/*■
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON
From a miniature in the Public Archives of Canada.
Ottawa, taken when he was between 30 ami 40 years of
age
a V L THE PAPERS OF
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON
Prepared for publication by
The Division of Archives and History
ALEXANDER C. FLICK Ph.D., Litt.D.
Director and State Historian
VOLUME VII
531713
, ALBANY
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
19 3 1
£
\<?2|
V "1
CONTENTS
Volume VII
PAGE
List and description of illustrations v
List and description of maps vii
Preface ix
Autographs from volume VII xi
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 1
[iii]
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Sir William Johnson Frontispiece
From a miniature in the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, taken when
he was between 30 and 40 years of age
Johnson Hall, Johnstown, N. Y 30
From the Abbot Collection, New York State Library, Albany
Governor William Franklin 120
From the Century Magazine. After a pencil drawing by Albert Rosenthal
from the original painting, the property of Dr Thomas Hewson Bache
The Reverend Samuel Auchmuty 1 68
From Morgan Dix's History of the Parish of Trinity Church
Colonel Daniel Claus 186
From a portrait in the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa
Ann Claus, daughter of Sir William Johnson and wife of Daniel
Claus 1 86
From a portrait in the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa
King Hendrick (Soi-en-ga-rah-ta) 272
From a painting by William A. McKenna, owned by Frank L. Reuss of
Albany, N. Y.
The Reverend Charles Inglis 356
From Morgan Dix's History of the Parish of Trinity Church
Joseph Brant (Thayendanagea) 476
From the Abbot Collection, New York State Library, Albany
Sir William Johnson and King Hendrick, illustrating the legend of
the dream 524
From Martha J. Lamb's History of Nen> Y or\ City, Vol. I, p. 588
Colonel Guy Johnson 710
From the John Ross Collection, Toronto Public Library
Doctor John Ogilvie 800
From Morgan Dix's History of the Parish of Trinity Church
Sir John Johnson 900
From a pastel portrait of Sir John Johnson in the possession of Major F. C,
Ornsby, Weymouth, England
[v]
MAPS AND PLANS
PAGE
James Collins' Draft of Land at Schoharie, 1 700 336
In Johnson manuscripts, New York State Library, Albany
Rough Sketch of the Patent of Kinderhook prepared by Henry
Van Schaack bearing on the dispute with Colonel Rensselaer over
the extent of Claverick 360
In Johnson manuscripts, New York State Library, Albany
[vii]
PREFACE
Volume VII of the Sir William Johnson Papers covers the
important period from May 1769 to February 1771, inclusive,
when it may be said that Sir William was at the height of his
power, and was perhaps the most influential man in British
Colonial America. The quantity and extent of his correspondence
clearly indicate the high regard in which he was held by the
Indians, the land speculators, traders, colonial officials, the clergy
and missionaries, and statesmen in London.
Among Sir William's correspondents are men interested in
mining on Lake Superior; George Croghan, who reports rumors
of an Indian war; General Thomas Gage, about military mat-
ters ; Governor Sir Henry Moore, about affairs in the Province of
New York; James Delancey, about land grants; Major Jelles
Fonda, about trade with the Indians; James Rivington, about
the wisdom of certain imperial measures; Benjamin Franklin,
about the attitude of the British government toward the colonies ;
Lieutenant Governor John Penn, about boundary lines ; Governor
Lord William Campbell of Nova Scotia, about official appoint-
ments; Daniel Claus and Alexander McKee, about relations
with the western Indians; the Earl of Hillsborough, about
colonial policies ; Peter Silvester, about legal matters ; Lieutenant
Governor Cadwallader Colden, about provincial problems ; vari-
ous Indian chiefs and tribes; Peter Hasenclever, about inter-
national trade; Thomas Wharton, about blank testimonials for
Indian chiefs; Governor Guy Carleton, about the form of a
license for Indian trade; missionaries asking aid or advice, and
many others.
Here is source material for the social, economic, religious and
political history of the English colonials in North America. One
finds information concerning the lodges of Freemasons, about
[ix]
x Preface
rheumatism, scarcity of money, blacksmithing, boats, sermons, the
revenue acts, the "Sons of Liberty," gout, land deals, Indian
schools, prayer books, the murder of a Seneca by a white man,
the formation of new counties, surveyors, a cure for epilepsy, the
militia, imported goods, Johnson as a patron of learning, rugs and
chairs, bill for making clothes, lost millstones, potash and pearl-
ash, elopements, the "dearness of pork," "Spow water," Lisbon
wine, timber depredations, the "fray in Boston," mill saws, jury-
men, road bills, liberty of the press, scarcity of hay, and hundreds
of other items.
Many familiar names in earlier volumes of the Papers recur in
volume VII, and some new ones appear. The place names are
numerous and distributed from the Mississippi to Nova Scotia.
Valuable as are the data on colonial civilization, they are of still
more importance in portraying the relations of the Indian tribes
with the whites and with one another. The rumblings of the
Revolution are becoming more and more distinct.
During the editorial preparation of this volume for the press,
Dr Richard E. Day, who compiled the Calendar of the Sir
William Johnson Manuscripts, 1909, and who has been asso-
ciated with the issuance of the Sir William Johnson Papers from
the outset, was required by age limitation to retire from state
service. It is a matter of deep regret that he could not have com-
pleted the series, because no student of American history is better
acquainted than he with the life and activities of Sir William
Johnson.
This volume has been completed by Dr Almon Wheeler
Lauber, formerly professor of history at Syracuse University.
A. C. Flick
Director, Archives and History
Division and State Historian
Autographs From Volume VII
&r?74^jfr
^ 6l4* <Z^ t
/-?-?
c/fu^*»* — fu?y&^
[xi]
£z**+*^^e>jC<a^&^
[xii]
°v?iefa ylCL <££*^
V * 1
[xiii]
SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON PAPERS
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[New York, June 3, 1769]
Agreable favours, the Errand of this is to ac-
company [a bell which] I have this Day receive! from the
Founder; he has Sent [ ] to be 5/ ^ tt & weighs
106 tt — I hope you will receive it [and that] it will please you
— The Reverend M r Charles Ingliss [ ] me to trans-
mitt Docf Chandlers Vindication of the Appeal [with his]
best Respects to you, which I accordingly Send by this Same
[opportunity, as also the Enclosed Letters, which I received
Yesterday from [M r Chew] please to deliver the One to our
frind Croghan when you See [him] — I was yesterday a good
Deal allarmed at a Report, which [is in]dustriously Spread &
universally believd here — Viz 1 , that the Indians [are] gathering
in large Bodies about Detroit, with Intention to begin [hos] tili-
ties again & that in Consequence of that Account, the Battoes
coming up were all Stopped at Niagara — This if true, will be
very [dread] full to me — I Still Want about £1 0,000 from that
Quarter, a very [great] part of which I have the highest Ex-
pectation of receiving in the [ ] of this Season, as the
Trade has been very good the last Winter [ ] Quanti-
ties of Peltry was expected in this Spring — All [expectations
will therefore Vanish, if this Account be true — [
indeed I rather Suspect it is false, because I cannot [ you] or
the Generall have had any Expresses about it — Major Sheriffe
| he is pretty certain it is for that Reason false & has
been only [invent] ed by the Traders to Serve their own pur-
poses — but in the Meantime I am] very uneasy — do be so
2 Sir William Johnson Papers
kind Good Sir, as let me know whether [you have] any Reason
to believe this Report & what your Opinion of it is |
you will very greatly oblige
Sir Your most Obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar*.
Johnson Hall
Cap 1 Troax with a Bell
to be Sent to M r John Van Eps
in Schenectady
INDORSED: N York 3 d . June 1769
M r - Wetherheads letter
w ,h - Enclosures
Sir William Johnson To Jn°. Holt D r
1 768 To his Account as by Copy dd Mr.
Weatherhead including News L N°. 1328 L3
1 769 To News since till 1 406 is 1 ]/ 2 Year & p 1
This Ace' paid by J W £
Receipt in my Rec 1 book
FROM SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
A. L. S. 1
New York June the 5 th . 1769.
Worthy Sir
I now acknowledge the receipt of your very obliging and kind
Letter of the 26 th of last April — I should immediately have
done myself the honor of returning an answer, had I not been in
dayly expectation of hearing from the Society concerning some
Things you mention. My expectation in part is answered; & I
can now furnish you with a few Paragraphs of a late Letter,
In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 3
which, I hope will be agreeable to you — The first is as follows
— "The Society are glad to hear, that the purchase of the late
D r Barclays House is completed by you; and that the Attorneys
have agreed to advance the Money for that purpose: This
Method of payment is particularly acceptable". N. B. The
Deeds are executed, & I hope now to have them in my possession
in a few Days. The Scarcity of Cash has prevented the Execu-
tors of the late S' George Talbot, from raising it as yet, therefore
I shall now prevail upon them to give their Bond for the whole,
or part of the Purchase. In short — The Affair some how or
other Shall be finished immediately — The next Paragraph is
as follows —
"Sir William Johnson acquaints me that a Salary of £25 p r
ann is necessary to induce an able and useful man to undertake the
Office of Schoolmaster in the Mohawks Country. The Society
are willing to allow it, & leave it to S r William & you to procure
one —
This you have happily done, tho' I must confess the Salary
appears to me to be too small. It affords me great pleasure to
find, that he may soon be in possession of D r Barclay's House &
Lands, which I shall take Care speedily to effect. In regard to
his Salary, he may very safely draw for it, half Yearly His
Bills must be addressed — To M r William Symondson, At the
first Fruits Office, in the Inner Temple, Secretary to the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The Bill
must run thus — S r - please to pay to — the Sum of £12:10:0
Sterling, at thirty Days sight, or his Order, being a half Years
Salary due to me, as the Societys Schoolmaster the — day of —
at the Mohawks Castle, in the province of New York — I am&c
— But previous to the Bills, the Society should be informed of
his Appointment, this I will readily do It would also be neces-
sary for him to write to the Society, and give them a particular
account of what he is about — The same Method should be
observed with respect to the other School Master.
The Secretary again mentions the receipt of a Letter from
4 Sir William Johnson Papers
you — His words are "I have received Sir W m Johnsons Letter,
and shall communicate it to our first Board ; and am confident his
attention to our Affairs will give them a very particular satis-
faction, and be received with all possible respect & thankfulness
But I cannot be without Apprehensions, that the present disturbed
State of our Colonies will not permit an Application to be made
for our great and favorite point of an Episcopate in America: It
must be posponed for better Times."
Thus Sir I have given you such acc ,s as I have received. I
wish they had been fuller & more to the purpose. I still lament
the want of Missionaries for your Country, and sincerely wish it
was in my power to procure them: however tho' the prospect at
present is not very promising, yet it may soon alter for the better.
I have lately seen M r Seabury — He is chagreened at the Salary
the Society propose, which he thinks is much too small consider-
ing the Expence he must be at, if he does any good. I am trying
all I can to prevail upon him to pay you a Visit ; which I hope I
shall effect. Before I put an end to this long Epistle, I would
just mention an Affair to you that concerns myself. For this
many Years past I have been imployed in serving the public, and
flatter myself that my Services have been of some Consequence.
I find it now time to have a little regard to my growing Family,
by procuring for them some Lands if I could tell where to locate
them. Ever since the two last wars I have, in the way of my
Office done considerable Services, for the Troops, in this City,
who in general have been without Chaplains, without any Fee or
Reward ; which, I flatter myself if properly represented & backed
at Home would procure me some Gratuity. I now would be
extremely obliged to you, if you would favor me with your
Advice, whether it would be best to apply to the Gov r & Council
here for Lands with whom I stand very well ; or immediately to
apply for a Mandamus from the King. I should also esteem it
as a particular favor, if you would let me know whether there
[are] any Lands lately ceeded by the Indians, that are valuable,
left undisposed of — And if it should lay in your power, to pitch
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 5
upon a Tract, that w d answer my Intention, by informing me of
it, you will lay me, and my Young Family under lasting Obliga-
tions — pardon Worthy Sir, the Freedom I now take which I
should not have done, was I not well acquainted with your good
Disposition, and great willingness to serve those, who have the
honor of being ranked in the Number of your Friends.
We have nothing very material by our Packet — A Change of
the Ministry tho't to be unavoidable, and W — s 1 still unhanged
to the great grief of every honest Man. I shall not inlarge, as I
suppose our Friend Banyar, who is a great politician, will inform
you of every Thing new — As for our Domestick politicks they
are very well at present. The right side carry every thing before
them. Judge Levingston is returned for the Manor, but can't
sit, as the House before they broke up made resolves that ex-
cludes him. He is very angry, as well as the rest of his party.
I will detain you no longer, than while I assure you, that I am,
Worthy Sir, with great esteem & respect
Your much Obliged &
Most Ob' Ser'
Samuel Auchmuty
P. S. I have wrote to the person whose
letter I sent you, & expect his Answer soon.
Can he proceed to Conajohare this Summer
should he be so disposed. He bears a very good Character.
indorsed: 2 N York June 5 th . 1769
Docf- Auchmutys Letter
w th - Sevr 1 - Extracts from the
Societys Letter —
1 John Wilkes, popular agitator and advocate of a free press, in prison
at the time of this writing.
2 In Johnson's hand.
6 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM WILLIAM GAMBLE
A. L. S.
Albany the 5 l K June 1769
Lodge in due Form
[Wor]shipful Sir/
Brother Stringer Senior Warden of the Ineffable [Lodge]
Master of Our Lodge of Three Degrees, went up the Mohawk
River in order [ ] t S*. Patricks and to signify the unani-
mous request of both Body's [that] their worthy brethren of S l
Patricks would join them in Procession [on] S l Johns day and
also to assure them that ours will visit them in [the win]ter to
celebrate that Festival. — As there was no Lodge at Johnstown
[Thur]sday; I am requested to acquaint you with this their
earnest desire [ ] possible, we may, notwithstanding,
be honoured with the presence of [man]y Respectable Brethren;
I am Sir
with the greatest respect
Your most humble & obedient Serv 1
William Gamble
Gr M r . Ineffable Lodge
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. 5.
[New Yor]k 5 June 1769
| of this is only to accompany the two enclosed
Warrants [of survey] which have been ready for Some time past
I have only [waited] for Orders, because I did not know who to
Send them to ] have paid 40/ Each for them, for
which please to Credit my Ace 1 [ ] fryday I Sent your
Bell — which I hope you will receive Safe. I should be happy
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 7
in receiving your further Commands & in the meantime believe
me to be with the most Sincere Regard
Sir your most Obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
[ ] Will Johnson B'
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar*.
Johnson Hall
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York June 5 1769
[ ] express my thanks [ ]
was honored with last satur[day ] packquet is arrived, the
Letters [ ] a Continuance of the Intestine [
we have So long lamented. the] Queen and Arch Bp of
Canterbury [having been] wrought up on to interest themselves
[with the] Sovereign, on behalf of Mr Wilkes [his par] don, it
is expected; will, thro such [me]diation, be obtained, and this
Expe[dient being] adopted in order to correct the hitherto in-
supera[ble of his Adherents backed by all [
and puritan Interest, it is thought [he will be] permitted, quietly,
to take his Seat in [ ] the Mind of the people will
be cooled [ administration have a better Chance
] in power.
[An alliance] is said to be fixed betwen France [Spain] &
prussia.
]on of the permanence of the peace with [France
] poverty, for their India Company 1 [ ] their
other actions reduced very Con[ ] occasiond by
1 "The Compagnie des Indes, which had been languishing for a long
time and to which the Treaty of Paris had dealt the death blow, was
suppressed in 1 769 after having absorbed a capital of 200 millions,"
— Lavisse and Rambaud, Hisloire Generate, 7: 677.
8 Sir William Johnson Papers
demestic division [ Jacity in the Administration to
me[ ]e Interest in a time of Hostility [ ]ple
have been consulted [ ] ngement of
Servants but | Jed upon, and, we are told [
]ain dissagreed. 1
[ ]
that in [ ]
I shall obey your Comm[ands Books and on every
occasi[on ] You all the Amusement in [
my Humble respects wait on Sir [John] and I am, Sir William,
Your most f[
Jam 55 Riv[ington]
The Virginian Resolves it is thoug[ht ]lutely obtain
ample relief in our Co[mmercial restrictions. But Government
will not [ ] applications upon Constitutional
Com[ ]
ADDRESSED : To
S r W m Johnson Bar*
at Johnson Hall
FROM LACHOUIGNRIE PARAN
A. D. S.
[June 5 1769] 2
Conte des fourniture que jay fait au [Six] nasion au Conte du
roy par lordre de monsieur [Daniel] Closse Commandans des
sovage
savoyre
6 jours a 1 5 personne tan pety que gran famme
et en fan je leurs et donnez par jour 3 pin a 1 s les
si jour pour le pin fait 9 tt
si livre de lar par jour les 6 jour fait 36 tt a 10 s la
livre 1 8 n
1 The disagreement of Lord Chatham and Lord Temple.
- Date supplied from the Johnson Calendar.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 9
par ordre de monsieur pertuy un po par jours fait 6 po
2»lepos fait 12»
21"
monsieur voyla le Conte au juste de se je leurs et fourny si
vous trouvez monsieur que les pri soy tro ford vous ette le mestre
je serez tous jours Contante de se que vous me donnere jay
lhonneur destre avec respects
Monsieur
Votre tres humble
obeisante
LACHOUIGNRIE PARAN
Translation
Account of the supplies which I have furnished to the [Six]
Nations on the King's account by order of Mr [Daniel] Claus,
commander of the Indians.
To-wit
6 days to 1 5 persons, both little and big, women and children.
I have given them each day 3 loaves of bread at 10 sols (apiece) ;
for the six days the bread comes to 9 livres
Six pounds of bacon a day for six days is 36 n ; at 1 sols
a pound 18
by order of Mr Perthuis a pot (of liquor) a day, six pots
at 2 livres a pot, it comes to 12 livres
21 1 "
Sir:
This is the exact account of what I furnished them. If you
find, sir, that the prices are too high, you are free to reduce them.
I shall always be satisfied with what you will give me. I have
the honor to be with respect
Sir
Your very humble
obedient
Lachouignrie Paran
1 Should be 39 livres.
10 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
June the 6 ih . 1769
Dear Sir
I had the feavor of y rs . with the Sheep fer w h . am Much
oblidg d . to y r . Honer Butt am Shure you have Sent Me More
then I Should have w h . I Must be Indebt for Till I Can Replace
them
A few Days Ago I had a Leter from Co". Bradstreet w h . I
inclose your Honor for y r . Peruseal the Indians and Every Body
I See heer Talk of a Warr to the Westward Shure if there was
any Truth in the Report you wold have Leters from the posts
phaps itt May be a Schame of the Traders to prevent any Goods
from Going Back from this province.
Sence I had the Plesher of being att your [Hon]ers I have
had Several presing Leters from [ ] pople who has
Drafts on Me fer the Ac ,ts . [at De]troit & fort pitt I Supose
as I am Setled [ ] in this part of the World they think
there Danger in My hands I will be oblidg d . to
y r - honer when Convenient to [ ] Me a Draft fer the
amount of those Acoun [ ] I May Send itt to Some per-
son in New york [ ] Take up the Drafts & have Don
with those Tru[blesome] Acounts
I Should have Wated on you att Conjen [ ] Butt had a
Tuch of the Rumitism I hope y r . C[hurch?] is in a forward way.
I have Wrote to m r . J [ to Know what Success he has
had with th[ | Subscription to Refresh his Memery as he
Nott Wrote as he promised
I Spoke to M r . Mier the Chainy Ware[ ] will
Make Some flower pots & other things [for] y r . honer he Tells
Me he is to be att y r . [ ] in A Week as he is one of y r .
Lieuts & | ] to you about y r . Lott in Springfild N °.
Joyns his & he Intends to purchess itt |
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 11
part of the Lott I have Seen its Stony | | good Soil. I
am Dear Sir with G[reat
y r . Honers Most [
G[eorge Croghan]
To the Hon bIe . Sir William Johnson Ban 4 .
TO HENRY MOORE
Johnson hall June 8 ih 1769.
I have had the favor of Your Excellencys Letters of the 22 d -
and 29th ult°- the former by Skrimble, whose Complaint shall
be inquired into as soon as possible after M r Herkimers return
from attending the Court, and shall transmit all the Information
I can procure concerning the Matter as I am very sensible that
Some of the Magistrates, thro' Ignorance, or some other cause are
often guilty of errors that stand in much need of Amendment —
Before the receipt of your last I had desired the Smiths &
Interpreters (who otherwise w d - have come away) to remain yet
at their Several Posts sensible of the danger of withdrawing per-
sons so necessary to the Indians, but I can affirm that no proper
persons can be got for the Sum resolved by the House, unless
they are allowed to entirely destroy the end of their being sent
there.
I fear that the plan proposed by the Assembly to regulate the
Indian Trade, will not meet with the [concurrence of the other
Colonies, as I observe that Interest [and] position prevails over
other considerations in these Cases. ]n never be con-
ducted on a proper plan without a | ]ion of Sentiments.
I am with the greatest
Respect Sir
Y r - Excell^ 8 Most &ca
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson, except the words from "unless" to
the end of the second paragraph, and the concluding phrase of compli-
ment. These are in Sir William's.
12 Sir William Johnson Papers
P.S. I have Just done with [ ] those Officers who
were assembled of Coll°. Van Slykes & Coll. Johnsons Regts. the
] Adjutant General for my District, which is an
] Necessary, & for which I think him qualified, but
I [ ] be proper that he receives the Commission 1 for
that [ ] Your Excell^ in a former Letter was so
obliging as to [
BILL OF WILLIAM BOWEN TO SIR JOHN JOHNSON
D.
S r - John Johnson
June y e 9 th To William Bowen D r
1769
To 5 Wedges & 5 Rings for Sithes
To 4 Nib Rings at /9 p r Ring
To Shooing a Waggon Wheele
To Shooing a Span of Horses
To Laying of 2 Axes
To 3 New Axes 1 0/ pr Ax
To Laying a Stubbing how
INDORSED: W m Bowins Acct
£ 5
3
6
5
6
1 10
3
£ 2 18
£ 2.18.
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
Schenectady 10 th - June 1769
I am fav d . with your Letter incloseing your [draft on] M r .
William Newton for the Ballance of your [ace*. w]ith Ab m .
1 Guy Johnson's commission as Adjutant General was dated December
1, 1768.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 13
Mortier Esq r . which I shall present for [paym]ent, & bring the
State you require.
[Sejveral Boats having arrived this Day from [the Fort?] &
Niagara will delay my departure to fix some [businjess untill
Wednesday Next; my stay in N York [I expect] will be short.
No time shall be lost in sending [ ] Cash on my return,
had I any Money just [now by] me, wou'd make you an offer of
it as I cou'd [ ] the same Sum of yours Below, what I
have is [not wor]th the While, but shou'd Ellice receive in my
[absence any] I have desir'd him to transmitt it to you on
I need Not informe you that the report of [an
Indian] War is happily vanish'd.
] with much esteem
sir
Your Obliged Hum e serv'
James Phyn
[ ] Johnson
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN
In the American Antiquarian Society, printed by C. H. Lincoln in
Transactions, 1 1 : 5 0—5 1 , is a draft of a letter of June 12th to Governor
Franklin, touching Wharton's claim for compensation for losses, the dis-
pute over the rights of Parliament, Evans's manuscript journal, curious
and extraordinary letters from Parson Williamson alias Johnson on the
subject of the boundary between Indian lands and the settlements, strong
resolutions in Connecticut concerning the Susquehanna valley, the price
which Johnson is obliged to place on his Susquehanna lands, the delay of
the colonies in creating a system of Indian trade to replace his system, an
alarm at Detroit and apprehensions at Niagara, and a possible visit to the
sea shore for the benefit of the writer's health. A Force Transcript of
the letter is in the Library of Congress.
14 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO WILLIAM GAMBLE
Johnson hall June 1 2 ih - 1796
I am Very Sorry that I am obliged to acquaint the Ineffable
of my apprehensions that some buisness of Importance will Call
me soon from home, and that as Some of the Members of S f
Patricks are absent, and the Children of both my Sons in law
Just inoculated, our attending agreable to our own desires and
Yours must be very uncertain which will be a great disappoint-
ment to us. —
Please to offer my Thanks & that of this Lodge to the [Body]
for their invitation, & promise to Joyn us at the Winter [fesjtival
which will be highly agreable to us all, as will every [
occasion which affords us an Opportunity [of co]nferring to-
gether & me of Assuring you & the Body that [ ] Sir,
Yours, and their hearty Well Wisher
and Most Obedient Servant
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S.
[New York, June 12, 1769]
[ ]
I have not yet [ ] 5 th May, and the Arrival
of the | ] answering your Letter of 27 ,h
May [ ]
The Commissary General can p[urchase no provisions but]
in Cases of extremity, and I could not devise any [
the Indian Corn you desired from hence wold [ ]
in any Account of the Several Departments.
What you have Mentioned concerning the Charge |
Transportation of Provisions, and your Recollection that
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 15
[ ] Persons were detained at Fort Stanwix on
various S[ervices] is sufficient to prove that the People have
not given in [ ] Demands, and I did not mean to
trouble you further on the
Extract from CoK Bradstreet's Accounts.
I have received Letters from Detroit and Niagara concerning
the Reports you mention in your's of 27 th . May, and by a Letter
received from Fort-Pitt prior to the others, I am informed that
the Indians on ohio were Caballing, but the real Cause of their
Discontent was not known. It was reported they were dis-
pleased, because they did not receive Presents, tho' they get
Tobacco, Rum, Powder, Shot, Salt and Provisions, when they
go to Fort-Pitt. It was Said at Niagara they were Jealous of
the Six Nations on Account of the very large [
Sinclair and his goodness [ ] used to be laid up.
[ ] want will be granted for the Account
jlled, but it will be some time before it is
discharged [ ] actualy No Money to be had in this Place.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your Most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
INDORSED: June 12 th . 1769 —
Genr'. Gages letter —
FROM EDWARD COLE
A. L. S.
New Orleans June 1 3 lh . 1769
[Dear] Sir
I am thus Far on my way to You. I left Fort Chartres the
25 th . of ap 1 . and arrived here in 13 days, there is Vessels daily
Expected here, from New York, and Philadelphia. Shall Em-
brace the first Oppertunity.
16 Sir William Johnson Papers
You will Doubtless before You receive this, have heard, of
Pondiac's being Kill'd by the Pariorias who live at Cahakia. —
what Effects it will have amongst the Indians, I cant Say, no very
good [one] I believe as they already Seem discontented enough
[a few] Nights before I left the Illinois, there [was a] Soldier
and his Wife Scalpd, a little [way from] the Fort in their Bed.
Supposed to be the Ouabach Indians, [and Since] my Departure
Six Kaskaskias Indi[ans was] Scalped between the Fort and
their [Village] by the Sacks & Reynards. — Shall [be] better
able to informe you, when I [have] the pleasure of Seeing You.
My Compliments to your Fam[ily]
I am
sir
with the Utmost Re[spect]
Your
Most ob« H[uml. Servt]
Edw[ard Cole]
Sir William Johnson
INDORSED: [New Orleans, June 13th 1769]
Corny [Coles Letter]
EXTRACTS FROM LONDON LETTERS 1
June 14, 1769
[ ] from B. F's Letter May 29— 1769 [ ]
Objections have been made by Lord [Hillsborou]gh to the Rati-
fication of the late Indian [Treaty] and to Sir William's Con-
duct in it. One is, that [he has go]ne beyond his Instructions,
in obtaining too [much] land of the Indians, it being intended at
this Time [to pur] chase no farther than the great Canhaway.
| objection is founded on the Apprehension that [the
pe]ople will soon seat themselves in the remote [ | &
1 Apparently sent by George Croghan to Johnson, having been received
from Samuel Wharton in London. "B. F." is plainly Benjamin
Franklin, writing to Wharton.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 17
be too far out of the reach of Government here [Ano]ther is,
his permitting the private Grants to [ ] Merchants & M r .
Croghan (& perhaps to M r Penn) [ ] transacted at
the same Treaty, and made Condi [tion] of it. It has for some
time been doubtfull whether [the Tr]eaty would be ratified or
not, & we have been [ende]avouring through every Channel we
could use, [to] obviate these Objections, & Support the Treaty
& [the] propriety of Sir William's Conduct of it. At [
we hear it is ratified conditionally if Sir [Willia]m cannot pre-
vail with the Indians to alter [it in] those particulars. I make no
doubt but he [will insis] t with a becoming Firmness on the
Occasion [to rat]ify his own Measures with proper Spirit
]ble to his Character. —
June 14. —
This Letter having miss'd the Opportunity [ ] I
intended to have sent it, I open it to add, ] am well
inform'd, that L d . H s . Objections to the [ ] are
entirely disapproved by the rest of the [councillors] as well as
most of his American Conduct, [ ] wish to get rid of
him. —
Extract from S. W.'s Letter, June 1 4, 1 769
] to the forgoing, I learn from M r Walpole [a
member of] parliament & Brother to L d . Walpole & a [ ac-
quaintance of L d . Ch. .m's, that the Lord [Ch.n.l.r supped
with] him last Night & told him, [that there was not one mem]
ber in all the Cabinet Councill, [but what thought] L d . H . . .h]
mad in his Objections to the [ ]e of his Letters to
Sir unanimous Opinion [
all its Parts if the Six Nations would not depart [
which were fix'd at Fort Stanwix. L d [Hillsborough] sent away
his foolish Letter (as the L d . [ ] to Sir William before
he had consulted the [ ] upon it; — But as soon as the
C. .n. .C saw it ] their Amazement at it, and
therefore, his Lor[dship was] obliged to write his subsequent
Letter, which ] in the equivocal manner it is in
order to save ] Honor ; But the L d : Ch . . . r Said,
18 Sir William Johnson Papers
last Night, he [was such] a wrong Headed Body, he was a fraid
Sir Will [iam] would not understand the true meaning & D [esign
of] the Cabinet Councill. This Information you [may] literally
& fully depend on, as M r : M r : Walpole [commu]nicated it
this Morning, in the Strictest Confidence] to M r . Franks &
Myself."
FROM SAMUEL WHARTON
A. L. S.
London June 14, 1769
I have wrote you very fully lately. To Which I [beg] Leave
to refer You and I now in the greatest Haste, | my
Pen to communicate the following important Intelligence to]
you.
[I was] with M r . Walpole just Now, Who is a member of
Parliment [and] Brother to Lord Walpole and a most intimate
acquaintance of [Lord C]h.t.m's and He communicated to Me
in the greatest Confidence, [that] the Lord Ch. .n. .l.r 1 supped
with Him last Night and [told] Him, That there was not One
Member in all the Ca . . b . . t [ ] 1 ; But what thought
L d . H. . .h Mad, In his [object] ions to the Boundary & c — As
mentioned in One of his [ ] to Sir W. . .m And
Therefore it was the unanimous Opinion [ ] Determina-
tion of Them, To confirm it in all its parts, [ | Six
Nations would not depart from the Terms, which [they ratijfied
at Fort Stanwix. ] had wrote and sent away his
foolish Letter (as the L d [Ch.n.l.r] called it) to sir William,
Before He had consulted the [ ]C. .n. .1 upon it; —
But as soon as the Council [ ] They all expressed
their Amazement at it and Therefore [his Lords] hip was obliged,
by Order of the C. .n. .1 to contradict [ ] expressed
in the strange eq . . v . .1 Manner it is, In order [
1 Charles Pratt, first Earl of Camden, created Lord Chancellor in
1766.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 19
Ingnorance and save his Honor; 1 But the L d Ch. .n. .r |
He was afraid S r William would not understand the [true mean-
ing] and Design of the Ca. .b. .t C. .n. .1.
] absolutely rely On the above Intelligence and
]r's Expression, no longer than Yesterday, — They
] Oppertunity (so as not to weaken Themselves at this
] are pressing Them so closely) "to get rid of
[ ]ted Creature." —
] as I am afraid I shall be too late for [
] I must subscribe myself, as I sincerely [
Sir
] much obliged and faithfull Fr d .
Sam l Wharton
| has abandoned Corsica.
WARRANTS FROM THOMAS GAGE
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 427, are listed two warrants of June 14th
from General Gage, with accounts annexed, authorizing payments to
Johnson: one for £7277, 2s, 7d, New York currency, the other for
£1204, 13s, lOd.
TO JAMES DE LANCEY
DP
Johnson hall June 14 th . 1769
Altho' from different Avocations our Correspondence [
been but little, Yet it may possibly be much enlarged and there
may be occasions requiring it, which I shall always gladly em-
brace, That which produces this Letter I shall enter upon
without farther ceremony persuaded that it will meet with a
friendly reception — You know that the House of Assembly
1 See Hillsborough's letter of May 1 3, 1 769, to Johnson, Doc. Hist.
N. 7., 2:938.
2 A member of the assembly, elected by New York.
3 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
20 Sir William Johnson Papers
have prepared & published an Act for the Division of the County
of Albany which is certainly at present by much too extensive. — I
have never heard any thing of this till the publication in the prints
by order of the house which made it known to all the Inhabitants
who tho very Numerous & of great Importance to the Province
may be said to have very little or rather no Share in the Legisla-
tion, some of our Members are actuated by party, others too
ignorant or distant to be acquainted with the real Circumstances
of the Country which it is their Duty to know the very short
Notice & other Circumstances which I communicated to some of
our Mutual friends at [ ] York prevented me last Election
from exerting that Interest [ ]ded on the Affections of
the people which they well know [ ]ght of all their
Acts & Endeavors to the Contrary can prevent [ ] having
any Seat in. the Assembly, I have not accustomed [
to fall short of what I say in the performance, & [
probably experience it to their Cost on some future [
This Division of the County which seems to have [
far off, is from the principal Inhabitants [ ] & from My
Own knowledge of the Matter [ ] 6c inconvenient
to all, it Cuts & [ ] nner which must hurt Sundry
persons & Extends the County of Albany [ ]
that the New County which has been [ ] War &
which tho' extremely promising is [ ] will not be
able to defray the Necessary Ex[pense ] sensibly affecting
the New Settlers in particular [ ] Majority of its
Inhabitants & thereby retarding [ ] & Lessening
the Value of the Lands along the Mohawk River, which
Check may prejudice under the present Cir-
cumstances of the] Country, from the Nature of it however it
hurts | | as the Meanest Inhabitant, neither can the
County [ ] run where it will in any degree weaken
my Interest | 1 Sufficiently prove, but I speak in behalf
of a people [whose] sentiments & Interests are not known as they
ought | | may be assured that I would not interest your
friends of a Misrepresentation but that from my
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 21
knowledge [of the] Matter I am convinced it will appear that
the prop[er line?] for the New County so as to give general
satisfaction and] produce those advantages, which ought to be
Experienced] should be from the head of Delaware round the
Patents to the Nor[th of the Manor] of Ranslaerwyck, along
that Patent to Schenectady [ ] & then North along
its West bounds, which by C[ ] boundary of the
New County a few Miles farther [ ] Mohock River
will Include Sev 1 . Good Settlements ] the Expences of the
first Establishment to [ ] poor Inhabitants, whilst
at the same time it [ ] Certain boundary than that
described | | those Inconveniences to which the
[ ]
With a View to the effecting the [ ] will oblige
me & the principal [ ] in its behalf at the Ensu[ing
session ] your friends in behalf [ ] to the
Well fav [ ]
FROM ALLAN GRANT
A. L. 5.
Ontario 1 5 th June 1769
Your favor by Andrew Wemple Smith [& inter] preter to this
post I got about ten days ago, I think [he will a]nswer very well
in both Capacity, & I am glad to have him and much Oblidge to
you for [sending] him here
The general has not sent a word here [about] your Depart-
ment, & I understand nor has [he se]ntasyet to the upper posts, —
Boats [arrived] here yesterday that left Detroit the Kings
[Birth] Day 1 all was then peace & quiteness but [
heard a word from Mackinac this Spring [m]any Messesagoes
are gon pas[t here] lately [going] to Johnson hall I have been
as civill to them [as possible] & given them every thing in my
power [The Five] Nations are the most Beggerly sett I ever
1 June 4th.
22 Sir William Johnson Papers
] life (notwithstanding I am Highlander [
time in Ireland) & I will be out off [pocket?] in Spite of my
resolution to the [contrary?] Cap n . M c Leod & family left this
place [ ] yesterday, nothing new here worth
Com[municating] to you the Bearer has a Canoe in Charge
] from Cap". M c Leod I have given them [
provision I am
Sir
with great Re[gard]
your Most [
& very Hum [
Allan Gra[nt]
FROM HUGH WALLACE
A. L. S.
New York 16 June 1769
Dear Sir
This Letter will be deliverd you by [M r ] Cossans & M r
Taylor, Gentlemen of Distinction [of] the Island of Jamaica,
they are making the Tour of America, in which Johnson Hall
will always claim Attention — I fancy you will | ] have Let-
ters from severall of your Friends [ ] by them, as their
Behaviour intitles them to every Civility from all who have [had
the] pleasure to know them, as I have the honor to be of that
Number, I would do [any] thing in my power to oblige them, &
] I cannot do it more effectually [than] adding my
Mite towards introducing [them to] you, at the same time I
must own it flatters my Vanity to shew that [
to you, & I am glad of any Oppertufnity to] assure you of the
Esteem & regard [with which] I am
D r Sir
Your most obed' S[ervant]
Hugh Wallace
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 23
The HonbK
Sir William Johnson Bar'
Johnson Hall
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 ,
at
Johnson Hall
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
[Kinderhook, June 18, 1769]
I J
favour of the [19th of April] of which I have [
from New York fully upon the Subject [
took the liberty to write you on the 20th 1 of [March] that
is stil out of my power, I shall therefor [ ] to
give you such informations as I have. The rep[orts which I]
heared some time ago of Col°. Renslaers having [
are confirmed to us but his appointments do not [ ]
include or interfere with the People of this Township [
are rather calculated to give an extent to Claverack of [such]
an extraordinary Magnitude as never was heared of [
Claverack by the Constructions that may be drawn from the
Commissions includes all the Townships to the East [and] North
East of us and even takes in a considerable Tract of Land be-
longing to us and Comprehended within the actual Grant of the
Township. As soon as we perceived the drift of the Commis-
sions a Petition was Sent to the Governor of which the inclosed
is a Copy. The People at Spencer Town took the alarm and
Petitioned also, Some of the Officers in that Township took
offence at their appointments (when they Saw the tendency) and
1 24th?
24 Sir William Johnson Papers
resigned their Commissions to the Governor himself. Copy of
what they wrote to His Excellency I also take the liberty of in-
closing you. I am Sensible Sir that by troubling you with these
papers I intrude upon you & that perhaps at a time when your
attention is taken up with more important matters; but stil I
flatter myself you will upon this occasion, as you have
Several times done before give a favourable attention to me but
[ ]
[ ] was appointed to carry the
Petition [to the Governor when he was with] you at the Fort but
could not See the [ secre]tary was made acquainted with
] and he took the papers with a promise that he w d
deliver them, which we know he has done, tho we have not re-
ceived an answer. Yet we have reason to think that the matter
will Stop as Col° . Renslaer has not been out to swear the officers
in. Deputations from different Townships were ready to call
upon you if these appointments had been fully carried into
Execution Authentic Copies of Some of the Commissions ready
to be Sent over to Cap 1 . Campbell and others whom have Peti-
tioned for the Contested Lands.
I can assure you Sir that whenever You shall be pleasd to
make an opposition in the County that you have Seven Eighths
of Several Townships at your Service be it when it will, a hint
will be Sufficient.
I forgot to tell you that Cap n . Peter Vosburgh of this Place
was appointed to deliver our Petition &c & that he Spoke to M r .
Ten Eyck, one of the Members, to introduce him to his Excel-
lency which he readily promised to do, but when he understood
the nature of these papers he positively refused, by this Sir you
see how little we have to expect or hope from y l quarter.
I remain with the truest Respect,
Sir
Your most Obedant
and most humble servants
H V SCHAACK
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 25
FROM SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
A. L. S. l
New York June the 19 l K 1769
Worthy Sir
I lately wrote you a long Letter, which I hope you have re-
ceived; therefore should not so soon trouble you with another,
was I not desired by M r Seabury to inform you, that he intends
to pay you a visit immediately. You will find him a sensible
Man & a Gentleman. I know of no Person fitter than he is, for
a Missionary among you ; besides being well qualified for such an
undertaking, he has Constitution to go thro' with it, and may be
very useful as a physician. If he should be inclined to settle
with you, I make no doubt but that the Society will fix him, with
such a Salary as you shall think adequate to his Services and
Expences. If he should not chuse to quit his present Mission, 2
yet his visit will be of service, & upon his return he may give
such information, as may induce some worthy Man to settle
among you.^
You shall soon be impowered to take Possession of the late
D r Barclays House &c.
That part of my last Letter that respects myself, after you have
been so good as to consider it, I shall be much obliged to you for
an answer to it.
I Congratulate you on your late good Success with the Indians ;
and heartily pray that your valuable life may be long preserved,
as a Blessing to your Friends and your Country.
I am, Worthy Sir, with great esteem &
respect,
Your Much Obliged & Most
Obedient Servant
Co , v/m t Samuel Auchmuty
S R W M Johnson.
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
2 The Rev. Samuel Seabury was instituted rector of St Peter's church,
Westchester, by Sir Henry Moore, Baronet, on the 3d of Dec. 1 766. —
Robert Bolton, History of the County of Westchester, 2:218.
26 Sir William Johnson Papers
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: June 19 th . 1769 —
Doctor Auchmutys
Letter —
FROM WALLIS HURD
L. S.
[Richmond, June 21 , 1769]
The letter of the 16 th1 May You was pleased to write Capt
Josiah Dean and me I did not receive until three Weeks after
the Date of it. As Cap Dean is now absent it remains with me
to reply thereto.
As soon as I was honoured with the receipt of your favour I
called a meeting of all the concerned and laid your letter before
them and I am now Sir Authorised to acquaint that the Terms
(upon which we can have a Township) You have been pleased
to communicate are in general agreable to us, and in order to for-
ward the purchase a Committee was yesterday appointed, at our
Meeting, to wait upon you to confer upon and finally Settle the
Terms. The Committee would sett out immediately to wait
upon you with full powers ; but that we are informed of you being
engaged in concluding a Treaty with some Nations of Indians at
a considerable distance from home. As soon therefor as we can
be informed of your return the Committee will immediately set
out properly Authorised to conclude and finally settle upon such
Terms as we trust will be agreeable to you. In the mean time
we earnestly beg of you Not to Engage with any other pur-
chasers as we are fully determined to have the Lands, more
especially as you have been so good as to indulge us with a
preference.
This should be the 26th of May.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 27
If you will be pleased to let me know, by a line, of your
return I beg you will direct it to the care of M r . Henry Van
Schaack at Kinderhook whose attention to our interest we can
fully rely on.
remain
with much respect
Sir
Your most obedient
humble servant
Wallis Hurd
I
INDORSED: [
]
Letter [
]
in behalf of [
]
concerning [
]
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon [
]
Sir Wil[liarr
i] Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 24 th June 1769
] had the pleasure of receing yours of the 22 d Ins 1 ,
ordering [three] hundred Gun powder — I am Sorry to Ac-
quaint you that there is none to be had Neither here nor at Albany
[ ] Could get a few pounds w l . at 4/ to 4/6 ^ tt but
would do you no Service the Quantity would be
So [sma]ll, there is One kegg at One Oathouts but the [
is Not at Home, & his Wife wont give it —
The Bearers of this is M r Taylor [and] M r Cossens two
young Gentlemen making the Tour [of] America they are
Strongly Recommended to me [by] Gentlemen at New York as
Gentlemen of good [ ] & Familys — they are now on
28 Sir William Johnson Papers
their way to [ ] & Intend paying their Respects to
You [ ] accompanys them to the German Flats
] — those Gentlemen Travels verry [
no less than One of the first [ from York who goes
up w[ ] with diffureent kinds of Stores [
I Sopose they are Introduced to you [ | Several
Gentlemen at York, it wou [ | too formal in me to
Introduce them to [you] as knowing that your House is open to
all [ ] Gentlemen & nothing but Civility & hospita[lity]
dwells there — I am Dear Sir with
Great Respect [
most obedient
serva[nt]
Daniel Camp [bell]
P S I Expect Some gun powder
from York in about Six
days its probible I may
have an Oppertunity to
Send it up so as to answer your purpose
Sir William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED : [ ]
Major Camp [bell]
TO THOMAS GAGE
Johnson hall June 24 th . 1769
Dear Sir
I have had the favor of your Letter of the 1 2 th Inst since which
I find that the Alarm at Detroit has for the present subsided, and
that so far as it regarded that settlement it was (as some say)
occasioned by the Ind s . Claim on the property of the Inhabitants ;
1 In American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. ; in handwriting
of Guy Johnson.
Posi-War Period, 1763-1774 29
but altho' that might have been the case there, yet there are so
many reports daily Circulating and some of them wearing an
appearance of probability that they require particular attention
& Enquiry. We must expect that they will be dissatisfied at
Losing presents &ca, but we must endeavor to prevent the Con-
sequences, & I have always found that a Jealousy amongst them-
selves is the best Security for us. — It is very probable that the
great present to the 6 Nation Confederacy has been viewed with
much envy by the rest but Whatever pretexts they may use when
they have an Inclination to Quarrel they well know that that
present was for a Valuable property to which the 6 Nations only
had a Title. — To obtain as much information as I can, I purpose
in 2 or 3 days to proceed for Onondaga taking with me a few of
those Articles of which their Chiefs are most in need, and I shall
probably by being on the Spot make some discoveries, as well as
prevent them from coming down this Summer which they would
otherwise Expect. You will therefore please during my Absence
which will be about a Month to Signify your Commands to Guy
Johnson who will Execute them, or Communicate anything
necessy for y r Information This Moment I received Letters
from Detroit by wch I am Informed that Coll Wilkins Writes
That M r D'Aubrie has ordered Mons r . S f Ange to Send down
all the Spanish Officers & soldiers & that Huron Andrew told M r
Hay that M r Vercher formerly a french Officer who came to Trade
at Detroit had given Two Belts with 2 Kegs of Rum to the Two
Huron Villages desiring that they would keep up their Courage
as they Should Soon see their Old french father that Vercher is
now gone from Sandousky to Montreal without Calling at De-
troit. — & Andrew says that his Cousin a Huron who speaks good
french was the Interpreter.,
[/ inclose you a Letter from the french Inhabitants of Detroit
concerning M r . M c Dougals pretensions to Hog Island with their
Memorial to me on the same Subject 1 ]
Gen l . Gage
1 Crossed out in the original.
30 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
In the Johnson Calendar, page 428, is listed a letter of June 24th to
the Earl of Hillsborough, explaining that Johnson accepted the Six
Nations' cession to the Cherokee river to quiet the Cherokee claim and
prevent Virginia encroachments, and mentioning the activity of French
agents among the western nations and the alarm at Detroit. (Printed in
Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:940-42; Q, 2:544-46 and Doc. rel. to Col. Hist.
N. Y., 8:172-74.)
FROM JOHN MONIER
A. L. S.
Post Office Albany 25 June 1769
Sir
I am favoured with yours of yesterdays date covering sundry
Letters which will go per post
I am Extreemly thankfull to you for your promise of a Good
word in my behalf in case of a Change
Your Express Arrived here about 10 OClock this Morning,
and setts off Immediately, I have no Letters to send by him — I
sent your Letters over on Friday last all in one Packet by Dan 1
Campbell. — May I in future send all Coll : Croghans Letters to
your care its a Pity they shoud lay in the Office — I shall make
a Minute of them in Your Yearly Account of Postage
I am very Respectfully
Sir
Your Obed 1 & Obliged
Serv'.
Jn°. Monier
M r Seabury preached
]t Sermon here this
] the 14 th Chap*. John & 6 th Verse
] I am the way, and y e truth
no man co]meth unto the Father but by me
]y handled
[Sir William Johnson] Bart.
r»
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Posl-War Period, 1763-1774
31
DEBTOR ACCOUNTS
Z) 1
Sir W m : Johnson D r
1769
June
26
24 Gains Rum for the Bato men 12
men 2 galngs Ech A A/—
9 Cadgs at 2/
1 Set of toles from Miss Phinn & Elles at
1 J/2 Scheppel Solte
pr franck D r to 2 galng of Venneger
to the Cadge
1 doz of Stele Traps A 1 0/ Ech
Cash p d . Rich d . Dorn for goeing Ex-
press to Col°. Crogahan
p r order By John Coine D r to 3 galng
Rum
to the Hire of My Bato and Toles &
Caulking
to 9 hands Batoing at 5 Shilling p r
Day
1 769 from 26 June ontill & returned the 6 of Aug'
42 days
27 th p r order p r two ondagoes for 2 Shirts
p r D° 2 Laps at 6/6
2 nives at 1/3 and J4 Pante 4/
p r D°. to 2 pare of Purpele twild
fryes 2 Stocins at 7/ fine
4
16
18
18
9
4
2
6
—
18
—
12
2 10 -
94 10 -
1
8
13
6 6
14
£114 18 6
1 In collection of Willis T. Hanson jr, Schenectady, N. Y., detached
accounts kept by a person now unknown, probably.
2 Frieze.
32 Sir William Johnson Papers
July 4 To 1 white wash Brush "& overseer
6 To 1 Loaf Sugar <$ your order 1 3 lbs
1/6
To 2 New Baggs with Corn 5/
To 4|/2 Gallons Rum for Battowman
4/6
To Caulking hire of a Boat & Tools
for the same
To 4 Kegs with Battowmens Rum
Limes & Eggs 2/
To 1 pack Salt in which the Eggs is
packed fine
To 1 piece English Blankits Cont§:
£6-10 Ech
To the hire of 3 Battowman from the
Seneca country to : a 5/ <P day
theay findin themselves
To Tools Bought of Wessel Van
Schaack for Johnston the Gun
Smith at Cahuga as 3$ receipt &
your order
10 To 50 lbs Nails ^ Ooverseer 1 /
To riding 4 Load Stone by order of
your overseer by Nicholas Gardi-
neer my Boy 6/
1 2 To riding 4 Load of Stone 3$ by order
of your over Seer by Nicholas }
DeGraff & my Negro 6/J
Hendrik Hoff & and W m Newbergh
and Phillip Wilier Came home
the 2 July and have Been gone 30
Day Ech at 5 p r Day I finding
them in Provision
3 -
19 6
10 -
1 3
2 - -
8 -
12 10 -
19 10
1 7 6
2 10 -
I 4 -
1 4 -
23 5
.rase
d.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 33
26 to gedion an Indian gave a Large
Brich Clout for Bringing a Letter
to Co 11 Guy Johnson 6 6
Brought to 173
The Hon ble : Sir William Johnson Bar*: D r :
1769
Septem r 5 To |/ 2 Cw l . Gun powder ft my
Fathers Waggoner £7
2 1 To 2]/2 dozen Buttons ft order to an
Onandaga Indian 6/ 3 9
Nov': 12 To 6 Scipple Course Salt ft
Van Sicklands order 6/ 1 16 -
20 To 4 d°. ft d°. 6/14-
30 To 1 Tap Borer ft Sev*.
Hanses Brother 1 6
Dec- 7 To 20 Blankits of 1 1 1 points
ft order 12/ 12 - -
To 6 White Shirts ft d°. 14/ 4 4 -
To 6 d° ft d° 11/ 3 6 -
To Cash paid for bringing the
Blk ,s to y e Hall 4 -
10 To 1 Lock ft Molly 2 -
To 1 Slay Line iy 2 lbs 1/6 3 9
19 To 2 Blankits of 111 points ft
Self 14/ 1 8 -
1770
January 20 To 6 Romall Hankertchifs ft
order 2/6 15 -
To 2 pair Womens Leather
Shoes ft d° 8/ 16 -
24 To 6 English Blankits ft M' V.
Sicklan 15/ 4 10 -
25 To 1 pair Womens Shoes ft
order 8
34
Sir William Johnson Papers
SuncK of Sir John's ace': as follows
1769.
April 13 To 1 Cheese 93|/ 2
lbs in Lead 10i
Sep'. 25 To 24 lbs Nails W
order 1 /
Decem r . 5 To 6 lbs d° ^ d°. 1/
The above three Entrys belong
to Sir John's ace 1 .
March 7 To a Blankit of 111 points "
Ordered, to Perry a Seneca
Indian
13 To Cash paid Richard Hansen for
Carrying Thomas King an
Aughquaga Indian & family
from hence to Col°. Croghans
& order.
March 16 th to Tickneck Thomas from Cane-
iore p r order of Co": Crochen
and Co 11 . Butler geave Capt 4
Dallers for his assistence with
the Surveyer.
20 To 3 Oars sent to Sachandaga
To 4 paddles sent to d°
To Cash p d . Adam Fonda for
riding two Boats to Sachan-
dago 1 6/
2 1 To 2 Sawmill files 3$ order by
Mr V. Sickland
25 To your order favour of the Mow-
hawk Indians for 1 Cw l Shott,
Yl Cw l . they have rec d & the
other is to be given them as
soon as we get it gave them
y e shot
31 To 28 lbs Shott $ order by an
Indian
4 1 9f
1 4 -
6 -
Y 1
3/
1/6
12 -
12
9
6
1 12 -
4 -
r 2 15 -
13 9
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
35
April 5
16
1767
Feb r y
20
June
29
Octob r
23
Decem r
5
1768
JanT
19
Novem b
' 16
Decem r
24
1769
Feb r y.
3
March 4
8
To 3 lbs powder & 4 lbs Shott
3$ order to a Cahuga Indian 14 -
p r order to a Senneca Indian
ennechseso D r to 2 lb Powder
8/ and 4 Ib Shot 3/ 110
Brought to next side 1
Co 1 . Guy Johnson D r
To 1 Earthern Bowie
To 10 lb nails ^ Servant 1/
To Cash p d to M r Minderson
at Schonectady for 16 Sticks
Worsted
To 4 Turkeys & my negro 3/6
To 4 Silk Hank" $ Co 1 . Closs
To 4 Silk Hank rs . <$ wife
To 21 lbs Dears Leather & ser-
vant Daniel
To 1 Small Iron Pott IT 1 wife
To 1 pair Wool Cards
To 1 Ya yards Callico
7/ 1
6/ 1
6/ 6
6/
To 1 Earthern Tea Pott ^ wife
To 1 1/4 yards Chintz 1 0/
To 1 pair Sizars 2/ & 1 Thim-
ble 4d
To 1 Pad Lock
To 25 Scipple Corn <$ Serv 1 3/
2
10
2
14
8
4
6
4
5
7
2
12
2
1
15
April 26 Credit By Cash
1769
April 26 Balence Due me
8
6
6
4
9
£15 £15 17 9
17 9
1 The account is crossed out in the original.
36 Sir William Johnson Papers
May 10 p r my Self D r to 25 Scheppel wete
3/ 3 15
31 p r order By M r flood D r to 1 Dere
Skin 18
July 25 Betalt an abraham marines Voor 4
Barrels Speck tebrengen Van
marte Van al Styn na myn huys 1 6
Agust 7 To 25 Schepel Corn By JohnWalles
3/6 4 7 6
To John Wallis & Crew for Bring-
ing down the Wheat to y r House 8 -
10 12
Des r . 15 p r M rs Johnson D r to 1 Eyrn Pote 4
to 1 y 2 Els of Broad Check at 4/ 6
to 1 Bunch of yarn 2
to 1 putter Bacon 3
to 2 Corse Combs at 6 d / 1
to 1 pece of Corse Clote for a file
to 1 pare of Spotted Children Stocens 1
to 1 peper Box 1/6 to 1 Salt Seller
6<V 2
to 1 gill Cope of Puter 1
to 2 Erthen Boles 1/6 and 1 Large
D° 2/9 5
to 1 Hancetcher 1
to 1 Pad Lock 1
to Cash p d . Cor s Swits for a Barrell
Sand & Barrell 7/ and Cash p d
Van Dreesen for riding it up to
your house 6/ 13-
12 16 9
1 Paid to Abraham Marines for bringing four barrels of bacon from
Martin Van Alstyn's to my house.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 37
1770
Feby 22 By Cash p d . by Sir W m . ^ my Boy
Haner £ 1 1 15
Carried to fol°. 257
257 Col°: Guy Johnson D r
To your ace' Brought from fol° 1 26 £
To 6 lbs Nails ^ order of M r Raw-
worth 6 -
To 20 lbs Nails 50 order 1 - -
When Cutting grass at Sacondago
D r to your Shere in 56 !b Pork y e
Half
to 62 lb Bread the Half is
to 2 galngs of Rum your share
to sapane mele & Solte
to your Shere in my wagon 2 Days to
Carry the Men in 8
[to 8 Men Days at theay finding
there own Sider 1 ]
1770
Ap'
26
27
July
14
14
—
6
4
2
6
20
to your Shere in 10 lb Pork and 2
Loves Bread and one galng Rum
to your Shere in my wagon to fetch
them Back 8
to 8 men moing grass 7 Days
at 4/ the is your Shere
25 To 2 Barrels pork Bo' of John Back-
house Cost me
To the Carrige from Albany to Sche-
nectady
To the d° from Sch'y to your House
Aug 1 16 To 3 Dozen pipes ^ Negro Baltus
p r order for y e same 1 6
5
8
£5
12
10
—
6
6
1 Ivlarlfprl rmt in th*» manii'trrint
38
Sir William Johnson Papers
Sipt
D
ec r
1771
JanT
Mert
Ap'
27 To 1 Barrell Limes & Carrige of the
Same up
To 2* hagel 1 ¥ a Servint 9/ 2
19 To 2*/2 lb fyn Bont $ wyf: 3 8/
To 2 tinne Commetie 4 3/
18 To 3 yds Yallow flannel ^ M' s :
Clause 3/6
To 2 yds Ribbond ^ d° 1/
24 to 3 yards of Muslin at 12/
9 To 5 Slays riding Hay from
Sachendago 1 2/
10 To 2 Slays d° d° from
[Square?] 12/
8 Credit by 5 or pieter Vrooman £200
By Cash ^ Self [26 Bills of
16/3 Each]* 21 2 6
11 To 1 00 Scipple Wheat bo< of
Col° Frey 4/
To 3 hands sent from here to
bring it from Col° Freys to
your House being out 3J/2
days finding them Selves in
Prov s & Liquor — a4/? Day
1 18
1
6
1
6
10
6
2
—
1
16
—
3
—
—
1
4
20 - -
2 2-
£51 5 3
Carried to N°. 7 page 78 7
1 Small shot.
2 Should be 9d. evidently.
3 Fine fur per wife.
4 Pewter Bowls.
B Illegible [magor?].
11 Marked out in the manuscript.
7 7 his entry is crossed out in the original. In the same collection is
a receipted account for articles furnished by Charles McCormick at
Montreal in 1781 and 1782 to Guy Johnson for the use of Indians;
paid by an order on Daniel Claus.
Postwar Period, 1763-1774 39
253 Cok Daniel Clause D r .
To your ace 1 from N° 4 page 120 £
1770
April 6 To 9 lbs Nails $ Self 1/ 9 -
To 2 lbs Shott 1/6 & 1 Large
Gimblet 1/3 2 9
To 1 Hammer 2/6 two Small
Gimblets 8d & 2 p r Sieve Balls
6^ 3 8
12 to 1 lb powder <P order to a
Caughnawaga Indian 4 —
To 3 lbs Shott $ d°. d° d° 9 d 2 3
To your order for 6 lbs Nails 1/ 6 —
To 10 Scipple Wheat <$ order by
Thomas Adems 3/6 1 15 —
By 5 j/^, lbs Bead Like Wampum
a 4/ £110
p r order to a Cachnewago Squa;
one Larg Shepe 14
To 2 Barrells pork bo': of John
Backhouse Cost me 10 — —
To the Carrige from Albany to
Sch'y. a 3/ Each 6 -
To the Carrige from Sch'y. to your
House 6 —
agust 1 To 1 Quart Rum if* order by 1
Caghnawga will 1 8
to Phillips Mother Micel Dorens
wife Paid p r your order at your
house 3 4
27 p r your order for m r . wraworth
Child Buriing
D r to 2 Doz of pipes 1 / and 2 ,b
of tobaco 2/ 3
May
11
June
5
14
July
14
25
40
Sir William Johnson Papers
Sept 19 to 41/ 2 el Sey Stob ft wijf 1 3/6
to 2 Stel Braynalde 2
Nov 7 Credit By a Draft by Mr Stell in
full £ 19 -
Dec r .
19
18
31
1771
January 1 1
p r Self D r to 1 pare of Stone Bouls
to 1 lb peper 6/ & 1 lb alspys ft
Selfe
to 1 paar Cniegepse 3
1 Smale Drm
To |/ 2 yd Silk & Worsted Stuff
ft Cap*. m c Loud
To 6% yds flannel ft self 3/6
To 3 J/J yrds Callico a 5 & 4
Gimblets 1/
To 1 ounce thread & 1 Cotten
Hankertchif
To 2Ya yds fine Musslin 12/
[7"o 2 Schipple Indian Corn
To 3 J/2 yds Green Cloath 18/
To 4 yds Shaloon 3/3
To 1 pair Sizers to M rs M c Loud
p r your order on Corneles Potman
and Daniel Robesens Resept to
Cash Pd.
15 9
8
2
8
1
8
2 -
3 7K 2
18 6
5
—
1 7
—
-']
3 3
—
13
—
1
6
5
To Mohair 1 /6 Shaloon 6/ Buck-
ram 1/3 ft 8 9
To 1 Tankerd 7/ & 2 Spelling
Books 5/ p d 8 d 12 9
Brase Buttons 2/ 5 4 -
1 Silk cloth per wife.
2 2 sets of knitting needles.
3 Knee buckles.
4 Marked out in the manuscript.
1 This entry is crossed out in the original.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 41
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.
Albany June 25 1769
I beg leave to tell you that I find the Oquaga Indians dont
Remember the Bounds of the Deed they gave me, for they
Suppose that from Tionadarh I am to strike a Creek a consider-
able distance above the Turn of the River at the End of the
Path from Oquaga upon the Mohawk Branch, which would not
only cut me of from a considerable quantity of Land but [the]
very best in that Tract — and by all reports there is but little
good in it — The bounds of my Deed is as follows in this
part Viz, "Opposite the mouth of a River or Creek call'd
Tionaderah which empties into the Said river Susquehanna,
and thence by a Strait Line to Strike the Delaware [at the]
Termination of a Line propos'd to be drawn [from Ow]egy
on Susquehanna Due East to the [River] Delaware, from
thence to the Mouth [of the Pepach]tun Branch & c " I must
you will please to order this to be [
and it appears to me it may be [ ] from Tionaderah
Striking the [ ] at the Turn of the River by
[ ] from Oquaga; which [ ]
Johnson sent me and I am almost ready for the [
Hardenbergh and it appea[ ] clear against them
by the[ their Survey of the Rivers & the
Su [ ] have lately taken at the Forks & [
when all is compleat I shall ha[ ] with it — I am
told it will be a [ ] without End — if I find it
likely to be ] try what old England can do in it
[ ] I am with great regard
Sir
Your most Ob [
humble Serv[
Jn° Bradstreet
Sir W m . Johnson Bar
42 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO HENRY MOORE
Johnson hall June 26th 1769
Since the publication in the prints of the Act of Assembly
for dividing this County most of the principal people through-
out the Whole Country have expressed their dissatisfaction at
it both to me & others as Judging I co d . serve them on the
occasion and requiring advice & a recommendation of another
County Line, which in my opinion is on every acct preferrable
to that at first proposed, which they required as their Situation
is So remote & that there is not a Representation in the Assem-
bly adequate to the Extent of the County and Numbers of its
Inhabitants & so that it may reasonably be supposed that the few
Members we have, either thro' Want of Abilities or partiality to
persons, & places may sometimes pay Less regard than they
ought to the real Interests of the upper Country. The In-
habitants have accordingly prepared a Petition which is now
sent down stating th[ ] more favorable Line,
the reasonable [ ] Evident to me that I cannot
avoid taking [the liberty] of recommending it to your Excel-
lency [ ] & earnestly requesting your Approbation
of [ ] reason to hope for because I can with Truth
Assure you that it will highly [ ] principal In-
habitants of these parts.
I have farther to Mention to you that I [ ] some
person at N York has applied for the Land [ ] the
Conajohare Ind s . adjoyning Col Vaughans [
which if true must create great uneasiness [ ] them
as they reserved it purposely for their own use [ ]
dare say that my reminding you of it will be Sufficient to]
prevent it.
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson. In matter crossed out, complaint is
made that Johnson was not informed early of the act in question in view
of his position and relation to the people in his part of the colony.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 43
M r . Cuzzans & the other West India [Gentlemen] presented
your Letter Yesterday, and have Just Left [ | would
have given me pleasure to have had an opportunity] of Shew-
ing them more Civility, and I shall allways [
Chearfully offer my services to any Gentlemen [who have (?)
your] Recommendation — The present State of Affairs
] me to think that a Visit to the Six Nations
mig[ ] of Some Use & shall therefore Set out in a
d[ay or two] and maybe absent 5 or 6 Weeks 1 during which
[CoR] Johnson will receive your Commands on any [
Subject
TO JAMES DE LANCEY
D/.~
Johnson hall June 26 lh . 1769
[I] Wrote you lately on the Subject of the proposed New
[Co]unty, which was extremely inconvenient & disagreable to
the people who have prepared a petition wherein they have
stated the Matter & requested another Line which I am certain
is the best on every account, — The Inhabitants were at a Loss
how to transmit it so as it might be properly Laid before the
House as apprehending that the Members here, & some people
at Albany are perhaps the only persons who would disapprove
of it, I have therefore taken the Liberty of inclosing it to you,
requesting on their behalf that you will Cause it to be Laid
before the House the next opportunity, at the same time begging
the [fav]or of your Interest to its being past into a Law [and]
that you will be so obliging as to offer my kind [com]pliments
to your Uncle 3 & request his Interest with the [Council], to the
like purpose —
Allow me to Assure you that I would not think of [
this trouble but that it is for the interest of all [the inhabitants
'See LXXXI.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
3 Oliver De Lancey, member of the Council, 1760—1776.
44 Sir William Johnson Papers
who are unanimous in their opinion and occasion,
and I persuade myself that my own [recom]mendation founded
on the reasonableness of [ will not] a little contribute to
obtain your friendship [ ] advantage & Satisfac-
tion of the Inhabitants [ the Indian] Country for a few
Weeks to settle some matters with [the Six Nations. Col°. John-
son will receive your] Commands in My Absence, I beg to
[ ]
I am
Always Dear Sir
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[New York, June 26, 1769]
[ ]
] three Weeks Journey I have be[ ]
h]onerd with Your Favour of the 8 Instant,
which my [ ] Phyn, the Contents of which I
have observed & Am [ that you] will not be able to come
down this Way by Reason of [ ] which will [take
you] another Way — I think it cruel hard that [with all the]
Trouble you have had in Life you must Still be obliged to
make [ & with it every other Enjoyment, whilst
others who have not done [ ] Service for their Coun-
try must Sitt down & enjoy their Ease and [ ] not be
impertinent but I confess I cant help thinking, You ought [to
make your heal]th an Object of your Care as well as the Bono
publico, but I begg Pardon [It is more to be wi]shed than
expected that a few more of the Kings Servants were of [
[A] Business I have resolved to leave for the Present, is the
Importation & [sale of goods. 1 ] Continuation of which, as farr
1 In 1 768 John Wetherhead was described as an "Importer; Store near
the Bowling Green, in the Broadway," New York Journal and New-
York Mercury.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 45
as I can observe, only involves a Man in [ the
Distresses of the Country are really So grim that I cannot get
] Body, either for Goods, Interest of Bonds or
House Rent — Save only [ ] come under this
Predicament — but your Payments are always [
person I ever dealt with permite me Sir to assure you that I Shall
] e in doing Business for you — You wrote for
your Account Some time [ ]e & you paid me every
Shilling & I do not know that you are now [ ] thing,
at most it can but be a Trifle — I will Send the Pork by
[Sw]its for Albany, am only Sorry I was not at home to have
Sent it [on receipt] of your Letter [Mrs. Wetherhead is] much
obliged to you Sir for your kind Remembrance of Her [
her] Respects to You, we both wish you all the Happiness you
Can [ ] with the utmost Sincerity & Truth
] most Obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
[ ] till
[ ] Cure
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: N york 26 th . June 1769
M r . Wetherheads letter
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London June 28 lh . 1769
I was in hopes when I wrote you [ ] have had the
happiness of paying my [resp]ects to you at Johnson Hall by
this time [but] having some Bussiness to do here with my
[friend] M r Beverley Robinson who I Every day [expec]ted I
46 Sir William Johnson Papers
have been detained Very much against [my i]nclynation — if
he does not Come within [ ] five or six days I propose
waiting no longer [ ] directly to set out for your House
I Cannot inform you how much [ ] my Little
woman have been and are still [ Jed at hearing of
your 111 state of health [ ] Grant your disorder may
by this time be [ ] Removed and that you may
have perfectly [ ]ed your former good health and
Constitution [M r Wetjherhead wrote me some weeks ago that
you to the sea shore in the Jerseys and that he
] write me the particulars by the Next post
] I have not had a single Line from [
I hear anything from you that I Can depend upon which greatly
incre[ases ] for your health and inestimable Life [
| Great Jehovah preserve and long Contfinue
Happiness and Blessing to mankind —
By the papers which I C[ ] inclose you will be
informed of the Bo[ston(?) ] I acquainted you that Num-
bers of the Connecticut] people were gone under the Direction
of [Major Durkee] to Wioming — We have nothing Partic-
ular from] them lately — Col° Dyer & one Major [
of Windam — with a Grand Retinue set [ ] three
weeks ago for Wioming from W[indham?] are to go to Easton
— and Even to phil a [ ] the Right of this Colony
and the Susquha[ ] to the Lands Claimed by Virtue of
the C[harter granted] to the Colony of Connecticut and the
p[urchase] made by Lydias of the Lands at Alb [any. ] I
wish much to know what the Eve[nt will] be one thing is
pretty sure that [Governor Pitkin ?] will secure what money
th [ ] for this Expedition — [ ]
say all the Kings ships are order'd from [ ] Hallyfax
also two of the Regiments — [ ] another is to pro-
ceed to New York and the 4 th [ ] Quartered at the
Castle 1 — and that three [of] the Commissi 2 are order'd to
1 Castle William, Boston, Mass.
- Commissioners of customs.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 47
England as well as [Governor] Bernard — M rs Chew presents
her best [com]pliments and most fervent wishes for your health
[an]d I Can truly Say nothing on this Earth Could give me so
much satisfaction; and that I am with [the] greatest Respect
Dear sir
Your most Obed* &
most Hble serv 1 .
Jos Chew
[ ] Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
WATSON AND MURRAYS BILL
D.
New york 29 June 1769
[John] Wetherhead
Bo 1 , of Watson & Murray
[ ] Barrels Pork 95/ £19. .0. .0
Paid Carting 1
£[19..1..0]
FROM BAPTISTE CADOT
A. L. S.
[Michilimackinac, June 29, 1769]
] letter from M r Hay wherein [
]n order he desired I would Acquaint him
[ Jon and Intentions of the Indians in this
[country] Accordingly I have Rote to him —
[ ]ny Reports and I belive there has been
Inte[ ] disturbances, but I belive
at present is Chiefly Qu[ieted ] the potewattamas is the
principle from whome [ ] bad News and I belive it is \
Chiefly Occationed [by pe]ople Inhabiting at S l . Josephs no
English Trader ] to Come in their Contry the
Monomonies at the [Baye] killed a french Trader and the
48 Sir William Johnson Papers
(peons) 1 has wounded [ ]men one of the offenders
has been Brought in [and after a confinement of a few d[ays
he] was Realeas'd, it is I thi[nk necess]ary an Example was
made of some of the [ ] from being Guilty of the
same, if no [ ] for traders to go Amoungst
them the Indians [ Lake Sujperiour, Which is my
quarter are all [ ] warr with the Sews which
is as Strong [ detrimental to Trade is Genr 1 . and
as no [ ] Goverment it is out of my power To
M r . Roberts] has Informed me of my being
[Discharged out of your Imploy] since the 25 of march Last.)
which you [ ] honour me with, wherein I have
done [ en]deavours for the Good of the Service
] Endavours Shant be wanting [
have done, the Governing [
[ ]
you my most Grateful Thanks [ ] from you
Always thinking my self [ ] so that I may Merrit
your [ ]
most Humble [
mos[ ]
[ ] William Johnson
speech of henry bostwick et al. to the indians
D.
[Michilimackinac, June 30, 1769]
] spoke to the Indians on the [copper mine]
of Lake Superior in the following Manner
Brothers we have called you together to let [you] know that
M r . Bostwick have been to England, with some of the Copper
that was taken in your Country when he was there and that we
Intend comming into your Country after some of it, if we find
enought of it upon Examination, we shall work the Mine
We thought proper to acquaint you [of] it that you may not
1 Puans.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 49
be surprised if you [sh]ou'd see Men in your Country for that
purpose —
We give you this Belt in tooken of [ ] Freindship which
we beg you will shew [to a] 11 the Cheifs Absent, acquainting
them [with our] Intentions, hopeing you will behave kindly
] People, and if any of you or your Young
[Men sho]u'd discover any otheir Mines that [we are not] as
yet acquainted with, you will [ ] of it
We beg you woud know your [ ]
Henry Bostwick, John Chinn, Caddot & Henry +-
Answer of the Indians
] to a Belt given them
[We thank] you my Brothers for what We hear [from
da]y to Day, and are very glad to hear [that] you Intend
comming or sending into [our] Country, we thank you that you
let Us know of your Comming,
You know we have already told you our thoughts, that you
are Masters to Work when and where you please in our Country
and now we the Cheifs and young Men present, as well for our
Cheifs and young Men absent, Receives this Belt you give Us
in the name of our Nation with a great deal of pleasure [we]
assure you, that the Road you make will be [alw]ays open &
Clear, for your Men Canoes and [where] soever you think
proper to send
In Case we shoud discover any other Mine [ ]ever
we will let you know of it
Names of the Cheifs
Present
Wagosh
Osinebwaw
Osawm Andepay
Cadonia
O Geek
Ondeh Weas
Osick Ottaynay gow
Stickamage
50 Sir William Johnson Papers
BAPTISTE CADOT'S ORDER
A. D. S.
[St Marys, July 3, 1769]
[ ] at Ten Days After Sight this my [first] Bill
of Exchange the Second of the [same] Tenor and Date not
Being paid [ ] please to pay To M r . Francis Caso
or his Order the Sum of Eighty pounds three Shillings New
york Currencey Being for the Amount of my pay from the
Twenty fourth of Sept r . 1 767 To the Twenty fourth of march
— 1 768 & You 1 . Oblige
sir Your Most Humble
&
Most Obedient Serv 1 .
Cadot
[Sir] William Johnson
[Bar]*, at
Johnson Hall
BAPTISTE CADOT S ORDER
A. D. S.
[St Marys] 3 July 1769
At Ten Days After Sight this [my] first of Exchange the
Second of Same Tenor & date Not Being paid please to pay
To M r . Francis Caso or his order the Sum of one hundred
fifty Six pounds Eight Shillings and Ten pence New york Cur-
rencey Being for the Amount of my pay from the 24 of march
1 768 To the Twenty fourth of march 1 769 with or without
Advise from Sir
Your Most Obedient Humble
serv 1 .
Cadot
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 51
Sir William Johnson
at
Johnsons Hall
Rec d . 26 th . Ocf. 1 769 of S r . Will Johnson Barr 1 . two Hun-
dred Eighteen Pounds Eight Shilk on Acc lt . of the above Bill
& another [of] same date for Eighty Pounds three shilk Eigh-
teen Pounds [three shilk] & ten pence being first deducted from
them, overcharg'd [ ]
Jn°. Watts
FROM BAPTISTE CADOT
A. L. 5.
St Marys 3 July 1769
I have Taken the Liberty of drawing on You in favour of
M r . Casew Mercht. of Montreal for the Amount of my Pay in
Two [ ] Bills, the first According to your orders
in your Letter which you honoure'd me with to Draw on you
from the 24 of Sep r . 1 767 To the 24 of march 1 768, which is
£80 . . 3 . . York CX Likewise I have Drawn on you for my pay
from the 24 of March 1768 To the 24 of march 1769
which is £156. .8. .10 York Cu>\ as m r . Roberts Accquainted
me of my Being Discharged out of your Imploy wherein [you]
honoured me with Since the 24 th of March Last, as I am under
a Nessesety [of] making payments at presint. & not [being]
Able on Account of the many presents [which I was] under A
Nessesety of making [to the] Indians for the Good of the
Service, [ ] Honour the Above & You'. [
with due Respect your
Humble Serv*
Cadot
ADDRESSED: To
The Honble Sir William Johnston
at
Johnston hall.
52 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
Schenectady 5 th July 1769
Bad Passages & the little Business which I had to [
in New York detain'd me something longer than I | ] 'd.
I only returned here y e 3 d Ins'. & brought £3033:1 1 :3 [from]
M r . Newton which I shall deliver in what ever manner [you
ma]y direct. Yesterday Morning I forwarded for you [and
Col .] Clause two Letters from M r . Wetherhead & Newton
and at [the same] time inform'd him that I had your Money &
half [ ]c*. for his jaunt to Canada, which I fear'd had
been [ ] untill my arrival
There is no news which I can write you of I therefore [am
only] to wish you health happiness & a safe return to [John-
son] Hall — I have the honour to be with all [
respect Sir
your most Obed* & much Obliged
Hum e Servant
James Phyn
[
] Johnson Bar 1
ADDRESSED
: To
The
Honorable Sir William
Baronet at
Lake Onida
Johnson
INDORSED:
[
]
[
21 st . from the
Seneca Country
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. 5.
[Schenectady July 5, 1769]
this Opportunity of Jacob Bestedo & Wil-
liam M c Gee [ ] Send you Six Caskes Gun powder
& 2 of Biscakes | | which I hope may Arrive in time
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 53
to Answer your purpose, I have Allowed the Battoe Men
£2. .8. .0 [for] their truble for the Carrige up Inclosed is the
Amount [of] the Whole £ which is to your debit.
We have no News here worth mentioning — nor do I belive
there is any in New York | ] I have had letters — the 29 th
Uto from there which Says [nothi]ng about News —
We have had 4 or five days the [hottest weather 7] that I
have Ever Seen in america. I dare [say that you] have had
your Share of it — the last [ ] heard from your
Friends in the Mohawkes [ ] all well, M r Seberry
the Clergy [man who] was intended for your Church gave
] Sermon last Tuseday, greatly to [
those who heard him. he is [ ] Wednesday —
[ ]
sir most [
Your mo[
hum[ble
Daniel Cam[pbell]
Sir William Johnson
FROM ALLAN GRANT
A. L. S.
[Ontario, July 8, 1769]
[ ] this moment receiv'd your [ ]
Stevenson and send you the provision [ ] to the in-
closed which I beg you'll [ s]end me back sign'd and
I also beg [you will] settle with the General. I have [alrea]dy
given too much provision [to In]dians about this place, which
[perh]aps the General will take amiss [as he] is not acquainted
with their [distrejss't Situation the boat being [in muc]h hurry
prevents me from [ ]ing you fuller
I am Sir your most
Obe 1 & most
Humb: Serv*.
Allan Grant
54 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JONATHAN HOAR
A. L. S. 1
Boston July 8 th : 1769
Respectful Sir,
As I am now speedily to embark for Great Britain, and as I
once had the honor — the great honor — of being preferred
by you, when under your Command, from a Cap 1 : Lieu 1 : to a
Lieut 1 : Colonel, at the Battle with General Dieskau 2 — you still
remember me ; and if I deserved that preferment, that you would
give me a letter recommendatory to some one or more of your
freinds in Great Britain, which will add to your repeated favors
conferr'd on him, who is with the highest respect and Esteem,
Your dutiful & Obed': Serv 1 .
Jon\ Hoar
N. B. if you should think
proper to take notice of it. —
At the conclusion of the last war, I was the oldest Colonel in
the Massachusetts service. —
S r : W M : Johnson Bart 1 :
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Bar':
^ favor of the
Hon e : Secretary
iver 3
dr-
at New York or elsewhere
INDORSED: 4 Boston July 8 th . 1769
Co 1 . John Hoars letter
1 In the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
2 See supra 11:284-85.
3 Andrew Oliver, later Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts.
4 In Johnson's hand,
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 55
FROM GEORGE M c . DOUGALL
Copy 1
Detroit, July 11 th . 1769.
Dear Sir,
I did myself the honor to write to you last February by an
Indian express that Mr. Hay sent from this which I hope you
rec'd. We have nothing new here — The savages are very
quiet but I really believe they had had intentions last spring
but the French taking the alarm put a stop to their bad designs
if they had any. Mrs. M c Dougall was acquainted that they
had something extraordinary bad in their discourse by the same
Indian that informed her before the last Indian war which I
gave information of to Capt. Trumbull. Although that per-
son never received the smallest recompense for the early intelli-
gence we received, which I am certain, never was properly
represented to you, which you know well there is a great danger
amongst them in divulging their secrets, therefore, that person
declares that we never shall have any more of his intelligence
for the future as all she got last winter was a loaf of bread.
But I do not despair of getting the first intelligence by that very
person as she has a very great regard for Mrs. M c Dougall. I
gave her a small present out of my pocket as she got nothing
from those that had a right to give her, but I believe they were
angry that she gave me the intelligence first & not them which
will be always the case with people that are jealous of their
authority. There shall very little happen here that I will not
know of & shall acquaint you by the first opportunity. I rec'd
a letter two days ago from Michilimackinac acquainting me that
the Savages there are very saucy both in talk & behavior, but it
is supposed they will do nothing. These nine years that I have
lived here I never saw the Savages better disposed than at
present. With a very little care & a trifle of presents they might
be kept entirely in our interest. But my opinion is, that nothing
should be taken from them except a very little mite, for when
1 (n Library of Congress, Force Transcripts.
56 Sir William Johnson Papers
they give presents they expect double or treble the value & if
they do not git it, they go away discontented. The time that
Col. Campbell commanded here was ordered to give little or no
presents to the Indians & for that reason he would receive none
from them, which they say to this day, he was the only disin-
terested chief ever the English had here. Far from seeking um-
brage at his refusing their presents they have an esteem for his
Memory. I had a letter from London this spring from one of
the committee for the mines on Lake Superior which he informs
me that they expect the deed to be got early in the Spring &
that there was a share left open for Col. Croghan if he chose to
be concerned with them & also the letter that I had from
Michilimackinac informs me that the further discoveries they
have made last fall & spring gives us the greatest encouragement
possible. Col. Glasier 1 says he never saw nor heard of such
mines, both for the richness of the ore & number of mines. I
have got a deed of the Island from the Ottowa Nation & their
liberty to people & cultivate it on which the commandment 2 gave
me possession in May last. Ever since I have been building a
house & barn & clearing land for sowing grain in the fall & hope
in a short time to be able to serve the garrison which is no small
mortification to Col. Bradstreet's people here, as they are the
only imprudent French in this settlement./ Before the Gen 1 , had
wrote to Capt. Turnbull of my having the command of the
militia here Capt. Turnbull had appointed me Lieut. Col. com-
mandant of them in May last when he was informed of their
bad intentions. When you have a leisure moment, I should be
very happy to be honored with a line from you.
from,
Sir,
your most obedient humble serv't,
George M c . Dougall. 3
To the Hon. Sir WlLLIAM JOHNSON, Baronet —
1 Captain Beamsly Glasier.
2 Commandant?
3 Lieutenant in the 60th regiment, Royal Americans.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 57
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
July 11 1769
[Whately's] pamphlet, s r William, makes [ ]y
great Noise, the Americans say [that W]hately is a sophist and
deals not [can]didly with them whilst the prerogative [peo]ple
say His state of y e Controversy is un[an]swerable. I believe
M r Dickenson [of] Philadelphia will anatomize it.
The pacquet is not yet arrived. We expect [th]e Rocking-
ham Squadron of old whiggs will put the present tory adminis-
tration [to] the Rout and many think it is already [do]ne. Be
that as it may, if the Duty acts [are] to be repealed that sett will
allow none [but] themselves to be the actors of a measure
[which] will render them very gracious to the [merca]ntill &
Manufacturing Interest in England [and] to All the Colonies
upon this Continent. [As no] more matter of Amusement
arises I humbly [kiss your?] Hands and remain, Sir William
Your most faithfull &
obliged Servant
Ja Rivington
1 quantity of most
] ish Claret, the General's
roar of its approbrobation.
] I sell it for 48 s $ Doz.
be]st Bottled porter I likewise
] Doz.
ADDRESSED : To
S W m Johnson Bar f .
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
[ ] Letter
58 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM WILLIAM LEE
A. L. S. 1
Niagara the 14 th . July 1769
Sir/
the Bearer I believe I have no occasion to Recommend to
you as you must Know him Better then I can, but this two
years that I have Been at this Post always found him a Good
man Esteem'd by all the Gentlemen of the Garrision, he is now
going to meet you with law, I am Sorry we are So onlucky as
not to have the Pleasure of your Company at this Place as it
would make us all Happy all the news that I can Inform you of,
is that there is a letter Come this week to this Post from Captain
turnbull who informs us that the Indians has Deliverd him two
Indians Prisiones for the murder of Some white People which
Remains with him tell he hears from the Commander in Chefe
I have no oppertunity at Present to acquaint his Excellency of
it. I had like to forget Bum who I made Cry at Ontario Sing-
ing Some Fresh Songs to him.
I am with Compliments to Cap". Claues M r . Johnstone and
the Ladys tho have not the Hon r . of Knowing them
Sir Y r . most obedient Serv 1 .
William Lee
Cap". L f . of artillery
INDORSED:
Niagra 14 th . July 1769
Cap*. Lees Letter
Ans rd .
ADDRESSED :
To
Sir William Johnstone
1 In Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 59
FROM JELLIS FONDA
A. L. S.
[Caughnawaga, July 14, 1769]
The Bearer of this M r Steel have sent up with the Provis-
sions and Goods M r : Adems and I have Bought to Trade with
the five Nations of Indians, if its agreeable to you should be
glad you would let Ber d : Wemp return with him as he is better
acquainted with the Indians and their Language then any of the
rest of the me 1 he has now with him, you may have any of his
hands in Wemps stead you please to take, I would have come
up with those things my self, but it Just happens to be in the
Middle of [hay] Harvest and some other affairs which requires
[my] attendance here, and m r . Adem's Building and [pota]sh
goeing on also prevents his goeing up, however [ ]
in hopes M r : Steel with Ber d : or Hendrick Wemp [will] make
out very well,
You'l please to give them such [directions and advice as
you shall thinck best which [you may] depend shall be punctu-
ally observed by them, [ ] Rum along but for their
own use according to ] no News worth Com-
municating, only the [play actors have ar] rived at Albany
from New York to act there
My] Comp ts : to you and the rest of the Gentlemen and am
Hon d . Sir
Your most Obg d . & Most Hu e Serv*
t i i a.u i ncr\ JELLES FONDA
indorsed: July 14 ,h . 1/69 J
Major Fondas letter
FROM JAMES DE LANCEY
A. L. S.
New York July the 16 th 1769
I had the pleasure of your Letters of the 14 th & [26 th ult]
which would have been answered sooner, had not some [
1 For "men" apparently.
60 Sir William Johnson Papers
[pitifull ?] Circumstances in my Family rendered me unfit for
Business [and pr] evented my writing to you by the last Post.
Upon Reading the Bill for Dividing the County of [Albany]
in the Committee of the whole House, I objected to it, as I
recall [ ] from my own knowledge of the Western
Parts of it, that the Settlements [ ] new County
were not of sufficient Consequence to require a [division] for
that purpose, if the Easterly Bounds of it were to be fixed [so
far] above Schenectady as the Mouth of Aries Kill and there-
fore [I] Voted for Printing the Bill before the House passed
it to afford [the] Inhabitants of the County time sufficient to
make their [object] ions to the Bill in the present form, as I was
suspicious that there [were] private Purposes intended by it
when I saw some persons so[ ] push the Bill through
the House; the Division Line between [ | and Albany
has already been petitioned against by Persons whose [ ] 11
be considerably Effected by it and the Objections You have
] sufficiently convince me of the Impropriety of
the Division proposed [ ] and will I imagine have
great weight with the House and [ ] to Adopt one
of the Divisions mentioned in the Petition 1 [ ] pro-
vided a Law for Dividing the County should repatch [
remains a Doubt with me, as the Members of
the [eastern counties] will hardly assent to a Bill for that
purpose unless a ] and that hereafter the Mem-
bers of Rensalaerwick and [Livingston are] chosen by the old
County and the other two by the new [ ] jealous of
the Increase of Members for the Northern Parts of the Province,
this I well know from some [ ] had with many of
them on that Subject last sessions [ ] House I be-
lieve the Bill will never make its way through
I dare say You as most would have no Objections to put a
I doubt whether any Governor would give his
1 See Johnson to Colden, October 4, 1 769 in Doc. Hist. N. Y .,
2:552-53.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 61
Assent to that [ ] Bill, as it might be esteemed
interfering with the Prerogativ[e of the King] who has granted
those Manors that privilidge 1 tho a thing [unknown under] the
English Constitution and practised in no one place but the
[Colony of] New York, our present Governor appears to me
so much influenced by] that party that I dont think he will
pass any Bill with that [
I am Opinion that it would be best to [leave the] Township
of Schenectady in the old County, as they might [otherwise]
Petition against the Bill without their Town should be made
the [seat] of the new County which could not be done without
great Inconfvenience] to most of the Inhabitants their present
Member 2 seems [either from] want of knowledge or Proper
Instructions to be intirely und[er the] Direction of a Certain
Party with whom he always Voted an[ ] Question
for Postponing and Printing the Division Bill, a
to him might be of Use.
I shall take Care to lay the [petition before] the House at
their first Meeting and endeavour to have [one of the] Divisions
proposed in it Carried into Execution, if a Bill [
Purpose, tho Must frankly own to You that Most [
the Clause about the two Manors and try if we cant [
I am Dear Sir
with great Estee[m]
Your most Ob [
James [De Lancey]
Sir W m . Johnson
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble Sir William John Bar 1
At
Johnson hall
1 Of representation in the Assembly.
2 Jacobus Mynderse.
62 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. 5.
New York 19 July 1769
Deprivd of your Agreable Favours The Present Serves
| to Acquaint you that this Day has been presented
to me [ ] Bill "& £100 drawn upon You payable
at my House for M r Roberts, which I have refused the Accept-
ance of till I can hear from you & Obtain your Approbation —
This is the Bill I mentioned to you the latter End of May last,
but not having Since had the pleasure of hearing from you,
imagine you was Sett Out on your Journey to Niagara before
that Letter reached you — I shall be much obligd to you Sir if
you will be So Kind as give me your Directions about this Draft
as Soon as possible, because the Gentleman to whom it is made
pay ble . keeps it at my Request, Until your Resolution Shall
be known I flatter myself your Journey has been of the greatest
Service [to your] Health which will give me very great pleasure
to be informed of & Any Commands you Shall please to lay
upon me will be faithfully complyd with by
Sir Your most Obed' Servant
John Wetherhead
[ ] William Johnson B'
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
^ Capt Pemberton
FROM JAMES TILGHMAN
A. L. S.
[Phila July] 20* % 1769
A very disagreeable affair has lately happened [at the
Sujsquehanna which it is proper to communicate to [you as
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 63
Sujperintendant of Indian affairs. A Young fellow [the son]
of Seneca George has been lately killed by [some bad] and
wicked person He was in an open Bark Cabbin with some
other Indians on the bank of the River when [some] persons in
a canoe were passing by, as the Indians [su]pposed (by a large
fire of pine knotts they had in the Canoe) with a design to hunt
or fish. They saw the man in the Stern present his Gun towards
the Canoe 1 and fire and this poor young fellow was shot thro
the body and never spoke. The Indians then told the People
in the Canoe they had killed one of them upon which [they
threw their fire over board and made down the [river] This is
the fact as related by the Indians. They [wen]t to Col°
Francis who was then not far from [Sham]oken and informed
him of the fact and described [the c]anoe and the People and
told him they should know [ ] ain and could find
them out. He went with [them to] the house of one Casper
Reed a dutchman on [ ]de where they found the Canoe
and the [Indians fixed] upon Peter Reed Brother of Casper as
the [ who] fired the Gun upon which Francis seized
] him down to Lancaster Gaol [ he will] be
brought here if he is not rescued [ ]hich was com-
mitted about three [ ] Miles below Shamokin. M r
Francis [ ]
very discreetly upon the Occasion [ ] to Old
Seneca George who is at Chenango [ ] the
Unhappy affair And that he was going [
Murderer, and to inform the Governor of the mu[rder, at the
same] time desiring the Old man to meet him at [Lancaster at
the same] time next month where he should receive a [present
(?) from] the Governor upon the Occasion. The Governor
[being then] out of Town, the President and the rest of the
Council ] to communicate this matter to you re-
questing of you to represent it in the most
favorable light to ] and the rest of the Indians. A
1 Cabin.
64 Sir William Johnson Papers
Present of Condol [ence of] 50 £ value is ordered to be given
and will be wa[iting at] Shamokin for him when he arrives
Perhaps it m[ay not be] proper that this matter should be known
as it may [ ] more Indians to accompany him than
otherwise woud [ ] Increase of the Expence of
entertaining them there. [ ] The person accused
denys the fact and undertakes [ his being elsewhere
on the night of the accident, [ ] unhappily circum-
stanced that there is none but [Indian ] which will not be allowed
(unless they have b[ ] which may therefore be more
likely to disturb the [ ] as this is a matter of the
utmost Consequence [ the Settlement of our New
purchase I am a[ssured you will do] every thing in your power
to quiet the [ ] by representing this matter to them
] villain and not of the Country; Tho [
Rescues succeed arrests and a [ know the accused
to be guilty [ rea]son to apprehend a bad [
New England trespassers have been] indicted for forcible pos-
session of our [territory] with their other Embarrassments has
so alarmed [ ] the Great Col°. Dyre and
M r Elderkin have engaged [ ] their Interest with
the company to abandon the settle [ment] and submit the dis-
pute to y e Crown.
[I ha]ve heard of some of your tenants coming down [to th]e
Susquehanna in order to take up some of our Lands. [And] as
such a matter may prove injurious to your [in]terest, I should
with great pleasure use any means in my power which you will
please to suggest, to discourage any such attempt, being well
satisfyed that it is [a] very improper Consequence of a purchase
negotiated [by] you with so much pains as you took about it.
I am
Sir
Y r Most Obedient Servant
James Tilghman
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 65
[As soon] as the Governor comes to Town he will write you
] appointing some Indians to see the line run from
[the Susquejhanna to Kittaning which is the only place where
[it is pro]bable our people may make encroachments yet
[ ] for want of knowing the line
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New York July 23'. 1769
Dear Sir,
What you relate in your Favor of the 24 th . Ultimo concern-
ing Mons r . Vercheres has been transmitted to General Carleton,
and I hope he will do every thing in his Power to punish him
for his Treachery which will give a Check to the Secret Intrigues
of the Canadians to excite the Savages to Mischief.
In my Dispatches by the last Packet I have received Copys
of Lord Hillsborough's Letters to M r : Steuart and you and find
by the Orders to M r : Steuart, that he is to fix New Boundarys
to the Province of Virginia, and that they are to terminate at
the Confluence of the Kanhwa and Ohio Rivers. The King
will not suffer any Grants or Cessions below the Kanahwa, and
as that is the Case, the Sooner the Lands ceded by the Treaty of
Fort Stanwix below the Kanahwa are restored to the Six Nations
the better, that all Pretences for seizing those Lands may be
removed. The Virginians supported their Claim partly by
virtue of the Cession made at the Treaty, and therefore the
greater Reason there is to rectify the Treaty in that respect.
The King was not pleased with that part of the Treaty at the
Beginning, and very much disapproves of other Articles which
except out of the Cession certain Grants of Land to private
People. You will see that the King will not now confirm those
Reservations and I think we may assure ourselves when Com-
In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
3
66 Sir William Johnson Papers
plaints get home, of the immense Tracts acquired by private
Compacts with the Indians, some of which extend over the
Property of many People and that these Tracts are also ac-
quired in direct Opposition to the Regulations and Laws of
Government, that the King will absolutely and totaly reject the
Exceptions Mentioned in the Treaty. I think it is Necessary
and a Mark of Friendship I owe you to give you this Informa-
tion and to tell you likewise, that there is an Outcry here about
those Grants by People whose Property is invaded, and it's said
that Litigations are already beginning. There is also a Letter
intercepted to the Southward which I believe went home two
Months ago and again lately Making a Discovery of Designs
to get Lands from the Cherokees, in order to except the Same
out of the Cession to be made to the King, at the ensuing Treaty
to be held, for Settling the Virginia Line. In the same Man-
ner, Says the Letter, as was done at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix.
Considering every thing, I think the Sooner the Articles men-
tioned are expunged out of the Treaty, the better it will be;
and the more publickly it is done, the Sooner all Conversation
about them will drop, for Litigations will then cease, and Peo-
ple's Minds will be easy. And I should hope that the Indians
might with very little Difficulty be brought to yield the Grants
excepted in the Treaty, to the King, in Lieu of the Lands ceded
below the Kanahwa, which Might be restored to them. This
Exchange will make all quiet, and the Treaty will be finished
finaly in the Manner the most agreeable to the King, and answer
the first Intentions of Government.
You may perhaps find some Trouble, as it is Natural to
believe, the Grantees concerned will hold Intrigues and Cabals
with the Indians, in order to make them averse to this Altera-
tion in the Treaty; but I hope for many Reasons, you will be
able to effect it. His Majesty Seems inclined to make a proper
Compensation to Such of the Grantees who have been real Suf-
ferers by Indian Depredations, but will not do it as they have
managed it for themselves.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 67
I have had So much to write by the Packet which Sails very
early tomorrow Morning, that I can only Say further I am with
great truth & Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
P: S:
I direct this to you instead
of M r . Guy Johnson, Judgeing from
the time you proposed to return
home, that you will be upon the Mohock
River before this can get there.
T: G:
Sir William Johnson Bar':
indorsed: July 23 d 1769.
From General Gage.
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
[N. Yor]k July 24, 1769
I ]SlR
]quet and two Ships from Lon[don] were very
lately arrived here; [his Ex]cellency our Governor has com-
mu[nica]ted to the Hon b,e Councill the Contents [of a lejtter
from Lord Hillsborough, intima[ting] the Intentions of Govern-
ment to [repea]l the Revenue acts on the first meefting] of the
next session of Parliament, [ ] it seems to be very
unlikely that [any] thing more of this kind will happen;
] has too much weaned the affections of the
[coljonies from the Mother Country. [Wilkjes and his Cause
are decaying fast, said the bill of Rights asso-
68 Sir William Johnson Papers
ciation [has] totally deserted him, and, in short, [that] Col
Lutterel 1 has been accepted by [the House of] Com 5 in his
stead, for the Coy of Middlesex, [Wilkes see]ms to have been
left alone. The [Grenville] family have at last joined the
Roc[kingha]m Squadron & they preside over [ ]ty,
which will presently become too [ ] the struggle for
Office.
[The ministry] was glad to hurry thro the last session
]ious comtemplation upon ameri[can affairs.]
their places must have been surrendered had not their [
] conducted so dextrously as to in [ ] Coun-
celler Wedderburn, 2 an able [ ] and a North briton,
has lately from [ ] against Administration changed
is become a great favorite of the Nat [ion.]
How easy is it to play with success [upon the] passions of y e
English people? Wedderburn is a good politician and knows
the Chfannel ?] that leads to the Exchequer, C. Pleas, K
[B and] Chancery Courts.
Permit me Sir William to ask, if you are furnished with the
English papers, if [not] would it be agreable to you that [they
should be] sent as regularly as they arrive, t [his I pre]sume to
mention meerly to express [ ] tion.
The packet carries with her tomorrow [Col.] Pomeroy,
Brig r on this Estab sht . one of [the] most amiable Gentlemen we
ever ha[d, en] passant, also Col Gabbet, Capt n Vinc[ent and]
M r . Izard who is going to take up a [ ] a bagatelle
of Twenty thousand s[terling after] a Demise, I belive an
Uncle.
I presume you have Gains paper [ ] you some-
thing dated tomorrow relative [to a plan of] the Dissenters,
concerted again [st the Church] with the occurrances from
1 Colonel Henry Lawes Luttrell, son of Lord Irnham, after being de-
feated by John Wilkes by a heavy majority, was seated for Middlesex by
the House of Commons in 1 769.
2 Alexander Wedderburn, later Earl of Rosslyn.
Posi-War Period, 1763-1774 69
L[ ] that my humble Respects may [be convey] ed
to Sir John & to Col Guy & Cap 1 [Claus.]
I am, Sir William
Your faithfull and most
obedient Servant
Jas Rivington
] City, agitated for a few hours by the behavior
[of a] simple obstreperous Englishman who thwarted
measures concerted against Importations, which he
has cried peccavi, is now in a state [of per] feet Tranquility.
ADDRESSED: To
S r W m Johnson Bar 1
at
Johnson Hall
FROM TUTHILL HUBBART
A. L. S.
[Dear] Sir [Boston Ju ^ 24 ' K > 769
By Cap r . Jarvis who Arrived here this day in seven weeks
from London. I had the honor of rec§. a Packet under cover
from M r Franklin w th . directions to be forward'd to You by
Express, but as the Post was just going out & the season very
hot, I imagined it best to send to New York by the Post, as We
have often found when an Express has been sent from hence to
New York they have not made more then one day diffrance, I
have inclosed the Packet to James Parker Esq r . at New York
w lh . directions to forward the same emeadiatly by Express to
Johnson Hall, I shall be happy of your [ap] probation of my
Conduct, and have the [ ] to be Yo r Excellencys
Most Ob'. Hum le . Serv 1 -r it
TUTHILL HUBBART
INDORSED : [ ]
Tuthill Hubbard Esq r .
Letter w* 1 . a packet
from England —
70 Sir William Johnson Papers
BILL OF HENRY DOUGAN
A. D. S.
Boston July 25 ih . 1769
[Sir William Jo]hnson Bar', to Henry Dougan D r .
To Medicines and attendance on the [differe]nt Tribes of
Indians at Cumberland Nova Scotia [com]mencing the 13 th . of
Octob r . 1767 and [end]ing the 6 th . of July 1768, both days
Inclusive amounting to Eleven pounds two Shillings and [five]
pence Ster 1 .
£11..2..5
These are to Certify that M r . Henry Dougan attended the
different Tribes of Indians [from] the 13 th . of Octob r . 1767 to
the 6 th . of July [ 1 768] both days Inclusive
William Monsell
L» 29 Reg«.
EXTRACT FROM JOHN WILKINs's ACCOUNT 1
[Extract from] Lieutenant Colonel Wilkins's Account of [ex-
penses at t] he Ilinois.
[T]o Cash paid Silver Heels, and one other Six
Nation Indian, going Express to Fort Pitt in
a Bill of Exchange £40
And for Goods delivered D°. Amounting to 20
£60
CERTIFICATE OF CHARLES EDMONSTONE
D. S.
Pittsburgh the 25*. July 1769
[This is to cert]ify that the Bearer Peter a Mohawk Indian
who came [fro]m Fort Chartres to this place with Silver Heels
has [had no] other consideration for that Service than a Blanket
1 Probably written about May 5th, 1 769 at Fort Chartres.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 71
[leggjins and Britch Clout because there was no more [ ]
in the Letters they brought but he Alledges that he [should
receivje as much as Silver Heels who received to the Amo*.
[of dollars] exclusive of an equal Quantity of Clothing
[ Jeived Two Blankets a Brass Kettle & Black Silk
[handkerchief] in lieu of the same kind of things that he threw
[away with] some letters when pursued by Enemy Indians
Cha s . Edmonstone Cap 1 .
Commanding
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London July 26 th . 1769
Nothing ever has given me more trouble [tha]n my not being
able to leave this place at the [time] I Expected owing in a
Very great Measure to [M] r Beverley Robinsons not Coming
here at the time appointed there being several Affairs of his to
settle [w]hich Could not be done without me. I Expect him
[every] moment and will not stay here three days after [he]
gets to Town — I have been much from home [this] summer in
order to finish Everything I had to do [in] this Colony and have
in my Several Journeys [ ] with some of our Best
Farmers who are determined [to pa]y you a Vissit this fall and
see some of your [land] being Very much out of Humour with
both [the so] il and police of this Colony — I [have] order'd
the papers to be Constantly Sent to you & [ ] you have
Rec d them Regularly —
Some Very Ex'ry scenes have taken [place in] this Neigh-
bourhood which may be [ ] of Very Serious Conse-
quence and which [I will give] you as Short an Acco' of as is
in my power — The sloop Liberty Formerly the [property of]
M r Hancock of Boston (the seizure of which | ] Dis-
turbances there in June 1 768) now in the Cost
Service Commanded by one Cap' Reid — lay in
port & the 16 th . Inst of this Harbour made a [seizure] of a
72 Sir William Johnson Papers
Brig e . from Cape France way loaded wi[th sugar ?] and
Molasses belonging to M r shaw of this Town [and] a sloop
belonging to one Tinker near the H [arbour?] mouth Loaded
with Rum Brandy Soap &c w[hich] Cap 1 Reid supposed had
been taken from on [Board] the Brigantine — With both Ves-
sells he pro[ceeded] to Newport where on the 19 th . or 20 th
some S[ ] arose about Cap' Reids Firing into a Boat
— and [ ] all his men were taken into Custody by the
] mighty Lords the Nobility — and the sloop [
mast bow sprit &c Cut a way her Guns thrown [over] Board &
the sloop scutled — during th [ ] Tinkers sloop was
Carryed of and has not b[een] heard of tho' some say she was
seen of th[ ] day or two afterwards — soon after the
] Liberty and escape of Tinkers sloop M r sh[aw
this port with his Brig e . she having [ | goods on Board
and no persons being | to ma]ke it appear she had broke
Bulk — where [ ] Remained pritty Eassie untill last
night [when] the Liberty People assembled in some hundreds
] several persons before them as informers gave
[one] 39 Lasshes and order'd him never to appear [aga]in in
New London Burnt the Collectors Boat & [if] they Could have
laid their hands upon a person [who] in my Opinion is Very
Innocent & lately appointed [an] under Officer of the Customs
here I verily believe [they] would have put him to death —
I am Very sure I was in a great [mea]sure the means of pre-
venting their Honnors [from] Waiting upon Doct Moffatt —
which was [the] only reason of my being out as I was not Very
] — I have several Letters from London of [
Late date which hope to lay before you [ soon —
M rs Chew presents her most Respectfull [com]pliments as I do
Every Prayer and good wish for [your] Health and am most
sincerely
Dear sir
Y r most Obed 1 and Most
Hble serv'
Jos Chew
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 73
[ ] this moment
[ ]& wrote this in
[ ] been out today
[ ]
P S during the Transations I have mentioned] M r Stewart 1
& his Lady have been at Boston [ ] am Very Glad
of for by what I over heard [ had m r Stewart
been in Town he surely would [have] been Brought before the
intoxicated Multitude [ ] man was taken out of his
House & Some of h [is ] Broke — is not this fine Government
] true Liberty — I wish it may End here [ ]
I very much doubt it —
FROM HENRY BOSTWICK
A. L. S.
[Mishilmakinac, July 26, 1769]
[ ] from M r . Baxter who I dayly expect [to]
go with me to Lake Superior to vew the [ In]dians have
left one of their principle Men [to guide us ?]
We held a Councel the 30th of June last with [
Cheifs on the south side of the Lake acquainting [them] we
purposed to come into their Country, to [ Mines,
and have Enclosed you their Answer, [ ]11 greatly
pleased and have promised to give Us [all the assistance they
possibly can, and have brought [ peices of very
Rich Copper taken a few Leagues [ ]augan where I
was — they say that it appears q]uantitys at a Mile
distance from the Water [ ] the Mountain, and by
their Accot s [ ] very little Expence, the Indian Acco*.
are [ ] to be Rely'd on — I shall take great Care that
| anything that may in the least Displease |
1 Duncan Stewart, Collector. For additional particulars regarding
this outbreak, see Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society,
19:194-98.
lA Sir William Johnson Papers
hope by the fall of the Year, to give You [ ] whole,
and am with the greatest Respect & Esteem
Your Hbl Serv<
Henry Bostwick
ADDRESSED: Sir William Johnston Bar 1 . &c
at
Johnston Hall
FROM JELLES FONDA
A. L. S. 1
CachneWago 29 th July 1769
Honred Sir/
Acording to Co" Guy Johnson order I send you By the
Bearer Lawes Cloment 60 Scheppel of your Indian Corn from
my Fathers and 2 Pacqts of Letters for you — as I heard from
the Bato Men that Came Down thay you was Scarce in Bread
I Send you 47 lb of Bisket all I had. if you Should not want
them then Plese to order them to the Bato men. I have no
Newes. ould John have Dyed Verry Sudently the other Day we
are yesterday Begon to Cut our wete and Semes to Be Midlin
good I here your wete is not Ripe yet so I Remane with my
Best Complement to Sir Wi m . and the Rest of the Jentelmen
with you and am Sir your most obedint
Humbele Serv*
Jelles Fonda
ADDRESSED : To
the Honerabele
Sir wiliam Johnson
in the Sennecas Contry
or in
his way Down
indorsed: July 29 th . 1769 —
Major Fondas letter
1 In New York Historical Society, New York City.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 75
FROM JOHN PENN
L. S.
Philadelphia Aug' 1 . 2 d . 1769
There seems to be a necessity of running [the proprietary
Line, from the head of the West Branch [of the] Susquehanna,
to Kittaning some time this Fall, [that the] Surveyors may
know where to act and the [ ] where to settle in that
quarter; and as it [ ] proper that some Indians of the
Six Nations [ ] attend the Survey, I shall be obliged
to you [if you] will signify to them my intention of having
] begun about the beginning or middle |
next, You can best Judge of the number [of Indians] proper to
be sent on this occasion. [I am in] hopes one from each Nation
may be sufficient. I] have been at a good deal of ex[pense
alrea]dy & I would willingly lighten that of running the Line
as much [ ] and doubt not but you will be so
k[ind so to] order the matter as that we may not have [an
unnecessary number of Indians upon our hands.
I am with Great regard
Sir
Your most obedi[ent]
humble Servan[t]
John Penn
indorsed: [ ]
concerning the Running
of the Boundary —
FROM THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
L. S.
[Whitehall, August 5, 1769]
Private — Duplicate
Sir
Major Gorham who is a very Faithfull Servant of the Cro[wn
and has] suffer'd much in the Service, especially by being dis-
76 Sir William Johnson Papers
charged from his Off [ice of] Deputy Agent for Indian Affairs
in Nova Scotia, has des[ired me] to recommend his Case &
Interests to your consideration. And I vent[ure] to offer my
Opinion that He is intitled to some attention; if therefore [you]
can promote him or continue him in his Office if that be con-
tinued [I] hope you will think it an act of Justice as well as
compassion to a really suffering Man. I am glad of this Oc-
casion to assure you of the Esteem and Regard with which I
have the honor to be
Sir
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Hillsborough
Sir William Johnson Bart.
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New York August 6 th . 1769
Dear Sir,
I hope this will Meet you Safe and well from your Jaunt
into the Indian Country, where I hope everything has passed
agreeable to your wishes and Expectations.
There has been a good deal of Disturbance at the Ilinois,
several Murthers committed on Indians as well as white People,
amongst others the famous Pondiac was killed at Kaskaskies or
rather Kaokia by one of our Friendly Indians, but of what Tribe
my Correspondent, Lieu'. Colonel Wilkins, does not say, tho'
from other Passages in his Letter, I suppose it was an Ilinois
Indian.
You have inclosed a Speech of Lieu 1 : Colonel Wilkins to the
Indians of the ouabache of whom he makes great Complaint, as
also Extracts from his Letters which have any Relation to our
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 77
late Quarrell with those Indians, whom he supposes to be excited
to Mischief by the French Settlers at S l Vincent, 1 and possibly
with good Reason. You will observe also the Treatment the
Six Nations have received from those Tribes, of which Silver
heels will no doubt give you and his Country-Men a faithfull
Account.
It Seems very Necessary that Something Should be done to
keep those Nations in order. You saved them from a Quarrell
with the Shawnese & Delawares after the Attack made upon
M r Croghan which has had no very good Effect; for they seem
more and more inclined to raise Commotions as well with the
Indians as the White People. You will from your late Excur-
sion have been well informed of the present Temper and Situa-
tion of the Several Nations, and will be able to form Some
Judgement of the Methods most proper to be taken with the
Nations complained of as our Affairs are circumstanced.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R : W M : Johnson Bar':
INDORSED: New York 6 th . August
1 769.
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
Augst the 8'A. 1769
I ] Sir
yesterday Evening I was Inform d . of your honers Return
home & hope you and the Gentlemen with you are in Good
Post Vincent, Vincennes, a village of the Piankashaws.
78 Sir William Johnson Papers
Helth, I have had a Voilant fitt of y e . Gout with a hurt in My
foot w h . has Confin d . Me to My Hutt Sence y e . friday after
your Honer Sett of on y r . Journay yett am only able to hoble
about the Room when I Shall be able to Walke or Ride Seems
very uncertian
M r . Metcalf is Return d . & has finished the Boundary Line —
Inclosed I Send your Honer a Leter w h . I had from M r .
Wharton for y r . perruseal with one from Farrel [Wa]de In-
closeing Me A Leter for you and ] Leters I have
had from M r . Hay att [Dejtroit with Some Acounts, w h . he
had Drawn on Me for M r . Hay Takes No Not [ice
I Wrote him the 29 th . of Feby last [ ] that to
Desist from acting as Comisary [ ] Surprises Me
I Sent the Leter by the [ ] Fort Pitt with Some
others to Detroit ] have Received answers to My
other Leters [ ] am Sorry his Should Miscarrey, I
Wrote h[im] Likewise y e . 2 d . May Last by a boat then [
to Detroit which he has Nott Received [ ] Likewise
unlucky, I will be Glad ] from y r . Honer whether
those acounts [are to] be paid or No & whether I May Write
y e . G[entlemen] who has the Drafts to Wate on you with
as they Seem Impaicent to know how [they are]
to be paid
I have A Leter from M r . Baynton w h . [ ] Me
that the Interpreters & Smiths have [drawn] on Me from Fort
Chartres for thire [ ] pay from y e . 24 th Sep r . to y e .
24 th . March [amounting] to £231 :9:6 & am att a Loss whet[
y r . honor has been in the Six Nation [coun]try
I have had Some Leters from Ohio [ ] Some Informa-
tion from an Indian [fro]m thence all w h . Say that there is a
Great Number of Senecas & Some Cayugoes gon there this
Spring Some to Setle amoungst the Dalloway & Some with y e .
Shannas and that y e . Sinecas there, Shannas & Dallaways has
had a Councel with y e . Tweetwees Waweattenas Pyankeehy,
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 79
Musquetomeys & x who Live on the Wabauch &
have agreed that in Case any Diferance Should hapen between
any of them & any other Nation that the whole Should Rise
up as on Man and Strike there has been some boats of
[Morjgans Cutt of on the ohio this Spring [a] Store of his
plundred att post Vincent [a] White Man Kill d . att Fort pitt
by a Sineca Indian two More White men Kill d . Neer the
] kill by Indians, which if True, all [
Curcumstances I think foretell a Broyle Neer att hand in that
quarter [ ] your honer has had beter Intileg[ence
of] those Maters where you have been —
Doctor La vine presents his Complement [s to your] Honer I
had allmost Cure d . him of his | ] with Eating Nothing
Nothing Butt homany [ ] Drinking the Broath Butt a
Love Fitt [has] Thrown him Into a Relipss & am Now [
]Cartian Nothing Butt a ground Swe[at will] Cure him
as Soon as I am able to Croyle [out] of this Hutt I will Do
myself y e . pleshfure of] Wateing on you, and am with Great
[ ]
your Honors Most o[
and Most Hum[ ]
Geo: Cro[ghan]
A Son of Sinica Georges has
been Kill d . by a White Man
Near Weoman —
To the Hon b,e . Sir WlLLIAM JOHNSON Barr*.
