading, prisoners to go to, I, 141. - Red Bank, I, 287. - Red Eagle with Logan, I, 4. - Redhawk, I, 192, 193. - Red Hook, I, 207. - Red Jacket, Portrait of, I, xxx. - Red Jacket, II, 34, 35, 105, 135, 136, 243, 244, - 245, 301, 302, 303, 335, 364, 415, - 416, 417, 420, 428, 446, 497. - Reeber, Andrew, on Committee, I, 72. - Reed, Pres., II, 140. - Reads Station, II, 564. - Reghtmeyer, Capt., II, 110. - Remission of Sins, I, 389. - Revolution, I, xxviii, 36, 37. - Reynell, Mrs., I, 471, 472. - Rhode Island, I, 37, 115, 173, 346, 347. - Rhode Island, II, 99, 108, 194. - Rice, Mr., I, 309. - Richer, Capt., I, 409, 410. - - - - Richey, James, on Committee, I, 168. - Richmond, II, 142, 147, 232. - Ridgeway, I, 288. - Ridyard, Wm., I, 327. - Riedesel, General, I, 268, 270, 271, 278, 274. - Riedesel, Baroness, - narrative of, I, 273, 274, 276, 279; - 465, 472, 476, 482. - Riedesel, Baroness, II, 250, 453. - River Indians, I, 56, 57, 149. - Robertson, Capt., II, 145. - Robin's Travels quoted, I, 46. - Robinson, Col. Beverly, II, 198. - Robinson, Moses, II, 199. - Robinson, II, 199. - Rocheblave, Philip, I, 352. - Rocky River, II, 372. - Rochambeau, Count, II, 98, 99, 104, 106, 155, 194, 195. - Rochefoucault, II, lviii. - Rochester, II, 169. - Rodgers, Major, II, 49, 50, 51. - Roff, Col. John, I, 246, 247. - Rolfe, II, 411. - Romney, George, paints portrait - of Brant, I, xxviii, 151. - Rose, Mr., II, 460, 461. - Rosecrantz, Major James, II, 188, 546. - Ross, Major, II, 145, 187, 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, - 196, 205, 214, 215. - Rousseau, J. B., II, 573. - Rowley, Maj., II, 187, 189, 196. - Royal Grant, II, 164, 190, 408. - Royal Greens, I, 145, 220. - Royal Greens, II, 105, 186. - Runnells, Major, II, 202. - Runnip, II, 66. - Russell, Peter, II, 400, 401. - Russel, Mr., II, 433. - Rykman, John, II, 191. - Sacondaga, I, 144, 291, 309, 404. - Sacondaga, II, 98, 154. - Sacs, II, 349. - Sachems, how chosen, I, 148. - Sachems taken to England, I, 4. - Sadakenaghtie, I, 411. - Safford, Samuel, II, 199. - Sag Harbor, I, 283. - Sagugewatha, II, 34. - St. Augustine, prize taken off, I, 115. - St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, I, 163, 199, 200, 201, 202, 266. - St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, II, 61, 274, 278, 279, 280, 281, 284, - 291, 295, 300, 301, 304, 309, 311, - 312, 313, 314, 315, 327, 349, 353, - 360, 357, 372, 381, 383, 494. - St. Coych, II, 205, 206. - St. Francis, I, 393. - St. Johns, I, 112, 130, 157, 165, 196, 300, 301, - 309. - St. Johns, II, 81, 83, 89, 90, 128, 180, 181, 203. - St. Joseph, II, 294. - St. Laurence Co., II, 536. - St. Leger, Col. Barry, I, xxviii, 209, 216, 217, 218, 219, - 220, 221, 222, 226, 227, 229, 230, - 231, 232, 233, 235, 237, 241, 243, - 244, 245, 249, 250, 252, 253, 255, - 256, 257, 259, 260, 261, 262, 277, - 286, 287, 293, 330, 457, 468, 460, - 461, 462, 463, 464. - St. Leger, Col., Barry, II, 91, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205. - St. Lewis, II, 282. - St. Mary, II, 294. - St. Phillips, I, 358. - St. Regis, Council at, I, 209, 216. - St. Regis, II, 409, 410, 486. - St. Vincent, I, 400. - Salem, I, 51, 328. - Salem, II, 217, 219, 220, 221, 222. - Salisbury, Mr. I, 309. - Salisbury, II, 249. - Salmon, John, II, 21, 27, 30, 31. - Salt Lick, II, 556. - Sammons, Frederick, I, 243. - Sammons, Frederick, II, 76, 79, 80, 82, 88, 87, 88, 91, 92, - 98, 94. - Sammons, Jacob, I, 58, 394. - Sammons, Jacob, II, 76, 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 84, 86, 87, - 88, 90, 94, 95, 158, 159, 190. - Sammons, Sampson, I, 52, 78, 106. - Sammons, Sampson, II, 76, 76, 78, 79. - Sammons, Major, Thomas, I, xxi. - Sammons, Major, Thomas, II, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 96, 97, 114, - 121, 122, 123, 124, 170, 185. - Sammons, Lieut., I, 288. - Sammons, Lt., II, 161, 506. - Sandusky, I, 296, 354. - Sandusky, II, 218, 219, 224, 266, 301, 303, 341, - 346, 351, 356, 379, 393, 405. - San Jacinto, I, 336. - Santee, II, 142. - Saratoga, I, 207, 213, 267, 272, 275, 279, 291, - 301, 469, 475, 478. - Saratoga, II, 181, 144, 160, 178, 185, 205, 542. - Sarver, B., II, 556. - - - - Saulkill, Lt., 187. - Savage, Capt., I, 225. - Savannah, I, 395. - Savannah, II, 17, 214. - Savory, William, II, 339. - Sawyer, Mr., I, 355. - Sehaghticoke, II, 147, 205, 206. - Scalp-lock, on Emblem of - Chivalry, I, xvi. - Scanandanani, I, 449. - Schaticooks, I, 56. - Scheeban, Mrs., I, 385. - Schenectady, I, 67, 101, 128, 289, 403, 407, 410. - Schenectady, II, 54, 144, 541. - Schermehorn, Major, II, 174. - Sciota Indians, I, 349, 351. - Schlosser, II, 504. - Schoenbrunn, II, 217. - Schoharie, I, xviii, 104, 106, 178, 181, 218, 307, - 311, 313, 314, 354, 355, 356, 357, - 367, 368, 410, 412. - Schoharie, II, 6, 14, 55, 56, 57, 58, 64, 106, - 107, 108, 111, 112, 114, 115, 122, - 125, 129, 157, 168, 186, 235, 536. - School for Indian youth, I, 21, 22. - Schools with Mohawks, II, 529. - Schoyere, II, 26. - Schuyler, Brandt, I, 206. - Schuyler, Hanyost, I, 258, 259, 260, 262, 292. - Schuyler, Nicholas, I, 258, 259. - Schuyler, Col. Peter, takes - Sachems to England, I, 4. - Schuyler, Gen. Philip, I, 64, 73, 93, 101, 103, 112, 116, 120, - 121, 123, 128, 131, 132, 133, 136, - 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 159, 160, - 163, 166, 168, 173, 176, 177, 181, - 184, 196, 197, 202, 203, 204, 207, - 208, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, - 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 232, - 250, 255, 265, 266, 267, 275, 277, - 278, 279, 288, 290, 301, 304, 305, - 378, 382, 392, 407, 423, 425, 430, - 431, 435, 451, 475, 471, 473, 477. - Schuyler, Gen., Philip, II, 4, 6, 9, 10, 24, 39, 40, 79, 102, - 131, 136, 143, 146, 147, 148, 150, - 151, 152, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, - 204, 212, 242, 542. - Schuylkill, I, 284, 285. - Scioto, II, 226, 294. - Scotch Hostages, I, 139, 141, 142. - Scotch Loyalists, I, 105, 108, 120, 134, 142. - Scott, James, on Committee, I, 168. - Scott, Joseph, I, 309. - Scott, Gen. Winfield, I, 344. - Scott, Col., II, 307, 316, 384, 504, 505, 507, 508, - 509, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516. - Scouts sent to Oneida Lake, I, 8. - Seaghuagerat, speech by, I, 98, 432, 435. - Seeber, Capt. Henry, I, 234, 237. - Seeber, Jacob, I, 110, 237, 242. - Seeber, Lt. William, I, 72, 242. - Siege of Fort Schuyler raised, I, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261. - Siege of Fort Stanwix, I, 280. - Selby, Wm., II, 423. - Seneca, Abeal, II, 243. - Seneca, George, II, 441. - Seneca Lake, I, 217, 340, 460. - Seneca, Country invaded, I, 350. - Seneca Lake, II, 23, 26, 36, 37. - Senecas, I, 86, 182, 243, 244, 304, 305, 307, - 371, 378, 380, 389, 390, 391, 410, - 446. - Senecas, II, 8, 41, 126, 233, 244, 245, 289, - 295, 324, 332, 355, 387, 411, 412, - 415, 416, 446, 447, 460. - Sergeant, Rev. John, at - Stockbridge, I, 57. - Seth, II, 380. - Seven Nations of Canada, (see - Caughnawagas), I. - Seven Nations of Canada, II, 332, 339, 350, 355, 359, 360, 367, - 409, 410. - Shabosh, Joseph, II, 220. - Shades of Death, I, 336. - Shagogeaseronni, II, 575. - Shamokin, I, 88, 89, 320. - Shankland, Mr., II, 15, 16. - Sharon, II, 157. - Shawanese, 39, 41, 42, 56, 102, 103, 191, 192, - 193, 295, 313, 319, 320, 347, 349, - 408, 422, 446, 449, 456. - Shawanese, II, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 71, 101, - 164, 165, 166, 167, 171, 226, 230, - 232, 236, 243, 265, 278, 285, 291, - 295, 335, 342, 345, 346, 348, 350, - 355, 359, 360, 374, 390. - Shawangauk, II, 66. - Shay's Rebellion, II, 140, 258, 268. - Sheafe, Gen., II, 391, 402, 509, 510, 513, 515. - Shelby, Cap. Isaac, in battle, I, 43. - Shelby, flanks the Indians, I, 43. - Shelby, II, 100. - Shell's Bush, II, 164, 165. - Shepard, Abraham, I, 421. - Sherburne, Major, I, 154, 156, 156. - - - - Sheridan, II, 258. - Sherman, Roger, II, 182. - Sherwood, Capt., II, 197, 199. - Sheshequon, II, 217. - Shew, Godfrey, I, 309. - Shew, Jacob, II, 190. - Shew, John and Sons, I, 309. - Shew, John, J. I, 310. - Shew, Rev. John I., II, 69, 80, 164. - Shikellimus, father of Logan, I, 88, 89. - Shirley, Gen., I, 57, 218. - Shoemaker, a loyalist, I, 255, 258, 365. - Sidney, Lord, II, 249, 252, 253, 255, 264, 273. - Sierra Leone, II, 524. - Silliman, Gen., I, 283. - Silver Bluff, II, 142. - Silver Heels murdered, I, 41. - Singleton, Lieut., I, 246, 459. - Simcoe, Governor I. G., I, 239, 336, 337, 338, 340, 341, 342, - 351, 352, 357, 364, 367, 369, 370, - 374, 379, 384, 385, 390, 391, 392, - 398, 398, 399, 400. - Sinclair, Gov., II, 381. - Sinclair's, Defeat, (app), II, 550, 551. - Sioux, II, 2. - Sitz, Peter, I, 190, 191. - Six Nations, I, xx, 55, 56, 92, 94, 158, 292. - Six Nations, II, 355. - Six Mile Island, II, 562. - Skanarady, a Cayuga, I, 14. - Skenandoah, I, 407. - Skeneateles Lake, I, 217. - Skenesborough, I, 78, 164, 165, 202, 342. - Skenesborough, II, 133, 134, 201. - Skeleton with armor, II, 594. - Skinner, Mr. II, 70. - Slaves, Indians sold as, I, xv. - Small, Capt., II, 166. - Small Pox, I, 163, 164. - Smith, Capt., I, 356. - Smith, Col. II, 379, 468. - Smith, Rev. Charles Jeffrey I, 22, 23. - Smith, George, II, 199. - Smyth, Doctor, II, 153, 197, 540. - Snell, Jacob, I, 242. - Snell, Mr., II, 391. - Snyder, Isaac, II, 66, 68. - Snyder, Jeremiah, II, 66, 67. - Snyder, Lodwig, I, 314. - Soc. Northern Antiquities, II, 1. - Sodus, Settlements, II, 391. - Solihoana, (Col. Francis), I, 57, 95. - Solly, Mr., II, 531, 527. - Sonughsas takes the war belt, I, 15. - Sorel, expedition from, I, 168. - Sorel, II, 83, 88, 244, 263. - Sortie at Fort Schuyler, I, 244, 245, 249 - South Carolina, I, 115, 137, 416. - South Carolina, II, 58, 99, 262. - Southern News, II, 541. - Sowosay, II, 394. - Shafford, H. G., I, 288. - Spaniard, speech from, II, 565. - Spaniard, reply to, II, 567. - Spaniards in Western N. Y., II, 586, 588. - Spanish interference, II, 289, 292, 375, 376. - Speeches, I; - author's plan of giving, xxvi, xxvii; - by old Nickus, 9, 12; - by Sir William Johnson, 11; - by Cayuga deputies, 14. - Speech of Sir William Johnson, I, 15; - Aroyhigadecka, 16; - Logan, the Mingo Chief, 46; - remarks on authenticity of, 46, 47; - Indian Chief before Congress, 68; - Congress to Indians, 69; - Little Abraham, 71; - to Oneidas and reply, 82; - Col. Francis to Indians, 94, 96; - of Kanaghquaesa, 95; - of Little Abraham, 96. - Speech of Tiahogwando, I, 97, 101; - Col. Francis, 97; - of Commissioners, 98; - Seaghnagerat, 98; - Little Abraham, 100, 102, 124, 131; - Canajoharie Indians, 118; - Mr. Bleecker, 121; - Mohawks to Mr. Bleecker, 122; - Gen. Schuyler, 128; - Indian deputies in Congress, 158; - Oneida Chiefs to Col. Elmore, 176; - Thomas Spencer, an Oneida, 210; - condolence of Oneidas - answered, 227; - Major Ancrom, 260; - Col. Willett, 251; - of Oneidas, 366; - of Good Peter, 407; - of Col. Van Schaick, 409. - Speech of Seaghnagerat, I, 482, 485; - of Albany Com'rs, 435, 450, 456, 452; - Kanaghquaesa, 444, 436; - Little Abraham, 444, 455; - Tiahogwando, 449; - to Gov. Clinton, II, 10; - Geo. Clinton to Oneidas, 11; - of Wyandot Chief, 43; - of Delaware, 47, 49; - of Cornplanter, 127; - Indians to Gamelin, 298; - of Six Nations, 335, 362; - of Cats Eyes, 342, 345; - by Brant, II, 343, 344, 346, 253, 364; - of Carry-one-about, 348; - of Wyandots, 348; - of Wyandot Chief, 350; - of Clear Sky, 359, 370; - of Chippewas and others 361; - of Delawares, 361; - of Red Jacket, 364; - of Lord Dorchester, 367; - of Egouchouoy, II, 376; - of Wyandots to Gov. Simcoe, 392; - Simcoe to Indians, 392; - of Duguoin, 421; - temperance, 441, 442; - of condolence, 450, 451; - from Spaniards, 375, 378, 565; - Brant, 89. - - - - Spencer, Lieut., II, 107, 109, 118. - Spencer, Thomas, an Indian, I, 209, 210, 216, 217. - Spencer, Thomas, whig orator, I, 59. - Spirits among Indians, - pernicious effects of, I, 11. - Sporr Ensign, I, 225. - Springfield, I, 312. - Springfield, II, 5, 100. - Squaghkies, II, 4. - Squaw Run, II, 551. - Stacey, Col., I, 386, 387. - Stacia, Lt. Col., I, 372, 374, - Staving, Mr., I, 363. - Starke, Gen., I, 232, 265, 302, 358, 368. - Starke, Gen., II, 178, 183, 196, 197, 208. - Starks, Gen., II, 541. - Staten Island, I, 197. - Steedman, Wm., II, 313. - Steel, Capt., II, 83, 91. - Sternberg, Lambert, I, 316. - Sternberg, Nicholas, I, 314, 315, 316, 317. - Steuben, Baron, II, 193, 263. - Stevens, Mr., II, 73. - Stewart, Alex., II, 573. - Stewart, Charles, I, 324, 326, 327. - Stewart, Lazarus, I, 325, 326. - Stewart, Rev. Mr., I, 19, 21, 26, 27, 28, 101, 147, 148, - 180, 447. - Stewart, Rev. Dr., II, 287, 528. - Stillwater, I, 267, 268, 366. - Stillwater, II, 147. - Stirling, Lord, I, 170. - Stirling, Lord, II, 178, 188, 196, 197, 208. - Stockbridge Indians, I, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 172, - 234, 254, 257. - Stockbridges, II, 231, 307, 427, 480. - Stone Arabia, I, 52, 409. - Stone Arabia, II, 115, 118, 125, 136, 160, 189. - Stoney Point, I, 280. - Stoney Point, II, 52. - Strachan, Dr., Notice of Brant - by. I, 2. - Stranahan, Col., II, 504, 508, 514, 523. - Stratton, Wm., II, 576. - Stratton, Lt., II, 573. - Stringer, Samuel, I, 98, 432. - Stroudsburg, I, 340. - Stuart, Capt., I, 198. - Stuart, Sir Charles, II, 250, 598. - Sugar Hill, defence of, I, 200, 201. - Sukachgook, II, 377. - Sullivan, Gen., I, xxiii, 168, 170, 341, 342, 346, 347, - 411, 422. - Sullivan, II, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, - 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, - 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, - 40, 41, 42, 54, 60, 61, 106, 140, - 288, 460. - Sumner, Benjamin, II, 470. - Sumter, Gen., II, 100, 456. - Sunbury, I, 421. - Sunbury, II, 13. - Surrender of Burgoyne, I, 275. - Susquehanna, I, 312, 322, 323, 324, 332, 356, 357, - 358. - Susquehanna, II, 65, 106, 159, 217. - Sutton, Mr., II, 562. - Swan Creek, II, 391. - Swartwout, Capt. Abraham, I, 234, 359. - Swegachy, I, 8. - Sword voted to Col. Willett, I, 246. - Sylvester, Francis, I, 370. - Syter, Capt. Geo., II, 39, 546. - Tadeuskund, I, 323. - Tobaddy, a Chief stopped by - French, I, 6. - Taicarihogo, alias Nickus Hance, I, 17. - Talbot, Thomas, II, 376. - Tarleton, Gen., II, 99, 100, 142. - Tarrawarrix, a Seneca, I, 12. - Tayler, John, I, xxi, 145, 288, 289, 290, 347. - Tchaosennoghts, II, 421. - Teghsitaasgowa, II, 576. - Tehoseroron, II, 244. - Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, I, 3, 18. - Tekaenyongh, II, 576. - Tekaharawa falls, I, 190. - Tekahentakwa, II, 576. - Tekarihoken, II, 575. - Tekarihogea, II, 500, 501, 537. - Tekeyanedonhotte, Col. Elmore, I, 176. - Ten Broeck, Gen., I, 128. - Ten Eyek, Col., I, 178. - - - - Ternay, Chevalier, II, 99. - Terry, Thomas, I, 338. - Teughsaragarat, a Cayuga, I, 14. - Teyonhighkon, II, 524. - Teyoninhokarawen, II, 288, 288, 404, 414, 417, 423, 425, - 426, 427, 428, 429, 577, 578, 579, - 580. - Thanksgiving dance, I, 388. - Thanksgiving, II, 444. - Thaosonnenghton, II, 576. - Tharighwegiri, II, 337, 338. - Thatcher's Indian Biography, I, 46. - Thatcher's Military Journal, I, xvii, 337, 338. - Thaweyogearat, II, 575. - Thayendanegea, signification of, I, 1. - Thayendanegea, (see Brant), I. - Thomas, General, I, 161, 162, 163. - Thompson, Gen., I, 163. - Thompson, John, I, 397. - Thompson's, at German Flats, I, 72, 85. - Thorp, Ezra, II, 66. - Thorp, Henry, II, 56. - Thorpe, Judge, II, 580. - Thorwald, II, 487, 590, 591. - Three Islands, I, 332. - Three Rivers, (Canada), I, 117, 404. - Three Rivers, N. Y., I, 216, 220. - Throop, Col. Joseph, II, 546, 547. - Tiahogwando, Speech of, I, 96, 97, 101, 449. - Tice, Capt. Gilbert, I, 266, 150, 157. - Ticonderoga, I, 7, 78, 102, 108, 178, 197, 200, 201, - 202, 209, 210, 211, 212, 216, 262, - 266, 270, 292, 438, 453. - Ticonderoga, II, 81, 132, 150, 151, 152, 155, 178, - 181, 201, 203, 204, 314. - Tiehout, Capt. Henry, II, 546. - Tienderago, preparations for - scout to, I, 15. - Tiffany, Gideon, II, 474. - Tiger River, II, 100. - Timmerman, Jacob, I, 241. - Timmerman, Jacob, II, 215. - Tioga, I, 331, 370, 372, 378, 392, 421. - Tioga, II, 5, 12, 13, 18, 22, 23, 26, 27, 36, - 37, 59, 105, 106. - Titcomb, Major, II, 22. - Tiverton, I, 346. - Tizederonderon, Mr. Bleecker, I, 131. - Todd, Col., II, 216. - Tomhanic, II, 173. - Tomlinson, Murdered, I, 39, 40. - Tompkins, Gov., II, 502, 508. - Toronto, II, 351, 519, 523. - Torture at Wyoming, I, 338. - Totems, Indian, II, 355, 394. - Totten and Crossfield's - Purchase, II, 570. - Townsend, Robert, I, 418, 421. - Towson, II, 512, 513. - Tracy, Ephraim, II, 212. - Tracy, Uri, II, 212. - Trade, Indian, I, 6. - Treaties, I, 430, 452, 456. - Treaties, II, 243, 244, 262. - Trenton, Battle of, I, 174, 175. - Tribes of Indians, how - designated, I, 3. - Trigg, Col., II, 216. - Tripes Hill, II, 73, 187. - Troy, I, 476. - Trueman, Major, II, 331, 332. - Trumbull, Col. John, I, 165, 200, 347. - Trumbull, Gov., I, 62, 234, 242, 286, 327. - Trumbull, Gov., II, 548. - Tryon Co., I, xx, xxi, xxxiii, 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, - 67, 70, 72, 74, 105, 106, 128, 140, - 167, 168, 177, 211, 212, 213, 214, - 242, 258, 256, 264, 283, 424, 425, - 468. - Tryon Co., name changed, II, 236. - Tryon, Gov., II, 52, 180. - Tsinonwanhonte, II, xli. - Tsklelele, I, 454. - Tubbs, John, II, 177. - Tulk, C. A., II, 527. - Tunadilly, I, 180. - Tupper, Col., I, 181. - Turlock, I, 354. - Turlock, II, 157. - Turner, Capt., II, 493. - Tuscarora, I, 351, 396. - Tuscaroras, I, 80, 86, 87, 297, 305, 306, 360, 366, - 367, 401, 402, 408, 409, 453. - Tuscaroras, II, 3, 4, 11, 88, 108, 104, 105, 242, - 244, 422. - Tustans, II, 295. - Tusten, Benj. Jr., I, 421. - Tusten, Dr. I, 415, 416, 418. - Twightwees, [Miamis,] Message - from, I, 6. - Twitchtwees, II, 268. - Twithways, II, 359. - Tyler, Capt. Robt., I, 416, 421. - Ulster, frontiers, I, 414. - Ulster Co., II, 167. - Unadilla, I, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 214, 291, - 297, 310, 312, 313, 341, 364, 366, - 368, 376, 408. - Unadilla, II, 17. - Upper Mohawk Castle, II, 481 - - - - Utica, Site of, I, 288. - Vail, Capt. Benj., I, 418, 421. - Vail, Gilbert, I, 421. - Valley Forge, I, 286, 297, 301. - Van Allen, II, 120. - Van Bensehoten, Captain, I, 284. - Van Bensehoten, Major, II, 122. - Van Courtlandt, Col. Philip, I, 414. - Van Courtlandt, Col., II, 5, 37, 148, 460, 540. - Van Cortlandt, Pierre, I, 218. - Van Deusen, James, II, 129, 134, 135. - Van Dyck, Col., I, 400, 401. - Van Eps, II, 119, 121, 124. - Van Horne, Abraham, on - committee, I, 73. - Van Rensselaer, Col. Henry, II, 168, 174, 184, 185. - Van Rensselaer, Henry K., II, 205, 206, 207. - Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah, I, 98, 432. - Van Rensselaer, Col. John, II, 205, 206, 546. - Van Rensselaer, Capt. Peter, II, 192, 188. - Van Rensselaer, Col. Robert, I, 212. - Van Rensselaer, Gen. Robert, II, 115, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, - 125, 126, 206. - Van Rensselaer, Col. Solomon, II, 386, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. - Van Rensselaer, Gen. Stephen, II, 502, 503, 507, 510. - Van Schaick, Col., I, 168, 168, 181, 214, 362, 403, 404, - 405, 406, 407, 409, 411. - Van Schaick, Col., II, 12, 81, 130, 131, 238, 542. - Van Sluyck, Major, I, 72, 286, 242. - Van Sluyck, II, 81. - Van Veghten, Anthony on - Committee, I, 72. - Van Vechten, Col. II, 146. - Van Vrank, Maj., II, 74. - Varick, Col. Richard, I, 123, 279, 354, 359, 360, 413. - Varick, Col. Richard, II, 290, 410. - Vandreuil, Arnold at, I, 154. - Vandreuil, Mde., II, 103. - Vaughan, General, I, 282. - Veeder, Abraham, II, 80. - Veeder, John, I, 62. - Veeder, Volkert, I, 73. - Veeder, Col. Volkert, II, 81, 159. - Venango, II, 41, 147, 363, 365, 371, 372, 374, - 377. - Vermont Controversy, II, 152, 158, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, - 183, 184, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, - 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 542. - Vernon, Maj., I, 399. - Versailles, Treaty of, I, 298, 299. - Vinland, II, 591. - Virginia, I, 37, 44, 116, 119. - Virginia, II, 198, 194. - Visscher, Col. Frederick, I, 233, 236, 242. - Visscher, Col. Fred'k, II, 73, 74, 75. - Visscher, Harmanus, II, 74. - Visscher, John, II, 74. - Visscher, Wm. Brower, II, 74. - Vrooman, Col., I, 354, 355. - Vrooman, Bartholomew, II, 112. - Vrooman, Bartholomew Jr., II, 112. - Vrooman, Capt., II, 124. - Vrooman, Col., II, 56. - Vrooman, Ephraim, II, 112, 113. - Vrooman, John II, 112, 113. - Vrooman, Josias, II, 112. - Vrooman, Martin, II, 113. - Vrooman, Simon, II, 112. - Vrooman, Tunis, II, 112. - Vrooman, II, 64, 124, 168. - Wabash, I, 400. - Wabash, II, 45, 46, 248, 265, 291, 294, 307, - 478. - Wabingas, I, 56. - Wadsworth, Gen., II, 508, 510, 511. - Waggoner, Joseph, I, 184, 185. - Waggoner, Peter, I, 72, 410. - Wall, Edward, I, 72, 74, 81. - Wall, Mrs., I, 385. - Wallace, Wm., II, 220. - Walradt, Henry, I, 242. - Walter, George, I, 234, 240. - Waltermeyer, John, II, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 210, 211, - 212. - Wanton Island, tradition of - battle, I, 67. - Waorighonti, II, 575. - Ward, John, II, 177. - Warner, Col. Seth, I, 78, 112. - Warner, Col. Seth, II, 129, 134, 181. - Warren, Col., II, 534. - Warren, Joseph, eloquence of, I, 30. - Warren, Sir Peter, II, 186. - Warrensbush, II, 186. - Warren, town of, I, 362, 363. - Warraghiyaghy, see Johnson, - Sir Wm., I. - Warwick, I, 416. - Warwick, Earl of, I, 151, 322. - Warwick, Earl of, II, 251. - Washington, Gen. George, I, 91, 115, 149, 157, 159, 161, 165, - 169, 170, 173, 174, 175, 196, 197, - 202, 266, 267, 284, 285, 286, 301, - 303, 333, 339, 343, 344, 345, 346, - 360, 361, 362, 370. - - - - Washington, Gen., II, 1, 4, 13, 17, 39, 40, 41, 42, 98, - 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 111, - 138, 144, 149, 150, 157, 194, 211, - 235, 242, 245, 263, 281, 331, 345, - 366, 368, 369, 370, 376, 378, 385, - 386, 395, 417, 541. - Washington, John Augustine, I, 172, 344. - Waterbury, Gen., II, 211. - Waterford, I, 476. - Watson, James, II, 410. - Watts, John, I, 170, 237, 248. - Watts, Major, I, 220, 235, 237, 242, 243. - Wawarsing, I, 414. - Wawarsing, II, 17, 18, 65, 169. - Waxhaws, II, 99. - Wayne, Gen. Anthony, II, 51, 52, 138, 139, 140, 141, 214, - 288, 312, 315, 339, 342, 345, 347, - 357, 377, 381, 383, 384, 388, 389, - 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 420, 502. - Weeks, Mr. II, 580. - Weisenfeldts, Col., II, 185. - Weiser, Conrad, II, 451. - Weld, Mr., II, 490, 526, 598. - Wells, Jane, I, 387. - Wells, John, I, 378, 379. - Wells, John, II, 383, 459. - Wells, Robert, I, 168, 173, 174, 372, 373, 380, 381. - Welsh, Pioneers, II, 487. - Welsh Triads, II, 488. - Wemple, Col., II, 97. - Wemys, Major, II, 100. - Wentz, George, on committee, I, 78. - Wesson, Col., I, 214. - West Canada creek, I, 363. - West Canada creek, II, 190, 191, 192. - West, Rev. Mr., II, 530. - Western, Indian rear, II, 292. - Westham, II, 142. - Westmoreland Co., Pa., I, 328. - Weston, Col., I, 229, 255. - Westover, II, 141. - West Point, II, 101, 102. - Wheeling, I, 89. - Wheeling, II, 208, 232, 483. - Wheelock, Rev. E., I, 4, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 153. - Wheelock, James, II, 436, 470, 471, 474, 476, 477, 478. - Wheelock, John, II, 468, 470, 478, 495. - Wheelock, Pres., II, 431, 436, 466, 468, 488, 489. - Wheelock, Rev. Ralph, I, 25. - White, Sheriff Alexander, I, 106, 107, 112, 364. - White Creek, II, 150. - White, Epenetus, II, 212. - White Eyes, I, 118, 149, 348, 349. - White Eyes, II, 44. - White, Col. John, II, 52, 53. - White, Mr., II, 435. - White Plains, I, 172, 346, 361, 362. - Whitestown, I, 233. - Wilkesbarre, I, 328. - Wilkinson, Jemima, II, 496, 497. - Wilkinson, Gen., I, 266, 268, 269, 271, 272, 273, 276, - 277, 278. - Wilkinson, General, II, 326, 327, 336, 386. - Willard, Pres. Joseph, II, 287. - Willett, Col. Marinus, I, 228, 225, 226, 228, 229, 234, 235, - 242, 244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, - 265, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, - 345, 357, 362, 406, 407. - Willett, Col. Marinus, II, 6, 80, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, - 161, 168, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, - 191, 192, 196, 215, 233, 234, 235, - 305, 316, 330, 411. - William, an Indian pupil, I, 22, 28. - Williams, Col., I, 467. - Williams, William, I, 266. - Williamsburgh, I, 194, 358. - Williamson, Col. David, II, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, - 227, 228, 229, 230, 231. - Williamson, Capt., II, 99, 130, 391, 493. - Willoe, Capt., I, 469. - Willstown, II, 266. - Wilson, Capt., I, 248. - Wilson, Col., remarks on - Cornstock, I, 45. - Wilson, Rev. Dr., I, 418, 419. - Winder, Gen., II, 516. - Wingemund, II, 228. - Winn, Capt., I, 168. - Winosski, II, 89. - Wisner, Lt. Col. Gabriel, I, 418, 420, 421. - Wisner, Col., II, 491. - Witbeck, Mr., II, 456. - Wither's Chronicles, II, 232. - Wolf, a son of Cornstock, I, 194. - Wolf, Mr., II, 553. - Wood, Capt. John, I, 421. - Wood, Lt. John, I, 421. - Wood, Major, I, 419. - Woodlake, Capt., I, 315, 316, 317. - Wood Creek, I, 8, 209, 210, 221, 224, 262, 404, - 406. - - - - Woodhull, Gen, I, 112, 170, 283. - Woodruff, Hunloke, II, 546. - Woodruff, Samuel, I, 240, 244, 419, 475, 483, 595. - Woodruff, Samuel, II, 364, 446, 449, 467. - Woodruff, Wm., II, 484, 485, 488. - Woodstock, I, 414. - Woodworth, Solomon, I, 309. - Woodworth, Solomon, II, 68, 69, 163, 164. - Wool, Capt., II, 506, 507, 508. - Wolcot, Oliver, I, 98, 430, 431, 435. - Woolsey, Major, II, 107, 109. - Wooster, Gen., I, 162. - Women, Indian, address Sir - Wm. Johnson, I, 10. - Wormwood, Lieut, killed, I, 190, 191. - Wormwood, Lt. II, 491. - Wyandots under Logan, I, 42. - Wyalusing, II, 217. - Wyandots, II, 48, 218, 219, 221, 224, 225, 266, - 267, 276, 280, 285, 346, 347, 348, - 349, 350, 355, 361, 372, 376, 386, - 387, 390, 392, 393, 565, 567. - Wyatt, Mr., II, 425, 429. - Wyllys, Major, II, 294. - Wymples, Peggy, II, 74. - Wynkoop, Col., II, 210. - Wyoming, I, 101, 168, 288, 313, 318, 319, 320, - 322, 330, 331, 342, 350, 354, 369, - 374, 379, 381, 383, 385, 391, 422, - 449. - Wyoming, II, 12, 13, 18, 20, 29, 34, 37, 65, - 341, 488, 523, 525, 527, 598, 599, - 602. - Yates, Abraham, I, 432. - Yates, Abraham, Jr., I, 433. - Yates, Col. Christopher P., I, 35, 72, 73, 108. - Yates, Giles F., II, 112, 113, 115. - Yates, Col. Peter, II, 205, 206, 207. - Yates, Peter W., II, 569. - Yates, Robert, I, 137. - Yagers German, II, 105, 121, 186. - Yaghroonwago, II, 42. - Yoghstatheagh, II, 576. - York, II, 350, 516, 519. - Yorktown, I, 300, 301. - Yorktown, II, 194, 195, 202. - Yaugoyawathaw, II, 415. - Young, Mr. I, 466. - Young's Settlement, I, 363. - Younglove, Moses, I, 240, 241, 242, 459. - Yung, Michael, II, 217. - Zeisberger, David, II, 217. - Zinsendorf, Count, I, 38, 319, 221, 322. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea -(Vol. II), by William L. 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Stone - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea (Vol. II) - Including the Border Wars of the American Revolution - -Author: William L. Stone - -Release Date: October 23, 2016 [EBook #53353] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF JOSEPH BRANT, VOL II *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Burch with scans from the Internet Archive. - - - - - -</pre> - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/cover.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="cover"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="Jos. Brant"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">{Transcriber's Note: Quotation marks have been standardized to modern -usage. Footnotes have been placed to immediately follow the paragraphs -referencing them.}</h2> -<br><br><br> - - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/title.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="title page"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/verso.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="verso page"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - - <h1 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">CONTENTS.</h1> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chi">CHAPTER I.</a></h3> - - - <p class="chap">Sullivan's campaign into the Seneca country—Different characteristics - among the Indian Nations—Mistakes upon the subject—Progress of - civilization among the Six Nations—Plan of the campaign—The command - offered to General Gates—His conduct—Clinton's preparations at - Canajoharie—Transportation of boats and stores across to Otsego - Lake—Arrest and execution of Newberry—Attempts to engage the - Oneidas—The Indians alarmed by an address from Gen. Haldimand—The - address—Intelligence from the enemy—Arrival of Oneida deputies at - Clinton's head-quarters—Their speech—Designs of the enemy—Letter of - Gen. Clinton to his brother—Remarkable escape of Elerson from an Indian - scout—Brave defence of his house by Mr. Shankland—Descent of the - Susquehanna—Dilatory proceedings of Sullivan—Junction of the - forces—Movement from Tioga to Newton—Battle of the - Chemung—Destruction of the crops—Advance to Catharine's town—Message - to the Oneidas—Destruction of Catharine's town—Evidences of - civilization—Destruction of Kendaia and Kanadaseaga—March upon - Kanandaigua—Its destruction—Honeoye destroyed—Melancholy story of - the Oneida brothers—Kanaghsaws destroyed—Horrible fate of Lieutenant - Boyd—Contrast between the conduct of Brant and Butler in the case of - Boyd—Indians in council resolve to fight no more—Sullivan advances to - Genesee—Beauty of the country—Conduct of Rod Jacket—Origin of Brant's - hostility to him—Sullivan sets out on his return—Destruction of the - Cayuga towns—Return of the army to Tioga—Strange directions to Colonel - Gansevoort respecting the Mohawks of the lower castle—Their - capture—Correspondence—Their release—Close of Sullivan's - campaign—His resignation—Colonel Brodhead's expedition against the - Senecas on the Allegheny—Huron and Shawanese chiefs meet him at Fort - Pitt—Their speeches—Severe Indian battle on the Ohio—Closing - incidents of the year.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 1</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chii">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> - - - <p class="chap">Progress of the war in the South—Fall of Charleston—Brilliant - achievements—Rigorous winter of 1780—Destruction of the Oneida Castle - and villages—Third marriage of Brant—Irruption into - Harpersfield—Captivity of Captain Harper, Freegift Patchin, and - others—Conduct of Brant—Consultation whether to put the prisoners to - death—Sagacity and firmness of Harper—Marched off for - Niagara—Remarkable adventures by the way—Murder of an old man—Cure - of the fever and ague—A thrilling scene—Sufferings for food—Justice - and impartiality of Brant—Approach to Niagara—The ordeal—Humane - device of Brant to save his prisoners from the trial—Arrival at - Niagara—Farther irruptions of the Indians—Shawangunk— - Saugerties—Captivity of Captain Snyder and his son—Arrival at - Niagara—Examination—Guy Johnson, Butler and Brant—Prisoners sent to - Montreal—The Mohawk Valley—Bravery of Solomon Woodruff—Irruption to - Little Falls—Burning of Ellis's Mills—Incidents on the Ohio—Bold - exploit of McConnel—Attack of Colonel Bird, with his Indians, upon the - Licking Settlement—Colonel Clarke takes vengeance upon the Shawanese.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">53</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chiii">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians - and loyalists—The Visschers—The route of Sir John—Arrest of the - Sammons family—Destruction of their property—March along the - river—Burning of buildings, and murders of aged people—Destruction of - Caughnawaga—Return to Johnson Hall—Proceedings there—Thomas Sammons - escapes—Sir John moves off—Sampson Sammons applies for his - liberty—His speech—The object of the expedition—Recovery of the - Baronet's plate—A faithful slave—Character of the expedition—Sir - John returns to Montreal—Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into - captivity—Imprisoned at Chamblee—Conspiracy to escape—Prisoners - refuse to join them—The brothers escape alone—The pursuit— - Separation—Journey, adventures and sufferings of Jacob Sammons—Arrives - at Schenectady—The narrative returns to Frederick—Perils of his - escape—Prosperous commencement of his journey—Dreadful sickness—His - recapture—Confined in irons at Chamblee—Removed to an Island—Projects - an escape—Plot discovered—Ironed again—Second plan of - escape—Perilous leap into the St Lawrence—Swimming the Rapids—Other - surprising adventures, by flood and field—Crossing the woods to - Schenectady—Remarkable fulfillment of a dream—Direct history of the - Mohawk country resumed—Destruction of Canajoharie by the - Indians—Conduct of Brant—Case of doubtful courage.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 72</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chiv">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> - - - <p class="chap">General progress of the War—Design against New-York—Glance at the - Southern Campaigns—Treason of Arnold—Execution of Andre—Indian - deputation to Count de Rochambeau, in Rhode Island—Invasion of the - Schoharie-kill and the Mohawk Valleys, by Sir John Johnson, Brant, and - the Corn-planter—Surprise of the upper fort—The middle fort - invested—Conduct of Murphy in firing upon a flag—Singular prosecution - of the siege—Murphy's contumacy—The flags fired upon thrice—Sir John - proceeds to the lower fort—After a brief halt, advances again to the - Mohawk, destroying every thing in his way—Murder of the - inhabitants—The Vroomans—Heroism of a woman—Sir John arrives at Fort - Hunter—Ravages the Mohawk Valley—Battle of Stone Arabia and death of - Colonel Brown—His character—Remarkable anecdote of General Arnold—Sir - John proceeds to Klock's Field—Is pursued by Van Rensselaer, though - with unaccountable delay—Battle of Klock's Field—Flight of the - Indians—Strange retreat of Van Rensselaer—Affairs of the - night—Secret flight of the Greens and Rangers—The pursuit—General - Van Rensselaer prematurely relinquishes it—Capture of Captain Vrooman - and his company, by Brant, in the neighborhood of Oneida—Touching - incident at Fort Hunter—Singular story respecting the - Corn-planter—Major Carleton's expedition against Forts Anne and - George—Correspondence on the subject of prisoners—Affairs at - Niagara—Setting in of Winter.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">98</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chv">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Gloomy opening of the year—Distresses of the army—Revolt of the - Pennsylvania line—Negotiations—Revolt of the New Jersey - troops—Arnold's expedition to Virginia—Progress of the war at the - South—Distresses at the North—Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk - country—Meditated attack upon the Oneidas—Letter of Colonel - Claus—Destitution of the country—Letter of General - Schuyler—Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood—Suspicions of - design—General Clinton's correspondence respecting that - catastrophe—Hostile indications in the North—Indications of extensive - treachery—Arrest of the disaffected at Ballston and its - vicinity—Bearing of Washington in adversity—Colonel Willett appointed - to the command of the Mohawk District—Slender means at his - disposal—Burning of Currie-town—Battle of Durlagh—Defeat of the - Indians—Death of Captain McKean—Irruption into Palatine—Willett's - letter to Washington—Willett's influence upon the broken - militia—Battle near the German Flats—Death of Solomon Woodworth—Story - of John Christian Shell—Invasion of Ulster County by Indians and Tories - under Captain Cauldwell—Another case of individual bravery—Incidents on - the Kentucky border.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">137</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chvi">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Increase of disaffection in the North—Seizures of prominent citizens by - bands of loyalists from Canada—Captivity of John J. Bleecker—Plot - against General Gansevoort—Daring attempt upon General Schuyler in the - city of Albany, by John Waltermeyer—Intrepidity of Margaret - Schuyler—Arrest of loyalists at the Beaver Dams—Mysterious movements - of the enemy on Lake Champlain—Controversy with the New-Hampshire - Grants—Sketch of its origin—Outrages of the Vermont - insurgents—Declaration of Independence by the Grants—Interposition of - Congress—Its authority disregarded—Progress of the - controversy—Difficult situation of General Gansevoort—Suspected - intercourse of the Vermontese with the enemy—Letter of Governor - Clinton—Invasion of the Mohawk country by Major Ross—Warrens-bush - ravaged—March of the enemy to Johnstown—Followed by Willett with the - levies and militia—Battle of Johnstown—Ross defeated—Pursued by - Willett, and routed at Jerseyfield—Death of Walter N. Butler—General - progress of the war—Arnold in Virginia—Returns to the North, and - destroys Groton and New London—Siege of Yorktown and capture of - Cornwallis—Affairs of the North—Meditated treachery of - Vermont—Message of Governor Clinton—British open a correspondence with - the Vermont insurgents—Mission of Ira Allen to Canada—Separate - armistice with Vermont—Stipulations for erecting Vermont into a royal - colony—Correspondence with the enemy during the Summer—Negotiations - renewed at Skenesborough—St. Leger ascends the lake with a strong - force—An awkward occurrence for the Vermontese—Excitement at the seat - of Government of the Grants—Throwing dust in the eyes of the - people—News of the surrender of Cornwallis—Its effect in - Vermont—Causes the nasty return of St. Leger to Canada—Insurrection - in the north-eastern towns of New-York, in connexion with the - Vermontese—Troubles of General Gansevoort—Unable to quell the - insurgents—Cherokee Indians—Close of the year.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">178</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chvii">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Character of Joseph Bettys—His exploits—Capture and execution—Progress - of the war—Gradual cessation of hostilities—Dwindling down to mere - affairs of outposts and scouting parties—Commissioners appointed to - negotiate a treaty of peace—Indian battles on the Kentucky - frontier—Defeat of Colonel Boon—Destruction of the Shawanese - towns—The Moravians on the Muskingum—Their removal to Sandusky by the - Wyandots—Return to secure their crops—Invasion of their towns by - Colonel Williamson—Treachery of Williamson and his men to the - Indians—Horrible massacre—Invasion of the Sandusky country by Crawford - and Williamson—Defeat of their army—Colonel Crawford - captured—Sentenced to die by torture—His interview with the sachem - Wingemund—His execution—Close of the year—Doubts as to a treaty of - peace—Colonel Willett's attempt to surprise Oswego—The news of - peace—Sufferings of Tryon County—Return of its population—End of the - wars of the Mohawk.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">210</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chviii">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">The Treaty of Peace—Neglect of her Indian allies by Great - Britain—Brant's negotiations with General Haldimand for a new - territory—The Senecas invite the Mohawks to settle in the Genesee - Valley—Declined—The Grand River country granted to the Mohawks by Sir - Frederick Haldimand—Indian policy of the United States—Views of - Washington and General Schuyler—Treaty with the Six Nations at Fort - Stanwix—Corn-planter and Red Jacket take opposite sides—Peace with the - Six Nations—Dissatisfaction of the Indians—Of Thayendanegea in - particular—Letter of Brant to Colonel Monroe—Relinquishes his design - of going then to England—Returns to Grand River—Differences of opinion - wither John Johnson—Brant sails for England in the Autumn of 1785—His - arrival—Glimpses of his ulterior designs—His distinguished - reception—Enters upon the business of his mission—Letter to Lord - Sidney—Speech of Brant to Lord Sidney—Letter of Lord Sidney in - reply—Question of half-pay—Brant's Letter to Sir Evan Nepean—His - associations with the great—Keen sarcasm upon a nobleman—Striking - incident at a grand masquerade—Brant's attention to the moral wants of - his people—His return to Canada.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">237</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chix">CHAPTER IX.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Difficulties between Great Britain and the United States after the - Treaty—Refusal of the former to surrender the western posts—Mission of - Baron Steuben to Canada—Indications of fresh Indian - hostilities—-Movements of Captain Brant—Grand Indian Council at the - Huron Village—Address to the United States—Letter of the Secretary at - War, General Knox, to Captain Brent—Letter of Sir John Johnson to - Brant—Letter of Major Matthews to Brant, disclosing the views of Lord - Dorchester respecting the retention of the western posts—Message from - the Hurons to the Five Nations, proposing another grand - Council—Preparations of General St. Clair for negotiating with the - Indians—Brant begins to distrust them all—Letter of Brant to Patrick - Langan, Sir John Johnson's Secretary-Letter of Brant to Sir John - Johnson—Great Council at Miamis—Letter of Captain Brant to Patrick - Langan—St. Clair's negotiations at Fort Harmar—The policy of dividing - to conquer—Letter of Captain Brant to Major Matthews—Jealousies of - Brant among the Indians—Council against him at Montreal—Letter to him - from Major Matthews—Letter of Brant in reply—Letter to Colonel - McDonnell—Suspected plot against the English at Detroit, and Brant and - his Mohawks, by the Hurons, Chippewas, and Pottawatamies—Letter to - Brant from Sir John Johnson—Brant turns his attention to the - cultivation of letters—Endeavors to obtain a stated Missionary—Resumes - the preparation of Religious books—Letter from President Willard—John - Norton—Land difficulties among the Indians in the state of - New-York—Letter from Governor Clinton to Brant.</p> - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">262</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chx">CHAPTER X.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Continued troubles with the Indians—English emissaries in - Kentucky—Mission of Antoine Gamelin—Preparations for war—Campaign of - General Harmar—Successive defeats of Colonel Hardin—Conduct of the - militia—Retreat of Harmar—Indian deputation to Lord Dorchester—Letter - of Sir John Johnson—Colonel Gordon—Letter of Brant to Colonel - McKee—Pacific views of Lord Dorchester—Renewed efforts of the United - States to bring the Indians to peace—Interposition of - Corn-planter—Mission of Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor—British - officers wish a mediation—Letter of Colonel Gordon—Colonel Pickering - holds an Indian Council at the Chemung—Red Jacket's course—Brant - interferes—Indian Councils at Buffalo—Influence of Colonel John Butler - and Brant—Mission of Colonel Proctor and Corn-planter - frustrated—Important position of Brant—Correspondence between the - Secretary of War and Governor Clinton—Colonel Pickering's Council with - the Indians at Painted Post—Mission of Hendrick, the Stock-bridge - chief—Renewal of hostilities—Campaign of General St. Clair—His - defeat—Thayendanegea among the Indian captains—The panic that - followed—Clamor against St. Clair—His resignation—Wayne appointed - his successor—Refusal of Colonel Willett to embark in an Indian war.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">291</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxi">CHAPTER XI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia—Captain Brant - invited to attend—His objections—Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to - Captain Brant—Letter of the Secretary of War to the same—Letter of - Colonel Gordon to the same—Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of - War—The Secretary of War to Captain Brant—Attempts from Montreal to - prevent Brant from going to Philadelphia—His journey—Feelings against - him in the Mohawk Valley—His arrival at New-York and - Philadelphia—Liberal offers made him—Letter to the Count de Puisy—The - offers rejected—Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis—Returns to - New-York—Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his - life—Discovered in New-York—Brant returns to Niagara—Murder of - Colonel Harden and Major Trueman—Letters of Brant to the Secretary at - War—Feelings of the Western Nations—Correspondence between Brant and - McKee—Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize—Sickness of Captain - Brant—Hostilities deferred until Spring, and a treaty with the United - States ordered—Return of the Delegates of the Six Nations—Address to - President Washington—Separate organization of Upper Canada—Arrival of - Governor Simcoe—Letter to Brant from the Duke of - Northumberland—Preparations for the Great Council of 1783—Fresh - dissatisfaction of the Indians—Private Councils—They send their - ultimatum in anticipation—The American Commissioners depart for the - Indian country—Their arrival at Niagara—Friendly conduct of Governor - Simcoe—Celebration of the King's Birth-day—The Commissioners start for - the West—Their progress interrupted—Conduct of General Wayne—Brant - suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation—Council held at Fort - Erie—Commissioners return to Niagara—Council there—Speech of Captain - Brant—Reply of the Commissioners—Speech of Cat's-Eyes—Rejoinder of - Brant—Arrival of the Seven Nations—Brant proceeds to the Miami - Rapids—Followed by the Commissioners—Arrival at the Detroit - River—Their progress interrupted—Unexpected turn of - affairs—Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council—Long Debates - in the Indian Council—Brant speaks strongly for peace—Governor Simcoe - declines advising the Indians—The negotiations suddenly terminated by - the Indians—Their address—And sine qua non.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">318</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxii">CHAPTER XII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Suspected duplicity of the British authorities—Conduct of Simon - Girty—Disclosures upon the subject by Captain Brant—Council at - Buffalo, and Indian report of the doings of the Great Congress—Speech - of Captain Brant respecting the Miami council—Mission of General - Chapin to Philadelphia, with the speech—Answer unsatisfactory to the - Indians—Red Jacket—Indian council—Speech of Captain Brant in reply to - the answer of the United States—Troubles thickening between the United - States and Great Britain—Inflammatory speech of Lord - Dorchester—Question of its authenticity settled—Conduct of Governor - Simcoe—Indignation of President Washington—His letter to Mr. - Jay—Speech of Captain Brant against holding a council at Venango—The - design frustrated—Affairs farther in the West—Singular message from - the distant Indians under the Spanish and French influence—Their - speech—Operations of General Wayne—Encroachments of Pennsylvania upon - the Indian lands—Indian council upon the subject—Address to General - Washington—Important letter of Brant to Colonel Smith—Pennsylvania - relinquishes Presque Isle—Defeat of Major M<sup>c</sup>Mahon near Fort - Recovery—Indians repulsed in their attack upon the fort—Letter to - Brant giving an account of the battle—Advance of Wayne to the Au - Glaize and Miamis of the Lakes—Little Turtle apprised of his movements - and strength by a deserter—The Chief determines to give battle—Wayne - makes one more effort for peace—Failure of the attempt—Advance of - Wayne to the Rapids—Position of the Indians—Battle and defeat of the - Indians—Little Turtle opposed to the hazard of a battle—Opposed by - Blue-Jacket and overruled—Tart correspondence between Wayne and Major - Campbell—Destruction of Indian property by fire, and burning of Colonel - M<sup>c</sup>Kee's establishment—Disappointment of the Indians that Major Campbell - did not assist them—Letter of Governor Simcoe to Brant—Aggression at - Sodus Bay—Simcoe and Brant repair to the West—Interfere to prevent a - peace—Indian council—The hostiles negotiate with Wayne—Simcoe's - address to the Wyandots—Division in their counsels—Brant retires - displeased—Letter of apology from the Chiefs—The distant Indians - become weary of the war.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 357</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxiii">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Thayendanegea in civil life—His activity—His efforts to accelerate the - civilization of his people—Difficulties respecting the title to his - lands—Successive Councils and Speeches—Governor Simcoe leaves the - province—Captain Claus appointed to the Indian Agency—President - Russell—Brant's Speeches asserting the absolute Independence and - Nationality of his people—Letter to Sir John Johnson—Correspondence - with Lord Dorchester—The Count de Puisy—Letter of Brant to Thomas - Morris—Sharp correspondence with Sir John Johnson—The St. Regis and - Caughnawaga Indians, and the State of New-York involved in the land - controversy—Brant's difficulties with the Caughnawagas—Letter to - Thomas Morris—Brant's visit to the Caughnawagas—Council—Satisfactory - explanations—Fresh difficulties at home—Norton's Mission to - England—Plots against the character of Brant—Alienation of some of his - friends—Conspiracy to depose him—Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother - active in the plot—Character of Red Jacket—Brant deposed by an illegal - Council—Letter to the Duke of Northumberland—A legal Council - convoked—Brant meets his accusers, and defends himself—Another - Council—Speech of Brant—Acquitted of all charges against him—Council - after the return of Norton from England—Proceedings of Red Jacket's - Council nullified—Brant re-instated—Letter to the Duke of - Northumberland—Letter of the Duke in reply—Last letter of Brant to the - Duke.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">396</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxiv">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Exertions of Thayendanegea for the moral and social improvement of his - people—His religions views—Efforts for the religious instruction of - his people—Letter to Sir John Johnson upon the subject of obtaining a - resident clergyman—Farther correspondence—Interview of Brant with the - Bishop—Disappointment—Letter to the Chief Justice—Appeal of Brant to - the Lord Bishop, but without success—Application to the American - church—Letter to Colonel Burr—Succeeds in obtaining the ordination of - Mr. Phelps—Estimate of Brant's character by the clergy—Letter of Rev. - Dr. Mason—Rev. Elkanah Holmes—Letter of Brant to the Rev. Dr. - Miller—Ardent spirits—Efforts of Brant to prevent their - introduction—Letter to Sir John Johnson—Interposition of the - women—Address of Brant in reply—Indian games and pastimes—National - game of Cricket—Great game at Grand River, between the Senecas and - Mohawks—Judge Woodruff's visit to Brant's residence—Description of his - person—Indian funerals—Respect for the dead—Estimate of women—Their - influence—Funeral speech of Seneca-George—Death of Mrs. Claus—Speech - of condolence by Captain Brant—Captain Claus in reply—Brant's visit to - New-York, Philadelphia, and Hartford, in 1797—Attentions to him in - Philadelphia—Dinner party of Colonel Burr—Talleyrand and other - distinguished guests—Letter of introduction from Colonel Burr to his - daughter—Dinner party in his honor by Miss Theodosia—His manners - described by Dr. Miller and by General Porter—Designs upon his life in - the Mohawk country—The late John Wells—Striking incident in - Albany—Anecdotes—Brant and General Gansevoort—Brant and Colonel Van - Courtlandt—Reasons of Brant for taking up arms for the King—His - reasonings in defence of the Indian mode of warfare.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">Page 430</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxv">CHAPTER XV.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Domestic relations of Brant—Account of his family—Bad character of his - eldest son—His death by the hand of his father—Condolence of the - Chiefs—Grief of the father at the event—Anxiety for the education of - his sons—Proposed memorial to the Duke of Portland—Letter of Brant to - Colonel Smith—Correspondence with the Wheelock Family—Letter from - Brant to James Wheelock—Two of his sons sent to Dartmouth—Various - letters from and to the Wheelocks—Correspondence upon other - subjects—Reply to the questions, whether the Indians have - beards—Letter from Bishop Peters—Views or Brant on imprisonment for - debt—Tumuli—Opinion of Brant touching their origin—Indian tradition - of white settlements cut off in a single night—Investigations of Samuel - Woodruff—Brant's inquiries in Paris—The discoveries of the - Northmen—Review of the life and character of Brant—His death.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">463</p> - - <h3 class="direct"><a href="#chxvi">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h3> - - <p class="chap">Account of the family of Brant subsequent to his death—Catharine - Brant—The line of descent among the Mohawks—John Brant, the youngest - son, appointed to the Chieftainship—The war of 1812—General Van - Rensselaer on the Niagara frontier—Preparations for a descent upon - Queenston Heights—First attempt frustrated—Arrangement for a second - movement—Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott on the lines—His efforts - to accompany the expedition—Landing of Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer - and his party—Intrepidity of the attack—Van Rensselaer and others - grievously wounded—Captain Wool carries the Heights—Advance of General - Brock—His defeat and fall—Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott upon the - Heights—Attack of the Indians—General Sheaffe advances from Niagara - with reinforcements—Battle—The Americans driven down the - Heights—Attempts of Scott to capitulate—His flag-bearers shot - down—Determines to bear a flag himself—A young Indian leaps upon him - like a tiger—His rescue—Interview with General - Sheaffe—Capitulation—March to Niagara—Remarkable interview between - Scott and two Indians at Niagara, the younger of whom was John - Brant—Base poltroonry of the militia—Battle of the Beaver-dams—Close - of young Brant's military life—Removes to the Brant House with his - sister—Account of the family by Lieutenant Hall—Visit of the British - Consul to the Brant House—Controversy of John Brant with Archdeacon - Strachan—He visits England respecting the ancient land-title - controversy—Succeeds with the ministers—Disappointed by the Colonial - Government—Correspondence with Campbell respecting the memory of his - father—Attention to the moral wants of his people—Correspondence - respecting the Mohawk schools—Presentation of a silver cup—His - election to the Provincial Parliament—Seat contested—Death by - cholera—His character—Farther notices of the family—Description of - his sister, and of his successor—Death of Catharine Brant—Conclusion.</p> - - <p class="exit" style="font-size: 80%">500</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h2 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always">Life<br> - of<br> - JOSEPH BRANT—THAYENDANEGEA, &c.</h2> - - <hr width="80%"> - - - <h3 class="direct"><a id="chi">CHAPTER I.</a></h3>> -<br><br> - <p class="chap">Sullivan's campaign into the Seneca country—Different characteristics - among the Indian Nations—Mistakes upon the subject—Progress of - civilization among the Six Nations—Plan of the campaign—The command - offered to General Gates—His conduct—Clinton's preparations at - Canajoharie—Transportation of boats and stores across to Otsego - Lake—Arrest and execution of Newberry—Attempts to engage the - Oneidas—The Indians alarmed by an address from Gen. Haldimand—The - address—Intelligence from the enemy—Arrival of Oneida deputies at - Clinton's head-quarters—Their speech—Designs of the enemy—Letter of - Gen. Clinton to his brother—Remarkable escape of Elerson from an Indian - scout-Brave defence of his house by Mr. Shankland—Descent of the - Susquehanna—Dilatory proceedings of Sullivan—Junction of the - forces—Movement from Tioga to Newtown—Battle of the - Chemung—Destruction of the crops—Advance to Catharine's town—Message - to the Oneidas—Destruction of Catharine's town—Evidences of - civilization—Destruction of Kendaia and Kanadaseaga—March upon - Kanandaigua—Its destruction—Honeoye destroyed—Melancholy story of the - Oneida brothers—Kanaghsawa destroyed—Horrible fate of Lieutenant - Boyd—Contrast between the conduct of Brant and Butler in the case of - Boyd—Indians in council resolve to fight no more—Sullivan advances to - Genesee—Beauty of the country—Conduct of Red Jacket—Origin of Brant's - hostility to him—Sullivan sets out on his return—Destruction of the - Cayuga towns—Return of the army to Tioga—Strange directions to Colonel - Gansevoort respecting the Mohawks of the lower castle—Their - capture—Correspondence—Their release—Close of Sullivan's - campaign—His resignation—Colonel Brodhead's expedition against the - Senecas on the Allegheny—Huron and Shawanese chiefs meet him at Fort - Pitt—Their speeches—Severe Indian battle on the Ohio—Closing - incidents of the year.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The policy</span> of waging a more decisive war against the Indians, and the -loyalists associated with them in their barbarous irruptions upon the -frontier settlements, has been adverted to more than once already. General -Washington had long entertained the opinion that the mere establishment of -a chain of military posts along the Western and North-western frontiers -would not answer the purpose; and that the only method of affording -efficient protection to the inhabitants of those borders, would be to -carry the war into the heart of the enemy's country. By a resolution of -the 25th of February, Congress had directed the Commander-in-chief to take -the most effectual means for protecting the inhabitants, and chastising the -Indians for their continued depredations; and it was now his determination -to put the resolve in execution, by carrying the war directly into the -most populous country of the Six Nations; to cut off their settlements, -destroy their crops, and inflict upon them every other mischief which time -and circumstances would permit. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Washington of March 4, to Governor Clinton, and also from - the same to General Gates of March 6, 1779.</p> - - -<p>Those who have been accustomed to contemplate the whole race of North -American aboriginals as essentially alike, viewing them all as the same -roving, restless, houseless race of hunters and fishermen, without a local -habitation, and with scarce a name, have widely misunderstood the Indian -character, and must know but little of its varieties. They have, indeed, -many traits and characteristics in common; but in other respects the moody -Englishman is not more unlike his mercurial neighbor on the other side of -the channel, than is the Mohawk unlike the Sioux. It is the remark of a -popular writer of the day, [FN-1] that "those who are familiar with the -reserved and haughty bearing of the forest tribes, cannot fail, when an -opportunity of comparison is afforded, to be struck with the social air -and excitable disposition which mark their prairie brethren, and so -decidedly distinguish the '<i>gens du large</i>' from <i>les gens des feuilles,</i>' -as the voyageurs term the different races. The Pawnees, following the -buffalo in his migrations, and having always plenty of animal food to -subsist upon, are a much better fed and larger race than those who find -a precarious subsistence in the forest chase. While the woodland tribes, -who, though not so plump in form, are of a more wiry and perhaps muscular -make, have again a decided advantage in figure and gait over the '<i>gens du -lac,</i>' or fishing and trapping tribes of the North-west, that pass most -of their time in canoes. This difference in character and physical -appearance between the different Indian races, or rather between those -tribes who have such different methods of gaining a livelihood, has never -been sufficiently attended to by modern authors, though it did not escape -the early French writers on this country. And yet, if habit have any -effect in forming the temper and character of a rude people, it must of -course follow, that the savage who lives in eternal sunshine upon -flowery plains, and hunts on horseback with a troop of tribesmen around -him, must be a different being from the solitary deer-stalker, who wanders -through the dim forest, depending upon his single arm for a subsistence -for his wife and children." But the higher state of social organization -among the Six Nations greatly increased the difference. They had many -towns and villages giving evidence of permanence. They were organized into -communities, whose social and political institutions, simple as they were, -were still as distinct and well-defined as those of the American -confederacy. They had now acquired some of the arts, and were enjoying -many of the comforts, of civilized life. Not content with small patches -of cleared lands for the raising of a few vegetables, they possessed -cultivated fields, and orchards of great productiveness, at the West. -Especially was this the fact with regard to the Cayugas and Senecas. The -Mohawks having been driven from their own rich lands, the extensive -domains of the two westernmost tribes of the confederacy formed the -granary of the whole. And in consequence of the superior social and -political organization just referred to, and the Spartan-like character -incident to the forest life, the Six Nations, though not the most -numerous, were beyond a doubt the most formidable, of the tribes then in -arms in behalf of the Crown. [FN-2] It was justly considered, therefore, -that the only way to strike them effectively, would be to destroy their -homes and the growing products of their farms; and thus, by cutting off -their means of supply, drive them from their own country deeper into the -interior, and perhaps throw them altogether upon their British allies for -subsistence. It was likewise the design to extend the operations of the -expedition as far as Niagara, if possible—that post, of all others in the -occupation of the enemy, enabling his officers to maintain an extensive -influence over his savage allies. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Charles F. Hoffman, Esq.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "The Six Nations were a peculiar and extraordinary people, - contra-distinguished from the mass of Indian nations by great attainments - in polity, in negotiation, in eloquence, and in war."—<i>Discourse of - De Wilt Clinton before the New-York Hist. Society—</i>1811.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Since these sheets were in the hands of the printer, the author - has discovered an official manuscript account of a grand Indian council - held at Niagara, in September, 1776, by Colonel John Butler, and - Lieutenants Matthews, Burnit, and Kinnesley, and Ensign Butler, with the - Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatamies, Missiasagas, Senecas, Cayugas, - Onondagas, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Mohawks, Delawares, Nanticokes, - Squaneghiges{?}, and Conagreves{?}—in presence of Lieut. Colonel John - Caldwell, then in command at Niagara. It appears that only one Oneida - sachem was present and one Tuscarora. They {illegible} an address which - was unanimously signed{?} by the chiefs attending the Congress declaring - their intention to embark in the war, and abide the result of the contest - of the King with his people. They also made a strong appeal to the - Oneidas and the Tuscaroras, "to quit the {illegible}, and be strong and - determined to fulfill their engagements to the King." They also exhorted - the Mohawks to be strong, and assured them "that they all their western - brethren, would fly to their assistance at the first cal," - &c.—<i>Manuscripts of Gen Gansevoort.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">{Transcriber's Note: The above footnote, [FN-3], from the word - "Delawares" forward, the following paragraph, and its footnote are on a - page that did not scan well. It is nearly illegible. The transcription - presented here is a best guess.}</p> - -<p>The plan of this campaign was well devised and matured{?}. It was to be -commenced by a combined movement of two divisions—the one from -Pennsylvania {transiting?} the valley of the Susquehanna to the -intersection of the Tioga river under General Sullivan, who was invested -with the command in chief; and the other from the north under General -James Clinton, which was to descend the Susquehanna from its principal -source, and after forming a junction with Sullivan, the whole to proceed, -by the course of the Chemung river, into the fertile country of the -Senecas and Cayugas. The expedition was intended as the principal campaign -of the year; since the relative military strength and situation of the -two contending powers rendered it impossible that any other offensive -operations could be carried on by the Americans at the same time. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It was the original purpose of General Washington to invest General - Gates with the command of this expedition, and the appointment was - tendered to that officer by letter, on the 6th of March. Gates declined - it, in a manner not very agreeable to the Commander-in-chief. The latter, - in writing subsequently to the President of Congress upon the subject, - in the course of sundry explanations, not unmingled with strictures upon - the conduct of Gates, wrote as follows:—"The plan of operations for - the campaign being determined, a commanding officer was to be appointed - for the Indian expedition. This command, according to all present - appearances, will probably be of the second, if not of the first, - importance for the campaign. The officer conducting it has a flattering - prospect of acquiring more credit than can be expected by any other this - year; and he has the best reason to hope for success. General Lee, from - his situation, was out of the question; General Schuyler, (who, by the - way, would hare been most agreeable to me,) was so uncertain of - continuing in the army, that I could not appoint him; General Putnam I - need not mention. I therefore made the offer of it, for the appointment - could no longer be delayed, to General Gates, who was next in seniority, - though, perhaps, I might have avoided it, if I had been so disposed, from - his being in a command by the special appointment of Congress. My letter - to him on the occasion I believe you will think was conceived in very - candid and polite terms, and that it merited a different answer from the - one given to it"—<i>Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, - April</i> 14th, 1779. The answer of Gates referred to by the - Commander-in-chief; was in the following words:—"Last night I had the - honor of your Excellency's Letter. The man who undertakes the Indian - service, should enjoy youth and strength; requisites I do not possess. - It therefore grieves me that your Excellency should offer me the only - command to which I am entirely unequal. In obedience to your command, I - have forwarded your letter to General Sullivan," &c—<i>Sparks's Life and - Correspondence of Washington.</i></p> - - -<p>On the 2d of June, General Clinton received his instructions from -Sullivan, to proceed forthwith in the measures of co-operation according -to the plan of the campaign already indicated, viz: the descent of the -Susquehanna by the northern forces to unite with the main division at -Tioga. Preparations for the enterprise, however, were already in a state -of great forwardness, since General Washington had been in free -communication with Governor Clinton upon the subject; and the latter, with -the General his brother, had been actively engaged in anticipation of the -order. [FN] Accordingly, batteaux had already been provided at -Schenectady, which, after ascending the Mohawk to Canajoharie, were thence -to be transported over land to the head of Otsego Lake at Springfield, -while at the same time a large quantity of provisions had been thrown into -Fort Schuyler in case of emergency. After making all his arrangements, and -ordering the different corps which were to compose his command, to -concentrate at Canajoharie, General Clinton arrived at that post on the -16th of June, where he found himself at the head of fifteen hundred -troops.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General James Clinton was at that time in command of the Northern - department. The troops assigned for this campaign were, the brigades of - Generals Clinton, Maxwell, Poor, and Hand, to which last brigade were - assigned, in addition, all the detached corps of Continental troops on - the Susquehanna. The independent companies of the State of Pennsylvania - were likewise ordered upon the expedition together with Colonel Van - Courtlandt's regiment, Butler's, Alden's, and the rifle corps. Colonel - Gansevoort's regiment formed a part of Clinton's brigade. The brigade - had already been ordered by the Commander-in-chief himself to rendezvous - at Canajoharie, subject to the orders of Sullivan, either to form a - junction with the main body by the way of Otsego, or to proceed up the - Mohawk and co-operate as circumstances might best permit.—<i>Letter of - instructions from the Commander-in-chief to General Sullivan.</i></p> - - -<p>The portage from the Mohawk river at Canajoharie to the head of Otsego -Lake is about twenty miles. On the 17th, General Clinton commenced the -transportation of his boats and stores across the country—the region -being hilly, and the roads excessively bad. Two hundred boats were found -to be necessary, and four horses were required for the draught of each -boat. The troops were disposed by regiments along the route, both for -safety, and to assist at difficult points of ascent. But, notwithstanding -these obstacles, and the magnitude of the enterprise, General Clinton was -enabled to announce to his immediate superior, by letter on the 26th, that -one hundred and seventy-three of the boats had already reached the head of -the lake; that thirty more were on their way; and that the residue, making -up the complement of two hundred and twenty, would be forwarded thither -immediately on their arrival from Schenectady. The provisions and stores -for a three months' campaign had likewise been already transported across -the carrying-place; so that the expedition was nearly in readiness to -commence its final movement. [FN-1] In a letter to General Schuyler -announcing the same intelligence, the General spoke particularly of the -alacrity and spirit with which the inhabitants of the country had rallied -to his assistance. He likewise bestowed high praise upon Colonel Willett, -acting as a volunteer, for his timely and energetic assistance in -forwarding the arrangements. In performing this labor, no other -interruption took place than what arose from the arrest of two spies, -formerly inhabitants of the county, one of whom was named Hare, a -lieutenant in the British service, and the other a Tory sergeant named -Newberry,—the same wretch whose name has already occurred as a brutal -murderer at Cherry Valley. They had left the Seneca country with sixty -warriors of that tribe, to be divided into three parties, one of which was -to fall upon Cherry Valley again, the other upon Schoharie, and the third -to be employed in lurking about Fort Schuyler. They were tried by a -court-martial, convicted, and "hanged pursuant to the sentence of the -court, and to the entire satisfaction of all the inhabitants of the -county." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] General Washington was greatly displeased at the amount of stores - and baggage by which Clinton was encumbered, apprehending "the worst - consequences" from the obstacles his stores would interpose to the - rapidity of his march, and also from the publicity which would as a - consequence be given to his movements. Although he had left it optional - with Sullivan to direct Clinton to join him by the route of the - Susquehanna, yet the Commander-in-chief evidently preferred that the - more northern route should be taken. He wrote to Sullivan upon the - subject with more sharpness than he was wont to do—[<i>See Letter of - Washington to Sullivan, July</i> 1, 1779.] The event, however, aided by the - sagacity of Clinton in the adoption of a measure presently to be noted, - proved that he took the right direction.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter from General Clinton to General Schuyler. In General - Schuyler's answer to this letter, he says, speaking of the execution of - Hare—"In executing Hare, you have rid the State of the greatest villain - in it. I hope his abettors in the country will meet with a similar - exaltation."—<i>Gov. Clinton's Manuscripts.</i></p> - - -<p>It was the desire of General Sullivan that Clinton should employ in his -division as large a number of the Oneida warriors as could be induced to -engage in the service. The latter officer was opposed to this arrangement; -but at the importunities of Sullivan, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, their -missionary, who was now a chaplain in the army, had been summoned to -Albany for consultation. From thence Mr. Kirkland was despatched to -Pennsylvania directly to join Sullivan's division, while to Mr. Deane, -the interpreter connected with the Indian commission at Fort Schuyler, -was confided the charge of negotiating with the Oneida chiefs upon the -subject. At first all went smoothly with the Indians. The Oneidas -volunteered for the expedition, almost to a man; while those of the -Onondagas who adhered to the cause of the Americans, were equally desirous -of proving their fidelity by their deeds. Under these circumstances -Clinton wrote to Sullivan on the 26th, that on the following Saturday, Mr. -Deane, with the Indian warriors, would join him at the head of the lake. -A sudden revolution, however, was wrought in their determination by an -address to the Oneidas from General Haldimand, received at Fort Schuyler -on the 22d. This document was transmitted to them in their own language; -and its tenor was so alarming, as to induce them suddenly to change their -purpose—judging, very correctly, from the threats of Haldimand, that -their presence was necessary at home for the defence of their own castles. -Still, Mr. Deane wrote that an arrangement was on foot, by which he hoped -yet to obtain the co-operation of a considerable number of the Oneida -warriors. The basis of this arrangement was, that in the event of an -invasion of their country by the Indians, whom the Canadian commander had -threatened to let loose upon them, the garrison at Fort Schuyler should -not only assist them, but receive their women and children into the fort -for protection.</p> - -<p>General Haldimand's address was written in the Iroquois language, of which -the following translation was made by Mr. Deane, and enclosed to General -Clinton:—</p> - - <p class="quote">"<i>A translation of his Excellency Gen. Haldimand's speech - to the Oneida Indians in the Rebel Interest, as delivered - to them in the Iroquois language.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Copied by the author from the MS. among the papers of General - Clinton.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Be very attentive to what I, Ashanegown, the Great King of -England's representative in Canada, am going to say. By this string of -wampum I shake you by the hand to rouse you that you may seriously reflect -upon my words.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A string of wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It is now about four years ago since the Bostonians began to -rise, and rebel against their Father, the King of England, since which -time you have taken a different part from the rest of the Five Nations, -your confederates, and have likewise deserted the King's cause, through -the deceitful machinations and snares of the rebels, who intimidated you -with their numerous armies, by which means you became bewildered, and -forgot all of your engagements with, and former care, and favor from the -Great King of England, your Father. You also soon forgot the frequent bad -usage, and continual encroachments of the Americans upon the Indian lands -throughout the Continent. I say, therefore, that at the breaking out of -these troubles you firmly declared to observe a strict neutrality in the -dispute, and made your declaration known to Sir Guy Carleton, my -predecessor, who much approved of it, provided you were in earnest. I have -hitherto strictly observed and examined your conduct, and find that you -did not adhere to your assertion, although I could trace no reason on the -side of government as well as the Indians, why you should act so -treacherous and double a part; by which means, we, not mistrusting your -fidelity, have had many losses among the King's subjects, and the Five -Nations your friends and connexions; and finding you besides, proud and -haughty on the occasion, as if you gloried in your perfidy, doubtless in -sure confidence as if your friends, the rebels, were getting the better -at last; and captivated with that pleasing opinion of yours, you have -presumed twice, during the course of last winter, to send impertinent and -daring messages to the Five Nations, as if you meant to pick a quarrel -with them. In consequence of this your daring and insolent behavior, I -must insist upon, by this belt of wampum, that you declare yourselves -immediately on the receipt of this my speech and message, whether you mean -to persist in this your daring and insulting course, and still intend to -act as you have hitherto done, treacherously under the cloak of -neutrality, or whether you will accept of this my last offer of -re-uniting, and reconciling yourselves with your own tribes, the Five -Nations. Do not imagine that the King has hitherto treated the rebels and -their adherents with so much mildness and indulgence, out of any -apprehensions of their strength, or getting the better! No, by no means. -For you will find that in case you slight or disregard this my last offer -of peace, I shall soon convince you that I have such a number of Indian -allies to let loose upon you, as will instantly convince you of your folly -when too late, as I have hardly been able to restrain them from falling -upon you for some time past. I must therefore once more repeat to you that -this is my last and final message to you; and that you do not hesitate, -or put off giving me your direct and decisive declaration of peace or war, -that in case of the latter, (knowing that there are still some of your -nation who are friends to the King and the Five Nations,) I may give them -timely warning to separate themselves from you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Let me lastly convince you of the deceit and dissimulation of -your rebel brethren, General Schuyler, Parson Kirkland, and others; have -they not told you, in the beginning of the rebellion, that they wanted not -your assistance, and to have your blood spilt; and you likewise declared -that you would not join them, but remain neuter? Have either of you stuck -to your word? No! you basely broke it, and seemed from the beginning to be -of mutual hostile sentiments against the King and his allies, and soon -after manifested it by your actions. What confirms me in this opinion, and -proves your deceitful and treacherous dispositions, is your behavior -during the course of the last war, when you likewise acted a double part -in clandestinely joining and carrying intelligence to the French in this -country; which I myself am a witness to, and also was told of it by your -friend, the late Sir William Johnson, who, notwithstanding your base -behavior, upon promising that you would be true and faithful for the -future, forgave you, and received you into favor again, advising you to -be more prudent and honest in time to come; and frequently after that -loaded you with the King's bounty and favor. But he was no sooner dead -than you ungratefully forgot his good advice and benedictions; and in -opposition to his family and Indian friends, and every thing that is -sacred, adopted the cause of rebels, and enemies to your King, your late -patron Sir William Johnson, and your own confederacy and connexions. These -are facts, Brothers, that unless you are lost to every sense of feeling, -cannot but recall in you a most hearty repentance and deep remorse for -your past file actions.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>The belt.</i></p> - - <p class="exit"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Fred. Haldimand."</span></p> - -<p>On the 30th of June, Clinton wrote to Sullivan that his arrangements were -complete—that all his stores and munitions of every description were at -the lake, with two hundred and ten batteaux—and every thing in readiness -for embarkation the moment his orders to that effect should be received. -On the 1st of July he proceeded to the lake himself, and the expedition -moved from its head to the Southern extremity—there to await the orders -of his superior. While lying at this place, a letter was received from -General Schuyler, announcing the return from Canada of a spy, who had been -despatched thither for information. He brought word, that on the 18th of -June four hundred and fifty regular troops, one hundred Tories, and thirty -Indians, had been sent forward from Montreal to reinforce the Indians -against whom this expedition was preparing; and that they were to be -joined by half of Sir John Johnson's regiment, together with a portion of -the garrison at Niagara. From this intelligence it was evident that the -Indian country was not to be taken without a struggle.</p> - -<p>On the 5th Mr. Deane arrived, at the head of thirty-five Oneida warriors. -The object of their visit was in person to apologize for the absence of -their brethren from the expedition, and to make those explanations, in -regard to their own altered situation, already communicated by Mr. Deane -by letter, together with the address of General Haldimand, which had -caused their alarm. A conference took place with General Clinton on the -same day, at which the Oneidas delivered their message in the following -speech:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We suppose you imagine we have come here in order to attend you -upon your expedition, but we are sorry to inform you that our situation is -such as will not admit of it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> From intelligence which we may depend upon, we have reason to -believe that the Six Nations mean to embrace the opportunity of our -absence in order to destroy our castles; these accounts we have by spies -from among them, and we know that a considerable body of them are now -collected at Cayuga for that purpose, waiting in expectation of our -warriors leaving the castle to join you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> It was our intention to have joined you upon your intended -route, and hope you will not think hard of it that we do not; but such is -our present danger, that in case we leave our castle it must be cut off, -as a large party of the enemy are waiting for that purpose.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> This is a time of danger with us. Our brethren, the Americans, -have always promised us assistance for our protection whenever we stand -in need of it; we therefore request that, agreeable to these promises, we -may have some troops sent to our assistance in this time of great danger. -Should you send a body of troops to our assistance and protection, and the -enemy attack us, and we should have the fortune to beat them, we will -with those troops pursue them, and join you down in their country; or if -they should not make an attack upon our castle in a short time, we will -march through their castles until we join you."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>A belt.</i></p> - -<p>To which General Clinton made the following reply:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren:</span> Our present expedition is intended to chastise those nations -who have broken their faith with us, and joined our enemies. The force we -have is quite sufficient for that purpose. Our route is planned in the -great council of this country. It is not my desire that the whole of your -warriors should leave their castles. I have given a general invitation to -our Brethren the Oneidas, the Tuscaroras, and such Onondagas as may have -entered into friendship with us. In order to give all our Indian friends -an equal chance of evidencing their spirit and determination to partake -of our fortune, I am entirely satisfied that such only should join me as -think proper. It is not for want of warriors that I have given you this -invitation, but that every warrior who is a friend to these United States -may have an equal opportunity of punishing the enemies of our country.</p> - -<p>"As your situation is such as causes you to suppose your castle in danger -of being destroyed by your enemies in case of your absence, I by no means -desire that more of your warriors should leave your castles than your -council think proper to permit.</p> - -<p>"As yet I am fully persuaded that all our enemies of the Six Nations will -find too much to do at home, to suffer any of their warriors to go abroad -to do mischief. If you should be satisfied after a little while that your -castles are out of danger, and the whole or any part of your warriors -think proper to come to us, I shall be glad to see you; and in the -meantime perhaps you may be as serviceable where you are, as if you were -with us.</p> - -<p>"I shall immediately give orders to the officers commanding at Fort -Schuyler to send some troops to your castle, and write to Colonel Van -Schaick, who commands in my absence, to afford you every assistance in -his power, as I am not authorized to order any of the troops now with me -on any other command, being directed by our Great Chief and Warrior to -proceed with the whole of these troops on the present route."</p> - -<p>In the course of the interview, the sachems informed General Clinton that -a party of about three hundred Indians, with a few Tories, had marched -from Cayuga ten days before, for the purpose of hanging upon his -outskirts and harassing his march to Tioga. Still it was supposed not to -be their intention to do any serious fighting, until the invading forces -should have advanced a considerable distance up the Tioga or Chemung -river. Indeed, it was evidently the purpose of the enemy to make no -stand, until the forces of Sullivan and Clinton should arrive in the -neighborhood of the works of defence which the Indians and Tories had -been constructing, even before the battle of Wyoming, on the banks of the -Chemung.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the requisition of the warriors, in their speech, -General Clinton issued an order to the commanding officer at Fort -Schuyler to detach a command of thirty or forty men to the Oneida fort, -to be recalled as circumstances might require. With this understanding, -and the assurances in the General's answer to their speech, the ten -principal warriors, specially charged with the explanations, took their -departure the same evening for their own castle—leaving the remaining -twenty-five to accompany the expedition. [FN] General Clinton was -impatient of delay, as appears by a letter addressed to his brother of -the next day, from which the following is an extract:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] All but two of these, however, and those of the meaner sort, - deserted the expedition before they arrived at Tioga.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General to Governor Clinton.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Camp on the south end of</i> }<br> - <i>Otsego Lake, July</i> 6th, 1779, }</p> - -<p> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Dear Brother,</span></p> - -<p>"I have the pleasure to inform you that I am now at this place, with two -hundred and eight boats, with all the stores, provisions, and baggage of -the army; and I am well convinced that such a quantity of each hath never -before been transported over so bad a road in so short a time and with -less accidents, and that I am now in the most readiness to move down the -Susquehanna, whenever I receive General Sullivan's orders for that -purpose. I have thrown a dam across the outlet, which I conceive will be -of infinite importance, as it has raised the lake at least two feet, by -which the boats may be taken down with less danger than otherwise, -although, from the intricate winding of the channel, I expect to meet -some difficulties on the way. It is uncertain when I shall leave this -place.</p> - -<p>"I received a letter from General Sullivan yesterday, dated at Wyoming -July 1st, in which he informs me that he was anxiously waiting the -arrival of his stores from Sunbury—that he expected them daily—that it -was determined in council that that army should proceed almost as far as -Tioga previous to my leaving the lake, as by that means he might make a -diversion in my favor, and facilitate my movements down the river. This -I imagine to be in consequence of a letter which he probably has received -from General Washington, and one I received from him dated the first -instant, in which his Excellency expresses his surprise at my taking so -much stores with me, when it was determined that all the supplies of the -army should come up with General Sullivan, and that nothing more should -be brought with me than was absolutely necessary for the troops until -the junction was formed at Tioga. However, as it was General Sullivan's -orders to bring what provision I could, and as his Excellency added in -his letter to me that it was not his intention to contravene any orders -I may receive from General Sullivan, I ordered the whole to be forwarded -to this place; which I have happily effected, and of which I do not -repent, as I believe I shall fall short of many articles. . . . The -troops are in good health and high spirits, and every thing seems to -promise a most favorable and successful campaign." . . .</p> - -<p>No attempts were made by the enemy to molest General Clinton while thus -detained at Otsego Lake. Still, his proceedings were not left entirely -without observation, and there were two individual affrays happening in -his vicinity, which deserve special mention. The name of David Elerson, -one of the bold spirits associated with Murphy in Morgan's rifle corps, -has already occurred in a former chapter. The detachment to which he -belonged had been ordered from Schoharie to join his expedition. While -lying at the head of the lake, Elerson rambled off to an old clearing, -at the distance of a mile or more from camp to gather pulse for dinner. -Having filled his knapsack, while adjusting it in order to return to -camp, he was startled at the rustling of the tall and coarse herbage -around him, and in the same instant beheld some ten or a dozen Indians, -who had crept upon him so cautiously as to be just on the point of -springing to grasp him. Their object was clearly rather to make him a -prisoner than to kill him, since he might easily have been shot down -unperceived. Perhaps they wanted him for an <i>auto-da-fe,</i> perhaps to -obtain information. Seizing his rifle, which was standing by his side, -Elerson sprang forward to escape. A shower of tomahawks hurtled through -the air after him; but as he had plunged into a thicket of tall weeds -and bushes, he was only struck on one of his hands, his middle finger -being nearly severed. A brisk chase was immediately commenced. Scaling -an old brush-wood fence, Elerson darted into the woods, and the Indians -after him. He was as fleet as a stag, and perceiving that they were not -likely soon to overtake, the pursuers discharged their rifles after him, -but luckily without effect. The chase was thus continued from eleven till -three o'clock—Elerson using every device and stratagem to elude or -deceive the Indians, but they holding him close. At length, having gained -a moment to breathe, an Indian started up in his front. Drawing up his -rifle to clear the passage in that direction, the whiz of a bullet -fleshing his side, and the crack of a rifle, from another point, taught -him that delays were particularly dangerous at that spot. The Indian in -front, however, had disappeared on his presenting his rifle, and Elerson -again darted forward. His wounded side bled a little, though not enough -to weaken him. Having crossed a ridge, he paused a moment in the valley -beyond, to slake his thirst—his mouth being parched, and himself almost -fainting. On rising from the brook, the head of one of his pursuers -peeped over the crest of the hill. He raised his rifle, but such was his -exhaustion that he could not hold it steady. A minute more, and he would -have been in the power of the savage. Raising his rifle again, and -steadying it by the side of a tree, he brought the savage tumbling -headlong down the hill. In the next moment his trusty rifle was re-loaded -and primed, and in the next the whole group of his pursuers came rushing -over the ridge. He again supposed his minutes were numbered; but being -partly sheltered by the trunk of a huge hemlock, they saw not him, but -only the body of their fallen comrade yet quivering in the agonies of -death. Drawing in a circle about the body of their companion, they raised -the death wail; and as they paused, Elerson made another effort to fly. -Before they resumed the pursuit, he had succeeded in burying himself in -a dark thicket of hemlocks, where he found the hollow trunk of a tree, -into which he crept. Here he lay ensconced two full days, without food -or dressings for his wound. On the third day he backed out of "the -loop-hole of his retreat," but knew not which way to proceed—not -discerning the points of the compass. In the course of two or three -miles, however, he came to a clearing, and found himself at -Cobleskill—having, during his recent chase, run over hill and dale, bog, -brook, and fen, upward of twenty-five miles.</p> - -<p>At about the same time, and probably by the same party of Indians, the -premises of a Mr. Shankland, lying in their track, situated in the -outskirts of Cherry Valley, were assaulted. Residing at the distance of -two or three miles from the village, his house had escaped the common -destruction the proceeding Autumn. But he had nevertheless removed his -family to the valley of the Mohawk for safety, and had returned to his -domicile accompanied only by his son. [FN-1] They were awakened just -before dawn by the assailants, who were endeavoring to cut away the door -with their hatchets. Taking down his two guns, Mr. Shankland directed his -son to load them, while he successively fired to the best advantage. But -not being able to see the enemy, he determined upon a sortie. Having a -spear, or espontoon, in the house, he armed himself therewith, and -carefully unbarring the door, rushed forth upon the besiegers, who fled -back at his sudden apparition. One of the Indians whom he was specially -pursuing, tumbled over a log, and as Mr. Shankland struck at him, his -spear entered the wood, and parted from the shaft. Wrenching the blade -from the log, he darted back into the house, barred the door, and again -commenced firing upon the assailants. They had been so much surprised by -his rushing out upon them, that they neither fired a shot, nor hurled a -tomahawk, until he had returned to his castle, and barred the sally-port. -During that part of the affray, his son, becoming somewhat frightened, -escaped from the house, and ran for the woods. He was pursued, overtaken, -and made captive. The father, however, continued the fight—the Indians -firing through the casements at random, and he returning the shots as -well as he could. At one time he thought of sallying forth again, and -selling his life to the best advantage; but by thus doing, he very -rightly judged that he should at once involve the life of his son. The -Indians, growing wearied of fighting at such disadvantage, at last -attempted to make sure of their victim by applying the torch, and the -house was speedily in flames, but it so happened that between the rear -of the house and the forest, a field of hemp interposed—into which Mr. -Shankland contrived to throw himself from the house, unperceived by the -Indians. Concealed from observation by the hemp, he succeeded in reaching -the woods, and making good his retreat to the Mohawk. Meantime the -Indians remained by the house until it was consumed, together, as they -supposed, with the garrison. They then raised a shout of victory, and -departed [FN-2]—several of their number having been wounded by the -courageous proprietor.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The late Thomas Shankland, Esq. of Cooperstown.</p> - - <p>[FN-2] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - -<p>Greatly to his vexation, as appears from his letters. General Clinton was -detained at Otsego, by the tardy movements of his commander below, during -the whole month of July and the first week in August—until, indeed, his -troops became impatient to a degree. [FN] But the General was not idle -in respect to every arrangement that might add to their security or -contribute to their success. In the letter to his brother, last quoted, -he disclosed one capital stroke of generalship, which not only contributed -largely to his successful descent of the river, but was of great service -in other respects. The damming of the lake, and the accumulation, by this -means, of a vast reservoir of water, by rendering more certain and -expeditious the navigation of the river, was an exceedingly happy thought -And when at length orders were received for his embarkation on the 9th -of August, his flotilla was not only borne triumphantly along upon the -pile of the impatient waters accumulated for the occasion, but the -swelling of the torrent beyond its banks caused wide and unexpected -destruction to the growing crops of the Indians on their plantations at -Oghkwaga and its vicinity. They were, moreover, greatly affrighted at the -sudden and unexpected rise of the waters in the dryest season of the -year, especially as there had been no rains—attributing the event to the -interposition of the "Great Spirit," who thus showed that he was angry -with them. The whole expedition was indeed calculated to impress them -with terror—as it might have done a more enlightened and less -superstitious people. The country was wild and totally uninhabited, -excepting by scattered families of the Indians, and here and there by -some few of the more adventurous white settlers, in the neighborhood of -Unadilla. The sudden swelling of the river, therefore, bearing upon its -surge a flotilla of more than two hundred vessels, through a region of -primitive forests, and upon a stream that had never before wafted upon -its bosom any craft of greater burthen than a bark canoe, was a spectacle -which might well appall the untutored inhabitants of the regions thus -invaded.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] By a letter from the Commander-in-chief to General Sullivan, it - appears that in the organisation of the expedition the latter had been - compelled to encounter greater difficulties than had been anticipated. - He wan disappointed in regard to the Pennsylvania independent - companies—to supply which deficiency, Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Pauling - was directed to march across from Warwasing, and join Clinton at - Oghkwaga. Governor Clinton himself had intended to lead this regiment, - but General Washington, believing that the influence of his presence - was needed elsewhere, induced him to relinquish that design. The delays - of Sullivan, therefore, may not nave arisen from any fault of his own. - Still, the inactivity of General Clinton at Otsego Lake, and of - Sullivan at Wyoming, was no more irksome to the former than to Brant - himself. This active warrior had probably led in person the three - hundred Indians spoken of by the Oneidas as having gone forth to hang - upon the flanks of General Clinton, and annoy his troops by skirmishes - during the march. Becoming weary, however, of waiting for a foe whose - movements were apparently so tardy, Brant determined on making the - irruption into Minisink, of which a history has been given in the last - preceding chapter.</p> - - -<p>During these energetic proceedings of Clinton, it has been seen that -Sullivan was very dilatory in his movements, and his conduct in the early -part of the campaign gave particular dissatisfaction to Congress. His -requisitions for supplies were enormous, and several of his specifications -of articles, such as eggs, tongues, and other luxuries, were considered -so unsoldier-like as to create disgust. However, having completed his -arrangements, he left Wyoming on the 31st of July, and ascended the -Susquehanna to Tioga, with an expedition far more formidable as to -numbers, and not less imposing in other respects, than was the descending -division under General Clinton—though he had not the advantage of riding -upon so majestic a flood. Sullivan reached Tioga on the 11th of August, -and on the following day pushed out a detachment twelve miles toward -Chemung, which was attacked by a body of Indians—losing, during the -brush, seven men killed and wounded. The detachment returned to Tioga on -the 13th, after having burnt one of the Indian towns.</p> - -<p>General Clinton with his division, having been joined at Oghkwaga by a -detachment of Colonel Pauling's levies from Warwasing, arrived at Tioga -and formed a junction with Sullivan on the 22d of August. The entire -command amounted now to five thousand, consisting of the brigades of -Generals Clinton, Hand, Maxwell, and Poor, together with Proctor's -artillery and a corps of riflemen. So long had the expedition been in -progress, that it was well understood the Indians and Tories were not -unprepared to receive them; and in moving up the Tioga and the Chemung -rivers, the utmost degree of caution was observed to guard against -surprise. A strong advanced guard of light infantry preceded the main -body, which was well protected by large flanking parties. In this way -they slowly proceeded in the direction of the works of the enemy, upon -the Chemung at Newtown. On the 28th, an Indian settlement was destroyed, -together with fields of corn, and other Indian products yet -unharvested. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p>[FN] The instructions of the Commander-in-chief were peremptory, that - Sullivan was not even to listen to propositions of peace until after he - should have "very thoroughly completed the destruction of their - settlements."</p> -<br><br><br> - - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/orderbattle.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="Order of Battle"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - -<p>The Indians, determined to risk a general action in defence of their -country, had selected their ground with judgment, about a mile in advance -of Newtown. [FN-1] Their force was estimated by General Sullivan at -fifteen hundred, including five companies of British troops and rangers, -estimated at two hundred men. The enemy, however, only allowed their -force to consist of five hundred and fifty Indians, and two hundred and -fifty whites—in all, eight hundred. [FN-2] Brant commanded the Indians, -and the regular troops and rangers were led by Colonel John Butler, -associated with whom were Colonels Sir John and Guy Johnson, Major Walter -N. Butler, and Captain M<sup>c</sup>Donald. [FN-3] The enemy had constructed a -breast-work of half a mile in length, so covered by a bend of the river -as to expose only the front and one of the flanks to attack; and even -that flank was rendered difficult of approach by resting upon a steep -ridge, "nearly parallel to the general course of the river, terminating -somewhat below the breast-work. Farther yet to the left was still another -ridge, running in the same direction, and leading to the rear of the -American army. The ground was covered with pine, interspersed with low -shrub oaks, many of which for the purpose of concealing their works, had -been cut and brought from a distance, and stuck down in their front, -exhibiting the appearance of untransplanted shrubbery. The road, after -crossing a deep brook at the foot of the hill, turned to the right, and -ran nearly parallel to the breast-work, so as to expose the whole flank -of the army to their fire should it advance without discovering their -position." [FN-4] Detachments of the enemy, communicating with each other, -were stationed on both hills, for the purpose of falling upon Sullivan's -right and rear the moment the action should commence.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The site of the present town of Elmira.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Gordon.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] It is not quite certain whether both the Johnsons were engaged in - this action. Sir John was there, and the author has somewhere seen the - name of Guy Johnson as having likewise been in the battle of the Chemung.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>The enemy's position was discovered by Major Parr, commanding the advance -guard, at about 11 o'clock in the morning of the 29th of August General -Hand immediately formed the light infantry in a wood, at the distance of -about four hundred yards from the breast-work, and waited until the main -body of the army arrived on the ground. A skirmishing was, however, kept up -by both sides—the Indians sallying out of their works by small parties, -firing, and suddenly retreating—making the woods at the same time to -resound with their war-whoops, piercing the air from point to point as -though the tangled forest were alive with their grim-visaged warriors. -Correctly judging that the hill upon his right was occupied by the -savages, General Sullivan ordered Poor's brigade to wheel off, and -endeavor to gain their left flank, and, if possible, to surround them, -while the artillery and main body of the Americans attacked them in -front. [FN-1] The order was promptly executed; but as Poor climbed the -ascent, the battle became animated, and the possession of the hill was -bravely contested. In front the enemy stood a hot cannonade for more than -two hours. [FN-2] Both Tories and Indians were entitled to the credit of -fighting manfully. Every rock, and tree, and bush, shielded its man, from -behind which the winged messengers of death were thickly sent, but with -so little effect as to excite astonishment. The Indians yielded ground -only inch by inch; and in their retreat darted from tree to tree with the -agility of the panther, often contesting each new position to the point -of the bayonet—a thing very unusual even with militiamen, and still more -rare among the undisciplined warriors of the woods. Thayendanegea was the -animating spirit of the savages. Always in the thickest of the fight, he -used every effort to stimulate his warriors, in the hope of leading them -to victory. Until the artillery began to play, the whoops and yells of -the savages, mingled with the rattling of musketry, had well-nigh -obtained the mastery of sound. But their whoops were measurably drowned -by the thunder of the cannon. This cannonade "was elegant," to adopt the -phraseology of Sullivan himself in writing to a friend, and gave the -Indians a great panic. Still, the battle was contested in front for a -length of time with undiminished spirit But the severity of fighting was -on the flank just described. As Poor gallantly approached the point which -completely uncovered the enemy's rear, Brant, who had been the first to -penetrate the design of the American commander, attempted once more to -rally his forces, and with the assistance of a battalion of the rangers -make a stand. But it was in vain, although he exerted himself to the -utmost for that purpose—flying from point to point, seeming to be -everywhere present, and using every means in his power to re-animate the -flagging spirits, and re-invigorate the arms of his followers. Having -ascended the steep, and gained his object without faltering, the enemy's -flank was turned by Poor; and the fortunes of the day decided. Perceiving -such to be the fact, and that there was danger of being surrounded, the -retreat-halloo was raised, and the enemy, savages and white men, -precipitately abandoned their works, crossed the river, and fled with the -utmost precipitation—the Indians leaving their packs and a number of -their tomahawks and scalping-knives behind them. The battle was long, and -on the side of the enemy bloody. [FN-3] Eleven of their dead were found -upon the field—an unusual circumstance with the Indians, who invariably -exert themselves to the utmost to prevent the bodies of their slain from -falling into the hands of their foes. But being pushed at the point of -the bayonet, they had not time to bear them away. They were pursued two -miles, their trail affording indubitable proof that a portion of their -dead and wounded had been carried off. Two canoes were found covered with -blood, and the bodies of fourteen Indian warriors were discovered -partially buried among the leaves. Eight scalps were taken by the -Americans during the chase. [FN-4] Considering the duration of the -battle, and the obstinacy with which it was maintained, the loss of the -Americans was small almost to a miracle. Only five or six men were -killed, and between forty and fifty wounded. Among the American officers -wounded were Major Titcomb, Captain Clayes, and Lieutenant Collis—the -latter mortally. All the houses of the contiguous Indian town were burnt, -and the corn-fields destroyed. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter from General Sullivan to a gentleman in Batten.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem. Vide Remembrancer, vol. vii.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Mr. John Salmon, late of Livingston County, (N. Y.) who was a - member of a detachment of the rifle corps in this expedition, in a - letter written for Mary Jemison's Narrative, speaks of a second stand - made by the Indians at a place above Newtown called the Narrows—"Where," - he says, "they were attacked by our men, who killed them in great - numbers, so that the sides of the rocks next the river appeared as - though blood had been poured on them by pailfuls. The Indians threw - their dead into the river, and escaped the best way they could." No - other account makes mention of any such incident, unless, indeed, Mr. - Salmon refers to the killing of the eight warriors whose scalps were - taken during the flight, according to one of Sullivan's letters to a - gentleman in Boston, which may be found in Almon's Remembrancer, and - which is the authority for this statement in the text. The MS. journal - of Capt. Fowler, in the author's possession, commences only the day - after the battle.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] "On the next morning [after Sullivan's arrival at Catharine's - town,] an old woman of the Cayuga nation was found in the woods, who - informed us that on the night after the battle of Newtown, the enemy - having fled the whole time, arrived there in great confusion early the - next day; that she heard the warriors tell their women that they were - conquered, and must fly; that they had a great many killed, and vast - numbers wounded. She likewise heard the lamentations of many at the - loss of their connexions. In addition, she assured us that some other - warriors had met Butler at that place, and desired him to return and - fight again. But to this request they could obtain no satisfactory - answer; for, as they observed, 'Butler's mouth was closed.' The - warriors, who had been in the action, were equally averse to the - proposal."—<i>Sullivan's Official Account.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] The strength of the enemy's force at Newtown was never - ascertained with any degree of certainty; although, as heretofore stated - in the text, it was the opinion of Sullivan, and also of his general - officers, that it must have exceeded fifteen hundred. Still, the two - prisoners taken estimated them only at eight hundred. They admitted, - however, that, in addition to the five companies of rangers engaged in - the action, all the warriors of the Senecas, and six other nations of - Indians, were engaged. In order to determine the amount of their force - with as much accuracy as could be attained, General Sullivan examined - their breast-work, the extent of which was more than half a mile. The - lines were flanked in every part by bastions in front, and a - dwelling-house also, in front of the works, had been converted into a - block-house and manned. The breast-work appeared to have been fully - manned, though, as Sullivan supposed, by only a single rank. Some part - of the works being low, the enemy were compelled to dig holes in the - ground to cover themselves in part. A very thin scattering line, - designed, as was supposed, for communicating signals, was continued from - those works to that part of the mountain ascended by General Poor, where - a large body had been stationed, as heretofore stated, for the purpose - of falling upon the flank of the Americans. The distance from the - breast-work to that point was at least one mile and a half. From thence - to the hill on the American right was another scattering line of about - one mile, and on the hill a breast-work, with a strong party, destined, - as it was supposed, to fall upon the American rear. But this design was - frustrated by the movements of Clinton, as already mentioned.—<i>Vide - Sullivan's Official Report.</i></p> - - -<p>The Americans encamped that night on the field of battle, and on the -following day, the wounded, together with the heavy artillery, and -wagons, and all such portions of the baggage as would not be required, -and could not well be transported in the farther prosecution of the -flying campaign now to be performed, were sent back to Tioga. Only four -brass three-pounders and a small howitzer were retained; and the whole -army was at once placed upon short allowance,—the soldiers submitting -cheerfully to the requisition, the moment the necessity of the measure -was explained to them in a speech by their commander. These and other -dispositions having been made, the army moved forward on the 31st, in the -direction of Catharine's town, situated near the head of Seneca Lake, and -the residence of the celebrated Catharine Montour. On their way thither, -Sullivan destroyed a small settlement of eight houses, and a town called -Knawaholee, of about twenty houses, situated on a peninsula at the -conflux of the Tioga and Cayuga branches. Several cornfields were -destroyed at this place, and a number of others, also very large, about -six miles up the Tioga, by Colonel Dayton and the rifle corps, who were -detached thither upon that service.</p> - -<p>The Indians and Tories acted unwisely in retreating so far as they did -from the battle of Newtown, since the march of Sullivan thence to -Catharine's town was of the most difficult and fatiguing description. -They were compelled to traverse several narrow and dangerous defiles with -steep hills upon either side, the passage of which might have been -rendered exceedingly annoying to their invaders by a vigilant enemy. The -route lay along the streams; and such was the sinuous course of one of -them, almost swelling to the size of a river, that they were obliged to -ford it several times—the men up to their middles in water. Worse than -all, they were compelled to thread their way through a deep-tangled -hemlock swamp. The night came on exceedingly dark, and the sufferings of -the troops were great. General Sullivan was advised not to enter the -swamp until the next day, but he rejected the counsel, and obstinately -pushed forward. So fatigued, however, was the army, that General Clinton, -whose division brought up the rear, was obliged to pass the night in the -swamp without pack or baggage. Neither Brant nor the Butlers displayed -their wonted sagacity on this occasion, or the Americans might have been -mads to suffer severely for their rashness in penetrating such a thicket -at such an hour. The excuse of the Indians, who were roasting corn not -many miles distant, was, that the way was so bad, and the night so dark, -they did not dream of Sullivan's advancing under such circumstances.</p> - -<p>Disappointed by the Oneidas, upon whose assistance General Sullivan had -counted as guides and runners through the Indian country, but only four -of whom had continued with the expedition, the General despatched one of -these from Catharine's town to the castle of that nation, with an address, -calling upon all who were friendly to the Americans, to prove the -sincerity of their professions by joining his forces immediately. The -messenger, Oneigat, was also instructed to give his nation an account of -the battle at Newtown. He did not, however, rejoin the expedition until -near its close. He then reported that on his arrival at the Oneida -castle, a council was convened, and that his people were delighted with -the news of which he was the bearer. Obedient, moreover, to the summons -which he had borne thither, seventy of their warriors had set out with -him to join the army, and thirty more were to follow the next day. But -on that day, near the Onondaga village, they met their brother, Conowaga, -from the army, who informed them that the General had already advanced -as far as Kanasadagea, and had men enough—only wanting a few good guides. -In consequence of this information, the Oneida warriors had turned -back—transmitting, however, by him, an address to the General, -interceding in behalf of a clan of the Cayugas, who, they declared, had -always been friendly to the United States. As an evidence of this fact, -they referred to the cases of several prisoners, who, as it was alleged, -had been surrendered by them to General Schuyler. The Oneidas, therefore, -besought General Sullivan not to destroy the fields of these friendly -Cayugas, who, if deprived of their corn, would fall upon them for support, -and they already had a heavy burden upon their hands in the persons of -the destitute Onondagas. General Sullivan immediately sent a speech in -reply, commending the Oneidas for their fidelity to the United States, -but expressing his surprise at their interposing a word in behalf of any -portion of the Cayugas, whose whole course had been marked, not only by -duplicity, but by positive hostility. He therefore distinctly informed -the Oneidas that the Cayugas should be chastised. Nor did he fail to -execute his purpose, as will in due time appear. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Sullivan's address, and the message of the Oneidas in reply, - Almon's Remembrancer, for 1780, Part I.</p> - - -<p>The brigade of General Clinton rejoined the main army on the 2d of -September, and the whole encamped at Catharine's town, which was entirely -destroyed on the following day, together with the corn-fields and -orchards. The houses, thirty in number, were burnt. The work of -destruction, marking that extraordinary campaign, was now begun in -earnest It was considered necessary by the Commander-in-chief, or his -orders would not have been so peremptory upon the subject, nor his -satisfaction so great after its accomplishment. [FN-1] Still, at this -distance of time, when the mind glances back not only to the number of -towns destroyed, and fields laid waste, but to the war of extermination -waged against the very orchards, it is difficult to suppress feelings of -regret—much less to bestow a word of commendation. It has been asserted -that some of the officers, among whom were General Hand and Colonel -Durbin, objected to this wanton destruction of the fruit-trees, as -discreditable to American soldiers; but the Indians had been long and -cruelly provoking the Americans by the ferocity of their attacks upon the -border settlements, and it had been judged expedient to let the arm of -vengeance fall heavily upon them. "The Indians," said Sullivan, "shall -see that there is malice enough in our hearts to destroy every thing that -contributes to their support;" [FN-2] and well did he fulfill the threat.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] See letter of Washington to Colonel John Laurens, Sept. 28, 1779; - to the President of Congress, Oct 9; and to the Marquis de Lafayette, - October 20, of the some year—<i>Sparks, Vol. vi.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Gordon.</p> - - -<p>The comparative state of civilization to which the Six Nations had -arrived, has been glanced at in the opening of the present chapter. Still -it is apprehended that but few of the present generation are thoroughly -aware of the advances which the Indians, in the wide and beautiful -country of the Cayugas and Senecas, had made in the march of civilization. -They had several towns, and many large villages, laid out with a -considerable degree of regularity. They had framed houses, some of them -well finished, having chimneys, and painted. They had broad and -productive fields; and in addition to an abundance of apples, were in the -enjoyment of the pear, and the still more delicious peach. But after the -battle of Newtown, terror led the van of the invader, whose approach was -heralded by watchmen stationed upon every height, and desolation followed -weeping in his train. The Indians everywhere fled as Sullivan advanced, -and the whole country was swept as with the besom of destruction. On the -4th, as the army advanced, they destroyed a small scattering settlement -of eight houses; and two days afterward reached the more considerable -town of Kendaia, containing about twenty houses neatly built, and well -finished. These were reduced to ashes, and the army spent nearly a day -in destroying the fields of corn and the fruit-trees. Of these there were -great abundance, and many of them appeared to be very ancient. While thus -engaged, the army was joined by one of the inhabitants of Wyoming, a -captive who had escaped from the Indians. He informed them that all had -been terror among tho Indians since the battle of Newtown, and that -Kendaia had been deserted two days before in the greatest confusion. He -likewise stated various reasons for believing that the enemy had suffered -greatly in that battle—that he had heard some of the Indian women -lamenting the loss of their connexions, and that Brant had taken most of -the wounded up the Tioga river in water craft, which had been previously -made ready in case of defeat. It was farther believed that the King of -Kanadaseagea had been killed at Newtown. He had been seen on his way -thither, and had not returned. From the description given of his dress -and person, moreover, it was believed by General Sullivan that he had -seen his body among the slain.</p> - -<p>On the 7th of September, Sullivan crossed the outlet of the Seneca Lake, -and moved in three divisions upon the town of Kanadaseagea—the Seneca -capital—containing about sixty houses, with gardens, and numerous -orchards of apple and peach trees. It was Sullivan's object to surround -the town, and take it by surprise. But, although Butler had endeavored -to induce the Indians to make a stand at that place, his importunities -were of no avail. They said it was of no use to contend with such an army; -and their capital was consequently abandoned, as the other towns had been, -before the Americans could reach it. A detachment of four hundred men -was sent down on the west side of the lake, to destroy Gotheseunquean, -[FN-1] and the plantations in the neighborhood; while at the same time a -number of volunteers, under Colonel Harper, made a forced march in the -direction of the Cayuga Lake, and destroyed Schoyere. Meantime the -residue of the army was employed, on the 8th, in the destruction of the -town, together with the fruit-trees, and fields of corn and beans. [FN-2] -Here, as elsewhere, the work of destruction was thorough and complete.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Thus spelled by General Sullivan, whose official account is in - part the basis of this narrative. Captain Theodosius Fowler, in his - diary, writes it Karhauguash.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Journal of Capt. Fowler.</p> - - -<p>In leaving their town, the Indians had fled with such precipitancy that -a young white male child, about seven or eight years old, was left -behind, asleep. It was taken in charge by an officer, who, from ill -health, was not on duty. In retiring from the campaign, for the same -cause, he took the child with him, and nothing more of its history is -known. This flight of the Indians was universal; and of all commanders, -Sullivan seems to have been least successful in finding the enemy of whom -he was in search, save only when the enemy wished to be found. Upon this -feature of the present campaign it has been remarked, that although the -bravery of this officer was unimpeachable, yet he was altogether -unacquainted with the science of Indian warfare, and was sure to use the -best means to keep the savages at such a distance, that they could not be -brought unwillingly to an engagement. For instance, he persisted in the -practice of having cannon fired from his camp, mornings and evenings, -forgetting what every one else perceived, that the Indians were thus -notified of his position and the rapidity of his marches—thus being -enabled daily to retreat from his approach exactly in time. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of John Salmon, in the Appendix of Mary Jemison's Life.</p> - - -<p>From this point a detachment of sixty men, with the lame and sick, was -sent back to Tioga. The main army then moved forward upon Kanandaigua, at -which place it arrived in two days. Here they "found twenty-three very -elegant houses, mostly framed, and in general large," [FN] together with -very extensive fields of corn—all of which were destroyed. From -Kanandaigua they proceeded to the small town of Honeoye, consisting of -ten houses, which were immediately burnt to the ground. A post was -established at Honeoye, to maintain which a strong garrison was left, -with the heavy stores and one field-piece. With this precautionary -measure the army prepared to advance upon the yet more considerable town -of Genesee—the great capital of the western tribes of the -confederacy—containing their stores, and their broadest cultivated -fields.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Sullivan's official account.</p> - - -<p>Hearing of Sullivan's continued advance, and of his purpose to strike -their towns upon the Genesee, the Indians once more began to think of -giving battle. A council of their towns was convened, the result of which -was a determination to intercept the invaders, and strike another blow -in defence of their homes. They felt that if unopposed, the destruction -of their towns would be inevitable, and their fate could be no worse -should they meet and fight the conqueror—whatever might be the result. -Their first precaution was to place their women and children in a place -of security, in the woods at a distance from their town; so that, in the -event of being themselves defeated, the non-combatants would have an -opportunity to escape. Having made their preparations, the warriors took -the field again—selecting for their battle-ground a position between -Honeoye Creek and the head of Connissius Lake. [FN] Placing themselves -in ambush, they awaited the approach of Sullivan's forces. They rose, -however, upon the advance-guard of the Americans, and after a brisk -skirmish, the latter fell back upon the main body—of which the Indians -did not await the arrival. The only fruit of this attack, on behalf of -the Indians, was the capture of two Indian prisoners of the Oneida tribe. -Of itself, this incident was insignificant; but a transaction grew out -of it of thrilling interest, and strongly illustrative of Indian -character. One of the Indians thus taken, was General Sullivan's guide, -and had, moreover, been very active in the contest, rendering the -Americans frequent and important services. On that account he was a -prisoner of consequence. But there was another feature in the case not -altogether unworthy of note. This faithful Indian had an elder brother -engaged with the enemy, who, at the beginning of the war, had exerted -all his power to persuade the younger into the British service also, but -without success. At the close of this skirmish the brothers met for the -first time since their separation, when they had respectively chosen to -travel different war-paths; the younger a prisoner to the elder. The -latter had no sooner recognized his brother after the <i>melée</i>, than his -eyes kindled with that fierce and peculiar lustre which lights up the -burning eyes of a savage when meditating vengeance. Approaching him -haughtily, he spoke as follows:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] At or near a place now called Henderon's Flatta, Vide Life of Mary - Jemison and letter of John Salmon.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother!</span> You have merited death! The hatchet or the war-club shall -finish your career! When I begged of you to follow me in the fortunes of -war, you were deaf to my cries: you spurned my entreaties!</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother!</span> You have merited death, and shall have your deserts! When the -rebels raised their hatchets to fight their good master, you sharpened -your knife, you brightened your rifle, and led on our foes to the fields -of our fathers!</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother!</span> You have merited death, and shall die by our hands! When those -rebels had driven us from the fields of our fathers to seek out new -houses, it was you who could dare to step forth as their pilot, and -conduct them even to the doors of our wigwams, to butcher our children -and put us to death! No crime can be greater! But though you have merited -death, and shall die on this spot, my hands shall not be stained with the -blood of a brother!—<i>Who will strike?</i>"</p> - -<p>A pause of but a moment ensued. The bright hatchet of Little Beard, the -sachem of the village, flashed in the air like the lightning, and the -young Oneida chief was dead at his feet. [FN] The other captive, who was -also an Oneida sachem, was then informed by Little Beard that he was -warring only against the whites, and that his life should be spared; -adding, farther, that at a suitable time he should be restored to liberty. -Distrusting the good faith of the chief, however, the captive watched an -opportunity for escape, and very shortly afterward accomplished his -purpose—but in a manner which produced another tragic catastrophe, as -will presently appear.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This was truly a shocking transaction, but not <i>so</i> shocking as - that of the horrible fratricide before recorded at Wyoming, nor so - shocking as the attempt of the brother of Colonel Frey at Oriskany. The - Indian had far the most humanity, and far the highest sense of honor and - duty.</p> - - -<p>From Honeoye, General Sullivan advanced in two days upon a town -containing twenty-five houses, called Kanaghsaws. There were large -corn-fields to be destroyed here also, and a bridge to be constructed -over an unfordable creek intervening between Kanaghsaws and Little -Beard's town, lying next in the route to Genesee—so called from the name -of a celebrated chief then residing there. While delayed by these -obstacles, Lieutenant Boyd, of the rifle corps, was detached with -twenty-six men to reconnoiter that chieftain's town, where also was a -castle. Having performed that duty, and in doing so killed and scalped -two Indians [FN-1] in the otherwise deserted village, he had commenced -his return to the main division. It so happened that Boyd was passing at -no great distance from the party of Indians having the Oneida prisoner in -charge. The latter was guarded by two Indians, between whom he was walking -arm in arm, when, at a favorable moment, he suddenly broke from their -grasp, and fled at the top of his speed in the direction of Sullivan's -army. The Indians, in goodly numbers, turned out in pursuit, and while -running, fell in with the party of Lieutenant Boyd. [FN-2] By this time -the Indians in pursuit after the fugitive numbered several hundred, under -the immediate command of Joseph Brant, who seems suddenly to have made -his appearance for the occasion. [FN-3] Indeed, according to one -authority, Brant was not concerned with the pursuit, but had previously -secreted himself in a deep ravine, with a large party of his Indians and -Butler's rangers, for the express purpose of cutting off Boyd's retreat. -[FN-4] Discovering his situation, and in fact surrounded by fearful odds, -Boyd saw, of course, that his only chance of escape was to strike at some -given point, and cut his way through the ranks of the enemy. It was a -bold measure; but there was no alternative, and he made three successive -attempts to accomplish his purpose. In the first, several of the enemy -fell, without the loss of a single man on his own part. But he was -repulsed. The Indians stood their ground nobly; and in the second and -third attempts upon their line by Boyd, his whole party fell except -himself and eight others. In the next moment several of these were -killed, while a few succeeded in flight—among whom was the bold -Virginian, Murphy. Boyd was himself taken prisoner, and one other man -named Parker. The Lieutenant immediately solicited an interview with -Thayendanegea, and making himself known as a Freemason, was assured by -the chief of protection. [FN-5] One of the party under Lieutenant Boyd was -a brave Oneida warrior, named Honyerry, who served him as a guide. This -faithful Indian had served long with the Americans, and, as the reader has -already seen, was particularly distinguished in the battle of Oriskany, -where so many of the Mohawk and Seneca warriors fell. On the present -occasion, moreover, he acquitted himself with signal courage. Being an -excellent marksman, his rifle did great execution. The Indians knew him, -and as they closed in upon the little band, poor Honyerry was literally -hacked to pieces. [FN-6] It was a dear victory, however, to the enemy. -The firing was so close before the brave party was destroyed, that the -powder of the enemy's muskets was driven into their flesh. The enemy had -no covert, while Boyd's party was, for a portion of the time at least, -possessed of a very advantageous one. The enemy were, moreover, so long -employed in removing their dead, that the approach of General Hand's -brigade obliged them to leave one of the number among the dead riflemen; -together with a wagon load of packs, blankets, hats, and provisions, -which they had thrown off to enable them to act with more agility in the -field. [FN-7]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Captain Fowler's Journal. One of these Indians was shot and - scalped by Murphy, whose name has already occurred in connexion with the - Schoharie wars.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Life of Mary Jemison.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Captain Fowler and John Salmon both state the number of Indians - engaged in this affair at upward of five hundred.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] John Salmon's letter.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-6] Captain Fowler's Journal.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-7] Sullivan's Official Account.</p> - - -<p>From the battle-field Brant conducted Lieutenant Boyd and his fellow -captive to Little Beard's town, where they found Colonel Butler with a -detachment of the rangers. While under the supervision of Brant, the -Lieutenant was well treated and safe from danger. But the chief being -called away in the discharge of his multifarious duties, Boyd was left -with Butler, who soon afterward began to examine him by questions as to -the situation, numbers, and intentions of General Sullivan and his troops. -He, of course, declined answering all improper questions; whereat Butler -threatened that if he did not give him full and explicit information, he -would deliver him up to the tender mercies of the Indians. Relying -confidently upon the assurances of the generous Mohawk chieftain, Boyd -still refused, and Butler fulfilled his bloody threat—delivering him over -to Little Beard and his clan, the most ferocious of the Seneca tribe. -[FN-1] The gallant fellow was immediately put to death by torture; and -in the execution there was a refinement of cruelty, of which it is not -known that a parallel instance occurred during the whole war. Having been -denuded, Boyd was tied to a sapling, where the Indians first practised -upon the steadiness of his nerves by hurling their tomahawks apparently -at his head, but so as to strike the trunk of the sapling as near to his -head as possible without hitting it—groups of Indians, in the meantime, -brandishing their knives, and dancing around him with the most frantic -demonstrations of joy. His nails were pulled out, his nose cut off, and -one of his eyes plucked out His tongue was also cut out, and he was -stabbed in various places. [FN-2] After amusing themselves sufficiently -in this way, a small incision was made in his abdomen, and the end of one -of his intestines taken out and fastened to the tree. The victim was then -unbound, and driven round the tree by brute force, until his intestines -had all been literally drawn from his body and wound round its trunk. His -sufferings were then terminated by striking his head from his body. It -was then raised upon a pole in triumph. Parker, the other captive, was -likewise beheaded, but not otherwise tortured. After the conclusion of -this tragedy, the Indians held a brief council to determine whether to -offer any farther resistance to General Sullivan, or to yield their -country to his ravages without opposition. They finally came to the -decision that they were not sufficiently powerful to oppose the invaders -with success, and thereupon decided to leave their possessions, for the -preservation of their lives and those of their families. The women and -children were thereupon sent away in the direction of Niagara, while the -warriors remained in the forests about Little Beard's town, to watch the -motions of the Americans. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Salmon. There is some reason to doubt which of the - Butlers was the actor in this instance—the father, Colonel John, or the - more severe Captain, his son.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sullivan's Official Account.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Life of Mary Jemison. According to Colonel Butler's statement, - after his examination Boyd was sent forward with a guard to Niagara; but, - while passing through Genesee village, an old Indian rushed out and - tomahawked him. But Salmon says he was put to death by the most cruel - tortures, and so says the official report of General Sullivan. Mary - Jemison, who was with the Indians gives the details from which the - present account is drawn. It is to be hoped, however, that Colonel Butler - was not accessory to the cruelty; and in justice to his memory, it must - be admitted that it was not a transaction characteristic of him.</p> - - -<p>As soon as the main division had heard of the situation of Boyd, they -moved forward—arriving, however, only in season to bury the bodies of -the slain. [FN-1] This tragic occurrence took place on the 13th of -September. On the same day Sullivan moved forward to a place called -Gathtsegwarohare, where the enemy, both Indians and rangers, were -apparently disposed to make a stand. The troops were immediately brought -into order of battle, and General Clinton's brigade commenced a movement -with a view of outflanking and gaining the enemy's rear. But discovering -the movement, the enemy retreated with precipitation. Sullivan encamped on -the ground—the men sleeping on their arms, in the expectation of an -attack. But the enemy did not disturb their repose; and on the 14th the -army continued its advance, and crossed the Genesee river. Arriving at -Little Beard's town, [FN-2] they found the mutilated bodies of Boyd and -Parker, which were buried on the bank of Beard's Creek, under a clump of -wild plum trees. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] They were buried at a place now called Groveland, where the grave - was very recently to be seen.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The place is now called Leicester.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] On the road now running from Moscow to Genesee.</p> - - -<p>The valley of the Genesee, for its beauty and fertility, was beheld by the -army of Sullivan with astonishment and delight. Though an Indian country, -and peopled only by the wild men of the woods, its rich intervales -presented the appearance of long cultivation, and were then smiling with -their harvests of ripening corn. Indeed, the Indians themselves professed -not to know when or by whom the lands upon that stream were first brought -into cultivation. Nearly half a century before, Mary Jemison had observed -a quantity of human bones washed down from one of the banks of the river, -which the Indians held were not the remains of their own people, but of a -different race of men who had once possessed that country. The Indians, -they contended, had never buried their dead in such a situation. Be all -this, however, as it may, instead of a howling wilderness, Sullivan and -his troops found the Genesee flats, and many other districts of the -country, resembling much more the orchards, and farms, and gardens of -civilized life. But all was now doomed to speedy devastation. The Genesee -castle was destroyed. The troops scoured the whole region round about, -and burnt and destroyed every thing that came in their way. Little Beard -himself had officiated as master of ceremonies at the torturing of Boyd; -and his town was now burnt to the ground, and large quantities of corn, -which his people had laid up in store, were destroyed by being burnt or -thrown into the river. "The town of Genesee contained one hundred and -twenty-eight houses, mostly large and very elegant. It was beautifully -situated, almost encircled with a clear flat, extending a number of miles; -over which extensive fields of corn were waving, together with every kind -of vegetable that could be conceived." [FN-1] But the entire army was -immediately engaged in destroying it, and the axe and the torch soon -transformed the whole of that beautiful region from the character of a -garden to a scene of drear and sickening desolation. Forty Indian towns, -the largest containing one hundred and twenty-eight houses, were -destroyed. [FN-2] Corn, gathered and ungathered, to the amount of one -hundred and sixty thousand bushels, shared the same fate; their -fruit-trees were cut down; and the Indians were hunted like wild beasts, -till neither house, nor fruit-tree, nor field of corn, nor inhabitant, -remained in the whole country. The gardens were enriched with great -quantities of useful vegetables, of different kinds. The size of the -corn-fields, as well as the high degree of cultivation in which they -were kept, excited wonder; and the ears of corn were so remarkably large, -that many of them measured twenty-two inches in length. So numerous were -the fruit-trees, that in one orchard they cut down fifteen hundred. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sullivan's Account.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] It has already been seen that this wide-spread destruction was the - result of the express instructions of General Washington. It was in - reference to this fact, that, when addressing President Washington at an - Indian council held in Philadelphia, in 1792, Cornplanter commenced his - speech in the following strain:—"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Father:</span> The voice of the Seneca nation - speaks to you, the Great Counselor, in whose heart the wise men of all - the Thirteen Fires have placed their wisdom. It may be very small in - your ears, and we therefore entreat you to hearken with attention: for - we are about to speak to you of things which to us are very great. When - your army entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you the - Town Destroyer; and to this day, when that name is heard, our women look - behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close to the necks of - their mothers. Our counselors and warriors are men, and cannot be afraid; - but their hearts are grieved with the fears of our women and children, - and desire that it maybe buried so deep as to be heard no more."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Ramsay. See, also, History of the British Empire, 2 - volumes—anonymous. While Sullivan was at Genesee, a female captive from - Wyoming was re-taken. She gave a deplorable account of the terror and - confusion of the Indians. The women, she said, were constantly begging - the warriors to sue for peace; and one of the Indians, she stated, had - attempted to shoot Colonel Johnson for the falsehoods by which he had - deceived and ruined them. She overheard Butler tell Johnson that after - the battle of Newtown it was impossible to keep the Indians together, - and that he thought they would soon be in a miserable situation, as all - their crops would be destroyed, and they could not be supplied at - Niagara.</p> - - -<p>It is in connexion with this campaign that the name of the celebrated -Seneca orator, <i>Sagayewatha,</i> or <i>Red Jacket,</i> first occurs in history, -or rather, will now for the first time thus occur, since it has never yet -been mentioned at so early a date by any previous writer. It is well -known by all who are acquainted with Indian history, that Brant and Red -Jacket were irreconcilable enemies. The origin of this enmity has never -yet been known to the public, and it has by some been imputed to the -jealousy entertained by Brant of the growing reputation of his younger -and more eloquent rival. But such is not the fact Brant ever acknowledged -the great intellectual powers of Red Jacket, but always maintained that -he was not only destitute of principle, but an arrant coward. In support -of these opinions, he asserted that Red Jacket had given him much trouble -and embarrassment during this campaign of General Sullivan, and was in -fact the principal cause of the disgrace and disasters of the Indians. In -relating a history of the expedition to a distinguished American -gentleman, [FN] Brant stated that after the battle of Newtown, Red Jacket -was in the habit of holding private councils with the young warriors, and -some of the more timid sachems, the object of which was to persuade them -to sue for peace, upon any—even ignominious terms; and that at one time -he had so far succeeded as to induce them to send privately, and without -the knowledge of the principal war chiefs, a runner into General -Sullivan's camp, to make known to him the spirit of dissatisfaction and -division that prevailed among the Indians, and to invite him to send a -flag of truce with certain propositions calculated to increase their -divisions and produce a dishonorable peace. Brant, who was privately -informed of all these proceedings, but feared the consequences of -disclosing and attempting to suppress them by forcible means, despatched, -secretly also, two confidential warriors to way-lay the flag when on its -route from the American to the Indian camp, and to put the bearer of it -to death, and then return secretly with his despatches. This was -accomplished as he directed, and all attempts at farther negotiations -thereby prevented. It was certainly a bold measure; and how far Brant's -conduct therein is susceptible of justification, or even palliation, -will depend on a variety of minute circumstances which it is now too -late to ascertain.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The late Secretary of War, General Peter B. Porter.</p> - - -<p>Having completed the objects contemplated by the expedition to the point -at which he had arrived, General Sullivan re-crossed the Genesee with his -army on the 16th of September, and set out an his return. Why he did not -follow up his success and strike at the enemy's citadel at Niagara, which -at that time was in no situation for formidable resistance, is a question -difficult of solution. Unquestionably, in the organization of the -expedition, the conquest of Niagara, the head-quarters of the foe of all -descriptions, and the seat of British influence and power among the -Indians, was one of the principal objects in view. But perhaps the forces -of the American General had become too much weakened by sickness and -fatigue, (they had not lost a hundred men in battle,) to allow of a -farther advance. Certain it is, that the most important feature of the -enterprise was not undertaken; and it will be seen in the sequel, that -but small ultimate advantage resulted from the campaign. Stimulated by a -yet keener thirst for revenge, clouds of savages were afterward again and -again seen to sweep through the valley of the Mohawk with the scalping -knife and the torch. The excuse offered by Sullivan himself was, the want -of provisions; but this deficiency might have been most abundantly -supplied from the ample stores of the Indians, which were either burnt -or thrown into the river.</p> - -<p>The return of the army was along the same track by which it had advanced. -On the 20th, having re-crossed the outlet of Seneca Lake, Colonel Zebulon -Butler was detached with the rifle corps and five hundred men, to pass -round the foot of Cayuga Lake, and lay waste the Indian towns on its -eastern shore; while on the next day, Lieutenant Colonel Dearborn, with -two hundred men, was detached to perform the same service along the -south-western shore. The main army pursued the most direct route to the -Chemung and Tioga. On the 26th Colonel Dearborn's detachment returned, -and on the 28th they were rejoined by Colonel Butler, who had burnt three -towns of the Cayugas, including their capital. [FN] Dearborn had burnt -six towns in his route, destroying at the same time large quantities of -corn. On the same day Colonels Van Courtlandt and Dayton were detached -upon a similar service, for the destruction of large fields of corn -growing upon the banks of the Tioga and its tributaries.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Oneidas, it will be recollected, had been interceding in behalf - of the Cayugas, or at least a portion of them. Upon this point General - Sullivan wrote in his official report as follows:—"I trust the steps I - have taken in respect to the Cayugas will prove satisfactory. And here - I beg leave to mention, that on searching the houses of these pretended - neutral Cayugas, a number of scalps were found, which appeared to have - been lately taken, which Colonel Butler showed to the Oneidas, who said - that they were then convinced of the justice of the steps I had taken."</p> - - -<p>On the 30th of September the army reached its original point of -concentration at Tioga, where, it will be recollected, a fort had been -thrown up, and left in charge of a small garrison. This work was destroyed -on the 3d of October. The army then resumed its return march, and passing -through Wyoming, arrived at Easton on the 15th. The distance thence to the -Genesee castle was two hundred and eighty miles. With the exception of the -action at Newtown, the achievements of the army in battle were not great. -But it had scoured a broad extent of country, and laid more towns in ashes -than had ever been destroyed on the continent before. The red men were -driven from their beautiful country—their habitations left in ruins, -their fields laid waste, their orchards uprooted, and their altars and -the tombs of their fathers overthrown.</p> - -<p>There was, however, an episode to this campaign, if such a phrase may be -allowed in military history, which, unexplained as it has been, appears -like a very strange movement on the part of General Sullivan. It has been -seen in the earlier portion of the present work, that when the great body -of the Mohawks retired to Canada with the Johnsons, preparatory to taking -up the hatchet against the Americans, the clan at the lower castle -declined accompanying them. Thus far, moreover, during the whole progress -of the war, they had preserved a strict neutrality. They had neither -molested their white neighbors, nor been molested themselves; but were -living quietly, cultivating their grounds in the midst of the best -settled portion of Tryon County, or following the chase at their -pleasure—and on terms of perfect amity and good-will with their white -neighbors. By some means or other, however, General Sullivan had imbibed -a distrust of these people, and on the 20th of September, while at the -foot of Seneca Lake, he detached Colonel Gansevoort, with a corps of one -hundred men, to Fort Schuyler From thence his orders were peremptory that -he should proceed forthwith down the Mohawk to the said lower Indian -castle, make all the Indians captives if possible, destroy their castle, -and then proceed immediately with the said prisoners to head-quarters—the -order explicitly forbidding that any of the prisoners so taken should be -left at Albany; and the Colonel was at the same time enjoined, amidst all -these measures of hostility, to show the Indians, so to be dispossessed -and carried away by violence, "such necessary marks of civility and -attention as might engage a continuance of their friendship, and give -evidence of our pacific disposition toward them!" This was truly a -surprising order, and, as the event proved, as uncalled for and unjust -as it was incomprehensible. As Colonel Gansevoort's official report of -his proceedings under this order will present the best view of the whole -transaction, it is inserted entire:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gansevoort to General Sullivan.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Albany, October</i> 8, 1779.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Agreeably to my orders, I proceeded by the shortest route to the lower -Mohawk castle, passing through the Tuscarora and Oneida castles (towns), -where every mark of hospitality and friendship was shown the party. I had -the pleasure to find that not the least damage nor insult was offered any -of the inhabitants. On the 25th I arrived at Fort Schuyler, where, -refreshing my party, I proceeded down the river, and on the 29th -effectually surprised the lower Mohawk castle, making prisoners of every -Indian inhabitant They then occupied but four houses. I was preparing, -agreeable to my orders, to destroy them, but was interrupted by the -inhabitants of the frontiers, who have been lately driven from their -settlements by the savages, praying that they might have liberty to enter -into the Mohawks' houses, until they could procure other habitations; and -well knowing those persons to have lately lost their all, humanity -tempted me in this particular to act in some degree contrary to orders, -although I could not but be confident of your approbation; especially -when you are informed that this castle is in the heart of our settlements, -and abounding with every necessary; so that it is remarked that these -Indians live much better than most of the Mohawk river farmers. Their -houses were very well furnished with all necessary household utensils, -great plenty of grain, several horses, cows, and wagons; of all which I -have an inventory, leaving them in the care of Major Newkirk, of that -place, who distributed the refugees in the several houses. Such being the -situation, I did not allow the party to plunder at all.</p> - -<p>"The prisoners arrived at Albany on the 2d instant, and were closely -secured in the fort. Yesterday, the 7th, I received a letter from General -Schuyler, (of which I enclose a copy,) respecting the prisoners, desiring -that the sending the prisoners down might be postponed until an express -shall arrive from General Washington. Agreeably to this request, a -sergeant and twelve men are detained to keep charge of the prisoners until -his pleasure is known.</p> - -<p>"It is with the greatest regret I mention my indisposition being so great -as to hinder my taking charge of the party to headquarters. I have been -several days confined, and my surgeon informs me that my complaint is -bilious fever. Captain Sytez takes command of the detachment, and will -proceed with all expedition to head-quarters with the baggage of the -several regiments, where I hope shortly to join the army. I remain, &c., -&c."</p> - -<p>It seems that General Schuyler, then at the head of the Northern -Commission of the Indian Department, having heard of the harsh measure -adopted in regard to the lower castle Mohawks, had interposed in their -behalf. The following is the letter referred to by Colonel Gansevoort, a -copy of which was enclosed to General Sullivan:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General Schuyler to Colonel Gansevoort.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Albany October</i> 7, 1779.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Having perused Gen. Sullivan's orders to you respecting the Indians of -the lower Mohawk castle and their property, I conceive they are founded -on misinformation given to that gentlemen; these Indians have peaceably -remained there under the sanction of the public faith repeatedly given -them by the commissioners of Indian affairs, on condition of peaceable -demeanor; this contract they have not violated to our knowledge. It is -therefore incumbent on us, as servants of the public, to keep the public -faith inviolate; and we therefore entreat you to postpone the sending the -Indians from hence until the pleasure of his Excellency, Gen. Washington, -can be obtained, and a letter is already despatched to him on the -occasion, and in which we have mentioned this application to you. I am, -dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Ph. Schuyler,</span> - <i>President of the Board of Commissioners - of Indian affairs, N. Department.</i>"</p> - -<p>Copies of these letters were at the same time enclosed to the -Commander-in-chief by Colonel Gansevoort, and the result was a speedy -release of the poor Indians, with directions from General Washington that -the Commissioners should "lay them under such obligations for their -future good behavior as they should think necessary." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letter of Washington to Colonel Gansevoort. In justice to - General Sullivan respecting this crusade against the little neighborhood - of friendly Mohawks, it should be stated that he acted under - misinformation. In his official report, written from Tioga, September 30, - he said:—"I directed Colonel Gansevoort to destroy the lower Mohawk - castle in his route, and capture the inhabitants, consisting of only six - or seven families, who were constantly employed in giving intelligence - to the enemy, and in supporting their scouting parties when making - incursions on our frontiers. When the Mohawks joined the enemy, those - few families were undoubtedly left to answer those purposes, and keep - possession of their lands."</p> - - -<p>Thus ended the memorable campaign of General Sullivan against the country -of the Six Nations; and, however harshly that officer may have been spoken -of by others, it is certain, from the letters of the Commander-in-chief, -that his conduct was viewed in that quarter with the most decided -approbation. The officers of the several corps engaged in the expedition -held separate meetings, and testified the warmest regard in his behalf, -and their approbation of the manner in which he had conducted the -campaign. On the 14th of October Congress passed a resolution of thanks -to General Washington for directing this expedition, and to "General -Sullivan and the brave officers and soldiers under his command for its -effectual execution." But at the very time of the adoption of the -resolution, it was evident that it was carried by a reluctant vote. -Sullivan had made such high demands for military stores, and had so freely -complained of the government for inattention to those demands, as to give -much offence to some members of Congress and to the Board of War. [FN] He, -in consequence, resigned his commission on the 9th of November, under the -convenient pretext of ill health. The resignation was accepted by -Congress on the 30th of that month—accompanied, however, by a vote of -thanks for past services.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Allen's Biographical Dictionary.</p> - - -<p>But there was yet another expedition against the Indians, devised and -executed in conjunction, or rather simultaneously, with that of General -Sullivan. This movement took place under the direction of Colonel Daniel -Brodhead, then commanding at Fort Pitt, and was originally designed by the -Commander-in-chief, after accomplishing the destruction of the Mingo, -Munsey, and a portion of the Seneca Indians settled on the Allegheny -river, for co-operation with that of Sullivan, by a junction at -Niagara—a point, as it happened, unattained by either. Preparatory to -this campaign, Washington had written to Colonel Brodhead, on the 22d of -March, directing him to throw forward detachments of troops, the first to -take post at Kittaning, and the second at Venango, and to build stockade -forts at both places—observing the greatest possible secrecy in regard -to ulterior operations. [FN-1] From various unforeseen difficulties, the -project of a direct co-operation with Sullivan was abandoned on the 21st -of April, and Colonel Brodhead was directed to make the necessary -reconnaissances for a movement against Detroit, should such an expedition -be deemed advisable. [FN-2] The result, however, was an independent -campaign against the tribes or clans of Indians last above mentioned, -inhabiting the head waters of the Allegheny river, French Creek, and other -tributaries of the Ohio. Colonel Brodhead left Pittsburgh on the 11th of -August, at the head of six hundred rank and file, including volunteers and -militia, with provisions for one month. The first Indian town designed to -be attacked was Cannowago. On their way thither, four days after their -departure from Fort Pitt, Colonel Brodhead's advanced guard met a party of -between thirty and forty Indian warriors descending the Allegheny in -canoes. The Indians landed to give battle; but were defeated after a sharp -brush, and put to flight, leaving five warriors dead, and evident marks -that others had been carried off wounded. On arriving at Cannowago, the -troops were mortified to find that the town had been deserted for eighteen -months. Proceeding onward, however, they successively entered several -towns, which were abandoned by the Indians on their approach. They were -all destroyed, together with the adjacent corn-fields. At the upper Seneca -town, called Yoghroonwago, they found a painted image, or war-post, -clothed in dog-skin. There were several towns in the vicinity of this -place, containing, in all, one hundred and thirty houses, some of which -were large enough to accommodate three or four families each. These were -all destroyed, together with their fields of corn, so extensive that the -troops were occupied three days in accomplishing the object. The old towns -of Buckloons and Maghinquechahocking, consisting of thirty-five large -houses, were likewise burnt. The Indians had fled so precipitately as to -leave some packages of skins and other booty, to the value of three -thousand dollars—all of which was taken. Fields of corn were destroyed -at least to the extent of five hundred acres. From the number of new -houses building, and the extent of lands preparing for cultivation, it was -conjectured that it was the intention of the whole Seneca and Munsey -nation to plant themselves down in those settlements. [FN-3] The distance -traversed by Colonel Brodhead, going and returning, was four hundred -miles, and not a man was lost during the expedition.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter from Washington to Colonel Brodhead, March 22, 1779—Vide - Sparks's Life and Correspondence, vol. vi.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter from the same to the same, April 21, 1779.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Official account of Colonel Brodhead. Upon this expedition, in - connexion with that of Sullivan, the historian, Ramsay, remarks—"In this - manner the savage part of the war was carried on. Waste, and sometimes - cruelty, were inflicted and retorted, with infinite variety of scenes of - horror and disgust. The selfish passions of human nature, unrestrained - by social ties, broke over all bounds of decency or humanity."</p> - - -<p>The thanks of Congress were likewise voted to General Washington for -devising, and to Colonel Brodhead for executing, this expedition. It has -already been remarked, that as but few of the enemy were slain in these -expeditions, the only immediate effect, beyond the destruction of -provisions and property, was to exasperate the Indians. A more remote -effect was to throw the whole body of the hostiles of the Six Nations -back upon their British employers, for their entire support the following -winter. Another consequence was, that from the want and distress of the -Indians during that winter, a mortal disease was superinduced among them, -which swept great numbers into eternity.</p> - -<p>Still another effect of these sweeping invasions of the Indian country, -was, at least for the time being, to terrify some of the tribes yet more -remote. On Colonel Brodhead's return to Fort Pitt, September 14th, he -found the chiefs of the Delawares, the principal chiefs of the Wyandots -or Hurons, and the King of the Maquichee branch of the Shawanese, awaiting -his arrival. Three days afterward the Colonel held a council with these -forest dignitaries, on which occasion <i>Doonyontat,</i> the Wyandot chief, -delivered the following speech:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother Maghingive Keeshuch,</span> [FN] listen to me!"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Indian name conferred upon Colonel Brodhead.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> It grieves me to see you with the tears in your eyes. I know it -is the fault of the English.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I wipe away all those tears, and smooth down your hair, which -the English, and the folly of my young men, have ruffled.</p> - -<p>"Now, my Brother, I have wiped away all the stains from your clothes, and -smoothed them where my young men had ruffled them, so that you may now -put on your hat, and sit with that ease and composure which you would -desire.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Four strings of white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Listen to the Huron chiefs.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I see you all bloody by the English and my young men. I now -wipe away all those stains, and make you clean.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I see your heart twisted, and neck and throat turned to the one -side, with the grief and vexation which my young men have caused; all -which disagreeable sensations I now remove, and restore you to your former -tranquility, so that now you may breathe with ease, and enjoy the benefit -of your food and nourishment.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Your ears appear to be stopped, so that you cannot listen to -your Brothers when they talk of friendship. That deafness I now remove, -and all stoppage from your ears, that you may listen to the friendly -speeches of your Brothers, and that they may sink deep into your heart.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Seven strings of white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Listen to me. When I look around me, I see the bones of our -nephews lie scattered and unburied.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I gather up the bones of all our young men on both sides, who -have fallen in this dispute, without any distinction of party.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I have now gathered up the bones of our relations on both sides, -and will bury them in a large deep grave, and smooth it over so that -there shall not be the least sign of bones, or any thing to raise any -grief or anger in any of our minds hereafter.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I have now buried the bones of all our relations very deep. You -very well know that there are some of your flesh and blood in our hands -prisoners: I assure you that you shall see them all safe and well.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Eight strings of white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I now look up to where our Maker is, and think there is some -darkness still over our heads, so that God can hardly see us, on account -of the evil doings of the King over the great waters. All these thick -clouds, which have arisen on account of that bad King, I now entirely -remove, that God may look and see us in our treaty of friendship, and be -a witness to the truth and sincerity of our intentions.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Four strings of white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> As God puts all our hearts right, I now give thanks to God -Almighty, to the chief men of the Americans, to my old father the King of -France, and to you, Brother, that we can now talk together on friendly -terms, and speak our sentiments without interruption.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Four strings of black and white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You knew me before you saw me, and that I had not drawn away my -hand from yours, as I sent you word last year by Captain White Eyes.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I look up to Heaven, and call God Almighty to witness to the -truth of what I say, and that it really comes from my heart.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I now tell you that I have forever thrown off my father the -English, and will never give him any assistance; and there are some amongst -all the nations that think the same things that I do, and I wish that they -would all think so.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I cannot answer for all the nations, as I don't know all their -thoughts, and will speak only what I am sure of.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Listen to me. I love all the nations, and hate none, and when I -return home they shall all hear what you say and what is done between us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I have just now told you that I loved all the nations, and I see -you raising up the hatchet against my younger Brother, the Shawanese. [FN] -I beg of you to stop a little while, as he has never yet heard me; and -when he has heard me, if he does not choose to think as we do, I will tell -you of it immediately."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Clarke, the captor of Hamilton, was at that time preparing - to invade the principal Shawanese towns—a purpose which he executed - some time afterward.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I intend to speak roughly to my younger brother, and tell him -not to listen to the English, but throw them off, and listen to me, and -then he may live as I do.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I thank you for leaving the fortress at Tuscarawas, and am -convinced by that that you have taken pity on us, and want to make us your -friends.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I now take a firmer hold of your hand than before, and beg that -you will take pity upon the other nations who are my friends; and if any -of them should incline to take hold of your hand, I request that you -would comply, and receive them into friendship.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A black belt of eleven rows.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Listen. I tell you to be cautious, as I think you intend to -strike the man near to where I sit, not to go the nighest way to where he -is, lest you frighten the owners of the lands who are living through the -country between this and that place." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Referring to the projected movement of Colonel Brodhead against - Detroit—a purpose never executed.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You now listen to me, and one favor I beg of you is, that when -you drive away your enemies, you will allow me to continue in possession -of my property, which, if you grant, will rejoice me.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I would advise you, when you strike the man near where I sit, -to go by water, as it will be the easiest and best way.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> If you intend to strike, one way is to go up the Allegheny, and -by Presq' Isle; another way is to go down this river and up the Wabash.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The reason why I mentioned the road up the river is, that there -will be no danger of your being discovered until you are close upon them, -but on the road down the river you will be spied.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Now I have told you the way by Presq' Isle, and that it is the -boundary between us and your enemies; if you go by the Wabash, your -friends will not be surprised.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You must not think that what I have said is only my own -thoughts, but the opinion of all the Huron chiefs, and I speak in behalf -of them all. If you grant what favors I have asked of you, all our friends -and relations will be thankful and glad as far as they can hear all round.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The reason why I have pointed out these two roads is, that when -we hear you are in one of them, we will know your intentions without -farther notice; and the Huron chiefs desired me particularly to mention -it, that they may meet you in your walk, and tell you what they have done, -who are your enemies, and who are your friends, and I, in their name, -request a pair of colors to show that we have joined in friendship.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Fourteen strings of black wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The chiefs desired me to tell you that they sent Montour before -to tell you their intention, and they leave him to go with you, that when -you meet your Brothers, you may consult together, and understand one -another by his means."</p> - -<p>On the 19th Colonel Brodhead addressed the Huron chief in reply, after -the Indian form. He told him, distinctly, that fair words were no longer -to be taken, unless their sincerity was attested by their deeds. In -regard to the roads to Detroit, he said he should select whichever he -pleased. As for the Shawanese, the Colonel told the chief that he had -sent them a fair speech, which they had thrown into the fire, and he -should not now recall Colonel Clarke. And in regard to the people of the -chief himself, the Colonel demanded, as the basis of peace, that they -should stipulate to restore all American prisoners in their hands; to -kill, scalp, and take, as many of the English and their allies as they -had killed and taken of the Americans; and on every occasion to join the -Americans against their enemies. The Wyandots assented to the terms, and -hostages were required for the faithful performance of their agreement.</p> - -<p>The Delawares were at that time at peace with the United States, and a -small body of their warriors had accompanied Colonel Brodhead on the -expedition from which he had just returned. The business having been -closed with the Huron chiefs the Delawares interposed in behalf of the -Maquichee clan of the Shawanese. These Indians were now apparently very -humble; but, apprehensive that they might not perhaps manage their own -case very well, the Delawares had kept them back from the council, and -undertaken their cause themselves. <i>Kelleleman,</i> a Delaware chief, -informed Colonel Brodhead that on arriving there, their grand-children -[FN] had addressed them thus:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In Indian parlance the Delawares were styled the "Grandfathers" of - the Shawanese; and hence the use, in these proceedings, of the terms - reciprocally of "Grand-children" and "Grandfathers."</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Grandfathers:</span> We are humble, and are now come unto you. Now I am come to -you, I take my hands and wipe your eyes, that you may clearly see the -light, and that these are your grand-children who now appear before you, -and likewise remove every obstruction from your eyes, that you may hear -and understand me. I also compose your heart, that you may be disposed to -pity your poor grand-children, as your ancient chiefs used to pity their -grand-children, the Maquichees, when they were poor or humble before them. -Now, my grandfathers, I tell you to pity your grand-children, the -Maquichees, and whatever you direct them to do, will be done. Now you have -heard your grand-children speak, and you will judge what to say to your -brother, Maghingive Keeshuch:</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Two strings of white wampum.</i></p> - -<p>"Now, grandfathers, here is a little tobacco to fill your pipes, that you -may consider and pity your grand-children the Maquichees."</p> - -<p>Kelleleman farther reported to Colonel Brodhead, that after the foregoing -speech, <i>Keeshmattsee,</i> a Maquichee chief, rose and said to the -Delawares:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Grandfathers:</span> I now take my chief and counselor, Nimwha, and set him down -on the ground before you, that he may assist you in considering the -distressed situation of your grand-children."</p> - -<p>Another Delaware chief, named <i>Killbush,</i> then addressed Colonel Brodhead -thus:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Brother Maghingive Keeshuch:</span> Listen to me. You always told me that when -any nations came to treat of peace, I should first speak to them, and tell -you my sentiments of them; which I am now come to do in regard to my -grand-children, the Maquichees.</p> - -<p>"I told them I was much obliged to them for clearing my eyes, my ears, -and composing my heart, and that it was time, for many bad things enter -into my ears."</p> - -<p>Then turning to the Maquichees, Killbush continued his speech:—</p> - -<p>"I remember you told me to pity you, and it is true I have pitied you, -my grand-children, the Shawanese.</p> - -<p>"Now I tell you, my grand-children, it is very well you put me in mind of -my wise ancestors, who, out of pity, took you up and placed you before -them.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My grand-children:</span> The Maquichees, it is true, you have done no harm, -but I see some stains of blood upon you, which the mischief and folly of -some of your young men have occasioned. Now, my grand-children, I will -advise you how to be cleansed from your bloody stains; deliver to our -brother Maghingive Keeshuch all his flesh and blood which are prisoners -in your hands, and the horses you have stolen from the Americans. My -grand-children, when you have done this, you will then be clean; your -flesh and heart will be the same as mine, and I can again take you up and -set you down before me, as our wise chiefs formerly did.</p> - -<p>"Now, my grand-children, I tell you that for several years past you have -been fraught with lies, which I am tired of hearing, and in future you -must tell me nothing but the truth.</p> - -<p>"Now listen to me, my grand-children; you see how dreadful the day looks, -and how thick the clouds appear; don't imagine this day to be like that -on which you first came to your grandfathers. I tell you that I have -finished the chain of friendship. The thirteen United States and I are -one. I have already assisted my brother in taking the flesh of the -English and the Mingoes. You told me just now, that whatever I told you, -you would do; now I offer you the flesh of the English and Mingoes to -eat, and that is the only method I know of by which your lives may be -preserved, and you allowed to live in peace," (delivering them a -string of wampum and two scalps.) They received the string and scalps, -and said they were glad to know this; and, as they had before said, -whatever their grandfathers told them, they would do, so they told them -again on receiving the scalps. They said, "now, grandfathers, I am very -glad to hear what you have said; I have got in my hand what you say will -save my life," and immediately sang his war-song. The speaker, having -danced, delivered the scalps to the king, who likewise rose and sang the -war-song, and said; "Now, my grandfathers, although you have often sent -good speeches to the other tribes of the Shawanese nation, yet they would -not receive them, but still took up the tomahawk to strike your brothers. -I will now go and deliver them what I now have in my hands, which I -suppose they will receive."</p> - -<p>These proceedings were closed by the following speech from one of the -Delawares to Colonel Brodhead:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We now let you know the result of our council respecting the -Maquichees.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Listen. This is the way I have considered the matter, and if I -am mistaken I am very sorry for it Brother, let us both consider of it. I -thought when I looked in his eyes that he was sincere.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> I think the Maquichees are honest In former times they were the -best of the Shawanese nation. I think we may take them by the hand; and -you know you told me that any nation I took by the hand, you would also -receive."</p> - -<p>The conference appears to have been satisfactory to Colonel Brodhead. But -if the Maquichee clan of the Shawanese preserved their fidelity, the main -body of the nation became none the less unfriendly by their means. And -although Colonel Brodhead had admonished them that he would not -countermand the orders to Colonel Clarke to strike them, it so happened -that the first and severest blow was struck by the Shawanese themselves. -It was but a short time after the closing of the council at Fort Pitt, -that a detachment of seventy men from the Kentucky district of Virginia, -under the command of Major Rodgers, was surprised while ascending the -Ohio, and nearly exterminated. The Kentuckians were drawn ashore by a -stratagem. At first a few Indians only appeared, standing upon a sand-bar -near the mouth of the Licking river, while a canoe, with three other -Indians, was paddling toward them as though to receive them on board. -Rodgers immediately put in to the Kentucky shore, and having made fast -his boats, went in pursuit. Only five or six Indians had been seen, and -Rodgers, presuming that the whole party would not probably exceed fifteen -or twenty at farthest, felt perfectly sure of an easy victory—having -seventy men, well armed and provided. Proceeding cautiously toward the -point where he supposed he should surround the enemy, and having adjusted -his movements with that design, at the very moment when he was preparing -to rush forward and secure them, he found himself with his whole force in -the midst of an ambuscade! The Indians rose in a cloud of hundreds on all -sides of him, and pouring in a close and deadly fire upon the Americans, -rushed upon the survivors tomahawk in hand. Major Rodgers, and forty-five -of his men were killed almost instantly. The residue ran for the boats, -but the guard of only five men who had been left in charge, had sought -security by putting off in one of them, while the Indians had already -anticipated the fugitives by taking possession of the others. The -possibility of retreat being thus cut off, the brave fellows now turned -furiously upon the enemy; and as night was approaching, after a sharp -fight for some time, a small number, aided by the darkness, succeeded in -effecting their escape to Harrodsburgh.</p> - -<p>Among the wounded in this sharp and bloody encounter, who escaped both -death and captivity, were Captain Robert Benham, and another man, whose -cases, together, form a novel and romantic adventure. Benham was shot -through both hips, and the bones being shattered, he instantly fell. -Still, aided by the darkness, he succeeded in crawling among the thick -branches of a fallen tree, where he lay without molestation through the -night and during the following day, while the Indians, who had returned -for that purpose, were stripping the slain. He continued to lie close in -the place of his retreat until the second day, when, becoming hungry, and -observing a raccoon descending a tree, he managed to shoot it—hoping to -be able to strike a fire, and cook the animal. The crack of the rifle was -followed by a human cry, which at first startled the Captain; but the cry -being repeated, several times, the voice of a Kentuckian was at length -recognized; the call was returned; and the parties were soon together. -The man proved to be one of his comrades, who had lost both of his arms -in the battle. Never before did misery find more welcome company. One of -the parties could use his feet, and the other his hands. Benham, by -tearing up his own and his companion's shirts, dressed the wounds of both. -He could load his rifle and fire with readiness, and was thus enabled to -kill such game as approached, while his companion could roll the game -along upon the ground with his feet, and in the same manner collect wood -enough together to cook their meals. When thirsty, Benham could place his -hat in the teeth of his companion, who went to the Licking, and wading in -until he could stoop down and fill it, returned with a hat-full of water. -When the stock of squirrels, and other small game in their immediate -neighborhood, was exhausted, the man on his legs would roam away, and -drive up a flock of wild turkeys, then abundant in those parts, until -they came within the range of Benham's rifle. Thus they lived, helps meet -for each other, during the period of six weeks, when they discovered a -boat upon the Ohio, which took them off. Both recovered thoroughly from -their wounds. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Captain Benham afterward served with bravery in the Indian wars of - 1789-94, sharing the disaster of St. Clair and the victory of Wayne. At - the close of the Revolution, he purchased the land whereon he was - wounded at the time of Rodgers's defeat, built a house there, and there - lived and died.</p> - - -<p>No other events of moment occurred in the region professedly embraced in -the present history, during the residue of the year 1779; and the progress -of the war in other parts of the Union had been marked with but few -signal actions. The active operations of this year between the British -forces proper and the Americans, had commenced in the south, to the -command of which section of the country General Lincoln had been assigned -at the close of 1778. The first occurrence was the surprise and defeat, -on the 3d of March, of General Ash, commanding a body of fifteen hundred -North Carolina militia, stationed at the confluence of Briar Creek, on the -Savannah river, by the British General Provost. There were about sixty -regular troops under General Ash, who fought well. But the militia, as -usual, threw away their arms and fled, with the exception of about three -hundred, who were either killed or taken. In May, General Provost -invested Charleston, but raised the siege on the approach of Lincoln upon -his rear. He at first retired to the island, but soon withdrew to -Savannah, where he was in turn besieged by Lincoln in October, on the -land side, and by the French fleet under the Count D'Estaing by water. -Repulsed in an injudicious assault, after much brave fighting by both -Americans and French, the fleet of the latter left the continent, and the -siege was raised—the militia flying to their homes, and General Lincoln -retiring to Charleston. In this assault, among other proud spirits, fell -the brave Polish Count Pulaski—who had signalized himself in his own -country by carrying off King Stanislaus from his capital, assisted by only -a party of associate Catholic conspirators. The only relief to this -disastrous affair, was the capture, by Colonel John White of Georgia, and -Captain Elholm, with four other men, of a British detachment of one -hundred men, forty sailors, and five armed vessels, at Ogechee, by a very -ingenious and efficacious stratagem. Kindling a large number of fires, -after the manner of an encampment, they summoned the British commander, -Captain French, to surrender, or they would cut his flotilla to pieces. -Supposing, by the lines of fires, that there was a greatly superior force -against them, the enemy surrendered at discretion.</p> - -<p>In the middle and northern sections of the Union, the contest during the -Summer had assumed the character rather of a predatory warfare than of -regular campaigns. Sir George Collier and General Matthews made a -plundering expedition on the coast of Virginia, and after sacking Norfolk -and parts adjacent, returned to New-York with their booty. In July a -combined expedition by land and water was directed, under Sir George and -Governor Tryon, against Connecticut. New-Haven was taken and sacked. -Several houses in East Haven were burnt. Fairfield, Green's Farms, and -Norwalk, were likewise taken, plundered, and laid in ashes. The Americans, -consisting chiefly of militia, under General Lovell, made an attempt upon -a British post at Penobscot, which was commenced gallantly. But the -arrival of Sir George Collier's fleet, with reinforcements, obliged the -General to abandon the enterprise. These untoward events, however, were -relieved by Major Lee's surprise and capture of the British fort at -Paulus Hook, and by the still more brilliant affair of the capture of -Stony Point by General Wayne.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chii">CHAPTER II.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - <p class="chap">Progress of the war in the South—Fall of Charleston—Brilliant - achievements—Rigorous winter of 1780—Destruction of the Oneida Castle - and villages—Third marriage of Brant—Irruption into - Harpersfield—Captivity of Captain Harper, Freegift Patchin, and - others—Conduct of Brant—Consultation whether to put the prisoners to - death—-Sagacity and firmness of Harper—Marched off for - Niagara—Remarkable adventures by the way—Murder of an old man—Cure - of the fever and ague—A thrilling scene—Sufferings for food—Justice - and impartiality of Brant—Approach to Niagara—The ordeal—Humane - device of Brant to save his Prisoners from the trial—Arrival at - Niagara—Farther irruptions of the Indians—Shawangunk—Saugerties— - Captivity of Captain Snyder and his son—Arrival at - Niagara—Examination—Guy Johnson, Butler and Brant—Prisoners sent to - Montreal—The Mohawk Valley—Bravery of Solomon Woodruff—Irruption to - Little Falls—Burning of Ellis's Mills—Incidents on the Ohio—Bold - exploit of M<sup>c</sup>Connel—Attack of Colonel Bird, with his Indians, upon the - Licking Settlement—Colonel Clarke takes vengeance upon the Shawanese.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The succeeding</span> year opened inauspiciously to the American arms. No sooner -had Sir Henry Clinton heard of the departure of Count D'Estaing from the -Southern coast with the French fleet, than he prepared for a formidable -descent upon South Carolina. Charleston was the first and most prominent -object of attack. The expedition destined upon this service left New-York -about the close of January, and in due season the troops effected their -landing about thirty miles from Charleston. The object of the enemy could -not be mistaken, and General Lincoln made every exertion for the defence -of the important post entrusted to his command, by increasing his forces -and strengthening his works. Before the middle of April the town was -invested by sea and land, and Lincoln was summoned to surrender—which -summons with modest firmness he declined to obey. Clinton having succeeded -in all his preliminary operations—Tarleton having cut up Colonel White's -cavalry on the Santee, and Fort Moultrie having surrendered to the Royal -Navy—the garrison, finding itself without reasonable hope of relief, -proposed terms of capitulation, which were rejected by the British -commander. Hostilities were meantime prosecuted with great energy, and -after a tremendous cannonade and bombardment, lasting from the 6th to the -11th of May, General Lincoln was forced into a capitulation. His garrison -consisted, all told, of about five thousand men—of whom no more than two -thousand were continental troops. The loss was heavy—including upward of -four hundred pieces of cannon.</p> - -<p>Having accomplished this object, Sir Henry divided his forces into three -columns, dispatching them in as many directions, with a view of -overrunning the whole Southern states. Clinton, himself, returned to -New-York; and then commenced that remarkable course of partizan warfare -in the South, which called forth so much of high and chivalrous daring -in Marion, Sumpter, and their associates in arms, and which was attended -with so many brilliant exploits. There are no more vivid and thrilling -pages in American history than the records of those partizan operations, -the incidents of which amounted to little in themselves, separately -considered; but in the general results they were of infinite importance -to the cause of the republic—since the invaders were, in fact, weakened -by every victory, while defeat did not discourage the Americans, who were -gaining both moral and physical strength by the protraction of the -struggle. But these distant glances are incidental—the North being the -main field of research.</p> - -<p>The devastation of their country by General Sullivan—the destruction of -their houses, as well as their means of subsistence—had driven the -Indians back upon Niagara for the winter of 1779-80—the usual -winter-quarters of Brant, Guy Johnson, and the Butlers—father and son. -As had been anticipated by the American Commander-in-chief, the Indians -suffered greatly by destitution and consequent sickness during that -winter, which was one of unexampled rigor in North America. [FN-1] But -neither the inclemency of the weather, nor the wants of the Indians at -Niagara, prevented them from fulfilling the threat of Sir Frederick -Haldimand against the Oneidas. Their villages and castle were invaded by -the hostile Indians, aided by a detachment of British troops, or more -probably by a corps of Butler's rangers, and entirely destroyed—their -castle, their church, and their dwellings being alike laid in ashes; -while the Oneidas themselves were driven down upon the white -settlements for protection and support. They were subsequently planted -in the neighborhood of Schenectady, where they were supported by the -government of the United States until the close of the war. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The harbor of New-York was not merely choked with ice for a time - during the Winter of 1779-80, but so thoroughly frozen that cannon were - wheeled over to the city on the ice from Staten Island.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] There is difficulty in ascertaining the exact time of Brant's - invasion of the Oneida towns. Although an important event in the border - ware, the author has not been able to obtain dates or particulars. The - fact is well known; and President Kirkland, (son of the Oneida - Missionary,) has spoken of the incident several times in his - communications to the Massachusetts Historical Society—published in - their valuable collections. In one of those communications, Dr. Kirkland - remarks that this dispersion of the Oneidas, and the devastation of - their country, were greatly detrimental to their nation. When the war - came on, they had attained to some degree of regularity, industry, and - prosperity. But, driven from their homes, reduced to want, dependence, - and abject poverty, their habits became more intemperate and idle than - ever, and they never recovered from their depression.</p> - - -<p>Aside from the destruction of the Oneida country, it is believed that no -important object was undertaken by Thayendanegea until the opening of -Spring. It may be noted, however, incidentally, as an illustration of the -character of the Mohawk chief, that during this winter he was married to -his third wife, at the fort of Niagara, under circumstances somewhat -peculiar. Among the prisoners taken to that post from Cherry Valley, was -a Miss Moore, who, being detained in captivity with Mrs. Campbell and -others, was courted and married by an officer of the garrison. -Thayendanegea was present at the wedding; and although he had for some -time previous been living with his wife, bound only by the ties of an -Indian marriage, he nevertheless embraced the opportunity of having the -English marriage ceremony performed, which was accordingly done by -Colonel Butler, acting as one of the King's commission of the peace for -Tryon County.</p> - -<p>But the chief was seldom inactive. The month of April found him on the -war-path, at the head of a small party of Indians and Tories, whom he -led against the settlement of Harpersfield, which was taken by surprise -and destroyed. In consequence of their exposed situation, most of the -inhabitants had left the settlement, so that there were but few persons -killed, and only nineteen taken prisoners. Proceeding from Harpersfield, -it was Brant's design to make an attack upon the upper fort of Schoharie, -should he deem it prudent to encounter the risk, after duly -reconnoitering the situation of the fort and ascertaining its means of -defence. The execution of this part of his project was prevented by an -unexpected occurrence. Harpersfield was probably destroyed on the 5th or -6th of April. It happened that nearly at the same time, Colonel Vrooman, -who was yet in command of Old Schoharie, had sent out a scout of fourteen -militia-minute-men, with directions to pass over to the head waters of -the Charlotte river, and keep an eye upon the movements of certain -suspected persons living in the valley of that stream. It being the -proper season for making maple sugar, the minute-men were likewise -directed to remain in the woods and manufacture a quantity of that -article, of which the garrison were greatly in want. On the 2d of April, -this party, the commander of which was Captain Alexander Harper, -commenced their labors in the "sugar-bush," at the distance of about -thirty miles from Schoharie. They were occupied in the discharge of this -part of their duty, very cheerfully and with good success, for several -days, entirely unapprehensive of danger; more especially as a new fall -of snow, to the depth of three feet, would prevent, they supposed, the -moving of any considerable body of the enemy, while in fact they were not -aware of the existence of an armed foe short of Niagara. But their -operations were most unexpectedly interrupted. It seems that Brant, in -wending his way from Harpersfield toward Schoharie, fell suddenly upon -Harper and his party on the 7th of April, at about two o'clock in the -afternoon, and immediately surrounded them—his force consisting of -forty-three Indian warriors and seven Tories. So silent and cautious had -been the approach of the enemy, that the first admonition Harper received -of their presence, was the death of three of his little band, [FN] who -were struck down while engaged in their work. The leader was instantly -discovered in the person of the Mohawk chief, who rushed up to Captain -Harper, tomahawk in hand, and observed—"Harper, I am sorry to find you -here!" "Why are you sorry, Captain Brant?" replied the other. "Because," -rejoined the chief, "I must kill you, although we were school-mates in -our youth,"—at the same time raising his hatchet, and suiting the action -to the word. Suddenly his arm fell, and with a piercing scrutiny, looking -Harper full in the face, he inquired—"Are there any regular troops at -the forts in Schoharie." Harper caught the idea in an instant. To answer -truly, and admit that there were none, as was the fact, would but hasten -Brant and his warriors forward to fall upon the settlements at once, and -their destruction would have been swift and sure. He therefore informed -him that a reinforcement of three hundred Continental troops had arrived -to garrison the forts only two or three days before. This information -appeared very much to disconcert the chieftain. He prevented the farther -shedding of blood, and held a consultation with his subordinate chiefs. -Night coming on, Harper and his ten surviving companions were shut up in -a pen of logs, and guarded by the Tories, under the charge of <i>their</i> -leader, a cruel fellow named Becraft, and of bloody notoriety in that war. -Controversy ran high among the Indians during the night—the question -being, whether the prisoners should be put to death or carried to -Niagara. They were bound hand and foot, but were so near the Indian -council as to hear much of what was said, and Harper knew enough of the -Indian tongue to comprehend the general import of their debates. The -Indians were for putting them to death; and Becraft frequently tantalized -the prisoners, by telling them, with abusive tones and epithets, that -"they would be in hell before morning." Brant's authority, however, was -exerted effectually to prevent the massacre.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The late General Freegift Patchin, of Schoharie, was one of - Harper's party, as also were his brother, Isaac Patchin, Ezra Thorp, - Lt. Henry Thorp, and Major Henry. It is from Priest's Narrative of the - captivity of General Patchin, that the author obtained the facts of this - transaction.</p> - - -<p>On the following morning Harper was brought before the Indians for -examination. The Chief commenced by saying, that they were suspicious he -had not told them the truth. Harper, however, had great coolness and -presence of mind; and although Brant was eying him like a basilisk, he -repeated his former statements without the improper movement of a muscle, -or betraying the least distrustful sign or symptom. Being satisfied, -therefore, of the truth of his story, Brant determined to retrace his -steps to Niagara. This he did with great reluctance—admitting to Captain -Harper that the real object of his expedition was to fall upon Schoharie, -which place, as they had been informed, was almost entirely undefended. -He had promised to lead his warriors to spoils and victory, and they were -angry at being thus cut short of their expectations. Under these -circumstances of chagrin and disappointment, it had only been with great -difficulty that he could restrain his followers from putting them to -death. Brant then said to Captain Harper, that he and his companions -should be spared, on condition of accompanying him as prisoners of war to -Niagara.</p> - -<p>Their march was forthwith commenced, and was full of pain, peril, and -adventure. The prisoners were heavily laden with the booty taken from -Harpersfield, and well guarded. Their direction was first down the -Delaware, where they stopped at a mill to obtain provisions. The miller -was a Tory, and both himself and daughters counseled Brant to put his -prisoners to death. On the following day they met another loyalist, who -was well acquainted with Brant, and with Captain Harper and his party. -He assured the former that Harper had deceived him, and that there were -no troops at Schoharie. The Captain was, therefore, brought to another -scrutiny; but he succeeded so well in maintaining the appearance of -sincerity and truth, as again to avert the upraised and glittering -tomahawk. On the same day an aged man, named Brown, was accidentally -fallen in with and taken prisoner, with two youthful grandsons; the day -following, being unable to travel with sufficient speed, and sinking -under the weight of the burden imposed upon him, the old man was put out -of the way with the hatchet. The victim was dragging behind, and when he -saw preparations making for his doom, he took an affectionate farewell -of his little grandsons, and the Indians moved on, leaving one of their -number, with his face painted black—the mark of an executioner—behind -with him. In a few moments afterward, the Indian came up, with the old -man's scalp dangling from between the ramrod and muzzle of his gun.</p> - -<p>Having descended the Delaware a sufficient distance, they crossed over to -Oghkwaga, where they constructed floats, and sailed down the Susquehanna -to the confluence of the Chemung, at which place their land-traveling -again commenced. Being heavily encumbered with luggage, and withal -tightly pinioned, the prisoners must have sunk by the way, at the rate -the Indians traveled, and would probably have been tomahawked but for the -indisposition of Brant, who, providentially for the prisoners, was -attacked with fever and ague—so that every alternate day he was unable -to travel. These interruptions gave them time to rest and recruit. Brant -wrought his own cure by a truly Indian remedy. Watching upon the southern -side of a hill, where serpents usually crawl forth in the Spring to bask -in the sunbeams, he caught a rattlesnake, which was immediately made into -soup, of which he ate. A speedy cure was the consequence.</p> - -<p>But a new trial awaited the prisoners soon after they reached the -Chemung. During his march from Niagara on this expedition, Brant had -detached eleven of his warriors to fall once more upon the Minisink -settlement for prisoners. This detachment, as it subsequently appeared, -had succeeded in taking captive five athletic men, whom they secured and -brought with them as far as Tioga Point. The Indians sleep very soundly, -and the five prisoners had resolved at the first opportunity to make their -escape. While encamped at this place during the night, one of the -Minisink men succeeded in extricating his hands from the binding cords, -and with the utmost caution unloosed his four companions. The Indians -were locked in the arms of deep sleep around them. Silently, without -causing a leaf to rustle, they each snatched a tomahawk from the girdles -of their unconscious enemies, and in a moment nine of them were quivering -in the agonies of death. The two others were awakened, and springing upon -their feet, attempted to escape. One of them was struck with a hatchet -between the shoulders, but the other fled. The prisoners immediately made -good their own retreat, and the only Indian who escaped unhurt, returned -to take care of his wounded companion. As Brant and his warriors -approached this point of their journey, some of his Indians having raised -a whoop, it was instantly returned by a single voice with the <i>death -yell!</i> Startled at this unexpected signal, Brant's warriors rushed -forward to ascertain the cause. But they were not long in doubt. The lone -warrior met them, and soon related to his brethren the melancholy fate -of his companions. The effect upon the warriors, who gathered in a group -to hear the recital, was inexpressibly fearful. Rage, and a desire of -revenge, seemed to kindle every bosom, and light every eye as with -burning coals. They gathered round the prisoners in a circle, and began -to make unequivocal preparations for hacking them to pieces. Harper and -his men of course gave themselves up for lost, not doubting that their -doom was fixed and irreversible. But at this moment deliverance came from -an unexpected quarter. While their knives were unsheathing, and their -hatchets glittering, as they were flourished in the sunbeams, the only -survivor of the murdered party rushed into the circle and interposed in -their favor. With a wave of the hand as of a warrior entitled to be -heard—for he was himself a chief—silence was restored, and the prisoners -were surprised by the utterance of an earnest appeal in their behalf. It -has already been observed that Captain Harper knew enough of the Indian -language to understand its purport, though unfortunately not enough to -preserve its eloquence. In substance, however, the Chief appealed to his -brother warriors in favor of the prisoners, upon the ground that it was -not they who had murdered their brothers; and to take the lives of the -innocent would not be right in the eyes of the Great Spirit. His appeal -was effective. The passions of the incensed warriors were hushed, their -eyes no longer shot forth the burning glances of revenge, and their -gesticulations ceased to menace immediate and bloody vengeance.</p> - -<p>True, it so happened that the Chief who had thus thrown himself -spontaneously between them and death, knew all the prisoners—he having -resided in the Schoharie canton of the Mohawks before the war. He -doubtless felt a deeper interest in their behalf on that account. Still, -it was a noble action, worthy of the proudest era of chivalry, and in the -palmy days of Greece and Rome, would have ensured him almost "an -apotheosis and rites divine." The interposition of Pocahontas, in favor -or Captain Smith, before the rude court of Powhattan, was perhaps more -romantic; but when the motive which prompted the generous action of the -princess is considered, the transaction now under review exhibits the -most of genuine benevolence. Pocahontas was moved by the tender -passion—the Mohawk sachem by the feelings of magnanimity, and the -eternal principles of justice. It is matter of regret that the name of -this high-souled warrior is lost, as, alas! have been too many that -might have served to relieve the dark and vengeful portraitures of Indian -character, which it has so well pleased the white man to draw! The -prisoners themselves were so impressed with the manner of their signal -deliverance, that they justly attributed it to a direct interposition of -the providence of God.</p> - -<p>The march was now resumed toward Niagara, along the route traveled by -Sullivan's expedition the preceding year. Their sufferings were great -for want of provisions—neither warriors nor prisoners having any thing -more than a handful of corn each for dinner. A luxury, however, awaited -them, in the remains of a horse which had been left by Sullivan's -expedition to perish from the severity of the winter. The wolves had -eaten all the flesh from the poor animal's bones, excepting upon the -under side. When the carcass was turned over, a quantity of the flesh yet -remained, which was equally distributed among the whole party, and -devoured. On reaching the Genessee river, they met a party of Indians -preparing to plant corn. These laborers had a fine horse, which Brant -directed to be instantly killed, dressed, and divided among his famishing -company. They had neither bread nor salt; but Brant instructed the -prisoners to use the white ashes of the wood they were burning as a -substitute for the latter ingredient, and it was found to answer an -excellent purpose. The meal was partaken of, and relished as the rarest -delicacy they had ever eaten. In regard to provisions, it must be -mentioned to the credit of Captain Brant, that he was careful to enforce -an equal distribution of all they had among his own warriors and the -prisoners. All fared exactly alike.</p> - -<p>On his arrival at the Genessee river, and in anticipation of his own -departure with his prisoners for Niagara, Brant sent forward a messenger -to that post, bearing information of his approach, with the measure of -his success and the number of his prisoners. But it was not merely for -the purpose of conveying this intelligence that he dispatched his <i>avant -courier.</i> He had another object in view, as will appear in the sequel, the -conception and execution of which add a link to the chain of testimony -establishing the humanity and benevolence of his disposition. Four days -more of travel brought the party to within a few miles of the fort; and -the Tories now took special delight in impressing upon the prisoners the -perils and the sufferings they must endure, in the fearful ordeal they -would have to pass, on approaching the two Indian encampments in front -of the fort. This ordeal was nothing less than running the gauntlet, as -it is called in Indian warfare—a doom supposed to be inevitable to every -prisoner; and one which, by direct means, even Thayendanegea himself had -not sufficient power to prevent.</p> - -<p>The running of the gauntlet, or rather compelling their prisoners to run -it, on the return of a war-party to their camp or village, is a general -custom among the American aboriginals—a preliminary that must precede -their ultimate fate, either of death or mercy. It is not always severe, -however, nor even generally so, unless in respect to prisoners who have -excited the particular animosity of the Indians; and it is often rather -a scene of amusement than punishment. Much depends on the courage and -presence of mind of the prisoner undergoing the ordeal. On entering the -village or camp, he is shown a painted post at the distance of some -thirty or forty yards, and directed to run to, and catch hold of it as -quickly as possible. His path to the post lies between two parallel lines -of people—men, women, and children,—armed with hatchets, knives, sticks, -and other offensive weapons; and as he passes along, each is at liberty -to strike him as severely and as frequently as he can. Should he be so -unfortunate as to stumble, or fall in the way, he may stand a chance to -lose his life—especially if any one in the ranks happens to have a -personal wrong to avenge. But the moment he reaches the goal he is safe, -until final judgment has been pronounced upon his case. When a prisoner -displays great firmness and courage, starting upon the race with force -and agility, he will probably escape without much injury; and sometimes, -when his bearing excites the admiration of the savages, entirely unharmed. -But woe to the coward whose cheeks blanch, and whose nerves are untrue! -The slightest manifestation of fear will deprive him of mercy, and -probably of his life. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder. "In the month of April, 1782, when I was myself a - prisoner, at Lower Sandusky, waiting for an opportunity to proceed to - Detroit, I witnessed a scene of this description which fully exemplified - what I have above stated. Three American prisoners were one day brought - in by fourteen warriors from the garrison of Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh. As soon as - they had crossed the Sandusky river, to which the village lay adjacent, - they were told by the Captain of the party to run as hard as they could - to a painted post which was shown to them. The youngest of them, without - a moment's hesitation, immediately started for it, and reached it - fortunately without receiving a single blow; the second hesitated for a - moment, but recollecting himself, he also ran as fast as he could, and - likewise reached the post unhurt. But the third, frightened at seeing so - many men, women, and children, with weapons in their hands ready to - strike him, kept begging the Captain to spare his life, saying he was a - mason, and would build him a large stone house, or do any work for him - that he should please. 'Run for your life,' cried the Chief to him, 'and - don't talk now of building houses!' But the poor fellow still insisted, - begging and praying to the Captain; who, at last, finding his - exhortations vain, and fearing the consequences, turned his back upon - him, and would not hear him any longer. Our mason now began to run, but - received many a hard blow, one of which nearly brought him to the ground, - which, if he had fallen, would at once have decided his fate. He, - however, reached the goal, not without being badly bruised, and he was, - besides, bitterly reproached and scoffed at all round as a vile coward; - while the others were hailed as brave men, and received tokens of - universal approbation"—<i>Idem.</i></p> - - -<p>Such was the scene which Harper and his fellow-prisoners now had in near -prospect. They of course well knew the usages of Indian warfare, and must -expect to submit. Nor was the chance of escape from injury very cheering, -enfeebled and worn down as they were by their journey and its privations. -Miserable comforters, therefore, were their Tory guards, who were -tantalising them in anticipation, by describing this approaching -preliminary cruelty. But on emerging from the woods, and approaching the -first Indian encampment, what was the surprise of the prisoners, and the -chagrin of their conductors, at finding the Indian warriors absent from -the encampment, and their place supplied by a regiment of British -soldiers! There were only a few Indian boys and some old women in the -camp; and these offered no violence to the prisoners, excepting one of -the squaws, who struck young Patchin over the head with an instrument -which caused the blood to flow freely. But the second encampment, lying -nearest the fort, and usually occupied by the fiercest and most savage of -the Indian warriors, was yet to be passed. On arriving at this, also, the -Indians were gone, and another regiment of troops were on parade, formed -in two parallel lines, to protect the prisoners. Thus the Mohawk chief -led his prisoners directly through the dreaded encampments, and brought -them safely into the fort. Patchin, however, received another severe blow -in this camp, and a young Indian menaced him with his tomahawk. But as he -raised his arm, a soldier snatched the weapon from his hand, and threw it -into the river.</p> - -<p>The solution of this unexpected deliverance from the gauntlet-race was -this:—Miss Jane Moore, the Cherry Valley prisoner whose marriage to an -officer of the Niagara garrison has already been mentioned, was the niece -of Captain Harper—a fact well known to Brant. Harper, however, knew -nothing of her marriage, or in fact of her being at Niagara, and the -chief had kept the secret to himself. On his arrival at the Genessee -river, his anxious desire was to save his prisoners from the cruel -ordeal-trial, and he despatched the runner, as before mentioned, with a -message to Jane Moore's husband, whose name was Powell, advising him of -the fact, and proposing an artifice, by which to save his wife's uncle, -and his associates, from the accustomed ceremony. For this purpose, by -concert with Brant, Powell had managed to have the Indian warriors -enticed away to the Nine Mile Landing, for a frolic, the means of holding -which were supplied from the public stores. Meantime, for the protection -of the approaching prisoners from the violence of the straggling Indians -who remained behind, Powell caused the two encampments to be occupied in -the manner just described. It was a generous act on the part of Brant, -well conceived and handsomely carried through. The prisoners all had -cause of gratitude; and in the meeting with his niece in the garrison, -Captain Harper found a source of pleasure altogether unexpected.</p> - -<p>The prisoners, nevertheless, were doomed to a long captivity. From -Niagara they were transferred to Montreal, thence to a prison in -Chamblee, and thence to Quebec. They were afterward sent down to Halifax, -and only restored to their country and homes after the peace of 1783. -Their sufferings, during the three intervening years, were exceedingly -severe, particularly in the prison at Chamblee, which is represented as -having been foul and loathsome to a degree. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In the early part of this narrative of Harper's and Patchin's - captivity, the name of Becraft, a Tory, occurs as one of their captors. - His conduct toward the prisoners was particularly brutal throughout. On - one occasion, when he and his Tory associates were enumerating their - exploits, Becraft boasted of having assisted in massacring the family - of a Mr. Vrooman, in Schoharie. The family, he said, were all soon - despatched, except a boy of fourteen years old, who ran from the house. - Becraft pursued and overtook him at a fence which he was attempting to - climb. He there deliberately cut his throat, took his scalp, and hung - his body across the fence! After the peace, he had the hardihood to - return to Schoharie. But no sooner was it known, than a party of several - indignant citizens, among whom were the prisoners who heard him make the - confession here given, assembled and seized him. They stripped him naked, - bound him to a tree, and ten of them, with hickory whips, gave him a - tremendous castigation. They plied the whips with full vigor, and at - intervals paused, and informed him for what particular misdeeds they - were to inflict the next ten scorpion lashes, and so on. Having punished - him thus, they dismissed him with a charge never to show himself in that - county again. He never did.</p> - - <p class="quote">Another of these Tories, who were guarding Harper and his party during - the same night of their journey, made a yet more horrible confession - than that of Becraft. His name was Barney Cane. He boasted of having - killed, upon Diamond Island, (Lake George,) one Major Hopkins. A party of - pleasure, as he stated, had been visiting the island on a little sailing - excursion, and having lingered longer upon that beautiful spot than they - were conscious of, as night drew on, concluded to encamp for the - night—it being already too late to return to the fort. "From the shore - where we lay hid," said Cane, "it was easy to watch their motions; and - perceiving their defenceless situation, as soon as it was dark we set - off for the island, where we found them asleep by their fire, and - discharged our guns among them. Several were killed, among whom was one - woman, who had a sucking child, which was not hurt. This we put to the - breast of its dead mother, and so we left it. But Major Hopkins was only - wounded, his thigh bone being broken; he started from his sleep to a - rising posture, when I struck him," said Barney Cane, "with the butt of - my gun, on the side of his head; he fell over, but caught on one hand; - I then knocked him the other way, when he caught with the other hand, a - third blow, and I laid him dead. These were all scalped except the - infant. In the morning, a party from the fort went and brought away the - dead, together with one they found alive, although he was scalped, and - the babe, which was hanging and sobbing at the bosom of its lifeless - mother."—<i>Gen. Patchin's Narrative.</i></p> - - -<p>The Indians were likewise early busy in other directions. Some scattering -settlements, situated between Wyoming and the older establishments, were -fallen upon by them, and a number of persons killed, several houses -burned, and eight prisoners carried away.</p> - -<p>But the Dutch border settlements along the base of the Kaatsbergs, or -Catskill mountains, from Albany down to Orange county, were again severe -sufferers during this period of the revolutionary war. Many of the -inhabitants were friendly to the royal cause, and numbers of them had -joined the royal standard. Some of these served as leaders and guides to -the Indians, in parties for prisoners, scalps, and plunder. This petty -mode of warfare was reduced to such a system, that those engaged in it -were supplied with small magazines of provisions, concealed in the earth -and among clefts of rocks at suitable distances from the western sides of -the Kaatsbergs, over to the Delaware, and thence down to the point whence -they were wont to cross with their prisoners and booty to the Susquehanna, -and thence again by the usual track, along the Chemung and Genessee rivers -to Niagara. The sacking of Minisink, and the incursions into Warwasing, -in the preceding year, have already been chronicled. But there were -several irruptions into the Dutch settlements farther north, along the -western borders of Ulster County, in the Spring of 1780, some of which -were marked by peculiar features of atrocity, or of wild adventure. Among -these was an attack, by a small party of Indians and Tories, upon the -families of Thomas and Johannes Jansen, wealthy freeholders in a beautiful -but secluded portion of the town of Shawangunk. One of these gentlemen -was a colonel of militia. Both had erected substantial stone-houses, and -were living in affluence. Their mansions were plundered by Indians and -Tories, who were known to them; several of their neighbors and their -Negroes were made prisoners; and among those who were slain, under -circumstances of painful interest, were a Miss Mack and her father, -residing somewhat remote in one of the mountain gorges; and also a young -lady on a visit at Shawangunk, from the city of New-York. From -considerations of acquaintanceship with the Jansens, however, the females -of their families were not injured, although their houses were plundered -and their barns laid in ashes. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] An elaborated narrative of this tragic visitation was published - fifteen or twenty years ago by Charles G. De Witt, Esq.</p> - - -<p>The same savage party, or rather a party composed in part of the same -band of Tories and Indians who had committed the outrages just related, -fell upon a settlement in the town of Saugerties, in May of the same -year—making prisoners of Captain Jeremiah Snyder and Isaac Snyder his -son. After plundering his house of provisions and money, they marched the -Captain and his son over the mountains to the Delaware, and thence to -Niagara, by the same route traversed by Thayendanegea and his warriors -in conducting Harper and his fellow captives to that post. The adventures -of these prisoners during their rough and wearisome journey were but the -counterpart of those endured a month before by Captain Harper and his -company, excepting that their captors, being acquaintances, rendered -their sufferings less severe. Their supplies of food, though coarse, were -sufficient. They were pinioned at night, and the Indians lay upon the -cords by which they were fastened to saplings, or other fixtures of -security. They met several parties of Indians and Tories after crossing -the Susquehanna, and on one occasion fell in with a beautiful white woman, -married to an Indian. By all these they were treated kindly. While -traversing the valley of the Genessee, their principal Indian conductor, -named Runnip, pointed them to a couple of mounds by the way-side. "There -lie your brothers," said he to Captain Snyder, in Dutch. "These mounds -are the graves of a scout of thirty-six men, belonging to Sullivan's army, -which had been intercepted and killed by the Indians." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Indian referred to the company of Lieut. Boyd.</p> - - -<p>On their arrival at Niagara, the prisoners were less fortunate than Harper -and his companions had been, since they were compelled to run the gauntlet -between long lines of the savages—a ceremony which they looked upon with -great dread, particularly on account of their debilitated condition and -the soreness of their feet. But in this operation they were favored by -their captors, who interposed to prevent injury. In his narrative, Captain -Snyder described fort Niagara at that time as a structure of considerable -magnitude and great strength, enclosing an area of from six to eight -acres. Within the enclosure was a handsome dwelling-house, for the -residence of the Superintendent of the Indians. It was then occupied by -Colonel Guy Johnson, before whom the Captain and his son were brought for -examination. Colonel Butler, with his rangers, lay upon the opposite, or -northern side of the river. At a given signal, the Colonel, with two of -his subalterns, crossed over to attend the examination. Indeed, the -principal object for the capture of Captain Snyder seems to have been to -obtain information. Their examination was stern and searching, but the -examiners were unable to elicit enough of news to compensate for the -trouble of their taking.