THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Council at Philadelphia
(August 28-30, & September 2,
1732)
In: Minutes of the Provincial Council of
Pennsylvania, vol. 3, pp. 442-452.
______
At a Council held at Philadelphia, Aug. 28th, 1732.
PRESENT:
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor.
|
James Logan, |
Clement Plumsted, |
|
|
Isaac Norris, |
Raph Assheton, |
} Esq'rs. |
|
Samuel Preston, |
Samuel Hasell. |
|
The Minutes of the Treaty, with those taken at the private Conference, were read. The Governor then proposed to the Board to consider of the present proper to be given to the Indians, & some Progress being made therein, the further Consideration of the same was referr'd till the afternoon.
At a Council then held.
PRESENT:
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lieut. Governor.
And the same members of Council as in the forenoon.
A Message was brought from the Indians by the Interpreter, that, having considered what had been proposed to them at the private Conference touching the Shawanese, they were ready to answer it, and to enter into further Discourse. Whereupon it was agreed to adjourn the Consideration of the present and to send for the Indians who being come and seated:
HETAQUANTEGECHTY repeating what had been proposed to them at the Conference, said:
That they had taken time to consider of their answer touching the Shawanese, which they would now deliver to their Brother Onas and the Governour.
That they are much indebted to their Brethren for the goodwill and affection they show, in advising them to strengthen themselves by friendship with their Neighbours of Several Nations; that they look upon this Advice as a Sure Token of Brotherly Love towards them.
Then laying down some strings of Wampum:
They desire we all joyn with them in calling back the Shawanese, which they conceive they can do by preventing our Indian Traders from going to Ohio, for while the Indians are supply'd at that place with such Goods as they want, they will be the more unwilling to remove.
That tho' they may be able to prevail with the Shawanese to return from Ohio, yet they will not be so capable of affecting it, unless we call back our Traders from thence, and hinder them from furnishing them with Goods and receiving their Peltry there. It will therefore be our own faults if they do not return.
That they will order Cahichtodo, the french agent, to remove from Ohio, and doubt not but they shall oblige him to it; they will mention our proposal at the great fire or Council, when they return home, and are sure they shall accomplish our desire if we will do what is necessary on our part.
They say that it is now many years since they expected the arrival of one of the Sons of the great William Penn: one year they were told he was coming and came not; it proved the same a second and a third year; but they were greatly rejoyced to hear on their Road hither that he was certainly come. And it must have hapned, say they, by the Providence of the Great Ruler of Heaven and Earth, that his coming fell out at a time which gave them so early an opportunity of seeing him; they could gladly wish he may ever remain amongst them, & desire to know how long he intends to stay in the Country.
The Proprietor answered, he was much obliged to them for the affection they expressed for him, and joyn'd with them in acknow- (page 444) ledging the hand of that Good Providence which gave him an opportunity of seeing his Brethren so soon after his arrival, and that he had no thought of returning.
Then being invited to draw nearer, and enter into more familiar Discourse,
They say, that since they and their Brethren were now mett together, they would willing ask some Questions of their Brethren, and particularly how the two Great Kings on the other side of the Water, viz.: the Kings of England and France stand affected to each other?
It was answered that they knew those kings had been at War, and a peace had been concluded between them which had now lasted about twenty years, & for what we yet know, they are in friendship with each other. Great Kings some times fall out; they may do so again, but as yet we know nothing of it.
They reply'd, that they are extremly glad to hear that the two Great Kings are at peace with each other; they have frequently wondered why so much bad news should come from Canada, that has often made them very uneasie.
Being called on to draw round the table, and again invited to a more free & familiar Conversation.
Their Speaker, by the direction of Tyoninhogarao, said, That Onontejo (the Name they gave to the Governours of Canada) had sent to speak with their Chiefs, and told them he should have a War with Corlaer, (their name for the Governours of New York,) and that he desired them to sitt still and look on, that they should see he was the better Man, & would beat Corlear & his people; that he desired his Children the Six Nations should not concern themselves in it, for why should their Blood be shed in his Quarrell with the English.