FROM ALLAN GRANT
A. L. S.
[Ontario, Aug. 8, 1769]
[
]
I
] as possible [
[
]h as all the Indians have don that same in
[
| their meeting their Friends on the way |
1 A space vacant here.
80 Sir William Johnson Papers
keggs of rum, for such Drunkeness I never [saw in] all my life,
and I have had allmost the [whole Six] Nations in lately, I wish
it was all over [and] their dollars were once out, while they
have [the tr]aders will let them have rum, at any risk [I am]
Oblidge to let Indians have a good deal of provision, more]
than they used to get at this post, and I am affraid the General
will Blame me for it, I have [given] them some presents besides,
however if I gett [out of t]he Country with my Scalp on I am
Satifyed [ ] report of the Traders here saying that
you [ ]ter Dollars to the Indians there has been no
such [ ] by any body here, the Traders know very
[well to] the Contrary they have all made fortunes here
] intirely owing to the Number of Dollars [
the five Nations this Summer, they are much [
the Commanding Officer this year [ ] asked the
Traders here if they were not [ ] I fancy owing in-
tirely to their getting [ ] Dollars are here now as
plenty as [ Wemple tells] me his Iron & Steel is allmost
] and we have had more Indians this [
three last years past put [together. ]
your [ ]
& most [ ]
All [an Grant]
P: S:
I wish much that the general
would either repair or Abandon
this post, I would much rather
defend a good House than it
with my present garrison
Wemple has had his own trouble
and has done so much new work for the
Onondagoes this year that I think
they must carry on a trade with
some Distant Indians in black Smith work
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
ADDRESSED: His Majestys Service
Sir William Johnson Bart. Supper Intend-
ent of the Northern District of North
America
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: Ontario August 8 th . 1769
L'. Grants letter
81
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df.
[Johnson Hall Aug 9, 1769]
Two] days ago I arrived here from Seneca, in no
occasioned by a Wound I received in my Leg, re-
turning [from a visit] to an Indian Chief My Canoe oversat, &
in getting [bac]k it being in the Night I fell upon a Stake, &
have [ my] Leg so much that I fear I must deferr
many [parti] culars till the next Opportunity as I have not been
[able] as yet to Look over my papers. — Nevertheless I can-
not [ ] Sending you my best thanks for the friendly
information [you] gave me in your Letter of the 23 d . ult° on
which M r Johnson [wro]te you a few Lines and if my Esteem
for you could admit any addition it must encrease it. At the
same time I am [happ]y that it is in My power to Clear up
these matters, & if [occas]ion requires to remove the Mistake
or Misinformation of [Government which I shall here mention
as briefly as possible
The boundary being Judged a Very necessary Measure &
[orders] received to Settle it, I thought, & so did every body
[that] the Cession should be as Extensive as possible, & I be-
lieve [ it is a]lmost Needless to say that the more we got Volun-
tarily [from them] the Less danger there would be of disputes
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
82 Sir William Johnson Papers
about [settlements, & the farther they would be removed, The
back [settlements] particularly of Virginia, I well knew were
not [prevented from extending their settlements into the Indian
[country had] the Treaty never taken place, the dangers in
[which such] procedure must Involve the frontiers, could only
[be by] purchase of that Country, but this was [
claimed in Virtue of an Old purchase 1 under [
and the only Objection his Majesty [ ] were founded
on a Supposition that it [
timely Answer from [ ] Crown here
must in many [ ] perhaps not Strictly con-
sistent with orders, as [ ] for so doing, and as I
found that in [truth (?) the Indians] made a point of it before
I opened the [Congress] and I am certain I could not refuse
ad [ ] Treaty, or do otherwise than I did with-
out [ ] sound policy and the true Interests of
Govern [ment. This is] briefly and truly the State of that
matter.
As to the Grants [ | two Mentioned in the Ces-
sion or Treaty, fo[ ] for their dwelling places and
the Clause in[ ] before purchased under the sanc-
tion & then not p[ ] surely be objected to, at least
I had no right to [ ] Grants are to M r . Croghan
& the Traders [As for Croghan's] it was but a Confirmation of
an old Deed [ ] always understood was well known
to som[ ] That to the Traders the Government
was [acquainted] with & approved of, It was an Express
A[rticle] of peace after the late Indian War, & [
far Short of what the Traders expected [His Majesty] can do
therein according to his Royal [pleasure and will lose] nothing
by it, as the Quit rents will [ | is Granted. If any
1 Consult letter from Johnson to Lord Hillsborough, Doc. Hist. N. Y .,
2 :940-42 ; Q, 2 :544-46 and Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8 : 1 72-74,
also same to same, Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:943-48; Q, 2:546-49 and
Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:1 79-82.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 83
objection h[as been made to the] Expression 1 I cannot help it,
It has [ ] softened where they Express their
[ ] admitted, & must know [ ]
they are made to Express [
[ ]
[ ] I know my Conduct therein to be [
That what I did at that Treaty was [intended] not only for the
best, but actually was the best that co d . have been done [
and where I took such Extraordinary pains both [Night] &
Day for effecting so difficult & Important a buisness, [I ca]nnot
but think it hard should the Government omit doing [ju]stice
to my proceedings, of the propriety of which I think myself a
Competent Judge, and that I could convince the Crown that I
could not have done otherwise consistent with its Interest, [and]
publick Safety. There is one Grant which a Gentleman that
attended at the Treaty Sollicitted & agreed with the Indians
about, for another, without my participation & with wch I had
no Concern whatsoever, neither [hav]e I any with the parties,
I know that it comprehended part [of] a Patent which It is
pretty well known the patentees have [no] Just right to, The
Person for whom it was obtained attended [Sir] H Moore on
his Last Visit here & then obtained his Sanction [of] the Deed
& for reasons that will [occur] to you I Scorned to oppose it,
especially as I knew it was [no] part of my duty the Indians
having a right previous to the [treat] y to dispose of their Claims
as they inclined. The [justice] which I am fully persuaded
you will do to my [ ]ns & Conduct in these matters
renders it unnecessary [that I a]dd more than that I sho d .
Imediately employ my [ ] induce the Indians to
Except out of the Cession [the lands sou]th of Kanhawa, but
for the following reasons, First that the Secy of [
Letter Says that the King will Confirm it as | at Fort]
Stanwix if I shall be of opinion that insisting [ | tion
1 The mode of expression employed by Indians in public conferences is
here signified.
Sir William Johnson Papers
will have the effect to Excite Jealousy
which I already gave [
such a Transaction [
I referr to your [
tion of your kind sentiments upon [
Letter herewith inclosed to give you |
ceedings and remain with Cordial
]
] Necessary for
These Matters
] Communica-
] in the
] late pro-
]
D r Sir
&ca
TO THOMAS GAGE
[Johnson Hall Aug. 9, 1769]
[In my] Letter of this date I answered as briefly as [I could
the matter] contained in your kind favor of the 23 d . ult°. [I
will] now as Briefly describe my proceedings on the tour [of the
Sen]eca Country from whence I am just returned, only Just
[ ] the Heads as taken from my Journal, which is not
yet [complete] d.
After many delays on the Road & Rivers & Conferences
with [the] Conajoharees & Oneidas I arrived at Onondaga the
10 th . July where were assembled the Whole of that Nation
with sev ! . others, [to] whom I gave some Indian Corn, of which
they were in the greatest [wa]nt with Ammunition & a few other
Necessarys which they most Wanted, This done, They ad-
dressed me in a Speech, desiring to be informed of the News
Stirring & whether the informations they had received were well
founded, which were, That the Catawbas continued obstinately
bent on War that a War would [soo]n Commence between
England and France, That they were [no] more to be at-
tended to by the former, as they had hitherto been, that the
people of New England intended to come into the [coun]try
they had Sold & dispossess the Proprietaries of Pennsylv a [of
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 85
thejir purchase That some had actually built Strong houses
there & were fighting about it, & might probably involve some
Ind* in the Quarrel All which they said had created much
[une]asiness amongst them, that it was unexpected, & therefore
[alar]med them more than it otherwise would have done
[ ] they were far from inclining to act the part
that other [Indians] had in View, & therefore requested in
a particular manner [that we w]ould not Suffer any Intruders
to come in the Way [ ] people within the Limits
of their late sale, [ ] nor Withdraw those people
who had the Care [of the trade] as a revival of all those frauds
they had [suffered from (?)] would certainly be the Conse-
quence of their removal [
[Upon] all these heads & many others I endeavored [to give
them what assu] ranees I could [ ] and having
rec d . from Ontario 5 Barr ls of [ ]
At Cayuga there were Assembled about 500 Ind s . who] re-
peated to me what I had heard [ with] additions &
with much more Ea[rnestness. I observed] that the farther I
advanced into the [Indian country] the more Interested they
appeared, and the [more difficult (?)] to please, — I made a
Shorter Stay at Cay[uga than at] Onondaga, having before
Sent Messengers to [summon] the Chiefs of the Seneca Villages
from Ohio to Canada [to meet] me at the North end of the
Seneca Lake for [ ] where I arrived the 18 th . July
& found abo[ut 2000 Ind s .] already Assembled Exclusive of
those Chiefs that accompanied them] After Condoling with
of some Losses, & Conferring the Dignity of
Chief [upon a] Young Lad who was brought to me in great
form as the Successor of their Chief lately de-
ceased, [a chief from] the Village of Canadesega with another
Indian [chief whom] I have had great reason to credit for many
Years [visited] Me, and ams 1 . other things said that they had
taken much pains [in the] past to prevent their people, from
giving ear [ ] Circulating amongst their Neighbours,
86 Sir William Johnson Papers
that th[ ] presence at that time would have greater
W[ ] would find that the Minds of the Indians
[were] not right, and then told me many parti [culars they had]
heard from the rest, Soon after a party [arrived from the]
Cherokee Country who left the Ma [in ] by a
Number of Cherokee Chiefs [who were] Coming to attend a
General [Congress to be held] at Onondaga about the begin-
ning [of next month, bringing] 30 Belts with them, After
] all I could discover was
[ ] Chief
and of the French Officer at the [Detroit
said he should be delivered up when he thought
The Ind s requested that I wo d forward
[the belts] to Canada that all the Chiefs of their Confederacy
[might] attend the proposed Congress. — Several Days elapsed
[before] all the Ind s . directed to meet me arrived, they came for
the Most part on horseback, & when Assembled Exceeded
[25] 00 Such a Number joyned to the time I had been obliged
[to] Wait, occasioned the present to fall Short & the Provisions
&ca to be soon out [w ch . re]duced both them & myself to great
Straits, depending [al]most intirely on the fish which were
Caught in the Lake [After] the usual Ceremonies, Condolances
Scca. The Senecas began with [a lo]ng detail of Grievances,
That they were refused a Morsel of [pro] visions at Fort Pitt,
That they were insulted wheresoever they [wen]t, That instead
of the happiness they had reason to Expect from [our] Own
Assurances, they found that we had forfeited our Words,
the people who were to Inspect the Trade &ca were
called away [ ] the Interpreters & Smiths that they
could not do without [ ] people & therefore desired
that you might be acquainted with [ ] request on
their behalf. That tho' they knew & were well
that a War was near at hand, & daily received many kind As-
surances [from] their Old friends the french that they wo d .
Soon find happier times [never] theless their disposition was
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 87
pacifick, & necessity only would [ j them to Extremity.
To Enumerate all that they said on this [& other s]ubjects dur-
ing my Stay there would draw this Letter out to [
I took infinite pains to Explain to & Satisfy them on |
the Manner I Judged most prudent, & If I left them [better
satisfied at my departure it is as much as I can expect. [By
what] I have been able to discover I find that a Gen 1 . [
ojbject of their endeavors, & those who seem best |
therein hint such Things, as would hardly [ ] of
people, Neither is it any thing odd [
what they affect to term Grievances, They are daily [
] Southward [
Quarter, tho' they speak and lay [ ] heretofore,
Those indeed to the South of [ ] the Speeches
they Made at Ilinois which [ ] Corresponding
Accts from Cadot & others [ ] Tho' if we wait
for proofs sufficient to Crimina[te them] at Law, whether they
be French or others I fa [ ] remedy the Evil, — for
the most Sincere Ind s w d . [ ] guilt were their evi-
dence admissible, & the inclosed [ ] relating to
Vercher's Conduct) which I got on my way [
their inclination to palliate it, but the Words, Tha[t
the King of France is alive tho' to some of no import [has a]
Meaning amongst them & well understood, had he [
After Sev 1 . days spent in endeavoring to make my Journey as
usefu[l ] by my proceed 5 , with the Senecas, & taking
some measfures to obtain] a knowledge of the buisness to be
transacted at the [Congress that] will be held Soon at Onon-
daga ; I took my Leave of them [ ] Was overtaken
by a party who were sent to inform me [of the murder] of
Seneca George's Son, & the great concern of the Ind s . [ ]
which I rec d . a pacquet from Col Johnson giving [me an] Accot
of the Affair which I find he has transmitted [ ] I
will not take up your time farther at present [
this tedious Narrative, but Sincerely wishing that [ ]
SS Sir William Johnson Papers
in my Conjectures concerning the disposition that [obtains]
amongst the Ind 8 . & requesting to be favored with an [
desired I should lay before you
I remain
D'. Sir [ ]
TO HENRY MOORE
[Johnson Hall, Aug. 10, 1769]
]
] I wrote you on the 8 th . & 26 th of June
] I have not had the honor of hearing from you,
The sujbject of the last was concerning a petition intended
to be] Laid before the House from the principal Inhabitants
of the Mohock River &ca relating to the division of this County,
The former after Mention Made of the Interpreters, & Smiths,
reminded you of your Intentions to Send a Commiss™. to Col
Johnson for his post of Adjutant General for which I thought
him Well Qualified. I also Observed that part of the Militia
Officers had taken the Oaths & received their Commiss ns . As
the remainder shall do as quick as possible. Permit me to re-
quest the favor of your Answer on these Subjects When Your
Leisure will permit And be assured that I am With perfect
Esteem,
Sir,
&ca
TO HENRY MOORE
Df. 1
[Johnson Hall, Aug. 10,1769]
] arrived here three days ago from Seneca
[and notwithstanding the Sev 1 . Pacquets I am now making up
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 89
[and being ve]ry unfit for Sitting occasiond by a Severe Cut
[in my] Leg which I got by a fall near Onondaga [I] could
not omit informing you of my return & that I am Sorry to ob-
serve The too general dissatisfaction Expressed by the Indians
at the recall of the Commissarys &ca without having others to
Inspect the Trade to relieve them. Altho' at the Congress at
Seneca at which above 2000 Indians attended they Mentioned
Many other Causes of discontent, Expressed themselves very
Warmly on Accot of the Intrusions of the New Englanders into
Pennsylvania, which they fear will lead their borderers into a
Quarrel, and Spoke much of the obstinacy of the Catawbas who
are at Variance with the Cherokees with whom they the 6
Nations have made peace, Yet the former is more particularly
Necessary for Your Information as it regards the Conduct of
this Province, [ ] I took Infinite pains to satisfy them on all
these points, and gave them all the Assurances I could take upon
me to make that the Province and all others concerned would
make such provisions as [ ] Necessary for the Inspec-
tion of Trade & for Interpreters & Smiths, so soon as possible,
I likewise spoke to De Couagne, who [has] been Interpreter at
Niagara ever since the reduction of [that place] with regard to
his continuance there for some time [ ] but he rejected
any proportion that could be allowed [from] the £150 Resolved
by the House for the Maintenance [of an Interpreter and two
Smiths for Niagara & Detroit, & here [ ] to repeat
that an Interpreter is necessary for [ ] That
hitherto Detroit alone has had two, [one for the Huro]n the
other for the Ottawa Language as [ ] to find
any One Man sufficiently Versed in both [
] Trade, which ought by no means
[ ]
The situation in which I have described myself does not]
permit me at this time to give a detail of my Transaction [s
or to represent all that they have said on
th[ ] Subjects, but if the observations & dis-
coveries [which I have] Made, Joined to the experience I may
90 Sir William Johnson Papers
be suppo[sed to have] can render me a Competent Judge [in
these matters,] I cannot too Strongly recommend the most Seri-
ous attention to an] Object of so much importance that a timely
provision [may be made] for persons of Integrity as Inspectors,
& for Interpreters] at such posts as this Province may agree to
the care of [It will] save me much Trouble & yield me great
Satisfaction to find [that my] Apprehensions of the Necessity
for such a provision were [ ] it must appear evident
that besides the discharge of my [ representation, I
am governed by no other Motives than [ ] and re-
gard for its Tranquillity & Commercial Interests.
INDORSED: [ ]
] another of same date
on the State of the frontier. —
FROM JOSEPH GORHAM
A. L. S. 1
London 10 th . August 1769
Sir.
Upon my representing and Stating the Losses and expences
attending my Late Appointments in America to the Ministry
Lord Hillsborough has been pleased to give me the Inclosed
Letter.
I have talkt with His Lordship and M r . Pownall on the Sub-
ject who are of Opinion that the Nova Scotia District is or
ought to be under your Managment, Viz 1 , in a Degree — to
make use of His Lordships expression that According to the
New regulations of the Indian Department the Diputys are
Comparitively in the Light of Embassadors, and as I am told
the Governor of Nova Scotia has some allowance made for
presents and Other Extra?*. &c to the Indians of that Province
I would propose that M r . Crosby Act as my Diputy only in
Making Such reports and returns to you Conformable to the
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-lVar Period, 1763-1774 91
Instructions you heretofore give me. That till the 23 rd . Sep-
tember next the Diputy Agent. Surgeon. Armourer. Interpreter:
&c be paid. And after that time Only the Diputy Agent, and
an Interpreter as & the Inclosed Accounts or in any Other
Manner you may please to Direct —
The expences attending two Voyages to England and thro'
the Continent with Other Losses Sustaind has reduced me to the
Necessity of Disposing of most of my property in Nova Scotia
and Without some assistance of this kind will emerge me into
further Difficultys. I hope a recompence by a Provision of
this Nature may not Interfer with your regulations or in the
Least Infringe on your particular Department.
I have the promise of the first Majority Vacant which on
Obtaining propose to exchange with One of the regiments Serv-
ing in North America which may give me an Oppertunity pre-
haps of Acting. But my Continuance on your Branch, being
understood merely as a recompence from Government for the
Losses I have Sustaind (Permitted to Act by Deiputy) I hope
you will Approve of M r . Crosbys Making out and Signing the
half Yearly Account as Such after the 23 rd . September Next,
I hope to be favor' d with a Letter from you on this Subject
if Directed to the care of Major Moncriffe or Sheriff it will be
Duly forwarded.
I am Sir
Your Most Obedient and
Most humble Servant,
JOS. GORHAM
P. S. I shall Draw a Conditional
Bill on you for the Six Months
Ending the 23 d September Next.
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
INDORSED: 1 London 10 th . August 1769
Major Gorhams letter
w ,h . Acc ,s . —
1 In Johnson's hand.
92 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
[Aug. 10, 1769]
1 ]
[ ] Franklin & w h . I Now Inclose you
] Wharton Menshons More Letters
to my hand I fancey he has Inclosed [ so] me of
his f rends & that they Meybe up [ Dejtroit
[I prop]ose by Sunday to Indever to go to Wate [on you ?]
have ordred a Wagon to Meet Me if I Should [
able to Ride for tho the Gout is gon I am [lame] & fair I have
had a Dislocation of the [ ] of My foot, w h . will
Make Me Lame as Long [
] Wrote y r . honor of the 8 th . and thought to have
] by an Indian who Slipt away without My [
] I Now Send itt by the Berrer with Several [
Inclosed
I am with the Greatest Respect
y r . honors Most obeident
& humble Servant
Geo: Croghan
[ ] ing this two
]ter I had Some
[ ] m r . Upton In
]ted to Shoe you
[ ] if I Do will
[ ]th Me
INDORSED: Co 1 . Croghans Letter
August 8 th . 1 769
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
Df. 1
[Johnson Hall Aug. 12, 1769]
my Arrival Col Johnson communicated
| with the papers you Sent, There would be
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 93
no difficulty in Sending the one provided the issue
of it [ ] favorable, but I have reason to imagine
not at present, [ Indians at every Village on my
Way to Seneca [a]mong other Complaints spoke a great deal
on the intrusions [of] the New England people on Pennsylv a .
which they fear will [injvolve the Borderers of their own in
some Quarrel, and in [a] Conversation I have Just had with
some Aughquago Chiefs [I] find they rather decline entering
into any matter that is likely to give them any trouble now, and
indeed were you acquainted with the present State and Appear-
ance of things amongst them, you would soon account for it. —
[/ should imagine that an application of that Nature Was not
likely to promote your Affair now, & am Sensible of the con-
structions that Would be put upon it, in prejudice thereto 1 .]
My great hurry in making up dispatches &ca at present
[will] not allow me to give you an Accot of my late proceed-
ings [ ] Indeed any application to buisness Suits but
ill with my [present] situation having cut my Swelled Leg very
Severely by a a Stump, which I could take but
little care of on the [ ] now require a little rest to
effect a Cure, which will [account] for my Not being able at
present to add more [than that]
I am
&ca
FROM JEHU HAY
A. L. S.
[Detroit, Aug. 13, 1769]
It is by M r . Croghans directions that I have [take]n the
Liberty to inclose his Letters to you.
The two Indians whom you heard were delivered by the
Puttawattamees the later end of June, made their escape from
Crossed out in the original.
94 Sir William Johnson Papers
this place the 28 of July at night, and were [seen] by a french-
man, and a Party of that Nation who were [com]ing here to
Trade, by eight next morning at about twenty [ ] Miles
from this, the Indians all turnd back with them, telling [the
fjrenchman as their Brothers had made their Escape they [were
a] fraid to come to the Fort least they should be detaind in [their
pla]ces. The above frenchman is an Inhabitant [of St Loui]s
and the person that buried Pondiac, who was at his
HJouse.
[The tra]de at this place this year is very considerable
] quantity of Skins & Peltry [ ] to
dispose of [
I am Sir
with profound [
Your most Ob [ ]
most Humble servant
Jehu [Hay]
Sir William Johnson Baronet
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.
[Albany, Aug. 14, 1769]
[I am] much oblig'd to you for [your] favor of the 12 th .
Instant and [subm]it to your opinion & consiquently [drop] the
application to the Onidas & c .
I took the liberty to write about part of the Mohawk Flatts
and hope thier will be no difficulty there.
In confidence, I am to acquaint you, my friends at Home
declined making the application for a Confirmation of my Indian
Gift for the present, they being in expectation of my receiving
some further mark of His Majestys Favor; so shall be oblig'd
to take up the Patent for the Lands in the usual way & expence.
I am extremely sorry to hear you have Cut Your Leg &
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 95
sincerly wish it may [be] well by the time this getts to your
[han]ds & that You may have recover'd [from the] fatigue I
am with truth
Sir
Your Oblig'd &
Most Obedient humble
Servant
J NO Bradstreet
INDORSED: August 14 th . 1769
Co 1 . Bradstreets letter
declines proceeding in the
Tract w h . lyes in y e . Forks of
Delaware —
Ans d . Aug 1 . 23 d .
FROM VOLCKERT P. DOUW
A. L. S.
Albany Aug*. 16 th 1769
Sir
I have Wrote — You the Second of March Last and In-
cloused You a Coppy of a Draft of Coll. George Croghan on
You for one hundred Seventy one pounds Eight Shillings And
Six pence please to Let me know if you Except the Same And
You Will Oblige
Sir
Your most Hum e . Servt
VOLCKERT P. DOUW
] the Honourable SlR
William Jonson Baronet
indorsed: August 16 th . 1769
Volkert Dow Esq rs .
Letter ab f . a Draft
Ans rd . that I will
Examine into the Affair
96 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM THOMAS WHARTON
A. L. S.
[Philad., August 16, 1769]
[ ]
[ ] then the most [ ]
& Country a service —
And as the present disposition [ ] Inhabitants
As well as that of some of the Indian [ ] the
prospect of a War too probable, I shall give the [ suc]h
as have come to the City —
On the 14 th Ins 1 , by an Express sent [by M r ] Callender,
We were informed, that He had 25 Horse loads [
going out to trade with the Indians, when Near Fort Bedford
[ ] Attack'd by 30 White Men who in Order to
disguize thems [elves ] had painted their Faces and
Altho' the Driver intreated [ ] Might have liberty
to return & Store the Goods, they were [ ] but
Imediately seized the packages Open'd them, & took [
Quantity of the Goods, distroyd some, & declard there [was
war] between the Indians & Us & that No Goods should
but suffered the remainder to be taken back to
the [ ] Woods. Callender further Writes that so
[in his (?) estimation, this, With the Conduct of the Indians,
] the people into, that He was doubtfull if [
would not be distroy'd. By another Account We [
that, all the Inhabitants, had quitted their [habitations] between
Pittsburgh & Ligonier, As they hourly | a rupture] with the
Indians.
It is said that the Mingos [ ] about Fort pitt,
& declard, that they [ ] Expectation of a treaty
being there [ they Might receive satisfaction for
[the lands ] ceded to the Crown at the Treaty [of Fort
Stanwix.] they Alledged they had [
[ ]
which as the Garrison the Appearance
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 97
of such Nu[mbers ] them with, this its said
Exaspera[ted ] the Woods, & After a day or
two return [ing in an ill] humour, shot down Bullocks & every
thing [ ]
By another Account, [ ] a party of the same
Tribe of Indians returning ] come Across an Habita-
tion, in Which there w[as a woman] Whom they Used ex-
treamly 111, then [ ] Her into Potowmack river,
where she was [drowned. This] spread Among the Inhabi-
tants, who Collect] ed ] Indians, Overtook them, & a
Skirmish ins[ued. The] Indians were obliged to Fly, & left
Three of [ ] on the Spot — This Account I am
informed [ ] a Person, who had been into the
Indian Coun[try and] On his return saw the 3 Indians lying
[ ]
Our Governor [ ] I am told, that, the Council
have been Called [ ] Letters to the Magistrates of
Cumberland Co [unty ] On this Occasion, & its said have
sent [ ] with an Account thereof; And an Intima-
tion ] prudent to Inform the General of [
I have [ ] this, such a state of M[atters
] as to the truth thereof [ ]
of reading of R C[allender's ] that Paoli
had been & been obl]iged to leave Corsica, that He
had [ ] in London —
I am just told that Col. Cressop [has been] these 10 days
Embarqued for London, I do not [ ] business, but
rather fear, its with a View to Oppose [ ] &c
I remain with sincere respect
thy real friend
Tho Wharton
INDORSED: Philadelphia August
16*. 1769.
M r . Tho s . Whartons letter
w ,h . Intelligence
Answered Sepf. 12 th .
4
98 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO THOMAS GAGE
[Johnson Hall, August 17, 1769]
i ]
] your Letter of the 6th inst with the in [closure 2 ]
[which] evidently correspond with what I have heard from
other Quarters, but I don't find the Answer of the Indians
amongst L* Col Wilkins's papers, and therefore I Suppose you
did not receive it for which reason I now send you one in French
which I have received from Detroit, and which I think is ex-
pressed in Terms that Leave us no doubt of the Evil Inclination
of those Indians. — It is extremely hard to say what should be
done in these Cases, for I have observed that Threats to them
generally make matters worse, and that there is no Middle way
but either to Let them alone, or to send a proper force against
them, but if (as some of them talk) a Quarrel should arise
amongst themselves I think it should be encouraged^ purpose to
govern myself in this matter in the best way I can, and hope to
have some influence over their Councils at the General Treaty
to be held at Onondaga. —
As the Hurt which I mentioned in my [last] to have received
in my Leg still Confines me to my [room and] in general to such
a posture that Writing is [very in] convenient to me, I know you
will kindly [ ] I am not yet able to be more
particular [ ] a few days to be Able to give more
Attention to [ ] Matters. —
Mr. [ ]
& other Accots coming in I can[ ] for the service
of this Year, and it sho[ ] that from the Variety
of Transactions [ the bringing about the reform
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 Lieutenant Colonel Wilkins' speech to the Wabash Indians, not
found. The answer follows the letter of August 26th from Johnson to
the Earl of Hillsborough.
Post-War Period, J 763-1 774 99
which co[uld not take] place at all the posts at the same 1 these
E[xpences have] Increased which I hope you will direct me
[in the] settlement of. I did not Send y e . above [
INDORSED: [ ]
Gage
TO JOHN PENN
D/. 2
[Johnson Hall, August 17, 1769]
I ]
[On] My Way from Seneca I was overtaken by [
Indians, who were Sent to inform me of the murder [of Seneca]
George's Son on the Susquehanna, and to Express the concern
it had occasioned, imediately after which I received a pacquet
from Col. Johnson with M r . Tilghman's Letter concerning it.
I then sent back the Message I thought best calculated for
appeasing them & preventing Mischief and I shall do all in my
power that may be farther necessary for this purpose, as I fear
it will not be easily or soon forgotten, and as the disposition I
have discovered in the different Nations whom I have lately seen
appears very unfavorable at this time. —
Since my Arrival here I had the favor of your Letter of the
2 d . Inst concerning your Intention for running [the] Boundary
Line and Shall Signify it to the Indians accordingly that some of
them shall attend at that time [and do] all in my power for
preventing the attendance of too many
In My Opinion the Whole Line of the late purchase [should
be] run & Well Marked as Soon as possible particularly [from]
Owegy to Delaware, as it will prevent Contention
the Longer it is deferred the greater will be [ effect it.]
I have the pleasure to acquaint you [ dis] satisfied
1 The word, "time" evidently omitted.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
100 Sir William Johnson Papers
with the proceed 5 of the N Englanders paid
them the remainder of the purchase [ with their
proper Acquittances I shall [ ] next opportunity.
INDORSED: [ ]
L l . Gov r . Penn
TO JAMES DELANCEY
DfS
[Johnson Hall, Aug. 17, 1769]
I ]
] inclosing me your kind favor of the [16 ,h ult.]
[and hear]tily thank you, at the same time give me [leave to]
condole with you Sincerely on the Loss you have
by the death of So Aimable a Sister, whose indisposition was I
presume the circumstance you Mention that deprived [me of]
the pleasure of hearing from you Sooner.
I am much obliged to you for your kind promise in]
favor of the New County, and particularly So for the candour
with which you have given me your Sentiments on that Sub-
ject. — That there were private Views of a particular party
which occasioned the Extending the Old County to Aries Kill
is as certain as that such a bound would be contrary to the Sense
& Interests of the Inhabitants, who labour under these particular
hardships that they have no knowledge of what is doing at y e .
Capital till 'tis over, [and] that they are for the most part
ignorant & that the Members [res]ide at a distance & have con-
trary Interests. —
] to the Member you Mention the first opportun-
ity [ ] like those who went before him Wants Capacity
] easily Led. intended that Schenectady
shall remain in the [Old County] the Lower bounds proposed
for the New one being it at the end of that
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 101
Township, which is [ ] the most Natural & best
division that can [ ] think that what you say with
regard to [ ] the Gentlemen
you Mention [ ] thing would prevent so
necessary [ ] dividing the County, which
if well [ ] Signal advantage to these parts,
as on [the contrary if] injudiciously made it will be prejudicial
[I am] in hopes that you will be able to Succeed |
you have in View as well as in this Application |
INDORSED : [ ]
De Lancey Esq r .
TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Df. 1
[Johnson Hall Aug. 17, 1769]
[ of June 18 th the]
day before I set out [for the Indian country to hold] a Congress
for the disc [overy | have created much un[ easiness,
and] this prevented me from Writing you at [
take the Earliest opportunity Since my [return] of Answering
your Letter. —
As I was very Sorry to hear of the dis[ satisfaction] amongst
the Inhabitants in your Neighbourhood [it gives me pleasure]
to find by Your last Letter that the Appointments [do not] In-
terfere with them So much as was first imagined [and that] they
had a prospect of relief in these matters. I shall be glad to
testify my regard by affording them any Assi [stance] in my
power as far as their case shall require it.
M r . Wallis Hurd wrote me Some time Ago that he [and]
those concerned in Taking up a Township from me had Agreed
to the Terms I proposed, & that as Soon as they were advised
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
102 Sir William Johnson Papers
of my return from the Indian Country Some of them would
come to me properly Authorized to settle it finally requesting
Me to give them Notice when I came back thr[ough] you, I
must therefore request the favor of you to Signify to M r . Hurd
&ca that being now returned I am ready to Conclude the buis-
ness with them whenever they shall come The Sooner this is
done the better as I have daily applications Made to me for
that Land, and only Wait for their Coming in Consequence of
my promise.
Henry Van Schaack, Esq r .
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
[New York, August 18, 1769]
[I am heajrtily congratulating you on your Safe Return from
your [ ] Indian Country, which I flatter myself has
been [as benefici]al to your Health as it has been to the Publick
Service [ ] me Good Sir to introduce the Bearer
Mr Griffiths to your [friend] ship & Acquaintance — This
Gentleman intends to go home to be ordained as Soon as He
can get proper Recommendations for [a] Mission & having
heard that a Missionary is very much Wanted for the Church
at Schenectady, His Errand to Johnson Hall is to Crave your
Countenance & Influence to make him agreable to the People of
that Congregation, whose good Opinion I am confident He will
endeavour to deserve — As to his Qualifications for Such a
Charge I am a Stranger to & I believe you will Yourself be a
much better Judge than me — but I dare venture to assure you
Sir that his morall Conduct is without Reproach & that He is a
very sensible, Welbehaved, Worthy Man, which is indeed the
Character He has always had amongst all his Acquaintances —
Your kind Offices in his Favour will therefore in my Opinion be
always a Pleasure to [your] self, a great Benefitt to him & an
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
103
Obligation to the Church at Schenectady & I do assure you Sir
Shall always be gratefully acknowledged by
Sir Your most Obedient Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable S r William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
Favour of
M r Griffiths
INDORSED: [Mr Wetherhead's letter by]
Doctor Griffiths
Ans rd . 7 br . 1 st .
ACCOUNT WITH RUDOLPH SHOEMAKER
A. D. S.
[August 18, 1769]
Rum] to Onondage 5/ p r otor
] Rum & one Cag to Shaneye Intion
] of Rum to a tacowie p r ortor
] ll ns : of Rum & Cag to a Cayuca p r
]ll ns . of Rum Onontage p r ortor
] Gall ns . & half tof Rum to Onondage Cag
] Gall ns . of Rum to one of the Same Nation
3] Gall ns . to a tiscarore Intian p r orto
3] Gall ns . of Rum at 5/ p r ortor
[ Gall ns . of Rum one Cag p r ortor
1 ] 74 Skipple of Wheat at 3 s /
4] Waggons one Day 10 s / p r Day
15] Skipple of Wheat at 3/ p'
15] Millar for Grinting 189 Skipple
] Days loting Nitural & foun d , Hon r .
]ny & provision on your Way
] pounds of Sugar
| Skipple of flowar
1
12
10
12
5
1 2
6
12
15
15
12
26 2
2
2 5
2 7
3
11 9
15
1 7
104
Sir William Johnson Papers
] old pork
] of Buttor
] of Chack & half at 3 s / p'
]
]
old Rum
2
1
2
1
3
2
9
6
4
1
8
4
3
£ 66 17
to the Hiar for the Battoe [
Agu st 5 to your Expences & your Retu[rn
to 4 Bags 3 tops & one Whudan Bo[x
to 8 s paid to the Smit for Shoe a ho[rse
to one Chak Shurt for Androw
to his Vituals & thrink for 13 Day
for Kipping the Horses
to the Smith
to 12/ Mohawk by ortor of M r Byrne
to 4 £ : 10 s by an ordor of Corll Croghan |
June 4 to 2 Skipple of flowar
[
£[
Rudolph Shoemaker
To Another Small Acc f .
To
Sir W m Johnson Bar nt
at
Johnson Hall
Johnson Hall March 7*. [1770 Received] of Sir W Johnson
Bar', the [
INDORSED: [
] of all Demands to thi [
[
]
£92 18 6
2 3-
£95 1 6
paid —
Johnson Bar 1
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 105
Rudolph Shoemaker D r
]as Nicholas & one Indian to Vituals
[ ] Shillings in Chas
[ ]ga Indian 4 Skipple of wheat 12 s /
for grinting
] Skipple of potatoes at 2 s /
[ Ge]rge Nellas the Smith p r ortor 14 s /
£2 3
Rudolph Shoemaker
17 1 769
] m r Shoemaker the of ten Shillings [ ]
Shillings of Expences [ ] one Indian
Thomas Nicholas
£ S
d
Is 2
8
13
6
14
TO WILLIAM CAMPBELL
Df. 1
[Johnson Hall, August 20, 1769]
[My Lord]
[ ] your Lordship's letter of [
was absent on a Tour through the Country [of the Six N]ations
so that I had no Opportunity of answering [it before]. —
The Character you have given of M r . [C]unningham is a
Sufficient recommendation in case of Vacancy or of an Estab-
lishment of a Deputy there, of which I am in Some doubt, as
the Government may probably think it unnecessary to incurr the
Expence attending it which I can no longer defray out of the
Small Allowance for my Department since the late reform; —
Major Gorham will be soon in America, when he went home he
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson except a brief interlineation, which is
in Sir William's.
106 Sir William Johnson Papers
was my Deputy, & told me that He left one to act in his Absence
and he has lately wrote me that Lord Hillsborough has been
pleased to referr the Necessity of Continuing him in that office to
General Gage and myself so that I am really at a loss what to
do in the Affair until I receive his Majestys Commands on that
Subject. —
I have the honor to be
with great regard
My Lord &ca
indorsed: [ ]
[Lord W m .] Campbell
[Governor] of Nova Scotia
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
[New London, August 20, 1769]
] to having the pleasure of seeing [
Could make me so happy as the [ ] from you
and that the Tour you have [ h]as been attended
with all the success you [ ] for and in a Particular
manner been ]able in Restoring your health that
this [may] be the Case may the almighty in his [infini]te mercey
Grant, and what I hope Very [shortly] to be an Eye Witness
of as I think I [can n]ot now be detained here more than about
[a f]ortnight, I have sent you to the [care] of M r Wetherhead
a Box Conts. 19 bottles [of] water taken out of the sea Near
Bermudas [ ] I have put up in the most Carefull manner
[ ] Barrel of Very fine yams with 4 Cocoa
] it — in the same Barrel is a few [Roots] w ch .
are Called Taniers in the [
[ ]
M r ». Chew [ ] and most Respectfull
Compliments ] health and I beg you
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 107
will belie [ve ] every wish my heart is Capable of
is f[ ] that I am most Respectfully and most
t ]
Dear Sir
Your most
most Hb[ ]
Jos C[hew]
The Hon ble Sir William Johnson Bar'
ADDRESSED: To
The Honnourable
S r . William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New york August 20 ih . 1769
Dear Sir,
I am glad to find you have reached your own House from
the Seneca Country tho' much concerned at the Accident you
met with which will require Ease and Care to perfect your Cure.
It is to be perceived from your Account of the Indians as well
as Many other Accounts that Something of Consequence is in
Agitation amongst the whole of them from the Six Nations to
the Mississippi. But what the Six Nations mean by talking of
Grievances and Injurys is past my Comprehension, if they do
not mean to pick a Quarrel with us. They have certainly
Nothing to complain of with Reason or Justice. The trifling
Grievance of not getting a Morsel of Provisions at Fort-Pitt,
shows they were hard put to it to find a Grievance. And in
general the Fact is to be Suspected, for their Partys have all
received more or less Provisions there, which the" Returns testify.
Perhaps Some Party might not have got as much as they
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
108 Sir William Johnson Papers
wanted. They might if they chose it have discovered to you
the Cause of the Discontent of the Western or Ohio Indians,
which it seems proceeds from the Cessions made by the Six
Nations, of Lands to which they lay some Claim, and the Six
Nations have received all the Money. As you don't Mention
this, I suppose they chose to conceal this Circumstance and mean
to leave us to Squabble it out with the other Nations as well as
we can. I have had Several Passages on this Subject, but none
so full as a Copy of a Letter from Colonel Armstrong inclosed
to me by Governor Penn. I transmit you a Copy of the Gover-
nor's Letter to me, as well as a Copy of Colonel Armstrong's 1
to the Governor's Secretary.
It appears very Necessary that Something should be done to
keep those Indians quiet, and which it behoves the Six Nations
to do till Something solid can be fixed upon with them. The
unions and Confederacys you Mention portend no good to us,
and Seems to be the Consequence of the Peace we have taken
So much Pains to bring about between the Northern and South-
ern Indians. I can't learn that the Ilinois have killed any Indian
except Pondiack. Silver Heels will be able to clear up all
those Reports.
As to the Question you desire me to answer all I can Say to
it is, that the Interpreters and Smiths will be at the Posts, and
the Indians must transact their Business with the Officers Com-
manding till the Provinces appoint Commissarys, or that Govern-
ment shall think proper to adopt other Regulations.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R : W M : Johnson Bar':
1 John Armstrong, of Carlisle, Pa. ; later, a general of the Revolution,
who commanded militia at Brandywine and Germantown.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 109
INDORSED : August 20 th . 1 769
General Gages letter
TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 431, is listed a letter of August 20th to
the Earl of Hillsborough, regarding an inclosed account of a journey and
proceedings, the Fort Stanwix treaty, reasons which compelled Johnson to
fix the boundary at the Cherokee river, the grant to Mr Croghan and to the
traders who suffered losses in the war of 1 763, the Indian sentiment of
independence, pretensions to a knowledge of the Indians, and reasons why
he has hesitated to decline a part of the Indian cession. (Printed in Doc.
Hist. N. Y., 2:943-48; Q, 2:546-49 and Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist.
N. Y., 8:179-82.)
A MEETING WITH AUGHQUISASNES
Contemporary Copy
[Sault St. Louis alias CaghnaiOagey, Aug. 21 , 1769]
At a Meeting of the Sachems & other principal Men of [the
Augh] quisasne or S*. Regis Indians.
Present.
Daniel Claus Esq r . Depy. to S r . W m .
Johnson Bar*. The Chiefs of
Caghnawagey.
Adighwadooni of Aughquisasne, directing his Discourse to
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 , spoke as follows.
Brother Warraghyagey.
By this String of Wampum we beg to remind you of what
you Transacted with the Dep\ of y e . Seven confederate Nations
of Canada in August 1 760. near Swegachy, when in behalf of
the Great King of England, and the Concurrance of the Com-
mander in chief of his Troops then on the Spot, you entered into
preliminary Engagemt 5 . with [ deputized by s d .
7 Nations, that provided [ ] on the English
Armys descending the [River | & during the final
Conquest of Canada you would secure to us the quiet & peace-
Ph: Philips Interp r .
1 10 Sir William Johnson Papers
able Possession of the Lands we lived upon, and let us enjoy
the free Exercise of the Religion we were instructed in; which
Engagements we then firmly & mutually agreed upon, and after
the final Conquest of this Country they were confirmed and rati-
fied by you in behalf of the Great King of England our Father,
at a general Congress of all the Ind n . Nations in Canada, held
by you at Caghnawagey, all which is still fresh in our Memories,
& we on our Side have strictly & inviolably adhered to. —
You will likewise remember that in Spring 1 764 you ordered
your Deputy, to publish & explain to us His Majestys most
gracious Proclamation of Oct r . 1 763 confirming & securing to
us our Possessions & Hunting grounds when at the same time
you desired to collect our still dispersed People to their re-
spective Nations & Villages.
a String
Brother Warraghiyagey.
We are sorry to represe[nt to you] that said Engagements,
have in some manner been in[ [on your Side as
we shall relate to you. You are no Stranger to our Manners
& Customs, in particular you will allow that there is hardly an
Instance of Indians of different Nat s . residing together if pos-
sibly they can avoid it. You will then please to know, that
some of the S l Francis Indians, after their Village was cut off 1
came to us for Shelter & Reception desiring our Protection for
one Night as their Expression was, or untill their Village was
reestablished; we granted their Request & received them under
our Protection. And when ab l . 18 Months ago their Mission
was replaced, the chiefs of this Village desired those of S l .
Francis to collect their People, and we warned those under our
Protection to repair to their own Town & Nation. But we find
now that thro the Insinuation of one M r . Hartell, who on Acco 1 .
of his trading with them encouraged them to remain in our
1 By Robert Rogers on October 6th, 1 759. See Rogers' Journal,
p. 1 46—60. ; also Amherst to Pitt, in Correspondence of William Pitt,
2:221—22, ed. Gertrude Selwyn Kimball.
Posl-War Period, 1763-1774 111
Village, and obtained a Paper from the Governor of this
Province, empowring them & M r . Hartell to fix and establish
themselves in our Village; Should this be the Case you must be
sensible that the Peace & Tranquility of our Town is at an End,
not only on Acco f . of the Distinction our Nation always made
between them & us, but more so, as they now boast & avail them-
selves of said Paper, and already go the Length of Telling us,
that they have a better right to live & hunt at & about S l . Regis
than we who had nothing to show for our living there, and to
convince us of their prerogative priviledges are destroying our
peoples Beaver Traps wherever they come across them in the
Woods, & in short engross not only ours but some of the 6 Nat s .
hunt?, ground who blame us for it, w cl \ must unavoidably involve
us together in Disputes & Troubles. It will appear very clear
to you as well as any one that knows about our ways & Customs,
that we never would have settled here, had we known that
Strangers might mix & settle amongst us whenever they pleased,
And no Nation of Ind ns . would attempt it of themselves, without
being set on & encouraged to it by whites. We assure you
Brother, that since M r . Hartell forced himself upon us there
was nothing but confusion & parties in our Village. And hav-
ing last Summer thro the Mediation of your Deputy been recon-
ciled and united, we in order to continue unanimous, were de-
termind [to have] M r . Hartell & the S'. Francis Ind ns . leave
our Village, but it Se[ems ] wont let us enjoy that
] our Nation was so long deprived of: We therefore
entreat and request you in behalf of [ ] who have
jointly & unanimously resolved upon th[ ] to
interpose in this Case, and give Gov 1 ". Carleton your |
thereon, as he seems to be an entire Stranger to our [Customs]
and the Engagements & promises made us by you in be [half]
of the great King of EngR before the Surrender of Canada
Gave a Belt of Wam[pum]
Sir Williams Deputy told the Aughquisasne Indians in
Ans[wer] that he had heard & understood, this their foregoing
1 1 2 Sir William Johnson Papers
Speech and request, and would agreable to their Desire make a
Report thereof to Sir William Johnson p r . Post. — he then
acquainted them with the Conversation General Carleton had
with him on the above Subject, being determined to support the
S l . Francis Ind ns . in living at Aughquisasne, and that themselves
nor the Cagawageys must imagine themselves Masters or pro-
prietors of the Lands they lived on. They were surprized &
said the Governour knew nothing of their Affairs, and seemed
to encourage and bel[ieve] People that allways were known
to be Authors of Mis [chief &] false reports. —
He then gave them a String of Wampum whereby he sum-
moned] them to a Meeting to be held at Onondago between the
[Six Nat s . ] & the Cherakees, and acquainted the Caghnaw-
ageys [of] the Death of one of their People killed in the
Cherokee Country by the Ilinois Ind s & of anothers being taken
& in the Hands of a French Officer which News they published
in their Town by the D[eath] Yell as customary & other usual
ceremonies on the like Occasion.
The Aughquisasnes before they returned asked to have [a]
Smith at S'. Regis on their own Acco 1 . & Expences; Col
C[laus] told them he would endeavour to recommend them
an [d] then the Meeting broke up.
A true Copy, at Le Chine 22 d . Aug 1 . [1769]
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
August 2) '". 1769
Dear Sir
On My Return home I found a Leter from m r . Wharton
Dated May y e . 30 th . wherein he Writes Me that a Noble Lord
had Intrested himself Much In feaver of y e . Grant to y e . traders
and had Spoke to Lord Hillsborrogh About itt who Tould him
that he thought y e . King wold Confirm itt provided y e . Indians
wold Nott alter the Limets of y e . boundry, or In that Case wold
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 113
Give them another Tract Butt Said my Grant was two Much
fer any Subject in Amerrica & that he had thought of granting
all y e . Cesion to Gentlemen in Englend and a good Dele of
such Conversation, however he has promised that the King wold
Make a grant for y e . Loses in 54, and a Contract is Made fer
My part of that Grant which will I hope Reimburst Me as Soon
as I Can Send a power of atturny home, Butt My foot is a
good Dale y e . Worse for My Re [turn] home So that I Dont
know when I Shall be [ ] to go to albany.
M r Wharton Closes his Leter with Saying That if y r . honer
& the Six Nations Do Nott Make any alteration in the boundry
below bigg Canhaye 1 that Every artickle of the Traty will be
Confirm^ as No Gentleman in England has oposed or Said a
Word against y e . Traty butt Lord Hillsburugh
I am Dear Sir with Great Respect your
Honors Most obeident
Hum bIe . Servant
Geo: Croghan
To the Hon ble . Sir WILLIAM JOHNSON Barr 1
INDORSED : August 2 1 l 1 769
M r . Croghans Letter
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. 5.
[New York, August 21, 1769]
[ ]
] Just now had the pleasure of receiving yours
of the | from whi]ch I am extremely Sorry to learn your
Misfortune — I hope however you are by this Time gott per-
fectly well of your Hurt; which I assure you Sir I shall hear
with great pleasure — I now take the Liberty of inclosing you a
Copy of the Bill drawn by Mr. Roberts for your Governm 1 it
Great Kanawha, W. Va.
I 1 4 Sir William Johnson Papers
has been laying in Mr Roosevelts Hands ever Since the Date
of my former Letters in which I mentioned it to you — I have
Shown that Gentleman the paragraph in your Letter respecting
the Bill & He will be content to wait your Orders about it
I shall by the first opportunity Send you Hamiltons Rose for
the Tooth Ach with Directions —
The Sundry Articles you & Col Johnson wrote me for were
Sent immediately & doubt not but you must have receivd them
long eer now as they were Sent to Mr Van Eps in order to be
forwarded to you —
My Wife is much obligd to you for your kind Remembrance
of Her She Joins me in Sincerely wishing your Speedy Recovery
& in the Mean time remain with great Truth
Sir Your most Obed Servant
John Wetherhead
P. S. I hope you have received
the Pickled Cod 2 Barrells Sent you
Some Time Ago.
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
] heads letter
[ ab 1 .] Roberts Bill.
Ans rd - 7 br . 1 st .
FROM SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
New York August 21 st . 1769
Sir
M r David Griffith the Bearer of this, is a Gentleman that
intends to enter into holy Orders; previous to which, he is
desirous of visiting Schenectady, and your new settlements. I
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 \\5
have never had any great intimacy with him, but am assured
from several of his Friends, Gentlemen of veracity, that he is an
amiable, worthy Man.
I am extremely sorry that M r Seabury unfortunately missed
of you. He seems well pleased with the Country, and I be-
lieve might be induced to remove & settle with you; provided
the Society would give him a sufficient Salary to live upon; the
Salary they propose is certainly too small. This I have men-
tioned to them & hope they will take it under consideration.
I have now got in my possession the Deeds for the late D r
Barclays House & Lands which if you should want them, shall
be sent to you, when you please. As the Tenant is ordered by
the Executors to deliver the possession to you, I must suppose he
has done it, or ready to do it. If any thing further is necessary
to be done in the Affair, if you will please to let me know it, it
shall immediately be complyed with.
Your goodness I flatter myself will excuse this short hasty
Scrowl, being at present greatly hurried; and believe me to be
with great truth, Worthy Sir —
Your Much Obliged
& Most Ob* Serv 1
Samuel Auchmuty
Sir W m Johnson
INDORSED: 1 Doctor Auchmutys letter
21 st August 1769
ty Doctor Griffith
FROM FRANTZ RUPPERT
A. L. S.
Charles To[u)n, So. Car., Aug 22, 1769]
[Honoure]d Sir/
I am Sory that I am oblidged to be Troublesom to you, my
Present Necesety oblidges me to Inform You of my Sircum-
In Johnson's hand.
116 S'u William Johnson Papert
stancr , as is. 1 li.it I have had 1 Severe lit <>l Siknes here oc ol
the Present not inlirely Recoverd amd therefore Indebted both
lo tin* Doctors ot I ..odgings Beg tlierelore you will he So good
as to ( »ive ( apt", noilh ol 1 Mulladelplua orders to Ray me the
Mnney whoo Rronusd lo 1 )oe it Rrovisor yon will Give Sucl)
order, 1 his C apt n Mason informed nie ol, for in 1 . 1 'anion is
Not aide lo Ray it as I am also informed l>y Mason, I loilher
beg your I lonour will lavonr me will) a Line ol Inhumation
wliow Malers Stands with in 1 , Reter Runson t\ il I may he so
honld to Send my hooks to yon in order I hat I may have Re
covert! what is owing lo me Which animounts 1 o I wo hundred
& Eighty three pounds York (in rent y Should loilher 1 ake
it a Ciical favour il your I lonour woutl he good enough il .in
Opertunely permits lo, asisl me in Sending my wile whom I am
Greatly wauling with Me t\ il my Brother is willing to Com
will also asist him in ihe 1 \isage loilher 1 hope you are heler
m health I hen When 1 parted from you Your favour as
above will Keler an Kver 1 .astmg ( )l)hgation on your
I lonours most ohedienl and
I lumhle Sei vanl
I'KANT/. Kl ll'l'l K I
ADDKISSID: The I lon l,lr . Sir W m . Johnston Baronel
New i oik
INDOKSI.l): August 22' 1 . I I
I' ran/ Ruperts
IUOM I II. INKY VAN SCHAACK
,l. /.. s.
[Kinderhook Aug. 22, I7<> ( >\
I I
a pari ol the M.uinor ol Renssel | aer
friendship antl regard you have giv [en
I ownslups makes us hope thai you
ihe trouble ol reading I ransat lions |lhal | ol a
Post-War Period, I '763-/774 117
very great number of Worthy Industr [ious ] your
favourable attention to the hardships [ ] certain
Interest, I beg leave to continue my [ ] My Brother
lately called upon the Governors [secretary, and asked him if]
he had handed the Petitions, Resignations &c, to h [is Excellency
(of which] I troubled you with Copies) he answered in the
Affirmative [ ] that the Governor had said Com-
missions could deside no p[ ] directed him (the
Secretary) to make out New Commissions (w[
those who have resigned) agreeable to Col°. Rensselaers Recom-
mfendation] We have notwithstanding reason to believe that
the present appointments in this extraordinary Regi-
ment will not Stand; for it seems the Projectors of [
Regiment have made some unpardonable Blunders Such as dat-
ing all the Inferiour Commissions before that of the Colonel's,
with a view, as we suppose, to give colour hereafter to a Wild
and Inconsistant Claim that is made to the Contested Lands to
the North of Claverack and East of us. An other blunder of
a still more extraordinary nature is that antidating of Some of
the Commissions So far back as that they have the Secretarys
Name to them Six or Eight Months before he Was Secretary.
As soon as the drift of these measures were perceived they were
communicated very publickly and I received a letter from New
York for a State of the Regiment Specifying the different
Places the Officers live at, the time of the delivery of the Com-
missions, by whom filled up what Interest the Officers were in
at and before the Crown's Trial last Fall with Col° Rensselaer,
when filled up & the particular Dates of the Commissions. I
was lucky enough to get the necessary Informations & made out
a State of almost the whole Regiment and which Sir (if you
will [be] troubled with it) I will Send you. By it it appears
that not a Commission was signed [
[ ]
1 768 were sent to England [
] lying for a Patent for the [
1 i 8 Sir William Johnson Papers
]t tho the Commissions are dated [
] 1 768 yet they were not filled up [
then only delivered. — The Governors [ ] N°. 1
Commission was the only one filled [ ] not Dated
'till the Month of November on [ ]y of the
Inferiour Commissions were Dated [ ] antidated.
In the appointment of the [ ] has also been a
manifest particality Shewn.
I remain
Sir
very respectfully
Your most Obedient
& most humble Servant
H. V. SCHAACK
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: Kinderhook 22 d Aug'. 1769
Henry Vanschaak Esq 1 *.
Letter —
TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN
Johnson hall Aug 1 . 23 d . 1769.
Dear Sir
Upon my return from Seneca which was about 12 days ago
I had the favor of your kind Letter of the 1 st . of this Month
which till now I could not Answer, & even Now I cannot be as
particular as I co d . Wish, not being able to Write without much
pain tho I have a Great deal of business on my hands, for on
1 In American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. ; in handwriting
of Guy Johnson. Printed by C. H. Lincoln in Transactions, 1 1 :52— 53.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 119
my return in the Night from the Hut of a Chief, near Onondaga
where I held a private Conference My Canoe overset, & I had
to make the Shore & get up a Bank in the Dark with much
Difficulty in effecting which I tore my Swelled Leg very much
on a Small Stump, so as not yet to be able to go into my Study,
or write without great Inconvenience tho' it is recovering much
faster than I Expected,
I most kindly thank you for the News communicated in your
Letter as well as for the perusal of what you wrote to Col.
Croghan who has received it, My Letters from home seem to
Express a dissatisfaction, at the Great Extent of the Cession
beyond the Kanhawa, tho' it is indisputably the Lands of the 6
Nations, & if it had been denied, the Latter wo d . have proved
Worse Enemys than the Cherokees can be, besides I believe the
Virginians wo d . have settled on it at all Events, 1 It is however
left to me now, that in case I don't think it good policy to give
up that part it will be Confirmed, I wish I could say the same
as to the Grant of the Traders to which objections are made. —
I can Just Say a Word as to my late Tour, I met near 2500
Ind s . at Seneca assembled from the Sev 1 . Villages, & I found
them more dissatisfied than I hope I left them. They are
greatly discontented at the Withdrawing people from the posts
Which it is not in my power to Continue there, & I don't find
the provinces inclined to do any thing material on that head.
The Ind s . are likewise dissatisfied with the N Englanders In-
trusions into Pennsylvania, which they say will involve their
people in disputes, They complain bitterly of 111 usage & Acts
of Injustice at the posts & frontiers & Say that the other Con-
federacys have invited them to Joyn in Measures for redress,
And Indeed from the sev 1 . Discoveries I have Made The belts
Constantly passing 2 thro the Nations from the French, The late
1 See letter of Johnson to Hillsborough, August 21, 1769, Doc. Hist.
N. Y., 2:943-48; Q, 2:546-49 and Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y.,
8:179-82.
2 This word is in Sir William's handwriting.
120 Sir William Johnson Papers
proceedings on Ohio, & their Speeches at Ilinois I must have
very unfavorable sentiments of their Intentions. — After a Meet-
ing to be held soon at Onondaga I shall know more, In the
meantime I use all my endeavors to prevent a Gen 1 , dissaffection,
& to keep matters quiet as long as the present state of things
will admit of — I persuade myself I have no occasion to
Apologize for not being more particular under my present Cir-
cumstances, and Wishing to hear from you by every opportunity
Convenient to yourself I remain with Great Cordiality & Truth
Dear Sir
&ca
Sir John Sends his best Compliments, as does Guy who
desires me to tell you that he Wrote you a Long Letter
last Month, & will give you the Trouble of more whenever
he has Subjects for them. —
His Excels Gov R Franklyn —
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
Johnson hall Aug 1 . 23 d . 1769
Sir/
The other day I had the favor of yours of the 14th, from the
perusal of which I cannot but agree entirely with you in opinion
as to the propriety of your now declining the Application home
for the reasons you therein Assign, as well as from what I learn
of their dissatisfaction at late Grants. —
The Affair of the flatts shall meet with no obstruction from
hence, and I hope that in the manner you intend to apply as to
the other Affair you will Still find an Advantage.
As to myself, my Leg heals but Slowly, tho* it has a Much
better appearance than before, and I am in hopes that a few
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
GOVERNOR WILLIAM FRANKLIN
From the Century Magazine. After a pencil drawing by Albeit Rosenthal from the
original painting, the property of Dr Thomas Hewson Rache
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 121
days rest will remove that Complaint for your Enquirys concern-
ing which I am much obliged to you and remain with regard
Sir &ca
Coll. Bradstreet
INDORSED: Aug 1 . 23 d . 1769
To Col: Bradstreet
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
[Schenectady, Aug. 23 d 1769]
The other day on my return from N. York I learn'd [that]
you had made no further call for any part of your money re-
maining in my hand. I therefore have taken the opportunity of
Cap*. M c . Leod to send the Ballance — agreeable to the in-
closed State £2246:9/ — which I hope youll aprove of & find
right — when once your time can permit be so kind as send me
a receipt for £3033 [ ] 3 d the full Sum that M r Newton paid me
inclosed is those Drafts you have made.
I am much hurried which be so good as excuse. I have the
honor to remain
Sir
Your most Obed* & Hum serv 1
James Phyn
The Hon bl Sir William Johnson
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson
Baronet at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED:
[
]69
[
]ons Letter with
[
Sent me
Ans rd . 24 th .
122 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOHN TABOR KEMPE
A. L. S.
New York August 24 lh . 1769
As I doubt not you will excuse the Trouble of this Letter
[I beg le]ave without further Apology, to enter on the Subject,
in which I [assure] my self of your friendly Offices.
On the 6 th . Sep r . 1765 I obtained a Mandamus in the
[usu]al Form for granting me 5,000 Acres of Land in such part
of this province as I should choose. In the Month of January
1767 I made a [loca]tion within the former Claim of New
Hampshire, on which nothing further was immediately done,
and the Governor being since restrained from passing any Grants
there, I looked about for another place, and after much Diffi-
culty, discovered a Vacancy on the South Side of the Mohawks
River, being the Residue of a Purchase made of the Indians by
Col 1 . Vaughan, after his Grant satisfied thereout — I accord-
ingly on the 8 th . March last presented a Petition for 5000 Acres
of these Lands to be granted me on my Mandamus — The
Council were on the reading my Petition informed, that these
Lands were already purchased and located by others, and they
were thereupon so obliging as to point out and advise another
Place for my Location — I knew before that Col 1 . Vaughan had
purchased all that Vacancy, but I also knew that he had taken
thereout all he intended, and that the Residue was very con-
siderably more than sufficient to satisfy my Mandamus. I
understand also that some people in New York [viz 1 .] one M r .
Metcalf, M r Atwood, a Cooper and some other Tradesmen
joined with one Herkamer living near the Lands had a feu)
Days only before me petitioned for Eleven Thousand Acres
there, but I knew there was no Advice of Council for the Grant,
or any farther Proceedings thereon Having discovered this, and
knowing that my Mandamus gave me a Preference under these
Circumstances, I was determined for some particular Reasons,
(which are too long to communicate) to insist upon that Right,
Post-War Perwl 1763-1774 123
and accordingly on the 15 March presented another Petition
stating these Facts as they really were, and praying to have [the]
Location made in my first Petition, pursuant to the Directions
of [the Ro]yal Order in Council — I expected this Petition
would have had its [ ] but from some Cause or Acci-
dent it was not laid before the Council [
] Duplicate among the Council Papers |
locate on no other Spot even should the Benefit of my Mandamus
] totally lost to me. To mention to you the Address
used to [induce me] to give up this Location for the Benefit of the
other Petitioners w[ould be] troubling you too much, I will only
say I soon perceived that every [ ] possible Obstacle
would be thrown in my Way, and that if I would [not give] up
to them, I should be prevented from getting it myself if possible
] did not imagine this Management would have gone
so far as I [have] Reason to think it has — you may guess how
really surprized I was [the] other Day on being informed that
the Indians were uneasy on understanding some person at New
York had petitioned for a Grant of these Lands, and that if
granted it might prove of serious Consequence I cannot doubt
they have declared so, because the Governor when I pressed him
lately on the Subject of this Grant, shewed me a Letter from
you, in which you mention something to that Purpose, but I can-
not help thinking that if my Location had not been made there
the other Petitioners would have had their Grant without the
Indians interfering and a Variety of Circumstances not only in-
duces me to believe it has been excited by the Address of some of
my Opponents or their Friends, but points out the active Persons
in the Business but as this is collected from Circumstances without
positive proof I will not mention their Names, but pursue my En-
quiries till I discover it fully, when I will do myself the Honor to
inform you who are the persons that have made themselves busy
among the Indians on this Subject, as you have often mentioned
to me respecting Klock that such practices render it very difficult
to keep them in proper Temper.
I was the more surprized, because the Indians can have no just
124 Sir William Johnson Papers
Cause, either of Complaint or Uneasiness — The Land they do
not occupy — It is surrounded by Patents — They can scarce get
to it without trespassing — Tis undoubtedly not their Property —
They sold it in a most solemn Manner, I believe in your presence
when the Governor purchased it for Col 1 . Vaughan — The King
be [ing] thereby invested with all their Claim — and I understand
it was [ ] included in their late Cession to the Crown.
But be it so or not [
]our) pretend there was any Fraud or
[ ] Manner in which, and the place where it
was purchased, [ ] in that Business, as well as the
persons of Character attending [ ] every Pretence
of the first, and the Certainty of the Bounds, (which [
particular, and which doubtless they were made to understand)
] preclude every Pretence of the latter. In Fine this
Purchase [ ] agreable to the Kings last Instructions is
attended with such [circ] umstances, as leave no possible Room for
the Indians to pretend to [the] least Claim to any of these Lands,
even if the Cession did not also include [them]. How amazing
then is this Indian Interruption! and if permitted [to] have Effect
of what avail is any Indian Purchase, or even the late Cession?
[Is] it to be laid down as a Rule that tho the Indians sell to the
King or Subject [ their Right, they shall neverthe-
less afterwards be permitted to prevent (whenever they please to
object) the granting the Lands so purchased, or to dictate to his
Majesty the Person on whom he shall bestow his Royal Bounty
— But I fear I trespass too much on your Time, I have been thus
far prolix that you might see the Colour of this Business; the
Injustice of the Indian Interruption, and the propriety of the
Favor I would wish to receive at your Hands and tho I think
in former Instances where there is Room to doubt whether Fraud
may not have been committed in Indian Purchases, it is right that
their Complaints & Discontents arising therefrom, should be favor-
ably heard and redressed, yet I am sure you will think with me
that in a Case like this their interfering ought in Justice and sound
Policy to be discouraged if not disregarded, among other Reasons
Post-War Period, 1763-/774 125
because it tends to give them such an Impression of Us as they
ought not to have, for to what but our Fears of them will such a
people attribute our suffering them by their Nod, either to direct
the Measures of Government in disposing of the Kings Property,
or prevent the disposing of it at all.
I perceive groundless as this Indian Interruption appears to me,
that while it continues, I shall with great Difficulty [if a]t all,
obtain the Location of my Mandamus there, yet I am [de-
termined (while Things appear to me as they do at present) to
[locat]e it nowhere else, and rather than be in this Manner dis-
apointed [pursjue it to the last Resort, at whatever Expence of
Time Trouble [ ] Cash, and willingly would pur-
chase it again of the Indians did
] Injurious to the Kings Rights, as well as |
disturbing the Peace and Property of the Colony without [
] I doubt not it is in your Power to save me great Trouble
] Expence, and enable me to obtain the Grant
without farthfer ] Difficulty, as your Influence will
easily prevail on them to d[esist] from an Interruption so ill
founded, and for which they can [ | no just Colour or
pretence. Permit me then Sir to request y[our] friendly En-
deavors to remove this Obstruction from the India [ns'
and the Governors consequent Objections to my Grant, foun [ded]
thereon —
With the utmost Confidence and Reliance on your friendly
Interposition for me in this Business, I have the Honor to be with
great Respect
Sir
Your much obliged
and most humble Servant
J. T. Kempe.
[Sir William] Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: N York 24 th Augfust ]
Attv. Genr 1 Kempe [ ]
ab'. a Location [
5000 Acres at Conajoha [rie]
126 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
Schnectady the 25 th August 1769
Dear Sir
I now Send you by the Bearer Albert Maybee your pipe of
Wine which Cost £50 & youll find it good at that price. I hope
it may Arrive Safe with you & not meet with the Same fate the
other pipe did Coming from Albany —
I am Extraimly happy In hearing that your Leg mends So well
& wish Sincerely that it may Continue So till quit Recovered it
has been Reported here for Some days past that you was Coming
down here, & was going as far as Albany I hope it may be true
as we long much to have the pleasure of Seeing you & I have been
So much hurried Since You Came Home that I could not get So
much as the Injoyment of two or three days to go up to pay my
Respects to you
M" Campbell begs her Compliments to You & am Dear
sir with Great Respect
Your most hble Serv 1
Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Major D. Campbells
Letter August 1 769
FROM DANIEL CLAUS
A. L. S.
[La Chine, August 25. 1769]
I sincerely wish these may find you safe returned and in perfect
health after your Tour to the Six Nation Country — During your
Absence I wrote to Brother Guy giving him an Acco*. of my
Arrival here and how I found Matters among the Indians here.
Soon after I went to Quebec having been told by Cap 1 . Maxwell
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 127
that Governour Carleton wanted to see me; on my Arrival there
he reced me very politely desiring I would accept of a Couvert
at his Table while at Quebec when not better engaged, he then
asked me some Questions ab'. the Interpreters employed under me
& the Arm r . & Smiths Expences, and then came about to question
me whether I desired the Aughquisasne Ind\ that if M r . Hartell
insisted upon establishing himself in their Village to tie him hands
& feet and send him to Montreal, and then drive away the S*.
Francis Ind ns . living there ; that such things if so would only cause
ill blood between the Ind ns . & cause a War; I told him I could
not recollect any thing of the kind, that I relied entirely upon my
public Transations with regard to M r / Hartells Affair at
Aughquisasne w ch . at any time I could produce in writing, &
could not recollect of having given any hints of the kind to the
Ind n *. that on the Contrary when s d . Ind ns . wanted the Abinaquis
away last fall, I & the chiefs of Caghnaw^. prevailed upon them
to let them remain that Winter. That at the same time I never
knew Ind ns . of different Nations live together, besides there
always subsisted an Antipaty between the Iroquois & Riv r . Ind n$ .
— He dwelt upon hinting that Indians should not be set up ag st .
one another ; I told him for my part I scornd it & never was guilty
of it. He said the Iroquois of Aughquisasne must drop those
Notions of appropriating any Lands or Spots of Ground in
Canada as they never had any in the french time, that the Abina-
quis had as good a Right to be at Aughquisasne as they having
been as it were but a day or two there before them. I told him
the former had been several Years before them and pitched upon
the Spot themselves as within the Limits of their & the 6 Nations
hunting Ground, he said that if the Iroq s . persisted of having
the S l . Francis Ind ns . remove from thence he would be oblidged
to interpose, as he should not chuse to have [ ] in his
Province, besides the Abinaq 5 . would soon get the better as they
would have all the Mikmacs 1 & River Ind\ | I smiled
1 An Algonquian nation below Quebec city and in the Maritime
Provinces.
128 Sir William Johnson Papers
and told him that as to that the others could | | formid-
able Alliance, but that I was persuaded the for[ ]
not enter so rashly into a War with the Allies of the 6 [Nations.
] thus the Conversation broke off.
Now you will please to know sir, that last fall after my leaving
Montreal, Hartell obtained a Letter from the Gov r . consent [ing
to] his residing at Aughquisasne, the Iroquois on his Arrival
un[ ] to a Man opposed & refused him to stay, telling
him they could not live [in] peace & Harmony while he was
among them, as he delighted [in] making Mischief & Divisions
among them in order to secure [his] Stay that they would advise
him to return to Montreal peaceably otherwise they should be
oblidged to use foul Means, repeating the [expressions the Gov r .
questiond me ab l . Hartell asked them by whose Authority they
would do it, they in a passion replied by mine, whereupon he got
his Mother an envenom'd piece to write to the Gov r . (himself
being incapable) and to wind him up to that pitch as to send
positive Orders to the Iroquois to receive M r . Hartell without the
least Opposition on their peril, & not to molest the Abinaquis in
residing there, and they quietly submitted to it. (N. B. Hartell
trades with the Abinaquis whose Interp r . he was formerly & now
is reinstated.)
On my return from Quebec I heard the Aughquisasne Indians
came in a Body to Caghnawagey & wanted to see and speak with
me, and on finding I was arrived they beg'd to be heard, I met
them at Caghnawagey when they delivered me the inclosed Speech
directed to you. After they had finished I gave them the Con-
versation between me & the Gov r . asking them if ever I told them
to tye M r . Hartell & send him to Montr 1 , they said they did not
doubt this was M r . Hartells Story to the Gov. in order to carry
his point; it was true they told him in a passion when he per-
sisted of establishing himself for good in their V[illage] that if
he would not peaceably leave their Town they should be oblidged
to lay hands on him in the Manner I directed them [at the]
Begins of my taking care of their Aff rs . w** 1 . was that when
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 129
] Deserters or other Vagrants came to skrein them
[selves among them not to har]bour them, but deliver them either
[ ] or Military & in case of Resistance not to hurt
them but secure them from escaping & bring them to Montreal.
They said they were surprized the Gov r . would give Credit &
dicieded upon a Frenchmans Story, before he heard that of an
english Officers, that for their part they never could rely on any
thing M r . Hartell told them since they knew him, that it seemd
the Gov r took pleasure in Disputes since he encouraged those that
set them on foot, that he ought not meddle in their domestick
Aff rs . being an entire Stranger to them & would only cause Dis-
order & Confusion among them; He lost his Cred 1 . w th . the
Caghnaw s & Aughquis 5 : by this Stroke of Arbitrarism, he is
found fault w th . for the same thing among the English both civil
& military & is popular only w ,h . those french that flatter him &
recive favours from him. The Caghnaw s & ca . dislike his appoint-
ing and consulting with french People in their Aff rs . & say they
will have nothing to say to them ; he caused Jealousies by giving
Medals of a coarse make to the Loretto & S f . Francis Ind ns . by
the hands of the Priests, and one to Otkwandageghte who has
been deserted by the Swegachy Ind ns . & took up with those of S l .
Francis at Aughquis 6 . The Commands. Officer of Montreal was
ordered to deliver the latter & the Indian was so dashd & con-
scious of not deserving it, that he would not wear it & gave it in
care of M : Pillet. The Commiss". he had from Gov r . Vaudreuil
was exchanged or rather translated in English, of w ch . I have a
Copy.
After I finished with the Aughquisasnes I went to Canegh-
sadagey, those 3 Nat s . expecting me impatiently and on my
Arriv 1 . shewed me more Respect than ever, by saluting me with
the Discharge of 3 Cannon & 3 rounds of small Arms, their
young Men finely dressed & drawn up in 2 Ranks to receive me
at my Landing the Major with his Sword drawn & the Officers
saluting with their Spontoons; The chiefs followed me to my
Lodging & then addressed me with expressing their Joy on my
5
130 Sir William Johnson Papers
coming to see them, while I was [ [ them my Thanks
for their civility, a Messenger came in from an Arundax chief of
S d . Village, who I was told lay on his Death Bed better than a
fortnight [to let] me know that since my Return from Quebec he
waited for my A[rrival in ] Anxiety for fear he should die
before he saw me & the [ ] I would not delay |
] Cap*. M c Bean & Lady of the Artilb were in
Compy. on [ ] Room, found him in a deep Consump-
tion a mere Skeleton [ ] he stretched out his hand to
me with a wishfull Loock, and said [ he was satisfied
& could die contented, all he wanted with me [before he] died,
was to recommend his Nation to me, & to continue that R[egard
for] them, w ch . I allways showed them since I had the Care of
them, that [their affairs] never were so well conducted than since
under the Eng sh . Governm'. [&] should he have lived to see his
former father the french Gov r . he [would have] reproached with
never having that care taken of the Ind ns . then the [
EngR — This was interpr d . to me by the Priest & S f . John who is
now employed by the Prov ce . they were oblidged to interpret
justly there being [ ] Arund*. pres 1 . that understood
french. I returned him thanks for his [ | told him was
sorry to see him in y l . Condit". and assured him that I sho[uld]
not alter my Disposition & good Wishes for the Wellfare of his
& all other Nations of Ind ns . while under my Care & they behaved
well, that he might be assured that all good & faithfull Ind ns . to
the English would [always] be taken Notice of & countenanced
& ca . I then took leave of him And he expired a couple of hours
after. I saw him decently buried & the Ceremony of Condolence
performed by a Caghnawy. chief [who] was w lh . me.
This Country after suffering under a famine since last fall till
within a fortn f . passt, during the latter time Wheat rose to 5 Doll rs
p r french Bush 1 , and several poor people died for want: — Now
enjoys a time of Plenty having had a rich harvest of all kinds of
Grain. The Caghnawageys will never forget your Care &
Goodness in sending them Seed Corn, without w ch . they say they
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 131
must have starved this Winter, and are now allmost sure of a
plentifull corn harvest, & getting into the Seed of sweeter Corn
[than] they ever had, & in short are quite happy.
Math w . Wade has failed & keeps close at home, his Bro r . Franc
is here & has seized every thing he had, & there is a Writ out ag st .
him for £300. Half". Cu [ ] I sent him last fall a Draft of
M r . Phyns for £139.N.Y. to pay off some Ind n . Acc ts . for me,
and I find he left ab f . 25 or 26 pounds unpaid w ch . I shall be
oblidged to pay over ag n . I think it very hard. The inclosed
Letter were delivered me from La Bay they contain I hear some
Intelligence from that Quarter.
The Indians will in a few days be gone on their Winters hunt,
when I shall return home, in the interim I remain with Respect &
Duty and Complim ts . to all the family
Hon d . sir
Your Obedient Son
Dan. Claus
[Sir William Johnson] Bar*. & ca
This letter was to go 8 days ago by
Cap 1 Gardner who went away
without it before the Time |
TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 432, is listed a letter of August 26th to
the Earl of Hillsborough, giving an account of proceedings with the Six
Nations, causes of discontent and jealousy, Monsr. Verchere's inflam-
matory speech, Johnson's own relations with Indian commissaries, etc.,
frontier troubles and alarms and his policy of dividing the Indians,
(printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:948-54; Q, 2:549-52 and Doc. Rel.
to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:183-86).
132 Sir William Johnson Papers
INDIAN SPEECHES
Contemporary Copy 1
Copy of Speeches made by the Indians to \J. Colonel Wilkins 2
Commanding at the Ilinois. In Answer to his Speech to them. —
Mon Pere
J'ay recu la parole que tu m'a Envoye tu as raison de me faire
les juste reproches que tu me fais attendre que tu as l'esprit plus
claire que moi, dis moi pour quel raison me fait tu ces reproche
il y a des mes jeune Gens qui ont ete tue pour les interest de la
Nation et pourquoi me fait tu ces reproche avant que mes jeune
Gens furent tue je t'ai dis qu'il me faisoit pitie et qu il etoit flate
de voir le jour Comme moi, Lorsque j'ay ete te voir cete Automne
cela a Ete pour De Bonnes affaires may jay Ete trompe Vu que
tu ma mal recu, je te Direri mieux mon sentiment dans mon Vil-
lage; si tu Veux scavoir ce que jay Dans mon Coeur tu peux
Venir me parler, jay resolu de perir avec les francois et anglois &
suis fache de ne m'etre pas trouve Lorsque les poux ont fait
insulte ce qui ma fait beaucoup de peine, mais je n'y etois pas, Car
j'aure Expose ma Vie pour sauve ceux de la nation que j' aime,
Crois tu mon Pere que je n'ai pas autant de Chagrin que toi de
Voir que toutes les Nations Me tu tous les
jours, je nay pas la bouche mauvaise, Mes
Encetres m'ont toujours enseigne D'avoir
pitie de nos femmes & nos enfans, jay le
Coeur bon et je suis ce principe qu il m'ont
toujours enseigne d'avoir pitie de nos
jeune gens Vue qu ils sont tout nud, j'ai
By the Words une toujours dit Lorsque j'ai parle a mon pere
Goute de son lait are de me donner une Goute de son Lait pour
meant, a little Rum. 4 faire rejouir mes jeune Gens, tu aurai Du
me prevenir Davance, et pourquoi t'en
1 In Public Record Office, C. O. 5.70, p. 563, London, England.
2 Wilkins sent a speech to the Indians on the Wabash.
3 Entendre.
4 This and the succeeding marginal notes were attached by Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
133
prens tu a moi, Est ce Moi qui suis
L'Auteur des Insultes que'on peut t'avoir
fait, s'il y a de mauvais Gens je n'en suis
pas la Cause, je te regarde comme mon
Pere, Lorsque j'ai eu de Gens de ma
Nation De tue tu a toujours Couvert mes
morte, pourquoi te Voutrois 1 du mal,
toutes les nations, qui sont le long Des
rivieres ne m'ont jamais Couvert mes
morte, il n'y a que toi, par quel raison me
veux tu du mal, tu m'a dis a moimeme que
nous t'avions ete recommende par nos
Peres cy devant francois, je suis Etonne
que tu Veux te fache si vite.
Est ce la la recom-
mendation que t'ont
fait nos Peres
Lorsque tu ma Dit cela fay cru que tu me soutiendrois toujours
comme faisoit nos peres francois mais je vois par tes menaces que
tu ne me regarde pas comme ton fils ; si tu es oblige de me parler
tu me fairois Plaisir de n'avoir que un Interprete Cela Vautroit 2
mieux, et non te servir De plusieurs qui peuvent t'interprette mal
ce qu on te Dis — je serai flatte que tu Vienne me parler toimeme
pour avoir pitie De nos femmes et De nos enfans, et si quelques
peaux Rouges te font Du mal je Scaurai soutenir tes Interests au
peril De ma Vie —
Voila mon pere ce que j'ai a te Dire —
Fin de la premiere reponse Du Chef
Maringouin —
Second Conseil Du Chef Maringouin —
Je pance a ce que tu m'a dis je n'ai point De tord pourquoi tu
me parle De Cette facon pendant que je suis Dans la tristesse et
1 Voudrois.
2 Vaudroit.
134 Sir William Johnson Papers
que je pleure fort, La malice me revenir et je pourai fraper ce que
je trouverai, aparament que tu as Envie que je fasse du mal
partout ou je me pourrai trouver puisque je dois mourir bientot —
tu me fait des reproches que c'est toi qui a retenu les Chavanons,
c'est moi aussi qui a retenu les gens d'anhaut, Depuis que tu es
dans ce pays il riy a que toi qui a cause Des malheurs qui nous
sont arrive, une preuve de ce que je te Dis, est que le Chemin Des
Illinois ici est rempli des os Des mes freres, je crois que tu me re-
garderois comme ton fils si j'etois commes les Chavonons, le
Loups, Les Iroquois, et beaucoup d'auttre Nations qui ont De tes
gens Esclaves Chez eux, mais chez ma Nation tu n'en Vois pas,
et pour une insulte que Ion t a fait tu nous fait bien de menaces,
je regarde les gens de las qui t'ont fait des grosse insulte, qui ont
ete Dans ton sang jusqu'a la jarretiere, et nous pour un petit in-
sulte tu nous faisoit Des granes Menaces — Mon Chemin est beau
il n'y a point a ce faire de mal mais aujourdhui je ne vois que de
mes os partout —
Conseil De la Grande Cadenette
Chef de Guerre et de Village
Mon Pere
By this they mean je ne veux point aller to Voir Vu que si je
that the deaths of voyois Les os De mes freres cela pouroit
their Friends are me facher, si tu Veux me parler il vaux
fresh in their remem- mieux que tu Vienne ici, Mon pere les
brance & if they francois m'a dit de suivre son Chemin et
came to our Settle- que je n'y trouverois jamais d'embuches,
ments they might mais depuis que tu ici Von ne vois que des
do Mischief — This os de ma Nation partout, & ceux de mes
whole Speech to freres, il y a long terns que je t'aurai fait
those acqainted with du mal si jeusse suivi ce que les autre
the stile of the In- Nation m'ont dis, mes si tu es sur les
dians is very Expres- Terres de nos peres les francois, et j'aurois
sive of their discon- ete fache de repandre une Goute de ton
tent, & of their love sang, C'est pourquoi je retiens mon Coeur,
for the French. pourquoi t en prens tu a ma Nation, et
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 135
nous fait les reproches que tu nous fait, je
pance quelques personnes qui te font les
reporte contre nous par Jalousie, C'est
pourquoi tu ne Veux que nous voyons le
jour que par rencontre — Cette Branche
de porcelaine Affirme ma Parole —
Conseil de Hannanas Chef de Guerre et
De Village —
Mon Pere
aparament que tu crois que je ne serai
pas capable De rien Lorsque tu me
privera de poudre et De balles, tu dois
scavoir que je scais me servir de Bois pour
faire mes armes et que avec ce meme bois
N. ye tue Des hommes, tu dois etre persuade
Here is a plain que mon pere les francois ne me laisserai
Declaration of their pas mourir et quil me donnera mes besoins,
reliance on France. ye mourrai en tenant sa main si tu me fait
la Guerre, tu me prens pour une Bete qui
est prive de la Raison, Croy tu qu'en ayant
n'y poudre ny Balles je murrai de faim,
By this they mean non, et Dans le Collier que tu nous envoi
that the Message & il y a un homme qui nous bouche Le
belt to them was of Chemin, Crois tu que nous ne comprenons
such a Nature as to pas cela quoique je n'ai pas autant
prevent all future In- d'esprit que toi. —
tercourse with the Voila pourquoi je te dis ce que je te
English. The re- Dis, tu Crois que je suis Orphelin, mes
mainder of this tous les Gens De ces rivieres et tout les
speech is very severe peaux rouges apprenderont ma mort, vient
& is in fact, That we ici je te dirai mon sentiment, tu me parle
are unable to hurt des Etoilles et que tu es aussi nombreux
them, but that they quelles sont au del, les Etoilles qui tom-
can easily destroy bent ne font point de mal, et bien moi je
our People — suis comme les arbres Dans les forests Et
136 Sir William Johnson Papers
Lorsque un arbre tombe il fait Du mal et
tue un homme. — Cette Procelaine afnrme
ma Parole.
Fin —
The Speeches made at the Ilinois & at other places are gen-
erally taken by French Interpreters, who are men of very little
learning, this will account for the badness of the French & the
errors of Orthography, It being an Exact Copy. — It is to be
observed that in all Speeches even at the Eve of a War, the
Indians use some softening Expressions to Extort favors, but as
amongst themselves the bare expression that they are Angry is
always Considered as a Declaration of War, Their Sentiments
will appear pretty obvious from the foregoing Speeches. —
It should also be noted that the first of these Speeches comes
from the Old Sachem, & is of Course more humble & mild than
those of the Head Warriors which follow, & agreable to Whose
Characters Expresses more truly the sense of the Nation.
INDORSED Copy of Speeches from
the Indians to L l . Colonel
Wilkins Commanding at
the Ilinois. —
In Sir W m . Johnson's
(N°. 11) of 26 Aug 1 769. 1
Translation
My Father:
I have received the word which you sent me. You are right
in uttering the just reproaches which I hear from you since your
mind is clearer than mine, but tell me for what reason you utter
these reproaches. Some of my young people have been killed on
account of the Nation, and why do you utter these reproaches?
Before my young people were killed, I said to you that they
1 Johnson's letter of August 26th to the Earl of Hillsborough, printed
in Doc. Rel to Col Hist. N. Y., 8:183-86.
Post-War Period, J 763-1 774 137
excited my pity, and that they were as glad to live as I. When
I came to see you that autumn, that was to engage in an honest
transaction, but I was deceived. Since you received me badly,
I shall tell you my feelings better in my village; if you wish to
know what I have in my heart, you can come to speak to me. I
have resolved to die with the French and English and am sorry
that I was not present when the Pottawatamies committed an
offense, a thing which has caused me much regret, but I was not
there, for I would have risked my life to save those of the nation
which I love. Do you think, my father, that I do not feel as
much sorrow as you when all the nations are slaying me every
day? I have not an evil mouth. My forefathers always taught
me to feel pity for our women and our children, I have a good
heart and I follow this principle, which they always taught me,
to feel pity for our young people. Since they are quite naked,
I have always, when speaking to my father, asked him to give me
a drop of his milk to make my young people rejoice. You ought
to have been beforehand with me in this. And why do you cast
blame on me? Am I the author of the injuries which you may
have received? If there are bad people, I am not the cause. I
look on you as my father. When I have had people of my
nation killed, you have always covered my dead. Why should
I bear you ill will? None of the nations along the rivers have
ever covered my dead ; it is you alone. For what reason do you
bear me ill will? You have told me myself that we were recom-
mended to you by our former French fathers. I am astonished
that you are so quickly made angry. Is that the recommenda-
tion which our fathers made to you?
When you told me that, I believed that you Would always sus-
tain me as our French fathers used to do, but I see by your threats
that you do not look upon me as your son. If you are obliged
to speak to me, you would give me pleasure by having only one
interpreter — that would be better, and not to employ several
who may interpret badly what is said to you. I shall be pleased
to have you come to speak to me yourself if you pity our women
138 Sir William Johnson Papers
and our children; and, if any redskins do you harm, I shall be
able to look out for you even at the peril of my life.
This, my father, is what I have to say to you —
End of the first response of Chief Maringouin —
Second Speech of Chief Maringouin —
I am thinking of what you said to me. I am no way in the
wrong, that you should speak to me in this manner. While I
am in sorrow and weeping, evil passion may overcome me and
I may strike anything I find. Apparently you wish me to do
mischief wherever I may be since I am soon to die — You tell me
in reproach that you restrained the Shawanese; but I restrained
the upper nations. Since you entered this country you alone
have caused the misfortunes which have come upon us. A proof
of what I say is that the road of the Illinois here is covered with
the bones of my brothers. I believe that you would look upon
me as your son, if I were like the Shawanese, the Delawares, the
Iroquois, and many other nations which hold some of your people
among them as slaves. But you see none in my nation ; and be-
cause of an insult which someone has offered, you make many
threats against us. I see people living beyond us who have
offered you gross insults, who have waded in your blood up to
the knee, and for a slight injury you made great threats against
us. My road is fine, no evil is done there, but today I see only
my bones everywhere. —
Speech of the great Cadenette
Chief of war and of the village
My Father:
I will not go to see you, because, if I saw the hones of my
brothers, that might rouse my anger. If you want to speak to
me, it would be better for you to come hither. My father, the
French, told me to follow his road, and that I would find no
ambushes in it, but while you are here We see only the bones of
my nation everywhere and those of my brothers. I should have
done you injury a long time ago if I had followed what the other
PosiWar Period, 1763-1774 139
nations advised. But since you are on the lands of our fathers
the French, and I should have been sorry to spill a drop of your
blood, that is why I hold my heart in. Why do you blame my
nation and utter the reproaches which you cast at us? I think
there are persons who out of jealousy bring stories against us to
you. That is why you let us live just by chance.
This belt will sustain my word.
Speech of Hananaa, Chief of war and of the village
My Father
Apparently you think that I shall not be capable of anything
when you deprive me of powder and ball. You must know that
I know how to use wood to make my weapons and that with
this same wood I kill men. You must be convinced that my
father the French will not let me die and that he will satisfy my
Wants. I shall die holding his hand if you make War on me.
You take me for a beast that is destitute of reason, Think you
that, having neither powder nor ball, I shall die of hunger? No,
and in the belt which you send us there is a man who shuts up the
road between us. 1 Do you think that we do not understand that,
though I have not as much wit as you ?
This is the reason that I say to you what I say. You think
that I am an orphan; but all the people of these rivers and all
the redskins will learn of my death. Come, I will speak my
feelings. You talk to me of the stars, and say that you are as
numerous as they are in the sky. The stars that fall hurt noth-
ing. As for me I am as the trees in the forests; and, when a
tree falls, it does harm and kills a man. This belt supports my
word.
End.
1 See fourth marginal note opposite the French.
140 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New york August 27 th 1769
Dear Sir
I am favoured with yours' of the 1 9 th2 Ins 1 : and am truely con-
cerned that you still feel the Effects of the hurt you got in the
Indian Country, which will require rest and Care to get the better
of.
Lieu*. Col°. Wilkins did not send me the answer he got to his
Speech, 3 tho' I received a Copy of that you have Sent me from
the Detroit ; I formed the Same opinion with yourself concerning
the Speech as Soon as it came to hand, and wished it had been
drawn in Terms far different from what it is. You observe well
that Threats only irritate, and it is best to let them alone, or if
you determine upon Hostilities to strike at once.
You will observe, that the Intelligence by way of the Detroit
concerning the Attack on the Boat in the ouabache. differs from
Lieu'. Col°. Wilkins's Report. The first charging the Poutea-
tamies with the Commission of that Action, and the Colonel
lays the Blame on the Piankashaws. Silver Heels however will
be able to clear up that Matter, as he must know What Nation
it was that made the Attack. It is not impossible that they were
mixed, and Some of both Nations concerned. The puting the
Indian of the Six Nations to Death when they had a Prisoner,
and refusing to deliver him to Colonel Wilkins seems very extra-
ordinary.
I have received Nothing new from the Side of Fort Pitt. The
Confederacy you Mentioned that the Shawnese and Delawares
had entered into May have been occasioned by the Cessions
Made by the Six Nations as it is positively said those Indians
will not allow us to Settle on the ceded Lands.
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 The 17th?
3 See supra the copy sent by Johnson with his letter of August 26th
to the Earl of Hillsborough.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 141
Some Letters I have received from the Southward Mention
Several Skirmishes between the Cherokees and the N orthwards
notwithstanding the Peace concluded between them. They call
them all Northwards without distinguishing any particular
Nation. Several have been killed on both Sides.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
Humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
P: S:
You will be so good
when you write to the Detroit
to send some Directions concerning
the two Prisoners delivered up by
the Pouteatamies.
T G
Sir W m : Johnson Bar 1 .
INDORSED: N York 27 th . August 1769
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
Ans d . 12 th Sept r .
TO JOHN PENN
D/. 1
Johnson-hall Augt 27*. 1769
Sir
Agreable to what I mentioned in my Letter of the 1 7 th Inst I
now inclose you a Receipt Signed by the Chiefs of each Nation
for the Ammount of the Proprietaries purchase which I paid to
each Nation in the most publick Manner during my late Tour,
and for which they Expressed their Thanks and appeared very
well Satisfied, — My delivering it to them in their own Country,
was not only the more agreable to them, as they were not Exposed
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
142 Sir William Johnson Papers
so much to throw it away upon Rum, but as I had also other
buisness there much Lessened the Expence to the Proprietaries, so
that the Accot which I herewith inclose you including Expresses
to Notify it &ca will I dare say be found agreable —
The Temper of the Ind s . about Ohio which now begins to be
Alarming, was mentioned to me by all the six Nations & by them
represented, to take its rise as well from the many Instances of ill
treatment, they had met with on the frontiers since the peace, as
from the Withdrawing that bounty and protection they had been
accustomed to receive from those who had the management of
the Trade &ca at the posts, And I am certain these are some of
their principal Motives, I cannot help therefore reminding you
how necessary it appears for Pennsylvania to make an Adequate
provision for some proper Inspectors to prevent Abuses in Trade
&ca & for Interpreters and Smiths at such places as are most fre-
quented by those of your Province And as I am not taking such
Steps as are in my power for diverting the Storm, & preventing
the Adopting any measures of a dangerous tendency at the ensu-
ing Meeting to be held at Onondaga so I shall Chearfully co-
operate in any thing [within my] power or Influence for
rendering the benefits of p[eace and] Commerce lasting to
Pennsylvania. — y
I shall be glad to be Informed as nearly as possible of the
Time & place for the Indians to attend the running the Line of
the late purchase and remain with great regard
Sir, &ca
[ ] Honble
[John] Penn
INDORSED: Augt 27 th 1769
To the Honble
L' Gov r Penn, with
The Indians Acquittance for
the Pennsylvania purchase.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 143
FROM DUDLEY DAVIS
A. L. S.
Schenectady Aug* 1 . 28 ih . 1769
Sir/
The Hurry of Business that seemed to be on your hands, when
last I had the pleasure of seeing you, prevented me from fully
Explaining to you the Cause of my going up, besides that of pay-
ing my Respects to you —
As I have laid my Situation & Distresses truly before Colo 1 .
Johnson, I will not trouble you with a disaggreable Detail therof,
but upon the whole as my Affairs have turn'd out Altogether so
Unlucky, I do not Conceive I have any Choice to make of my
own, but that my family must be my whole Consideration, and
for that purpose, am determined to persevere in my Business with
the Utmost Assiduity, & as much as in my power, model myself
to the disposition of the people of the Country and in Short do
any thing not derogatory to the Character of a Gentleman —
Business here is not to be had, house rent is too high, & the
Inhabitants very Extorting & Unsociable, and so wanting in
Humanity that a person is despised for that which shoud at Least
Induce them to Condolance and pity Distress and the Longer I
Stay here the more time I shall Waste, and my Circumstances
grow worse, if worse they can be —
These Considerations have induced me to determine on quitting
the place at any Rate as soon as my time of the house wherein I
now live, is Expired which will be the middle of October next,
& if it be Aggreable to you and that you woud Build a house on
it the next Summer, wou'd take a Lott in Johnstown, on the same
terms and rent that other people hold under you, and in the mean
time wou'd Endeavour to gett any Small place, was it but two
Rooms, to put my family in untill Then; —
If this be Aggreable to you, which I hope it may, I flatter my-
self, as I shou'd observe the Strictest & most Circumspect Rules
in my Conduct I might be favord with your protection, to deserve
which I shall Study and do all in my power —
144 Sir William Johnson Papers
Permitt me to request you will, when Convenient, favor me
with a Line on this matter which Will much oblidge
Sir, with the greatest Respect &
Esteem, Your most Humble and
Obed 1 . Servant
Dudley Davis
Accept my Hearty thanks for your present, which I have
received —
indorsed: 1 August 28 th . 1769
M r . Dudley Davis Letter
Ans rd . 5 th . 7 br .
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
Schenectady 28 lh August 1769
Sir
I am favoured with your letter incloseing the Receipt for
£3023 : 12 :3^4. the Money was paid me all right by M r Newton
the mistake of the £ 10 in N° 6 is made by me owing to altering
some of the parcels in making up the few drafts You made on me.
I have therefore inclosed a Ten pound Bill which puts all matters
right. I am concern'd my neglect shou'd occasion you trouble,
inclosed I return your former Receipt together with a coppy of
another for the Whole Sum; Which do me the favour to sign,
M r . Adams or any of the Gentlemen about you will inclose it to
me & save you that piece of trouble
I have only to make you offer of Ni™. Phyns Comp ,s & with
constant wishes for your enjoying perfect health & happiness I
have the honor of being Sir
Your Obed 1 & much Obliged Hum Serv 1
James Phyn
indorsed: 1 August 28 th . 1769
M r . J $ . Phyns Letter
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 145
AN INDIAN SCHOOL
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 333, under August 28th, is entered a
list of names of Indian) children in the free school at Fort Hunter, arranged
by tribes, Bear, Wolf and Turtle (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:417;
Q, 4:261).
THE JOHNSTOWN SCHOOL
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 433, is entered an undated list of scholars
at the free school at Johnstown — 45 in number (printed in Doc. Hist.
N. Y., 4:416; Q, 4:261).
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[New York, August 29, 1769]
] favour the Errand of this is to Cover the
Enclose! [letter received] the other Day from Mr Chew along
with 2 packages [ ] Can for you which I hope you
will receive Safe [Mr Kempe] has Sent me a Letter desiring me
to forward it to you [which I have] accordingly done by this
Opportunity of Capt Lansing, He tells [me that he writes] you
about Some Lands He has located for a mandamus of his [and]
which it Seems there is Some Dispute about, the Nature of which
I [do not] understand, but I fancy He will Sufficiently describe
to you ; He | | me to begg the Favour of your kind In-
terposition in his Favour in this [affair] which I imagine it will be
almost needless for me to do, because [I am] confident you have
So much Friendship for M r Kempe, as to be very willing [
him provided it can be done conistantly; However I
Shoud be very [happ]y if you coud do any thing for him in this
Affair, because I am told [ ] of a good deal of Con-
sequence to Him
I flatter myself you are recovered of your Hurt before now,
146 Sir William Johnson Papers
which | ] shall hear with great Pleasure & in the Mean
time remain with [ ] Esteem
Sir Your most Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
<$ Capt Lansing 1
with a Barrell & a Box
to be Sent to Mr Van Eps
In Schenectady
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S. 1
[Michilimackinak, Aug. 29, 1769]
I 1
was at a loss [ ] hearing that the
] Employ at the Other posts, I
] him to Stay, but he has been [ ]
Glazier, he would not consent. I kept [ ] trip the
Vessell made, as the Indians [ ] Staying & Glazier
said he would allow h [ ] but he did not keep his Word.
Inclosed you have some papers beg yo[u will] Stop the
Amount of them in your hands. I am to Stay the next trip of
the Vessell, having some money due to me, by people not yet
come from North West. I have repeated mention'd the Speech
the Ottawas made to have a Commissary interpreter & Smith I
now inclose it to you Johnson [ ] the Calumet, I find it
impossible to throw off the Chief the Indians will Visit me, beg
so hard in your name for rum, & wheedle so much they have had
1 "About trouble between Johnson (John Johnston ?) and Capt.
Glazier and affairs at that post." — Johnson Calendar, p. 433.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 147
already 1 Eight Gallen Kegs of me. I am sure was I to At-
tempt to follow trade they would still expect presents so that I am
at a loss what way of life to try
By Letters from Detroit, it seems they Expect Indian affairs to
be on the former footing indeed every [ ]
[ ]
cro]wn my Eff[orts ]
been set Out before [ ] to hand, but as
it was, my Canoe was bought [ ] hands hired, no
person can be a judge of the Expence a Man is at, at this place
who has no Kings provision but those that try it. therefore I
hope you'll continue your goodness to me, & make me such an
allowance in Your September Accounts as you shall think ade-
quate to my expense & loss of time
M r . Weatherhead's friend Mentford had the Case of Tobacco
& other things for me, of which I received but two barrels of rum
Out of 6 & only the other day a tierce of Tobacco quite rotten,
tho they left Albany the Spring 1 758 I am realy unlucky
My Sincere good wishes attend you & your family I long much
to see you, which I shall make haste to do before the frost sets in
I am with the greatest grattitude & respect
Sir
Your most Obeed 1 humb Servant
B Roberts
To
S R . Will m . Johnson Baronet
Please to Stop from Interpreter Tuckers Accounts
£34.19.6 York
INDORSED : Michilimackinac 29 th Aug'-
1769
L*. Roberts Letter with
Inclosures —
148 Sir William Johnson Papers
A SPEECH TO INDIANS
Contemporary Copy
[August 29 1 769] 1
Children
You Spoke truth when you [ ]
desired to listen with both y [ ]
Customary for us to Speak to one another.
Children It has likewise been [ ]
would live in friendship with all His Majestys Subjjects] as
Your happiness depends upon it.
A string of Six Rows.
Children
I look on You with Compassion and when you are in necessity
do what I can to ease you besides this his Majesty is at a great
expence in paying a Smith & Interpreter for your Service —
The Vessell is not kept there for us alone she is to carry pro-
vision to support those who bring you your Cloathing & Amuni-
tion &c & consequently ought to be as dear to you as us.
]mands the Vessell a[t] present has it not in his
] much as the late Commander as he is ord [
you expect it from him, but his intention is
| in peace and friendship with you, and any [servjice that
you are of to him in assisting him will always be reccompenced.
Children
The String shall remain here according to your Desire and the
Gen 1 , shall be acquainted with it
We have heerd of M r . Sinclairs arrivall at N York and Per-
haps in some months hence we may hear of his arrivall in Eng-
land, — and we can assure you that every body here woud be
very glad He woud Return Provided it is agreeable to him.
Children. As to the Game the people at the vessell never hunt
1 Date supplied from Johnson Calendar.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 149
so they can not make it scarce, & before there was a Vessel there,
you did not receive the same benefits you have done since —
Children.
We know you have been of Service at different times in getting
the Vessell up the rapids for which reason your present necessitys
] [ha]ve a little Cloathing
for your Children [ ] [ ] your young
Men. But it is expected [ ] with Capt n .
Robinson & all his Majesty's Subjects in the same [ ] you
have done heretofore, & not expect things from [
is not in his power to give, always keeping in Your m [inds
solemn engagements you have enter'd into at different ti[mes
with] your father S r W. Johnson.
A String of ten Rows —
They return'd many thanks saying our words went to their
Heart & we Should have no reason to find the least fault with
their behavior, & that their intention was to live in the same
friendly manner with us that they had hitherto done.
Some of their people was then Interogated regarding some
thing they Should have said about Belts coming this year from the
Hurons in the Name of the Six Nations Shawanese & Delawares,
but they said they had not made such report neither did they
know any thing of the kind. —
] & fourteen of the most Considerd
] ind of the reason of the movements they
| saying they were much surpriz'd what could
they professed great friendship for all his Majesty [s]
from the preparations they saw they were alarm'd that
] had been made of them they were ready to vindicate
themselves. That instead of being concerned or knowing of any
[ev]il design, they were never more quiet, that they had not taken
the precautions necessary for such an undertaking not having 200
Ball in their Village & believe the other Nations had as little —
150 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO THOMAS GAGE
Johnson-hall Augt 30 th . 1769.
Dear Sir/
I am favored with your Letters of the 20 th . and 21 st . of this
Ins* and I most Cordially express my thanks for the Candour with
which you have favored me with your thoughts on them Subjects ;
I shall only Observe farther thereon that when the Indians are ill
disposed they make use of a thousand little Circumstances in
Justification of their Conduct ; — But the real Cause is founded
on their aversion to us, their regard for the French, and their not
partaking of favors equal to their Expectations, however unrea-
sonable all this may appear, I am fully Convinced that it is the
case, and that it is farther excited by the unjustifiable behavior of
the Frontier Settlers who have often since the peace Murdered
Innocent Indians some of them of Nations who have not been at
War during any of the late Troubles, Robberies have been com-
mitted on both sides, but as to Murders they may be confined to
Nations to the Westward during that period, and often occasioned
by the intrigues of the French who did not like any others amst.
them, This last is one of the Consequences of allowing a Trade
at large in the Indian Country which I long ago observed to
Government would be monopolized by the French to the ex-
clusion of others, this we now find from the Conduct & declara-
tions of the Indians, & the reports from all Quarters is actually
the Case — It is likewise very probable that some of the Nations
finding the 6 Nations greatly diminished will pretend to rights
they never before dreamed of, and that they may have viewed
the late presents for the Cession with Jealous Eyes, but
there was no avoiding of this, for theirs is the right beyond
doubt, Neither was it possible with any reasonable Sum to
satisfy the demand [ ] those who might
for the sake of Gain set up ] I am Satisfied
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, J 763-/774 151
that the 6 Nat s . & even the Chiefs of the Shawanese Delawares
] attended to a greater Number than ever before
appeared on any occasion whatsoever
Indeed I am in hopes that should it appear that any others pre-
tend to be disatisfied with the Cession made by the six Nations,
&ca, (w h . I have not as yet learned) it may be made a good use
of with the latter, for This I should observe that tho' all the rest
should take arms against us, the six Nations can in general be
prevented from joyning them, but should the six Nations in gen-
eral Attack us ; all the rest would imediately follow their example.
I was averse to the peace between the Northern & Southern
Indians, and only effected it in obedience to Government, for I
have often remarked that the more disunited they are, the better
it is for us, and if We thoroughly consider the State & disposition
of the Indians, who may be peculiarly distinguished from all
others having no Shadow of Laws and Scarcely any Appearance
of Government, enjoying Liberty even to Licentiousness extremely
Jealous & Revengefull passionately fond of War, and preserving
that Spirit by frequent Quarrells with their Neighbours, We can-
not expect to keep them in Temper but at an Expence too great
(at least in the Opinion of Government) for the Object, Conse-
quently all that can be Expected from the present Establishment
is to keep some of them in our Interest, and endeavor to divide
the rest, and I am hopefull that the Constant pains I take and the
Influence which I know I have over many of them will at least
have these Effects.
Capt MacLeods & Lt Hays Accots as Ind n . Commissaries to
y e . 25 th . March last did not arrive in time to be transmitted with
my Last, neither did they reach me thro Miscarriage till the other
day they both in Much Want of the Money.
MacLeods Acct is £ [ ] & Hays £283 .12.2. they are
both properly certified by the Comd§. [ ] is of Expences
from the 24 th . of March to the 1 1 th of [ ] reason by
Capt Tumbull, That notwithstanding the reform, Yet as the
Provinces had not Sent any person to act at Detroit & that the
152 Sir William Johnson Papers
service required it, the Articles therein Mentioned had been given
with his approbation. MacLeods Expences except £32 were
Incurred before the reform took place, [as my Expences are now
I suppose to be Confined to the £4000 <$ Ann, so small a Sum
for the Sev 1 . purposes requires to be Well Husbanded & there-
fore as there is a Considerable Loss on purchasing Goods here, I
think it best to send for about twelve hundred pounds Worth at a
time to London if you will Incline to advance it this fall so as to
enable me to remit a Bill in order to purchase at the Cheapest
rate. 1 ] 2 If you Judge it requisite, I will on hearing from You,
Send the Acc ,s with the Vouchers —
P. S. I am given to understand,
that the purchase which occasioned
so much Discourse at New York is declined
by the Purchaser.
indorsed: August 30 th . 1769
To Gen 1 . Gage
FROM HUGH GAINE
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 433, is entered a letter of August 31st
from Hugh Gaine, New York, explaining a delay in sending prayer
books (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:417; Q, 4:262).
FROM ROBERT PICKEN
A. D. S.
August, 1769
Sir William Johnson
To Robert Picken D r
] Aug 1 . 1 769 To 5 Days laying off your pro-
portion of the Tienuderrah
1 Words in italics and in brackets crossed out in the original.
2 The following sentence is in Johnson's hand.
th £
5
8*
5 15
2 5
3 15
£16 15
PostWar Period, 1763-1774 153
Tract, from the Tienuderrah
River to the Odiga Creek 1
To 5 D°. of 7 Men, 2 at 4
and 5 at 3 s ty
To 5 D°. of 3 Horses at 3 s
To Provisions
Sir/ please to Settle the above Ace* with Col. Croghan, as He
has settled the Whole Acc ,s with me for Col. Morriss & M r
Upton's Surveys this being you proportion for the Time I was
doing your Part
I am Sir
your hum Serv*
Ro: PlCKEN
S R William Johnson Bart.
TO HENRY MOORE
Df.~
Johnson-hall Sepf. 1 st . 1769
I am favored with your Excellencys Letter of the 2 1 sl . together
with one from M r Livingston inclosing Col: Johnsons Commis-
sion who presents his Most respectfull Compliments to you, and
is fully persuaded of your kind Intentions in Ordering it. but I
take the liberty to remind you of the Commission for
Vrooman as Major to Coll Sternberg ['s] Regiment at Scohare
which is not yet come to hands.
I hope that you may be more Successful at the Approaching
Session in Obtaining an Adequate provision for the Necessary
Officers for the management of Trade &ca This is an Object of
very great concern to the Indians & particularly at a time when
1 See Aboriginal Place Names of New York, p. 44, 172, 173, and
Guy Johnson's map, Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:1090; Q, 4:660.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
3 A space is vacant in the manuscript.
J 54 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Licentiousness of the frontier Inhabitants of the Colonies to
the southward of this, Joyned to the Artifices of the French at
Misisipi & in the Indian Country threaten us with a rupture. — In
the present disagreable situation of Affairs which the unreason-
able Expectations of the Ind s . (now no longer Gratified as they
have been) has contributed to/ I find these frontier people as
Licentious as the Most savage Nations, a Young Indian of a
Family distinguished for their unalterable Attachment to the
English was a few weeks Since fired on and killed as he was fish-
ing at Susquehanna Meerly because he was an Indian, & 30 of
the Inhabitants have since seized on a Trader who with 25 Horses
Loaded was going to Trade at Fort Pitt Confiscated the greatest
part of his goods and threatned all who shall attempt to go a
Trading that way. The peculiar disposition & State of the In-
dians, The Conduct & Artifices of the French who by the
Latitude given to Trade at Large have as I expected & repre-
sented Monopolized the Western Trade. The Ind s . now pub-
lickly refusing to admit others into their Country & the other
Motives which appear to them of much consequence may pos-
sibly bring on a War, whilst the Government [
at so dear a price as the Gratification of all Exp[
been ignorantly Said that the Colonies or Some [
peace at a Very little Expence formerly, & that theref [ore since
the] reduction of Canada they may be freed from Expence or
App [ointments] This is a very plausible Argument to One who
knows nothing about the Matter, but the Case is the very reverse,
and the Greatest Ene[my] to this Country, could not do it a
more Sensible injury than that of [ | propagating such an
Opinion, for If I don't mistake I once observed [to] you that
before the reduction of Canada We in general hardly know the
names and situations of one half of those Nations with whom We
have since entered into Treatys and began an Intercourse, &
great as we may have Judged of ourselves from our Numbers, the
Situation of that single Colony Joined to the Superior Activity of
the French eclipsed us so far that we were by some Scarcely
known & by many little noticed — In many speeches both to the
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 155
French & ourselves they called us a Society of Men who Minded
Gain & hated fighting, The Ind s . more distant Scarcely be-
stowed a thought on us, but when we conquered Canada an In-
tercourse Was of Consequence opened with Nations Numerous &
power full who astonished at our success & Strongly prejudiced
against Us by the last Speeches & belts from the French were,
and are Jealous of us in a high degree & Still fancy that they can
at the least prevent our Encrease by frequent Quarrells In all
which they are seconded & advised by the French yet in the
Country of which there are ample Testimonies, And as we have
not hitherto thought it necessary to apply the only remedy (Ex-
tirpation excepted which I fancy is not altogether Eligible) they
are likely to Continue troublesome to us, and all that can be done
in the present state of things is to divide them in their [
& retain the fidelity of a part which I flatter myself it is in my
power to do at all Events, and to which all My Endeavors, In-
fluence, Health & rest shall be devoted, heartily Wishing that
the Provinces may Consider it their Interests to Cooperate in
those parts recom [mended] to them by Government, & that in a
manner adequate to the occ[asion] for otherwise, it is doing
Nothing.
As to the Application which [ ] the principal
Inhabitants of this River & adjacent settlem ts . It points out the
reasonableness of fixing the Lower bounds of the New proposed
County, at the Upper bounds of the Township of Schenectady
Which for the reasons therein given is Certainly the most Natural,
& attended in every point of View with the fewest Inconveniences,
So that I am Confident Your attention to the Interests of this
Growing Country will incline you to Countenance it . . . This is
the Sum of their Application but I shall get a Copy of it for
Your More particular Information.
I wish I could Satisfy your kind enquirys by informing you
that I am recovered of that Accident I met with, but altho' it has
a much more promising appearance than was Expected I am as
yet scarcely able to Walk about.
I take the Liberty of
156 Sir William Johnson Papers
sending you the inclosed because I am
at a Loss what to say to the Writer who
has applied to me sev 1 Times on the subject.
He is a Man of property & Good Character,
& has been above 20 Years a Capt, he seems
to Apprehend that he has been injured by some of the late
Appointments thro the Influence of some persons
in that Neighbourhood who he mentions in a former Letter had
recommended
Improper Men to y r Excell^ his last paragraph
seems founded on a Mistake for I don't recollect
having recommended any persons w'ever in that
part of the Country, and If I had
I could not give Credit to that part of his Information
You will excuse my freedom in Sending it, as I thought
it my duty to do so.
[His Excell]cy Sir H Moore Bart.
indorsed: Sept r . 1 st . 1769
To Sir Henry Moore Bart
N. Sir H Moore died very soon after
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York Sept 4 1769
Sir William
The Pacquet in 5 Weeks & 6 days from England tells us of
great Uneasinesses susisting between King & people. The Citi-
zens of London, headed by Beckford, Sawbridge & Townshend
all very popular partizans of Wilkes's Cause, have declared
most vehemently against the Measures of administration in an
address presented by them with the Lord Mayer from the Livery
of London which you will find printed in the newspapers. The
principal Counties of England are following the City's Example.
The Mediation and superior Address of Lord Chatham may pos-
sibly be a match for these unhappy Differences but should his
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 157
Interpostion be ineffectual the sober part of the Nation are in
the last Apprehensions for the Consequences, Lord Chatham cer-
tainly leans to the Ministry but yet he cannot reco[ver] the
people to a favorable sentiment [toward] one man that composes
it, they will be all removed except Lord Hillsborough. The
East India affairs are on the decline their stock falls shockingly
and folks think the Directors not a whit better than those of the
S Sea in 1 720.