</p> - -<p>Captain Snyder described Guy Johnson as being a short, pursy man, about -forty years of age, of stern countenance and haughty demeanor—dressed -in a British uniform, powdered locks, and a cocked hat. His voice was -harsh, and his tongue bore evidence of his Irish extraction. While in -the guard-house, the prisoners were visited by Brant, of whom Captain -Snyder says—"He was a likely fellow, of a fierce aspect—tall and rather -spare—well spoken, and apparently about thirty (forty) years of age. He -wore moccasins, elegantly trimmed with beads—leggings and breech-cloth -of superfine blue—short green coat, with two silver epaulets—and a -small, laced, round hat. By his side hung an elegant silver-mounted -cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth, purposely dropped in the chair -on which he sat, to display his epaulets, was gorgeously decorated with -a border of red." He asked many questions, and among others, from whence -they came. On being answered Æsopus, he replied—"That is my fighting -ground." In the course of the conversation, Brant said to the younger -Snyder—"You are young, and you I pity; but for that old villain there," -pointing at the father, "I have no pity." Captain Snyder was of course -not very favorably impressed toward the Mohawk chief, and has recorded -his dislike.</p> - -<p>The Snyders found many acquaintances at the head-quarters of the Indians -and loyalists, some of whom were prisoners like themselves, and others in -the ranks of the enemy. From Niagara, the two prisoners were transported -by water, first to Carleton Island in the St. Lawrence, and thence, at a -subsequent period, to Montreal. At the latter place they were employed at -labor, and regularly paid their wages, which enabled them to purchase -various little comforts to meliorate their condition. Indeed, they were -so fortunate as to fall into the hands of humane people at every stage -of their captivity, and their lot was far less severe than that of most -of their countrymen in the like situation. At the end of two years, -having been transferred from Montreal to an island some distance higher -up the St. Lawrence, both father and son, with several other prisoners, -succeeded in effecting their escape. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Captain Snyder lived until the year 1827, and his narrative, taken - from his own lips, was written by Charles H. De Witt, Esq.</p> - - -<p>The Mohawk Valley proper, during the Winter of 1780, had enjoyed a period -of comparative repose—interrupted only by the common alarms incident to -an unprotected border, at all times liable to invasion, and the people, -as a consequence, feeling continually more or less insecure. Still, there -was not a single demonstration of the enemy in the lower part of the -country, during the cold season, worthy of note. Among the prisoners -taken by the Tories who two years before had returned from Canada after -their families, and who had most unaccountably been suffered to depart -unmolested, was a very brave fellow by the name of Solomon Woodworth. He -was entrusted to a party of Indians, acting in concert with the Tories -on their arrival at the Sacondaga, from whom he effected his escape on -the following day. These Indians, it appears, mortified at his successful -flight, had resolved either upon his recapture or his destruction. -Woodworth, in the Winter or Spring of 1780, was occupying, alone, a -block-house situated about eight miles north of Johnstown. While thus -solitary, his castle was attacked in the dead of night, by a small party -of Indians, who set fire to it. Regardless of danger, however, he ran -out amidst a shower of bullets, extinguished the fire, and retreated -within the walls again, before the Indians, who had withdrawn some -distance from the blockhouse, could re-approach sufficiently near to -seize him. As the night was not very dark, Woodworth saw a group of the -savages through the port-holes, upon whom he fired, not without -effect—one of their number, as it subsequently appeared, being severely -wounded. This disaster caused the Indians to retire. But Woodworth was -not satisfied. Collecting half a dozen kindred spirits, the next morning -he gave chase to the intruders, and after following their trail three -days, overtook them—they having halted to dress the wound of their -companion. The pursuers came so suddenly upon them, as to succeed in -despatching the whole number without allowing them time to offer -resistance. The little band returned to Johnstown in triumph; and their -leader was immediately commissioned a lieutenant in a regiment of nine -months men—in which service he had again an opportunity of showing his -prowess, as will be seen hereafter. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Information from the Rev. John I. Shew, of Northampton, N. Y., - residing near the place where the block-house stood.</p> - - -<p>It was at about the same time that a party of Tories and Indians made a -descent upon the small settlement at the Little Falls of the Mohawk, for -the purpose of destroying the mills erected at that place by Alexander -Ellis. This gentleman was a Scotch merchant, who, under the favor of Sir -William Johnson, had obtained a patent of the wild mountain gorge through -which the Mohawk leaps from the upper into the lower section of the -valley. He had himself returned to his own country; but his mills were -particularly important to the inhabitants, and also to the garrisons of -Forts Dayton and Herkimer—more especially since the burning of the mills -at the German Flats by Thayendanegea two years before. Hence the present -expedition for their destruction, which was easily accomplished—the -enemy having stolen upon the settlement unawares, and the flouring mill -being garrisoned by not more than a dozen men. Only a few shots were -exchanged, and but one man was killed—Daniel Petrie. As the Indians -entered the mill, the occupants endeavored to escape as fast as they -could—some leaping from the windows, and others endeavoring to conceal -themselves below. It was night, and two of the number, Cox and Skinner, -succeeded in ensconcing themselves in the race-way, beneath the -water-wheel—Skinner having previously made fight hand to hand, and been -wounded by a cut from a tomahawk. Two of their companions, Christian -Edick and Frederick Getman, leaped into the race-way above the mill, and -endeavored to conceal themselves by keeping as much under water as -possible. But the application of the torch to the mills soon revealed the -aquatic retreat, and they were taken. Not so with Cox and Skinner, who -survived the storm of battle, and the mingled elements of fire and water; -the showers of coals and burning brands being at once extinguished as -they fell around them, while the water-wheel served as an effectual -protection against the falling timbers. The enemy retired after -accomplishing their object, carrying away five or six prisoners. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with John Frank, Esq., of German Flats.</p> - - -<p>A few incidents of the more distant border operations of the opening -season will close the present chapter. The Shawanese and their immediate -allies continued to be exceedingly troublesome along the Ohio. Among the -single captives taken by them, by stratagem, early in the Spring, was a -man named Alexander M<sup>c</sup>Connel, of the Kentucky settlers. He found his -captors, five in number, to be pleasant tempered and social, and he -succeeded in winning their confidence, by degrees, until they essentially -relaxed the rigors of his confinement at night. His determination was of -course to escape. At length his fastenings were so slight, that while -they were asleep he succeeded in the entire extrication of his limbs. -Still he dared not to fly, lest escape from so many pursuers should be -impracticable, and his life, should he be re-taken, would surely be -required in payment for the rash attempt. To strike them successively -with one of their own tomahawks would be impossible. His next plan was -cautiously to remove three of their loaded rifles to a place of -concealment, which should, nevertheless, be convenient for his own -purpose. Then placing the other two at rest upon a log, the muzzle of one -aimed at the head of one Indian, and the other at the heart of a second, -with both hands he discharged the rifles together, by which process two -of his enemies were killed outright. As the three others sprang up in -amazement, M<sup>c</sup>Connel ran to the rifles which he had concealed. The work -was all but of a moment. Seizing another rifle, and bringing it in range -of two of the three remaining savages, both fell with the discharge, one -dead and the other wounded. The fifth took to his heels, with a yell of -horror which made the forest ring. Selecting the rifle which he liked -best, the subtle hunter pursued his way back at his pleasure.</p> - -<p>On the 23d of June, Colonel Bird, at the head of five hundred Indians and -Canadians, or American refugees, with six pieces of light artillery, fell -upon the Kentucky settlement at the forks of the Licking river. Taken by -surprise, the inhabitants seem to have made little, if any, resistance. -Only one man was killed outright, and two women. All the others were -taken prisoners, the settlement plundered, and the inhabitants marched -off, bending beneath the weight of their own property for the benefit of -the spoiler. Those who sank under their burdens by the way, were -tomahawked. This outrage was promptly and severely avenged by Colonel -Clarke, commanding at the falls of the Ohio, who immediately led his -regiment into the heart of the Shawanese country—laying their principal -town on the Great Miami in ashes, and taking seventy scalps, with the -loss of only seventeen of his own men. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boon. The British account of Colonel - Bird's expedition, as published in New-York, stated that he destroyed - several small forts, and made a number of prisoners. "Most of the - inhabitants of these new settlements," it was added, "from the - extraordinary mild treatment of the Colonel, accompanied him, preferring - to settle in the countries under the King to those of the Congress. - Several of them have gone to Detroit, Niagara, &c."—<i>Vide Almon's - Remembrancer, Part II.</i> 1780, <i>page</i> 347.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chiii">CHAPTER III.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Night invasion of Johnstown, by Sir John Johnson, with an army of Indians - and loyalists—The Visschers—The route of Sir John—Arrest of the - Sammons family—Destruction of their property—March along the - river—Burning of buildings, and murders of aged people—Destruction of - Caughnawaga—Return to Johnson Hall—Proceedings there—Thomas Sammons - escapes—Sir John moves off—Sampson Sammons applies for his - liberty—His speech—The object of the expedition—Recovery of the - Baronet's plate—A faithful slave—Character of the expedition—Sir - John returns to Montreal—Jacob and Frederick Sammons carried into - captivity—Imprisoned at Chamblee—Conspiracy to escape—Prisoners - refuse to join them—The brothers escape alone—The pursuit— - Separation—Journey, adventures and sufferings of Jacob - Sammons—Arrives at Schenectady—The narrative returns to - Frederick—Perils of his escape—Prosperous commencement of his - journey—Dreadful sickness—His recapture—Confined in irons at - Chamblee—Removed to an Island—Projects an escape—Plot - discovered—Ironed again—Second plan of escape—Perilous leap into the - St. Lawrence—Swimming the Rapids—Other surprising adventures, by - flood and field—Crossing the woods to Schenectady—Remarkable - fulfillment of a dream—Direct history of the Mohawk country - resumed—Destruction of Canajoharie by the Indiana—Conduct of - Brant—Case of doubtful courage.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Although</span> the struggle had now been maintained more than five years, still -the people of the lower section of the Mohawk Valley, severely as they -had experienced the calamities of the war, had not yet by any means -received the full measure of their suffering. Harassed by perpetual -alarms, and oppressively frequent calls to the field—their numbers -reduced by death and desertion, and by removals from a country so full of -troubles—their situation was far from being enviable. Though unconscious -of immediate danger from a formidable invasion, they were nevertheless in -more peril than at any former period, from their diminished ability of -self-protection. Hitherto, with the exception of small forays upon the -outskirts, the lower valley, containing by far the largest amount of -population, had not been traversed by an invading enemy. But it was their -lot, in the course of the present season, repeatedly to experience the -tender mercies of an exasperated enemy, armed with knife, and tomahawk -and brand, and to see their fairest villages laid waste, their fields -desolated, and their dwellings reduced to ashes.</p> - -<p>The first blow was as sudden as it was unexpected—especially from the -quarter whence it came. On Sunday the twenty-first of May, at dead of -night, Sir John Johnson entered the north part of Johnstown at the head -of five hundred men, composed of some British troops, a detachment of his -own regiment of Royal Greens, and about two hundred Indians and Tories. Sir -John had penetrated the country by way of Lake Champlain to Crown Point, -and thence through the woods to the Sacondaga river; and so entirely -unawares had he stolen upon the sleeping inhabitants, that he arrived in -the heart of the country undiscovered, except by the resident loyalists, -who were probably in the secret. Before he reached the old Baronial Hall -at Johnstown—the home of his youth, and for the recovery of which he -made every exertion that courage and enterprise could put forth—Sir John -divided his forces into two detachments, leading one in person, in the -first instance, directly to the Hall, and thence through the village of -Johnstown; while the other was sent through a more eastern settlement, -to strike the Mohawk river at or below Tripe's Hill, from whence it was -directed to sweep up the river through the ancient Dutch village of -Caughnawaga, [FN-1] to the Cayadutta Creek—at which place a junction was -to be formed with Sir John himself. This disposition of his forces was -made at the still hour of midnight—at a time when the inhabitants were -not only buried in slumber, but wholly unsuspicious of approaching danger. -What officer was in command of the eastern division is not known, but it -was one of the most stealthy and murderous expeditions—murderous in its -character, though but few were killed—and the most disgraceful, too, that -marked the progress of the war in that region. During the night-march of -this division, and before reaching the river, they attacked the -dwelling-house of Mr. Lodowick Putnam, who, together with his son, was -killed and scalped. The next house assailed was that of a Mr. Stevens, -which was burnt, and its owner killed. Arriving at Tripe's Hill, they -murdered three men, by the names of Hansen, Platts, and Aldridge. Hansen, -who was a captain of militia, was killed by an Indian to whom he had -formerly shown great kindness, and who had in return expressed much -gratitude. The houses of all, it is believed, were plundered before the -application of the torch. Proceeding toward Caughnawaga, about day-light -they arrived at the house of Colonel Visscher—occupied at the time by -himself, his mother, and his two brothers. It was immediately assaulted. -Alarmed at the sounds without, the Colonel instantly surmised the cause, -and being armed, determined, with his brothers, to defend the house to -the last. They fought bravely for a time, but the odds were so fearfully -against them, that the house was soon carried by storm. The three brothers -were instantly stricken down and scalped, and the torch applied to the -house. Having thus completed their work, the enemy proceeded on their way -up the river. Fortunately, however, the Colonel himself was only wounded. -On recovering from the shock of the hatchet, he saw the house enveloped -in flames above and around him, and his two brothers dead by his side. -But, grievously wounded as he was, he succeeded in removing their mangled -bodies from the house before the burning timbers fell in. His own wounds -were dressed, and he lived many years afterward. Mrs. Visscher, the -venerable mother of the Colonel, was likewise severely wounded by being -knocked on the head by an Indian; but she also survived. The slaughter -along the Mohawk, to the village of Caughnawaga, would have been greater, -but for the alertness of Major Van Vrank, who contrived to elude the -enemy, and by running ahead, gave the alarm, and enabled many people to -fly as it were in <i>puris naturalibus</i> across the river. [FN-2]</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] More anciently still, the residence of the Caughnawaga clan of the - Mohawk Indians, who at so early day moved into Canada, and established - themselves on the St. Lawrence above the Lachine rapids.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The Visschers were important men among the Whigs of Tryon county. - There were four brothers of them at the commencement of the war, vis. - Frederick, (the Colonel,) John, William Brower, and Harmanus. William B. - died of scarlet fever in the Winter of 1776. A very bitter hostility - existed against this family among the loyalists, having its origin in - an unpleasant altercation between Colonel Visscher and Sir John Johnson, - in the Autumn of 1775. The circumstances of this affair, as recently - communicated to the author by the venerable Judge De Graff, of - Schenectady, a near connection of the family, were substantially - these;—In the year 1775, the Colonial Congress, having full confidence - both in his principles and discretion, appointed Frederick Visscher a - Colonel in the militia, furnishing him at the same time, commissions in - blank to complete the organisation of hie regiment. One of the - commissions of captain thus confided to his disposal, he conferred on - his brother John. In the Autumn of that year the Colonel directed his - regiment to parade for review on an elevated plain near the ancient inn - of Peggy Wymples, in Caughnawaga. It happened that while the regiment - was on parade, Sir John Johnson, with his lady, drove along the river - road. On descrying the regiment under arms, he ordered his coachman to - drive up the hill to the parade ground. He than demanded of the first - person to whom he had an opportunity to speak, who had called the - assemblage together, and for what purpose? The reply was, that Colonel - Visscher had ordered his regiment to parade for review. The Baronet - thereupon stepped up to the Colonel, and repeated the question. The - Colonel of course gave a similar reply. Sir John then ordered the - regiment to disperse, but the Colonel directed them to keep their - ranks—whereupon the Baronet, who was armed with a sword-cane, raised - his weapon to inflict a blow upon Visscher, but the latter grasped the - cane, and in the scuffle the sword was drawn—Visscher retaining the - scabbard. Sir John threatened to run him through the body, and the - Colonel told him if he chose to make the attempt he might act his - pleasure. Sir John then asked for the scabbard of his blade, which was - restored to him. Stepping up to his carriage, he directed Lady Johnson - to rise that he might take his pistols from the box. Her ladyship - remonstrated with him, but to no purpose, and having obtained his - pistols, the Baronet again demanded that the regiment should be - dismissed, for they were rebels. If not, he declared in a tempest of - passion that he would blow the Colonel through. "Use your pleasure," was - again the reply of Visscher. At this moment, a young Irishman, in the - domestic service of the Colonel, who was in the ranks, exclaimed—"By - J—s, if ye offer to lift hand or finger against my master, I will blow - you through." The Baronet now saw that an unpleasant spirit was kindling - against himself, whereupon he returned to his carriage, and drove away - in great wrath.</p> - - -<p>Meantime Sir John proceeded with his division through the village of -Johnstown, stopping before it was yet light at what was once his own hall, -where he made two prisoners. There was a small stockade, or picket fort, -in the village, which, under favor of darkness and sleeping sentinels, -was passed silently and unobserved. Directing his course for the -confluence of the Cayadutta with the Mohawk, Sir John arrived at the -residence of Sampson Sammons, whose name, with those of two of his sons, -has appeared in the earlier portion of the present work. There was a -third son, Thomas, a youth of eighteen. They all inherited the stanch -Whig principles of their father, and the whole family had rendered the -State efficient service in the course of the war. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sampson Sammons was of German extraction, a native of Ulster County, - whence he had emigrated to Tryon County a few years before the war. In - the first stages of the war he was a member of the Committee of Safety. - In 1777, a corps of Exempts was organised under Colonel Jelles Fonda; - Fonda himself acting as Captain. Of this company, Sampson Sammons was - the Lieutenant. In 1779 the corps was re-organised and enlarged. On the - muster-roll of this year, Sammons was entered an an Ensign.</p> - - -<p>The particulars of the attack upon the family of Mr. Sammons are of -sufficient interest to warrant the giving them somewhat in detail. Mr. -Sammons, the elder, was well known to Sir John, between whom and himself -very friendly relations had existed; and in the early stage of the war, -the former had exerted himself with some degree of success to protect the -Baronet from the violence of the people. Soon after passing Johnstown, -Sir John detached those of the Indians yet remaining with him in other -directions, being desirous of making captives of Sammons and his sons, -but wishing, at the same time, to do them no personal injury. On arriving -in the neighborhood of the house, Sir John halted his division, and -directed a small detachment to move with the utmost stillness and caution, -and fall upon the house by surprise—observing that Sammons had some -stout sons, well armed, and unless they were very careful, there would be -trouble. The eldest of Mr. Sammons' sons was then the lessee of the -Johnson farm at the hall, which had been sold by the Committee of -Sequestrations, and which he was then cultivating; and Thomas, the -youngest, had risen at an unwonted hour, in order to feed his horses, and -go over to the hall to work with his brother. On coming down stairs, -however, and stepping out of doors half-dressed, to take an observation -of the weather—it being yet dark, though day was just breaking—the -thought occurred to him, that should any straggling Indians be prowling -about, he would stand but a poor chance if fallen upon alone. While -standing thus in doubt whether to proceed or wait for more light, he was -startled by a noise of heavy steps behind, and, as he turned, by the -glitter of steel passing before his eyes. At the same instant a hand was -laid upon his shoulder, with the words—"You are my prisoner!" In such -perfect stillness had the enemy approached, that not the sound of a -footstep was heard, until the moment when the younger Sammons was thus -arrested, and the house immediately surrounded. One of the officers, with -several soldiers, instantly entered the house, and ordered the family to -get up, and surrender themselves as prisoners. Jacob and Frederick, who -were in bed in the second story, sprang upon their feet immediately, and -seized their arms. The officer, who was a Tory named Sutherland, and -acquainted with the family, hearing the clatter of arms, called to them -by name, and promised quarter on condition of their surrender. Jacob -inquired whether there were Indians with them; adding, that if there were, -he and his brother would not be taken alive. On being assured to the -contrary, the brothers descended the stain and surrendered. The old -gentleman was also taken. While the soldiers were busied in plundering -the premises, the morning advanced, and Sir John Johnson came up with the -remainder of the division. The females were not taken as prisoners, but the -father and sons were directed to make ready to march immediately. Thomas -here remarked to the soldier who yet stood sentinel over him, that he -could not travel to Canada without his clothes, and especially without -his shoes, which he had not yet put on—requesting liberty to repair to -his chamber for his raiment. The sentinel sulkily refused permission; but -Thomas persisted that he must obtain his shoes at least, and was stepping -toward the door, when the barbarian made a plunge at his back with his -bayonet, which had proved fatal but for the quick eyes and the heroism of -a sister standing by, who, as she saw the thrust at her brother, sprang -forward, and seizing the weapon, threw herself across its barrel, and by -falling, brought it to the ground. The soldier struggled to disengage his -arms, and accomplish his purpose. At the same instant an officer stepped -forward, and demanded what was the matter. The girl informed him of the -attempt upon her brother, whereupon he rebuked the soldier by the -exclamation—"You d—d rascal, would you murder the boy?" Immediate -permission was then given him to procure whatever articles he wanted. The -work of plunder having been completed, Sir John, with his troops and -prisoners, proceeded onward in the direction of the river—about three -miles distant.</p> - -<p>For the purpose of punishing the old gentleman for his whiggish activity, -some of the officers caused him to be tied to a Negro, who was likewise a -prisoner; but the moment Sir John discovered the indignity, he -countermanded the order. The hands of the young men were all closely -pinioned, and they, with their father, were compelled to march between -files of soldiers, and behold the cruel desolation of their neighborhood. -Their course thence was direct to the river, at Caughnawaga, at which -place they met the other division of Indians and rangers, who, among -others, had murdered and scalped Mr. Douw Fonda, a citizen of great age -and respectability. The whole army now set their faces westward, -traversing the Mohawk Valley several miles, burning every building not -owned by a loyalist, killing sheep and black cattle, and taking all the -horses that could be found for their own use. Returning again to -Caughnawaga, the torch was applied to every building excepting the church; -a number of prisoners were made, and several persons killed. Nine aged -men were slain in the course of this march, of whom four were upward of -eighty. From Caughnawaga, Sir John retraced his steps to Johnstown, -passing the premises of Mr. Sammons, where the work of destruction was -completed by applying the brand to all the buildings, leaving the females -of the family houseless, and taking away the seven horses which were in -the stables.</p> - -<p>On the arrival of Sir John back to the homestead in the afternoon, he -halted upon the adjacent grounds for several hours—establishing his own -quarters in the hall of his father. The prisoners were collected into an -open field, strongly guarded, but not in a confined space; and while -reposing thus the Tory families of the town came in large numbers to see -their friends and relatives, who for the most part constituted the white -troops of the invading army. Thomas Sammons, during the whole morning, -had affected to be exceedingly lame of one foot; and while loitering -about the Hall he attracted the attention of the widowed lady of Captain -Hare, one of the British officers who had fallen in the battle of -Oriskany. Mrs. Hare, since the death of her husband, had occupied an -apartment of the Hall; and she now exerted herself successfully with Sir -John for the release of several of her personal friends among the -captives; and on going into the field to select them, she adroitly -smuggled young Sammons into the group, and led him away in safety.</p> - -<p>It has already been mentioned that there was a small guard occupying the -little fort in the village, which had been avoided by Sir John in his -morning march. Toward night the militia of the surrounding country were -observed to be clustering in the village, and Sir John thought it -advisable to resume his march. He had collected a number of prisoners, -and much booty, besides recruiting his ranks by a considerable number of -loyalists, and obtaining possession of some eighteen or twenty of his -Negro slaves, left behind at the time of his flight in the Spring of 1776. -While they were halting, on the next day, the elder Sammons applied to -Sir John for an interview, which was granted in presence of his principal -officers. On inquiring what he wanted, Mr. Sammons replied that he wished -to be released. The Baronet hesitated; but the old man pressed his suit, -and reminded Sir John of former scenes, and of the efforts of friendship -which he himself had made in his behalf. "See what you have done, Sir -John," said the veteran Whig; "You have taken myself and my sons -prisoners, burnt my dwelling to ashes, and left the helpless members of -my family with no covering but the heavens above, and no prospect but -desolation around them. Did we treat you in this manner when you were in -the power of the Tryon County Committee? Do you remember when we were -consulted by General Schuyler, and you agreed to surrender your arms? Do -you not remember that you then agreed to remain neutral, and that upon -that condition General Schuyler left you at liberty on your parole? Those -conditions you violated. You went off to Canada; enrolled yourself in the -service of the King; raised a regiment of the disaffected, who abandoned -their country with you; and you have now returned to wage a cruel war -against us, by burning our dwellings and robbing us of our property. I -was your friend in the Committee of Safety, and exerted myself to save -your person from injury. And how am I requited? Your Indians have -murdered and scalped old Mr. Fonda at the age of eighty years; a man who, -I have heard your father say, was like a father to him when he settled in -Johnstown and Kingsborough. You cannot succeed, Sir John, in such a -warfare, and you will never enjoy your property more!"</p> - -<p>The Baronet made no reply; but the appeal was effectual, and the old -gentleman was set at liberty. He then requested the restoration of a pair -of horses. Sir John replied that this should also be done, if the horses -were not in the possession of the Indians, from whom he could not safely -take them. On making the inquiry, a span of his horses were found and -restored to him. A Tory officer, named Doxstadter, was seen by Mr. Sammons -to be in possession of one of his horses, but he would not relinquish it, -pretending that he was merely entrusted with the animal by an Indian. -[FN-1] The two sons, Jacob and Frederick, were carried into captivity, -and suffered a protracted and severe imprisonment, interesting accounts -of which will presently be given. Several of the aged prisoners, besides -Mr. Sammons, were permitted to return, one of whom, Captain Abraham -Veeder, was exchanged for lieutenant Singleton, who had been taken at -Fort Schuyler by Colonel Willett, and was then in Canada on his -parole. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] After the war was over, Doxstadter returned from Canada upon some - business, was arrested in an action at law by Mr. Sammons, and made to - pay the value of the horse.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The present narrative of this irruption has been prepared almost - entirely from the manuscripts and conversations with Major Thomas - Sammons, the lad who was taken prisoner—after a diligent comparison of - his statement with other authorities. The author has also the written - narratives of Jacob and Frederick Sammons, before him, together with an - account written by the Rev. John I. Shew. Major Thomas Sammons is yet, - (February, 1838) well and hearty. He has formerly, for several years - represented Montgomery (late Tryon county) in Congress.</p> - - -<p>The immediate object of this irruption by Sir John Johnson, was to -procure his plate, which had been buried at the time of his flight in -1776, and not recovered with the iron chest. This treasure was not indeed -buried with the chest, but in the cellar, and the place of deposit was -confided to a faithful slave. While Sir John was in the hall, in the -afternoon, the slave, assisted by four soldiers, disinterred the silver, -which filled two barrels, brought it to the Baronet, and laid it down at -his feet. [FN-1] It was then distributed among about forty soldiers, who -placed it in their knapsacks—a quarter-master taking an account of the -names of the soldiers, and the articles confided to each—by whom it was -to be carried to Montreal. The irruption, however, was one of the most -indefensible aggressions upon an unarmed and slumbering people, which -stain the annals of the British arms. As the commanding officer, Sir John -is himself to be held responsible in a general sense. How far he was -directly and specially responsible for the midnight murders committed by -the barbarians, is a question which may, perhaps, bear a somewhat -different shade. Still, from the success which attended the expedition, -and the unaccountable inaction of the people against him, it is -sufficiently obvious that he might have recovered his plate without -lighting up his path by the conflagration of his neighbors' houses, or -without staining his skirts with innocent blood. [FN-2] But the most -remarkable circumstances attending this expedition are, that the -inhabitants were so completely taken by surprise, and that Sir John was -so entirely unopposed in his advance on the morning of the 22d, and -altogether unmolested on his retreat. The inhabitants, who had so often -proved themselves brave, appear to have been not only surprised, but -panic-stricken. True, as has already been incidentally stated, before Sir -John commenced his return march, the militia had begun to gather at the -village, a mile distant from the hall. They were led by Colonel John -Harper, who was beyond doubt a very brave man. With him was also Colonel -Volkert Veeder. But they were not strong enough to engage the enemy; and -when Thomas Sammons arrived among them after his release, this opinion -was confirmed by his report that the forces of Sir John exceeded seven -hundred men. Colonels Harper and Veeder thereupon marched back to the -river, and the invaders retired unmolested, [FN-3] save by Captain Putnam -and four men, who hung upon their rear, and observed their course to the -distance of twenty-five miles.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] This faithful domestic had lived long with Sir William Johnson, - who was so much attached to him, that he caused him to be baptized by his - own name, William. When the estate was placed in the hands of {illegible - word} by the Committee, William was sold, and Sammons was the purchaser. - He lived with him until retaken by Sir John, but never gave the least - hint either as to the burial of the iron chest, or the plate, although - both had been hidden in the earth by him.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] It is quite probable that Sir John's private papers, or - correspondence, if they have been preserved, might place this and other - dark transactions in a more favorable light. The author has exerted - himself in vain to discover any such papers. They are believed to have - been scattered, on the Baronet's decease at Montreal, some half a dozen - years since.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] MS of Major Thomas Sammons.</p> - - -<p>Governor Clinton was at Kingston at the time of the Invasion. Hastening -to Albany on the first rumor of the intelligence, he collected such -militia and other forces as he could obtain, and moved to Lake George -with a view to intercept Sir John. It was supposed that the course of the -enemy might possibly lie in the direction of Oswegatchie, and for the -purpose of striking him upon such a march, Colonel Van Schaick, with -eight hundred men, followed him by the way of Johnstown. Descending Lake -George to Ticonderoga, the Governor was joined by a body of militia from -the New Hampshire grants. But all was of no use; the invaders -escaped—taking to their batteaux, probably, at Crown Point, whence they -proceeded down the lake to St John's. The captives were thence transferred -to the fortress of Chamblee.</p> - -<p>The prisoners at this fortress numbered about forty. On the day after -their arrival Jacob Sammons, having taken an accurate survey of the -garrison and the facilities of escape, conceived the project of inducing -his fellow-prisoners to rise upon the guards and obtain their freedom. -The garrison was weak in number, and the sentinels less vigilant than is -usual among good soldiers. The prison doors were opened once a day, when -the prisoners were visited by the proper officer, with four or five -soldiers. Sammons had observed where the arms of the guards were stacked -in the yard, and his plan was, that some of the prisoners should arrest -and disarm the visiting guard on the opening of their door, while the -residue were to rush forth, seize the arms, and fight their way out. The -proposition was acceded to by his brother Frederick, and one other man -named Van Sluyck, but was considered too daring by the great body of the -prisoners to be undertaken. It was therefore abandoned, and the brothers -sought afterward only for a chance of escaping by themselves. Within -three days the desired opportunity occurred, viz. on the 13th of June. -The prisoners were supplied with an allowance of spruce beer, for which -two of their number were detached daily, to bring the cask from the -brew-house, under a guard of five men, with fixed bayonets. Having reason -to suppose that the arms of the guards, though charged, were not primed, -the brothers so contrived matters as to be taken together to the brewery -on the day mentioned, with an understanding that at a given point they -were to dart from the guard and run for their lives—believing that the -confusion of the moment, and the consequent delay of priming their muskets -by the guards, would enable them to escape beyond the ordinary range of -musket shot. The project was boldly executed. At the concerted moment, -the brothers sprang from their conductors, and stretched across the plain -with great fleetness. The alarm was given, and the whole garrison was -soon after them in hot pursuit. Unfortunately for Jacob, he fell into a -ditch and sprained his ankle. Perceiving the accident, Frederick turned -to his assistance; but the other generously admonished him to secure his -own flight if possible, and leave him to the chances of war. Recovering -from his fall, and regardless of the accident, Jacob sprang forward again -with as much expedition as possible, but finding that his lameness -impeded his progress, he plunged into a thick clump of shrubs and trees, -and was fortunate enough to hide himself between two logs before the -pursuers came up. Twenty or thirty shots had previously been fired upon -them, but without effect. In consequence of the smoke of their fire, -probably, the guards had not observed Jacob when he threw himself into -the thicket, and supposing that, like his brother, he had passed round it, -they followed on, until they were fairly distanced by Frederick, of whom -they lost sight and trace. They returned in about half an hour, halting -by the bushes in which the other fugitive was sheltered, and so near that -he could distinctly hear their conversation. The officer in command was -Captain Steele. On calling his men together, some were swearing, and -others laughing at the race, and the speed of the "long-legged Dutchmen," -as they called the flying prisoners. The pursuit being abandoned, the -guards returned to the fort.</p> - -<p>The brothers had agreed, in case of separation, to meet at a certain spot -at 10 o'clock that night. Of course Jacob lay ensconced in the bushes -until night had dropped her sable curtains, and until he supposed the -hour had arrived, when he sallied forth, according to the antecedent -understanding. But time did not move as rapidly on that evening as he -supposed. He waited upon the spot designated, and called aloud for -Frederick, until he despaired of meeting him, and prudence forbade his -remaining any longer. It subsequently appeared that he was too early on -the ground, and that Frederick made good his appointment.</p> - -<p>Following the bank of the Sorel, Jacob passed Fort St. John's soon after -day-break on the morning of the 14th. His purpose was to swim the river -at that place, and pursue his course homeward through the wilderness on -the eastern shore of Lake Champlain; but just as he was preparing to -enter the water, he descried a boat approaching from below, filled with -officers and soldiers of the enemy. They were already within twenty rods. -Concealing himself again in the woods, he resumed his journey after their -departure, but had not proceeded more than two or three miles before he -came upon a party of several hundred men engaged in getting out timber -for the public works at the fort. To avoid these he was obliged to -describe a wide circuit, in the course of which, at about 12 o'clock, he -came to a small clearing. Within the enclosure was a house, and in the -field were a man and boy engaged in hoeing potatoes. They were at that -moment called to dinner, and supposing them to be French, who he had -heard were rather friendly to the American cause than other-wise—incited, -also, by hunger and fatigue—he made bold to present himself trusting -that he might be invited to partake of their hospitality. But, instead of -a friend, he found an enemy. On making known his character, he was -roughly received. "It is by such villains as you are," replied the -forester, "that I was obliged to fly from Lake Champlain." The rebels, -he added, had robbed him of all he possessed, and he would now deliver -his self-invited guest to the guard, which, he said, was not more than a -quarter of a mile distant. Sammons promptly answered him that "that was -more than he could do." The refugee then said he would go for the guard -himself; to which Summons replied that he might act as he pleased, but -that all the men in Canada should not make him again a prisoner.</p> - -<p>The man thereupon returned with his son to the potato field, and resumed -his work; while his more compassionate wife gave him a bowl of bread and -milk, which he ate sitting on the threshold of the door, to guard against -surprise. While in the house, he saw a musket, powder-horn and -bullet-pouch hanging against the wall, of which he determined, if -possible, to possess himself, that he might be able to procure food -during the long and solitary march before him. On retiring, therefore, -he traveled only far enough into the woods for concealment—returning to -the woodman's house in the evening, for the purpose of obtaining the -musket and ammunition. But he was again beset by imminent peril. Very -soon after he entered the house, the sound of approaching voices was -heard, and he took to the rude chamber for security, where he lay flat -upon the irregular floor, and looking through the interstices, saw eleven -soldiers enter, who, it soon appeared, came for milk. His situation was -now exceedingly critical. The churlish proprietor might inform against -him, or a single movement betray him. But neither circumstance occurred. -The unwelcome visitors departed in due time, and the family all retired -to bed, excepting the wife, who, as Jacob descended from the chamber, -refreshed him with another bowl of bread and milk. The good woman now -earnestly entreated her guest to surrender himself, and join the ranks -of the King, assuring him that his Majesty must certainly conquer in the -end, in which case the rebels would lose all their property, and many -of them be hanged into the bargain. But to such a proposition he of -course would not listen. Finding all her efforts to convert a Whig into -a Tory fruitless, she then told him, that if he would secrete himself two -days longer in the woods, she would furnish him with some provisions, for -a supply of which her husband was going to the fort the next day, and she -would likewise endeavor to provide him with a pair of shoes. Disinclined -to linger so long in the country of the enemy, and in the neighborhood of -a British post, however, he took his departure forthwith. But such had -been the kindness of the good woman, that he had it not in his heart to -seize upon her husband's arms, and he left this wild scene of rustic -hospitality without supplies, or the means of procuring them. Arriving -once more at the water's edge at the lower end of Lake Champlain, he came -upon a hut, within which, on cautiously approaching it for reconnaissance, -he discovered a party of soldiers all soundly asleep. Their canoe was -moored by the shore, into which he sprang, and paddled himself up the -lake under the most encouraging prospect of a speedy and comparatively -easy voyage to its head, whence his return home would be unattended with -either difficulty or danger. But his pleasing anticipations were -extinguished on the night following, as he approached the Isle au Noix, -where he descried a fortification, and the glitter of bayonets bristling -in the air as the moonbeams played upon the burnished arms of the -sentinels, who were pacing their tedious rounds. The lake being very -narrow at this point, and perceiving that both sides were fortified, he -thought the attempt to shoot his canoe through between them rather too -hazardous an experiment. His only course, therefore, was to run ashore, -and resume his travels on foot. Nor, on landing, was his case in any -respect enviable. Without shoes, without food, and without the means of -obtaining either—a long journey before him through a deep and trackless -wilderness—it may well be imagined that his mind was not cheered by the -most agreeable anticipations. But without pausing to indulge unnecessarily -his "thick-coming fancies," he commenced his solitary journey, directing -his course along the eastern lake shore toward Albany. During the first -four days of his progress he subsisted entirely upon the bark of the -birch—chewing the twigs as he went On the fourth day, while resting by -a brook, he heard a rippling of the water caused by the fish as they were -stemming its current. He succeeded in catching a few of these, but having -no means of striking a fire, after devouring one of them raw, the others -were thrown away.</p> - -<p>His feet were by this time cruelly cut, bruised, and torn by thorns, -briars, and stones; and while he could scarcely proceed by reason of -their soreness, hunger and fatigue united to retard his cheerless march. -On the fifth day his miseries were augmented by the hungry swarms of -mosquitoes, which settled upon him in clouds while traversing a swamp. -On the same day he fell upon the nest of a black duck—the duck sitting -quietly upon her eggs until he came up and caught her. The bird was no -sooner deprived of her life and her feathers, than he devoured the whole, -including the head and feet The eggs were nine in number, which Sammons -took with him; but on opening one, he found a little half-made duckling, -already alive. Against such food his stomach revolted, and he was obliged -to throw the eggs away.</p> - -<p>On the tenth day he came to a small lake. His feet ware now in such a -horrible state, that he could scarcely crawl along. Finding a mitigation -of pain by bathing them in water, he plunged his feet into the lake, and -lay down upon its margin. For a time it seemed as though he could never -rise upon his feet again. Worn down by hunger and fatigue—bruised in -body and wounded in spirit—in a lone wilderness, with no eye to pity, -and no human arm to protect—he felt as though he must remain in that -spot until it should please God in his goodness to quench the dim spark -of life that remained. Still, he was comforted in some measure by the -thought that he was in the hands of a Being without whose knowledge not -a sparrow fells to the ground.</p> - -<p>Refreshed, at length, though to a trifling degree, he resumed his weary -way, when, on raising his right leg over the trunk of a fallen tree, he -was bitten in the calf by a rattlesnake! Quick as a flash, with his -pocket-knife, he made an incision in his leg, removing the wounded flesh -to a greater depth than the fangs of the serpent had penetrated. His next -business was to kill the venomous reptile, and dress it for eating; thus -appropriating the enemy that had sought to take his life, to its -prolongation. His first meal was made from the heart and fat of the -serpent. Feeling somewhat strengthened by the repast, and finding, -moreover, that he could not travel farther in his present condition, he -determined to remain where he was for a few days, and by repose, and -feeding upon the body of the snake, recruit his strength. Discovering, -also, a dry fungus upon the trunk of a maple tree, he succeeded in -striking a fire, by which his comforts were essentially increased. Still -he was obliged to creep upon his hands and knees to gather fuel, and on -the third day he was yet in such a state of exhaustion as to be utterly -unable to proceed. Supposing that death was inevitable and very near, he -crawled to the foot of a tree, upon the bark of which he commenced -inscribing his name—in the expectation that he should leave his bones -there, and in the hope, that, in some way, by the aid of the inscription, -his family might ultimately be apprised of his fate. While engaged in -this sad work, a cloud of painful thoughts crowded upon his mind; the -tears involuntarily stole down his cheeks, and before he had completed -the melancholy task, he fell asleep.</p> - -<p>On the fourth day of his residence at this place, he began to gain -strength, and as a part of the serpent yet remained, he determined upon -another effort to resume his journey. But he could not do so without -devising some substitute for shoes. For this purpose he cut up his hat -and waistcoat, binding them upon his feet—and thus he hobbled along. On -the following night, while lying in the woods, he became strongly -impressed with a belief that he was not far distant from a human -habitation. He had seen no indications of proximity to the abode of man; -but he was, nevertheless, so confident of the fact, that he wept for joy. -Buoyed up and strengthened by this impression, he resumed his journey on -the following morning; and in the afternoon, it being the 28th of June, -he reached a house in the town of Pittsford, in the New Hampshire -Grants—now forming the State of Vermont. He remained there for several -days, both to recruit his health, and, if possible, to gain intelligence -of his brother. But no tidings came; and as he knew Frederick to be a -capital woodsman, he of course concluded that sickness, death, or -re-capture, must have interrupted his journey. Procuring a conveyance at -Pittsford, Jacob traveled to Albany, and thence to Schenectady, where he -had the happiness of finding his wife and family. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons. He died about the year 1810.</p> - - -<p>Not less interesting, nor marked by fewer vicissitudes, were the -adventures of Frederick Sammons. The flight from the fort at Chamblee was -made just before sunset, which accounts for the chase having been -abandoned so soon. On entering the edge of the woods, Frederick -encountered a party of Indians returning to the fort from fatigue duty. -Perceiving that he was a fugitive, they fired, and called out—"We have -got him!" In this opinion, however, they were mistaken; for, although he -had run close upon before perceiving them, yet, being like Asahel of old -swift of foot, by turning a short corner and increasing his speed, in ten -minutes he was entirely clear of the party. He then sat down to rest, the -blood gushing from his nose in consequence of the extent to which his -physical powers had been taxed. At the time appointed he also had -repaired to the point which, at his separation from Jacob, had been -agreed upon as the place of meeting. The moon shone brightly, and he -called loud and often for his brother—so loud, indeed, that the guard -was turned out in consequence. His anxiety was very great for his -brother's safety; but, in ignorance of <i>his</i> situation, he was obliged to -attend to his own. He determined, however, to approach the fort—as near -to it, at least, as he could venture—and in the event of meeting any one, -disguise his own character by inquiring whether the rebels had been taken. -But a flash from the sentinel's musket, the report, and the noise of a -second pursuit, compelled him to change the direction of his march, and -proceed again with all possible speed. It had been determined by the -brothers to cross the Sorel, and return on the east side of the river and -lake; but there was a misunderstanding between them as to the point of -crossing the river—whether above or below the fort. Hence their failure -of meeting. Frederick repaired to what he supposed to be the designated -place of crossing, below the fort, where he lingered for his brother until -near morning. At length, having found a boat, he crossed over to the -eastern shore, and landed just at the cock-crowing. He proceeded directly -to the barn where he supposed chanticleer had raised his voice, but found -not a fowl on the premises. The sheep looked too poor by the dim twilight -to serve his purpose of food, but a bullock presenting a more favorable -appearance, Frederick succeeded in cutting the unsuspecting animal's -throat, and severing one of the hind-quarters from the carcase, he -shouldered and marched off with it directly into the forest. Having -proceeded to a safe and convenient distance, he stopped to dress his beef, -cutting off what he supposed would be sufficient for the journey, and -forming a knapsack from the skin, by the aid of bark peeled from the -moose-wood.</p> - -<p>Resuming his journey, he arrived at the house of a French family within -the distance of five or six miles. Here he made bold to enter, for the -purpose of procuring bread and salt, and in the hope also of obtaining a -gun and ammunition. But he could neither obtain provisions, nor make the -people understand a word he uttered. He found means, however, to prepare -some tinder, with which he re-entered the woods, and hastened forward in -a southern direction, until be ascertained, by the firing of the evening -guns, that he had passed St. John's. Halting for the night, he struck a -light; and having kindled a fire, occupied himself until morning in -drying and smoking his beef, cutting it into slices for that purpose. His -knapsack of raw hide was cured by the same process. Thus prepared, he -proceeded onward without interruption or adventure until the third day, -when he killed a fawn and secured the venison. He crossed the Winooski, -or Onion river, on the next day; and having discovered a man's name carved -upon a tree, together with the distance from the lake, (Champlain) eight -miles, he bent his course for its shores, where he found a canoe with -paddles. There was now a prospect of lessening the fatigue of his journey; -but his canoe had scarce begun to dance upon the waters ere it parted -asunder, and he was compelled to hasten ashore and continue his march by -land.</p> - -<p>At the close of the seventh day, and when, as he supposed, he was within -two days' travel of a settlement, he kindled his fire, and lay down to -rest in fine health and spirits. But ere the dawn of day, he awoke with -racking pains, which proved to be an attack of pleurisy. A drenching rain -came on, continuing three days; during which time he lay helpless, in -dreadful agony, without fire, or shelter, or sustenance of any kind. On -the fourth day, his pain having abated, he attempted to eat a morsel, but -his provisions had become too offensive to be swallowed. His thirst being -intense, he fortunately discovered a pond of water near by, to which he -crawled. It was a stagnant pool, swarming with frogs—another providential -circumstance, inasmuch as the latter served him for food. Too weak, -however to strike a light, he was compelled to devour them raw, and -without dressing of any kind. Unable to proceed, he lay in this wretched -condition fourteen days. Supposing that he should die there, he succeeded -in hanging his hat upon a pole, with a few papers, in order that, if -discovered, his fate might be known. He was lying upon a high bluff, in -full view of the lake, and at no great distance therefrom. The hat, thus -elevated, served as a signal, which saved his life. A vessel sailing past, -descried the hat, and sent a boat ashore to ascertain the cause. The -boatmen discovered the body of a man, yet living, but senseless and -speechless, and transferred him to the vessel. By the aid of medical -attendance he was slowly restored to his reason, and having informed the -Captain who he was, had the rather uncomfortable satisfaction of learning -that he was on board of an enemy's ship, and at that moment lying at -Crown Point. Here he remained sixteen days, in the course of which time -he had the gratification to hear, from a party of Tories coming from the -settlements, that his brother Jacob had arrived safe at Schenectady and -joined his family. He was also apprised of Jacob's sufferings, and of the -bite of the serpent, which took place near Otter Creek, close by the -place where he had himself been so long sick. The brothers were therefore -near together at the time of the greatest peril and endurance of both.</p> - -<p>Frederick's recovery was very slow. Before he was able to walk, he was -taken to St John's, and thence, partly on a wheelbarrow and partly in a -calash, carried back to his old quarters at Chamblee—experiencing much -rough usage by the way. On arriving at the fortress, the guards saluted -him by the title of "Captain Lightfoot," and there was great joy at his -re-capture. It was now about the 1st of August. As soon as his health was -sufficiently recovered to bear it, he was heavily ironed, and kept in -close confinement at that place, until October, 1781—fourteen months, -without once beholding the light of the sun. Between St. Johns and -Chamblee he had been met by a British officer with whom he was acquainted, -and by whom he was informed that severe treatment would be his portion. -Compassionating his situation, however, the officer slipped a guinea and -a couple of dollars into his hands, and they moved on.</p> - -<p>No other prisoners were in irons at Chamblee, and all but Sammons were -taken upon the parade ground twice a week for the benefit of fresh air. -The irons were so heavy and so tight, as to wear into the flesh of his -legs; and so incensed was Captain Steele, the officer of the 32d regiment, -yet commanding the garrison at Chamblee, at the escape of his prisoner, -that he would not allow the surgeon to remove the irons to dress the -wounds, of which they were the cause, until a peremptory order was -procured for that purpose from General St. Leger, who was then at St. -John's. The humanity of the surgeon prompted this application of his own -accord. Even then, however, Steele would only allow the leg-bolts to be -knocked off—still keeping on the hand-cuffs. The dressing of his legs -was a severe operation. The iron had eaten to the bone, and the gangrened -flesh was of course to be removed. One of the legs ultimately healed up, -but the other has never been entirely well to this day. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] April, 1837—fifty six years ago! Frederick Sammons is yet living, - and otherwise well; and was chosen one of the electors of President and - Vice-President of the United States in November 1836.</p> - - -<p>In the month of November, 1781, the prisoners were transferred from -Chamblee to an island in the St. Lawrence, called at that time Prison -Island—situated in the rapids some distance above Montreal. Sammons was -compelled to travel in his hand-cuffs, but the other prisoners were not -thus encumbered. There were about two hundred prisoners on the island, all -of whom were very closely guarded. In the Spring of 1782, Sammons -organised a conspiracy with nine of his fellow prisoners, to make their -escape, by seizing a provision boat, and had well-nigh effected their -object. Being discovered, however, their purpose was defeated, and -Sammons, as the ringleader, once more placed in irons. But at the end of -five weeks the irons were removed, and he was allowed to return to his -hut.</p> - -<p>Impatient of such protracted captivity, Frederick was still bent on -escaping, for which purpose he induced a fellow-prisoner, by the name of -M<sup>c</sup>Mullen, to join him in the daring exploit of seeking an opportunity to -plunge into the river, and taking their chance of swimming to the shore. -A favorable moment for attempting the bold adventure was afforded on the -17th of August. The prisoners having, to the number of fifty, been allowed -to walk to the foot of the island, but around the whole of which a chain -of sentinels was extended, Sammons and M<sup>c</sup>Mullen, without having conferred -with any one else, watching an opportunity when the nearest sentinel -turned his back upon them, quietly glided down beneath a shelving rock, -and plunged into the stream—each holding up and waving a hand in token of -farewell to their fellow-prisoners, as the surge swept them rapidly down -the stream. The sentinel was distant about six rods when they threw -themselves into the river, and did not discover their escape until they -were beyond the reach of any molestation he could offer them. -Three-quarters of a mile below the island, the rapids were such as to -heave the river into swells too large for boats to encounter. This was a -frightful part of their voyage. Both, however, were expert swimmers, and -by diving as they approached each successive surge, both succeeded in -making the perilous passage—the distance of this rapid being about one -hundred and fifty rods. As they plunged successively into these rapids, -they had little expectation of meeting each other again in this world. -But a protecting Providence ordered it otherwise, and they emerged from -the frightful billows quite near together. "I am glad to see you," said -Sammons to his friend; "I feared we should not meet again." "We have had -a merry ride of it," replied the other; "but we could not have stood it -much longer."</p> - -<p>The adventurous fellows attempted to land about two miles below the -island, but the current was so violent as to baffle their purpose, and -they were driven two miles farther, where they happily succeeded in -reaching the land, at a place on the north side of the St. Lawrence, -called by the Canadians "The Devil's Point." A cluster of houses stood -near the river, into some of which it was necessary the fugitives should -go to procure provisions. They had preserved each a knife and tinder-box -in their waistcoat pockets, and one of the first objects, after arming -themselves with substantial clubs, was to procure a supply of tinder. -This was effected by boldly entering a house and rummaging an old lady's -work-basket The good woman, frightened at the appearance of the visitors, -ran out and alarmed the village—the inhabitants of which were French. -In the meantime they searched the house for provisions, fire-arms, and -ammunition, but found none of the latter, and only a single loaf of bread. -They also plundered the house of a blanket, blanket-coat, and a few other -articles of clothing. By this time the people began to collect in such -numbers, that a precipitate, retreat was deemed advisable. M<sup>c</sup>Mullen, -being seized by two Canadians, was only released from their grasp by the -well-directed blows of Frederick's club. They both then commenced running -for the woods, when Sammons, encumbered with his luggage, unluckily fell, -and the loaf rolled away from him. The peasants now rushed upon them, and -their only course was to give battle, which they prepared to do in -earnest; whereupon, seeing their resolution, the pursuers retreated almost -as rapidly as they had advanced. This demonstration gave the fugitives -time to collect and arrange their plunder, and commence their travels -anew. Taking to the woods, they found a resting-place, where they halted -until night-fall. They then sallied forth once more in search of -provisions, with which it was necessary to provide themselves before -crossing to the south side of the river, where, at that day, there were -no settlements. The cattle fled at their approach; but they at length -came upon a calf in a farm-yard, which they captured, and appropriating -to their own use and behoof a canoe moored in the river, they embarked -with their prize, to cross over to the southern shore. But alas! when in -the middle of the stream their paddle broke, and they were in a measure -left to the mercy of the flood, which was hurrying them onward, as they -very well knew, toward the rapids or falls of the Cedars. There was an -island above the rapids, from the brink of which a tree had fallen into -the river. Fortunately the canoe was swept by the current into the -branches of this tree-top, among which it became entangled. While -struggling in this predicament, the canoe was upset. Being near shore, -however, the navigators got to land without losing the calf. Striking a -fire, they now dressed their veal, and on the following morning, by -towing their canoe along shore round to the south edge of the island, -succeeded in crossing to their own side of the river. They then plunged -directly into the unbroken forest, extending from the St. Lawrence to the -Sacondaga, and after a journey of twelve days of excessive hardship, -emerged from the woods within six miles of the point for which, without -chart or compass, Sammons had laid his course. Their provisions lasted -but a few days, and their only subsequent food consisted of roots and -herbs. The whole journey was made almost in a state of nudity—both being -destitute of pantaloons. Having worn out their hats upon their feet, the -last three days they were compelled to travel bare-footed. Long before -their journey was ended, therefore, their feet wore dreadfully lacerated -and swollen. On arriving at Schenectady the inhabitants were alarmed at -their wild and savage appearance—half naked, with lengthened beards and -matted hair. The people at length gathered round them with strange -curiosity; but when they made themselves known, a lady named Ellis rushed -through the crowd to grasp the hand of Frederick, and was so much -affected at his altered appearance that she fainted and fell. The welcome -fugitives were forthwith supplied with whatever of food and raiment was -necessary; and young Sammons learned that his father and family had -removed back to Marbletown, in the county of Ulster, whence he had -previously emigrated to Johnstown.</p> - -<p>A singular but well-attested occurrence closes this interesting personal -narrative. The family of the elder Sammons had long given up Frederick as -lost. On the morning after his arrival at Schenectady, he despatched a -letter to his father, by the hand of an officer on his way to -Philadelphia, who left it at the house of a Mr. Levi De Witt, five miles -distant from the residence of the old gentleman. The same night on which -the letter was thus left, Jacob dreamed that his brother Frederick was -living, and that there was a letter from him at De Witt's announcing the -joyful tidings. The dream was repeated twice, and the contents of the -letter were so strongly impressed upon his mind, that he repeated what he -believed was the very language, on the ensuing morning—insisting that -such a letter was at the place mentioned. The family, his father in -particular, laughed at him for his credulity. Strong, however, in the -belief that there was such a communication, he repaired to the place -designated, and asked for the letter. Mr. De Witt looked for it, but -replied there was none. Jacob requested a more thorough search, and -behold the letter was found behind a barrel, where it had fallen. Jacob -then requested Mr. De Witt to open the letter, and examine while he -recited its contents. He did so, and the dreamer repeated it word for -word! [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The facts contained in this account of the captivity of Frederick - Sammons, nave been drawn from the narrative written by himself - immediately after his return. In regard to the dream, which I have - thought of sufficient interest to record in the text, Major Thomas - Sammons, who was at home at the time, has repeatedly assured me of the - fact, in conversations; and Mr. De Witt, when living, always confirmed - the circumstances related as occurring at his house. Jacob Sammons - himself says at the conclusion—"I write this to satisfy that class of - people who say there is nothing revealed by dreams."—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>Returning from these digressions, the chain of historical events to be -recorded will be resumed in their order. Sir John Johnson having made good -his retreat, as heretofore described, no other transaction of consequence -occurred in the Mohawk Valley until the 2d of August, when the dreaded -Thayendanegea was again among the settlements on the river. Colonel -Gansevoort had been directed by General Clinton, on the 6th of June, to -repair to Fort Plank, with his regiment, to take charge of a quantity of -stores destined to Fort Schuyler. In his instructions to that officer, -General Clinton referred to the alarming situation of the Mohawk country, -and enjoined the most vigilant watchfulness against surprise. The -stores were of course to be transported in batteaux, carefully guarded -the whole distance. Aware of the movement of these stores, Brant had -caused the valley to be filled with rumors of his intention to capture -them, and even to take Fort Schuyler itself. In order to prevent either -occurrence, the militia of the county were sent forward to strengthen the -convoy, and repair to the defence of the Fort. Having thus diverted the -public attention, and caused the militia to be drawn from the lower -section of the valley, the wily Mohawk passed round in their rear, and -on the day above mentioned, made a sudden descent upon Canajoharie and -its adjacent settlements. [FN-1] There were several small stockades among -the different neighborhoods invaded, but the principal work of defence, -then called Fort Plank, and subsequently Fort Plain, was situated upon an -elevated plain overlooking the valley, near the site of the village yet -retaining the latter name of the fortress. [FN-2] A small garrison had -been left in this fort, but not of sufficient strength to warrant a field -engagement with the forces of Brant, while the latter, being unprovided -with artillery, had no design of assaulting the fort.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Annals of Tryon County.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] For a drawing of Fort Plank, or Fort Plain, and a more particular - description, see Appendix, No. I. To a modern engineer, its form must - present a singular spectacle as a military structure. The drawing has - been preserved, as a specimen of the forts and block-houses of that - frontier during the war of the Revolution.</p> - - -<p>On the first approach of Brant in Canajoharie, a few miles eastwardly of -the fort, the alarm was given by a woman, who fired a cannon for that -purpose. But as the able-bodied men were absent, as already stated, the -chief met with no immediate opposition, and before the militia could be -rallied from Schenectady and Albany, he had ample time to effect the -object of the enterprise. The settlements on the south side of the river, -for several miles, were entirely laid waste. All the movable property that -could be taken off was secured as plunder; but no outrages were committed -upon the defenceless women and children, other than carrying them into -captivity—a circumstance that has been attributed to the absence of the -Tories in this expedition, and also to the fact that there was no divided -command—Brant being himself the sole leader. Be that as it may, the -Mohawk chief is entitled to the benefit of this instance of humanity, in -forming a final judgment of his character.</p> - -<p>But the strength of the main fort did not deter the chief from leading -his warriors directly into its vicinity, where the church, distant about -a quarter of a mile, and the parsonage, together with several other -buildings, were burnt. Sixteen of the inhabitants were killed, between -fifty and sixty persons, mostly women and children, were taken prisoners, -fifty-three dwelling-houses, and as many barns were burnt, together with -a gristmill, two small forts, and a handsome church. Upward of three -hundred black cattle and horses were killed or driven away, the arms of -the people, their working-tools and implements of husbandry destroyed, -and the growing crops swept from the fields. [FN-1] Indeed, the fairest -district of the valley was in a single day rendered a scene of wailing -and desolation; and the ravages enacted in the Indian country by General -Sullivan the preceding year, were in part most unexpectedly re-enacted by -the Indian chieftain himself in the heart of the country of his -invaders. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. letter of Colonel Clyde to Governor George Clinton.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] A detachment from this expedition was sent by Brant, at the same - time, against the settlement on the Norman's Kill, in the very - neighborhood of Albany, when they succeeded in burning twenty - houses.—<i>Macauly.</i></p> - - -<p>The first admonition of the invasion in the neighborhood of Johnstown, -fifteen miles from Canajoharie, was by the ascending columns of smoke -from the burning buildings. The people were employed harvesting in the -fields, but they turned out immediately, and joining Colonel Wemple, who -advanced from below with the Schenectady and Albany militia, proceeded to -the scene of conflagration. But their movements were not sufficiently -expeditious to arrest the destroyer or to intercept his retreat. Indeed, -it is intimated, by good authority, that although the Colonel's forces -were superior to those of Brant, the former was, nevertheless, by no -means anxious to arrive in the immediate vicinity of the Indians too -soon. [FN-1] The Colonel lodged his men that night in the fort. The next -morning, while the troops, regular and irregular, were on parade, some -buildings were discovered on fire at a distance, which had escaped the -flames the day before. The attention of Colonel Wemple being directed to -the fact, he remarked, that if any volunteers were disposed to go in -pursuit, they might Major Bantlin, with a few of the Tryon County militia, -who had arrived that morning, immediately turned out. "We hastened to the -place as soon as we could. The enemy discovered us and ran off. It was a -small party sent out by Brant We pursued them, but they reached their -main body before we came up. We succeeded, however, in rescuing a little -girl, whom they had taken and painted." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Major Thomas Sammons, who was in the wheat-field when the smoke - was seen, and who immediately repaired to the scene of action.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MSS. of Major Sammons.</p> - - -<p>The forts destroyed by Brant at Canajoharie, were built by the people -themselves, but had not yet been garrisoned. The inhabitants had -complained bitterly that they were thus compelled to leave their own -firesides unprotected, to assist the Government in re-opening the -communication with Fort Schuyler. But being assured that their town could -be in no danger, they submitted to the order, and their militia marched -to the upper section of the valley. The result was deplorable enough; -while the success of his stratagem added another plume to the crest of -"the Great Captain of the Six Nations." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] According to the British account of this irruption, as published in - New-York on the 6th of September, Sir John Johnson was in the expedition - with Captain Brant. But this could hardly have been the fact, and all - other authorities be silent upon the subject. The same account claimed - that in the Canajoharie settlements 67 houses and 48 barns were burnt; - 17 persons killed, and 53 taken prisoners. At the same time, it was - stated that in one of the Schoharie settlements 87 houses were burnt; - 7 persons killed; and 31 taken prisoners. At Norman's Kill, 30 houses - burnt. Total, 140 houses and barns burnt; 84 people killed; and 73 made - prisoners.—<i>Almon's Remembrancer, Part II.</i>—1780.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chiv">CHAPTER IV.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">General progress of the War—Design against New-York—Glance at the - Southern Campaigns—Treason of Arnold—Execution of Andre—Indian - deputation to Count de Rochambeau, in Rhode Island—Invasion of the - Schoharie-kill and the Mohawk Valleys, by Sir John Johnson, Brant, and - the Corn-Planter—Surprise of the upper fort—The middle fort - invested—Conduct of Murphy in firing upon a flag—Singular prosecution - of the siege—Murphy's contumacy—The flags fired upon thrice—Sir John - proceeds to the lower fort—After a brief halt, advances again to the - Mohawk, destroying every thing in his way—Murder of the - inhabitants—The Vroomans—Heroism of a woman—Sir John arrives at Fort - Hunter—Ravages the Mohawk Valley—Battle of Stone Arabia and death of - Colonel Brown—His character—Remarkable anecdote of General Arnold—Sir - John proceeds to Klock's Field—Is pursued by Van Rensselaer, though - with unaccountable delay—Battle of Klock's Field—Flight of the - Indians—Strange retreat of Van Rensselaer—Affairs of the night—Secret - flight of the Greens and Rangers—The pursuit—General Van Rensselaer - prematurely relinquishes it—Capture of Captain Vrooman and his - company, by Brant, in the neighborhood of Oneida—Touching incident at - Fort Hunter—Singular story respecting the Corn-Planter—Major - Carleton's expedition against Forts Anne and George—Correspondence on - the subject of prisoners—Affairs at Niagara—Seating in of Winter.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The active</span> operations of the war, during the open months of the present -year, with the exception of the successive invasions of the Mohawk Valley -by Sir John Johnson and Captain Brant at the head of the loyalists and -Indians, were chiefly confined to the Southern states. True, indeed, in -anticipation of the arrival of another French fleet, with an army under -the Count de Rochambeau, for the land service, an attack had been -meditated by the Commander-in-chief upon New-York, and various preliminary -measures were adopted for that object. But, in order to cover the real -design, an attempt was made, after the return of the Marquis de Lafayette -from France, in the Spring, to divert the attention of the British -Commander by inducing a belief that Canada was again to be invaded by a -combined movement of the Americans and their allies. For this purpose, -proclamations, addressed to the Canadian people, were prepared, one of -which was written in French, and signed by Lafayette. These proclamations -were printed with great secrecy, but at the same time for the express -purpose of allowing copies of them to fall into the hands of the enemy, -to mislead Sir Henry Clinton. The printing was confided by Washington to -General Arnold; and as the stratagem was unsuccessful, subsequent events -induced a belief that the treasonable practices of that officer had then -already commenced. The letter from Washington to Arnold, respecting the -printing of those proclamations, was dated June 4th. It was afterward -satisfactorily ascertained, that "for several months previously Arnold -had endeavored to recommend himself to the enemy, by sending intelligence -concerning the movements and plans of the American army." [FN] Various -untoward circumstances concurred in frustrating the design of the -intended combined movement upon New-York. In the first place, although -Congress had made large promises to France, of efficient co-operation, in -the event of assistance from that quarter, yet the backwardness of many -of the States in furnishing their respective quotas of men, and the -continued deficiency of supplies, were serious discouragements to the -Commander-in-chief, and he almost began to despair of the undertaking -before the arrival of his allies. In the second place, the fleet of the -Chevalier Ternay, with the army of the Count de Rochambeau, did not -arrive so early by several weeks as was intended. In the third place, Sir -Henry Clinton having returned to New-York from the south, instead of -entering the harbor of New-York direct, the French admiral was -constrained to put into the harbor of Rhode Island, where the army was -landed; and before dispositions could be made for a combined movement -thence upon New-York, the British Admiral Graves arrived off Rhode Island -with a superior force, so that the Chevalier Ternay was blockaded. The -result of all these occurrences was a relinquishment, for the time, of the -enterprise against New-York; and the French and American armies were -doomed to comparative inactivity at the north the whole season.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, vol. vii. Vide - several letters from Washington to Lafayette, Arnold, and others, during - the month of May, 1780.</p> - - -<p>Not so, however, at the south. After the fall of Charleston, in the -Spring, the British troops, under those able and active officers, -Cornwallis, Tarleton, Lord Rawdon, and others, almost entirely over-ran -the Southern States. Tarleton's first achievement was the cutting up of -Colonel Buford, with about four hundred men, at the Waxhaws. In South -Carolina all ideas of farther resistance seemed to be abandoned, until -Sumpter returned, and revived their spirits by proving at Williamson's -plantation that the invaders were not invincible. But in July, after -General Gates had assumed the command in the Southern Department, to which -the brave Baron De Kalb had opened the way, the severe disaster at Camden, -where the militia ran away, as usual, at the beginning of the battle, -rendered all again gloomy as before. [FN] The Baron De Kalb fell in this -action, covered with wounds. Close upon the heels of this defeat, followed -the surprise and all but annihilation of Sumpter's forces, by Tarleton, at -the Wateree. But the splendid affair at King's Mountain, on the 7th of -October, in which Ferguson, with a body of twelve or fifteen hundred -loyalists, and about one hundred British regulars, was defeated and taken -by Campbell, Shelby, and Cleaveland, at the head of the hardy mountaineers -of Virginia and North Carolina, with the re-appearance of Sumpter in the -field at the head of a body of volunteers—defeating Major Wemys at Broad -River, on the 12th of November, and repulsing Tarleton himself at -Black-stocks near the Tiger river, on the 20th,—contributed not a little -to revive the spirits of the Americans in that quarter. At the north, the -only considerable movement by the enemy was the expedition of the Hessian -General Knyphausen into New Jersey, during which he burnt thirteen houses -and the church at Connecticut Farms, and fifty houses at Springfield. -Fighting a battle at that place without achieving a victory, he returned -to Elizabethtown, and thence back to New-York.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] From the time of his leaving the command at Providence in the - beginning of the preceding winter, General Gates had been residing at - his own home in Virginia. He was unanimously appointed by Congress, on - the 13th of June, to take command in the southern department.—<i>Sparks.</i></p> - - -<p>But the great event of the Summer at the north, was the capture of the -British Adjutant General, Major André, in the character of a spy, and the -consequent detection of the treason of General Arnold. The annals of war -furnish not a more flagrant instance of treachery than that Arnold was a -brave man, who had shared largely in the confidence of Washington during -the earlier years of the war; and although events had subsequently -occurred which must seriously have shaken the faith of the -Commander-in-chief in his private virtue and integrity, still he could -not have entertained the slightest suspicion of his patriotism, or his -integrity to the country; ignorant, probably, of the fact which will -appear a few pages ahead, that even that <i>had</i> been questioned, during the -Canadian campaign of 1776. But, aside from Arnold's thirst for military -fame, which certainly cannot be denied to him, his ruling passion was -avarice. During his residence in Philadelphia, with the command of which -he was invested after its evacuation by the British troops in 1778, he -had lived in a style of splendor altogether beyond his means. Embarking -largely in privateering and other speculations, he had suffered heavy -losses; and to supply an exchequer which had been exhausted by an almost -boundless prodigality, he had resorted to acts of oppression and base -dishonor. Another device to obtain the means of indulging his -extravagance, was the exhibition of accounts against the public, so -enormous as to demand an investigation by a Board of Commissioners. Many -of these accounts being disallowed by the Commissioners, Arnold appealed -to Congress. A committee of re-examination was appointed; the report of -which was, that the Board of Commissioners had already allowed too much. -He was shortly afterward brought to answer for his peculations, and other -malpractices, before a General Court-martial; and he only escaped being -cashiered, by the death of one witness and the unaccountable absence of -another. Still, his conduct was pronounced highly reprehensible by the -Court, for which he was subjected to a reprimand from the -Commander-in-chief. The impression, however, was strong, and very general, -that he ought to have been dismissed from the army. Stung to the quick at -these censures of the Congress, the Court, and of his commander—hating -that commander now, if he had not done so before, fur the high-souled -honor of his sentiments, and the exalted virtue and moral purity of his -life—hating him the more bitterly because of his own fall—and stimulated -to the foul purpose, like the Thane of Cawdor, by his wife, who was a -traitress before him [FN-1]—Arnold had almost consummated his -long-meditated treachery, [FN-2] when the arrest of the unfortunate André -saved not only the citadel of the army, but probably the cause of the -country itself.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] It is well known that, on the detection of Arnold's treason and - his flight, Mrs. Arnold was apparently deeply affected—tearing her hair, - and seeming almost frantic. So great was her agony, that the feelings of - Washington, Hamilton, and other officers, were greatly excited in her - behalf. The author has long been aware, through the confidential friends - of the late Colonel Burr, that Mrs. Arnold was only <i>acting a part</i> when - she exhibited her distress. She was the daughter of Chief Justice - Shippen, of Pennsylvania, and had been married to Arnold at Philadelphia - in 1779. She had corresponded with Major André, during the Summer, under - a pretext of obtaining supplies of millinery, &c. Her habits were - extravagant, and had doubtless contributed to involve her husband more - deeply in pecuniary difficulties. Having obtained from General Washington - a passport, and permission to join her husband in New-York, Mrs. Arnold - stopped on the way At the house of Mrs. Provost, at Paramus, the lady of - a British officer, and afterward the wife of Colonel Burr, where she - stayed one night. Here the frantic scenes of West Point were re-enacted - while there were strangers present; but as soon as they were alone, she - became Tranquilized, and assured Mrs. Provost that she was heartily sick - of the theatrics she was playing. She stated that she had corresponded - with the British commander—that she was disgusted with the American - cause, and those who had the management of it; and that, through great - precaution and unceasing perseverance, she had ultimately brought the - General into the arrangement to surrender West Point to the British, - &c., &c. For farther particulars upon the subject, see Davis's Life of - Burr, pp. 219, 220. In his letter in her behalf to General Washington, - Arnold of course entirely exculpated his wife. The public vengeance, he - said, "ought alone to fall on me. She is as good and as innocent as an - angel, and is incapable of doing wrong."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Eighteen months before the consummation of his treason, General - Arnold commenced writing to Sir Henry Clinton anonymously, and from time - to time communicated to him important intelligence.—<i>Sparks.</i></p> - - -<p>With a seeming desire of active service, Arnold had urged forward his -trial, that, as he protested, he might be enabled the earlier to take the -field. But in pursuance, no doubt, of his understanding with Sir Henry -Clinton, his great anxiety was to obtain the command of West Point. With -this view he wrote to General Schuyler, who was then in camp, as one of -a Committee of Congress; and it is supposed that he likewise corresponded -with Robert R. Livingston upon the subject. At all events, Mr. Livingston -applied to General Washington for that station in behalf of Arnold. The -application was successful, though not immediately. On the first of -August Arnold was assigned to the command of the left wing of the army. -Complaining, however, that his wounds were yet too painful to allow him -to act with efficiency in the field, on the 3d of the same month he was -directed to repair to West Point, and take the command of the post. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Washington to General Arnold, August 3,1790. See, also, - note of Sparks to the same, and other antecedent letters.</p> - - -<p>It would be foreign to the main design of the present work, to -recapitulate the history of this memorable instance of the blackest -treachery. Suffice it to say, that, after his arrest, the conduct of -André was characterised by candor, manliness, and honor. He was tried by -a board of officers, and convicted on his own frank confessions, without -the testimony of a single witness. His main object, after he saw his -destiny was inevitable, was to relieve himself from the reproach of -having been guilty of any act of personal dishonor; and to show that in -fact he had bean compelled to assume the disguise in which he was taken, -by Arnold himself. And when he had expiated his error by his life, the -feeling was almost universal, that the iron hand of the law-martial had -fallen upon the wrong individual. For, although, in regard to Andre -himself it was doubtless right, under the circumstances of the case, that -justice should be inexorable; yet humanity cannot but weep over the hard -fate of the victim, while it marvels that an inscrutable Providence did -not so order events as to bring Arnold to the gibbet on which the -youthful stranger so nobly died. "Never, perhaps, did a man suffer death -with more justice, or deserve it less," was the remark of a gallant -soldier who was in attendance upon him during his imprisonment; and the -account of his character, written by that officer, and his demeanor -during the trying scenes intervening between his arrest and execution, -cannot be read without exciting emotions of high admiration and profound -regret. [FN] Happy, however, was his fate, compared with that of the -arch-traitor, whose moral leprosy, like the plague-spot, caused him to be -shunned through life by all honorable men—an object of loathing and -scorn, to fill—unregretted by anyone—a dishonorable grave!</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The document referred to is a letter published in the Pennsylvania - Gazette of October 25th, 1790, written, as was supposed, by Alexander - Hamilton, at that time an Aid-de-camp to the Commander-in-chief. There - is, either in the library or the picture gallery of Yale College, - New-Haven, a likeness of Major André, sketched upon paper, by himself, - but a short time before his execution.</p> - - -<p>Resuming, again, the Indian relations of the North, the first occurrence -to be noted is a visit made by several of the Oneida, Tuscarora, and -Caughnawaga Indians to the French army in Rhode Island. The Caughnawaga -Indians, residing at the Lachine rapids near Montreal, had been altogether -in the interest of France down to the time of the conquest of Canada by -the British and Provincial arms; and it was supposed that the ancient -attachment of other branches of the Six Nations to the French had not -been entirely lost. It was also recollected, that "when M. de Vaudreuil -surrendered Canada to the English, he gave to the Indians, as tokens of -recognizance, a golden crucifix and a watch; and it was supposed that a -renewal of the impressions, which had been in some degree preserved among -them by these emblems of friendship, might have the effect to detach -them from the influence of the English, and strengthen their union with -the Americans and French." [FN-1] That the British officers were -apprehensive that an influence adverse to the cause of the King might be -awakened among the Indians by the alliance of the French with the -Americans, was rendered highly probable, from the pains taken by the -former to impress them with a belief that no such alliance had been -formed. [FN-2] Hence it was judged expedient by General Schuyler, who was -then at Albany, that a delegation of the Indians should be sent to Rhode -Island, where conviction of the fact might be wrought upon their senses -by the substantial evidence of the fleet and army. [FN-3] Thirteen Oneidas -and Tuscaroras, and five Caughnawagas, were accordingly despatched to -Rhode Island, under the conduct of Mr. Deane the Interpreter. They -arrived at Newport on the 29th of August, and were received with -distinguished marks of attention by the French commanders. "Entertainments -and military shows were prepared for them, and they expressed much -satisfaction at what they saw and heard. Suitable presents were -distributed among them; and to the chiefs were given medals representing -the coronation of the French King. When they went away, a written address -was delivered to them, or rather a kind of proclamation, signed by Count -Rochambeau, copies of which were to be distributed among the friendly -Indians." It was in the following words:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] sparks.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter from Washington to Count de Rochambeau.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Idem.</p> - - -<p>"The King of France, your father, has not forgotten his children. As a -token of remembrance, I have presented gifts to your deputies in his name. -He learned with concern, that many nations, deceived by the English, who -were his enemies, had attacked and lifted up the hatchet against his good -and faithful allies, the United States. He has desired me to tell you, -that he is a firm and faithful friend to all the friends of America, and -a decided enemy to all its foes. He hopes that all his children, whom he -loves sincerely, will take part with their father in this war against the -English."</p> - -<p>The Caughnawagas being more conversant with the French than, with the -English language, the address was written in both languages, and signed -and sealed in due form. [FN] It is doubtful, however, whether either good -or ill came from the movement. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were already -sufficiently true in their alliance with the Americans. The Caughnawagas -had made friendly advances to the Americans before, which resulted in -nothing. And as for the other and greater divisions of the Six Nations, -their hostility, it will soon be perceived, was not abated.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Note in the Life and Correspondence of Washington by Sparks, and - also a letter from the Count de Rochambeau, cited by him.</p> - - -<p>But even yet the desire of vengeance, on the part of the savages, had not -been satisfied. Smarting from the devastations of Sullivan's expedition, -neither the irruption of Sir John Johnson to Johnstown and Caughnawaga, -nor the invasion and destruction of Canajoharie by Thayendanegea, was -deemed by them a sufficient retaliatory visitation. Another and yet more -extensive expedition, both as to the numbers to be engaged, and the -object to be accomplished, was therefore planned and carried into -execution, under the auspices of Sir John Johnson, Joseph Brant, and the -famous Seneca warrior, the <i>Corn-Planter.</i> [FN-1] This latter chief was a -half-breed, his father being a white man, living in the Mohawk country, -named John O'Bail. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] This is the first time that the name of this chief, afterward - celebrated in our Indian annals, occurs in the history of the revolution, - although he was in the field with his tribe against General Sullivan. - There is some doubt as to the orthography of his parental name. It has - been written Abeel, O'Beal, and O'Bail. The latter is the name according - to Mary Jemison. He was, for a considerable period, the rival of the - eloquent Keeper-Awake, Red Jacket, by whom his influence was ultimately - destroyed and himself supplanted.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Mary Jemison.</p> - - -<p>The Indian portion of this expedition was chiefly collected at Tioga -Point, whence they ascended the Susquehanna to Unadilla, where a junction -was formed with Sir John Johnson, whose forces consisted, besides Mohawks, -of three companies of his own regiment of Greens; one company of German -Yagers; a detachment of two hundred men from Butler's rangers; [FN-1] and -one company of British regulars, under the immediate command of Captain -Richard Duncan, the son of an opulent gentleman residing, previous to the -war, in the neighborhood of Schenectady. [FN-2] The troops of Sir John -were collected at Lachine, near Montreal, whence they ascended the St. -Lawrence to Lake Ontario and Oswego. From this point they crossed the -country to the Susquehanna, where they were joined by the Indians and -Tories from Tioga. Sir John had with him two small mortars, and a brass -three-pounder, called a grasshopper, from the circumstance of its being -mounted upon iron legs instead of wheels. These pieces of ordnance were -transported through the woods upon pack-horses. Every soldier, and every -Indian, was provided with eighty rounds of cartridges. [FN-3]</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MSS. of Major Thomas Sammons.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Giles F. Yates, Esq.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Major Sammons.</p> - - -<p>The Indians never breathed more fiercely for vengeance than at this time, -and they went forth upon the war-path with a determination that nothing -should impede their march or prevent their depredations. [FN] Their -numbers have been variously estimated at from eight hundred to fifteen -hundred and fifty—all descriptions of troops included. The latter -estimate is probably the nearest to the truth, judging from the results -of the campaign.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Mary Jemison, who seems to have been present at the gathering.</p> - - -<p>Their course was by their old route, along the Charlotte river, -(sometimes called the eastern branch of the Susquehanna,) to its source, -and thence across to the head of the Schoharie-kill, for the purpose of -making thorough work in the destruction of the continuous chain of -settlements through that beautiful valley to its junction with the Mohawk. -The enemy had designed to keep the movement a profound secret, until -proclaimed by his actual presence. Two of the Oneidas, in their service, -having deserted, frustrated that design by giving information of their -approach to the settlements. [FN] Whether from weariness of continual -alarms, or from ignorance or doubt as to the quarter where the blow was -to be struck, or from criminal negligence, cannot be told; but it is -certain that the surprise was as complete as the success of the campaign -was discreditable to those who did not prevent it.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of General Haldimand to Lord George Germaine.</p> - - -<p>The plan of Sir John and Captain Brant was to enter the valley by night, -pass, if possible, the upper fort unobserved, and then, by silently -destroying the intervening settlements, attack the middle fort, at -Middleburgh, early in the morning. This fort was garrisoned by about one -hundred and fifty state troops, called three months men, exclusive of -some fifty militia-men—the whole under the command of Major Woolsey, -[FN-1] who, from all accounts, appears to have been an inefficient -officer, and by some writers has been represented as the most miserable -of poltroons. [FN-2] The design of passing the upper fort unperceived, -was in part successful; nor was the enemy's approach to the middle -fortress discovered until just at break of day, on the morning of the -16th of October, when a sentinel, named Philip Graft, standing upon the -parapet of a mud wall, discovered a fire kindling in some buildings not -more than a quarter of a mile distant. Calling to the sergeant of the -guard, he communicated the discovery through him to the commanding -officer. The drums at once beat to arms, and Major Woolsey requested -forty volunteers to sally forth and discover the cause of the alarm. -Every man on duty promptly responded to the invitation, and the -complement was thereupon counted off from the right, and sent out in -charge of Lieutenant Spencer. The little band proceeded with alacrity in -the direction of the burning buildings, until they suddenly encountered -the enemy's advance. Three shots were exchanged, when Spencer retreated, -and brought his detachment back into the fort without the loss of a -man. [FN-3] At this moment the concerted signal of three guns from the -upper fort came rolling down the gorge of the mountains, from which it -was evident that the enemy had passed that fortress without molesting it. -A proper degree of vigilance, however, ought certainly to have enabled -the sentinels of that garrison to observe the advance of the invading -army, instead of merely catching a glimpse of its rear. The moment the -enemy had thus been discovered, front and rear, concealment of his -approach being no longer possible, the torch was indiscriminately applied -to such houses and barns as came in his way. The season had been -bountiful, the rich alluvial bottoms of the Schoharie-kill producing an -unusually abundant harvest that year. The barns were therefore well -stored with the earlier grains, while the fields were yet heavily -burdened with the autumnal crops. But the husbandmen in the neighborhood, -or those lodging for greater security in the little apology for a -fortress, looked abroad at sunrise to behold the produce of their -industry in flames.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. statement of Philip Graft, in the author's possession.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "Woolsey's presence of mind forsook him in the hour of danger. He - concealed himself at first with the women and children in the house, and - when driven out by the ridicule of his new associates, he crawled round - the intrenchments on his hands and knees, amid the jeers and bravos of - the militia, who felt their courage revive as their laughter was excited - by the cowardice of their major."—<i>Campbell's Annals.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] MS. statement of Philip Graft.</p> - - -<p>Soon after sunrise the main forces of the enemy had arrived, and the fort -was completely invested. A column of troops, with the pieces of light -artillery heretofore mentioned, passed round the north-east side of the -fort, and planted their guns upon an eminence commanding the American -works. An officer with a flag was now despatched toward the garrison, and -from the moment he was seen, an order was given to cease firing. All was -silent until he had approached to within the distance of fair rifle shot, -when the reader's old acquaintance, Murphy, recently of Morgan's rifle -corps, but now making war on his own responsibility, expressed a -determination to shoot down the officer by whom the flag was borne. He -was instantly ordered by the officers of the regular troops to forbear. -But the militia irregulars encouraged him to persist in his mutinous -determination. He did so; but for once his rifle was untrue, and the -flag-officer immediately faced about and retired to his own ranks.</p> - -<p>Sir John thereupon opened his artillery upon the fort, while the Indians -and rangers kept up a brisk fire of musketry—both without much effect. -The enemy's field-pieces were probably of too small caliber for the -distance, and the shells were thrown with so little skill, for the most -part, as either to fall short, or fly over the works, or to explode in -the air. Two shells, however, fell upon the roof of the house within the -fort, one of which was precipitated down into a room occupied by two sick -women. It sank into a feather bed, and exploded—but without inflicting -farther injury. Fire was communicated to the roof of the building by the -other shell, and was extinguished with a single pail of water carried up -and applied by Philip Graft. Unfortunately the garrison was unable to -return the fire with spirit, for the want of powder. The regular troops -had only a few rounds each, and the militia were but little better -provided in that respect. Messengers had been despatched to Albany on the -preceding day for ammunition, and also far reinforcements; but neither had -yet been received, so that the fort was but ill prepared for protracted -or efficient resistance. But of this destitution the enemy was of course -ignorant; and the shooting at his flag-officer may have been, and probably -was, construed by Sir John as evidence of a determination to make no -terms. Expecting a desperate resistance, therefore, the Baronet may, from -that circumstance, have proceeded with the greater caution.</p> - -<p>It was indeed a singular siege. The enemy, spreading over the whole of -the little plain, were now occupied in feeble attacks upon the fort, and -now dispersing in small detachments, to plunder another farm-house and -burn another corn-stack. There was one large barn, situated near the fort, -and around which stood a circle of stacks of wheat. These the enemy -attempted several times to fire, but Lieut. Spencer sallied forth with -his little band of forty, and so gallantly protected the property, that -the enemy reluctantly abandoned his design upon that point. Spencer was -fired upon briskly in this sortie, but lost only one of his men.</p> - -<p>In the course of the forenoon, another flag was despatched toward the -fort by Sir John, which Murphy again determined to shoot down the moment -the officer came within range of his trusty rifle. Major Woolsey and the -officers interposed, but the militia again rallied round Murphy; and -although one of the officers drew his sword, and threatened to run the -offender through if he persisted, yet the rifleman coolly replied that he -had no confidence in the commanding officer, who he believed intended to -surrender the fort; that, if taken, he knew well what his own fate would -be, and he would not be taken alive. As the flag approached, therefore, -he fired again, but happily without effect; and the flag officer once -more returned to the head-quarters of Sir John. [FN-1] When the officers -of the regular troops remonstrated against such a barbarous violation of -the usages of honorable war, the militia soldiers replied that they were -dealing with a foe who paid no regard to such usages; and, however -strictly they might observe the rules of war and of etiquette themselves, -the besiegers would be the last men to exhibit a corresponding course of -conduct in the event of their success. The wailings of plundered and -murdered families without the fort, and the columns of smoke and flame -then ascending to the heavens, afforded ample testimony of the truth of -their position. "The savages, and their companions, the Tories, still -more savage than they, had shown no respect to age, sex, or condition; -and it was not without force that the question was repeated, are we bound -to exercise a forbearance totally unreciprocated by the enemy? Besides," -it was added, "let us show that we will neither take nor give quarters; -and the enemy, discovering our desperation, will most likely withdraw." -[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Statement of Philip Graft.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The Sexagenary.</p> - - -<p>The desultory battle was again renewed—small parties of the garrison -occasionally watching opportunities to sally forth and do what mischief -they could to the enemy, retreating within the gates again when likely to -be borne down by superior numbers. Sir John, perceiving at length that -neither shot nor shells made any impression upon the garrison, formed his -disciplined troops under shelter of a small building more immediately in -the neighborhood of the fort, and prepared for an attempt to carry it by -assault. A flag again approached, and Murphy, brought up his rifle to -fire upon it the third time. He was admonished, as before, to desist, and -an effort was made to arrest him. But he was a universal favorite, and -the soldiers would not allow the procedure. A white flag was then ordered -to be raised from the fort, but Murphy threatened instant death to any -one who obeyed the direction; and as the enemy's flag continued to -approach, he was again preparing his piece, when an officer once more -interposed. Captain Reghtmeyer, of the militia, standing by the side of -Murphy, gave him the order to fire. The continental officer made a -demonstration toward Reghtmeyer, by attempting to draw his sword; but -immediately desisted as the latter clubbed his fusee, and gave an -impressive motion with its breech, of an import not to be misunderstood; -whereupon the Major stepped back, and there the matter ended. [FN-1] The -officer bearing the flag, having been thus a third time repulsed, Sir -John convened a council of war, and after a brief consultation, abandoned -the siege, and proceeded on his Vandal march down the valley. The reason -of this hasty change of purpose has never been known. Some have asserted -that a pretended loyalist gave the Baronet an exaggerated account of the -strength of the garrison and its means of resistance. [FN-2] Others have -said that rumors of approaching reinforcements induced him to hasten -forward, lest his projected march of desolation should be interrupted. -But it is likely that the repeated violations of the flag had created an -impression that such an indomitable garrison might not prudently be -engaged steel to steel and hand to hand, by assailants not to be relied -upon with much confidence in such emergencies.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] {illegible word—Idem.?}</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Campbell.</p> - - -<p>The march of the invaders was rapid in the direction of Fort Hunter, at -the confluence of the Schoharie-kill with the Mohawk river, in the course -of which they destroyed the buildings and produce of every agricultural -description. [FN-1] On arriving in the vicinity of the Lower Fort at Old -Schoharie, Sir John divided his forces—the regulars continuing down on -the bank of the creek to the left of the fort, while the Indians skirted -the meadows half a mile distant on the right. Having thus gained the -north side of the fort, they made a stand for a brief space of time, and -a few shots were interchanged. Some sharp-shooters having been stationed -in the tower of the church, the enemy brought one of their field-pieces -to bear upon it. A single shot only struck, which lodged in the cornice, -and a discharge of grape from the fort drove the invaders back, [FN-2] -whereupon their march was resumed and continued to Fort Hunter; at which -place they arrived in the night without interruption. In their course the -whole valley was laid in ruins. The houses and barns were burnt, the -horses and cattle killed or taken; and those of the inhabitants who were -not safely within the walls of their little fortifications, were either -killed or carried into captivity. Not a building, known by the Indians -and Tories to belong to a Whig, was saved. Sir John had ordered his forces -to spare the church at the upper Fort, but his mandate was disobeyed, and -the structure was laid in ashes. The houses of the loyalists were passed -unmolested; but, exasperated by the destruction of their own habitations, -the Whigs soon caused these to be numbered in the common lot. [FN-3] Thus -was the whole Valley of the Schoharie-kill made desolate.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The destruction of grain was so great as to threaten the most - alarming consequences, in respect to the forming of magazines for the - public service at the North. But for that event, the settlement of - Schoharie, alone, would have delivered eighty thousand bushels of - grain.—<i>Letter of Washington to the President of Congress, Nov.</i> 7, - 1780.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Campbell's Annals.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The Indians spared one house, from the consideration that it had - formerly been occupied at one of their treaties.</p> - - -<p>The loss of the Americans at the forts was very trifling. Only two were -killed, and one wounded, at the middle Fort, and none at the lower. But -of the unprotected inhabitants, numbers—according to some accounts, one -hundred—were killed. There were some individual occurrences during the -day, moreover, which are worthy of being specially noted. It happened -early in the morning, that John Vrooman and two of his neighbors were upon -a scout in the woods, about eight miles from the fort, when they -discovered an Indian. Vrooman fired, and the Indian fell. At the same -instant another Indian was discovered through the bushes, who was also -brought down by one of Vrooman's companions. A third savage was now seen; -but as Vrooman's third companion hesitated about firing, Vrooman himself -snatched his rifle from him, and brought that warrior also to the ground. -At the same instant—for it was all the work of a moment—up rose from -the ground a group of Indians and Tories, who set upon them with a -terrible yell. Vrooman and his companions fled in different directions at -the top of their speed, and succeeded, by reason of their wind and bottom, -and their zigzag flights, in making their escape. It was noon when the -former reached his own home,—only to behold his house in flames. His wife -and her mother were made captives by an Indian named Seth Hendrick, who -had formerly resided in Schoharie; but they were released and sent back -on the following day, by Captain Brant, together with a letter, written -upon birch bark, explaining his reasons for allowing their return. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Sexagenary. The Vroomans were an extensive family in the - Schoharie settlements, and were severe sufferers. In the last preceding - chapter but one, the boastings of Becraft, who bad murdered one entire - family of that name, have been noted. During the present expedition, the - following persons, among others, were murdered, viz:—Tunis Vrooman, his - wife and son; while at the same time Ephraim Vrooman and his two sons, - Bartholomew and James, John Vrooman, Martin Vrooman, Bartholomew Vrooman, - Jun., Simon Vrooman, his wife and his son Jacob, were taken prisoners and - carried to Canada.—<i>Giles F. Yates.</i></p> - - -<p>One of the farmers, on that day, while engaged with his boys in unloading -a wagon of grain at the barn, hearing a shriek, looked about, and saw a -party of Indians and Tories between himself and the house. "The enemy, my -boys!" said the father, and sprang from the wagon, but in attempting to -leap the fence, a rifle ball brought him dead upon the spot. The shriek -had proceeded from his wife, who, in coming from the garden, had -discovered the savages, and screamed to give the alarm. She was struck -down by a tomahawk. Her little son, five years old, who had been playing -about the wagon, ran up to his mother, in an agony of grief, as she lay -weltering in blood, and was knocked on the head, and left dead by the -side of his parent The two other boys were carried away into Canada, and -did not return until after the war. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Sexagenary. "Ephraim Vrooman himself was carried away by Seth - Hendrick, who treated him with much kindness by the way. There were two - or three other Indians in the immediate party with Seth. These, before - they arrived at their place of destination, grew tired of their prisoner, - and proposed to despatch him. Mr. Vrooman overheard the conversation, - which was conducted in a whisper, and repeated it to Hendrick. Hendrick - assured him, in the most positive manner, that 'not a hair of his head - should be touched' and gave his companions a severe reprimand for their - ungenerous conspiracy. After the termination of the revolutionary - contest, Hendrick paid Mr. Vrooman a visit, and apologised for his - conduct during the war, in the strong metaphorical language of his - nation. The tomahawk, said he, is used only in war; in time of peace it - is buried—it cuts down the sturdy oak as well as the tender vine; but I - (laying his hand on Mr. V's shoulder,) I saved the oak."—<i>Giles F. - Yates.</i></p> - - -<p>The family of Ephraim Vrooman was also particularly unfortunate. He was -at work in the field when he first discovered a straggling party of the -enemy approaching. He started at full speed for his house, in order to -obtain his arms, and sell his life as dearly as possible. But in climbing -a fence he was seized, and taken prisoner. His wife, in endeavoring to -escape by flight, was shot dead before his eyes. As she fell, her little -daughter, aged eleven years, ran up, and cast herself down by the side of -her dying parent, as clinging to her for protection, when an Indian came -up, and added to the agony of the father and the crimes of the day, by -crushing her head with a stone. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Sexagenary.</p> - - -<p>There was an aged man in the middle Fort, who performed a bold exploit. -He was the owner of a mill about two miles distant, at which his son had -passed the night. Knowing that some one or more of the enemy's plundering -parties would assuredly visit the mill, at the instant Lieutenant -Spencer's party encountered Sir John's advance guard in the morning, the -old man sallied out and hastened to the rescue of his son. Mounting each -a horse to return to the fort, they found it already invested by the -enemy on their arrival. Nothing daunted, however, they passed within a -hundred yards of the enemy at full speed, dashed up to the rear of the -Fort, and were received in safety. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p>[FN] The Sexagenary.</p> - - -<p>There was another incident transpiring at the fort, which stands in happy -contrast with the conduct of the commanding major. The females within the -fortress are said to have displayed a degree of heroism worthy of -commendation and of all praise. Being well provided with arms, they were -determined to use them in case of an attempt to carry the works by storm. -One of them, an interesting young woman, whose name yet lives in story -among her own mountains, perceiving, as she thought, symptoms of fear in -a soldier who had been ordered to a well without the works, and within -range of the enemy's fire, for water, snatched the bucket from his hands, -and ran forth for it herself. Without changing color, or giving the -slightest evidence of fear, she drew and brought bucket after bucket to -the thirsty soldiers, and providentially escaped without injury. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Sir John remained in the neighborhood of Fort Hunter on the 17th, -continuing the work of destruction in every possible direction. On the -evening of that day Captain Duncan crossed the river with three companies -of the Greens and some Indians. On the morning of the 18th, all that had -been left standing of Caughnawaga at the time of the irruption of Sir -John in the preceding Spring, and all that had been rebuilt, was -ruthlessly destroyed by fire. A simultaneous and most desolating march up -the river was then commenced by Sir John and the main body of his forces -on the south side of the river, and by Captain Duncan's division on the -north. As at Schoharie, the march of both was one of entire devastation. -Rapine and plunder were the order of the day, and both shores of the -Mohawk were lighted up by the conflagration of every thing combustible; -while the panic-stricken inhabitants only escaped slaughter or captivity -by flight—they knew not whither. [FN-1] Conspicuous among the sufferers -was Major Jelles Fonda, a faithful and confidential officer under the -father of Sir John; but who, having turned his back upon the royal cause, -was singled out as a special and signal mark of vengeance. His mansion at -"The Nose," in the town of Palatine, was destroyed, together with property -to the amount of sixty thousand dollars. The Major was himself absent. -[FN-2] His wife escaped under the curtain of a thick fog, and made her -way on foot, twenty-six miles, to Schenectady. [FN-3] Sir John encamped -with his forces on the night of the 18th nearly opposite, or rather above -the Nose. On the following morning, he crossed the river to the north -side, at Keder's Rifts. The greater part of the motley army continued its -progress directly up the river, laying waste the country as before. A -detachment of one hundred and fifty men was, however, dispatched from -Keder's Rifts against the small stockade called Fort Paris, in Stone -Arabia, some two or three miles back from the river, north of Palatine. -But, after marching about two miles, the main body also wheeled off to -the right, to assist in attacking the fort. The work of devastation was -continued also in this direction, as at other places.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MSS. of Major Thomas Sammons.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] In the State Senate, the legislature being then in Session at - Poughkeepsie.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Antiquarian Researches, by Giles F. Yates.</p> - - -<p>The small fort just mentioned was at this time in command of Colonel -Brown, with a garrison of one hundred and thirty men. An unfortunate -occurrence induced him to leave his defences, and resulted in his -discomfiture and fall. The circumstances were these:—the moment tidings -that Sir John had broken into the settlements of the Schoharie reached -Albany, General Robert Van Rensselaer, of Claverack, at the head of the -Claverack, Albany, and Schenectady militia, pushed on by forced marches -to encounter him, accompanied by Governor Clinton. Having arrived at -Caughnawaga on the 18th, and having likewise ascertained that Fort Paris -was to be assaulted on the morning of the 19th, Van Rensselaer dispatched -orders to Colonel Brown to march out and check the advance of the enemy, -while at the same time he would be ready to fall upon his rear. Brown, -faithful to the hour designated, sallied forth, and gave Sir John battle -near the site of a former work, called Fort Keyser. But General Van -Rensselaer's advance had been impeded, so that no diversion was created -in Brown's favor; and his forces were too feeble to withstand the enemy, -or even to check his progress. Colonel Brown fell gallantly at the head of -his little division, of which from forty to forty-five were also slain. -The remainder of his troops sought safety in flight.</p> - -<p>Colonel Brown, who fell on this occasion, was a soldier of great courage -and high moral worth. He was early in the service, and was engaged in the -memorable and ultimately disastrous campaign in Canada. While the -American army was at Sorel, he detected, or believed he detected, a -design on the part of General Arnold then to play the traitor. Arnold was -about making a mysterious night movement of the flotilla of light vessels -belonging to the Americans, then with the army in the St. Lawrence, which -Colonel Easton, suspecting all was not right, prevented—but not until he -had ordered two or three pieces of ordnance to bear upon the vessels, -threatening to fire upon them if they proceeded. The conviction upon the -minds of Easton and Brown was, that it was the purpose of Arnold to run -off with the flotilla, and sell out to Sir Guy Carleton.</p> - -<p>After the close of the Canadian campaign, during the winter of 1776-77, -while Arnold and many of the officers were quartered in Albany, some -difficulty occurred between Brown and the former, which resulted in -ill-feeling between them. Arnold was at the head of a mess of sixteen or -eighteen officers, among whom was Colonel Morgan Lewis. Colonel Brown, -having weak eyes, and being obliged to live abstemiously, occupied -quarters affording greater retirement. In consequence of the -misunderstanding referred to, Colonel Brown published a hand-bill, -attacking Arnold with great severity; rehearsing the suspicious -circumstances that had occurred at Sorel; and upbraiding him for sacking -the city of Montreal while he was in the occupancy of that place. The -handbill concluded with these remarkable words:—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Money is this man's God, -and to get enough of it, he would sacrifice his country."</span></p> - -<p>Such a publication could not but produce a great sensation among the -officers. It was received at Arnold's quarters while the mess were at -dinner, and read aloud at the table—the accused himself sitting at the -head. Arnold, of course, was greatly excited, and applied a variety of -epithets, coarse and harsh, to Colonel Brown, pronouncing him a scoundrel, -and declaring that he would kick him wheresoever and whensoever he should -meet him. One of the officers present remarked to the General, that -Colonel Brown was his friend; and that, as the remarks just applied to -him had been so publicly made, he presumed there could be no objection to -his repeating them to that officer. Arnold replied, certainly not; adding, -that he should feel himself obliged to any officer who would inform -Colonel Brown of what had been said. The officer replied that he should -do so before he slept.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances no time was lost in making the communication to -Colonel Brown. Colonel Lewis himself called upon Brown in the course of -the evening, and the matter was the principal topic of conversation. The -Colonel was a mild and amiable man, and he made no remark of particular -harshness or bitterness, in respect to Arnold; but, toward the close of -the interview, he observed—"Well, Lewis, I wish you would invite me to -dine with your mess tomorrow." "With all my heart," was the reply; "will -you come?" Brown said he would, and they parted. The next day, near the -time of serving dinner, Colonel Brown arrived, and was ushered in. The -table was spread in a long room, at one end of which the door opened -directly opposite to the fireplace at the other. Arnold was at the moment -standing with his back to the fire, so that, as Brown opened the door, -they at once encountered each other face to face. It was a moment of -breathless interest for the result. Brown walked calmly in, and turning -to avoid the table, passed round with a deliberate step, and advancing up -close to Arnold, stopped, and looked him directly in the eye. After the -pause of a moment, he observed: <span style="font-variant:small-caps">"I understand, Sir, that you have said -that you would kick me; I now present myself to give you an opportunity -to put your threat into execution!"</span> Another brief pause ensued. Arnold -opened not his lips. Brown then said to him—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Sir, you are a dirty -scoundrel."</span> Arnold was still silent as the sphinx. Whereupon Brown turned -upon his heel with dignity, apologised to the gentlemen present for his -intrusion, and immediately left the room.</p> - -<p>This was certainly an extraordinary scene, and more extraordinary still -is the fact, that the particulars have never been communicated in any way -to the public. Arnold certainly did not lack personal bravery; and the -unbroken silence preserved by him on the occasion, can only be accounted -for upon the supposition that he feared to provoke inquiry upon the -subject, while at the same time he could throw himself upon his -well-attested courage and his rank, as excuses for not stooping to a -controversy with a subordinate officer. But it must still be considered -as one of the most extraordinary personal interviews to be found among -the memorabilia of military men. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The particulars of this interesting story were derived by the - author from the lips of General Lewis himself.</p> - - -<p>In the year following, during the campaign of Burgoyne, owing to the -intrigues of Arnold, Brown was left without any command. But he was too -much of a patriot to remain idle in such a moment of his country's peril. -He raised a corps of volunteers on his own account, and performed one of -the most daring exploits of the whole war. While Burgoyne was yet in the -full career of victory, Brown dashed into his rear, and proceeding down -to the north end of Lake George, fell upon a small post, which he carried -without opposition. The surprise was complete. He also took possession of -Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, the landing-place, and about two hundred -batteaux. With the loss of only three killed and five wounded, Colonel -Brown liberated one hundred American prisoners, and captured two hundred -and ninety-three of the enemy. He made an attempt on Mount Independence -and Ticonderoga; but, too weak for the investment of those works, he -returned through Lake George to Diamond Island, containing the enemy's -<i>depot</i> of provisions. He attacked the works upon this island, but being -repulsed, burnt the vessels he had captured, and returned to his former -station. This brilliant affair by Colonel Brown took place at the time -when Arnold had the ear of General Gates; and the consequence was, that -in giving an account of the expedition, Gates carefully avoided even -naming the gallant officer who had planned and achieved it. It was an -instance of neglect for which that officer ought forever to have been -ashamed. Colonel Brown was a gentleman of education, bred to the bar, and -greatly respected by those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. -But to return.</p> - -<p>After the fall of Colonel Brown, and the defeat of his troops, Sir John -dispersed his forces in small bands, to the distance of five or six miles -in all directions, to pillage and destroy. Late in the afternoon he -reunited his troops, and leaving Stone Arabia a desert, marched back to -the river road, east of Caroga Creek. The detachment of Captain Duncan -having come up, Sir John again moved toward the west. There was a small -defence not far from the mouth of the creek, called Fox's Fort. Avoiding -this work by diverging from the road to the margin of the river on the -left, Sir John continued his course three miles farther, to a place -called Klock's Field, where, from the fatigue of his troops, and the -over-burthens of provisions and plunder with which they were laden, it -became necessary to halt.</p> - -<p>General Van Rensselaer was now close in pursuit of Sir John, with a strong -force. Indeed, he ought to have overtaken him in the early part of the -day, since he had encamped the night before on the south side of the -river, at Van Eps's, nearly opposite Caughnawaga, while Sir John himself -was encamped opposite the Nose, only two or three miles farther up the -river. Sir John's troops, moreover, were exhausted by forced marches, -active service, and heavy knapsacks, while those of Van Rensselaer were -fresh in the field. On the morning of the same day, while continuing his -march on the south side of the river, Van Rensselaer was joined by Captain -M<sup>c</sup>Kean, with some eighty volunteers, together with a strong body of Oneida -warriors, led by their principal chief, Louis Atayataronghta, who, as -stated in a former chapter, had been commissioned a lieutenant colonel by -Congress. With these additions, the command of General Van Rensselaer -numbered about fifteen hundred—a force in every way superior to that of -the enemy.</p> - -<p>Sir John had stationed a guard of forty men at the ford, to dispute its -passage. On approaching this point, General Van Rensselaer halted, and -did not again advance until the guard, of the enemy had been withdrawn. -Continuing his march still upon the South side of the river, while the -enemy was actively engaged in the work of death and destruction on the -North, Van Rensselaer arrived opposite the battle-ground where Brown had -fallen, before the firing had ceased, and while the savage war-whoop was -yet resounding. This was at 11 o'clock in the morning, and the Americans, -came to a halt, about three miles below Caroga Creek, still on the south -side. While there, some of the fugitives from Colonel Brown's regiment -came running down, and jumping into the river, forded it without -difficulty. As they came to the south bank, the General inquired whence -they came. One of them, a militia officer named Van Allen, replied that -they had escaped from Brown's battle. "How has it gone?" "Colonel Brown -is killed, with many of his men. Are you not going there?" "I am not -acquainted with the fording place," said the General. He was answered -that there was no difficulty in the case. The General then inquired of -Van Allen if he would return as a pilot, and the reply was promptly in -the affirmative. Hereupon Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean and the Oneida chief led their -respective commands through the river to the north side, expecting the -main army immediately to follow. At this moment Colonel Dubois, of the -State levies, rode up to the General, who immediately mounted his horse, -and instead of crossing the river, accompanied the Colonel to Fort Plain, -some distance above, to dinner as it was understood. Meantime the baggage -wagons were driven into the river, to serve in part as a bridge for the -main body of Van Rensselaer's forces, and they commenced crossing the -stream in single files. The passage in this way was not effected until -four o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the General returned and -joined them, just as the last man had crossed over. Governor Clinton -remained at the fort. As the General arrived at the water's edge, Colonel -Louis, as the Oneida chieftain was called, shook his sword at him, and -denounced him as a Tory. Arrived on the north side, Colonel William -Harper took the liberty of remonstrating with the General at what he -conceived to be a great and unnecessary delay, attended with a needless -loss of life and property, on the part of the inhabitants who had been -suffered thus long to remain unprotected. From that moment Van -Rensselaer moved with due expedition. The troops were set in motion, and -marched in regular order, in three divisions, with the exception of the -Oneida warriors and the volunteers under M<sup>c</sup>Kean, who regulated their own -movements as they pleased—showing no disposition, however, to lag behind. -The advance was led by Colonel Morgan Lewis.</p> - -<p>Anticipating that he should be compelled to receive an attack, Sir John -had made his dispositions accordingly. His regular troops, Butler's -rangers, and the Tories less regularly organized, were posted on a small -alluvial plain, partly encompassed by a sweeping bend of the river. A -slight breast-work had been hastily thrown across the neck of the little -peninsula thus formed, for the protection of his troops, and the Indians, -under Thayendanegea, were secreted among the thick shrub oaks covering the -table-land of a few feet elevation, yet farther north. A detachment of -German Yagers supported the Indians. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These Yagers were a sort of rifle corps—using short rifles.</p> - - -<p>It was near the close of the day when Van Rensselaer arrived, and the -battle was immediately commenced in the open field. Two of the advancing -divisions of State troops, forming the left, were directed against the -regular forces of Sir John on the flats, commencing their firing from a -great distance with small arms only—the field-pieces not having been -taken across the river. Colonel Dubois commanded the extreme right, which -was so far extended that he had no enemies to encounter. Next to him were -M<sup>c</sup>Kean's volunteers and the Oneida Indians, whose duty it was to attack -Thayendanegea's Indians and the Yagers. These were supported by a small -corps of infantry, commanded by Colonel Morgan Lewis. The American left -was commanded by Colonel Cuyler of Albany. Sir John's right was formed of -a company of regular troops. His own regiment of Greens composed the -centre, its left resting upon the ambuscaded Indians. The latter first -sounded the war-whoop, which was promptly answered by the Oneidas. Both -parties eagerly rushed forward, and the attack, for the instant, was -mutually impetuous. Dubois, though too far extended, brought his regiment -speedily to the support of M<sup>c</sup>Kean's volunteers, who were following up the -attack of the Oneidas. The hostile Indians manifested a disposition to -stand for a few moments; but Dubois had no sooner charged closely upon -them, than they fled with precipitation to the fording place near the -upper Indian Castle, about two miles above—crossing the road in their -flight, and throwing themselves in the rear of the Greens as a cover. The -Mohawk chief was wounded in the heel, but not so badly as to prevent his -escape.</p> - -<p>The enemy's regular troops and rangers, however, fought with spirit, -although Sir John himself was reported by some to have fled with the -Indians. [FN] On the flight of the Indians, Major Van Benschoten, of -Dubois's regiment, hastened to the General for permission to pursue the -flying enemy. It was just twilight; and the indications were not to be -mistaken, that the best portion of the enemy's forces were in confusion, -and on the point of being conquered. The disappointment was therefore -great, when, instead of allowing a pursuit of the Indians, or charging -upon the feeble breast-work on the flats, and thus finishing the battle, -General Van Rensselaer ordered his forces to retire for the night. His -object was to obtain a better position for a bivouac, and to renew and -complete the battle in the morning—for which purpose he fell back nearly -three miles, to Fox's Fort. His troops were not only disappointed, but -highly incensed at this order, believing that the contest might have been -victoriously ended in a very few minutes. Indeed, the brave Colonel Louis, -of the Oneidas, together with Colonel Clyde and Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean, refused -to retreat, but sheltered themselves in the adjacent buildings—hanging -upon the enemy's lines several hours, and making some prisoners. In the -course of the evening Clyde, with a handful of Schoharie militia, -succeeded in capturing one of the enemy's field-pieces. The Americans were -still more chagrined on learning from one of the prisoners that the troops -of Sir John were on the point of capitulating at the very moment of Van -Rensselaer's order to retreat. And from the fact that the river was alike -too rapid and too deep, where it curved round the battle-field, to admit -of an escape in that direction, no doubt can be entertained that the -enemy had been entirely within their power. But it was now too late. The -golden opportunity had been lost. On the morrow's dawn there was no enemy -in the field to encounter. Under cover of darkness the Royal Greens and -Butler's Rangers had followed the example of the Indians, and made good -their escape.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Major Thomas Sammons, from whose manuscripts the author has chiefly - drawn the facts of this portion of the narrative—i. e. after the arrival - of Gen. Van Rensselaer at Van Eps's—is positive in his declarations, - that the British Commander was among the first to flee. Other accounts - speak differently. Major Sammons was in the battle, among the volunteers - of M<sup>c</sup>Kean.</p> - - -<p>Louis with his warriors, and M<sup>c</sup>Kean with his volunteers, crossed the river -early in the morning, in pursuit. General Von Rensselaer also arrived on -the battle-ground between 8 and 9 o'clock, for the purpose of completing -the work of the preceding day. While he was crossing the river and -preparing to follow on, some of M<sup>c</sup>Kean's volunteers, who were waiting for -the main army, in strolling about, came upon a little block-house, in -which they found nine of the enemy who had been made prisoners during the -night; One of the party making the discovery was Thomas Sammons, and among -the prisoners was a Tory who had been his near neighbor in Johnstown. On -being asked how they came there, this man, whose name was Peter Cass, -replied—"Why, I am ashamed to tell. Last night, after the battle, we -crossed the river. It was dark. We heard the word, 'lay u down your arms.' -Some of us did so. We were taken, nine of us, and marched into this little -fort by seven militia-men. We formed the rear of three hundred of -Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through and over one -another. I thought General Van Rensselaer's whole army was upon us. Why -did you not take us prisoners yesterday, after Sir John ran off with the -Indians and left us? We wanted to surrender."</p> - -<p>When Sir John fled from the field with the Indians and Yagers, he -doubtless supposed all was lost. He laid his course direct for the -Onondaga lake, where his boats had been concealed, pursuing the main road, -and making only a slight deviation to the south of the German Flats, to -avoid the forts at that place. His Greens and Rangers followed closely -upon his heels, and overtook him at Oneida. Van Rensselaer pressed forward -in pursuit, with all his forces, as far as Fort Herkimer, where he was -overtaken by Governor Clinton, who did not, however, interfere with the -command. Louis and M<sup>c</sup>Kean were now pushed forward in advance, with orders -to overtake the fugitive army if possible, and engage them—Van Rensselaer -promising to continue his march with all possible rapidity, and be at -hand to support them in the event of an engagement. On the next morning -the advance struck the trail of Sir John, and took one of his Indians -prisoner. Halting for a short time, Colonel Dubois came up, and urged them -forward, repeating the assurances of the General's near approach and sure -support. The march of the advance was then resumed, but they had not -proceeded far before they came upon the enemy's deserted encampment—the -fires yet burning. The Oneida chief now shook his head, and refused to -proceed another step until General Van Rensselaer should make his -appearance. There was accordingly a halt for some time, during which a -Doctor Allen arrived from the main army, informing the officers that the -pursuit had already been abandoned by the General, who was four miles -distant on his return-march!</p> - -<p>The expedition was of course at an end. But fortune had yet another favor -in store for Sir John Johnson—to be won without the bloodshed that had -attended his desolating course through the Mohawk Valley. Having -ascertained where Sir John's boats were concealed, General Van Rensselaer -had despatched an express to Fort Schuyler, ordering Captain Vrooman, with -a strong detachment, to hasten forward in advance of the enemy, and -destroy them. Vrooman lost no time in attempting the execution of his -orders; but one of his men falling sick, or feigning himself to be so, at -Oneida, was left behind. Sir John soon afterward came up; and being -informed by the treacherous invalid of Vrooman's movement, Brant and his -Indians, with a detachment of Butler's rangers, were hastened forward in -pursuit They came suddenly upon Vrooman and his troops while they were -engaged at dinner, and every man was captured without firing a gun. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Major Sammons; also statement of John More, yet living, who was one - of Sir John's soldiers. According to the official returns of Sir John - Johnson, this affair of the capture of Captain Vrooman and his - detachment took place on the 23d of October, at a place called - Canaghsioraga. Two captains and one lieutenant were taken, together with - eight non-commissioned officers and forty-five privates. Three privates - and one lieutenant were killed.</p> - - -<p>The last obstacle to his escape having thus been removed, Sir John reached -Oswego without farther molestation. By this third and most formidable -irruption into the Mohawk country during the season, Sir John had -completed its entire destruction above Schenectady—the principal -settlement above the Little Falls having been sacked and burnt two years -before. General Van Rensselaer has always been censured for his conduct -in this expedition. Indeed his behavior was most extraordinary throughout. -On the night before the battle of Klock's Field, Sir John was not more -than six miles in advance—having left Van Eps's just before dark, where -Van Rensselaer arrived and encamped early in the evening; and it was -obvious to all that no extraordinary share of energy was required to -bring the enemy to an engagement, even before the encounter with Colonel -Brown. Major Sammons, at the close of his account of the expedition, -remarks with emphasis—"When my father's buildings were burnt, and my -brothers taken prisoners, the pain I felt was not as great as at the -conduct of General Robert Van Rensselaer." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "With regard to the battle on Klock's Farm, and the facts stated in - those papers, I would say that I joined with Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean as a - volunteer, and met Gen. Van Rensselaer on the south side of the river, - opposite Caughnawaga, early in the morning; and of my own knowledge I - know moat of the facts to be as they are stated. I staid with the - volunteers after the battle, and held the conversation with the prisoners - found in the little block-house the next morning, as stated. I was with - Capt. Kean when he had orders to advance and overtake Sir John, and a - short time after saw Dr. Allen, who came to inform us that Van Rensselaer - was re-turning. With regard to the route of Sir John, I received my - account from those of his own party who are now living, and men of - undoubted veracity."—<i>Note of Major Sammons</i>—1836.</p> - - -<p>But Sir John's escape, after all, was rather a flight than a retreat; and -had it not been for the capture of Vrooman's detachment—a most unexpected -conquest—the visible trophies of his expedition would have been few and -dearly purchased. Indubitable evidences were discovered by the pursuers, -that he was reduced to a most uncomfortable situation; and from the -Baronet's own letter to General Haldimand, it appears that there were many -missing, who it was hoped would find their way to Oswego or Niagara. -General Haldimand wrote to his government that Sir John "had destroyed the -settlements of Schoharie and Stone Arabia, and laid waste a great extent -of country, which was most true." It was added:—"He had several -engagements with the enemy, in which he came off victorious. In one of -them, near Stone Arabia, he killed a Colonel Brown, a notorious and -active rebel, with about one hundred officers and men. I cannot finish -without expressing to your Lordship the perfect satisfaction which I have, -from the zeal, spirit, and activity with which Sir John Johnson has -conducted this arduous enterprise." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Sir Frederick Haldimand to Lord George Germaine, New - Annual Register 1781.</p> - - -<p>While General Van Rensselaer was pushing forward in pursuit of Sir John -Johnson, an incident occurred at Fort Hunter, which speaks volumes in -favor of the character of Joseph Brant. The plundered and distressed -inhabitants of the Schoharie settlements, the day after the enemy had -departed from Fort Hunter, crowded about the fort, each his tale of loss -or grief to relate. Among them was a woman, whose husband and several -other members of the family were missing. She was in an agony of grief, -rendered more poignant by the loss of her infant, which had been snatched -from the cradle. Early the next morning, while the officers at Van -Rensselaer's head-quarters were at breakfast, a young Indian warrior came -bounding into the room like a stag, bearing an infant in his arms, and -also a letter from Brant, addressed "to the commanding officer of the -rebel army." General Van Rensselaer not being present at the moment, the -letter was opened by one of his suite, and read substantially as -follows:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Sir:</span> I send you by one of my runners, the child which he will deliver, -that you may know that whatever others may do, <i>I</i> do not make war upon -women and children. I am sorry to say that I have those engaged with me -in the service, who are more savage than the savages themselves."</p> - -<p>Among those thus referred to, he proceeded to name several of the leading -Tories, including the two Butlers, and others whose names are not -recollected. [FN-1] It was very speedily ascertained that the infant was -none other than that of the disconsolate mother of whom mention has just -been made. Her sensations on again clasping her infant to her bosom need -not be described; nor could they be. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The bitter hostility of the Tories of the Mohawk country toward - their former neighbors, was at times exhibited in acts of such fiend-like - ferocity as to defy explanation and stagger belief. In a former chapter - the case of an infant murdered in its cradle by a Tory, after the refusal - of an Indian to kill it, has been stated. There was another like instance - in the neighborhood of the Little Falls, marked, if possible, by still - greater brutality. An Indian having refused to kill an infant as it lay - smiling in the cradle, the more savage loyalist, rebuking the compassion - of the red man, thrust it through with his bayonet as a fisherman would - spear a salmon, and held it writhing in its agonies in triumph above his - head. A gentleman of the Bar, late of Little Falls, has assured the - author, that to his knowledge the wretch who committed that diabolical - act had the effrontery a few years since to present himself as a - candidate for a pension, under one of the acts of Congress for rewarding - the surviving soldiers of the revolution. The fact just related was - fortunately elicited before his papers were completed, and the result - need not be stated.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The author has received the account of this interesting occurrence - from General Morgan Lewis, who was present at the time, a spectator of - all the particulars.</p> - - -<p>There was yet another adventure connected with this expedition, which was -alike interesting and amusing. The Senecas, it has already been stated, -were led by the Corn-Planter, whose father, as it has also been stated, -was a white man named O'Bail. According to Mary Jemison, the residence of -the Corn-Planter's father was in the vicinity of Fort Plank, and, of -course, not far from the battle-ground of Klock's Field. He had formerly -been in the habit of traveling back and forth from Albany through the -Seneca country, to Niagara, as a trader. Becoming enamored of a pretty -squaw among the Senecas, in process of time the Corn-Planter became one -of the living evidences of his affection. Whether the father was aware -that a chief of so much eminence was his own son, history does not tell; -but the son was ignorant neither of his parentage, nor of the residence -of his sire; and being now in his close vicinity, he took a novel method -of bringing about an acquaintance with him. Repairing with a detachment -of his warriors to his father's house, he made the old man a prisoner, -and marched him off. Having proceeded ten or twelve miles, the chief -stepped up before his sire, and addressed him in the following terms:—</p> - -<p>"My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Corn-Planter. I am your son! You -are my father! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs of -Indian warfare. But you shall not be harmed. You need not fear. I am a -warrior! Many are the scalps which I have taken! Many prisoners I have -tortured to death! I am your son! I am a warrior! I was anxious to see -you, and to greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin, and took you -by force; but your life shall be spared. Indians love their friends and -their kindred, and treat them with kindness. If now you choose to follow -the fortunes, of your yellow son, and to live with our people, I will -cherish your old age with plenty of venison, and you shall live easy. But -if it is your choice to return to your fields, and live with your white -children, I will send a party of my trusty young men to conduct you back -in safety. I respect you, my father. You have been friendly to Indians; -they are your friends." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Life of Mary Jemison. In a letter written by Corn-Planter to the - Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1822, complaining of an attempt made by the - officers of that State to impose taxes upon him and the Senecas residing - on the Allegheny, he began as follows:—"When I was a child, I played - with the butterfly, the grasshopper, and the frogs. As I grew up, I began - to pay some attention, and play with the Indian boys in the neighborhood, - and they took notice of my skin being a different color from theirs, and - spoke about it. I inquired of my mother the cause, and she told me that - my father was a resident of Albany. I ate still my victuals out of a - bark dish: I grew up to be a young man, and married me a wife, but I had - no kettle or gun. I then knew where my father lived, and went to see him, - and found he was a white man, and spoke the English language. He gave - me victuals while I was at his house, but when I started to return home, - he gave me no provision to eat on the way. He gave me neither kettle nor - gun, neither did he tell me that the United States were about to rebel - against the government of England," &c., &c. By this statement it appears - that he must have seen his father several years before the Mohawk - campaign. This may very well have been, and yet the anecdote related by - Mary Jemison be true also. In every instance in which the author has had - an opportunity of testing the correctness of her statements by other - authorities, they have proved to be remarkably correct. Corn-Planter lived - to a great age, having deceased within the last eight or ten years. He - was an able man—distinguished in subsequent negotiations. He was - eloquent, and a great advocate for Temperance. He made a very effective - and characteristic speech upon that subject in 1822. "The Great Spirit - first made the world, and next the flying animals, and found all things - good and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finishing the - flying animals, he came down on earth, and there stood. Then he made - different kinds of trees, and woods of all sorts, and people of every - kind. He made the Spring, and other seasons, and the weather suitable - for planting. These he did make. But stills to make whiskey to give to - Indians, he did not make. . . . The Great Spirit told us there were - three things for people to attend to. First, we ought to take care of - our wives and children. Secondly, the white people ought to attend to - their farms and cattle. Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears - and deers to the Indians. . . . The Great Spirit has ordered me to quit - drinking. He wishes me to inform the people that they should quit - drinking intoxicating drink." In the course of the same speech, he gave - evidence that he was not overmuch pleased with the admixture of his own - blood. . . . "The different kinds the Great Spirit made separate, and not - to mix with and disturb each other. But the white people have broken this - command, by mixing their color with the Indians. The Indians have done - better by not doing so."</p> - - -<p>The old gentleman, however, had sown his wild oats. His days of romance -were over. Preferring, therefore, the produce of his own fields, the -company of his white children, and the comforts of his own house, to the -venison, the freedom, and the forests of the western wilds, he chose to -return. His son, fulfilling his word, bowed to the election, and giving -his father in charge to a suitable escort, he was enabled to reach his own -dwelling in safety. The proud Seneca and his warriors moved off to their -own wilds.</p> - -<p>Simultaneously with the movements of Sir John Johnson through the -Schoharie and Mohawk country, the enemy had been actively engaged against -the settlements at the North of Albany, between the Hudson and Lake -Champlain, and likewise against some of the upper settlements on the -Connecticut river. In order to create a diversion in favor of Sir John, -Major Carleton came up the lake from St. John's, with a fleet of eight -large vessels and twenty-six flat-bottomed boats, containing upward of -one thousand men, regular troops, loyalists and Indians. Fort George and -Fort Anne were both taken by surprise, and their garrisons, which were -not large, were surrendered prisoners of war. [FN-1] The party directed -against the upper settlements of the Connecticut river, was commanded by -Major Haughton of the 53d regiment, and consisted almost entirely of -Indians, of whom there were two hundred. This marauding incursion was -likewise successful. In addition to the booty taken, thirty-two of the -inhabitants were carried away prisoners. Several of the militia, who -turned out in pursuit of Major Haughton, were killed. In regard to Major -Carleton's expedition, sad tales of cruelty were reported. One of these -was a relation, by a deserter named Van Deusen, of a horrible case of -torture inflicted upon a soldier of Colonel Warner's regiment, taken by -Carleton in the action near Fort George. Van Deusen was a deserter from -the American army to the enemy; but having stolen back into his own -country, was apprehended and executed. Colonel Gansevoort, however, then -in command at the North, wrote to Major Carleton upon the subject on the -2d of November, stating the particulars of the story. Carleton repelled -the charge in the most positive and earnest manner, as will presently -appear. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Forts Anne and George were taken by Major Carleton on the 10th and - 11th of October. In his official report, Major Carleton stated his own - loss, on both occasions, at four officers and twenty-three privates - killed. The number of prisoners taken is stated at two captains, two - lieutenants, and one hundred and fourteen privates.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Speaking of Carleton's expedition, Sir Frederick Haldimand, in a - letter to Lord George Germaine, observes:—"The reports assiduously - published on all occasions by the enemy, of cruelties committed by the - Indians, are notoriously false, and propagated merely to exasperate the - ignorant and deluded people. In this late instance Major Carleton informs - me, they behaved with the greatest moderation, and did not strip, or in - any respect ill use, their prisoners." Sir John Johnson had less control - over <i>his</i> Indians at Schoharie.</p> - - -<p>The correspondence between Gansevoort and Carleton, however, was not -confined to this particular transaction. Indeed, that was altogether an -incidental affair, and the correspondence with Carleton himself was also -incidental, being part only of a more extended negotiation with other and -higher officers of the British army in Canada, the object of which was the -settlement of a cartel for an extensive exchange of prisoners at the -North. The story will be best told by the introduction of a portion of the -correspondence itself, while at the same time several other points will -receive satisfactory illustration.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"General Powell to Colonel Van Schaick.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>St. John's, Sept.</i> 22<i>d,</i> 1780.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Agreeable to the promise made in my letter of the 15th of last March, I -send by your returning flag of truce, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Moore, and their -families, together with Matthew Cannon, and five others, made prisoners by -the Indians on the Mohawk river, whose advanced time of life and earnest -solicitations to return to their families, have induced General Haldimand -to grant them that permission; [FN] as also Mr. Williams of Detroit, who -desires to go to his relatives; and Mary and Betsey Lewis, who beg to go -to their father near Albany. His Excellency is sorry that the breach of -faith on the part of the colonists, in the cartel of the Cedars, has put -it out of his power to enter upon an exchange of prisoners, and, -notwithstanding their repeated attempts to escape, many throughout the -province are enlarged upon their parole. They have all a plentiful -allowance of wholesome provisions, and those whom it is thought necessary -to keep in confinement, are accommodated in the most comfortable manner -circumstances will admit off. They have, besides, received money to the -amount of the within accounts; and if this last indulgence is to be -continued, it is but reasonable it should be remitted in coin; to which -I am to desire your attention, as very heavy bills are every day presented -from our troops who are prisoners in the colonies."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The prisoners above-mentioned, it will be recollected, were taken - at Cherry Valley in 1778. See Mrs. Campbell's Narrative, sketched in - Vol. I.</p> - - -<p>"The attention which has been shown to Mrs. Campbell, and those in her -unfortunate circumstances, as well as the good treatment of the prisoners, -which it is hoped they will have the candor to acknowledge, is referred to -for comparison, to those by whose orders or permission His Majesty's -subjects have experienced execution, the horrors of a dungeon, loaded with -irons, and the miseries of want.</p> - -<p>"The families specified in the enclosed list have been long in -expectation, and many of them promised permission, to join their husbands -and relatives in this province; it is therefore requested they may be -sent to your advanced post on the Skenesborough communication, and a flag -of truce shall be sent from hence, in the course of three weeks, in order -to receive them.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. Watson Powell,</span> - <i>Brigadier General</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Colonel Van Schaick.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Colonel Gansevoort to General Powell.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Saratoga, Nov.</i> 2<i>d,</i> 1780.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your letter of 22d September last, directed to Colonel Van Schaick, it -becomes my duty to answer, as commanding this department until the arrival -of General M<sup>c</sup>Dougall, who is daily expected. [FN] The prisoners whom you -noticed, I am informed, have taken the route to Albany, through -Bennington."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This reference to the expected arrival of General M<sup>c</sup>Dougall was not - exactly true, and was made as a <i>ruse de guerre</i> to mislead the British - General as to the strength of the Northern Department. The truth was, - that Colonel Gansevoort was so weak in point of troops, that he was - apprehensive of a second visitation from St. John's should Powell and - Carleton obtain information of his actual means of resistance. Hence he - threw in the name of M<sup>c</sup>Dougall, in order to create an impression at St. - Johns that there was at least a General's command of troops at Saratoga. - Colonel Gansevoort wrote to General Washington upon the subject, and gave - this explanation for the deception he had practised in his letter to - General Powell. There was, indeed, good cause for apprehension at that - time. After Carleton had captured forts George and Anne, and returned - down the lakes to St John's, he had suddenly returned with - reinforcements. The leaders in Vermont were also at the same time - holding a correspondence with the British Commanders in Canada, of which - semi-treasonable conduct Ethan Allen himself was at the head, as will - appear hereafter. General Schuyler had obtained some knowledge upon the - subject, which he lost no time in communicating to the - Commander-in-chief. The consequence was, the ordering of several - regiments to the North, and the appointment of General James Clinton to - the command of the Department at Albany.—<i>Washington's Letters—Sparks.</i></p> - - -<p>"The families specified in your list, whom I believe to be all in the -vicinity of this place, were to have been sent to the British shipping -in Lake Champlain in the beginning of last month. Major Carleton's -incursion prevented their being forwarded then, and as all the batteaux -in Lake George were carried off by that gentleman, it may have been -impracticable to send them on since, if even it had been proper, while he -remained at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. I have written Major Carleton, -and requested him to send batteaux to Fort Anne or Fort George, if he can, -for their conveyance. As soon as I am advised of his determination, the -necessary measures will be taken. The accounts of cash advanced to the -prisoners in Canada, I shall do myself the honor to transmit to his -Excellency, General Washington."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The following is the list referred to, as enclosed by General - Powell, viz:—"Names of the different families belonging to the following - men of the 84th Regt. residing at Saratoga: John M<sup>c</sup>Donell's family; - Donald M<sup>c</sup>Grewer's family; Duncan M<sup>c</sup>Donell's family; John M<sup>c</sup>Intosh's - ditto; Duncan M<sup>c</sup>Donell's ditto; Donald M<sup>c</sup>Donald's ditto; Kenneth - M<sup>c</sup>Donell's ditto; John M<sup>c</sup>Donell's father and mother."</p> - - -<p>"It affords me great satisfaction to learn that the British have at length -found it prudent to follow the generous example exhibited to them by the -Americans, in the mild treatment with which the prisoners in the power of -the latter have been invariably indulged during the war.</p> - -<p>"It is, however, a justice due to General Carleton and his successors to -declare that, from all accounts, the prisoners immediately in their power -have been treated with much leniency.</p> - -<p>"But you, Sir, suppose that British subjects in our possession have -experienced executions, the horrors of a dungeon, loaded with irons, and -the miseries of want. It is true some spies have been executed, and -amongst these Major André, Adjutant General of the British army under the -command of Sir Henry Clinton. And even his death, although justice -required it, and the laws of nations authorised it, was and is lamented -by us with a feeling of generosity which does honor to human nature. None -have experienced the horrors of a dungeon, or been loaded with irons, -excepting a few on whom it was thought proper to retaliate for the many, -the very many, indeed, of ours, whom British cruelty and inhumanity could -suffer to perish for want in dungeons and prison-ships, loaded with irons -and with insults. If you are ignorant of these facts, I can excuse your -observations. If not, give me leave to tell you they are unworthy the -gentleman and the officer, and evince a degree of disingenuousness -unbecoming either.</p> - -<p>"If General Haldimand considers the governing powers or these States to -have been guilty of a breach of faith with regard to the cartel of the -Cedars, he ought to apply to them in regard to that matter. Barely to -mention it to a subordinate officer, was indelicate and improper. But as -you have ventured to accuse, I will venture to deny the justice of the -charge; and, as far as my memory of that transaction serves, I think I -can do it with propriety." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The maxim of Colonel Gansevoort was, "his country, right or wrong." - He would have found it a difficult undertaking, however, to justify the - course adopted by Congress touching the cartel agreed upon by General - Arnold at the Cedars. Indeed, the violation of the stipulations made on - that occasion, had created difficulties in regard to exchanges of - prisoners during the whole war. It wan frequently a source of - embarrassment, and even of mortification, to General Washington, during - the course of nearly the whole war.</p> - - -<p>"The newspapers announce that a general exchange of prisoners is settled - below. Whether it extends to Canada, is not specified.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter Gansevoort,</span> - <i>Col.</i>3<i>d N. Y. Reg't.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Brigadier General Powell.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gansevoort to Major Carleton.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Saratoga, Nov.</i> 26, 1780</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"This will be delivered you by Major Rosecrantz, of my regiment, who, -together with the persons named in my pass of this day's date, goes as a -flag to carry the letters he is charged with, and to return with your -answer.</p> - -<p>"General Powell's letter of the 22d September last, Captain Monsell's of -the 19th, and your's of the 24th ultimo, were delivered me about noon -to-day.</p> - -<p>"I have left the letter for General Powell under flying seal for your -perusal, that you may learn my determination respecting the families he -requested to have sent. Should you conclude to send batteaux for them, -they must come as far as Fort Anne, as the roads to Skenesborough are -impassable for carriages, or to the farther end of Lake George, which -would be much easier for the women and children. Their number amounts to -nearly three hundred; and I believe ten batteaux will be necessary to -carry them all at once. You will please to give directions to the officer -whom you may send with your flag, to pass his receipt for the number of -men, women, and children which shall be delivered. Pray advise me on what -day you think the batteaux will arrive at the place you may intend to -send them, that I may so arrange matters as to cause the least delay.</p> - -<p>"A certain James Van Deusen, who deserted from our service to you, and -who, since you were on this side the lake, has stolen back into the -country, has been apprehended, and will suffer death as a deserter. He -confesses that after the rencontre near Fort George, with some of Colonel -Warner's men and your party, in which one of our Indians was killed, your -Indians, in cool blood, scalped one of Warner's men alive, tormented him -a considerable time, and afterward cut his throat—and all this in your -presence. Your character, Sir, suffers greatly on this account. It has -hitherto been marked by conduct the reverse of this sad catastrophe; and -men of honor are unwilling to believe Van Deusen. I wish you to explain -yourself to me on the subject.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Peter Gansevoort,</span> - <i>Col.</i> 3d <i>N. Y. Reg't.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Major Carleton</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Major Carleton to Colonel Gansevoort.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Mile Bay, Nov.</i> 6<i>th.</i> 1780.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"By your flag I have this moment received your letter of the 2d instant, -with one directed to Brigadier General Powell. Respecting the families -intended to be sent in, I answer to both. Being entirely ignorant of the -purport of Brigadier Powell's letter to you on the subject, and having no -instructions from General Haldimand respecting that business, I can only -say that such persons as are specified in the Brigadier's list will be -received, provided the number of boats mentioned in my postscript can -contain them. Should there be room to spare, the names contained in the -enclosed list, or as many of them as can be taken on board, will be -received. My boats shall be at Skenesborough on the 9th, where they shall -remain till the 14th at night, and then return to me, as I could not take -upon me the risk of their being frozen up there.</p> - -<p>"I should have expected Captain Chapman would hare given a flat -contradiction to James Van Deusen's confession. No prisoner was scalped, -or tortured alive. I saved the lives of several of the prisoners, who -were neither stripped nor insulted in the smallest degree after the -affair was over. I heard of one man being killed after he was taken -during the firing, owing to a dispute between the two Indians, of -different villages, who had taken him. He was either a Negro or a -Stockbridge Indian I believe, and he would not suffer himself to be -conducted to the British guard by a loyalist officer. The attention of -the officer was necessarily directed to the care of his own men; and -after the action I heard of the man being killed.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - Your most obedient, and - Most humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Chr. Carleton,</span> - <i>Major</i> 29<i>th Reg't.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Colonel Gansevoort.</i></p> - -<p>"P. S. There being no idea of this business, the shipping went down some -days ago. I find it will not be in my power to furnish more than five -boats. Could not the boat I gave to carry up the last families, be sent -down with these?" [FN]</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These letters are contained among the Gansevoort papers, and have - been copied from the originals by the author. The same papers, together - with a letter from General Haldimand to Lord George Germaine, are - likewise the author's authorities for the brief sketch of the expeditions - of Carleton and Major Haughton.</p> - - -<p>No farther outrages were committed on the northern and western frontiers -during that Autumn. The next information received of Brant and his -associates, was brought to Fort Schuyler by a family of Oneidas who had -been released from Niagara. They arrived at the Fort on the 6th of -December. Colonel Weisenfeldts, then in command, caused the head Indian -of the party, whose name was Jacob Reed, to be examined; and the whole -examination was transmitted, as taken down by question and answer, to -General Clinton. From this statement it appeared that Joseph Brant, -Colonel Butler, and Colonel Guy Johnson, were then in their old -winter-quarters at Niagara. Of the Oneida warriors only thirty-seven had -been persuaded to join the royal cause; one of whom had been killed, and -five others had returned with Reed. The forces at Niagara at this time -were stated to be sixty British regulars, commanded by a captain; four -hundred loyalists commanded by Colonel Butler, and twelve hundred Indians -(including women and children,) commanded by Brant and Guy Johnson. One -of the objects of the late expedition to the Mohawk was stated by Reed to -be the destruction of Schenectady; but as they had not penetrated so far, -Brant and Johnson were meditating another campaign. The prisoners taken -from Stone Arabia, after reaching Niagara, had been shipped for Buck -Island in the river St. Lawrence; but from the long absence of the vessel, -and the fragments of a wreck, drums, furniture, &c., which had been -washed ashore, it was believed that she had been lost, and that all on -board had perished. Reed farther stated, that as soon as the snow was -hard, Brant, with five or six hundred warriors, was coming to the Oneida -country, in order to keep within a convenient distance for sending scouts -down the Mohawk. One of their objects was to be at all times prepared for -cutting off the supplies proceeding for the garrison of Fort Schuyler. -The Indians at Niagara, according to Reed's account, were well provided -with every thing they could desire. [FN-1] But it was far otherwise with -Fort Schuyler at this time. The letters of General Schuyler were full of -complaints, not only of the difficulty of procuring provisions, but also -of forwarding them to the outposts. In one of his letters, written at -that period, he said there was not flour enough in Fort Schuyler to -suffice for a single day's consumption. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] General Clinton's Manuscripts.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MSS. of General Schuyler.</p> - - -<p>Thus ended the Indian campaigns of the North for the year 1780. There -were, indeed, other petty occurrences on the outskirts, alarms, and now -and then a few shots exchanged with a straggling Indian or Tory scout. -But no other occurrence of importance within the range of the present -history, marked the winter then closely advancing. And never did winter -spread his mantle over a scene of greater desolation than lay beneath it -in the Valley of the Mohawk.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chv">CHAPTER V.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Gloomy opening of the year—Distresses of the army—Revolt of the - Pennsylvania line—Negotiations—Revolt of the New Jersey - troops—Arnold's expedition to Virginia—Progress of the war at the - South—Distresses at the North—Active movements of Brant in the Mohawk - country—Meditated attack upon the Oneidas—Letter of Colonel - Claus—Destitution of the country—Letter of General - Schuyler—Destruction of Fort Schuyler by fire and flood—Suspicions of - design—General Clinton's correspondence respecting that - catastrophe—Hostile indications in the North—Indications of extensive - treachery—Arrest of the disaffected at Ballston and its - vicinity—Bearing of Washington in adversity—Colonel Willett appointed - to the command of the Mohawk District—Slender means at his - disposal—Burning of Currie-town—Battle of Durlagh—Defeat of the - Indians—Death of Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean—Irruption into Palatine—Willett's - letter to Washington—Willett's influence upon the broken - militia—Battle near the German Flats—Death of Solomon - Woodworth—Story of John Christian Shell—Invasion of Ulster County by - Indians and Tories under Captain Cauldwell—Another case of individual - bravery—Incidents on the Kentucky border.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The sun</span> of the new year was veiled by a cloud of deeper gloom than had -previously darkened the prospects of the American arms at any period of the -contest. The whole army, in all its divisions, at the North and in the -South, was suffering severely both for clothing and provisions. Indeed, -the accumulated sufferings and privations of "the army constitute a large -and interesting portion of the history of the war of American -independence. At the date now under review, Winter, without much lessening -the toils of the soldiers, was adding to their sufferings. They were -perpetually on the point of starving, were often entirely without food, -were exposed without proper clothing to the rigors of the season, and had, -moreover, now served almost twelve months without pay." [FN] Such was the -general fact. The Pennsylvania troops had still farther grievances of -which to complain. They had been enlisted in ambiguous terms—to "serve -three years, or during the war." At the expiration of the stipulated -period, "three years," the soldier claimed his discharge, while the -officers insisted upon holding him to the other condition of the contract. -The consequence was great dissatisfaction, increased, of course, by the -much higher bounties subsequently paid for enlistments.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall's Life of Washington.</p> - - -<p>The Pennsylvania line, consisting of six regiments, was cantoned at -Morristown, under the immediate command of Brigadier General Wayne. So -long had they been brooding over their wrongs, so intense had become -their sufferings, and so discouraging were the prospects of remedy or -redress, that the discontents which, down to the last day of the -preceding year, had only been nurtured, broke out into open mutiny on the -evening of the next. The spirit of insubordination was from the first so -decided, and the evidences of revolt were so general, as at once to -jeopard the cause. An effort was made to quell the mutiny, in the course -of which several of the turbulent soldiers were wounded, as also were -some of the officers, who were endeavoring to repress the disorder. One -of the officers, Captain Billings, was killed. But the cause of the -revolt was too deeply seated, and the disaffection too extensive, to be -easily overcome. Even Wayne himself, the favorite of the Pennsylvanians, -was without power. Drawing a pistol and threatening one of the most -turbulent of the revolters; a bayonet was presented at his own bosom. -[FN-1] In a word, the authority of the commissioned officers was at an -end. The non-commissioned officers were generally engaged in the mutiny, -and one of their number being appointed Commander-in-chief, they moved off -in the direction of Philadelphia, with their arms and six pieces of -artillery—deaf to the arguments, the entreaties, and the utmost efforts -of their officers to change their purposes. [FN-2] As a last resort, Wayne -and his officers attempted to divide them, but without effect. Those who -at first appeared reluctant, were soon persuaded to unite with their -comrades, to march upon Philadelphia and demand a redress of their wrongs -at the doors of Congress.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Marshall.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of Washington to President Weare of New Hampshire. This - was a letter urging upon the government of New Hampshire to make some - exertion to relieve the distresses of the army. A circular was sent to - all the New England States to the same effect, and confided to General - Knox, as a special agent to enforce the appeal. To President Weare, the - Commander-in-chief said, plainly:—"I give it decidedly as my opinion, - that it is in vain to think an army can be kept together much longer - under such a variety of sufferings as ours has experienced; and that - unless some immediate and spirited measures are adopted to furnish at - least three months' pay to the troops in money, which will be of some - value to them, and at tho same time provide ways and means to clothe and - feed them better than they have been, the worst that can befall us may - be expected." The Legislatures of Massachusetts and New Hampshire nobly - responded to the call, and immediately voted a gratuity of twenty-four - dollars in hard money to each of the non-commissioned officers and - soldiers belonging to those States, who were engaged to serve daring the - war.—<i>Sparks.</i></p> - - -<p>The number of the revolters was about thirteen hundred—a loss that would -have been severe of itself. But the most unpleasant apprehensions arose -from the danger, not only that the spirit of insubordination might spread -to other corps of the army, but that the mutineers might fall away in a -body to the enemy, who would, of course, lose not a moment in availing -himself of such a diversion in his favor. Coercive measures having failed -to bring the revolters back to the path of duty, Wayne, with his principal -officers, determined to follow close upon their rear and after the first -transports of their passion should subside, try what virtue might be found -in the arts of persuasion. The General overtook them at night in the -neighborhood of Middlebrook, but being advised in their present temper -not to venture among them, he invited a deputation of one sergeant from -each regiment to meet him in consultation. The deliberations were -amicable, and the General suggested a mode of obtaining redress of their -grievances, which satisfied the delegates, who, on retiring, promised to -exert their influence in bringing the men back to duty. But the attempt -was ineffectual; and on the day following the mutineers marched to -Princeton—the few who were well disposed and willing to separate from the -mutineers, continuing with the majority at the request of their officers, -in the hope that their exertions might "moderate the violence of their -leaders, and check the contagion of their example."</p> - -<p>The crisis was most critical. The Commander-in-chief, on receiving the -first advices of the revolt, was disposed to repair at once to the camp -of the mutineers; but on advisement and reflection, this course was -relinquished. The complaints of the Pennsylvania line, in regard to -destitution of provisions and clothing, were common to the whole army, -and it was doubtful how far the contagion of disaffection might already -have spread. Nor could the Commander-in-chief, whose head-quarters were -at New Windsor, venture upon a visit to the mutineers, without taking -with him a sufficient force to compel obedience to his commands should the -exertion of force become necessary. But a sufficient body of troops for -such an object could not be spared without leaving the fortresses in the -Highlands too weak to resist an attack from Sir Henry Clinton, who would -be sure to strike upon those important works at the first favorable -moment. The river being free from ice, Sir Henry would possess every -facility for such a movement the instant the back of Washington should be -turned upon the North. Under all the circumstances of the case, therefore, -the Commander-in-chief remained at his post, neglecting, however, no -measure of justice within his power to heal the discontents, or of -precaution to prevent their farther extension.</p> - -<p>Meantime the mutineers remained several days at Princeton, refusing to -proceed to the Delaware and cross into Pennsylvania, while Sir Henry -Clinton made every disposition to avail himself of the revolt, and lost -not a moment in despatching emissaries to their camp, with tempting offers -to induce them to join the armies of the King. But, mutineers as they -were, they nevertheless spurned the proposition; and retaining the -emissaries in custody, handed the communications, of which they were the -bearers, over to General Wayne. Though in rebellion against their -officers, the soldiers were nevertheless indignant at the idea of turning -their arms, as Arnold had done, against their own country; and those about -them who were well disposed, availed themselves of the occasion, with much -address, to impress upon their minds the magnitude of the insult conveyed -in propositions made to them in the character of traitors. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Five days after their arrival among the mutineers, viz. on the 11th - of January, Sir Henry's emissaries were tried by a court-martial, and - executed.</p> - - -<p>News of the revolt had no sooner reached Philadelphia, than a committee -was appointed by Congress, consisting of General Sullivan, [FN-1] and two -other gentlemen, in conjunction with President Reed on behalf of the -Council of Pennsylvania, to meet the revolters, and attempt to bring them -back to reason. The demands of the mutineers were exorbitant, but were in -the end acceded to with some unimportant modifications. They then moved -forward to Trenton, and in the end, although better things were -anticipated from the stipulations agreed upon, the Pennsylvania line was -almost entirely disbanded. A voluntary performance, by Congress, of much -less than was yielded by the committee, would have averted the evil, and -saved the division. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Very soon after he left the army, at the close of the Seneca - campaign, General Sullivan was elected to Congress, of which body he - was an efficient and patriotic member. Afterward, in the years 1786, - 1787, and 1788, he was President of New Hampshire, in which situation, by - his vigorous exertions, he quelled the spirit of the insurrection which - exhibited itself at the time of the trouble with Shays in Massachusetts. - In 1789 he was appointed a District Judge. He died in 1795, aged 54.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Although the Pennsylvania line was thus dissolved, the evil was - surmounted much sooner than had been anticipated. Before the close of - January, Wayne wrote to Washington that the disbanded soldiers were "as - impatient of liberty as they had bean of service, and that they were as - importunate to be re-enlisted as they had been to be discharged." A - <i>reclaimed</i> and formidable line was the result in the Spring.</p> - - -<p>The success of the Pennsylvania mutineers induced the New Jersey line, -then stationed at Pompton, to follow the bad example; and on the night of -the 20th of January a large portion of the brigade rose in arms. Their -claims were precisely the same as those which had been yielded to the -Pennsylvanians. By this time, however, the Commander-in-chief had -satisfied himself that he could rely upon the eastern troops; and, -chagrined as he had been by the result of the Pennsylvania revolt, he -determined, not only that nothing more should be yielded to the spirit of -insubordination, but that such an example should be made as would operate -as a check to the like proceedings in future. A strong detachment of -troops was accordingly led against the insurgents by General Howe, with -instructions to make no terms whatsoever while they continued in a state -of resistance. General Howe was farther instructed to seize a few of the -ringleaders, and execute them on the spot. The orders were promptly -complied with, and the insurrection was crushed at a blow. The mutinous -brigade returned to its duty; and such vigorous measures were taken by the -States to supply the wants of the army, as effectually checked the -progress of discontent. [FN] But it was only by the strong process of -impressment that those supplies could be wrung from the people, whose -discontents, though less immediately alarming, were, nevertheless, as -great as had been those of the army.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sir Henry Clinton endeavored to avail himself of this New Jersey - insurrection, in like manner as he had attempted to tamper with the - Pennsylvanians. But his emissary, who was in the American interest, - delivered his papers to the first American officer with whom he met.</p> - - -<p>The first active demonstration of Sir Henry Clinton, on the opening of -the new year, was the expedition against Virginia, under the conduct of -General Arnold. The arch-traitor had, in fact, sailed from New-York -toward the close of December, but he did not enter the Capes of Virginia -until the beginning of January—landing at Westover on the 6th. He marched -to Richmond, and after some trifling skirmishes on the way, destroyed the -stores at that place, and also at Westham; whereupon he retired to -Norfolk. This was a mere predatory expedition, attended by no important -result. Farther south, events were continually occurring of greater -moment. General Greene having been assigned to the command of that -department, after the signal discomfiture of Gates, affairs soon wore a -brighter aspect. The loss of the battle of Camden, a few months before, -was balanced, and, in its moral effect, more than balanced, by the -decisive victory over Tarleton, achieved by General Morgan at the Cowpens -on the 17th of January. And although Greene was defeated at Guilford on -the 15th of March, yet the victory was too dearly won by Earl Cornwallis -to render it a just occasion of triumph. So likewise in the repulse of -Greene by Lord Rawdon at Camden, owing to the misconduct of the militia, -the British commander was nevertheless so roughly handled that, although -he received a reinforcement in the course of the following night, he -deemed it expedient to destroy the town, and retire farther down the -Santee. But these apparent disadvantages were amply compensated by the -masterly manœuvres of Greene, and the brilliant succession of victories -over the smaller works and detachments of the enemy. In these latter -affairs, Forts Watkinson, Orangeburgh, Motte, Silver Bluff, Granby, and -Cornwallis were successively taken, and the enemy was compelled to -evacuate other forts. Lord Rawdon was likewise obliged to fall back upon -Charleston, while Cornwallis was pursuing a doubtful march into Virginia. -The great disadvantage labored under by General Greene, was the necessity -of depending in a great measure upon the militia—not having regular -troops sufficient to cope with the veterans from Europe. But, though not -always victorious in battle, he was invariably so in the results. And his -masterly movements proved him far in advance of any of his antagonists, -in all the requisites of an able commander.</p> - -<p>But while events thus propitious to the American arms were occurring at -the South, the aspect of affairs, as has already been seen, was sadly -discouraging at the North. In addition to the destitution of the main -army, causing the insurrections in the Pennsylvania and New-Jersey lines, -so wretchedly supplied were the small garrisons from Albany northward and -westward, both in respect to food and clothing, that it was only with the -utmost difficulty that the officers could keep the soldiers upon duty. -Ravaged as the whole Mohawk country had been the preceding Summer and -Autumn, no supplies could be drawn from the diminished and impoverished -inhabitants remaining in those settlements; while it was equally difficult -to procure supplies, either at Albany or below, or eastwardly beyond that -city. It is painful to read the private correspondence of General -Schuyler, and Governor and General Clinton upon this subject. Orders for -impressing provisions were freely issued, particularly against the -disaffected portion of the people, who had greatly increased in numbers -in that section of the country; but some of the supplies thus taken were -returned, from the knowledge of General Schuyler that they had nothing -more for their own support. Meantime, emboldened by his successes the -preceding year, the enemy hung around the skirts of the settlements, -approaching almost beneath the very guns of the forts, cutting off all -communication with them, unless by means of strong escorts, so that it -was difficult and often impossible even to throw such scanty supplies -into the garrisons as could be obtained.</p> - -<p>The Oneidas having been driven from their country the preceding year, even -the slight barrier against irruptions from the more western tribes, who -were all hostile, into the Mohawk country, afforded by that slender -people, was gone. On the 15th of January, the scouts of Thayendanegea -appeared openly in the German Flats, and attacked some of the inhabitants. -During the months of February and March, Brant was hovering about the -Mohawk, ready to spring upon every load of supplies destined for Forts -Plain, Dayton, and Schuyler, not too strongly guarded, and cutting off -every straggling soldier or inhabitant so unfortunate as to fall within -his grasp.</p> - -<p>On the 6th of March, Major Nicholas Fish wrote to General Clinton, from -Schenectady, informing him that a party of fifteen of Colonel Van -Cortlandt's regiment, at Fort Schuyler, had fallen into the hands of -Brant's Indians; and on the 2d of April, in moving to the neighborhood -of that fort, to cut off another escort of supplies, the same lynx-eyed -chieftain made prisoners of another detachment from that garrison of -sixteen men. The difficulty of transporting the provisions, however, the -unbeaten snow lying to a great depth, had so greatly retarded the progress -of the scouts, that the intrepid warrior was disappointed in this portion -of the spoils, having, as it subsequently appeared, attempted to strike -too soon.</p> - -<p>But the hunted Oneidas, notwithstanding the neutrality of the greater part -of them, were not altogether safe in their new position near Schenectady. -It seems to have chafed both Brant and his employers, that a single tribe -of Indians had been detached from their influence or service; and their -destruction was again seriously meditated, with the sanction of Sir -Frederick Haldimand, as will more fully appear by the annexed letter from -Colonel Daniel Claus, the brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, to Captain -Brant.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Claus to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Montreal,</i> 3<i>d March,</i> 1781.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Joseph,</span></p> - -<p>"Captain John Odeserundiye, about a month ago, showed me a letter he -received from you, with a proposal to him about the Oneidas, telling me -he had answered you that he would join you with his party about the 20th -of this month, desiring me at the same time to keep it a secret from the -Mohawk Indians and others, for fear of being made public; he then asked -me where the Oneidas now lived, which then I could not tell him; but since -that I was informed that the rebels had posted themselves at a place -called Palmerstown, about twelve or fifteen miles west of Saraghtoga, of -which I acquainted His Excellency General Haldimand, together with your -intentions and plan; whereupon I received His Excellency's answer -enjoining the utmost secrecy to me, and which I hereby give you in the -words of his letter, by Captain Mathews his secretary, and is the occasion -of this express.</p> - -<p>"His Excellency, General Haldimand, commands me to acquaint you that -Captain Brant's intention meets highly with his approbation, and wishes -to assist it; which might be done from this place in the following manner, -but the General desires you will keep it inviolably secret. He has for -some time intended sending a party of about sixty chosen loyalists, under -the command of Major Jessup, toward Fort Edward; this party might join -Joseph against Palmerstown could he ascertain the time and place, which -might be nearly done by calculating the time his express would take to -come from Carleton Island—his march from thence, and Major Jessup's from -Point au Fez, alias Nikadiyooni. If Joseph wishes to have this assistance, -he must confer with Major Ross, who will send off an active express; -otherwise, if Joseph should prefer aid from that quarter, Major Ross and -Captain Robertson are directed to afford it; and, indeed, the delays and -uncertainty of the parties joining punctually, incline the General to -think it more eligible.</p> - -<p>"Should you upon this adopt the General's offer and opinion, and proceed -from Carleton Island to Palmerstown, which place I am sure several of -Major Ross's men and others at the island are well acquainted with, I -wish you the aid of Providence with all the success imaginable; in which -case it will be one of tho most essential services you have rendered your -king this war, and cannot but by him be noticed and rewarded; your return -by Canada will be the shortest and most eligible, and we shall be very -happy to see you here. As I received the General's letter this afternoon -only, I could not speak with Odeserundiye, but have wrote to him by -express to let you know the precise time he intends meeting you. Mrs. -Claus and all friends are well here, and salute you heartily; also your -sister and daughters; the others here are well, and desire their love and -duty. I hope she received the things safe which I sent lately by Anna. -Adieu. God bless and prosper you.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Yours most sincerely, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dan'l. Claus.</span> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Brant.</i></p> - -<p>"P. S. The great advantage of setting out from Carleton Island, is the -route, which is so unexpected a one, that there is hardly any doubt but -you will surprise them, which is a great point gained. Whereas, were you -to set out from Canada, there are so many friends, both whites and -Indians, to the rebel cause, that you could not well get to the place -undiscovered, which would not do so well.</p> - - <p class="exit">"D. C."</p> - - -<p>Happily, from some cause now unknown, this project, so well devised, and -apparently so near its maturity, was never executed. The narrative is -therefore resumed.</p> - -<p>So great, and so universal, was the distress for provisions, already -adverted to, that, on the 29th of March, General Clinton wrote to the -Governor, "I am hourly under apprehensions that the remaining different -posts occupied for the defence of the frontiers of this State, will be -abandoned, and the country left open to the ravages of the enemy." Such -continued suffering of course produced disaffection in this department -also; and the greatest possible prudence was required, on the part of the -officers, to prevent desertions of whole bodies. So critical was their -situation, that in a letter to the Governor, of May 3d, General Clinton -mentions the fact, that a small scout, commanded by a corporal, in the -neighborhood of Port George, having captured a party of the enemy, "with -a packet, had been bribed to release them for a guinea each and two silk -handkerchiefs." Still worse than this was the fact that the General was -afraid to proceed openly to punish the delinquency. On the 5th General -Clinton again wrote to the Governor—"From the present appearance, I am -convinced that the troops will abandon the frontier. It is absurd to -suppose they can or will exist under the present circumstances. However, -let what will be the consequences, I have nothing to reproach myself with. -I have repeatedly called for assistance from every quarter, but could -obtain none." On the 8th of May, General Schuyler, writing from Saratoga, -said—"I wrote you this morning, since which, finding the troops -exceedingly uneasy, Colonel Van Vechten and I turned out each one of the -best cattle we had; the meat proved better than was expected, but the -soldiers still continue troublesome; they have hung part of it on a pole -with a red flag above a white one, and some of them hold very alarming -a conversation. I dread the consequences, as they can so easily a join -the enemy. If a body of nine-months men were here, it a would probably -deter the others from going off to the northward, [the enemy meaning] if -they should have such an intention."</p> - -<p>Great blame was imputed to Congress; and likewise to the State -governments, for allowing the commissariat to come to such a deplorable -pass. The resources of the country were known to be abundant for the -comfortable sustenance of a much larger army than was at that time in the -field; but the efficient action of Congress was fettered by its want of -power. The States, jealous of their own sovereignty, had withholden from -the central government powers which were essential to the vigorous -prosecution of the war, while it was but seldom that they could be -brought into a simultaneous and harmonious exertion of those powers -themselves. Hence the frequent and keen distresses of the army, and the -complicated embarrassments under which the officers were compelled to -struggle during the whole war. Still, the blame did not rest wholly with -the States. There were jealousies, and heart-burnings, and intrigues, in -the Congresses of that day, as in later times; and their conduct was -often the subject of bitter complaint in the letters of the -Commander-in-chief. The following letter from General Schuyler bears hard -upon the officers of the federal government, while at the same time it -depicts the extreme destitution of the country at the north, at the -period under consideration:—</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Schuyler to General Clinton.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Saratoga, May</i> 13<i>th,</i> 1781.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your favor of the 8th instant, Captain Vernon delivered me last evening. -The distress occasioned by the want of provisions in every quarter is -truly alarming, but was the natural consequence of such a system as was -adopted for supplying the army. It is probable, if we should be able to -continue the war ten years longer, that our rulers will learn to conduct -it with propriety and economy; at present they are certainly ignoramuses. -Not a barrel of meat or fish is to be had in this quarter if an equal -weight of silver was to be offered for it, and as there is not above a -quarter of the flour or wheat sufficient for the use of the inhabitants, -it would be needless to appoint persons here to impress those articles. -I therefore return the blank warrants.</p> - -<p>"It is probable that some flour may be obtained in the neighborhood of -Schaghticoke, and <i>I am certain</i> that a very considerable quantity of -both wheat and flour is lodged in Albany. Major Lush could employ his -assistant at the former place, and he might impress all at the latter -<i>without much trouble.</i> A small collection of meat has been made at -Stillwater for the troops here, but that is already expended. If there -is any beef at Richmond, or Barrington, I think it would be well to send -a party of nine-months men under an active spirited officer, to impress -a number of wagons at Kinderhook and Claverack, and to attend them to the -former places, and back again to the respective landings of the latter on -Hudson's river. If an opportunity offers, pray send me some paper, as -this is my last sheet. Captain Arson is not yet returned from Jessup's.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, dear Sir, - Yours sincerely, &c., &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ph. Schuyler.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Gen. Clinton.</i>"</p> - - -<p>It was, indeed, a trying situation for brave and patriotic officers to -find themselves in command of troops, driven, by destitution, to the very -point of going over to the enemy almost in a body. But another -disheartening occurrence was at hand. The works of Fort Schuyler, having -become much out of repair, sustained great injury by the swelling of the -waters in the early part of May. A council of officers was convened by -Lt. Colonel Cochran, then in command, on the 12th of that month, to -inquire and report what should be done in the premises. The council -represented that more than two-thirds of the works had been broken down -by the flood, and that the residue would be in the same condition in a -very few days; that the only remaining strength of the fort was to be -found in the outside pickets on the glacis; and that the strength of the -garrison was altogether inadequate to attempt to rebuild or repair the -works, for which purpose five or six hundred men, with an engineer, -artificers, &c., would be indispensably necessary.</p> - -<p>But even if the works were not altogether indefensible on the 12th, they -were rendered so on the following day, when all that had been spared by -the deluge was destroyed by fire. Intelligence of this disaster was -received by General Clinton at Albany, on the 16th, in a letter from -Colonel Cochran. The following is an extract from General Clinton's reply -to that officer, from which it appears a strong suspicion was entertained -that the conflagration was the work of design—a suspicion that was never -removed:—"I have just received your favors of the 13th and 14th instants, -with the disagreeable intelligence contained in them. I cannot find words -to express my surprise at the unexpected accident, or how a fire should -break out at noon-day, in a garrison where the troops could not possibly -be absent, after a most violent and incessant rain of several days, and -be permitted to do so much damage. I am sorry to say that the several -circumstances which accompanied this melancholy affair, afford plausible -ground for suspicion that it was not the effect of mere accident. I hope, -when it comes to be examined in a closer point of view, such lights may -be thrown upon it as will remove the suspicion, for which there appears -too much reason. I have written to his Excellency on the subject, and -requested his farther orders, which I expect in a few days; in the -meantime I would request that you keep possession of the works, and -endeavor to shelter the troops in the best manner possible."</p> - -<p>In his letter to the Governor, enclosing the dispatches of Colonel -Cochran, General Clinton suggested the expediency, under the circumstances -of the case, of abandoning the post altogether, and falling back upon -Fort Herkimer. On the following day he again wrote to his brother, -renewing and re-enforcing this suggestion:—</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Clinton to the Governor.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Albany, May</i> 17<i>th,</i> 1781.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Since my last to you of yesterday, another letter, by express, has been -received from Fort Schuyler. Copies of the contents I enclose for your -information, under cover, which I wish you to seal and forward to the -Commander-in-chief. I informed you yesterday of the general prevailing -opinion among the better part of the people in this quarter respecting -Fort Schuyler. The recent loss of the barracks, and the ruinous situation -of the works, have confirmed them in the propriety and even necessity of -removing it to the German Flats near Fort Herkimer, where they are -disposed to afford every assistance in their power to build a formidable -work, confident that it will be able to afford more protection, not only -in that particular quarter, but also to the whole western frontier in -general. I must confess that I have long since been of this opinion. I -have not mentioned this circumstance to the General, [Washington,] as I -conceive it will come better from yourself, as you are acquainted with -every particular circumstance respecting it, and the numberless -difficulties which we shall labor under in putting it in any considerable -state of defence. As I have directed the troops to remain in possession -of the works until I shall receive instructions from head-quarters, I wish -that you might have it in your power to have a conference with the -General on the subject, and transmit to me the result of it without delay.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jas. Clinton.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Governor Clinton.</i>"</p> - - -<p>This suggestion was adopted, and the post so long considered the key to -the Mohawk Valley was abandoned. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] After the war the fort was rebuilt, and the ancient name of Fort - Stanwix restored. The works were repaired and substantially strengthened - as being an important post, during the administration of the elder - Adams.</p> - - -<p>In addition to this disheartening state of affairs at the westward of -Albany, intelligence was received that another storm was about breaking -upon the northern frontier. In a letter from General Schuyler to General -Clinton, from Saratoga, May 18th, after speaking of the "chagrin" he felt -at the destruction of the fort, Schuyler proceeds:—</p> - -<p>"Last evening Major M<sup>c</sup>Cracken of White Creek came here, and delivered me -a copy of a paper which had been found there, in the same hand-writing as -one that was put in the same place last year, announcing the approach of -Major Carleton with the troops under his command. This contains in -substance—'That the writer had received a letter from a friend in Canada, -to give him notice of the danger which threatened these parts; that 1500 -men were gone to Ticonderoga, from whence they were to proceed to Fort -Edward and White Creek; that they are to be down in this month, and from -what he could learn, they were to desolate the country.' The Major thinks -he knows the channel through which this intelligence is conveyed, and -that it may be depended upon;—as it in some degree corroborates that -given by Harris, and the person I had sent to Crown Point, it ought not -to be slighted. Please to communicate it to the Governor and General -Washington.</p> - -<p>"Fourteen of the nine months men have already deserted, two of whom are -apprehended. There are now at this post only thirty-nine of them. As the -Continental troops here are without shoes it is impossible to keep out the -necessary scouts. Cannot a parcel of shoes be obtained at Albany, and -sent up to them? It will be of importance to give the earliest -intelligence if the party discovered by Colonel Lewis should appear on the -Mohawk river, that we may with the troops here, and what militia we may -be able to collect, try to intercept them."</p> - -<p>In a postscript to a letter of the 21st, General Schuyler -observed:—"Since the above I have been informed <i>from very good -authority,</i> that the enemy's morning and evening guns at Ticonderoga have -been distinctly heard near Fort Anne for three or four days past" And on -the 24th the General wrote more confidently still of the enemy's approach. -"Captain Gray is returned. He has not been near enough to determine the -enemy's force, but sufficiently so to discover, by the fires, that they -are numerous. Is it not strange, and subject of suspicion, that the -Vermonters should not afford us any intelligence of the enemy's approach, -as they must certainly know of his arrival at Crown Point and -Ticonderoga?" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This ambiguous conduct of Vermont was the consequence of the quarrel - between the settlers of the grants from New Hampshire, which were within - the chartered limits, and the government of New-York. Colonel Allen, not - long before, had been in Albany upon the business of the settlers, and - had come away dissatisfied—having uttered a threat on his departure. He - was at this time, as General Schuyler was informed, at the Isle Au - Noix—sick—as was pretended.</p> - - -<p>This was alarming intelligence, more especially when taken in connexion -with the reports simultaneously coming in from the west, of an expedition -meditated against Pittsburgh, to be led by Sir John Johnson and Colonel -Connelly; while other reports were rife, at the same time, of more -extensive combinations among the hostile Indians than had previously -marked the war. But even this was not all—nor by any means the worst of -the case. Treachery was at work, and from the temper of great numbers of -the people, the carriage of the disaffected, and the intelligence received -by means of spies and intercepted despatches, there was just cause to -apprehend that, should the enemy again invade the country, either from the -north or the west, his standard would be joined by much larger numbers of -the people than would have rallied beneath it at any former period. The -poison was actively at work even in Albany. On the 24th of May, General -Schuyler announced to General Clinton the return of a confidential agent -from the north, "where he met with five of the enemy, whose confidence he -so far obtained as to be entrusted with letters written on the spot to -persons at Albany, whose names I forbear to mention," (says Schuyler,) "for -fear of accidents. They contained nothing material, except the arrival of -the enemy in force at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, with this expression -in one,—'We shall make rare work with the rebels.'" But other, and more -"material" despatches were soon afterward intercepted, from the tenor of -which the conclusion was irresistible, not only that a powerful invasion -was about taking place from the north, but that very extensive -arrangements had been made in Albany, and the towns adjacent, for the -reception of the invaders, whose standard the disaffected were to join, -and whose wants they were to supply. Among the papers thus intercepted, -was the following letter, supposed to have been addressed to General -Haldimand:—</p> -<br> - <p class="exit">"<i>Albany,</i> 9<i>th May,</i> 1781.</p> - -<p>"Your Excellency may learn from this that when I received your -instructions, &c., I was obliged at that time to put myself into a place -of security, as there were heavy charges laid against me. I thank God I -have baffled that storm. Your commands are observed to the letter, part -of them faithfully executed, the particulars of which I hope in a short -time to have the honor to acquaint you verbally. Now is the season to -strike a blow on this place, when multitudes will join, provided a -considerable force comes down. The sooner the attempt is made the better. -Let it be rapid and intrepid, carefully avoiding to sour the inhabitants' -tempers by savage cruelties on their defenceless families. If a few -handbills, intimating pardon, protection, &c., &c. were sent down, and -distributed about this part of the country, they would effect wonders; -and should your Excellency think proper to send an army against this den -of persecutors, notice ought to be given ten days before, by some careful -and intelligent person, to a certain Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Pherson in Ball's Town, who -will immediately convey the intention to the well-affected of New -Scotland, Norman's Kill, Hillbarack's, Neskayuna, &c., all in the vicinity -of Albany. The plan is already fixed, and should a formidable force -appear, I make no doubt provisions and other succors will immediately -take place. A few lines of comfort, in print, from your Excellency to -those people, would make them the more eager in prosecuting their designs; -and if the Vermonters lie still, as I have some hopes they will, there is -no fear of success. No troops are yet raised. There is a flag from this -place shortly to be sent; perhaps I may go with it; I expected before this -time I would 'be removed from my present situation,' &c.</p> - -<p>"25th May. N. B. This I expected should reach you before now, but had no -opportunity. Excuse haste." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This document has been discovered by the author among the papers of - General Clinton. It is endorsed as follows:—"A copy of a letter in - Doctor Smyth's handwriting, supposed to General Haldimand. Intercepted - 27th of May, 1781." The author has not been able to ascertain who Doctor - Smith was, farther than that he hat been informed at Albany, that he was - a brother to Smith the historian of New-York, afterward Chief Justice of - New Brunswick. Some time afterward Governor Clinton transmitted a - special message to the legislature, then sitting at Poughkeepsie, - containing important information respecting the designs of the - Vermonters, by which it appears that Dr. Smith was actively engaged in - fomenting disaffection in that quarter, and had held interviews with - Ethan Allen upon the subject in Albany, &c. Smith is spoken of in that - message as having been appointed a Commissioner by the British officers - to treat with the Vermonters.</p> - - -<p>Accompanying this letter were several pages of memoranda, in the same -hand-writing, giving particular information upon every point which the -enemy could desire. The deplorable situation of Albany, and the whole -Mohawk country, was described; the temper of the people in the towns -around Albany and elsewhere set forth; the strength of the main army in -the Highlands given with all necessary accuracy; and the mission of Ethan -Allen to Albany, and the probable defection of Vermont, announced. Indeed, -the character of these communications showed but too plainly that treason -was deeply and extensively at work, and that the enemy was, beyond doubt, -correctly advised of the true situation of the country. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. II.</p> - - -<p>Under all these circumstances of internal and external danger—with but -slender garrisons at the points of greatest exposure, and those so -miserably provided that the soldiers were deserting by dozens, showing -dispositions not equivocal of going over to the enemy—without provisions -or the means of procuring them, and scarcely knowing whom to trust among -their own people, lest the disaffection should prove to be even more -extensive than recent disclosures had taught the officers to suppose,—the -Spring of 1781 may well be counted as the darkest period of the -revolution. Had it not been for the gleams of light shooting up from the -south, all indeed would have been sullen blackness, if not despair. But -the truth of the homely adage, that the darkest hour is always just before -day, received a glorious illustration before the close of the year. -"Accustomed to contemplate all public events which might grow out of the -situation of the United States, and to prepare for them while at a -distance, the American chief was not depressed by this state of affairs. -With a mind happily tempered by nature and improved by experience, those -fortunate events which had occasionally brightened the prospects of his -country, never relaxed his exertions or lessened his precautions; nor -could the most disastrous state of things drive him to despair." [FN] -Fortunately, in the Clintons and their associate officers at the north, -the American Commander had subordinates possessing in no small degree the -same great characteristics. Every possible precaution against lurking -treason within, was taken, and every practicable means of preparation -means of preparation and defence against invasion from abroad, was -adopted.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>Anticipating, from the presence of the enemy at Ticonderoga, that Tryon -county might again be attacked from that direction by the way of the -Sacondaga, Captain John Carlisle was despatched into the settlements of -New Galway, Peasley, and Ballston, accompanied by Captain Oothout and a -small party of Indians, to make prisoners of certain persons suspected of -disaffection to the American cause, and to remove all the families from -those towns to the south side of the Mohawk river. About sixty families -were thus removed, and all the suspected persons arrested. The Captain, -in his report of the expedition, gave a deplorable account of the poverty -of the people. He could scarcely procure subsistence for his party during -his mission. On arriving at Ballston, however, he drew more liberally upon -the stores of the disaffected, and then arrested them. But their -disposition, Captain Oothout was glad to inform the Commissioners, was -such as to "prevent his setting fire to their houses agreeably to the -letter of his orders." [FN] Happily these measures of precaution, and the -other preparations, were for that time unnecessary—the enemy, if he was -in actual force at Crown Point or Ticonderoga, not then venturing another -invasion from that quarter.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Manuscripts of Gen. Clinton. Indeed, the materials for this whole - section of the northern history of the Spring of 1781, have principally - been drawn from the Clinton papers, so often referred to.</p> - - -<p>But the Mohawk Valley was continually harassed by the Indians and -Tories—even to the very precincts of the stockades and other small -fortifications. The spirit of the people had in a great measure been -crushed, and the militia broken down, during the repeated invasions of the -preceding year. The Rev. Daniel Gros, [FN] writing to General Clinton from -Canajoharie, upon the importance of having at least a small detachment of -regular troops at Fort Rensselaer, observed—"It would serve to bring -spirit, order, and regularity into our militia, where authority and -subordination have vanished. If it should last a little longer, the -shadow of it will dwindle away; and perhaps the best men in the state will -be useless spectators of all the havoc the enemy is meditating against the -country. The militia appears to me to be a body without a soul. Drafts -from the neighboring counties, even of the levies under their own -commanders, will not abate the fatal symptoms, but rather serve to -produce a monster with as many heads as there are detachments." Having no -other defenders than such as are here described, with the exception of a -few scattered companies, or rather skeletons of companies, at the -different posts extending along the Valley, the prospect of the opening -Summer was indeed gloomy—more especially when men's thoughts reverted to -the sufferings of the past. Nor were the inhabitants encouraged to expect -any considerable reinforcements from head-quarters, since the -Commander-in-chief, in concert with the Count de Rochambeau, was again -evidently preparing for some enterprise of higher moment than the defence -of those remote settlements against any force that could be brought down -upon them from the north.</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Afterward a Professor in Columbia College, and author of a work on - Moral Philosophy.</p> - - -<p>Still, there was one officer whose name, among the people of that -district, was a tower of strength. That man was Colonel Marinus Willett; -who, at the consolidation of the five New-York regiments into two—an -event happening at about the same time—was induced by the strong -solicitation of Governor Clinton to take the command of all the militia -levies and State troops that might be raised for the protection of the -country. It was only with great reluctance that Colonel Willett was -persuaded to leave the main army, and enter upon this difficult and -hazardous service. But the appeal of Governor Clinton was so strong, and -enforced with so much earnestness, that he could not resist it. The -Governor urged the high confidence reposed in him by the people of Tryon -county—and reminded him of the cruelties of the Indians and -Tories—speaking of the latter with great emphasis, as "cruel monsters -worse than savages;" [FN-1] and Colonel Willett, feeling a hearty -good-will to chastise such an enemy—the Tories especially—repaired to -the north, and assumed the command. He arrived at Fort Rensselaer -(Canajoharie), where he established his head-quarters, toward the close -of June. The country he was to defend embraced all the settlements west -of the county of Albany, including Catskill and the Hudson river. A -fortnight after his arrival he ascertained that the following skeleton -detachments composed the full complement of the forces under his command: -one hundred and thirty levies, including officers, and Captain Moody's -artillery, numbering twenty men, at the German Flats; at Schoharie he -stationed a guard of twenty men; at Catskill about the same number, and -about thirty men at Ballston. Exclusive of these diminutive fragments of -corps, stationed at great distances apart, the levies of the county -amounted to no more than ninety-six men. In a letter to Governor Clinton, -making known the paucity of his numbers, Colonel Willett added:—"I -confess myself not a little disappointed in having such a trifling force -for such extensive business as I have on my hands; and also that nothing -is done to enable me to avail myself of the militia. The prospect of a -suffering country hurts me. Upon my own account I am not uneasy. Every -thing I can do, shall be done; and more cannot be looked for. If it is, -the reflection that I have done my a duty, must fix my own tranquility." -[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Willett's Narrative.