The French and English were all from Europe, of the same kind of Flesh and Blood, & the Indians should leave them to fight it out among themselves; these Nations should see he could himself best all his Enemies. To which they said their Chiefs had answered to this purpose; Onontejo you are very proud; in your last War with the English you cried out for Peace, and you had it, but now you are grown proud; you are not wise to make war with Corlear, & to propose such things to us. Corlear is our Brother, He came to us when he was but very little, and a Child, we suckled him at our Breasts; we have nursed him & taken Care of him till he is grown up to be a Man; he is our Brother & of the same Blood. He and We have but one Ear to hear with, One Eye to see with, and one Mouth to speak with. We will not forsake him, nor see any Man make War with him without assisting: we shall joyn him, and if we fight with you, we may have our Father Onontejo to bury in the Ground; we would not have you force us to this, but be wise & live in Peace.
Being asked when & where this Discourse passed, they said about five years since, at Tiochteage, (their Name for Montreal.) That Onontejo had three several times before, proposed to them to joyn with him against the English, but they would not hear it. That (page 445) at last he had proposed to them to stand Neuters, as has been mentioned, which they having also refused, he had never spoke to them since.
They were told that it was true the French were very proud, but they had been soundly beaten last War in Europe; the Governor who is now present, had been himself engaged in many great Battells against them; that in one Battle where he was, the French lost forty thousand Men, either Killed or taken Prisoners; they lost many great Towns, and whole Countries were taken from them; yet now, as they are over proud, they want to be Masters, and because they know the Six Nations are the bravest Indians in all these parts of the World, they would first separate them from their Brethren, the English and Dutch, who have at all times been true Friends to the Indians; have supply'd them with Powder, Lead, Guns, Cloathing, and all Necessaries, when the French on the other hand, mad War on them, and endeavoured to destroy them; their old Men know this, & know that the French would not have left one of their People alive upon the face of the Earth, if they had been strong enough to Master them but they were not able; they were obliged to cry out for Peace. And now they would deceive them, but they well know they are old Enemies, & the English are their constant Friends.
They said our Words were true and good, they would communicate them to their other Chiefs, and after some more Discourse to the same Purpose, they retired.
___
August 29th.
The Indians, by their Interpreter, having signified their Desire of knowing the Sentiments of the Proprietor and Governor on what had been offered in answer to the Proposition about recalling the Shawanese, that being likewise inclined to send a Message on this head to that Nation, they desired a Belt of Wampum might be given them to send with it, and that they would be pleased to have an Answer to their Proposition about Employing Shekellamy and Conrad Weyser in all Messages between them, the Six Nations, and this Government.
Whereupon the Honourable the Proprietor and the Governor, and some Members of Council being mett, the Indians were sent for, who being come, & seated, the Proprietor spoke to them as follows:
"My Brethren:
We have considered you Answer accompanyed by some Strings of Wampum, to our Proposition of recalling the Shawanese. We are much obliged to you for the Readiness you show to joyn with us in this matter, and we are desirous to have the same putt in Execution as soon as may be; but we doubt that both you and we will be obliged to consider that the Indians settled there have their Corn growing, & it may be very inconvenient to order their Removal to a place where they will have no Bread, & indeed it (page 446) would be cruel. As several Traders likewise, have considerable parcels of Goods lodged at Ohio, it will be a hardship to oblige them to remove now when the Winter is coming on. Therefore we would propose, that till next Spring we should delay calling back our Traders, & likewise that the Indians for the aforementioned Reasons, be suffered to continue there till that time and no longer. And to confirm these Words, we give one Stroud Matchcoat.
As to what you have said about employing Shekellamy & Conrad Weyser, on which you gave the first strings of Wampum, We are very glad you agree with us in the Choice of so good Men to go between us. We believe them to be very honest, and will with Chearfulness employ them, and to confirm this we given another Stroud Matchcoat.
Since you think fitt to desire some Token from us to accompany your intended message to the Shawanese, We now give you a large Belt of Wampum to be delivered to them, together with the Words that have been spoken, that concern that Nation."
The Belt being accordingly delivered, & the Indians having expressed their Satisfaction with what had been now said unto them, withdrew.
___
At a Council held at Philadia., Augt. 30th, 1732.