All Corsica is in the Hand of France who is fortifying the Island.
Paoli is landed at Leghorn.
The Resolutions of the Virginia Assembly 1 was considered by
violent people tantamount to an overt act of rebellion. Lord
Chatham gives out that his Majesty is resolved on a Change of
Men & Measures. There is more reason now than ever to expect
a paper Currency will be allowed & emitted in this Colony after
the next Session of our assembly.
Sir Harry Moore is in a very dangerous State from a fever &
flux. Judge Horsmanden has been Very ill but is now on the
recovery.
I beg my humble Respects to S r John & Col Guy Johnson and
I am
with the most perfect deference
Sir William
Your most faithfull
humble Servt
Ja Rivington
ADDRESSED: To
S r W m Johnson Bar 1
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED : Sept r . 4 th 1 769 —
From M r . Rivington
Ans d . Sepf. 14 th .
1 The resolves of the Burgesses against parliamentary tyranny and the
proposed transportation of political offenders to England for trial, adopted
May 16, 1769.
158 Sir William Johnson Papers
JOHN POWNALL TO THOMAS GAGE 1
Whitehall. Sept: 6"\ 1769.
Sir,
It is my duty, in the absence of Lord Hills-
borough, who is gone to Ireland upon his pri-
vate Affairs, to acquaint you that your dis-
patches to His Lordship, N». 32. 33. & 34.
have been received, and laid before the King.
I am & c a .
j. pownall.
Major Gen l . Gage:
A like Letter to Sir William Johnson, ac-
knowledging the receipt of his dispatch to Lord
Hillsborough N°. 9.
Whitehall 27*: Oct': 1769.
Lords of the
Treasury. 2 My Lords,
I have the honour to send your Lordships
for your Information an Extract of a Letter
from His Majesty's Gov r : of the Province of
3 July 1769. New Hampshire, & also Copies of Two Let-
27 May 1769. ters & Papers, therein inclosed,
3 July 1769.
FROM GEORGE TURNBULL
A. L. S.
Detroit Sept. 9 th . 1769
Inclosed is a Copy of a Speech which Colonel Wilkins sent to
the Indians on the Ouabache Last Spring. He Desired me to
1 In Library of Congress, transcript of letter in Public Record Office,
C. O. 5.
2 This letter is also from John Pownall evidently.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 159
Repeat it to Such Indians of these Nations which might come here
to trade. Which I have done
''There is a perfect Tranquility in these upper Countries at
Present. The Indians formerly used to kill the Inhabitants cattle
at an uncommon Rate. There has been only Two killed Since
the Spring — Last year they made Free with Two of my Cows
and a horse — Whatever may be the Consequence I still continue
to give the Indians Provisions and a Little Rum and Tobacco
now and then, nor is it in my Power to do otherwise whilst I am
oblidged to Detach Small Parties of the Garrison to cutt wood
and Burn Lime and Charcoal. We are by no means in Condi-
tion to put them on any other Footing /
M r . Verchere is now here He has got a Pass to trade at
Sandusky and Permission from Governor Carleton to be Inter-
preter [for the Sha]wanese — He brought a Huron from
Sandusky Who Says He was Sent by the Chiefs of the Small
Village to Contradict what had been alledged against M r .
Verchere that He himself was the Person who carry d M r .
Verchere's Belt from the one Village to the other and that
] mention [ ] as the Present
That He only Spoke about [ ] His Returning there
with goods woud be [ ]
Michel the Lorrette Indian who was [ ]
for m r . Verchere Sticks firm to the first Story and [ ]
Verchere Told them that the French King was still alive and
woud See them Soon. — The first Chief who accused m r Verchere
of that Affair Died as He was Returning to Send the other one
Eyengeking Who brought in and Delivered up m r . Vercheres
Belt the beginning of July. Told the very Same Story with the
first chief and the Lorrette Indian.
Verchere Seems very ill Pleased that I appeared to be not alto-
gether convinced of His Innocence, and has Rather Behaved
Rudely on the occasion, although I told him that I was not his
160 Sir William Johnson Papers
judge, But it was my duty to Report what was Laid before me
concerning the Service I am With Great Respect
Sir
Your most Obedient and
[most] Humble Servant
Geo: Turnbull
To
Sir William Johnson
INDORSED: Let[ter from]
Cap 1 Turnbull [
concern^ Verchere
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New York Sep 1 . 10* 1769.
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your Letter of the 30 th : of August, the Contents
of which are very plain, and I fear in general too true. I have
not heared that the Ohio Indians have in Fact denied the Claim
of the Six Nations to the ceded Lands, but they could not without
Jealousy and disgust See their hunting Grounds ceded to us es-
pecialy as they received little or no Share of the Money paid
for them. I hear of no other Indians who lay Claim to any part
of the Said Lands, except the Cherokees to the Country below
the Kanahwa River, and the Fear of a Rupture with them has no
doubt occasioned Virginia to be bounded by Said River, what I
have Said I apprehend to be the Case with the Ohio Indians.
The Accounts you mention will be discharged as Soon as you
transmit them to me. I have nothing Material by the Packet,
further than that £5000 will be allowed for the Northern District,
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 161
and His Majesty's Expectations that said Sum shall not be ex-
ceeded.
I have the honor to be with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
Sir W m : Johnson Bar 1 :
indorsed: N. York 7K 10 th . 1769
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
w ,h . an Enclosure
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 1 U h Sep*. 1769
[I] Just now had the pleasure of your Favour of the 1st In-
stant, Inclosing [ ] Letters for London which are this Day
forwarded by the Packett, which Sails this Afternoon ■ — I Sent
you on Thursday last 6 Barrells of Pork which I hope will come
to hand before this Letter & Observe all your other Orders, which
if possible Shall be All Sent away this Week, I Say if possible,
because I very much Doubt whether the Window Glass or the
Earthern Ware are att all comeattable in this City, all the Goods
Come from Europe Since last Spring being Stored by the Sons of
Liberty, nor will they as yet Suffer the least Thing to go out of
their Possession, you may however be Assurd I will ransack the
City for you — I have already been at two Places who adver-
tize Glass, but Such miserable Stuff it is, that I woud not give 1 0/
a Box for it, it looks as if made of old Bottles & is really the Vilest
Trash I ever Saw; however I will try every place & if I cannot
Suit you, I will Send you a Double Box of fine Glass, which has
been in our house 1 4 Years, the Size is 9 by 1 OJ/2 & rather than
be a Hindrance to your Buildings, you must cutt it & contrive as
6
162 Sir William Johnson Papers
well as you can, for God knows when the Sons of Liberty will
permitt us to have any more Goods, I Suppose not till they have
sold all their Old & refuse Goods, which they are doing at an
exorbitant Rate — I cannot as yet hear of any Tiles but will go
out in quest of some this Afternoon the Nails &c a you Can depend
on by the first Sloop, & so you may of every thing in my Power to
Send you — I am glad you have received the Cod & hope you
have likewise receivd the Sugar & Tea &c a . which you do not
mention — I fancy M r Roberts has drawn two Bills in May for
£100 Cash to Mr Edward Harrison, which occasions the Mis-
take — I will enquire of M r Mortier's Clerk as Soon as I can get
out & Compare the two Bills —
Sir Harry Moore has been very dangerously ill for 1 4 Days,
past, 4 Days Ago he Was given over by his Phisicians, but has
been mending for 3 Days past till last Night about 1 2 o Clock,
when a Violent Relax came on & I Suppose before 3 hours He
will be a Corpse, his Lower parts are dead — I am exceedingly
Sorry for his Family —
My Wife joins me in Sincere Respects to You & remain with
the greatest Truth —
Sir
Your most obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
r i
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
indorsed: N York 7[ ]
M r . Wetherheads [ ]
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 163
TO THOMAS GAGE
Johnson-hall Sept. !2 lh . 1769
Dear Sir,
A few days ago I had the favor of your Letter of the 27th
ult°. and It is with real pleasure that I find You agree with me in
opinion concerning the Speeches of the Indians &ca
We shall soon know by whom the Attack was made on the
Boat in the Ouabache, but I have not heard from the Indians of
the six Nation Indians being put to death after he was made
prisoner, as to the Skirmishes with the Indians to the southward
they are Chiefly the Western Nations that are concerned partic-
ularly the Hurons, Powtewatamies and Twightwees, but many
others are often Joined with them, and unless it affected our
Traders and White people there very Much, it is best it should
continue so, — I have received Information that the two Indians
who were prisoners at the Detroit have made their Escape, so that
it will be Needless to Write about them. Notwithstanding they
were delivered up by the Nation they & their friends are now
doubtless full of Resentment on account of their being Con-
fined and would readily do any Mischief in their power
N B Here follows a paragraph intended to have been inserted
in my letter of the 30 th . Ult°. concerning a Bill for £1200 SterK
INDORSED: Sepf. 12 th . 1769
To Gen 1 . Gage
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson with the exception of the postscript,
which was written by Sir William.
164 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO JOHN TABOR KEMPE
Df. 1
Johnson hall Sept. 12 ih . J 769
Dear Sir/
I am favored with your Letter of the 24 th , ult°- and as it is in
my power to Explain its subject fully I wish that in so doing I
may give you Satisfaction therein, as you may be assured that in
any thing consistent with my duty I shall ever be glad to serve
you.
To make you acquainted with the whole I must acquaint you
that 4 or 5 Years ago L l . Col Vaughan having been informed by
a German of the Vacancy you speak of applied & urged me much
to get it for him which he estimated at about 5, or 6000 acres, at
this time as well as long after Neither myself or the Generality of
people here could Imagine that there was a Vacancy or if there
was one, that it Exceeded 1 000; or 1 5000 acres, I even dissuaded
2 Friends of mine abt that time from Locating there Least they
sh d . Lose by it, but Col Vaughan appeared so Confident of the
Vacancy & so Earnest that I at Length spoke of it to the Indians
& we Agreed that they sh d . dispose of five thousand acres on a
Supposition that there might be that Quantity, This promise
they afterwards Confirmed by Indian Deed in form wen for form
sake 6c to prevent his being a Loser was bounded as you know,
but intended to convey but 5000 acres, After this, Col Vaughan
being desirous of patenting it, I sent a Surveyor to make the Sur-
vey when the Indians finding the Vacancy so much Larger Inter-
rupted him & represented to me Justly that they expected no more
w d . be taken than had been agreed for, & that they intended to
keep the Surplus havs so little Land left & it being so near their
Village that their posterity would want it. To this I could make
no objection as I had myself agreed [ ] Consideration
for the Quantity aforementioned I mentioned it
In handwriting of Guy Johnson except two brief interlineations.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 165
accordingly to his Excell c y the Governor who was well satisfied
with it as knowing that Col Vaughan would be contented accord-
ingly Last Year the same was Surveyed having previously pre-
vailed on the Indians to Let the Creek be their Boundary whereby
Col Vaughan's Tract was increased to above 8000 Acres the
Indians desiring that the remainder might be secured to their
posterity as did the Mohocks &ca all which his Excelly was
pleased to promise his Assistance in, & I have since had it sur-
veyed for that purpose, by which it Appears that there is a Suffi-
cient Communication with the Land they occupy, which it other-
wise, could not prejudice them in Justice, our best guide in dealing
with them. & This very Land I do assure you was particularly
Mentioned Meant and intended by the Indians at the Fort Stan-
wix Treaty. From hence you may perceive that all [
want of Information as to the nature of the purchase you might
have conceived that others would get it & as you say perceived
that every possible Obstacle would be thrown in your way.
There was no danger of that, as I apprehend that the Crown
would not Suffer it, and I believe that his Excelb the Gov r . who
knew the Case & with whom I had conversed concerns it would
not Grant it to any person — That Very part was set aside for
the Ind s long before you appear to have thought of Locating
there & [ ] Appeared so Clear to me that I never imagined
that any body w d . have applied for [ ] June last when
I was informed that it was petitioned for but I co d . not tell by
whom, Upon wch I wrote a few Lines to remind the Governor, of
the Transact", wch I considered as Sufficient. I cannot Con-
demn your Resolutions or the propriety of your arguments on the
Case as it appeared to you but there lies the Mistake for altho'
the Bounds in the Deed Comprehends the Whole that was my
fault, from an Apprehension that it would not equal the Quantity
he required, & as he had impowered me to Transact the Affair &
would relinquish any Overplus I resolved to do so sho d . any
appear as afterw ds . did never imagining that any advantage would
be taken of it if the purchaser who w d . have taken the Whole
166 Sir William Johnson Papers
declined it for the reasons Assigned. So that what you have
said, of the present Interruption given by the Ind s . & its Conse-
quences &ca are not at all Applicable, — // Was a purchase of
about 5000 acres (very Cheap) & so Circumstanced that no
Judgment could be formed of its Contents, The Bounds being ex-
pressed to favor the purchaser should it fall Short but not to be
made an Advantage of if otherwise. So that the Ind s . have no
blame, neither hath that Village given any Trouble about Lands
but in an Instance the reasonableness of which you must recollect.
I have stated this matter truly, from which you will see how far I
can serve you therein but I am very sorry you seem to have such
Grounds for believing that those Lands would have been granted
away as it wo d have greatly Surprised me & If so you certainly
had good Right to Apply nor should you have wanted any As-
sistance from me consistent with my Duty but I believe the Ind s .
were not tampered with otherwise I sho d . have heard of it for
they rely too confidently on our Justice the Nature of the Affair
& the Assurances [ ]
To prev 1 . the consequences of wch was my Sole Motive in writing
ab l . it whatever Advantage the Law | ] Afford from
the Expression of the Deed, the Circumstances aforement d renders
it a peculiar Case And co d . I Obtain it Legally with a Certainty
of Sells it the next day for £10,000 I should decline it. — I
have been the more particular in order to give you that Satisfac-
tion wch you require, and which I shall always think you Merit,
and I am an entire Stranger to any Transactions concern^ the
Matter other than are here Stated with a Candour & friendship
arising from the great Esteem w*. w ch . I am
D r Sir &ca
To John T. Kempe Esq r .
indorsed: Sept r . 12 th 1769
To M r . Kempe
Atty Gen 1 , concerning
the Vacancy at Conajoharie
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 167
TO THOMAS WHARTON
Df. 1
Johnson hall SepF 12 th . 1769
Sir,
I have received the several Letters which you Mention in your
favor of the 16th ult°. which is come also to my hands and for
which I thank you as well as for the sev 1 . particulars of News you
were so kind as to Communicate, — My Absence in the Coun-
try of the Six Nations for sev 1 . Weeks prevented me from An-
swering your former Letters as a Severe hurt I met with at Onon-
daga, hindered me from Acknowledging the rec 1 . of your last
till now.
I found the Indians in a Very discontented state on accot of
all the late ill Conduct of the Frontier Inhabitants. The With-
drawing the Officers who had the Inspection of the Trade at the
Outposts, & the Artifices of both French & Indians about the
Misisipi who endeavor to draw them into a Confederacy against
us. but altho' the present state of the Department will not
enable me to take All the Necessary steps I hope to be able to
preserve the fidelity of several Nations at any event. As to any
report of the dissatisfact" of some of the Indians concerning the
Boundary it is only a pretence All the Ind s . who have a Just
title to the Lands ceded were present at the Treaty, & that to a
greater Number than was known on any other occasion, and they
were well paid & Satisfied. They had no promise from me of
any Meeting at Fort Pitt neither was it practicable to Satisfy all
the Wants or demands of every Nation who might for the Sake
of presents set up a Title which they dare not pretend to in the
presence of the True proprietors. I have heard from S.W. and
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
168 Sir William Johnson Papers
heartily wish him success, and shall always be glad of the Con-
tinuance of your Agreable Correspondence being with much
Esteem
Your Hearty Wellwisher
& very humble Servt.
& ca
INDORSED: Sept r . 12 ,h 1769
To M r . Tho s . Wharton
Philadelphia
TO SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
Df. 1
Johnson hall SepV 14 th 1769
Sir/
My long Absence from home and indisposition since occasioned
by a fall I got at Onondaga will I hope Apoligize for my Neglect-
ing to Answer your Letters since June last. I am but Just recov-
ering from the hurt I received & therefore have not been able to
look over my back Letters so that I do not exactly recollect the
particulars of the Letter regarding yourself which was I think in
May last — To the best of my remembrance you wanted to
make some little purchase in an Advantagious place in this
Country, and in this I shall be glad if I can serve you, I should
first inform you that the Nature of the soil and other advantages,
has for some years past so attracted the attention of all who knew
these circumstances that there is no Land to be had unpatented
very near the Market or the Mohock River, but there are Some
Tracts of pritty good Land which have been purchased within
these 2 years past, in which If you inclined to it I might get you a
Share, the Indian purchases of these have been in general about
£12 the Thousand, (tho' some are vastly higher) & the patent
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
THE REVEREND SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
Appointed Rector August 28, 1764; died March 4, 1777
From Morgan Dix's History of the Parish of Trinity Church
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 169
fees £25 the Thousand, but If a Small purchase was made of the
Indians the Ind n . purchase would amount to 3 or 4 times as much,
If from what I have Mentioned you incline to have 2000, Acres
or thereabouts I shall gladly do what I can to get it as advantage-
ously for you as the Nature & Circumstances of the Tract will
admit of.
I have not heard from M r . Seabury Since he went down, I have
a very favorable Character of him and am sorry that the Terms
mentioned to him did not Seem a Sufficient inducement for remov-
ing his family, possibly the society may augment the sallary on a
farther Consideration of the Subject.
M r . Griffith who delivered me your favor of the 21 st . ult°.
seems to be a Man of Merit and I am glad to find he purposes to
take Orders. — I should be glad to have the Deeds for the late
D r . Barclays place, as I am a Stranger to the bounds &ca and
should have it Surveyed & properly ascertained for the purpose
Intended by the Purchase. The Schoolmaster whom I fixed at
Fort Hunter, has already 30 Indian Children, is well liked and
going on Successfully, and the Schoolmaster at Johns Town has
near Double that Number of Whites & Indians, and both Schools
are likely to encrease fast. — I cannot help still Complaining of
the Want of Missionaries, and that we are letting slip the best
opportunity there will ever be for promoting the Establish^
Church in these parts. Yet out of the four Missions Albany
only is provided for, In Schenectady I hear that many of our
Church are under the Necessity of Associating with others of a
different Denomination who begin to make great advances, I
should think some Young Gentlemen of Slender Interest in our
Universities might be found that would take orders for these
purposes —
INDORSED: Sepf. 14 th 1769
To D r . Auchmuty —
1 70 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM EBENEZER DIBBLEE ET AL.
D. S.
New Haven 14 Sep r . 1769
May it please your Excellency
Whereas it has been expected, that the Lands to the Westward
of Connecticut River, which were granted by Benning Went-
worth Esquire late Governor of New-Hampshire (in which the
Society for propagating the Gospel &" have considerable Inter-
est) would be erected into a new Government and considerable
Interest has been made in Favour of Partridge Thatcher Esq r
the Bearer hereof, that he might be made the first Governor
thereof, and Application being made to this Convention in May
last to interest themselves, in this Gentleman's Favour, we (know-
ing his Worth, and firm Attachment to the present Establishment
both in Church and State) did then write to the Society request-
ing their Interest with Administration in his Favour, should said
Lands be erected into a Government. We now therefore ask
your Interest to promote said Design should You in your Wisdom
think proper. We are,
May it please your Excellency
Your Excellency's most obedient
And most humble Servants
Missionaries to the honorable
Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel in
foreign Parts
Ebenezer Dibblee Richard Mansfield
Joseph Lamson Christopher Newton
Ebenezer Kneeland James Scovil
Richard Clarke Samuel Andrews
Bela Hubbard
John Tyler
Solomon Palmer
Postwar Period, 1 763-/774 171
To His Excellency
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
INDORSED: New Haven 14 th . SepuV. 1769
Letter from a Number of
Missionaries by Patridge
Thacher Esq r .
rec d . Janry. 17 th 1770
TO JAMES RIVINGTON
Z)/. 1
Johnson-hall Sepf. 14 th . 1769
Sir/
I thank you for your agreable Correspondence, and for the
Several pieces of News communicated in your late Letters partic-
ularly in that of the 4 th Inst, Indeed I should have answered
some of them Sooner but for my Absence in the Six Nation Coun-
try and my indisposition since occasioned by a fall I got at
Onondaga, —
I must Confess the Aspect of Affairs at home is very Unpleas-
ing, and ought to give Concern to every Wellwisher of his Coun-
try, because whatever reason or Justice there may be in some of
the late Steps you Mention, there is a probability of their being
carried farther than a Good Man can wish for, Tho' I still hope
that these Matters will be happily adjusted at or before the Next
Session of Parliament, — Affairs here are very doubtful The
Indians at the Misisipi, behave very Extraordinarily and under
the Countenance and Influence of the French are endeavoring to
Seduce the Nations to the Northward to Confederate with them,
but I expect to prevent them from Succeeding so far as they wish.
Tho' my almost Constant Avocations & hurry will not permit
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
1 72 Sir William Johnson Papers
me to be very punctual in Correspondence I hope it will not pre-
vent you from Writing me now and then as your Letters are very
Interesting and Agreable to me
I am with regard, Sir,
Your hearty Wellwisher
& very humble Servant
Sir John & Col Johnson
[sen]d their Complim ,s . the
latter wishes you'd remember
[ ] Littletons Hist: & the Ann 1 .
[Register] for 66, 67 & 68 wch
therefor.
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 15 Sep'. 1769
In Obedience to your Command I now Send you by Captain
Douw's Sloop [every] Article you orderd for me, except the Glass
9 by 1 1 which is not to be had at pres*. an Account of which you
have on the other Side, for which please to give me Credit as to
the Dutch Tiles there are not So many in Town as woud cover
an Indian Hutt, So that it does not Signifie Saying any thing more
about them; people here have got into the Way of painting
Shingles black with a particular Composition, which they Say
makes them last a very long time & makes them look Much like
black Slate if you Chuse it I will Send you up Some of the
Composition, as my Carpenter knows it very well — When I
wrote you last I was much afraid I shoud not have been able to
have got you those Articles, especially the Crockery Ware & the
Glass, as those Articles were all Stored by order of Our Sovereign
Lord the Sons of Liberty; the honest Man with whom I generally
deal for those Articles, came to tell me yesterday with a Sorrow-
ful Countenance that He coud not prevail on Mess Isaac Low,
Isaac Sears & Jo Allicocke who are our present Tyrants, to let
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 173
him have the Goods he Wanted notwithstanding he was very cer-
tain that those very people called the Committee, had severall
Times got their own Goods clandestinely out of the Store & were
daily Selling them by little & little & that he Supposd they had a
pique against him because he did not Sign the Agreem 1 for Non
Importation — As I had Some Reason to believe the Truth of
this — I persuaded him to break open the Store in the Dead of
the Night & take the Goods out he Wanted & return the empty
Packages, which he has accordingly done & this is the Reason
why You have your Goods, but perhaps the Next News you
have will be that He & I have been carted about the Town The
Table Crockery I now Send are quite new fashioned, Severall
principall Families have lately got them over from England, they
are very much Admired, but come Very high — tho' those I now
Send you are at least 25 ^ Cent Cheaper than any I have Seen;
I hope you will approve of my Sending them rather than the
Common White Ones (of which indeed I do not believe I coud
have picked up your Quantity in Town) for I do not See why
you Shoud not be in the Fashion as well as any body Else — I
think you Shoud give M r Frank orders to take a very particular
care of them & not put himself in a passion when they are in the
Way —
As I wrote you in my last, Sir Harry Moore departed this
Life a half past 2 o Clock on Monday & was buried Tuesday
Evening as you will See by the papers ; He made a will immedi-
ately after his Reconciliation with his Daughter, in which He has
left Lady Moore Sole Executrix, with an Annuity of £600 stg
during her Widowhood and All his Furniture & plate, to M rs
Dixon £3000 stg & the Rest of his Fortune ( [which they] Say
amounts to Twenty thousand pounds stg) to his Son, at little Boy
as [ The Lieut Governor immediately on Sir Harrys
decease came over, calld [ ] rted back the Surrogates
office to M r Banyar, which has vexed a great Many People in
town, especially the Livingstonian Party [
much here of Lord Charles Montague Brother to the Duke of
1 74 Sir William Johnson Papers
Manchester [ ] Governor, it is Said with much Confi-
dence that he went home last [ ] this Government, pro-
vided Sir Harry Moore, coud be otherwise provided for [to his]
Satisfaction ; but all this I believe only arises from a Declaration
he made [ ] in this Town last Summer, that He Shoud
like this Government much better [than] Carolina, on Account
of the Climate
I begg my Respects to All my Acquaintances at your House,
particularly Mess Byrne, Dayly & Grace, who I hear are Still
with you, I purpose in a few Days taking a Tour to Schoharrie &
if possible will cross over to your house for a Day or two, but as
yet I have no Certainty of going at All; I beg you will believe
me to be most Sincerely
Sir Your most Obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
in One of the Boxes there are Some paper Parcells I receivd from
London for Coll Johnsons please to deliver them to that Gentle-
man
Account
Sir] William Johnson B l .
Bo', of John Wetherhead
] on board Capt Troax
4 Barrells Pork a 95/
£19
1
Sent on board Lansing's Sloop
2 Barrells pickled Cod a 35/ with Cartage
3
11
28 tt Bohea Tea a 4/8
6
10
8
Canister & Lock
16
1 Barrell Sugar 1.3.21 a 65/
6
5
9
Barrell
1
6
25 loaves Sugar 223 tt a 1 3 d
12
1
9
Cask
1
6
Cartage
1
Sent on board Van Allen's Sloop
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
175
[
8
15
12
10
2
6
In d
16
4
16
2
4
10
3
4
5
2
7
8
6 Barrells Pork a 100/ with Cartage 30 1 6
On board Captain Douw
2 Doz Shutter Bolts a 26/ 2
4" Twine a 2/8
2 Doz Hooks & Eyes a 1 /
Box 1
1 Cask A D N°. 6 60» 4 4 d Nails W 240»
a 13d 13
1 Cask " N 67 19 18 12 d d° 342
1 D° TWN°55 15 22 20 d d° 330 j
672»a8i/ 2 d 23
1 D° AD 3 24 d 336 8 d 1 1
4 Boxes of Glass 200 feet 7 by 9 a 78/ 7
Cartage
a Hhd Containing Viz 1 .
3 Setts of the finest Straw Col d Queens mettle
Qual Dishes & in Each Sett a 28/ 4
23 Doz Plates of the Same Sort a 1 0/ 11
2 Toureens 20/ 2
4 Sauce Boats a 10 d
Hh d . 3/6 & Cartage 1/
28 tt Whiting in a Cask
6 Gallons Linseed Oyle a 7/ 2
2 Wickered Juggs directed
4
6
6
£158 12 2
] the above I have paid Severall things Viz*. ^rom
] for Sir John & from New London for you, Postage &c a
cannot] tell the Am' of at present
indorsed 2 : N York 15 ,h . 7 br . 1769
M r . Wetherheads Letter
w lh . his Ace 1 .
1 Illegible.
2 In Johnson's hand.
1 76 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO THOMAS PENN
Johnson Hall Sepi'. f 5 th . 1769
Dear Sir
I am Just favored with your kind Letter of the 6th June, with
that on the back of the 29th and inclosing the Copy of his
Majestys Grant to me On this occasion I am impressed with the
Deepest Sense of Gratitude to his Majesty and to the Council
and Officers of State As well on account of the Grant as of the
Nature of it, but I ought in a particular manner to Express my
Most sincere and thankfull Acknowledgements to you, Sir, to
whose Steady Attention and sollicitation I am principally in-
debted for the regard paid to my Application, and the manner in
which it is Obtained of all which I shall ever retain the most
Gratefull remembrance, and I persuade myself that you will be-
lieve me to be always ready to demonstrate by any Means in my
power the Just sense I have of these Obligations and of the man-
ner in which you have obtained the Grant. —
The receiving it free of Quit rent Leaves me not the least rea-
son to Say any thing concerning the fees, but am greatly obliged
to you for those you have been so kind as to Advance, and request
you will favor me with an Acct of the Amount of the Whole for
which I shall imediately send you a Bill And as to the Grant,
I shall take it as an additional favor, If you will order it to be
put up and Sent by the First Pacquet to Me to the Care of the
honole John Watts Esq r . at N York who will Carefully forward
it —
I am lately returned from a Tour thro' the Whole Country of
the Six Nations as far as Seneca, Where I took the opportunity of
Carrying up the Dollars owing for your purchase Which I paid in
public to each of the Nations [ ] their Thanks and
satisfaction at it, and gave me | | which I transmitted
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 177
about 10 days ago to Lieut Gov r . [Penn.] The Advantage of
my going into the Ind n . Country [ ] Expence of this
Affair very Small compared with what it [would] have amounted
to had I called them together down [to this] Country, as you
must recollect that the Money was not ready for them when they
Sold the Lands last Year on wch acct I passed my Note to them.
They Expressed a good deal of anger at the Intrusion of the New
England [missionaries &] said they feared it would set some of
their people a quarreling but really from the present disposition
of the Indians (which was partly the Cause of my Making the
Tour) I fear they will [not] be long quiet. The Conduct of the
Indians about the Ilinois and Ohio has been lately such as to leave
us no doubt of their h[ostile] Intentions and the French Traders
and others with those Indians who are dissaffected are daily by
belts, Messages &ca endeavoring to draw all the rest into a Con-
federacy with them, which I am doing all that is in my power to
prevent, and hope to succeed with Sev 1 . of the Nations beyond
what might be Expected from the present State of Things and
the Small Allowance [ ] stipulated for the Expences
of my department. The Indians Complain much of the With-
drawing those who had the Inspection] of Trade, and of the re-
duction of favors which (however [ ] they expected
a longer continuance of; They make m[uch] Clamour about
the repeated Murders committed on their [people] by the frontier
Inhabitants, to add to which I had but Just [arrived in] the
Seneca Country when I received advice of the Murder [of a]
very faithfull Young Indian of that Nation on the [River] Sus-
quehanna, & Since that the people on that Frontier [
& Stopped the Traders Goods declaring they won't Surfer
forward. What all these & much more proceed-
ings of ] other Quarters will end in seems but
too [obvious have good hopes that my endeavors will
[ ] Wish that in my Next Letter I may
be enabled to give you a better Account of Affairs here, and
Shall Conclude by again repeating my Most Sincere & hearty
1 78 Sir William Johnson Papers
Thanks for the signal Instances of your Friendship, Assuring you
that I shall ever be with the greatest Sincerity and Truth, Dear
Sir,
Your most Obedient
& most Obliged humble Servt.
INDORSED : [ ]
To the Hon'ble Tho s . Penn Esq r .
FROM JOHN PENN
A. L. S. 1
Philadelphia Sep'. 16*. 1769
Sir
I now acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the seven-
teenth and twenty seventh of August. — I have the pleasure to
inform You, that at a meeting of the Indians at Fort Augusta, the
twenty first of last month, Colonel Francis on the part of this
Government, condoled with them upon the death of Seneca
George's Son, and it appears by the minutes of the Conferences
he had with them, that they were extremely well Satisfied. You
have undoubtedly seen some account of this matter in the News-
paper.
By some late Intelligence I have from Fort Pitt and other
Parts of the County of Cumberland, there does not seem to be
much reason at present to apprehend any disturbance from the
Indians. I readily believe the frontier people treat them very ill ;
and that the withdrawing the bounty & Protection they were ac-
customed to, must be a matter of Complaint. I am quite of your
opinion, that this Province should provide inspectors, Smiths &
Interpreters at proper places for the Conveniency of the Indians,
and shall do whatever lies in my power to promote so useful an
Establishment.
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 179
I will order your account to be paid, as soon as you are
pleased to inform me, to whom the money is to be sent in New
York. I am with great Regard
Sir
Your most obedient
humble Servant
John Penn
P:S:
Our Surveyors will be at the big Island the twentieth of Octo-
ber next, in order to meet the Indians, that are to attend the
running the line from the Susquehanna to Kittaning., — You will
be kind enough to make their number as small as possible.
S R William Johnson Bar 1
INDORSED: Philadelphia 7 br . : 16 h .
1769
L f . Gov r . Penns Letter
Ans d . Oct'. 24 th .—
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 18 Sep'. 1769
I had the pleasure of writing you on Monday last concerning
M r Roberts Bill to Edward Harrison, which you mention to have
Credited M r Mortier for the 25 th May last, in Consequence of
which I have been at Mr. Mortiers office in order to find out the
Error if possible & find the Bill you advist to is a Bill ¥ £200,
but the Bill in Question is for £100, drawn a different Day; if
you please to examine this Matter a little you will find it So —
the Bill Holder here was with me on Saturday and threatend im-
mediately to protest the Bill Unless I paid it, as you mentiond
to me you woud pay it as Soon as you Coud find out the Error ;
I have complyd with the Bill Holder's Request & paid the Bill ;
I will therefore request the favour of you to Send me a draft for
it as soon as it Shall be convenient to you I hope you will have
180 Sir William Johnson Papers
received all your Things by Capt Douw who Saild on Saturday
last — I remain with Sincere Regard
Sir Your most Obed* Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
M\ Wetherhead [ ]
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
c AY7 N York Sep 18. 1769
Sir William '
A passage of two & thirty days has produced the Earl of
Halifax pacquet.
The East India affairs have been severely shocked by some
Advantages of a Native in that Country, Heyder Ally, over the
Companys forces these have occasioned their Stock to sink from
270 to 219 which has influenced the Bankruptcy of the first
Banker in Europe Paunchaud at paris for 20 Millions french,
and the fortunes of many principal personages in England are
shattered by these Events. Lord Holland, hard pressed by able
writers in y e Publick papers, has thought proper to disgorge an
hundred thousand pounds into the Exchequer, a part of his
ballance due upon his pay mastership accompts of 40 Unsettled
Millions.
Earl Bute is returned and already discovered to the people his
Sovereign's peculiar bias in his favor, in short all the Councills of
State have been directed under his influence, tho absent, and the
Crown too has not wanted the suggestions of Lord Holland, a
Colleague of the Favorite.
Most of the Counties in England have already prepared ad-
dresses to the Throne ecchoing the Strains of Middlesex & Lon-
don upon the Subject of Grievances in general & the Right of
Election in particular.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 181
The Next advices will bring us a detail of something very de-
cisive betwixt the Russian & Ottman Armies
General Monckton offered, thro Mr W Burke, his services to
the India Company against Heyder Ally, yet they have not been
accepted which induces us here to think if he could command the
Government of New York, Vice Sir Henry Moore who expired
last Monday, he would not refuse it, tho seperated from the Com-
mand of the Military. The Earl of Chatham & the House of
Grenville are now become a perfect phalanx, determined to re-
cover the right of Election & pull down the Tory Administration.
The Old Earl of Winchelsea is dead at 81. Poor Peter
Hasenclever, who in the last five years has buried the better part
of an hundred thousand pounds in this Country, is now amongst
the Unfortunate, being declared a Bankrupt. I believe he has
been at Johnson Hall, his fate is regretted for he was honest &
well beloved.
The Island of S f John's is at last erected into a Government &
Walter Paterson of the late 80 th Reg f presented to it, T. Debrisay
made Lieut Governor & a M r Ja s . Monsell Attorney General.
Montford Brown L l Governor of West florida is superceeded in
favor of Elias Durnford of y e Engineers.
Betts run high that a French War will be commenced by the
first of February Yet I fancy it will prove Apochryphal. Thus
far the Halifax pacquet.
I hope my Epistle will find all the Family at Johnson Hall and
its Vicinities in perfect health and I am,
most inviolably,
Sir William's
Your most faithful serv 1
ADDRESSED: To JAM S RlVINGTON
Sir Wm Johnson Bar 1
at
Johnson Hall
indorsed: 1 7 br . 18 th . 1769
M r . Rivingtons Letter
1 In Johnson's hand.
182 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
SepK 18* 1769
Dear Sir
two Days Ago M r . Alexander M c Kee Come hear up the Sus-
quannah, I have had a Good Dale of Conversation with him
Concerning the Disposesion & Temper of the Indians att ohio he
has Shoe d . Me a Small Journal he Made of Such Things as he
Could Gether from the Shawnas whome I well know wold Tell
him any thing they Knew as they Consider him as one of thire
own pople his Mother being one of thire Nation
he has Collected the prinsaple Inteligence and Inclosed them to
y r honor w h . I inclose you, he Tells Me that Lett y e . Indians In-
tensions be what itt will & w h , he Says is Cartianly against the
English, that they wold Nott have Shone y e . Least unesayness
this Sumer had itt Nott been for y e . Number of pople that has
gon out from Virginia and Pensylvaine the Later has Survaied
all y e . Lands in that Cuntry & Down y e . ohio Seventy Miles
Down below fort pitt to the Senica Vilidge this Conduct and the
Incoredjem 1 . they have from y e . french & Cherrakees he is of
opinion has Determind them to begin a Warr with us Sooner than
they Ever Intended tho they have had itt in Viue, He Tells Me
that y e . Cheaffs of the Shawnas & Dalloways are against itt &
has Tould thire Warrers that itt wold End in there Ruin Butt the
Worrars Say they May as well Dey Like Men as be Kicked
about Like Doggs and putt into prison it seems Several Indians
has been putt into y e . Gard house att Fort pitt this Sumer for very
Trifling Resons Many Beat unmercyfully and one Man Shott att
& Wonded on the Road as he was Carreying a Leter for the
Commanding offisor to Legionier 1
I am with Great Respect y r . honors Most obedient
and Most Hum ble Servant
Geo: Croghan
1 Fort Ligonier, earlier known as Loyal hannon, in Westmoreland
county, Pa.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 183
To the Honble Sir William JOHNSON Bar 1
indorsed 1 : Otsege 7 br . 18 th . 1769
M r Croghans Letter
with Some Intelligence
FROM ALEXANDER MCKEE
A. L. S.
Otsega Septemb r 18 th 1769
Hon d Sir
I arrived here Yesterday from Fort Augusta on a Visit to
Colonel Croghan, and would do myself the Honor of waiting
upon you before my return, but am under the Necessity of going
back immediately in order to make a Settlement of my Fathers
Affairs. —
I have judged it proper to inform your Honor of every thing
which has come to my Knowledge respecting Indian matters dur-
ing my stay at Fort Pitt this Summer; and have therefore com-
mitted it to Writing for your Honors perusal which is herewih en-
closed. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect
Your Honors most Obedient
& very Humble Servant
Alex r M c .Kee
The Hon bIe Sir William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: 1 M r . Alexd r . M c Kees
Letter & Journal
1 In Johnson's hand.
184 Sir William Johnson Papers
JOURNAL OF ALEXANDER MCKEE
A. D. 1
] May last the Shawanese, Delawares, and
Senicas of [ ]il with the Twightwees, Piankisaw's,
Waweoughtenoes, Musquetons, [ ]s that Live upon
the Wabash, at Stoney River when they Settled all [
former Disputes and entred into a Strong and firm Alliance, by
which they [ ] to Live and die by each other, and are
also to Defend themselves against any Enemy that may hereafter
Quarrel with either of them whether English or Indians. The
Senicas, Shawanese, Delawares, Munseys, Moheckons, & Mus-
quaghkees who reside upon the Ohio and its Waters in a Meeting
of their own this Summer have Complained much of the Conduct
of the Six Nations giving up so much of the Country to the
English without asking their Consent & Approbation and say the
Lands down the Ohio to the Cherokee River is as much theirs
as the Six Nations, it having been Conquered by the whole Con-
federacy and the Senicas and Cayugas have declared to these
Nations that it was Contrary to their Judgements to do so but
that the Mohawks, Onidas, Onondagoes, & Tuskaroras would
have it so. The Shawanese, & Delawares have Built this Sum-
mer a very large Council House at Scioto to which they have in-
vited all the Wabash Indians the Hurons, Ottawas, Putiwatimies,
and Chepawas and likewise all the Chiefs of the Senicas ware to
be present; — This great Meeting was to [take] place the latter
end of June or July — ; A Deputation of [Shawan]ese followed
the Cherokees to Fort Pitt and took Six of them [ ]
The Intention of this Meeting is to form a [ ]
Southern Nations together; against the English and the Senicas
are to [ ] of the whole, the Mohawks, Onidas,
Tuskaro [ras ] to be left out to do as they please. —
The above information I have had from a Chief who has been
1 Inclosed in the preceding letter, of September 1 8th.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 185
] private Meetings, and says this plan has been on
foot th [ ] Years past but could not be brought to bear till
now, th[ ] with the Southern Indians is Settled — ; He
says this G [ ] was first Recommended by the French in
order to drive the [English] out of their Country and Burn all
their Forts, that they [would not] Strike untill the French would
come to Assist them, But [the] Numbers of White people and
Surveyors that come out this [ ] to Settle and Survey
the Country about Fort Pitt and down [the] Ohio has set all their
Warriors in a rage, and has been y e principal] cause of hasten-
ing this Meeting, for it had been agreed on [ ] Winter
to be put off untill next Summer; He likewise told [me he] had
certain advice from New Orleans that Forty Battoes with Amuni-
tion &ca was to be sent from thence this Fall up to the [
Ohio by the French and Spaniards for their several Nations
| they the French and Spaniards would make War
upon the E[nglish next] Spring upon the great Lake; he told me
that the Shawanese &] Delawares had come to a Resolution not
to be the [first (?) ] and that they had told the Senecas so,
as they had [ ] last War, The Senicas in answer to
this d[ ] and they would see them [start ]
it heartily before, but were determined to begin here and the
southward. The Conduct of the Senica
seems to Confirm the certainty of this being
their present plan, as they are the only Indians who beheave In-
solently or 111 [about] Fort Pitt, Killing Cattle, Stealing Horses,
and in short plundering every House & Field they come to ; And
I am sorry to say the White people on their parts beheave as 111
to their Indian Neighbours, and seem to Wish for a Quarrel as
much as the Indians. There is now several Indians of the Shawan-
ese & Delawares come to the West and East Branches of Sus-
quohannah to take away this Fall to Ohio, all their Friends
amongst the Six Nations and have Belts to Invite the Moheckons,
Munseys, & Nanticokes to go & Live at Scioto where they have
Lands for them which the Six Nations can not Sell to the English.
186 Sir William Johnson Papers
DRAFT OF DANIEL CLAUS
A. D. S.
Montreal 19* Sep* 1769
On Demand please to Pay to M r . S l . Luc [Le] Corne Chev r
de S*. Louis, or his order the Sum of Fifteen pounds 6/10 N. y.
Curry, for Value reed of him & place it to Acco 1 . of
Sir
Your most Obed 1 hble servant
Dan. Claus
To S R William Johnson Bar 1 .
&c a . &c a . &c a .
Johnson hall
Verso Rec d . Johnson Hall 22 d 1 770 March the
Contents of the Within Order
Sam l . Stringer
INDORSED: 1 Co 1 . Claus Draft
Fav r . S' Lucke La Corn
£15 6 10 p<
AN INDIAN SPEECH
Fort Pitt 2h l : Sept': 1769
Copy of a Speech made by 2 in private to Captain
Edmonstone and Officers in Garrison, Simon Girty Interpreter.
Brothers,
It is from a Love to the English in general, and you in
particular that I have come here this Day, with my Heart
full of Sorrow to inform you that I see very clearly that
the Indians intend to strike you. —
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Vacant space in the manuscript. The speech of this Indian was in-
closed in General Gage's letter of October 9th to Johnson.
COLONEL DANIEL CLAUS
ANN CLAUS
From portraits in the
Public Archives of Can-
ada, Ottawa
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 187
Believe me Brothers the Chiefs of the six Nations have
done all in their Power to curb the young Men, but to no
Purpose, for they are bent on war.
I am determined to be early enough in giving you In-
formation this Time, because tho' I saw the two last Wars
coming I was afraid to speak my Mind, least by Accident I
might be decieved, and tell my Friends a Lie.
Brothers,
Your Suspicions relative to the last Party of Warriors
were too well grounded for I have since found out the Scalp
to be white.
As for you Brothers in the Fort here you are always
prepared, but the two last [wars] I saw with deep Concern,
many of my white Friends killed and taken, before they got
[the] least Notice, and hope you will take Care to prevent
that being the Case this War.
Brothers,
I know you will write this Account to your great Man
at New York, but I charge you and him as you are Men
not to mention my Name to any one living, as you know I
am an Indian, and must live amongst them, but the
Moment the first Blow is given I will come in and fight with
you as I always did.
Brothers,
I have now done, and have only to desire you will not
mention my Name, and that you will put the Women and
Children upon their Guard.
INDORSED: Copy of a speech made
by to Capt n .
Edmonstone & Officers in
Garrison at Fort Pitt
Sept: 21 st : 1769 —
188 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
Sep*. 23*. 1769
Dear Sir
I have Gott Some Servants from Dublin amoungst w h . is a
Gardner w b . by Acounts and from the Conversation I have had
with him I blive is Master of his busness and a Sober Man he has
a Wife a Good Cleanly Well looking Woman they are boath
bound for three years the Woman Seems with child I Send them
with y e . berrer Agreeable to My promis and hope he will answer
your Honors Expectians and his wife will be an aditision to the
frutfull Johnson Hall
I have Likewise gott a Very Good Bricklear w h . if you Should
Want you May have for the Winter as Soon as I gett a Cuple of
Chimneys built w b . will be Don in a fortnight thire Indentures is
Nott yett Come to hand butt I will Take them Down Myself —
I am Sir with Great Respect y r . honers Most Obeident &
hum b,e .
Servant
Geo: Croghan
To the Hon ble . SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON Banc*.
INDORSED: 1 Sept br . 23 d . 1769
M r . Croghans Letter
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 2
New york Sep 1 . 24 ih : 1769.
Dear Sir,
I have received your Letter of the 12 th . In st ., and shall advance
you Such Sums as you may require for the Purchase of Indian
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In Harvand College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 189
Goods in England where they May certainly be had much
cheaper than in this Country, and if you can depend on those you
employ, of a better Quality than what is occasionaly found in the
Merchant's stores here. /
By Lord Hillsborough's Letter to me of the 1 5 th July the Sum
allowed to your Department Should be increased £1000. His
Lordship writes as follows. "I need not now inform you that the
King's Intentions is to confine his whole Expence in the Indian
Country to £5000. P r : Annum for the Northern District." From
hence it would require Consideration what Sums you think proper
to allow at each of the Posts. The officers Commanding there
have the Strongest orders not to incurr Expences, nor would I let
them know that any Sums are allowed with regard to the Inter-
preters and Smiths as you have already discharged them from
your Department. I think I may Safely pay them till the
Provinces appoint them. I have acquainted the Commanders
of the Forts of this, and desired they would procure them as cheap
as they could, So this Expence will not appear in your Depart-
ment.
The Escape of the two Indian Prisoners from the Detroit does
not Surprize me, as I think almost every Prisoner they have had
at that Place has escaped. It would have been better if they had
been delivered up to their Nation in a proper Manner.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
Sir W m . Johnson Bar*.
indorsed: Septb r . 24 th . 1769
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
190 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SAMUEL KEMBLE
A. L. S.
New York y* 25 th . Sep' 1769
Happening to be with General Gage yesterday [I he]ard him
telling Cap 1 Maturin that you were going to send a sum of money
to England for Indian Goods [I took] the liberty to ask the Gen 1
if he knew from whom you Imported them; he told me he did
not ; but gave me leave to Offer my servis to you to purchase them
for you in England, where I shall go this fall, and return in the
Spring, if you are not Engagd I shall be much Oblidg d . to you
for that Business, and shall take care you have the Goods on the
lowest terms. I beg your pardon (as I have not the honour of
being known to you) for taking this liberty; and if I should be so
happy as to receive your Commands a letter directed for me to be
left at the Generals will come safe to hand am
S'.
Your most Obed*. hum e Serv 1 .
Sam Kemble
ADDRESSED: To
S r . William Johnson Bart',
at
Johnson Hall
indorsed: 1 N York 7 br . 25 th . 1769
M r . Sam 1 . Kempbells
Letter
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 25th Sep'. 1769
Deprivd of your Agreable Favours, The Errand of this Serves
only to advise you, that I have att last met with Some Dutch
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 191
Pantiles; the person has more than will Suffice for the Building
He tells me He will take £12 ^ Thousand for them, I Suppose
less than 2 thousand will do for you ; what the Rft 1 will come to
I do not know, the Skippers cant tell me; if you will please to
Send me An Order I will immediately Send you the Quantity
you want provided they are not in the Meantime Sold — Your
immediate Answer with your further Commands will be punc-
tually complyd with by
Sir Your most Obed 1 Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson B l
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: N York [ ]
M'. Wether [ ]
concern^. [
FROM JOHN WATTS
New York 25 th . Sept r . 1769
Dear Sir
Letters Patent coming from Home is a New thing, all that ever
I saw were no more than Mandamus's, S r . Jeffry Amherst has
One among many others, but Friedenbergs 2 on Lake Champlain
is the only singular piece of the kind that has appeard before us,
It locates the quantity (30,000 Acres) & exonerates it from Quit
Rent for ten Years, not one of the others are exempt a Moment,
The Reduc'd officers indeed are who petition under the Kings
Proclamation & However be yours what it will, great Care shall
1 Uncertain. River freight possibly intended.
2 See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 449 and Calendar of Council
Minutes, p. 533.
192 Sir William Johnson Papers
be taken to send it you safe, & I congratulate you on the Occasion
if it be a favourite Object —
I wish the Indians may continue quiet, tho I cant see it's long
to be expected, while our own behaviour is so strange & incon-
sistent & the Colonys if it is left to them will make a queer Olio
of it, as they do of every thing else that requires union Money —
I am desired by a Correspondent at Montreal to send you
Cadots two Bills on you, both dated S l . Marys 3 d . July, the One
for £80. .3. . the other £156. .8. . 10 this Curry., with a desire
that you wou'd be so good as to order the payment here & You
are the best Judge of their Merrits or Demerrits, which is a Mat-
ter entirely unknown to me, but I take it for granted if they are
jusly due, they will be treated accordingly — I hope this may
find you entirely recover'd of you hurt & with my Compliments
to S r . John & Coll°. Johnson remain
Your Letter for M r Penn shall go soon, D r . S r .
by a good Conveyance Y r . Most Humb e serv'
Jn°. Watts
S R . Will Johnson
ADDRESSED : To
S r . Will Johnson
Barr 1 . Johnson Hall, County of
Albany
To the Care of M r Monier
INDORSED: Sepb r . 25 th . [ ]
The Hon bl * John [ ]
Letter
rec d . 8 br . 2 d .
Ans d . Oct r . 4 th
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 193
ACCOUNT WITH DANIEL CAMPBELL
D. S.
Schenectady, September 26, 1769
D r . Sir William Johnson Baronet in Account
1768
Nov r 26 To Your Ace 1 . Furnish d . this day 3468. 14
28 To 2 1 y ds . fine white Flannel 4/3 4. 5
" To 4 y ds . Ditto Yallow Ditto 4/ 16
To 1 piece Silk Binding 6
" To 51 y^. Ditto Ditto /2 8.6
" To 1 B Small white Beeds 4 5.19.6
Dec r 5 To 2 tt Green Tea & Cannesters 3 . 8
To 1 y d . Crimson Velvet 2 5.8
12 To4 Cl 1 q 3» Sweeds Iron 45/ 9.12.5
To 2 : O : O Common Flat Ditto
38/ 3.16
" To 53" English Steel 1/ 2.13
" To Carrege to the Hall 10 16.11
1769
Jany 7 To the Amount of a Pleasure
Slead 1 1
Feby 9 To Amount of a Set Harnish 7.15
March 9 To Cash paid for Riding 3 Bat-
toes over y e Carrying Place 2.16
April 28 To Cash paid your order in
favour Jn°. Ferrall 1 52 . 9 . 4
May 8 To 12 y ds Fine Holand Tyck
9/ 5. 8
1 Should be 20.
7
194 Sir William Johnson Papers,
May 1 7 To 3 pair Small Stockings 3/ 9
" To 3 pair Ditto 3/6 10. 6
" To 4 Paid Ditto 4/3 17 1.16. 6
June 1 7 To Sundries T^ Bill Furnishd
M r . Adams 156.19. 6
19 To 6 y ds . Breeton 12 3.12
To 3 Skanes Silk & 2 Ditto
Twist 3. 9
" To 2 y ds Jain 5
To 10 Skanes Thread 1 . 6
To ]% y ds . Shalloon 3/9 6. 6Y 2 4.8
" To 49«/ 2 y ds . Green Frise 3 /3 8 . 1 0|/ 2
To |/2y d . fine Scarlet Cloath 18. 6
To 1 '/2 Doz 11 . Large Basket
Butt s & 2 Doz" Small do 3.9
To" To 4 pair Stock 5 4/6 18
Amount Sent over £[
Current with Daniel Campbell C r .
1769
Jany. 28 By your Bill on Abraham Mortier Esq r 1 500
March 4 By your Ditto on Ditto 2000
July 28 By Cash Allow'd for a pipe
wine 40
By Cash Allowed in Ex-
change of the Lot 210 250
Amount Sent over
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 195
D r Sir William Johnson Baronet in Ace 1 .
To Amount Brought Forward 3849 . 7 [
1769
June 19 To Cash paid Lieu*. Benja-
min Roberts 200
27 To 16|/ 2 fl Hollan Cheese
\/Vi 18 [63/ 4 ]
July 5 To 2 Kegs Biscaks 16 1 . 12
To 3 O. Gun powder £ 1 2 36
To Carrege up to Onida
Lake 2.8- 40
To 3 Barrells Porke & Carrege up
from Albany to y Hall 16 16
£4107 2 2'/ 2
Errors Excepted this
26 th September 1 769
Daniel Campbell
Current with Dan 1 . Campbell C r .
By Amount Brought Forward 3750 - —
By Ballance due D. C. 357 2 2/ 2
£4107 2 2'/ 2
INDORSED:' Daniel Campbell Esq rs .
Acc» to 26 th . 7 br . 1 769
£4107 2 2/2
In Johnson's hand.
196 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM GEORGE TURN BULL
A. L. S.
Detroit SepK 30 th . 1769
Inclosed is a Copy of a Speech made by the Shawanese the
] l Instant before the Different Tribes. Some People
are very Suspicious that an Indian War is not far of although I
think it cannot be very formidable, unless they are asissted by the
French or Spaniards —
There is not the Least Instruction as yet come to this Post
Relative to Indian affairs Excepting a Letter from Colonel
Croghan Dated in march last acquainting me that the Interpreters
and Gun Smith were to be kept up in Fact they never have been
Discharged, its very Evident that the Kings Service cannot be
Carryed on without them nor can any Commanding officer help
giving some Provisions and Some Little Trifles now and then to
Indians I am with Great Respect
Sir
Your most Obedient and
most Humble Servant
Geo: Turnbull
To
Sir William Johnson
INDORSED: [Cap 1 . Turn] bulls Letter
| Shawanese Speech
FROM JOHN LEVINE
A. L. 5.
New York 2 Oct'. 1769
Sir
I take the first opportunity of Informing your Excellency of
return here, & to return you my most unfeigned thanks for the
many favors I have received from you —
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 197
But as my Situation in Life requires the Assistance of my
freinds I am once more obligd to intrude on your Goodness,
which I hope your Excellency will excuse —
There is a number of the Inhabitants of this place are de-
termined to pettition the Lieut 1 Governor to remove the present
Coroner, & as I flatter myself that I have some freinds who will
endeavor to procure it for me, I am Convinced a Letter from your
Excellency to the Lieu 1 Governor or M r Oliver Delancy would
be a means of procuring it, & it woud add to the many Obliga-
tions I am under to your Excellency Your Excellency will
please to observe that the appointment comes on the 28 or 30 th
Ins 1 I am with very great respect
Your Excellancys
Most ObR & much
Obliged Hum S«
John Levine
INDORSED: N York 2 d . October 1769
Doctor Levines Letter 1
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[ New York, Oct. 2, 1769]
In a Letter I have this Moment receivd from Coll°. Croghan of
the 7th Sep r . I am informed that as Soon as M r Hays Accounts
were Settled you woud remitt me a Bill for the Amount, I there-
fore take the Liberty of Sending you the Account enclosd of
Such Bills as I have receivd upon Coll° Croghan, advising you
att the Same time that the Money for the Accounts due last
March, is ready in M r Newtons hands & he tells me He only
waits your orders to pay it; As I was assurd Some time ago by
Coll° Croghan that as Soon as the Generalls Warrants were
issued for that Money & that You got home from the Indian
In Johnson's hand.
198 Sir William Johnson Papers
Country I shoud hav those Drafts paid, in Consequence of which
I orderd a Person to draw upon me for £400 which I accepted
& which as I am Still disappointed of your Drafts, remains to my
very great Dishonour Unpaid — My Earnest Request to you
Good sir, is to entreat the favour of you to Send me by the first
Opportunity the Necessary Drafts that I may recover the Money
from M r Mortier, for untill Such Time as I get it, my Credit
will Suffer in Some Sort, because my being disapointed of the
Drafts, is no Excuse to the person who holds the Bills Against
me — I well know your kindness & Friendship will excuse this
plain & Candid Application — I will therefore conclude by
assuring You that your kind Compliance will ever be considered
as a Very particular favour done to
Sir Your most Obed f Servant
John Wetherhead
Payable last half Years Ace*
Coll° Croghan D r
To Jehu Hays Dft of the 24 feby 1 769 at £385-1 2
To D° 25 feby 150 -
£535-12
Cash rec d
From M" Morris Lett r Middleton 168 6 3
Ballance due last Yl year
Ace' £367 5 9
Coll° Croghan D r
To Jehu Hays Dft due last M° 283 12 2
The Whole Ballance of those Dfts £650 17 11
due from Coll° Croghan to J W
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar'
Johnson Hall
INDORSED : '
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
\
[ ]
Ans d
that I had paid |
Ace" by Draft, & [
an Order upon me for |
M r . Adems then at [
on Showing him my [
it as soon as he got it from
I
199
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 2 d October 1769
Dear Sir
Your favour of yesterday have had the pleasure of Receiving
Agreeable to which have Sent you the Green Cloath & Trimings
Suitable for the Same which goes in Care of M r Fondas Clark
who promisd me he would forward the Same to you
I Also In Consequence of Your Orders have Inclosed your
Account Current Balance in my favour £396. .19. . 3|/£ which
upon Examination youll find Right — the Green Cloath I have
Charged three Shillings p r Yard less than what I have Sold to
Others — & when you See it in the peice you'll think it Cheap,
but there is no Judging by litle Samples
Lieu* M c Dugal had a Barrell Madeira Wine from me at Fort
Ontario Amounted to £19. .5.0 which he wrote me to Charge
the Same to you, which it Seems was in lieu of a Barrell you had
from him as he passed by Fort Stanwix when you held the Con-
gress there this time Twelve Month however I have not Charged
you with it before I have your Abrobation — I had your Ac-
count drawn out & finished before Brant had the Rum the
In Johnson's hand.
200 Sir William Johnson Papers
Amount of which you have Inclosed as Also that of the Green
Cloath &c —
Youll find Credit in your Account for £40 for the pipe of
Wine which was Broakn Coming from Albany, & also £2 1 be-
ing Balance of what was Coming in Exchange of the Lott — In
Regard to the pipe of wine which I have Sent up I am Concious
that I took more pains to get it Good then if I had been Buying
for my Self, when the Wine Comes to be fine, if you do not think
it well worth the money I will take it back, as it would distress
me greatly to think of puting any thing unto your hands that was
not Agreeable to you
M rs Campbell joins me in Compliments & am
Dear Sir Respectfully
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant
Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Octb r . 2 d . 1769
Dan 1 . Campbel Esq rs . letter
with his Acc tl .
BILL OF DANIEL CAMPBELL
D.
Schenectady 3 l/ Oct'. 1769
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Bought of Dan 1 . Campbell
4 Barrels & 1 Keg Rum Con'g. 1 38|/ 2 G s 3/ 20 : 1 5 :6
4 Barrells for Ditto (Delivered Brant) 1: -:- 21:15:6
1 Yards Green Cloath 25/ 12:10:-
1 4 y ds . Shalloon 3/9 2:12:6
1 y ds . Jeans 2/6 1:5:-
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 201
7 Sticks Twist
2 pair knee garters
3 Doz n . Coat Basket Buttons
6 Ditto Jackett Ditto Ditto
1 Ounce Silk
2 y ds . Buckrim
2 Ounces Thread
/9
5:3
7
/6
4:6
/9
4:6
6 -
5:4
1:6
18: 1:7
£39:17:1
INDORSED: 1 Daniel Campbells Ace*
OcuV. 3 d . 1 769
£39 17 1
TO JOHN T. KEMPE
Df. 2
Johnson hall Oct. 4 th . 1769
Dear Sir,
I am favored with yours of the 26 th . ult°. and I think from the
Circumstances you Mention you had some reason to Suspect that
the Land you Speak of would have been granted away tho' from
what I know concerning it I can hardly think, the Governor would
have given his Countenance to it as I am certain it would have
been highly disapproved of by Government, He particularly
desired me to get it Surveyed, that he might fall upon some
Method of Securing it to the Conajoharees on a better & more
Solid footing. —
I wish I could Serve you, and I do Assure you I readily would
use my Endeavors to prevail on them to admit the patent was it
at all practicable, but it is really not to be done for the Indians of
that Village are already sensible that their Children must from
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
202 Sir William Johnson Papers
being surrounded on all Sides have recourse to Farming of some
sort, and as they were always lamenting that they had so little
land left, they were very happy on discovering the Extent of the
Vacancy, insomuch that I am fully persuaded that any applica-
tion for it, would greatly disgust them.
The Manner of your asking my Assistance is Extremely Con-
sistent, I am only concerned that it is not in my power to demon-
strate my inclination of Serving You as you desire, which you
may Assure yourself nothing but its being impracticable prevents
and that I am always with great regard,
D r Sir &ca
INDORSED: [ ]
October 4 th 1 769
To J. T. Kempt Esq r .
Attorney General.
TO SAMUEL KEMBLE
Df.
Johnson hall Ocf. 4"\ 1769
Sir,
I had the favor of your Letter Concerning the purchase of
Indian Goods in England ; As I have often imported Such Goods
and had dealings with the Manufactorers themselves, I am So far
engaged as to the purchase of them, that I cannot do myself the
pleasure of making use of your Offer, but Should you think the
freight an object worth your Attention I shall direct them to be
Shipped on board of your Vessel as I should be always glad to
render you any service in my power
I am,
Sir, &c
INDORSED:' [ ]
To Cap'. Kemble
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 203
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 435, is listed a letter of October 4th to
Lieutenant Governor Colden about Johnson's late accident, measures for
securing to the Conajoharees certain lands, the proposed plan of dividing
Albany county, the reform of the militia as carried out by Governor
Moore and vacancies for which Johnson recommends Lieutenant Augustin
Prevost and Peter B. Vrooman (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:954-56;
Q, 2:552-53).
TO JOHN WATTS
D/. 1
Johnson hall Oct' 4< h 1769
Dear Sir,
I thank you for your favor of the 25 th ult°. and your kind
promise of taking care to forward my Patent, it is Indeed a
favorite Object, being a Tract that was granted me by the Indians
unasked for Nine Years ago, They said that as many of them
were much in my debt since I had Commercial Concerns they had
resolved to make me that Acknowledgment whilst they Yet had
Land left, however their presents are pretty Expensive to the
Receiver, for this has Since Cost me above £2000, to them. —
It lyes between the 2 Canada Creeks at the German flatts, &
Contains above 100,000 Acres of fine Land, — I long laboured to
get a patent for it and at Last applied to his Majesty who has
been pleased to grant it me by his own Letters Patent, under the
Great Seal; the 8 th day of June last. I have already received a
Copy of it and the terms are very advantagious It is forever
free of Quit rent, except an Ann 1 . Acknowledgment of two
Beaver Skins, & sets forth that it is granted in Testimony of my
Services, a Circumstance that enhances its Value with me. —
1 In American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. ; in handwrit-
ing of Guy Johnson.
204 Sir William Johnson Papers
M r . Adems who now goes to N York has directions to pay
Cadots 1 Money to you, but there is a Mistake of £1 8 . 3 . 1 in the
Bills, so that he will pay you £2 1 8 . 8s which is what Cadots pay
ammounts to. —
You may recollect that I spoke to you when you was here
about the Division for the New County, since which a petition to
the Assembly is gone down, & will be laid before the House by
Capt De Lancey signed by all the Men of property In these parts
I must beg your friendly offices in its favor as I can truly assure
you that it proposes the only bounds fitting for the purpose.
Sir John & Col Johnson send their best Comp s & I am
with great truth D r S r
&ca
The Honble John Watts Esqr.
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New york 5 Ocf. 1769
Sir
Deprivd of your Agreable favours, permitt me to acquaint you
that our friend Coll Fitch has a Vessell just arrivd with Very
fine Wines from Madeira, which will Come at a very reasonable
price He writes me He will Send me a few pipes to dispose of
for him Shoud you have Occasion for any, let me begg your
Orders, because it will be doing M r Fitch a very particular Serv-
ice at this Time I have already receivd 2 pipes from him, which
I think are exceeding good — if Any are awanting or indeed if
you are not in immediate Want, it will perhaps be worth your
while to buy 2 or 3 pipes of those Wines. I shall be very glad of
your Commands for this Or Any other Articles you may have
Occasion for & in the Mean time have the Honor to Subscribe
myself with great Truth —
Sir Your most Obed' Servant
John Wetherhead
1 Baptiste Cadot, in government service at Michilimackinac and St
Marys.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 205
Coll° Cole is this Moment arrivd from New Orleans & intends
going up on Monday Next to wait on you
Hon ble . Sir William Johnson B f
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
^ M' William Johnson Hall
Proctor
INDORSED: 1 M r . Wetherheads letter
8K 5*. 1 769
Ans rd . 28 th . D°.
& Sent for 3 pipes of Wine
He is to receive for me from
Gov r . Penn£l13..18..10
TO JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. Df. S.
Johnson Hall Octob r . 6"". 1769
Sir/
Your favour of the 18 lh . Ult°. I received, and have directed
M r . Adems, the Bearer of this, to Discharge that Draft of L l .
Roberts to Harrison which you say you have paid. — also the
Ballance of my Ace 1 , with you, So that we may begin a new. I
am in hopes that the L l . Governours Administration may be tran-
quil, otherwise it may Shorten the Old Gentlemans Days, as I
hear he is now verry infirm. I have directed M r . Adems to view
the Dutch Tiles, and if good & Cheap to bring them up with
him. — You forgot to send me Hamiltons receipt for the Tooth
Ach, pray send it now by the Bearer, I am in want of it.
I am with kind regards to you & M rs . Wetherhead, Sir
Y r . Wellwisher
& Humble Servant
W Johnson
1 In Johnson's hand.
206 Sir William Johnson Papers
P. S. As my Books dont answer
exactly with your Acc ts . probably
on Ace', of the Fees of some of the
Patents, I should be glad you would
order my whole Ace*. D r . & C r . to be drawn
out & sent me.
M R . Wetherhead
INDORSED: Octb r . 6 th . 1769
To M'. Wetherhead
by M r . Adems
RECEIPT TO THOMAS GAGE
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall, October 6 th . 1 769, Received from His Excellency
the Honourable Thomas Gage Commander in Cheif of the Army
in America, the Sum of Two thousand Five Hundred Pounds
Sterling being the Amount of my half Years Sallary and Allow-
ance for the Expences of the Indian Department, from the 24 ,l \
of March to the 25 th of September 1 769 both Days Included —
W, Johnson
BILL OF DANIEL CAMPBELL
D.
Schenectady 7 th . Ocf. 1769
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Bought of Dan 1 . Campbell
2 p s . Ribbonds
14/
1. 8
1 p s . Broad Ditto
1. 2
8 Painted Looking Glasses
1 . 2
5 y ds . Green Penniston
3/3
16.3
3 Night Caps
3.9
10y d *. Black Ribbond
1/4
13.4
Post-War Period, 1763-/774 207
1 pair Small Stockings
2 -
1 pair Buckles
2 -
3 Barrells Rum 96 Gallons
3/
14. 8 -
3 Barrells
5/
15 -
1 Box
2 -
5 y ds . Callicoe
4/6
1. 2.6
£21
.16.10
INDORSED: 1 Octb r . 7 th . 1769
Dan 1 . Campbells Ace*.
£ 21 16 10
ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM JOHNSTON
A. D.
The Honourable Sir William Johnson Bar*
To' William Johnston D r .
To my wages as smith for the Indians att Michilimackinac att
£100 New York Currency p r Year Commencing from the 5 th
Aprill 1 768 to October 7 th 1 769
To smiths tools for the Use of the Indians £150 11 -
To 1 Large Rubber file 8 —
1|/2 Doz n Large flat files 1 7 -
14 small D° 17 8
2 Large Round D° 6 -
9 small D° D° 12 -
6 half Round Ruffs 7 6
1 half Round Bastard 3 -
2 half Round smooths D° 6
1 flat smooth D° 3 -
Yl Doz n Rattaill D° 6 -
3 wand files 3 —
1 Doz n file handles 4 -
In Johnson's hand.
208 Sir William Johnson Papers
Yi Doz n Drill stocks 3 -
1 Quarter" of Borax 1 -
2 screw plates 1 4 -
1 hand Vuice 1 6 —
9 H of sats for hardening 13 6
5 n of tallow for tempering 7 6
3 planes 18 —
4 Chisels 12 -
1 Drill Bow 8 -
1 bag with work for gun Locke 2
£163 6 2
Riding at y e . 2 Carrying places 1 1 4 -
£164 10 2
Ace', of Coal Wood &". 1 27 18 -
£192 8 2
INDORSED: 1
W. Johnston smith at
Michilimacinacs Ace 1 ,
to the 7 th Octb'. 1 769
£192 8 2
TO THOMAS GAGE
D/. 2
Dear Sir/ Johnson hall Oct'. 7*. 1769
I have been favored with your Letters of the 10th and 24th
ult°. and am glad you approve of the purchase of Goods in Eng-
land which is certainly for the best, especially as Can have them
from persons well acquainted with goods with whom I have
formerly had dealings.
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 209
The additional £1000 3$ Ann for the Indian Departm 1 . is as
little as could be made, it will just enable me to keep up those
Officers most essentially necessary, with regard to Expences to be
incurred at the posts, It is Extremely difficult to form any Judg-
ment as it is impossible to pay any of it out of the Small Allow-
ance to the Department the whole of which is too little even for
Ann 1 Meet§ s with the diff' Confederacies So is it uncertain what
the Expence may be, because it depends on Circumstances that
Cannot be foreseen, and Greatly on the Judgment and Integrity
of the Commandants, I suppose whatever might be allowed would
be Spent and it w d . require a good knowledge of the Indians to
husband it properly, I have observed to the Government that as
it is the Way of keeping peace made use of by the Indians to
meet frequently, so we can never Expect a Continuance of peace
with them unless We have Annual Meetings with the Con-
federacies, or at Least as often as may be for repeating past
Transactions & renewing Treaties which is the way they preserve
these things in remembrance, and had I been enabled to have met
the Western Ind s . this Year as perhaps it would have been better
— the principal Confederacies are the Six Nations & Western
Indians, each must be Seperately treated with. There is besides,
the Ind s . of Canada, & the Indians [ ] &ca who both
require some Notice & Attention, My design [
the Expense of the few Officers remaining without whom
[ ] be conducted to dispose of the rest of the £5,000
in | ]ting & other incidental Expences in the
best manner Which if it can be done will be as much as can
possibly [be] Expected from so small a Sum amongst so many
efforts purposes, without admitting of any other
Articles of Expense
I daresay the Government must be so sensible of
Necessity of Interpreters & Smiths that they can have no
obj [ection] to your keeping them up till the Provinces do some-
thing [ ]
I now transmit you Capt MacLeods & Hays Accots
me[ntioned] in a former Letter, and have taken the Liberty
210 Sir William Johnson Papers
of Desireing M r Adems to apply to you for half a Years allow-
ance according to the Late regulation. As they have directed
a particular Sum, I thought that was [ ] best mode of
receiving it, and I hope it will meet with [your] Approbation. —
if otherwise you will please to direct me
INDORSED: [ ]
To Gen'. Gage
A DRAFT IN FAVOR OF NORMAND MACLEOD
A. D. S.
M'. Adems/ J oh » so » Hall > ° dfcr " 7 * /769
Pay unto Cap 1 . Normand MacLeod the Sum of
One Hundred & twenty Eight Pounds Eleven
Shilling & five pence Six Sevenths New York
Curr c y. on Ace'.
of Y r . Humble Servant
£128.56/7 W Johnson
To M r . Robert Adems
Verso: New York the 8 th Nov. 1769
Received the within in full
Nor d . MacLeod
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Dfar Sir Schenectady the 7 lh October 1769
Your favour of the 4 ,h Ins 1 , have had the pleasure of Receiving
Agreeable to which have Furnished the Bearer with Goods to
the Amount of £2 1 . . 1 6 . . 1 at the Cheapest prices — I am
much Obliged to you In Recommending the Young beginers to
me
Inclosed I Send you the Bill parcel — I hope the Green
Cloath Came Safe to hand I Sent it up in Care of M r Fondas
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 211
Clark, who promised me he would forward it by a Safe hand —
by the next Opportunity I Shall Send you the Signs —
M rs Campbell Begs her Compliments & am Dear Sir very
Respectfully
Your most Obed' hble Ser 1
Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson B [ ]
INDORSED: 1 October 7 th . 1769
Daniel Campbel Esq rs letter
with his Ace 1 . —
A DRAFT IN FAVOR OF GUY JOHNSON
A. D. S.
M«. Adems/ J° h ™» Hal1 0cibr - 7 "- }769
Pay unto Co 1 . Guy Johnson or Order on Demand
out of the Money which You are to receive from
M r . W m . Newton on my Acc f . the Sum of One
Hundred Pounds York Curc v . & charge it to Ace 1 .
of Y r . Humble Servant , vr T
W Johnson
To M R . Robert Adems
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S.-
Dear Sir. New York 0cK 9 ' K > 769
I inclose you a Copy of a Speech delivered lately to Cap 1 .
Edmonstone at Fort Pitt. The concealed Indian who gave it
you may no doubt be able to discover; least you should not, it
is the Same who lately brought Dispatches from Fort Chartres.
I wrote to Captain Edmonstone concerning Reports of ill usage
to Indians at Fort-Pitt. He assures upon his Honour they are
' In Johnson's hand.
- In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
212 Sir William Johnson Papers
false, that they have never been refused Refreshments at his
Post, as far as he could Supply them; tho' it is true he could
not Sometimes give every thing they demanded, or he must have
wanted Provisions for his Garrison.
The Account of the Return of the Spaniards and Seizing the
Principal French at New-Orleans, who were concerned in the
Revolt against Don Ulloa, I imagine it will be right to send
amongst the Indian Nations and I have therefore desired Cap 1 :
Edmonstone to acquaint them with that Intelligence. You will
hear the Particulars of the Arrival, Force, and Proceedings of
Count O'Reily from M r . Cole who was present at New-Orleans
when the Spaniards arrived there. Mons r . Aubry and all the
French Troops I am informed are to go home immediately. If
the Indians have determined upon War against the English with
the Expectations of Assisstance from the French, this News may
oblige them to change their Sentiments with regard to Hostilities.
I have the honour to be with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
S*. W- Johnson Bar': Th ° S - Gage
INDORSED : New York Octb r . 9 th . 1 769
Genr 1 . Gages letter
w th . an Enclosure
SAMUEL SEABURY TO DANIEL BURTON
Extract 1
Westchester, October 10, 1769
At the particular Desire of D r . Auchmuty & D r Cooper I went
the last Summer to pay a Visit to S r . W m . Johnson, — a Journey
of upwards of 200 Miles. I was so unfortunate as to miss of
1 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. B series,
Vol. 2. New York 1759-1782. Part II. Transcript in Library of
Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 213
seeing S r . William, who set out for the Seneca's Country, a few
hours before I arrived. I spent some Days with his Son in Law,
Col 1 . Guy Johnson, & preached on a Sunday at the Church at
Johnstown, to a Congregation of more than 200 People, mostly
Germans; & baptised several children. Col 1 . Guy Johnson told
me that Sir William had heard I was upon the Road, & that he
had explain'd himself to him, with Regard to the Mission at
Johnstown: But I could learn Nothing more from him, than that
S r . William would give the House & Glebe of 25 Acres of Land,
& 30£ <p? r Annum. The Country is naturally a very fine one,
but it will take many Years to cultivate it. The Glebe will
require a great Deal of Labour and Expence before it will be
profitable; & the People in the Neighbourhood are I apprehend
so far from being able to do any Thing for their Minister, that
they will rather expect Assistance from him. S r . William I
beleive, from his general Character, would do more than he has
promised, but his Life is very uncertain. I cannot therefore
think that the present Encouragement is sufficient for a Clergy-
man with a Family. Possibly it might do to join the Mohawks
Missions, if S r . William liked it, with this at Johnstown, for the
present; These Places are I think, not more than twelve Miles
apart, & the Emoluments of both, I am confident, would not more
than answer the Expence. — I write to the Society without Re-
serve; & I am certain their Goodness will put the most candid
Construction upon what I write, — The same Necessity that there
is for Missionaries in these Places, the same Necessity there is
that they be well supported : They will otherwise be dispised by
the Indians and consequently disregarded.
FROM COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS
D. S.
Stonerabie October II th . 1769
To the Hon ble . SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON Bar' & ca .
We received the honour of Your Letter Dated 10 th Instant,
and in answer thereto beg leave to inform You That when we
214
Sir William Johnson Papers
laid out the Road now complained of, we appointed M r Merchell
one of the Commissioners to see that Road kept in Order, and
appointed him a Number of men to him welknown to keep it
in order; and we are informed that the people have worked on it
their Six Days and repaired it as far that way as Our patent is
inhabited, Two Family's are since moved of, which we knew
not of before and makes that party weaker, the many Roads the
people have to work on, and lateness of the Season gives us such
Uneasiness, that we do not really know how to proceed in it this
Season, being not well acquainted with the power we have, or
have not, the people having Worked their Six Days, are exces-
sively averse to work more. We should be extreamly glad to
have it in our power to content You in this and every thing else
whilt we have the Honour of being Sir
Your most humble Servants
(Henrich?) Merkell
his
Severines S D Deygert
mark
his
Peter PK Krems
mark
Isaac Paris
addressed
To the Honourable
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
Johnson Hall
INDORSED:
[
Letter from [
Comis rs . 8 br . [
Ans rd . 12 th .
I
>mar
tly
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 215
TO WILLIAM FRANKLIN
Johnson hall Oct'. 12'K 1769
Dear Sir/
I was agreably favored with your Letter of the 1 5 lh . ult°.
with the inclosures for which I give you my best thanks as they
contain many usefull hints and observations and illustrate the
sentiments of people at home, however I am pretty well assured
that whatever may be the prejudices of a few concerning the late
Transactions or any thing else, the Majority are of a different way
of Thinking and whether they are or not, so long as I am conscious
of having discharged my duty as I ought I am indifferent about
the matter, — What you have been So kind as to hint concerning
the Views of the person 2 puffed off in the Papers, or those of his
friends for him, may be very right as to some of them, but as on
the one hand it can give me no Concern, so on the other it is
highly improbable that persons of consequence could be so far
imposed upon, in a Matter of so much importance.
With regard to the passage in my Letter which you seem to be
at a Loss about, my Meaning regarded the objections of the
Ministry which seem chiefly to arise from the extent of the
Traders & others Grants which they say his Majesty will not now
Confirm, and think that it should rather have been left intirely
to the Crown without mentioning it in the Transactions. Altho'
my Friendship, and good Wishes towards the sufferers may have
led me to espouse their Cause, & to Serve them with more Warmth
than others would have done I nevertheless still think that as it
was a matter which had before met with the approbation of
Government, & was only fullfilling an Engagement the Indians
[previously entered into, I am Justified as to my part in the
1 In the handwriting of Guy Johnson except the last paragraph, which
is in that of Sir William.
2 Apparently Robert Rogers, who went to England in 1 769, and
enjoyed a temporary popularity there.
216 Sir William Johnson Papers
Affair having acted on the most equitable as well as dis [interested]
principles, And I am still in hopes that after a [ ]
by proper Application to his Majesty the Traders will obtain it
Agreable to y r . desire I have settled [ ] Ace 1 , with
M r . Croghan w h . amounted to £37 [5s. 3d.] Pensl va . Money or
£42 . . 3 . .6 York Cur c >\ — Notwithstanding which I am verry
desireous of being excused having any thing farther to do in
] Affair, and have given directions to M r . Croghan con-
cerning it. 1
I am
& ca .
[ ]klin
INDORSED: October 12 th 1769
To his Excellency
Gov r . Franklin
2 Constantine Dougharty of Huntingdon [County]
John Bartholomew of D°. County
John Walley of Freehold £20
a Mortgage on the Land for ab l . 2000 Acres on y [
Adageghteinge Creek opposite Harpers Land
FROM PETER SILVESTER
Albany the 1 3"'. Oct'. 1769
Hon d . Sir,
as I have been called on and shall be again the latter end of
this month for the money due on a bond from Martin Walter &
Michael Kennan to William Tremper one of the obligors is a
Tenant of yours and I desisted prosecuting him on your En-
gagem'. to pay the money by him You was furnished with a state
of the bond & the moneys due thereon If I mistake not You'll
please to observe if it was not therein men d . it is proclamation or
1 See letter of George Croghan to Johnson, V: 128-30.
2 A memorandum in Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 217
Philadelphia money If it is not Inconvenient to you I would be
glad youd please to Transmit it to me excuse the trouble I may
give you herein I am Sir
Your very
Humble Serv f .
P. Silvester
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar'.
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 M r . Silvesters letter
8K 13' h . 1769
Ans rd . Octb r . 20 th
& desired M r . Adems to
pay him
Joseph Narrows of Stillwater owes W m .
Russel 133 G 1Is . of West Ind a . Rum— 2 Horses
TO RICHARD PETERS
D/. 2
Johnson Hall Oct'. 15*. 1769
Sir/
I am favoured with yours of the 30 th , Sept r . enclosing me a
Letter from M r . Croghan, and am much obliged to you for the
particulars you have communicated to me with regard to the pro-
ceedings at Lancaster the Minutes of which I shall be glad to
be favoured with, as soon as convenient.
It gives me satisfaction to find that the Meeting ended so Satis-
factorily & without any material disputes, which are generally
the consequence of persons interposing in public affairs to serve
private purposes —
The Release given by the Proprietaries as mentioned in your
Letter was formerly shewn to me by the Onondagas & was by
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
218 Sir William Johnson Papers
them carried to their Nation, neither have I any other Deeds, or
papers relative to that affair
Our Encroachments have been in a great measure the Subject
of the Indians complaints for some time past, and I cannot but
think that natural marks are to be greatly preferred to imaginary
Lines in dealings with them, as their ignorance of the Latter must
give occasion to many disputes, for which reason whenever such
Survey as you have mentioned is made, I should be glad to have
a Map thereof, and in the mean time whenever the Indians shall
apply to me, I shall candidly give them my advice & Sentiments
thereon —
I am much obliged to you for your friendly communicating
what [ ] heard from Fred k Post' as also for your promise
of sending me a Copy of the Assemblys Remonstrance when it
can be procured. As I flatter myself that I executed my Duty
at Easton as became a faithfull Servant [of] the Crown, &
Supporter of the Indians lawfull Claims, it gives [me] little
concern what ever can be Remonstrated ag st my conduct
thro [ugh] malice or party prejudice —
Whenever my conscience shall accuse me of unfair dealings I
may perhaps dread the lashes of a Satirical pen, but whilst I am
within myself convinced of a contrary behaviour I shall look down
with the utmost contempt upon all Detraction & Invective —
As I am very apprehensive that the Settlement intended by the
People of Connecticut may if attempted to be put in Execution
produce some dangerous consequences, I cannot but be very
desirous they should lay aside a plan which appears so liable to
objection, & may embroil all the frontiers in much trouble for
which reason I have acquainted the Lords of Trade" therewith &
I most heartily wish that such steps may be taken as may prevent
an Establishmt so dangerous to the publick tranquillity
INDORSED: Johnson Hall Oct r . 15 th . 1769
Letter to Rich d . Peters Esq r .
1 Moravian missionary, born in Prussia in 1710 and died in German-
lown, Pa., in 1 785.
: Tile clause relating to the Lords of Trade is in Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 219
BILL OF GEORGE CROGHAN
D.
[October 17, !769\
The Honorable Sir W m . Johnson to Geo. Croghan D r
To Cash paid for William in Lancaster as r'
To D° paid Baynton Wharton & Morgon
Coll (?) str§.
To 2 Saddles Bridles & Furniture
To Yl Cask of Clover Seed
To a Stove & Pipes and Plate
To 2 Rheams of Paper
For Governor Franklin
the above being Pensylvania Currency to make it
York Currency 4 18 3
To 12 Barrells of Pork for y r own use and 1
for S r John
To Carriage for the above Pork a 7 s 6
To Cash paid Bonor the Smith
To 2 Servants
£192 7 1i/ 2
ace* £0
18 6
•gon
6
10
10
5
5
11
19
3
10
37
5 3
60
2
6
4
17
6
6
8
—
40
13
Wi
RECEIPTS OF JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. D. S.
[New York, Oct. 18, 1769]
Received in New York the 1 8th October 1 769 from The Honor-
able Sir William Johnson Bar 1 [by] the hands of M r Robert
Adams, One hundred and Seventy Eight pounds 12/2 in full
this Day
£178.12.2 John Wetherhead
220 Sir IVilliam Johnson Papers
Received in New york the 1 8 October 1 769 from the Honorable
Sir William Johnson Bar' [one] hundred pounds for M r Benja-
min Roberts Dft to Harrison for that Sum
£100 . John Wetherhead
Received in New york the 1 8 October 1 769 from Michael
Byrne Esq r . by the hands of M r Adams, Sixty Pounds
£60 John Wetherhead
M r Robert Adams
HENRY WHITE S BILL
D. S.
New York Octo'. 18* 1769
Bo' of Henry White
3 Casks Nails
AD N..46..26 m 14.. 10 364
SN..61..15 m 22. .20 330 ' @ 7%
AM. .81 . .3 24 336 @ 7]/ 2 10 10
£32 18 2i/ 2
Rece d . the within Contents for Henry White
Charles Dickinson
BILL OF TEMPLETON & STEWART
D. S.
New York 19 lh Octo'. 1769
M r . Robert Adams
Bought of Templeton & Stewart
14 Dozen Beer @ 12/ £8. .8
Receiv d the Contents for Templeton & Stewart
John Stewart Jun r .
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 221
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df. 1
Johnson hall October 19 lh 1769
Dear Sir,
I am favored with your Letter of the 9 th . Inst with the Speech
inclosed, the Author of which I think I know, and his fidelity has
really been always such as to give a credit to any Serious In-
formation from him. It is in short the report of but too many
Indians as well as others, tho' it is really not agreable to the
Chiefs of the Six Nations, — M r Croghan has been almost the
Whole Summer laid up in the Gout but is now so far recovered
that I purpose Sending him to Fort Pitt where I know that he
will be of use at this time, he will have orders to wait upon you
and receive any Commands or Instructions you may think neces-
sary for his Government.
I think it was extremely proper to Communicate the Account
of the return of the Spaniards 2 &ca to the Indians about Fort Pitt
and I purpose to do the Same to the Indians this way and I sup-
pose that M r Cole will be able to give me full Information in
these particulars but Altho Mons r . Aubry with the French Troops
may leave that Country there will Still remain a parcell of the
most troublesome Traders and partizans to plague us. Another
Thing is that the Ind s . have been told by the French & do actually
believe that the Spaniards & French [are one] people.
I understand that Gov r . Carleton has given a Corhission to
Mons r . Verchere appointing him Interpreter to the Shawanese a
Circumstance which I cannot but wonder at because if he is even
innocent of the Charges against him which I have the Strongest
reason to think him guilty [of, a man] once Suspected is in my
opinion very unfit to be trusted again, neither is it within his
pr[ovince to appoint] Interpreters &ca, and I know his late
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 The Spaniards' return to Fort Chartres, upon the restoration of Span-
ish authority at New Orleans, which had been interrupted by the revolt
of the French inhabitants.
/
222 Sir William Johnson Papers
Majesty [was much?] displeased with some Governors for in-
terfering with [ ] matters, I persuade myself
that Gov r . Carleton [has] done this thro' some Mistake or misin-
formation, [ ] have received, however, I inclose you a
Copy of Capt Turnbulls [letter] to me which will give you a
farther idea of the matter. [I will] only observe in addition that
the Interfering of [ ] Governments, & their holding Meet-
ings or Sending Speech [es to] Indians which has been done of
late is Extremely imp [roper] because the very best people they
can employ know [very] little or nothing, and may and Do say
many things [to the] Indians different from what they hear from
me, th[at] Contrariety of opinion must be the Consequence
where [ | Interfere who are ignorant of my Mode of deal-
ing with [them] or of what I find it necessary to say to them,
and the Consequences are obvious.
The Onondaga Meeting will be opened next Week [I have]
Just Sent off some proper persons with Instructions to attend and
I have good hopes that the Steps I have taken [ ] will
prove of much Use in preserving the fidelity of those [nations]
INDORSED: [ ]
To Gen'. Gage with a
Copy of Cap 1 . Turnbulls Letter
FROM JAMES STEVENSON
A. L. S. 1
Niagara /9" 1 : October 1769
Dear Sir/
Had any thing transpired worth your notice during the time I
have had the honour to command here, you should have been
acquainted —
As Cap 1 : Browne is daily expected to take charge of this Gar-
rison, I take the liberty to acquaint you that all is peace & quiet-
] In New York Historical Society, New York City.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 223
ness here at present, and by all the information I have been able
to procure, the Indians seem of a disposition to remain so — The
expence I have been at amounts to about £30 — , I have kept no
Account of the different Articles, As I take it for granted they
will give me leave to draw on the pump of Aldgate for the Money
— If there is hot an addition to the Warriors of the Seneca nation
by the Spring, it will not be owing to a want of pains on my part
— I shall at all times esteem it an honour to receive your advice
relative to the Indians — present my Compliments to S r . John &
all your family — I am —
dear Sir
With great regard
Your most Obedient &
most humble Serv 1 . —
Ja s : Stevenson
To
S R . William Johnson Bar 1 :
INDORSED: Cap'. Stevensons letter
Octb'. 1 9< h . 1 769
JOHN VAN CORTLANDT S BILL TO ROBERT ADAMS
D. S.
NewYorkOcto>;20 th . 1769
M r . Robert Adams
Bought of John Van Cortlandt
Cask of Doubeld 12 Loves 108 W'. @ l/10 d £9 18
Cart. 1 6
£9 19 6
Rec d . the Above Contents In full for M r . John Van Cortlandt
Andrew Stockholm
224 Sir IVilliam Johnson Papers
SAMUEL BROOME AND CO.'s BILL TO ROBERT ADAMS
A. D. S.
New York Octo r 21 st 1769
M r Robert Adams
Bo 1 of Sam 1 Broome & C q1
3000 pantiles @ £12 £36
Receiv d . the Contents
Samuel Broome & C°.
SMITH RAMADGE'S BILL TO ROBERT ADEMS
D. S.
New York 21 st . October 1769
M r . Rob 1 . Adems
Bo', of Smith Ramadge
8 Firkins Irish Butter Viz'.
1 Firkin N° 80 2 . . 27 Tare 1 4 1 Firkin N° 52 2 . . 27 Tare 1 4
1 Ditto 45 2. .26 13 1 Ditto 61 2. .24 Tare 14
1 Ditto 166 3.. 4 14 1 Ditto 69 2.. 21 13
1 Ditto 151 2.. 27 14 1 Ditto 91 2.. 26 15
3
55
2 3
18
56
5 3
18
111
3
27
2 3 18 56
4 3 19 or551»@ 1H^» £25. .5. .1
Receivd the Above 29 th October 1 769
Smith Ramadge
INDORSED: Rob 1 . Adems's
Acco'
1 "Extensive dealers in hardware and cutlery, rum, pork, crockery
etc." — Henry B. Dawson, Introduction to New York City During the
American Revolution.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 225
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New york October 22 d . 1769.
Dear Sir,
I have received your Letter of the 6 th : Ins 1 : and perceive little
else can be done respecting the giving Presents at the Posts, than /__
to confine the Officers Commanding to the giving a little Tobacco,
Provisions, and at Times a little Rum and such like Refresh-
ments. You Mention the transmitting Captain M c Leod's and
M r . Hays Accounts. They were not inclosed so suppose you
have Sent them by some other opportunity. M r . Adams shall
have a Warrant for the half year's Salary, and I hope the Con-
tractors May be able to procure Cash to pay him, tho' Money
becomes more Scarce every Day.
There is little at present to trouble you with, the Boundary of
Virginia with the Cherokees remains as first Settled, till the As-
sembly of that Province provides Funds to pay the Expence of
the Boundary desired by the Province. They are to meet next
Month, when the Affair will be laid before them; but the Crown
will bear no further Charges on Account of Boundarys. I ques-
tion whether the Assembly will grant Supplies for the Purpose,
unless it is upon Such Terms as can not be admitted. In the mean
time the Cherokees complain most bitterly of the Encroachments
made by the Virginians upon their Territorys, and unless Means
are found to bring those Licentious People to Punishment Which
from a long Experience I doubt of ever Seeing done, it's to be
feared they will sooner or later provoke the Indians to open
Hostilities. And indeed I know of no other Reasons they can
have to commence a War with us. As for their Jealousy of our
Power, Intrigues of the French and their Attachment to them,
those Circumstances may require Some Management on our part,
but I think can not alone be the Occasion of a Rupture between
us.
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
8
226 Sir William Johnson Papers
Since writing Captain Maturin acquaints me that M r . Adams
has lodged Cap*. M c Leod's and M r . Hays Accounts with him.
I am with great Regard
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant
Tho s . Gage
Sir W m : Johnson Bar*:
INDORSED: October 22 d . 1769
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
TO JOHN PENN
Johnson hall Oci r . 24* 1769
Sir,
I was lately favored with your Letter of the 16th ult°. and
hope ere now that the Indians whom I sent to 2 have Met your
Surveyors at the place appointed.
I saw the Account in the papers of the Condolance performed
for the Murder of Seneca Georges Son, and since I have received
the News of the fathers Misfortune, which I find some of the
Indians are so unreasonable as to Censure us for. The Chiefs
of Onoghquagey are likewise Now come to me with sev 1 . Belts
and Strings of Wampum from their Tribe complaining Grievously
that Col. Francis 3 has been up near their Town and has taken up
Two Tracts where there are Salt Springs to the Northw d . of
the boundy Line which give them much uneasiness, and they are
very pressing that I would imediately write and prevent it. As
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 An omission in the manuscript.
a Turbutt Francis, a commissioner for Indian affairs in the War of the
Revolution.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 227
I don't know well where Col Francis may be found at present
I thought it best to mention the Matter to you, besides from my
knowledge of that Gentleman I can't have any reason for think-
ing that he would take any improper Step but that they must
either have been Misinformed or Mistaken as to the place, be it
as it will they have made great Clamour about it, which induces
me to give this Trouble. —
I persuade myself that nothing will be wanting on your part
for making the necessary establishments for the [regulation of
the Indian Trade, or for preventing the ill treatmt [which] the
Ind s . have of late but too often rec d . from the frontier Inhabitants,
which have occasioned a more] general discontent than is
imagined, for al [though relations ( ?) ] of the deceased are always
pleased at being cofndoled with] Yet where so many Instances
happen, and su [ch ] Manifests itself amongst the Inhabi-
tants the [Indians] are induced to think that we have some gen-
eral des[ign] against them.
Whenever it is Convenient to you, the Amt of the Acco f can
be paid to M r John Wetherhead Mercht at N York, I have at
present only to a[dd] that I am,
with great regard
Sir, &ca
[ ] Penn
INDORSED: October 24 th 1769
To the Honble
Lieut. Gov r . Penn
FROM SAMUEL KEMBLE
New York y* 24 lh . Oct'. 1769
Sir
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 7 th In-
stant and am much Oblidg d . to you for your Ofer of the freight
of your goods, I shall therefore take it as a favor if you would
228 Sir William Johnson Papers
order them on board my ship and should be glad to know who I
am to call upon in London for them, as all our Merchants
there are more or less Connected in Shipping without a perticular
Order I shall not gett them if they are ship d . by any Other Con-
nection but my own. I shall leave this next month and should it
at any time be in my power to render you any servis over the
Water I shall Execute your Commands with pleasure am
S'.
Your most Ob 1 .
hum e Serv 1
Sam Kemble
indorsed: 24 th . Oct r . 1769
From Cap' Sam Kemble
BILL OF DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. D. 5.
Schenectady the 24 th October 1769
Sir] William Johnson Baronet
Bought from Daniel Campbell
piece White Peniston Containing 99
yards 3/ £14.17.
] Do Blue Plains 35|/ 2 Do do
3/ 5. 6. 6
30 ] Large Strip'd Blankets 10/ 15. 0.
] piece Strong Osnabrugs Cons \A2}/i
yards 1 7 d 10. 1.10J/ 2
34 p'] Mill'd Stockings 5/6 9. 7.
] 24 yards of yard Wide Flannel at
3/4|/ 2 8. 4. ey 2
2 Dozen & 2 pair Ribed yarn Stockings
36/ 3.18.
20] Hats 4/ 4. 0.
Dozen Strong Brass Buckles 0. 8.0
] p s yard wide Irish Linnin 25 y ds 3/3 [4] 1.3
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 229
] Dozen More Yarn Stockings 1.17.
Cash paid for Carrige up 0.12.0
78 3 2
Errors Excepted
Daniel Campbell
JOHN MORTON S BILL TO ROBERT ADAMS
D. S.
October 25, 1769
Robert Adams
Bo f . of John Morton
October 25^. l Cask ¥ Nails 384« ll d £17 12 -
Rec d . the above for Jn° Morton
Ja s . Carr
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 25 th October 1769
Dear Sir
I am now to Acknowledge Your favour of the 20 th to which I
Should have done my Self the pleasure of Answering Sooner but
waited untill I had tried Albany for the Womans & Children
Stockings which are not to be had, have Sent you mens Stock-
ings that will do for a Shift, in place of the Womans — I shall
make Inquirey when the new Englandmen Come up about
Childrens Stockings — Some part of the Stockings
] mill'd which I Sent you as I bought them Cheap
The Blankets that I send are [the only] Ones to be had & they
are Cheap at the price | I] dont belive there is five Indian
Blankets | | I dont know how the Indians will make
The Children Shoes is now Making I have put
them into the hand of Several Shoemakers —
230 Sir William Johnson Papers
I have Charged you with only One half the Waggon, as Cap 1 .
Tice had Also goods he is to pay his part.
I have a parcel of Deer Skins Ready dressed but dont think
them Strong Enough have put 1 Strong Skins unto the hands
of the leather Dressers — who promised me they [would] do
them as Soon as possible
Inclosed is the Amount of [ ] Whole which I wish
Safe to you, I have [ ] peice of Blue Plats in lieu of
the p[enniston Wear much Stronger if what is [
be Sufficeint to Cloath your [ ]
& 6/4 wide which I Could Sell for Eight Shillings by the piece
this is as Cheap as Blankets & will last much longer —
I have advice from my Friends at Yorke of the Arrival of
Some Strouds which I belive I Shall get past without being
Seised or Condem'd by King Allicock 1 — I Expect them at
Albany Every Hour
M rs Campbell begs her best Compliments & am Dear" with
Great
Respect your most
Obedient & most humble
Servant
Daniel Campbell
indorsed:" 8 br . 25 th - 1 769
Dan 1 . Campbel Esq rs .
Letter with
a Bill of parcels —
1 Joseph Allicocke, one of the Sons of Liberty. On August 26th,
1775, he was before the Provincial Congress, called to explain his sup-
plying of provisions to a British armed sloop. — Journals of the Provincial
Congress Etc., 1:122.
-' Omission in the manuscript.
:; In Jchnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
231
ABRAHAM LOTT S CONVEYANCE
Printed Document 1
New York, October 28, 1769
Know all Men by these Presents, that I Abraham Lott of the
City of New York Merchant For and in Consideration of the
Sum of Ninety Pounds Current Money of the Province of New
York to me in Hand paid at and before the Ensealing and De-
livery of these Presents, by Peter Remsen of the Said City
Merchant the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, and
myself to be therewith fully satisfied, contented, and paid; Have
Granted, Bargained, Sold, Released, and by these Presents do
fully, clearly and absolutely grant, bargin, sell and release unto
the Said Peter Remsen two Negro Men the one Named
Abraham and the other December To Have and to Hold the
said two Negromen unto the said Peter Remsen his heirs Exe-
cutors, Administrators, and Assigns, for ever. And I the said
Abraham Lott for my Self, my Heirs, Executors and Adminis-
trators, do covenant and agree to and with the above-named
Peter Remsen his Heirs Executors, Administrators and Assigns,
to warrant and defend the Sale of the above-named two Negro-
men against all Persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof I
have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this Twenty Eighth Day
of October Annoq. Dom. One Tousand Seven Hundred and
Sixty Nine —
Sealed and Delivered in
the Presence of Abr m Lott 2
James Crommelin
Andreas Lott
verso
Octo 28 th 1 769
October 28 lh . 1 769
Peter Remsen
To
SirW m . Johnson
Bill Sale
.for 2 Negroes
£90
Abr m Lott
To
Peter Remsen.
Bill Sale
-for 2 Negroes
£90
1 A form filled in with writing.
2 Autograph signature.
232 Sir William Johnson Papers
treasurer's certificates
Printed Documents 1
New York, October 28, 1769
Treasury-Office, Colony of New-York.
This is to Certify, that Duty has been paid me, according to
Law, by Lucus von Beverhoudt Esq r . for one Negro man Slave,
named Abraham being a Male aged Twenty four Years, or
thereabouts, imported from S'. Croix Witness my Hand, this 28 th
Day of October Anno 1 769 AbrM Lqtt! Treasr
Treasury-Office, Colony of New-York.
This is to Certify, that Duty has been paid me, according to
Law, by Lucus von Beverhoudt Esq r . for one Negro man Slave,
named December being a Male aged Twenty four Years, or
thereabouts, imported from S l . Croix Witness my Hand, this 28 th
Day of October Anno 1 769
Abr m Lott 2 Treas r
BILL OF PETER REMSEN
D.
o- wr-u- t i New York, October
bir William Johnson
28, 1769
To Peter Remsen
D r
[Oct'] 28 To 2 Negro Men
£90
2 Great Coats @ 27/
2 14
2 Check Shirts
9/6
19
2 pair Shoes
8/
16
2 pair Stockings
4/6
9
2 Caps
2/
4 -
£95 2 -
] Buckles
2/
4 -
£95 6 -
1 A form filled in with writing.
2 Autograph signature.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 233
JEREMIAH BROWER'S BILL TO ROBERT ADAMS
D. S.
New YorkOcto r .28 1769
M r . Robert Adams
Bought of Jeremiah Brower
To 2 Barles Suger w* 2 2 3 19
2 1 21 19
4 3 24 38
1 10 Tare
4 2 14 @ 70/ O. £16 3 9
2 Barles 3 6
Recev d . the Above in full
£16 7 3
Jeremiah Brower
ORDER ON ROBERT ADEMS
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall Octb'. 30 th 1769
Pay unto Co 1 . Edward Cole or Order the Sum of
One Hundred & Seventy One Pounds Eight
Shillings & Six pence New York Curcy. On De-
mand, & Charge the same to Ace 1 , of
[i£1]71..8..6 cur c y
Y r . Humble Serv*.
W Johnson
To M R . Robert Adems
at Albany
Edw d . Cole
Albany the 13 th . Nov r . 1 769 Received the contents above of M r .
Robert Adams ^ me r-> o
P. Silvester
234 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
[New London, October 30, J 769]
Long before this I was in hopes of having the pleasure of see-
ing you but I have been so Cruelly detained and Harrassed in
this Place that it has not been in my Power. I have been unwill-
ing to trouble you with these Matters, and I have almost Fretted
myself to death to think that I missed of accompaning you on
your tour this summer which I have heard (and hope it is truth)
has Conduced Very much to your health — which I Pray to the
almighty to Confirm I flater my Self about the Latter End of
November I Shall be able to get to the Hall and nothing pos-
sibly Can give me more Pleasure — my affairs are I think nearer
a Close — but nothing has happened to make me afford one wish
to stay in this Country. I have had several very kind Letters
from Governor Franklin who always mentions you with Very
great Respect — I have wrote several times to Col° Croghan and
Cannot tell the meaning I have no Letter from him I have many
things to say on the Land Matters but they Can be better told
then wrote, and this I hope soon to have the Pleasure of doing
t ]
on an Affair of our Friend [Col°. Fitch ] upwards of
six years agoe and as [ ] but there's no End of the
law in this P[ious ] for the Writch that has given him all
this tro[uble ] as the Case was Coming on withdrew his
Ac[tion ] the Col°. will get about 30/ for all his time
] & trouble — this prevented my Writing [sooner]
but as the weather is fine hope it may be in time.
I have sent you two small Boxes a Case and paper Bundle
Conts several Articles and some Garden seeds agreable to the
In [closed] Mem°. M rs Chew begs you will be so good as to
Accept of the Jelly the Red Cur 1 . & G[ooseberry?] I hope is
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 235
Very good the Black Curr'. is mostly used in soar throats and
Esteemed a Pleasant G[argle] and safe Remedy
I beg my best Respects [to] the Gentlemen in the Neighbour-
hood of Fort Johnson and be assured that I am with the most
Fervent wishes for your health and the greatest truth &ca
Dear sir
Your most Ob [
Jos Chew
M ,s Chew Fanny & Little Joe
desire their best Compliments 6c
Respects to you
] have Constantly Sent you the papers & if as Some-
times has been the Case I have been from home any Post day
they have been always Sent the Next week
Col°. Putman has several times desired me to make his most
Respectfull Compliments to you — and would be Very thank-
full to Come in for a thousand or two acres of Land if it Could
be done — he seems to have altered his behavour here much for
the Better — the Susquehanna Company are Very much out
of Temper with him Col° Dyer has pushed Very hard this As-
sembly but I have not heard weather he has obtained a Grant of
those Lands from the Colony
The Honble SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON Bar 4 .
INDORSED: [ ]
[ ] with
Ans d . 1 6 th . of
[ 17] 69 from M'.
]head
236 Sir William Johnson Papers
ORDER TO ROBERT ADEMS
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall October 30 lh . 1769
Sir/
[£393]..3..7Cur^.
Pay unto Major Jeles Fonda or
Order the Sum of three Hundred, Ninety
three pounds, three Shillings & Seven pence
New York Currency, & charge it to Acc f . of
Y r . Humble Servant
W. Johnson
[ ] M R Robert Adems —
indorsed:
New York 8 ,h Nov r . 1 769 Then received the Contents
of the within in full as Witness my hand
Jelles Fonda
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
New York 30* Oct. 1769
Sir
I to oblige an aunt of M rs Mac Leods to whose Doughter M r .
Hake is marryed was forced to write you the letter that you will
find inclosed in M r . Hakes I hope you will not take it amiss as
really I am not fond of writing such letters, I did all I could with
decencjr do to prevent my writing such a letter but the old People
would not be put off.
I have been Several time at the Generals House but have not
yet Seen him I begin to think he don't chuse to see me untill M r .
Adams leaves the Town as perhaps he may think that I have
Post-War Period, 1763-/774 237
some directions from you concerning the money Matters of your
department and that two troubling him at once when he has no
inclination to give money would be too much. I am very Sorry
that M r Adams is likely to return to you without being able to
bring one farthing money with him, there's some difference be-
tween M r . Mackivers and M r . Watts about the lowering of Bills
which prevents both of them from paying any Money, as to the
Generals money his pimp of a Secretary allways makes delays.
I have no News as I keep much at home on acct. of the Sickness
of my only Child M rs Mac Leod Send you her most respectfull
Compliments I am Sir
Your Most obedient and Most Humble Ser 1 .
Nor d . MacLeod
indorsed: 1 New York 30 th Octb r . 1769
Cap*. M c Leods Letter
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 2
New York Oct'. 30*- 1769.
Dear Sir,
M r . Adams has been with my Secretary with your Accounts,
and a Receipt for half a year's Allowance. I apprehend no altera-
tion is to be made in the Manner of granting your Warrants;
my Directions being only, not to exceed the Sum allowed, So that
the Receipt will be returned you by M r . Adams. I was to have
advanced him one Thousand Pounds upon your Account on his
own Receipt; but I understand this Morning, that he does not
call for the Order, because the Contractors are not able to Supply
the Cash, and that they have not even had it in their Power to
compleat the Payment of the Warrant last granted to you.
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In New York State Library.
238 Sir William Johnson Papers
However if you will send me your Accounts as Usual a warrant
shall be made out, and be ready against the time that Cash is
provided. Or if you want a Sum advanced, a temporary Order
shall be given — to be accounted for hereafter by a regular War-
rant, when the Said Order will be cancelled.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir, Your most obedient,
humble Serv 1 .
Tho\ Gage
S R . W M . Johnson Bar'.
INDORSED: October 30 th . 1769
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
FROM JOHN LEVINE
A. L. S.
New York Odo< 3h< 1769
Dear Sir
I belive I am born to be a pest to you but the many proves I
have had of your goodness incorige me to advance a Step farder,
there is in this city a woman of good condition who has been
trobled with an Epiletick complent and can have no cure and as I
understand that you have a cure for it, it would be of great service
to me if you would trust me with it, and you may depend that it
shall dye with me, or if it woul d not be agreeable to you to part
with the R', if you would send as much as would cure the person
now ill I should get a good reward, your compliance in this will
add much to the manny favour alredy confear'd on
S r . your ob l and most
Humble Sar f
John Levine
INDORSED:' Doctor Lavines Letter
concern^. y e . Receipt for
an Epilepsy.
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 239
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 437, is listed a letter of November 2d to
Governor Colden, introducing Mr. Croghan, who has land matters to
settle (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:956-57; Q, 2:554.)
JOHN LAMB S BILL TO MR ADAMS
A. D. S.
New York 2 nd . November 1769
M r . Adams
Bo', of John Lamb
3!/ 2 Gallons best Shrub @ 14/ £2 9-
Rec d . the above in full
John Lamb
FROM THOMAS BARTON
A. L. S. 1
Lancaster, November 6 th . 1769
Honoured Sir,
The Bearer, M r . William Andrews, is a young Gentleman
educated at Trinity College in Dublin, from which he has ob-
tained a bene decessit, who has been encouraged by a Brother &
some other Friends, to come over to America — Having heard of
the Society's Design of establishing Indian Missions, he feels an
Inclination to go into the Mohawk Country, in Order to learn the
Language of the Mohawks, & to fit himself for a Missionary
among those People. — Permit me, Sir, to join in recommending
him to your kind Notice & Countenance, to whose Direction he
promises to be entirely subject. —
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
240 Sir William Johnson Papers
I am afraid some ungenerous Person, who envied me the
Honour of your Friendship, has endeavoured to interrupt it —
Be that as it may, I shall never cease to be grateful — to remem-
ber the pleasing Hours I spent at Johnson-Hall — nor to declare
that I am, with the highest Respect & Esteem, Hon d . Sir,
Your obliged, affect e . & most obedient humble Serv'-
Tho Barton
The Hon ble . Sir W m . Johnson, Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Lancaster Nov br . 6 th . 1769
M r . Bartons letter by
M r . Andrews, w h . I did not
receive till the 14 th , Feb r >'
1 770, in a letter from M r .
Andrews at the time of
his Sailing.
Ans< 1 6*. Feby 1 1 70
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London Nov'. 7 th 1769
Dear Sir
your Very kind Favour of the 7 th of October only Came to
hand last Thursday the 2 d . of this Ins 1 , a few days before I had
wrote you by Cap 1 Chadwick to New York, and Sent a few little
things to the Care of M 1 Wetherhead, Viz 1
Box No. 1 Cont a . 4 Caggs pickled Lobsters
Box N°. 2 3 potts Jelly — & 4 pipe Bowls
Box N°. 3 a Bow arrow &c from the Spanish main
with sundry Garden seeds
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 241
a paper Bundle of Madeira wafers ; the Invoice of the seeds &c is
inclosed in the Letter sent to the Care of M r Wetherhead by the
Same oppertunity I Sent sir John two pair of Bantam Fowls
I have been most shockingly disapointed in not having it in
my Power to see you this summer owing to some matters I Could
not get adjusted in the way I wished for — of which I did not
Choose to give you the disagreable details indeed it was late in
September before I heard you had got from the Tour you made
to the westward where my Earnest wishes attended you and
where I should have been happy to have been. I had an oppur-
tunity to Boston last Munday and wrote Very Particularly about
Thomas Byrne and shall advise you by the next post what is done
in that Matter I have also wrote to Col°. Fitch, Whiting and
Babcock and Expect to be able by the next post to give you their
determination on the affair of the Land, what you say with
Regard to my Self I must leave intirely my Dearest sir to your
self not having it in my Power to make any Conditions — my
situation being so unhappy and my Affairs so imbarressed that I
Should be trespassing upon your goodness to Enter into Partic-
ulars — I will while there is Life in me make the most greatfull
Acknowledgements for your kindness and if Ever I see better
days will make those Returns that my heart wishes to do at
present — I do assure you nothing has happened to make me in
Love with this Country and the moment I can I will leave it I
hope to be able to see you by the last of this month when I Can
better talk the[se] things then they Can be wrote, — I have
| forwarded you the Boston papers and if I ha[ve been]
from home any week they have been sent the Next by which you
will be able to form some Judgement of the spirit of the times
there — one M r Mien a Printer seems lately to have become the
Object of the Resentment of the Sons of Liberty, it is said he
has been Oblidged to shut up his stores w ch were Very Large and
drop his Printing Bussiness & take shelter on Board one of the
Kings Ships I shall forward you the papers this night and if any
thing new has happened it will doubtless be mentioned.
242 Sir William Johnson Papers
M rs . Chew desires me to present her best Compliments and
Respects to you she is now pretty Lusty which may be the
Effects of the good Entertainment given me at Johnson Hall I
wish the affair over as I shall then Loose no time in paying my
most greatful Respects to you
be pleased to give my Compliments to sir John Col° Johnson
Col° Clauss M r Adams M r Byrne and all friends and be As-
sured that I am with the greatest truth Respect and most Fervent
wishes for your health
Dear Sir
Your most Obed &
most Hble serv'
Jos Chew
The Hon ble Sir W m Johnson Bar 1 .
PS the Colony of Connecticut do not Choose to Give the Sus-
quhanna Company a Deed of those Lands yet they are as un-
willing to give up the Right they say the Charter gives them to
all the uninhabited lands as far as the west sea. 1
Col°. Dyer has met with a great disopointment in not being
Raised a step higher on the death of Gov r Pitkin I was last Even-
ing with Cap f . Oliver who desires his best Compliments to you
amongst the seeds is some of the Broom seed the other you may
depend are Very good I hope the pickled Lobsters will get in
1 The charter of Connecticut granted in 1662 by King Charles II
contains the following description of boundaries: "Wee . . . have
given, Graunted and Confirmed, And by theis presents for vs, our heires
and Successors, Doe give, Graunt and Confirme vnto the said Governor
and Company and their Successors, All that parte of our Dominions in
Newe England in American bounded on the East by Norrogancett River,
commonly called Norrogancett Bay, where the said River falleth into the
Sea, and on the North by the lyne of the Massachusetts Plantacon and on
the South by the Sea, and in longitude as the lyne of the Massachusetts
Colony, runninge from East to West; that is to say, from the said Narro-
gancett Bay on the East to the South Sea on the West parte, with the
Islands therevnto adioyneinge." The Three Constitutions of Connecticut,
compiled in Comptroller's Office, Hartford, Conn., 1901.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 243
good order — M rs Chew begs you'l Accept of the Current Jelly
she says the Red she dare Venture to say will be Very good
I am
D r s'
Your most obed [
J c.