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Depressed, however, as were the people, and inefficient as, from the -preceding descriptions, the militia must have become, these circumstances -were, no doubt, in a great degree attributable to the want of officers in -whom the people could repose confidence. Colonel Willett had very soon -an opportunity to make trial of their spirit, and he found them "a people -who, having experienced no inconsiderable portion of British barbarism, -were become keen for revenge and properly determined." [FN-1] The occasion -was the following:—On the 30th of June, several columns of smoke were -discovered by the garrison of Fort Rensselaer, ascending as from a village -on fire, in the direction of Currietown, lying eleven miles down the -river, near the estuary of the Schoharie-kill. Having previously sent -forth a scout of thirty men, commanded by Captain Gross, to patrol the -country south as far as a settlement called Durlagh, [FN-2] an express -was despatched to overtake that officer, with information of the probable -presence of the enemy below, and with instructions, if possible, to fall -upon his trail. Meantime Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean was ordered to Currietown, with -sixteen levies only, but with instructions to collect as many of the -militia in his way as possible. Such was the celerity of M<sup>c</sup>Kean's -movements, that he arrived at Currietown so soon after it had been ravaged -and deserted by the enemy, as to enable him to assist in quenching the -fires of some of the yet unconsumed buildings. Colonel Willett was himself -actively employed during the day in collecting the militia, while, through -the vigilance of Captain Gross, not only the trail of the Indians was -discovered, but the place of their encampment. Having reason to suppose -they would occupy the same encampment that night, and being joined before -evening by the detachments of Gross and M<sup>c</sup>Kean, the Colonel determined, -with these forces, and such few militia-men as he had been able to -collect, to march directly for the encampment, and, if possible, take them -by surprise before morning—perhaps while asleep. This encampment was in -a thick cedar swamp, five or six miles to the north-east of Cherry Valley, -and of course to reach it by a march through the woods, during an -exceedingly dark night, and without any better road than a bridle-path, -was no small undertaking. It had been ascertained that the Indians -numbered between two and three hundred, commanded by a Tory named John -Doxstader, in connexion with an Indian chief named Quackyack. Colonel -Willett's strength, levies and militia included, did not exceed one -hundred and fifty rank and file. The plan of falling upon the enemy while -asleep did not exactly succeed, in consequence of the difficulties of the -march—occasioned by the darkness, the thickness of the woods, and, worse -than all, the losing of his way by the guide. It was therefore nearly -six o'clock in the morning when they arrived in the vicinity of the -encampment; and, instead of falling upon the enemy by surprise, they -found him occupying a more favorable situation, and awaiting their -reception. Immediate dispositions were made to engage the enemy, with a -view to which a stratagem was laid to draw him from the advantageous -situation which he had chosen. For this purpose, before the Indians had -become fully aware of Willett's near approach, Jacob Sammons, now a -lieutenant in the New-York levies, was detached with ten resolute men, to -steal as near to them as possible, give them one well-directed fire, and -retreat. The ruse succeeded. Sammons and his men turned their backs on the -first yell of the Indians, and the latter sprang forward in pursuit. -[FN-3] They were soon met by Colonel Willett in person, advancing at the -head of his main division, which consisted of one hundred men, while -Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean was left with fifty more as a reserve, to act as occasion -might require, on the right. The enemy did not wait an attack, however, -but, with great appearance of determination, advanced with their wonted -shouts and yells, and began the fire. The onset of the Indians was -furious; but they were received with firmness, and in turn the Americans -advanced upon them with loud huzzas, and such manifestations of spirit as -soon caused them to give way. Simultaneously with their attack upon the -main body in front, the Indians had made an equally desperate rush upon -the right wing, which might have been attended with disaster, but for the -destructive fire poured in upon them by the reserve of M<sup>c</sup>Kean. The -Indians, thus driven back, now betook themselves to their old game of -firing from behind the trees; but Willett's men understood that mode of -fighting as well as themselves. They did not, however, practise it long. -Willett pressed forward waving his hat and cheering his men—calling out -that he could catch in his hat all the balls that the enemy might send; -and in the same breath exclaiming, "the day is ours, my boys!" These -inspiriting demonstrations being followed up by a timely and efficient -use of the bayonet, the whole body of the enemy was put to flight in half -an hour after the commencement of the action. They retreated upon their -old path down the Susquehanna, and were pursued to a considerable -distance. Their camp was, of course, taken, and the plunder they had -gathered recaptured. The loss of the Indians was severe—nearly forty of -their dead being left on the field. Colonel Willett's loss was five -killed, and nine wounded and missing. Among the wounded was the brave -Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean, fatally. He received two balls early in the engagement, -but kept at his post until it was over, and the rout of the enemy -complete. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Colonel Willett to General Washington.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sometimes spelt Turlock. Now the town of Sharon, Schoharie - County.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] MS. narrative of Jacob Sammons.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Willett's Narrative—Campbell.</p> - - -<p>There was one very painful circumstance attending this battle. In their -excursion to Currietown, the day before, Doxstader and his Indians had -made nine prisoners, among whom were Jacob and Frederick Diefendorff, -Jacob Myers and a son, a black boy, and four others. The moment the -battle commenced, the prisoners, who were bound to standing trees for -security, were tomahawked and scalped by their captors, and left as dead. -The bodies of these unfortunate men were buried by Colonel Willett's -troops. Fortunately, however, the graves were superficial, and the -covering slight—a circumstance which enabled Jacob Diefendorff, who, -though stunned and apparently dead, was yet alive, to disentomb himself. -A detachment of militia, under Colonel Veeder, having repaired to the -field of action after Willett had returned to Fort Rensselaer, discovered -the supposed deceased on the outside of his own grave; and he has lived -to furnish the author of the present work with an account of his own -burial and resurrection. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Statements of Jacob Diefendorff and Jacob Sammons, in the author's - possession.</p> - - -<p>Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean died, greatly lamented, a few days after the detachment -had returned to the fort, as will be seen by the annexed letter, addressed -by Colonel Willett to the commanding officer at Albany:—</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Willett to General Clinton.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:</span>—I have just sent some of the wounded levies to Schenectady, there -being no surgeon here. Doctor Petrie, the surgeon of the levies, is at -German Flats, where he has several sick and wounded to attend; and the -intercourse between here and there is too dangerous to allow traveling -without a guard; I could wish, therefore, to have a surgeon from the -hospital posted in this quarter.</p> - -<p>"This place does not afford a gill of rum to bathe a single wound. The two -barrels designed for this quarter a few days ago, met with a regular -regiment passing down the country, who very irregularly took away from -the person that had them in charge those two barrels of rum. I need not -mention to you, Sir, that the severe duty and large portion of fatigue -that falls to the lot of the troops in this quarter, make rum an article -of importance here, and that I should be glad to see some in the County -of Tryon.</p> - -<p>"This morning Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kean died of the wound he received yesterday. In -him we have lost an excellent officer. I feel his loss, and must regret -it." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote"><p class="quote">[FN] Clinton papers.</p> - - -<p>Shortly after the irruption of Doxstader, there was another descent of -Indians and Tories upon Palatine, which was an event of more singularity -than importance. A son of Colonel Jacob Klock, with several of his Tory -friends, went off to Canada. He returned in about four weeks with a band -of Indians and Tories to fall upon the settlement, and encamped for one -night in the vicinity of his own neighborhood. During the night, one of -the number, Philip Helmer, having discovered that a part of their object -was to plunder and murder the family of his relative, John Bellinger, -determined to save that family. Taking a young Indian with him, therefore, -under the pretext of reconnoitering the settlement, he proceeded so near -to some of the houses, that the Indian, becoming suspicious, ran back to -his comrades. Helmer's object was to surrender himself, and cause the -Indian to be taken prisoner; and he accordingly delivered himself up to -Judge Nellis. Expresses were immediately sent to Fort Plain and Stone -Arabia for assistance; and the enemy, finding themselves betrayed, took -to the woods. Lieutenant Sammons, with twenty-five men, was ordered by -Colonel Willett to go in pursuit; and so rapid were they of foot, as to -arrive at the enemy's encampment before his fires had gone out. William -Feeter, with six other volunteers, was sent forward to keep his trail. -In about two miles after entering the woods, most luckily they discovered -a number of the Indians lying flat upon the ground. The latter no sooner -discerned Feeter's approach, than they rose and fired; but one of their -number having fallen grievously wounded by the return fire of Feeler's -party, while they were stooping down to re-load, they sprang to their -feet and fled—Tories and all—leaving their provisions, knapsacks, and -some of their muskets. They ran down a steep hill, and were measurably -shielded from Feeter's fire by the thickness of the shrubbery and trees. -One of them gave himself up as a prisoner; three more were wounded, and -died on their way to Canada. The poor Indian first wounded, was put to -death by Helmer, who ran up and despatched him while he was begging for -quarter! [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Narrative of Colonel William Feeter, in the author's possession, - and also of Jacob Sammons. Colonel Feeter is yet living, (1837.)</p> - - -<p>Colonel Willett took early occasion to make the Commander-in-chief -acquainted with the deplorable situation to which this fine region of -country had been reduced by the repeated visitations of the enemy. In his -letter to General Washington upon the subject, he describes the beauty, -the productiveness, and the natural advantages of the country with a -glowing pen. From this communication it appears, that at the commencement -of the war, the number of enrolled militia in Tryon county amounted to -not less than two thousand five hundred; but at the date of the letter, -(July 6, 1781,) the number of inhabitants liable to pay taxes, or to be -assessed to raise men for the public service, was estimated at no more -than twelve hundred; while the number liable to bear arms did not exceed -eight hundred. To account for so large a reduction of the population, it -was estimated that one-third had been killed or made prisoners; one-third -had gone over to the enemy; and one-third, for the time being, had -abandoned the country. The situation of those that remained, the Colonel -described as so distressing as to provoke sympathy from even the most -unfeeling heart. Those who could afford the expense, or perform the labor, -had erected block-houses on their own farms, for the protection of their -families. Each neighborhood had been compelled to erect a fortification -for itself within which their families resided for safety—from ten to -fifty families crowding together in a fort. Of these works there were -twenty-four between Schenectady and Fort Schuyler. At the time of writing -this letter—or rather memoir, for the communication was extended through -several sheets—Colonel Willett stated that the whole number of men then -under his command, exclusive of the militia, did not exceed two hundred -and fifty. But he, nevertheless, kept up a good heart, and in the course -of his anticipations of bringing about a better state of things, -added—"Nor shall I exceed my hopes, if, in the course of less than -twelve months, I shall be able to convince the enemy that they are not -without vulnerable quarters in these parts." The following quotation will -illustrate alike the wisdom, the activity, and the skill of the -dispositions made by Willett, for the purpose not only of bringing order -out of confusion, but of displaying his strength before an invisible foe, -lurking stealthily about in every place of concealment, on all sides and -every hand. After stating that he had fixed his head-quarters at -Canajoharie, on account of its central position, he proceeds:—"My -intention is to manage business so as to have an opportunity of -acquainting myself, as well as possible, with every officer and soldier -I may have in charge. In order the better to do this, I propose, as far -as I can make it any way convenient, to guard the different posts by -detachments, to be relieved as the nature of the case will admit. And as -the relieved troops will always return to Fort Rensselaer, where my -quarters will be, I shall have an opportunity of seeing them all in turn. -Having troops constantly marching backward and forward through the -country, and frequently changing their route, will answer several -purposes, such as will easily be perceived by you, sir, without -mentioning them. This is not the only way by which I expect to become -particularly acquainted with the troops and their situation. I intend -occasionally to visit every part of the country, as well to rectify such -mistakes as are common among the kind of troops I have at present in -charge, as to enable me to observe the condition of the militia, upon -whose aid I shall be under the necessity of placing considerable -reliance."</p> - -<p>The effect of Colonel Willett's presence and example was very soon -perceptible. The people reposed the most unlimited confidence in him; and -so rapidly did he infuse something of his own fire and energy into the -bosoms even of the dispirited and broken militia, that they presently -appeared like a different race of men. An illustration of this fact -occurred one night early in July. The Colonel was informed, at the hour -of one o'clock in the morning, of the presence of fifty or sixty Indians -and Tories in the neighborhood, at only about six miles distance. Having -barely troops enough in the fort to guard it, he sent immediately for a -Captain of the militia, and in one hour's time that officer was in search -of the enemy at the head of seventy men. It is not often that much good -results from the employment of militia. Few officers can do any thing with -them. Most commanders nothing. But Willett was an exception in those days, -as General Jackson has been since. Willett, like Jackson, possessed the -faculty, by looking into the eyes of his men, of transfusing his own -native fire into their bosoms in spite of themselves.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, however, less trouble was experienced from the enemy during -the Summer, in the lower section of the Mohawk Valley, than had been -anticipated. The summary and severe chastisement inflicted upon Doxstader -and his party had a powerful effect upon that irritating branch of the -enemy's service; and for more than three months afterward the inhabitants -were only troubled occasionally, and then merely by small flying parties -of the enemy, who accomplished nothing worthy of record.</p> - -<p>But in the upper section of the Valley, the German Flats, it was -otherwise, and several spirited affairs occurred in that neighborhood, -attended by great bravery, though not by important consequences. The name -of Solomon Woodworth has twice or thrice occurred in the preceding pages; -once, as having been taken a prisoner and making his escape, and again as -alone defending a block-house north of Johnstown, and repulsing the enemy -from his fortress. In the year 1781 he was commissioned a captain, for -the purpose of raising a company of rangers to traverse the wooded country -north of Fort Dayton and the German Flats. He succeeded in enlisting a -company of forty brave and kindred spirits; at the head of whom, well -armed and provided, he marched from Fort Dayton, striking in the direction -of the Royal Grant, [FN-1] for purposes of observation. After a few hours' -march, one of Woodworth's men, being a short distance in advance, -discovered an Indian, evidently in ambuscade, upon whom he immediately -fired. Instantly the forest resounded with the war-whoop, and Woodworth -with his little band was surrounded by double his own number. A furious -and bloody engagement followed, in which the Rangers and Indians fought -hand to hand with great desperation; and, for the numbers engaged, there -was cruel slaughter. A fiercer engagement, probably, did not occur during -the war. Woodworth fell dead. The savages were the victors; and of the -rangers, only fifteen escaped to tell the melancholy fate of their -comrades. Several were taken captive, and subsequently exchanged. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] A large tract of land, so called from the fact that it was a - grant from the King, under his own sign manual, to Sir William Johnson.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Manuscripts of the Rev. John I. Shaw.</p> - - -<p>Another affair, as an individual exploit, was as remarkable for its -coolness and bravery, as for the singular incident occurring in the -course of the battle, or rather siege, by which the leader of the enemy -was made to supply ammunition to be used against his own troops. There -was, and is to this day, a wealthy German settlement about four miles -north of the village of Herkimer, called Shell's Bush. Among those of the -settlers who had built block-houses of their own, was John Christian -Shell. His stockade was large and substantial, and well calculated for -defence. The first story had no windows, but small loop-holes, through -which the inmates could fire upon any persons venturing to assail them. -The second story projected two or three feet over the first, so -constructed that the garrison could either fire upon those who approached -too near, or cast down missiles upon their heads. Shell had a family of -six sons, the youngest two of whom were twins and but eight years old. In -the afternoon of the 6th of August, Donald M<sup>c</sup>Donald, one of the Scotch -refugees who fled from Johnstown, made an attack upon Shell's Bush at the -head of a band of sixty-six Indians and Tories, among the latter of whom -were two celebrated traitors, named Empie and Kassellman. [FN-1] Most of -the inhabitants of Shell's Bush, however, had taken refuge in Fort -Dayton—four miles distant; but John Christian Shell, being a sturdy -believer in the doctrine that every man's house is his castle, refused to -quit his own domicile. He and his sons were at work in the field when -M<sup>c</sup>Donald and his party made their appearance; and the children were -unfortunately separated so widely from their father, as to fall into the -hands of the enemy. Shell and his other boys succeeded in reaching their -castle, and barricading the ponderous door. And then commenced the battle. -The besieged were well armed, and all behaved with admirable bravery; but -none more bravely than Shell's wife, who loaded the pieces as her husband -and sons discharged them. The battle commenced at two o'clock, and -continued until dark. Several attempts were made by M<sup>c</sup>Donald to set fire -to the castle, but without success; and his forces were repeatedly driven -back by the galling fire they received. M<sup>c</sup>Donald at length procured a -crow-bar and attempted to force the door; but while thus engaged he -received a shot in the leg from Shell's blunderbuss, which put him <i>hors -du combat.</i> None of his men being sufficiently near at the moment to -rescue him, Shell, quick as lightning, opened the door, and drew him -within the walls a prisoner. The misfortune of Shell and his garrison was, -that their ammunition began to run low; but M<sup>c</sup>Donald was very amply -provided, and to save his own life, he surrendered his cartridges to the -garrison to fire upon his comrades. Several of the enemy having been -killed and others wounded, they now drew off for a respite. Shell and his -troops, moreover, needed a little breathing time; and feeling assured -that, so long as he had the commanding officer of the besiegers in his -possession, the enemy would hardly attempt to burn the citadel, he ceased -firing. He then went up stairs, and sang the hymn which was a favorite of -Luther during the perils and afflictions of the Great Reformer in his -controversies with the Pope. [FN-2] While thus engaged, the enemy likewise -ceased firing. But they soon afterward rallied again to the fight, and -made a desperate effort to carry the fortress by assault. Rushing up to -the walls, five of them thrust the muzzles of their guns through the -loop-holes, but had no sooner done so, than Mrs. Shell, seizing an axe, -by quick and well-directed blows ruined every musket thus thrust through -the walls, by bending the barrels! A few more well-directed shots by Shell -and his sons once more drove the assailants back. Shell thereupon ran up -to the second story, just in the twilight, and calling out to his wife -with a loud voice, informed her that Captain Small was approaching from -Fort Dayton with succors. In yet louder notes he then exclaimed—"Captain -Small, march your company round upon this side of the house. Captain -Getman, you had better wheel your men off to the left, and come up upon -that side." There were, of course, no troops approaching; but the -directions of Shell were given, with such precision, and such apparent -earnestness and sincerity, that the stratagem succeeded, and the enemy -immediately fled to the woods, taking away the twin-lads as prisoners. -[FN-3] Setting the best provisions they had before their reluctant guest, -Shell and his family lost no time in repairing to Fort Dayton, which they -reached in safety—leaving M<sup>c</sup>Donald in the quiet possession of the castle -he had been striving to capture in vain. Some two or three of M<sup>c</sup>Donald's -Indians lingered about the premises to ascertain the fate of their leader; -and finding that Shell and his family had evacuated the post ventured in -to visit him. Not being able to remove him, however, on taking themselves -off, they charged their wounded leader to inform Shell, that if he would -be kind to him, (M<sup>c</sup>Donald,) they would take good care of his (Shell's) -captive boys. M<sup>c</sup>Donald was the next day removed to the fort by Captain -Small, where his leg was amputated; but the blood could not be stanched, -and he died in a few hours. [FN-4] The lads were carried into Canada. The -loss of the enemy on the ground was eleven killed and six wounded. The -boys, who were rescued after the war, reported that they took twelve of -their wounded away with them, nine of whom died before they arrived in -Canada. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. notes of Lauren Ford.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] A literal translation of this hymn has been furnished the author - by Professor Bokum of Harvard University, which will be found in No. - III. of the Appendix.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] One of Shell's neighbors lay in ambush during the battle, and - heard Shell's directions to Small and Getman.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] M<sup>c</sup>Donald wore a silver-mounted tomahawk, which was taken from him - by Shell. It was marked by thirty scalp-notches, showing that few Indiana - could have been more industrious than himself in gathering that - description of military trophies.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Among the slain was a white man, who had two thumbs on one hand. - One of Shell's sons is yet living in Canada, being a member of the - Dunkard's Society, in the neighborhood of Toronto.</p> - - -<p>At a subsequent day, Shell; being at work in the field with his two sons -at no great distance from the fort, was fired upon by a party of Indians -concealed in the standing wheat, and severely wounded. He called to his -sons not to allow the Indians to scalp him; and neither of the brave boys -would retreat until a guard came from the fort to their relief. But in -the discharge of this filial duty, one of them was killed and the other -wounded. John Christian Shell himself died of his wound, in the fort. His -deeds were commemorated in one of the most rude and prosaic of ballads. -But his memory is yet green in the remembrance of the German population -of Herkimer. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This account of John Christian Shell's exploit has been drawn - chiefly from the MS. statement of the venerable Col. William Feeter, yet - living in that town, (Feb. 1838,) and from the ballad mentioned in the - text, which contains a patriotic and particular recitation of the facts. - This use of contemporaneous ballads as authority for facts is well - sustained by precedent. Thierry makes bold use of English Norman ballads - for his history of the Norman Conquest; and Prescott, in his late - invaluable history of the reigns of Ferdinand and Isabella, has done the - like with the ancient Castilian romance and Moorish ballad.</p> - - -<p>The policy of the enemy at the north, during the whole season, was to -divide their own forces into small detachments, and harass the border -settlements at as many different points as possible—thus distracting the -attention of the people, and by allowing them neither a sense of security -nor repose, rendering them disgusted with the protracted struggle. The -most formidable movement of the Indians and Tories during the Summer -months, was the descent of Captain Cauldwell, from Niagara, upon the -border of Ulster County, at the head of about four hundred Indians and -Tories. The first intelligence of this irruption was received in Albany -by General Gansevoort, [FN] by letter, as follows:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In the re-organization of the army, at the close of the year 1780, - Colonel Gansevoort was left out of service in the line, by seniority in - rank of other officers. Being a brigadier general of the militia, - however, stationed at Albany, his services were in continual requisition, - since, in the absence of regular troops, his brigade was the chief - dependence of the northern section of the State. His activity in the - State service was incessant, and his correspondence with the Governor and - the general officers of the regular array at the north, heavier than at - any former period. See Appendix, No. IV.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Poughkeepsie, August</i> 14, 1781</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Last Sunday, a body of the enemy, to the amount of about three hundred -Indians and ninety Tories, appeared on the frontiers of Ulster County. -They took a small scout Colonel Pauling had sent out, and from them it is -supposed obtained information of the disposition of the levies in that -quarter, whom they passed by, and were first discovered at the settlement -of Warwasing. From the last accounts they had retired; but how far, is not -known. The militia have been collected and marched to oppose or pursue -them, as circumstances may render expedient. From their force, it is not -probable they will leave the country without attempting farther mischief -in that or some other quarter. I conceive it necessary, therefore, to give -you this information that you may take proper steps with your militia in -case this party should take their route toward the frontier of your -county; and I would particularly recommend that a part of your brigade be -immediately marched to Schoharie, for the protection of that settlement -until this party shall entirely have gone off. The account of the enemy's -strength is from one Vrooman, who deserted them; which is confirmed from -their appearance to a small party of levies, who saw them paraded at a -house they attacked, and which the party defended. By a more particular -account received this morning, (and which was the first that demanded -credit,) they have burnt and destroyed about a dozen houses, with their -barns, &c., among which are those of John G. Hardenburgh, Esq. They killed -only one of the inhabitants, the rest having made a timely escape from -their houses. The levies stationed there were by no means sufficient to -turn out and oppose them; but those who were in the house defended -themselves with spirit against the assaults of the enemy, by which means -several of them are said to have fallen, and many houses were saved.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, with great esteem, - Sir, your most obd't serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Clinton.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Brig. Gen. Gansevoort.</i>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Vrooman, at Schoharie, having heard of the invasion of - Ulster County by Cauldwell, wrote a pressing letter to General - Gansevoort, for assistance, on the same day that the Governor wrote from - Poughkeepsie. Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer was forthwith ordered to - Schoharie with his regiment, and Colonel Wemple was directed to send a - detachment of his regiment thither, from Schenectady, together with as - many of the Oneida Indians as he could engage. Fortunately, their - services were not required in action.</p> - - -<p>Captain Cauldwell was an officer in Butler's rangers. Who was the Indian -leader on the occasion, is not known. Their route from Niagara had been -by way of the Chemung, and thence, after crossing the Susquehanna, by the -Lackawaxen to the Delaware. The stockade forts at the north of the -Lackawaxen, and at Neversink, had been passed unobserved. Luckily, -however, for the inhabitants, shortly before Cauldwell reached the -settlements, a scouting party had descried his advance, and, eluding the -enemy's pursuit, had succeeded in communicating the alarm to the people, -who at once fled with their most valuable effects to the picket forts -erected for exactly such emergencies.</p> - -<p>It was just at the first blush of morning that Cauldwell passed the small -fortress on the frontier of Warwasing. Being fired upon by the sentinel, -the report alarmed Captain Hardenburgh, who, with a guard of nine men, -was stationed at a point about three miles distant from the fort. -Proceeding immediately in the direction of the sound, Hardenburgh and his -little band met the enemy on his way, directing their course toward the -adjoining settlement of Mombackus—now called Rochester. Nothing daunted, -the Captain gave the enemy battle; but being closely pressed, he soon -discovered that his retreat had been cut off by a party of Indians, who -had gained his rear. In this dilemma, it being yet not quite light, -Hardenburgh with his party took refuge in a small stone house nearby, -owned by a Mr. Kettle, which had probably not been observed by the enemy. -Here they found six militia-men more—making sixteen in all, and being -well armed, they gave the invaders a warm reception. The latter advanced -several times to carry the house by assault, but as some of their number -were each time doomed to fall, they as often gave way, and in the end -relinquished the undertaking—leaving thirteen dead upon the field. In -marching forward two miles to Hardenburgh's house, the enemy fell in with -Kettle, the owner of the premises where they had been so roughly handled. -He, poor fellow, was killed and scalped. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. statement of Captain Valentine Davis, in the author's - possession.</p> - - -<p>Captain Henry Pauling, with a detachment of the regiment of State levies -commanded by Colonel Albert Pauling, was stationed at a point about six -miles distant from the scene of the action just described. He hastened -forward, but arrived too late to have a brush with the enemy, and only in -season to capture one straggling prisoner who was lingering for fruit in -an apple orchard. [FN-1] Finding his reception rather warm, and perceiving -indications of farther and more powerful opposition to his advance, -Cauldwell was already in full retreat. Nor did he commence retracing his -steps a moment too soon for his own safety. The news of his advance having -reached the west bank of the Hudson, where Colonel Pauling, of the State -levies, and Colonel John Cantine, with a body of militia, were stationed, -those officers marched immediately to the relief of the invaded -settlements. They arrived at the outskirts in time to catch a glimpse of -the enemy's rear, and to relieve some of the inhabitants, among whom were -a man and his wife, who had conducted themselves with distinguished -bravery. His house was constructed of unhewn logs, in the woods, and in -advance of all others. On the appearance of the foe, he fled to his castle -with his wife, and securing it in the best manner he could, gave battle -to a party of the Indians who laid siege to his fortress. Being well -armed, he defended himself with so much spirit, that they recoiled with -loss. Finding, after several attempts, that they could not force an -entrance, the Indians collected a heap of combustibles, and set fire to -the premises. Retiring a short distance to see the result, the man watched -his opportunity, and rushing out with a couple of buckets, he procured -water, which was close at hand, and extinguished the fire. The Indians, -of course, ran down upon him; but not being quick enough of foot to -prevent his gaining the door, hurled their tomahawks at his head—happily -without effect. He entered his castle, made fast his sally-port, and -re-commenced his defence. Just at this moment Colonel Pauling with his -troops appeared in sight, whereupon the Indians raised the siege and -departed. Colonel Pauling was absent in pursuit seven days, but did not -overtake them. The enemy suffered severely. They lost a goodly number of -their men; took only two prisoners and but little plunder; and were so -near starvation, that they were compelled to devour their dogs before -they reached their head-quarters. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. of Major Thomas Sammons, who was at this time serving in the - corps of Captain Pauling. The prisoner taken from the enemy was - recognized as an old neighbor of his father's at Johnstown, who had - served in the company of which Jacob Sammons was the lieutenant.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Major Sammons.</p> - - -<p>The Shawanese and other western Indians seem to have remained -comparatively quiet during the Spring and Summer of 1781. The Kentucky -settlements were for the most part unmolested, save by a feeble attack -upon M<sup>c</sup>Afee's station near Harrodsburgh. The assailants, however, were -but a straggling party of Indians, who hung about the stockade, and were -ultimately punished severely for their temerity. Two of them were killed -by an equal number of the M<sup>c</sup>Afees, whom, having left the fort for some -purpose, the Indians attempted to cut off on their return. The Indians -then commenced an attack upon the fort, but a party of cavalry arriving -suddenly from Harrodsburgh, the garrison sallied forth, and the savages -were quickly dispersed, with a loss of six killed outright, and several -others, whom they bore away, wounded. A few days afterward, Bryant's -station, which was yet more exposed, was visited by the Indians. Bryant, -who was a brother-in-law of Colonel Boon, having arranged a large hunting -party of twenty men, left his fort on an expedition down the Elk-horn. -Having divided his company in order to sweep a broader extent of country -for game, by reason of a fog, and other untoward circumstances, they -failed of uniting at the points designated. Meantime the Indians were -hanging about both divisions, and by stratagem succeeded in defeating -both. In one of their skirmishes Bryant was mortally wounded, and another -man severely. It was reported that the hunters, taken by surprise, were -deficient in firmness, when Bryant fell. On the following day they -encountered the Indians again, and defeated them.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chvi">CHAPTER VI.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - -<p class="chap">Increase of disaffection in the North—Seizures of prominent citizens by - bands of loyalists from Canada—Captivity of John J. Bleecker—Plot - against General Gansevoort—Daring attempt upon General Schuyler in the - city of Albany, by John Waltermeyer—Intrepidity of Margaret - Schuyler—Arrest of loyalists at the Beaver Dams—Mysterious movements - of the enemy on Lake Champlain—Controversy with the New-Hampshire - Grants—Sketch of its origin—Outrages of the Vermont - insurgents—Declaration of Independence by the Grants—Interposition of - Congress—Its authority disregarded—Progress of the - controversy—-Difficult situation of General Gansevoort—Suspected - intercourse of the Vermontese with the enemy—Letter of Governor - Clinton—Invasion of the Mohawk country by Major Ross—Warrens-bush - ravaged—March of the enemy to Johnstown—Followed by Willett with the - levies and militia—Battle of Johnstown—Ross defeated—Pursued by - Willett, and routed at Jersey field—Death of Walter N. Butler—General - progress of the war—Arnold in Virginia—Returns to the North, and - destroys Groton and New London—Siege of Yorktown and capture of - Cornwallis—Affairs of the North—Meditated treachery of - Vermont—Message of Governor Clinton—British open a correspondence with - the Vermont insurgents—Mission of Ira Allen to Canada—Separate - armistice with Vermont—Stipulations for erecting Vermont into a royal - colony—Correspondence with the enemy during the Summer—Negotiations - renewed at Skenesborough—St. Leger ascends the lake with a strong - force—An awkward occurrence for the Vermontese—Excitement at the seat - of Government of the Grants—Throwing dust in the eyes of the - people—News of the surrender of Cornwallis—Its effect in - Vermont—Causes the nasty return of St. Leger to Canada—Insurrection - in the north-eastern towns of New-York, in connexion with the - Vermontese—Troubles of General Gansevoort—Unable to quell the - insurgents—Cherokee Indians—Close of the year.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Emboldened</span> by the feeble state of the country, and by the increased -numbers of the disaffected in the neighborhood of Albany, especially at -the north of that city, in consequence of the equivocal indications in -Vermont, the scouting parties of the enemy were exceedingly active and -audacious in their incursions. Their chief object was to seize the -persons of the most conspicuous and influential inhabitants, for transfer -into Canada as prisoners. Among the notable leaders in this species of -warfare were two bold partisans, named Joseph Bettys and John Waltermeyer. -The daring misdeeds of Bettys, if collected, would of themselves furnish -materials for a small volume. Waltermeyer was perhaps equally daring, but -less savage in his disposition. In the month of April, a party of fifteen -or sixteen of the enemy broke in upon the town of Coxsackie and the -contiguous settlements, carrying off several prisoners; among whom were -David Abeel and his son, residing a few miles south of Catskill.</p> - -<p>At the north of Albany several active citizens were seized and carried -away in the course of the season; among whom was Mr. John J. Bleecker, of -Tomhanic, whose family had been broken up on the approach of Burgoyne, -four years previous. After the surrender of Burgoyne, Mr. Bleecker -returned to his sylvan plantation, where he had lived in tranquility until -the month of August of the present year; at which time he was surprised -in the field, while assisting his laborers in the wheat harvest, and -carried away with two of his men. The enemy having stolen upon him in -silence, and seized him without permitting an alarm, Mrs. Bleecker was -ignorant of the occurrences. But, her husband not returning, as he was -wont, on the approach of night, her suspicions were awakened that all was -not right. When she sent to the field, he was not there, nor could trace -of him or his laborers be found. But as such sudden disappearances were -not unusual, his fate was not difficult of conjecture. The neighborhood -was alarmed, and search for him made, but in vain. Mrs. Bleecker, -overwhelmed with grief, gave him up as lost, and once more set her face -for Albany. Fortunately, however, the captors of her husband fell in with -a party of militia-men from Bennington, who rescued the prisoners; and Mr. -Bleecker had the happiness to rejoin his wife after six days' absence. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The joy experienced by Mrs. Bleecker on again beholding her husband, - so far overcame her as to bring on a fit of sickness, so severe as nearly - to prove fatal. Indeed, the events of 1777, particularly the loss of her - daughter, made so deep an impression upon her mind, that she never - recovered her happiness. Hence the pensive character of her writings. - She died at Tomhanic in 1783, at the early age of 31.</p> - - -<p>An attempt was also made, during the same season, to seize the person of -General Gansevoort. Although, as has already been stated, General -Gansevoort was no longer in the regular service, yet, as an experienced -officer, and the commander of the militia in that part of the state, his -services and his counsels were in continual requisition; nor was there a -more active officer in the service, regular or irregular, or one more -burdened with duties. It was therefore an object with the enemy to remove -him from his post if possible. A scheme was therefore devised to seize him -at one of the ferries which he was about to cross; the execution of which -was entrusted to a hostile partisan named Tanckrey. By some means, -however, Colonel Henry Van Rensselaer, at Half Moon, obtained information -of the project, and lost no time in admonishing the General of his danger -by letter. Having also heard of the rendezvous of Tanckrey and his gang, -Van Rensselaer despatched a detachment of troops under Major Schermerhorn, -for their apprehension. They were found at the house of a Mr. Douglass; -but before Schermerhorn's troops had surrounded the house, their approach -was discovered, and they were fired upon by the marauders; all of whom, -with a single exception, succeeded in getting off through the rear of the -house. Two of Schermerhorn's militia were wounded. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. Letter of Col. Henry Van Rensselaer to General Gansevoort.</p> - - -<p>But the boldest enterprise of the kind was the projected abduction of -General Schuyler from his residence in Albany, or rather in the suburbs of -that city, in the month of August. Schuyler was not at that time in the -army, having exchanged the military for the civil service of his country -two years before. [FN-1] Still, his military exertions were almost as -great, and his counsels were as frequently sought and as highly valued, -as though he were yet in command of the department. Added to which, he -had been specially charged by the Commander-in-chief with the prosecution -of all practicable measures for intercepting the communications of the -enemy. [FN-2] Aside from this circumstance, the acquisition of a person -of his consideration as a prisoner, would have been an important object -to Sir Frederick Haldimand, the British Commander in Canada. A desperate -effort was therefore resolved upon for his capture. For this purpose John -Waltermeyer, the bold and reckless Tory partisan already mentioned, was -despatched to the neighborhood of Albany, at the head of a gang of Tories, -Canadians, and Indians. He had, as it subsequently appeared, been lurking -about the precincts of Albany for eight or ten days, sheltered by the -thick growth of low pines and shrub-oaks, which yet spread over much of -the common lands appertaining to that city; and some dark intimations had -been conveyed to General Schuyler that his person was in danger. These -premonitions, it is believed, came first from a Dutch rustic who had -fallen into the hands of Waltermeyer, and been examined as to the means -of defence and the localities of the General's house, and who had been -released only after taking an oath of secrecy. A similar caution had also -been conveyed to him by a loyalist to whom the intention of Waltermeyer -was known, but who was General Schuyler's personal friend. Of course the -General and his family were continually on the <i>qui vive,</i> since the -frequency with which leading citizens had been decoyed into ambush and -taken, or snatched away by sudden violence, afforded ample cause for the -exercise of all possible vigilance and caution. In addition, moreover, to -his own household proper, the General had a guard of six men; three of -whom were on duty by day, and three by night.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] "It was not until the Autumn of 1778 that the conduct of General - Schuyler, in the campaign of 1777, was submitted to the investigation of - a court-martial. He was acquitted of every charge with the highest honor, - and the sentence was confirmed by Congress. He shortly afterward, upon - his earnest and repeated solicitations, had leave to retire from the - army, and devoted the remainder of his life to the service of his country - in its political councils. He had previously been in Congress, and on his - return to that body, after the termination of his military life, his - talents, experience, and energy, were put in immediate requisition; and - in November, 1779, he was appointed to confer with General Washington on - the state of the southern department. In 1781 he was in the Senate of - this state; and wherever he was placed, and whatever might be the - business before him, he gave the utmost activity to measures, and left - upon them the impression of his prudence and sagacity."<i>Chancellor Kent.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter from Washington to General Schuyler, May 14, 1781.</p> - - -<p>It was in the evening of a sultry day in August, that the General was -sitting with his family, after supper, in the front hall of his house, -all the doors being open, when a servant entered to say that a stranger -waited to speak with him at the back gate. Such an unusual request at -once excited suspicion. The evening was so exceedingly warm that the -servants had dispersed. The three sentinels who had been relieved for the -night, were asleep in the cellar; and the three who should have been on -duty, were refreshing themselves at full length on the grass-plot in the -garden. Instead, however, of responding to the invitation to meet the -stranger at the back gate, the doors of the house were instantly closed -and fastened. The General ran to his bed-chamber for his arms; and having -hastily collected his family in an upper apartment, and discovered from -the windows that the house was surrounded by armed men, a pistol was -discharged for the purpose of alarming the neglectful guards, and -perchance the people of the city. At the same moment Mrs. Schuyler -perceived that her infant child had been left in their bustle, in the -cradle, below two flights of stairs. In an agony of apprehension she was -flying to its rescue, but the General would not permit her to leave the -apartment. The third daughter, Margaret, [FN-1] instantly rushed forth, -and descending to the nursery, which was upon the ground floor, snatched -the child from the cradle, where it was yet lying unmolested. As she was -leaving the room to return, a tomahawk was hurled at her by an unseen -hand, but with no other effect than slightly to injure her dress. On -ascending a private stairway, she was met by Waltermeyer himself, who -exclaimed—"Wench! where is your master?" She replied, with great -presence of mind—"Gone to alarm the town." The villains had not, indeed, -entered the house unopposed, for, on hearing the noise when they were -breaking in the doors, the three men in the cellar sprang up, and without -stopping to dress, rushed up stairs to the back hall, where their arms -had been left standing for convenience if wanted, and into which the -assailants were forcing their way. Most unluckily, however, the arms of -the guards were not at hand. Mrs. Church, [FN-2] who had lately returned -from Boston, perceiving that her little son [FN-3] was playing with the -muskets, and not entertaining the slightest suspicion that they would be -wanted, had caused them to be removed a few hours before the attack, -without informing the guard of the circumstance. The brave fellows had -therefore no other means of resistance, after the yielding of the doors, -than by dealing blows as soundly as they could with their fists, and also -by embarrassing the progress of the enemy otherwise as they might, while -the General was collecting his family aloft.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Afterward the first lady of the present venerable and excellent - General Stephen Van Rensselaer.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Another daughter of General Schuyler, married to John B. Church, - Esq., an English gentleman, contractor for the French army in America, - and afterward a member of Parliament. He died in 1818. [The venerable - widow of Alexander Hamilton is also a daughter of General Schuyler.]</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The present Captain Philip Church, of Allegheny county, (N. Y.)</p> - - -<p>But to return: Miss Margaret had no sooner informed Waltermeyer that her -father had gone abroad for reinforcements, than the traitor recalled his -followers from the dining-room—where it appeared they were at the moment -engaged in bagging the plate, from which work of plunder he had in vain -urged them to desist, that they might perform the more important object -of their mission—for consultation. Just at that moment, the General threw -up a window, and with great presence of mind called out—"Come on, my -brave fellows, surround the house and secure the villains who are -plundering." [FN-1] The stratagem succeeded, and the party made a -precipitate retreat, carrying with them the three men who had vainly, and -without arms, opposed their entrance, [FN-2] one of whom had been wounded -in defending the passage, while Waltermeyer himself was slightly wounded -by one of the shots of Schuyler from the window. Thus, providentially, -was the third conspiracy against the person of General Schuyler defeated. -[FN-3] The alarm was heard in the city, for the General had fired several -shots during the affray; but before any of the citizens arrived at the -scene of action, the enemy had fled.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Schuyler to General Washington, Aug. 1781.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The names of the guard were, John Tubbs, John Corlies, and Hans - (John) Ward. They were carried to Canada, and when exchanged, the General - gave them each a farm in Saratoga County. Ward is still, or was very - lately, living, (Dec 1837.)</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The particulars of this interesting adventure have been chiefly - derived by the author from Mrs. Cochran, of Oswego, the infant who was - rescued from the cradle by her sister Margaret.</p> - - -<p>From Albany, Waltermeyer directed his course to Ballston, where he arrived -at about day-break on the next morning. Taking General Gordon, of that -place, a prisoner from his bed, the Tory leader pursued his journey back -to Canada—having failed in the principal object of his expedition.</p> - -<p>It may well be imagined that the situation of a people dwelling in such -perpetual insecurity, was exceedingly unpleasant. Nor were they in dread -only of a most subtle and wary foe from without. The disaffected were more -numerous than ever among themselves, and the inhabitants scarcely knew who -among their own neighbors could be trusted. Early in September it was -represented to General Gansevoort that the disaffected had not only become -formidable in numbers in the western and south western parts of the County -of Albany, but were harboring and administering comfort to parties of the -enemy sent from Canada, for the farther prosecution of the species of -warfare already described in the present chapter—adding to the seizure -of those men who were most active in the cause of their country, the -destruction of their dwellings, and the murder of their women and -children. [FN] Under these circumstances, Colonel Philip P. Schuyler; -with a strong detachment of militia from Gansevoort's brigade, was -despatched into the settlements designated, particularly to the Beaver -Dams, where the family of Captain Deitz had been so cruelly murdered in -1777, with orders to arrest the disaffected, and bring them to Albany, -together with their families and effects. The orders of General Gansevoort -were issued on the 9th of September. On the 16th, Colonel Schuyler -reported that he had executed his commission. From seventy to a hundred -families "of the most notoriously disaffected," were arrested and brought -into the city, where they were placed under a more vigilant surveillance -than could be exercised over them in their own township.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. order of General Gansevoort.</p> - - -<p>But while these summary proceedings were rendering the country about -Albany more secure in its internal relations, the inhabitants at the -north were for several months kept in a state of ceaseless inquietude and -alarm, by the movements of the enemy on Lake Champlain. General Heath was -at that time invested with the command of the Northern Department, his -head-quarters being in the Highlands. At Saratoga General Stark was in -command, and Lord Stirling was also at the north. But as the -Commander-in-chief had drawn the main army to Virginia, there were but -few regular troops at the disposal of those officers. The consequence was, -that with every alarm from Lake Champlain, (and the mysterious movements -of the enemy rendered those alarms most inconveniently frequent,) General -Stark was making pressing applications to General Gansevoort for -assistance. The conduct of the enemy in the lake was indeed passing -strange. It was ascertained that he had more than once ascended the lake -from St. John's, with a force sufficiently strong, in the then exposed -situation of the northern frontier, to make a formidable inroad upon the -settlements; and the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants, then -arrogating to themselves the character of citizens of the <i>State</i> of -Vermont—not being in the secrets of their leaders—were as frequently -alarmed as were those of the settlements <i>admitted</i> by the Vermontese to -belong to New-York. Still the enemy attempted nothing beyond landing at -Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and making a few occasional and inexplicable -manœuvres with his flotilla upon the lake. These questionable movements -were no less annoying than perplexing to the American generals. That a -descent upon some point was intended, there seemed little reason to doubt. -It was most likely to come from the north; but whenever the fleet was -withdrawn down the lake, the idea prevailed that the movements there were -intended to create a diversion, while the actual blow might be anticipated -from the west. In support of the latter opinion was positive information, -of a party of returning prisoners from Montreal, on the 19th of September, -of the movements of between two and three hundred of Sir John Johnson's -regiment, who were evidently preparing for an expedition in some -direction. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MSS. and correspondence of General Gansevoort.</p> - - -<p>There was yet another source of distraction to the state authorities, -civil and military, threatening nothing short of hostilities between -New-York and the occupants of the New Hampshire Grants. A brief sketch of -the cause and progress of the difficulties here referred to, though -apparently foreign to the main subject of the present work, is -nevertheless deemed essential to a just understanding of the situation of -affairs in the Northern Department. Those who are versed in the early -history of New-York and Vermont, cannot be ignorant of the fact, that for -many years anterior to the war of the Revolution, a controversy had -existed between the Governors of New Hampshire and New-York respecting -the jurisdiction of the territory now constituting the State of Vermont. -This controversy was begun in 1749, and continued fifteen years; during -which period the Governor of New Hampshire was in the practice of making -grants of lands and townships in the disputed territory. In 1764 the -question was carried up to the King in council, and a decision rendered -in favor of New-York, confirming her claim to the territory north of -Massachusetts, as far east as the Connecticut river. Under this decision, -the Colonial Government of New-York unwisely gave the Order in Council a -construction of <i>retrospective</i> operation, involving the question of title. -The grants from the Governor of New Hampshire were declared void, and the -settlers were upon this ground called on either to surrender their -charters, or to re-purchase their lands from New-York. This demand they -resisted, and with this resistance the controversy was renewed in another -form, and continued with great vehemence, and with but little -interruption, for many years. [FN-1] About the year 1770 the celebrated -Ethan Allen became conspicuous as a leader of "the Green Mountain Boys" -in these proceedings. A military organization was adopted, and the -mandates of the courts of New-York were disregarded, and its officers and -ministers of justice openly set at defiance. When the sheriff of Albany -appeared with his <i>posse comitatus,</i> the Green Mountain Boys opposed -force to force, and drove them back. Lord Dunmore was then at the head of -the colonial government of New-York, and exerted himself actively to -maintain its territorial claim. An act of outlawry against Allen and -several of his most prominent associates was passed, and a reward of -£fifty offered for Allen's head. Lord Dunmore issued a proclamation, -commanding the sheriff of Albany county to apprehend the offenders, and -commit them to safe custody, that they might be brought to condign -punishment; [FN-2] but the friends of Allen were too numerous, resolute, -and faithful, to allow of his arrest, or in any manner to suffer his -personal safety to be compromised. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Slade's Vermont State papers, Introduction, p. 17.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sparks's Life of Ethan Allen.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] President Allen's Biographical Dictionary.</p> - - -<p>Governor Tryon, who succeeded Lord Dunmore, endeavored, both by force and -by conciliation, to pacify the people of the Grants, and bring them back -to their fealty to New-York. But in vain. Within the boundaries of the -disputed territory, the laws of New-York were inoperative. It was to no -purpose that civil suits, brought by the New-York grantees, were decided -in their favor; process could not be executed; the settlers who had -purchased farms under the New-York grantees, were forcibly driven away; -surveyors were arrested, tried under the <i>Lynch code,</i> and banished under -the penalty of death should they ever again be caught within the bounds -of the interdicted territory; [FN-1] and those who presumed to hold -commissions of the peace under the authority of New-York, were tried by -the same courts, and inhumanly chastised with rods on their naked backs, -to the extent of two hundred stripes. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sparks—Life of Allen.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] By way of indicating their feelings toward the New-Yorkers, there - was an inn at Bennington, called the "<i>Green Mountain Tavern,</i>" the sign - of which was the skin of a catamount stuffed, and raised on a post - twenty-five feet from the ground, with its head turned toward New-York, - giving defiance to all intruders from that quarter. It was at this tavern - that that powerful and inexorable though ideal personage, <i>Judge Lynch,</i> - was wont to hold his courts before he took up his abode at the South. - Sometimes the delinquents, who were so unfortunate as to be obliged to - answer in his court for the crime of purchasing lands of the real owners, - or for acknowledging the government to which by law they belonged, were - punished by being suspended by cords in a chair, beneath the catamount, - for two hours. This was a lenient punishment. The more common one, was - the application of the "<i>beech seal</i>" to the naked back—or, in other - words, a flagellation with beechen rods.</p> - - -<p>Such was the posture of affairs between New-York and the people of the -New Hampshire Grants, at the commencement of the Revolution. But the -battle of Lexington produced a shock which, for the time being, arrested -the prosecution of the controversy. New-York was called to nerve her arm -for a higher and nobler conflict, in the early stages of which she was -gallantly assisted by the recusant settlers of the Grants. Ethan Allen -himself struck the first blow at the north, by the capture of Ticonderoga; -and his martial companion in resisting the authorities of New-York, -Colonel Seth Warner, rendered efficient service at the battle of -Bennington. Still, the Vermontese did not forget, while New-York was -exerting her energies elsewhere, to prosecute their own designs for an -entire alienation from New-York, and a separate state organization. [FN-1] -To this end all the energies of the chief men of the Grants were directed; -and the result was, that the Declaration of Independence of the British -crown, by Congress, on the behalf of the twelve United Colonies, of July -4th, 1776, was followed by a convention of the people of the disputed -territory; which convention, on the 15th of January, 1777, declared the -New Hampshire Grants to be a free and independent State, [FN-2] and -forwarded a memorial to Congress, praying for admission into the -Confederation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Blade's Vermont State Papers—a valuable work.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem. - - -<p>Indignant at this procedure, the state of New-York sought the -interposition of Congress. The justice of the claim of New-York was fully -recognised by that body; and the memorial from the Grants was dismissed, -by a resolution "that the independent government attempted to be -established by the people of Vermont, could derive no countenance or -justification from any act or resolution of Congress." But the people of -the Grants persisted in their determination to assert and maintain their -independence. Nothing daunted, therefore, by the adverse action of -Congress, they proceeded to form a constitution and to organise a State -Government; the machinery of which was fully set in motion in the -following year, 1778.</p> - -<p>The Legislature of New-York still attempted to assert its right of -jurisdiction, but made liberal proffers of compromise in regard to titles -of lands—offering to recognise and confirm all the titles which had -previously been in dispute. A proclamation to this effect, conceived in -the most liberal spirit, was issued by Governor Clinton, in February, -1778; avowing, however, in regard to the contumacious, "the rightful -supremacy of New-York over their persons and property, as disaffected -subjects." [FN-1] But, like every preceding effort, either of force or -conciliation, the present was of no avail. Ethan Allen issued a -counter-proclamation to the people of the Grants, and the work of their -own independent organization proceeded without serious interruption. -[FN-2] They were the more encouraged to persevere in this course, from -an impression that, although Congress could not then sanction proceedings -in regard to New-York that were clearly illegal; the New England members, -and some of the Southern also, would, nevertheless, not be very deep -mourners at their success. Roger Sherman maintained that Congress had no -right to decide the controversy, and was supposed to countenance the -proceedings of which New-York complained. Elbridge Gerry held that -Vermont was <i>extra-provincial,</i> and had a perfect right to her -independence. [FN-3] But so thought not New-York and Governor Clinton; -and the organization of a state government revived the heart-burnings that -had subsided, and re-enkindled the fires of discord which had been -inactive during the first three or four years of the war. The causes of -irritation became daily more frequent and exasperating, until, during the -Summer and Autumn of the present year, the parties were again on the verge -of open hostilities. The people of the Grants, as they had grown in -strength, had increased in their arrogance, until they had extended their -claims to the Hudson river; and it was no diminution of the perplexities -of New-York, that strong indications appeared in several of the northern -towns, to which the people of the Grants had previously interposed not -even the shadow of a claim, of a disposition to go over to Vermont.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Slades's Vermont State Papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Respecting this manifesto, John Jay wrote to Governor - Morris—"Ethan Allen has commenced author and orator. A philippic of his - against New-York is handed about. There is quaintness, impudence, and art - in it."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Life of Governor Morris.</p> - - -<p>Meantime Governor Clinton, inflexibly determined to preserve the disputed -jurisdiction, was exerting himself to the utmost for that object; and in -order, apparently, to bring the question to a test, several persons were -arrested in the course of the Summer of 1781, within the territory of the -Grants, under the pretext of some military delinquency. This procedure -was the signal for another tempest. Governor Chittenden wrote to officers -of New-York, demanding the release of the prisoners taken from the -Grants—asserting their determination to maintain the government they had -"set up," [FN-1] and threatening that, in the event of an invasion of the -territory of New-York by the common enemy, unless those prisoners were -given up, they would render no assistance to New-York. This letter also -contained an admonition, "that power was not limited only to New-York." -[FN-2] Nor was this all. While the country was threatened by invasion -both from the north and the west, the spirit of the Vermont insurgents -began to spread among the militia in the northern towns east of the -Hudson, belonging to General Gansevoort's own brigade. Thus, on the one -hand, General Stark was calling upon him for assistance against the enemy -apparently approaching from Lake Champlain, at the same time that Governor -Clinton was directing him to quell the spirit of insubordination along the -line of the New Hampshire Grants; and both of these duties were to be -discharged, with a knowledge that a portion of his own command was -infected with the insurgent spirit. Added to all which was, the necessity -of watching, as with an eagle's eye, the conduct of the swarms of -loyalists within the bosom of Albany and in the towns adjacent; while for -his greater comfort, he was privately informed that the Green Mountain -Boys were maturing a plot for his abduction. Meantime the government of -the Grants had effected an organization of their own militia, and -disclosures had been made to the government of New-York, imputing to the -leading men of the Grants a design, in the event of a certain contingency, -of throwing the weight of their own forces into the scale of the Crown. -The following letter may be considered important in this connexion:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. Letter from Thomas Chittenden to Captain Van Rensselaer, - among the Gansevoort papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This dark and rather awkward saying was full of meaning, as will - appear in a subsequent portion of the present chapter.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Poughkeepsie, Oct.</i> 18, 1781.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your letter of the 15th instant was delivered to me on the evening of the -16th. I have delayed answering it, in hopes that the Legislature would -ere this have formed a quorum, and that I might have availed myself of -their advice on the subject to which it relates; but as this is not yet -the case, and it is uncertain when I shall be enabled to lay the matter -before them, I conceive it might be improper longer to defer expressing -my own sentiments to you on this subject.</p> - -<p>"The different unwarrantable attempts, during the Summer, of the people -on the Grants to establish their usurped jurisdiction, even beyond their -former claim, and the repetition of it (alluded to in your letter,) in -direct opposition to a resolution of Congress injurious to this State and -favorable to their project of independence, and at a time when the common -enemy are advancing, can only be accounted for by what other parts of -their conduct have given us too much reason to suspect—disaffection to -the common cause. On my part, I have hitherto shown a disposition to evade -entering into any altercation with them, that might, in its most remote -consequence, give encouragement to the enemy, and expose the frontier -settlements to their ravages; and from these considerations alone I have -submitted to insults which otherwise would not have been borne with; and -I could have wished to have continued this kind of conduct until the -approaching season would have secured us against the incursions of the -common enemy. But as from the accounts contained in Colonel Van -Rensselaer's letter, it would appear that the militia embodying under Mr. -Chittenden's orders are for the service of the enemy, and that their first -object was to make you a prisoner, it would be unjustifiable to suffer -them to proceed. It is therefore my desire that you maintain your -authority throughout every part of your brigade, and for this purpose, -that you carry the laws of the State into execution against those who -shall presume to disobey your lawful orders. I would only observe that -these sentiments are founded on an idea that the accounts given by Col. -Van Rensselaer in his letter may be relied on; it being still my earnest -desire, for the reasons above explained, not to do any thing that will -bring matters to extremities, at least before the close of the campaign, -if it can consistently be avoided.</p> - -<p>"In my last, I should have mentioned to you that it was not in my power -to send you a supply of ammunition; but, as I had reason to believe you -were gone to Saratoga, I conceived it improper to say any thing on the -subject lest my letter might miscarry. You may recollect that of the whole -supply ordered by General Washington, last Spring, for the use of the -militia, five hundred pounds is all that has been received in the state -magazine, which you will easily conceive to be far short of what was -necessary for the other exposed parts of the state. With respect to -provisions, it is equally out of my power to furnish you with any, but -what the state agent, who is now with you, may be able to procure.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, with great respect and esteem, - Dear Sir, - Your most obed't serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Clinton.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Brig. Gen. Gansevoort.</i>"</p> - - -<p>But the controversy with the people of the Grants was suddenly -interrupted, just at this juncture, though for a short period only, by the -most formidable invasion of the Mohawk Valley which had taken place during -the present year. Indeed, it was the last irruption of the enemy into that -section of the country, of any importance, during the struggle of the -revolution.</p> - -<p>It has been seen, from the commencement of the contest, that the Johnsons, -and those loyalists from Tryon County most intimate in their alliance -with them, appeared to be stimulated by some peculiar and ever-active -principle of hostility against the former seat of the Baronet, and the -district of country by which it was environed. Another expedition against -Johnstown was therefore secretly planned in the Summer of 1781, and -executed with such silent celerity, that on the 24th of October "the -Philistines" were actually "upon" the settlements before their approach -was suspected. This expedition was organized at Buck's Island, in the -river St. Lawrence, a few miles below the foot of Lake Ontario, and -consisted of four companies of the second battalion of Sir John Johnson's -regiment of Royal Greens, Colonel Butler's rangers, under the direction -of Major Butler, his son, and two hundred Indians—numbering in all about -one thousand men, under the command of Major Ross. [FN-1] Proceeding from -Buck's Island to Oswego, and thence through the Oneida Lake, they struck -off through the south-eastern forests from that point, and traversed the -woods with such secrecy as to break in upon Warrensbush, [FN-2] near the -junction of the Schoharie-kill with the Mohawk river, as suddenly as -though they had sprung up from the earth like the warriors from the -dragon's teeth of Cadmus, full grown, and all in arms, in a single night. -This was on the 24th of October. [FN-3] Warrensbush was about twenty miles -east from Fort Rensselaer, the head-quarters of Colonel Willett; so that -Ross and Butler had ample time for the work of havoc and devastation on -the south side of the river, and to cross over to the north side, before -the former could rally his forces and dispute their farther progress. Not -a moment was lost by Colonel Willett, on hearing the news, in making such -dispositions to repel the unexpected invaders, as were within his limited -means. With such forces as were in the garrison, together with such -additional recruits from the militia as could be collected in the -neighborhood, Willett marched for Fort Hunter on the same -evening—simultaneously despatching orders for the militia and levies in -contiguous posts and settlements, to follow and join him with all possible -expedition. By marching all night, the Colonel reached Fort Hunter early -in the following morning, where he learned that the enemy were already in -the occupation of Johnstown. The depth of the river was such that floats -were necessary in crossing it, and although Willett had but four hundred -and sixteen men all told—only half the enemy's number, exclusive of the -Indians—yet it was afternoon before the crossing was effected. Boss and -Butler had crossed the river some distance below Tripe's Hill the -preceding day, and moved thence directly upon Johnstown—killing and -taking the people prisoners, and destroying buildings, and cattle, and -whatsoever came in their way. Soon after ascending the hill just -mentioned, the enemy came upon a small scouting party commanded by -Lieutenant Saulkill, who was on horseback. He was fired upon by the -enemy's advance, and fell dead to the ground. His men sought safety in -flight, and succeeded. [FN-4] This was early in the morning of the 25th. -The advance of the enemy being slow, they did not arrive at the village -of Johnstown until past 12 o'clock at noon. Even then, the main body of -their forces, avoiding the town, marched round to the west, halting upon -the grounds of the Baronial hall. The enemy's baggage wagons, however, -passed through the village, and their conductors were fired upon from the -old jail—then serving the purpose of a fortress. One man only was wounded -by this consumption of ammunition.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Such is the estimate of the manuscript accounts which have been - furnished to the author. It is, however, too high, unless Major Butler - carried an erroneous statement in his pocket. According to a memorandum - found in his pocket-book, after his fall, the force of Major Ross wan - made up as follows:—Eighth regiment, twenty-five; thirty-fourth ditto, - one hundred; eighty-fourth ditto, Highlanders, thirty-six; Sir John's, - one hundred and twenty; Lake's Independents, forty, Butler's rangers, - one hundred and fifty; Yagers, twelve; Indians, one hundred and - thirty.—Total six hundred and seventy.—<i>Vide Letter of Colonel Willett - to Lord Stirling. Almon's Remembrancer.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] A settlement planted by Sir Peter Warren, the uncle of Sir William - Johnson—and the first place of residence of the latter gentleman after - his arrival in America.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Campbell states that this invasion was in August. Major Sammons - dates it the 22d of that month. Colonel Willett gives the date of Oct. - 24—which was obviously correct, since the second part of the battle was - fought in a snow-storm.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] In one of the manuscript accounts of this battle, the fruit of my - researches in the Mohawk Valley, it is stated that Saulkill was not - connected with the scout, but was passing at the moment on his way to - Albany.</p> - - -<p>Having effected the passage of the river, Colonel Willett pushed on in -pursuit with all possible expedition. But deeming it unwise, where the -disparity of their respective forces was so great, to hazard an attack -in front with his whole force, the position of the enemy was no sooner -ascertained with certainty, than Major Rowley, of Massachusetts, was -detached with a small body of the Tryon County militia, and about sixty -levies from his own state, for the purpose, by a circuitous march, of out- -flanking the enemy, and falling upon his rear—thus attacking in front -and rear at the same time. These, and other necessary dispositions having -been adjusted, Willett advanced upon the enemy at the head of his column. -Entering an open field adjoining to that occupied by the enemy, Willett -displayed his right into line, and pressed Major Ross so closely as to -compel him to retire into the fringe of a neighboring wood. Here a -skirmishing was kept up while the remainder of the Americans were -advancing briskly in two columns, to bear a part. The battle became -spirited and general; and although the only field-piece belonging to the -Americans was taken, it was speedily re-taken, and for a time the action -proceeded with a promise of victory. But just at the crisis, the militia -of Willett were seized with one of those causeless and unaccountable -panics, which on most occasions render that description of troops worse -than useless in battle, and without any cause the whole of the right wing -turned about and fled. [FN] The field-piece was abandoned and the -ammunition wagon blown up. The former, of course, fell into the hands of -the enemy. Colonel Willett did his utmost to rally his men, but to no -purpose. They ran in the utmost confusion to the stone church in the -village. Here, having induced them to make a halt, the Colonel commenced -bringing them again into such order as best he might But the defeat would -still have been complete, had it not been for the precautionary -disposition previously made of Major Rowley. Most fortunately, as it -happened, that officer emerged from the woods, and arrived upon the field, -just in time to fall upon the enemy's rear in the very moment of their -exultation at their easy victory. Rowley pressed the attack with great -vigor and intrepidity, while the enemy were engaged in making prisoners -of the stragglers, and the Indians were scalping those who fell into -their hands. The fight was now maintained with equal obstinacy and -irregularity for a considerable time. Major Rowley was early wounded by -a shot through the ankle, and carried from the field; and the enemy were -engaged in different bodies, sometimes in small parties separated nearly -a mile from each other. In some of these contests the advantage was on -the side of the enemy, and in others the Americans were the temporary -victors. The battle continued after this fashion until near sunset, when, -finding such to be the fact, and that Rowley's detachment alone was -holding the enemy at bay, Willett was enabled to collect a respectable -force, with which he returned to the field, and again mingled in the -fight The battle was severely contested until dark, when the enemy, -pressed upon all sides, retreated in discomfiture to the woods—nor -stopped short of a mountain top, six miles distant. Among the officers -who signalised themselves on this occasion, in addition to the two -leaders, Willett and Rowley, was the brave Captain Gardenier, who fought -with such desperation at the battle of Oriskany, and was so severely -wounded in the death-struggle with one of the M<sup>c</sup>Donalds. After the enemy -had retired, Colonel Willett procured lights, and caused the wounded of -the enemy, as well as his own, to be collected, and their wounds carefully -dressed. The loss of the Americans was about forty. The enemy lost about -the same number killed, and some fifty prisoners. The Tryon County -militia, under Major Rowley, behaved nobly.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Colonel Willett to Lord Stirling.</p> - - -<p>Knowing the direction from which Ross and Butler had approached, and that -their batteaux had been left at the Oneida Lake, Colonel Willett lost not -a moment in making arrangements to cut off their means of retreat by the -destruction of their boats, while he likewise determined, if possible, to -throw himself info their front. Having been apprised by some of Ross's -prisoners, who had made their escape in the night, that it was his -intention to strike at the frontiers of Stone Arabia, in order to obtain -a supply of provisions, Willett marched to that place on the following -morning, and encamped there that day and night, pushing forward a -detachment of troops, with instructions to proceed by forced marches to -the Oneida Lake and destroy the boats. Ascertaining, on the morning of the -27th, that Ross had avoided Stone Arabia by striking deeper into the -wilderness, Willett hastened forward to the German Flats, where he had -the mortification, on the 28th, to learn that the party ordered to the -lake had returned without performing their duty. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Willett's Letter to Lord Stirling.</p> - - -<p>While at Stone Arabia, a scouting party had been sent upon the enemy's -trail by Willett, to ascertain whether he had laid his course in the -anticipated direction, or whether he might not have inclined farther to -the north, with a view of returning directly through the wilderness to -Buck's Island. The scouts having satisfied themselves that the latter -course would be taken by Ross, hastily returned; and the result of their -observation was communicated to Willett by express. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This scouting party was composed of Captain John Little, William - Laird, and Jacob Shew.</p> - - -<p>Immediately on the receipt of this intelligence, Willett determined, if -possible, to strike another blow. Having been joined by about sixty -warriors of the Oneida tribe, together with some additional levies and -militia-men, the Colonel selected about four hundred of his choicest -troops, and furnishing them with provisions for five days, on the 29th -struck off to the northward, along the course of the West Canada Creek. -They marched the whole of that day through a driving snow-storm, halting -at night in a thick wood on the Royal Grant Supposing it probable that the -enemy could not be far distant Jacob Sammons was detached with two Oneida -Indians to advance yet farther into the wilderness, and, under cover of -the darkness, make such discoveries as might be in their power. "It was -with much reluctance," says Sammons in his narrative, "that I undertook -this business." They had not proceeded far before the Indians discovered -the prints of footsteps. Having knelt down and scrutinised them closely, -they pronounced them fresh, and refused any longer to advance. Taking -Sammons by the arm, they entreated him to return; but he declined, and -they separated. The intrepid scout soon descried fires kindling amid the -deep forest-gloom, toward which he cautiously approached until he was -enabled to take a survey of the enemy's camp. Having obtained all -necessary information, and narrowly escaped detection withal, he returned -to the camp of the Americans. Willett had kept his troops under arms -awaiting the return of Sammons; but learning from the latter that the -enemy were well provided with bayonets, of which his own men were -deficient, a night attack upon the camp was judged imprudent, and he -bivouacked his forces on the spot. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Narrative of Jacob Sammons.</p> - - -<p>Willett lost no time in advancing on the following morning, with a view -of bringing the enemy to an engagement. But the latter had been as early -on foot as himself, so that it was not until one o'clock in the afternoon -that the Americans came up with a small party of the enemy's rear, -consisting of about forty men, together with a few Indians, who had been -detached from his main body for the purpose of obtaining provisions. A -smart brush ensued, during which some of the enemy were killed, others -were taken prisoners, while the residue fled. Among the prisoners was a -Tory lieutenant named John Rykeman. Pursuing on the enemy's trail, the -Americans came up with his main body in a place called Jerseyfield, on the -north side of the Canada Creek. A running fight ensued, but the enemy made -a very feeble resistance—exhibiting symptoms of terror, and attempting to -retreat at a dog-trot by Indian files. Late in the afternoon, as they -crossed the Creek to the west or south-western side, Butler attempted to -rally his forces and make a stand. A brisk engagement ensued, the parties -being on opposite sides of the Creek; during which about twenty of the -enemy fell. Among them was their bold and enterprising but cruel leader, -Walter N. Butler. He was brought down by the rifle of an Oneida Indian, -who, happening to recognize him as he was looking at the battle from -behind a tree, took deliberate aim, and shot him through his hat and the -upper part of his head. Butler fell, and his troops fled in the utmost -confusion. The warrior, who made the successful shot, sprang first across -the Creek in the general rush, and running directly up to Butler, -discovered that he was not dead, but sorely wounded. He was in a sitting -posture near the tree, and writhing in great agony. The Indian advanced, -and while Butler looked him full in the face, shot him again through the -eye, and immediately took his scalp. The Oneidas no sooner saw the -bleeding trophy, than they set up the scalp-yell, and stripping the body, -left it lying upon the face, and pressed forward in pursuit of the -fugitive host. On coming to the guard, where Rykeman and the other -prisoners were confined, the Indian attempted to flout the unhappy -prisoner by slapping the scalp of his late commander in his face; but the -lieutenant avoided the blow. The pursuit was closely followed up; but -darkness and fatigue compelled the Colonel to relinquish it until morning. -The enemy, however, continued their flight throughout the night. [FN-1] -And, truly, never were men reduced to a condition more deplorable. The -weather was cold, and they had yet a dreary and pathless wilderness of -eighty miles to traverse, without food, and without even blankets—having -been compelled to cast them away to facilitate their escape. [FN-2] But, -scattered and broken as they were, and having the start of one night, it -was judged inexpedient to give longer pursuit; especially as Willett's -own troops were supplied with provisions for but two days more. The -victory was, moreover, already complete. The Colonel therefore wheeled -about, and led his little army back in triumph to Fort Dayton. The loss of -the Americans in the pursuit was only one man. That of the enemy was -never known. In the language of Colonel Willett's official despatches, -"the fields of Johnstown, the brooks and rivers, the hills and mountains, -the deep and gloomy marshes through which they had to pass, these only -could tell; and, perhaps, the officers who detached them on the -expedition."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] "Strange as it may appear, it is nevertheless true, that, - notwithstanding the enemy had been four days in the wilderness, with only - half a pound of horse-flesh per man per day, yet in this famished - situation they trotted thirty miles before they stopped. Many of them, - indeed, fell a sacrifice to such treatment."—<i>Col. Willett's Letter to - Lord Stirling.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "In this situation I left the unfortunate Major Rom; unfortunate - I call him, for he was surely so in taking charge of such a fine - detachment of men to execute so dirty and trifling a piece of business - as he was sent on, at such immense hazard and exquisite toil. . . . We - left them in a situation, perhaps, more suited to their demerit than a - musket, a ball, a tomahawk, or captivity."—<i>Col. Willett's Letter to Lord - Stirling.</i></p> - - -<p>In re-passing the battle-ground, the body of Butler was discovered as it -had been left; and there, without sepulture, it was suffered to -remain. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Various statements of the circumstances attending the death of - Walter N. Butler have been published. Marshall, in his Life of - Washington, states it thus—"In the party at Canada Creek, was Major - Walter Butler, the person who perpetrated the massacre at Cherry Valley. - His entreaties for quarter were disregarded; and he fell a victim of that - vengeance which his own savage temper had directed against himself." - According to Colonel Willett's account, he was shot dead at once, having - no time to implore for mercy. President Dwight, in his travels, given an - account corresponding with the following by Campbell:—"He was pursued by - a small party of Oneida Indians; when he arrived at West Canada Creek, - about fifteen miles above Herkimer, he swam his horse across the stream, - and then turning round, defied his pursuers, who were on the opposite - side. An Oneida immediately discharged his rifle and wounded him, and he - fell. Throwing down his rifle and his blanket, the Indian plunged into - the Creek and swam across; as soon as he had gained the opposite bank, - he raised his tomahawk, and with a yell, sprang like a tiger upon his - fallen foe. Butler supplicated, though in vain, for mercy; the Oneida, - with his uplifted axe, shouted, in his broken English,—'Sherry Valley! - remember Sherry Valley!' and then buried it in his brains." It is - apprehended that neither of these statements is exactly correct. The - account in the text has been drawn by the author from the manuscript - statements of Philip Graft, who was a spectator of the transaction, then - attached to the company of Captain Peter Van Rensselaer, who was stationed - at Fort Herkimer, and was engaged in this expedition. The statement of - Jacob Simmons corresponds with that of Graft, though less circumstantial.</p> - - -<p>So perished Walter N. Butler, one of the greatest scourges, as he was one -of the most fearless men, of his native county. No other event of the -whole war created so much joy in the Mohawk Valley as the news of his -decease. He is represented to have been of a morose temperament, -possessing strong passions, and of a vindictive disposition. He was -disliked, as has already more than once appeared, by Joseph Brant, who -included him among those whom he considered greater savages than the -savages themselves. It is quite probable, however, that Walter Butler may -have possessed other and better qualities, his friends being judges, than -have been awarded to him by his enemies. It has been asserted, that after -the massacre of Cherry Valley General Haldimand refused to see him. But -this fact may well be questioned, inasmuch as Haldimand not only approved -but encouraged the despatching of a similar expedition against the -scarcely offending Oneidas, who had removed, and were living peaceably in -the neighborhood of Schenectady.</p> - -<p>This expedition of Ross and Butler closed the active warlike operations at -the north for that year; but while the events traced in the few preceding -pages were in progress, others were occurring in a different quarter of -the country, both in themselves and in their results of far greater -moment. In the bird's-eye glance taken of the progress of the war in other -parts of the confederacy during the first quarter of the year, Arnold was -left at Portsmouth, contiguous to Norfolk. He afterward made various -movements of the character heretofore described; visiting Richmond again, -and committing outrages there and elsewhere. On the death of the British -Major General Phillips, the traitor succeeded to the command of the King's -troops in Virginia, and maintained himself there against the Baron -Steuben, and afterward against the Marquis de Lafayette, [FN-1] until Lord -Cornwallis, having traversed North Carolina, and entered Virginia, formed -a junction with him, and assumed the command; sending Arnold from his -presence to Portsmouth as soon as possible. After his return to New-York, -Arnold led another piratical expedition, early in September, against New -London and Groton. The former town was burnt, and Fort Griswold, on the -opposite side of the river, having been carried by assault, was the scene -of a bloody massacre; the brave Ledyard, who commanded, being thrust -through with his own sword. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] On succeeding to the command of Phillips, Arnold addressed a - letter to the Marquis de Lafayette; but the latter informed the officer - who bore it, that he would not receive a letter from the traitor. Indeed, - Arnold was despised by the officers in the British service; and how could - it be otherwise? Even Sir Henry Clinton had no confidence in him: and in - detaching him to the south, had taken special care to send Colonel - Dundas and Colonel Simcoe, two experienced officers, with him, with - instructions to Arnold to consult them in regard to every measure and - every operation he might desire to undertake.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "It has been said, that Arnold, while New London was in flames, - stood in the belfry of a steeple and witnessed the conflagration; thus, - like Nero, delighted with the ruin he had caused, the distresses he had - inflicted, the blood of his slaughtered countrymen, the agonies of the - expiring patriot, the widow's tears, and the orphan's cries. And, what - adds to the enormity, is, that he stood almost in sight of the spot - where he drew his first breath."—<i>Sparks.</i></p> - - -<p>Meantime, the American Commander-in-chief was meditating a blow, which, -if successful, could not but have an important, and perhaps a decisive, -bearing upon the great question of his country's final emancipation. While -the Marquis de Lafayette was circumventing and perplexing Cornwallis in -Virginia, Washington was preparing for an attempt upon the citadel of the -British power in the United States—New-York. This design, as has been -formerly stated, had been projected the season before, immediately after -the arrival of the Count de Rochambeau with the French army of alliance, -in Rhode Island. But so many difficulties arose, and so many supervening -obstacles were to be overcome, that, in obedience to stern necessity, the -project was for that year abandoned. With the opening of the Spring of the -present year it was revived, and after the respective commanders had held -another personal consultation, the French army moved from Rhode Island -across the country to the Hudson. But other obstacles arose, which -compelled an entire change in the plan of the campaign. Fortunately, -however, the British commander in New-York was not quick to discover the -change, and the demonstration served to divert his attention from the -right object until it became too late to repair his error. The combined -French and American forces, by an unsuspected but effectual basis of -operations, had been tending as upon a central point toward Virginia, -until, before he was aware of serious danger, Earl Cornwallis found -himself shut up in Yorktown. The event was fatal to him and to the cause -of his master. The post was completely invested by the 30th of September. -On the 9th of October the French and Americans opened their batteries. -And on the 19th, his two advanced redoubts having been carried by storm -a few days before, despairing of receiving the promised succors from Sir -Henry Clinton, and having, moreover, failed in a well-concerted attempt -to evacuate the fortress by night, Lord Cornwallis, submitting to -necessity, absolute and inevitable, surrendered by capitulation. The loss -of the enemy during the siege was five hundred and fifty-two, killed, -wounded, and missing; and the number of prisoners taken, exclusive of the -seamen, who were surrendered to the Count de Grasse, was seven thousand -and seventy-three, of of whom five thousand nine hundred and fifty were -rank and file.</p> - -<p>It would have been perfectly natural, and in fact no more than even-handed -justice, had the recent massacre at Fort Griswold been avenged on this -occasion. But, happily, it was otherwise ordered; and the triumph was -rendered still more memorable by the fact, that not a drop of blood was -shed save in action. "Incapable," said Colonel Hamilton, (who led the -advance of the Americans in the assault,) "of imitating examples of -barbarity, and forgetting recent provocation, the soldiers spared every -man that ceased to resist." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Alexander Hamilton's report—Marshall.</p> - - -<p>The joy at this surrender of a second army was as great as universal. The -thanks of Congress were voted to the Commander-in-chief, to the Count de -Rochambeau, and the Count de Grasse, and to the other principal officers -of the different corps, and the men under them. It was also resolved by -Congress to erect a marble column at Yorktown, with designs emblematic of -the alliance of France and the United States—to be inscribed with a -narrative of the event thus commemorated. But, like all other monumental -structures by Congress, it yet exists only on paper.</p> - -<p>The Commander-in-chief availed himself of the occasion to pardon and set -at liberty all military offenders under arrest. Ever ready and forward to -acknowledge the interposition of the hand of Providence in the direction -of human events, this truly great commander closed his orders in reference -to this event, in the following impressive manner: "Divine service shall -be performed to-morrow in the different brigades and divisions. The -Commander-in-chief recommends that all the troops not upon duty, do -assist at it with a serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart, -which the recollection of the surprising and particular interposition of -Divine Providence in our favor claims."</p> - -<p>Recurring, again, to the progress of events at the North, the enigmatical -conduct of the British commander in Canada, and the mysterious movements -of his forces upon Lake Champlain, remain to be explained. On the 9th of -November, General Heath, commanding the department, issued the following -general order; a copy of which has been preserved among General -Gansevoort's papers:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<i>Head-Quarters, Continental Village, Nov.</i> 9, 1781.</p> - -<p>"The General has the pleasure of acquainting this army, that the enemy -have been completely disappointed in their designs on the northern -frontiers of this State, in consequence of the measures adopted to -receive them in the vicinity of the lakes, in which the General is much -indebted to Major General Lord Stirling, Brigadier General Stark, and the -other officers and soldiers, both of the regular troops and the militia, -who, with great zeal and alertness, pressed to meet the enemy. That part -of their force which was coming by way of the lakes has not dared to land -on this side of them.</p> - -<p>"Major Ross, who had advanced from the westward as far as Johnstown, with -a body of between six and seven hundred regular troops, Rangers, Yagers, -and Indians, was met by Colonel Willett, defeated, and pursued into the -wilderness, where many of them probably must perish; the number of the -enemy killed is not known. Major Butler, who has frequently distressed -the frontiers, is among the slain. A number of prisoners, chiefly British, -have been taken and sent in.</p> - -<p>"The General presents his thanks to Colonel Willett, whose address, -gallantry, and persevering activity exhibited on this occasion, do him -the highest honor; and while the conduct of the officers and soldiers in -general, who were with Colonel Willett, deserves high commendation, the -General expresses a particular approbation of the behavior of Major -Rowley, and the brave levies and militia under his immediate command, -who, at a critical moment, not only did honor to themselves, but rendered -a most essential service to their country.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Transcript from general orders: - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thos. Fred. Jackson,</span> - <i>Aid-de-camp.</i>"</p> - -<p>General Heath, and many others, doubtless supposed that the anticipated -invasion had been averted by the dispositions of Lord Stirling, and -Generals Stark and Gansevoort, as set forth in the first paragraph of -these general orders; but the facts of the case, without detracting an -iota from the distinguished merits of those officers, will inevitably -lead to a different conclusion.</p> - -<p>A summary view of the controversy between New-York and the people of the -New Hampshire Grants, has already been given—in addition to which several -incidental allusions have been made to the equivocal movements and -intentions of Ethan Allen. Reference was also made, by way of a note in -the preceding chapter, to a special message from Governor Clinton to the -Legislature of New-York, communicating important information respecting -the designs of Allen and his associates, which had been derived from two -prisoners who had escaped from Canada in the Autumn of the present -year—John Edgar and David Abeel. The substance of the statements of these -men was, that several of the leading men of the New Hampshire Grants were -forming an alliance with the King's officers in Canada. Among these -leaders were Ethan and Ira Allen, and the two Fays. A man named Sherwood, -and Doctor Smith of Albany, whose name has already been mentioned, were -the agents of the negotiation on the part of Great Britain, and their -consultations were sometimes held at Castleton, on the Grants, and -sometimes in Canada. According to the statement of Edgar, it was -understood that the Grants were to furnish the King with a force of two -thousand men. Mr. Abeel's information was, that fifteen hundred was the -number of men to be furnished, under the command of Ethan Allen. Mr. Abeel -also stated that Ethan Allen was then in Canada upon that business, and -that he had seen Major Fay at the Isle au Noix, on board of one of the -King's vessels; and that he, Fay, had exchanged upward of thirty Hessians, -who had deserted from Burgoyne's army, delivering them up to the British -authorities. The statements of Edgar and Abeel, the latter of whom had -been taken a prisoner at Catskill the preceding Spring, were given under -the sanction of an oath; and although they were not fellow-prisoners, and -had derived their information from different sources; and although -escaping at different times, under dissimilar circumstances, and by routes -widely apart, yet there was a strong coincidence between them. A third -account submitted to the Legislature by the Governor was somewhat -different, and more particular as to the terms of the proposed -arrangement. In this paper it was stated, first, that the territory -claimed by the Vermontese should be formed into a distinct colony or -government. Secondly, that the form of government should be similar to -that of Connecticut, save that the nomination of the Governor should be -vested in the crown. Thirdly, that they should be allowed to remain -neutral, unless the war should be carried within their own territory. -Fourthly, they were to raise two battalions, to be in the pay of the -crown, but to be called into service only for the defence of the Colony. -Fifthly, they were to be allowed a free trade with Canada. General -Haldimand had not deemed himself at liberty to decide definitively upon -propositions of so much importance, and had accordingly transmitted them -to England for the royal consideration. An answer was then expected. Such -was the purport of the intelligence; and such was the weight of the -testimony, that the Governor did not hesitate to assert that they "proved -a treasonable and dangerous intercourse and connexion between the leaders -of the revolt in the north-eastern part of the State, and the common -enemy." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These and other documents may be found in Almon's Remembrancer, - Vol. ix.—for 1732.</p> - - -<p>The fact is, according to the admissions, and the documents published by -the Vermont historians themselves, [FN-1] that the people of Vermont, -though doubtless for the most part attached to the cause of their country, -nevertheless looked upon New-York "as a more detested enemy" than Great -Britain; [FN-2] and the officers of the latter were not slow in their -efforts to avail themselves of the schism. Accordingly, Colonel Beverley -Robinson sought to open a correspondence with Ethan Allen as early as -March, 1780. The first letter was handed to Allen in Arlington, but was -not answered. A second letter from Robinson was received by Allen in -February, 1781, which, with the first, he enclosed to Congress in March, -accompanied by a letter plainly asserting the right of Vermont to agree to -a cessation of hostilities with Great Britain, provided its claims, as a -State, were still to be rejected by Congress. It does not appear, however, -that the threat had any effect upon that body.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Slade's State Papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>In the months of April and May following, the Governor and Council of -Vermont commissioned Colonel Ira Allen, a brother of Ethan, to proceed to -the Isle au Noix, to settle a cartel with the British in Canada, and also, -if possible, to negotiate an armistice in favor of Vermont. The -arrangements for this negotiation were conducted with the most profound -secrecy; only eight persons being cognizant of the procedure. [FN-1] -Colonel Allen, accompanied by one subaltern, [FN-2] two sergeants, and -sixteen privates, departed upon his mission on the first of May; and -having arrived at the Isle au Noix, entered at once upon his -business—negotiating with Major Dundas, the commander of that post, only -on the subject of an exchange of prisoners, but more privately with -Captain Sherwood and George Smith, Esq. on the subject of an armistice. -The stay of Allen at the island was protracted for a considerable time, -and the conferences with the two commissioners, Sherwood and Smith, on the -subject of the political relations of Vermont, were frequent, but -perfectly confidential; Allen carefully avoiding to write any thing, to -guard against accidents. But from the beginning, it seems to have been -perfectly understood by both parties that they were treating "for an -armistice, and to concert measures to establish Vermont as a colony under -the crown of Great Britain." [FN-3] In the course of the consultations, -Allen freely declared "that such was the extreme hatred of Vermont to the -state of New-York, that rather than yield to it, they would see Congress -subjected to the British government, provided Vermont could be a distinct -colony under the crown on safe and honorable terms." He added, "that the -people of Vermont were not disposed any longer to assist in establishing -a government in America which might subject them and their posterity to -New-York, whose government was more detested than any other in the known -world." [FN-4] These were encouraging representations in the ears of his -Majesty's officers; and, after a negotiation of seventeen days, the cartel -was arranged, and an armistice verbally agreed upon, by virtue of which -hostilities were to cease between the British forces and the people under -the jurisdiction of Vermont, until after the next session of the -Legislature of Vermont, and even longer, if prospects were satisfactory -to the Commander-in-chief in Canada. Moreover, as Vermont had then -extended her claims of territory to the Hudson river, all that portion of -New-York lying east of the river, and north of the western termination of -the north line of Massachusetts, was included in the armistice. It was -also stipulated that, during the armistice, the leaders in Vermont were -to prepare the people by degrees for a change of government, and that the -British officers were to have free communication through the territory of -the new State—as it claimed to be. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Thomas Chittenden, Moses Robinson, Samuel Safford, Ethan Allen, - Ira Allen, Timothy Brownson, John Fassett, and Joseph Fay.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Lieutenant Simeon Lyman.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Political History of Vermont, published by Ira Allen in London, - in 1798.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Allen's Political History of Vermont.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Idem.</p> - - -<p>But, notwithstanding the veil of secrecy drawn over the proceedings, dark -suspicions got afloat that all was not right. The sincere Whigs among the -people of the Grants became alarmed, and were apprehensive that they might -be sold ere yet they were aware of it. When the Legislature met, the -people whose jealousies had been awakened, flocked to the place of -meeting to ascertain whether all was well; and it was only by much -dissimulation on the part of those in the secret, that the friends of the -Union were pacified. There were also other spectators present, from -different States, who felt an equal interest to ascertain whether the -great cause of the nation was not in danger of being compromised. The -result was, that the agents succeeded in throwing dust into the eyes of -the people; and so adroit was their management, that the Allens held -communication with the enemy during the whole Summer without detection. -On more than one occasion, British guards, of several men, came to the -very precincts of Arlington, delivering and receiving packages in the -twilight.</p> - -<p>In September the negotiations were renewed, the commissioners of both -parties meeting secretly at Skenesborough, within the territory of -New-York, and farther progress was made in the terms of the arrangement, -by which Vermont was in due time to throw herself "into the arms of her -legitimate sovereign." Sir Frederick Haldimand, however, was becoming -impatient of longer delay; and a strenuous effort was made for an -immediate and open declaration on the part of Vermont. To this proposition -the Vermont commissioners, Ira Allen, Joseph Fay, and a third person, -whose name is not given, pleaded that there had not yet been time to -prepare the people for so great a change, and that they should require the -repose of the approaching Winter for that object. It was at length -stipulated, however, that inasmuch as the royal authority had been -received by Sir Frederick Haldimand for that purpose, an army might -ascend the lake, with proclamations offering to confirm Vermont as a -colony under the crown, upon the principles and conditions heretofore -indicated, on the return of the people to their allegiance; the -commissioners interposing a request, that the General commanding the -expedition would endeavor to ascertain the temper of the people before -the proclamation should be actually distributed.</p> - -<p>The Legislature of the Grants assembled at Charlestown in October. -Meantime General St. Leger, agreeably to the arrangement with Allen and -Fay, ascended the lake to Ticonderoga with a strong force, where he -rested. In order to save appearances, the Vermontese had stationed a -military force on the opposite shore, under the command of General Enos, -to whom was necessarily confided the secret. But on neither side would it -answer to entrust that secret to the subordinates. <i>They</i> must, of course, -regard each other as enemies in good faith; and the fact that they did so -consider themselves, was productive of an affair which placed the -Vermontese in a peculiarly awkward predicament The circumstances were -these: In order to preserve at least the mimicry of war, scouts and -patrols were occasionally sent out by both parties. Unluckily one of these -Vermont patrols happened one day to encounter a similar party from the -army of St. Leger. Shots were exchanged with hearty goodwill; the Vermont -sergeant fell, and his men retreated. The body was decently interred by -order of General St. Leger, who sent his clothes to General Enos, -accompanied by an open letter apologizing for the occurrence, and -expressing his regret at the result.</p> - -<p>It was hardly probable that an unsealed letter would pass through many -hands, and its contents remain unknown to all save the person to whom it -was addressed. Such, certainly, was not the fact in regard to the letter -in question. Its contents transpired; and great was the surprise at the -civility of General St. Leger in sending back the sergeant's clothes, and -deploring his death. A messenger was despatched by General Enos to -Governor Chittenden at Charlestown, who, not being in the secrets of his -employers, failed not, with honest simplicity, to proclaim the -circumstances of the sergeant's death, and the extraordinary message of -General St. Leger. The consequence was excitement among the people -assembled at Charlestown, attended with a kindling feeling of distrust. -"Why should General St Leger send back the clothes?" "Why regret the -death of an enemy?" were questions more easily asked by the people, than -capable of being safely and ingenuously answered by their leaders. The -consequence was, a popular clamor unpleasant to the ears of the initiated. -Major Runnels confronted Colonel Ira Allen, and demanded to know why St. -Leger was sorry for the death of the sergeant? Allen's answer was evasive -and unsatisfactory. The Major repeated the question, and Allen replied -that he had better go to St. Leger at the head of his regiment, and -demand the reason, for his sorrow, in person. A sharp altercation ensued, -which had the effect, for a short time, of diverting the attention of the -people from the dispatches which they had been clamoring to have read. -These were precious moments for the Governor and the negotiators with the -enemy. The Board of War was convened, the members of which were all in the -secret, and a set of pretended letters were hastily prepared from such -portions of General Enos's dispatches as would serve the purpose in hand, -which were read publicly to the Legislature and the people; and which had -the effect of allaying the excitement and hushing suspicion into silence.</p> - -<p>Meantime a rumor of the capture of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown was -wafted along upon the southern breeze; the effect of which was such upon -the people, as to induce Allen and Fay to write to the British -commissioners with St Leger, that it would be imprudent at that particular -conjuncture for him to promulgate the royal proclamation, and urging delay -to a more auspicious moment The messenger with these despatches had not -been longer than an hour at the head-quarters of St. Leger at Ticonderoga, -before the rumor respecting Cornwallis was confirmed by an express. The -effect was prodigious. All ideas or farther operations in that quarter -were instantly abandoned; and before evening of the same day, St. Leger's -troops and stores were re-embarked, and with a fair wind he made sail -immediately, back to St. John's.</p> - -<p>From this narrative of facts, as disclosed in London many years afterward -by Colonel Ira Allen himself, it will be seen at once that General Heath -was in error, when, in his general orders of November 9th, he attributed -the inaction of General St. Leger, and his ultimate retreat, to the -preparations of Lord Stirling, and Generals Stark and Gansevoort, for his -reception. The digression which has been judged necessary to elucidate -this portion of the operations in the north, during the Summer and Autumn -of 1781, may by some readers be thought wide of the leading design of the -present work. Still, it is believed that to a majority of the public, the -facts detailed in this connexion will be new, as they must be curious in -the estimation of all. They are at the same time held to be essential to -a just appreciation of the difficulties with which the military officers -in the Northern Department, and the Government of the State of New-York, -were obliged to contend during the period under consideration. Strong -light is also reflected by them upon that portion of the history of the -war itself with which they are interblended. Every close reader of -American history is aware that there was a correspondence, of some -description, between the leaders of the people occupying the New Hampshire -Grants and the common enemy, during the later years of the Revolutionary -war. But neither the precise character, nor the extent, of that -correspondence, has been generally understood; while it has, for obvious -reasons, been the desire of those most directly concerned in those -matters, to represent the whole as a game of dissembling with an enemy -who had attempted to tamper with the patriotic sons of the Green -Mountains. [F-1] Be this as it may, it is in the secret proceedings of the -Vermont conspirators, that the key is found to the mysterious movements -of the enemy on Lake Champlain, which had so greatly harassed the American -commanders at the north during that Autumn. It was known that St. Leger -was upon the lake in great force; and having landed at Ticonderoga, to all -human calculation an invasion was intended, which the country was then -ill prepared to resist. At times he was apparently balancing upon what -point to move. With the means of striking, he did not strike; and his -dilatoriness, and apparent indecision, were alike inexplicable. The -effect was to keep the northern part of the state in constant alarm, and -to harass the militia by frequent calls to the field, against an enemy -hovering upon the shore of the lake, always, apparently, just ready to -make a descent, and yet idling away the season without farther -demonstration. Much greater quietness might have been enjoyed by the -people of New-York, so far as the common enemy was concerned, had it been -known that his hands were fettered by an armistice with a contiguous -territory, claiming to be an American state, and professing at the same -time to be at open war with the self-same enemy with whom the government -of the said territory was at that moment in secret alliance. [FN-2] When -to this singularly embarrassing position, those other difficulties which -have been passed in review are added, such as an exhausted and ravaged -country; an unfed, unclothed, unpaid and deserting army; [FN-3] extensive -disaffection among the people immediately at home; continual irruptions of -hostile partisan bands in every quarter; mobs of insurgents setting the -laws at defiance in one direction; the militia regiments in the district -thus lawless, more than half disposed to join the disorganizers; with an -actual and somewhat formidable invasion from the west; it must be -conceived that both civil and military authorities were laboring under a -complication of evils, requiring for their control all that prudence and -energy, discretion, perseverance and courage, combined, could accomplish.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sparks, adopting the views of earlier writers, has noticed the - case in this favorable aspect in his late sketch of the Life of Ethan - Allen. The author certainly agrees with Mr. Sparks in the opinion that - "there was never any serious intention on the part of the Vermontese to - listen to the British proposals." But with great deference, after a full - examination of the case, the same cannot be said of the <i>leaders</i> of the - Vermontese. <i>They</i> had determined that New-York should be dismembered; - and if they could not force themselves into the confederation as a State, - they were willing to fall back into the arms of Great Britain as a - Colony. But it is very certain, from the conduct of the people of the - Grants when they heard of St. Leger's regrets at the killing of the - sergeant, that they were prepared for no such arrangement.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Of course General Heath was not aware of the proceedings of the - Vermontese when he issued his general orders above cited, nor was the - Government of New-York acquainted with them. Although, from the necessity - of the case, a considerable number of the Vermont leaders must have been - in the secret, it was nevertheless exceedingly well kept. It was not - until the month of March of the following year, (1782,) that Governor - Clinton communicated the affidavits of Edgar and Abeel to the - Legislature, the substance of which has been embodied in the preceding - narrative. Those affidavits explained the threats murmured by Ethan - Allen, when in Albany the Spring before. They also explained the threat - contained in a letter from Governor Chittenden, referred to in a - preceding page, while they strengthened the suspicions that had for - months been entertained by General Schuyler and Governor Clinton. But it - was not until years had elapsed that the whole truth came out.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] "From the post of Saratoga to that of Dobbs's Ferry inclusive, I - believe there it not at this moment one day's supply of meat for the army - on hand. Supplies, particularly of beef cattle, must be speedily and - regularly provided, or our posts cannot be maintained, nor the army kept - in the field much longer."—<i>Letter of Washington to President Weere of - New Hampshire.</i></p> - - -<p>With the discomfiture and retreat of Major Ross on the one hand, and the -return of St. Leger to St. John's on the other, all active operations -ceased with the enemy at the north. But the difficulties of the state -Government with the New Hampshire Grants were on the increase; and the -controversy ran so high, that by the 1st of December an insurrection broke -out in the regiments of Colonel John Van Rensselaer and Colonel Henry K. -Van Rensselaer, in the north-eastern towns of the State; while the -regiment of Colonel Peter Yates—also belonging to the brigade of General -Gansevoort—was in a condition not much better. These disturbances arose -in Schaghticoke, Hoosic, and a place called St. Coych, and parts adjacent, -belonging then to the county of Albany; but being on the east side of the -Hudson, north of the parallel of the northern line of Massachusetts, the -Government of the New Hampshire Grants had extended its aegis over that -section of country, claiming jurisdiction, as heretofore stated, to the -Hudson river. General Gansevoort was apprised of the insurrection on the -5th. He immediately directed Colonels Yates and Henry K. Van Rensselaer, -whose regiments, at that time, were the least affected with the insurgent -spirit, to collect such troops as they could, and repair to St. Coych, to -the assistance of Colonel John Van Rensselaer. An express being dispatched -to the Governor, at Poughkeepsie, with the unwelcome information, and a -request for directions what course to pursue in the emergency, the return -of the messenger brought very explicit orders from the indomitable chief -magistrate:—"I perfectly approve of your conduct," said the Governor; -"and have only to add, that should the force already detached prove -insufficient to quell the insurrection, you will make such addition to it -as to render it effectual. I have transmitted to General Robert Van -Rensselaer the information, and have directed him, in case it should be -necessary, on your application, to give assistance from his brigade." -[FN-1] Although the fact had not been stated in the dispatches forwarded -to Governor Clinton, that the movement was beyond doubt sympathetic with, -or instigated from, the Grants, yet the Governor was at no loss at once to -attribute it to the "usurped government of that pretended State;" [FN-2] -and it was his resolute determination to oppose force to force, and, in -regard to the Grants themselves, to repel force by force.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. letter of Governor Clinton to General Gansevoort, Dec 11, - 1781.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Gansevoort did not receive his instructions from the Governor until the -15th. Meantime Colonels Yates and Henry Van Rensselaer had made no -progress in quelling the insurrection; the insurgents, on the other hand, -being on the increase, and having thrown up a block-house for defence. On -the 16th General Gansevoort took the field himself, repairing in the first -instance to the head-quarters of General Stark at Saratoga, in order to -obtain a detachment of troops and a field-piece. But the troops of Stark -were too naked to move from their quarters; and it was thought improper -for him to interfere without an order from General Heath. [FN-1] -Gansevoort then crossed over to the east side of the river, in order to -place himself at the head of such militia as he could muster in -Schaghticoke and Hoosic; but was soon met by Colonel Yates, in full -retreat from the house of Colonel John Van Rensselaer. He had been able -to raise but eighty men to put down the insurgents of John Van -Rensselaer's regiment; and on arriving at St. Coych, he discovered a force -of five hundred men advancing from the Grants to the assistance of the -rebels. Gansevoort retired five miles farther, in order to find -comfortable quarters for his men, and then attempted, but without success, -to open a correspondence with the leader of the insurgents. Calls had been -made upon four regiments, viz. those of Colonels Yates, and Henry K. Van -Rensselaer, as heretofore stated, and upon Colonel Van Vechten and Major -Taylor. But from the whole no greater force than eighty men could be -raised. Of Colonel Van Vechten's regiment, only himself, a few officers, -and one private could be brought into the field. Under these discouraging -circumstances, the General was compelled to relinquish the expedition, and -the insurgents remained the victors, to the no small terror of those of -the inhabitants who were well-disposed, inasmuch as they were apprehensive -of being taken prisoners and carried away, as had been the case with -others, should they refuse taking the oath of allegiance to the government -of Vermont. [FN-2] Thus terminated the military events of the north, of -all descriptions, for the year 1781.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In his official report upon the subject, Gansevoort rather - distrusted whether Stark assigned the true reason for withholding his - aid on this occasion. Governor Chittenden, of the Grants, having just - addressed him a letter requesting him not to interfere with hie troops.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The materials for this rapid sketch of the insurrection of Dec. - 1781, at the north-east of Albany, have been drawn from the Gansevoort - papers, which are broken and imperfect. The controversy with Vermont was - continued, with greater or less force, and in different ways, for several - years. But a calm and powerful letter from General Washington to Governor - Chittenden, written early in January, 1782, had great influence in - causing the government of the Grants to relinquish the territory of - New-York, twenty miles broad, upon the eastern side of the Hudson, upon - which they had seized. The leaders who had entered upon the - correspondence with the enemy in Canada, continued an interchange of - communications during several months of the following year; but the - course of things soon stripped that strange negotiation of its danger, - and rendered it of no importance. Meantime, although Governor Clinton was - fully determined to subdue the refractory spirits of the Green Mountains, - the latter continued to gain strength and friends, and as their local - government became settled, it was for the most part wisely and - efficiently administered. Time and again the question was brought before - Congress, where nobody cared to act upon it definitively. Hamilton, Jay, - and Governeur Morris, all seemed to think it the part of wisdom to allow - the secession and independence of Vermont. Things remained in an - unsettled state, however, until after the adoption of the federal - constitution by New-York in 1788, after which the controversy was - amicably adjusted; Vermont agreeing to pay thirty thousand dollars as a - full indemnification to persons in New-York holding titles to lands - within its boundaries.</p> - - -<p>There yet remain a few occurrences, connected with the Indian operations -of the year, to be noted before closing the present chapter. It was in -the Spring of this year that what was called the Coshocton campaign of -Colonel Brodhead was performed, and was attended by circumstances that -cannot be recalled with other than painful emotions. [FN-1] It had at -different times been the purpose of the Commander-in-chief that Colonel -Brodhead should penetrate through the Ohio territory to Detroit; but that -design was never accomplished. The expedition now under review was led by -Brodhead against the villages of the unfriendly Delaware Indians at the -forks of the Muskingum. In passing through the settlement of the -Moravian Indians at Salem, under the religious care of the Rev. Mr. -Heckewelder, some of Brodhead's men manifested a hostile disposition -toward those inoffensive noncombatants; but their hostile feelings were -repressed by Brodhead, whose exertions were seconded by Colonel Shepherd, -of Wheeling. The towns against which the Americans were proceeding were -under the control of Captain Pipe, who had espoused the cause of the crown -at the instigation of M<sup>c</sup>Kee, Elliott, and Girty. On approaching Coshocton, -Brodhead's forces were divided into three divisions; and so secret and -rapid was their march, that the villages on the eastern bank of the river -were fallen upon, and all the Indians who were at home taken, without -firing a gun. [FN-2] The immediate object of this visitation was to -punish, as it was alleged, the Indians of those towns for some recent -cruelties of unwonted atrocity. They had made a late incursion upon the -frontiers of Virginia, in the course of which a considerable number of -prisoners were taken; but, having been disappointed in the measure of -their success, in a moment of rage they bound all the adult male captives -to trees, and put them to death by torture, amidst the tears and -lamentations of their families. [FN-3] It was now Colonel Brodhead's -design to inflict summary vengeance for those murders. He had with him a -friendly Delaware chief, named <i>Pekillon,</i> who pointed out sixteen of the -captive warriors, upon whom he charged the murders in question. A council -of war was convened in the evening, which decided that those sixteen -warriors should be put to death. They were therefore bound, and despatched -with tomahawk and spear, and scalped. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Doddridge, in his Indian Wars, dates the expedition referred to - in 1790. Drake, who follows Heckewelder, states that it occurred in 1781.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Doddridge.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Drake.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>A heavy rain had swollen the river, so that Colonel Brodhead could not -cross over to the villages upon the opposite side. On the following -morning an Indian presented himself upon the other side, and called for -an interview with the "Great Captain," meaning the commander of the -expedition. Colonel Brodhead presented himself, and inquired what he -wanted. "I want peace," was the reply. "Send over some of your chiefs," -said the Colonel. "Maybe you kill," rejoined the Indian. "They shall not -be killed," was the answer. A fine-looking sachem thereupon crossed the -river, and while engaged in conversation with Colonel Brodhead, a white -savage, named Wetzel, stole treacherously behind the unsuspecting warrior, -and struck him dead to the earth. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>Some ten or twelve prisoners were taken from another village farther up -the river; and Brodhead commenced his return on the same day, committing -the prisoners to a guard of militia. They had not proceeded far, however, -before the barbarian guards began to butcher their captives; and all, -save a few women and children, were presently despatched in cold blood. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Idem.</p> - - -<p>Glancing yet farther south, the Cherokee Indians having again become -troublesome, and made an incursion into South Carolina, massacring some -of the inhabitants and burning their houses, General Pickens proceeded -into their own country, and inflicted upon them severe and summary -chastisement. In the space of fourteen days, at the head of less than -four hundred men, he killed upward of forty of the Indians, and destroyed -thirteen towns. His troops were mounted men, who charged rapidly upon the -Indians, cutting them down with their sabres with great effect. Unused to -this mode of warfare, they sued immediately for peace.</p> - -<p>The fall of Cornwallis was, in fact, the last important act of that great -drama—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The American Revolution.</span> Although the British were yet in -considerable force in New-York, and were likewise in the occupancy of -various posts in the southern states, still the season for active -operations was past; and after the loss of the army of Cornwallis, they -were not in sufficient force in the north to resist the troops that could -now be directed against them. The campaigning of the year 1781, and in -fact of the war of the Revolution, were therefore at an end. Still, there -were other belligerent incidents occurring for months afterward, the -record of which will require another chapter.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chvii">CHAPTER VII.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Character of Joseph Bettys—His exploits—Capture and execution—Progress - of the war—Gradual cessation of hostilities—Dwindling down to mere - affairs of outposts and scouting parties—Commissioners appointed to - negotiate a treaty of peace—Indian battles on the Kentucky - frontier—Defeat of Colonel Boon—Destruction of the Shawanese - towns—The Moravians on the Muskingum—Their removal to Sandusky by the - Wyandots—Return to secure their crops—Invasion of their towns by - Colonel Williamson—Treachery of Williamson and his men to the - Indians—Horrible massacre—Invasion of the Sandusky country by - Crawford and Williamson—Defeat of their army—Colonel Crawford - captured—Sentenced to die by torture—His interview with the sachem - Wingemond—His execution—Close of the year—Doubts as to a treaty of - peace—Colonel Willett's attempt to surprise Oswego—The news of - peace—Sufferings of Tryon County—Return of its population—End of the - wars of the Mohawk.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Among</span> the minor, but yet not unimportant events of the border war at the -north and west of Albany, was the capture, some time in the Winter of -1781—'82, of the celebrated loyalist marauder, Joseph Bettys, whose name -has occurred in connexion with that of John Waltermeyer in the preceding -chapter. Bettys, or "Joe Bettys" as he was commonly called, was a man of -uncommon shrewdness and intelligence. Bold, athletic, and of untiring -activity; revengeful and cruel in his disposition; inflexible in his -purposes; his bosom cold as the marble to the impulses of humanity; he -ranged the border settlements like a chafed tiger snuffing every tainted -breeze for blood, until his name had become as terrific to the borderers, -as were those of Kidd and Pierre le Grande upon the ocean in the -preceding century. At the commencement of the war, Bettys was an -inhabitant of Ballston. He early took the field in the cause of the -republic, and a sergeant's warrant was conferred upon him in Colonel -Wynkoop's regiment. But he had a proud, independent spirit, that could -ill brook the severity of military discipline; and for some act of -contumacy, he was reduced to the ranks. Still, knowing well his determined -character and unflinching courage, and unwilling that his country should -lose his services, the same gentleman [FN] who had obtained his first -warrant, procured him another, and a transfer to the fleet under the -command of General Arnold on Lake Champlain, in the Summer of 1776.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The late Colonel Ball, of Balston.</p> - - -<p>In the severe naval engagement fought on that lake between Arnold and -Sir Guy Carleton, on the 11th of October of that year, Bettys exhibited -great bravery, and was of signal service during the battle, which lasted -four hours. He fought until every commissioned officer on board his -vessel was either killed or wounded. Assuming the command then himself, -he continued the fight with such reckless and desperate intrepidity, that -General Waterbury, Arnold's second in command, perceiving that his vessel -was about to sink, was obliged to order Bettys and the survivors of his -crew on board his own vessel. Having thus observed his good conduct, -General Waterbury stationed him by his side on the quarter-deck, and gave -orders through him, until his own vessel in turn became entirely -crippled—the crew mostly killed—the General himself wounded—and only -two others, exclusive of Bettys, left in fighting condition—when his -colors were struck to the enemy. General Waterbury afterward spoke in the -most exalted terms of the high courage of Bettys, adding, that the -shrewdness of his management showed that his conduct was not inferior to -his courage.</p> - -<p>While a prisoner in Canada, the arts of the enemy subverted his -principles. He was seduced from the service of his country, and entered -that of the enemy with the rank of ensign—proving himself an enemy -equally subtle and formidable. From his intimate knowledge of the country -and his artful address, he was frequently employed, sometimes as a -messenger, at others as a spy, and at others, again, in the double -capacity of both. During one of his missions of this nature, he was -captured, tried, and condemned to the gallows. But the entreaties of his -aged parents, and the solicitations of influential Whigs, induced General -Washington, on a promise of reformation, to grant him a pardon. Yet if -honor, generosity, and gratitude, had ever been qualities of his soul, -they had taken their departure.</p> - -<p>Losing no time in rejoining the ranks of the enemy, he became alike -reckless of character and the dictates of humanity; and instead of -suitably requiting the kindness which had successfully interposed to save -him from an ignominious death, he became the greatest scourge of his -former friends and neighborhood. Ballston, in particular, had long reason -to deplore the ill-judged leniency. He returned, and recruited soldiers -for the King in the midst of the settlements; he captured and carried off -the most zealous and efficient Whigs, and subjected them to the severest -sufferings; and those against whom he bore the strongest hate, lost their -dwellings by fire or their lives by murder. No fatigue weakened his -resolution—no distance was an obstacle to his purpose—and no danger -appalled his courage. No one of the borderers felt secure. Sometimes in -the darkness of the night he fell upon them by stealth; and at others, -even at mid-day, he was seen prowling about, as if scorning disguise, and -unconscious of danger. Indeed, he boldly proclaimed himself a -desperado—carrying his life in his hand—equally careless of it as he -said he should be of the lives of others were any again to attempt his -arrest. His liberty, he declared, would only be yielded with his life; -and whoever should attempt to take him, might rest assured that their -heart's blood would in the same moment be drunk by the earth. His threats -were well understood to be no unmeaning words; and, what added to the -apprehension of the people, was the well-known fact, that he had always -at his beck, openly or in concealment, according to the nature of the -purpose immediately in hand, a band of refugees partaking of his own -desperate character.</p> - -<p>His adventures while engaged in this species of warfare were many and -hazardous. Nor did he always confine his operations to the -border-settlements, since he at one time entered the precincts of Albany, -and made a similar attempt to that of Waltermeyer to abduct General -Schuyler from the mansion of the Patroon, where he was then lodged. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This account of Joe Bettys has been written from a Fourth-of-July - speech delivered by the late Colonel Ball some ten or twelve years ago. - Among the prisoners made by Bettys and Waltermeyer from Ballston, in the - Spring of 1781, were the following persons, viz: Samuel Nash, Joseph - Chord, Uri Tracy, Ephraim Tracy, Samuel Patchin, Epenetus White, John - Fulmer, and two men named Bontas, who were brothers. They were all taken - to Canada, and roughly used.</p> - - -<p>It must not be supposed, however, that all hearts quailed before Joe -Bettys. Far from it; and many were the ineffectual attempts made for his -arrest before the measures undertaken for that purpose were again crowned -with success. But in the course of the Winter now under consideration his -wonted vigilance was at fault. A suspicious stranger having been observed -in the neighborhood of Ballston, upon snow-shoes, and well-armed, three -men of that town, named Cory, Perkins, and Fulmer, little doubting as to -the identity of the man, immediately armed themselves and went in pursuit. -He was traced by a circuitous track to the house of a well-known loyalist, -which was fortunately approached with so much circumspection as to enable -the scouts to reach the door unobserved. Breaking the barrier by a sudden -effort, they sprang in upon the black and doubly-dyed traitor, and seized -him before he had opportunity of resistance. He was seated at dinner when -they entered, his pistols lying upon the table, and his rifle resting upon -his arm. He made an attempt to discharge the latter; but forgetting to -remove the deer-skin cover of the lock, did not succeed. Powerful and -muscular as he was, the three were an over-match for him, and he was -immediately so securely pinioned as to render resistance useless and -escape morally impossible.</p> - -<p>Apparently resigning himself to his fate, Bettys now requested permission -to smoke, which was readily granted. While taking the tobacco from his -box, and making the usual preparations, he was observed by Cory adroitly -to cast something into the fire. It was instantly snatched from thence -with a handful of coals, and proved to be a small leaden box, about the -eighth of an inch in thickness, and containing a paper in cipher, which -the captors could not read; but it was subsequently ascertained to be a -despatch addressed to the British commander in New-York. It also contained -an order for thirty guineas, provided the despatch should be safely -delivered. Bettys pleaded hard for permission to burn the paper, and -offered a hundred guineas for the privilege. But they refused his gold, -and all his proffered bribes for the means of escape, with the most -unyielding firmness. He then exclaimed—"I am a dead man!" It was even -so. He was taken to Albany, where he was tried, convicted, and executed -as a spy and traitor.</p> - -<p>If the conduct of the three captors of Major André was patriotic, that of -the three captors of Joe Bettys was both patriotic and brave. Andre was -a gentleman, and without the means of defence; Bettys was formidably -armed, and known to be a desperado. The capture of Andre was by accident; -that of Bettys, by enterprise and design. The taking of the former was -without danger; that of the latter a feat of imminent peril. Andre was -a more important man, by rank and station, than Bettys; but not more -dangerous. Both tempted their captors by gold, and both were foiled. [FN] -The captors of Andre were richly rewarded, and the achievement has been -emblazoned in history, and commemorated by monumental granite. The captors -of Bettys have, until now, never been known to history; and their only -visible reward was the rifle and pistols of their terrible captive. With -such partial hand are the honors and rewards of this world bestowed!</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Colonel Ball.</p> - - -<p>As already remarked, the substantial fighting of the war was ended by the -surrender of Cornwallis. It is true, there were affairs of outposts -occurring afterward, and some partial fighting took place at the south -early in the season of 1782, between General Wayne and sundry small -British posts, after General Greene had detached the former into Georgia. -The most serious of these affairs was a smart brush with a party of Creek -Indians, near Savannah, on which occasion the British garrison sallied -out to their assistance, but were repulsed. For the most part, however, -the year 1782 was rather a period of armed neutrality than of active war. -The news of the catastrophe at Yorktown at once and materially -strengthened the opposition to the farther prosecution of the contest in -the House of Commons, by which a resolution was soon afterward passed, -declaring "That the House would consider as enemies to his Majesty and -the country, all who should advise or attempt the farther prosecution of -offensive war on the Continent of North America." Sir Henry Clinton was -superseded in the chief command by Sir Guy Carleton, who was specially -instructed to use his endeavors to effect an accommodation with America. -Commissioners for the negotiation of a treaty of peace were soon -afterward appointed, viz: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and -Henry Laurens on the part of the United States, and Mr. Fitzherbert and -Mr. Oswald on that of Great Britain. On the 30th of November these -commissioners had agreed on provisional articles of peace, as the basis -of a treaty by which the Independence of the United States was -acknowledged in its fullest extent.</p> - -<p>As the surrender of Earl Cornwallis was the last important military event -between the main armies, so was the disastrous expedition of Majors Ross -and Butler the last attempt of any magnitude upon the Valley of the -Mohawk. True, indeed, that beautiful region of country had been so utterly -laid waste, that there was little more of evil to be accomplished. But -the chastisement of Major Ross, equally severe and unexpected, had -discouraged the enemy from making any farther attempt in that quarter. -Not, however, that the Indians were entirely quiet. On the contrary, they -hung around the borders of the settlements in small parties, sometimes -causing serious alarms, and at others great trouble and fatigue, and -likewise inflicting considerable injury. On one occasion a party of -thirty-five Indians crossed over from Oswegatchie to Palatine. Falling in -with a scouting party, consisting of Jacob Timmerman and five others, the -Indians fired upon them. Timmerman was wounded, and with one of his -comrades taken prisoner. Two of the party were killed, and the other two -succeeded in making their escape. The prisoners were taken to Oswegatchie, -and thence down to Montreal, where they were confined until the peace. -In consequence of exposures of this description, a vigilant watchfulness -was necessary at all points; and Colonel Willett, who retained the -command, was exactly the officer for the station. He had frequent occasion -to despatch considerable bodies of troops against the straggling parties -of Indians and Tories; but their lightness of foot, and dexterity in -threading the mazes of the forests, generally, if not always, enabled them -to escape. So that no important event transpired in that section of -country during the year.</p> - -<p>But while there was so little active warfare on the frontiers of New-York -during the Summer of 1782, the Indians of the remoter west were more -active along the Kentucky frontier than in the preceding year. In May they -ravished, killed, and scalped a woman and her two daughters near Ashton's -station. [FN] The Indians perpetrating this outrage were pursued by -Captain Ashton, at the head of a band of twenty-five men. Being overtaken, -a battle ensued, in which the Indians were victorious. The Captain was -killed, together with eight of his men, and four others were mortally -wounded. In the month of August another Kentucky settlement, called Hoy's -Station, was visited by the Indians, by whom two lads were carried into -captivity. This band was also pursued by Captain Holder, with a party of -seventeen men, who, coming up with the Indians, were likewise defeated -with a loss of seven killed and two wounded. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boon. There is strong reason to doubt - whether the Indians abused the persons of the women. If true, it was the - only instance of the kind that is believed to have occurred during the - war. It is a proud characteristic of the Indians, that they never - violate the chastity of their female prisoners.</p> - - -<p>On the 15th of August, the post at Briant's station, five miles from -Lexington, was invested by a far more considerable party of the enemy, -numbering five hundred Indians and Canadians. After killing all the cattle -in the neighborhood, they assaulted the post on the third day but were -repulsed with a loss of about eighty killed and numbers wounded;—how -many, was not known. They were pursued on their retreat by Colonels Todd, -Trigg, and Boon, and Major Harland, at the head of one hundred and -seventy-six men, well armed and provided. The Indians drew the pursuers -into an unfavorable position on the 19th, when a severe battle ensued, -in which the Kentuckians were beaten with the loss of seventy-six men; -among whom were Colonels Todd and Trigg, Major Harland, and a son of -Colonel Boon. The battle lasted only fifteen minutes. The retreat from the -field was yet more disastrous than the battle itself. It was fought on the -banks of the main fork of the Licking river, at the great bend, -forty-three miles from Lexington. The Kentuckians were pursued across the -river, some on horseback and others on foot. Some were killed in the -river, and others while ascending the cliffs beyond. The arrival of the -fugitives at Lexington with the melancholy tidings, occasioned a scene of -weeping and deep lamentation, since a large portion of the male population -had fallen. Being reinforced a few days afterward, Colonel Boon returned -to bury the dead, which he represents as an affair of a most painful -description. So mangled and disfigured were the bodies, that their -identity could not be ascertained. The Colonel was afterward informed that -when the Indians discovered their own loss to have been four more than -that of the Kentuckians, four of the seven prisoners they had taken were -handed over to their young men to be put to death by torture.</p> - -<p>On hearing of this disastrous affair, General Clark, who was at the Falls -of the Ohio, directed a pursuit of the Indians to their own towns of Old -and New Chilicothe, Peccaway, and Wills Town. Colonel Boon seems to have -led this expedition, although the fact is not expressly stated in his -narrative. Failing in an attempt to fall upon the Indians by surprise, the -Colonel took possession of their deserted towns, which were burnt with -fire. Seven prisoners and fifteen scalps were taken by the Kentuckians, -whose own loss was but four men; two of whom were killed by accident, not -by Indians. With these incidents closed the Indian war of the Revolution -on the Kentucky border.</p> - -<p>But there yet remains a tale of murderous character to be recorded, which, -in its black and inexcusable atrocity, transcends any and every Indian -massacre which marked that protracted and unnatural contest It is a tale -of blood, too, in which the white men—not the Indians—are to be branded -as the savages.</p> - -<p>On the banks of the Muskingum resided several communities of Indians, who -had embraced the peaceable tenets of the Moravians. They were of the -Delaware nation, and had removed to the Muskingum from Friedenshutten on -the Big Beaver, and from Wyalusing and Sheshequon on the Susquehanna, in -the year 1772. Notwithstanding the annoyance experienced by them in -consequence of the Cresap war, in 1774, their settlements, which were -named Schoenbrunn, Salem, and Gnadenhuetten, rose rapidly in importance, -and in a short time numbered upward of four hundred people. Among their -converts was the celebrated Delaware chief <i>Glickhickan,</i> famous alike -for his bravery on the war-path, his wisdom in council, and his eloquence -in debate. Their location, being a kind of half-way station between the -white settlements and the hostile Indians of the lakes, was unpleasant -after the war of the Revolution came on, and subjected them to -difficulties alternately arising from the suspicions of both or all of -the belligerent parties, against whose evil intentions toward them they -were occasionally admonished. Still, their labors, their schools, and -their religions exercises were conducted and practised as usual.</p> - -<p>Their spiritual guides, at the period now under discussion, were, Michael -Jung, David Zeisberger, and John Heckewelder, known in later times as the -Indian Historian. These people looked upon war with abhorrence; -maintaining that "the Great Being did not make men to destroy men, but to -love and assist each other." They had endeavored to dissuade some of -their own race from taking any part in the contest, and had likewise given -occasional information to the white settlements when threatened with -Indian invasions.</p> - -<p>The hostile Indians frequently hovered around their settlements, and -sometimes threatened their destruction, under the pretext that their -neutrality was equivocal, and that they were secretly in alliance with the -Americans, to whom they were in the practice of giving timely notice of -the hostile advances of the Indians in the service of the King. [FN] In -1777 they were visited by the noted Huron chief, <i>Half King,</i> at the head -of two hundred of his warriors, on his way to attack some of the frontier -settlements of Virginia. Half King at first menaced the Moravian -non-combatants; but Glickhickan appeased his ire by a timely supply of -refreshments, and diverted him from his purpose by an opportune speech, -declaring their religious sentiments and praising their missionaries.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>The British authorities at Detroit were by no means friendly to these -Moravian towns; early in the year 1781 they applied to the Great Council -of the Six Nations, assembled at Niagara, to remove them out of the -country. A message was accordingly sent by the Iroquois to the Ottawas and -Chippewas to this effect: "We herewith make you a present of the Christian -Indians to make soup of;" a figurative Indian expression equivalent to -saying—"We deliver these people to you to be killed." But neither the -Ottawas nor Chippewas would receive the message, which was returned with -the laconic reply—"We have no cause for doing this." The same message was -next sent to the Wyandots, but they at that time were equally indisposed -to make war upon their inoffensive brethren. [FN] But in the Autumn of -the same year, under the influence of M<sup>c</sup>Kee and Elliott, who had now -become captains in the ranks of the crown connected with the Indian -service at Detroit, and by reason of the more immediate persuasions of -Simon Girty, the bloodthirsty refugee associate of M<sup>c</sup>Kee and Elliott, who -was living among the Wyandots, over whom he had acquired great influence, -the poor Moravians, with their pious and self-denying ministers, were -forcibly removed, or rather compelled, by the hostile Indians, at the -instigation of those men, to remove to Sandusky. The leaders of the -Wyandots compelling this emigration, were Girty, Half King, and the -celebrated Captain Pipe. The sachem-convert, Glickhickan, was also carried -to Sandusky; and a young female relation of his, by her courage and -generosity, had well-nigh cost him his life. Apprehending that evil would -befall her friends, she stole a fine horse belonging to Captain Pipe, and -rode to Pittsburgh, to give the alarm in regard to the captive -missionaries and their congregations. In revenge for this courageous -action, Glickhickan was seized by a party of the Wyandot, or Huron -warriors, who raised the death-song, and would have put him to death but -for the interference of the Half King in his favor. Glickhickan was -subsequently examined by his captors, and his innocence of all -participation in the mission of the heroic squaw fully made to appear.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder.</p> - - -<p>It was at a great sacrifice of property and comfort that these Indians -were torn thus from their homes. They had more than two hundred heads of -black cattle, and upward of four hundred swine, of which they were -deprived, together with large stores of corn, and three hundred acres more -just ripening for the harvest. They arrived at Sandusky on the 11th of -October—a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles from their homes. -They were treated with great harshness on their march, especially by -Girty, who, in the course of the Winter subsequent to their removal, -caused their missionaries to be arrested by order of the commandant at -Detroit, to which place they were transferred. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] These good men, after many trials and vexations, were ultimately - released, and Half King charged all the blame upon Girty, whose iniquity - in the premises the Indian prince indignantly exposed and denounced. The - British Government also censured the conduct of its officers in regard - to the proceedings, especially the harsh treatment of the missionaries.</p> - - -<p>While the meek and pious missionaries, amid the tears and other -manifestations of grief of their people, were preparing for the journey -to Detroit, intelligence of a most painful character was received. Being -pressed by hunger at Sandusky, a considerable number of the Moravian -Indians, with some of their families, had been allowed to return to their -former habitations on the Muskingum, to secure their corn, and such other -provisions as they could find, and forward the same from time to time to -their suffering brethren. Unhappily, while this peaceable party were thus -engaged at Salem and Gnadenhuetten, the weather being favorable for the -operations of scalping parties, a few hostile Indians of Sandusky had made -a descent upon the Pennsylvania frontier, and murdered the family of Mr. -William Wallace, consisting of his wife and five or six children. A man -named John Carpenter was taken prisoner at the same time.</p> - -<p>Enraged at these outrages, a band of between one and two hundred men, from -the settlements of the Monongahela, turned out in quest of the marauders, -thirsting for vengeance, under the command of Colonel David Williamson. -Each man provided himself with arms, ammunition, and provisions, and the -greater number were mounted. They bent their course directly for the -settlements of Salem and Gnadenhuetten, arriving within a mile of the -latter place at the close of the second day's march. Colonel Gibson, -commanding at Pittsburgh, having heard of Williamson's expedition, -despatched messengers to apprise the Indians of the circumstance, but they -arrived too late.</p> - -<p>It was on the morning of the 7th of March that Williamson and his gang -reached the settlement of Gnadenhuetten, the very day on which the -Indians, having accomplished their labors, were bundling up their luggage -for retracing their steps to Sandusky. Some of their number, however, were -yet in the fields gathering corn, as were many others in the town of -Salem, at no great distance thence. The party of Williamson divided -themselves into three detachments, so disposed as to approach the -settlements from as many different points at once. The Indians had indeed -been apprised of Williamson's approach by four Delaware Indians on the -day before; but, conscious of their own innocence, and least of all -anticipating harm from the Americans, they continued in their pacific -occupations without suspicion of danger.</p> - -<p>When within a short distance of the settlement, though yet in the woods, -the advance guard of one of Williamson's divisions met a young Indian -half-blood, named Joseph Shabosh, whom they murdered in the most cruel and -wanton manner. The youth was catching horses, when he was shot at and -wounded so badly that he could not escape. He then informed them who he -was; stated that his father was a white man and a Christian; and begged -for his life. But they regarded not his entreaties. His arm had been -broken by the first shot. He was killed by a second, tomahawked and -scalped, and cut into pieces with the hatchets of his murderers. Another -Indian youth, a brother-in-law of young Shabosh, who was engaged in -binding corn, about one hundred and fifty yards from the town, saw the -white men approaching. Knowing some of them, however, and supposing them -to be friends, he addressed them as such. But he was soon undeceived. He -saw them shoot one of his Indian brethren who was crossing the river in -a canoe, and immediately ran away in affright. Unfortunately, in his panic -he ran from the village instead of toward it, so that no alarm was given -until the Americans had quite proceeded into the heart of the town.</p> - -<p>Many of the Indians were scattered over the fields at work, and were -hailed by Williamson's men representing themselves as "friends and -brothers, who had come purposely from Fort Pitt to relieve them from the -distress brought upon them by the enemy, on account of their being friends -to the American people." The Indians, not doubting their sincerity, gave -credence to their professions, and walking up to them, thanked them for -their kindness. Their treacherous visitors next persuaded them to cease -work and go into the village; as it was their purpose to take them to -Fort Pitt, in order to their greater security from the Wyandots, where -they would be abundantly supplied with all they might want. Delighted with -such an unexpected friendly visitation, the Indians mingled with the -strangers with the utmost cordiality, walking and conversing with them -like old acquaintances. They delivered up their arms, and began with all -alacrity to prepare food for their refreshment. Meantime a messenger was -despatched to Salem, "to inform the brethren and sisters there of what had -taken place at Gnadenhuetten; the messenger giving it as his opinion that -perhaps God had ordained it so, that they should not perish upon the -barrens of Sandusky, and that those people were sent to relieve them."</p> - -<p>Pleased with the communication, and yet unwilling to act precipitately, -the party at Salem deputed two of their number to confer with their -brethren and the white men at Gnadenhuetten. Communications were -interchanged, which were mutually satisfactory. The dissembling of -Williamson and his men was so complete as to win the entire confidence of -the simple-minded people; and at the solicitation of the party at -Gnadenhuetten, those at Salem came over and joined their insidious -visitors, for the purpose of removing to the white settlements, where, as -they were farther assured, all their wants would be supplied by the -Moravian brethren at Bethlehem. A party of Williamson's men were detached -to Salem to assist in bringing all the Indians and their effects to -Gnadenhuetten; and, still farther to win upon the easy confidence of -their victims, this precious collection of assassins made zealous -professions of piety, and discoursed to the Indians, and among each other, -upon religious subjects. On leaving Salem, the white men applied the -torch to the houses and church of the village, under the pretext of -depriving the hostile Indians of their benefit.</p> - -<p>Having, like their brethren at Gnadenhuetten, delivered up all their arms, -their axes, hatchets, and working-tools, under the stipulation that they -were all to be returned to them at Pittsburgh, the party from Salem set -out with light hearts to enjoy the white man's kind protection. But on -approaching the other village, their apprehensions were awakened, by marks -in the sand, as though an Indian had recently been weltering there in his -blood. They, nevertheless, proceeded to the village to join their -brethren; but on their arrival thither a sad change came over their -waking dream of happiness. Instead of being treated as Christian friends -and brothers, they were at once roughly designated as warriors and -prisoners; and already, previous to their arrival, had their brethren, -sisters, and children at Gnadenhuetten, been seized and confined for the -purpose of being put to death. The party from Salem were now completely -within the toils of their enemies. They could neither fight nor fly. -Besides that their religious creed forbade them to do the one, they had -no weapons of defence, and they were surrounded by armed men, who would -not suffer them to escape.</p> - -<p>As a pretext for this usage, Williamson and his men now charged them with -having stolen their horses, and all their working tools and -furniture—charges not only untrue, but known to be so by their accusers. -A more humble, devout, and exemplary community of Christians, probably, -was not at that day to be found in the new world. Under the untiring -instructions of their missionaries, they had been taught the dress and -practices of civilized life. They were tillers of the soil, and had become -so well acquainted with the usages of society, and were so well furnished -with the necessaries and some of the luxuries of life, that they could set -a comfortable table and a cup of coffee before a stranger. All the animals -and articles charged upon them as having been stolen, were their own -private property, honestly acquired. But their protestations of innocence, -and their entreaties, alike were vain. Their betrayers were bent upon -shedding their blood.</p> - -<p>Still, the officers were unwilling to take upon themselves the exclusive -responsibility of putting them to death, and the solemn farce of a council -was held upon the subject. By this tribunal it was determined that the -question of life or death should be decided by a vote of the whole -detachment. The men were thereupon paraded, and Williamson put the -question, "whether the Moravian Indians should be taken prisoners to -Pittsburgh, or put to death?" requesting all in favor of saving their -lives to advance in front of the line. Only sixteen or eighteen of the -whole number were by this process found to be inclined to mercy, and the -poor trembling prisoners were immediately admonished that they must -prepare to die.</p> - -<p>Some, indeed, there were among the blood-thirsty gang eager to commence -the work of death <i>instanter</i>; but as the victims united in begging a -short delay for their devotions, the request was granted. "Then, asking -pardon for whatever offence they had given or grief they had occasioned -to each other, the Indians kneeled down, offering prayers to God their -Saviour—and kissing one another under a flood of tears, fully resigned -to his will, they sang praises unto Him, in the joyful hope that they -would soon be relieved from all pains, and join their Redeemer in -everlasting bliss. During the time of their devotions, the murderers were -consulting on the manner in which they would put them to death." Some -were for setting fire to the houses, and dispatching them as by an <i>auto -da fé</i>; others were for killing them outright, and bearing their scalps -as trophies back to their homes; while those who had opposed the execution -yet protested against "the deep damnation of their taking off," and -withdrew. Impatient of delay, the blood-thirsty wretches interrupted the -last hymn they could sing in this world, and demanded if they were not -ready for death. They were answered in the affirmative—the victims -adding: "That they had commended their immortal souls to God, who had -given them the assurance in their hearts that he would receive their -souls." Then seizing a mallet from a cooper's shop, one of the ruffians -commenced the work of murder by knocking the Indians on the head. Having -killed fourteen successively in this manner, he desisted, and handing the -weapon over to another, remarked—"Go on in the same way; I think I have -done pretty well!" Those who had opposed the murder stood at a distance, -wringing their hands, and calling God to witness "that they were innocent -of the lives of these harmless Christian Indians."</p> - -<p>The first victim in the other slaughter-house—for such both in which the -Indians were confined became—was an aged Indian woman named Judith, a -widow, of great piety. In a few minutes the work of death was completed. -Ninety Indians, Christians and unarmed—unoffending in every respect—were -murdered in cold blood. Among them were old men and matrons, young men and -maidens, and infants at their mothers' breasts. Sixty-two of the number -were grown persons, one third of whom were women, and the remaining -thirty-four were children. Five of the slain were assistant teachers, two -of whom had been exemplary members of the pious Brainard's congregation -in New Jersey. The convert chief Isaac Glickhickan, was also among the -slain. Only two of the captives escaped this shocking massacre. They were -both young. One of them eluded the murderers by creeping unobserved into -a cellar, from whence he stole into the woods; and the other having been -knocked down and scalped, feigned death, and escaped after the murderers -left the place. This they did not do, however, until they supposed all -were dead. On completing the work, they retired for a short distance to -recruit their strength; but, as though resolved that not a living soul -should have the remotest chance of escape, they returned to take another -look at the dead; and observing a youth, scalped and bloody, supporting -himself with his hands upon the floor in order to rise, the monsters -dispatched him with their hatchets! As night drew on, they set fire to the -buildings, and thereupon departed for their own homes, singing and yelling -with demoniac joy at the victory they had achieved. According to the -accounts of the American newspapers of that day, this massacre was a very -commendable transaction; it was represented that the attack of Williamson -was made upon a body of warriors, who had been collecting a large quantity -of provisions in the Muskingum, for supplying their own warriors and other -hostile savages. It was stated, as the cause of their destruction having -been so complete, that they were surprised and attacked in their cabins -at night; and it was exultingly added, that "about eighty horses fell -into the hands of the victors, which they loaded with the plunder, the -greatest part furs and skins—and returned to the Ohio without the loss -of a man!" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Pennsylvania Gazette, April 17,1782. The author will add, in this - place, that the preceding account of this unparalleled case of wholesale - murder has been chiefly prepared from the accurate and laborious - Heckewelder, together with extracts from Doddridge's Notes on the Indian - Wars, and Loekiel, as quoted in Drake's Book of the Indians.</p> - - -<p>If through the whole extent of the voluminous records of savage wars in -America, a deed of darker treachery, or of deeper atrocity, than this -massacre of the Moravian Indians, is to be found, it has thus far escaped -the research of the author of the present work. The uncivilized and -unchristianized savages themselves were amazed at the enormity of the -bloody deed. But the construction they put upon the transaction, as a -providential occurrence, was curious and striking. They said they had -envied the condition of their relations, the believing Indians, and could -not bear to look upon their happy and peaceful lives in contrast with -their own lives of privation and war. Hence they had endeavored to take -them from their own tranquil homes, and draw them back, into heathenism, -that they might be reduced again to a level with themselves. But the -Great Spirit would not suffer it to be so, and had taken them to himself. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder—Nar. Moravian Missions.</p> - - -<p>After this massacre, the Indians at Sandusky—not only those who were -Christians, but the Wyandots, and others who were hostile, watched the -movements of the whites along the Ohio with ceaseless vigilance. Two -months having expired after the destruction of the Moravians, another -expedition was organized to go against the Wyandots and other Indian -tribes in the Sandusky country. The number of men volunteering for the -campaign, was four hundred and eighty. They were mustered at the old -Mingo towns on the western bank of the Ohio. An election was held for the -office of Commander-in-chief of the expedition—Colonels Williamson and -William Crawford being the candidates. The choice devolved upon the -latter, who was an unwilling candidate, and accepted the post with -reluctance. The same men who had murdered the Moravians, composed the -present army in part, and the march was commenced with a determination -that not the life of an Indian, friend or foe, should be spared. The -expedition had been organized with great secrecy, as it was supposed; and -as the men were mounted, the intention was by a rapid march to fall upon -the Wyandot towns by surprise. Arriving, however, at the Moravian towns -where the murders had been committed, three Indians were discovered by -Crawford, who fled at a pace too rapid to be overtaken. The pursuit of -them was disorderly, and from the conduct of his men on that occasion, -their commander lost confidence in them, and from that moment entertained -a presentiment of defeat. So far from the advance of Crawford being a -secret, it ultimately appeared that the Indians had been narrowly watching -his progress at every step. They saw the gathering at the Mingo towns, and -counted their numbers. They had also been apprised of the resolve that -"no quarter was in any instance to be given." [FN] It was to be expected, -then, that at some point they would be prepared for Crawford's reception.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Doddridge.</p> - - -<p>Crawford and Williamson had intended first to strike upon the Moravian -town on the Sandusky; but on arriving at that place, they discovered that -the Indians had seasonably withdrawn so that the brave Williamson had no -non-combatants to vanquish. The town was, in fact, covered with tall -grass, the Indians having removed to the Scioto some time before. Crawford -and Williamson then directed their course for several towns of the hostile -Indians—by whom they were unexpectedly drawn into an engagement upon an -open prairie, the Indian warriors themselves being concealed by the -shrubbery upon its margin. Night came on before the battle was terminated; -and the Indians, expecting a reinforcement from the Shawanese before -morning, made their dispositions for surrounding the Americans at -daylight. But when morning came, the white man was not there. The -Americans, indeed, had not acquitted themselves like soldiers during the -engagement of the preceding afternoon, and they availed themselves of the -darkness to escape—greatly to the mortification of the Indians and their -daring leader, Captain Pipe. They had encamped upon the prairie; and so -silent was their flight, that some of them, not aware of the retreat, were -found by the Indians in the morning still sleeping amid the tall -prairie-grass, where they had laid themselves down.</p> - -<p>An active pursuit of the fugitives took place, and many straggling -parties were overtaken and cut to pieces. Upward of a hundred were thus -either killed outright or taken. Among the latter were Colonel William -Crawford, his son, and Doctor M<sup>c</sup>Knight. The former of these gentlemen -had rendered himself particularly offensive to the Indians by his -successful campaigns against them, so that his capture was a triumph. It -was still more unfortunate for him that he was taken while serving with -such a commander as Williamson—against whom, for his cruel treachery at -Gnadenhuetten, the savages were cherishing the bitterest feelings of -revenge. Crawford, however, had not been engaged in that shameful affair, -but being found among the same men who had murdered their friends and -relations in March, the Indians could not draw the distinction. They had -anxiously sought for Williamson, but on being informed that he was among -the first to escape, they called out "revenge! revenge!" on whomsoever -they had in their power.</p> - -<p>Crawford would probably have made good his retreat but that he lingered -behind in anxiety for his son, whom he supposed yet to be in the rear. -After wandering two days in the woods with Dr. M<sup>c</sup>Knight, both were taken -by a party of Delawares, and conducted to the Old Wyandot town. Here -Captain Pipe, with his own hands, painted the prisoners black, a certain -premonition of the doom that awaited them. From thence they were taken to -the New Wyandot town, passing on the way the mangled remains of a number -of their fellow-captives. At the new town, the place appointed for the -execution of Crawford, they found the noted Simon Girty. It had been -decided that Crawford should die by the most aggravated torture, to atone -in some degree for the murders by Williamson and his men at Gnadenhuetten. -After he was bound to the fatal post, the surviving Christian Indians were -called upon to come forth and take vengeance on the prisoner; but they had -withdrawn, and their savage relations stepped forward in their stead. -Before the work of torture was commenced, Captain Pipe addressed the -Indians at some length, and in the most earnest manner, at the close of -which they all joined in a hideous yell, and prepared for the work in -hand. The fire was kindled, when it occurred to poor Crawford, that among -the sachems he had a particular friend, named Wingemund. "Where is my -friend Wingemund?" he asked, "I wish to see him." It is true that this -chief had been the warm friend of Colonel Crawford, by whom he had been -entertained at his own house. Under these circumstances Crawford indulged, -a faint degree of hope, that if he could see the chief, his life might yet -be saved. Wingemund was not far distant, having, in fact, retired from the -place of execution, that he might not behold what he could not prevent. He -was sent for, however, and an interesting and even affecting conversation -ensued between himself and the prisoner. This conversation was commenced -by Crawford, who asked the chief if he knew him. He replied that he -believed he did, and asked—"Are you not Colonel Crawford?" "I am," -replied the Colonel; and the conversation was thus continued—the chief -discovering much agitation and embarrassment, and -ejaculating—"So!—Yes!—Indeed!"</p> - -<p>"<i>Colonel Crawford.</i> Do you not recollect the friendship that always -existed between us, and that we were always glad to see each other?</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> Yes, I remember all this; and that we have often drunk -together, and that you have been kind to me.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> Then I hope the same friendship still continues.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> It would, of course, were you where you ought to be, and not -here.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> And why not here? I hope you would not desert a friend in time -of need; now is the time for you to exert yourself in my behalf, as I -should do for you were you in my place.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> Colonel Crawford, you have placed yourself in a situation which -puts it out of my power, and that of others of your friends, to do any -thing for you.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> How so, Captain Wingemund?</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> By joining yourself to that execrable man, Williamson, and his -party. The man who, but the other day, murdered such a number of the -Moravian Indians, knowing them to be friends; knowing that he ran no risk -in murdering a people who would not fight, and whose only business was -praying.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> But, I assure you, Wingemund, that had I been with him at the -time, this would not have happened. Not I alone, but all your friends, and -all good men, reprobate acts of this kind.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> That may be, yet these friends, these good men, did not prevent -him from going out again to kill the remainder of those inoffensive yet -foolish Moravian Indians. I say <i>foolish,</i> because they believed the -whites in preference to us. We had often told them that they would one day -be so treated by those people who called themselves their friends. We told -them there was no faith to be placed in what the white men said; that -their fair promises were only intended to allure, that they might the more -easily kill us, as they have done many Indians before they killed those -Moravians.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> I am sorry to hear you speak thus. As to Williamson's going out -again, when it was known that he was determined on it, I went out with him -to prevent him from committing fresh murders.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> This the Indians would not believe, were I to tell them so.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> And why would they not believe it?</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> Because it would have been out of your power to prevent his -doing what he pleased.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> Out of my power? Have any Moravian Indians been, killed or hurt -since we came out?</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> None. But you went first to their town, and finding it empty -and deserted, you turned on the path toward us. If you had been in search -of warriors only, you would not have gone thither. Our spies watched you -closely. They saw you while you were embodying yourselves on the other -side of the Ohio. They saw you cross that river; they saw where you -encamped at night; they saw you turn off from the path to the deserted -Moravian town; they knew you were going out of your way; your steps were -constantly watched; and you were suffered quietly to proceed until you -reached the spot where you were attacked.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> (With emotion.) What do they intend to do with me?</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> I tell you with grief. As Williamson, with his whole cowardly -host, ran off in the night at the whistling of our warriors' balls, being -satisfied that now he had no Moravians to deal with, but men who could -fight, and with such he did not wish to have any thing to do; I say, as he -has escaped, and they have taken you, they will take revenge on you in his -stead.</p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> And is there no possibility of preventing this? Can you devise -no way to get me off? You shall, my friend, be well rewarded, if you are -instrumental in saving my life.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> Had Williamson been taken with you, I and some friends, by -making use of what you have told me, might, perhaps, have succeeded in -saving you; but as the matter now stands, no man would dare to interfere -in your behalf. The King of England himself were he to come to this spot -with all his wealth and treasure, could not effect this purpose. The blood -of the innocent Moravians, more than half of them women and children, -cruelly and wantonly murdered, calls aloud for <i>revenge.</i> The relatives of -the slain, who are among us, cry out and stand ready for <i>revenge.</i> The -Shawanese, our grand-children, have asked for your fellow-prisoner; on him -they will take <i>revenge.</i> All the nations connected with us cry out, -<i>revenge! revenge!</i> The Moravians, whom you went to destroy, having fled -instead of avenging their brethren, the offence has become national, and -the nation itself is bound to take <i>revenge.</i></p> - -<p>"<i>Col. C.</i> My fate is then fixed, and I must prepare to meet death in its -worst form.</p> - -<p>"<i>Sachem.</i> Yes, Colonel. I am sorry for it, but I cannot do any thing for -you. Had you attended to the Indian principle, that good and evil cannot -dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil -company, you would not have been in this lamentable situation. You see -now, when it is too late, after Williamson has deserted you, what a bad -man he must be. Nothing now remains for you but to meet your fate like a -brave man. Farewell, Colonel Crawford! They are coming. I will retire to -a solitary spot." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder's Indian Nations.</p> - - -<p>On turning away from his friend, whom it was not in his power to assist, -it is said the old Sachem was affected to tears, and could never -afterward speak of the incident without deep emotion. The moment the chief -had left the Colonel, a number of the executioners rushed upon him, and -commenced the work of torture, which was in progress three hours before -the victim fell upon his face and expired with a groan. During the -proceedings against him, he was continually and bitterly upbraided for the -conduct of the white men at Gnadenhuetten. If not himself a participator -in that atrocious affair, they reproached him for having now come against -them with the worst kind of murderers—such as even Indians had not among -them. "Indians," said they, "kill their enemies, but not their friends. -When once they have stretched forth their hand, and given that endearing -name, they do not kill. But how was it with the believing Indians on the -Muskingum? You professed friendship for them. You hailed and welcomed them -as such. You protested they should receive no harm from you. And what did -you afterward to them? They neither ran from you, nor fired a single shot -on your approach. And yet you called them warriors, knowing they were not -such! Did you ever hear warriors pray to God, and sing praises to him, as -they did? Could not the shrieks and cries of the innocent little children -excite you to pity, and to save their lives? No! you did not! You would -have the Indians believe you are Christians, because you have the Great -Book among you, and yet you are murderers in your hearts! Never would the -unbelieving Indians have done what you did, although the Great Spirit has -not put his Book into their hands as into yours! The Great Spirit taught -you to read all that he wanted you to do, and what he forbade that you -should do. These Indians believed all that they were told was in that -Book, and believing, strove to act accordingly. We knew you better than -they did. We often warned them to beware of you and your pretended -friendship; but they would not believe us. They believed nothing but good -of you, and for this they paid with their lives." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder's Narrative of the Moravian Missions. "There was farther - a circumstance much against this unfortunate man, which enraged the - Indians to a high degree. It was reported that the Indian spies sent to - watch their movements, on examining a camp which Crawford and Williamson - had left, west of the Ohio, had found on trees peeled for the purpose, - the words, written with coal and other mineral substances—'<i>No quarters - to be given to an Indian, whether man, woman, or child.</i>' When the - Indians find inscriptions on trees or other substances, they are in the - habit of making exact copies of them, which they preserve until they find - some one to read or interpret them. Such was the fact in the present - case, and the inscription was sufficient to enrage them."—<i>Idem.</i></p> - - -<p>It was, indeed, most unhappy for Colonel Crawford, that he had been -captured in such company; but never were reproaches more righteously -heaped upon the heads of the guilty than on this occasion. Never was the -scorpion lash of satire more justly inflicted—could but the really guilty -have been there to feel its withering rebuke. The son of Colonel Crawford, -himself doomed to the same fate, was present with Dr. Knight, {<i>sic</i>} and obliged -to behold the torture, and listen to the agonising ejaculations of his -parent, without being able to render assistance or offer a word of -consolation. [FN] The sufferings of the son followed close upon those of -the father; but with Dr. Knight it was otherwise. He was reserved for -sacrifice by the Shawanese, and while on his way thither contrived to -escape, and, after twenty-one days of hardship and hunger in the -wilderness, succeeded in gaining Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Withren's Chronicles, quoted by Drake in his Book of the Indians. - Dr. Ramsay says it was Colonel Crawford's son-in-law who was present, and - subsequently underwent the same fate.</p> - - -<p>The defeat of Colonel Boon at the Blue Licks in August, the massacre of -the Moravian Indians, and the fate of Crawford and his expedition, are the -last tales of blood connected with the American Revolution. It is true -that in September following, a large body of Indians laid siege to the -fort at Wheeling, but the siege was raised without farther bloodshed than -the death of one man in the fort and of three or four without. A barn was -burnt at Rice's fort, which was also invested, but not seriously, and the -Indians withdrew to their own wilds. Should the details of the last few -pages be considered rather too ample for the general plan of the present -work, it must be remembered that the awarding of justice to the Indian -character also entered largely into its design. The transaction on the -Muskingum forms one of the darkest pages in the records of civilized war; -unsurpassed, certainly, if not unparalleled, in the history, written or -unwritten, of the whole aboriginal race. The victims were not only -innocent and harmless, but, obedient to the precepts of their religion, -offered no resistance to their hypocritical murderers, and poured out -their blood like water—crimson libations in sacrifice to the white man's -rapacity and hate. Nor can the Indians be censured for the fate of -Crawford.</p> - -<p>With the exception of the Indian details in the present chapter, the year -1782 passed away without furnishing any military operations of moment, -under the immediate direction of the respective Commanders-in-chief. Sir -Guy Carleton had probably been restrained from offensive war by -instructions conforming to the pacific vote of the House of Commons, cited -in the early part of the present chapter; while the condition of the -American army, had Washington been otherwise disposed, disabled him from -making any attempt on the posts in possession of the British. Generals -Greene and Wayne had reconquered the south; and Sir Guy Carleton had -directed the officers of his Majesty in the north to send out no more -Indian expeditions and to recall those already on foot. Still, -notwithstanding all these conciliatory indications, there remained a -possibility that the conflict was not yet ended. A change of ministers in -England might produce a change of policy. In view of this uncertainty, the -Commander-in-chief relaxed none of his efforts during the year to -preserve the discipline of the army, and keep the country in an attitude -of defence. In pursuance of this policy, in the month of January, 1783, -news of the signing of a treaty of peace not having yet been received, -the Commander-in-chief conceived the project of surprising and obtaining -possession of the important fortress of Oswego. It was the occupation of -this post which gave the British such ready facilities for intriguing with -the Six Nations on the one hand, and for pouring their motley battalions -down upon the American settlements; and the Commander-in-chief judged -wisely, that in the event of another campaign the possession of that -fortress would be of the first consequence to the Americans, being then -one of the most formidable military defences on the Continent.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>Having determined to attempt its capture by surprise, the execution of the -project was confided to Colonel Willett. With the utmost secrecy -therefore, as to destination, the troops of his command were suddenly -assembled at Fort Herkimer on the eighth of February. Commencing their -march immediately, on the night of the 9th they crossed the Oneida lake, -and arrived at Oswego Falls, a few miles only from the fortress, by two -o'clock P. M. on the following day. With the small force under his -command, and without the means of prosecuting a siege, it was of course -necessary to carry the works by escalade if at all. Halting, therefore, at -the Falls, the necessary ladders were constructed and the march was -resumed. At 10 o'clock in the evening they were within four miles of the -fort. After which, having marched about two hours, and not coming in sight -of the point of destination, an investigation of the cause was undertaken, -when, to the astonishment and mortification of the Commander, and to the -vexation of the whole corps, it was ascertained that, by diverging from -the river, their guide, a young Oneida Indian, had lost his way. The -situation was, indeed, awkward and perplexing. They had been at one time -nearly within speaking distance of the works, and the shout of victory was -almost raised in anticipation, when suddenly they discovered that they -were lost in a deep forest, in the depth of winter, and amid mountains of -snow. It was too late to prosecute the enterprise any farther that night. -They could not remain in the vicinity of the fortress over the ensuing -day without being discovered. And the instructions of the -Commander-in-chief were peremptory, that if they failed in surprising the -fort, the attempt would be unwarrantable. The only alternative, therefore, -was to relinquish the enterprise, and reluctantly retrace their steps. It -was a sad mistake of the poor Indian, but not an error of design. The -march had been one of great severity and fatigue. The guide had led them -into a swamp, and while they were standing still, after discovering -themselves to be lost, so cold was the weather, that the feet of some of -the men froze into the mire. The return march was even more painful still, -because of the lameness of some and the varied sufferings of others. One -man was frozen to death. But all happened well in the end, for on Colonel -Willett's return to Fort Rensselaer, and thence to Albany, he arrived at -the ancient Dutch capital just in season to hear the welcome news of peace -proclaimed by the Town Clerk at the City Hall, and to mingle his -rejoicings with those of the inhabitants.</p> - -<p>An agreement for the cessation of hostilities between the United States -and Great Britain was signed by the respective commissioners of the two -powers on the 20th of January, upon the basis of the articles stipulated -in Paris on the 30th of the preceding November. And on the 24th of March, -a letter was received from the Marquis de Lafayette, announcing a general -peace. On the 11th of April Congress issued its proclamation, declaring -the cessation of arms by sea and land.</p> - -<p>In regard to the failure of Colonel Willett's last expedition, no possible -censure was imputable to him. In reply to the Colonel's official account -of the affair, General Washington wrote a characteristic letter, -approving of his conduct, and consoling him for his disappointment. -"Unfortunate as the circumstance is," said the Commander-in-chief, "I am -happy in the persuasion that no imputation or reflection can justly reach -your character; and that you are enabled to derive much consolation from -the animated zeal, fortitude, and activity of the officers and soldiers -who accompanied you. The failure, it seems, must be attributed to some of -those unaccountable events which are not within the control of human -means, and which, though they often occur in military life, yet require, -not only the fortitude of the soldier, but the calm reflection of the -philosopher to bear. I cannot omit expressing to you the high sense I -entertain of your persevering exertions and zeal on this expedition; and -beg you to accept my warm thanks on the occasion; and that you will be -pleased to communicate my gratitude to the officers and men who acted -under your command, for the share they had in that service."</p> - -<p>Thus ends the history of the border wars of the American Revolution—the -principal theatres of which were in the districts north and west of -Albany. The vale of the Mohawk, including its intersecting valley of the -Schoharie-kill, was among the most thickly populated and wealthy -agricultural districts of the country at the commencement of the war. The -productiveness of its soil, and the riches of its people, rendered it -ever an inviting object of plunder to the enemy—especially to the -savages, and the swarms of refugees who had fled from the country, and -were sharing a precarious livelihood among the Indian wigwams and in the -wilds of Canada. Its geographical position, moreover, rendered it the -most easily assailable of any well-peopled section of the whole Union; -while at the same time the larger armies of the enemy were employed -elsewhere, and of course required the greatest portion of the physical -strength of the country elsewhere to oppose them. The consequence of -these, and other circumstances that might be enumerated, was, that no -other section or district of country in the United States, of the like -extent, suffered in any comparable degree as much from the war of the -Revolution as did that of the Mohawk. It was the most frequently invaded -and overrun; and that, too, by an enemy far more barbarous than the native -barbarians of the forest. Month after month, for seven long years, were -its towns and villages, its humbler settlements and isolated habitations, -fallen upon by an untiring and relentless enemy, until, at the close of -the contest, the appearance of the whole district was that of wide-spread, -heart-sickening, and universal desolation. In no other section of the -confederacy were so many campaigns performed, so many battles fought, so -many dwellings burnt, or so many murders committed. And those who were -left at the return of peace, were literally a people "scattered and -peeled." It was the computation, two years before the close of the war, -that one third of the population had gone over to the enemy, and that one -third had been driven from the country, or slain in battle and by private -assassination. And yet, among the inhabitants of the other remaining -third, in June, 1783, it was stated, at a public meeting held at Fort -Plain, that there were three hundred widows and two thousand orphan -children. But with the news of peace the dispersed population began to -return to the sites of their former homes. [FN] Their houses were rebuilt, -and their farms once more brought into cultivation; while different and -not less enterprising occupants, deriving their titles from the state, -took possession of the confiscated lands of those who had adhered to the -cause of the crown. The spirit of industry and enterprise, so -characteristic of the American people, was not long in imparting a new -aspect to the scene; and Tryon County, exchanging her name for that of the -patriot <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Montgomery,</span> soon smiled through her tears.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Along with the returning patriots, as Satan was wont in the olden - time occasionally to present himself in better company, some of the - Tories began to steal back into the country they had forsaken, and - assisted to drench in tears of blood. But the Whig population would not - endure their presence. The preceding narrative of events has shown that - the Tryon County loyalists, who had taken arms in company with the - Indians, were far more revengeful and bloody than were the Indians - themselves. It is no marvel, therefore, that a feeling of peculiar - bitterness against them existed in the bosoms of those who had suffered - so keenly at their hands. These feelings were embodied and declared at - two public meetings held in different sections of Tryon County, in June, - 1783; for which, see Appendix, No. V.</p> - - -<p>Other scenes and other wars will afford materials for the remaining -chapters of the present volumes, as connected with the subsequent life -and career of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea.</span></p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chviii">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">The Treaty of Peace—Neglect of her Indian allies by Great - Britain—Brant's negotiations with General Haldimand for a new - territory—The Senecas invite the Mohawks to settle in the Genesee - Valley—Declined—The Grand River country granted to the Mohawks by Sir - Frederick Haldimand—Indian policy of the United States—Views of - Washington and General Schuyler—Treaty with the Six Nations at Fort - Stanwix—Corn-planter and Red Jacket take opposite aides—Peace with the - Six Nations—Dissatisfaction of the Indians—Of Thayendanegea in - particular—Letter of Brant to Colonel Monroe—Relinquishes his design - of going then to England—Returns to Grand River—Differences of - opinion with Sir John Johnson—Brant sails for England in the Autumn of - 1785—His arrival—Glimpses of his ulterior designs—His distinguished - reception—Enters upon the business of his mission—Letter to Lord - Sidney—Speech of Brant to Lord Sidney—Letter of Lord Sidney in - reply—Question of half-pay—Brant's Letter to Sir Evan Nepean—His - associations with the great—Keen sarcasm upon a nobleman—Striking - incident at a grand masquerade—Brant's attention to the moral wants of - his people—His return to Canada.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The treaty</span> of November, 1782, restoring peace between the United States -and Great Britain, and recognising the unconditional independence of the -former, was such as to gratify every reasonable wish of the American -people. In regard to questions of boundary and the fisheries, it was, -indeed, more liberal than their allies, France and Spain, desired. -Professedly, France had drawn the sword in behalf of the United States; -but the negotiations for peace presented the singular fact, that but for -the diplomacy of the former, the treaty of peace would have been sooner -completed. The negotiation was a work of intricacy, requiring skill, -penetration, judgment, and great firmness on the part of the American -commissioners—qualities which their success proved them to possess in an -eminent degree. But, although the American treaty was first definitively -concluded, less than two months elapsed before preliminary articles of -peace were agreed upon and signed between Great Britain, France, and -Spain; France having the satisfaction of seeing her great rival -dismembered of the fairest portion of her American possessions, as she -herself had been by that very power twenty years before.</p> - -<p>In the treaty with the United States, however, Great Britain had made no -stipulation in behalf of her Indian allies. Notwithstanding the alacrity -with which the aboriginals, especially the Mohawks, had entered the -service of the crown—notwithstanding their constancy, their valor, the -readiness with which they had spilt their blood, and the distinguished -services of their Great Captain, Thayendanegea, the loyal red man was not -even named in the treaty; while "the ancient country of the Six Nations, -the residence of their ancestors from the time far beyond their earliest -traditions, was included within the boundary granted to the Americans." -[FN-1] What with the descent of Colonel Van Schaick upon the Onondagas, -and the expedition of General Sullivan into their territory farther west, -their whole country had been ravaged with fire and sword; and the Mohawks, -in particular, had sacrificed the entire of their own rich and beautiful -country. It appears, however, that when the Mohawks first abandoned their -native valley to embark in his Majesty's service, Sir Guy Carleton had -given a pledge, that as soon as the war was at an end they should be -restored, at the expense of the government, to the condition they were in -before the contest began. In April, 1779, General Haldimand, then Captain -General and Commander-in-chief in Canada, ratified the promise of his -predecessor, pledging himself, under hand and seal, as far as in him lay, -to its faithful execution "as soon as that happy time should come." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] MS. memorial of the Six Nations, presented to Lord Camden by - Teyoninhokáráwen, commonly called John Norton.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] MS. order of General Haldimand, among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>At the close of the war the Mohawks were temporarily residing on the -American side of the Niagara river, in the vicinity of the old -landing-place above the fort. The Senecas, who had been in closer alliance -with the Mohawks during the war than any other of the Six Nations, and who -had themselves been chiefly induced by the former to take up the hatchet -against the United States, offered them a tract of land in the valley of -the Genesee. But, as Captain Brant long afterward said in one of his -speeches, the Mohawks were determined "to sink or swim" with the English; -and besides, they did not wish to reside within the boundaries of the -United States. The generous offer of the Senecas was therefore declined, -and the Mohawk Chief proceeded to Montreal to confer with the -Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Sir John Johnson, and from -thence to Quebec, to claim from General Haldimand, the Commander-in-chief, -the fulfillment of his pledge. The General received the warrior with great -kindness, and evinced every disposition to fulfill the pledge in the most -honorable manner. The tract upon which the chief had fixed his attention -was situated upon the Bay de Quinte, on the north side of the St. -Lawrence, or rather of Lake Ontario; and at his request General Haldimand -agreed that it should be purchased and conveyed to the Mohawks.</p> - -<p>On the return of Thayendanegea to Niagara, the Senecas were disappointed -at the arrangement, and pained at the idea that their friends were to be -located at so wide a distance from them. They were apprehensive that their -troubles with the United States were not yet at an end; and were, -therefore, exceedingly desirous that the Mohawks should reside so near as -to assist them in arms if necessary, or afford them an asylum should they -be obliged to flee from the oppression of the United States. Under these -circumstances Captain Brant convened a council of his people, and it was -resolved that he should make a second visit to Quebec, and, under the -peculiar circumstances of the case, request another and more convenient -territory. The country upon the Ouise, or Grand River, flowing into Lake -Erie some forty miles above the Falls of Niagara, was indicated to -General Haldimand as a location every way convenient, not only for -maintaining a ready intercourse with the residue of the Six Nations, but -also as affording facilities for corresponding with the nations and tribes -of the upper lakes. His Excellency approved of the suggestion, and -promptly ordered a second purchase to be made in conformity with the -request. On inquiring the extent of the territory expected by the Mohawks, -the Captain replied, "Six miles on each side of the river, from the mouth -to its source." With assurances that the grant should be formally secured -in fee, in due season, the chief returned once more to Niagara, and -shortly afterward entered into possession of the lands allotted for the -new home of his people. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This narrative of facts is derived from a long speech of Captain - Brant, made in council, to Gov. Simcoe, in 1795, a copy of which is - preserved among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>In the Autumn of 1784, having learned that General Haldimand was about -returning to England, the vigilant chief repaired to Quebec a third time -upon this business, in order to make sure of the title deed. The result of -this visit was a formal grant by Sir Frederick Haldimand, in the name of -the crown, of a tract of land "upon the banks of the river Ouise, commonly -called Grand River, running into Lake Erie, of six miles breadth from each -side of the river, beginning at Lake Erie, and extending in that -proportion to the head of said river; which the Mohawks, and others of the -Six Nations who had either lost their possessions in the war, or wished to -retire from them to the British, with their posterity, were to enjoy -forever." [FN-1] The course of the river Ouise is about one hundred miles, -so that the grant embraced a territory of that extent in length by twelve -miles in width. "This tract, though much smaller than that which they had -been obliged to forsake within the United States, amply satisfied these -loyal Indians, who preferred living under the protection of His Britannic -Majesty, (ready to fight under his standard again, if occasion should -require,) to a more extensive country." [FN-2] The district of country -thus granted, is said to be alike beautiful and fertile. The Grand River -rises in the interior of the country toward Lake Huron, and winds its way -to Lake Erie through a long and picturesque course. It is navigable for -small vessels many miles upward, and for large boats a much greater -distance still. The land along its whole course is uncommonly productive.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Copy of the Grant, among the Brant papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Norton's Memorial to Lord Camden.</p> - - -<p>The policy to be observed by the United States toward the Indians residing -within their borders, was a question of grave and weighty importance, and -early arrested the consideration of American statesmen. Very soon after -the English came into possession of the Colony of New-York, the Six -Nations relinquished their own primitive right of absolute sovereignty, -and placed themselves and their lands under the protection of the -government of New-York, [FN-1] reserving to themselves a kind of qualified -sovereignty. The immediate object of this act, on the part of the Indians, -was to secure the alliance of the English in their wars with the French, -and the Huron and Algonquin Indians in Canada. [FN-2] Subsequently, during -the Colonial administration, the Indians were considered as separate but -dependent nations. [FN-3] Aside from this circumstance, however, by the -treaty of peace the sovereignty of all the Indian countries within the -prescribed limits granted to the United States by Great Britain, became -vested in the former, to the same extent, of course, as it had been -exercised by Great Britain. With that sovereignty, moreover, the exclusive -right of preemption to all the Indian lands lying within the territory of -the United States also became vested in them—subject to the possessory -right only of the natives. [FN-4] These rights had been acquired by -England by discovery, which, under the practice of the European nations, -was held to be equivalent to conquest; and although the natives were -admitted to possess a just and legal claim, as the original occupants of -the soil, to retain and use it according to their own discretion, still -they were not allowed to dispose of the soil at their own will, except to -the government claiming the right of preemption. [FN-5] Such was the -practice of Spain, France, Holland, and England; and as early as 1782, -Mr. Jay, then the American Minister at the Court of Madrid, in his -correspondence with the Count d'Aranda, asserted the adoption of the same -principle on the part of the United States. [FN-6] But while the right of -sovereignty, as it had been exercised by England, passed over to the -United States by virtue of the treaty, under the complicated system of the -confederacy, the preemptive right to the soil became vested in the -respective States within whose boundaries or grants they were -situated—the States themselves being so many sovereign powers in all -matters of national import which had not been specially conceded to the -Government of the Union under the Articles of Confederation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Kent's Commentaries, vol. iii. p. 399.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Colden's Canada.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Kent's Commentaries.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Kent's Commentaries, vol. i. p. 257.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Idem, vol. iii. p. 379.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-6] Life and Writings of John Jay.</p> - - -<p>The treatment of the Six Nations by the Dutch Colonial Government had been -kind and liberal. So, also, had it been under the Colonial Government of -England—the Indians, in no instance, being dispossessed of a rood of -ground, except by purchase. Immediately on the conclusion of the war, -however, England having made no stipulation in behalf of the Indians, a -disposition was manifested by the Legislature of New-York to expel the -Six Nations from all the country within the bounds of that state, which -had not been ceded by them previous to the war. [FN] This disposition, -which seems, likewise, to have been entertained to some extent in other -states, was viewed with great concern by Generals Washington and Schuyler, -who united in the opinion that such a line of policy would be alike -injudicious, inhuman, and unjust. General Schuyler addressed a memorial -to Congress upon the subject in July. Coinciding entirely in the -sentiments of Schuyler, Washington followed up that communication by a -long letter to James Duane, then in Congress, in September. The views of -these gentlemen were, that the most liberal and humane policy should be -adopted in respect to the Indians. True, they had taken up the hatchet in -favor of the crown, and by a rigid construction of the laws of conquest, -they might be dispossessed of their lands, and driven, with their allies, -north beyond the lakes. But General Washington strongly urged, that while -the Indians should be informed of the strict right of the United States -to deal thus severely with them, and compel them to share the same evil -fortune with those whom they had chosen for their allies, nevertheless, -looking upon them as a people who had been deluded into the service of the -crown, they should be allowed honorable terms of peace, and to retain the -possession of lands and hunting grounds, to be designated by treaty, -within the boundaries of which they should not be molested. It was the -desire of Washington, that with regard to these children of the forest, a -veil should be drawn over the past, and that they should be taught that -their true interest and safety must henceforward depend upon the -cultivation of amicable relations with the United States. In regard to the -Six Nations, he thought the course which the Legislature of New-York -seemed desirous of pursuing would involve the country in another Indian -war, since the Indians would never surrender their whole territory without -another struggle; while he justly held that all the territory that was -actually wanted by the people of the United States might be obtained by -negotiation and compromise. As a general principle, moreover, it was held -that, in all time to come, it would be much cheaper to obtain cessions of -land from the Indians, from time to time, as they should be required for -the extension of settlements, by purchase, than to acquire them by -conquest—to say nothing of the sufferings, the evils, and the guilt of -war. Upon this whole subject of Indian policy there was an entire -coincidence of opinion between Washington and Schuyler. Most happily it -prevailed, and the subsequent cession by the states of their Indian lands -to the general government, facilitated the benevolent action of the latter -under that system; the wisdom of which, irrespective of its justice and -humanity, has become every year more apparent since.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Washington to James Duane, Sept 7, 1783.</p> - - -<p>It was while the Mohawk chief was occupied in making his final -arrangements with the Canadian Commander-in-chief, as has been seen a few -pages back, that the sachems and warriors of the Six Nations were holding -a treaty with the United States at Fort Stanwix. At this negotiation, the -Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Oneidas, Cayugas, Tuscaroras, and -Seneca-Abeal [FN-1] nations were represented. The Commissioners on the -part of the United States were Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur -Lee. The records of this treaty, containing the speeches interchanged on -the occasion, seem not to have been preserved, as has been usual in -diplomatic matters with the Indians. Nothing appears upon the subject -among the Indian state-papers at the seat of Government, save the naked -result of the council, in the form of a very brief treaty, signed by the -nations represented instead of the several chiefs. It is known, however, -that among the leading chiefs who took an active part in the negotiations, -were the Corn-planter and Red Jacket; and enough is to be gathered from -the records of subsequent transactions with the Indians, to afford a -general idea of the course of these proceedings. Beyond doubt the -representatives of the Six Nations at that council were opposed to a -separate negotiation with the United States. Their desire was, that no -definitive treaty of peace and boundaries should be concluded, unless the -whole ground was covered at once; and, as a consequence, they strenuously -urged that the Hurons, Ottawas, Shawanese, Chippewas, Delawares, -Pottawattamies, the Wabash Confederates, and the Cherokees, should be -represented, in order that the whole question of boundaries, on all the -Indian borders, might be determined. [FN-2] But the Commissioners on the -part of the United States would listen to no such delay. The Six Nations, -as such, had taken up the hatchet in favor of the crown, and it was -determined to punish them by a dismemberment of their territory. Red -Jacket, a somewhat younger chief than the Corn-planter, was opposed to a -burial of the hatchet, and spoke with great eloquence and vehemence in -favor of a continuance of the war by the Indians on their own account. -"His speech was a masterpiece, and every warrior who heard him was carried -away with his eloquence." [FN-3] The Corn-planter was a wiser man than his -junior associate. He saw the folly of a war to be waged by the Indians -single-handed against the United States, and he exerted himself with all -his power in favor of peace. He saw that the only alternative of his -people was the relinquishment of a portion of their territory by -compromise, or the loss of the whole by force. His efforts were in the end -successful, and on the 22d of October a treaty was signed, by which the -United States gave peace to the Mohawks, Senecas, Onondagas, and -Cayugas—the four hostile nations of the confederacy—and received them -under their protection on condition that all the prisoners, white and -black, in the possession of the said nations, should be delivered up; the -Oneidas and Tuscaroras were secured in the possession of the lands then -in their occupation; the Six Nations at the same time relinquishing all -claims to the country west of a line beginning at the mouth of the -Oyonwayea Creek, flowing into Lake Ontario four miles east of Niagara; -thence southerly, but preserving a line four miles east of the carrying -path, to the mouth of the Tehoseroron, or Buffalo Creek; thence to the -north boundary of Pennsylvania; thence west to the end of that boundary; -and thence south along the Pennsylvania line, to the river Ohio. All the -Six Nations were to be secured in the possession of the lands they were -then occupying; and six hostages were to be delivered to the United -States, to remain in their possession until all the prisoners, whose -liberation was stipulated, should be surrendered by the Indians. [FN-4] -There was likewise a stipulation that the Indians should deliver up -certain persons of their own people, who were considered very great -offenders, to be tried by the civil laws of the United States. Two -persons were surrendered under this stipulation; but the Indians afterward -complained, that, instead of being tried according to law, they were -wrested from the hands of the magistrate by some of the lowest of the -white people, and immediately put to death. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The clan of the Senecas residing with the Corn-planter on the - Allegheny.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Speech of the united Indian nations at a confederate council, - holden at the month of the Detroit River, November and December, 1786.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Drake, who translates from Levasseur's Lafayette in America. The - Marquis de Lafayette was present at the treaty, and, when visited by Red - Jacket at Buffalo, during his tour through the United States in - 1824-25, the General was reminded by the venerable chief of the - circumstance of their former meeting at Fort Stanwix. This is the - earliest account given of the eloquence of the man of the woods who - afterward became so renowned for his oratory.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Vide the treaty itself, American State Papers, Indian Affairs, - vol. i. Originally the Five Nations claimed "all the land not sold to the - English, from the mouth of Sorel River, on the south side of Lakes Erie - and Ontario, on both sides of the Ohio until it falls into the - Mississippi; and on the north side of those lakes, that whole territory - between the Ottawa river and Lake Huron, and even beyond the straights - between that and Lake Erie."—<i>Smith's History.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Speech of Big Tree, Corn-planter, and Half-Town, to President - Washington, in 1790.</p> - - -<p>The result of this negotiation gave great dissatisfaction to the Indians -generally; and the crafty Red Jacket afterward availed himself of the -advantages of his position, in stealing the hearts of the Senecas from the -Corn-planter to himself. The Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea, was likewise -highly displeased with the conditions of the treaty, the more so, -doubtless, from the circumstance that Captain Aaron Hill, a subordinate -chief of the Mohawk nation, was detained as one of the hostages under the -treaty. When he heard of the proceedings, the old chief was at Quebec. He -had completed his business with Sir Frederick Haldimand, and was on the -point of embarking for England, to adjust the claims of his nation upon -the crown for their sacrifices during the war. The design of going abroad -was immediately relinquished for that season, and Captain Brant hastened -back to his own country, to look after the welfare of his own people at -home. He arrived at Cataraqui on the 27th of November, and two days -afterward addressed a long letter to Colonel James Monroe, [FN] in which, -after expressing a wish that the letter may find the Colonel in health, -and thanking him for some recent personal civilities, he says—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Whether the Colonel Monroe, to whom this letter was addressed, was - the late President of the United States, the author has not ascertained; - and if so, it does not appear how he was connected with the Fort Stanwix - treaty.