PRESENT:
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lt. Governor.
|
James Logan, |
Thomas Laurence, |
|
|
Isaac Norris, |
Samuel Hasell. |
} Esq'rs. |
|
Samuel Preston, |
|
|
A Draught of a concluding Speech to the Indians being laid before the Board, was read, and with some small Amendments approved.
The Consideration of the Present to the Indians was resumed, & after some time Spent thereon, a List of Goods proper to be given them was drawn up, and delivered to Mr. Preston, the Provincial Treasurer, to whom it was recommended to provide them with all Dispatch, so that they may be gott ready by to morrow afternoon.
It was then considered what might be proper to be given Shekellamy, for his Trouble in the two Journeys he had performed at the Desire of this Government, with Messages to the Six Nations. And likewise, the Reward to Conrad Weyser, who had accompanied the Indians hither from Tulpahockin, had been very carefull of them, and was extremly Serviceable on this present Treaty. And it being observed that these Men were not only ver acceptable to the Indians, as appeared by their late recommendation of them, but likewise seemed to be persons of Truth & Honesty, on which Account it would be necessary to give them all due Encouragement.
It is resolved that the Sum of Eight pounds be paid to Shekel- (page 447) lamy, & Twelve pounds to Conrad Weyser, together with the Charges he may have necessarily expended for the Indians in their Journey hither.
_____
At a Council held at Philadelphia, in the Great Meeting house, August 31st, 1732.
PRESENT:
|
The Honourable
THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary. |
|
& |
|
A very great Audience, that crowded the House and all its Galleries. |
PRESENT ALSO:
The Chiefs of the Indians, with all their People who accompanied them in their Journey.
THE PROPRIETOR was pleased to direct the Minutes of the 23d, 24th & 25th, to be publickly read, which was done accordingly. The Clerk of the Council, by his Order, then informed the Audience that several Conferences had been held with the Indians, on Matter of Great Importance, but that the Result & Substance of the whole is comprised in the following Articles, by which the present Treaty is to be concluded. And the same being first read and afterwards distinctly interpreted to the Indians, is as follows:
"Brethren:
Our Intention in desiring this Visit from the Six Nations, was to advise with you on such matters as will contribute to your own Welfare and Security, as well as to the Public Peace of this and of all these Northern Colonies in general. We heartily thank you for accepting of our Invitation, in so kindly visiting us, taking this long Journey to see us, & being so free and open on the Several heads we have Spoke to. And now to close the whole Treaty, we shall recapitulate in Public, the Articles on which we have agreed.
In answer to our Proposition, that you should bring over as many Nations of Indians as you can into your Interest, and make firm Leagues with them, you have told us that you have already made such Leagues with the Nations of the Otawese, the Twetchtwese, Altamootes, Onachkaryagoe & Sessagychese, who have heretofore depended wholly on the French. We are highly pleased with what you have done herein, & we advise you by all means & by all Opportunities, further to brighten and strengthen these valuable Chains, and not only with these Nations, but with all other Nations that you can possibly gain over to you, whether they live nearer to you or at a greater Distance. These People will find it greatly for their own Interest, as it will also be for (page 448) your Interest, for by these means you will make yourselves much greater and Stronger.
We have desired particularly that you would take the Shawanese into your Protection, make a firm League of Friendship with them, and engage them to be as one People with yourselves; that they may be usefull to and assist you, on all Occasions. And the better to secure them from others that you would joyn with us, as has been proposed, in removing them and all our Delaware Indians from Ohio, and bringing them back to their former Habitations, in which you have promised to take proper Measures on your parts.
That you should make all the Nations of Indians who joyn with you, sensible, that when they enter into a League of Friendship with the Six Nations, they at the same time enter into Friendship with all the Subjects of the Great King of England that are on this Side of the great Water, & that thereby they become as one People.
Our Advice further is, that you would avoid all needless Wars with other distant Indians, by whom you may loose your own People, & perhaps gain but little.