The Hon ble , Sir William Johnson
FROM A. SPENCE AND ANDREW FERGUSON
L. S.
Snowhill Maryland November 10 ih Day 1769
Sir/
Your kind offer and favour you made us when we was at your
Hall in August last we have considered of it concerning the Land,
we are very desirous to Embrace the oppertunity of So kind a
favour, but the Distance between this and that has rendered us
unable to have Sent you an Anser before now, but we Stil hope
it is not two late to acquaint you that (God willing) we hope to
See you next Summer when we intend to bring the mony to
answer for one Thousand Acres each of us or perhaps more, we
Depend that it is Surveyed this time and hope to receive a Letter
from you as soon as possable about it to inform us whether we
may Depend on it being So ; as we have Some neighbours that has
thoughts of moving to it if we could give them assurance of our
title in the Land, and Some assistance in removing them as the
Distance is great between this and that and Expensive, they are
something loth to undertake without being Cartain of our assist-
ance and if any unfoorseen Disappointment Should happen that
we could not come or Send next Summer, you may depend the
Summer following we will come or Send to have the mony paid
and get a title made to us and pay the Intrest for the mony, and
return our thanks for your kind ofer and favour, we Shall Expect
a Letter from you Directed to Either of us at Snowhill Town in
Worcester County in the Province of Maryland, to the care of
244
Sir William Johnson Papers
James M c Laughlin Merchant in Philadelphia near the Draw
Bridge, who will forward it to us, who with our best Compliments
to Sir John and the other Gent m .. we had a Short acquaintance
with wee remain with due respect
your Oblieged Hum b1 ..
Servants
A MD Spence
And w Ferguson
To
ADDRESSED: The Hon ble : Sir William Johnson
Bar 1
Near
Albany
INDORSED: 1 [Snowh]ill Maryland
[Nov]b r . 10* 1769
Letter from Mess rs .
Spence & Ferguson, rec d .
15* Jam?. 1770 —
Ans d . 22 d . Feby & told them
that unless they came w* the Cash
before next June, they might be
too late. —
FROM WILLIAM NEWTON
New York I3 h NovenY
1769
Sir
Your favor came to my Hands desiring me to Pay the ballance
of your Account into the Hands of M r . Adems which after keep-
ing him for some time and Great difficulty has at last been Accom-
plished, which gave me Pleasure as I would not on any Account
have had him gone out of Town without it I should also have
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 245
sent your Account and Vouchers agreable to your desire but at
the time of his Going out of Town was Prevented. I now
Inclose it but not the Vouchers, as I have not yet Paid the Last
Article but one in it, as soon as that is done I shall take the First
oppertunity of Forwarding them to you,
I am with Great Regard.
Sir,
Your most Obedient and
most Humble Servant
W M Newton
[Sir] William Johnson Bar*.
indorsed: 1 N York 13 th . Novb r . 1769
M r Newtons letter
w ,h . y e . State of my Ace".
Ans rd .
ACCOUNT WITH WILLIAM NEWTON
A. D. S.
New York 13 th NoveirY. 1769
[ ]
] favour of Doctor
[ ] Curx
| bill of 2 d January last on you
] Adams
]df l of 14 th June in favor of
George[ ] £2354 12 11 Cur*.
] your draft of 8 Instant in favor
of Hugh Wallace £477 9 2 Cur*.
] paid your ditto of 24 Ditto in
favor of M r . Peter [ ] for
£15 8 9Cury. 9 - 11
60
19
247
9
1372
7
iVi
278
10
4!4
In Johnson's hand.
246 Sir William Johnson Papers
To ditto paid your ditto of 9 Jun-(?) in
favor of John Wetherhead for £116
Cury 67 13 4
To ditto paid your Ditto of 5 Ditto in
favor of BarentTen Eyck for £64 13 6
Cury. 37 14 6|/ 2
To Ditto Paid your Ditto of 19 Aug 1 , in
favor of Doctor Samuel Stringer for
£82 Cury. 47 16 8
To Ditto Paid your ditto of Ditto date in
favor of Alexander Clark for £20
Cur^ 11 13 4
[ ] To Ditto Paid your Ditto of 22 Ditto in
favor of Peter Remsen for £305 16
Cury. 178 7 8
To Ditto Paid your Ditto of 7 Sep r . in
favor of Hugh Gaine for £133 16
Cur>'.
To Ditto paid M r Banyar on your Acco'.
£115 3 11 Cury.
8 To Ditto paid your draft of 24 August in
favor of Colonel Daneil Claus for
£141 4 Cury.
f ] To Ditto Paid Jn°' Adems draft of 19
Ocf to John Wetherhead £158 12 6
To Ditto Paid Ditto D. of to Ditto for
£180 d°
To Cash Paid Ditto ballance £3790 4 4
d°
78 1
—
67 4
IO'/ 2
82 7
4
92 10
m
105 -
—
2210 19
2!4
£4947
14 8
Should be Robert.
Space vacant in the original.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 247
1769
Aug 1 14 By General Gages Warrant dated the [
your favor for
By Ditto Ditto of Ditto Date in your favor for [
£4947 14 8
New York 13 th . Novem'. 1769
Errors Excepted For Abraham JVIortier
Wm Newton
INDORSED: 1 M r . Mortiers Acc'.
rec d . Novb r . 1 769
FROM SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
A. L. S.-
NeW York, November the 14 ih . 1769
Worthy Sir —
A late Jaunt to Philadelphia upon material Bussiness has pre-
vented me from answering your last obliging Letter, which in
my hurry is mislaid, but shall be noticed as soon as I can overlook
my papers. M r Seabury & myself are not unmindful of your
Church, and have wrote our sentiments to the Society concerning
it. It grieves me much to think that my power to serve you, is
inadequate to my Inclination.
If I remember right you desire to have the Deeds &c relative
to the Estate of the late D r Barclay in the Mohawks Country,
which I have now paid for; & by the Bearer of this, a safe hand,
M r Andrews a Young Gentleman from Ireland, transmit to you.
This Young Gentleman comes well recommended to me from
M r Peter's of Philadelphia, in which City he has resided for
some time. He was educated at Trinity College in Dublin, and
now proposes to enter into holy Orders. His Character as far
1 In Johnson's hand.
- In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
248 Sir William Johnson Papers
as I can learn, from some respectable Gentlemen here, is very
good, & from what little Conversation I have had with him, he
seems to be sensible, but young, & not well, as yet, acquainted
with mankind. This acquisition by a little experience he will
soon obtain. As he has no Family, perhaps his Inclination may
lead him to settle among you ; and if his Zeal is proportionable to
his Education, which I must suppose to be a good One, he may
become a useful Man. By way of Caution I would observe,
that my personal knowledge of him is too slight to venture a
recommendation, without knowing him better; — therefore doubt
not your wisdom wiil direct you how to act upon the occasion.
His Connections with M r Campbell at Schenectady, through his
Brother, he will inform you of — Perhaps the people there may
be fond of having him. I shall with the greatest pleasure do
every thing in my power to serve you, or them, as soon as I know
your sentiments. —
He will deliver you a Copy of the proceedings &c of the
Corporation for the relief of Widows & Children of deceased
Clergy-men of the Church of England in America, which I beg
your acceptance of. The liberty we have taken, and the honor
we have done ourselves in puting your Name in the List of
Governors, I hope you will excuse & pardon — A neater Copy
shall be sent you, as soon as possible. This laudable Scheme,
after three Years consideration, will I flatter myself now succeed.
Your approbation of it will be extremely agreeable and Useful
to us.
pardon me if I mention what has just occurred to me, tho' in
an improper place, as it would have connected better with my
Subject before; which is, whether or not it would be eligible to
make your Town & the Mohawks Castle one mission for the
present, as Clergymen are scarce? This Junction would afford
a handsome Allowance to a Clergymen, and remove the dif-
ficulty M r Seabury labors under, as he has a large Family. If
this Scheme should be found not to answer, Would it not then be
of service to the Interest of the Church to retain M r Andrews in
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 249
the Service of the Indians only, as he seems to have an inclination
to it? These things I must leave to your superior Judgment, &
only mention them as hints that have just occurred. As M r
Andrews now waits for this, I can only add, that I have the
honor to be, with great respect, worthy Sir, Your much
Obliged & most Ob* Ser 1
Samuel Auchmuty
S R William Johnson.
P. S. It is sincerely wished by the Inhabitants of this City, to
my knowledge, that Sir William Johnson may be our next
Governor — If the prayers of the Clergy of the Church of Eng-
land can obtain so desireable an Event, sure I am they are not
wanting.
The neat Copy within mentioned came to
hand since writing the above — Which
Copy I now Send —
INDORSED: Nov. 14 th . 1769
From D r . Auchmuty
^ M r . Andrews. —
FROM JOHN BROWN
A. L. S. 1
Schonactady November 14 th 1769
Hon d . Sir
I beg leave to acquaint you that when I was in New york, I
desired a final answer from M r . Griffith, wether he was deter-
mined or not to Solicite for the Mission for this Church but could
not Obtain a derict answer, he told me if the Society would
Augment their Sallary he did not know but he might accept it,
this was mention'd to Doc' Cooper who gave his Opinion that he
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
250
Sir William Johnson Papers
did not think it in the Society power to Make any Additions to
their Missions and could not Imagine how they would be able to
pay those Missions they had already granted, Doc 1 . Achmuty
was not in town, I spoke to M r . Ogilvie who said M r . Griffith
ought to give us a final answer, but for part he thought, that
Albany, or the Mohaks ought to be Joined to this Mission, as
the Congregations were so Small, These reasons Sir makes me
take this Liberty of troubleing your Honour with this Letter that
if you Approve of this Mission being Join'd to Albany, I then
would mention it to M r . Monro, for I give up, all hopes of Ob-
taining A Clergyman to ourselves for a great while to Come.
and Am Hon d . Sir your Most
Humb le Servant
Jn°. Brown
To Sir William Johnson
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
at
Johnstown Hall
INDORSED: 1 Novb r . 14 th . 1769 —
Letter from J n . Brown
concerning a Minister —
wrote him y e . 1 7 th . that
If M r . Munro will Serve
Albany & Schenectady, in y 1
Case I was of opinion that
y e . Society will have no
objection to adding half the
Salary allowed In Schenec
tady —
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 251
DANIEL CAMPBELL TO THE SONS OF LIBERTY
Copy
Albany the 14 NoV. 1769
This day upon my Arival at this place I rec d Some letters from
my friends in New York Informing me that I had Some Goods
come in Capt n Cornelius Hayth & which Goods are now in the
Store of New York as Imagining the s d . Goods were order'd out
after the Agreement took place
I do assure you Gentlemen that there is not one Shlk worth of
Goods sent me out now in this Vessel. As also the one from
Hull that is not in Consequence of my orders sent home last
November and if you know the Agreement was not to take place
till the 2 of August I shou'd be extreamly unhappy to do any
thing disagreeable to the Gentlemen Merch ts . at N York & you
shall always find me ready to join in Every agreement wherein its
Judg'd for the Good of this Country 1
The Goods now in store if you Chuse to ship them back I shall
not have any Objection to it & altho the Goods were Ship'd
After the 2 d of August" there is not a single Shills worth but
what is Indian Goods to Satisfy you in which I now send you
Inclos'd the Invoice amounting to £63 4 8 M r . Blackburn my
Correspondent writes me he will Send me some more Blankets by
the Dutchess of Gordon which when arrives if you think proper
I should take it kind you wou'd let them Pass, & this you may
Depend on Gentleman that if Indian Goods are not allow'd to
be brought in here that the Merch ts . in Canada will take the
1 On May 17th, 1777, the Schenectady Committee of Correspondence
resolved that certain persons were looked upon as dangerous. The name,
Daniel Campbell headed the list. — Minutes of the Albany Committee
of Correspondence, Schenectady Committee, 2 : 1 099, University of the
State of New York
2 On March 1 3, 1 769, a committee of New York merchants chose a
committee "to inspect all European importations," with a view to enforce
the nonimportation agreement of 1 768.
252 Sir William Johnson Papers
Advantage of us and import double the Quantity by which
means our Traders that go up among the Indians will be Oblig'd
to go there to buy their Goods & we shall Lose the whole of the
Indian Trade which give me Leave to Inform you is of no small
Advantage to this province & particularly to this part of it —
One thing Gentlemen I am to inform you of which [is] that I
understand that Capt n Hayht has mentioned at York [that] my
friend M r . Blackburn told him that the few Goods sent [by]
him were Intended for Sir Will m . Johnson as presents for the
Indians. I am extreamly sorry that there shoud be any mis-
understanding] concerning this Report. I know perfectly well
I never made use of [Sir William's] name to M r Blackburn in
my Life in no manner of [ ] I do believe that M r .
Blackburn might think [ ] the Superintendant of
Indian affairs and [ ] might immagine that
Sir Will m . woud have Occasion for some of those [Goods and
by] that means prevailed with the Captain to take them on Board
[not] Imagining at the same time that he was incroaching on the
] ment of the Gentlemen of New York by Reason those
things [were] Indian Goods
Another thing Gentlemen I must beg Leave to mention to
you which is that I Can declare upon Oath that I never Men-
tioned any affair to Sir William Johnson in regard of making use
of his name with any View of getting Indian Goods imported
from England under his name nor Did ever S r . W m . Johnson
hear or know any thing of this affair from me & I shall Imediately
inform S r . W m . of the Report that has been at York Concerning
The [ ]
I hope Gentlemen when you have Considered Every thing
relating to this affair that you will be fully Satisfied that I have
done nothing that wou'd get me [the] displeasure of you or any
other of my friends at New York
I have nothing more to add then that I am Gentlemen
Respectfully your most Hum 1
Ob«. Serv*
Daniel Campbell
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 253
Copied by M r
Cartwrights Son
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
Daniel Campbel Esq rs
Letter to the Sons of Liberty
FROM JAMES ADAIR
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 438, is listed a letter of November 1 5th
from James Adair, at Savannah, regarding the publication of his Indian
productions,- the custom of granting general licenses to trade with Indians,
the disposition of the Creeks and future correspondence (printed in Doc.
Hist. N. Y., 4:418-19; Q, 4:262).
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 438, is entered a letter of November 1 6th
from George Croghan, in New York, introducing William Andrews, who
is ambitious to serve the church, and mentioning a conversation with the
General and news from England (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:419—
20; Q, 4:263).
FROM TURBUTT FRANCIS 3
Copy 4
Philadelphia, Nov. I& h . 1769.
Sir,
Gov. Penn rec'd. your letter the evening before he set off for
New York, so that I had no opportunity of acquainting him how
far I had given cause to the Indians of complaint: but he did me
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 For references to works which treat the theory of Israelite origin of
the American Indians, see Justin Winsor; Narrative and Critical History
of America, 1:115—16.
3 A lieutenant in the 44th regiment; in the Revolution Indian commis-
sioner in the American service.
4 In Library of Congress, Force Transcripts.
254 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Honor of sending your letter to me for my perusal in conse-
quence of which I must beg the liberty of relating the matter to
you & to return you my most respectful thanks for the favorable
opinion you are pleased to honor me with. When I was atShamo-
kin last summer delivering the present of condolance from this
goverment to Seneca George, one John Thompson a Delaware
Indian who lives at the Great Island, came to me, & informed
me that there was a Salt Spring within the late purchase made by
the Proprietor & gave me a description of it I immediately drew
out an application as is the custom of this province for the salt
spring & sent it down by Mr. Secretary Shippen 1 who was then
returning from Shamokin to Phila. to be entered in the Land office
at Phila. taking it for granted that it was in the purchase of
Pennsylvania & a few days after, I set out with the Indian John
Thomson for the spring when I came to Anwagy I found it was
out of the purchase, but as I was within 20 miles of it, my
curiosity as well as the pressing of the Indian who was not to
receive anything for his trouble if he did not show me the Spring
induced me to take a look at it, but was prevented by a fit of
the Rheumatism when I was within 8 miles of the place. I went
no further: however the Indian proposed that he & a white man
I had with me should go & bring some of the water & a little salt,
which they did — & upon their return I set off for Shamokin
directly. I had neither chain or compass with me, except a
pocket one for my guidance in case of an accident. I do declare
upon my Honor I marked no trees or gave to the best of my
remembrance any reason directly or indirectly to any one for
complaint without my barely going there was criminal. I have
taken no steps to secure the land, nor had I any thoughts of
doing it unless by application to you; I was not conscious of my
acting improperly, therefore hoped as you have frequently &
generously already given me repeated marks of your good inclina-
tion towards me that you would assist me in securing the spring as
I have my Right for land as a half-pay officer still by me. The
' Joseph Shippen jr., secretary of Lieutenant Governor John Penn.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 255
obtaining the Spring by application to the Gov', of New- York
never once entered my head — As I must, to have gained my
point deceived them grossly by making them believe it lay within
the present purchase of that gov 1 , which would be justly giving
up every pretention to honor or character which I look upon to
be the most invaluable things in Life — I have given you an
exact account, Sir, of this affair & hope I may be honored with
a few lines from you when at leisure, that I may be able to con-
vince my friend, Gov. Penn, (who knows nothing of my letter
to you) that I have, at least acted above fear & without a design
of doing ill; & also that I may hear from your self that I have
not forfeited the good opinion that you had once conceived of me,
which no one sets a greater value on, than he that has the honor
to be,
With the utmost respect,
Sir,
your most obedient servant,
Turbutt Francis.
To the Hon, SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON, Bart.
T0 BLEAKER
L. S. 1
Johnson Hall Noobr. 17* 1769 —
Sir
Being informed this morning that you had run the Bounds of
Gouvneurs Patent & Lots, I take the liberty to request that you
would send me as soon as conveniently you can the Survey of
that Patent with the Division of the Several Lots as run by you,
laying down at the same time the Difference between the former
Surveys & yours, for which trouble I shall readily satisfy you.
My reason for desiring this is, that I am concerned in Lands ad-
joining that Patent to the Northward of it, and as I want to
have it laid out into Lots for Settlers I would willingly have it
1 In Maine Historical Society, Portland, Me.
256 Sir William Johnson Papers
done in such a Manner as to avoid (all in my power) future
dispute with regard to the Boundary. Y r compliance together
with y r opinion relative to the Affair will much oblidge.
Sir
Y r Welwisher
& Humble Servant
, Bleaker Esq. W Johnson
FROM GOLDSBROW BANYAR
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 438, is listed a letter of November 1 8th
from Gw. Banyar, New York, commending William Andrews, from
Ireland, who has thoughts of taking orders (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y.,
4:421 ;Q, 4:264).
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
Dear Sir, New york Novr. 18<K 1769.
I did not receive your Letter of the 1 9 th . October till the 1 th .
Ins'., and have not yet Seen M r . Croghan, whose Presence at
Fort Pitt I hope will tend to put our Affairs in those parts on a
proper Footing.
The French Traders & Partizans May still plague us, but
when the Indians are informed of the Treatment the French re-
ceive from the Spaniards, they will not readily believe they are as
one People. I have a Letter from General O'Reilly" expressive
of his Intentions to promote the Harmony Subsisting between the
two Nations, to punish all who shall interrupt the Peace, and to
keep the Indians in Subjection. You may Judge from thence
what Notions he has formed of the Indians, and if he does not
change his Sentiments upon a further Knowledge of them, what
Trouble he will bring upon his Hands. From Colonel Wilkins's
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 Count Alexander O'Reilly, Spanish governor of Louisiana, 1 767—70.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 257
Letters I have Reason to conjecture the Inhabitants opposite the
Illinois used all the Spaniards there very ill, before they forced
them down the Mississippi, and it is very possible we may hear
that Many of them are Seized as soon as a Detachment from the
Troops lately arrived, get up to those parts, for they are much
exasperated against all the French.
Cap 1 . Turnbull 1 Sent me the Same Information as you have
transmitted concerning Mons r . Vercheres Commission 2 I can't
believe otherwise than that there is Some Mistake in the Affair,
but by this Opportunity, I write to Gov r . Carleton upon it, and
beg him to give some Explanation about it. I can't conceive that
an Interpreter of the Shawnese can be of any use to the GoV.
or his Province.
The Account you have transmitted may be settled with all your
other Accounts independent of the new Establishment.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
p. g. Tho s . Gage
Since writing I have seen
M r . Croghan who has shewn me his
very Judicious Instructions, which he
will no doubt pursue & I hope remove
any little ill humour or Jealousy subsisting
among the Indian Tribes.
T: G:
S R : W M : Johnson Bar 1 :
indorsed: Novb r . 18 ,h . 1769 —
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
1 Captain George Turnbull, of the 60th regiment, in command at
Detroit.
2 As interpreter to the Shawanese.
9
258 Sir William Johnson Papers
ACCOUNT OF JOHN STEVENSON
A. D.
Albany 20* Nov. 1769
The Honb le sir William Johnson Barro":
To John Stevenson D r .
CQ lb
To20barsIronW<5 2
To 2 D°. broad 3 23
C Q ft>
5 3 25@36/ £10 15
[ ] bars steel 101 lb @ 1/ 5 1
[ ] 10 6
£16 6 6
INDORSED: [ ]
for Iron & Steel
£16.6.6
FROM JOHN WELLES
si • Li, w_).
[Quebec], Nov. 22 d . 1769
Sir
I did myself the pleasure to pay my Respects to you in Decem-
ber 1 767 wherein I took the Liberty to communicate to You, my
situation at that time, as you have often been pleased to assure me
of your good wishes. I also amongst other things made so free to
mention my being concerned in a Pot and Pearle Ash Manufac-
tory which has turned out very disadvantagious, as we have great
reason to fear our Conductor is an Imposter. what Pearle Ashes
we sent home last Year was so contrary to the samples he first
made, that Instead of Selling for £40 %3 Ton it was worse than
the worst Pot Ashes & only fetched £22. 1 this Year the Quality
is much the same.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 259
We have been at a Great Expence [in] Erecting Works & are
now entirely at a loss, how or in what manner to proceed which
has induced me to seek [ ] Information also [ | and
as I have been informed that there are amongst your Tenants who
manufacture those Articles. I could wish it might not be thought
to great a freedom to request the favour of you to procure for me
in writing, the process of Manufacturing Pot & Pearle Ashes. I
wish the Method of Extracting the Salts from the Ashes 2 d ly the
Size & thickness of their fluxing kettles. 3 d ly the Dimentions of
the Calcining Oven & whether it will answer so well on a brick
Hearth as on Cast Iron, for our Man has caused us to Import
from Curin in Scotland panns of near Six Inches thick that weigh
three Tons & a half which we apprehend burns out all the Virtue.
One pot & pan stand us in near one hundred pounds Sterling. I
should be glad also to be informed whether it would be prac-
ticable to procure a man in your parts who has been bred to that
business in hungary, or elsewhere, such a person would meet with
good Encouragement, & it would be well worth his while to come
here, what we have shipt this Year, we have consigned to two or
three different houses, in order to have their different Judgements
upon the Quality & [where] the fault lie, as also to have Samples
out by the first [ ] ship of the Different qualities of Pot
& Pearle Ashes from [ ] could we meet with a proficient
this Manufactury will [ turn to a very great account
here.
From the knowledge I have of the pleasure [
Encouraging the Industrious Adventurer & from the Assurances
of your good wishes, I am induced to request this favour, M r
Claus has more than once assured me that I have still your good
wishes as formerly (which would make me unhappy to think I
had forfieted not withstanding I have not had the honour to hear
from your family since Feb^ 1 766.) otherwise I should not make
so free at present.
M r Claus without doubt informed you that M r Mathew Wade
embarked with his wife the 10 th . October for London, having
260
Sir William Johnson Papers
entirely left this Province, he is considerably indebted to me,
& used me rather unfriendly, as I went great lengths to serve him,
& he should not have put me on a worse footing than his other
Creditors however I could not help myself, Stopping him would
be no satisfaction to me. I rather forwarded his departure.
I hope s r . William that my request will not interfere with the
Multiplicity of business in Your department [&] that I shall
have the favour of a few lines on the subject [and] must beg
leave to present my Respectful Compliments to sir John Mess rs .
Claus & Johnsons families
I am
Most Respectfully
Sir Your Ob f & most hble Servant
John Welles
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon ble Sir William Johnson Bar 1 ,
at Johnson Hall
in the County
of Albany
INDORSED: 1 M r . John Welles Letter
from Quebec
Novb'. 22 d . 1 769
Ans< Feby. 16 th . 1770
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
N London 22 d Nov' 1769
Dear Sir
Since my last I have seen Col° Fitch and Col° Whiting both of
them have desired me to make their most Respectfull Compli-
mints to you and to Return you their most sincere thanks for your
great kindness to them in the Land matters — and Will advise
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 261
you very fully by Col° Fitch who proposes to be with you As
Early in the month of December as possible — on the Rece 1 of
your Letter I wrote to Col° Babcock and desired he would Come
to New London as it was not Convenient for me to go to Ston-
ington but have not had his Answer indeed I was oblidged to
be at Hartford last week — or should have seen him I have this
day wrote to him again —
Three or four of the best Farmers I know in this Colony were
with me a few days agoe and are determined some time this
winter to Ride up to you they are Resolved to Leave this Country
and I have promised to write Letters for them in a few days to
introduce them to you — I flater my Self I Shall be able to be
at Johnson Hall by the Midle or at Farthest the 20 th of Decem-
ber — and to set out from hence with Col° Fitch —
M rs Chew desires me to present her best Compliments and
Respects to you. she was Yesterday morning after a most severe
and painfull time put to bed with a fine Boy — for whome may I
Presume my Dear sir to ask the great Favour of you to be one
of the sponsors I hope if he Lives he will always partake of that
Regard and shew that Respect to Every one who appertains to
you — that will only depart from me [with] my Life — I
almost tremble when I take this Liberty which nothing but your
great kindness Can afford me any Excuse for — and which I
hope the Infant it is asked for will never Disgrace — I have not
Mentioned this to its mamma — but shall find some Excuse to
put of the Christning untill I can hear from you which I pray may
be on the R[eceipt] of this Letter as I Shall I hope not be dis-
apointed in paying my Respects to you at Johnson Hall by the
midle or twentieth of Dec r . — I have n[ow] forwarded the Bos-
ton papers by this and the last [post] and must Refer you to them
for news — and am [with] the most sincere wishes for your
health and happi[ness] and the greatest Respect
D r s r
Your most Ob [
most Oblidged [
Jos Chew
262 Sir William Johnson Papers
The Hon ble S R . WlLL M . Johnson
Dear sir
before my Letter got to Boston the ship King of Prussia was
sailed for Virginia in her all the passengers Servants &c were Sent
I have wrote to have Tho s Byrne sent to N Yorke and have given
directions to have his passage paid
D r s r Yrs most sincerely
Jos Chew
indorsed: 1 New London Novb r . 22 d . 1769
Joseph Chew Esq rs letter
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 438, is listed a letter of November 23d
to Lieutenant Governor C. Colden about a method for securing the
Mohock village lands, division of the county, Sir H. Moore's reorganiza-
tion of the militia, lack of returns from the regiments around Fort Edward
and South bay, in Ranslaerwyck, in the Mannor of Livingston, at
Claverack, Kinderhook, &c, and those below, reorganization in Dutchess
and Ulster counties, the regiment of horse given to his son, the particular
fitness of gentlemen of property for military service, and vacancies to be
filled (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:957-59; Q, 2:554-55).
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df. 2
Johnson hall NoV. 23 d . 1769
Dear Sir
I have received your favors of the 22 d . & 30 th . ult°. and am
extremely sorry to hear of the Scarcity of Cash as it proves a great
disappointment to me who am attacked on all sides daily for
Money, and have not only advanced my own private Cash but
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In the collection of James Fenimore Cooper, Albany, N. Y. ; in the
handwriting of Guy Johnson.
PostWar Period, 1763-1774 263
am even obliged to take up Money upon my own Credit wherever
I can get it. the Expence of the Departm'. for some time past,
tho' managed with the Strictest Oeconomy, far Exceeding what
may be imagined.
As you are of opinion that no Alteration is to be Made in the
Manner of Granting the Warrants I shall Send down my Ac-
counts in the Way you direct & hope by that time there will be
a Supply of Cash.
I am entirely of your opinion as to the Virginians, who I believe
will not go to any Expence in the purchase you Mention but on
Terms that may not be agreable to the Crown, And as to the dis-
orders and Licentiousness on the Southern frontiers I see very
little prospects of their being put to an end The Civil power,
is at present nothing, & Yet they are extremely unwilling to call
for Military Aid to bring Offenders to Justice without which,
these disorders Will in all probability rather increase than dimin-
ish, & finally end in a General Rupture With the Indians.
I delayed for several days Writing in hopes of hearing some
farther by M r Adems, on the Article of Cash, and have now
the favor of your Letter of the 1 3th inst from the latter part of
Which I find that M r . Croghan was arrived at N York and I am
very happy in hearing that you approve of his Instructions which
will doubtless be of Service at this time. Gen 1 . O Reilly 1 is said
to be a man of Warmth & fire, and if he pursues the measures you
have mentioned he wiil create much Trouble to himself but as
there are many people there who are better acquainted w th the
Matter, I presume he will Soon be convinced of the little advan-
tage to be derived from a difference with the Indians, And the
French who are the people through whom the Indians receive
Most of their Information, will doubtless place the dispute be-
tween them and the Spaniards in such a light as not to prejudice
their grand object, and the gen', design they appear to have in
View.
1 Count Alexander O'Reilly, captain-general of Louisiana, who re-
pressed by rigorous measures the devolt of French inhabitants against the
authority of Spain.
264 Sir William Johnson Papers
There may probably be some Mistake in the Affair concerning
Mons r Verchere 2 at least it may not be so bad as is represented,
tho' I can't think it is entirely destitute of foundation, for policy
and the Interests of Trade lead the Generality of the French to
act that part whenever they can ; and upon reflection I am certain
that every Gov r . must be sensible, of the Impropriety of making
any Appointments that Interfere with the Department of Indian
Affairs, and may obstruct that uniformity of Conduct by which
only it can answer the Intention & Expectations of the Crown.
I every day expect to hear the Result of the Congress at Onon-
daga which opened Several days ago, and as I took y e . utmost
pains to direct their Councils to a Consideration of the Insults
some of their Friends & Allies have met with to the Westward
with a View at least to Alarm the Western Indians, & prevent
any Imediate prospect of a Union between them, I hope very soon
to hear that my endeavors have met with some Success, and from
the present Aspect of Affairs, I think it the best policy to Act in
that manner.
The Caghnawaga Ind n . who accompanied Silver Heels from
the Illinois was I understand to have had 60 Dollars from L*. Col.
Wilkins & 40, from the Merchants, (hav§ Left his Engagem'.
with a Frenchman for 2 years to accompany Silver Heels at Col
Wilkins's request) he has according to Capt Edmonstons Certifi-
cate, only received a blanket, Stockings & Shirty) he has therefore
requested me to Make his case known to you, and as he quitted
his Wages & place with the Frenchman for the public Service and
lost his papers &c When pursued by the Enemy & as it is not a
large dem d . consids the Circumstances of their Journey I am
persuaded you will take it into Consideration.
INDORSED: Nov r . 23 d 1769
To Gen 1 . Gage
Sir Wm Johnson
2 See Doc. Rel to Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:185 and Doc. Hist. N. Y.,
2;951-52; Q, 2:551.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 265
FROM HARRY MUNRO
A. L. S. 1
Albany Nov. 23 d . 1769
Honourable Sir,
I beg Leave to inform You that one M r . William Andrews a
Candidate for holy orders, intends to pay you a Visit in a few
Days. This Young Gentleman has brought me a Letter from
Doctor Auchmuty, greatly lamenting his not being Able to
Supply your Churches on the Mohawk River with worthy Clergy-
men. Meantime the Doctor Strongly recommends a Junction
of the Two missions of Albany & Schenectady, if Agreeable to
you Sir, for Some years at least, & is pleased to ask my opinion
on that head. — M r . Brown of Schenectady was here the Other
Day, & made the Same Proposal. My Answer to M r . Brown
was, that if Sir William thought proper to recommend Such a
thing to the Society, I Should heartily acquiesce in that, or any
thing Else that he judged Serviceable to Religion; but that for
Some particular Reasons, I must be entirely passive in the Affair.
— Indeed the oftener I go to Schenectady, the more I am con-
vinced, they Shall not be able for Some years to Maintain a
Clergy man; which unlucky Circumstance renders a Junction of
that Mission to Some other, highly Necessary. — I do not think it
proper to mention any Such thing to the Society myself, as I
would by all means avoid Every thing that has the least Appear-
ance of a mercenary Spirit; But if you please to propose it to
them, you may depend on my Concurrence; & as to the Salary, I
leave that to you Sir. — Doctor Auchmuty hopes, this young
Gentleman, M r . Andrews, will be acceptable to you, in which
Case, he is of opinion, that he may Supply, for Some time at
least, both your Church & that of Fort Hunter ; which is humbly
Submitted to your better Judgement. — What I write you at
present is in Confidence, & I hope you will consider it in that
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
266 Sir William Johnson Papers
Light. — My best Regards to you & all the family. I am with
great Esteem & Respect,
Honourable Sir
Your most Obedient
Most humble Servant
Harry Munro
To Sir William Johnson
PS : Please to excuse my bad writing, being at present in a hurry,
& having a very bad pen indeed. — Adieu
indorsed: Novb r . 23 d . 1769
The Revr d . M r . Munro's
Letter —
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
s New York 24 November 1769
I have already at the particular request of Several Townships
troubled you frequently upon the Subject of the Militia appoint-
ments at Claverack &Ca — Those Commissions have such dan-
gerous objects in view that they threaten nothing less than the
endangering the property of at least five hundred Families —
Apparently there was a Stop put those appointments {even
before Sir Henry Moore's Death) we are nevertheless far from
being easy, least Interest [shou]ld be made with the Lieu 1 .
Governor to have the Regiment confirmed — Impressed with
[these] fears I was desired by my Townsmen to wait on his
Honours, which I have done a few days ago and delivered him
Copies of all the Remonstrances that were made, preceding his
administration, against this very odious Measure, and Shewed
him a Commission that had been given to one of the Inferiour
Officers Dated 8 Months before the Col os . own Commission
[and] about Six Months before M r . Livingston was appointed
Secy; tho' his Name as Sec? [ notwithstanding to the
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 267
Commission — His Honour heared me with great attention and
was pleased to tell me that he had received a Letter from you
about this matter and would do what was necessary to remove
the cause of our Complaints; He was so very obliging as to
direct his Son to Shew me the Register of Military Commissions
for the County of Albany of which the [en] closed is a Copy; 1
by which and What has been before Said upon this Subject, it
will be easily [discovejrd that the planners of this Regiment must
have had something very interesting to themselves in view, other-
wise they would have had the Boundaries of the extent of the
Regiment [ ] as is the case with the other Regiments. In
case Sir there should be another [ | made to carry this
project through I hope you will powerfully interpose in our behalf
] to have a stop put to this matter until we can be
heared — our reasons for asking [ I hope will have
weight when it is known that a thousand Men Able to bear Arms
can be Incorporated out of the Inhabitants that live between the
South Line of the Manor of Rensselaer Wyck and the South
Bounds of the Town Ship of Kinderhook Eastward to the
[westward] Line of the Massachussetts Bay —
My Affairs I expect will be setled in three or four days time
Soon after which I propose to pay my Respects to you with some
other Persons when these [ ] will be more fully explained,
In the mean time I remain
with all due Respect
Sir
Your most Obedient
& most Obliged humble
servant
H V SCHAACK
INDORSED: 2 New York 24 th . Novb r . 1769
Henry Vanschaack Esq"-
Letter w ,h . an Inclosure
1 Much injured by the fire, but printed in the Third Annual Report of
the State Historian, 1897, p. 887-89.
2 In Johnson's hand.
268 Sir William Johnson Papers
EDWARD COLE TO GEORGE MORGAN
A. L. S. 1
New York Nov. 25 l K 1769
Dear Morgan
You will Hardly Expect to hear from me from this at this
Season, but so it is have not as Yet been Home. I a few days
past Returned from Sir William Johnsons, and am now Here on
my affairs with M r . Vanscheack I shall be a Great Sufferer.
M r . Moores Bills are protested, and will not be paid untill he
comes if then, this is hard, as I have Indorsed one Hundred
pounds besides that I received of You, and have been obliged to
pay, Which much distresses me. I send Your Bill and protest
by Col°. Croghan, who Will Settle it with You, as also the Bill
I gave You on him — The General when I waited on him Re-
ceived me very Politely — asked me many Questions about the
Indians and Gen 1 . O Reily. I fancy he would be Glad Indian
affairs were again in their Old Channels. — My Good Friend and
Patron Sir William I found the Same man. he has approved of
my Conduct while I was at the Illinois, & has prevaled on me to
Remove in the Spring to his Land, has purchased three Im-
provements for me within a Mile a half of his House. So I must
be directed to, at Johnson Hall, after next April — With Regard
to the Land on the Ohio, I must Depend on Yours and M 1 .
Baystons Friendship to let me know how they are to be managed,
the New England people are all Land Mad. if it is made a civil
Goverment I am persuaded it will soon flourish. Should be
Extreemly Glad You will let me know when you go to Fort Pitt,
that I may Send you my letters timely — Our Mutual Friend
Col°. Croghan can acquaint you with Every thing Relating to
Indian affairs. — I shall in a few day leave this for Rhode Island,
where I shall be Happy to have it my power to Render You any
Service. You will be pleased to make my Compliments M rs .
Morgan, M r Baynton & all the Ladys, not forgeting Friend
1 In Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa.
Post-War Period, / 763-1 774 269
Hannah — Our Friend Campble is Still Here Meets with Great
Difficulties in his Accounts which are to go back to Col°. Wilkins.
he has been obliged to draw on his Fund, he Desires his Compli-
ments to Miss Chariot, who he would willingly pay his addresses
to if the old wife was not in the Way
I am
Dear George
Your most Ob'. Serv 1 .
Edw d . Cole
To Mr. Morgan
INDORSED :
New York Nov. 25 th - 1 769
Col. Edw d Coles Letter —
receivd Dec r . 1 2th 1 769
by Col. Croghan
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York Nov 27 1769
Sir William
Altho a pacquet is just arrived from England, yet I am hardly
enabled from its Contents, to afford you the least amusement.
The letter addressed by D r Musgrave 1 of Plymouth to the Free-
holders &ca of Devonshire, accusing the fabricators of the last
peace with betraying the Interest of their Country & fuddling it
up on the most shamefull Terms, now intirely engages the publick
Attention, and he has gained the Confidence of the generality of
People there to a degree of Enthusiasm. The Letters from
1 Samuel Musgrave, noted physician and Greek scholar, author of
"Address to the Gentlemen, Clergy and Freeholders of Devon," relating
to the Anglo-French peace of 1 763. The House of Commons examined
the charge and in January, 1 770, pronounced it "frivolous and unworthy
of credit." In the Public Archives of Canada are a number of con«
temporary pamphlets on the peace.
270 Sir William Johnson Papers
London intimate that the [sujbject of it will have very serious
Consequences, on the 5 th of October, the time appointed for the
County meeting, some material Elucidations will appear to corrob-
erate what has already been published; and one Mons r Vergy
Councellor in the parliaments of Paris & Bour[dea]ux has pub-
lickly advertised to give further Light on the matter in a pamphlet
he will produce in [which] the Contradictions of D r Musgrave's
Letter ex[hibited] by D'eon, 1 formerly Chargee de' Affairs of
France, [are] confronted. A little time will explain this [
in the Interim several Great Men hardly themselves
safe and it is expected some will withdraw themselves.
The India Company have Voted a refusal of [Power] de-
manded by the Crown, for the Commander of his Majesty's Ships
in those Seas to have a share in the Deliberations & resolutions of
the Company with regard to making peace or declaring war, a
plan suggested & insisted upon by the E of Bute and his partie,
who, by earring this leading question, proposed that Government
should, by degrees take the Lead in all their Councills & thereby
the Company's property be ever hereafter at the Mercy of a
protempore, Minister^/
The House was to meet on y e 14 ,h Nov r . The most Solid
Union of the three brothers Chatham, Temple & Grenville has
been solemnly published from Earl Temple 2 to the Freeholders
from Bucks, met, as have been many more, on the Subject of
petitioning.
It does not Seem at all Certain that the Muscovites are yet
Sailed for Constantinople, and it is thought they have abandoned
the Seige of Choczim, The Vizier is at present too strong for
[them] unsupplied, as they are, with provisions to have a general
Action. These northern powers ne[ver] distinguished them-
selves in Engineering, even the prussian & Austrian Seiges were
very ling[ering] enterprizes.
1 Chevalier d'Eon, French plenipotentiary in England in 1 763.
2 Richard Temple Grenville, brother of George Grenville and brother-
in-law of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 271
Our L l Governor meets his assembly in good [po]sition, and
from the total Neglect of him on th[e occasion?] of his Services
to the prerogative a few years p[ast] altho recommended to the
Sovereign by the [ it is thou] ght he will pass what Bills are
] for his Assent, and the Assembly, taking [ad-
van] tage of this favorable prospect, have ]ed in a bill
for a new Emission of paper currency.
Mr Colden has appointed Judge Jones's Son, who married
Cap 1 De Lanceys Sister, to succeed Recorder Johnson, & a son
of Gabriel Ludlow is recommended to him for a Succession to
the late Judge Smiths 1 Seat on the Bench.
[These are] all the occurances I could for the present assem-
ble togather for your Entertainment.
We shall be allowed to take the Goods out of the Sons of
Liberty's Store in about 6 or 8 weeks when Col Johnsons & your
own Articles, mentioned long ago, shall be forwarded. I beg my
humble Respects to Sir John, the Colonel & [Cap*] Claus and,
with the utmost deference,
I am,
Sir William,
Your obliged & faithfull serv 1
Ja Rivington
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnson Bar 1
at Johnson Hall
INDORSED : [ ]
M r . Rivingtons letter
1 Judge William Smith, of the supreme court, died November 22,
1 769. George D. Ludlow was appointed December 1 4, 1 769.
272 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 29 th November 1769
Dear Sir
By the Bearer M r Brown I Send you a Box Containing Seven
Signs — the Amount of which I here Send you I had two of
them done by Henry Vandresen, for which he Charged Sixteen
Shillings which is four Shillings more than Branaghan Charged.
I find by the last papers that they have published the Affidivates
of Captain Haight & Captain Wynn relating to the Goods which
M r Blackburn Shiped — which is all done with an Intention to
hurt M r Blackburns Character — I am Extraimly Sorry that he
tooke So much liberty as to Mention your Name in the Adver-
tisement, they Carry it So far as to Say that M r Blackburn
had Received pressing Orders from your Self for the Indian
Goods which Captain [W]ynn Brought over — if the Goods had
been for you there never would have been One word about them
— Nothing Could have Induced M r Blackburn to take such liberty
but hes been over Sanguine in Serving his Employers but
this is no maner of Excuse in him to Intitle him to Such liberties —
I hope upon his making a proper Submission to you that you will
forgive him — this Affair has turned Out verry Unlucky for M r
Blackburn as I Remember your One day makeing Inquiry what
kind of A man he was — and I told you he was Reputed a mighty
good kind of A man — & upon which you was good enough to say
you would let him do your Business —
Mr William Andrew who goes up with M r Brown has Some
thought [of] going into orders for which purpose he has [with
him] Several letters from Gentlemen at New York [who] Re-
commend him to you he Seems to be a well Behaved Young
Man, he gave a discourse to the People here which gave very
great Satisfaction. Indeed to the Whole Congration & they
all Seemingly are verry desirous to have him placed here M r
Brown goes up on purpose to Solicit for him — & I must beg leave,
KING HENDRICK (SOI-EN-GA-RAH-TA)
From a painting by William A. McKenna, owned by Frank L. Reuss, Albany, N. Y
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 273
to Recommend him, for this Place, in Case you have not Ap-
pointed Some other
I have only to Add that I am
Dear Sir with great Respect your
most humble & Obedient
servant
Daniel Campbell
[ ]liam Johnson
Bought from Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Schenectady the 29 th November 1 769
7 Frames from Asiveron Marselous 2/6 £0176
James Branaghan for painting
5 signs 12/ 3
2 Ditto Henry Vandreson 16/ 1 12
£5 9 6
INDORSED: 1 Daniel Campbell Esq rs .
Letter w th . an Acd. of
painting Signs —
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London Nov 29 h 1769
Dear Sir
I have seen Col° Babcock who desires me to make his most
thankfull Compliments to you and will write to you by me which
I hope to have the pleasure of delivering by Christmas Day at
Farthest
the adventures from the Susquehannah Company are drove
of the Lands Durkee was Carried to Easttown
Goal — he got security there and is just Arrived at Norwich the
1 In Johnson's hand.
274 Sir William Johnson Papers
Chiefs of the Company seem much Cast down and are laying
Great Blame upon Old Col°. Putman who never was in pensil-
vania and I dare Venture to say never Exchanged one sillable
w h M r penn or any of his party by Letter message word or any
other way on the subject — and who [I] am sure wishes the
propriaters Extensive [la]nds were much Less and some [
had the land his Crime is believing the Claim of this Colony
and the Right of the Company to those lands Very [slight ?]
and trifling
You have doubtless seen an Acco' publish'd in pensilvania and
Reprinted in New York of the Famous Congress between old
Seneca George and Col Francis
Col° Fitch is now with me and desires me to make his best
Compliments to you and to say that he Expects to have the
pleasure of seeing you with me.
I shall forward you the papers from Boston this Evening by
the post and must Refer you to them for the News
M rs Chew has been so [ with her breasts that she
mends very slowly [ ] presents her best Compliments to
you and [ ] most sincerely with me in our most [
wishes for your health and happiness and I am with greatest the
Respect and truth
Dear sir your most Obed t
& most Hble serv 1 .
Jos Chew
PS
I have wrote to Virginia and have desired Tho s Byrne to be
sent to New York and then to apply to M r Wetherhead who I
will write to to send him to Albany
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 275
ACCOUNT OF ROBERT ADEMS
New York, November, 1769
D r Account of Cash received for
1769
Nov r To the Hon bIe .. John Watts Esq r .
To GoldsBorrow Banyar Esq r .
To Col°. Guy Johnson as ^ draft
To Col°. Daniel Claus as ^ d°.
To Col°. Edward Cole as <$ d°.
To Major Jelles Fonda as & d°.
To Cap'. Mac Leod as & d°.
To M r . Jn°. Wetherhead as ^ recpts.
To Robert Adems for Cash gave Sir
William
To 2 pipes Maderia Wine @ £42 ^
To Peter Remsen as W Ac 1 .
To Peter Silvester Esq r . for Martin
Walter
To John Morton for a Cask Nails as
^ Ad.
To Henry White for 3 d°. d°. as
W d°.
To Sam 1 . Broome & C°. for 3000
Tile as ^ d°.
To Smith Ramadge for 8 firkins But-
ter as ^ d°.
To Jn°. V Cortland for a Bar 1 , do.
refin'd Sugar as ^ d°.
To Templeton & Stewart for a hh d .
Beer as 1$ d°.
To Jerremiah Brower for 2 B ls .
Sugar as 1$ d°.
To a Hogshead Molasses 2 N*. 114
Galk @ 2/ ^
£218.
. 8..
—
115.
. 3..
WA
100.
■ • <
, —
144.
. 4..
, —
171.
. 8..
6
393.
. 3.,
, 7
128.
.11.,
, 5%
338.
.12.
. 2
485.
.16.
. 9
84.
. .
. —
95.
. 6.
. —
14.
.18.
. 5
17.
.12.
. —
32.
.18.
• 21/
36.
•
. —
25.
. 5.
. 1
9.
.19.
. 6
8.
. 8.
. —
16.
. 7.
. 3
11.
. 8.
276
Sir William Johnson Papers
1769
Nov.
7.
.12
4.
. 6
5.
. 3
9.
.12
. .
[12
2.
.12
To 2 Boxes Window Glass 9 by 7
76/
To 1 d°. d°. 1 1 by 9
To 1 Barrel White Wine Vinegar
25% G*. @ 4/ r»
To 12 d<\ Cyder 16/
To 4 d°. Codfish 28/
To 5 Kegs Bisquet 10/6
To 3 1/2 G s . Srub 49/ Bottles 6/ &
box 3/ [
To 2 Gallon Decanters [
Continued & Carried [over £2484
D r Brought Over £2484 [
To 200" Loaf Sugar @ \3y 2 d $ 1 1 [
To 4 Boxes Spermacitta Candles 94 tt
N'. 2/3 ® Boxes 1 0/ 1 1
To 1 Quarter Cask Lisbon Wine 8
To 2 tt Cinnamon 30 3
To 1 n Nutmegs 26/ & |4 tt Cloves 6/ 1
To 1 Rheam propatria paper 1
To 1 d°. 4 to post d°. 1
To 1" Whafers 20 & a Gall". Ink
& Jug 21/6 2
To 1000 Limes Squees'd 2
To 1 Gall". Spirits 6/6 & Keg for
d°. 2/
To 2600 Oysters 52/ & 2 hh ds . for
d«. 8/ 3
To a Sett of Crusables
To 2 large Teapotts
To Cartage of 3000 Tile in New
York
To d°. of Sundrys in d°.
1
10
12
10
7
1
8
1
6
18
17
2532
%
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 111
To 3600 Dollars gave Sir William 1440. .
BalK due Sir William Johnson
on this Ace'. 413. . 3[ ]
£4385.. 4.. 5«/ 2
INDORSED: Account of Cash rec d .
for Sir William Johnson
Bar 1 , in New York NoV. 1 769
Sir William Johnson Baronet C r
1769
Nov r . By Cash received from Abraham
Mortier Esq' £4385.. 4. . 5|^
O Brought Over £4385.. 4.. 5|/ 2
FROM JOHN ARTHUR
A. L. S.
Londini Calendis decembris 1769
Quod felix faustum fortunatumque Sit Et Patrono Clementissimo
Gratum !
Joannes Arthur Nobilissimo Equiti Wilhelmo Johnson Bar to
Sal m . Plur m . Dicit.
Dum meditabundus recentes agros Amoenaque villae tuae Cogno-
mine Johnson Hall perambulo, Interpellor, meque his verbis
allocutus Est Illustrissimus et admodum honorandus patricius
Adam Gordon, (Amabat enim, vir Nobilis, Gallici Sermonis
Usum) Que J'eusdebonheurlorsquedansledesseinseulementde
Satisfaire ma Curiosite qui Etoit de voir le fameux Sault de
Niagara, Je me detournay quelques miles de mon chemin Et ns
cette visite a Sir William Johnson, Et que je me trouve heureux
d'avoir veu et connu cet illustre General, Et en meme Un Gentil-
homme Si gallant, Si Accomply. Ista Laus in ore Nobilis
patricii IVigeminavit admirationem tui, dum nimia verecundia
vetabat mea gaudia dicere verbis. Quibus enim te possim
278 Sir William Johnson Papers
prosequi Laudibus Invicte Dux qui Caesare Major, Nam Vic-
torias purpuravit, Impius, Sanguine Civium Libertatemque
Patriae delevit atq ; prostravit. Longeq ; Clementior, qui cruen-
tum furentemque Martem compescere, Victoriarumq ; tuarum
Iram reprimere potuisti, Et (idem Orpheus olim,) Tigres lenire
rabidosque leones mitigare valuisti; virtutum procul dubio, Man-
suetos consuetudine tuarum ; Tantum potuit feris Animis suadere
Exemplar Clementiae! Sensit Canadensis ferox Sensere Galli
toties fugati toties ab Americano Scalpro Erepti, novamq; et
inauditam, in America Clementiam insolitam ipsis & ignotam
Sunt Mirati. Quern te in bello tremendum, Victis aequum, in
pace Comem Americae Simul atq Brittanniae deliciaspraedicabo?
Artium pacis Et agriculturae Incitatorem, Litterarum faventem,
Amicitiarum Colentem? propria La[ude] fruere tua Inclyte
heros ! Exemplar pariter pacis atque Belli. Va [le]
Thus Translated 1 \x
/^ London I st Decem hr . 1169
May it please Your Excellency
As I was in a musing humour, Walking in those Newly Culti-
vated fields, & pleasant Gardens about Johnson Hall, my medita-
tion was of a Sudden interrupted, by the Rig t hon ble . Milord
Adam Gordon, who Accosted me with these Words, in french
(Your Excellency knows that the Noble Peer loved to converse
in the french Language.) how luky I was, Says My lord, When
designing to Satisfy my Curiosity onely, which was to See the
famous fall at Niagara, I turned some Miles out of the way, &
made this present Visit to Sir William & how happy I think
myself, who have seen and am become Acquainted with that
great Warrior, and at the same time, so Gallant, So Accom-
[plished] a Gentleman! & the like. This praise, from that
Nobleman, doubles [if] possible, my Sensibility of those
Eminent qualities, which I saw | to Shine in your Exel-
lency, Whilst bashfull modesty prevented [my] Mouth from
1 By the writer.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 279
Uttering the inward Satisfaction of my Mind. — for [what]
words can Suffice to recount Your Great Deeds? who, greater
than [Caesar] (for that Impious hero dyed his victories with
the purest blood of his Country, & in his triumph, did Throw it's
Liberties & freedom into the dust.) and more Generous by far,
who could Stay the Rage of your American Troops, & refrain
the fury of Your Victorious armies, and (like Orpheus of Old)
Could Soften Tygers, and asswage the ferocity of Lions; no
doubt made More tractable, by their becoming more Acquainted
with humanity. So much Gained upon the fierce temper of the
Savage Americans, the Example of the Mercifull & Generous
disposition of your mind! The Cruel Canadian Saw it, The
french, so Often Routed, so often Snatch'd from the Scalping
Knife, perceived it and admired A Strange Vertue, (Generosity
& Mercy) in America! to which they were unaccustom'd,
Unacquainted with and never imitated it. — I Shall therefore
Celebrate Your Excellency Dreadfull in War, Mercifull &
Generous towards the Vainquish'd, Gracious in peace, the delight
of North America as well as of Great Brittain, Encourager of
Every Art of peace, Especially Agriculture favourer of Learning,
Constant in friendship, Courteous to all.
That your Honour may Enjoy the full extent of Your merited
praise & Glory, & be Still a living Example of those Vertues, that
are practicable both in peace & in War, is the most Ardent Wish
& prayer of
Your Exellency's
Most humble, dutyfull
& Affectionate Ser 1
John Arthur
A word to my letter ; for direction — Go then, being you are
in Such a hurry & See America, with my Blessing, nevertheless,
You shall go. Go thou therefore [ ] auspicious & for-
tunate, Giddy Letter of mine, & when You are presented to
fail not to protest, that you bring nothing but
280 Sir William Johnson Papers
Truth, the Authentick Deeds [ ] General, the most
Generous patron, the most Gracious friend ! I re [ | that
these Unruly Children will make me Go out of my Wits.
ADDRESSED: To
His Excellency Sir Will" 1 . Johnson
Bar 1 .
At Johnson Hall
Province of — New York
INDORSED: 1769
M r . J n . Arthurs letter
TO SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
D/. 1
Johnson Hall Dec r . K 1769
Rev d Sir
I have received with great pleasure the pamphlet with an Ac-
count of the proceedings of the Corporation for the relief of the
Widows and Children of Clergymen of the Church of England
in North America, — The Institution of a Society for that purpose
in a Country where the familys of many Men of Worth Must be
destitute of a due provision for their maintenance is truly Laud-
able and does much honor to those who promoted and Carried it
into Execution, Whilst its necessity and reasonableness merits the
Approbation & Countenance of all Well Wishes to Christianity
in general, it has a particular Claim to my best Wishes for its
Success in the honor conferred on me by inserting my Name in the
List of Governors, for which give me Leave to return you My best
thanks, requesting you will likewise make my Most kind Ac-
knowledgments to the rest of the Gentlemen concerned in my
Nomination with Assurances that I have the Interests of their
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 281
Corporation sincerely at heart, and that I shall faithfully dis-
charge the Trust reposed in me as far as the Multifarious dutys
of my publick Station will permit me to demonstrate that I am
Sir, their sincere Well Wisher, and your
Most Obedient & Very humble
Serv 1 .
D R AUCHMUTY
INDORSED: Dec r . 1 st . 1769
To D r Auchmuty. Letter of
Thanks on being Nominated a Gov r .
of the Corporation for Relief of
Clergymens Widows &ca.
TO SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
Df. 1
Johnson hall December 1 st . 1769
Dear, Sir,
M r . Andrews has just delivered me your favor of the 14 th . ult°.
together with the Deeds &ca for the Estate of the late D r . Bar-
clay, he Seems to be a Young Gentleman that would answer very
well and from the Character I have of him and his connections
in Schenectady I think he would be of much use there — Accord-
ing to the ideas of the Indians his Youth might be disadvantage-
ous to him at the Mohocks, and on many accounts I think that
that Mission would solely engross the attention of one Missionary,
and altho' it would be better to Unite Albany with Schenectady,
in case No Missionary could be had for the latter, yet considering
the little Bickerings it might occasion, and the jealousy of his at-
tending the one More than the other I think it best that M r .
Andrews should take Orders and be appointed for Schenectady
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
282 Sir William Johnson Papers
and Shall mention it to the Society, as he purposes going soon to
Europe, — He tells me that there are Several Gentlemen who
have been bred at the Colledge of Dublin, & are in Orders that
have no provision in that Kingdom some of whom he believes
would gladly Embrace the offer of Missions here ; — Since so
many difficulties have arisen in procuring them from England,
would not it be proper to Mention this to the Society/ That such
as could procure good Testimonials from thence might be Ap-
pointed to the Vacant Missions? —
I am of opinion that a part of the Land lately purchased near
the Mohocks might be Leased out reserving a Sufficiency for the
Missionary, and applying the Little rent arising in time from the
remainder to religious Uses. I am Glad that M r Seabury and
You have Wrote your Sentiments concerning the Church here, to
the society and hope at Last that these Usefull Missions will be
supplied and I think it necessary to add that those at the Mohocks
and Johns Town should be Seperate because the Congregations
will be so large at both these places, and that the Constant At-
tendance of A Missionary at the Mohawks will be the surest and
indeed the only Means of Answering the good intentions and
Views of the society. M r Griffith who was here sometime ago
has I understand expressed himself very undeterminately Con-
cerning Schenectady, and Considers the Sallary &ca as inade-
uate to the Maintenance of a family, I hope therefore that he
will be no barr to the Appointment of M r . Andrews who likes
the place, and approves of the Allowance. On any of these
points I shall be always happy in having Your Sentiments and
kind advice, and if the hurry in wch I am generally Necessitated
to Write prevents me from enlarging sufficiently on any point I
shall readily do it, or any thing else in my power to Serve so good
a Cause. — I give You thanks for the Copy of the proceedings
of the Corporation for the relief of Clergymens Widows &ca, an
Institution which I think as Laudable as it is Necessary and am
much obliged by being put on the List of Governors, but as from
a passage in yours I Judged you would incline to have that
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 283
Subject treated separately, I now inclose you a few Lines on that
particular Occasion and remain with great regard
D'Sir
&ca
I kindly thank you for the good wishes
which your friendship has Suggested to
you to Offer in your Postscript, but
the Supreme Command here is what
I have always rather declined than
Covetted, Nevertheless I cannot but be Sensible of
the kind Wishes of
the Clergy of the Church of England as I know it
arises from their good opinion of me & reliance on
My regard for their Interests, which I shall allways
be ready to demonstrate as far as is in my power in any
Station. —
I beg the Corporations Acceptance of the
within Bill as a Contribution towards their
Design —
D R . AUCHMUTY
INDORSED: Dec r . 1 st . 1769.
To the Rev d . D r . Auchmuty
TO OLIVER DELANCEY
In the the Johnson Calendar, p. 439, is listed a letter of December 1st
to Oliver DeLancey, saying that he will buy Miln's patent of 500 acres,
as Sir Peter Warren's children are now of age (printed in Doc. Hist.
TV. Y., 2:960; Q, 2:556).
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 4 December 1769
I have this Moment received your favour of the 24 th Ult the
Contents of which observe & in Answer the Severall Articles vou
284 Sir William Johnson Papers
mention arrivd here a few Days ago from New London & were
immediately taken from on board the Vessell & put on board
Pemberton but Pemberton being prevented from Sailing So Soon
as He expected, I find the Packages were putt on board Sharp
who Saild a few Days ago & I hope will get Safe to Albany,
tho We are told the River is froze up a good Way below Albany
— Enclosd I Send you the Letters I received for yourself & Sir
John relative to those Things, I shall be much Obligd to you if
you will be pleasd to deliver the Letter to Sir John with my
Respects — I Sometime ago wrote you that Hamiltons Receipt
for the Tooth Ach was not to be got as He was gone Away
long before your Orders arrivd for that Article upon which M r
Gaine faithfully promised to Send you a much better with Some
other Things He was then agoing to Send you
I am desird by Mr Croghan to acquaint you that the Bill I
have on him t< £283 12 2 Amount of Mr Hays Account, will
not be paid untill your Draft comes for the Money, Since the
Generall Says He has desird you to putt them all in One Account
& till that is done He does not Chuse to issue the Warrants, your
Kind Compliance will therefore highly oblige
Sir your most Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
Captain Pemberton
who is desired to See the Things
Sent from Sharps Sloop to
M r Van Eps in Schenectady
INDORSED: Decb r . 4 th . 1769
M r . Wetherheads letter
ans' d . 30*. 10b'. 1769
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 285
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York Dec 4, 1769
[Sir] William
The Harriet pacquet arrived last Wednesday, four days after
the Hyde.
The Grand Vizier is deposed & decollated,
Prince Gallitzin recalled, disgraced &, it is expected, will
visit Siberia.
The Turkish Army have chaced the Russian from Choczim 1
and destroyed many of their Enemies, but Gen 1 Romanzon 2 is
expected hourly at the head of the Muscovites & perhaps his
Abilities for Command will change the State of their Affairs.
The french partie, powerfull att the Court of Petersburg, is
hatching a Revolution and a Revolt is daily looked for, & yet
the Empress has ordered 40,000 troops to Finland; the Restless
Gaul having engaged the Swedes to threaten her on that Side,
Her fleet was hourly expected, on their way to the Archipelago,
upon the Coast of England."
Still the Spirit of Petitioning goes briskly on and the publica-
tions of D r Musgrave Explaining some mysterious Conduct of
the Peers, who conducted the peace of Paris, have procured him
the patronage [of] the Candid and better Sort of people in the
] Kingdoms,
expected the parliament will be dissolved [
the Supplies & the American affairs are [ ] thro the Houses.
[India] stock sinks daily; the Ministry have stopped [the Com-
pan]y from proceeding with the three superintendents of] the
Company's affairs, and this in resent [ment at the la]te Refusal of
the Requisition of Govern [ment ]tt the Commander of
1 Khotin, or Chotin, on the Dniester.
2 General Rumyantsev, who won a campaign in 1770 on the Pruth
over the Tartars and over the Turks.
3 At that time supporting the Russian cause.
286 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Kings fleet in [those waters] to a voice on consultations upon
[peace and war( ?) ]
[ ]cant Ribbon [ ] Things go
favorably in the Cabinet for [Paoli, He] behaves very con-
sistantly and is perfectly [well re]ceived by the King and the
first people. The Empress Queen, 1 tis said, is going to lop off
| part of the low Countries as a portion with the |
archdutchess to the Dauphin. 2
Lord Holland ' is likely to be hard run by the Live [ry] of Lon-
don, who are resolved to impeach him unless he can ballance his
accounts very nicely.
Those people are determined to have a Mayor to their Liking
for the ensuing year, and therefore have set aside the Alderman
next in rotation, as being in the Court Interest, & fixed upon Beck-
ford & Trecothick for the Court of aldermen to choose one to fill
the Chair, as is the Custom.
Thus far the pacquet
I hope my Epistle will find Good Sir William S r John & the
Colonel in perfect Health I beg my Humble respects and
I am,
Sir William,
Your most obedient ser[vant]
Ja Rivington
ADDRESSED : To
s » W m Johnson Bar 1
at
Johnson hall
INDORSED: [ ] 1769
| Rivingtons letter
1 Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria and wife of Francis I st.
Emperor of Germany.
2 Son-in-law of Maria Theresa and afterward King of France as
Louis XVI.
3 Henry Fox, Baron Holland, under charges relating to his administra-
tion of the paymaster-general's office.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 287
FROM JACOB DYCKMAN
A. L. S.
Kings Bridge 5 th . Dec'. 1769
The freedom I take I hope will be excused by Sir William
when I told M r . Colden that Sir William was pleased with the
appointment of my Son as post — it gave him great Satisfaction
Con 1 . Oliver Delancy and M r Apthorp have offered me their
Intrest with the General to have myself appointed for the other
post as the Connection of M r . Delancy and M r . Coldens ffamily
is very well known by your Honour which Causes me to Trouble
you with so trifling affair also to request a few lines from your
Honour to M r . Colden for my appointment, as another will Cer-
tainly be appointed in the room of M r . Taylor if so the greatest
Care shall always be taken Both by myself and my Son of Both
written and veribal Messuages to my from Sir William and the
Johnson Family as well as all the freinds at the Mount and Hall
the Inclosed is for your Perusal it being Judge Livingston ad-
dress to the Assembly — this day M r . De Noyels presents a Bill
to exclude Members from a Seat in that House — who holds
offices under the Crown which I beleive will take place as the
objection against Judge Livingston looked rather peaked without
making it General
From your Hble Serv f .
• Jacob Dyckman
] If I can obtain a few
] please to direct them
[to Richard Cartwrijght in
[ ] Albany.
288 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM THOMAS POWNALL
A. L. S. 1
Albemarle Street
London
Dec' 5, 69—
Dear Sir
I am favor'd & have y e pleasure of your letter of y e 10 th of
Oct r — Having been confin'd now ten weeks with a most dan-
gerous illness in which I was three times given over I am so re-
duced & so weak as not to be able to write or even think much —
But I can not omitt expressing y e pleasure I have I feel in y e
revival of our old f rendly communication & correspondence —
If we had any Ministry any G 1 if there was any
business done in any Office I wou'd improve (as our N England
phase is) your Letter with government — as it is I will from y e
hints of Information which it contains endeavor to make proper
impressions on Individuals & if I could see any that those matters
would either be understood or even listen'd to in Pari 1 I would
mention them there —
Our friend M r Wharton tells me that your health is not in a
perfect state of Establishment — If you can not, from the obstruc-
tions you meet with do y e real good which is necessary & to y e
purpose come here & take care of your health — ask Leave to
leave y e Affairs in Col Croghan's hand 'till your Return or in y e
hands of your Son whom I much lament never having seen in
England — but he was I suppose in hands that w d not lett him
come near me —
I wish you may be able to read this which I am scarce able to
write — My hand shakes so I must give over I will rest a while
that I may with a hand as steady as my heart to you subscribe
myself what I really am —
D'Sir
Y r Affectionate friend
T POWNALL
3 In Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 289
ADDRESSED :
The Hon le
S r . W m Johnson Bar 1 &c &c &c &c
Johnson Hall
Albany County
New York
NDORSED:
.ondon Decry. 5 th . 1 769
jOv r . Pownals letter
TO DANIEL BURTON
Df. 1
Johnson hall Dec r . 6 th 1769
3IR,
On my return from a Tour I made thro the Indian Nations to
Seneca I was favored with your Letter of 8th May which gave
ne Much Satisfaction as I can have no doubt of the Success of
lis Grace the Arch Bishops application for a Grant in favor of
he Church The Lands are no part of those Ceded by the Indians
it the Fort Stanwix Treaty nor are they near them they are part
)f a Tract purchased sometime ago at the North side of the
Mohock River in which some of my friends are concerned with
nyself but as I have never engaged in any Ind n . Lands but in one
nstance for wch I have been lately honored with his Majestys
^etters patent, my Estate being purchased from the old patentees,
. Engaged in this & I was induced to make the offer purely from
ny Inclination to serve the Church w ch stands so much in Need
)f Assistance in this Country, by contribute, as far as I co^.
owards the Establishment of an American Episcopate Agreeable
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
fohnson. The manuscript is marked by numerous erasures and corrections.
10
290 Sir William Johnson Papers
to which as soon as I could after the rec f . of your Letter I sent
out a Survey r . to run the Lines of the Tract of which the proposed
20,000 a is part which occasioned me to delay writing sooner as I
waited his return & report of the Quantity & Quality of the
Whole, The Survey being now Compleated I find that the Land
is in general tolerably good for altho in some places rough there
is a great deal of good soil [with] out it & there are in it Some
Lakes, part of wch will fall into the 20,000. & increase its Value
with New Settlers on acct of fishing the interior part I know but
little of the Survey", remarks chiefly regarding the Parts adjacent
to its out Lines, but I think it will be best to Lay it out, Begins,
at the Canada Creek at the N E corner of a Tract lately Granted
to me by his Ma 1 ? & running from thence N 74 E 710 Chains to a
Corner Tree then ab l . South to the N E corner of a Tract be-
longing to Lott & Low, thence N 58 W along Lot & Lows Line
ab'. 792 Chains to the place of beginning, this Contains accord'
to the Survey 20600 Acres include part of the Lakes w ch will
take but little from its Quantity to Illustrate this I inclose you a
little Sketch, and I think upon the whole it must be of Value in
a little Time as Sev 1 . Tracts have been lately patented which are
at a greater distance from the Market & River than this, part of
w ch is within ab 1 . seven Miles of my House, & When a Short
Road now undertaken is compleated will be little more than 30
from Schenectady. I shall now proceed to give you an Acct
of my proceed 3 , in Conseq ce . of the societys late Appointm' 5
Agreable to wch I have fixed a Worthy honest Man as a School-
master At the Mohocks who tho' there only since 24 th . March
has already Already 30 Ind n . Children under his Tuition who
improve very fast & their Number will be Shortly Augmented.
I have likewise Established a fit person who received a Liberal
Education in Europe at Johns Town near this place, who has at
present near 45 Children Whites and Indians & his School daily
encreases, The Name of the first mentioned School Master is
Collin M c Leland, of the last is Edw d . Wall, I have already ad-
vanced them half a Years Sallary & purpose that they shall Soon
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 291
draw for the Am 1 on M r Symonds, agreable to advice from D r .
Auchmuty / The Rev d . M r Seabury of West Chester has been
here but tho' he likes the place he is so Connected at his present
Mission that he does not think it prudent to remove unless the
Sallary for Johnstown was increased, and the situat" of my
affairs with the expence I have been at in building a Church,
Parsonage & School House &ca will not allow me to add more
than I offered him — Most of the other Missionaries are Circum-
stanced in the like Manner & it Seems equally inconven'. to them
to remove unless on better Sallarys than are allowed for that
purpose. This, with the ill Success of our Endeavors in Eng-
land gives me real Concern as I foresee the consequences as well
as I do the advantages of hav§ the new missions filled with Men
of Good Character. [Is there not a possibility of getting 2 or 3
Young Men of Small Interest & Low Circumstances from some
of the Universities or other Learned foundations to take orders
for this purpose? I hope there is, or that you may meet with
others more fitting in a little time, for I cannot help Interesting
myself much in a Cause that stands in so much Need of Support,
& when every Measure is taking to discourage it 1 .] — Since
Writing the foregoing M r . W m . Andrews who is to be the bearer
of this has called upon me well recommended to signify his desire
for taking Orders & Obtaining the Mission for Schenectady where
he has some Relations and is much esteemed by the people, and
for which from the Character I have of him, Joined to my Own
Observations I think him well Qualified, he has received his
Education at Trinity College Dublin and has a Brother who has
a Living in Ireland and as he now goes for London to apply for
Orders I take the Liberty of recommending him for that Mission,
M r . Andrews has observed to me that there are many Gentlemen
of good Character in Ireland who he thinks would embrace the
Offer of Missions here, & that some Sober & aged Graduates of
Trin: Coll: might easily be had from thence, I therefore think it
necessary to offer this to the Consideration of the Society as
1 Crossed out in the original.
292 Sir William Johnson Papers
worthy attention seeing that all our Endeavors hitherto elsewhere
have proved ineffectual.
As I hope to hear from You soon & Shall
not omit writing When anything Material
Occurs I have only Now to add that I am
with perfect Regard
Sir,
Sho d . there be occasion to insert
any part of the foregoing in the Societys
publications, I sho d . be glad that
the particular description of the Land was
Omitted, because I would not unnecessarily
draw on myself the remarks of those who are
enemys to the Wellfare of our Church. —
or the insinuation that thereby the Officers of
Gov', here are deprived offers &ca.
but this is entirely submitted to the Wisdom
of the society, whose Judjment will direct them
in the choice of any part of my Correspondence
that may be Judged necessary for publication.
The Rev d . D r . Burton
INDORSED : Dec r . 6 th . 1 769
To D r . Burton
Secy, to the Society for propagating
the Gospel.
V M r . Andrews
TO TURBUTT FRANCIS
Johnson Hall Dec'. 6"'. 1769
Sir
I have had the favor of your Letter which was in Consequence
of a paragraph in Mine to GoV. Penn That the Indians had
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 293
Darticularly desired me to mention to him, And Altho' I con-
ectured there might be some Mistake in it from the Nature of the
Representation, and the good Opinion I entertain of your discre-
ion in an Affair so sensibly interesting to the Indians, yet I
hought it best to give an Opportunity of Clearing it up on the
Side affect [ed] especially as the Chiefs of Onohghquage 1 &ca
vere Extremely earnest, and appeared fully persuaded of what
Wrote upon, notwithstanding my laying before them the Im-
>robability of it. — I am therefore glad that your Letter furnishes
ne with an opportunity of Clearing up this Affair and placing it
n so favorable a Light, but from the situation you have described
. apprehend it is neither Within the Purchase of this Province or
3 ennsylv a . so that I see no prospect of Locating it under such
Circumstances, otherwise I should not refuse you any Assistance
n my power.
BILL OF JELLES FONDA
D.
CaughnaWaga 7 December 1769
~Ionb le Sir William Johnson Bar f :
Bought of Jelles Fonda
20 Blankets of 14 points 12/ £ 12
[ ] White Shirts 14/ 4 4
Ditt°. do> 11/ 3 6-
£ 19 10
p r . John Wallis
NDORSED: [ ]
Major [Fonda's bill]
£19. .10..-
This word and the abbreviation following supplied by Johnson.
294 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO THOMAS GAGE
Contemporary Copy 1
Copy/ Johnson Hall December 8 th . 1769.
Dear Sir,
Since my last the Cherokees who attended the Treaty with the
Six Nations 2 are all arrived at my House with several Chiefs of
the latter, who have laid before me the whole of their late pro-
ceedings, the general purport of which was that the Cherokees
came to renew and strengthen the late Treaty of Peace settled
here with the Six Nations, and to earnestly desire that the Six
Nations and Coghnawageys should (in consequence thereof)
unite their Arms against several of the Western and Southern
Indian Enemys to both, they spoke on above Thirty Belts and
Strings of Wampum, and in particular delivered them a Pipe
resembling a Head, to signify that they put their Heads into their
Hands, to be directed by them as they thought best. The Agents
amongst the Six Nations whom I had previously instructed, as un-
certain of the event of the Treaty, having had the Success to pre-
vail in the Council of the Six Nations. The Three Elder Tribes
of the latter replied to the Cherokees, after the usual Cermonies
that they thanked them for renewing and strengthening the Treaty,
and promised that on their parts it should be strictly observed, that
the Nations most obnoxious to them were those towards the Ili-
nois, particularly the Piankashaws and Wawiaghtenoes, to which
the younger Branches of the Confederacy added the Chactaws,
and some others, and the whole Confederacy unamimously gave
for Answer, that agreable to their former Engagements entered
into with me, they would take Care of their Pipes, Belts &ca, and
come to me to desire a Publick Meeting with me on the Occasion,
1 In Public Record Office, C. O. 5.88. p. 59, London, England.
2 Held March 4-12, 1/68.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 295
as they were determined to enter into no Publick Engagements
without communicating them first to me, and recieving my
Opinion and Approbation.
The Cherokees (after taking Notice in a very pritty Manner
of the Obligations they owed to me for my Endeavors in effecting
the late Peace between them) approved of what the Six Nations
had resolved on, and the whole result was that the Chiefs of the
Six Nations Accompanied by the Cherokees (the latter of whom
are to remain here untill Spring) should come hither to request
that I would light the Council Fire and call the Confederacy and
Indians of Canada together this Winter, in Order to give them my
Advice as to the Conduct of the War proposed, and to hear their
Sentiments on the Proposals made to them, in consequence of
which several are already here, and more on their way. This
unavoidable and troublesome Circumstance altho' on many Ac-
counts very agreable is particularly distressing to me at present,
from the scarsity of Provisions, and as there is a Necessity for my
Meeting them in consequence of their late Resolutions, and that
as soon as I can, I am entirely at a Loss how to Conduct myself
on Account of the Expence which at any rate will be consider-
able, and particularly how I shall supply them with Provisions,
the Scarsity and dearness of which renders it impossible for me to
get it in the Country, on these Heads I must request to be favored
with your Advice and Directions, after which there will I expect
be Time before they can Assemble from Canada &ca for de-
terming what Steps will be best to take at the Congress, which, as
I look upon it to be of Consequence and Importance should be
rendered by proper Management, of as much real use to the Pub-
lick as possible, for altho' a War amongst themselves may be
thought to effect the Commerce in that Quarter, yet I have strong
reasons to think that unless they are engaged in something of that
kind, many may be drawn into Plots and Designs of a more
dangerous Tendency, and indeed the Conduct of the Nations that
way, has lately been such, as to obstruct the Trade and Com-
296 Sir William Johnson Papers
munication nearly or full as much as if a War had Actually
Subsisted.
I am with the most Cordial Esteem.
Dear Sir,
&ca,
(Signed) W. JOHNSON.
His Excellency GENERAL GAGE.
INDORSED : Copy of a Letter from
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
to General Gage.
Dated
Johnson Hall Decern': 8 th : 1769
In Major Gen 1 . Gage's (N°. 39)
of Jany 6 th . 1 770.
FROM THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 440, is a letter of December 9th from
the Earl of Hillsborough, at Whitehall, authorizing Johnson to declare
the royal ratification of the treaty at Fort Stanwix, excepting private
grants, commending Sir William's vigilance and expressing doubt as to
French influence over the Indians (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y.,
2:960-61; Q, 2:556-57).
Below Johnson's indorsement is a certificate of John Van Ness Yates,
secretary of state of New York, declaring that the paper is filed in his
office. Dated July 18, 1823.
FROM WILLIAM ANDREWS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 440, is a letter of December 1 0th from
William Andrews, at Schenectady, informing that he will soon return to
Ireland and proposing that vacant missions in this province be supplied
by graduates of Trinity college, Dublin, in view of the want of clergy
in England and the meager facilities for education in America (printed
in Doc. Hist. N. Y.. 4:41-22; Q, 4:264-65).
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 297
FROM WILLIAM NEWTON
A. L. S.
New York 1! lh Decern'. 1769
Sir,
My last to you was of the 20 Ultimo, I have only now to
Inform you that I have paid the Following drafts as al fact which
are Carried to your New Account and that M r . Mortier Arrived
here in Perfect Health Twelve days Aga —
I am with great Regard
Sir,
Your most Obedient, and
most Humble Servant
W M . Newton
[ ] draft to John Moffatt for £80
[ ] ditto to John Roach for 90 4 6
[ ] ditto on Robert Adems to Phyn &
Ellice for 400
] ditto to Daniel Campbell for 150
£720 4 6
[Sir] William Johnson Baronet.
ADDRESSED: On His Majestys Service
To Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 New York 1 1 th Decb r . 1769
M r . Newtons Letter
w th . a list of some Drafts
of mine.
Ans rd .
In Johnson's hand.
298 Sir H' illiam Johnson Papers
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
NewYorkDeC. II th 1769
Dear Sir,
The Business of the Packet prevented my acknowledging your
Favour of the 23 d . Nov r . by the last Post Observing there are
Charges for Smith and Interpreters, I am to beg of you either
to tell me their Names, or where they are posted, that I may make
no Mistake about them; for M r . Croghan has been paid for
Draughts on him for Sundry Smiths and Interpreters; and the
Officers Commanding at the Posts, have been directed to pay
them from the time discharged your Service, as they were not to
be inserted afterwards in the Indian Accounts. The Sum
allowed you being too small to incur those Expences, and I must
curtail them whenever the Provinces shall judge proper to appoint
others.
A warrant shall be immediately Made out for the two Ac-
counts you transmitted in the above Letter, and as the Accounts
you Sent by M r : Adams, of Cap 1 . M c .Leod's and M r . Hay's
Expenditures, as Commissarys at Niagara and the Detroit, which
belong to the former Establishment of your Department, before
the New Regulations took Place, they will be paid by a separate
Warrant, to which may be added the Account of Smith's work
at Oswegatchi and that of Captain Glazier at Michillimakinac.
The two last May also enter into the old Establishment the Ex-
pences being incurred during that time, but the officers at the
Posts will receive orders to draw no more Bills upon you.
The Indian" who accompanied Silver Heels" from Fort
Chartres was paid by Lieu'. Colonel Wilkins; I Send you an
Extract from the Colonel's Ace', to me, by which it appears they
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
2 Peter, a Mohawk.
• A Seneca warrior.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 299
were both paid by him before they left Fort Chartres. How
they may have Managed between themselves I can't say but from
the Account they have received in Money and Goods to the
Amount of 1 50 Dollars.
I hope you will Soon receive advice that the Meeting at Onan-
daga has turned out to your Satisfaction. I am with great
Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your Most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R : W M . Johnson Bar':
indorsed : Decb r . 1 1 th . 1 769
Genr'. Gages Letter
w ,h . an Inclosure
EXPENSES FOR INDIAN LANDS
D. S. 1
Sir Wm. Johnson's bill for Indian expenses in purchase of land,
Dec. 12, 1769.
The Honble the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania To Sundry Ex-
penses accrued for Sending up & paying the Five Nations the
Purchase money for the Lands they Sold at Fort Stanwix
Treaty D r .
£ s. d.
To an Express Sent to give all the Nations
notice 8. 16. 0.
To the hire of 5 Battoemen from 26 th . June to
6 th August 5s & day they finding them-
selves in provisions 52 . 10. .
1 In Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Penn-Physick Manuscripts,
vol. IV, 1676-1801, Philadelphia, Pa.
300 Sir William Johnson Papers
£ s. d.
To provisions to the Indians 45 . 14.
To Another Express sent from Seneca to hurry
the most Distant of their Tribes which de-
tained business for 1 2 Days 6. 18.
£ 113. 18. 10.'
W. Johnson
Philadelphia 12 th : Decern'. 1769.
Mr Physick 2
The above Sum of £1 13 .. 18. . 10 New York Currency was
paid by me to Jn°. Wetherhead at New York with money be-
longing to M r . Hockley; You must therefore pay M r . Hockley
the like Sum in discharge of the above Amount.
John Penn
WARRANTS FROM THOMAS GAGE
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 440, are listed three warrants of Decem-
ber 14th, 15th and 16th from General Thomas Gage, authorizing the
payment to Johnson of £2483, 13s, 9d, New York currency, £2377,
7s, 9d and £933, 6s, 3%d. Destroyed by fire.
TO WILLIAM ANDREWS
D/. !
[Johnson hall, December 15, 1769]
Sir,
I have rec d . y r Letter & agreable to my promise I now Inclose
you a Letter to D r Burton the Societys Secy wherein I have made
1 The added item, I0d., not explained in the manuscript.
2 Edmund Physick, agent of the Penn Family.
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
Post-lVar Period, 1763-1774 301
particular mention of your design, and recommended you to the
Society for the Mission of Schenectady to which I daresay you
will be appointed
I have taken Notice of what you Mention concerning Mission-
aries from Trinity College in my Letter & I make no doubt that
in case they are not already supplied it will be attended to.
Should any Unforeseen Event retard your Arrival in London
you will please to forward My Letter either by post, or some Safe
Conveyance, as it contains some particulars which the Society
require to know as soon as possible, I heartily wish you success
and a safe return to America and am Sir
Your Very humble Servt
INDORSED: 1 Decb r . 15 th . 1769
To M r . W m . Andrew
w'' 1 . an Inclosure
FROM RICHARD CARTWRIGHT
A. L. S.
Albany 15 Dec' 1769
Sir
M r . Grace left this Just in the nick of time he desired me to
procure you Some Oranges which have done & also he desired me
to provide you Some good Cheese there is not an Ounce to be
had at York nor here Doct. Sam 1 Stringer has promised to send
you a Diece — the Oranges Shall be Sent you the first Slay that
goes4hey have been mighty busy in Signing Petitions to the As-
sembly one party for no rum to be Sent on any Acco 1 . farther
than Niagara, this Signed by numbers of Dutch trader & no
traders & Seems entirely Calculated to take the trade Quite of
the hands of all Uropeans^
the other is a Senceable well wrote petition the Just reverce of
the Other and is for an Open free trade Signed only by Uropean
traders — y
In Johnson's hand.
302 Sir William Johnson Papers
There is Another petition to have the County divided Just As
Specified in the late Act. its a paltry thing as to the writing it
and the reasons assign'd they are Cursedly afraid of having
Schoharie included in the New County, these Petitions are all
gone down two by Coll° Schuyler. & 1 by Com d Grant that for
the Division of County is Signed by great numbers. I thot it
proper to give you this little Acco'. of our Polliticks and to As-
sure you that I am with respect
Sir
Your most hum e Serv 1
R Cartwright
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon Ie . Sir William Johnson Bar 1 ,
at
Johnson Hall
¥ M r . Steel
INDORSED: [ ]
M r . Cartwr[ights letter]
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
[Kin]derhook 16 December 1769
I had the honor of writing you from New York about a Fort-
night or three Weeks ago and [ ] Send you a Copy of a Regis-
ters of Military Commissions issued by His Excellency Sir Henry
Moore [ ] which it appears that this Populace Township has
been left out of all the Regiments. — We had [yejsterday a
Town Meeting when I Communicated to my Townsmen the
designs that had been formed against us | ]d in part carried
into execution by Col°. Rensselaer and his Friends — A unani-
mous opposition was immediately [reso]lved upon and a Peti-
tion against the Claverack Regiment was signed in Substance
with the one that was delivered Sir Henry Moore last Spring, of
which I took the liberty of Sending you a Copy. — One Petition
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 303
will be accompanied with a number of Antidated Commissions
— one of them I beg leave to trouble you with at the request
[of th]e principle People of the Township. At our Meeting
yesterday we were informed that a Petition was Soon [to] make
its appearance here to join with the Albanians to pray that
Schohary may remain in the old County. 1 — If such a Petition
should appear here I am authorised by the Body of the People to
Assure you that it will meet with the Contempt it deserves. I
intended to have paid my respects to you [ ] after my arrival
here but the Weather has been so disagreeably bad that I have
thought best to [pu]t off my jaunt 'till some time in the Winter,
in the mean time I remain with the greatest respect
Sir
Your most Obedient
and most humble servant
H V SCHAACK
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Fort Johnson
indorsed: [ ] 1 6 th Decb r . 1 769
Henry Vanschaack Esq rs .
Letter w ,h . an Inclosure
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 18 December 1769
I flatter myself you have receivd the Severall Articles Sent you
[by] Captain Sharp who I am told got Safe to Albany before
the river closed — I now take the Liberty of writing to You at
1 By the act of March 12, 1772, Schoharie was left in Albany
county. See The Colonial Laws of New York, V:320; also C. J.
Sauthier's map of New York and New Jersey, 1777 or his map of
New York, 1779.
304 Sir William Johnson Papers
the request of Mr Kempe, concerning the Lands on the East
Side of Schohary Creek which were included in our Indian Pur-
chase, Severall People have applyd for those Lands under the
Pretence that they were included in a Purchace made from the
Kates Kill Indians in the Year 1766 by Scott, French &c a . 1
M r Croghan assures us that the Katts Kill Indians had no Right
to any Lands there in Consequence of which I have enterred a
Caveat against granting his Majestys Letters Patent to Any Per-
sons untill I am heard before the Governor & Councill upon the
Matter & for this End I Shoud esteem myself happy if I coud
get your Opinion before the intended Hearing, because I am con-
fident you know better than All the World besides How far the
Rights of the Katts Kill and those of the Mohawk Indians extend
& Consequently your Opinion respecting that Matter will be
particularly attended to by the Governor & Councill, indeed I do
not believe they will determine the Matter without first having
your Opinion — Coll° Croghan has been kind enough to offer
his Evidence (if Wanted) at the Board, which will do very well
as far as it goes; but as every [body] will think you much more
intimately acquainted with this [majtter than M r Croghan can
possibly be — Permitt me Sir to ask [the] favour of your candid
Opinion concerning this Matter, in [order] that (if necessary &
with your Permission) I may lay it before [the Go]vernor &
Councill — Shoud you think there is any thing improper [or im-
pertinent ?] in this Request I begg your Pardon for it, but if not
to assure you Sir that your kind Compliance will
be [a] very particular Favour done to
Sir Your most Obliged Hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
] heads Letter
' See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 395 and Calendar of Council
Minutes, p. 515.
X
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 305
FROM DUDLEY DAVIS
A. L. S.
Schenectady Dec r . the 19 th . 1769
Sir/
As the Distress I Labor under at this time is very great, I hope
you will Consider it in some Sort as an Excuse for this Liberty
With great Reluctance & fear of Offending or being thought by
you too presuming, I sometime ago Apply'd to Coll 1 . Johnson to
lay my Case before you and beg your Assistance to Enable me
to quit the place and in a late Letter Coll 1 . Johnson mentions to
me that he had laid my Case before you, and that you had kindly
promised to lett me have about twenty pounds I thereupon
Apply'd to my Friend Duncan by whose Assistance I managed
matters so, that with thirty p ds . I coud quit the place and go up to
Johns Town ; of this I Inform'd Coll 1 . Johnson & Beg'd he woud
mention it to you, and if it was Settled, that he shoud desire Sut-
ton to come down to me; at the same time I wrote to Sutton
directing him so soon as Coll 1 . Johnson shoud give him the Need-
full, to come off, with one Sledge only & to Order Seven Others
to come down the day following to bring up all my things and
family; but Instead of Observing my directions, Sutton came
down [ ] on Sunday Night with one Sledge, without
any thing Else, and this morning Seven others
] came down, to my very great distress, as I [
declare I had not one Dollar in the World and it was with the
Utmost difficulty I coud [ ] to send my things off, and
shoud not have been able [ Effect it but for the As-
sistance of my Friends Duncan & M c . Donald, who were soN>
good as to give thier words [with] mine that the moneys shoud
be paid by thursday Night next, and I am on my parole of Honor
not to quit this or M r Duncans untill the moneys are paid, this
Sir is truly my present Situation, and have not any method left
Untry'd, to Extricate myself, but by Applys. to you, I therefore
Earnestly beg you will Assist me with £30 for w cl \ I send you
306 Sir William Johnson Papers
my Bond Enclosed, I doubt not I shall be able to pay it by the
time Specify'd, perhaps sooner, & I Assure you it will serve me
most Essentially, & with the truest Sense of Gratitude I shall ever
remain S r .
Your much Oblidged & most
Obed'. Servant
Dudley Davis
I have directed Sutton, as soon as he receives your [Answer] to,
Endeavour to procure a Sledge or some other Convey [ance] &
send it down Immediately to bring up M rs . Davis [
Self, our boy and Girl being gone with the Sledges |
DESCRIPTION OF BOUNDS OF LANDS 1
D.
[December 20-23, 1769]
Extract of Bounds of Lands Petitioned for by
John Bergen
A Tract of Land in the County of Albany situate on the North
West side of the South West Branch of Hudsons River, Begin-
ning at the Northwesterly corner bounds of the Patent of Sachen-
daga and which is also the Southeast Corner and place of begin-
ning of a Tract of thirty thousand Acres of Land lately Peti-
tioned for by Isaac Low and his Associates, and running thence
Southwesterly Westerly and Northwesterly along the Westerly
and Northerly bounds of the Patented Lands there until a North
sixty Degrees East Line will strike the Southwesterly Corner
bounds of a Tract of forty six thousand Acres of Land lately
Petitioned for by Thomas Palmer and his Associates, Thence
running along the South bounds of the said Tract petitioned for
by the aforesaid Isaac Low and Thomas Palmer, South thirty
Degrees East to the place of beginning containing about thirty
thousand Acres be the same more or less. —
1 See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 459, 482, 483.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 307
The like by Robert Leake
A Certain Tract of Land unpatented, situate lying and being in
the County of albany on the Northwesterly side of the South-
westerly Branch of Hudsons River beginning at the Southeast
Corner of Certain Lands prayed to be purchased by Peter Rem-
sen and his Associates, thence running down the said Branch the
distance of 360 Chains upon a Straight Line [runnjing thence
North 30 Deg s . West keeping the full breadth before mentioned
so far as will com[prehend 30000 acres]
Peter Remsen & Associates —
A Certain Tract of Land in the County of Albany on the North-
westerly side of the Southwesterly branch of Hudsons River be-
ginning at the South East Corner of Certain Lands prayed for by
Dirck Lefferts and his Associates thence running down the said
Branch the distance of 360 Chains upon a Streight Line & run-
ning thence North 30 Deg. W. keeping the full breadth before
mentioned so far as will comprehend thirty thousand Acres. —
Dirck Lefferts & Associates
A Certain Tract of Land in the County of albany on the North-
westerly side of the Southwesterly branch of Hudsons River Be-
ginning at the S. E. Corner of Certain Lands prayed to be pur-
chased by Isaac Low and his Associates, thence running down
the said Branch the distance of 360 Ch: upon a Streight Line,
and running thence North 30 Deg. W. keeping the full breadth
before mentioned so far as will comprehend 30,000 a .
Isaac Low and Associates.
A Tract of Land unpatented situate lying and being |
County of Albany on the Northwesterly side of [
Branch of Hudsons River beginning in the [ ] Corner
of the Sachendaga Patent, thence [ ] Deg. W. 650
Ch : or thereabouts [ ] Ch : thence S. 30 Deg. E.
to the said Branch of Hudsons River then up along the said
Branch till it meets with the Patented Lands there thence along
the Northerly and Westerly bounds of the said Patented Lands
4
308 Sir William Johnson Papers
to the place of beginning so as to Comprehend within the Bounds
thereof the Quantity of thirty thousand acres.
Thomas Palmer and Associates.
A Tract of Land in the County of Albany beginning at the North
Westerly Corner of certain Lands on the Northwesterly side of
the Southwesterly Branch of Hudsons River prayed to be pur-
chased by Isaac Low and his Associates, thence running along
the Northwesterly Bounds of the said Tract and of certain other
Tracts prayed to be purchased by Dirck Lefferts and his As-
sociates, Peter Remsen and his Associates, and Robert Leake and
his Associates to the Northeasterly Corner thereof thence North
thirty Degrees 30 Deg. W. keeping the fulesires me to
present his best Respects to you
] write you himself soon
[ ] Johnson Bar*.
INDORSED: 1 Decb r . 25 th . 1769
M r . Newtons Letter
w th . Warrt s . & ca .
Ans fd . Janry. 4 th . 1 770
& returned y e . Warrt s . & ca . Signed
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York Dec 25 1769
Sir William
A Vessel from Europe in a short passage has anticipated the
Pacquets arrival the Intelligence she produces is contained in the
enclosed News paper which I have received by the post I beg
you to accept my Wishes of a good Christmas and many Happy
years, and that you will be pleased to present the same from me to
Sir John, Colonel Guy & Colonel Claus — I am Sir William
Your most Obed'. & Obliged serv 1 .
James Rivington
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Bar',
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ] 1769
M r . Rivingtons Letter
Ans rd .
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 319
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
Dear Sir NeW york De ° r ' 25 * l769 '
Least you Should not have received any News from the Detroit
I inclose you a Speech transmitted me from thence, which you
will understand better than I can; but it appears to me in Some
Measure, to correspond with the Contents of your Letter of the
8 th Ins*., which I received only two Days ago. And that the
Ohio and Western Indians, are endeavouring to strengthen their
Confederacy, the better to oppose the Six Nations and Cherokees,
who I perceive from your Letter, are Meditating a war against
them.
It is a Shocking alternative to let these Savages destroy each
other or by Mediating a Peace turn their Hatchets against our
own Heads. In Such an Extremity there is no doubt which to
preferr, but Humanity must make us Regret that our Affairs are
in Such a Situation.
I wish it was More in my Power to assist you in your want of
Provisions, in doing which I would go as far as I could answer
considering the Orders that have been Sent us. There is Some
at Albany about 20 Barrells of Pork and perhaps double that
Quantity of Flour. If you will Send for a Quantity there orders
will be given accordingly to the Commissary.
I return your Vouchers and you will please to Sign the Ab-
stract made out here including Captain Glazier's Account, for
which a Warrant is granted.
I wish you the Compliments of the Season, and am with great
Regard ' Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
Sir W m : Johnson Bar*. humble Servant,
indorsed: Decb r . 25 lh 1769 Tho s . Gage
Genr 1 . Gages Letter
w th . Inclosures —
In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
320 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM CORNELIUS VROMAN
A. L. S.
Schohary Desember 26 lh 1769
Sir
as I have been at your house about two years ago to purshase
Some of your wood Land near my Dwellings and as you Said
you would have the Same wood land laid in lotts at which time
you promesd me an offer the Same Be laid So into lotts which tink
you must have for got Should Be glad to your honour if you
would Be So good and Sell me Some of the Said Land for a
Reasonable price
I Remain with Esteem
Sir
your most Obedient
humble Sirvent
Cornelius Vroman
ADDRESSED: to The honourable
Sir William Johnson
att
Johnsons hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ] Decb r . 26 th 1769
Corn s . Vroman Esq rs .
Letter for
the purchase of Land there.
Ansr d .
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London 27 th Dec'. 1769
Nothing Could give me greater Concern that I [have] not the
Happiness of being with you to day then the [occ]asion which
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 321
has detained me, that being intirely owing [to] the Indisposition
of my Poor Little woman who has [suff] ered more than I thought
it was possible for her to bear [ ] she lay in — several
times we have almost dispared of her Recovery — last night and
this morning she seems much Better and the Doct. who attends
her gives us [ ] hopes that she will grow better Very Fast,
which [ ] Pray to God may be the Case, as I most Earnestly
] to have the pleasure of seing you and shall set [
the moment she is able to take Care of her self [ ] Expect
Col°. Fitch here tomorrow in order to Fix upon [ ] day and
believe about Eight or ten good Farmers [wi]ll set of about the
same time to treat with you [ ] some Part of the land you have
to dispose of [ ] the last post I Sent you the Boston papers
by which [ ] see what temper they still Continue in, and
shall [ ]y forward those of this week — this Evening
and | | Refer you to them for news — the Few Members
Lodge here are just going to dinner when I am
] and our Brethren in the Neighbourhood of Johnson
[Hall] be Remember'd. I am with the greatest Respect
for your health, as well as my best Compliments
] which hope you will see many Returns of [
Your most Obed*.
& most Hble Serv 1 .
Jos Chew
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar f .
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED : [ ]
[ ] J. G s . letter
322 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM PETER SILVESTER
A. L. S.
Albany the 28 ih Dec'. 1769
Hon d Sir
The bearer hereof is M r . W m . Goddard 1 recommended to me
by M r . John Cole of Providence as his particular friend & the
printer & publisher of the Pensylvania Chronicle & who comes
up here with a View to enlarge his Business & to set up a printing
office & publish a Weekly paper in this place if he can meet with
proper Encouragement — he waits on you to communicate this
his design & to know your sentiments which will determine him in
his relsoves thereon I wish you the Compliments of the season and
am Sir your most obedient & very
Humble Servant
P Silvester
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
indorsed: [ ] 28 th . Dec br . 1769
M r . Silvesters Letter
1 William Goddard was born in New London, Conn., in 1 740. In
1 762 he founded the Providence Gazette, and shortly after obtained an
interest in the New York Gazette and Postboy. In 1 766 he removed
to Philadelphia, where the following year he established the Pennsylvania
Chronicle and Unioersal Advertiser, under the patronage of Joseph Gallo-
way. In 1 773 he founded the Maryland Journal at Baltimore. Two
years later he was appointed by Franklin comptroller of the postoffice.
His last days were passed in Rhode Island. His friendship with Gen-
eral Charles Lee is noteworthy. He published in the Maryland Journal
of July 6, 1779 the 25 Queries in which Lee reflected on the military
character of Washington, the policy pursued by the men in power toward
Loyalists and the methods of the court-martial by which Lee had been
tried. Goddard was a legatee under Lee's will and many of Lee's
papers were left in his charge. See Lee Papers in Collections of the
New York Historical Society, 1873 and 1874.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 323
SPEECH OF INDIAN DEPUTIES
D. 1
S. W. J.
Deputies from the
Senecas, Cayougas,
Onondagas, Onidas &
Mohawks —
Last Year at the meeting we had with You at Fort Stanwix we
made Over to our Great King & Father a large tract of Country,
and at the same time the Onidas gave Scano (Col. Bradstreets
Indian name) a Small piece and pray'd that Our Great King &
Father would be pleas'd to confirm it to him free of expence that
that token of our regard for Scano might be of some Value to
him.
The Onidas have receiv'd a Message from Scano (which we
lay before you) by which You will See the greatest part of the
Lands given him is claim'd by some white people under pretence
they bought it from the Meheconders — This is treating [him]
with so much injustice that we [ ] not Submit to it, for
although each [ must] have their different district Still [the
lands] belong to us all and whatever [ ] is done to one
Nation we consider [ ] the whole for we are one
People | known to the White people of this
| Five Nations put Petticoats on [the Meheconders]
long ago and that by right [ ] land they had
belongs to them and that [ ] that power on many
] that the Meheconders never d [ ]
But without entering into [ ] the Lands in question
was [never | by the Meheconders (this the W[
know) and they have Assur'd Us [that the] White people at
Esopus had often [tried] to persuade them those Lands not
[only] belong'd to them but that they had [sold them] to one
1 In handwriting of John Bradstreet.
324 Sir William Johnson Papers
Hardenbergh ; to which they [say that] they gave for answer
that it w[as not] true that they had sold them La[nds &] that
they had no right to sell them [ | belong'd to the Five
Nations or [Mohawks] and that what they did Sell to Har [den-
berg] they Shew'd the Bounds with which [ ] Satisfied
and had heaps of Stones [ ] as marks and
Trees mark'd to p[revent any] mistakes which they further say
] be seen at this time.
Those Lands are given to [Scano] and we will not Suffer them
[to be taken] from him unless Our Great [King shall Say he
shall not hav[e them] which we do not think [ ] as
You have so often told [ ] fail letting him know
| are on all occasions to [ ] for
him and are fait [hful ]
Scano tells Us [ ] he will be oblig'd [
given him to h[old ] do so untill he hears
further [ ]
We have often seen (and you know [it to] be true) that the
White people by the [help] of their paper (which we dont
understand) claim Lands from Us very unjustly and carry them
off — should this affair be like to turn out So and that Scano
must be put to expence & trouble about the Lands, We pray our
Great King & Father will allow us to make it up to Scano in
another place as it would be dishonourable to Us not to do it and
permit us to protect our property from the tricks of those White
people & their paper.
We now request You will lay this our Complaint & request
before Our Great King & Father as soon as possible and tell him
also We pray he will not Suffer his Children the Five Nations to
be plunder'd & ill us' [d who] during the War spilt so much [of]
their Blood for him, Shew friendship [to] all his White Chil-
dren, rob none of them [and on]ly retreat back into the Woods
[to ma]ke Room for them though very [incon] venient to them.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 325
JOHN BRADSTREET TO THE ONEIDAS
A. D.
[ ]
[ ] it necessary to acquaint [
the Onidas that the principal [part of] the Lands they gave him
at [Fort] Stanwix last Oct r . is Claim'd by a number [of]
wealthy People, who say they purchas'd from the Meheconders
— Scano 1 has been at expence & trouble to find out if those Peo-
ple have a right to those Lands and is of Opinion from their own
papers & many other circumstances, they have not; but as they
are Rich People and seem determin'd to dispute the Matter as
far as the Laws of the White People will admit, which are very
expensive & perhaps may not be ended for many years and con-
siquently would cost Scano more money than the Lands are worth,
he fears their generious & noble intentions of giving him a mark
of their friendship will be intirely frustrated and that he will be
oblig'd to return them the Deed of Gift they gave him — Should
this happen he assures them he will nevertheless [con]sider him-
self under the greatest [obligation to them and that the proofs
] the approbation of his Conduct [ ]
War is very pleasing and [ ] greatfully remember'd
by him. ] not fail letting his Brothers [
affair is likely to end, and they [ ] do nothing
to prejudice their [ ] them.
INDORSED: [ ]
them that the greatest
part of the Lands
they give him is
claim'd by White
People & c . & c .
1 Indian name of Colonel Bradstreet.
326 Sir William Johnson Papers
CROWNIDGE KINKEAD S ACCOUNT
D. S.
[Jan. 2, 1770] 1
Sir William Johnson
To Crownidge Kinkead
D'
26 To Boarding &c Your Serv': Timoty
2 weeks & ]/ 2 @ 8/ 1 ::0::0
[ ] 22 To D°. Negro Charles 10 weeks /@8 4::0::0
Errors Excepted £5 : :0 : :0
Johnson Hall Janr*. 2 d . 1 770, then
Rec d . of Sir W Johnson Bar 1 , the above Sum
In f u ll
Phi l : Cromwell
for Crownidge Kinkead
INDORSED:
I ]
Crownidge Kinkades Ace*
£5..0..-
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 441, is entered a letter of January 5th,
1 770, to Lieutenant Governor Colden, concerning irregularities in the
commissions for Colonel Ranslaer's regiment at Claverack, the neglect
of Kenderhook in appointing officers, Colonel Schuyler's officiousness and
ignorance, a more equitable organization of the militia, Captain Hoge-
boom's claim to consideration, a disciplinary order required by the colonels
of Johnson's brigade and commissions for Peter B. Vroman, Roseboom
and Augustine Prevost (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:962-64; Q,
2:557-58).
1 Date supplied from Johnson Calendar.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 327
TO JAMES RIVINGTON
Df. 1
Jan* 5*. 1770.
Sir,
I have had the favor of your Letter inclosing a Pennsylvania
Paper for which I thank you, I don't find it contains much more
than were in the other prints, nor is there reason to Expect Much
Material News for some little time, The parliament having such
a Variety of Affairs upon hands — I find we are likely to have
Some Work of a domestic Nature within the Colony Especially
if the Gentry below, persist in dictating to the Assembly, In short
this seems to be the era of disputes every where, I wish they may
soon be terminated for the Common Interest of Mankind.
I am really Much obliged to you for your usefull Correspond-
ence and the many pieces of Intelligence you are So kind as to
send me from time to time, which altho' I cannot be always
punctual in Acknowledging afford me so much entertainment, that
I shall always wish a Continuance of it being with Esteem
Sir
&ca
Sir John Cols Claus & Johnson
thank you for your remembrance
& desire their best Compliments.
INDORSED : [ ]
Letter to M r ]
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df.'
Johnson hall Jan* 5 th . 1770
[Dear] Sir,
I have had the favor of your Letter of the 25 th ult°. with the
Inclosure a Duplicate of which came to my hands some time ago
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
328 Sir William Johnson Papers
from Capt Turnbull as to its Subject it differs much from that de-
livered by the Cherokees at Onondaga and here, but as part of
the Cherokees staid behind I imagine they have been temporizing
with the Shawanese till the sense of the 6 Nations was obtained,
for here their desire is for a Union & War with the Wabash and
others I am sensible that we are reduced to an Alternative that
ought to be shocking to humanity, Yet Still the Situation of our
Affairs seems to require us to Acquiesce with it as the least dis-
agreable of the Two But what contributes not a little to embarrass
me at present is That should [I Re] fuse to Call them Together
The Consequences may be very bad indeed, and if I am to Meet
them, the Expences attending it will far exceed, any sum I can
allot out of the Scanty Allowance for the Expences of the De-
partment. This is a particular, Unforeseen & unavoidable Event
which the Government should consider as what cannot happen in
the Ordinary Course of things again and therefore I should be
well advised before I comply with their desire whether the Charge
will be defrayed by the Crown or not and the Indians wait with
Impatience for my Answer which I cannot give them 'till I am
favored with your farther advice [&] Directions on this Subject
& thus circumstanced I hope you will [ ] additional trouble
I give you which I am compelled to do from [ ] Nature &
Importance of the Subject —
[I] have signed and Transmitted the Necessary papers to M r
Mortier [ ] Transmit Capt Claus's Accot, which from
my Mistaken [ | I was to draw the Whole Allowance
of the Department in [ ] was hitherto Neglected to
be forwarded, and I hope you will [ ] Error of
mine —
] Compliments of the Season being with
[ ]
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 329
TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Df. 1
Johnson hall Jan» 5 ih . 1770
Sir,
Your Letter of the 1 6th ult°. I received the other day, as also
that from N York sometime before with a Copy of the Military
Register and I am obliged to you for the pains you have taken to
enquire into & inform me of the manner in which Militia Affairs
have been conducted in your Neighbourhood which at the same
time gives me Concern from the Good Wishes I entertain for the
Inhabitants whose situation I have seriously considered, and shall
Chearfully contribute all in my power for their redress with that
View as I before did to S r . H Moore I have again Stated these
Matters in as Strong a Light as I co d . to the L' Governor, with my
sentiments at Large, and I dare say such Notice will be taken of
it as may in some Measure restore tranquillity to that part of the
Country, which I shall Continue to promote as far as is in my
power.
To Elucidate this Matter and enable me to Set it in a Still
plainer Light, I should be glad to have a full State of the Regim 1 .
describing the Extent of its bounds as it is understood there, with
the Names, Residences &ca of the Officers, and if it can be pro-
cured the strength of the Militia from the late Patroons Mannor 2
to Livingstons — I think the best Way to do his would be to send
me A Map or Sketch, & marking on it the Names & places of
Abode of the Officers with such Notes as you May think proper,
which will enable me to be much More particular than I can be at
present, and to do more material service in the business.
I am much obliged to the Inhabitants of your Township for
the regard they have always Expressed for me and in return As-
sure you of my Attention to their Interests, and my sincere In-
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 Stephen Van Rensselaer, the seventh Patroon, born at Rensselaers-
wyck in 1742, died at Watervliet, October 19, 1 769.
330 Sir William Johnson Papers
clination [ ] times to promote their Tranquillity & Well-
fare —
I am Sorry you have been hitherto disappointed of Coming this
Way | | ever you can come, I shall be glad to See you
I
as 1 am
Your hearty Well Wisher & Very humble Serv
FROM MARY GRACE
A. L. S.
[Dublin, Jan*. 5, 1770]
| will I hope pardon this Troble when he finds
| the aflickson of a disconsolate moder for an only
son who j | to your kare and I must now take the liberty
of begng of | is he liveing or dead I wil not trobel you
with a long detailed [ ] ocasoned by that vilan hogane
nor wod I troble you now but that [ ] darlings leter you
wod be so kind as to leat me no dos my son live or is he [
your genaral caracter of relive in the distreses of Every endevedel
that ]t you wil now give me the comfort to no dos
he live and for get us all [ ] you was to no what a por
famely consisting of six daughters and one son [ ] with
you was brough to by hogane I am sure you wod make that boy
] care he cud apli himselfe to Endustri in hops
he wod be in som [ ] helpe us for his going to you was
all the hops me or my por famely had [ ] dead my god
be pras for my soror is never to Eand for I asure you my famely
but for the goodnes of your Broder John and sure
tho he is always doing [ ]t last be lived soporting so
large a fameley as mine you will be surprisd [ ] It is
your wordy broder that is our chife soporte as you mite Imagine
had for our selfs but we ware deprive of Every
means an Every | ] world was sold by auction
and my por husbant put into Jale and [ ] for the
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 331
space of one yeare for hogans cleats and my por six girls and
without a bead to li on we receave a great mane
frenships from your [ ] and I believe I may ventuer to
say If It was possible our situation gave [ ] troble as It
did our selfs but unfortunatly for us por m rs hogan dide [
somethinge to begin the world wite we had nothing then leaffe
but your broder John whos daley care was to get
m r grace bisnes and to Employ [ Jllmaster so that I
may say under his protection I [ ] my por famely [
]ble hope when he recomended my son under your pro-
tection and altho [ ] was to cal to heaven to protect
your famelyes who proceted [ ] sir wilam my soros
begins anue I had one son and he dide work [ ] al
I had leafte is gon I belive or Else he for geats me for he is
]d but once or twice from him o sir wilam If he
liafs tel him that [ ]gri with him and a las is very
angry with me and I feare shall [ ] but a bead to li
on for he as a large famely to do for and he nose I [
go to send him like a gentel man a braud with his money and he
not able to pay It and he sase I must for as my
sone who[ ] geats his famely whi shud not
he o sir wilam I agen beg of you [ ] boy to thinke of
his por sisters and he nos the [ ] that Is [ J
ane Encombrance but that the have nothing to be industri [
]de what he Cant to seporte them until the got
bisnes and ] hope a wife but If he be dead
and that Is not in his power [ ] famely
and for charity sake let me have the honer [ ] dis-
tracted and can have no pace but
to subscribe my self your most obedient
[ ]
332 Sir William Johnson Papers
THOMAS GAGE TO THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
Extract 1
(N° 39)
My Lord New York January 6 th . 1770
Your Lordship will have observed in some of my Letters, that
our Indian Affairs in the Northern District were in a precarious
Situation. The Congress at Onandago, between the Six Nations
and the Cherokees is over, and your Lordship will be informed of
the Result of it, in the Copy of a Letter to me from Sir William
Johnson, which is sent herewith We appear to be thrown into the
disagreeable Alternative, either to permit the Indians, or perhaps
encourage them, to go to war with each other, or by uniting them,
to endanger our own Tranquility, and turn their Arms against
ourselves. Some of the Nations threatened by this Confederacy,
seem to have been acquainted with their Danger, and to have been
preparing against it ; for we were informed some Months ago, that
the Western Indians had confederated, and two Chiefs of the
Shawnese, were at the Detroit the End of September, where in a
publick Speech to the Indians of the Lakes, they beged for Peace
with the Nations of the Ouabache, and introduced the Cession of
Lands made to the English by the Six Nations. As far as I can
understand these Affairs, the Cession above mentioned, is the
Cause of all the Commotions that have lately happened, among
the Indians. Great part of the Lands ceded, were claimed by
the Six Nations by Right of Antient Conquest, and tho' the
Tribes who resided near them, admitted the Right, they felt no
Inconvenience from it, further than being forced to acknowledge
a Superiority in the Six Nations. But now that the Six Nations
have sold the Lands, as Lords of the Soil, kept all the Presents
and Money arising from the Sale, to their own use, and that the
white People are expected in Consequence of it, to Settle on their
hunting Grounds ; these dependent Indians, are exasperated to a
great Degree. The Cherokees have engaged from the strong
Desire of cultivating the Friendship of the Northern Indians, and
to Secure Allies against their Enemies on the Ouabache and other
Nations, with whom they have been long at war.
x In Public Record Office, C. O. 5.88, p. 51, London, England.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 333
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
New York the 6 th January 1770
Sir
I a few days ago received a large English Cheese from M r
Ashton Blackburn which he desired Should be Sent to you as
Soon as possible as he found you in want of Such Cheese when
he had the pleasure of being at your House and he hopes that
you will accept of it as a small return for the many Civilitys shoun
him by you. he said a great deal more very pritty things but have
forgot them, however I remember they were all in praise of you.
the question is what way shall the Cheese be sent there is not one
grain of Snow near this Town nor there has not been any this
winter if there Should come good Sleding I shall Send it you by
the Albany Post it is Still in the Same package it came in from
England, and Shall remain So untill you or your Orders unpack
it at least I hope it will, Send me what orders or directions about
it or any thing else you please And they Shall be punctually
obeyed.
The Sons of liberty have been Assembling here Several times;
There first assembly was to prevent there representatives from
granting £2000 for the use of the Troops, but they did not Suc-
ceed as I believe the money will be voted for by the House, 1 they
passed a bill for making paper Money to the Amount of £20,000 2
which is to be issued the 1 th of June next, I am informed that
by private letters from home the present Lt. Governor will have
the management of this Province during his life and that his
Majesty should have Said that so old and loyal a subject deserved
that, if not a better reward for his good Services.