</p> - - -<p>"I was at Quebec, getting ready to set off from thence for England (you -know my business there perfectly well.) About the same time I received an -account that our chief, Capt Aaron Hill, [FN] was detained, and kept as a -prisoner at Fort Stanwix by the commissioners of Congress, and understood -that he was to be kept until all the American prisoners returned to their -own places, from the different nations of Indians, who are still remaining -amongst them. When I received, this disagreeable news, I immediately -declined going any farther from there. It did alarm me very much of -hearing this, because it was me that encouraged that chief to come and -attend that meeting at Fort Stanwix."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This chief was connected with the family of Thayendanegea. Aaron - Henry Hill married one of his daughters, and is spoken of by Captain - Brant, fifteen years afterward, in his correspondence with Thomas Morris, - Esq.</p> - - -<p>"I never did expect that it should be the cause of detaining chiefs in the -matter; for I thought the affair was too far gone to happen any such -things. The Congress have past their words to us that they wish to be -friends with all the Indians; and we likewise did the same to them. -However, suppose the commissioners of Congress did find it necessary for -them to detain some of the chiefs, I should have thought they could -reasonably have excused our chief, and let him gone, and kept other right -persons, who ought to be detained, because we are clear from keeping -prisoners since peace. As soon as the word came, peace, we let all our -prisoners go, except one or two children which could not help themselves. -Captain Aaron Hill had no conveniences to take with him when he went to -Fort Stanwix. We also all along advised the other tribes of Indians, since -peace, that the prisoners should go to their homes; and have during the -war always favored the prisoners, especially women and children; and -likewise did push the matter forward since, to promote peace, and to renew -the friendship with you again as we formerly had, in honestly manner. We -mean to go through with it and be done with it, that every body should -mind their own business and be happy. This is our customs and manners of -the Mohocks, whenever engaged any thing. They are all-ways active and -true;—no double faces at war, or any other business. All this makes me -think the commissioners should consider this, and our chief should [have] -gone home, for we have been a generous enemy to you during the war, and -very active in forwarding the matters of settling peace with you all last -Summer. I believe the commissioners must have some spite against the -Mohocks of using them so, through the advice of Priest Kertland and the -Oneidas, and he did likewise even to the Senekas, who were our friends. He -tried all he could that they should themselves be against the Mohocks; all -this I am well informed. Sir, these low-live tricks (it is very odd to me -why it should be so,) confuses me very much. I believe we shall be at -last prevented of becoming good friends with you. If it should be the -case, the fault shall not be ours, which I hope you will find so. It would -relieve me many points if you would be so kind as to answer me this -letter, as far as you will understand my English, and please to explain -me at once of your sentiments concerning this kind of complaint of mine, -let it be what it will, because whatever must be done its no help for it, -it must be so. If I could see you, and talk with you, I could explain -myself better than a letter half English half Indian. You remember I told -you that I should be happy to be present if any council-fire of yours -should be held in the Spring; I mean about the Indian affairs; and I -wanted to see you in New Jersies if I had time. But, my dear sir, I begin -to be backward about going there, since my chief is detained. Perhaps I -should be served the same, and be kept from my different sweethearts, -which would be too hard for me. It is the very thing which will deprive -me from having the pleasure to see you, and attending your council in the -Spring—except the affairs change in different footing. But believe me -this, let the affairs turn out what it will, I should be always very happy -to see you. I shall winter here, myself and family; early in the Spring I -shall leave this, and go to my new country at Grand River.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am your well-wisher, - And humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">JOS. BRANT,</span> or - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thayendanegea.</span> [FN]</p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Col. James Monroe.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The MS. of this letter, preserved among the papers of Capt. Brant, - is probably the first rough draft. It was evidently written in great - haste, and the author has made a very few corrections where the errors - seemed clearly to be the effect of carelessness. Otherwise, it stands - as it was written. Captain Brant improved in his English composition - very much and very rapidly in after years.</p> - - -<p>What effect was produced by this letter, or how just were the complaints -set forth therein, is not known; but the probability is, that the -difficulty in regard to the detention of Hill was satisfactorily adjusted. -In any event, Captain Brant accomplished his purpose of visiting England -at the close of the year following, (1785.) Before his embarkation, -however, he seems to have formed a plan somewhat analogous to that -entertained, and in part accomplished, twenty years before, by -Pontiac—that of combining all the great north-western Indian nations into -a single grand confederacy, of which he was to be chief. In furtherance of -this design, he visited the country of the upper lakes, and held councils -with the nations. It is not known whether, like Pontiac, he meditated war -upon the United States, unless in the event of being attacked. Still, he -could not but look upon hostilities, in the event of the formation of his -confederacy, as more than probable. Ostensibly, his visit to England was -undertaken for the purpose of adjusting the claims of the loyal Mohawks -upon the crown, for indemnification of their losses and sacrifices in the -contest from which they had recently emerged. And such, probably, was the -sole design of the visit, when originally projected, the preceding year. -But the dissatisfaction existing in regard to the treaty of Fort Stanwix, -and other indications among the Indians, had probably increased the -objects of his mission. At all events, it soon appeared that, coupled with -the special business of the Indian claims, was the design of sounding the -British government, touching the degree of countenance or the amount of -assistance which he might expect from that quarter, in the event of a -general Indian war against the United States.</p> - -<p>Sir John Johnson, who visited England immediately after the war, had -returned to Canada during the Summer of 1785. He seems likewise to have -been charged with the claims of the Mohawks, but accomplished nothing to -their satisfaction. Still, he was opposed to the mission of Captain Brant, -and wrote on the 6th of November, strongly dissuading him from undertaking -the voyage. Sir John thought the claims in question might be adjusted to -mutual satisfaction before the lapse of another year; and he hinted to his -friend that his own interest required his attention at home. "I need not, -I am sure," said the Baronet, "endeavor by many words, to point out to you -the critical situation of your own affairs; I mean those of your -confederacy; and how much the aid of every man of weight and influence -among you is wanting at present, to guard against the designs of your -enemies, who, by calling meetings at this time in every quarter, mean to -spare no pains to divide and separate your interests, thereby to lessen -your consequence and strength, and to answer their designs upon your -country and liberty." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. Letter of Sir John Johnson, among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>But the chief was not to be diverted from his purpose. Embarking -immediately, and having a short passage, he was received by the nobility -and gentry with great consideration and respect. His arrival at Salisbury -was thus noted in a letter from that place, dated December 12, 1785, and -published in London. "Monday last, Colonel Joseph Brant, the celebrated -King of the Mohawks, arrived in this city from America, and after dining -with Colonel De Peister, at the head-quarters here, proceeded immediately -on his journey to London. This extraordinary personage is said to have -presided at the late grand Congress of confederate chiefs of the Indian -nations in America, and to be by them appointed to the conduct and chief -command in the war which they now meditate against the United States of -America. He took his departure for England immediately as that assembly -broke up; and it is conjectured that his embassy to the British Court is -of great importance. This country owes much to the services of Colonel -Brant during the late war in America. He was educated at Philadelphia; is -a very shrewd, intelligent person, possesses great courage and abilities -as a warrior, and is inviolably attached to the British nation."</p> - -<p>What particular Indian council is referred to in the preceding quotation, -is unknown. Most likely it was connected with the ambitious project of -Thayendanegea already indicated; and it is, moreover, very likely that the -discontents of the north-western Indians, chiefly in relation to questions -of boundary, which ultimately produced the war of 1789-'95—may, even thus -early, have been at work in the bosoms of the Indians. Undoubtedly, if -such a council was held, "the Great Captain of the Six Nations" was -present. Certain it is, that while prosecuting the just claims of the -Mohawks at the British Court, he did not fail, with great adroitness, -though indirectly, to present the other subject to the consideration of -Lord Sidney, then Secretary for the Colonies. Indeed, it appears from a -passage in the letter of Sir John Johnson, already quoted, that that -gentleman had previously been sounding the government on the same -question. "With regard to the assistance required or expected in case of -war," said the Baronet in the letter referred to, "I think I explained -that to you also, and shall more fully when I see you."</p> - -<p>The reception of the distinguished Mohawk in the British capital was all -that the proudest forest king, not unacquainted with civilized life, could -have desired. In the course of the war he had formed many acquaintances -with the officers of the army, upon whom he must have made a highly -favorable impression, since all who met him in London recognised him with -great cordiality. Some of these he had met in the salons of Quebec, as -well as been associated with them in the field. His visits to the Canadian -capital had been frequent during and subsequent to the war. On one of -these occasions the Baroness Riedesel met him at the provincial court, -which gave her occasion to speak of him thus in her memoirs:—"I saw at -that time the famous Indian chief, Captain Brant. His manners are -polished; he expressed himself with fluency, and was much esteemed by -General Haldimand. I dined once with him at the General's. In his dress he -showed off to advantage the half military and half savage costume. His -countenance was manly and intelligent, and his disposition very mild." -[FN-1] Aside, therefore, from the novelty of gazing upon an Indian prince -in the British capital, his education and associations, his rank as a -warrior, and his bravery, were so many substantial reasons why he should -be received with kindness and courtesy. Sir Guy Carleton, afterward Lord -Dorchester, who was then on the point of embarking for America to relieve -Sir Frederick Haldimand in the government of the Canadas, was well -acquainted with the Chief. Earl Moira, afterward Marquis of Hastings, who -had served in America as Lord Rawdon, had formed a strong attachment to -Captain Brant, and gave him his picture set in gold. [FN-2] The late -General Sir Charles Stuart, fourth son of the Earl of Bute, who, while -serving in America, had often slept under the same tent with him, had the -warmest regard for him, [FN-3] and cordially recognised him as his friend -in London. With the late Duke of Northumberland, then Lord Percy, he had -likewise formed an acquaintance in America, which ripened into a lasting -attachment, and was maintained by a correspondence, continued at intervals -until his death. With the Earl of Warwick, and others of the nobility and -gentry, he had become acquainted during his first visit, ten years before. -His acquaintance was also sought by many of the distinguished statesmen -and scholars of the time; among whom were the Bishop of London, Charles -Fox, James Boswell, and many others. He sat for his picture for Lord -Percy, as he had done for the Earl of Warwick and Boswell when first in -England; and Fox presented him with a silver snuff-box, bearing his -initials. [FN-4] With the King and royal family he was a great -favorite—not the less so on the part of his Majesty, for having proudly -refused to kiss his hand on his presentation. The dusky Chief, however, -in declining that ceremony, with equal gallantry and address remarked that -he would gladly kiss the hand of the Queen. George the Third was a man of -too much sterling sense not to appreciate the feelings of his brother -chief, and he loved his queen too well not to be gratified with the -turning of a compliment in her Majesty's favor, in a manner that would -have done no discredit to the most accomplished cavalier of the Court of -Elizabeth—Sir Walter Raleigh.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letters and memoirs of the Baroness de Riedesel.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Now in possession of the lady of Colonel William J. Kerr, the - daughter of Thayendanegea.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Letter of Thomas Campbell to the late John Brant, or Ahyonwaeghs, - the son of Thayendanegea; of whom more hereafter.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Still in the possession of Mrs. Kerr.</p> - - -<p>Equally well did he stand in the graces of the Prince of Wales, [FN] who -took great delight in his company; sometimes inviting him in his rambles -to places "very queer for a prince to go to," as the old chief was wont to -remark in after-life. He was also, it is believed, an occasional guest at -the table of the Prince, among that splendid circle of wits, orators, and -scholars, who so frequently clustered around the festive board of the -accomplished and luxurious heir apparent. It has been asserted, likewise, -that these associations, and the freedom with which the leading Whigs were -accustomed to speak of the King, had an unhappy effect upon the mind of -the warrior, by lessening his reverence for the regal office, if not for -his Majesty's person.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] His late Majesty George IV.</p> - - -<p>But, amidst all the attractions of the metropolis, and the hospitalities -in which he was called to participate, the Chief did not neglect the -special object, or <i>objects,</i> of his mission. He had left his nation -suffering from their losses of property and other sacrifices, by which, -as well as their arms, they had proved their loyalty, or rather their good -faith to the King as allies, during the late war, and his first object was -to obtain relief. The claims of his people had previously been presented -to the consideration of his Majesty's Government, as already staled, by -Sir John Johnson; but, apparently receiving no attention, on the 4th of -January, 1786, Captain Brant addressed the following letter to Lord -Sidney, his Majesty's Secretary for the Colonial Department:—</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Lord Sidney.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Lord,</span></p> - -<p>"The claims of the Mohawks for their losses having been delivered by Sir -John Johnson, His Majesty's Superintendent General for Indian affairs, to -General Haldimand, and by him laid before your Lordship, who cannot but be -well informed that their sufferings, losses, and being drove from that -country which their forefathers long enjoyed, and left them the peaceable -possession of, is in consequence of their faithful attachment to the King, -and the zeal they manifested in supporting the cause of His country -against the rebellious subjects in America.</p> - -<p>"From the promises made by the Governor and Commander-in-chief of Canada, -that their losses should be made good, and that soon, when I left them, I -was desired to put His Majesty's ministers in mind of their long and -sincere friendship for the English nation, in whose cause their ancestors -and they have so often fought and so freely bled,—of their late happy -settlements, before the rebellion, and their present situation,—and to -request their claims might be attended to, and that orders may be given -for what they are to receive to be paid as soon as possible, in order to -enable them to go on with the settlement they are now making; in some -measure stock their farms, and get such articles and materials as all -settlements in new countries require, and which it is out of their power -to do before they are paid for their losses.</p> - -<p>"On my mentioning these matters, since my arrival in England, I am -informed orders are given that this shall be done; which will give great -relief and satisfaction to those faithful Indians, who will have spirit to -go on, and their hearts be filled with gratitude for the King, their -father's, great kindness, which I pray leave, in their behalf, to -acknowledge, and to thank your Lordship for your friendship.</p> - -<p class="list"> "JOSEPH BRANT, <i>Captain,</i> or - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thayendanegea.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>London,</i> 4<i>th January,</i> 1786."</p> - - -<p>On the same day Captain Brant was honored by an interview with the -Secretary, on which occasion he addressed his Lordship in the following -speech, a copy of which was delivered in writing.—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Speech of Captain Brant to Lord Sidney.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Lord,</span></p> - -<p>"I am happy at the honor of being before your Lordship, and having an -opportunity of delivering the following speech to you, in behalf of the -Five United Nations of Indians, and their confederates in North America.</p> - -<p>"The cause of my coming to England being of the most serious consequence -to the whole Indian Confederacy, I intreat your Lordship patiently to hear -and listen to what I am going to say.</p> - -<p>"We hope it is a truth well known in this country, what a faithful part we -took in their behalf in the late dispute with the Americans; and though we -have been told peace has long since been concluded between you and them, -it is not finally settled with us, which causes great uneasiness through -all the Indian nations.</p> - -<p>"When we heard peace was made between his Majesty and the Americans, we -made application to General Haldimand at Quebec, to know our situation, -delivering him a speech at the same time, which we requested might be sent -to the King—a copy of which I now deliver to your Lordship.</p> - -<p>"Having in that speech, in as few words as possible, pointed out what -friendship we had shown to the English from the earliest time of their -arrival in America, and being conscious of the active part our forefathers -and we had taken in their favor in every dispute they have had with their -enemies, we were struck with astonishment at hearing we were forgot in the -treaty. Notwithstanding the manner we were told this, we could not believe -it possible such firm friends and allies could be so neglected by a nation -remarkable for its honor and glory, whom we had served with so much zeal -and fidelity. For this reason we applied to the King's Commander-in-chief, -in Canada in a friendly and private way, wishing not to let those people -in rebellion know the concern and trouble we were under. From the time of -delivering that speech, near three years, we have had no answer, and -remain in a state of great suspense and uneasiness of mind. This is well -known to the officers who commanded at the upper posts in America, as is -also our zeal for His Majesty's service during the war.</p> - -<p>"Our trouble and distress is greatly increased by many things the -Americans have said, to whom we have avoided giving any direct answers, or -entering into any engagements with, before we have an answer. On the -arrival of Sir John Johnson, our Superintendent-General, in Canada, we -hoped to have received it; in full expectation of which, several of our -first and principal chiefs came down the country to meet him and hear it, -and were very much mortified and sorry at being disappointed. It was then -resolved that I should come to England, and I hope the necessity we are -under of getting this answer will plead my excuse for the trouble I give -your Lordship.</p> - -<p>"It is, my Lord, the earnest desire of the Five United Nations, and the -whole Indian Confederacy, that I may have an answer to that speech; and -from our present situation, as well as that of the American States, who -have surveyed and laid out great part of the lands in our country, on our -side of the boundary line fixed at Fort Stanwix in 1765, the last time we -granted any territory to the King, (at which time some of the governors -attended in person, and where they did not, commissioners, vested with -full powers, appeared on their behalf; so that we had all the reason to -hope that the transaction was binding with respect to all parties,) but -through their encroaching disposition, we have found they pay little -regard to engagements, and are therefore apprehensive of immediate -serious consequences. This we shall avoid to the utmost of our power, as -dearly as we love our lands. But should it, contrary to our wishes, -happen, we desire to know whether we are to be considered as His Majesty's -faithful allies, and have that support and countenance such as old and -true friends expect.</p> - -<p>"I beg liberty to tell your Lordship, that your answer to these matters -will be the means of relieving all our nations from that very troublesome -and uneasy suspense they now labor under, and this they all hope for on -my return.</p> - -<p class="list"> "JOS. BRANT, <i>Captain,</i> or - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thayendanegea.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>London,</i> 4<i>th Jan.</i> 1786. - <i>The Right Hon. Lord Sidney.</i>"</p> - - -<p>The forest chief was not an unsuccessful envoy, as will appear by the -subjoined communication from Lord Sidney—so far at least as relates to -the indemnification claimed by the Mohawks and their allies of the Six -Nations:—</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Lord Sidney to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Whitehall,</i> 6th <i>April,</i> 1786.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"The King has had under his royal consideration the two letters which you -delivered to me on the 4th of January last, in the presence of Colonel -Johnson and other officers of the Indian Department; the first of them -representing the claims of the Mohawks for losses sustained by them and -other tribes of Indians, from the depredations committed on their lands by -the Americans during the late war; and the second, expressing the desire -of the confederacy to be informed what assistance they might expect from -this country in case they should be engaged in disputes with the Americans -relative to their lands, situated within the territory to which His -Majesty has relinquished his sovereignty.</p> - -<p>"Were the right of individuals to compensation for losses sustained by the -depredations of an enemy to be admitted, no country, however opulent it -might be, could support itself under such a burthen, especially when the -contest happens to have taken an unfavorable turn. His Majesty, upon this -ground, conceives that, consistently with every principle of justice, he -might withhold his royal concurrence to the liquidation of those demands; -but His Majesty, in consideration of the zealous and hearty exertions of -his Indian allies in the support of his cause, and as a proof of his most -friendly disposition toward them, has been graciously pleased to consent -that the losses already certified by his Superintendent-General shall be -made good; that a favorable attention shall be shown to the claims of -others, who have pursued the same system of conduct; and that Sir Guy -Carleton, his Governor General of his American dominions, shall take -measures for carrying his royal commands into execution immediately after -his arrival at Quebec.</p> - -<p>"This liberal conduct on the part of His Majesty, he trusts, will not -leave a doubt upon the minds of his Indian allies that he shall at all -times be ready to attend to their future welfare; and that he shall be -anxious, upon every occasion wherein their happiness may be concerned, to -give them such farther testimonies of his royal favor and countenance, as -can, consistently with a due regard to the national faith, and the honor -and dignity of his crown, be afforded to them.</p> - -<p>"His Majesty recommends to his Indian allies to continue united in their -councils, and that their measures may be conducted with temper and -moderation; from which, added to a peaceable demeanor on their part, they -must experience many essential benefits, and be most likely to secure to -themselves the possession of those rights and privileges which their -ancestors have heretofore enjoyed.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I have the honor to be, - With great truth and regard, - Sir, - Your most obedient humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sidney.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Captain Joseph Brant, - Thayendanegea.</i>"</p> - - -<p>It appears, that during his negotiations with the ministers, conversations -had been held touching his claim to half-pay; but from the loss of papers, -it is difficult to arrive at the precise circumstances of the case. -Captain Brant held His Majesty's commission during the war as a Captain. -But it was probably a special commission, not in the regular line of the -army, and consequently there may have been doubts as to his title to -half-pay on the reduction which followed the war. No matter, however, for -the exact circumstances of the case, such doubts were entertained, and -were the occasion of the following magnanimous letter from the chief to -one of his Majesty's under Secretaries, a copy of which was preserved -among the private papers of the warrior:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Sir Evan Nepean.</span> (No Date.)</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:—</span></p> - -<p>"Since I had the pleasure of seeing you last, I have been thinking a great -deal about the half-pay, or pension, which you and I have talked about.</p> - -<p>"I am really sorry that I ever mentioned such a thing to you. It was -really owing to promises made to me by certain persons several times -during the late war, that I should always be supported by the government, -at war or peace. At that time I never asked any body to make me such a -promise. It was of their own free will.</p> - -<p>"When I joined the English at the beginning of the war, it was purely on -account of my forefathers' engagements with the King. I always looked upon -these engagements, or covenants, between the King and the Indian Nations, -as a sacred thing. Therefore I was not to be frighted by the threats of -the rebels at that time. I assure you I had no other view in it. And this -was my real case from the beginning.</p> - -<p>"However, after this, the English gave me pay and a commission from the -Commander-in-chief, which I gladly received as a mark of attention, though -I never asked for it; and I believe my trouble and risques was of equal -value to the marks of attention I received; I am sure not too much in the -eyes of the Indians, or I should not have accepted them, as I should be -sorry to raise jealousies. My meaning for mentioning those things to you, -is because I saw there was some difficulty on your part how to act on this -head relative to half-pay or pension;—and when it does not seem clear, -I should be sorry to accept it. Therefore I beg of you will say no more -about it;—for was I to get it when there were doubts about the propriety -of it, I should not be happy. For which reason I think it is best to go -without it.</p> - -<p>"I am now, Sir, to beg you will return my best thanks to Government for -what they [have] done for me, and am, Sir,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Sir Evan Nepean, Under Secretary, at Home.</i>"</p> -<br> - -<p>There are a frankness and manliness of tone and spirit in this letter, -which will illustrate a striking feature in the character of the writer, -and are worthy of high approbation. It is the only paper of any -consequence connected with the Captain's mission to England, in addition -to those already cited, that remains.</p> - -<p>The chieftain's visit must have been most agreeable, since, in addition to -the success which crowned his labors in regard to the claims of the -Indians, no pains were spared to render his residence in London one of -uninterrupted gratification. He was caressed by the noble and the great, -and was alike welcome at court or at the banquets of the heir -apparent—who, with all his faults, was "the first gentleman in the -realm;"—a fine classical scholar himself, and a lover of genius and -intellect—-of letters and men of letters—of sparkling wit, as well as -wine. Among his most frequent guests were Fox, Burke, and Sheridan, and -others of that splendid galaxy of eloquence and intellect—the master -spirits of the opposition in the House of Commons—who were at that time -basking in the sunshine of the Prince's favor, and living in the hope of -more substantial things to come. Though deficient in his literary -acquisitions, Brant, with great strength of mind and shrewdness of -observation, had, moreover, sufficient taste and cultivation to appreciate -society, even of this elevated and intellectual character. The natural -reserve of the Indian temperament he could assume or throw off at -pleasure, and with a keen sense of the ludicrous, he could himself use -the weapons of humor and sarcasm with a good share of skill and dexterity.</p> - -<p>Several anecdotes have been preserved in well-authenticated tradition, -illustrative of these traits of character. One of these is the -following:—Among the gentlemen of rank with whom Brant was acquainted, -was a nobleman of whom it was scandalously reported that his place was -purchased by the illicit favors bestowed upon another by his beautiful -wife. On one occasion his Lordship undertook to rally the forest chief -upon the subjects of the wild and rude manners and customs of the Indians, -to which they pertinaciously adhered notwithstanding all the attempts made -to improve them by the arts of civilization. Some of their absurd -practices, of which the English, as his Lordship remarked, thought very -strange, were particularised. Brant listened very patiently until it -became his turn to speak, when he replied that there were customs in -England, also, of which the Indians thought very strange. "And pray what -are they?" inquired his Lordship. "Why," answered the chief, "the Indians -have heard that it is a practice in England for men who are born chiefs to -sell the virtue of their squaws for place, and for money to buy their -venison!" The Mohawk occupied a position which enabled him to say what he -pleased with impunity. But in the present instance the rebuke was doubly -withering,—from the gravity and assumed simplicity with which it was -uttered, and the certainty that the titled gentleman could not mistake the -direction of the arrow, while he could neither parry nor avoid, nor appear -to notice it.</p> - -<p>During his stay in London, a grand fancy ball, or masquerade, was got up -with great splendor, and numerously attended by the nobility and gentry. -Captain Brant, at the instance of Earl Moira, was also present, richly -dressed in the costume of his nation, wearing no mask, but painting one -half of his face. His plumes nodded as proudly in his cap as though the -blood of a hundred Percies coursed through his veins, and his tomahawk -glittered in his girdle like burnished silver. There was, likewise, in the -gay and gallant throng a stately Turkish <i>diplomat</i> of rank, accompanied -by two houris, whose attention was particularly attracted by the grotesque -appearance of the chieftain's singular, and, as he supposed, fantastic -attire. The pageant was brilliant as the imagination could desire; but -among the whole motley throng of pilgrims and warriors, hermits and -shepherds, knights, damsels, and gipsies, there was, to the eye of the -Mussulman, no character so picturesque and striking as that of the Mohawk; -which, being natural, appeared to be the best made up. He scrutinised the -chief very closely, and mistaking his <i>rouge et noir</i> complexion for a -painted visor, the Turk took the liberty of attempting to handle his nose. -Brant had, of course, watched the workings of his observation, and felt -in the humor of a little sport. No sooner, therefore, had Hassan touched -his facial point of honor, under the mistaken idea that it was of no -better material than the parchment nose of the Strasburgh trumpeter, than -the Chieftain made the hall resound with the appalling war-whoop, and at -the same instant the tomahawk leaped from his girdle, and flashed around -the astounded Mussulman's head as though his good master, the Sultan, in a -minute more, would be relieved from any future trouble in the matter of -taking it off. Such a piercing and frightful cry had never before rung -through that <i>salon</i> of fashion; and breaking suddenly, and with startling -wildness, upon the ears of the merry throng, its effect was prodigious. -The Turk himself trembled with terror, while the female masquers—the -gentle shepherdesses, and fortune-telling crones, Turks, Jews and gipsies, -bear-leaders and their bears, Falstaffs, friars, and fortune-tellers, -Sultans, nurses and Columbines, shrieked, screamed and scudded away as -though the Mohawks had broken into the festive hall in a body. The matter, -however, was soon explained; and the incident was accounted as happy in -the end as it was adroitly enacted by the good-humored <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Mohawk.</span> [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This incident was somewhat differently related by the British - Magazine, which represented that the weapon was raised by Brant in sober - earnest; he having taken the freedom of the Turk for a real indignity. - But such was clearly not the fact. His friends never so understood it.</p> - - -<p>But neither the pleasures of society, nor the follies of the Prince of -Wales, nor the special business of his mission, nor the views of political -ambition which he was cherishing, made him forgetful of the moral wants of -his people. Notwithstanding the ceaseless activity of his life, he had -found time to translate the Gospel of Mark into the Mohawk language; and -as most of the Indian Prayer and Psalm Books previously in use had been -either lost or destroyed during the war, the opportunity of his visit was -chosen by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, -to bring out a new and superior edition of that work, under Brant's own -supervision, and including the Gospel of Mark as translated by him. This -was the first of the Gospels ever translated entire into the Mohawk -language. The book was elegantly printed in large octavo, under the -immediate patronage of the King. It was printed in alternate pages of -English and Mohawk; and the volume contained the psalms and occasional -prayers before published, together with the services of communion, -baptism, matrimony, and the burial of the dead. It was embellished with a -number of scriptural engravings, elegant for the state of the arts at that -day; the frontispiece representing the interior of a chapel, with -portraits of the King and Queen, a bishop standing at either hand, and -groups of Indians receiving the sacred books from both their Majesties. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A handsome copy of this valuable book, in morocco gilt, has been - loaned to the author by Mrs. Kerr. It belonged to the widow of the old - chief, and contains the record of his death.</p> - - -<p>It is not known at what time of the year 1786 Captain Brant turned his -back upon the gay metropolis of England, to bury himself once more in the -deep forests toward the setting sun. It must, however, have been soon -after receiving Lord Sidney's dispatch of April 6th, since, among the -papers of the chief, there is a letter addressed to him after his return, -by Major Matthews, who was attached to the military family of Sir Guy -Carleton, dated at Montreal, July 24, 1786. Early in the month of December -following he will also be found attending an Indian Council far in the -country of the Great Lakes.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chix">CHAPTER IX.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Difficulties between Great Britain and the United States after the - Treaty—Refusal of the former to surrender the western posts—Mission of - Baron Steuben to Canada—Indications of fresh Indian - hostilities—Movements of Captain Brant—Grand Indian Council at the - Huron Village—Address to the United States—Letter of the Secretary at - War, General Knox, to Captain Brant—Letter of Sir John Johnson to - Brant—Letter of Major Matthews to Brant, disclosing the views of Lord - Dorchester respecting the retention of the western posts—Message from - the Hurons to the Five Nations, proposing another grand - Council—Preparations of General St. Clair for negotiating with the - Indians—Brant begins to distrust them all—Letter of Brant to Patrick - Langan, Sir John Johnson's Secretary—Letter of Brant to Sir John - Johnson—Great Council at Miamis—Letter of Captain Brant to Patrick - Langan—St. Clair's negotiations at Fort Harmar—The policy of dividing - to conquer—letter of Captain Brant to Major Matthews—Jealousies of - Brant among the Indians—Council against him at Montreal—Letter to him - from Major Matthews—Letter of Brant in reply—Letter to Colonel - M<sup>c</sup>Donnell—Suspected plot against the English at Detroit, and Brant and - his Mohawks, by the Hurons, Chippewas, and Pottawattamies—Letter to - Brant from Sir John Johnson—Brant turns his attention to the - cultivation of letters—Endeavors to obtain a stated - Missionary—Resumes the preparation of Religious books—Letter from - President Willard—John Norton—Land difficulties among the Indians in - the state of New-York—Letter from Governor Clinton to Brant.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Unhappily</span> the treaty of peace did not bring the United States and Great -Britain immediately to so good an understanding with each other as could -have been desired. Several important questions remained for subsequent -arrangement. The treaty proposed a general restoration of confiscated -property to all such loyalists as had not actually borne arms in the -service of the King. The American Congress passed a resolution -recommending the fulfillment of this clause of the treaty by the several -states; but it was not considered binding, and South Carolina alone -approached to a compliance therewith. There was, likewise, an explicit -provision in the treaty, respecting the payment of debts due by Americans -to British subjects, not resting upon a recommendation only; the -fulfillment of which was sadly neglected. Indeed, the states in which -those debts chiefly lay, showed but too plainly an indisposition to aid -in carrying the stipulation into effect. On the other hand, the Negroes -belonging to American citizens who were in the possession and service of -the officers of the British army, were not restored; and, contrary to all -expectation, Great Britain refused to surrender the military posts upon -the American side of the great lakes. The surrender of those posts was -expected with the utmost conscience, as one of the most immediate -consequences of the ratification of the treaty. To this end, Congress -instructed the Commander-in-chief to make all the necessary arrangements -to receive and occupy the posts in the Summer of 1783; and in July of that -season, the Baron Steuben was despatched by General Washington on a -mission to Sir Frederick Haldimand at Quebec, to concert the necessary -dispositions, and proceed along the frontiers as far as Detroit, to -examine the different posts, and report in regard to their condition, and -how many and which of them it would be expedient for the United States -permanently to occupy. [FN-1] The Baron met General Haldimand at Sorel, on -his way to visit the country of the lakes himself. But on making known his -business, the British commander informed him that he had received no -instructions for the evacuation of the posts, or for any other objects -than a cessation of hostilities, with which he had complied. He did not -consider himself at liberty to enter, into any negotiations with the Baron -upon the subject, and even refused him the necessary passports for -visiting Niagara and Detroit. [FN-2] In addition to this, under the -pretext that the government of the United States had not sufficient power -to enforce the observance of a commercial treaty, Great Britain refused to -join in the negotiation of such an instrument. [FN-3] Thus situated—the -government and people of each nation complaining of the other—crimination -and recrimination ensued, until the public feeling became irritated almost -to exasperation.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of Washington to General Haldimand, July 12, 1783. Also, - Instructions of the same to Baron Steuben.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Sparks.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] The fact was but too true. After the common danger of the war had - ceased to bind the States together, the articles of the Confederation - were but a rope of sand. The government was, indeed, but a rickety - concern until the formation of the Constitution of 1787.</p> - - -<p>The Indians, in the mean time, brooding over the real or fancied wrongs -they had sustained at the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and irritated at the -onward current of the white population pressing in their own direction, -were becoming restiff; particularly the more distant tribes at the -south-west; and their movements indicated any thing but pacific -intentions. Indeed, along some portions of the western frontier, -particularly on the Ohio river, it could scarcely be said that they had -been at peace. Both in 1785 and in 1786, acts of individual hostility were -not unfrequent on the banks of the Ohio and on the Kentucky border; and -in both of those years larger parties had repeatedly attacked the crews of -boats descending the river. It was likewise certain that two years only -had elapsed after the close of the war before a hostile combination of -the great north-western nations was supposed to have been formed; and -documentary proof has been adduced in the preceding pages that a powerful -and influential messenger, in the person of Captain Brant, had been -instructed by those nations to ascertain prospectively the measure of -assistance they might, in the event of hostilities, expect to receive from -Great Britain. It is true that Lord Sidney, in his reply to the message of -Thayendanegea, had avoided committing himself either way upon this point. -But the message of the Mohawk chief; and the reply of the minister, were -alike unknown to the public at that day. Still, it was to the detention of -the posts on the lakes that the hostile temper manifested by the Indians, -and their frequent outrages on the frontier, were ascribed; with more -justice, as will hereafter appear, than Great Britain would be willing to -allow.</p> - -<p>The conduct of Captain Brant, moreover, when illustrated by his private -correspondence as well as his public actions, will presently appear very -mysterious, if not equivocal. By retiring with his own nation into Canada, -the Mohawks had not withdrawn from the Confederacy of the Six Nations, -nor had Thayendanegea relinquished his official rank as the principal or -superior chief of the whole, though five of them remained within the -United States. The differences which thus early sprang up between the -United States and the Indians, arose upon a question of boundary; the -latter maintaining that the Ohio river was not to be crossed by the -people of the former. Captain Brant espoused the cause of the Indians at -large upon this question, and had early and strenuously exerted himself to -compass a grand confederation of all the north-western tribes and nations, -of which, it is believed, he intended to be the head. The incipient steps -to the formation of such a confederacy, the reader has already seen, had -been taken in 1785, previous to his departure for England. On his return -in the following year, his efforts for that object were renewed. [FN] In -December, 1786, a grand confederate council of the Indians north west of -the Ohio, including the Six Nations, was held at Huron Village, near the -mouth of the Detroit River. This council was attended by the Six Nations, -and the Hurons, Ottawas, Twitchtwees, [Miamis,] Shawanese, Chippewas, -Cherokees, Delawares, Pottawattamies, and the Wabash Confederates. On the -18th of that month, an address to the Congress of the United States was -agreed upon, the tone of which was pacific—provided the United States -made no encroachments upon their lands beyond the Ohio. After a -declaration of their surprise that they were not included in the treaty of -peace, they observed that they had nevertheless received a message from -the King, advising them to remain quiet. They had likewise received two -very agreeable messages from the thirteen States, from the tenor of which -they had anticipated a period of repose. But while they were devising the -best measures to secure this result and form a lasting -reconciliation—while they had "the best thoughts in their minds, mischief -had happened." Still, they were anxious to prevent farther trouble, as a -principal means of which they recommended that no treaties should be -formed by the United States with separate Indian tribes or nations; but -that all treaties for lands should be negotiated openly and above board, -in the most public manner, and by the united voice of the Confederacy. -They attributed the "mischief and confusion" that had arisen, to the fact -that the United States would have every thing their own way—that they -would "kindle the council-fires wherever they thought proper, without -consulting the Indians." At the treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1784, they had -urged a different policy; and they believed that, had the course then -recommended, of treating only in a general conference of the nations, been -pursued, all would have continued peace and concord between them. -Notwithstanding the mischiefs that had happened, the council professed -their strong desire of peace. "This," they said, "is the determination of -all the chiefs of the Confederacy, now assembled, notwithstanding that -several Indian chiefs were killed in our villages, even when in council, -and when absolutely engaged in promoting peace with you, the thirteen -United States." In order to ensure this desirable result, they proposed a -grand confederate council, to be holden at some half-way place in the -ensuing spring—recommending to the United States, in the meantime to -prevent their surveyors and other people from crossing to the Indian side -of the Ohio. This important address concluded in the following -words:—"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It shall not be our faults, if the plans which we have -suggested to you should not be carried into execution. In that case the -event will be very precarious, and if fresh ruptures ensue, we hope to be -able to exculpate ourselves, and shall most assuredly, with our united -force, be obliged to defend those rights and privileges which have been -transmitted to us by our ancestors; and if we should be thereby reduced to -misfortunes, the world will pity us when they think of the amicable -proposals we now make to prevent the unnecessary effusion of blood. These -are our thoughts and firm resolves, and we earnestly desire that you would -transmit to us, as soon as possible, your answer, be it what it may."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of General Knox, Secretary of War—11th May, 1786.</p> - - -<p>This address, the ultimatum antecedent to the general war that afterward -arose, was not signed by individual chiefs, but by the nation, the name of -the nation being written, and the bird or animal adopted as the national -emblem rudely marked upon the paper. Thayendanegea was present and active -at this council, as will appear by the annexed letter, found among his -papers, from the American Secretary of War, General Knox:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Knox to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>War Office, July</i> 23<i>d</i>, 1787.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:—</span></p> - -<p>"On the 17th instant, and not before, I received the favor of your letter, -dated 'Huron Town, Dec. 18th, 1786,' enclosing the original speech by the -several nations of Indians met at the same time and place, to the United -States in Congress assembled.</p> - -<p>"It appears from the information of General Butler, the Superintendent, -that the Shawanese neglected to forward the above despatches at the time -it was expected they would; and it appears by a letter from Captain Pipe, -of the Delawares, and the Half-King of the Wyandots, dated at Sandusky the -3d of June, that they forwarded the despatches finally to Fort Pitt—at -which place, and at the same time also, your messengers arrived with your -letters to General Butler, dated Buffalo Creek, the 16th of May, 1787, -enclosing a copy, or translation, of the speech of the chiefs, transmitted -by Captain Pipe and the Half-King of the Wyandots.</p> - -<p>"I mention these circumstances, to convince you that the result of your -council, at the Huron village, in December, has been a long time in -traveling to this city.<p> - -<p>"On the receipt of your papers, they were submitted to Congress, who have -taken the same, into consideration, and will soon come to some decision -thereon, which will be communicated to the Superintendent, in order to be -transmitted to you.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I have the honor to be, - Sir, - Your most obedient, - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. Knox.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Joseph Brant,</span> - <i>One of the Chiefs of the Mohawk Nation.</i>"</p> - -<p>Neither the preceding letter, nor that in reply to which it was written, -has been preserved in the archives of the American Department of War. The -signature of "<i>The Five Nations,</i>" however, stood at the head of the list, -and from the rank and superior intelligence of Thayendanegea, there can be -little doubt that the address to the Government of the United States was -dictated, if not written, by him. That it was in entire accordance with -his views, appears most fully by the following letter from Sir John -Johnson. This letter is worthy of preservation, as affording the first -authentic evidence of the equivocal attitude Great Britain was assuming -in regard to the Indian relations of the United States.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Quebec, March</i> 22d, 1787.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have received your letter of the 14th of February. I am happy to find -things turned out as you wished at your several meetings in the Indian -country near Detroit, and I hope it may have the effect you wish in -preventing the Americans from incroaching on your lands. Your conduct, I -hope, for your own sake, will always be such as to justify the good -opinion that has been entertained of you by your friends the English, and -such as will merit the continuance of their friendship. I hope in all your -decisions you will conduct yourselves with prudence and moderation, having -always an eye to the friendship that has so long subsisted between you and -the King's subjects, upon whom alone you can and ought to depend. You have -no reason to fear any breach of promise on the part of the King. Is he not -every year giving fresh proofs of his friendship? What greater could you -expect than is now about to be performed, by giving an ample compensation -for your losses, which is yet withheld from us, his subjects? Do not -suffer bad men or evil advisers to lead you astray; every thing that is -reasonable and consistent with the friendship that ought to be preserved -between us, will be done for you all. Do not suffer an idea to hold a -place in your mind, that it will be for your interests to sit still and -see the Americans attempt the posts. [FN-1] It is for your sakes chiefly, -if not entirely, that we hold them. If you become indifferent about them, -they may perhaps be given up; what security would you then have? You would -be left at the mercy of a people whose blood calls aloud for revenge; -whereas, by supporting them, you encourage us to hold them, and encourage -the new settlements, already considerable, and every day increasing by -numbers coming in, who find they can't live in the States. Many thousands -are preparing to come in. This increase of his Majesty's subjects will -serve as a protection for you, should the subjects of the States, by -endeavoring to make farther encroachments on you, disturb your quiet. -At present I think there is little to apprehend from any but the Southern -States; those to the eastward are already opposed to each other in arms, -[FN-2] and have shed blood, and the disorder seems to be spreading -throughout. Men of character are coming in here to see if no assistance -will be given them; and the people of New England, who were the most -violent at the commencement of the war, are now the most desirous of -returning under the British government, should Great Britain incline to -receive them, which many think they would not."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Oswegatchie, Oswego, Niagara, Detroit and Mackinaw—withheld from - the United States, as heretofore stated in tho text.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This allusion refers to the memorable insurrection of Captain - Shays, in Massachusetts.</p> - - -<p>"Remember me in the most friendly manner to Mrs. Brant, all your family, -and to all my brothers in your settlement, and tell them to be patient, -and that they will find that all that has been promised them, coming -within my knowledge, will be per-formed. I hope to see you in the course -of the summer; in the mean time, I remain with truth,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Johnson."</span> [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Copied from the original, among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>The object of this communication will be seen at a glance. It is -unfortunate, that the letter of Thayendanegea, giving the private history -of the great Amphictyonic council of the Indians, has not been discovered. -Still, enough can be learned from the scattered correspondence that -remains, to show that Great Britain was by no means an indifferent -observer of the storm gathering in the north-west. It is also evident that -the officers of the crown in Canada were rejoicing in the insurrection of -Captain Shays in Massachusetts; which, though at one moment of threatening -importance, had been crushed but a few days before the Baronet's letter -was written, of which result he had not then been apprised. That -insurrection was a consequence, in the main, of the weakness of the -government of the confederacy. Fortunately, however, instead of working -farther detriment to the republic, its influence was not inconsiderable -in binding the states more firmly together, by means of the Constitution, -which arose from the ruins of the old Articles of Confederation in the -course of the same year. There is another feature in the letter of Sir -John deserving to be noted. It discloses the fact, that already, even so -early as the year 1787, had the British authorities imbibed the absurd -notion that the people of New England, who had been first in raising the -standard of revolt, wearied with their freedom, were seeking a -dismemberment of the Union, that they might throw themselves back into the -arms of their former sovereign. Nor was this idea eradicated until after -the failure of a miserable intrigue, under the Canadian administration of -Sir James H. Craig, with a worthless fellow named John Henry, in 1810.</p> - -<p>Great Britain not only continued to retain possession of the north-western -posts, but added to their strength. Upon this subject, and the policy by -which she was governed in regard to it, the following letter reflects -additional light. It was addressed to Captain Brant by Major Matthews, -whose name has already occurred as an officer in the suite of Sir Guy -Carleton—who had now become Lord Dorchester. Matthews had been assigned -to the command of Detroit, and was on his way thither when the letter was -written:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Major Matthews to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara,</i> 29<i>th May,</i> 1787.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Friend,</span></p> - -<p>"A few days before I left Quebec, I had the pleasure to receive your -letter of the 3d April, and was happy at the prospect I had of so soon -answering it in person, and once more shaking hands together upon our old -ground. On my arrival yesterday, I was much disappointed to hear that you -had left this place, and gone by a route which, for the present, prevents -our meeting; for though there is nothing I wish more than to pay you a -visit in your settlement, and to have a conversation with you, the -despatch which I am under the necessity of making to Detroit, renders it -impossible. I therefore sit down to thank you for the information in your -last, and to renew our old agreement of communicating freely to each other -whatsoever we may know or think is for the mutual advantage and well-being -of that cause, which has always been common, and which, I am persuaded, is -equally dear to us both; and being better informed of what relates to the -situation of affairs in this quarter than when I last wrote to you, I -shall begin by informing you of what his Excellency, Lord Dorchester, -desired I would, should I chance to fall in with you. His Lordship wishes -you should be acquainted that, when he arrived at Quebec last fall, it was -too late to forward any thing more than a few provisions necessary for the -posts and Indians, a part of which even could not proceed on account of -the ice; but that he did not forget the presents intended for the Indians; -and had, as soon as the communication opened, ordered them to be sent up -from Montreal. At the same time his Lordship was sorry to learn, that -while the Indians were soliciting his assistance in their preparations for -war, some of the Six Nations had sent deputies to Albany to treat with -the Americans, who, it is said, have made a treaty with them, granting -permission to make roads for the purpose of coming to Niagara; but that, -notwithstanding these things, the Indians should have their presents, as -they are marks of the King's approbation of their former conduct. In -future his Lordship wishes them to act as is best for their interest; he -cannot begin a war with the Americans, because some of their people -encroach and make depredations upon parts of the Indian country; but they -must see it is his Lordship's intention to defend the posts; and that -while these are preserved, the Indians must find great security therefrom, -and consequently the Americans greater difficulty in taking possession of -their lands; but should they once become masters of the posts, they will -surround the Indians, and accomplish their purpose with little trouble. -From a consideration of all which, it therefore remains with the Indians -to decide what is most for their own interest, and to let his Lordship -know their determination, that he may take his measures accordingly; but, -whatever their resolution is, it should be taken as by one and the same -people, by which means they will be respected and become strong; but if -they divide, and act one part against the other, they will become weak, -and help to destroy each other. This, my dear Joseph, is the substance of -what his Lordship desired me to tell you, and I request you will give his -sentiments that mature consideration which their justice, generosity, and -desire to promote the welfare and happiness of the Indians, must appear to -all the world to merit.</p> - -<p>"In your letter to me, you seem apprehensive that the English are not very -anxious about the defence of the posts. You will soon be satisfied that -they have nothing more at heart, provided that it continues to be the -wish of the Indians, and that they remain firm in doing <i>their</i> part of the -business, by preventing the Americans from coming into their country, and -consequently from marching to the posts. On the other hand, if the Indians -think it more for their interest that the Americans should have possession -of the posts, and be established in their country, they ought to declare -it, that the English need no longer be put to the vast and unnecessary -expense and inconvenience of keeping posts, the chief object of which is -to protect their Indian allies, and the loyalists who have suffered with -them. It is well-known that no encroachments ever have or ever will be -made by the English upon the lands or property of the Indians in -consequence of their possessing the posts, how far that will be the case -if ever the Americans get into them, may very easily be imagined, from -their hostile perseverance, even without that advantage, in driving the -Indians off their lands and taking possession of them.</p> - -<p>"In regard to myself, I have to acquaint you, that in consequence of the -reports which reached Quebec from the upper country respecting the -intentions of the Americans against the posts, Lord Dorchester has been -pleased to permit me to take the command of Detroit, which is garrisoned -by the regiment I am in, and has ordered that another regiment be sent up -for the protection of the posts in general, two companies of which, under -the command of your acquaintance, Captain Malcolm, arrived with me in the -Seneca, and I am to take two companies of the 53d from hence, to reinforce -Detroit; so that I think we shall have but little to apprehend from any -thing in the power of the Americans to attempt. I confess to you I have -no idea they have any serious intention of the kind, the few troops they -can muster not being sufficient to support their government; they are, -besides, in rebellion, and cutting each others throats. A people in this -situation are but ill able to march considerable armies with artillery and -the necessary stores, (which they must have to be successful,) through a -distant and difficult country.</p> - -<p>"Inclosed I send you a letter from Sir John Johnson. It will probably -inform you that the presents mentioned by Lord Dorchester are sent up; -they crossed the lake in the ship with me, and are stored here, waiting -the arrival of Sir John for the distribution of them.</p> - -<p>"On your way to the Southern Council, I shall hope for the satisfaction of -seeing you at Detroit; in the meantime I remain, with very sincere regard,</p> - -<p class="list"> "My dear friend, - Your faithful and obedient servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">R. Matthews.</span></p> - -<p>"If Mrs. Brant is with you, I beg you will recommend me in the kindest -manner to her."</p> -<br> -<p>There can be no misunderstanding touching the purport of this letter. Lord -Dorchester would no more commit himself on the question of a direct -participation, in the event of actual declared hostilities between the -Indian Confederacy and the Americans, than Lord Sidney had done. Captain, -now Major Matthews, was anxious to confer with Captain Brant "for the -mutual advantage and well-being of <i>that cause,</i> which had always been -common, and equally dear," &c. His Lordship wished the Indians to act as -was best for their own interest—"he could not <i>begin</i> a war with the -Americans," but "they must see that it was his Lordship's intention to -defend the posts; and while these were preserved, the Indians must find -great security therefrom, and the Americans greater difficulty in taking -possession of their lands," &c. Indeed, the whole tenor of the letter was -to promote a feeling of hostility in the bosoms of the Indians against the -United States, with a mutual understanding that the British government was -maintaining the posts for the benefit of the Indians; while the Indian -hostilities, should they ensue, would serve to check or prevent the -Americans from obtaining possession of them.</p> - -<p>There are neither printed nor written records, from which any additional -information can be drawn respecting the conduct and movements of Captain -Brant during the residue of the year 1787. The delay in the transmission -of his despatches to the government of the United States, as mentioned in -the letter of General Knox, had of course disappointed the Indians in -their expectation of an early reply from Congress. In consequence of this -delay, another grand council was determined upon by the western Indians, -of which, among the papers of Captain Brant, is the following notification -to his nation:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Message from the Hurons of Detroit to the Five Nations.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>January</i> 2l<i>st,</i> 1788.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren,</span></p> - -<p>"Nothing yet has reached us in answer to the messages sent to the -Americans on the breaking up of our General Council, nor is it now -probable we shall hear from them before our next meeting takes place; a -circumstance that ought to expedite us in our business. The nations this -way have adhered hitherto to the engagements entered into before we -parted, at least as far as has come to our knowledge; and we intend -immediately to call them to this council-fire, which shall be uncovered at -the time appointed; that without farther delay some decisive measures may -be finally fixed upon for our future interest, which must govern hereafter -the conduct of all the nations in our alliance; and this we intend to be -the last council for the purpose; therefore it is needless for us to urge -farther the indispensable necessity of all nations being present at the -conclusion of affairs tending so much to their own future welfare and -happiness. And we do in a particular manner desire you, the Five Nations, -to be strong and punctual in your promise of being with us early and in -time; and that not only the warriors, but the chiefs of your several -nations attend on this occasion. We shall therefore endeavor to have as -many of the western and southern Indians as possible collected.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Strings of Wampum.</i>"</p> - -<p>Accompanying this address to the Five Nations, was another of similar -import, (save only that it expressed the dissatisfaction of the Hurons at -the proceedings of the former grand council,) directed to the other tribes -of Canadian Indians, and summoning them to appear at the great -council-fire of the Confederacy in the Spring.</p> - -<p>It will appear by the three letters next successively to be introduced, -that Captain Brant was preparing in March to attend the proposed council, -and that, having attended the said council, his views became more pacific. -He had, however, begun to distrust all the nations of his own confederacy, -excepting only the Mohawks—and probably not without reason. The Congress -of the United States; in the Autumn of the preceding year, had given -instructions to Major General St. Clair, then Governor of the -North-western territory, to inquire particularly into the temper of the -Indians, and if he found it still hostile, to endeavor to hold as general -a treaty with them as he could convene; and although the purchase of the -Indian right to the soil was not to be considered a primary object, yet -he was instructed if possible to extinguish their title as far westward -as the Mississippi river. It will be seen presently, that Brant had, even -thus early, reason to suppose, that in a war with the United States the -majority of the Five Nations would not be found in arms. The gentleman to -whom two of these letters were addressed, was Patrick Langan, Esq. private -secretary to Sir John Johnson:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Lieutenant Langan.</span> [FN]</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, March</i> 20<i>th,</i> 1788.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I hope you have enjoyed your health since I had the pleasure to see you -last. We have had no particular news here from the southward, only they -are preparing to have another great Council in that country early in the -Spring, and I am obliged to attend myself there. As for the Five Nations, -most of them have sold themselves to the Devil—I mean to the Yankeys. -Whatever they do after this, it must be for the Yankeys—not for the -Indians or the English. We mean to speak to them once more. We must, in -the first place, get the Mohawks away from the Bay of Quinte. As soon as -we can get them here, we shall begin to argue to the Five Nations, and -will show our example of getting together ourselves; also, we shall know -who is for the Yankeys and who is not. I forgot to mention to Sir John I -wanted very much to have the papers here. I mean the list of our losses -and claims, and our names. I should be much obliged to you if you would -be so kind as to send me those papers, or the copies of them, as there are -some disputes here concerning those lists. I should be exceeding happy if -you could get me a quarter of a pound of sewing thread, of silk, of -different colors, and send me the account and the money I owed you before. -Also, I wish you could get me a pipe tomahawk. Please to get the best, if -you can.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Sir, I remain - Your most obedient, humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Lieutenant Langan.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Copied from the original by the author.</p> - - -<p>There is no farther information of Brant or his movements until the -closing week of August, at which time he was in the neighborhood of -Detroit, preparing to mingle in the deliberations of the great council -spoken of in the preceding letter. The following is a copy of a letter -found among his papers, written at this time:</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Huron Village, mouth of the Detroit.</i> }<br> - <i>28th August, 1788.</i> }</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I am happy to inform you of our having arrived at Detroit the 10th inst. -The party with Capt. David who went by water, and those with myself who -went by land, being so lucky as to arrive the same inst. And wishing to -lose as little time as possible, the next day we met the principal men of -the Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawattamies. As they had lost three -of their Chiefs, we went through our ancient custom of condoling with -them, by giving about 10,000 wampum, as we could not proceed with our -public business till such time as that ceremony was over; when, upon -examining into the business we came about, I plainly foresaw numberless -difficulties, owing to the people here not being so unanimous as the -situation of affairs requires. The Wyandots do not wish to attend at the -place that was last Fall agreed upon, but wish to have the Council at this -place; but that we strenuously opposed, and have got them to consent to -meet at the Miamis; their reason is, I believe, that they would wish to -have a private and separate meeting with the Americans to settle matters -for themselves. On the other hand, the Twightwees or Miamis are quite the -reverse,—wishing by no means to fall in with the Hurons in their way of -thinking, but would wish to be at open war with the Americans. Thus are -matters here situated. However, I have some reason to think that if we can -get them at the appointed place of rendezvous, we will be able to point -out to them their error, and get them again to adopt the measures that the -whole of us agreed upon, and cause that unanimity to subsist among us, -which is so requisite in our situation, and without which we cannot expect -the business will terminate so much to our satisfaction as it otherwise -would. In case that they should be headstrong, and not wish to fall in -with our plan of operation, I shall scarcely know how to act upon it, but -shall take every necessary precaution to prevent the minds of those who -unanimous being any ways inflamed by those nations in opposition and -wavering. Still I hope to have the pleasure of writing to you a more -favorable account after we have had a meeting. Capt M<sup>c</sup>Kee has given us -every assistance that he could towards forwarding our business, and I -expect will attend the Council at the Miamis, which I sincerely hope will -now be soon. Upon leaving Niagara, I found from the multiplicity of -business which we should have, that it would be highly requisite to have -a man with us who understood the English language, and capable of -transacting business, for which purpose we have thought proper to appoint -Ralph Clement, and will make him some allowance out of the money we are -to receive next summer for the lands sold the Americans. In the meantime -I have to request you will be so kind as to allow him something towards -defraying his necessary expenses out of the Indian store at Niagara. Upon -application made to Col. Butler, he did not think proper to advance him -any thing without he should have your order for it. As to the news from -the Southern Indians and American Commissioners, we have some accounts, -but must refer you to Capt M<sup>c</sup>Kee, who writes you by this vessel, for the -particulars. This is the fourth letter I have written you since I had the -pleasure of seeing you last.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your most obedient servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Sir John Johnson.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>From the nomadic habits of the Indians, and the long distances most of -their nations were obliged to travel, the gathering of their great council -was a work of time. Thus it will be seen that six weeks more elapsed, -before the kindling of the council-fire, and how much longer it is -impossible to tell, from the brokenness of the correspondence of the -chief, who was probably the only writer among them. On the 7th of October -the Captain wrote as follows:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Lieutenant Langan.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Miamis River,</i> 7<i>th October,</i> 1788.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"The business I have been obliged to attend to since I had the pleasure -of seeing you, had so much taken up my attention, and kept me so busily -employed, that I have scarcely had time to write any of my friends. And, -indeed, nothing worth communicating has occurred, or otherwise I should -have strained a point to have dropt you a line, as my intention always was -to correspond with you, who, I am certain, would at any time spare a -moment to acknowledge the receipt. I have done myself the pleasure of -writing four letters to Sir John, who, I hope, has received them, [FN] as -I would wish to give him every information affecting our proceedings. -Probably his time is too busily employed to attend to them, and that it -would be more agreeable to him if I corresponded with you on public -business. I should be happy to hear from time to time whether my conduct -met with his approbation, as I would not wish to act in any manner that -he would not approve; he being at the head of the department, is the one -we look to for advice."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] One only of these has been discovered—that of the 25th of August, - on the preceding page. The author has made many efforts to obtain the - papers of Sir John Johnson, where these letters, probably, may yet be - found—but without success. They are either scattered and lost, or have - been taken to England.</p> - - -<p>"Upon my arrival at Detroit I found the nations there. All had forgot our -last Fall's agreements, and were averse to attend the council at this -place. However, we talked over matters with them, and convinced them of -the necessity there was for our being unanimous, and determining the -business that has been so long in agitation, and after some time, I -prevailed, and have got them all here. After waiting at this place, for -near five weeks, the arrival of the Shawanese, Miamis, Onias, and the rest -of the nations westward of this, are at last arrived; so that I am in -hopes in a few days to be able to give you the particulars of our meeting. -I have still my doubts whether we will all join or not, some being no ways -inclined for peaceable methods. The Hurons, Chippewas, Ottawas, -Pottawattamies, and Delawares, will join with us in trying lenient steps, -and having a boundary line fixed; and, rather than enter headlong into a -destructive war, will give up a small part of their country. On the other -hand, the Shawanese, Miamis, and Kickapoos, who are now so much addicted -to horse-stealing that it will be a difficult task to break them of it, -as that kind of business is their best harvest, will of course declare for -war, and not giving up any of their country, which, I am afraid, will be -the means of our separating. They are, I believe, determined not to attend -the treaty with the Americans. Still I hope for the best. As the major -part of the nations are of our opinions, the rest may be brought to, as -nothing shall be wanting on my part to convince them of their error. I -sincerely hope our business may terminate to our general interest and -satisfaction. We have not as yet entered upon public matters, as the -Shawanese have a great feast, which will take up a couple of days, after, -which we will have a general meeting, and then we will be certain of each -other's opinions. Till then, I am, with compliments to Sir John and Mrs. -Claus,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your most obed't friend, - And very humble serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>P. Langan.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>The tone of the three immediately preceding letters, is more pacific than -might have been anticipated. Indeed, they seem to indicate a change in the -intentions of the writer, which it will be found somewhat difficult to -reconcile with portions of his subsequent conduct. He is in these -letters—particularly the last addressed to Lieutenant Langan, though -intended more especially for the information of Sir John Johnson—the -friend of peace—perhaps being compelled to assume that attitude by the -force of circumstances—having reason to anticipate the -success—temporary, as it proved—which was to crown the Indian diplomacy -of General St Clair. In his first letter to Langan, Brant had declared -that "the Six Nations had sold themselves to the devil," or, in other -words, "to the Yankees," which in his opinion was equivalent thereto—and -the result was shortly afterward such as to sustain his sagacity.</p> - -<p>No records of the proceedings of the grand council so long assembling in -the Autumn of 1788, have been discovered, although it appears by a letter -from Captain Brant to his friend Matthews, who had returned once more to -Quebec, written in March, 1789, that all the proceedings and speeches had -been forwarded—by Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee probably—to Lord Dorchester. The -presumption is, that the council came to no harmonious conclusion, -inasmuch as a treaty was shortly afterward held with the Americans at Fort -Harmar, which was attended by only a part of the Indians, while its -proceedings were subsequently disavowed by other and the larger portions -of the nations.</p> - -<p>Be these things, however, as they may, on the 2d of May following, -(1789, [FN-1]) General St. Clair wrote to President Washington from -New-York, announcing that on the 9th of the preceding month of January, -he had concluded two separate treaties with the Indians assembled in -council at Fort Harmar; the first with the sachems and warriors of the -Five Nations, the Mohawks excepted—and the second with the sachems and -warriors of the Wyandot, Delaware, Ottawa, Chippewa, Pottawattamie and -Sac Nations. The reason of these separate negotiations, as explained by -General St. Clair, Was found in the Roman maxim—"<i>Divide et impera.</i>" -"A jealousy," says the General, "subsisted between them, which I was not -willing to lessen by appearing to consider them as one people. They do not -so consider themselves; and I am persuaded their general confederacy is -entirely broken. Indeed, it would not be very difficult, if circumstances -required it, to set them at deadly variance." [FN-2] This Machiavellian -policy of dividing to conquer—of poising nations, tribes, and factions -against each other, that all may the more easily be crushed at will—is -an ancient mode of war, and has been practised by every government having -the opportunity. Its morality, however, cannot be defended—more -especially in regard to the simple children of the American forests, -against whom it has been prosecuted with the greatest success. Still, -there was an approximation to justice, in a pecuniary point of view, -toward the Indians, in these negotiations of General St Clair, which had -not been previously countenanced by Congress. From the date of the peace -with England, to the reception of the address of October, 1786, from the -Grand Council at Huron Village, Congress had acted upon the principle that -the treaty with Great Britain invested them with the fee of all the -Indian lands within the boundaries of the United States. The address of -the Indian Council, of December, 1786, written, as has been assumed, by -Captain Brant, asserted a contrary principle—viz: that the Indians were -the only rightful proprietors of the soil. And this principle was acceded -to in the instructions of Congress to General St. Clair, of October, 1787, -and July, 1788. [FN-3] However greatly the Indians may have been defrauded -since that date, such has at least been the basis of all subsequent -negotiations with them for lands.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Erroneously dated, May 2d, 1788, in the State Papers as will be - seen by the dates of the treaties, and by the Report of the Secretary of - War, July 7, 1789.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] St. Clair's letter, Am. State Papers, Vol. IV. p. 10.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Vide State Papers, Vol IV. p. 9; and report of the Secretary of - War, July 15, 1789—same vol. p. 13.</p> - - -<p>Although the Mohawks were not parties to the treaty of Fort Harmar, yet it -appears that they, at least their chief, Thayendanegea, must have been -present at its negotiation. This fact is disclosed in a passage in his -letter to Major Matthews, already referred to: "You'll hear by this -opportunity the result of our jaunt to the southward, as Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee -has sent down all the proceedings of our councils with the American -Commissioners, speeches, and answers. Our proceedings have been such as I -hope will be approved of. I must farther mention that much may yet be -done, if we meet with necessary assistance, as business cannot be carried -on in the upper country to advantage without the attendance of the Five -Nations, which they cannot do without being more amply supplied than -heretofore with ammunition, provisions, &c. I have ever been forward in -pointing out what I thought would tend to the good of our service, and -which has ever been attended to, notwithstanding that my friends below -seem to credit these reports. Still, my attachment to government is such, -that personal injury will not have sufficient weight to make me swerve -from the duty I owe my King." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter from Joseph Brant to Capt. Matthews, March 8,1789, among the - Brant papers. Writing to Governor Clinton respecting the conduct of - Captain Brant touching St. Clair's proceedings at Fort Harmar, President - Washington said—"Captain Brant has not been candid in his account of - General St. Clair, nor done justice in his representation of matters at - Muskingum. It is notorious that he need all the art and influence of - which he was possessed to prevent any treaty being held; and that, - except in a small degree, General St. Clair aimed at no more land by the - treaty of Muskingum than had been ceded by the preceding - treaties."<i>Letter from President Washington to Governor Clinton, - Dec. 1, 1790.</i></p> - - -<p>There is an allusion, in the closing sentences of this quotation, to -certain "private griefs" of the writer, requiring an explanation. Captain -Brant was no more exempt than other men from the ill-will and evil -machinations of the envious and jealous. "Great honors are great burdens" -as well among the red men as the white; and it was the fate of the noble -Mohawk to encounter his full share of trials of this description. -Difficulties had already sprung up in the administration of his affairs, -not only with the Provincial Government, in regard to the nature of the -title which the Mohawks were to receive of the lands granted them on the -Ouise or Grand River, but also between the chief and some of the Indians -themselves; not Mohawks, but stragglers from other tribes of the Iroquois -Confederacy. During the protracted absence of the Captain to the councils -of the preceding year, in the country of the great lakes, it appears that -a council of disaffected Indians had been held at Montreal; the object of -which was to denounce the conduct of Brant, but in what respects does not -exactly appear. Strong complaints were preferred against him, however, at -that council, "not only in the name of the Five Nations, but by some of -his relations and intimate friends," under circumstances, and with an air -so imposing, as to give serious alarm to his friends at the castle of St. -Lewis.</p> - -<p>On the 3d of January, 1789, Major Matthews addressed a long letter to his -Mohawk friend, on the subject of that council, and the charges then and -there preferred against him. This letter was written by Matthews with the -knowledge and approbation of a distinguished personage, who, although his -name is not given, must have been Lord Dorchester. Major Matthews did not -specify the charges made against his friend, and they can only be vaguely -surmised from the following extract: "The circumstances which have been -alleged against you, you have no doubt been minutely informed of. It is -therefore unnecessary, and would be painful to me, to recapitulate them. -Your friend [FN] wishes you to reflect seriously upon the fatal -consequences that must attend a misunderstanding and disunion of your -nation, and of those Indians who might make the settlement upon the Grand -River a happy retreat for themselves and their posterity, by a cordial and -friendly union. How materially the contrary must weaken their interest, -and yours in particular, in the great scale of the Indian Confederacy; and -how heavy the blame must fall upon whoever shall be considered the -promoter of so great a calamity. He therefore recommends to you, as the -safest and surest road to consequence and fame, to effect, without loss of -time, a perfect reconciliation with your friends and fellow-settlers; -convincing them, by your mildness and generosity, and still more by a -strict attention to justice, that you are worthy of their confidence; -exert all your powers in establishing perfect union and friendship among -your own nation, and you will convince those at a distance that you are -capable and worthy of cementing a general union for good purposes."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Lord Dorchester doubtless, meaning.</p> - - -<p>"Having thus far given you the sentiments of a hearty well-wisher, I -cannot conclude without adding from myself, in the language and with the -heart of an old and sincere friend, that I feel more sensibly than I can -find words to express, for the critical situation in which every person -who was present at the Council must consider you to stand with your -nation. For my own part I could scarce believe my own eyes and ears, when -I saw and heard our old friends, whose hands and hearts have been so long -joined together in one common cause, pour out complaints against you; and -they did it at the same time with such reluctance and concern, that it was -the more affecting. It is impossible that men who were born, brought up, -who have so oft fought by each others' sides, and bled together, can -seriously disagree. The whole must be a misunderstanding, and must be -explained with reconciliation. It is noble and generous to acknowledge an -error, and mutually to forgive injuries; and, my dear Joseph, listen to -mine, and to the voice of your friends, who wish your happiness by seeing -you so firmly re-united with your own flesh and blood as to resist any -power on earth that would separate you from them." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Extracted from the original letter of Capt. Matthews, among the Brant - papers.</p> - - -<p>It is from the reply of Captain Brant to this communication, that the -brief reference to the proceedings of the western councils has been -quoted. In regard to the proceedings at Montreal to which his attention -had been so earnestly invited by his correspondent, the answer of Captain -Brant was full and frank, manifesting on his own part, a feeling of -dignified and conscious rectitude. The charges themselves were not -specified by the chief in his defence, but the inference deduced from his -language is, that his integrity had been impeached in regard to their -lands, and his loyalty questioned to the King; and farther, that he had -been censured for introducing a few white settlers upon the Indian -lands—his object in so doing, being to benefit the Indians by the better -examples of the whites in husbandry, and also by the introduction of some -of the mechanic arts among them. He regrets that his enemies, few in -number, as he says, had availed themselves of his absence to assail his -character, at a moment, too, when in a distant country he was exerting -all his energies for the benefit of his people; and regrets still more -that his friends in Montreal had listened to the charges for a moment, -until after he could have a hearing. If he had erred at all, he maintained -that it could only have been in the warmth of his ardour in promoting the -substantial interests of his nation. In the course of his letter, he -pointed with modest exultation to the proceedings of a full Council of the -Five Nations, held at Niagara, in presence of the agent and the commanding -officer, subsequent to the denunciation at Montreal, by which his conduct -had been approved. Should the proceedings of this council be insufficient -to remove "the censure thrown upon him by a seditious and discontented -few, and make the complainants appear in their proper light," the Captain -suggested that he should make application to the agents at Detroit and -Niagara for certificates of his conduct during the war and since the -peace; and thus provided, he would repair to head-quarters with all the -principal men, both sachems and warriors, [FN] of all the nations settled -in that country, and let them speak freely. After which, he hoped to stand -better with "the great men below" than he had reason to suppose he did at -that time.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "Both Sachems and warriors." "A Sachem is considered a civil - magistrate, who takes precedence of all war-chiefs in time of peace, and - is hereditary. Not so the war-chiefs. They, as by all the rest of the - world, are made by the voice of the nation for their gallantry in the - field. In time of war, the war-chiefs take the commend, and direct all - the movements,—what is called in civilized life,—martial law." - <i>Letters to the editor from Colonel William J. Kerr.</i> The distinction is - scarcely ever observed in writing of Indian affairs, since sachems, - warriors, chiefs, are most usually written indiscriminately, as it - happens.</p> - - -<p>With the conclusion of the treaties of January, 1789, by General St. -Clair, the purpose of forming a grand Indian Confederacy, to include the -Five Nations, which should be lasting, was defeated, at least for that -time; and although peace had not been restored to the south-western -settlements on the Ohio, yet the name of Captain Brant does not again -appear in connexion with the affairs of the western Indians during the -residue of the year 1789 and the two succeeding years. It appears, -however, by the copy of a letter found among his papers, addressed by him -to Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, in September, that the Shawanese had then just sent -an embassy, "inviting the Five Nations very strongly to a grand council -of the different nations, to be held at the Wyandot Town, near Detroit, -for the purpose of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">renewing</span> and <span style="font-variant:small-caps">strengthening</span> the Confederacy." "We left -it," the letter continues, "entirely to the Buffalo Creek people to -determine how to act, because they are in general backward and dilatory; -but for our parts, we can always be ready at the shortest notice. I, -however, think, myself, that it cannot take place until next Spring, since -by this time the young men have begun to scatter in the woods for hunting; -and it would be necessary to have them present to hear what is agreed upon -by the chiefs; and by that means whatever may be agreed on will more -firmly effect and unite the different nations. The larger number present -from the different nations the better." Whether the proposed council was -held, or whether, if held, Captain Brant participated in its -deliberations, is not known.</p> - -<p>But while Thayendanegea had successfully vindicated himself from the -aspersions of the disaffected of his own people, as has been seen, and -while he was pondering upon the invitation of the Shawanese to attempt the -assembling of another great council in the west, he was admonished of the -rumored existence of a plot against the English garrison at Detroit, and -also against himself and his own people in their new location, concerted -by his recent <i>quasi</i> confederates, the Hurons, Pottawattamies, and -Chippewas. The inauspicious rumor was communicated to him in writing by -Sir John Johnson.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Montreal,</i> 4<i>th Nov.</i> 1789.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Joseph,</span></p> - -<p>"I do not think I should be justifiable in not acquainting you (though -perhaps you may have heard the report,) that an account has been received -at Detroit, upon the oath of one the party concerned, that the Hurons, -Pottawattamies, and Chippewas are concerned in a plot to cut off the -garrison at Detroit, and your settlement, this Winter, or as soon as the -navigation of the lakes is shut up. Though this information wants farther -confirmation, and I give very little credit to it, I think you had better -be on your guard, and try to find out the real situation, designs, and -disposition of those nations, by sending some trusty, unsuspected persons -among them. I should imagine that you had some friends among the Hurons -that you could rely upon to give you all the information you want, and -that some trusty Messissagoes might be got to go among the other nations -to watch their motions; any recompense for these services will be readily -granted, if you think them necessary, upon producing this letter to Lieut. -Col. Butler, or Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee.</p> - -<p>"I have your letter to Langan of the 23d of September. As to the business -of Aaron and Isaac, so much has been said on that already, and, in fact, -it is so trifling, that nothing farther is necessary to be said in answer -to that part of your letter; but I must acknowledge that I am a little -hurt at the other queries you put to him, as they are the offspring of an -ungenerous suspicion, and ill-founded doubts of the conduct and sincerity -of your best and only friends. Rest assured that we know nothing of the -intentions of government to relinquish or give up the posts; so far from -any appearance of it, I am well informed that the post of Niagara is put, -or putting, into the best state of defence the nature of the works will -admit of, as I believe all the others are likewise; and I am confident no -such step will ever be taken without some previous notice given to all -interested. As to the department I have the honor to superintend, I have -no reason to think any change or alteration will take place in it, that -can in any manner affect the interests of the Indians.</p> - -<p>"You wish to know our news. All we have that can be interesting to you is, -that one of the most wonderful revolutions has happened in France that -ever was known in so short a time. The people have been made, by the more -enlightened part of the nation, to view their situation in its proper -light, and to throw off the yoke of bondage, slavery, and oppression, -under which they have for ages groaned, and have compelled their grand -monarch to yield to a Constitution similar, in most respects, to the happy -one under which we live. They have abolished all their monks and -nunneries, and have made such changes as are wonderful to relate. With my -best regards to Mrs. Brant, &c. and to all at the village, I remain, as -ever,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your friend and faithful servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Johnson."</span> [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Respecting the rumor which elicited this letter, there is no farther - information. Indeed, the letter of Sir John itself has been inserted in - the text, more for the purpose of disclosing the liberal spirit in which - the Baronet hailed the beginning of the French Revolution, (as all the - civilized world did at first,) as the dawn of liberty in France, than - for any other purpose.</p> - - -<p>Relieved, temporarily at least, from the cares and labors of diplomacy -among the nations of the more distant lakes, Brant was enabled, early in -the year 1789, to direct his attention more closely to other matters of -business; not forgetting the pursuits of literature, so far as under the -disadvantages of his situation he was enabled to attend to its -cultivation. He was ever anxious for the moral and intellectual -improvement of his people; and as a primary means of such improvement, he -now earnestly sought for the settlement of a resident clergyman among -them. Visiting Montreal for that purpose, he wrote to Sir John Johnson, -who was absent (probably at Quebec) at the time, and through him appealed -to Lord Dorchester to procure the removal of the Rev. Mr. Stuart from -Kingston to the neighborhood of Grand River. Many of the Indians, he said, -wished to be near a church where there should be a proper minister; and -nowhere, as he thought, could one be found who would suit their -dispositions so well, and exert such a desirable influence over the morals -of the young people, as Mr. Stuart, who had been a missionary among them -in the Valley of the Mohawk. "This good thing," he said in his letter to -Sir John, "I know must be done by his Lordship, and through your kind -interposition; which, be assured, I would not mention, if I was not very -well a convinced of the good that would arise from it." [FN] He wrote -other pressing letters to the same purport; but the transfer of Mr. Stuart -was not effected.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. letters among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>He is believed at about the same time to have resumed the labor of -translating devotional books into the Mohawk language. In addition to the -work published in England in 1786, as already mentioned, he translated the -entire liturgy, and also a primer; a copy of each of which works was -presented to Harvard University. The donation was acknowledged by a vote -of thanks, which was enclosed in the following letter from the President -of that institution:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">President Willard to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Cambridge, July</i> 20th, 1789.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have the pleasure of enclosing you a vote of thanks of the Corporation -of the University in this place, for your present of books to the library, -which were received but a little while before the date of the vote. [FN] -To the vote of thanks from the whole corporate body for this acceptable -present, give me leave, Sir, as head of the University, to add my thanks -in particular.</p> - -<p>"I am pleased to hear, from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, that you are writing a -history of the natives of this country. I hope, when you have finished it -in your own language, you will give us a translation in English, as I -doubt not we shall have many curious and important things contained in it, -respecting the various Indian nations, that we are now unacquainted with.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Kirkland is so obliging as to take charge of this letter, and I doubt -not will convey it to you as soon as possible,</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - With sentiments of great esteem, - Your very humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Willard.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Colonel Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. VI.</p> - - -<p>The historical work mentioned in the preceding letter, it is believed, -was never commenced, although it had been projected, or rather, Captain -Brant had designed writing a history of the Six Nations. But he had, -probably, too many demands upon his time, and cares upon his mind, to -allow of the execution of his plan. The work of translating the New -Testament was continued by Captain Brant's friend and fellow-chief, John -Norton, alias Teyoninhokaraven, which was his Indian name. This chief -translated the Gospel of John, which was printed by the British and -Foreign Bible Society; and he intended to proceed with the Gospels of -Matthew and Luke, but probably the work was not completed. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Norton's name will appear frequently hereafter. He was a half-breed, - his father being an Indian, and his mother a Scotch woman. He received a - classical education at an English school. Next to Thayendanegea, - Teyoninhokaraven was the moat distinguished of the modern Mohawks. His - observations were said to be acute, and his language in conversation - strong and elegant. He was well versed in ancient and modern history, and - particularly well informed in geography. On every subject connected with - his own country and people his knowledge was minute. In his person he was -tall and muscular, with a large and expressive eye.</p> - - -<p>But, aside from the cultivation of letters, Captain Brant had ample -employment, for both mind and body, in regulating his domestic Indian -relations. The planting of his own nation upon their new territory at -Grand River, and the exertions necessary to bring them into order, and -persuade them to substitute the pursuits of husbandry for the chase, were -labors of no small moment. The grant of land on the Grand River was -doubtless intended solely for the Mohawks, who had been dispossessed of -their own native valley; but other Indians of the Six Nations intruded -upon them, even some of those who had borne arms against the crown and -the Mohawks. Jealousies and heart-burnings were the consequence, which -occasionally called for the interposition of the chief, sometimes to the -injury of his popularity, as has already appeared.</p> - -<p>Nor was his attention alone required to regulate the affairs of the -Indians on the British side of the line. Difficulties sprang up as early -as 1789 among the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, in consequence -of the intrusion of the whites upon their lands, and the unlawful -purchases effected by some of them, from Indians not authorized to sell. -All the weight of these troubles seemed to fall upon the shoulders of -Captain Brant, between whom and Governor George Clinton an active -correspondence took place upon the subject, in 1789 and the following -year. The Governor made every possible effort to cause justice to be done -to the Indians; for which purpose, several councils were held at Fort -Stanwix, and at least one special interview was held between the Governor -and the chief in relation to it. The result was an amicable arrangement. -In his letters, Governor Clinton treated the Indian chieftain not only -with marked respect, but with evident personal kindness and regard. The -following letter will serve as a specimen of this correspondence on the -part of that distinguished man:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Clinton to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>New-York,</i> 1<i>st September,</i> 1790.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I was favored with your letter of the 21st of July yesterday, and am -happy to hear of your health and safe arrival at your place of residence.</p> - -<p>"A rumor of a Spanish war also prevails among us. It is certain, that both -that and the British nation are equipping powerful naval armaments; the -ostensible object of which is the settlement of a dispute which has taken -place between them, with respect to their possessions on the north-west -part of this Continent, and the right of fishery in that quarter. It is, -however, probable that all this political bustle may terminate in -negotiation, by one conceding and the other accepting of what neither have -any well-founded pretensions to, farther than mere discovery and the -displaying of a national flag by the permission of the hospitable and -unsuspecting natives.</p> - -<p>"The gentlemen who are appointed commissioners of Indian affairs, and whom -you saw with me at Fort Stanwix, chiefly reside in the country, and are -now so dispersed that it is not practicable to confer with them. I -perfectly recollect the conversation which passed between you and me -relative to the land you was to have had from Doctor Benton, and I -communicated the import of it at the time, to the commissioners; and you -will remember I afterward informed you that, however strong their -dispositions were to serve you, yet they could not consent to any thing -that would give the least sanction or countenance to any part of Benton's -transactions, as they considered them not only contrary to law, but -committed by him in open defiance of the authority of the State. They -expressed, at the same time, sentiments of the warmest friendship for you; -and I considered the present which they directed me to make you, as the -only way they had in their power to evince the sincerity of their -professions.</p> - -<p>"I shall be happy to see you here next Summer, and will endeavor to make -your visit agreeable to you. Colonel Varick and your brother, the sachem, -are the only two of the gentlemen who were at Fort Stanwix, now in town. -They request you to accept of their best respects. I will not fail to -communicate your expectations to Mr. L'Hommedieu, that he may stand -prepared to discharge the tribute.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am - Your most obed't servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Clinton.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chx">CHAPTER X.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Continued troubles with the Indians—English emissaries in - Kentucky—Mission of Antoine Gamelin—Preparations for war—Campaign of - General Harmar—Successive defeats of Colonel Hardin—Conduct of the - militia—Retreat of Harmar—Indian deputation to Lord Dorchester—Letter - of Sir John Johnson—Colonel Gordon—Letter of Brant to Colonel - M<sup>c</sup>Kee—Pacific views of Lord Dorchester—Renewed efforts of the United - States to bring the Indians to peace—Interposition of - Corn-planter—Mission of Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor—British - officers wish a mediation—Letter of Colonel Gordon—Colonel Pickering - holds an Indian Council at the Chemung—Red Jacket's course—Brant - interferes—Indian Councils at Buffalo—Influence of Colonel John Butler - and Brant—Mission of Colonel Proctor and Corn-planter - frustrated—Important position of Brant—Correspondence between the - Secretary of War and Governor Clinton—Colonel Pickering's Council with - the Indians at Painted Post—Mission of Hendrick, the Stockbridge - chief—Renewal of hostilities—Campaign of General St. Clair—-His - defeat—Thayendanegea among the Indian captains—The panic that - followed—Clamor against St. Clair—His resignation—Wayne appointed his - successor—Refusal of Colonel Willett to embark in an Indian war.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Notwithstanding</span> the treaties of peace concluded by General St. Clair with -all the Six Nations, the Mohawks excepted, and with several of the great -north-western tribes, the tranquility of the frontier settlements, now -extending four hundred miles along the Ohio, had not been secured. The -Shawanese, Miamis, and Wabash Indians [FN-1] still kept up a bloody war, -ravaging the settlements of Kentucky, and the territory now known as Ohio, -and causing serious apprehensions in the frontier settlements of Virginia. -The President had made every possible effort to conciliate the Indians by -just and pacific overtures, but in vain. [FN-2] Even the Indians with whom -one of the treaties had been formed, could not all of them be restrained -from the warpath. There was, moreover, another angry cloud lowering in the -western sky. The governments of the United States and Spain were at issue -on the question of the navigation of the Mississippi, respecting which -strong solicitude was felt by the people of the west—especially of -Kentucky. Not satisfied with fomenting discontents among the Indians at -the north, the English government, availing itself of the Spanish -question, and hoping, should the mouth of the Mississippi be ultimately -closed against the commerce of the United States, that disaffection might -ensue in the west, was believed to have despatched secret agents into -Kentucky, with propositions to test the fidelity of the people to the -Union. Among these emissaries was Lieutenant Colonel Connolly, of Detroit, -a loyalist formerly of Fort Pitt, who had espoused the cause of the crown -in the Revolution. He held several confidential conferences with some of -the most influential citizens of Kentucky, and attempted to seduce them -into a project for making a descent upon New Orleans, seizing the city, -and securing the navigation of the Mississippi by force, as a necessary -consequence. Information of these secret proceedings was transmitted to -the President, who, looking upon the intrigue as an attempt to divide the -Union, was prompt in concerting measures to detect any farther -machinations of the kind. [FN-3] What progress was made in sowing the -seeds of disaffection, or whether any, does not appear.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Such were the statements of the accounts of that day. In the early - part of the present year, however, Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee, the active (British) - Indian Agent at Detroit, wrote to Captain Brant—"The Indians of the - Miamis, I understand, have been more quiet than usual this year, few - hostilities having been committed, and those by that nation alone." In - the same letter Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee stated that a quarrel had arisen between - the Miamis and Delawares respecting the lands occupied by the latter, - who were so much offended as to be preparing to retire across to the - Spanish side of the Mississippi. The Captain added:—"Their withdrawing - themselves at this time will be extremely detrimental, not only to the - Indian confederacy, but to the country in general, as it will draw a - number of others after them who do not consider the consequences." M<sup>c</sup>Kee - invoked Captain Brant to send the disaffected Delawares a speech, to - prevent their separation. But if this request was complied with, it - failed of the desired effect. The Indians in question carried their - design of a removal into execution.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] "The basis of our proceedings with the Indian nations has been, - and shall be, <i>justice</i>, during the period in which I have any thing to - do with the administration of this government"—<i>Letter of President - Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette, Aug.</i> 1790.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, vol. ix. pages - 473, '76. Letter of President Washington to Mr. Innes, and Notes. These - attempts upon the fidelity of Kentucky were made in 1788 and 1789. In the - following year, in the prospect of a war between Great Britain and Spain, - apprehensions of trouble between the United States and the former arose - from the same quarters, but upon a very different question. From certain - circumstances which came to the knowledge of the President, it was - believed that Lord Dorchester, in the event of a war with Spain, had it - in contemplation to send an expedition from Detroit for the invasion of - Louisiana. This could not be done without marching an army across the - whole breadth of the territory of the United States. On the 25th of - August, President Washington communicated his apprehensions to the - members of his cabinet, the Vice-President, and the Chief Justice, (Jay,) - requiring their opinions in writing upon the course proper to be pursued - by the Government of the United States in such an emergency.</p> - - -<p>In the Spring of 1790, Antoine Gamelin, an experienced Indian merchant, -was despatched to visit all the principal tribes of the west, as a -messenger of peace, with a view of ascertaining the general temper of the -Indians. Among the tribes who had entered into the treaty, he found the -old chiefs and warriors generally well disposed, and by no means hostile. -But with these exceptions, the war feeling was almost universal. Of the -spirit that prevailed, an idea may be formed from the following notes of -Gamelin, of his interview with the Ouiatanons and Kickapoos:—"After my -speech, one of the head chiefs got up and told me: 'You, Gamelin, my -friend and son-in-law, we are pleased to see in our village, and to hear -by your mouth the good words of the Great Chief. We thought to receive a -few words from the French people, [traders,] but I see the contrary. None -but the Big Knife is sending speeches to us. You know that we can -terminate nothing without the consent of our elder brethren, the Miamis. -I invite you to proceed to their village, and to speak to them. There is -one thing in your speech I do not like. I will not tell of it. Even was I -drunk, I would not perceive it; but our elder brethren will certainly take -notice of it in your speech. You invite us to stop our young men. It is -impossible to do it, being constantly encouraged by the British.'" Another -chief said: "The Americans are very flattering in their speeches; many -times our nation went to their rendezvous. I was once there myself. Some -of our chiefs died on the route, and we always came back all naked; and -you, Gamelin, you came with a speech, but with empty hands." Another chief -said: "Know ye that the village of Ouiatanon is the sepulchre of our -ancestors. The chief of America invites us to go to him, if we are for -peace; he has not his leg broke, being able to go as far as the Illinois. -He might come here himself, and we should be glad to see him in our -village. We confess that we accepted the axe, but it was by the reproach -that we continually receive from the English and other nations, which -received the axe first, calling us women; at the same time they invite our -young men to war. As to the old people, they are wishing for peace." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Gamelin's Journal, Am. State Papers, Vol IV. p. 93.</p> - - -<p>All the endeavors of the President to give security to the parties by -peaceful arrangements having proved unavailing, vigorous offensive -measures were determined upon, and an expedition against the hostile -tribes was entrusted to General Harmar, a veteran of the revolution. His -force consisted of fourteen hundred and fifty men, three hundred and -twenty of whom were regular troops, and the residue levies of the -Pennsylvania and Kentucky militia. The object was to bring the Indians to -an engagement, if possible; if not, in any event to destroy their -settlements on the waters of the Scioto and Wabash. [FN-1] The expedition -left Fort Washington on the 30th of September, 1790. The Indians at first -abandoned their principal town, after applying the torch to it, but -rallied subsequently upon a detachment of two hundred and ten men, -commanded by Colonel Harden, thirty of whom were regulars, and gave -battle. At the first fire Harden's militia all ran away. The regulars -maintained their ground for a time, and fought bravely until but seven of -their number were able to escape. On the next day Col. Harden, at the head -of three hundred and sixty men, sixty of whom were regulars, undertook to -retrieve their disgrace. They were met by the Indians, and a bloody -conflict ensued near the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary rivers. -The militia, for a miracle, fought bravely on this occasion. Overpowered -by numbers, however, they were defeated, with the loss of several gallant -officers, and one hundred and eighty-three men—seventy-five of whom were -regulars. Among the former were Majors Fontaine and Wyllys, and Lieutenant -Frothingham. Ten militia officers were also among the slain. The Indians -lost about one hundred and twenty warriors. The battle was severely -fought, and ended in the flight of the Americans. General Harmar thereupon -returned to Fort Washington and claimed the victory—with what propriety -has never been ascertained. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Holmes—Marshall.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] A letter to Captain Brant, written from Detroit, gave a still more - disastrous account of this affair than was admitted by the American - authorities. The following is an extract:—"I have to inform you that - there have been two engagements about the Miami towns, between the - Americans and the Indians, in which, it is said, the former had about - five hundred men killed, and that the rest have retreated. The loss was - only fifteen or twenty on the side of the Indians. The Shawanese, Miamis, - and Pottawattamies were, I understand, the principal tribes who were - engaged; but I do not learn that any of the nations have refused their - alliance or assistance, and it is confidently reported that they are now - marching against the frontiers on the Ohio. As Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee writes to the - chiefs at the Grand River, he will be able to state circumstances more - particularly than I can. The gentlemen of the garrison beg their - compliments."—-MS. <i>Letter of John Smith to Captain Brant.</i></p> - - -<p>Flushed and emboldened by their success, the depredations of the Indians -became more frequent, and the condition of the frontier was more -deplorable than it had been previous to this ill-fated expedition. [FN-1] -Nor were their aggressions confined to the settlements along the Ohio and -the Kentucky border. Two of the Seneca Indians having been murdered by the -whites, that nation, with others among the warriors of the Six Nations, -were becoming more hostile; and the consequence was, that early in the -Spring of 1791, the Pennsylvania settlements along the Allegheny river, -above Pittsburgh, experienced repeated and fearful visitations of Indian -retribution. Several stations of the settlers were entirely broken up. The -murders of women and children were frequent, and were often attended with -circumstances of undiminished inhumanity, while many people were carried -into captivity. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] "It appears, from the most indubitable testimony, that from 1783, - when peace was made, to October, 1790, when the United States commenced - offensive operations against them, on the Ohio and the frontiers, the - Indians killed and wounded, and took prisoners, about fifteen hundred - men, women, and children; besides taking away two thousand horses and a -large quantity of other property"—<i>Narrative and Sufferings of Massy - Harbison.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - -<p>News of the disastrous victory of General Harmar having reached the seat -of government, a regiment was added to tho permanent military -establishment, and the President was authorised to raise a body of two -thousand men for six months, to appoint a major and a brigadier general -to continue in command so long as he should think their services -necessary. [FN-1] No time was lost in calling this augmented force into -the field, and Major General Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the territory -north west of the Ohio, was appointed Commander-in-chief, and charged with -the conduct of the meditated expedition; the immediate objects of which -were to destroy the Indian villages on the Miamis, to expel the Indians -from that country, and to connect it with the Ohio by a chain of posts -which would prevent their return during the war. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Marshall's life of Washington.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Holmes's Annals.</p> - - -<p>It appears that on the repulse of Harmar, the confederated nations of the -Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Hurons, Shawanese, Delawares, Ottawas, Tustans, -and Six Nations—after a consultation at the foot of the Miami Rapids with -Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kee,—deputed a representation of chiefs and warriors to visit -Lord Dorchester at Quebec, for the purpose of consultation, and also to -ascertain whether any, and if any, what, assistance might be expected from -the British or provincial government. Lord Dorchester's views were -doubtless at that time pacific, as also were those of Captain -Brant—provided always that the United States would establish the Ohio as -the boundary, and relinquish all claims of jurisdiction beyond that river. -On the 22d of February, 1791, Sir John Johnson addressed a letter to -Captain Brant, from Montreal, enclosing a copy of a letter from Lord -Dorchester to himself and another copy of the same to Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee, the -purport of which can only be inferred from the letter of the Baronet. It -is accordingly inserted:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir John Johnson to Captain Brant.</span> (Private.)</p> - -<p class="exit">"<i>Montreal,</i> 22<i>d Feb'y,</i> 1791.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Joseph,</span></p> - -<p>"As I think the Six Nations much interested in the business proposed by -the inclosed copy of a letter from Lord Dorchester, (another copy of which -I transmit to Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee,) I could not think of withholding it from you, -that you may take such steps, in concert with Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee and the western -nations, as you may judge most conducive to their interest and honor. As -you certainly are all free and independent, I think you will have a right -to insist upon disposing of whatever lands you judge fit to reserve for -the General Confederacy, in whatever manner, and to whomsoever you please. -The idea of the States claiming a jurisdiction up to the line of -separation settled between Great Britain and them, must arise from a -supposition that the Indians, at some time or other, allowed that power -to our Provinces for the better government of their subjects. Whether or -not that is the case, I know not, nor can I at present find out; but -certain I am that without such a cession of power on the part of the -Indians, no just right or claim to such a power can be supported beyond -the line of 1768, and to the western line of the land ceded or sold by the -Indians to the States since the war. This is certainly a nice point, and -may not be proper to insist upon too positively; but in justice I believe -it is as I have stated. When the Indians allowed the English and French to -build forts for the protection and support of their subjects and trade, -they no doubt had a right to a certain jurisdiction or command round those -places, but I never believe it extended farther, or that the Indians meant -it should. Upon the whole, you understand your own rights better than I -do. I shall therefore say no more than to recommend coolness and a manly -firmness in whatever you may determine on. As I mean this letter as -entirely private, I shall acquaint you that I believe this measure has -been thought of by Lord Dorchester, in consequence of my writing to him -on receiving the account of the expedition carried on last Fall by the -Americans against the Miamis, at which time I took the liberty of saying -that the Americans had no claim to any part of the country beyond the -line established in 1768, at Fort Stanwix, between the Indians and the -Governors and agents of all the Provinces interested, and including the -sales made since the war; and that I therefore thought, as we could not -afford them assistance in arms, we should at least afford them our -mediation to bring about a peace between them and the States, on terms -just and honorable, or something to that purpose. You may converse with, -or write freely to Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee upon the subjects of this letter, but let it -be as from yourself—perhaps I may say something similar to him if time -will permit. I have wrote Lord Dorchester that an answer might be had to -his inquiries by some time the beginning of May, but I fear not; a great -deal will depend on you, however, in forwarding the packet to Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Kee, -which let me intreat you to lose no time in doing. My best wishes attend -you all, and believe me as ever sincerely yours,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Johnson.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Colonel Gordon, commanding the British post at Niagara, was also at that -time and afterward, a friend of peace. On the 4th of March he addressed a -letter to Captain Brant, from which the following is an extract:—"I hope -you will embrace the present opportunity of the meeting of the chiefs of -the Five Nations in your neighborhood, to use your endeavors to heal the -wounds between the Indians and Americans. I dare say the States wish to -make peace on terms which will secure to the Indians their present -possessions in the Miami country, provided the young men are restrained -from committing depredations in future." The temper of the chief himself, -at this period, can best be determined by the following extracts from a -letter addressed by himself to Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee, three days after the letter -from Colonel Gordon was written, and probably immediately on its -receipt:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kee.</span> (Extracts.)</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, March</i> 7, 1791."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - -<p>"I have received two letters from the States, from gentlemen who have been -lately in Philadelphia; by which it appears the Americans secretly wish to -accommodate the matter—which I should by all means advise, if it could be -effected upon honorable and liberal terms, and a peace become general."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - -<p>"I am happy to see in Sir John's last letter to me, that he has suggested -to his Lordship the necessity of their interference in bringing about a -peace between the Indians and the United States; by which it appears he -has an idea of recommending the line settled in 1768 [qu? 1765] between -the Indians and government, as the northern and western boundary of the -States in that quarter. I expect to hear more from him in the Spring on -that subject, as I have pressed him hard to give me his sentiments on the -utility of my interference in the present dispute."</p> - -<p>Lord Dorchester's speech in reply to the deputation already mentioned, was -of a similar tenor to the preceding letter of Sir John Johnson. His -Lordship informed them that he should be glad to be instrumental in -restoring peace. He informed them that the line marked out in the treaty -of peace with the United States, implied no more than that beyond that -line the King their father would not extend his interference; and that the -King had only retained possession of the posts until such time as all the -differences between him and the United States should be settled. In regard -to the questions of the deputation, whether it was true that, in making -peace with the States, the King had given away their lands, his Lordship -assured them that such was not the fact, inasmuch as the King never had -any right to their lands, other than to such as had been fairly ceded by -themselves, with their own free consent, by public convention and sale. -On this point, his Lordship likewise referred to the treaty with Sir -William Johnson, at Fort Stanwix, in 1766. In conclusion, he assured the -deputation, that although the Indians had their friendship and good-will, -the Provincial Government had no power to embark in a war with the United -States, and could only defend themselves if attacked. He also informed -them that the command of the province was about to devolve upon General -Clarke; and that Prince Edward, [FN-1] who had just arrived with a chosen -band of warriors, would be the second in command. His Lordship himself was -on the eve of embarking for England, where it would afford him great -pleasure to hear that peace had been established between the Indians and -United States upon a just and solid foundation. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The late Duke of Kent, father of the present young Queen of - England.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Journal of Major General Lincoln, which will be more particularly - referred to hereafter.</p> - - -<p>This speech afforded but small encouragement to the Indians, and most -likely but ill corresponded with the expectations that had been raised by -M<sup>c</sup>Kee, and other subordinate officers in the British Indian Department at -the remote posts—of whom several, like M<sup>c</sup>Kee, were refugee Americans, -indulging bitter hatred toward the country which they had deserted in the -hour of its peril. Indeed, there is no reason to distrust the manly and -honorable conduct of Lord Dorchester during the greater part of this -singular border contest, the progress of which was marked by so many -vicissitudes of feeling and action on the part of many of the Provincial -authorities. And besides, the attitude of the two nations was at that -moment less seemingly belligerent than it shortly afterward became.</p> - -<p>During these side negotiations in Canada, and while the preparations for -another campaign by the American government, as already mentioned, were -in progress, no relaxations of efforts to prevent the farther effusion of -blood were allowed to take place. Captain O'Bail, or the Corn-planter as -he was usually called, the principal chief of the Senecas, being in -Philadelphia in the month of December, after the defeat of General Harmar, -was induced not only to use his influence to prevent the warriors of the -Six Nations from taking a part in the contest, but also to undertake a -mission with other friendly Indians to the country of the Miamis, to -persuade them to peace, also, if possible. In March following, the -Corn-planter, with whom Colonel Proctor, an active officer in the -(American) Indian Department had been associated, set out upon the -mission. Meantime, measures were adopted to draw the Indians of the Six -Nations to a general conference at a distance from the theatre of war, in -order, not only to prevent their joining the war, but, if necessary, to -obtain some of their young warriors for the service against the Miamis and -the other hostile tribes. This attempt to create a diversion of the Six -Nations, however, was looked upon with displeasure by the Provincial -authorities in Canada, as will be seen by the annexed letter from Colonel -Gordon to Captain Brant. It also appears from this letter, that these -Provincials were ambitious of being appealed to by the government of the -United States as mediators in the controversy. Nor was this an individual -conceit of Colonel Gordon, inasmuch as Sir John Johnson had hinted the -same thing, as was evident from his letter, after consultation with Lord -Dorchester. It will farther appear by the address of the letter, that the -ever-vigilant Brant was already once more in the country of the Miamis, -although but a very few days previous he had been assisting at a private -council at Buffalo. His movements in all these matters, as in the war of -the Revolution, seem to have been as rapid as the light.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gordon to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara, June</i> 11<i>th,</i> 1791.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I was glad to find by your letter, from the foot of the Rapids, to -Colonel Butler, that you was in good health; and I very sincerely hope the -business you are engaged in, will be attended with success.</p> - -<p>"From the inconsistent proceedings of the Americans, I am perfectly at a -loss to understand their full intentions. Whilst they are assembling -councils at different quarters with the avowed purpose of bringing about -a peace, the Six Nations have received a speech from General St. Clair, -dated at Pittsburgh, 23d April, inviting them to take up the hatchet -against their brothers the western nations.</p> - -<p>"Can any thing be more inconsistent? or can they possibly believe the -Indians are to be duped by such shallow artifices? This is far from being -the case; the Indians at Buffalo Creek saw the business in its proper -light, and treated the invitation with the contempt it deserved. It must -strike you very forcibly, that in all the proceedings of the different -Commissioners from the American States, they have cautiously avoided -applying for our interference, as a measure they affect to think perfectly -unnecessary; wishing to impress the Indians with ideas of their own -consequence, and of the little influence, they would willingly believe, -we are possessed of. This, my good friend, is not the way to proceed. Had -they, before matters were pushed to extremity, requested the assistance of -the British Government to bring about a peace on equitable terms, I am -convinced the measure would have been fully accomplished long before this -time.</p> - -<p>"I would, however, willingly hope they will yet see the propriety of -adopting this mode of proceeding; and that peace, an object so much to be -desired, will at length be permanently settled.</p> - -<p>"I am the more sanguine in the attainment of my wishes, by your being on -the spot, and that you will call forth the exertion of your influence and -abilities on the occasion. Let me hear from time to time how matters are -going forward, and with my wishes for your health, believe me</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your friend, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">A. Gordon.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>The Council of the Six Nations, always excepting the Mohawks, was -successfully held by Colonel Timothy Pickering, in the Chemung country, -in the month of June. But the Corn-planter and Colonel Proctor met with -insurmountable difficulties in the prosecution of their mission. The -special object of that mission, after traversing the country of the Six -Nations, and exerting such wholesome influence upon them as might be in -their power, was to charter a vessel at Buffalo Creek, and proceed to -Sandusky, and if possible induce the Miamis to meet General St. Clair in -council on the Ohio. They were every where well received on the route from -Allegheny to Buffalo Creek, at which place a grand Council was called in -honor of their arrival, and attended by Red Jacket and other chiefs. -After having been welcomed by a speech from Red Jacket, Colonel Proctor -opened to them the message from General Washington, the great chief of the -Thirteen Fires. Red Jacket replied, that many persons had previously at -different times been among them, professing to come by the authority of -the Thirteen Fires, but of the truth of which declarations they were not -always convinced. In the course of the conversation, it was ascertained -that at a private council held at that place one week before, at which -Captain Brant and Colonel Butler, of the British Indian department, were -present, these officers had uttered the same doubts now started by Red -Jacket. Brant had advised the Indians to pay no attention to Proctor and -O'Bail, of whose approach and purpose he was aware, and to render them no -assistance in their projected visit to Sandusky, assuring them it should -do no good; but that Colonel Proctor, and all who would accompany him to -the country of the Miamis, would be put to death. They also ascertained, -that while holding the said private council, in anticipation of their -visit, Captain Brant had received secret instructions from -"head-quarters," [FN] to repair to Grand River, and from thence to -Detroit. It was believed by a French trader who gave the information, and -also by Captain Powell of the British service, who confirmed it, that the -Mohawk chief had been sent to the Indians hostile to the United States, -with instructions of <i>some</i> kind; and the Indians at Buffalo Creek had -been charged by Brant to conclude upon nothing with Proctor and O'Bail -before his return.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The words used in Col. Proctor's narrative; but whether he meant the - British or Indian head-quarters, the author cannot say. Probably the - former.</p> - - -<p>Colonel Proctor and O'Bail continued at Buffalo from the 27th of April to -the 22d or 23d of May. The Indians collected in large numbers, and many -councils were held. On the 8th of May, the Fish-carrier, one of the -principal Cayuga chiefs, and the right hand man of Captain Brant, declared -in a speech that O'Bail had taken a course that was not approved by -them—that more than one half of the Indians there, <i>were not for peace,</i> -[FN-1] and that Captain Brant had been sent to the council-fire of the -Miamis. "We must, therefore," he added, "see his face, for we can't -determine until we know what they are about. So we beg you to grant our -request, to keep your mind easy; for we, who do this business, look on -you, and hold ourselves to be slaves in making of peace. Now, we all say -you must look for Captain Brant's coming, to hear the words that come from -his mouth, for then we can say to you, what towns will be for peace; and -this is all that we have to say to you for this time." [FN-2]</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Proctor's Journal</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] American State papers—Indian Department.</p> - - -<p>An effort was made by Red Jacket to induce Proctor and O'Bail to go down -to the British fortress at Niagara to hold a consultation with Colonel -Butler; but Colonel Proctor declined the adoption of any such course. The -Indians thereupon despatched a messenger for Colonel Butler to meet them -at Buffalo Creek, which he accordingly did—but previously called a -separate council at Fort Erie. He afterward had an interview with Proctor, -and endeavored to dissuade him from visiting the country of the hostile -Indians,—proposing that the negotiations for a peace should be left to -Captain Brant and M<sup>c</sup>Kee, who, Colonel Butler thought, could best manage -the business. Of course a proposition going to clothe British subjects -with power to negotiate for the government of the United States, was -promptly rejected.</p> - -<p>One of the leading objects of Colonel Proctor in meeting the Six Nations -at Buffalo, was to induce as many of their sachems and warriors as he -could, to accompany the Corn-planter and himself to the Miamis country, -to aid, by their influence, in bringing the hostile Indians into a more -pacific temper; but from the whole cast of the deliberations, it was -perfectly evident that the majority of the leading chiefs were under the -direct influence of the British officers, who, it was obvious, had now -suddenly become less pacific than they had very recently been. Colonel -Proctor met with but little success in persuading a portion of the -warriors to accompany him to the Miamis; and on applying to Colonel -Gordon, commanding at Niagara, for permission to charter a British -schooner on Lake Erie, to transport himself and such Indians as might -feel disposed to accompany himself and Corn-planter to Sandusky, the -request was peremptorily refused. The expedition was thus abruptly -terminated, and Colonel Proctor returned to Fort Washington.</p> - -<p>Before leaving Buffalo, however, according to an entry in his journal, -Colonel Proctor seems to have been apprised of the fact, which will -subsequently appear, that Captain Brant had not gone to the Miamis as a -messenger, or an observer merely, but that he had actually gone to join -them with his warriors:—</p> - -<p>"<i>May</i> 21st. Being in private conversation this evening with Captain -O'Bail, and sitting between him and the New-Arrow sachem, I hinted to -Captain O'Bail that if he would go and join General St. Clair with -thirty-five or forty of his warriors, as well equipped as he could make -them, purely to counterbalance the force that Brant had taken with him to -the unfriendly Indians, I would use endeavors with the Secretary of War -to procure him a commission that should yield to him and his people a -handsome stipend. He replied, that the Senecas had received a stroke from -the bad Indians, by taking two prisoners, a woman and a boy, from Conyatt; -and that, should the hatchet be struck into the head of any of his people -hereafter, he would then inform me what he would undertake to do."</p> - -<p>The natural import of this entry in Proctor's journal is, that Captain -Brant had at that time actually joined the Miamis in hostile array against -the United States. It is possible, however, that such was not <i>at that -time</i> the fact; and it is certain that General Knox, the Secretary of War, -after the return of Colonel Proctor to Philadelphia, did not so construe -it. In writing to Colonel Pickering respecting the council which he was -then preparing to hold at the Painted Post on the 13th of June, the -Secretary speaks of Brant's journey to the western Indians as having -probably been undertaken for pacific purposes, under the direction of the -British officers, who were using him with a view to a peace, of which they -intended to claim the merit at some future time. And this construction -would comport with the idea of a British intervention, as heretofore -suggested by Colonel Gordon and Sir John Johnson.</p> - -<p>But it is, nevertheless, a curious fact, which speaks largely of the -talents and address of Brant, and the high importance which was attached -to his influence; that if the British authorities were then thus using his -services, the American government was at the same time seeking his -assistance for the same object. Colonel Pickering was instructed to treat -him with "great kindness" if he could be persuaded to attend the council -at the Painted Post; and on the 12th of April, the Secretary of War -addressed a latter to Governor Clinton, from which the following is an -extract:</p> - -<p>"Aware of your Excellency's influence over Captain Joseph Brant, I have -conceived the idea that you might induce him, by proper arrangements, to -undertake to conciliate the western Indians to pacific measures, and bring -them to hold a general treaty. This measure would be abundantly more -compatible with the feelings and interest of the United States than to -extirpate the Indians, which seems to be the inevitable consequence of a -war of long continuance with them. You are entirely able to estimate -Brant's talents, and the degree of confidence that might be placed in him -on such an occasion. Perhaps Colonel Willett, of whose talents in managing -the minds of men I have a high opinion, might accept of an agency on this -occasion, as it might respect Brant. If your Excellency should entertain -the opinion strongly that Brant might be employed with good effect, I -earnestly request that you would take the necessary measures for the -purpose, according to your own judgment."</p> - -<p>Other topics were embraced in the Secretary's letter, to all of which -Governor Clinton replied on the 27th of April. The following extract -relates to the subject of this biography:—</p> - -<p>"I have communicated to Colonel Willett your confidence in his talents and -desire for the interposition of his influence with Brant, but have it not -in my power to inform you of his explicit answer. . . . I had, in June -last, appointed an interview with Brant, contemplating the danger you -appear to apprehend from his address and his influence with several of the -Indian nations, (which, I am persuaded, is very considerable,) and from -different letters I have since received from him, I have reason to hope he -will give me the opportunity of a personal conference with him at this -place, (New York,) the beginning of the ensuing summer, if the proposed -convention, to which I will not venture to say he may not be opposed, -should not prevent it. But the good understanding between us, and the -friendly and familiar intercourse I have successfully endeavored to -preserve, will, I doubt not, predominate over any transient disgust that -the measures of the Union may have heretofore excited in his mind, and -enable me to procure an interview with him at any time and place not -particularly inconvenient. To accomplish this, however, with certainty, -it may require the personal application of some one expressly delegated, -and in whom he will confide."</p> - -<p>Captain Brant has been charged with great vanity, and with attaching undue -importance to his position and influence. But how few are the men, Indians -or whites, who would not have stood in danger of being somewhat inflated, -on finding two such nations as Great Britain and the United States, -apparently out-bidding each other for his services and friendship? Still, -he was looked upon with no inconsiderable distrust by the American -Secretary of War. In his letter of reply to Governor Clinton, dated May -11th, the Secretary, after speaking of the hostility of Brant to the -Corn-planter, refers to the former design of the Mohawk chief to place -himself at the head of the great Indian confederacy, so often spoken of, -north-west of the Ohio, the Six Nations included; and cites a letter which -he had just received from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the Indian missionary, -intimating that he had not yet abandoned that project. Indeed, Brant -himself had then just written to Mr. Kirkland that he should yet like to -compass that measure, should he find it practicable. The United States -could not, of course, be favorable to the formation of any confederacy, by -which the whole of the then vast body of Indians might be moved by a -single impulse; and with a view of diverting him from such a purpose, and -of securing his friendship to the United States, Governor Clinton was -requested, if possible, to effect the interview of which he had spoken, -with Captain Brant. Authority was also given the Governor to enter into -any pecuniary engagements which he should judge necessary, to make sure of -his attachment to the United States.</p> - -<p>It has already been observed that the council held with the Six Nations by -Colonel Pickering, at the Painted Post, in June, had been to a great -extent successful. Although the chiefs at Buffalo were for the most part -under the influence of the British officers in Upper Canada, and of course -not very friendly to the United States at that time, yet the warriors in -general were more amicably disposed. The women, moreover, were anxious for -peace, and addressed Colonel Proctor upon the subject. Before that officer -left Buffalo, the Indians began to draw off to meet Colonel Pickering, and -the council with him was well attended—serving, if no other good purpose, -to divert the attention of the Indians, and by the distribution of -presents to keep the young warriors from indulging their favorite -propensity, by stealing away and joining the Miamis. Colonel Pickering had -also induced Captain Hendrick Aupamut, the justly celebrated chief of the -Muhheconnuck, [FN] to undertake the mission to the Miamis, which Colonel -Proctor and Corn-planter had been prevented from performing. Captain -Brant, it was also reported to the War Department, about the 1st of -August, had returned to Niagara from the Miami town, accompanied by some -of the western chiefs. The Indians at Pickering's treaty had asserted -that, after all that had transpired, Brant's designs were still pacific; -and since Lord Dorchester, as already stated, had expressed himself -favorable to a pacification of the Indian tribes, and Sir John Johnson was -about to assemble the Six Nations again at Buffalo, strong hopes were -entertained by the American government, that the border difficulties would -soon be adjusted without the necessity of another appeal to arms.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Stockbridge Indians, who had removed from Massachusetts to the - Oneida country in 1785.</p> - - -<p>But, notwithstanding these favorable indications, the preparations for -another offensive campaign were not relaxed. And it was well that they -were not. The movements of Brant, beyond doubt the most influential -warrior of his race, were yet mysterious, and his designs too cautiously -veiled to be penetrated. The unlimited power with which the President had -been clothed, the preceding year, to call mounted militia into the field, -had been exercised by General Washington as far as was deemed necessary, -and two expeditions had been conducted against the villages on the -Wabash,—the first led by General Scott, in May, and the second by General -Wilkinson.. These desultory excursions, however, were unattended by any -beneficial results. A few warriors had been killed, and a small number of -old men, women, and children captured. But such results were not -calculated to make any serious impression upon the savages, or to have any -particular influence on the war. It was likewise well known that the -Indians had received from the British posts large supplies of provisions -and ammunition, immediately after the defeat of General Harmar the -preceding Autumn. This fact, it is true, was disclaimed by Lord -Dorchester, but it was nevertheless certain; and it was also certain that, -in addition to the unfriendly influence of the British officers on the -frontiers the English and French traders, scattered among the Indian -towns, were constantly inciting them to acts of hostility.</p> - -<p>Under these circumstances, all the efforts of the United States to bring -the hostile Indians to a friendly council having failed, the conquest of -the Miami country and the expulsion of the Indians became necessary. The -most vigorous measures within the power of the Executive had failed in -raising the troops and bringing them into the field until the month of -September. On the 7th of that month General St. Clair moved from Fort -Washington, north, toward the Miamis—establishing, on his way, two -intermediate posts, at the distance of more than forty miles from each -other, as places whence to draw supplies should the army be in need, or -upon which to fall back in the event of disaster. At the farthest of these -posts, called Fort Jefferson, reinforcements of militia, to the number of -three hundred and sixty, were received—augmenting the army to about two -thousand men. With this force St. Clair moved forward, but the necessity -of opening a road through the forests rendered his progress slow. The -Indians hung in small scattered parties upon the flanks, and by the -skirmishing that took place, were somewhat annoying. Added to these -vexations, the militia began to desert; and as the army approximated more -nearly to the enemy's country, sixty of them went off in a body. It was -likewise reported to be the determination of those "brave defenders of -their country's soil" to fall upon the supplies in the rear; to prevent -which act of moral treason, it was judged necessary to detach Major -Hamtramck in pursuit.</p> - -<p>After these reductions, the effective force of St. Clair that remained did -not exceed fourteen hundred men—including both regulars and militia. -Moving forward with these, the right wing commanded by General Butler and -the left by Lieutenant Colonel Darke, both, like the Commander-in-chief, -veterans of Revolutionary merit, on the 3d of November they had approached -within about fifteen miles of the Miamis villages. The army encamped for -the night on the margin of a creek, the militia crossing in advance, to -encamp on the other side. Here a few Indians were discovered; but these -fleeing with precipitation, the army bivouacked for the night—the -situation, and the dispositions both for defence and to guard against -surprise, being of the most judicious character.</p> - -<p>This position had been selected with a view of throwing up a slight -defence, and awaiting the return of Major Hamtramck with the first -regiment. Both designs were anticipated and circumvented by the Indians. -About half an hour before sunrise on the morning of the 4th, just after -the soldiers were dismissed from parade, the militia, who were about a -quarter of a mile in front, were briskly attacked by the Indians. Like -most militiamen, their first impulse was to run—and that impulse was -obeyed in the greatest terror and wildest confusion. Rushing through the -main encampment, with the enemy close upon their heels, no small degree of -confusion was created there also. The lines had been formed at the firing -of the first gun; but the panic-stricken militia broke through, and thus -opened the way for the enemy—an advantage which was not lost upon him. -The officers endeavored to restore order in vain, although, for a time, -the divisions of Butler and Darke, which had encamped about seventy yards -apart, were kept in position. But the Indians charged upon them with great -intrepidity—bearing down upon the centre of both divisions in great -numbers. The artillery of the Americans was of little or no service, as -the Indians fought in their usual mode, lying upon the ground and firing -from behind the trees—springing from tree to tree with incredible -swiftness, and rarely presenting an available mark to the eye even of the -rifleman. Having, in the impetuosity of their pursuit of the fugitive -militia, gained the rear of St. Clair, they poured a destructive fire upon -the artillerists from every direction—mowing them down by scores, and -with a daring seldom practised by the Indians, leaping forward, and -completing the work of death at the very guns. General St. Clair was -himself sick, having been severely indisposed for several weeks. He -assumed his post, however, and though extremely feeble, delivered his -orders in the trying emergency with judgment and self-possession. But he -was laboring under the disadvantage of commanding militia upon whom there -was no reliance, and having few, if any, but raw recruits among his -regulars. These, too, had been hastily enlisted, and but little time for -drill or discipline had been allowed. Hence, though brave, and commanded -by officers of the highest qualities, they fought at great disadvantage. -General Butler fell early in the action, mortally wounded, and was soon -afterward killed outright, under circumstances of deep atrocity. Among the -Indian warriors were considerable numbers of Canadians, refugees from the -United States and half-breeds—young men born of Indian mothers in the -remote Canadian settlements. [FN] These motley allies of the savages were -even more savage than their principals. Among them was the noted and -infamous Simon Girty, whose name has occurred in a former part of the -present work. After the action, Girty, who knew General Butler, found him -upon the field, writhing from the agony of his wounds. Butler spoke to -him, and requested him to end his misery. The traitor refused to do this, -but turning to one of the Indian warriors, told him the wounded man was a -high officer; whereupon the savage planted his tomahawk in his head, and -thus terminated his sufferings. His scalp was instantly torn from his -crown, his heart taken out, and divided into as many pieces as there were -tribes engaged in the battle.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "A great many young Canadians, and, in particular, many that were - born of Indian women, fought on the aide of the Indians in this action; - a circumstance which confirmed the people of the States in the opinion - they had previously formed, that the Indians were encouraged and abetted - in their attacks upon them by the British. I can safely affirm, however, - from having conversed with many of these young men who fought against St. - Clair, that it was with the utmost secrecy they left their homes to join - the Indians, fearful lest the government should censure their - conduct."—<i>Wald's Travels in Canada.</i></p> - - -<p>The Indians had never fought with such fury before. The forest resounded -with their yells, and they rushed upon the troops, under their favorite -shelter of trees, until they had partially gained possession of the camp, -artillery and all. Ascertaining that the fire of their troops produced no -perceptible effect upon the Indians, recourse was had to the bayonet. -Colonel Darke made an impetuous charge at the head of the left wing, and -drove the enemy back about four hundred yards, with some loss. But not -having a sufficient number of riflemen to maintain his advantage, he gave -over the pursuit—being instantly pursued in turn under a deadly fire. The -same gallant officer was subsequently ordered to make a second charge, -which he performed with equal bravery—clearing for the moment that -portion of the camp to which his attention was directed. But the Americans -were now completely surrounded; and while he was driving the Indians in -one direction, clouds of them were seen to fall, "with a courage of men -whose trade is war," upon another point—keeping up a most destructive -fire from every quarter. The use of the bayonet was always attended with -temporary success, but each charge was also attended by severe loss, -especially of officers; nor in a single instance were the Americans able -to retain the advantage thus severely gained. Finally, a large proportion -of the best and bravest officers having fallen, nearly all that had been -preserved of order disappeared. The men huddled together in groups, and -were shot down without resistance. Having done all, under the -circumstances, that a brave man could do, and finding that the day was -lost past recovery, General St. Clair directed Colonel Darke, with the -second regiment, to charge a body of Indians who had gained the road in -the rear, and thus open a door of retreat. The order was promptly and -successfully executed, and a disorderly flight ensued. The victorious -Indians followed up their advantage to the distance of only four miles, -when, leaving the pursuit, they directed their attention to the plunder, -and ceased fighting to revel in "the spoils of the vanquished." The -fugitives continued their flight thirty miles, to Fort Jefferson. Here -they met Major Hamtrack with the first regiment; but it was not deemed -advisable to make a stand, and the remains of the army fell back to Fort -Washington, as Harmar had done the year before. The retreat was indeed -most disorderly and cowardly. "The camp and the artillery," says General -St. Clair in his narrative of the campaign, "were abandoned; but that was -unavoidable, for not a horse was left to draw it off, had it otherwise -been practicable. But the most disgraceful part of the business is, that -the greatest part of the men threw away their arms and accoutrements, even -after the pursuit had ceased. I found the road strewed with them for many -miles, but was not able to remedy it; for, having had all my horses -killed, and being mounted upon one that could not be pricked out of a -walk, I could not get forward myself, and the orders I sent forward, -either to halt the front, or prevent the men parting with their arms, were -unattended to."</p> - -<p>This was one of the severest battles ever fought with the Indians—the -latter being unaided by any other description of force, excepting the wild -half-breed Canadians already mentioned. The loss of the Americans, in -proportion to the number engaged; was very severe. Thirty-eight -commissioned officers were killed on the field, and four hundred and -ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates killed and missing. -Twenty-one commissioned officers were wounded, several of whom mortally, -and two hundred and forty-two non-commissioned officers and privates were -also wounded. General Butler, who fell early in the action, was a brave -man; and with many other excellent officers who fell, "had participated -in all the toils, the dangers, and the glory, of that long conflict which -terminated in the independence of their country." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall's Life of Washington. For a ballad giving an account of - this disastrous battle, see Appendix, No. VII.</p> - - -<p>The loss of the Indians, was about one hundred and fifty killed and a -considerable number wounded. Their immediate booty was all the camp -equipage and baggage, six or eight field-pieces, and four hundred horses. -As the contest was one for land, the Indians, in their mutilations of the -dead, practised a bitter sarcasm upon the rapacity of the white men, by -filling their mouths with the soil they had marched forth to conquer. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Two years afterward, when the battle-ground was re-occupied by the - army of Wayne, its appearance was most melancholy. Within the space of - about three hundred and fifty yards square were found five hundred skull - bones, the most of which were collected and buried. For about five miles - in the direction of the retreat of the army, the woods were strewn with - skeletons and muskets. Two brass field-pieces were found in a creek not - far distant.—<i>Drake's Book of the Indians.</i></p> - - -<p>General St. Clair imputed no blame to his officers. On the contrary, he -awarded them the highest praise for their good conduct; and of those who -were slain, he remarked,—"It is a circumstance that will alleviate the -misfortune in some measure, that all of them fell most gallantly doing -their duty." From the fact of his being attacked at all points as it were -at the same moment, it was the General's opinion that he had been -overwhelmed by numbers. But from subsequent investigation it appeared that -the Indian warriors counted only from a thousand to fifteen hundred. But -they fought with great desperation. Their leader, according to the -received opinion, was <i>Meshecunnaqua,</i> or, the <i>Little Turtle,</i> a -distinguished chief of the Miamis. He was also the leader of the Indians -against General Harmar the year before. It is believed, however, that -though nominally the commander-in-chief of the Indians on this occasion, -he was greatly indebted both to the counsels and the prowess of another -and an older chief. One hundred and fifty of the Mohawk warriors were -engaged in this battle; and General St. Clair probably died in ignorance -of the fact, that one of the master-spirits against whom he contended, and -by whom he was so signally defeated, was none other than <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph -Brant—Thayendaneqea.</span> [FN] How it happened that this distinguished chief, -from whom so much had been expected as a peace maker, thus suddenly and -efficiently threw himself into a position of active hostility, unless he -thought he saw an opening for reviving his project of a great -north-western Confederacy, is a mystery which he is believed to have -carried in his own bosom to the grave.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This interesting fact has been derived by the author from - Thayendanegea's family. He has in vain sought for it in print. It is the - circumstance of Brant's having been engaged in this battle, that prompted - the author to give so full a narrative of the event, and the incidents - attending it, in this place. It would seem that the government of the - United States was sadly at fault as to the numbers and tribes of the - Indians who fought this battle; and when, in the month of January, 1798, - Captain Peter Pond and William Steedman were sent into the Indian country - as messengers, it was a part of their instructions to obtain information - upon these points.—Vide Indian State papers, vol. iv. p. 227.</p> - - -<p>The news of the decisive defeat of General St. Clair spread a gloom over -the whole country—deepened by the mourning for the many noble spirits who -had fallen. The panic that prevailed along the whole north-western border, -extending from the confines of New-York to the estuary of the Ohio, was -great beyond description. The inhabitants feared that the Indians, -emboldened by success, and with greatly augmented numbers, would pour -down upon them in clouds, and lay waste all the frontier settlements with -the torch and the tomahawk, even if some modern Alaric of the forest did -not lead his barbarians to the gates of Rome. Nor were these apprehensions -by any means groundless. During the twelve months that followed the rout -of St. Clair, the depredations of the savages became more furious and -ferocious than ever before; and some of the most tragical scenes recorded -in history took place on the extended line of the frontiers. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Thatcher's Lives of the Indian Chiefs—Little Turtle. As an example, - the author cites a well-authenticated case, occurring in what was then - perhaps the moat populous section of the west. The proprietor of a - dwelling-house in Kentucky, whose name was Merrill, being alarmed by the - barking of his dog, on going to the door received a fire from an - assailing party of Indians, which broke his right leg and arm. They - attempted to enter the house, but were anticipated in their movement by - Mrs. Merrill and her daughter, who closed the door so firmly as to keep - them at bay. They next began to cut their way through the door, and - succeeded in breaking an aperture, through which one of the warriors - attempted to enter. The lady, however, was prepared for the event, and - as he thrust his head within, she struck it open with an axe, and - instantly drew his body into the house. His companions, not knowing the - catastrophe, but supposing that he had worked his way through - successfully, attempted one after another, to follow. But Mrs. Merrill - dealt a fatal blow upon every head that pushed itself through, until - five warriors lay dead at her feet. By this time the party without had - discovered the fate of their more forward companions, and thought they - would effect an entrance by a safer process—a descent of the chimney. - The contents of a feather-bed were instantly emptied upon the fire, - creating a smoke so dense and pungent, as to bring two more warriors - headlong down upon the hearth in a state of half-suffocation. The moment - was critical, as the mother and daughter were guarding the door. The - husband, however, by the assistance of his little son, though sorely - maimed, managed to rid himself of those two unwelcome visitors by a - billet of wood. Meantime the wife repelled another assault at the - door—severely wounding another Indian; whereupon the assailants - relinquished the siege. For another highly interesting narrative of - border sufferings in the Spring of 1792, see Appendix, No. VIII.</p> - - -<p>There was another cause of disquietude. It was feared that, flushed with -this defeat of a second expedition, even the five of the Six Nations who -had concluded treaties with the United States, but of whose ultimate -fidelity many grains of distrust had been entertained, would now grasp -their hatchets, and rush to the ranks of the Miamis and their western -allies. The most earnest appeals to the government for protection were -therefore sent forward by the inhabitants of the border towns, to which a -deaf ear could not be turned.</p> - -<p>The popular clamor against St. Clair, in consequence of his disastrous -defeat, was loud and deep. With the great mass of the people, it is -success only that constitutes the general, and St. Clair had been -unfortunate. The surrender of Ticonderoga in 1777, was an event which had -occasioned great disappointment and dissatisfaction at the time, and the -recollection was revived, in connection with this signal reverse. But in -neither instance did the fault lie at the door of the commanding General, -Ticonderoga was evacuated because indefensible, and the battle lost by the -cowardice of the militia. Fully conscious, himself, that no blame was -justly attributable to him, General St. Clair applied to the President -for an investigation by a court of inquiry. The request was denied, only -for the reason that there were not officers enough in the service, of the -requisite rank, to form a legal court for that purpose. [FN-1] Aware of -the prejudices excited against him in the public mind, the unfortunate -General spontaneously announced his intention of resigning his commission, -suggesting, however, that he should prefer retaining it until his conduct -could be investigated in some way; but as the military establishment at -that time allowed only one Major General, and as the service required the -speedy designation of a successor, this request was also denied, though -with reluctance, by the President. [FN-2] Complaints, it is true, were -poured into the ears of the President against him. Among others, General -John Armstrong, the hero of Kittaning, and an experienced Indian fighter -in Pennsylvania, addressed a letter to the President, censuring the -generalship of St. Clair. [FN-3] It is believed, however, that the veteran -Governor of the North-western Territory continued in the full enjoyment of -the President's confidence to the last.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of President Washington to General St. Clair, March 28, - 1792.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of the President to General St. Clair, April 4, 1792.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Sparks's Life and Correspondence of Washington, Vol. X, p. 223.</p> - - -<p>The appointment of a successor to St. Clair as Commander-in-chief of the -army, was a source of no little perplexity to the President. His own -inclinations were in favor of Governor Henry Lee of Virginia; but it was -apprehended that difficulties would arise in procuring the services of -officers who had been his seniors in the army of the Revolution, as -subordinates under him. There appear to have been several candidates, -among whom were Generals Morgan and Scott, and Colonel Darke, who had -served under St. Clair during the last campaign. Ultimately the -appointment was conferred upon General Anthony Wayne. The selection was -most unpopular in Virginia; but the result demonstrated its wisdom. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Governor Lee wrote to President Washington on the 15th of June, - respecting the selection of a successor of General St. Clair at large, - and on the subject of Wayne's appointment in particular, he said:—"You - cannot be a stranger to the extreme disgust which the late appointment - to the command of the army excited among all orders in this state." To - this letter the President replied at length. The following paragraph - contains the answer to the remark of Governor Lee given above:—"How far - the appointment of General Wayne is a popular or an unpopular measure, - is not for me to decide. It was not the determination of the moment, nor - was it the effect of partiality or of influence; for no application (if - that in any instance could have warped my judgment) was ever made in his - behalf from anyone who could have thrown the weight of a feather into his - scale; but because, under a full view of all circumstances, he appeared - most eligible. To a person of your observation and intelligence it is - unnecessary to remark, that an appointment, which may be unpopular in one - place and with one set of men, may not be so in another place or with - another set of men, and <i>vice verse;</i> and that to attempt to please - every body is the sure way to please nobody; because the attempt would be - as idle as the exertion would be impracticable. General Wayne has many - good points as an officer, and it is to be hoped that time, reflection, - good advice, and, above all, a due sense of the importance of the trust - which is committed to him, will correct his foibles or cast a shade over - them."</p> - - -<p>Rufus Putnam, a son of the veteran of Bunker Hill, who had served with -credit in the war of the Revolution, and who had settled in the -North-western Territory soon after the close of that contest, was -appointed a brigadier-general, to serve with Wayne. This appointment was -tendered to Colonel Willett of New-York, but declined by that gentleman -upon the ground of conscientious scruples with regard to fighting the -Indians. "It has been uniformly my opinion," said the Colonel in a letter -to the President, "that the United States ought to avoid an Indian war. I -have generally conceived this to be our wisest policy. The reasons alleged -in support of the present Indian war have never brought conviction to my -mind. From my knowledge and experience of these people, I am clear that it -is not a difficult thing to preserve peace with them. That there are bad -men among them, and that these will at times do acts which deserve -punishment, is very clear. But I hold, that to go to war is not the proper -way to punish them. Most of the Indians that I have had any knowledge of, -are conceited and vain. By feeding their vanity, you gain their good -opinion; and this in time procures their esteem and affection. By -conciliating their good-will, you will render them susceptible of almost -any impression. They are credulous, yet suspicious. They think a great -deal; and have in general good notions of right and wrong. They frequently -exhibit proofs of grateful minds; yet they are very revengeful. And though -they are not free from chicanery and intrigue, yet if their vanity is -properly humored, and they are dealt justly by, it is no difficult matter -to come to reasonable terms with them. The intercourse I have had with -these people, the treatment I have myself received from them, and which I -have known others to receive, make me an advocate for them. To fight with -them, would be the last thing I should desire. And yet, Sir, I declare, -from the experience I have had, I do not conceive it difficult to beat -them when brought to action. When in small parties they scatter -themselves along a frontier, they have always been found exceedingly -troublesome and dangerous. This kind of warfare is their forte; and in it -they are found to be truly tremendous. But when they attempt anything in -large bodies, I have found, notwithstanding their great dexterity in the -wilderness, and the advantage they usually derive from the admirable -position they take, that they are easily beat. In marching through woods, -where troops are exposed to attacks from Indians, particular attention -should be paid not only to the mode and line of march, but also to extend -small parties and single men far on the flanks in front and in rear. But -whenever a serious attack is made, which is usually furious, an -instantaneous charge, with huzzaing sufficiently loud to drown the noise -the Indians make, will never fail to repel them. And this stroke repeated -and pursued, will, I am well convinced, terminate in victory. And yet -victory even over Indians is generally paid for; but defeats are terrible. -The honour, however, of fighting and beating Indians, is what I do not -aspire after. If in any way I could be instrumental in effecting and -maintaining peace with them, it would be a source of great gratification."</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxi">CHAPTER XI.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Preparations for an Indian Consultation at Philadelphia—Captain Brant - invited to attend—-His objections—Letter of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland to - Captain Brant—Letter of the Secretary of War to the same—Letter of - Colonel Gordon to the same—Letter of Captain Brant to the Secretary of - War—The Secretary of War to Captain Brant—Attempts from Montreal to - prevent Brant from going to Philadelphia—His journey—Feelings against - him in the Mohawk Valley—His arrival at New-York and - Philadelphia—Liberal offers made him—Letter to the Count de Puisy—The - offers rejected—Undertakes a Mission of Peace to the Miamis—Returns to - New-York—Pursued by a German from the German Flats bent on taking his - life—Discovered in New-York—Brant returns to Niagara—Murder of Colonel - Harden and Major Trueman—Letters of Brant to the Secretary at - War—Feelings of the Western Nations—Correspondence between Brant and - M<sup>c</sup>Kee—Great Indian Council at the Au Glaize—Sickness of Captain - Brant—Hostilities deferred until Spring and a treaty with the United - States ordered—Return of the Delegates of the Six Nations—Address to - President Washington—Separate organization of Upper Canada—Arrival of - Governor Simcoe—Letter to Brant from the Duke of - Northumberland—Preparations for the Great Council of 1783—Fresh - dissatisfaction of the Indians—Private Councils—They send their - ultimatum in anticipation—The American Commissioners depart for the - Indian country—Their arrival at Niagara—Friendly conduct of Governor - Simcoe—Celebration of the King's Birthday—The Commissioners start for - the West—Their progress interrupted—Conduct of General Wayne—Brant - suddenly returns from the West with a Deputation—Council held at Fort - Erie—Commissioners return to Niagara—Council there—Speech of Captain - Brant—Reply of the Commissioners—Speech of Cat's-Eyes—Rejoinder of - Brant—Arrival of the Seven Nations—Brant proceeds to the Miami - Rapids—Followed by the Commissioners—Arrival at the Detroit - River—Their progress interrupted—Unexpected turn of - affairs—Explanations with Deputies from the Great Council—Long Debates - in the Indian Council—Brant speaks strongly for peace—Governor Simcoe - declines advising the Indians—The negotiations suddenly terminated by - the Indians—Their address—And sine qua non.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">At the treaty</span> with the Six Nations, except the Mohawks, holden by Colonel -Pickering at the Painted Post, [FN] in the preceding month of June, an -arrangement was made with certain of their chiefs to visit Philadelphia, -then the seat of government of the United States, during the session of -Congress to ensue in the winter of 1791—92. The motive for this -invitation was threefold. First, if possible, to attach them more -cordially to the interests of the United States. Secondly, to consult as -to the best methods of extending to them the advantages and blessings of -civilization. Thirdly, to impress them with just opinions as to the -physical and moral strength of the country, that they might see with their -own eyes how futile must be every warlike effort of the Indians against -the United States. The improvement of the moral and social condition of -the Indians was an object dear to the heart of the President, and he lost -no opportunity, on all proper occasions, of impressing upon their minds -the desire of the United States to become the protectors, friends, and -ministers of good to all the sons of the forest peaceably disposed. From -the great influence of Captain Brant, not only with the Six Nations, but -over all the Indian nations, it was deemed an important point to persuade -him to attend the anticipated Council at Philadelphia. Great efforts were -accordingly made for the attainment of that object.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] From the earliest knowledge the white men have possessed of the - country of western New-York, the Painted Post has been noted as a - geographical landmark. When first traversed by the white men, a large - oaken post stood at the spot, which has retained the name to this day. - It was painted in the Indian manner, and was guarded as a monument by the - Indians, who renewed it as often as it gave evidence of going to decay. - Tradition says it was a monument of great antiquity, marking the spot of - a great and bloody battle, according to some statements. According to - others, it was erected to perpetuate the memory of some great war-chief.</p> - - -<p>The first invitation was given by Colonel Pickering by letter. -Apprehending, however, that a mere invitation would not be a sufficient -inducement for the veteran chief to undertake the journey, the Secretary -of War, on the 20th of December, wrote to the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the -well-known Indian missionary, requesting him to repair from Oneida to -Genesee, to meet the chiefs of the Six Nations who were going to -Philadelphia, and conduct them thither. Arriving at that place, Mr. -Kirkland was instructed to write to Captain Brant in his own name, and -dispatch messengers, assuring him of his welcome reception by the -government of the United States, and pledging himself for his personal -safety. These steps were promptly taken by Mr. Kirkland, to whom Captain -Brant wrote a reply, declining the invitation—for what reasons, as this -letter seems not to have been preserved, can only be inferred from the -subsequent correspondence of the Secretary of War and Mr. Kirkland. By a - letter from the former, it appears that the chief thought the invitation -not sufficiently formal. By a letter from Mr. Kirkland, also addressed to -the chief himself it would seem that the latter was apprehensive that, -should he undertake the journey, the American government would expect him -to travel like the common herds of Indians who frequently, as now, were -in the habit of visiting the capital of the Republic,—and who are -usually led through the country in a drove by a single conductor. Such, -however, was not the intention of the government, as will more fully -appear by the following correspondence:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant.</span> (Extract.)</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Genesee, February</i> 17, 1792."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - -<p>"My dear and worthy friend, it is not in my power, at this instant, even -to attempt such a reply to your letter by Dr. Allen as it justly merits. -Suffice it to say, it was not in my idea that you should be crowded into -the company of all the old chiefs, and dragged along promiscuously with -them through the proposed tour to Philadelphia. No, Sir; the respect I -have for your character and happiness would have spurned at the thought. -Dr. Allen was apprised of this, and directed to acquaint you with my -instructions relative to the same. You need, Sir, be under no -apprehensions of any neglect, or want of proper attention on my part, in -the proposed tour, or of a cordial reception upon your arrival at the seat -of government. Pardon me, if I say you will have occasion much more to -fear the opposite extreme. There are so many matters of importance -relative to the Indians upon which I have a desire to converse with you, -that I cannot willingly relinquish the idea of a personal interview.</p> - -<p>"Believe me, my dear friend, that your honor and happiness, as well as the -cause of humanity, have a share of my affection and concern. It is very -possible I may be partial in your favor by reason of your rescuing my life -at the beginning of the late war, which instance I can never forget, and -have thousands of times mentioned to your praise. I cannot but flatter -myself from the sensibility of soul you possess, that you will so adjust -your domestic affairs as to honor me with a short visit in this vicinity -next Spring, should I return here at that season; and should you, upon -mature deliberation, conclude to come down sooner, General Chapin and Dr. -Allen will be ready to wait on you wherever you please to go. Excuse the -abruptness with which I close, being much crowded—wishing you every form -of happiness, believe me to be, in great truth and esteem,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, your affectionate friend - And very humble serv't. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">S. Kirkland.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Col J. Brant.</i></p> - -<p>"P. S. Please remember me respectfully to Dr. Kerr and his lady. I am -exceedingly sorry for the detention of my former letter, which deprived -me of the happiness of a personal interview. I hope this will be delivered -by the bearer's own hand, your friend, Captain Hendrick."</p> -<br> -<p>Nearly at the same time that Mr. Kirkland was thus endeavoring to persuade -the chief to comply with the request of the government in this matter, the -Secretary of War addressed directly to him a letter as full, courteous, -and formal, as the most fastidious diplomatist could have desired:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Secretary of War to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Philadelphia, February</i> 20<i>th,</i> 1792.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Colonel Pickering, who had some communications with the Senecas and -others of the Six Nations, during the last two years, was duly authorised -to invite you to visit this city, in order to consult you upon the best -means of civilizing and advancing the happiness of the Indians. Some -information has been recently received from Mr. Kirkland, intimating your -disposition to perform the visit, but declining to do it upon the former -invitation, as not being sufficiently explicit.</p> - -<p>"I now repeat to you this invitation, accompanied with a wish that you -would repair to this city, being the seat of the American government; and -I <i>can</i> assure you that the President of the United States will be highly -gratified by receiving and conversing with a chief of such eminence as -you are, on a subject so interesting and important to the human race.</p> - -<p>"This invitation is given to you from the fairest motives. The President -of the United States is conscious of the purest disposition to promote, -generally, the welfare of the Indians; and he flatters himself that -proper occasions only are wanting to impress them with the truth of this -assertion. He considers your mind more enlightened than theirs, and he -hopes that your heart is filled with a true desire to serve the essential -interests of your countrymen. The United States, much against the -inclination of the government, are engaged in hostilities with some of the -western Indians. We, on our parts, have entered into it with reluctance, -and consider it as a war of necessity; and not, as is supposed, and -industriously propagated, by many, for the purpose of accumulating more -land than has been ceded by the treaty with the Indians, since the peace -with Great Britain. We are desirous of bringing it to a conclusion, not -from any apprehension as to a favorable result, because, by a comparison -of forces and resources, however troublesome a perseverance therein may be -to us, it must be utter destruction to the hostile Indians. We are -desirous, for the sake of humanity, of avoiding such a catastrophe.</p> - -<p>"This is the main business which will be mentioned to you on the part of -the United States; and it is an object worthy of the best cultivated head -and heart. If you should enter into this view, Mr. Kirkland has directions -to concert with you the most satisfactory mode of your performing the -journey. The nature of the case will show the necessity of your coming -without delay, if you incline to accept the invitation.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. Knox.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Capt. Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>This letter was enclosed by General Knox to Mr. Kirkland, who was assured -that the "presence of Captain Brant in Philadelphia was considered of -great importance." Mr. Kirkland was accordingly enjoined "to spare no -pains in endeavoring to induce him to come," and "to arrange with him the -most satisfactory mode of traveling—to make it as flattering to him as -might be, and to accompany him." Mr. Kirkland despatched the letter of the -Secretary immediately to Colonel Gordon, at Niagara, by the hand of Dr. -Allen, with a request that it might be transmitted by the Colonel to its -place of destination—Grand River. But Mr. Kirkland's messenger disclosed -to Colonel Gordon the contents of the package, thereby enabling that -officer to exert an immediate influence upon the mind of the chief, if he -chose to do so. The result was, that, accompanying the Secretary's letter, -Captain Brant received the following communication:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Gordon to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara,</i> 20<i>th March,</i> 1792.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Friend,</span></p> - -<p>"The packet which I now send you was brought here by a Doctor Allen, from -Canadasago. I do not know the contents, farther, than the bearer tells me -it is a letter from the Secretary at War of the United States, inviting -you to Philadelphia on business of consequence.</p> - -<p>"Your own good sense will best dictate the answer you ought to give.</p> - -<p>"Should it have a reference to the bringing about a peace with the -Western Indians, I cannot conceive that Philadelphia is the place where a -conference of so much moment ought to be held; as it is evident none of -the Western Indians, whose dearest interests are concerned in the event, -can be present; and if any steps are taken by the Six Nations without -their concurrence, it is much to be feared it will give rise to -jealousies, which may be attended with disagreeable consequences -hereafter.</p> - -<p>"If the United States have at length seriously determined to do justice -to, and make peace with, the Western Indians, a general council should be -convened in some convenient situation, where deputies from all the nations -concerned, as well as commissioners on the part of Great Britain and -America, can be assembled. The views of all parties would then be clearly -defined; an accurate boundary ascertained; past acts of hostility be -buried in oblivion; and such measures adopted as would tend to establish -permanent peace and friendship on a solid and equitable basis.</p> - -<p>"In the many conversations we have had on this subject, we have generally -agreed, that from the line of conduct the United States have hitherto -pursued, it did not appear that they had this object seriously in view; -and I am sorry to observe, from the mode of proceeding on the present -occasion, there is too much reason to suspect they have not yet seen their -error.</p> - -<p>"In almost every transaction they have had with the Six Nations during the -course of the last two years, there has appeared a duplicity and -inconsistency, on which it is impossible to put a liberal construction.</p> - -<p>"The Six Nations, in the present critical situation of affairs with their -western brethren, ought to be exceedingly cautious how they involve -themselves either one way or another. Great Britain is at peace with the -United States, and it is therefore anxiously wished that her friends, the -Indians in general, should be so likewise; every advice which has been -given to them had that object in view; and I still hope the period is at -no great distance, when this desirable event will be accomplished on -equitable terms, and to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.</p> - -<p>"I have thus, my dear friend, been induced to give you my private opinion -on the present occasion, and I am fully persuaded you will pursue a line -of conduct that will deserve the approbation of your brethren and friends.</p> - -<p>"Accept my sincere good wishes, and believe me, with much regard, your -friend,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">A. Gordon.</span></p> - -<p>"P. S. I understand some of the Senecas from Buffalo Creek are gone to -Philadelphia on Colonel Pickering's former invitation, which, I am told, -causes much uneasiness in the village.</p> - -<p class="list"> "A.G.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Joseph Brant, Grand River.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>This was certainly an artful communication. His Majesty's commander at -Niagara was desirous that peace should be restored between the Indians and -the United States, but takes care not to omit the oft-repeated -insinuations of injustice and bad faith on the part of the latter toward -the former. In one word, notwithstanding his pacific protestations, -Colonel Gordon was desirous of peace only through the agency of British -intervention, and his present purpose was, to prevent the influential -chief of the Mohawks from visiting the seat of the American government. -Notwithstanding the Colonel's letter, however, the chief addressed the -following conditional acceptance of the invitation to the Secretary of -War:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to General Knox.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Nassau, March</i> 27<i>th,</i> 1792.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:—</span></p> - -<p>"Yours of the 25th of February I have the pleasure of acknowledging the -receipt of, and entertain the highest sense of the honor done me by the -invitation and flattering compliment contained therein. It is a visit I -have long been desirous of making, and the time now seems not to be far -distant when that desire will be accomplished. Visiting you as an -individual, would be by no means tending to the accomplishing any good -end, as those meetings must show that have hitherto been held with people -not deputized by the nation in general to transact business. I should -therefore wish to visit you, vested with some power that will enable me -to speak with certainty as to what I may assert, and not assert what I, at -the same time, must well know would be by no means approved of. This has -been too much the case of late years, and in my opinion is principally -the cause of the present disturbances. An explanation of grievances it is -absolutely necessary should be made, and that to the head of the United -States, from whom I entertain not the smallest doubt but justice will be -given where due. To accomplish such desirable ends as civilization and -peace-making, no exertions on my part shall be wanting; and though -circumstances render it impossible for me to do myself the honor of -accepting the invitation at present, as I cannot say whether the western -nations would approve of it, I shall nevertheless despatch messengers -immediately to the Miamis, with your invitation, to have the opinion of -the people there, who, I have no great reason to suppose otherwise than -that they'll approve of my going, and very possibly invest me with such -powers as will give energy to what I may do.</p> - -<p>"My messengers, I suppose, will return here in about thirty days, until -when, I shall remain at home. If visiting you after that would not be too -late to answer the good end intended, I shall endeavor to accomplish my -wished-for journey—at least if I may hear from you in answer to this, -ere that period.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - With esteem, - Yours, &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>The Secretary of War.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Immediately on the receipt of this letter at the War Department, General -Israel Chapin, of Genesee, was appointed a Deputy Indian Agent by the -President, with instructions to transmit the following communication to -Captain Brant, and make all needful preparations for his journey:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Secretary of War to Captain Brant</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>April</i> 23d, 1792.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:</span> I have received your letter of the 27th of March, postponing your -visit to this city until a period of thirty days after that date.</p> - -<p>"I regret exceedingly the existence of any circumstance which suspended -your visit. But as the dispositions of the President of the United States -remain the same, as to the objects mentioned in my former letter, I can -with great truth assure you that your visit at the time you have proposed, -will be cordially received.</p> - -<p>"General Chapin, who is appointed an agent of the Five Nations, will -either accompany you to this city, or he will obtain some other person for -that purpose, as shall be agreed upon between you and him,</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, &c. &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. Knox</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Captain Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Pending this correspondence, however, the proposed conference with a -deputation of the Six Nations, referred to in the postscript of Colonel -Gordon's letter, took place in Philadelphia. It was begun on the 13th of -March, and protracted until near the close of April. Fifty sachems were -present, and the visit resulted to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. -In addition to arrangements upon other subjects, the delegations agreed to -perform a pacific mission to the hostile Indians, and endeavor to persuade -them to peace. But such were their dilatory movements, that they did not -depart from Buffalo for the Miamis until the middle of September. At the -head of this embassage was that fast friend of the United States, the -Corn-planter.</p> - -<p>In regard to the mission of Captain Brant, in addition to the dissuasions -of Colonel Gordon, strenuous efforts were made by the official friends of -the chief at Montreal, to prevent his visit to the federal capital. On the -1st of May he was addressed by Mr. Joseph Chew, an officer under Sir John -Johnson, expressing much satisfaction at the refusal of the first -invitation by Captain Brant, and advising the chief of the preparations -the Americans were making for another Indian campaign. The following -passage occurs in this letter:—"I see they expect to have an army of -about five thousand men, besides three troops of horse. By the -advertisements for supplies of provisions, &c., it seems this army will -not be able to move before the last of July. What attempts Wilkinson and -Hamtrack may make with the militia, is uncertain. <i>Our friends ought to -be on their guard.</i> I long to know, what they think in England of the -victory gained over St. Clair's army." [FN-1] On the 23d of May, Brant -advised Mr. Chew that he had accepted the invitation; [FN-2] and on the -19th of June, the latter gentleman replied—expressing his regrets that -several of his letters to the Chief had not been received prior to his -taking that resolution. Mr. Chew, who doubtless expressed the views of Sir -John Johnson and the Executive government of the province, thought the -Captain should not have accepted such an invitation without previously -knowing the wishes of the King, in regard to the means of bringing about -a peace between the Americans and the Indians. In the same letter he also -announces to "his namesake," as he calls the Captain, that a Mr. Hammond -was on his way to the Indian country, charged with an offer of his -Majesty's-mediation. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Original letters among the Brant papers.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Idem.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Idem.</p> - - -<p>The necessary arrangements having been adjusted, the journey was commenced -early in June. General Chapin not being able to accompany the Chief to the -seat of government, he was attended by the General's son, and by Doctor -Allen, and two body servants of his own—all mounted. Their route from -Niagara to Albany was taken through the Mohawk Valley. At Palatine, by -previous invitation, the Captain visited Major James Cochran, who had then -recently established himself in that place. But the feelings of the -inhabitants had become so embittered against him during the war of the -Revolution, and such threats were uttered by some of the Germans, of a -determination to take his life, that it was deemed prudent for him -privately to leave the inn, where his friend Major Cochran was then at -lodgings, and sleep at the house of Mrs. Peter Schuyler in the -neighborhood, where he would be-less likely to be assailed. He did so, -and the next morning pursued his journey. [FN] With this exception, he was -well received at every point of his journey. His arrival in New-York was -thus announced in the newspapers:—"On Monday last arrived in this city, -from his settlement on Grand River, on a visit to some of his friends in -this quarter, Captain Joseph Brant of the British army, the famous Mohawk -chief who so eminently distinguished himself during the late war as the -military leader of the Six Nations. We are informed that he intends to -visit the city of Philadelphia, and pay his respects to the President of -the United States."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Major Cochran to the author.</p> - - -<p>He arrived in Philadelphia on the 20th of June, where he was announced in -terms very similar to the above, and received by the Government with -marked attention. But few memorials of this visit have been preserved. The -President announced his arrival in respectful terms, on the 21st of June, -in a letter addressed to Gouverneur Morris; and he speaks of the -circumstance again in a subsequent letter, but makes no allusion to the -result of his interviews with him. No doubt, strong efforts were made, not -only to engage his active interposition with the Indians to bring about a -peace, but likewise to win him over permanently to the interests of the -United States. In a letter subsequently addressed by Captain Brant to the -Count de Puisy, [FN] in regard to his difficulties with the British -government touching the title to the Grand River territory, while pleading -the claims of his Indians to the favorable consideration of the Crown, and -repelling certain charges of selfishness which had been bruited respecting -himself, the following passage occurs on the subject of the proposals made -to him by the American Executive:—"I am sorry to find that my -perseverance in endeavoring to obtain our rights, has caused unjust -surmises to be formed of my intentions, notwithstanding the many evident -proofs I have shown of my integrity and steady attachment to the British -interest. Had I not been actuated by motives of honor, and preferred the -interests of his Majesty, and the credit of my nation, to my own private -welfare, there were several allurements of gain offered me by the -Government of the United States when I was at Philadelphia, during the -time the Shawanese and other tribes maintained a war against them. I was -offered a thousand guineas down, and to have the half-pay and pension I -receive from Great Britain doubled, merely on condition that I would use -my endeavors to bring about a peace. But this I rejected. I considered it -might be detrimental to the British interests, as also to the advantage -and credit of the Indian nations, until the Americans should make the -necessary concessions. Afterward I was offered the preemption right to -land to the amount of twenty thousand pounds currency of the United -States, and fifteen hundred dollars per annum. This I considered as -inconsistent with the principles of honor to receive, as by accepting of -any of these offers, they might expect me to act contrary to his Majesty's -interest and the honor of our nations; and from the repeated assurances of -his Majesty's representatives, I had full confidence his bounty would -never fail."</p> - -<hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Count de Puisy was one of the French nobles driven into exile by - the revolution of 1789. He subsequently held a commission as Lieutenant - General in the British service, and commanded a detachment of the - emigrants in the Quiberon expedition. Receiving a grant of land in Canada - from the British crown, as did several of the exiles, the Count came - over, and resided for a time near Niagara. During this period he formed - an intimate acquaintance with Captain Brant, who corresponded with him - after his return to England. The Count resided somewhere in the - neighborhood of London until his death, which happened many years - afterward.</p> - - -<p>But notwithstanding his refusal of these propositions, the result of the -interview seems at the time to have been mutual satisfaction. The true -causes of the war with the western Indians were explained to him; and -great pains were taken by the President and Secretary of War to impress -upon his mind the sincere desire of the United States to cultivate the -most amicable relations with the sons of the forest, of any and every -tribe. In the end, the Chief was induced to undertake a mission of peace -to the Miamis, for which purpose he was furnished with ample instructions -by the Secretary of War. Most emphatically was he enjoined to undeceive -the Indians in regard to their apprehensions that the United States were -seeking to wrest from them farther portions of their lands. On this point -the Government solemnly disclaimed the design of taking a foot more than -had been ceded in the treaty of Muskingum in 1789. The Chief left -Philadelphia about the 1st of July, on which occasion the Secretary of War -wrote to General Chapin, among other things, as follows:—"Captain Brant's -visit will, I flatter myself, be productive of great satisfaction to -himself, by being made acquainted with the humane views of the President -of the United States." To Governor Clinton the Secretary likewise wrote -as follows:—"Captain Brant appears to be a judicious and sensible man. I -flatter myself his journey will be satisfactory to himself and beneficial -to the United States."</p> - -<p>The Chief returned by the same route, lingering a few days in New-York, -where he was visited by some of the most distinguished gentlemen in the -city. It has been mentioned, a few pages back, that Brant was apprehensive -of some attempt upon his life in the Mohawk Valley. Indeed, he had been -informed that it would be unsafe for him to traverse that section of -country, lest some real or fancied wrong, connected with the war of the -Revolution, should be avenged by assassination. Nor were these -apprehensions groundless; for while resting in New-York, he ascertained -that he had not only been pursued from the German Flats, but that the -pursuer was then in the city watching for an opportunity to effect his -purpose. The name of this pursuer was Dygert. Several members of his -father's family had fallen in the battle of Oriskany, fifteen years -before, and this man had deliberately determined to put the leader of the -Indian warriors to death in revenge. Brant's lodgings were in Broadway, -[FN-1] where he was visited, among others, by Colonel Willett and Colonel -Morgan Lewis, both of whom he had met in the field of battle in years gone -by. While in conversation with these gentlemen, he mentioned the -circumstance of Dygert's pursuit, and expressed some apprehensions at the -result, should he be attacked unawares. Before his remarks were concluded, -glancing his quick eye to the window, he exclaimed, "there is Dygert now!" -True enough, the fellow was then standing in the street, watching the -motions of his intended victim. Colonel Willett immediately descended into -the street, and entered into a conversation with Dygert, charging his real -business upon him, which he did not deny. "Do you know," asked Willett, -"that if you kill that savage, you will be hanged?" "Who," replied the -ignorant German, "would hang me for killing an Indian?" "You will see," -rejoined the Colonel; "if you execute your purpose, you a may depend upon -it you will be hanged up immediately." This was presenting the case in a -new aspect to Dygert, who, until that moment, seemed to suppose that he -could kill an Indian with as much propriety in a time of peace as in -war—in the streets of New-York as well as in legal battle in the woods. -After deliberating a few moments, he replied to Colonel Willett that if -such was the law, he would give it up and return home. [FN-2] He did so, -and the Mohawk chief shortly afterward reached Niagara in safety.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] The old wooden building where the City Hotel now stands.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] These particulars have recently been communicated to the author in - a conversation with the venerable Governor, then Colonel Lewis, and - confirmed by a letter from Major Cochran, with whom Brant conversed on - the subject. Indeed the hostility of the Mohawk-Germans toward all - Indians, after the close of the war, was deep and universal. The author - well remembers a pensioner living in the neighborhood of the village of - Herkimer, named Hartmann, who, some years after the war, deliberately - killed an Indian at the German Flats, moved only by his revolutionary - thirst for vengeance. Hartmann, it is true, had been grievously hacked - and wounded by the Indians, so that he was disabled from labor for life. - He was a very ignorant man, and thought it no harm to kill an Indian at - any time. Happening one day, in after years, to fall in with a son of the - forest, he persuaded the savage to let him examine his rifle. The moment - he obtained the weapon, he dropped slowly behind, and shot his confiding - companion. He was arrested and carried to Johnstown for trial, but the - investigation was so managed as to produce an acquittal. The excuse of - Hartmann for the commission of the deed, was, that he saw the Indian's - tobacco-pouch, which was, as he said, made of the skin of a child's hand. - It was, probably, a leather glove which the Indian had found.</p> - - -<p>Independently of the proposed mediation of Captain Brant, the Government -of the United States, in its great solicitude to prevent the effusion of -blood, had employed a large number of messengers of peace, among whom, in -addition to the fifty chiefs of the Six Nations already mentioned, were -the Rev. Mr. Heckewelder, General Rufus Putnam, Colonel Hardin, Major -Trueman, and a man named Freeman. The celebrated Hendrick, chief of the -Stockbridge Indians, was also employed upon the same service. It is -possible that Captain Brant was not well pleased at the appointment of so -large a number of pacificators—very naturally preferring the honor of -being the sole agent of terminating the war. It would have been no -inconsiderable subject of boasting, to be enabled to say "Alone I did it!" -Hence, we may reasonably infer, the tone of the annexed letter, addressed -to the Secretary of War by Captain Brant on his arrival at Niagara—a -fitting occasion for writing it having been furnished by the murder of -Major Trueman. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Three of the messengers of peace above mentioned, Messrs. Trueman, - Freeman, and Hardin, were murdered by the Indians during that season. - Formerly no nations on earth were wont to respect the sacred character of - "the man of peace" more than the Indians. But they had now become - treacherous even to them. They pleaded, however, the example of the - whites, who, they alleged, paid no attention to treaties with the - Indians, but treated them as a contemptible race, and had killed several - of their own messengers of peace, some of whom were chiefs.—Vide - Heckewelder's History of Indian Nations, chapter xxi. President - Washington, who was then at Mount Vernon, announced the death of Hardin - and Trueman, together with "the harbingers of their mission," in a letter - to Mr. Jefferson, Secretary of State, on the 23d of August. Everything - then looked hostile at the west; added to which were rising difficulties - with the Cherokees, occasioned, as was supposed, by the intrigues of - Spain. "If Spain is really intriguing with the Southern Indians," said - the President, "I shall entertain strong suspicions that there is a very - clear understanding in all this business between the Courts of London and - Madrid; and that it is calculated to check, as far as they can, the rapid - increase, extension, and consequence of this country; for there cannot be - a doubt of the wishes of the former, if we may judge from the conduct of - its officers, to preclude any <i>eclaircissement</i> of ours with the Western - Indians, and to embarrass our negotiations with them, any more than there - is of their traders and some others, who are subject to their government, - aiding and abetting them in acts of hostility."—<i>Letter of Washington to - Jefferson, August</i> 23<i>d,</i> 1792.</p> - - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Secretary of War.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara,</i> 26<i>th July,</i> 1792.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Since my arrival here, I am sorry to have to say that intelligence -respecting Major Trueman's being killed by an Indian boy, who met with him -a hunting, has arrived. This will induce you to recollect what passed -between us relative to messages being sent. The route by Presque Isle I -again recommend as the most eligible; from thence keeping along the lake -to the Miamis, at which place the chiefs are aptest to be met with; and -when once there, they are safe. Sending such number of messengers rather -makes the Indians suspicious of your intentions, and by any other route -they are much more liable to meet with hunters. There are now great -numbers of Indians collected, and, from all their councils, seem -determined upon a new boundary line. In short, they are all sensible that -what has hitherto been done, (which I fully explained to you,) was unfair; -and I am of opinion peace will not easily be established without your -relinquishing part of your claim. The purchases were all made from men who -had no right to sell, and who are now to be thanked for the present -difficulties." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The writer here refers to the treaty of Fort Harmer, which the great - majority of the Indians always maintained was unauthorized by their - people, and therefore of no binding force upon them.</p> - - -<p>"The Senecas and Seven Nations of Canada are now waiting at Fort Erie for -a passage for Detroit, on their way to the Miamis. I shall be able to go -up by the next trip of the vessel. My intention and wish is still for the -accomplishing of peace. 'Tis a business will require time; things too -rashly or hastily agreed upon, seldom have the effect of those seriously -and coolly reflected on; knowing the foundation to be just, and the -benefits that will arise therefrom, affords a greater space for forwarding -the business.</p> - -<p>"After leaving your place until my arrival here, I had a tedious journey. -The fatigue is done away by the recollection of the politeness and -attention showed me by your officers of government, for which I cannot but -return my warmest thanks, and request you to communicate the same. If any -return should be in my power to make, I shall think myself particularly -happy.</p> - -<p class="list"> "And am, Sir, - Yours, &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>The Secretary of War.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Apprehensive, from the opposition of his friends to his Philadelphia -mission, that evil reports might have been circulated concerning him, and -distrust of his fidelity engendered among the upper nations, on the 29th -of July the Captain wrote to his friend M<sup>c</sup>Kee, at Detroit, making -inquiries as to that and various other points, and also with a view of -ascertaining whether his presence would be acceptable at the then -approaching council at the Miamis. In reply, Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee assured him -that, "whatever bad birds had been flying about," the opinions of the -western Indians respecting him were unchanged, and that they were anxious -for his presence among them, to aid in their consultations for the general -welfare. In regard to the murder of the American messengers, Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee -said they were killed by a banditti, and the circumstance was -regretted,—"although the Indians considered that the messengers had been -sent more with a view to gain time, and lull the confederacy into a fatal -security, than to effect a peace, since they have proposed no other terms -than what the nations rejected at first; and you must be perfectly -sensible," (added Colonel M<sup>c</sup>K.) "that after two successful general -engagements, in which a great deal of blood has been spilt, the Indians -will not quietly give up by negotiation what they have been contending for -with their lives since the commencement of these troubles." Captain Brant -having expressed an opinion that the hostile nations would not be likely -to move again until the effect of farther negotiation should be known, -M<sup>c</sup>Kee replied, that the Indians did not look upon "the hostile -preparations" of the Americans, "such as forming posts and magazines in -the heart of their country, as indicating much sincerity on their part; -nor do they [the Indians] think that such establishments would tend to -conciliate or convince them that the Americans wish for peace on any -reasonable terms, or on the terms proposed by the confederacy the -beginning of last year. A great council is soon to be held at the Au -Glaize—the chiefs not judging it proper to move lower down at present, on -account of the American force collecting at Fort Jefferson." In regard to -the treaty of Muskingum, (Fort Harmar,) Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee said—"Daintate, -the Chief who conducted that business, is dead; but he always declared -that he, and all the chiefs who were with him there, were imposed -upon—imagining that what they signed was a treaty of amity, and not a -cession of country; and were not undeceived until they had been some time -returned to their respective villages, and had their papers explained to -them. Some messengers are arrived at the Glaize from the westward of the -Mississippi, announcing that large bodies of their nations are collected, -and will shortly be here to give their assistance to the general -confederacy; so that, in all probability, more nations will soon be -assembled here than at any former period." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Correspondence among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>The letter from which the preceding extracts have been made, was dated -from the "Foot of the Miami Rapids, September 4th, 1792." The council of -which it speaks, was held at the An Glaize, on the Miami of Lake Erie, in -the course of the Autumn. A fit of sickness, however, prevented the -attendance of Thayendanegea. The Corn-planter, and forty-eight of the -chiefs of the Six Nations, residing within the boundaries of the United -States, repaired thither, together with about thirty chiefs and warriors -of the Mohawks, and other Canada Indians. But they were not well received, -in their character of peace-makers, by the hostiles, who were sturdily -bent upon continuing the war. The council was numerously attended on the -part of the western tribes; the Shawanese were the only speakers in favor -of war, and Red Jacket from the Senecas was alone the orator in -opposition, or in behalf of the friendly Indians. The Shawanese taunted -the Six Nations with having first induced them to form a great -confederacy, a few years before, and of having come to the council now -"with the voice of the United States folded under their arm." [FN] There -were indications of an angry passage between the two parties in the -earlier stages of the council; but after mutual explanations, harmony was -restored. The result was, that the hostile Indians finally agreed to -suspend belligerent operations for the winter, and to meet the United -States in council at the Rapids of the Miami in the following Spring. The -basis of the proposed armistice, however, was, that the United States -should withdraw their troops from the western side of the Ohio. Nor did -they hold out any prospect of treating in the Spring, upon any other -principle than that of making the Ohio the boundary, and receiving payment -for their improvements on the south-eastern side of that river. They -insisted that the United States should allow them all the lands they -possessed in Sir William Johnson's time, and that upon no other terms -would they agree to a treaty of peace. The council was dissolved about the -10th or 12th of October; and Captain Brant did not arrive at the Au Glaize -until after it had broken up. It was a very large council. There were -representatives in attendance from the Gora nations, whom it had taken a -whole season to travel thither. There were also present, besides the Six -Nations and the north-western tribes, twenty-seven nations from beyond the -Canadian territory.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Alluding to the belt by which they were to speak.</p> - - -<p>On the return of the friendly Indians to Buffalo, a grand council was -called, at which the Indian agents of the Five Nations were present, and -also Colonel Butler, and a number of other gentlemen from Niagara. At this -council, the proceedings and speeches at the Au Glaize were rehearsed, and -in conclusion of their mission, the Six Nations transmitted the following -speech to the President of the United States; from which it will appear -that, though friendly to them, the Six Nations, after all, were yet more -friendly to the Miamis, and their claim of the Ohio for a boundary:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Speech from the Six Nations to the President.</span></p> - -<p>"You sent us on to the westward, with a message of peace to the hostile -Indians.</p> - -<p>"We proceeded accordingly to your directions, and was protected, going and -coming, by the Great Spirit.</p> - -<p>"We give thanks to the Great Spirit, that we have all returned safe to our -seats.</p> - -<p>"While we was at the westward, we exerted ourselves to bring about peace. -The fatigues we underwent are not small. Now, it is our desire for your -people on the Ohio to lay down their arms, or otherwise it is all in vain -what we have done.</p> - -<p>"Now, if you wish for peace, you must make every exertion, and proceed -through this path we have directed for you. If peace does not take place, -the fault must arise from your people.</p> - -<p>"We now desire you, Brothers, to send forward agents, who are men of -honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men who love and desire peace. Also, -we desire they may be accompanied by some friend, or Quaker, to attend the -council.</p> - -<p>"Wish you to exert yourself to forward the message to the western Indians -as soon as possible; and we are taken by the hand, and have agreed, next -Spring, to attend the council at the Rapids of Miami, when we shall hear -all that takes place there."</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the stipulations of the Shawanese and Miamis to call in -their warriors, and commit no farther hostilities until the grand council -should be held in the following Spring, the armistice was not very rigidly -observed, and skirmishes were frequent along the border. On the 6th of -November, Major Adair, commanding a detachment of Kentucky volunteers, was -attacked by a large body of Indians in the neighborhood of Fort St. Clair. -The battle was sharp and severe, and the Indians were rather checked than -defeated. General Wilkinson, who was in command of the fort, could render -no assistance, from the strictness of his orders to act only on the -defensive. He bestowed high praise on the good conduct of Major Adair, as -the latter did upon his officers and men.</p> - -<p>It was at about this period that a change was made in the Canadian -government, which, from the character and dispositions of the new officers -introduced upon the stage of action, may not have been without its -influence in the progress of Indian affairs. During the visit of Lord -Dorchester to England of 1791, '93, what had previously been the entire -province of Canada was divided, and an upper province with a lieutenancy -created. Colonel J. G. Simcoe was the first Lieutenant Governor assigned -to the newly organized territory—an able and active officer, who, in the -progress of events, though very friendly at first to the United States, -was not long disposed to manifest any particular good-will for them, -farther than courtesy to public officers and the discharge of -indispensable duties required. He arrived at Quebec in the Spring of 1792, -but was detained in the lower province several months, while waiting for -other officers from England, whose presence and assistance were necessary -to the organization of the new government. Colonel Simcoe established his -head-quarters at Niagara, which was temporarily constituted the seat of -government. He was the bearer of a letter of introduction from the Duke of -Northumberland to the Mohawk Chief, Thayendanegea. The Duke, who had -served in the Revolutionary war as Lord Percy, had been adopted by the -Mohawks as a warrior of their nation, under the Indian name, conferred by -Brant himself, of <i>Thorighwegeri,</i> or <i>The Evergreen Brake.</i> The name -involves the very pretty conceit that a titled house never dies. Like the -leaves of this peculiar species of the brake, the old leaf only falls as -it is pushed from the stem by the new; or rather, when the old leaf falls, -the young is in fresh and full existence. The following is the letter, -which the character of the parties and the circumstances of the case -render worthy of preservation:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Duke of Northumberland to Captain Brant</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Northumberland House, Sept.