That you should committ nothing that may justly provoke the French, yet that you strictly maintain your own Rights; that you keep your own People as much as possible united amongst yourselves, all of one Heart and one Mind, without Division, that you may all draw together as in one Chain. That you should use your utmost Endeavours to bring home all such of your People as live among the French; that so you may all be joyned & bound together as one very great Man, with one Heart and one Head, for so you will become much the Stronger.
That as the Six Nations are in the strictest League with the great King of England, which they generally once every year renew with the Governor of New York, who has it immediately in Command from the King to take Care of them, they should forbid all their Warriors, who are often too unruly, to come amongst or near the English Settlements, & especially that they never on any Account rob, hurt or molest, any English Subjects whatsoever, either to the Southward or elsewhere.
That particularly, they bring not away nor harbour any Negroes: for those Negroes are the Support & Livelihood of their Masters, and gett them their Bread. That if any Negroes should run away from their Masters, and the Warriours or Hunters should find any of them in the Woods, they should take them up, and delivering them to the Sheriff of some County in the nearest English Government, when their Masters come for them they shall be paid whatever can be received from their Masters, for the Indians' Service and Trouble. And that those Warriours have it in Charge not to disturb or hurt any or our People as they have too often done, by Killing their Cattle, by which means some poor People have been almost ruined.
And in Conclusion, as we have heretofore had several Treaties (page 449) of Friendship with the Six Nations, & you have always found us steady & constant to you in all we have professed, & we have now upon the Arrival of the Son of their great Friend, William Penn, who first began the Settement of this Province, a fuller Opportunity than Ever, of freely opening our hearts to each other. His Son, who has just on his Arrival so happily met you here, with the Lieutenant Governor and Council, for all the People of this Province, not only renew & confirm all former Treaties, but enter into the most strict & closest League of Friendship, Love & Union with all the Six Nations at first named, desiring that the same Friendship may be extended to all the other Nations with who m you are or shall be in Alliance, of which these Heads that we are now to mention are the Chief, & ever to be Kept in Remembrance:
1st. We shall consider the Six Nations as ourselves, and you shall consider all our Inhabitants as your own People.
2d. You shall not believe any false or idle Rumours concerning you, but each shall Enquire of the other into the Truth of what they hear.
3d. If you know or learn any thing that may hurt us, you shall carefully inform us of it, and if we hear any thing that may hurt you, we shall in like manner acquaint you.
4th. If any evil minded Person amongst us should hurt any of your People, they shall be punished as if they had done it to an English Subject, in which you have known some Instances of our Care, and if any of your People hurt any of ours, we shall expect the like Justice.
5th. We will constantly keep a Fire for you here at Philadelphia, that when any of the Chiefs of your Nations come hither, we may sitt down together round it, and advise and consult of such Affairs as may be fore the general Interest of both you and us.
On this Article was delivered a Belt of Wampum.
6th. And we now desire, there may be an open Road between Philadelphia and the Towns of the Six Nations, which we will on our parts, clear from every Grub, Stump & Log, that it may be straight, smooth & free for us and you. We shall receive all your People and your Allies who come by that Road, as our Friends & Brethren. And as you desire us, Conrad Weyser and Shekellamy shall travel that Road between us and you, who will speak our Minds & your Minds to each other truly & freely.
On this Article was delivered another Belt of Wampum.
7th. This League and Chain of Friendship & Brotherhood, we now make with all the Six Nations, viz.: the Tsanandowans, Onandagoes, Ganyingoes, Cayoogoes, Oneidas & Tuscarores, for us and all our People, and for our Children and Children's Children, with you for all your Nations, and for your Children & Children's Children to all Generations, to continue so long as the Heavens, Sun, Moon, Stars & the Earth shall Endure. And we desire that the same may at your return be ratified & confirmed at your great Fire by all your People, and be kept in perpetual Remembrance, and (page 450) that all our Indians & all the Nations of Indians in Alliance with you, may be comprehended within the same.
And for the Confirmation hereof, we now make you this Present:
THEN were delivered the Goods which, by order of the Board were provided by the Treasurer, viz.:
|
Five whole Pieces
& ten Stroud Matchcoats, |
THE PROPRIETOR was pleased to add to the Present, Six fine jappaned & gilt Guns, which he brought over with him, to be delivered one to the Chief of Each of the Six Nations.