1 The act received the assent of Lieutenant Governor Colden on
January 5th.
2 Bills of credit to the amount of £120,000. See Colden to Hills-
borough, January 6, 1770, in Doc. Rel. to Col Hist. N. Y., 8:199-
201.
334 Sir William Johnson Papers
There is now two very strong partys in this Town one for electing
the members of the House or Assembly by Ballot, the other for
continuing the old Method, which of them will carry the point is
not known, but both partys are very Sanguin, as to my part I
would not give one Copper to deside it, nor do I care one farthing
which way it may be determined, or what side wins the battle,
let the Affair be desided as they please, they can never prevent
bribery and Corruption in elections, if they can, they can do more
than their Mother Country ever could.
There are Some Madeirs Merchants here in Town who desire
[me] to acquaint you that they will Serve you, and all the
Family [ ] whom you Chuse to recommend, with the
best of wines at [ ] most reasonable rates ; they are to Send
you a quarter Cask in [ ] present by way of a sample,
which I advis'd to do by all [ ] but that a hogshead
would do better however there's a Com[ gone to
Madeira to Send as good a quarter Cask as can be |
and if you like it you are to have the same sort at a Mod[erate]
price and in as great quantity as you chuse to Commission. St
John Made but an indifferent figure here and the expences of
visiting and geting in sight is so high in this place that I can't
afford it and consequently will return to your lodge more rusty
than ever.
M rs . MacLeod Joins me in Sincerely wishing you the Compli-
ments of the Season and Many returns of it to you is the hearty
wish of
Sir
Your much obliged
And Most Obedient
Humble Servant
Nor d . Mac Leod
INDORSED: N York 6 th . Janr>\ 1770
Cap 1 . M c . Leods letter
Ans rd . y e . 19 ,h . fully
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 335
WILLIAM ANDREWS' DRAFT
A. D. S.
NYork&KJan'K 1770
Sir,
Please to pay Sir William Johnson, or his Order the Sum of
Thirty Pounds Sterlin, Value Receiv'd
W M Andrews
£30 Sterling
To M R . Collin Andrews, Merch 1 .
Detroit.
INDORSED: 1 M r . W m . Andrews Draft
on M r . Collin Andrews for
£ 30 Sterk
FROM JAMES TILGHMAN
A. L. S.
Philadelphia Jan. 9 lh . 1770
Dear Sir
Inclosd I send you at M r Croghans desire a Copy of the
Draught of Montours Reserve 2 which by the best Information I
can get is made agreeable to the Location. The matter has not
been carried thro' quite clear of difficulties But, however, they are
now at an End and the Survey is returned as you may perceive
by the Copy of the Draught M r Croghan told me of offers made
you for the Land which has put the purchase in great Measure
out of My thoughts By whom they were made I know not, nor
is it material if they give more than I incline to do. I would only
observe that if any person was aiming at it who knew of my pre-
tensions I would contend with them and give up to what might
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 See Tilghman to Johnson, January 22, 1 769.
336 Sir William Johnson Papers
be thought the present full value I will frankly own that my
view in desireing to purchase was to make a moderate Profit of it
And I thought 20 £ ^ 100 a . besides paying [the] Propry and
the Expences was as far as I could go to [make] any thing worth
the trouble of purchaseing and trans [feri?]ng a Subsequent Sale.
M r Crogan thought that would [ ] do But requested I would
write to you to know the lowest [ | take consistent with
your trust And desired also That I would send you a form proper
to transfer the Location to the purchaser which I now inclose If
it fall not to my share it will do for another purchaser. You are
sensible I made my first Overtures upon principles of Honor and
Justice from which I would not depart by desireing you to deviate
in the least from the line of your trust, if I could think you would
do it in My favour which however I am sure you would not If
youl be pleasd in one word to say what you think you can have
for the place I will at once determine about the matter It is more
than probable it will be more than I shall incline to give Nor
should I have given you any further trouble upon the Subject had
not M r Croghan desired it Be it as it may, I shall always have a
proper Sense of the favour done Me in giveing me the Refusal
which was all I at first apply d for I wish you many happy years
as I do S r John and Col° Guy (to whom please to present my
compliments) and Am
Y r Most hble &
Most Obedient Servant
James Tilghman
INDORSED: 1 Janry. 9 th . 1770
Mr Tilghmans letter
w*. a Draft of Montours
Land. rec d . it y e 5 th of
March 1 770
In Johnson's hand.
J
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 337
FROM THOMAS SHIPBOY
A. L. S.
Hon»" Sir/ A lhan ^ 9lh J arf * 7 770
I have sent you by M r Roberts 2 Green Ruggs which Cost me
56/ Each, as for good Chairs there is none Ready made in this
pleace, but there is a man in town that make midling good ones,
at 8/ =t$ if you think proper I shall get them made, this youl
please let me know <P first Oppertunity & oblige your
Humble serv 1
Thos Shipboy
indorsed: 1 Alby. Jam-y. 9 th . 1770
M r . Shipboys letter
FROM JAMES COLLINS
A. L. S.
[HONORA] BLE SlR Sc ° We ^ **"»"*. ] ™
I think it incumbant upon me (without [char]ging myself be-
ing Officious) to let you understand what [has] passed here since
my return Yesterday being at Tho s . Ackerson [he] began to
tell me some of his discourse with you — particularly [
your desiring him to send his Ace 1 . & you would look it over, —
]hat do you think I shall take about £40 for so much
land, [ ] when I have a good chance to get it — further
when you [ ] looked Over his certificate you remain'd
Silant, Which Certificate (he says) he shewed to Old Bleeker
(the greatest Blunder in the County) at this place, who told
him he could get the land. — I Asked to see the Certificate, which
he Immediately produced, & I hope you have discover'd the true
Contents Otherwise you would not (as he says) remain'd Silant
— for the first part thereof setts forth the particular Surveys, but
when you come Where the land is Order'd to be granted to him
& his Brother, it gives Only Two Tracts [ ] Mentions them,
In Johnson's hand.
338 Sir William Johnson Papers
One in the Tract of Lawyer & his Associates which I shewed
you, & One Hundred Acres Northside [ ] Stoney Creek —
Therefore that Certificate he produced [ Jon, & the
Patent given him, I have seen, & they both [corres]pond Exactly,
Inclosed is a Skech of the land [gran] ted him by both Certificate
& Patent, certainly [Sir W m .] has read no farther than the first
part of the [certificate & did not read the last part where the
land is [ ] to them, otherwise (as he says) you would
not [have remain' ]d Silant, believe me the Vroman's bought
] the 100 Acres you 'I see Mark'd N. side Stoney
[Creek ] tells Adam & Sam 1 . Vroman they shall have it
I am Hble Sir
Yours Respectfully
James Collins
ADDRESSED : To
The Honourable Sir Will m . Johnson
Barnt & c
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
Ja s . Collins letter
Ans rd . 19 th . Ins 1 .
ORDER OF JOHN JOHNSTON
A. D. S.
Caugoa Jan* 10 1770
] Honourable Sir William Johnson Bar*.
Please to Let the Bearar Adam Staring have the Sum of Twenty
Pounds York Currancy the Same please to Charge to the Ac-
comp'. of Sir Your Ever Devovted Honours most Hum le : Serv'.
John Johnston
INDORSED: 1 Paid to Staring
£20 in presence
of M r . Adems, and
Armstrong
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
339
BILL OF JAMES BENNETT
A. D. S.
[Johnson Hall, January II, 1770]
S r W m Johnson Bar 1 Deb r . to James Bennett For Work Done at
Johnstown the hall and Fort & c
£ S
For my Self and one man
forty eight weeks one Day at 8 s ^
For three men Sixty Seven
weeks at 7 s 3$
Paid for wood scrues 8
for 1000 of Brads at 8 d
for 200 d°
for 500 D°
Rec d . in Cash
Deducted for Board at the fort
Johnson Hall Janry. 11 th . 1770
Rec d of Sir W Johnson Bar 1
] Sum in full
INDORSED: Ace 1 . [
£257.. 9..-
47.. 8
]
115 12
140 14
8
6
2
4
6
£ 257
9
30
17
8
£ 47
8
£ 210
1
James Bennett
£210. .1 paid —
as & Recp 1 . —
340 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM PHYN AND ELLICE
L. S.
Schenectady 12 th January 1770
Some time ago we troubled M r . Adams with [ ] Note
of William Johnstons, and our draft on [Adams for £] 16:1 :6
which we understand you have been so [ ]e for us;
when its convenient for you to give [ ] for the above &
a Ballance of £67:6:1 on [Capt M c .] Leods Bill $ £467:6:1
it will do us a [ ] service.
When M r . Adems retum'd from N: Y: last fall we sent [De]
Coagnies Draft on you & £1 68: 1 1/ & will [ ] to know
if you can accept the same as we [ ] M c . Leods Acco ts .
to settle & transmitt. ] winter we told you of a draft
we hold on you [ ]e for £240 which you was kind
enough [sec] ure us in, if in your power, we just take the [
] you of this draft as it our chief dependence [ ] h
short of £2000
We have a Demand on the Quarter Master Gen [
for a Considerable sum which has been a [ ] ever since
1 764 and as all our applications [ ] meets only with
triffling offsetts we are [ ] to Memorial Gen 1 . Gage,
& as there is [certificates from Colo 1 Buttler and the Com[mis-
sary] in the Indian Deparment amongest them [for trans] porta-
tion over the Carrying places, as well [as a certificate to Quin
for a Battoe in 1 764 [ ] Pass from J Glen to the
Crewes of three Battoes [ ] Niag a shall be glad
to know if you h[ave objec]tion to our including them in that
| to lay before his Excellency the Com[mander
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
341
in chief] excuse our giving you the trouble of [
]
we have the honor to be with mu [
Sir
Your most Obed 1 & [
]
[
]
To the Honb e Sir W M JOHNSON Bar 1 .
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
Draft
Ans rd 22 d . Ins*.
ACCOUNT OF RUDOLPH KOCH
D. S.
Jar
i. 13,
1770
Sir William Johnson
Bar*.
To Rudolph Koch
D'
1 768 March 1 5 th To make a hoe
£
8 -
To d°. one ax
5 -
To lay on a hoe
4 -
To d°. an Ax
2 6
To d°. two Axes a
2/&1/6
3 6
To make a hoe of y r .
Iron
2 6
1 7 th To lay on three axes
a 3/
9 -
To d°. 3 axes
a 2/
6 -
To d°. 2 d°.
a 1/6
3 -
1 8 th To d°. 2 big ones
a 3/
6 -
To d°. 2 Small d°.
a 2/6
5 -
To make 2 fish spears
a 3/
6 -
To upset a Broadax
1 -
To lay on 2 axes
a 2/
4 -
to d°. a pipeax
2 6
To d°. 2 axes
a 2/
4 -
to upset 3 d°.
a 6 d
1 6
In Johnson's hand.
342 Sir William Johnson Papers
To lay on a hoe
To d°. an ax
23 d To make a fish Spear
to d°. 2 hoes a 6/
To d°. a fish Spear
To d°. 3 d°. a 3/
To d°. 3 hoes a 6/6
To d°. an ax
To lay on an Ax
28 h To make 6 axes as p r . order of
Hend k . Markillj". a 4/
To d°. 2 fish Spears a 3/
To lay on 3 axes 1/6
To d°. 4 d°. a 2/
To make one ax
[make one] hoe
Brought over
1 768 March 30 th To make 2 axes a 6/&4/
To lay on 4 d°. a 2/
To make an Ear to an ax & upset
To upset one ax
To make 2 hoes a 8/
To d°. 1 fish Spear
April 1 st To mend an ax
To make 1 d°.
To lay on 1 d°.
To 1 [ ] to Phillip Pilet from
Hannis Bear 1
£ 15 11 6
Jam*. 13 th . 1 770 then Rec d .
of Sir W Johnson Bar', the above Sum in full 1
Gaspar Kock
4 -
1 6
3 -
12 -
4 -
9 -
19 6
4 -
2 -
1
4 -
6 -
4 6
8 -
4 -
8 -
]
10 -
8 -
:
1 6
i
i —
16 -
1 -
1 -
4 -
2 -
£ 11
11 6
4
— —
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 343
The Honourable Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
To Rudolphus Cook D r
June 17 th . To 50 Weeding Hoes 7/ £17 10 -
1769 To 41 Axes 4/ 8 4-
Errors & omissions excepted £25 14
Jam-y. 13*. 1770
Rec d . on Ace*, of my Brother the above Sum in full — 1
Gaspar Kock
INDORSED: Rudolph Koughs Acct
for Iron Work £25..14..- x
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
NewYorkJarfK 14 l K 1770.
Dear Sir,
I have received your's of the 5 th . Ins 1 :, with an Account of
the Expenditures that were made in Canada before the New
Regulations took Place, which will be settled in the Manner the
other Accounts have been.
With Regard to the Extraordinary Expences which you Set
forth must be incurred at this Juncture beyond what the Allow-
ance fixed for your Department will enable you to defray, it ap-
pears to me that it will be the most regular and proper Method to
state the Case to the King's Ministers, and to desire that Orders
May be transmitted to Supply you with the Sums requisite on this
extraordinary occasion. And I apprehend there will be time for
Orders to be Sent, before there will be any absolute Necessity
to pay the Expences that will be incurred. This Method is the
most agreeable to the Forms laid down, when any extraordinary
Demands for the Service are required, and I can't devise a better.
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
344 Sir William Johnson Papers
I inclose you a Letter for a Huron at Detroit, from his uncle,
I think, in Canada. Governor Carleton transmitted it to me, and
you will be so good to forward it, when you have an Opportunity
Perhaps it may be proper to peruse the Contents, tho' it's said
to be only on Family Business.
I am with great Regard
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R : W M : Johnson Bar 1 :
INDORSED: New York 14 th . Jam-y. 1770
Genr 1 . Gages letter
w th . an Inclosure
FROM ABRAHAM MORTIER
[New] York [15<K J an^] 1770
Sir William
I should have acknowledg'd the receipt of your obliging Letter
dated the 30 th of last Month, but the same did not come to my
hand until after the Post was gone however I immediatly gave
orders for Mr Wallace's being Supply'd w* £545 .4.4 Sterling,
as you desired, which I have charg'd your account current with.
I am much oblig'd to you Sir and render you my best thanks
for your congratulation on my return from England, I had fine
and pleasant Passages thither, & back, and found the Lands there
in all their Glory, they had not had so fine a Summer there, these
Seven years but this brought all their fruit to perfection, & there
was no doubt of their having a plentifull Harvest notwithstanding
which, there are great Tumults & Opposition in most of the Coun-
ties, as you must have seen by the Papers, God send it may all
Pod-War Period, J 763-1 774 345
End [w]ell. I beg my best Compliments to Sir John, your Son,
& remain with a Perfect [es]teem
Sir
Your most obedient
and most Humble Servant
A B . MORTIER
[S R . Willi] am Johnson Bar 1 .
P. S. I am just now favourd with Your letter of 4 th inst and have
receiv'd the three Warrants & Receipts you mention to have
receiv'd (from M r Newton) signed by you. Your Drafts on me
shall always meet with due & punctual honour, when a few days
delay happens in paying your bills it is owing to y e [agents] of
the Contractors not being able to supply me therewith, from whom
only my Resource for payment of Extrary's come, I am oblig'd
to you for your Enquiry After my health, I have the pleasure to
have got rid of the Gout. T • L . D
1 am with great Kespect
Yours as before
Ab m . Mortier
INDORSED: New York Janry. 15 th . 1770
Abraham Mortier Esq".
Letter
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
Dear Sir Albany ,&K Jan '- !77 °
I was favourd with yours of the 10 th . Ins*. ^ John Looney
and accordingly gave him an Order to get the Leather, which he
did of one Jn°. Ristine, quantity 1 78 n and a half, at 1 /5 d .
£12.14.3 -
I shall always be happy, whenever I have it in my Power to
execute any Commands from you, as none will be more ready to
serve you than o-
Y r . Most Obed*. Serv'.
Sam l . Stringer
346 Sir William Johnson Papers
P. S. It is so extremely
Cold that my Ink freezes
in the pen, near the fire,
as I write —
ADDRESSED: To
The Honb Ie .
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 ,
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED : * Doctor Stringer
W*. anacct. £12.. 14 [:3]
Paid by M r . Henry
ACCOUNT OF JOHN PETRY
D. S.
January 16, 1770
[Sir] William Johnson Bar*.
To John Petry D r
[ ]
To Riding 16 Loads at the Little
falls Coming & Going to the Senecas
July ft Bu d . B Wemp 4 Loads 3/ . 1 2 . .
ft Lewis Clement 4 d°. 3/ . 1 2 . .
ft Sundy. People on their * , 1?
Return for Riding 4 Loads J
3/ £ 2.. 8
£ 4..4..0
Janry. 16 th . 1770 Rec d . of Sir W Johnson Bar 1 ,
the above Sum in full of this Ace 1 . 2
John pedry
INDORSED:" Joh s . Petrys Ace 1 , for
riding over y e . little Falls
£4. .4. .-paid
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Receipt in Johnson's hand.
3 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-/774 347
ACCOUNT OF ROBERT HENRY
D. S.
Albany 1 6 ih JarP. 1770
The Hon ble . Sir W m . Johnson
Bought of Rob*. Henry
1 Dozen Dishes £2 8
7 doz. Plates 8/ 2 16
Cask and Cooprage
To an Ace*, of Sund s . in 1 767 as W D° l
£5
4
5
£5
9
9
1
8/2
£14
10
8i/ 2
Janr^ 23 d . 1 770 then Rec d . of
Sir W Johnson Bar 1 , the Above
Sum in full 1
Rob t . Henry
FROM THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
In the Public Record Office 2 is a draft of a circular from the Earl of
Hillsborough to various Governors, to Sir William Johnson, No. 12, and
to Mr Stuart, No. 1 3, January 1 8, 1 770, sending the King's speech to his
Parliament and also announcing that the Great Seal has been taken from
Lord Camden and given to Charles Yorke.
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 C. O. 5.71. p. 9, also C. O. 5.241. fo. 247, London, England.
348 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SACHEMS OF OQUAGA
L. S. 1
Onohokwage 22 d ]ari> 1770
Brother —
We now Speak to you, and we Speak as in your presence, even
face to face, and we pray you to hear us — Ever Since you
cleared the Roads, Paths, and Rivers to where your Brethren
make their Smoaks; we thought every thing was Settled in a
proper and amiable manner. But it Seems their is one thing
which now demands our notice and attention. Brother, we hear
you will not take any further care of Indian affairs, and especially
of the affairs of Trade — We are now met in Council, and the
reason is because the road to us Seems to be Shut up, as to Trade,
no Traders are permitted to us — It always gave us great pleasure
when our Brethren, (The Whites) came to See us, and when we
heard of Canoes of Goods coming down the river — Bro r , we
lately Saw a Canoe coming down the River, which at first Sight
much comforted our Hearts ; but when we came to look into it we
Saw nothing but a heap of Caggs and Barrels filled with Rhum,
which at once made us tremble. Their are Some among us So
disorderly by reason of Rhum that we are unable to keep them in
any Regulation — You know that of a long time we very much
dislike the appearance of Rhum in this Town — Rhum is trouble-
some thing, tis master of us, and in every respect bad — Brother,
Speaking as in your presence ; One thing more in an especial man-
ner we very much dislike, viz, Indians coming and trading among
us. When we had White Traters, Goods Seemed be Something
reasonable and right; but Indians devour us, they extort from us
every thing we get with great pain and Labour in the Woods,
for little or nothing — Indians Seem to be destitute of the fear of
God ; if we desire them to be reasonable in their demand, it has
no impression upon them Therefore we desire, if any Indians
apply for Liberty, that you would forbid them — We expect you
1 In New York State Library.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 349
will answer us, that there by we may be Strengthened to oppose
Indian Traders —
With Compliments to you, we are Yours &c
Adam
Isaac
Jacob
.~™r-™™ t Peter &ca
addressed : 1 o
The Hon ble , S r , Will™, Johnson Bar',
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: Oghquago 22 d . Jan r y. 1770
Letter from y e . Sachims
concern^. Trade —
ACCOUNT AND RECEIPT OF ROBERT HENRY
D. S.
Albany 11 th April 1767 and January 23 d . 1770
The Hon ble . Sir W m . Johnson ^ D , „ _
J To Robert Henry D r .
To 2|/4 yards blue Cloth
a 22/
£2
9
6
24 yard Scarlet D°
32/
1
4
2 yards scarlet Ratinet
6/
12
4 yards blue Shalloon
3/9
15
2 Scarlet Breeches Patrons
20/
2
—
—
2 pair knee garters
3/
6
4^4 yards white fusting
2/6
11
10/2
4 Sticks Twist
V
4
4 Ounces thread
6 d
2
Vl yard Buckram
2/6
1
3
1 yard Oznaburgs
1
10
3 dozen Large Buttons
3/
9
3^/2 dozen small D°
1/6
£9
5
3
John Freil
1
8J/2
[January] 23 d 1 770 Rec d y e . Contents
[ ]
INDORSED: [ ]
Acc ,s . paid
£14. .10. Wi
350 Sir William Johnson Papers
WILLIAM BOWEN'S ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
January 24, 1770
Memorandum of work, Done since your Hon 5 . Arrival
£-s~d
To mending of a Slayn 0—18-0
To making 2 New Axes 1 — 0-0
To making 2 Iron Wedges 0-12—0
To shoeing 1 pair of Horses 0-18-0
To laying of 3 Axes 0— 9—0
To mending 2 Axes 0— 2—0
To 1 New Plough-Sheer 3- 0-0
To 1 Spindle, for the Plough-wheels 0—18—0
To 2 New Plates for the Plough. d°, 0-12-0
To mending the spindle for y e Mill 0-16-0
To 1 dozen of Saw-pins 0— 1-6
To mending of a spindle, [for greece-Mill] 0-12-0
To 1 screw key for Bed-pins 0- 1-6
To 1 Iron Hoop to a pot 0— 2-6
To Hooping 2 Pails 0-12-0
To mending 2 Adds 0- 4-0
To an foot, for a Poot 0- 1-6
To 12 Holdfasts 0-16-0
To Shoeing 1 p r . of coach Horses. . 0-18-0
To mending a Plough Sheer 0— 3-0
To Laying of 2 Axes 0— 6—0
To shoeing 1 p r . of Horses d°, 0— 5-0
To 3 p r of Large Hooks & Hings 1- 4-0
[To] 5 p'. d° small 1-10-0
[To la]ying of 4 Axes 0-12-0
[To me] nding of 2 Axes 0— 2—0
£16-16-0
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 351
January 24 th . 1 770, Received of [ ] Bar', the Sum
of Seventy Nine pounds Se[ ] being in full of the within
Accounts also [ ] Accounts to this Instant as Witness
my hand
Wellem Bowen
£79.7.-
INDORSED: 1 W m . Bowins Acc ts . for
Smiths Work £7 1 . . 2
Delivered in March
24 th . 1 769 -
paid £71.2 —
FROM NORMAND MAC LEOD
New York the 24* Jan r » 1769 [1770]
[ ] last Post Sent you the Cheese that M r . Black-
burn | | Send you I hope you have receiv'd it in good
Order | ] the Divil to pay between the Soldiers and the
[Sons of] L. . . .ness the latter had one man kill'd and severals
former had three wounded, the occasion of the riot
| the Soldiers posted up Some of the enclos'd papers,
in to an infamous paper published against them
called | the Soldiers were laid hold of, ill used, and
brought before [the Mayor] for puting up those papers, upon
which other Soldiers [ ] the Barrack and the riot com-
menced on f riday 2 last [ ae Saturdy 1 4 — or 1 5 Soldiers
fought the whole rabble of [ ] I believe would have
drove them over the docks had not [ ] prevented them,
there was this day a sort of peace [ ] Mayor how long
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 January 19, 1770.
352 Sir William Johnson Papers
it may last god knows M r . Croghan [ ] Frankland ar-
rived here three days ago.
] Joins me in most respectfull Comp ls to you
[ ]
I am
Sir
Your Most Obedient and
Most Humble Ser 1
Nor d Mac Leod
A NATURALIZATION ACT
D.
January 27, 1770
An Act for naturalizing Frederick Koose, John Stone, God-
frid Shoe, John Karne, Hannis Albrant, Hannis Alt, Han
Ury Creitz, Jacob Seber, Augustus Eikler, Conradt Smith.,
John Everhart Coghnot, George Eker Hannis Hartel, John
Brader, Philip Pilet, George Rupert, George Sharpe,
Hendrick Hann, John Seabalt, Nicholas Bradhour, George
Bronce, George Shink, Jacob Becker, John Farlinger,
George Binder, Frederick Waggoner, Mathias Kough,
Adam Garlogh, Peter Young, Peter Gronce, Peter Foster,
George Flunean, Simon Shreider, John Frederick Tolle,
John Marchel, Konrat Louwer, William Petrie, James
Colon, George Colon, Jonas Colon, Elizabeth Allen,
Samuel Isaacs, & Peter Surget
Passed the 27 th . January 1 770
[Whereas] the above named persons, have by their several peti-
tions presented [to the gen]eral assembly, desired they may be
naturalized & become his [Majesty's] Liege Subjects & settlers
in this Colony. [Be it th]erefore enected by his Honour the
Lieut. [Govern] or the Council and the General Assembly & it
[is hereby] Enected by the Authority of the same that [the
befo]re mentioned Several persons & each & every [of them]
shall be & hereby are declared to be naturalized to all] intents,
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 353
Constructions, & purposes whatsoever & [from hen]ceforth, & at
all Times hereafter shall be inti [tied to ha]ve & enjoy all the
rights, Liberties Privileges, & [advantage] s which his Majesty's
natural born Subj [ects in this] Colony, have & enjoy, or ought
to have & enjoy [as fully to] all intents & purposes whatsoever,
as if all [and every of the]m had been born within this Colony
[Provided alw]ays & it is hereby further enected by the
[Authority afo]resaid that each of the above mentioned [Persons
shall t] ake the Oaths appointed by Law inst [ead of the Oaths of]
allegiance & Supremacy, Subscribe the Test, & make re] peat
Swear to & Subscribe the [abjuration Oath in] any of his
majestys Courts of Record Within this Colony; which Oaths
[the] Courts' are hereby required, upon [appli] cation to them
made to admini[ster, take] Subscriptions, & cause the Names
[of] Persons so swearing & subscribing [to be] entered upon
Record in the said [Courts] & the said before mentioned
Perso[ns are] hereby, each of them, required to [pay] the Sev-
eral Sums hereafter mentioned] That is to Say To the Speaker
of [the] General Assembly the sum of [ten] Shillings; to the
Judge of such [Court] the sum of Six Shillings; & to the [Clerk]
of such Court the Sum of Three Shillings.
And be it further Enected by the [Auth]ority aforesaid That
if the Said [Persons] or any of them having so Swo[rn and]
Subscribed as aforesaid shall de[mand] a Certificate of his, her,
or their [being] entered upon record in the Man[ner] before
directed the Court or Courts [in] which such Oaths & Subscrip-
tions [shall] be made are hereby directed & [requir]ed to grant
such Under the han[d of the] Judge, & Seal of the Said Court
or [Courts] in which Such Oaths & Subscript [ions] as aforesaid,
shall be made Co [unter] signed by the Clerk of the said [Courts]
For which Certificate, each off them] Shall over and above the
sum[s above] mentioned the Sum of Six [Shillings] One Half
to the Judge of such Court or Courts and the oth[er half] to the
Clerk thereof, Which Certificate] or Certificates, shall be at a [11
Times] to the Person or Persons [therein nam]ed a Sufficient
Proof of [his, her or] their being Naturalized by virtue] of
12
354 Sir William Johnson Papers
this Act in as full [& effectual a] Manner as if the [Record
aforesaid] was actually [Produced by the] Person Or Persons
so named in such Certificates,
Provided also, and be it Enected by the Authority aforesaid
That Such of the Persons hereby Naturalized, as shall not take
the Oath Test & Abjuration in Manner herein before directed
within Twelve Months next after the Publication hereof Shall
have no Manner of benefit by this Act any Thing herein contained
to the Contrary Notwithstanding
And be it Enected by the Same Authority That the public
Printer of this Colony shall & hereby is directed & required to
print this Act as if the same was a public Law of this Colony
ACCOUNT OF THOMAS ARNOLD
A. D. S.
Schanactady Jan*. 27. 1770
The Hon ble . S r . Will" 1 . Johnson Bart D r . To Tho s . Arnold
To Makeing a Frock Coat £0:16:0
To Makeing Two Pair Breeches 0:16:0
To Finding a quarter Shalloon 0: 1 :0
To 5 y ds . Tape 0: 0:9
To Makeing Two Pair Flannel Drawers 0: 4:0
To Makeing a Laced Coat & Waistcoat Lapell d 1 : 16:0
To Makeing a Livery Coat & Waist Coat $ Andrew . . 1:0:0
To D° ^ Indian Boy 0:14:0
£5- 7-9
Janry. 27 th . 1770
Rec d . the above Sum in full of all Dem ds .
Tho s . Arnold
INDORSED: 1 Jam?. 27 th . 1770 —
Tho s . Arnolds Ace*. Taylor
£5.. 7.. 9 paid
1 In Johnson's hand.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 355
FROM JOHN BROWN
January 27, 1770
Sir
As ane oppertunity offers I Seize it with pleasure, to write you,
I hope that you have passd ane agreable Winter
We have no News this way, the Indians that come in here seem
to be well desposed, at least I can learn nothing to the Contrary
and I most Sincerely wish that they may Continue so, — I was
unlucky enough to loose my Boats on Lake Ontario, But the
Men were all Saved, and the Cheif part of my Baggage &
Stores, — If any Letters should come your way directed for me,
will be very much obliged to you if you will forward them [
this opportunity — In the meantime I must beg of you to present
my respects to Sir John, Mess rs . Johnstone & Claws, and to as-
sure you that I am with the outmost Esteem and respect
Sir
Your Most Obedient, and
Most humble Serv 1
John Brown
The Honb le SlR W M JOHNSTONE —
indorsed: 1 Jam-y. 1770
Letter from Cap' Brown
by an Ind n . w th . out Date
Ans rd . 7 th . March
FROM WILLIAM ANDREWS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 442, is entered a letter of January 28th
from William Andrews, at New York, acknowledging a draft on Mr
Mortier and mentioning an intention of visiting London and afterward
preaching among the Indians (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:423; Q,
4:265).
1 In Johnson's hand.
356 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM CADWALLADER COLDEN
rx. Li. O.
New York Jan r » 28 th 1770
Dear Sir
I must beg your excuse that I have been so long in Answering
yours of the 5 th of this month 2 The assembly sitting unavoidably
employed my thoughts & the attempts made by a desapointed
faction to excite riots in order to disturb the Government required
a serious attention But this Session being now at an end much to
my Satisfaction & of all my friends I shall apply my thoughts
to the subject Matter of your letter The case of Claverack
deserves attention & I think it may be proper to advise with the
Council on it by laying before them a Petition I have received
from Kinderhook on that subject The Council were so much
engaged in their Legislative capacity I knew it would be disagre-
able to them to have any other business laid before them which
could be delayed
The Assembly passed a Militia Bill to which I could not give
my assent without breach of a late Instruction to Sir H Moore
which require that all acts for regulating the Militia be at least of
five years continuance I have a clause restraining its taking effect
till it shall have his Majesty's approbation As I do not expect
that the assembly will comply with this Instruction & now no act
for regulating the Militia exists it may deserve your considera-
tion how far you think any orders regarding the Militia will be
obeyed & I think it imprudent to issue orders which cannot be
enforced & may be despised I shall be glad to receve your
thoughts on this head before I issue the orders you desire
However I shall give directions to M r . Banyar to make out the
Commissions you desire
1 In the New York Historical Society, New York City.
2 In Doc. Hist. N. V., 2:962-64; Q, 2:557-58.
THE REVEREND CHARLES INGLIS
From Morgan Dix's History of the Parish of Trinity Church
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 357
Col Schuyler 1 has not thought proper to make me the usual
complement of coming to the Fort for what reason I know not
I do not so much as know him by sight Notwithstanding of this
we were surprised by his being the first person who moved to
give me the same sallary Sir Henry Moore had
An Act is passed appoint Com rs to consert a plan with the
neighbouring colonies for Indian affairs Now I think I have men-
tioned every thing you may be desirous to know
I am very affectionately
Sir
Your most obedient &
humble Servant
Cadwallader Colden
Honourable
Sir W m Johnson Bar 1
INDORSED: N York Janr?. 28 th 1 770
L l . Gov r . Coldens Letter
No. 3 —
the great naturalist 2
FROM CHARLES INGLIS
A. L. S. 3
New York, Jan 28, 1770.
Sir,
Altho I have not the pleasure of a personal Acquaintance with
you, yet I am persuaded you will excuse the Trouble of this
Application, as it relates to a benevolent Design which you have
much at Heart; viz. the Settlement of a Missionary among the
Mohawks & other Confederate Tribes of Indians.
1 Philip Schuyler was a member of the colonial assembly for Albany
county 1 768-75.
2 A later indorsement, in another hand.
3 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
358 Sir William Johnson Papers
The Friends of Christianity & of the Church of England,
among the chief of which I reckon yourself, have long lamented
that those Indians have been destitute of a Missionary. This is
the more to be regretted ; as I learn the Indians themselves are very
desirous of having a Clergyman of the Church of England fixed
among them ; & the Dissenters are endeavouring to wriggle them-
selves into their good Graces, encouraged, I suppose, by our Supi-
ness. The venerable Society, as on all other similar Occasions,
are willing to do what they can ; but I have Reason to think they
are not able to give such a Salary as would be necessary for an
Indian Missionary. Indeed it is difficult to procure a person
properly qualified to undertake the Mission ; but were he found,
he has not suitable Encouragement.
By some late Accounts from Nova Scotia, I learn that on the
Death of a late popish Missionary to some converted Tribes of
Indians in that Province, & an Application made to the Govern-
ment: The Government appointed another Missionary to those
Indians, with a Salary of £100 Sterl. per An. Surely if the
Government would go to this Expence for a popish Missionary to
Indians who were not our Friends till very lately; there is much
more Reason that it should be at an equal Expence for a Protes-
tant Missionary to Indians who have for many Years — ever since
our first Settlement in this Colony, distinguished themselves by
their Fidelity to us. Nor can I concieve that the Government
would refuse to grant such a Salary for the Mohawk Mission,
were an Application made for that purpose; especially as the
former Instance is so recent. At least, should such a Request
be refused, it would surprize me more than any one Thing that
has happened in this Age of Wonders.
I could not forbear giving you the above Intelligence. I ap-
prehend an Application to Government for an Indian Missionary
should originate from you. There are few Things I have at
Heart more than that a worthy Clergyman were settled among
our Indians. Were a proper Salary allowed, I have no Doubt
but we could procure a suitable Person to undertake it. The
Packet is daily expected. By her, when she returns, I shall write
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 359
to the Society; & should be glad to have your Sentiments of this
Affair before that Time. M r . Andrews sailed for Ireland a few
Days since. From Ireland he proceeds to England for Holy
Orders. I have great Expectations of him — should he answer
the Expectations of his Friends he would probably take the
Mohawk Mission.
I am, Sir, with much Respect & Esteem,
Your most obedient
& humble Servant
Charles Inglis
To Sir Will m . Johnson Bar 1 .
indorsed: 1 N York Janry. 28 th . 1770
The Revr d . M r . Inglis
Letter
Ans d . 1 6 th Feby.
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Kinderhook 28th January 1770
[Sir]
On my return here from Johnson Hall I wrote You immed-
iately — The Day after I sent [Col°] Johnson a State of the
Militia and also a Sketch of the Country hereabouts with such
explanations as I [cou]ld give — I also sent him an Account of
a number of Commissions Distributed among the Setlers on the
[con] tested Lands all which I hope he has received and for-
warded to you.
In my last I mentioned the particulars of the manner in which
our Petition had [ ] in the House of Assembly to the
15th Instant; since which it has made a very great deal of
], in asmuch as that many of the Petitioners are
ordered to attend the House the next Sessions ] the
1 In Johnson's hand.
360 Sir William Johnson Papers
Subject of the Blank Commissions CoR Rensselaer (or some-
body for him) obtained of the Late [Sir] Henry Moore for his
Regiment — I shall be happy when that Period comes as I can
So fully [make] good and support every Allegation in the Peti-
tion by Incontestable proofs — We are afraid [of] nothing but
that a certain Great Man will come to a compromise and get the
order of [the] House recalled & that we shall thereby loose an
opportunity of explaining ourselves more fully on this matter. — I
have wrote very fully upon that Subject to Col°. Johnson and
have requested of him to Show You my letter, if he thinks you
have leisure or Inclination to Read it as well as A Copy of the
Petition which makes so much noise — I have wrote it myself and
am answerable for the proofs, I shall therefor write this Post to
my B r to mention to some of the Members that my Attendance
alone will be sufficient at the Bar of the House; as the [peo]ple
have signed the Petition on my word that the proofs were in my
possession.
The Conduct of our Members that are now in House has had
so unfavorable [an a]ppearance that we are alarmed almost at
every thing they do or propose for this part of the [coun]ty
There has been a rumour some Weeks Past that there is a New
List for Justices of the Peace for the [county of] Albany under
Consideration & that one Isaac Goes (a Dram Shopkeeper & a
Fellow of no [ ] generally disliked for his attachment
to a Family who aim at the ruin of the Township) [
to be one of our Justices — Some of the principle People took
the alarm and they have [asked] the Governor to appoint Cap
Peter Vosburgh and myself — We both would rather not be
the solicitations were so powerful that we could not with-
stand the Petition in our favour. Whether [ ] will
prefer the Members recommendation or the one of the Township
is yet uncertain, we should [ ourselves] as sure of
success if you Sir would be pleased to Second the Wishes of the
People by [ ] the L l Governor. It is now the
interest of our Members to appoint such Persons in [
answer their Land Schemes but for this end I suppose it is that
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 361
they have nominated ] as well as one Peter Van Ness
who lives on part of this Township that Col°. [Rensselaer
and as this M r Van Ness is openly in his Interest it is the more
alarming [ ] I hope Sir that my writing in this
manner will not be construed as proceeding from a Desire of being
in office, far from it, my motives at first were | Towns-
men — Now the Leaven of opposition operates a little. Before
I conclude [ ] See cause to carry the desire of the People
in this particular into execution I can with great [ ] recom-
mend Cap Vosburgh to your Notice as a Man of weight in the
Community of an unblemished Character and one who will do
Honor to the List of Justices. I remain
with the Greatest Respect
Sir
Your most Obedient
& Most humble Servant
H V SCHAACK
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall.
INDORSED: [ ]
Letter [ ]
TO THOMAS GAGE
A. Df.
Johnson Hall JanrK 29*. 1770
Dear Sir
I was favoured with your letter of the 1 2 th . Inst, and am sorry
to find that the extraordinary Expences for the proposed Meeting
cannot be safely incurred without an application at Home, which
must render the whole abortive, for the Design of the Indians in
desireing the Congress will not admitt of such delay practicable
362 Sir William Johnson Papers
to Satisfy them on that Head, or to prevent the Suspicions it is
likely it may excite, with their 111 Consequences. — I have had
several Messages sent me on that head, since their first applica-
tion agreable to their resolutions at Onondaga, and there are now
Deputies with me who are verry pressing for my imediate
Answer; under these disagreable Circumstances, I must do the
best I can, and give them the most plausible reasons In my power
for not meeting them, and wish it may at all answer what I had
reason to hope from the Congress. —
The letter for the Huron, who I know very well, Shall [be]
forwarded the first opertunity. —
This is intended to be presented to you by Lieut. [Roberjts
who goes for New York and afterwards I beleive [Engjland,
where (if I may presume to request it) I would heartily wish him
to have y r . Countenance & Protection. He has Accts to lay
before You particularly of [ ] from Michilimacinac,
which consider^, ye Occasion [ I cann]ot refuse my strong-
est recommendation for [ ] as he has been hurried
back & forward certain] affairs of a public nature
] ill Support & w h . I think should not
] action lately commenced
against him for doing wha[ ] as Commissary,
In w h . Suit I am become his Bail, [ ] before the Attorney
Genr 1 . [ ] can be explained [in such] a manner, as will I
dare say entitle him to y r . Coun [tenance] & protection, as it could
not but fall verry ha [rd on] any Man who has been Active in his
office, to want [protection] against those Persons who now take
advantage of his [ ] to deter others from doing their
Duty hereafter, and [ ] been already at the Expence &
trouble of Sever 1 . Attend [ances] on Court in consequence of the
litigious Action.
HANNIS WERT'S ACCOUNT
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 443, is listed under the date Jan. 29,
1 770, Hannis Wert's account of tailoring for Sir William Johnson.
Destroyed by fire.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 363
TO THOMAS PENN
Df?
Johnson Hall ]an r *. 30 lh 1770
Dear Sir
Since my last to you of the 1 5 th of Sept r . I have been favoured
with yours of the 13 th of said Month, with an Ace 1 , of the Ex-
pences attended the Grant which his Majesty was pleased to
Make me, for which I now inclose you a Bill on Harley & Drum-
mond Amts to £545 .4.4 Sterb & I heartily wish that this may
find you perfectly recovered from your late Indisposition which
would afford me infinate pleasure.
This will be presented you by Lieu 1 . Robberts lately one of my
Commissarys for Trade, Who with the rest, & all the Subordinate
Officers (on the late reform made in my department) were dis-
charged to the verry great loss, & discontent of the Indian Nations
who are now left entirely to the Mercy of the Traders, the
Majority of whom are a Sett of verry worthless fellows, & re-
quire verry Strict Inspection. — The Governments here have not
as yet made any provision for the regulation of Trade, nor is
there any likelyhood that they will. So that I fear all that I have
hitherto been doing will now fall to the Ground ; As the Bearer is
well versed in Indian affairs & can give you as good an Ace*, of
everything relative to them as any Man who left this Country,
I shall not take up your time on that Subject, but beg leave to
refer you to him for any Intelligence you may want of that nature.
I send you by him a Couple of Pamphlets lately published in
Connecticut, whereby You will see the Spirit of them trouble-
some people, with regard to the Lands within your Governm 1 .
their Settlem*. of which, I have, & shall continue to oppose all in
my power, from a conviction that the Steps they have taken of
1 In American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass. ; in handwriting
of Guy Johnson.
364 Sir William Johnson Papers
obtaining a Deed from the Indians for said Lands were unfair, &
Ungenerous, & their Claim by Charter 1 as ridiculous.
Any favour or Civility shewn to this Gentleman (whose Merit
whilst in the Service, entitles him to this recommendation) will
add much to the Obligations I already lye under and be greatfully
acknowledged by me, Who am with great Truth & Regard,
Dear sir
Your Most Sincere Friend
& Affectionate Hum e Serv 1 .
My Son presents his most
respectfull Compliments
to You & Family —
The Honourable
Thomas Penn Esq r
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
A. L. S.
Albany IK Feb*. 1770
Sir:
Yours of the 23 d . Ult°. V M r . Henry, came duly to hand, to-
gether with £ 1 2 .. 1 4 for the leather —
A Man called here this morning early, to enquire for Some
Mil-Stones of yourn, which I coud give him no intelligence of, as
I never heard of any, and much doubt if there is any such thing
in Town at present as Milstones; As I came up in the Fall, we
were oblidgd to put in at Eusopus on account of the Ice, & there
were three or four pair lying at the Dock which, a man, who had
the care of them, wanted to send much to this place, & perhaps
yourn might be among them; if so, I woud now advise you to
send for them, as there never was stronger Ice
1 The charter of Connecticut was held to have proceeded from that of
the Council for New England, the Plymouth Company, which was
empowered to possess territory in America from the 40th to the 48th
degree of north latitude and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Fost-War Period, 1763-1774 365
Inclosed is a Ring, which M r . Lansingh has given [me] in
the place of that of yourn, which he melted, as [I be] fore informd
you. Please to make my Comp ,s . [to Mess] rs . Gamble, &
Daily, and I am with great respect
D r . Sir
Y r . Most Obed 1 . & Hum e . Serv 1 .
Sam l . Stringer
indorsed: 1 [ ]
Ans' d . y e . 14 th . Feb'y. 1770
wrote him to buy me a pair of
Esopus Millstones & send them up
if possible, also to speak to Hunn
ab l . Onniade at Sacandaga &
to let me have their Ans r . Soon
ACCOUNT OF EXPENSES AT FORT STANWIX
A. D. S.
[Johnson Hall, Feb. 3, 1770]
Fort] Stanwix
] Bowls of Sperritt Tody
bojttles Wine
| Bowls Tody for the Serv ts . & Indians
] Bo Sangueree for Billey
] Dinner for the Gentlemen
4 Dinner for the Serv ts . & orderly Man
To 4 Loaves of Bread & one pound & a half of But-
ter for the Indians
To 1 1 Yl Pounds of Loaf Sugar at 2 S /^
To 5 J/2 Gall s of Rum for the Annadago Indians
To one & a half Quarters of Roast Mutton
To 4 fowls
To 8 Loaves & 2j/2 Doz n of Bisquets
To 1 Pint of Rum for the Indians
£0.
12.
1.
0.
0.
12.
0.
2.
6
0.
16.
0.
4.
0.
7.
10
1.
3.
2.
4.
0.
7.
6
0.
3.
0.
14.
6
0.
1.
In Johnson's hand.
366 Sir William Johnson Papers
To 3 Dinners 0.4.6
To 6 Suppers 0.9.0
To Vittles for 4 Indians 0.4.0
To Vittles for 2 Squaws 0.2.0
To 8 Breakfasts 0.8.0
To 7 Meredians 0.7.0
To 2 dinners for the Orderly man & Billey 0.2.0
To 7 Bowls & J/2 of Spirritt Tody 1.7.3
] Bowls Tody for the Soldiers & the Indian 3 .
[ ] Us Rum 0. 0. 9
[ bo]ttles & a pint of Wine 1.2.0
[ ] loaves of Bread 0.15. 9
[ ] Mutton & one fowl sent to F< Bull 7 .
[ ] of Rost Mutton 0. 6.
£14 5 9
[ 8.
[ ] of Bread & 1 Qu l Rum for y e Massag 0.8.0
[ ] Bread & ]/ 2 n Butter for y e Annadago 0.2.2
] Tody & 3 Bow s Sangueree £0.8.3
[ ] ils Vittles 0.2.0
[ ] loaves Bread 0.4.6
[ ] 4 Quarts Milk 0.1.2
] for Joseph 0.15.11
£1.14. 1
Memorandom of the Number
of Loads Carryed Over for Sir
William Johnson
from the 3 rd of July to the 4 th of August
To 3 1 Loads boats Included over this place £6 . 4.0
To 5 Loads from Kenedy Creek 5 . 0.0
To 4 Loads of Baggage from bulls Fort to the Indian
Field 2.16.0
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 367
To 4 Horses & a man to Kenedy Creek 1 . 0.0
To I Horse to Kenedy Creek w h . Hair 0. 4.0
To 2 Horses with Tice & Abbett to Bulls Fort . 4.0
To 3 Loads of Corn Carry ed from the [Indian] Field
to the Other Side of fort [ ] Under the
Care of Barn Wemple 2 . 2.0
£17.10.0
] Bunts Boat Baggage &ca
[ | going down & Returning 1 3 6
£18 13 6
Rec d . of Sir W Johnson [ ] Thirty four Pounds, thir-
teen [shillings four pence] being in full of these Acc t,s . —
£34 13 4 [ ]
INDORSED: Fort Stanwix in [going]
& returning to y e . Senecas
£32.19.3
1.14.1
£34.13.4
paid
Sir W m Johnsons
Account
ACCOUNT OF JOHN DE PEYSTER
D.
[Feb. 3, 1770]
[Sir William John] son D r To Jn° De Peyster
[ ] by Andris Wemp £1.7-
[ ]" Small Nails as ^ ac 2.10-
£3.17 -
368 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
Kinderhook 4 Feb* 1770
[ ]
In consequence of y[ ] Military appoint-
ments I have already wrote you [ j with
his Honor the L'. Governor to write him a fortnight [
]ing qualified My B r . writes me that he was pleased
to read it [ ] his Honor asked what
the Kinderhook People would have of him [
they] would would be extremely tender how they presumed to
point out any Mode; but [ ] the existence of the
regiment in its present form as a real Grievance [
Kinderhook People to his Honor was that it might not so remain.
But who [ ] People propose for a Col°. ? As that
is a matter that will not be known until [ ] are known
upon the subject my B r . could not answer him the question — He
therefore [ ] that you Sir had proposed a Regiment
should be formed of the Inhabitants between the [North Bounds]
of the Manor of Livingston & the South Bounds of the Manor of
Rensselaer Wyck — He [ ] informed of the number
of Inhabitants which he said were sufficient for 2 Regiments
[The question] was put how a Division could be made? — A
streeght Line from the lower Falls to the [bounds of the cojlony 1
— Then says his Honor the Kinderhook People would rather not
be with Clavera [ck. My B r . repli] ed 't is their desire to be intirely
disconnected from Claverack — He appeared intirely to [
in the wishes of the People. — His Honor told my B r . that he
would (although our complaints were [ ] prerogative
matters and merely with himself) lay our complaints before the
Council & have the Kind [erhook] Petition entered on the minutes
of the Council. — If Sir you should approve of a Regiments
1 See map following Van Schaack to Johnson, January 28, 1770.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 369
being here four or five of the principle people will
wait on you and let you know who & who ] be most
agreable for the Field Officers & Captains or it shall be done by
Letter as you shall most approve of. We mean, in case it should
be agreable to you, to recommend such Persons only [as] have
the most interest in the Township — if those appointments should
be properly distributed the whole Township will be so united that
9/10 of the Freeholders will in future Vote for their Members
one way. — The most thinking part of the Township would (if
they had no other motion) be on this Account extremely happy
of having a Regiment. When you find it convenient I shall be
happy to hear from you and remain in the utmost haste
with great respect
Sir
your most Obedient
humble Servant
H V SCHAACK
[P. S.] The old Road Act is revived 1 for an other Year So
[the] grand scheme He had in view is dropped through.
FROM JAMES STEVENSON
A. L. S.
Niagara Feb*. 4 lh : 1770
Sir
I embrace this opportunity by an Indian to enquire after your
health —
As His Excellency our Governor has no Commissary to dis-
pute with at present, he now & then makes the Traders sensible
of his importance. —
On his arrival here, I beg'd a favour of him in behalf of the
Indians Viz*, that they should not be stop'd at the Gates or have
1 See Colonial Laws of New York, 5 :89-90 for law passed January
27, 1770.
370 Sir William Johnson Papers
their packs search'd — he so far comply'd with my request as to
give out an order [to] that purpose, but I still find the old practice
continued & doubtless with his approbation — When [ever] he
puts his nose out of the Garrison I put a [stop] to such proceed-
ings, which of course incurs me [his Excellency's heavy dis-
pleasure —
]aa, Waa is here & desires me to acquaint you [that the]
Indians are all peaceable & quiet & that he [ ] keep them so,
altho the Delawares are constantly endeavoring to stir them up to
do mischief — I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in
ask[ing] your advice, how I shall get paid £34:15:1, which I
have expended on the Indians during the time I had [the] honour
to command — I beg my comp ts . to S r . John [and] all your
family — I am with regard
DSir
Your most Obedient and
most humble Servant —
Ja s . Stevenson
S R . William Johnson Bar'.
INDORSED: [Niagara Feby. 4 lh . 1770]
FROM DE COUAGNE
Niagara Februay 4 th . 1770
Sir
I am greatly concerned to be informed this day by M r . Edward
Pollard of this place, that my Bill on you in his favour Dated in
September 1 768 in not yet paid, I did not doubt but was paid as,
I particularly desired it might be Discharged when I was last
Down, as it hath been standing some Years and chiefly Cash, the
taking it up will be Esteemed a favour done Sir
Your most obedient
Humble servant
DeCouagne
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 371
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
SlR New York the 5 th Feb'*. 1770
I have no News to send you at present as I have not been out
of the House these eight or ten days on acct. of the sickness of
M rs . MacLeod and her daughter, they are now some what re-
cover'd, and I intend to sally out this afternoon to try if I can
Stand the N. Wester, that now blows.
I am informed that they are this day puting up the New
Liberty pole 1 in defiance of the Mayor and Corporation who are
much against it being put up, however up it goes in spite of them
all.
■
Mess rs . Phyn and Ellice have this day sent me a most surpriz-
ing accompt, which makes me trouble you with the following
request which is. If there yet remains any of my orders upon
you in their favour unpaid, that you'll [be] so good as stop the
money in your hands untill such [time] as I can clear up accompts
with them, as at present [I thin]k they use me extremely ill. If
you'll be so good as [to forwar]d the enclosed as Soon as possible
it will add to [the m]any obligations I already lye under to you
pardon [the tro]uble and believe me to be Sir
Your very affectionate and much
obliged Humble Ser'.
Nor d . Mac Leod
indorsed: N York 5 th . Feb r y. 1770
Cap 1 . MacLeods Letter
1 The first liberty pole was erected on the Common (City Hall Park)
June 4, 1 766, after the repeal of the Stamp Act and displayed the
words "The King, Pitt and Liberty"; and was cut down by soldiers of
the 28th regiment August 1 0. The second pole was raised September
23 and was destroyed the following night. The third was planted March
1 8, 1 767 and was prostrated the next day. A fourth was erected at
once and stood until January 16, 1770, when its destruction was
effected by soldiers of the 1 6th regiment. This incident was followed
on the 19th and 20th by the affray of Golden Hill.
372
Sir William Johnson Papers
ACCOUNT OF BARENT VAN ALEN
A. D. S.
6 ih . February, 1770
Albany 23 November 17 [69] .
Sir Willia]m Johnson To Barent Van Alen D r :
]ght
] Smith Ballos a
£0- 4-0
] Sarvayors Cumpas
0- 1-0
] 2 Mills Stones a 30/
3- 0-0
] 591 Bushels of Corn a /4
9-17-0
To] 2Hh d :ofRum a 6/
0-12-0
To] 1 Barlof Beer a 1/6
0- 1-6
To] 1 Canestar of Tea a 1/
0- 1-0
]or Being Detained at
A]lbany 6 Day on
~
6- 0-0
19-16- 6
a]ccount of the Corn
4] Barlsof pork a 1/6
0- 6-0
] carting of Samea York
0- 2-0
] To 20 Barls of Syder a 1/6
1-10-0
] To 1 Case of Dry Goods 2/
0- 2-0
] To 4 Loads to Schonac-
tady 10/
2- 0-0
] To 1 Hh d : of Spirits a 6/
0- 6-0
] To 1 Box of Dry goods c
i 4/
0- 4-0
4-10-
] To 3 Barls of Syder a 1/6 0-4-6
] To 1 pipe of Wine a 8/ 0- 8-0
] To Carting of Same a York 0- 2-9
To] 500 Bushals of Corn a /4 8- 6-8
To] 1 Negroman passage & keeping 0-12-0
4] Barls of pork a 1/6 0- 6-0
2 C]aggs a /9 0- 1-6
]igsSet In Mold 0- 1-0
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 373
Car] ting of Same a York 0- 1-6
[ ] Barls of pork a 1/6 0-9-0 10-12-11
£34-19- 5
[ ] 6 th . February 1 770 Then Rec d . [
] the above in full as also in full [
stant as Witness my [ ]
[Barent] Van Alen
indorsed: [ ]
1770 £3 [4-19-5]
BILL OF PETER W. DOUW
A. D.
Febn>. 6*. 1770
[Al]bany 26 April 1769
Sir W m . Johnston D r
To Peter W. Douw
To fraight of 1 Box a 1/ 0. . 1 . .0
To 2 Bundels of Trees a 2/ p r . . . . 0. . 4. .0
To 1 Small Bundel a 6 d 0. . 0. .6
[ ]16.. To 4 Barls of Nails a 3/ p' 0..12..0
To 4 Boxes of Glass a 9 d 0. . 3. .0
To 1 Hh d . Earthen wear 6/ . . 6 . .
To 1 Cag white lead a 6 d & 2 gogs
a 6 d 0.. 1..6
To 2 Boxes dry goods a 9 d p r - . . 1 . . 6
£1.. 9. .6
Feb r y. 6 th . 1 770 Rec d . the above Sum on
Ace*, of P. W Dow p r Barent Van Alen
INDORSED: Peter W. Douw
Ace*. & recp*. 6 th . Feb?.
1770. £1.9.6
374 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S.
New York 7 February 1770
[De]ar Sir
I arrived here last Night at 7 oClock, waited on Co 1 . Croghan
who I found laid up in the Gout. I delivered y r . Letter to Wal-
lace who kept me to Supper & was so kind to Go with me this
morning to Magra, who I found by his discription Confined by a
Complaint near Unto yours, this Evening I went for my
Answer found him at Work he seems to have much affection for
you & hope his prescription will be infallible, indeed every body
seem much concerned that have heard of your Ailing. M r . Wil-
liams made a point of my Supping with him where Rev ds .
Phillips, & Robinson, Dot rs . Mallet, Jones, Bruce, & another, I
dont know the name Supp'd, when Williams drank y r . health
they Spoke of you with Such affection that my Heart warmed to
them [all], for God sake preserve yourself for your friends
[You] can have no Idea how mankind are interested in [your]
Welfare, a proper Regimen will remove your Complaint [
love you best that wish you a bed at unseasonable hours, [
you] must excuse me but I must blame you, for being too [
to yourself, you think much of any expence you make
own] health; State the Case thus, that you are giving
] hundreds, then you'll not blame your
friends | ] to Spend something more than
you [ ]
I am advised by every body to take other advice [
Magra Stupid & doating, indeed he seems to me very [
I thought you had inclosed y r Case to M r . Wallace to be se[nt
to] M r . Morgan, wch made me wait on him immediately [on]
arrival, I had no Letter Amongst those you gave me f [or] Phila-
delphia 8 th : inst.
I have had a good deal of discourse with Magra [
he asked me if you bled at the Gums, if I knew what [ ]
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 375
State your blood was in, I answered I did not hear you [bled] at
the Gums, but I observed that twice after shaving, from touches
of the razor almost imperceptible you bled very [plen] tifully. he
then seem'd much pleased with the Opinion [ ] had wrote,
said he was Sure he had prescribed what wo[uld] have Effect,
that he would think himself a very bad man [if] he did not use
every endeavour to administer to your welf[are] he desired I
would mention the use of Horse Radish. mus[tard] & Scurvy
Crass desired you to dress them up [ ways, as may be
palatable, You have not mentiond [ the Wound you
received in y r Leg, I did. he said If had] pounded some
white salt & washed it with it, & aplly'd [it to the] wound when
Green it would have prevented the bl [ | it now has.
he says he will Write you more [ J you will Answer
him immediately & let [him know what] further Symptoms hap-
pen. You he says [ ] understand you, its trouble-
some to [ ] mber of pages where the number of
Words loose the use & meaning of the Writing
General Gage was dressing when I called yesterday, I saw him
to day he seems to blame the making the boundary with the
present disputes, that the Delwares are Jealous not having a Share
of the purchase money but his Letter will explain more fully. I
had not time to mention any thing of my own affairs, nor did he,
as we both were desirous the Express should not be delay'd he
wishes you would take Doctor Johnson's advice, would not have
any delay, he seems very desirous of your Recovery
There is a vas deal of News in the Boston paper I could only
get a Glympse of it at Gaines, but he promised to write you the
heads of it. I also desired Rivington who promises also to write
you.
Your Friend Lord Chelburn is in the Ministry again I hope
he'll pursue the former plan
I shall if I receive your Letters, set out in the Brittannia, if she
goes sooner than the packet, however that will depend entirely
upon the Letters I hope to Receive from you.
376 Sir William Johnson Papers
Tho I am Out of Employ I have many Visitors, I was
[afraid] party affairs might have decreased my Friends |
] but I find by their Visits & Cards as many as before
] excuse them for a day or two. I remain with the
[ sincerity of heart, your well wisher &
Dear Sir Your most oblidged
affectionate humble Servant
[ ]&
Whilst B Roberts
[ i
INDORSED: [New York Feb r >\ 7 1 770]
U. Roberts [Letter]
& Express
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New york Feb r ». 8 th . 1770
Dear Sir,
Hearing that a Person goes this Day for Johnson-Hall, I take
that opportunity to acknowledge your Letter of 30 th . Ul mo . by
M r : Roberts. You mention your Concern to find the Expences
for the proposed Meeting can not be Safely incurred without an
Application at home, as the Design of the Indians in desiring the
Congress will not admit of Such Delay, &c a . In my Letter to
you of the 1 4 th Ul mo . I gave you my opinion in what Manner it is
proper to proceed when the Service requires extraordinary Ex-
pences to be incurred. Nor do I See how it is to occasion any
Delay in the Meeting, but a Delay only of three or four Months
in discharging the Expences of it. I shall relate what you have
Said to me on the occasion, but it will be your particular Business
to lay the critical Situation of our Indian affairs before His
Majesty's Ministers, to shew them the absolute Necessity you are
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 377
under to contract these Extraordinary Expences beyond the allow-
ance fixed for your Department. To satisfy them that they are
unavoidable at this Juncture, and to desire that Orders may be
transmitted to defray them, a Packet is daily expected, and you
can't be too expeditious in Sending your Dispatches to this Pur-
pose to your Correspondent in this Place, or to my Office, from
whence they shall be carefully forwarded.
I am truely concerned to hear by M r . Roberts of your ill state
of Health, Sincerely wishing I may shortly learn better accounts
of you as I am with great Regard.
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R . W M . Johnson Bar*.
INDORSED: N York 8 th . Febr?. 1770
Genr'. Gages Letter
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. 5.
[TV York February] 8, 1770
[Sir]
[I am] really concerned, Sir William [
L l Roberts of your Indisposition. I [grea]tly wish this Epistle
may find you [in good] health again.
[With] greatest Hurry I have scribbled the [inclos]ed which
gives the state of things [ J down to y e I st of January.
] agrely on Lord Dunmores 1 appoint [ment] to the
Government of New York.
1 John Murray, Earl of Dunmore was governor of New York from
October 19, 1770 to July 9, 1771. His commission was dated
January 2, 1 770.
378
Sir William Johnson Papers
[M]y Humble Respects to S. John, [ ] Guy & Cap 1
Claus & I am
Sir William
Your faithfull Servant
[Feby.] 8 1770 Ja s Rivington
indorsed: [N] York 8 th . Feb r y. 1770
Sor Willem Johnson
Voor Vracht op
To 2 baalle boome
Voor carre
[Ja s .] Rivingtons Letter
[wi]th Enclosures
volkart dawson's receipt
A. D. S.
[Feb. 8] 1770
Albany Aprel 1 6, 1 765
D r .
aen Volkart Dawson
[ ]
at 6/
[ ]
[£ 0. . 12. .-]
INDORSED:
[Feb. 8] 1 770 Reed the Within Sum in f [ull]
Volkart Dawson
Translation
VOLKART DAWSON'S RECEIPT
Sir William Johnson
For Freight
to 2 bags of beans
For carting
A. D. 5.
[Feb. 8] 1770
Albany, April 1 6, 1 765
D'
to Volkart Dawson
[ ]
at 6/
[ ]
[£ 0..12..-]
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 379
FROM AN OQUAGA INDIAN
A. L. S.
Onohoquage. Feb: 9: 1770
Brother & chief &c — I Salute You & hope you be in good
health as I am. Tho I am in trouble for my wife & her family
On Account Of their Loss. They Are in great trouble for The
Loss of a relation of my wifes Brothers Son — My Wife & her
Sister Are Desirous of a Black Stroud for Each of Them that is
The Wife of Nichlass Which if you Could handily give I Would
take it As a Great favour as it is not in My power at present to
Procure Neither Did I Ever intend to trouble You beyond Your
Own Pleasure : but as This Ocation calls for what is not in my
power & the Women Are Exceeding Desirous I Should beg The
favour, Which if not convenient for You, I shall not Think hard,
as You have Always Shewn Your friend ship beyond What I
could Expect My Wife & her Sister Salute, Miss Molly, and
[all] our family —
I Salute Your family & hope They may be in health I Still
remain Your Friend
Peter. Ogwitontongwas
Or. Little peter
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon ble Sir
William Johnson & —
att
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 Letter from an
Oghquagae Cheif —
March 1 770
1 In Johnson's hand.
380 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM PETER SILVESTER
A. L. S.
Albany the 9 l K February 1770
Sir,
This day I was honored with Your favor of yesterdays date.
The action against Hugh Deniston has been long depending and
I have had a right since last January Term to commence a suit
against the sheriff he having returned him in Custody on an
execution But the money being now secured in consequence of
your engagement I can wait the time proposed — I believe with-
out Incurring the displeasure of my clients
I Inclose the list you desired and am Sir
Your most obedient
There] is some probability of a & very Hunble
Court of] oyer & Terminer before Servant
] is over I am told P SILVESTER
] has already been made
] or for a Commission
]
TO LORD HILLSBOROUGH AND CADWALLADER COLDEN
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 444, are listed three letters: one of
February 9th to the Earl of Hillsborough, regarding the retention of
Major Gorham as deputy agent for Nova Scotia and Lieutenant Benja-
min Roberts's services and deserts (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:964;
Q, 2:558) ; one of the 9th to Lieutenant Governor Colden, congratulat-
ing on increase of salary, discussing militia reform, proposing the forma-
tion of regiments south of the Manor of Ranslaer and in Ulster and
Dutchess and considering the appointment of new magistrates in the
county, the swearing in of officers and a concerted plan for Indian trade
(printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y., 2:965-67; Q, 2:559-60); and one of
the 1 0th to the Earl of Hillsborough on the action of the Cherokees in
the congress at Onondaga, a proposed meeting of the Six Nations, the
expense, the policy of permitting the Indians to "Cut each others Throats"
and continued lawlessness on the frontier (printed in Doc. Hist. N. Y.,
2:967-69; Q, 2:560-61 and Doc. Rel. to Col. Hist. N. Y.,
8:203-4).
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 381
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
Schenectady 10 th . February 1770
[Dear] Sir
Some time ago Colo 1 . Johnson informed me [that] you intended
to let me have 1 0,000 Acres of Land in Patent [ ] nk lying
to the North of Johnson Hall, I at same [time] told Colo 1 . John-
son that I shou'd willingly accept of | or any other You
shou'd recommend & immediately there [ I Just hinted
something of the same kind to you at the Hall [whe]n I had the
Pleasure to see you last week I judged it [not] proper to enter
upon that business on acco 1 . of your indis[posi]tion, which with
much satisfaction I now learn from M r . [Con] stable you are get-
ting the better of. What I am now to [trou]ble you with is to
enquire some few particulars respecting [ ] and which
I will be glad to be resolved in when Convenient [In the fir]st
place I shou'd like to know if the Land is survey'd [
to receive my proportion in Lotts or altogether [ &]
if the latter at what Part of the Tract. I also want [
wh]at it will cost & if it will be inconvenient for you [not to
make] the Paym'. untill June or July next when it wou'd sute me
much better than just now, as by that time re [turns] will be come
to hand from the westward. It woul'd [be] a further satisfac-
tion cou'd I obtain any Character [as to] the quality of the
Lands, this I mean particularly | ] give my friend M r . Morison
every information in my [power]
In about twelve days hence M r . Ellice & I intfend] to under-
take our journey to N: York shou'd you think of any thing we
can serve you in when there be so good as Command [us.]
When you find it Convenient to send an order for Joh[nston's
| £1 16:1 :5 we Shall be obliged to You, as we have a
382 Sir William Johnson Papers
great m[any] Cash Articles to provide when below
I have the honor to be with much respect
Sir
Your most obed' & much oblig [
Hum e Serv 1
James P[hyn]
The Honb e . SlR W M JOHNSON
Baronet
INDORSED: 1 [Schenectady Feb^. 10 1770]
M r . Phyns letter
Ans rd . y e . 1 4 th . & Sent him
a Draft on M r . Mortier
for £162.. 18.. 7
for Col Claus & Johnston the
Smith. & that I would
next Spring be better able to
give him an Ans r . regards, the
Land than I can at psent —
Either at Scohare, or in the
Northeren Tract
TO BENJAMIN ROBERTS
Df. 2
Johnson hallFehK W ih . 1770
Dear Sir
The Express being waiting I have only time to Send you the
inclosed for Lord Hillsborough wherein I have told him of you
and your Services in the most favorable Manner I Could and
after acquainting him that you was to be the bearer of it I con-
clude with these Words "An honor which I could not refuse him
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 383
because during the time he was employed he faithfully & dili-
gently discharged his duty & had he met with the Necessary Sup-
port would have proved of great use in that Country, I know
that I cannot give him a higher recommendation to your Lordship
than by saying that he was a faithfull Servant to the Crown."
I also inclose you another Letter to his Lordship on publick
affairs, which I daresay you will take good Care of & deliver
Safe, and heartily Wishing you a Safe Voyage & all possible
Success I remain D r Sir
Your Sincere friend
& Very humble Servt.
]ur departure I find
] thing better,
glad] to hear from
| opportunity.
FROM SAMUEL TOUCHET AND OTHERS
L. S.
London 10 th . Febry 1770
Sir
M r . Henry Bostwick having informed us that it would be
agreable to You to take a Share in the proposed patent for a Com-
pany to work Mines in & round Lake Superior, We have Au-
thority from all the parties concerned therein to Assure You they
shall think it an honour to have you concern'd with' em therein.
The King & Council have referred all proceedings to the At-
torney & Sollicitor General for their Report upon the powers we
have asked in the patent, Which, we have no doubt will be
favourable, & that we shall soon obtain our Charter. Under
these Expectations we have been at the Expence of sending out
M r . Bostwick & M r . Baxter to explore the Lake & have already
advanced for each Share being in all 28/£35 IP Share, and hav-
ing also agreed to advance farther £20 upon each Share in order
384 Sir William Johnson Papers
to forward such necessaries as may be wanted upon the Lake the
ensuing Summer we are obliged to call upon all the parties for
their proportion, & as We are appointed the Committee for the
Concerned We must beg the favour of You to pay to the Order
of M r : Alex r : Baxter our Agent, who will write You herewith,
the sum of £55 Sterling when and in such manner as it may be
most convenient to him,
We are most Respectfully
Sir
Your Obed 1 . Serv*.
Sam Touchet
Alex Baxter
Joshua Readshaw
Martin Kuyck van Mierop
Jn Townson
INDORSED: 1 London 10 th . Feb 1 ?. 1770
Letter from Sam 1 . Touchet
Esq r . & ca . desireing me
to pay £55 Sterk to Baxter
& Bostwick as my Share of
Some Charges accrued in
Searching for Mines 2 ] ca .
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In 1 739 the Jesuit, Francois Nau, in a letter from Sault St Louis,
mentioning the discovery of an inexhaustible copper mine on the shores
of Lake Superior, at a distance of 700 leagues, expressed the opinion
that the profits would never be large because of the cost of transporting
the metal.— Archives de Quebec, Rapport de UArchiviste de la Pro-
vince de Quebec) pour 1926-1927, p. 307.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 385
TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Johnson Hall, February 10, 1770
I have received your has Likewise received &
Communicated | ] papers you addressed to him which
] fully Explained the Affair & I have accordingly
] the matter to the L'. Gov r . that it may be settled
| Most agreable to the people, as from the State [
I Cannot but approve of the forming two Regiments [
and in Case it meets with the Governors approbation the [
way in my opinion for getting the most fitting persons [
Officers will be to write me on the Subject, recommending [the]
persons best Qualified, and the Letter to be Subscribed by some
of the Principal Inhabitants of your Township, — My pres[ent]
hurry will not by any means permit me to enlarge on this Subject,
but you may be assured that as I have the Welf[are] of your
Township much at heart, I shall not Omit any occa[sion] that
may offer for promoting it and putting affairs there on the best
and most Agreable footing in my power.
I am with Esteem
Sir
indorsed: Feby 10 th . 1770
To H. V. Schaack Esq r .
FROM WILLIAM NEWTON
A. L. S.
New York 12: February 1770
Sir,
M r : Mortier being in the Country, I take the liberty [of] In-
closing you the Generals Warrant in your favor dated 31*. of
January last for £ 184:3-1 1, Sterling, with three Receipts as
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
13
386 Sir William Johnson Papers
usual for your Signature, which was sent here from his office three
days ago, — Should it be Convenient for you to draw for your
ballance or near it at Present, M r Mortier would be Glad, as a
Sum is laid by for that Purpose, which should any Pressing de-
mand soon become due, it might render it difficult to keep.
I am with great Regard,
Sir,
Your most Obedient, and
most Humble Servant,
W M . Newton
[Sir W m .] Johnson Baronet
indorsed: 1 N York 12*. Feb**. 1770
M r . Mortiers Letter
w th . a War 1 . recp ts . &ca
for £184.. 3.. 11 Ster'g.
being Col. Clau's accts
Ans rd . 2 1 sl . Ins 1 .
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 12th Feby. 1770
[Sir]
It gives me very great Pleasure to receive another Letter from
you, by the Accounts Roberts has given me of you I was afraid
you was too much indisposed to be able to write to any Body —
enclosed you have an Account of the Articles you have order'd,
for which please to give me Credit — Hamiltons Toothache
Medicine was Sent on Saturday by M r Thomas Shipboy, who
will take Care to Send it you by some Safe Conveyance & the
other Things Shall go this Day by the Post to the address of
Cartwright.
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 387
I observe what you Say about the Concern Daniel Deniston
had in the Oneida purchase, in Answer to which I have now to
advise you that 16,000 Acres of that purchase has been long
advised to be granted to M r Oliver DeLancey & the Widdow
Graham but neither of them have as yet taken out their Patents,
M r Daniel Denistons Share was included in the Above Quantity
owing to his taking no Methods to engage for the Fees of patent
along with Some other persons who applyd to me for that purpose
however I am told M r DeLancey will give it up on Application
I shall See him this Week & shall mention the Matter to him
Daniel Denistons fees will come to about £70 — You tell me He
has paid the Purchase Money & Surveying Expences in his Life
Time, which is indeed very true but the Money for that purpose
was lent him by M r William Proctor in this Town [who] I find
has applyd to the office for Letters of Administration |
Securing his Money on Deniston's Estate — I have applyd to
[M r ] Proctor & have prevaild on him to be quiet about this
majtter untill I shoud hear from you about, which He is
very [ ] to do, firmly relying on your Honor in the
Matter [ ] I might presume to Say any thing
about it without Jtation of Impertinence, I must
confess it appears to [ ] poor Proctor, that
he Shoud be deprived of [ ] which was lent
out of pure Good will to Deniston and without this piece of Kind-
ness in Proctor, it is very pr[obable] Deniston would not have
had it in his power to have paid [ ] for the purchase or
any thing Else about the Concern, [ ] Truth of this Mat-
ter Proctor desires I will referr you to [ ] Silvester in Albany
who has in his Hands the Original pap [ers] relative to the Trans-
actions; Proctor had much rather you [woud] Administer than
He; but He desires me to begg You will be | | to do what
you Can to Secure his mon<-y for him in the b[est] manner you
Can, which He Says He is very willing to ref [er] to Yourself —
I therefore begg You will instruct me what I [am to] Say to
Him on this Head
388 Sir William Johnson Papers
Croghan is in Town Sure Enough Poor Man, He is now con-
find to His Bed & has been for some time past [with] a pretty
Severe Paroxism of the Gout, which He bears like [a] Lamb and
instead of Swearing like a Trooper as Some Reprobates would
do under Such intolerable Pains — He, on the Contrary Poor
Soul, does nothing but pray and talk about the Sufferings of the
Inner Man, which He thinks far more [of] than those of the
Body — the poor Gentleman has sometimes a few Qualms about
the Tricks of his Youth, which Now [& then] come out with
heavy Sighs & Groans — in Short it woud [do you] a world of
good to hear him talk when perchance a T[winge] catches him
by the great Toe.
My Wife joins me in Sincere Respect to You [
believe me to be with great Truth
Sir your most Hble Serv[ant]
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bart
Johnson Hall
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S.
New York, 12 Feb*. 1770
Dear Sir
I most heartily rejoice to hear of your Amendment, I just now
have told that good news to Doc r Magra who desires me to testifie
his Satisfaction thereon
I have not yet had An Oppertunity of laying my Accounts
before the General I have waited on the Governor about the
Location for Capt Claus & me he & M r . Banyar say it would be
necessary that you should mention in Letter that may be laid be-
fore the Councill in Case of any objection, that you & the other
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 389
proprietors in the Purchase, of Achilles Preston & others, 1 are
content & agree that we locate on them Grounds, which I pray
you may send by the return of the Post. Capt McLeod dont
seem inclined to locate on that Spot as the Land, he thinks scarce
worth while
I hope S r . as you was so Kind to tell me You would not have
any objection to my being [conc]erned in that purchase you
would reserve 5000 Acres, & make a Minit or
memorandum
M r Corny. Leake & others have petitioned [
pur] chase a Large tract of Land running [
Branches of the Hudson River back north of your late purchase.
I was | | opposite Side of the West Branch would not
till I came back as perhaps I might be off[ered a]
mandamus for Land.
I find by M r . Wallace & others that Rog[ers" is] making a
noise in England, he might keep me [in] hot Water if I have not
Such Letters from you [as] may gain me protection.
Every body seem pleased at the Confinement [of the] Amer-
ican Wilkes 1 Except M r . Scot & some few who Visit him, its
thought for fear he'd Squeal [ ] are sending about printed
Cards, & doggerel Verse [ ] both Sides, a paper Called,
the Outlines Ab[ ] by the Name of Sawny. M c . Milk-
man, as [ ] formerly Carried buckets of Milk.
The was a concert a Friday last a Man p[layed] on the
French horn as sweet as the Voice itself. Capt Campbell Of the
Ilinois, being at the [point of] death in the House hinderd the
Ladies [ ]
1 See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 468, 469 and Calendar of Coun-
cil Minutes, p. 540, 549.
- In the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass. is Roger's
journal of proceedings with the Indians at Michilimackinac. — Manu-
script Records of the French and Indian War, prepared by Charles
Henry Lincoln.
3 Alexander McDougall, later a general in the Revolution.
390 Sir William Johnson Papers
I have no more to add but my [ for your family'
Welfare & am
Your [ ]
[ ]
ADDRESSED: To
The Honourable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at Johnson Hall
His Majesty's Service
TO THOMAS BARTON
Johnson hall Feb* 1 6 l K 1770
Dear Sir/
It was not till the arrival of the last post that I was favored with
your Letter of the 6 th . Nov r . — M r . William Andrews Mentioned
as the Bearer was indeed here in Dec r . but never Mentioned any
thing of it tho' he brot me other Letters, The day before yester-
day I rec d . a Letter from him from N York from whence he is
sailed for Europe, wherein he inclosed yours.
M r . Andrews When here expressed a desire for the Mission at
Schenectady and as he is related to a principal Inhabitant of that
place, It will be a Circumstance much in his favor and the
means of promoting the ends of his Appointment, so that I think
he will Answer very well & I have given him my recommenda-
tion to the society —
After the Fort Stanwix Treaty, I wrote M r . Smith on a Sub-
ject in which you were both concerned, namely about a Tract of
Land, I have not been able to find any that would Answer you,
The only Tract in which I was concerned in any of their pur-
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 391
chased Lands lyes to the Northward, & upon Examinat n . Con-
sists of so much rough Land that a Small Tract could not be
obtained without culling it out which those concerned would not
allow of — Last Summer I wrote yourself, on the subject of the
Missions here & concerning some Young persons bred at Phila-
delphia that had been recommended to me by M r . Peters, to Sup-
ply them, but Never received your Answer, I am so fully per-
suaded of the Sincerity of your professions of Esteem for me that
I did not Impute your Silence to Any Neglect, and you may be
Assured that there is not the Least grounds for your attribute,
mine at any time to the endeavors of any person w h soever my
Indisposition Last Year, & the Hurry of business on my return
from the seaside, Interrupted my Correspondence with you for
altho' I may not Always even when I have Leisure have a Sub-
ject to Write on, I esteem your Correspondence so much that I
would willingly say something to you, whenever I could, and this
you may be assured of that no attempts have been made to Lessen
you in my Esteem, or if there had, my friendship is not to be so
easily removed, on the Contrary I shall always be happy to See
or hear from you whenever either is Convenient, being
with great regard
D r Sir
The Rev d . M r Barton
INDORSED: Feb? 16 th 1770
To the Rev d . M r - Barton.
TO CHARLES INGLIS
D/. 1
Johnson hall Feby 16 lh 1770
Sir,
I am much pleased at the occasion which has Introduced a
Correspondence with a Gentleman whose Character I much
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
392 Sir William Johnson Papers
esteem, and I am much obliged to you for the favorable opinion
you have of me & of my regard for the Interests of the Church of
England. — I have indeed taken some pains as well to promote
its interests as to recomend them to the favorable attention of
Government, and I heartily wish it may in the end be successfull,
with this View Missions at Albany, Schenectady, The Mohocks &
this place have been recommended, the necessity of them shewn,
and they have been fully approved of, but the three last are still
Vacant, as we have not been able hitherto to procure Missionaries
owing to the Want of Ordination here & the Scarcity of Clergy-
men in England, as I find from the Societys Letters that there are
scarcely enough to serve the sev 1 . Cures there, this is a Very un-
lucky Circumstance for the Church here, & altho the sallarys are
lower than I could wish them, yet considering the very scanty
allowance for some of the Clergy in England, I attribute the want
of Missionaries here as much to the Want of Men in Orders as
to the Low Salb, and I am Certain that since the purchase of D r .
Barclays house & farm, A Missionary in possession of that might
do tolerably well with the Allowance from the society at Least
better than he could at many of the Missions on the sea Coast. —
I have heard of the Appointment of the popish Missionary in
Nova Scotia, I understand he was Sent there by Gov r . Carleton
who seemed to think it necessary, be it as it will I think that the
Conciliating the Affections of the Tribes there is an object of
much Less consequence than in this quarter where the Nations are
in every respect intitled to much superior attention, however I
fear that any recomendations, or other motives which may have
induced Gov', to settle the Missionary there will not incline them
to settle any this way on considering the plan of oeconomy now
adopted, and altho I shall take an opportunity of mentioning this
Matter to his Majestys Ministers in a becoming manner, yet I
am very doubtfull of the Success for a variety of reasons too
tedious to Mention —
I am so sensible of the Weight and Justice of your Observa-
tions on the subject that I cannot help taking part in it and doing
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 393
what is in my power to shew the reasonableness of Governments
attention to these Matters in the Mean time I hope that the Vener-
able Society & Clergy will Continue their endeavors to procure
the necessary Missionaries. —
I am Glad to hear that M r Andrews is sailed and think he will
Answer very well for one of the Missions particularly Schenec-
tady where he has some Friends, that can by their countenancing
him, render him of more use there than almost any other who
should come as a Stranger to that place. —
I shall be always Glad of any opportunity of testifying how
much I am, with Esteem
Sir &c
The Rev d . M r . Inglis
indorsed: Feby. 16 th 1770.
To the Rev d . M r . Chas s . Inglis.
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
[Kinderhook] 16 February 1770
[Sir]
I had the Honor a few Days ago to receive your very obliging
Letter of the 10th Instant. — If the Governor forms the Militia
here upon the [officer] ing you have been pleased to recommend
we shall immediately recommend the [of]ficers in the way you
desire: In doing this be assured Sir that the leading [pe]ople here
and those who have the welfare of the Township at heart will
] d up many things for Securing and perpetuating the union
which has latterly [taken] place here, the People have Seen their
danger and they are determined to [ ] in the
opposition to their Enemies. My B r . Writes me that the Gover-
nor after laying our Petition &c before the Council had deter-
mined to [ask] Col°. R. . . .r for a State of the Regiment and
return of the Commissions that he had resolved to Create two
Regiments between the Manor of Livingston [and] Rensselaer
394
Sir William Johnson Papers
— If a Return of the Commissions is truely made it will be a
[very] curious one, if an erroneous one is made the maker will be
detected as the [Gove]rnor has materials to enable him for a de-
tection. I am very apprehensive Jill be in no hurry to
make the returns in hopes of a Change in the Government.
] with the truest Love & Respect
Sir
Your most obedient
& obliged humble servant
[ ] begs her respectful H V ScHAACK
] and She would be
] — You was pleased
] me leave to put
] Request to
[ ]
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [Kinderhook 1 6 Feb r y. 1770]
[H. V Scha]ack Esq r .
[Lett]er
FROM JOHN MONIER
A. L. S.
Albany 1 6 lh February 1770
Sir,
I now inclose your Vouchers for the provisions I Issued this day
to the Eusopus Indians, which Vouchers you will be good enough
to Sign and to Transmit me as soon as convenient, as I shoud like
to have this Voucher included in my Accounts to the 24 th .
Current
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 395
I have been desired to have my Provisions now Remaining in
Store Cooperd, and Ready in case you shoud send for it, which
is now done, say about
50 Barrels Flour
& 20 odd Barrels Pork,
I am with great Respect
Sir
Your most Obd' Serv 1 .
Jn°. Monier.
[WiJlliam Johnson Bar 1 .
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnson Bar',
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
[M'. ]
TO JOHN WELLES
Df. 1
Johnson hallFefc I6 ih . 1770
[Sl]R
I lately rec d . your Letter of Nov r last and I recollect your
having formerly wrote to me on the Subjects you Mention in
which or any thing in my power I should be glad to afford you
my Services
The pot and pearl Ash Manufactory has been for [some]
years Carried on upon My Estate at a little Town I am erecting a
mile from hence, and the Business has succeeded extremely well.
M r . Adems who carries it on now in the place of him who began
it is assisted with proper German Workmen who make it so good
that it Generally bears the first price, and the Situation here
amongst a large Number of Tenants constantly clearing lands
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
396 Sir William Johnson Papers
gives it the Advantage of many others. — but as Adems carries it
on entirely on his own accot and I have very little leisure to at-
tend to matters of that Nature I know little or nothing of the
process. This much I have observed that it is very Simple,
The Salts are Extracted by putting the Ashes into Tubs and pour-
ing water on it which is Carried off by Cocks fixed in them, and
as for the dimensions of Kettles &a I apprehend there is not the
least necessity to be at the Expence you Mention, any more than
there is for Iron hearths as the Superior Quality of that made
here will Shew which is done [ ] Brick Hearths, In short the
principal thing is to get [ ] honest Men well acquainted with
the practical part, which as [I have] observed is so easy that had
you an opportunity of seeing it [ | on here you would Soon
understand it sufficiently to be guarded [from] future Imposition,
however I shall see to procure you the | | send it as soon
as my leisure will permit —
[I] Assure you that you need have no doubt of my friendly
regards [ ] for you, Tho the Distance & Variety of
buisness may corresp] ondence, the Sentiments of every
body here continue [ ] but doubtless Letters
will at sometimes miscarry [ ] you the begins,
of 1 768 In ans r . to a Letter of y r [ he] de-
sires his kind Compliments to you, as do [
for your Success Sir,
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
A. L. S. 1
Albany 18*. Feb'. 1770
D R . Sir
I have but just time to acknowledge the Receipt of your
Favour of 14 th . ins'.; and to acquaint you that I have applied to
M r . Hun on the Subject you mentiond who immediately con-
1 In New York Historical Society, New York City.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 397
sented to your building any House you pleasd, but refused seling
any part. I am to have it from under his own Hand When I
will forward the same to you — I shall also write to Eusopus T ]
first opportunity about the Stones — I hope to be up within ten
days or a fortnight; in the mean time am Sir
Your most respectful
& Obed 1 . Serv 1 .
Sam l . Stringer
P. S: M rs . Stringer
presents her Comp ts . to you,
& please to make mine to
M r . Daily & Gamble
To Sir William Johnson
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
New York 19* Feb^v 1770
Sir
M r . Roberts arrived here some time ago with [mojst alarming
accounts of your bad state of health which gave great [un] easi-
ness to every body but to none so much as to Normand Ma Leod
[an]d his little Wife, but thank god we have since been informed
of [you]r recovery, I hope my Worthy Friend Col. Guy is also
recovered [T] here's little or no news here at present what make
the greatest [no]ise here is the Confinement of M r . MacDougal,
and the observation [of] one of the prisoner when MacDougal
was sent to jail which [was], Fine times indeed a son of liberty
sent to jail and the liberty [po]le put in Irons, 1 which are both
facts, you have heard before [n]ow of their Method of flinging
1 The fifth liberty pole was raised by John Lamb and others on
ground of their purchasing. It was cased two-thirds of its length in iron,
sunk 12 feet in the ground, and bore the inscription "Liberty and
property."
398 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Corporation who (refused them [gro]und to put up the
liberty Pole) by purchasing a spot of their [own] on which it is
now erected in spite of them, in consequence of there [
(I mean the Corporation) they published the enclos'd advertise-
ment [ s]end a News paper extraordinary which perhaps
you have not [seen] The Sons of liberty have also purchased a
House 1 I think from [ they wanted it to Celebrate the
anniversary of the repeal [of the stamp] act in it and to rent it
but Col. Morris would not rent it [ ] what he would sell
it for he answer'd £600 which was [ ] by 100 of
them who laid down their six pounds each There's an other
liberty Pole put up before this House with 45 [ ] on it which
was put up for my Country men to scratch themsel[ves] on. I
have this moment purchased the enclosed paper called Juni[us]
which they tell me is a very inflammatory piece as it is but just
co [me] out and the Post going away I have not time to read it.
I should be happy in hearing from some of your good family as
I [am] still oneasy about your wellfair
M rs Mac Leod sends you her most respectfull Compliments and
Joins me in Sending the same to all your Worthy Family
I am
Sir
With great esteem
Your most Humble
and most obedient Ser'.
Nor d . MacLeod
I am Just now informed that the scratching Pole for [my]
Country men was pulled down Saturday night not known [by]
whom
INDORSED: Feb r y. 19 th . 1770
Cap 1 . MacLeods letter
1 The Liberty Boys named their house, on Broadway, Hampden Hall
after John Hampden, the English patriot.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 399
FROM JAMES PHYN
A. L. S.
Schenectady 19 th February 1770
Sir
I am fav d . with your Obliging Letter of the | Inclos-
ing Your Bill on M r . Mortier for £162:18:7 ]/ 2 for which
[acce]pt of best thanks. I am much Obliged to you for your
offer [of] lands about Scohare if I determine to Purchase there
will acquaint you after my Return from NY — in the mean
[tim]e I send T° your express 2 tt Tea which is all we have [at]
present the River seems to be brakeing up therefore will [not]
detain Your Serv'. shou'd anything occurr that I can [do] for you
when below fav r me with a line
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Hum e . Serv'
James Phyn
[The Honb e .] SlR W M . JOHNSON Barn'.
ADDRESSED: To
To The Honorable Sir William Johnson
Baronet
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
Letter Feb^y. 19*. 1770
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S.
New York 19 February 1770
Sir
I received your most agreeable fav r . of the 10 Ins', with the
Inclosures, thanks are too poor for the Obligations you daily
400 Sir William Johnson Papers
Confer On me. I must wait Some favorable Oppertunity to
Convince you by Actions the Grattitude of my Heart.
Rivington has a most extrordinary Letter from London
which Says that Major Rogers was presented to His Majesty &
Kissed his hand, that he demanded redress & retalliation for his
Sufferings, the Minister asked what would Content him, he
desired to be made a Baronet, with a pension of £600 S*. ^ and
to be restored to his Government at Michilimackinak & to have
all his Accounts paid. M r . Fitzherbert is his particular friend
Rogers has got his Sallery from G:Carleten as Govern [or]
his Expences at Montreal & c . were paid him here, he has got
them again in England also his Acconts for his Expedition to the
NortWest
Stedman has presented large Accomts of losses & damages
Sustained, & is likely to have them paid [ ] I suppose &
shall find a Strong party against me [ ] . the fear of that
alone made me trouble you for [a recommen]dation, 'twould be
so dishonorable to see that [ ] notice of & I that have
served 13 years [ ] many Capacities em-
ploy'd, not taken [ ] wou'd be too great
for Our [ ]
Billy Bayard has Wrote that he was [ | to the King,
who said a great many flattering [ ] to him, he told his
Majesty, that he was one of [his] Majesty's best Subjects, but
that no favors hi [s Majes]ty could confer on him, would bribe
him to sel [1 the] Interest of his Country, 1 he adds that Lord
D [unmore] & he are to Come Out in the Same Ship in June
Lord Dunmore dont bring his family till he | ] how he
likes the Government, he is a very active M[an] Loves walk-
ing, & riding, & is a Sportsman
1 The members of the committee appointed October 1 8, 1 764, by the
New York assembly to correspond with other assemblies and with the
agent of New York at the British court in opposition to the Sugar Act
and other acts were Philip Livington, William Bayard, Leonard Lis-
penard, John Cruger and Robert R. Livingston.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 401
Billy Bayard, says that he himself goes by the [name] of the
plain American, he has not yet altered his [ ] dress
There is a paper Signed Junius printed from [an] English
paper, 1 at Boston which is the most Insolfent] possible against
his Majesty, in Short the would act as a Gentleman
Shake hands with the popfulace?] and conclude with saying a
revolution put the [Crown on] his head & a revolution & c —
The packet Sails a thursday if my [ ] wth I
expect by the return of Col Croghans [ ] Sail in
her. if not I shall go by a Lond[on ] Sails the 1 st of
March, I wish Adamfs ] here to send in her
'twould bring [
As the Clamor may be in fav r . [ ] think I
am unreasonable [ ] See Occasion add
| Ministry or some other friend
that may be usefull [ ] to Support me against the
oppression of party. I am
Dear Sir
] given my acc ts . Your most oblidged
[to the] general but have not Faitfull & humble Servant
] him since, I have attended
[sevjeral times B ROBERTS
[Rivington] I have desired to send you
[the particulars of his Letter also the paper
you was desirous to see our Rules
| Patrick I send you my book
1 The letters of Junius appeared in the Public Advertiser, which was
directed and published by Henry Sampson Woodfall. Their appearance
extended from January, 1 769 to January, 1 772, following a series and
preceding a series attributed to the same pen, though bearing different
pseudonyms. Critical examination of these anonymous satirical papers
haa led to the nearly unanimous opinion that the author was Sir Philip
Francis, a brilliant and embittered politician of that day.
402 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York Feb 19, 1770
[Sir]
[I expect] ed writing to you, Sir William, by M r [
as prevented.
[The inclosed] peice, published in London last Janua[ry
not help sending, it exhibits to you ]dness
the barefacedness of our political wri[ters] who are suffered thus
to affront the majesty [of Eng]land with impunity.
| news I sent up by M r Roberts's Express anticipated
all] that which the pacquet produced last week. [The
Co]mmons of Ireland, altho they have agreed [
augmentation of the Military Establishment, [have] not provided
a fund for paying it, and a | | of resistance is still ex-
pected. Flood' & [Pery ?], two mighty patriots, have aposta-
tized, [and] now Support the Ministerial measures. [Gener]al
Gage was on y e 17 th of November appointed to] the Govern-
ment of New York but before [his co]mmission was ready Lord
Dunmore [ ] & obtained it.
[It is thou]ght on y e Royal Exchange that Hostilities [are
al] ready commenced by France against our [Falkland] Settle-
ments.
| Sardinia threaten the Conquest of
] Embassador has left Berlin & the prussian
] a General war is expected this [ i]s
thought the Ministry will not | ]ment, the Duke of Rut-
land 2 & his | a] re leaving them in disgust.
one of y e 16 peers about 35 has eight
1 Henry Flood, an eminent Irish commoner, afterward member of the
English House of Commons, born in 1732, died in I 791.
2 John Manners, third Duke of Rutland.
:; Lord Dunmore was one of the 1 6 Scottish peers in the House of
Lords.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 403
]th child, he is a plain affable [
] and I fancy will prove no [
] an side in this City. We have (
Faction, a wretched demagogue
you must have ken[
We expect a Vessell from Bristol [ ] The transac-
tions of parliament &c [ forwarded as soon as she
arrives & I am [ ] of the particulars.
I am
Sir William,
Your most faithfull [
Ja Riving [ton]
S R . W M . Johnson Bar 1 .
The following is extracted from a Letter 1 [I received] P pacquet
from England
"Rogers talks very high of his Usage and d[emands] large
Terms, to be created an English Baronet [and have] Six hundred
pounds a year with a majority in t[he Army] or he would not be
Silent. They have given [him all] his pay as Governor of
Mischilimackinac [to this] time, but they have paid the accounts
of the Exp [edition and] Boats, he sent from the abovementioned
post [to make disco] veries in the back Countries, to one Carver. 2
M r [Fitzherbert, who] is his friend, says he will have Something
[for with his] cursed impudence he hums all the [great people
and] I firmly believe, he will succeed beyond [what every one in
Ame]rica, who knows him, could Expect."
ADDRESSED: To
S W m Johnson Bar 1
at
Johnson Hall
turned portions supplied from a copy printed in Journals of Major
Robert Rogers, ed. Franklin B. Hough, p. 257.
2 Jonathan Carver, an American traveler.
404 Sir William Johnson Papers
ALEXANDER MC KEE TO GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
Fort Pitt February 20 th 1770
Sir
On my arrival here found several Shawanese and Delaware
Chiefs waiting with impatience, and you will see by the enclosed
Copy of their Speeches to me the situation of their Minds, I
understand several of their people have been Killed last Year
which gives grounds to a great deal of their discontent particularly
as no Step has been taken to Condole with them agreeable to
their custom for their loss, another cause is the constant Practice
of Stealing their Horses in return for those carried off by the Six
Nation Indians from the white people, for I do not find that those
Nations have been Guilty of any outrage or this pernicous Prac-
tice, which will undoubtedly at last draw on broils that must
inevitably destroy the Friendship subsisting between them and us,
let their inclination be ever so great for Peace — , which I do not
find to be the case for I am informed there has been a Plan cer-
tainly on [foot] amongst them some Years past to strike the
English which [it] seems is not yet ripe for execution otherwise
they would not [so] tamely bear the injuries they so loudly com-
plain of without a [ but the prospect of the blow
falling more effectually when [ | western Nations
with the Southern Indians are brought into the League flatters
their revenge, and to this [ | I find they have had Deputies
again all the last Year throug[hout the] Western Nations as well
as amongst the Chickasaw's [and the] Cherokees to the South-
ward, the latter are returned with [an] account from the Chero-
kees that a Number of their Nation w[ill] be at the lower
Shawanese Town in the Spring to Council, [ ] occasioned
the Shawanese Chiefs to hurry home from this p [ost, ] Messengers
being sent for them, their other Deputies being also expected, and
the Great Meeting which those Nations ha[ve] been labouring
to bring about so long is certainly to take pi [ace] this Spring
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 405
when the Peace is to be finally settled between the Cherokees and
all the Western Indians, as the Wabash Confed[eracy] who
prevented its being finished last year are now reconcilled [to] the
Shawanese and they are brought into it so that they are now [
full hopes that nothing can interrupt them in accomplish [ing
designs, having had also three different Messages from the |
] on the other side of the Mississipi to encourage them to
] the English and one this Winter promising
them their [
This information I have had from one of their [
who likewise tells me that after this General Peace (
amongst them and all their differences amicably [
other, their intention is then to proceed to this pi [ace
a redress of such Greiviances as they have to [
and if they do not meet with a reparation that will be satisfactory
to them they are then to pursue their own measures. —
The bussiness of those Chiefs who have been here last summer &
Fall was to keep an Eye over the Conduct of the English and Six
Nation Indians as well as to keep their own people Quiet as any
rash proceeding from them might be detrimental to their gen-
eral Scheme, and this it seems was their reason likewise for not
joining the Six Nation Indians when called upon to strike tho'
they have the Wampum delivered them on this occasion still in
their Possession — ,It is certain that notwithstanding this seeming
Peacable disposition they are still laying up and have now a
greater Quantity of Amunition than they ever had before, Some
of them have acknowledged this to me saying it was their Duty to
provide for themselves while they saw us repairing our Fort, this
is a matter that gives them cause of Jealousy and is I understand
to be one of their first requests to have it demolished.
There will be undoubtedly a very great number of Indians
here the insuing Spring or Summer, and if measures are not fallen
upon to remove their uneasiness probably may be attended with
some [d]isagreeable consequences. — There is nothing else ma-
terial come to my knowlege since my arrival should any occur
406 Sir William Johnson Papers
while I am here I shall not delay to inform you in the
mean time I am Sir,
your most obedient & very
Humble Servant
Alex r . M c Kee
[ ]
INDORSED : [ ]
Inclosures
SPEECH OF RED HAWK 1
D.
Ten Shawanese among whom ware three of the principal Chiefs
of that Nation delivered the following Speeches — several Dela-
wares being present. The Red Hawk Speaker.
Brother,
The Alarming accounts so frequently brought to our Towns
from this Post, was the cause of our coming here last Summer as
the situation of things seemed to threaten our Peace with the most
dangerous Consequences and tho we did not give Credit to all the
bad News which we heard from you, thougt best to come and
speak with some of our Wise Brethren the English upon it, in
order to Stop if possible the public Breaches of our Friendship
then carried on — , but we are sorry to say that on our arrival
found all we heard was true and worse than even had been repre-
sented to us, for to our grief we have seen a continuation of the
same bad practices carried on before our Eyes ever since without
being able to stop them. Brother the black Clouds are gethered
so thick over us that we have lived in darkness for some time past,
but we hope soon to hear from [ou]r greatest and Wisest
Brethren amongst the English | ]n we expect they will aford
all the Assistance in their [pow]er to disperse those dark Clouds
that the Sun may [shine] once more in Peace and amity upon us,
1 Inclosed in letter of Alexander McKee to George Croghan, February
20, 1770.
Post-War Fbriod, 1 763-1 774 407
and that we [may be enjabled to preserve y e friendship so dear
to us our [ ] Children — , But we have reason to
fear that [ ] heard of our hazardous situa-
tion or [ King of England has
withdrawn the protection so often promised us in Co[uncil] and
by these Belts. —
They shew'd several Belts of [Wampum]
delivered to them by Sir William Joh [nson]
Brother
it is not our custom to complain of the injuries |
receive without first giving the transgressers time to consider]
upon them, but we have experienced it to be yours on |
least misconduct of any our foolish young Men, we |
our parts expect that when a Wicked Man commits a crime his
wisest Friends will apologize for him and make up the Breach
occasioned by his evil deeds contrary to their intentions. — Now
Brother it is almost two years since we have had an oppertunity of
hearing any of ou[r] wise Brethren the English speak in Council
and the abuses which we have to complain of daily increas[e]
without a probability of their meeting with any immediate] re-
dress from them.
Brother,
We have hitherto sat with patience and seen our |
taken Possession of by your people in Arms appearing [more]
like Warriors than friends they have Murdered and |
several of our Hunters and their families the [
of the disputes between them and the Six Nations [
say have sold you the Country) falls upon [ ] for
both their faults. — Brother the Six N [ations have no more] right
to sell the Country than we have ] made us
has alloted us a sepperate [ ] where he has
placed us to live ] Six Nations as
our elder Brethren and as such have listened to them while we
found their advice good, but their power extends no further with
us; they always deny to us having agreed to your taking posses-
408 Sir William Johnson Papers
sion of this Country and have sent us Wampum to join them in
striking your people for it to convince us of their disapprobation.
Our wisest Chiefs have had great trouble in preventing some of
our rash unthinking young Men from taking hold of the invitation,
particularly having had no satisfactory account of this matter from
you in Council concerns us very much and involves our Chiefs in
difficulties with the provocation given us by the people we look up
to be wronging us; Our Brethren the English have Laws
amongst them to guide the folly of their young people and Govern
the Wicked minded this is an advantage we have not, yet their
people pay less regard to justice than we do, but we must sup-
pose it is without y e knowledge of our wise Brethren. — The
Commanding Officer our Brother has been a Witness of every
thing that has passed [here] and no doubt will make a faithfull
representation [t] hereof. As we have spoke our Minds freely
we desire [you] to communicate what we have said to our father
[Sir] William Johnson, and likewise to our friend M r .
[Croghan] who we expect to see here in the Spring, & let him
]ill be Chiefs from the Southern Indians as
] the Western Nations to speak to him
] , nothing more to say but inform
you that we set off Home to Morrow and to request the attention
and serious consideration of our Wisest Brethen the English upon
what we have said.
INDORSED: [ ]
Shawanese |
FROM JOHN B. VAN EPS
A. L. S.
T , c Sunday 21 st . February J 770
Honered Sir y y
I Recevid Yours and whrote to M r Van Schaick to Send up
the Spindle by the furst Appurtunity I hoop Simon Brazen is up
with you before now as he Left this Tursday Last I understand
that M r Farrel Wade is up Your way I am in good hoops of
Post-War PeKiod, 1 763-1 774 409
Gitthing my twinty pounds from him Now as Coll: Clauss was
the Bearore of the 50 Dollers to him I am with harty wisshes
Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant
Jn° B V EPS
By the Bearor Comes a
Legg of Vinneson for
Mad m : Mally
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnston Bar 1
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
John B Van Eps Esq".
Letter
ADAM STARING S RECEIPT
A. D. S.
[Johnson] Hall 23^ Feby 1770 Then Red. of Sir William
[Johnson] B l . the Sum of Twenty pounds on Acc f . of [John]
Johnston Smith at Caiyua as Witness my [han]d
[ ] Adam Staring
indorsed: [ ]
[ i
on Ace 1 , of Jn°. Johnston
FROM JOHN DUNCAN
A. L. S.
SlR Hermitage, Fcbn>. 24 th . 1770
The late heavy rain Prevented M rs . Duncan & I doing
our [selves] the pleasure of waiting on you, being fully resolv'd
and the | fi]x'd, and as I am now makeing ready to Set out
for York, wee | a little longer postpone what we both
are Sorry for,
1 In Johnson's hand.
410 Sir William Johnson Papers
Amongst other things, I shall when below, am Certain from
] Is with [ ] e get the Pattent for the Land on your
rear [line] which has been almost too long undone, & as a bond
[for the] Lieu f . Gov rs . fees from Such of the Concern'd as can
] at Present raise cash Will answer that
wi]ll Cheifly be fixd by me, wou'd be
glade to [ wi]ll fix your Share for 5000, Acres
in like [ t] he rest, or if You'll give directions
to [ ] t it.
] I mention'd to Da : Colden 1 the [
my inclination to have Some [rank
] Eldest officer" of the [
]d be done, that [ I
might in that case apply to you, which at an [ | I intended
on Seeing you, and from your former [ ] and many Acts
of friendship almost innumerable both to] me & my Connections
Convinces me you will [have no] Objections, and if So, I beleive
the Lieu'. Gov[ernor] will have none, On my return from
York ] do mySelf the Hon r . to wait on you, And
[in] the mean time, with the Most Sincere [ ] of this
Small Family to you & yours [ 1 worthy
Sir
Your [ ]
ever obligd [
Jo[hn Duncan]
PS
A few lines in Ans r .
to me in York will
Much oblige
To
The Honble [
]
INDORSED: [
]
[
] 1770
1 David Colden, youngest son of Lieutenant Governor Colden, whose
private secretary he was. For sketch of family see Samuel W. Eager's
History of Orange County, p. 245—48.
2 John Duncan was commissioned November 6, 1 763 captain of
grenadiers, 2d battalion, Albany county.
Post-War Paiod, 1763-1774 411
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
A. L. S.
Albany 24 ih . Fete. 1770
Dear Sir
I was favourd with yours of the 22 d Ins 1 T^ [Maj r .] Fonda,
and have this day waited upon M r . Tho s : Hun, who I believe
will be satisfied with any thing that his Brother in Law, Philip
Lansingh agrees to (who is a part owner) at least he said he wou'd,
& seems to be sensible of the advantages that woud arise from
your building there. He was just going in the country, and M r .
Lansingh, who I afterwards called on was also from home, [so]
that I can get no further Answer until Monday, when I will make
it my Business to get a determinate one, which I will let you know
by the first Opportunity —
As you sent me no particular dimentions for the [Mi] 11 Stones,
I have orderd them to be rather larger than the [mid] die size —
The Ice is now thought too bad to venture upon,
therefore they cannot be got up until the River | | when,
as there are several of our Sloops now at Eusopus [which could]
get no farther last fall, you may depend they will [
first, I have engaged one of the Skippers to bring [
immediately forward them from here.
I wish you had sent me some Lines, or Boundaries of the
of Ground you want, which shoud be mentiond in
what [ever] Agreement is made —
I am sorry to hear that Gamble has b[een] long indisposed
with the Blues; I shoud be glad that | | wou[ld] introduce
him to some of his fair Penitents, by whose | he might
probably find means of being Restored; for [ appre-
hensive that so long a Paroxism, must be 1 I by a conges-
tion of prolific Humours 1 which again, is well know to ere [ate]
1 Words omitted.
412 Sir William Johnson Papers
Anxiety & Disorder in the Mind, & Body, by mea[ns] of a cer-
tain order of Nervs stiled Sympatheti[c]
If he chuses to be better informed of his sta[te I] woud refer
him to Col : Guy Johnson —
Please to give my Comp ts . to the whol [e | and
I am w fh : respect
D r . Sir
Y r . most [ ]
Sam [uel Stringer]
To Sir William Johnson
indorsed: [ ]
Doctor Stringers Letter
TO THOMAS GAGE
Df. 1
Johnson Hall Feb*. 24 th . 1770
Dear Sir,
I am favored with your Letter of the 8 th . Inst by the Convey-
ance you Sent it — Concerning the proposed Meeting, I have
already wrote to the Secy of State, & Stated the Necessity there is
for my agreeing to Meet the Indians & the difficulties I am under
from the unavoidable Expences that must attend it, observing that
as it must Exceed any thing that can be spared from the Allow-
ance for the Department, I must rely on the Governments reim-
bursing me on that head, and that I shall endeavor to Conduct,
myself In such a Manner as to make the Expences as little as
possible.
The point which induced me to State my Embarrassment to
you was Least after having taken up Goods &ca on my own
Credit the Government might not incline to pay for them, and as
this may for ought I know be still the Case, I must act very Cauti-
ously on the occasion, and in whatever manner the Meeting is
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 413
held, endeavor to Lessen their Expectations of presents as far as I
can with Safety.
I am Extremely Sensible of and much obliged to you [for] the
kind Concern you Express for my health, which is [some] thing
better Since M r Roberts's Departure, but as the [cause] remains
fixed, I must Expect frequent Severe returns [which I] fear can
be only palliated.
I am always with the greatest Truth
& Regard Dear Sir &ca
SAMUEL BALDWIN ET AL. TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
New Canaan 25 Febr$ 1770
[Sir]
As You have been good enough to Communicate [
there is a Strong Probability that a Regiment [will be rais]ed in
the district we belong to, and as you | ] er that the Sense
of the Township is like [ ] about the appointments of
officers — we [have] consulted with some of the principal people
[and] concluded upon the Inclosed list — which we [
you will forward to Sir William Johnson for | ]on — As
you and your Fathers Family [ ] men we doubt not but
you'll be so good as to [ ] Recommention with your
good offices — We [have c Jailed a Regular Town Meeting
upon this | fear of dessentions — We have therefore
[inse]rted Such Names, as we think will give most | If]
they should be appointed as if coming from the [
Johnson we dare Venture to say that the [ ] le will be
intirely satisfyd — The [ ] hereabouts intirely ac-
quiesce with y r . ]ntment of Cornelius Van
Schaack [Ab'm Van Alstyne and Peter] Vosburgh Esq", as
Field officers [ hope these matters will
Soon be brought to a Conclusion. ] minds of the
414
people from this [
pointmfents]
We Remain Respectfully
David Wright
Sir William Johnson Papers
] on account of the late ap-
Sir
Your Most [ ]
Sam ll Baldwin
William Warner
Solomon Deming
ADDRESSED: To
Henry Van Schaack Esq r
Kinderhook
PERSONS RECOMMENDED FOR MILITIA COMMISSIONS
A. D. S. 1
[List] of Persons Recommended [for] holding Commissions for
the [Tojwnship of New Canaan & New [Le]banon
Hezekiah Baldwin Captain
[A]sa Doughlass Jun r . 1 Lieu 1 .
William Warner Ju r . 2 D°.
David Wright Ju r . Ensign
Mathew Hawlley, Captain
1 L
eiu 1
Daniel Buck —
Aaron Kellogg — 2 D°.
Wallace Hurd Ensign
Thomas Skinner Cap'.
[E]lijah Skinner 1 Lei'.
[I]saac Harlow 2 D°.
[Job] — Thurston — Ens:
David Wright
Sam Baldwin
Comm[
William Warner
Solomon Deming
Inclosed in the preceding letter.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 415
RECEIPTED ACCOUNT OF HANNIS EMPEY
D. 5.
Rec d : of Johanes Empey forty thin bords and ten thick bords
open the order to Mr Snell for had no more to Spare
boards am', to 2 15
To Rideing of Stone timber and Bords
[To] five Days 8 s F 1 £2
1 29Sk:wheat3 F } 4 7
£9.. 2
Teb'y. 25'h. 1 770
Rec d . of Sir W Johnson Bar 1 , the
above acc f . in full —
his
Hannis — Empey
Mark
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S.
New York26Febv. 1770
Dear Sir
I am vastly uneasy least some indisposition has prevented you
or Any of the family writing to Any body here by the last post.
General Gage was so busy Answering his Letters by the
pacquet that I could not see him & by M r . Maturin's advice I
wait for a passage in the Brittania wch will sail without fail the
next week
Yesterday M r . Maturin told me the General Could not pay my
Accounts, that it was S r . W m . should have paid them, Maturin
acknowledged to hardship of the last Account falling upon me &
1 In Johnson's hand.
416 Sir William Johnson Papers
I convinced him of the necessity of the Expence Capt Glaziers
certificate will not be paid likewise for Interpreter Tucker. I
have also mislaid a Certificate of Capt Glaziers to myself for ab'
£2 1 so that I am Near £600 — Short of my Expectations, nor do
I know how to pay off money that has been advanced me, to sup-
port me against the nefarious parties in Canada
I cannot account for General Gages behaviour [to] me after the
Kind Letter you wrote him, & my [servjices & attachment to
him, he gives little encour[agem]ent to be his Friend. I suppose
when I [ ] England Rogers's party will attack
[ ] innumerable, I cannot retreat now [
sujpposed I was frightned if I changed |
] faith & dependance he's in your pro-
tection & friendship. are now Convinced that there
are pe[ople in] Service bad Enough to desert. I knew |
he is a handsome Sensible Villian [ almost as many
bad Actions as Roger [s ] much more Courage. If Rogers
is Reestablished after (?)] his Conduct in America, I suppose
I [shall be] punish'd for attempting to Stop his pr[actices. My]
Mind is far from being at Rest seing [how] I am received at head
Quarters
I mentiond to Colonel Claus [ ]nng a Line from you
concerning Our ] the Surveyor General will not give
Any [ ] he sees your consent in writing
The Chamber of Commerce 1 are go[ing to] get a Charter to
Establish themselves [ ] body which is a vast hurt to the
Lawyers [ ] of them are already going to live in the
[Country] for want of business, we hear that, Otis [may come]
from Boston to plead for M c Dougal.~
1 The New York Chamber of Commerce was founded on April 5,
1768, chartered by the King on March 13, 1770.
2 James Otis at that time was too far incapacitated, by the assault
made upon him in the preceding year by a customs officer, to be equal
to any great effort.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 417
I hope to have the happiness of hear[ing from you] before I
go, my adress in London will [be at the] Mess rs . Davies Strachan
& C°. [ ] I am with the most Gratefull [ ]
S*.
Your [ ]
[ ]
To
The Honorable
S r . W M . Johnson Ba[r f .]
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
[New York, February 26, 1770}
[Sir]
] rejoice most heartily to find you | ]y
letter; may you be soon perfectly | | your pristine
good health.
[The en]terprising Spirit of General O Reiley 1 New]
Orleans has called for the attention [of the c]ommander in chief
who has just [ord]ered a thousand Tons of Shipping to be got
[ready for] Sea directly to send the 16 th Regiment [in garr]ison
here, to pensacola 2 where they will [be un]der the Command of
Brig Haldimand [who wi]ll have some other Corps there to
watch the [ ] er of Gen 1 Reiley who is sensible, |
and, by nature, a Soldier.