</i> 3d, 1791</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Joseph,</span></p> - -<p>"Colonel Simcoe, who is going out Governor of Upper Canada, is kind enough -to promise to deliver this to you, with a brace of pistols, which I -desire you will keep for my sake. I must particularly recommend the -Colonel to you and the nation. He is a most intimate friend of mine, and -is possessed of every good quality which can recommend him to your -friendship. He is brave, humane, sensible, and honest. You may safely rely -upon whatever he says, for he will not deceive you. He loves and honors -the Indians, whose noble sentiments so perfectly correspond with his own. -He wishes to live upon the best terms with them, and, as Governor, will -have it in his power to be of much service to them. In short, he is worthy -to be a Mohawk. Love him at first for my sake, and you will soon come to -love him for his own.</p> - -<p>"I was very glad to hear that you had received the rifle safe which I sent -you, and hope it has proved useful to you. I preserve with great care your -picture, which is hung up in the Duchess's own room.</p> - -<p>"Continue to me your friendship and esteem, and believe me ever to be, -with the greatest truth,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your affectionate - Friend and Brother, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Northumberland,</span> - <i>Thorighwegeri.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Joseph Brant,</span> - <i>Thayendanegea.</i></p>" - -<p>Thus strongly and affectionately introduced, by the head of the British -peerage to the head chief of a nation, a close intimacy was formed between -Governor Simcoe and Captain Brant, as will more clearly be disclosed in -the progress of these pages. The regular chain of history will now be -resumed.</p> - -<p>On the 19th of February, 1793, pursuant to the arrangement made by the -Indians at the Au Glaize in the preceding Autumn, General Benjamin -Lincoln, Beverley Randolph, and Colonel Timothy Pickering, were -commissioned by the President, to attend the great council at the Miamis, -to be held in the course of the ensuing Spring.</p> - -<p>Meantime the Indians of the confederate nations, dissatisfied with what -they considered the evasive reply which had been received from the -President to the address on their behalf, transmitted by the Six Nations, -held another council at the Glaize in February, at which a very explicit -address upon the Subject was framed, and transmitted to the Six Nations. -They were apprehensive that the Six Nations had either not understood -them, or, that in communicating with the Executive of the United States -they had not made themselves understood. Reminding the Six Nations that -when in council they had understood them to be of one mind with themselves -touching the boundary question, they now repeated that they would listen -to no propositions from the United States, save upon the basis of the Ohio -for a boundary and the removal of the American forts from the Indian -territory. This was the irrevocable determination of the confederates, and -they deemed it right and proper that the government of the United States -should be fully apprised of the fact before the commissioners should set -out upon their journey. They likewise advised the Six Nations, in this -address, of their determination to hold a private council at the Miami -Rapids before they would proceed to meet the American commissioners at -Sandusky, that they might adjust their own opinions, so as to be of one -mind, and speak one language in the public council. It was their farther -determination, before they would consent to meet the Commissioners at all, -to ascertain whether the Commissioners had been clothed with authority to -meet them upon the terms thus preliminarily prescribed. This letter, or -message, was concluded thus:—"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We desire you therefore, to be -strong, and rise immediately to meet us at the Miami Rapids, where we want -the advice and assistance of our elder brethren in the great work which we -are about. The western nations are all prepared and in daily expectation -of the arrival of our brothers, the Creeks, Cherokees, and other southern -nations, who are on their legs to join us, agreeably to their promise. -And we desire you will put the Seven Nations of Canada in mind of their -promise last Fall, to be early on their legs to join us, and that you will -bring them in your band. [<i>Four double strings of black and white Wampum</i>] -A postscript enjoined that the United States should send no messengers -into their country, except through the Five Nations." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Original document from among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>The communication was dated February 27th. On the same day the -Commissioners left Philadelphia for Buffalo Creek, accompanied, as the -Indians had requested, by several members of the society of Friends—so -strongly had the nations become attached to the disciples of the -beneficent Penn. [FN] Colonel Pickering and Mr. Randolph proceeded -directly across the country, while General Lincoln took the route via -Albany, to superintend the forwarding of supplies. General Wayne, now in -command of the North-western army, had been instructed in the meantime to -issue a proclamation, informing the people of the frontiers of the -proposed treaty, and prohibiting all offensive movements on the part of -these people until the result of the council should be known.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The names of the Quaker gentlemen who went upon this benevolent - errand were, John Parish, William Savory, and John Elliott, of - Philadelphia; Jacob Findlay, of Chester County; and Joseph Moore and - William Hartshorn, of New-Jersey. It may be noted as a singular fact, - that while the Quakers solicited the appointment on this pacific mission - at the hands of the President, the Indians, at about the same time, and - evidently without consultation or arrangement, requested of some of the - American agents, that some Quaker might be appointed on the Commission to - treat with them.</p> - - -<p>Messrs. Randolph and Pickering arrived at the Queenston landing, (Niagara -river,) on the 17th of May. Governor Simcoe, who was at home, had no -sooner heard of their arrival in his vicinity, than he sent invitations -insisting that they should consider themselves his guests during their -stay at that place. He treated them with great hospitality, and at their -request readily despatched a vessel to Oswego, to receive General Lincoln -and the stores for the expedition. The latter gentleman did not reach -Niagara until the 25th.</p> - -<p>On their arrival at that place, the Commissioners were informed that -Captain Brant, with a body of Mohawks, had set off for the west about the -5th of May. There was a preliminary council to be held at the Miami -Rapids, which it was the purpose of that Chief to attend. The United -States had fixed the 1st of June for the time of meeting; but Colonel -M<sup>c</sup>Kee had written to Niagara, stating that that period would be quite too -early, since the Indians were ever slow in such proceedings, and withal -would not then probably have returned from their hunting. The Indians, -however, were collecting at the Au Glaize, and Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee advised -Governor Simcoe that the conference with the American Commissioners would -probably be held at Sandusky. In the meantime it was proposed that the -Commissioners should remain at Niagara until all things were ready for the -conference.</p> - -<p>Such being the position of affairs, the commissioners were detained with -Governor Simcoe—occasionally visiting some of the Indian towns in that -region—until near the middle of July. Every hospitable attention was -bestowed upon them by the Governor, who spared no pains to render their -sojourn with him agreeable. On the 4th of June, the King's birth-day was -celebrated, on which occasion the Governor gave a <i>fête</i>, ending with a ball -in the evening, which was attended by "about twenty well-dressed and -handsome ladies, and about three times that number of gentlemen. They -danced from 7 o'clock until 11 when supper was announced, and served in -very pretty taste. The music and dancing were good, and every thing was -conducted with propriety. What excited the best feelings of the heart, -was the ease and affection with which the ladies met each other, although -there were a number present whose mothers sprang from the aborigines of -the country. They appeared as well dressed as the company in general, and -intermixed with them in a manner which evinced at once the dignity of -their own minds and the good sense of others. These ladies possessed great -ingenuity and industry, and have great merit; for the education they have -received is owing principally to their own industry, as their father, Sir -William Johnson, was dead, and the mother retained the manners and dress -of her tribe." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Private Journal of General Lincoln—Massachusetts Historical - Collections. This incident has been preserved in the text by the author, - as a curiosity; it being the first gala of a representative of royalty - in the western woods.</p> - - -<p>Thus far the deportment of Governor Simcoe was conciliatory, and in all -respects indicative of any thing rather than a hostile spirit. Reports -having reached the ears of the Commissioners, that the Governor had -qualified the expressions of his desire that the Indians might determine -upon a peace with the United States, by advising them that they should not -relinquish any of their lands to obtain it, those gentlemen addressed him -a note upon the subject. The imputation was promptly and satisfactorily -disclaimed; and at the request of the Commissioners, several British -officers were detailed to accompany them to the council. Colonel Butler, -the British Indian Superintendent of that station, [FN] had already -departed with a large number of the Six Nations residing at the Buffalo -Creek, to attend with Captain Brant the preliminary council at Miami.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The British commander at Wyoming.</p> - - -<p>Advices from Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee, at Detroit, having communicated the fact that -all was ready on the part of the Indians, and urged them forthwith to -repair to Sandusky and meet them, the Commissioners took their departure -from Niagara on the 26th of June. Reports had been bruited about, however, -that, should the council break up without making peace, it was the -determination of the hostile Indians to fall upon the Commissioners and -sacrifice them. In consequence of this intimation they were furnished with -a letter from the Governor, expressed in the strongest terms, enjoining -the officers in the Indian Department at the west to take care that they -should be neither injured nor insulted by the savages; adding, "that an -injury to them I would greatly affect him, the Commander-in-chief, the -British nation, and even the King himself." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Lincoln's Journal.</p> - - -<p>The Commissioners were detained by contrary winds at Fort Erie, at which -point they were to embark, until the 5th of July. Here another serious -interruption to their progress took place. The extreme jealousy of the -Indians naturally prompted them to magnify every thing bearing a hostile -appearance; and they had been watching with much suspicion, during the -whole season, the movements of General Wayne, who was then occupying the -country about Fort Washington. It was understood that he was not to -advance beyond that position pending the negotiations. But the Indians -were nevertheless suspicious lest he should avail himself of the absence -of their chiefs and warriors at the council, and fall upon their towns. -Governor Simcoe had called the attention of the Commissioners to this -subject, and they, in turn, had urged the consideration, through the -Secretary of War, upon General Wayne. But, notwithstanding every -precaution that could be adopted, the Indians at the preliminary council -became alarmed; and, greatly to the surprise of the Commissioners, while -waiting to embark at Fort Erie, on the 5th of July a vessel arrived from -Miami, having on board Captain Brant, Colonel Butler, and a deputation of -about fifty Indians from the north-western tribes, attending the council, -with instructions to have a conference with the American Commissioners in -the presence of Governor Simcoe. The object of their visit was twofold; -first, they were desirous of being enabled "to possess their minds in -peace in regard to the movements of General Wayne with the army; secondly, -they were desirous of obtaining information whether the Commissioners were -empowered to establish a new boundary line, or rather to stipulate that -the American settlers should fall back upon the Ohio—since the great -majority of the Indians had uniformly disclaimed the boundary specified in -the treaty of Fort Harmar. An immediate interview between the deputation -and the Commissioners was arranged, at the request of the former, at which -a Shawanese chief, called Cat's-Eyes, addressed them as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are sent by the nations of Indians assembled at the Rapids -of Miami, to meet the Commissioners of the United States. We are glad to -see you here. It is the will of the great chiefs of those nations that our -Father, the Governor of this province, should be present, and hear what we -have to say to you, and what you have to say to us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Do not make yourselves uneasy that we did net meet you at the -time you proposed, at Sandusky. The reasons thereof will be mentioned at -another time.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Four strings of black and white wampum.</i>"</p> - -<p>To which the Commissioners replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The Commissioners are glad to see you. We will confer with you -in presence of your Father, the Governor of this province, at any time and -place which shall be convenient to you and him.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Returned the four strings.</i>"</p> - -<p>The parties then separated; but the Indian deputation, after a brief -consultation, requested another interview, and proposed that the meeting -with Governor Simcoe should be at his own house at Niagara. To this -arrangement the Commissioners assented, and agreed to return thither on -the following day. Accordingly, on the 7th of July, a conference was held -at the council-house at Niagara. The Governor and the Indians having -arrived at the council-chamber a few minutes in advance of the -Commissioners, Captain Brant addressed the former thus:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> It being agreed at the Rapids that we should come and meet the -Commissioners in our Father's presence, we return our thanks to the Great -Spirit for seeing your Excellency well this day. Our intention and -business is peaceable, and our inclination is to do what is right and -just. We are all of one mind, and wished your Excellency to be present.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A belt of wampum.</i>"</p> - -<p>His Excellency replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I am happy to see you so well. The Commissioners have expressed -a wish to meet you in my presence, and I shall be happy to hear what they -have to say.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Belt returned.</i>"</p> - -<p>The Commissioners having arrived, the conference commenced, in the -presence not only of the Governor, but also of a large number of the civil -and military officers of that station. The proceedings were opened on the -part of the Western deputation by Captain Brant, who rose, with a belt -and string of wampum, and said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have met to-day our brothers, the Bostonians and English. We -are glad to have the meeting, and think it by the appointment of the Great -Spirit.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the United States:</span> We told you the other day, at Fort Erie, -that at another time we would inform you why we had not assembled at the -time and place appointed for holding the treaty with you. Now we inform -you, that it is because there is so much the appearance of war in that -quarter.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have given the reason for our not meeting you, and now -request an explanation of these warlike appearances.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The people you see here are sent to represent the Indian -nations who own the lands north of the Ohio as their common property, and -who are all of one mind—one heart.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have come to speak to you for two reasons: one, because your -warriors, being in our neighborhood, have prevented our meeting at the -appointed place; the other, to know if you are properly authorized to run -and establish a new boundary line between the lands of the United States -and the lands of the Indian nations. We are still desirous of meeting you -at the appointed place.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We wish you to deliberate well on this business. We have spoken -our sentiments in sincerity—considering ourselves in the presence of the -Great Spirit, from whom, in times of danger, we expect assistance." [<i>With -this speech a belt of twelve rows, and thirty strings of wampum, in five -bunches, were presented.</i>]</p> - -<p>The Commissioners answered:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have attended to what you have said. We will take it into -our serious consideration, and give you an answer to-morrow. We will -inform you when we are ready."</p> - -<p>Captain Brant rejoined:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thank you for what you have said. You say that you will -answer our speech to-morrow. We now cover up the council-fire."</p> - -<p>On the next day the Commissioners replied at length, in the Indian form of -speech. In regard to the warlike indications of which the deputation -complained, the Commissioners assured them that they might "possess their -minds in peace;" and stated to them the orders that had been transmitted -to General Wayne, and the other precautionary measures adopted by the -Great Chief, General Washington, to prevent any act of hostility during -the negotiations. On the subject of the second query of the Indians, the -Commissioners replied explicitly, that they had authority to run and -establish a new boundary. This question, they were aware, was to be the -great subject of discussion at the council, and they hoped that the result -would be satisfactory to both parties. But, in saying this, they reminded -the Indians, that in almost all disputes and quarrels there was wrong upon -both sides, and consequently that in the approaching council both parties -must be prepared to make some concessions. The Commissioners requested -information as to the names of the nations, and the number of the chiefs -assembled at the Rapids of the Miami; and in conclusion re-assured the -chiefs of the groundlessness of their apprehensions respecting the -movements of General Wayne, and explained to them that they might place -themselves perfectly at rest upon this point; promising, moreover, -immediately to send a messenger on horseback "to the Great Chief of the -United States, to desire him to renew and strongly repeat his orders to -his head-warrior, not only to abstain from all hostilities against the -Indians, but to remain quiet at his posts until the event of the treaty -should be known." Having returned the Belt, Cat's-Eyes, the Shawanese -leader, replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, the Bostonians, attend!</span> We have heard your words. Our fathers, -the English people, have also heard them. We thank God that you have been -preserved in peace, and that we bring our pipes together. The people of -all the different nations here salute you. They rejoice to hear your -words. It gives us great satisfaction that our fathers, the English, have -also heard them. We shall for the present take up our pipes and retire to -our encampments, where we shall deliberately consider your speech, and -return you an answer tomorrow."</p> - -<p>The conference was re-opened on the 9th, when Captain Brant arose, with -the belt and strings in his hands which had been presented by the -Commissioners on the preceding day, and addressing himself to the English -and Americans, said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are glad the Great Spirit has preserved us in peace to meet -together this day.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers of the United States:</span> Yesterday you made an answer to the -message delivered by us, from the great council at the Miami, in the two -particulars we had stated to you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You may depend on it that we fully understand your speech. We -shall take with us your belt and strings, and repeat it to the chiefs at -the great council at Miami."</p> - -<p>[<i>Laying down the belt and strings, the Captain took up a white belt, and -proceeded:</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have something farther to say, though not much. We are -small, compared with our great chiefs at Miami; but, though small, we have -something to say. We think, brothers, from your speech, that there is a -prospect of our coming together. We, who are the nations at the westward, -are of one mind; and if we agree with you, as there is a prospect that we -shall, it will be binding and lasting.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Our prospects are the fairer, because all our minds are one. -You have not spoken to us before unitedly. Formerly, because you did not -speak to us unitedly, what was done was not binding. Now you have an -opportunity to speak to us together; and we now take you by the hand to -lead you to the place appointed for the meeting.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> One thing more we have to say. Yesterday you expressed a wish -to be informed of the names of the nations and number of chiefs assembled -at the Miami. But as they were daily coming in, we cannot give you exact -information. You will see for yourselves in a few days. When we left it, -the following nations were there, viz: Five Nations, Wyandots, Shawanese, -Delawares, Munsees, Miamis, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies, Mingoes, -Cherokees, Nantikokes. The principal men of all these nations were there.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A white belt of seven rows.</i>"</p> - -<p>The Commissioners then replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Our ears have been open to your speech. It Is agreeable to us. -We are ready to proceed with you to Sandusky, where, under the direction -of the Great Spirit, we hope that we shall soon establish a peace on terms -equally interesting and agreeable to all parties."</p> - -<p>While these deliberations were in progress, a deputation from the Seven -Nations of Canada arrived at Niagara, to the number of two hundred and -eighty. The proceedings were terminated with a confident expectation on -all hands that the result of the mission would be a pacific arrangement. -With the public dispatches transmitted to the Secretary of War from this -place, however, General Lincoln addressed a private letter to that -officer, advising him that if the reports in circulation were in any -degree true, General Wayne must have violated the clearest principles of -a <i>truce,</i> and expressing great solicitude for the result—less, however, -on account of the personal safety of the Commissioners, whose lives would -be thereby jeoparded, than for the apprehensions felt for the honor of the -country. Captain Brant had given information as to the movements of Wayne, -of the certainty of which there could be but little doubt; and those -movements caused the Commissioners as much uneasiness as they did the -Indians; being moreover viewed by the British officers at Niagara as -unfair and unwarrantable.</p> - -<p>Captain Brant and the Indian deputation proceeded on their return to -Miami, in advance of the Commissioners, the latter embarking from Fort -Erie on the 14th. On the 21st they arrived at the mouth of the Detroit -river, where they were obliged to land—the British authorities at Detroit -forbidding their approach farther toward the place of meeting. They were, -however, hospitably entertained at the landing-place by Captain Elliot, -Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee's assistant in the Indian Department. The latter officer was -in attendance upon the council at the Rapids, to whom the Commissioners -lost no time in addressing a note, apprising him of their arrival, and of -their design to remain there until the Indians should be ready to remove -the council to Sandusky. They also requested the good offices of Colonel -M<sup>c</sup>Kee in expediting the proceedings of the Indians. This dispatch was -borne by Captain Elliot himself, who returned on the 29th, bringing an -answer from the Colonel, and attended by a deputation of upward of twenty -Indians from the different nations in council. An audience of these -Indians was had on the day following, at which a Wyandot Chief, whose name -in English was <i>Carry-one-about,</i> opened their business with the following -unexpected address:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers, listen!</span> We are glad to see you here in peace, and thank the -Great Spirit that has preserved us to meet again.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We were sent to speak with you some time ago at Niagara. Some -chiefs are now here who were then present.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We did not explain ourselves to each other, and we did not -rightly understand each other.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We desire that we may rightly understand each other. We have -thought it best that what we had to say should be put into writing, and -here is the meaning of our hearts."</p> - -<p>Saying which, the Wyandot chief put a paper into the hands of the -Commissioners, which read as follows:—</p> - -<p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">To the Commissioners of the United States.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The Deputies we sent you did not fully explain our meaning. We -have therefore sent others to meet you once more, that you may fully -understand the great question we have to ask you, and to which we expect -an explicit answer in writing.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You are sent here by the United States in order to make peace -with us, the Confederate Indians.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You know very well that the boundary-line, which was run by the -white people and us, at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, was the river Ohio.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> If you seriously design to make a firm and lasting peace, you -will immediately remove all your people from our side of that river.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We therefore ask you, Are you fully authorised by the United -States to continue and fix firmly on the Ohio river as the boundary-line -between your people and ours?</p> - -<p>"Done in General Council, at the foot of the Miami Rapids, 27th July, -1793. In behalf of ourselves and the whole Confederacy, and agreed to in -full council."</p> - -<p>This missive was signed by the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, -Mingoes, Pottawattamies, Ottawas, Connoys, Chippewas, and Munsees; but not -by the Six Nations. The Commissioners replied to them at great length in -the afternoon. They began, after the Indian custom, by repeating their -speech and then gave a succinct statement of the conferences at Niagara, -and the perfect understanding then had, that some concessions would be -necessary on both sides, and of which they were to speak face to face. -They had already been detained sixty days beyond the time appointed for -the meeting, and were desirous of proceeding to business in council -without farther delay. The Commissioners next recited briefly the history -of all the treaties that had been formed with the north-western Indians, -from the treaty of Fort Stanwix, held before the Revolution, to that which -was commenced at the falls of the Muskingum, by General St. Clair, and -completed at Fort Harmar. At this treaty the Six Nations renewed their -treaty of Fort Stanwix, of 1784, and the Wyandots and Delawares renewed -and confirmed the treaty of Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh. There were also parties to this -treaty from the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawattamies and Sacs. Under these -treaties the United States had acquired the territory, now claimed by the -Indians, north of the Ohio, and on the faith of these, settlements had -been formed, that could not now be removed; and hence the Commissioners -replied explicitly to the first question, that the Ohio could not be -designated as the boundary. After attempting to explain the impossibility -of uprooting the settlements beyond the Ohio, and the great expenses -incurred by the people in forming them, they spoke again of the promised -"mutual concessions," and proposed, as the basis of negotiation, that the -Indians should relinquish all the lands ceded by the treaty of Fort -Harmar, and also a small tract of land at the Rapids of the Ohio, claimed -by General Clark; in return for which they proposed to give the Indians -"such a large sum in money or goods as was never given at one time for any -quantity of Indian lands since the white people set their foot on this -island." They likewise proposed a large annuity in addition to the amount -to be paid in hand. Originally, under the treaty of peace with England, -the American Commissioners had claimed the right to the soil of all the -lands south of the great lakes; but this claim, the Commissioners said -they thought, was wrong; and as a farther concession, if the lands already -specified were relinquished by the Indians, the United States would -relinquish all but the right of preemption to the vast tracts that -remained. In conclusion, the Commissioners said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have now opened our hearts to you. We are happy in having -an opportunity of doing it, though we should have been more happy to have -done it in full council of your nations. We expect soon to have this -satisfaction, and that your next deputation will take us by the hand, and -lead us to the treaty. When we meet and converse with each other freely, -we may more easily remove any difficulties which may come in the way.</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>A white belt with thirteen stripes of black wampum.</i>"</p> - -<p>The speech having been interpreted fully to the deputation, the council -was adjourned until the next day, when, having reassembled, the Wyandot -chief rose, and replied as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are all brothers you see here now. Brothers, it is now three -years since you have desired to speak with us. We heard you yesterday, and -understand well, perfectly well. We have a few words to say to you.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You mentioned the treaties of Fort Stanwix, Beaver Creek, and -other places. Those treaties were not complete. There were but few chiefs -who treated with you. You have not bought our lands; they belong to us. -You tried to draw off some of us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Many years ago we all know that the Ohio was made the boundary; -it was settled by Sir William Johnson. This side is ours; we look upon it -as our property.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You mention General Washington. He and you know you have houses -and people on our lands. You say you cannot, move them off; and we cannot -give up our lands.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are sorry that we cannot come to an agreement. The line has -been fixed long ago.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We do not say much. There has been much mischief on both sides. -We came here upon peace, and thought you did the same. We wish you to -remain here for an answer from us. We have your speech in our breasts, and -shall consult our head warriors."</p> - -<p>From the 1st to the 14th of August the Commissioners were detained at the -place of their first landing, in the daily expectation of receiving an -invitation to join the council at the Rapids. They had information from -thence several times, and on the 8th were informed that all the nations -were disposed for peace, excepting the Shawanese, Wyandots, Miamis, and -Delawares. The Six Nations, and the Seven Nations of Canada, exerted -themselves strongly to bring about a pacification. It was understood, -however, that the debates had been long and animated. Captain Brant and -the Corn-planter were unwearied in their efforts to accomplish this -desirable object, and both spoke much in council. The discussions being -thus protracted, the former availed himself of the time to endeavor to -enlist the direct interposition of Governor Simcoe to bring the Indians -into a more pacific temper. For that purpose the Captain dispatched -messengers to York, at which place [FN-1] the Upper Canadian Government -was about being established, with letters to the Governor, informing him -of the intractable disposition of the Indians, and soliciting his -influence to induce them to compromise the boundary question. Governor -Simcoe wrote back on the 8th of August, declining any interference. His -Excellency declared in this letter, that, as his correspondent (Brant) -well knew, he had always, both in private conversation and in public -messages, endeavored to impress a disposition and temper upon the Indians, -that might lead to the blessing of peace. Still, he thought the Indians -were the best judges as to the terms upon which a treaty of peace should -be negotiated; and at their request he had directed the Indian Agents to -attend their councils, and explain to them any circumstances which they -might not clearly understand. There was another circumstance which -Governor Simcoe thought would render it improper for him to interfere, -which will be best understood by quoting his own words from the -letter:—"Since the Government of the United States have shown a -disinclination to concur with the Indian nations in requesting of his -Majesty permission for me to attend at Sandusky as mediator, it would be -highly improper and unseasonable in me to give any opinion relative to the -proposed boundaries, with which I am not sufficiently acquainted, and -which question I have studiously avoided entering into, as I am well aware -of the jealousies entertained by some of the subjects of the United -States, of the interference of the British Government which has a natural -and decided interest in the welfare of the Indian nations, and in the -establishment of peace and permanent tranquility. In this situation I am -sure you will excuse me from giving to you any advice, which, from my -absence from the spot, cannot possibly arise from that perfect view and -knowledge which so important a subject necessarily demands." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Now Toronto, the capital of Upper Canada.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] From the original letter among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>This letter contains the only authority extant for the fact that Governor -Simcoe himself had been proposed as the mediator, and rejected, and he may -have been piqued thereat. Still, although he cautiously abstained from the -remotest interference, there was nothing in this communication calculated -to defeat a pacific determination of the council. The Commissioners were -yet anxiously awaiting the result at the mouth of the Detroit River. On -the 11th of August they were informed that the debates were still running -high in council; that the chiefs of the Six Nations had spoken twice, and -were about to speak a third time. Indeed, so desirous were they now of -effecting a pacific arrangement, that Thayendanegea was determined to -transcend the ordinary rules of an Indian council, and speak a fourth -time, should it become necessary. [FN] It was added, that nearly half the -four tribes, who were persisting for war, had been won over; and hence, -when the messengers left the council, they even anticipated that runners -with pacific news would overtake them. Having waited, however, until the -14th, and receiving no farther news, the Commissioners proposed to repair -to the council in person—but were prevented by the British authorities, -who would not suffer them to move in that direction, unless by special -invitation from the council. Impatient of longer delay, their next measure -was to send a speech to the council, with a request to Captain Brant to -bring it before them, urging upon them the necessity of a speedy -determination of the question of peace or war, one way or the other. The -conclusion of this address was thus:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] What a pity that at such an Indian Congress, where the great - warriors and rulers of so many nations were assembled to discuss subjects - at once the most {illegible word—"exciting"?} and of the deepest - moment to them, a bench of stenographers could not have been present! - What bursts of thrilling eloquence—the unsophisticated{?} language of - nature—gathering all its metaphors fresh and glowing from her own rich - store-house—the flowers, the forests, and the woods{?}—the sun, the - stars, and the blue sky—the winds, the earthquake, and the storm—must - there have been poured forth but to die away upon the ears that heard - them.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have waited fourteen days, and no answer has arrived.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It is time to bring the business to a conclusion. The summer -has almost passed away, and we do not yet even know whether we are to have -a treaty.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You know that we came to treat with you of peace. We again tell -you, that we earnestly desire to make peace; and in the terms of peace we -are disposed to do you ample justice. But if no treaty is to be held, if -peace is not to be obtained, we desire immediately to know it, that we may -go home."</p> - -<p>But all the anticipations of a pacific adjustment of the difficulties -proved fallacious. Two days after this address had been dispatched to the -care of Captain Brant and the Corn-planter, the Commissioners received a -long address from the council, in writing, in answer to their own speech -of July 31st, which put an end to the negotiation. It was addressed,</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">To the Commissioners of the United States.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have received your speech of the 31st of last month, and it -has been interpreted to all the different nations. We have been long in -sending you an answer, because of the great importance of the subject. But -we now answer it fully, having given it all the consideration in our -power."</p> - -<p>In their address the council entered upon an extended review of the -negotiations heretofore referred to, and the circumstances under which the -treaties of Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh and Fort Harmar were made. They contended that -these treaties had not been properly obtained, and were not binding upon -the Indians, inasmuch as but few of their chiefs and warriors had been -present at the councils, and those few were not empowered to cede away any -of their lands. Of this fact they said they had apprised General St. Clair -before the treaties were made, and admonished him not to proceed. But he -persisted in holding councils in which their nations were not consulted, -and in receiving cessions of an immense country, in which the few who, -under constraint, had signed the treaty, were no more interested than as -a mere branch of the General Confederacy, and had no authority to make any -grant whatever. In reply to the remarks of the Commissioners respecting -the impracticability of breaking up the settlements on the disputed -territory, and their offers of large sums of money for a confirmation of -the grant under the treaty of Fort Harmar, the speech of the Council was -ingenious and forcible. Indeed, the residue of this document is worth -transcribing entire:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Money to us is of no value, and to most of us unknown; and as -no consideration whatever can induce us to sell our lands, on which we get -sustenance for our women and children, we hope we may be allowed to point -out a mode by which your settlers may be easily removed, and peace thereby -obtained.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We know that these settlers are poor, or they never would have -ventured to live in a country which has been in continual trouble ever -since they crossed the Ohio. Divide, therefore, this large sum of money -which you have offered to us among these people; give to each also a -proportion of what you say you would give us annually, over and above this -large sum of money; and we are persuaded they would most readily accept of -it in lieu of the lands you sold to them. If you add, also, the great sums -you must expend in raising and paying armies with a view to force us to -yield you our country, you will certainly have more than sufficient for -the purposes of repaying these settlers for all their labor and -improvements.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have talked to us about concessions. It appears strange -that you expect any from us, who have only been defending our just rights -against your invasions. We want peace. Restore to us our country, and we -shall be enemies no longer.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You make one concession to us by offering to us your money, and -another by having agreed to do us justice, after having long and -injuriously withheld it; we mean, in the acknowledgment you have now made -that the King of England never did, nor ever had a right to give you our -country by the treaty of peace. And you want to make this act of common -justice a great part of your concession, and seem to expect, that because -you have at last acknowledged our independence, we should for such a favor -surrender to you our country.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have also talked a great deal about preemption, and your -exclusive right to purchase the Indian lands, as ceded to you by the King -at the treaty of peace.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We never made any agreement with the King, nor with any other -nation, that we would give to either the exclusive right to purchase our -lands; and we declare to you, that we consider ourselves free to make any -bargain or cession of lands whenever and to whomsoever we please. If the -white people, as you say, made a treaty that none of them but the King -should purchase of us, and he has given that right to the United States, -it is an affair which concerns you and him, and not us. We have never -parted with such a power.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> At our general council held at the Glaize last Fall, we agreed -to meet Commissioners from the United States, for the purpose of restoring -peace, provided they consented to acknowledge and confirm our boundary -line to be the Ohio; and we determined not to meet you until you gave us -satisfaction on that point. That is the reason we have never met.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We desire you to consider that our only demand is the peaceable -possession of a small part of our once great country. Look back and view -the lands from whence we have been driven to this spot. We can retreat no -farther, because the country behind hardly affords food for its present -inhabitants; and we have therefore resolved to leave our bones in this -small space, to which we are now consigned.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We shall be persuaded that you mean to do us justice, if you -agree that the Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. If you will -not consent thereto, our meeting will be altogether unnecessary. This is -the great point, which we hoped would have been explained before you left -your houses; as our message last Autumn was principally directed to obtain -that information.</p> - -<p>"Done in General Council at the foot of the Miami Rapids, on the 13th day -of August, 1793."</p> - -<p>This address was signed by the Wyandots, the Seven Nations of Canada, the -Delawares, Shawanese, Miamis, Ottawas, Chippeways, Senecas (of the -Glaize), Pottawattamies, Connoys, Munsees, Nantikokes, Mohegans, -Missisaguas, Creeks, and Cherokees—the name of each nation being written, -and its emblem or escutcheon rudely pictured opposite the name. [FN] The -Six Nations did not sign it. Indeed, it is believed that Captain Brant and -the Six Nations "<i>held fast together</i>" in their efforts to make peace, to -the last; and that the character of the final answer of the council was -not communicated to them previous to its being sent off. On the contrary, -they were told that it was a proposition to meet the Commissioners on the -Miami instead of Sandusky, about five miles below their then place of -sitting; and so well assured were they of the fact, that they proposed -removing thither the day after the runners were dispatched from the -council-fire.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Thus, according to the original communication in the author's - possession:—</p> -<table> - <tr><td>Wyandots, </td><td>A Bear. </td><td>Senecas of the Glaize, </td><td>A Turtle.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seven Nations of Canada </td><td>A Turtle. </td><td>Pottawattamies, </td><td>A Fish.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Delawares, </td><td>A Turtle. </td><td>Connoys, </td><td>A Turkey.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shawanese, </td><td> </td><td>Munsees,</td><td></td></tr> - <tr><td>Miamis, </td><td>A Turtle. </td><td>Nantikokes, </td><td>A Turtle.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ottawas, </td><td>A Fish. </td><td>Mohegans </td><td>{A Turtle.<br> - {A Turkey.</td></tr> -<tr><td>Chippeways, </td><td>A Crane.</td><td></td><td></td></tr> -</table> - -<p>Nothing could be more explicit than this ultimatum of the Indians. Their -<i>sine qua non</i> was the Ohio for the boundary. To this proposition the -Commissioners could never assent, and they accordingly wrote to the chiefs -and warriors of the council at the Rapids, that "the negotiation was at -an end." So imperfect are the records of Indian history, preserved, as -they are, for the most part, only in the tablets of the brain, the memory -being aided by belts and other emblems—that it is a difficult matter to -determine the precise merits of the controversy sought to be terminated at -this council. Being the weaker party, belonging to a doomed race, the law -of the strongest was of course left to decide it in the end, and the -Indians were driven beyond the Mississippi. But an impartial survey of the -case, at the distance of only forty years, presents strong reasons for -believing that the Indians were the party aggrieved. Certainly, it would -form an exception in the history of their dealings with the white man, if -they were not; while it is very evident that they themselves solemnly -believed they were the injured party. And, thus believing, nothing could -have been more patriotic than the attitude assumed in their address, or -more noble than the declarations and sentiments it contained.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxii">CHAPTER XII.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Suspected duplicity of the British authorities—Conduct of Simon - Girty—Disclosures upon the subject by Captain Brant—Council at - Buffalo, and Indian report of the doings of the Great Congress—Speech - of Captain Brant respecting the Miami council—Mission of General Chapin - to Philadelphia, with the speech—Answer unsatisfactory to the - Indians—Red Jacket—Indian council—Speech of Captain Brant in reply to - the answer of the United States—Troubles thickening between the United - States and Great Britain—Inflammatory speech of Lord - Dorchester—Question of its authenticity settled—Conduct of Governor - Simcoe—Indignation of President Washington—His letter to Mr. - Jay—Speech of Captain Brant against holding a council at Venango—The - design frustrated—Affairs farther in the West—Singular message from - the distant Indians under the Spanish and French influence—Their - speech—Operations of General Wayne—Encroachments of Pennsylvania upon - the Indian lands—Indian council upon the subject—Address to General - Washington—Important letter of Brant to Colonel Smith—Pennsylvania - relinquishes Presque Isle—Defeat of Major M<sup>c</sup>Marion near Fort - Recovery—Indians repulsed in their attack upon the fort—Letter to - Brant giving an account of the battle—Advance of Wayne to the Au Glaize - and Miamis of the Lakes—Little Turtle apprised of his movements and - strength by a deserter—The Chief determines to give battle—Wayne makes - one more effort for peace—Failure of the attempt—Advance of Wayne to - the Rapids—Position of the Indians—Battle and defeat of the - Indians—Little Turtle opposed to the hazard of a battle—Opposed by - Blue-Jacket and overruled—Tart correspondence between Wayne and Major - Campbell—Destruction of Indian property by fire, and burning of Colonel - M<sup>c</sup>Kee's establishment—Disappointment of the Indians that Major Campbell - did not assist them—Letter of Governor Simcoe to Brant—Aggression at - Sodus Bay—Simcoe and Brant repair to the West—Interfere to prevent a - peace—Indian council—The hostiles negotiate with Wayne—Simcoe's - address to the Wyandots—Division in their counsels—Brant retires - displeased—Letter of apology from the Chiefs—The distant Indians - become weary of the war.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The return</span> of the Commissioners to the eastern extremity of Lake Erie was -immediate; from whence both the government of the United States and -General Wayne were apprised of the failure of the negotiation, for which -such long and anxious preparation had been made. It has been charged that, -notwithstanding the apparent friendship of Governor Simcoe and his little -court at Niagara, and their seeming desire of peace, this unpropitious -result was measurably, if not entirely, produced by the influence of the -British officers in attendance upon the Indian councils—Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee, -Captain Elliot, and the notorious Simon Girty. The Rev. Mr. Heckewelder, -at the request of General Knox, accompanied the Commissioners, and was -present at the delivery of the last message from the council, refusing an -interview, which, as delivered, both in matter and manner was exceedingly -insolent. Elliot and Girty were both present when this message was -delivered, the latter of whom supported his insolence by a quill, or long -feather run through the cartilage of his nose cross-wise. He was the -interpreter of the message; and Mr. Heckewelder states that he officiously -added a sentence not transmitted from the council. Two Delaware chiefs, -visiting the Commissioners from the council, while at Detroit River, on -being questioned by Mr. Heckewelder why the Commissioners were not allowed -to proceed to their quarters at the Rapids, replied:—"All we can say is, -that we wish for peace; but we cannot speak farther, our mouths being -stopped up when we left the council!" In other words, they had been -forbidden to disclose any of its secrets.[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder's Narrative of the Moravian Missions.</p> - - -<p>These circumstances, from the pen of such a witness, furnish strong -presumptive testimony of duplicity on the part of the Canadian -administration. But there is yet other evidence of the fact, so strong as -to be indisputable. It is that of Captain Brant himself, who, of all -others, participated most largely in the deliberations of those councils. -In one of the speeches delivered by him in the course of his land -difficulties with the Canadian government, some time subsequent to the -war, the following passage occurs:—"For several years" (after the peace -of 1783,) "we were engaged in getting a confederacy formed, [FN-1] and the -unanimity occasioned by these endeavors among our western brethren, -enabled them to defeat two American armies. The war continued without our -brothers, the English, giving any assistance, excepting a little -ammunition; and they seeming to desire that a peace might be concluded, -we tried to bring it about at a time that the United States desired it -very much, so that they sent Commissioners from among their first people, -to endeavor to make peace with the hostile Indians. We assembled also for -that purpose at the Miami River in the Summer of 1793, intending to act -as mediators in bringing about an honorable peace; and if that could not -be obtained, we resolved to join with our western brethren in trying the -fortune of war. But to our surprise, when on the point of entering upon -a treaty with the Commissioners, we found that it was opposed by those -acting under the British government, and hopes of farther assistance were -given to our western brethren, to encourage them to insist on the Ohio as -a boundary between them and the United States." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In another portion of the same speech, Captain Brant stated that - General Haldimand exhorted them to the formation of that union with the - different nations.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Quoted from the manuscript copy of the speech, contained among the - Brant papers, in the hand-writing of the Chief himself.</p> - - -<p>The deputation from the Six Nations and the Seven Nations of Canada, (the -Caughnawagas,) having returned from the Miami, a council was convened at -the village of the Onondagas residing at Buffalo Creek, to hear their -report—intended not only for their own people, but for the information of -the British and American Superintendents, Colonel Butler and General -Chapin. The council-fire was kindled on the 8th of October. The procedure, -it will be seen, was characteristic and striking. The belts, pictures, and -emblems used by the several nations represented in the Grand Council at -the Miami Rapids, were forwarded to the Six Nations by the hands of their -deputies, and after the council had been regularly opened, these were -produced, and the speeches with which their delivery had been accompanied, -were repeated, in the form of a report, with incidental explanations. By -this process, though tedious, the proceedings of the Grand Congress were -probably reported to the Buffalo council, with as much accuracy as though -they had been written out in form by a committee of the more civilized -"Congress of the Thirteen Fires."</p> - -<p>All things being ready, the proceedings were commenced by Clear-Sky, a -chief of the Onondagas, who spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thank the Great Spirit for our happy meeting, that he has -preserved us through all difficulties, dangers, and sickness, and given us -an opportunity of meeting together at this place."</p> - -<p>The ceremony of condolence for the loss of friends since the last council, -having been regularly performed and reciprocated by all the tribes -present, and also by the Superintendents, the business of the council was -resumed by the Farmer's Brother, who delivered the speech of the -Shawanese, Delawares, and Twithuays, as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Colonel Butler and General Chapin, we wish you to attend the -Shawanese and other nations of Indians. We thank the Six Nations for their -attention. We were glad to see them at the Great Council-fire which had -been kindled some time at the Rapids of the Miami." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In order to understand the report, the reader must bear in mind that - the speech of each belt is delivered by the bearer of it, as though he - were in fact a delegate from the nation whose report he is making.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You are acquainted with the friendship that once subsisted -between you and our fathers, and the reason that the present fire is -kindled, is to renew that friendship.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We mentioned this to you last Fall at a council at the Glaize, -and we now repeat it to put you in mind of that friendship which once -subsisted between you and our wise forefathers."</p> - -<p>[A belt of white wampum was here presented, made in a circular form, -representing their place of meeting, as in the centre, and crossed by four -stripes of black wampum, representing all their confederates, East, West, -North, and South.]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The ancient confederacy which subsisted between us and the Five -Nations, [FN] was, that if any of the Five Nations were in distress, we -would take them to us; we now see that you are in distress; that you are -surrounded by water, and have not any land to stand upon; that a large -white beast stands with open mouth on the other side, ready to destroy -you. We have dry land for you to stand on; and we now take you by the -hand, and invite you to come, and bring your beds, and sit down with us."</p> -<p class="exit">[<i>Belt of seven rows of black and white wampum.</i>]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In answer to a question by the Seven Nations of Canada, how long - this confederacy had existed between the Shawanese, &c. the reply was, - "<i>three lives.</i>"</p> - - -<p>The warriors here joined with the Chiefs, and repeated the ancient -agreement, recommended a union of all the different nations, and asked -them to follow what was recommended by the chiefs. Puck-on-che-luh, head -warrior of the Delawares, [FN] then spoke:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] After the defeat of St. Clair, on which occasion the Delawares - fought bravely, the Mohawks, who had formerly declared the Delawares to - be women, or, in other words, degraded them from the rank of warriors, - reversed the sentence of disgrace, and wiped out the stigma, by formally - declaring the Delawares no longer women, but MEN.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I call you my uncles, and all the other Indians my -grand-children. Them I have already united and bound together, and I now -bind you all together with this string."</p> - <p class="exit">[<i>A large bunch of black wampum.</i>]</p> - -<p>The Sachems of the Delawares then spoke:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have heard the speech of the chief warriors. We join with -them, and are glad to hear they have bound all their grand-children -together, and that they have spoken with great respect to their uncles, -and recommended to them to be of one mind."</p> - <p class="exit">[<i>A large bunch of black wampum.</i>]</p> - -<p>The Wyandots then spoke:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You came to us one hundred and fifty years ago, when we lived -above Detroit, with a speech from the Six Nations, assembled at their -council-fire at Onondaga Hill, and recommended to us to be friends, and -advised us not to listen to any bad report, or any thing that would -disturb our minds.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Listen to a few words more we have to say to you. We hear the -Virginians are near us; we shall not go to meet them; but if they should -come among us, we do not know what will be the consequence."</p> - -<p>[The Wyandots spoke with a very large belt of wampum, with three pictures -upon it, one in the middle, and one at each end, representing the -Americans at one end, the Six Nations in the middle, and themselves at the -other end, and expressed their sorrow that the Americans were gone before -they had had an opportunity of speaking to them.]</p> - -<p>The Chippewas and twenty-six other nations, their confederates, then -spoke:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are sorry that the business for which the council-fire at -the Rapids of the Miami was kindled has not been completed as we could -wish. We were desired by the different nations which we represent, to -attend the council, and use our efforts to bring about a general peace, -and unite all nations."</p> - -<p>The Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottawattamies, deputies from twenty-seven -nations, inhabiting along the lakes, and above Michilimackinack, then -spoke:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are sorry that we have attended all Summer at the -council-fire, and have not done any business as we expected.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are now united with you, the Six Nations, and ask you to -return to your seats, and let the United States know our determination, -and return with an answer to us by the middle of winter, and not stop, as -some nations may confuse you and make your minds bad."</p> - -<p>To which the Six Nations replied:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We thank you, and as soon as we get to our seats we will -kindle our council-fire, and call Canadasago, an agent, appointed by the -United States to meet with us, and through him will have our determination -communicated to Congress."</p> - -<p>The Six Nations then, addressing General Chapin and Colonel Butler, -said:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have now made known to you our proceedings at the late -proposed treaty at the Rapids of the Miami, and have informed you of the -proposed line between the Indians and the United States, which if -accepted, we shall assist the white people to make peace."</p> - -<p>Captain Brant and the Mohawks were not present at the council on the 8th, -a circumstance regretted by the deputation in making their report. The -Farmer's Brother remarked that Captain Brant would be able to give fuller -explanations than they had done of the proceedings at Miami, and the -determination at which the nations there assembled had arrived. The Mohawk -having arrived on the 9th, the council-fire was again raked open, when -Captain Brant thus addressed Colonel Butler the British, and General -Chapin the American Superintendent:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You, the King, our father, and you, our brother, the United -States, attend to what we have to say. We will now explain to you the -material point upon which we have requested your attendance at this -council, and which has not been fully explained. We wish to act openly, -that the world may judge of our proceedings.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> It is unnecessary to repeat what passed at the great council at -the Miami Rapids, as we know that you are already acquainted therewith. -We shall therefore point out the cause of our parting from the meeting in -the manner we did.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> When the first deputation from the confederate Indians met the -Commissioners of the United States at Niagara, every thing seemed to -promise a friendly termination of the treaty; but before their return to -the council-fire at the Rapids of the Miami, messengers from the Creek -nation arrived there, and brought authentic information of the white -people having encroached upon that part of the confederacy.</p> - -<p>"This intelligence at once gave a change to the face of our proceedings, -and, probably, was the sole cause of the abrupt termination of the -negotiations for peace. Thus you see that claims upon our lands always -have been, and still continue to be, the cause of war.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> About five years ago we agreed upon a line of demarcation with -the United States, which you know to be the Muskingum; and, -notwithstanding the various accidents that have since occurred, we will -still adhere to that boundary.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We think the United States will agree to this line, which will -show the sincerity and justice they always profess for the Indians; should -they agree to this, we sincerely hope that peace will still take place, -and we think that the weight of our branch of the confederacy will be able -to accomplish peace upon the reasonable line we have just mentioned, and -we shall be exceeding sorry to find that this proposal should not be -generally accepted by the confederacy. If it is rejected, we must be -involved in difficulties in our own country.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We will now proceed to explain the line upon which we hope -peace will be made. We know that the lands along the Ohio are claimed by -the Indians, but we propose to give up such part of these lands as are -actually settled and improved, which settlements are to be circumscribed -by a line drawn around them, and no farther claims are to be admitted -beyond such line. The remainder of the boundary to be explained by General -Chapin, for which purpose it is the general wish of the Six Nations that -General Chapin, himself, will proceed with the speech to Congress."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>A belt of black and white wampum.</i>]</p> - -<p>Agreeably to this request, General Chapin proceeded to the seat of -government, to submit their speech to the President, and make the -necessary explanations. The Secretary of War replied on the 24th of -December, reiterating the desire of the United States to cultivate -relations of friendship with the Indians, evading a decision upon the -boundary recommended by Captain Brant, and proposing another Indian -Council in the spring, to be held at Venango. But in the event of the -Indians, hostile or otherwise, agreeing to meet in such council, they -were distinctly told that the army would not in the mean time be -restrained from hostile operations, as had been the case the preceding -season. Farther to secure the good-will of the Six Nations, however, a -supply of warm winter clothing was sent to them, with the letter from the -Secretary containing the President's decision, which was delivered, and -well received at a council holden at Buffalo Creek on the 7th of February, -1794. This council had been convened expressly to receive the answer to -the proposals of Captain Brant; and the same having been read, it was soon -perceived to be less acceptable to the Indians than they had anticipated. -Red Jacket, after a long pause, replied to General Chapin:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers</span> (of the United States:) We have heard the speech that has been -delivered to us with great attention, and shall now remove the -council-fire to our castle, to take it into private consideration."</p> - -<p>Two days afterward, the council was re-opened, when Red Jacket spoke:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We have taken your speech into consideration, and our eldest -brother, Captain Brant, is to relate the result of our meeting in private -council yesterday."</p> - -<p>Captain Brant then spoke as follows, with nine strings of white and black -wampum:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I now address to you, General Chapin of the United States, and -to you, Major Littlehales [FN] in behalf of the King, and thank the Great -Spirit for bringing us again together in council, as what we are a going -to relate we wish the world to know."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Private Secretary of Governor Simcoe attending the council in - his absence.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have both heard the message we delivered to our brothers of -the United States, last Fall, relative to a boundary line; and we expected -a positive answer from you, brothers of the United States, whether you -would accept of it or not.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> When we delivered the message to you last Fall for the United -States, we had first taken it into serious consideration; we spoke the -language of our hearts, and the Great Spirit knew our minds; all the Six -Nations were of tho same opinion, and we are well assured that, had the -United States accepted our proposed boundary line, peace would certainly -have taken place.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> The speech you have brought us, has given us great uneasiness; -we are greatly at a loss how to act; we expected a direct answer to our -proposals of a boundary line; now we are much distressed that you have -brought us but half an answer; the kindling a council-fire at a distant -place is what we are not prepared to give a reply to.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Provided the United States had accepted our proposed boundary -line, we should have sent immediately to our Western brethren, who know -our sentiments, and we should have attended your council and confirmed it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> Make your minds easy; but, in consequence of the importance of -your speech, we must have time to deliberate very seriously upon it; we -cannot give you an immediate answer; we must have a general council of all -the Chiefs; only a few are now present, and we should all be together. The -reason of so much counseling at different times has proceeded from so -small a number of our sachems and chiefs being assembled, and this has -been the principal cause of the present trouble.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You, General Chapin, live near us; we have two months and a -half to consider of your speech, and by that time we will give you a final -answer. We pray the Great Spirit that these difficulties may terminate to -the happiness of both parties.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You requested an answer as soon as was convenient, but in such -very weighty business, it is impossible to give one immediately. With -regard to provision, there is plenty in your country; and if we should -agree to meet you, you need not be particular about what we shall consume, -for we shall not expect any thing but provision.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We now conclude, and we pray the Great Spirit to protect you -safe home, and we desire you will bear it continually on your minds, that -you will soon receive an answer."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>The nine strings of wampum, delivered to General Chapin.</i>]</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the postponement of a definitive answer, on the part of -the Indians, to the proposition for the assembling of another council at -Venango, it was the opinion of General Chapin, at the close of these -proceedings, that they would yet accede to it. Circumstances, however, -arose during the intervening period, which materially changed the aspect -of the border relations of the United States, and the tone and temper of -the Six Nations. The protracted and sanguinary wars between England and -the French Republic had then commenced, as also had the invasions of the -rights of neutrals by those powers, so frequent and so aggravated during -that furious contest. In order to cut off the supplies of bread stuffs -from France, Great Britain had resorted to the strong and questionable -measure of stopping all vessels loaded in whole or in part with corn, -flour, or meal, bound to any port in France, and sending them in to the -most convenient ports, where their cargoes were to be purchased for his -Majesty's service, at a fair value, after making a due allowance for -freight, &c. The British government labored to justify this measure by -citations from some modern writers upon national law, but it was -nevertheless esteemed a violation of neutral rights, and produced much -feeling among the American people, and strong remonstrances from the -government The assumption set up by Great Britain, of the right of -impressing seamen, British subjects, from neutral vessels, by the -exercise of which it was asserted that many American seamen had been -seized, and carried forcibly into foreign service, was now producing -farther and still greater irritation. Added to all which were the -incendiary machinations of Citizen Genet to undermine the administration -of Washington, alienate from his government the affections of the people, -and involve the United States in a war with Great Britain. Party spirit -was already running high, and from the blind zeal with which the -anti-federalists had espoused the cause of revolutionary France, as -against England, very serious apprehensions wore entertained that another -war between the latter power and the United States would be the result.</p> - -<p>One of the consequences of the apparent probability of such an event, was -a manifest change of temper on the part of the British officers in the -Canadas, and at the posts yet in British occupancy along the north-western -frontier of the United States. That during the whole controversy between -the Indians and the United States, from 1786 to the defeat of St. Clair, -the former had been countenanced and encouraged by English agents, and -repeatedly incited to actual hostilities by the traders, there was no -doubt. Latterly, however, a better state of feeling had been manifested. -Lord Dorchester, previous to a visit to England at the close of the year -1791, had sent a speech to the Indians, of a complexion rather pacific; -and it has been seen, that in the Summer of the preceding year, (1793,) -Governor Simcoe had displayed a better feeling than had previously been -evinced by the officers of that nation, since the close of the -Revolutionary contest. But the difficulties between the two nations, -already referred to, now daily becoming more serious, and threatening, at -no distant day, a resort to the <i>ultima ratio regum,</i> had wrought a -decided change in the views of the Canadian authorities respecting an -Indian pacification. In the event of a war, the Indians would again be -found valuable auxiliaries to the arms of his Majesty, for the annoyance -they would inflict upon the United States, if not by reason of any -important victories they might gain. Hence, instead of promoting a -pacification, the efforts of the Canadian government were obviously -exerted to prevent it. <i>Meshecunnaqua,</i> or the <i>Little Turtle,</i> had made a -visit to the province of Lower Canada, after the victory over St. Clair, -for the purpose of engaging all the Indian forces he could, in that -quarter, in the farther prosecution of the war. Lord Dorchester had now -returned from England, and was waited upon by the Indians of the Seven -Nations of Canada, as a deputation from all the Indians at the Grand Miami -council of the preceding Autumn. Their object was to ask advice, or -procure countenance or assistance, in regard to the boundary for which -they had been so long contending. His Lordship answered the deputation on -the 10th of February, in language, respecting the United States, far from -conciliatory or pacific. After referring to the proceedings of a council -with the Indians, held at Quebec, previous to his departure for Europe, -two years before, and the expression in his speech on that occasion, of a -hope that he should hear in England of a satisfactory adjustment of their -difficulties with the United States, his Lordship proceeded:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> I was in expectation of hearing from the people of the United -States what was required by them; I hoped that I should have been able to -bring you together, and make you friends.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> I have waited long, and listened with great attention, but I -have not heard one word from them.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> I flattered myself with the hope that the line proposed in the -year eighty-three, to separate us from the United States, <i>which was -immediately broken by themselves as soon as the peace was signed,</i> would -have been mended, or a new one drawn, in an amicable manner. Here, also, -I have been disappointed.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> Since my return, I find no appearance of a line remains; and -from the maimer in which the people of the United States rush on, and act, -and talk, on this side; and from what I learn of their conduct toward the -sea, I shall not be surprised if we are at war with them in the course of -the present year; and if so, a line must then be drawn by the warriors.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> You talk of selling your lands to the State of New-York. [FN] -I have told you that there is no line between them and us. I shall -acknowledge no lands to be theirs which have been encroached on by them -since the year 1783. They then broke the peace, and as they kept it not -on their part, it doth not bind on ours."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Caughnawaga Indians, residing near Montreal, were about this - time in treaty with Governor George Clinton for the sale of some of their - lands lying within the boundaries of the state of New-York. The late - Egbert Benson was a Commissioner on the part of the State.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> They then destroyed their right of preemption. Therefore all -their approaches toward us since that time, and all the purchases made by -them, I consider as an infringement on the King's rights. And when a line -is drawn between us, be it in peace or war, they must lose all their -improvements and houses on our side of it. Those people must all be gone -who do not obtain leave to become the King's subjects. What belongs to the -Indians will, of course, be secured and confirmed to them.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> What farther can I say to you? You are witnesses that on our -parts we have acted in the most peaceable manner, and borne the language -and conduct of the people of the United Stales with patience. But I -believe our patience is almost exhausted." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The authenticity of this speech of Lord Dorchester is denied by - Chief Justice Marshall, and Mr. Sparks, in his Life and Correspondence of - Washington, notes that denial without dissent. Hence it hat been received - as spurious, and Lord Dorchester, with his Government, has escaped the - responsibility of having uttered such an unwarrantable document. The - first copy was forwarded to President Washington by Governor Clinton, who - did not doubt its genuineness. Neither did the President; since, in his - letter to Governor Clinton acknowledging its receipt, he scales his - reasons at large for dissenting from the opinions of those who were - proclaiming it to be spurious. On the contrary, he declared that he - entertained "not a doubt of its authenticity." Equally strong was he in - the opinion, that in making such a speech Lord Dorchester had spoken the - sentiments of the British Cabinet, according to his instructions. [<i>See - Letter of President Washington to Governor Clinton, March</i> 31, 1794.] On - the 20th of May the attention of the British Minister, Mr. Hammond, was - called to the subject by the Secretary of State, Edmund Randolph, who - remonstrated strongly, not only against the speech, but against the - conduct of Governor Simcoe, who was then engaged in measures of a hostile - character. Mr. Hammond replied on the 22d of May rather tartly; and, what - renders the denial of the speech by Marshall and Sparks the more - singular, is the fact that the British Minister said in that letter,—"I - am willing to admit the authenticity of the speech." [<i>See T. B. Wait & - Sons' Edition of American State Papers,</i> Vol. I. pages 449—453.] But if - doubt has existed before, as to the genuine character of that document, - it shall no longer exist. I have myself transcribed the preceding - extracts from a certified manuscript copy, discovered among the papers of - Joseph Brant in my possession.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>There could be no doubt as to the effect of such an address upon the -warlike tribes of the upper lakes, chafed, as they were, by what they -really believed to be wrongs, and by the presence of a hostile army in the -heart of their own country—buoyed up in their spirits, moreover, by the -complete success which had crowned their arms in the two preceding -campaigns. But the Governor General did not here cease his exertions to -keep the Indians, the Six Nations not excepted, on the <i>qui vive</i> of the -war feeling. Soon after the close of the council at Buffalo in the same -month, his Lordship transmitted an inflammatory speech to those tribes, -which was interpreted to them by Colonel Butler, and produced an obvious -and decided change in their feelings toward the United States. Large -presents were likewise sent up from Quebec, and distributed among them, -and the British officers in the Indian Department took pains, on all -occasions, to represent to them that a war between the two nations was -inevitable. [FN] Such was doubtless their opinion, for with the arrival of -Lord Dorchester's speech, early in April, Governor Simcoe repaired -overland to Detroit, and with a strong detachment of troops proceeded to -the foot of the Miami Rapids, and commenced the erection of a fortress at -that place. This movement caused fresh irritation among the American -people, since the retention of the old posts had been a continual source -of dissatisfaction, although the non-fulfillment of a portion of the -treaty of peace by the United States still furnished the pretext for such -occupancy. But the movement of Governor Simcoe into the Miami country, and -the erection of a fortress there—the territory being clearly within the -boundaries of the United States—awakened yet stronger feelings of -indignation in the bosom of the President. Mr. Jay was at that time the -American minister near the Court of St. James, and the President gave vent -to his feelings in a private letter to that functionary, in the most -decided terms of reprobation. "Can that government," asked the President -in the letter to Mr. Jay, "or will it attempt, after this official act of -one of their Governors, to hold out ideas of friendly intentions toward -the United States, and suffer such conduct to pass with impunity? This may -be considered as the most open and daring act of the British agents in -America, though it is not the most hostile or cruel; for there does not -remain a doubt in the mind of any well-informed person in this country, -not shut against conviction, that all the difficulties we encounter with -the Indians—their hostilities, the murders of helpless women and innocent -children along our frontiers—result from the conduct of the agents of -Great Britain in this country. In vain is it, then, for its administration -in Britain to disavow having given orders which will warrant such conduct, -whilst their agents go unpunished; whilst we have a thousand corroborating -circumstances, and indeed almost as many evidences, some of which cannot -be brought forward, to know that they are seducing from our alliance, and -endeavoring to remove over the line, tribes that have hitherto been kept -in peace and friendship with us at a heavy expense, and who have no causes -of complaint, except pretended ones of their creating; whilst they keep in -a state of irritation the tribes who are hostile to us, and are -instigating those who know little of us or we of them, to unite in the -war against us; and whilst it is an undeniable fact that they are -furnishing the whole with arms, ammunition, clothing, and even provisions, -to carry on the war; I might go farther, and if they are not much belied, -add men also in disguise."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter from General Israel Chapin to the Secretary of War, April 29, - 1794. <i>See Indian State Papers</i>—p. 480.</p> - - -<p>It was under these altered circumstances that General Chapin met the Six -Nations again in council on the 21st of April, to receive their reply to -the communication from the Secretary of War, General Knox, proposing the -holding of another treaty at Venango, as heretofore mentioned. The -proceedings were opened by the Onondaga chief, Clear Sky, who addressed -the Superintendents as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Chapin:</span> We are happy to see that you are arrived safe at our -council-fire, and that you have been preserved by the Great Spirit in good -health.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Butler:</span> We are also very happy to see you at our council-fire, -as representing the King."</p> - -<p>Captain Brant thereupon rose, and addressed the two Superintendents as -follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You of the United States listen to what we are going to say to -you; you, likewise, the King.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are very happy to see you, Colonel Butler and General -Chapin, sitting side by side, with the intent of hearing what we have to -say. We wish to do no business but what is open and above-board."</p> - -<p>Then addressing himself exclusively to General Chapin, he proceeded:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You, of the United States, make your mind easy, on account of -the long time your President's speech has been under our consideration; -when we received it, we told you it was a business of importance, and -required time to be considered of.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The answer you have brought us is not according to what we -expected, which was the reason of our long delay; the business would have -been done with expedition, had the United States agreed to our proposal. -We would then have collected our associates, and repaired to Venango, the -place you proposed for meeting us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> It is not now in our power to accept your invitation; provided -we were to go, you would conduct the business as you might think proper; -this has been the case at all the treaties held, from time to time, by -your Commissioners.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> At the first treaty after the conclusion of the war between you -and Great Britain, at Fort Stanwix, your Commissioners conducted the -business as it to them seemed best; they pointed out a line of division, -and then confirmed it; after this they held out that our country was ceded -to them by the King; this confused the Chiefs who attended there, and -prevented them from making any reply to the contrary; still holding out, -if we did not consent to it, that their warriors were at their back, and -that we could get no farther protection from Great Britain. This has ever -been held out to us by the Commissioners from Congress; at all the -treaties held with us since the peace, at Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, at Rocky River, -and every other meeting held, the idea was still the same.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> This has been the case from time to time. Peace has not taken -place, because you have held up these ideas, owing to which much mischief -has been done to the southward.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We, the Six Nations, have been exerting ourselves to keep peace -since the conclusion of the war; we think it would be best for both -parties; we advised the confederate nations to request a meeting, about -half way between us and the United States, in order that such steps might -be taken as would bring about a peace; this request was there proposed by -us, and refused by Governor St. Clair, one of your Commissioners. The -Wyandots, a few Delawares, and some others, met the Commissioners, though -not authorized, and confirmed the lines of what was not their property, -but common to all nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> This idea we all entertained at our council at Lower Sandusky, -held for the purpose of forming our confederacy, and to adopt measures -that would be for the general welfare of our Indian nations, or people of -our color; owing to these steps taken by us, the United States held out, -that when we went to the westward to transact our private business, that -we went with the intention of taking an active part in the troubles -subsisting between them and our western brethren; this never has been the -case. We have ever wished for the friendship of the United States.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We think you must be folly convinced, from our perseverance last -summer, as your Commissioners saw, that we were anxious for a peace -between you. The exertions that we, the Six Nations, have made toward the -accomplishing this desirable end, is the cause of the western nations -being somewhat dubious as to our sincerity. After we knew their doubts, -we still persevered; and, last Fall, we pointed out methods to be taken, -and sent them, by you to Congress; this we certainly expected would have -proved satisfactory to the United States; in that case we should have more -than ever exerted ourselves, in order that the offers we made should be -confirmed by our confederacy, and by them strictly to be adhered to.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> Our proposals have not met with the success from Congress that -we expected; this still leaves us in a similar situation to what we were -in when we first entered on the business.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You must recollect the number of chiefs who have, at divers -times, waited on Congress; they have pointed out the means to be taken, -and held out the same language, uniformly, at one time as another; that -was, if you would withdraw your claim to the boundary line and lands -within the line, as offered by us; had this been done, peace would have -taken place, and, unless this still be done, we see no other method of -accomplishing it.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We have borne every thing patiently for this long time past; we -have done every thing we could consistently do with the welfare of our -nations in general, notwithstanding the many advantages that have been -taken of us by individuals making purchases of us, the Six Nations, whose -fraudulent conduct towards us Congress never has taken notice of, nor in -any wise seen us rectified, nor made our minds easy. This is the case to -the present day; our patience is now entirely worn out; you see the -difficulties we labor under, so that we cannot, at present, rise from our -seats and attend your council at Venango agreeable to your invitation. The -boundary line we pointed out we think is a just one, although the United -States claim lands west of that line; the trifle that has been paid by the -United States can be no object in comparison to what a peace would be.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We are of the same opinion with the people of the United States; -you consider yourselves as independent people; we, as the original -inhabitants of this country and sovereigns of the soil, look upon -ourselves as equally independent, and free as any other nations. This -country was given to us by the Great Spirit above; we wish to enjoy it, -and have our passage along the lake within the line we have pointed out.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The great exertions we have made, for this number of years, to -accomplish a peace, have not been able to obtain it; our patience, as we -have already observed, is exhausted, and we are discouraged from -persevering any longer. We therefore throw ourselves under the protection -of the Great Spirit above, who, we hope, will order all things for the -best. We have told you our patience is worn out; but not so far but that -we wish for peace, and, whenever we hear that pleasing sound, we shall pay -attention to it."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>The belt and speech sent by General Knox were then returned to General Chapin.</i>]</p> - -<p>Thus was extinguished the hope of a council of pacification at Venango; -and not only that, but the altered temper of the Six Nations seemed to -threaten an augmentation of the hostile Indian power at the west, by the -desertion to their cause of the whole of the Iroquois Confederacy, under -a leader whose prowess and wisdom had both often been tested. In the mean -time all the accounts from the west concurred in the fact, that the -distant tribes were gathering for a renewal of the conflict—encouraged as -they were by promises of strong assistance from the English. The traders -and the "mixed multitude" constituting the refugees and parti-colored -inhabitants of Detroit, were doubtless active in promoting these -hostilities, and very probably made promises to the credulous Chiefs as -coming from Governor Simcoe, of which he himself was ignorant. Two -Pottawattamies were taken prisoners on the 5th of June by the troops of -General Wayne, who made a variety of disclosures upon this subject. They -represented, and intelligence to that effect was dispatched to the -interior tribes by their Chiefs, that Governor Simcoe was to march to -their assistance with fifteen hundred men. He was giving them clothing and -all necessary supplies, and "all the speeches received from him were red -as blood. All the wampum and feathers were painted red; the war-pipes and -hatchets were red; and even the tobacco was painted red." Several -Shawanese prisoners, however, were soon afterward captured, who were less -confident of English assistance. They said "they could not depend upon the -British for effectual support; that they were always setting the Indians -on like dogs after game, pressing them to go to war and kill the -Americans, but did not help them."</p> - -<p>Another influence was brought to bear upon the Indians of the west at this -conjuncture, from a most unexpected quarter. It was the arrival at the -Miamis Rapids, early in May, of a messenger from the Spanish settlements -on the Mississippi, charged with a spirited war-speech to the confederacy. -This messenger was conducted to the Miamis by a deputation from the -Delawares, who had emigrated beyond the Mississippi four years previous. -He admonished the confederates of the gathering of the "Big-Knives," -meaning the troops of the United States, and offered assistance from the -Spanish and French settlements in the south-west, who, he said, were -preparing to come to their help.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children!</span>" said the Spaniard, "you see me on my feet, grasping the -tomahawk to strike them. We will strike together. I do not desire you to -go before me, in the front, but to follow me.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> I present you with a war-pipe, which has been sent in all our -names to the Musquakies, and all those nations who live towards the -setting sun, to get upon their feet and take hold of our tomahawk; and as -soon as they smoked it, they sent it back with a promise to get -immediately on their feet, and join us, and strike this enemy.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> You hear what these distant nations have said to us, so that we -have nothing farther to do but put our designs into immediate execution, -and to forward this pipe to the three warlike nations who have so long -been struggling for their country, and who now sit at the Glaize. Tell -them to smoke this pipe, and forward it to all the lake Indians and then -northern brethren. Then nothing will be wanting to complete our general -union from the rising to the setting of the sun, and all nations will be -ready to add strength to the blow we are going to make." [FN]</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>Delivered a war-pipe.</i>]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. among the Brant papen.</p> - - -<p>The Spaniard farther assured them that the Creeks, Cherokees, Choctaws and -Chickasaws, had also charged him with a message, assuring them that their -hearts were with the Confederacy, and that eleven nations of the southern -Indians were then on their feet, with the hatchet in their hand, ready to -strike their common enemy.</p> - -<p>The Chiefs to whom these messages from the west and south were delivered -at the Rapids, immediately convened a council, composed of the Wyandots, -Ottawas, Chippewas, Mingoes, Munseys, and Nantikokes, before whom the -intelligence was repeated. They were then addressed as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> You have now heard the speeches brought to our council at the -Glaize a few days ago from the Spaniards; and as soon as they heard them, -and smoked the pipe, their hearts were glad, and they determined to step -forward and put into execution the advice sent to them. They desire you to -forward the pipe, as has been recommended, to all our northern brethren; -not doubting but as soon as you have smoked it, you will follow their -example, and they will hourly expect you to join them, as it will not be -many days before the nearness of our enemies will give us an opportunity -of striking them."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>Delivered the pipe.</i>]</p> - -<p><i>Egouchouoy</i> answered for all the nations present:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> I am happy at the good news you have told us, and we will -immediately go and collect all our people, and be with you as soon as -possible." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The reader must bear in mind that these speeches and proceedings of - the Indian Councils, exclusively such, were written down by the British - agents and officers among the Indians, who attended to assist them. The - author finds many of them among the papers of Captain Brant—some from - the Upper Lake tribes in French. The account of this Spanish writer, his - message, and the consequent address to the Lake tribes, the author has - found among these papers, signed by Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee as <i>Deputy Agent of - Indian Affairs,</i> and the copy certified by Thomas Talbot. Several - paragraphs of both addresses have been omitted, as not material to the - history. See Appendix, No. IX.</p> - - -<p>There is mystery attached to this mission of the Spaniard, concerning -which no farther information has been obtained. The Indians of the -Confederacy were greatly encouraged by the assurances of assistance, and -it will soon appear that some tribes came to their help from a very great -distance. The employment of a Spanish Envoy, however, was a remarkable -circumstance, and serves to strengthen the suspicions entertained by -Washington two years before, that, even at that early day, the possessors -of the estuary of the Mississippi, and of the vast Spanish territories -above, had already become alarmed lest what has happened respecting that -territory, would happen, unless the power of the United States should be -crippled. But the promised Spanish and French assistance from that -direction did not arrive, nor were the Confederates aided in their -subsequent operations by the Creeks, Cherokees, and Chickasaws, as -promised.</p> - -<p>The United States were not inactive during these hostile movements and -preparations among the Indians. General Wayne, or <i>Sukach-gook</i> as he was -called by the Indians, [FN] was making the most vigorous preparations for -opening the campaign with decision. Among other measures, it was -determined, while he was approaching the Miami towns with a force -sufficient, as it was hoped, to end the war at a blow, to occupy a station -at Presque Isle, and fortify it. This movement not only gave great -uneasiness to the confederates, but, in connexion with another, of a -different description, adopted by the State of Pennsylvania, had well-nigh -driven the whole of the more ancient alliance of the Six Nations at once -into hostilities against the United States under their old leader -Thayendanegea. Pennsylvania, it seems, claimed a district of country on -the south shore of Lake Erie, including Presque Isle, under color of a -purchase from the Corn-planter—which purchase the Six Nations, to whom -the territory in question had belonged, held to be invalid. Regardless of -the objections and remonstrances of the Indians, thus claiming -proprietorship, the Corn-planter having, as they contended, sold it -without authority, Pennsylvania was now planting settlers upon this -territory and erecting an establishment at Presque Isle; at which -aggression, as they esteemed it, Captain Brant and his nations were -greatly incensed. A council was thereupon held, to take that and other -subjects into consideration, at Buffalo, the sittings of which were -commenced on the 24th of June. General Chapin was in attendance, at the -urgent solicitation of the Indians, and Captain O'Bail (the Corn-planter) -was the speaker. He complained first of the absence of several of their -warriors, who were believed to have been killed by the Americans. One of -their chiefs, Big Tree, he said, had some months before gone to the camp -of the Americans in the most friendly manner, and had been put to death; -while another of their warriors had been killed at Venango "while sitting -easy and peaceable on his seat." He next entered upon the subject of the -Pennsylvania encroachments, of which he complained bitterly, insisting -that the sale alleged to have been made by himself was not in any manner -obligatory upon the Indians. The erection of the fort at Presque Isle was -likewise a theme of complaint. The determination of the council was to -send a delegation of their Chiefs into the disputed territory, to request -a removal of the intruders; and General Chapin was solicited to accompany -the deputation. He did so, but the mission was executed to no good -purpose.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Sukach-gook is the Delaware name for black snake, which they called - General Wayne by, saying that he possessed all the art and cunning of - that reptile; which was known to be the greatest destroyer of the small - birds and animals of the snake tribe.—<i>Heckewelder.</i></p> - - -<p>On the return of the delegation to Buffalo Creek, another council was held -to receive the report. This convention was on the 4th of July. The report, -being unfavorable, of course gave no satisfaction, and the Indians -immediately manifested a still greater degree of alienation from the -United States. The general boundary question was revived during the -discussions, and an address from the council to the President, spoken by -O'Bail, was written down, and transmitted by General Chapin. In this -address the Indians re-asserted their determination to insist upon the -Ohio and Muskingum boundary. The following is an extract:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Washington,</span> attend! What gives us room for the making of so many -speeches, is, because you relate all the former deceptions that have been -used.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Washington:</span> I depend upon you to gratify our request, and that -will make my mind easy. Sometimes I hear that I am going to flee from my -seat, for the injuries I have done. These reflections make me so unhappy, -that I am almost tempted to die with the Six Nations.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We are determined now, as we were before, that the line shall -remain. We have fully considered on the boundary we have marked out. We -know all that we have received from time to time, and we think if you -establish this line, it will make us about even.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> If you do not comply with our request, we shall determine on -something else, as we are a free people.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We are determined to be a free people. You know, General -Washington, that we, the Six Nations, have always been able to defend -ourselves, and we are still determined to maintain our freedom.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You must not suspect that any other nation corrupts our minds. -The only thing that can corrupt our minds, is not to grant our request.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> If this favor is not granted, I wish that my son may be sent -back with the answer, and tell me which side he means to join. If he -wishes to join that side, he is at liberty."</p> - -<p>Although the name of Brant does not often occur in the proceedings of the -councils touching the movement of Pennsylvania upon Sandusky, yet he was -by no means a passive spectator of passing events. There were no hours of -idleness in his life, and when not engaged in the field, or in attendance -upon councils, or upon foreign missions, his mind was occupied in the work -of improving the minds and morals, and adding to the comforts, of his own -people. In the Spring of the present year he was engaged in the erection -of a council-house for his nation at Grand River. But the Sandusky affair -called him again to the field; and while others were deliberating in -council, and attempting to negotiate, the Chief was preparing to contest -the disputed title by arms—directly aided, as will be seen from the -following letter, by the Executive of Upper Canada:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Colonel Smith—('for Governor Simcoe.'</span> [FN])"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] So filed in Brant's own hand, on the copy preserved among his - papers.</p> - - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River,</i> 19<i>th July,</i> 1794.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir:</span> I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 16th instant, -enclosing the extracts his Excellency has been pleased to favor me with, -for which I have to request you would have the goodness to thank his -Excellency for me.</p> - -<p>"I am much concerned to find that the Lake Indians think their belts -completed. [FN-1] I foresaw the event, [FN-2] for which reason it has ever -been my opinion that they should avoid coming to any considerable -engagement, because it is a custom among the Indians, that after having -struck a good blow, and having taken prisoners and scalps, they return -home. Nevertheless I hope they will not go."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Captain Brant had just received a letter from Detroit, dated on - the 5th of July, one paragraph of which explains the signification of - this expression: "The Mackinaw and Lake Indians, having <i>completed the - belts</i> they carried, with scalps and prisoners, seem resolved on going - home again. The return of these people will considerably weaken the - defence expected from the collected sections of two thousand Indians."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Referring, doubtless, to an engagement between Little Turtle and - Major M<sup>c</sup>Mahon, which will be more particularly noted a page or two - onward.</p> - - -<p>"In regard to the Presque Isle business, should we not get an answer at -the time limited, it is our business to push those fellows hard, and -therefore it is my intention to form my camp at Pointe Appineau; and I -would esteem it a favor if his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor would -lend me four or five batteaux. Should it so turn out, and should those -fellows not go off, and O'Bail continue in the same opinion, an expedition -against those Yankees must of consequence take place.</p> - -<p>"His Excellency has been so good as to furnish us with a cwt. of powder, -and ball in proportion, which is now at Fort Erie; but in the event of an -attack upon Le Bœuf people, I could wish, if consistent, that his -Excellency would order a like quantity in addition to be at Fort Erie, in -order to be in readiness: likewise I would hope for a little assistance -in provisions.</p> - -<p>"I would request that his Excellency would favor me with an answer by the -bearer, Seth. I would also trouble his Excellency in regard to those -people who went with him to Detroit. They were promised to be handsomely -rewarded, which as yet has not been done; and as they now expect to go -upon service, they are rather impatient; and if it was convenient that -they could be satisfied, either by borrowing goods, or otherwise, as his -Excellency would think fit, I would be extremely happy.</p> - -<p>"I understand some new regiments are raising, or to be raised. In that -case I would consider myself much favored should some of my relations, -young men, have an equal chance of being provided for.</p> - -<p>"A few days ago I sent seven men to Cadaragara, to remind O'Bail that he -should watch any movement of those people [FN] very narrowly; and that he -should be ready to march immediately after the expiration of the time, -should they, not then evacuate that place."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The settlers at Presque Isle.</p> - - -<p>The insertion of this letter at length is deemed important, showing, as it -does, and that, too, beyond the power of contradiction, that the Indians -were supplied purposely, with their munitions of war, by the officers of -the British crown. The fact was denied by Great Britain, or at least it -was argued, that if the Indians drew their supplies from the Canadians, -they were furnished by individuals, as such, over whose actions in the -premises the government had no control. Independently of these -circumstances, moreover, the detention of the boats, and the erection by -Governor Sinclair of a new fortification, heretofore spoken of, on the -Miamis of the Lakes, fifty miles South of Detroit, afforded strong -evidence of a design on the part of Great Britain, to avail herself of the -non-execution of that article in the treaty of peace stipulating for the -payment of debts, for the purpose of establishing a new boundary line, by -which the great lakes should be entirely comprehended in Upper Canada. An -animated correspondence took place on the whole subject, between the -American Secretary of State and Mr. Hammond, the diplomatic representative -of Great Britain, in which a considerable degree of mutual irritation was -displayed, and in which each supported the charges against the nation of -the other much better than he defended his own. [FN] Had the Secretary of -State been in possession of the preceding letter from the Mohawk Chief, he -would not have argued upon uncertainties—at least so far as a supply of -powder and ball to the Indians by the Governor of Upper Canada would have -sustained his case. In any event, the charge is now brought home with -sufficient distinctness to put the question at rest. Captain Brant, -however, found no occasion for a farther requisition upon his Excellency -for ammunition at that time. The interposition of the President deterred -Pennsylvania from the farther prosecution of her designs upon Presque -Isle, and the projected expedition of the Six Nations was accordingly -relinquished.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall.</p> - - -<p>The desultory contest with the Indians, so long protracted, and at times -so bloody, was now approaching its termination. On the 30th of June a -sharp action took place under the walls of Fort Recovery—a fortress which -had been thrown up by General Wayne on the battle-ground of St. Clair's -defeat. The primary object of the Indians, who were the assailants, was -the capture of a large number of pack-horses, recently arrived at that -fort with provisions, which were returning to Fort Grenville, guarded by -a company of cavalry under Captain Gibson, and a detachment of ninety -riflemen, the whole under the command of Major M<sup>c</sup>Mahon. Taken by surprise, -and finding the Indians in great force, the Americans sought speedy refuge -within the walls of the fort. The Indians were led by the distinguished -Miami Chief, Little Turtle. Pressing close upon the garrison, with an -evident design to carry it, the moment M<sup>c</sup>Mahon's troops had regained the -fortress a fire was opened upon the assailants, which drove them back with -great slaughter. They rallied again, however, and maintained the -engagement through the day, but keeping at a more respectful distance. The -night, which was thick and foggy, was employed by them in removing their -dead by torch-light. On the next day the assault was renewed; but the -Indians were ultimately compelled to retreat, with loss and -disappointment, from the field of their former triumph. Both in advance -and retreat, in this expedition, the Indians marched with perfect order. -Their encampments were square and regular, and they moved upon the fort -in seventeen columns, at wide distances apart. Many white men were in -their ranks, supposed to be the inhabitants and militia of Detroit. -Officers in British uniform were likewise so near the scene of action as -to be distinctly discerned. Several valuable officers of Major M<sup>c</sup>Mahon's -corps fell at the first onset, among whom was the gallant Major himself. -The total loss of the Americans was twenty-two killed and thirty wounded. -The Indians suffered very severely. In their retreat it was ascertained -that a large number of pack-horses were literally loaded with their slain. -Such, at least, were the facts in regard to this affair, as derived from -the most ample and apparently authentic accounts of the Americans. Nor did -the Indian accounts differ from the American as widely as is often the -case between opposite statements of antagonist parties. As an evidence of -which, and to show how accurately and promptly Captain Brant was advised -of the progress and events of the war, the following extract is given from -his correspondence:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Extract from a Letter to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Detroit, July</i> 5, 1794.</p> - -<p>"An attack was made on the 30th of June by the Indians, on three hundred -pack-horses returning to Fort Grenville, from whence they came the day -before with provisions. All of these, with the pack-horsemen, were either -taken or killed close by Fort Recovery, together with thirty bullocks. -Captain Gibson, the officer commanding, on perceiving the attack made on -his horses, ordered a troop of dragoons, or light-horse, to charge the -Indians, and at the same time he drew up his garrison in front of the -fort, as if with a design to sustain his cavalry. But they were all beaten -back in a few minutes, and pursued to the gate of the fort, with the loss -of about fifty men and upward of twenty-five horses. The loss of the -Indians commenced from this period; for they kept up a useless attack upon -the fort, while the troops within were firing at them through loop-holes. -Seventeen were killed, and as many wounded.</p> - -<p>"The <i>Mountain Leader</i> was killed two days before the action, by a -scouting party of the Hurons. He was the chief of the Chickasaws. Wells, -(a scout from Wayne's army,) was killed in the engagement; and May is -reported to be so by one of three prisoners who were taken, together with -two more Chickasaws. Captain Gibson and two other officers are also among -the killed.</p> - -<p>"My information states that these prisoners report there are sixty -Chickasaws with their army, twenty of whom are at Fort Recovery and forty -at Fort Grenville. They also say that the horses which are now taken and -killed, were the only means General Wayne had of transporting -provisions—that he was to commence his campaign about the middle of next -month—waiting for an augmentation of his force of three thousand militia -from Kentucky—and that he is to build a fort at the Glaize, and proceed -from thence to Detroit.</p> - -<p>"The Chiefs of several nations are now in council at the Glaize, adopting -measures to re-unite their force if possible."</p> - -<p>Taught by the unfortunate experience of Harmar and St. Clair, General Wayne -moved not but with the utmost caution, and all the preparation which a -prudent forecast required. He had not therefore advanced beyond Fort -Recovery until sufficient strength had been concentrated, and such other -dispositions made as would enable him not only to strike a decisive blow, -but retain possession of the country he might conquer. The delays incident -to these preparations carried the active prosecution of the campaign into -midsummer. The richest and most extensive towns of the hostile Indians -lay about the confluence of the Au Glaize and the Miamis of the Lakes. At -this place General Wayne arrived on the 8th of August, where some works of -defence were thrown up for the protection of the magazines. It was thirty -miles thence to the Rapids, where, as has been already seen, Governor -Simcoe had recently erected a strong fortress, fifty miles within the -stipulated and understood boundary, as between the British possessions and -those of the United States. At this latter place, in the immediate -neighborhood of the fort, the Indian forces were collected to the number -of nearly two thousand. The Continental legion under General Wayne was of -about equal strength, exclusive of eleven hundred mounted Kentuckians -under General Scott. Here the <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Black Snake</span> had intended to surprise the -neighboring villages of the enemy; and the more effectually to ensure the -success of his <i>coup de main,</i> he had not only advanced thus far by an -obscure and very difficult route, but taken pains to clear out two roads -from Greenville in that direction, in order to attract and divert the -attention of the Indians while he marched upon neither. But his -generalship proved of no avail. The Little Turtle was too wary a leader to -be taken by surprise—to say nothing of the desertion of a villain named -Newman, an officer in the Quarter-master General's department, who gave -the Indians warning of Wayne's advance. Little Turtle thereupon retired to -the Rapids; and having been apprized by the deserter of the strength of -the Americans, determined to give battle, and made dispositions for that -object.</p> - -<p>Having learned on the 12th, from Indian prisoners who were brought in, the -position of the enemy, in close proximity to the British garrison at the -Rapids, and being yet desirous of bringing the Indians to terms, if -possible, without the farther effusion of blood, the American commander -despatched another messenger of peace. The name of the envoy selected for -the occasion was Miller—a man who had been so long a captive among the -Indians as to have acquired their language. He was exceedingly reluctant -to undertake the hazardous enterprise. But being strongly urged upon the -service, with an assurance from the General that eight of the Indian -warriors, who were prisoners, should be held as pledges of his safety, he -at last assented—taking two of the prisoners, a warrior and a squaw, -along with him. He was received in a very hostile mood, and his life -threatened. But addressing them in their own language, displaying a flag, -and explaining the object of his visit, the menacing blow was suspended, -and he was placed in confinement while the Chiefs deliberated in council -upon the letter from the General, of which he was the bearer. Assuring -them that every prisoner in the American camp would be put to death unless -he should be sent back in safety before the 16th, he was liberated on the -preceding day—with a message to Wayne, that if he waited where he was -ten days, they would then treat with him, but if he advanced at an earlier -day they would fight. Impatient of delay, however, Wayne had taken up his -line of march on the 15th—the day of Miller's release. The message which -he met did not check his advance, and the General arrived in the vicinity -of the Rapids on the 18th. The 19th was occupied in reconnoitering the -positions of the enemy, and throwing up a slight fortification for the -protection of the stores, which was appropriately named Fort Deposite.<p> - -<p>The enemy had taken post behind a thick wood, rendered almost inaccessible -by a dense growth of under-brush and fallen timber, marking the track of -a tornado, and almost under the guns of the fort that had been erected by -Simcoe. Their left was secured by the rocky bank of the river. The -Americans advanced for the attack early on the morning of the 20th. At -about ten o'clock, having proceeded nearly five miles, the advance guard, -commanded by Major Price, received so brisk a fire from the enemy, who -were secreted in the woods and the tall grass, as to compel it to fall -back. The ground was most happily chosen by the enemy for their mode of -warfare, so obstructed and difficult of access as to render it almost -impossible for the cavalry to act. Immediately on the attack upon the -corps of Major Price, the legion was formed in two lines and moved rapidly -forward. The thick forest and old broken wood already described, extended -to the left of the army several miles—the right resting on the river. The -Indians were formed in three lines within supporting distance of each -other, and extending for about two miles at right angles with the river. -The American commander soon discovered, from the weight of his fire, and -the extent of his lines, that it was the design of the enemy to turn his -left flank. The second line was thereupon ordered to advance in support -of the first, while, by a circuitous route, Scott was directed with his -Kentuckians to turn the enemy's right. In concert with this movement, the -front line ordered by General Wayne to charge with trailed arms, and -rouse the Indians from their covert at the point of the bayonet. Having -started them up, the Americans were directed to fire, and charge them so -closely as to allow no time for re-loading. The open ground by the river -permitted the movements of cavalry, with which the right flank of the -enemy was gained and turned. Indeed, such were the promptness of movement -on the part of the Americans, and the impetuosity of the charge of the -first line of infantry, that the Indians, together with the Detroit -militia and volunteers, were driven from all their coverts in so brief a -space of time that the mounted men, though making every possible exertion -to press forward, were many of them unable to gain their proper positions -to participate in the action. In the course of an hour, the enemy, -notwithstanding all the embarrassments of the ground already enumerated, -were driven more than two miles, by a force of less than half their -numbers actually engaged. The victory was complete and decisive, both -Indians and their allies, composed of the "mixed multitude" already more -than once referred to, abandoning themselves to flight in terror and -dismay,—leaving the field of battle in the quiet possession of the -Americans. The commanding General stated in his official report of the -action, that "it was terminated under the influence of the guns of the -British garrison,"—the pursuit having continued until they were within -reach of those guns. The loss of the Americans in killed and wounded, -including officers, was one hundred and seven. Among the slain was -Captain Campbell, commanding the cavalry, who fell in the first charge. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It was in this memorable action that Captain Solomon (now General - Van Rensselaer) of Albany, an officer of dragoons, received a wound in - the commencement of the battle, by being shot through the lungs. General - Wilkinson, who was also in the battle, states, in his Memoirs, that Van - Rensselaer kept his horse, and continued fighting until the blood spurted - from his month and nostrils. General Van Rensselaer was afterward - dreadfully wounded in half a dozen places, at the daring assault upon - Queenston Heights in 1812. He yet lives, and, after having served the - State of New-York several years as Adjutant General, and been repeatedly - elected to Congress, has for the last fifteen years held the office of - Post-master in Albany.</p> - - -<p>The loss of the Indians is not known. It must, however, have been very -severe. Seven Nations were engaged in the action, viz: the Miamis, -Wyandots, the Pottawattamies, Delawares, Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas, -and a portion of the Senecas. All the Chiefs of the Wyandots engaged in -the battle, being nine in number, were killed. [FN-1] Great slaughter was -made by the legionary cavalry in the pursuit, so many of the savages being -cut down with the sabre, that the title of "<i>Long Knives,</i>" years before -given to the Americans, was brought again into general use among the -Indians. [FN-2] It was believed by many that the Indians would not have -incurred this signal disaster had the advice of the <i>Little Turtle</i> been -heeded. He was opposed to the policy of a general engagement at that time, -and it has even been asserted that he was rather inclined to peace. During -the night preceding the engagement, the Chiefs of the several tribes were -in council, and a proposition was submitted to make a night attack upon -the Americans in their encampment. The proposal was overruled, and a -general engagement on the following morning was determined upon. <i>Little -Turtle</i> alone was opposed to the plan, while <i>Blue Jacket,</i> a Shawanese -warrior of high character and influence, strenuously supported the course -adopted by the council. Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee was in the council, and is believed -to have urged the Indians to fight. <i>Little Turtle</i> was inspired with a -presentiment that they could not successfully encounter the Black Snake. -"We have beaten the enemy," said the Turtle, "twice, under separate -commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune always to attend us. -The Americans are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The night and the -day are alike to him; and during all the time that he has been marching -upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our young men, we -have never been able to surprise him. Think well of it. There is something -whispers me it would be prudent to listen to his offers of peace." For -holding language like this, he was reproached by some of the Chiefs with -cowardice, and that ended the conference. Stung to the quick by an -imputation which he was conscious he had never merited, he would have laid -the reviler dead at his feet; but his was not the bravery of an assassin. -Suppressing his resentment, he took part in the battle, and performed his -duty with his wonted bravery. The event proved that he had not formed an -erroneous estimate of the character of Wayne; and that his rival, <i>Blue -Jacket,</i> though equally brave, was less of a prophet than himself. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Drake's Book of the Indians.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Thatcher's Lives of the Indian Chiefs.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Schoolcraft's Travels. Thatcher. Drake.</p> - - -<p>Excepting the militia and refugees gathered about Detroit, the British or -Canadian authorities took no part in the battle; but the direction in -which ran their sympathies could not be mistaken, from the tone of a -somewhat tart correspondence occurring after the battle, between General -Wayne and Major Campbell, commanding the British garrison. On the day -after the engagement, Major Campbell addressed a note to General Wayne, -expressing his surprise at the appearance of an American force at a point -almost within reach of his guns, and asking in what light he was to view -such near approaches to the garrison which he had the honor to command. -General Wayne, without questioning the propriety of the interrogatory, -replied, that even were the Major entitled to an answer, "the most full -and satisfactory one was announced the day before from the muzzles of his -small arms, in an action with a horde of savages in the vicinity of the -fort, and which terminated gloriously to the American arms." But, added -the General, "had it continued until the Indians were driven under the -influence of the fort and guns mentioned, they would not have much impeded -the progress of the victorious army under my command, as no such post was -established at the commencement of the present war between the Indians and -the United States." Major Campbell rejoined, complaining that men, with -arms in their hands, were approaching within pistol shot of his works, -where his Majesty's flag was flying, and threatened hostilities should -such insults to that flag be continued. Upon the receipt of this letter, -General Wayne caused the fort to be closely reconnoitered in every -direction. It was found to be a strong and regular work, with two bastions -upon the near and most accessible face of it, mounting eight pieces of -artillery upon that side and four upon the front facing the river. This -duty having been discharged, General Wayne addressed a letter to the -British commander, disclaiming, of course as Major Campbell had previously -done any desire to resort to harsh measures; but denouncing the erection -of that fortress as the harshest act of aggression toward the United -States, and requiring him to desist from any farther act of hostility, and -to retire with his troops to the nearest British post occupied by British -troops at the peace of 1783. To this requisition, Major Campbell answered -that he should not abandon the post at the summons of any power whatever, -unless in compliance with orders from those under whom he served. He -likewise again warned the American commander, not to approach within the -reach of his guns without expecting the consequences that would attend it.</p> - -<p>The only notice taken of this last letter was, by immediately setting fire -to, and destroying every thing within view of the fort, and even under the -muzzles of his Britannic Majesty's guns. But no attempt was made by Major -Campbell to carry his threat into execution. Among the property thus -destroyed were barns and fields of corn, above and below the fort, -together with "the barns, stores, and property of Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee, the -British Indian Agent and principal stimulator of the war between the -United States and the savages." [FN-1] The American army lay three days -before the fort, when it returned to the Grand Glaize, arriving at that -place on the 28th of August. A vast destruction of Indian property took -place during this expedition. The Miamis and Grand Glaize ran through the -heart of the country of the hostile Indians. "The very extensive and -highly cultivated fields and gardens showed the work of many hands. The -margins of those beautiful rivers the Miamis of the lakes, and the Au -Glaize," wrote General Wayne, "appeared like one continued village for -many miles; nor have I ever before beheld such immense fields of corn in -any part of America, from Canada to Florida." [FN-2] All were laid waste -for twenty miles on each side of the river, and forts erected to prevent -the return of the Indians.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter of General Wayne. State Papers, Vol. IV.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter of General Wayne to the Secretary of War.</p> - - -<p>There is reason to believe that the Indians were grievously disappointed -in the conduct of Major Campbell during the action. Among the papers of -Captain Brant, is the copy of a letter addressed by him to Sir John -Johnson, in April, 1799, wherein the Baronet is reminded of various wrongs -alleged to have been suffered by the Indians, at the hands even of his -Majesty's government. The following remarkable passage in this letter -induces a belief that the Indians expected that, in the event of defeat, -the garrison would come to their succor, or, at least, that the gates of -the fortress would be thrown open to them as a place of refuge on their -retreat:—"In the first place," wrote the Mohawk Chief to Sir John, "the -Indians were engaged in a war to assist the English—then left in the -lurch at the peace, to fight alone until they could make peace for -themselves. After repeatedly defeating the armies of the United States, -so that they sent Commissioners to endeavor to get peace, the Indians were -so advised as prevented them from listening to any terms, and hopes were -given to them of assistance. A fort was even built in their country, under -pretence of giving refuge in case of necessity; but when that time came, -the gates were shut against them as enemies. They were doubly injured by -this, because they relied on it for support, and were deceived. Was it not -for this reliance of mutual support, their conduct would have been -different. I imagine that your own knowledge of these things, and -judgment, will point out to you the necessity of putting the line of -conduct with the Indians on a more honorable footing, and come as nigh as -possible to what it was in the time of your father."</p> - -<p>Considering the distance, and the difficulties of traveling at that time, -intelligence of the disaster which had befallen his Indian friends was -very rapidly conveyed to Governor Simcoe at Niagara, and by him -communicated to Captain Brant in the following letter:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Simcoe to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Navy Hall,</i> 28<i>th August,</i> 1794.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I understand that the Indians and Wayne had an action on the 20th near -M<sup>c</sup>Cormack's; that the Indians, who amounted to nine hundred, retreated -with the loss of some principal chiefs of the Hurons, Ottawas, and -Shawanese; a deserter reports that the Americans lost an hundred men.</p> - -<p>"The Wyandots, and a friend [FN] of your's, most gallantly covered the -retreat."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Although the fact does not appear, yet it is believed that a goodly - number of the Mohawk warriors were in the battle against Wayne, and Brant - was likewise to have been in the field with them. Several years - afterward, Brant stated these facts in a conversation with the venerable - Jacob Snell, Esq. yet living (1837) in Palatine. The Chief stated to Mr. - Snell that he obtained the ammunition used by the Indians, himself, at - Quebec, and that he should have led his Mohawks in person but was - detained by sickness.</p> - - -<p>"The Indians having retreated to the Miami Bay, Major Campbell was -summoned to deliver the post, which of course he refused, and reports that -he considered it tenable against Wayne's force.</p> - -<p>"The Indians having placed their women and children in safety, have again -moved forward to an advantageous position, I imagine Swan Creek, where -they wait for reinforcements, and I hope will recover their spirits.</p> - -<p>"All the militia on the La Branche are gone to Detroit.</p> - -<p>"I shall proceed in the first vessel, and am, in great haste, your -faithful humble servant,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">J. G. Simcoe,</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>To Captain Brant.</i>"</p> - -<p>The difficulties between Great Britain and the United States not having -yet been adjusted, and a war between the two nations continuing still a -probable event, it suited not the Canadian authorities to allow the -Indians to conclude a peace, notwithstanding their signal overthrow. The -north-western posts, moreover, within the territory not only of the far -west, but within the boundaries of the State of New-York, were obstinately -retained, while an attempt was made to grasp additional territory on the -south side of Lake Ontario. It was during the Summer of this year, that -Captain Williamson commenced a settlement on the Great Sodus Bay, about -forty miles from Oswego; and in this same month of August, Governor Simcoe -despatched Lieut. Sheaff to that place, to demand by what authority such -an establishment was forming, and that it should be immediately -relinquished. [FN] General Simcoe himself, pursuant to the intimation in -his letter to Brant, hastened to the west, as also did the Chief, attended -by one hundred and fifty of his warriors—evidently for the purpose of -continuing in the exercise of an unfriendly influence upon the minds of -the Indians against the United States. The Governor was at the fort near -the battle-field, on the 30th of September, as also were Captain Brant -and Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Kee. The Indians had already made some advances to General -Wayne toward a negotiation for peace; but their attention was diverted by -Simcoe and Brant, who invited a council, of the hostile nations to -assemble at the mouth of the Detroit river on the 10th of October. This -invitation was accepted, as also was an invitation from General Wayne, -who was met by a few of their Chiefs; so that the wily savages were in -face sitting in two councils at once, balancing chances, and preparing to -make peace only in the event of finding little farther encouragement to -fight.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Marshall. Captain Williamson being absent from Sodus at the time of - Lieut. Sheaff's visit, that officer left a written declaration of which - the following is a copy:—"I am commanded to declare that, during the - inexecution of the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United - States, and until the existing difficulties respecting it shall be - mutually and finally adjusted, the taking possession of any part of the - Indian territory, either for the purposes of war or sovereignty, is held - to be a direct violation of his Britannic Majesty's rights, as they - unquestionably existed before the treaty, and has an immediate tendency - to interrupt, and in its progress to destroy, that good understanding - which has hitherto subsisted between his Britannic Majesty and the United - States of America. I therefore require you to desist from any such - aggression."</p> - - -<p>At the council on the 10th of October, the Wyandot Chiefs addressed -Governor Simcoe as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Father:</span> We request of you to give your sentiments candidly; we have been -these many years in wars and troubles; you have, from time to time, -promised us your assistance. When is your promise to be fulfilled?"</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Their Father's Answer.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> Your question is very difficult to be answered. I will relate -an ancient history, perhaps before any of you here were born. When I first -came into this country, I found it in the possession of your fathers, the -French. We soon became enemies of each other. In time, the Great Spirit -above gave the conquest in my favor. In those days the United States were -my subjects. We lived in this state for many years after. At last the -Americans began to act independently, which caused a rupture between us. -The contest lasted for a while. At last we made peace. From that period -they have been encroaching upon your lands. I looked on as a -spectator—never would say a word; they have even named the rivers that -empty themselves into the Ohio.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children:</span> I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is your right and -title. I have given orders to the commandant of Fort Miami to fire on the -Americans whenever they make their appearance again. I will go down to -Quebec, and lay your grievances before the great man. From thence they -will be forwarded to the King, your father. Next Spring you will know the -result of every thing, what you and I will do."</p> - -<p>The particulars of this council, and the labors of Governor Simcoe and -Captain Brant in otherwise tampering with the Indians, transpired through -some prisoners taken by General Wayne, and also through the means of a -confidential deputation of the Wyandots of Sandusky, who were disposed to -peace. According to their statements, Governor Simcoe advised them not to -listen to any terms of pacification, which did not secure to them their -long-contested boundary. He moreover proposed to them to convey all their -lands west of that river to the King, in trust, that a pretext might be -furnished for a direct interposition of his Majesty's arms in their -behalf. In furtherance of this object, he advised them to obtain a -cessation of hostilities until the Spring following; when a great council -of all the warriors and tribes should take place, which might call upon -the British for assistance. The English would at that time be prepared to -attack the Americans from every quarter, and would drive them back across -the Ohio, and compel the restoration to the Indians of their lands.</p> - -<p>Captain Brant's counsel was to the same effect. He told them to keep a -good heart and be strong; to do as their father advised; that he would -return home at present with his warriors, and come again in the Spring -with a stronger force. They would then have the whole Summer before them -for operations, and the Americans would not be able to stand before them. -He had always been successful, and with the force they would then be able -to bring into the field, he would ensure them a victory. He told them, -however, that he could not attack the Americans at that time, as it could -do no good, but would bring them out against the Indians with more troops -in the Winter. He therefore advised the Chiefs to amuse the Americans with -a prospect of peace until the Spring, when the Indians might be able to -fall upon and vanquish them unexpectedly.</p> - -<p>There was considerable division of opinion in the council; the Wyandots -being inclined to peace, and also portions of the other tribes. But large -presents were given, and the counsels of Brant and Governor Simcoe -prevailed—the Indians returning to their temporary homes, consisting of -huts and tents in the neighborhood of the fort at the Rapids. Captain -Brant, however, left these councils under high displeasure toward the -Chiefs of the three principal tribes, in consequence of some neglect which -he construed into an insult. What was the precise nature of the -circumstances, his papers do not disclose. But among those papers, is a -letter from seven of the Chiefs of those tribes, couched in terms of -humble apology. The following passages are cited from this letter:—</p> - -<p>"The Chiefs of the three nations are very sorry, and in great trouble, -that Colonel Brant was obliged to leave them so precipitately; that it was -their intention to be in the greatest friendship with him, and that they -intended to hold council with him immediately after that with the Governor -was finished.</p> - -<p>"They sincerely hope Colonel Brant will take their apology for not waiting -upon him when his messenger arrived with his pipe. They own themselves -much in fault, but are willing by their future services to convince him -that they esteem and honor him.</p> - -<p>"In token of friendship they send Colonel Brant their Union Belt of -wampum, as a pledge that they now will, and their children in future -generations will, be in peace and unity with him and the Six Nations, and -wish a correspondence to commence immediately by express between them, on -the most friendly terms.</p> - -<p>"They have heard with grief that Colonel Brant departed hence with a heavy -heart and full of sorrow for their negligence and misbehavior, and -therefore send him an additional string of wampum to enlighten his heart, -and renew friendship with him." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter, or "speech" as it was called, was signed as - follows—the names being written in full by a gentleman named William - Bailey, who subscribes the paper as a witness, and each Chief drawing his - own mark rudely with the pen:—Aqushua, the mark of a <i>Fox;</i> Sowosat—a - <i>Beaver;</i> Quagerwon—a <i>Crane;</i> Cucherwaskiseegua—a <i>Hatchet;</i> - Bouemawcutus—a <i>Wolf;</i> Gowsowainse—a <i>Turtle;</i> Clappum—an - <i>Arrow-head.</i></p> - - -<p>Such was the posture of Indian affairs at the close of the year 1794; and -the prospect then was, certainly, that another campaign of active -hostilities must ensue. But it was otherwise ordered. The Indians -themselves were growing weary of the contest, and becoming more and more -convinced that they could not contend successfully against the Americans, -of whose leader, General Wayne, they stood in great fear. Before the close -of the season, it was ascertained that the warriors from a distance were -re-crossing the Mississippi, declaring that it was useless to attempt -longer to fight. In March, the difficulties between the United States and -Great Britain were adjusted by the treaty of Mr. Jay, which, despite the -influence of France and the fierce clamors of the democratic opposition, -General Washington had the sagacity and firmness to ratify; so that the -Indians were deprived of even the expectation of farther assistance from -the accustomed quarter. The restlessness of the Six Nations, the Mohawks -excepted, had been quieted by the victory of Wayne; so that no farther -support could be anticipated from that direction. The result of all these -circumstances was, that by the treaty of Greenville, concluded with the -hostile Indians by General Wayne, on the 3d of August, 1795, the long, -expensive, and destructive war, which had for so many years desolated that -frontier, was terminated in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the United -States. In the language of Captain Brant in one of his speeches delivered -long afterward, "the Indians, convinced by those in the Miami fort, and -other circumstances, that they were mistaken in their expectations of any -assistance from Great Britain, did not longer oppose the Americans with -their wonted unanimity. The consequence was, that General Wayne, by the -peaceable language he held to them, induced them to hold a treaty at his -own head-quarters, in which he concluded a peace entirely on his own -terms." With this event closed the military career of Joseph -Brant—Thayendanegea.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxiii">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Thayendanegea in civil life—His activity—His efforts to accelerate the - civilization of his people—Difficulties respecting the title to his - lands—Successive Councils and Speeches—Governor Simcoe leaves the - province—Captain Claus appointed to the Indian Agency—President - Russell—Brant's Speeches asserting the absolute Independence and - Nationality of his people—Letter to Sir John Johnson—Correspondence - with Lord Dorchester—The Count de Puisy—Letter of Brant to Thomas - Morris—Sharp correspondence with Sir John Johnson—The St. Regis and - Caughnawaga Indians, and the State of New-York involved in the land - controversy—Brant's difficulties with the Caughnawagas—Letter to - Thomas Morris—Brant's visit to the Caughnawagas—Council—Satisfactory - explanations—Fresh difficulties at home—Norton's Mission to - England—Plots against the character of Brant—Alienation of some of his - friends—Conspiracy to depose him—Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother - active in the plot—Character of Red Jacket—Brant deposed by an illegal - Council—Letter to the Duke of Northumberland—A legal Council - convoked—Brant meets his accusers, and defends himself—Another - Council—Speech of Brant—Acquitted of all charges against him—Council - after the return of Norton from England—Proceedings of Red Jacket's - Council nullified—Brant re-instated—Letter to the Duke of - Northumberland—Letter of the Duke in reply—Last letter of Brant to the - Duke.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The termination</span> of Brant's military life brought not therewith a state of -inactivity. The proverbial indolence of his race in regard to all matters -excepting the war-path and the chase, was not a characteristic of him. On -the contrary, the history of man scarcely supplies a parallel instance of -such active, unremitting, and unwearied public service, as well in the -council as in the field, as was performed by this celebrated man, from the -day when he first fleshed his youthful tomahawk at Lake George, until his -death more than half a century afterward. The war of the American -Revolution being ended, it has already been seen that he early thereafter -directed his attention to the improvement of the moral and social -condition of his nation. Nor did he lose sight of this object during the -years of his active interposition in the complicated affairs of the -western nations with the United States.</p> - -<p>Mention has been made in a former chapter of the difficulties in which, -subsequent to the Revolution, the Six Nations were involved, respecting -their lands in the State of New-York, the adjustment of which repeatedly -demanded the attention of Captain Brant. There were, likewise, similar -difficulties to be adjusted with the purchasers of the Connecticut -reservation in Ohio, respecting which formal negotiations were held. Nor -did these constitute all his troubles. But a few years had elapsed after -the grant of the Grand River country had been obtained, before -difficulties sprang up between the Indians and the Provincial Government, -in regard to the nature of the title by which the former were to hold -their new possessions. The Chief and his people supposed that the -territory allotted to them had been conveyed in fee by a perfect title. -But in this supposition they were disappointed. There is scarcely a finer -or more inviting section of country in North America than the peninsula -formed by Lake Ontario on the east, Lake Erie on the south, and Lake Huron -on the west—through the heart of which flows the Grand River. The -Indians, therefore, had not long been in the occupancy of their new -country, before the white settlers began to plant themselves down in their -neighborhood. To a man of Brant's sagacity, it was at once obvious that -in such an attractive region of country the approach of the white man -would soon circumscribe the hunting-grounds of his people, within the -narrow boundaries of their own designated territory. He also saw, and -without regret, that the effect would be to drive his people from the -hunter to the agricultural state; in which case, while his territory was -too small for the former, it would be far larger than would be necessary -for the latter condition of life. As a compensation for the loss of his -game, therefore, he conceived the idea of making sales of portions of his -lands, for the creation of an immediate fund for the benefit of the -nation, and of leasing other portions in such manner as to ensure a -perpetual revenue. There was no selfish design in this project, farther -than may be found in the fact, that his own fortunes were identified with -those of his people. However covetous Captain Brant may have been of honor -and power, he was neither covetous nor mercenary in regard to property. -In one of his speeches he declared, with all solemnity, that he had never -appropriated a dollar of money, or its value in other property, belonging -to his nation, to his own use. Nor had he ever charged his nation a dollar -for his services, or even for his personal expenses, in all the journeys -he had performed upon their business. All his personal wants, under all -circumstances, had been supplied from his own private funds.</p> - -<p>There was another consideration connected with his desire to make sales -and leases of lands to white settlers. He was anxious to promote the -civilization of his people; and in his first negotiations with General -Haldimand, after the close of the war, he made provision for the erection -of a church and school-house; and it is an interesting fact, that the -first temple erected for the worship of the true God in Upper Canada, was -built by the Chief of a people recently pagan; and the first bell which -summoned the people to the house of prayer in that province on the -Christian Sabbath, was carried thither by him. In the furtherance of his -plans of civilization, the Chief knew very well that an increasing -contiguous white population would be the means of introducing such of the -common arts and employments of life, as would materially contribute to the -comfort and happiness of his people, while at the same time their -progress in civilization would be greatly accelerated.</p> - -<p>But he had no sooner commenced disposing of some small portions of land, -than the colonial government raised objections. It was alleged that his -title was imperfect—that a preemptive right to the soil had been retained -by the government; and, as a consequence, that the Indians had no right to -sell a rood of ground, since it was their's no longer than they themselves -should occupy it. The question proved a fruitful source of disagreement -between the parties, and of perpetual vexation to the old Chief until the -day of his death. Council after council was holden upon the subject, and -conference after conference; while quires of manuscript speeches and -arguments, in Brant's own hand, yet remain to attest the sleepless -vigilance with which he watched over the interests of his people, and the -zeal and ability with which he asserted and vindicated their rights.</p> - -<p>Even his friend Governor Simcoe was among the most strenuous opponents of -the claim of the Indians to the fee of the soil, and in one instance -attempted to curtail their grant by directing the land board to run a line -due west from the head of Lake Ontario, which would have stripped the -Mohawks of the fairest half of their possessions. On examining the grant -from General Haldimand, however, the Governor desisted from this purpose; -but still was determined that the Indians should neither lease nor sell -any portion of their grant, nor make any manner of use of it, excepting -such portions as they should cultivate with their own hands. By these -proceedings, the situation of the Indians was rendered truly -uncomfortable. Reduced to a narrow strip of land of only twelve miles in -breadth, their hunting was of course seriously affected; while their skill -in agriculture was so imperfect, that some other resources were -indispensable to their sustenance.</p> - -<p>In order to define more clearly and explicitly the rights of the Indians, -two other deeds were successively framed and presented for their -acceptance—both of which were promptly rejected, as being less favorable -than their original grant. Finally, in 1795, Governor Simcoe visited Grand -River with his councilors, for the purpose of ascertaining, as he said, -the real wishes and condition of the Indians. A Council was holden, and -the Chief delivered an elaborate speech, containing the whole history of -the grant, the circumstances under which it had been made, and the -difficulties they had been called to encounter. Among other objections, it -seems to have been alleged by the Provincial authorities, as a pretext for -dealing hardly by the Indians, that the government had been deceived in -regard to the location and value of the territory. General Haldimand had -supposed that the territory in question lay a long distance from Niagara, -and would not be approached by a white population for an age to come. -These assertions were sternly denied by Brant, who declared that the -Commander-in-chief, at the time of making the grant, was thoroughly -acquainted with the situation, its peculiar advantages, and its value.</p> - -<p>This conference with Governor Simcoe resulted in nothing more than a -promise that the speech of Thayendanegea should be forwarded to Lord -Dorchester. Governor Simcoe left the province soon afterward, and a change -was made in the administration of the Indian department, by the -appointment of Captain Claus to the Indian agency at Niagara. It appears -that before his departure, the Governor had confirmed such sales as had -been previously made by the Indians; but difficulties arose on making the -surveys, which once more placed everything afloat. The consequence was, -that another hearing took place before Mr. Claus at Niagara, in October, -1796, at which, in another written speech, the Chief gave a historical -argument of his case. From portions of this speech, it appears that Upper -Canada had already become infested with unprincipled land-jobbers, who -were the especial dislike of the Chief. "I cannot help remarking," said -he, "that it appears to me that certain characters here, who stood behind -the counter during the last war, and whom we knew nothing about, are now -dictating to your great men concerning our lands. I should wish to know -what property these officious persons left behind them in their own -country, or whether, through their loyalty, they ever lost any! I doubt it -much. But 'tis well known that scarcely a man amongst us but what -sacrificed more or less property by leaving our homes. I again repeat, -that if these officious persons have made the smallest sacrifice of -property then I think they may in some measure be allowed to interfere, -although it may be well known that personal interest prompts them to it, -not the public good."</p> - -<p>This speech, the Chief declared, should be his final effort to obtain -justice from the "great men below"—the provincial government meaning. If -not successful there, he declared his purpose of proceeding to England, -and bringing his case in person before the King. But this resolution was -contingent, and was not kept. On the departure of Governor Simcoe, the -Executive government of the colony devolved upon the Hon. Peter Russell, -President of the Executive Council of the province. For the more -convenient administration of the Indian affairs of the province, Mr. -Russell was clothed with all the powers upon that subject previously -exercised by the General-in-chief at Quebec, acting under the advice of -the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Sir John Johnson. Captain -Brant lost no time in bringing the subject of his land title before Mr. -Russell, and he speedily succeeded in part. The sales already made were -confirmed, and the old Chief wrote to his friend and correspondent, -Thomas Morris, Esq., then a resident of Canandaigua, that their -difficulties respecting lands were nearly removed, and he had reason to -believe that henceforth their affairs would go on to their satisfaction. -[FN] The basis of the arrangement sanctioned by the acting Governor, was, -that the lands then sold, or intended to be sold, by the Indians, should -be surrendered to the government, which, upon the good faith of the -agreement, was to issue grants to the persons nominated as purchasers by -the agent transacting the land business of the nation. Captain Brant was -acting in that capacity. The lands were of course to be mortgaged as -security for the payment of the principal and interest of the purchase -money. It was, moreover, the duty of the Agent to appoint three trustees, -to receive the payments in trust for the Indians, and to foreclose the -mortgages in cases of default—the lands to revert to the Indians. Captain -Brant fulfilled his part of the agreement to the letter; but the -government failed altogether to comply with its own corresponding duty. -Some of the purchasers had paid their interest for several years, but -could not obtain their titles; others died, and the heirs were in the like -predicament, and the whole business became involved more than ever in -difficulty. Added to all which, as the Indians themselves improved in -their agricultural labors, the system of possessing all things in common -operated unequally, and interposed great embarrassments to individual -industry. But so long as the government refused to the Indians the -privilege of disposing of the fee of the soil, the nation could not convey -any portion of its own domain to its own people. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter to Thomas Morris, Esq, July 30, 1797. [Mr. Morris has - furnished the author with a package of letters from Capt. Brant, written - between the years 1796 and 1801, which, though chiefly upon private - business, have nevertheless been found of use in the present work.]</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Memorial of John Norton to the Marquis of Caurden.</p> - - -<p>There were other difficulties in the business, which it would be tedious -to enumerate, the result of all which was, that the arrangement was in -fact a nullity. Not only so, but the Mohawks felt themselves to be an -independent nation, and they, or perhaps more correctly speaking, their -proud and indomitable Chief, could ill brook submission to such a species -of guardianship. The "satisfaction" arising from the arrangement under the -auspices of President Russell, was consequently of but short continuance, -and the Captain was compelled to fight his land battles over again. Many -were the councils and conferences which succeeded, in all of which Brant -was the principal speaker and defender of the rights of his people to the -fee of their lands. The design of the British government was to hold the -Indians in a state of pupilage, according to the practice of the United -States; and consequently to allow them merely the occupancy of lands of -which the government claimed the title. But neither the Mohawks nor their -indefatigable leader would listen to any such doctrine; always, on all -occasions asserting their own complete and entire independence as a -nation. They were an independent nation in the Valley of the Mohawk, -argued the Chief in one of his speeches, [FN] and were the undisputed -owners of the soil of their country. Their right in this respect had -never been questioned. On the breaking out of the war, they had -relinquished their country—their all—because of their friendship and -loyalty to the King. "In the year 1776," said the old Chief in the speech -now referred to, "Lord Dorchester, then Sir Guy Carleton, at a very -numerous council, gave us every encouragement, and requested us to assist -in defending their country, and to take an active part in defending his -Majesty's possessions; stating, that when the happy day of peace should -arrive, and should we not prove successful in the contest, that he would -put us on the same footing in which we stood previous to our joining him. -This flattering promise was pleasing to us, and gave us spirit to embark -heartily in his Majesty's cause. We took it for granted that the word of -so great a man, or any promises of a public nature, would ever be held -sacred." Again, in another part of the speech, the Captain remarked:—"We -were promised our lands for our services, and those lands we were to hold -on the same footing with those we fled from at the commencement of the -American war, when we joined, fought, and bled in your cause. Now is -published a proclamation, forbidding us leasing those very lands that were -positively given us in lieu of those of which we a were the sovereigns of -the soil. This, brothers, is surely a contradiction that the least -discerning person amongst you must perceive, and which we think wonderful. -Of those lands we have forsaken, we sold, we leased, and we gave away, -when and as often as we saw fit, without hindrance on the part of your -government; for your government well knew we were the lawful sovereigns of -the soil, and they had no right to interfere with us as independent -nations." In support of this assertion, the Chief proceeded to enumerate -various sales and gifts of their lands; among which he mentioned the -large and celebrated tract to Sir William Johnson, commonly called the -Royal Grant, and for signing the conveyance of which the Captain asserted -that he received a present of £fifty.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Speech delivered at a meeting of the Chiefs and warriors at Niagara - before Colonel Scheaffe, Colonel Claus, and others, in August, 1803, on - the occasion of a government proclamation forbidding the sale or leasing - of any of their lands by the Indians.</p> - - -<p>The history of the whole controversy was very clearly stated in the speech -just cited, and the argument throughout exceedingly well put. The Captain, -in some of his speeches, dwelt with emphasis upon another feature of his -case, affording a farther example of the magnanimity of the Mohawks in -their dealings with the government, and the want of that attribute as -evidenced in the manner of their requital. The Indians never asked of the -crown any compensation for the vast tracts of their hunting-grounds -relinquished by adhering to the cause of the crown. In a letter written to -Sir John Johnson at this stage of the controversy, the veteran Chief cut -with a two-edged blade:—"You know we demand nothing new. We have made no -demand for compensation for our hunting-grounds, which were very -extensive, nor for our wood-lands adjoining our improvements. All we ask -is a confirmation of our just right to this very land, which we receive -in lieu of those for which we received no compensation. I presume few -loyalists have omitted charging, and receiving pay for their woodlands, -as we did; many of whom received lands who had never possessed one foot -before." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] In a letter subsequently addressed to Lord Dorchester, after the - relinquishment by that officer of the Canadian Government, Captain Brant - estimated those hunting grounds relinquished by his tribe at more than - two millions of acres.</p> - - -<p>But the prospect of obtaining justice from the Provincial Government -becoming less and less favorable by the lapse of time, the Chief again -directed his attention to the parent government. Availing himself of the -return to Europe of the Count De Puisy, whom he describes "as a brother -soldier and fellow-sufferer in the cause of loyalty," [FN-1] the Captain -placed in his hands a succinct history of the troubles he was laboring to -remove, with an urgent request that he would lay the same before his -Majesty's ministers. By the same conveyance he likewise addressed a -vigorous appeal to Lord Dorchester, then in England, enclosing to his -Lordship a copy of his original promise to him (Brant) as written down in -1775, and also the subsequent confirmation of that promise by General -Haldimand. [FN-2] He was, moreover, in active-correspondence upon the -subject with the Duke of Northumberland, in whom the Mohawks had ever a -constant friend.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] In one of Captain Brant's speeches, dated October 28, 1800, this - passage occurs:—"It had for some time been observed that the too large, - uninhabited space between York and the head of the Lake was a great - inconvenience to the communication by land, we therefore thought it a fit - occasion to remove the difficulty, by presenting the Count de Puisy and - his adherents a tract of land in this space—sympathizing with them as - having suffered in the cause of loyalty, and being obliged to quit their - native clime on that account, and seek an asylum in this uncultivated - region. This was objected to," &c., &c. When the younger Brant visited - London, twenty years afterward, he refers to the Count as then living in - retirement in the neighborhood of that capital.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The copy of this letter to Lord Dorchester is not entire. Two - foolscap pages have only been preserved, or rather, all but the first two - pages has been lost.</p> - - -<p>These attempts to enlist the parent government in behalf of the Indian -claim, were backed by the mission to England of Teyoninhokáráwen, alias -John Norton, who spread the case before the ministers in a strong and -lucid memorial addressed to Lord Camden, then one of his Majesty's -ministers. Among other considerations, it was urged by Norton, that in -case their lands should be released from all incumbrances, and every tribe -and family be allowed to have their just portion of land confirmed to -them, the province would be strengthened by the emigration thither of the -major part of the tribes of the Six Nations, who still remained in the -United States. It had, doubtless, entered into the policy of Brant to -bring the ancient confederacy of the Six Nations once more together, -within the jurisdiction either of England or the United States. The -removal of the Mohawks into Canada had not dissolved the union of those -nations, although their separation, thrown, as they were, under the action -of different superior laws, and obliged sometimes to hold their own -councils within the boundary of one nation, and at other times within the -limits of another, could not but be attended with many embarrassments. -Indeed, so numerous were the difficulties they were obliged to encounter, -and such was the conduct of the provincial government in regard to their -lands, that the Mohawk Chief not withstanding his attachment to the crown, -had at one period contemplated withdrawing from Canada with his people in -disgust. That such a project was actually entertained, appears by the -following letter to his friend Morris:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Thomas Morris, Esq.<br> - (secret and confidential.)</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, December</i> 26, 1800.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"From our friendship, and the regard you have continually shown to Indians -in general, I flatter myself you will be so good as to assist in what I am -about to communicate to you.</p> - -<p>"There are numbers of our people scattered about in the westward at -Sandusky, the Miami, &c. I wish to have them collected in one place, and -for that purpose intend making a purchase of the Western Indians, so that -any moving from here may also find a place to go to. We are certain that -the Indians there will be very happy at the proposal, and that they even -would give it for nothing; but we rather wish to buy, that it may be -indisputably our own. The favor I have to ask of you is, that you would -please to oblige us so far as to sound some of your friends in Congress if -such a thing could be confirmed by them, for if we should move there, we -would desire to be under the protection of the United States. What you may -say on the subject to any one, I hope you will do it in a confidential -manner; you may learn the general sentiments in the way of conversation, -without making known our real intentions. The reason of my being so -cautious, is the great jealousy of the British.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, - I am in truth, - Your sincere friend - And humb. serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Thomas Morris, Esq.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Nothing farther is disclosed among the manuscripts of Brant respecting -this design of removal into the United States, and the suggestion was -most likely owing to a momentary feeling of despondency and vexation. But -it was his fortune soon afterward to encounter an annoying circumstance -from another and most unexpected quarter—his long and well-tried friend, -Sir John Johnson. The circumstance referred to was the receipt of a letter -from the Baronet, then at Niagara, under date of September 1st, 1801, in -which, after apologizing for his long delay in answering certain letters, -from an apprehension that he could not so frame his communications as to -avoid hurting the old Chiefs feelings, the writer adverted to the -difficulties respecting the lands. He spoke of some uneasiness prevailing -at Grand River; and stated that he had given his views, as to these -troubles, to Captain Claus, in writing, and advised the Chief to aid in -getting up a council, and adjusting the matter upon the basis he had -proposed. In regard to the claim of the Mohawks upon a portion of the -Mississagua reservation, the Baronet advised the Chief to abandon it at -once, admonishing him that the government was determined, under no -circumstances whatsoever, to sanction that claim; but on the contrary -would protect the Mississaguas in the quiet and peaceable possession of -all their lands. The letter concluded as follows:—"Let me therefore once -more advise you to give up all concern in their affairs, and desist from -assembling the different nations in distant parts of the country, and only -attend to the business of your settlement, except when called upon by -government to do otherwise; as it gives opening to the world to put -unfavorable constructions on your conduct, which must tend to lessen your -consequence in the opinion of those at the head of affairs; and I much -fear may do you serious injury. And as you can have no doubt of my -friendship for you and your fine family, I earnestly request you will -maturely weigh what I now recommend to you, and consider it as the result -of serious reflection."</p> - -<p>This missive kindled the indignation of Brant, and elicited some spirited -letters in reply. Its burden was the existence of difficulties among the -Indians themselves, arising, as the Baronet had left the Chief to infer, -from their distrust of the proceedings of Brant himself. The council, -which the Superintendent-General had directed his Deputy, Captain Claus, -to convoke, had been held, but does not seem to have been attended by any -other results than an entire exoneration, by the sachems, of their -principal Chief from all censure. [FN] The Captain, however, was not -satisfied with allowing the matter to rest there; and he wrote the -Baronet, in a tone of decision, demanding specific charges, if any could -be produced against him, accompanied by the names of his accusers. He -likewise severely upbraided the officers of the government for their -conduct toward him, charging the fact upon them, explicitly, of having not -only sanctioned the great Indian Confederacy of which there has been -occasion so frequently to speak, but of having caused the formation of -that confederacy under their own immediate auspices. This letter, as a -historical document, bearing upon other relations than those appertaining -to the writer, as an individual, deserves preservation, and is accordingly -transcribed:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. X.</p> - - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson, Bar't.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, November,</i> 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"When I answered your favor of the first of September last, I promised to -let you hear farther from me after the meeting should have taken place, -which you then said Captain Claus was to hold for the purpose of -satisfying the discontented, &c.</p> - -<p>"He did not, however, do any thing in the business, as I expected, from -your letter, he would have done; but the Chiefs, on being made acquainted -with the contents of it, became uneasy, and called a scrutiny to find who -it was among the Indians on this river that had expressed dissatisfaction -at my conduct respecting the public lands. The dissatisfied party was -found to be only a few of the lower Mohawks, mostly women, and no real -chief among them. Afterwards, the Chiefs unanimously expressed their -general approbation of my conduct as their agent in land matters, in a -speech to Captain Claus. They at the same time hinted at the almost -impossibility of things being done in such a manner as to please every -particular individual, which was also the case in the discharge of his -own duty as Superintendent; but assured him that they, the Chiefs, who had -constituted me their agent in land affairs, were perfectly satisfied. -Since that I hear no more of the discontented; all seem quiet. Then I was -prepared to give a full explanation of all my transactions, and also put -them in mind of the trouble and expense I had been at on their business; -but this conduct of the Chiefs prevented me, thinking if I yet persevered -it would be wantonly ripping up old grievances, &c.</p> - -<p>"I hope you will do me the favor to let me know who informed you that -there prevailed such an universal discontent among the Grand River Indians -at my transactions, as you said was the case; and you will infinitely -oblige me by making me acquainted with the author of this rumor, which has -not a little hurt my feelings; and it would also give satisfaction to the -greater part of the Chiefs here.</p> - -<p>"Respecting your advice not to have more councils of other nations, &c, -the Chiefs, both here and at Buffalo, cannot comprehend the meaning of it; -and I have been particularly requested, by two messengers from the latter, -to remain unshaken in my public capacity, and attend to their common -interests as usual; I therefore hope you will do me the kindness to -acquaint me with the reason why I should desist from attending any -councils of the nations of the General Confederacy which we formed under -the auspices of Great Britain; and if our friendly intercourse with each -other is supposed to be detrimental to the interests of government, and in -what measure; for, since the year 1760, I perfectly remember what has -passed at most councils, and I never recollect an instance of government -interfering to prevent our mutual correspondence, but, on the contrary, -they have rather encouraged our uniting. Should it therefore be the case, -that what formerly gave satisfaction, has now quite a different, effect, -it will be very difficult for me to act so as not to get censured, without -I am well acquainted with the change of politics. Also, the serious -consequences you mention, that the not complying with your advice may be -of to me, I would be glad to know what it is. I hope that laws and -customs are not so far changed, as that punishment is first to be -inflicted, and the trial brought on afterwards, and you should give me no -plainer hint of it than that. In short, your advice seems no other than a -threat in disguise. Still, my dear friend, don't think that I suspect you -to be the author of it; but rather that you have softened the original so -as to save my feelings.</p> - -<p>"During the war, although <i>I bore the commission of a captain,</i> I never -received commands as such, but acted as War Chief, which I believe was of -more utility than if I had been in the other capacity—generally having -more men under my command than is customary for one of that rank. Since -the peace, I have attended to our affairs as a sachem. I never supposed -it to be wrong my so doing; if it is so, I could wish to have written -instructions how I am to conduct myself, so as to prevent the serious -consequences spoken of, by which, probably, may be meant the taking from -me my half-pay or pension. I hope to have the pleasure to hear from you as -soon as possible, at the same time I remain</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, - Your very humble - And obed't servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Sir John Johnson, Bar't.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Norton had been furnished by Brant with letters to his friends in England, -and among them to the Duke of Northumberland, who interested himself -warmly in behalf of the object of his mission. Such, moreover, were the -zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties of his errand, that -for a time there was a prospect of his mission being crowned with entire -success. The decision of the ministers was favorable to the Indians, and -letters to that effect were dispatched to the Provincial government. -These, however, were met by an unexpected movement at home, which palsied -the exertions of the agent, and caused his return with hopes at least -deferred, if not blighted. The cause of this untoward change in the course -of the parent government will be developed in a few succeeding pages.</p> - -<p>It appears that in the course of the controversy violent disagreements had -arisen between Captain Brant and the Deputy Superintendent, which were -ultimately embittered by mutual allegations of pecuniary delinquency. A -charge of this description had been made against Brant, a few years -before, in connexion with a negotiation between the government of the -State of New-York and the Caughnawaga and St. Regis Indians, calling -themselves the Seven Nations of Canada. These nations, as the reader has -been informed in a former part of the present work, were clans of the -Mohawks, who had long before separated from the principal nation, and -settled upon the banks of the St. Lawrence. In the year 1792, they sent a -deputation to the government of the State of New-York, claiming a tract of -land covering a large portion of the northern part of the state; all, -indeed, lying between Lake Champlain on the East, and the head waters of -the Mohawk on the West, bounded north by the St. Lawrence, and south by a -line to be drawn from a point between Fort Edward and Lake George to the -junction of Canada Creek with the Mohawk River, in the neighborhood of the -Little Falls. This extensive claim was resisted by the state upon several -grounds. One of these was, that the Indian title had been extinguished to -a portion of the territory in question by the French; another, that -several patents from the English crown had extinguished their title to -other portions of it; added to all which, it was held by the state that -the Caughnawagas had never any just title to the land, inasmuch as it -originally belonged to the Six Nations, of whom the claimants formed but -a small number. As proof of this position, it was contended by the state -that the Six Nations had themselves sold this same territory, together -with a large additional tract, extending from the Mohawk River to the -Pennsylvania line, to Colonel John Livingston. This sale to Colonel -Livingston was first made by forty-five chiefs of the Six Nations in 1787, -and was confirmed in the following year, by a second deed, signed by -sixty-five of their chiefs, and witnessed by Colonel John Butler and -Joseph Brant. The purchase by Colonel Livingston being unconstitutional, -was annulled; but the fact that such a sale had been made by the Six -Nations at large, was adduced against the claim of the Caughnawagas, by -way of showing that it was unfounded. Still as the St. Regis and -Caughnawaga Indians persisted in their claim, a commission, consisting of -Egbert Benson, Richard Varick, and James Watson, was appointed to treat -with their Chiefs upon the subject; and it was not until the Summer of the -year 1796 that an arrangement was effected, by virtue of which the Seven -Nations relinquished their claim, with the exception of the St. Regis -reservation, for a small sum in hand paid, and a yet smaller perpetual -annuity.</p> - -<p>It was as a witness only to the deed of sale to Colonel Livingston, that -the name of Captain Brant came to be involved in this controversy. The -Commissioners maintained to the last that the Six Nations had sold the -lands, and that their great chief, Brant, was a witness to the sale. In -reply to which, the Caughnawagas insisted that the Six Nations had no more -right to sell the lands they claimed than they had to dispose of the city -of New-York. [FN-1] The Caughnawaga Chiefs, probably, did not exactly -understand the case of the sale to Colonel Livingston, which was set aside -as being contrary to the fundamental law of the state, nor the position -in which the name of Joseph Brant stood upon the deed. On the contrary, -they seem to have been impressed with an idea that Brant and the Mohawks -had been selling <i>their</i> lands <i>to the state.</i> The consequence was a -controversy between the Caughnawagas and the Mohawks, which gave the old -Chief an infinite deal of trouble—even after the affair between the -former and the State of New York had been amicably closed. The charges of -the Caughnawagas amounted to this—that Brant and the Mohawks had sold -their lands to the state, and pocketed the avails. Brant repelled the -charge with indignation. In regard to the deed of sale to which he was a -witness, he affirmed that not a foot of the territory claimed by the -Caughnawagas was embraced within it, but that the sale was of a portion -only of lands belonging to the Senecas. He demanded of the Caughnawagas -their authority for the charge against himself and the Grand River -Indians. They replied, that their information was derived from the -representations of the officers of the State of New-York at Albany. Brant -opened a correspondence with George Clinton [FN-2] and Governor Jay upon -the subject, the negotiations having commenced under the administration of -the former and been concluded under the latter. But not satisfied with -anything resulting from the correspondence, he caused a deputation of his -tribe to repair to Albany, [FN-3] at the head of which was his adopted -nephew, John Norton, to meet a similar deputation from the Caughnawagas, -face to face, and to require his accusers connected with the government of -the State of New-York, either to substantiate their charges or acquit him -in the presence of both delegations. The papers of Captain Brant are -pretty full in regard to this controversy, which seems to have affected -him with the keenest sensibility. The result of this double mission to -Albany, however, does not exactly appear, save that the Chief was not well -satisfied with it. At least thus much is evident from the tone of the -annexed letter to his friend, Thomas Morris, who was a member of the -Legislature of New-York at that time, and to whom he had given his -deputies, letters of introduction:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Talk of the Seven Nations, delivered to the Commissioners at - Albany, May, 1796.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] See Appendix, No. XI.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Brant had previously, in 1797, visited Albany on the same - business, accompanied by Corn-planter and two or three other sachems. - Arriving at Canajoharie in the evening, Brant called with his party upon - Major Hendrick Frey, who had served in the cause of the crown during the - war of the Revolution, but returned to his native county after the close - of the contest. The meeting of Brant with Frey was like that of two - brothers. The party adjourned to a tavern, where they had a merry time of - it during the live-long night Many of their adventures during the war - were recounted, among which was a duel that had been fought by Frey, to - whom Brant acted as second. In the course of those relations, - Corn-planter acknowledged that he shot the girl who was gathering berries - in the neighborhood of Fort Stanwix, as related by Colonel Willett and - cited in the first volume of the present work. Corn-planter said he was - lurking about the fort in order to seize a prisoner; but failing in that - object, fired upon the girl. The landlord of the inn, named Rolfe, had - resided near Fort Stanwix at the time, and could hardly be restrained - from doing violence upon Corn-planter on hearing the - relation.—[<i>Conversations of the author with Dr. Jonathan Eights of - Albany, who, being at the time a resident with Major Frey, was one of the - party.</i>]</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Thomas Morris, Esq.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, April</i> 4, 1799.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It is now some time since the return of Mr. Norton and the Cayuga Chiefs -from Albany; they have acquainted me with their treatment there, and that -of the business they went on; and particularly of your friendship and -assistance to them while there; for which I could not omit taking the -earliest opportunity of testifying to you my most hearty thanks for the -friendship you showed them, and hope you will not find us unmindful of the -favor.</p> - -<p>"At the same time I cannot avoid expressing my surprise to you at the -conduct of your government respecting the affair of the Caughnawagas. In -the first place, it appears their Commissioners treated the business so -mysteriously as to make these people believe we had sold their lands; -first having defrauded us by having all that country included in the -confirmation of Mr. Livingston's deed to Mr. Oliver Phelps, to which the -Senecas signed their names, only supposing that they sold part of their -own country, and to which I signed as a witness. This was made use of to -convince the Caughnawagas they had no right to the country they inhabit; -and I learn that it was not till after much argument that your Government -owned that they never paid any money to me or the Five Nations on account -of these lands, and that they never looked on any Indians to have a right -to them, either Caughnawagas or Five Nations. Had they only said this at -first, when they treated with the Caughnawagas, and not brought our name -in question, they would have saved us immense trouble. And now I cannot -imagine what good reasons they could have to refuse our Deputies to -certify in writing that they never paid us any money on account of these -lands claimed by the Caughnawagas, which it is certain they never did. It -still appears they wish to make the affair mysterious, and evade, as much -as they can, the thoroughly clearing up of the business, so as to keep the -Caughnawagas from making farther claims on them; for it now appears pretty -clear to us that they have wronged these people. However, their conduct -comports a good deal with the uncivilized character of Judge Benson, who, -I find, was one of the Commissioners; and how the Governor left the -business mostly to him, who I know would skin a flint if it was possible, -should it belong to the Indians." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Judge Benson was only one of the Commissioners; but it is probably - true that the business was confided entirely to him. In the original - account of the treaty with the Caughnawagas, of May, 1796, containing the - speeches written out in full on both sides, found by the author among - Brant's papers, Judge Benson's signature stands alone at the close of the - whole.</p> - - -<p>"I intend, for my own satisfaction, to have the whole affair, from the -beginning to ending, published in the newspapers.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dr. Sir, - I am your most humble and - Obd't. Serv't - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Thomas Morris, Esq'r.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>In July of the same year, Brant proceeded to the Caughnawaga country in -person, accompanied by a body of Chiefs of several of the tribes, for the -purpose of a thorough investigation in General Council. Such a council was -convened; and the difficulties, from the reports of the speeches preserved -in writing by Captain Brant, were fully discussed—and that, too, in the -most amicable manner. From several intimations in these speeches, it -appears that the whole difficulty had been caused "by chattering birds," -and by the machinations against Captain Brant, of the old Oneida Sachem, -Colonel Louis. The Council-fire was Kindled on the 8th of July. On the 9th -Captain Brant was satisfied by the explanations given, and remarked "that -he had pulled up a pine, and planted down beneath it the small bird that -tells stories;" on the 10th, the Caughnawaga Chief replied—"Brother, we -return you thanks; we also join with you to put the chattering-bird under -ground from where the pine was taken up, there being a swift stream into -which it will fall beneath, that will take it to the Big Sea, from whence -it never can return."</p> - -<p>The result of the Council seems to have been satisfactory on all hands. -Indeed, as Brant himself wrote to a correspondent "in the States," [FN] a -short time afterward, he was rather surprised that he had so little to -encounter at their meeting:—"We expected they would have had a great deal -to say to us; but instead of that, they said they had never accused us of -themselves—that it was only from what the people of New-York said that -they had inquired about the matter; and that now they hoped we would be -so good as to agree to bury the whole affair under ground." To Sir John -Johnson he subsequently wrote in the following terms:—"Without doubt, -long before this you have received an authentic account of our business -with the Caughnawagas, which has convinced you and the world of our -innocence. You know that I was supposed to be a leader in that business, -and how often I have been falsely accused. But upon investigation my -rectitude has ever been sufficiently proved. This groundless accusation of -theirs created a great expense to government as well as us, and I should -expect that, after being convinced of their error, some acknowledgment -should be made for the great trouble they have put us to."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The name of this correspondent it not given in the original draught - of the letter preserved among Brant's papers.</p> - - -<p>But the Caughnawaga difficulties were no sooner at an end, than it was his -lot to encounter others yet more nearly touching his pecuniary integrity, -which annoyed him not a little. There were active spirits about him, -official and unofficial, who, for reasons of their own, looked with no -favorable eye upon the mission of Teyoninhokáráwen. So strongly indeed -were these men opposed to the claims of the Indians, that they were led to -the adoption of very unjustifiable means, not only to circumvent the -negotiations of Norton, but to prostrate the power and influence of the -old Chief himself. To this end, domestic dissensions were fomented, even -among his own kindred, the Mohawks. The Chief was again accused of -peculations; and although the grant of the Grand River territory had been -notoriously made for the exclusive benefit of the Mohawk nation, yet the -Senecas, and others of the Iroquois Nations, not residing in Canada, were -stirred up to claim a voice in the disposition of those lands, and in the -domestic relations of that nation, by virtue of their confederate league, -which had never before been construed as clothing them with any such -rights or powers. In furtherance of the design of prostrating Brant and -thwarting the efforts of Norton in England, a Council of the Six Nations -was held at Buffalo Creek, under the direction of the Seneca Chiefs, Red -Jacket and the Farmer's Brother; at which all the proceedings of Brant and -Norton were formally disavowed, and Brant himself deposed from the -chieftainship of the Confederacy, at the head of which he had stood for -more than a quarter of a century. His associate Mohawk Sachems were -likewise removed, and others, taken, as Jeroboam selected his priests, -from the lowest of the people, appointed in their stead. None of the -Mohawk Chiefs were present at this Council, but only a few of the -discontents, and of the more worthless members of the nation, who had been -wrought upon by the white opponents of the principal Chief. The whole -movement was illegal, according to the ancient usages of the Confederacy, -in other respects. The Council was not convened at the National -Council-fire, which had years before been regularly removed from Buffalo -Creek to the Onondaga Village on the Grand River. Nor, aside from the -fact that the Senecas, and others residing within the United States, had -no right to a voice in regard to the domestic affairs or the lands of the -Mohawks, was the General Confederacy properly or legally represented. Red -Jacket, however, was both a ready and a willing instrument in the hands of -Brant's opponents. In all the councils in which it had been the fortune of -the two Chiefs to meet for the transaction of business, there had been -little of cordiality between them, and much less of friendship. -<i>Yau-go-ya-wat-haw,</i> or Red Jacket, was not a chief by birth, but had made -himself such by his cunning. He was artful, eloquent, and ambitious. -Aspiring to the rank of a chief, he availed himself of the superstitious -dispositions of his people to attain his object. His first essay was, to -dream that he was, or should be, a Chief, and that the Great Spirit was -angry because his nation did not advance him to that dignity. These -dreams, with the necessary variations, were repeated, until, fortunately -for him, the small-pox broke out among the Senecas. He then proclaimed the -loathsome infliction as a judgment of the Great Spirit, because of the -ingratitude of the nation to him. The consequence, ultimately, was, that -by administering flattery to some, and working upon the superstitious -fears of others, he reached the goal of his ambition. Brant, however, had -always, on all suitable occasions, pronounced him a coward—the greatest -coward of his race. He used to say that Red Jacket was always valiant for -fight with his tongue; but that, although by his eloquence he persuaded -many warriors to fight, he was ever careful not to get into personal -danger himself. He also asserted as a fact, that having sent others upon -the war-path, he would turn to, and steal and kill their cows for his own -use. [FN-1] Smarting under the contemptuous treatment of the Mohawk Chief, -therefore, the eloquent demagogue of the Senecas was not backward in -compassing, as he hoped, the overthrow of his enemy, if not his rival. -Hence, for years antecedent to the council called clandestinely for the -deposition of Brant, Red Jacket had labored, with all art and diligence, -to create jealousies and distrust against him. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Conversations of the author with Thomas Morris, Esq. This - gentleman, during his residence in the western part of New-York, became - intimately acquainted with the Senecas and Mohawks—especially with their - Chiefs—having assisted at several treaties with them. He once - entertained Brant, Red Jacket, and a number of other chiefs, at his own - house in Canandaigua. At dinner, Brant was very amusing; and among other - stories, related the cow-killing exploits of a Seneca Chief, in such an - arch manner as to direct the attention of the whole company upon Red - Jacket, and yet compel Red Jacket himself to raise an affected laugh.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] See the certificate of Israel Chapin, as to the general character - of Brant, and the unfounded jealousies excited against him by his - opponents, Appendix, No. XII.</p> - - -<p>The Chief himself was, of course, early apprised of what had taken place, -and the manner of the conspiracy, of which he appears to have written a -full account to his friend, the Duke of Northumberland. The copy of only -a portion of that communication has been discovered. It is without date, -but must have been written in A. D. 1805.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">May it please your Grace:</span></p> - -<p>"As my nephew, Teyoninhokáráwen, has safe returned, gratitude prompts me -to return you my most hearty thanks for the very kind reception and aid -you gave him, and express the regret myself and the other Chiefs of the -Five Nations inhabiting the Grand River feel, that after the trouble your -Grace has taken in our affairs, he should have been frustrated of having -them concluded to our satisfaction by the intrigues of the Agent for -Indian affairs, (a Mr. Claus,) of which I shall take the liberty to give -you a succinct account.</p> - -<p>"When, in consequence of the warm support you gave my nephew, dispatches -were received by the late Governor from England, in favor of the Indians, -the Agent insinuated, through his instruments of intrigue, that he was -about effecting something much to their detriment, should they not -immediately prevent it. But finding that he could not succeed at the Grand -River, a few of the common people went to Buffalo Creek, a village of the -Five Nations within the American line, where they had a council, and then -went to Niagara, [FN] where Mr. Claus, the Agent, dictated to them what -was sent to England. . . . Several of the principal Chiefs from Buffalo, -who signed, are pensioners to the Americans; one of them, Red Jacket, or -the <i>Cow-killer,</i> the speaker, and the greatest coward of all the Five -Nations, at the Connecticut (in New-England) Assembly swore, or promised, -kissing the portrait of General Washington, to be true to their interests. -But to make their numbers appear more respectable, all the common people -signed as Chiefs, from the villages on the American side, as did the few, -with three or four petty chiefs, who went from the Grand River. The poor -fellows, in consequence of the promises, and having signed together with -the officers, have been long expecting to receive their commissions; and -even some of them have been expecting to receive tidings of them by -Teyoninhokáráwen. The purport of the writing was, that the mission and -proceedings of Teyoninhokáráwen should be disallowed of and disavowed; -that I should be displaced from being Chief; and that a few settlers -introduced by the Chiefs—."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Vide certificate of Captain Leonard, and other American officers, - then stationed at Niagara.—Appendix, No. XIII.</p> - - -<p>Here the copy of this communication abruptly breaks off. But although the -proceedings referred to were transmitted to England by the opponents of -the Chief, and followed by consequences fatal to the mission of Norton; -yet the failure, so far as the Chief himself was concerned, was as signal -as the plot in all respects was indefensible and unjust. It was but a few -months anterior to these proceedings, founded, in the main, upon alleged -embezzlements, or mal-appropriations, of the revenue of his nation, that -a General Council had been holden at Grand River, which was attended by -the chiefs and warriors, the Deputy and Superintendent-General, and the -principal military officers of the province, and at which the pecuniary -transactions of Captain Brant had been fully investigated—found to be -accurate, and approved. The proceedings at this council appear to have -been dictated in the most amicable spirit; and from their complexion, -nothing could have been more unlikely than the revival of charges, then -so thoroughly shown to be without foundation in truth. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. XIV.</p> - - -<p>But the old Chief, did not remain passive under his persecutions. He took -an early occasion to meet a council of the faction of his own nation who -were opposing him, and to upbraid them in no very measured terms for their -ingratitude. His address was written out in full, in the Mohawk dialect, -and was afterward circulated in the form of an appeal to his nation. [FN] -After a spirited review of his life, and the services he had rendered them -from the commencement of the war of the Revolution, the appeal -proceeded:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This document was never translated by Captain Brant. Portions of the - manuscript are illegible; but all that can be read has been translated - for the use of the author.</p> - - -<p>. . . "It astonishes me, therefore, after all that I have done for you, -to hear almost all of you, young and old, joining your voices with Colonel -Claus, and saying of me that I have embezzled your property, and such -like hard speeches, which you know are false,—while you never so much as -think of mentioning the many important services I have rendered you, the -many privations I have suffered on your account, and the journies I have -undertaken for your benefit—for the time and expenses of which you have -never paid me one penny. . . . At Philadelphia the Americans spoke in a -very friendly manner to me, and made me large offers of presents for -myself and family if I would prevent any farther attacks from the Indians. -But I positively refused to accept of any thing from them, lest I should -injure your good name as the Six Nation Indians. And again, I knew that -the King would not suffer me to be in want; and had I accepted anything -at this time, it might have been thought that I had been bribed, and -become a traitor, which, when made public, would have been disgraceful to -me, and injurious to you as my people. I thought I could depend on our -white brethren, the King's subjects, should I at any time need their -assistance. . . . There was the Grand River Tract, upon which I might have -had a farm, and lived on its produce. These considerations were more than -sufficient to deter me from receiving the valuable presents offered for my -acceptance. . . . I think the only way I could satisfy you, would be for -me to pay out of my own purse for every item that has to be expended for -your public uses. My only crime is, that I want to make you a happy -people, and for you to be enabled to call your land your own forever; and -not leaving it doubtful whether it is yours or not. I say you would be -well pleased if every thing could be done for the general good of the Six -Nations, without parting with a foot of land to pay for contingencies. -Colonel Claus asks you where your money is gone to? He never asks where -the proceeds of sales of your lands are gone to, else you might tell him -that it is gone to assist in building his splendid house. Whenever I have -had occasion to use any of your money, I have never touched any but the -interest, and have left the principal entire. But your friend Claus has -devoted principal and interest together; and yet you come to my house -complaining. . . . I ask again, what do you find in my conduct to -disapprove of? If you can point any thing out, I should like to hear it. -Or, will you say that every thing that I have done has been for your -injury and not for your benefit?"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - -<p>"I say I cannot find, in all that I have done, that anything has tended -to your injury, or the injury of the King's cause. Yet you speak of me as -one who is your enemy—as one who does what he can to injure you; and I -have no doubt that you, who are hearing me, feel so toward me in your -hearts, although I have reiterated in your hearing many instances where -what I did tended to raise your name as well as my own; and in other -instances, when I might have been enriched, I have refused receiving for -fear of your name being tarnished. Still, you would almost brand me with -the name of thief, although not one of you have ever subscribed a penny to -pay my expenses when I have traveled on your public business."</p> - -<p>The original manuscript of this address is much broken, especially in that -portion of it containing a review of his services in connexion with the -wars of the north-western Indians with the United States. The following -fragments of sentences upon that subject, only, have been translated:—</p> - -<p>. . . "Every man of us thought, that by fighting for the King, we should -ensure to ourselves and children a good inheritance. . . . At another -time, at the last council we held, when the Americans were talking with -the Indians, I spoke to Otsinarenta, and said, 'if the Americans fail in - . . . I should like to go and surprise Wayne when he least expects it.'"</p> - -<p>It was very soon manifest that the pretended deposition of the veteran -Mohawk, at the instigation of white men, and through the immediate agency -of Red Jacket, was no act of the great body of the Six Nations, much less -of his own nation; and the attempt to shake the faith of their "fathers in -council," in the perfect integrity of the Chief who had so long been their -leader in the cabinet and in the field, was a signal abortion. A meeting -of the chiefs and warriors was soon afterward held, at which the whole -controversy seems again, from the fragments of the proceedings yet in -existence, to have been renewed. From one of the speeches, the following -passages, connected immediately with the position and conduct of Brant, -and the proceedings against him, are extracted:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother, listen!</span> Is it not thus, when a present is given, that the -bestower will not think of again grasping hold of it? But it seems as if -we were in that predicament—not being considered as real proprietors. We -are grieved and ashamed that so much should have been said on the subject, -without it being confirmed according to the first promise.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We find divisions among us. The young men think to take the -lead, who know nothing of our affairs nor what we suffered in the war. -According to the first formation of our confederacy, the Mohawk was the -leading nation. So it has been since our establishment at the Grand River. -Therefore our leading Chief, Captain Brant, has stood foremost in our -affairs, with which he is thoroughly acquainted.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> There have been rumors concerning our money, and the application -made of it. We, that have been engaged in the public affairs, know where -it is gone. He has not been always traveling, and employed on his own -concerns—it has been on those of the public. He has been to the other -side of the water, and several times to Quebec; and always in these -journies expended his own property, we never making any collection for him -whatever. And now what he may have made use of is only the interest. -Nothing has been taken from the principal. The payment for one township -has been made without any delinquency whatever. We are perfectly satisfied -with all his transactions.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother, listen!</span> That which was done at Buffalo, and which you have -confirmed and sent to the other side of the water, was a thing that had -never before taken place, in which they pretend to break our Chief, -Captain Brant. But we assure you, brother, that this shall not be; for we -know not his having so transgressed as to merit such treatment. Neither is -it proper that such a proceeding within the American line, and done by -Indians inhabiting that territory, should be countenanced by you."</p> - -<p>At the same setting, <i>Tchaosennoghts,</i> or <i>Duguoin,</i> a Seneca Chief, spoke -as follows:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> You see here a remnant of the warriors that fought last war, -whose hearts are grieved that they have lived to see the present change of -our treatment, and our situation. The divisions existing among us, and the -attempts of the young men to put the Chiefs aside, have no other origin -than the Indian store. It is there the young men receive from his -Majesty's bounty that which was designed for those who fought and suffered -in his cause, and who are now treated with neglect. It is from this they -are led to imagine themselves men of ability and consequence. It is easy -for them to say, now, there is nothing to be done, or no danger—that they -are loyal, and side with government. We are no less loyal, we assure you, -now; and when occasion required, we gave proofs of our attachment. But we -know our Great Father is no less generous than opulent, and does not want -our lands. Neither can we think ourselves departing from our duty in -wishing to preserve them for our posterity, for we are poor. It is not -Captain Brant who is the sower of dissension; but it is what I just -mentioned that causes the division amongst us.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> The right of being chief, according to our customs, arises -either from hereditary line on the female side, or from having been -distinguished by meritorious conduct, so as to be accepted as such. This -has not been the case in the late appointment you sanctioned. One of them, -to whom you pay great regard, we know has been distinguished in your -opinion far some things which we have not been accustomed to pay that -respect to."</p> - -<p>Finally, at this, or a subsequent General Council, a speech, drawn up in -the form of a declaration, was executed, under the sanction of the -signatures and seals of sixteen of the most distinguished chiefs, -residents upon the Grand River, and representing the Mohawks, Cayugas, -Oghkwagas, Tuscaroras, and one Delaware chief; bearing the most -unequivocal testimony to the integrity of Thayendanegea, and asserting -their undiminished confidence in his faithful management of their -business, as agent in the matter of their lands. It was stated in this -paper that he had desired, of himself, some time before, to withdraw from -that agency, and that he had only consented to remain therein at their -urgent solicitation—he requiring that a board of twenty-four chiefs might -be selected from the different tribes, to act as counselors, and probably -to determine all questions of doubt or controversy. "This," says the -declaration, "has been done—but at the same time we desired that he might -continue at the head. And farther hearing that there are many obstacles -yet preventing the equitable conclusion of our land business, we now -unanimously renew and strengthen him in quality of agent, which, from the -confidence we have in his integrity from what has already passed, we -assure ourselves he will exert himself in that office, as far as lies in -his power, to promote the general welfare. With these strings we -therefore exhort him to continue with moderation and patience, and flatter -ourselves from the equity of our brethren, the British government, and his -abilities, all difficulties will at last be surmounted."</p> - -<p>Nothing could be more explicit than this testimony of exoneration, so far -as the charges against the Chief were connected with his management of the -land concerns of his people. But his vindication did not rest here. Soon -after the return of Teyoninhokáráwen to the Grand River, a general council -of the Six Nations was convened at Niagara, for the purpose of meeting the -Deputy Superintendent-General, and entering a solemn protest against the -proceedings of the council at which Red Jacket and the Farmer's Brother -had pretended to depose Thayendanegea. For several days the Deputy -declined meeting the Council, upon the plea of waiting for the attendance -of Mr. Selby, a gentleman from Detroit. But as that gentleman did not -arrive, and it was uncertain when he would come, if at all, the Chiefs -determined to proceed with their business. The Deputy, accompanied by -Colonel Proctor, met the Chiefs only to repeat his excuse, and to declare, -that under existing circumstances, he would not listen to what they had -to say. The Chiefs, however, resolved to proceed with their deliberations; -and their protest, yet existing in the chirography of Captain Brant, was -read and sanctioned by the council, in presence of several officers of the -garrison, and also of several distinguished civilians. This paper -contained a succinct review of the controversy respecting the lands; the -object of Norton's mission to England; the partial success of that -agent—thwarted only by the use that had been made of the proceedings of -Red Jacket's unauthorized and illegally-constituted council—a review of -those proceedings; and a protest against the whole. [FN] After the reading -had been concluded, <i>Okoghsenniyonte,</i> a Cayuga Chief, rose, and declared -the general approbation of the document by the council.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. XV.</p> - - -<p>With these proceedings, it is believed, the efforts to prostrate Brant, -and deprive him of the chieftainship, ceased. In any event they were not -successful, and he remained at the head of the Mohawks, and consequently -at the head of the Confederacy, until the day of his decease.</p> - -<p>But, even under all these discouragements, it was not the design of the -indefatigable Chief to relinquish his exertions to obtain justice for his -people at the hands of the parent government. For this purpose another -visit to England was determined upon, to be performed, either by himself, -or Norton, or perhaps by both. This determination was announced to the -Duke of Northumberland by letter, early in the year 1806:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, January</i> 24<i>th</i>, 1806.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Lord Duke,</span></p> - -<p>"The kind and affectionate letter I received from your Grace, has deeply -penetrated our hearts with a sense of the honor you confer on the Five -Nations in the sincere regard you express for their welfare; and we hope -that our future conduct, and that of our descendants, may never fail to -cause such sentiments to be cherished in the noble hearts of the leaders -of the British nation. For, however wounding to our feelings, or -detrimental to our interests, may be the treatment we have received, and -yet continue to receive, in this country, our reliance on the fatherly -protection of his Majesty, and the confidence we have ever placed in the -humanity, love of justice, and honor of your nation, is not weakened.</p> - -<p>"The reason of my having delayed so long writing to your Grace, is, that -from the arrival of a new Governor, [FN-1] I received some hopes that what -respects our land affairs might have been accomplished to our satisfaction -in this country. But these hopes are now vanished—for appearances give -me reason to apprehend that the old council, (principally composed of men -influenced by an insatiable avarice for lands,) have so prejudiced his -Excellency against us, as to disappoint what otherwise we might have -expected from the innate benevolence of our father's representative. It is -therefore the determination of the real chiefs and faithful warriors to -comply with the brotherly advice of your Grace. [FN-2] Therefore, either -both of us, or Teyoninhokáráwen, [FN-3] shall make another attempt in -England, invested with full powers from our nations, in writing, according -to European customs, which your distance and our situation at present -render absolutely necessary. Some small difficulties necessitate delay, -or we would immediately be on the road."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Sir Francis Gore.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Contained, probably, in a letter from the Duke, which has not been - found.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] John Norton.</p> - - -<p>"His Excellency has expressed that he will only hear from us through Mr. -Claus, the head of the Indian Department, who is our implacable enemy; and -from what has already passed, we are well assured will do every thing in -his power to thwart our success. Previous to receiving any speech, he -requests that we give him a copy of it; but himself, when he pretended, -last of all, to make a defence to what we had expressed at Niagara in -July, in reference to his having deceived the British ministry by the -improper names sent to England to thwart the mission of Teyoninhokáráwen, -he read his speech in such a low voice that it could only be heard by -those who sat next to him, and afterwards refused to give us a copy of it. -So we remain as ignorant of what he alleged in his defence, as if he had -made no speech.</p> - -<p>"The same confidence in the good faith of our allies, which animated my -courage to persevere in the most trying situations during the war, and -exhort to a similar perseverance those whom extraordinary difficulties, -or American intrigue, might stagger, yet encourages me to hope for -justice, notwithstanding the clouds that shade us from it.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Wyatt, Surveyor General of this province, does me the favor to take -this. The copy of the speech delivered at Niagara last July, -Teyoninhokáráwen sent you several months ago; so I hope you have received -it by this time. With the sincerest respect and gratitude, I remain,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your Grace's - Faithful friend and - Brother warrior, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant,</span> - <i>Thayendanegea.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">His Grace the Duke of Northumberland,</span> - <i>Thorighwagéri.</i>"</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Duke of Northumberland to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Northumberland House,</i> 5<i>th May,</i> 1806.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My very good Friend and Brother Warrior:</span></p> - -<p>"I have received safely your letter of the 24th January, which reached me -on the 23d of last month, with all that pleasure which is naturally felt -by one friend when he receives a letter from another friend. I am happy to -find that the interest I took in the affairs of the Five Nations has been -acceptable to their Board, as I am by being one of their community. They -may rest assured I shall always be happy to assist them to the utmost of -my power.</p> - -<p>"I was very sorry that the zeal of my brother Teyoninhokáráwen failed of -success; but I can assure you and the Chiefs of the Five Nations, that it -was not for want of constant attention and the most unremitting zeal on -his part. No person could possibly execute the mission on which he was -sent, with more ability than he did. It is only a piece of justice due to -him, to desire you to mention this to the General Council when they meet.</p> - -<p>"The names of those who gave credit to Mr. Claus's fictitious council, are -washed out from the administration of this country, and a more sensible -set of ministers are appointed in their room, and I think those who now -fill the high offices of State in this kingdom, would listen to the wishes -of our brethren in the Five Nations. [FN] I shall be happy if I can be of -service in procuring for them the accomplishment of their wishes. But -before I attempt any thing, I must desire clearly to understand what are -the wishes of the Five Nations. Do they desire to have a confirmation of -the grant of Sir Frederick Haldimand and (if possible) to have it under -the Great Thayendanegea, &c. with the Seal of the United Kingdom of Great -Britain and Ireland? Would they consent, (if such a thing is proposed) to -have a clause inserted in the confirming grant declaring the grant to be -vacated, if the Five Nations should at any time part with the territory -thus granted to them, either to the Americans, or to any other nation of -Indians, or to any other person or persons not being of the Five Nations, -or a British subject, without the consent of the crown of Great Britain? I -mention this circumstance, because I think something of this kind was -hinted at by Mr. Cooke, and the improper manner in which it was stated, -gave reason to suppose that the Five Nations could not alienate it, or any -part of it, from one Indian of the Five Nations to another Indian of the -Five Nations, which never was intended to be prevented."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Duke, probably, referred to the dissolution of Mr. Addington's - Administration in 1801, and the return to power of Mr. Pitt. True, the - ministry of the latter was dissolved by the decease of that incomparable - premier, in January antecedent to the time the Duke was then writing; but - it must have been the Addington ministry which was in power at the time - of Norton's mission, and which was "washed out" by dissolution after Pitt - had abandoned it, and made a speech in opposition, even on the same side - with Fox.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>"I should, however, advise that either yourself, Teyoninhokáráwen, or some -other chief, should come over, properly authorised by the chiefs, to -transact and finally settle all this business.</p> - -<p>"There are a number of well-meaning persons here, who are very desirous of -forming a Society to better (as they call it,) the condition of our -nation, by converting us from hunters and warriors into husbandmen. Let -me strongly recommend it to you, and the rest of our chiefs, not to listen -to such a proposition. Let our young men never exchange their liberty, and -manly exercises, to become hewers of wood and drawers of water. If they -will teach our women to spin and to weave; this would be of use; but to -endeavor to enervate our young men by doing nothing but tilling the earth, -would be the greatest injury they could do the Five Nations. Nine hundred -or a thousand warriors, enured to hardship by hunting, are a most -respectable and independent body; but what would the same number of men -become who were merely husbandmen? They would hardly rate a small parish, -seeking for protection from others, scarcely heard of and known, and -obliged tamely to submit to laws and regulations made by other people, and -incapable of defending themselves. If you want an example of what the Five -Nations would soon become, look only at the Stockbridge Indians. They, -like us, were once a noble and formidable tribe; they now are less than -women. Some of the persons who propose this plan, have their own private -reasons. They wish to go over among you, and when they have collected you -together in order to teach you to cultivate the ground, they will then -show you how very small a part of the land granted you is sufficient for -to supply your wants, and will next endeavor to prevail upon you to grant -them the remainder, in gratitude for the trouble they have had in -instructing you in agriculture. No, my dear friend and brother warrior, -never suffer yourself, or your Chiefs, to be induced by their plausible -arguments. If you do, remember I now foretell that you will become a poor, -dependent, and insignificant body, instead of continuing a free, warlike, -and independent nation as we now are. I wish to see the Christian -religion, sobriety, and good morals, prevail among our nation; but let us -continue free and independent as the air that blows upon us; let us -continue hunters and warriors, capable of enforcing respect, and doing -ourselves justice; but let us never submit to become the tillers of land, -hewers of wood, and drawers of water, by the false and interested advice -of those who, from being our pretended friends, would soon become our -imperious masters. Accept this, my good friend and brother warrior, from -one who wishes the Five Nations ever to continue a formidable nation, -commanding respect from all its neighbors, and who interests himself most -sincerely in their welfare. Say every thing proper for me to my brother -Chiefs, and believe me,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your faithful friend and brother warrior, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Northumberland,</span> - <i>Thorighwagéri</i></p> - -<p>"PS Dezonhighkor (Lord Percy) desires to return his thanks, and to offer -his compliments to you and to Teyoninhokáráwen, (Norton,) to whom I desire -you to give my compliments likewise. I have received his letter, and will -write to him by this mail if I possibly can."</p> -<br> -<p>Pursuant to the suggestions of the preceding correspondence, the -preparations were made for another mission to London, by Thayendanegea -himself. He actually commenced his journey, and proceeded as far as -Albany, with the design of embarking at New-York. Circumstances, however, -occurred, which rendered it necessary for him to return to his own -country. Afterward, owing to pecuniary difficulties, the undertaking was -indefinitely deferred, as will be seen by the annexed communication to the -Duke, which was probably the last ever addressed to that nobleman by his -brother warrior of the forest:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Duke of Northumberland.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Head of Lake Ontario, June</i> 26, 1807.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Lord Duke,</span></p> - -<p>"I wrote you last by the Surveyor General, Mr. Wyatt, acquainting your -Grace that Teyoninhokáráwen or myself should again cross the sea on the -subject of our land affairs, &c. Shortly after that we have been formally -deputed, either jointly or separately, by a general council of the chiefs -and warriors of the Grand River, held at the Onondaga Village, according -to the ancient custom of the Five Nations.