The Indians, on receiving the Belts of Wampum & the Present, expressed their Thankfullness by a harmonious Sound peculiar to them, in which those of each Nation now present joyned alternately, & they repeated the same with great Seeming Satisfaction; on receiving the Proprietor's Present of the fine Guns, with which they appeared highly pleased; And returning their thanks to their Brother ONAS, the Governor, & Gentlemen of the Council, for the generous Present made to them, desired time to give an Answer to what had been said.
They then withdrew & the Council adjourned.
__
September 2d.
Notice being given to the Proprietor and Governor, that the Indians were ready to meet them, a Council was called & held.
At Philadelphia in the great Meeting house, the same day.
PRESENT:
The Honourable THOMAS PENN, Esqr., Proprietary.
The Honourable PATRICK GORDON, Esqr., Lt. Governr.
With the Members of Council.
And a very large Audience.
The Indians beeing come and Seated, and John Wray being called (page 451) upon to assist Conrad Weyser, Metaquantagechty, the Speaker, addressing himself to Onas, the Proprietor, then to the Governor, & repeating what had been last delivered to them, said they were now come to give their Answer, which by the Interpreters was thus rendred.
Brethren:
We take your Speech very kindly in every part; we are glad to find you willing to renew and strengthen the valuable Chain whereby we hold one another by the hand, and we return you many thanks for so good an Undertaking.
We also take it no less kindly, that you so heartily offer to keep a Fire for us to sitt down by & take Council together. We thank you, & cheerfully accept of your friendly Offer. We take in very good part your Intention to clear the Road from this Town to the Six Nations, which will contribute a great deal to preserve the Friendship and good understanding that is between you and us. We thank you likewise for this Favor, & we will always have our Eyes fixed upon the Road, that no many may stop it up or incumber it.
Amongst the many good Articles which you have proposed to us, it is a very necessary one that on both Sides we punish evil minded Persons, which we would gladly confirm, but it is very hard for us to govern all our young men; yet we shall carry it to our great Fire & consider it.
Then presenting a small Bundle of drest Skins, he proceeded and said:
These are the chief Articles which were last spoke to us, and are truly worthy to be carried to our great Fire, which keeps constantly burning all along at Onondagoe. Lett your hearts Brethren, be easy, & be assured that to all you have proposed or desired of us, you will have such an Answer as will be to your good liking.
We take all and every Article of what you have said very well, therefore we will have them all Signed & confirmed at our great Fire. Yet it may so happen that the Summer will be far spent before we bring a full Answer from our great Council; we will take a convenient time to do it, & as soon as may be.
The Proprietor & Governor thanked them for their kind Speech, & told them that they were well pleased with it.
The Speaker added, that having now ended all they have to say, & being about to depart in two days, they must request to be helped on their Journy homewards with Horses, from Tulpahockin to Mechayomy, & on this he presented a Beaver Coat.
They were answered that they should want no Assistance in our Power to give them, and that what they now desired should be ordered before their Departure.
Then again thanking the Proprietor & Governor for their great Kindness, and the large Present they had received, those of each Nation joyned alternately in the same harmonious Sound they used at the former Meeting.
Directions being given for their Entertainment while they remained in Town, & for providing some necessaries for their Journey, the In- (page 452) dians taking the Proprietor, Governor, & Members of Council by the hand, departed, & thus the Treaty ended.
E.
_________
At the Courthouse of Philadia., Septr. 11th, 1732.
PRESENT:
The Honourable the Governor.
The Mayor & Recorder of the City, &c.
A List was presented of the Names of Seventy Palatines, who with their families, making in all One hundred & Sixty eight Persons, were imported here in the Ship Pennsylva. Merchant, John Stedman, Master, from Rotterdam, but last from Plymouth, as by Clearance thence.
The Master having been examined, & these foreigners declaring their Intentions to settle and live peaceably in this Province, the persons whose Names are subjoyned, took & subscribed the Effect of the Oaths to the Governmt., & the Declaration prescribed by Order of Council Sepr. 21st, 1727.
|
Jasper Casparing, |
Jacob Hans, |
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