[A ru]pture with the Southern Indians, expected |
Spring, and perhaps some other particulars [ J by the Last
pacquet may have occasioned [uneas]iness, more than Common,
in our General, | ]y thoughtfull & reserved. I believe
1 Count Alexander O'Reilly, Spanish governor of Louisiana, who
reduced a French uprising in New Orleans in 1 769 by drastic military
measures.
2 The 1 6th regiment sailed from New York for Pensacola on May
3d, 1770.
14
418 Sir William Johnson Papers
he [ | a War with one or both of our usual Euro[pean
fo]es. I had a private hint by the Halifax | | England.
]he Ministry had come to a Resolution of [
Command in America to another officer, [ ajny
reasons to the disadvantage of the pre [sent ], but be-
cause he had possessed it [ ]
| fancy, since one of the Enclosed [
at Johnson Hall, in [ ] I have Sent it.
] ents to S r . John Col Guy
am
humble Serv 1
[J AS. Rivington]
ADDRESSED: [To]
[Sir William Johnson] Bar 1
[at Johnson] Hall
[His Majesty's] Service
OFFICERS RECOMMENDED FOR A REGIMENT OF MILITIA
D.
Kinderhook 26 February 1 770
A list of officers Recommended to the Honorable Sir William
Johnson Baronet to be appointed for a Regiment of Militia to be
formed at Kinderhook and its Neighbourhood for the Township
of Kinderhook
Cornelis Van Schaack Colonel
Abraham Van Alstyne Lieu'. Colonel
Peter Vosburgh Major
Peter S. Van Alstyne Adjutant, with the Rank of
Lieu 1 .
Abraham Hugunine Quarter Master with the Rank of
Lieu'.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 419
Henry Van Schaack Captain
johanis L. Van Alen 1 Lieutenant
Franse Vosburgh 2 ditto
John Pruyn Ensign
Andries Witbeck Captain
Jacob Van Valkenburgh 1 Lieutenant
Abraham I. Van Alstyne . . . 2 d ditto
Silvester Salsberry Ensign
Dirck Goes Captain
Stephen Van Alen 1 Lieutenant
Johanis Van Deusen 2 d ditto
Ephraim Van Bueren Ensign
"S a
Sri *
France Van Bueren Captain
Johannis I. Vosburgh 1 Lieutenant
Petrus Gardinier 2 d ditto
Johanis D. Vosburgh Ensign
Myndert Vosburgh Captain
Johanis Pet rs . Vosburgh 1 Lieutenant
[Pe]trus Van Slycke 2 d ditto
[Johan]nis M. Van Alstyne. Ensign
[Cornelis] Van Schaack Ju r .. . Captain
[Melgert Van] Derpoele 1 Lieutenant
[Abraham Van] Derpoele. . . 2 ditto
[Dirck Gardenier] Ensign
Philip — Van Alstyne Captain
Barent Van Derpoele 1 Lieutenant
Lowrence Goes 2 d ditto
Isaac Van derpoele Ensign
420 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
New York the 26 ih Febm 1770
[Sir]
I have at present no News to trouble you with [the] Sickness
of my little Family Confines me to the House So | | that
I have not an Opportunity of geting any, however M r [Rivi]ng-
ton tells me he Sends you all the News and he is a much [better]
Correspondent in that way than I am, M r . Grace before he left
| told me that you was so good as get the hatts made by
your [hatter] for me into your possession, if so I'll be much
obliged to you [if yo]u'll send them down as soon as possible
that I may have them [made] fashionable. I hope to have the
pleasure of seeing you in per [feet] good health in two or three
weeks. I hope there's some prospect [of som]ething being done
in your Department that will save me [from] starving. If Col.
Croghan is with you give him my Comp ts . [Te] 11 him I committed
a great mistake in saying what I did [ | Concerning Phyn
and Ellice. M rs MacLeod sends you her [respe]ctfull Comp ,s
and Joins me in the same to all the [
I am
Sir
Your most obedient Humble Ser'.
Nor d . MacLeod
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Baronet & ca . & ca . & ca .
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [N York 26 th Feb'y 1770]
Cap* MacLeods Letter
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
421
FROM BARENT VAN ALEN
ro i Albany 26 February 1770
when I was at your house I left a Draft on Your Desk, which
was drawn by Col 1 . Massey on you for £50. dated in Montreal
the 30 July 1 767 en [do] reed by Matthew Wade; if you find it
you'l [p] lease send it inclosed to me or my Sister, and if it shou'd
be found by any Person, and presented to you you'l please not
pay it. I wrote to M r . Adems concerning it the 9 th . Instant, but
has not received his Answer.
I
am
Sir
Your humble Serv 1 .
Barent Van Alen
ADDRESSED: [To]
Sir William Johnson
at
Johnson Hall
indorsed: [Albany Feb r y. 26 th 1 770]
[Barent Van Alens Letter]
[Sir]
FROM TOBIAS VAN SLICK ET AL.
A. L. S.
[Kinderhook26 ih . February 1770]
By some late accounts from New York we are flattered with
hopes [that] a Regiment of Militia is soon to be formed in this
Township and the Neighbouring [depart] ments.
As the appointing of the officers is of a good deal of Conse-
quence [to] this Township and as there has been much uneasiness
lately on Account of some appoint [ments] for a Regiment said to
be for that part of the Manor of Rensselaer Wyck which lies at
422 Sir William Johnson Papers
[Cjlaverack — Tending (as we apprehended) to Establish
Claims to Land — We therefor take the [fre]edom of inclosing
you a List of Persons whom we think properly qualify'd to hold
[com] missions. — As the appointing of those Persons will tend to
unite the People and [sujpport the Interest of the Township we
Should be happy if their Names meet with your approbation
The favourable attention you have always Shewn to the wel-
fare [and] prosperity of the Inhabitants of the Province in Gen-
eral makes us hope that you will [on] this occasion give us a
farther proof of your regard — Your forwarding this matter
agreable [to] the wishes of the People will lay us under very
particular obligations.
We remain with the Sincerest wishes for the continuance
of Your health happiness and prosperity
Sir
] Gardenier with Respect & Esteem
] DENIER Your most obedient
] IS VADERPOLL humble Servant
] Van Derpoell Tobias Van Slick
] burgh Jacob Gaerdenier
i
] Andris Gaerdenier
his
] Johannis I. Gardenier
mark
] Hendrick [ ]
] Barent van Buren
] Johannis S Go[es]
]
Guys bard Sharp
Tobies Van Buren
Dirck Van Buren
Santys Goes
Lukas Goes Ju r .
Cornelis Van Alen
David Van Schaack
Post-War Per'wd, 1763-1774 423
Lowrence Van Dyke
Lucas Van Alen Jun r
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
FROM JOHN DEAN ET AL
ro -I SpencertoWn 26 FehruV. 1770
As you are doubtless acquainted with the general [
that were against some late appointments [ ] be for that
part of the Manor of Renselaerwyck which | ] t Claverack
and as we hear that it is likely there [will s]oon be formed a
Regiment of Militia in this Neigh [bourh]ood we have taken the
freedom to inclose you [a lis] t of Such Persons to hold Commis-
sions, as will please [the p]rincipal part of the Inhabitants —
Your generous & [interested Concern for the welfare of this
County induces [the [ hope that you will on this Occation be-
friend us, so [that] we may be commanded by Such Persons as
have [the] Welfare of the Township and its Neighbourhood
[at] heart. We Wish you all manner of prosperity [and] Re-
main with the utmost respect.
Sir
Your most Humble Servant
[The] Honorable John Dean
[Sir Wi]lliam Johnson Samuel Hutchenson
[B]aronet Thomas Raney
Simon Spencer
Jonathan Dean
-r Timothy Brainard
ADDRESSED : I o
The Hon b,e
Sir William Johnson
424 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM NATHAN WHITING
A. L. S.
Hartford Feb» 27 1770
Sir
I have been acquainted by M r Chew of your generous offer of
lands to some of your friends here, of which number you did me
the Honor of being one, I have a gratefull sense of your kindness
in the offer, nothing is wanting towards my accepting it very
readily but Cash to pay the Indian purchase & fees, I have lately
made a small purchase here that has exhausted my little stock,
so that I am not able to advance money at present; I thought
myself under obligation to acknowledge your favour, and give the
[re]ason of my not taking up some lands [tha]t you might not be
in suspense, if I [shou]ld be in cash before the lands are taken
[up I s] hall be glad to take up some still. wi]th per-
fect esteem
Sir
your most Obed* hum be Serv 1
Nathan Whiting
[Sir Wm. Johnson] Bart
JOHNSON S ACCOUNT WITH WILLIAM BAKER
D.
D r . Sir William Johnson [Bar]t with Sir William Baker C r
Years dividend due 5 July 1 768 on
£2600—3 (' Cent ConsoR Anny. £. .39 -
Cajsh rece d . of Robert Randall at Pay
Once, for half Pay, due [to]
Lieu 1 . Guy Johnson from 25
July 1763 to 24 Dec'
1767 £183.11.8
Post-War Period, 1763-/774
425
] Deduct for Kings Warrant
& sundry Fees of Office.
6. 5.- 177.6.8
] Yi Years dividend due 5 Jan>\ 1 769 on
£2600—3 # Cent ConsoR Anny.
] D° 5 July, ... on D°
39
39
£ 294.6.8
1 768 Feb 9 To Balance of Your Old Acco*.
Adjusted this day
1 770 Feb 28 To Postage of sundry Letters ....
— To Commission Yl ^ Cent Re-
ceiving £294 .6.8
— To Balance due from Sir Wil-
liam Baker,
Copy
INDORSED: 1 State of my Ace', with Messrs
Baker to 28 lh . Feb'?. 1 770
Ball. Due to me £251.. 9.. 11
1 On the back are several calculations, followed by the statement in
Johnson's hand: "Janr>\ 5 th . 1 772 will be due to me £3901 . .9. . 1 1."
426 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM PETER HASENCLEVER 1
A. L. S.
London the 28 Feb*. 1770
Dear Sir
At my departur from Newyork my affairs did not [gi]ve me
Leasure to pay you my respects So as I intended, because The
Villainous proceedings of my Partners. The Trustees of the
American Comp>\ obliged me to hasten & to attack my Ennemies
in Open field in London & I have already had the Satisfaction to
defeat Some, & I do not doubt or I shall have the same Success
with the others, I hope that this Short Apology will plead
Excuse for not having thankt you Personally for the Honour &
Civilitys You have favour'd me with. I wish to have it in my
power to be of any Service to you in this Coun[try] & therefore
offer you all Services depending from me.
Concerning Political Matters, the News Paper [infor]m you
of the Clamour & Discontent which | | this Nation, or
in part of it without fundation, nothing but Scandal & abuse goes
forward, they write | | present with more freedom then what
1 "Peter Hasenclever, a German, born at Remscheid, in 1716, came
to this country about 1 764 as the representative of the London Company.
Within three years he is said to have built a furnace at Charlotteburg
(on the borders of Morris county) , and three miles further down stream
a 'finery forge,' with four fires and two hammers, capable of making 250
tons of bar-iron a year single-handed, and from 300 to 350 tons double-
handed; and a mile lower down still a second forge, of equal capacity.
He introduced many improvements and increased the capacity of the
forges. Governor Franklin appointed a committee to examine into his
acts in behalf of his company, with whom he had gotten into difficulty.
This commission reporting at Newark, July 8, 1 768, testified to the per-
fection of his iron works, and that he had introduced many improvements
in manufacture . . . Hasenclever was justified by a decision cf
Lord Chancellor Thurlow in England, after a long litigation." — A Hi$~
tory of Morris County, New Jersey, 1 :24, Lewis Historical Publish-
ing Co.
Posl-War Period, 1763-1774 427
at other times they [ ] talk, or in Countrys where Confession
& Inquisitfion] establishd may Ventur to thinck.
There never was a Minister more abused then [the] Duke of
Grafton, tho I can not find that that Nobe[lman] has Comitted
any thing which his Predecessors have [not] done, or his Succes-
sors will Comit. I believe if | Almighty, in a manner of
Speaking was to Set up Minister in England, I doubt
much if the People w [ ] be Content with his administra-
tion, an English [ ]terd Should be of a Composition of
Copper Iron & St[ &] have as much Wisdom as Solomon, &
as much Cou [rage] as Alexander the Great.
Patriotisme is a meer ampty Sound in [this coun]try, those
who are out of administration want | | which desire is
the Source of all the Discontentment] & pretended Grievances;
as in reality I do [ ] there is any thing which deserves
Con[ ]
These Phantoms of Complaints, are the Cause that hitherto
] American Grievances have not been taken under Con-
sidera[tion] . However the Day is fixd on Monday the 5
March 1 [w]hen the Fate of America is to be decided by Parlia-
ment. ] tho all what has been Said in favour of this affair,
Still [t]here are People who think America of Little Importance
to Great Britain, a Personage of Great influence desird me
Some days Ago to give him my opinion of the importance of
America to England, I wrote a Letter to him, & first proved by
Clear arguments that there were about 2,500,000 inhabitants in
Am ca amongst which number were 380,000 Negro Slaves |
that of this Number 1 ,500,000, were Cloathed in Am 411 manufac-
tures, that yearly for about £2.500 000, of linen [Eng]lish
Hardwares & woollen goods & East India Comod[ities | part
for Luxury were imported from England to [Ameri]ca, & that
this quantity 1 was consumed by the remaining mi]llion, reckoning
only at £2. 10 s Ster & head. [I shewed] him farther by the
1 On March 5, 1 770 the House of Commons repealed all the Towns-
liend duties of 1767 save the tea duty by a vote of 204 against 142.
428 Sir William Johnson Papers
Clearest proves that the North Am ca . trade was as important as
the Spanish trade to all South America Colonies, as to Mexico,
Bay of Ho[nduras] Tierra Firme, Buenos Ayres, Chily, & Peru,
wh[ilethe] Sonorous Treasur Silver & Gold which they recieved
f[ ] Returns did not Exceed £2:600,000 Ster V annum,
& for all this immense Sum they Used only 6400 Ton o[f] Ship-
ping. & that the North American Exports alone, including what is
Send from England to America, or th [ ] of the Newfoundland
Fisheries which are a Separat article [amoun]ted to 217,000
Ton of Shipping p r . annum & the Principal Value o[f] these
Cargoes to £2,220,000 str ^ annum, without the amount of the
Newfoundland fisheries which amounts [to] about £500,000
Ster more ; however as there appears £2 [ ] difficiency in the
exportation against the importation [ ] Great Britain, it must
be reasonably Supposed that [the] diffidence is got, by freights
Insurances & Profit | | that if you take all the North Amer-
ican Prod[ucts from] Newfoundland to the Missisippy together,
they [are more] important then all the Spanish Silver & G[old
the a]nd which Sound is So
agreeable in every mans Ears. [A]nd it is to be observed that
the Spaniards are obliged to [p] ay most all their Silver & gold to
foreingers for their Manufactures by which they purchase these
Precious Metals, but it is not the same Case with England the
American Products Rice, Wheat Flour, & Fish, are Send to the
Portugeese Spanish & Italian markets directly from thence &
Indeys. Rice Tobacco Furrs, which are Send Direct to Great
Brittain are again Re Exported & for which She recieves either
gold & Silver or other Comodities more Valuable to her in Re-
turn, I will only name a Singel article of Luxury which is reEx-
ported & which is Tobacco — & to what its value only amounts to
W annum to Great Britain as a clear Profit.
The Two Provinces of Virginia and Maryland Send every
[ ] to Great Britain from 80000 to 90000 Hh^ of
tobacco w]hich are ReExported on an Avarage above
70000 Hh d . which [ ] present price of £13 s" $ HH<*
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 429
amounts to £910,000s ,r [ ] 160000 more thent what
all the Exports from finland [ amount to which in
1 763 when I was in that Kingdom [ ] £750,000
^ annum.
I Shewd further that the Present Demand of Woollen |
for Germany was only Pro Tempore, & which was
by the Great Demand which the German Coarse W[
Manufactures Establishd in Brandeburg, Saxony &
County of Glatz had, for Hungaria Turky & Polla[nd] on ac-
count of the Russian & Turkish Ware — So that [
Manufacturers Could not provide their Usual Customers] in
Germany & therefore they were obliged to have recours to Eng-
land. & that after the War was finis [hed] in those Countries the
Demand Would Cease. — & [then] the English Manufacturers
would raise a Clamour [ they had No Commissions
from America.
I concluded my Letter — I ask every American if the Colonies
are not worth Preserving & | | encouraged in raising raw
materials & to divert th[em from] their Manufactures, by which
means a florish [ing trade] will for Ever Subsist, but if Such Laws
are [ ] which promote Manufactures, the whole tr[ade
As the North American Manufactures are a Natural Prohibi-
tion of the Importation of English Manufactures, it must Cer-
tainly appear a Mistery to the world, that England makes Treatys
of Commerce with forring Nations to allow The importation of
her Manufactures under the Payement of a Havy duty. & that
She Neglects her Colonies where She has an exclusive trade with-
out paying Dutys. I have Used these Arguments because they
are out of the Commun tract of reasoning on the American Sub-
ject, which I hope will occasion Some reflection amongst our
Great People, & may help to Contribute to the Reconciliation be-
tween Great Britain [&] her Colonies. I could Say more in
favour of America on this Subject, but I have already exceeded
the Limits [ | Letter & fear to be tiresom to you
430 Sir William Johnson Papers
However I Shall only add that the Roumour [of a war] be-
tween France Spain & England which was [ ]ed Some
time Ago, is entierly Vanishd, & I believe [ ] ye
Peace for Some time, as according to the Old Proverbe — Point
d argent Point de Sui [ ] as the Treasories of all Nations
are ampty, it is tru[e the] French take an effective Remedy to
fill their Coffers [ J by an arret or Placard they in one Stroke
demin[ish] 50 p O of their Debts by lowering The Interest So
m[ our Neighbours the Dutch cry very loud about the
[breach] of Faith, but the French are So inexorable, That
th [ ] not only would Lent them a Handkershief to wipe their
Tears.
The Russians flatter themselves to Say Mass before the Expira-
tion of this year in S ta . Sophia at Constant [inople] they have now
already a fleet of 21 Ships of the Line a[nd] 9 frigats & Bomb
Ketches in the Mediterranean w[hich] are to be joind by 12
Ships more, there are also num[bers] of Transports with Troops
on board, & a vast [ | of Arms & Amunition, to furnish
to the Greks [, who] are ripe for an Insurection if the Russian
Successfull, the Grand Seignor might be obl[iged
his Residence of Constantinopol. w]ith
the Projects of the Great the same as with those of Particulars as
Dryden Says — Designe what-er you will, there is a fate which
Over rules us Still, however we must allow that the Present
Empress of Russia is a Princess of Great Merits, if her Scheems
Succeed the Russian Empire will be Exceeding Powerfull — who
Should have Said Sixty year Ago when the Moscowits were only
a Degree better then their Bears that Now they would be formid-
able to Europe, & Send Such fleets to the Mediterranean.
I do not Know if my affairs will Permit to take an other Tour
to America, but this I am Resolved to Carry on affairs in this
Metropolis & to [c]ultivate I hope an agreeable & Profitable
Correspon[den]ce with my American friends, it will give me
Exceeding great Pleasure to hear that your [self] and
Respective famile Continue to enjoye Health & Happiness, & to
recieve your Commands, meanwhile I beg to Present my Re-
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 431
spects to Sir Jo[hn] Colonel Guy Johnson & Colonel Claas. &
to be ass[ured] that I am with the greatest Respect.
Dear Sir
Your most obedient & most
Humble Servant
Peter Hasenclever
M rs & Miss Hasenclever present
their Respects to Sir John Johnson.
[Sir William John] son Baronet
INDORSED: 1 M r . Hasenclevers letter
FebT. 28 th . 1770
FROM ISAAC LATTOUCH
A. L. S.
rc -, [NeuoYork] 28Feb». 1770
[oIRj
I Doctor Magra. acquainted me | occ]asion
for some Spaw Water [ Lisbon W] ine — Makes me take the
[liberty to] Write — and Should you have ] for any
Quantity I should be [glad] of y r Commands — I remain
S'
Y r m st obed* S l .
Isaac Lattouch
] allso most kind of Liquors. [ ] Currents
Raisins Sweet Oyl. Lemons Rhennish Wine or old
Hawk
ADDRESSED: For
The Hon e S r . W m . Johnston. B f .
at
Johnston Hall
INDORSED:
[Le]tter from Isack Lattouch
Merc 1 .
In Johnson's hand.
432 Sir William Johnson Papers
JOHN DEAN ET AL. TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. D. S.
Dated Spencertown, March I st . 1770
[The] Subscribers Desire the Nomination here after |
may be Sent to Sir Wlm. and to have you transcribe [
Names to the Petition to him
Captains Nathaniel Culver
Solomon Hutchinson
1 st Lieutenants Ithamer Spencer Solomon Hutchinsons
Abner Hawley Col vers
2d Lieutenants Ezekiel Baker Hutchensons
Elisha Pratt Ju r Colvers
Ensigns Samuel Dean Colvers
Israel Spencer
John Dean
Samuel Hutchinson
M R Henry Vanschaack Thomas Ranney
Simeon Spencer
Field officers for the Regement
[Cornelius?] Van Schaack Colonel
[Peter?] Vosburgh Lieutenant Colonel
[Hezekiah?] Baldwin Major
] Humble Servants
[Sam]uel Hutchinson
I ]
[ ]
[ ]
ADDRESSED: To
Mr Henry Van Schaack
at
Kinderhook
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
433
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436
Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
A. L. S.
Albany 2 d . March 1770
[Sir]
Since my last, I have spoke with M r . [Hun] & M r . Lansingh
together, who desired me to inform [yo]u, that you shoud have
the Spot of ground on your own [te]rms. M r . Hun further
added, he shoud be up [ea]rly in the Spring, & woud give you
any security for it you thought proper. I thought to have been
[u]p by this time myself, but Business has hitherto prevented it.
M r . Gamble is safety landed, or rather [H]oused, for he stirs not
abroad,
I am d r . Sir
Y r . Most Obed 1 . Serv'.
Sam l . Stringer
indorsed: 1 [Albany 2 d . March 1 770]
Doctor Stringers letter
JOHN B. VAN EPS ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
William Johnson To Jn. B. V. Eps D'.
1 In Johnson's hand.
S D
To 1 Dozyn Tea cups & Saucers &
baskett £ . . 6 9
] To Harmanus Wendel for Yl Load of
Iron . . 5 . .
To Cap 1 . John the Moheecan Indian
with his party
And the Shawence D°. for Victuals &
Drink pipes & Tob°.
1 1 14 6
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
437
] 1 5 To Peter Fonda for 1 waggon Load
from Albany
To John Sanders for 1 Ditto Nails &
Grind Stoons
]29 To Jn°. B. V. Eps 1 Hhad Ditto
To 7 Skippels of white sand
] 3 To 1 battoe Load Sent to Douw e Fonda
at Cagnawag
To Joseph Proctor Ruben Simons and
Patrick McKerty Each @ 16.'
To 2 Hundred Oisters & the Cask
To there Rum & the hyre of the battoe
3 To Cornelius Peeck for Riding 1 hhad
Rum M r . G: Tice
8 To Jn°. B. V. Eps for I hhad Molas-
ses D°.
10 To Abraham Groat for 1 hhd of Rum
D°.
D°. To Tunis Potman for 1 hhad of Ditto
12 To Jacobus V. Eps for 1 hhad of D°.
D°. To 34 Waggon Loads of Indian Corn
D°. @ 10/
12 To 1 battoe Load Sent to M r . Fondas
Cagnawagoe
To Ruben Simons Price McCorgin &
Patrick McKerrty @ 16/
To 1 battoe Load D°. by Thomas
Organ Joseph beerman And Robert
Shiphard Each @ 16/
To 3 Setting Poles @ 2/6 d . 15/6 To
3 paddles 1 8 d 4/6 d .
To 2 Oars @ 2/6 5/ To there Rume 8/
To Class Veeder for Calking A battoe
] 13 To Jn°. B. V. Eps for D°. 1 Load of
Sugar &c.
17
10 ..
10 ..
10 ..
8 9
2 8
8 ..
8 ..
10 ..
10 ..
10 ..
10 ..
10 ..
2 8
2 8
13
9
10
438
Sir William Johnson Papers
To Jn°. B. V. Eps for Riding 1 Pipe of
wine from Alb?.
To 1 battoe Load to Cagnawagoe by
Ruben Simons Bixbee & James Eng-
lish @ 16/
To there Rum 4/
[ ] Albert Meebe for Riding I Pipe
of wine
] Battoe Load to D°. fondas by
John & [ ] Van Dreesen & Isaac
Truax each @ 16/
] poles & 2 paddles 5/6 to there
rum 3/
[ ] @ 5< 55/5 d . To the Butcher
] to D°. by Henry Farckson 1
] George Deruto Each @ 1 6 J
] & there Rum 3/
[ ]ax
2
2
15
10
8
4
10
8
8
15
8
6
8
6
5
1769
]ed over
Brought Forward
May
D°.
Do.
Do.
D°.
D°.
5 th To 1 Battoe Load Sent to Cagnawagoe
by Aswerus Van Vorst Isaac Truax
& widow Wemples Negro @ 16/
To There Rum
To the Mohecan Indians for Victuals
& Drink &c
To 1 Battoe Load to D°. by John
James Andrew Dunlap & David
Ramsey Each @ 16/ There rum 3
9 To Quaiackhoe Isaac Truax s . & the
widow wempk Negro
To 2 Setting poles 6/ for Calking A
battoe 8/
To John James Andrew Dunlap &
David Ramsey as D".
£61
[
12 1
Post-War Perod t 1763-/774
439
10
D°.
D°.
D°. 14
D°.
D°.
D°.
D°.
18
D°.
D°.
D°.
D°.
D°.
20
D°.
D°.
24
To Dudly Davis for 1 Load frut Trees
from Albany
To Jacob Potman & 2 More or A batto
Load to Cagnawgo
To Petrus Mebee for half a batto Load
to D°.
To the half Lone of the batto & the Rum
To Jesse Dan 1 . Degrauf & 2 men More
& there Rum
To John Post & Abraham G. Lansing
Each @ 16/
To the Lone of the batto & Rum
To Jesse & Adam Condy & John Hall
Jun r . @ 1 6/ there rum 3/
To the Mohecan Indians 2 Galons Rum*
6/ & To them Victuals Pipes &
Tobacco 3/6
To Albert Mebee for Riding 1 pipe of
Wine
To Simon S. horn for 1 Load Trunk &
boxes &c
To John T. Hall for 1 D°. Tierce of
beer & a
To Henry Brewer Jun r . for Load A
large box &c
To Jacob Potman & 2 men More for a
battoe Load to D°.
To John Joutes & David Ramse for
1 Ditto
To the Lone for the Battoe & there Rum
To Gerret N. Veeder for 2 waggon
Loads of Iron
To John Joutes & 2 men More Each @
16/
To 3 Setting poles 7 6 & There rum 3/
440
Sir William Johnson Papers
June 4 To Jn°. B. V. Eps for Riding 1 Load
boxes
D°. 7 To Teunis Potman for D°. 1 hhad Rum [
D°. 10 To Jn°. B. V. Eps 1 Large bell for
your Church
D°. To Gerret Van Sant for 2 Barrels pork
@ 9[ ] [
12 To Tunis Van Vleck & Adam Conda
Each @ [ ] [
To the Lone of the battoe & there Rum
D°. 1 6 To Teunis potman for Riding 1 Load of
D°. To Jn°. B. V. Eps 1 Load D°. 1 Hhad [
D°. 19 To Abraham Groot for Ridi[ng
D°. 20 To Joseph proctor & 2 men [
To Cagnawagoe w h . a Ne[
To Takerias Van Den [
To Abraham Van [
To George Fen [
[
[Brouglht Forward £125 2 8
[ 1 Van Vorst Jun r for 4 Oars @ 3/ 1 1 . .
& 6 paddles @ 18 d
To 6 set] ting poles @ 2/6 d . 15..
To Jn°.] B. V. Eps for Riding fish &
pork&c 10 ..
To] 1 Battoe Load Sent to Cagnawagoe
by John Davis and 2 men More
] To Jn°. B. V. Eps for Riding 1 Load
of 1 Tiers 1 barl Sugar 10..
] To the Mohecan Indians for Victuals
& Drink 3 6
1 To Jn°. B. V. Eps for Riding |/ 2 A
Load 1 barrel & Sundries 5 . .
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
441
] To the Sinneka Indian Osekwissehac
3 J/2 Weeks Keeping him Self & his
Horse @ 20/
] To A Cajogo Indian Ojenserakeerat for
Ditto
] To Benjamin Young for Silver work
made
] To Remesnyder for Carrying Several
things to Cagnawgo
] To Claus Van Dervolgen for 2 Milks
pots
] To the Moheekan Indians for Victuals
& Drink
] To Jn°. B. V. Eps 2 Waggon Loads of
pork
] To John Davis & Marte N. Benthuysen
to Canawgo Ec h . 1 6
To the Battoe & there Rum
] To Jn°. B. V. Epps I Load 1 hhad of
Dry goods & 2 boxes
3] To Jn°. B. V. Eps 2 waggon Loads
Nails & boxes &c
5] To Jacobus V. Eps & W m Erkson to
M r . Fonda's @ 16/
To the battoe & there Rum
3] To Aron Van petten for Shoeing y'
horses
7] To the Ondagoe Indians for Victuals &
Drink
To 9 Waggon Loads of Goods 6c
Liquors
] To Thomas Flood in Cash
] To John Davis & Joseph Carry to M r .
Fondas @ 16/
] To the Battoe 4/ & there rum 2/16
3 10
7
• •
17
7
4
• •
8
• •
4
6
1 ..
1 12
6
• •
10
• •
1 ..
• •
1 12
6
• •
3
9
5
6
4 10
3
6
1 12
6
6
442 Sir William Johnson Papers
] To Jacob potman part of a batto Load
for 16
To] 2 Ondagoe Indians for Victuals &
Drink 4 6
To] Aron Clement with 1 waggon to
the Hall 18 ..
To] Caleb Beck for 2 Curry Combs &
1 Brush 8 9
To] Aron Van petten for Iron Buckles
& franck 4 6
To] Moheecan Indians for Victuals &
Drink 7
] ters work & Nails 1 6
] Cotton Woll @ 3/ 12..
] @ 1/ 1 16 ..
Indians for Victuals & Drink 4 6
] A Load of Iron 5 . .
] 2 More to Co 11 . Johnsons @ 14/ 2 2..
] 4/ 8..
] to Albany for Docf Consb 1 . 10..
] 6..
] Dryed fiesh 2 9
] Victuals 2 Days 17 6
[Carr]ied Over £157 12 6
1770 Brought Forward [ ]
Jan r y 3 To the Chuerkee, Sinneka & Cajogoe
Indians [
1 7 To 3 bunch of Roape & James @ 5/
Febry 4 To the Skohare Indians going & Coming
Do. 0[ ]
21 To the Moheecan Indians for Victuals
& Dr k . 0[ ]
22 To the Taskarora Indians for D°. 0[
To Aron Van Petten for Storing y r .
Liquors [
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 443
To 1 6 Loads of Firewood @ 3/6 [
27 To the Moheecan Indians for Victuals
&Drk [
28 To M r M c Cullom for bringing the
Spindl From Albany [
To Timber To Simon Bragham 0[
To Isaac Truax for 4 barls freight from
N. York 0[
Errors Excepted by Jn°. B. V. Eps £165
Deducted 2 Dollars & 4/6 p d . by Frank 1 [
£164 [ ]
March 2 d . 1 770 then rec d . of Sir M. Johnson
Bar 1 , the above Sum in full of all Demands
to this Day —
Jn° B V EPS
£ 164. .5. .9
N. B 1 paid by Bill on Mortier £140 [ ]
In Dollars 24
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
Albany 2 d . March 1770
Since my last, I have spoke with M r . Hun & M r . Lansingh
together, who desired me to inform you, that you should have
the Spot of ground on your own terms. M r . Hun further added,
he Should be up early in the Spring, & woud give you any
security for it you thought proper. I thought to have been up, by
this time myself, but Business has hitherto prevented it. M r .
1 In Johnson's hand.
444 Sir William Johnson Papers
Gamble is safely landed, or rather Housed, for he stirs not
abroad.
I am D r . Sir
Y r . Most Obed'. Serv 1 .
Saml Stringer
indorsed: 1
t ]
Doctor Stringers letter
1 In Johnson's hand.
ORDER TO ABRAHAM MORTIER
A.D. S. 1
Johnson Hall March 3 d . 1770
Sir
Pay unto Golds Borrow Banyar Esq r . of New
Curcy York or order on demand the Sum of One
Hundred & fifty Pounds New York Curr c >\, &
charge it to ace', of
Y r . Humble Servant
To Abraham Mortier Esq r W Johnson
Dep. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York
FROM WILLIAM GAMBLE
A. L. S.
Albany the 3 d March 1770
Sir
I have the honour of inclosing you herewith a triplicate set of
Receipts for the Provisions consumed at Fort Stanwix, and be-
tween the Treaty and the 10 th of April 1769 — which Receipts
I can assure you [ar]e exactly right and correspond with that
which I have given myself
1 In Johnson's hand. Banyar's signature on back of order.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 445
If your Leisure will permit, I would be glad to have them
Signed [an]d returned by the next express.
I am, Sir
Your most humble
& much obliged Servant
William Gamble
indorsed: 1 Alby. 3 d . March 1770
M r . Gambles Letter w ,h .
a Sett of Recp ts . for provision
Ans rd . 10 th . March
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
[March 3, 1770] Saturday Night 12 oClock
I did not receive your Letter till within a few hours ago being
from home on a Jaunt of Business to New England — To this
only [is due] that you have not heard from me before. I have
collected the materials [for appointments in agitation which I
take the liberty of inclosing you. I have [arranged them] all
Collectively in the order most agreable to the Concerned as you
will [ob] serve by the inclosed List in my hand Writing. We
have not called [ ] Meetings but have Consulted with
the Principle People and they have [ ] to the Persons
recommended to your Consideration. It is intended that [
shall be pleased by those appointments. The People on the Con-
tested Lands [ share in the Nominating of officers as
youll be pleased to see by the list before referred to. Many
of them were desirous that I should be appointed [a] Field Officer
but this I have refused for considerations of a more interesting
[nature?] In short Sir the Respect I have for you and the
In Johnson's hand.
446 Sir William Johnson Papers
ambition I have of standing [ | your opinion has made me
uncommonly attentive in forwarding this matter [on such] a
footing as I hope and trust will meet with your approbation. It
is [ ] that we May be a Regiment by ourselves intirely
seperated from Claverack [who have] ever been troublesome
Neighbours and would be more so now if we were connected
with them. — This Neighberhood is daily encreasing and I am
] shall soon be strong enough for two Battalions — I
therefore repeat [ | in behalf of the Township that we
may be Regimented by ourselves [ ] I have it not in my
power to transmit you a List of the Inhabitants [on the west side]
of the River by this Conveyance — but that is impossible until I
see my [ | which will be to morrow when I shall get the
necessary information [ ] by the first oppertunity that
offers. The bearer [ ] to be with you to morrow after-
noon and return with [an answer?] to this on Monday Evening
or Tuesday morning — but this [ ] upon you. — Is there
no possibility to get somebody [ — ?] I thank you for your
attention to M r . ] selves in such a manner as that you
will | | favour. — What follows an [ ]ernorand
Council about Rensselaers Regiment "Your Petition is entered
almost [ | minute of Council, and an order thereupon that
the Commissions | & that they never appear as Evi-
dences against Your Claims". [ ] that you have those
particulars from a higher Authority.
You will observe by our List that We have taken no Notice
of [one of the] old Captains — The reason of this is that he has
no interest in the Towns, [is so] illiterate that he cannot write
his Name besides he is old and supe[ The other Captain
was lately Killed — Thus much I thought proper [ ] least
you should think we Neglected officers who have served in [
By the recommendation of the Spencer Town & New Canaan
[People you] see the number of the signers very small this is
owing to me least should think those appointments
were Elective and thereby Pester you [with] different recom-
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 447
mendations. — Be assured Sir that the People who have [made]
the recommendations are the principle People and those who
have most [ ] among the Multitude. I know the Men
will and dare recommend them. New Canaan has recom-
mended for New Lebanon — The reason of this is that a [recom-
menjdation from themselves cannot be trusted to. — Excuse haste
and Incorr [ectness] the Express is Waiting, I remain
Sir
Very respectfully
Your most obedient
& most humble servant
H V SCHAACK
The Bearer is a Reputable young Fellow You may trust to
his sobriety & integrity in regard to any Dispatches you may have
occasion to Send down to New York or Albany.
Excuse the Clumsy Method our Neighbors have taken to
recommend the officers — Officers for the Company at New
Canan I have taken upon me to recommend, it was not proper
those people should
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
r f favor of Captain Byrne
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSIONS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 447 is found a List of Persons recom-
mended to be put in Commission in A Regiment of Foot to Comprehend
all the Inhabitants living within the following Boundaries (to wit) to
Begin at the creek by Major Abraham Staats's so along said Creek to
the first Falls from thence East to the extent of the Colony and South of
Rensselaer Wyck. 1 he list was inclosed in Henry Van Schaack's letter
of March 3d from Kinderhook. It was destroyed by fire.
448 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Johnson Hall March 3 d . 1770.
Sir/
Dispairing of an Answer to my last letter in the time I expected,
Occasions my Sending the Bearer, wherefore must desire that you
will send me by him a List of Such Men as are best qualify d . for
Officers in y r . parts, & that in the most Candid manner and with-
out loss of time, You Know that besides the three Feild Officers,
there are to be Ten Cap ts ., 20 Lieut s . Ten Ensigns, & an Ad-
jutant to a Regiment.
I have wrote also to a Gentleman living at Kocksackey for a
list of proper Persons for Officering the Regiment to be formed
on the West Side of Hudsons River, from the Rounds of the
mannor of Kanslaerwick to the South Bounds of the County,
which I hope will be an Impartial One. As I would by all
means endeavour to merit the Confidence reposed in me by a
Friend 2 —
I am with Kind respects to M rs . Vanschaack Y r . Father
Brothers &ca, Sir,
Y r . Sincere Welwisher
& Humble Servant
W Johnson
Excuse the Hurry I
write in being 1 1 at night,
& Just Stole away from a
large Company —
Sybrant G. Van Schaick
who is to be Col°. '
Hennery Vanschaack Esq r .
1 In Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Autograph Letters, vol. x,
Philadelphia, Pa.
2 Lieutenant Governor Colden.
8 Of the regiment at Coxsackie.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 449
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
Kinderhook, March 4, 1770
[ ]
This moment I am honoured with your very kind favor of the
3 d . Instant. It gives [me a] deal of concern that I was not at
home in time to prevent your taking this [ ] trouble which
would inevitably have been saved had I not been absent. I find
] that we have made a mistake in recommending too
many officers — I thought [ ] limited number of Com-
panies to the Militia Regiments, on this principle it [
recommended officers to about Eighty Men a Company. — If the
number we have [recommend] ed is inconsistant with the plan
you have proposed for forming the Militia in [ ] I beg Sir
you will be pleased to attend to such alterations as I shall [
in the inclosed list. 1 What ever pretentions my B r . has to a
preference, he has sacrificed them to considerations of a more in-
teresting nature to the Publick — I have taken [the liberty] (as
the time is short) to strike off Myndert Vosburghs name also wel
knowing [that his] B r . will approve of it for the sake of unani-
mity and harmony in the Township. [The] Company at New
Lebanon I have also struck off as they are People of less Interest
| whose Titles to the Contested Lands stand in the same
Predicament. Suffer [me to assure] you Sir that I have made
these alterations in such a manner as will give [ ] Satis-
faction. The lists that I sent you up this morning were made
with ] with a view to unite the People, — Cap Byrne
shewed me the Subscription [ ] Gentleman at Coghsakie
whether he has Interest or not in that Neighborhood I will not
I have therefor desired my B r . to go with M r Byrne
Early in the Friend M r . Peter Vosburghs for the
1 See following letter of March 5.
15
450 Sir William Johnson Papers
necessary information His knowledge [ | and his integrety
and disinterestness will enable M r . Byrne [to | will answer
the purpose of his going thither. — M rs . Van [Schaack
Compliments — My Father B r . and in short the whole [family
to assure you of their respects and good Disposition [ | be
pleased to accept the same from me and be assured |
respectfully
[ ]
your most obliged
] most Obedient humble Servant
H V Schaack
The following is an Extract from Guy Johnson to his Friend
in Try on County dated New York 25 April 1 775.
I am now in too great a hurry to give a methodized ace 1 , of
politicks but you will please to acquaint Col°. Butler immediately
& all other persons that so far from desiring any of these 1 matters
suggested in Tryon County M r . Low has given up every such
measure, & notwithstanding all the practices of the Enemies to
order, the Tumults in this City are solely conducted by Isaac
Sears & a parcel of the meanest people, Children & Negroes —
1 It seems previous to this, resolutions of the York Committee had
been sent to Tryon County signed by M r . Low, w h tended to rouse to
Whig measures. This was to assure the inhabitants, those papers did
not contain Lows sentiments, tho' they bore his Name. (Footnote in the
original.)
[Frans] Vosburgh 1 st Lieu 1 .
[La wrens] Goes 2 D°.
[John] Pruyn Ensine
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 451
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S. 1
[Kinderhook Landing, March 5, 1770]
[Alterations in] the List of Officers sent up to the Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Henry Van Schaack's Company
— If Grenedeirs allowed in the
Reg', this to be the Grenedeir
Co.—
[In] Frans Van Beurens Company John M Van Alstyne in the
Room of John D Vosburgh.
[In] Andries Witbecks Company Johannes P Vosburgh in the
room of Abraham Van Alstyne.
In Philip Van Alstyne's Company Abraham Van Alstyne in
the room of Lawrens Goes.
If thirteen Companies cannot be allowed then the following
Officers to be left out. viz
Myndert Vosburgh Cap 1 .
Petrus Van Slyck Lieu 1 .
Johannes L. Van Alen recommended before in
H V Schaack's C°
Johannes D. Vosburgh Ensign recommended before to be
in Frans Van Beurens C°.
Cornelis Van Schaack Jun r and all his officers
Thomas Skinner Jun r and all his officers.
Kinderhook Landing. — I have thus far accompanied Cap'. Byrne
on his way to Kocksakie [ ] and M r Vosburgh go on with
him I doubt not but matters will be so conducted in that quarter
so [ will satisfy you — The Persons who go with M r .
1 Inclosed in Van Schaack to Johnson, March 4, 1 770. Burned por-
tions of the list supplied from a copy printed in Third Report of Stale
Historian of New York, p. 897.
452 Sir William Johnson Papers
Byrne are altogether disinterested & they will | | of their
power endeavour to conciliate in stead of Dividing the People. —
People hereabouts are [ | the Folks who have oppressed
them for so long a time past. They now have a prospect of
| will most assuredly embrace the oppertunity when-
ever it presents. — My business to New England [is such] as not
to admit of my attending Cap 1 . Byrne — My presence at Pitts-
field is absolutely Evening. I communicated M r .
Byrnes business this morning to my Father he | | you
his since thanks for your favourable attention towards our Town-
ship — so | I remain with fervent prayers for the Con-
tinuance of your health
and am with due respect
Sir
Your most Obliged &
Obedient Servant
H V SCHAACK
INDORSED: 1 List of Such as are to
be altered or left out
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
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Sir William Johnson Papers
AN UNDESIGNATED LIST OF NAMES
[Lambert Van Alstine]
[Isaac Van Alstine Jr]
[Jacob Van Alstine]
[Herma Van] Alstine
[Simon La Jura way
[Isaac Laujraway
[Abram La]uraway
[Jonas Laujraway
[John Rinneons]
[Benj'n StroopJ
[Benjn Joer]
[Thomas] Bennet
[Isaac] Bacchar
[Storm] Bacchar
[Isaac] Van Alstine
[John] Laura way
[Jonas] Lauraway Jn r .
[ Marti] nus Van Alstine
[Peter] Lauraway
[Abram] Fonlawn
[Maddil] Dice
[John] Vanlown
[Jacobus] Vroman
[Isaac Vr]ooman
[Jacobus] Vaulkinborck
[Adam Vr] ooman
[Herma Van] Vaulkinborck
[Hendrick Ha]kedorn
D. 1
[Hans Van Vaulkenborck]
[Corns Vroman Jun'r]
[Jonas Vrooman]
[Peter Vrooman]
[John Vrooman]
[Sam'l Vrooman]
[Ephraim Vroman]
[Martinus Van Slack]
Peter Swart
Pet r . Adam Vroman
Simon Vroman
Abram Delly
Lias Delly
John Delly
Will™. Bicraft
John Gardiner
John Johnsay
Paulus Swart
Lauran Swart
John Echeson
Will" 1 . Vanloan
Corn*. Echeson Jn r .
Tho s . Echeson
Tho s . Echeson Jn r .
Cornel 3 . Echeson
Tunis Echeson
Pet r Zeele Jun r .
Sae Droughlee
1 These names apparently belong mainly to residents of the Schoharie
valley and the neighboring region. Names burnt off supplied from a
copy printed in Third Annual Report of State Historian, p. 895—96.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
463
[Derick Hakedorn]
Dan 1 . Price
Nich s . Vanscook
Abram Bacchar
John Rimar
Dav d . Bacchar
John Conum
Jn°. Bacchar Jn r .
Jacob Burst
[Jo]hnJn° Bacchar
[Hendr]ick Zever
[Jacob Sarris]
[Peter Zeele]
[Peter Van Slack]
[Thos. T. Echeson]
[John Zeele]
[Martinus Zeele]
[Jonson Davis]
Garret Bacchar
Olebertus Bacchar
Peter Bacchar
Hendrick Bacchar
John Storm Bacchar
Herma Bacchar
Storm Bacchar Jn r .
Onobertus Bacchar
John Van Wort
Minort Wine Coop
Tunis Vrooman
Isaia Swart
Arunt Vader
Jacob Money
Philip Skyler
Peter Skyler
John Skyler
Tho*. J. Echeson
Martin 8 . Vrooman
Josaias Vrooman
Barent Vrooman
John P. Bacchar
Hendrick Van Dine
John Clark
Isaac Faulk
Jeromy Marinus
Jerry Marinus
in all one Hundred
and two
A fragment following
Officers Nominated for a Comp'y
draughte from Joakim Stadts's viz]
[Capt] Garret G. Vanderbargh
1 st . L : Frans Nichols
2 d . L : Johan 8 . Albert Becker
Ensign Dirk Becker
464 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
Si . 7.-*. O*
Neu) yorfe 5, Marc/i /770
t ]
Yesterday. I had my accounts returned me [from] Gen.
Gage tho both he and M r . Maturin gave [me] hopes they should
be paid. Capt Maturin in particular said if I would wait till the
packet was gone the General would settle it with Me.
Its very Cruel to trifle so with me after so long & faithful
Services. I never yet allowed any one to speak disrespectfully
of the General & this is my recompense, living alone in this place
so long is very expensive but my time is more precious
The ship I go in dont sail till Sunday next & perhaps not then,
she has Women & Children passenge[rs] which will add to my
Misfortunes
I cannot tell what Course to take concerning my Accounts I
attended the General all day but could [not] see him. I have
told all my ill treatment in Canada [to] Major Sheriff, 1 & he has
informed the General [who he] says was very angry at it, but
you see he [ | me. I have been very wretched not to
hear [from you or any] of the family I have no other hopes
] yet not now draw back your [ ] me in
my present Situation | ] have a line from [ survey]
or General must look upon me as very presuming, to ask [
your patent & not to have any written [authority] I have wrote
Co 1 . Claus to this purpose & to ] any thing he might
procure concerning it to [me.] I am told when Lord Dunmore
comes over [there will] be no more Lands Granted.
L l . Litchfield of 16 Reg 1 , run away with [Miss] Scot last
Saturday night for the Second time [ ] are married the
father will be reconciled
1 William Sheriff, major July 25, 1 768.
Posl-War Period, 1763-1774 465
I remain with my best Wishes for your [and your] family's
health & prosperity.
The post waits Dear Sir
Excuse my Ink Your affectionate
& humble Serv[ant]
B Rob[erts]
To
S R Will m . Johnson Bar 1 .
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
New York the 5th March 1770
[ ]
the Honor of your agreable Favour of the 22 d
Ult° by g]Iad to hear you have receiv'd safe the sundry
small articles [ | I am however surprised to find the Bottle
of [medicine] for the Tooth Ach was all leaked out, for so it
must have been very confident the bottle was full
when I gave it to M r Shipboy, however [ ] you another
Bottle to the Care of M r Cartwright
| think it very reasonable that M r Deniston's widow
or the Creditors [ [ should have his share in the Oneida
purchase, but as I told you [ ] is all granted away to M r
Oliver DeLancey Some time ago, who has procurd a patent for it
& I am pretty confident will relinquish share to you
if you will but be pleased to write a Line to that |
requesting him to do so which I desire you will do by Return
of Post and I will then get the Matter adjusted — The issuing
of that [pate]nt only waits for the fees from M r Robert Adams,
Doctor Constable [ ] David Edgar, to whom I have very
frequently wrote on the Subject of [ ] their fees but in vain.
I will by this Post once more write to [ ] Edgar & shall be
much obliged to you if you will be pleased to speak to [Rob]ert
Adams & Doctor Constable & let me know immediately what
466 Sir William Johnson Papers
they [ ] to do; I woud with all my soul lay down the
Money for those Gent m [but] it is really out of my Power at
this Time, for notwithstanding the [ ] sums I have out
to the amount of near £10,000, it is with Difficulty [I can collect]
so much as to keep my House as yet & this I am afraid will be
the ] I use next, when I doubt not I shoud have it
amply in my power [to ob] lige my friends, but as the Patent must
absolutely be issued [ ] I wish those gentlemen woud con-
trive to send their quotas [to me or] any other person, in order
that those may be no longer Delayed. [M r ] Croghan sett out
from hence 1 Days ago for Albany [ ] Home e'er now,
which I should be very glad to [ ] before He was well
able to undertake such a [ ] Roads and the severity of
the Season at the time of his Departure.
Good Pork is not very plenty at present it [ I if I had
Cash to lay down for it. I am pretty certain [ this
for your Gouvernment —
There is no such thing as Spaw Water to be had [ ] hear
of — You may depend on having 2 Barrels of the [
sent you by the first sloops that go up.
I have twice acknowledged the receipt of the [
Governor of Pensilvania wch was £113.18.10. It was [
Croghan, I have given you Credit for it in payment of [the wine]
sent you to the care of M r Thomas Shipboy in Albany, the
[sloop in] which it was sent, was froze up a little below Albany,
M r [Shipboy was] therefore obliged to send sleighs for it & He
told me that He [asked ] & Coll° Johnson (who likewise
had 1 pipe on board said vessel) whether he should send it
immediately to M r Van Eps [ ] Order, or shoud Keep it
in his Cellar untill Spring. Since [I do] not remember to have
heard anything further about it, but if you have not already re-
ceived it, it is very safe in Ship [boys cellar]
I am told by M r Wallace that Sir John is expected [
shortly, if so, I shoud be happy if He woud make my Home
| during his stay in this City. I cannot promise him the
but I dare venture to assure him He shall meet
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 467
with a very Cordial welcome — My Wife joins me in Sincere
Resp[ects to you, Sir] John & all your family — I begg you will
believe me [to be with] Truth
Sir your most Obedient [ ]
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar*
Johnson Hall
FROM SYBRANT G. VAN SCHAICK
A. L. S.
Coxsakie March 5 1770
Honored O
I Receivd your favour of the 2 instant by M r Burn and agree-
able to your [de]sire Inclose you an Impartiel List of [the]
Names of those men I think the best Qualyfied to sarve as officers
In the militia Regiment which is to be formed Between the
Bounds of the Mannor of Ranslear & the South Bounds of the
County of Albany on the west side of Hudsons River
Your Honour has also Desired me to Let you Know the
Names of the Justices and their Charactors the first is Marte
Halenbeech the Next Stephen Van Dyck the former is [a g]ood
and well meening man but the Letter [ ] the Revers tho
well-Qualifyed but [ ] Drunk when he administers Jus-
tice [ constantly Compleined of by the people [
Jury William Dedirak was [ ] of Van Dyck would Sarve
[ ] I think from his Charactor
Your most Obediant
[ ] G V SCHAICK
addressed: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
att
Johnson Hall
468
Sir William Johnson Papers
OFFICERS RECOMMENDED FOR A REGIMENT OF MILITIA
D.
[Coxsakie, March 5, 1770]
[List] of Officers for a Regiment of Militia foot to [be fjormed
within the following Districts Viz from [the] South Bounds of
the Mannor of Rensselaerswyck [to] the South Bounds of the
County of Albany on the west Side of Hudsons River
Colonel Sybrant G. Van Schaick
D Co 11 Marte Halenbeeck
Major Jacob Halenbeeck
[Capt 1 S ]<
[first Lieu']
[second Lieu 1 ]
[Ensign]
[Capt 2 nd .]
[first Lieu']
[second Lieu 1 ]
[Ensign]
[Capt 3 rd
[first Lieu*
[second Lieu 1
[Ensign
Capt 4 ,h .
first Lie 1 .
Second Lie 1
Ensign
Capt 5< h .
first Lieut
Philip Conine
Thomas Hootelen
Henry Van Bergen
Richard Van Denbergh
Anthony Van Bergen
Robert Van Denbergh
Casper M Halenbeeck
Isaac Collier
Joh]n L Bronck
Philip] Bronck
Myndert Van] Schaick
Jacob Halen]beeck Jun r
William Halenbeeck
Casper Janse Halenbeeck
Albert Van Loon
Arent Van Schaack
John Witbeeck
Tunis Van Veghten
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
469
Second Lieut
Ensign
Capt 6 th .
first Lieu 1
Second Lieu 1
Ensign
Capt 7*.
first Lieu 1
Second Lie 1
Ensign
Capt 8 th .
first Lieut
Second Lieut
Ensign
John M. Van Loon
Jacob Van Loon Jun r
Cornelus Duboys
Egenus Van Orden
Solomon Schutt
Dirick Van Dyck
Marten G. Van Bergen
David Abeel
Phillip Spaan
francis Salsbary Junior
Francis Salsbary
Jury Laman
Samuel Van Veghten
Marte Van Bergen
[Capt 9 th . Jury] William Dedarick
[first Lieut] William Eligh
[Second Lieut] John Luyks
[Ensign] Wessel Ten Broock
[Capt] 10 th . Goose Van Schaick
[first Lieut] John Van Orden
[Second Lieut] John Jacob Ten Broock
[Ensign] Jacob Mynderse
[
]nt Petrus Conine
470 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectary the 6 th March 1770
[ ]
[Since] I had last the Honour of parting with you I have
[re] solved to Set out for New York next Monday or [ ]eday
by Land. I purpose taking a Waggon to carry | Trunk
& beding untill I reach Some Sloop down [the] River — If you
have any Commands at York [it] will give me particular
Pleasure to transact them [for] You
I have been thinking two or three times [ ] that Certain
Person 1 who begd you wou'd not any Objection to
his geting Rank in the Melitia, [I know] his Motives for this,
which is, that if Col n Van Slyck [ ] Langson" should
happen to die soon, that then [ ] having this Rank he
would of Course Endeavr [ over] my head which, if he
should Succeed [ ] nor Could put up with it. I am far
from Blaming him in Endeavourg to [ its Naturel to
most men & therefore when [ | Consider that I have been
a good many years [ ] Melitia & now pretty far ad-
vanced in the Reg[iment] & have a much more Right then that
person [to] Command him, then he to Command me, & I flatter
[my] Self you will be of my Opinion & as I have | | the
Reason Imeginable to Convince me how [ ] You have
always been my Steady Patron, [ verry late Instances
Confirms me fully how [ ] Inclined You are for my Pros-
perity which really [ me more solid happiness on the
Reflection of [ ] Assured of Your generous Inclina-
tions to Serve | ] any pomp or Ambition I Could have by
| place or Commission.
1 John Duncan, captain of a grenadier company.
2 Gerret A. Lansing, lieutenant colonel of the regiment in which
Daniel Campbell was major. See Third Annual Report of the Slate
Historian, p. 890.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 471
If I [ ] favour of you to write by me to the Leu* Gov-
ernor [ ] me the Rank of Colonel in the Melitia [
he will Immedeatly do on Receivng your [
I should not have thought of this [were it] not that M r Glen 1
has got Col ls Rank & that Person now applying. I shall hope
for the favor of a letter from you if any Opportunity oferrs
[before] I set out. M rs Campbell begs her [most] Respectfull
compliments to you and am
Dear Sir with the Outmost Respect
Your most humble & Obedient Servant
Daniel Campbell
] Baronet
INDORSED: 1 10 th March
1 In Johnson's hand.
FROM WILLIAM BAKER ET AL.
A. L. S.
London 7 March 1770
Sir
As Executors of Our late Father Sir William Baker, who
Died the 23 January last, We take the Liberty of [
your Account Current made out from his Books the 28 Feb?,
[in] which You are Credited for the Balance £251 .9.11 Stg
We shall be ready to discharge, whenever You
will acknow [ledge] the Account now sent to be right.
We are
Sir
Your most Obed* Servants
W M Baker
R Baker
^ the Pacquet Sam l . BaKER
[ ] Johnson Bar*.
1 John Glen jr., Lieutenant Colonel in Sir John Jchnson's regiment
of horse.
472 Sir William Johnson Papers
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnson Bar',
at Johnson Hall Albany
New York
^ Cap*. Tho Miller
ARENT N. VAN PETTEN S BILL
A. D. S.
Schoneceniady 8 lh March 1770
[ ] Johnson Bar 1 . D r .
To Arent N. Van Petten
s d
[ ] Weel & 12 Rivits for a saw mill £5 . .0. .0
[ ]del D°. 4..0..0
[ ]& 16 Rivits D°. 0..15.0
Totall £9.. 15.0
INDORSED: 1 Arent N Van Pettens
Ace 1 , for mill work
£ 9. .15..-
ARENT N. VAN PETTEN S BILL
A. D. S.
Schonectady 8 th March 1770
William Johnson Baro 1 . D r .
To Arent N. Van Petten
s d
| Ragg wheel & 12 Ravits for saw mill £5 . .0. .0
[ ] Spindel D°. D°. 4..0..0
[ ] Plats & 16 Rivits D°. D°. 0..15.0
Id Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 473
[ ] Indian Axes @ 411 20. .0. .0
[ ] D°. Hoos @ 6 ^ ^ 30..0..0
Totall £59.. 15.0
[Au]gust 17 th . 1770 then Rec d . of Sir W Johnson [the a]bove
Sum in full 1 —
Arent N. Van Petten
INDORSED: 1 Arent V Pettens
Ace*. £59.. 15..
FROM WILLIAM GAMBLE
A. L. S.
Albany the 9"\ March 1770
I had like to have forgot to acquaint you that M r Rensselaer
has not been able to procure Glass for the Picture frames, in con-
sequence of which nothing is done here — therefore you can with
Sutton's assistance accommodate yourself better at the Hall —
You will want Four and twenty — The Frames should be
exactly fitted to the paper, the Margins of which will not [per]-
mit of a very deep Rabbit —
Notwithstanding writing is one of the greatest bugbears that
haunt me, your little Books shall be soon [completed — I be-
lieve there is no Lodge under the Canopy that requires [more]
scribbling than the Ineffable; I am always at it and never [
I am Sir.
Your ever grateful
and much obliged humble Servant
William Gamble
In Johnson's hand.
474 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOHN GLEN JR
A. L. S.
Schonectady, March 9 th 1770
I ]
[Since I rejceived your favor of the 3 d . Instant, Co 1 . [De Lan-
cey] has order'd me to lease the Lands of [Warrinsburg] for
Twenty five years. I shall write to ] lease for Peter
Conley for three Lewis & [will let] you know when I git his
answer. I was [ ] Colonel DeLancey that if young
Cain j | pay what his father ow'd, that I should [let] the
lands to another, which he [ ] upon which I hir'd the
Lands to John Van [ ] ken for Ten pounds Ten Shillings
pr year | ] has not pay'd anything yit and has no |
for it As the lease of old Cain is not expir'd [ | have the
Interest of it, I think you have [the best] right to it, which you
may be assur'd | | the least Objections to. I shall men-
tion Col]onel DeLancey & shall let you Know [when
I rejceive his answer. I take the Liberty to [ a small
account of Two Battoos I bought [ Doc] tor Stringer by
your order I shall be [ ] if you will be pleas'd to pay it to
M r . [ ] you a receipt for it —
Most Obedient & most
| Servant
[John] Glen Jun r
INDORSED: 1 Schenectady 9 th : March
1770
Letter from Jn Glen Esq r .
Ans rd .
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 475
TO JAMES TILGHMAN
D/. 1
Johnson hall March 10 th . 1770
[Dear Sir:]
A few days ago only I was favored with yours of the [9 th .
of Janr]y, M r . Croghan having been long detained by Sickness,
[I have also] received the Draft of Montours Land and the
form for [transferrin] g it, in answer to which I shall tell you
Ingeniously [that as] I gave you the first offer I should be very
glad to make [the pur] chase as convenient to you as may be
Consistent [with] my trust, but M r . Croghan whom I directed to
make [Enqui]rys concerning it Assures me that £800 has been
offered [for] it, and from the description that he and others give
of it I [have] reason to think it well Worth half of that Sum, I
flatter [my] self that I am not so far deceived in these particulars
as to [de]mand any thing unreasonable or beyond what Lands
so [circumstanced and Situated may be Valued at in your
Province [as] it is I do assure you very far from my Intentions
to do So. I am satisfied of the Justice of Your Motives in making
overtures for the purchase, and can only farther Say that from
the good [A]ccot I have of the Land and the Offers made as I
am told by some Inhabitant, [to] pay 800 for it, I think my
Making a tender of it to you [at] £400 very reasonable, but as
you are the best Judge in this [Poin]t I shall wait your farther
determination & answer on the [Subject.] Sir John & Col. John-
son send you their [best wishes] and be assured that I am with
Esteem,
Sir
Your most Obedt humble Serv 1 .
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
476
Sir William Johnson Papers
AN ORDER ON URY SCRAMLIN
A. D. S.
March 10*. 1770
If you will Supply William y e . Bearer of this with as much
flour as he wants to carry with him, I will see you paid whenever
you Demand it. —
I am Y rs .
W Johnson
Ury Scramlin
at Conajohare
URY SCRAMLIN'S RECEIPT 1
June 25*. 1770
Rec d . of [ ] the Sum of Four Pounds Seven [Shillings]
& Six pence in full for 25 Skippel [of flour] Sold to William
on his order and [ ]
£4. .7. .6 [ ]
Ury Scramlins Recp*.
1 In Johnson's hand; written on back of the order.
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall March 10 th . 1770
Pay unto Golds Borrow Banyar Esq r . of New York, or order
on Demand, the Sum of Three Hundred Pounds N York
Cur c y. and charge it to Acc f . of
Your Humble Servant
W Johnson
[Abra]ham Mortier Esq r .
Pay M r . General
at New York
INDORSED: G w Banyar
JOSEPH BRANT (THAYENDANAGEA)
From the Abbot Collection, New York State Library, Albany
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 477
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
[Otsego] March the 10 th . 1770
[ ] Night before Last I gott Home
] Myself any thing Beter as yett
] May Do god only knows
] to have aply d . to your Honor [
] Helb to use your Intrest
of the Money d . pople in Schanacta-
dy [ ] Me £1500 on Intrest & a Mordige
a
[ ] 40,000. Near Cherrey Valley Butt
] was Much Hurrey d . att that Time
| aside My aplication I have No [ ]
edge of any of those pople [ ] has Mony there Except
M r . Campble | | he was Nott att home and if he [
| quarey Much if wold have Don itt [ Request.
Indeed I wold sell that [ ] Tract att one shilling p acarr
to Rase [the mon]ey tho I am Shure itts worth 4/ p[
Butt Nesesity is the Mother of Invension I Never was in So
Much Nesesity as [ ] oweing to an Ingagem*. I Made
[to Wharton] & Trent Just before they went [
promist fathfully to [ ] Time Butt I Supose y e . [
] met with prevented them [
whether they will and if they Do Nott I [ ] that I
shall Louse this [ ] thousand pounds More w h .
] True I have property anough [ ] of
Ten thousand pounds Due [ ] But from the Great
Scaresety | ] uterly out of My power to [
I had £1200 in Tho. & John Ship [boy ] when they stopt
payment w h . was disjapointm*. to Me otherwise I
should [not be] in this Stress att present & tho [ | Safe
yett I must Now Take itt [ ] with the Rest of thise
Creadators & [ is if I Cant Send that Sume to
478 Sir William Johnson Papers
Ne[ ] by y e . 1 st . of aprel an Execution will
[ ] Me
I am Sensable of the Many [ ] Honor has for Mony
Nor Do I M[uch] Expect that you Can Do itt for [me] My
hopes is that y r . honor Can [ ] Me throw your Intrest
for w h . [ ] on those Lands or any thing Else |
will Excuse My Trubling you [ Leter I have No
other frend [ ] prevents My Going and [
Mony Nor Have I [ ]
I am with [
[ ]
To the Hon ble [ ]
Sir William Johnson
FROM GERRET VAN SANTE JR
A. L. S.
Albany, March 10, 1770
[Dear] Sir
Agreable to your directions of 28'. of Feby. Last I have sent
all the pork that was here in store (except four Barrels) which is
Twenty Barrels, and forty four Barrels of flour,. I inclose you
a List of the slay men who carryed it up. I am Hond Sir
Your most obed'. humble Ser*.
Gerret Van Sante Jr
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
479
[Se]nt to Rudolphus Schonmaker
[by] order of Sir William Johnson
arrels
Pork
V3
H
3
O
E
By
CO o
CQ
o
John Hall
2
2
Philip J. Van Patten
2
2
John Van Patten
2
2
Arent Clement
2
2
Wessel Wesselse
2
2
Daniel Cornee
2
2
Carel H. Toll
2
2
John B. Van Eps
4
Johannes Vrooman
1
3
John B. Vrooman
1
3
John B. Vrooman
1
3
Teunis Potman
4
Johannes Toll
1
3
Daniel Toll
1
3
Jesse De Graef
1
3
Jesse D. De Graef
4
16 sleds Total
20
44
Albany March 5* 1 770
On his Majesty's Service
ADDRESSED: To
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 ,
att
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
Letter [ ]
1 In Johnson's hand.
480 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
/\, /-.. O.
Albany 1 1 <*. March, 1770
[ ]
I just now was favourd with yours of Yesterday. The
] which I have taken about the spot of ground is not
worth mentioning & believe me I am happy when it is in my
power to [ ] you or Family. I do not believe the
owners of the Ground [have] any other design than that you
shall have it at your own [price] as they informed me, & M r .
Hun will be shortly up when [he] will secure it to you — I have
a Cargo of Goods, as you [ ] in the Claws of the Sons
of Liberty amounting to about £800 [ ] I wou'd be glad
you wou'd take them if you can get them & at the same time I
wou'd gladly have it done so that they [ ] not be dis-
pleased at me, which might be attended with bad [conseq]uences
perhaps; about this will talk with you I hope now [in a few]
days; one necessary thing or other has hitherto prevented [my
coming] up as I expected.
I believe you must be wrong with respect to the Widow
Cuylers [ ] saws, however I will enquire tomorrow if
there [ ] thing to be got, which I much doubt because
] them frequently enquired for, & have been [
On the other side is a memoranda of the goods Viz.
705 p r . Kersey Blankets [ ] very fine
44 p s . Strouds different col rs .
new fashiond Dufneld [
d°. d°. 24
of 24 & y d . wide Garlix
of 2 colourd Gurroks large [
colourd Ribbons
embossd serge
30 p 9 . purple Moltons
20 p 8 . white Penistons
1
P s .
1
P s
30
P s
20
P s
10
P 8
20
P s
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 481
10 p s . blue d°.
4 p s . Sax Green d°.
4 p s . red d°. and
60 Doz: cheap buck handled Kni[ves
make the whole cargo, if you like them, dont dou[bt] we shall
easily agree upon the price, I have always [ ] at 1 50 &
CX I hope to be up this Week, in [meantime] I am with sincere
regards
D r . S r .
P. S. M rs . Stringer gives her Y r . most [ ]
Comp ts . Sam l . [ ]
On another page of the letter is a copy, somewhat condensed, of Dr
Stringer's list in Johnson's hand; and on the back of this is a memorandum,
nearly burned off, of a letter to be written to John Blackburn, Merch 1 .
London.
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 449, is listed a letter of March 1 1 , written
at New York, from Lieutenant Benjamin Roberts about his coming
departure, talks with the general, various disappointments and the Boston
massacre. Destroyed by fire.
FROM EDWARD DOWNES 1
Dublin, March I2>K 1770
I ]
After so long an absence without doubt my [old frien]d S r .
William has forgot there is such a person as [Edward] Downes,
which I should be so sorry for, that I [ | run the risk of
being thought vain, when I tell [you that] I flatter myself you
will be glad to hear [I am sti]ll numberd amongst the living.
1 A captain lieutenant in the 46th regiment.
16
482 Sir William Johnson Papers
\ you have been about this long time, finnishing [
Town, which I am inform'd is very pritty, [ ] have pro-
vided for a Number of my Cloth by [ ] them lands there
abouts, my adventures you [ ] certainly been inform'd
at large, that it will be [ ] trouble you with a
repetition, methinks [ ] I might send you some news, of
all people calculated for affording any entertain-
ment, [or ev]en of sufficient consequence to dwell [
when I am raised to that pitch, I will make [ ] upon
affairs of state, till then [ ] little I know, my jenius
| sufficient, to make it worth your reading. I have
being doing duty here [ ] Months, & am in the center of
your Relations [who from] what I can learn, are all well, your
Brother I | for England in a few days, my native air
restor'd me to my former health, I am much con-
cerned] to hear you have been confin'd with a sore leg. [If
my] good wishes has been of service this will find you
[dir]ectly recover'd, I am a little indisposed at present, & were
you to see me, you wou'd take me for one of the Kenines, Vro-
mans, or some of the Mohawk ge [ ] being dress'd in my
furr cap with a long bear'd, addressing myself to you, upon a
Table cove [red with] a Skin from America/which often accures
to [me what] a fool I was to leave that Country, without
rem finding] you of your promise, by making me [ ] my
loss, but that you will be kind enough to [ ]
My fair companion wou'd willingly send Com[pliments
a Strainger it may be deem'd impertinent [ ] you are a
friend of mine, I will answer [ ] wishes, joining to
those of
D'S'.
[ ]
P. S.
Pray remember me kindly to S r . John [ ] Cap 1 .
Clause, Cap 1 . Johnson, & all [ ] good Family —
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 483
FROM NORMAND MACLEOD
A. L. S.
New York the 12 th . March 1770
There's no News here at present M r . MacDougal is [in
prison] and is visited by all the friends of his party under the
Name [of the] American Wilkes, don't it surprize Dayly
much that a Scotch man [ ] have turned a Wilkes,
whither it surprizes him or not it does me a [ ] that such a
beggarly Scotchman as him should make so much [ ] in
the World. I'm told the Bostonians espouse his cause very
strenuously they have burned in effigy the Governor
Council and General [Assem]bly of this Province. I hope
they exempted you from being one in the [ ] Conflagra-
tion of the Council as you was not present when the [
was given to the Bostonians. 1 I yesterday received two letters
from [Niagara] one from M r . MacLean the Commissary the
other from M r . Pollard [ ] the following is a Coppy
of a Paragraph of MacLean's letter. [ ] friends the
Senecas enquires very friendly for you. Poor old Soiwa [
the Chief of the Senecas) came to me the other day with tears in
his [eyes and] acquainted me of the Death of your little Girl,
thinking I had not [ ] before and the old Man seemed as
much affected as if she had [ ] own Child. If Govern-
ment doth not take some effectual method [to put a] stop to these
Paxtown boys, they oblige the Indians tho' at [ ] iable dis-
position to strike a stroke some where for their [ They
are now applyed to (meaning the Senecas) by the Delewa[res
| avenging the Death of the last Indians that was killed
[ those Senecas which makes it very doubtfull what
| the old man is of a Peaceable disposition and I am
1 February 28 the Council appointed Whitehead Hicks, James Duane
and Thomas Jones to assist the attorney general in the trial of Alexander
McDougall for libel of the assembly. — Calendar of Council Minutes,
p. 481.
484 Sir William Johnson Papers
sure if they follow his council all will be well but [you know
what] sort of beings they are. So far says MacLean.
I know what sort of beings they are pritty well and I kn[ow]
the old People be as peaceably inclined as possible these
young [ ] very far from being so and that they would
rather Join Dela [wares against] the English than Join the Eng-
lish against any enemy whatever.
M r . Pollard writes as follows. Your none appearance has
hurt me [with the] Chiefs N. B. He talks of the Messesagas
and Chippawas. I assured [them you] would be here last fall
and that they would then be received as usual [ ] of which
they Came in but on a Second disappointment I was never be-
lieved any more. I realy expected you last fall. I could not
immag[ine the] Provinces could have neglected an affair of such
consequence one and therefore concluded you would
have been reinstated before [the] communication was shut up,
but I find things still Remains in [ ] of suspence 1 which
they will dearly pay for very soon. So much [for Pollard] I
think all this shows no very peaceable inclination in the Indians,
and [if the] Colony s pay Dearly for it and the Government too,
they diserve it.
It seems they have had a severe winter at Niagara as the River
froze across so that People went on the Ice from the
Fort to Cap 1 . Brown was Cast away 40 miles from
Niagara lost his | ] but saved their Cargoes he marched
by land to the Fort [ ] St Andrew's day with a humming
Pox for the Cure [of which he] was Confined several weeks, and
the People at Ni[agara ] the Doctor very heartily for ever
leting him out. [ ] the old way playing the Divil
with the Traders [ ] else, While Cap'. Stevenson was in
[command the Indians brought in ve]nison and were well paid
January 27, 1770 New York appointed Philip Livingston, Henry
Holland, Isaac Low, John Alsop, William McAdam and John Thur-
man commissioners to meet commissioners from neighboring colonies to
arrange a plan for regulating Indian trade. — Laws of the Colony of New
York, 5:66.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 485
and pleased but the moment [the Bajld Eagle was arrived they
seldom or ever come near [and the] few that do are pulled
about as usual and draged [to] the great mans House where
what they have is took from [them ] much surprized why
he dont gain the affections of the Indians [ ] is no damned
troublesome Indian Commissary there to [ ] with his wise
schemes, he has been often told he was taking [the worst]
methods possible for gaining his point but he is still obstinate
| take his own way, for which his bald pate will suffer
[if the] Indians once brake out as they really hate him most
cordially [Steven] son and he don't agree at all^/ M rs MacLeod
sends you and your [ ] her best respects I beg leave to
trouble you with Mine to Sir [John and] the other two Colonels,
Dayly, Byrn & ca . I shall have the [pleasu]re of waiting upon
you as soon as I can beg borrow or steal [as much] money as
will pay my Debts in this Damned Town
I am
Sir
With the greatest respect
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
[ ] Johnson Bar*. Nor d . MacLeod
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York the 12th March 1770
[ ]
] ed your favour W Last Post, in answer to which
am | | that there is no such Thing as Hanging Paper to
| at present, but I imagine there will be plenty [ sh]ips,
when they arrive I will send you what you desire
by which I fancy you mean writing Paper shall be [
Allen who says he will venture to Sail this Week, but [
Scarcely go untill next Week, as I do not expect the [river will
be] open before that time — I now send you the enclosed Letter
486 Sir William Johnson Papers
[from M r Rob]erts who saild this morning at 9 oClock in the
Britannia [Cap 1 .] Munds&He has directed me to give you a
Hint about the Law [suit ] commenced against Mess Henry
& Abbot for their Bond [for selling] Rum amongst the Indians
— In Consequence of his Orders [to the] Attorney Generall
before He came here & since He has been here [ ] the At-
torney Generall to issue his Writts which was accordingly done
[The] Matter will rest unless You or the Generall should give
M r Kempe Orders about it, which I understood was to be done &
that you [ M r Roberts to write to the Generall & M l
Kempe respecting [it] — I should therefore be glad you woud Say
Something to me [ ] because otherways I am liable for
the Expences and because [M r ] Kempe will not know what He
is to do as M r Roberts is gone away [ has left me His
Power of Attorney to transact Business [ ] absence,
particularly with Respect to an Officers Right for [ land]
for Him, which He locates somewhere in a purchase of [
Coll°. Claus. Application has been made in Consequence to
[the Survey] or Generall, but He will not make a Return unless
] sent; as this appears to be an Object of M r . [
about. I wish you and he pleased [ ] for his satisfaction,
signifying [ ] for M r Roberts 200O. [ ] got out
speedily
My Wife joins me in best Wishes for your [
you will believe me to be most sincerely
Sir your most obedient [
John Wether [ ]
I take the Liberty of sending you
the Enclosed Letter to [ ] I beg
you will send on to him as quick as possible as it
is of Consequence
No Medicine for the Tooth Ach to be had, Hamilton having
left the Town Some time ago and is not yet returned.
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar 1
Johnson Hall
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 487
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
[Dear] Sir [Otsego] March the 17* 1770
I am feavord with y r . honors very Kind Leter of the 13 th . for
which I Return you My Sincear Thanks and [I a]m Truly
Sencable if itt was Convenent to you to Lett Me have that Sume
of Mony your Honour wold Do itt.
I am Greatly oblidg d . to you for the Truble you have Taken
to Indeavor to procure itt for Me w h . if to be had I am presweaded
will be gott as None of those userers will Refuse y r . honor if
they have itt
If Coll Fitch M r Chew & M r Pomery be [y]ett with you
plese to present My Compliments to them
Ever Sence I gott hear to My Hutt 1 [ ] have been as
full of visitors at itt [will] hold of the Good pople of the Cuntry
[ besides (?) my] f rends the Indians [ ] that I have Nott
had a Moment [to my] Self Till this Evening & this Mom[ent
a] party of Indians are Coming Down [
I sent a Small Acount of y e . Smiths & Inerpreters att Fort
pitt & Detroit [ ] adams to be putt into y r . honors
a [counts] the Gineral will Nott pay them un[less] they are
Included in y r . Acounts w h . I [ ] you will Do that I
May have y r . hon[or's] draght for itt when Convenint
I am greatly att a Loss what to [ ] about My feet the
swelen is pas [sing] Down Butt a feebleness Remains [
have very Litle Use of them & the [want of] being able to take
that Exercise w h . [I to Do has brought a voilant pain
] hart w h . Makes Me very Low Spirit [ed]
Plase to present My Complim ts . to [ ] and Gentlemen
with you & am with
Greatest Respect
To the Hon ble . Most H[ ]
Sir William Johnson Bar'. ]
1 On a tract of 1 00,000 acres purchased by Croghan and associates
west of Otsego lake. — Calendar of Land Papers, p. 480.
488 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM RICHARD CARTWRIGHT
A. L. S.
Albany 17 March 1770
I ]
[I] shall make imediate inquiry after the wafers and [
them as soon as I can obtain them. I have not received [the
bottle from] M r Weatherhead but he wrote me he should sent
one next post, [ ] a good Ox & Some Sheep as Soon as
possible.
] Letter Directed to J no Taylor Esq r . it was taken out
the Office [ ] thought it was for his brother in law, but
found his mistake [when] he saw a Letter for you & one for S r
John on his [ | I paid him the postage and now send you
the letter
[ Col. Fitch and Pomer^oy are both here & talk of seting out
to morrow morning they [ maderia and oblidge me to
stop writing to drink S' Patrick [and friends] at the Hall — bad
news from Boston the Papers will give [ its Past 1 2
oClock the Post in hast
I am with due respect
Hon d . Sir Your most Obed*. hum 1 Servant
Rich Cartwright
FROM RICHARD CARTWRIGHT
A. L. 5.
[Albany 17 March 1770]
[In the present] instance I trouble you with a private destress
] multiplicity of publick and other Concerns that [
attention. But my Scituation is such as will I hope [
measure for this Application
1 Supplied from Johnson Calendar.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 489
[ ] when he was at the Hall he tells me he Communi-
cated [ ] of thirty years in this place and on
the verge of fifty [ my] self reduced to the Callamitious
prospect of a prison [Neither extrava]gance or neglect have
bro*. this load of misfortune on [me. | weighed down by En-
gagements for other People who have [ enor-]mously.
Crofton, Howard & M c Cracken involve me in [ | £1200.
these with other losses have Compleated my ruin. [ Jciless
Creditor is a Jew who is the only one that has sued [If I cou]ld
by any means Quiet him my Other Creditors seem well enough
] a favourable settlement.
hou]se & Lott as pleasantly Scituated as any in town next
door [to Ro]b f . Sander 5 , late dwelling that I would Sell for
£600. that Sum [ ] the Jew. & I could manage well
enough with my other [creditors]
| ask if such a purchase would suit Sir William or any
of his | ] 1 9 feet by 35 two story a fine warm
cellar under the whole with a good kitchen in the rear with a
pleasant bed chamber over it, 2 [ ] above that. In the front
is a neat Shop Completely fitted up [ ] Stair Case, behind
which is a large Parlour well finished ] above Stairs is
very Pleasant, a bed place adjoining behind, behind [
bed chamber and above two fine Garrets English fireplaces
house Kitchen & Stable Cost me lately in building
£548 — [ | Stabling for 3 horses & a Cow, from which
is a passage [ ] the Whole in the best repair & will re-
quire none for many [years. ] could always keep a good tenant
in it & if ever ] Sustained in Case it was Disposed of
[ ] with all Duty humility & [ ] Your most Obed*
& most hum ,e Serv 1
[Richard] Cartwright
490 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOHN SANDERS
A. L. S.
Schonectady March 18 lh 1770
I Rec d . your most Esteemed favour of the | ] Ins 1 Last
night, And in Answer to your Desire [I am sor]ry that I must
Let you know that I Cannot [let your] friend have the money he
wants, and do [not know] where to Direct your Honour To be
Likely [that your] friend might be Supplied, I am After Due
Respects
Your Honours Most Affectionate
Friend and Humb Serv 1 .
John Sanders
ADDRESSED: The Honourable Sir William
Johnson Bar 1 ,
att
Johnson Hall
Q D C
INDORSED: 1 Schenectady 18 th March 1770
Letter from M r . Sanders
1 In Johnson's hand.
FROM THOMAS GAGE
L. S. 1
New York March 18 l K 1770
Dear Sir,
I have lately received Letters from M r . Stewart His Majesty's
Superintendant of the Southern District, of which I think it right
to Send you some Extracts ; as they concern the Meeting at Onon-
daga between the Cherokees and the Six Nations. Likewise the
Draught of the Head, which M r . Steuart imagines to have been
stole; and that it was given by the Cherokees, present at the
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 491
above Meeting, to the Six Nations. I also inclose an Extract
of a Letter from M r . Cameron, one of M r . Stewart's Deputy's, to
him, on the Same Subject of the Cherokees who attended the
Meeting at Onandaga.
I furnish you with these Lights concerning the Cherokee
Deputys, which you will know how to make the best use of, and
what Relyance is to be had upon the Treaty those Deputys have
made, and the Engagements they have entered into on behalf of
their Nation.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
S R . W M . Johnson Bar*.
INDORSED: N York 18 th . March 1770
Genr'. Gages Letter
w ,h . Inclosures
FROM JOHN STEVENSON
A. L. S.
Albany 19*. March 1770
I ]
I am favoured with yours of the 1 5 th . Ins 1 , with Memorandum
Inclosed for some Iron and Steel that you desire to be sent you,
which Iron I now send According to your Order to the Care of
M r . Van Eps at Schonectady to be forwarded to you
I have also According to your Request Inclosed you your
Account Amounting to £85 . . 5 . . 1 1 including the Iron now
sent. I am upon all Occasions with great Respect
Sir
Your Most Oblidged
& Most Humble Serv 1
John Stevenson
492
Sir William Johnson Papers
JOHN STEVENSON S BILL
A. D.
[Wi]lliam Johnson Baronet
To John Stevenson D r :
[ ] of Steel as $ Bill Sent
£46.
.17. .3
[ ] Ditto as $ " Ditto
16.
. 6. .6
C Q «
[ ] Bars Iron W<: 10..0..16
@36/ £18.. 5.. 2
[ ] Share Moulds 1/ 2..0
It
bars German Steel W l . 50
@ 1/6 3. .15 .0
22.
• 4m* • • /~J
£85. ..5. .11
TO AN UNKNOWN PERSON
A. L. S. 1
Monday Evening, March 19, 1770
Sir/
I this Moment rec d . yours, and am oblidged to You for the
trouble You have taken about the Battoes, and as my Horses are
greatly fatuiged, would be glad You would get them rid in by
other Sleds but pray order them to put long poles under them as
they do when then ride Hay & Bunches of Straw behind, & be-
fore well tyed to Save them from rubbing or thumping against
the Sleay which would damage them much.
Y r . Compliance will oblidge
Sir Y'. Welwisher
& Humble Servant
. W Johnson
1 In New York State Library.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
493
INDORSED: Sir Willems Johnson
Brief Van de
pattos na Sackondago
1770
Mert 19 1
EDWARD POLLARD'S ACCOUNT AGAINST CAPTAIN JAMES STEVENSON
In the Johnson Calendar under date of March 20, 1770, written at
Niagara, Edward Pollard's account against Capt. James Stevenson for
the Indian department; receipted. Destroyed by fire.
DAVID VAN DER HEYDEN'S BILL
A. D. S.
[Johnson Hall, March 22, 1770]
Hon b,e : Sir Will m : Johnson Bari:
To David Van der Hey den Dl:
] [To] 1. Ax, 4/, &1. Sail 14/
[to] Kayaderoene, ^ Order
C Q* n
To 1 1 5 Sweedts Iron 36/
To 63 « Steel @ 1/
To Cash pj. W™. Van Den Bergh
For Riding an Indian Aserigo
And his Compy to the Half Moon
f To 1 Bale Blankets Q f . 25, ^f
Of 1 1 1 ptts @ 25/6 P $
To 15 » Bth Beeds @ 4/
To 7 » White Thread 8/3
To 2 tt Colour'd d". 6/
To 12 dozen Knives 5/
[
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
2.
3.
18
6
3
1..
[ ]
31.
. 5.
.0
3.
. 0.
2.
.17.
.9
0.
.12.
•
3.
.
£48 1..9
[ at Jo]hnson Hall 22 d March 1 770 the Above [contents
in full for M'. Vanderheyden SamL> Stringer
better concerning the bateaux near Sacondaga, 1770, March 19.
494 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO ISAAC LOW
Df. 1
Johnson hall March 22 d . 1770
[ ]
] soon to hold a General Congress with the Indians
on [ ] consequence to the public, I have made enquiry
in order [ a pro] per Assortment of Goods for that occasion,
In consequence of [which I have met] with none that will
Answer the purpose excepting a [ ] to Docf Sam 1
Stringer of Albany & marked S S From [ ] which &
the Accot he has given me, they will Answer, but [
that they were stored by a resolution of the Sons of Liberty
| was then Chairman. The occasion of my Writing
therefore [ w]hether these Goods will be delivered up to
my Order for the [ ] beforementioned in case I pur-
chase them. If they are [ ] for them without delay,
and as the Service requires my holding [a Congr]ess forthwith
which I cannot do without a Suitable present as [ ]
Occasion I make no doubt that you will favor me with [an
Answ]er as soon as possible.
I am &c
TO THOMAS WHARTON
Df. 1
Johnson hall, March 22 d . 1770
[ ]
Having occasion for some Blank Testimonials to give [to
chie]fs of the Indians, I have used the freedom with you [
the inclosed form, and drawing requesting that you will
] good Artist to Engrave the same, and also to
Engrave | ] emblematical figures at the Top of the Tes-
timonial, and as | | take up too much room if of the size
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 495
in the inclosed [ ] please to direct the Engraver to
draw it a Little shorter, [ | correct the shape, features &c
of the personages or things in the best manner he can, the Gentle-
man whose drawing it is [not] having Sufficient Skill in these
matters. The blanks in [the] Testimonial may be the same as
in the inclosed, and the [spa]ce at the Top larger than I have
left it tho' Smaller than the [dra]wing, the Edges of which he
can Embellish as he pleases When it is Engraved I would have
Two hundred Copies of it | | on parchment, which with
the Copper plate you will please [to] forward to me with the
Expence attending it which I shall pay [immediately and shall
be much obliged to you if it is convenient for [you] to get this
necessary Affair executed for me.
I have orders to ratify the Fort Stanwix Treaty in his
Majesty's Name, that the Traders Grant and M r .
Croghans, are still [ ] farther Consideration, however I
am in hopes that they [mus]t meet with Approbation to obtain
which I have wrote | ] about it. I wrote your Brother
sometime ago but | | nothing from him for a Consider-
able time, I heartily ] may find his Affair has had an
[ ]
] much esteem
Sir
A RECEIPT TO JOHANNIS WERT
D. S. 1
Johnson Hall March 22 d . 1770
Received of Johannis Wert of Kingsborough the Sum of Six
Pounds Three Shillings New York Currency In full for a Years
Rent of his Land to the 25 th . of this Instant March also Two
Fatt Fowls & a Days Work as Dues. —
W. Johnson
FC..3..—
1 In Johnstown Historical Society, Johnstown, N. Y.
496 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO SAMUEL WHARTON
Johnson hall March 23 d . 1770
[ ]
I wrote you long since in Answer to your sev 1 . [ | have
not heard from you for some Months I am lest mine
should have met with some Accident, as I | have wrote
me since May which was the last I received from
you, Mine was [ ] off in Dec r . last.
I have since received his Majestys Orders to ratify the Fort
Stanwix Treaty with the Indians, in his name, Excepting the
[gran]ts to the Traders and to M r . Croghan which are reserved
[for] other Consideration "when the persons interested shall
[ask] for his Majesty's Confirmation of them." — This I sup-
pose [is alre]ady done, but probably by the foregoing Words, is
meant [that] they have not Applied in the way required, — &
as I take it, [ ]ns to be that the Application to Indians
first, & founding [pre] tensions on their Grants gives some offence,
but as I honestly & Clearely Explained all that affair, & as there
was no other way [ ] ting the precedent of a retribution
from the Indians but in [ ] I proceeded. I am hopefull
that your Application will [meet] with Success, — I shall very
soon meet the [Indian Confederacy as well to declare the ratifi-
cation of the Treaty ] with their earnest request, to
have my [ ] Directions on a proposal made to them by
the [ ] Some of the Western & Southern [
] of some importance [ ]
is a very ticklish affair [ | they sho d . be
encouraged [ ] to permit it
[ ]
Which at any rate it will be [ the Complaints
of the Indians | | on the frontiers & a Variety
of other Intelligence | showing that they are much ag-
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 497
grieved, full of [ ] thereto from the Missisipi, Nothing
is yet done, nor is there a prospect of any thing for [
The frontier [ ] usual, and the result is not difficult to
] little leisure as ever but however I have
] Material that occurs here at present, [
the Squabble] at our Capitals which you will know from the
[papers (?) better] than I can inform you. I have wrote Gov.
[Pownal in answer] to his kind Letter and received another from
[him which I shall] make a return to soon — I am in daily
Expectation of one] from you, and therefore shall deferr saying
| have a Letter, Croghan is at the Lake [
he was long indisposed at New York, The New [Englanders
are] eager about Lands, and Scheming, some have been [
about Townships, and some plans are on foot [ ] for Cut-
ting masts for the Navy, but the havock [ ] the Timber
about Hudson River for these 6 years Oblige them to go up
farther this Way to Carry it [on. I am] Assured that two or
three of them near Saratoga [cut] a Vast Quantity of Timber
of the Size reserved [which] they intended for plank & boards,
but una[ble to get it] Away, near 4000 of them lye rotting
| & much more in different parts, this is [
& hurtfull to the Country that it ought [
past I rec d a Commission from Gov r [Colden as Surveyor?] of
the Woods for this Extensive [ ] put it out [
] I could get none [
']
either for this province in Gen 1 , or rather this [
in which case I wish my Son was Appointed [
him some business to do, & at the same time be [
with a Sallary that would prevent him from laying [out mo]ney
in the discharge of his duty. I have not suggested [this to any]
person but yourself, tho' I should be glad that you [ ]te
it to my Friend D r Franklin, or to any other [you th]ink proper
by which means those in power Might hint of the Utility of such
Several lines missing.
498 Sir William Johnson Papers
an Appointment, which if [ ] of they Might Signify
that they were authorized to | | such a person for it.
I shall not be unmindfull of any thing that may [la]ter occurr
that will be of service to you or your affairs, heartily Wishing
you all imaginable Success and that I may [ ] hear from
you, I remain
D r Sir your Sincere friend
& very humble Servt
[
] re to be
[
re]membered,
[
] to tell
[
you twice, the
[
] Letter by M r .
[
]
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
New York 26 March 1770
I ]
] of the 1 5 & 1 7th instant lay before [
you may be assured I will mention the [matter to Mr DeLancey],
but I cannot help thinking but that Gent n [ ] much
greater Regard to a Line from You [than] to any thing I can
say to Him; however as it is [ he] should comply with
your Request, I make no [ ] Chearfully do so —
by next Post I will write you [ ] I have seen M r
Campbell concerning the Pork [ no Orders about
that Article, but only desired me the price, I had
not purchased any untill I coud [ | orders as to the
Quantity you woud want which you [have not] mentioned to
me. M r Campbell however says He will | He has
Money to receive for you from M r Mortier to [
consented, as I doubt not He will do it full as well as [
a good deal vexed to hear that the 3 pipes Wine [
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 499
your Hands in Such bad condition, which must have been
] very great Negligence in M r Shipboy under whose
Care [ ] The Vessell they were on board of unfortunately
froze [ ] but M r Shipboy assured me he had sent
sleighs [ ] Wine & that it was safer in his Cellar —
but the truth [is it] seems to be impossible to rely upon any body
to do any [thing unless] they themselves have an Interest in it —
It is very received any Letter from me about the
£113. 18. 10s [received from M r Pen] I mentioned it in 3
severall Letters — The Wine [ ] £40 P pipe, by a
Letter I received from [ ] he has sold Cartwright One
of them [ ] to allow him [
] can be purchased [ ] Rum
I have taken Notice of the [order for mill saws and will
send 1 ] them by the first sloops which [will sail when the river ?]
is open, they shall packed up as you direct [ ] In
the Mean time I remain with great [
Sir your most Hble [
John W[etherhead]
I begg you will not forgett to write a Line to M r [Kemp and
the] Generall about the Location 2 for M r Roberts & C o1 [Claus]
He will not else make any Return without you [
FROM HUGH WALLACE
New York 26 March 1770
[ ]
] received your favor 16 Ins'. & | | pleasure
to inform you that your [Indian] Deed 3 having been laid before
1 Words supplied from the Johnson Calendar, p. 450.
2 See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 504, 505 and Calendar of Council
Minutes, p. 550.
3 See Calendar of Land Papers, p. 486 and 492, also Calendar of
Council Minutes, p. 547.
500 Sir William Johnson Papers
the [Council] it was approved of & y e . petition [for the] Land
granted, the Warrant for the [surv]ey will be sent M r . Colden,
& all will [be] done as soon as possible, & you may [be assu]red
the Pattent for the Part of it [there] under shall be compleeted
with all [possi]ble haste — I am glad to find S r . John [cho]oses
being here soon — I cannot get [the] Survey & Pattent for the
additionall Lands at Zedeghquida 1 yet settled, so cannot [
any Answer to the Germans, but will [ | to lett you know
in about 14 days as [ that time all will be finished —
] have accounts from all Quarters [that the] Land is
excellent on the South [ Mowhack River so that
[ ] 10 s /. ^ Acre, as [ ]
soon will rise [ ] I think [
The Packett not yet arrived [ ] write you —
My Compl ,s to all [ ] the Mowhack River & believe
me [ ]
D'Sir
Your obliged [&]
Hu[ ]
M rs . Wallace desires her
best respects to you & all
the family —
ADDRESSED : To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Bar'
at Johnson Hall
Albany
Sedachqueda, Sauquoit.
Post-lVar Period, 1763-1774
50 1
CARTWRIGHT S BILL
A.
D.
S.
March 27,
] D'.
£1:13:0
16:0
12:0
1:16:-
5:9
14:0:0
1770
£19: 2:9
| above Contents in full &
]
R Cartwright
HUGH FRASERS BILL
A. D. S.
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
To Hugh Fraser
To 50 Scheppels of wheat @ 3/
To 44 D°. of Barley @ 2/6
To 25 D°. ^ order to Jn°. Brackan @ 3/
[Johnson] Hall 27 th March 1770/
D'
£
7-10-
5-10-
3-15-
£16-15—
16-9
£17-11-9
Hugh Fraser
502 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM PETER SYLVESTER
Tuesday Albany the 27> h . March, 1770
I ]
I Received your favor Yesterday [of the] 25 th . Instant by
the bearer of it M r Nellus [wh]om I had some conversation
with relative to the matter on which I was to give my Opinion he
was to have called on me this morning at eight oClock to receive
it and an answer to Your letter But as I have not seen him since
I cant tell the occasion of it or whether he is gone back or where
he is wherefore I have Inclosed the opinion which I drew for him
& was ready before the above hour, the Instrument is certainly
an original of its kind — Dead men are made party's to it — no
consideration in it — & divers other faults might [be] pointed
out — In order to set the partys right [you] will please to observe
by the Inclosed what is [
As I was apprehensive the | not yet come to
your hand I | | naturalization act that you |
]ment before & when [ is not set until
the [ ] probability of a Mayors Court,
| which is the periodical [
of the City for holding | ] to the words of the act as
I think the Business spoken of can be as well
done in that [
I am Sir
Your most obedi[ent and]
very Hum[
Peter [Sylvester]
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 503
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.
Albany, 27*. March, 1770
I ]
[Col?] Schuyler & my self have been [at gre]at pains to find
out if the money [paid to] Col Butler in I 756 was repaid me
[by] you; we cannot find any Credit [ ] nor have I
charg'd it to the Public: [I beg] leave to trouble you with a Copy
of [Col] Butlers receipt, and to know if you have [or can]
find any Charge against me, or receipt for that payment — if
you have not I will charge it in my Department to the Treasury.
I am sorry I shall not succeed in the affair of the Flatts.
ADDRESSED To
The Hon ble . Sir William [Johnson]
JOHN BUTLERS RECEIPT
A. D. S. 1
[I] hereby Acknowledge to have rec d . from [John] Bradstreet
Esq. Three Hundred & [ ] pounds two Shillings &
six pence [for the pay of In]dians sent under my Command
Sir] William Johnson to serve as Scouts [to the] battoe
Men on their first Trip to Oswego [in Ap]ril 1756 and have
Sign'd two of this [tenor] & date to serve for one as Witness my
[hand]
May 20*. 1 756
J. B.
1 Inclosed in Bradstreet to Johnson, March 27, 1770.
504 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM CHARLES INGLIS
New York March 28, 1770.
Worthy Sir,
I am favoured with yours of the 1 6 th . of last Month, for which
please to accept my best Thanks. It gives me singular pleasure
to find that you view the Measure I mentioned in the same Light
I did, & that you interest Yourself in it. Should it be attended
with Success, it must be intirely owing to Your Influence & Inter-
est; both which you have often exerted in Behalf of the Church
of England, thereby laying its Members in these parts under
great Obligations.
On the Receipt of your Letter, I wrote in the most pressing
Manner I could to the Society to second your Application to the
Ministry for the Appointment of a Missionary to the Indians.
As a Body, it may not be in their power to do much. But the
Interest of some particular Members may be of Service.
Whether you may think it expedient to acquaint the Society with
it, I know not; but as you frequently correspond with them,
mentioning it in one of your Letters might not be amiss ; for they
want to be roused sometimes; or rather to be informed about
American Affairs.
Your Observations with Regard to the Scarcity of Clergymen
are very just. To that, & to the Want of a Bishop here, more
than to the Smallness of the Salary, is owing the Want of Mis-
sionaries in America. Even in England at present they can
scarce procure Clergymen enough to serve in the several Cures;
for which I have heard the following, among other Reasons
assigned — D r . Blackstone has lately published a Commentary
on the Common Law of England; a Work which is executed
with great Perspicuity & Judgment, & has made the Study of the
Law easy & agreeable, instead of being dry, disgusting & intri-
In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 505
cate as formerly. So that Numbers of young Gentlemen at the
Universities chuse to study the Law instead of going into Orders.
I have often wished for the pleasure of an Interview with You,
& on this Account among others — to know your Sentiments
about the most probable & effectual Measures for Converting the
Indians to Christianity. I have their State much at Heart; & it
were devoutly to be wished that some Method were fallen
upon to accomplish so desireable an Event. Several plausible
Schemes for this Purpose have been offered to the Society by
Clergymen ; but this Misfortune attended them in general —
that they were drawn up by Men who knew very little of Indian
Affairs; & like many other Hypotheses, were fair & easy in
Speculation, but very difficult to be reduced to Practice, & prob-
ably insufficient for the End. I too was desirous of laying a
Scheme of this Sort before the Society ; but was prevented by this
Reflection — that in all Probability it would share the same Fate
with others, & for the same Reasons — I was not sufficiently
acquainted with Indian Affairs to form a right Judgment of the
most practicable plan; the Success of which, humanly speaking,
can only be insured by an Attention to Circumstances, & mak-
ing them subservient to the Design; which Circumstances cannot
be known but by long Experience & an Intercourse with the
Indians.
No Person living is so well qualified, on many Accounts, to
form & execute such a plan as Yourself. Your good Sense,
your thorough Knowledge of Indian affairs, Your Influence &
Authority with the Indians, with the Government & Society,
conspire to point You out as the properest person. Could you
have Leisure from Public Affairs to think of this Matter, & digest
Your Thoughts, it is well worthy your Attention. Even sup-
posing the Scheme should not take Place at present, it would be
of Service hereafter, by pointing out to those who might have it in
their Power to carry it into Execution, what Steps & Measures
they ought to pursue.
Many Difficulties, I confess, start up at present to obstruct
such a Design. But the principal is the Want of a sufficient
506 Sir William Johnson Papers
Fund to support those who might be employed; for I do not
doubt but Missionaries & Schoolmasters could be procured, were
a regular Plan once formed, & a Fund provided. There are
several worthy young Gentlemen here now preparing for Holy
Orders, to whom I have often mentioned the Indian Missions ; 6c
altho they seemed to be discouraged from entering upon such an
Undertaking singly; yet shewed Willingness enough in Conjunc-
tion with others.
As to a Fund, I know no other Resources from which to
expect it, than the Government & the Society; unless something
could be done by appropriating Lands to that purpose. The
venerable Society always have been, & I am persuaded always
will be, ready to do every Thing in their Power. Whether the
Government, upon a just Representation of such a Scheme, of its
extensive Utility & Advantages to the State, & the many good
Consequences that would attend it, might not be induced to bear
a Part of the Burden, cannot be fully known but by a Trial.
Many Things might be said with the utmost Truth to engage the
Government's Attention to such a Measure; yet I own, "Whilst
the present plan of Oeconomy subsists," as you observe, the
Prospect is discouraging enough.
It is the Opinion of the most sensible Writers on this Subject
that I have met with, That it is necessary to civilize Savages
before they can be converted to Christianity; & that in order to
make them Christians, they must first be made Men. How far
this, in the present Instance, may be practicable or necessary —
& if both, what Measures are to be pursued for the Purpose —
what Number of Missionaries, Schoolmasters or others would be
necessary — where fixed, & under what Regulations — whether
it would be necessary to educate some young Indians for the
Ministry, & teach others Agriculture & some of the Mechanic
Arts, in Case they could be brought to consent — : These are
Matters of which you are the best Judge & ought to be con-
sidered in this Scheme.
Civilizing the Indians would undoubtedly be a considerable
Step to their Conversion — would further it much, & be of great
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 507
Advantage in other Respects. But that it is essentially neces-
sary to their Conversion, is in some Instances contrary to Fact.
Both we & the French have made many Converts, tho the Indians
were not in other Respects civilized. But I confess it appears
necessary to take them from their present vagrant Kind of Life in
some Measure, in order to christianize them effectually, & expect
any permanent good Effects.
It would be visionary to expect that every particular of such
a plan could be put in Execution immediately; yet were it regu-
larly digested & laid before the Public, Providence might, & in
all Probability would raise Friends for its Support. It is cer-
tain that until some Begining, some vigorous Efforts of this Sort
are made to draw the Attention of well disposed persons, we can
expect but little done for the poor Savages in their present forlorn
State. A single Mission, in the old, beaten Way, makes no
Noise, & few will pay any Regard to it; but a regular, entensive
Plan, with a Person of your eminent Station at the Head of it,
& promising Success, would command Attention & awaken the
slumbering Charity of Christians. There can be no Doubt, from
the Liberality which the Society annually experience, but many
pious People would afford their Assistance to it. In Queen
Anne's Reign the Government was at a considerable Expence
to support the Indian Mission near Albany; & at a Time when
many Obstructions were in the Way, from the Vicinity & Influ-
ence of the French, & the small Number of Brittish Settlers in
those parts. These Obstructions are now intirely removed, &
every Thing seems to insure Success, were a proper Attempt
made. Is it not a mortifying Reflection therefore that the
Government should lay aside every Thought about it? Or may
we not flatter ourselves that those in Power would listen to
Proposals for the above Purpose, if vigorously urged, & the
Example of Government formerly, laid before them?
It does great Honour to the Memory of the worthy Governor
Spotswood of Virginia, that he formed a benevolent Scheme for
the Conversion of the Indians, which had probably been attended
with Success, if some Persons in London, from mercenary Views,
508 Sir William Johnson Papers
had not interposed & prevented the Execution. The Design, it
is true, miscarried; but it will embalm his Memory nevertheless
to future Ages, when perhaps every other Circumstance of his
Life will be forgotten. And indeed, Sir, it will reflect peculiar
Lustre on Your Name, that after having by your Counsels &
Arms been greatly instrumental in reducing so considerable a
Part of North America, & adding it to the Brittish Dominions,
You should be instrumental also in reducing its Savage Natives
under Subjection to the Messiah, & adding them to his Fold.
Such an Attempt, even should it fail, is praiseworthy & glorious;
& He that will not let a Cup of Water, given to a Disciple, go
without a Reward; will not be unmindful of such an Effort to
extend the Limits of his Kingdom.
With the utmost Deference I submit the Whole of this Affair
to your better Judgment. Perhaps my being sanguine is only
owing to Inexperience. I would fain hope not; but were it the
Case, I hope you will pardon what proceeds from a sincere
Desire that the Indians, those miserable Outcasts of Humanity,
should share in what I believe to be the greatest Benefit & Bless-
ing — a true Knowledge of the Redeemer. I should not be so
free & explicit, did I not presume much on the Goodness of Your
Heart, & were I not persuaded that You ardently wish that such a
Measure should be carried into Execution; & Providence seems
to mark You out as the only proper Instrument to set it on Foot.
My Situation in this place is such that I cannot flatter myself
with the Hope of seeing You, unless you should favour New
York with a Visit. You would therefore oblige me much by
letting me know Your Sentiments of this Affair in a Letter,
Nothing could give me greater Happiness than having it in my
Power to contribute to the Design.
Agreeable to Your Desire I send You the Society's Sermon
for 1 769. It was preached by the excellent Bishop Newton,
who is justly celebrated for his Dissertations on the Prophecies.
In the Sermon You will find several Reflections to animate our
Endeavours in spreading the Light of the Gospel among the
Indians. Be pleased also to accept of a Discourse written by
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 509
the great & good D r . Cudworth 1 which I had lately reprinted
here to counteract some Enthusiastic Notions in Religion which
gained Ground among us.
Party Spirit ranges still with great Violence. Our good
Friends, the Whigs will neither be quiet themselves, nor suffer
others to live in Peace. A late Transaction about our Liberty-
Pole 1 gave Rise to a Cantata which I send, because it may divert
You. It is written with much Spirit, Wit & Humour; & has
mortified the Whigs to the last Degree. The Merit of such
Things, you are sensible, must be in a great Measure local, &
depends on a Knowledge of the Characters that are introduced.
I have added in the Margin the Names at Length of the Persons
Described, as you might not be able to guess at them by the initial
Letters. It must not however be known that I wrote the Names.
With sincere Wishes for Your Welfare, & for Prosperity on
all Your Undertakings ; & with the truest Esteem, I am,
Sir,
Your most affectionate,
and obedient, humble Serv 1
Charles Inglis
To Sir W m . Johnson.
INDORSED:' N. York 28 th . March 1770
The Revr d . M r . Ingli's
Letter
Ans d . 18 th . April
1 Ralph Cudworth, 1 6 1 7-88, a celebrated English philosopher of the
Platonic school.
-The affray of Golden Hill, January 19-20, 1770.
3 In Johnson's hand.
510 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
[Claver]ack 28th March 1770
I ]
I have the Honor of your Letter of the 26th instant this
moment — I [ ] began upon the List you have requested
of me and I am happy that [my sentijments in regard to Col°.
Rensselaer coincide with yours. — I suppose he | | refuse
to accept of the Command of the Regiment now it is new
modelled, in [that] case youll be pleased at foot of the List to
see the alterations proposed. The [Peojple here about are a
very Divided set it is therefor by no manner of means prudent to
advise with many People I have therefor confined myself for in-
telligence to a few individuals and I am perswaded the inclosed
List is as impartial a one as can possibly be made out. It is true
there is three or four of Captain Hogebooms family in the List
but be assured Sir this is done for reasons perfectly Justifiable and
will answer salutary purposes. I have had some difficulty with
my Friend Hogeboom to curb him a little he was rather impetu-
ous in his Resentments and wanted (now the opportunity offered)
[to] exclude his Enemies altogether: But I at length perswaded
him that this would be following an example that has of late
been much condemned. I strove hard to perswade him that it
would be best to recommend John Ten Broeck (CoI°. Rensse-
laers Nephew) as first Captain that he might be Major in case
the Col°. should decline. But Jeremie could not be perswaded
to this as it would | | a Domineering Family at the head
of Military Affairs in this Quarter in time. My Reason for
[not agr]eeing with this opinion is that I do not think Col°. Rens-
selaer used the Ten Broeck Family [well in n]eglecting them and
putting in John A. Van Alen in for Major — I shall not [ani-
ma]dvert upon the Character of this 1 More than to tell you
An omission in the manuscript.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 511
S r . that he was a proper Tool to carry [ ] schemes
against the Setlers upon the Contested lands into Execution. —
Thus much I have [ to tell you in regard to those
matters that you may be properly informed. It [
and the Time precious for Your Express to return from Kinder-
hook. In haste I [ ] with the truest Love Esteem
and Respect
Sir
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
[H. V.] SCHAACK
HENRY VAN SCHAACK S LIST OF OFFICERS
A. D.
Claverack, [March 28, 1770]
[ a A List of Persons recommanded for Officering] a Regiment
of Militia Foot within the following District [viz to comprehend
all the Inhabitants Living] North of the Manor of Livingston
and South of an East [Line from the first Falls on the Creek
which begins] by Major Abraham Staats's, to the extent of the
Colony 2
1 Words burned away supplied from the Johnson Calendar, p. 450.
2 See map following Van Schaack to Johnson, letter of January 28,
1770. Compare list with Third Report of State Historian, p. 761 and
770-71.
512
Sir William Johnson Papers
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514 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
Afea) //aucn Marc/i 29'l> 1770
I ]
] to my friend M r Robinsons 1 the [ | leav-
ing Col Johnsons and had the [worst roads] I ever saw from
Albany to his house, [ ] from thence here — I stayed
with [ ] ys in order to recover my mair and do [
Bussiness, — he was Extremely Glad to hear and
desired me the first time I wrote to [you to] make his best Com-
pliments and assure [you that] no Person Can have a greater
Respect [for anoth]er then he has for you, he sets out [for New]
York in two or three days from this time [He has] been so good
as to undertake to get the [ ] wanted there done for me —
This is [ ] hoped and wished when I Left you he |
] take the charge of and will I [flatter] my self be a great
means of Enabling [me to] leave this pious Colony very soon,
the Boston papers have been forwarded [by the] Post — by
them you will see that [there has be] en a small Rumpus 2 in the
great [ ] have only one side of the [
Printer dare not [ ] hold that Cap*.
[Preston 3 ] that many [
had Resolutions [
under Cover to you one of [
got upon the Road and [
the Sundry Engagements [
I am not able to hear any [ New
London — hope to be there [
make my Family happy [ ] c
your great and Extrodinary gfoodness] which I will Studdy and
Endeavour [ ] for, during my whole Life —
I beg [to my] Compliments to Col°. Johnson and
1 Beverly Robinson's house on the Hudson.
2 Known as the Boston Massacre, which occurred on March 5, 1 770.
3 Captain Thomas Preston, of the 29th regiment.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 515
the ] his neighbourhood to M r - Daly 1 and [
] at the Hall, and that you will [accept my] most sincer
wishes for your Health | ] and believe that I am with
the [ ] and Respect
Dear Sir
Your m[ost]
[ ]
The Hon ble Sir William [ ]
FROM THOMAS BARTON
A. L. S. 2
WORTHY SIR Philadelphia March 3/". 1770
The obliging Letter, which you did me the Favour to write on
the 1 6 th . of last Month, I received here — That which you wrote
soon after your Return from the Treaty at Fort Stanwix, I never
had the Pleasure of seeing — Nothing should have prevented me
from taking proper Notice of it, had it reached me — It will
ever be the Study and the Ambition of my Life to deserve your
kind Regards; & you may therefore be assured that no Avoca-
tions whatever shall interrupt that Correspondence, with which
you have been pleased to honour me. —
I design this Scrawl as an Apology only — I shall do myself
the Favour to write fully as soon as I can retire from the Scene
of Noise & Confusion which presents itself to me at present. —
I am, Hon d . & most Worthy Sir,
Your obliged, affect e . & obedient humble Serv 1 .
Tho Barton
Hon ble Sir William Johnson —
indorsed: 3 March 31 st . 1770
M r . Bartons letter
^M r . Stuart —
1 Dr Daly, Johnson's physician. — J. R. Simms, Trappers of New
York.
2 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
3 In Johnson's hand.
5 1 6 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM RICHARD PETERS
A. L. S. 1
Philadelphia 31 Mar 1770
HONOURD AND DEAR SlR
I have joind in a Letter with D r Smith & M r Barton
in favour of a very worthy man M r Steward. As we judgd he
woud answer your purpose in the Indian Mission we have sent
him to you and we hope he will answer our Character & Expec-
tations.
There happened to be a Number of Subscriptions going on at
the time the Mohock Petition came to my hand however I at-
tempted it but soon found I coud make no great Progress in it.
I afterwards resumd it & was still disappointed. If we have any
good Success in having the differences accomodated with our
Mother Country I will make one more Essay & hope for better
Success.
You may think us tardy in not getting you some proper persons
for Chatechists & Missionaries but really the people of the Church
of England are averse to let their Children study for the Ministry.
The Dissenters take advantage of this & tho it is very mortifying
& we remonstrate against this negligence yet we cannot put a bet-
ter Spirit into any of our people.This is truth & a very lamentable
one.
The two young men who engaged to undertake Schools in the
Indian Country & to put themselves on such a fair Tryal hoping
their Conduct woud recommend them to the Ministry cruelly dis-
appointed me there was such a Scarcity of German Ministers y l
their Friends woud not part with them. The person mentiond
in our joint Letter is a promising youth well educated — & says
he will devote his whole Life to make himself useful in any de-
partment you shall assign him. His Father is a Magistrate one
M r Hall in the Neighbourhood of this City but is thro misfor-
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 517
tunes but in low Circumstances this makes him consent to part
with a Son for whom he has an overweening tenderness & I hope
both of them will be the better for it.