</p> - -<p>"The want of money for the journey, and suspicions of new intrigues being -attempted in our absence again to frustrate our endeavors for the public -good, have deterred us for the present from undertaking the intended -journey. But, confiding in the regard which we know that your Grace has -for your brethren of the Five Nations and their interests; in the fatherly -affection of his Majesty; and in the justice of the British nation; we -send you the powers we have received; and beg that your Grace may grant us -your aid to obtain from his Majesty a confirmation of General Haldimand's -grant to the Five Nations under the Great Seal; and that the part we have -surrendered to Government for sale, they shall guarantee to us and our -heirs the regular payment of the purchase money stipulated, according to -former representation.</p> - -<p>"With the greatest respect and esteem, I have the honor to be</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your Grace's humble servant, and - Faithful brother warrior"</p> - -<p>For a good and sufficient reason, which will appear in the closing pages -of the present work, the claims of the Mohawks were prosecuted no farther -by their old and vigilant Chief, Thayendanegea. Nor have their -difficulties with the officers of the crown entirely ceased to this day.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxiv">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Exertions of Thayendanegea for the moral and social improvement of his - people—His religious views—Efforts for the religions instruction of - his people—Letter to Sir John Johnson upon the subject of obtaining a - resident clergyman—Farther correspondence—Interview of Brant with the - Bishop—Disappointment—Letter to the Chief Justice—Appeal of Brant to - the Lord Bishop, but without success—Application to the American - church—Letter to Colonel Burr—Succeeds in obtaining the ordination of - Mr. Phelps—Estimate of Brant's character by the clergy—Letter of Rev. - Dr. Mason—Rev. Elkanah Holmes—Letter of Brant to the Rev. Dr. - Miller—Ardent spirits—Efforts of Brant to prevent their - introduction—Letter to Sir John Johnson—Interposition of the - women—Address of Brant in reply—Indian games and pastimes—National - game of Cricket—Great game at Grand River, between the Senecas and - Mohawks—Judge Woodruff's visit to Brant's residence—Description of his - person—Indian funerals—Respect for the dead—Estimate of women—Their - influence—Funeral speech of Seneca-George—Death of Mrs. Claus—Speech - of condolence by Captain Brant—Captain Claus in reply—Brant's visit to - New-York, Philadelphia, and Hartford, in 1797—Attentions to him in - Philadelphia—Dinner party of Colonel Burr—Talleyrand and other - distinguished guests—Letter of introduction from Colonel Burr to his - daughter—Dinner party in his honor by Miss Theodosia—His manners - described by Dr. Miller and by General Porter—Designs upon his life in - the Mohawk country—The late John Wells—Striking incident in - Albany—Anecdotes—Brant and General Gansevoort—Brant and Colonel Van - Courtlandt—Reasons of Brant for taking up arms for the King—His - reasonings in defence of the Indian mode of warfare.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Had</span> no other subjects demanded the consideration, and required the active -personal exertions, of Captain Brant, during the last twelve years of his -career, than those already reviewed, his life must still have been -considered one of uncommon industry. But the cares upon his hands were -multitudinous in other respects. His desire for the moral and social -improvement of his people led him to a vigilant oversight of all their -domestic concerns. Rude as was their government, it was still to be -administered, and a domestic police, of some kind, was to be observed. The -administration of their government, moreover, was probably attended by -none the less difficulty from the peculiar position in which the Mohawk -Indians were placed at that particular period of their history. Their -society was in a transition state—being neither the hunter nor the -agricultural, but partaking in part of both; while, notwithstanding the -advice of the Duke of Northumberland, it was the strong desire of the -Chief to draw them from the former to the latter course of life. Before -their transplantation from their native valley, they had, many of them, -made considerable advances in the pursuit of husbandry, Brant himself -having cultivated an excellent farm in the neighborhood of General -Herkimer's residence, near the Upper Mohawk Castle; [FN] and though the -vicissitudes of war had cast them once more into a primitive forest, -entirely unsubdued, the Chief had no idea of relinquishing the certainty -of agricultural competence for the precarious supplies of the chase.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The author visited the plantation formerly belonging to Brant in the - Autumn of 1836. Nothing of his domicile, save the cellar, remained. His - orchard of apple-trees, however, was thrifty and in full bearing.</p> - - -<p>Nor was he ignorant of what alone can form the basis of an industrious and -truly moral community. Whether he was himself a man of experimental -religion, in the evangelical sense of the term, is a question which it is -not the province of the historian to decide. There is no doubt that he -was a believer in the great and essential truths of revelation, and it is -equally certain that after his return from Dr. Wheelock's school, he was -the subject of deep religious impressions. But whether these impressions -were entirely effaced during the long years of arduous and active public -service in which he was subsequently engaged, both as a warrior and a -politician—in the battle-field, in the council of war, and in the Indian -Congress—threading the solitudes of his native forests, or amidst the -splendid gaieties of the British metropolis—is not for this writer to -affirm or deny. Be this, however, as it may, he was a man of too much -sagacity not to perceive the importance of education and religion, as -auxiliaries in carrying forward the moral and social improvement of his -nation; and the preponderance of testimony favors the opinion that he was -never careless of the spiritual interests of his charge. It has been seen, -that when quite a young man, he was engaged with the Episcopal and other -Christian missionaries, assisting in translating the Church Prayer Book -and the Holy Scriptures. And immediately after the close of the long -conflict in which he had borne so active a part, he was again found -recurring, of his own volition, to the same labors, and superintending the -printing of the Gospel of Mark, and other religious works, in London. One -of his first stipulations with the Commander-in-chief, on the acquisition -of his new territory, was for the building of a church, a school-house, -and a flouring mill; and no sooner had the North-western Indian wars been -brought to an end, than the religious principle was again in action, and -his thoughts and exertions once more directed to the means of imparting to -his people a knowledge of their relation to God, and the consequences -flowing therefrom. In proof of this assertion, the following letter may be -appropriately introduced:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Sir John Johnson, Bar't.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, Dec.</i> 15, 1797.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Since writing the letter accompanying this, the Chiefs have conferred -together respecting the state of religion among the Five Nations, which -now appears to be a subject of more serious consideration among them than -formerly. We are sensible, Sir, of the goodness of Government, among other -benefits, in accommodating us with a church, and we have long been -desirous of having a clergyman to reside constantly with us; this, we -apprehend, would be highly promotive of morality and the Christian virtues -among our people. We do not complain, Sir, of the neglect of the society -in this respect, as we are satisfied that their benevolent attention to -mankind has been equal to their means; for this reason we have hitherto -omitted making application to them upon this head. Besides, we are -sensible how difficult it must be for them to find a suitable character -willing to settle among us in this rude and distant quarter.</p> - -<p>"In order to discharge my duty in this important affair, and that I may -rest in peace, I have conferred with a gentleman of a liberal education, -Mr. Davenport Phelps, with whose character and family I have long been -acquainted, who has ample testimonials respecting his literary and moral -qualifications, and who, I believe, will consent to devote his life to the -service of the Church among us, provided his Lordship, the Bishop of -Quebec, shall think proper to ordain him to the sacred office. Mr. Phelps -with great candor observes, that from his not having been so conversant -with books for a number of years past as he could have wished, -particularly classical ones, he is diffident of a critical examination in -the dead languages. But, Sir, from his general, I may say almost -universal, character among the discerning, I consider the prospect of his -usefulness among us very great; and assure you that it is the desire of -the Chiefs in general, and my most ardent wish, that he may be ordained a -missionary for the Five Nations on this river. And from your official -relation to us, I take the liberty of begging you to communicate our -wishes to his Lordship the Bishop respecting this gentleman, that we may -be informed, if possible, before the opening of the Spring, whether a -character of Mr. Phelps's description will be approved by his Lordship, -and deemed a proper subject for ordination.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, dear sir, - Your most obedient - And humble serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Sir John Johnson, Bar't.</i></p> - -<p>"P. S. I know you will excuse my observing that we shall be glad to know -what sum the society, and what government will severally think proper to -allow our missionary; since, should their allowances be insufficient for -his support, by other means it must be made adequate."</p> -<br> -<p>The Baronet lost no time in bringing the subject before the Bishop, but -difficulties were interposed by his Lordship, and an occasional -correspondence of two or three years ensued, before the wishes of the -Indians, for the ordination of a spiritual teacher, were complied with. -The first objection was that the candidate for orders had not been -examined. In reply, Captain Brant apologized for their ignorance as to the -prerequisites, and urged that an examination might be undergone before the -Rev. Mr. Addison, "who, having gone through the forms himself, must be -acquainted with the business." Both the Chief and his people were -impatient of delay; and the Captain reminded the Bishop, through Sir John, -of the pledge which the Archbishop of Canterbury had made to him in the -presence of the King, that whenever the Indians, by the erection of a -church, should be ready for religious instruction, he would do all in his -power to supply their wants.</p> - -<p>In the Spring of 1798, the Chief had an earnest correspondence with Mr. -Russell, the provincial Governor, upon the subject, in the course of -which, in one of his letters, he said:—"With respect to any uncertainty -or difficulty there may be in obtaining a salary from government, we would -wish that that should not entirely restrain his Lordship; for, should -government not be willing to grant an allowance for a clergyman, sooner -than want one we would strain every point ourselves to procure a salary, -and would be joined by several respectable families of white people in the -neighborhood."</p> - -<p>In the Summer of the following year, on his return from a visit to the -lower province, the Captain met with the Lord Bishop at Kingston, and -again urged his attention to the subject; and, as he supposed, arranged -matters for an examination of Mr. Phelps at Niagara, to which place his -Lordship was preparing to extend his visit. But there was again -disappointment, arising from a cause altogether unexpected. The following -spirited letter will disclose the motive of the delay:</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Chief Justice.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River,</i>—" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The date is wanting in the copy. It must have been, however, toward - the close of 1799.</p> - - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I feel myself under the necessity of representing to your Honor, that -from the consideration of the great importance of having a missionary -resident among the Indians, and that from the knowledge I have long had -of Mr. Davenport Phelps, and my particular acquaintance with his family -and connexions, I have been earnestly desirous that he might be ordained -to that office. To this end, the Winter before last I wrote the Honorable -Sir John Johnson, who communicated my wishes, and those of the other -chiefs, in this respect, to his Lordship the Bishop of Quebec. No -determinate answer was given, and in consequence the subject thus remained -till the Summer past, when, on my return from Lower Canada, at Kingston, -in a conversation with his Lordship, he was pleased to express the utmost -readiness to do what was incumbent on him to carry what was desired into -effect—manifesting a cheerful willingness to examine Mr. Phelps, in order -to his ordination.</p> - -<p>"Thus circumstanced, I requested Mr. Phelps to accompany me to Newark, -[FN] to offer himself for examination; but to my great disappointment -found, that previous to our arrival his Lordship had sailed for Quebec. I -was, Sir, however, surprised to learn, that he had left information -pointedly against the expected examination; which, though then to me -mysterious, I more fully understand since the arrival of his Excellency -Governor Hunter, at that place, who has told me that he had been informed -that Mr. Phelps had been at the head of a mob in the province. This -charge, replete with odium, I have good evidence to believe was originally -made by Mr. White, Attorney General, and as long ago as 1795. I must -acknowledge, Sir, that it is unaccountable in my mind how a charge of this -nature, made by one whose duty it is to prosecute seditious practices, -should remain unnoticed until so late a period, and then be suggested, as -I have too much reason to believe, to defeat a purpose earnestly desired -by many friends to the cause of religion and morality."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Formerly a town on the Niagara—now called Niagara.</p> - - -<p>"I cannot, in justice to truth, omit to observe that the proposal of Mr. -Phelps's being ordained to the church did not originate with him, (nor has -it since been solicited by him,) but by myself and others of -respectability, who have long known his virtues and abilities; who have -an indubitable claim to the honor of having defended this country against -the King's enemies; and whose loyalty and discernment cannot with decency -be disputed. If, however, a charge of this nature be proved, I shall -remain silent. If not, I humbly conceive justice and humanity require that -due reparation be made.</p> - -<p>"Your Honor's love of justice makes me confident of your best advice, and -wise interference in this affair.</p> - -<p>"I cannot but farther observe, that, considering the nature and -circumstances of this affair, I have a right to expect that Mr. White, or -whoever else has made this charge, be called on to prove it without delay. -I shall be much obliged by your answer to this by the bearer. I have the -honor to be, &c."</p> -<br> -<p>It is manifest from this letter, that the government were entertaining -political objections to the candidate. The conduct of the -Attorney-General, however, would not stand the scrutiny to which the -Mohawk was disposed to subject it. Nothing could be more apparent than -that the charge was either frivolous, or adduced as a pretext, or that the -Attorney General had been remiss in the performance of his own official -duty. The Indians still adhered to Mr. Phelps; and such was the strength -of their attachment to him, that Captain Brant subsequently prepared a -formal memorial to the Lord Bishop, setting forth his excellent -qualities—his talents, his virtues, and his loyalty—and urging his -ordination, "as their choice had been, and still was, fixed on him, in -preference to any other." [FN] But every effort to obtain the ordination -of Mr. Phelps from the English prelate was fruitless, and the attention of -Captain Brant was thereupon directed to the Episcopal Church of the United -States, through the interposition of General Chapin, the American Indian -Agent residing at Canandaigua, and Colonel Aaron Burr. Mr. Phelps, the -candidate for orders, visited the city of New-York, and was the bearer of -the following letter to Colonel Burr upon the subject:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The warmth of Brant's friendship for Mr. Phelps, and the strength of - his attachment to him, are explained by the circumstance that Mr. Phelps - had married the daughter of the elder President Wheelock, with whom the - Chief had doubtless' become acquainted while at the Moor Charity School. - As Mr. Phelps subsequently became the pioneer of the Episcopal Church in - the western part of the State of New-York, some farther notice of him - will be proper in this place. He was a native of Hebron, (Connecticut,) - where he was born in 1755. He was graduated at Yale College, with high - credit for his classical attainments, in 1775. Soon afterward he entered - the army of the Revolution, in Colonel Beadle's regiment—was made - prisoner and taken to Montreal, where he remained so long that he - acquired the French language so as to speak it with elegance. He was - married to Catharine Wheelock in 1785, and was for a time engaged in the - mercantile business, in company with his brothers-in-law, Ebenezer and - James Wheelock, in Hartford (Conn.) He afterward removed to - New-Hampshire, where he practised law, and served as a magistrate. In - 1798 he visited Upper Canada in company with James Wheelock, where they - jointly obtained a grant of eighty-four thousand acres of land from - Governor Simcoe. Soon afterward he removed his family to Upper Canada, - and settled for a time at Niagara, where he commenced the practice of the - law, and established a printing-office. He also had a mercantile concern - at that place, the business of which was chiefly conducted by an agent. - He had a taste for agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and paid much - attention to husbandry and the cultivation of fruit. A close intimacy - subsisted between himself and Captain Brant, and between their families. - He appears to have been early a religious man, and had, for some time - anterior to Brant's application in his behalf for orders, a strong - desire to enter the Episcopal Church.—<i>MS. Life of Rev. Davenport - Phelps, in preparation by the Rev. Dr. Rudd of Utica.</i></p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Colonel Burr.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, May</i> 7, 1800.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"About three weeks since, I received a message from O'Bail to attend a -council at Buffalo, where I expected the pleasure of seeing you. We -attended, and waited a few days; but the chiefs there not being ready to -meet us, and we having business that required our attendance at this -place, were under the necessity of coming away. Had I been so fortunate as -to have met you there, it was my intention to have conversed with you upon -a subject which I have long considered as most important to the present -and future well-being of the Indians on both sides of the lakes and at -large; namely, their situation in a moral point of view, and concerning -measures proper to be taken in order that regular and stated religious -instruction might be introduced among them.</p> - -<p>"You well know, Sir, the general state of the Indians residing on Grand -River, as well as in other parts. A considerable number of some of these -nations have long since embraced Christianity, and the conversion of -others must depend, under the influence of the Great Spirit, on the -faithful labors of a resident minister, who might visit and instruct both -here and elsewhere, as ways and doors might from time to time be opened -for him.</p> - -<p>"The establishment and enlargement of civilization and Christianity among -the natives must be most earnestly desired by all good men; and as -religion and morality respect mankind at large, without any reference to -the boundaries of civil governments, I flatter myself that you, Sir, will -approve what many of the chiefs here, with myself, are so greatly desirous -of.</p> - -<p>"I have in view, as I have before suggested, the welfare of the Indians at -large; being fully persuaded that nothing can so greatly contribute to -their present and future happiness as their being brought into the habits -of virtue and morality, which, I trust, may and will be gradually effected -by instruction, if properly attended and enforced by example.</p> - -<p>"I well know the difficulty of finding a gentleman suitably qualified, and -willing to devote his life to the work of a missionary among them; and -especially one of talents and manners to render him agreeable in a degree -highly to favor his usefulness. And, in order to satisfy myself in this -respect, I faithfully inquired and consulted, and am clearly of opinion, -that Mr. Davenport Phelps, who is recommended as a gentleman of virtue and -respectable accomplishments, is the most suitable character for this -office of any one within my knowledge. My long acquaintance with his -family, and particular knowledge of him, as well as the opinion and wishes -of the most respectable characters among the white people in this -vicinity, who earnestly wish, for themselves as well as for us, that he -may be ordained a missionary, make me earnestly hope that you will -officially recommend both the design and him to the Right Reverend Bishops -in the United States, or to some one of them, and to such other characters -as you may think proper.</p> - -<p>"From the consideration that religion and politics are distinct subjects, -we should not only be well satisfied to receive a Missionary from a Bishop -in the United States, but, for various other reasons, would prefer one -from thence.</p> - -<p>"We shall be able here to do something considerable towards Mr. Phelps's -support; and I doubt not but others, who have ability, will be disposed to -assist in promoting so good a work. I will add no more than that I have -great satisfaction in being confident of your friendly and influential -exertions in this important affair, and that I am, with great sincerity, -yours, &c.,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant.</span>" [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Brant had had some previous acquaintance with Colonel Burr and his - family, as will appear in a subsequent page. This letter was enclosed by - Colonel Burr to his daughter Theodosia, then Mrs. Alston, in December, - 1801, with the following remark:—"Yesterday Mr. Phelps, mentioned in the - enclosed, delivered to me two pair of moccasins, directed—'From Captain - Joseph Brant to Mr. and Mrs. Alston.' Your ship having sailed, I don't - know how or when I shall forward them to you; but we will see. I send - the original letter of Captain Brant, merely to show how an Indian can - write. It is his own hand-writing and composition. Upon this notice of - his attention you should write him a letter of acknowledgment for his - hospitality," &c. The author will here remark, that the orthography of - Captain Brant was remarkable and almost invariably accurate.</p> - - -<p>The application to the American Church was successful, and the Missionary -was ordained. [FN-1] But whether the measure was facilitated by the -exertions of Colonel Burr, is not known. The subject has been treated -thus at large, for the purpose of developing with more distinctness the - religious bias of the Chieftain's character, as illustrated by the -earnest perseverance with which he sought the Christian improvement of his -people. From other letters and documents among his papers, it is farther -rendered certain that several religious gentlemen of distinction in the -United States were in occasional correspondence with him upon religious -and other subjects connected with the history and condition of his people. -His house, likewise, seems to have been the free and open quarters of the -Missionaries employed at that early stage of the modern missionary -enterprise, among the borderers, both Anglo-Saxon and Aboriginal. [FN-2] -As an example of this description of correspondence, the following letter -is given—for the double purpose of showing the estimate placed upon the -character of Captain Brant by the great and good of that day, and of -embalming the name of one of the most devout and faithful pioneers of -Christianity that ever made the wilderness ring with the Gospel -trumpet—the Rev. Elkanah Holmes:</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Mr. Phelps was ordained a Deacon in Trinity Church, in the city - of New-York, by Bishop Benjamin Moore, on Sunday, December 13, 1801. He - immediately returned to Canada, and entered upon the active duties of a - missionary, holding frequent services, and traveling far and wide in the - discharge of his duties. His residence then, and for several years - before, was upon his farm about three miles from Burlington Bay. Captain - Brant had repeatedly endeavored to induce him to accept a grant of land, - probably with a view to his residence with, or near him, at Grand River, - but without success—as the accumulation of wealth was not the desire of - Mr. Phelps. In 1803 he was ordained as a priest in St Peter's Church, - Albany, also by Bishop Moore. Thenceforward he entered upon the life of - a missionary in the western part of New-York, and in 1805 removed his - family from Upper Canada to Onondaga. He subsequently removed to Geneva, - where he died some years since.—<i>MS. Account of his life by Dr. Rudd.</i></p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Mr. Phelps had much intercourse with Captain Brant and his family. - When he preached in the vicinity of the family of Brant, that household - formed a part, and a very attentive part, of his audience.—<i>MS. of the - Rev. Dr. Rudd.</i></p> - - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>New-York, June</i> 16, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"The Directors of the New-York Missionary Society have instructed me to -tender you their acknowledgments for your friendship to their missionary, -the Rev. Elkanah Holmes. [FN] This gentleman, in whose discretion and -integrity they repose entire confidence, they have employed in a second -mission to those tribes of Indians whom your influence particularly -affects. The purity of their views, embracing the moral and religions -interests of the Indians, induces them to believe that their attempts will -not be unacceptable to you; and your former kindness to Mr. Holmes -emboldens them to ask for him such countenance and advice as your intimate -knowledge of Indian affairs, and the weight of your opinion in directing -them, render it expedient for you to give. For your farther satisfaction -with regard to the missionary system, Mr. Holmes will present you with a -volume containing the sermons preached before the Society, and the annual -accounts of their procedure; of which the directors do themselves the -pleasure to request your acceptance."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Mr. Holmes devoted many years to missionary labors among the - Indians, of whom he took his leave about the year 1812. He lived many - years afterward, and died at a very advanced age. Like Heckewelder, he - imbibed the most enthusiastic admiration of the Indian character in its - native unsophisticated state. In the course of his experience, however, - he arrived at the painful conclusion that it is all but impossible to - do any good to them while subject to the moral contagion of white men and - strong drink. His appearance in the latter years of his life was truly - patriarchal. His hair, long and white, fell down upon his shoulders; his - manner was remarkably impressive, and his whole demeanor that of one who - was ripe for heaven. He was a Calvinistic Baptist.</p> - - -<p class="list"> "With respect, I am, Sir, - Your obedient servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John M. Mason,</span> <i>Secretary.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> - -<p>The Chief was likewise in correspondence with the Rev. Samuel Miller of -New-York, now Doctor Miller, of Princeton, as appears by the following -letter:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to the Rev. Samuel Miller.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, Feb.</i> 9, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I feel a particular satisfaction that I have now had an opportunity of -answering your letter by the Rev. Mr. Holmes. I have explained, as far as -in my power, the queries you have proposed. I hope you will excuse the -long delay I have made since I received your letter, and not altogether -attribute it to neglect or unwillingness to serve you; for I have myself -a strong inclination for searching into the antiquities of our nations and -others, but the multiplicity of business I have always had on hand, has -hitherto prevented me. Even now, what I have said on the subject is in -haste, and as brief as possible. Should it so happen that I might have it -in my power further to assist you, I shall do it with pleasure." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It is a matter of no small regret that the author has not been able - to procure a copy of the letter referred to. At the time when the now - venerable Dr. Miller opened a correspondence with Brant, he was - projecting a <i>History of New-York,</i> and was then collecting materials for - that object. Brant had also contemplated writing a history of <i>The Six - Nations;</i> and it is quite probable that his reply to the queries of Doctor - Miller was both a valuable and a curious document. When Doctor Miller - removed from New-York to Princeton, in the year 1813, he was just - recovering from a fit of sickness, which disabled him from attending to - his papers. The consequence was, that owing to the carelessness of - others, his manuscripts and historical collections were greatly - scattered, and many of them irrecoverably lost. Among the latter were the - letters of Captain Brant, as the author has been informed by the Doctor - himself, in reply to a letter addressed to him. After stating the - circumstance attending the loss of his manuscripts, the Doctor - says—"after the most diligent search that I can make, I cannot find a - line of what I received from that remarkable man."</p> - - -<p>"I cannot omit acknowledging the satisfaction I feel from what the Rev. -Mr. Holmes has acquainted me with, respecting the generous intentions of -your society for diffusing religion and civilization among the Indian -nations in general. I would be happy to hear from you, how far your -society may propose to extend their goodness, with respect to the -education of Indian youths that might be well recommended to them. And -also, if they would be willing, and it might be consistent with their -constitution, to assist some Indians who have yet claims on lands in the -United States, such as the Nantikokes in Maryland, and the Munsees near -Minisink, who have requested me to make the application. The Rev. Mr. -Holmes can more particularly inform you on this subject."</p> -<br> -<p>Unfortunately the Mohawks, like all other primitive American nations with -whom the white people have come in contact, were lovers of rum, and -subject, of course, to the evils consequent upon that species of -debasement. The prevalence of this vice seems to have been viewed with -deep solicitude by Captain Brant, and a system of prevention early entered -into his views on commencing the labor of building up his nation anew. But -all experience has shown how futile are these attempts to keep the -fire-waters from the lips of the Indian, so long as unprincipled white men -are permitted to approach their borders with their alembics, or minister -the ready-made liquor to their burning appetites. In like manner were the -efforts of Captain Brant frustrated. In a letter to Sir John Johnson, -dated June 30th, 1800, in reference to this subject, he said:—"The -accidents which have happened in the drunken frolics here, have -principally proceeded from an opposition party to those chiefs who wished -to adopt some necessary regulations. Captain Clans seems very uneasy, and -wishes to take some steps to prevent those melancholy misfortunes. He -urges me to point out some mode in which it can be effected. In answer I -furnished him in writing with a detail of the plan, (of which I presume he -will send you a copy,) which was adopted when we first settled here, and -which could at that time have been carried into effect, but for the -insurmountable impediments thrown in the way by the government. I should -be glad of your opinion on this unfortunate subject."</p> - -<p>It must be reckoned among the mysteries in the economy of Providence, that -women, of every age, and hue, and clime, are doomed to suffer more -severely from the effects of intemperance in the other sex than men. The -maddening poison of the intoxicating cup infuriates the stronger passions -of the men, and imparts fiend-like energy to their already superior -physical powers; and among savage as well as civilized men, those under -its diabolical influence often wreak their senseless violence upon the -least offending and the least capable of resistance. It was thus among the -Mohawks. At least nothing less can be inferred from the following -memoranda of proceedings upon this subject, among the papers of Captain -Brant:—</p> - -<p>"On the 22d of May, 1802, the women assembled in council, to which they -called the chiefs. They then addressed them as follows:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Uncles:</span> Some time ago the women of this place spoke to you; but you did -not then answer them, as you considered their meeting not sufficient. Now, -a considerable number of those from below having met and consulted -together, join in sentiment, and lament as it were with tears in our eyes, -the many misfortunes caused by the use of spirituous liquors. We therefore -mutually request that you will use your endeavors to have it removed from -our neighborhood, that there may be none sold nigher to us than the -mountain. We flatter ourselves that this is in your power, and that you -will have compassion on our uneasiness, and exert yourselves to have it -done."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>How like woman! She discerned the cause of the evil she saw and felt: yet -she indulged no resentments—she complained not of her sufferings—but -mildly entreated that the cause might be removed. Thus, ever forward to -shield those she loved from temptation and danger, by her influence and -persuasions exerting might in her weakness, and rendering tho strong man -stronger by her anxious yet watchful guardianship of his virtue. But their -counsel did not end here. There had been domestic feuds and collisions -among their lords. The Seneca demagogue had sown dissensions between the -warriors and their chiefs, and the Mohawk women appeared also in their own -true and beneficent character of peace-makers. After the portion of their -address quoted above had been delivered, "some others," (says the -manuscript,) spoke thus:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Uncles:</span> The division and separation of the warriors from the chiefs gives -us much uneasiness; we therefore entreat you, both chiefs and warriors, -that you will bury all dispute, that your affairs may go on with the usual -friendship and tranquility. As for our part, we have been, in a great -measure a principal cause in influencing our male relations; but we now -drop it, and promise to observe a quite different conduct, and we hope in -future that no reports shall be able to rekindle the fire of contention."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>The manner in which these rude females of the forest made their appeal, -might serve as a pattern of delicacy to many of the sex of loftier -pretensions. Nor was it without its effect upon the council of chiefs to -whom it was addressed. After adjourning a short time for consideration, -they returned, and Captain Brant delivered their reply to the following -purpose:—</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Nieces:</span> We are fully convinced of the justice of your request; drinking -has caused the many misfortunes in this place, and has been, besides, a -great cause of the divisions, by the effect it has upon the people's -speech. We assure you, therefore, that we will use our endeavors to effect -what you desire. However, it depends in a great measure upon government, -as the distance you propose is within their line. We cannot therefore -absolutely promise that our request will be complied with."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Strings.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Nieces:</span> With respect to your request to bury all differences, we heartily -comply with it, and thank you for the wisdom yon showed in here -interfering. It was the custom of our ancestors for the women, by their -moderation, to heal up all animosities. Be assured, therefore, that we -bury every thing disagreeable that may have happened hitherto; and in -future we shall be upon our guard against tales, and also saying anything -thoughtlessly ourselves; we only regret that the warriors are not here -present, to concur with us in re-establishing unity and amity."</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Strings.</i></p> - -<p>If the proceedings of this female council appear rather too episodical for -direct historical narrative, they are nevertheless illustrations of Indian -manners and character. It is, moreover, a satisfaction thus to secure from -oblivion, and preserve, a document bearing beautiful testimony, that even -in a barbarous state of society, women are still found foremost in the -conservation of virtue, and as persevering peace-makers in the midst of -anarchy and strife. And besides, the females of no other race have had so -little justice done to their character as those of the American Indian. -While the women of every other people have been apotheosized, even down to -the ebon daughter of Africa who moistened the parched lips of Mungo Park; -who has ever rendered the just meed of homage to the patient, -unostentatious virtues, and the noble qualities, of the tawny daughters of -the American forest, save in the case of Pocahontas?</p> - -<p>The reader has already seen that the religious tenets of Captain Brant -were Episcopalian. It came not within the requisitions of his creed, -therefore, even had policy been out of the question, to discountenance the -games and amusements of his people. On the contrary, he loved to encourage -their pastimes and divertisements, and by so doing, gave evidence of his -wisdom. Indeed, it may well be doubted whether, in this respect, the -ancients, and all uncivilized nations, have not been wiser in their -generations than the modern Anglo-Saxons and their American children. -Relaxation of mind and body is necessary alike to the health and -elasticity of both. When the Puritans of New England banished the merry -Christmas festival of Old England, they soon saw the necessity of creating -a substitute, which was found in the feast of Thanksgiving. Still, the -people of the United States have ever been so thoroughly utilitarian in -the use of their hours, as really to deny themselves time for a suitable -indulgence in rational amusements. Thus the harvest-home is forgotten; the -rustic gambols of Christmas are almost unknown; no joyous groups dance -around the Maypole, or twine the garland for the brow of its queen. The -Americans have no seasons for reinvigorating their systems by wholesome -athletic exercises, or dispelling care by rural sports among flowers, and -groves, and fountains. The native sports of the Indians are less refined -and poetical than were the pastimes and festivals of the Greeks and -Romans; but they doubtless contribute as much to the enjoyment of the -people, while they are no less rational, and are marked by a high degree -of moral purity.</p> - -<p>The neglect of athletic exercises, and games, by the white people, -moreover, works positive injury. Contrast the tall, erect posture, the -elastic tread of the Indian, with the plodding pace and inclining gait of -the white man! Is it not obvious that the difference is attributable to -the difference of physical training? The white laborer is generally worked -too hard when young. His labors, whether in the field or the work-shop, -are invariably such as to draw the body forward, while there is no -exercise allowed the antagonistic muscles—those which sustain the body -in an upright position. The consequence is, that while the Indian indulges -in those sports which expand the chest, and throw back the shoulders, and -impart agility and grace to the movements of the limbs, the white man, -instead of looking upward to the heavens, is bowed down to the posture of -the brute creation.</p> - -<p>Among other amusements, in addition to their own native sports of running, -wrestling, and leaping [FN]—their dances and songs—their sacrifices, and -other festivals of war and of thanksgiving—the Six Nations had adopted -from the whites the popular game of ball, or cricket. Indeed, so much -attached were they to this manly exercise, that the game had become -national throughout the Confederacy; and it was no uncommon thing for one -nation to challenge another to play a match—upon a much larger scale, -beyond doubt, than was ever practised among the pale-faces.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Mary Jemison states that these athletic games and exercises were - practised, not only that their bodies might become more supple, or rather - that they might not become enervated, but that they might be enabled to - make proper selection of chiefs for the councils of the nation and - leaders for war.</p> - - -<p>A game of this kind was commenced on one occasion, in the year 1794, -between the young Mohawks and Senecas, which was well nigh attended with -fatal consequences. The Mohawks were the challengers. After the game had -proceeded for a considerable time, one of the Mohawks, in a struggle with -a Seneca for a stroke at the ball, struck his antagonist a sharp blow with -his bat. The occurrence having been observed by the players, the Senecas -dropped their bats instantly, to a man, and retired to their posts with -silent, though evident resentment. Without speaking a word, but with -bosoms heaving with indignation, they took up the stakes they had -deposited, and retired to their own country, on the upper waters of the -Genesee, toward the northern spur of the Alleghenies. About three weeks -subsequent to the occurrence, a Seneca messenger arrived at the Mohawk -village, dispatched thither by Red Jacket, the Corn-planter, and others, -complaining of the insult, demanding satisfaction for the affront, and -denouncing war in case of refusal. The Mohawks, feeling that they were in -the wrong, were somewhat troubled at the message. Brant convened a council -of his chiefs, and after consultation, a message was returned to the -Senecas, proposing an amicable meeting of the chiefs of both nations, to -confer upon the subject matter of complaint, with a view of healing the -wound by compromise and explanation, and of course without bloodshed. The -Senecas, anxious to avoid hostilities against a nation with which they had -been in alliance so long, acceded to the pacific proposition, and a joint -council was the consequence. Red Jacket, however, did all he could to -prevent a reconciliation. He delivered an inflammatory speech, laboring -with all his art and eloquence to aggravate the insult, and urging his -nation to avenge the insult by an appeal to arms. But Captain O'Bail, and -some others of the older Seneca chiefs, were for the adoption of a more -conciliatory course. They were little moved by the exciting philippic of -Red Jacket, and desired nothing more of the Mohawks than a reasonable and -honorable atonement for the wrong done to their young warrior by the party -offending. The proposition was met with equal magnanimity on the part of -the Mohawks, and the result of the council was an adjustment of the -difficulty. The calumet was smoked, and the chiefs—all save the -disappointed demagogue, Red Jacket—separated upon the most amicable -terms. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Notes of a visit to Captain Brant, and of conversations with him, - by Samuel Woodruff, Esq. of Windsor, Con.</p> - - -<p>Three years afterward, in the Summer of 1797, another match of cricket was -played between the two nations. The Senecas were this time the -challengers, but the game was played at the Mohawk village, on the Grand -River, and was commenced during the visit of the gentleman to whom Captain -Brant had related the particulars of the foregoing unpleasant occurrence. -It was, in fact, the conversation naturally flowing from the pending match -that led the Chief to speak of the incidents connected with the former. -The playing was to commence at 9 o'clock in the morning, and the -invitation of Captain Brant to see the amusement, was accepted by his -guest.</p> - -<p>The place selected for the trial of strength, agility, and skill, was a -broad and beautiful green, of perhaps one hundred acres, perfectly level, -and smooth as a carpet, without tree or shrub, or stone to encumber it. -On one side of the green the Senecas had collected in a sort of irregular -encampment—men, women, and children—to the number of more than a -thousand. On the other side the Mohawks were actively assembling in yet -greater numbers. The stakes deposited by each party were laid upon the -ground in heaps, consisting of rifles, hatchets, swords, belts, knives, -blankets, wampum, watches, beads, broaches, furs, and a variety of other -articles of Indian utility and taste—amounting, in the whole, according -to the estimate of Captain Brant, to upward of a thousand dollars a side. -By the side of the stakes were seated a group of the aged Chiefs—"grave -and reverend seigniors," whose beards had been silvered by the frosts of -many winters, and whose visages gave evidence of the toils of war and the -chase.</p> - -<p>The combatants numbered about six hundred upon a side, young and -middle-aged men—nimble of foot, athletic and muscular. Their countenances -beamed with animation and high hope. In order to the free and unfettered -use of their sinewy limbs, their persons were naked with the exception of -a single garment like an apron, or kilt, fastened around the waist, and -descending nearly to the knee. The area of the play-ground was designated -by two pair of "byes," placed at about thirty rods distant from each -other, and the goals of each pair about thirty feet apart. The combatants -ranged themselves in parallel lines on each side of the area, facing -inward, and leaving a space between them of about ten rods in breadth. -Their bats were three feet six inches in length, curved at the lower end -somewhat in the form of a ladle, the broad part for striking the ball -being formed of net-work, woven of thongs of untanned deer-skin, strained -to the tension of tight elasticity. The ball, large as a middling-sized -apple, was also composed of elastic materials.</p> - -<p>On one side of the area, near the centre of the line, and in a conspicuous -place, were seated a body of elderly sachems, of each nation, with knives -and tally-sticks, to score the game. The rules governing the game were -somewhat intricate. None of the players were allowed to touch the ball -with hand or foot, until driven beyond the "byes" or land-marks. It was -then thrown back by hand toward or into the centre of the area, when the -game proceeded as before. Their mode of counting the game was peculiar, -the tallies-men not being in all cases bound by arbitrary rules, but left -to the exercise of a certain degree of discretionary power. Each passage -of the ball between the goals, at the end of the play-ground, counted one, -so long as the contest was nearly equal; but, for the purpose of -protracting the game, whenever one party became considerably in advance of -the other, the tally-chiefs were allowed to check or curtail their count -in proportion to the excess. For instance, if the leading party had run up -a regular count to thirty, while their opponents had numbered but fifteen, -the tallies-men, at their discretion, and by consent of each other, though -unknown to the players, would credit the winning party with only two -notches for three passages of the ball—varying from time to time, -according to the state of the game. The object of this course was to -protract the game, and to increase the amusement, while despondency upon -either side was prevented, and the chance of ultimate victory increased. -Frequently, by this discretionary mode of counting, the game was continued -three or four days.</p> - -<p>The game on this occasion was commenced by about sixty players on a side, -who advanced from their respective lines with bats in their hands, into -the centre of the play-ground. Of this number about twenty were stationed -at the end land-marks, to guard the passage of the ball. The players who -were to begin, were apparently mingled promiscuously together. All things -being thus ready, a beautiful maiden, richly dressed in the native costume -of her people, wearing a red tiara plumed with eagles' feathers, and -glittering with bracelets and other ornaments of silver, came bounding -like a gazelle into the area, with the ball, which she placed upon the -ground in the centre. Instantly the welkin rang with the shouts of the -whole multitude of spectators, and the play began; while the bright-eyed -maiden danced back, and joined her own circle among the surrounding -throng. The match was begun by two of the opposing players, who advanced -to the ball, and with their united bats raised it from the ground to such -an elevation as gave a chance for a fair stroke; when, quick as lightning, -it was sped through the air almost with the swiftness of a bullet. Much -depends upon the first stroke, and great skill is exerted to obtain it.</p> - -<p>The match was played with great spirit, and the display of agility and -muscular strength was surprising. Every nerve was strung; and so great -were the exertions of the players, that each set was relieved by fresh -hands every fifteen or twenty minutes; thus alternating, and allowing -every player of the whole number to perform his part, until the game was -finished. The scene was full of excitement and animation. The principal -Chief entered fully into the enjoyment, and by his explanations to his -guest heightened its interest, which of itself, the latter declared to -have afforded him a greater degree of satisfaction than any game or -pastime that he had ever beheld. The contest was continued three days, at -the end of which, after a severe struggle, the Senecas were proclaimed the -victors, sweeping the stakes, to the great mortification of the -proud-spirited Mohawks—the head of the Confederacy.</p> - -<p>Mr. Woodruff, from whose notes the preceding description has been derived, -was highly gratified with his visit to the Chief, with whom he passed -several days. In his person he said he was graceful and dignified—easy -and affable in conversation. His stature was five feet eleven inches—of -the finest form and proportions—robust and firm, and possessing great -muscular power. His countenance was open, placid, and inviting—his eyes -brilliant and expressive—in short, every thing in relation to his person -was engaging and prepossessing.</p> - -<p>No people are more particular in paying honors to the dead than the -Indians, and their funerals are marked with deep and affecting solemnity. -As among civilized nations, the pomp and pageantry of woe vary according -to the rank of the deceased and the wealth of the family, or the ability -and disposition of friends to defray the expenses of the funeral, the -entertainment at the grave, and the presents to be distributed. But, -however humble the deceased, the remains are never unhonored or unwept; -and among no people on earth are stronger evidences given of tender -affection. Nor are funeral honors bestowed only upon the men. There is a -mistaken idea generally prevalent, that the Indian woman is treated with -contempt, arising from the well-known fact, that certain offices and -labors, accounted as menial among the whites, or as improper to be imposed -upon women, are always performed by them among the Indians. But the -allotment of those duties to the women has arisen from their usages, and -the peculiar structure of their society, time immemorial. Nor is the -custom any evidence of disrespect or contumely. On the contrary, it may be -doubted whether the females of the white people, even among nations of the -most refinement, exercise a higher or more salutary degree of influence, -than do the Indian women. Nor, when dead, are they treated with less -respect than the warriors. "The greatest honors are paid to the remains of -the wives of renowned warriors and veteran chiefs, particularly if they -were descended themselves of a high family, which is by no means an -indifferent thing among the Indians, who love to honor the merit of their -great men in the persons of their relatives." [FN] The funerals of chiefs -and warriors, and of distinguished women, were attended by the heads of -the tribe, and all the people, and their ceremonies were highly -impressive. On the opening of all their councils, a ceremony of -condolence was performed, and an appropriate speech delivered, in memory -of those who had died, or been slain on the war-path, since their last -meeting. These ceremonies were solemn, and their speeches often full of -simplicity, tenderness, and pathos. Among the papers of Sir William -Johnson is a manuscript of a speech of condolence, delivered at the -opening of a council in 1761, by Seneca George, a few passages of which -may be cited as an example:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Heckewelder.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We suppose that in the late troubles you may have lost many of -your people, either by sickness or war, since we were last together; by -this string, therefore, we wipe away the tears from your eyes, clear your -throats, wash away the blood from your bodies, sweep the council chamber, -and throw the dirt out of doors, that you may see and speak to us clearly -at the present conference."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>A String.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are sorry, from the bottom of our hearts for the death of -your men, women, and children, and by this belt we collect all their bones -together, bury them in one grave, and cover them up."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>A black belt, eight rows, streaked with white.</i>]</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> We are at great loss, and sit in darkness as well as you, by -the death of Conrad Weiser, [FN] as, since his death, we cannot so well -understand one another. By this belt we cover his body with bark."</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>A white belt of seven rows, with four black streaks.</i>]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Celebrated in the Indian Annals, for many years, as an interpreter.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers:</span> By the last belt, I mentioned to you that we both sat in -darkness. Now, by this belt I remove the clouds from before the sun, that -we may see it rise and set, and that your hearts may be eased from sorrow -on account of what I mentioned before. [<i>Delivered a white belt of five -rows, with three black bars.</i>] We pray the Great God above, who can -enlighten our hearts, that we may live in love and peace until death."</p> - -<p>From the manuscripts of Captain Brant, it seems frequently to have been -his duty to perform the ceremony of condolence, and he sometimes speaks of -making a journey to a considerable distance for that sole purpose. Only -one of his speeches, however, on such an occasion, remains among his -papers. That was delivered in the name of the Five Nations, on the 24th of -February, 1801, at Fort George, (Niagara,) on the death of Mrs. Claus, -[FN] the mother of the Deputy Superintendent:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Daughter of Sir William Johnson.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Speech of Condolence to Captain Claus.</span></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We are here now met in the presence of the Spirit above, with -intent to keep up the ancient custom of condolement. We therefore condole -with you for your late loss of our well-beloved sister, whom now you have -interred.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We hope that this may not damp your heart so much as to make -you forget us, who are your brothers—not only ourselves, but our wives -and children.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We say now again, that by our late loss, it seems our fire is -somewhat extinguished. But we have now found a few brands remaining, and -have collected them together, and have raised a straight smoke to the -clouds.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We therefore with this string of wampum wipe away the tears from -your eyes, and would take away all sorrow from your heart. But that is -impossible: still, it is the customary way of making the speech. We -therefore mention it: and with the said wampum we wipe away all stains of -whatever should remain on your seat, so that you may sit down in comfort.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We say again with this string of wampum, as you seem to be all -in darkness, we with the same string enlighten the skies above us, so that -it may appear to us all as it formerly used to do.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We say again with this string of wampum, as we have now made our -speech of condolement, we hope to raise you upon your feet, as you -formerly used to be; for since our late loss, it seems you have been -confined as one absent." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Captain Claus had been so much affected by the death of his mother, - as to be confined to his room; and although he met the Chiefs in council - on this occasion, he was unable to reply—-but sent his speech afterward - in writing.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We hope you will not forget our calamities—hoping that this -shock may not put us out of your memory entirely—and also that you may -continue to help us, as you formerly used to do.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> This last string which now I give you, is given by the whole Six -Nations, so as to strengthen your mind and body—that you may not be too -much cast down by the occasion of our late loss."</p> - -<p>An address was likewise transmitted to the council from the women, which -was delivered by a sachem called Old Thomas; but a copy has not been -preserved. Only the last half sheet of Captain Claus's reply is now to be -found. The conclusion was this:—</p> - -<p>". . . She was good, and was a friend to you all, as far as she had it in -her power, by speaking in your favor always. But was I to continue, I -should again bring to my memory her great love for me, and fill my eyes -and heart again, so that I could not attend to your affairs. Accept my -grateful thanks for your condolence, and allow me to look upon you as my -friends—wishing you, and all belonging to you, health and all happiness.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> I now address myself again to you. As the business is now over, -and you will be turning your faces toward home, I pray to the Great Spirit -that he will make your road smooth, and leave no obstacle in the way, that -will either hurt or stop you; but that you may get safe home, and meet -your friends all well; whom I beg you will salute for me. I shall always -be happy to be numbered among your friends."</p> - -<p>In private life, the character of Brant was estimable, and in the social -circle often very agreeable. The testimony of the Baroness De Reidesel, -who met him at the castle at Quebec, has already been cited in a former -chapter. During the portion of his life now under review, being the last -twelve years, he had many journies to perform,—to the lower province to -look after the interests of his own immediate people; to the upper lakes, -to keep the chain of friendship with his old confederates from becoming -rusty; and to Canandaigua, and elsewhere, to visit his friends, and upon -matters of business. In addition to all these, early in the year 1797 he -made another visit to Albany and Philadelphia, striking from New-York -into New England on his return. [FN] Judging from the tone of a letter -which he wrote after his arrival home, to a friend among the upper Indian -nations, he must have encountered some unpleasant circumstances during -that journey. It was not, however, entirely divested of agreeable -associations; and several incidents have been collected by the author, -which will serve as better illustrations of his social character than any -other in the entire history of his career. An extract from the letter -just referred to follows:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] His quarters in the city of New-York, daring that visit, were at - Batton's Hotel, the old brick edifice yet standing on the south corner of - Nassau and John streets. The Hon. Jeromus Johnson, of New-York, has - furnished the author with an account of a visit made by him to the Chief - in that hotel, in company with Dr. Dinglej and the celebrated Dr. - Priestley. See Appendix, No. XVI.</p> -<br> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, July</i> 2, 1797,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It is some time since I received your letter, and I have already answered -it by way of Fort Erie; but I did not in it mention the particulars of my -jaunt to the States. In the first place, I met with a very cool reception, -insomuch that I did not see any of the great men at Philadelphia. I -suppose, by this, that they must have forgot that I was a Yankee when I -was there before, and also at the last meeting we had at the foot of the -Rapids, when it was reported among you, gentlemen of the Indian -department, that I was favoring the Yankee interest. I expected they might -have paid a little more attention to me, after the great service you -supposed I had done them. I was greatly insulted on the road between -Philadelphia and Jersey, by a Yankee colonel whose name I don't recollect, -insomuch that the affair was nearly coming to blows. At New-York they were -very friendly, and likewise in Connecticut, (in New England,) they were -very civil. At Albany there were several people who threatened to kill me -behind my back; so that the great men there thought it necessary to send -a man with me, as a protector, to the end of the settlement at German -Flats. I suppose these people have also forgot that I was a Yankee."</p> -<br> -<p>By the term "great men at Philadelphia," the old Chief must have meant the -heads of the administration, since he was most hospitably entertained by -some distinguished gentlemen then at the seat of government. The -attentions which he received from "the great men at Philadelphia," five -years before, were bestowed under peculiar circumstances. He was there at -that time in a semi-official capacity, and at the urgent solicitation of -the government itself; and it was the duty of the government to render all -those civilities which might contribute to the pleasure of his visit. The -government, moreover, were hoping that important results might flow from -that visit, and very marked attentions were the natural consequence. It -is, indeed, too much the way of the world—especially of courts, whether -republican or monarchical—to caress and flatter where they have a purpose -to serve, as in turn the great are caressed and flattered by those hanging -upon their favors. But, under the circumstances of this second visit of -the Mohawk, divested, as it was, altogether of official character and -importance, his expectations of particular official attentions were -probably unreasonable. He had seen far too much of the world, and had -mingled too much in society of all ranks and conditions, yet to retain the -simplicity of unsophisticated nature, and he might therefore have -understood his altered position, and spared his sarcasm. Certainly, though -he might not have breathed the air of the court, or been shouldered by the -factious bandyings of its favorites, he was treated with marked attention -by gentlemen at that time of high distinction, and his society much -courted. Among others, the late Colonel Burr, then a Senator in Congress, -gave him a brilliant dinner party. The Senator had previously been in -correspondence with the Chief, and liked him much. Indeed, it was upon the -Colonel's invitation that he visited Philadelphia at that time. Among the -guests from abroad assembled on that occasion, were the minister of the -French Republic; Volney the traveler; Talleyrand, and other distinguished -gentlemen of that nation, brought hither by the political troubles of -their own country. Knowing his colloquial powers to be very good, and that -he had the faculty of rendering himself not only agreeable but fascinating -in conversation, the Colonel and his friends were somewhat disappointed, -in the earlier stages of the entertainment, at the Chieftain's -taciturnity. All the cold reserve of his race seemed to have come over -him, and for a while every effort to draw him out in discourse was -ineffectual. Meantime the Indians, their character, history, and destiny, -became the leading topics of conversation. At length, after various -suggestions had been made as to the most feasible and effectual methods of -their civilization, Brant suddenly joined in the discussion; treating the -subject with good sense, but with alternate gravity and humor. He avowed -it as his settled conviction, however, that the only effectual process of -civilizing his people, must be their amalgamation with the blood of the -whites; that the Indian could only be tamed by intermarriages. -Occasionally during his own participation in this discussion, there was a -drollery in his manner that created great amusement. During the residue -of the evening he contributed his full share to the conversation, -exhibiting at all times sterling good sense, and enlivening the hours with -sallies of pleasantry and wit which "set the table in a roar." The result -was not only an agreeable, but highly intellectual entertainment. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel Burr, noted down on the day - they were held.</p> - - -<p>On leaving Philadelphia for New-York, Colonel Burr gave the Chief the -following letter of introduction to his youthful and gifted daughter -Theodosia [FN]—afterward Mrs. Alston:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Miss Burr was then in her fourteenth year.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Colonel Burr to his Daughter.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Philadelphia, Feb.</i> 28, 1797.</p> - -<p>"This will be handed to you by Colonel Brant, the celebrated Indian Chief. -I am sure that you and Natalie [FN] will be happy in the opportunity of -seeing a man so much renowned. He is a man of education—speaks and writes -the English perfectly—and has seen much of Europe and America. Receive -him with respect and hospitality. He is not one of those Indians who drink -rum, but is quite a gentleman; not one who will make you fine bows, but -one who understands and practices what belongs to propriety and good -breeding. He has daughters—it you could think of some little present to -send to one of them—a pair of ear-rings, for example,—it would please -him. You may talk to him very freely, and offer to introduce him to your -friend Mr. Witbeck, at Albany. Vale, et ama,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">A.B.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Miss Theodosia Burr,</span> - <i>No. 30 Partition-street, New-York.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Natalie Delagie, an adopted child of Colonel Burr, born in France, - and Subsequently married to a son of General Bumpier, of South Carolina.</p> - - -<p>Miss Theodosia received the forest Chief with all the courtesy and -hospitality suggested; and, young as she was, she performed the honors of -her father's house in a manner that must have been as gratifying to her -absent parent as it was creditable to herself. Among other attentions, she -gave him a dinner party selecting for her guests some of the most eminent -gentlemen in the city, among whom were Bishop Moore and Doctors Bard and -Hosack. In writing to her father upon the subject, she gave a long and -sprightly account of the entertainment. She said that, in making the -preliminary arrangements she had been somewhat at a loss in the selection -of such dishes as would probably suit the palate of her principal guest. -Being a savage warrior, and in view of the many tales she had heard, of</p> - -<p class="quote"> The Cannibals that each other eat,<br> - The anthropophagi, and men whose heads<br> - Do grow beneath their shoulders—</p> - -<p>she added, sportively, that she had a mind to lay the hospital under -contribution for a human head, to be served up like a boar's head in -ancient hall barberic. But, after all, she found him a most Christian and -civilized guest in his manners. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with Colonel Burr. The Colonel was - anxious that this letter from his daughter should be found among his - papers; but Mr. Davis, his biographer, after diligent search, has not - discovered it—nor has he been able to find the correspondence between - Brant and Colonel Burr. By the papers of Captain Brant, it appears that - Miss Burr visited him at Grand River, after she became Mrs. Alston, in - company with her husband. Seeing that when the Chief saw her in New-York - "she was very young, and had since assumed a new name," Governor George - Clinton gave the young married couple a cordial letter of introduction to - the Chief.</p> - - -<p>It has been seen from his own letter, that the Chief was well pleased -during his visit in New-York. He had, indeed, reason to be gratified, for -he was treated with marked kindness and consideration. His own deportment -was, moreover, such as to secure the respect and esteem of those with whom -he came into association. The Rev. Dr. Miller, who became acquainted with -him during that visit, in a letter to the author already referred to in a -note, thus speaks of him:—"I have called Joseph Brant 'a remarkable man.' -He was, in my opinion, truly so. My personal intercourse with him was not -considerable; but it was quite sufficient to impress me with most -respectful sentiments of his intellectual character, his personal dignity, -and his capacity to appear well in any society. I met with him -repeatedly;—was with him at a dining party—and listened to his -conversation in various situations—some of them rather trying; and was -surprised at the simple, easy, polished, and even court-like manners which -he was capable of assuming; though, at the same time, I was assured that -he was capable of being as great a savage as any individual of his nation. -I remember, on one occasion, that when some very impertinent and -unseasonable questions were addressed to him by a gentleman who ought to -have known better, he evaded them with perfect civility, and at the same -time with an adroitness and address which showed that he was fitted to be -no mean diplomatist."</p> - -<p>Another gentleman, whose opportunities of studying the manners and -character of Captain Brant were extended through several years of -occasional intercourse with him, remarks:—"His manners, which were -greatly improved, if not formed, by a constant intercourse, not only with -the best society in the province, but also in England—which he visited -more than once, and was there received and caressed in the families of the -nobility and gentry—were remarkably easy and dignified. When among -strangers, or in mixed company, he was reserved and taciturn; but -extremely affable and communicative when with friends in whom he could -confide. Although not particularly distinguished as a public speaker, he -was a man of strong mind, possessed a voice of surpassing softness and -melody, a fascinating address, and great colloquial powers, which rendered -him a most interesting companion. He lived in the style of a gentleman, -and was punctilious in the observance of the rules of honor and etiquette -practised among individuals of that caste in their social relations." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter to the author, from General Peter B. Porter.</p> - - -<p>From New-York, the Chief made a trip through Connecticut and into -Massachusetts, in the course of which he was well received, as appears -from his own letter. At Northampton he purchased an elegant horse, which, -greatly to his regret, sickened and died in Albany. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] My venerable friend Douw Fonda, now of Albany, says Brant was an - excellent horseman, and remarkably fond of fine horses. After the death - of his Northampton horse he purchased another in Albany, to pay for - which Mr. Fonda loaned Him the money. The note for the amount was - promptly met at maturity.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>It was during this visit in Albany, that he was again exposed to some -danger, by threats against his life. The sufferers of the Mohawk Valley -had neither forgotten nor forgiven the ravagers of their country in the -Revolutionary war; and "the monster Brant" was still held responsible for -every act, either of barbarity, or of death, or devastation, by the wonted -usages of war. The Mohawk Germans of that day were neither educated nor -discriminating; and knowing that Brant was the great leader of the -Indians, they attributed every torch that had been applied, and every -butchery committed, to his own single hand. Hence, as has been stated -before, it was notoriously the purpose of many in the valley to take his -life if possible, during some of his transits through that country. And it -is not unlikely that some persons from the valley might have been watching -for an opportunity to accomplish the purpose in Albany, as had been -desired by a Mohawk German in New-York, during his visit in 1792.</p> - -<p>Added to these unpleasant designs, was an incident coming somewhat nearer -to the point of action, which is worth recording as an illustration both -of history and character. In the account of the ravaging of Cherry Valley, -the reader will doubtless recollect the massacre of the entire family of -Mr. Wells, with the exception of John, then a lad at school in -Schenectady. But that lad was now a member of the bar, of high spirit and -uncommon promise. The tragedy by which his whole family had been cut off, -had imparted a shade of melancholy to his character, deepening with the -lapse of time, and descending with him to the grave. Nineteen years had -elapsed since it was enacted; but there was a feeling in the breast of -young Wells, which only wanted awakening by opportunity, to prompt a -strong desire of avenging the foul murders. He happened to be in Albany -during the visit of the Chief, and erroneously looking upon him as the -author of the murders, his feelings by proximity became exceedingly bitter -and exasperated. Indeed, he could not restrain his desire of revenge; and -hastening to the tavern at which Brant had put up, he inquired furiously -where he should find his enemy—declaring that he would slay him on the -spot. Of course his friends remonstrated, and otherwise opposed his -purpose; but it was not without difficulty that he was persuaded to -forego it. Brant, hearing the disturbance, asked what caused it; and was -told that a young man, whose father had perished at Cherry Valley, was -below, and threatening to take his life. His answer was brief, and given -with a remarkably fine assumption of dignity and composure. Not a feature -changed—not a muscle of his countenance was seen to move—but, slightly -drawing himself up as he sat, and his eyes glittering for an instant more -keenly, even than was their wont, he said, calmly and quietly, "Let him -come on;" and nothing more escaped him on the subject, until word was -brought that Mr. Wells had left the house. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The particulars of this incident have been derived from William - Inman, Esq. now of Leyden, N. Y. who was at the hotel at the time of its - occurrence.</p> - - -<p>It was in consequence of these unpleasant indications that Governor Jay -directed a guard to accompany him through the Mohawk Valley on his return -to Upper Canada. But, notwithstanding these drawbacks to the pleasure of -his visit in Albany, there were circumstances and incidents contributing -to render it otherwise than disagreeable on the whole. He was hospitably -received and entertained by some of the most respectable citizens; and -during that and a subsequent visit, made to Albany in 1805 or 1806, had -opportunities of meeting at the festive board some of the veteran officers -of the American army, whom he had met in the field, or rather in the -forest fights of the frontiers; on which occasions, with the best feelings -possible, the old soldiers "fought their battles o'er again," as old -soldiers are wont to do. Dining with General Gansevoort, the hero of Fort -Stanwix, their conversation turned upon the memorable campaign of -Sullivan, and the march of Gansevoort with his regiment at the close of -that campaign, through the wilderness from Seneca Lake to Fort Schuyler. -Although Gansevoort had no idea that Brant was nearer to him than Niagara, -Brant assured him that he was hovering about him during the whole march; -and was so near that, to use his own words, "I roasted my venison by the -fires that you left." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with Gen. Peter Gansevoort, of Albany, - who was present at the dinner, though a lad at the time.</p> - - -<p>He also met, on one of these occasions, with the late General Philip Van -Courtlandt, who had served in the New-York line, and who was one of the -expedition of Sullivan and Clinton to Chemung, and thence into the Seneca -country. While conversing upon the subject of the battle at Newtown, -Brant inquired—"General, while you were standing by a large tree during -that battle, how near to your head did a bullet come, which struck a -little above you?" The General paused for a moment, and replied—"about -two inches above my hat." The Chief then related the circumstances. "I had -remarked your activity in the battle," said he, "and calling one of my -best marksmen, pointed you out, and directed him to bring you down. He -fired, and I saw you dodge your head at the instant I supposed the ball -would strike. But as you did not fall, I told my warrior that he had just -missed you, and lodged the ball in the tree."</p> - -<p>Another incident may be introduced in this connexion, illustrative at once -of his sagacity, his strong sense of justice, and his promptness of -decision and execution. Among the border settlers west of the Hudson, -opposite the Manor of Livingston, was an opulent farmer named Rose. He was -an Irishman; and having no child to inherit his wealth, had sent to the -Emerald Isle for a nephew, whom he had adopted. In one of Brant's hostile -incursions upon the settlements, during the war of the Revolution, Rose -and his nephew, with others, were taken prisoners, and marched in the -direction of Niagara. During the journey, Brant took Rose aside one -morning, and admonished him not to move far away from himself (Brant,) but -at all times on their march to keep within call. "I have reason to -believe," said the Chief, "that that nephew of yours is plotting your -death. He is endeavoring to bribe one of my Indians to kill you. I shall -keep an eye upon them, and if I find my suspicions true, I will execute -him on the spot." The caution was observed by Rose, and no long time -elapsed before Brant informed him that his suspicions were well-founded. -The nephew, for the purpose of an earlier possession of his confiding -uncle's estate, had agreed upon the price of his murder with the savage -who was to do the deed. Having full evidence of the fact, the stern -purpose of the Chief was executed upon the ingrate by his own hand, and -the life of the uncle was saved. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of the author with General Morgan Lewis, of whose - family connexions Rose had purchased his land.</p> - - -<p>His notions on the subject of public wars were founded, however, upon -those of a savage. The reader has already seen that he was perfectly aware -of the detestation in which his name was held in different parts of the -United States, and particularly among the inhabitants of the Mohawk and -Susquehanna countries, where some of the most revolting scenes of savage, -Tory, and Indian barbarity were perpetrated during the war of the -Revolution, in which he bore so prominent a part; and he always seemed -particularly anxious to justify, by frank and gratuitous explanations to -those who received him as friends—for he was too proud to make -explanations to his enemies—the course he had taken in the commencement -and conduct of that war; and his plausible statements and reasonings were -well calculated to lessen the horror and execration with which the public -have been too prone to regard the Indian character, in consequence of -their atrocities in war.</p> - -<p>The Indians, he said, engaged in that contest reluctantly, but from -necessity. At the period of its commencement, the Americans, he said, as -well as they, acknowledged the authority of the British government, and -were living under its protection; that none of the inducements which led -the colonies to revolt had any place with them, and that they fought -against the colonies to protect their women and children, and to preserve -the lands which God had given to them, and of which the British -authorities threatened to deprive them unless they would join in their -defence; and it is apprehended that stronger or better reasons for going -to war will rarely be found, even among civilized nations.</p> - -<p>In justification of the savages' practices of Indian warfare, his course -of reasoning was somewhat like the following: That the object of each -party, when engaged in war, was to destroy his enemy, or to weaken and -intimidate him so much as to force him into a reasonable peace. The -Indians, he said, were destitute of many of the means and implements of -war which the white people possessed. They could not successfully contend -with them in the open field, man to man, because they had no artillery, so -indispensable to, and so destructive in, a field fight. Besides, if they -could, the Indians being generally inferior in numerical force to their -white enemies, would soon be subdued by an equal sacrifice of man for man; -that the Indians had no forts to resort to for protection after a -discomfiture in the field; no battering trains to dislodge the enemy after -they had retired to theirs; and no depots or jails for securing the -prisoners they might capture. The simple and necessary principle, -therefore, of Indian warfare, was extermination—to destroy as many of the -enemy, and save as many of themselves, as practicable; and for this -purpose, to resort to ambuscades, stratagems, and every species of -deception, direct or indirect, to effect their object. Brant justified -taking the lives of prisoners, but disapproved the practice, so common -among savages, of torturing them; and he always maintained that he had -himself at different times, by great efforts, saved several, not only from -torture, but death. As to taking life, he thought (and with some truth,) -that in this respect there was but little practical difference between the -red and white men; for the death of an Indian prisoner was as certain a -consequence of his capture, as that of a white man taken by the Indians. -[FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Conversations of Brant with General Peter B. Porter.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxv">CHAPTER XV.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Domestic relations of Brant—Account of his family—Bad character of his - eldest son—his death by the hand of his father—Condolence of the - Chiefs—Grief of the father at the event—Anxiety for the education of - his sons—Proposed memorial to the Duke of Portland—Letter of Brant to - Colonel Smith—Correspondence with the Wheelock family—Letter from - Brant to James Wheelock—Two of his sons sent to school at - Plymouth—Various letters from and to the Wheelocks—Correspondence upon - other subjects—Reply to the question, whether the Indians have - beards—Letter from Bishop Peters—Views of Brant on imprisonment for - debt—Tumuli—Opinion of Brant touching their origin—Indian tradition - of white settlements cut off in a single night—Investigations of Samuel - Woodruff—-Brant's inquiries in Paris—The discoveries of the - Northmen—Review of the life and character of Brant—His death.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The life</span> and character of the Mohawk Chief in his domestic relations, -remain to be considered. These have never been accurately illustrated or -understood; or rather, they have been greatly misrepresented and -misunderstood, from the circumstance of a severe family affliction, the -particulars of which have never been truly set before the public. Those -even partially acquainted with the domestic history of Brant will readily -perceive that reference is here made to the death of one of his sons by -his own hands. Several accounts of this unfortunate transaction have been -published by travelers, missionaries, and others, but most of them darkly -shaded, and reflecting in a greater or less degree upon the father. In the -preparation of material for the present work, great efforts have been made -to arrive at the truth in regard to this painful incident.</p> - -<p>Captain Brant, it will be recollected, was thrice married. By his first -wife, the daughter of an Oneida Chief, he had two children, Isaac and -Christiana. His great solicitude for the well bringing up of those -children has been noted in the early history of his life. By his second -wife, the sister of his first, he had no children. By his third he had -seven, [FN] the eldest of whom, Joseph, was born in 1783.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Joseph, Jacob, John, Margaret, Catharine, Mary, and Elizabeth, (the - present Mrs. Kerr.) Joseph, John, and Mary, are dead.</p> - - -<p>Isaac, the eldest of the children, was partly educated at a school in the -Valley of the Mohawk, and his education was completed at Niagara. His -disposition, bad, from his youth, grew worse as he increased in years, and -was not improved by his associations at the military post of Niagara, -after the war of the Revolution. Many of the officers on that station were -free, sometimes to excess, in their living; and in the progress of his -intercourse with them he became addicted to strong drink. When in his -cups, he was always quarrelsome, even toward his parents—forgetting the -honor due from a son to a father, and particularly disrespectful to his -step-mother. As the younger family grew up, he became jealous of them, -imagining that they received a larger share of parental favor than his -sister and himself. Nothing could have been more groundless than were his -suspicions, since from the concurrent testimony of the survivors of the -family, and the aged contemporaries of the old Chief yet living at Grand -River, no parent was ever more scrupulous in the impartial bestowment of -his affection among all his children than Captain Brant. As an evidence of -this fact, it may be mentioned, that when in England, in 1786, he sat for -his likeness in miniature, which he transmitted in a golden locket to -Christiana, the sister of Isaac. Isaac himself, moreover, notwithstanding -his untoward conduct, received the most indubitable evidence of parental -affection. With a view of keeping him more immediately under his own eye, -and if possible reclaiming him, his father had caused him to be married to -a beautiful girl, the daughter of a chief of the Turtle tribe, and -installed him in the capacity of his own secretary. [FN] But all to no -purpose. The demon of jealousy had gained possession of his bosom; and -during his drunken frolics, among his Indian associates, he often -threatened to take the life of his father. Still, he was treated with -kindness, and his step-mother invariably kept silent during his paroxysms -of insult and abuse.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. notes of conversations with Brant, by Samuel Woodruff.</p> - - -<p>His career, however, in addition to his intemperance, without the circle -of his own family, was marked by outrage and blood. On one occasion, long -before the catastrophe fatal to himself, soon to be recorded, he -grievously assaulted a young man, who was riding on horseback on the -King's highway—killed the horse, and sadly maimed the young man himself. -His father was obliged to pay a large sum of money by way of compensation -for the outrage.</p> - -<p>Subsequently to this brutal affair, and not long before the painful -incident with his father soon to be noted, he killed a white man at the -Mohawk (Grand River) village, outright, and in cold blood. The name of his -victim was Lowell, a harness-maker by trade. He was busily engaged in his -shop at work, when Isaac Brant entered, and said—"Lowell, I am going to -kill you." The man, supposing him to be jesting, at first laughed at the -threat; and then remarked—"Why should you kill me? I have never injured -you, neither have we ever quarreled." The savage then deliberately drew a -pistol and shot him.</p> - -<p>But his reckless and cruel career was soon arrested, by a death wound, -received, under the highest degree of provocation, at the hand of his -father. The circumstances were these: At the time of the occurrence there -was an assemblage of the Six Nations at Burlington Heights, near to the -residence of Colonel Beasley, for the purpose of receiving the annual -bounty of the government, consisting of presents of clothing and other -articles. On this occasion Isaac, with some of his young Indian -companions, again drank to intoxication, and renewed his threats against -the life of his father, declaring his intention to kill him that night. -The Chief had that evening taken tea with Colonel and Mrs. Beasley, (who -then lived near the margin of Burlington Bay,) and afterward walked up to -a small inn upon the hill, at a short distance from the Colonel's -residence, to lodge for the night. Isaac followed his father to the inn, -entered an adjoining room, and began abusing him to the people about, in -language perfectly audible to his parent, the two apartments being divided -only by a board partition. Becoming quite violent in his conduct, his -father entered his son's apartment, but had no sooner done so, than the -latter sprang toward him for the purpose of assault—armed, as it was -asserted by some, though the fact was denied by others, with a -sharp-pointed knife. Be that as it may, the Captain was badly wounded by -a cut across the back of his hand. Young Brant had been seized around the -waist by some of the Indians, at the instant he was leaping upon his -father; while the latter, irritated by the wound, had also been seized in -like manner by some white men, to prevent farther injury. The affray was -the work of an instant, during which Captain Brant had drawn a large dirk, -which he always carried upon his thigh, and with which he struck at his -son. In the descent of the blow, the point of the dirk fell upon the head -of Isaac, and, cutting through his hat, inflicted a wound which would have -been more severe had the position of the parties been that of closer -proximity. The wound was by no means considered dangerous at the time it -was inflicted, although, from excitement and intoxication, it bled -profusely. But such were the rage and violence of the young man, that he -resisted all attempts to dress the wound—tearing off the bandages as fast -as they could be applied, until, ultimately, they were compelled to bind -him fast for the return of sobriety. He then allowed his head to be -dressed properly; but the next day he resumed his drinking, and tearing -the dressings from his wound, caused it of course to bleed afresh. His -perverse conduct continued several days; a severe fever of the brain -ensued, and the result was a speedy termination of his life. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Such were the real facts of this unhappy affair, as collected, - recently, for the use of the author, from the statements of the witnesses - of the transaction, and the surviving contemporaries of Captain Brant. - And yet Dr. Morse and Dr. Belknap, who in the year following the event - were sent forth by the Board of Commissioners of the society established - in Scotland for the propagation of Christian Knowledge, to visit the - Oneida and Mohokunuh, or Stockbridge Indians, recorded the incident in - their report as a murder:—"Last Summer, Joseph Brant, a Mohawk Chief, - and a captain in the British service, formerly one of Doctor Wheelock's - scholars, murdered his own son, who was, indeed, a bad fellow, and had - attempted the life of his father."</p> - - -<p>This painful transaction took place in the year 1795. The afflicted father -immediately surrendered himself to the civil authorities, and resigned the -commission which he yet retained in the British service, and upon which he -drew half pay. Lord Dorchester, however, would not accept the resignation; -and the death of Isaac was universally regarded as in the main accidental, -and in any aspect of the case justifiable homicide. [FN] The Chief called -a council of his elderly sachems and warriors on the occasion, to whom, -when assembled, he related the circumstances of the melancholy -catastrophe. After great deliberation—for the Indians never decide -hastily upon questions of moment—the council delivered an opinion nearly -in the following words:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Morse and Belknap's Report to the Scot's Society.</p> - - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:</span> We have heard and considered your case. We sympathise with you. -You are bereaved of a beloved son. But that son raised his parricidal hand -against the kindest of fathers. His death was occasioned by his own crime. -With one voice we acquit you of all blame. We tender you our hearty -condolence. And may the Great Spirit above, bestow upon you consolation -and comfort under your affliction." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] "The account of this proceeding I received from the Secretary of the - Upper Province, at Newark, while at his office to obtain the copy of an - Indian deed."—<i>Note by Samuel Woodruff.</i></p> - - -<p>But the affliction was a very severe one to the old Chief, notwithstanding -the condolence of his people, the convictions of his own conscience that -he had not done intentional wrong, and the acquittal of all. Doctor Allen, -President of Bowdoin College, has stated, upon the authority of Joseph -Brant, jun., that as his father lay upon his bed and looked at the dirk -with which the wound was inflicted, and which hung up in his room, he was -accustomed to cry in the sorrow of his heart. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Allen's Biographical Dictionary. Isaac Brant left a widow and two - children. Judge Woodruff, in his notes, says—"The widow and two lovely - children which he left, I saw in Brant's family." The eldest of these - "lovely children," was Isaac, to whom his grandfather, the old Chief, - left a just proportion of his real estate. He also devised an equal - proportion of his real estate to his eldest daughter, Christiana. The - younger Isaac, however, grew up with the same disposition, and walked in - the footsteps of his father. He was nevertheless a brave fellow in the - field, and exhibited his prowess during the late war between the United - Slates and Great Britain, 1812—15. He was afterward killed in a drunken - frolic, at Brantford, by a blow with a gun-barrel, inflicted, as was - supposed, by a white man. But so bad had his character become, that his - poor mother, then living, seemed rather relieved than otherwise by the - occurrence, being in constant fear that he would commit some dreadful - act which would bring him to an ignominious end.</p> - - -<p>Taking all the circumstances of this trying event into consideration, -notwithstanding the unfavorable impressions, arising from prejudice and an -imperfect knowledge of the facts, that may have prevailed, no just -conclusion can be drawn to the disadvantage of the Chief as a parent. -While, on the other hand, all the evidence that can be obtained, goes to -establish the fact that both in husband and father, his own family circle -was most happy. Certainly nothing could have been stronger than his desire -for the education and moral culture of his children. Knowing his -solicitude upon this subject, and appreciating the disadvantages of his -position in that respect, several gentlemen, in the year 1800, suggested -to him the expediency of an appeal to the parent government for the -education of his sons at the expense of the crown. A memorial for that -object, addressed to the Duke of Portland, was drawn up by one of his -friends in the Upper Canadian administration, and submitted for his -consideration. In this document a strong case was made, arising from the -peculiar services which the Captain had rendered to the Crown, and the -policy of having his sons educated in sound principles of loyalty. But the -Chief peremptorily declined making such an overture. The following is an -extract from his letter announcing his determination:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Colonel Smith.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, September</i> 20, 1800.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have very seriously considered the petition to his Grace the Duke of -Portland, for the education of my sons, which your friendship for me -prompted you to advise me to make, and must acknowledge the particular -satisfaction I feel at this further instance of your inclination to serve -me with your friendly advice. I am confident it must have been suggested -to your mind from the most friendly motives, of which I have had -sufficient proofs since our acquaintance. But I am sorry I cannot -altogether comply with your opinion on this point; for, considering the -many oppositions I have met with since the establishment of the government -of this province, in obtaining what I only considered as our rights, and -which indeed seems yet to be in some measure undetermined, I cannot -flatter myself with any prospect of succeeding in asking such a particular -favor. I therefore decline, purely from the apprehensions of having my -feelings farther hurt by a refusal. Notwithstanding, I think such a thing -being granted would be extremely for the good of my family, and give me -heartfelt satisfaction, could it be obtained for me by my friends, without -my running the risk of meeting with farther rebuffs."</p> - -<p>The Chieftain's papers afford evidence that an occasional correspondence -must have been maintained between Captain Brant and the family of his old -preceptor, President Wheelock, for many years. The venerable founder of -Moor's Charity School, and subsequently of Dartmouth College, had slept -with his fathers, before the close of the Revolutionary war, being -succeeded in the presidentship of the college by his eldest son, John -Wheelock, Esq., who was recalled from active service in the army, to -assume the duties of that station. James Wheelock, another son, had -resided near the Chief in Upper Canada, after the conclusion of the Indian -wars, and there was a renewal of ancient acquaintance and friendship. -During this period, Mr. Wheelock had proposed taking charge of the eldest -surviving son, Joseph; and having relinquished the project of applying to -the government for assistance in the premises, the Captain once more -turned his attention to the land in which, and the friends with whom, -forty years before, he had acquired the rudiments of his imperfect -education. With this view a correspondence was opened with James Wheelock, -and his brother, the president, which was attended by the desired results. -Extracts from this correspondence will not be found uninteresting, -affording, as they will, farther and very gratifying illustrations of the -Chieftain's domestic character:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to James Wheelock, Esq.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara,</i> 3<i>d October,</i> 1800.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Although it is long since I have had the pleasure of seeing or -corresponding with you, still I have not forgot there is such a person in -being, and now embrace the kind offer you once made me, in offering to -take charge of my son Joseph, whom I certainly should at that time have -sent out, had it not been that there was apparently a jealousy subsisting -between the British and Americans; however, I hope it is not yet too late. -I send both my sons, Joseph and Jacob, who, I doubt not, will be -particularly attended to by my friends. I could wish them to be studiously -attended to, not only as to their education, but likewise as to their -morals in particular; this no doubt is needless mentioning, as I know of -old, and from personal experience at your seminary, that these things are -paid strict attention to. Let my sons be at what schools soever, your -overseeing them will be highly flattering to me. I should by this -opportunity have wrote Mr. John Wheelock on the same subject, but a hurry -of business at this time prevents me. I shall hereafter take the first -opportunity of dropping him a few lines; until when, please make my best -respects to him, and I earnestly solicit his friendship and attention to -my boys, which be assured of, I shall ever gratefully acknowledge. I am, -dear Sir, wishing you and your family health and happiness,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your friend and well wisher, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Mr. James Wheelock.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>The lads were sent to Dartmouth in charge of Colonel Benjamin Sumner, of -Claremont, (N. H.) a gentleman who had resided fifteen months among the -Canadian Indians. Colonel Sumner gave Dr. Wheelock a very gratifying -account of the surprising progress the Mohawks had made in the art of -husbandry, and the conveniences of living, in consequence of the influence -exercised over them by Captain Brant. He also repeated to the Doctor the -anxious charge which he had received from the Chief, that his sons should -be educated not only in letters, but in piety and virtue. [FN] The lads -arrived at Hanover safely, were well received by President Wheelock and -his brother James, and domesticated in the family of the latter. Both the -President and James Wheelock wrote to the Captain on the 3d of November, -announcing the fact, and informing him of the arrangements that had been -made. These were highly satisfactory to the parent, as will appear from -the subjoined letters:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] M<sup>c</sup>Clure's Life of Wheelock.</p> - - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to President John Wheelock.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, Feb.</i> 9, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have received your favor of the 3d of November last. I have delayed -answering it until the return of Captain Brigham.</p> - -<p>"I receive an inexpressible satisfaction in hearing from you, that you -have taken my sons under your protection, and also to find that you yet -retain a strong remembrance of our ancient friendship. For my part, -nothing can ever efface from my memory the persevering attention your -revered father paid to my education, when I was in the place my sons now -are. Though I was an unprofitable pupil in some respects, yet my worldly -affairs have been much benefited by the instruction I there received. I -hope my children may reap greater advantages under your care, both with -respect to their future as well as their worldly welfare.</p> - -<p>"Their situation at your brother's meets my highest approbation. Your -goodness, in having provided for them out of the funds, far exceeds my -expectations, and merits my warmest thanks. The reason that induced me to -send them, to be instructed under your care, is the assurance I had that -their morals and education would be there more strictly attended to than -at any other place I know of.</p> - -<p>"I am much pleased at the kindness you show in pressing them to be -familiar at your house. I beg you will be constant in exhorting them to -conduct themselves with propriety. The character you give me of the worthy -gentleman, their preceptor, is extremely pleasing. From the whole, I feel -perfectly easy with respect to their situation, and the care taken of -their education, and am fully convinced that all now depends on their own -exertions. The steady friendship you do me the honor to assure me of, is -what, from numberless obligations, I doubly owe your family on my part; -and I beg leave to assure you, that until death, I remain your sincere -friend.</p> - -<p>"Should there be any thing you might wish from these parts, curiosities -or the like, I shall be happy to send them to you.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, I am - Your very humble serv't. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Hon. John Wheelock.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">From same, to James Wheelock, Esq.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, Feb.</i> 9, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It is now some time since I had the pleasure of receiving your kind -letter of the 3d of November, 1800. It gives me unspeakable satisfaction -to find that my boys are with you, as I am fully confident they could not -have a better or more agreeable situation. I am assured, from the known -reputation of the President, that if they do not make a progress in their -studies, it will be owing to themselves. I therefore hope you will shew me -the kindness to make free, and be particular in exhorting them to exert -themselves, and to behave in a becoming manner.</p> - -<p>"I am happy to find you yet retain the same sentiments of friendship for -me that you have ever testified. I was apprehensive the manner in which I -disappointed you respecting my son, when you was here, would have too much -affected you. The occasion of it then was, the too great jealousy showed -by our government here.</p> - -<p>"I yet add, that I should wish them to be learned that it is their duty to -be subject to the customs of the place they are in, even with respect to -dress, and the cutting of their hair.</p> - -<p>"The reason I did not answer you sooner, is that I have expected Captain -Brigham back this way, and thought him the safest opportunity to send by. -Any thing you might want from this quarter, I should be happy to assist -you in.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, I am, - With respect and esteem, - Your friend and humble servant. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Wheelock, Esq.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Wheelock to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Hanover May</i> 1, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Very Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I received your polite and very agreeable letter of February 9th some -days ago, for which please to accept my sincere and cordial thanks.</p> - -<p>"I am very happy in again gratifying your parental feelings, with the -information that your very worthy sons conduct themselves still in a most -agreeable manner; are quite attentive to their school, and make, I -believe, very laudable progress in learning. By their amiable dispositions -and manly behavior they are continually growing in our esteem; and I -sincerely hope and trust that <i>your</i> and our <i>expectations</i> concerning their -future <i>usefulness</i> and <i>respectability</i> in life, will be highly gratified. -You may depend on my friendly freedom in advising and exhorting them -whenever I may see occasion. But, Sir, (without flattery,) such occasions -will be very rare.</p> - -<p>"What has become of my old friend, Mr. Phelps? I want to hear from him; -but I have written so often without return, that I have done. Please when -you see him to remember and mention me to him with cordial affection, and -ask him to think of our former friendly days.</p> - -<p>"I wish we could have the pleasure of seeing you here—perhaps, some time -or other, we may be indulged in this wish. Please to remember me, with -Mrs. Wheelock, affectionately to your lady, and believe that I continue -to be, with attachment and respect, very dear Sir,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your sincere friend, - And humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jas. Wheelock.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Captain Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">President Wheelock to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Dartmouth College, May</i> 6, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Though I have but a moment now allowed me to write, yet I cannot omit -embracing it to express my thanks for your kind favor of February 9th ult.</p> - -<p>"I rejoice to hear of your good health; and great also is my happiness to -be able to inform you of the regular conduct, and steady application, and -laudable improvements of your dear sons with me. I will do all I can for -their good, and future usefulness; and may God grant that they shall be, -and long continue, great sources of comfort and assistance to you in the -sublime business of enlightening and meliorating your nations. I will -write longer when I may have a good opportunity, and can now only ask the -favor that you will accept this as a token of my cordial respect, and -perfect friendship; I am,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, - Your most ob'dt serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Wheelock.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Capt. J. Brant, &c. &c.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to President Wheelock.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Buffalo Creek, July</i> 23, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It gives me great satisfaction to hear that my sons have so conducted -themselves as to merit your approbation. The hope you form of them, is -pleasing beyond expression. When my sons went away, I promised they should -remain only one year; but as they seem to make progress, I hope you will -begin by times to convince them it is their interest to remain another -winter, and exert themselves in their studies. I intend going to England -this Fall, and should I return safe in the Spring, I will see them, and -they might then come out on a visit home.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Dear Sir, - Your friend sincerely, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Hon. John Wheelock.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The same to James Wheelock, Esq.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Buffalo Creek, July</i> 23, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Very Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your kind letter gives me an extreme pleasure to find that you and family -are well, and that my sons grow in your esteem. I hope sincerely they may -continue to behave in such a manner as to deserve a continuance of it. I -have not seen Mr. Phelps since I received your favor, but expect I shortly -shall, and I will then mention what you desire. We are likely to succeed -in getting him ordained for a minister.</p> - -<p>"It is a long time since I sent any pocket money to the boys. I shall in -a few days send by Mr. Gideon Tiffany, a note for a £hundred, -N. Y. C. I would do it sooner, but have not had the opportunity of -conveyance. My best respects to Mrs. Wheelock and family.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Dear Sir, sincerely, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p>"P. S. I send a letter of Captain Elliott's son, their cousin, who is much -younger than they, to shew them how he improves. [FN]</p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Wheelock, Esq.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The name of Captain Elliott has repeatedly occurred before, in - connexion with the British-Indian affairs at Detroit and the Miamis. - Captain Brant, in one of his letters to Sir John Johnson, complained that - Elliott was dismissed from the public service, for some reason not - stated, and without trial.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Wheelock to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Marcellus, Sept.</i> 19th, 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Very Dear and Respected Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I am almost overjoyed at meeting your worthy son, Joseph, this morning, -on his way homeward. By him I have only a moment to write to express my -respect for you, and my attachment and regard for your dear and promising -sons. They have been so long in my family, that to see Joseph seems like -meeting one of my own children; indeed they are both, by their pleasing -conduct, which has been uniform, highly esteemed by all their acquaintance -with us. I sincerely hope that your expectations concerning them will be -answered, and that they will both be <i>good, useful,</i> and <i>honorable</i> in -the world.</p> - -<p>"It is some weeks since I left home. I want much to see you, and Joseph -mentions that by a letter from you since I left home, we may expect that -pleasure next Spring, on your return from your intended European tour. I -hope we shall not be disappointed. I wish I could have the pleasure of my -friend Joseph's company on my return home, as I have mentioned to him. -May every blessing and happiness constantly attend you and yours, is the -sincere wish of,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Dear Sir, your very - Sincere friend, and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jas. Wheelock.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Capt. Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Mr. Wheelock.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River,</i> 22<i>d Oct.</i> 1801.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I received your kind letter favored by my son Joseph, and am extremely -happy to find they both give such great satisfaction to their friends, of -their good conduct, as well as to me. I cannot express myself the great -pleasure you give me by the great attention to my children. I would really -wish you to take the opportunity to continue them as your own children, -and give them every good advice, so they may be useful and honorable in -the world. As for my European route, it is uncertain.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I remain, Dear Sir, - Your sincere friend, - And very humble serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Jas. Wheelock, Esq.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Unfortunately, while thus happily situated, pursuing their studies with -diligence, and so demeaning themselves toward their friends as to win -golden opinions from all, some difficulty arose between the brothers -themselves, which produced a separation; Joseph, the eldest, leaving the -school and returning home. Jacob followed in the course of the Spring, on -a visit only, returning to the school again in the Autumn. Two or three -letters more will close all that can be found of this interesting -correspondence.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Captain Brant to Mr. James Wheelock.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, March</i> 20, 1802.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I received your favor of the 25th January, and I am sorry to learn by it -that your friendly arguments had not the desired effect of dissuading -Joseph from his determination of coming this way. I regret very much his -leaving, so unreasonably, the advantageous situation he was in, for -improvement; for I am fully confident he could not have been in a better -place, and I shall ever remain thankful for your kind attention and that -of the President, although the imprudence of youth has rendered it -ineffectual. At the same time I must assure you that Joseph has a grateful -remembrance of the civilities he received from you and family, and -acknowledges to have been as happy and comfortable as he could wish to be; -and perfectly at home in your house.</p> - -<p>"After the great care and attention the worthy President has been pleased -to show to my sons, it doubly grieves me that any part of their conduct -should have the least appearance of neglect, or disrespect to a character -that it was their duty to revere, and to which they were so much indebted.</p> - -<p>"The only reason Joseph can allege for his coming away, is the perpetual -disagreement between him and his brother Jacob. Mrs. Brant joins me in -thanks and best respects to you and Mrs. Wheelock, and be assured we think -equally well of your kind endeavors as if they had had the desired effect.</p> - -<p>"My best respects to the President, and in a short time I shall write him -in answer to the letter I received.</p> - -<p class="list"> "My Dear Sir, - I remain, affectionately, - Your friend and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Wheelock, Esq'r.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">James Wheelock to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Hanover, April</i> 19, 1802.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Very Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"It is with much pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your friendly and -obliging letter of March 20th,—am glad to learn that Joseph arrived at -home; for I assure you, I felt not a little anxious for him, on his -setting out, horseback, at such a season of the year, so long a journey. -I hope he, as well as Jacob, will somewhere complete his education, and -that they both will have a disposition and abilities, to follow the -example of their worthy parent, in promoting eminently the happiness, -prosperity and advantage of their fellow men, <i>while you and I shall be -asleep with our fathers.</i></p> - -<p>"My brother, the President has mentioned particularly concerning the -conduct, &c. of Jacob, which renders any thing from me in his praise -unnecessary; however, I must just say, that from what I have seen and -understood since he left our house, (not from our desire, but his own,) -his conduct has been quite unexceptionable, amicable, and pleasing; and I -shall always rejoice in an opportunity to shew him any mark of friendship, -by advice, or otherwise, that may be in my power.</p> - -<p>"My brother has likewise mentioned to him Captain Dunham, [FN] the -gentleman who will accompany Jacob. He is a gentleman we highly esteem and -respect, and I doubt not but he will meet with your friendly notice and -attention."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Captain Josiah Dunham, an officer in the American service—a - gentleman of talents and letters. After the surrender of the Northwestern - posts, so long retained by Great Britain, Captain Dunham was stationed at - Michillimackinack. Subsequently, during the earlier part of Mr. Madison's - administration, Captain D. edited a political paper with signal ability, - in Vermont.</p> - - -<p>"I shall always be happy in an opportunity to render you, or any of yours, -any services that may be in my power; but how happy should I be in an -opportunity, especially at my own house, to see you, and to manifest that -respect to which you are so justly entitled, and to which my own feelings -so warmly would prompt me. Mrs. Wheelock joins me in cordial respects to -yourself and Mrs. Brant.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, very Dear Sir, &c. &c. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jas. Wheelock.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Capt. Joseph Brant, &c. &c.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">From Captain Brant to James Wheelock.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara,</i> 17<i>th December,</i> 1802.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I received your very polite and friendly letter by my son Jacob, and am -very much obliged to you, your brother, and all friends, for the great -attentions that have been paid to both my sons; likewise to Captain -Dunham, for the great care he took of Jacob on the journey.</p> - -<p>"My son would have returned to you long before this but for a continued -sickness in the family for three months, which brought Mrs. Brant very -low; my son Jacob and several of the children were very ill.</p> - -<p>"My son now returns to be under the care of the President, and I sincerely -hope he will pay such attention to his studies, as will do credit to -himself, and be a comfort to his parents. The horse that Jacob rides out, -I wish to be got in good order after he arrives, and sold, as an attentive -scholar has no time to ride about. Mrs. Brant joins me in most -affectionate respects to you and Mrs. Wheelock.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Dear Sir, - With great respect, your sincere friend and - Humble servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jos. Brant.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Wheelock, Esq., - Hanover.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>The only remaining letter of this branch of Captain Brant's correspondence -which has been obtained, was addressed to James Wheelock, in October, -1804. It relates to matters indifferent to the present work, save only the -mention that by the bursting of a gun, his son Jacob's left hand had been -shattered, and that he was "about marrying one of our Mohawk girls." [FN] -The whole of this correspondence, however, speaks the old Chief -exceedingly well in his domestic relations. No parent could have been more -solicitous for the moral and intellectual training of his offspring. His -letters are characterised by an amiable temper, and by good, sound, -common sense—breathing a spirit of kindness and affection throughout. And -such was his general character in his family.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Joseph Brant, Jr. died several years ago. Jacob Brant is yet living, - [July, 1837.] A daughter of Captain Brant married a Frenchman, who, in - June, 1789, was killed by a party of Indians while peaceably traveling - up the Wabash River. He was in company with nine others, four of whom - were killed, and three wounded. When the hostile party came up to them, - and discovered the son-in-law of the Mohawk Chief, they assisted in - drawing the arrows from the wounded, and then went off—<i>Carey's - Museum—quoted by Drake.</i></p> - - -<p>In addition to his correspondence upon public affairs, upon the business -of his own nation exclusively, and in regard to his private and domestic -concerns, which must have been very extensive, Captain Brant wrote many -letters upon miscellaneous subjects to which his attention was from time -to time invited. His fame was co-extensive with England and the United -States, and he must have had acquaintances in France. His personal friends -were very numerous, and those to whom he was known, far more numerous -still. The consequence of these friendships and this celebrity, was -frequent applications analogous to those made by Doctor Miller, for -information in regard to the history, condition, and polity of his own -people, or for the purpose of eliciting his own views and opinions upon -given subjects. Of these miscellaneous letters, but few have been -preserved. The annexed is given as an example. It had long been contended -by physiologists, both in Europe and America, that the American -aboriginals naturally have no beards. Nor is the opinion uncommon at the -present day. It was for a solution of this question that a Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Causeland -wrote to Brant, soon after the close of the American war. The following -was the Chiefs reply:—</p> -<br> - <p class="exit">"<i>Niagara, April</i> 19, 1783.</p> - -<p>"The men of the Six Nations have all beards by nature; as have likewise -all other Indian nations of North America, which I have seen. Some Indians -allow a part of the beard upon the chin and upper lip to grow, and a few -of the Mohawks shave with razors, in the same manner as Europeans; but the -generality pluck out the hairs of the beard by the roots, as soon as they -begin to appear; and as they continue this practice all their lives, they -appear to have no beard, or, at most, only a few straggling hairs, which -they have neglected to pluck out. I am however of opinion, that if the -Indians were to shave, they would never have beards altogether so thick -us the Europeans; and there are some to be met with who have actually very -little beard.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Brant,</span> - <i>Thayendanegea.</i>"</p> -<br> -<p>Among others, the late eccentric Samuel Peters, LL. D., either opened, or -attempted to open, a correspondence with the Chief, a few years before his -decease. Dr. Peters was a native of Hebron, (Conn.) He was graduated at -Yale College in 1757, and, taking orders in the Episcopal Church, had -charge of the churches at Hartford and Hebron, at the commencement of the -Revolutionary contest. Being a friend of the crown, he went to England, -where he remained many years, and in 1781 published his extraordinary, and -in many respects fabulous, history of his native state. In the year 1805, -he returned to the United States; and in 1817 or 1818, made a journey into -the country of the great northwestern lakes, to the Falls of St Anthony; -claiming a large extent of territory in that region, under a grant to the -ancient traveler, Captain Carver. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A letter of Dr. Peters to Captain Brant, written in April, 1803, is - so characteristic of its author that a place has been assigned to it in - the Appendix, (No. XVII,) as a curiosity. Doctor, or Bishop Peters, as he - was called, died in the city of New-York, April 19,1826, at the advanced - age of 90. His remains were interred at Hebron.</p> - - -<p>On the subject of imprisonment for debt, his views were those of an -enlightened philosopher and philanthropist, as will be manifest from the -following interesting letter discovered among the papers of the late -Thomas Eddy; a name ever to be revered, as among the most honorable, if -not the brightest, adorning the annals of humanity. [FN] Mr. Eddy was at -the period mentioned, and for years afterward, directing his attention to -the subject of prison discipline, and his mind was much occupied on the -question of imprisonment for debt. The views of the Mohawk Chieftain were -coincident with his own. Both were more than a quarter of a century in -advance of public opinion in the United States, in that important feature -of English and American jurisprudence; and how much in advance of England, -remains to be seen.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This letter was transcribed by Thomas Eddy, into a volume of Indian - documents, speeches &c., collected by him while in the discharge of his - duties as an Indian commissioner for certain purposes. He had much - intercourse with the Oneida, Stockbridge, and some other tribes of - Indians, some forty years ago, and was led to inquiries and exertions for - their moral and social improvement.</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Letter from Joseph Brant to—</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Your letter came safe to hand. To give you entire satisfaction I must, I -perceive, enter into the discussion of a subject on which I have often -thought. My thoughts were my own, and being so different from the ideas -entertained among your people, I should certainly have carried them with -me to the grave, had I not received your obliging favor.</p> - -<p>"You ask me, then, whether in my opinion civilization is favorable to -human happiness? In answer to the question, it may be answered, that there -are degrees of civilization, from Cannibals to the most polite of European -nations. The question is not, then, whether a degree of refinement is not -conducive to happiness; but whether you, or the natives of this land, have -obtained this happy medium. On this subject we are at present, I presume, -of very different opinions. You will, however, allow me in some respects -to have had the advantage of you in forming my sentiments. I was, Sir, -born of Indian parents, and lived while a child among those whom you are -pleased to call savages; I was afterward sent to live among the white -people, and educated at one of your schools; since which period I have -been honored much beyond my deserts, by an acquaintance with a number of -principal characters both in Europe and America. After all this -experience, and after every exertion to divest myself of prejudice, I am -obliged to give my opinion in favor of my own people. I will now, as much -as I am able, collect together, and set before you, some of the reasons -that have influenced my judgment on the subject now before us. In the -government you call civilized, the happiness of the people is constantly -sacrificed to the splendor of empire. Hence your codes of criminal and -civil laws have had their origin; hence your dungeons and prisons. I will -not enlarge on an idea so singular in civilized life, and perhaps -disagreeable to you, and will only observe, that among us we have <i>no</i> -prisons; we have no pompous parade of courts; we have no written laws; and -yet judges are as highly revered amongst us as they are among you, and -their decisions are as much regarded.</p> - -<p>"Property, to say the least, is as well guarded, and crimes are as -impartially punished. We have among us no splendid villains above the -control of our laws. Daring wickedness is here never suffered to triumph -over helpless innocence. The estates of widows and orphans are never -devoured by enterprising sharpers. In a word, we have no robbery under the -color of law. No person among us desires any other reward for performing -a brave and worthy action, but the consciousness of having served his -nation. Our wise men are called Fathers; they truly sustain that -character. They are always accessible, I will not say to the meanest of -our people, for we have none mean but such as render themselves so by -their vices.</p> - -<p>"The palaces and prisons among you form a most dreadful contrast. Go to -the former places, and you will see perhaps a <i>deformed piece of earth</i> -assuming airs that become none but the Great Spirit above. Go to one of -your prisons; here description utterly fails! Kill them, if you please; -kill them, too, by tortures; but let the torture last no longer than a -day. Those you call savages, relent; the most furious of our tormentors -exhausts his rage in a few hours, and dispatches his unhappy victim with -a sudden stroke. Perhaps it is eligible that incorrigible offenders should -sometimes be cut off. Let it be done in a way that is not degrading to -human nature. Let such unhappy men have an opportunity, by their -fortitude, of making an atonement in some measure for the crimes they have -committed during their lives.</p> - -<p>"But for what are many of your prisoners confined?—for -debt!—astonishing!—and will you ever again call the Indian nations -cruel? Liberty, to a rational creature, as much exceeds property as the -light of the sun does that of the most twinkling star. But you put them -on a level, to the everlasting disgrace of civilization. I knew, while I -lived among the white people, many of the most amiable contract debts, and -I dare say with the best intentions. Both parties at the time of the -contract expect to find their advantage. The debtor, we will suppose, by -a train of unavoidable misfortunes, fails; here is no crime, nor even a -fault; and yet your laws put it in the power of the creditor to throw the -debtor into prison and confine him there for life! a punishment infinitely -worse than death to a brave man! And I seriously declare, I had rather die -by the most severe tortures ever inflicted on this continent, than -languish in one of your prisons for a single year. Great Spirit of the -Universe!—and do you call yourselves Christians? Does then the religion -of Him whom you call your Saviour, inspire this spirit, and lead to these -practices? Surely no. It is recorded of him, that a bruised reed he never -broke. Cease, then, to call yourselves Christians, lest you publish to the -world your hypocrisy. Cease, too, to call other nations savage, when you -are tenfold more the children of cruelty than they."</p> -<br> -<p>Few subjects of greater interest have been presented for the consideration -of antiquaries in North America, than those monuments of an age and a -people that are lost, found scattered over western New-York, through the -state of Ohio, and in great numbers in the valley of the Mississippi, -called Tumuli. These mounds, or barrows, as they are usually termed in -older countries, have been objects of extensive inquiry and much -speculation; but their origin, in America, and the purposes of their -erection, are yet among those hidden mysteries which it is probable that -even time itself will not unfold. Among the Greeks, on the steppes of -Tartary, in the north of Europe, in England, Ireland, and New South Wales, -in all which countries, and several others, they abound, it has been well -ascertained that these Tumuli were monumental heaps, of greater or less -extent, raised over the remains of the dead. But in the United States, and -in Mexico, where similar barrows are numerous, appearances, in regard to -very many of them, have seemed to warrant a different opinion as to the -object of their formation. Their magnitude in this country is much greater -than in any other, some of the largest American Tumuli being approached -in dimensions only by the celebrated Irish barrow at New Grange, described -by Governor Pownall; [FN] while the form of very many of the American has -induced at least a plausible conjecture, that they were the military -defences of a people long since become extinct.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The Irish barrow in New Grange, county Meath, covers two acres at - the base, the circumference at the top being three hundred feet, and its - height ninety. It consists of small pebbles, and has a gallery within, - sixty-two feet long, leading to a cave. There is one near Wheeling, on - the Ohio, between thirty and forty rods in circumference at the base, - one hundred and eighty at the top, and seventy feet high. Near Cahokia - there is a numerous group, stated at about two hundred in all—the - largest of which is a parallelogram, about ninety feet high, and eight - hundred yards in circuit. [<i>Ency. Americana.</i>] There are some very large - and of evident military formation, in the Wyoming Valley.</p> - - -<p>While, therefore, every inquiry of the white man concerning these remains -in America has ended as it began, leaving the subject of investigation as -deep in obscurity as before, the opinion of a man of Brant's information -and sagacity, thoroughly conversant, as he was, with the traditions of his -own people, may not be unacceptable to the curious reader. That opinion, -or rather such information as the Chief had derived from the dim light of -Indian tradition, has been supplied in the manuscript notes of Mr. -Woodruff, already referred to several times in the preceding pages. A few -extracts follow:—</p> - -<p>"Among other things relating to the western country," says Mr. Woodruff, -"I was curious to learn in the course of my conversations with Captain -Brant, what information he could give me respecting the <i>Tumuli</i> which are -found on and near the margin of the rivers and lakes, from the St. -Lawrence to the Mississippi. He stated, in reply, that the subject had -long been agitated, but yet remained in some obscurity. A tradition, he -said, prevailed among the different nations of Indians throughout that -whole extensive range of country, and had been handed down time -immemorial, that in an age long gone by, there came white men from a -foreign country, and by consent of the Indians established trading-houses -and settlements where these Tumuli are found. A friendly intercourse was -continued for several years; many of the white men brought their wives, -and had children born to them; and additions to their numbers were made -yearly from their own country. These circumstances at length gave rise to -jealousies among the Indians, and fears began to be entertained in regard -to the increasing numbers, wealth, and ulterior views of the new comers; -apprehending that becoming strong, they might one day seize upon the -country as their own. A secret council, composed of the chiefs of all the -different nations from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, was therefore -convoked; the result of which, after long deliberation, was a resolution -that on a certain night designated for that purpose, all their white -neighbors, men, women and children, should be exterminated. The most -profound secrecy was essential to the execution of such a purpose; and -such was the fidelity with which the fatal determination was kept, that -the conspiracy was successful, and the device carried completely into -effect. Not a soul was left to tell the tale.</p> - -<p>"The Captain expressed no opinion himself as to the truth of the tale, but -added, that from the vessels and tools which had been dug up in those -mounds, or found in their vicinity, it was evident that the people who had -used them were French.</p> - -<p>"In the year 1801, having occasion to travel through the States of -New-York and Ohio, and a part of Pennsylvania," (continues Judge -Woodruff,) "I had frequent opportunities of viewing these artificial -mounds, as well as the entrenched plots of land contiguous to them. They -are all placed upon small and handsome elevations of ground. The -entrenched plots are of various dimensions, from six to ten rods square. -The ditches and their banks are yet plainly visible. Their antiquity may -be inferred from the size of the trees standing both in the ditches and -on the banks—being as large as any of those in their vicinity. Many of -these trees I saw which were more than two feet in diameter. Near one -corner of each of these areas, is a space of twelve feet in width, where -the ground appears never to have been broken. It is evident that these -spaces were used for gate-ways. About ten or fifteen yards from these -gate-ways, stand the mounds. These are of different dimensions, in -different places, from ten to fifteen feet in diameter at the base, and -from six to twelve feet elevation, being now much flattened down.</p> - -<p>"Various have been the conjectures for what use these mounds were raised. -Some have supposed they were made as depositories of the dead; others, for -places in which to store provisions in winter; and others, for -watch-towers, on which sentinels were posted to guard the garrisons from -approaching danger. While in Ohio, I felt an anxiety to satisfy myself, -if possible, for which of these uses, or for what other, these Tumuli were -designed. I employed a party of young men to dig down through one of them, -beginning at the centre of the apex. When they had descended through to -the natural surface of the ground, it appeared by the mould, or soil, that -the earth had not there been broken. All we found there, were a few oaken -chips, nearly sound, and bearing the mark of the axe. These circumstances, -in my judgment, served greatly to strengthen the probability that the -mounds had been designed and used only for watch-towers. Mr. Quimby, the -owner of the land, shewed me a tinner's anvil, a pair of shears, and an -adze, which he had found on the area within the lines of the entrenchment. -All these were evidently of French origin. Many other tools and vessels, -as I was well informed, had been found at other of these stations, in -different parts of the western country, all of the same character.</p> - -<p>"In farther conversation with Captain Brant, he informed me that he had -ever entertained a strong desire to know something more decisive -concerning those white people—their former neighbors—and that while in -England, he made a visit to the French capital for the purpose of pushing -his inquiries upon the subject. Letters of introduction were furnished by -his friends in London, to some literary gentlemen in Paris, by whom he was -received with great politeness and respect, and kindly assisted in making -researches in the public libraries. Nothing, however, could be found in -any of their histories, respecting the object of his inquiries, excepting, -that about the year 1520, (if I rightly remember,) several ships were -fitted out and sailed from L'Orient, bound to North America, freighted -with goods suitable for that market, and carrying out a number of traders, -and other enterprising individuals, with their families, to plant a colony -in that part of the world. But nothing farther was recorded concerning the -enterprize. Hence Captain Brant was induced to give additional credit to -the tradition before mentioned." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] John Norton, the intelligent Mohawk Chief, heretofore repeatedly - mentioned, gave a different version of the tradition upon this subject. - Being at Albany, upon the business of the St. Regis Reservation, during - the administration of Governor Jay, the Governor took occasion to ask - Norton if he knew any thing concerning the origin of the Indian - fortifications, as they were called, found in such numbers in many parts - of the United States. He answered, that there was a tradition in his - tribe that they were constructed by a people who in ancient times - occupied a great extent of country, but who had been extirpated; that - there had been long and bloody wars between this people and the Five - Nations, in which the latter had been finally victorious. He added, that - one of the last of the fortifications which was taken, had been - obstinately defended; that the warriors of the other four nations of the - Confederacy had assaulted it without waiting for the Mohawks, and had - been repulsed with great loss, but that the latter coming to their - assistance the attack was renewed, the place taken, and all who were in - it destroyed.—<i>Letter to the author from the Hon. Peter Augustus Jay, - who was present during the conversation.</i></p> - - -<p>There seem to be many strong reasons for believing, that at some remote -period of time, a race of men, different from the Indians found in -occupancy by the English, farther advanced in civilization, and possessed -of arts of which they were ignorant, must have been in possession of -portions of this country. The Indians have various traditions upon the -subject of such a lost race of men, differing, however, among different -tribes, and often among individuals of the same tribes. Mary Jemison, who -was raised among the Senecas, and spent a long life with them, states that -the Indians held that the flats of the Genesee were cleared, and had been -cultivated, by another people, before the Indians came into possession. -They were a people of whom they could give no account, because "their -fathers had never seen them." By the sliding of a bank of Mary's farm -into the river, a burial-place was discovered, of which the Indians had -no knowledge, and they held that the bones were not those of Indians. -[FN-1] But of what race, nation, or complexion, were this ancient people, -will probably never be known. That the continent of North America was -discovered by the Normans, during the patriarchal government of the Colony -of Greenland, by Erik the Red, five centuries before the voyages of -Columbus, is no longer a matter of doubt. The shores of the Gulf of St. -Lawrence, and the coast of New England, were visited by Lief and Thorwald, -the sons of Erik, and colonies planted, as far back as the tenth century. -These colonies, however, were soon lost or extirpated; and from the -Icelandic records, and the histories of the Northmen, [FN-2] there is -but faint reason for supposing that the few colonists of Vinland, as the -new country was named, or their descendants, could have extended -themselves from the estuary of the St Lawrence across into the valley of -the Mississippi. [FN-3]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] See Appendix, No. XVIII.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Vide, History of the Northmen, by Henry Wheaton; Voyages of - Sebastian Cabot, &c. &c.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] See Appendix, No. XIX.</p> - - -<p>The tradition recited by Brant, however, tends, especially in its details, -to corroborate the well-known legend of the Welsh, concerning Prince -Madog, or Madoc, which has occasioned so many stories of White and Welsh -Indians, rather than any other tale of discovery and colonization with -which the public is acquainted. According to the Welsh tradition, -Madoc—if indeed there was such a veritable personage—in consequence of -some domestic dissensions, went to sea, with ten ships and three hundred -men, in the twelfth century, and discovered land far to the west. He made -several voyages to and from this unknown land, but finally, with all his -followers, was lost to the knowledge of his countrymen. The tradition of -Brant, that the white strangers made annual voyages to and from their own -country for several years, corresponds with the story as related in the -Welsh Triads, and by Hakluyt, who has given an account of the supposed -voyages of the Prince. The cutting off of the colonists at one fell -stroke, as related by Brant, also shows very satisfactorily why his fate -was never known. Œdipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx; but unless he -was able to solve still greater mysteries, the origin and uses of the -American Tumuli present questions that would have baffled the wisdom even -of the accomplished though unfortunate son and husband of Jocasta.</p> - -<p>In bringing the life and actions of Joseph Brant—Thayendanegea, to a -close, something in the form of a summary review of his character will -doubtless be expected at the hands of the biographer. This task can be -readily and expeditiously executed, from the method adopted in the -composition of the work itself. Nor, after the record already given of his -public life and conduct, and the occasional anecdotes and illustrations of -character introduced in the regular progress of the narrative, will the -reader be surprised to find the author disposed, not only to set aside, -but to reverse the popular estimate, and all previous decisions of -history, in relation to the character of that remarkable man.</p> - -<p>His fine personal appearance in the full maturity of manhood has already -been described from the notes of Mr. Woodruff and General Porter. His -early advantages of education were limited, but of these he evidently made -the best use. Probably, being connected by the alliance of his sister with -Sir William Johnson, he may have attended some of the missionary schools -in the Mohawk Valley previous to his being sent by the Baronet to the -Moor charity school, under the care of the elder Doctor Wheelock. But as -he had already, though at so early an age, been upon the war-path in two -campaigns, his opportunities of study could not have been great,—to say -nothing of the reluctance with which an ardent youth, looking with delight -upon the pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war, and inpatient of -military renown, might be expected to confine himself to the dull and -quiet pursuits of the school-room. Still, he acknowledged in after-life -that he had derived great and lasting advantages from the instructions of -Doctor Wheelock. The wars of Pontiac a third time called him to the field; -but the campaign was no sooner ended, than he was again engaged in -literary pursuits under the direction of the missionaries. The influence -of his sister in the administration of the Indian department, called him -more directly into active public life on the death of Sir William Johnson, -although he had been much employed in the transaction of business with -the Indians previous to that event. These avocations had of course -deprived him of much time which might otherwise have been devoted to -study; and when upon him had devolved the chieftainship of the whole -confederacy of the Six Nations, it may well be imagined that the official -claims upon his attention were in themselves sufficient to occupy, -unremittingly, the most active mind. Then followed the protracted conflict -of the American Revolution, requiring, from his position, and the side he -espoused, the exercise of all his energies, physical and intellectual. But -his return to his books, the moment that the great contest was ended; the -progressive improvement in the style of his letters; and the fruits of his -labors in the translations he produced, are circumstances proving his -perseverance amidst the most harassing cares and perplexities of his -after-life, and that he had a natural taste for literature, and was -zealous in the acquisition of knowledge. His solicitude was great for the -thorough education of his children; and he had himself not only projected -writing a history of his own people, but had it in contemplation himself -to acquire the knowledge of the Greek language, that he might be enabled -to read the New Testament in the original, and thus make a more perfect -translation of the Greek Scriptures in the Mohawk tongue.</p> - -<p>His character has been represented as savage and cruel; and in the meagre -sketches of his life hitherto published, although an occasional redeeming -virtue has been allowed by some, anecdotes of treachery and blood have -been introduced, to sustain the imputed disposition of relentless -ferocity. [FN-1] The causes of this general libel upon the native -character of the Indians, and upon that of Brant in particular, have been -indicated in the commencement of the present work. Such, however, was not -the fact. On the contrary, making the necessary allowances for his -position, his own blood, and the description of warriors he commanded, -after the most diligent and laborious investigation, the author is free to -declare his belief that Brant was no less humane than he is on all hands -admitted to have been brave. He was an Indian, and led Indians to the -fight, upon their own principles and usages of war. Bold and daring, -sagacious and wily, he often struck when least expected; but the author -has in vain sought for an instance of wanton cruelty—of treachery—or of -the murder of prisoners, or others, by his own hand, or by his permission, -in cold blood. At the first outbreak of the American revolution, he -interposed and saved the life of the Rev. Mr. Kirkland when on the point -of becoming a victim to Indian fury, although not at that time on the very -best terms with that gentleman. The first battle of the revolutionary war -in which Brant was engaged, was that of the Cedars, on the banks of the -St. Lawrence. Immediately after the fate of the day was decided, he -interposed to save the prisoners, and actually, at his own private -expense, appeased the Indians, and prevented the sacrifice of the brave -Captain M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry. This gentleman was well known to the author, and he -ever entertained a high regard for Captain Brant, by whom he was afterward -visited on the manor of Livingston. The Chieftain's efforts at the -massacre of Cherry Valley, to stay the effusion of innocent blood, have -been mentioned in the account of that tragic irruption. In addition to the -circumstances there narrated, Doctor Dwight, who was as careful as he was -diligent in the collection of his facts, relates, that on entering one of -the houses in Cherry Valley, Walter Butler ordered a woman and child, who -were in bed, to be killed; but the Mohawk Chief interposed, and -said—"What! kill a woman and child! No! That child is not an enemy to the -King, nor a friend to the Congress. Long before he will be big enough to -do any mischief, the dispute will be settled." At the affair of Wyoming, -for which he has always received the severest condemnation, he was not -present. His conduct to Captain Harper and his fellow-prisoners was -anything but cruel, in the Indian acceptation of the term, although the -execution of the aged and weary prisoner, if done with his knowledge or -by his direction, was indefensible. But at Minisink, according to his own -relation of the circumstances, (and his veracity has never been -questioned,) his conduct has been grossly misrepresented. He exerted -himself in the first instance to avert the effusion of blood, and was -fired upon while in the act of making pacific overtures. True, Colonel -Wisner was finally killed by his own hand; but the very blow was prompted -by humanity, according to the reasoning of an Indian. The soldier was -wounded past cure or removal; and after reflection upon the painful case, -to prevent his dying agonies from being aggravated by beasts of prey, the -Chief put an end to his sufferings through an honest dictate of -compassion. A thoroughly civilized warrior would neither have reasoned nor -acted as he did under the circumstances. Still, the act was prompted by -feelings of humanity, and was doubtless such in reality. Lieutenant -Wormwood was killed at Cherry Valley by mistake, and after refusing to -stand when hailed. Lieutenant Boyd and his companion were treated with -humanity by Brant after the capture in the Genesee country, and the -dreadful tragedy which ended their lives was not enacted until Brant had -departed for Niagara. The reader cannot well have forgotten the touching -and beautiful incident of the restoration of the infant to its mother, at -Fort Hunter, as related to the author by Governor Lewis, an eye-witness of -the transaction. To all which may be added, that his last act of the last -battle he fought was the rescuing of an American prisoner from a savage -Irish ally of his own Indians, who was about to murder him. [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] As a specimen of these bloody anecdotes, take the following, - related many years since by a traveler named Weld, from whom it has been - universally copied since. And yet there is not a syllable of truth in its - composition:—"With a considerable body of his troops, he joined the - forces under the command of Sir John Johnson. A skirmish took place with - a body of American troops; the action was warm, and Brant was shot by a - musket ball in his heel; but the Americans in the end were defeated and - an officer and eighty men were taken prisoners. The officer, after having - delivered up his sword, had entered into conversation with Sir John - Johnson, who commanded the British troops, and they were talking to - either in the most friendly manner, when Brant, having stolen slyly - behind them, laid the American officer low with a blow of his tomahawk. - The indignation of Sir John Johnson, as may be readily supposed, was - roused by such an act of treachery, and he resented it in the warmest - terms. Brant listened to him unconcernedly, and when he had finished, - told him that he was sorry for his displeasure, but that indeed his heel - was extremely painful at the moment, and he could not help revenging - himself on the only chief of the party that he saw taken. Since he had - killed the officer, he added, his heel was much less painful to him than - it had been before."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This incident was mentioned to me by Colonel Kerr, his son-in-law. - The occurrence was at the defeat of St. Clair.</p> - - -<p>In the course of his conversations with Major James Cochran and General -Porter, long after the war, in regard to the alleged cruelty of his -career, Brant assured those gentlemen that he had always spared in battle -whenever it could be done without bringing upon himself the censure of his -own people. In more instances than one, he said, he had been instrumental -in preserving life when exposed to the fury of his warriors, and that he -had winked at the escape of white prisoners, whose sufferings would not -permit them to proceed on their march. He related one instance in -particular, in which a young female prisoner had lagged behind, and whom -he himself hid in the bushes that she might escape and return to her home. -This account of himself was subsequently confirmed by Captain Philip Frey, -son of Colonel Hendrick Frey, of Tryon county, of most respectable -character and connexions, and an officer in the British army, who had -served with Brant on several military expeditions, and shared with him the -dangers of several battles. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of Major Cochran to the author. In farther illustration of - Brant's general desire to prevent the shedding of blood unnecessarily, - the following incident has been communicated to the author while these - sheets were passing through the press:—"The late Jonathan Maynard, Esq. - of Framingham, (near Boston,) Massachusetts, formerly a member of the - Senate of that State, was actively engaged in the war of the Revolution, - and, as he was in the habit of relating to his friends, was taken - prisoner at one time in the western part of New-York by a party of the - enemy, composed chiefly of Indians, under the command of Brant. The - savages were disposed to put him to death according to the exterminating - mode of warfare practised in that section of the country by the combined - Indians and Tories; and preparations were making to that effect, when, - having been partially stripped, Brant discovered the symbols of - Freemasonry marked upon the prisoner's arms, which led him to interpose - and save his life. Mr. Maynard was then sent a prisoner to Canada, where, - after remaining several months, he was finally exchanged, and returned - home. He lived to an advanced age, universally respected in the town - where he resided, as an upright man and faithful magistrate; and was - favorably known throughout the county of Middlesex, which he represented - in the Senate of the commonwealth."—<i>Letter to the author by George - Folsom, Esq.</i></p> - - -<p>Having thus disposed of the principal events in his career during the war -of the Revolution, in respect to which his conduct was certainly the -opposite of savage and blood-thirsty, this point of his vindication may -be appropriately closed by the following extract from a letter addressed -to him in February, 1792, by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, than whom none was -more intimately acquainted with his general character and disposition:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Rev. Mr. Kirkland to Captain Brant.—</span>(Extract.)</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Genesee, February</i> 17<i>th,</i> 1792.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My Dear Friend,</span></p> - -<p>"I was honored with your very polite and affectionate letter of the 1st -inst. by Dr. Allen, last Saturday. The opportunity which now presents of -addressing you, is very unexpected. Yesterday I had the pleasure of a -short interview with Captain Williamson, who had lately passed through -Philadelphia, where he received a large packet for Colonel <i>Gordon,</i> -commanding at Niagara, soliciting his aid in behalf of a disconsolate -mother, to inquire after the fate of her son, <i>Captain Turner</i>—an -unfortunate officer, who is supposed to be a prisoner among the Miamis, -and taken in the action of last Fall. I told Mr. Williamson that no -person would be more willing and ready on such an occasion to make -inquiry, and perhaps no one under equal advantages, to obtain the -much-desired information, than your self; and that, <i>notwithstanding all -your martial fire and heroism, you possessed a sensibility of soul that -would weep at the tale of woe.</i> He gave me a most affecting account of the -situation of the afflicted mother—probably he was a darling son. Mr. -Williamson has accordingly written you on the subject."<p> - -<p>One of the distinguishing features of his character was his strong sense -of justice. It will be recollected, in the narrative of the captivity of -Alexander Harper and others, that during their long and fatiguing march, -when his own warriors and himself were suffering almost the extremity of -hunger, he saw with his own eyes the most rigid impartiality exercised in -the distribution of such scanty supplies of food as they were able -casually to procure. Every prisoner was allowed a full share with himself; -and at the end of their march, it has been seen how adroitly he averted -the torture of the gauntlet-running, which it was so customary with the -Indians to inflict upon their prisoners. This same love of justice, -moreover, marked his conduct during the Indian wars of 1789—'95, and -pervaded his correspondence connected with those wars, and his own -subsequent difficulties with the British Government touching the Grand -River land title, and in all his negotiations with the State of New-York. -He honestly thought the claim of the north-western Indians to the Ohio and -Muskingum boundary a just one. Hence his untiring exertions, year after -year, to adjust the difficulties between the Indians and the United States -upon that basis. When he thought the Indians claimed too much, he opposed -them; and so far as he thought them in the right, he was ready to fight -for them. In a letter to General Chapin upon this subject, written in -December, 1794, he says:</p> - -<p>"Your letters from Kanandaigua are now before me. I have to say that our -meetings during the whole of last summer, at all of which our thoughts -were solely bent on fixing a boundary line, such as we thought would be -the means of fixing a peace on a solid basis, for which reason we pointed -out the line we did, well knowing the justness of it, and being certain -that the whole Indian confederacy would ratify it.</p> - -<p>"I must regret, as an individual, to find that this boundary has been -abandoned, as I am well convinced a lasting peace would have ensued had it -been adopted. I, therefore, ever have, to bring about this desirable end, -exerted every nerve, wishing for nothing more than justice between us. -This line, you will recollect, was offered to Governor St. Clair at -Muskingum. Notwithstanding the two successful campaigns of the Indians, I -still adhered to the same line, and still do. This, I hope, will satisfy -you that my wish ever was for peace. The offer made was rejected by Mr. -St. Clair, and what the consequences have been you well know. . . . You -will recollect that I differed even with my friends, respecting the -boundary, [FN] and to the two last messages that you then received, my -name was to neither, for the reason that I thought them [the Indians] too -unreasonable. For this reason I was obliged to take more pains and trouble -to bring the Indians and you to an understanding, than I was under any -obligation to do, otherwise than having our mutual interests in view. As -to politics, I study them not. My principle is founded on justice, and -justice is all I wish for. Never shall I exert myself for any nation or -nations, let their opinions of me be what they will, unless I plainly see -they are sincere and just in what they may aim at, and that nothing more -than strict justice is what they want. When I perceive that these are the -sentiments of a people, no endeavors ever shall be wanting on my part to -bring nations to a good understanding."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Captain Brant had proposed a compromise boundary line, of which he - was here speaking. But neither the United States nor the Indians would - listen to it.</p> - - -<p>These views are frank, manly, and honorable; and correspond with the whole -tenor of his speeches and correspondence, as well upon that as all other -questions of controversy in which he was called to participate.</p> - -<p>His efforts for the moral and religious improvement of his people were -indefatigable. In addition to the details already presented upon this -point, the fact is no less interesting than true, that the first -Episcopal church erected in Upper Canada was built by Brant, from funds -collected by him while in England in 1786. The church was built the same -year, and the first "church-going bell" that tolled in Upper Canada, was -placed there by him. [FN-1] The Rev. Davenport Phelps, in writing to -President John Wheelock, November, 1800, upon the subject of the -exertions of Captain Brant, and the progress his people were making in -religious knowledge and the arts of civilized life, under his influence, -remarks:—"I cannot, sir, but here observe, that strong hopes may be -entertained that we may yet see the wilderness bud and blossom like the -rose. There is already a degree of civilization among a number of the -Indians which would surprise a stranger. And with some of them there is -such an appearance of Christianity, that many of the whites who possess -it, might well blush at a comparative view. Of this great and important -alteration, and of the present pleasing prospect of success in extending -the knowledge of the Redeemer among them, I am fully persuaded the labors -of your venerable predecessor, under God, have been the cause. Colonel -Brant greatly encourages civilization and Christianity. Through his -exertions and influential example among the Indians, it is to be hoped -their progress toward refinement may yet be considerable." [FN-2] His -earnest desire, beyond a doubt, was to render himself a benefactor to his -people.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Letter to the author from Colonel W. J. Kerr.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] M<sup>c</sup>Clure's Life of Wheelock.</p> - - -<p>As a warrior, he was cautious, sagacious and brave; watching with -sleepless vigilance for opportunities of action, and allowing neither -dangers nor difficulties to divert him from his well-settled purposes. His -constitution was hardy, his capacity of endurance great; his energy -untiring, and his firmness indomitable. His character, in his social and -domestic relations, has been delineated at length, and needs no farther -illustration. In his dealings and business relations he was prompt, -honorable, and expert; and, so far as the author has been able to obtain -information from gentlemen who knew him well, he was a pattern of -integrity. The purity of his private morals has never been questioned, and -his house was the abode of kindness and hospitality.</p> - -<p>His manners in refined society have been described by Dr. Miller and -General Porter. Without divesting himself altogether of the characteristic -reserve of his people, he could, nevertheless, relax as occasion required, -and contribute his full share, by sprightly and intelligent conversation, -to the pleasures of general society. He was at once affable and dignified, -avoiding frivolity on the one hand and stiffness on the other; in one -word, unbending himself just to the proper medium of the well-bred -gentleman. He has been described by some as eloquent in his conversation. -Others, again, deny him the attribute of eloquence, either in public -speaking or in the social circle; asserting that his great power lay in -his strong, practical good sense, and deep and ready insight into -character. Mr. Thomas Morris avers that his sagacity in this respect -exceeded that of any other man with whom he has been acquainted. His -temperament was decidedly amiable; he had a keen perception of the -ludicrous, and was both humorous and witty himself—some times brilliant -in this respect; and his conversation was often fascinating, by reason of -its playfulness and vivacity. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] As an illustration of his shrewdness and sagacity, the following - anecdote of Brant has been communicated to the author by Professor - Griscom:—"When Jemima Wilkinson, (who professed to be, in her own - person, the Saviour of the world in his second appearance on earth,) was - residing on her domain in western New-York, surrounded by her deluded and - subservient followers, she could not fail to attract the notice of - Colonel Brant; while the celebrity of the Chieftain must, in turn, have - forcibly commended itself to her attention. This led, of course, to a - mutual desire to see each other, and Brant at length presented himself - at her mansion, and requested an interview. After some formality he was - admitted and she addressed to him a few words in the way of a welcome - salutation. He replied to her by a formal speech in his own language, at - the conclusion of which she informed him that she did not understand the - language in which he spoke. He then addressed her in another Indian - dialect, to which, in like manner, she objected. After a pause, he - commenced a speech in a third, and still different American language, - when she interrupted him by the expression of dissatisfaction at his - persisting to speak to her in terms which she could not understand. He - arose with dignity, and with a significant motion of the hand, - said—'Madam, you are not the person you pretend to be. Jesus Christ can - understand one language as well as another,' and abruptly took his - leave." Since this striking and characteristic anecdote was received from - Dr. Griscom, I have discovered that it has been attributed to Red Jacket. - This Chief; however, was a Pagan—a disbeliever in Jesus Christ; and as - Brant was the opposite, the anecdote is more characteristic of him than - of the Seneca orator.</p> - - -<p>The implacable resentments imputed to the American Indians were not -characteristic of him. In a speech to a council of Misissaguas—a clan of -the Hurons, located on the Bay of Quinte,—on the occasion of certain -grievous personal insults, of which some of their people were complaining, -he remarked:—"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> I am very glad you suffer these abuses so -patiently. I advise you to persevere in your patience and prudence, never -allowing yourselves to feel and exercise revenge, until every regular -step be taken to remove them." [FN] In the whole course of his -correspondence, positive hostility, of a personal character, seems only to -have been cherished toward Colonel Claus, the Deputy Superintendent -General of the Indian Department. The precise nature of this difficulty -the author has not ascertained. It was connected, however, with the -pecuniary affairs of the Indians, in regard to which Brant was exonerated -from censure at every scrutiny. Still, perfection cannot be predicated of -the Mohawk Chief more than other men, and the author has not discovered a -particle of evidence, going to inculpate the moral or official conduct of -Colonel Claus—save that he appears to have connived at the unsuccessful -machinations of Red Jacket and other enemies of Brant, to effect the -chieftain's deposition.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] MS. speech among the Brant papers.</p> - - -<p>Like other men, Brant doubtless had his faults, but they were redeemed by -high qualities and commanding virtues. He was charged with duplicity, and -even treachery, in regard to the affairs of the Indians and the United -States, in connexion with his first visit to Philadelphia. But the -aspersion was grievously unjust. During the years of those wars, his -position was trying and peculiar. He had his own ulterior objects to -consult in regard to the Indians of the upper lakes. He desired to see -justice done to them, and also to the United States. And he likewise -desired not to impair his own influence with those Indians. At the same -time he had a difficult game to play, with the Colonial and British -governments. The doubtful relations between England and the United States -induced the former to keep the Indians in a very unpacific mood toward the -latter for a series of years; sometimes even pushing them into -hostilities, by means and appliances of which policy required the -concealment, and the means of diplomatic denial, if necessary. At the same -time, while Brant was thoroughly loyal to the King, he was nevertheless -resolved upon maintaining the unfettered independence of his own peculiar -nation; friendly relations with the Colonial government being also -essential to his desire of a perfect title to his new territory.</p> - -<p>Such a position must at all times have been full of embarrassment and -difficulty, and at some conjunctures could not have been otherwise than -deeply perplexing. And yet he sustained himself through the whole—proving -himself above the influence of gold at Philadelphia, and passing the -ordeal without dishonor. In letters, he was in advance of some of the -Generals against whom he fought; and even of still greater military -chieftains, who have flourished before his day and since. True, he was -ambitious—and so was Caesar. He sought to combine many nations under his -own dominion—and so did Napoleon. He ruled over barbarians—and so did -Peter the Great.</p> - -<p>A few years before his death, Captain Brant built a commodious -dwelling-house, two stories high, on a tract of land presented him by the -King at the head of Lake Ontario—directly north of the beach which -divides the lake from the sheet of water known as Burlington Bay. The -situation is noble and commanding, affording a glorious prospect of that -beautiful lake, with a fruitful soil and a picturesque country around it. -At this place, on the 24th of November, 1807, he closed a life of greater -and more uninterrupted activity for the space of half a century, than has -fallen to the lot of almost any other man whose name has been inscribed by -the muse of history. He was a steadfast believer in the distinguishing -doctrines of Christianity, and a member of the Episcopal church at the -time of his decease. He bore his illness, which was painful, with patience -and resignation. He died in the full possession of his faculties, and, -according to the belief of his attendants, in the full faith of the -Christian religion. [FN] His age was sixty-four years and eight months. -His remains were removed to the Mohawk Village, on the Grand River, and -interred by the side of the church which he had built. The interests of -his people, as they had been the paramount object of his exertions through -life, were uppermost in his thoughts to the end. His last words that have -been preserved upon this subject, were contained in a charge to his -adopted nephew, Teyoninhokáráwen:—"Have pity on the poor Indians: if you -can get any influence with the great, endeavor to do them all the good you -can." With great justice the surviving Mohawks might have, made a similar -exclamation to that of King Joash at the bed of the dying prophet—"My -father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof!"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote"><p class="quote">[FN] See Appendix, No. XX.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center; page-break-before: always;"><img src="images/johnbrant.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="John Brant"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always"><a id="chxvi">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h3> -<br><br> - - - <p class="chap">Account of the family of Brant subsequent to his death—Catharine - Brant—The line of descent among the Mohawks—John Brant, the youngest - son, appointed to the Chieftainship—The war of 1812—General Van - Rensselaer on the Niagara frontier—Preparations for a descent upon - Queenston Heights—First attempt frustrated—Arrangement for a second - movement—Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott on the lines—His efforts - to accompany the expedition—Landing of Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer - and his party—Intrepidity of the attack—Van Rensselaer and others - grievously wounded—Captain Wool carries the Heights—Advance of General - Brock—His defeat and fall—Arrival of Lieutenant-colonel Scott upon - the Heights—Attack of the Indians—General Sheaffe advances from - Niagara with reinforcements—Battle—The Americans driven down the - Heights—Attempts of Scott to capitulate—His flag-bearers shot - down—Determines to bear a flag himself—A young Indian leaps upon him - like a tiger—His rescue—Interview with General - Sheaffe—Capitulation—March to Niagara—Remarkable interview between - Scott and two Indians at Niagara, the younger of whom was John - Brant—Base poltroonry of the militia—Battle of the Beaver-dams—Close - of young Brant's military life—Removes to the Brant House with his - sister—Account of the family by Lieutenant Hall—Visit of the British - Consul to the Brant House—Controversy of John Brant with Archdeacon - Strachan—-He visits England respecting the ancient land-title - controversy—Succeeds with the ministers—Disappointed by the Colonial - Government—Correspondence with Campbell respecting the memory of his - father—Attention to the moral wants of his people—Correspondence - respecting the Mohawk schools—Presentation of a silver cup—His - election to the Provincial Parliament—Seat contested—Death by - cholera—His character—Farther notices of the family—Description of - his sister, and of his successor—Death of Catharine Brant—Conclusion.</p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Catharine Brant,</span> the widow of Thayendanegea, was forty-eight years old at -the time of his decease. According to the constitution of the Mohawks, -which, like that of Great Britain, is unwritten, the inheritance descends -through the female line exclusively. Consequently the superior -chieftainship does not descend to the eldest male; but the eldest female, -in what may be called the royal line, nominates one of her sons or other -descendants, and he thereby becomes the chief. If her choice does not fall -upon her own son, the grandson whom she invests with the office must be -the child of her daughter. The widow of Thayendanegea was the eldest -daughter of the head chief of the Turtle tribe—first in rank of the -Mohawk nation. In her own right, therefore, on the decease of her husband, -she stood at the head of the Iroquois Confederacy, alone clothed with -power to designate a successor to the chieftaincy. The official title of -the principal chief of the Six Nations, is <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tekarihogea;</span> to which station -John, the fourth and youngest son, whose Indian name was <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ahyouwaighs,</span> was -appointed.</p> - -<p>On the removal of the old Chief, Thayendanegea, to his new establishment -at the head of Lake Ontario, he had adopted the English mode of living, -and arranged his household accordingly. Mrs. Brant, however,—the Queen -mother she might be styled in Europe—preferred the customs of her people, -and soon after the death of her husband returned to the Mohawk Village on -the Grand River, where she ever afterward resided.</p> - -<p>The young Chief was born at the Mohawk Village on the 27th of September, -1794—being at the time of his father's decease thirteen years of age. He -received a good English education at Ancaster and Niagara, under the -tuition of a Mr. Richard Cockrel; but through life improved his mind -greatly, by the study of the best English authors, by associations with -good society, and by travel. He was a close and discriminating observer -of the phenomena of nature, upon which he reasoned in a philosophical -spirit. Amiable and manly in his feelings and character, and becoming well -acquainted with English literature, his manners were early developed as -those of an accomplished gentleman.</p> - -<p>When the war of 1812-'15, between the United States and England, broke -out, the Mohawks, true to their ancient faith, espoused the cause of the -latter, and the <i>Tekarihogea</i> took the field with his warriors. He was -engaged in many of the actions on the Niagara frontier, in all of which -his bearing was chivalrous and his conduct brave. His first effort was at -the battle of Queenston—commenced so auspiciously for the American arms -by the gallant and daring Van Rensselaer, and ended so disastrously by -reason of the cowardice of the militia on the American side, who refused -to cross the river and secure the victory which had been so bravely won.</p> - -<p>There were incidents marking that battle, however, involving the conduct -of the young Chief, and connected with the life of an American officer -whose name from that day forth has been identified with the military glory -of his country, which forbid that the transaction should be thus -summarily despatched. Aside, moreover, from the part borne by John Brant -in the battle, and the exciting incidents to be related, sufficient of -themselves to form a chapter that might well be entitled "the romance of -history," many facts connected with that singular engagement have to this -day remained unwritten.</p> - -<p>The command of the Niagara section of the American frontier, during the -Autumn of 1812, had been committed by Governor Tompkins to Major General -Stephen Van Rensselaer, the senior officer of the State Cavalry of -New-York. Attached to his staff was Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, an -officer who, as a subaltern in the regular service, had signalized himself -by his undaunted bravery, and coolness and intrepidity in action, during -the Indian wars, and particularly under the command of General Wayne at -the Miamis. The situation of General Van Rensselaer had been exceedingly -embarrassing during the whole period of his command, or nearly three -months before the movement under review. His selection for that post by -the Commander-in-chief of New-York, considering the adverse state of their -political relations, was deemed an equivocal act on the part of the -Governor. But, although opposed to the policy of the war, and in the -possession of the first paternal estate in America, and in the enjoyment -of every blessing which can sweeten life, General Van Rensselaer hesitated -not to comply with the call of his country, and took the field -immediately. [FN-1] After reconnoitering the frontier from Ogdensburgh to -Lake Erie, he determined to establish his head-quarters at Lewiston, on -the Strait of Niagara. After the failure of the expedition of General -Hull, who had been ingloriously captured with his army at Detroit, the -next point of attack upon the enemy's country was obviously the Canadian -peninsula at Niagara. But the season for active military operations had -almost glided away under the tardy levy of regular troops, and the -uncertain assemblages of the militia; and it was October before General -Van Rensselaer found himself in force to warrant offensive operations. His -solicitude, not only for the interests of the public service and the -honor of his country, but for his own reputation, determined him to strike -a blow at the enemy if possible, [FN-2] in order to obtain a position for -winter-quarters on the Canada shore. Added to which was the manifestation -of a strong and impatient desire by the militia to be led against the -enemy. This desire rose to such a height that resistance seemed scarcely -possible, and patriotism was apparently passing the limits of -subordination. [FN-3] Indeed, the determination of the militia was -expressed to the General through various channels, as an <i>alternative,</i> -that they must have orders to <i>act</i> against the enemy or they would go -home. [FN-4] Nor was the General himself less desirous of action than his -troops professed to be. He felt that the disgrace of the American arms at -Detroit, at the opening of the campaign, could only be wiped away by a -brilliant close of it; and that unless a signal blow should be struck, the -public expectation would be disappointed; all the toil and expense of the -campaign would be thrown away; and, worse than all, the whole would be -tinged with dishonor. [FN-5]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Memoirs of General Wilkinson.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Ibid.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Low's History of the War.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] General Van Rensselaer's official report.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Letter of General Van Rensselaer to Governor Tompkins, Oct 8, - 1812.</p> - - -<p>Impressed by considerations like these, and encouraged by the apparent -desire of the militia to take the field, dispositions were made for an -attack upon Queenston Heights, with a view of moving thence upon Fort -George at Niagara, which it was proposed to carry by storm, and then take -up the quarters of the army there for the winter—an excellent position -for obtaining supplies, and making the necessary arrangements for opening -the campaign early in the following Spring. [FN-1] General Brock, the -British commander on the opposite shore of the river, was watching the -motions of the Americans with unwearied vigilance; but a spy, who had been -despatched across the river, having returned with the erroneous -information that that officer had moved in the direction of Detroit with -all his disposable force, arrangements were made by General Van Rensselaer -for crossing the river and attacking Queenston Heights early on the -morning of the 11th of October. The design, however, was frustrated, -either by the ignorance, the cowardice, or the treachery of a boatman, who -had been selected as the leading waterman for his skill and steadiness. -The enterprise was to be led by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer,—"The -corps designated for the expedition, and principally composed of militia, -assembled punctually and in good order at the place of rendezvous, and, -with the exception of the weather, which was wet and windy, every thing -wore a propitious aspect. But when, after long and patiently abiding the -pelting of a north-easterly storm, the embarkation was ordered and the -boats called for, none were found to be in readiness; and on inquiry it -was discovered that the person having charge of them had not only -withdrawn himself, but had carried with him all the oars necessary for the -service. For this unexpected occurrence there was no remedy but patience; -the expedition was accordingly suspended, and the troops sent back to -their cantonments." [FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Ibid.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] General Armstrong's Notices on the war of 1812.</p> - - -<p>The impatience of the militia continuing, and having received a -reinforcement of three hundred and fifty regular troops under -Lieutenant-colonel Chrystie, the General determined to renew the attempt -before daylight on the morning of the 13th. Colonel Van Rensselaer was to -command the expedition as before, and lead the attack with three hundred -militia, to be followed by Lieutenant-colonel Chrystie with three hundred -regulars. Lieutenant-colonels Chrystie and Fenwick had agreed to waive -rank, and serve under Colonel Van Rensselaer. Lieutenant-colonel Fenwick, -with Major Mullaney, was to follow Chrystie with three hundred and fifty -regular troops and some pieces of artillery, after whom the greater body -of the militia were to succeed in order. Such is an outline of the -dispositions for the movement on the morning of the 13th of October. -Meantime Lieutenant-colonel, (now Major general Scott) had arrived with -his regiment of artillery at Schlosser, two miles above the Falls, and -twelve from Lewiston, on the day before the engagement. Having heard from -Colonel Stranahan, of the Otsego militia, whose regiment, stationed at the -Falls, was on the move, that an expedition of some kind was contemplated -by General Van Rensselaer, Scott, then young, and ardent as he is now, -impatient of an early opportunity to meet an enemy, mounted his horse and -rode full speed to Lewiston. He forthwith presented himself to the -Commanding General, from whom he learned the character of the enterprise -on foot, and of whom he solicited the privilege of taking a part. The -General replied that the details had all been arranged—that Colonel -Solomon Van Rensselaer was to have the command, and that -Lieutenant-colonels Fenwick and Chrystie had waived their rank, and were -to serve under that officer. But such was the urgency of Scott, that the -General gave him permission to accompany the expedition as a volunteer, -if he also would waive his rank. This proposition was declined; but as -Scott was anxious to bring his regiment down to Lewiston, it was -ultimately stipulated that he might select a position upon the bank of the -river, and use his artillery to such advantage as opportunity might -afford. Under this arrangement he hastened back to his regiment at -Schlosser, which, although wearied by its long journey, was nevertheless, -by a forced march, over horrible roads, brought down to Lewiston all in -good time in the evening. Scott again importuned for permission to -participate directly in the enterprise. But in vain. Had he been in the -field, his rank in the line of the regular service would have given him -the command of a Colonel of militia—in which only Van Rensselaer bore a -commission; and as the whole project had originated with the latter, the -commanding General designed that he should reap the laurels in expectancy.</p> - -<p>It would be foreign from the purpose of this narrative to dwell upon the -variety of untoward and vexatious circumstances which delayed, and had -nearly caused a total failure of, the enterprise. Suffice it to say, that -after those difficulties had been in part surmounted, the expedition -departed upon its perilous undertaking. It has already been remarked that -the enemy was keeping a vigilant watch over the motions of the Americans, -and they had discovered indications of a movement of some kind during the -last few preceding days. The narrowness of the river, without the agency -of spies, enabled them to make these observations; added to which the -sound of the oars had been heard, so that, instead of being surprised, -the enemy was measurably prepared for Van Rensselaer's reception. Indeed, -a fire was opened before the boat of Colonel Van Rensselaer had reached -the shore, and Lieutenant Rathbone was killed in the Colonel's boat. Two -companies of regular troops, however, and Captains Armstrong and Malcolm, -had previously landed without annoyance or discovery. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Armstrong's Notices of the War.</p> - - -<p>Other boats successively followed, and the landing of two hundred and -thirty-five men was effected, although the detachments first arriving -suffered severely from the fire of the enemy, especially in the loss of -their officers. The troops formed under a very warm fire, climbed the -bank, Van Rensselaer himself leading the detachment, and routed the enemy -at the point of the bayonet without firing a shot. In this operation -Ensign Morris was killed, and Captains Armstrong, Malcolm, and Wool were -wounded, the latter slightly. Colonel Van Rensselaer himself was a severe -sufferer, having received one ball in his hip, which passed out at his -spine, two in his thigh, one of which lodged, two in his leg, and a sixth -in his heel. Lieutenant-colonel Fenwick was also severely wounded, and -Colonel Chrystie slightly. Indeed Captain Wool, himself wounded also, was -now the senior officer fit for duty. The gallant leader, concealing his -wounds under his great-coat as long as he could, immediately on the -retreat of the enemy toward the town, ordered Captain Wool, the senior -officer capable of duty, to ascend the mountain and carry the battery, -giving him a direction for the movement by which he would avoid the fire -of the enemy's artillery—placing Lieutenants Randolph and Gansevoort, who -volunteered, at the head of the little column, and Major Lush, another -volunteer, in the rear, with orders to put to death the first man who -should fall back. [FN-1] This enterprise was gallantly executed by Captain -Wool, and the battery was carried "without much resistance." [FN-2] -Colonel Van Rensselaer, however, unable longer to sustain himself, fell -to the ground soon after the party had filed off before him; but he did -not lose his consciousness, and the pains of his wounds were soon -alleviated by the shouts of victory.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Wilkinson's Memoirs.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Report of Captain Wool. The officers engaged in storming the - battery were Captains Wool and Ogilvie; Lieutenants Kearney, Huginen, - Carr, and Sammons of the 13th regiment; Lieutenants Gansevoort and - Randolph of the light artillery, and Major Lush of the militia.</p> - - -<p>Meantime, the most intense anxiety was felt on the American shore to learn -the result of the daring attempt; and before it was well light, the -painful intelligence was received that the gallant leader had fallen, -covered with wounds. And upon the heels of that unpleasant news, the -report came that Colonel Fenwick had also fallen, dangerously wounded. Had -Scott been in the field, Fenwick would have ranked him, being the oldest -in commission. Chrystie was younger in rank than Scott; but while the -latter was again urging to be sent across, Chrystie himself appeared at -General Van Rensselaer's marquee, having received a slight wound in the -hand. Scott was now entitled to the post he had been seeking, and was -immediately gratified with directions to cross the river, and assume the -command.</p> - -<p>But while these arrangements were concerting on the American side, and -before Lieutenant-colonel Scott had arrived at the scene of action, -another important act in the changing drama of the day had been performed. -The landing of the Americans had been opposed by the light company of the -49th regiment of grenadiers, and the York volunteer militia, together with -a small number of Indians. The light troops had been dislodged by the -Americans on ascending the heights, and an eighteen pounder battery taken. -[FN-1] The fortress on the heights, carried by Captain Wool, was manned by -a detachment of the grenadiers, the whole numbering, as was supposed, one -hundred and sixty regulars. [FN-2] The heights having been cleared of the -enemy, who retired upon the village of Queenston, the Americans were -allowed to repose a short time upon their laurels. But the respite was -brief. General Brock being at Niagara when the action commenced, was -startled from his pillow by the roar of the artillery; but so rapid were -his movements, that he arrived at Queenston ere the grey of the morning -had passed, accompanied by his Provincial aid-de-camp, Lieutenant-colonel -M<sup>c</sup>Donell. [FN-3] Placing himself immediately at the head of four companies -of his favorite 49th grenadiers and a body of militia, General Brock -advanced for the purpose of turning the left of the Americans, and -recovering the ground that had been lost. A detachment of one hundred and -fifty men, directed by Captain Wool to take possession of the heights -above the battery, and hold General Brock in check, was compelled to -retreat by superior numbers. An engagement ensued, in the course of which, -after some fighting, the Americans were driven to the edge of the bank. -With great exertions, Captain Wool brought his men to a stand, and -directed a charge immediately on the exhaustion of his ammunition. This -order was executed, though with some confusion. It was, nevertheless, -effectual, and the enemy in turn were driven to the verge of the heights, -where Colonel M<sup>c</sup>Donell, having his horse shot under him, fell, himself -mortally wounded. [FN-4] In the meantime General Brock, in attempting to -rally his forces, received a musket ball in his breast, and died almost -immediately. The last words he uttered as he fell from his horse, were, -"Push on the brave York Volunteers." [FN-5] The enemy thereupon dispersed -in every direction; [FN-6] and Captain Wool, receiving at that time a -small reinforcement of riflemen from the American side, set about forming -a line on the heights, fronting the village, detaching flanking parties, -and making such other dispositions as were first prompted by the -exigencies of the occasion.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Chrystie's account of the Canadian War.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Wilkinson's Memoirs.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] Chrystie.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Captain Wool's official Report.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-5] Chevatler.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-6] Captain Wool.</p> - - -<p>It was at this point of time, being yet early in the morning, that -Lieutenant-colonel Scott arrived on the heights, where he found the -troops, both regulars and volunteers, in considerable disorder. He -immediately announced his name and rank, and assuming the command, with -the assistance of his adjutant, an officer of great activity and -intelligence, brought them into line. On counting his men, he found that -of regular troops there were three hundred and fifty rank and file, all -told, and two hundred and fifty-seven volunteers, under General Wadsworth -and Colonel Stranahan, the former of whom at once waived his rank in favor -of Scott. Just before Scott had arrived upon the ground, Captain Wool had -ordered Lieutenants Gansevoort and Randolph, with a detachment of -artillery, to drill out the eighteen pounder heretofore spoken of as -having been taken from the enemy, at a point some distance below the -crest of the heights, but which had been spiked before its capture. -Hearing of the circumstance, and being told that the gun had been spiked -only with a ramrod, Scott hurried away in person to direct the process of -extracting this impediment to its use. He was not long absent, and on -reascending the heights, great was his astonishment to find a cloud of -Indians in the act of rushing upon his line, tomahawk in hand, while his -troops were breaking, and evidently on the point of a general flight. The -Indians bore down fiercely, and were, some of them, within ten paces of -his men, when he gained his place just in season to prevent total -disorder, and bring them to the right about, facing the enemy, upon whom -they were turning their backs. All this was but the work of a moment. The -Indians, finding this sudden change in the mode of their reception, -recoiled; and after a sharp engagement, were compelled to retreat. Their -leader was a dauntless youth, of surprising activity; dressed, painted and -plumed <i>en Indien,</i> cap-a-pied.</p> - -<p>The Americans, it will be recollected by those familiar with the history -of the war, retained possession of the heights, and of the little -fortress they had taken, during several hours—undisturbed by the regular -troops of the enemy, who was waiting for reinforcements from Fort George -at Newark, six miles below. But they were incessantly harassed by the -Indians, who hovered about them, occasionally advancing in considerable -numbers, but who were invariably put to flight when seriously engaged by -the Colonel's handful of an army. The stripling leader of the Indians was -of graceful form and mould, and, as already remarked, of uncommon agility. -He was often observed by Colonel Scott, and others, and was always -accompanied by a dark, stalwart chief, evidently of great strength, who -was subsequently known as Captain Jacobs. It was discovered that these two -Indians in particular were repeatedly making a mark of Scott, who, like -the first monarch of Israel, stood a full head above his soldiers, and -who was rendered a yet more conspicuous object by a new and brilliant -uniform, and a tall white plume in his hat. The conduct of these two -Indians having been particularly observed by an officer, a message was -instantly sent to Scott upon the subject, with his own overcoat, advising -the Colonel to put it on. But the disguise was declined; and the Indians, -having taken refuge in a wood at some distance on the left, were driven -thence by a spirited charge, gallantly led by Scott in person.</p> - -<p>By these successive actions, however, the numbers of the Americans, both -regulars and volunteers, had been sadly reduced, the wounded having been -sent across the river to the American shore in the few boats not rendered -useless by the enemy's fire in the morning. The British column, led by -General Sheaffe, the successor of General Brock, was now discovered -advancing in the distance from Niagara. Its approach, though slow and -circumspect, was steady and unremitting; and of its character and objects -there could be no doubt. [FN-1] The column with which General Sheaffe was -thus advancing, consisted of three hundred and fifty men of the 41st -regiment, several companies of militia, and two hundred and fifty Indians. -Reinforcements, both of troops and Indians, arriving from Chippewa, the -force of the enemy was augmented to eight hundred. [FN-2] Major-General -Van Rensselaer, having crossed the river before he made this discovery, -hastened back to his own camp, to make another appeal to the militia to -cross over to the rescue of the little band of their own countrymen, now -in such imminent peril. But in vain. Not a man could overcome his -constitutional scruples about crossing the confines of his own country; -and for more than two hours the troops and volunteers upon the heights -were allowed to behold an advancing enemy, in numbers sufficient to -overwhelm them, while by looking over their right shoulders they could -see an army of American militia, abundantly sufficient to defeat the -approaching column, and maintain the victories of the morning. [FN-3] The -march of General Sheaffe was protracted by an extensive detour to the -west, beyond the forest heretofore spoken of as having been a shelter to -the Indians. Scott and his officers, in consideration of their own -diminished numbers, marveled greatly at this fatiguing measure of -precaution on the part of the enemy, but were afterward informed by the -officers into whose hands they fell, that the enemy had no idea that the -diminutive force they saw upon the heights constituted the whole of the -army they were marching to encounter.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] General Armstrong's Notices</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] This is the estimate of the Canadian historian, Robert Chrystie. - Colonel Chrystie of the American forces, in his estimate, stated the - force of Sheaffe at from four to five hundred regulars, with four pieces - of artillery, from five to six hundred militia, and three hundred - Indians.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] "Neither entreaty nor threats, neither arguments nor ridicule, - availed any thing. They had seen enough of war to satisfy them that it - made no part of their special calling; and at last, not disdaining to - employ the mask invented by faction to cover cowardice or treason, - fifteen hundred able-bodied men, well armed and equipped, who a week - before boasted largely of patriotism and prowess, were now found openly - pleading constitutional scruples in justification of disobedience to the - lawful authority of their chief."—<i>General Armstrong's Notices of the - War.</i></p> - - -<p>During the breathing-time thus enjoyed by the Americans, and prolonged by -the extreme caution of the enemy, a note from General Van Rensselaer was -received by General Wadsworth, informing him of the facts heretofore -stated respecting the cowardice of the militia, and advising a retreat. -The General stated that not a company could be prevailed upon to cross the -river; that he had himself seen the movements of the enemy, and knew that -they were too powerful to be resisted by the handful of men upon the -heights; and that he would endeavor to furnish boats and cover a retreat. -Still, he left it optional with Wadsworth and his officers, to govern -themselves according to circumstances under their own more immediate view. -A consultation of the officers was immediately held; but nothing was -decided upon. Meantime the enemy continued to approach, but with -undiminished circumspection—"maneuvering from right to left, and from -left to right, and counter-marching nearly the whole length of the -American line twice, as if determined to count every man in the ranks, and -to make himself familiar with every foot of the position before he -hazarded an attack." [FN-1] This deliberation gave time for renewed -councils on the part of the American officers. A retreat, however, was -considered hopeless; whereupon Colonel Scott literally mounted a stump, -and made a short but animated address to his soldiers:—"We cannot -conquer; we may fall; we must die," said Scott; "but if we die like -soldiers, we effect more by our example of gallantry upon a conquered -field, than we could ever have done for our countrymen if surviving a -successful one." A unanimous shout of approval answered the stirring -appeal. Nor were the militia volunteers, who had continued faithful -through the morning skirmishings, backward in seconding the determination. -Indeed, though inexperienced, there were no braver men upon the field -than Wadsworth and Stranahan. [FN-2] The British advanced steadily in -column, reserving their fire, as did the Americans, excepting the single -piece of artillery in their possession, until they came within eighty -paces. Several well-directed and effective fires succeeded—the Americans -maintaining their ground firmly until actually pricked by the bayonets of -the enemy. They then retreated toward the river, the side of the steep -being at that day covered with shrubs, which enabled the soldiers to let -themselves down from one to another, with sufficient deliberation to -allow an occasional return of the fire of their pursuers. Presently, -however, the Indians came springing down from shrub to shrub after them; -which circumstance somewhat accelerated the retreat of the Americans. On -reaching the water's edge not a boat was at command; and to avoid the -galling fire of the pursuers, Scott drew his men farther up the river, to -obtain shelter beneath the more precipitous, and, in fact, beetling -cliffs.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1]General Armstrong's Notices of the War.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The late Colonel Farrand Stranahan, of Cooperstown. General - Wadsworth and Colonel Stranahan have both since deceased.</p> - - -<p>Escape was now impossible, and to fight longer was not only useless but -madness. After a brief consultation with Gibson and Totten, therefore, -(the latter officer having returned to the field in the afternoon,) a -capitulation was determined upon. A flag was accordingly sent, with a -proposition. After waiting for some time without any tidings, another was -sent, and afterward yet another—neither of which returned; and it -subsequently appeared that the bearers had been successively shot down by -the Indians. Scott thereupon determined to go with the flag himself. But -while preparing to execute his hazardous purpose, his attention was -attracted by two of his men, who were deliberately stripping themselves -to the skin. On inquiring their motive, they replied that they might as -well drown as be hanged, as they were sure to be if taken, since they -acknowledged themselves to be deserters from the ranks of the enemy. -Saying which they plunged into the dark torrent flowing madly along in -its mighty eddies and whirlpools. It was a fearful leap, but both -succeeded in reaching the American shore in safety, and the Colonel -afterward saw and conversed with them.</p> - -<p>But to resume. Colonel Scott having determined to bear the fourth flag -himself, Totten's cravat was taken from beneath his stock for that -purpose. Totten and Gibson both resolved to accompany their commander, -who, being the tallest, bore the handkerchief upon the point of his sword. -Keeping close to the water's edge, and sheltering themselves as well as -they could behind the rocks, the Indians continually firing in the -meantime, they passed down until the bank afforded no farther protection, -when they turned to the left to take the road. But just as they were -gaining it up rose the two Indians who had been aiming at Scott in the -morning—the young and agile chief, and the more muscular Captain -Jacobs—who both sprang upon them like tigers from their lairs. Scott -remonstrated, and made known the character in which he was seeking the -British commander, but to no purpose. The Indians grappled with them -fiercely, and Jacobs succeeded in wrenching the sword from the Colonel's -hand. The blades of Totten and Gibson instantly leaped from their -scabbards, and the Indians were raising their hatchets when a British -serjeant rushed forward, hoarsely exclaiming—<i>"Honor! Honor!"</i>—and -having a guard with him, the combatants were separated, and Colonel Scott -was conducted to the presence of General Sheaffe, to whom he proposed a -surrender, and with whom terms of capitulation were speedily arranged—the -General at once saying that they should be treated with all the honors of -war. Orders were immediately given that the firing should cease; but these -orders were not promptly obeyed, which caused a remonstrance from Colonel -Scott, and finally a peremptory demand to be conducted back to his troops. -This prolonged fire was from the Indians, whom General Sheaffe admitted -he could not control, as they were exceedingly exasperated at the amount -of their loss. Scott passed a rather severe rebuke upon an enemy who -avowed allies of such a character; but officers being ordered among them -in all directions, they were presently compelled to desist.</p> - -<p>The prisoners surrendered by Scott numbered one hundred and thirty-nine -regular troops, and one hundred and fifty-four volunteers, just—the -Colonel accurately counting them of himself. [FN] They were all marched -down to Newark, (now Niagara,) the same evening, where the Colonel and his -two principal officers were quartered in a small tavern, having -invitations the first evening to dine with General Sheaffe. While waiting -for the arrival of an officer to conduct them to the General's quarters, -another incident occurred, equally spirited, and even more startling than -the scene with the two Indians by the road-side. Just at twilight, a -little girl entered the parlor, with a message that somebody in the hall -desired to see the "tall officer." Colonel Scott thereupon stepped out of -the parlor, unarmed, of course, into the hall, which was dark and narrow, -and withal incommoded by a stairway; but what was his astonishment on -again meeting, face to face, his evil geniuses, the brawny Captain Jacobs -and the light-limbed chief! The Colonel had shut the door behind him as -he left the parlor; but there was a sentinel standing at the outer door, -who had improperly allowed the Indians to pass in. The dusky visitors -stepped up to the Colonel without ceremony, and the younger, who alone -spoke English, made a brief inquiry as to the number of balls which had -cut through his clothes, intimating astonishment that they had both been -firing at him almost the whole day, without effect. But while the young -Indian was thus speaking, or rather beginning thus to speak—for such, -subsequently, seemed to be the import of what he meant to say—Jacobs, -rudely seizing the Colonel by the arm, attempted to whirl him round, -exclaiming in broken English, "Me shoot so often, me sure to have hit -somewhere." "Hands off, you scoundrel," cried Scott, indignant at such -freedom with his person, and adding a scornful expression reflecting upon -the Indian's skill as a marksman, as he flung him from him.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] When, shortly afterward, the general order of Sheaffe appeared, it - was announced that two hundred of the Americans were drowned and nine - hundred taken prisoners. Colonel Scott immediately called upon General - Sheaffe, and remonstrated against such an exaggeration; since he had - himself counted his own men, and knew that the number was less than - three hundred, all told. Sheaffe replied that the numbers he had - announced had been reported to him, and he felt strong confidence in the - accuracy of the statement. In conclusion, he invited Scott to go to the - barracks and see for himself. He did so and to his deep mortification - found that the statement of the general order was true! On an - investigation of the discrepancy, it appeared that the number of - prisoners had bean swollen to that amount by several hundred cowardly - rascals of the militia, who, upon landing on the Canadian shore, had - availed themselves of the darkness and other facilities, to hide - themselves away among the clefts of the rocks; where they had remained - in concealment during the day, and were only dragged by the legs from - their lurking-places by the British troops after the surrender. So much - for militia.</p> - - -<p>The Indians drew instantly both dirk and tomahawk, when, with the rapidity -of lightning, Scott, who had fortunately espied a number of swords -standing at the end of the passage, seized one from its iron sheath, and -placed himself in a posture of defence against the menacing Indians. As -they stood in this picturesque attitude, Scott with his sword ready to -strike, and the Indians with their tomahawks and dirks in the air, -frowning defiance upon each other,—both parties awaiting the first -blow,—Colonel Coffin, who had been sent with a guard to conduct Scott to -the General's quarters to dinner, sprang into the passage, and cried -"Hold!" Comprehending at a glance the dangerous position of Scott, he -interfered at once, by sharp remonstrance, and also by weapon, in his -defence. Jacobs, exasperated, turned Upon Colonel Coffin, and, uttering a -menace, his companion also unguardedly turned to observe the issue of the -new combat. The scene was of the most exciting and earnest character. The -Indians having thus turned upon Coffin, one of them exclaimed—"I kill -you!" Scott instantly raised his sabre, which was heavy and substantial, -so that a descending blow would have fallen upon both the savages at once, -and called out, "If you strike, I will kill you both!" For a moment they -stood frowning; the piercing eyes of the Indians gleaming with wild and -savage fury, while Scott and Coffin alike looked upon both with angry -defiance, all with upraised arms and glittering steel. Recovering somewhat -from the gust of passion into which they had been thrown, the Indians then -slowly dropped their arms and retired. The officer who thus came to the -rescue, was the aid of General Sheaffe, whose errand was to conduct the -Colonel to dinner, and who, by this timely arrival, probably saved his -life. It can hardly be necessary to mention who was the young chief that -had sustained himself so actively and bravely through the day, as the -reader will already have anticipated the name—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Brant</span>—the successor -of the great Captain, his father, who, as has already been stated, though -not eighteen years of age, had that day, for the first time, led his -tribe upon the war-path. Beyond doubt it was no part of the young Chief's -design to inflict injury upon the captive American commander. His whole -character forbids the idea, for he was as generous and benevolent in his -feelings as he was brave. Having been exhausting much ammunition upon the -Colonel during the day, this visit was one of curiosity, to ascertain how -near they had come to the accomplishment of their object. Like Cassius, -the Indian bears anger as the flint does fire, though not always cold -again so soon. It was the same with Scott. Neither would allow of personal -freedom—the Colonel did not fully comprehend the object of their visit, -and a sudden rencontre; that had well nigh proved fatal, was the -consequence. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] General Sheaffe is an American by birth, and he took an early - opportunity of explaining to Colonel Scott how it happened that, most - reluctantly, he was in arms against the land of his birth. He stated that - he was a lad at the commencement of the war of the American Revolution, - living with his widowed mother at Boston. While the British army was in - the occupancy of that town, Earl Percy's quarters were in the house of - his mother. His Lordship manifested a strong degree of partiality for - him, and took him away with a view of providing for him. He gave him a - military education, and placed him in the army, purchasing commissions - and promotion for him as far as promotion can be acquired by purchase in - the British service. His subsequent promotion to the rank of - Major-general had been acquired by service. The breaking out of the war - had found him stationed in Canada. He lost no time in stating his - reluctance to serve against his own countrymen, and solicited a transfer - to some other country. But his request had not been complied with at the - time of the events now under review. For his exploit in capturing Scott - and his little band at Queenston Heights, he was created a Baronet.</p> - - -<p>In the successive battles fought on that hardly-contested frontier during -the years 1813 and 1814, young Brant, as the Indian leader, sustained -himself with great credit, as well for his bravery as for his intelligence -and activity. In the course of the extraordinary campaign of 1813, -commenced so brilliantly for the American arms at York, and followed up -in the same spirit and with the same success at Fort George, (Niagara,) -and yet attended with such surprising disasters as the capture by the -enemy of Generals Chandler and Winder, and the surrender of Colonel -Boerstler at the Beaver Dams, young Brant had several opportunities of -distinguishing himself. He was in the affair of Fort George, under General -Vincent, when that fortress was so gallantly carried by the American -troops under the immediate command of Major-general Lewis.</p> - -<p>After Vincent retired into the interior, with a view of taking up a -position at Burlington Heights, and after the disaster of Winder and -Chandler at Forty Mile Creek, Colonel Boerstler was pushed forward with -six hundred men of all arms—dragoons, artillery and infantry—to dislodge -a strong picquet of the enemy posted in a stone house about two miles -beyond a hilly pass called the Beaver Dams, seventeen miles from Fort -George. [FN-1] Arriving at the Beaver Dams, Colonel Boerstler was -surprised by a large body of Indians under the conduct of young Brant and -Captain William J. Kerr, numbering about four hundred and fifty warriors. -The battle was maintained for about three hours—the Indians, of course, -fighting after their own fashion, in concealment—having apparently -surrounded Colonel Boerstler in the woods. Indeed, the enemy must have -conducted the battle with remarkable adroitness; for Colonel Boerstler, -galled upon all sides, dared neither to advance nor retreat, while the -result of every observation was a conviction that he was surrounded by -far superior numbers. At length Lieutenant Fitzgibbons, of the 49th -enemy's regiment, arriving on the ground with forty-six rank and file, -sent a flag to Colonel Boerstler, demanding a surrender. After some -parleying—the British lieutenant magnifying the number of their troops, -and pretending to conduct the negotiation in the name of Major De Haren, -[FN-2] not forgetting a few occasional suggestions touching the horrors of -an Indian massacre—Colonel Boerstler, having neither reserve to sustain, -nor demonstration to favor him, [FN-3] surrendered his detachment as -prisoners of war. This battle occurred on the 24th of June, and was a -brilliant affair for young Brant, since it was fought by the Indians -alone, not a single cartridge being expended by the regular troops of the -enemy. [FN-4]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] General Armstrong.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Chrystie's History of the War in Canada.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-3] General Armstrong's "Notices."</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-4] Letter to the author from Colonel William J. Kerr. This singular - battle was the subject of much controversy at the time, and of not a - little ridicule. The American accounts first published, stated that - Boerstler was attacked by five hundred regular troops and one hundred - Indians Colonel Bosrstler's own account of the affair dwells largely upon - the great odds in numbers against him; but although the reader is left - to infer that he fought long against regular troops as well as Indians, - yet the fact is nowhere expressly stated. The Colonel maintained that it - was an ill-advised expedition, detached in consequence of false - information communicated by Major Cyrenius Chapin, commanding a - detachment of volunteers. The Major, he averred, behaved like a - consummate coward during the engagement. In regard to the battle itself, - there is no doubt that the Colonel was out-generaled by Captain Kerr and - young Brant, and having been kept at bay for several hours, was at - length induced to surrender by stratagem.</p> - - -<p>After this achievement, young Brant participated in almost all the -skirmishes that took place on the Niagara frontier while the American -army occupied Fort George and the village of Niagara; and in the summer -of 1814 he was engaged in the memorable battles of Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, -and Fort Erie, while that post was invested by the British forces. In all -these engagements his conduct was such as to command the admiration not -only of his own people, but of the British officers—affording promise to -all who marked his prowess, of becoming a very distinguished warrior.</p> - -<p>At the close of the war, having attained the age of manhood, John Brant, -and his youthful sister Elizabeth, the youngest of his father's family, -returned to the head of Lake Ontario, and took up their residence in the -"Brant House"—living in the English style, and dispensing the ancient -hospitalities of their father. Lieutenant Francis Hall, of the British -service, who traveled in the United States and Canada in 1816, visited the -Brant House, and saw the old lady Chieftainess at that place. He also -speaks highly of the youthful Chief, John, as "a fine young man, of -gentleman-like appearance, who used the English language agreeably and -correctly, dressing in the English fashion, excepting only the moccasins -of his Indian habit."—Lieutenant Hall also visited the Mohawk village on -the Grand River, where Elizabeth happened at that time to be, and of whom -he gives an interesting account in his notice of the Brant family, their -situation, and the people as he found them. Speaking of Thayendanegea, -this intelligent traveler remarks:—"Brant, like Clovis, and many of the -early Anglo-Saxon and Danish Christians, contrived to unite much religious -zeal with the practices of natural ferocity. His grave is to be seen under -the walls of his church. I have mentioned one of his sons; he has also a -daughter living, who would not disgrace the circles of European fashion; -her face and person are fine and graceful; she speaks English not only -correctly, but elegantly; and has, both in her speech and manners, a -softness approaching to oriental languor. She retains so much of her -native dress as to identify her with her people, over whom she affects no -superiority, but seems pleased to preserve all the ties and duties of -relationship. She held the infant of one of her relations at the font, on -the Sunday of my visit to the church. The usual church and baptismal -service was performed by a Doctor Aaron, an Indian, and an assistant -priest; the congregation consisted of sixty or seventy persons, male and -female. Many of the young men were dressed in the English fashion, but -several of the old warriors came with their blankets folded over them -like the drapery of a statue; and in this dress, with a step and mien of -quiet energy, more forcibly reminded me of the ancient Romans than some -other inhabitants of this continent who have laid claim to the -resemblance. Some of them wore large silver crosses, medals, and trinkets -on their arms and breasts; and a few had bandeaus, ornamented with -feathers. Dr. Aaron, a grey-headed Mohawk, had touched his cheeks and -forehead with a few spots of vermilion, in honor of Sunday. He wore a -surplice, and preached; but his delivery was monotonous and unimpassioned. -Indian eloquence decays with the peculiar state of society to which it -owed its energy." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Hall's Travels, pp. 135, 136.</p> - - -<p>Three years afterward, in 1819, James Buchanan, Esq., H. B. M. consul for -the port of New-York, made the tour of Upper Canada, accompanied by two of -his daughters. In the course of his journey Mr. Buchanan visited the Brant -House, of which circumstance he subsequently published the following -agreeable account in his little volume of Indian sketches:—</p> - -<p>"After stopping more than a week under the truly hospitable roof of the -Honorable Colonel Clarke, at the Falls of Niagara, I determined to proceed -by land round Lake Ontario, to York; [FN-1] and Mrs. Clarke [FN-2] offered -to give my daughters a letter of introduction to a Miss Brant, advising us -to arrange our time so as to sleep and stop a day or two in the house of -that lady, as she was certain we should be much pleased with her and her -brother. Our friend did not intimate, still less did we suspect, that the -introduction was to an Indian prince and princess. Had we been in the -least aware of this, our previous arrangements would all have given way, -as there was nothing I was more anxious to obtain than an opportunity such -as this was so well calculated to afford, of seeing in what degree the -Indian character would be modified by a conformity to the habits and -comforts of civilized life."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Now Toronto, or, more properly, Taranto, which is the Indian name.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Mrs. Clarke was the daughter of the late Dr. Robert Kerr, of - Niagara, and grand-daughter of Sir William Johnson, by Molly Brant. She - was of course by blood one quarter Mohawk. Colonel Clarke's residence was - upon the banks of the Niagara, a short distance above the great cataract. - His gardens and grounds were extensive, highly cultivated, and laid out - with the taste of a landscape gardener—washed by the mighty stream - thundering over the rapids past it on one side, and bounded on the other - of its sides by a deep, dark glen, of rocks, and trees, and wild - turbulent waters. Mrs. Clarke was a lady of noble appearance, of highly - cultivated mind and manners, and of sincere and unostentatious piety. - Her husband died two or three years since; and a letter to the author, - from her brother, Colonel Kerr, of Brant House, received while these - pages were in preparation for the press, announced her decease, on the - 2d of March, 1837. An agreeable visit at her seat, in September preceding - her decease, enlightened by her eloquence and vivacity, will not soon be - forgotten.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>"Proceeding on our journey, we stopped at an inn, romantically situated, -where I determined to remain all night. Among other things I inquired of -the landlord if he knew the distance to Miss Brant's house, and from him -I learned that it was about twenty miles farther. He added, that young Mr. -Brant had passed that way in the forenoon, and would, no doubt, be -returning in the evening, and that if I wished it, he would be on the -look-out for him. This I desired the landlord to do, as it would enable me -to intimate our introduction to his sister, and intention of waiting on -her the next morning.</p> - -<p>"At dusk Mr. Brant returned, and being introduced into our room, we were -unable to distinguish his complexion, and conversed with him, believing -him to be a young Canadian gentleman. We did not, however, fail to -observe a certain degree of hesitation and reserve in the manner of his -speech. He certainly expressed a wish that we would do his sister and -himself the favor of spending a few days with them, in order to refresh -ourselves and our horses; but we thought his style more laconic than -hospitable. Before candles were brought in, our new friend departed, -leaving us still in error as to his nation.</p> - -<p>"By four o'clock in the morning we resumed our journey. On arriving at the -magnificent shores of Lake Ontario, the driver of our carriage pointed -out, at the distance of five miles, the house of Miss Brant, which had a -very noble and commanding aspect; and we anticipated much pleasure in our -visit; as besides the enjoyment of so beautiful a spot, we should be -enabled to form a competent idea of Canadian manners and style of living. -Young Mr. Brant, it appeared, unaware that with our carriage we could have -reached his house so soon, had not arrived before us; so that our approach -was not announced, and we drove up to the door under the full persuasion -that the family would be apprised of our coming. The outer door, leading -to a spacious hall, was open. We entered, and remained a few minutes, -when, seeing no person about, we proceeded into the parlor, which, like -the hall, was for the moment unoccupied. We therefore had an opportunity -of looking about us at our leisure. It was a room well furnished, with a -carpet, pier and chimney glasses, mahogany tables, fashionable chairs, a -guitar, a neat hanging book-case, in which, among other volumes, we -perceived a Church of England Prayer Book, translated into the Mohawk -tongue. Having sent our note of introduction in by the coachman, and still -no person waiting on us, we began to suspect (more especially in the -hungry state we were in,) that some delay or difficulty about breakfast -stood in the way of the young lady's appearance. I can assure my readers -that a keen morning's ride on the shores of an American lake, is an -exercise of all others calculated to make the appetite clamorous, if not -insolent. We had already penetrated into the parlor, and were beginning to -meditate a farther exploration in search of the pantry, when, to our -unspeakable astonishment, in walked a charming, noble-looking Indian girl, -dressed partly in the native and partly in the English costume. Her hair -was confined on the head in a silk net, but the lower tresses, escaping -from thence, flowed down on her shoulders. Under a tunic or morning dress -of black silk, was a petticoat of the same material and color, which -reached very little below the knee. Her silk stockings and kid shoes were, -like the rest of her dress, black. The grace and dignity of her movement, -the style of her dress and manner, so new, so unexpected, filled us all -with astonishment. With great ease, yet by no means in that common-place -mode so generally prevalent on such occasions, she inquired how we found -the roads, accommodations, &c. No flutter was at all apparent on account -of the delay in getting breakfast; no fidgeting and fuss-making, no -running in and out, no idle expressions of regret, such as 'O! dear me! -had I known of your coming, you would not have been kept in this way;' but -with perfect ease she maintained conversation, until a squaw, wearing a -man's hat, brought in a tray with preparations for breakfast. A table -cloth of fine white damask being laid, we were regaled with tea, coffee, -hot rolls, butter in water and ice coolers, eggs, smoked beef, ham, and -broiled chickens, &c.; all served in a truly neat and comfortable style. -The delay, we afterward discovered, arose from the desire of our hostess -to supply us with hot rolls, which were actually baked while we were -waiting. I have been thus minute in my description of these comforts, as -they were so little to be expected in the house of an Indian.</p> - -<p>"After breakfast Miss Brant took my daughters out to walk, and look at the -picturesque scenery of the country. She and her brother had previously -expressed a hope that we would stay all day; but though I wished of all -things to do so, and had determined, in the event of their pressing their -invitation, to accept it, yet I declined the proposal at first, and thus -forfeited a pleasure which we all of us longed in our hearts to enjoy; -for, as I afterward learned, it is not the custom of any uncorrupted -Indian to repeat a request if once rejected. They believe that those to -whom they offer any mark of friendship, and who give a reason for refusing -it, do so in perfect sincerity, and that it would be rudeness to require -them to alter their determination or break their word. And as the Indian -never makes a show of civility but when prompted by a genuine feeling, so -he thinks others are actuated by similar candor. I really feel ashamed -when I consider how severe a rebuke this carries with it to us who boast -of civilization, but who are so much carried away by the general -insincerity of expression pervading all ranks, that few indeed are to be -found who speak just what they wish or know. This duplicity is the effect -of what is termed a high state of refinement. We are taught so to conduct -our language, that others cannot discover our real views or intentions. -The Indians are not only free from this deceitfulness, but surpass us in -another instance of good-breeding and decorum, namely, of never -interrupting those who converse with them until they have done speaking; -and then they reply in the hope of not being themselves interrupted. This -was perfectly exemplified by Miss Brant and her brother; and I hope the -lesson my daughters were so forcibly taught by the natural politeness of -their hostess, will never be forgotten by them, and that I also may profit -by the example.</p> - -<p>"After stopping a few hours with these interesting young Indians, and -giving them an invitation to pay us a visit at New-York, which they -expressed great desire to fulfill and which I therefore confidently -anticipated, we took our leave with real regret on all sides. As we passed -through the hall, I expected to see some Indian instruments of war or the -chase; but perceiving the walls were bare of these customary ornaments, I -asked Mr. Brant where were the trophies that belonged to his family? He -told me, and I record it with shame, that the numerous visitors that from -time to time called on him, had expressed their desire so strongly for -these trophies, that one by one he had given all away; and now he was -exempt from these sacrifices by not having any thing of the kind left. He -seemed, nevertheless, to cherish with fondness the memory of these relics -of his forefathers. How ill did the <i>civilized</i> visitors requite the -hospitality they experienced under the roof whose doors stand open to -shelter and feed all who enter!</p> - -<p>"As all about our young hostess is interesting, I will add some farther -particulars. Having inquired for her mother she told me she remained -generally with her other sons and daughters, who were living in the Indian -settlement on the Grand River, that falls into Lake Erie; that her mother -preferred being in the wigwams, and disapproved, in a certain degree, of -her and her brother John's conforming so much to the habits and costumes -of the English."</p> - -<p>In the opening chapter of the present work, the Rev. Dr. Stewart, formerly -a missionary in the Mohawk Valley, and subsequently Archdeacon of the -Episcopal church of Upper Canada, was several times referred to as -authority for a variety of particulars in the early life of the elder -Brant. The sketches of his life thus referred to, were in fact written by -the present honorable and venerable Archdeacon Strachan, of Toronto, from -conversations with Dr. Stewart, and published in the Christian Recorder, -at Kingston, in 1819. There were portions of those sketches which gave -offence to the family of Thayendanegea, and his son and successor entered -upon the vindication of his father's character with great spirit. Dr. -Strachan had used an unfortunate epithet in reference to the old Chief, -and virtually charged him with having been engaged in the bloody affair of -Wyoming; accused him of having entertained designs hostile to the -interests of the crown; of wavering loyalty; and, before his death, of -intemperance. These and other matters, contained in the before-mentioned -sketches, tending seriously to detract from the respect previously -entertained for the memory of the father, were repelled with vigorous and -virtuous indignation by the son in the course of a correspondence with the -Reverend Archdeacon; and were it not for the circumstance that the matter -was in the end satisfactorily adjusted, some extracts from this -correspondence might here be presented, by way of exhibiting the tact and -talent with which a Mohawk Chief could manage a controversy in the field -of letters. The offensive statements in the sketches of the Christian -Recorder were clearly shown to have arisen from mistakes and -misrepresentations; and in the course of the explanations that ensued, the -conduct of the Archdeacon "was most honorable." [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter of William Johnson Kerr to the author.</p> - - -<p>The difficulties between the Mohawks and the Provincial Government, -respecting the title to the lands of the former, which the elder Brant had -so long labored, but in vain, to adjust, yet continuing unsettled, in the -year 1821 John Brant, alias Ahyouwaeghs, was commissioned to proceed to -England, as his father had been before him, to make one more appeal to the -justice and magnanimity of the parent government. He urged his claim with -ability, and enlisted in the cause of his people men of high rank and -influence. Among these was the Duke of Northumberland, the son of the old -Duke—the Lord Percy of the American Revolution, and the friend of his -father, who had deceased in 1817. The Duke, like his father, had been -adopted as a warrior of the Mohawks under the aboriginal cognomen of -<i>Teyonhighkon;</i> and he now manifested as much zeal and friendship for the -Mohawks, in the controversy which had carried John Brant to England, as -the old Duke had done for Thayendanegea twenty years before. The young -chief likewise found an active and efficient friend in Saxe Bannister, -Esq., a gentleman bred both to the navy and the law, who had resided for -a time in Upper Canada. Mr. Bannister espoused the cause of the Indians -with laudable zeal, and wrote several papers for the consideration of the -ministers in their behalf. [FN] The result was, that before leaving -England in 1822, the agent received a promise from the Secretary of the -Colonies, Lord Bathurst, that his complaints should be redressed to his -entire satisfaction. Instructions to that effect were actually transmitted -to the Colonial Government, then administered by Sir Peregrine Maitland, -and Ahyouwaeghs returned to his country and constituents with the -well-earned character of a successful diplomatist.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Mr. Bannister afterward held an appointment in New South Wales, and - subsequently still was Chief Justice of the colony of Sierra Leone, - where he died.</p> - - -<p>But the just expectations of the Chief and his people were again thwarted -by the provincial authorities. The refusal of the local government to -carry into effect the instructions from the ministers of the crown, the -pretexts which they advanced, and the subterfuges to which they resorted -as excuses for their conduct, were communicated by the chief to his friend -the Duke of Northumberland, by letter, in June, 1823. He also wrote -simultaneously to Mr. Bannister upon the subject. A correspondence of some -length ensued between the Chief and those gentlemen, and repeated efforts -were made to compass a satisfactory and final arrangement of the vexed and -long-pending controversy. But these efforts were as unsuccessful in the -end as they had been in the beginning.</p> - -<p>While in England upon this mission, the young Chief determined to -vindicate the memory of his father from the aspersions that had been cast -upon it there, as he had already done in his own country. Campbell's -"<i>Gertrude of Wyoming</i>" had then been published several years. The -subject, and general character of that delightful work, are too well and -universally known to require an analysis in this place. With a poet's -license, Mr. Campbell had not only described the valley as a terrestrial -paradise, but represented its inhabitants as being little if any inferior, -in their character, situation, and enjoyments, to the spirits of the -blessed. Into a community thus innocent, gay, and happy, he had introduced -the authors of the massacre of 1778, led on by "the monster Brant." This -phrase gave great offence to the family of the old chief, as also did the -whole passage in which it occurred. The offensive stanzas purport to form -a portion of the speech of an Indian hero of the tale, an Oneida Chief, -who is made to interrupt a domestic banquet, under most interesting -circumstances, in the following strains, prophetic of danger near at -hand:—</p> - -<p class="quote"> "But this is not the time,"—he started up,<br> - And smote his heart with woe-denouncing hand—<br> - "This is no time to fill the joyous cup,<br> - The mammoth comes,—the foe,—the monster Brant,—<br> - With all his howling, desolating band;—<br> - These eyes have seen their blade, and burning pine<br> - Awake at once, and silence half your land.<br> - Red is the cup they drink—but not with wine:<br> - Awake, and watch to-night! or see no morning shine!<br><br> - - "Scorning to wield the hatchet for his tribe,<br> - 'Gainst Brant himself I went to battle forth:<br> - Accursed Brant! he left of all my tribe<br> - Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth:<br> - No! not the dog that watch'd my household hearth<br> - Escaped that night of blood, upon our plains!<br> - All perish'd—I alone am left on earth!<br> - To whom nor relative, nor blood remains,<br> - No!—not a kindred drop that runs in human veins!"</p> - -<p>This paraphrase of the celebrated speech of Logan—less poetical, by the -way, than the original—was illustrated by notes, asserting positively -that Brant was the Indian leader at Wyoming, and proving his cool-blooded -ferocity by citing the anecdote from Weld's Travels, quoted, for denial, -as a note on a preceding page. John Brant had previously prepared himself -with documents to sustain a demand upon the poet for justice to the memory -of his father; and in December, 1821, his friend Bannister waited upon Mr. -Campbell, with an amicable message, opening the door for explanations. A -correspondence ensued, only a portion of which has been preserved among -the papers of John Brant; but in a note of the latter to the poet, dated -the 28th of December, the young chief thanked him for the candid manner in -which he had received his request conveyed by Mr. Bannister. The documents -with which the Chief had furnished himself for the occasion, were -thereupon enclosed to Mr. Campbell, and the result was a long explanatory -letter from the poet, which has been very generally re-published. Candor, -however, must admit that that letter does but very partial and evidently -reluctant justice to the calumniated warrior. It is, moreover, less -magnanimous, and characterised by more of special pleading, than might -have been expected. [FN-1] In addition to this, it appears, by a -communication from the young chief to Sir John Johnson, dated January 22, -1822, that Mr. Campbell had not only expressed his regret at the injustice -done the character of his father, but had promised a correction in the -next edition—then soon to be published. This correction, however, was not -made, as it should have been, in the text, but in a note to the subsequent -edition; and although, at the close of that note, Mr. Campbell says, for -reasons given, that "the name of Brant remains in his poem only as a pure -and declared character of fiction," yet it is not a fictitious historical -character, and cannot be made such by an effort of the imagination. The -original wrong, therefore, though mitigated, has not been fully redressed, -for the simple reason that it is the poem that lives in the memory, while -the note, even if read, makes little impression, and is soon forgotten. -[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] See close of the Appendix.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] The note referred to, is as follows:—"I took the character of - Brant in the poem of Gertrude from the common histories of England, all - of which represented him as a bloody and bad man, (even among savages,) - and chief agent in the horrible desolation of Wyoming. Some years after - this poem appeared, the son of Brant, a most interesting and intelligent - youth, came over to England; and I formed an acquaintance with him, on - which I still look back with pleasure. He appealed to my sense of honor - and justice, on his own part and on that of his sister, to retract the - unfair assertion which, unconscious of its unfairness, I had cast on his - father's memory. He then referred to documents which completely satisfied - me that the common accounts of Brant's cruelties at Wyoming, which I had - found in books of travels, and in Adolphus's and similar histories of - England, were gross errors; and that, in point of fact, Brant was not - even present at that scene of desolation. . . . I ascertained, also, - that, he often strove to mitigate the cruelty of Indian warfare. The - name of Brant, therefore, remains in my poem, a pure and declared - character of fiction." This is something like knocking a man down, and - then desiring that he would regard the blow as purely a phantasy of the - imagination.</p> - - -<p>During his sojourn in London, the young chief seems to have paid -considerable attention to the public institutions, particularly those of -a humane and benevolent character. He was introduced by Mr. Butterworth -to the British and Foreign School Society; and in his diary mentions an -interesting visit to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Other -objects of interest or curiosity, which attracted his attention, were -noted in his diary, a small fragment of which only remains among his -papers. The following entry is not very flattering to British beauty:—</p> - -<p>"<i>Thursday Evening,</i> 16th <i>May,</i> 1822, I went to Mr. C. A. Tulk's, M. P. -party, to hear a little music. There were twenty-two ladies—one only -pretty—Casweighter, said to be the best violin player in Europe, and -Solly, celebrated for the guitar and piano. I met a gentleman well -acquainted with my father—formerly of the Queen's Rangers."</p> - -<p>But his attention to other matters did not lead him to forgetfulness of -the moral wants of his people. The war between the United States and Great -Britain, the principal seat of which was in the vicinity of the Mohawks' -territory, had had a most unhappy effect upon their social condition. -Their farms had been neglected, their buildings had suffered from the same -cause, as also had their church and schools. It is likewise probable, that -after the decease of Thayendanegea, in the absence of a directing master -mind, there had been but little advance in the work of public instruction -before the war; and it was the design of young Brant, on his return to -Canada, to resuscitate and extend the schools among his nation. For this -purpose he procured an appropriation, in 1822, from the New-England -Corporation for the civilization of Indians, which had been chartered as -far back as 1662. After his return to Grand River, the young chief entered -zealously upon the work, as appears from an active correspondence -maintained for several years with the officers of that institution. The -following extracts, from a mass of his letters, are given, not only as -examples of his epistolary style, but for the purpose of showing the -extent and nature of the exertions he was making, and the prospects of -good which were opening upon him:—</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Brant, (Ahyouwaeghs) to James Gibson.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C.</i> }<br> - 19th <i>June,</i> 1824. }</p> - -<p>". . . I have attended to the subject of your letters with the greatest -satisfaction, and I hope that the report I am now about to make to you, -will be equally satisfactory to the humane and benevolent members of the -New England Corporation. I set out with observing that the appointed -teacher conducts himself in every point of view corresponding to our -expectations. The children are particularly taught religious and moral -duties; the hours of prayer are rigidly attended to; and on the Sabbath -the scholars attend divine service. Cleanliness is strictly enforced, and -all laudable means are resorted to in order to excite a liberal spirit of -emulation. Corporeal punishment is discountenanced, except in cases of -flagrant indifference. Upon the whole, I have the pleasure of announcing, -through the medium of you, Sir, to the Corporation, that the donation so -liberally applied, will, in my opinion, be attended with the most salutary -effects. It is an agreeable sight to observe the rising generation of the -aborigines employed in acquiring knowledge, and in a spirit of true -worship attending divine service on the Sabbath. . . .</p> - -<p>"One of our tribes, the Oneidas, [FN] are very anxious to have a school -established for them. The chiefs have assured me that not less than thirty -children would attend the school if established. . . ."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] A section of the Oneida nation. After the war of the Revolution, - portions of all the Six Nations emigrated to the new Mohawk territory, - although the majority of all the nations, except the Mohawks, remained - within the United States—on their ancient territory.</p> - - -<p>"Seven of the oldest children in our school read in the Mohawk -Prayer-book, repeat the catechism, and answer responses in church. The -others use our primers, and spell very well in them to seven and eight -syllables. The number of scholars is twenty-one. . . . I am sensible of -the generous aid that the Corporation have already afforded, and I am -requested by the Chiefs of my tribe to return their sincere thanks to the -members of the New England Corporation.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, - Your very obedient servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">J. Brant,</span> - <i>Ahyouwaeghs</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Gibson, Esq. - Treasurer New England Corporation.</i>"</p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Same to the Same.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C.</i> }<br> - 19<i>th July,</i> 1826. }</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"After having visited the schools which are supported by the New England -Corporation, where more than sixty children are taught to read and write -in the Mohawk dialect and the English language, I beg to communicate to -you the state of the church in our village. It being the first built in -the province, is now in a very dilapidated state, and we have not the -funds to rebuild. We have made an allotment of two hundred acres of land -for the use of a resident clergyman, and fifty acres for the use of the -school; and we have appropriated six hundred dollars, or £150 -province currency, toward defraying the expenses of building a parsonage; -and although that sum is quite insufficient for the object, yet it is the -utmost we can do, considering the circumstances and wants of our -respective tribes. We would be very thankful if we could obtain pecuniary -aid sufficient to finish the parsonage and rebuild our church; and would -rejoice to have a resident clergyman amongst us, who would not consider it -too laborious frequently to travel to our several hamlets, to preach the -Gospel of the meek and lowly Jesus; to visit the sick; and always to -evince, not only by preaching, but by example, his devotion to the church -of Christ.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, dear Sir, - Your friend and servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">J. Brant."</span></p> -<br> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Letter from the Same to the Same.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Mohawk Village, Grand River, U. C.</i> }<br> - <i>October</i> 27, 1828. }</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have the pleasure to acknowledge your communication of the 17th August -last, subjoining copies of the resolutions of the New England Corporation -at a meeting held on the 8th of March, 1825. Permit me to repeat the -grateful sentiments formerly expressed on the part of my tribe to the -members of the Corporation for their liberal contributions, as also for -the farther support they have now afforded to the most efficient and -practical plans of promoting education and the diffusion of knowledge -among the Mohawks.</p> - -<p>"I have received a letter from the Rev. Mr. West, dated at New-York; but -have not as yet arranged any plans with that gentleman relative to his -mission; being satisfied, that after a personal conference and actual -observation, we can in a much better way arrange such measures as may -appear most beneficial.</p> - -<p>"Mr. West mentions that he will visit me in the month of May next. I -anticipate much satisfaction in meeting the reverend gentleman. It is -undoubtedly the best mode of ascertaining our relative situations, -circumstances, &c. &c. This I ardently desire for several reasons. It will -enable the company to judge how far it may be useful to extend the means -of education, and of the probable results; as also the difficulties in -which, for very many years, a continuation of unfavorable circumstances -has involved the Five Nations. To effect a complete change in manners and -customs, that have been long established, will indeed be an arduous task. -Let not the difficulties terrify us from the attempt. The more arduous, -the more animating—inasmuch as if the attempt succeed, the reward will -be great. Not that those who commence this work of humanity are to -flatter themselves with the hope of seeing the complete effect of their -labors; time will be required; and when the foundation is laid in the -spirit of sincerity, no doubt can remain that, with the help of God, the -edifice will be raised.</p> - -<p>"With respect to that part of your letter which refers to the religious -faith of a part of the Five Nations, I beg for a short time to defer a -reply; as it embraces a variety of important considerations, in connexion -with the attempt to introduce religious instruction among them. The first -great restraint, as to civilization, is removed; I mean by their local -situation, in possessing permanent, or rather fixed places of residence. -The commencement must be among the youth, with mildness and assiduity. To -render the task not only a good, but a lasting work, it will be necessary -to obtain the consent of parents. Care should be taken to explain matters, -that the object of instruction be understood as clearly as possible by the -parents.</p> - -<p>"In my next I shall draw on you for the amount appropriated for the -building of the Mohawk and Oneida school-houses, as also for the -schoolmaster at Davis's hamlet. This is a proper season for entering into -contracts for building, as our sleighing season is nigh at hand, which -affords great facility in the way of collecting materials. As you have not -mentioned Lawrence Davids, I shall continue to draw for his salary as -usual, out of the £200 appropriated by the Corporation in 1822.</p> - -<p>"In my next I will tell you how the scholars get on. All my letters have -been on business. I will in a few days write in a more friendly way, for -I remember your kindness to me at Epsom.</p> - -<p>"I beg my best respects to the Governor, Mr. Solly, and the other members -of the Corporation, with whom I have the pleasure to be acquainted.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, very truly, Dear Sir, - Your obedient servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">J. Brant.</span> - <i>Ahyouwaeghs.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>James Gibson, Esq.,</i> - <i>Treasurer New England Corporation, London.</i>"</p> -<br> - -<p>These letters breathe the spirit of an enlarged and noble philanthropy, -guided by true wisdom. The writer had formed a just estimate of the -importance of the work in which he engaged, and the difficulties to be -encountered; and he had the sagacity to perceive the only practicable -method of accomplishing it—a knowledge of the only means that could be -successfully adapted to the end. The society of which he was the -judicious almoner appreciated his worth, and in the year 1829 presented -him with a splendid silver cup, bearing the following inscription:—</p> - -<p class="quote" style="text-align: center"> "Presented by the New England Corporation,<br> - Established in London by charter, A. D. 1662, for the civilization<br> - of Indians,<br> - To JOHN BRANT, Esq.,<br> - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Ahyouwaeghs,</span><br> - One of the Chiefs of the Mohawk Nation,<br> - In acknowledgment of his eminent services in promoting the<br> - objects of the Corporation. A. D. 1829."</p> - - -<p>In the year 1827, Ahyouwaeghs was appointed by the Earl of Dalhousie, -then Commander-in-Chief of the British American provinces, to the rank of -Captain, and also Superintendent of the Six Nations. It was early in the -same year that the Chief heard that a liberty had been taken with his name -in the American newspapers, which kindled in his bosom feelings of the -liveliest indignation. Those familiar with that deep and fearful -conspiracy in the western part of New-York, in the Autumn of 1826, which -resulted in the murder of William Morgan by a small body of over-zealous -Freemasons, will probably remember that the name of John Brant appeared in -a portion of the correspondence connected with that melancholy Story. The -circumstances were these: It was well ascertained, that in the origin and -earlier stages of that conspiracy no personal injury was designed against -the unhappy victim of Masonic fanaticism. The immediate object of the -conspirators was to send Morgan out of the country, under such -circumstances, and to so great a distance, as to ensure his continued -absence. But they had adjusted no definite plans for the execution of that -purpose, or distinct views upon the subject of his destiny. Having -abducted and illegally carried him away, those entrusted with his -safekeeping found him upon their hands, and knew not what to do with or -whither to send him. In this dilemma, one of their projects was to convey -him to Quebec, and procure his enlistment on board of a British -man-of-war. Another suggestion, under the supposition that the Mohawk -chief was a Freemason himself, and would of course embark in any -practicable scheme to prevent the disclosures of the secrets of -Freemasonry, which Morgan was in the act of publishing when seized, was, -that Brant should take charge of the prisoner, and cause his transfer by -the Indians to the North-western Fur Company. But every device for the -banishment of the unhappy man failed, and he was buried at the solemn hour -of midnight in the rocky caverns of the Niagara. The suggestion in regard -to the transfer of the prisoner to Ahyouwaeghs, however, became public, -and for a time it was supposed by those unacquainted with his character, -that he might have been consulted in regard to that murderous transaction. -The imputation was most unjust, and was repelled with a spirit becoming -the man and his race, as will appear by the following letter:—</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">To the Editor of the York Observer.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Wellington Square, Feb.</i> 29, 1827.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"I have read a paragraph in the New-York Spectator of the 16th instant, -wherein it is stated that the fraternity at Niagara had sent for me to -receive and sacrifice the unhappy Morgan, of whom so much has been lately -spoken.</p> - -<p>"You will oblige me by contradicting this report, which is wholly false. -Neither in that instance, nor any other, has such a barbarous proposal -been made to me; nor do I believe the man exists who would dare to wound -my feelings in such a heinous manner.</p> - -<p>"I know nothing of the man, nor of any transaction relating to him; and I -am much surprised that my name has been called in question.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, Sir, your's respectfully, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">J. Brant."</span></p> -<br> - -<p>In the year 1832 John Brant was returned a member of the Provincial -parliament for the county of Haldimand, comprehending a good portion of -the territory originally granted to the Mohawks. The right of the Indians -to this territory yet depended upon the original proclamation of Sir -Frederick Haldimand, which, according to the decision of the courts of -Upper Canada, conveyed no legal title to the fee of the land. The Indians -had been in the practice of conveying away portions of their lands by -long leases—for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years—and a -large number of those persons by whose votes Brant was elected, had no -other title to their real estate than leases of that description. As the -election laws of Upper Canada very wisely require a freehold qualification -for county electors, Mr. Brant's return was contested by the opposing -candidate, Colonel Warren, and ultimately set aside, and the Colonel -declared to be duly chosen. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Letter to the author from the Hon. M. S. Bidwell, who sat in - Parliament with the Mohawk Chief.</p> - - -<p>It was of but small moment to either candidate, however, which of the two -should be allowed to wear the parliamentary honors. The desolating scourge -of India—the cholera—was introduced upon the American continent in the -Summer of that year, commencing its ravages at Quebec; and among the -thousands who fell before the plague, as it swept fearfully over the -country of the great lakes, were <span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Brant—Ahyouwaeghs—</span>and his -competitor.</p> - -<p>He was a man of fine figure and countenance, and great dignity of -deportment, though by no means haughty—having the unassuming manners of -a well-bred gentleman. "The first time I ever saw him, was at a court at -Kingston, where he acted as an interpreter on the trial of an Indian -charged with murder. Another Indian was a witness. One of the Indians was -a Mohawk and the other a Chippewa, of the Mississagua tribe. It was -necessary, therefore, that the questions should be interpreted to the -witness in one language, and to the prisoner in the other, which afforded -me an opportunity to compare the sounds of the one with the other; and -the harsh and guttural language of the Mohawk [FN-1] was, indeed, -singularly contrasted with the copiousness and smoothness of the Chippewa. -But what impressed me most on the trial, was the noble appearance of -Brant, and the dignity and composure with which he discharged his duty." -[FN-2]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN-1] Not "harsh and guttural," when spoken by the youngest daughter of - Joseph Brant.</p> - - <p class="quote">[FN-2] Letter to the author from the Hon. M. S. Bidwell.</p> - - -<p>Ahyouwaeghs was a member of the Church of England, though not a -communicant. A number of his friends and relations were with him when he -died, all of whom believed his death was that of a happy and sincere -Christian. In closing the present imperfect sketch of this remarkable man, -who had but just attained the prime of manhood, and was cut off as it were -in the dawn of a career bright with hope and brilliant with promise, the -Christian philanthropist may pause a moment in the contemplation of at -least one proud example of what letters and civilization may accomplish -with the sons of the American forest.</p> - -<p>Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Joseph Brant, whose name has already -been repeatedly mentioned in the foregoing pages, was married several -years ago to William Johnson Kerr, Esq. son of the late Dr. Robert Kerr -of Niagara, and a grandson of Sir William Johnson. Mrs. Kerr, as the -reader must have inferred from what has been previously said respecting -her, was educated with great care, as well in regard to her mental culture -as her personal accomplishments. With her husband and little family she -now occupies the old mansion of her father, at the head of Lake -Ontario—a noble situation, as the author can certify from personal -observation. Though fully conscious of the delicacy due to a lady living -in unostentatious retirement, yet, as the daughter of Joseph Brant, the -author trusts that, should this page meet her eye, the enthusiasm of her -father's biographer may plead his apology for introducing her before the -public—more especially as it shall be done in the language of one of the -fair companions [FN] of his journey:—</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Miss Ann Elizabeth Wayland.</p> - - -<p>". . . Let, then, my reader present to himself a lady of rather more than -middling stature, of dignified, reserved, and gentle address, most -pleasing in person, and attired in a costume sufficiently Indian to retain -the flow and drapery, but donned with the ease, adaptation, and grace, so -peculiarly the attributes of an elegant mind.</p> - -<p>"Let my reader mark the keen, penetrating glance of that dark eye, as now -it rests upon the stranger, whose too eager interest might be deemed -obtrusiveness, or anon, its soft, tender, or melting expression, when it -falls upon the portraits of her brother, is cast upon her father's -miniature, or bides upon her children.</p> - -<p>"Let him mark the haughty curl of that lip as she speaks of those who -depreciate her people, its sarcastic curve when she alludes to the -<i>so-called</i> delineations of her father's character, or its fond smile as she -looks upon her husband; let him have before him a being in whom mind rules -every action, and predominates above all; and let him attach this idea to -one who glories in the fact, that the blood of the Mohawk courses in her -veins; and he will know the daughter of Joseph Brant. But no; he must yet -learn that this mind and these energies are devoted not alone to her -immediate circle; but have been exerted most faithfully for the -improvement and well-being of her race. She has, within a few years, -translated portions of the New Testament into her vernacular, and is -devising various means for the elevation of the Indian character."</p> - -<p>Colonel Kerr, her husband, is the eldest of three brothers, William -Johnson, Walter, and Robert, all of whom bore commissions, and fought the -Americans bravely on the Niagara frontier during the last war. They were -likewise all wounded, and two of them taken prisoners, and brought to -Greenbush and Pittsfield, whence they escaped, striking first upon -Schoharie, and thence across the country from the Mohawk Valley, through -the woods to the St. Lawrence—though, it is believed, not both at the -same time. Walter was accompanied in his escape and flight by a -fellow-prisoner named Gregg. In the course of their travels through the -county of St. Lawrence, they fell in with a courier going from the -American commander at Sackett's Harbor to General Wilkinson, then below, -on his successful approach to Montreal. The fugitives had the address to -pass themselves off for Yankees looking for lands, and obtained from the -express such information as they desired. Gregg was disposed to rob him -of his dispatches, but Walter Kerr would not consent. He subsequently died -from the effects of his wound in London. Inheriting a share of Indian -blood, from their grandmother, Molly Brant, the young Kerrs have been -represented to the author by an American gentleman, who has known them -well, "as being alike fearless in battle, and full of stratagem."</p> - -<p>On the death of her favorite son, John, the venerable widow of Joseph -Brant, [FN] pursuant to the Mohawk law of succession heretofore explained, -being herself of the royal line, conferred the title of <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Tekarihogea</span> upon -the infant son of her daughter, Mrs. Kerr. During the minority, the -government is exercised by a regency of some kind; but how it is -appointed, what are its powers, and at what age the minority terminates, -are points unknown to the author. The infant chief is a fine-looking lad, -three quarters Mohawk, with an eye piercing as the eagle's. But the people -over whom he is the legitimate chief—the once mighty Six Nations—the -Romans of the new world—whose conquests extended from Lake Champlain west -to the falls cf the Ohio, and south to the Santee—<span style="font-variant:small-caps">where are they?</span> The -proud race is doomed; and Echo will shortly answer, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">where?</span></p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] This remarkable Indian princess died at Brantford, on the Grand - River, on the 24th day of November, 1837—thirty years, to a day, from - the death of her husband. Her age was 78 years.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - <p class="direct">NOTE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.</p> - - <p class="quote">Since the 1st edition of this work was printed, the author has - ascertained that his account of the battle of Queenston is not complete, - nor entirely accurate although pains were taken to consult the best - authorities, and all known to be extant. The reader, therefore, is - requested to examine that account again, commencing at page 505, with - the following amendments and additions.</p> - - <p class="quote">The American force that first crossed the river, consisted of <i>three</i> - companies, viz., those of Captains Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong. They were - not undiscovered by the British, but were seen and fired upon before they - reached the bank. The enemy, however, fled as the Americans landed, and - the three companies mounted the bank and formed in line fronting the - heights, Captain Wool commanding, as the senior officer. A few moments - afterward, Captain Wool was informed of Col. Van Rensselaer's landing, - and ordered to prepare for storming the heights—and soon the command was - brought him to march. The detachment did march to the base of the - heights, where it was ordered by an aid from Col. Van Rensselaer to halt; - and in a few minutes it was attacked by a party of British from - Queenston, which, after a short but severe struggle, was repulsed. In - this affair, Lieut. Wallace and Ensign Morris were killed, and Captains - Wool, Malcolm and Armstrong, and Lieut. Lent, wounded.</p> - - <p class="quote">Shortly after this success, word was brought to Captain Wool that Col. - Van Rensselaer was mortally wounded, and the detachment was ordered to - return to the bank of the river. Captain Wool repaired to the Colonel, - and volunteered to storm the battery on the heights—and this service - was gallantly performed by the three companies of the 13th Infantry - under his command, and a small detachment of artillery commanded by - Lieuts. Gansevoort and Randolph. Through some cause, (probably the - severe wounds of Col. Van Rensselaer,) full credit was not given to - Captain Wool, in the official accounts, for his successful gallantry. - From this point the narrative is correct, as it proceeds on page 507.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - - <h3 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always">APPENDIX.</h3> -<br><br> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - - <p class="direct">No. I.</p> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference prom Page 95.]</span></p> - - <p class="direct">DESCRIPTION OF FORT PLAIN.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The following</span> is said to be a correct drawing of Fort Plain, sometimes -erroneously called Fort Plank. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Fort Plank, as it is written in the books, was situated two and a - half miles from Fort Plain. The true name was Fort Blank, from the name - of the owner of the farm on which it stood—Frederick Blank.</p> -<br><br> - -<P class="image"><img src="images/fortplain.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="Fort Plain"></P> -<br><br><br> - - -<p>The Fort was situated on the brow of the hill, about half a mile -north-west of the village, so as to command a full view of the valley, and -the rise of the ground, for several miles in any direction; and hence it -doubtless derived its name, because its beautiful location commanded a -"<i>plain</i>" view of the surrounding country. It was erected by the -government, as a fortress, and place of retreat and safety for the -inhabitants and families in case of incursions from the Indians, who were -then, and, indeed, more or less during the whole Revolutionary war, -infesting the settlements of this whole region. Its form was an octagon, -having port-holes for heavy ordnance and muskets on every side. It -contained three stories or apartments. The first story was thirty feet in -diameter; the second, forty feet; the third, fifty feet; the last two -stones projecting five feet, as represented by the drawing aforesaid. It -was constructed throughout of hewn timber about fifteen inches square; -and, beside the port-holes aforesaid, the second and third stories had -perpendicular port-holes through those parts that projected, so as to -afford the regulars and militia, or settlers garrisoned in the fort, -annoying facilities of defence for themselves, wives, and children, in -case of close assault from the relentless savage. Whenever scouts came in -with tidings that a hostile party was approaching, a cannon was fired from -the fort as a signal to flee to it for safety.</p> - -<p>In the early part of the war there was built, by the inhabitants probably, -at or near the site of the one above described, a fortification, of -materials and construction that ill comported with the use and purposes -for which it was intended. This induced government to erect another, -(Fort Plain,) under the superintendence of an experienced French engineer. -As a piece of architecture, it was well wrought and neatly finished, and -surpassed all the forts in that region. After the termination of the -Revolutionary war, Fort Plain was used for some years as a deposit of -military stores, under the direction of Captain B. Hudson. These stores -were finally ordered by the United States Government to be removed to -Albany. The fort is demolished. Nothing remains of it except a -circumvallation or trench, which, although nearly obliterated by the -plough, still indicates to the curious traveler sufficient evidence of a -fortification in days by-gone.—<i>Fort Plain Journal,</i> Dec 26, 1837.</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - <p class="direct">No. II.</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 153.]</span></p> - - <p class="direct" style="text-align: center"><i>"Copy of another paper in the same hand-writing, taken with the - letter to General Haldimand from Dr. Smith.</i></p> - - <p class="exit">"April 20,1781.</p> - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">"Fort Stanwix.</span></p> - -<p>"This post is garrisoned by about two hundred and sixty men, under the -command of Colonel Courtlandt. It was supplied with provision about the -14th of last month, and Brant was too early to hit their sleys; he was -there on the 2d; took sixteen prisoners. A nine-inch mortar is ordered -from Albany to this fort, to be supplied against the latter end of May. -The nine months' men raised are to join Courtlandt's.</p> - -<p>"25th May.—Fort Stanwix is entirely consumed by fire, except two small -bastions; some say by accident, but it is generally thought the soldiers -done it on purpose, as their allowance is short; provision stopped from -going there, which was on its way.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John's Town.</span></p> - -<p>"At this place there is a captain's guard.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Mohawk River.</span></p> - -<p>"There are no troops, or warlike preparations (as yet) making in this -quarter; but it is reported, that as soon as the three years and nine -months' men are raised, they will erect fortifications. From this place -and its vicinage many families have moved this winter, and it is thought -more will follow the example this spring.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Schenectady.</span></p> - -<p>"This town is strongly picketed all round; has six pieces of ordnance, six -pounders, block-houses preparing. It is to be defended by the inhabitants; -(except about a dozen) are for Government. There are a few of Courtlandt's -regiment here; a large quantity of grain stored here for the use of the -troops; large boats building to convey heavy metal and shot to Fort -Stanwix.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Albany.</span></p> - -<p>"No troops at this post, except the Commandant, General Clinton, and his -Brigade Major. Work of all kinds stopped for want of provisions and money. -The sick in the hospitals, and their doctors, starving. 8th May—No troops -yet in this place; a fine time to bring it to submission, and carry off a -tribe of incendiaries.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Washington's Camp.</span></p> - -<p>"The strength of this camp does not exceed twenty-five thousand. -Provisions of all kinds very scarce. Washington and the French have agents -through the country, buying wheat and flour. He has sent to Albany for all -the cannon, quick-match, &c., that was deposited there. Desertions daily -from the different posts. The flower of the army gone to the southward -with the Marquis De La Fayette.</p> - -<p>"May 8th. They say Washington is collecting troops fast.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Southern News.</span></p> - -<p>"On the 15th of March, Lord Cornwallis attacked General Green at Guilford -Court House, in North Carolina, and defeated him with the loss on Green's -side of thirteen hundred men killed, wounded, and missing; his artillery, -and two ammunition wagons taken, and Generals Starns and Hegu wounded.</p> - -<p>"May 25th. Something very particular happened lately between here and -New-York, much in the King's favor, but the particulars kept a secret.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Eastern News.</span></p> - -<p>"The inhabitants between Albany and Boston, and several precincts, drink -the King's health publicly, and seem enchanted with the late proclamation -from New-York. By a person ten days ago from Rhode Island, we have an -account that the number of land forces belonging to the French does not -amount to more than three hundred; that when he left it, he saw two of the -French vessels from Chesapeake much damaged and towed in; that several -boats full of wounded were brought and put into their hospitals, and that -only three vessels out of the eight which left the island escaped, the -remainder brought into York. Out eastward of Boston is acting on the -Vermont principle.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">State of Vermont.</span></p> - -<p>"The opinion of the people in general of this State is, that its -inhabitants are artful and cunning, full of thrift and design. About -fifteen days ago Colonel Allen and a Mr. Fay was in Albany. I made it my -particular business to be twice in their company; at which time I -endeavored to find out their business, and on inquiry I understood from -Colonel Allen that he came down to wait on Governor Clinton, to receive -his answer to a petition which the people of Vermont had laid before the -Assembly; that he had been twice at the Governor's lodging, and that the -Governor had refused to see or speak to him. Allen then said he might be -damned if ever he would court his favor again; since that time they have -petitioned the Eastern States to be in their Confederacy, to no purpose. -I heard Allen declare to one Harper that there was a North Pole and a -South Pole; and should a thunder-gust come from the south, they would shut -the door opposite to that point and open the door facing the north.</p> - -<p>"8th May. By this time it is expected they will be friendly to their King; -various opinions about their flag.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Saratoga.</span></p> - -<p>"At this post there is a company belonging to Van Schaick's regiment, -lately come from Fort Edward; which garrison they left for want of -provision; and here they are determined not to stay for the same reason. -A fort erecting here by General Schuyler. Two hundred and fifty men at -this place.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Fort Edward.</span></p> - -<p>"Evacuated. Now is the time to strike a blow in these ports. A party -toward Johnstown, by way of Division, and a considerable body down here, -will effect your wish.</p> - - <p class="direct">"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">General Intelligence.</span></p> - -<p>"Norman's Kill, Nisquitha, Hill Barrack, and New-Scotland, will -immediately on the arrival of his Majesty's troops, join and give -provision. Several townships east of Albany and south-east, are ready to -do the like. Governor Trumbull's son was hanged in London for a spy; he -had several letters from Dr. Franklin to some lords, which were found upon -him. [FN] No mention in the last Fishkill papers that Greene obliged his -Lordship to retreat, as has been reported. The Cork fleet, of upward of -one hundred sail, are safely arrived in York. No hostile intentions on -foot against the Province of Canada."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The reference here is to Colonel John Trumbull, the former Adjutant - General of the northern department, who, so far from having been hanged - at the time mentioned, is yet living, (Feb. 1839,) having served his - country faithfully and successfully in a high civil capacity since the - war of the Revolution, but, more to its glory still, by his contributions - to the arts. It is true, that at the tame referred to by the writer of - these memoranda, Colonel Trumbull was in London. He had repaired thither - to study the divine art which he has so long and successfully cultivated, - under the instruction of his countryman, West, and with the tacit - permission of the British ministers. Owing, however, to the intrigues of - some of the American loyalists in London, who hated him bitterly, he was - arrested in London during the Autumn of 1780, on a charge of treason, and - committed to the common prison. He had a narrow escape, especially as - great exasperation was kindled by the execution of Andre, and it was - hoped that an offset might be made in the person of the son of a rebel - Governor. West interceded with the King, and Trumbull was liberated. - Colonel Trumbull's Memoirs, which are in course of preparation, will - contain an interesting account of this affair, which was most disgraceful - to those who compassed his arrest—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>"May 25. I just received advice from T. H. but before his arrival, I -despatched a courier on the point of a sharp weapon, to which I refer you; -and lest that should miscarry, I send you my journal, from which, and the -extract sent forward, you may, if it arrives, form something interesting. -For God's sake, send a flag for me. My life is miserable. I have fair -promises, but delays are dangerous."</p> - -<p>With the above was taken another paper in the same hand-writing, of which -the following is a copy:</p> - -<p>"Y. H. is disobedient, and neither regards or pays any respect to his -parents; if he did, he would contribute to their disquiet, by coming down -contrary to their approbation and repeated requests.</p> - -<p>"The necessaries you require are gone forward last Tuesday by a person -which the bearer will inform you of. I wish he was in your company, and -you all safely returned, &c.</p> - -<p>"My life is miserable. A flag—a flag, and that immediately, is the -sincere wish of</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. Senior.</span>"</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<p class="direct">No. III.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 165.]</span></p> - - - - <p class="direct">1.</p> - -<p class="quote"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">A firm</span> fortress is our God, a good defence and weapon;<br> - He helps us free from all our troubles which have now befallen us.<br> - The old evil enemy, he is now seriously going to work;<br> - Great power and much cunning are his cruel equipments,<br> - There is none like him on the earth.</p> - - <p class="direct">2.</p> - -<p class="quote"> With our own strength nothing can be done, we are very soon lost;<br> - For us the right man is fighting, whom God himself has chosen.<br> - Do you ask, who he is? His name is Jesus Christ,<br> - The Lord Jehovah, and there is no other God;<br> - He must hold the field.</p> - - <p class="direct">3.</p> - -<p class="quote"> And if the world were full of devils, ready to devour us,<br> - We are by no means much afraid, for finally we must overcome<br> - The prince of this world, however badly he may behave,<br> - He cannot injure us, and the reason is, because he is judge;<br> - A little word can lay him low.</p> - - <p class="direct">4.</p> - -<p class="quote"> That word they shall suffer to remain, and not to be thanked for either;<br> - He is with us in the field, with his Spirit and his gifts.<br> - If they take from us body, property, honor, child and wife,<br> - Let them all be taken away, they have yet no gain from it,<br> - The kingdom of heaven must remain to us.</p> - -<p class="quote">[The above if from a hymn book A. D. 1741. In one printed in 1826, and -now in use in Pennsylvania, the following is added:]</p> - - <p class="direct">5.</p> - -<p class="quote"> Praise, honor and glory to the Highest God, the Father of all Mercy.<br> - Who has given us out of love His Son, for the sake of our defects,<br> - Together with the Holy Spirit. He calls us to the Kingdom;<br> - He takes away from us our sins, and shows us the way to heaven;<br> - May He joyfully aid us. Amen.</p> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. IV.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 167.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct"><i>Colonel Gansevoort's Address to the late</i> 3<i>d New-York Regiment.</i></p> - <p class="direct">[Regimental Orders.]</p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Saratoga, Dec.</i> 30th, 1780.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Colonel</span> being by the new arrangement necessitated to quit the command -of his regiment, and intending to leave this post on the morrow, returns -his sincerest thanks to the officers and soldiers whom he has had the -honor to command, for the alacrity, cheerfulness, and zeal, which it -affords him peculiar satisfaction to declare they have so frequently -evinced in the execution of those duties which their stations required -them to discharge, and for their attention to his orders, which, as it -ever merited, always had his warmest approbation.</p> - -<p>"Though he confesses that it is with some degree of pain he reflects that -the relation in which they stood is dissolved, he will endeavor to submit -without repining to a circumstance which, though it may have a tendency -to wound his feelings, his fellow-citizens who form the councils of the -states have declared would be promotive of the public weal.</p> - -<p>"In whatever situation of life he may be placed, he will always with -pleasure cherish the remembrance of those deserving men who have with him -been sharers of almost every hardship incident to a military life. As he -will now probably return to that class of citizens whence his country's -service at an early period of the war drew him, he cordially wishes the -day may not be very remote when a happy peace will put them in the full -enjoyment of those blessings for the attainment of which they have nobly -endured every inconvenience and braved many dangers.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">P. Gansevoort.</span>" - - - <hr width="80%"> - - -<p class="quote"> <i>An Address to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, by the Officers of his - Regiment, on his retiring from service, in consequence of the new - arrangement ordered by Congress.</i></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Saratoga, Dec.</i> 31, 1780.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"Permit us, who are now with reluctance separated from your command, and -deprived of the benefits which we frequently experienced therefrom, to -declare our sentiments with a warmth of affection and gratitude, inspired -by a consciousness of your unwearied attention to the welfare, honor, and -prosperity of the Third New-York Regiment, while it was honored by your -command.</p> - -<p>"We should have been peculiarly happy in your continuance with us. From -our long experience of your invariable attachment to the service of our -country, your known and approved abilities, and that affable and -gentleman-like deportment by which (permit us to say) you have so endeared -yourself to officers and soldiers, that we cannot but consider the -separation as a great misfortune.</p> - -<p>"Although your return to the class of citizens from whence our country's -cause, at an early period, called you, it is not a matter of choice in -you, nor by any means agreeable to us; yet it cannot but be pleasing to -know that you retire with the sincerest affection, and most cordial esteem -and regards of the officers and men you have commanded.</p> - -<p class="list"> "We are, with the utmost respect, - Sir, - Your most humble servants,</p> -<table> - <tr><td>"Jas. Rosekrans, Major, </td><td>B. Bogardus, Lieutenant,</td></tr> - <tr><td>Corn's. T. Gansen, Captain, </td><td>J. Bagley do.</td></tr> - <tr><td>J. Gregg, do. </td><td>Chrs. Hatton, do.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leonard Bleeker, do. </td><td>W. Magee, do.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Geo. Sytee, do. </td><td>Prentice Bowen, do.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Henry Tiebout, do. </td><td>Saml. Lewis, do.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hunloke Woodruff, Surgeon, </td><td>John Elliot, Surgeon's Mate,</td></tr> - <tr><td>J. Van Rensselaer, Paymaster, </td><td>Benj. Herring, Ensign,</td></tr> - <tr><td>Douw T. Fonday, Ensign, </td><td>Gerrit Lansing, do."</td></tr> -</table> - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. V.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 236.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct"> <i>At a meeting of the principal inhabitants of the Mohawk District, - in Tryon County, Colonel </i><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Josiah Throop</span><i> in the Chair,</i></p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Taking</span> into consideration the peculiar circumstances of this country, -relating to its situation, and the numbers that joined the enemy from -among us, whose brutal barbarities in their frequent visits to their old -neighbours, are shocking to humanity to relate:</p> - -<p>They have murdered the peaceful husbandman and his lovely boys about him, -unarmed and defenceless in the field. They have, with a malicious -pleasure, butchered the aged and infirm; they have wantonly sported with -the lives of helpless women and children; numbers they have scalped alive, -shut them up in their houses, and burnt them to death. Several children, -by the vigilance of their friends, have been snatched from flaming -buildings; and, though tomahawked and scalped, are still living among us; -they have made more than three hundred widows, and above two thousand -orphans in this county; they have killed thousands of cattle and horses -that rotted in the field; they have burnt more than two millions of -bushels of grain, many hundreds of buildings, and vast stores of forage; -and now these merciless fiends are creeping in among us again, to claim -the privilege of fellow citizens and demand a restitution of their -forfeited estates; but can they leave their infernal tempers behind them, -and be safe or peaceable neighbors? Or can the disconsolate widow and the -bereaved mother reconcile her tender feelings to a free and cheerful -neighborhood with those who so inhumanly made her such? <i>Impossible!</i> -It is contrary to nature, the first principle of which is -self-preservation; it is contrary to the law of nations, especially that -nation, which, for numberless reasons, we should be thought to pattern -after. Since the accession of the House of Hanover to the British throne, -five hundred and twenty peerages in Scotland have been sunk, the Peers -executed or fled, and their estates confiscated to the crown, for adhering -to their former administration after a new one was established by law. It -is contrary to the eternal rule of reason and rectitude. If Britain -employed them, let Britain pay them! We will not.</p> - -<p>Therefore, <i>Resolved unanimously,</i> that all those who have gone off to the -enemy, or have been banished by any law of this state, or those who we -shall find tarried as spies or tools of the enemy, and encouraged and -harbored those who went away, shall not live in this district on any -pretence whatever; and as for those who have washed their faces from -Indian paint, and their hands from the innocent blood of our dear ones, -and have returned either openly or covertly, we hereby warn them to leave -this district before the twentieth of June next, or they may expect to -feel the just resentment of an injured and determined people.</p> - -<p>We likewise unanimously desire our brethren in the other districts in this -county to join with us, to instruct our representatives not to consent to -the repealing any laws made for the safety of the state, against treason -or confiscation of traitors' estates; or to passing any new acts for the -return or restitution of Tories.</p> - -<p class="list"> By order of the Meeting, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Josiah Throop,</span> Chairman.</p> - -<p class="list"> <i>May</i> 9, 1789</p> -<br> - - -<p>At a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Canajoharie District, -in the County of Tryon, held at Fort Plain in the same district, on -Saturday the 7th day of June, 1783, the following resolves were -unanimously entered into. Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Clyde in the Chair:</p> - -<p><i>Whereas,</i> In the course of the late war, large numbers of the inhabitants -of this county, lost to every sense of the duty they owed their country, -have joined the enemies of this state, and have, in conjunction with the -British troops, waged war on the people of this state; while others, more -abandoned, have remained among us, and have harbored, aided, assisted, and -victualed the said British troops and their adherents; and by their -example and influence have encouraged many to desert the service of their -country, and by insults and threats have discouraged the virtuous -citizens, thereby inducing a number to abandon their estates and the -defence of their country; <i>and whereas,</i> the County of Tryon hath, in an -especial manner, been exposed to the continued inroads and incursions of -the enemy, in which inroads and incursions the most cruel murders, -robberies, and depredations have been committed that ever yet happened in -this or any other country; neither sex nor age being spared, insomuch that -the most aged people of each sex, and infants at their mothers' breasts, -have inhumanly been butchered; our buildings (the edifices dedicated to -the service of Almighty God not excepted) have been reduced to ashes; our -property destroyed and carried away; our people carried through a far and -distant wilderness, into captivity among savages (the dear and faithful -allies of the merciful and humane British!) where very many still remain, -and have by ill usage been forced to enter into their service.</p> - -<p><i>And whereas,</i> Through the blessings of God and the smiles of indulgent -Providence, the war has happily terminated, and the freedom and -independence of the United States firmly established.</p> - -<p><i>And whereas,</i> It is contrary to the interests of this county, as well as -contrary to the dictates of reason, that those persons who have, through -the course of an eight years' cruel war, been continually aiding and -assisting the British to destroy the liberties and freedom of America, -should now be permitted to return to, or remain in this county, and enjoy -the blessings of those free governments established at the expense of our -blood and treasure, and which they, by every unwarrantable means, have -been constantly laboring to destroy.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That we will not suffer or permit any person or persons -whatever, who have during the course of the late war joined the enemy of -this state, or such person or persons remaining with us, and who have any -ways aided, assisted, victualed, or harbored the enemy, or such as have -corresponded with them, to return to, or remain in this district.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That all other persons of disaffected or equivocal character, -who have by their examples, insults, and threatenings, occasioned any -desertions to the enemy, or have induced any of the virtuous citizens of -this county to abandon their habitations, whereby they were brought to -poverty and distress. And all such as during the late war have been deemed -dangerous, shall not be permitted to continue in this district, or to -return to it.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That all such persons now remaining in this district, and -comprehended in either of the above resolutions, shall depart the same -within one month after the publication of this.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That no person or persons, of any denominations whatever, -shall be suffered to come and reside in this district, unless such person -or persons shall bring with them sufficient vouchers of their moral -characters, and of their full, entire, and unequivocal attachment to the -freedom and independence of the United States.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That we will, and hereby do associate, under all the ties held -sacred among men and Christians, to stand to, abide by, and carry into -full effect and execution, all and every the foregoing resolutions.</p> - -<p><i>Resolved,</i> That this district does hereby instruct the members in Senate -and Assembly of this state from this county, to the utmost of their power -to oppose the return of all such person or persons who are comprehended -within the sense and meaning of the above resolutions.</p> - -<p><i>Ordered,</i> That the preceding votes and proceedings of this district be -signed by the Chairman, and published in the New York Gazetteer.</p> - -<p class="list"> Samuel Clyde, <i>Chairman.</i></p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. VI.</p> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 288.]</span></p> - - -<p>"At a meeting of the President and Fellows of Harvard College, June 5th, -1789—</p> - -<p>"<i>Voted,</i> That the thanks of this Corporation be presented to Colonel -Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohawk Nation, for his polite attention to this -University, in his kind donation to its library of the Book of Common -Prayer of the Church of England, with the Gospel of Mark, translated into -the Mohawk language, and a Primer in the same language.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Attest, - - "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Joseph Willard,</span> <i>President.</i>"</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. VII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 312.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct">SAINCLAIRE'S DEFEAT.</p> - -<p class="quote"> 'Twas November the fourth, in year of ninety-one,<br> - We had a sore engagement near to Fort Jefferson;<br> - <i>Sainclaire</i> was our commander, which may remembered be,<br> - For there we left nine hundred men in t' West'n Ter'tory.</p> - -<p class="quote"> At Bunker's Hill and Quebec, where many a hero fell,<br> - Likewise at Long Island, (it is I the truth can tell,)<br> - But such a dreadful carnage may I never see again<br> - As hap'ned near St. Mary's upon the river plain.</p> - -<p class="quote"> Our army was attacked just as the day did dawn,<br> - And soon were overpowered and driven from the lawn;<br> - They killed Major <i>Ouldham, Levin,</i> and <i>Briggs</i> likewise,<br> - And horrid yell of savages resounded thro' the skies.</p> - -<p class="quote"> Major <i>Butler</i> was wounded the very second fire;<br> - His manly bosom swell'd with rage when forc'd to retire;<br> - And as he lay in anguish, nor scarcely could he see,<br> - Exclaimed, "Ye hounds of hell, O! revenged I will be."</p> - -<p class="quote"> We had not been long broken when General <i>Butler</i> found<br> - Himself so badly wounded, was forced to quit the ground;<br> - "My God!" says he, "what shall we do; we're wounded every man<br> - Go, charge them, valiant heroes, and beat them if you can."</p> - -<p class="quote"> He leaned his back against a tree, and there resigned his breath,<br> - And like a valiant soldier sunk in the arms of death;<br> - When blessed angels did await, his spirit to convey;<br> - And unto the celestial fields he quickly bent his way.</p> - -<p class="quote"> We charg'd again with courage firm, but soon again gave ground.<br> - The war-whoop then redoubled, as did the foes around;<br> - They killed Major <i>Ferguson,</i> which caused his men to cry,<br> - "Our only safety is in flight, or fighting here to die."</p> - -<p class="quote"> "Stand to your guns," says valiant <i>Ford,</i> "let's die upon them there,<br> - Before we let the sav'ges know we ever harbored fear."<br> - Our cannon balls exhausted, and artillery-men all slain,<br> - Obliged were our musket-men the en'my to sustain.</p> - -<p class="quote"> Yet three hours more we fought them, and then were forc'd to yield,<br> - When three hundred bloody warriors lay stretched upon the field.<br> - Says Colonel <i>Gibson</i> to his men, "My boys, be not dismayed,<br> - I'm sure that true Virginians were never yet afraid.</p> - -<p class="quote"> "Ten thousand deaths I'd rather die, than they should gain the field;"<br> - With that he got a fatal shot, which caused him to yield.<br> - Says Major <i>Clark,</i> "My heroes, I can here no longer stand,<br> - We'll strive to form in order, and retreat the best we can."</p> - -<p class="quote"> The word "Retreat" being past around, there was a dismal cry<br> - Then helter-skelter through the woods, like wolves and sheep they fly;<br> - This well-appointed army, who, but a day before,<br> - Defied and braved all danger, had like a cloud pass'd o'er.</p> - -<p class="quote"> Alas! the dying and wounded, how dreadful was the thought,<br> - To the tomahawk and scalping-knife, in mis'ry are brought;<br> - Some had a thigh and some an arm broke on the field that day,<br> - Who writhed in torments at the stake, to close the dire affray.</p> - -<p class="quote"> To mention our brave officers is what I wish to do;<br> - No sons of Mars e'er fought more brave, or with more courage true.<br> - To Captain <i>Bradford</i> I belonged, in his artillery;<br> - He fell that day amongst the slain, a valiant man was he.</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. VIII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 314.]</span></p> - - - <p><i>Narrative of the Captivity and Sufferings of Massy Harbison, in the - Spring of 1792, who resided in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, - together with the Murder of her children, her own Escape, &c.</i></p> - -<p>On the return of my husband from General St. Clair's defeat, mentioned in -a preceding chapter, and on his recovery from the wound he received in the -battle, he was made a spy, and ordered to the woods on duty, about the 22d -of March, 1792. The appointment of spies to watch the movements of the -savages was so consonant with the desires and interests of the -inhabitants, that the frontier now resumed the appearance of quiet and -confidence. Those who had for nearly a year been huddled together in the -block-house were scattered to their own habitations, and began the -cultivation of their farms. The spies saw nothing to alarm them, or to -induce them to apprehend danger, till the fatal morning of my captivity. -They repeatedly came to our house, to receive refreshments and to lodge. -On the 15th of May, my husband, with Captain Guthrie and other spies, came -home about dark, and wanted supper; to procure which I requested one of -the spies to accompany me to the spring and spring-house, and Mr. William -Maxwell complied with my request. While he was at the spring and -spring-house, we both distinctly heard a sound like the bleating of a -lamb or fawn. This greatly alarmed us, and induced us to make a hasty -retreat into the house. Whether this was an Indian decoy, or a warning of -what I was to pass through, I am unable to determine. But from this time -and circumstance, I became considerably, alarmed, and entreated my husband -to remove me to some more secure place from Indian cruelties. But -Providence had designed that I should become a victim to their rage, and -that mercy should be made manifest in my deliverance.</p> - -<p>On the night of the 21st of May, two of the spies, Mr. John Davis and Mr. -Sutton, came to lodge at our house, and on the morning of the 22d, at -day-break, when the horn blew at the block-house, which was within sight -of our house, and distant about two hundred yards, the two men got up and -went out. I was also awake, and saw the door open, and thought, when I was -taken prisoner, that the scouts had left it open. I intended to rise -immediately; but having a child at the breast, and it being awakened, I -lay with it at the breast to get it to sleep again, and accidentally fell -asleep myself.</p> - -<p>The spies have since informed me that they returned to the house again, -and found that I was sleeping; that they softly fastened the door, and -went immediately to the block-house; and those who examined the house -after the scene was over, say both doors had the appearance of being -broken open.</p> - -<p>The first thing I knew from falling asleep, was the Indians pulling me out -of the bed by my feet. I then looked up, and saw the house full of -Indians, every one having his gun in his left hand and tomahawk in his -right. Beholding the dangerous situation in which I was, I immediately -jumped to the floor on my feet, with the young child in my arms. I then -took a petticoat to put on, having only the one in which I slept; but the -Indians took it from me, and as many as I attempted to put on they -succeeded in taking from me, that I had to go just as I had been in bed. -While I was struggling with some of the savages for clothing, others of -them went and took the two children out of another bed, and immediately -took the two feather beds to the door and emptied them. The savages -immediately began their work of plunder and devastation. What they were -unable to carry with them, they destroyed. While they were at their work -I made to the door, and succeeded in getting out, with one child in my -arms and another by my side; but the other little boy was so much -displeased by being so early disturbed in the morning, that he would not -come to the door.</p> - -<p>When I got out, I saw Mr. Wolf, one of the soldiers, going to the spring -for water, and beheld two or three of the savages attempting to get -between him and the block-house; but Mr. Wolf was unconscious of his -danger, for the savages had not yet been discovered. I then gave a -terrific scream, by which means Mr. Wolf discovered his danger, and -started to run for the block-house; seven or eight Indians fired at him, -but the only injury he received was a bullet in his arm, which broke it. -He succeeded in making his escape to the block-house. When I raised the -alarm, one of the Indians came up to me with his tomahawk, as though about -to take my life; a second came and placed his hand before my mouth, and -told me to hush, when a third came with a lifted tomahawk, and attempted -to give me a blow; but the first that came raised his tomahawk and averted -the blow, and claimed me as his squaw.</p> - -<p>The Commissary, with his waiter, slept in the store-house near the -block-house; and upon hearing the report of the guns, came to the door to -see what was the matter, and beholding the danger he was in made his -escape to the block-house, but not without being discovered by the -Indians, several of whom fired at him, and one of the bullets went through -his handkerchief, which was tied about his head, and took off some of his -hair. The handkerchief, with several bullet holes in it, he afterward gave -to me.</p> - -<p>The waiter, on coming to the door, was met by the Indians, who fired upon -him, and he received two bullets through the body and fell dead by the -door. The savages then setup one of their tremendous and terrifying yells, -and pushed forward, and attempted to scalp the man they had killed; but -they were prevented from executing their diabolical purpose by the heavy -fire which was kept up through the port-holes from the block-house.</p> - -<p>In this scene of horror and alarm I began to meditate an escape, and for -that purpose I attempted to direct the attention of the Indians from me, -and to fix it on the block-house; and thought if I could succeed in this, -I would retreat to a subterranean rock with which I was acquainted, which -was in the run near where we were. For this purpose I began to converse -with some of those who were near me respecting the strength of the -block-house, the number of men in it, &c, and being informed that there -were forty men there, and that they were excellent marksmen, they -immediately came to the determination to retreat, and for this purpose -they ran to those who were besieging the block-house, and brought them -away. They then began to flog me with their wiping sticks, and to order -me along. Thus what I intended as the means of my escape, was the means of -accelerating my departure in the hands of the savages. But it was no doubt -ordered by a kind Providence, for the preservation of the fort and the -inhabitants in it; for when the savages gave up the attack and retreated, -some of the men in the house had the last load of ammunition in their -guns, and there was no possibility of procuring any more, for it was all -fastened up in the store-house, which was inaccessible.</p> - -<p>The Indians, when they had flogged me away along with them, took my oldest -boy, a lad about five years of age, along with them, for he was still at -the door by my side. My middle little boy, who was about three years of -age, had by this time obtained a situation by the fire in the house, and -was crying bitterly to me not to go, and making bitter complaints of the -depredations of the savages.</p> - -<p>But these monsters were not willing to let the child remain behind them; -they took him by the hand to drag him along with them, but he was so very -unwilling to go, and made such a noise by crying, that they took him up by -the feet and dashed his brains out against the threshold of the door. They -then scalped and stabbed him, and left him for dead. When I witnessed this -inhuman butchery of my own child, I gave a most indescribable and terrific -scream, and felt a dimness come over my eyes next to blindness, and my -senses were nearly gone. The savages then gave me a blow across my head -and face, and brought me to my sight and recollection again. During the -whole of this agonizing scene I kept my infant in my arms.</p> - -<p>As soon as their murder was effected, they marched me along to the top of -the bank, about forty or sixty rods, and there they stopped and divided -the plunder which they had taken from our house; and here I counted their -number, and found them to be thirty-two, two of whom were white men -painted as Indians.</p> - -<p>Several of the Indians could speak English well. I knew several of them -well, having seen them go up and down the Allegheny river. I knew two of -them to be from the Seneca tribe of Indians, and two of them Munsees; for -they had called at the shop to get their guns repaired, and I saw them -there.</p> - -<p>We went from this place about forty rods, and they then caught my uncle, -John Currie's horses, and two of them, into whose custody I was put, -started with me on the horses, toward the mouth of the Kiskiminetas, and -the rest of them went off toward Puckety. When they came to the bank that -descended toward the Allegheny, the bank was so very steep, and there -appeared so much danger in descending it on horseback, that I threw myself -off the horse in opposition to the will and command of the savages.</p> - -<p>My horse descended without falling, but the one on which the Indian rode -who had my little boy, in descending, fell, and rolled over repeatedly; -and my little boy fell back over the horse, but was not materially -injured. He was taken up by one of the Indians, and we got to the bank of -the river, where they had secreted some bark canoes under the rocks, -opposite to the island that lies between the Kiskiminetas and Buffalo. -They attempted in vain to make the horses take the river. After trying -some time to effect this, they left the horses behind them, and took us in -one of the canoes to the point of the island, and there they left the -canoe.</p> - -<p>Here I beheld another hard scene, for as soon as we landed, my little boy, -who was still mourning and lamenting about his little brother, and who -complained that he was injured by the fall in descending the bank, <i>was -murdered.</i></p> - -<p>One of the Indians ordered me along, probably that I should not see the -horrid deed about to be perpetrated. The other then took his tomahawk from -his side, and with this instrument of death <i>killed and scalped him.</i> When -I beheld this second scene of inhuman butchery, I fell to the ground -senseless, with my infant in my arms, it being under, and its little hands -in the hair of my head. How long I remained in this state of -insensibility, I know not.</p> - -<p>The first thing I remember was my raising my head from the ground, and my -feeling myself exceedingly overcome with sleep. I cast my eyes around, and -saw the scalp of my dear little boy, fresh bleeding from his head, in the -hand of one of the savages, and sunk down to the earth again upon my -infant child. The first thing I remember after witnessing this spectacle -of woe, was the severe blows I was receiving from the hands of the -savages, though at that time I was unconscious of the injury I was -sustaining. After a severe castigation, they assisted me in getting up, -and supported me when up.</p> - -<p>Here I cannot help contemplating the peculiar interposition of Divine -Providence in my behalf. How easily might they have murdered me! What a -wonder their cruelty did not lead them to effect it! But, instead of this, -the scalp of my boy was hid from my view and, in order to bring me to my -senses again, they took me back to the river and led me in knee deep; this -had its intended effect. But "the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."</p> - -<p>We now proceeded on our journey by crossing the island, and coming to a -shallow place where we could wade out, and so arrive to the Indian side of -the country. Here they pushed me in the river before them, and had to -conduct me through it. The water was up to my breast, but I suspended my -child above the water, and, through the assistance of the savages, got -safely out.</p> - -<p>From thence we rapidly proceeded forward, and came to Big Buffalo; here -the stream was very rapid, and the Indians had again to assist me. When -we had crossed this creek, we made a straight course to the -Connequenessing creek, the very place where Butler now stands; and from -thence we traveled five or six miles to Little Buffalo, and crossed it at -the very place where Mr. B. Server's mill now stands, and ascended the -hill.</p> - -<p>I now felt weary of my life, and had a full determination to make the -savages kill me, thinking that death would be exceedingly welcome when -compared with the fatigue, cruelties, and miseries I had the prospect of -enduring. To have my purpose effected, I stood still, one of the savages -being before me and the other walking on behind me, and I took from off my -shoulder a large powder born they made me carry, in addition to my child, -who was one year and four days old. I threw the horn on the ground, closed -my eyes, <i>and expected every moment to feel the deadly tomahawk.</i> But to -my surprise the Indians took it up, cursed me bitterly, and put it on my -shoulder again. I took it off the second time, and threw it on the ground, -and again closed my eyes with the assurance that I should meet death; but, -instead of this, the savages again took up the horn, and with an -indignant, frightful countenance, came and placed it on again. I took it -off the third time, and was determined to effect it; and therefore threw -it as far as I was able from me, over the rocks. The savage immediately -went after it, while the one who had claimed me as his squaw, and who had -stood and witnessed the transaction, came up to me, and said, "well done, -I did right, and was a good squaw, and that the other was a lazy son of a -b—h; he might carry it himself." I cannot now sufficiently admire the -indulgent care of a gracious God, that at this moment preserved me amidst -so many temptations from the tomahawk and scalping knife.</p> - -<p>The savages now changed their position, and the one who claimed me as his -squaw went behind. This movement, I believe, was to prevent the other from -doing me any injury; and we went on till we struck the Connequenessing at -the Salt Lick, about two miles above Butler, where was an Indian camp, -where we arrived a little before dark, having no refreshment during the -day.</p> - -<p>The camp was made of stakes driven in the ground sloping, and covered with -chestnut bark, and appeared sufficiently long for fifty men. The camp -appeared to have been occupied for some time; it was very much beaten, and -large beaten paths went out from it in different directions.</p> - -<p>That night they took me about three hundred yards from the camp, up a run, -into a large dark bottom, where they cut the brush in a thicket, and -placed a blanket on the ground, and permitted me to sit down with my -child. They then pinioned my arms back, only with a little liberty, so -that it was with difficulty that I managed my child. Here, in this dreary -situation, without fire or refreshment, having an infant to take care of -and my arms bound behind me, and having a savage on each side of me who -had killed two of my dear children that day, I had to pass the first night -of my captivity.</p> - -<p>Ye mothers, who have never lost a child by an inhuman savage, or endured -the almost indescribable misery here related, may nevertheless think a -little (though it be but little) what I endured; and hence, now you are -enjoying sweet repose and the comforts of a peaceful and well-replenished -habitation, sympathize with me a little, as one who was a pioneer in the -work of cultivation and civilization.</p> - -<p>But the trials and dangers of the day I had passed had so completely -exhausted nature, that, notwithstanding my unpleasant situation, and <i>my -determination to escape if possible,</i> I insensibly fell asleep, and -repeatedly dreamed of my escape and safe arrival in Pittsburgh, and -several things relating to the town, of which I knew nothing at the time, -but found to be true when I arrived there. The first night passed away, -and I found no means of escape, for the savages kept watch the whole of -the night, without any sleep.</p> - -<p>In the morning, one of them left us to watch the trail or path we had -come, to see if any white people were pursuing us. During the absence of -the Indian, who was the one that claimed me, the other, who remained with -me, and who was the murderer of my last boy, took from his bosom his -scalp, and prepared a hoop and stretched the scalp upon it. Those mothers -who have not seen the like done by one of the scalps of their own -children, (and few, if any, ever had so much misery to endure,) will be -able to form but faint ideas of the feelings which then harrowed up my -soul! I meditated revenge! While he was in the very act, I attempted to -take his tomahawk, which hung by his side and rested on the ground, and -had nearly succeeded, and was, as I thought, about to give the fatal blow; -when, alas! I was detected.</p> - -<p>The savage felt me at his tomahawk handle, turned round upon me, cursed -me, and told me I was a Yankee; thus insinuating he understood my -intention, and to prevent me from doing so again, faced me. My excuse to -him for handling his tomahawk was, that my child wanted to play with the -handle of it. Here again I wondered at my merciful preservation, for the -looks of the savage were terrific in the extreme; and these, I apprehend, -were only an index to his heart. But God was my preserver.</p> - -<p>The savage who went upon the look-out in the morning came back about 12 -o'clock, and had discovered no pursuers. Then the one who had been -guarding me went out on the same errand. The savage who was now my guard -began to examine me about the white people, the strength of the armies -going against them, &c., and boasted largely of their achievements in the -preceding fall, at the defeat of General St. Clair.</p> - -<p>He then examined into the plunder which he had brought from our house the -day before. He found my pocket-book and money in his plunder. There were -ten dollars in silver, and a half a guinea in gold in the book. During -this day they gave me a piece of dry venison, about the bulk of an egg, -and a piece about the same size the day we were marching, for my support -and that of my child; but owing to the blows I had received from them in -my jaws, I was unable to eat a bit of it. I broke it up, and gave it to -the child.</p> - -<p>The savage on the look-out returned about dark. This evening, (Monday the -23d,) they moved me to another station in the same valley, and secured me -as they did the preceding night. Thus I found myself the second night -between two Indians, without fire or refreshment. During this night I was -frequently asleep, notwithstanding my unpleasant situation, and as often -dreamed of my arrival in Pittsburgh.</p> - -<p>Early on the morning of the 24th, a flock of mocking birds and robins -hovered over us, as we lay in our uncomfortable bed, and sung, and said, -at least to my imagination, that I was to get up and go off. As soon as -day broke, one of the Indians went off again to watch the trail, as on the -preceding day, and he who was left to take care of me, appeared to be -sleeping. When I perceived this, I lay still and began to snore as though -asleep, and he fell asleep.</p> - -<p>Then I concluded it was time to escape. I found it impossible to injure -him for my child at the breast, as I could not effect any thing without -putting the child down, and then it would cry and give the alarm; so I -contented myself with taking from a pillow-case of plunder, taken from our -house, a short gown, handkerchief, and child's frock, and so made my -escape; the sun then being about half an hour high.</p> - -<p>I took a direction from home, at first, being guided by the birds before -mentioned, and in order to deceive the Indians, then took over the hill, -and struck the Connequenessing creek about two miles from where I crossed -it with the Indians, and went down the stream till about two o'clock in -the afternoon, over rocks, precipices, thorns, briars, &c., with my bare -feet and legs. I then discovered by the sun, and the running of the -stream, that I was on the wrong course, and going from, instead of coming -nearer home. I then changed my course, ascended a hill, and sat down till -sunset, and the evening star made its appearance, when I discovered the -way I should travel; and having marked out the direction I intended to -take the next morning, I collected some leaves, made up a bed and laid -myself down and slept, though my feet being full of thorns, began to be -very painful, and I had nothing still to eat for myself or child.</p> - -<p>The next morning, (Friday, 25th of May,) about the breaking of the day I -was aroused from my slumbers by the flock of birds before mentioned, which -still continued with me, and having them to guide me through the -wilderness. As soon as it was sufficiently light for me to find my way, I -started for the fourth day's trial of hunger and fatigue.</p> - -<p>There was nothing very material occurred on this day while I was -traveling, and I made the best of my way, according to my knowledge, -towards the Allegheny river. In the evening, about the going down of the -sun, a moderate rain came on, and I began to prepare for my bed by -collecting some leaves together, as I had done the night before; but could -not collect a sufficient quantity without setting my little boy on the -ground; but as soon as I put him out of my arms he began to cry. Fearful -of the consequence of his noise in this situation, I took him in my arms, -and put him to the breast immediately, and he became quiet. I then stood -and listened, and <i>distinctly heard the footsteps of a man coming after -me</i> in the same direction I had come! The ground over which I had been -traveling was good, and the mould was light; I had therefore left my -footmarks, and thus exposed myself to a <i>second captivity!</i> Alarmed at my -perilous situation, I looked around for a place of safety, and -<i>providentially</i> discovered a large tree which had fallen, into the tops -of which I crept, with my child in my arms, and there hid myself securely -under the limbs. The darkness of the night greatly assisted me, and -prevented me from detection.</p> - -<p>The footsteps I heard were those of a savage. He heard the cry of the -child, and came to the very spot where the child cried, and there he -halted, put down his gun, and was at this time so near that I heard the -wiping stick strike against his gun distinctly.</p> - -<p>My getting in under the tree, and sheltering myself from the rain, and -pressing my boy to my bosom, got him warm, and most providentially he fell -asleep, and lay very still during the time of my danger at that time. All -was still and quiet, the savage was listening if by possibility he might -again hear the cry he had heard before. My own heart was the only thing I -feared, and that beat so loud that I was apprehensive it would betray me. -It is almost impossible to conceive or to believe the wonderful effect my -situation produced upon my whole system.</p> - -<p>After the savage had stood and listened with nearly the stillness of death -for two hours, the sound of a bell, and a cry like that of a night-owl, -signals which were given to him from his savage companions, induced him to -answer, and after he had given a most horrid yell, which was calculated to -harrow up my soul, he started, and went off to join them.</p> - -<p>After the retreat of the savage to his companions, I concluded it unsafe -to remain in my concealed situation till morning, lest they should -conclude upon a second search, and being favored with the light of day -find me, and either tomahawk or scalp me, or otherwise bear me back to my -captivity again, which was worse than death.</p> - -<p>But by this time nature was nearly exhausted, and I found some difficulty -in moving from my situation that night; yet, compelled by necessity and a -love of self-preservation, I threw my coat about my child, and placed the -end between my teeth, and with one arm and my teeth I carried the child, -and with the other arm groped my way between the trees, and traveled on as -I supposed a mile or two, and there sat down at the root of a tree till -the morning. The night was cold and wet; and thus terminated the fourth -day and night's difficulties, trials, hunger, and danger.</p> - -<p>The fifth day, Saturday, 26th May, wet and exhausted, hungry and wretched, -I started from my resting-place in the morning as soon as I could see my -way, and on that morning struck the bead waters of Pine Creek, which falls -into the Allegheny about four miles above Pittsburgh; though I knew not -then what waters they were, but crossed them, and on the opposite bank I -found a path, and discovered in it two moccasin tracks, fresh indented, -and the men who had made them were before me, and traveling on the same -direction that I was traveling. This alarmed me; but as they were before -me, and traveling in the same direction as I was, I concluded I could see -them as soon as they could see me; and therefore I pressed on in that path -for about three miles, when I came to the forks where another branch -empties into the creek, and where a hunter's camp, where the two men, -whose tracks I had before discovered and followed, had been, and kindled -a fire and breakfasted, and had left the fire burning.</p> - -<p>I here became more alarmed, and came to a determination to leave the path. -I then ascended a hill, and crossed a ridge toward Squaw run, and came -upon a trail or path. Here I stopped and meditated what to do; and while -I was thus musing, I saw three deers coming toward me in full speed; they -turned to look at their pursuers; I looked too with all attention, and saw -the flash of a gun, and then heard the report as soon as the gun was -fired. I saw some dogs start after them, and began to look about for a -shelter, and immediately made for a large log, and hid myself behind it; -but most providentially I did not go clear to the log; had I done so, I -might have lost my life by the bites of rattle-snakes; for as I put my -hand to the ground to raise myself, that I might see what was become of -the hunters and who they were, I saw a large heap of rattle-snakes, and -the top one was very large, and coiled up very near my face, and quite -ready to bite me. This compelled me to leave this situation, let the -consequences be what they might.</p> - -<p>In consequence of this occurrence, I again left my course, bearing to the -left, and came upon the head waters of Squaw run, and kept down the run -the remainder of that day.</p> - -<p>During the day it rained, and I was in a very deplorable situation; so -cold and shivering were my limbs, that frequently, in opposition to all -my struggles, I gave an involuntary groan. I suffered intensely this day -from hunger, though my jaws were so far recovered from the injury they -sustained from the blows of the Indians, that wherever I could I procured -grape vines, and chewed them for a little sustenance. In the evening I -came within one mile of the Allegheny river, though I was ignorant of it -at the time; and there, at the root of a tree, through a most tremendous -night's rain, I took up my fifth night's lodgings; and in order to shelter -my infant at much as possible, I placed him in my lap, and placed my head -against the tree, and thus let the rain fall upon me.</p> - -<p>On the sixth (that was Sabbath) morning from my captivity, I found myself -unable, for a very considerable time, to raise myself from the ground; and -when I had once more, by hard struggling, got myself upon my feet, and -started upon the sixth day's encounter, nature <i>was so nearly exhausted, -and my spirits were so completely depressed,</i> that my progress was -amazingly slow and discouraging.</p> - -<p>In this almost helpless condition, I had not gone far before I came to a -path where there had been cattle traveling; I took the path, under the -impression that it would lead me to the abode of some white people, and by -traveling it about one mile, I came to an uninhabited cabin; and though I -was in a river bottom, yet I knew not where I was, nor yet on what river -bank I had come. Here I was seized with the feelings of despair, and -under those feelings I went to the threshold of the uninhabited cabin, and -concluded that I would <i>enter and lie down and die;</i> as death would have -been to me an <i>angel of mercy</i> in such a <i>situation,</i> and would have -removed me from all my misery.</p> - -<p>Such were my feelings at this distressing moment, and had it not been for -the recollection of those sufferings which my <i>infant</i> would endure, who -would survive for some time after I was dead, I should have carried my -determination into execution. Here, too, I heard the sound of a cow bell, -which imparted a <i>gleam of hope to my desponding mind.</i> I followed the -sound of the bell till I came opposite to the fort at the Six Mile Island.</p> - -<p>When I came there, I saw three men on the opposite bank of the river. My -feelings at the sight of these were better felt than described. I called -to the men, but they seemed unwilling to risk the danger of coming after -me, and requested to know who I was. I replied that I was one who had been -taken prisoner by the Indians on the Allegheny river on last Tuesday -morning, and had made my escape from them. They requested me to walk up -the bank of the river for a while, that they might see if the Indians -were making a decoy of me or not; but I replied to them that my feet were -so sore that I could not walk.</p> - -<p>Then one of them, James Closier, got into a canoe to fetch me over, and -the other two stood on the bank, with their rifles cocked, ready to fire -on the Indians, provided they were using me as a decoy. When Mr. Closier -came near to the shore, and saw my haggard and dejected situation, he -exclaimed, "who, in the name of God, are you?" This man was one of my -nearest neighbors before I was taken; yet in six days I was so much -altered that he did not know me, either by my voice or my countenance.</p> - -<p>When I landed on the inhabited side of the river, the people from the fort -came running out to the boat to see me; they took the child from me, and -now I felt safe from all danger, I found myself unable to move or to -assist myself in any degree; whereupon the people took me and carried me -out of the boat to the house of Mr. Cortus.</p> - -<p>Here, when I felt I was secure from the ravages and cruelties of the -barbarians, for the first time since my captivity my feelings returned -with all their poignancy. When I was dragged from my bed and from my home, -a prisoner with the savages; when the in-human butchers dashed the brains -of one of my dear children out on the door-sill, and afterward scalped him -before my eyes; when they took and tomahawked, scalped, and stabbed -another of them before me on the island; and when, with still more -barbarous feelings, they afterward made a hoop, and stretched his scalp -on it; nor yet, when I endured hunger, cold, and nearly nakedness, and at -the same time my infant sucking my very blood to support it, I never wept. -No! it was too, too much for nature. A tear then would have been too great -a luxury. And it is more than probable, that tears at these seasons of -distress would have been fatal in their consequences; for savages despise -a tear. But now that my danger was removed, and I was delivered from the -pangs of the barbarians, the tears flowed freely, and imparted a happiness -beyond what I ever experienced before, or ever expect to experience in -this world.</p> - -<p>When I was taken into the house, having been so long from fire, and having -endured so much from hunger for a long period, the heat of the fire, and -the smell of the victuals, which the kindness of the people immediately -induced them to provide for me, caused me to faint. Some of the people -attempted to restore me and some of them put some clothes upon me. But the -kindness of these friends would, in all probability, have killed me, had -it not been for the providential arrival from down the river, of Major -M<sup>c</sup>Culley, who then commanded the line along the river. When he came in and -saw my situation, and the provisions they were making for me, he became -greatly alarmed, and immediately ordered me out of the house, from the -heat and smell; prohibited my taking any thing but the whey of buttermilk, -and that in very small quantities, which he administered with his own -hands. Through this judicious management of my almost lost situation, I -was mercifully restored again to my senses, and very gradually to my -health and strength.</p> - -<p>Two of the females, Sarah Carter and Mary Ann Crozier, then began to take -out the thorns from my feet and legs; and Mr. Felix Negley, who now lives -at the mouth of Bull Creek, twenty miles above Pittsburgh, stood by and -counted the thorns as the women took them out, and there were one hundred -and fifty drawn out, though they were not all extracted at that time, for -the next evening, at Pittsburgh, there were many more taken out. The flesh -was mangled dreadfully, and the skin and flesh were hanging in pieces on -my feet and legs. The wounds were not healed for a considerable time. -Some of the thorns went through my feet and came out on the top. For two -weeks I was unable to put my feet to the ground to walk.</p> - -<p>Besides which, the rain to which I was exposed by night, and the heat of -the sun, to which my almost naked body was exposed by day, together with -my carrying my child so long in my arms without any relief, and any -shelter from the heat of the day or the storms of the night, caused nearly -all the skin of my body to come off, so that my body was raw nearly all -over.</p> - -<p>The news of my arrival at the station spread with great rapidity. The two -spies took the intelligence that evening as far as Coe's station, and the -next morning to Reed's station, to my husband.</p> - -<p>As the intelligence spread, the town of Pittsburgh, and the country for -twenty miles round, was all in a state of commotion. About sunset the same -evening, my husband came to see me in Pittsburgh, and I was taken back to -Coe's station on Tuesday morning. In the evening I gave the account of the -murder of my boy on the island. The next morning (Wednesday) there was a -scout went out, and found it by my direction, and buried it, after being -murdered nine days.</p> -<br><br><br> - <p class="direct"><i>Copy of a Letter from Mr. John Corbly, a Baptist Minister, to his - friend in Philadelphia, dated</i></p> - - <p class="exit">Muddy Creek, Penn, Sept. 1, 1793.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"The following are the particulars of the destruction of my unfortunate -family by the savages:—On the 10th May last, being my appointment to -preach at one of my meeting houses, about a mile from my dwelling-house, -I set out with my loving wife and five children for public worship. Not -suspecting any danger, I walked behind a few rods, with my Bible in my -hand, meditating. As I was thus employed, on a sudden I was greatly -alarmed by the shrieks of my dear family before me. I immediately ran to -their relief with all possible speed, vainly hunting a club as I ran. When -within a few yards of them, my poor wife observing me, cried out to me to -make my escape. At this instant an Indian ran up to shoot me. I had to -strip, and by so doing outran him. My wife had an infant in her arms, -which the Indians killed and scalped. After which they struck my wife -several times, but not bringing her to the ground, the Indian who -attempted to shoot me approached her, and shot her through the body; after -which they scalped her. My little son, about six years old, they -dispatched by sinking their hatchets in his brains. My little daughter, -four years old, they in like manner tomahawked and scalped. My eldest -daughter attempted an escape by concealing herself in a hollow tree, about -six rods from the fatal scene of action. Observing the Indians retiring, -as she supposed, she deliberately crept from the place of her concealment, -when one of the Indians, who yet remained on the ground, espying her, ran -up to her, and with his tomahawk knocked down and scalped her. But, -blessed be God, she yet survives, as does her little sister whom the -savages in the like manner tomahawked and scalped. They are mangled to a -shocking degree, but the doctors think there are some hopes of their -recovery.</p> - -<p>"When I supposed the Indians gone, I returned to see what had become of my -unfortunate family, whom, alas! I found in the situation above described. -No one, my dear friend, can form a true conception of my feelings at this -moment. A view of a scene so shocking to humanity quite overcome me. I -fainted, and was unconsciously borne off by a friend, who at that instant -arrived to my relief.</p> - -<p>"Thus, dear sir, have I given you a faithful, though a short narrative of -the fatal catastrophe; amidst which my life is spared, but for what -purpose the Great Jehovah best knows. Oh, may I spend it to the praise and -glory of His grace, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own -will. The government of the world and the church is in his hands. I -conclude with wishing you every blessing, and subscribe myself your -affectionate though afflicted friend, and unworthy brother in the gospel -ministry,</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">John Corbly</span>"</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. IX.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 376.]</span></p> - - - <p class="exit"><i>Miamis Rapids, May</i> 7th, 1794.</p> - -<p>Two Deputies from the Three Nations of the Glaize arrived here yesterday, -with a speech from the Spaniards, brought by the Delawares residing near -their posts, which was repeated in a council held this day, to the -following nations now at this place, viz:—</p> -<table> - <tr><td>Wyandots, </td><td>Mingoes,</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ottawas, </td><td>Munseys,</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chippewas, </td><td>Nanticokes.</td></tr> -</table> -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Grand-children and Brethren,</span></p> - -<p>We are just arrived from the Spanish settlements upon the Mississippi, and -are come to inform you what they have said to us in a late council. These -are their words:</p> - -<p>Children Delawares,</p> - <p class="exit"><i>Six Strings White Wampum,</i></p> - -<p>{TN: Icon of hand pointing to right} "Pointing to this country." When -you first came from that country to ask my protection, and when you told -me you had escaped from the heat of a great fire that was like to scorch -you to death, I took yon by the hand and under my protection, and told you -to look about for a piece of land to hunt on and plant for the support of -yourselves and families in this country, which the Great Spirit had given -for our mutual benefit and support. I told you at the same time that I -would watch over it, and when anything threatened us with danger, that I -would immediately speak to you; and that when I did speak to you, that it -would behoove you to be strong and listen to my words.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Delivered six Strings White Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>The Spaniard then, addressing himself to all the nations who were present, -said,—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> These were my words to all the nations here present, as well as -to your grand-fathers, the Delawares. Now, Children, I have called you -together to communicate to you certain intelligence of a large force -assembling on the Shawanoe river to invade our country. It has given me -very great satisfaction to observe the strong confederacy formed among -you, and I have no doubt of your ready assistance to repel this force.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> You see me now on my feet, and grasping the tomahawk to strike -them.</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> We will strike them together. I do not desire yon to go before -me, in the front, but to follow me. These people have too long disturbed -our country, and have extinguished many of our council fires. They are -but a trifling people compared to the white people now combined against -them, and determined to crush them for their evil deeds. They must by this -time be surrounded with enemies, as all the white nations are against -them. Your French Father also speaks through me to you on this occasion, -and tells you that those of his subjects who have joined the Big-knives, -are only a few of his disobedient children who have joined the disobedient -in this country; but as we are strong and unanimous, we hope, by the -assistance of the Great Spirit, to put a stop to their mischievous -designs.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Delivered a bunch Black Wampum.</i></p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> Now I present you with a war-pipe, which has been sent in all -our names to the Musquakies, and all those nations who live toward the -setting of the sun, to get upon their feet and take hold of our tomahawk; -and as soon as they smoked it they sent it back, with a promise to get -immediately on their feet to join us and strike this enemy. Their -particular answer to me was as follows:</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Father,</span> We have long seen the designs of the Big-knives against our -country, and also of some of our own color, particularly the Kaskaskies, -who have always spoke with the same tongue as the Big-knives. They must -not escape our revenge; nor must you, Father, endeavor to prevent our -extirpating them. Two other tribes of our color, the Piankishaws and the -Cayaughkians who have been strongly attached to our enemies the -Big-knives, shall share the same fate with the Kaskaskies."</p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> You hear what these distant nations have said to us, so that we -have nothing farther to do but put our designs in immediate execution, and - to forward this pipe to the three warlike nations who have so long been -struggling for their country, and who now sit at the Glaize. Tell them to -smoke this pipe, and to forward it to all the Lake Indians and their -northern brethren; then nothing will be wanting to complete our general -union from the rising to the setting of the sun, and all nations will be -ready to add strength to the blow we are going to make.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Delivered a War-Pipe.</i></p> - -<p>"<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Children,</span> I now deliver you a Message from the Creeks, Cherokees, and -Choctaws and Chickasaws, who desire you to be strong in uniting -yourselves; and tell you it has given them pleasure to hear you have been -so unanimous in listening to your Spanish Father; and they acquaint you -that their hearts are joined to ours, and that there are eleven nations of -the southern Indians now on their feet with the hatchet in their hand, -ready to strike our common enemy.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Black Strings of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>The Deputies of the Three Nations of the Glaize, after speaking the above -speeches from the Spaniards, addressed themselves to the several nations -in council, in the following manner:</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> You have now heard the speeches brought to our council at the -Glaize a few days ago from the Spaniards, and as soon as they heard them -and smoked the pipe, their hearts were glad, and they determined to step -forward and put into execution the advice sent them. They desire you to -forward the pipe, as has been recommended, to all our northern brethren, -not doubting but as soon as you have smoked it, you will follow their -example; and they will hourly expect you to join them, as it will not be -many days before the nearness of our enemies will give us an opportunity -of striking them.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Delivered the Pipe.</i></p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brothers,</span> Our Grand-fathers, the Delawares, spoke first in our late -council at the Glaize, on this piece of painted tobacco and this painted -Black Wampum, and expressed their happiness at what they had heard from -their Spanish Father and their brethren to the westward, and desired us -to tell you to forward this tobacco and Wampum to the Wyandots, to be sent -to all the Lake Indians, and inform them that in eight days they would be -ready to go against the Virginians, who are now so near us, and that -according to the number of Indians collected, they would either engage -the army or attempt to cut off their supplies. The Delawares also desired -us to say to the Wyandots, that, as they are our elder brethren, and took -the lead in all our affairs last summer, it was thought strange that none -of them were now there to put the resolution then formed into execution. -It is true, some of them went last Fall when it was thought too late, and -the assembling of the nations put off till spring; but the spring is now -far advanced, and none of them have yet come.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Delivered the Tobacco and Wampum.</i></p> - -<p>Egouchouay answered for all the nations present:—Brothers, I am happy at -the good news you have told us, and we will immediately go and collect -all our people, and be with you as soon as possible.</p> - -<p class="list"> (Signed) <span style="font-variant:small-caps">A. M<sup>c</sup>Kee, D. A. I. A.</span></p> - -<p>A true copy, <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thomas Talbot.</span></p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. X.</p> - - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 406.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The Chiefs to Sir John Johnson.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Grand River, Feb.</i> 6, 1802.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Our Dear Friend,</span></p> - -<p>"We take the opportunity of Moses Johnson's going to Canada, to trouble -you with this the easiest method that the distance of our situation from -each other allows of, to communicate our sentiments to you. We wish to -acquaint you, that last Fall, at our usual meeting at the beach, we made -a speech to Captain Claus, which he has not yet fully answered. It was -principally respecting the letter you wrote to Captain Brant, when you was -at Niagara last summer, which we were sorry to find so severe; and as we -are sensible that he has never attempted any thing to the detriment of the -British interest, we were much surprised to find that his conduct seemed -to give umbrage there. As to the uneasiness you mentioned prevailed at -Grand River, we are entirely ignorant of any such thing among us who -manage the affairs of the tribes living here; and as he is our appointed -agent, he yet never acts without our approbation in whatever regards the -public; consequently, if any of his transactions have given offence, we -are all equally culpable. Therefore, if customs are so much changed with -you, that the following the tracks of our predecessor gives umbrage, we -hope, from our ancient friendship, you will inform us wherein it injures -the interests of our brethren, for then our regard for their welfare will -cause us to desist; and if there is a change in politics, don't let us -remain ignorant of it; for ignorance might cause us unwittingly to give -offence. As you know that not long ago a friendly correspondence and union -with the different nations seemed to give pleasure to our brothers, we yet -remain of the same sentiments, for we could not lightly drop what we took -so much pains to begin; and we can yet hardly persuade ourselves that you -have changed your sentiments; but if it is the case, we hope you will do -us the favor fully to acquaint us, that we may not be liable to give -uneasiness where we really mean none.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I have the honor to be - Your humble and most obed't servt., - (Signed) <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Aaron Hill.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "In behalf of the Chiefs of the Mohawk, - Oghkwaga, Onondaga, Cayuga, - and Seneca Nations, living on the - Grand River."</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XI.</p> - - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 411.]</span></p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Governor Clinton to Captain Brant.</span></p> - - <p class="exit">"<i>Greenwich,</i> 1<i>st December,</i> 1799.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"On my return from the country about a month ago, I was favored with your -letter of the 4th of September. I am much gratified by the determination -you express of furnishing Doctor Miller with the information he requested -of you, and I hope, as the work for which it is wanted is progressing, -you will find leisure to do it soon. I am confident he will make a fair -and honorable use of it; and, as far as he shall be enabled, correct the -erroneous representations of former authors respecting your nations.</p> - -<p>"I am surprised to find that you have not received my answer to your -letter of the 11th January last. It was inclosed and forwarded as -requested, to Mr. Peter W. Yates of Albany. Had it reached you, I presume -you will find, from the copy I now inclose, it would have been -satisfactory; but as a particular detail of what passed between the -Coghnawagoes and me, respecting their lands, may be more agreeable, I will -now repeat it to you as far as my recollection will enable me:—</p> - -<p>"In the Winter of 1792-1793, our Legislature being in session in Albany, -a committee from the seven nations or tribes of Lower Canada attended -there, with whom I had several conferences. They complained that some of -our people had settled on their lands near Lake Champlain and on the River -St. Lawrence, and requested that Commissioners might be appointed to -inquire into the matter, and treat with them on the subject. In my answer -to their speeches I mentioned that it was difficult to define their rights -and their boundaries; that it was to be presumed that the Indian rights to -a considerable part of the lands on the borders of the lake had been -extinguished by the French Government before the conquest of Canada, as -those lands, or the greater part of them, had been granted to individuals -by that government before that period. In their reply, they described -their southern boundary as commencing at a creek or run of water between -Forts Edward and George, which empties into South Bay, and from thence -extending on a direct line to a large meadow or swamp, where the Canada -Creek, which empties into the Mohawk opposite Fort Hendrick, the Black and -Oswegatchie Rivers have their sources. Upon which I observed to them that -this line would interfere with lands patented by the British Government -previous to the Revolution, and particularly mentioned Totten and -Crossfield's purchase and Jessup's patent; but I mentioned, at the same -time, that I was neither authorised nor disposed to controvert their -claims, which I would submit to the Legislature, who I could not doubt -would pay due attention to them, and adopt proper measures to effect a -settlement with them upon fair and liberal terms. This I accordingly did; -and some time after Commissioners were appointed to treat with them in -the presence of an agent of the United States, the result of which I find -you are informed of.</p> - -<p>"I believe you will readily agree that no inference could be drawn from -anything that passed on the above occasion to countenance the charge made -against your nations. The mentioning and interference of their boundaries, -as above stated, with tracts patented under the British Colonial -Government, could certainly have no allusion to the cessions made by the -Six Nations, or either of them, to the state; especially as (if I -recollect right) those cessions are of the territory of the respective -nations by whom they were made without defining them by any particular -boundaries, and subject only to the reservations described in the deed.</p> - -<p>"I wish it was in my power to transmit you copies of their speeches and -my answers at full length; but it is not, for the reasons mentioned in my -former letter. Should they, however, be deemed necessary by you, I will -endeavor to procure and forward them. In the meantime you may rest assured -that what I have above related the substance of them.</p> - -<p class="list"> "I am, with great regard and esteem, - Your most obed't servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Geo. Clinton.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>Col. Joseph Brant.</i>"</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 416.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct">CERTIFICATE OF GENERAL CHAPIN.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">I certify I</span> have been personally acquainted with Captain Joseph Brant for -fourteen years past; that during this time have frequently been with him -in treaties and councils held between the people of the United States and -the Five Nations of Indians. That during the time aforesaid, my father, -Israel Chapin, Esq. held the office of Indian affairs for the Five Nations -of Indians, under the President of the United States; and during his -agency, Captain Brant was several times in the States in transacting -business of importance. At one time, in particular, he was invited to the -seat of Government of the United States for the purpose of consulting upon -means for restoring the Indians then hostile to the United States to a -general peace; which visit occasioned some suspicions and censures against -Captain Brant by certain characters residing in the province where he -belonged. That, through the instigation of certain persons, jealousies -have arisen, not only among some white people, but among his own also. -That the jealousies of his own people are easily awakened; and solely upon -this ground they have proceeded in the Indian forms to disown him as a -Chief. That the Seneca Indians, with some others residing within the -territory of the United States, who have had the disposal of a -considerable part of the Five Nations' lands, and have sold, and do -actually receive annuities from the people of the United States annually -for the same, have been the principal actors in deposing him. That after -the death of my father I succeeded him in the office, as aforesaid, and -during my own agency had frequent meetings with Captain Brant in Indian -councils, &c. And I do further certify, that during the whole of my -acquaintance with Captain Brant, he has conducted himself with honor and -integrity. That, so far from conducting himself in secrecy, or in any way -inclining to alienate himself from the British government, or in doing -anything that might be prejudicial to the Indians; on the other hand, he -has frankly avowed that he would strenuously adhere to the Government and -interest of the people to which he belonged; that his honor and friendship -for the Indian nations were so near his heart, that nothing should -occasion him to do any thing incompatible with his duty; and that his own -time and trouble have been expended and greatly prolonged in doing every -thing in his power to promote the interest of his nation and those allied -to them. And Captain Brant having called on me to certify my opinion as -aforesaid, I am free to declare to any who may be concerned, that from a -long and intimate acquaintance I have good reason to make the remarks as -aforesaid.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Israel Chapin,</span> - <i>Agent of Indian Affairs for the Five Nations.</i></p> - -<p class="list"> Canandaigua, in the western part of the } - State of N. Y., Oct. 28th, 1805. }</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XIII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 417.]</span></p> - - - <p class="direct">CERTIFICATE OF CAPTAIN LEONARD AND OTHERS.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">We,</span> the subscribers, certify, that in the month of April last there came -to Fort Niagara about forty Seneca Indians, among whom were the Farmer's -Brother, Red Jacket, Jack Berry, and other Chiefs. While at Niagara, -detained by ice, we heard them say in public and private conversation, -that they were going into Upper Canada for the express purpose of breaking -Captain Brant, a Mohawk Chief. We also certify that the Seneca Chiefs -above named reside within the United States.</p> - -<p>Given under our hands at Fort Niagara, this 20th day of October 1805.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">W. Leonard,</span> Capt. U. S. Artillery, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">G. Armistead,</span> Lieut. U. S. Artillery. - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">H. M. Allen,</span> Lieut. U. S. Artillery, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Robert Lee,</span> Col. of the Revenue. - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XIV.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 418.]</span></p> - - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Proceedings</span> of a Council held at the Grand River, the 29th day of June, -1804, with the Six Nations, viz: Mohawks, Oneydas, Onondagas, Cayougas, -Senecas, and Tuscaroras; and the following Nations,—Tutulies, Delawares, -and Nanticokes.</p> - -<p class="list"> Present,</p> - -<p class="list"> Lieut. Col. Brock, 49th <i>Reg't. Commanding,</i> - William Claus, Esq., <i>Dept'y Supt. Gen. of Indian Affairs.</i> - James Gwins, Esq., <i>Agent of Indian Affairs.</i> - Lieut. Cary, 49th <i>Regiment.</i> - Lieut. Stratton, 49th <i>Regiment.</i> - William Dickson, Esq. - Richard Beasley, Esq. - Alexander Stewart, Esq. - Mr. W. I. Chew, <i>Store-keeper and Clerk Indian Dep.</i> - Benj. Fairchild, } - J. B. Rousseau, } <i>Interpreters Indian Dep.</i></p> - -<p>The Deputy Superintendent General addressed the Chiefs as follows:—</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren</span>, It gives me great satisfaction to meet you at this place, and -in presence of so many of the King's officers and others this day, to -renew our assurances of friendship, which I hope will continue -uninterrupted as long as the waters run.</p> - -<p>I dispel the darkness which hangs over you by reason of your many losses. -I most heartily wish you may enjoy a serene and clear sky; so that you may -be able to see your brethren from the sun-rising to the sun-setting.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren?</span>, I must admonish and exhort you that you will at all times, but -more especially at this juncture, pluck from your hearts and cast away all -discords, jealousies, and misunderstandings which may subsist among you, -or which any evil spirits may endeavor to raise in your breasts.</p> - -<p>I therefore, with this Wampum, make this Council-room clean from every -thing offensive, and hope that you will take care that no snake may creep -in among us, or any thing that may obstruct our harmony.</p> - - <p class="exit"><i>Bunch of Wampum.</i></p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren</span>, I have but a few words to speak, as the fewer that is said the -easier you will understand and comprehend. Last year, about the time your -corn was getting hard, I had the pleasure of seeing you at the King, your -Great Father's council fire at Niagara. I then addressed you on the -business of your land transactions. I informed you then that General -Hunter had taken your affairs into his most deliberate consideration, and -what the result of those considerations were.</p> - -<p>Since that time some people have come forward to pay for the township -which was sold to Mr. Beasley and his associates; and the only thing which -now remains upon the minds of your trustees, and which they cannot answer -for, (unless you, in the most public manner, express your satisfaction,) -is the statement made by Mr. Beasley of monies said to have been paid on -your account to your agent, Captain Brant.</p> - -<p>I will here explain to you the sums said to have been paid; and if you are -satisfied, the necessary discharges will then be given, and your business, -I hope, carried on in future more to your satisfaction, and also of the -others concerned.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brethren</span>, The following sums are stated by Mr. Beasley to have been paid -by him, and boards delivered by his order.</p> - -<p>[Here follows the statement of the pecuniary transactions of Captain -Brant, as the agent of the Mohawk Nation, which there is no occasion to -transcribe in this place.]</p> - -<p>If you wish to consult among yourselves before you give your answer, as I -wish you to do, I shall wait until you are ready, as it is necessary that -this business should come to a close; but do not let us hurry, take time -and weigh the matter well; if you are satisfied that the statement of the -account is just, I will lay before you a paper to sign, which shall be -explained to you, that you may perfectly comprehend and understand it.</p> - -<p>I must farther inform you, that I hope every man that attends for the -purpose of executing the above papers may keep from liquor, as I am -determined no name shall appear there, unless the whole council are -perfectly sober.</p> - -<p>Before we cover the fire to-day, I must inform you that the King's -Council, with the approbation of General Hunter, have given themselves a -great deal of pains in inquiring and seeing that justice should be done to -the Six Nations in this business, for which I am confident you will -acknowledge yourselves sensible.</p> - -<p>I have further to mention to you, that the Governor in Council have -thought it for the advantage, benefit, and interest of the Six Nations, -that Sir John Johnson should be added as a Trustee for the Six Nations, -but it is left for you to consider and say whether he is, or is not, to be -added to those who are now acting for you.</p> - -<p>I shall now retire, and when you have finished consulting, I shall be -ready to attend you.</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>Large Bunch of Wampum.</i>]</p> - -<p>30<i>th June.</i> Present the same as yesterday.</p> - -<p>I am much pleased that you have so clearly comprehended what I said to you -yesterday, and as you are unanimously agreed to admit of the account as -just, the following is the paper which it will be necessary for your -principal people to sign; but before I go further, I must tell you that -your expressions of friendship for me draws from me the warmest sense of -feeling. I shall ever endeavor to preserve your esteem and regard, and -you may rest assured that my constant exertions shall be for your interest -and happiness.</p> - -<p>We, the Sachems and principal War Chiefs, Warriors, and principal women of -the Six Nations, having taken into mature consideration the said account, -and having examined the several items and entries therein, and the whole -having been explained to us in the fullest manner, declare that we -perfectly understand and comprehend the same; do hereby unanimously -approve thereof as just and true; and do fully admit and acknowledge that -the several sums of money set down and charged in the said account as -payments made by Mr. Beasley, to and for the use of the Six Nations, were -really and truly made; and that the boards and materials charged in the -same accounts were actually furnished by Mr. Beasley, also to and for the -use of the Six Nations.</p> - -<p>In testimony whereof, the aforesaid Sachems, principal War Chiefs, -Warriors, and principal Women of the Six Nations, in behalf of the Body of -the said Six Nations, have to these presents (done in triplicate) set our -hands and affixed our seals at the Council House at the Mohawk Village on -the Grand River, this 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1804, and -forty fourth year of his Majesty's reign.</p> -<table> -<tr><td>Tekarihoken</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Gonesseronton</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Thaweyogearat</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Shagogeaseronni</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Oghnaongoghton</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Ojageghte</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Otoghaeronge</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Waorighonti</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Aonghwicjaga</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Tekaenyough</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Otyoghwawagon</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Ogpaghsaneyout</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Aghetugwaresera</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Thaoeonnenghton</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Tekahentakwa</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Teghsitaasgowa</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Oghsonwalagette</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Arenghoot</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Yoghstatheaugh</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Nihaweanaagh</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Araghkwente</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Karrhageayate</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -<tr><td>Oghgwarioghseta</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td><td>Kaweanontye</td><td>his<br>X<br>mark</td></tr> -</table> -<p>We do certify that the within proceedings were held in our presence, and -that the accounts and different items were explained to the Sachems. War -Chiefs, and principal Women under the direction of the Deputy -Superintendent General of Indian Affairs; that they seemed perfectly to -understand and comprehend the same, and acknowledged that they did so, and -were perfectly satisfied therewith. We do also certify that those whose -names, marks and seals are hereunto affixed, as well as the whole Council, -were perfectly sober when they executed the within.</p> - -<p class="list"> <i>Council Room, Grand River,</i> 30<i>th June,</i> 1804. - ISAAC BROCK, <i>Col.</i> 49<i>th Regt.</i> - <i>Commissioners.</i> - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William Carey,</span> <i>Lieut.</i> 49<i>th Regt.</i> - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">William Stratton,</span> <i>Lieut.</i> 49<i>th Regt.</i></p> - -<p> After finishing, the usual ceremony of taking leave was gone through and,</p> - - <p class="exit">[<i>A large bunch of Wampum delivered.</i>]</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XV.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 423.]</span></p> - - <p class="direct">COUNCIL HELD AT NIAGARA.</p> - - -<p>[This speech was made by Capt. Brant at Niagara to Col. William Claus, -Deputy Superintendent General of Indian affairs—after John Norton, alias -Teyoninhokáráwen, had returned from England, who had been sent there by -Capt. Brant.]</p> - - <p class="exit">[W. J. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Kerr.</span>]</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>We have now come to this place, the Council-fire of our Great -Father the King, to explain, in a public manner, the foundation of our -claim to the lands we now possess, the attempts made in this country to -curtail and invalidate our title to them, and latterly the means taken to -obstruct the just decision of his Majesty's Right Honorable Privy Council -on the subject.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>In the year 1775, when hostilities had commenced, the Mohawks, -always faithful to the royal interest, brought off the Indian Department, -in company with the Oghkwagas, from the Mohawk River to Canada. Upon our -arrival there, this conduct was approved of by Sir Guy Carleton, who, in -a public Council, desired us to take up the hatchet and defend our -country, and that any losses we might sustain by the war, he promised -should be replaced.</p> - -<p>When the support given the Americans by the various European powers gave -us reason to apprehend, that the war might take such an unfavorable -conclusion as to deprive us of the happiness of return to our homes, and -to the re-enjoyment of our forsaken lands, we applied to Sir Frederick -Haldimand, then Governor and Commander-in-Chief, for a confirmation of -General Carleton's promise; this he readily granted us, and we have it now -in our possession.</p> - -<p>When the line drawn at the peace, and the manner in which that was -concluded, left us no hopes of regaining our former possessions, we -applied to His Excellency Sir Frederick Haldimand for a grant in the Bay -of Quinte.</p> - -<p>On this becoming known to the Senecas and others at Buffalo Creek, they -upbraided us with having treated them unfairly, after having been the -most forward to engage in the royal cause, and having drawn them into the -contest, now to abandon them in the present critical situation, to be -exposed alone to such retaliation as revenge might urge the Americans to -attempt.</p> - -<p>We were struck with the justness of their argument, and in consequence -relinquished the place we had first chosen, and applied for the Grand -River in lieu of it; as there being more conveniently situated either to -give assistance to our brethren, if assistance was wanted, or to afford -them a comfortable asylum should superior numbers oblige them to retreat. -His Excellency expressed his satisfaction at our determination, and the -terms of his grant will confirm the accuracy of this assertion.</p> - -<p>In a little time the Senecas were relieved from their apprehensions, they -remained on their lands, and sold them gradually to the Americans; for -which they receive annually six thousand five hundred dollars, besides -four thousand five hundred dollars which they get in common with others of -the Six Nations inhabiting within the territories of the United States, -from whom also several of their Chiefs receive pensions; with these -arrangements they have appeared to remain contented on the reserves they -have retained.</p> - -<p>General Haldimand was on the eve of embarking for Europe when he executed -the grant. This we may suppose to have been the reason why it was not -registered at Quebec; and from this circumstance, shortly after the -formation of the Canadian government, an attempt was made to curtail our -land.</p> - -<p>After we came to a proper understanding on this head, from the -consideration that the animals were becoming scarce for the hunters, we -proposed leasing a part of our lands, not in our power to occupy, to -receive therefrom an annual income; the leasing was objected to by the -Executive, but they were sold with the sanction of the Canadian -Government, and mortgaged for the payment of the interest; the -incumbrances, however, annexed to these arrangements, have prevented us -as yet deriving the benefit therefrom we had reason to expect.</p> - -<p>We have asked for a confirmation of the remaining lands, that our -posterity might enjoy in security the benefits of our industry, and of -their own; but this request has never yet met with an answer.</p> - -<p>What we asked for, seemed to be of such a nature as not to render it -necessary to apply to higher authority than there was in this country, -(providing the inclination should be favorable to grant us our requests,) -was the reason we persevered in entreating for a satisfactory decision of -the Executive for many years; notwithstanding repeated retardments in our -business, we were reluctant to trouble his Majesty's Government in Britain -with so trifling an affair.</p> - -<p>However, at the time my nephew Teyoninhokáráwen desired to go to Europe to -serve in the war, we hoped, should an opportunity occur for him to make -representation of our situation, it might expedite the conclusion of the -business to our satisfaction. This he was well enabled to do from his -knowledge of the subject, and authorized as being an adopted Chief; as -such, I gave him letters of introduction to my friends there; and from the -generosity and love of justice, which ever distinguishes his Majesty's -Government, and is peculiarly prevalent in the British nation, it appears -he was attended to, and in consequence of his representation, letters in -our favor were wrote to the Government here.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>You then, as Agent for Indian Affairs, sent notice to the Grand -River, as we have evident proof, through the medium of a Cayuga Chief named -Tsinonwanhonte, who acquainted the other Chief of that tribe, -Okoghsaniyonte, that Teyoninhokáráwen had been making use of their names -to their detriment, and that I had got to my highest, and would soon fall; -that the method they were to take to prevent evil arriving to them, was -to come to Niagara, protest against and disavow all the proceedings of -Teyoninhokáráwen, depose me from being chief, and disannul all that we had -done from the time we formed the settlement.</p> - -<p>The Chiefs of the Grand River would not listen to this, but many of the -common people were thereby prevailed on to go to Buffalo Creek on the -American side. There they held a Council with the Senecas and others of -the Five Nations living within that territory, made new chiefs contrary -to our established customs, came to Niagara, complied in every respect -with your desires; so as to contradict the application of Teyoninhokáráwen -on our behalf, and prevent him obtaining that confirmation to our grant -which he hoped for from the justice of his Majesty's Government, and which -apparently was on the point of being accomplished to our satisfaction.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>We protest against this your proceeding for these reasons, that -you knew the Five Nations living within the American territories, and who -composed the principal part of that council, were not the real proprietors -of the Grand River, according to Sir. Frederick Haldimand's Grant; neither -did they deserve to be so from their subsequent conduct since we settled -there; that several of these Chiefs were pensioners to the United States; -that the names of many who were not Chiefs were sent to England, and that -none of the principal men from the Grand River were there. Those who were -made chiefs at Buffalo, we cannot allow of, as being contrary to all -authority and custom, as well as their ignorance of public affairs -rendering them absolutely unfit for such a situation.</p> - -<p>The Farmer's Brother and Red Jacket, two of these Chiefs, pensioners to -the United States, a few years ago at Hartford, in the Assembly of the -Connecticut State, declared "that they were subjects to the United States, -and would never cross the river, kissing the medal of General Washington -in token of their steady attachment to the United States, vowing that they -would ever remain united."</p> - -<p>Is it such men as these you should represent as being the proprietors of -the Grand River? No; they were granted to us as loyalists, that had fought -and lost our lands in support of his Majesty's interests; and the love we -bear our Great Father the King, and the desire we have of living under his -protection, is the reason we set so great a value on these lands, and -persevere to obtain a confirmation of them. Neither is there any reason -why you should prefer the title or claims of the opposite party of our own -dialect, inhabiting at present the same village with us; but who have -joined those people in opposition, to promote anarchy among us. Before the -war, they lived at Fort Hunter, and had sold the most of their lands -before hostilities commenced; what they lost, therefore, is more to be -imputed to their imprudence than to their loyalty. This was not the case -with us of Canajoharie or Oghkwaga. When we took up the hatchet, our lands -remained almost entire and unbroken, like those of the tribes to the -westward.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>We, the principal Chiefs of that part of the Five Nations -inhabiting the Grand River, who obtained the grant from General Haldimand -in consequence of our services and losses, now affirm that we approve in -every respect of the representation of our affairs made by -Teyoninhokáráwen in England; and also of his request in our behalf; but -so much having been said on the subject for these many years past renders -so necessary a discussion, that we entreat the Government to direct an -inquiry to be made into the conduct of those concerned.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>Since we appointed Trustees by the direction of the Executive -in this province, we have found the appointment very insufficient, both -as to the speedy execution of our business, as also to the giving us the -proper security for the property which may pass through their hands. The -confidence we ever entertained of being protected in all our rights by our -Great Father, caused us to remove to the place we now occupy within his -dominions. We therefore petition that his Majesty's Government appoint -such other medium for the transaction of our business as to their wisdom -may appear proper, and which to us may be more satisfactory and secure.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother,—</span>You know, that some years ago our Council-fire was taken from -Buffalo Creek and kindled at the Onondaga Village on the Grand River; it -is there that in a general Council we determined on what we now -communicate at the Council fire-place of our Great Father, in consequence -of our being made acquainted with the effect the Council held here last -spring twelvemonth had in England.</p> - -<p>We have delayed some time, in hopes to have had previously a fair -discussion of the affair at our General Council, and to have convinced the -people of Buffalo Creek of the mistake they had fallen into, in thinking -that they had any right to hold councils at their village to interfere in -our land affairs; especially as our Council-fire, which had been -extinguished by the Americans, was now rekindled under the protection of -our Great Father, at the Grand River; from whose benevolence we now hold -that land, of which the Onondagas, the keepers of our Council-fire, are -joint proprietors; which is not the case at Buffalo Creek on the American -side; for which reason it certainly deserves the preference, as most -likely of duration through the blessing of God and the support of our -Great Father the King. From the time that our forefathers formed the -confederacy, it has been with these that the General Council Fire-place -has been kept, and there that every thing relating to the welfare of the -whole has been deliberated on; and, as such, it was regarded by all the -neighboring nations.</p> - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Brother:—</span>It is with pain and regret we have to observe that you received, -as Trustee, thirty-eight thousand dollars of our money near two years ago, -and that you have not since accounted to us for principal or interest, or -given us any satisfactory account of the application of the same; and we -therefore are so convinced that you have forfeited our esteem and -confidence, that we desire our Great Father will appoint some other -person to superintend our affairs, and render us that justice, which, as -strict adherents in loyalty and attachment to our Great Father, we have -so long and faithfully deserved.</p> -<br> - <p class="direct">[Additional Memoranda, by Captain Brant.]</p> - -<p>The Agent had deferred meeting us the three preceding days, giving for the -reason, that he waited for a Mr. Selby from Detroit; but the Chiefs -gaining information that this gentleman's arrival was uncertain, insisted -on meeting him that day between twelve and one o'clock, he came with the -commanding officer. Col. Proctor said, as he had before said, he would not -meet them in Council; so he remained in resolution, and would not hear -them, giving the same excuse for it; but as this had never been the case -before, nor the attendance of Mr. Selby required at any former council, -the chiefs resolved to deliver their sentiments in the house built by his -Majesty for that purpose, where they were assembled in the presence of -several officers of the garrison, of Judge Thorpe, Mr. Weeks, Mr. Addison, -Mr. Edwards, and several other gentlemen of the place.</p> - -<p>Okoghsenniyonte, a Chief of the Cayugas, then rose, and expressed the -general approbation of what was said, alleging it was the sentiment of the -whole; that the satisfaction they had felt on having the lands granted -them according to the promise of his Majesty's representatives, was -greatly weakened and disappointed by the disputes raised against their -title, and the right to make the use of it they desire.</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XVI.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 453.]</span></p> - - - <p class="exit">"<i>New-York,</i> 1<i>st Dec.</i> 1837.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">Dear Sir,</span></p> - -<p>"In the year 1797, I visited Col. Brant on his return from Philadelphia to -his home on Grand River, seventy miles north of Niagara, in company with -Doctor Dingly and Doctor Priestley, <i>at the Hotel kept by Mr. James -Batten,</i> corner of John and Nassau streets. He appeared to be in good -health and spirits, rather inclined to corpulency, of the middling -stature, his dress that of a private citizen; was very communicative. In -the course of our interview he told us of his reception at the Court of -St. James, spoke of our revolutionary war, and the active part he took, -assisted by the English, which he now had reason to regret; would never -again take up the tomahawk against these United States; gave us a pressing -invitation to call and see him at his residence on Grand River; stated -that he had large possessions, and could make his friends very -comfortable; that he had many black slaves, which he had taken prisoners -in the revolutionary war, who appeared to be happy, and entirely willing -to live with him; pleased with the Indian habits and customs, and never -expressed a wish to return into civil society, where they were sure to be -slaves to the white people, as they had been before the war. He seemed to -be pleased with the attention he had received from the citizens of -New-York. We took leave of him, and promised if either of us ever visited -that part of Canada, we would call and see him. I think Doctor Priestley, -in his tour of the United States, did call and see him.</p> - -<p class="list"> "Respectfully, your ob't serv't, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Jeromus Johnson.</span></p> - -<p class="list"> "<i>William L. Stone, Esq.</i>"</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XVII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 480.]</span></p> - - - - <p class="exit">"<i>London, April</i> 2<i>d,</i> 1803.</p> - -<p class="list"> "<span style="font-variant:small-caps">My dear Col. Joseph Brant,</span></p> - -<p>"Years may have banished me out of the temple of your memory, but I have -not yet forgot you, Sir William Johnson, his Lady and children. You will -graciously receive this letter, which is to inform you that I esteem and -reverence the virtues of Great Hendrick, yourself, and those of the Mohawk -nation and their Allies; while I do not admire the policy, humanity, and -justice of the English nation towards the Mohawks and their Allies, in -aiding and assisting their enemies to rob them of their territory and -country, and compelling them to seek shelter and lands amongst the -Ottawawas and Mississagas, formerly their enemies, by the arts and -intrigues of the French. The Christian rules are good and excellent; yet -few Christians of the Roman and Protestant kind love or practise those -rules. What is remarkable to me is, that Popes, Bishops. Nobles and Kings, -who ought to be wise in doctrine and example, are the greatest strangers -and enemies to Christianity.</p> - -<p>"The reason of such conduct, no doubt, is pride; yet Solomon, in wisdom -great, says, 'Pride was not made for man.' I conclude, therefore, that -great men in state and church, having robbed Lucifer of his pride, they -stole all his cruelty, and so became legislators; made laws to deprive -the multitude of rational freedom, and plunder Gentiles without sin, -because they are honest and good; and not Christians.</p> - -<p>"The Pope, in 1492, gave, by his Bull to the King of Spain, all America, -only because America was owned by the Gentiles, and because the Pope was, -by his claim, successor of Christ, 'to whom God had given the heathen for -his inheritance, and the western parts of the earth for his possession.' -Had the Apostles and Christian Bishops, for the first six hundred years, -understood Christ's words, 'I have other sheep which are not of this -fold, them I will gather in,' the Pope would have not been content with -his triple crown, which represents Asia, Africa, and Europe, but would -have put on a quadruple crown to include America.</p> - -<p>"It is evident that Christ commissioned his twelve Apostles to teach and -baptize the people in Asia, Africa, and Europe, but not in America; for -Christ said to them, 'I have other sheep which are not of this fold, them -I will gather in,' and not depend on the twelve Apostles to do that -benevolent work.</p> - -<p>"What right then could the Pope, in 1492, have over America, when his -predecessor, St. Peter, and the other eleven Apostles, held no commission -in America or over America. Hence, as the King of Spain had no valid title -to America from the Pope, what right has the King of England in and over -America, who is an excommunicated heretic from the church of Rome. I -conclude that the people of America belong to '<i>the fold of Christ,</i>' not -to the fold of the twelve Apostles, because God gave America to Christ, -Psalm 2, v. 8, the Pope, Kings, and Bishops in the old world, have not, -and never had, any divine authority in America, over Christ's sheep, the -Gentiles; of course they are usurpers, robbers and deceivers.</p> - -<p>"I consider you, Sir, as the Chief of the Mohawks, and the other five -nations of Indians, the legal and just owners of the country lying between -the waters St. Lawrence, Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, and Hudson's -River to the forks of Susquehanna, which you have lost for fighting your -Gentile brethren in behalf of English Christians; and the good and honest -Mississagas have in part lost their country, for fighting you, their -Gentile brethren, in behalf of French Christians. Thus, I see you and the -Mississagas have been crucified like Christ between two thieves, (i. e.) -Jews and Romans. I have seen so much of Christian knavery and policy, that -I am sick of Europe, which loves war and hates peace; therefore I want and -long to have a wigwam near Great Pontiack, King by divine right of the -Mississaga Nation and Tribes near Detroit and Lake Michigan. Great -Pontiack has adopted my grandson, Nikik, Samuel Peters Jarvis. Should you -judge it proper to explain my obligations to Great Pontiack, [FN] and -thereby induce the Great Chief to patronize me also, I will go with Nikik -to Michigan, and teach Nikik the rules and laws, how he shall defend in -all shapes his brothers and sisters of the Mississaga Nation."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] It would seem from these references to Pontiac, that the eccentric - writer of this letter was ignorant of his death years before.—<i>Author.</i></p> - - -<p>"I beg you to accept a portrait of Nikik my grandson, a captain and prince -of the Mississagas, by creation of Great Pontiack; as I suppose he is -successor of the wise and great Pontiack, King and Lord of that country, -A. D. 1760.</p> - -<p>"I know you and your generosity and benevolence, and therefore ask you to -accept my gratitude, and to give me, (via.) Mr. Jarvis, such an answer as -your goodness shall dictate to be due to, Sir,</p> - -<p class="list"> "Your friend and servant, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Samuel Peters."</span></p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XVIII.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 487.]</span></p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">The following</span> brief but very interesting account of a French Colony, -located in the town of Pompey, in the year 1666, is taken from "A Memoir -on the Antiquities of the western parts of the State of New-York," by -De Witt Clinton.</p> - -<p>After informing us that the statement is collected partially from the -Sachems of the Six Nations, and partly from a manuscript journal of one -of the French Jesuits, he proceeds to remark:—</p> - -<p>"From the Jesuits' journal it appears, that in the year 1666, at the -request of Karakontie, an Onondaga chieftain, a French Colony was directed -to repair to his village, for the purpose of teaching the Indians arts and -sciences, and to endeavor, if practicable, to civilize and christianise -them.</p> - -<p>"We learn from the Sachems, that at this time the Indians had a fort, a -short distance above the village of Jamesville, on the banks of a small -stream near; a little above which, it seems, the chieftain, Karakontie, -would have his new friends sit down. Accordingly they repaired thither and -commenced their labors, which being greatly aided by the savages, a few -months only were necessary to the building of a small village.</p> - -<p>"This little colony remained for three years in a very peaceable and -flourishing situation, during which time much addition was made to the -establishment, and, among others, a small chapel, in which the Jesuit used -to collect the barbarians, and perform the rites and ceremonies of his -church.</p> - -<p>"But the dire circumstance which was to bury this colony in oblivion, and -keep their history in secret, was yet to come. About this time, (1669,) a -party of Spaniards, consisting of twenty-three persons, arrived at the -village, having for guides some of the Iroquois, who had been taken -captive by the southern tribes. It appears evident that this party came up -the Mississippi, as it has been ascertained that they passed Pittsburg, -and on to Olean Point; where, leaving their canoes, they traveled by land. -They had been informed by some of the southern tribes that there was a -lake at the north of them, whose bottom was covered with a substance -shining and white, [FN] and which they took, from the Indians' -description, to be silver; and it is supposed that the idea of enriching -themselves upon this treasure, induced them to take this long and -desperate journey; for silver was the first thing inquired for on their -arrival, and on being told that none was ever seen in or about the -Onondaga lake, they became almost frantic, and seemed bent upon a quarrel -with the French, and charged them with having bribed the Indians, and even -those who had been their guides, that they would not tell where the mines -might be found. Nor dare they, finding the French influence to prevail, -venture out on a search, lest the Indians might destroy them. A compromise -was however made, and both parties agreed that an equal number of each -should be sent on an exploring expedition, which was accordingly done. But -the effect of this upon the minds of the Indians was fatal. Upon seeing -these strangers prowling the woods with various kinds of instruments, they -immediately suspected some plan to be in operation to deprive them of -their country."</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The salt crystallizes at the present time on the grass and upon the - naked earth in the immediate vicinity of the springs, though the water - of the lake is fresh.</p> - - -<p>"Nor was this jealousy by any means hushed by the Europeans. The Spaniards -averred to the Indians that the only object of the French was to tyrannize -over them; and the French, on the other hand, that the Spaniards were -plotting a scheme to rob them of their lands.</p> - -<p>"The Indians by this time becoming equally jealous of both, determined, -in private council, to rid themselves of so troublesome neighbors. For -aid in this, they sent private instructions to the Oneidas and Cayugas, -who only wanted a watchword to be found immediately on the ground. The -matter was soon digested, and the time and manner of attack agreed upon -A little before day-break, on <i>All-Saints</i> day, 1669, the little colony, -together with the Spaniards, were aroused from their slumbers by the -roaring of fire-arms and the dismal war-whoop of the savages. Every house -was immediately fired or broken open, and such as attempted to escape from -the flames met a more untimely death in the <i>tomahawk.</i> Merciless -multitudes overpowered the little band, and the Europeans were soon either -lost in death or writhing in their blood; and such was the furious -prejudice of the savages, that not one escaped, or was left alive <i>to -relate the sad disaster.</i> Thus perished the little colony, whose labors -have excited so much wonder and curiosity.</p> - -<p>"The French in Canada, on making inquiries respecting the fate of their -friends, were informed by the Indians that they had gone towards the -south, with a company of people who came from thence, and at the same time -showing a <i>Spanish coat of arms</i> and other national trinkets, confirmed -the Canadian French in the opinion that their unfortunate countrymen had -indeed gone thither, and in all probability perished in the immense -forests. This opinion was also measurably confirmed by a Frenchman who had -long lived with the Senecas, and who visited the Onondagas at the time the -Spaniards were at the village, but left before the disaster, and could -only say that he had seen them there."</p> - -<p>This history accounts, in the opinion of its learned author, for the -appearance at this place of a small village, with evident remains of a -blacksmith's shop, &c. to be seen at the first settlement of the country -by the English. The account appears every way credible, and the -explanation satisfactory. But in several other places in the country, the -remains of blacksmiths' shops have been discovered, and in some instances -the tools used by the trade. A blacksmith's vise was found, buried deep -in the ground, on a farm in Onondaga Hollow, about three-fourths of a mile -south of the turnpike. But the existence of a fort near this spot, every -vestige of which is now nearly obliterated, readily accounts for the -existence of these relics of civilization. In the cultivation of the lands -lying upon the Onondaga Creek, innumerable implements of war and of -husbandry have been found, scattered over a territory of four or five -miles in length. Swords, gun-barrels, gun-locks, bayonets, balls, axes, -hoes, and various other articles made of iron, have been found, and many -of them are still preserved. I have now in my possession a sword that was -dug up on the farm at present owned by Mr. Wyman, where have been found -all the different kinds of articles mentioned above. On this farm, also, -was found a stone of considerable dimensions, on which were rudely carved -some European characters. But the stone has been lost, and the import of -the characters is not remembered. It is proper also to remark here, that -a stone, which has been preserved, and is now in the Albany museum, was -found some years ago in the town of Pompey, containing inscriptions. The -stone was of an oblong figure, being fourteen inches long by twelve broad, -and is eight inches in thickness. It had in the centre of the surface the -figure of a tree, with a serpent climbing it, and the following is a -<i>fac simile</i> of the characters that were inscribed upon each side of the -tree.</p> -<table> -<tr><td>Leo X De <br>Vix 1520</td><td> The tree, &c. </td><td style="text-align:center">Ls<br>{TN: Cross icon—inverted U}</td></tr> -</table> - -<p>"We have here the true chronology of the pontificate of Leo X., and, -without doubt, the year in which the inscriptions were made. This pontiff -came to the papal chair in the year 1518 or 1514, and consequently the -sixth year of his pontificate would be as stated above. The inscription -may be thus translated:—'Leo X. by the grace of God; sixth year of his -pontificate—1520.' The stone was doubtless designed as a sepulchral -monument, and the letters Ls were probably the initials of the name of the -person whose grave it designated. The Cross informs us that the deceased -was a Catholic, and the inverted U, was probably some other emblem, which -the hand of time had in a great measure effaced. The supposition is not -incredible that this stone was carved by a Spanish hand on or near the -spot where it was found, and there deposited by him. Mexico was settled by -the Spaniards in 1521. But previously to this period, Spanish adventurers -frequently arrived upon the American coast. Florida was discovered by them -in 1502. The French voyager Verrazano explored nearly the whole coast of -the present United States in 1524, but a little subsequent to the date -which forms the subject of our inquiry. And De Soto, who had been -constituted Governor of Cuba and President of Florida, performed his -celebrated expedition into the interior of America, having with him six -hundred men, as early as 1538. He spent four years in the country, and as -Florida then extended to an indefinite point in the north, embracing all -that tract of country which has since been called Virginia, and as -mention is made by his historian of 'extreme cold,' and of a place called -<i>Saquechama,</i> it is reasonable to conjecture that they penetrated to the -north as far as the <i>Susquehanna.</i> [FN] But in the course of his travels, -he fell in with a body of natives, who had with them a Spaniard by the -name of John Ortez, of Seville. He had then been a captive for nearly ten -years. It is not incredible, when all these facts are taken into -consideration, that eight years anterior to the time of Ortez being taken -prisoner, two or three, or half a dozen Spaniards, should have been taken -by misfortune or the spirit of adventure to Pompey Hill, where one of them -dying, the survivor or survivors prepared and placed this monument over -his remains. It is also quite possible, that the visit of the Spanish -adventurers, to which the narrative furnished by De Witt Clinton and -recited above, relates, was at a period much earlier than that which he -assigns for it. De Soto himself was amused by similar stories told him by -the savages of the existence of gold and silver in regions that were -always beyond him. In this way he was taken many hundred leagues into the -bosom of a country filled only with savages, and never before trodden by -the foot of an European. But he returned vexed to find that he had been -amused only with golden dreams. The story of a lake at the north, whose -bottom was lined with silver, was sufficient to fire the bosom of a -Spaniard with an ungovernable spirit of daring in pursuit of that object; -and as the date of this enterprise was left to be established by -tradition, that erring chronicler of events, it is altogether probable -that a mistake in time, sufficient to explain the subject of our inquiry, -was committed. However this may be, there can be little doubt but -Spaniards, carried there as captives or allured by the love of gold, were -at Pompey Hill as early as 1520.—<i>Lectures of Rev. Mr. Adams, of -Syracuse, (N. Y.)</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] See Sandford's Aborigines, p. cxiv. note. Also, "Yates and Moulton's - Hist."</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XIX.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 487.]</span></p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">Since</span> the text of the present volume was written, the Antiquarian world -has been gratified by a publication issued by the Society of Northern -Antiquities of Copenhagen, which is creating a great sensation among men -of letters. It is entitled</p> - -<p>"Antiquitates Americanae sive Scriptores Septentrionales rerum -Ante-Columbianarum in America. (Antiquities of America, or Northern -writers of things in America before Columbus.) Hafniæ, 1837, 4to. pp. -486."</p> - -<p>The following summary notice of this most important work is copied from -the New Haven Chronicle of the Church, of December 15, 1837:—</p> - -<p>This interesting and erudite volume is composed of ancient Icelandic -histories relative to America, being mostly accounts of voyages of -discovery to this country, made by the Northmen in the 10th, 11th, 12th, -and 13th centuries, that is, anterior to the time of Columbus. To these -are added critical and explanatory notes, chronological and genealogical -tables, archaelogical and geographical disquisitions, concerning the -migration of the Northmen to this country, their first landing-places, and -earliest settlements, with the vestiges of the same now remaining. We give -the following summary of the conclusions drawn by the author of this work -in reference to the discovery and settlement of this country by the -Norwegians.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 986, Eric the Red emigrated from Iceland to Greenland, -and formed a settlement there. In 994, Biarne, the son of Heriulf Bardson, -one of the settlers who accompanied Eric, returned to Norway, and gave an -account of discoveries he had made to the south of Greenland. On his -return to Greenland, Leif, the son of Eric, bought Biarne's ship, and with -a crew of thirty-five men, embarked on a voyage of discovery, A. D. 1000. -After sailing some time to the south-west, they fell in with a country -covered with a slatey rock, and destitute of good qualities; and which, -therefore, they called <i>Helluland,</i> (Slate-land.) They then continued -southerly, until they found a low, flat coast, with white sand cliffs, and -immediately back, covered with wood, whence they called the country -<i>Markland,</i> (Woodland.) From here they sailed south and west, until they -arrived at a promontory which stretched to the east and north, and sailing -round it, turned to the west; and sailing westward, passed between an -island and the mainland, and entering a bay through which flowed a river, -they concluded to winter there.</p> - -<p>Having landed, they built houses to winter in, and called the place -<i>Lefsbuthir,</i> (Leifs-booths.) Soon after this they discovered an abundance -of vines, whence they named the country <i>Vinland</i> or Wineland. -Antiquarians have been much puzzled to know where <i>Vinland</i> was located; -but the Antiquarian Society, to whose exertions we owe the above work, -after the most careful examination of all the evidence on the subject, do -not hesitate to place it at the head of Narragansett Bay, in Rhode Island. -Every thing in the description of the voyage and country agrees most -exactly with this. The promontory extending east and north, corresponds -closely with that of Barnstable and Cape Cod, and the islands they would -encounter immediately upon turning west, would be Nantucket and Martha's -Vineyard.</p> - -<p>Two years after, 1002, Thorwold, the brother of Leif, visited Vinland, -where he spent two years, and was finally murdered by the natives. Before -his death, he coasted around the promontory, and called the north end, now -Cape Cod, <i>Kjalarnes,</i> (Keel-Cape.) He was killed and buried on a small -promontory, reaching south from the mainland, on the west side of the Bay, -inclosed by the promontory of <i>Kjalarnes,</i> and which answers most -accurately to the strip of land on the east side of Plymouth Harbour, now -called Gurnet's Point. The Norwegians called it <i>Krassanes,</i> (Crossness or -Crossland,) because the grave of Thorwold had a cross erected at both -ends.</p> - -<p>In 1007, three ships sailed from Greenland for Vinland, one under the -command of Thorfinn Karlsefne, a Norwegian of royal descent, and Snorre -Thorbrandson, of distinguished lineage; one other commanded by Biarne -Grimalfson and Thorhall Gamlason; and the third by Thorward and Thorhall. -The three ships had 100 men, and carried all sorts of domestic animals -necessary for the comfort and convenience of a colony. An account of this -voyage, and a history of the country, by Thorfinn Karlsefne, is still -extant, and forms one of the documents in the <i>Antiquities Americana.</i> -They sailed from Greenland to <i>Helluland,</i> and passing <i>Markland,</i> arrived -at <i>Kjalarnes,</i> whence sailing south by the shore of the promontory, which -they found to consist of trackless beaches and long wastes of sand, they -called it <i>Furthutrstrandir,</i> (Wonder-Strand, or Beach;) whether on -account of the extensive sandy shore, or from the mirage and optical -illusion so common at Cape Cod, it is impossible to determine. Passing -south, they sailed by the island discovered by Leif, which they called -<i>Straumey,</i> (Stream-Isle,) probably Martha's Vineyard, and the straits -between <i>Straumfjothr,</i> (Stream-Firth,) and arrived at Vinland, where they -spent the winter. The Bay into which they sailed, they called <i>Hopsvatn,</i> -and their residence received the name of <i>Hop,</i> (<i>English</i> Hope, <i>Indian</i> -Haup,) the identical Mount Hope, so much celebrated as the residence of -King Philip. After various successes, Thorfinn returned to Greenland, and -finally went to Iceland and settled.</p> - -<p>From a comparison of all the remaining accounts of these voyages, the -geographical, nautical and astronomical facts contained in them, with the -natural history and geography of this country when first settled by the -whites, there can be little doubt that Vinland has been correctly located -by the learned Society. By similar evidence it also appears, that -<i>Markland</i> was what is now called Nova Scotia; that <i>Litla Helluland</i> -(Little Helluland) was Newfoundland; and that <i>Helluland it Mikla,</i> -(Greater Helluland,) was the coast of Labrador. We ought also to have -observed above, that <i>Straumfjothr</i> (Stream-Firth) probably included the -whole of Buzzard's Bay.</p> - -<p>Of the <i>climate</i> of Vinland, the Northmen say, it was, when they were -there, so mild, that cattle would live out-doors during the year; that the -snow fell but lightly, and that the grass continued to be green in some -places nearly all winter. Among the <i>productions</i> of Vinland, were -abundance of vines, a kind of wild wheat, (<i>maize,</i>) a beautiful wood -which they called <i>mazer</i> (Birdseye-maple, <i>Acer Saccharinum,</i>) a great -variety of forest animals, Eider Ducks in great plenty; and the rivers and -bays they describe as filled with fish, among which they reckon salmon, -halibut, whales, &c. It is also said by the same historians, that the sun -rose at half past seven o'clock in the shortest days, which is the exact -time it rises at Mount Hope.</p> - -<p>Subsequent to this time, explorations were made to the south of Vinland -along the eastern shore, and judging from the fragments of voyages, it -would seem that some penetrated as far south as Florida. The whole country -south of Chesapeake Bay is called by them <i>Hvitamannaland,</i> -(white-man's-land,) or <i>Ireland it Mikla,</i> (Ireland the Great.) In 1121 -Vinland was visited by Bishop Eric, and as there is no account of his -return, it seems probable that he spent his days there. Other explorations -were made by the Norwegians and Greenlanders to the north, who penetrated -as far as Barrow's Straits, which they called <i>Kroksfjorthr,</i> -(Kroks-Firth or Strait,)and the land on the northern side, now known as -the Cumberland Mountains, they denominated <i>Kroksfjarltharheithi,</i> -(Barren-highlands-of-Kroks-Strait.) There are several other particulars -we should be glad to notice, but the length of this article will not -allow.</p> - -<p>Among other matters, curious and important, contained in this valuable -publication from Copenhagen, not noted by the New-Haven Chronicle, are one -or more readings of the celebrated hieroglyphic inscription upon "Dighton -Rock," in Fall River, Massachusetts, and of which no satisfactory -explanation has previously been given. These Northern Antiquaries profess -at length to have mastered that inscription. They pronounce the characters -to be Runic, and read therein a confirmation of their theory, that a -settlement was formed by the Northmen at Fall River as early as the tenth -century. But this is not all. Since the work of the Copenhagen Antiquaries -has been published, another discovery has been made in the immediate -neighborhood of Dighton Rock, which is equally curious and important as -connected with this investigation. The discovery referred to may be -considered the most interesting relic of antiquity ever discovered in -North America, viz:—the remains of a human body, armed with a breast -plate, a species of mail, and arrows of brass; which remains we suppose to -have belonged either to one of the race who inhabited this country for a -time anterior to the so-called Aborigines, and afterwards settled in -Mexico or Guatemala, or to one of the crew of some Phoenician vessel, -that, blown out of her course, thus discovered the western world long -before the Christian era.</p> - -<p>These remains were found in the town of Fall River, in Bristol county, -Massachusetts, about eighteen months since.</p> - -<p>In digging down a hill near the village, a large mass of earth slid off, -leaving in the bank, and partially uncovered, a human skull, which on -examination was found to belong to a body buried in a sitting posture; the -head being about one foot below what had been for many years the surface -of the ground. The surrounding earth was carefully removed, and the body -found to be enveloped in a covering of coarse bark of a dark color. Within -this envelope were found the remains of another of coarse cloth, made of -fine bark, and about the texture of a Manila coffee bag. On the breast -was a plate of brass, thirteen inches long, six broad at the upper end and -five at the lower. This plate appears to have been cast, and is from one -eighth to three thirty-seconds of an inch in thickness. It is so much -corroded, that whether or not any thing was engraved upon it has not yet -been ascertained. It is oval in form—the edges being irregular, -apparently made so by corrosion.</p> - -<p>Below the breast-plate, and entirely encircling the body, was a belt -composed of brass tubes, each four and a half inches in length, and three -sixteenths of an inch in diameter, arranged longitudinally and close -together; the length of a tube being the width of the belt. The tubes are -of thin brass, cast upon hollow reeds, and were fastened together by -pieces of sinew. This belt was so placed as to protect the lower parts of -the body below the breast-plate. The arrows are of brass, thin, flat, and -triangular in shape, with a round hole cut through near the base. The -shaft was fastened to the head by inserting the latter in an opening at -the end of the wood, and then tying it with a sinew through the round -hole—a mode of constructing the weapon never practised by the Indians, -not even with their arrows of thin shell. Parts of the shaft still remain -on some of them. When first discovered the arrows were in a sort of quiver -of bark, which fell in pieces when exposed to the air.</p> - -<p>The skull is much decayed, but the teeth are sound, and apparently those -of a young man. The pelvis is much decayed, and the smaller bones of the -lower extremities are gone.</p> - -<p>The integuments of the right knee, for four or five inches above and -below, are in good preservation, apparently the size and shape of life, -although quite black.</p> - -<p>Considerable flesh is still preserved on the hands and arms, but none on -the shoulders and elbows. On the back, under the belt, and for two inches -above and below, the skin and flesh are in good preservation, and have the -appearance of being tanned. The chest is much compressed, but the upper -viscera are probably entire. The arms are bent up, not crossed; so that -the hands turned inwards touch the shoulders. The stature is about five -and a half feet. Much of the exterior envelope was decayed, and the inner -one appeared to be preserved only where it had been in contact with the -brass.</p> - -<p>The following sketch will give our readers an idea of the posture of the -figure and the position of the armor. When the remains were discovered, -the arms were brought rather closer to the body than in the engraving. The -arrows were near the right knee.</p> -<br><br><br> - - -<P class="image" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/remains.jpg"style="max-width:100%; max-height:100%" alt="Sketch of Remains"></P> -<br><br><br> - - - - -<p>The preservation of this body may be the result of some embalming process; -and this hypothesis is strengthened by the fact, that the skin has the -appearance of having been tanned; or it may be the accidental result of -the action of the salts of the brass during oxydation; and this latter -hypothesis is supported by the fact, that the skin and flesh have been -preserved only where they have been in contact with, or quite near, the -brass; or we may account for the preservation of the whole by supposing -the presence of <i>saltpetre</i> in the soil at the time of the deposit. In -either way, the preservation of the remains is fully accounted for, and -upon known chemical principles.</p> - -<p>That the body was not one of the Indians, we think needs no argument. We -have seen some of the drawings taken from the sculptures found at -Palenqué, and in those the figures are represented with breast-plates, -although smaller than the plate found at Fall River. On the figures at -Palenqué the bracelets and anklets appear to be of a manufacture precisely -similar to the belt of tubes just described. These figures also have -helmets precisely answering the description of the helmet of Homer's μδγας κορνθαζολος -Εκτωρ {quote in Greek script.}</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XX.</p> - - - - <p class="direct"><span style="font-variant:small-caps">[Reference from Page 499.]</span></p> - - -<p><span style="font-variant:small-caps">We</span> the subscribers, having been requested to give our opinion with regard -to the religious and moral character of the late Capt. Joseph Brant, and -the state of his mind as it appeared to us at its dissolution—hereby -declare, that having lived a number of years a near neighbor of his, (our -farms adjoining the place of his residence,) we were intimately acquainted -with him; in conversation he would often begin the subject, and dwell upon -the duties that we owed one to another. He was a believer in the Christian -religion, and was brought up in the doctrine of the Episcopal Church of -England, of which he was a member when he died. During his illness we were -often with him, and were present at his dissolution. During his sickness, -(which was painful,) he was patient and resigned, and appeared always -thankful to his friends for the attention paid to him. It is our opinion -that during his sickness, and at the close of it, he was possessed of his -rational faculties, and that he lived and died in the faith of the -Christian religion.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Augustus Bates, - Asahel Davis.</span></p> - -<p class="list">Wellington Square, U. C. } - <i>August</i> 15<i>th</i>, 1837. }</p> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br><br> - - - - <p class="direct">No. XXI.</p> - - - - <p class="direct">[Reference from Page 526.]</p> - - - <p class="direct"><i>Letter to the Mohawk Chief Ahyonwaeghs, commonly called John Brandt - Esq. of the Grand River, Upper Canada.</i></p> - - <p class="exit"><i>London, January</i> 20, 1822.</p> - -<p class="list"> <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Sir,</span></p> - -<p>Ten days ago I was not aware that such a person existed as the son of the -Indian leader Brant, [FN] who is mentioned in my poem "Gertrude of -Wyoming." Last week, however, Mr. S. Bannister of Lincoln's Inn, called to -inform me of your being in London, and of your having documents in your -possession which he believed would change my opinion of your father's -memory, and induce me to do it justice. Mr. Bannister distinctly assured -me that no declaration of my sentiments on the subject was desired but -such as should spontaneously flow from my own judgment of the papers that -were to be submitted to me.</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The name has been almost always inaccurately spelt Brandt in English - books.</p> - - -<p>I could not be deaf to such an appeal. It was my duty to inspect the -justification of a man whose memory I had reprobated, and I felt a -satisfaction at the prospect of his character being redressed, which was -not likely to have been felt by one who had willfully wronged it. As for -as any intention to wound the feelings of the living was concerned, I -really knew not, when I wrote my poem, that the son and daughter of an -Indian chief were ever likely to peruse it, or be affected by its -contents. And I have observed most persons to whom I have mentioned the -circumstance of your appeal to me, smile with the same surprise which I -experienced on first receiving it. With regard to your father's character, -I took it as I found it in popular history. Among the documents in his -favor I own that you have shown me one which I regret that I never saw -before, though I might have seen it, viz. the Duke of Rochefoucault's -honorable mention of the chief in his travels. [FN] Without meaning, -however, in the least to invalidate that nobleman's respectable authority, -I must say, that even if I had met with it, it would have still offered -only a general and presumptive vindication of your father, and not such a -specific one as I now recognize. On the other hand, judge how naturally I -adopted accusations against him which had stood in the Annual Register of -1779, as far as I knew, uncontradicted for thirty years. A number of -authors had repeated them with a confidence which beguiled at last my -suspicion, and I believe that of the public at large. Among those authors -were Gordon, Ramsay, Marshall, Belsham, and Weld. The most of them, you -may tell me, perhaps, wrote with zeal against the American war. Well, but -Mr. John Adolphus was never suspected of any such zeal, and yet he has -said in his History of England, &c. (vol. iii. p. 110) "that a force of -sixteen hundred savages and Americans in disguise, headed by an Indian -Col. Butler, and a half Indian of extraordinary ferocity named Brant, -lulling the fears of the inhabitants (of Wyoming) by treachery, suddenly -possessed themselves of two forts, and massacred the garrisons." He says -farther, "that <i>all</i> were involved in unsparing slaughter, and that even -the devices of torment were exhausted." He possessed, if I possessed them, -the means of consulting better authorities; yet he has never to my -knowledge made any atonement to your father's memory. When your Canadian -friends, therefore, call me to trial for having defamed the warrior Brant, -I beg that Mr. John Adolphus may be also included in the summons. And -after his own defence and acquittal, I think he is bound, having been one -of my historical misleaders, to stand up as my gratuitous counsel, and -say, "Gentlemen, <i>you must acquit my client, for he has only fallen into -an error, which even my judgment could not escape.</i>"</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] The following testimony is borne to his fair name by Rochefoucault, - whose ability and means of forming a correct judgment will not be denied. - "Col. Brant is an Indian by birth. In the American war he fought under - the English banner, and he has since been in England, where he was most - graciously received by the King, and met with a kind reception from all - classes of people. His manners are semi-European. He is attended by two - Negroes; has established himself in the English way; has a garden and a - farm; dresses after the European fashion; and nevertheless possesses much - influence over the Indians. He assists at present (1795) at the Miami - Treaty, which the United States are concluding with the western Indians. - He is also much respected by the Americans; and in general bears so - excellent a name, that I regret I could not see and become acquainted - with him."—<i>Rochefoucault's Travels in North America.</i></p> - - -<p>In short, I imbibed my conception of your father from accounts of him that -were, published when I was scarcely out of my cradle. And if there were -any public, direct, and specific challenges to those accounts in England -ten years ago, I am yet to learn where they existed.</p> - -<p>I rose from perusing the papers you submitted to me certainly with an -altered impression of his character. I find that the unfavorable accounts -of him were erroneous, even on points not immediately connected with his -reputation. It turns out, for instance, that he was a Mohawk Indian of -unmixed parentage. This circumstance, however, ought not to be overlooked -in estimating the merits of his attainments. He spoke and wrote our -language with force and facility, and had enlarged views of the union and -policy of the Indian tribes. A gentleman who had been in America, and from -whom I sought information respecting him in consequence of your -interesting message, told me that though he could not pretend to -appreciate his character entirely, he had been struck by the <i>naiveté</i> -and eloquence of his conversation. They had talked of music, and Brant -said, "I like the harpsichord well, and the organ still better; but I like -the drum and trumpet best of all, for they make my heart beat quick." This -gentleman also described to me the enthusiasm with which he spoke of -written records. Brant projected at that time to have written a History of -the Six Nations. The genius of history should be rather partial to such a -man.</p> - -<p>I find that when he came to England, after the peace of 1763, the most -distinguished individuals of all parties and professions treated him with -the utmost kindness. Among these were the late Bishop of London, the late -Duke of Northumberland, and Charles Fox. Lord Rawdon, now Marquis of -Hastings, gave him his picture. This circumstance argues recommendations -from America founded in personal friendship. In Canada the memorials of -his moral character represent it as naturally ingenuous and generous. The -evidence afforded, induces me to believe that he often strove to mitigate -the cruelty of Indian warfare. Lastly, you affirm that he was not within -many miles of the spot when the battle which decided the fate of Wyoming -took place, and from your offer of reference to living witnesses, I cannot -but admit the assertion. Had I learnt all this of your father when I was -writing my poem, he should not have figured in it as the hero of mischief. -I cannot, indeed, answer by anticipation what the writers who have either -to retract or defend what they may have said about him, may have to -allege; I can only say that my own opinion about him is changed. I am now -inclined exceedingly to doubt Mr. Weld's anecdote, and for this reason: -Brant was not only trusted, consulted, and distinguished by several -eminent British officers in America, but personally beloved by them. Now I -could conceive men in power, for defensible reasons of state politics, to -have officially trusted, and even publicly distinguished at courts or -levees, an active and sagacious Indian chief, of whose private character -they might nevertheless still entertain a very indifferent opinion. But I -cannot imagine high-minded and high-bred British officers forming -individual and fond friendships for a man of ferocious character. It comes -within my express knowledge that the late General Sir Charles Stuart, -fourth son of the Earl of Bute, the father of our present Ambassador at -Paris, the officer who took Minorca and Calvi, and who commanded our army -in Portugal, knew your father in America, often slept under the same tent -with him, and had the warmest regard for him. It seems but charity to -suppose the man who attracted the esteem of Lord Rawdon and General Stuart -to have possessed amiable qualities, so that I believe you when you affirm -that he was merciful as brave. And now I leave the world to judge whether -the change of opinion, with which I am touched, arises from false delicacy -and flexibility of mind, or from a sense of honor and justice.</p> - -<p>Here, properly speaking, ends my reckoning with you about your father's -memory; but as the Canadian newspapers have made some remarks on the -subject of Wyoming, with which I cannot fully coincide, and as this letter -will probably be read in Canada, I cannot conclude it without a few more -words, in case my silence should seem to admit of propositions which are -rather beyond the stretch of my creed. I will not, however, give any -plain truths which I have to offer to the Canadian writers the slightest -seasoning of bitterness, for they have alluded to me, on the whole, in a -friendly and liberal tone. But when they regret my departure from -historical truth, I join in their regret only in as far as I have -unconsciously misunderstood the character of Brant, and the share of the -Indians in the transaction, which I have now reason to suspect was much -less than that of the white men. In other circumstances I took the liberty -of a versifier to run away from fact into fancy, like a school-boy who -never dreams that he is a truant when he rambles on a holiday from school. -It seems, however, that I falsely represented Wyoming to have been a -terrestrial paradise. It was not so, say the Canadian papers, because it -contained a great number of Tories; and undoubtedly that cause goes far to -account for the fact. Earthly paradises, however, are not earthly things, -and Tempe and Arcadia may have had their drawbacks on happiness as well as -Wyoming. I must nevertheless still believe that it was a flourishing -colony, and that its destruction furnished a just warning to human beings -against war and revenge. But the whole catastrophe is affirmed in a -Canadian newspaper to have been nothing more than a fair battle, if this -be the fact, let accredited signatures come forward to attest it, and -vindicate the innocence and honorableness of the whole transaction, as -your father's character has been vindicated. An error about him by no -means proves the whole account of the business to be a fiction. Who would -not wish its atrocity to be disproved? But who can think it disproved by -a single defender, who writes anonymously, and without definable weight -or authority?</p> - -<p>In another part of the Canadian newspapers, my theme has been regretted -as dishonorable to England. Then it was, at all events, no fable. But how -far was the truth dishonorable to England? American settlers, and not -Englishmen, were chiefly the white men calling themselves Christians, who -were engaged in this affair. I shall be reminded, perhaps, that they also -called themselves Loyalists. But for Heaven's sake let not English loyalty -be dragged down to palliate atrocities, or English delicacy be invoked to -conceal them. I may be told that England permitted the war, and was -therefore responsible for its occurrences. Not surely universally, nor -directly. I should be unwilling to make even Lord North's administration -answerable for all the actions of Butler's rangers; and I should be still -more sorry to make all England amenable either for Lord North's -administration, or for Butler's rangers. Was the American war an unanimous -and heartfelt war of the people? Were the best patriots and the brightest -luminaries of our Senate for, or against it? Chatham declared that if -America fell she would fall like the strong man—that she would embrace -the pillars of our constitution and perish beneath its ruins. Burke, Fox, -and Barre kindled even the breasts of St. Stephen's chapel against it; and -William Pitt pronounced it a war against the sacred cause of Liberty. If -so, the loss of our colonies was a blessing, compared with the triumph of -those principles that would have brought Washington home in chains. If -Chatham and Pitt were our friends in denouncing the injustice of this war, -then Washington was only nominally our foe in resisting it; and he was as -much the enemy of the worst enemies of our constitution, as if he had -fought against the return of the Stuarts on the banks of the Spey or the -Thames. I say, therefore, with full and free charity to those who think -differently, that the American war was disgraceful only to those who were -its abettors, and that the honor of Englishmen is redeemed in proportion -as they deprecate its principles and deplore its details. Had my theme -even involved English character more than it does, I could still defend -it. If my Canadian critic alleges that a poet may not blame the actions -of his country, I meet his allegation, and deny it. No doubt a poet ought -not forever to harp and carp upon the faults of his country; but <i>he may -be her moral censor, and he must not be her parasite.</i> If an English poet -under Edward III. had only dared to leave one generous line of -commiseration to the memory of Sir William Wallace, how much he would have -raised our estimation of the moral character of the age! There is a -present and a future in national character, as well as a past, and the -character of the present age is best provided for by impartial and -generous sentiments respecting the past. The twentieth century will not -think the worse of the nineteenth for regretting the American war. I know -the slender importance of my own works. I am contending, however, against -a false principle of delicacy that would degrade poetry itself if it were -adopted;—but it never will be adopted.</p> - -<p>I therefore regret nothing in the historical allusions of my poem, except -the mistake about your father. Nor, though I have spoken freely of -American affairs, do I mean to deny that your native tribes may have had -a just cause of quarrel with the American colonists. And I regard it as a -mark of their gratitude that they adhered to the royal cause, because the -governors, acting in the king's name, had been their most constant -friends; and the colonial subjects, possibly at times their treacherous -invaders. I could say much of European injustice towards your tribes, but -in spite of all that I could say, I must still deplore the event of -Christians having adopted their mode of warfare, and, as circumstances -then stood, of their having invoked their alliance. If the Indians -thirsted for vengeance on the colonists, that should have been the very -circumstance to deter us from blending their arms with ours. I trust you -will understand this declaration to be made in the spirit of frankness, -and not of mean and inhospitable arrogance. If I were to speak to you in -that spirit, how easily and how truly could you tell me that the American -Indians have departed faster from their old practices of warfare, than -Christians have departed from their habits of religious persecution. If I -were to preach to you about European humanity you might ask me how long -the ashes of the Inquisition have been cold, and whether the slave-trade -be yet abolished? You might demand, how many—no, how few generations have -elapsed since our old women were burnt for imaginary commerce with the -devil, and whether the houses be not yet standing from which our great -grand-mothers may have looked on the hurdles passing to the place of -execution, whilst they blessed themselves that they were not witches! A -horrible occurrence of this nature took place in Scotland during my own -grandfather's life-time. As to warlike customs, I should be exceedingly -sorry if you were to press me even on those of my brave old ancestors, -the Scottish Highlanders. I can, nevertheless, recollect the energy, -faith, and hospitality of those ancestors, and at the same time I am not -forgetful of the simple virtues of yours. [FN]</p> - - <hr width="80%"> - - <p class="quote">[FN] Considering the filial motives of the young chief's appeal to me, I - am not afraid that any part of this letter, immediately relating to him, - will be thought ostentatious or prolix. And if charitably judged, I hope - that what I have said of myself and of my poem will not be felt as - offensive egotism. The public has never been troubled with any defences - of mine against any attacks on my poetry that were mere literary; - although I may have been as far as authors generally are from bowing to - the justice of hostile criticism. To show that I have not been - over-anxious about publicity, I must mention a misrepresentation - respecting my poem on Wyoming which I have suffered to remain - uncontradicted for ten years. Mr. Washington Irving, in a biographical - sketch prefixed to it in an American edition, described me as having - injured the composition of the poem by shewing it to friends who struck - out its best passages. Now I read it to very few friends, and to none at - whose suggestion I ever struck out a single line. Nor did I ever lean on - the taste of others with that miserable distrust of my own judgment which - the anecdote conveys. I knew that Mr. Irving was the last man in the - world to make such a misrepresentation intentionally, and that I could - easily contradict it; but from aversion to bring a petty anecdote about - myself before the world, I forbore to say any thing about it. The case - was different when a Canadian writer hinted at the patriotism of my - subject. There he touched on my principles, and I have defended them, - contending that on the supposition of the story of Wyoming being true, - it is a higher compliment to British feeling to reveal than to palliate - or hide it.</p> - - -<p>I have been thus special in addressing you from a wish to vindicate my -own consistency, as well as to do justice to you in your present -circumstances, which are peculiarly and publicly interesting. The chief -of an aboriginal tribe, now settled under the protection of our sovereign -in Canada, you are anxious to lead on your people in a train of -civilization that is already begun. It is impossible that the British -community should not be touched with regard for an Indian stranger of -respectable private character, possessing such useful and honorable views. -Trusting that you will amply succeed in them, and long live to promote -improvement and happiness amidst the residue of your ancient race,</p> - -<p class="list"> I remain, your sincere well-wisher, - <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Thomas Campbell.</span></p> -<br><br><br> - - - <h2>THE END</h2> -<br><br><br> - - - - <h1 class="direct" style="page-break-before: always;">INDEX.</h1> - - - <hr width="80%"> -<br><br> - - -<table> -<col width="49%"> -<col width="49%"> - <tr><td>Aaron, </td><td>vol. II, 286, 518.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Abel, David, </td><td>II, 173, 197, 198, 204.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Abercrombie, Gen., </td><td>I, 7, 11.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Acker, Benjamin, </td><td>I, 357, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ackland, Major, </td><td>I, 271 272.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ackland, Lady, </td><td>I, 272, 468, 469, 476, 481.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Acknowledgments of Author, </td><td>I, xxi to xxxi.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adair, Major, </td><td>II, ii, 336.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adams, Col., </td><td>I, 269.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adams, John, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adams, John, </td><td>II, 150, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adams, Samuel, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adams, Mr. </td><td>I, 137.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Addison, Rev. Mr. </td><td>II, 426, 433, 584.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Addresses, prepared by Congress, </td><td>I, 91.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Adolphus, John, </td><td>II, 597.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Affidavit of Dr. Younglove, </td><td>I, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aghstugwaresera, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Agonuschioni, </td><td>I, 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Alihannuaowaumut, Solomon, sent - to Congress, </td><td>I, 58;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech, </td><td>58;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Reply to, </td><td>59.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ahyouwaeghs, </td><td>II, 250, 500, 524, 528, 529, 530, 531, - 532, 533, 534, 535, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Albany Council, </td><td>I, 430, 94, 98, 103, 104, 430.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Albany, Ancient seat of - Mohegans, </td><td>I, 57;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Indian name of, </td><td>57;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Replies to Guy Johnson, </td><td>67, 69;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Council fire removed to, </td><td>xxv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Albany, </td><td>II, 411, 428, 456, 458.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Alden, Col. Ichabod, </td><td>I, 354, 372, 373.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Alden's Corps, </td><td>II, 5.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aldrich killed, </td><td>II, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Algonquins hostile to Six - Nations, </td><td>I, 87.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Algonquins, </td><td>II, 240.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allegeny, </td><td>II, 41, 45, 301.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen's Biographical Dictionary, - on Brant, </td><td>I, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Capt. </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Dr., </td><td>II, 128, 125, 320, 322, 327, 467, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Ethan captured, </td><td>I, 78, 116, 157, 165, 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Ethan, </td><td>II, 153, 180, 181, 182, 197, 198, 199, - 200, 201, 202, 203.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Ira, </td><td>II, 154, 197, 202, 203.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, Lt. H. M., </td><td>II, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allen, President, Remarks on - Brant, </td><td>I, 19.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allentown, </td><td>I, 343.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Allies arrive from France, </td><td>I, 346.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Alston, Mrs., </td><td>II, 455, 457.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ames, Ezra, paints portrait of - Brant, </td><td>I, xxviii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Amherst and Glen, </td><td>I, 11, 18</td></tr> - <tr><td>Amusements, </td><td>II, 445.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Anaquaqua, </td><td>I, 178.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ancaster, </td><td>II, 501.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ancrom, Major, </td><td>I, 250, 252.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Andre, capture of, </td><td>I, 258.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Andre, Major, </td><td>II, 101, 102, 103, 132, 213, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Andrustown, </td><td>I, 362, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Anguaga, </td><td>I, 378.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Antiquities of North America, </td><td>II, 483, 484.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aonghwuigaga, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aqushua, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Araghkwente, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aranda, Count, </td><td>II, 241.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arbitrary arrests denounced, </td><td>I, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arbuckle, Capt. </td><td>I, 191, 193.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arenghoot, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arlington, </td><td>II, 200.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Armistead, Lt. G., </td><td>II, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Armstrong, Capt., </td><td>II, 505, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Armstrong, Gen., </td><td>I, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Armstrong, Gen. John, </td><td>II, 315.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arnent, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arnold, Gen., </td><td>I, 117, 153, 156, 157, 362, 173, 174, - 200, 246, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, - 261, 262, 267, 268, 273, 283, 301, 369, - 464, 482.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arnold, Gen., </td><td>I, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 116, - 117, 118, 133, 140, 141, 193, 194, - 210, 211.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arnold, Mrs., </td><td>II, 101, 102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aroghyadagha, Old Brant, </td><td>I, 5.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aroghyadecka, alias Old Brant, </td><td>I, 12, 16.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Arson, Capt., </td><td>II, 148.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Articles of Confederation, </td><td>I, 297.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Articles of Confed., </td><td>II, 241.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Asgill, Col., </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ash, Gen., </td><td>II, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ashton, Capt., </td><td>II, 215.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ashton's Station, </td><td>II, 215.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Asia, man of war, </td><td>I, 105.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Assumpinck Creek, </td><td>I, 175.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Atayataroughta, Louis, </td><td>I, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Atayataroughta, </td><td>II, 119, 120, 122, 123, 151, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aubrey, Lieut., </td><td>I, 465.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Au Glaize, </td><td>II, 334, 335, 338, 340,355, 360, 375, - 376, 383, 389, 565, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Aupament, Capt. Hendrick, </td><td>II, 307.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Badlum, Major, </td><td>I, 239.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Badlock, Capt, </td><td>I, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bagley, Lt. J., </td><td>I, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bailey, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bailey, Wm., </td><td>II, 393.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ball, Capt., </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ball, Col., </td><td>II, 110, 212, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ball, Lieut., </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bald eagle, an old Delaware </td><td>I, 40.</td></tr> - <tr><td> killed, </td><td>I, 40.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ballad, Sinclair's Defeat, </td><td>II, 551.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ballston, </td><td>I, 212, 310.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ballston, </td><td>II, 152, 154, 156, 210, 211, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bannister, Saxe, </td><td>II, 524, 526.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bantlin, Major, </td><td>II, 97.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Barclay, Rev. Dr., </td><td>I, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bard, Dr., </td><td>II, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Barker, Dr., </td><td>I, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Barker, Wm., </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Baronial Hall, fortified, </td><td>I, 54.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Barrington, </td><td>II, 147.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bathust, Lord, </td><td>II, 524.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bates, Augustus, </td><td>II, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Batten, James, </td><td>II, 582.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Battenkill, </td><td>I, 271.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Batton's Hotel, </td><td>II, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Baum, Col., defeated, </td><td>I, 232, 267, 277, 479.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bay of Quinte, </td><td>II, 239, 275, 497, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Baylor, Col., </td><td>I, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beacraft, </td><td>II, 57, 64.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beadle, Col., </td><td>II, 436.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beard plucked by Indians, </td><td>II, 479.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beard's Creek, </td><td>II, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beasley, Col., </td><td>II, 365.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beasley, Richard, </td><td>II, 573, 574, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beaver Creek, </td><td>II, 350.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beaver Dams, </td><td>II, 178, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Beaverton, </td><td>I, 350.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bedell, Colonel, </td><td>I, 153.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Behmus Heights, </td><td>I, 270.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Belknap, Dr., </td><td>II, 466.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bell, Mr., murdered, </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bellinger, Lt. Col., Frederick, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bellinger, John, </td><td>II, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bellinger, Col. Peter, </td><td>I, 242, 249;</td></tr> - <tr><td> forced letter of, </td><td>460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bemis, James, D., </td><td>I, 187.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Benham, Capt. Robert, </td><td>II, 50, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bennington, </td><td>I, 232, 265, 277, 302, 479.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bennington, </td><td>II, 131, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Benson, Egbert, </td><td>II, 368, 410, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Berne, </td><td>I, 287, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bernett, Captain, </td><td>I, 310.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Berry, Jack, </td><td>II, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bethlehem, </td><td>II, 221.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bettys Joseph, </td><td>II, 172, 210, 211, 212, 213.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bible of Sir John Johnson, </td><td>I, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bidwell, Hon. M. S., </td><td>II, 534.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Big Beaver, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Big Knives, </td><td>II, 293, 375, 566.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Big Tree, </td><td>II, 245, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Billings, Capt., </td><td>II, 138.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Billington, Samuel, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bird, Capt., </td><td>I, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bird, Col., </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bird, Col., </td><td>II, 71.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bird, Lieut. Henry, </td><td>I, 220, 221, 222, 227, 229.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bishop of London, </td><td>II, 251.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bishop of Quebec, </td><td>II, 432, 433, 434.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Black River, </td><td>II, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Black snake, </td><td>II, 381, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Blackstocks, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Blauvelt, Major, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, Mrs. Ann Eliza, </td><td>I, 206, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, Capt., </td><td>I, 234, 357, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, John J., </td><td>I, 121, 124, 128, 129, 131, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, John J., </td><td>II, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, Capt. Leonard, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bleecker, Rutgers, </td><td>I, 133.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bliven, John, on committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bloodgood, S. De Witt, </td><td>I, 408.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bloomfield, Major, </td><td>I, 472.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Blucher, anecdote of, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Blue Jacket, </td><td>II, 387, 388.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Blue Licks, </td><td>II, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boerstler, Col., </td><td>II, 516, 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bogardus, Lieut., </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bogardus, Lt. B., </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bokum, Prof., </td><td>II, 165.