My health ebbs & flows & I study to be quiet & not to mix
with the hurly burly of the times. We all mean well & think
we can do good but we are duped out of that serenity & thought-
fulness w ch is necessary to preserve our Union with a much better
Spirit & Nature which are in us; not to be drownd and extin-
guishd by the Concerns of a trouble some woud but to be tried
by them & to get the better of them. Pardon these Reflexions,
they arise in a mind that has been tossed to & fro with honest &
good but worldly & tumultuous Desires respecting a world that
will take its own Courses — in spite of what a few good men can
say or do to mend it. I am with very kind respects to Col John-
son M r Croghan & M r Clause
D'Sir
Y r Affectionate humble
Servant
Richard Peters
INDORSED:' March 3 1 st 1 770
Revr d . M r . Peter's letter
V M r . Stuart —
FROM WILLIAM SMITH
A. L. S. 2
Philad*. March 3f* 1770
Hon d & Worthy Sir/
I ought long ago to have troubled you with a letter,
but as I could not find fit Persons to recommend (the two we first
mentioned having declined to go) I was willing to wait till we
could find others.
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
518 Sir William Johnson Papers
In Conjunction with M r Peters & M r Barton, who is now at
my House, I have recommended the Bearer M r Stuart, who, I
think, I can answer for, on long Experience, as an excellent
Scholar, a fine Temper, & great Prudence, & I am persuaded you
will be happy in Him, & he in you, if a tolerable Settlement can
be got for him, under your Protection.
I have mentioned, at the Bottom of our joint Letter, another
Young Gentleman, M r Jacob Hall, who is to take his first Degree
in our College next May, of whom I can say every Thing that is
good, & I have never known a Young Man of a Zeal, Piety &
Prudence, more promising for a faithful Indian Missionary. If
a Support can be contrived for him, he is willing to spend two
Years as a Catechist & Schoolmaster among the Indians, where
you shall place him, to learn their Language before he embarks
for holy Orders, he being yet but 22 years of Age.
I send, by M r Stuart, 6 Copies of my Sermon before "the
Corporation for the Relief of the Widows & Children of our dis-
tressed Clergy;" in which Corporation we have done ourselves the
Honor to insert your Name, knowing your great Readiness to
countenance every humane & Charitable Work. Perhaps you
have received the Sermon already from D r . Auchmuty. If so,
those I send may be put into the Hands of some of your Friends,
if you should think the Sermon worthy of that Honor.
I am sorry we could not this Winter forward the Subscription
M r Croghan proposed for the Benefit of the Indian Mission.
There happened to be our Widows Fund, & two or three more
Subscriptions on foot at the Time, & we thought it best to delay
till these were a little over, expecting then to have more Success,
& we hope it may not then be too late, as no Missionary is yet
appointed.
I am obliged to you for what you write to M r Barton that you
have not lost Sight of the Matter relative to the Tract of Land
we hope to get by your kind Offices. You would favor us much
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
519
by pointing out where we could apply to Advantage as soon as
convenient. I am Hon d Sir/
Your obliged & obed 1 humble Servant
William Smith
INDORSED: 1 PhidP a . March 31 st 1770
Doctor Smiths Letter
ty M r . Stuart —
FROM DAVID VAN DER HEYDEN
A. L. S.
Albany, 2 April, 1770
f
]
| is moment I was favoured with yours [
inclosing] a Commission for John Winne, which [
Letter you mention to have wrote a month [ago in
behalf] of your Friend, has never come to hand, or [I should
] ly have answered it ; however I never knew [
of Cash more than I do at present, & wish it [were in] my power
to oblidge you. If you should be [in want of] any of the fol-
lowing goods I can supply you, [ ] Peniston, 1 p c . red
Ratteen, Embossed Serge 4 p c . some linens, large scalping Knives,
200 p s . Gartering of [ | to Vermilion, Callicos a few p c .
[ Der desires I am S r .
[ ] Y r most Obed*. Serv':
David Van Der Heyden
FROM JOHN DE PEYSTER
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 450, under date of April 2, is listed a
letter from John De Peyster, Albany, relating to a probate of the will
of Daniel Danneston. Mostly burned.
1 In Johnson's hand.
520 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM DANIEL CLAUS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 450, is listed a letter under April from
Daniel Claus, concerning a request from Assarigoa and Saghsanageghte,
that Thayayake may be furnished with a gorget and a coat, and an order
on Vanderheyden. Destroyed by fire.
ORDER ON DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall April 3 d . 1770
Daniel Campbell
please to pay unto M r John Stevenson of Albany, or
to his order the Sum of Eighty five Pounds, Five Shillings, and
Eleven pence New York Curry, & charge it to Acd. of your
Humble Servant
W. Johnson
] Above in full from
[Danjiel Campbell
John Stevenson
PERRY, HAYES & SHERBROOKE S BILL
D. S.
New York April 3 d . 1770
[Daniel Camp] bell
Bo*, of Perry Hayes & Sherbrooke
[10 barrels of] Pork. .. .85/ £ 42.10
[Received payment] at same time for Mess rs - [Perry Hayes &
Sherb]rooke
John Farrah
Post-War Period, / 763-1 774 521
FROM THOMAS WHARTON
A. L. S.
Philad*. April 3 d . 1770
Thy two favors of the 22 & 23 d Ult°. I received
since, and Agreable thereto, I have Ordered [the] plate to be
Engraved by One Dawkins who is [ | our best Artist;
He Assures Me He will Use [his utjmost Endeavors to com-
pleat it, in a Manner [which] shall be satisfactory to thee; as
soon as the plate [is finished, I will have the Testimonials
Printed. I [will] have the whole Compleated in two or three
Weeks. I shall send them in a Box to New York ^ stage
[an]d to the Care of My friend John Alsop whom I [shall]
request to forward it to thee by a Proper Conveyance.
Shall embrace the first opportunity [to forward] thy favor to
My Brother Samuel, And am sorry [that] he has been so remiss,
as not to write More fully [to his best?] Friend; but I Presume
it May in part be [owing] to the want of Opportunities; We
have not [ li]ne from Him since the 6 th Decern, when He
spirits, and doubted not He should succeed
[ ] tion
] Can the General Boundary be Adopted by the
Brittish Court, And [ ] of those two Grants not take
place? Si [nee the Indians] conveyed those lands to G Croghan
an[d the sufferers of] 1 763 * before they Confirmed to the
Crow[n the Boun]dary And of Consequence the Land wi[thin
it. I] rather Expect that the King would not [have approved]
of a Confirmation of the Boundary had [he not meant] to have
ratified those Grants —
1 See Hillsborough to Johnson, May 1 3, 1 769 and Johnson to Hills-
borough, August 21, 1769, Doc. Rel. to Col Hist. N. Y., VIII: 166
and 181.
522 Sir William Johnson Papers
We have certain l[etters] which inform, that, the Duke of
Grafton 1 [has resigned] its not Mentioned Whither Any other
Ch [ ] place, or who was to succeed Him —
I remain with [
thy real [ ]
To
Sir William Johnson
FROM THOMAS PENN
L. S.
[London 3] April 1770
Dear Sir
Yesterday I received [ ] Packet of the 30 t[l :
January inclos[ing a bill on Harley] & Drummond for
£545. .4.4 which rep [ays I paid for your Grant.
This Letter was a Duplicate [ ] was sent by
Lieutenant Roberts who is not [ | whenever he comes
to me you may be assured I [shall render] him all the good offices
in my power as I ] person recommended to me by you.
I am very much concerned to find that [the] Administration
here, has droped the Scheme for regu[lating] the Indian Trade,
as I am very sensible other sort [of] People should be employed
than they will give proper Allowances to in the
several Colonies and that will be necessary to Superintend the
sort of people that will be employed in the Indian Trade.
I return you my thanks for sending me the two pamphlets by
M r . Roberts published by the people of Connecticut as also for
your resolution to oppose the Steps they have taken. I also return
you my thanks for your good wishes of the Restoration of my
Health. I continue gradually gaining strength, & am going to
Bath in a fortnight's time, in hopes of a perfect | | as
1 The retirement of the Duke of Grafton from the premiership occurred
on January 22, 1 770. He was succeeded by Frederick, Earl of Guil-
ford, Lord North.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 523
yet cannot write or I should [ ] another hand. I
desire my Compts [ ] with much esteem
Dear Sir
Your most Affectionate F d .
& most Obedient Servant
Tho Penn
addressed : To Charg d in London
The Honourable Sir William Johnson [Bar'.]
INDORSED: 1 London 3 d . April 1 770
M r . Penns letter acknowledging
y e . Recp f . of my Bill
for the Expence of y e . Grant
Ans d . 4 th July
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London April 4 th , 1770
I ]
I got home the day after I wrote [from] New Haven and had
the happiness to find [ ] woman and Family Very well,
who are [ ] happy by your great goodness to me.
I imployed in getting Every thing finished [
and flater my self I shall be able to see [you] again in may.
We Can hear nothing from [London?] Except what is printed
in the papers and [that] is all on one side the Question. I yes-
terday saw [a let]ter from a Committee of Eight Gentlemen [in]
New York Chose by a Society of Bill of Rights [ ]al
New York who have Enter'd into divers [questions for the sup-
port of as they say their [lives?] Libertys property &ca and have
appointed ] committee to Correspond with all the Sons
of [Liberty] in America and Else where, and they [
In Johnson's hand.
524 Sir William Johnson Papers
Sons of Liberty in New London & Connect 1 | | their
sentim ts & opinions upon [ ] and Tyrannical methods
taken by [the ministry] with the province of the Massa [chusetts
Bay &] Town of Boston — in Consequence of this a Grand
meeting [ ] here and a Committee appointed to let
the] Society in New York know the [ and so the
Ball is to be keep[t rolling. It] is Very Plain that several
Peo]ple in] N York and Boston are making a f fortune out] of
it by advancing the price of the [ir | their will be a Vessell
from here [ ] in a few days when I shall send
you | | of young trees and some other things [in the]
Gardening way as well as a few | Black and orchard
Grass seeds —
with the papers I have [ ] a small
pamphlet wrote by an Hon [est] Churchman upon the Right
of this [province to] the Susquehanna Lands I have not |
but am told it is pretty well do[ne Give] my Compliments to
Col° Johnson [and the other] Gentlemen in his Neighbour [hood.
M rs ] Chew prays you'l Accept [her best] Compliments and
sincere | | health which may [ | restore
I am with the [great] est truth and Regard
Dear Sir
Your most obed 1 . & most
Hble Serv*.
Jos Chew
I have wrote to Col° Gardiner and Expect [to] have his
answer in time to forward by the Next Post with Respect to His
land
M r Terrill spent a day or two in this town is now over at Long
Island & I am told Expected here again.
[Honora]ble SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON Bar 1 .
"Ugh! I no dream any more. White ehief dream better than Indian"
Sir William Johnson and King Hendrick, illustrating the legend of the dream
From Martha J. Lamb's History of New York City, vol. I, p. 558
-<j ■
■
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 525
TO THOMAS GAGE
D/. 1
[Johnson Hall, April 6, 1770]
I ]
] favour of yours with the Letters from
] the pipe therein mentioned I have had
a [ description of it from sev 1 . and find
it does not [ [ by him. The principal of the
Cherokees on this [embassy is a m]an of some Consequence
well known to be Such [ ] the Indians & furnished
with belts from all the Tribes, [ ] the known
Caution of Indians in these Matters, and their [apprehejnsion
that probably they would have been dissuaded from their
[ ] I am not at all Surprized at their Concealing
part of their [object ] from M r . Stuart, which certainly is
principally with a design [of] an Alliance for carrying on a
War against some of [the We] stern Indians &ca J , & this is
admitted in a great measure in Camerons Letter, but that it is not
against the Chactaws, now [I am] induced to think that the
Chactaws are not the people the [Chero]kees have for their
object; but that that comes from the [Six Na]tions inclination
to carry on a War against them rather than [again] st the Western
Ind s . but be this circumstance as it will a Union [to carry] on
War in Conjunction is the principal Object of their [Embass]y.
I should by all means inform you that I have rec d . [the] Intelli-
gence which I think I can rely on, That the Kickapous,
[Piankash]aws & Wawiaghtonos with some others do intend
In the [ | of summer or sooner to attempt the
reduction of the Ilinois, this I [ many Circum-
stances from some Indians of credit confid]ence
1 In Guy Johnson's handwriting.
2 See Johnson to Hillsborough, February 10, 1770, in Doc. Rel. to
Col. Hist. N. Y., 8:203-4.
526 Sir William Johnson Papers
which they repose in me 6c which has induced them [
thing the discovery of [ ] the publick & therefore
I have no reason [ ] material sho d . [ ]
[ ] up to the 25 th . [of March?]
[ *]
Exceed the Allowance [ ] it as to retrench my
Expences [ ] settlement; I hope to be favor [ed
] Ammount of the Accts now sent and [
Esteem Dear Sir, &ca
M r . Croghan tells me that on his representation of their
Necessity you were pleased to desire the Continuance of the
Smiths at Fort Pitt, & Detroit, in Consequence of which he has
sent me an Acct of their 2 pay, to be transmitted to you, as you
were pleased to say you would take upon you that expence. —
Goods for Ind n . presents being (by the new agreement
amongst the Trading People) Scarce & dear, in so much that I
am great [ly ] any, I will therefore be glad to have a
Credit [ ] wherewith to purchase in England Su[ch
as are] most wanted, & necessary for carrying on [
Department, and that in time, So as [ ] be here by
the latter end of summer.
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
A. Df.
[Johnson Hall April 6 J 770]
] favored with your Letter concerning [some
money] formerly advanced to Capt. Tho s . Butler in [ 1 756 :! for
whi]ch I have looked over all my papers & books at
le]ngth find in one of my old Books of account | en] try
1 Several lines missing.
2 From this point the letter is in Johnson's handwriting.
8 Date supplied from Johnson Calendar, p. 45 1 .
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 527
in the Year 1757 ["March 14 lhl ] To Capt. Phil. [Schuyler ]
Capt Bradstreets Letter & by order of Lord Loudon the sum
of[ "J .
I have not been able to discover any thing else relative [
from the Multifarious business of my Department [and] other
particulars There are indeed Many of my papers & [ ] &ca
of that period Still remaining at Fort Johnson 2 , which [I have
not] removed to this place as Judging I should have little or no
] to recurr to them, These I have not had an oppor-
tunity [of examining since the rect. of your Letter, but, as the
above Entry ] my Book of Public Expences for that
period I apprehend [will] Sufficiently clear up the matter for I
have always [been ] Care full to make no Charge or Entry
that could not be [ ]
Col. Johnson acquainted you sometime ago about [
the flatts, which I find are estimated beyond their [ ] at
present I see no prospect of coming to any terms [
with them in the manner I could have wished for
] with Much Esteem
Sir
Etc.
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
April 8* 1770
[Yeste]rday I was feavar d . with boath [your] honors Leters by
the Mandring [gentle] man you Menshon whome I know well.
[I am] Greatly oblidg d . to you for y e . Truble [you] have Taken
to procure Me y e . Mony [I wan] ted & was aperehensife itt wold
[be dif] fecult to be gott as I well Know [y e . scarce] ty of Mony
Every where I am [not] the first that has been dipt in law So it
1 Crossed out in the original.
2 Cf. I:xiv, History of the Manuscripts.
528 Sir William Johnson Papers
Must Take its Course Till [ ] Do something with part of
those [lands?] of w h . I have two Much for I Neaver [
to Keep above 20,000 for My [self &] Prevost that is 10,000
Each Butt [ ] them I Must Do y e . Best I can [ ]
of My hands
] packett is a Long while out [ | to hear from
M r . Wharton and M r . Trent If they succeed [in getting the
grant 1 ] to the Traders Confirm* 3 . & [ My preporsion
thereof it will [ ] as to My own Grant for the [
| fairly & openly & paid Honestly [ | posesion
of twenty years I Dout [ ] will confirm them att present
Made by Lord Hillsburgh, However [
Nott to Give up My property because [he] or any other Minister
Should think I only wait to hear the Event of
To Take Some Steps to Secure ti [tie] for those
Lands with the Improve [ments] Made on them Stands Me in
M [ Pensylvaine Mony w h . is To because
a Minister of State Sa[ys If his Majsty be Determmd
th[ | them I Must Louse them yett [I do not] acknol-
edge the Justuse Don & giveing itt to a Nother
Sub[ject of my Labors for twenty ye[ars
was Inform d . from Cherry vally [of a fray 2 ] Boston w\ y r .
honor Menshuns | | those small things will [
Greater the pople No where [in the] Colonys Seem plase d . with
y c . Conduct [of] the army, there Must be afault [som]ewhere
If itt be in the pople [they] ought to be Dragoon d . into thire
[duty?] w h . Nesesity in Such Cases Require [
Ever So Disagreeable & in that Case [there] Seems to be a
Want of power I ]en l . or Sperret in the Kings [Ge]neals
to Do itt, if a Spanish & [Fre]nch Warr Dont Setle y'. Difer-
ence [be]tween his Majsty & Subjects att home | ] abroad
& that Soon he Must have | butt a Trublesome Time
1 To compensate for traders' losses by Indian depredations in 1 763.
2 Supplied from the Johnson Calendar. It relates to the "Boston
Massacre."
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 529
of itt [ ]st forgive Me for Diping into [ ] &
blive Me with the Greatest [ | y r . honors Most obedent
Humble Servant
[ ] Geo: Croghan
P. S. I am Truly Sencable [ Wishiss
& frendshipe for Me ] My Sincear thanks for all y r .
[ ] that of Makeing Me a Justuse [ ] Must
beg Lave to Decline itt as I [ ] I have Nott the Least
ambition to [ ] publick in any Station whatsoever.
[When I] form'd My plan for Setleing in [this region? 1 ] itt was
with a Viwe of retirement & [my] ambition was to become a
Sim [pie in] y r . Niborhood where I Might [have the]
plesher of Visiting y r . honor onst in Months for I
ashure you I have N [ot Viwe to Richess or honours
I am yett very Lame & Like I think [to | So the Snow
is yett hear in y e . woods and my felds all Coverd with Ise [I
seem ?] an old Criple begining y e . World a [new] blive Me Ever
y rs .
I must give [you the trouble of ?] Sending the Inclos d . Leter
to | | & if any Leter Comes by y e . [
[Sir William] Johnson Barr 1 .
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[New York, April 8, 1770]
favoured] With your acceptable favour of the [
which I] have duly observed & in answer once] sitt
down & write out your Account | ] Can wish from the
Commencement of the which] I will send you the In-
stant it is finished which [ this week — The Severall
Articles you orderd [M r Campbell has] taken Note of from me
& has desird He might [bring] up with him, which I consented
to the rather because [he] will take Care of them & forward
1 Otsego.
530 Sir William Johnson Papers
them safe to you [I have] ransacked this City for the Mill Saws,
but have [been able] to find but one Single Saw of the right Sort
to Suit | ] the Saws must be Dutch, the English Ones
will only [ ] Saw mills, they being too thick for a frame
mill ] happy in communicating the Enclosed paper to
you [ ] inform you where to meet with them in Albany,
it [ ] to write immediately for them to some person
in Albany [ ] some other person will purchase them, as
they are an Article ] Demand & as you See very
scarce; for which Reason I will [ ] write to Mr Ship-
boy & desire him to purchase them for [ ] you to write
him immediately to confirm it. [ ] Tongues and Biscuit
shall be sent by first Sloop [ ] Campbell or Mr Ellice
who are both here [ ] write a Line to M r Oliver
De Lancey 1 [ ] in the Oneida purchase.
JAMES RIVINGTON'S LETTER
In the Johnson Calendar under date of April 8, 1770, written at
New York City, is listed a letter from James Rivington on the resignation
of the Duke of Grafton, "the prevalence of the Chatham Rockingham
and the old whigg Squadron," Lord North and Lord Morden. Destroyed
by fire.
HUGH HENEY TO DANIEL CLAUS
Extract 2
La chine 8 lh Apr 1 1770
Philip the Caghnawagey Interp r . desires me [in] behalf of the
chiefs to let you know, that young Carleton 3 & they are not upon
1 Regarding Deniston's share — Johnson Calendar, p. 45 1 .
- Preceded by Claus' explanation to Johnson:
I ] in my Absence is to receive
District when upon Business
] Intelligence acquaints me as
[follows]
3 Captain Lieutenant Christopher Carleton of the 3 1 st regiment ;
Major of the 29th in the War of the Revolution.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 531
a good Understands- [ ]ther, for in every Council he
calls them to [he] does nothing but scold them & upbraid them
[for] their supposed Insincerity in not telling him [all th]at
passes among them — Philip says he [ ] ts to have all the
ruling Governmt of the [wh]ole Village, & that nothing should
be done there but by [his] Directions, he is jealous with them on
your [ace] ' and says if you were here they would soon [
to you & tell you all things. The chiefs & [
jcame M r . La Rumiers & Clinyancours familys [have been
put] ting mischief in his head, and have asked him [
times, who it was told them such strange [ ] he never
will tell them his Author, which [ ] the chiefs &
they tell him it must be the [ ] gone to Quebec ab*.
3 weeks ago, they [ ] They likewise say their
father [ ] a Smith to be in their Village [
ago their Village [ trembling w ch . made [ ]
Issue of w ch . they now can [
you know their pain & fear [
was born nothing could frighten [ ]
father the Gov r . threatens them [
Priest out of their Village as he [
Breth". at S l . Regis, they would be [
they have done & why their grievances are not heard & redressed
| promised to enjoy their Liberty of Conscience [as]
in the french time & cant account for [ ] should be
deprived of it without reason [ ] speedy Redress, for fear
their Village ] so long might at last tumble and
crush [ | & children.
The chiefs bid me to acquaint you [for] they could pretty
nigh guess the reason of [it] that young M r . Carleton expected
they [would ] him in the Light they do you, w ch . they
th[ink un] reasonable of a Stranger whom they [
yesterday, when on the contrary you was [more] than 9 years
managing their Aff rs . [with] Satisfaction.
Several lines burned off.
532 Sir William Johnson Papers
ANTHONY GORDON TO DANIEL CLAUS
La Chin Apr. 9
Translation of Pere Gordons Leftter] 1
Sir
i --]
Genjeral ordered me to Settle or [ ]ables
without w c!l . he would not [allow me to] remain at S' Regis but
to come away [without] delay. The Iroquois who detest
[more th]an ever the Neighborhood of the Abinaq s . [and
Hert]el, say they will not proceed in the Affair [until] they hear
from S r . William Johnson or you that they would rather be
without their Mission^, a while than to be oblidged to have
airways [neig]hbours ab l . them w th . whom they could never live
in peace. They rely strongly on S r . William's doing them more
justice than the General, and that he [wi]ll enforce & fulfill the
Speech he made in the [na]me of the King after the taking of
Canada [at] Caghnawagey. The chiefs of Caghnawagey
[com] plain and tell me they are much displeased [with] young
M r . Carleton 3 , who endeavours with M r . [Cli]gnantcourt to drive
Father Huguet from Cach[nawag]ey, they say he is a child that
knows nothing [of] Ind n Matters but to put them in confusion,
[he] expects to have a Commission of Commissary [
lor ina". /-mi 1 ", uus
^ g I am respectfully
Sir
& ca
Anthony Gordon Jes le
INDORSED: 4 [
] letters
[
] Concerng
[
] Conduct
[
]
1 This translation and the extract from Hugh Heney's letter are on
one sheet forwarded by Claus to Johnson.
- Several lines burned off.
:; Compare with other instances of Carleton's active interest in Indian
management.
4 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 533
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK ETC.
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 242, are listed the following letters and
documents which were destroyed by fire: a letter of April 9, 1770, from
Henry Van Schaack, Kinderhook regarding a charge against Captain
Hogeboom, an aspersion on Van Schaack, a scheme of Justice Quackin-
boss and Isaac Goes to remove the place of town meeting, and fees for
commissions; a letter from Jeremiah Hogeboom, Claverack, April 9,
1 770, regarding a charge that he has incited Indians to make unjust claims
and disturbances; a receipted bill of Ury Janner, Claverack, April 9,
I 770; a receipted bill of Hugh Gain, New York City, April 10, 1 770;
and a bill of Dirk Potman, New York City, April 10, 1 770, for shoes.
FROM GUY CARLETON
L. S. 1
s Quebec 10 ih . April 1770.
I herewith transmit You a Copy of the Bond and Licence
granted to the Indian Traders that set out from this Province this
Summer, in which all possible Precaution is taken, as far as in
my Power lies, to guard against every Abuse that I have had
any Information of, and specially that of delivering Belts or
Messages, or holding Councils on any other Account than that of
their private Trade; if any Thing else could be suggested more
likely to produce the desired Effect, I should be always ready
to attend to it, as I ever am to Cooperate with His Majesty's
other Servants on this Side of the Water in every Point that tends
to His Service.
I am with great Regard
Sir
Your most Obedient and
most Humble Servant
Guy Carleton
*
The Honorable Sir W M . JOHNSON Bar 1 .
Superintendant of Indian
Affairs in the Northern District.
1 In the collection of Willis T. Hanson, jr, Schenectady, N. Y.
534 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO JEREMIAH HOGEBOOM
A. Df. S.
Johnson Hall April 10*. 1770 — 2 P M
Sir
Your letter of yesterday I this moment rec d . and unluckily am
so emerged at present in business of a very consequential nature,
that I have only time to assure you, I am extremely concerned to
hear, that, some designing, 111 disposed Person has endeavoured
to traduce your Character at New York, and that my time will
not possibly admit of my saying, or writing in your favour what
my long acquaintance with you as an officer & ca . entitles you to.
— I presume you will think it necessary to proceed imediately to
New York, and endeavour to find out y e . Author of so malicious
an Aspersion, and to Satisfy the LA Governour of the Injustice
of the accusation, to whom I have (from a thorough knowledge
of y r . merit as an officer these 20 Years) recommended you. &
which I flatter myself will still have due weight with him, upon
your appearing there & clearing up the matter. — I am so hurried
that I cant spare a moment to add more than that I am, — Sir,
P. S. as to y e . report of y r . Setting up Your Welwisher
Indians to claims of Land, I beleive & Humble Servant
it not, as in such case, I should most W. JOHNSON
certainly have heard of it from them,
as they never conceal any thing of the
kind from me. —
Cap t . Hogeboom
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 535
TO HENRY VAN SCHAACK
i4pn7 70"" 7770
Sir/
I am extremely sorry to find that such Illnitured & malicious
aspersions have lately been made use of to Capt. Hogebooms"'
prejudice; and much so, that I am so immensely hurried at
present as not to have it possibly in my power to say as much
in his favour, as my long acquaintance with him, (as an officer
&ca) entitles him to.
However I doubt not, but his immediate appearance at
N. York with a proper Instrument Signed by the respectable part
of the Inhabitants, (Contradicting the charge made ag st . him)
will remove all doubts with the Gov r . &ca. — when I hope he
may be able to find out the Author, and treat him as he deserves.
— I am glad to hear that you carried y r . point in the Election of
Supervisors, as I am also that y e . Corns 115 , are ready. Sending the
Fees before the Coms ns . are distributed is new & unprecedented,
and must arise from the backwardness of some in paying their
Fees, or the Officer in remitting it. I could not have said more
(with propriety in favour of Cap 1 . Hogeboom than I did in my
Several letters for this time past & should be extremely sorry was
it to prove ineffectual, w h . I hope will not be the case. — My kind
respects to M rs . Vanschaack to whom I send some of my Seed,
and wish it may flourish, I would have Sent her more, but as
many are desireous of partaking of it, I was oblidged to be spar-
ing of it. Excuse my brevity, & beleive me Y rs
Sincerely —
W. Johnson
H Vanschaack Esq r .
1 In Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Autograph Letters, vol. x.
2 Captain Jeremiah Hogeboom, of the Claverack militia.
536 Sir William Johnson Papers
JOHN WETHERHEAD'S ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
April II, 1770
Sir William Johnson B'
D r To Jn°. Wetherhead
Cash paid Holt 1 the Printer for papers To N°.
1406 £ 4. 4. 9
Balance on 3 pipes Wine 6 . 1 . 2
Sundries Sent you Viz. Silk Hkfs & ca & Post 4
Sir John Johnson for 2 fine Pier Glasses Sent up
to that Gent", in 1 766 51.18
£66. 3.11
Receivd the 1 1th April 1770 from the Honorable Sir William
Johnson Bar 1 by the Hands of Daniel Campbell Esq r . Sixty Six
pounds three Shillings and Eleven pence being in full of S r Wil-
liams Act to this Day
John Wetherhead
INDORSED r
Wetherheads Acc f .
& Recpt. April 1 770
£66.. 3.. 11
paid —
1 John Holt, born in 1721 in Williamsburg, Va., died January 30,
1 784, in New York City. He established, with James Parker in 1 759,
The Gazette and Post Boy. In 1 766 he founded the TVeu; York
Journal. During the Revolution Holt conducted newspapers in support
of the American cause at Norfolk, Va., New York, Fishkill, Esopus,
Hudson and Poughkeepsie.
2 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 537
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.
Albany I2 l K April 1770
[Sir]
I am told by M r . Banyar I must [have] my Indian Deed
prov'd by you as one of the Council, a Master in Chancery or
one of the Judges of the Suprem Court — as Coll. Butler & M r .
Tice are near you, I have taken the liberty of desiring they
would apply to You for that purpose — and
Also to make oath that the Lands were agreed for before the
signing the late Treaty (otherwise I stand a Chance of coming
but badly of) It is certain the Indians gave two Deeds for the
Lands at Fort Stanwix, which I burt 1 at your House on the
Indians signing the present Deed wherein the Whole was com-
prehended, and those Deeds were signd antecedant to the Treaty
for Selling the line between the Colonys & the Indians —
Colonells Croghan & Butler with M r . Adams & others were
present at the burning the Two Deeds above mention'd, and the
former was the person who obtain'd the Deeds. Col. Morris,
Gov r . Franklin, Co 1 . Croghan & M r . Weatherhead were upon
the same foot with me in respect to the Indian Deeds, agreed on
at Fort Stanwix but not certified by the Gov r . till Feby. at your
house — and Gov r . Colden has granted Patents for all those
] of Council, it appearing [
the Lands had been Bona fide a [greed upon] before the Treaty
was sign'd.
I hope you will excuse my [being so] frequently troublesome
to you, and be assur'd I shall always have great pleasure in
proving to you by actions that I am with great esteem
Sir
Your Most obedient
& very humble Servant
Jn° Bradstreet
1 Burnt.
538 Sir William Johnson Papers
P.S
Since writing the above I have received your favor of the
6 111 Instant and am perfectly well satisfied with what you
say respecting the money Col 1 . Butler had from me and am
sorry you have had so much trouble.
If you would please to give a Certificate that the Lands
mention'd in my Deed was agreed for with the Indians
before the Treaty was s[ign'd] at Fort Stanwix it would
be of great service
Sir William Johnson Bar*.
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
A. L. S. 1
London 13 Ap". 1770
Dear Sir
I took a passage in a Deck'd Boat wch came On board us off
the Isle of Wight, on the 7 Ins. M r James & I lay at Portsmouth
& arrived here the 8 th Our passage was turbulent the 15 ,h . & 16
ult°. a Violent Storm lay too under a Mizzin Stay Sail, Our
Boats & all our Hogs Sheep W e . Wash'd off the Main Deck, &
all our Hen Coops wash'd aft. many of the Poultry drown'd,
however we were so plentifully Stock'd felt no lack.
I presented your Letter to Lord Hilsborough the lO' 1 '. he
Asked me some few Questions relative to N. York, desired me
to leave my directions that he might know where to find me as
he should want to speak with me, offerd me his Service & assis-
tance, in any respect I should want.
M r . Penn" received me Very Friendly, he is in Such a bad
State of health that he has not been able to Wait upon any of
the Ministry about his Own affairs, tho he say's he has an affair
of great Consequence depending, he cannot walk without being
1 In New York Historical Society, New York.
2 Richard Penn, proprietary and titular governor of Pennsylvania,
died in 177!.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 539
Supported nor has lie wrote anything except his name for some
months. & that he can hardly make intelligible, he sets off for
Bath on Tuseday next where he is to remain for 6 Weeks, he
desires me to call tomorrow for a Note he will have wrote, to
recommend me to M r . Pownal who is dep>\ Secretary to Lord
Hilsborough I wish him well as he seems much your friend
Rogers is just got Out of the Kings Bench prison on Bail, he
fought his Way thro the jaylers & turnkeys, would pay no fees.
I have met with Frank Wade who says he swears Vengeance
against me, it's intirely false his having Kiss'd the Kings hand,
he has received uppwards of £100 pay as Governer, up to the
25 of Dec r . & hear it is Continued, they have also granted him
£4,000 to pay his Debts, there are various reports what further
they will do for him, but from the best authority I can find he is
universally despised & if he can Keep his pay, they think him
well off
Lieut: Sinclair is likely to get the Direction of the Lakes,
Loring to have Captains half pay Phil. Levingston has got
Secretary, to the Governor of Pensecola, also some Other places
in all about £600 str 'i ;) An. M r . Touchet 1 seems very
fond of his mining plan, the Expences as he was laying out
matters would arise to as much as all our department, they are
going to have an immense grant of Lands & priviledges in that
Country some people are soliciting to have Michihmackinak &
Detroit made in Governments that they may enjoy them. Lord
Hilsborough has received Complaints against M r . Glazier 2 , he
mentioned to the Canada traders if a body of them would prove
anything against a Commandant he should be removed
It seems Government took some notice of the Regimentals
Capt & c . that were ordered for Sir Johns Troop, wch brought
on some discourse about you when Lord Hilsborough said he
look'd upon you to be the Best Subject his Majesty has.
I have waited on M r . Pownal, who asked me many Questions
concerning Our department, he seems to think the allowance
1 Samuel Touchet.
2 Captain Beamsly Glasier.
540 Sir William Johnson Papers
made a very great Sum, that if the Expence was unlimited it
would not avail if the French or Spaniards Out Bid us. that as
to what the traders has been representing, the Want of Civil
Judicature, it is best the upper posts should be thrown into Some
Government & mentiond Canada
ne spoke of General Gages Letter importing his having Con-
sented to a Congress, that 'twas a disagreeable alternative, to
give His Majesty's Sanction to Setting the Nations at War with
each other, but yet 'twas better than their falling upon the White
people, that the Indians will never want pretexts for congresses
if they are Indulged, upon the whole I have heard every one
of his arguments used by Gen 1 . G — & his Sec?. — the General
is a great favorite, there is nothing he can Ask but he'll get, I
am heartily sorry for my journey. I find there is no hopes from
services, as I have no body to thunder it in their Ear, Was I a
Brettainer, some of the Clans would Bellow for me,; I have no
resource the Qubekers have carried Out vast Quantitys of goods
£70,000 str & upwards to Montreal alone besides what are
Charterd for Quebeck its imagined above 1 50,000 worth of
Goods in all.
Tuesday 1 7
Yesterday Saw the King Review Burgoynes & Elliott, a
most noble Sight, to day met with Goreham. who tells me
Rogers has been very Voceferous chiefly against you. & intends
to sue me however that he & some Friends have made him Quiet.
Gorham has got a 10/ Govrnment in N. F Land & is to get
rank of L f . Colonel I am heartily tired of London its dreadfull
to see how abusive the papers are against the King vast prepara-
tions for Wilks enlargement its said, the L — M-y-r. has got a
number to sirve him & will draw all they Can out of the Bank,
he makes an Entertainment Cost £10000 — is thought the draft
on the Bank will be for many Millions
I wish you & your family every kind of happiness & remain
Your most affectionate
humble Servant
B Roberts
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 541
pray favor me with a Line
on Receipt of this
To
S R . W M . Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: London 13 th . April 1770
L 1 . Robert's Letter
FROM LORD HILLSBOROUGH
L. S.
Whitehall April 14 th : 1770
Sir,
I have received and laid before the King your Dispatch of
the 1 0*. of Febry N°. 12.
The matter proposed to the Confederacy of the six Nations by
the Cherokees is of great Importance, and it is with Concern His
Majesty observes that the answer to be given to the Cherokees is
made to depend upon your opinion and Advice, by which the
King will stand committed in measures which, if they adopt the
proposition of a War against the Southern & Western Indians,
are irreconcileable with the principles of humanity and if on the
contrary they tend to Union of Indian Interests and Politicks,
endanger the Security of His Majesty's Colonies by enabling
the Savages to turn their Arms against Us.
This consequence however, which you seem to think would
follow from discouraging a War against the Southern and
Western Indians, is certainly to be avoided if possible, and
therefore the King, however unwillingly, cannot but approve of
your adopting the Alternative, and making the Security of His
Subjects [and ] the principal Object of your
Attention but it would be most pleasing to His
Maj[esty could be attained without encouraging
[the] Savages in their barbarous Attacks on each [other]
542 Sir William Johnson Papers
It would have been more fortunate, upon every consideration,
that this Congress could have been avoided, not only as it does in
its consequences involve His Majesty as a Party in a Business of
so disagreeable a Nature, but also as it will, I find, be attended
with an expence beyond what your stated allowance will admit of.
The King however relies upon your Assurances on the one
hand, that this expence is unavoidable, and, on the other, that
the Service shall be conducted with all the Frugality and
Oeconomy that is possible, consistent with the public Safety;
and, under these Assurances, His Majesty approves of your
applying to Major General Gage who will have Orders to defray
what Expence shall be absolutely necessary on this occasion.
It is to be hoped that it will not be long before those Colonies,
whose Security depends upon [the good Will] and Affection
of the Savages, will see the necessity of such regulations as will
be effectual to prevent those Abuses which at present give so
much Discontent to them. In the meantime you will not fail to
exert every Influence in your Power to prevent these Abuses
from having such an Operation upon the Minds of the Indians,
as to disturb that Tranquillity which is so essential to their true
Interests.
I am with great Regard
Sir
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant
Hillsborough
[Sir] William Johnson Bar'.
indorsed: 1 White Hall April 14. 1770
LA Hillsboroughs letter
N. 13- '
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 543
TO SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
Df. 1
Ap l . 15* 1770
Sir/
I would not let M r Stuart return without a Line to you, tho'
I have not at present time to say much, but Must deferr it till
another opportunity, when I shall Answer Your last Letter
which I have also received. —
The recommendations I have had with M r Stuart Must intitle
him to my Approbation & as he appears very hearty in the under-
taking I have pointed out the Mohock Mission to him, and I
dare say he will be approved of & ordained from the Testi-
monials he is to Carry over in his favor. — 2
I sincerely wish he may turn out to be a Man of Zeal and
Attention proportionable to his Size as you observe, in which
Case he may be of great Service, the Clergy of Philad a . recom-
mend also a M r Hall who is extremely desirous of taking orders
& devoting himself to the Service of the Indians, and I am
thinking that if he was at Conajoharee for a time where a
Church is now building it might be of Service to him & them
but I must deferr any thing farther till another opporty, assuring
you that I am Most sincerely D r Sir
Your true Well Wisher
& very humble Serv'.
D R . AUCHMUTY.
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C, in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
2 A Memoir of the Rev. John Stuart, D.D. is printed in Doc. Hist.
N. Y., 4:505-20; Q, 4:313-22. Several letters of Dr John Stuart
are included in a paper on the Rev. George Okill Stuart contributed by
Professor A. H. Young, of Trinity College, Toronto, to the Ontario
Historical Society's "Papers and Records," vol. XXIV, 1927. The
paper is reprinted in pamphlet form.
544 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO MYLES COOPER
Df. 1
Aph /5* 1770
D R S R /
I have Just time before the departure of M r Stuart to give
you thanks for your favor by him, His Character is such that I
think he will Answer very Well for the Mohock Mission at Fort
Hunter & I dare say from the recomendations he will Carry
that he will be ordained & approved of & that he will prove
usefull in a place where a Missionary is very much Wanted. —
As I am at present Circumstanced in point of time I can only
Say that I have rec d . M r Inglis's Letter which I shall Answer by
the post and that you and he may be Assured that as I am very
sensible of the reasonableness of the proposal, it shall meet with
all the support I can give it, But the Zeal with which all
endeavors for our Church is opposed, and the Lukewarmness of
many in power in Matters of Religion Joined to other
Circumstances must render it very uncertain to determine
concerning the Success of any such Application, however I shall
write in a few days more fully and shall at all Events do every
thing in my power in a Cause that Stands so much in Need of
Support, & that is of such real importance.
I am persuaded that you will never Lose sight of any thing
that may be Conducive to the Church & be Assured that I am
always with great regard D r Sir
&ca
D R . Cooper.
indorsed: Ap 1 . 15 th . 1770
to D r . Auchmuty &
Cooper
In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 545
LICENSE FOR INDIAN TRADE
D. S. 1
Quebec, April 15, 1770
[ ] Carleton
] Governor in Chief
in and over the [Province of] Quebec,
Vice-Admiral of the same, and
[Briga]dier General of His Majesty's
Forces, &c. &c.
In obedience to His Majesty's Com-
mands, this Licence is granted to
A B to pass unmolested
with one Canoe manned with
Six Men (whose Names,
Occupations and Places of Abode, and
also the Quantity of Merchandize on
board, are reported upon Oath and
specified in the Margin) to
]ers Montreal Michilimakinac and from
thence to such Markets or Parts as he
shall find most advantageous for the
Disposal of the said Merchandize, and
there to trade or traffick with any of the
Indian Nations living under his Majesty's
Protection, with Liberty to dispose of
any such Goods and Effects as he shall
occasionally find a Market for in his
Passage to Michilimakinac aforesaid, he
taking Care to endorse upon this Licence
the Quantity and Quality of the Goods
so disposed of, and shewing the same to
1 A printed form to be filled out in writing.
18
546 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Commanding Officer of the next
Fort.
Provided Always, That nothing
herein contained shall be construed to
extend to give any Authority to the said
A B to do any Act or
Thing, or to trade to any Place, contrary
to such Regulations as His Majesty may
have been pleased to make, or shall
hereafter think proper to make, by
Himself or by the Commander in Chief,
or by any Person properly authorized to
give Directions concerning the Indian
Trade
Provided also, That he the said
A B and also all and
every the Master or Masters of, and all
other Persons concerned in navigating
the said Canoe shall first have
taken and subscribed the Oaths endorsed
on this Licence, in the Presence of the
Commanding Officer at Montreal, and
shall also have given Security to observe
and keep the same, and also that he the
said A B will not take
with him, or permit any of his People to
Quantity and Quality take with them, any other Person or
of Merchandize, viz. Persons, but such as usually have
] Gallons of followed, or intend hereafter to follow,
Rum and Brandy, the Occupation of navigating Battoes or
Gallons of Canoes; and further, that he the said
Wine. A B and all such
Fusils. Persons as he shall take with him, shall,
] hundred Pounds and will immediately on his or their
of Gun-Powder Return to the City of Montreal, present
Hundred themselves to, and personally appear
Post-War Period. 1763-1774 547
Weight of Shot before, the Officer commanding at
and Balls. Montreal, and take a Certificate from
] Seventy Bales, him in Writing, of their having so per-
Ten Kegs, and five sonally appeared, Death, or any other
Boxes of other Mer- unavoidable Accident, only excepted.
chandize, in all
amounting to Five These Securities being given, this
hundred [ ]nds Licence to be in force for Twelve
lawful Money Months, otherwise to be null and void to
of the said Province, all Intents and Purposes.
or thereabouts, Given under my Hand and Seal
Oath of at Arms, at the Castle of Saint
(Signed) A B. Lewis, in the City of Quebec,
Sworn before me, this Tenth Day of April One
at Montreal, this Thousand Seven Hundred
1 5th April and Seventy
P Q J s . P s . (Signed) GUYCARLETON
I [ ]
and bear true Allegiance [to His Majesty
send, to the utmost of my Power [
I ; — 1 ]
or do anything prejudicial to the Interest of His Majesty [King
| directly ; and if any Matter or Thing shall come to
my Knowledge [ ] Government is or
may be affected or injured, I will immediately give intelligence
] Commander in Chief of this Province, and also to the
Commanding Officer [ ] the Time of
making such Discovery, particularly if I shall know or hear of any
] that I shall conceive to be to the Prejudice of
His Majesty's Service; I will do my [
known such Matter to the Governor and Commanding
Officer aforesaid. And I do further [
That in all my Dealings with the several Nations or Tribes
of Indians to whom I [ ] will confine myself entirely
to the sole Purposes of Traffick and Commerce; and I will [at no
548 Sir William Johnson Papers
time ] publick Talk with any of their Chiefs; nor
enter into any of their Councils, nor make any [
them, or any of them, save and except such as are merely relative
to the Purposes aforesaid, [ particular Manner I
will not deliver, or cause to be delivered, or consent to the being
delivered, [ ] Wampum, or other Belts, or
Strings, to any Indian Chief or Chiefs, or other Indian or Indians,
] Course of Trade, or merely for the Purposes of
Trade, and for no other Purpose whatsoever, and [ ]
will not directly or indirectly instigate or stir up any Strife or
Mischief amongst the Indians, but as much [ ]
me lies will promote Peace and Union amongst His Majesty's
Old and New Subjects and the Savage N[ations] and I will in
all Things behave and demean myself as a good and faithful
Subject of His Majesty [King] George the Third ought to do.
So help me God.
A.B.
Sworn before me, at C. D.
Montreal E. F.
this fifteenth Day G. H.
of April - 1770 J. K.
L.M.
(Signed) P.Q. J s . P s . N.O.
I R.S. & ca . Commanding Officer
at Montreal, do certify that the Oaths indorsed upon this Licence
were administered in my Presence, this fiftenth Day of April
- 1770 - to the above-mentioned AB. CD. EF. GH. J. K.
L M. and N O
whose Names or Marks are thereto set and subscribed, by P Q.
one of his Majesty's, Justices [of] the Peace for the District of
Montreal in the Province aforesaid and that the several Names
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 549
or Marks of the said AB.CD. EF.GH. J K.LM and NO.
and also the
Nam[e of the] aforesaid P Q. are
respectively of their ow[n] Hand-writing, or Marks made with
their own Hands, in my Presence.
Signed R S
BOND TO THE KING
D.
April 15, 1770
[ ]s, That I A B
of the City of Montreal [
duty Bound, unto our Sovereign Lord
[the King] in the full Sum of one Thousand Pounds.
current Money of this Province, to be [
and levied of my Goods and Chattels, Lands and Tenements
respectively, to the Use of our said Sovereign Lord the King,
his Heirs and Successors, to the true Payment whereof, I bind
myself, my Heirs, Executors and Administrators, firmly by these
Presents, witness my Hand and Seal, this Fifteenth
Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy
and in the Tenth Year of the Reign of His
Majesty King George the Third, by the Grace of God, of
Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
and so forth.
The Condition of this Obligation is such, That whereas the
above-bounden A B has obtained
a Licence, dated the tenth day of April 1 770 to trade with
the Indian Nations living under His Majesty's Protection, at
Michilimakinac and from thence to any Markets or Parts which
he shall find most advantageous for the Sale of his Merchandize,
for the Space of Twelve Months from the Date thereof. Now
if the said A B shall well and truly,
550 Sir William Johnson Papers
in all Things, conform to and perform the several Conditions
recited in the Licence before-mentioned, and shall also well and
truly keep and observe the Matters and Things enjoyned in the
several Oaths endorsed upon the said Licence, a Duplicate of
which is hereunto annexed, then this Obligation to be void, or
else to remain in full Force and Virtue.
Sealed and delivered, taken
and acknowledged, before me
(Signed) P Q. J*. P*. (Signed) A B. L.S
A Tous ceux qui ces Presentes
Negociant [ ] declare par icelles,
que je Me suis oblige [ ] envers notre Souverain
Seigneur le Roy pour [la Somme en]tiere de Mille Pounds ou
Livres Monnoye courante de cette
Province, qui fera levee [ ] tous mes Biens,
Meubles et Immeubles generalement quelconques pour et au
Profit de notre dit Souverain Seigneur le Roy, ses heretiers et
Successeurs, au Payement de la quelle Somme, j'obl[ige]
entierement ma Personne, mes Heritiers, Executeurs Testamen-
taires, et Administrateurs, par ces Presentes, que j'ay signe de
ma Main, et aux quelles j'ay apose mon Sceau ce quinzieme
Jour du Mois D'avril Mil Sept Cent soixante
Dix et dans la Dixieme Annee du Regne de sa Majeste
le Roy George Troisieme, par la Grace de Dieu, Roy de la
Grande-Bretagne, de France et d'Irlande, Defenseur de la Foy,
&c. &c.
La Condition de cette Obligation est ainsi qu'll suit, s^avoir, que
si l'Oblige ci dessus (qui a obtenu une Permission en datte du
dix avril 1 770 d'aller a
Michilimikimac faire la Traitte avec les Nations
Sauvages, qui sont sous la Protection de Sa Majeste, et de cet
Endroit en tous autres Postes ou Places qu'il jugera lui etre plus
avantageux pour la Vente de ses Marchandises, pendant le Terns
et Espace de douze Mois (a compter de la Datte
de la dite Permission) se comporte bien et de bonne Foy en
Post4Var Period, 1 763-1774 551
toutes Glioses, execute les differentes Conditions prescrites dans
la dite Permission, et qu'il garde et observe bien et fidelement les
Formalites et Choses enon^ees dans les differens Serments dont
les Doubles font annexes a ces Presentes; alors cette Obligation
deviendra nulle, et dans le Contraire elle restera dans toute sa
Force et Vigueur.
Scelle et Delivre, pris et
reconnu devant moy.
(Signe) P Q. J s . P*. (Signe) A B. L S
ADDRESSED:
To
The Honnourable
Sir William Johnson Bar'
Johnson Hall
FROM THOMAS GAGE
A. L. S. 1
New York April 16*. 1770
Dear Sir,
I have received your Letter of the 6 th Ins', with the Accounts
inclosed; for which warrants will be made out. With respect
to the Smiths and Interpreters at the Posts, I have directed the
Officers Commanding to pay them their respective Salarys, which
will Save some trouble by avoiding Separate Draughts from
every Fort where those Officers are Stationed.
The Sum you want in advance for the Purchase of Indian
Goods will be advanced to you when you think proper, tho' I
think you will hardly get them till the Autumn if they are not
already commisioned.
M r . Steuart shall be made acquainted with your answer
respecting the Pipe; and the Reasons you give why the
1 In Harvard College Library, Cambridge, Mass.
552 Sir William Johnson Papers
Cherokees concealed part of their Intentions from him. And I
have dispatched a Letter to Fort Pitt, to be forwarded to Fort-
Chartres, to inform Lieu*. Colonel Wilkins of the Intelligence
you have had concerning the Intentions of the Indians of the
ouabache to attempt the Reduction of the Illinois. A Company
of the 18 th . Reg f . went down the Ohio the 21 st . of March, and
I hope by Setting out So early, they will have passed those
Nations before they are all assembled from their hunting
Grounds, and in Condition to act offensively if Such are their
real Designs. And I should hope if they are so inclined, they
will find Employment enough at home from the Resolutions
taken by the Cherokees and Six Nations at Onandaga.
They write from Fort-Pitt that they have had frequent Meet-
ings with the Chiefs of the different Tribes and what they have
learnt from them nearly corresponds with the Intelligence given
by Silver Heels some time ago.
I am with great Regard,
Dear Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Tho s . Gage
'indorsed: N York April 16 th . 1770
Gen'. Gages letter
FROM JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. L. S.
[New York April 1 6"\ 1770]
[Sir]
[According] to my Promise I now Send you my Account
with you | | beginning of my doing Business with you,
which I doubt not [you will] find right on Examination, Should
there be any thing you do not understand in it — I will with
great pleasure explain it to you by Sending you Copys of the
Post-War Period, / 763-1 774 553
Bills of Parcells — I have now only to make an Apology for
the Liberty you will See I have taken to charge you with £51.18
on Sir Johns Account, & which is for 2 large Glasses Sent to
Coll° Claus in the year 1 766. Which it Seems had been
orderd by that Gentleman from M r Darlington, who had the
Dimensions & to whom I was referrd — My Clerk accordingly
went along with Darlington to choose them out and fixed upon
those I sent, which were totally contrary to the orders M r Claus
gave to Darlington who fixed upon them & in Consequence they
were bought, paid for & sent up — but as they would by no
Means Suit Coll Claus's Room, S r John took them — I wrote
to Coll Claus on the Subject Some time ago, but as He must
undoubtedly have remitted me a Bill drawn by you for the
Money which I wanted very much, I thought M r Campbell
might just as well pay me the Money — which I therefore flatter
myself will not be disagreable to you, at least that you will
pardon me my Freedom in the Matter — M r DeLancey has not
yet given his Consent about the Oneida purchase for Denison's
Share, I wish you would be so Kind as Write him on the Sub-
ject — Your Gammons & Tongues and Milk Biscake go this
Evening with Bloodgood's Sloop — I cannot Send you the
Account, because as yet I know not how much they come to —
you shall however have an Account of these by first Opportun-
ity — Meantime I remain with great Truth
Sir Your most Hble & obed 1 Serv 1
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable S r William Johnson Bar*
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 April 16 th . 1770
M r . Wetherheads letter
w ,h . his Ace".
In Johnson's hand.
554 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. L. S.
New York 16* April 1770
Sir
I have receiv'd your Letters of 1 th and 1 7 th of last Month,
and am extremely sorry it was not in my power to send you the
whole ballance due to You, in short money is not to be got here
at any rate. M r Newton had by my directions some time ago
laid by your ballance, but the 16 th Regiment being Embark'd
for Pensacola, he was oblig'd to make use of great part of it, to
advance them their Susistence, no money can be raised now by
the Contractors Agents on their bills, & I fear we shall not be
better until something arrives from home, to set Trade a going
again. Mess Watts and M c Evers tell me they expect Specie
from home I wish it was come, as I am extremely uneasy at
daily being oblig'd to postpone payments due by the Generals
Warrants, as I have no other resource but thro' the Contractors
Agents, this Sir is really the present case, but hope it will
speedily alter, that I may be enabled to make you payments
more punctually in the mean time all bills you draw on me shall
be punctually accepted I am with a perfect regard
Sir
Your Oblig'd & most Obed 1
Humble Serv 1 .
Sir W m Johnson Bar* Ab m . Mortier
P. S. Enclos'd is your Account which I hope will be found
right, also the vouchers for the Charg[es] therein.
Your two bills to M r Banyar for £300 and £125 are
accepted but not included in the Account
INDORSED: 1 April 16 th . 1770
M r . Mortiers letter
w*. my Ace 1 . & his Vouchers
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 555
Johnson's account with Abraham mortier
D. 5.
D r Sir William Johnson [ ]
T769
Nov. 23 d To Cash Paid your draft of 1 1 th
and to [ ] New York
Currency ]
25 th To Ditto Paid your ditto of Ditto
date to M r John Roach for
t ] [ ]
Dec l sl To Ditto paid your Ditto of 3 d
Novem r . to Phyn & Ellice for
[ ] t ]
4 To Ditto paid your Ditto of 1 1 ,h
Ditto to Robert Sweney for
[ ] [ ]
12 To Ditto paid your Ditto of 16 th
Ditto to Daniel Campbell for
[ ] [ ]
1770
Jan r y 3 d To Ditto paid your Ditto of I st
Dec r to the Rev d . Doctor
Auchmuty
To Ditto paid Commissary Hays
Ditto of 1 st . June on Geo
Croghan Esq r in favor of
Wetherhead & Co. for
£283.12.2 sterg [ ]
10 th To Ditto paid M r Wallace V
Receipt of this date for a
Bill of Exchange in favor of
the Honorable Thomas Penn
Esq r Value rec d . from you as
^ your Letter to me for
£545.4.4 sterling a 65/ V
Cent is £899:12.1 Y Cur^ [ ]
556 Sir William Johnson Papers
27 th To Ditto paid your draft of 16 th
Instant on me in favor of M r
William Andrews for £5 1 C?.
Mar. 14 ,h To Ditto paid your draft of 14 th
February on me to James Phyn
for £162:18:7 C? 95 [ ]
To Ditto paid your ditto of 24
Ditto on me to Phyn & El lice
for£40Cy 23 6 I J
24 To Ditto paid your Ditto of 2 d
March on me to Dan Camp-
bell for £517.8.6 C? 301 16 7/ 2
To Ditto paid your Ditto of 10 th
Ditto on me to Sir John John-
son for £110.12.3 D°. 64 10 6
To Ditto paid your Ditto of 6 th
Jany; on me to Jane Lyle for
£100 D°. 58 6 8
29 th To Ditto paid your Ditto of 2 d
Mar on me to John B. V Eps
for £140:5:9 D°. 81 15 8
To Ditto paid your Ditto of 8 ,h
Ditto on me to Daniel Claus
Esq for £315:15:3. D°. 184 3 10
April 10 th To Ditto paid your Ditto of 19 th
Ditto on me to Joseph Chew
Esq for £50 D°. 29 3 4
1 1 ,h To Ditto paid Daniel Campbell
Esq r : on your ace', as ^ his
Receipt of this date £752 . .
4..D°. 438 15 8
2442 19 3%
Ballance due Sir William Johnson 1121 5 9^4
£3564 5 V/ 2
Posi-War Period, 1763-1774 557
] Cr
[
[
[
[
] [
] [
] [
] [
Sterling
] of this date in your favor for £1448 16 4 J/4
] of this date in your favor for 1386 16 2J4.
] of this date in your favor for 544 8 8
] of this date in your favor for 1 84 3 11
£3564 5 P/ 2
New York 16' h April 1770
Errors Excepted
INDORSED: 1
M
Ab?i Mortier
'. Mortiers Ace'.
April 16 th . 1770
JOHNSON S ACCOUNT WITH JOHN WETHERHEAD
A. D. S.
I
] sent to the Honorable Sir Wil-
liam Johnson Bar 1 19 Aug f
1767
1 ] To 1 pair Dies V M r Byrne £ 4 —
19 To sundries viz Coating Trim-
ming & 3 Jewelles as f Bill 5.12 —
19 To sundries Indian Goods as ['
Bill parcells 459 . 5 . y 4
My Commission on the above In-
dian Goods 11. 9 . 6
April 6 th To sundries, Viz 2 Quire Im-
perial & 2 Quire Royall D°.
Earthenware & Glasses 1 q r
Ck Lisbon by Sanford sent to
the Care of R d . Cartwright
as V Bill paid 18.18 —
1 In Johnson's hand.
558 Sir William Johnson Papers
22 d To sundries viz'. 6 Table spoons
£8.4 12 skins parchm 1 6/ 8.10 —
28 To Two Hhck Rum 250 Gall @
2/7 with Cartage 4/ 32 . 9 . 1
June 18 To Sundries Viz. Com. Honey
Tea Rum Sugar &c a . as ^
Bill Parcels sent You <$ Post
22djuly 186.10. 7
July 7 th To sundries by Capt Lans-
ing Alexander Stewart
1 pipe Wine £60
Mr s Devisme 36 Hams
358» @ 7 d 10. 8.10
4 Barrels best Pork
@ l 2/6 18.10 —
Cartage 4 — 87. 2.10
25 To 300 w « Nails @ 8|/ 2 £10.12.6
Cartage 9 10.13. 3
29 To a Bolting Cloth sent you by
Lansing 3
August 5 To Amount of two Globes from
London sent by Swits 22 . 4.11
Freight of d° & Cartage 3.5 —
19 To sundries by Capt Cuyler
as ty Bill Parcells 21.2.8
Amount of sundry Bills drawn
on me by Capt McLeod which
Honour me to place to your
Account 32
£902. 7. 7V 4
Brought over ]
£4 omitted evidently.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 559
Copy of Ace 1 furnished 1 6 Nov r 1 767
1767
Aug 1 . 19 To Ballance of Account furnished
this day 99.18. [ ]
26 To a Bill & Cartage 5—4
31 To 4 Barrells of Pork 16. 8 —
Sep. 9 To a Compass &c a from Aron Miller 17. 5 . 6
26 To John Van Seis's dft on you 74
28 To Cash paid Sir John Johnson 17.15. 9
Oct r 1 st . To Expences paid for a Dogg
from London 1.19. 6
7 To Cash paid for Iron & Steel for
your Smith 5 . 7 . 4j/2
18 To D°. for 100 Bushells of Corn
a 3/9 & 2/6 In currency 18.17. 6
Nov. 7 To D°. for 20 Barrells Cyder @ 10/ 10 — .—
16 To D°. for 5 Barrells pickled Cod
@ 28/6 7. 2. 6
To D°. for 5 Bis pickled Mackrill
@ 32/6 8. 2. 6
To D°. for two Boxes Sperma Ceti
Candles 8.10. 9
Cartage of above 2 —
290.12. !4
Copy of Bill parcells sent 1 6 March 1 768
by Pemberton
1768
March 16 To 20 Barrels Pork @ 73/ for Cash £73 — .—
2 tt best Dutch sealing Wax
<g> 20/ 2 — .—
2 Hhds Common Rum 246
Gallons @ 2/4 28 . 1 4 —
560 Sir William Johnson Papers
1 Box Glass 7 by 9
3.15
—
1 Cask single lof d Sugar 13
loaves I03 tt @ 13 d
5.11.
7
Cask & Cooperage
2.
6
Cartage of 8 loads @ 1/
8
—
£113.11. 1
April 6 To sundries sent by Pemberton as
V Bill parcells sent you 80 — lOj/2
To Cash paid sundry Patent fees Viz 1
S r H. Moore the
Governor £231 — . —
M r Elliot Receiver
Generall for 2
pattents 11.16 — -
M r Kempe Attorney
Generall 59 — . —
M 1 Banyar for Clarks
Fees 73 — . —
M r Colden Surveyor
Generall fees 91 . 9. 8
Register fees for 2
patents 2.12 — 468.17. 8
Carried Over £662 . [9 . 7|/ 2 ]
[Sir William] Johnson Bar*. Crd r
[ ] Received from John Watts Esq r £541 .13. 4
from Sir Henry Moore 60 . 1 5 . 3
from Coll Croghan 200. — . 2
802. 8. 9
99.18.10%
£902. 7. 7%
Posl-War Period, 1763-1774 561
] 14 By Cash for your Draft on
A Mortier 150 — .—
Dec 1 . 30 By d° for Ballance remitted me
your Dr on A Mortier 1 40 . 1 2 . |4
290.12. y A
1768
Jany. 28 By Cash for your Draft on
A Mortier 500 — .—
April 4 By d° for d° on D° 100 — . —
27 By d° received from M r Watts 86 . 2 . 9|/ 2
Carried over £686 . 2 . 9]/2
Brought over
April 29 To sundries sent by Captain
Kelly to New London as I !
Bill parcells
To D° sent by Captain Latti-
mer to D° as V d°.
To Cash paid Edward Ayar
for Medicines sent you in
Dec r . last [ ]
To D° paid Freight for Sir Johns bag-
gage from London '
To d° paid for Methiglin [
To Cash paid for 6 Barrells of Ap-
ples sent to London on board the
ship Bishop of Osnabrug by
order of S 1 John Johnson 4[
To Cash paid for Tea sent by Col-
lison the 8 feb>' last 7 [ ]
1 Compare items of this account with account of February 7, I 769,
supra VI :6 19-20.
562 Sir William Johnson Papers
To D°paid Daniel Ebbits (I believe
for putty & oyl) £2.2
To D° paid Hugh Gaine for
6 leather sliders @ 4/ 1.4 3.6 — ■
To D° paid for 5 Keggs Oys-
ter Nutmeggs &c a <P Pem-
berton 5.12[ ]
To D° paid for fireworks £3
6 postage of letters 10/ 3.10 —
May 5th To D° paid for 2 Cheeses 28]4»
<§> 1H 1. 5. 1054
To D° paid Capt Tho s Miller for S r
John Johnson Yl Guinea 18 —
To D° paid Postage of Letters at
sundry Times this Month 1 . 1.2
June 14 To D° sent you inclosed in a Letter
to New London "& Capt Kelly
7 Bills <§> £10 70 — .—
27 To Michael Byrns's Dft on you 92 . 1 . 3
July 24 To Cash paid Carage of 7 Canisters
snuff & Post from Philad a 3. 7
Aug 1 . 10 To Cash paid B. Roberts's Dft on
me for your Ace 1 30 — . —
17 To d° paid fft of two parcells
from Philadelphia 4 —
22 d To D° paid M r Ramsay for a
Negro Wench & two Chil-
dren 70 — . —
To D° paid sundry Charges on
Ace 1 of said Wench p d by
My Wife for Cloaths purchased
at M r Bonds 6.9.1
£1000.17. 8%
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
563
1769
Jany 1 st . To Ballance brought down £214. 14. 11 !4
March 1 th . To Cash paid Doctor Bard l his
Bill & sundry other Expences
attends, the lying in and nur-
sing of the Negro Wench
1 7 th To sundries sent you by Staats
Sloop as P Bill parcells
April 3 d To sundries sent on board V
Allen's & Bloodgood Sloop as
P Bill parcells
26 To Cash paid fft of Trees from
New London
May 13 To Cash paid fft for S r John's
things on board Brittania 2
29 To Cash paid Postage of a Letter
from Fairfield 8
June 5 th To Cash paid for a Bell receiv'd
from f airfield & sent you 20 — . —
29 To d° paid for 4 Blls Pork by
Troax a 95/. 2 Bis Cod a
35/. 28» Tea. 2 Bis sugar &
Cartage as ^ Bill parcells sent
you
7.10[ ]
59.14
234.16. 2
8 —
48.10. 2
Carried over
[Sir William Johnson Baronet
Brought Over
[ ] your Dft on A Mortier
Ballance due to J W
£606.14. 8!4
Crd']
£686. 2. 9K 2
100 — .—
786. 2. 91/2
214.14.111/4
£1000.17. 8%
1 Dr John Bard, noted physician of New York City. See Memorial
History of the City of New York, ed. James Grant Wilson, IV:392.
2 A word here is illegible.
564 Sir William Johnson Papers
1769
March 27. By Cash for your Dft on
A Mortier 340. — .—
Carried over £340
Brought over
1769
July 1 7 th To Cash paid Postage of a Letter from M r S
Wharton for you
Aug'. 1 5 To Cash paid if t from London for
You [
29 To Cash paid fft from New Lon-
don for sundry Articles sent by
J Chew [
Sep f 1 5 To sundries sent you for a Church
for the Indians with 6 Bis pork
as ^ Bill parcells sent you with
the Things 116 [
Nov. 1 1 To Coll Fitch for 3 pipes Wine
sent from New London to M r
Shipboy 120 [
To Cash paid B Roberts's Dft on
you to Harrison 100 [
1770
Jan- V . 10 To sundrys sent you by the Post,
Viz f . Hkfs. & tooth Ache Medi-
cine 4 — . —
To Cash paid Holt the Printer 4.4.9
April 1 st . To 2 large Pier Glasses sent to Coll
Claus in the Year 1 766, who let
S r John Johnson have them & for
which I have not been paid and
which you will pardon my Charg-
ing to your Account as I have
no Account open with S r John 51.18 .
£998.13. 7J4
Post-War Period I 763-1 774 565
Brought over £340
[ ] A Mortier 200
[ ] fromM' Adams at York for y r Ace' 278.12. 2
] from Coll Croghan for Ace 1 of
Governor Perm by order 113.18.10
] from Daniel Campbell for your
Ace 1 66.13.11
£999. 4.11
Ballance due to J W [99. 8. 8J4 V
I find the above Ballance arises from Roberts' Dft on you to
Harrison & £100 which I see M r Adams paid me the 18 Oct r .
I have therefore altered it & now am indebted to you a few
shillings
£998.13. 7!4
Errors Excepted
New York 16 April 1770
John Wetherhead
INDORSED: Sir William Johnsons Ace 1 .
2 A CC,S . M r . J n . Wetherhead
April 16'h. 1770
Ball: in my fav'. £. .11 . .3%
1 Crossed out in the original.
2 Second indorsement in Johnson's hand.
566 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO RICHARD PETERS, WILLIAM SMITH AND THOMAS BARTON
A. L. S. 1
Johnson Hall April 1 &K 1770
Gentlemen
I have had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter by the
hands of M r . Stuart whom you recommend for a Mission here,
As this Gentleman appears to me to answer the favourable char-
acter you have given of him I cannot but greatly approve of
what you propose, and have therefore pointed out to him the
Mohawk Village at Fort Hunter as a Mission where he will
Jiave an opertunity of exercising his Abilities to his own reputa-
tion, and to the advancement of true Religion. I have also
sufficiently explained to him the Scituation, Allowance and Ad-
vantage of that Mission with which he appears Satisfied, so that
there only remains for him to be approved of and ordained at
London, In all which I make no Doubt of his Succeeding from
the recommendations & Testimonials He is to be furnished with,
to which I shall readily add Such letters as time will permit me
so soon as I hear of his being in readiness to embark, as he tells
me that he must first return to Lancaster.
I am glad to find you all so sensible of the Necessity there is
for using all possible endeavours to promote a Cause which
through many unfortunate Circumstances has hitherto met with
little furtherance, I need not enlarge on the many weighty reasons
there are for continuing that Spirit, and those endeavours, as it
must be obvious that without the utmost zeal and attention to
these matters, all our laudable Wishes must (from the variety of
Difficulties it has to Struggle with) be rendered abortive. —
The Character you have given of M r . Hall is sufficient to
entitle him to all the countenance I can afford him, and I think
he cannot do better than to reside for some time at the Cona-
1 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. B.
Series. Vol. 2. New York 1 759-1 782. Part II. Transcript in Library
of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
567
johare Village where they are building a good Church, and I
presume that on proper application an allowance would be made
for his support until he could be ordained, when probably a
mission might be there established for him, as the Scituation is
extremely well calculated for the purpose, and the Indians there
require one much. —
M r Andrews is lately gone to take Orders, in Order to obtain
the Mission at Schnectady, so that with him & those now men-
tioned, a proper beginning might be made which would pave the^
way to a more extensive Plan, whenever the Circumstances of
things will permit. —
Be Assured Gentlemen of my warmest endeavours in so good
a Cause, And that I am always with unfeigned Regard,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient
& Verry Humble Servant
W Johnson
The Rev rd . Mess rs .
Peters, Smith, & Barton
indorsed:
N°. 8
S r . W m Johnson
to Mess s Peters, Smith
& Barton
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
April 17* 1770
Dear Sir
three Days 1 I was feaver d . with y rs . by M r . Collins & Shall
Send the Mason to you the Last of this week & Blive he will
answer as its Equal to him whether he Works in Stoon or
Brick
1 Omission in the manuscript.
568 Sir William Johnson Papers
I observe what the Gineral Wrote your honer about the
Smiths & Interprters pay, when I was in york Last winter I
aply d . to him for y e . former half years pay and with Great Difi-
culty I gott itt he Said I should have Given itt into y r . honor
that the whole Expence of the Department Might be paid to you
w h . I tould him I wold for y e . futher Now he Says he will pay
them him self if I had Nott advanst Most part of the Mony on
thire Drafts on Me all ready I should be very Easey about y e .
Mater and as the Mater Stands I Blive I May [ ] self
Easey for I Shall Neaver go to his [ to beg & pray
to be Reimbuse d . what I advanced for those pople
I will be oblidg d . to y r . honer to Lett Me Know if M r Tilgh-
man is to have Cap 1 . Montour place on Susquehanna as I have
answerd a Good Dail for him besides an old bond of £145 w h .
he owes Me this Six years if M r . Tilghman Dose Nott Take itt
at £400 I will & pay patent Fees I have allready paid the Sur-
vair Account •
on the 9 th when I thought I was Getting partly well I had a
Nother attack of the Gout w h . Confm d . Me to bed Ever Sence
till this Day that I have attemp'. to Sett up I am with Great
Respect y r . honors Most Hum ble Serv 1 .
To the Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Bar'.
Geo: Croghan
INDORSED: [ ] 1 7 th .
Croghan's letter
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 18 th . April 1770
Dear Sir
( 1 Arrived from New York Yesterday. I left that Place last
Wednesday two of the Clock the Pacquet was not Arrived but
looked for any minuet —
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 569
Upon my Arrival I waited on M r Mortier with Your letter
(or I may Rather Say M r Newton who does all his Business as
M r Mortier lives now in the Country — ) he told me would do
Every thing in his power but was Obliged to part with Some
money which he had by him on purpose for Your Account. The
Troops which went to Pensecola got all the money which he had
but a Small part — there was Scarce a day that I did not put M r
Newton in mind — & all that he was able to advance was
£752 . . 4 . .0 — M r Mortier was to write You by the next post —
Inclosed I Send you three Accounts & the bill [
of John Stevenson the whole Amounting to £197. .9. . 1 1 the
Balance which Remains in my hands is £550. . [ | which
I Shall Send up when a good Opportunity offers I should have
waited on You personally but am so much hurried at present
that my time will hardly Allow it — if you should know of ere
a Safe hand Coming down please to desire them to Call for it —
I was unhappy to find at New York that You had Recom-
mended M r Isaac Man for One of the Judges — the Gentlemen
of the Council was of Opinion that this man had deceived you,
he is not liked at York & I was Inform'd there was not One Vote
for him in the Council I was further Informed that he is put out
of the Commission of the Peace, M r Duncan was Working
Night & day making Interest — to get in as One of the Judges,
I told two or three of the Councel that I was verry Certain he
would not be liked — & I had the promise of Some of them that
he would not put in as Such, Inclosed I Send You a pacquet
from James Delancy Esq r
the Governor had a letter from Col n Carleton Governor of
Canada Relating to what time the Commissioners Should meet
to Setle the Plan for the Indian Trade, the day fixed is the 1 4 th
Jub Next at New York— I find we have all the Members at
York in favour of our Petition, that is for Rum to Cross the
uper Lakes — & the Commisioners that is Appointed is also in
our Interest — /
570 Sir William Johnson Papers
y Inclosed I Send you Some New Songs made on the present
party affairs — I also Send you an advertisement which is verry
humeres — all in the Jokey Stile — I have only that. I am with
the Greatest
Respect Dear Sir Your most humble
Servant
Daniel Campbell
I Intend to send up your pork this week to Caughnawaga
Sir William Johnson Baronet
indorsed: 1
Schenectady 18 th . April 1770
M r . Campbells Letter
daniel Campbell's account
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 453, under date of April 18, 1770, is
listed Daniel Campbell's Account of money received and paid out.
Destroyed by fire.
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
N London Ap: 18* 1770
Inclosed is a list of some seeds trees &c which I have put on
Board a Boat for N York freight paid here to N York I have
desired M r Weatherhead to forward them derictly and hope
they will get safe to Hand — I can not add as the Boat waits
but pray you to Accept of Mr s Chews and my best Respects and
be assured that I am most truly Dear Sir
[ ] 1 Your most Obed«. &
N 1 .2 .3 .3 Bundles trees Oblidged Hble Sert
4 Box 1 Jos Chew
A Bundle of Trees for Sir John Johnson J
Sr W m Johnson Bar*
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 571
Sir
I have sent one barrel Pork 4 days a goe to M r fondas & To
marro shall send a battoe Lood to D°: & thouse bundles box
and mill Sawes ": send for to Albany marro and I have here
also 2 Tierses and one barrel all Dray goods the 4 Laste barrels
Pork only Came the night before [ with
Complements [ y]our Most Obed 1 Hum. Serv 1
Sunday morning. 1 Jn° B V Eps
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon ble Sir William Johnson Bar'
& Capt De Peistre
with 4 Bundles of trees & a Box to be sent
to M r John Van Eps in Schenectady
INDORSED: [ ]
letter
FROM JAMES COLLINS
A. L. S.
Schenectady 19* ApK 1770
Hon ble . Sir
I understand you formerly did engage your self for a Certain
Sum of money in behalf of One Sponaberger who lived near
you who afterward Run from you & left his wife & Children in
your Neighbourhood.
Some time ago, a man of my Acquaintance was in East
Town, Bucks County, where the said Sponaberger now lives,
and Teaches School who (at his arrival) hid himself Four or
five da[ys] fearing least he had some Order's from you, — his
concealing himself came to the knowledge of one Colonel Rose
in East Town, who did declare if it was money that was in
1 This second letter is written on the same side of the paper as the
address.
2 Spangenbergh?
572 Sir William Johnson Papers
Question, he would pay Sixty Pounds on his Ace 1 . Now Sir,
should this Assertion be true that he is so in debted to you, there
is a Great Probability of you getting the best part of your Own
— And if this be certain that your demand is as I am inform
please let me know by a line, then I shall Observe to you a
Ready Method to come by your Own, or the most part thereof,
without distressing the person, Should I be deemed Officious in
this Information, it won't stop that part of my Duty upon such
Occasions. — I am Hon ble . Sir Respectful [ly] your m©st Obed'.
& most humble Serv 1 . to Comand
James Collins
P. S. he is now married to a Young Woman of Creditable
Parents.
ADDRESSED : To
The Hon b,e : Sir William
Johnson Barnt
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
M r . Ja s . Collin's letter
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
April the I9'K 1770
Dear Sir
The Barrer is the Mason which I Now Send your Honor &
hope he will answer the Busness you want him for. Be so Good
as to have him Keapt Close to Work and if he Should" a
p r . of Shoes if M r Adams will Lett him have them I will pay him
— as to any other Nesesares I Bhve he Takes a Nouff with him I
am with Great Respect your Honors
Most Hum ble . Servant
Geo: Croghan
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Word omitted in the manuscript.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
To the Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Ban 1 .
ADDRESSED To
The Hon ble
Sir William Johnson Barr 1 .
Johnson Hall
INDORSED:' [ ]
Croghans Letter
573
FROM THOMAS SHIPBOY
A. L. S.
Albany 20* April 1770
I received a letter a few days ago from M r Wetherhead
requesting me to purchase for you 1 5 Mill saws, they can be got
from M r Van Schaicks of this place a 17/6 r* [p] lease let me
know if I shall send them to you T* first opportunity, and like-
wise will be oblig'd to you to let me know, if I shall Charge you
with the Expences of the wine that I sent you last winter, which
is £9. . 10 as M r Wetherhead Informs me that you are to pay
that sum, your answer will much oblige
Sir your most
obd 1 Hble Serv'
Thos Shipboy
ADDRESSED : To
The Honb Ie : Sir W m . Johnson
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED:' April 20 th . 1770
M r . Shipboys letter
Ans rd . 24 ,h . Ins 1 .
' In Johnson's hand.
574 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
DEAR Sir Schenectady the 20 lh April 1770
Meeting with the Opportunity of Colonel Cole I now Send
you £554.14.2 which is just the Balance due you from the
£752.4.0 which I received from M r Mortier. I did my Self
the pleasure of writing you two days ago by M r Steel giving you
a particular Account of my transaction with M r Mortier & also
furnished you with your Account of what I Bought for you at
York as well as the Cash I paid to M r Weatherhead & M r
Stevenson
the money which I now send Consists of 3 Bondles — 52 half
Johanneses & Six Shills Change which I wish safe to you, &
Dear Sir with the Greatest Respect Your most obedient humble
Servant Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Schenectady y 20 th . April, 1770
Letter from Major Campbel
by Co 1 . Cole with Cash
COLIN McLELLAND's RECEIPT
D. S. 2
Johnson Hall April 21 st . 1770
Received of Sir W Johnson Bar', the Sum of Twenty five
Pounds in full for a years Service as Indian Schoolmaster to the
Mohawks, from the 1 7< h . April 1769 to the 1 7 lh . of April 1770
£25..—
Colin M c Lelland
&
INDORSED:" Collin M c .Lelands
Recp*. for a years Salary
£25—
Endg 1 7*. April 1 770
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 All but signature in Johnson's hand.
8 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 575
FROM JAMES TILGHMAN
Phila. April 21, 1770
I ]
I received your kind favor of the 10 th . of March |
acknowledge myself obliged for the offer of Montours [land
] so much below your Information of its value in
which however I have some reason to think you have been amused
I was really candid in laying open to you my views in a pur-
chase and I am afraid those views cannot be answered by giving
even the four hundred pounds at which you offer it I must there-
fore decline the purchase with thanks for your giving me the
refusal and delaying the matter so long in my favor M r Croghan
told me he was offered eight hundred pounds for it But when I
asked to know by whom, he was not at large to tell me. The
New England claim however groundless strikes a damp upon the
price of land in that quarter.
The Proprys 1 have been at such expences in making the new
purchase and in supporting it against the Connecticut People
that their Calls for money have been very urgent and it is really
inconvenient to them to go into the expence of runing the pur-
chase line before the Fall when we will go into it as soon as the
season is proper in which I should be glad of your advice, and
I flatter myself this will be a reason which will keep them quiet
till that time especially as we have cloathed a good many of the
Susquehannas this winter and were at the Expence of sending
our Surveyors up to the bigg Island last October in Expectation
of meeting the Indians to go at that time on the service If any
thing should be said by the Indians upon the [subj]ect I am
persuaded from your readiness upon all occasions to render the
Proprietaries.
576 Sir William Johnson Papers
Proprys of [ ] best services in your Power
that you [ ] the matter to them in the most favor-
able light. w ivyi 1 1- J n
5 Y r Most obhg d &
Most ob' Ser'
James Tilghman
ADDRESSED : To
The honble
Sir W m Johnson Barn'.
INDORSED: 1 April 21 st . 1770
M r . Tilghmans letter
concerng Land
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
[New York] April 23, 1770
] day produced us two packets | | January
& february Mails. | Duke] of Grafton, it seems, resigned
] after the protest of the 40 Patriot Peers
not stand longer with any hope of solid [ | against the
determined minority. [ ] Lord Granby has resigned.
Conway succeeds him, as master general, and, one private Letter,
tells [ ] Sir Jeffery Amherst becomes L f Gen 1 , of y e .
ordnance, but be that as it may the Knight of the Bath has cer-
tainly secured a Grant of all the Jesuits Estates in Canada"
valued at 1 500 £ a year.
1 In Johnson's hand.
- The Jesuits held in the districts of Montreal, Three Rivers and
Quebec 15 properties comprising 616,500 arpents. Soon after the
occupation of Montreal in 1 760 George III promised their estates to
Amherst. Amherst renewed his claim in 1 786. By the death of Father
Cazot, last of the Jesuits in the province ira 1 800, the right of the order
in the lands lapsed ; and in 1831 they were placed under the control of
the assembly of Lower Canada. — William Kingsford, History of Canada,
VIL286, 288. 289, 480.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 577
D r Blakiston the Queen's Solicitor is made a Judge in the
Kings bench, vice S r Ed Clive on whom a pension of 1 200 £ a
year is settled. General Grame was dismissed from all his
Employments thro his Grace of Grafton's means for opposing
the Court on a question in parliament, he pleaded Conscience,
and was restored thro the interpos 11 of Lord North on which
Nobleman devolves the character of the New Premier, it seems
the Duke of Grafton has slipped his neck out of the Collar and
leaves this son of Earl Guild ford to answer for the late & future,
Blunders of the administration. The American affairs were to
be brought before the House on the 21 Feby, it was generally
agreed at home that all the late Revenue Acts would be
repealed, that on Tea Excepted, in which case our merchants
will consent to import Goods as usual, that article only excepted,
trusting to their Natural, Smuggling, Capacities for a supply via
Holland.
You will find the enclosed protest heaviest of all that ever
[pr]eceded it. Notwithstanding the Confidence of the present
Ministers it is thought they will be totally [
fortnight after the pacquet left Falmth [ ]
Remonstrances are [ ] minister in support
] of them.
The whole Spanish navy, fit [
That power will not permit a Russ[ian ship to en]ter its ports,
they expect Hostilities [in the wa]ters anear on account of that
nations fleet appearing there.
The Earl of Halifax is become Lord Privy Seal Sir Gil Elliot
Treasurer of the navy, and many other, subordinate offices have
been Vacated and filled with Men well affected to the persons
and Measures which have for some time past been employed.
Yet it is tho't that all will not do, and the Chatham Rockingham 1
1 Charles Watson- Wentworth, marquis of Rockingham, prime minister
in 1765 and 1782.
19
578 Sir William Johnson Papers
Rutland 1 Temple" Cavendish 3 Pelham 4 &c &c Interests will com-
mand the lead in his Majestys Councills. Tho the King has
declared he will sustain his present servants with all the weight
of Friends he has in the World. The Enclosed Deus lead (?)
is attributed to James Duane. Perhaps it were no Compliment
to attribute so well wrote a peice to one that has hitherto dis-
covered solid abilities in his profession and is well acquainted
with the Subject of this paper. The Protest is the most remark-
able that ever yet appeared. I shall send some Magazines Etc
the next oppertunity. Sir William Baker' is dead. The Duke
of Cumberland pacquet with the March Mail is expected daily
when she appears I will trouble you with another Epistle.
My Humble Respects to the whole family in all its branches.
I am
Sir William
Your faith [ful Servant]
[ ]
[ ]
] is before the grand jury [
]sts of
L]ispenard, foreman
] Johnson
[ ] Mc Evers
Henry Cuyler
[ ] Folliott
Tho Marsten
Ger d Walter
Geo Brewerton jun
Jonathan Lawrance
1 John Manners, Duke of Rutland.
2 Richard Temple Grenville, Earl Temple.
3 Lord John Cavendish.
4 Thomas Pelham, member of board of trade.
B Johnson's London banker, at one time agent for the colony of New
York.
6 Jurymen in the proposed trial of Alexander McDougall.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 579
Sam 1 Deal
Henry Law
Geo Harrison
Andrew Barclay
Chris r Smith
John Livingston
John Ray
Peter Remsen
Dirk BrinkerhofT
The three last are the only persons who are likely to shew any
tenderness for one who flagitiously flies into the face of
Government.
Lord Dunmore, who was in Scotland at the Pacquet's sailing
will embark for N York in April or May
ADDRESSED: To
S r W m Johnson Ba l
at Johnson Hall
INDORSED: [ ]
Letter
FROM THUNIS D. VAN VECHTEN ET AL.
A. L. S.
Loonenburgh 23 d . April 1770
It is strongly Reported here Among Us, That a Regiment is
formed on the West-side of the River Below Albany, And Also
that the Commissions for New Officers Are Sent to Y r . Hon r .
in Blanck to be filled Up As Your Hon r . Shall Judge Most
Just And Equitable According to the Seignority of former Com-
missions, As Well As Considering the Most Antient And Able
Familys, to All Which we Submissively, And Joyfully Joyn. —
But As We Are farther Informed that the Officers Nomi-
nated for Our Company Are Out of the Adjacent Company of
580 Sir M^illiam Johnson Papers
Marten Halenbeeck Esq e ., We have Made a Petition to his
Hon r : M r : Colden, being that We May have Our Officers of
Our Own Company, As We have As Sponcible Deserving
Men in Our Own Company As Any Belonging to Marten
Halenbeeck, Esq e .
Our Whole Company Are Jointly Determined to Acquaint
Y r . Hon r ., that We All thinck Y r : Hono r : Hath been Greatly
Imposed Upon, As well As We Degraded by such Persons As
have Recommended People of A Remote And Distant Com-
pany Preferable to Our Own, Against Whom is No Objection
by Any of the Company, As Yet Under Cap*. Jacob Halen-
beeck 1 — And we Must Also Acquaint Your Hono r . that Our
Present Captain Jacob Halenbeeck Hath Not Taken Any the
Least Counsel with His Officers or Company in Regard to New
Officers, Which we Must And do, Take As An Imposition
Without Example —
We have therefore Unanimously Agreed to Send Herewith
to Your Hon r . the Petition to the Lieutenant Governour by M r .
Matthys Van Loon Jun r . [the] Bearer hereof, — Earnestly
Imploring Y r . Hon rs . App[roval of] the Same, and that the
Gentlemen Nominated for the Same is No Objection Against,
But will be Joyfully Accepted by Who are in behalf of Our-
selves And Company Y r . Hon rs . Most Obed' Hum le Servts —
Thunis D Van Vechten
Casper Janse hallenbeek
LAN BART VAN VaLKENBURG
To the Honourable
S R : William Johnson Bar 1 .
ADDRESSED : To
The Honour ble . .
S r : William Johnston Bar'.
1 See Third Annual Report of the Stale Historian of New York,
1897, p. 827—29 for a muster roll of Captain Jacob Halenbeck's
company.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 581
To the Care of at
M r : Matthys Van Loon Jun r . Johnston Hall
INDORSED: 1 Loonenburgh 23 d . Ap 1 . 1770
From Mess rs . Van Vechten,
Halenbeck & V. Valkenbergh
Ans d . 26 th . April.
JOHN WETHERHEAD'S BILL
A. D. S.
New York the 23 April 1770
] S r William Johnson Bar 1 .
Bo 1 , of John Wetherhead
24 Saltpetred Hams W< 282» @ 8 d £9. . 8
Tierce for D° 4
48 best Neats Tongues @ 2/2 5 . . 4
Barrell for d° 2.6
1 Tearce of Milk Biscake 2.. 10.. 3
Cartage 1
£17.. 9. .9
The above sent by Bloodgoods sloop
Sir
The Errand of this is only to accompany the above Account
of Hams Tongues & Biscake Sent you by Bloodgood which I
hope you have received safe — Excuse haste & believe me to be
with Sincere Regard
Sir Your Obliged hble Servant
John Wetherhead
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bar'
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
[ ]ds Acc«
In Johnson's hand.
582
Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Albany 23 April 1770
]
] debts due to my
] a small acco f . due to said
] convenient I shall be glad if
] the same to my B r . in Law M r Silves[ter
to give a discharge. I remain
]
Sir
Your most Obedient
& most humble Servant
H V SCHAACK
Sir William Johnson Baronet
1 762 To the Insolvent Estate of Henry Van Schaack D r
[
Confidence in me to assist [
Insolvent Estate [
Estate from you [
you will [
with the greatest |
FROM JOHN BROWN
Niagara 25 April 1770
Sir
I had the honor of receiving your Letter dated the 7 March,
covering one for an Ind n . at Detroit, which I have forwarded
I am much oblidged to you for the news you gave me, and
from what I see in the papers am of opinion there must soon be a
Rupture between Great Brittain and the Neighbouring Powers.
Perhaps something of that kind may be conducive towards
settling their Private Disputes at home, as well as with the
Collonys —
We have nothing remarkable this way. The Ind ns have
behaved very Well during the Winter, about a fortnight agoe
Some Senekas got Drunk in the Night time near the Burying
Ground and they pulled up some of the Pickets to make fire, I
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 583
sent for Shawaton a Head Warrior, who was here at the time,
and sober, not being of the Party, told him of the impropriety
of such behaviour in his young men, However that I would take
no farther Nottice of it, but even cause the Pickets be put up
Provideing he would prevail upon them to goe to the Woods,
and cutt them, and carry them in, Which they did that Same
Day — Notwithstanding their good behaviour on that Occasion,
yet two young Rascals from Connawagense, three Days agoe
Drove one of my Cows into the Woods. I got intelligence of
her, but could not find her, however this Day I found some of
her Bones I suppose it was owing to liquor, as such of the Sober
ones that I have Spoke to on the Subject Seem ashamed of it.
It is very ungratefull in them having often fed them during this
Winter —
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect
Sir
Your most obedient and
Most humble Servant
John Brown
P. S. I beg my respects to Sir John and the rest of your
Family —
The Hon ble
Sir W m Johnson
INDORSED: 1 Niagra 25 th . April 1770
Cap*. Browns letter
TO SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
D/. 2
DEAR Sir Johnson hall April 26 th 1770
I wrote you a few Lines the other day by return of M r Stuart
and shall now proceed to Answer your favor of the 5 th . March,
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
584 Sir IVilliam Johnson Papers
which I had not then Leisure to do. In Dec r . last I sent by M r .
Andrews a long Letter to D r . Burton with a Sketch of the Land
I offered for Religious Uses and I wish they may take proper
measures for getting it without delay, for altho it is not imedi-
ately capable of raising a fund, 20,000 Acres so situated will be
Very Valuable ere long, I have also Wrote the Society thro'
D r Burton by this opportunity wherein I have taken Notice of
the great Want there is of a proper fund for carrying on the plan
on a footing so Extensive as to produce Solid advantages both
to Church & State & Suggested a Means of applying for the
Royal Patronage & procuring a Collection for these purposes,
which I think it is intitled to in some degree of preferrence to
those who have raised Contributions to Enable them in Effect
to oppose the Established Church. — I have also by this oppor-
tunity sent a long Letter to M r . Inglis to which I referr you, on
the Subject you Mention, and shall Support the Matter with the
Ministry so far as is in my power. —
I am afraid I must Joyn you in Apprehensions of the Luke-
warmness of the Heads of the Church at home, but I still hope
that when Matters are truly represented & that they more
thoroughly know the State of Affairs here, they will act with
more Vigour, — If We trace these Neglects & the difficulties
under which the Church Labours to the Source we shall find it
infidelity. Any Appearance of piety has been long out of
fashion amongst the great in General, Forms & Ceremonies are
Priest Craft Human Devices &ca and the General opinion in
favor of Natural Religion & Morality, & that it is no matter
what Religion a man professes has done infinitely more harm
than we are aware of, for it has opened a Door for people of as
little Religion, & but much more Hypocrisy & Zeal to attain
their ends, by first allienating their Acquaintances from the
religion of their Ancestors, & then establishing their own prin-
ciples in its Stead; — Ten Dissenters are therefore become a
Match for 20 Churchmen and tho' In truth the Principal Dis-
senters have little or no Religion yet they have a particular aver-
sion to ours, because it is interwoven with the Constitution, & the
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 585
best Support to Monarchy, a form of Government agt which
they are all Strongly prejudiced, These are the Men who
frighten Men in power with their Numbers, their Wealth, & their
Strength, & according to their Representations, there are no
other people of any Consequence in America, but themselves, &
this goes down, because we are instructed to believe that these
who call themselves Whigs, are the best Security to the Throne,
tho' no people went greater lengths than they have done to over-
set it, and will all ways do so unless they most unconstitutionally
rule every thing. — So that people are deterred from doing
anything that may promote the Church, & offend their tender
Consciences forgetting that others have a Conscience of as much
Delicacy. — If the Church of England is poor and Con-
temptible here, it deserves the Patronage, Protection & Charity
of the Crown, if it is Strong & respectable it demands its atten-
tion. But be its state what it will I cannot See how any Appli-
cation hitherto made if Supported by the Heads of the Church,
whose influence ought to be great can be refused, and tho' it has
been the Case I am of opinion that if the Heads of the Laity
here concurred in the Application it must Succeed whether it be
for an Episcopate, for Contributions or for both, and I wish some
Such Measure was set on foot.
The Rev d . D r . Auchmuty.
INDORSED: April 26th 1770.
To D r . Sam 1 Auchmuty.
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 26 th April 1770
Dear Sir:
This Morning your ten Barrells Pork goes from M r Van
Epss, with a Small Keg Containing your paper & C a Brought
from York. By a letter which I received this day from Col n
586 Sir William Johnson Papers
Claus, he Informs me that he heard you mention that you had
received Some letters from me, & that I had forgot to Acknowl-
edge the Receipt of a letter lately from you. & that you
Immagin'd the letter had miscarred, which is Certainly the Case
as I have not had the Pleasure of one letter from you since my
Arrival from York.
I sent this morning to M r Van Eps's to Inquire about it — if
your post brought it down its verry probible he took it over to
Albany. — no Pacquet yet was arrived at York yesterday week.
Bloodgoods Sloop left it then.
I am Dear Sir with the
Outmost Respect Your most
Obedeunt humble Servant
Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
indorsed: 1 April 26 th . 1770
Major Campbels letter
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
Df. 2
Johnson hall April 26 ih . 1770
[ ] abroad at Sacondaga where I am building a
House [ ] your Letter of the 12 th . inst came up &
therefore had not an opportunity of seeing or Answering it till
now. The Witnesses to [the deed] are not Butler & Tice, but
Butler & Adems, as appears [ ]ting it — You may
rest Assured that all the Counten ce . I afforded to that Transac-
tion was founded Meerly on my Inclination to Serve you, which
I can as fully prove as the Evidences can the Execution of the
Deed and I request that you will believe I am of the same way of
thinking. But the present Situation of things renders it neces-
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In the handwriting of Guy Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 587
sary to speak more plainly on the Subject and I mean to do it
with Candour as a friend.
I ought to tell you that I have incurred not a little Censure for
the Countenance I am supposed to have 1 afforded to that trans-
action but as I am not afraid of producing any of my Trans-
actions to the public, this would be a matter of indifference to
me, had I not a more Material Motive that may render it
Extremely inconsistent in me to act farther in the affair. The
only Censures that any have dared to pass upon me for many
Years are Come from your Quarter, & altho', I have too high a
Sense of your Honour & Character to Suppose you in the least
Capable of Countenancing them yet I cannot persuade the pub-
lick into this belief, because from a Variety of Circumstances the
Author cannot by them be supposed so ungratefull as to use
the least freedom with the Character of a Man for whom you
profess a friendship, 2 & therefore it would be deemed an
Acknowledgmt. of Guilt or what is Vulgarly called Hush Money
in me to Acquiesce in an Affair wherein I understand that Very
person is interested
Some late Information I have received of a Scurrilous paper
lately handed about in Albany has induced me to touch upon
the Subject, Had I seen it or known its whole Contents I should
have Chastized the Author with my Own hands [
Subject, & I expect to discover [ ] not the first
attack I have met with 3 [ ] offended. You
own good Sense will suggest [ ] the impropriety of
my promoting any thing [ ] supposed
to have the most distant concern [ Expressed myself
thus candidly to you, I ho[ ] that it is not a pretext for
evading anything ] to your Interest, which I
1 "Am supposed to have" is in Sir William's hand.
2 Philip Schuyler whom Johnson believed to be the author of the
censures, served under Bradstreet in the expedition to Oswego in the spring
of I 756 and in the expedition against Fort Frontenac in 1 758.
3 See letter of Hugh Wallace to Johnson, supra, VI :5 70-71, and
letter of Johnson to Philip Schuyler, VI: 5 89-90.
588 Sir William Johnson Papers
should chearfully promote under any other Circumstances to the
utmost of my abilities as a demonstration] how much I am &ca
] DSTREET
TO DANIEL BURTON
Johnson hall April 26 ih . 1770.
Sir,
I Wrote you on the 6th of Dec r . last by M r . Andrews a
Candidate for Orders, and therein gave a particular account with
a Sketch of the Land I proposed for Religious uses, all which I
hope you have long since received, I also gave you an account
of the Establishment of Schools and their progress & I hope it
will prove agreable. — This Letter will be delivered to you by
M r . Stuart, a Gentleman Strongly recommended to me by the
Clergy of Pennsylvania, and who now goes to Apply for Orders,
that he may become a Missionary, The Character I have of
him induces me to think that he will do Very well for the Mis-
sion at the Mohocks for which he is willing and desirous to be
appointed I understand that he carries over with him sev 1 . recom-
mendations and Testimonials to which give me leave to Join
mine in his behalf to the Society for his Appointment to that
place, after which and M r . Andrews's Appointment there will be
only one at Johns Town Wanting to Compleat what was first
proposed as an Introduction to a more Extensive plan, for pro-
moting the protestant Religion in this Country and carrying it
into the Indian Nations, after these Establishments are made,
Missionaries may be introduced with great prospect of Success
amongst the more Distant Indian Towns which will finally
reduce thousands to the Church of England, & Civil Society and
thereby prove an Advantage to the Nation, I am Let into this
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson
Post-War Period, J 763-1 774 589
from Some Applications made to me by the Clergy, in behalf of
so Important & Laudable a plan, but whatever may be done in
it in the Way of Lands, as they do not in this Country produce
any imediate advantage, a proper Fund is absolutely necessary
to render it Effectual, Two, or three people from N England
have Collected 10 or 12 thousand pounds for M r . Wheelocks
Schools, and the Government has allowed a Bishop to the
Canadians & as I hear established a French Missionary lately in
Nova Scotia at £100 Ster ^ Ann. I can therefore hardly
think from these instances in favor of other Persuasions that a
proper Application to his Majesty for his Royal Patronage &
Assistance in favor of a plan of such great and Extensive Utility
could fail of Success, and I should likewise think that thro' the
Interest of His Grace of Canterbury 1 the Bishop & the Society,
this might not only be effected, but a handsome Sum Collected
in England for these truly laudable purposes, so as to Enable
them to Establish on some regular System proper Missionaries
& Schools in Most of their Towns which is the only effectual
means of Converting & reducing them to Order, a few Straggling
Missions or Schools out of their Country will never answer the
end proposed, the more distant Ind s . being Extremely averse to
Sending their Children abroad for Instruction, and if they did,
they are too Much inclined to relapse afterwards, of which I
have seen examples amongst the best of them Surnc'. to Justify
my Opinion, [/ am even Well Assured that M r . Occum the Ind n .
Miss's who Was one of those that lately in England made the
large Collection already mentioned has returned to his former
Way of Living and Sold his Books & some presents made him by
Gentlemen of Consequence in London, to purchase rum.' — j
1 Frederick Cornwallis, Archbishop of Canterbury.
2 Crossed out in the manuscript. Samson Occom was a missionary
among the Oneidas from 1 786 to 1 792, the year of his death, and at
no period after he entered on his ministerial labors in about 1 748 do they
appear to have been entirely discontinued. Dr Timothy Dwight said:
"His character at times labored under some imputations. Yet there is
good reason to believe that most, if not all, of them were unfounded."
590 Sir William Johnson Papers
If any thing that I have above Suggested should meet with
the approbation of the Venerable Society, it will give me great
pleasure, as it is a plan I have much at heart, being thoroughly
persuaded of its Importance and advantage both to the Church
& State.—
D R Burton
indorsed: April 26 th . 1770.
To D r Burton
$ M r Stuart.
FROM THOMAS WHARTON
[Philada. April 26, 1770]
[ ]
] on the Ins 1 , to Acknowledge [
] when by a very close Attendance on
[ ] day by day I got the Plate Com-
pleated [ ] agreeable to thy request. I
could have wished [ ] have been better, but its
the very best I could Obtain in the [ I have] packed
the 200 Testimonials with the Plate in a Box directed to |
] this day sent them 3$ Stage to New York, to the Care
of My [ ] John Alsop to whom have wrote that they
may be for [warded] to thee by first safe Opportunity; — the
cost of Copperplate [ Workmanship & Box Amount
to £14.1.0 as <P the account Enclosed, with Each particular
Persons Accounts & Receipts, for which have debited thee in
Account with my Bro r . Isaac & Self. I sincerely wish they may
Answer thy Expectation, having done the best in my power
to obtain that End.
1 Johnson also received an extract from this letter embracing the third
paragraph, which suffered little from the fire. It is in the New York
State Library.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 591
I take the liberty to Mention to Sir William, that I am engaged
in a partnership with my Brother Isaac and should thou have
Occasion at any time for Indian Goods, or any other Articles to
furnish a Treaty, or for thy Own Use, We shall be glad to serve
thee & will do it on a reasonable Commission, and thou may be
assured that Our Utmost Abilities shall be Exerted to Compleat
thy Orders to Satisfaction. Col 1 . Croghan is well Acquainted
with Us and knows, that, if any Article is wanted and its in this
City, We can Obtain it Equal to any House here; Indeed could
We have time, We would Import any Goods thou may have
Occasion for and furnish them at the lowest price.
By the last Packet, I have received from Bro r . Samuel a
Letter, giving Me the most Ample State of his Negotiations,
And I have not only from thence, but from D r . Franklin's Letter
to his Son the Governor and several Others the Extream satis-
faction to Inform thee that He had finished his Business to
the Utmost of his Wishes. I find that in Order to get the
Traders and Col. Croghans Grants the more readily through,
they formed a plan of purchasing of the Crown an Extent
of Country, to be granted by Charter to a Number of the Com-
pany, 1 who are afterwards to release to the Traders & Col.
Croghan their respective parts, the Tract (by their Letters)
begins at the Western & Southern Bounds of Pennsylvania &
is bounded Eastward by the Alleghany Mountains, Westward
by the River Ohio, and runs Southward to a place Opposite to
the Scioto River, thence to the Alleghany. The sum agreed with
the Treasury therefor is £10,460. . 7.3 Sterling (being the Cost
of the Fort Stanwix treaty) and 2/ F> 100 Acres Quitrent to
Commence 20 Years after the Grant is made — there are 72
Shareholders, among which, are some of the first Noble Men
& c . in the Kingdom & a Number of Gentlemen on this side the
Water, but my Brother does not particularize who — they are
1 See letter of Thomas Pownall to Johnson, April 1770, in Writings
of George Washington, Jared Sparks, 11:484—85.
592
Sir William Johnson Papers
promised a Charter on the most ample Basis — Capt Trent 1
writes to his Wife of the 7 th . of Feb r y. that he sho d . finish his
Buisness to his entire satisfaction |
thee this state of [
And as I have not time to
so kind as to Inform him thereof [
I remain with [
William Johnson Esq r ^
To Thomas & Isaac Wharton [
For the following Articles Obtained at his request viz
1770
April 20 th . To Cash paid Henry Dawkins V his
Acco f . & Receipt for Engraving a Cop-
per Plate, for the Impressing of Testi-
monials to be given the Indians £5
25 th . Paid David Hall $ Do. for 25 sheets
of Parchment 5
25 th . Paid James Nevill for Printing 200
Testimonials from the foregoing
Plate on parchment @ 4 d . ^ r . &
Box 2/
[ ]
[ ]
3 [8.. 8]
£14..[1..U]
ADDRESSED :
^ post
INDORSED:'
Charged T M 14
For
Sir William Johnson
Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
M r . Whartons letter
April 26*. 1 770—
1 Captain William Trent, who was selected to build and command the
Ohio Company's fort at the forks of the Ohio in 1 754. In 1 770 he
was in London, seeking recompense to the traders who suffered by Indian
depredations in 1 763.
- In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 593
TO THOMAS FITCH
Johnson Hall, April 26* 1770
I ]
I wrote you above ten days ago to Let you know that the
Men whom I sent out to View the Land have returned and
made me a pritty favorable report of the Quality of [a consid-
erable part of it, and the Patent is now Making out for the
Same. — And as I am eagerly sollicited by a number of very
good " people from Boston Government for a Township or 2
in it who are very pressing as well for a preferrence in the choice
of the place, as to get my final determination before the Leaves
Shoot out that render surveying difficult, I thought it necessary to
Write you again, that I may without loss of time have your
Answer whether it will be convenient for you to advance the
Cash, and get it surveyed Immediately, as otherwise I cannot
well determine with the rest, who are ready to comply with
my Terms, so that it may prove a disappointment to us both,
as they are to settle by a day fixed in Next Month, — As I
should be very glad of an Opportunity of serving You I wish it
may suit with your Convenience; you will at all events send
me an Answer without delay, as I have put the people off as
long as I possibly can, and must either let them have it as
mentioned in my last Letter or Lose the benefit of their Pur-
chasing & Immediate Settlem 1 . 3
To Col l . Fitch
INDORSED: [Ap]ril26 ,h . 1770
To Co'. Fitch
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 "A number of very good" is interlined by Johnson.
3 The words that follow "purchasing," as well as the indorsement, are
in Johnson's hand.
594 Sir William Johnson Papers
TO JAMES DE LANCEY *
Df. S. 2
[Johnson Hall, April 26, 1770]
[ ]
] very readily excuse your Not Writing to me
till [ ] you were Sufficiently Occupied with
business for somet[ime
] went to Philadelphia, tho' I heard of it, I was not
[ ] with the occasion. Tho from your letter
I should suspe[ct ] might be in the Case.
I am much obliged to you for the Notice & Attention you
gave to the Affair of the New County; to obstruct which
according to the reasonable Mode proposed in the Memorial from
hence, they have had recourse to Many little Artifices, amongst
others they represented the matter to the Scohare people as of
a dangerous tendency, & that that Settlement was actually to
be included in the New County, 3 tho' you know that point
in the Mem', submitted to the Discretion of the
House & even another Boundary proposed which Leaves it
in the Old County, the Scohare pe[ople] on having this point
explained express much Satisfaction at the desire [
the Inhabitants of the River & Indeed many of them are indif-
ferent w[hich] County they are in & the people here are so
unanimous in their sentimfents] that I scarcely know a Man
of any property within the Limits for the [New] County but
eagerly desires it according to the form of the Memorial
wh[ich I] hope thro' your assistance & that of your friends will
be accomplished.
1 James DeLancey was a member of the Assembly of 1 769—75.
- In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
3 See Van Schaack to Johnson, December 1 6, 1 769. Also Journal of
the Voles and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Colony of
New York, January 3, 1770 (petition).
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 595
The Road bill which accompanied your last favor I have
peru [sed] & I now send you such Remarks upon it, as my
time would permit. I plainly [ ] the tendency of it
which I have very great reason to think was calculated to Cor-
respond with the Claim favored by the Expression of the bounds
of the Claverack Regiment, 1 the Contrivor of this & many other
things would fain be a Man of some Consequence, 2 and there-
fore, as well as in Compliance with his own Natural Inclina-
tions has strongly attached himself to a party, who stand much in
Need of Recruits, and who Stick at nothing to attain their
] I have seen several of their Scurrilous perform-
ances, and think them [ ] Intended to deceive the
populace, as every Man of Sense or knowledge m [ust] perceive
that the manner in which they place Men and things is a mis-
representation [of] facts by which the Majority being unable
to Judge as they ought & wanting proper Infor[mation are
de] hided. The Conduct of the Printers is of apiece with theirs,
most of them [ ] of that Interest and in effect
destroy the so much talked of [liberty of the press (?)
shut against anything on the oth[er
] where both sides have [
of the Tryal before you took any [ ] they
would make an advantage of [ ] be best done
I should like to see them get [
1 1 shall be glad to hear from you [ ] Safe in
these times, as well as to have your senti[ments on this] or on
any other Subject, Being always with great reg [ ]
INDORSED: 3 [ ] W. Jo[HNSON]
[from James De] Lancey Esq r
1 See Journal of the Votes and Proceedings of the General Assembly
of the Colony of New York, January 8, 13 and 17, 1770 (petitions
from Kinderhook and other places in protest). Idem, January 10
(counter petition from Claverack).
2 Colonel Philip Schuyler evidently.
3 In Johnson's hand.
596 Sir William Johnson Papers
COMMENTS ON A ROAD BILL
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 454, is listed a draft, inclosed in the fore-
going letter to James DeLancey, of Johnson's Remarks upon & Objec-
tions to the Proposed Road Bill; mentioning Claverack and Kenderhook,
Ranslaerwyck, Schachtikook, Hosick, Saratoga and Cambridge, Argyle,
Kingsbury, Kayadarossera, Cocksakie and Kats Kill, West Camp, Tion-
deroga, Fort Johnson and Queens Borough, North and South Schohare,
Brekabeen, Conajoharee and Caghnawaga.
Johnson remarks, as regards the districts of Claverack and Kinderhook,
that the act has the appearance, judging by its adjustment of boundaries
and the character of the commissioners named, of promoting the land
claims of a certain interest (that of the Manor of Rensselaer). He fur-
ther observes that the improvement of the roads depends more on work
than on money, and work is dependent on commissioners independent
enough to enforce the law. The draft is largely crossed out, and was
much damaged by the fire.
TO CHARLES INGLIS
Johnson hall April 26 lh . 1770.
Sir,
Some days past I was favored with your Letter of the 28th.
ult°. which I had not leisure to answer until now — The Subject
has been farther recommended in a few Lines from D r . Cooper,
but I had not an opportunity for saying much to him upon it as
I wrote by a Gentleman that was in haste —
I am much obliged as well by your good Opinion of me, as
your desire of an Interview, the uncertainty of which for the
reasons you Assign I cannot but regret, as that would enable
me to Enlarge on the Subject, and Explain many Matters in
a Manner that is not to be Expected from a Letter especially
from one, whose time is so occupied in other Affairs, however I
1 In Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; in handwriting of Guy
Johnson.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 597
shall proceed to Consider what you Write on as well as such
disagreable Circumstances will permit.
I cannot but highly commend the plan you are desirous of
interesting yourself in, and your Sentiments in general as to the
Means are Just and reasonable; to these I shall add the result
of my observations wishing they may conduce to your Satis-
faction, on this Subject, but Altho' the design must be admitted
Good it is necessary to consider some particulars regarding its
utility, & the reasons why it has hitherto faild, before I proceed
to the Means for carrying it into Execution. The first thing
then that occurs is, that if the Indians are to be Civilized in
order to be made Christians, which is generally deemed the
best, Method to pursue, They would be apt to take the Alarm,
being much more averse to that way of Life, than they are to
Christianity, and the public would in a little time if the plan
should meet with success, and be carried on Extensively lose the
benefit of the Furr Trade wch is a Material Consideration for
were our own people equally Qualified for hunting their Absence
& Neglect of other Avocations could not be dispensed with in
such a Country as this is but as every possible objection ought
to Yield where Religion is Concerned we should consider what
Objections the Ind s . may Make to it. & they say that it appears
to them to have been ordained from the beginning that the
White People should Cultivate the Arts, and themselves pursue
hunting, that no other Way of Life is agreable to them, or
consistent with their Maxims of policy and the frame of their
Constitution, If it may be so called. That they find all those
Ind s . who from their situation and our endeavors are become in
some measure Civilized have hitherto derived no advantages
from it, that on the Contrary they are poor, abject, full of
Avarice, Hypocrisy, & in short have imbibed all our Vices,
without any of our Good Qualities and without retaining their
former Abilities for gaining a Subsistence in the only way they
conceive that Nature intended they should. These & many
More are the Observations of all the Uncivilized Indians on that
head, and I am sorry to say that ihry are in General too well
598 Sir William Johnson Papers
founded & these with the additional Apprehension that their
adopting such a plan would be followed by their Annihilation
as a people cause them to be extremely Jealous af any Endeavors
to promote such a design Neither can I find that any Attempts
of that sort have met with Success Sufficient to encourage the
prosecution of it imediately in that Way, Not even amongst the
Jesuits, whose abilities, Application, & Conduct, Seem better
Calculated for attaining this end, than any other, Indeed the
endeavors of the Reformed Church have been too feeble to
draw any Conclusions from thence, Very few Missions of the
Established Church having been appointed in the Indian
Country, and of these few or none have resided for any length
of time there, this & their Slender knowledge of the Language,
have proved Great bars to their Success, & notwithstanding the
political Zeal with which the Dissenters have of late prosecuted
these matters, they have been able to do nothing but with those
half Christianized & Civilized Tribes who had before received
Some Instructions & from their present situat". & other Circum-
stances are disposed for farther Improvement, for as to what they
may say of Converts formerly Made in N England it is only
Calculated for a Latitude where these subjects are not well
understood, The N Englanders with all their Zeal & piety
being more intent on Extirpating the Indians to make room for
themselves & wanted More to plant themselves than Religion
in the Country, Numbers of the Ind s , fell in the Wars, either
in Arms agt, us, or as Auxiliaries to us, Numbers Left that
Country, and the few that remained were so Surrounded by our
settlements Those Colonies increasing very fast, that they
Naturally & almost Imperceptibly fell into our Manners, Cus-
toms & Religion, Tho' I should observe that Notwithstanding
the Length of time they have had for improvement & many
other Circumstances which as it were Detach them from an
Indian Life They have Made such slow advances in everything
but Vice & Idleness that I should Sooner Trust 20 Ottawas
in a Room with my plate, than one of them. — The Generality
Indeed of those who are educated in their principles do (like
Post-War Period, J 763-1 774 599
their Teachers) carry a great deal of holiness in their Coun-
tenances & Exterior deportment when Sober; & derive this one
Advantage from the little religion they possess that it serves as
a pretext for begging or indeed for any thing that may enable
them to Exist without much Labour, & the present wretched
State of most of these people does not a little contribute to deterr
the rest from entering upon w l . they fear may produce the same
Effects ams'. themselves —
I wo d . not Inferr from all this that a plan so laudable in
Speculation is utterly Impracticable, on the Contrary I am per-
suaded it must one day take place, but for the reasons I have
given, & for many others I am of opinion that the Motion must
flow from themselves, & that they must fall into it when our
increas'd Numbers place them more in our Neighbourhood, &
that they discover Superior Advantages in our Way of Living
than in their own, which as yet they do not, — The Jealous
unsettled disposition of the Ind s . at present Still farther Excited
by the strong prejudices of the public, and the implacable
resentm 1 . of the frontier Inhabitants of wch they are daily giving
proofs, forbids that reliance on our Motives of Action & that
Harmony which sho d . be the foundat". of our hopes with them
So that had we funds Suffic 1 . we must in policy contract our
plan till a more favorable period, Confining it to those desirous
of receiving Instruction, without losing sight of the Grand
object. — If our endeavors meet with success in any of their
Nations & that the people shall appear to have received any
Material Advantage from them there is no doubt but that the
rest will follow their Example, But as they Conceive that
Religion is a more perfect System of Morality which together
with Reason they possess in a much higher degree than is gen-
erally imagined, The Generality will never Cordially relish
it, until they find the Effects of their Idea exemplified amongst
themselves —
The Ind s . of Canada were made Christians but not Civilized
according to our general Acceptance of the Word, Yet they
were as orderly a people as any of our Lower Class are. The
600 Sir William Johnson Papers
french Considered Hunting as their Trade, in wch they were
More usefull to the Community & happier in themselves than
they co d . have been in any other profession, To this their
Genius Led them & in this they Excelled, & When in due time
from the failure of Game, or from their becoming more recon-
ciled to our Arts, they sho d . Incline to alter their profession,
They must meet with Ample employment in such a Country as
America and this Leads me to observe that In my Opinion a
System could be adopted that by Teaching them True Religion
& Strengthening & Enlarging their Ideas of Morality would
pave the way to all we can desire without endeavoring to alter
the present Bias of their Inclinations. The difficulty of carrying
this into Execution remains chiefly with ourselves, but it is not
the easier overcome from thence, First thro' the Want of a
proper fund, Next from the Want of persons of Zeal & Capacity
to Undertake, First Let a Certain Number of Missionaries of
Good Sense Strict Morals & perseverance be procured to be
properly introduced into their Villages, where they could be
instructed in their Language & by their good behavior acquire
the Confidence & Esteem of the Ind s . before they entered on
the Main design, Let them be furnished with a sum not Ex-
ceeding their Ann 1 Sallary to be disposed of in Acts of Charity
& Benevolence to those in most need of them, which w d . much
endear them to the Whole, Nay, I will go so far as to say that
it would be highly proper for them to be Able to Administer to
the Sick, A few persons so qualified Might in a little time intro-
duce the subject of their Mission with a Confidence of Success,
& then by Opening proper Schools in wch they co d . be assisted
by Young persons, Intended for the Like Station, or by the
best Qualified Ind s . on whom regards sh d . be bestowed, they
wo d . at once diffuse Religion & Learning throughout a Nation
& give encouragement to the Extension of the plan to others.