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bolland, Mr., in behalf of - Colonies. </td><td>I, 49.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bolton, Lt. Col., </td><td>I, 384.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bone, Peter, </td><td>I, 107.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bontas, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boon, Col. Daniel, </td><td>I, 349, 351,423.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boon, Daniel, </td><td>II, 71, 171, 215, 218, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boone, Capt. Hawkins, </td><td>I, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boonesborough, </td><td>I, 349, 351.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boston, </td><td>I, 29, 79, 115, 160, 161, 162, 196.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boswell, James, describes Brant, </td><td>I, 151.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boswell, James, </td><td>II, 251.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bonemawcutus, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boundary troubles, </td><td>II, 237, 364, 373, 378.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bounties to Indians, </td><td>I, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bounties for scalps, </td><td>I, 227.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowen, Peter, </td><td>I, 110, 114.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowen, Lt. Prentice, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowman, Col., </td><td>I, 422, 423.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowman, Jacob, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowman, Capt. Joseph, </td><td>I, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowman, Mr., </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bowman's Creek, </td><td>I, 311.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boyd, James, </td><td>I, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Boyd, Lieut., </td><td>II, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 67, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brainerd, Rev., </td><td>II, 224.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bradley, Commodore, </td><td>I, 221.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bradstreet, Gen., makes a peace, </td><td>I, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brandywine, </td><td>I, 197, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Catharine, </td><td>II, 500.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Elizabeth, </td><td>II, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Elizabeth, marries, </td><td>II, 535;</td></tr> - <tr><td> described, </td><td>535, 536;</td></tr> - <tr><td> her children, </td><td>536;</td></tr> - <tr><td> title, </td><td>537.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Isaac, killed by his - father, </td><td>II, 465, 466;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his family, </td><td>467.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Jacob, </td><td>II, 463, 469, 470, 477, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, </td><td>II, 500, 501;</td></tr> - <tr><td> sides with British, </td><td>501;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Battle of Queenston, </td><td>509;</td></tr> - <tr><td> rescues Col. Scott, </td><td>515, 516;</td></tr> - <tr><td> exploit at Beaver Dams, </td><td>516;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, </td><td>517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, manners of, </td><td>II, 518, 523;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to England, </td><td>524;</td></tr> - <tr><td> vindicates his father's name, </td><td>525, 526.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, Correspondence of, </td><td>II, 528.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, his connection with - Morgan affair, </td><td>II, 533.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, elected to Prov. - Parl., </td><td>II, 533.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, John, dies of cholera, </td><td>II, 534;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter of Tho. Campbell, </td><td>II, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Joseph, Orthography of - name, </td><td>I, xv;</td></tr> - <tr><td> papers left by, </td><td>xxli;</td></tr> - <tr><td> portraits of, </td><td>I, xxviii;</td></tr> - <tr><td> birth and parentage of, </td><td>I, 1, 2, 3;</td></tr> - <tr><td> life published at Kingston, </td><td>I, 2;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Wampum delivered to, </td><td>I, 7;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes with Sir Wm. Johnson - <tr><td> to Detroit, </td><td>I, 16;</td></tr> - <tr><td> early on the war-path, </td><td>I, 19;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Battle of Lake George, </td><td>I, 19;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to Niagara, </td><td>I, 20;</td></tr> - <tr><td> sent to school at Lebanon, </td><td>I, 20;</td></tr> - <tr><td> an interpreter, </td><td>1, 22;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes on an expedition - <tr><td> against Pontiac, </td><td>I, 24;</td></tr> - <tr><td> marries and settles, </td><td>I, 25, 27;</td></tr> - <tr><td> assists in Missions, </td><td>I, 26, 27;</td></tr> - <tr><td> removes to Ft. Hunter, </td><td>I, 27;</td></tr> - <tr><td> becomes religions, </td><td>I, 27;</td></tr> - <tr><td> intimate with Lt. Provost, </td><td>I, 28;</td></tr> - <tr><td> with Guy Johnson, </td><td>I, 34, 86, 149;</td></tr> - <tr><td> distrusts Kirkland's - <tr><td> loyalty, </td><td>I, 55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Oneidas, </td><td>II, 63;</td></tr> - <tr><td> destroys Oneida, </td><td>II, 55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Schoharie, </td><td>II, 55, 56, 57, 106;</td></tr> - <tr><td> returns to Niagara, </td><td>II, 63, 64, 67;</td></tr> - <tr><td> invades Mohawk country, </td><td>II, 95, 97;</td></tr> - <tr><td> destroys Fort at - <tr><td> Canajoharie, </td><td>II, 97, 105;</td></tr> - <tr><td> releases prisoners, </td><td>II, 102;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech to Indians, </td><td>I, 90;</td></tr> - <tr><td> not at Albany Treaty, </td><td>I, 104;</td></tr> - <tr><td> statement concerning rescue - of Johnson, </td><td>I, 144;</td></tr> - <tr><td> promoted, </td><td>I, 147;</td></tr> - <tr><td> traits of, </td><td>I, 149;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visits England, </td><td>I, 149, 150, 151, 249;</td></tr> - <tr><td> portraits, </td><td>I, 151;</td></tr> - <tr><td> returns to New York, </td><td>I, 151;</td></tr> - <tr><td> takes up the hatchet, </td><td>I, 151;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his motives, </td><td>I, 152, 153;</td></tr> - <tr><td> retort upon Pres. Wheelock, </td><td>I, 153;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Battle of Cedars, </td><td>I, 151, 153, 155, 179;</td></tr> - <tr><td> prevents a massacre, </td><td>I, 155, 156;</td></tr> - <tr><td> a Freemason, </td><td>I, 155;</td></tr> - <tr><td> joins British army, </td><td>I, 170;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Oghquaga, </td><td>I, 179, 181, 182, 189;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his grievances, </td><td>I, 180;</td></tr> - <tr><td> meeting at Unadilla, </td><td>I, 182, 183, 214, 297;</td></tr> - <tr><td> proposition to assassinate, </td><td>I, 185;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Oswego, </td><td>I, 186;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Chief of Six Nations, </td><td>I, 188;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Cherry Valley, </td><td>I, 189;</td></tr> - <tr><td> with St. Leger's expedition, </td><td>I, 209, 218, 222, 229, 230;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Battle of Oriskany, </td><td>I, 235, 240, 243, 244;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attempt to seize Mr. Taylor, </td><td>I, 290;</td></tr> - <tr><td> in league with Western - Indians, </td><td>I, 304;</td></tr> - <tr><td> on Susquehanna, </td><td>I, 310;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his activity as a partisan, </td><td>I, 310;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attacks Springfield, </td><td>I, 312;</td></tr> - <tr><td> not at Wyoming, </td><td>I, 338;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attacks Cobbleskill, </td><td>I, 364;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attacks Andruston, </td><td>I, 362;</td></tr> - <tr><td> invades German Flats, </td><td>I, 364, 365;</td></tr> - <tr><td> not in a gathering at Tioga, </td><td>I, 371;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attacks Cherry Valley, </td><td>I, 372, 379, 380;</td></tr> - <tr><td> an enterprise checked, </td><td>I, 400, 401, 403, 404;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attacks Minisink, </td><td>I, 415, 417;</td></tr> - <tr><td> opposes Sullivan's - Expedition, </td><td>II, 19;</td></tr> - <tr><td> in Battle of Newtown, </td><td>II, 20, 26;</td></tr> - <tr><td> captures Lt. Boyd, </td><td>II, 30, 31;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hostile to Red Jacket, </td><td>II, 35;</td></tr> - <tr><td> in Battle of Klock's Fields, </td><td>II, 124, 125;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Niagara, </td><td>II, 136;</td></tr> - <tr><td> expedition proposed by, </td><td>II, 136;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hovers in Mohawk - settlements, </td><td>II, 143, 144;</td></tr> - <tr><td> plans an attack, </td><td>II, 144;</td></tr> - <tr><td> differs from Walter Butler, </td><td>II, 193;</td></tr> - <tr><td> neglected in Treaty, </td><td>II, 238, 239;</td></tr> - <tr><td> convenes a Council, </td><td>II, 239;</td></tr> - <tr><td> displeased with Treaty, </td><td>II, 245;</td></tr> - <tr><td> writes to Col. Monroe, </td><td>II, 246;</td></tr> - <tr><td> receives great attentions, </td><td>II, 249, 250;</td></tr> - <tr><td> writes to Lord Sidney, </td><td>II, 252, 253;</td></tr> - <tr><td> applies for half pay, </td><td>II, 256;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Sir Evan Nepean, </td><td>II, 257;</td></tr> - <tr><td> withering retort of, </td><td>II, 259;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attends a masquerade, </td><td>II, 259;</td></tr> - <tr><td> translates prayer book and - psalms, </td><td>II, 260;</td></tr> - <tr><td> returns to Canada, </td><td>II, 261;</td></tr> - <tr><td> boundary question, </td><td>II, 363, 364;</td></tr> - <tr><td> negotiations among Indians, </td><td>II, 264, 358;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Gen. Knox, </td><td>II, 266;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Sir John - Johnson, </td><td>II, 267, 285, 287, 296, 389;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Major Matthews, </td><td>II, 270;</td></tr> - <tr><td> prepares to attend a - Council, </td><td>II, 274;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Sir John Johnson, </td><td>II, 276, 407;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attends at Fort Harmar, </td><td>II, 281;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Lieut. Langdon, </td><td>II, 275, 277;</td></tr> - <tr><td> introduces white settlers, </td><td>II, 283;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Pres. Willard, </td><td>II, 288;</td></tr> - <tr><td> proposes to write a History - of Six Nations, </td><td>II, 288, 441;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Gov. Clinton, </td><td>II, 289;</td></tr> - <tr><td> corresponds with M<sup>c</sup>Kee, </td><td>II, 291;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Detroit, </td><td>II, 294;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Capt. M<sup>c</sup>Kee, </td><td>II, 298;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Col Gordon, </td><td>II, 300, 320;</td></tr> - <tr><td> holds a private Council, </td><td>II, 302;</td></tr> - <tr><td> negotiations westward, </td><td>II, 302, 303, 304;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his influence sought, </td><td>II, 305, 306, 319, 331;</td></tr> - <tr><td> charged with vanity, </td><td>II, 306;</td></tr> - <tr><td> designs pacific, </td><td>II, 307;</td></tr> - <tr><td> in Battle of Miamis, </td><td>II, 313;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Rev. S. - Kirkland, </td><td>II, 320;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Secretary of - War, </td><td>II, 321;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Sec. War, </td><td>II, 324, 332, 333;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Sec. War, </td><td>II, 325;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visits Philadelphia, </td><td>II, 327, 328, 329;</td></tr> - <tr><td> threatened in Mohawk Valley, </td><td>II, 327, 330;</td></tr> - <tr><td> does not attend Treaty at - Miami, </td><td>II, 334, 335;</td></tr> - <tr><td> complimentary letter of Duke - of Northumberland, </td><td>II, 337;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attends Treaty at Miami - Rapids, </td><td>II, 340;</td></tr> - <tr><td> returns to Buffalo, </td><td>II, 342;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech at Council, </td><td>II, 343, 344, 346, 352;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to Miami, </td><td>II, 347;</td></tr> - <tr><td> effort to secure Indians' - rights </td><td>II, 351, 352;</td></tr> - <tr><td> did not concur in a treaty, </td><td>II, 356;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at a Council at Buffalo - Creek, </td><td>II, 362;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech of, </td><td>II, 362, 364;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hostilities threatened by, </td><td>II, 377;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Col. Smith, </td><td>II, 379;</td></tr> - <tr><td> preparing for hostilities, </td><td>II, 379, 381;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Gov. Simcoe, </td><td>II, 390, 392;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hostile negotiations, </td><td>II, 393, 394;</td></tr> - <tr><td> end of military career, </td><td>II, 395;</td></tr> - <tr><td> land negotiations, </td><td>II, 396, 397, 401, 403, 409;</td></tr> - <tr><td> settles whites on Grand - River, </td><td>II, 397, 398;</td></tr> - <tr><td> opposed to land-jobbers, </td><td>II, 399, 400;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his plan of tenure, </td><td>II, 402;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Tho. Morris, </td><td>II, 405;</td></tr> - <tr><td> bitterness towards Deputy - Supt., </td><td>II, 409;</td></tr> - <tr><td> engaged in sale to - Livingston, </td><td>II, 410, 411;</td></tr> - <tr><td> blamed by Caughnawagas, </td><td>II, 411;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visits Albany, </td><td>II, 411, 412;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Thomas Morris, </td><td>II, 412;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visits Caughnawaga, </td><td>II, 413;</td></tr> - <tr><td> amicable settlement, </td><td>II, 414;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hostile to Red Jacket, </td><td>II, 416, 417;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Duke of - Northumberland, </td><td>II, 417, 424, 429;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his acts investigated, </td><td>II, 418;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his appeal, </td><td>II, 419, 420, 421;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech in his behalf, </td><td>II, 422;</td></tr> - <tr><td> exonerated, </td><td>II, 422, 423;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Council at Buffalo, </td><td>II, 423;</td></tr> - <tr><td> proposes to visit England, </td><td>II, 424;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Duke of - Northumberland, </td><td>II, 426;</td></tr> - <tr><td> starts for England, </td><td>II, 428;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visit deferred, </td><td>II, 428;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his care of the Mohawks, </td><td>II, 430;</td></tr> - <tr><td> as a farmer, </td><td>II, 431;</td></tr> - <tr><td> literary labors, </td><td>II, 431;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Sir John Johnson, </td><td>II, 432;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attempts to procure a - pastor, </td><td>II, 433, 434, 435, 436;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Chief Justice, </td><td>II, 434;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Aaron Burr, </td><td>II, 436;</td></tr> - <tr><td> procures a pastor from, - U S., </td><td>II, 438;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Rev. J M. Mason, </td><td>II, 439;</td></tr> - <tr><td> temperance measures, </td><td>II, 441, 442;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Council to settle a - difficulty, </td><td>II, 446;</td></tr> - <tr><td> games, </td><td>II, 447;</td></tr> - <tr><td> condolence, </td><td>II, 451;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech and reply, </td><td>II, 401, 452, 453;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter describing a journey, </td><td>II, 453;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Burr, </td><td>II, 455, 456, 457;</td></tr> - <tr><td> received at Burr's house, </td><td>II, 456;</td></tr> - <tr><td> opinion of Dr. Miller, </td><td>II, 457;</td></tr> - <tr><td> visits New England, </td><td>II, 458;</td></tr> - <tr><td> hostility in Mohawk, </td><td>II, 458, 459;</td></tr> - <tr><td> threatened by Wells, </td><td>II, 459;</td></tr> - <tr><td> entertained at Albany, </td><td>II, 459, 460;</td></tr> - <tr><td> anecdotes told by, </td><td>II, 460, 461;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his motives as a warrior, </td><td>II, 461, 462;</td></tr> - <tr><td> in domestic life, </td><td>II, 463;</td></tr> - <tr><td> thrice married, </td><td>II, 363;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his children, </td><td>II, 363;</td></tr> - <tr><td> kills his son Isaac, </td><td>II, 365, 366;</td></tr> - <tr><td> tenders resignation, </td><td>II, 366;</td></tr> - <tr><td> opinion of Council, </td><td>II, 366;</td></tr> - <tr><td> appeal for education of his - children, </td><td>II, 468;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Col. Smith, </td><td>II, 468;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to James Wheelock, </td><td>II, 469, 471;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to John Wheelock, </td><td>II, 470, 473, 475;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter of James Wheelock, </td><td>II, 472, 474;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from John Wheelock, </td><td>II, 473;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to James Wheelock, </td><td>II, 476, 478;</td></tr> - <tr><td> from James Wheelock, </td><td>II, 478;</td></tr> - <tr><td> correspondence of, </td><td>II, 479, 481;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Mr. M<sup>c</sup>Causeland, </td><td>II, 479;</td></tr> - <tr><td> antiquarian researches, </td><td>II, 486;</td></tr> - <tr><td> personal appearance, </td><td>II, 488, 496;</td></tr> - <tr><td> proposes to learn Greek, </td><td>II, 489;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Mr. Kirkland, </td><td>II, 493;</td></tr> - <tr><td> builds First Episcopal - church in U. C, </td><td>II, 495;</td></tr> - <tr><td> character, </td><td>II, 496;</td></tr> - <tr><td> retorts upon Jemima - Wilkinson, </td><td>II, 497;</td></tr> - <tr><td> builds a house, </td><td>II, 498;</td></tr> - <tr><td> dies, </td><td>II, 499;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his family, </td><td>II, 500;</td></tr> - <tr><td> wife returns to Mohawks, </td><td>II, 501;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Wyoming, </td><td>II, 525, 526;</td></tr> - <tr><td> death of widow, </td><td>II, 537;</td></tr> - <tr><td> vote of thanks, </td><td>II, 549;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Gov. Clinton, </td><td>II, 569;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Chapin's certificate, </td><td>II, 571;</td></tr> - <tr><td> certificate of Capt. - Leonard, </td><td>II, 572;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech at Niagara, </td><td>II, 577;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter of Jeromus Johnson, </td><td>II, 582, 583;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter from Saul Peters, </td><td>II, 583;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at his death, </td><td>II, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Joseph, Jr., </td><td>II, 463, 469, 470, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Mary, alias Molly, </td><td>I, 18, 33, 34, 87, 183, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Molly, </td><td>II, 519, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant, Nickus, </td><td>I, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brantford, </td><td>II, 467, 537.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brant House, </td><td>II, 517, 513.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Breadley, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Breyman, Col., </td><td>I, 268, 273.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Briant's station, </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Briar Creek, </td><td>II, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Briggs, Capt, </td><td>I, 397.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brigham, Capt., </td><td>II, 470, 472.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Broad River, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brock, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brock, Gen. Wool, </td><td>II, 507, 508, 509, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brodack's house occurrence at, </td><td>I, 357.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brodhead, Col Daniel, </td><td>II, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 207, - 208, 209.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bronkahorse, </td><td>I, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brooklyn, British at, </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brooks, Col., </td><td>I, 273.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brother, murder by, </td><td>II, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brown, Capt. Christian, </td><td>I, 313, 353, 354.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brown, Col., </td><td>II, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, - 124, 125.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brown, John M., </td><td>I, 313.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brown, killed, </td><td>II, 58.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brown's Schoharie quoted, </td><td>I, 57.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brownson, Timothy, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brudenell, </td><td>I, 272, 469.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Brunswick troops, from Duke of, </td><td>I, 167.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bryant's Station, </td><td>II, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buchanan, James, </td><td>II, 519.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buck Island, </td><td>II, 136, 186, 189.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buckloons, </td><td>II, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buffalo, </td><td>II, 244, 300, 326, 335, 377, 408, - 421, 436, 555.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buffalo Creek, </td><td>I, xxx.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buffalo Creek, </td><td>II, 244, 266, 285, 301, 302, 303, 306, - 324, 339, 359, 364, 378, 415, 417, - 579.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buford, Col., </td><td>II, 99.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bull, Capt., </td><td>I, 33, 183.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bullet, dispatches in, </td><td>II, 213.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bunker Hill, battle of, </td><td>I, 79, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burgoyne, Gen., </td><td>I, 79, 195, 196, 197, 198, 20l, 203, - 204, 205, 206, 208, 209, 229, 231, 232, - 241, 249, 250, 261, 264, 265, 268, 269, - 270, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, - 279, 280, 282, 286, 287, 299, 300, 462, - 465, 467, 469, 470, 473, 474, 475, 476, - 477, 478, 480, 481, 483.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burgoyne, </td><td>II, 118, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burke, Mr., </td><td>I, 60, 115, - <tr><td>Burke, </td><td>II, 258.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burlington Bay, </td><td>II, 498.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burlington Heights, </td><td>II, 365.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burnet, Gov., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burnet's Field, </td><td>I, 7, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burnet, Lt., </td><td>II, 3.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burr, Aaron, </td><td>II, 101, 102, 436, 439, 455, 456, 457, - 458.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Burr, Theodosia, </td><td>II, 455, 456, 457.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Bute, Lord of, </td><td>II, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Col. John, </td><td>I, 34, 52, 54, 86, 118, 186, 210, 230, - 235, 238, 240, 241, 242, 250, 253, - 255, 256, 260, 291, 293, 306, 329, - 331, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 344, - 366, 373, 378, 381, 384, 385, 386, - 387, 391, 459, 462, 464.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Col. J., </td><td>II, 3, 9, 19, 22, 26, 31, 34, 54, 67, - 126, 135, 186, 187, 189, 277, 286, - 300, 302, 303, 306, 335, 341, 342, - 359, 362, 368, 371, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Walter N., </td><td>I, xxiii, 34, 86, 336, 355, 358, 365, - 369, 370, 371, 372, 378, 381, 382, - 383, 884, 386, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Walter N., </td><td>II, 3, 19, 54, 126, 186, 191, 192, 193, - 196, 214, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Gen., </td><td>II, 266, 308, 309, 310, 312.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Col. Wm., </td><td>I, 355, 356, 367, 368.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Col. Zebulon, </td><td>I, 326, 327, 328, 332, 333, 334, 335, - 338, 340, 341.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Col. Zebulon, </td><td>II, 36.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Mrs., </td><td>I, 377, 384, 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler's Rangers, </td><td>I, 392, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler's Rangers, </td><td>II, 5, 54, 105, 120, 122, 123, 164, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butler, Pa., </td><td>II, 556, 557.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butterfield, Major, </td><td>I, 153, 154, 155.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butternuts, </td><td>I, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Butterworth, Mr., </td><td>II, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Buxton family massacred, </td><td>I, 378.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cabot, Sebastian, </td><td>II, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cadaragara, </td><td>II, 380.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Caldwell, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Camden, Lord, </td><td>I, 323.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Camden, Lord, </td><td>II, 238, 404.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Camden, Gen., </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell's Gertrude of Wyoming, </td><td>II, 525, 526, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, John, </td><td>I, 382.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Col. Samuel, </td><td>I, 72, 168, 189, 281, 282, 307, 371, - 376, 382, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Major, </td><td>II, 388, 389, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Mrs., </td><td>I, 377, 378, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, - 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Mrs., </td><td>II, 55, 130.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Capt., </td><td>II, 386.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Thomas, </td><td>II, 100, 250, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campbell, Wm. W., facts from, </td><td>I, xx, xxi, xxiv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Campendown, </td><td>I, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canada expedition, </td><td>I, 5, 112, 116, 162, 163, 164, 165, - 300, 393.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canada, invasion from, </td><td>I, 198 to 264.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canada Creek, </td><td>II, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canadasago, </td><td>II, 322, 362.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canaghsioraga, </td><td>II, 124.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canadiorba, alias Nickus Brant, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canajoharie, </td><td>I, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 25, 27, 52, 112, - 113, 114, 291.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canajoharie, </td><td>II, 5, 37, 38, 39, 95, 96, 97, 105, - 155, 156, 411, 548.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canandaigua Lake, </td><td>I, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canandaigua, </td><td>II, 401, 416, 436, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canaseraga, </td><td>I, 367, 408.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cane, Barney, </td><td>II, 64, 65.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Canestoga, Indians at, </td><td>I, 38.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cannassateego, </td><td>I, 99, 320, 436, 437, 445, 449.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cannibalism charged, </td><td>I, 241, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cannon, Matthew, </td><td>II, 130.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cannon, Mrs., </td><td>I, 378, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cantine, Col. John, </td><td>II, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cape Cod, </td><td>II, 590, 591.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carlton, Sir Guy, </td><td>I, 89, 109, 112, 117, 149, 151, 153, - 157, 162, 163, 165, 173, 174, 195, - 197, 199, 204, 243, 308.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carlton, Sir Guy, </td><td>II, 8, 116, 128, 129, 132, 211, 214, - 233, 238, 250, 261, 402, 577. - <tr><td>Carleton, Major, </td><td>II, 131, 132, 133, 135, 150.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carleton Island, </td><td>II, 68, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carlisle, Karl of, </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carlisle, Capt. John, </td><td>II, 154.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carpenter, John, </td><td>II, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carr, Lt., </td><td>II, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carr, Purcifer, </td><td>I, 313.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carroll, Mr., in Canada, </td><td>I, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carry-one-about, </td><td>II, 348.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carey, Lt. Wm., </td><td>II, 573, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Caroga Creek, </td><td>II, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carter, Sarah, </td><td>II, 563.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cartwright's, </td><td>I, 430.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Carver, Capt., </td><td>II, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cass, Peter, </td><td>II, 123.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cassassenny, Indian castle of, </td><td>I, 209.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Castleton, </td><td>I, 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Castleton, </td><td>II, 197.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Caswell, Col., </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Casweighter, </td><td>II, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catamount sign, </td><td>II, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cataraghqui, French buy furs at, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cataraqui, </td><td>I, 438.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cataraqui, </td><td>II, 245.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catawbas, </td><td>I, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catherinestown, </td><td>I, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catherinestown, </td><td>II, 21, 22, 23.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catlin, Geo., portrait of - Brant by, </td><td>I, xxix.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cats eyes, </td><td>II, 342, 345.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catskill, </td><td>I, 356.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Catskill, </td><td>II, 156, 173, 198.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cauhow, </td><td>I, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Caughnawaga, </td><td>I, 52, 106, 136, 142, 410, 434, 447, - 449, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Caughnawaga, </td><td>II, 73, 74, 77, 78, 108, 114, 119, 125. - <tr><td>Caughnawagas, </td><td>I, 89, 90, 94, 96, 103, 117, 149, 158. - <tr><td>Caughnawagas, </td><td>II, 103, 104, 105, 368, 409, 410, 411, - 412, 413, 414, 69.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cauldwell, Capt., </td><td>II, 167, 168, 169, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayuga Lake, </td><td>I, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayuga Lake, </td><td>II, 36.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayugas, </td><td>I, 12, 13, 14, 42, 86, 182, 244, 304, - 305, 307, 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayugas, </td><td>II, 3, 23, 24, 25, 36, 243, 244, 289, - 302, 412, 422, 423, 569.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayadutta, </td><td>II, 73, 75.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cayaughkiass, </td><td>II, 566.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cazenovia Lake, </td><td>I, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cedars, Battle of, </td><td>I, 151, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cedars, Battle of, </td><td>II, 93, 130, 133, 490.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Census Indian, mentioned, </td><td>I, 86.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chamberlain, Rev. Theophilus, - missionary, </td><td>I, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chamblee, </td><td>I, 116.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chamblee, </td><td>II, 64, 81, 90, 91.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Champlain Lake, fortresses on, </td><td>I, 163, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chandler, Gen., </td><td>II, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chapin, Gen. Israel, </td><td>II, 320, 325, 326, 327, 329, 359, 362, - 363, 364, 365, 366, 369, 370, 371, - 374, 377, 378, 416, 436, 494, 571.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chapin, Maj. Cyrenus, </td><td>II, 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chapman, Capt., </td><td>II, 135.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chard, Joseph, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Charleston expedition, </td><td>I, 166, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Charleston, </td><td>II, 51, 52, 53, 142, 201, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Charlotte River, </td><td>I, 178, 312, 356.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Charlotte River, </td><td>II, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chase, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chase, Mr., in Canada, </td><td>I, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chatham, Earl of, favors - Colonies, </td><td>I, 49.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chatham, </td><td>II, 600.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chemung, </td><td>I, 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chemung, </td><td>II, 19, 36, 58, 59, 65, 128, 169, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chennessio, fort building at, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cherokees, </td><td>I, 295.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cherokees, </td><td>II, 209, 243, 265, 331, 339, 346, 355, - 375, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cherry Valley, </td><td>I, 52, 53, 106, 167, 168, 181, 189, - 190, 191, 307, 311, 312, 313, 336, - 341, 371, 373, 374, 375, 376, 381, - 382, 383, 385, 387, 391, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cherry Valley, </td><td>II, 6, 15, 55, 63, 157, 192, 193, 459, - 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chesapeake, </td><td>I, 195, 197, 284, 346.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chester, </td><td>I, 285.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chew, Joseph, </td><td>II, 326, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chew, W. G., </td><td>II, xxxv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chickasaus, </td><td>I, 295.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chickasaus, </td><td>II 375, 383, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chilicothe, </td><td>I, 42, 48, 349, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chilicothe, </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chippewas, </td><td>I, 56, II, 3, 218, 243, 264, 265, 278, - 285, 295, 348, 349, 355, 361, 376, - 387, 510.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chippewa, </td><td>II, 517, 534.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chittenden, Gov. Tho., </td><td>II, 183, 184, 202, 204, 206, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chittenden, Timothy, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Choctaws, </td><td>I, 296.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Choctaws, </td><td>II, 375, 377, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Church, John B., </td><td>II, 176.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Church, Mrs Philip, </td><td>II, 176.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Churches built by Sir Wm. - Johnson, </td><td>I, 20.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chrystie, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 504, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Chrystie, Col., </td><td>II, 512, 513.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Christie, Robert, </td><td>II, 510, 512.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clappum, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clarke, Col., </td><td>II, 45, 46, 49, 71, 519.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clark, Gen., </td><td>II, 216, 299.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clarke, Col. Geo. Rogers, </td><td>I, 352, 398, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clarkson, Gen. Matthew, </td><td>I, 267.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claverack, </td><td>II, 115, 148.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claus, Col. Daniel, </td><td>I, 27, 33, 34, 52, 154, 209, 210, 230, - 253, 255, 256, 260, 304, 464.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claus, Col. Daniel, </td><td>II, 144, 145, 417, 418, 419, 425, 426, - 441, 451, 452, 497.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claus, Capt., </td><td>II, 399, 402, 406, 407, 468.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claus, Wm., </td><td>II, 461, 465.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Claus, Mrs., </td><td>II, 451.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clayes, Capt., </td><td>II, 22.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clayton, Col. Asher </td><td>I, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clear sky, </td><td>II, 359, 371.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clement, Jacobus, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clement, Lewis, </td><td>I, 110, 114.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clement, Ralph, </td><td>II, 277.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cleveland, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, A., papers in - possession of, </td><td>I, xxii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, De Witt, </td><td>II, 585.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Gov George, </td><td>I, 278, 280, 281, 302, 303, 304, 306, - 307, 382, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Gov. George, </td><td>II, 2, 17, 81, 95, 96, 115, 120, 123, - 143, 146, 149, 150, 153, 154, 167, - 168, 182, 184, 185, 197, 198, 204, - 206, 281, 287, 304, 305, 306, 329, - 368, 369, 411, 457, 569.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Sir Henry, </td><td>I, 79, 169, 170, 171, 264, 280, 281, - 282, 344, 345, 347, 358, 359, 360, - 370, 373, 395, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Sir Henry, </td><td>II, 53, 54, 98, 99, 102, 132, 139, 140, - 141, 195, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Gen. James, </td><td>I, xxii, 116, 248, 288, 307, 358, 359, - 375, 382, 383, 384, 386, 394, 401, - 403, 404, 410, 411, 421, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clinton, Gen. James, </td><td>II, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, - 18, 23, 24 32, 135, 143, 146, 147, - 148, 149, 150, 151, 154, 155, 160, - 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clozier, James, </td><td>II, 562.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clyde, Samuel, </td><td>I, 72, 168, 182, 371.</td></tr> - - - - <tr><td>Clyde, Col, </td><td>II, 96, 122, 548, 549.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Clyde, Mrs., </td><td>I, 375.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cobleskill, </td><td>I, 313, 353, 411, 412.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cobleskill, </td><td>II, 15.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Corbley, John, letter of, </td><td>II, 564, 565.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Major James, </td><td>I, 366, 367, 370, 405, 407.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Major James, </td><td>II, 327, 330, 492.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 148, 149.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Mrs. James, </td><td>I, 207, 291.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Mrs., </td><td>II, 177.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cochran, Maj Robert, </td><td>I, 357, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cockrel, Richard, </td><td>II, 501.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Coe's station, </td><td>II, 564.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Coffin, Col., </td><td>II, 514, 515.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Colborn, Col., </td><td>I, 269.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Colden, Dr.. on Mohawks, </td><td>I, xviii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Collier, Sir George, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Collis, Lieut., </td><td>II, 22.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Collyer, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>"Col. Louis," </td><td>(see Atagataronghta).</td></tr> - <tr><td>Colonies, driven to rebellion, </td><td>I, 49, 50.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Commissions issued to Indians, </td><td>I, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Committees in Tryon co., </td><td>I, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Companionships among Indians, </td><td>I, 28;</td></tr> - <tr><td> among the Greeks, </td><td>I, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Concord, collision at, </td><td>I, 37, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Condolence, speech of, </td><td>II, 441.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Congress, </td><td>I, 35, 36, 51, 91, 92, 93, 111, - 143, 145, 156, 158, 159, 246, 263, - 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connecticut, </td><td>I, 37, 115, 322.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connecticut Reserve, </td><td>II, 396.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connell, declaration of, </td><td>I, 120, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connally, Lieut. Col., </td><td>II, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connally, Col., </td><td>II, 151.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connequeuesling Creek, </td><td>II, 556, 559.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connissius Lake, </td><td>II, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Connoys, </td><td>II, 3, 4, 348, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cennowango, </td><td>II, 24, 41.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Continental Village, </td><td>II, 196.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Conway, Gen., </td><td>I, 115, 301, 303.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Conyat, </td><td>II, 304.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Conyne, Lieut., </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cooke, Mrs., </td><td>II, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cook, Col. Lewis, </td><td>I, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cook, Lewis, </td><td>(see Atagataronghta), II.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cook, Sir Francis, </td><td>I, 272.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cooper, Gen. John, </td><td>I, 7, 290.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Copp, Captain, </td><td>I, 403.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cork, Jacob R., </td><td>I, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Corlies, John, </td><td>II, 177.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cornelius, </td><td>I, 367.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cornplanter, </td><td>II, 34, 105, 126, 127, 128, 243, 244, - 245, 299, 303, 306, 307, 326, 334, - 350, 355, 377, 411, 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cornstock, </td><td>I, 12, 43, 44, 45, 191, 192, 193, - 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cornwallis, Gen., </td><td>I, 172, 173, 175, 287, II, 99, 142, - 193, 194, 195, 202, 203, 209, 214, - 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cortus, Mr., </td><td>II, 562.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cory, </td><td>II, 212, 213.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cosby's manor council appointed - at, </td><td>I, 72;</td></tr> - <tr><td> not held, I, 76.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Coshocton, </td><td>II, 207, 208.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cough, Mr., </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Council Fire, transferred to - Albany, </td><td>I, xxv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Council Fire, kept at Onondaga, </td><td>I, xxv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Council Fire extinguished, </td><td>I, 176.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cowboys, </td><td>I, 258.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cowley, Mr., </td><td>I, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cowpens, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cox, Col. Ebenezer, </td><td>I, 72, 109, 181, 184, 233, 234, 236, - 242, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cox, Mr., </td><td>II, 70.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Coxsackie, </td><td>II, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Craig, Sir James H., </td><td>II, 269.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crawford, James, alleged - letter of, </td><td>I, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crawford, Wm., </td><td>II, 225, 226, 227, 228.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crawford, Col., </td><td>II, 231, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crawford, Lieut., </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Creeks, </td><td>I, 296.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Creeks, </td><td>II, 214, 339, 355, 362, 375, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cresap's war, </td><td>I, 38, 39, 40, 46, 191, 192, 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cresap's war, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cricket games, </td><td>II, 445, 446, 447.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crim, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crouse, Robert, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crown Point, </td><td>I, 15, 78, 163, 164, 165, 173, 174, - 195, 199, 201, 384, 392, 438.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crown Point, </td><td>II, 73, 81, 90, 132, 150, 151, 152, - 155, 178.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Crozier, Mary Ann, </td><td>II, 563.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cuchehwaskiseegua, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Currie, John, </td><td>II, 555.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Currietown, </td><td>II, 157, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cusick, David, quoted, </td><td>I, 147.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Cuyler, Col., </td><td>II, 121.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dalhousie, Karl, </td><td>II, 532.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Danbury, attacked, </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Danvers, Sir Robert, meets - Johnson, </td><td>I, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Darke, Col., </td><td>II, 308, 309, 310, 311, 315.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dartmouth, Earl of, founds - college, </td><td>I, 22.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dartmouth college, </td><td>II, 468, 470, 473.</td></tr> - <tr><td>David, Captain, </td><td>II, 276.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, Ashbel, </td><td>II, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, Hamlet, </td><td>II, 531.</td></tr> - <tr><td>David Lawrence, </td><td>II, 531.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 236, 242, 342.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, John, </td><td>II, 552.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, Mr., </td><td>I, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Davis, Col. Valentine, </td><td>II, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dayton, Col., </td><td>I, 143, 145, 168, 169, 217, 223.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dayton, Col., </td><td>II, 23, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>D'Aubrey, M., at siege of - Niagara, </td><td>I, 20.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dean, James, </td><td>I, 131, 142, 370, 407.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Deane, Mr., </td><td>II, 7, 10, 104.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Diane, Silas, </td><td>I, 298.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dearborn, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 36.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dearborn, Col., </td><td>I, 271, 272.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Decker, Maj. Hans, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Couagre, movement against, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>D'Estaing, Count, </td><td>I, 346.</td></tr> - <tr><td>D'Estaing, Count, </td><td>II, 53, 54.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Graffe, judge, </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Grasse, Count, </td><td>II, 195.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Haven, Major, </td><td>II, 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Deitz, William, </td><td>I, 287, 315, 316.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Deitz, Peter, </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Deitz, Capt., </td><td>II, 178.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Kalb, Baron, </td><td>I, 301.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Kalb, Baron, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Delagie, Natalié, </td><td>I, 40, 42, 95, 118, 149, 403, 415, - II, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Delawares, </td><td>I, 319, 320, 321, 323, 324, 329, 347, - 348, 349, II, 3, 43, 46, 47, 49, 65, - 66, 69, 208, 217, 220, 221, 227, 243, - 265, 266, 278, 291, 295, 346, 348, - 349, 350, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361, - 372, 373, 377, 386, 422, 565, 566, - 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Denniston, Col., </td><td>I, 333, 334, 335, 341, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Denniston, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Denniston, Nathan, </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Peister, Col., </td><td>II, 249.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Puisy, Count, </td><td>II, 328, 403.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Derby, Karl of, </td><td>I, 276.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Desertions, </td><td>I, 166, 171, 173, 360, 361.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Soto, </td><td>II, 1.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Detroit, </td><td>I, 16, 24, 25, 102, 103, 304, 339, 348, - 349, 350, 352, 392, 393, 399, 400, - 434, 456, II, 41, 45, 46, 62, 71, - 130, 208, 218, 219, 241, 232, 233, - 243, 263, 265, 267, 268, 270, 274, - 275, 278, 284, 285, 291, 292, 294, - 302, 347, 352, 358, 361, 379, 381, - 382, 391, 423, 474, 502, 503.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Devil's Point, </td><td>II, 92.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Witt, Capt., </td><td>I, 357.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Witt, Charles H., </td><td>II, 66, 68.</td></tr> - <tr><td>De Witt, Levi, </td><td>II, 94.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dezonhighkor, </td><td>II, 428.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dick, Capt., </td><td>I, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dickson, Wm. </td><td>II, xxxv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Diefendorf, Frederick, </td><td>II, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Diefendorf, Capt. Henry, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Diefendorf, Lieut., </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Diefendorf, Jacob, </td><td>II, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dieskan, Baron, defeated and - wounded, </td><td>I, 19.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dillenback, Capt. Andrew, </td><td>I, 240, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dingley, Dr., </td><td>II, 453, 582.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dionondadles, </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Disaffection prevails, </td><td>I, 166, 173, 211, 213, II, 137, 138, - 139.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dobbs Ferry, </td><td>II, 205.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dodge, John, </td><td>I, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dodridge's history quoted, </td><td>I, 40, 44.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dodridge, Rev. Mr., </td><td>I, 397.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dog, fidelity of, </td><td>I, 226.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dog sacrifice, </td><td>I, 389, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dorchester Heights, occupied, </td><td>I, 161.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dorchester, Lord, of, </td><td>I, 90, II, 180, 236, 250, 270, 272, - 279, 282, 286, 295, 296, 297, 299, - 300, 207, 366, 367, 368, 369, 399, - 402, 403, 404.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Doonyontal, </td><td>II, 43.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Douglass, Mr., </td><td>II, 174.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dougherty, Capt., </td><td>I, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Douw, Mr., in charge of Indian - affairs, </td><td>I, 101, 103.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Douw, Volket P., </td><td>I, 93, 94, 304, 430, 431, 435, 451.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Doxstader, </td><td>II, 79.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Doxstader, John, </td><td>II, 157, 159, 160, 163.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Drakes History quoted, </td><td>I, 43, 44, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duane, James, </td><td>I, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duane, James, </td><td>II, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duanesburg, </td><td>I, 314.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dubois, Col., </td><td>II, 120, 121, 122, 123.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duel, </td><td>II, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duer, Wm., </td><td>I, 137, 263.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duguoris, </td><td>II, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duintate, </td><td>II, 334.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duncan, Capt., </td><td>I, 418, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duncan, Capt., </td><td>II, 114, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duncan, Major, </td><td>I, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duncan, Richard, </td><td>II, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dundas, Major, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunham, Capt. Josiah, </td><td>II, 477, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunlap's Hist. American Stage - quoted, </td><td>I, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunlop, Samuel, </td><td>I, 168, 374.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunmore, Lord, </td><td>I, 41, 45, 47, 116, 119, 191, 194, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunning, Lt. Benj., </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dunop, Count, </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duplessis, Mr., </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Duquesne, Capt., </td><td>I, 251.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Durbin, Col., </td><td>II, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Durkee, Col., </td><td>I, 335, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Durlogh, </td><td>II, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dutch treatment of Indians, </td><td>II, 241.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dwight, Pres., statement by, </td><td>I, 226.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dwight, Pres., </td><td>II, 192, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dyer, Eliphalet, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dygert, John, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dygert, William, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Dygert, </td><td>II, 330.</td></tr> - <tr><td>East Haven burnt, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eastern news, </td><td>II, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Easton, Pa., council held at, </td><td>I, 10.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Easton, </td><td>II, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Easton, Col., </td><td>II, 116.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ecker, Geo., Jr., on committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eddy, Thomas, </td><td>II, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eden, Wm., </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edgar, John, </td><td>II, 197, 198, 204.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edick, Christian, </td><td>II, 70.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edineston settlement, </td><td>I, 364, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edwards, Dr., on Mohegans, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edwards, Mr., </td><td>II, 580.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Edward, Prince, </td><td>II, 299.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Egouchouoy, </td><td>II, 376.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eights, Jonathan, </td><td>II, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eisenlord, Col., </td><td>I, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eisenlord, Maj. John, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elerson, David, </td><td>I, 356.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elerson, David, </td><td>II, 14, 15.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elholm, Capt., </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elizabethtown, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elkhorn, </td><td>II, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ellinipsico, </td><td>I, 42, 191, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elliot, a loyalist, </td><td>I, 348, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elliott, Capt., </td><td>II, 208, 218, 347, 357, 474.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elliot, John, </td><td>II, 339, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ellis, Alexander, </td><td>II, 69.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ellis, </td><td>II, 94.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elmira, </td><td>II, 19.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Elmore, Col., </td><td>I, 175, 176, 222.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Engravings, historical notice - of, </td><td>I, xxviii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Enlistments, term of, </td><td>I, 161;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Indians, </td><td>I, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Enos, Gen., </td><td>II, 201, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Epidemic among Indians, </td><td>I, 104.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Erik, </td><td>II, 487, 590.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Esopus, </td><td>I, 182, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Esopus, </td><td>II, 68.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Etherington, Capt., meets - Johnson, </td><td>I, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Eusenia, wife of Mikus Hance, </td><td>I, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Exeter, </td><td>I, 328, 332.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fairchild, Benj., </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fairfield, </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fall Hill, </td><td>I, 292, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Falls of Ohio, </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Falls of St. Anthony, </td><td>II, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Falmouth burned, </td><td>I, 116.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Families of Indian warriors - supplied, </td><td>I, 16.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fantine Kill, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Farmers Brother, </td><td>II, 359, 362, 415, 423, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fassett, John, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fay, Joseph, </td><td>II, 197, 199, 201, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fay, brothers, </td><td>II, 197.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Feeter, Col. Win., </td><td>II, 161, 167.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Female captives never - dishonored, </td><td>I, xiv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fenn, Rev. Mr., </td><td>I, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fenwick, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 504, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ferguson, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Festivals, their influence, </td><td>II, 444.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Field, Col., decides a battle - and is killed, </td><td>I, 43.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fink, Andrew, on committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fish Carvier, </td><td>II, 302.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fish Creek, </td><td>I, 216, 291, 476, 477.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fish, Nicholas, </td><td>II, 143.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fisher, Frederick, on committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fisher, Col., </td><td>I, 163.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fisheries interrupted, </td><td>I, 49.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fishkill, </td><td>I, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fitzherbert, Mr., </td><td>II, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Flatbush, </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fleming, Col., wounded, </td><td>I, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Florida, </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Folsom, Nathaniel, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Adam, on committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Douw, </td><td>I, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Douw, </td><td>II, 77, 458, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Capt., </td><td>I, 6, 12.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Major Jelles, </td><td>I, 177, 182, 230, 403.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, Col. Jelles, </td><td>II, 75, 114.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda, John, arrested, </td><td>I, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fonda's bush, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fontaine, Major, </td><td>II, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Force, Peter, papers in hands - of, </td><td>I, xxiii, 123.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ford, Lauren, </td><td>II, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Forster, Capt., </td><td>I, 153, 154, 155.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Forks of Unadilla, </td><td>I, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Ann, </td><td>I, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Anne, </td><td>II, 129, 131, 133, 151.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Brewerton, </td><td>I, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Bull, </td><td>I, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort at Chennessio, (Genesee), </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort at Cherry Valley, </td><td>I, 189.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Clinton, </td><td>I, 280, 281, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Constitution, </td><td>I, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Dayton, </td><td>I, 224, 233, 255, 256, 258, 262, 364, - 365.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Dayton, </td><td>II, 69, 143, 163, 164, 166, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Deposite, </td><td>II, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Edward, </td><td>I, 202, 203, 204, 205, 213, 267, 275, - 478, 479.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Edward, </td><td>II, 144, 150, 409, 542, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Erie, </td><td>I, 333.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Erie, </td><td>II, 303, 332, 342, 344, 347, 380, 452, - 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Forty, </td><td>I, 332, 333.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Freeland, </td><td>I, 432.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort George, </td><td>I, 163, 164, 231, 266, 267, 270, 275.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort George </td><td>II, 129, 131, 132, 134, 451, 503, 509, - 516, 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Greenville, </td><td>II, 321, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Griswold, </td><td>II, 195.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Harmer, </td><td>II, 279, 280, 281, 332, 338, 349, 353, - 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Hardy, </td><td>I, 447.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Hendrick, </td><td>II, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Henry, </td><td>I, 257.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Herkimer, </td><td>I, 364, 365. 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Herkimer, </td><td>II, 69, 123, 149, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Hunter, </td><td>I, 26, 27, 52, 309, 450.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Hunter, </td><td>II, 111, 114, 125, 186, 187, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Jefferson, </td><td>II, 308, 311, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Keyser, </td><td>II, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Laurens, </td><td>I, 351, 396, 397, 399.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Lee, </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, </td><td>II, 62, 232, 349, 353, 372.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Miami, </td><td>II, 392, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Montgomery, </td><td>I, 280, 281, 282, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Moultrie, </td><td>II, 53.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Newport, </td><td>I, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Niagara, </td><td>II, 64, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Paris, </td><td>II, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Pitt, </td><td>I, 25, 351, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Pitt, </td><td>II, 41, 43, 49, 221, 260, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Plain, </td><td>II, 35, 120, 143, 160, 539, 548.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Plank, </td><td>I, 409.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Plank, </td><td>II, 95, 127, 539.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Recovery, </td><td>II, 381, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Rensselaer, </td><td>II, 155, 156, 157, 159, 186, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ft. St. Clair, </td><td>II, 336.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Forts at Schoharie, </td><td>I, 307.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Schuyler, </td><td>I, 168, 169, 175, 176, 179, 210, 211, - 213, 216, 217, 222, 228, 229, 232, - 233, 253, 256, 259, 262, 263, 277, - 291, 307, 330, 357, 358, 359, 360, - 361, 362, 366, 370, 371, 372, 373, - 383, 392, 400, 402, 403, 404, 405, - 406, 407, 409, 410, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Schuyler, </td><td>II, 5, 6, 7, 12, 37, 38, 80, 95, 97, - 135, 136, 143, 148, 149, 150, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Stanwix, </td><td>I, xxviii, 7, 12, 13, 14, 76, 83, 221, - 222, 223, 228, 262, 263, 327, 433, - 434, 455, 461, 463.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Stanwix, </td><td>II, 150, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 254, - 263, 265, 289, 290, 297, 298, 349, - 350, 371, 411, 460, 540, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Van Dyck, </td><td>I, 403.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Washington captured, </td><td>I, 172, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Washington, </td><td>II, 294, 303, 308, 311, 342.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Watkinson, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Wm. Henry besieged, </td><td>I, 5.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Wintermoot, </td><td>I, 332, 333.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fort Wyoming, </td><td>I, 326, 327, 335, 341.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Forty Mile Creek, </td><td>II, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fowler, Theodosius, diary of, </td><td>I, xxiii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fowler, Capt. Theodosius, </td><td>II, 21, 26, 29, 31.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fox, Capt. Christopher, </td><td>I, 72, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fox, Frederick, on committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fox Creek, </td><td>I, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fox's Fort, </td><td>II, 119, 122.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fox, Charles, </td><td>II, 251, 258, 426, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>France, alliance with, </td><td>I, 298, 299, 343, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>France at war with England, </td><td>II, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Francis, Turbot, a commissioner, </td><td>I, 93, 94, 97, 430, 431, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frank, Judge, </td><td>I, 367, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frank, John, </td><td>I, 363, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frank, John, </td><td>II, 70.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Franklin, Benj., </td><td>I, xvi, 39, 47, 49, 162, 298, 394, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Franklin, Benj., </td><td>II, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Framingham, </td><td>II, 492.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fratricide at Wyoming, </td><td>I, 337.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fraser, Gen., </td><td>I, 163, 268, 271, 272, 274, 472, 478, - 480, 482.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French colony, Onondaga co., </td><td>II, 585.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French Creek, </td><td>II, 41.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French give presents to Indians, </td><td>II, 104.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French, Capt., </td><td>II, 62.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French hostilities with, </td><td>I, xix.</td></tr> - <tr><td>French hatred to Six Nations, </td><td>I, 5, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Freeman, </td><td>II, 331.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Barent, </td><td>I, 354.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Major John, </td><td>I, 72, 110, 116, 240, 242, 249, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Maj. Hendrick, </td><td>II, 411, 492.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Philip R., </td><td>I, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Capt. Philip, </td><td>II, 492.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frey, Samuel C., </td><td>I, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Friedenshutten, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frink, John, on committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frink, Adj. Nathaniel, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frontenac, Count, </td><td>I, 217, 340, 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Frothingham, Lieut., </td><td>II, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fry, Col., </td><td>II, 29.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Fulmer, John, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Funeral of Gen. Fraser, </td><td>I, 274.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gage, Gen., </td><td>I, 99, 117, 433, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gage, Gov., belt from, </td><td>I, 99.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gahonto, </td><td>I, 319.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gameleis, Antoine, </td><td>II, 292, 293.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gansevoort, Gen. Peter, </td><td>I, 163, 164, 217, 223, 224, 226, 227, - 229, 233, 234, 249, 250, 251, 252, - 253, 255, 257, 258, 262, 263, 308, - 345, 354, 355, 357, 358, 360, 361, - 367, 377, 404, 410, 454, 460, 461, - 463, II, 4, 5, 37, 38, 39, 40, 95, - 129, 131, 133, 134, 167, 168, 173, - 177, 178, 179, 183, 187, 197, 203, - 205, 206, 207, 480, 506, 545.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ganson, Capt. Cor's. T., </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gaol, question of jurisdiction - of, </td><td>I, 110, 111.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Garanguli, </td><td>I, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gardenier, Capt. Jacob, </td><td>I, 238, 239, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gardenier, Lt. Samuel, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gardenier, William, </td><td>I, 238, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gardenier, Capt., </td><td>II, 189.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gates, Gen. Horatio, </td><td>I, 163, 164, 173, 174, 203, 205, 223, - 227, 257, 262, 264, 265, 267, 268, - 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, - 276, 277, 278, 279, 300, 301, 302, - 303, 309, 343, 349, 392, 466, 474, - 476, 478, 479, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gates, Gen., </td><td>II, 4, 99, 100, 118,142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gathtsegwarohore, </td><td>II, 32.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gauntlet, </td><td>II, 61, 62.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Geake, Samuel, </td><td>I, 358, 359, 362.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Geismar, Capt., </td><td>I, 469.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Genesee, </td><td>II, 27, 29, 32, 35, 61, 63, 65, 60, - 238, 319, 325.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Genet, Citizen, </td><td>II, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gentleman, Indian notion of a, </td><td>I, 23.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Georgia, </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Georgia, </td><td>II, 52, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gerard, Mr., </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Germaine, Lord George, </td><td>I, 229, 425.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Germaine, Lord George, </td><td>II, 106, 124, 125, 136.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Germans, Whigs, </td><td>I, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>German Flats, </td><td>I, xviii, 7, 8, 72, 80, 83, 95, 98, - 104, 106, 139, 140, 168, 180, 184, - 187, 233, 255, 257, 262, 294, 305, - 312, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, - 367, 369, 370, 430, 433, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>German Flats, </td><td>II, 69, 70, 123, 143, 149, 136, 160, - 163, 189, 330, 331, 434.</td></tr> - <tr><td>German Flats district, </td><td>I, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Germantown, </td><td>I, 197, 285, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gerriah, Capt, alleged letter - to, </td><td>I, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gerry, Elbridge, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gerry, Elbridge, </td><td>11, 182.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gertrude of Wyoming, </td><td>I, 3l, 379.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gertrude of Wyoming, </td><td>II, 525, 526, 527, 596.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Getman, Frederick, </td><td>II, 70, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gibson, Capt., </td><td>II, 381, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gibson, Col. John, </td><td>I, 45, 46, 47, 396, 397, 398.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gibson, Col., </td><td>II, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gibson, James, </td><td>II, 528, 529, 531.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gilmore, an Indian, </td><td>I, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Girard, Mr., </td><td>I, 299.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Girty, Simon, </td><td>I, 348, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Girty, Simon, </td><td>II, 208, 218, 219, 227, 310, 357.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Glen, Henry, </td><td>I, 133, 137.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Glickhickan, </td><td>II, 217, 218, 219, 224.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gloucester Heights, exploit of, </td><td>I, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gnodenhaltters, </td><td>II, 217, 219, 220, 221, 222, 227, 231.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gobesseronton, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Good, Peter, </td><td>I, 407, 408.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Goodrich, William, speech - sent by, </td><td>I, 59.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gorah, Quedars, </td><td>I, 452.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gora nations, </td><td>II, 335.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gordon, Brig. Gen., </td><td>I, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gordon, statement by, </td><td>I, 261.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gordon, Col., </td><td>II, 297, 298, 299, 300, 303, 304, 322, - 324, 326, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gordon, Gen., </td><td>II, 177.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gore, Sir Francis, </td><td>II, 424.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Goschochking, </td><td>I, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Goshen, </td><td>I, 415, 417, 418, 420.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gospels printed, </td><td>II, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gospels translated, </td><td>II, 431.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gotheseunquen, </td><td>II, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gowaowainse, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grabouski, Count, </td><td>I, 281.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Graft, Philip, </td><td>II, 107, 108, 109, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grafton, Duke of, </td><td>II, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Graham, Capt., </td><td>I, 403, 405, 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Granby, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grand Glaize, </td><td>II, 389.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grand Miami, </td><td>II, 367.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grand Rapids, council at, </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grand River, </td><td>II, 239, 240, 247, 282, 287, 288, 294, - 302, 322, 327, 328, 364, 365, 379, - 397, 399, 406, 407, 411, 415, 417, - 418, 419, 422, 423, 429, 437, 447, - 499, 568, 569, 578, 579.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grant, Gen., </td><td>I, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grant, Mrs., </td><td>I, 4, 18, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grasshopper, </td><td>I, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grassy Brook, </td><td>I, 415.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Graves, Admiral, </td><td>II, 99.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Graves, Capt., </td><td>I, 242, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gravesend, troops at, </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gray, Gen., </td><td>I, 284, 285, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gray, Capt., </td><td>II, 151.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Great Tree, </td><td>I, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greathouse, Daniel, murdered, </td><td>I, 39, 40.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Green, Capt., </td><td>I, 472.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Green, Col. Christopher, </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greene, Gen., </td><td>I, 171, 346.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greene, Gen., </td><td>II, 142, 233, 541, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greenbush, </td><td>II, 535.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greenland, </td><td>II, 487, 590.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Green Mountain boys, </td><td>II, 180, 183, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Greenville, </td><td>II, 384, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gregg, Captain, </td><td>I, 226, 227, 228, 359.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gregg, Capt, </td><td>II, 536, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grenville, James, </td><td>I, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Grinnis, Mr., </td><td>I, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Griscom, Prof., </td><td>II, 496, 497.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Groat, Lieut., </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gros, Rev. Daniel, </td><td>II, 155.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gross, Capt., </td><td>II, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Groton, </td><td>II, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Groveland, </td><td>II, 32.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guilford, </td><td>I, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guilford, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guilford, C. H., </td><td>II, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guthrie, Capt, </td><td>II, 552.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Gwins, James, </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guy Park, council at, </td><td>I, 71.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Guyanguahta, </td><td>I, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hair, Lieut., </td><td>I, 221.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hakluyt, </td><td>II, 488.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Haldimand, Gen. Sir Fr., </td><td>I, 89, 100, 103, 149, 384, 390, 393, - 427, II, 7, 8, 9, 54, 106, 125, 129, - 130, 131, 132, 134, 136, 144, 152, - 153, 174, 193, 198, 201, 238, 239, - 245, 250, 252, 253, 263, 358, 398, - 399, 404, 426, 429, 533, 540, 577, - 578, 579.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Halifax, </td><td>I, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Half King, </td><td>II, 218, 219, 266, 267.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Half Moon, </td><td>II, 174.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Half Town, </td><td>II, 245.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Half-way Creek, </td><td>I, 310, 416.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hall, Capt., </td><td>I, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hall, Lt. Francis, </td><td>II, 517, 518.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamilton, Capt., </td><td>I, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamilton, Col., </td><td>I, 278, 304, 349, 399, 400, 401, 403, - 404.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamilton, Col., </td><td>II, 45.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamilton, Wm. O., </td><td>I, 458.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamilton, Alexr., </td><td>II, 107, 195, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hammell, Major, </td><td>I, 358, 359, 360, 362.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hammond, Mr., </td><td>II, 327, 369.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hamtramck, Major, </td><td>II, 309, 311, 326.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hanau, troops from Count of, </td><td>I, 167.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hancock, John, </td><td>I, 143, 158.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hand, Brig. Gen., </td><td>I, 382, II, 5, 18, 19, 25, 31.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hanover, </td><td>II, 470.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hansen killed, </td><td>II, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hansjurie, Tewahongrahkon, </td><td>I, 367.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harbison, Massy, captivity of, </td><td>II, 295, 551.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hardenburgh, Lt., </td><td>I, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hardenburgh, John G., </td><td>II, 168, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hardin, Col., </td><td>II, 294, 331.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hare, Capt., </td><td>I, 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hare, </td><td>II, 6, 78.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harland, Major, </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harlem Heights, </td><td>I, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harmar, Gen., </td><td>II, 294, 295, 299, 307, 312, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harnage, Major, </td><td>I, 470, 473, 476.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harper, Capt. Alexander, </td><td>I, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64, 67, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harper, Col. John, </td><td>II, 177, 178, 179, 181, 214, 354, 355;</td></tr> - <tr><td> William, </td><td>II, 178;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Joseph, </td><td>I, 178;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Alexander, </td><td>II, 178.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harper, Col. John, </td><td>II, 26, 81, 120, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harpersfield, </td><td>I, 52, 178, 179, 312, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harpersfield, </td><td>II, 55, 58.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harris captured, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harris, Mr., </td><td>II, 150.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harrod, Col., </td><td>I, 423.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harrodsburgh, </td><td>II, 50, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hartman, </td><td>II, 331.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hartford, </td><td>I, 330.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hartley, Col., </td><td>I, 341, 354, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hartshorn, Gen., </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Harvard College, vote, </td><td>II, 287, 549.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hastings, Marquis of, </td><td>II, 250, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hatchet buried, </td><td>I, 14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hathorn, Col., </td><td>I, 416, 417.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hatton, Lt. Chas., </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Haughton, Major, </td><td>II, 129, 135.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hawley, Joseph, </td><td>I, 93, 98, 430.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hay, Col. A. Hawkes, </td><td>I, 174.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Head, Capt. Jacob, brings in - scalps, </td><td>I, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Heath, Gen., </td><td>II, 178, 196, 197, 203, 204, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hebron, </td><td>II, 436, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Heckewelder, </td><td>I, xviii, 47, 56, 318, 322.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Heckewelder, </td><td>II, 62, 208, 217, 225, 231, 331, 357, - 358, 439.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hegu, Gen., </td><td>II, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Helmer, Adam, </td><td>I, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Helluland, </td><td>II, 590, 591.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Helmer, Capt. Fred'k, </td><td>I, 73, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Helmer, John, </td><td>I, 364, 393, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Helmer, Philip, </td><td>II, 160, 161.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hendrick, King, </td><td>I, 17, 19, 53, 147, 323.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hendrick, </td><td>II, 331, 583.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hendrick, Seth, </td><td>II, 112, 113, 321.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Henrique, a Mohawk, </td><td>I, 221.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Henry, Thomas, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Henry, John, </td><td>II, 269.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Henry, Major, </td><td>II, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herkimer, George, on Committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herkimer, Gen. Nicholas, </td><td>I, xxii, 72, 74, 85, 88, 108, 110, 114, - 136, 142, 175, 177, 181, 182, 183, - 186, 188, 213, 214, 215, 217, 233, - 234, 235, 236, 240, 241, 244, 246, - 247, 248, 250, 297, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herkimer, Gen., </td><td>II, 331, 431.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herkimer village, </td><td>I, 364.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herrick, Col., </td><td>I, 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Herring, Ensign Benj., </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hess, Augustus, on Committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hesse Casael, troops from, - levying, </td><td>I, 167, 170, 229.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hessians, </td><td>I, 277.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hewett, Capt., </td><td>I, 332, 335.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Highlanders, </td><td>I, 54.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Highlanders, </td><td>II, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hill, Capt. Aaron, </td><td>II, 245, 246, 247, 569.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hill, Thomas, </td><td>I, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hillbaracks, </td><td>II, 152, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Historians partial to their - own race, </td><td>I, xiii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>History proposed by Rev. S. - Miller, </td><td>II, 441.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hite, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hoffman, Charles, </td><td>II, 2.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Holder, Capt., </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Holmes, Rev. Elkanah, </td><td>II, 439, 440, 441.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Honeoye, </td><td>II, 27, 28, 29.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Honeoye Creek, </td><td>II, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Honest John, </td><td>I, 323.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Honyerry, </td><td>I, 367.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Honyerry, </td><td>II, 30, 31.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hopkins, Major, </td><td>II, 64, 65.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hoosick, </td><td>II, 206, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hostages, </td><td>I, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hotham, Commodore, </td><td>I, 171, 280, 282, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>House, Mr., </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Houston, Gen., </td><td>I, 336.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Howe, Robert, </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Howe, Sir William, </td><td>I, 79, 157, 161, 169, 170, 174, 195, - 196, 197, 282, 284, 285, 286, 346, - 347, 394, 395, 470.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Howe, Gen., </td><td>II, 141.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hoy's Station, </td><td>II, 215.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hoyer, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hudson, Brant attends a - lodge at, </td><td>I, 156.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Haginen, Lt., </td><td>II, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hull, Gen., </td><td>II, 502.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hunt, Lt. Col., </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hunter. Gen., </td><td>II, 574.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hunter, Gov., </td><td>II, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Huroun, </td><td>I, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hurons, </td><td>II, 3, 43, 46, 47, 218, 219, 240, 243, - 265, 273, 276, 278, 295, 383, 390, - 497.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Huron Village, </td><td>II, 265, 266, 267, 280.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Huntington, Col., </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Huntington, </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hutton, Adjutant, </td><td>I, 361.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Hymn, German, </td><td>II, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Illinois, </td><td>I, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Independence closed, </td><td>I, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Indians, Census of, </td><td>I, 86.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Inman, Wm., </td><td>II, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Innes, Mr., </td><td>II, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Irving, Washington, </td><td>II, 601, 602.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Isaac, </td><td>II, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Isle Au Noix, </td><td>II, 85, 154, 197, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ittig, Michael, on Committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jackson, Gen., </td><td>II, 163.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jackson, Tho. Fred., </td><td>II, 197.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jacobs, Capt., </td><td>II, 509, 512, 514.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jansen, Johannes, </td><td>II, 65, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jansen, Thomas, </td><td>II, 65, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jasper, Sergeant, </td><td>I, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jay, John, </td><td>I, 211, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jay, John, </td><td>II, 207, 214, 241, 285, 287, 292, 370, - 395, 411, 459, 486.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jefferson, Thomas, </td><td>I, 46, 298.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jefferson, Tho., </td><td>II, 331.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jemison, Mary, </td><td>I, 187, 188, 243, 244, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jemison, Mary, </td><td>II, 21, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 105, 106, - 127, 128, 445, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jenkins killed, </td><td>I, 332.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jennesee, </td><td>I, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jersey field, </td><td>II, 191.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jesuits at Oneida, &c. </td><td>I, 7.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jessup, Major, </td><td>II, 144, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jessups, </td><td>II, 148.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Archibald, </td><td>I, xxi, 16.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Capt, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Guy, </td><td>I, 6, 152, 179, 186, 209, 230, 297, 432, - 433, 434, 435;</td></tr> - <tr><td> succeeds Sir William, </td><td>33;</td></tr> - <tr><td> interrupts pole raising, </td><td>52;</td></tr> - <tr><td> vigilant loyalist, </td><td>55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> tries to influence Oneidas, </td><td>64;</td></tr> - <tr><td> is watched by General - Schuyler, </td><td>64;</td></tr> - <tr><td> writes to upper Mohawk - settlements, </td><td>65;</td></tr> - <tr><td> is denounced by whigs, </td><td>66;</td></tr> - <tr><td> threatens the whigs, </td><td>67;</td></tr> - <tr><td> letter to Albany and - Schenectady, </td><td>67;</td></tr> - <tr><td> reply from Albany, </td><td>69;</td></tr> - <tr><td> apprehends abduction, </td><td>69;</td></tr> - <tr><td> holds a council at Guy Park </td><td>71;</td></tr> - <tr><td> addressed by Committee, </td><td>72;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his reply, </td><td>74;</td></tr> - <tr><td> proposed council at Cosby's - Manor not held, </td><td>76;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to Fort Stanwix, </td><td>76;</td></tr> - <tr><td> leaves the Mohawk valley, </td><td>61;</td></tr> - <tr><td> provisions cut off, </td><td>82;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to Ontario, </td><td>83;</td></tr> - <tr><td> replies to New York letter, </td><td>83, 84;</td></tr> - <tr><td> alarm concerning, </td><td>87, 88;</td></tr> - <tr><td> holds council at Oswego, </td><td>88;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at German Flats, </td><td>98;</td></tr> - <tr><td> vicious influence of, </td><td>99, 100;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Oswego, </td><td>100, 102, 103.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Guy, </td><td>I, 19, 67, 135, 136.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Hon. Thomas, </td><td>I, 413, 582.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Sir John, </td><td>I, 132, 167, 108, 170, 186, 209, 210, - 220, 230, 235, 242, 245, 253, 255, - 256, 260, 261, 262, 288, 289, 291, - 293, 309, 321, 356, 393, 422, 424, - 425, 445, 446, 454, 455, 456, 457, - 459, 464;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attempt to arrest, </td><td>xxiii;</td></tr> - <tr><td> goes to Detroit, </td><td>16;</td></tr> - <tr><td> summoned at death of father, </td><td>32;</td></tr> - <tr><td> succeeds to his estates, </td><td>33;</td></tr> - <tr><td> expedition to Oquaga, </td><td>33;</td></tr> - <tr><td> marriage of, </td><td>I, 33;</td></tr> - <tr><td> a scuffle with Jacob Sammons, </td><td>53;</td></tr> - <tr><td> fortifies the Baronial Hall, </td><td>54;</td></tr> - <tr><td> suspected of treachery, </td><td>54;</td></tr> - <tr><td> has reason to dread Kirkland's - influence, </td><td>60;</td></tr> - <tr><td> effects his removal, </td><td>61;</td></tr> - <tr><td> sustained by loyalists, </td><td>88;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attachment of Indians, </td><td>101;</td></tr> - <tr><td> influence of, </td><td>105;</td></tr> - <tr><td> addressed by committee, </td><td>100;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his reply, </td><td>110;</td></tr> - <tr><td> suspected, </td><td>108, 109, 120, 123, 124;</td></tr> - <tr><td> meets Gen. Schuyler, </td><td>133;</td></tr> - <tr><td> terms offered to, </td><td>133;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Indians support, </td><td>135;</td></tr> - <tr><td> reply to Gen. Schuyler, </td><td>136, 138;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Mrs., notified to leave, </td><td>137;</td></tr> - <tr><td> agrees to certain terms, </td><td>139, 141;</td></tr> - <tr><td> delivers arms, </td><td>141;</td></tr> - <tr><td> breaks his treaty, </td><td>143;</td></tr> - <tr><td> attempts to capture, </td><td>143;</td></tr> - <tr><td> escapes to Canada, </td><td>144;</td></tr> - <tr><td> his sufferings on flight, </td><td>144;</td></tr> - <tr><td> lady removed to Albany, </td><td>145;</td></tr> - <tr><td> raises troops, </td><td>145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Sir John, </td><td>II, 10, 34, 38, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, - 79, 80, 81, 95, 97, 98, 105, 106, - 108, 109, 110, 114, 115, 119, 120, - 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, - 144, 151, 178, 179, 185, 186, 238, - 248, 249, 252, 254, 267, 269, 272, - 274, 277, 278, 279, 285, 296, 298, - 304, 307, 326, 389, 400, 403, 405, - 407, 414, 432, 433, 441, 474, 490, - 526, 568, 574.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Sir William, </td><td>I, xx, 147, 148, 149, 218, 309, 322, - 340, 367, 373, 387, 394, 447, 455, - 461;</td></tr> - <tr><td> papers of, </td><td>xxi;</td></tr> - <tr><td> by some thought the father of - Brant, </td><td>1;</td></tr> - <tr><td> diary of, </td><td>5, 6;</td></tr> - <tr><td> leads Indians, </td><td>I, 7;</td></tr> - <tr><td> beloved by Mohawks, </td><td>I, 8;</td></tr> - <tr><td> urged to keep away from - Onondaga, </td><td>9, 13;</td></tr> - <tr><td> holds a council at - Canajoharie, </td><td>11;</td></tr> - <tr><td> gave jail to the county, </td><td>111;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech by, </td><td>11, 15;</td></tr> - <tr><td> decides not to visit Onondaga, </td><td>13;</td></tr> - <tr><td> meets Mohawks at Canajoharie, </td><td>15;</td></tr> - <tr><td> journey to Detroit, </td><td>16;</td></tr> - <tr><td> battle of Lake George, </td><td>19;</td></tr> - <tr><td> expedition to Niagara, </td><td>20;</td></tr> - <tr><td> builds Indian churches, </td><td>20;</td></tr> - <tr><td> interest in school for Indian - youths, </td><td>21;</td></tr> - <tr><td> powerful influence of, </td><td>30;</td></tr> - <tr><td> position on approach of - revolution, </td><td>30, 31;</td></tr> - <tr><td> death of, </td><td>31;</td></tr> - <tr><td> memory cherished, </td><td>72;</td></tr> - <tr><td> great influence of, </td><td>87;</td></tr> - <tr><td> great popularity of, </td><td>101;</td></tr> - <tr><td> a hostile Indian, </td><td>114;</td></tr> - <tr><td> (Reporter), </td><td>373, 379;</td></tr> - <tr><td> (Indian), </td><td>183.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Sir William, </td><td>II, 9, 10, 69, 80, 164, 186, 298, 335, - 341, 350, 402, 450, 489, 519, 583.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson, Lady, </td><td>I, 289, 290.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson's Greens, </td><td>I, 230, 235, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, - 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnson's Greens, </td><td>II, 73, 114, 121, 122, 123, 179, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnstone, Gov., </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnstone, Rev. Mr., </td><td>I, 180.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnstone Settlement, </td><td>I, 178, 180.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnstown, </td><td>I, 52, 88, 109, 120, 129, 130, 141, - 145, 168, 212, 288, 291, 304, 305, - 306, 307, 308, 354, 364, 387, 393, - 404, 423.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Johnstown, </td><td>II, 69, 72, 73, 75, 79, 81, 96, 105, - 123, 163, 164, 170, 185, 187, 192, - 331, 541, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jones, Capt. Samuel, </td><td>I, 342, 418, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Jones, Mr., </td><td>I, 205, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Judith, murder of, </td><td>II, 224.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kattsbergs, </td><td>II, 65.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kayinguaraghtoh, </td><td>I, 452.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kanaghquaesa, </td><td>I, 95, 444.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kanaghsaws, </td><td>II, 29.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kanadeseago, </td><td>I, 370, 387, 388.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kanasedaga, </td><td>II, 24, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kanandaigua, </td><td>II, 27, 491. - <tr><td>Kanhawa, </td><td>I, 40, 41, 191, 192, 352.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Karaghquadirhon, Mr. Deane, </td><td>I, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Karakonti, </td><td>II, 585.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Karhauguash, </td><td>II, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Karrhageayate, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kartele, Sergeant, </td><td>I, 359.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Karauduaan, "Great Tree," - Hancock's name, </td><td>I, 158.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kaskaskias, </td><td>I, 352, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kaskaskias, </td><td>II, 566, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kaweanontye, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kayinguaraghtoh, </td><td>I, 433.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kearney, Lt, </td><td>II, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Keder's Rift, </td><td>II, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kelleleman, </td><td>II, 47.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kendaia, </td><td>II, 25, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kent, Chancellor, </td><td>I, 266, 279.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kentucky, </td><td>I, 23, 117, 351.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kentucky, </td><td>II, 49, 70, 71, 169, 171, 215, 217, - 264, 291, 292, 294, 295, 313, 336, - 384, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kerr, Robert, </td><td>II, 320, 519, 535, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kerr, Walter, </td><td>II, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kerr, Wm. Johnson, </td><td>II, 152, 250, 492, 495, 516, 517, 535, - 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kerr, Mrs. Wm. J., daughter of - Brant, </td><td>I, xxii, xxx.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kettles, presents of, </td><td>I, 188.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kickapoos, </td><td>II, 278, 293.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Killbush, </td><td>II, 47, 48.</td></tr> - <tr><td>King, Brants, </td><td>I, 151, 152.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingsborough, </td><td>I, 52, 109.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingsborough, </td><td>II, 79.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingsbridge, </td><td>I, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingsland, </td><td>I, 52, 82, 139, 140.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kings Mountain, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingston, </td><td>I, 211, 263, 282, 328, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kingston, </td><td>II, 81, 287, 434, 523, 534.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kinnesley, Lt., </td><td>II, 3.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kirkland, Rev. Mr., </td><td>I, 20, 23, 25, 261, 435, 402, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, attempt - to remove, </td><td>I, 55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> sustained by Oneidas, </td><td>55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> opens correspondence with - Mohawks, </td><td>55;</td></tr> - <tr><td> is compelled to leave Oneida, </td><td>61;</td></tr> - <tr><td> obtains a council, </td><td>80;</td></tr> - <tr><td> labors to preserve neutrality, </td><td>81, 87;</td></tr> - <tr><td> at Treaties, </td><td>99, 100;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Mr. suspected by Johnson, </td><td>102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, </td><td>II, 7, 9, 55, 148, 246, 288, 306, 319, - 320, 321, 322, 490, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kickiminetas, </td><td>II, 555.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kittorning, </td><td>II, 41, 315.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kjalarnes, </td><td>II, 590, 591.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Klepsattle, Maj. Enos, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Klock, Col. Jacob, </td><td>I, 72, 181, 190, 191, 233, 240, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Klock, Jacob, </td><td>II, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Klock, John James, </td><td>I, 109.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Klock's Field, </td><td>II, 119, 124, 127.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Knapp, Lt Samuel, </td><td>I, 418, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Knawaholee, </td><td>II, 23.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Knox, Gen. Henry, </td><td>II, 138, 264, 266, 267, 273, 304, 321, - 322, 324, 357, 371, 374.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Knyphausen, Gen., </td><td>I, 172, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Knyphausen, Gen., </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Koquethagaeehlon, </td><td>I, 348.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Kosciusko, Thaddeus, </td><td>I, 27.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Krassanes, </td><td>II, 590.</td></tr> - <tr><td>La Branche, </td><td>II, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lachioe, </td><td>II, 103, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lackawana, </td><td>I, 328, 332.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lackawaxen, </td><td>I, 416.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lackawaxen, </td><td>II, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>La Fayette, Gen., </td><td>I, 256, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 307, - 308, 343, 369, 371, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>La Fayette, Gen., </td><td>II, 25, 98, 193, 194, 233, 244.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Laird, Wm., </td><td>II, 190.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake's Company, </td><td>II, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake Champlain, battle on, </td><td>I, 173, 174.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake Champlain, </td><td>II, 178, 183, 196, 204, 210, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake Erie, </td><td>II, 239, 240, 244, 245, 357, 397.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake George, </td><td>I, 19, 199, 200, 201, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake George, </td><td>II, 64, 81, 118, 134, 396, 409.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake Huron, </td><td>II, 240, 245, 397.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lake Ontario, </td><td>II, 239, 244, 397, 398.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lamb, Col., </td><td>I, 281.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lancaster, </td><td>I, 100, 141, 436, 445.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lands, grievance about, </td><td>I, 101.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Land Jobbers, </td><td>II, 399, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Langan, Lt., </td><td>II, 274, 275, 277, 279, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lansing, Ensign Garrett, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>La Potherie, </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Laprairie, </td><td>I, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Larned, General, </td><td>I, 255, 268.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Laurens, Henry, </td><td>II, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Laurens, Col. John, </td><td>II, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lawyer, Mr., </td><td>I, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leasee, Company, </td><td>II, 290, 410, 412.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Le Bœuf, </td><td>II, 380.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ledyard, Col., </td><td>II, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, Arthur, </td><td>I, 148, 196, 298.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, Gen. Charles, </td><td>I, 169, 172, 344, 345.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, Henry, </td><td>II, 315.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, Col. Robert, </td><td>II, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, Major, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lee, in behalf of Colonies, </td><td>I, 49.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Legislature, address to troops, </td><td>I, 263.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leicester, </td><td>II, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lenni Lenape, </td><td>I, 319.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leonard, Capt. W., </td><td>II, 417, 572.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lepper, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leslie, Col., opposed by Col. - Pickering, </td><td>I, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Letters, their value in history, </td><td>I, xxvi, xxvii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Letters conveyed by Indians, </td><td>I, 108.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Levassear's Lafayette, </td><td>II, 244.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Col. Andrew, </td><td>I, 41, 42, 44, 45.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Col. Charles, killed, </td><td>I, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Mary, </td><td>II, 3;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Betsey, </td><td>130.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Col. Morgan, </td><td>I, 268, 420.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Col. Morgan, </td><td>II, 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 121, 330, - 461, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Lt. Sam'l, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewis, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lewiston, </td><td>II, 502, 504, 505.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lexington, </td><td>I, 29, 30, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lexington, </td><td>II, 181, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Leyden, N. Y., </td><td>II, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>L'Hommedieu, Mr., </td><td>II, 290.</td></tr> - <tr><td>L'Orient, </td><td>II, 486.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Liberty poles, </td><td>I, 34, 52, 106, 364.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Licking river, </td><td>II, 49, 51, 71, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lightfoot, Capt., </td><td>II, 90.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lillington, Col., </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lincoln, Gen., </td><td>I, xxx, 43, 274, 301, 415.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lincoln, Gen., </td><td>II, 51, 52, 53, 99, 338, 339, 341, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lindlay, Jacob, </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little, Aaron, </td><td>I, 374.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little, Abraham, </td><td>I, 71, 96, 100, 102, 121, 133, 147, - 444, 455.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Beard, </td><td>II, 29, 31, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Beardstown, </td><td>II, 29, 31, 32, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Buffalo, </td><td>II, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Falls, </td><td>II, 69, 124, 126, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Lakes, </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little Turtle, </td><td>II, 312, 313, 367, 379, 382, 384, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Little, Capt. John, </td><td>II, 190.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Littlehales, Maj., </td><td>II, 364.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Liverpool, man-of-war, </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Lt. Col., </td><td>I, 281.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Col., </td><td>I, 308</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Col. John, </td><td>II, 410, 412.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Peter V. P., letter - of Guy Johnson to, </td><td>I, 84.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Robert R., </td><td>II, 102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Walter, </td><td>I, 98, 432.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston, Gov. Wm., </td><td>I, 345.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Livingston Manor, </td><td>II, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Logan, the Mingo Chief, </td><td>I, 38, 89, 46, 191, 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Logan takes revenge, </td><td>I, 41;</td></tr> - <tr><td> expedition against, </td><td>41,42;</td></tr> - <tr><td> fights the invaders, </td><td>42;</td></tr> - <tr><td> speech of, </td><td>46;</td></tr> - <tr><td> its authenticity examined, </td><td>46, 47;</td></tr> - <tr><td> murder of, </td><td>48.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Logan, James, </td><td>I, 38.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Logan, Col., </td><td>I, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Long, Capt., </td><td>I, 356.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Long, Co|., </td><td>I, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Long Island, Battle of, </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Long Knives, </td><td>II, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Longueil, loyalists repulsed, </td><td>I, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Loekiel, </td><td>II, 225.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lotteridge, Capt, recruits for, </td><td>I, 15.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Loudon, Lord, expedition to - Canada, </td><td>I, 5.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Louis, Col., </td><td>I, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Louisiana, </td><td>II, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lovell, Gen., </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lowell, </td><td>II, 365.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lower Sandusky, </td><td>II, 62, 372.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lundy's Lane, </td><td>II, 517.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lush, Major, </td><td>II, 147, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Luther, </td><td>II, 105.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Luttereil, Col., </td><td>I, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lyconia, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lydius, Col., </td><td>I, 449.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lyman, Lt. Simeon, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lynch Code, </td><td>II, 180, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Lyttleton, Lord, </td><td>I, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mack, Miss, </td><td>II, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Afee station, </td><td>II, 171.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Macauley's History (so called), </td><td>I, 376.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Causeland, Mr., </td><td>II, 479.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Clellan, Lt., </td><td>I, 358, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Clennen, Lieut., </td><td>II, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Connell, Alexander, </td><td>II, 70, 71.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Cormicks, </td><td>II, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Cracken, Major, </td><td>II, 150.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Crea, Jane, murdered, </td><td>I, 203, 204, 205, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Culley, Major, </td><td>II, 563.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Gen., defeated, </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Capt., </td><td>I, 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Capt., </td><td>II, 19.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Donald, </td><td>II, 131, 164, 165, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, </td><td>II, 189.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Lieut, killed, </td><td>I, 239.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, </td><td>I, 212, 154, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donald, Capt. Allen, </td><td>I, 136, 137, 140, 141, 150, 424, 455.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Dougal, Daniel, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Dougal, Duncan, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, Duncan, </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, John, </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, Kennith, </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, Col., </td><td>II, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Donnell, Lt. Col., </td><td>II, 507.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Dougall, Gen., </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Dougall, Gen., </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Ginnis, Mr., </td><td>I, 364.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Gower, Donald, </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, General, </td><td>I, 350, 351, 396, 398, 399.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Intosh, John, </td><td>II, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kean, Capt, </td><td>I, 311, 312, 380.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kean, Capt., </td><td>II, 119, 120, 157, 158, 159, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kean, Col., </td><td>II, 121, 122, 123, 125.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kean, Robert A., </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, A., </td><td>II, 568.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, Capt., </td><td>II, 276, 277, 281, 291, 295, 296, 297, - 298, 299, 303, 333, 334.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, Col., </td><td>II, 340, 341, 347, 357, 376, 387, 389, - 392.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, </td><td>I, 348, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kee, </td><td>II, 218, 286, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kinan, </td><td>II, 268, 279.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kinstry, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 155, 156; II, 490.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Knight, Dr., </td><td>II, 227, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Kown, Wm., </td><td>I, 310.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Master, James, </td><td>I, 73, 109.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Michael, John, murder of, </td><td>I, 11, 13, 14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Mahon, Major, </td><td>II, 379, 382.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Mullen, </td><td>II, 91, 92, 93.</td></tr> - <tr><td>M<sup>c</sup>Pherson, Mr., </td><td>II, 152.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Madison, Corporal, killed, </td><td>I, 226.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Madog, or Madoo, </td><td>II, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Magaw, Col., </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Magee, Ensign, </td><td>I, 234.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Magee, Lt. W., </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maghinquechahocking, </td><td>II, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maghingive Keeshuch, </td><td>II, 47.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mahingaus, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mahickanders, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Malcolm, Capt., </td><td>II, 272, 505, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Manifesto of St. Leger, </td><td>II, 230.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Manly, Capt., captures prizes, </td><td>I, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mann, Capt. George, </td><td>I, 314, 315, 316, 317.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Manor of Livingston, </td><td>II, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maquichee, </td><td>II, 43, 47, 48.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marbatt, John, </td><td>I, 114.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marbletown, </td><td>II, 94.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marchant, Henry, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marinus, Mr., </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mark upon captives, </td><td>I, 380. - <tr><td>Markland, </td><td>II, lii, liii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marquizee, Captain, </td><td>I, 224, 226.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marsh, Prof., facts from, </td><td>I, xxiv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Marshall's Washington, </td><td>I, xvii, xxvi, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Martin, Capt., </td><td>I, 309, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maryland, Revolution in, </td><td>I, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mason, Rev. John M., </td><td>II, 439, 440.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Masonic signals, </td><td>I, 419.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Massacre of Moravians, </td><td>II, 223, 224, 225.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Massachusetts, </td><td>I, 36, 37, 51, 55, 58, 59, 77, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Matthews, Capt., </td><td>II, 144, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Matthews, Gen., </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Matthews, Gen., </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Matthews, Major, </td><td>II, 270, 272, 273, 281, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Matthews, </td><td>II, 3, 279.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maughwauwama, </td><td>I, 319, 320.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maxwell, David, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maxwell, Gen., </td><td>I, 343.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maxwell, Gen., </td><td>II, 5, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maxwell, Wm., </td><td>II, 552.</td></tr> - <tr><td>May, </td><td>II, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Maynard, Jonathan, </td><td>II, 492.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Meeker, Maj. Samuel, </td><td>I, 416, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Meigs, Col., </td><td>I, 165, 283, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Meller, Col., </td><td>I, 250.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mellon, Lt. Col., </td><td>I, 229.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Memoirs, Author's plan of - writing, </td><td>I, xxvi.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mewill, Mrs., </td><td>II, 313, 314.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Meshecannaqua, </td><td>II, 312, 367.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Messesaugues, </td><td>I, 220, 221.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Messessaugues, </td><td>II, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mexico, </td><td>II, 483.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miami Bay, </td><td>II, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miami, </td><td>II, 71, 307, 309, 310, 342, 346, 356, - 358, 362, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miami, battle of, </td><td>II, 502.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miami of the Lakes, </td><td>II, 381, 383.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miami Rapids, </td><td>II, 295, 334, 336, 339, 340, 342, 344, - 348, 355, 359, 360, 361, 362, 369, - 375, 384.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miamis, </td><td>II, 265, 276, 277, 278, 291, 293, 297, - 299, 300, 303, 304, 308, 314, 326, - 329, 332, 335, 338, 348, 350, 355, - 386, 389, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Michilimackinack, </td><td>I, 352.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Michilimackinack, </td><td>II, 361, 477.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Middlebrook, </td><td>II, 139.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Middleburgh, </td><td>I, 317.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Middleburgh, </td><td>II, 107.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Midway, </td><td>I, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Militia, </td><td>I, 7, 106, 123, 136, 171, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miller, Adam, </td><td>I, 235, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miller, Rev. Samuel, </td><td>II, 440.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miller, Rev. Dr., </td><td>II, 457, 479, 496.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miller, </td><td>II, 384, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Miner's Wyoming, </td><td>I, xvii, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mingos, </td><td>I, 38, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mingos, </td><td>II, 41, 48, 225, 346, 348, 376.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mingoes, </td><td>II, 565.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Minisink, </td><td>I, 415, 417, 418. 421, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Minisink, </td><td>II, 59, 65, 441, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Missions, Indian, </td><td>I, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Missisnagays, </td><td>II, 3, 355, 497, 534.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mississagua reservation, </td><td>II, 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mitchell, Mr., </td><td>I, 374, 375.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawk District, </td><td>I, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawk Dist., Meeting, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawk Prayerbook, </td><td>I, 26, 27.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawks, </td><td>I, xviii, xxiv, 7, 14, 15, 25, 57, 71, - 86, 101, 112, 114, 158, 181, 244, - 304, 805, 307, 410, 446, 447, 454.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawks, </td><td>II, 2, 8, 88, 238, 242, 244, 245, 281, - 282, 289, 291, 301, 318, 318, 324, - 335, 401, 402, 408, 404, 406, 407, - 409, 411, 415, 416, 422, 424, 426, - 427, 568.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohawk Valley, settlement of, </td><td>I, xvii, 30, 31.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohegans, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohegans, </td><td>II, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moheakounucks, </td><td>II, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moheakounnuck tribe, congress - sends speech to, </td><td>I, 59.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohiccons, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohuccans, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohickanders, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mohickannituck, or North River, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moira, Earl of, </td><td>II, 250, 259.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mombackas, </td><td>II, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monmouth, </td><td>I, 343, 344, 345, 356, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monockonock, </td><td>I, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monongalla, </td><td>I, 418.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monongahela, </td><td>II, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monroe, Col. James, </td><td>II, 245, 247.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monsell, Capt., </td><td>II, 188.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montcalm, Marquis, at Lake - George, </td><td>I, 5.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montgomery, Gen., </td><td>I, 108, 112, 116, 117, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montgomery Co. named, </td><td>II, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montour, Capt., </td><td>I, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montour, Catharine, </td><td>I, 389, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montour, Catharine, </td><td>II, 23.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montreal, </td><td>I, 89, 109, 117, 218, 300, 392, 393.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Montreal, </td><td>II, 68, 270, 282, 288, 284, 326.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monument voted to Herkimer, </td><td>I, 248.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Monument at Paoli, </td><td>I, 285.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moody, Capt., </td><td>II, 156.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Bishop, </td><td>II, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moor Charity School, </td><td>II, 488.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Gen., </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, James, on committee, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, John, </td><td>I, 72, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Joseph, </td><td>II, 389.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, John, </td><td>I, 371.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Miss, </td><td>II, 66, 68.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Mrs., </td><td>I, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore, Mrs., </td><td>II, 130.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moore's Creek Bridge, battle of, </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moravians, </td><td>I, 319, 321, 322, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Moravians, </td><td>II, 217, 218, 219, 228, 225, 226, 228, - 229, 280, 282, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Muskingum, </td><td>II, 208, 217, 219, 224, 231, 232, 281, - 329, 334, 363, 378, 494.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Musquakies, </td><td>II, 375, 566.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Mutiny in American army, </td><td>II, 189, 141, 146.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Myers, Jacob, </td><td>II, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nanticokes, </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nanticokes, </td><td>II, 4, 346, 355, 376, 441, 565.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Narragansetts join Mohegans, </td><td>I, 67.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nash, Gen., </td><td>I, 286.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nash, Samuel, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Navisink, </td><td>I, 415.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Negley, Felix, </td><td>II, 563.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nellis, Judge, </td><td>II, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nepean, Sir, Evan, </td><td>I, 152.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nepean, Sir Evan, </td><td>II, 257.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Neskayuna, </td><td>II, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Neutrality of Indians given up, </td><td>I, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Neversink, </td><td>II, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newark, </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newark, </td><td>II, 484, 509, 513.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newbury, a tory, </td><td>I, 375.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newbury hung, </td><td>II, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Brunswick, </td><td>I, 175.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New England Corporation, </td><td>II, 529, 530, 531, 532.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Galway, </td><td>II, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Grange, </td><td>II, 488.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Hampshire, </td><td>I, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Hampshire Grants, </td><td>II, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, - 197, 199, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Haven plundered, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Jersey, </td><td>I, 172, 192, 196, 197.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Jersey, </td><td>II, 224.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newkirk, Major, </td><td>II, 89.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New London, </td><td>II, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newman, </td><td>II, 384.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Orleans, </td><td>II, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newport, </td><td>I, 346, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newport, </td><td>II, 104.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Scotland, </td><td>II, 152, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New South Wales, </td><td>II, 524.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newtown, Battle of, </td><td>I, xxiii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Newtown, </td><td>II, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 84, 85, - 87, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Rochelle, </td><td>I, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New Windsor, </td><td>II, 139.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New York, </td><td>I, 49, 77, 78, 105, 162, 169, 171, 343.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New York, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New York Bay frozen, </td><td>II, 54.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New York Legislature on Indian - Titles, </td><td>II, 241, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>New York Spectator, </td><td>II, 533.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Niagara, </td><td>I, 20, 26, 82, 210, 218, 288, 304, - 321, 340, 356, 358, 366, 369, 371, - 378, 382, 388, 384, 386, 387, 391, - 398, 403, 438.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Niagara, </td><td>II, 3, 4, 10, 32, 34, 36, 41, 54, 55, - 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68, - 71, 125, 127, 186, 167, 218, 239, - 258, 268, 270, 271, 284, 286, 297, - 303, 307, 322, 324, 327, 328, 331, - 335, 336, 340, 343, 347, 348, 357, - 363, 364, 390, 399, 402, 405, 417, - 423, 425, 434, 436, 460, 461, 491, - 493, 501, 502, 507, 509, 519, 533, - 536, 577, 582.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nickus, Peter, </td><td>I, 9, 314, 317.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nikadiyooni, </td><td>II, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nihweanuagh, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nimwha, </td><td>II, 47.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nine Mile Point, </td><td>I, 221, 222.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nine Mile Landing, </td><td>II, 64.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Nisquitha, </td><td>II, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norfolk, </td><td>I, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norfolk, </td><td>II, 52, 142, 198.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norman Emigrants, </td><td>II, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Normans Kill, </td><td>II, 96, 97, 152, 543.</td></tr> - <tr><td>North, Lord, </td><td>I, 116.</td></tr> - <tr><td>North, Lord, </td><td>II, 590.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Northampton, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Northampton, </td><td>II, 69, 458.</td></tr> - <tr><td>North Carolina, </td><td>I, 110, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>North Carolina, </td><td>II, 51, 100, 193, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Northmen, </td><td>II, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Northmen, Voyages of, </td><td>II, 590, 591, 592, 593.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Northumberland, Duke of, </td><td>II, 251, 337, 404, 409, 416, 417, 424, - 426, 430, 524, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norton, John, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norton, John, </td><td>II, 238, 288, 404, 409, 412, 414, 415, - 418, 422, 424, 428, 486, 577.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norwalk, </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Norwalk, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>"Nose," on Mohawk, </td><td>II, 115, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>O'Bail, John, </td><td>II, 105, 127.</td></tr> - <tr><td>O'Bail, Capt, </td><td>II, 127, 299, 302, 304, 377, 378, 380, - 436, 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oboylaco, </td><td>I, 296.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ocoum, Samson, at School, </td><td>I, 21.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Odeserundige, Capt. John, </td><td>II, 144.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogaghto, news brought by, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogden, Amos, </td><td>I, 324, 325, 326, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogden, Nathan, </td><td>I, 326.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogdensburgh, </td><td>II, 502.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghgwarioghreta, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghkwaga, </td><td>I, 33, 168, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, - 182, 189, 310, 341, 367, 374.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghkwaga, </td><td>II, 17, 18, 58, 569.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghnaongoghton, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghquaga, </td><td>I, 33, 167, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oghsouwalagette, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogilvie, Rev. John, </td><td>I, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogilvie, Capt, </td><td>II, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ogongksaneyont, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ohio, </td><td>II, 264, 265, 295, 301, 336, 338, 348, - 354, 355, 358, 363, 378, 392, 393, - 494.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ohio, Indian hostilities in, </td><td>I, 348.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ojageghte, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Okoghsenniyonte, </td><td>II, 423, 579.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Olean Point, </td><td>II, 585.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneaquaga, </td><td>I, 33, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneida, </td><td>I, 307.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneida, </td><td>II, 29, 80, 123, 191, 319.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneida Lake, </td><td>I, 8, 209, 217, 261, 404, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneida Lake, </td><td>II, 186, 189, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneida Mission, </td><td>I, 20, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneidas, </td><td>I, 7, 12, 13, 47, 58, 80, 82, 86, 87, - 149, 215, 227, 244, 269, 260, 306, - 306, 366, 367, 370, 372, 401, 402, - 408, 409, 411, 432, 433, 434, 435, - 564.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneidas, </td><td>II, 3, 7, 10, 11, 17, 23, 24, 36, 54, - 56, 108, 104, 106, 119, 121, 122, - 135, 143,144, 168, 190, 242, 244, - 246, 289, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oneigat, </td><td>II, 24.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga, central council fire, </td><td>I, XXV.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga, council fire - extinguished, </td><td>II, 76.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga Creek. </td><td>I, 405, 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga Hill, </td><td>II, 361.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga Lake, </td><td>I, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga Lake, </td><td>II, 123.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondaga Landing, </td><td>I, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondagas, </td><td>I, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 86, 217, 293, 294, - 296, 304, 305, 306, 307, 370, 372, - 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408, 409, - 411, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Onondagas, </td><td>II, 3, 7, 11, 24, 238, 243, 244, 289, - 359, 429, 569, 585.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ontario, Council at, </td><td>I, 83, 86, 149.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oosterhoudt, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oothout, Capt., </td><td>II, 154.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oquaga, </td><td>I, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Orange Co. invaded, </td><td>I, 415, 418.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Orangeburgh, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Orendorf, Frederick, on - committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oriskany, </td><td>I, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 240, 241, - 242, 249, 307, 367, 459, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oriskany, </td><td>II, 29, 30, 78, 189, 330.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswald, Wm., </td><td>II, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswegatchie, </td><td>I, 153, 210, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswegatchie, </td><td>II, 81, 215, 268, 670.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswego, </td><td>I, 6, 7, 88, 100, 102, 103, 149, 186, - 196, 209, 210, 211, 215, 217, 218, - 226, 237, 261, 262, 291, 306, 350, - 358, 366, 383, 884, 386, 393, 404, - 445, 454, 455, 456, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswego, </td><td>II, 106, 124, 126, 186, 233, 268, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oswego Falls, </td><td>II, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otoghseronge, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otqueandageghte, body of found, </td><td>I, 8.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otsego Lake, </td><td>I, 312, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otsego Lake, </td><td>II, 5, 13, 14, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otsego, </td><td>II, 4, 16, 504.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ottawannio, a Cayuga, </td><td>I, 14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ottawas, </td><td>I, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ottawas, </td><td>II, 8, 218, 243, 261, 265, 276, 278, - 348, 349, 355, 376, 387, 390, 565.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otter Creek, </td><td>II, 90.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otsinarenta, </td><td>II, 420.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Otyoghwawagon, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ouiatauons, </td><td>II, 293.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ouise River, </td><td>II, 239, 240, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Owasco Lake, </td><td>I, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oyonwayea Creek, </td><td>II, 244.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Oylikwagas, </td><td>II, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Painted Post, </td><td>II, 304, 306, 318.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Palatine, </td><td>I, xviii, 34, 62, 64, 389, 409, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Palatine, </td><td>II, 115, 160, 215, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Palmerstown, </td><td>II, 144, 146.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paoli, </td><td>I, 284, 285, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Papers Concealed by Johnson, </td><td>II, 80.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paramus, </td><td>II, 102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paris, Isaac, </td><td>I, 179, 213, 234, 240, 242, 460, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parish, John, </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parker, John, </td><td>I, 310.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parker, Sir Peter, </td><td>I, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parker, killed, </td><td>II, 32, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parliament on Colonies, </td><td>I, 49, 50, 116.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parr, Major, </td><td>II, 19.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Parraderaski, </td><td>I, 353.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Patrick, Captain, </td><td>I, 354, 418.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Party factions, </td><td>II, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Patchin, Freegift, </td><td>II, 52, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Patchin, Isaac, </td><td>II, 56, 83.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Patchin, Samuel, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Patriots of Mohawk Valley, </td><td>I, 84, 85.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paulding, Capt. Henry, </td><td>II, 169, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paulding, Lt. Col. Albert, </td><td>II, 17, 18, 167, 169, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paulus, wampum delivered to, </td><td>I, 7.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Paulus Hook, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peace declared, </td><td>II, 214, 233, 237.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peasley, </td><td>II, 154.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peccaway, </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pekillon, </td><td>II, 208.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peltry, Harman, letter - concerning, </td><td>I, 427.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pempotowwuthut, Muhhecanneuw, </td><td>I, 67.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Penn, Gov. John, </td><td>I, 324, 449, 451.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Penn, William, </td><td>I, 145, 320, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Penn, </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Penobscots, plan to employ, </td><td>I, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pequods join Mohegans, </td><td>I, 57.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Percy, Lord, </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Percy, Lord, </td><td>II, 337, 428, 515, 524.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Perkins, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peter, a Mohawk, </td><td>I, 178, 179.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Peter, Samuel, </td><td>II, 480, 583.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petersham, Lord, </td><td>I, 469.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petrie, Daniel, </td><td>II, 69.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petrie, Dr., </td><td>I, 246.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petrie, Dr., </td><td>II, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petrie, Lieut., </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petry, John, on Committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Petry, William, on Committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pettingill, Capt. Samuel, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Phelps, Rev. Davenport, </td><td>II, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 439, - 472, 495.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Phelps, Oliver, </td><td>II, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Philadelphia, </td><td>I, 102, 197, 284, 285, 286, 319, 324, - 327, 348, 350, 359. - <tr><td>Philadelphia, </td><td>II, 94, 101, 138, 140, 249, 298, 299, - 304, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 324, - 326, 328, 329, 339, 419, 453, 454, - 455, 497, 498.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Philistines, </td><td>II, 185.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Phillips, Gen., </td><td>I, 201, 268, 270, 271, 467, 469, 472, - 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Phillips, Gen., </td><td>II, 193.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Piankishaus, </td><td>II, 566.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pickard, John, on Committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pickering, Timothy, </td><td>I, xxx, 61, 342.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pickering, Timothy, </td><td>II, 209, 301, 304, 306, 307, 318, 321, - 338, 339, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pigott, Sir Robert, </td><td>I, 346, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pine Creek, </td><td>II, 560.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pipe, Captain, </td><td>I, 348.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pipe, Capt., </td><td>II, 208, 218, 219, 226, 227, 266, 267.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pipe of Peace, </td><td>I, 99, 436.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pitt, Mr., </td><td>II, 426, 600.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pittsburgh, </td><td>I, 25, 118, 350.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pittsburgh, </td><td>II, 41, 151, 219, 220, 222, 223, 295, - 300, 551, 560, 563, 564.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pittsfield, </td><td>II, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pittsford, </td><td>II, 87.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Platts killed, </td><td>II, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Plunkett, Col., </td><td>I, 329.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Plymouth, </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Plymouth, </td><td>II, 590.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pocahontas, </td><td>II, 60.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pointe, Appineau, </td><td>II, 380.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pointaufer, </td><td>II, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Point Pleasant, </td><td>I, 41, 191, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Point Creek, </td><td>I, 351.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pompey, French in, </td><td>II, 585, 588.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pompton, </td><td>II, 141.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pond, Capt. Peter, </td><td>II, 313.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pontiac, </td><td>I, 24, 26, 33.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pontiac, </td><td>II, 248, 289, 584.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Poor, Gen., </td><td>I, 271.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Poor, Gen., </td><td>II, 5, 18, 20, 21.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Popham, Maj. Wm., </td><td>I, 289, 290.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Poppino, Major, </td><td>I, 418.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Porter, Peter B., </td><td>I, xxiii, 149.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Porter, Peter B., </td><td>II, 468, 462, 488, 492, 496.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Portland, Duke of, </td><td>II, 467, 468.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Portsmouth, </td><td>II, 193, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ports, Northern retained, </td><td>II, 269.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pottowattamies, </td><td>II, 8, 248, 266, 276, 278, 285, 295, - 348, 349, 355, 361, 374, 386.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Poughkeepsie, </td><td>I, 338, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Powder, wanted, </td><td>I, 160.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Powell, Maj. </td><td>I, 341.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Powell, </td><td>II, 64, 130, 131, 133, 134.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pownall, Gov., </td><td>II, 483.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Pratt, Mr., </td><td>I, 323.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Prejudices of Historians, </td><td>I, xiii, xvi.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Prescott, General, </td><td>I, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Presents to Indians, </td><td>I, 188.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Presque Isle, </td><td>II, 45, 46, 332, 377, 378, 381.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Price, Major, </td><td>II, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Prideaux, Gen., Death of, </td><td>I, 29.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Priestley, Dr., </td><td>II, 453, 582.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Prince of Wales, </td><td>II, 250, 268, 260.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Princeton, Battle of, </td><td>I, 175.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Princeton, </td><td>II, 139, 140, 440, 441.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Prison, Island, </td><td>II, 91.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Proceedings of Patriotic - meeting, </td><td>I, 83.</td></tr> - -<tr><td>{Transcriber's Note: in the next eleven entries, one or more illegible -words or characters are represented by #.}</td><td></td></tr> - - <tr><td>P#, Col., </td><td>II, 299, 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 428.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Provincial Assembly, </td><td>I, 36.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Providence, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, Lieut., intimate with - Brant, </td><td>I, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, Gen., </td><td>II, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, Mrs., </td><td>II, 101, 102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>II, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>II, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>I, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>II, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>II, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>P#, </td><td>#, 247, 278, 280, 282, #.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Putnam, Gen., </td><td>II, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Putnam, John, </td><td>I, 9, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Putnam, Lodowiek, </td><td>II, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Putnam, Rufus, </td><td>II, 316, 331.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quackenbush, Abraham, </td><td>I, 114.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quackenboss, Abraham D., </td><td>I, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quackenboss, John S., </td><td>I, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quaekyack. </td><td>II, 158.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quago, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quageewon, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quaker agents, </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quaker Hill, </td><td>I, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quebec, </td><td>II, 239, 245, 250, 263, 270, 279, 296, - 337, 360, 367, 391, 392, 400, 421, - 434, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quebec besieged, </td><td>I, 117, 162, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Queden-Gorah, </td><td>I, 433.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quedar, </td><td>I, 431, 436, 448.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Queens' Rangers, </td><td>II, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Queenston, </td><td>II, 340, 501, 508, 507, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quiquago Indians, </td><td>I, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Quimby, Mr., </td><td>II, 486.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Raleigh, Sir Walter, </td><td>II, 251.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ramsay's History, </td><td>I, 88, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Randolph Beverley, holds a - treaty, </td><td>I, xxx.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Randolph Beverley, </td><td>II, 338, 339, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Randolph Edmund, </td><td>II, 369.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Randolph. Lt., </td><td>II, 506, 508.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rangers, </td><td>I, 168, 235, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ranson, Capt., </td><td>I, 335, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rapids of Ohio, </td><td>II, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rathbone, Lt., </td><td>II, 505.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rawdon, Lord, </td><td>II, 99, 142, 250, 600.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Raulings, Col., </td><td>I, 172.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reading, prisoners to go to, </td><td>I, 141.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Red Bank, </td><td>I, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Red Eagle with Logan, </td><td>I, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Redhawk, </td><td>I, 192, 193.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Red Hook, </td><td>I, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Red Jacket, Portrait of, </td><td>I, xxx.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Red Jacket, </td><td>II, 34, 35, 105, 135, 136, 243, 244, - 245, 301, 302, 303, 335, 364, 415, - 416, 417, 420, 428, 446, 497.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reeber, Andrew, on Committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reed, Pres., </td><td>II, 140.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reads Station, </td><td>II, 564.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reghtmeyer, Capt., </td><td>II, 110.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Remission of Sins, </td><td>I, 389.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Revolution, </td><td>I, xxviii, 36, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Reynell, Mrs., </td><td>I, 471, 472.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rhode Island, </td><td>I, 37, 115, 173, 346, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rhode Island, </td><td>II, 99, 108, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rice, Mr., </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Richer, Capt., </td><td>I, 409, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Richey, James, on Committee, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Richmond, </td><td>II, 142, 147, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ridgeway, </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ridyard, Wm., </td><td>I, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Riedesel, General, </td><td>I, 268, 270, 271, 278, 274.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Riedesel, Baroness, - narrative of, </td><td>I, 273, 274, 276, 279; - 465, 472, 476, 482.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Riedesel, Baroness, </td><td>II, 250, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>River Indians, </td><td>I, 56, 57, 149.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Robertson, Capt., </td><td>II, 145.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Robin's Travels quoted, </td><td>I, 46.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Robinson, Col. Beverly, </td><td>II, 198.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Robinson, Moses, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Robinson, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rocheblave, Philip, </td><td>I, 352.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rocky River, </td><td>II, 372.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rochambeau, Count, </td><td>II, 98, 99, 104, 106, 155, 194, 195.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rochefoucault, </td><td>II, lviii.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rochester, </td><td>II, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rodgers, Major, </td><td>II, 49, 50, 51.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Roff, Col. John, </td><td>I, 246, 247.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rolfe, </td><td>II, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Romney, George, paints portrait - of Brant, </td><td>I, xxviii, 151.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rose, Mr., </td><td>II, 460, 461.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rosecrantz, Major James, </td><td>II, 188, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ross, Major, </td><td>II, 145, 187, 188, 189, 190, 192, 193, - 196, 205, 214, 215.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rousseau, J. B., </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rowley, Maj., </td><td>II, 187, 189, 196.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Royal Grant, </td><td>II, 164, 190, 408.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Royal Greens, </td><td>I, 145, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Royal Greens, </td><td>II, 105, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Runnells, Major, </td><td>II, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Runnip, </td><td>II, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Russell, Peter, </td><td>II, 400, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Russel, Mr., </td><td>II, 433.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Rykman, John, </td><td>II, 191.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sacondaga, </td><td>I, 144, 291, 309, 404.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sacondaga, </td><td>II, 98, 154.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sacs, </td><td>II, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sachems, how chosen, </td><td>I, 148.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sachems taken to England, </td><td>I, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sadakenaghtie, </td><td>I, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Safford, Samuel, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sag Harbor, </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sagugewatha, </td><td>II, 34.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Augustine, prize taken off, </td><td>I, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, </td><td>I, 163, 199, 200, 201, 202, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, </td><td>II, 61, 274, 278, 279, 280, 281, 284, - 291, 295, 300, 301, 304, 309, 311, - 312, 313, 314, 315, 327, 349, 353, - 360, 357, 372, 381, 383, 494.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Coych, </td><td>II, 205, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Francis, </td><td>I, 393.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Johns, </td><td>I, 112, 130, 157, 165, 196, 300, 301, - 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Johns, </td><td>II, 81, 83, 89, 90, 128, 180, 181, 203.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Joseph, </td><td>II, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Laurence Co., </td><td>II, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Leger, Col. Barry, </td><td>I, xxviii, 209, 216, 217, 218, 219, - 220, 221, 222, 226, 227, 229, 230, - 231, 232, 233, 235, 237, 241, 243, - 244, 245, 249, 250, 252, 253, 255, - 256, 257, 259, 260, 261, 262, 277, - 286, 287, 293, 330, 457, 468, 460, - 461, 462, 463, 464.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Leger, Col., Barry, </td><td>II, 91, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Lewis, </td><td>II, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Mary, </td><td>II, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Phillips, </td><td>I, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Regis, Council at, </td><td>I, 209, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Regis, </td><td>II, 409, 410, 486.</td></tr> - <tr><td>St. Vincent, </td><td>I, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salem, </td><td>I, 51, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salem, </td><td>II, 217, 219, 220, 221, 222.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salisbury, Mr. </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salisbury, </td><td>II, 249.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salmon, John, </td><td>II, 21, 27, 30, 31.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Salt Lick, </td><td>II, 556.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Frederick, </td><td>I, 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Frederick, </td><td>II, 76, 79, 80, 82, 88, 87, 88, 91, 92, - 98, 94.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Jacob, </td><td>I, 58, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Jacob, </td><td>II, 76, 79, 80, 81, 82, 88, 84, 86, 87, - 88, 90, 94, 95, 158, 159, 190.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Sampson, </td><td>I, 52, 78, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Sampson, </td><td>II, 76, 76, 78, 79.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Major, Thomas, </td><td>I, xxi.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Major, Thomas, </td><td>II, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81, 96, 97, 114, - 121, 122, 123, 124, 170, 185.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Lieut., </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sammons, Lt., </td><td>II, 161, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sandusky, </td><td>I, 296, 354.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sandusky, </td><td>II, 218, 219, 224, 266, 301, 303, 341, - 346, 351, 356, 379, 393, 405.</td></tr> - <tr><td>San Jacinto, </td><td>I, 336.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Santee, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Saratoga, </td><td>I, 207, 213, 267, 272, 275, 279, 291, - 301, 469, 475, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Saratoga, </td><td>II, 181, 144, 160, 178, 185, 205, 542. - <tr><td>Sarver, B., </td><td>II, 556.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Saulkill, Lt., </td><td>187.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Savage, Capt., </td><td>I, 225.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Savannah, </td><td>I, 395.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Savannah, </td><td>II, 17, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Savory, William, </td><td>II, 339.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sawyer, Mr., </td><td>I, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sehaghticoke, </td><td>II, 147, 205, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scalp-lock, on Emblem of - Chivalry, </td><td>I, xvi.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scanandanani, </td><td>I, 449.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schaticooks, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scheeban, Mrs., </td><td>I, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schenectady, </td><td>I, 67, 101, 128, 289, 403, 407, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schenectady, </td><td>II, 54, 144, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schermehorn, Major, </td><td>II, 174.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sciota Indians, </td><td>I, 349, 351.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schlosser, </td><td>II, 504.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schoenbrunn, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schoharie, </td><td>I, xviii, 104, 106, 178, 181, 218, 307, - 311, 313, 314, 354, 355, 356, 357, - 367, 368, 410, 412.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schoharie, </td><td>II, 6, 14, 55, 56, 57, 58, 64, 106, - 107, 108, 111, 112, 114, 115, 122, - 125, 129, 157, 168, 186, 235, 536.</td></tr> - <tr><td>School for Indian youth, </td><td>I, 21, 22.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schools with Mohawks, </td><td>II, 529.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schoyere, </td><td>II, 26.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Brandt, </td><td>I, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Hanyost, </td><td>I, 258, 259, 260, 262, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Nicholas, </td><td>I, 258, 259.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Col. Peter, takes - Sachems to England, </td><td>I, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Gen. Philip, </td><td>I, 64, 73, 93, 101, 103, 112, 116, 120, - 121, 123, 128, 131, 132, 133, 136, - 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 159, 160, - 163, 166, 168, 173, 176, 177, 181, - 184, 196, 197, 202, 203, 204, 207, - 208, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, - 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 232, - 250, 255, 265, 266, 267, 275, 277, - 278, 279, 288, 290, 301, 304, 305, - 378, 382, 392, 407, 423, 425, 430, - 431, 435, 451, 475, 471, 473, 477.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuyler, Gen., Philip, </td><td>II, 4, 6, 9, 10, 24, 39, 40, 79, 102, - 131, 136, 143, 146, 147, 148, 150, - 151, 152, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, - 204, 212, 242, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Schuylkill, </td><td>I, 284, 285.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scioto, </td><td>II, 226, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scotch Hostages, </td><td>I, 139, 141, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scotch Loyalists, </td><td>I, 105, 108, 120, 134, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scott, James, on Committee, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scott, Joseph, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scott, Gen. Winfield, </td><td>I, 344.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scott, Col., </td><td>II, 307, 316, 384, 504, 505, 507, 508, - 509, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Scouts sent to Oneida Lake, </td><td>I, 8.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seaghuagerat, speech by, </td><td>I, 98, 432, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seeber, Capt. Henry, </td><td>I, 234, 237.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seeber, Jacob, </td><td>I, 110, 237, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seeber, Lt. William, </td><td>I, 72, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Siege of Fort Schuyler raised, </td><td>I, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Siege of Fort Stanwix, </td><td>I, 280.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Selby, Wm., </td><td>II, 423.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seneca, Abeal, </td><td>II, 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seneca, George, </td><td>II, 441.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seneca Lake, </td><td>I, 217, 340, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seneca, Country invaded, </td><td>I, 350.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seneca Lake, </td><td>II, 23, 26, 36, 37.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Senecas, </td><td>I, 86, 182, 243, 244, 304, 305, 307, - 371, 378, 380, 389, 390, 391, 410, - 446.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Senecas, </td><td>II, 8, 41, 126, 233, 244, 245, 289, - 295, 324, 332, 355, 387, 411, 412, - 415, 416, 446, 447, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sergeant, Rev. John, at - Stockbridge, </td><td>I, 57.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seth, </td><td>II, 380.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seven Nations of Canada, (see - Caughnawagas), </td><td>I.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Seven Nations of Canada, </td><td>II, 332, 339, 350, 355, 359, 360, 367, - 409, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shabosh, Joseph, </td><td>II, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shades of Death, </td><td>I, 336.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shagogeaseronni, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shamokin, </td><td>I, 88, 89, 320.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shankland, Mr., </td><td>II, 15, 16.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sharon, </td><td>II, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shawanese, </td><td>39, 41, 42, 56, 102, 103, 191, 192, - 193, 295, 313, 319, 320, 347, 349, - 408, 422, 446, 449, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shawanese, </td><td>II, 40, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 71, 101, - 164, 165, 166, 167, 171, 226, 230, - 232, 236, 243, 265, 278, 285, 291, - 295, 335, 342, 345, 346, 348, 350, - 355, 359, 360, 374, 390.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shawangauk, </td><td>II, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shay's Rebellion, </td><td>II, 140, 258, 268.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sheafe, Gen., </td><td>II, 391, 402, 509, 510, 513, 515.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shelby, Cap. Isaac, in battle, </td><td>I, 43.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shelby, flanks the Indians, </td><td>I, 43.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shelby, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shell's Bush, </td><td>II, 164, 165.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shepard, Abraham, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sherburne, Major, </td><td>I, 154, 156, 156.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sheridan, </td><td>II, 258.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sherman, Roger, </td><td>II, 182.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sherwood, Capt., </td><td>II, 197, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sheshequon, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shew, Godfrey, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shew, Jacob, </td><td>II, 190.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shew, John and Sons, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shew, John, J. </td><td>I, 310.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shew, Rev. John I., </td><td>II, 69, 80, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shikellimus, father of Logan, </td><td>I, 88, 89.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shirley, Gen., </td><td>I, 57, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shoemaker, a loyalist, </td><td>I, 255, 258, 365.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sidney, Lord, </td><td>II, 249, 252, 253, 255, 264, 273.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sierra Leone, </td><td>II, 524.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Silliman, Gen., </td><td>I, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Silver Bluff, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Silver Heels murdered, </td><td>I, 41.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Singleton, Lieut., </td><td>I, 246, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Simcoe, Governor I. G., </td><td>I, 239, 336, 337, 338, 340, 341, 342, - 351, 352, 357, 364, 367, 369, 370, - 374, 379, 384, 385, 390, 391, 392, - 398, 398, 399, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sinclair, Gov., </td><td>II, 381.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sinclair's, Defeat, (app), </td><td>II, 550, 551.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sioux, </td><td>II, 2.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sitz, Peter, </td><td>I, 190, 191.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Six Nations, </td><td>I, xx, 55, 56, 92, 94, 158, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Six Nations, </td><td>II, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Six Mile Island, </td><td>II, 562.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skanarady, a Cayuga, </td><td>I, 14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skenandoah, </td><td>I, 407.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skeneateles Lake, </td><td>I, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skenesborough, </td><td>I, 78, 164, 165, 202, 342.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skenesborough, </td><td>II, 133, 134, 201.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skeleton with armor, </td><td>II, 594.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Skinner, Mr. </td><td>II, 70.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Slaves, Indians sold as, </td><td>I, xv.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Small, Capt., </td><td>II, 166.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Small Pox, </td><td>I, 163, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Smith, Capt., </td><td>I, 356.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Smith, Col. </td><td>II, 379, 468.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Smith, Rev. Charles Jeffrey </td><td>I, 22, 23.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Smith, George, </td><td>II, 199.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Smyth, Doctor, </td><td>II, 153, 197, 540.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Snell, Jacob, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Snell, Mr., </td><td>II, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Snyder, Isaac, </td><td>II, 66, 68.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Snyder, Jeremiah, </td><td>II, 66, 67.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Snyder, Lodwig, </td><td>I, 314.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Soc. Northern Antiquities, </td><td>II, 1.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sodus, Settlements, </td><td>II, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Solihoana, (Col. Francis), </td><td>I, 57, 95.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Solly, Mr., </td><td>II, 531, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sonughsas takes the war belt, </td><td>I, 15.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sorel, expedition from, </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sorel, </td><td>II, 83, 88, 244, 263.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sortie at Fort Schuyler, </td><td>I, 244, 245, 249</td></tr> - <tr><td>South Carolina, </td><td>I, 115, 137, 416.</td></tr> - <tr><td>South Carolina, </td><td>II, 58, 99, 262.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Southern News, </td><td>II, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sowosay, </td><td>II, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Shafford, H. G., </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spaniard, speech from, </td><td>II, 565.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spaniard, reply to, </td><td>II, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spaniards in Western N. Y., </td><td>II, 586, 588.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spanish interference, </td><td>II, 289, 292, 375, 376.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Speeches, </td><td>I;</td></tr> - <tr><td> author's plan of giving, </td><td>xxvi, xxvii;</td></tr> - <tr><td> by old Nickus, </td><td>9, 12;</td></tr> - <tr><td> by Sir William Johnson, </td><td>11;</td></tr> - <tr><td> by Cayuga deputies, </td><td>14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Speech of Sir William Johnson, </td><td>I, 15;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Aroyhigadecka, </td><td>16;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Logan, the Mingo Chief, </td><td>46;</td></tr> - <tr><td> remarks on authenticity of, </td><td>46, 47;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Indian Chief before Congress, </td><td>68;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Congress to Indians, </td><td>69;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Little Abraham, </td><td>71;</td></tr> - <tr><td> to Oneidas and reply, </td><td>82;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Col. Francis to Indians, </td><td>94, 96;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Kanaghquaesa, </td><td>95;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Little Abraham, </td><td>96.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Speech of Tiahogwando, </td><td>I, 97, 101;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Col. Francis, </td><td>97;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Commissioners, </td><td>98;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Seaghnagerat, </td><td>98;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Little Abraham, </td><td>100, 102, 124, 131;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Canajoharie Indians, </td><td>118;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Mr. Bleecker, </td><td>121;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Mohawks to Mr. Bleecker, </td><td>122;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Gen. Schuyler, </td><td>128;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Indian deputies in Congress, </td><td>158;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Oneida Chiefs to Col. Elmore, </td><td>176;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Thomas Spencer, an Oneida, </td><td>210;</td></tr> - <tr><td> condolence of Oneidas - answered, </td><td>227;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Major Ancrom, </td><td>260;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Col. Willett, </td><td>251;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Oneidas, </td><td>366;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Good Peter, </td><td>407;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Col. Van Schaick, </td><td>409.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Speech of Seaghnagerat, </td><td>I, 482, 485;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Albany Com'rs, </td><td>435, 450, 456, 452;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Kanaghquaesa, </td><td>444, 436;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Little Abraham, </td><td>444, 455;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Tiahogwando, </td><td>449;</td></tr> - <tr><td> to Gov. Clinton, </td><td>II, 10;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Geo. Clinton to Oneidas, </td><td>11;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Wyandot Chief, </td><td>43;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Delaware, </td><td>47, 49;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Cornplanter, </td><td>127;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Indians to Gamelin, </td><td>298;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Six Nations, </td><td>335, 362;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Cats Eyes, </td><td>342, 345;</td></tr> - <tr><td> by Brant, </td><td>II, 343, 344, 346, 253, 364;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Carry-one-about, </td><td>348;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Wyandots, </td><td>348;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Wyandot Chief, </td><td>350;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Clear Sky, </td><td>359, 370;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Chippewas and others </td><td>361;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Delawares, </td><td>361;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Red Jacket, </td><td>364;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Lord Dorchester, </td><td>367;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Egouchouoy, </td><td>II, 376;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Wyandots to Gov. Simcoe, </td><td>392;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Simcoe to Indians, </td><td>392;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of Duguoin, </td><td>421;</td></tr> - <tr><td> temperance, </td><td>441, 442;</td></tr> - <tr><td> of condolence, </td><td>450, 451;</td></tr> - <tr><td> from Spaniards, </td><td>375, 378, 565;</td></tr> - <tr><td> Brant, </td><td>89.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spencer, Lieut., </td><td>II, 107, 109, 118.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spencer, Thomas, an Indian, </td><td>I, 209, 210, 216, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spencer, Thomas, whig orator, </td><td>I, 59.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Spirits among Indians, - pernicious effects of, </td><td>I, 11.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sporr Ensign, </td><td>I, 225.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Springfield, </td><td>I, 312.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Springfield, </td><td>II, 5, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Squaghkies, </td><td>II, 4.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Squaw Run, </td><td>II, 551.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stacey, Col., </td><td>I, 386, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stacia, Lt. Col., </td><td>I, 372, 374,</td></tr> - <tr><td>Staving, Mr., </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Starke, Gen., </td><td>I, 232, 265, 302, 358, 368.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Starke, Gen., </td><td>II, 178, 183, 196, 197, 208.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Starks, Gen., </td><td>II, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Staten Island, </td><td>I, 197.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Steedman, Wm., </td><td>II, 313.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Steel, Capt., </td><td>II, 83, 91.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sternberg, Lambert, </td><td>I, 316.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sternberg, Nicholas, </td><td>I, 314, 315, 316, 317.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Steuben, Baron, </td><td>II, 193, 263.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stevens, Mr., </td><td>II, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stewart, Alex., </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stewart, Charles, </td><td>I, 324, 326, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stewart, Lazarus, </td><td>I, 325, 326.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stewart, Rev. Mr., </td><td>I, 19, 21, 26, 27, 28, 101, 147, 148, - 180, 447.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stewart, Rev. Dr., </td><td>II, 287, 528.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stillwater, </td><td>I, 267, 268, 366.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stillwater, </td><td>II, 147.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stirling, Lord, </td><td>I, 170.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stirling, Lord, </td><td>II, 178, 188, 196, 197, 208.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stockbridge Indians, </td><td>I, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 63, 172, - 234, 254, 257.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stockbridges, </td><td>II, 231, 307, 427, 480.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stone Arabia, </td><td>I, 52, 409.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stone Arabia, </td><td>II, 115, 118, 125, 136, 160, 189.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stoney Point, </td><td>I, 280.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stoney Point, </td><td>II, 52.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Strachan, Dr., Notice of Brant - by. </td><td>I, 2.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stranahan, Col., </td><td>II, 504, 508, 514, 523.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stratton, Wm., </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stratton, Lt., </td><td>II, 573.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stringer, Samuel, </td><td>I, 98, 432.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stroudsburg, </td><td>I, 340.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stuart, Capt., </td><td>I, 198.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Stuart, Sir Charles, </td><td>II, 250, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sugar Hill, defence of, </td><td>I, 200, 201.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sukachgook, </td><td>II, 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sullivan, Gen., </td><td>I, xxiii, 168, 170, 341, 342, 346, 347, - 411, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sullivan, </td><td>II, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, - 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, - 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, - 40, 41, 42, 54, 60, 61, 106, 140, - 288, 460.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sumner, Benjamin, </td><td>II, 470.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sumter, Gen., </td><td>II, 100, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sunbury, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sunbury, </td><td>II, 13.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Surrender of Burgoyne, </td><td>I, 275.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Susquehanna, </td><td>I, 312, 322, 323, 324, 332, 356, 357, - 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Susquehanna, </td><td>II, 65, 106, 159, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sutton, Mr., </td><td>II, 562.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Swan Creek, </td><td>II, 391.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Swartwout, Capt. Abraham, </td><td>I, 234, 359.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Swegachy, </td><td>I, 8.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sword voted to Col. Willett, </td><td>I, 246.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Sylvester, Francis, </td><td>I, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Syter, Capt. Geo., </td><td>II, 39, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tadeuskund, </td><td>I, 323.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tobaddy, a Chief stopped by - French, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Taicarihogo, alias Nickus Hance, </td><td>I, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Talbot, Thomas, </td><td>II, 376.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tarleton, Gen., </td><td>II, 99, 100, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tarrawarrix, a Seneca, </td><td>I, 12.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tayler, John, </td><td>I, xxi, 145, 288, 289, 290, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tchaosennoghts, </td><td>II, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Teghsitaasgowa, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tehoseroron, </td><td>II, 244.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, </td><td>I, 3, 18.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekaenyongh, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekaharawa falls, </td><td>I, 190.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekahentakwa, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekarihoken, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekarihogea, </td><td>II, 500, 501, 537.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tekeyanedonhotte, Col. Elmore, </td><td>I, 176.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ten Broeck, Gen., </td><td>I, 128.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ten Eyek, Col., </td><td>I, 178.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ternay, Chevalier, </td><td>II, 99.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Terry, Thomas, </td><td>I, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Teughsaragarat, a Cayuga, </td><td>I, 14.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Teyonhighkon, </td><td>II, 524.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Teyoninhokáráwen, </td><td>II, 288, 288, 404, 414, 417, 423, 425, - 426, 427, 428, 429, 577, 578, 579, - 580.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thanksgiving dance, </td><td>I, 388.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thanksgiving, </td><td>II, 444.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thaosonnenghton, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tharighwegiri, </td><td>II, 337, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thatcher's Indian Biography, </td><td>I, 46.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thatcher's Military Journal, </td><td>I, xvii, 337, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thaweyogearat, </td><td>II, 575.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thayendanegea, signification of, </td><td>I, 1.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thayendanegea, (see Brant), </td><td>I.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thomas, General, </td><td>I, 161, 162, 163.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thompson, Gen., </td><td>I, 163.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thompson, John, </td><td>I, 397.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thompson's, at German Flats, </td><td>I, 72, 85.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thorp, Ezra, </td><td>II, 66.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thorp, Henry, </td><td>II, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thorpe, Judge, </td><td>II, 580.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Thorwald, </td><td>II, 487, 590, 591.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Three Islands, </td><td>I, 332.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Three Rivers, (Canada), </td><td>I, 117, 404.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Three Rivers, N. Y., </td><td>I, 216, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Throop, Col. Joseph, </td><td>II, 546, 547.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tiahogwando, Speech of, </td><td>I, 96, 97, 101, 449.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tice, Capt. Gilbert, </td><td>I, 266, 150, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ticonderoga, </td><td>I, 7, 78, 102, 108, 178, 197, 200, 201, - 202, 209, 210, 211, 212, 216, 262, - 266, 270, 292, 438, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ticonderoga, </td><td>II, 81, 132, 150, 151, 152, 155, 178, - 181, 201, 203, 204, 314.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tiehout, Capt. Henry, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tienderago, preparations for - scout to, </td><td>I, 15.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tiffany, Gideon, </td><td>II, 474.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tiger River, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Timmerman, Jacob, </td><td>I, 241.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Timmerman, Jacob, </td><td>II, 215.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tioga, </td><td>I, 331, 370, 372, 378, 392, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tioga, </td><td>II, 5, 12, 13, 18, 22, 23, 26, 27, 36, - 37, 59, 105, 106.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Titcomb, Major, </td><td>II, 22.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tiverton, </td><td>I, 346.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tizederonderon, Mr. Bleecker, </td><td>I, 131.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Todd, Col., </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tomhanic, </td><td>II, 173.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tomlinson, Murdered, </td><td>I, 39, 40.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tompkins, Gov., </td><td>II, 502, 508.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Toronto, </td><td>II, 351, 519, 523.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Torture at Wyoming, </td><td>I, 338.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Totems, Indian, </td><td>II, 355, 394.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Totten and Crossfield's - Purchase, </td><td>II, 570.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Townsend, Robert, </td><td>I, 418, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Towson, </td><td>II, 512, 513.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tracy, Ephraim, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tracy, Uri, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trade, Indian, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Treaties, </td><td>I, 430, 452, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Treaties, </td><td>II, 243, 244, 262.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trenton, Battle of, </td><td>I, 174, 175.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tribes of Indians, how - designated, </td><td>I, 3.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trigg, Col., </td><td>II, 216.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tripes Hill, </td><td>II, 73, 187.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Troy, </td><td>I, 476.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trueman, Major, </td><td>II, 331, 332.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trumbull, Col. John, </td><td>I, 165, 200, 347.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trumbull, Gov., </td><td>I, 62, 234, 242, 286, 327.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Trumbull, Gov., </td><td>II, 548.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tryon Co., </td><td>I, xx, xxi, xxxiii, 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, - 67, 70, 72, 74, 105, 106, 128, 140, - 167, 168, 177, 211, 212, 213, 214, - 242, 258, 256, 264, 283, 424, 425, - 468.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tryon Co., name changed, </td><td>II, 236.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tryon, Gov., </td><td>II, 52, 180.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tsinonwanhonte, </td><td>II, xli.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tsklelele, </td><td>I, 454.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tubbs, John, </td><td>II, 177.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tulk, C. A., </td><td>II, 527.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tunadilly, </td><td>I, 180.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tupper, Col., </td><td>I, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Turlock, </td><td>I, 354.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Turlock, </td><td>II, 157.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Turner, Capt., </td><td>II, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tuscarora, </td><td>I, 351, 396.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tuscaroras, </td><td>I, 80, 86, 87, 297, 305, 306, 360, 366, - 367, 401, 402, 408, 409, 453.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tuscaroras, </td><td>II, 3, 4, 11, 88, 108, 104, 105, 242, - 244, 422.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tustans, </td><td>II, 295.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tusten, Benj. Jr., </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tusten, Dr. </td><td>I, 415, 416, 418.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Twightwees, [Miamis,] Message - from, </td><td>I, 6.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Twitchtwees, </td><td>II, 268.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Twithways, </td><td>II, 359.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Tyler, Capt. Robt., </td><td>I, 416, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ulster, frontiers, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Ulster Co., </td><td>II, 167.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Unadilla, </td><td>I, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 214, 291, - 297, 310, 312, 313, 341, 364, 366, - 368, 376, 408.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Unadilla, </td><td>II, 17.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Upper Mohawk Castle, </td><td>II, 481</td></tr> - <tr><td>Utica, Site of, </td><td>I, 288.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vail, Capt. Benj., </td><td>I, 418, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vail, Gilbert, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Valley Forge, </td><td>I, 286, 297, 301.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Allen, </td><td>II, 120.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Bensehoten, Captain, </td><td>I, 284.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Bensehoten, Major, </td><td>II, 122.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Courtlandt, Col. Philip, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Courtlandt, Col., </td><td>II, 5, 37, 148, 460, 540.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Cortlandt, Pierre, </td><td>I, 218.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Deusen, James, </td><td>II, 129, 134, 135.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Dyck, Col., </td><td>I, 400, 401.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Eps, </td><td>II, 119, 121, 124.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Horne, Abraham, on - committee, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Col. Henry, </td><td>II, 168, 174, 184, 185.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Henry K., </td><td>II, 205, 206, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah, </td><td>I, 98, 432.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Col. John, </td><td>II, 205, 206, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Capt. Peter, </td><td>II, 192, 188.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Col. Robert, </td><td>I, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Gen. Robert, </td><td>II, 115, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, - 125, 126, 206.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Col. Solomon, </td><td>II, 386, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Rensselaer, Gen. Stephen, </td><td>II, 502, 503, 507, 510.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Schaick, Col., </td><td>I, 168, 168, 181, 214, 362, 403, 404, - 405, 406, 407, 409, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Schaick, Col., </td><td>II, 12, 81, 130, 131, 238, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Sluyck, Major, </td><td>I, 72, 286, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Sluyck, </td><td>II, 81.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Veghten, Anthony on - Committee, </td><td>I, 72.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Vechten, Col. </td><td>II, 146.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Van Vrank, Maj., </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Varick, Col. Richard, </td><td>I, 123, 279, 354, 359, 360, 413.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Varick, Col. Richard, </td><td>II, 290, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vandreuil, Arnold at, </td><td>I, 154.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vandreuil, Mde., </td><td>II, 103.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vaughan, General, </td><td>I, 282.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Veeder, Abraham, </td><td>II, 80.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Veeder, John, </td><td>I, 62.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Veeder, Volkert, </td><td>I, 73.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Veeder, Col. Volkert, </td><td>II, 81, 159.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Venango, </td><td>II, 41, 147, 363, 365, 371, 372, 374, - 377.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vermont Controversy, </td><td>II, 152, 158, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, - 183, 184, 197, 198, 200, 201, 202, - 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 542.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vernon, Maj., </td><td>I, 399.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Versailles, Treaty of, </td><td>I, 298, 299.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vinland, </td><td>II, 591.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Virginia, </td><td>I, 37, 44, 116, 119.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Virginia, </td><td>II, 198, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Visscher, Col. Frederick, </td><td>I, 233, 236, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Visscher, Col. Fred'k, </td><td>II, 73, 74, 75.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Visscher, Harmanus, </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Visscher, John, </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Visscher, Wm. Brower, </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Col., </td><td>I, 354, 355.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Bartholomew, </td><td>II, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Bartholomew Jr., </td><td>II, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Capt., </td><td>II, 124.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Col., </td><td>II, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Ephraim, </td><td>II, 112, 113.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, John </td><td>II, 112, 113.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Josias, </td><td>II, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Martin, </td><td>II, 113.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Simon, </td><td>II, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, Tunis, </td><td>II, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Vrooman, </td><td>II, 64, 124, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wabash, </td><td>I, 400.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wabash, </td><td>II, 45, 46, 248, 265, 291, 294, 307, - 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wabingas, </td><td>I, 56.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wadsworth, Gen., </td><td>II, 508, 510, 511.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waggoner, Joseph, </td><td>I, 184, 185.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waggoner, Peter, </td><td>I, 72, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wall, Edward, </td><td>I, 72, 74, 81.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wall, Mrs., </td><td>I, 385.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wallace, Wm., </td><td>II, 220.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Walradt, Henry, </td><td>I, 242.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Walter, George, </td><td>I, 234, 240.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waltermeyer, John, </td><td>II, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 210, 211, - 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wanton Island, tradition of - battle, </td><td>I, 67.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waorighonti, </td><td>II, 575. - <tr><td>Ward, John, </td><td>II, 177.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warner, Col. Seth, </td><td>I, 78, 112.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warner, Col. Seth, </td><td>II, 129, 134, 181.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warren, Col., </td><td>II, 534.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warren, Joseph, eloquence of, </td><td>I, 30.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warren, Sir Peter, </td><td>II, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warrensbush, </td><td>II, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warren, town of, </td><td>I, 362, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warraghiyaghy, see Johnson, - Sir Wm., </td><td>I.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warwick, </td><td>I, 416.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warwick, Earl of, </td><td>I, 151, 322.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Warwick, Earl of, </td><td>II, 251.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Washington, Gen. George, </td><td>I, 91, 115, 149, 157, 159, 161, 165, - 169, 170, 173, 174, 175, 196, 197, - 202, 266, 267, 284, 285, 286, 301, - 303, 333, 339, 343, 344, 345, 346, - 360, 361, 362, 370.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Washington, Gen., </td><td>II, 1, 4, 13, 17, 39, 40, 41, 42, 98, - 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 111, - 138, 144, 149, 150, 157, 194, 211, - 235, 242, 245, 263, 281, 331, 345, - 366, 368, 369, 370, 376, 378, 385, - 386, 395, 417, 541.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Washington, John Augustine, </td><td>I, 172, 344.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waterbury, Gen., </td><td>II, 211.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waterford, </td><td>I, 476.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Watson, James, </td><td>II, 410.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Watts, John, </td><td>I, 170, 237, 248.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Watts, Major, </td><td>I, 220, 235, 237, 242, 243.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wawarsing, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wawarsing, </td><td>II, 17, 18, 65, 169.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Waxhaws, </td><td>II, 99.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wayne, Gen. Anthony, </td><td>II, 51, 52, 138, 139, 140, 141, 214, - 288, 312, 315, 339, 342, 345, 347, - 357, 377, 381, 383, 384, 388, 389, - 390, 391, 392, 393, 395, 420, 502.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Weeks, Mr. </td><td>II, 580.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Weisenfeldts, Col., </td><td>II, 185.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Weiser, Conrad, </td><td>II, 451.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Weld, Mr., </td><td>II, 490, 526, 598.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wells, Jane, </td><td>I, 387.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wells, John, </td><td>I, 378, 379.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wells, John, </td><td>II, 383, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wells, Robert, </td><td>I, 168, 173, 174, 372, 373, 380, 381.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Welsh, Pioneers, </td><td>II, 487.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Welsh Triads, </td><td>II, 488.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wemple, Col., </td><td>II, 97.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wemys, Major, </td><td>II, 100.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wentz, George, on committee, </td><td>I, 78.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wesson, Col., </td><td>I, 214.</td></tr> - <tr><td>West Canada creek, </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>West Canada creek, </td><td>II, 190, 191, 192.</td></tr> - <tr><td>West, Rev. Mr., </td><td>II, 530.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Western, Indian rear, </td><td>II, 292.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Westham, </td><td>II, 142.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Westmoreland Co., Pa., </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Weston, Col., </td><td>I, 229, 255.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Westover, </td><td>II, 141.</td></tr> - <tr><td>West Point, </td><td>II, 101, 102.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheeling, </td><td>I, 89.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheeling, </td><td>II, 208, 232, 483.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheelock, Rev. E., </td><td>I, 4, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 153.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheelock, James, </td><td>II, 436, 470, 471, 474, 476, 477, 478.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheelock, John, </td><td>II, 468, 470, 478, 495.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheelock, Pres., </td><td>II, 431, 436, 466, 468, 488, 489.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wheelock, Rev. Ralph, </td><td>I, 25.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White, Sheriff Alexander, </td><td>I, 106, 107, 112, 364.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White Creek, </td><td>II, 150.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White, Epenetus, </td><td>II, 212.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White Eyes, </td><td>I, 118, 149, 348, 349.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White Eyes, </td><td>II, 44.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White, Col. John, </td><td>II, 52, 53.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White, Mr., </td><td>II, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>White Plains, </td><td>I, 172, 346, 361, 362.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Whitestown, </td><td>I, 233.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilkesbarre, </td><td>I, 328.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilkinson, Jemima, </td><td>II, 496, 497.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilkinson, Gen., </td><td>I, 266, 268, 269, 271, 272, 273, 276, - 277, 278.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilkinson, General, </td><td>II, 326, 327, 336, 386.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Willard, Pres. Joseph, </td><td>II, 287.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Willett, Col. Marinus, </td><td>I, 228, 225, 226, 228, 229, 234, 235, - 242, 244, 245, 246, 247, 249, 250, - 265, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, - 345, 357, 362, 406, 407.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Willett, Col. Marinus, </td><td>II, 6, 80, 155, 156, 158, 159, 160, - 161, 168, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, - 191, 192, 196, 215, 233, 234, 235, - 305, 316, 330, 411.</td></tr> - <tr><td>William, an Indian pupil, </td><td>I, 22, 28.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Williams, Col., </td><td>I, 467.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Williams, William, </td><td>I, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Williamsburgh, </td><td>I, 194, 358.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Williamson, Col. David, </td><td>II, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, - 227, 228, 229, 230, 231.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Williamson, Capt., </td><td>II, 99, 130, 391, 493.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Willoe, Capt., </td><td>I, 469.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Willstown, </td><td>II, 266.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilson, Capt., </td><td>I, 248.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilson, Col., remarks on - Cornstock, </td><td>I, 45.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wilson, Rev. Dr., </td><td>I, 418, 419.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Winder, Gen., </td><td>II, 516.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wingemund, </td><td>II, 228.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Winn, Capt., </td><td>I, 168.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Winosski, </td><td>II, 89.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wisner, Lt. Col. Gabriel, </td><td>I, 418, 420, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wisner, Col., </td><td>II, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Witbeck, Mr., </td><td>II, 456.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wither's Chronicles, </td><td>II, 232.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wolf, a son of Cornstock, </td><td>I, 194.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wolf, Mr., </td><td>II, 553.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wood, Capt. John, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wood, Lt. John, </td><td>I, 421.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wood, Major, </td><td>I, 419.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodlake, Capt., </td><td>I, 315, 316, 317.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wood Creek, </td><td>I, 8, 209, 210, 221, 224, 262, 404, - 406.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodhull, Gen, </td><td>I, 112, 170, 283.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodruff, Hunloke, </td><td>II, 546.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodruff, Samuel, </td><td>I, 240, 244, 419, 475, 483, 595.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodruff, Samuel, </td><td>II, 364, 446, 449, 467.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodruff, Wm., </td><td>II, 484, 485, 488.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodstock, </td><td>I, 414.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodworth, Solomon, </td><td>I, 309.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woodworth, Solomon, </td><td>II, 68, 69, 163, 164.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wool, Capt., </td><td>II, 506, 507, 508.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wolcot, Oliver, </td><td>I, 98, 430, 431, 435.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Woolsey, Major, </td><td>II, 107, 109.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wooster, Gen., </td><td>I, 162.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Women, Indian, address Sir - Wm. Johnson, </td><td>I, 10.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wormwood, Lieut, killed, </td><td>I, 190, 191.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wormwood, Lt. </td><td>II, 491.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyandots under Logan, </td><td>I, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyalusing, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyandots, </td><td>II, 48, 218, 219, 221, 224, 225, 266, - 267, 276, 280, 285, 346, 347, 348, - 349, 350, 355, 361, 372, 376, 386, - 387, 390, 392, 393, 565, 567.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyatt, Mr., </td><td>II, 425, 429.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyllys, Major, </td><td>II, 294.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wymples, Peggy, </td><td>II, 74.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wynkoop, Col., </td><td>II, 210.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyoming, </td><td>I, 101, 168, 288, 313, 318, 319, 320, - 322, 330, 331, 342, 350, 354, 369, - 374, 379, 381, 383, 385, 391, 422, - 449.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Wyoming, </td><td>II, 12, 13, 18, 20, 29, 34, 37, 65, - 341, 488, 523, 525, 527, 598, 599, - 602.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Abraham, </td><td>I, 432.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Abraham, Jr., </td><td>I, 433.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Col. Christopher P., </td><td>I, 35, 72, 73, 108.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Giles F., </td><td>II, 112, 113, 115.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Col. Peter, </td><td>II, 205, 206, 207.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Peter W., </td><td>II, 569.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yates, Robert, </td><td>I, 137.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yagers German, </td><td>II, 105, 121, 186.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yaghroonwago, </td><td>II, 42.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yoghstatheagh, </td><td>II, 576.</td></tr> - <tr><td>York, </td><td>II, 350, 516, 519.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yorktown, </td><td>I, 300, 301.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yorktown, </td><td>II, 194, 195, 202.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yaugoyawathaw, </td><td>II, 415.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Young, Mr. </td><td>I, 466.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Young's Settlement, </td><td>I, 363.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Younglove, Moses, </td><td>I, 240, 241, 242, 459.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Yung, Michael, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Zeisberger, David, </td><td>II, 217.</td></tr> - <tr><td>Zinsendorf, Count, </td><td>I, 38, 319, 221, 322.</td></tr> -</table> -<br><br><br> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Joseph Brant--Thayendanegea -(Vol. II), by William L. 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