From Christianity they wo d . see the Errors of their past Conduct,
& from the perusal of Books the disadvantages of their pres'.
situation, & then, as they are a reasonable People this Plan co d .
be revised, Improved & Extended according to the prospects it
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 601
afforded, All these points will admit of Much enlargem 1 . but
this is the only Feasible Scheme accords to my Conceptions for
introducing Christianity on a promising & Extensive System
amongst them. It must be by good Men, detached at least in
appearance from all Worldly Concerns, & Residing regularly
in their Towns & Conforming in some Measure for a time to
their Manner of Living that this is to be done, the Idea of
effecting it by the establishm 1 . of Schools out of their Country
is a Mistaken one, for but few of those Most in Need of
Instruct", will come to reside with us, & those that may will
allways return to their old way of Living as Soon as they Can.
But how to Carry this into Execution is the Question? For the
Strength of the Dissenters in England is much, their Zeal more,
whilst on the other hand I fear that Many of the Sons of the
Church who are in power are Lukewarm in Matters of Religion
& unwilling to engage in promoting w*. may give Offence to
those True Whigs, the Supporters of our freedom the Dissenters,
who they are taught to believe are the only people here for
Numbers, power & Importance — Introducing many Church-
men may give Offence to their tender Consciences, & they must
not be Offended, for in all Writings the Americans are repre-
sented as a people who came here on acct of their principles,
than wch nothing can be more false except as to a Very few in
Some of the Colonies. — The passion for Adventuring, a pros-
pect of Gain, Want of property, Inconstancy of Disposition &
some other Circumstances that need not to be ment d . brought
together the Majority Of its Inhabitants to which Wars and
Commerce have added a Considerable Number Since, amongst
all wen there are a Considerable body and that of the most
respectable people who are Members of our Church; These par-
ticulars would deserve to be enlarged upon in a place where
they are but little known, to this may be added the German
Lutherans a very powerfull body who esteem our Church &
The Calvinists ams f . them are no Enemys to it they differing
widely from Scotch Presbyterians & Independants. These
points Well known & a Ministry settled, Government Might be
602 Sir William Johnson Papers
induced to Contribute its patronage & Assistance & a Sum of
Money might be possibly Collected through the Endeavors of
the British Clergy to promote it whilst a proper Application
signed by the principal Members of the Church here might be
a means of establishing an Episcopate by removing the Insinuation
that it is only the desire of the Clergy or of a few Inconsiderable
Men. But still an Objection arises as far as this Scheme relates
to the Indians in the Want of Missionaries, able & Willing to
undertake it. It may be our Misfortune to have some bad
Members ams 1 . us but we do not Accept of Idle Illiterate
Provinc 1 . Soldiers, & Enthusiasticks, Many of whom make no
Sacrifice by living in the Ind n . Country, they are better off than
they wo d . have been at home & now receive allowances far
exceeding w*. they might have expected in any other Stat n . — but
our Clergy, are all Men of regular Education, bred in the Land
of Luxury & of x & w f . ever the Circumstances are Must
make many sacrifices to the Way of Living on an Allowance not
equal to w f they might reasonably Expect with Common friends
& ordinary Good fortune. If under these disadvantages some
can be procured from thence it will do honor to themselves & to
the Church, but had we the Means of Ordination here, we
should not want for persons who from their being born in the
Country would be in that particular better Qualified for the
Undertaking. The bounds of a Letter will not permit me to
enter farther at present into these Matters, but with regard to
my Self you may be assured that I shall Chearfully Contribute
my Representations to Sollicit the aid of Government in Support
of so Laudable an Undertaking, founded on the Expectation
of its peculiar Advantages to reduce the Ind s . to peace & Good
order, and I am still Willing to hope that such United Measures,
Joined to what I have already Mentioned may at last produce
the desired Effect.
The Rev d M r . Inglis
INDORSED: 18 th April, 1770.
To the Rev d . M r . Cha s . Inglis —
1 Illegible.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 603
SAMUEL SUTTON'S ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
Ap
ril 26, 1770
[
]
] Dec'. 1769 at
^Day
} 30
] masts
and Square
0..10..0
] for a field bed, one butt hinge
and Screws
0.. 8. .6
] Frames at 2 s Each
2..10..0
] and wedging Six pair
of
window Sashes
0.. 8..0
] hands for the Roads
0.. 4..0
] 12 Days at the Church at
TOay
] large Oak bedsteads
4..10..0
| Duck Screws nails & Cord for D°
3. .14. .6
as p r Mess rs . Phyn and Ellice's bill
J
[
] To a Cherry Tree Cradle
!'. . 8..0
JOHNSON'S ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
[Johnson Hall] April 27 l K 1770
Pay unto M r . Robert Adems or order
on Demand the Sum of Sixty Pounds
York Cur c y., & charge it to ace' of
Y r Humble Servant
W. Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq r .
Dpy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York
Rob t . Adems
Van Wyck & Comp.
604 Sir William Johnson Papers
Johnson's order on Abraham mortier
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall 27 'K April 1770
Pay unto M r . Robert Adems, or Or-
£100 Cur c y der on Demand the Sum of One
Hundred Pounds New York Cur c y.
& charge it to ace', of
Y r . Humble Serv'.
To Abraham Mortier Esq r .
Dpy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York
W. Johnson
Pay the above to Mr Gerard Beekman or order
Daniel Campbell
Reed the above contents New York 12 May 1770
Gerard W m . Beekman
Rob t . Adems
FROM DANIEL CAMPBELL
A. L. S.
Schenectady the 27 th April 1770
Sir
By Col n Cole I understand that the purport of your letter
was to know what Quantity of Indian goods I had by me.
Inclosed I send you a memorandum of the Quantities I now have
left — and the prices afixed to Each Article. I have sold no
strouds this Spring under £1 1 — what Ever you may have want
of those Goods, or if you will have the whole please to let me
know soon, as this is the time of the Year that the Traders
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 605
is going up — I shall be greatly obliged to you for your orders
— this morning I sent Mr Monear a line to send up your
Pacquet — I expect by to Morrow it will be here.
I am Dear Sir with
Great Respect Your
most humble Servant
Daniel Campbell
Sir William Johnson Baronet
indorsed: 1 April 27 th . 1770
Major Campbels letter
concerng Goods
HENRY VAN SCHAACK TO ABRAHAM VAN ALSTYNE
Contemporary Copy
Kinderhook 27> h April 1770
[ ]
I am Directed by my Father to acquaint you in writing with
what I communicated to you by his order on Tuesday last ver-
bally to wit, that the Lieu*. Governor has been pleased to
appoint you Lieu'. Col°. to a Regiment of Militia Foot whereof
my Father is Colonel, and as he means to Distribute the Com-
missions to Day to the Respective Officers at the House of M r .
Tobies Van Beuren he hopes to have the pleasure of seeing
you there.
He likewise has ordered me to acquaint you that he has
heard you have some objections to accepting of the Commission,
if so, he hopes you will be good enough to acquaint him there-
with that he may take notice of them in the Return he means
1 In Johnson's hand.
606 Sir William Johnson Papers
to make of the Regiment immediately after the Officers are
Qualified, which is to be to Day.
I remain
Sir
You most humble servant
H. V. SCHAACK
M R . Abraham Van Alstyne
INDORSED: 1 Kinderhook 27 April 1 770
Copy of a Letter sent to M r . Abraham
Van Alstyne by Cap*. Ch s . Goodrich
FROM BENJAMIN ROBERTS
London 27 Ap l 1770
Dear Sir
The pacquet being back to Falmoth to Stop a Leak gives
me this Oppertunity, tho it is Suspected she was brought back
by a Cutter, on Account of the Intelligence from Boston.
Everybody seem much allarmed about it the House of Com-
mons did not break up on Wednesday till 12 oClock at Night
no one but members admitted after 7 o Clock, M r . Treeothick
spoke in fav r of the Bostonians. My Lord North has men-
tioned at Levy that he can raise 5 Millions in Case of a War
with France without laying on Any additional tax. they intend
to pay off 1 Yl Million of the National Debt. & he says if there
is a peace for 10 years wch he has no reason to doubt he will
reduce the Debt lower than it was before last War.
On Tuesday my Lord Hilsborough asked me some Questions
concerning S r John & the Militia also about the Indians, I set
3 In Johnson's hand.
2 In Newberry Library, Chicago, 111.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 607
forth to him the Amazing Expence of provision that Article
alone sufficient to consume the contingent, that no person being
appointed at the Upper posts, the Back Nations would be
oblidged to repair to S r W m , who must Victual & Cloth them.
I spoke to him about the Medals, upon the whole his Answer
was that he would not Augment the Expence, that all these
things must go thro a number of Officers, that I should write
you to lay before him any thing you thought should be done
by Letter, & the utmost regard should be paid it. I answerd
that you left these matters to me who could Explain them more
fully than by Letter as I was an Eye witness & acquainted
with the fact, that I thought it my duty to tell him timely that
no blame might fall on me, if by any delay the Government
was, involved in a larger expense which may be the Consequence
of a too Strict Aconomy.
I took an Oppertunity of asking about some Appointments
he was making as Surveyors of the Woods & he said they were
in the Gift of the treasury in Short I can only gather from him
that I have nothing to expect. General Gages interest is all &
all merit has no Chance, interest, or being a damn'd rascall the
only Step to preferment here I should be glad to have another
Line from you to some of your Friends, M r . Pen is at Bath,
nor has he introduced me to Any, that I might be brought into
Company where I might make interest for myself, the Scotch
party much against Our department I have got into both the
American Clubs where I have an Oppertunity of Shewing the
Effecacy of such a Department. You may depend upon my
Circumspection & attachment in Every thing concerns Your
Interests, by every Ship shall send you the political papers. I
remain most Sincerely Dear Sir.
Your Friend and Oblidged humble servant
B. Roberts
S R Wm Johnson Baronet
608 Sir William Johnson Papers
ADDRESSED: To Charged in
The Honorable London 1
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at Johnson Hall
New York
INDORSED: London 27 th . April 1770
L l . Roberts letter
County 1
N America 1
FROM DANIEL CLAUS
A. L. S.
Will™, burg 28"'. AprK 1770
half after 6. p. m
[Sir]
[The] inclosed three Letters came to me, two yesterday
[ ] and the one directed to be forwarded by me just now
by M r . Shipboy from Albany. I have sent the Bearer on pur-
pose as Campbell desired me to forward it with Speed, M r . Ship-
boy I understand is going to M r . Croghans with one M r . Morton
a Merchant from York in order to secure themselves if possible;
his Bills in fav r . of the former being protested to the Amount of
£2900. Sterl:. Protest & all Shipboy is ruind as Campbell says
if he cant secure himself;
The family are well & join me in Duty & Respect
And I remain
Honored Sir
Your Obed. Son
Dan. Claus
To the Hon b K S R . W M . Johnson B f .
& c . & c . & c .
1 In a different hand from Roberts'.
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 609
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon bIe . Sir WilK Johnson Baronet
& c . & c . & c .
Johnsonhall
indorsed 1 : April 28 th . 177[0]
Co 1 . Clau's Letter
WESSEL VAN SCHAICK S BILL
A. D. S.
Albany April 28 th . 1770
M r : Thomas Shipboy
Bou l . of Wessel Van Schaick
s d
15 Mill Saws— a 17/6 P s £ 13. 2. 6
Rac d . the above Contents at the Same time For my Father
Jn°: G Van Schaick
INDORSED: 1 A Receipt [ ]
Saws £13. [2.6.]
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
[April 28, 1770]
[ 1
] I Received the Inclos d Leter |
the Shannas from M r . M c Kee [ ] w h . I Inclose y r . honor
for your [ ] itt has been a Long Time on y e . Way
I observe by the privet Information M r . M c Kee
| had w h . he Menshons in his Leter with what they Say
in thire Speech that they Seem to gaskinade or Treaten what
1 In Johnson's hand.
20
610 Sir William Johnson Papers
they May be able [ ] think thire Speech is Much
Such [a] Nother as they Made the Commanding offiser [
Me in the begining of 1 763 w h . Gave Great offense to Sir
Jeffery Amherst
I have Nott been able to Take Copeys of them and will be
glad y r . honor will Return them after you have Taken Copeys
with your opinion whether I should Write any thing to M r .
M c Kee in answer
I am with Great Respect y r . Honors
Most Humble Servant
Geo: Croghan
the Barrer hapening to be hear
& Returning home today I gott him
[to] Take this Leter ^haps he May [exp]ect Some
Trifle for Carrying itt
INDORSED: 1 [ ]
M'. C[ ]
with In[
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
[April 29*. 1770]
[Sir]
I wrote to Col° Gardenir Very Soon after [m]y Return but
have not yet heard from him perhaps [ ]ey may directly
Send Some Person up to you — there is many in this Colony
who wish to have Land in your Parts but have not got the
Necessary, and those you had better be without —
The Vessel that I mentioned does not Leave this so Soon as I
Expected for Albany — I have therefore Shipt you by one
Rogers (in a Boat from the Harbours mouth who sails
to morrow), a Parcel of very fine fruit trees Seeds &c which I
1 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 611
have desired M r Wetherhead to Loose no time in Sending to
you — in the Box with your Grass Seed & Garden Seeds is a
Bundle for S r John Col° Johnson & Col° Clause Cont a . a Variety
of Garden & Flower Seeds — I have also Sent them a Large
Bundle of Flowering trees & Shrubs — there is also a Small
Bundle of Seeds for M r Davis there appears to be a Smart
Struggle in this Colony — between the friends of M r Fitch &
those of the present Gov r . Trumbull to See who they Shall place
in the Chair. I don't know so much of their politicks as to be
able to say who will Succeed
the Season is Remarkably Cold last night we had A Very
Severe Frost — the Backwardness of the Spring and the great
demand in the west India Way has made Hay so Extreemly
Scarce that I immagine many Farmers must Loose part of their
Stock — we have heard nothing from Boston Since the last post
I now Send you the Papers and must Refer you to them for
News — M rs Chew desires me to present her most Respectfull
Compliments to you and I hope you will accept of mine [ ] d
Every Sincere wish for your health and Happiness
Respectfully D r Sir Your most Obed*.
Hble Serv 1 .
Jos Chew
[Sir William Johnson] Bar 1
MICHAEL KLYNE S ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
[May 1, 1770]
[
]
[To Michael] Klyne Gunsmith D r
[
] Gunsmith's work done for
[
] as follows, viz L S. D
2 Guns and a Lock
To a new Gun Stock . .16. .
To a new Heel Plate 3
612 Sir William Johnson Papers
To 1 Rammer Rod Loop
To 1 Barrel Loop
To a Side Pin
2^ Gun
To a new Gun Stock
To a new Britch
To a Britch Pin
To a Trigger Plate
y e . Lock
To a new main Spring
To making the Pan close
2 1 Gun Lock
To mending and hardening Ham-
mer
To closing the Pan
4 1 Gun
To straightening and rounding y e .
Barrel inside
To Bushing the Barrel
To repairing the Tumbler & Dog
9 To mending a Steel Trap
16 1 Gun
To a Cock Screw 1 . .0
1 7 a Lock for a Gun
To Hardening the Hammer
To repairing the Dog and Tumbler
To a Tumbler Screw
22 a Gun
To Bushing the Barrel
another Gun
To mending the Dog and Tumbler
To mending the Dog Spring &
harden^, it
To mending the Trigger
[ ]
16.
.0
4.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
3.
.0
6
1.
.6
6
4.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
3.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
6
6
9
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774
613
1769
N
ov.
29
Dec r . 1 st .
To a new Gun Stock
To an Heel Plate
To mending the Cock
To a Dog Spring Screw
To 1 Barrel Loop
To a new Tumbler
To mending the Dog
To plating and hardening the Ham-
mer
a Gun
To a new Gun Stock
To Brazing the Britch
To 2 Side Pins
To Hardening the Hammer
To mending the Dog and Tumbler
To a Cock Screw
To making a new main Spring to
a Lock <P order
A Gun
To hardening the Hammer
To a new Britch
To mending the Cock
To Bushing the Barrel
3 Guns
To Bushing the Barrel
To a new Hammer Spring
To a new Side Pin
2 Gun
To Bushing the Barrel
To Hardening the Hammer
To a new Cock Screw
To Hardening the Hammer Spring
3 Gun
a new Cock Screw
0.. 1..6
16. .0
1..6
2..0
1..0
1..0
1..0
3..0
1.
.0
4.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
2.
.6
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
1.
.0
0.
.6
1..0
614 Sir William Johnson Papers
To a new Hammer Spring
2.
.6
To Bushing the Barrel
1.
.0
[Dec r .] 6 a Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To 2 Side Pins
[
]
To mending [
[
]
[ ]
£7.
.19.
.0
[ ] Hammer
1.
.0
[ ] Cock
1.
.0
[ ] Side Pin
1.
.0
To closing the Pan and Harden^.
Hammer Spring
1.
.0
2d Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To 1 Hammer Loop
1.
.0
To mending & hardening the
Ham-
mer
1.
.6
To mending the Dog and Tumbler
1.
.0
To Hardening the Hammer
Spring
6
To Brazing the Pan
1.
.0
12 To a Rifled Gun for Thomas King
Indian
3.
. 0.
.0
27 a Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To Brazing the Gun Barrel
4.
.0
29 A Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To Hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
To mending the Dog & Tumbler
1.
.0
To a Side Pin
1.
.0
To a Britch Pin
1.
.0
1 770 3 Guns
Jan>\ 6 To a new Stock for a Rifle
1.
. 0.
.0
To a Side Pin
1.
.0
To a new Cock
4.
.0
To mending the Tumbler
6
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 615
Jany.
To a Bntch Pin
1.
.0
To 2 Sights put to the Rifle
2.
.0
2 Gun
To a new Br itch
4.
.0
To Bushing the Barrel
1.
.0
To a new Dog Spring
1.
.6
To hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
3 Gun
To Hardening the Hammer
Spring
6
To closing the Pan
6
To mending the Cock
1.
.0
£13.
. 2.
.0
To Sums brought forward
[
]
12 2 Guns
To a new Gun Stock
[
]
2 d Gun
To a new Stock
16.
.0
To closing the Pan
[ 1
To mending the Dog Spring
6
To a new Gun mounting
10.
.0
23 2 Guns
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To 2 Rammer Loops
2.
.0
To 2 Side Pins
2.
.0
To a new Britch Pin
1.
.0
To a Trigger Plate
1.
.0
To Bushing the Barrel
1.
.0
2 d Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To a new Cock Screw
1.
.0
To 2 Side Pins
2.
.0
To a Britch Pin and Trigger Plate
2.
.0
To a Gun Mounting
10.
.0
25 th . To Bushing the Barrel of a
Gun
1.
.0
26 To a Tumbler Screw
1.
.0
616 Sir William Johnson Papers
[Jan?.] 27 To Bushing the Barrel 1 . .0
28 a Gun & a Lock
To a new Gun Stock 16. .0
To 1 Rammer Rod Loop 1 . .0
the Lock
To a Cock 4 . .
To plating the Hammer & harden^.
it
1.
.6
To 1 Tumbler Screw
1.
.0
29 A Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16.
.0
To a new Tumbler
4.
.0
To Brazing the Guard
1.
.6
30 a Gun
To hardening the Hammer Spring
p
6
To hardening the Hammer
[
]
To a Side Pin
[
]
March 1 st . [ ]
[
]
[Brought forward]
£20.
.11.
.0
[ ] Stock
16.
.0
To hardening a Hammer
1.
.0
To a Side Pin
1.
.0
To 2 Rammer Loops
2.
.0
5 A Gun
To a New Gun Stock
16.
.0
To Hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
Mending Dog and Tumbler
1.
.0
To a Cock Screw
1.
.0
To 1 Rammer Loop
1.
.0
6 A Gun
To Bushing the Barrel
1.
.0
To Brazing the Pan
1.
.0
To hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
7 2 Guns
To Bushing the Barrel
1.
.0
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 617
To Bushing the Barrel of the
s other
Gun
1.
.0
To closing the Pan of D°.
6
To Hardening the Hammer
1:
19 a Gun
To a new Gun Stock
16:
To a new Guard
3.
.0
To 2 Rammer Loops
2:
To a Britch Pin and Trigger
Plate
2.
To a new Tricker
1.
.U
To 1 Side Pin
1.
.0
2 1 a Rifel
To a new Stock
1
.. 0.
.0
To a large Sight
1.
.6
To 2 Barrel Loops
1.
.6
To 1 Breech Pin
1.
.0
To 1 Side Pin
1.
.0
To Brazing the Guard
1.
.0
To hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
To mending the Cock
1.
.0
24 4 Guns & a Lock
To Brazing the Breech
1.
.6
[ ]
6
To Sums brought forward
[
]
To cutting a piece of y e .
Barrel
[ ]
[
]
To 1 Barrel Loop
[
]
4th Gun
To drawing a Rifle
[
]
To a Side Pin
1.
.0
To mending the Dog and Tumbler
1.
.0
y e . Lock
To a Side Pin
1.
.0
To mending the Cock
1.
.0
25 To a Gun
To a new Cock and Tumbler
Screw
5.
.0
618 Sir William Johnson Papers
To a Rammer Loop 1 . .0
To Hardening the Hammer 1 . .0
[March] 26 1 Gun & 3 Locks
To a new Gun Stock 16. .0
To Brazing the Breech 1 . .6
To Bushing the Barrel 1 . .0
To closing the Pan 6
To mending the Dog and Tumbler 1 . .0
1 st . of the Locks
To Brazing the Cock 1 . .0
To a New Tumbler 4. .0
To closing the Pan 6
2 d Lock
To Hardening the Hammer 1 . .0
To 1 Side Pin 1 . .0
To closing the Pan & harden^.
Hammer Spring 1 . .0
3d Lock
To a new Dog 1 . .6
To 2 Side Pins 2..0
To Hardening the Hammer 1 . .0
To mending the Cock 1 . .0
28 th . A Gun
To Bushing the Barrel 1 . .0
To closing the pan 6
29 To a new main Spring to a Gun
Lock 3..0
30 2 Gun Locks
To a new Hammer 4. .0
To mending the Dog and Tumbler
t ] [ i
[to Sums brought forward] £29. . 8. .3
] the Tumbler 6
To a new Dog 1 . .6
To 2 Side pins 2 . .
16.
.0
3.
.0
3.
.0
1.
.0
2.
.0
2.
.0
1.
.6
16.
.0
i.
.0
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 619
[ ] 1 Gun
To a new Stock
To a new Guard
To a new Heel Plate
To a Britch Pin
To a Tricker Plate and Tricker
To 2 Side Pins
To a Cock Screw and Cock plate
April 2 d 1 Gun & a Lock
To a new Stock
To Bushing the Barrel
the Lock
To 2 Side Pins 2..0
4 a Gun
To a new Gun Stock 16. .0
To 1 Side Pin 1..0
To closing the Pan 6
To 1 Barrel Loop 9
6 A Gun
To a new Gun Stock 16. .0
To a Side Pin 1 . .0
To mending the Tumbler 6
9 3 Guns & 3 Locks
To hardening Hammer 1 . .0
To closing the Pan 6
To putting a piece to the Stock 2 . .
To a new Dog 1 . .6
To mending the Tumbler 6
To a New Main Spring 3. .0
To 2 Side Pins 2 . .
2 d . Gun
To hardening an Hammer 1 . .0
To a Cock Screw 1 . .0
[ ] i..o
i[ ] [ 1
620 Sir William Johnson Papers
April 9 [ ]
To drawing a Rifle [
]
To making [ J Straight [
]
To hardening the Hammer
]
To a Hammer Screw
]
To a new Dog
1
.6
To a new Dog Spring
1
..6
1 st . Lock
To hardening the Hammer
1
. .0
To closing the Pan
6
To a new Hammer Spring & Screw
for it
3.
.0
To a Cock Screw
I.
.0
To mending the Dog & Tumbler
1.
.0
To 1 Side Pin
1.
.0
2^ Lock
To hardening the Hammer
1.
.0
To an Hammer Screw
9
To hardening the Hammer Spring
6
3^ Lock
To a new Main Spring
3.
.0
25 th . To brazing a Barrel which was
oblig'd to cut of and lay one
piece over the other an Inch
10.
.0
26 To a new Dog and mending the
Tumbler
2.
.0
28 To Stocking a very long Gun 1
.. 0.
.0
To a new Breech for d°.
4.
.0
To 4 Rammer Loops to d".
4.
.0
To a Side for d°.
2.
.0
To a Breech pin and Tricker plate
2.
.0
To a Tricker
1.
.0
To 2 Side Pins
2.
.0
30 To mending the Tumbler & Dog
1.
.0
£38:13.. 6
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 621
1 770 Creek
Dec r . 24 By Cash £12. .0. .0
Ap 1 . 4 By d°. 4..0..0
£16.. 0..0
Balk due £22.. 13.. 6
An Ac c [ ]
INDORSED 1 : Michael Klyne's
Acc".
£38.. 3.. 6 p d .
DANIEL CAMPBELL S ACCOUNT
D.
Schenectady K May 1770
[Sir] William Johnson Baronet
[ Bought of Daniel Campbell
[To] 4 Pieces Callicoe 18 y ds .
77/
6 Pieces Blue Strouds
£10. .10
1 Doz". Girls Stocking
1 Ditto ditto
1 Ditto ditto
7 Pieces Ribbond 14/
2 C Gun powder
300 Lead 45/
150* Indian Kettles 3/6 26.. 5..—
2 Doz n . Looking Glasses
30/ 3.. — ..—
2 Pieces Penniston 182J/2
y^. 3/ 27.. 7.. 6
15.
.18 —
63.
_— ___
16..—
19..—
1.
. — . . —
4.
.18..—
24.
. — . . —
6.
.15..—
In Johnson's hand.
622 Sir William Johnson Papers
[To] 1 2" White Beads 3/ 1 . . 1 6 . . —
1 Doz n . Girls Stockings
(more) 18.. —
176. .12
4 hh ds . Rum 436 gall 5 , a
3/ 65.. 8..—
2 Nests Tin Kettles 45/ 4 . . 1 . . —
1 piece green Rateen 25 ^
y ds . 8/6 10.. 16.. 9
1 Barrell W:I Rum 35
gall'. 4/6 7.. 12.. 6
1 2000 Black wampom 28/ 1 6 . . 1 6 . . —
2000 White ditto 24/ 2.. 8..—
Silver work 14.. — .. 6
6 Loves Sugar W'. 60"
1/4 4..— ..—
1 Keg Brown Sugar
C q tt
1..0..17
1 Tea Kettle W». 3»
20 y ds . Black Strouds
1 Cask Gammons
286» /&y 2
2 n . Bohea Tea
58/
3.
. 6.
. 9
5/6
16.
. 6
9/6
9.
.10.
. —
w«.
10.
. 2.
. 7
14.
. —
150.. 1
£326.. 14.. 1
Amount brought over
4 C Bisquet 25/ 5.. — ..—
6« Chocolet 2/2 13..—
1 Oyl Cloth 3..14..—
4 Pair mens Shoes (fine)
11/ 2.. 4..—
it
<«
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 623
100 Goos Shott 2.. 9..—
1 Keg 6 gallons Lisbon
wine 8/ 2 . . 8 . . —
5Yi gross pipes 3/6 19. . 3. . —
400 Fish hooks (large)
4/9 19.. 0..—
2 pair Shamey Gloves 3/ 6. . —
Yl Doz n . Pewter Spoons. 3.. —
20« Mould Candles !.. 3.. 4
20ttSoap /10 16.. 8
27 Mens Indian Shirts 6/6 8. . 15. . 6
25 Ditto. Ditto 7/6 9.. 7.. 6
8 Fine Ruffil.d ditto 11/4 4.. 10.. 8
6 Check ditto 10/ 3.. — ..—
4 tt Pepper 6/ 1.. 4..—
4 quire writing paper 2/ 8. . —
48.. 1.. 3
20" Coffee 1/10 1..16.. 8
1 quart & 1 pint Pewter mug 9 . . 6
Yl Skiple fine Salt 2 . . 2
2 Tumblers 1/4 2.. 8
5 tt Twine 4/ 1.. — ..—
500 Needles 5..—
a Powder horn & Shot Bag 7 . . —
2 Caps 6..—
2 papers Ink powder 2 . . 8
Sealing wax 2 . . —
a pair Stilyards 14.. — '
4 yards Ribbond 1/6 6. . —
1 Cheese W*. 35" /10 1 . . 9. . 2
1 Keg Vinegar 2% gallons 5 . . 6
7[ ]
£[ 1
624 Sir William Johnson Papers
[To] [Amount] brought over
] yard wide Linnen
25y* 3/6 4.. 7..
[ ] Trunk 1 . . 4. .
" 1 Box 2..
" 4 Ditto 1/6 6..
2 Cases 4/ 8. .
" 1 ditto 2..
3 large Bags 14..
1 Tearce 4 . .
" 3 Small Bags (more) 3/9 11..
" 2 half Barrels 3/6 7..
2 Large Kegs 2/6 5 .
2 ditto Small ditto 2 4. .-
" 4 Barrells 5 1 . . — . .-
" 117 Kegs for the Rum. 2 11 . .14. .-
" 2 Battoes £7 14. . — . .-
" Pols Paddles & Oars for do. 2 . . 1 5 . . -
" 1 Rug 19..-
" 3 Blankets 14/ 2. . 2..-
44 1 Pot 6..
1 Long handle Frying pan 5 . .-
44 2» Flemish Thread 9/ 18..-
1 tt Brown ditto 7. .-
Yfl Fine Thread 7 . . -
1 Case 12 Bottles with 9
Full of Holland
Gineva 2.. — ..-
Pepper Box
2 Barrels Pork 95
150«: Bread 25
24 Gallons Rum to the Bat-
toemen 3/
8 Kegs for ditto
382.. 3.. 8
' 9.
' 1.
.10..—
.17.. 6
3.
.12..—
16..—
7[ ]
45.. 8. .10
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
625
2 Doz n Sugars
3 Doz n . ditto
4/
4/6
8..—
13.. 6
16. .17..—
£444.. 9.. 6
Amount brought over
1 Grid Iron
28 tt Leaf Tobacco /6
1 Tap Boarer
4 Skiple Pease 4/
24 yards Duck 2/4 2
1 quarter sugar I
1 Keg for ditto
2 Pillows 1 .
j/2 quarter Sugar
1 Razor Strap
1 Matross . . . 1
1 Black Trunk
7 Large Bags more 1 -
1 Small Book
1 Barlow Best Pen knives
2 Barcelonia handkerchiefs 1
6» Shoot 8/
2» Powder
1 Keg for y e . Vinigar
14-
1.
16.
16.
15.
2.
8.
3.
4.
12.
- 8.
5.
2.
4.
6.
2.
Cash paid for making 9 In-
dian gowns
6.
. 9
Cash paid Carriage to the
water side
3.
. —
2 painters
5.
. —
15" Beef
5.
.10
12
y e . 4 last articles was not in
the Invoice
457. .12.. 1
626 Sir William Johnson Papers
Ditto O.
By Deduction of the Penn-
iston @ 2 d ^y d . 1..10
£ 456.. 2.. 1
INDORSED: 1 Wade & Creu[ser]
Ace". w th . D[ ]
Campbell
MICHAEL KLEIN S ACCOUNT
A. D. S.
1769
Nov r y e 18 th To Making a Key for the Storehouse s d
Door £ - 5 -
Do y e 25th Xo a Key for a Large Pad Lock 0-2-0
D°y e 29 th To Tining 2 Sauce pans 0-6-0
Dec r 21 st To Six wood Screws for a Smal Box
for Leters 0-3-0
£0-16-0
May 1 st . 1 770 Rec d . the above Sum in full of all
Demands to this Day
Michael Klein
INDORSED: 1 Michael Klyne's
Ace*. £ . 16' p d .
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
A. Df. S.
[Johnson Hall, May 1,1770]
Your favor of [ ] Delivered to
me by your | ] went to M r . Butlers,
1 In Johnson's hand.
Postwar Period, 1763-1774 627
and brought me[ ] acquainting me that
he had sent the Deed [in care of Maj] Fonda.
& M r . Adems went yesterday to Schenectady
I can readily beleive [ was con-
cerned or encouraged any of the Scurrility so
] now a Days to the great discredit of the
Au[thors ] can I say that M r . Schyler had
any hand in it[ spirit of opposition
to me in other things (for what [ ] know not)
there is a great probability of it.
I am so streightened in point of time by the [
Dispatches received by the last Post & other business that I realy
have [not] time to answer you as satisfactorily as I wish to
do [ ] will in three of four days write you fully. In the
mean [time be] assured that I am with much Esteem,
Truly Your Welwisher
& verry Humble Servant
W J[ohnson]
FROM MARGARET DARLINGTON
New York May th. 2< f : 1770
[Sir]
[I] cannot reproach myself of want of Industry as far as
] my power to get an honest livelihood ; nor am I sensible of
extr] avagance of my own. but have always to the utmost of
] endeavour'd to maintain (as far as in me lay) in as
] a way as possible my family in Credit: which I hope
you a [re] sensible of, yet still it has pleas'd the Almighty to lay
his hand very heavy on me) Darlington has now his trade up again
and has a great deal of Custom so that I am hopes by next spring
he will be able to Clear himself of his Debts . . directly after you
withdrew your bussiness from him (the reason I shall not enquire
628 Sir IVilliam Johnson Papers
into) but hope no part of the blame or misconduct you attribute
to any mismanagement of mine) Every Creditor he had sued
him the payment of which and the law Charges was our undoing :
(so that we was oblig'd to Sell the house I now live in and pay
50 pounds a year for to m r : Alsop. to who I am indebted for a
y rs : rent and know not were to gett it.) and mortgage all the
furniture for 3 years have been almost reduc'd to the want of the
common necessarys of life the hopes of relief and to keep up the
Credit of my family and fear of being troublesome to my friends
made me conceal my wants as long as possible I now trust to
your secresy as you are the only one I have made application to.
(and as I always thought that you look'd on me as worthy
your notice. so am still in hopes of your assistance) —
D r : S r : I have therefore to entreat you for the loan of 70: or 80
pounds) which if you will at present favour me with shall
endeavour Gratefully to return as soon as it lays in my power m
as private a manner as possible: as darlington who is entirely
unacquainted, with my writing may not know it, nor no other
person unless one you are pleasd to appoint.) D r : Sir for the
former services and friendship I have heretofore receiv'd (tho
you should not have pity on me now) I shall always aknowledge
So Conclude with my best wishes for yourself Son and family
and be assur'd that I am with all respect —
Y r most. Oblig'd Humble Servant —
Margaret Darlinton
ADDRESSED: For
Sir W: m Johnson Bar 1
att
p r . favor "^
of M r . I Fort Johnson
Shugsberj
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 629
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
N York May 3 1770
Sir William
An arrival in 6 Weeks at Boston tells us the Acts are repealed
except that of Tea the Division upon the question of a General
repeal was 61 against it but the question on y e repeal of the
Paper paint & Glass was carried for it Without any Division.
The Ministry are unshaken, they had a majority of 98 on a
ministerial Question about y f 8 or 9 March. Lord Granby 1
was carried by Calcraft 2 to the minority but the ministry have
found means to get him back and he is to be reinstated in his posts,
the Duke his father paying £104,000 which he owed to Calcraft.
Lords Ligonier 3 & Albemarle 4 were at deaths door. Jo Goreham
has got the L 1 Government of Newfoundland vice Otho Hamilton.
S r Fra s Barnard has procured the Massachusets Govarnment for
M 1 Hutchinson. M r Oliver is made L l Gov & Flucker 5 Secre-
tary, S r Francis is a Bencher of the Temple with £600 a year.
Pownal told the H° Com s that the Cause of the Distractions in
Boston arose from the Licentiousness of the troops, Brig'
Mackay" rose & told the House they Originated in that House
for many Seditious Letters exciting the N Englandmen to fly in
the face of Government were written by Members of the House
in particular by M r Pownal & he assured the House there was
not one word of truth in that Gentlemans whole Speech. General
1 John Manners, Marquis, son of the Duke of Rutland, born in 1 721,
died in 1770.
2 John Calcraft, member of parliament, born in 1726, died in 1772.
3 John, first Earl of Ligonier, celebrated soldier, born in 1679, died in
1770.
4 George Keppel, third Earl of Albemarle, distinguished soldier, born
in 1 724, died in 1 772.
5 Thomas Flucker, provincial secretary.
6 Hon. Alexander Mackay, colonel of the 65th regiment, 1769-1770,
major general in 1 770, lieutenant general in 1 777.
630 Sir William Johnson Papers
Toovey is dead, his regim* given to Col Home. The citizens of
London have carried [ a most Extraordinary
remonstrance to [ ] the Nation is in a state of
Distraction and [ the Sovereign will neither dissolve
his parliament nor abandon his ministry it is expected this summer
will be producted of [ ] lamentable Evils. The pacquet
is just now come in but the Letters not being de [li] vered & myself
afraid D r Shuckburgh will be sailed I must defer to another
oppertunity what may be interesting enough for a second Epistle.
I am with great deference
Sir William
Your most humble serv 1
Jas Rivington
M r Blackburne 1 desires
me to present his humble
Respects to yourself S r John
Col Guy & Cap Claus.
Mungo Campbell after sentence of Death passed, Hanged him-
self, he shot Lord Eglingtown. 2 . A Spanish war is expected 3 &
the Whole Nation agree in opinion that the French have struck a
blow in the East Indies that will produce immediate hostilities.
ADDRESSED: To
S r W m Johnson Bar 1
at Johnson hall
1 John Blackburn, London merchant, agent of Johnson.
2 Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton, born in 1723, died
in 1 769. He was shot in a dispute with Mungo Campbell, whom he
accused of poaching on his grounds and sought to disarm. — Dictionary
of National Biography.
3 Trouble arose over the occupation of Port Egmont in the Falkland
Islands in 1 770 by Spaniards in disregard of a British claim to posses-
sion of the islands. War did not follow, Spain yielding Port Egmont
to England.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 631
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
May the 3K 1770
Dear Sir
yesterday I was feavor d . with 1 honors of the 30 th . april by an
Indian for w h . I am Much oblig d . to you y e . Leter you Sent Me
was from Wharton & Trent and much Less agreeable than I had
Reson to Expect, I Dont find that they had the 10 of Jan?. Gott
y e . Indian Grant to the Traders Confirm d . or Even aply d . for itt
or Mine, yett they Write as if they Did not Doubt of Success,
there Delays they say is oweing to the Confusion of the State of
the Nation & the Great partys Now Subsisting in parlament w h .
prevents any Business being Don in any of y e offises this they say
& Lord Hillsburgh objections is the only barr to thire Success.
I obtain d . for M r Banyar when I was in Philadelphia Some
Ranger offisers Rights and his Excelency Gineral Gage Gave
| Certificat that they had Served as Rang[ers and]
was discarg d . as Such, M r Banyar wanted two More & I promist
to gett them if I meet any in those parts if I had I was to aply to
your Honor to Send there Names Down to y e . Gineral to desier a
Certificat for them such as his Excelency had granted Mr Butt
as have Nott Meet with any Such I Did Nott Truble you with
the affair there are Several of those Ranger Cap ts . on y e .
frontiers of pensylvaine & that way w h . was Imploy d . in
1 758 . 59 . 60 . 61 & 62 to Serve with the Indians that way
If y r . honor pleses to Write to y e . Gineral for a Certificat to
oblidge M r . Banyar I inclose 2 the names of two w h . I will Ingage
wil be Convaid to him
as I find Myself very Litle beter I begin to Suspect that there
is Some Complicated Disorder fallen in My feet wherefore I 3
Inclined to Try the Warm Springs in Virginia, and [
1 Word omitted in the original.
2 See following paper.
3 A word omitted in the original.
632 Sir William Johnson Papers
"] I have
Taken a parcel of Goods — [ ] that unfortu-
nate Company this last Winter w' 1 . Lays att" Fort I will
indeavour to go there & Dispose of them or have them Taken to
y e . Settlem ts . as I think its Nott Improbable Butt Some
Disturbance May hapen that Way Soon and in order to Secure
what Litle property I have there I prepose going Towards the
Last of this Month I can go Down from hear by Water into y e
River Susquehanna So up Juniata to bedford w ch . is Butt a
hundred Miles from Fort pitt a good Wagon Road 6c where I
can have a Chase for I am Nott able to Ride five Miles %^haps
the Warm baths & Warm Climatt Ma be of Some Service to Me,
if Nott I Expect Nothing butt to be a Criple for Life I am
Dear Sir with y e . Greatest Respect
y r . Honors Most Hum ble . Servant
Geo: Croghan
P. S. if Co 11 . Johnsons Servant Shu d .
Come this way I will Take Care of him.
To the Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Ban- 1 .
indorsed: 3 [ ]
M r . Croghans Letter
Dated 3 d . May 1 770
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. 4
Christopher Limes
Thomas Hays
one Line from y r . honor to the Gineral will gett M r . Banyar a
Certificat for y e . above Cap ,s . Rights & I will Ingage to gett
them to Signe over to him Indeed I Could gett Ten More of
them in these parts if Wanted —
1 Lines burned off.
'-' A word omitted in the original.
3 In Johnson's hand.
4 Inclosed in George Croghan's letter of May 3, 1 770.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 633
THOMAS GAGE S WARRANTS
In the Johnson Calendar, p. 455, are entered two warrants under date
of May 3, New York, drawn by General Gage in favor of Johnson: one
for £2031, 3s, 9|/2d, the other for £1686, 1 Is, lOd, with the accounts
annexed. Destroyed by fire.
ISAAC PARIS S ACCOUNT
D. S.
[Johnson Hall, May 4, 1770]
] £ .. 9..—
] 19 10.. 8!4
| stove with pipes and foot to it 7 . . 4 . . —
] from New York to Albany 4 . . —
] freight from Albany to
Major Fonda's 10. . —
£ 8. .17.. 8%
By Cash £6 . . 8s 6 . . 8 . .
B £ 2.. 9.. 8|4
1 Johnson Hall May 4*. 1770
Rec d . the above Ballance in full
INDORSED 1 : [ ]
£8.. 17.. &y 4 p d .
paid
Isaac Paris
In Johnson's hand.
634 Sir William Johnson Papers
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall May 4 th . 1770
Pay unto Goldsborrow Banyar Esq re .
£236 ..12 Cur r y. or order on Demand the Sum of
Two Hundred & Thirty Six Pounds
Twelve Shillings New York Currcy. &
Charge it to Ace 1 , of
Y r . Humble Servant
W. Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq re .
Depy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
r i Johnson-hall May 4 th . J 770
M r Adems one of the Evidences to the Deed was gone
down the Country on some business when your servt came, who
went to M r Butlers & returned with a few Lines informing me
that your Deed had been Sent down as Mentioned in the few
Lines I then wrote you which my present hurry making up my
dispatches for the Post will not allow me to enlarge upon as I
could have wished.
The little dirty performance you spoke of I have since seen,
it is a Composition so false & Contemptible that I don't think it
worth bestowing a Word upon it, farther than to say that I heard
it came from the Pasture, & that there was something more than
a probability of its having at least received the Countenance of
the Gent 2 you mention, for many reasons, [as Well from his
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 Colonel Philip Schuyler.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 635
Conduct in the Assembly where he said much more (according
to the accounts of those who assure me they are ready to tell him
so) than he Mentioned in his Letter to me, as from his engaging
with great zeal in a party amongst whom I never expect to have
any friends by whom I have had the honor to be often Calumn-
iated but as I know how to Chastise the Author of any scurrilous
productions of that sort when I discover them, I need 1 ] however
I shall not detain you on a subject so trifling longer than to
Assure you that whosoever was the Author I never conceived it
had your Sanction & that it cannot influence me in any Matter
wherein you are concerned On the Contrary I am ready to Serve
you but give me leave to Assure you that I am condemned for
the little part I am supposed to have had in your Affair & that
by the Misrepresentations of those whom you do not suspect, but
tho' this would not deterr me I know you would not desire that
I sho d . furnish them with farther Subject for Slander however
unjust. For as the Deed bears S r H Moore's Testimony in the
usual Manner it might [ ] in my opinion
unnecessary to do more than [ ] before any
Magistrate & when you produce it [ ] should
desire any thing from me I shall be ready to [
I know upon the occasion. This was the very [
which I put a Similar affair on the Application of [
Consequence of N York for whom I have a great Esteem [and
I] dare say that it will sufficiently Answer your purpose I hope
that the plainness & Candour which has governed My Corre-
spondence with you upon this Subject will testify my ready
Inclination to Serve you as far as yourself can desire, as well as
that I am with much Esteem
Sir
INDORSED: 2 May 4 th . 1770
To Col. Bradstreet
1 Crossed out in the original. See Hugh Wallace to Johnson, January
7, 1769, VI:571, for comment on Schuyler's behavior.
2 In Johnson's hand.
636 Sir JVilliam Johnson Papers
PAUL HOGHSTRASSER'S BILL
A. D. S.
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Baronet D r
To Paul Hoghstrasser
[ ] 5
[ ] 5 th . To 2 Pair Leather Breeches £4. . 8. .
[ ] 66 To I P r : D°: to Master John
Johnson for his Negro 1 . . 1 2 . .
[ ]ly 6th. T i p r . D o. to Sir William's
Servant 2 . . . .
8..
] March 27 To a P r . Leather Breeches
to M r . W m . Hoghmaster £1.. 4..
£9
Sir — Please to pay the above Contents to
M r Isaac Paris, and his receipt shall
be a Sufficient discharge as Witness
my hand Paul Hogstrasser
Johnson Hall May 4 th . 1 770
Rec d . the above Sum in full 1
INDORSED: 3 Paul Hogstrassers
Ace'. £9. .4. .
paid to I[
Isaac Paris 2
1 Receipt in Johnson's hand.
2 Autograph.
R In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 637
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORT1ER
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall May 5 (l \ 1770
Pay unto Co 1 . Guy Johnson of Guy
1 52 . . 1 6 Cur r y. Park or order on Demand the
Sum of One Hundred & fifty Two
Pounds Sixteen Shillings New York
Currency & charge it to Ace 1 , of
Y r . Humble Servant
W Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq r .
Depy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York —
G Johnson
New York May 21 st . 1770
Received the Contents
Fran 55 : Child
FROM ALLAN GRANT
A. L. S.
Ontario 5 lh May 1770
[Dear] Sir
I take the opportunity of Wemple to acquaint you that he has
behaved very well in both Capacites as Interpreter & Smith
whilst here, he was on his way down last fall and returned back
when he meet M r Brown who had a message to him from you
to that purpose I can't prevail on him to remain here any longer
I have just got the Generals orders to go to Niagara with the
garrison as soon as all the stores are removed there which will be
soon in about three weeks, all the Indian Chiefs about here
have payed me a visit last winter, they seem to be peaceably
Inclined, the rumour of a Congress raises their spirits and I think
638 Sir William Johnson Papers
would be a good help to keep peace if there was one every
spring appointed, M r Brown is to have a Corp 1 . & four men only
to take care of the Buildings
Please to remember me to M r Byrnes
I am Sir with great Respect
P. S: Nothing new from Your most Humb:
Detroit of late of the 1 8 th & Ob'. Ser 1
of Ap 1 . Allan Grant
INDORSED: 1 L l . Grants letter 5 th . May 1770
Ans rd . 12 th . May
by Mess rs . Wade & Creiser
FROM DANIEL CLAUS
A. L. S.
W™.burg 5 th . May 1770
I ]
c Last Night I recei d Letters from Canada Copies of which I
hereby inclose you. If the Indians there are dealt with in the
Manner these Letters give an Acco*. of it must be allowed by
every Body cruel & despotic, shamefull Behaviour to People we
perhaps think to have in our power w ch however may have bad
Impressions upon distant Nations; Had they recollected what I
told them with Regard of what & how far Gen 1 . Carleton had
any Bus s . with them they might have avoided the Abuses they
rece d . from young Carleton, 2 His Uncle must either have separate
Instructions ab f . Ind n Matters in Canada or he must act very
much out of his sphere w ch . perhaps he is ignorant of thinking the
whole Management of Ind n . Aff rs . consisted in Trade, w ctl . he is
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Christopher Carleton, captain lieutenant in the 3 1 st regiment. In the
War of the Revolution, as Major of the 29th British regiment, he was
active in Northern New York, and in 1 780 he captured Fort Ann and
Fort George.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 639
to regulate, & God knows little it is minded, he pretends to be
fond of Ind ns . but they must Obey else be treated a la mili[taire/
severals have tried but to little purpose.
My Family joins me in Duty & Respect And remain
Honored Sir
Your Obed 1 . Son
Dan. Claus
To
The Hon bIe Sir Wm Johnson Bar 1
& Knht.
INDORSED: 1 Letter from M r . Claus
May 1770
TO CADWALLADER COLDEN
A. L. S. 2
Johnson Hall May 5"". 1770
Dear Sir/
I have received your verry kind favour of y e . 22 d . Ult°. with
the letters from the Secretary of State, one of which was only a
Duplicate, & the other contained the Kings Speech & ca with
verry little else of moment, I can most readily Excuse my worthy
& most esteemed Freinds not writing so often as formerly, well
knowing that it does not arise from disinclination, but from busi-
ness and other Circumstances which we all must experience at
a Certain time of Life. — Our Freind Banyar has been so kind
as to Supply that by writing me verry punctually & fully on such
subjects as You have thought proper, as I have done to him,
however I cannot but particularly thank You for your kind
Attention to my Recommendations of Magistrates & ca . and I
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In New York Historical Society, New York City.
640 Sir William Johnson Papers
hope they will be found worthy. — M r . Banyar has given me an
Account of M r . Ranslears 1 Menacing letter, on which I have
answered him, and ref err You thereto, The Stile is pritty extraord-
inary, I am sure it is not his own, nor would he have so
expressed himself but from hopes his party may have from Lord
Dunmores Countenance, which, if proper measures are taken,
they will never have. — the great Objection to his Regiment is
from the manifest Tendency of its Bounds as expressed in the
Commission, Tho the People complain both of the Officers & the
Manner in which they were appointed, otherwise Indeed it might
have been Sufficient to alter the Boundary without removing all
the Officers, however he now deserves little favour. — I fancy it
will not be an easy task to procure an Union of Sentiment
between the Quebec & N York Commissioners. Their Interests
differ greatly, and consequently it may be apprehended they will
do verry little.
In All probability the Government will soon allow the Act for
Emitting Bills, — they ought always to acknowledge Your
Services, & the firmness you shewed in most alarming Periods,
If the Crown Expects more, Its Servants must be better Sup-
ported, The Spirit of Party, & Confusion of the Times are dis-
agreable Prospects to a Wise Man, Some Vigorous Effort only
will overcome them, but the point is delicate, & those who create
these Disorders well know, how tender it is to apply the proper
Remedy.
I shall now & then write my Dear Freind, when I think him
most disengaged without desireing a Return but when it is quite
convenient. I sincerely wish You a Continuance of Health &
Happiness, and shall always think myself happy If I can pro-
mote your Interest and contribute to your Satisfaction, being
with the most Cordial regard, & affection. Dear Sir,
Your Most Sincere Freind
& oblidged Humble Servant
W Johnson
1 Colonel John Van Rensselaer, of the Claverack militia.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 641
FROM JOHN BRADSTREET
A. L. S.
Sunday Morning [May 6 1770]
I ]
As I am now ready and intend soon to apply to the Governor
& Council to appoint a day for obliging the Patentees of the
Patent commonly call'd the Hardenbergh Patent to make good
their claim; 1 I am on my way to Colonel Butler to obtain from
him a Certificate that the Lands was agreed for before the sign-
ing the late Treaty at Fort Stanwix; and must beg the favor to
know from You, if you have any objections to is 2 giving said
Certificate or otherwise.
I have let Schuyler see your letters; and he assures me on his
honor, he never wrote nor spoke to your disadvantage in his life.
I am with much esteem & regard
Sir
Your most obedient
&
very humble servant
Jn Bradstreet
Sir W m Johnson Bar'
INDORSED: 3 May 6 th 1770 —
Co 1 . Bradstreets letter
1 See Calendar of Land Papers, pp. 500, 508, 518, 520, 524, 525
et seq.
2 Evidently intended for "his."
3 In Johnson's hand.
21
642 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
Albany 6th May 1770
Sir
I was at New York a few Days ago and shewed the L'.
Governor (by my Father's directions) a list of such officers as
my Father" recommended to your notice of which he approved
provided you had no objections and he was so obliging as to
deliver me the Commissions to be kept by me until Your pleasure
was known, which my Father tells me you have signified to him
by Letter. Col°. Bradstreet and I arrived at New York much
about the same, he had scarce been Six hours there ; but the whole
Town was full of invidious reflections against Col°. Hogeboom"
— He was called a dirty dram shop keeper, had been a follower
of the Army and sold rum to the Soldiers — a Man of a mean
and despicable Character and a Dependent of Col°. Rensselaer's.
The Col°. was so very industrous in propogating these calumnies
that the Governor and many of his Council were told that Col°.
Rensselaer A Man of a fair and amiable Character was super-
seded by such a Man as Hogeboom — All these things had no
other effect then to make their late abuses in filling up S r Harry
Moores Commissions more publickly known than they were
before. The Governor enquired particularly of me about M r
Hogeboom what kind of a Character he bore and whether he
kept a Dirty Tavern. I assured his Honer that M r . Bradstreet
had injured him very much that he kep't no Tavern nor had he
done it for a considerable time before and at a time he did do it
he was in a manner under a necessity on Account of the vast con-
course of People that used to pass through Claverack. That
M r . Hogeboom Sold Liquor by the Pint quart & ca to his Shop
Customers that this was common among all the Country Shop-
1 In New York Historical Society, New York City.
2 Colonel Cornelius Van Schaack.
3 Colonel Jeremiah Hogeboom, of the Claverack militia.
Post-War Period, 1763-1 774 643
keepers and absolutely unavoidable. His Honor & Such of the
Gentlemen of the Council as spoke to me on the Subject told me
that this by no means Degraded the Man — Whether he had
any interest among the People & whether he was a Man of
Property? I satisfied them fully in these points and I now do
assure You Sir that he has more personal interest than any Man
at Claverack and in point of property he is the third upon the
Tax List (his L l Col°. the first) and pays as much again as Col°.
Rensselaer's eldest Son who lives at Claverack The Col os . drift
it is supposed was to cast a Reflection on the Recommender.
Hogeboom will say some hard things and I really think they
had done much better to have let him alone. He has wrote the
L l . Governor of which the inclosed is a Copy. I trouble you
Sir with these things that you may be Satisfied that you have not
been abused in the Lists that have been sent up to you from
Kinderhook and Claverack. Our friends at New York have
advised us to be prepared upon the arrival of the expected
Governor 1 to lay the proceedings of those People in the late
administration before him. It is apprehended they will attempt
to procure alterations at Claverack & that our joining will be of
Service to the Cause.
Your Friends at New York are extremely desirous of Your
coming down to York upon the arrival of My Lord Dunmore it
is immagined every act of a certain disappointed faction will be
Employ'd to impress his Lordship with unfavorable Sentiments
about the Claverack Appointments. To prevent this my Friends
at New York have requested of me to send down a full State of
the late Regiment for that part of the Manor of Rensselaer
which lies at Claverack which I will immediately do on my
return home.
My Father will with all possible Speed furnish You with the
Return of the Regiment agreeable to the Order he received two
Days ago.
1 John Murray, fourth Earl of Dunmore, was appointed January 2,
1 770, lo succeed Sir Henry Moore.
644 Sir William Johnson Papers
There was a report at New York that very few of the Justices
would be qualified in that case. M r . Banyar thought it would
be best to have some New Ones recommended. A larger num-
ber have qualified than was immagined but still it is thought some
new ones will be wanted. Should that be the case I humbly
beg leave to hint a few Persons living in Town that would
gladly accept of the office — they are good Men and in the
opposition. Dirck B. Van Schonhoven, Samuel Pruyn & Abra-
ham I Lansingh — I hint these three People as I know them to
be Staunch. — The Caul Bell rings I have therefor only time
to add that I am with great truth & Sincerity, in haste
Respectfully Sir
Your most Obliged & Obedient
humble Servant
H VSCHAACK
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: Alb?. 6 th . [May] June 1770
Major H Vanschaacks
Letter w ,h . an Inclosure
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. 5.
New London May 7 th . 1770
[Dea]r Sir
By Cap' Killy bound directly to Albany I have sent you to
the Care of M r Cartwright a Box with sundry trees & Vines
from the West Indies as ift the inclosed list at the Bot-
tom of which I have given some directions about the management
of them. A Coop with a young Pea Cock and Hen and a Box
Post-War Period, 1 763-1 774 645
Containing several things particularly a Curious Collection of
Indian Corn
2 Ears of Spanish or Mexico Corn — Comes late
2 ditto Early yellow d°.
1 ditto Early white
4 Ears of Eygyptian Corn
a parcel of Ground Nuts or Peas from the West Indies but will
Come to perfection in your fine soil the method of planting or
Cultivating them is first to make the Ground very fine then pre-
pare a Large flat Hill in different parts of which stick ab l a doz
or 14 of the peas after taking them out of the shell — when they
Grow & Blossom keep Constantly Raising the Hill Round &
over them — shell or Hull and roast them Moderately and they
are very good the best way is to just Brown them in a Coffee
Roaster and let them stand & Cool —
in this Box M rs Chew has put you up three [
Rose water and I have put in six Bottles of as [
peach Brandy as Ever came from Virginia just [
with a few dryed English Black hart Cherrys — which we
pray you to Accept of - —
I shall write you again in a few days and hope by the End
of this month to have the pleasure of seeing you M rs Chew
presents her best Compliments and Respects and I beg you will
Accept of mine and my most Earnest wishes for your health and
Happiness and be assured I am most Respectfully
Dear Sir
Your most obed'. &
Most Hble Serv*.
My best Compliments to the Jos Chew
Gentlemen at the River &
at the Hall
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar'.
indorsed: 1 [ ] May 7 th . 1770
M r Chews Letter w ,K .
an Inclosure —
1 In Johnson's hand.
646 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM HUGH DENISTON
A. L. S.
Catts Kill may 7"' 1770
yours I was honourd with & Came to hand the forth instant
and note the Contents I was with M r Samuel Broom & Comp>\
Merch' 8 . in New York who I am indebted to the £20 — which
your honour was so good to pass your word for which I may
say wase a friendy. turn in truth
When I went to him I offer d . him Double Interest and amort-
gage for ten tiem s . his Sum And that he onely Should wait to
the return of M r Thomas Lynott from Ierland which is expected
the last of this month who I expect to receive 2000'. Dollars from
for land s . I gave him a pow r . to Dispose [ | but all I Could
Say or Do was to no purpose as he was in want of [
Cash and since that I have & am useing all the Indagations [in]
my power to get it on amortgage
notwithstand?. I have Debts Due me on note & bond 8 , to three
times the Sum which I am promis d . to receive in five weeks
If M r . Peter Silvester would wait to the later end of this
month I think it will be in my power to pay the Cash rather than
let Your honour 85 , godness Suffer I shall put it if Requested in
the power of M r . Peter Sylvester to make sells of anything I am
possessed of Should it bring but halfe its Value
and am with best Respects Your honour s most
Obedient humble Servant
Hugh Deniston
To Sir Will m . Johnson Bar 1 .
ADDRESSED: To
Sir WilK Johnson Bar'.
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 Katts Kill May 7"\ 17 [70]
M r . Hugh Dennistons [
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
647
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Post-War Period, 1763-1774 649
FROM JOSEPH CHEW
A. L. S.
New London, May 9 l K 1770
Dear Sir:
By Cap* Kelley bound to Albany I sent you a Box of young
trees and vines from the west Indies, a coop with a pea Cock &
Hen and a Box Containing sundries — an Acco'. of which you
have in a Letter sent by the Cap', under Cover to M r Cartwright.
I hope they may get safe to hand and gave the Captain a Very
strict Charge to be Carefull of them.
most People here are ingaged in Party, at Present to morrow
is the day that is to decide who is to be Governor who Lieu*
Gov r . & who Councilors &c — Fitchs 1 Friends say he will surely
Come in but they have often been two sure — I have sent you
the papers and having yesterday Caught a most unsufferable
Cold which almost Confines me I Can only add that I am with
Every Respect and sincere wish for your health and happiness
most truly
Dear Sir
The Hon ble Your most Obed't
Sir Wm Johnson Bar 1 most Hble Serv*.
ADDRESSED: To JOS CHEW
The Hon ble . Sir William Johnson Bar'.
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 2 [New Lo]ndon May 9 th . 1770
M r . Chews Letter with
an Inclosure
Thomas Fitch was Governor of Connecticut from 1754 to 1766;
William Pitkin from 1766 to 1769; Jonathan Trumbull from 1769 to
1784.
2 In Johnson's hand.
650 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM THOMAS MONCRIEFFE
Copy'
New York, May 9* 1770.
Dear Sir William,
I am happy in the opportunity of writing to you
by M r Forbes to enquire of your health & hope to hear from you
on his return. He is a sensible good man & a much admired
preacher. He is the son of an Alderman Forbes who was
Lord Mayor of Dublin. His curiosity is great. He had been to
South Carolina by land & back again. He expected to have
found Croghan here, to have gone with him to Fort Pit: to have
proceeded from thence to Detroit. We are all wrong at home —
the times are out of tune. What will it end in? If some heads
had been lopped off long ago, the King would not be insulted
now. Any War for me, before a civil one. I wish your days
may be long, & that those things may not happen either in your
day or mine.
I am, Dear Sir,
Most sincerely yours,
T. MONCRIEFFE
To Sir William Johnson
FROM GEORGE CROGHAN
A. L. S.
May the 10* 1770
Dear Sir
yesterday M r Prevost Delivered Me your Honers feaver of
thusday with the agreeable News Comuniteated to you by
Tho: Wharton for w h . I Return you My Sincear thanks, itt
is Carteanly the More agreeable att this Time then itt wold have
been att any other period of my Life as Sam Wharton & M r .
In Library of Congress, Force Transcripts.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 651
Trent Left Me Much Involved on thire acount when they Left
this Cuntry & has Kept Me in the Dark Since august last for
thire Leter of the 10 6c 11 of Jan>. has very Litle in itt Either
Intilegent or agreeable, Butt I Now find out the Rason is they
Must have aply d . the Mony I Drew for to the payment of this
purchass to Secure the Grants & by that Step Suffer My Bills to
Come back protested, w h . will be atten[ded] with a Considerable
Loss to Me as well as a Reflection on My Reputation as few
pople in Trade in Such Cases butt is apt to Judge on the 111
Natur d . Side, yett as things Seem to have Stood & Litle hopes
of y e . Confirmation but by purchass its beter for Me to Sufer
then Louse the futer advantedge for I shall have with My own
purchass & what I shall have out of the Traders Grant Near
500.000 '[ ] and there is No beter Land in Amerri-
ca Nor so Even plesent & helthey a Climett & Nothing Can
prevent its Imedeat Settlem 1 . Butt an Indian Broyle with the
western Nations w h . I am Extreamly afrade will Soon Take place
as your Honor Corresponds with M r . Hugh Wallice I will be
much oblidg d . to you to Menshon this Curcumstance of M r .
Wharton being oblidg d . to advance y e Mony for this Purches
w h . was the ocation of my bills Coming Back, this from you will
apease the Clamer, & which I am Confedent Must have been y e .
Case and w h . No Doubt My Leters by y e . March packet will
bring Me a full acount of
y r . honor Desers My thoughts fully on the Subject of M r .
McKees Leter & Intiligence I ashure you I have been very unesey
Ever Sence I received them, as from My own Knoledge of those
Nations I am apt to blive they are Come to a Resolusion of
Difering with us, the Repeted Murders of thire pople on the
frontiers of Verginia Marreyland & Pensilvaine with y e Total
Neglect of those Goverments Takeing any Notice of them with
the Houtey Coredge of the Commanding offisers att y e . Several
out posts & Dismision of the Comiserys with the Neglect of y e .
1 See Calendar of Land Papers, pp. 447, 469, 490, and Doc. Rel
lo Co]. I list. N. Y., VIT:9R3 fno f r). Mil: I 28.
652 Sir William Johnson Papers
Six Nations att Fort Stanwix to y e five Deputys who Came from
Ohio, who Say the Six Nations Never Call d . them Into privet
Counsel, has Disgusted them & Now y e . Repairing of our forts,
w h . they will Luck upon as a preperation for warr, will No
Doubt Make them Duble thire Delegence & putt them on there
Gard, I have been Long Inform d . of thire General plan & gave
the Intiligents to y r honor, itt Tuck its Rise att Chinisee in the
year 1 765 on the Return of y e . Deputys that Came to y r house
to Make thire paice, 1 the Sinicaes then Imploy d . y e Shawnas &
Dallaways to go to all the Western Nations to Seliseat a Gineral
Union in order to putt a Stop to the English Coming into thire
Cuntry to Setle any further, & y e . Deputys of y e . Shannas &
Dallaways when they Came to fort Stanwix brought back y e
answers of all the Westren Nations & Deliverd them to the
Sinicas, this I inform d . you of att Fort Stanwix, the Charroky
paice then haveing Taken place itt inlarged thire plan, and Sence
thet Time the Shannas & Dallaways have been imploy d . to Make
a paice for y e Charrokeys with y e Wabauce Indians and Hums
& other Nations over y e Leeks w h . has been very Dificult to bring
about those Nations being very averst to Makeing paice with y e
Southren Nations If this be onst acomplised as M r McKee has
been Inform d . itt is. I think there is No Doubt butt a very Severe
Blow will be Struck on y e Suthren provinces Soon, I have Now
Inform d . y r . honor of Every thing Worth Notice that has Ever
come to My Knoledge of y e . Indians Causes of Complaint, &
Designs, & I am of opinion that if they have Succeeded with the
Wabouse & Detroit Nations that No Negosions Nor presents
tho Ever So Greatt will prevent thire Makeing a Tryel of thire
Strenth — Nothing Butt Deviding thire Counsels & giveing
Suspisions ] other Can be Effectial to prevent thire
Designs — and if I am Nott Much Misteken the Sinicas will putt
themselves att the Head of this Confederecy, itt Seems [
od that the Rest of y e . Six Nations Should Nott be aquainted
with itt in purtic[ the Mohocks w h . I think wold in
ir The peace treaty of July 4-14, 1765.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 653
Gratitude Inform y r honor of itt I am perswaded the Cayugaes
& onondagoes Do know itt, A Litle Time will prove to Me
whether I have been Deceived in the Several Intilegenses I have
had, if I be I shall think Myself very hapy as No Individual in
America Can Suffer half as Much as I Must in My Intrest if a
Warr Takes place to y e . Southerd w h . I Must Confess I am
Much affrede of when I Consider, thatfall Nations of Indians
are a Restless pople who Never forgett Nor forgive Injureys &
often think they are Injured when they are the agreserors from
thire Natuerall Disposion of Rambling they must Imploy
themselves against us if they be att paice with one another
Another thing is they can have No Dependence in any thing we
promiss from the Suden Changes of Meshers w h . they Cant be
Made to understand & w h . Must allways Make against the
British Intrest, with all Nations, as Long as No uniform plan is
adopted, by y e . Ministers, who Seem to Me to know No More
of the Mater, then they wold the use of a fifth wheel to a Coach/
Itt is the fear of a Broyle with the Indians, that has Determind
Me, to Sett of this Month for fort pitt, in order to Dispose of
Some Goods, w h . I tuck from the Company, as Soon as posable,
& to Sell Some vallueable Improvem ts . I have there if posable,
before any Disturbence broke out, I Dont think of Staying there
above Ten Days while I am there, if any thing Worth y r .
knoledge, Comes to Mine I will Nott fail to Give you the
Earliest advise
I Wrote y r honor Some Time ago & Requested to know if
M r . Tilghman had agree d . with you for Montours place on y e .
West branch Susquehanna & wold be Glad to Know before I
Sett of
The Ginerals Not Chuseing to pay Me y e . Smiths and
Interpreters pay Most part of w h . I have unready paid, has been
Some Disapointm 1 . & Bears Me of Cash & oblidges Me to aply
to your Honor for to Lend Me about £ 1 50 to pay Some Trifels
I owe in y e . Cuntry before I go w h . if Convent I will be oblidg d .
to you to Send by M r Prevost who will Deliver your Honor
654 Sir William Johnson Papers
this & plese to give him y e . patent & Deeds I left in y r . Study
I am Dear Sir with the Greatest Respect
y 1 . Honors Most Obeident &
Most Hum hl : Servant
Geo: Croghan
To the Hon ble .
Sir William Johnson Bar*.
Inclos d . is M r Whartons Leter
TO THOMAS GAGE
Johnson hall May 10 ih . 1770
I ]
I have had the favor of yours of the 16 th . ult°.
Since which I have received sev 1 . Accots from Canada of the
dissatisfaction of the Caghnawaga Indians for some reasons I am
not inclined to enlarge upon, The same is also Manifest amongst
the Ind s . of S l . Regis who are daily in disputes with the
Abenaquis who have intruded upon them, & as it is said thro'
the Means of two or three frenchmen there have endeavored to
impose on Gov r Carleton in order to obtain his countenance tho'
that place is out of the Govt of Quebec.
I have also heard of the General discontent Expressd by the
Shawanese & others of Ohio, on sev 1 . heads, That is, that altho'
they do not Steal any horses from the White People yet their
horses are constantly Stolen & no Satisfaction made them, That
Some of their people were killed last year, & many are so ill
treated daily by us that they can 2 longer bear with it. They
have also received three different Messages, the last of which
was during the last Winter, from the French of the Misisipi to
encourage them to attack us, with many Assurances of Assistance,
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
- An omission in the manuscript.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 655
and it is said only wait for a favorable opportunity to Com-
mence hostilities as Soon as possible after the Meeting which is
to be held by y e . Western Ind s . & them at the Lower Shawanese
Town. 1 The Information in general agrees much with what I
have of late heard from other quarters, and their motives are
represented to be nearly the same. I have protracted as much
as I possibly Could the Meeting so much desired between the
Six Nations & the Cherokee Depy s . which I thought it best to do,
but I apprehend it cant be put off much longer & therefore I
Must do the best I can when it takes place to prevent its having
any ill effects, tho' how to meet them I cannot tell for the Sons
of Liberty have all the Indian Goods, in their possession [
] elsewhere, tho' without them there is nothing [to
be done] with the Indians — Tho' I may not be able to procure
Goods from [England] in sufficient time to answer any Material
purposes this [ ] it will be of great advantage to have
them ready by the [ and therefore I should be much
obliged to you for Inform [ation] how I am to settle about the
payment of the £2000, to be advanced me, & whether it is con-
venient for you to give a bill [ ] England for that
ammount.
INDORSED: May 10 th . 1770
To General Gage.
TO GEORGE CROGHAN
D/. 2
Johnson hall May 11* 1770
[ ]
I think it necessary now to answer you on the Subject of the
Intelligence transmitted to me regarding Indian affairs to y e .
Westward * There is no doubt but many of the Nations are dis-
1 On the Scioto river. See A Map of the Country on the Ohio &
Muskingum Rivers. By Thomas Hutchins, engineer.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
;1 The words, "to ye. Westward" interlined by Johnson.
656 Sir William Johnson Papers
posed to quarrel with us, and indeed some of them have had
what appears to them a sufficient cause for so doing, but I do
not conceive it is in the least owing to the flimsy pretext that
some of them may Make use of, of the Sale made by the 6
Nations, because we have not as yet availed ourselves of it &
because they well know from the Experience they have had of
the Conduct of the frontier Inhabitants, that had it not been
purchased they would have Settled on it in a little time. The
Expressions the Shawanese make use of in their Speech, are
also Vain & Idle. — It is a new Dialect, they of late Assume,
since it is Notorious that that Country has for Ages been deemed
the property of the Six Nations, a circumstance which formerly
they never attempted to contradict. — The thing is, the frontier
Inhabitants Vex & often Injure 1 them, and the Govt does not
incline to be at a sufficient Expence to restore them to a good
humour, But as you purpose going to the southward for your
health, I think you can at the same time do a good deal of
Service by your Enquirys & Conduct at Fort Pitt, to which end
I would have you to follow, as nearly as you can, the Instruc-
tions I gave you last fall & amongst other Things Shewing them
the Indifference of his Majesty respecting them very Lands, &
The public & Regular Management of the Treaty to which they
were duely Summoned, Governing yourself herein & in all other
Matters, as far as the Limitted State of Things will permit for
continuing the public Tranquillity.
P. S. Col. Bradstreet has been with Guy & requests you will
give him a Certificate Setting forth your knowledge of his Ind n .
purchase, & that it was made previous to the Treaty — which
you can Send him.
[ ] Esq r
INDORSED 2 : May 11 th 1770.
To G Croghan Esq r
1 "& often Injure" interlined by Johnson.
2 In Johnson's hand.
Fost-lVar Period, 1763-1774 657
FROM WESSEL VAN SCHAICK
Albany May 1 /">. 1770
| day I rec d : your favour of 7 ,h . instant [
Brads which I have compleated [ ] as at foot and
agreeable to your request [ ] them along with this to
the Care of M r . Van [E]ps in Schenectady who I have desired
to send them to you and hope will prove to Satisfaction
I am with Esteem
Sir
Your very humble Servant
Wessel Van Schaick
W.J.
& directed
to M r V n .
Eps
1 small Cask Cont§.
1(H 2 inch Brads 8/3 £4. 3. 4
10- li/ 2 inchd* 5/3 2.12. 6
K inch d° 0. 4.
l£6.19.10
Sir William Johnson Bar 1 .
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Bar*,
at
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 May 11 th . 1770
M r . Wessel Van Schaicks
Ace', for Brads
£6. .19. .10
1 In Johnson's hand.
658
Sir William Johnson Papers
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
£ 14.. 1.. 2 p«. Cur c x.
Johnson Hall May 11* 1770
Pay unto M r . Thomas Wharton
of Philadelphia Mere 1 ., or order
on Demand the Sum of Fourteen
Pounds, One Shilling & Two
pence Pensilvania Cur c y., and
Charge it to Ace', of
Y r . Humble Servant
W Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq r .
Depy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York —
Thomas Wharton
Please to pay the within Contents to Mess rs .
Benj n . & Amos Underhill Or their Order 2
Charles Wharton
Rec d the Contents of the Bill 2
Benj & Amos Underhill
INDORSED: Sir W m . Johnson's draft
of 1 1 May to M r Tho s .
Wharton for £14.1.2
Pen sa Cur c y.
[S]IR
TO THOMAS WHARTON
Johnson hall May //"' 1770.
I have received your 2 Letters the Last with the Testimonials,
the Execution of which I am well pleased with & I now inclose
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
2 Written on reverse side of paper.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 659
you a bill on M r Mortier for the Ammount, giving you many
thanks for the Trouble you have taken upon that occasion.
It was with great Satisfaction that I received the agreable
News you were so kind as to Communicate of the Success of
your Brother's Negotiation, an Event, which cannot but prove
highly agreable to me From my Sincere regard for him and his
Connections whose Interest I should gladly promote on all
occasions & agreable to your desire I imediately sent a Copy of
it to M r . Croghan, who will doubtless be happy on receiving such
agreable news.
The Allowance for the Ind n . Departmt is now so slender that
I purchase very little Goods what I do get is bought at the
Cheapest hand in England, being obliged to make it go as far as
possible, but whenever any thing happens that may enable me to
do otherwise I shall very readily Apply to you, persuaded that
I shall be well Served.
M R Tho s . Wharton
INDORSED: To M r . Tho s . Wharton
with a Draft on M r . Mortier
TO JOHN BRADSTREET
s Johnson hall May II th . 1770
Colonel Johnson Sent me your favor of the 6th Inst with
another Letter, he has since had an interview with M r Butler on
the Subject of what you desired, which I should be ready to
Countenance. Butler promises to give You the Certificate you
desire, and M r . Croghan is wrote to for the same purpose, I
believe this will Sufficiently Answer your wishes on the intended
Application the event of which I hope may prove to your satis-
faction being with great Esteem, o- o ca
Col Bradst rt .
INDORSED: To Coll Br[
1 In handwriting of Guy Johnson.
660 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
A. D. S.
New York May the 11 lh J 770
Worthy Sir
Your two last favors of the 1 6 th . and 26 th of April came safe
to my hands, and shall be particularly answered by the next
good opportunity. The reason of my troubling you at present
is at the request of a worthy Brother the Bearer of this, M r
Forbes, who is rambling about to satisfy his curiosity. He
intends to pay his respects to you. Considering his good Char-
acter, and agreeable behavior I venture to recommend him to
your notice; you will, as he is a Gentleman & a Scholar be
greatly pleased with him. He is now waiting for this, therefore
shall only add, that I hope you will pardon this freedom, I have
taken, and be assured that I have the honor to be —
Worthy Sir
P. S. Your Letter to the Your much obliged ob l Serv*
Secretary of the Society SAMUEL AUCHMUTY
was imediately sent
to M r Stuart, 1 as you
desired.
Sir William Johnson
indorsed': May II th . 1770
Doctor Auchmutys Letter
^ M r . Forbes
1 Mr. John Stuart went to England in 1 770 to receive ordination. For
a memoir of this clergyman see Doc. Hist. N. Y., 4:505—20; Q,
4:313-22.
2 In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 661
AN ACCOUNT OF GRAIN
A. D. 1
May 11, 1770
The Honorable Sir William John [son
to Peter Young Miller Dr
1769
April 1 1 ,h To Wheat to George Branter as p r
order
20 To Wheat to Joseph Bloomer as p r
order
26 To D°. to M r Byrns as p r D°. [ ]
May 6 To D°. to John Bracken as p r D°.
10 To D°. to Frederick Kuss as p r D°. 15
1 5 To D°. to John Fluno & Peter Foster
as p r D°. 3
30 th To D°. to M r Preston as p r order 6
June 26 To D° to M r Byrns as p r D° 16
August 12 To D°. to Cap 1 . Tice 6
1770
February 1 4 To D°. to Lorenz Emon 25
27 th To D° & Corn to M r Davis 4
March 1 st To Wheat to M r Davis as p r order 6
7 To D° to Isaac Lawson for 1000
Shingles 1
To D° to Thomas Addams when
he cut his leg p r od r 2
1 To D° to Simon Shreeder as p r order 1 2
April 6 th To D°. to M rs Harris as p r D°. 6
6 To D° to John Miers as p r D°. 2
1 To D°. to Jacob Waggoner as p r . D° 1 2
1 769 This your honor had for your use
that the overseer had
The original much faded.
662
Sir IVilliam Johnson, Papers
Nov
6* To (18?) Indian corn
12
9 To D°
3
29 To D°
2
To Wheat & Corn
3
ToD°
[
The Honorable Sir William Johnson Bart.
to Peter Young Miller
D'.
[
] brought forward
179
[
] To Indian Corn
6
To D°
4
Feb r >'
21 st To D°
3
To D°
3
March
9 th . To D°
IVi
To D°
IVi
April
To D°
4|/ 2
1769
This your Honor had for your own use
April
20 th To Righ
May
July
8 ber
20 th . To D°
3 1 st To D°
2 d To D°
Nov r
14 th To D°
To D°
To D°
4
1770
March
1 7 To Wheat that M r Picken had
12
April
16 th To Wheat to John Mier as p r on
ier
7
23 To Wheat to John Braken as
P r
order
10
25 To Wheat to Jacob Froechay
as
p r order
9
25 To Wheat to Philip Pilate as
P r
order
8
25 To Wheat to Peter M c Grigor
&
Peter Finney p r order
15
26 To Wheat to Thomas Morgan as
P r
order
12
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 663
27 To Wheat to Hans Yery Creitz as p r
order 7
30 To D° to Adam Garlick for Corn
M r Flott had 3
[ ] To d° to M r . Davis 4
] To d° to Jacob Harris 6
307
INDORSED: 1 Peter Youngs Ace 1 , of
Grain to the 11 th May 1770
307 Skipples —
p d . & Settled & he
rem s . greatly in my Debt
as <$ Books —
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
SlR Johnson Hall May 12* 1770
£60. Cur c y. Pay unto M r . John Wetherhead of
New York or Order on Demand
the Sum of Sixty Pounds Cur c y., &
charge it to Ace 1 , of
Your Humble Servant
W. Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq re .
Depy. Pay Master Genr 1 .
New York —
Rec d . New York 2 d . June 1770 the within Contents for M r .
Jn°. Wetherhead £60
Allan McDougall
INDORSED: Sir W m . Johnsons draft of
12 May to M r John
Wetherhead for £60 Cur?.
1 The last three lines of the indorsement are in Johnson's hand.
664 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
A. L. S.
Albany 12* May 1770
Last week your Mill Stones arived from Eusopus, and accord-
ing to my opinion are fine ones; I have measured them, & they
agree very well with the dimensions you sent me. The price of
them is £19. . 5 . . , and £3/ . for the freight. Immediately on
their arival I wrote to M r Van Eps, beging him to send down for
them the next morning, as they coud be more conveniently put
on a waggon out of the sloop, than after they had been landed;
but he let me know that it was impossible to have them rid before
it raind, the Road being so dry & sandy. I have this day sent
to him again, leting him know you were in great want of them.
I hope before this, you have experienced some good Effects,
as to your Health, from your Sackendaga Amusements.
My Comp 1 . to M r . Daily if you please.
I am S r .
Y r . most Obed*. Hum 1 . Serv 1 .
Sam l . Stringer
ADDRESSED : To
The Honb Ie
Sir William Johnson Bar',
at
Johnson Hall
indorsed: 1 AhV. 12 th . May [ ]
Doctor Stringers 1[
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 665
FROM MATTHIAS VANDERHEYDEN
A. L. S.
Dear Sir [Sik]hawik 12 th . of May 1770
Yours of the 30 ,h of March I have received in Which You
desier me to Send You the price of Milstons Which Your pepel
have taken from the Dok in Albany Which I have bin [w] ant-
ing beter then three Years past to my Dameje as I had Work
enofe for them and More then thay Could do I have bought a
pare of Millstons of M r Seath Dean for forty Pounds New
York Currency In Order to Supply the place of the Milstouns
Which You have had of mine Which I Exspect You Will pay
With Lawfull Intrest frome the time You have had the Milstons
and if that is not Agreable to You I desier You to Send me the
Millstons home Emedieatly
My Son John thells me that You thould him that I Should Buy
apare of Millstons of the Same Demensions & if thay Cost ahun-
dred pounds You Whold Pay them & that M r Butler M r Burnes
& M r Dimler was Present
I am
S'
Your Very humble Ser vl
att Command
Mathias Vanderheyden
ADDRESSED: To
Sir
William Johnson
att Johnson Hal
INDORSED: 1 May 12 th . 1770
Mathias VanDerheydens
Letter concerning
Millstones —
In Johnson's hand.
666 Sir William Johnson Papers
JOHN DANIEL MULLER's ACCOUNT
A. D.
[May 12, 1770]
An Account of Monies Expended by John Dan 1 . [Muller]
in Building a Church at Canajohary for the use of the Indians
by the direction of the Hon bIe . Sir William Johnson, to Witt.
To Cash Paid for Cutting the Timber 23 . . 1 7 . . 6
To ditto p d . for Rum used at the Cutting &c 1 . . 12. . —
To ditto p d . Jacob Josant for 84]/2 days @ 4/ 1 6 . . 1 7 . . 7
To ditto p d . Rudolph Fox for 66 ditto @ 4/ 1 3 . . 4 . . —
To ditto p d . Joh s . Wallarad for 5\ ] / 2 ditto @
4/ 10.. 7. .—
To ditto p d . Nicholas Bard for 99 ditto @ 3/ 14. . 18. . 6
To ditto p d . Balthaser Dillenbag 9 ] /i ditto 5/ 2. . 7. . 6
To ditto p d . Johannes Sifert for 20 ditto @ 5/ 5. . — . . —
To ditto p d . Joh s . Hallines for 82J4 ditto @ 2/ 8.. 4.. 5
To ditto p d . Jost Fox for 34|/2 ditto @ 3/ 5 . . 2 . . 6
To ditto paid Michael Litchma for makeing
the windo saches 10. . 8. . —
To ditto p d . Philip Sheard for 30 ditto @ 3 / 4. . 10. .—
To ditto p d . Joh s . Nelles for Provisions &c 1 4 . . 1 5 . . 1 1
To ditto p d . Gerlach Mayer for ditto 14.. 2 . . 6
To ditto p d . Nicholas Bard for Butter 2. .16. . —
To ditto p d . Andreas Wyman for oyl 6.. 10.. —
To ditto p d . William Fox for 25 skiple wh l . 4. . 7. . 16
To ditto for 40 Skiple of wheat 7. . — . . —
To ditto p d . Lowrantz Zimmerman for sundy s . 1 . . 4. . 9
To ditto p d . Philip Fox for 3 sk'. Pease 9. . —
To ditto p d . for Rideing of Lyme from y e . Fill-
ing(?) 3..-..-
To ditto p d . George Klock for Boards 36.. 15.. —
To ditto p d . Warner Deygart for Provision 1 . . 9. . —
To ditto p d . Hendrick Hergheimer for a sheep 16. . —
To ditto p d . ditto for door hinges 1 . . — . . —
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
667
To ditto p d . different persons for walling the
Church inside 10. . —
To Cash p d . for Rydeing the Boards from the
saw Mill 6. .10
Carried over and Continued £227.. 4
Brought Forward
To Cash p d . Frances Wild for [
To ditto p d . ditto for sugar
To ditto p d . for 80 gallons of Rum @
To ditto p d . for 10 Gall 5 , and 3 q ts . @ 5 [
To ditto p d . M r Reebar for 200" white Lead @
9 d [
To ditto p d . ditto for 450 n nails 1 5 [
To ditto p d . ditto for 100" ditto @ 13 1 1 [
To ditto p d . ditto for Lamp Black
To ditto p d . ditto for Freight from N. York 1
To ditto p d . step n . March for 47 days work 6/6 1 5
4
5
15
6.15. . —
To ditto p d . Admester for 27 ditto @ 5/
To ditto p d . Jacob Bartholomew 1 1 Yi days
Mason work @ 6/ 3 . . 9 .
To ditto p d . William Lighthal 5 ditto @ 6/ 1.10.
To ditto p d . Arthur Wallace for 10'/2 days @
5/ 2. .12.
To ditto p d . Frans Freba for Boards 3 . . 1
To ditto p d . Joh s . Nelles for more Provision 1 . . 1 7 .
To ditto p d . Joh s . Bellinger for ditto 3 . . 6
To ditto p d . Gerlach Mayer for ditto 1 . . 1 4
To ditto p d . Hend k . Nelles for Butter 1 . . 1
To ditto p d . for Butter 1 7
To ditto p d . for 2" tea @ 8/ 16
To ditto p d . Solomon Mayers son for more
White lead & oyl 3.. 2
To ditto p d . Casp r . Gordon for Turners work 2 . . —
To ditto p d Ebenezer Cox for 12 thick Boards 15
To ditto p d . for Rydeing the Boards &c. this
Last spring 2 . . 2
6
6
6
668 Sir William Johnson Papers
To ditto p d . Cap 1 . Seber for Glass 6
To ditto p d . M r . Reber for more nails 2 . . 1
To ditto p d . David smith and Adam Thurn for
smiths work 2 . . —
To ditto p d . for attendance in plastering 4 . .10
To ditto p d . Sovia Paar for Cooking 250 days
@ 1/ 12. .10
To 279 days work performed by self @ 7/ 97. . 13
£459.. |..[ ]
INDORSED: 1 Dan 1 . Millar's Ace 1 .
of w l . y e . expences of building
Canajohare Church came to.
Delivered July 11 th . 1770
TO GEORGE CROGHAN
D/. 2
May 14*. 1770
Sir
Last Night Major Prevost delivered me y r . Letter of the 10 th
Ins 1 . I am extreamly glad to learn from him that you are some
what better, & wish you a Continuance of it; — I shall write
M r . Wallace as you desire, & indeed I have (since y e . recp* of
Whartons Letter) made y e . Affair here as publick already, &
as much to your Advantage as in my power, w h . I am happy to
find has greatly Silenced y e . Clamor of many ill natured persons,
who in such cases are too apt to Shew their Inside Spleen.
I had a Letter lately from M r . Tilghman who does not chuse
to give £400 for Montours place.
In a Letter lately of Gen 1 . Gages of the 16 th Ult°. is the fol-
lowing paragraph in answer to a letter of mine concerning the
Pay of the Interpreters & Smiths. Viz 1 . "With respect to y e .
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In handwriting of Guy Johnson. A postscript to the draft of May
11, 1770.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 669
Smiths & Interpreters at the Posts, I have directed the Officers
Commanding to pay them [ ] w h . will save some
trouble by avoiding [ from every Fort, where those
Officers are Stationed. ] by Major Prevost the 2
Patents &ca left in my [ ] the Sum of £150, as desired
by your letter. & should I not [have] y e . pleasure of Seeing
you before you set of, I sincerely wish you all the happiness, &
Success imaginable & am
Dear Sir
Your Sincere & Affec'. Friend
P. S. You will remember me to the Shawanese & Delaware
Chiefs, & tell them that I Conjure them for their own good &
Safety, & that of their Women & Children to remember the
Solemn Engagements they entered into w th . me under their hands
& Seals, & afterwards w*. Col°. Bouequet & not to be led away
by people who may leave them in y e . lurch, tell them I have a
great regard for them & all Ind s . Wherefore would wish them
to pay a due regard to my Advice, & not bring themselves into
a Scrape inconsiderately for the Caprice of others, w h . they may
repent of all the days of their Life.
INDORSED: 1 Letter to Co 1 . Croghan
May 13* 14*. 1770 —
^ Major Prevost
GILBERT TICE S BILL
A. D.
th. 14 May, 1770
Farrel Wade D r . to Gilbt Tice
[To 9] weeks Bord @ 14/ £6. . 6. .0
To todey & punch 2 . . 5 . . 6
8. .11. .6
In Johnson's hand.
670 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM JOHN WATTS
A. L. S.
New York 14*. May 1770
D R . S R .
I have by Cap'. Richards a few Lines from Mr. Penn with a
Second Bill of Lading for your favourite Grant from his
Majesty which is on board Cap 1 . Miller who woud follow soon,
when it arrives I shall take particular care of it, till I receive your
Commands how to dispose of it — Our friend S r William
Baker after many false reports is at last dead in earnest, & I am
told has left his Sons a large Estate, which is highly probable,
as he had both abilitys & application, for making Money, & rare
opportunitys — His Son Samuel succeeds him in business, but I
shoud guess will hardly come up to the father —
We have strange party Work here, His Lordship ] who will
arrive some time about Midsummer, must have his Eye teeth &
be a good State pilot in the Bargain, to steer clear of the shoals
& quicksands that lye in his way, 'tis true they have as many at
home & that may have taught him his trade — My Compliments
to S r . John the Colonel & believe me
D<\ S r .
Y l . Most Ob'. Humb 1 . Serv».
Jn°. Watts
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson
Bar'.
Johnson Hall
Mohawks River
To the Care of
M r . Monier
1 Lord Dunmore, Governor of New York, October 19, 1 770— July
9, 1771.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 671
FROM JAMES RIVINGTON
A. L. S.
[May 15>\ 1770]
S William
On Saturday and Sunday three Vessells arrived from England
in ballast, dissappointed of their Loadings from the partial repeal
of the Revenue Acts. I received four papers by them called the
Whisperer, written by an insolent son of sedition who is under
prosecution for the atrocious Contents of them I have sent them
up by this opportunity.
The Remonstrance has been answered as you will find by the
New York Mercury, 1 but the people are vastly dissatisfied at
the Reply, and it seems to be their general Intention to refuse
payment of the Land Tax, in short all our Letters are replete
with apprehensions of very Violent Consequences.
The Great Events in favor of the Russian arms may serve to
awe the Natural Enemies of England & prevent either France or
Spain from pursuing measures they seemed disposed to act against
us in the present lamentable Conjuncture.
In this City party runs very high the Republicans grow vastly
troublesome to the friends of Government, they want to continue
an association against bringing European manufactures to this
Country, but I fancy they will be overruled as the Merchants
of Philadelphia have determined by a Majority of Sixty in
Sixty one Voices to send for all Sorts of Goods, 2 Tea Excepted.
The 26 th Regiment will march into our Barracks next Tuesday
by way of Garrison in the room of the 16 th that was sent to
1 Founded and printed by Hugh Gaine.
2 See Preliminaries of the Revolution, by G. E. Howard, p. 244-45.
Also Lieutenant Governor Colden to Lord Hillsborough, August 18,
1770, Doc. Rel. to Col Hist. N. Y., 8:245.
672 Sir William Johnson Papers
pensacola. The 29 is coming from Boston to Jersey vice the 26 th .
My humble Respects to every Branch of the family.
I am,
Sir William,
Your most humble Serv'
Ja Rivington
ADDRESSED : To
S r Wm Johnson Bart
at Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 1 May 15 th . 1770
M r . Rivingtons letter
OFFICERS TO BE PROMOTED
D. S.
Kinderhook, 15* May 1770
I |]
Alterations proposed in consequence of
Major Peter Vosburgh . . . to be Lieu 1 . Colonel
Cap*. Henry Van Schaack . . . Major
Lieu*. Johanis L. Van Alen . . Cap*, of the Grenediers
Lieu 1 . John Pruyn 3 d . Lieu*, in the Grened". to be
I s *. L*. of [ ]
Abraham I. Van Vleck 2 d . L*. in [
Luke Van Alen Ju r 3 d Lieu 1 , in [
Ensign Ephraim Van Buren in Cap 1 . Goes's Company
Promoted to a Second Lieu*, in Said Company
Lucas I Goes to be Ensign in his room
Ensign Silvester Salsberry in Cap*. Witbecks Compy.
to be Second Lieu 1 in Said Company
Lambert Borgardt to be an Ensign in his Room
Sir
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 In this burned portion were names of officers who declined commis-
tioos. — Johnson Calendar, p. 457.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774
673
The above promotions are in favour of people who are real
friends to the Intrest and welfare of the township, and as they
are men of Charecter I take the Liberty to Recommend them as
Such to You. I remain with much Respect
Sir
Your Most ob l . Servant
Cornelis Van Schaack
INDORSED:
List of Officers to
be appointed
In the Stead of those who
declined Com 8 , in the
Kinderhook Reg 1 .
June 1 770.
List of Names
Capt. Cornelius De Bois
Capt. Martin Gerritse Van Bergen
Leiut. John Luykse
Leiut. Solomon Shutt
Leiut. Tunis Van Veighten
Leiut. Egenus Van Orden
Ensign Arent Van Schaack
Ensign Isaac Collier
Ensign Wessell Ten Broeck
INDORSED: 1 List of Officers who
declined Commissions
in Coll. Syb 1 . V Schaacks
Regt. at Coksaky
1 In Johnson's hand.
22
674 Sir William Johnson Papers
FROM CORNELIS VAN SCHAACK
Copy 1
Kinderhook, 15 th May 1770
Sir,
I have deferred writing you about the receipt of the com-
missions for my Regiment until the officers were qualified which
they have all done except a few a list of whom I take the freedom
of enclosing & at the same time to beg of you, Sir, to recommend
the alterations I have proposed in the said list. I can not for-
bear to express my surprise at the conduct of the Lt. Colonel. 2
He was consulted with & agreed to accept of the commission
sometime before the list for officering the Regiment was sent up
to you. I hear indeed that he says he has no other objection
to serve than that he finds himself infirm & unfit for duty. By
the enclosed copy of a letter, wrote by my directions, you'll
be pleased to observe that the proper & necessary steps have been
taken to acquaint Mr. Van Alstyne with his being appointed
Lt. Colonel for the regiment. As for the inferior officers that
have declined accepting of their commissions, no particular
reason has been assigned; I am inclined to believe their refusal
proceeds from no other motive, than that they have been
tampered with by the emissaries of a certain family those &
their patrons upon all occasions endeavor to blacken every
action & every measure of the Lieut. Governor's inasmuch as
that some credulous people are made to believe that upon the
arrival of the expected Governor '' every appointment here & at
Claverack (which have taken place through your recommenda-
tion) will be superseded. I have however the pleasure to assure
you, Sir, that notwithstanding all the artful attempts that have
been made to divide & disunite the people of this township, they
1 In Library of Congress, Force Transcripts.
2 Abraham Van Alstyne. — Third Annual Report of the State His-
torian, p. 762.
3 The Earl of Dunmore.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 675
are now, more unanimous than I ever knew them & in general very
sensible of the notice you have taken of them. As soon as I
am furnished with the proper lists of the inhabitants within
the district of my Regiment I shall not fail to make the return
to the Adjutant-General immediately.
The favorable attention you have been pleased to give to the
desires of the people here in general as well as the particular
notice you have taken of me & my family merits & deserves my
acknowledgements & be assured, Sir, that I shall be happy to
manifest the sense I have of those obligations upon every
occasion — & am,
very respectfully, Sir,
your most obedient & very humble
servant,
Cornelis Van Schaack.
P. S. Quarter-master Hugunine 1 , Ensigns Thurston 2 & Hurd 3
are still to be qualified. Two of them were sick when the rest of
the officers were qualified & the other was out of the way.
To the Hon. SlR WlLLIAM JOHNSON — at Johnson Hall.
FROM THOMAS BRUCE 4
s Detroit May 16 ih 1770
It is with great pleasure that I have the honor of acquainting
you that all the Indians in this country have remained in perfect
tranquillity all this winter, nor do they at present seem in the least
inclin'd to raise any disturbances. Tho' I find it has been
1 Abraham Hugunine, second lieutenant in Cornelis Van Schaack's
regiment at Kinderhook.
2 Job Thurston.
8 Wallace Hurd.
4 Hon. Thomas Bruce, Lieutenant Colonel, 65th regiment.
B In Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.
676 Sir William Johnson Papers
customary almost every spring to spread about reports of their
bad intentions, I have not heard any which seem worth attending
to, if any thing should happen, I shall take the first opportunity
of informing of it.
I have the honor to be
Sir with great respect
your most obedient
humble serv'
To T: Bruce
Sir William Johnson
Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Detroit May 16 th 1770
Major Bruce's letter
TO CHRISTOPHER SERVIS
A. Df. S.
May I6'K 1770
According to your desire I have taken under Consideration
the affair you mentioned to me this Day and in answer thereto,
I shall in a few words tell you the result thereof, and that on the
most equitable manner I could with any Justice to my Family
think of Viz 1 . — I will give you Two Hundred Pounds in money,
and Fifteen Hundred Acres of Land on both Sides of the
Adagaghtinge 2 Creek, any where between the place where the
Germans formerly made Canoes to go to Pensilvania, and the
place where John Bartholomew has taken up his Land which
must be all together, or in one body, and not in separate places. —
For which you will give me your Right Title & Improvements
where you now live, together with a Crop of Wheat of 40
Skipples Sowing left on the Land, and the fences in proper order,
as well as Houses & ca . If you approve of this proposal, I will
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Charlotte river, a tributary of the Susquehanna.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 677
stand to it, and if not, there is no harm done to either side. —
But I can hardly entertain the least doubt of your disliking my
proposal when you consider the difference between 1 500 Acres
for Your Family & that of 1 50, besides the £200 in Cash
I will expect your answer as soon as you can & hope it will be
agreable & Short, as I cant think of adding more to my proposal —
I om Y r . s
W J
M R . Christopher Servis
INDORSED: May 16 th 1770
Proposals made to
Christopher Servis
FROM HENRY VAN SCHAACK
A. L. S.
Kinderhook 16th May 1770
My father has showed me a Letter which he has done himself
the honor [ ] you yesterday, by which I perceive
that he has not been quite so full about the Conduct of Abraham
Van Alstyne as I could wish ; I shall therefore take the liberty of
explaining myself a little upon that head. As soon as we
perceived that it was likely a Regiment would be formed here
Major Vosburgh and I waited upon M r Van Alstyne with a
List of such Persons as we thought best Qualified for Officering
the Regiment he made no objection (except as to himself) to
any one: he desired that his name might be left out and either
Major Vosburghs or mine substituted in the place of it that
we were both better Qualified than he was. We told him that
our motives for expediting the affair were by no means selfish and
that we thought his being in would not be objected to but on the
contrary would give satisfaction to some that otherwise would
not perhaps be pleased — Upon this he appeared to be entirely
satisfied and desired that the recommendation in his favor might
go on. — A few days after the List was sent up to you Sir One
678 Sir William Johnson Papers
James Noughton came from Col°. Rensselaers where he was
told that the Kinderhook People had recommended M r . Van
Alstyne for their Lieu 1 . Col°. but that he would refuse to serve. —
This intelligence from a quarter so very unexpected staggered
me a good deal and I was much at a loss to account for it, upon
the whole I gave no credit to my informer. — Here the matter
rested till the arrival of the Commissions, I then waited upon him
by my Fathers orders to inform him of it & to desire him to meet
the CoR & the rest of the officers on the Friday following in
order to be qualified, — he told me that he had more maturely
considered the affair and Declined accepting of the Commission
— I then expostulated with him upon the impropriety of his
conduct and pressed him for his reasons to decline Accepting of
an appointment, the procuring of which, he had himself encour-
aged. — I have no other reasons for refusing, than that I am old
and infirm & find myself not able to act in case there should be a
call for the Militia, I hastily gave my consent to you and Major
Vosburgh, tis true, but I must now decline the honor of accepting
of the Commission for the above reason. — When I consider that
his Son and two of his Nephews readily accepted of their Com-
missions and are extremely well pleased with them I am almost
inclined to think that he has assigned the true reasons for refusing
his Commission; but perhaps he is made to believe that none of
the New appointments will stand after the arrival of my Lord
Dunmore — much pains is taken to make the People believe that
his Lordship, upon Col . Rensselaers application will annihilate
all the Commissions, in this Neighborhood, that have been granted
in this administration. As M r . Van Alstynes being recom-
mended was in a great measure owing to me I thought it my duty
Sir to inform you of every particular that I may not be blamed
for the unnessary trouble you have had about this Man. I shall
set out for New York to morrow. I shall wait upon his honor
the L l . Governor [and] acquaint him of the above particulars,
in the mean time Sir I hope you will be so kind as to take the
alterations [my] Father has proposed into consideration and that
they may be approved of by you.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 679
A few days ago I was down at Claverack where I qualified
Col°. Hogebooms & his Regiment, the People in opposition to
him had tried everything in their power [ ] num-
ber of the Officers not to accept of their Commissions that they
would only | ] of another Governor and then all
would be overset and a good deal more of such | | three
of the Whole number refused, the rest were all sworn in.
Col°. Hogeboom has been face to face, before the Council,
With the Person who [ traduced his Character he
was no less a Man than a C — 1 — n — he desired time perhaps
the Charge could be proved. Some of the Council observed that
they did not doubt but Fellows could be got to swear a Man out
of his Character — but that Col°. Hogeboom had brought such
Testimonials in support of his Character as no one Person in the
List of Justices had offered to the Council Board, his name was
therefor ordered immediately to be put in the List of Justices 1 .
Major Vosburgh has desired me to acquaint you that he has
been over at [Cox]sackie and that he has enquired into the
causes of the uneasiness that has been among some of the people
there and that he finds those murmurs originated in a Supposition
that some of the Discontented (who thought themselves entitled
to Commissions) were neglected. That they find
and things are settled again.
I remain with Great Respect and Esteem
Sir
Your most Obliged and Obedient Servant
H V SCHAACK
ADDRESSED: To
The Honorable
Sir William Johnson Baronet
Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 2 Kinderhook
Henry Van Schaack's Letter
1 Calendar of Council Minutes, p. 481.
2 In Johnson's hand.
680 Sir William Johnson Papers
JAMES HILL CLARCK'S BILL
A. D. S.
[Sir Willjiam Johnson Baronet D r :
s d
[To] 2 Battoes by James Hill Clarck £15. . 0. .
^ Johannes Van Antwerpe
& Necolas A cl . De Graaf & Comp :
] Orders John B : Van Ep 8 .
'Johnson Hall May 18 th . 1770 Rec d . of Sir W Johnson
Bar 1 , the above sum in full
John Vantwerpe
A RECEIPT FROM PLOWMEN
D. S.
May 18th 1770
Rec d . from Sir William Johnson by the hands of Tho s . Flood
the sum of three pounds foure shilling New York Currency for
seven days plowing done by us at Nine shilling p r day Martain
Welldorff Peter Crouse Danel Servise
Daneil Servos
his
Peter X Crouse
mark
INDORSED: 2 Recp 1 . for 7 Days
ploughing
£3..3..—
1 Receipt in Johnson's hand.
2 In Johnson's hand.
Pod-War Period, 1763-1774 681
AN ORDER ON ABRAHAM MORTIER
A. D. S.
Johnson Hall May 18 th . 1770
Sir
Pay unto M r . John Wetherhead of New York
£80 Merchant, or order, on Demand, the sum of Eighty
Pounds New York Curr c y. & Charge it to Ace 1 , of
Y r . Humble Servant
W. Johnson
To Abraham Mortier Esq r .
Dep: Pay M r . General
New York
FROM JAMES STEVENSON
[Niagara, May 18, 1770]
Dear Sir
I was favoured with your very obliging letter of the 7 th . of
March by the Indians & return you a thousand thanks for the
news, yours being the only particular Acc ,s . receiv'd in the
Garrison —
In consequence of your kind offer, I now trouble you with my
Ace 1 ., it is but small, & whether it will be paid or not, I shall
always gratefully acknowledge your good intentions to serve me.
As I fortunately live without the new fort the Indians have free
access to my house, without laying me under the necessity of
applying to His Excellency our Governor 1 for passes, which
every officer in the new-works is obliged to do when he finds the
spirit move him for a Squaw^-My convenient situation for the
Savages has however led me into an extraordinary expence since
Captain John Brown, the commandant.
682 Sir William Johnson Papers
I resigned the Command, for I may with propriety affirm that I
have given the Indians more since Cap 1 . Brown arriv'd than he
has done — but as that was a voluntary act of my own I cannot
properly charge it to the ace 1 , of Government, indeed self interest
had some share in it, as I have been married since November to an
Amiable Seneca Grand daughter of Mons r . Chabert, but even in
this act I hope you will allow the good of the service was concern'd,
from the absolute necessity of changing the french blood & divert
it into an English channel — this accomplished young lady is soon
going to the Castle to plant Corn, & in order to keep up the good
name of the English I will load her with presents — You see by
this that even in my amours I have still the good of the publick
in view — I hope [I] have not taken your name in vain when I
have frequently mention'd to the Indians that you was a great
friend to me, for in consequence of this they pay as much attention
to me, as they do to our Governor who they distinguish by the
appellation of the white head, or the Bald-Eagle —
Since I had the honour to write to you last, the Gov r . paid a
visit to M r Pfister. I seiz'd the occasion to contradict his orders
(verbally) in respect to the Indians, & since that time they have
not been stop'd at the gates or their packs search'd, the beneficial
effects of which we have been sensible of, for we have been over
stock'd with venison — My Father in law alone has brought to
this Garrison no less than forty Carcases of venison — that you
may know him should he come in your way, his name is Ra, on,
ta, wa, neh — Old Serretoas is expected here in fifteen days, when
I shall not fail of delivering your message & inforce it with a keg
of On[ I am very well acquainted with him & have
several times sent him away from this happy — The first visit I
ever had from him he told me he was glad to see a man command
at Niagara without a White-head —
A Chief of the Seneca Warriors (Sa, we, toa) leaves this to
morrow, he tells me he soon intends you a visit, perhaps he may
be with you before this letter arrives — from all the information
I have been able to procure, it appears the Senecas are still of a
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 683
disposition to be quiet, should their intentions be otherwise I can
only say they are good Free-Masons
From the Licentiousness of the people (which is evident by the
paper you inclosed me) I am afraid it will become necessary to
apply violent remedies to such desperate disorders — Comp ts . to
S r John and the rest of your family — I am D r Sir Your most
Obed*. & oblig'd humble Ser f .
Ja s . Stevenson
FROM JAMES STEVENSON
Niagara May 18 lh ; 1770
Dear Sir
Since I had the honour of writing to you last old Serehoa has
been here to whom I delivered your message — he told me he was
glad you keep't him in remembrance & that he would not fail to
profit by your advice & promis'd to keep his people in peace &
quietness —
From any intelligence I have been able to procure it does not
appear that the Indians have an intention to disturb us this spring.
At the repeated requests of my very great friend Ra,on,ta,wa,
neh, I have given him a recommendation to your notice, which
will be produced to you at any future congress or whenever he
may come in your way ; I must therefore beg you will be so good
as to shew him some countenance] he is a man of some note
amongst their Warriors [& is] realy a very good Indian —
I hope the Saints will turn out good tenants on your Estate, but
of all Kingdoms that I have ever read of, I have the greatest
aversion to the establishment of theirs — I am so prejudiced in
favour of Episcopalians that I hope they will always be the
majority of your Tenants —
Should the Gen 1 , be pleas'd to allow my Ace 1 , may I beg you
will order it to be paid to my Brother? My best comp ,s . to S r .
684 Sir William Johnson Papers
John & the rest of your family — M r8 . Stevenson begs her respects
to you
D': Sir
Your very humble Servant
Ja s . Stevenson
S r . William Johnson Baronet
INDORSED: 1 Cap 1 . J s . Stevensons Letter
from Niagra
FROM RICHARD CARTWRIGHT
Albany 18 May 1770
Hon d . Sir
Last night a Sloop arrived from New London M r Chew has
sent in her a Coop with 2 Pea fowls a small box &c D°. with some
trees which I fear are Dead Shall Send them by first Conveyance
I have also Consigned me a few Casks Choice Claret they say a
few boxes Oyl a few Caggs old french Brandy & box frontineac"
if you or your good family should want any they Shall be Sent
on the first notice by Sir
Your most Obed 1 . humble Serv 1 to Command
R Cartwright 3
ADDRESSED: To
The Hon ,e . S r . Will" 1 Johnson Bar 1 ,
at Johnson Hall
INDORSED: 4 M r . Cartwrights letter
Ans rd . —
May 1770
1 In Johnson's hand.
2 Frontignac, a French wine.
3 For later history of Richard Cartwright see Minutes of the Commis-
sioners for Conspiracies, p. 170, 171, 176, 191, 197, 209, 834.
* In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-1774 685
ALEXANDER MC KEE TO GEORGE CROGHAN
Extract 1
Extract of M r . McKees Leter
There is one Pindergrass and one Elliot who have prevail'd
upon Montour in his drunken frolicks to obtain Liberty from a
fue Indians of Setleing on the opisiat Side of ohio under pretence
of ferrying them over to y e . fort Butt I understand they Clame a
Large Tract of Land by vertue of this Liberty, this will Soon be
another Cause of Complaint when itt Comes to be Generally
known I Spoke to the Commanding officer about itt as itt is Don
in the face of the Garison & thought itt Might be in his power to
prevent it as an Infrengment of the General Boundry fixed by the
Kings orders & the Body of the Six Nations besides there is other
pople aplying in y e Same Maner therefore I thought proper to
aquaint you of itt as %aps itt May be thought proper to putt a
Stop to check proceedings before it goes any farther
INDORSED: 2 Mr Croghans letter
w ltl an Inclosure
May 19*. 1770
Ans rd .
FROM SAMUEL STRINGER
Albany 19 th . May 1770
I received your favour of the 1 4 th . Ins 1 , with the Cash for the
Milstones, of which there is 1/6 too much;
I know not what to say to you about the Goods, which I have
not hitherto been able to get out of the Hands of the Committee
of Trade at York, but hope, soon shall now, as I am informd, the
Merchants there were to meet sometime this week in order to open
1 Inclosed in Croghan's letter of May 1 9 to Johnson.
2 In Johnson's hand.
686 Sir William Johnson Papers
the Importation of Goods, except Tea. I should have been glad
to have heard what was the reply made to your Letter; perhaps
another at this juncture from you, woud have the desired Effect;
w ch : however I am afraid to request, least the Answer you rec d :
might make it inconsistent to write again.
As I have had no opportunity to forward the Articles you were
pleased to order, I have sent them V your Post, all but the Emp :
Diachylon, Mellilot, & Roborans, w ch : I happen at present to be
out of but expect a supply by the next Ships. M rs : Stringer
desires her Comp ,s . to you, & with great Esteem I remain
S r . y r . most Obed*. Serv 1 .
Sam l . Stringer
P. S. The Merchants here yesterday voted Nem:
Con: to import Goods immediately
INDORSED: 1 May 19 th . 1770
D r . Stringer's Letter
FROM JOSEPH BLANCHARD
A. L. S.
Albany May 19* 1770
Sir
I hear you have administered on the Estate of Daniel Deniston.
I wou'd therefore acquaint you that he own'd about 2000 acres of
Land in the first Catts Kill Patent — the owners are the Heirs of
S r . H. Moore Dec d . Jn° M Scott Esq, Thurman and Husk,
Atwood and Brown, Thomas Lynott Will™ Kane Hugh Denis-
ton M. G. Van Bergin and My self — the Land was devided on
the Map and Balloted for and Deeds of Partition are Executed,
and the Deed made to D. Deniston is with M r . Scott of New
York, the Attorney — the owners of the Land have agreed to
have the Lines Run and marked according the Partition already
made and have advanced each a Sum to enable me to do the work
In Johnson's hand.
Post-War Period, 1763-/774 687
and have also Promised to pay the Remainder when I have fin-
ished the work I should therefore be glad of your derection in
regard of D. Denistons share in the Tract above mentioned —
the whole Expence of this devision for his share will not exceed
£5 . . — he had some further Interest in the second Patent which
I am to devide before I return. I must therefore beg the fav r . of
a Line ^ the return of your Post what you'd have done in the
affair — which shall be Carefully Attended to <$ your
Most Obed 1 . and Very Hum b,e Servant
Joseph Blanchard
P. S. Please to direct for the Letter to be
Left at M r W m . Kamis —
Sir Wm Johnson Baronet
ADDRESSED : To
Sir William Johnson Baronet
at
Johnson Hall
indorsed: 1 May 19 th . 1770
M r . Joseph Blanchards letter
FROM JOHN MONIER
[May 19, 1770] Albany Saturday Night 12 oClock
Sir
M r . Farringer has just this moment delivered me your Letter 
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